Town and County Magazine - Issue 24 by Town and County / Aspire Magazines

TOWN&COUNTY I S S U E 24 / 2 0 21

DEBBIE ARNOLD

A LIFELONG LEGACY

Let’s Talk

Menopause

Theo Michaels

CHEF’S KITCHEN

CREATORS OF UNIQUE

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E D I TO R S L E T T E R

from the

Editor Well, it’s that time again when we start thinking about Christmas. Do we start the shopping early? It seems as though if the news is anything to go by, then we should start now? We have decided to give you a helping hand, so in this issue, we kick-start with the first of our gift guides and believe me, there is something for all the family to enjoy. Need a breather after all that spending, then kick back with something cold and bubbly and savour this issue. This month is Menopausal Month. But, first, we introduce our new columnist and author from the best-selling book Menopausal Mayhem Emma Skeates. We chat exclusively with Debbie Arnold and learn the real-life story behind her family’s legacy and how her daughters’ are now following in her famous footsteps. If all that is not enough to tickle your tastebuds, get into that kitchen and start cooking up a storm. We have it covered with delicious recipes from Masterchef fame Theo Michaels, who shares some of his delicious recipes from his booked Canned. In addition, we have one signed book to giveaway to one lucky reader. Next month will be our big Christmas issue, so we will see you right back here, with lots of lovely surprises. We’re as ever keen to hear from you our readers, so if you have a story or would like to be featured, then please do get in contact with us at editorial@townandcountymag.co.uk

SEÁN KANE E D I TO R

TOW N & CO U N T Y

INTERVIEW

DEBBIE ARNOLD A LIFE LONG LEGACY Words By: Lucy Speed

our-Year-Old Mary Griminger felt the familiar warmth of her parent’s hands in hers as she skipped along, exhilarated by the heightened movement of people in the Station that august morning in 1939 Vienna. So many people, a forest of legs and feet marching determinedly in every direction. Then, mothers grip slipped from her hand. Her father didn’t break step. She strained to look behind to see where her mother had gone, but soon her father’s hand had slipped away, and another took its place. She looked up to see the face of her aunt where her father, Arnolds, had been. All the while walking, it seemed with great purpose. Her aunt stern and focused. Something didn’t feel quite right. Why couldn’t she see her mother and father? She tried once more to catch a glimpse of them through the dense crowd. People were moving like wasps disturbed from a hive. Desperation thick in the air. In a moment, the noises changed. Her aunt had swept her onto a train and disappeared as quickly as her beloved parents. Why wouldn’t they take her too? Where had they gone? Her father’s only words that morning ringing her ears. ‘you will know when you reach Britain if you hear people saying ‘yes and no ‘” Little Mary was one of 10,000 children brought to Britain on the Kindertransport, a humanitarian effort between organisations across Europe to save as many Jewish children as humanly possible after the Kristallnacht and subsequent anti-Jewish pogroms and sentiment in Germany annexed Austria and Czechoslovakia in 1938. Mary, though, was one of the lucky ones. Many more children were registered for the Kinderstransport but didn’t meet the British government’s strict criteria on health and education or indeed have the required guarantor set up in the UK (people wishing to take a child in for the duration of the war, picked children from their photograph and health and education reports and paid huge £50. A prohibitive amount in war poised Britain). The organisation of this and the paperwork involved caused many children to spend too long waiting, and some trains were left  TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

CONNEC T WITH US

TOW N & CO U N T Y

INTERVIEW

TOW N & CO U N T Y

RECIPES

TOTAL TRANSFORMATION

CHANA SAAG PANEER

• 1 teaspoon salt • 1⁄2 x 400-g can coconut milk

Canned spinach makes quick work of my own recipe for this popular Indian curry, comprising chickpeas, spinach

Start with the spinach – pour the contents of the can into a sieve and use the back of a spoon to push down on the spinach, extracting as much liquid as possible. Leave

and paneer, especially as I always have a can or two conveniently stashed away in a kitchen cupboard. This is delicious on its own, but feel free to serve with warmed naan breads or plain basmati rice and topped with a dollop of mango chutney. I should also mention that any

KEVIN NICKS OF WPL CONSTRUCTION TALKS ABOUT THE CHALLENGE OF CREATING UNIQUE

this sitting in the sieve over a bowl while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. Cut the paneer cheese into 2.5-cm/1-inch cubes and dust with half the ground cumin. Heat a splash of oil in a frying pan over a high heat, add the paneer and fry for just a couple of minutes until golden, then remove from the pan.

leftovers reheated and served with a poached egg on top work well for breakfast. I wish I could say that was just a

ENVIRONMENTS IN A DOMESTIC SETTING

rumour I’d heard..

Add a splash more oil to the pan along with the cumin and fennel seeds and sweat the diced onions for about 6

Serves 2 as a main; 4 as a side

minutes until caramelized and golden. Add the remaining spices, ginger, garlic and chillies and cook for 30 seconds, then add the drained chickpeas and tomato purée. Tip in

• 380-g can leaf spinach • 250-g pack paneer cheese (or halloumi will work too) • 1 tablespoon ground cumin • a splash of olive oil • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds • 2 onions, diced • 1⁄2 teaspoon ground turmeric • 1 tablespoon garam masala • 2.5-cm/1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated • 4 garlic cloves, chopped • 2 dried whole red chillies (or a pinch of chilli flakes) • 400-g can chickpeas, drained • 1 tablespoon tomato purée

CORNED BEEF SHAKSHUKA Kevin. “The upstairs part of the house alone needed 85 bags of plaster, and we could only pick up five bags at a time. “The fact the clients were living there also affected one of the things we love to achieve - the wow factor when people first see the completed project. But, of course, it’s hard to create that when they have been living in it and seeing the whole process taking place, though we did manage to wow them. “I get a great sense of personal satisfaction when I see that clients love a project. In every case, we do our very best to manage their expectations and exceed them within the budget they give us. “Our residential work is growing at the moment as more and more people are buying properties and want to add value to them or their existing property. That gives them the opportunity to aim for a unique environment, and with our skilled craftsmen and contractors, we are perfectly placed to help them create that, from start to finish.”

“In the loft, the massive main bedroom is eleven metres long with cedar floor-to-ceiling windows that incorporate doors to let in ventilation. “It is always our aim to build a perfect relationship with every client and liaise closely with them, offering as much advice as they want - people can find it hard to visualise what rooms are going to be like from the plans. “A good relationship was vital in this case because the project took 15 months, and apart from the first six months, the clients were living in the home. “That can be a difficult situation for the clients and the contractors. It can put stress on both parties, with builders, roofers, plumbers, electricians, plasterers and carpenters all dedicated to doing their very best work as quickly as possible.” Another challenge arose due to the Covid pandemic, which had an enormous impact on the availability of supplies. “That meant we had to plan everything a long way ahead to cater for potential delays and shortages,” recalls



boiled rice or naan bread mango chutney (optional)

generously with freshly ground black pepper and a small pinch of salt. Fold in the corned beef, breaking it up a little in the pan and incorporating it into the other ingredients. Dot the cherry tomatoes around the pan and drizzle over a couple of tablespoons of the juice. Make four small ‘pockets’ in the mixture and crack an egg into each one, leave on the heat for a minute to help cook the undersides of the eggs, drizzle over some olive oil, then place the whole pan in the preheated oven for 6 minutes or until the tops of the eggs have just solidified.

some juice) • 4 eggs • a handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley, to garnish 100 g crumbled feta cheese, to serve (optional) salt and freshly ground black pepper

TO SERVE lime wedges, for squeezing

Fry the potatoes, onion and chopped chilli in a splash of

of the oven is nice if you fancy it.

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naan for company; a swirl of the remaining coconut milk over the top is a nice touch.

olive oil in a large ovenproof frying pan for a couple minutes over a high heat (the potatoes won’t take on any colour, but that’s okay). Once the onion has softened, sprinkle in the Worcestershire sauce and ground cumin and season

darling of brunch menus, the ‘shakshuka’ (with good reason, it’s delicious). A little crumbled feta over the top just as it comes out

warm through until it bubbles, stirring frequently, then remove from the heat. Serve in comforting bowls to snuggle round with a wedge of lime and some boiled rice or a chunk of ripped

Serves 4 Preheat the oven to 200°C fan/220°C/425°F/Gas 7.

I remember having corned beef hash as a kid, and this recipe is really a fusion of that throw-back brunch with the more recent

TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

the spinach with the salt and stir to incorporate it with the rest of the ingredients. Fold in half a can of coconut milk,

Remove the pan from the oven (remember the handle will be hot!), garnish with chopped parsley and serve straight away at the table. If you wish, crumble the feta over the top just before serving to give a nice contrast to the dish.

TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

Editor: Sean Kane, editorial@townandcountymag.co.uk

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Photo: Clive Barda

Extraordinary opera at Glyndebourne this autumn 8 – 31 October BEETHOVEN

Fidelio

DONIZETTI

Don Pasquale

STRAVINSKY

The Rake’s Progress SOLD OUT

glyndebourne.com/tour

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INTERVIEW

NOT JUST CHILD’S PLAY

TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

DANIEL AGNEW TALKS ABOUT HIS LIFETIME PASSION FOR THE TOYS OF YESTERYEAR AND THE VAST COLLECTION THAT SHARES HIS HOME IN HURSTPIERPOINT Words By: Joanne Rothery 

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TOW N & CO U N T Y

INTERVIEW

childhood ‘farm’ filled with lead animals led a very young Daniel along the path to becoming an acclaimed expert on vintage playthings and gaining a worldwide reputation. His mother, Marion, is a well-respected antique dealer, so time-honoured items of all kinds are in his blood and fired his passion for them, especially toys. “I am the youngest of three children, so as soon as I was old enough to go to school, mum wanted to do something she could fit in around school times,” Daniel says. “She had always had an interest in antiques, so, together with a friend, she started dabbling in them, on a local level from our home in Putney. “I loved what she was doing, and as a child, I used to go with her at weekends to Bermondsey market at the crack of dawn. The things she brought home fascinated me, and I liked going with her on buying trips to boot fairs to see what she could find. “When I was about eight, I started to take an interest in old toys. The first things that appealed to me were lead farm animals, and I set up my little farm at home. Then it was golly badges, Felix and Bonzo collectables and novelty egg cups. By the time I was ten or so, I had quite an extensive collection and began buying and selling them at fairs. “I had a little shelf in my bedroom, and mum gave me a teddy bear and then a toy rabbit to put there. So I bought my first reference book, The Teddy Bear Catalogue, very basic and in black and white, and I discovered the fantastic array of teddy bears that had been made over the years. That got me even more interested, and soon I was buying every bear and soft animal I could afford. “As my knowledge grew, I sold some of the bears and replaced them with better ones. I slightly regret that now as prices rocketed after that.” When the time came to leave school, Daniel decided he didn’t want to go into further education but instead set his sights on becoming an antique dealer. “My mother told me no, it wasn’t a reliable enough career, so I started gardening and worked as a gardener at a local hotel for a year. But I couldn’t have stood another winter doing that and needed to find something else. “The son of a friend of my mother had become a

Image: Daniel Agnew

saleroom porter at Christie’s, the auctioneers, in South Kensington. So I got an interview, and in March 1989, I started there. I was portering for a couple of years which I loved. It was almost like university years, you were learning all the time, and it was also a social thing. “Teddy bear prices were soaring by then, and in 1989 Alfonzo, a red Steiff which had originally belonged to Princess Xenia Georgievna, a member of the Russian royal family, sold for £12,100, a world record at the time. I wasn’t directly involved with that sale, but it was exhilarating to be at Christie’s then. “After about two-and-a-half years, one of the admin girls went off on maternity leave, and I became a cataloguer in the toy department in 1991. That was the heyday of teddy bear sales, and in 1993 I helped set up Christie’s first auction devoted to teddy bears. The star of that sale was Teddy Girl, a superb old Steiff, who sold for £110,000, the world record for a vintage bear.” Daniel went on to run the auction house’s famous teddy bear auctions from 2000 to 2007, dealing with buyers and sellers from all over the world. In 2007 Christie’s closed the toy department, and Daniel left to start dealing through his website, holding his first independent auction, the London Toy Auction, in 2009. However, a year later, he returned to Christie’s to sell the important Paul Greenwood private collection for one million pounds. His London Toy Auction returned  in

TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

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Image Top: Daniel Agnew, Bottom: Daniel’s Collection

2011 and 2012, and in the last of these, a Steiff Petsy bear sold for £23,600. Through his auctions, Daniel was dealing not just with bears but also collectable dolls and dollhouses. His stand of vintage soft toys, often with his mum Marion beside him, became a popular feature at the famous Hugglets fairs held twice a year in Kensington. “Not all that many years ago, dolls were selling at auction for hundreds of pounds, but there was a huge drop, particularly at the lower end of the market,” he says. “However, baby dolls are still in demand - there’s a generation of people now who had them as children and are now collecting them because of the sentimental attachment. “Also popular are French fashion dolls, and more and more collectors are looking for dolls which are a bit more historic - made from wood or papier-mache. “The market for dollhouses is doing well at the moment with collectors also keen to buy vintage furniture and accessories for them.” In 2012, Daniel joined forces with the SAS! Special

Auction Services, having decided that as his auctions were becoming increasingly popular, he needed to tie in with a bigger auction house to keep up the momentum. The result is two SAS auctions a year organised by Daniel, packed with dolls, soft toys and bears sourced through his worldwide connections. Daniel increasingly felt that he didn’t want to focus on just one thing, so in 2016 he and teddy bear museum owner Hilary Pauley decided to launch 200 Years of Childhood, the London International Antique Doll, Teddy Bear and Toy Fair. This weekend get-together on a grand scale, with experts, enthusiasts and collectors from all over the world, has become an annual event. Daniel is also the joint organiser of the British Teddy Bear Festival, held annually in the magnificent setting of Woburn Abbey. “These events are a marvellous way of bringing history to life, the toys reflecting things that were going on in the world over the decades,” Daniel says. “We want to encourage more people to take an interest in antiques, and

TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

TOW N & CO U N T Y

INTERVIEW

it’s an excellent way to educate children and hopefully spark a future generation of collectors. “I’ve always wanted to write a book, so my long-term project is a definitive encyclopedia-type book on the British teddy bear. I’m doing a lot of research on this, and I’m interested in hearing from fellow enthusiasts if they have any interesting information they would like to contribute to this publication.” During his time with Christie’s and for a long time afterwards, Daniel lived in London, but five years ago, he moved to Hurstpierpoint, together with much of his vast collection of vintage toys. A large part is on permanent loan to the Brighton Toy and Model Museum. “As a child, I lived in Purley then spent most of my Christie’s days living in London and for quite a while afterwards. But I used to go down to Sussex frequently for day trips and decided I’d like to make my home there, somewhere with easy access to London and the M25. “Mum had friends in Hurstpierpoint, and I loved the village and the whole area. At first, we

Image: Teddy Bears in the woods

couldn’t find anything to buy, so for six months, we rented a cottage which was part of a large estate, in Warningcamp. Then five years ago, we found the home we wanted in Hurstpierpoint. We love it and have a nice group of neighbours.” Daniel’s passion for vintage toys has remained as strong as ever, even though they have been his full-time job for many years - his collection continues to grow and grow. “My collecting has changed. At first, I bought every bear I could get my hands on. Then at one stage, because there were some bears I wanted but couldn’t afford, I started collecting animals. “Nowadays, I tend to buy things which are a lot rarer or quirkier, sometimes even ugly. “I love finding things I’ve never seen before. I’m just as enthusiastic now as when I first began, and my collection grows every week. I can’t wait to see the next parcels arrive. It’s like my birthday every day. “A lifetime of old toys and teddy bears - what could be better?” 

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DIARY

HALF-TERM FUN There will be plenty of activities for youngsters at Wakehurst from October 16-31. They can join the Gruffalo’s Child, the Big Bad Mouse and other characters for an intrepid and interactive journey through the wild botanic garden, with surprises around each corner. On various days through the week, children will also be able to learn to make a stick buddy, take part in a creative cookery camp. Booking essential for some activities. kew.org/wakehurs FOR THE BRAVE A hot event comes to Ditchling on the evening of Thursday, October 28, with the St Peter and St James Hospice Fire Walk. Participants will learn how to safely walk across 800 degree embers with Europe’s leading firewalk instructor whilst raising money for your the hospice. Entry is just £25 per person with a promise to try to raise £100. stpjhospice.org BLOOM BRITANNIA Barefoot Opera’s new ‘people’s opera’ comes to the stage for the first time at the iconic St Mary in the Castle, Hastings for three performances, from October 22-24. Telling the story of one extraordinary day in the life of a seaside town, Bloom Britannia brings together a cast of people from the towns of Hastings, St Leonards and Bexhill, performing on stage alongside top professional singers and a live band including many local musicians. Experience a hilarious, raucous, challenging, action-packed, thrilling production celebrating the joy of singing and music to bring communities together. ON STAGE: CITY LIGHTS 19 November (4.00pm) & 20 November (2.00pm) Tickets £10 – £50 glyndebourne.com A screening of Charlie Chaplin’s classic 1931 silent romantic comedy in the auditorium at Glyndebourne with live musical accompaniment from the Glyndebourne Tour Orchestra. An undisputed masterpiece of cinema, City Lights is Chaplin at his most hilarious, but also his most moving. What the Future Holds Tour 2021 - 27 November Three years after they staged the UK’s most successful comeback of the decade, enduring pop legends Steps – aka Claire, Faye, H, Lee and Lisa – return once again with their new album, What The Future Holds, to be released on November 27th 2020 and the sure-to-be epic, What The Future Holds 2021 Tour, with special guest the brilliant Sophie Ellis-Bextor Tickets from £45 brightoncentre.co.uk ON STAGE: FROM 8 DECEMBER – GLYNDEBOURNE CHRISTMAS CONCERT OPENS 8 and 9 December (7.00pm) 11 and 12 December (3.00pm) Tickets £10 – £60 glyndebourne.com A showcase for the talents of the Glyndebourne Chorus and Tour Orchestra. The concert starts with opera highlights – rousing tunes that will stay in your head long after the curtain comes down – followed by yuletide classics and carols for all. TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

