JOIN US FOR A CELEBRATION OF THE FINEST B RITISH FOOD AND CULINARY TALENT AT R OCKLIFFE H ALL IN F EBRUARY 2019 SPONSORED BY
THE ARTISAN FOOD FAIR
GUEST CHEF MARK GREENAWAY
GUEST CHEF MARK JORDAN & FORAGER KAZZ
ASPIRING CHEF OF THE YEAR 2019 LUNCHEON
The Brasserie
The Orangery
Rockliffe Suite
Monday 4th February
Wednesday 6th February
Saturday 9th February
£65 - Cocktail on arrival, 5 course set menu by Mark Greenaway and a copy of Mark’s award-winning cookbook
£110 - Welcome drink, 6 course tasting menu by Mark Jordan and Richard Allen paired with 4 wines
£19.50 - 3 course lunch by the winners of the Aspiring Chef of the Year competition, in collaboration with Darlington College
WORLD’S BEST SUNDAY LUNCH WITH ANDREW PERN
GARDENERS LUNCH WITH PHIL MENNEL & RICHARD ALLEN
TASTE OF THE NORTH EAST BANQUET
The Clubhouse
The Orangery
The Clubhouse
COME DINE WITH US BLACK TIE GALA DINNER
Tuesday 5th February
Thursday 7th February
Rockliffe Suite
£35 - Tour of the gardens with the Head Gardener and 2 course lunch by Richard Allen
£55 - Canapés on arrival, 4 course banquet by guest chefs David Henry, Steven Lawford, Ronald Robson and Andy Simms
Saturday 9th February
Rockliffe Suite and Estate Grounds Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd February 10am to 4pm Complimentary
OUT D L O S Sunday 3rd February £55 - 5 course Sunday lunch menu
AN EVENING WITH DANIEL FLETCHER, DANNY PARKER AND DAVID COULSON
NORTH EAST SOMMELIERS CALL MY BLUFF
The Orangery
The Orangery
OUT D L SO
Sunday 3rd February
£85 - 6 course menu inspired by 70 years of the NHS
Tuesday 5th February £45 - Enjoy 5 wines led by our wine buffs and Berkmann Cellars. But who is lying and who is telling the truth? Sharing boards and sweet treats included
GUEST CHEF JAMES MACKENZIE The Clubhouse Friday 8th February £65 - Welcome drink, canapés and 4 course set menu by James Mackenzie
IN AID OF
www.rockliffehall.com Hurworth-on-Tees Darlington County Durham DL2 2DU +44 (0)1325 729999 enquiries@rockliffehall.com
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£95 - Champagne reception, 4 course set banquet by Rockliffe Hall’s executive chefs Richard Allen, Aaron Craig and Paul O’Hara with live entertainment
To find out more visit www.rockliffehall.com call 01325 729999 or search ‘Rockliffe Hall’s festival of food’
WELCOME
contents 8>> Do This ISSUE 56 JAN/FEB19 Deadlines are a funny thing at this time of year. I write this exactly a week before Christmas, with a 20-minute deadline until we all head off for a prawn cocktail and the full-on, sprout-laden turkey dinner. By the time you get to read this we’ll all be committing to Dry January, existing on a diet of turkey soup - and cursing the remnants of Christmas crackers that turn up where you least expect. Anyone found a use for that mini screwdriver - ever? Ah yes, a new year. Hopefully we can bring you some joy to start yours. Let’s not get too stressed about resolutions and all the pressure a ‘new start’ brings. Instead, ease into 2019 gently. As they say, it’s a marathon not a sprint, so with that in mind, grab your cup of detox tea and sit back with an edition of Luxe that’s full of good things, people and places. Discover some inspiration for getways, cultural diary dates, food festivals and a loved-up Valentine’s Day. Dip into our LifeGuide Essentials to meet some cool people who are making midlife marvellous, discovering what it means to be part of the ‘un-retired’ gang. Whatever ‘next-up’ means to you, we hope it’s a satisfying, successful and sunny 2019.
EDITORIAL Kathryn Armstrong editorial director kathryn@remembermedia.co.uk Jessica Laing jessica@remembermedia.co.uk Elysia Agnew elysia@remembermedia.co.uk SALES Lisa Anderson director lisa@remembermedia.co.uk Debi Coldwell director debi@remembermedia.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Auld chris@chrisauldphotography.co.uk Kevin Gibson info@kgphotography.co.uk Nicky Rogerson info@kgphotography.co.uk
14>> Lumiere Celebrating ten years
22>> Snuggle-up Fashion for easy days
32>> Love stuff Valentine’s Day inspiration
36>> Life’s work Physio for good
38>> Hotel life We meet Imran Khaliq
42>> Cover-ups Jackie Gregson from Gosforth is a consultant in emergency medicine – and a keen fund-raising cyclist. Her Luxe things in life include an indulgent trip to Rapha bike shop in London; a glass of Rasteau red wine from Provence and pamper time in a luxury spa.
Rockholly’s cool rainwear
49>> WIN! A luxe winter cottage stay
54>> Violet Green Village dining dream
58>> Food joy! Rockliffe’s Festival of Food
68>> Quirky residence Durham’s off-beat B&B
76>> Luxe local Heading off to Morpeth
84>> Aston awayday
Remember to share every day of the year with us - online at luxe-magazine.co.uk and weekly with Luxe Loves the Weekend luxe-magazine.co.uk/theweekend
THE LUXE TEAM Christopher March publisher chris@remembermedia.co.uk
Prepare for a cultured year
Dream drives
94>> Social diary
Dan Fletcher is a London foodie returning home to the North East this February as part of Rockliffe Hall’s Festival of Food. His luxe things in life: “Blowing the cobwebs away with a walk on the Cleveland Hills, an overdue meal catching up with friends and that moment when your skis hit the ground getting off the top of the cable car.”
DESIGN David Stubbs creative director dave@remembermedia.co.uk Kimberley Rumble kimberley@remembermedia.co.uk If you wish to advertise with us please contact our sales team: Lisa Anderson: lisa@remembermedia.co.uk / 07734 560565 or Debi Coldwell: debi@remembermedia.co.uk / 07910 918366
Remember Media Ltd, e.volve Business Centre, Cygnet Way, Rainton Bridge South, DH4 5QY remembermedia.co.uk All contents copyright ©2018 RememberMedia Ltd. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork or advertising materials while in transmission or with the publisher or their agents. All information is correct at time of going to print, December 2018.
Debbie Gadd has turned her gorgeous Durham home into a quirky B&B. Her Luxe things: “Pilates to keep me sane and look after my body. Travel to Thailand, and trailing the antique auction houses from London to Scotland for bizarre quirky pieces.”
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LUXE LOVES
LUXE LOVES Wrapped up in wool Get cosy with By Cecil’s Coastal Collection. An oversized scarf to wrap around your arms, throw over your shoulder and drape in your home. Claire Merino Wool Oversized Scarf Blue, £149 www.bycecil.com
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T H E AWA R D - W I N N I N G XC 4 0 .
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Ts & Cs *All quotes based on £359.62 as deposit followed by 47 further monthly rentals of £359.62 commencing in month 2. All by Direct Debit. Based on personal contract hire, non-maintained. All rentals and excess mileage rates are inclusive of VAT and are subject to vehicle availability, credit approval, manufacturer’s price changes, volume related bonus and purchase through Volvo Car Leasing. Supplier Network, with a mileage of 8,000 miles per annum. Vehicle returned must be in good condition and within agreed mileage, otherwise further charges will be incurred. Excess Mileage 7.56 per mile for the first 5,000 miles and 10.08p per mile thereafter. In the event of cancellation of an order, you will be liable for such costs to be confirmed to you in writing. All other terms and conditions are as per the Master Hire Agreement or Customer Agreement between yourselves and Volvo Car Leasing. Prices correct at the time of going to print, are subject to change without notice and do not take into account any variation to government taxes or charges arising after date of publication. Subject to availability at participating dealers for vehicles ordered on or before 31st January 2019 or while stocks last. Not available with other promotions. Volvo Car Leasing Contract Hire is Provided by Lex Autolease Ltd, trading as Volvo Car Leasing, incorporated and registered in England with company number 1090741 & registered office at 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN. Car shown for illustration purposes only.
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LUXE LIFE
J O E F R AS E R
Two years ago Joe swapped his job co-running his family’s business, Borge Italian Restaurant in Stockton, to set up Joe Fraser Chartered Surveyors. The business has successfully expanded leading to the recruitment of several surveyors and support staff. They have a branch in Eaglescliffe and recently opened an office in SW1 London, just near Victoria Station. Joe and his partner Becky have two children Isabelle and Hugo. This year Joe turned 30 and celebrated with a trip to Dubai with friends for a ‘celebration’, which included skydiving across the Palms resort, ticking one off the bucket list! Joe loves food and eating out, music and going to gigs. LUXE PLACES >> Weekend > Edinburgh for its vibe, shopping
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and historic buildings. Long holiday > Far East - we spent time in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand bit of a mini tour. Singapore definitely a standout city, contemporary, great buzz and full of life. A treat > South of France for a cheeky trip to Cannes. LUXE RELAX >> Best food > Japanese, I’m a big fan of sushi and will always try to work a trip away around visiting a Japanese restaurant for my favourite dish, miso black cod. Best wine > A good bottle of red - Becky’s sister brought us a bottle of Mezzanella back from the Masi Vineyard after a trip to Italy this year, it really stood out. Restaurant > Le Roi Foi - Edinburgh has been a recent highlight. Locally it’s hard to beat Chadwicks at Barker and Stonehouse for lunch with a Greek twist.
Perfect weekend > A trip out with the family for the day, we love Riley’s Fish Shack at Tynemouth… coming from a foodie background, a lot of my favourite places involve food. Downtime means > A glass of wine reading Monocle, maybe playing some vinyl on my prized Rega turntable. Best telly > House of Cards for its political espionage. Best book > A good read this year has been The Secret Barrister, an interesting insight into the judicial system. Best sounds > Bears Den are a current favourite, they performed a great small gig recently with a string quartet. LUXE SHOP >> Has to be Hi-Fi Sound in Stockton of all places, an absolute gem of a hi-fi addict’s dream, they recently helped me build my ultimate system.
Best shopping city > London, having an office in the capital makes shopping a cinch. Favourite shop > As above; Hi-Fi Sound in Stockton. Luxe retail treat > I was born in the wrong decade, so I’m eagerly trying to acquire as much vinyl as possible. LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > Singapore Grand Prix - very special. Perfect party > Good music, good food and good company! Best dress > A blue blazer - can dress up with a shirt or down with a tee. Dinner date > Of course, with my partner Becky - preferably without the kids so we can enjoy the meal in peace! YOUR LUXE THING IN LIFE >> My two kids, has to be.
JAN/FEB19
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Stay in >> go out >> enjoy A new year is the perfect time to get your cultural mojo moving. We take a look at some of the treats in store of 2019 26 JANUARY The Bowes Museum, at the heart of what’s fast becoming Britain’s Antique Town, is hosting a ground-breaking exhibition in Barnard Castle. SOLD! 200 Years of Antique Dealing in Britain is the first time the history of antique dealing has been the subject of an exhibition in a public museum, with an in-depth look at antique dealers, their taste and eye for objects, their shops and practices. Housed in the Museum’s main exhibition space, the display takes the visitor on a journey through 200 years of antique dealing through an innovative ‘shopping for antiques’ theme. Working in partnership with dealers in Barnard Castle, the Bowes Museum will recreate an ‘Old Curiosity Shop’ from the 1850s giving visitors a visual feast of the kind of objects that would have been on sale in the era of Dickens. thebowesmuseum.org.uk
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JANUARY
Award-winning Northumberland singer songwriter Katie Doherty is rubber-stamping her return to the spotlight and kicking 2019 off in style with an album launch at Sage Gateshead. More than a decade after her debut solo release, Bridges, presented her as a new folk voice to be reckoned with, Katie’s latest project sees her reuniting with friends and fellow North East-based musicians, Dave Gray (on melodeon) and Shona Mooney (on fiddle). Together, they are Katie Doherty and the Navigators. Following a successful 12-date tour in the autumn of 2018, the trio - who all count themselves as graduates of Newcastle University’s acclaimed folk degree course - will be officially launching their debut long player, ‘And Then’ at the special Sage gig on 17 January, 2019. Kicking off the Sage Gateshead’s New Year, New Artists four-gig series (running from 17-20 January, 2019), the concert will see Katie, Shona and Dave taking to the stage in Sage Two to showcase tracks from the new release, which Katie has co-produced with longtime friend, Julien Batten. Sagegateshead.com
30 JANUARY Scottish Ballet brings the irresistible Cinderella to Theatre Royal to brighten up the dark days. Fabulous score and an enchanting story. Theatreroyal.co.uk
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UNTIL FEBRUARY
See the bold work of internationally acclaimed Alnwick-born contemporary artist Stella Vine at Bailiffgate gallery in the town. Stella Vine has donated a substantial collection of artworks to Bailiffgate. After her mother died in 2003, Stella’s work took on a frenzy, resulting in a blood dripping portrait of Princess Diana foreseeing her own death and a poignant, yet bloody, painting of the young heroin addict Rachel Whitear. Both paintings caused a media storm back in 2004. At that same time, the art collector Charles Saatchi first discovered Stella Vine and her paintings. Her fans number among them the singer Florence Welch. The Bailiffgate building was formerly the Catholic church of St Mary’s, which young Melissa, as Stella was called then, attended every Sunday until she was seven. Her mother and father got married there, and her brother, Alistair, was an altar boy. The artist’s beloved 105 year old Grandmother, Gladys, still resides nearby. Young Melissa also attended Our Ladies Convent High School for Girls. Her mother, Ellenor, was a seamstress and made all the nuns habits, in return for her free place. www.bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk
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5 FEBRUARY Great thrills as the Royal Shakespeare Company makes a very welcome return to Newcastle with the everlasting Romeo & Juliet. As good as it gets. Theatreroyal.co.uk
JAN/FEB19
ADVERTORIAL
Don’t settle with second best Celebrating its 10th year in business this month, Major Family Law is a force to be reckoned with in the family law arena. The progressive family law firm based in Ponteland is now the fastest growing niche practice in the North East and continues to take new instructions from both the UK and abroad. Founded by Joanne Major in January 2009, the practice has expanded from a kitchen table operation to a respected firm with a strong reputation both regionally and nationally, thanks to the hand-picked team of family law specialists, consultants, and legal assistants who dedicate themselves to putting client well-being at the forefront of their work ethos. In what has been a turbulent Brexit period and for the legal profession generally, Major Family Law has determinedly bucked the trend and continued to grow in strength, size and reputation. With the end of the financial year on 30 September, the practice was delighted to announce its most successful performance to date with a 25% increase in turnover on the previous year, reflecting the attitude of individuals that Major Family Law is the go-to practice for family law advice. The work undertaken on a routine basis covers all aspects of private family law
including divorce, separation, pre and post nuptial agreement, complex and high net-worth financial disputes, private children law, specifically with jurisdictional and international elements. There is major talent in the young, highly effective team who are all dedicated family lawyers, experts in their field and committed to ensuring that all their clients are treated with respect, compassion and the utmost professionalism. The management team was bolstered with the appointment of senior solicitor, Lucinda Connell as a Director in January 2018. Lucinda’s experience and gravitas adds weight to the firm’s professional armoury. Exciting plans are afoot this 10th year in business with the recruitment of more specialist family lawyers, an expansion of the firm’s bespoke premises and a revision of their established brand to reflect the firm’s growing professional stature as a market leader. The ethos of Major Family Law is quite simple; they pride themselves on providing a top flight bespoke service without the prohibitive hourly rate of city centre practices. If you, a family member or indeed a friend therefore need help with a family matter this year, surely you would want to know you had placed your future in the hands of “the best” wouldn’t you?
Joanne Major is the Principal of Major Family Law, the Divorce and Family Law Specialists, 12 West Road, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne T: 01661 82 45 82 www.majorfamilylaw.co.uk Twitter: @majorfamilylaw
Specialist divorce and family lawyers 01661 82 45 82 enquiries@majorfamilylaw.co.uk www.majorfamilylaw.co.uk
DO THIS
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FEBRUARY
The awe-inspiring production of War Horse returns to Sunderland Empire as part of its 10th anniversary tour. War Horse is an unforgettable theatrical event which takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France. At its heart are astonishing life-sized horses by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage in Michael Morpurgo’s well-loved story. ATGtickets.com/Sunderland
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MARCH
Those sassy Calendar Girls are back in the chuckle and sob musical penned by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth. Based on the true story of the calendar girls - a group of ordinary ladies who achieved something extraordinary. ATGtickets.com/Sunderland
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FEBRUARY
20 The charming story of Dr Doolittle, the man who talks to animals, takes to the stage at Theatre Royal Newcastle with the loveable Mark Williams as the eccentric doctor in this much-loved story. Remember Pushmi-Pullyu? Join him and Polynesia the Parrot in this joyful family fest. Theatreroyal.co.uk
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FEBRUARY
The legendary Booker T Jones makes a welcome return to delight funk and soul fans at Sage, Gateshead. Part of a funky start to 2019 which also includes the New Year New Artist Festival in January showcasing some exciting, new generation artists including Vels Trio and the math rock and electronic sounds of Slow Loris and Purpleshirt. Sagegateshead.com
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FEBRUARY The Mousetrap, the legendary whodunnit from Queen of Crime, Dame Agatha Christie, hits Sunderland starring Gwyneth Strong as Mrs Boyle in this unstoppable West End hit which has been delighting theatre-goers for 67 years with its macabre murder mystery. ATGtickets.com/Sunderland Theatreroyalco.uk
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MARCH
BBC presenter Anita Rani hosts Blue Planet II – Live In Concert at MetroRadio Arena. Accompanied by the original immersive television music score by Bleeding Fingers Music, composed by Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea and David Fleming, the concert will be performed live by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, and conducted by Matthew Freeman. It plays alongside a selection of incredible visuals from the BAFTA Award winning BBC One landmark series, highlighting the amazing natural wonders of our blue planet in breath-taking detail, projected on a giant state of the art 4K Ultra HD LED screen. The concert will feature exciting visuals from the show including the now infamous Tusk fish, the Crab and Eel rock pool chase and the ‘folklore-turned-reality’ Sea Lion tuna hunt, to mention but a few. metroradioarena.co.uk
Book it now 2 MAY
9 JULY
Danny Baker heads to Tyne Theatre for chuckles and nostalgia in his chirpy show, Good Time Charlie’s Back. “Startling, high kicking, fresh, eruptive”, says the man! tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Legend in leopardskin, Rod Stewart is bang on trend these days. The sartorial songster makes a stop at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena in July. His Newcastle show marks the first time Rod has played in the city since 2013. metroradioarena.co.uk
1 JUNE Acclaimed synth-pop pioneer Howard Jones hits Gateshead to celebrate both the release of his new album, Transform, and 35th anniversary of the release of his debut album, Human’s Lib. Howard will be joined by very special guests China Crisis. As well as performing tunes from the new album, concert goers can expect to hear many classic songs including What is Love, New Song, Pearl in the Shell, Things Can Only Get Better and Hide and Seek, which he performed at Live Aid. Sagegateshead.com
JAN/FEB19
It’s the little things we do that make a big difference >> Archie Rhys Griffiths, On the Coal Tips, 1928-32, 760mm x 620mm, Oil on canvas. Copyright: © Estate of Archie Rhys Griffiths. Courtesy of The Auckland Project
UNTIL MARCH Breaking Ground – Women of the Northern Coalfields is an exhibition focusing on women of the 19th century and their untold role in the coal industry and mining communities. Artworks and archival material challenge the long-accepted view that women in northern mining communities were simply wives, mothers or domestic workers, content to sit on the side-lines. It’s on at the Mining Art Gallery, Bishop Auckland until 24 March. aucklandproject.org
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Luxe Half Page - September Weddings - Outlined.pdf 1 14/12/2018 15:38:46
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APRIL
The glorious gold-flecked ABC will be performing the iconic debut album, The Lexicon Of Love, in its entirety plus all the band’s greatest hits. ABC will be joined by the Southbank Sinfonia and long-time collaborator Anne Dudley, who will conduct the evening. The Lexicon of Love was first released in 1982 and went straight to number one. Fusing dance floor finesse with a post-punk attitude, the album spawned timeless tracks such as The Look of Love and All of My Heart. The album saw ABC enchant the world with their own unique brand of pop and remains one of the best albums of all time. Sagegateshead.com
UNTIL MARCH
5 APRIL Singer Gabrielle will be performing songs from her new album and showcasing her signature hits at Sage. Under My Skin, Gabrielle’s first studio album in 11 years, was released this July and charted in the UK at Number 7, her highest selling release since Rise topped the charts in 2000. Her Number 1 single, Dreams, stormed the charts all over Europe and Australia, going Gold in the UK and cementing Gabrielle as one of the most exciting names in pop music. Two and a half decades later, her album, Under My Skin, is reminding the world of Gabrielle’s signature, heart-warming, soul-stirring voice. Sagegateshead.com
>> Portrait of Dame Flora Robson, (oil on canvas), 1933-34, Walker, Ethel (1861-1951) © The Estate of Ethel Walker / Bridgeman Images
An exhibition showcasing a portrait of South Shields born actress Flora Robson, by Ethel Walker RA, is the centrepiece of a new exhibition at South Shields Museum & Art Gallery. Capturing a Star: Dame Flora Robson and other works by Dame Ethel Walker includes seven works by renowned Scottish artist Dame Ethel Walker on loan from the Royal Academy of Arts collection, and other works from the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle. The exhibition is part of the wider nationwide programme of talks, events and exhibitions to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Royal Academy of Arts in 2018, supported by Art Fund. Capturing a Star explores the struggle these two women endured to achieve creative success despite societal obstacles, and is part of South Shields Museum & Art Gallery’s programme of exhibitions marking 100 years since some women were given the right to vote. Flora Robson overcame early prejudice to her lack of the conventional beauty deemed necessary for acting, and had a very successful career spanning over 50 years, starring in 60 films and more than 100 plays. Ethel Walker RA is recognised as one of Britain’s leading female painters, a strong character who did not conform to perceived gender roles of the time and challenged traditional views of femininity; for example, she insisted sitters remove their make-up before she painted their portraits. southshieldsmuseum.org.uk
Six showstoppers for 2019
SPECTACLE: LUMIERE >> Durham is fast-becoming the City of Light on our doorstep and this year the magical Lumiere festival returns in November celebrating ten years of dazzling light sculptures, sensory magnificence and awe-inspiring installations. November. Lumiere-festival.com
SPORTING: ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP DURHAM >> A real biggie in the cricket world. All eyes will be on the Riverside this summer as Durham CCC hosts three ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 matches, including England’s final group game against New Zealand. July. Durhamccc.co.uk
SPIRITED: GIN&FIZZ >> The Prosecco and Gin Festival returns to Newcastle with more than 60 selected gins and a bar dedicated to providing a large selection of sparkling wines and prosecco. Sample, sip and meet the suppliers. March. eventbrite.co.uk
STOP-IN-YOUR-TRACKS: MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE, THEATRE ROYAL NEWCASTLE >> Lauded as the landmark performance which replaced female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, this is a newly refreshed version of the memorable interpretation. May. Theatreroyal.co.uk
SING-A-LONG: CLUB TROPICANA SUNDERLAND EMPIRE >> Fun and sunshine, there’s enough for everyone at this ultimate feel-good musical in May. Cheesy as they get, this heaps on the hits of the 80s for a superb show steeped in teen nostalgia and served up by Joe McElderry. May. Atgtickets.com
SPEEDY: UCI CHAMPIONSHIP CYCLING, YORKSHIRE >> Cycling’s big guns will be out as the thrilling world road racing championship heads to Yorkshire where cycling really is in the blood these days. Loads of thrills on two wheels for all ages and abilities. September. Yorkshire2019.co.uk
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JAN/FEB19
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Along with ensuring high levels of propriety and regularity the Galileo Multi Academy Trust are striving to embed an overarching ‘value for money’ culture within its organisation. Our conversion to Academy Status coincided with the Government’s revision of the National Funding Formula, which had a detrimental impact
How to protect your children during a divorce Whilst I advise regularly on the resolution of financial matters upon parties separating, I am also frequently asked to advise about arrangements for children. As in all areas of my practice, communication and considering compromises is key. However, Christmas and New Year can be a particularly difficult time of year when disputes over arrangements for children during the festive holidays escalate as it is such an important period for families to spend time together. Under the Children Act 1989 the child’s welfare is paramount and there are a number of factors that the court needs to consider amongst other matters is the child’s wishes and feelings, which in reality is about parties listening to what the child is asking. The older a child is, the more weight a child’s voice will carry. Often though a child’s voice will be lost when one or both parent’s own wishes are put before their child’s. This can be understandable when parties themselves, for example are entering into the unknown as single parents and struggling to deal with a very difficult period in their own lives, though, I will frequently hear one parent accusing the other of falsely stating that it is not the child’s wish but that other parent’s wish to limit time. In my experience, it is not and can just be a child who is anxious about not wanting to upset a parent because the child wants to spend time elsewhere so expresses their wish through a parent. This raises the issue that if there is good communication not only between parties but
also between parent and child, such as their wishes and feelings a lot of mistrust and misunderstandings can be minimised. Communication is key along with good planning. In most aspects of life, planning helps. Last minute requests do not and one parent may be disappointed because arrangements have already been put in place because they have not conveyed their wish in good time. Ultimately, your child will be the most precious gift you will ever receive, and all they want is to be loved and happy. Not getting caught up in conflict because of poor communication can often be the greatest gift you can give to your child who will just want to spend time with their families without feeling caught in the middle. Wendy Beacom is a family law specialist who is based at Wynyard. You can contact her and the Tilly Bailey & Irvine family department for legal advice at wbeacom@tbilaw.co.uk
on both individual school and overall Trust funding. The principal financial risks to the Trust are future levels of government grant
Tilly Bailey & Irvine Law Firm, 12 Evolution, Wynyard Park, Wynyard TS22 5TB
funding and distribution of funding to Academies from 2019
Tel: 01740 646000 www.tbilaw.co.uk Find us on Twitter
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onwards. As Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Trust, I am passionate to ensure this culture is underpinned by streamlining processes, improving systems, reducing waste, and introducing a procurement policy to ensure support costs are efficiently, and effectively controlled, ensuring all children within the Trust are allocated the utmost funds, to enhance and broaden their school education and experience. We aim to keep a reasonable balance between academy trusts’ independence and the need to account for public money, while striving to achieve a position where accountability requirements are satisfied and the administrative burden is minimised.
MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE WWW.GALILEOTRUST.CO.UK
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SHINE ON
SHEDDING LIGHT ON DURHAM 14
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SHINE ON
Helen Marriage is the architect of Durham’s much-loved Lumiere light festival which returns for its tenth anniversary in November this year. Prepare for some surprises she tells Kathryn Armstrong “I have a high appetite for risk”, she laughs, referring to her very definite deadline for the festival’s opening. “It’s almost like building an estate for a short time. We have all these builders and contractors. For most projects things can run over – but for us it opens when we say it does. For this I really have to pay tribute to the crews – they work so hard to make sure it is all up and running”. This might mean them using crossbowstyle equipment to fling wires across rivers from one riverbank to another to create a net of light in the dead of night.
Helen Marriage has a high appetite for risk. She is the force behind the much-loved Lumiere light festival in Durham, which for four days every two years makes the city dazzle. Lumiere always brings with it spectacle, surprise and scale. Waterfalls from bridges, illuminated riverbanks and jaw-dropping installations that suspend your disbelief and strike at your senses. The light festival turns historic Durham into a magical wonderland with surprises at every turn. Visitors snake through familiar streets which for four days become anything but. In November Lumiere will celebrate its tenth anniversary and for Helen Marriage, director of Artichoke, the company that makes it happen, the thrill will be in bringing back some favourites and also exceeding the expectations of visitors who want to be thrilled. “It’s exciting to be planning for this tenth anniversary edition and I’m especially looking forward to selecting my ‘Director’s Cut’ from previous festivals. Over the last decade, around 150 artworks made by hundreds of artists involving thousands of community participants”, says Helen. Lumiere takes place every two years and is 18 months in the planning. Helen has to take on the role not only of creative force, selecting installations and artworks, but also that of part-engineer, part project-manager to ensure that the huge-scale installations are ready for the switch-on, bang on time.
Lumiere always brings with it spectacle, surprise and scale. Waterfalls from bridges, illuminated riverbanks and jaw-dropping installations that suspend your belief and strike at your senses It might mean having to engineer pumps to feed water for a temporary waterfall. These are epic-scale installations which bring with them – to the outsider – scary logistical complications. “I can tolerate risk and am superoptimistic that everything will be OK”, concludes Helen. She is delighted that Durham has embraced its status as ‘Place of Light’. Her family is from the city and so it holds a place in her heart.
LUMIERE: NEED TO KNOW • Returns to Durham 14 - 17 November 2019 • 2019 is the tenth anniversary of Lumiere in Durham • A new installation, Heron, was unveiled on the banks of River Wear on 14 November, 2018 to mark the year-ahead moment • Over the past decade, around 150 artworks have been shown as part of Lumiere • The festival contributes significantly to the local economy with a record 240,000 visitors in 2017 • Durham city is now known as ‘Place of Light’ • The legacy of Lumiere is that Durham has become the permanent home of some of the festival’s installations. Alongside Heron, the growing collection of public art includes projection artwork Helvetictoc at Clayport Library and Lightbench at Freemans Reach also overlooking the River Wear lumiere-festival.com
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“It is a compact city and that is why people have an intimate association with it. To work with the scale of it and bring landscape and art together is a gift.” Having such familiarity with Durham means that Helen can visualise artworks in situ – but what comes first – the place or the piece? “In 2015 one of our artists wanted to do a piece about fog. She came to Durham and down by the riverbank beneath the cathedral she said ‘it has to be here’ – it was just where I had wanted it to be.” The legacy of Lumiere is the permanence in the city of some of the commissioned
works – the latest of which is Heron, unveiled in November to mark a year to the 2019 festival. Heron is an illuminated homage to one of England’s most magnificent birds, and now shines as a permanent public sculpture on the banks of the River Wear. Created by artist Jon Voss and debuted at the 2017 festival, this permanent acquisition has been made possible through the support of the Banks Community Fund.
Make it happen! Lumiere is made possible by the support of Durham County Council, Arts Council England, local sponsors, business and funders large and small - businesses like the Banks Group which through County Durham Community Foundation, supports local environmental and community improvement projects in the areas surrounding the company’s operations. Mark Dowdall, Environment and Community Director at The Banks Group, says: "As a longstanding County Durham-based business, we are proud to be helping to further extend Lumiere's local cultural legacy by enabling the eye-catching Heron to become a permanent part of the Durham City landscape. "This is the third permanent Lumiere installation that we have supported through the Banks Community Fund, following Helvetictoc at Clayport Library and Lightbench at Freeman’s Quay, and we believe they all make a positive, long-lasting contribution to both local residents' and visitors' enjoyment of our wonderful city." Sarah Coop, Artichoke’s Development Director adds: “Lumiere is only possible with the help and support of local sponsors and funders large and small. What is so wonderful about Lumiere Durham is that it is a massive community effort. Everyone comes together to make it happen. We are calling on local business to support this spectacular anniversary edition and become proud partners in this event which offers a showcase to the world”. Since its inception in 2009, Lumiere has grown year on year and now attracts hundreds of thousands of local and national visitors to Durham, looking to experience the historic city ablaze with light. The festival, which contributes significantly to the local economy, experienced a record 240,000 visitors in 2017 across an expanded footprint, with more than half of the installations located outside the central peninsula area. Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “Lumiere has been really important for County Durham over the past ten years, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and bringing millions of pounds into the economy. Its programme of community engagement has also ensured that residents from across the county are not only able to enjoy the festival but also have the opportunity to get directly involved in it. “I am very much looking forward to Lumiere 2019, which promises to be another spectacular event. Although the programme has yet to be announced, Heron is the perfect reminder of what we can expect next year.” Fundraising for the 2019 festival is underway now, with local developer Milburngate being one of the first to sign up. Find out more about how to get involved by contacting Artichoke’s Development Director: sarah.coop@artichoke.uk.com
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GOOD STUFF
Sweet charity Doing good things in the North East, our charity round-up HIGH FLIERS >> Patients whose lives were saved by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) are adding their support to the charity’s fundraising ball in 2019. Stephanie Wilkinson, James Kavanagh, and Lauren Boylen were rescued by GNAAS after being involved in serious incidents. The trio are now inviting supporters to come to the charity’s annual Air Angels Ball which takes place in Gateshead on 15 June, 2019. Last year’s event raised £18,000. The ball takes place at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead. Tickets are £60 and include a three-course meal, live music, a disco and other entertainment. gnaas.com or call 01325-487263
HAPPY DAYS >> Ladies Who Rock is always a memorable event and the 2018 charity spectacular at Biscuit Factory, Newcastle, lived up to the event’s feel-good, fun-packed reputation. Headed up by businesswoman Alison Morgan of the Portland Group, LWR brought together men and women who were wined, dined and wowed by performances, enticing spot prizes and charity auctions – not to mention the chance to dance themselves dizzy at 1pm in the afternoon. Not many events on the NE charity calendar can promise that on an otherwise cheerless November day. The event was raising money for WIllowburn Hospice in Northumberland, Marie Curie and the Heel & Toe conductive education charity. Tickets are already selling fast for next year’s event. More details at facebook.com/ladieswhorock
HELP DESK >> North East model agency, Tyne Tees Models has teamed up with specialist drug, alcohol and mental health service Recovery4Life to launch a campaign to highlight a range of mental health issues and support services available. The campaign will feature a range of videos highlighting mental health supported by free ‘self-care’ materials and advice on where to get help. The first episode in the ‘Support By Talk’ series featured TTM’s MD Lesley Middlemiss Lister and Recovery4Life’s MD John Devitt who discussed the Wellness Campaign and the impact they hope it can make. See more at tyneteesmodels.co.uk
GREAT EFFORT >> Tyneside based international children’s charity COCO (Comrades of Children Overseas) is celebrating after raising £20,500 at its 13th black-tie ball. The glittering event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, in November, saw 229 guests dig deep to ensure the annual fundraiser was COCO’s most successful yet; raising much-needed funds to support the charity’s education projects in East Africa. The 2018 COCO Ball was hosted by BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown, with entertainment provided by party band, Storm. COCO’s CEO Lucy Kendall and co-founder Steve Cram CBE also took to the stage to help co-ordinate fundraising that included an auction, prize draw, silent auction and raffle. The COCO Ball was sponsored by the Crowne Plaza, Bang On and Grosvenor Casinos. Find the charity on Facebook or follow @COCO_Charity on Twitter. www.coco.org.uk
Lucy Kendall, CEO of COCO
TEE & CHEER >> A charity golf event at Rockliffe Hall has helped raise £7,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Alan Shearer and Tony Pulis were among those taking part in the event in October. 19 teams at the event raised a total of £4,000 which adds to £3,000 already raised by Rockliffe Hall’s Chief Executive, Eamonn Elliott, and his close friend Paul Graham. They recently completed the epic Wales End to End cycling challenge, when they cycled over 250 miles and climbed over 21,000ft. rockliffehall.com
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LUXE LOVES
LUXE LOVES Print perfection We love these retro prints from the Old School Gallery in Alnmouth, which celebrate the famous grid layout of Penguin book covers in the 1960s and feature iconic North East landmarks. A3 prints, ÂŁ30 theoldschoolgallery.co.uk
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LUXE LIFE
LEE RIDLEY
AKA Lost Voice Guy, Lee is a stand-up comedian from Newcastle. He won Britain’s Got Talent 2018 and has appeared on Live At The Apollo and performed at the Royal Variety Performance. His nationwide tour stops off at Newcastle in February and Stockton in April. His book, called ‘I’m Only In It For The Parking’ is due to be published in May LUXE PEOPLE >> The people who help me get to my gigs, I’d be lost without them! I might be the one making people laugh, but they get me to where I need to be. So thanks to Charlene, Curt, Ricia and, of course, my mam and dad. LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > Glasgow. I just love the place. It reminds me a lot of Newcastle. Everyone is just so friendly and the city has a great atmosphere. It has an amazing comedy scene too. A long holiday > New York. I went a few years ago and fell in love with the place. I can’t wait to go back. A treat > Anywhere in Ireland. I just love the accent. LUXE RELAX >> Best food > Lasagne. It’s my go to food when there’s nothing else I like. Best wine > I walk badly enough as it is without drinking. Favourite restaurant > Is Patisserie Valerie a restaurant? Perfect weekend > A weekend working at my favourite comedy club, The Stand in Newcastle. Downtime means > Switching off from the world and watching Netflix in my pants. Best telly > I still adore the League of Gentlemen, even after all these years. It’s delightfully dark and twisted. That probably explains my weird sense of humour. Best book > Mine, obviously. Out this year! Best sounds > My music taste is pretty much stuck in the 90s. So stuff like Ash, Manic Street Preachers, Oasis, Blur etc. I’m very much an indie guy. LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > Newcastle because you don’t have to bother with finding a parking space. Favourite shop > The Apple Store for obvious reasons. It’s where I got my voice. LUXE RETAIL TREAT >> Best buy > Definitely my Mac. LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > I once went out in Liverpool, fell over and split my head open right next to the statue of John Lennon. That was pretty memorable. Perfect party > Any party with an 11pm curfew, I’m getting too old! Best dress > The one I wear on Tuesdays. Dinner date > Eating cake with my best mates and making an absolute mess. YOUR LUXE THING IN LIFE >> Making people laugh. lostvoiceguy.com
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MAGIC LOUNGEABOUT
Snug Style Melt away the new year doom and gloom with some welldeserved me-time. Time to relax in laid-back loungewear and cosy up in soft silk, chunky knits and feel-good lingerie
>> Pure Collection Tocato Ribbed Cardigan, £170, John Lewis Newcastle >> Loungewear Slim Charcoal Joggers, £29, John Lewis Newcastle
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MAGIC LOUNGEABOUT
>> Pink Floral PJ Shirt, £175, Violet & Wren >> Pink Floral PJ Bottoms, £165, Violet & Wren
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MAGIC LOUNGEABOUT
>> Max Studio Long Space Dye Cardigan, £70, John Lewis Newcastle >> Fantasie Marianna Lingerie Bra and Briefs, £19 each, John Lewis Newcastle
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MAGIC LOUNGEABOUT
>> Nightie, £45, and Robe, £45, Victoria’s Secret at intu Metrocentre
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MAGIC LOUNGEABOUT
>> Bustier Bra, £45, Victoria’s Secret at intu Metrocentre
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MAGIC LOUNGEABOUT
Photography >> Kevin Gibson, www.kgphotography.co.uk Makeup >> Kate Pymm, www.facebook.com/ katepymmmakeup Hair >> Joe Stoker, 0753 878 7620 or search @JoeStokerHair on Facebook and @joestoker95 on Instagram Model >> Courtney Rendle www.tyneteesmodels.co.uk Stockists >> Victoria’s Secret at intu Metrocentre, www.intu.co.uk/metrocentre John Lewis Newcastle, www.johnlewis.com Violet & Wren, www.violetandwren.co.uk Location >> Beamish Hall Coppy Lane, Beamish, Stanley, DH9 0YB www.beamish-hall.co.uk 01207 233733
>> Pure Silk Midi Nightdress, £89, John Lewis Newcastle >> Pure Silk Midi Robe, £120, John Lewis Newcastle
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GOOD TIMES
A certain style A new year is a great time to reflect on all the good from the past year and to look forward to the year ahead with positivity and verve. It also signals the passage of time and reflecting on what it means to be older. Plenty of good stuff actually! Such as: • No longer being in awe of anyone rich, gorgeous or ridiculously intelligent. • Not feeling the need to sunbathe every time the sun comes out. • No longer complaining about your other half, but instead coming up with strategies to keep them alive. • Appreciating yourself… and the new confident you that has a great sense of style and a kick-ass attitude to match. With women like Julia Roberts, Michelle Pfeiffer and Julianne Moore all embracing life in their 50s, we are seeing a new wave of women defining what it means to be ‘older’. It’s about celebrating individuality, and most importantly being comfortable in your own skin – and in your hair colour. Covering your grey hair shouldn’t have to feel like you’re wearing a badge. Colour should be classy, sophisticated and natural to make you feel gorgeous! The choices of professional hair colour now are vast, offering something for everyone in every shade imaginable. Coupled with the latest free-hand techniques we are able to create the most natural of results that look super sassy to keep you looking your absolute best. Always take expert advice from your colourist who will guide you towards a colour palette that suits you to ensure you get a perfect result. There are a few golden rules to stick to when creating the perfect colour. 1. Avoid shades that are too dark for your skin tone, and be aware that your skin may have changed over time meaning what suits you now could be rather different than a few years back. 2. Face-framing lighter strands or panels help bring a more natural look and youthful glow to the face. 3. Multi-tonal techniques help bring texture and definition, avoiding dense block colour. 4. Leave it to the experts! Home colour application lacks the class and sophistication that your colour should have. Lets make 2019 an amazing year full of all things gorgeous and glam. Michael Young and Gary Hooker run Hooker & Young, with five salons regionwide. www.hookerandyoung.co.uk
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SWOONING
Loved up Feel the love with gorgeous gin trails, tree top retreats, cosy cabins and beautiful buys. Elysia Agnew takes us on a dreamy do-this guide to perfecting Valentine’s celebrations in the North East and beyond Treehouse hideaway >> It’s the most romantic season of all, and we can’t think of a better time to retreat to a tree top hideaway with someone special. Above ground adventures can be found at Chewton Glen in Hampshire, offering treehouse escapes for couples, families and groups of up to eight people.
Suspended 35 feet in the trees, you can take in stunning forest views as you soak up the enchanting atmosphere in the hot tub, watching as the sun sets through the branches. There’s a log burner in each suite, meaning it’s the perfect getaway for cosying up during winter months. www.chewtonglen.com
Yorkshire Gin trail >> If gin is the key to your heart, we’ve got some doorstep distilleries that promise to get you in the spirit.
A shepherd’s sanctuary >> Time to switch off for a staycation in a secluded Somerset sanctuary. Is there anything more romantic than a snuggly shepherd’s hut complete with chocolate treats and fresh flowers? Escape the everyday and get lost in a whimsical cabin on the water’s edge. The Shepherds Hut Retreat invites
couples to get toasty by fire pits, star gaze in the hot tub and feel at one with nature, in the most indulgent surroundings. Complete with fully-fitted kitchen, all the mod-cons you’d expect from a swanky city pad, and stunning vintage furnishings, this beautiful bolthole is a Valentine’s must. www.theshepherdshutretreat.co.uk
• Start at Raisthorpe Manor in North Yorkshire, a distillery with a love of all things local. Served in Harvey Nichols cocktails, stocked in Barkers Northallerton and sold in their store at the McArthurGlen outlet in York, this gin has gone from family recipe to nationwide recognition in no time. www.raisthorpemanor.com • Next up, it’s a visit to the Rare Bird Distillery in Yorkshire’s foodie capital of
Malton. ‘Florence’, the site’s 300 litre copper still, serves up the goods, while the Rare Bird Gin School takes sippers to the top of the class with tastings, demonstrations and gin-making sessions. Leave with your own unique blend - it doesn’t get more romantic than that. www.rarebirddistillery.co.uk • Our final tipple stop is in Bedale, the home of Masons Gin. Whether it’s the original dry gin, the lovely lavender flavour, or the Yorkshire tea edition, these cool and quirky spirits make for the perfect gift. www.masonsyorkshiregin.com
Puppy love >> A pooch is the perfect valentine. Bring them bundles of love and treat them to something special this winter. TINY WOLF Love heart merino wool dog jumper £45; www.store.styletails.com
LABONI Vogue dog bed - velvet cushion £630; www.store.styletails.com
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SWOONING
Diary dates >> Valentine’s Day Dinner at the Lord Crewe Arms 14 FEBRUARY Spoil someone special with a sumptuous Valentine’s Day dinner at the Lord Crewe Arms in beautiful Blanchland. Those with a shared love of food can indulge in an intimate three-course supper in the charming Bishop’s Dining Room. The Lord Crewe Arms is one of the most romantic hotels in the region. Why not upgrade for the evening and wind down in the warmth of the homely, hideaway bedrooms? www.lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk Fish & Seafood Masterclass at Swinton Cookery School 14 FEBRUARY Swinton Cookery School has scheduled the ultimate seafood masterclass for couples that like to get creative in the kitchen. Prep, fillet and present some of this season’s finest fish, and take top tips away with you to help incorporate sumptuous seafood into your new year diet. www.swintonestate.com
Raise a glass >> City breaking with a loved one this season? Swing by Harvey Nichols in Leeds for high-rise sipping that’s sure to steal your heart. TIPPLES TO TRY... The Pink Princess: Crème de Fraise
Buy me >>
de Bois with vanilla syrup and Harvey Nichols Rosé Champagne The Classic Pink: Rhubarb Liqueur with rhubarb bitters, white sugar cube and Harvey Nichols Rosé Champagne. www.harveynichols.com
COMME DES GARÇONS PLAY Heart motif t-shirt £89, www.farfetch.com
Aurora Night at Kielder Observatory 14 FEBRUARY Search for the stars this Valentine’s Day at Kielder Observatory - and watch as the Northern Lights (or Aurora Borealis) light up the night sky. Nothing spells out romance more than a bit of stargazing at this stunning Northumberland spot. Get to grips with the science and stories behind the lights and share one of the wonders of the world with a loved one. www.kielderobservatory.org CHOPARD 18kt rose gold happy hearts diamond drop earrings, £2,510; www.farfetch.com
CHANEL VINTAGE Chocolate bar heart shaped bag £12,153; www.farfetch.com
Forever pink >> For a pretty-as-a-picture date night, The Gallery at Sketch London tops the list. Make your way to this majestic Mayfair venue for an a-la- carte dinner that has luxe written all over it. It’s pretty, it’s playful, and it’s as pink as pink can
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be! Dishes include lobster gratin, Sketch tartare, venison-and-foie-gras pie, and vegetable poké bowl. The candy floss-style interior, plush velvet furnishings and funky artworks make for one of the most Instagrammable spots in town. www.sketch.london
GPO Attache record player turntable suitcase in red, £49.95; www.cuckooland.com
DIPTYQUE Amande exquisite candle £30, www.diptyqueparis.co.uk
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BRIGHTEN UP
beauty: update Battling post-Christmas and New Year puffiness and tiredness? Soothe with hydrating masks, glow-giving highlighters and while-you-sleep saviours…
GET THE GLOW >>
Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate, £49 For extra luminosity, you can’t beat a slick of this rich elixir from Kiehl’s. Provides antioxidant protection with a powerful blend of naturally-derived oils, including awakening ginger, sunflower and tamanu. A few drops will have you beaming. www.kiehls.co.uk
bareMinerals Glow Highlighter Drops, £23 With light-reflecting mineral pearls, bareMinerals’ new highlighter provides natural-looking, lit-from-within luminosity, whether worn alone or mixed into your favourite liquid foundation or tinted moisturiser. www.bareminerals.co.uk
BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfecter Pressed Highlighter Mini in Moonstone, £16 Pick up a mini version of BECCA’s best-loved highlighter for glow-on-thego, wherever you are. Clutch bag-compatible, it lends skin a beautiful, backlit lustre without a trace of tell-tale glitter. www.beccacosmetics.com
Algenist ALIVE Prebiotic Balancing Moisturizer, £40 A few pats of this super lightweight moisturizer floods the skin with moisture, leaving it feeling smooth and balanced with a fresh, outdoorsy glow. Formulated with hydrating prebiotics from algae and alguronic acid, as well as mineral SPF15 for added sun protection. www.spacenk.com
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NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, £24 If your concealer is leaving your skin looking flat and dull, then you need to pick up NARS’ best-seller. Enriched with hydrating skincare benefits and light-diffusing technology, it instantly blurs away bags, spots and fatigue in seconds. A real miracle-worker. www.narscosmetics.co.uk
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BRIGHTEN UP
WHILE YOU SLEEP >>
Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil, £34 Treat your skin to a pre-bed massage with the help of Clarins best-selling face oil, made with 100% pure plant extracts. A few drops floods dehydrated skin with non-greasy moisture, leaving it clear and silky smooth come morning. www.clarins.co.uk
Neal’s Yard Goodnight Pillow Mist, £15 Enjoy a peaceful slumber in just a spritz with Neal’s Yard’s renowned pillow spray. A gentle mist that blends organic lavender, vetiver and mandarin essential oils to promote a sense of calm as you head for the sheets. www.nealsyardremedies.com
Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks, £50.50 We can’t get enough of these cooling eye masks, which are formulated to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Potent botanical extracts provide an instant skin-tightening effect, while hyaluronic acid hydrates the delicate eye area. www.elemis.com
Oribe Power Drops Damage Repair Booster, £55 Supercharge your hair care while you sleep with Oribe’s sensational serum. The highly-concentrated treatment provides an intense dose of essential nutrients to rebuild and restore dry, damaged, time-weakened hair. Apply a few drops to damp hair while you catch some Zs! www.spacenk.com
MIGHTY MASKS >>
Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin Clay Mask, £38 Made with pink Spanish clay, softening almond oil, soothing frangipani flower extract and a cocktail of peptides to boost collagen levels and elasticity, Charlotte’s wonder mask is perfect for skin that longs to be calmed and nourished. www.charlottetilbury.com
Pixi Glow Mud Mask, £18 A 15-minute facial in a tube, Pixi’s clay-based wonder stars purifying kaolin clay and sea salt to draw out impurities. Botanical extracts, including soothing aloe vera, rejuvenating rosemary and healing jojoba, perk up dull complexions and help to prevent dreaded breakouts. www.pixibeauty.co.uk
Sisley Rose Cream Mask, £105 This cream mask has become a cult classic thanks to its youth-boosting formula and rich, luxurious texture. Apply a thick layer while bathing, allowing it to sink in and plump up dehydration lines. Baby-soft chops guaranteed! www.sisley-paris.com
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WORKING IT OUT
Healing hands When she’s not basking in the great outdoors, Kelly Norman is delivering physio and feel-good therapy from her clinic in Northumberland. Jessica Laing finds out more… 36 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk
There’s nothing quite like hurtling towards a new decade in your life to make you stop in your tracks and think ‘I need a change’. For Kelly Norman, a bright-eyed and bubbly physiotherapist from Newcastle, it was the anticipation of turning 40 that inspired a life re-jig. After years of working on the pitch and in rented clinic rooms as a sports therapist, she found herself longing for a change of scenery. “As much as I loved my work, I began to feel restricted and unsettled,” she says.
