Style of Wight Issue 78 September/October by Style of Wight

LIFESTYLE 14 -16 High Street, Shanklin, PO376LB | T el : 07956 351341 @acaciabayiow | acaciabayiow.co.uk Natural jute, bamboo and hessian home lighting, unique wall art and stylish home furnishings available now. Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm

Delightful detached cottage with two bedrooms and an extensive garden backing onto Tennyson Downs. Off road parking for 3/4 cars.

Gurnard, Isle of Wight

Immaculate detached house in Old Town Cowes, perfect as a holiday let, lock up and leave or secluded home with off road parking and chain free.

Totland, Isle of Wight

Period Home

Guide Price £795,000

Immaculate Home

Guide Price £650,000

Cowes, Isle of Wight

The Old Post Office, 73 High Street, Cowes, Isle Wight,

PO31 7AJ

Beautifully

DetachedPresentedCottage

Guide Price £425,000

Cowes, Isle of Wight

A superb and pristine detached home with 3 double bedrooms, 3 shower/bathrooms, 3 receptions rooms, countryside and Solent views, beautiful garden, workshop and off-road parking.

Four bedroom, all with ensuites, this property is full of original features as well as contemporary design and comforts. This water front property has beautiful views from its sun deck and such a character home with all these attributes is rarely available and cannot be missed.

Guide Price £795,000

STYLE | Home

Guide Price £375,000

Gurnard, Isle of Wight

A detached 3 bedroom family home with large kitchen/ diner plus two additional reception rooms. Original 1930s features within property and located in desirable Gurnard.

Seaview, Isle of Wight

Gurnard, Isle of Wight

Large three bedroom ground floor apartment within easy walk of the village centre and seafront. Private covered parking and chain free! Viewing comes highly recommended!

Desirable Location

Gurnard, Isle of Wight

A beautiful family home with high calibre fixtures, bespoke carpentry and a secret room. With additional accommodation and storage in the rear garden, this has masses of room for a household to grow.

Ground Floor Apartment

Guide Price £750,000

Guide Price £595,000

Guide Price £795,000

A four bedroom detached home with phenomenal views and an extensive garden that leads directly to Gurnard Marshes. There’s ample parking, large double garage and separate annex in the garden.

01983 300 111

mccarthyandbooker.co.ukHelping you find your perfect home...

Upside Down Home

Incredible Views

Our London office is at 21 Park Lane, Mayfair and guarantees our properties are exposed to a vibrant national and international markets. Warden Point, Totland Bay Asking Price £895,000 5 | EPC TBC A large coastal family home overlooking Colwell Bay. Tucked away in an elevated position, this property boasts 5 bedrooms, 3 ensuite, kitchen dining room and lounge that opens to the garden. The high gloss contemporary fitted kitchen benefits from integral appliances, central Island and room for a good sized dining table. Spacious driveway with room for several cars and boat trailer. Double garage with electric roller shutter doors.

An country style coastal home, deceptively large and over floors. in secluded spot at top of gravelled minutes metres from Freshwater of a softener and sauna. approximately one third of and Freshwater towards the Bay. electric gates, land road. enjoying countryside views,

attractive

and

water

Set in

the

Bay and local amenities. Renovations extras include installation

an acre

enjoying views over

three

Fairbrooke, Brighstone Guide Price £995,000 4 | EPC C Coastal and countryside views, stretching from Limerstone Down to Brook and Brighstone beaches in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This spacious family home enjoys a good size plot with stunning surroundings and it sits in close proximity to village life. The house itself is well arranged and due to the elevated positioning, there are sea views from both floors. Westridge House, Ryde Guide Price £1,500,000 5 | EPC E Accessed through

CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY COASTAL Astra, Freshwater Bay Asking Price £850,000 3 | EPC TBC A large extension of a high standard, completed recently, has created a contemporary twist, to this very attractive cottage style property, all on one level and providing spacious living areas. Astra is unassuming and located on a quiet road, enclosed by electric gates and enjoying stunning countryside views from inside and out. The extension to the rear is modern bringing the outdoors in, along with an abundance of natural light. Pen-Y-Bryn, Freshwater Asking Price of £950,000 6 | EPC TBC

Westridge House is set in mature well-established gardens. Extended and upgraded over recent years to incorporate a custom design snooker room and balcony to the rear that overlooks the gardens. Newport 01983 538090 Ryde 01983 617640 Bembridge 01983 875000 More available on Rightmove, OnTheMarket.com and www.hrdthecollection.co.uk

Situated

lane, only

arranged

an exceptional south facing family home in an acre plot, set back from the road and taking the lion’s share of residential

Edwardian style and

on this popular

and

SPENCEWILLARD.CO.UK HELLO@SPENCEWILLARD.CO.UK COLWELL A£3,850,000BAYrareandexceptional, substantial trophy waterfront house offering commanding spectacular views across Colwell Bay, Christchurch Bay, and the Western Approaches of The Solent, with 10 bedrooms, pool, equine facilities/paddocks, and gymextending to around 5.18 (2.09 ha) acres. EPC Rating D VIEWING 01983 761005

BRIGHSTONE £840,000

Full Island Wide Coverage from a Local, Independent Agency Clear & Competitive Fee Structure with NO Hidden Costs or Additional Extras Contact us Today about Moving the Management of your Property to Spence Willard with Ease Knowledge | Experience | Quality Service LETTINGS@SPENCEWILLARD.CO.UK 01983 761005 OPT 2

A wonderful Grade II Listed, three bedroom characterful barn conversion carried out by J R Buckett & Son. Beautifully tucked away, yet within easy reach of the village facilities.

VIEWING 01983 bedroom apartment overlooking the beach with superb sea views, in the popular village of Bonchurch. EPC Rating C

BONCHURCH756575£475,000Abeautifullypresented,spacious three

VIEWING 01983 200880

@spencewillardiw

10 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Home

Home | STYLE

0 3 3 0 0 2 4 0 3 6 5 i n f o @ e r m c . c o . u k w w w . e r m c . c o . u k A r c h i t e c t u r e Q u a n t i t y S u r v e y i n g C o s t C o n s u l t a n c y P r o j e c t M a n a g e m e n t E s t a t e M a n a g e m e n t Biophilic co working space Building 41, Innovation Wight

13September and October 2022

8 Salisbury Gardens, Dudley Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 1EJ 01983 www.styleofwight.co.uk861007

Note from the Editor

Hannah office@styleofwight.co.ukWilson

Like many of you, the kitchen is very much the beating heart of my home. It is where my family gathers and communes around a table; a place to offload burdens and share stories of celebration. So, it is a great place to invite you into this, our homes and interiors special edition. We have a bumper feature with interior styling trends for your kitchen that will inspire you to reimagine your space for culinary creation and family connection (see p 87). Our local independent retailers share some of their favourite personal picks (see p 32). Plus read stories on some of the Island’s very best service suppliers and industry professionals.

Get in touch

Sales

Homes should be as individual as the people that dwell in them and are made and built from love as well as materials. But we should also relish the joy of decorating them, personalising and making these spaces our own. So, with that in mind, I warmly invite you to join us at the Island’s homes and interiors show on October 27, at Afton Farmhouse in Freshwater (see p 38). It’s a first-of-its-kind event that brings together the best of Island interiors talent to showcase everything that makes a house a home.

“Home is the comfiest place to be” Winnie The Pooh

Features: James RebeccaRayner,Lawson

Production Assistant

Photography

Tim Mander

“Have nothing in your houses That you do not know To be useful or Believe to be beautiful.”

Editor and Creative Director

Distribution 01983office@styleofwight.co.uk861007SupportedbyAcclaimLogisticsCoverPic:RiversideHouse,InteriorArchitectureDesign

by:

A home can be many different things, but its essence is the same. It is where we return to, where we are drawn to, where we can be ourselves and extend our hospitality to others.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of Style of Wight Magazine, but legal responsibility cannot be accepted for errors, omissions or misleading Winnersstatements.atthe IW Chamber Awards 2016

Christian christian@styleofwight.co.ukWarren

Helen Hopper

Contributors: Lauren Fry, Dale Howarth, Kayleigh Trott Design

Sub Editor

Christian Warren, Julian Winslow, Gary Wallis, Holly Jolliffe

Christian Warren

Say it aloud. It is a soft short word. Yet its meaning has immense power and importance. Food, warmth, and shelter — the bare necessities that make for life — usually are born in our home.

Contributors

William Morris, Designer, poet, Artist, Novelist, Activist, and friend to Julia Margaret Cameron

Christian christian@styleofwight.co.ukWarren

Vivus Interiors.

Our collection of furniture and accessories offer inspiration for every single room in your home. Whatever life throws at you, if you’ve got somewhere that feels homely - somewhere loved and lived - you’ll have a place of your own This & ThaT telephone: 01983 612 152 email: thisandthatseaview@aol.com web thisandthatseaview.co.uk Address: 1 Pier Road Seaview Isle Of Wight PO34-5BL Find The Pieces That Make A House A Home 109HighStreet,Cowes07368841308 KeepcosythisAutumnwith supersoftornicelyknitted hotwaterbottlesand microwaveableWheatbags, SlippersandHuggies. Wrapupinbeautifulfair tradeknitwearorluxurious cashmere;beanies,wrist warmers,fingerlessgloves, mittens,socksandneck warmers. Maintainthe‘hot’inyourhot chocolatewiththermalKeep CupsandinsulatedChilly’s CoffeeCups.

51 Children’s Writing Competition: Funds donated to the I.W Story

41 Style Spectrum: Leon Butler

16REGULARS

87 Welcome Home: Kitchen styling inspiration

Style Picks: A selection of homeware products – all available locally – that look good and won’t cost the earth

Meet the Maker: Chloé Rosetta Bell – Connecting with Clay

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Meet the Chef: Sean Jeffers

67 Repair and Restore: with Caroline Hurley – BeCalmed, Cowes

108 A launchpad for positive thinking: with Dale Howarth

ContentsCoast

53 Harvested on the Wight: A guide to the Island’s Autumnal Specialities

18 The Style Scoop: The very latest dates for your diaries this Autumn

81 Styling your Space: with Studio Jute

Our House Through Time: with Rouse Ltd

69 Feel at Home in your own skin: with Dr Hayley Elsmore – The Coutyard Aesthetic Clinic

95 Breakwaters: with Hose Rhodes Dickson New Homes

32 Main Feature: Homes & Interiors Special 76 Destination Arreton: Heart of the Island

104 Busy as a Bee: with your award-winning Garden Centre

28FEATURESFestival

73BUSINESS

60 Review: Salty’s Restaurant in Yarmouth

63 Florence Fennel: with Will Steward of Living Larder

100 Property Profiles: Taking a look around some of the Island’s most desirable homes

112 Living on the Edge: Climate Change and the Isle of Wight

114 Style speaks: to Miranda Hart

6146FOOD36

64 Chutney, Chillies & Charred Tomatoes: with Matt Egan – The Royal, Ventnor

15September and October 2022

38 NEW for 2022: Isle of Wight Homes & Interiors Show

39 Find your Ideal Home: with the team at McCarthy & Booker

97 Through The Keyhole: At Bonnie View Hilltop Retreat

Introducing Vivus Interiors

83 How to make flowers a key component of our Home: with Ellie of Bembridge Flower Shop

Issue 78: September and October 2022

20 Lead interview: Dimbola Royalty - Julia Cameron de Villiers

26ART

Foraged Paintbrushes: with Lauren Fry

110 The Story of Henry Sewell: By James Rayner

HOME AND GARDEN

Available from Long Lane Flooring longlanecarpetsandflooring.co.uk@longlaneflooring

Available from Linear Kitchens, Newport. @linearkitchensLinearkitchens.co.uk

Produced from recycled glass, these hexagonal tiles are an eco-friendly pop of colour for interior walls and floors.

@paulwaldeninteriorsPaulwaldeninteriors.com

Vescom’s Xorel Nexus wall covering not only adds depth and textural interest to your walls, it’s also sustainable, washable, and colour fast, making it suited to many environments. Made from biowaste it is cradle to cradle® gold certified — an assurance of its Supplycircularity.andinstallation

From calming neutral tones to sugar sweet shades there’s something to suit any interior scheme.

With its steel-like strength and stone-like durability, PaperStone is a beautiful and heavy-duty composite surface made from post-consumer recycled paper and old cardboard container paper. Perfect for kitchen worktops and custom furniture, this contemporary, sustainable material can be worked like hardwood.

via Paul Walden Interiors

Material matters by Kayleigh Trott

We are always interested to learn about products made from innovative or unexpected materials that make for a more environmentally friendly product.

16 styleofwight .co.uk

Here’s a selection of homeware products — all available locally — that look good and won’t cost the earth.

Style picks

Availablekitchen.

@acaciabayiowAcaciabayiow.co.uk

Availableplastics.fromXV

17September and October 2022

Stripes, Yarmouth, and at their Pop-up shop in John Lewis Southampton, open at the end of September.

Available from This & That Seaview.

Xvstripes.com @xvstripes

Available from Bayliss & Booth @baylissandboothBaylissandbooth.co.uk

Made from 100% recycled fishing nets and rope, these plant pots perfectly demonstrate how discarded ocean plastics can be usefully repurposed. The ideal companion for those all-important air purifying house plants. Available from the Sea Room Bembridge.

thisandthatseaview.co.uk@thisandthatseaview

This beautifully bright, generous throw is uniquely woven from a combination of organic cotton and Repreve yarn, the latest eco-friendly fibre produced from recycled ocean

This charming jug and cups set is made from wood pulp and plant cellulose. Lightweight, yet strong, they make the perfect addition to a family

Islandrefillery.com @sea.roomiow

These colourful and textured table mats blend sustainably sourced cork with recycled beach plastics to make stylish and earth-conscious homewares. There is even a furniture collection using this blend as the surface of a side table.

from Acacia Bay

You would never believe this rug is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, 65 in fact. Its soft woollike texture is UV treated for fade resistance — the perfect accessory inside or out.

18 styleofwight .co.uk

The Isle of Wight’s annual jazz festival brings the very best of the UK jazz scene to the Island for 5 days of top-class music, using venues in and around Newport. This friendly and informal event is organised and run by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis. In previous years the event has hosted Stacey Kent, the BBC Big Band, Liane Carroll, Ian Shaw, and a host of top musicians alongside the best of the Island’s own vibrant jazz scene.

1st & 2nd October, Quay Arts

Tickets and more information: www.iwjw.co.uk

the Style

24th & 25th September, Northwood House

Experience over 50 different inspiring workshops including yoga & movement, meditation & mindfulness, sound healing & breath work, nature therapy & creativity, self-care & conscious living sessions and so much more to help you reinvigorate mind, body, and soul.

Some of the best in the UK, as well as our own local talent, will make up a roster of 25 artists at this brand-new show for the Island. A family-friendly event with an abundance of entertainment, stalls, and art exhibits.

Awakening Festival

Isle of Wight Jazz Weekend

Tattoo Convention

Tickets and more www.awakeningfestival.co.ukinformation:

Tickets and more information: Boy Wonder Studios, 81 St James’ St, Newport

The colours, the crisp air, the pumpkins - Autumn is a fabulous season, and here are the very latest dates for your diaries… scoop

15th - 18th September, Newport

The ultimate feel-good festival of wellbeing, self-care, and connection.

Tickets and more information: www.isleofwightliteraryfestival.com

19September and October 2022

Tickets and more information: www.tapnellfarm.com

Pull on your wellies and have an Autumn adventure at Tapnell Farm for the October holidays. Enjoy a family day out choosing that perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween. With themed games and characters in plenty, we recommend this as one of our top October picks for children.

2022 Homes & Interiors Show

The Isle of Wight’s very first Homes & Interiors Show is a unique event hosting a curated collection of hand-picked quality exhibitors. East Afton Farmhouse will be transformed this Autumn — for one day only — as the finest homeware and lifestyle companies move in to showcase their brands. With expert advice on hand and more inspiration than you can shake a velvet cushion at, the Isle of Wight Homes & Interiors Show is shaping up to be the perfect place for imaginative ideas, finely crafted products, and www.blackswanevent.co.ukTicketsstyleon-trendsolutions.andmoreinformation:

Isle of IsleNorthwood6thFestivalLiteraryWight-9thOctober,HouseofWight

Always a popular annual event in the Isle of Wight calendar the Isle of Wight Literary Festival, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, will be pulling out the stops with an exciting programme ensuring there’s something for everyone. Expect a varied itinerary - from politics and history to science, fiction, and current affairs.

More information: www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk

Lace up your walking boots, dig out your woollies, and take a good look at the plethora of routes on offer to suit all abilities. The Isle of Wight Walking Festival is an inclusive event providing a guided tour through the Island’s varied landscape, thriving wildlife, and rich heritage. An event for keen hikers, relaxed wanderers, and curious explorers alike, this friendly festival hosts a variety of walks led by knowledgeable volunteer walk leaders. You’ll easily find a walk that suits you - whether you’re looking for a shorter stroll or a day-long hike across the Island.