New ranges on show in our Cross in Hand shop

Wealden House , Cross In Hand 01435 863921

116 South Street, Eastbourne 01323 722921

www.davidsalmon.co.uk

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Sun 7 November Playing with Fire Handel, Bach, Rebel and Vivaldi This feast of Baroque music celebrating the elements – earth, fire, air and water – is directed from the harpsichord by Robert Howarth, joined by the great Canadian soprano Gillian

Sun 14 November Coffee Concert: Folk Inspired ACCA, University of Sussex Presented by Brighton Dome in association with Strings Attached. This chamber concert will draw together Irish folk music by Frank Martin with Dvorák and Shostakovich. It will feature the BPO’s star string players with Music Director Joanna MacGregor.

Sun 5 December A Celtic Christmas: Kathryn Tickell and Friends A fabulous first collaboration between Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra and the great Kathryn Tickell. Kathryn is the foremost exponent of Northumbrian pipes, a composer, a brilliant performer and raconteur, whose work is deeply rooted in the landscapes and bountiful heritage of folk music.

Sat 18 December Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol 3 PM and 7 PM St Luke’s Church Christmas arrives early with two festive performances of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, narrated by Michael Maloney (Truly, Madly, Deeply, RSC, The White Queen) and accompanied by the BPO Brass Quintet.

Fri 31 December New Year’s Eve: Viennese Classics Out with the old and in with the new: what better way to celebrate, than with the BPO’s Viennese concert on New Year’s Eve? Conductor Stephen Bell returns for an afternoon of musical fizz and fun, in a concert of favourites from the Strauss family and the wonderful world of Viennese operetta featuring soprano Rebecca Bottone.

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DIARY

Sun 20 February Coffee Concert: New Worlds ACCA, University of Sussex Presented by Brighton Dome in association with Strings Attached. George Gershwin’s Summertime is partnered by his lovely, bluesy Lullaby for string quartet. The concert will also feature work by Amy Beach and Robert Schumann. It will feature the BPO’s star string players with Music Director Joanna MacGregor on piano.

Sun 6 March Silent Classics A fun packed programme featuring the 1920 films Oliver Twist and One Week starring Buster Keaton. Brighton Philharmonic joins forces with Neil Brand (improvising pianist, film historian and composer) in an exciting performance of silent film and live music.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra brightonphil.org.uk/ TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

TOW N & CO U N T Y

INTERVIEW

TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

TOW N & CO U N T Y

INTERVIEW

DEBBIE ARNOLD A LIFELONG LEGACY Words By: Lucy Speed



TOW N & CO U N T Y

INTERVIEW

severely underloaded. Mary was taken to be a companion to a girl called Sonia in London. The train after Mary’s never made it out, having been turned back by the German occupiers. Marys was the last out of Vienna. Thousands of now perhaps passed or elderly people and their families in the UK and across Europe will recognise this heart-wrenching story. However, this one comes from the memory of Marys very own daughter, one of Britain’s most recognisable faces, Actress, Producer and Author Debbie Arnold. Mary’s storey has resonated with Debbie throughout her life. Current events in Afghanistan and the refugee crisis have furthered her commitment to support those in need of refuge and enforce the importance of those able to offer it. I had the very great and humbling pleasure to talk to Debbie, not only about her mother’s legacy but how grit, determination and talent obviously runs through her veins. Debbie’s life has been full of outstanding achievements, personal and on behalf of those in need. Firstly, it is evident that performing and humour have coursed through both sides of Debbie’s Heritage. Her grandfather Arnold Griminger, who committed along with her grandmother the heart-breaking and selfless act of sending their precious daughter to safety, was a famous and celebrated Yiddish comedian in Vienna in the ‘20s and ‘30s, even partnering movie star S Z ‘Cuddles’ Sakall... Cuddles later fled Europe as the Nazis took hold to make his name in Hollywood, starring in many movies, including Casablanca. TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

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INTERVIEW

Fates hand had swept Mary up, and now courage was pouring into her being. Young as she was, Mary was resolute. Her time with Sonia wasn’t as secure and loving as Marys parents had indeed hoped. Though Sonia was given the best of everything, she was fed and housed and young Mary the very basics. Still, as Mary later made her motto, she had ‘food in her stomach And a roof over her head, then she was wealthy’. Devastatingly though, tiny Mary would lay at the end of her bed, hoping her mother would come and retrieve her. Her mother did indeed try to join her, sending imploring letters to Mary’s guarantor to sponsor her too, offering to cook and look after the children. Also, begging her to make sure Mary knew she was Jewish and to please not feed her pork. Not being able to speak German, the woman told Mary her mother hoped she was working hard. Years later, the letters were translated, and Mary read the words her mother had wanted her to hear a long time after she had sadly perished in Auschwitz. Mary’s metal was beginning to show, and her famous positive attitude was blooming. If she wanted something in life. She was going to get it. She survived her tenure as Sonia’s companion and moved away to the Beacon in Tunbridge Wells just as the war ended. This was where many of the refugees were sent. It’s here that Mary found out that both her parents had been murdered in Auschwitz. She was 11 years old. She was informed via telegram in a room full of Kinder transport survivors. While some of those around her rejoiced in reading their pieces of paper, learning of  TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

Staycations 1

Stay on a Family run farm in converted farm buildings, some dating back to the 1700’s all beautifully renovated and with everything you’ll need for a comfortable family staycation. You’ll be close to Cambridge for the perfect combination of City break and countryside staycation. There’s 3 nights still available in October half term for £550 for a family of 4.

Head to the capital for a week to explore the markets, museums, shops and shows. Stay on the Portobello road in a fully equipped apartment with 2 bedrooms and a sofa bed to sleep up to six this October Half term for just £1542 for 7 nights.

Head out on a self-drive exploration of North Yorkshire and The Lake District. Take a nostalgic journey across the North Yorkshire Moors in a steam train, take a foodie tour in Harrogate with a local expert and explore the Lake District National Park at your own pace. You’ll stay in local guest houses supporting family businesses. Spend 8 days on this 3 centre holiday from just £925 per person this October.

For a truly unique experience, why not head out with the family into the woods for a glamping experience you’re not soon going to forget. Your camp is made from an army safari tent, a tipi and a bomb shelter – set up with all the mod-cons. You could be looking for a romantic escape or a family adventure. Head into the woods for 3 nights during the October Half Term for £615 for up to 4 people. This is a truly unique experience giving you the opportunity to relax and unwind or explore the woods together. ALL PRICES ARE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION, BUT MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

To book contact: Fiona Bateman Email: fiona.bateman@travelcounsellors.com Phone: 01273 317 048

www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/fiona.bateman

TOW N & CO U N T Y

INTERVIEW

siblings, uncles, aunts or parents that had survived, Mary’s paper simply read, ‘Parents terminated” Down for the ten count but not out, Mary blossomed into a great beauty, and rather triumphantly, the little girl who was deemed stateless became Miss Great Britain. At this point in the story, Debbie and I digress slightly from Mary and take time to look at the similarities between refugees across time right up to the present day. We talk of our disappointment that somehow other humans in dire need, through no fault of their own, are seen as a sort of different breed. Debbie feels strongly that the label refugee has sticky and unhelpful undertones. Sympathies are great when individual stories are heard, but media-fuelled fear and ignorance in some cases take hold, and people begin to build their walls high. Debbiepassionately tells me of Lord Alfred Dubs, himself a child of the Kinder transport and his continuing work with refugees from all around the world. In one meeting held with survivors of the Kinderstransport, he performed an exercise to demonstrate how we are all connected to refugees. At some point in time, in anyone’s history in this country, we would all surely be related to or connected to a one-time refugee. Lord Dubbs finished his address affirming to those present that they are no longer refugees. They were home. Indeed, Mary was. Mary went on to meet Debbie’s father, Eddie Arnold, himself a successful comedian and Impressionist in the UK. He worked with Bob Hope, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Morecambe and Wise. The list goes on. He was taken with the beautiful and tenacious Mary, and they were soon married. Mary fell pregnant with Debbie, and a secure life began. Mary could spring roots. Fate once more dealt a poor hand when Eddie sadly died