“I was tired of lugging around my gear and setting up shop, as it were, in other people’s clinics. “My 40th birthday was also approaching and I just thought to myself, ‘right, now’s the time to do something about it’. So I decided to go back to university as a mature student and start over.” A diagnosis of skin cancer at 38 had also brought life into sharp focus for Kelly. “From diagnosis, at just 38, to now, it’s been quite a journey,” she says. “I’ve had over 40 surgeries and unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be going away - but I do my best to
practice what I preach and stay as positive as possible.” To help offer up some calm, Kelly teaches patients various breathing exercises and even offers meditation classes for those struggling to find inner peace. These methods have helped, and continue to help in areas of her own life - including dealing with her skin cancer. Kelly completed her two-year masters programme in physiotherapy at Northumbria University and shortly after graduating, took the plunge and decided to set up her own business. “Returning to university was hard work,” says Kelly. “It was an NHS-funded programme, so as part of my training I was working in various departments within our health service for six to eight weeks at a time. “I was also still working as a sports therapist and running a pop-up injury clinic at my friend’s gym in Sunderland. I was knackered! “It was a really invaluable experience, though. I learned so much, but I couldn’t help feeling held back. Working in the NHS means playing by the rules, but I wanted to give my patients more. I wanted to provide better, more specialist, care.” And so she did. With fire in her belly and a brand new degree under her belt, Kelly, then 39, set her sights on up-for-rent office space in Stocksfield and opened her very own physiotherapy clinic - now known as Wellness Therapeutics - in the summer of 2016. “I was always based in or around Newcastle, so making the move to Northumberland was a bit of a risk,” she says. “I was worried that my clients, who live all over the place - everywhere from Newcastle and Sunderland, to York and Berwick - wouldn’t follow me to Stocksfield, but I’m pleased to say that they all did. “I’m really happy here - the clinic has a lovely feel about it,” she says. “It’s essentially an old barn, so it’s always warm and cosy, and the atmosphere is super relaxed - I make sure of that. I wanted to create a space that feels comfortable - not clinical.” From her peaceful Stocksfield spot, Kelly has been able to treat patients her way - and that means going above and beyond the typical realms of physiotherapy, with a hands-on holistic approach. “A lot of people think a physiotherapist is someone you go to when you have a bad knee or a dodgy shoulder,” says Kelly. “You see them a handful of times, you talk about your injury, they give you some exercises to try at home, and off you go. But that’s not what I do here.” A typical working week sees Kelly, now 41, treat men and women of all ages, from all walks of life, with all kinds of health concerns. Some days, she might be helping new mums and elderly ladies with women’s health-related issues, such as pelvic pain, bladder control, or stomach muscle issues caused by pregnancy. On other days, the focus might shift to paediatric care, scar management, neuropathic pain, sports injuries or acupuncture. “No two days are the same, but I love that aspect of the job,” says Kelly. “For example, one day last week I was working with an 80-year-old stroke survivor, who, unfortunately, still suffers from pain in various parts of the body. I’m helping him with acupuncture, for
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WORKING IT OUT which I’m a big advocate. “The next day, I was showing new parents how to massage their baby’s gut to stimulate its digestive system and help with problems surrounding reflux. “People are often surprised to hear that I work with newborns and young children, but it’s actually one of my favourite areas. “I also visit a care home in nearby Hexham, where I help dementia patients become a bit more mobile. We’ll do chair exercise, we’ll walk, sing, stretch - everything!” As well as providing her patients with practical tips and advice in clinic, shining a light on preventative care is also high on Kelly’s agenda. When she’s not in the clinic, you’ll find her doing free pre-hab talks about how people can help themselves before their health issues get worse. “So often I see people with problems that could have been avoided had they’d been given the right advice and knowledge in the first place - especially when it comes to things like scars, pregnancy, or arthritis. “That’s why educating people is really important to me. It probably makes me a rubbish businesswoman, but a pretty good physio, I think!” With so much talk and work around muscles, joints, bones and skin, you’d be forgiven for thinking that a physiotherapist’s job stops at a person’s physical health. But not at Wellness Therapeutics. According to Kelly, the
clue’s in the name. “You don’t get a lot of training when it comes to mental and emotional health in the world of physiotherapy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important,” says Kelly. “In fact, I don’t see a separation between physical and mental health. They go hand-in-hand and can affect one each other massively. “I think what makes my services so special is that I really do treat my patients as individuals - and I make sure they feel heard. “I want to know as much as I can about their lifestyle - from how much sleep they get and what their diet looks like, to how they deal with everyday stress and what they have going on in their personal life. “I also like to open up conversations about their frustrations, including how their injuries might be affecting their wellbeing and mental state - and vice versa.”“Depression, for example, can affect a person’s posture, cause joint pain and worsen existing health issues. “Then, there are those who struggle coming to terms with their injuries or conditions. Perhaps they aren’t able to play their beloved sport anymore, exercise as much, or simply move about in the same way. All of these can cause anxiety, low-mood and social isolation, which has a knock-on affect on their physical health. “Meditation is huge for me. I do it every day - often in-between appointments. I also practice yoga and always take my
“So often I see people with problems that could have been avoided had they’d been given the right advice and knowledge in the first place - especially when it comes to things like scars, pregnancy, or arthritis”
beloved dog, Norman, for a big, brisk walk on my lunch break. “I’ve always been really sporty and I love being outdoors, whether that’s walking, or taking with my 20-month-old daughter, Cora, camping or swimming. “There’s just something about being around nature, breathing in the fresh, country air. It helps clear my head.” Sessions with Kelly last 45 minutes and aftercare - including follow-up phone calls, texts and emails - is free.
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“Checking in with my patients in-between sessions helps me build trusted relationships with them - and I love getting calls or texts from them telling me how much better they’re feeling. “Knowing that I’m making a difference to somebody’s quality of life is why I do what I do.” For more information about Kelly’s services, search @WellnessTherapeutics on Facebook, follow wellnesstherapeutics, or call 07947 444179
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CITY STARS
Brothers Imran and Yasser Khaliq of Gainford Group
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CITY STARS
Hospitality wit h hear t They say never mix family with business, but for Gainford Group it’s a recipe that works. The business has spent the last two decades transforming Newcastle’s hotel and nightlife scene into something special. Jessica Laing meets the family
The Vermont Hotel
Venues have their own unique style and personality, attracting not only legions of locals, but visitors and celebrities from all over the world
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When big names like Michael Bublé, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather need a place to lay their head in Newcastle, it’s the striking Vermont Hotel that becomes the place they can call home. The award-winning hotel is the jewel in the crown of Gainford Group, a hospitality and leisure business which is driven by its founders Susan and Mohammed Khaliq who started out in 1995. After triumphing in the North East’s healthcare sector, building over a dozen care homes across the region, the pair ventured into the world of leisure and hospitality with the help of their children and other members of the Khaliq family. Their youngest, Imran Khaliq, joined Gainford Group’s head office in 2008 as an ambitious 21-year-old, shortly after graduating from Northumbria University with a degree in business management. Now 31 and a proud director of the business, he has been, and continues to be, a driving force behind its growth. “Mum and dad achieved great success on the healthcare side of things,” says Imran. “Dad was, and still is, a builder, and managed site acquisitions and the construction of purpose-built care homes, while mum took it upon herself to learn everything she could about all aspects of the industry, taking on the role of an active manager.” “Together, they built a 53-bedroom nursing home in Chester-le-Street and went on to open the doors of 14 more across the North East. “Their hard work has earned Gainford the title of one of the best independent healthcare providers in the North East from the CQC, which is incredible.” “My main aim when joining Gainford, though, was to broaden our horizons and diversify our portfolio,” he says. “And so, after helping build four more care homes, I shifted my focus to childcare, creating two nurseries in Birtley and Chester-le-Street under the brand Bright Stars Nursery.” “Today, they look after over 150 children and continue to receive Outstanding rated reports from Ofsted - something I’m really proud of. After that, I set my sights on the hospitality and leisure sector - it felt like the perfect industry for us to move in to and, hopefully, conquer.” And boy, did they. After getting their hands on their first venue, The Vermont Hotel, in 2012, Gainford Group’s portfolio has gone from strength to strength, now stretching from award-winning hotels and luxury aparthotels, to leading bars, restaurants
and nightclubs. All have their own unique style and personality, attracting not only legions of locals, but visitors and celebrities from all over the world, helping to put Newcastle on the map as a go-to destination for a stay to remember. “Buying The Vermont Hotel will always be a stand-out moment for me - it was the beginning of what’s been an amazing journey so far into the world of hospitality,” says Imran. After years of standing tall but falling short in efforts to draw in the crowds, the hotel was put on the market and quickly caught the eye of Imran and his team. “We had admired the building for years, we knew just how much history and character it had, so when we discovered it was up for grabs, we snapped it up,” he says. Gainford Group took the hotel, which lies in the heart of Newcastle, moments away from the city’s most famous landmarks, under their wing, retaining over 100 jobs and pouring millions of pounds into its revamp. “As a business, we have a real skill for looking beyond what’s in front of us and seeing a venue’s potential - and The Vermont was bursting with it.” “It was like a sleeping giant; a grand, but tired-looking, building, high above the city, that needed waking up and a new lease of life.” “Our vision was a luxury hotel with a nod to the 1920s, but with a modern edge. Somewhere for visitors to relax and enjoy afternoon tea or a few drinks after a day of exploring the city, as well as people celebrating special occasions and life’s big moments, like birthdays, anniversaries and weddings.” Seven years on and The Vermont’s popularity continues to soar; big-name celebrities from the worlds of film, music and boxing have all spent the night here, it remains at the top of the list of Newcastle’s most iconic hotels and has recently been awarded Newcastle’s Best Wedding Venue by the N.E.W Awards 2018. Its success also inspired Gainford to inject new life into Newcastle’s Quayside a part of town close to Imran and his family’s hearts. After transforming The Vermont’s next door bar (formerly known as Martha’s Bar) into a glamorous cocktail spot, Livello, the Group went on to open two more show-stopping venues, The Vermont Aparthotel and Aveika, as part of a £35 million bid to bring the area back to life. “As a kid, I remember hearing all about my uncles’ fond memories of the Quayside, but I didn’t experience any of that during my youth,” says Imran. >
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CITY STARS
Susan, Imran, Cyrenne, Richard and Mohammed
Everyone brings something different to the table and there’s a real trust between us all
“It had become a neglected, unattractive part of town and many people had lost faith in it. Tragic, really, because I’ve always considered it to be the heart of Newcastle. It’s where our unique bridges are and where our great river is. Nowhere else represents the city’s rich history quite like it.” Imran’s goal, he tells me, was to make people fall in love with the Quayside again. And judging by the sheer number of locals and visitors you’ll find drinking and dancing the night away there every week, it appears he’s achieved that. While some are living in luxury at one of The Vermont Aparthotel’s jaw-dropping self-serviced apartments, others are living it up at Livello, which has been awarded Newcastle’s best bar and late night venue. Complete with an upstairs members lounge, personal and bottle service and private seating, it’s a late-night playground for grown-ups that goes above and beyond to make every guest feel like a VIP. “I wanted to create a venue that really raised the bar when it came to service and exclusivity,” says Imran. “Many bars in Newcastle only come alive at the weekend, but what’s great about Livello is that the standard of service, cocktails and atmosphere stays the same every night of the week. Like all of our venues, it remains true to its identity.” Aveika, meanwhile, has become one of Newcastle’s most sought-after spots, not only for decadent drinks and live music, but for unbeatable food. A one-of-a-kind one-stop shop that brings a smile to party people and diners alike. “Opening Aveika, which is essentially a nightclub, restaurant and bar in one, was a bit of gamble, I’ll be honest,” says Imran. “It was a unique concept - and one that does well over in places like the USA and Dubai, but something Newcastle hadn’t
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seen before.” “Still, we wanted to bring something new to the table, so we decided to go full steam ahead, working tirelessly to make sure we got the branding, the decor, the entertainment and the quality of the food spot on.” “It all had to feel new, exciting and original - which is probably part of the reason why I wanted Aveika to serve Japanese food there wasn’t anywhere in Newcastle serving up food like it.” “I asked myself, ‘why not go for it?’ and, well, the rest is history really. We’ve gone on to win Best Restaurant in Newcastle at the National Restaurant Awards, beating off big names like Marco Pierre White and Cafe 21, which tells me it was a risk worth taking.” After conquering the Quayside, Gainford turned their attention back to hotels, taking over The Great Victoria Hotel Bradford - the Group’s first venue outside of the North East - in 2014 and The County Hotel, opposite Newcastle’s Central Station, in 2016. “To get our hands on The County, the oldest hotel in Newcastle, was a real honour,” says Imran. “Like The Vermont, it’s an iconic building, but it was in need of some TLC. So, we modernised it, improved the quality of its bedrooms and gave it a brand new bar and restaurant, now known as The Hudson.” “And as a luxury extension of the hotel, we also went on to open The County Aparthotel on Westgate Road, which opened late last year. We created 20 new self-serviced apartments, bringing together elements of The County Hotel, such as concierge and chauffeur services, with the comforting freedom that living in your own space offers.” As we head into a new year, it appears Imran and his family are showing no signs of slowing down or stopping. In fact, 2019
is set to be their biggest year yet. Soon, work will begin on their latest purchase, The New Bridge Hotel. Over the coming months, the site, formerly a Premier Inn, will be lovingly transformed into a 200-bedroom hotel, making it Gainford’s largest, most ambitious, project yet. “It’s going to be unlike anything we’ve done before,” says Imran. “We have big things planned; not only will it be home to Newcastle’s largest conference facility, it will also have its own state-of-theart spa and gym, a number of bars and restaurants, plus a rooftop bar, similar to The Vermont Hotel’s Sky Lounge.” “We’re planning on opening its doors in 2020 and we can’t wait to welcome our first guests.” In true Gainford style, many, if not all, jobs will be retained and countless others will be given when the hotel opens - something Imran is particularly proud of. “Our staff are the backbone of our business, there’s no doubt about it,” he says. “Sure, we can come up with ideas and design the projects, but without our staff flying the flag for us our progression over the years would not have been as vast.” “We employ more than two and half thousand people across the North East and we make sure we look after them, acknowledge them and reward them for their hard work. It’s incredibly important to us. The way we see it is, if you’re a part of Gainford, you’re a part of the family.” It appears these are exciting times for Gainford Group, but as things get busier, Imran believes the bonds between family only gets stronger. “I know some people would find it impossible to work with their loved ones, but I still enjoy it. My father and I work very well together - we share the same vision and goals.
“I work closely with my brother, Yasser, too, which is great. He’s been key to establishing and driving the brands we have created. He really understands the importance of great customer service and ensures everything we do always has the customer in mind. We understand each other really well and are constantly challenging each other to push the boundaries.” In the last two months, Imran’s sister, Cyrenne, and brother-in-law, Nigel, have left corporate careers in London to help drive the group’s ambitious plans. “My sister is a qualified accountant and has over 15 years experience in corporate banking and the property and leisure industry. Her knowledge will be key to ensuring the business operates efficiently as it expands.” Nigel, meanwhile, spent eight years as a partner within Knight Frank’s Residential Development business, working on some of London’s most exclusive sites. His focus is to drive Gainford Group’s acquisition strategy across diversified property assets throughout the UK. “Everyone brings something different to the table and there’s a real trust between us all. It’s nice to know that I can rely on the people around me to keep things afloat when I’m away from the North East or taking some time out - though that’s quite rare!” “I’m a bit of a workaholic, I’ll admit. If I do ever give myself a bit of a break, I’ll socialise with friends in other parts of the country, or travel abroad. I like to see what other places are doing and come home feeling inspired.” “I’m always thinking ahead to the next idea. But I guess that’s what happens when you love what you do. My work is a huge part of who I am and I don’t ever see myself doing anything else.”
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COVER NOTES
Rock chic Don’t let the rain get in the way this winter. Tynemouth-born Rockholly makes the coolest cover-ups The fresh sea air brings fresh new ideas - and Rockholly is one of them. Our chic new chums by the coast take inspiration from their natural, North Sea environment, delivering the goods when it comes to wrapping up in on-trend outerwear. Outerwear with one mission; to combine science with stylish seasonal wear. Perfecting the look when it comes to contemporary clothing, but also protecting the wearer from the elements. See where the North East coast comes in? We’re all quick to complain when the nasty weather rolls in, but there’s something incredibly comforting about stepping into the season with a new coat. Combining cutting-edge design with chic fashion and forward-thinking functions is what makes this beautiful new business tick. “After years of designing for larger outdoor brands, we really wanted to launch something that spoke to women who love being in the outdoors but don’t want to sacrifice their everyday style to stay dry,” says founder Deborah Mordain. “So we’ve brought technical fabrics to life with more modern and classic designs, bridging the gap between style and function,” she adds. Taking in the characteristics of both rural and urban landscapes, and appreciating the change in weather as seasons come and go,
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a Rockholly purchase is one that promises to see you through. Whether it’s a trench coat-style jacket or a shorter, adaptable waterproof, the Tynemouth-based business offers cover-ups for everything from the school run to beachcombing in a blizzard. Fabrics are formed with our environment in mind. All Rockholly outerwear is waterproof, breathable and fully seam sealed - but with no compromise on the overall look and feel of the jacket. Wearers are made to feel as comfortable as they are classy - and these wardrobe staples are designed to keep outerwear looking as cool as it is cosy, through the harshest British winters. “Being a mum of three young daughters, I’d love Rockholly to appeal to style conscious mums and daughters everywhere,” says Deborah. “Women like me who have a love for the outdoors and want modern outwear that is suitable, contemporary and timeless - that would be at home in the city, on a trail or even on the school run.” Deborah’s main aim is to deliver products that stand the test of time. Key items of clothing that enable us to enjoy the great outdoors, encouraging fashion-lovers to reconnect with nature in the cooler months. Layering up shouldn’t be about covering up. Wear your coat with confidence and step out in style, whatever the season. www.rockholly.com
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COVER NOTES
We really wanted to launch something that spoke to women who love being in the outdoors but don’t want to sacrifice their everyday style to stay dry
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BEAUTIFUL & STYLISH LIGHTING The region’s largest lighting store with two floors of contemporary and traditional lighting
JAN/FEB19
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COOL FOR CATS
WELCOME!
Nina resolves to stroke more kittens in 2019...
1. Eat less chocolate 2. Try even harder at school 3. Stroke more kittens
2019 is going to be a big one for me. It’s my final year in primary school (can you believe that?!) and so I am studying hard for my SATs (yawn). I’ve a nice break to look forward to though at half-term when I’m going on holiday for the first time with my little cousins Thomas and Baby Rose who I love to look after. Then, when the work is all complete, I’m off to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the theatre in London – the thought of that will keep me going through all of those booster classes. I hope you have lots of lovely things to look forward to this year too (and not too much hard work).
I think I can stick to at least one of these – I’ll let you guess which!
Love Nina x
Happy New Year everyone! I hope Christmas was everything you dreamed of and you still have a few tasty treats left from all of those selection boxes… It’s that time of year when the grown-ups start making the usual resolutions that they’ve no intention of keeping so I thought I’d give it a go too. Here are my top three:
with Nina Robinson
Nina’s top ten family movie trips for 2019 >>
Practically perfect in every way >>
There’s nothing quite like a few hours beneath the big screen with a bucket of popcorn. 2019 looks set to be a busy one for the box office, with loads of great family movies lined-up for release. Here’s my top ten…
Bring a spoonful of sugar to even the dreariest of days with these most delightful Mary Poppins-inspired goodies...
THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART Release date: 19 February I’m hoping to go to see this with my master builder uncle, Michael! In this instalment, Lucy, Batman, Princess Unikitty and friends are kidnapped and it’s up to Emmet to make everything awesome again.
Weekender bag, £14, Primark Floral vanity, £6, Primark
DUMBO Release date: 29 March I’m hoping the 2019 remake of this Disney classic is slightly less brutal than the original – I’ve never been able to see past the first 15 minutes through my tears! This live action version is directed by Tim Burton and stars Colin Farrell as the circus elephant caretaker. WONDER PARK Release date: 12 April Imaginative little girl June spends her time dreaming up an elaborate amusement park – only to find it in the real world when she grows up. Sounds pretty awesome!
Trinket dish, £5, Primark
POKEMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU Release date: 11 May If the trailer is anything to go by, this first ever live-action Pokemon film is going to be massive. The trailer became an overnight sensation – viewed more than 10 million times in one night on YouTube alone. Why? Maybe because the Pokemon have real-looking fur and skin, or maybe because Pikachu now talks (beyond his usual “pika-pika! Chuu!”)
Nina lov
es
Mary Poppins umbrella with parrot head handle, £24.99, menkind.co.uk
ALADDIN Release date: 24 May Did you know I was in a school play at Christmas called Ali Baba and the Bongo Bandits? I played Bongo and it was so much fun! So, as an expert at all things Ali Baba, I’ll be paying extra attention to Disney’s remake of the tale and look forward to Will Smith as a cheeky genie. TOY STORY 4 Release date: 21 June I’m not sure I can take the emotional rollercoaster that the next instalment has in store for Andy’s toys – I’m still not over Toy Story 2. But I’ll have to be brave because I can’t leave those toys all alone on the big screen… *sob* THE LION KING Release date: 19 July I wasn’t sure how Disney could improve on the original until I heard that none other than Beyonce is the voice of Nala… THE ADDAMS FAMILY Release date: 11 October Apparently, this animated Addams movie is closer to the original New Yorker comics than previous classics: The Addams Family and Addams Family Values. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG Release date: 15 November Sonic finally gets his own movie. Where better than the big screen for his battle against the evil Dr Robotnik, played by my all-time favourite comedian Jim Carrey? FROZEN 2 Release date: 27 November Okay Disney fans, don’t think any less of me, but I am so over Frozen. I think I just saw the original movie one too many times and hugged one too many Elsas at children’s parties. That said, I can’t miss out on the sequel…
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Keep on sleeping >> Look at this – the world’s first long hot water bottle! If you’re anything like me, a hot water bottle is an essential part of your bedtime routine and I think I just found a way to double the snuggle factor. This smart bottle holds two litres, stays warm for up to eight hours and even has a vanilla scent. A range of characters are available. £39.95, hurnandhurn.com
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SOFAS | BEDS | MATTRESSES Visit our Seaton Delaval showroom at Delcor House, Double Row, NE25 0PR Only 20 minutes from Newcastle city centre 0191 237 1303
WWW.DELCOR.CO.UK
ONE TO WATCH
ON THE HOOF with Deborah Smith Dressage rider Melissa Chapman runs a yard near Richmond. She’s on the up following a tricky 2017, which saw Melissa having to prematurely retire her grand prix horse, Norman, (DHI Work of Art) and then badly breaking her ankle in September
More than a year on, things are brighter and busy and Melissa’s focus is back on producing her young horses up through the levels. Melissa trains with the highly respected Ian Woodhead (DHI event horses) and is busy working with a string of high-quality young horses. Melissa usually buys them at three or four years of age, direct from producers in Holland. She goes on buying visits, often with Ian, and they drive around for a few days looking at ‘loads’ and making her decisions based on conformation, temperament and movement. Prices have increased steeply in the past five to seven years and a horse you might have paid £15k for five years ago would now be nearer £40k. It’s a big numbers game so I was interested to find out what makes Melissa and Team Chapman Equestrian tick? DESCRIBE THE MELISSA CHAPMAN BRAND >> I’d say driven, empathetic, horse-first,
conscientious. We celebrate at all levels and I’m so proud when horses I’ve had even a small role in production with, go out and do well. HOW DID YOU GET INTO DOING THIS? >> Through my auntie who had two ponies, and my mum and dad also rode. I had my first pony when I was seven, and it went from there. I’d always wanted to ’do’ horses as a career. I’ve been here for ten years; it was my dad’s farm and my mum and dad set me up with 12 stables and an arena and then handed it to me to get on with it. It’s been hard work and always plenty of ups and downs. It was a huge ffort getting back to fitness after breaking my ankle last year, but I have a great team here who kept everything going and my owners and sponsors were brilliant and supportive. YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE >> Ian Woodhead (DHI event horses). On the business side has to be Ian. I’ve worked with him for 12 years and we source
and produce young horses together. He’s taught me so much and is always there as a friend, together with his wife Heidi, for help and advice - we have lots of fun when we go to Holland on a road trip looking at young horses. AND AS A RIDER >> It has to be Carl Hester. He has done so much for the sport and is so generous, giving other people great opportunities to ride top horses. ANY HORSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD TO YOUR YARD? >> The young hanoverian stallion, Revolution, (who with a winning bid of EURO 1.2 million, broke the record for all German stallion auctions at the Hanoverian licensing in Verden in the autumn of 2015). We already have a filly foal by him in the yard and another one on the way. His movement and expression are amazing. RECENT SUCCESSES >> Coming back from injury for me was the big one and then I had a good summer with three horses going to the regionals and a couple through to the nationals. Getting back in the saddle and seeing the successes after my accident has meant a lot to me. GOALS FOR 2019 >> To get more horses to national and to get Fergie PSG ready, then on to premier league.