22nd - 30th October, Tapnell Farm

23rd October, East Afton Farmhouse

Walking Festival

Pumpkin Festival

8th - 16th October, Islandwide

by Rebecca Lawson Photos by Gary Wallis

20 styleofwight .co.uk

ROYALTYDIMBOLA

21September and October 2022

Margaret Cameron Trust, Brian Hinton, to describe Julia as ‘Dimbola Lodge royalty’, but she is also a noted creative in her own right. Julia’s artistry was nurtured in fertile soil; “I was aware of my ancestors from a young age and would often devour the photography books around the house, getting lost in JMC’s images, especially of the angels and pre-raphaelite women adorned in flower crowns — it was like a fairytale world to me as a child. I’d dream I was part of that world and always hoped I could create something similar one day.”

Being born into a family tree which has sprouted female trailblazers such as Julia Margaret Cameron (affectionately nicknamed JMC) and her niece Virginia Woolf may understandably be daunting for many — not so for Julia Cameron de Villiers. Keeping true to her roots, she has paved her way in the creative world with the individuality and aplomb for which the women in her family are famous.

These strong familial links to the property have prompted esteemed Cameron scholar and Chairman of the Julia

As the newly appointed vice president at Freshwater’s Dimbola Lodge, Julia is, in a way, coming home — and it seems to be a family reunion. As the great, great, great granddaughter and namesake of the renowned Victorian portrait photographer who used to call Dimbola home, Julia was the obvious choice for the new position, serendipitously joining her relative Julian Bell who serves as president of the charity.

“A focus will remain on maintaining the relevance of JMC’s work by using new technology to explore the Freshwater Set, upgrading the library and archives for visiting students, and making Dimbola a serious place of scholarship while retaining a fun and creatively

The Freshwater of JMC’s day was certainly a creative utopia, and Dimbola was visited by greats such as Alfred Lord Tennyson (who lived in neighbouring property Farringford), G. F. Watts, William Holman Hunt, actress Ellen Terry, Lewis Carroll and his muse for ‘Alice in Wonderland’, Alice Liddell. Dubbed the Freshwater Set, they set the small island village alight with Victorian celebrity.

productive environment.

JMC’s energy manifested itself on the stage as well as behind the camera. She loved hosting theatre salons at her home, where friends would put on amusing plays for each other’s entertainment. This Cameron acting talent is another skill Julia brings to the modern age, filling her growing social media platforms with hilarious sketches in an assortment of on-themoney accents from Australian to Geordie.

That, surely, is relevant in any age.

22 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Interview

“As a team, we will suggest potential exhibitors, promote Dimbola within the arts sphere and further afield, and act as ambassadors for Dimbola on a much larger stage. Attracting young people is central to our future direction and we have plans to exhibit works by other ground-breaking artists, such as Patti Smith and Koo Stark.

It is wonderful to see all the work her descendants are doing to keep Dimbola in the modern consciousness, but remaining relevant is something JMC could probably achieve all on her own.

“We’re working up to a big 30thanniversary event, which will be held in June 2024, but before that we have a fascinating show of Dickens’ portraits colourised with skin tints of his current descendants, a career retrospective of Fleet Street legend Larry Ellis, featuring his images of the Beatles and Carry On films, and we are pursuing lottery funding to tell the story of 21 years of the new Isle of Wight Festivals with cutting edge visual and sound tech. There will be an open photographic competition for Island residents, funded by the local newspaper, and we will be reopening the Freshwater gallery for smaller shows, including young artists, which I hope to curate alongside Julian Bell.

Create something similar she did — as a jewellery designer amongst other things. Her collection of pendants and headpieces all reflect the sensual whimsy of the portraits taken by her Victorian forbear. Julia says, “Many of JMC’s portraits of pre-raphaelite beauties adorned in jewellery and headpieces inspired some of the early photo shoots for my collection. I referenced these images in style and artistic feeling, even naming my collection ‘A Pre-Raphaelite Utopia’ in honour of her memory.”

Victorian creatives aren’t the only ones attracted to Freshwater. The 1970 Isle of Wight Festival was held directly in front of Dimbola Lodge on Afton Down. This was the last public concert played by Jimi Hendrix in the UK. Dimbola still has strong connections with the festival, and festival organiser John Giddings even funded a memorial statue to the infamous guitarist, which sits proudly at the entrance to the property.

Julia describes her as “a pioneer and a beacon of strength and empowerment to women. The confidence and selfbelief she had to begin a career at the age of 48, in a time when women were resigned to being confined to the house, demonstrates her ferocious and progressive nature. She gave little thought to the presupposed obstacles and barriers placed upon women of the Victorian era. Her passion for creative freedom and capturing beauty was unprecedented. She lived her life according to the beat of her own drum. She was an incredible role model to women and surely one of the original feminists.”

At the 2022 festival, the Dimbola Lodge marquee proved a great success and a brilliant way to ensure the property and its exhibitions remain in the modern consciousness. This isn’t a difficult thing to do. JMC’s portraits have an almost unnerving prescience about them. In Julia’s words, they have a “presence that transcends time or trends — they will never go out of style. Her soft, dreamy aesthetic revolutionised the world of photography and it is this originality that keeps her images so modern, even to this day. She believed creativity was the oxygen of the soul and she didn’t have an option other than to express her ideas.”

So what is it about Freshwater that drew so much creative talent? Tennyson told of air so pristine it was ‘worth sixpence a pint’, and the author Anne Thackery described it as ‘an enchanting place with high downs and glorious views of the English Channel’. But what does Julia think? “The idea of living in a community of artists expressing their creativity in such a free way is so exciting and there is something about being on an island which lends itself to a freedom of expression. JMC had an unconventional upbringing in India and I’m sure this informed the creative freedom she showed when living in Freshwater. She was also known to have an intensely vibrant energy which I’m sure attracted like-minded people.”

Appointing Julia and her cousin as president and vice-president of Dimbola was a stroke of genius on Brian Hinton’s part — it not only reunites the family that was so important to JMC, but it also brings in fresh ideas and a new direction that will undoubtedly keep Dimbola Lodge at the forefront of the creative industry. “Family was very important to JMC and having two descendants involved seemed a no-brainer to our chairman when he asked me,” says Julia. “Julian is both a painter and art historian, and teaches at the Princes’ School of Drawing in Kensington. He is bringing a new scrutiny to how Dimbola operates and asking tough questions about how we wish to move forward in the long term.

“She is an incredible role model to women and surely one of the original feminists.”

Enjoy friendly help and guidance from our team of jewellery experts

Green Tourmaline and Diamond Necklace

Domed 4mm Titanium wedding ring engraved with handwriting and a personalised message. £280.00

Yellow Beryl One-of-a-kindEarringspairofnatural yellow

Beryl earrings crafted in Yellow Gold. Available online and from our showroom. Just one pair available crafted exclusively for our ready-towear collection. £1165.00

Blue Sapphire & Diamond Ring

Bespoke ring commission crafted in 950 Platinum. Set with a 2.71 carat blue Sapphire birthstone for September. Includes 0.60 carats of natural brilliant cut diamonds.

Limited edition necklace, available online and from our showroom. Each Moss Agate gemstone features a unique arrangement of plant-like inclusions. Handcrafted for the Serendipity Diamonds showroom. £250.

100% ethical, Canadamark diamond earrings set with 0.60 carats of Canadian diamonds traceable back to the original mine. F colour VS1 clarity. 18ct White Gold. £2800.00

Custom Engraved Wedding Ring

Kensignton 1 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring

New designs added weekly. Browse online or visit our showroom Browse designs online or visit our showroom Monday to Saturday www.serendipitydiamonds.com/uk chat online or call 01983 567 283

Diamond Stud Earrings

925 Silver Moss Agate Necklace

Features a 1.03-carat lab-grown diamond, graded F colour and SI1 clarity, set into a modern four claw ring design. 18ct White Gold. £2160.00

Individual, limited edition Tourmaline and diamond halo necklace. Set with 1.95-carat natural green Tourmaline, surrounded by diamonds. Just one available from our showroom and website. £2160.00

There are few greater ways to engage children in creative activities than through ‘process art’. By focusing on choice, discovery, and experimentation - as opposed to the final product - young artists are encouraged to be independent in making decisions, learn about the possibilities of materials, and develop critical thinking skills.

26 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Art

When using any new art material, it is vital to discover its limitations and possibilities by exploring pressure, speed, and form. Why not start with these classic mark making techniques:

Foraged materials including fallen leaves, feathers, and dried flowers/seed heads

Tape, twine, string, or ribbon

MaterialsPaintbrushesForaged

Mark Making

Paint or ink Paper

This process art activity celebrates foraged autumnal materials and the joy of mark making by constructing natural paintbrushes from twigs, feathers, leaves, and seed heads. With no predetermined outcome children are free to play with their new brushes, creating endless patterns and Throughouttextures.the creative adventure, children can be encouraged to make predictions about the marks that will be made by each foraged material, to experiment with pressure and speed, and conjure up innovative uses for the painterly patterns.

With Lauren Fry, Arts Educator

Foraged wooden sticks

The brown, oval spiky seed heads of the teasel are very important for birds, such as the goldfinch, which can often be seen landing on the old flower heads in autumn to ‘tease’ the seeds from them.

Did you know?

Using either watery paint or ink start experimenting with your brushes.

Step Two:

@studio_wren

Step Three:

Construct your very own set of natural paintbrushes by taping or tying the foraged materials to the sticks you have collected.

StepInstructionsOne:

Venture out into nature to forage for natural materials; this could be a local hedgerow, woodland, or riverbank. Collect items that you imagine will make interesting marks and patterns as well as fallen sticks that fit comfortably in your hand.

Find out more about Lauren’s illustration work at studiowren.co.uk or follow her on Instagram

Chloé Rosetta Bell

Photos by Maria Bell

28 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Feature

withConnectingClay

Meet the maker

29September and October 2022 Feature | STYLE

Photos by Maria Bell

Shells and the dried seaweed are ground into a powder by Chloé, using a mortar and pestle. But the process by which it is made into a glaze is secret!

In her studio in St Lawrence, Chloé Rosetta Bell is just about to start making a new collection, which will be shown at the New Craftsman in St Ives in August, using the residue left from the gin-making process of Tinkture Rose Gin.

“I did a BA in Contemporary Crafts at Plymouth and my Master’s at the Royal College of Art in London (graduating in 2019) and had an independent studio in Winchester for a year where I worked on my Oyster Shell Collection. Then, during the pandemic, I became a Photographer and Design Consultant for Flow Gallery in Notting Hill.”

30 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Feature

Chloé curated an exhibition for Island makers and Island foragers at Flow during the pandemic, which was digitally shown. Other Island makers featured were forager Alex Richards, who wrote recipes to accompany the exhibition, and woodworker Tom Fallick of Thorne and Anchor.

The first collection that Chloé worked

“It’s from Maddock Farm Organics, where they grow David Austin roses,” explains Chloé. “I visited them last year, and I’m using the residue to make the glaze – it has touches of soft pink.

“I spent my MA developing glazes from surplus materials in the food industry, such as oyster shells. I test and test and test, until I find something that will take the residue. It comes down to chemistry in the end.”

31September and October 2022

“I went to visit the Michelin-starred restaurant Sosban and The Old Butchers on Anglesey, and they wanted tableware that celebrated a local supplier. They suggested local sea salt makers, Halen Môn. I wanted to use something from their sea salt-making process to develop a glaze – I look at how I can connect people and how the project can evolve.

on after relocating to the Island was her Sea Salt collection.

“I love it because it’s unexpected, and every piece is unique. It’s very chaotic but wonderful at the same time. You open the kiln, and you don’t know what will come out. It means it’s incredibly food-safe because there are no additives. I had to make enough tableware for 12 tables at Sosban and the Old Butchers – an intimate restaurant serving local produce.

Shells and the dried seaweed are ground into a powder by Chloé, using a mortar and pestle. But the process by which it is made into a glaze is secret!

“You get a purple colour with touches of red,” says Chloé. “All pieces are fired multiple times with layers of glaze, giving each piece different finishes.”

“My projects have to be planned a year, or even two years, in advance,” explains Chloé. “My next collection

“David and Alison Lea Wilson run the Halen Môn Anglesey Sea Salt company – they started it in 1987. I had supper with the founders, who shared about the residue that’s left after washing their salt in a brine solution. It has chalk in it, and I thought I might be able to use that to make a glaze. It’s [the glaze produced] quite a textured surface –salt eats everything – but you are left with a matte pale blue glaze with dark blue and green marks from the metal oxides found in the salt residue. I don’t use any glaze additives – the metal oxides in the residue bring out the colours.

“The first glaze development I made for Sosban and The Old Butchers used mussel shells and seaweed.”

will use the residue left from the rose gin-making process. I’m making a mix of functional and sculptural pieces for this Chloéexhibition.”planstostart work on an ‘Island Collection’ in early 2023, working with well-known undercliff expert Robin McInnes. She has already been experimenting with lobster and crab shells from Ventnor Haven Fishery. Maria Bell, who took some of the featured photographs, has been photographing Chloé and her work since 2017. She will be capturing the Island collection.

“The idea is to use local producers and work with Robin to document the undercliff landscape,” explains Chloé. We can’t wait to see it.

chloerosettabell.com

Pieces from Chloé’s Halen Môn Sea Salt collection were being shown at the Flow until the end of June.

XV Stripes Bamboo & Cotton Throw £89

The first port of call is Wheatsheaf Lane in Yarmouth, home to Izzey Hung’s soft-furnishing brand, XV Stripes. Stepping inside her snug stone-built showroom, she’s quick to show us two of her favourite designs.

If you’re a fan of renovating, decorating or scatter cushion arranging, with a passion for high-quality homewares and all things interiors, then we’re sure that the 23rd of October is already firmly pencilled into your diary (if not, prepare to pencil!) as it’s the Isle of Wight’s very first Homes & Interiors Show.

“There are so many choices but I always recommend the ‘Vibrant Bamboo Throw’ with its dazzling blue colour. Not just a pretty face, it’s soft and luxurious to feel, extremely versatile, and stunning in any room. We sell out of them every time we get them in! Made from organic cotton and sustainable bamboo, it can be popped in the wash and come out like new every time. Also available in sunset yellow from September!”

kitchen bracing itself for the succession of interactive demonstrations scheduled for the big day.

So, pack that tape measure and invite your homewarehungry friends. Entry is free and it’s already shaping up to be an unmissable event this autumn.

In the meantime, to help those weeks whizz by between now and then, we’re calling in on some of our stylish friends and partners from across the Island to create this pre-show feature just for you. Meet the talented people behind these brands as they share an item or two from their collections. These are products they personally love, which mean something to them, or which help to tell their story as a business. Décor browsing commence!

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XV Stripes - Izzey Hung

“Next is our ‘Signature Oxford Cushion’ featuring imagery from around the Isle of Wight from lobster pots and anchors to rope floats and buoys. I love it for the layering of the design, which includes over 25 hand-drawn pieces of artwork. It was our first sell-out piece and as soon as it’s in stock it goes again. It’s made in the UK, using 100% sustainable cotton, and filled with a super soft duck feather insert.”

XV Stripes Signature Oxford Cushion £95

Personal Pieces, Loved By Us: A Homes & Interiors Special

For one day only, East Afton Farmhouse (one of the Island’s newest and most prestigious venues) will be transformed as the finest home furnishing and lifestyle companies move in to showcase their brands, offer expert advice, and provide more inspiration than you can shake a bolster cushion at. As the date edges nearer preparations are already well underway, with exhibitors polishing up their ornaments, crafters curating their collections, and the farmhouse

“I absolutely adore these. We’ve had animal lamps in the shop ever since we first opened. I think they’re really unusual but still go well in any home (I have a flamingo lamp in my own house). The monkey and hippo lamps are really good fun and popular buys with our This & That customers.”

Monkey

Maiden Curve Candle £40

Over to Maureen Warren at Seaview’s This & That, whose interiors ethos is to fill your home with things you love and things that make you smile. Famed for her artfully staged Pier Street window displays, this shop is not to be missed on any statement piece sourcing trip.

W Hurst & Son - Lucy Radford (Buyer)

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This & That - Maureen Warren (Owner) StonewareCreuset Mug

Next, we’re off to Newport’s Holyrood Street to speak to Lucy Radford, head buyer at W Hurst & Son. Serving the Island since 1859, the business is best known for its unbelievably comprehensive range of hardware — but with Lucy’s eye for standout kitchenalia, the homeware is certainly worth a look too.

£85

The Country Candle Company Fresh Cut Herbs Reed Diffuser £17.95 Lamp

“When I first set up the shop two and a half years ago, I wanted to stock these candles from day one. Someone had bought one for me a few years before as a present and I just loved it. As it burns down it changes the look of the candle completely; I’ve still got some at home now. They’re handmade in the UK and I’ve even been to meet the family and see where the candles are made.”

Lucy’s second choice takes an aromatic turn as she produces the ‘Fresh Cut Herbs’ reed diffuser from The Country Candle Co. Handmade in Farringdon, Hampshire, this fresh and welcoming scent is made by combining eight different botanicals including bergamot, basil, spearmint, and tarragon. She explains: “It’s a brand built on passion for home fragrance and we love that it’s made by hand in the UK as well.”