from a brain tumour, when they had been married only five years and Mary, a vulnerable 25-year-old mother of one. This is when the theatre and the lifelong friends you make in the glare of the spotlight look after their own. Look after their own, they did. Many of Eddie’s friends and colleagues, many of the legends of stage and screen, made sure Mary was not out in the cold. Aside from short-term support, Mary was invited to join The Bailey Organisation with her now wealth of contacts and friends in the industry. A Theatre management group. Perfectly suited for this position, with her poise and resilience, fierce wit and positive attitude, Mary soared, finding once again home, and this one was going to stick. Mary continued to thrive as a working woman, and her talent shone through. After some time, she took flight solo and opened Mary Arnold Management, taking care of the latest and the greats so dearly beheld in Britain today. The Walker Brothers, Tony Hatch, Petula Clarke and David Bowie are just a few stars on Marys books and were to blaze along with her, from the darkest corners to the very brightest futures. Marys story, though, doesn’t end here aside from a surprise brother from a previous marriage of Arnolds finding Mary a long time after the war. Joseph was some ten years her senior, and although he had also been interned in Auschwitz, he had remarkably escaped. Not before finding their father there and learning of Mary. Joseph was also a comedian as Arnold had been and credits their relatively long survival there to being able to make the guards laugh. A macabre and sobering alias. All of Josephs five siblings and mother had sadly perished long before. Joseph knew he had to change his fate when being moved. 

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He remarkably escaped and became a very big star in Argentina. Never divulging what happened in-between but also never forgetting his promise to Arnold and his pilgrimage to his last surviving sibling. It seems he, too, had the family courage and determination. Marys incredible story didn’t end here. Her Legacy, Daughter Debbie, picked up the mantle reasonably early. Despite never being encouraged to pursue a career in show business, it seems show business followed her. So, it was when the beautiful, upbeat, and privately educated Sunderland-born Debbie got a job in a record company as secretary to Terry Brown. By chance, she met impressionist Johnny More. Cheekily mimicking his northern accent piquing his interest. “bet you can’t do Glaswegian “bet you I can”, retorted Debbie in faultless Glaswegian intonation. “who else do you do”? Asked an amused Johnny making way for Debbie’s impression of Marilyn Monroe. Before Debbie knew it, she was employed as an impressionist on Who Do You DO. A hugely successful sketch show in its last series in 1977. It launched many a luted career, including Debbie’s. Her boss Terry firing her to ensure she made use of her unmistakable talent and wasn’t tested to return with a kind caveat that she may if things didn’t work out. Debbie never needed that hand as she then seized opportunities with spirit and vim that her mother had done.

Debbie has had an impressive acting career holding the mantle of being regular in all the leading soaps in the UK and many more highly impressive stage and screen plaudits. Impressive too as Debbie’s benevolence to the lives and well-being of others, writing a book called The Power of Reinvention, skill and mindset perfected by Debbie and Mary and now graciously passing on to others. Also, as if her plate wasn’t full enough when the rest of our plates were full of chips and Netflix during the lockdown, Debbie piled hers high with her show that she presents with Sherrie Hewson and Dee Anderson called Wonderbirds. Not one to feel at ease at the loss of connection and empathy with other humans, as her own mother’s storey confirms is so essential to all our survival, they set up the show on YouTube, and it now has 15 million viewers. It has connected with many a face from stage and screen and literary fame. Making sure human stories get heard. I can’t help, Wonderbirds is a fitting homage to Mary, Debbie, and all those mothers (and fathers) trying to find a better and safer life for their children, connecting us all. A global community. I hope we never forget that refugees are a reflection of us all. We are obliged to reach out a hand. Mary’s story has been one of the greatest and most timely privileges to learn, and I’m so grateful to Debbie for sharing it. Imagine how many more there are out there? Maybe it’s time we all asked our questions. 

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H E A LT H

LET’S TALK MENOPAUSE, MAYHEM AND CELEBRATING THIS NEW CHAPTER OF OUR MAGNIFICENT LIVES

EMMA SKEATES – AKA THE MENOPAUSAL MAYHEM MOTHER, BLOGGER AND BEST SELLING AUTHOR TELLS IT HOW IT REALLY IS AND THE WORLD IS LISTENING

ello there, you lovely lot, as you may or may not know, October is global Menopause Month, and I decided that it was high time that we started not only raising awareness about this marvellous time of our lives, but also getting that delightful stigma about it and shoving it firmly………. in the bin! I would like to share with everyone who reads this fabulous publication that is Town and County that this really can be the best time of our lives. Even if whilst you are reading this, you are ready to murder someone, especially me! The truth is, I have been writing about the menopause for some years now, with a global following on social media of over 300 thousand women, and the message that comes back loud and clear to me every day, is LET’S KEEP IT REAL, LET’S LAUGH AT OURSELVES AND LET’S SHARE INFORMATION! It really is the only way. So, with no further ado, here I am. Your monthly menopausal maniac who tells you how it really is for real women. My approach is somewhat different from the mainstream celebs who talk about this phase of our lives. There have been a few documentaries made about “The change” and although I commend the ladies that make

them, do they really represent us normal, every day REAL women? Somehow, I think not. I mean how many of us have 3 hours free a day to work out and go to yoga and pilates classes? How many of us have the money to attend private clinics and get our bloods assessed and put on the perfect cocktail of HRT and supplements? How many of us have the time OR the money to turn our lives upside down to deal with this phase and the challenges it can present to us? My predicted answer is : Not many! So, I am hoping that my crazy little piece that I write in Town and County every month is a useful, informative and most of all amusing little something for you all to devour and enjoy. I am also hoping that this is something for men and women alike, it’s all about education and understanding after all. A little bit about me, your brand new resident nutter. I had a full hysterectomy at aged 44 as a result of an ovarian cancer scare, which was one of the simplest and most straightforward operations I could ever have imagined. The only thing that was a bit complicated was the overnight menopause. Thankfully, I had an amazing GP who put me onto oestrogen patches straight away which staved off some of the symptoms that so many women experience. But, within a few weeks I discovered that I was allergic to the patches and, despite having a 

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H E A LT H

fairly hefty set of thighs which could kick start a Boeing 747, I was running out of room pretty quickly to put the wretched things, so I gave up. And then it hit me like I had ploughed out of control into a brickwall. Over the coming months I want to talk to you about so many of the well-known and lesser-known symptoms of the menopause, from overnight insomnia to anxiety, brain fog and memory loss, low mood and murderous intent to tearfulness and the delights of the onset of hot flushes. Then there’s the weight gain and the lethargy, they’re fun. But alongside ALL this, I will be focusing on the most important thing of all : it’s not only ALL completely manageable but there is humour to be found in EVERY little thing. It’s all about perspective and if there is one thing I HAVE learned about not only MY menopause but thousands of other womens’, is that there is no side door to by-pass this phase where our hormones start doing a mad punk dance and then vanish altogether. There is no menopause avoidance tardis that we can pay to whizz around it, oh no, we are going through it and my mission with all of you is to make it as easy and pleasurable as possible. You see the truth is, we live longer post menopausally than we do pre-menopausally. So, we may as well make the most of this time, because the truth is, we’ve done the tough stuff by the time we get here and we know so much more than we ever did. We are still sexy and gorgeous and, I even if you don’t feel that way, keep reading this column, because I am going to Gok you! This is the START of the rest of your lives, not the end. I will be showing you ways to be stylish and feel the

best version of yourself, even with your newfound lack of waistline. I will be showing you the best foods to eat to get that waist back without having to run 300 miles a day and do 400 sit ups. I will be telling you of all my daily disasters that come from the good old menopausal brain fog that will blow your mind, but you will also be saying to yourself, “I do that every day too” I will be giving you some fabulous tips to help with the ghastly insomnia and anxiety that literally hit overnight and just about every GP puts down to midlife depression – 99% of the time that is utter tosh! I will be making you feel normal again and what I would love more than anything else is that you write to me and ask me questions. Over the years, I have worked with some of the best Harley Street doctors who have helped show me some amazing secrets that are FAR too well hidden from us ; the menopausal women. I will be myth busting all over the place! So, welcome to my Menopause Mayhem. Let’s have some fun together, let’s laugh together, let’s talk, let’s share stories and information and let’s do what women do best – get this sorted and let’s start living our best lives again remembering the most important thing of all……………………………. There is NO such thing as the perfect life. Let’s embrace imperfection and be exactly who we are and fall in love with ourselves again. Until next time. I simply can’t wait.!