YOUR FAVOURITE HORSE(S)? >> Norman my retired Grand Prix horse, we learnt so much together. Fergie who is six. He is so talented. I bought him as an unbroken three-year-old from Holland. I saw him in a field of 20 horses and he really stood out, even then. Romeo who is a four-year-old stallion is also so talented and so straightforward and balanced already. He has an incredible temperament; it’s hard to remember he is still only four sometimes! FAVOURITE VENUE >> It has to be Somerford Park. Amazing facilities, so friendly, I love it! WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? >> I like to hang out with friends I’ve known for years, since I was eight - just the usual stuff, eating food, going to the cinema. FAVOURITE LUXE TREAT >> I would love a holiday in the Maldives! TIP FOR ANY YOUNG RIDER JUST STARTING OUT >> Your reputation is everything so think manners, hard work, listening and watching. SPONSORS >> Devoucoux, Silver foot, The horse bit bank, Baileys, Equine products, Milbry Hill, Equissage, Master/Harry Hall, CK Equine The Equine veterinary dentist.
Images: Simon Hogben Photography
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DOG DAYS
POSH POOCHES with Alfie, helped by Elysia Agnew
What’s new, pup?
Be my valentine? >>
Happy New Year poochy people. Alfie has all paws on deck when it comes to starting 2019 in style. He’s shopping for the cosiest coats and knits to see us through winter, and he’s feeling full of love as we plan the perfect pup-friendly Valentine’s Day in the North East. Whether it’s a dinner date with someone special, a luxurious lakeside hideaway, or a day out in a delightful North Yorkshire market town, love is all around - and you don’t need to leave your hound at home this year. Alfie has been busy making new friends and getting to grips with flower arranging as he catches up with Bertie the adventure-seeking Jack Russell. A beautiful Briar House Flowers garland is next up on his birthday wish list. Don’t let the winter bite get the better of you. Wrap up warm, make plans with you pup and start the New Year in style. Here’s to a very happy and healthy 2019. Alfie, your luxe pooch x
Alfie loves:
Whether it’s cosy coats and knits to see your pooch through the back end of winter, pawfect pampering products, or a new bed for lazy, snooze-filled afternoons, we’ve got you covered.
Finding it impossible to peel yourself away from your pooch this Valentine’s Day? Love is all around here’s where you can celebrate with your four-legged friend... EAT OUT >> THE CRATHORNE ARMS, YARM Make your Valentine’s Day dinner a dog-friendly one this year with a visit to one of the region’s cosiest country pubs. Book a table in the bar at The Crathorne Arms, unwind in the shabby chic surroundings and tuck into hearty, locally-sourced dishes as your pooch relaxes by the roaring fire. www.thecrathornearms.co.uk HIDE AWAY >> THE SAMLING, WINDERMERE Valentine’s Day is a day dedicated to everyone and everything we love - and there’s nothing we love more than a sumptuous staycation. Take a loved one to the Lakes - not forgetting your four-legged friends. A luxurious hound
TEDDY MAXIMUS >> Navy Cable Knit Dog Jumper, £68; eddymaximus.com
holiday can be found at The Samling, beautifully located overlooking Lake Windermere. Check in to the Kentmere Suite - a pooch-friendly paradise set over three floors. The perfect spot to relax, retreat and enjoy a Valentine’s break with your loved ones - whether they’re humans or hounds. www.thesamlinghotel.co.uk SEE & STROLL >> HELMSLEY, NORTH YORKSHIRE Pack your pup up for the day and discover all of the dog-friendly delights of Helmsley. The charming market town treasured for its independent businesses and love of all things local, ticks all the boxes when it comes to a romantic day out with your pooch and partner. Plenty of the town’s shops, cafés and hotels are happy to open their doors to dogs. Go here for quaint tearooms, cosy pubs, stress-free shopping, delicious delis and scenic strolls through parks, castles and English Heritage sites. www.visithelmsley.co.uk
<< CLOUD7 Dog carrier £245; amara.com FETCH & FOLLOW >> Fetch and Follow X Kana Navy Ceramic Dog Bowl, £35; fetchandfollow.co.uk
ORVIS >> Herringbone Dog Blanket £59; orvis.co.uk
EMILY BOND >> Labrador striped dog bed, large £80; amara.com
Luxe Pooch Q&A LUXE WALKS >> Luckily, Mum and Dad love long walks so we regularly spend days out in the Dales. I love it when I can show off my swimming skills retrieving sticks from a river, especially on our favourite walk along the River Ure at Masham.
Bertie is an eight-year-old loveable, long-haired Jack Russell who lives with his doting human parents in Bedale. He loves children who play with him and anyone who will throw a ball for him, but he hates the sounds of fireworks, shooting, thunder and spitting fires.
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POOCH’S PERFECT DAY OUT >> I would rise at 6.30am and enjoy a light breakfast of chopped ham. Then Mum and I would set off for beautiful Runswick Bay, probably the most dog-friendly beach in Yorkshire. We would finish the day on the sunny terrace of The White Bear in Masham. The landlady’s Labrador is quite a looker! DOGGY DOWNTIME >> Downtime? Us terriers don’t do downtime. Boring! My Mum is a florist and whenever the phone rings for Briar House Flowers,
my heart sinks. It means that she won’t have the time to keep me entertained – and often ends with me in some kind of flower garland! HOUND HABBITS >> Water fascinates me. I can spend ages splashing in my paddling pool in the garden. PUPPY PAMPER >> There’s nothing quite like a nice bath and blow-dry. And I know that if I allow my lustrous fur to be brushed, I’ll get a lovely treat at the end of it. DOG’S BEST FRIEND >> Rosie – the white and black long-haired
FETCH & FOLLOW >> Winter Dog Coat, Indigo Blue, £60; fetchandfollow.co.uk
Jack Russell I live with. She’s older than me and when I arrived she thought I was her puppy and started to produce milk for me to suckle. I haven’t got the heart to tell her that she’s not my real mum. FONDEST DOGGY MEMORY >> A holiday on a dog-friendly beach in Cornwall when I went surfing with about 10 other dogs, then dug a hole half way to Australia which drew an admiring crowd. PUPPY A-LISTER >> Mum says that if I were human I’d be George Clooney. I haven’t the faintest idea who he is.
Don’t forget to get in touch and send in pics of your pooch for our next issue via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram… www.facebook.com/luxemag theluxemagazine
@TheLuxeMagazine or @LuxeyPooch
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LUXE LOVES
LUXE LOVES Mortar moments Go Scandi with your kitchen kit. Prepare herbs and spices in this stunning pestle and mortar set in brass and stone. Releasing flavours as you grind, this Lundhs piece comes from the exclusive Essence range. Essence Pestle & Mortar, ÂŁ400 shop.lundhsrealstone.com
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WIN
W I N A C O S Y C O T T A G E W I N T E R E S C A P E
There’s nothing nicer than cosying up in a remote country cottage which ticks the boxes when it comes to woodburner, cosy furnishings – and great pubs just a walk away.
We’ve teamed up with Gorgeous Cottages to offer Luxe readers the chance to win a three-night stay for two, at Ivy Cottage in Great Broughton, on the edge the North York Moors National Park. Just a few miles away is the beautiful market town of Stokesley with its lively Friday market or heading in the other direction discover handsome Helmsley with its artisan stores and castle. There are some stunning walks right from your doorstep at Ivy Cottage, which has been newly refurbished to offer luxurious accommodation. Beamed ceilings, wooden floors and cosy furniture are partnered with state-of-the-art kitchen and bathroom fittings for the ultimate comfort stay where you can hole-up and relax the days away.
TO ENTER OUR PRIZE DRAW:
www.luxe-magazine.co.uk/win
Entry via the Luxe website at www.luxe-magazine.co.uk/win T&Cs apply, available upon request. Closing date noon, 1 March, 2019.
ON THE EDGE
New York State of Mind Elysia Agnew lives like a local, uncovering culture, coffee and craft fairs in the Big Apple. A city that sparkles day and night, it’s a half term hit for the whole family who discover there’s so much to explore from AKA's Wall Street and Central Park sites
The concrete jungle. The city that never sleeps. A playground for cultural city-breakers and the home of savvy creative makers. There are so many reasons to fall in love with New York City and as a third-time visitor, I truly believe that this high-rise haven of cosmopolitan life gets better the more you uncover. This trip is all about living like a local. Finding those hidden gems and lesser known secrets of the city. All of which help to create a unique and authentic winter experience in the Big Apple. The magic of NYC is found, not just within the busy streets of Times Square, the lush greenery of Central Park and the breathtaking views over Brooklyn Bridge, you’ll find the real treasures of the city in small neighbourhoods, dainty backstreet delis and pop-up parks. It’s about ducking, diving and delving deep into the unknown. Of course, you have to wander through Central Park, get your photo taken on the TKS stand in Times Square and you have to stroll over Brooklyn Bridge. But if you keep your eyes peeled and your ears open, you might just find something new and refreshing along the way. Something you can go home and tell your friends about. Something you can add to another traveller’s bucket list. Don’t jump on the subway and find the easy route. Take to the streets, get lost in the crowds and stumble upon something by
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surprise. That is how you really get to know New York. Regular flights from the UK will take you directly to JFK airport - the first port of call on this city escapade. You’re sucked into the buzz of the place as soon as you hop off the plane. Yellow cabs are whistled down, big buses are filled with city-goers and trains are packed with commuters and sightseers. AKA’s Wall Street residence is our home for the weekend. A swish, city-centre apartment in the business district. The space is almost futuristic in its modern approach, boasting all the high tech treats you’d expect from a Bond-like, sky-scraping pad. Apartment living is a great way to experience New York like a local. AKA’s luxury lodging is as easy-going or as accommodating as you wish. Swish, self-catered studios that allow you to really make yourself at home, but with all the benefits of a hotel - if you’d like them. Wall Street on a weekend is a far cry from its mid-week madness. The shops open late, professionals hang out in high-rise apartments and, surprisingly, there’s a real laid-back feel about the place. Delis deliver the goods when it comes to mid-morning bagels, speakeasies pop up on street corners as the sun goes down, and blues bars buzz as we break into the early hours. It’s cool, it’s contemporary, and it’s pretty chilled as far as city living goes. Venture into the whirlwind of Wall Street during the week
AKA Wall Street
AKA Central Park
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ON THE EDGE and it’s a different story altogether - but equally as fascinating. Those dressed-down, lower Manhattan locals are suited and booted, swerving through crowds - all with the same goal of turning up to work on time. There’s a real buzz about the place, but it’s very much business-focused. We’re here for the weekend with a Monday crossover - so with AKA Wall Street as our base, we get to experience the two; but the quieter time is perfect for exploring the area. The nearby Eataly NYC Downtown at the Westfield World Trade Center site is a paradise for foodies looking to explore flavours, ingredients and seasonal menus. Eataly is a top-floor taste tour, celebrating Italian biodiversity in the food world. It’s an informal place to shop, eat, explore and learn. We get to know the immediate area mainly by foot, stumbling upon shops, restaurants, bars, museums and coffee shops as we go. But if following an itinerary is your preferred way of city breaking, and you don’t want to spend hours trailing the internet, LOCALIKE New York is just the ticket. For us, this trip is about experiencing the wonders of winter in New York City - and living it like a local. So teaming up with a local expert to create a personalised travel itinerary in advance works a treat. After completing a profile online, highlighting interests and preferences, our glorious city guide takes shape - packed with bespoke advice on the most up-to-date and off the beaten track sights, launches, restaurants and events. Whether it’s a funky Japanese restaurant that doesn’t publish its phone number, access to private resident-only parks in Midtown Manhattan, hidden comedy cellars in Greenwich Village or the best brunch in Soho; it’s a real insider’s perspective and a refreshing new way of getting to know the city.
Don’t jump on the subway and find the easy route. Take to the streets, get lost in the crowds and stumble upon something by surprise Our local ‘know-how’ means we uncover some of the city’s finest speakeasies, cafes and culture. For a buzzy brunch, swing by Sadelle’s in Soho. This adorable little spot serves up the best bagels in town. The words ‘hoot bagels’ are sung out in regular intervals from the in-house bakery inside a glass cube in the centre of the restaurant, making it known that another handmade batch is ready for service. Families feast on bagel towers, couples catch up over coffee and locals pop in to pick up their freshly baked goods. It’s busy, it’s vibrant and it’s exactly how breakfast should be when in NYC. For something a little low key when it comes to morning munching, make a date at Burette - a charming West Village hangout and a perfect presentation of a Parisian-style cafe, with US portions! The glorious neighbourhoods of Chelsea, Greenwich and East Village are within walking distance from AKA Wall Street; perfect places to live like a local. For a fun night out, go to the Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village - long considered one of the best comedy clubs in the city, bringing in some of the finest funny people on the circuit. If you’re not ready to call it a night, swing by arty speakeasy, The Garret. In an understated East Village spot, this place serves up some of the city’s finest cocktails and keeps the locals happy with regular pop-up restaurants behind a curious curtain at the back of the building. If gin is your thing, make sure you check out Chelsea’s Bathub Gin - intriguing from the outside with just a red light in the window, it’s not the easiest to find, but if you’re lucky enough to know about this little gem, you’re on to a winner. The prohibition-style bar with dim lighting and a huge bathtub in the middle, serves up the most gorgeous gin-based cocktails using rare spirits from all four corners of the world. A meatpacking district must. Our Lower Manhattan location means Brooklyn Bridge is just a ten-minute walk from AKA Wall Street, so a sightseeing stroll over the East River to see Manhattan’s beautiful and boisterous friend is a must. This trendy, waterfront wonderland now packed with bars, restaurants and pop-up markets, has transformed its working class roots into a thing of beauty. Brooklyn is a far cry from the swanky
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streets of modern Midtown Manhattan, but its impressive architecture and edgy charm is something of an experience. What’s a trip to Brooklyn without a local flea market tour? Artists and Fleas in Williamsburg is the place to be every weekend for the latest goods from local artists, designers and collectors. Go here for treats, trinkets and vintage clothing. If you’re looking for a market with a bit of buzz about it, Brooklyn’s Night Bazaar is your best bet. An urban, after-hours village inspired by South Asia’s night markets. A hipster hangout ticking the boxes for shopping, strolling, sipping, eating and entertainment. We leave Brooklyn on a high with a visit to Westlight - a chic rooftop bar inside The William Vale Hotel. Hard to miss, this stylish building on stilts is the perfect base for breathtaking views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines. Our second stay in this sparkling city takes us Uptown. AKA Central Park is our home for a mid-week mini break. With the madness of Midtown just behind us, and the glorious green spaces of Central Park just ahead, we find ourselves juggling the best of both worlds; and after picking up a chai latte in the hotel’s a.café, we’re ready to explore our new neighbourhood. Whether it’s a dash to the designer stores of Upper East Side, a bite to eat at Central Park’s Boathouse, or a tourist trip into Midtown Manhattan, we’re in the perfect position to see the city sparkle day and night. Ice skating in Central Park is a winter must. Local skaters show us how it’s done as we stumble beneath the towering trees. Need something to warm up after a crisp winter wander through the frosty park pathways? Pick up a freshly baked cookie from Levain Bakery on 74th Street. The dark chocolate peanut butter chip cookie is what dreams are made of. Central Park itself is a place you could easily while away the hours. There’s a street artist everywhere you turn, each landmark sparks a memorable movie scene, and there are plenty of places to hangout and watch the world go by. A stunning stop-off spot is The Loeb Boathouse - an urban
oasis where you can sit, sip and watch as rowboats drift by on the lake. Go here for burgers, seafood and seasonal salads. If a grab-and-go lunch better suits your busy schedule, venture out of the park and explore Upper East Side, a pretty, tree-lined neighbourhood filled with independent shops, bistros, cafés and delis. Lexington Avenue’s Dos Toros Taqueria is the Big Apple’s answer to mouthwatering Mexican fast food. Go here for fresh, fully loaded tortillas, ticking all the boxes when it comes to Tex-Mex treats. After getting to grips with the city’s gorgeous greenery, it’s time to take back to the streets. Take a deep breath and breeze through the hubbub of Times Square; shop, stroll and see why this city ‘never sleeps’. If browsing Bloomingdales and mooching through Macy’s gets the better of you, rest your legs and check out a Broadway show. We head to Horace Green for our theatre thrills on this occasion. The School of Rock story follows failed rockstar Dewey Finn on his mission to turn prep school pupils into pop-rock superstars. A guitar-shredding, bass-slapping rock band is formed live on stage and before we know it, we’re standing to salute the best band in town. A must-see musical for the whole family, if Broadway is on your bucket list. If you’re planning a winter visit to this sparkling city, bundle up this Big Apple guide for a bounty of holiday happenings in the city that never sleeps. Whether you’re seeking out seasonal speakeasies and supper spots, getting your flea market fix, or looking for foot-stomping theatre thrills, there’s something for everyone in NYC. Grab your New York CityPASS for Empire State escapades and sightseeing city cruises, live like a local through LOCALIKE and find hidden gems on foot as you explore the eclectic areas surrounding New York’s uber cool AKA residences. www.stayaka.com/aka-wall-street www.stayaka.com/aka-central-park www.localike-newyork.com
LOCALIKE New York
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RECHARGE WHITE SAND WORKOUTS IN MIAMI >> From clay body masks and cauliflower crust pizzas to Surf-Pilates and Yoga on the Sand – Nobu Hotel Miami Beach is undoubtedly one of the world’s hottest scenes for 360-degree health and fitness. Boasting a lavish 18-treatment room Escencia Spa, the stunning resort this year launches their new open air, farm to fork Malibu Farm Café with a bountiful health menu, along with new beach boot camps and innovative body-sculpting classes. Whether someone’s looking for a dedicated, transformative well-being holiday, or just to dip their toe in – Nobu Hotel Miami Beach has brand new spa treatments and classes for the season. www.nobuhotelmiamibeach.com
Easy does it
Make it easy on yourself and attack the new year fitness plan in dazzling spa and fitness destinations across the globe. Undo the festive damage and prepare for a recharge!
YOGA LIKE A CELEB IN MARRAKECH >> Getting your sweat on doing Adho Mukha Svanasana (commonly known as Downward Facing Dog) is without question far more restorative whilst in the exotic gardens in the middle of a Moroccan desert paradise. The 5-star Es Saadi Marrakech Resort offers a body, mind and soul recharge at the luxury ‘Detox & Vitality’ retreat in Morocco. A haven for celebrity guests since it opened 50 years ago, the sprawling resort is set in the golden triangle in colourful Marrakech. Over the course of three days, guests practice yoga with renowned instructors with a focus on healing body and spirit. It’s a tranquil setting with access to the world-class Es Saadi Palace Spa. www.essaadi.com
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RECHARGE
WARRIOR WORKOUTS IN PARADISE >> Take it back to basics and test your fitness levels in paradise. Designed by workout instructor and founder of the Maldivian Warrior Workout, Ali Shareef, guests of this 120-villa luxurious resort in the Shaviyani Atoll are transported back in time to keep fit and experience this authentic cultural workout. This warrior-style workout takes place on the idyllic beach and uses coconut shells, wooden blocks, logs and heavy stones opposed to conventional free weights and dumbbells, for the most fun and immersive workout yet. These weightlifting and resistance exercises are followed with a swim in the crystal-clear lagoon and a run along the picturesque, sugar-white beaches, ensuring an intense yet truly magical and unforgettable workout. Fitness fanatics can indulge in everything from sea kayaking, jet skiing and sailing to snorkelling and beach volleyball. www.Fairmont.com
FLEXIBILITY AND NOURISHMENT IN SOMERSET >> Retreat UK’s escapes take place in a luxury ten-bedroom house in Somerset with sumptuous bedrooms and stylish social spaces set in acres of lush, green countryside. Combining daily yoga practices, strength and mobility training with scenic hikes, meditation, cookery and cinema nights. The Retreat is for solo travellers, couples and groups of friends alike. Professional chefs are hand-selected to join the retreats, cooking delicious and nourishing food throughout. Founder Lisa Carolan has structured the retreats to leave guests feeling fit, healthy and rejuvenated, with a true sense of equilibrium and fun, long-lasting memories. (June – August) www.ourretreat.co.uk
A GREEK FITNESS FEST >> One for the diary. Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort located on the coast of Kassandra, Halkidiki has launched the October Wellness Fest programme. Guests enjoy unlimited access to the Myrthia Thermal Spa and the five-day ‘Discover the Myrthia Thermal Spa’ programme which includes thermal baths, massages and traditional Greek spa treatments with olive oil, yoghurt, honey, as well as a variety of free yoga, aquabike, dance and fitness classes. Re-nourish in the resort’s new Healthy Corner at Kritamo restaurant, ensuring a holiday of detox, rest and recovery. www.miraggio.gr
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CELLAR SECRETS
Feed me fabulous Anna and Chris Hand have created a sociable and savvy dining style in their new village restaurant which blends modern with family heritage
In the smart village of Norton, a crumb’s throw from its charming duck pond, Blackwells Butcher’s is a landmark destination for food lovers. Three generations have nurtured the butchery, bringing it acclaim for sausages, steak and satisfying roasts. Now Anna Hand (nee Blackwell), has set up shop herself marrying the best of the butcher’s offering with an on-trend approach to dining. She and husband Chris are doing this within sniffing distance of Blackwell’s Butcher’s in a gorgeous cellar restaurant they’ve called The Violet Green. The place is housed in a former bank vault on the village green which makes up part of its name. Violet was Anna’s great grandmother.
Anna and Chris have gathered together a small team to bring the concept of sharing plates to the dining scene, making the most of Blackwells suppliers, expertise and local provenance. Anna and Chris love eating out and the sociability of dining with friends, sharing dishes and trying new flavours. They are huge fans of chef Tommy Banks of the acclaimed Black Swan at Oldstead who has just opened Roots in York. “The sharing plates concept is building momentum – it is more than just eating out. It is about enjoying each plate, its flavours and celebrating the seasonality of produce”, says Anna. “The emphasis here is not only on the food but the experience which gives people more time to chat and enjoy each others’ company.”
Anna and Chris Hand >>
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CELLAR SECRETS
The Violet Green is all about delivering high quality, seasonal plates which those eating together can share. No more food envy when you dine here!
In the kitchen is young twentysomething chef Jack Butler whose food Anna was familiar with. “It was a leap of faith but I knew his food was good and that I could work with him”, she says. “The team of butchers at Blackwells are really supportive. Nothing goes to waste in the shop but now it’s a case of them being able to say, ‘can we try this or that’, on our menu”, adds Anna. You can get excited about the prospect of some whipped beef dripping with crispy onions alongside foccacia made fresh daily. Cauliflower cheese croquettes and the Violet Green hash brown are already menu winners, as are plate-pleasers such as a 6oz fillet Durham beef with roasted onion, onion puree and beer sauce. You might be tempted by roast venison loin with wild mushroom and butternut squash or gin-cured chalk stream trout with grapefruit and nasturtium. Or how about beef fillet taco with mustard relish, picked onions and Worcester sauce reduction? It’s a move away from course-based dining – but still recognises that some diners will want to opt for their traditional main course eating. Above all, it is about making eating out a relaxed and lingering affair. “The Violet Green is all about delivering high quality, seasonal plates which those eating together can share. No more food envy when you dine here. Order the plates you want, and dive in and share. Plates are served throughout your evening making for a relaxed food experience”, says Anna. She and Chris are also championing the ‘Feed Me’ approach where if you can’t decide, the front of house team will be happy to make recommendations and surprise you. Dishes you choose are delivered with perfect timing to create a grazing-style experience.