First up is this Le Creuset stoneware mug (which Lucy has a personal soft spot for), crafted using specialist clays and bright, beautiful glazes — all fired at the highest temperatures. She tells us: “It’s a quality brand, on-trend and great for gifting too. We’re also really proud to say that Le Creuset is exclusive to Hurst on the Isle of Wight.” So if you fancy browsing the full range, you know just the place to go.

“Jellycat was founded in London in 1999 and the previous owners of Shorelines subsequently placed their first order, paving the way for a strong and long-term trading relationship. We admire the superb quality of the fabric and manufacturing, the ethics of the company, and the innovative and imaginative designs. Wilbur is adorable with his cordy tummy and velvet-soft back and remains a firm favourite with customers. From the feedback we receive, we’re aware that these luxurious and quirky toys aren’t just for children’s bedrooms, but the fabulous fruits and vegetables are great additions to kitchens and the octopi (often draped over sofa arms) offer great comfort to both adults and children.”

Located in Cowes, a gateway to the Solent, many of our customers are passionate about sailing, the ocean, and sea life. To celebrate World Ocean Day, Chilly’s Water Bottles launched their ‘Sea Life’ edition with a view to raising awareness about plastic pollution in our oceans. We’ve been so impressed by our customers seeking alternatives to single-use plastic bottles and polystyrene cups and this turtle design has been our best-selling bottle for the last four years!”

Sparkling and sophisticated, Anton presents us with a trio of autumn-hued candlesticks, made (and signed) by British glass artist Paul Barcroft in the 1990s. He explains: “These candlesticks illustrate what handmade studio glass can be at its best: a showcase of elegance in design, good choice of materials, and high technical skills. Each piece is made in six different parts and creating a set of three means each candlestick has to match as closely as possible with its companions — a challenge in itself!”

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Chilly’s Sea Life Turtle 500ml Bottle

Amongst the characterful arts and crafts studios of Arreton Barns is the Isle of Wight Glass Museum — home to an unrivalled collection of Isle of Wight art glass (as well as items from the rest of the UK and the Continent too). Chatting to the director, Anton Doroszenko, we ask him which of the retail pieces he’s most passionate about and soon enough we’re whisked away to see a standout piece of contemporary British studio glass.

Shorelines of Cowes - Clairey Meadowcroft (Owner)

Jellycat Baby Wilbur Whale

Set of Paul Barcroft Studio Glass Candlestick Holders £300

Isle of Wight Glass Museum - Anton Doroszenko (Director)

For something more nautical we weigh anchor and set sail for Cowes, where a turquoise shopfront displaying coastal cards and seaside ceramics announces we’ve arrived at Shorelines. Inside, owner Clairey Meadowcroft shows us around, pointing out her favourite items, each with a bit of a backstory.

Lampshades

“This ceramic hanging by Island artist, Penny Rich, is simply titled ‘Bells’. Each element is fashioned from clay, skilfully modelled and fired before mounting to create a sculptural piece that rings of the ocean, of shells, and salty flotsam. Hung in any home it would instantly evoke a maritime theme.”

100% recycled cotton towels (with added tassels) take the second spot. Thinner than traditional towels, they take up less space and dry more quickly too — ideal for use as a bathroom or a beach towel. Richard explains: “Both these items are reflective of the Acacia Bay style of living, sourcing sustainable items from around the world that show off our relaxed and natural passion for home styling.”

Yarmouth Art Gallery - Anne Toms (Owner)

Meanwhile, in West Wight, we never need much of an excuse to slip in through the doors of Yarmouth Art Gallery, called in by the peaceful ambience and dramatic spotlights. Here you’ll find the work of a curated collection of local and British painters, sculptors, and ceramicists, brought together by Anne Toms (an artist herself) and offering the perfect opportunity to discover something that’s truly one-of-a-kind, whether it stands on a bookcase or hangs on a wall.

Acacia Bay - Richard & Lesley (Owners)

Rattan Pendant £52 - £225

Blue Towel with Tassels £19.50

Emily Stracey Standing Cat £65

First up, Lesley shows us the stunning range of handcrafted rattan lampshades, dotted across the showroom ceiling.

“These eco-friendly shades give a gorgeous natural finish. I love the organic design. A great fit for any interior style, especially minimalist schemes, and they’re also available in black.”Their

Shanklin High Street is the location for Acacia Bay, an ‘emporium of unexpected delights’, run by Richard McGee and Lesley Cornwall. Not only do they provide a unique assemblage of relaxed, natural, and pared-back items, but also offer handmade bespoke furniture, carved from driftwood by Richard himself.

35September and October 2022

Penny Rich Ceramics ‘Bells’ £295

Anne’s second choice comes complete with paws and a set of whiskers, she explains: “Individually made and each with its own fun appeal, I fell in love with these ceramic cats by Emily Stracey. These darling, naughty-looking creatures bring a smile to my face and look great in a group too. Emily lives and works just across the water from Yarmouth Gallery, in Bournemouth.”

Finally, we end our tour up at Acorn Barn on the outskirts of Newport. Meeting us at the door is Victoria Connor, co-owner of Long Lane Flooring, ready to show us some striking tiles from Wiltshire-based family firm Ca’ Pietra. “We have loads that I love but these two are genuinely (possibly) my favourite.”

Named ‘Cabana New Orleans’, this striking design from Ca’ Pietra supposedly pays homage to the decorative tiles found in traditional Caribbean buildings. Victoria says: “These eclectic, vividpatterned pink tiles make me feel so happy. They’re just so ‘extra’ that I can’t help but love them.” Great for bringing the sunshine inside or introducing a West Indian flavour to those bathrooms in need of a colour injection.

“Parisian Tri is definitely an all-time favourite. I love how the simple geometric design can create virtually infinite laying patterns meaning no two rooms will be alike.” Based on the encaustic cement tile designs typically found in the chic cafés of Paris, they’re strong, versatile, and come with a low-slip finish too.

Ca’ Pietra - Cabana New Orleans tiles £93.90/m2

Long Lane Flooring - Victoria Connor (Co-Owner)

Ca’ Pietra - Parisian Tri tiles £93.30/m2

36 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Home

WELCOMEBACK

After a short break our Diners Club is due to return with some exciting news for an Autumn and Winter events calendar.

for more information or an application pack please contact us on office@styleofwight.co.uk or visit www.styleofwight.co.uk MADE WITH LOVE ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT QUIRKY & FLAVOUREDDELICIOUSVODKAS&VODKALIQUEURS For more information visit www.tipsywight.com @tipsywight tipsywighttipsywight CYMYYCK Tipsy Wight Hampshire Fare advert 2017 148.5x210mm with bleed.pdf 1 11/12/2017 17:06 Protecting your home, so you can focus on what’s important Working with you to look after your individual fire and security needs. Solutions available with 24 hour monitoring, remote viewing and control through smartphones and tablets, with Police, Fire & Keyholder response. The Island Security Centre, Riverway, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5UX 01983 521621 info@lifeline-security.co.uk lifeline-security.co.uk CCTV Fire Alarms Access Control Intruder Alarms Fire Protection Keyholding

local firm Black Swan Events and Promotions - a company with over 25 years of experience in the industry - and whose team are best-in-class for delivering engaging exhibitions and providing high-quality hosting. We, Style of Wight, are working alongside the show as official media partners to ensure seamless coverage, strong visitor attendance and the attention of national brand buyers.

VIP TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Introducing the Isle of Wight’s very first Homes & Interiors Show - a unique event, hosting a curated collection of handpicked brands and quality exhibitors, set in the stunning, natural countryside of West Wight.

LUXURY GOODY BAGS FILLED WITH EXCLUSIVE SURPRISES LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE KITCHEN WORKSHOP

Hannah Wilson, Director of Black Swan Events & Promotions explains: “We are really excited to be launching the Island’s Homes & Interiors Show. We are looking forward to curating an interactive and vibrant atmosphere for visitors and exhibitors. Truly unique, this is set to be a great event for the homes and interiors sector.”

To book space in one of the kitchen workshops, purchase VIP tickets or for full event information visit www.blackswanevent.co.uk or www.styleofwight.co.uk

For exhibitor enquiries please email Hannah@blackswanevent.co.uk for an application pack or head online and follow the exhibitor link.

38 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Home

Once the gates open, entry is free - although VIP tickets are available (at £30 per person) offering fast-track entry and luxury goody bags filled with exclusive surprises from the event’s partners and sponsors. Food is also on offer, as is a bar - to wet your whistle after all that buying and browsing. Parking is ample and public transport links ensure easy access for locals and visitors alike. Leading the show is

On Sunday 23rd October, East Afton Farm House (one of the Island’s newest and most prestigious events venues) will be transformed - for one day only - as the finest homeware and lifestyle companies move in to showcase their brands. The focal point will be the lofty Events Barn - home to the prime staging sites - whilst live demonstrations take place in the kitchen workshop, outdoor exhibitors set up in the courtyard and a select few brands take over dedicated rooms inside East Afton Farm House itself. With expert advice on hand and more inspiration than you can shake a velvet cushion at, the Isle of Wight Homes & Interiors Show is shaping up to be the perfect place for imaginative ideas, finely crafted products, and on-trend style solutions.

Paul in 2016 and together they worked hard to create an honest agency with a hard working ethic and a strong sense of customer service within the local immediate community and now for some time encompassing all of the Isle of Wight. During the last 6 years they have moved to a larger more visible office in the quaint Old Town of Cowes, and expanded the ‘two man team’ when Lynda joined in 2018 and then Tracey joined early in 2022. The decision to rebrand and call themselves ‘McCarthy & Booker’ is a huge step for the team, but an exciting one and means that owners of homes in rural spots around the island can now enjoy the

“I grew up on this gorgeous Island from a young age and have many fond memories of swimming in the sea and exploring anywhere my bicycle would take me! After leaving school I spent time travelling in Australia and New Zealand, and worked in Oxford and London before returning to Cowes to get back into the world of estate agency, starting up my own agency in 2011. I recently moved to Freshwater Bay and love being part of a thriving Livingcommunity.onthe Island you can’t help but be drawn to activities that let you explore the beautiful countryside and coastline, and whether it’s running across Tennyson Down or taking the paddle board out from Compton beach, there’s always plenty to do here.”

Then first you need to find the ideal agency

super service and creative marketing strategies that the team are proud to offer.

“I’m the newest member of the McCarthy & Booker team. I moved to the Island a couple of months ago for a more peaceful and calmer way of life compared to where I lived in Sussex. I can totally empathise with the stresses and turmoils of moving home!! I have a background in front facing customer service and am determined to give 110% to ensure all the administration runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible.”

PAUL BOOKER

Want to find your ideal home?

“Having lived on the island all my life I can truly say what a beautiful place it is to live and raise my family. I joined the team in July 2018 as the office manager, and my role has certainly evolved in that time! My previous experience has been in marketing, administration, sales, home interiors and my passion for giving excellent customer service meant it was a smooth transition into the property market for me.

McCarthy & Booker, previously known as Waterside Isle of Wight, have grown as an estate agency over the last few years with both directors Georgie and Paul working hard to showcase beautiful and unique homes across the Island and finding the perfect buyers. This friendly and dynamic team reveal a little more about themselves...

Isle of Wight, PO31 7AJ, Tel. 01983 300 111

TRACEY MACFARLANE

Paul originally opened a small office in the high street under the Waterside banner in 2011 as an affiliate to Waterside Properties Ltd, which has proved time and time again to be a super niche product to offer to customers that want to sell their homes that are located right by the Georgiewater.joined

LYNDA BLENKINSOP

GEORGIE MCCARTHY

I really enjoy working at McCarthy & Booker and there is no better feeling than helping someone to find their perfect home.”

“I have lived on the Island for 20 years since moving over from Buckinghamshire with my family. I love the Island’s diverse beauty and history, and on down time will be walking in different spots around the Island with my 2 Jack Russell Terriers Ralph and Mickey. I cannot imagine living anywhere else and certainly have made the most of my time here!”

Post

39September and October 2022 Home | STYLE

McCarthy & Booker, The Old Office, High Street, Cowes,

The team from left to right are Tracy, Paul, Georgie and Lynda

YARMOUTH GALLERY Contemporary Art & Craftest.1997 Island & UK Artists www.yarmouthgallery.com Anne Toms - Resident Artist P A I N T I N G S P R I N T S C E R A M I C S G L A S S W O O D T E X T I L E S J E W E L L E R Y ﬁnd us in the high street - Foresters Hall & a great little card shop ARRETON BARNS CRAFT VILLAGE IOW PO30 3AA Tel. 01983 685578 Handmadewww.thomaspcochran.comJewelleryInspired by the Ocean …Made to be Worn Anywhere. Visit us in our Workshop and Studio to see how it is all made. Cast in Solid Sterling Silver from the mould of real shells. Collections for both Men and OpenWomen.7days a week.

I find the stretch of coastline towards Freshwater holds some kind of magic that makes it one of the best places to feel centred and relaxed. This was shot at the end of a group walk where everyone needed a few minutes to take it all in. @visual_yarn

of storytelling and how people and products interact with our landscapes. Recent campaigns include shooting for Visit Isle of Wight to promote the hugely popular walking festivals, which Leon says was a great way to show off the Island and its incredible scenery.

Leon Butler

41September and October 2022 Art | STYLE

www.behance.net/leonbutler1/ | Instagram:

Style spectrum

“I studied photography at school but put the camera away for many years until my snowboard career called for more creative input.”

Growing up on the Isle of Wight gave Leon a passion for being active and in the outdoors. This upbringing has led to a life of adventure and chasing snow around the world. Working now as a freelance copywriter and photographer, Leon enjoys the process

Above:

This is one of my favourite photos. The history of the Island is something we should celebrate and these three gentlemen are walking past the site of the 1970 Isle of Wight festival, the man on the left was there amongst the action when Jimi Hendrix took to the stage.

Above:

Right:

42 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Art

The island has an extensive array of maintained walks with a huge variety of surroundings. The boardwalks that wind through Newtown marshes are a fantastic place for some moody and muddy photos.

I like to incorporate local landmarks into my images. The autumnal weather for this shoot at Appuldurcombe House was perfect to portray the drama of the property. The grounds have such stunning features with bags of character.

Above & Left:

43September and October 2022 Art | STYLE

44 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Art

Above:

There’s no story behind this one, I just liked the gnarled tree with its autumnal colours against the blue sky.

Another group hike photo, this one around Bembridge takes in the old Windmill overlooking the countryside. The island has such amazing colours around September/October time. This walk was led by the amazing IOW Ramblers.

Right:

u3a Wight has been going in its present form for just three years. In that time two sisters – Carol Bradshaw and Sally Forster – have brought together nearly 200 Islanders under its umbrella with the support of a small committee. Nationally u3a is enjoying a surge of interest from people wanting to live life to the full. It celebrates its 40th anniversary this

45September and October 2022 Art | STYLE

you feel good and doing them with friends . . . like learning, exercising, teaching and laughing . . . and occasionally something left-field like moonlight swimming!”

Annual membership is just £20. Contact Carol on 07748 886246 or email chair@u3awight.uk. There is also a comprehensive website: www.u3awight.com

STAY ACTIVE AND BUSY WITH U3A

Carol, a former teacher, is chair of u3a wight and Sally, a former psychotherapist, is membership secretary and groups’ co-ordinator. However, it is the members themselves who generate the ever-increasing number of opportunities on offer – from playing mah-jong, visiting gardens and beach walks to improving Spanish, family history, slow running and eating out.

Changingmonth.patterns

“The idea of continued learning attracted me and the open invitation to have a go at something new,” she Sally,says.who lives at Yafford, offers support to those who organise groups and events. “The majority of our members would say that they were busy people before they joined us. However u3a is about choosing how you are busy, doing things that make

of living as you get older can create space to try something new or refresh something old. The u3a exists to provide opportunities to experiment, learn, have fun, and share skills with lively like-minded people.

Carol, a Cowes resident, will be standing down in October having served her three-year term as Chair.

Japan there is no word for ‘retirement’ – and Japanese people have the longest life expectancy in the world! Luckily, on the Island there is a group for people who want to stay productive and engaged in life once they have escaped the stresses and restrictions of full time work.

Swinging through a door behind the bar you’ll find the Lion’s compact kitchen, where Sean creates his top-notch dishes alongside chefs Shane, Matt, Kayleigh and — for the summer — apprentice Ellie. Here the team makes everything from scratch, including their

apple and onion sausage rolls (which Sean brands ‘an absolute stunner’), Parmesan doughnuts (which we might’ve mentioned before), and the pastry for their famous pies — which are in such high demand they have to make up to 300 a week to keep pace!

Today we’re in Freshwater, Church Place to be exact, outside the historic Red Lion pub and drawn towards it by the whispers of Parmesan doughnuts with whipped Marmite butter. Legend has it that there are over 600 pubs called the Red Lion up and down the UK, but this one is a little different — especially with Head Chef Sean Jeffers in the kitchen.