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likE drinking your firsT day of Holiday Tequila evangelist Cleo Rocos created AquaRiva® Premium Tequila and Organic Agave Syrup in 2011 after working with a Master Blender in Mexico for 10 months. Being featured in the Virgin Atlantic inaugural flight to Mexico in 2012 with Richard Branson, we are proud that AquaRiva® is now available in Virgin Clubhouses. AquaRiva® Tequila is a double gold medal winner in the UK and voted ‘Best of the Best’ in the USA. Available in Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, on-line; DrinkUpNY, thedrinkshop.com, Amazon and in clubs and bars nationwide.

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ADVENT CALENDARS

OUR SELECTION OF ADVENT CALENDARS ARE STRICTLY FOR ADULTS. BEAUTY TREATS, SLEEK STATIONERY, MINI BOOZY TIPPLES AND GROWN UP CHOCOLATES WILL ENSURE YOU ARE AS EXCITED ABOUT THE COUNTDOWN AS THE LITTLE ONES!

Cohorted Beauty, A 12 door advent with brands including Sunday Riley, Laura Mercier & Irene Forte £98 (worth £463.50) Cohorted.co.uk Martha Brook Stationery Calendar, with packaging made from recycled disposable cups that can be personalised for the recipient and filled with 24 elegant stationery items. £89 Marthabrook.com

Espa Hidden Treasures Luxury Calendar, 24 Face, body and home treats from Espa. £160 (worth £389) Espaskincare.com

Lookfantastic Beauty calendar from. 25 treats from brands including Christophe Robin, Nars & Philip Kingsley. £85 (worth £410) lookfantastic.com

Evolve Organic Beauty 12 Days Calendar A mix of hair, face and skincare from organic skincare brand Evolve beauty , £95 evolvebeauty.co.uk

Elemis No.25 Home of Beauty Calendar. 25 doors filled with luxurious skincare & bodycare. £175 (worth £410) Elemis.com Paperchase 24 days of Stationery. A fun and bold mix of stationery treats, £40 (worth £85) Paperchase.com

Tony’s Chocolonely Countdown Calendar (255g) -RRP £12.99. Available from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado, Booths, Oxfam, John Lewis, independents and tonyschocolonely.com

Pierre Marcolini Ski Slope Advent. 24 delicious chocolates including Gianduja bells, hearts and their infamous “Pralinés Anciens”, £49 eu.marcolini.com

Yankee candle Advent Tree. 24 doors of wax melts, mini votive candles and tealights. £79.99 Yankeecandle.co.uk

Virgin wines Gin Advent, 24 had selected gins from around the globe including Silent Pool, Warner’s and Whitley Neill, £99.99 Virginwines.co.uk

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Glossybox Surprise Me calendar. Brands include Molton Brown, Rodial and Huda beauty. £85 for subscribers (worth £465) Glossybox.co.uk

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GIFT GUIDE

GIFTS FOR HIM Elemis x Hayley Menzies London Grooming Collection £44.20 very.co.uk

Rise English Wine Box (2 x 750ml bottles) £50/£45 riseenglishwine.co.uk

Ink & drop Framed Print £70 inkanddrop.com Dyson Hot & Cool HP09 Silver/ Chrome £599 ao.com

Moleskin Smart Writing Set £145 moleskin.com Lavazza Desea Coffee machine £199 lavazza.co.uk Le Chameau Wool Lined Wellington Boots £260 lechameau.com

GOT BAG Rolltop Backpack made from ocean plastic £132 eu.got-bag.com

Nothing Ear Active Noise cancellation wireless Earbuds £99 Nothing.tec

Skechers Glide-step Mesh Snkr £55 shoeaholics.com

Meze 99 Classics Walnut headphones £279 mezeaudio.eu Smart Wireless Thermometer £99 meater.com

Wahl Power Clipper £69.99 wahl.co.uk

AVI-8 Gutersloh Watch £165 avi-8.co.uk

London Sock Company Designer Collection 15-piece Box £195 londonsockcompany.com

Fitbit Charge 5 £169.99 Fitbit.com

Ryobi 18V Brushless Line Trimmer £139.99 direct-powertools.co.uk

Sensate 2 Sensory Device £199 Getsensate.com

Moto Guzzi 100 Anni book £60 published by Rizzoli Illustrati

Ryobi Battery & Charger Kit ON SALE CURRENTLY £79.99 direct-powertools.co.uk

KG Kurt Geiger Bryson Suede Shoes £49 shoeaholics.com

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BioWave Go Drug free Pain relief device £385 Biowavego.co.uk

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GIFTS FOR HER

BEAUTY LOVERS:

Dr Harris Anti-wrinkle Sleep Mask £89.99 currentbody.com

GHD Deluxe Desire Limited Edition Set £368 ghdhair.com

Pure Silk pillowcase £45 thesilkcollection.co.uk

The Merchant of Venice Flamant Rose perfume £250 harveynichols.com

Sensica Sensilift Mini Face & Body RPL Hair remover £199 boots.com

iMira Pro Ultra Clear Sensor Mirror £159.99 ekohome.co.uk

Ubuna Brighten Glow Serum £180 net-a-porter.com

Ioniq ONE Tan Starter Kit £269.90 ioniqskin.com

FASHION LOVERS:

Carvela Sky High Boots £219 at shopaholics.com

Sif Jacobs Ferrara Ring £139 sifjacobs.uk

Loop Cashmere Sustainable cashmere Hoody £279 loopcashmere.co.uk Fox & Taylor Silk Serenity Cami £90 Serenity Silk PJ bottoms £180 foxandtaylor.co

Love & Kisses Lab Diamond and 925 silver Bracelet £389 thediamondstore.co.uk

This is Silk Robe £189.99 thisissilk.com

WELL-BEING LOVERS:

Homedics Pro Physio massage Gun £299 homedics.co.uk

Lululemon Define Jacket £98 lululemon.co.uk

Edifier TWS NB2 Pro Wireless Noise Cancellation Earbuds £79.99 Amazon.co.uk

Amazefit GTS 2 watch £159 argos.co.uk

CB.Do Rest CBD tablets £59 cbdomore.co.uk HigherDose PEMF Mat £469 higherdose.com

Oclean W10 Water Flosser £60 oclean.com

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A curated range of unique perfume, home fragrance and body products. We search the world for exciting new products and are also an official stockist for established luxury brands such as Cire Trudon, Claus Porto, Culti Milano and Lalique. Gift Cards | Natural & Organic Skincare | Niche Perfumes Make-up Essentials | Corporate Gifting

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GIFTS FOR KIDS

LET’S FACE IT, IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT THE KIDS WHEN IT COMES TO CHRISTMAS AND WE’VE GOT THEM COVERED FROM TINY TO TEEN 1

4 3

TINY

1. Little Tikes Tobi 2 Director’s Camera RRP £69.99 LittleTikes.co.uk, Amazon, Argos, 2. Clementoni/Science Museum Action & Reaction Speed Race £29.99 Smyths, Amazon, 3. TP Splash & Play Happy Chef Wooden Mud Kitchen £129.99 tptoys.com, 4. Hape Fire Station RRP £75 Smyths, 5. Wigiwama Teepee Set £152 Wigiwama.co.uk, 6. Yoto Player £79.99 uk.yotoplay.com

TWEENS

10 11

8. Geomag Super Color Magnetic 52 piece set £29.99 The Entertainer , 9. Speed Ball RRP £24.99 Age 6+ Smyths, 10. Rainbow High Winter Break Fashion Dolls RRP £39.99 Smyths, 11. Rockrider ST 900 Kids Mountain Bike £289.99 decathalon.co.uk, 12. Pets Alive Poppy the Booty Shakin’ Pug RRP £19.99 Smyths, The Entertainer, 13.The Folio Society Roald Dahl Collection Books £75 Thefoliosociety.com, 14. Monster Jam Freestyle Force £64.99 Argos

TEENS

16 20 21

23 22

15. GameSir X2 BT £69.99 Gamesir.hk, 16. Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Instant Camera with 50 shots included £129.99 Very.co.uk, 17. HyperX Cloud II Wireless Gamer headphones £149.99 uk.hyperx.com, 18. Personalised Framed Star Map From £60 Posterhaste.com, 19. AU-Frequency ANC earbuds £129.99 Ausounds.com, 20. Designer Velvet Hi-Back Gamer Bean bag £97.99 Greatbeanbags.com, 21. JOBY GorillaPod Mobile Vlogging Kit £179.95 Joby.com, 22. Stabilo Boss Original £51.22 Stabilo.co.uk, 23. Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio Bundle £209.99 store.focusrite.com