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The restaurant's ‘Feed Me’ option is £40 and you’ll be brought 8-9 dishes – a selection of plates especially chosen by head chef Jack to add an element of curiosity to the evening. “You’ll be eating the best of what we do - 80pc of diners try it first off and they get to eat things which they might not normally order. We will have that as an option for everyone”, adds Anna. Meat is supplied by Blackwells Butchers, of course, and fish is from Hodgson’s of Hartlepool. Fruit and vegetables come from local growers and foragers, The Gourmet Garden of Sedgefield. Anna, who studied event management at university in Leeds, had experience in organising food events and pop-ups and was supported by her dad, Martin Blackwell, as she developed the catering side of the business and took the reins of the business when her dad died last year. The Violet Green and Blackwells continue to be a a close family business says Anna. “This is a learning curve – a new business and different customer but at its heart are tasty plates of food, prepared for today to eat today. “The shop is a family business and we try and make staff here feel appreciated – we see them more than family!”, admits Anna. The restaurant itself is literally a hidden gem – a unique space with industrial stairs lit by a mixture of candles and inspired uplighting. Anna has been inspired by local interior stores including Saltburn’s Lillian Daph emporium, to create a clever, inviting and atmospheric space. The former bank vault has bags of character and features exposed brick walls and floors. “We wanted to create something different here in Norton, and we like to think we have achieved this.” www.thevioletgreen.co.uk
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TURNING JAPANESE
CHEF’S TABLE with James Close, two Michelin star chef at Raby Hunt Make it a joyful January. Banquets, bubbles and big nights rule
Cakes and bubbles. Just because it’s January you don’t have to leave them behind. In fact the dull days of winter are probably great reason to succumb. For the best versions you’re likely to encounter, take a tip – head to Cakes & Bubbles at Café Royal in London. After his successful pop-up at Hotel Café Royal in 2016, famed chef Albert Adrià – who of course built a gastronomic revolution alongside his brother, Ferran, at the legendary Michelin three-star elBulli, has returned with a truly extravagant adventure in all things sweet and spectacular. Cakes and Bubbles is his first permanent establishment outside of his native Spain and is as much fun as it sounds. Adrià, who was voted The World’s Best Pastry Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, offers a dazzling parade of exceptional desserts; from his signature ‘cheese cake’ to his egg flan, air waffle and doughnut creations. It’s a really memorable place to visit – also tipping the ‘most instagrammable’ list for a time. Our base for the stay was Soho Hotel – a great spot in a cool location close to some good eating places such as Barrafina. You will know my obsession with Japanese food, flavours and techniques by now. I’ve been taking it to the limit lately, experimenting with new dishes for the ‘global’ section of the Raby Hunt menu. But we take it to the max in January with a one-night-only collaboration at the restaurant with SushiSushi. Celebrated Japanese Kaiseki chef Masafumi Karaki will fly in from Honshu, Japan to bring the true taste of Japanese fine dining to a lucky group of diners. Dinner will be a multi-course tasting menu in the traditional style of Kaiseki. Expect the best tuna, aged to perfection, the best pure Japanese wagyu and flavours that have never before been tasted in the UK. I can’t wait. (Tickets £160pp – call Raby Hunt). For our menus I’ve been using the fatty otoro tuna which we get fresh from Spain. It is the best in the world, and we age it for a short time to increase the flavour. I serve it with white truffle – it’s been the best season in 15 years for white truffle. It’s arguably one of the best dishes I’ve ever created. Having said that, the new wagyu ‘sando’ is pretty special – a Japanese-style mini sandwich with aged wagyu beef. We’re using some of the best ingredients in the world – and in Darlington! Our menu features these on a ‘global’ section which we have a bit of fun with – might be Mexican or Japanese influenced dishes. Then we have the signature dishes such as our salad of razor clams. I will be one of six Michelin-starred chefs cooking up a storm in a ‘superhero’ themed banquet in the City of London in February. It’s in aid of separated dads and the launch of a new charity, The Fathers4Justice Foundation. The Great British Superhero Banquet and Auction will take place on 19 February at the historic Gibson Hall in the City of London, and I will be cooking alongside Tom Kerridge, Daniel Clifford, Glynn Purnell, Paul Ainsworth and Michael O’Hare, plus other special guests. The event will be hosted by Radio 1 DJ, Chris Stark. All funds raised will go to the newly launched Fathers4Justice Foundation, a charity set up to provide life-saving support services for separated dads, including a 24/7 National Lifeline and other initiatives aimed at suicide prevention and helping men in distress. Tickets are £200 each including all food and wine during the banquet and auction. The dress code is ‘superhero’ fancy dress (or mask and cape), a nod to the famous superheroes campaign staged by Fathers4Justice. Tickets can be booked through Seasoned Events on 01708 711232 or email monika.michalczuk@seasonedevents.co.uk
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>> Cakes & Bubbles at Café Royal, London
A dazzling parade of exceptional desserts; from the signature ‘cheese cake’ to the egg flan, air waffle and doughnut creations
>> Soho Hotel
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ADVERTORIAL
Newcastle restaurant celebrates 35th birthday One of Newcastle’s most renowned Indian Restaurants, Sachins, is celebrating its 35th birthday, making it one of the oldest establishments in the region serving traditional Indian Punjabi cuisine
now for 18 years, yet I was a regular customer long before that. Some of our loyal clientele have whole generations of families that regularly visit our restaurant. You see children in prams grow up to bring their own kids into the restaurant and get to know them all as friends, not just customers.” The name of the restaurant means “Truth” in Punjabi and Bob is very passionate about providing an honest, authentic taste of India. This could potentially explain the North East’s love affair with the restaurant. Everything served at Sachins is as authentic as possible, down to the spice grinders used – which are specially imported from India. There are plans to celebrate the birthday in the New Year, but the restaurant has recently undergone an interior and exterior makeover. The venue has been revamped and despite its age, Sachins looks as modern and fresh as ever. www.sachins.co.uk
Now
Then
Sachins has established its place as an iconic Indian restaurant in Newcastle, and throughout its history has been awarded many accolades, including Love North East’s Top Curry of the Year, Chef of the Year in the English Curry Awards as well as North East Curry Restaurant of the Year. The restaurant itself, an old jazz club (see attached image) sits on Newcastle’s historical Forth Banks, and is a striking and recognisable stand-alone building, and the only part of Sachins which hints at its age. The longevity of Sachins is extremely impressive; it has survived and thrived during a period where restaurant closures were common, and has remained a key player in the Newcastle scene, despite the launch of a huge number of competitors in the last decades. The long and successful run of Sachins is accredited to owner and chef Bob Arora, who bought the restaurant in 2000 from Dinesh Rawlley, after falling in love with it as a regular diner. Bob told us: “Sachins has been my passion
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Sachins has been my passion now for 18 years, yet I was a regular customer long before that. Some of our loyal clientele have whole generations of families that regularly visit our restaurant
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TASTY DATE
Festival fun with flavour Calling all foodies! Rockliffe Hall will be hosting its first ever Festival of Food this February, celebrating the best in British cuisine…
The five-star luxury resort will welcome some of the country’s best professional chefs during the eight-day foodie extravaganza. A two-day Artisan Food Fair, showcasing local exhibitors and their award-winning treats, food from around the globe, including the Caribbean, Middle East and Europe, and the finest gin, whisky and rum for guests to sample, will kick off proceedings on the first weekend from February 2-3. This will be followed by a series of special lunches, mouthwatering dinners and sumptuous food and wine events, taking place throughout the week, culminating in a glitzy gala dinner. Big name chefs, including Andrew Pern (The Star Inn on Tour), TV chef and author Mark Greenaway, James Mackenzie (Pipe and Glass Inn) and renowned Jersey-based chef, Mark Jordan, will all be cooking at exclusive dining experiences during the week. Rockliffe Hall’s executive chefs, Richard Allen, Aaron Craig and Paul O’Hara will also be hosting various dinners and events, while the resort’s head gardener, Phil Mennell, will host a lunch and tour of the kitchen gardens. Head sommelier, Daniel Jonberger will pass
James Mackenzie
on his wine wisdom at a wine and food pairing masterclass and there’ll be a Taste of the North East Celebration Banquet with guest chefs from The Bay Horse at Hurworth in Darlington, Nova Seafood Grill in Newcastle, Chadwicks Inn Maltby in Middlesbrough and The Crathorne Arms in Yarm. North East chefs Dan Fletcher, Danny Parker and David Coulson will showcase their Great British Menu talents on stage at the fair. Over the eight-day event, money will be raised for Hospitality Action with big prize raffles at some of the evening dinners. The charity offers vital assistance to those working, or who have worked within, hospitality in the UK and who find themselves in crisis. Eamonn Elliott, chief executive at Rockliffe Hall, says: “We’ve lined up lots of top names in the food industry from our region, and further afield, and can’t wait to showcase their talent at this exciting event.” “It will be a great opportunity to celebrate everything that is fabulous about food, from the ingredients, to the suppliers, the chefs, and of course the diners. There’s so much happening during the eight days that there’s sure to be an event to suit everyone. It really will be any foodie’s idea of heaven and an event not to be missed.”
Andy Simms
It will be a great opportunity to celebrate everything that is fabulous about food, from the ingredients, to the suppliers, the chefs, and of course the diners
Ronny Robson
David Henry
Ste Lawford
Andrew Pern
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TASTY DATE
What’s happening? >>
Executive Chef, Richard Allen.
SUNDAY 3 FEBRUARY WORLD’S BEST SUNDAY DINNER WITH ANDREW PERN Yorkshire based chef-patron Andrew Pern, recent winner of the World’s Best Sunday Dinner in the lonely planet guide, brings a Michelin-starred Sunday lunch-themed menu to the Clubhouse.
Grill, Steven Lawford from Chadwicks Inn Maltby and David Henry from the Crathorne Arms.
TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY WINE & FOOD PAIRING MASTERCLASS Rockliffe Hall’s head sommelier, Daniel Jonberger, guides you through how to pair food with wine. You’ll enjoy five unique wines each parked with two different foods, so he can explain which matches well, and which doesn’t.
MONDAY 4 FEBRUARY GUEST CHEF MARK GREENAWAY TV regular and winner of the Gourmand Book Awards’ Best Chef Cookbook in the World, Mark Greenaway, brings a taste of his multi-award-winning Restaurant Mark Greenaway to Rockliffe Hall’s Brasserie.
TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY GARDENERS LUNCH WITH PHIL MENNELL, HEAD GARDENER Phil will present a talk in the Looking Glass House before a tour of Rockliffe’s kitchen gardens and potting sheds, followed by a two course lunch in the 4 AA Rosette Orangery, created from the gardens by
FRIDAY 8 FEBRUARY GUEST CHEF JAMES MACKENZIE We welcome James Mackenzie, chef-patron of the Michelin-starred Pipe and Glass Inn, winner of Michelin’s Pub of the Year, for an exquisite dining experience in The Clubhouse. SATURDAY 9 FEBRUARY COME DINE WITH US BLACK TIE GALA DINNER Rockliffe Hall’s three executive chefs Richard Allen, Aaron Craig and Paul O’Hara will each create a special dish for this glittering black-tie gala dinner to conclude the Festival of Food celebrations.
WEDNESDAY 6 FEBRUARY GUEST CHEF MARK JORDAN IN THE ORANGERY Richard Allen welcomes celebrated chef Mark Jordan (Mark Jordan At The Beach), and forager, Kazz (Wild Food Adventures), both from the island of Jersey, to the Orangery for a unique food and wine experience. THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY TASTE OF THE NORTH EAST BANQUET A very special banquet to celebrate the finest North East produce with chefs Andy Simms from the Bay Horse Hurworth, Ronald Robson from Nova Seafood
Prices start from £35 for lunchtime events and £45 for evening events. Festival Passes are also available from £400 which give access to all evening events, with accommodation options available. rockliffehall.com
LUNCH FOR LESS
NEW MENU OUT NOW
Get to know… Kazz Padidar >> Forager Kazz Padidar will be joining Rockliffe Hall’s executive chef, Richard Allen, in the hotel’s Orangery restaurant on February 6 He grew up on the island of Jersey with his family and fell in love with foraging as a young boy, after listening to tales about his grandmother’s quest to find wild food during the Second World War. Today, he runs his own company, Wild Adventures, in Jersey, which provides kids and adults with all kinds of outdoor activities, from bush craft and survival skills (including how to find food in the great outdoors), to coasteering, rock climbing and kayaking. He also continues to forage and now supplies a number of Jersey’s most esteemed restaurants with his wild, responsibly-sourced finds, including plants, herbs, vegetables and shellfish.
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He’ll be appearing alongside another big-name Jersey chef, Mark Jordan, at Rockliffe Hall as part of a unique food and wine experience and is looking forward to sharing his stories and skills with guests. “I’m really happy to be a part of Rockliffe Hall’s Festival of Food,” says Kazz. “I actually used to forage for Richard Allen in Jersey before he came to Rockliffe Hall and really enjoyed seeing all the wonderful food creations he presented there. It’s great to work with a chef who can see lots of dimensions of flavour in wild foods and has fun experimenting with them.” “I've also never visited the North East before, so I’m excited to see what it has to offer. I’ve heard it's very beautiful and I’ll definitely take some time to explore during my stay.”
TO BOOK NOW, VISIT: M P W R E S TAU R A N T S .CO M
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FOOD LIFE
Reach for the sky... Dan Fletcher’s food journey has taken him from North Yorkshire dish room to fine dining in the clouds. He grew up in Hutton Rudby and now he’s head chef at Fenchurch rooftop restaurant at the Sky Garden in London. Elysia Agnew catches up with the chef over his tea-inspired Great British Menu starter… MY COOKING CAREER STARTED WHEN… I was fifteen, washing up at the McCoy’s Tontine restaurant near Northallerton. I was always curious about what was going on in the kitchen and I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. One day the chef shouted at me ‘Dan - grab a knife, we need some beans topping and tailing’… and I’ve never looked back. I was just so excited to be out of the dish room! MY FIRST CHILDHOOD FOOD MEMORY WAS… My grandma’s steamed marmalade pudding. It was my grandad’s favourite and was always made on special occasions. Making it myself now brings back a lot of special memories.
My go-to dish is usually pasta - I do like to make a lasagne. I make it with slow braised shin of beef finished with fresh tomato, pancetta, chicken livers and loads of basil AFTER EARNING MY STRIPES IN THE KITCHENS OF YORKSHIRE’S LOCAL RESTAURANTS… I went to catering college, and then packed my bags and travelled to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, showing what I had learnt in kitchens across the globe. When I came home I went to work in Edinburgh’s The Kitchin under Michelinawarded chef Tom Kitchin, whose signature ‘nature to plate’ ideology really shaped my approach to technique and flavour. After leaving Edinburgh, I came back home to Yorkshire to work at the Michelin-starred Black Swan at Oldstead, before finally moving back to London to join two Michelinstarred, The Square under Phil Howard. After four years at the The Square, I moved to Fenchurch at Sky Garden where I now oversee a team of 17 chefs.
excitement of being asked to take part, to the nerves of being filmed, the challenges of the creative process through to the overwhelming joy I felt winning the North East round. I was so proud! I THINK IT’S QUITE NORMAL TO WORRY ABOUT HOW YOU’RE GOING TO COME ACROSS ON TV… Because you never know how it’s going to be edited and how you’re going to look, but in the end, I was quite pleased. Although watching the first show was very surreal, I’ve watched it for so many years I couldn’t believe I was the one on screen doing the cooking. THE INGREDIENTS IS WHAT MAKES ME TICK IN THE KITCHEN… Using quality, seasonal ingredients can transform the simplest of dishes into something very special. I get so excited every time new produce comes in with the seasons, as it allows me and the team to be really creative in the kitchen. As the seasons change I spend time creating new dishes, and looking at ways in which we can incorporate new flavour combinations and textures into the menus. THE FOOD AT FENCHURCH FOCUSES ON SEASONAL BRITISH PRODUCE… Cooked in a way that brings out the best possible flavours in the dish. The menus offer choice for everyone and whilst the dishes are elegant, they’re never fussy. Last year, the Great British Menu celebrated 75 years of the NHS. To celebrate this amazing anniversary, we launched a special tasting menu, which includes the dishes I cooked on the show, all of which are inspired by our incredible National Health Service.
I THINK THERE ARE LOADS OF INCREDIBLE PLACES TO EAT IN THE NORTH EAST… But if I had to pick one it would be the The Bay Horse at Hurworth. I’ve always loved going there and it’s great to go back and see everyone and enjoy some really well cooked, beautiful dishes.
well-aged parmesan, followed by rib of beef with cep mushroom and madeira sauce. For pudding I’d have something huge with loads of chocolate and caramel. I have such a sweet tooth it’s unbelievable. I find myself in the freezer looking for ice cream far too often!
I LIKE TO KEEP IT SIMPLE AT HOME… My go-to dish is usually pasta - I do like to make a lasagne. I make it with slow braised shin of beef finished with fresh tomato, pancetta, chicken livers and loads of basil. SO tasty. MY DEATH ROW DINNER? WELL, IF I’M ON DEATH ROW, I’M GOING OUT WITH SOME SERIOUS LUXURY… To start I’d have white truffle tagliatelle with
I’M BACK IN THE NORTH EAST THIS FEBRUARY… For Rockliffe Hall’s Festival of Food. Danny Parker, David Coulson and I will be working together on a six-course tasting menu in the Orangery restaurant on Sunday 3 February. The menu will include our dishes from the Great British Menu. Hopefully we won’t be too competitive in the kitchen this time! www.skygarden.london
I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO BE APPROACHED ABOUT THE GREAT BRITISH MENU OPPORTUNITY… And after speaking to a few friends who’ve been on the show and recommended it, there was no way I could turn it down. The whole experience has been such a rollercoaster of emotions. From the initial
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FIRED UP
GROWING, G AT H E R I N G , GOURMET The kitchen garden on his doorstep inspires chef Gareth Rayner to get creative with his menus at the new Forge restaurant at Middleton Lodge. Kathryn Armstrong takes a bite
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FIRED UP
Gareth Rayner manages to take a stem of broccoli and make some magic. Charring the green vegetable on an open flame, pairing it with an earthy Jerusalem artichoke puree then letting aged parmesan sprinkle over like snow. It’s a little bit of art, suitably laid out on the canvas of a rough-hewn artisan plate. And it typifies what dining at Gareth’s newest restaurant, Forge, is all about. This is the newest addition to the Middleton Lodge Estate just a short hop from the A1 near Scotch Corner. This little corner of cool has expanded rapidly in the past three years with The Coach House, spa treatment rooms, The Fig House and kitchen garden all offering up stylish places to dine, stay and do stylish things – from crafts to yoga, outdoor cinema to weddings. Forge offers a fine dining tasting menu, which is inspired and dictated by whatever’s growing in the abundant kitchen garden. This is serious food. They clearly hope to find themselves on the Michelin
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inspector’s radar. No doubt about it, dishes will impress. We delved into a menu which has attention to detail at every turn and luscious flavours for surprises and swoons! A chunk of hake, gentle and buttery, teamed with sweet raisins and punchy cauliflower. Yorkshire duck was deftly cooked to stay pink with a moreish sweet crust of fat. This accompanied by beetroot, grilled cabbage and elderberry vinegar. Duck egg custard pooled around caramelised apple and brown butter ice cream for a dreamy dessert. Much of the food is cooked on open fires making the most of unusual flavours and ingredients. Some ingredients are foraged from surrounding woodlands and sourced from the local farming community. Suppliers name-checked include Paul Allison, Low Harperley farm, for lleyn rare breed lamb. Will Raw, Moulton, for game birds and roe deer and Peter and Jill Hodgson, Hartlepool, fish suppliers. Seasonal produce will be picked from the estate the same morning as served
and menus will change on a daily basis, dependent on ingredients available from the estate and local farmers. “It’s fantastic to finally open the doors to Forge, which has been a year in the making.
Forge offers a fine dining tasting menu, which is inspired by whatever’s growing in the abundant kitchen garden The kitchen team and the estate’s gardeners are so excited to let the guests take their first bite. The fires have been lit and we can’t wait for service to begin.” The Middleton Lodge Estate has also worked closely with local and national
wine merchants to create a detailed wine list, to sit alongside the two menus. The Forge sommelier will pair each dish with a different wine from the list, this will also change daily, dependent on which produce is making its way to the menu that evening. James Allison, owner of the Middleton Lodge Estate comments: “At Forge we really wanted create an experience like no other, full of memorable moments from the minute a guest steps foot in the restaurant to their last mouthful of Gareth’s innovative dishes. “It’s been a fascinating process to watch our team of chefs work with the estate’s gardeners and local farming community in such a collaborative way, so we’re looking forward to our guests finally getting to taste this new chapter of the Middleton Lodge Estate.” Forge is open every Wednesday to Saturday for evening reservations only. The ninecourse tasting menu is priced at a guide of £70 per person and the optional wine pairing is £45 per person. www.middletonlodge.co.uk/the-forgerestaurant
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XXXXXXXX SOUFFLÉ SECRETS
FISH COURSE
Twice Baked Smoked Haddock Soufflé WITH TERRY LAYBOURNE
SERVES 6
Ingredients The twice-baked soufflé is something of a signature dish at 21 Hospitality and fits the bill as a starter or a light main course for lunch or supper. Punchy smoked haddock and cheese make a great combination and this recipe is an easy one to create at home - it’s also one to impress with, even though it’s relatively easy to master. It tastes rich and luxurious with much depth of flavour from the flavoursome haddock, which is popular and widely available. (Make sure you stick with natural smoked haddock not the nasty orange stuff ). Definitely what they call comfort food.
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75g softened butter 75g dried breadcrumbs 120g smoked haddock 30g butter 30g plain flour 150ml milk 90g grated cheddar cheese 1 tsp English mustard powder 300g egg whites 2 large egg yolks Maldon salt to taste Milled white pepper 300ml double cream 100g grated parmesan cheese
Method Brush six individual ramekins with softened butter and line with a light sprinkling of
breadcrumbs. Chill well. To poach the smoked haddock bring the milk to the boil, add the haddock and then turn off the heat. Leave it to sit in the milk for five minutes then gently remove it to a plate and break into large flakes. Set aside. Next, strain the milk cooking liquid into another pan. Make a roux with the butter and flour then add the reserved milk (from poaching the haddock) a little at a time to create a thick sauce. Cook on a gentle heat for five minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the mustard powder and then the grated cheddar cheese and egg yolks. Whisk the egg whites together with a pinch of salt until firm.
Beat a third of the egg white mixture into the warm cheese sauce, then very carefully fold in the remainder followed by the smoked haddock. Divide between the prepared ramekin dishes and place them in a roasting tray containing boiling water an inch deep. Transfer the dish to the oven and bake at 135°C for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, allow to cool for ten minutes (at this stage they can be refrigerated until needed). When you are ready to serve the dish, heat the oven to 180°C. Invert each soufflé from the ramekin dish into a deep ovenproof serving dish. Pour 50mls of cream and a good pinch of parmesan cheese over each soufflé and bake at 180°C for 10 minutes.
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LIGHT & FANTASTIC
January brings us a need for comfort food and a nod to our Scottish friends and their celebrations for Burns Night. This is Chadwicks head chef Steve Lawford’s take on the Scottish favourite, Cullen Skink - with the luxury of hand-dived scallops to elevate the dish for a bit of midwinter luxury. So much more than soup! And steering clear of dry January, sommelier Lee Tolley find the perfect wine pairing.
<<
Clean plates
A Scottish classic with crisp whites to partner The world of Pinot >> Pinot Grigio (I Mastri Vernacoli), Trentino, Italy 2017 100% Pinot Grigio 12.5% ABV
From the mountains of Trentino, which is well known for quality Pinot Grigio just like this one. A very fresh and crisp wine with peach and honey on the nose, citrus fruit and green apple on the palate. A great example of a good Pinot Grigio.
Hand Dived Scottish King Scallops ‘Cullen Skink’ >>
Pinot Gris ‘Cellar Collection’ (Sileni), Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand 2016 100% Pinot Gris 11.5% ABV
Serves 4
Ingredients 4 large hand-dived scallops 500ml fish stock 500ml cream 1 large leek 2 potatoes 1 sprig thyme 100g fresh parsley 1 side natural smoked haddock
Method Make a fish cream by reducing the fish stock, with the thyme added, until there is a
quarter of the liquid left. Add cream and bring to the boil. Pass through a fine sieve. Open scallops and clean, leaving just the white scallop meat (you can ask your fishmonger to do this as it can be quite difficult). Slice the scallop in half. Dice the leek, potato and smoked haddock. Cook leek and potato gently in the fish cream until potato is just cooked. Add smoked haddock and cook for a few minutes. Finish with chopped parsley and season to taste. Fry scallops in a very hot pan with oil for about a minute on each side. Plate Up Spoon the cullen skink into bowls and top with the scallops. Enjoy!