By James Rayner Phots by Julian Winslow

Suppliers are overwhelmingly local, with high-class ingredients including beef from Steyne Farm in Bembridge, scallops from P&W fisheries in Cowes, and goat’s cheese from Green Barn near Yarmouth. The pub also has its own kitchen garden where rhubarb,

Considering he’s only been here for twelve months, the changes to the food offering are immense (and incredibly exciting too). Menus have been completely revamped (changing

46 styleofwight .co.uk

under the trailing vines that hang above the door, we enter, discovering a bright and rustic interior, as well as one of the smoothest old flagstone floors known to man. Fresh from lunch service, chef Sean appears, offering a wide smile and a firm handshake.

with the seasons) and, in another development, specials are out — as the team prefers to focus on ensuring each item on the menu is worked upon with the utmost care and consideration, without the distraction of a specials board.

Ducking

47September and October 2022

Back inside we’re seated on a settle and ready to order. Part of the excitement of choosing here is that the menu doesn’t give much away. Opting for the ‘Blowtorched Mackerel / Beetroot / Apple / Cucumber / Yoghurt’ for instance, it’s only when the dish reaches the table that you see the cucumber is a jelly, the apple is chopped into sticks and also made into an apple and tapioca crisp that perches on top.

Asked about his cooking style, Sean explains, “I like to focus on the main ingredient, before adding different tastes and textures to create that wow factor without overcomplicating it. Now people are really starting to understand what we do here and the quality of what we offer. I’m really proud of the menu and it’s great to see diners come back again and again.”

artichokes, and cavolo nero grow, just yards from a decades-old plum tree that often provides fruit for dessert.

Skip to 2021 and Sean gets a call from Mark, owner of the Red Lion, offering him the opportunity to come and put his stamp on the food and turn the pub into

Before the Red Lion, Sean’s culinary career took him from an apprenticeship at Mojac’s in Cowes back in 2005, to stints aboard the Queen Mary (doing 22 trans-Atlantic crossings). More recently, he made a name for himself as Head Chef of Ventnor’s Ale & Oyster, earning it a spot in the Michelin Guide for four years running thanks to his skills at the stove. “I absolutely loved it there, that place was my baby but ultimately I needed to leave for a better work-life balance.”

Finally, before we get distracted by the cauliflower arancini, there’s one more thing to mention, and it’s a big one. Only days before our visit Sean had been in Oxford taking part in a cook-off for the Great British Pub Awards. One of just six finalists (out of 1,000 entries), he’s the only pub chef from the South represented, up against Michelin-starred and AA Rosette-awarded competitors, including chefs from The Unruly Pig in Suffolk and Oyster Shed in London. The wait is now on until 4th October when the winner is announced, but we have every faith that Sean might just clinch the title.

a foodie destination — something that seems to be happening quicker than anyone expected.

The Chapel STreet Roastery & artisan cafe, roastery & independant retail 85a St James St, Newport island roasted artisan coffee from the isle of Caffwww.islandroasted.co.ukwightthehomeofeIsolaTel:01983524800info@caffe-isola.co.uk

AUTUMNFLAVOURSMORETHANJUSTAPUBV•isitusthis Autumn• # s uppo r t y o urloc a l NEW SEASON MENUS VISIT OUR WEBSITES TO VIEW THE NEW SEASONAL DISHES USING LOCALLY SOURCED PRODUCE ~ We are now taking bookings for PRE-CHRISTMAS & CHRISTMAS DAY Please see the Christmas page on our websites for full details and special Christmas Party 2 for 1 offer! 01983 882823 theﬁshbourne.co.uk 01983 810616 theboathouseiow.co.uk Visit our websites www.innsofdistinction.co.uk Accommodation Reservations Book Now 01983 873572 

Imogen Forsyth ‘Riding Towards Freedom’

Local author Kieran Larwood

A special thanks to everyone who entered, and our Island Spon sors: Hillside, Robin McInnes, Quay Arts, Red Funnel, Rouse Ltd, McCarthy & Booker and Jules Marriner Books.

We were blown away by the quality of entries by young Island authors aged 7-16 into the Style of Wight Children’s Writing Competition – the Isle of Wight has some serious literary talent!

51September and October 2022 Art | STYLE

Isobel Baynham ‘Lila and the Secret Rain’

Alice Joubert ‘Griffinsea’

The winning young authors were: Isobel Baynham, age 7, from Ryde, for their story ‘Lila and the Secret Rain’ | Alice Joubert, age 10, from Shanklin, for their story ‘Griffinsea’ Tru Crossley-Brook, age 15, from Sandown, for their story ‘The Man Who Would Rule Nothing’ | Imogen Forsyth, age 12, from Gurnard, for their story ‘Riding Towards Freedom’

Style of Wight Raises Money for the I.W. Story Festival

Tru Crossley-Brook ‘The Man Who Would Rule Nothing’

After careful consideration by our judging panel – including award-winning local author Kieran Larwood – the winners listed below all received a £50 book voucher, a signed illustration of their story by Island author/illustrator Jules Marriner, and the publication of their story in Style of Wight Magazine. All remaining funds have been donated to the I.W. Story Festival.

Elspeth Giddens, one of the I.W. Story Festival’s organisers said: ”We are so grateful that Style of Wight supports the I.W. Story Festival. The whole point of the festival is to get children from the Island and beyond to listen to stories and — perhaps even more importantly — tell their own. The Style of Wight Children’s Writing Competition fits so well with the sessions we run at our annual festival in February half term, as well as the work we do in schools, and is a great way to encourage young writers. We loved the winning stories!”

HALE MANOR FARM, HALE COMMON, ARRETON, NEWPORT, PO30 3AR TEL: 01983 527530 | HARVEYBROWNS.CO.UK OPEN: 8AM - 6PM & 9AM - 4PM SUNDAYS AND BANK HOLIDAYS

Harvested on the Wight:

53September and October 2022 Food | STYLE

A Guide to the Island’s Autumnal Specialities

Whether it’s organic pak choi from Apse Heath or woodland-grown hazelnuts by the Medina, autumn means harvest time for more Islanders than you’d imagine. With that thought in mind, we’ve devoted this piece to the Isle of Wight’s harvesters, gatherers, and foragers, as well as exploring the autumnal flavours just waiting to be sampled. We also investigate sustainable eating this season and treat you to an exclusive recipe from The Hambrough’s Executive Chef. So come with us through the crunchy leaves and annoying seasonal showers to discover autumn on the Island as you’ve never tasted it before.

cider) extra fruit is always welcome. Grazed Knee accepts Islanders’ donations of excess garden apples (which they’ll swap for freshly pressed juice) until the end of October. Details of where to drop and when their community pressing days take place can be found on the Grazed Knee website.

STYLE | Food

A Pinch of the Salty Seas

In a cave underneath St. Boniface Down, surrounded by cool temperatures and crates of shining apples, wife and wife team Helen and Katherine wash, mill, and press the latest year’s fruits to make their next batch of Grazed Knee — an artisan Isle of Wight cider.

Cave-AgedPippinsNettlestonetoCider

locally harvested sea salt once again. “I’d just moved back to the Island from Somerset in 2015, looking for a new career,” Simon tells us “I couldn’t understand why no one on the Island harvested sea salt; and with a father who was in farming, maybe a new direction like this was in my blood after all.”

Anselma at St. Cecilia’s Abbey in Ryde).

Once harvested and pressed, the pair follow traditional cidermaking techniques, adding and taking away almost nothing, allowing the natural fruit to shine, before an 18-month stint in the caves to mature into cidery deliciousness. With the orchard still young (and to keep up with demand for their dry, sparkling, and mildly sweet varieties of

Eight years ago, the pair retired from corporate desk jobs to take up their shovels and start planting a new orchard with over 60 different varieties of apple — including many with a long local heritage. Species include the Nettlestone Pippin, the Sir John Thornycroft (developed in Bembridge by the gardener of a naval architect) and Little Pax (first grown from seed by Sister

Islanders have been extracting salt from seawater for centuries but the last remaining saltworks at Newtown closed in 1930, leaving an 85-year gap before Simon and best friend Lorne Gardner stepped in to revive

Wading into the mineral-rich waters of Wheelers Bay, Simon Davis undertakes harvesting of a different kind. With wellies on and a bucket in each hand, he’s here for the seawater which is taken to be evaporated by the sun’s rays over at Yafford, leaving behind organic, natural Isle of Wight sea salt.

grazedkneecider.co.uk

wightsalt.co.uk

From

Wight Salt now produces a range that includes pure salt crystals and citrus-infused seasoning sprays, all using finely filtered Ventnor sea water, naturally evaporated and additive free.

them collecting hazelnuts — at least the ones the red squirrels haven’t already scampered away with. Once picked by hand, they’re gently roasted and then steeped until reaching the perfect balance between sweetness and nuttiness. The result: an indulgent, amber-coloured vodka liqueur, ideal for sipping neat on an autumn evening or drizzling into a freshly made mug of rich hot chocolate.

10ml Crème de mûre

The Bramble Ingredients

Foraged, Shaken & Stirred

Food | STYLE

Method

Combine all ingredients together and shake with ice. Strain into a tumbler filled with crushed ice and garnish with foraged Isle of Wight blackberries and a wedge of lemon.

In the mid-eighties, a sip of French blackberry liqueur transported one Soho bar manager straight back to his blackberry-picking Isle of Wight childhood. Inspired, Dick Bradsell mixed the rich and fruity Crème de mûre with the gin and lemon

50ml Mermaid Pink Gin

25ml Lemon Juice

Known for their characteristically lop-sided bottles, flavours include crab apple, blackcurrant, medlar, and quince, whilst the pair also use Godshill cherries and damsons gathered from a forgotten (and highly secret) Victorian orchard, once belonging to a long-gone manor house. Venturing into the woods at this time of year, you’ll also find

juice already on hand at Fred’s Club to create a truly British (and now world-famous) cocktail — The Bramble. Recreate it yourself, using this recipe featuring the Isle of Wight Distillery’s Mermaid Pink Gin:

10ml Sugar Syrup

Clinging to the western banks of the River Medina lies Medham Farm, where blackthorn bushes abound with sloes and the pear trees hang heavy with fruit. Just as well really, as the owners, Ruth and Michael Green, have made a name for themselves gathering the natural ingredients from around their farm and steeping them in fine British vodka “for absolutely ages” — as the Tipsy Wight website proudly testifies.

Steeped For Absolutely Ages

tipsywight.com

Known for its medicinal properties (eucalyptus is both antioxidant and anti-bacterial), the drink was named after the London-born physician and chemist Dr. Arthur Hill Hassall, who founded Ventnor’s Royal National Hospital for Diseases of the Chest. A tuberculosis sufferer

In the deepest, lushest depths of Ventnor Botanic Gardens, after a trek along palm-fringed paths, you’ll find a plantation of tall and impressive Eucalyptus globulus trees, giving off their minty, citrus-tinged aroma. Native to Australia, they caught the attention of the garden’s botanist, a medicinal herbalist and the chef who decided to handpick the leaves, extract the flavours, and concoct their first bottle of Eucalyptus Cordial.

56 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Food

year meant pumpkins (better known to Italians as zucca)

Twice a week she would make pasta, including ravioli, tortelli, and cappelletti, each filled with something seasonal from the garden, which at this time of

Also available in a honey-infused version, Hill Hassall’s Eucalyptus Cordial can be mixed with gin, sparkling water, and a wedge

hillhassall.co.uk

of lime, or even blended into a mocktail with three parts cloudy apple juice to one part cordial, poured over ice and finished off with a mint leaf or two.

A speciality of the EmiliaRomagna region, it’s actually a family recipe: co-owner Anna Sacchini used to make this exact dish with her mother back home in a little village between Reggio Emilia and Parma (the city famous for its dry-cured ham).

Pumpkins, Cheese and Freshly Rolled Pasta

For autumnal flavours with an Italian edge, sit yourself down at Ristorante Michelangelo and ask for the “Ravioli di Zucca” made from freshly rolled pasta, filled with pumpkin, sheep’s cheese, and Amaretto, topped off with some melted butter, sage, and a generous dusting of Parmesan.

himself, the hospital treated thousands of patients until its demolition in 1969, making way for the botanic gardens which call the site home today.

“I used to have my own little portion of the table,” Anna reminisces, “my own little bit of pasta and I tried to help my mother making it. I enjoyed learning how to twist the dough and how to give it different shapes. Certainly, my parents encouraged my love of food as this was always a happy moment. Every member of the family would sit around the table preparing the food and then we’d all enjoy eating it together.” Revived and reinvented for the lucky people of Ryde, this ancestral dish is now a firm feature on the Michelangelo menu.

ExtractionsEucalyptus

Finally, (and most eye-opening of all) even amongst the seasonal and locally grown fruit

We’re at Living Larder, in a field, amongst the rows of leeks and pumpkins — and we’re on a bit of a mission. We want to dig deeper and unearth all the soil-sprinkled details about seasonal and sustainable food this autumn; and who better to ask than friendly owners Will and Aimee Steward? Their gently sloping organic farm at Apse Heath uses eco-friendly techniques, crops are watered from their own lake and the fields are fringed with wildflowers (including the frothy white fronds of Fat Hen, an edible member of the spinach family).

First things first, it’s autumn — a time many of us associate with glazed carrots, mashed parsnips, and roasted beetroot (which are all in season) but what else? Cue Aimee, chief organic veg box assembler: “There’s a misconception that seasonal is boring but each fruit or vegetable’s season only lasts a month or so before you’re onto something completely new, which is all part of the fun

Next, as we skirt the hedges of field number two, conversation turns to why seasonality matters. The obvious answer is food miles; if it’s in season it can be grown locally (rather than jetted in on fossil-fuel-powered planes) but it also means less intensive agriculture (no greenhouses, lighting, or heating) and the produce often tastes better too. Will confirms: “Parsnips and kale are much better after a frost, those temperature fluctuations make the plant contract and relax, tenderising it and breaking down the texture inside.”

and vegetables available, you can become even more eco by opting for those which are most sustainable for farmers and growers to produce. Examples from Living Larder include:

• Pak Choi - In the UK, it can grow outside during autumn without the need for a plastic polytunnel. As the days get shorter it doesn’t produce a flower head and instead puts its energy into making more tasty spinach-flavoured leaves instead.

Seasonal & Sustainable Eating This Autumn

when it comes to cooking.” So, expect a changing repertoire which can even include some unexpected surprises — from fennel to Swiss chard and Romanesque cauliflowers to autumn raspberries (which on the Island can keep producing fruit into early October).

• Pumpkins - The blue-skinned Crown Prince (which tastes like sweet potato) can grow as big as 5kg and can be stored for months before eating. Or there’s the Japanese origin Uchiki Kuri (with a smokey, chestnut flavour). Aimee uses it in curries and as the skin is so thin it can be left on (reducing food waste too).

• Jerusalem Artichoke - Low maintenance and perhaps the most planet-friendly food on the farm. Will explains: “They produce so much food per plant, perhaps more than anything else we grow here and they’re really healthy too. If everyone ate more Jerusalem Artichokes we’d be able to produce a lot more food from the same amount of space.”

• Chicory - Loved by chefs, it’s easy to grow, doesn’t require greenhouses or polytunnels, and makes a great winter salad.

Food | STYLE

So, if you’ve been avoiding some of the above with a ten-foot hoe perhaps it’s time to reconsider, because if we all ate more of these seasonal, locally grown specialities, we might just be able to help make the change that the planet truly needs.

Style of Wight Investigates:

Endive

On four warm serving plates place the endive tart and some of the purée. Carve the breasts from the pigeons and place around the plate with some of the walnuts. Dress with the pak choi leaves and drizzle around some of the endive cooking liquid mixed with the honeyed resting juices. Serve at once.

Warm Salad of Honey-Roasted Pigeon with local Jerusalem Artichokes, Caramelised Endive, Candied Walnuts and Wilted Pak Choi.

10 Jerusalem Artichokes | 100ml Double Cream | 50g Butter

By Chef Matt Thompson of the Hambrough Restaurant Ventnor

20 Walnut Halves | 100g Caster Sugar | 100g Water

As a former Roux Scholar and Michelin star winner, we knew if anyone was up to the challenge it was him — and he certainly didn’t disappoint… Serves 4

2 Heads Endive | 40g Brown Sugar

2 Small Heads Pak Choi | 5ml Vinaigrette

4 Pigeon Crowns | 1 tbsp Honey

Artichokes

120ml Fresh Orange Juice | ½ Pack Pre-Rolled Puff Pastry

Ingredients

Pak Choi

Season and brown the pigeon crowns in a hot pan until caramelised all over. Remove and glaze with the honey. Place in a 200°C oven for 6 minutes, remove and rest for 10 minutes.