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CHRISTMAS TIPPLE

TOP ROW: Brugal 1888 £45 Waitrose, Stauning El Classico £59.95 Masterofmalt.com,Woodford Reserve Whisky £34 Waitrose, Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye £37 Whisky Exchange,Master of Malt, Daddy Rack Tennessee Whiskey £35.95 Royalmilewhiskies.com, Slane Irish Whiskey £30 Waitrose, Amazon, El Sueño Watermelon Tequila £18 Tesco 2nd ROW: Herraura Tequila Reposado £43.99 Masterofmalt.com, Pancho Datos Tequila Plata £49.95 Masterofmalt.com, Drambuie £18 Waitrose, Cointreau Tropicool Limited Edition Bottle £29.95 Fortnum & Mason, Seignette Cognac VS £32 Waitrose, Grey goose Summer Edition Bottle £46 Harvey Nichols, Belvedere Organic Pear & Ginger Vodka £44.99 Selfridges, 3rd ROW: Devon Cove Vodka £39.50 Devoncove.co.uk, Crystal Head Vodka Original £42.25 31Dover, Hawksbill Rum £23 Hawksbillrum.co.uk, Hattiers Rum £40 Waitrose, Diplomatico Mantuano Rum £30.60 Masterofmalt.com, Etan rum £37 Etanrum.co.uk, Ford gin £30.95 Amazon. 4th ROW: Wimbledon Gin £38.50 Wimbledonbrewery.com, Herno Old Tom Gin £34.95 Waitrose, No.3 London Dry Gin £36 Waitrose, Amazon, June by G’Vine wild Peach & Summer Fruits Gin £29 Fenwick, The Whisky Exchange, Bombay Sapphire Gin Sunset Edition £23 shop.bombaysapphire.com, Opihr Black Lemon Arabian Edition Gin £23 Opihr.com,The Botanist gift wrapped Gin £36.38 Amazon

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RECIPE FOR SUCCESS THEO MICHAELS TALKS ABOUT HIS INCREDIBLE JOURNEY FROM A HIGH-FLYING ROLE IN THE CORPORATE WORLD TO FORGING A NEW CAREER AS A CHEF Words by: Jo Rothery

rom the head of a highly successful recruitment agency to a career in cuisine was a quantum leap for Theo. But when it comes to food, he is a force of nature and rose rapidly to a well-deserved reputation as an imaginative cook who dishes up one success after another. His business, Theo Cooks, has become famous for his creative, mouth-watering dishes. It might never have come about, however, if it hadn’t been for Theo’s impressive run on Masterchef in 2014, which saw him forge through the heats to reach the semi-finals and sparked the germ of an idea to hang up his suit and begin wearing an apron for a living. “My life seems to go in seven-year cycles,” he says. “The first was when I owned an engineering recruitment agency which was going very well, and then I was head-hunted for the managing director role in a much larger recruitment company which bought both me and my business - I sat on the board for another seven years. “It was a fantastic 14 years, but I just lost the passion for it - I had reached a point where I felt I was trading time for cash, and that was not working for me any longer. So I was going through the motions - I would be sitting in a board meeting, talking about £5million five-year strategies and suddenly find myself thinking about rhubarb! “In one standard scenario, I was talking to someone about his career change, and I realised that so many people are starting to feel the same now, that they want to change but have no idea what to do. “I am British born and bred, but my background is Greek Cypriot, and food is part of our genetics. So it has always played a big part in my life, an essential role in my family, friends and environment. “At university, like most cash-strapped students, it was vital to learn how to cook, and I did it to impress my girlfriend, Anna, who is now my wife. Once I was working, cooking became a pastime partly, very relaxed and casual, but it became more like a military operation when our sprogs arrived.  TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

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“I was lucky that MasterChef came along, but that was quite by chance. I was just back from holiday and thinking about my first day back in the office tomorrow when I saw an application for Masterchef pop up. So I filled it in, then almost forgot about it, just got on with my life. “I hadn’t realised how many people watched the programme and how popular it was, so I was fortunate to be accepted. I learned a lot from it and discovered a few valuable techniques, the most important thing was getting totally objective opinions about my cooking. “When you have friends round for dinner, of course, they are going to say they enjoy the dishes you make, but it isn’t like that on Masterchef - you’re on your own, and you have to get everything absolutely right. “It was very intense, but it gave me the platform to go ahead and change my life. It reignited my passion for food, but I was at the top of my game in the corporate world, so giving that up was a huge step. “If you are going to make a significant career change like that, you have to get it right, and I had three young children and a mortgage to think about. You’re either a genius or mad, so I decided to give it a year and then the decision had to be made. “I eventually made up my mind that I wanted a career as a chef and decided I had nothing to lose and had to go for it. “In any industry, there are thousands of different niches, and while we were on holiday, sitting on the beach, it occurred to me that I could launch a pop-up restaurant there. So I thought we’d get the location and the concept, eight-course fine dining taster menus championing Greek cuisine at £50 ago. “That was the start of it all, and It could have been made. We had no idea if it would work, but when I

announced it, it sold out in minutes and threw me into a massive panic. The first night was a raging success, and by the end of the two years we did that, bookings were selling out in a minute of going live. The rest, as they say, is history. Theo has become an accomplished chef and presenter who is frequently seen on television and in the media, and he has published six books, two of which have won the 2020 Gourmand World Cookbook award. He became established as a private chef and is now a full-time executive chef for Elsewhere Events, creating imaginative dining experiences for venues and pop-up events worldwide. In addition, he has been a guest chef at the Sheraton Grande Hotel in Bangkok and the exclusive Paresa resort in Kamala Hills, Thailand. During the lockdown, he was named the ‘UK’s home economist’ after hosting 36 live kids’ cook-alongs for three months - all recipes from those shows appear in his Kids Lockdown Cookbook, and he is also co-founder of FiveDinners.com “A lot of my dishes are based around ‘elegant’ village food, which you can find all over the Mediterranean, and I also like to create honest family food,” Theo says. “The two pillars in my life are my family and good food - it comes from my Greek-Cypriot background. I have three kids under 11, and I want to feed them well - and I like to encourage them to get into cooking. “Family food dovetails into the Five Dinners, which I launched during the pandemic. I had the idea for it a

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few years back, but when other things went quiet due to Covid, I had the time to put some new things into action, especially as more people were interested in what they cook at home. “It’s a weekly meal planning service where every single week I create five new recipes, easy to cook at home, with one shopping list for the whole of a week so that subscribers have everything they need in one place when they shop. It’s all there at the click of a button, and it can be customised. “It’s proved enormously popular as people like the idea of not having to think about what they have to make, and thousands of them are joining in, some using the service every week, others dipping in and out.” Theo has just signed a new two-book deal and plans to develop Five Dinners even further. Making a major career switch has undoubtedly paid off for him, and it’s a decision he has never regretted as he welcomes the fresh challenges each day brings. “I remember going to hand in my notice at the recruitment agency. At first, they refused to accept it, I went back a week later to insist I wanted to go, but again that was turned down, but they finally accepted it the third time I tried to resign. “I need to have a passion for what I am doing, and being a chef gives me that. It’s intense, but I welcome the challenge every day brings - I wouldn’t have it any other way now.”  TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

WOODHOUSE BUTCHERY RICHARD WOODHOUSE TALKS ABOUT HOW HE IS ENCOURAGING A GROWING NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS TO BECOME MORE CREATIVE AND USE DIFFERENT CUTS OF MEAT

alling upon many years of experience in supplying top-quality meat to leading chefs at premier restaurants in London and all over the south of England, Woodhouse Butchery has mastered the art of introducing new and progressive elements to the traditional trade. While Woodhouse Butchery continues to cater for the demanding requirements of hotels, pubs, restaurants and eateries of all kinds, the business is adapting to the times. It began developing its retail side earlier this year and that is forging ahead thanks to the superb service Woodhouse Butchery provides. Within months, the business has built up a growing band of loyal domestic customers and with Woodhouse Butcherys wealth of experience and knowledge, they are in a unique position to encourage people to be more adventurous in terms of using lesser-known cuts of the meat as well as the prime cuts they know so well. As the fourth generation of renowned butchers, it is no surprise that Richard’s advice is key in helping home customers to choose exactly what is needed to serve up mouthwatering dishes with a difference. Woodhouse Butchery’s commitment to the highest standards goes back more than a century to when the family established their butchery company in London in 1888 and the name rapidly became synonymous with incomparable service and quality. They became suppliers to some of the most prestigious restaurants and catering

establishments of all kinds, including Michelin-starred restaurants and world-renowned five-star hotels. This well-earned and enviable reputation is a key element of today’s Woodhouse Butchery, which maintains the ethos of impeccable, personal service aligned with high-grade produce, while at the same time embracing cutting-edge modern ideas and practices. It was a natural progression for Richard to carry on the family tradition and he joined the business at the age of 19, after studying for three years at a college based at the world-famous Smithfield Market and then further enhancing his knowledge and skills. In 2014 he and his wife Jessica Woodroffe relaunched Woodhouse Butchery, located in Haywards Heath where they built a purpose-built, state-of-the-art factory. This has given them a base from which to serve the whole of Southeast England as well as London. “It’s been a success from the start and Woodhouse Butchery is regarded as a leading purveyor of top-quality meat, poultry and game to the catering industry - chefs like the service we give them,” says Richard. “But we aren’t just catering butchers who supply to the trade. I’ve always had an inkling to do retail and the pandemic has been the catalyst for us to develop that. “Catering to the trade is still the core business at Woodhouse Butchery but we now supply the same products and the same level of service and choice to individual customers, just in smaller quantities. “The hospitality industry has been hit hard by the