This wine takes its name from Greek mythology where the Sileni were companions of the Greek God of wine, Dionysus. Although the vineyard is not as old as ancient Greece (it was established in 1997), it certainly makes some fantastic wines. With great balance of acidity and ripe peach coming through, this wine also has fantastic length. If you’re a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc fan, give this a go – it’s a great change.
Pinot Blanc Classic (Famille Hugell), Alsace, France 2016 100% Pinot Blanc 12.5% ABV
The most famous and prestigious wine making family in Alsace, the Hugels have been growing wine there since 1639 and produce some of the finest wines in the world. Pinot Blanc is now the most planted grape grown in Alsace. This fantastic wine offers a nose of apples and lemon balm, with a fruity rounded and smooth finish on the palate. A world class wine.
Country pub with award winning dining Michelin Bib Gourmand | 2AA Rosettes
chadwicksinnmaltby.co.uk
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Chadwicks Inn Maltby, High Lane, Maltby, Middlesbrough, TS8 0BG | 01642 590300
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CRUNCH TIME
Savouring the seasons WITH KAREN PHILLIPS critical gaze (from a warm seat indoors) to see where gaps have appeared and then go shopping to your local garden centre to check out what is blooming; when plants flower in Jan/Feb they have bewitching scents to attract pollinators to fly in colder weather – much like heavenly scented aftershave or perfume attracting you to someone!
UPCOMING COURSES @LINNELS FARM BANISH THE WINTER BLUES >> FRI 1 FEB Relish a day of preserving and baking in a warm farmhouse kitchen with the new season’s Seville oranges. Marmalade with whisky or without? You decide!
PRUNING MASTERCLASS >> SAT 9 & TUE 12 FEB Maybe you’ve only just purchased your first pair of secateurs or perhaps you’re an accomplished ‘hacker’ but wondered why your plants failed to fruit or flower quite how you’d anticipated, either way this class is for you. Learn the tricks of the trade: when to prune, how to keep shrubs restricted, renovating old plants, and pruning to maximise fruit/flowers.
After the excesses of Christmas, January is often a time to take stock and choose some healthier eating options Now I am not a ‘hair-vest’ kind of girl; no ‘dry January’ for me, it is simply too dark and a depressing time of year without ruling out any more of life’s little pleasures! So feel-good food has to taste great too and these Nordic crispbreads, ‘Knekkebrød’, hit the spot.
KNEKKEBRØD >> Knekkebrød are multigrain crispsbreads sweetened with honey and packed full of seeds galore – they fulfill those Omega 6’s, fibre demands, and topped with cream cheese and plum and chilli jelly they satisfy those hibernation cravings. Makes 2 sheets; approximately 40 crispbreads – lasts for weeks in a tin. Ingredients 135g rye flour 135g oat flakes 25g chopped rye/ or bran flakes 80g sesame seeds 60g pumpkin seeds 60g sunflower seeds 45g golden linseeds 1 tbsp honey Pinch of salt 600ml water Method Preheat the oven to 170°C. Cover two baking sheets with parchment. Chop the pumpkin seeds roughly. In a large bowl, mix the flour, oats, rye, seeds and a pinch of salt.
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Mix the honey with some warm water in a measuring jug and then fill to 600ml. Slowly add the honey water; wait a couple of minutes until the flour and oats soak up some more of the water then use dough paddles to make a wet paste. Pour half the mix onto one baking sheet and spread evenly to the edges. Repeat. Place both sheets in the oven and bake for 10 minutes then remove the sheets and cut into rectangles with a sharp knife. Put the sheets back in the oven and bake for a further 50-60 minutes, swapping the sheet positions in the oven half way through. Occasionally open the oven door to release steam and the Knekkebrød are ready when they are dry and brittle with light browning at the edges. Remove from the oven, break into pieces and cool on a rack. These last for several weeks in an airtight container.
NEW YEAR IS MUCH LIKE DRIVING >> A time for both reflection whilst still looking forward. Last year, in response to our lovely customers’ wishes, we increased the number and breadth of our courses to include beekeeping and willow weaving alongside our existing gardening, cookery and floristry courses. The one recurring complaint from people attending our courses is …why can’t they stay the night! So looking forward there are big changes afoot at Linnels Farm: customers’ dreams will come true when The Long Barn is converted into accommodation in the form of two holiday cottages: a two bedroom and a three bedroom which can be rented separately of joined together for big family
reunions. Now instead of just hearing my stories, people will be able to see the badgers feasting on worms down in the meadow on summer evenings, spot Dippers on the rocks by Devil’s Water; enjoy a ‘sundowner’ watching the swallows graceful aerobatics over the duck pond and witness the bats come out to play each evening like clockwork as soon as dusk falls.
RICH PICKINGS FROM THE GARDEN >> Comfort food fresh from the garden reigns in coldest February – luscious leeks caramelized in butter and folded through creamy, mashed potato; crispy oven-baked kale or frostsweetened parsnip bhajis to top hearty winter stews; and king of the brassicas nearly black ‘Cavolo Nero’ taking centre stage within open cheese tarts.
JOBS TO SORT: If you are lucky enough to have a greenhouse and invest in a heated bench and greenhouse heater then mid-February, with its increasing light levels, marks the start of the growing year. Chilli and tomato seeds can be germinated for crops ready to pick from early July and some early salad leaves can be sown for harvesting in as little as six weeks. For flower fanatics: Dahlia tubers can be started to grow again under the greenhouse bench. Just pot up the salami-like tubers in compost and water once then stick under the greenhouse bench and don’t water again until new green shoots appear. Then bring into full light on top of the bench and water when the compost feels dry; this will provide you with dahlias to pick from late May compared to July/August when you plant outside. If all of the above sounds like too much hard work then simply view your garden with a
‘WILLOW HARE’ WORKSHOP WITH PHIL BRADLEY >> THUR 14 MARCH Back by popular demand, Phil will instruct you on how to weave your very own ‘hare’ from willow. Depart with your completed sculpture.
NATURAL PERFUMERY WITH MICHELE >> FRI 15 MAR Under the careful guidance of an International Perfumer, you will learn about the magic of working with natural extracts and how to create your own signature fragrance using natural perfumery ingredients.
GLORIOUS GLUTEN-FREE! >> THURS 21 MAR Trying to avoid gluten and looking for some inspiration? On this hands-on course we’ll master the gluten-free loaf, discover cakes and biscuits inspired by countries that don’t have a history of wheat growing and revel in a day of naturally gluten-free food. You’ll join chef Andy Snell and Karen in the morning to prepare a gluten-free feast for a convivial lunch; then back to your workstation in the afternoon for some gluten-free bakes to take away at the end of the day.
BREAD BASICS >> FRI 22 MAR This hands-on course discovers the pleasures of breadmaking from the simplest sourdough through to focaccia, via quick breads and the perfect baps for bacon and egg butties! Depart with recipes and your own warm, hand-made breads. >> For further details visit www.linnelsfarm.com
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LUXE LIFE
JAC K I E GREGSON Jackie Gregson is a mum to three boys; James, Tom and George, wife to Ali and a full time Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust. She is also the Clinical Director for the Northern Trauma Network. Jackie has a passion for life, loves cycling, spending time with her family and friends and in the winter months spending as much time as she can in the Alps skiing. This year Jackie was one fifth of the Gosforth Girls, a group of friends who came together and raised over £20,000 for three women’s cancer charities through their Wedding Dress Ball. LUXE PEOPLE >> The amazing people that I am surrounded by every day. The team at work are fantastic from the domestics through to the senior exec team. They are a really supportive group who come together well in what is an incredibly stressful time for those working in the NHS. The Gosforth Girls deserve a mention here also. I am so proud of our achievement and the way that we came together, supported by our local community, friends and family. The end of our fundraising experience culminated in a 250 mile bike ride from London to Paris. It was a real achievement for all of the Gosforth Girls that left us humbled. LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > Ali organised a fantastic 40th birthday weekend for me, we cycled around the Yorkshire Dales and had a wonderful meal at the Raby Hunt in Summerhouse near Darlington. For a long holiday > Something that involves some activity, as a family we are not very
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good at sitting on the beach. For our honeymoon Ali and I went climbing and trekking in the Himalayas, three weeks surrounded by some awesome mountains. Closer to home we love skiing. I have to work very hard these days to keep up with a very competitive family! For a treat > I love a trip to a spa hotel for some wind down time and the chance to read a book, but not too long! LUXE RELAX >> Best food > I appreciate food, and I’m always hungry! It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, some of my favourite times are home-cooked meals with friends and family. It’s as much about the experience and time with them. My two favourite meals of the year are: Christmas dinner, what’s not to like! And the barbecue lamb that our friend JP cooks on our annual camping trip in June. Best wine > It really depends on the occasion. You can’t beat a lovely glass of rose on a summer’s day but I prefer a good red. A couple of years ago on holiday we stumbled across a beautiful vineyard overlooking Mt Ventoux (yes another bike ride). They produced the most beautiful Rasteau, we bought a lot to bring home. I’m also fond of a gin and tonic, we seem to have a rather big collection now. There are some really good small distilleries. Many of them were very generous with their sponsorship for the Ball. My favourites at the moment are Isle of Harris and Loch Ness. Favourite restaurant > Prima Pizzeria in my home town of Ripon. It is a small independent restaurant that has been running for over 30 years. We used to go every Friday after school and I enjoy taking
my family there now as it brings back many happy memories. There are lots of great places in Newcastle, I have recently been to Branches in Jesmond which was great. Perfect weekend > Not at work! Cycling with the girls, watching my boys playing rugby and Ali and I cooking Sunday lunch for family and friends. Downtime means > Out on my bike. I love the downtime and head space being out on my bike gives me. Plus its great exercise and there are some wonderful local cafes that it would be rude not to stop at for coffee and cake. Kirkley Cycles in Kirkley and the Blacksmiths Coffee Shop near Belsay are current favourites. Best telly > There have been some great BBC drama’s recently, I love something with some mystery and intrigue. I end up watching most things on catch-up because of work and home life. Bodyguard was really good. Best book > Again it has to be something with a twist or some mystery. I Am Pilgrim is probably my all time favourite. I did stumble across The Neopolitan series by Elena Ferrante, I was lost in this series for nearly all of our holiday last year, much to my family’s annoyance. The Cormoran Strike books were also really good. Another book, lent to me by a friend, was The Talented Mr Ripley – so good I read it in one sitting! Best sounds > Silence after a crazy day at work (although you don’t get much of that in our house!!!!) I love the sound of running water; I find it really calming. In terms of music I don’t think you can beat some classic 80s! I also love Wylam brewery for a local gig and a few beers. LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > Having three boys and
a full work life means I don’t often go on big shopping trips. When I have a spare half hour I love visiting some of the fantastic local shops around Jesmond and Gosforth. If I was to go somewhere further afield it would be to Manchester, where I trained to be a doctor, or London where I have family and relish the opportunity to wander round Camden or Borough markets. Favourite shop > The Rapha bike shop and café in London is cool. Ali and I sat there and watched Geraint Thomas win the Tour De France this year. Cool atmosphere and lots of lovely cycling gear. Closer to home you can’t beat the Oliver Bonas shop in Jesmond for an emergency present or a spontaneous little purchase. Luxe retail treat > Taking time out for a pamper, getting my nails done, or a facial or hair cut. Best buy > My house! We are so lucky to live where we do and have a great set of friends and neighbours. LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > Would be with friends, at a small local independent bar enjoying some live music. Perfect party > The Gosforth Girls Wedding Ball – It was a fantastic night that raised so much money for the three charities. Best dress > My wedding dress – which came out again for the wedding dress ball. Dinner date > Other than my Husband Ali… it would have to be Ben Fogle or Bear Grylls or Mark Ramprakash or George Clooney or Tom Hiddleston or Prince Harry… Sorry Ali! YOUR LUXE THING IN LIFE >> My health and that of my family is the thing I value most. A healthy body plus a positive mindset and you can achieve anything.
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SLEEP EASY in association with
www.greatlook.co.uk
FORTY WINKS Debbie Gadd shares her eccentric Durham home with an unexpected variety of old friends – from giraffes to bears to leopards. And she’s happy to invite visitors to spend the night with her gang, as she tells Kathryn Armstrong
>> captions, captions, captions
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Forty winks makes you think of a speedy nap or some sneaky shut-eye. It’s definitely more a case of eyes wide open when you take a step inside Debbie Gadd’s Forty Winks guest house. In majestic South Street in Durham, this dazzling property boasts one of the best views you’ll ever get from a B&B bedroom – dead opposite Durham Cathedral. Impressive views to wake up to from the bedrooms that make up this ‘guest house and residence’ in the historic city. It used to be the family home of Debbie and Nigel Gadd. The couple are well known in the Durham area, having been the brains and style behind a host of eating places – from Asian food hotspot Zen to most recently the speakeasy-style restaurant and
bar, The Rabbit Hole. With their kids all grown up and the couple rattling around in the huge property, Debbie decided to convert it to a guest house which offered visitors some unexpected character. So you step inside onto leopardskin-print carpet – so very on trend this season. To your left a giant stuffed bear greets you and all around are opulent drapes, quirky finds, striking paints and curious artefacts. Debbie and Nigel have been collecting these museum-worthy pieces over the years – from markets in Paris to a skeleton from Edinburgh University. There’s a lot of taxidermy and some shrunken heads (which Debbie insists aren’t real). “It’s a bit Harry Potter-ish, a bit whimsical”, laughs Debbie, who is Forty Winks’ front-ofhouse manager, while Nigel takes care of the cooking for guests’ breakfasts. >
TRY HAND-SELECTED MODELS IN-STORE AT MICHAEL O’CONNOR FURNITURE
01642 628 180
www.michaeloconnor.co.uk Lustrum Retail Park, Portrack Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 2RB JAN/FEB19
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“The atmosphere we want to create is that of staying at a friend’s house. It is really rewarding – our market is mostly parents of university students visiting the city and visitors to the cathedral. “The house needs and deserves to be lived in and it has come alive now that all the rooms are used”, she says. The quirky atmosphere of Forty Winks is also reflected in the Gadds’ newest venture, The Rabbit Hole – just a ten minute walk from the B&B in Hallgarth Street, Durham. From the outside it looks like an old antique shop and you have to walk to the side and ring the doorbell to be let in. Inside, The Rabbit Hole, as the name suggests, has no windows, so the atmosphere is dark and moody. Opulent, eccentric furnishings from the likes of Timorous Beasties and House of Hackney, play to the theme. Diners eat in secret booths and there’s live jazz playing as diners choose their meals from clever illuminated menus. “People love the idea of ringing the bell to be let in – Rabbit Hole is a grown up place. When the doors shut you could be anywhere in the world. “We’re working with the university’s music society to showcase student musicians – live music creates a good atmosphere.” Debbie is frequently present in all the family’s projects, which are round-theclock businesses. But every day a couple of hours are sacred. “After breakfast service I go to Shaping Futures gym in Durham for a couple of hours of Pilates and reformer classes – that sets me up for the day ahead!” Fortywinksdurham.co.uk Therabbitholedurham.co.uk
The house needs and deserves to be lived in and it has come alive now that all the rooms are used
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The north eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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
FRESH THOUGHTS
TREND WATCH with Kate Rose, founder of lifestyle brand, Tutti&Co New year, new plans and time to surround yourself with life’s good things
I love to start the new year with a fresh outlook, new opportunities and goals, new discoveries and exciting projects... As a family, we have an exciting year ahead, we are building a new family home - can’t wait to get started, watch out for the updates over the coming months.
Inspired by ... Trending ...
Eating ...
The square scarf is tipped to be the ultimate accessory for the season. So many uses and can be added to any outfit, for any occasion. Tie loosely in a bun for a casual office day, wrap around the handle of a bag for ultimate style, tie around your neck with a chunky knit or a classic white shirt for effortless style. My favourite pick is the inspiration square scarf. Neutral colourway, matches any outfit and at £25 it is a cool buy for this season. www.tuttiandco.com
After a season of Christmas indulgence, I like to get back on track with a sensible eating plan full of tasty recipes. Inspiration is just what’s needed to bring a little normality back to everyday cooking. Look no further than Gwyneth Paltrow’s new book - The Clean Plate. Delicious, healthy meals for everyday glow. Reset and rebalance with clean recipes that are flexible and easy for busy weeknight meals or lunches on the go, and healthy enough for more intensive cleanses. Adaptable meal plans offer taste, simplicity and targeted health benefits to be kind to the body. Be sure to place an order as this book was released in November and deliveries are expected end of January, sure to be a best seller.
Enki Mag - an inspiring magazine of design and architecture. This beautifully curated magazine of inspirational designers’, homes and creative businesses will motivate any interior-obsessed individual. Each edition focuses on a designer and their creative approach to business, beautifully curated homes and interesting architecture. The type of magazine you can’t put down, and looks pretty good on the coffee table too.
Loving ... I was first introduced to this new collection of fragrance by Mugler in Fenwick, Newcastle. I was instantly drawn to the scent - over the musk, and was lucky enough to be given a bottle for my birthday. Ambrette seeds from hibiscus transform the musk, creating a natural wildness and an uncompromising sensuality. I don’t think I’ve ever received more favourable comments about a fragrance before, the bottle and packaging is beautiful too, so it looks good on the dressing table.
Creativity …
Listening too ...
Developments ...
The new album Delta from Mumford & Sons. The sort of easy listening, background music with an edgy twist.
A little sneak peek at the concepts of our new home. Looking forward to sea views and developing our new family base. I will be sure to update you on the progress, for more regular updates follow our personal journey on Instagram The_Hudson_Life.
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As a designer and stylist, my creative brain never really stops and the latest introduction to the brand is a bedding collection. Using our beautifully curated prints, and presented on a washed cotton/ linen mix, this is sure to suit any household and be the foundation for any new bedroom makeover. Matching curtains, rugs and accessories may be on the horizon too – watch this space…
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HOME TO
LUXURIOUS LIVING Cragside Gardens
ROTHBURY
Home to everything Northumberland About an hour’s drive from Newcastle and 30 mins from Morpeth and Alnwick. Why not visit Cragside Gardens, Rothbury for yourself and experience all the benefits of a country life.
Contemporary 3 and 4 bedroom homes set in the heart of the Northumberland countryside. Prices from £249,950 to £344,950 Sales & Marketing Suite and Showhome open Thursday to Monday, 10.30am – 5.30pm | Call 01669 622 266
Backworth Park
BACK WORTH
Village setting within easy reach of Newcastle Located close to the A19 and benefitting from a Metro station and good schools, Backworth is a popular village in North Tyneside. It is centrally located, only 7.5 miles northeast of Newcastle.
Luxury 4 bedroom homes centrally located between Newcastle and Whitley Bay. Prices from £257,950 to £369,950 Sales & Marketing Suite and Showhomes open 7 days, 10.30am – 5.30pm (7.00pm Thursdays) | Call 07824 522 127
Please ask for more information about our developments. www.robertsonhomes.co.uk †Help to Buy price is calculated based on the reduced 80% mortgage with the other 20% as part of the government equity. Help to Buy is only available on selected homes at selected developments in England. Eligible applicants will be offered an equity loan of up to a maximum of 20% of the full market price. The Homes & Communities Agency will hold the second charge on the property. Applicants are required to fund at least 80% of the purchase price by means of a mortgage and any deposit where required. For the first five years there is no fee charged on the equity loan component. At the start of year six a fee is collected of 1.75% of the market value of the property at the time the loan is entered into multiplied by the outstanding percentage under the equity loan, the annual fee of 1.75% will be uplifted by RPI +1% p.a. The equity loan is provided by the Homes and Communities Agency and developer as a second charge.
LUXE LIFE
LUXE LOVES Coral comfort Perch on this plush armchair by Atkin and Thyme. The perfect piece to bring the Pantone Colour of the Year into your home. Astoria Armchair in Coral Velvet, £399. www.atkinandthyme.co.uk
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LUXE LIFE David Mark is an internationally best-selling novelist, responsible for the DS McAvoy series of critically acclaimed crime thrillers. A former journalist and sought-after public speaker, he and his family recently moved to Blanchland, Northumberland. His new novel, COLD BONES, is out in January. LUXE PEOPLE >> I have lots of daughters. Sometimes my house feels a bit like the set of King Lear. Thankfully, my partner, the artist Nicola Jayne, is very good at all the motherhood stuff so I get to be the rather feckless chap with good intentions who gives them inappropriate treats and lets them watch horror movies. They find it rather odd that people want me to sign books or talk at festivals, as they can’t imagine anybody paying to listen to me. My baby daughter, Artemisia, has no idea what’s in store. LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > Edinburgh. Best city in the world. Beautiful, gothic, full of secrets, and suffused with the feeling that you could fall into a catacomb at any moment. A long holiday > Probably a log cabin by a lake, somewhere in a wood. Creaky rocking chair, maybe a rowing boat, slouchy cardigans and the kids running wild. A treat > There’s a train that runs from one end of Australia to the other – all very luxurious and with an echo of Agatha Christie. I’d love to do that some day, although I’d be secretly hoping for the chance to solve a murder or fight off cowboys. LUXE RELAX >> Best food > Meat. I’m a pure carnivore. I walk past fields full of cattle and sheep and wish I had a knife and fork and a camping stove. Best wine > Sicilian red. Definitely. But to be honest, I’ve mistreated my mouth over the years and my tongue has all the sensation of a day-old omelette, which means it all tastes much the same to me. Favourite restaurant > I’m very lucky in that I have dined well, in lots of fabulous places. I’d hate me, if I were you. But there’s a little place on the island of Torcello near Venice where Hemingway used to stay, and everybody should visit it once in their lifetime. Culinary perfection. Perfect weekend > If the kids aren’t arguing and my partner and I get some actual time to be together, that’ll do. But given there is no likelihood of that, I’d say all of us together exploring an old castle or a wood or climbing a mountain. Downtime means > Talking in whispers so we don’t wake the baby, squinting at the telly through tired eyes trying to watch some documentary or crime drama with the volume down low. Best telly > American box-sets, Netflix, crime dramas. I like good investigative journalism. At present, I mostly watch Lambuntina with my littlest girl. It’s for under 5s, but I’ve woven in a dark subplot for myself. Best book > Too hard to find just one. Anything by Pat Barker or Hilary Mantel. Best sounds > Music peaked in about 1996. Best band in the world is U2, but after that, anything dark and soulful and written on a guitar. I like classical, but it so often sounds like the soundtrack to a serial killer movie, so I leave it off when I’m writing. LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > Brisbane, Australia. Wonderful markets, all based at this beautiful riverside setting with an inner-city beach. London’s rather good too. Favourite shop > Any charity shop. I love a bargain, or a garment with a story. Luxe retail treat > Coats. Apparently I have an obsession. Best buy > My sheepskin, market-trader overcoat with a fur collar. Found it an antique market in Lincolnshire and I always feel like I’m in Snatch or Lock, Stock when I’m wearing it.
DAVID MARK
LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik, Iceland. Much of it is a blur, but there was a battle with fireworks, I paid about thirty quid for a cocktail with spinach in it, and I dropped somebody’s pug. My partner says I had an excellent time. Perfect party > No guests. I’m not as sociable as I used to be. I’m happiest with just me and the girls, really. And even then, they’re at their best when asleep. Best outfit > I’m all about collarless or floral shirts, waistcoat, boots, braces and flat-cap. I was doing all this long before Peaky Blinders came along. Dinner date > I took Nicola to a Michelin-starred place in Lincolnshire for a recent birthday. The food was majestic but it was more about the company. YOUR LUXE THING IN LIFE >> Everything! I don’t believe in restraint. I’m living my dream: I’m a novelist, with a wonderful family in a gorgeous part of the world, so I just live with an air of gratitude and glee. The world is going mad anyway, so my advice is to eat what you like, drink what you like and buy what you like. Including my new book.