Method

Pigeon

Cut each endive in half lengthways. In a hot frying pan brown the cut side in a little oil. Turn over and sprinkle in the brown sugar. Turn down the heat and allow to caramelise. Add the orange juice and bring to a simmer, cook the endive until tender and remove. Reduce the syrup to a light sauce consistency and

Since our discoveries, we challenged Matt Tomkinson, Executive Chef at The Hambrough, to devise for us an exclusive recipe, using the seasonal, sustainable yet underappreciated ingredients of pak choi, chicory (also known as endive) and Jerusalem Artichoke.

Separate the heads of pak choi and separate leaves. Stir fry in a very hot pan until wilted but still crunchy. Sprinkle with the vinaigrette and season.

To make the purée, peel and dice the artichokes. Sweat in the butter gently with a lid until tender. Add the cream and bring to the boil. Allow to cook for 5 minutes then blend to a smooth purée. Season.

Walnuts

58 styleofwight .co.uk

Placereserve.the cooled endive halves cut side up onto the pricked puff pastry base, place in a 180°C oven until cooked and golden brown. Remove and cut into 4 slices. Dissolve the sugar and water. Add the walnuts and boil, cook until 140°C. Drain and quickly deep-fry at 180°C until golden. Drain and season

By Hannah Wilson Pictures by Christian Warren

Expect nothing less than exceptional food and wine from Head Chef Tom Axford, who has recently gained AA Rosette status for Salty’s, which in our opinion is very well deserved. Inside the building, which was once a garage to The George Hotel, you’ll find a relaxing New England coastal vibe with their white leather benches and sea-blue panelling. Let’s not forget the upstairs balcony, which is a perfect spot to stand with a glass of wine and catch the evening sunset across the harbour. Awaiting on our table is a bespoke tasting menu with carefully selected wine pairings and a lovely glass water jug with refreshing mint lemon and cucumber (delicious!). Together with

60 styleofwight .co.uk

velvety-smooth summer squash velouté with toasted pumpkin seeds and a parmesan foam. With a pairing of ‘The Accomplice’ Chardonnay, citrusy and slightly oaky, we were ready to experience the marvellous zucchini fritters with ricotta and a heritage tomato garnish. To follow was a superb monkfish dish with a chilli, garlic, and soy bouillabaisse (perfect for those who like a kick to their sauces) served

Come for the food – stay for the music!

With a Live Music Lounge and exquisite fresh seafood - we give you… Salty’s Restaurant

a warm, attentive greeting from the restaurant manager and the small details that noticeably categorise a restaurant as higher standard, we knew we were in for a treat. Here are the dishes we enjoyed on our Thursday evening at Yarmouth’s hotspot…

To start we made the most of sensational seafood and tried the Porthilly rock oysters with Pernod, tarragon and pickled shallot; in true oyster style these went straight down the hatch! Next up were the grilled mussels teamed with the bold flavour of chorizo, gremolata, and fennel, perfectly paired with a glass of Blockhead — a South African Chenin Blanc with citrus fruit notes that really brought out the flavour of the mussels. The Chef’s Focaccia was next to arrive. These delicious golden squares are a must-try, a creative take on the classic Italian bread. To follow, the chef delivered an incredibly flavoursome,

A lively harbour, cobbled streets, beautiful architecture, freshly caught fish. Yes, we’re in Yarmouth, Salty’s to be precise, and we’re feeling very excited to have a reservation in their upstairs restaurant…

with pickled sesame seaweed. This dish was once again expertly paired by the restaurant’s sommelier with a glass of ‘Cool Mountain’ Sauvignon — the tropical notes were a great accompaniment for the spicy bouillabaisse. With desserts on our minds, we were delighted to receive another fabulous treat for the tastebuds in the form of a caramel ‘mudslide’ pre-dessert topped with a chocolate crumb. This heavenly shot contained vodka and Kahlua, which definitely got us warmed up for some post-dinner live music. Before heading over to the music lounge, last on our list was a sweet, nutty, and everso-refreshing raspberry parfait with crunchy honeycomb and pistachio.

Feature | STYLE

With the talented acoustic duo ‘Mostly Jones’ in full performance mode we were ready to move to the music lounge and experience one of Salty’s carefully auditioned local, live artists to finish our evening. You don’t need to have a meal to participate in the live music lounge, but reserving a table is essential (we can’t wait to get back there ourselves).

To try the Salty’s experience for yourself bookings can be made online at www.saltysrestaurant.co.uk or by calling 01983 761550

(For full details on menus and the line-up for the live music lounge please visit their website).

www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk | PO36 0NR | 01983 865378 The complete garlic experience! 7 DAYS A WEEK 9AM-5PM RESTAURANT, FARM SHOP, ALLIUM CAFÉ, FARM WALKS, TOURS & FREE TAST ING S Th e Gar lic Far m, Mer sley Lan e, N ewch urch , ADMISSIONFREE

Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6. Trim the fennel bulbs and cut the fennel into wedges. Fill a large saucepan with water and bring to the boil and salt well, blanch the fennel wedges for 10 minutes and then drain – reserve 100ml of the cooking water.

50g parmesan, grated fennel fronds, chopped

Method

Peel and core the apples and slice thinly. Put the apples in an ovenproof dish, along with the blanched fennel, vermouth, the reserved cooking liquid and double cream. Season well. Cover with foil and place in the pre-heated oven. Meanwhile, combine the topping ingredients.

Salt and black pepper

50g breadcrumbs

Florence Fennel is best sown after midsummer’s day as the shortening daylight hours ensure a good-sized bulb without the plant going to seed. This late sowing means that the autumn months are the perfect time to eat it.

roasting and the rest for gravy. When buying fennel, look for bulbs that have all of their leaves or ‘fronds’ attached and where the body of the plant or ‘bulb’ is tight and firm.

63September and October 2022

FENNEL GRATIN

2 tbsp olive oil

By Will Steward, Living Larder

2 eating apples

100ml sweet white vermouth, or other sweet white wine

100ml double cream

Zest from half a lemon

After 45 minutes, take the dish from the oven and remove the foil. Top with the breadcrumbs, place back in the oven and bake uncovered for another 20 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Leave to rest for 10 minutes, then serve – delicious with slow roasted pork belly and crackling.

Living Larder is a family-owned, Soil Association certified Organic farm. livinglarder.co.uk | Instagram: @livinglarder

For the topping

4 fennel bulbs – keep the fronds for the topping

Ingredients

1½ tbsp fennel seeds, toasted and crushed in a mortar

Although the aroma is often strong its flavour is much milder in comparison. We often slice thinly and lightly pickle for a great alternative salad or use generously with roast chicken where all of the plant can be used – the bulbs for

Florence Fennel

He’s also passionate about local produce - whether it’s freshly snipped herbs from the hotel garden or locally grown organic chard - which is why we’re here now, to see what local ingredients are capable of in the hands of Matt Egan.

Chutney, Chillies and Charred TomatoesIn the Kitchen with Matt Egan Head Chef at The Royal, Ventnor

Matt has used this piquant charred Isle of Wight tomato and scotch bonnet chutney to compliment his new season dish creation of Seabass Supreme with wasabi aioli, pickled chilli, pak choi and black sesame.

Since a T.V. appearance cooking Gallybagger soufflés for Ainsley Harriott, the Royal Hotel’s Head Chef Matt Egan has started to become a well-known name in local culinary circles. Not long in the role, he’s already impressed the AA inspectors, retained the hotel’s two rosettes and wowed diners with his playful style of cooking, described in his own words as ‘modern with some unexpected twists’.

8. Once this is cooked out and thick you want to pulse (not blend) in your mixer, do this until you get a desired consistency.

pan

flavour and a meaty structure (hence the name). Unusually, this variety can be grown at Arreton for 12 months of the year, even in the depths of winter when you won’t find it growing commercially anywhere else in the entire UK! What’s more, this unassuming variety is perfect for standing up to bold flavours - ideal for what our talented chef has in mind.

7. Add in your vinegar to taste (some like it sharper than others), season with your salt and pepper and add your black onion seeds, again the amount is a personal preference.

6. Once incorporated add your tomatoes and chilli and let it cook out. The tomatoes will release moisture but keep reducing the contents of the pan on a medium heat for 15 - 20 minutes until thick, remembering to stir frequently.

black.

and let it incorporate.

1.Method

The results, as expected, are divine and thankfully for us, Matt shares his exclusive recipe for the sweet and tangy tomato chutney, which, as he suggests, is ideal for spreading on sourdough toast or pairing with your favourite cheese. So light up those blowtorches and try it for yourself.

Ingredients 5 large IOW Beef tomatoes (darker colours are better) 1 scotch bonnet 1 red 200mlonionCabernet Sauvignon vinegar (or a good quality red wine vinegar) 100g Muscovado sugar (dark) Black onion seeds 50g Salted Butter Sea Salt + Pepper Equipment Required Kitchen Blowtorchblender Charred

2. Separately dice your tomatoes into 2 - 3cm chunks and put them in

leave with your torched tomatoes.

naturally

your red onions add the butter and

5. In the with sugar on a medium heat,

Start by dicing the red onion and then lightly sauté it until soft and set aside in the pan.

As the Tomato Stall staff explain, it’s one of their larger and juicier varieties, with spectaculara

your

the oven at 50 degrees to lightly dry for 20 minutes.

bonnet and

To book your dining experience, please call The Royal on 01983 852186 Isle of Wight Tomato and Scotch Bonnet Chutney

4. Then deseed scotch char with your blowtorch (the heat will soften the chilli) and

With a spark of inspiration and an idea for a new dish, we followed Matt as he headed 6 miles north to the Tomato Stall in the Arreton Valley, one of the Royal’s regular suppliers. Whilst their vine-filled greenhouses produce everything from shiny, red Piccolo tomatoes, to pointy San Arrentinos and dark, sweet Kumatos, Matt is here to learn more about one variety in particular - the Beef tomato.

‘It was such an enjoyable visit’, Matt explains, ‘to see how much passion goes into producing these tomatoes from the beginning to the end. It was also great to see the role every member of staff had to play and how they work together to supply the whole UK with these wonderful locally grown products’.

a blowtorch

Back at the Royal, freshly picked Beef tomatoes in hand and apron on, Matt gets to work. To make the most of this standout Isle of Wight ingredient, he pairs it with locally caught fish and his inventive culinary style to create a seabass supreme, with wasabi aioli, charred Isle of Wight tomato and scotch bonnet chutney, served with pickled chilli, pak choi and a sprinkle of black sesame.

3. Next, take the and char them with until

9. Store in a container and cool, you should have a nice consistent chutney.

tomatoes out

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Restore: This is also the perfect time to treat yourself and your skin to a restorative facial. ESPA’s Glow from Within Facial is an invigorating nutrient-rich treatment embracing ESPA’s holistic approach to restoring radiance, feeding your skin and your mood so your face glows with vitality. Dull, lethargic complexions are brightened and refreshed with the power of a sweeping GuaSha massage which stimulates the lymphatic and circulatory systems, helping boost the flow of blood and nutrients to the skin. Concentrating on your scalp, face, neck and décolleté and combining steaming,

As the temperature starts to slowly fall and the autumn creeps in, we start reaching into our cupboards to hunt out our jeans and jumpers. Don’t forget that your skin is calling out for a change as well. After a long summer your skin will be more dehydrated and in need of some pampering. The autumn is the perfect time to help your skin repair and restore ready for the winter. Let us look at some of the most important changes to make to your routine to embrace the autumn season.

Nourish to Flourish: We are all aware that what we eat affects our health. Having a balanced diet will reflect in our skin. For example, oily fish, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids that help keep skin hydrated and fight ageing. Oranges, capsicum, and blackcurrants are a source of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, that help protect skin from the effects of UV rays. Avocado, sunflower seeds, and peanuts contain vitamin E, another antioxidant, that helps produce sebum in the skin. Dark leafy greens and dark chocolate help to stimulate collagen, a protein that gives skin structure and helps retain plumpness and elasticity. Make the most of the autumn evenings to make changes in your routine that will help you repair and restore.

Hydrate: Even though the temperature has dropped, it is still important to drink more water to stay hydrated.

Exfoliate: Cell turnover slows as the weather cools, so keep your skin looking fresh by helping it out with exfoliation. The gentlest way to exfoliate is with ESPA’s Optimal ProCleanser. This 3-in-1 Cleanser, Exfoliator, and Mask are perfect for optimal luminosity and vitality.

By Caroline Hurley WELLBEING PRACTITIONER OF BECALMED IN COWES

Repair and Restore

exfoliation, and multi-masking to maximise results, the body, mind, and skin feel renewed while your face has a lit-from-within luminosity.

Repair: Skin damaged by summer sun needs extra moisture and time to repair. Help it along with skin care products that contain healing essential oils. ESPA’s Hydrating Mask contains lavender and other essential oils which not only will help hydrate your skin, but by wearing it overnight, can help to improve sleep.

67September and October 2022

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our confidence as we age. Treating those areas that we feel most self-conscious about improves our sense of wellbeing.

Our homes are our safe places, our sanctuary to recharge and take a break from the stresses of everyday life. Some would consider that our primary and first-ever home is our body. It accommodates us through life, allows us to move and experience everything we see and do. But are we always looking after our primary home and feeling good in our own skin?

changes that make us feel good without changing who we really are.

By Doctor Hayley Elsmore THE COURTYARD AESTHETIC CLINIC

At The Courtyard Aesthetic Clinic, our aim is always to give natural, subtle results that can boost confidence and get you looking the best version of yourself. In our opinion, aesthetics is not about vanity. Have you ever heard anyone question why they get their hair done professionally or why people buy nice clothes? We do those things to make ourselves feel good, so aesthetics should not be seen any differently. It is simply an extension of looking after ourselves and boosting

69September and October 2022

Attitudes towards aesthetic treatments are thankfully changing and we should be able to say goodbye to any stigma associated with the trout pouts of the past. The increasing diversity in patients is reflected in people of all ages, both male and female, coming to our clinic looking for options to get their confidence back. Be the best version of yourself and feel great and at home in your own skin.

eeling confident and comfortable in your own skin may seem impossible to a lot of us. If there is one downfall for most of humankind, it is that we are often our own worst enemies and quick to point out our flaws. The phrase ‘feeling at home in your own skin’ resonates to the peace and comfort that can be found when feeling content and confident in yourself. The concept of our body being our first home means we should be taking the time to look after ourselves and make harmonious

Feel at home in your own skin

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With the help and expertise of many locally based building, decorating, and maintenance firms, the last few months have been spent redecorating and refreshing the building, within the Grade listing rules, to bring its heritage to life.

It’s no surprise that Lugley House also has a history that is something of a rollcall of significant Island names. Originally completed in the late 1700s by a Thomas Dickonson of Newport, on his death the family home passed to his son-in-law, John Delgarno.

OUR THROUGHHOUSETIME

We would also like to thank:

We would like to thank:

73September and October 2022 Business | STYLE

Later, in 1983, financial firm, Medens, bought the house and subsequently let part of it to Medina Borough Council (which ultimately became the Isle of Wight Council). Sovereign Housing Association was the last occupant, leaving Lugley House in March 2020 when the country went into lockdown. The rest will be our history.

John Delgarno held various positions in public life: captain of the Island militia (in 1798), county magistrate, mayor of Newport, and captain of Yarmouth Castle. He also entered the House of Commons as MP for Newport.

Sovereign Housing Association and, more significantly, some may also know its connection with Island solicitors, Roach Pittis.

By teamRouseLTDROUSE

Geoff Dutch – Project Manager and General Building Works, Neil Guile – Painting and Decorating, Danny and Chloe Seager of Daniel Seager Decorating – Painting and Decorating, Dave Pike – Painting and Decorating, Dean Ball of Dean Ball Electrical – Electrical Works, Andy Harvey of Daren Phillips Ltd – Plumbing Works, Dave Barnett of IT-Support – IT Requirements, Graeme M-Petty of GTek – Networking Requirements, Justin Steele of Datatel Networks – Telecommunications, Mark Lee of Lifeline – Intruder and Fire Alarm Systems, Martin Dyer of Carpets Direct – Flooring and Window Blinds, David Sparkes of Solent Beds and Furniture – Office Furniture, Jon James – Property Clearance, Mick Butler – Property Clearance, Kev Foss of Cheap Skips – Property Clearance, Joe Van-Engel of JVE Contract Cleaning – Cleaning, Jim Edmondson – Gardening

During WW2, Lugley House was leased to the Ministry of Agriculture and at some point after, the house was sold to the Christian Science organisation, who it’s believed might have added the main rear extension and the curious round section with the wavy tiled roof –possibly for use as a projection room. Part of the house has also been used as a doctor’s surgery (in the 1930s/40s) and, at a different time, as the offices of solicitors Lamport, Bassitt and Hiscock.

But for such a significant building, Lugley House has not yet revealed its full life story and we are trying to piece together a coherent course of at least some of its journey through time.

ManyIslandasLugleyrecognisewillHousetherecenthomeof

We know that it had many occupants and was used by a variety of business sectors, as well as providing a family home, Castletunnelabound,mythssimultaneously.sometimesOfcourse,andlegendsalsosuchasasmugglers’fromthehousetotheInn,andevenaresident, organ-playing ghost!