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P RO M OT I O N

pandemic but it’s still a very busy sector. A very refreshing thing is that you can see what amazing chefs are doing in terms of being more creative, using different cuts of meat they hadn’t considered before and introducing new, unusual dishes. “All over the country, the food offerings nowadays are incredible, from all over the world. More and more people are wanting to have a go at creating the kind of dishes they enjoy in restaurants and gastropubs. They have also spent time watching chefs at work on TV and now want to have a go at those kinds of dishes at home.” With their wealth of experience and knowledge of the trade, Woodhouse Butchery is in a unique position to offer customers expert advice on how to choose exactly what is needed and to suggest new products they could try. “The butchery industry has changed enormously but we have moved with it,” Richard explains. “At Woodhouse Butchery we have a huge number of trusted suppliers, and we offer an enormous choice - we can supply any kind of meat customers want, including exotic meats, both to industry chefs and to other customers. We can offer absolutely everything you would expect to see on a hotel or restaurant menu. “We work closely with approved local farmers and suppliers to ensure only the finest high-grade quality products make it to the plate. We regard sustainability as very important and ensure all our products have full provenance. Everything we supply is top quality and can be tailored to individual needs. “Our meats come from only the best suppliers, but it’s what our team at Woodhouse Butchery do with them that makes the difference - how we butcher it, how we age it, and the same attention to detail that top chefs demand. “Most chefs have a ‘signature’ dish and one recently asked me what Woodhouse Butchery’s signature product is. Exceptional service is our signature, always happy to give customers sound advice and to point them in the right direction to try new things. “As well as suggesting customers try new cuts of meat, we give them advice on the quantity needed, preparation and cooking methods and times. “We like to help people open their eyes to new possibilities and show them the best way to use them. That’s the kind of top-to-tail butchery we aim for.”

Woodhouse Butchery 2 Burrell Road Haywards Heath West Sussex RH16 1TW 01444 455 816 retailorders@woodhousebutchery.co.uk www.woodhousebutchery.co.uk

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RECIPES

CORNED BEEF SHAKSHUKA

Serves 4 Preheat the oven to 200°C fan/220°C/425°F/Gas 7.

I remember having corned beef hash as a kid, and this recipe is really a fusion of that throw-back brunch with the more recent darling of brunch menus, the ‘shakshuka’ (with good reason, it’s delicious). A little crumbled feta over the top just as it comes out of the oven is nice if you fancy it.

Fry the potatoes, onion and chopped chilli in a splash of olive oil in a large ovenproof frying pan for a couple minutes over a high heat (the potatoes won’t take on any colour, but that’s okay). Once the onion has softened, sprinkle in the Worcestershire sauce and ground cumin and season generously with freshly ground black pepper and a small pinch of salt. Fold in the corned beef, breaking it up a little in the pan and incorporating it into the other ingredients. Dot the cherry tomatoes around the pan and drizzle over a couple of tablespoons of the juice. Make four small ‘pockets’ in the mixture and crack an egg into each one, leave on the heat for a minute to help cook the undersides of the eggs, drizzle over some olive oil, then place the whole pan in the preheated oven for 6 minutes or until the tops of the eggs have just solidified. Remove the pan from the oven (remember the handle will be hot!), garnish with chopped parsley and serve straight away at the table. If you wish, crumble the feta over the top just before serving to give a nice contrast to the dish.

• 360-g can new potatoes, cut into 2.5-cm/1-inch cubes • 1 red onion, diced  • 1⁄2 small fresh red chilli, chopped • a splash of olive oil, plus extra for drizzling  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce  • a pinch of ground cumin • 200-g can corned beef, roughly chopped  • 1⁄2 x 400-g can cherry tomatoes (about 12 tomatoes plus some juice) • 4 eggs • a handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley, to garnish 100 g crumbled feta cheese, to serve (optional) salt and freshly ground black pepper

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RECIPES

CHANA SAAG PANEER

• 1 teaspoon salt  • 1⁄2 x 400-g can coconut milk

Canned spinach makes quick work of my own recipe for this popular Indian curry, comprising chickpeas, spinach and paneer, especially as I always have a can or two conveniently stashed away in a kitchen cupboard. This is delicious on its own, but feel free to serve with warmed naan breads or plain basmati rice and topped with a dollop of mango chutney. I should also mention that any leftovers reheated and served with a poached egg on top work well for breakfast. I wish I could say that was just a rumour I’d heard..

Start with the spinach – pour the contents of the can into a sieve and use the back of a spoon to push down on the spinach, extracting as much liquid as possible. Leave this sitting in the sieve over a bowl while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. Cut the paneer cheese into 2.5-cm/1-inch cubes and dust with half the ground cumin. Heat a splash of oil in a frying pan over a high heat, add the paneer and fry for just a couple of minutes until golden, then remove from the pan. Add a splash more oil to the pan along with the cumin and fennel seeds and sweat the diced onions for about 6 minutes until caramelized and golden. Add the remaining spices, ginger, garlic and chillies and cook for 30 seconds, then add the drained chickpeas and tomato purée. Tip in the spinach with the salt and stir to incorporate it with the rest of the ingredients. Fold in half a can of coconut milk, warm through until it bubbles, stirring frequently, then remove from the heat. Serve in comforting bowls to snuggle round with a wedge of lime and some boiled rice or a chunk of ripped naan for company; a swirl of the remaining coconut milk over the top is a nice touch.

Serves 2 as a main; 4 as a side

• 380-g can leaf spinach • 250-g pack paneer cheese (or halloumi will work too)  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin  • a splash of olive oil  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds  • 2 onions, diced  • 1⁄2 teaspoon ground turmeric  • 1 tablespoon garam masala • 2.5-cm/1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped  • 2 dried whole red chillies (or a pinch of chilli flakes) • 400-g can chickpeas, drained  • 1 tablespoon tomato purée

TO SERVE lime wedges, for squeezing boiled rice or naan bread mango chutney (optional)

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RECIPES

CHICKEN & MUSHROOM PIE

Dice the chicken breast into 2.5-cm/1-inch cubes and dust in a little flour, then set aside. Drain the mushrooms in a sieve, pushing them down to release any excess moisture, then dust in flour. Add a splash of olive oil to an ovenproof pan and fry the chicken and mushrooms for a few minutes until the chicken has browned a little (you may need to do this in batches if it starts to overcrowd the pan). Remove both from the pan and set aside. Add another splash of olive oil if needed and fry the onion for a few minutes until softened, then stir through the garlic for 30 seconds. Return the chicken and mushrooms to the pan, add the thyme and bay leaves and pour in three-quarters of the chicken soup. Simmer for a few minutes until the filling thickens, adding a splash more soup if it gets too thick. Season generously with salt and pepper and remove the pan from the heat. On a lightly flour-dusted work surface roll out the pastry 2.5–5 cm/1–2 inches larger than the top of the ovenproof pan, and about 5 mm/1⁄4 inch thick. Drape the pastry over the top of the filling, tucking the edges of the pastry inside the pan. Prick a few times with a fork and feel free to add

This recipe uses canned chicken for ultimate convenience, coupled with an additional cheat of using chicken soup for an instant creamy sauce. You can’t go wrong – cook the filling in the pan, top it with pastry and whack it in the oven. It’s ready to serve the whole family 20 minutes later!

• 2 x 200-g cans chicken breast • 50 g plain flour, for dusting • 285-g can whole button mushrooms, drained  • a splash of olive oil  • 1 onion, diced  • 1 garlic clove, chopped  • leaves from 2 sprigs of fresh thyme • 2 bay leaves  • 400-g can cream of chicken soup  • 200 g ready-made puff pastry  • 1 egg  • a splash of milk  • salt and freshly ground black pepper • canned baby carrots and petit pois, to serve  • a knob of butter, to serve • gravy, to serve (optional)

any cute pastry cut-outs on top as decoration. Whisk the egg with a splash of milk and brush over the top of the pastry, sprinkle with salt and bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes or until the pastry is golden and cooked. Serve with canned petit pois and carrots with a knob of butter, and lots of instant gravy – I love that stuff.

Serves 4 Preheat the oven to 200°C fan/220°C/425°F/Gas 7.

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RECIPES

SWEET ‘DONUT’ ARANCINI These indulgent little arancini could be the love-child of a deep-fried doughnut and a can of rice pudding. They are light and creamy with the little surprise of sticky jam in the centre. They are very moreish – you have been warned!