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XXXXXXXX LUXE LOCAL
Morpeth
Morpeth is a market town fit for mooching. Gather your gang, grab your coat and get to know this glorious Northumberland gem
PROPERTIES Morpeth is a sought-after spot thanks to its proximity to city and countryside, good schools and a spirited community feel. Sitting in a peaceful location on the River Wansbeck, it’s the perfect port-of-call between Newcastle and the cute coastal villages of Northumberland. Get to grips with the area’s gorgeous properties, from characterful townhouses to sweet cottages, impressive new-builds and gorgeous country estates. Morpeth is indeed a desirable destination and a jewel in Northumberland’s crown. CONNECTED >> A market town with top class connections. Perfectly situated 15 miles north of Newcastle and 18 miles south of Alnwick, it’s
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a great stop-off spot if you’re making your way up the country. Just a mile from the A1, it is easily accessible by car from both northern and southern routes. But for those who prefer to switch off completely and travel on public transport, the links are just as easy and accessible. The recently updated bus station is easy to find near the Sanderson Arcade, with links to the rest of the county, as well as regular routes to Newcastle, Alnwick, Berwick and towards the coast. What really sets Morpeth apart as a desirable destination to live, visit and explore, is its reliable rail links. Part of the East Coast Mainline, Morpeth’s train station can take you as far south as London and as far north as Aberdeen. Nearby stations within easily-reached distance are: Newcastle, Alnmouth and Berwick - and if flying is your thing, Newcastle Airport is just a nine mile drive, with regular flights to the rest of the
UK, Europe and beyond. STAY >> St Mary’s Inn is a picture-postcard pub in a quiet and tranquil location just a few miles from Morpeth town centre; and with 11 country-style bedrooms upstairs, it’s a warm and welcoming hideaway to rest, relax and retreat. Honest, home-cooked food is at the heart of this pub with rooms. Friendly faces greet guests as flavoursome food is served in the cosy, colourful space complete with roaring fires, local artwork and comfy furnishings. Good-for-the-soul grub is served in the restaurant, where foodies can dine for lunch and dinner, with sumptuous Sunday roasts taking centre stage as the week comes to a close. A Sunday afternoon at St Mary’s is something oh-so special. Go here postmarket town mooch, rest your legs and
warm up with Northumbrian delights. Starters such as the crispy ham hock and the broccoli and nettle pesto soup are the perfect appetisers before a Yorkshire pudding-packed, veg-fuelled feast to follow. Main meals from Monday to Saturday include pan seared hake, braised beef shin, bacon loin chop and butternut squash risotto. Hearty comfort food that makes eating out feel like home. When it’s time to rest your head, St Mary’s beautiful bedrooms ensure an evening of absolute bliss. Comfort is key, but there’s no compromise on style and sophistication. Rooms are traditional yet tasteful, with cloud-like duvets and pillows, The White Company pampering products and cosy carpets. A touch of traditional living is brought in to the suites with antique furnishings, while the bathrooms offer a luxurious, contemporary retreat. The inn keeps things simple and spacious, with
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LUXE LOCAL
my local Kristy Giblin and Grey Small are the brains behind sweet treat retreat, The Pudding Parlour. Serving delicious cakes and bakes in Sanderson Arcade, it’s a paradise for pudding-lovers visiting and living in Morpeth. Three good things about living here >> • There is an amazing independent trader community, offering all sorts of incredible handmade products. • Morpeth has a wonderful programme of town centre events, from weekly markets to the Coca Cola truck coming each year and various Sanderson Arcade events all year round. There’s so much to see and do, and there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. • The people - so warm and friendly. Three places to take visitors >> • Carlisle Park is amazing. It’s huge and has a boating lake, park, splash park and loads more. Lots of our customers pick up cakes and treats to take down their for a picnic in the summer. • Whitehouse Farm for the kids - my two adore it. • The Pudding Parlour of course. Who doesn’t love a sweet treat? An ‘in-the-know’ secret >> A nuclear bunker is located underneath the former council building at Morpeth County Hall near Loansdean. Who knew? www.thepuddingparlour.com
property: three to choose Townhouse glory
plenty of room for additional family members – including the pooch. Four-legged friends will be treated to their very own bedding and can join you downstairs for dinner in the bar area. From a friendly Northumbrian welcome, to a delicious Sunday dinner and a truly comfortable stay in the Catcleugh Suite, St Mary’s ticks all the boxes for a snug and sumptuous stay near Morpeth. A classic English breakfast seals the deal the next morning, and we leave feeling full and content, ready to explore the area some more. SHOP >> This market town flourishes when it comes to forward-thinking fashion, food and interiors. Shoppers can get their fix of everything from department store desirables at Rutherford & Co., to boutique buys at Packhorse Yard and high street favourites at the likes of Mint Velvet, Laura Ashley and White Stuff. Shopping in Morpeth really comes into its own with the addition of the stunning Sanderson Arcade, bringing in beautiful retailers such as Hobbs, Whittakers, Paperchase, The Body Shop and Fat Face. Foodies can buy their goodies at M&S Foodhall, wine-lovers can stock up at Grape Grain, and those looking for interior inspiration can check out the new season style at Tallantyre. FOOD >> Morpeth’s ever-growing food and drinks scene include a a fabulous farmers’ market the first Saturday of the month in the Marketplace and the impressive weekly
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markets every Wednesday with a growing range of quality local suppliers. Wake-up with coffee at The Wheatsheaf Coffee Shop, enjoy good-for-you grub at Healthy Prep Kitchen, sweet treats at The Pudding Parlour, or brekkie bites and a good cup of tea at The Chantry Tea Rooms. Anderson’s Sandwich and Coffee Co. delivers the goods when it comes to lunch-on-the-go and Gianni’s is the town’s top restaurant for date night dinner. Barluga is the place to be for drinking and dining in a designer surrounding, and those partial to a gin or two will be delighted to hear of Pleased To Meet You’s arrival later this year. The vibrant venue has been serving seasonal sips and delicious dishes to the people of Newcastle for five years now, and we’re excited to see it take Northumberland by storm in 2019. STROLL >> Whether it’s a leisurely stroll through the Sanderson Arcade, a trip to the Turner Garden in Carlisle Park, or a family fun-day at the Whitehouse Farm Centre, there’s plenty to keep you busy when it comes to stretching your legs and enjoying the great outdoors. To really get those legs working, why not enjoy a tranquil trail along the Wansbeck River route? A serene, circular walk starts in Carlisle Park with views of the Grade I Listed Morpeth Castle, before winding river routes and woodland paths take you towards Bothal. There are more than enough dog-friendly pubs and cafés in and around town if you’re mooching with your pooch, and plenty of pick-me-up lunch spots for refuelling mid-stroll.
This spacious five bedroom period townhouse on Newgate Street brings modern, family living to life, but with charm and character at every turn. Complete with generous master bedroom, open fireplaces, delightful rear gardens and a raised terrace perfect for al fresco entertaining, this luxurious home is ideal for families and those who appreciate the finer things in life. £470,000 www.struttandparker.com
Dream development The Highgrove is a luxurious new property brought to the market as part of Morpeth development, Fulbeck Grange. This elegant five bedroom detached home boasts a large open-plan kitchen, ample family areas and two sets of bi-folding doors opening onto the turfed garden. This exclusive tree-lined development of just 13 luxury homes is nestled in a secluded woodland location just one mile from Morpeth town centre. £653,995 www.duchyhomes.co.uk
Paddock perfection The Paddock brings style, sophistication and superb space to the Morpeth sales market. A beautiful bungalow set back on Fieldhouse Lane via a private drive, the property benefits from lawned front gardens, ample parking, a grand hallway, three principal reception rooms, bespoke kitchen, six bedrooms and family bathroom. Luxurious living in the heart of Hepscott, just a short drive from Morpeth. Offers over £795,000 www.groves.co.uk
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HIGHFIELD HOUSE, IVESTON
ÂŁ585,000
Surrounded by breathtaking views and spectacular countryside, Highfield House is a generous family home arranged over three floors with several generous reception rooms and six bedrooms giving all the living space a growing household could want.
TUDOR LODGE, HARTLEPOOL
ÂŁ495,000
This handsome property stands in a slightly elevated position set back off the lane with lovely views across open countryside. Tudor Lodge offers five bedrooms and three reception rooms with a private driveway that leads to a substantial triple garage and blockpaved parking area.
www.fineandcountry.com
Contact: 0191 384 2277
Contact: 0191 384 2277
local, regional, national and international specialists in property marketing
Durham 0191 384 2277
Darlington 01325 488 619
Wynyard 01740 645 444
info@durhamfineandcountry.co.uk
info@durhamfineandcountry.co.uk
info@wynyardfineandcountry.co.uk
GREYSTONE GRANGE, CARLTON Set within two acres of mature grounds, this superb five bedroom detached family home has its own gated entrance and a private drive that leads to the handsome house, parking area and triple garage. Set in private grounds with a large lawned area, mature woodland, a sunken garden with Victorian brick pond and outdoor sitting and dining areas.
WEST GRANGE, EAST LAYTON, RICHMOND West Grange Farm comes with approximately 4 acres of land and a large wildlife pond that could be the ideal location for glamping or yurts with the appropriate permission. Livery is also a possibility with full equestrian facilities including a mĂŠnage, fenced paddocks and stable block with a yard, tack room, feed store and water supply.
creative and intelligent marketing of individual and country property
POA Contact: 0191 384 2277
ÂŁ795,000 Contact: 0191 384 2277
PALE & INTERESTING
OLIVER PEOPLES Coren square-frame glasses £273; selfridges.com
POLO RALPH LAUREN Pink checked cotton shirt, £110; harveynichols.com
KREAFUNK aFunk 360 degrees bluetooth speaker, £99; amara.com
TED BAKER Floral print tie £59; selfridges.com
MAN KIT
Softly does it Think pink with warm hues and sweet accessories for the most romantic season of them all PAMPEANO Leather Rosa polo belt, £64.99; julesb.co.uk
HERSCHEL SUPPLY CO Settlement tarpaulin backpack £120; mrporter.com
LES GIRLS LES BOYS Lglb mid calf sock, £25; harveynichols.com
VISVIM Nubuck zip-around wallet, £465; mrporter.co.uk
HENDER SCHEME MIP-10 nubuck-trimmed leather sneakers £740; mrporter.com
SIMON CARTER Swarovski Crystal bubble cufflinks, £84.99; julesb.co.uk BURBERRY Check placket cotton polo shirt £180; harveynichols.com
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LUXE LAPS
KELLY BIRD Kelly, 25, is a British female stunt and precision driver from Stokesley, Middlesbrough. She’s featured on channels including BBC One, ITV and Discovery and is company director of Stunt Drive Experience, the UK’s only purpose-built stunt and precision driving arena, based at the Teesside Autodrome
CHILDHOOD CAR CRUSH >> Classic MINI. My Dad had a MK1 Cooper S, which he had from being 17. He just sold it this summer, which was quite upsetting. I was lucky enough to start racing a MK6 classic MINI in British Rallycross at junior level at the age of 14.
Clarkson, Hammond and May presented Top Gear. I don’t think it’s been the same since. However, I did apply for the role when they casted for the new presenters, I can be very opinionated, so maybe they should’ve picked me.
WHAT’S IN THE GARAGE NOW >> BMW 3 series M Sport. IF YOU COULD OWN ANY CAR >> M4 or M6, I just love my BMWs!
TRACKS OF YOUR TYRES >> It depends on my mood. I’m a 90s baby, so I love 90s and 00s dance throwbacks. However, I was brought up listening to Bon Jovi and Queen, so I do love a good road trip sing-a-long.
CAPTAIN SLOW OR JEREMY? >> Jeremy, for sure. I do have a need for speed, as both my parents raced competitively - it’s in the genes!
DREAM ROAD TRIP >> My dream would be to do Route 66 - I love the USA. It’s on my bucket list.
WHO SHOULD PRESENT TOP GEAR? >> This may be controversial, however I loved it when
WHO WITH >> I’d take my mam and dad as they love America, and my boyfriend because he’s never been to the USA. MEMORABLE CAR MOMENTS >> My best was doing my first ever stunt and precision driving display in front of thousands of people. My worst was when I was competing in Rallycross and I had a big accident at Mallory Park. WHAT’S IN THE GLOVE BOX? >> Pretty boring really… old CDs that only ever come out when I get a new car. HOW CLEAN IS YOUR CAR >> Inside, very clean! I’m a bit OCD so hate having rubbish in my car. Outside, not too clean because I live in the countryside. SCARY MOMENTS? >> The incident at Mallory when I was rushed to hospital in an ambulance (blue lights and everything)! www.stuntdriveexperience.co.uk
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JAN/FEB19
The new Touareg. With £3,000 towards your finance deposit. Available with Solutions PCP.*
Darlington
Lookers Volkswagen: 01325 637240. www.lookersdarlington.volkswagen.co.uk
Durham
Pulman Volkswagen: 0191 336 0030. www.pulmandurham.volkswagen.co.uk
Newcastle
Lookers Volkswagen: 0191 639 4759. www.newcastle.volkswagen.co.uk
Representative
3.3% APR
Newcastle Silverlink Retail Park
Scarborough
www.silverlink.volkswagen.co.uk
Sunderland
Lookers Volkswagen: 0191 357 1811.
Northallerton
Lookers Volkswagen: 01609 601623. www.lookersnorthallerton.volkswagen.co.uk
Des Winks: 01723 580058. www.deswinks.com/volkswagen
Pulman Volkswagen: 0191 541 2025. www.pulmansunderland.volkswagen.co.uk
Teesside
Lookers Teesside: 01642 081285. www.lookersteesside.volkswagen.co.uk
We are brokers and not lenders and can introduce you to a limited number of lenders, who may pay us for introducing you to them. *At the end of the agreement there are three options: i) pay the optional final payment and own the vehicle; ii) return the vehicle: subject to excess mileage and fair wear and tear, charges may apply; or iii) replace: part exchange the vehicle. With Solutions Personal Contract Plan. 18s+. Subject to availability and status. T&Cs apply. Offer available until March 31st, 2019. Indemnities may be required. Offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer and may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Accurate at time of publication. Freepost Volkswagen Financial Services.
This vehicle is a WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure) type approved vehicle. More information is available at www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/wltp. However, in line with Government guidance, to facilitate comparison between different models from different manufacturers and to accommodate the full transition to this new testing regime, we have displayed NEDC figures. These NEDC figures are the values for this vehicle used in registration and taxation documentation until further notice from the UK authorities. These NEDC figures have been derived from WLTP testing, and may not be equivalent to NEDC figures from NEDC testing, so comparisons may be unreliable. Fuel consumption and efficiency figures are provided for comparative purposes only and may not reflect ‘real world’ driving results. Choice of wheels and other options may affect fuel consumption and emissions data. Official fuel consumption figures for the new Touareg model range in mpg (litres/100km): urban 36.7(7.7); extra urban 47.9(5.9); combined 42.8(6.6). Combined CO2 emissions 173g/km. Excludes battery, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
PLAYDATE
Aston Martin road trip
Elysia Agnew gets behind the wheel for a country cruise in Aston Martin’s latest Vantage and DB11 Volante models
Time for a tour in two of the motoring world’s finest sports cars. We can’t think of a better bloodline for a proper British road trip; trailing the winding roads of Northumberland, up to the breathtaking tracks of the Scottish Borders. The vigorous new Vantage and the desirable DB11 Volante pull up at Blanchland’s Lord Crew Arms, ready for a thrilling cross-country journey, bringing bundles of energy, excitement and indulgence to the roads. Sitting suave and sophisticated against the beautiful backdrop of Blachland’s stone-built buildings, the vibrant Vantage and the DB11 Volante are both ready to hit the road. There’s an overwhelming contrast between the two vehicles; the Vantage standing big
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and bold in all its muscular glory, while the DB11 oozes charm and sophistication - a clean and crisp whip, combining comfort and class. First up it’s a ride out in the Hyper Red Vantage. The beast is back, and at the top of its game with a bold new look, intensified performance and dazzling new dynamics. It’s the heartbeat of Aston Martin’s purest models, and has been for several years. It makes a statement and remains a real talking point on both road and track. The ‘archetypal hunter’ when it comes to Aston’s sports car range, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a supercar - and then some. A born predator built to overwhelm the senses as you switch on the engine and explore one of the brand’s purest, sculptural
forms. Bringing new head and tail lights to the table, this car delivers a dramatic new signature style, giving the Vantage an unmistakable road presence. Once inside, strapped in and fully up to speed with the cockpit gadgets, it’s time to get to know the roads. Despite its confident and commanding aura from the outside, there really is nothing to be intimidated about when it comes to jumping in and cruising in this drivetime dynasty. Not only does the engine pack a punch; the plush interior and in-car entertainment system also make for a mighty fine and fun ride. Refined seats settle us in to sports mode, while the black leather steering wheel and the satin silver interior jewellery give a luxurious finish to this outgoing vehicle.
The extensive in-car entertainment system is also worth noting - controlled and viewed through an eight inch LCD screen, complete with Aston audio system, Bluetooth audio and phone streaming, iPod, iPhone and USB playback, and integrated sat nav. This punchy and precise motor triggers all the right responses. Get behind the wheel and all that’s left to do is drive and feel the motion. Twists, turns and uneven surfaces are no problem in this machine. Aston knows its way when it comes to curves. The relationship between road and ride is a strong one - play it out, stay in control and you’ll get the best of this car. The Vantage is as sharp as it is suave - it’ll do 0 to 60 in just 3.5 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of 195mph.
JAN/FEB19
PLAYDATE A hearty lunch at The Lord Crewe Arms sets us up nicely for a supercar swap over, taking to the DB11 Volante for a sunset test drive. It’s the latest evolution of Aston’s iconic convertible Sports GT, powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. A smoother drive with stylish interiors, it delivers the goods when it comes to comfort and class - with no compromise on power and precision. The DB11 Volante is a rich and refined ride, bringing its interiors bang up to date, as well as its electric power steering and dynamic torque vectoring. This car responds to the road - whatever the weather. Handling is superb. This model remains a glorious grand tourer and the ultimate travel companion. One of its main draws is the convertible roof – a beautifully tailored fabric hood, taking just 14 seconds to lower and 16 seconds to close. The soft-top can be lifted remotely from the key, or on the move at speeds of up to 31mph. Roof up or down, this is a vehicle that feels alert, oozes style and sophistication and brings an element of pure lust to the Aston
Martin line. Whether it’s for a GT road trip, a weekend treat or an everyday ride, its chunkier figure means it’s better suited to long, sweeping roads - and somewhat more versatile than the fiery nature of the Vantage. The Pearl Blonde DB11 Volante in particular, has to be one of the most beautiful vehicles on the road today. It’s dignified, deep-rooted and a desirable drive to say the least. A completely covetable look-at-me motor. Aston’s latest vehicles demand a bold and distinctive design, and it’s safe to say this pair of power cars pack up enough punch to keep us on our toes. The sweeping route from Blanchland to the Scottish Borders and back is the perfect playground for these supercars. Dips, dints, bends and beautiful tree-lined roads guide us on the ultimate winter road trip, settling in as we breeze through the great British countryside. www.astonmartin.com
There’s an overwhelming contrast between the two vehicles; the Vantage standing big and bold in all its muscular glory, while the DB11 oozes charm and sophistication - a clean and crisp whip, combining comfort and class
Vantage >>
JAN/FEB19
DB11 Volante >>
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SHARP & STYLISH
Bob Arora
AT THE WHEEL
C H E C K M Y LO O K ! Mercedes pulls out all the stops to create a new CLS which packs a style punch
I can’t believe the original CLS was launched over 14 years ago. The car literally had no competition whatsoever and it went on to sell really well for Mercedes. Audi and BMW have subsequently launched cars to take on the CLS; the car was based on the quite dreary E Class. This sleek 4-door car looked cool compared to the E Class, it was also more expensive, which meant more profit per car. The first time I drove a CLS was over three years ago. I drove a CLS 63, which was quite unloved. I remember driving the car to York and it desperately needed oil and all of its tyres needed air. But once I gave it a bit of love, it drove like a dream. The car was the 63 AMG and it had the most amazing engine note - starting the car made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. You had to pay attention, it demanded it. The car was definitely no slouch but, due to its size, it wasn’t the happiest being chucked in corners or twisty roads. As it was literally a wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing, I affectionately named the car The Beast! When I got the call to drive the new CLS, I really couldn’t wait to drive it; but more importantly, to see the difference. The first thing that strikes you is the amazing job the designers have done with the styling. The car I drove was in this new trendy green/grey colour which really helped show off the car’s dramatic styling. Mercedes really have the styling sorted for all of its range of cars. The new grill really exudes class too. Add to this the body kit my car was fitted with and the car had so much presence.
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I really experienced this on the motorway. It’s a seriously imposing car; you would have thought I had blue flashing lights on the car’s roof, the way other drivers moved out of the way. I had the pleasure of driving this car for a few days and driving it in the city centre was a real experience. I stupidly tried to park this car in the John Dobson Street car park in Newcastle - and that was a nerve-racking experience! If I owned a CLS I’d be really tempted to take a taxi to town; there just aren’t many places that this car can be parked with ease. I should have tried Mercedes’ self-parking system but I couldn’t figure out where the button was! In hindsight I should have checked on Google but half the fun for me is learning what each button and switch does - you can’t beat a bit of trial and error! The car I drove only had a few miles on the clock and I’m always paranoid of scratching
the wheels. Just for the record, the wheels were absolutely stunning, the 5-spoke AMG alloys really suited the style of the car. The car I drove was the new 53 AMG which is basically a 3lt V6 engine. It produces 492 bhp and its top speed is limited to 155mph. Despite the car’s two tonne kerb weight, it still managed to get to 62mph in 4.5 seconds. Unlike the previous 63 AMG I drove, this car wasn’t too bad when it came to fuel economy. Whilst I had the car, most of my driving was around town and I managed to average 27 mpg which wasn’t far off Mercedes’ quoted figure of 32mpg. The biggest improvement for me was the car’s interior. The new digital dash display dominates the interior. The driver’s display could be changed in various ways, the sat nav can be in an area where the fuel gauge would normally be. You could have a traditional speedometer, rev counter and fuel gauge, the graphics were really crisp. I’d go as far as to say this is one of the best dashboards available right now. The new air vents ooze class. The car’s interior lighting could be dimmed and brightened, but for me, the colour palette
would be the envy of any paint merchant. The driver and passenger had the benefit of heated and ventilated seats - the massaging seats were very good indeed. The headroom in the rear of the car was limited, as would be expected with a sloping rear, but rear leg room was good and the rear boot was a decent size too. The CLS is priced from £52,000 although the car I drove was priced at £70,000 and although it’s not cheap, it had an impressive engine and some real presence on the road. I’d personally buy it over its competitors all day long. Car supplied by Mercedes Newcastle
The car I drove was in this new trendy green/grey colour which really helped show off the car’s dramatic styling
JAN/FEB19
NORTH YORKSHIRE’S SPECIALISTS IN BUYING AND SELLING LUXURY AND SPORTS CARS
17 67 Rolls-Royce Wraith 6.6 V12 Auto Roger Daltrey one-off
£239,995
17 17 Ferrari 488 Spider DCT
£229,995
13 63 Ferrari 458 Spider DCT
13 13 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta 6.2 V12 DCT
£184,995
£179,995
17 67 McLaren 570S 3.8 V8 SSG
17 67 Bentley Bentayga 6.0 W12 Auto
£169,995
£146,995
Inspired by British Music pack, Roger Daltrey bespoke theme
20” forged diamond turned wheels, Apple CarPlay
20” forged 5 spoke wheels, Sports exhaust pipes
Carbon fibre racing seats, 20” Grigio painted wheels
Bentley style specification, 23” Vossen forged wheels
Mclaren Interior Sport Design 4, luxury pack, security pack
04 04 Ferrari 360M Challenge Stradale F1 [LHD]
14 14 Ferrari FF 6.3 V12 Auto
13 13 Rolls-Royce Ghost 6.6 V12 Auto
15 15 Ferrari California T DCT
18 68 Range Rover Sport 5.0 V8 SVR [567] Auto
17 67 Mercedes-Benz AMG GTC 4.0 V8 Bi Turbo 50 Edition Auto
£138,995
Painted stripe, Scuderia wing shields, Alcantara racing seats
13 63 Porsche 911 GT3 991 PDK
£112,995
Front axle lift, sport chrono, heated seats, cruise control
£138,995
20” forged wheels in dark Grigio, panoramic sunroof
15 65 Audi R8 5.2 V10 Plus S Tronic
£119,995
£118,995
£114,995
Theatre seat configuration, Driver assistance pack 3
Magneride, sports exhaust, Daytona seats
Carbon fibre exterior pack with exposed bonnet, 22” wheels
17 17 Range Rover 5.0 V8 S/C Autobiography LWB Auto
14 14 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.8 991 PDK
17 17 Mercedes-Benz C63 S Edition 1 Motorsport Auto
£98,995
Sport pack, Alcantara headlining, 20” 10 spoke Y design wheels
£94,995
Black Design pack, executive rear seats
£94,995
Sport chrono, heated seats, DAB radio, carbon interior trim
A small selection from our 100-car showroom
16 66 Jaguar F-TYPE 5.0 V8 SVR AWD Quckshift
£74,995
Visibility pack, panoramic roof, climate pack, metallic paint finish
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10 10 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead 6.6 V12 Auto - Rolls Royce extended warranty, 21” Polished 7 spoke wheels, only 3k miles
£184,995
2014 Rolls-Royce Ghost 6.6 V12 Limited Edtion V-Spec Auto - Theatre seat, driver assistance 3, 21” wheels, comfort access
£137,995
17 17 McLaren 570GT 3.8 V8 SSG - Nose lift, reversing camera, sport interior, front and rear parking sensors
£121,995
17 67 Honda NSX 3.5 V6 Hybrid Auto - Carbon ceramic brakes with red brake calipers, technology pack, black Alcantara headlining
£119,995
17 67 Range Rover Sport 5.0 V8 SVR Auto [VAT Qualifying] - 22” Ten split spoke gloss black alloy wheels, SVO paint finish
£87,995
16 16 Porsche Boxster 3.8 Spyder 981 - Full lightweight carbon fibre bucket seats, ceramic brakes, satin black wheels
£85,995
12 12 Mercedes-Benz C63 Black Series Auto - AMG Carbon fibre pack, rear seat option, reversing camera, Harman Kardon
£84,995
14 64 Bentley Flying Spur 6.0 W12 Mulliner Auto - Mulliner driving specification, rear multimedia entertainment, digital TV, electric sunroof
£79,995
18 18 Rover Range Rover 3.0 TDV6 Vogue Auto - 22” wheels, interactive drivers display, sliding panoramic sunroof, privacy glass
£78,995
16 66 Jaguar F-TYPE 5.0 Supercharged V8 SVR AWD Auto - Visibility pack, panoramic roof, power operated tailgate
£74,995
15 65 Range Rover Sport 5.0 V8 SVR Auto - 22” gloss black wheels, Land Rover service plan, sliding panoramic sunroof, privacy glass
£69,995
17 17 Mercedes-Benz E Class E63 S 4Matic+ Premium 9G-Tronic - Premium pack, performance seats, HUD, Piano black interior trim
£69,995
13 13 Aston Martin Rapide S 5.9 V12 Touchtronic - 20” 10 spoke gloss black diamond turned wheels, rear entertainment
£67,995
17 67 Range Rover Velar 3.0 D300 First Edition Auto - Rear entertainment, air suspension, Meridian 1600w, 22” wheels, HUD
£66,995
18 18 Porsche Cayman 718 2.5 S PDK - Sport design pack, 20” Carrera Sport wheels, BOSE, heated seats, sport exhaust
£62,995
12 12 Aston Martin Vantage S 4.7 V8 Sportshift - 19” V spoke Graphite Diamond Turned alloy wheels, heated seats, front parking assistance
£59,995
14 14 Audi R8 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro S Tronic - 19” 5 Arm titanium finish wheels, B&O, electric adjustable seats, lighting pack
£58,995
09 09 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Speed Auto - Power boot , spoke duo tone hide trimmed steering wheel, Mulliner driving specificatio
£44,995
17 17 Audi A5 3.0 TDI Quattro Cabriolet S Line S Tronic - Technology pack, massage seats, driver assist pack, B&O, rear camera
£33,995
16 66 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 Fastback Auto - Remus performance exhaust system, reverse camera, privacy glass, premium paint
£32,995
12 62 Porsche Boxster 2.7 981 PDK - Sports exhaust, 20” Carrera Classic wheels, PCM, BOSE, front and rear park assist, bluetooth
£29,995
Please note: we try our best to make sure every fact is accurate – but please forgive us for any errors
£78,995
Carbon fibre exterior pack, ceramic brake discs
£114,995
Dynamic plus pack, Premium pack, Designo matt finish
facebook.com/alexandersprestige twitter.com/alexanders_cars instagram.com/alexanders_cars Alexanders Prestige Ltd
www.alexandersprestige.co.uk Alexander House, Barr Lane Ind Estate, Roecliffe, Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, YO51 9LS 01423 411592 sales@alexandersprestige.co.uk
Want to sell your car? We’re always looking to buy new cars for our showroom, so let us know if you’re looking to sell and we’d be delighted to give you a quote
XXXXXXXX NEW ARRIVAL
NICHE NICE Audi seem to have a car for every niche and the latest model to be launched by the company is the new Q8. This car is basically Audi’s answer to the BMW X6. When the X6 was launched, it was more expensive than the X5 and it wasn’t as practical. It had less space inside and was also originally only available with two rear seats. It’s been a successful car for BMW, and the very fact that Audi and Mercedes have launched models to compete with it shows there is a market for a more stylish SUV. I’m not really a massive fan of the Q7, but I think the Q8 looks much more stylish and cooler. The Q8 wears the company’s new grill; this eight-sided grill definitely looks very formidable and mean in a rear-view mirror! It’s lower and wider than the Q7 and this really helps to give the car its sporty look. The designers have lowered the roofline and given the car pillar fewer windows, add to the mix the stylish new headlights and a lovely rear led lighting strip, and you get something really special. I know the optional 22” alloys look amazing, but they definitely don’t help the ride comfort. Thankfully the car has air suspension - that has its work cut out trying to make the ride more comfortable. The car has permanent 4-wheel drive and it has a 60/40 split to the rear so it essentially feels more like a rear wheel drive car. As with most cars, the autonomous features are very handy; the cruise control which
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adjusts your speed to the traffic ahead is just great. The car also keeps you in line so you shouldn’t veer out of your lane, but if you don’t keep your hands on the wheel the car gets very angry and it’ll go as far as to brake and even call the emergency services! Big Brother is definitely watching you… There is only one engine choice at the moment and that’s a 3.0ltr diesel engine which is joined by a 48-volt mild hybrid system. This essentially allows the engine to switch off for a limited amount of time at cruise to boost efficiency. It’s that good you don’t even realise when
Audi’s cool new Q8 steals a march on the stylish SUV gang...