What is now Lugley Street car park was once the glorious and established garden that extended along the back and sides of the house. It contained stables and yard, an extensive vegetable garden, an orchard and even an ice house! The ice house is connected to the main house through a tunnel and steps in the basement.

The Archives and Records Office, Newport, Tony Gale (ret’d solicitor, Roach Pittis), and Helen Bailey (Baileycs Ltd) for their help in researching the history of the house.

Rouse Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

“Celebrating glass design and craftsmanship” Arreton Barns Main Road, Arreton Isle of Wight PO30 3AA 01983 716270 www.isleofwightglassmuseum.org.uk

www.tryHURSTfirst.co.uk

by Rebecca Lawson

ARRETONDESTINATION

in the heart of the island, Arreton is home to a stretch of land that encompasses farms, nature reserves, bike paths, shops, and eateries. The main hub of the area is Arreton Barns. Located at the top of the main road just as it begins to dip into the village proper, this quirky collection of shops and museums is a ‘must explore’ in the area.

With a green and gold patchwork of fields gently rolling into the distance and a small village snuggled between them, Arreton is the very definition of a rural idyll. Boasting a captivating backstory filled with history’s superstars; a fascinating church with literary connections; a plethora of delicious locally grown food and a shipwreck museum, this is a village that has plenty to offer visitors of any age and ilk.

Stylish garments for all ages are found at The Corn Exchange.

Nestled

THE HEART OF THE ISLAND

Arreton’s patchwork fields turn golden in autumn as the harvest comes in

On arriving, visitors are greeted by Thomas Cochran’s artisan jewellery store, elegantly showcasing a collection of stunning pieces inspired predominantly by the ocean and made right in the store. On your visit to the shop, you’ll discover burnished silver urchins, sea stars, cowries, and clams draping luxuriously over natural driftwood and beach stones — the collection simply begs to adorn sun-kissed wrists, throats, and ears. Created from moulds taken directly from shells and other sea treasures, each piece is an exact detailed replica of the original item, many of which have been collected on the sands of such exotic destinations as Mauritius, Mozambique, and Cuba.

76 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Feature

into Arreton Barns and you’ll come across the Corn Exchange. Perfect for a leisurely browse, the shop features unique homeware and fashion including embroidered linen nightgowns straight out of a Jane

Explore the ancient carp pond... ...and feed some of its residents

Follow the shaded pond-side path and you’ll discover one of Arreton’s most enduring stories.

When you’ve finished marvelling at the museum’s treasures, follow the shaded pond-side path and you’ll discover one of Arreton’s most enduring stories. Quietly nestled on its gentle mound, St George’s Church has sat, dignified and

77September and October 2022 Feature | STYLE

Continue your wander and you’ll discover tarot cards, craft supplies, jaw-breaking sweets, and hand-made children’s wear. Look closely and you may even spy Isle of Wight ghosts for sale along with their tragic stories.

The designs aren’t limited to the sea, however, and not all inspiration has come from abroad. The stunning English countryside around Arreton and the Island’s sweeping coastline both play a starring role — bumble bees, acorns, limpet shells, and mussels all act as muses. Any visitor knows, however, that this is not surprising — who could fail to be inspired by the Island’s natural Movewonderland?further

At lunchtime, there’s the Dairyman’s Daughter pub for a quick bite and a drop of locally brewed ale, or rest awhile with an ice cream next to the ancient carp pond, which is tickled by weeping willows and ringed with huge gunnera plants — fish and duck food is sold in the nearby Maritime Museum and Shipwreck Centre if you’d like to feed the locals.

Austen novel and flowing scarves to brighten any outfit. Gentlemen browsers are not forgotten — they’ll be kept busy choosing between butter-soft leather wallets, vibrant ties,

rich maritime heritage of the Island. The collection is one of the largest of its kind in England and includes displays from the Middle Ages right up to the submarines of World War II. There is even a section on the submerged prehistoric settlements found around the Island — the most notable features 8000-year-old artefacts excavated from a Mesolithic settlement on the Bouldnor Cliff near Yarmouth.

Sartorial splendour for discerning gents... ..and striking scarves for a spot of colour

and trilby hats in a variety of colours suitable for any season.

While you’re there, spend some time exploring the museum, where you’ll find comprehensive displays on the

immovable, since before the Norman conquest. Eagle-eyed visitors will spy the grave of Elizabeth Wallbridge, the local dairyman’s daughter, whom the pub is named for. The 19th-century story of how she found religion and turned her back on a wayward life was written by the reverend of neighbouring Brading Parish, Legh Richmond. His work, titled the Annals of the Poor, became something of a best seller in his lifetime. So popular was his writing that Queen Victoria herself is recorded as visiting St George’s and sitting for a while at Wallbridge’s gravesite.

monuments strewn around the area.

Exquisite glassware at the Glass Museum...

...including The Walking Lady

Head a little further afield along the Downs Road (which borders Arreton to the north), turn down the steep, dusty lane poetically named Lime Kiln Shute, and you’ll come to one of the superstars of local produce on the island, the Garlic Farm. Wildflowers burst into vibrant colour around the property when the weather warms

After a peaceful visit to the church, return to Arreton Barns through the rusted metal gate and turn right at the end of the shaded path. Here you will

78 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Feature

The real draw of Arreton Downs, however, is its cast of vivid butterflies. Chalk hill blues flood the area with pastel hues in the summer months, when you can also spot a healthy assortment of adonis blues, brown arguses and the odd painted lady here and there.

spy the Isle of Wight Glass Museum. With an open studio where visitors can watch the artists at work, the museum showcases an extraordinary range of glassworks from tiny animals to huge urns. Colours abound throughout the displays — from deep crimsons to ocean blues and citrus yellow.

Find garlic in all its guises on the menu at the Garlic Farm...

St George’s Church dates from before the Norman conquest

Don’t miss the refined Walking Lady in citrine glass, who casually glances over her shoulder as the folds of her dress hug her waist. This elegant Art Deco figurine is not only breathtaking to look at, but the piece’s history makes it incredibly rare. The Walking Lady was created in Bohemia in the workshop of ninth-generation glassmaker, Josef Riedel, at the start of World War II (1939). During this period, the world-renowned Czechoslovakian glass industry ground to a halt, with many artists killed or imprisoned. This makes the pristine survival of the piece nothing short of a Feelmiracle.like a walk after marvelling at all those stunning displays? Then head up to Arreton Downs Nature Reserve. Run by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the reserve is beautiful all year round. Take your bird-spotting book and look out for goldfinches, buzzards, kestrels, and barn owls among many others. You’ll also find ancient burial mounds and old

up and a menagerie of squirrels, peacocks, and other wildlife can regularly be seen roaming the grounds. Tours of the property can be taken on foot or in guided trailer rides, which are a big favourite with kids both young and old. This is a great way to introduce children to the importance of fresh, locally sourced food as they spy the garlic growing in the fields between the months of January and June, and learn how it is harvested and turned into delicious dishes for lucky diners to Withsavour.allthat garlicky goodness around, it is no surprise that one of the biggest draws at the Garlic Farm is its restaurant. Whether you fancy coffee and cake or a full meal, you will not

...creates beautiful sea-inspired jewellery.

And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take my dusty old copy of Annals of the Poor and a fresh-brewed cappuccino down to one of those outdoor tables where I can soak up that halcyon view of the heart of the Island.

Travel further along the A road and, close to the lush banks of the River Yar, you will find Arreton’s newest food celebrity, Harvey Brown’s. Formerly Farmer Jack’s and located in Arreton Barns, the venue is owned and managed by the Brown family, who are Arreton farming royalty. The new venue is certainly run on a wealth of local knowledge — they’ve been growing asparagus, strawberries, root vegetables and more here for four generations.

Prime butchery and family pride at Harvey Brown’s... ...where they’ll even do the cooking for you!

be disappointed. The menu changes seasonally, but if you get a chance to try the pulled salt beef, don’t let it pass you by — the cattle are reared in the open pastures around the farm.

79September and October 2022 Feature | STYLE

Intricate artisan silverwork...

with locally sourced produce. You can eat your meal in the rustically upmarket interior, or choose a table nestled next to the property’s willowframed lake.

...and learn how it is grown.

Garlic isn’t the only crop grown and celebrated locally. Arreton is also home to the Tomato Stall, producing unusual varieties of this versatile fruit including chocolate marmonde, green tiger, and yellow cherry.

The property boasts a stunning purpose-built larch-clad building located on Hale Manor Farm, with a food hall, deli, and butchery where you’ll find all you need for a delicious home-cooked meal. If you’d rather someone make your lunch for you, there’s always the café. Its delicious menu offers a range of constantly changing distinctive dishes packed

info@vivusinteriors co uk www.vivusinteriors.co.uk 01983 240046 / 07596464708 xvstripes www.xvstripes.com BEDDING - CUSHIONS - THROWS - INTERIORS - WALLPAPER – FABRICS – GIFTS Visit us online or 1 Wheatsheaf Lane, Yarmouth, IOW Inspired by life on and off the water xv advert 24_8.indd 1 24/08/2022 11:57

For a well-balanced interior you need to have negative space — even if you’re a maximalist! The aim is to create harmony between the objects you are grouping. Sometimes this can mean paring things back a little and allowing the focal point to shine.

5. Contrast

Styling your space

– using things you already own

81September and October 2022 Home | STYLE

If you’ve styled your space but you still feel something is lacking, add an unexpected item. The juxtaposition between old and new, contemporary and rustic, dark and light can be the route to a beautifully styled space.

Styling isn’t about spending lots of money on new items or lots of time. Take a look around — you can create authentic, meaningful displays, using what you already have at home.

1. Focal point. What is it you want to highlight in a space? Where do you want to draw the eye? Let this guide you. If you’re not sure what your focal point is, take a few quick pictures on your phone and notice where your eye is drawn; can you enhance this area, or do you need to add balance?

2. Balance

3. Proportion

4. Movement

Studio Jute is an Isle of Wight based Interior Design practice specialising in creating timeless interiors. Their holistic approach covers concept to completion, with designs that support the client’s lifestyle and have a positive impact on wellbeing. www.studiojute.co.uk | @studio_jute

It’s easy to overlook the proportions when styling, choosing our favourite things to display, but forgetting they must be in proportion with each other and the room. Too many small items can feel cluttered; add a larger item to ground the display.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

We want our spaces to feel alive; to do so add movement. Softly crumpled linen suggests a place is lived in; plants are great for casting subtle shadows, and mixing up finishes keeps things interesting.

6A Cross St Shanklin

email: info@osborne-chiro.com or call: 01983 514 996 For Specialistappointmentstreatment for spinal, joint, muscle and nerve conditions by an experienced chiropractor. ChiropracticOsborne 01983www.osborne-chiro.com514996-Back & neck pain - Sciatica - Arthritic pain - Hip, knee & shoulder problems - Headaches

If houseplants are more your thing, then pick up a zinc or ceramic bowl and plant succulents as a trio, or even a beautiful orchid — both of these are incredibly versatile and go well with minimalist look interiors too. Easy to care for, they suit a busy lifestyle as they can even cope with being forgotten about for a week or two.

Sharpen up those secateurs and dust off those vases as we dive in amongst the buds and blooms at Bembridge Flower Shop. For this, our first floristry themed column, owner and flower aficionado Ellie Tuffrey shares some insider insights, explaining how to make flowers a key component of our homes and interiors.

Visitingtastes.theshop

comfort, plus they’re the first thing you’ll see in the morning and the last thing at night.

it’s hard to miss our large vases, these are great for hallways and, as we all know, statement pieces really get the conversation flowing when guests pop round to visit. If you’re new to flower arranging, try a vase with a smaller neck which helps support the stems and then show your tall, larger blooms in the centre with smaller buds around the edges.

83 Feature | STYLE

There really are so many ways you can use flowers around the home, and if you need a little helping hand, or fancy a special bespoke arrangement made by our team of qualified florists, then come in and say hello. We create beautifully natural garden-inspired arrangements that sing of the seasons, using the abundance of plants, flowers, and foliage that fill our little Bembridge shop. So whatever you have in mind, you’re in safe hands with us.

Lastly, remember those jam jars you’ve been putting out for recycling every week? Keep a couple back; they’re great for small hand-tied posies. Select your flowers, trim them, and tie them together with a piece of string. Then pop the jar on your bedside table — they add an instant sense of warmth and

utting flowers out around the home can not only improve its image and be a reflection of your personality but can also add a more vibrant and homely feeling too — though they often tend to be relegated to small vases on the sidelines! At our boutique, familyrun flower shop in Bembridge, we offer a wide variety of products and accessories that fit into your lifestyle, whoever you are and whatever your

it a go with a watertight container filled with sustainable moss as your starting point — or chicken wire offers a good reusable option too. Then start greening your arrangement; try some foliage from the garden first before adding in some vibrant floral stems. By the way, don’t be afraid to have your stems slightly longer. Show off your blooms; we love a wild and natural look!

With Ellie of Bembridge Flower Shop

Something else I’m a big fan of is floral centrepieces for the dining table. Give

3.1. 5. 4. 2.

Meet the team:

We offer a range of services to suit various budgets and requirements, from full house designs from concept to completion, to room re-designs, and one-off consultations which include our popular Design Power Hour, Colour Consultations, and Sustainable Design Consultations.

Emily Robinson

Junior Interior Designer

Emily loves all things creative, including interiors, painting, and music. Emily is drawn to interiors that have a strong effect on the user, whether this be through experiential features, playing with the senses, or simply a creative application of colour and texture.

Vivus is Latin for ‘living’ and is associated with words such as ‘bright’, ‘fresh’ and ‘genuine’. This is exactly what we aim to champion through our work and reflects in our relationships with our clients and everyone who supports us.

Tanya founded TML Creative (now Vivus) in 2018. Tanya loves working with a wide range of clients and enjoys the sheer variety that comes with design. Biophilia and wellbeing are big priorities in the designs, and are integral features of our work.

2. The Courtyard Aesthetic Clinic Reception & Waiting Area – Interior Architecture & Design: Vivus Interiors, Construction: Acorn Interiors

Wendy is Dutch but has lived in the UK for 17 years. She particularly enjoys 3D visualising and is especially interested in sustainable and biophilic design. Wendy is a natural creative with a passion for photography and paddle boarding!

3. A modern home refurbishment & extension - Interior Architecture & Design: Vivus Interiors, Architects: Modh Design, Construction: Plenty Construction.

seen rapid growth at TML Creative over the last few years, both in the number and scope of projects, as well as our amazing team. Because of this, we have decided it’s time to refresh our branding to better reflect the business and what we deliver. Let us introduce you to our new name: Vivus!

We have been lucky to work with a wide range of clients on some really exciting projects, one of which is the recently completed The Terrace Rooms & Wine Room in Ventnor.

Wendy Van Riet Interior Designer

We’ve

Tanya Lippuner

4. Riverside House, bedroom - Interior Architecture Design: Vivus Interiors.

Vivus Interiors - Interior Architecture and Design 68-70 Lugley St, Newport PO30 5ET

Vivus is a relationship-driven company, and you can trust that we will propose stunning schemes which are sympathetic to your style and needs, that will have a lasting impact on your lifestyle, mind, and imagination. We offer CAD layouts, 3D visualisations, design proposals and you can expect to receive a full shopping list of FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment).

1. The Terrace Ventnor, Wine Room - Interior Architecture & Design: Vivus Interiors, Construction: Acorn Interiors

5. The George Hotel Reception - Interior Architecture Design: Vivus Interiors, Construction: Acorn Interiors

85September and October 2022 Feature | STYLE

Tel. 01983 240046 | vivusinteriors.co.uk

Tanya loves travelling and finds that the inspiration it gives is invaluable!

Founder, Director, Lead Designer

We offer both residential and commercial interior design, so whether it is for your home or if you have a business where you’re planning a refit or perhaps starting a new business, do get in contact. We have a sound understanding of professional practice and procedures and are fully qualified and accredited designers, leaving you assured you’re in safe hands!

A well-designed kitchen is the stage on which many of life’s unforgettable moments are played out. The heart of the home.

87September and October 2022 Home | STYLE

The kitchen is the central point of family life and our favourite place to gather. We couldn’t think of a more fitting space to showcase in our Interior Takeover Issue.

Where loved ones meet to share memorable meals, the day’s events, or just a quick cup of tea.

Here are some of the best kitchen designs and accessories the Island has to offer.

WELCOME HOME

STYLING Studio Jute Interior PHOTOGRAPHY Holly Jolliffe Design

88 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Home Cabbage salad bowl £62.50 Rattan place mat £17.99 Bee Tumblers £6.99 Savon Noir liquid £14 Dish brush £4.99 Candle £1.25 Candle holder £8.99 All Bayliss & Booth Le Creuset Kettle £86.99 Espresso coffee maker £25.99 All Hurst Sycamore bread board £26 Flour storage jar £29.50 Antique copper pot £47 Vintage cookery books £12.50 / £8 Pestle & mortar £69.50 Terracotta jug £12 Utensils from £6 Vintage basket £26.50 French embroidered towel £24 Gingham cloth £15 All Dig For Vintage Side plates £12 This & That Kitchen- Nolte Torino cabinetry, Dekton worksurface All Linear Kitchen Design

and

Modern Rustic

This characterful kitchen perfectly lends itself to a blend of and well-loved accessories sit seamlessly upon the Dekton worksurface. With glazed cabinetry you’ve plenty of space to favourite vintage inspired glassware crockery collections.