this is happening; because of this technology the stop start is much smoother than in other cars. The car gets to 60mph in 6.1 seconds and most owners should expect at least mid-30s economy figures. Anyone wanting more power will have to wait until next year when a couple more engines will be launched. Priced from £65k it’s certainly not a cheap car, but then, wanting to stand out from the crowd is never a cheap gig! The interior is very Audi, and by that, I mean it’s stylish and well built indeed. The Q8 has the same dual screen that we first
The Q8 wears the company’s new eight-sided grill which definitely looks very mean in a rear-view mirror!
JAN/FEB19
NEW ARRIVAL
saw in the Velar. The top screen controls all the sat nav, radio, phone and car settings. The bottom screen deals with the heater controls, they help make the interior look very stylish, but the downside is they are much harder to operate on the move! I love the new diamond stitching on the seats, it reminds me of the stitching you see in Bentleys with the Mulliner spec. Despite the car’s rear sloping roofline there
is loads of headroom for passengers sitting in the rear. Audi haven’t been as gung-ho as BMW originally were, by only offering two seats in the rear. Even BMW eventually gave in and made three seats in the back. There is a decent-sized boot and the rear seats move forward and fold to increase the load area. Another thing you can’t help but notice is just how quiet the car is. Even at cruising speed the car is very quiet indeed, I’m
guessing, but it has to be on a par with the Mercedes S Class? If you’re in the market for a SUV that looks a bit different to everything else on the market, I’d seriously go and have a drive of the Q8. I haven’t driven an Audi in a while, and I’d like to thank Simon and his team for sorting this car out for me. It was a pleasure. Car courtesy of Silverlink Audi
INTRODUCING… THE 8
The BMW 8 Series Coupé is BMW’s new luxury sports car: the perfect blend of driver experience and refined performance. To find out more about the new BMW 8 Series or to book your test drive, please call 0191 908 1658 or visit www.lloydmotorgroup.com/BMW.
Lloyd Newcastle BMW
Barrack Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4LE 0191 908 1658 www.lloydmotorgroup.co.uk/BMW Fuel data: G15 8 Series Urban (least efficient) – 21.6-37.6 mpg (13.1 – 7.5 l/100km) Extra Urban (least – most efficient) 35.8 – 53.2 mpg (7.9 – 5.3 l/100km) Combined (least – most efficient) 28.8 – 46.3 mpg (9.8 – 6.1 l/100km) CO2 emissions (highest – lowest) 224 – 160 g/km Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.
JAN/FEB19
www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 89
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Vertu Specialist Cars 14/64 Mercedes A180 AMG Sport Auto 5dr • Silver Metallic • 18” 14 Spoke Alloy Wheels • Part Artico Leather Seats with Red Accents • Satellite Navigation • Voice Recognition
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£14,785
15/15 Audi A5 Sportback Black Edition 3.0TDi 5dr OUR PRICE • Bright Silver • 19” Rotar Style Alloy Wheels • S-Line Leather Heated seats • 201 BHP • Satellite Navigation
NOW ONLY
£16,685
17/17 Audi TT 2.0 TDi S-Line Ultra 2dr
• Ibis White Gloss • S-Line Sports Seats and Steering Wheel • Virtual Cockpit • Audi Drive Select • 181.5 BHP
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£21,585
14/64 Infiniti QX70 GT Multi Media 5dr
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• Blade Silver finish • 4 Wheel Drive • Embossed Leather Seats • Heated and Cooling Seats
£14,795
15/15 Audi Q3 S-Line Tdi 2.0 5dr
OUR PRICE NOW ONLY
• Mythos Black Metallic • S-Line Seats • Audi Drive Select • Part Leather Interior
£16,955
18/18 Infiniti Q70 2.2d Sport Tech 4dr Auto • Obsidian Black • Black Leather Interior • 360 Degree Parking Sensors • Heated and Cooling Seats • Satellite Navigation
OUR PRICE NOW ONLY
£21,995
16/65 Mercedes C200 AMG Line Premium 2dr Auto OUR PRICE
16/66 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited ‘Plus’ 3.0CRD 5dr OUR PRICE
£24,285
£24,485
• Grey Metallic • Electric Memory Seats • Reversing Camera • Heated Seats • Satellite Navigation
NOW ONLY
• Deep Black Finish • Electric Memory Seats • Heated Steering Wheel and Seats • 4 Wheel Drive • Terrain Type Select
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13/63 Land Rover Freelander 2 2.2 SD4 HSE LUX 5dr Auto OUR PRICE • Firenze Red • Panoramic Roof • Touchscreen Satellite Navigation • Heated Seats • Reversing Camera
NOW ONLY
£14,985
17/17 Hyundai Tuscon Sport Edition 1.7 CRDi 5dr • Bright Silver • Reversing Cameras • Front and Rear Heated Seats • Full Leather Interior • Satellite Navigation
£17,495
15/15 Audi Q5 2.0 TDi S-Line Quattro 5dr • Daytona Grey Pearl Effect • 20” 5 Spoke Off Road Design Alloys • Heated Front Seats • Satellite Navigation
OUR PRICE NOW ONLY
OUR PRICE NOW ONLY
£22,075
17/17 Audi A6 Black Edition Ultra Auto 4dr • Mythos Black Metallic • Heated Front Seats • S-Line Embossed Leather Seats • 4 Zone Climate Control • 188 BHP
OUR PRICE NOW ONLY
£24,685
Vertu Specialist Cars (Part of the Vertu Motors Company) Middle Engine Lane, Silverlink Business Park, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear NE28 9NZ Phone: 0191 295 8686 Website: www.vertuspecialistcarsnewcastle.com 90 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk
JAN/FEB19
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All makes of Premium Used Cars
15/65 Infiniti Q30 2.0 Turbo Sport AWD 5dr Auto • Graphite Shadow • 19” Split Spoke Alloys • Part Alcantara Part Leather Interior • Heated Seats
£15,985
18/18 Infiniti Q30 2.2d Premium Tech 5dr
• Chestnut Bronze • 18” Bi-tone Double Spoke Alloys • Cafe Teak Styling Pack • Electric Memory Seats • Chocolate Nappa Leather with Graphite Inserts
OUR PRICE NOW ONLY
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£18,985
13/13 Audi SQ5 Quattro 3.0Tdi V6 5dr
• Estoril Blue Crystal Effect • 0-60 in just 5.1 seconds! • Electric Memory Heated Leather Seats • Advanced Parking System & Reversing Camera
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£22,195
14/14 Land Rover Discovery HSE 3.0SDV6 5dr OUR PRICE • Green Metallic • Heated Front & Rear Seats • 19” Split Spoke Alloy Wheels • Premium Ivory Windsor Leather
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£24,885
15/15 Audi A3 S-Line 2.0 Tdi 4dr • Lotus Grey Metallic • £600 Comfort Pack • Satellite Navigation • Audi Drive Select
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£16,385
16/16 Audi Q3 1.4T S-Line FSi S-Tronic 5dr • Shell White Gloss • 18” Split Spoke Alloys • Optional Audi Drive Select • Part Leather Interior
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£20,785
16/66 Audi A4 Avant S-Line 2.0TDi Auto 5dr • Ibis White finish • 188 BHP • Satellite Navigation • 18” 5 Split Spoke Alloys
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£22,885
17/67 Mercedes C200 AMG Line Coupé Auto 2dr
• Brilliant Blue Metallic • Heated Front Seats • Light Grey Leather Interior • Satellite Navigation
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£26,285
15/65 Mercedes GLA200 AMG Line 4-Matic 5dr OUR PRICE • Kosmos Black • Off Road Package and 4 Wheel Drive • Rear View Cameras • 18” 5 Spoke Alloys
NOW ONLY
£16,485
15/65 Audi A5 Quattro Black Edition Plus S-Tronic 2dr OUR PRICE • Mythos Black Metallic • Electric Sunroof • 19” Rotar Style Alloys • Full Black leather interior • Low mileage
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£21,555
15/15 Land Rover Discovery Sport SE Tech 5dr OUR PRICE
NOW ONLY
• Bright Silver • Panoramic Roof • 11 Landrover Audio Speakers with Subwoofer • 7 Seats
£22,985
13/62 Land Rover Range Rover 3.0 TDV6 Vogue SE 5dr OUR PRICE • Metallic Black • Over £6000 Worth of Options • 21” 10 Spoke Diamond Cut Bi-tone Alloys • White Leather Interior • 4 zone Climate Control • Full Time 4 Wheel Drive with TerrainType Select
NOW ONLY
£31,985
We act as credit brokers, and we are not a lender. Vehicles advertised are available at time of going to press. Models shown for illustration purposes only. Finance subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. We will introduce you to a limited number of lenders who may be able to help finance your purchase. These lenders may or may not pay us for the introduction. Vertu Specialist Cars is a subsidiary of Bristol Street Fourth Investments who is a credit broker authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.
JAN/FEB19
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LUXE LOVES
LUXE LOVES Modern explorer Consider your winter wardrobe sorted with the Shackleton pop-up at Harvey Nichols, Leeds - in store until February. The luxury British label is inspired by the life and work of polar explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. Shackleton Endurance lightweight parka, ÂŁ1,290 www.harveynichols.com
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LUXE LIFE
Jeff Ainsley lives and breathes cars. He’s the General Manager at Vertu Specialist Cars at Silverlink, Tyneside. Home is by the sea in Tynemouth
JEFF AINSLEY
LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > Our North East coast – I love living in such a great part of the world. A long holiday > Caribbean for the pace of life, the service, the people, the white sands – beautiful! LUXE RELAX >> Best food > Anything new – preferably rich and bad for you. Best wine > Sancerre. Favourite restaurant > Rules in London – the oldest restaurant in the city – fabulous, though not sure they were ready for our party! Perfect weekend > Outdoor activities with Molly (my nine-year-old daughter). Downtime means > Family time and as many new experiences as possible - I never spend a full day indoors, I consider
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it a waste of time. Best telly > Anything funny – and probably a bit silly. Best theatre > Theatre Royal, Newcastle for anything. Best book > Biography/autobiographies of people who have lived interesting lives or achieved exceptional things. Best sounds > Anything uplifting – have recently Bluetoothed the house and discovered the wonders of Spotify – love the eclectic suggestions it throws up.
cool personal shoppers – who were the best sales people I have ever come across. Customer service so good my bank account was bruised for many months! Luxe retail treat > Bi-annual visits to designer outlet malls – I’m not really keen on shopping so I get cajoled into this by my wife and daughter, and usually end up spending more on them than myself. Best buy > Cars – I have a passion for cars – I always have too many - I still own one car I bought almost 25 years ago!
LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > Milan, by a country mile. Favourite shop > The Armani Store in Milan, a beautiful place over several floors with everything from couture to T.shirts with impossibly beautiful and effortlessly
LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > Too many to list. I’m very lucky to have a great family and have met some fantastic people over the years. Memorable nights out include “lost” nights in Manhatten nightclubs – to impromptu nights sitting around a
table with good friends. Perfect party > So far has to be my 40th – smoke machines strobe lights and 90s dance music in a marquee at home Next will be my 50th – so I only have three years to plan how to top my 40th. Best dress/ favourite item of clothing > Don’t really go for throw-away fashion – I am a little old fashioned – prefer stylish well made clothes that last for years. Dinner date > My wife and I like having dinner parties – which usually start off civilised – move on to singing and dancing – and then tend to get a little messy and late. YOUR LUXE THING IN LIFE >> Home and family. I enjoy indulging my family and enjoying a huge variety of experiences.
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SOCIAL LIFE
luxe:looks
Break out the fizz. Time to get down to some people-spotting as we bring you our social snapshot of happenings across the North East. Eyes and teeth time! Ladies Who Rock, The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle
Society of Indian Doctors Charity Ball for Daisy Chain, Wynyard Marquee
Above > Stephanie Kusalakumar, Nanditha Pradeep,Anjali Pradeep
Above > Lynn Bushell, Alison Morgan
Above > Terri Hosler, Rachel Nixon, Kate Ellis, Katie Carmedy
Above > Mary Lincoln, Beverly Smith, Gemma Styles, David Nicholson
Above > Siobhan Dalton, Victoria Hughes, Sophie White, Amy Robinson
Above > Linzi Kennedy, Hazel Robinson, Jenny Dawson
Above > Lorna Wilson, Dr Sandya Pradeep, Elaine Duncan, Jan Murphy Above > Dave and Lorraine Suddick
Above > Gitrija and Swantika Taylor
Above > Olivia Allison, Rachel McDermott
Above > Olly Morgan, Matt Lee-Alliston
Above > Sree Pushpocath, Austin Matthews Aove > William Lindsay and Maria Yorke Above > Leah Kindleyside, Emma Reilly, Jackie Ward, Sarah Fish, Barbara Gubbins
Lumiere 2019 launch, Butterfly Room, Durham
Above > Brian Archer, Nicola Coleman, Jenna Herlingshaw
Above > James Ramsbotham, Ariane Swart, Richard Swart Above > Amanda Hopgood, Ossie Johnson
Above > Dawn Fairlamb, Graeme Parkins, Elaine Greenwood, Carolyn Ramsbotham Above > Emma Gaudern, Jon Cooke
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SOCIAL LIFE
COCO Charity Ball, Crowne Plaza, Newcastle
Rockliffe life >> Loved-up dining and party dancing. We bring you a taster of what’s on at Rockliffe Hall… now booking!
Above > Joannie O’Connor, John Baines
Above > BBC Look North presenter Jeff Brown
Above > Gordon Nelson, Holly Nelson, Julie Nelson
Above > Sophia Hornby, Ian Hornby
Above > Jackie Hamer, Jess Hamer, Michael Hamer and Will Whitaker
Above > Suzie Bick, Rosie Philipson
Above > Steve Cram CBE, Rosie Smith, Lucy Kendall, Jess Hamer, Paul Bramley and Holly Nelson
9-15 FEBRUARY, 2019 >> Valentine’s perfection at The Orangery. Experience a unique tasting journey through six courses. Be waited on hand and foot, complete with a special stool just to rest your handbag! On arrival enjoy a half bottle of Champagne in your New Hall bedroom. Indulge your love of good food with a sensational six course dining experience with Richard Allen’s tasting menu complete with wine pairing in the 4AA Rosette Orangery restaurant. Next day enjoy full English breakfast served direct to your room.
1 JUNE, 2019 >> Take That at the Riverside... Enjoy an exclusive hospitality experience with Rockliffe Hall as Take That perform their 30th anniversary Greatest Hits tour at the Riverside Stadium in June 2019. Stay at Rockliffe Hall, enjoy exclusive transfers to and from the Riverside and enjoy the Silver Hospitality package as you enjoy this concert. It will be the Greatest Day! To find out more call 01325 729999 or email enquiries@rockliffehall.com.
Teenage Cancer Trust Golf Day, Rockliffe Hall Golf Club
Above > Franco Graziami, Peter Davidson, Colin Wilson and Alan Shearer
Above > Peter Crang, Chris Bainbridge
Butterwick Hospice Care, The Greatest Show, Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield Above > Tony Passmore, Chris Smith, John Clydesdale, Steve Passmore Above > Dave Hardworth, Chris Handley
Above > Alwyn and Graeme Halloway
Above > Michael Sheppard, Katie Robson
Above > Christine Harrison, Sarah Skelton Above > Adrain Knight, Dean Bates
Above > Bethany McLachlan, Laura Nelson, Sophie Coates
Above > Harry Fenwick, Craig Defty
Above > Stephen and Faye Coghlin Above > Matthew Whitehurst, James McDaid
RELEVANT luxe-magazine.co.uk JAN/FEB19
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SOCIAL LIFE
Hooker & Young Magazine Launch Party Aveika, Newcastle
Snow Angel Ball, Roker Hotel, Sunderland
Above > Chris Lafferty, Karen Stephenson, Andrew Bennett, Tania Smith
Above > Kate Craig, Rochelle Graham, Emma Graham
Above > Lauran Bell, Andrew Bennett, Victoria Bell
Above > Gary Hooker, Michael Young
Above > Samantha Gibson, Michael Young, Tracey Dykes, Hayley-Kelly Mason
Above > John Royale, Anthony Gale, Kimberley Johnson, Tariq Younas
Above > Hollie Johnson, Chelsea Middleton, Jazmin Smith
Above > Barbara Spoors, Lindsey Charlton, Fiona Amann
Above > Mickaela Middlemiss, Maggie Ibetson, Kelly Stobbs, Erin Stobbs
Above > Fawn Cheyne, Andrew Bennett
Above > Scarlett Moffatt, Andrew Bennett
Above > Millie Davison, Andrew Bennett
Above > Kenny Paget Le Tour, Chris Lafferty, Andrew Bennett, Gladys Duffy Above > Lisa Seferi, Andrew Bennett
Above > Donna Dickman, Andrew Bennett, Anita Crawford
Above > Shamin Ali, Gay Knox
Above > Dale Christie-Skinner, Andrew Bennett, James Jason Christie-Skinner
An Evening With Tony Pulis and Chris Kamara, Rockliffe Hall, Hurworth
Above > Martin Read, Emma Read, Ray Johnson
Above > Eamonn Elliott, Neill Bausor, Chris Kamara, Steve Gibson Above > Richard Antill, Lisa Antill
Above > Mark Hughes, Georgia Hughes, Stephanie Mann
Above > Harrison McGrath, Kirk McGrath
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Josie’s Dragonfly Bollywood Charity Ball, Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park
Above > Connie Kong, Jack Smith
Above > Matthew Rowlinson, Keir McGovern, John Bewick, Karen Robinson, Emma Canham, Rebecca Webster
Above > Rachna Bhalla, Kerry Hodgson, Mandeep Kaur
give the gift of luxe
Above > Chris Kirby, Alison Kirby
Above > Mr and Mrs Surinda Puri
ARE YOUR FRIENDS MISSING OUT ON LUXE?
Above > Monika Sharma, Vandana Sehgal, Shivani Gupta
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Silk Law Annual Charity Quiz for Smart Works, Trinity House, Quayside, Newcastle
£22 FOR SIX ISSUES DELIVERED DIRECT TO THEIR LETTERBOX EVERYONE’S HAPPY!
£5.00
Above > Barry James, Wayne Lynn, Joe Black
luxe magazine
Above > Kelly Thornton, Judith Pearson, Harriet Reid, Margaret Simpson
ISSUE 56 JAN/FEB19
Above > Carly Hope, Emily Bell
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Percy Hedley Foundation Annual Ball, Hilton, NewcastleGateshead
ISSUE 56 JAN/FEB19
Above > Talal Stephan, Gada Stephan
Above > Emma Alexander, Barrie Alexander
Above > David Enright, Deborah Enright
WHERE SOLD
IMRAN KHALIQ. Ne w food hotspots. LIFEGUIDE. Love stuff. BEDROOM MOOD. Lumiere looms. QUIRKY B&B. Party people. WIN A COSY COT TAGE STAY. Culture dates. MENU MAN DAN FLETCHER. Luxe laps. TRINNY ’S BEAUT Y TIPS. Big names. LUXE.
Delivered to their door
FOR ONLY £22 the perfect gift!
Above > Louise Gunning, Katie Murray, Sarah Turner, Jo Allen
Above > Diane Parfitt, Gordon Parfitt, Carole Harder
Above > Carole Harder, Stephen Miller, Jonathan Jowett
Let’s see you! If you would like your event featured on our Luxe:Looks pages please supply images with full captions (We Transfer or Dropbox is best) to: kathryn@remembermedia.co.uk
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Promising a stylish snapshot of life in the North East. All year. Subscribe at: luxe-magazine.co.uk/subscribe/magazine or call 0191 500 7860
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PARTING SHOT
Sparkle into 2019 >> The reason why we should never complain about cold winters. Frosted foliage captured by Nicky Rogerson. www.bankstudio.co.uk
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