89September and October 2022 Bowls £12 Fir and grapefruit candle £35 Cups £15 (with saucer) Olive spoons £5.50 Spoon cup £4.95 All Acacia Bay French embroidered towel £24 Vintage table cloth £15 Framed art £18 All Dig For Vintage Dried flowers £35 This & That Bee goblets £9.50 Antique style mug tree £24.99 All Bayliss & Booth Savon Noir liquid £14 Dish brush £4.99 Candle £1.25 Candle holder £8.99 All Bayliss & Booth French embroidered towel £24 Gingham cloth £15 All Dig For Vintage

new Vintagestyling.baskets and

display your

old

Kitchen – Nolte cabinetry, Quooker tap, Caesarstone Linear Kitchen Design Lamp £165 Bayliss & Booth Carafe with glasses £45 This & That Dinner plates £13 Side plates £10.50 Small bowls £8.50 African palm flat basket £125 Green foliage £15 Recycled napkin set £20.50 All Acacia Bay Bamboo steamer £16.50 Bottle brush £6.25 All Hurst Bentwood trug £14.50 Dig For Vintage

90 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Home

worksurface All

Small bowls £8.50 Glass storage jar £29 Small glass storage jar £21.50 Recycled napkin set £20.50 All Acacia Bay Faux plant £17.99 Hanging plant pot £9.99 Wine carafe £34.99 All Bayliss & Booth Le Creuset casserole dish £279 Hurst

A modern Scandi inspired kitchen, brought to life with textural rattan accessories, including an African hand-woven palm basket. The clean lines and simple cabinetry make the perfect backdrop for smart kitchen gadgets and design classic cookware

91September and October 2022 Home | STYLE

Simply Scandinavian

African palm flat basket £125 Small bowls £8.50 Green foliage £15 Recycled napkin set £20.50 All Acacia Bay Bottle brush £6.25 Hurst Bentwood trug £14.50 Dig For Vintage

92 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Home Rattan tray set £20 Cutlery holder £15 Cutlery set £52.50 Stone candle £12.50 Wave vase £28 Dinner plates £18 Side plates £12 Hand soap and lotion £19 each Serving platter £30 All This & That Cream Le Creuset salt mill £26.99 Smeg coffee machine £319.99 All Hurst Tall natural jug £65 Eucalyptus stem £7.99 each Gluggle jug £27.99 Washable rug £54.99 Serving spoons £15 White mug £4.99 Demitasse brush £5.99 All Bayliss & Booth Grey stripe tea towel £7.50 Acacia Bay Kitchen – From the Classic Collection at The Kitchen Workshop.

A traditional choice, although bold in colour, remains tasteful when paired with softer tones. This spacious kitchen has a place for everything, from the all-important coffee machine, to the number one requirement for all new kitchens - a pantry cupboard. The washable runner is a practical yet stylish choice for a kitchen, accessorised with elegant pieces that will stand the test of time.

Rattan tray set £20

Brie Baking dish £15.95 Vintage bread board £25.99 All Hurst Oil jug £22 Grey stripe tea towel £7.50 Acacia Bay

Timeless Traditional

All This & That Grey stripe tea towel £7.50 Acacia Bay

Tall natural jug £65 Eucalyptus stem £7.99 each Rattan place mat £17.99 Gluggle jug £27.99

Cutlery set £52.50 Stone candle £12.50 Dinner plates £18 Side plates £12

Cutlery holder £15

All Bayliss & Booth

Hose Rhodes Dickson have a very successful New Homes Department that is located in the centre of the Island in Newport making it easy access to all areas of the Isle of Wight. We have developments all across the Island and appoint specific team members to optimise the marketing and selling of these sites, ensuring the best customer service is received.

HRDNewHomes

New Homes To speak to a member of the team contact our New Homes Department on 01983 538080 or email newhomes@hrdiw.co.uk

The team is headed by Jamie Busby who has over 35 years experience in the property industry. The team are on hand to assist with valuing land, value engineering developments to generate best returns and meet local demand as well as the successful selling of properties of all ranges.

• Shared Ownership • Sheltered Housing • Over 55’s Housing • First time buyer homes • Luxury Homes • Self Build plots • Help to Buy Hose Rhodes Dickson New Homes have extensive knowledge in:

Hose Rhodes Dickson New Homes

*Imagery shown is computer generated, final build may differ.

95September and October 2022 Home | STYLE

Sandown Bay was voted the Best British Beach and described as a ‘traditional bucket and spade beach on the east coast of the island with miles of golden sand, pier and eclectic seafront – and just a short walk to peace, fossil-rich cliffs and stunning coastal wildlife’ in BBC’s Countryfile online poll.

reakwaters is a brand-new development of apartments, duplexes, and townhouses that has graced the seafront location of Sandown Bay. Occupying a prime position opposite an awardwinning beach, the properties benefit from panoramic sea views across the bay and far-reaching views to Culver Cliffs coastline plus the countryside. You can find your desired property within this development of luxury homes that are stylish and modern. The luxurious feel continues throughout this complex with the properties being built to a high standard, you have the opportunity to choose from a range of fitted kitchens and work tops to suit your style. Appliances will be integrated in the kitchens and underfloor heating comes as standard throughout. As well as this, the properties have security entry systems, allocated spaces, and visitor parking bays. The apartments boast space with a variety of sizes ranging from 72 square metres to 140 square metres Gross Internal Area within and benefit from balconies and/or terraces for al fresco dining. For peace of mind, these properties also benefit from a 10-year Q Assure Warranty.

Currently, over 60% of these properties are reserved at the time of writing. If you would like further information, please contact Hose Rhodes Dickson New Homes Department on 01983 538080 or alternatively email newhomes@hrdiw.co.uk

Breakwaters

CULVER SANDOWNPARADE,

In 2021 and 2022 this prestigious coastline was awarded ‘Blue Flag’ status meaning it can fly a flag to show it is recognised regarding its safety, facilities, cleanliness, and environmental considerations. Although three other beaches on the Isle of Wight won a seaside award, Sandown was the only beach to win both ‘Blue Flag’ Status and a seaside award, and one of only 17 beaches across the South East region to hold the status in 2022.

Just half a mile along the seafront is Yaverland beach, which allows dogs all year round, making it the perfect place if you have a pet that needs to stretch their legs. Sandown Beach, directly in front of the development, is dog friendly in the winter months.

Hambrough Road, Ventnor, PO38 1SQ Tel. 01983 856333 www. thehambrough.com LUNCH Wednesday to Saturday DINNER Tuesday to Saturday GARDEN Open daily subject to weather BAR Open daily from 11am MULTI-AWARDINTRODUCING WINNING EXECUTIVE CHEF Matthew Tomkinson Hambrough_SoW78.indd 1 MAIN ROAD, ARRETON, PO30 3AA | 01983 539365 | ARRETONBARNS.CO.UK | /ARRETONBARNS Nestled at the heart of Arreton is the Island’s largest arts and crafts village. Escape there for a more relaxed, local shopping experience to keep you and your home cosy and stylish this autumn. Cornthe Exchange... Open 7 days a admissionweek&parking FREE

97September and October 2022 Home | STYLE

Through The Keyhole:

Aloft on the sunny south coast of the Isle of Wight nestles this rather inspiring and recently completed project that infuses Japanese influences with a serene hilltop location.

Studio Founder, Kayleigh Trott shares the inspiration behind the design. We were approached by the client to completely renovate their property, a bungalow built by the owners’ father in the mid 70s. There is a deep-rooted family connection to the area that we wanted to honour, whilst giving the space a new lease of life suitable for modern living.

At Bonnie View Hilltop Retreat

Together, working with a muted palette, and select materials we have created a peaceful space orientated around the breath-taking views.

As with all Studio Jute projects, the special finishing touches were sourced locally. Artwork from Island artist Barbara Long complements the paired back aesthetic in the living space, whilst graphic screen prints by Ian Whitmore are eye catching in the kitchen. Locally found ceramics, textiles and vintage pieces are woven throughout the space, a celebration of the creativity here on the Isle of Wight.

CREDITS: Interior Design Studio Jute Photography:www.studiojute.co.uk Holly Jolliffe Photography www.hollyjolliffe.co.uk Suppliers and Tradespeople: Tim Dove Joinery, Long Lane Flooring, Linear Kitchen Designs The property is available for short breaks at www.bonnieview.co.uk

98 styleofwight .co.uk

Located in a beautifully tranquil hilltop position, the property lent itself to becoming a retreat, an escape from routine and a place for the owners to recharge. A period travelling in Japan became the foundation of the design, the property’s proximity to water, dramatic hilltops and multigenerational family living reinforced that connection. Kayleigh worked on a full package of designs, from the removal of internal walls to create a better flow throughout the space, to bespoke joinery, kitchen design, lighting plans and the exterior cladding. Each element has been carefully crafted to ensure the space not only looks inviting; but creates a lasting impression of tranquillity.

considered design for modern living JUTE_@STUDIOWWW.STUDIOJUTE.CO.UK LUSHINGTON HILL WOOTTON PO33 4RD 01983 528600 BAYLISSANDBOOTH.CO.UK MID-CENTURY SCANDI FRENCH CHATEAU VINTAGE FINDS INSPIRATION SUMPTUOUS AUTUMN LUXE @baylissandbooth

the gate, up the Indian sandstone steps, and in through the front door, a bright, airy and high-ceilinged drawing room is ready to greet you. Styled with feature wallpaper and an impressive marble fireplace (reclaimed from a property in London) this unusual and spacious room serves as the heart of this period home. Next, leading towards the rear of the property, you’ll find the high-spec kitchen, meticulously planned and handcrafted by Wiltshire-based kitchen makers Smallbone, with integrated appliances from both Wolf and Miele.

Shown three local properties by three local agents, we’ve been given the opportunity to take a look around some of the Island’s most desirable homes.

100 styleofwight .co.uk

Bedrooms: 5

Asking Price: £1,950,000

Occupying a commanding coastal position, 2 Solent View Villas is a stunning, newly refurbished home set on the tranquil fringes of Seaview village. Once known as the Springvale Hotel, this iconic waterfront building was constructed in an Italianate style in the early 19th century, with its bow-fronted bay windows and decorative balconies surviving to this day. Now, comprehensively restored and remodelled, with plenty of high-end fixtures and fittings, Number 2 Solent View is one of the latest homes to come onto the books of local agent Spence SteppingWillard.through

PROFILESPROPERTY

Location: Seaview

The three floors above are home to the property’s five bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom and dressing room. Accessed via the stairs, or the lift, each bedroom boasts either front-facing sea views or rear-facing garden views, whilst the top floor master room even comes with a South-facing roof terrace looking out across the woodlands behind. Descending all the way down to the lower ground floor, there’s also a garage, second kitchen, TV room, and space for an office, gym, or wine room. From here, doors lead out onto the raised garden, walled with rustic stone; it’s the ideal place for a spot of dining al fresco.

spencewillard.co.uk

2 Solent View Villas

Quirk: Set in a 19th-century hotel

Asking Price: £795,000

Recently refurbished, the decor is modern and homely, with grey-tiled bathrooms, plenty of warm wooden tones and bursts of geometric wallpaper. The open-plan living area is our favourite space, filled with light and looking out onto the Trinity Theatre. It includes a bespoke fireplace and a dedicated study area with an in-built oak desk too — perfect for families with students, business owners and those working from home.

Mccarthyandbooker.co.uk

hose-rhodes-dickson.co.uk

Quirk: In the centre of town with parking for two

Home | STYLE

Once through the door, you’ll discover the three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the ground floor, whilst the living areas take up the first floor (to make the most of the sea views).

Bedrooms: 5

Trinity House

Sitting on a ledge between Totland Bay and Colwell Bay, Warden Point House is a light, spacious, and carefully designed family home, overlooking the sparkling blue seas of The Solent. Tucked away, alongside the refurbished red brick walls of a Victorian fort, it provides a truly tranquil West Wight hideaway.

Asking Price: £895,000

Quirk: Victorian fort as a garden backdrop

worksurfaces. The huge island takes centre stage here, with integrated appliances from German maker Neff, including an induction hob and ‘hideaway’ extractor. Across the hallway there’s a dining room (with sea glimpses from the windows) and a warm oak-floored sitting room with French doors opening onto the Headinggarden.up the stairs, the spacious landing — flooded with light from the triple glazed roof lantern — leads to the property’s front balcony as well as the family bathroom and suite of five bedrooms. Two have views of Colwell Bay, while others overlook the garden. As with everything else at Warden Point House, the three en-suites are smart and sophisticated, boasting heated towel rails illuminatedandmirrors.

Just a two minute walk away from Cowes High Street (and even closer to a well-respected bakery) you’ll find Trinity House. Despite its town centre location this immaculate, detached home has the rare attribute of two parking spaces at the front, and that’s not all.

Warden Point House

Location: Totland Bay

Location: Cowes

Bedrooms: 3

Turning in through the five-barred gates and onto the block-paved drive, Warden Point House makes a strong first impression with its bright white frontage and black slate roof. Inside, the sleek and classy kitchen instantly draws us closer with its glossy units and irresistibly smooth Silestone

Round the side of the property, screened by shrubs and bushes, lies a secluded relaxation area, surfaced with composite decking and ideal for summer drinks and evening entertaining. There’s also a sloping grassed garden to be found at the rear, but for now we’re more excited to see the interior.

“It was nearly ten years ago when HRH The Princess Royal last visited PRINCESS ANNE VISITS MOUNTBATTEN

“We are hugely grateful to HRH for coming to see us and taking such an interest in everything we are doing for our Island community.”

Ken Booker was among the patients who spoke with HRH.

The

HRH met patients, staff, volunteers and visitors during her tour of the Newport building.

“HRH took time to talk with our staff and lots of different people we support in many different ways, and I know that meant so much to everyone.

“I was really grateful she spent so much time talking to me.”

HRH also spent time with Mountbatten’s Knit and Natter and singing groups and met the Kissypuppy team to talk about end-of-life services for children on the Island.

103September and October 2022 Community | STYLE

Mountbatten, so it was great for her to see how much we have grown as an organisation during that time, particularly the number of people we are supporting within their own homes,” said Nigel Hartley, Mountbatten CEO.

“She was lovely and spent several minutes with me talking about my life on the Island and my work as a builder,” said Ken.

variety of hospice services was showcased to HRH The Princess Royal during her recent visit to Mountbatten.

HRH unveiled a special plaque to commemorate her visit and Mountbatten presented her with a bouquet and a hamper of Isle of Wight produce to say thank you.

For more information about Mountbatten, please visit mountbatten.org.uk

She spoke with inpatients and those accessing Mountbatten’s self-help support, including gym users and young adults who receive art and music therapies.

An afternoon tea open to everyone will be held at Mountbatten on 13 October, as part of the charity’s 45th anniversary celebrations. The event runs from 2pm till 4pm in the John Cheverton Centre at Mountbatten.

Busy Bee’s Christmas World traditionally marks the start of the festive season for families of all ages across the Island. From early October, you’ll be greeted at the property by detailed displays featuring fairies,

The

garden centre equivalent of the BAFTAs, a GCA (Garden Centre Association) award carries some serious prestige in the industry and in fact, even membership at the GCA can be quite exclusive. The awards are held annually and recognise the outstanding levels of service offered from member centres across Britain.

Almost every Island local will tell you that, from early October through the winter season, Busy Bee Garden Centre’s famed Christmas World is the place to get in to the festive spirit, but as their recent GCA award shows, Christmas certainly isn’t the only reason to visit.

BUSY AS A BEE

which is sure to fill your festive boots. The Olive Tree isn’t the only star at the centre - their Christmas World took home its own prize in the 2019 GCA Christmas Garden Centre Awards, where its seasonal display was named as the joint best in South England.

104 styleofwight .co.uk

At the July event, Busy Bees’ restaurant, the Olive Tree, took home the gong for best garden centre restaurant in the South Thames region, an area that

spans the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Sussex and Kent, and includes 52 venues. Offering cakes as tall as its Christmas trees, delicious breakfasts, the best quiche on the Island and 12-inch stone-baked pizzas to eat in or take away, it is not surprising that the Olive Tree won gold. You can even order one of those skyscraper cakes to celebrate a special occasion at home, or host a function at the venue itself. And you won’t get bored of the menu - it changes seasonally and even offers a full traditional Christmas dinner

Christmas World Opens on 1st October, Members evening 30th September

2022 sees our Reindeer return by popular demand

elves, dancing arctic animals, singing reindeer and a train headed for the North Pole. Hundreds of Santas, life-size nutcrackers and an army of celestial angels serenade you, while magic floating candles fill a nearby grotto. Grab a trolley - you’ll need it as you choose from the vast collection of tinsel sparkling in traditional reds and greens, avant-garde pale pinks and icy blues. A menagerie of LED creatures are available to light up your garden on those dark December evenings, or create your very own village with a collection of buildings from their vast array of glowing miniatures.

Brading Road, Ryde PO33 1QG t: 01983 811096

So, with delicious meals that reflect the changing seasons and enough Christmas decorations to fill the largest manor house, the question now is - do we call it a garden centre with an award-winning restaurant or a restaurant with an award-winning garden centre?

If it’s a tree you’re after, look no further - there are firs of every size and colour, and to make sure they look their festive best you’ll find themed decorations ranging from traditional baubles to gentle Christmas wildlife or crystal winter icicles that will turn your lounge into a frozen wonderland.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Sundays 9am to 4pm busybeegardencentre.co.uk

105September and October 2022 Home | STYLE

“Hundreds of Santas, life-size nutcrackers and an army of celestial angels serenade you, while magic floating candles fill a nearby grotto.“

31/08/2022 13:49

Due to Covid-19 the showroom is operating Monday-Friday on an appointment service so please call to book. info@anneginger.co.uk

Everything you need to create a gorgeous vintage look for your home.

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Vintage lifestyle through the decades, fashion, iconic furniture, fabrics, ceramics, art and classic books.

With 40 years experience Anne Ginger and her dedicated team are happy to assist in making the right choice of soft furnishings for you, from helping you choose the perfect product through to installation.

Our service is based around giving excellent advice combined with quality products. Come and see us and turn your dream into reality.

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Offering monthly painting technique workshops. Find out more in-store and on our Facebook page.

The Martin Pearce Award for Architectural Integrity and The Overall Winner of the RIBA Design Awards 2022 went to Providence Farm by Modh, for Keith and Sarah Davey, built by J.R Buckett and Sons. The Martin Peace award was kindly presented by Martin’s wife, Lorraine Pearce and the Overall Winner award presented by the Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Sheldon.

RIBA AWARDS CELEBRATES ISLAND BUSINESSES

The RIBA design awards, held in conjunction with the Isle of Wight Conservation Society, took place at Northwood House this August. It was the first awards held since 2018 due to the pandemic and there was a great selection of excellent architecture put Thereforward.were two new awards this year in honour of two cherished architects, Chris Butterworth and Martin Pearce, who have recently passed away. Both Architects were outstanding men in their field and are sorely missed in the Island’s small architectural community.

The Chris Butterworth award for Works to Existing Buildings went to Rose Cottage in Shorwell by HMS Architects for owner Lisa Toyne. The builder was LSC Builders and the award was kindly presented by Chris’s son, Tim TheButterworth.DesignAwards Commendation went to Howgate Orchard, designed by Modh for Mr and Mrs Andrew Watt and built by J.R Buckett and Sons. The Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Sheldon, kindly presented the award.

108 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Home

Overall Winner, Providence Farm, by Modh. Judges commented on ‘A careful considered approach to reinterpreting this agricultural building in its natural environment, really sensitive consideration of details, use of materials and design considered views from the building to the surrounding landscape.’

Leah Mew, Chairwoman of RIBA IOW, closed the awards by thanking all the nominees, architects, owners, builders, committee members and supporters for their ongoing contribution to the awards and congratulating them for all their hard work and dedication to creating outstanding architecture on the Island.

109September and October 2022 Business | STYLE

With every mistake, we discover more about our business and ourselves. Our limits, capabilities, and what we can and cannot do.

Are you looking for a genuine experience that draws you in, envelops and enthrals you - before making a point you’ll never forget?

- Apollo Theatre, Newport

JOURNEY’S END

By Dale Howarth BUSINESS MENTOR AND CONSULTANT

Come to R.C. Sherriff’s anti-war classic JOURNEY’S END at the Apollo Theatre –November 1st to 5th.

It’s an amazing coup for the Apollo that IW-based professional theatre company Theatre Reviva! are to open their new immersive, gripping production of Journey’s End on November 1st before touring on the Setmainland.inanextraordinarily

concept of failure can become a launchpad for positive change. As John Backus, the American computer scientist responsible for the first computer programming language said, “My willingness to fail, gives me the ability to succeed.”

We are not born with a fear of failure and making mistakes, it’s something that develops in all of us as we get older. In fact, very young children have no fear of failure at all. They have great fun trying new things and learning very fast – through failure and the mistakes they Positivelymake.embracing the

Full of beautifully observed humanity and understated heroism, R.C.Sherriff drew on his own experiences in the trenches whilst a Captain in the East Surrey Regiment.

The fear of being nothing and achieving nothing should be far more important than the fear of making mistakes.

Dale Howarth is a Business Mentor and Business Growth Consultant. Working with individuals and companies to make the business leaders and businesses successes of tomorrow. To find out more visit www.dalehowarth.com

Journey’s End is especially poignant now, as Russia continues its Ukraine invasion. Lest we forget.

Business and life is all about pushing your limits and taking risks. Making mistakes should be expected; it’s natural. I am not proposing that you make them on purpose. But if they happen (and they will), they should not simply be ignored or dwelled on and panicked over. It isn’t so much about

today’s turbulent and competitive times, the fear of making mistakes can become the biggest obstacle to moving forward in business and life. With constant negative stories across the media, it’s easy to understand why self-doubt is consuming so many, eroding confidence at a time we need all the confidence we can get to make the right decisions and navigate the troubled waters ahead.

avoiding mistakes but rather embracing the idea that they will happen and when they do, being willing to learn. It’s not necessarily the mistake that causes us the issue, it’s how we perceive and react to it that can be the real and often long-term problem.

realistic frontline dug-out during the First World War, the story plays out over four days in March 1918, as five British Officers wait for an upcoming attack.

The more practice we get at failing, the better equipped we are to deal with it. We also start to understand how to better frame problems and convert setbacks into opportunities.

A CHANGEFORLAUNCHPADPOSITIVE

Too many allow the fear of failure to paralyse them, something few of us can afford. How can we expect to develop and learn anything new if we don’t allow ourselves to make mistakes? I have seen the fear of failure cripple businesses and paralyse individuals, preventing them from taking any risks at all - which simply works to automatically cut off new opportunities. If you simply play it safe you will have more and more regrets about the things you didn’t do rather than the things you did, ultimately you will regret not having made more mistakes.

“No other British play about the Great War by a veteran, has ever topped it,” declares Director, and IW resident, Graham Pountney. “We are delighted to bring this amazing production to the Island, after Covid postponed it over a year ago! It’s also very fitting in the lead-up to Remembrance Week and Poppy Day. Not to be Withmissed.”thisproduction Theatre Reviva! is helping two veterans’ charities - the RBL Poppy Appeal and SSAFA – to raise funds and awareness of their military families’ welfare work.

Tickets from (01983)andwww.apollo-theatre.org.ukBoxOffice:210010

In 1887, when the newly bankrupt Major Dudley Hambrough was forced to sell his family home, the impressive Gothic-style Steephill Castle near Ventnor, locals no doubt wondered who the next inhabitants would be. Soon enough, a Mr Alexander Henry Turner of Piccadilly (auctioneer and estate agent) would buy the property on behalf of his affluent new client — a mixedrace Jamaican landowner named Henry Sewell.

A CASTLEATGENTLEMANJAMAICANSTEEPHILL

110 styleofwight .co.uk

Henry wasn’t the only born and bred Jamaican to make the Isle of Wight his home during the Victorian era — Ebenezer Robertson (rector of Shorwell and Mottistone), Fanny Eaton (servant and former artists’ model), and the wealthy Lazarus family (later living at ‘The Lodge’ in Bembridge), all departed from their Caribbean homeland and by one route or another ended up as residents of the Isle of Wight. However, Henry Sewell was perhaps the most interesting and most underappreciated figure of them all — which is why we’re delving into his story this issue, just in time for Black History Month.

Henry Sewell and Family (from Percy Sewell and Nicholas Noble, via Ventnor Heritage Centre)

Words & Research by James Rayner

The Story ofHenry Sewell

Their son Henry was shipped off to Britain, where he married Carlisle native Margaret Crowther and started a family, initially settling in Llanwrin, West Wales before moving south to Steephill in 1887. Whilst the Isle of Wight would provide a tranquil British base for the next eleven years, every winter Henry and his family would set sail from Ventnor in his private yacht, The Vale Royal, heading to their Jamaican mansion, Arcadia, where Henry would supervise the sugar estates inherited from his father.

However,grapes.trouble was brewing, and in 1892 he had to defend his property from the owners of the Newport, Godshill, and St Lawrence railway line, aiming to extend their tracks through the grounds of Steephill Castle to reach the town of Ventnor. Pressure continued to build over the following years, and in 1898 Henry finally agreed to sell Steephill — the home he chose ‘for its quietness and repose’ — to Mr. Mortimer, a director of the new branch line.

Just two years later, the new ‘Ventnor Town’ station opened (still standing today in Castle Close) and the American businessman John Morgan Richards took over the keys to Steephill Castle (sadly demolished in 1963).

Born in Falmouth (known to its inhabitants as Falmot in Jamaican Patois), a town on the Caribbean island’s northern coast, he was the son of William Sewell — a British bookkeeper from Cumberland — and Mary McCrea, a mixed-race local woman and former slave. The pair started out running a small rum shop in a village nearby but after the end of slavery in Jamaica in 1838, they began buying up cheap sugar plantations which landowners were selling off fast, over the next twenty years making themselves one of the richest families on the island.

Back on the Isle of Wight though, Henry involved himself in all things local, donating to good causes, lending his paintings to a Ventnor exhibition, becoming president of the Undercliff Cricket Club and even letting the local horticultural society loose on his lawns with their displays of prize-winning peaches, nectarines, and white Muscat

The Sewell family had moved on. Henry would pass away in Arcadia in 1906, whilst his son Horace Somerville Sewell would distinguish himself in the Great War, commanding the 1st Cavalry Brigade, winning the French Légion d’Honneur and becoming one of the first British army officers of African descent.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH #CELEBRATINGblackhistorymonth

Steephill Castle (photo from Ventnor Heritage Centre)

111September and October 2022

Climate

change is one of the most significant issues affecting modern society on the global scale. In the United Kingdom projections of climate change indicate hotter, drier summers and warmer wetter winters combined with an increase in the frequency of extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall, storms, and heat waves. Furthermore, sea level rise of between 1 metre and up to 2.5 metres has been predicted under medium to extreme scenarios. These predictions will have serious consequences for cities, communities, and infrastructure located close to the coast due to the impacts of flooding, cliff erosion, and coastal instability.

112 styleofwight .co.uk STYLE | Feature

These adverse consequences of coastal hazards and climate change, at a local

level, pose significant challenges for those involved in planning and risk management, and for affected communities and businesses, particularly in times of austerity. Escalating costs mean that it may not be possible to fund mitigation measures for the increasing numbers of coastal communities and infrastructure that is likely to become affected.

By Professor Robin McInnes OBE

The Isle of Wight has the longest coastline of any Coast Protection Authority in England and Wales. It is also one of the most diverse and beautiful coastlines in Great Britain – in the south it is elevated, wild and rugged, and on the Solent shores lush, generally low-lying and tranquil. The rocks are soft – chalk, sandstones, and clays, which are susceptible to marine erosion and the Island’s geological history poses significant coastal instability issues.

LIVING ON THE EDGE: CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT COAST

It can be viewed or downloaded at www.coastalandgeotechnicalservices.com

STYLE

Surprisingly, coast protection is a discretionary local authority function and the process of obtaining government funding is complex and increasingly difficult. However, the Planning function is mandatory, and the Isle of Wight Council has a sound framework for coastal planning in place through its Draft Island Planning Strategy Development Plan. This is supported by the Isle of Wight Coast Shoreline Management Plan. The risks arising from coastal hazards on the Island are well understood and are founded on major studies commissioned by the government and Island Councils in the 1990s for the Undercliff, Luccombe and the Cowes to Gurnard

The Undercliff running for 12 kilometres along the Island’s southern coast is the largest urban landslide complex in north-western Europe.

coastal zone; understanding of landslide risk in particular was enhanced through three international conferences held here in 1991, 2002 and 2007. Management of coastal change is fundamental to successful planning on the Isle of Wight and the identification of Coastal Change Management Areas provides a mechanism for ensuring avoidance of inappropriate or potentially vulnerable coastal developments.

A new international guide ‘Coastal Erosion and Climate Change – Guidance for Policymakers, Planners and Stakeholders’, prepared by Isle of Wight geologist and coastal scientist Professor Robin McInnes OBE of Coastal & Geotechnical Services and Professor Roger Moore of international consultancy Jacobs, has been published recently.

All the greats coming to a great place! I wouldn’t want to make my home there because I love the idea of keeping it as a place that feels like home from home and can be an escape. It’s a lovely idea to have a home somewhere that has been a holiday destination but the top of my to-do list every day would be to build a sandcas tle and collect some shells and I would get very little done…

How would you sum up the Island?

All will become clear soon as regards the book – what a tease! Over the last couple of years, I have been working on The Miranda Shop which has been huge fun. Sorry, ‘SUCH FUN’. As well as selling fun and cosy clothes and household items, we raise money for charities that support people living with chronic illness. Check it out –there’s some stuff that would work well for you islanders and next summer I want you all wearing your ‘such fun’ tee-shirts and bucket hats! (www.themirandashop.com)

We are a very outdoors, nature-loving family. And not only was my father in the Navy but his father and my mother’s father were too, so the island’s great sailing heritage must be a pull in the DNA. My mother has been coming to the island since she was 17 and I always notice a lightness in her when we are there. Almost like she was reliving her youth. It’s wonderful to

I still haven’t been to Ventnor, and I would love to do some walking on the Southwest of the island. It’s often too easy to plonk yourself on a beach you love and while the hours away there – though what better way to spend some of our precious time? Wasting time is often the greatest way to spend our time. Being present, feeling free and childlike, appreciating the beauty in nature. Bliss.

My memories are of long lazy days on the beach, building many a sandcastle, and lots of sailing. My parents gave me and my sister sailing lessons when we were younger and it was always the Isle of Wight where we got to practice our skills (or lack of them). I can still remember the thrill of skimming along in a Topper and being with my sister in a Wayfarer (when I think we mainly seemed to run aground!)

I would sum it up as a place that although it is obviously part of England, feels somehow other worldly, timeless, and therefore completely unique. It transports me (and I know I speak for my family too) to a refreshed, excited, energised state and it is where time stands still, feels precious, and can be savoured. As I say, home from home.

Have any of your characters been inspired by the Island and people who live or visit here?

On visiting and coming back to the Island. You came to the island regularly when you were younger, are we going to expect you back any time soon?

see. My parents still go every year, religious ly. My mother said when she turned 80 that she thinks a key reason for staying young is being fascinated in something every day. I love that, and I can see her fascination with all aspects of life come more alive when she’s on the Island.

Could you tell us a bit about visits here when you were younger – your memories of the Island?

I would love to come back, yes please! It’s a very special place. I was last there in 2009 having a break when I was writing Miranda and there is always a sense of coming home to a familiar, restful place when I cross over to the island. I love having familiar places to write in too. Walking becomes a key part of my day when I am writing so to have an inspiring landscape I know and love that will spark my imagination as I potter on a headland or beach is perfect. I am writing a book at the moment, so perhaps I need to pop over for a writing retreat.

Yes, it’s certainly a key part of the experi ence, especially if you intentionally feel your worries from the mainland slip into the waves as you go! I always say I’m never happier than when I’m in or on water, par ticularly the sea, so I also just simply love a boat trip – less keen on the hovercraft!

Your family, especially your mum, has been coming to the Island for many years. Can you tell us why, and what they especially like about coming here?

You say you a writing a new book? Is there anything you can tell us about it, or anything else you are up to?

Style speaks to Miranda Hart

Would you ever consider buying a home here yourself? Many famous people are now…

I couldn’t possibly say! (whispers) Maybe.

Are there any parts of the Island that you don’t know well, that you’d like to explore?

How is the ferry crossing for you? Many people say that it’s an intrinsic part of the whole experience - waxing lyrical about how their cares and worries slip away as they sail over.

Style of Wight Issue 78 September/October

Articles inside

A launchpad for positive thinking

Living on the Edge

Style speaks: to Miranda Hart

Busy as a Bee: with your award-winning Garden Centre

Breakwaters: with Hose Rhodes Dickson New Homes

Through The Keyhole: At Bonnie

Welcome Home

Introducing Vivus Interiors

How to make flowers a key component of our Home:

Our House Through Time

Destination Arreton

Review

Children’s Writing Competition

Harvested on the Wight

Feel at Home in your own skin: with

Repair and Restore: with

Meet the Chef

Lead interview: Dimbola Royalty - Julia Cameron de Villiers

Find your Ideal Home: with the team

Meet the Maker: Chloé Rosetta Bell – Connecting with Clay

Foraged Paintbrushes

Style Spectrum

Main Feature

NEW for 2022: Isle of Wight Homes & Interiors Show

Style Picks: A selection of homeware products – all available locally – that look good and won’t cost the earth