• 400-g can good-quality rice pudding • 100 g self-raising flour, plus 130 g for dusting • 2 eggs, whisked  • 100 g fresh breadcrumbs (about 2–3 slices of bread, grated)  • 500 ml vegetable oil (enough for deep frying)  • 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus extra for dusting  • 3 teaspoons strawberry jam  • 2 tablespoons icing sugar Makes 6 When you open the can of rice pudding, most of the contents will have settled to the bottom. Discard the milky sauce on top, then tip the remaining rice pudding into a sieve. Place three small bowls in a row: the first containing the flour for dusting, the second containing the whisked eggs and the third containing the breadcrumbs. Pour the oil for deep frying into a large heavy-based saucepan and begin to heat. Tip the drained rice pudding into a mixing bowl. Gently fold in two-thirds of the remaining flour and all the cinnamon. Continue adding more flour until the mixture starts to hold together; it will be fairly loose – you’re not making a dough. Dust your hands with flour, take a heaped dessertspoonful of the rice pudding mixture and drop it into the small bowl of flour (to help it stop sticking to your hands); remove the spoonful of pudding mixture and gently form it into a ball by rolling between your palms, then poke your finger into the middle, about halfway in and fill with about 1⁄2 teaspoon jam, then pinch the top together to close the hole. Drop the ball back into the bowl of flour and roll around, then into the egg wash, then finally into the

breadcrumbs to coat. Test the oil temperature by dropping in some breadcrumbs; they should sizzle immediately but take 30 seconds to turn golden. Carefully lower the rice ball in and deep fry for a few minutes until golden. Remove using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels while you finish the rest. Mix the remaining cinnamon with the icing sugar and dust over the top of the arancini. Serve warm.

We have one signed copy of Canned to giveaway to one lucky reader. All you have to do is answer this very simple question: What year did Theo Michaels appear on Celebrity Masterchef? Answers to be emailed to: editorial@townandcountymag.co.uk

Canned by Theo Michaels, published by Ryland Peters & Small (£18.99) Photography by Mowie Kay © Ryland Peters & Small

The book is available to buy from Amazon, Bookshop. org and all good bookshops TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

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INTERVIEW

TOTAL TRANSFORMATION KEVIN NICKS OF WPL CONSTRUCTION TALKS ABOUT THE CHALLENGE OF CREATING UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTS IN A DOMESTIC SETTING

xceeding expectations is the mantra of WPL, and expectations were undoubtedly running high when a couple asked them to transform an outdated small bungalow into a high-end family home. “It was just the kind of bespoke challenge we relish,” says project developer Kevin Nicks. “They wanted us to create a spacious home to bring two families together, accommodating two adults and four children aged from ten to 14. “The bungalow had to be completely gutted to make it open-plan, incorporating a big family room and a loft conversion large enough for a huge master bedroom, two other bedrooms and a family bathroom. “On the ground floor, there had to be a large kitchen and dining area, an office, two downstairs bedrooms and a bathroom. “Some clients have very definite ideas of the style they want, but the couple gave us a pretty open brief, very plain and contemporary. We did the project from start to finish, including dealing with the design, plans and obtaining planning permission. “They wanted quality materials within their budget. So we put in beautiful oak flooring, a stunning hand-built staircase and Victorian bathroom suites with elegant blue and grey tiles. “In the loft, the massive main bedroom is eleven metres long with cedar floor-to-ceiling windows that incorporate doors to let in ventilation. “It is always our aim to build a perfect relationship with every client and liaise closely with them, offering as much advice as they want - people can find it hard to visualise what rooms are going to be like from the plans. “A good relationship was vital in this case because the project took 15 months, and apart from the first six months, the clients were living in the home. “That can be a difficult situation for the clients and the contractors. It can put stress on both parties, with builders, roofers, plumbers, electricians, plasterers and carpenters all dedicated to doing their very best work as quickly as possible.” Another challenge arose due to the Covid pandemic, which had an enormous impact on the availability of supplies. “That meant we had to plan everything a long way ahead to cater for potential delays and shortages,” recalls TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

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INTERVIEW

Kevin. “The upstairs part of the house alone needed 85 bags of plaster, and we could only pick up five bags at a time. “The fact the clients were living there also affected one of the things we love to achieve - the wow factor when people first see the completed project. But, of course, it’s hard to create that when they have been living in it and seeing the whole process taking place, though we did manage to wow them. “I get a great sense of personal satisfaction when I see that clients love a project. In every case, we do our very best to manage their expectations and exceed them within the budget they give us. “Our residential work is growing at the moment as more and more people are buying properties and want to add value to them or their existing property. That gives them the opportunity to aim for a unique environment, and with our skilled craftsmen and contractors, we are perfectly placed to help them create that, from start to finish.” TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

Beautiful gardens that feel as good as they look

www.julietsargeant.com Juliet Sargeant is a multi award-winning designer, RHS Judge, Gardeners World & Gardeners Question Time presenter Phone us today to discuss how to begin the creative journey to a beautiful garden

01273 834 083

223A HIGH STREET, LEWES • 01273 472 360 Also at: Hastings, Tenterden and Rye

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INTERIORS

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR GUESTS

With the party and festive season just around the corner it’s time to treat yourself to some home updates. From Hoovers that do the work for you, clearing the garden from winter growth or simply adding some fresh bedding to your guest room, we’ve never been so excited to welcome back our loved ones into our homes SOFT TOUCHES It’s the little things that make a home feel truly welcoming and help bring your personality into play

Procook Vaasa Stoneware 20 piece Dinner Set £129 Procook.co.uk

Daikin MC55VB Air purifier £420 Daikinairpurifier.co.uk Clipper Light wood & Chrome Table Lamp £80 and Floor Lamp £90 Iconiclights.co.uk

“It’s all about Me” vintage card picture £99 Vintageplayingcards.co.uk

Elho Pure cone Smart LED 50 plant pot £329 Elho.com

Dip & Doze Grey stripe 100% organic & Fairtrade cotton bedding from £55 Dipanddoze.com

Tielle Love Luxury Hotel Jumbo towel Bale £98 Tielleloveluxury.co.uk

Designer Velvet chair Beanbag XXL £177.99 Greatbeanbags.com

STAUB 30cm Round cast Iron Cocotte £329 uk.zwilling-shop.com TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

Terrys Kingsize Dart Bedding Set £27.99 Terrysfabrics.co.uk

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INTERIORS

SMART HOME

KITCHEN

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer Empire Red Whizz up impressive deserts while making a stylish statement, £499 ao.com

Rangemaster Classic Kettle & Classic 4-slice Toaster We love the retro design of these sturdy looking kettle & toaster, £99.99 and £149.99 repectively agacookshop.co.uk

GARDEN & HOME MAINTANANCE

iRobot Roomba i3+ Wifi connected robot Vacuum This handy vacuum will do the hard work for you via an app £699.99 shop.irobot.co.uk

LG 50UP77006LB 50” Smart 4K Ultra HD TV Perfect for rainy days, this 50-inch LG TV will always keep you entertained, £499 available from ao.ocm

Procook Professional Stainless Steel 12 pc Cookware Set Never again will you struggle to find the right size pan with this professional set, £489 Procook.co.uk

Zwilling Enfinigy Power Blender, We love the digital display features on this utterly modern blender, £349 uk.zwilling-shop.com

Amazon Echo Studio speakers Connect two of these immersive sound speakers for a home cinema feel, £189.99, Amazon Fire TV Cube Control your TV hands free with this sleek Fire TV Cube with Alexa £109.99 both Amazon.co.uk

Beko Bean to Cup Coffee Embrace your inner barista with this bean to up coffee machine, £259 Shop.beko.co.uk

Arlo Essential Wire-free Video Doorbell Welcome your guests in style with this video doorbell, £179.99 Ukshop.arlo.com

Kaercher Steam Cleaner SC 5 Easyfix Premium, Not only does it kill 99.999% of enveloped viruses, its cleaver design makes it perfect for cleaning upholstery, carpets and even tiles £499.99 Kaercher.com

GTech CLM50 Lawnmower Impress them with your stripes with this top of the range lawnmower by GTECH, £499.99 Gtech.co.uk

ROIDMI H10 Vacuum, Vacuuming doesn’t have to be physically hard work with this lightweight yet super powerful cord free vacuum. Plus it looks super chic when not in use, £239 Amazon.co.uk

Eko Deluxe Phantom Kitchen Bin An award winning design with motion sensor and colour coordinated compartments, £189.99 Ekohome.co.uk

Nanoleaf Elements Smart Light Panels Smart lighting that will dance along to your music £199.99 Nanoleaf.me

Hoover H-Handy 700 Express Handheld Vacuum Clear up spills easily with this work surface friendly handheld vacuum, £99.99 Hooverdirect.co.uk Kaercher Cordless Hedge Trimmer HE 18-50, Get creative with this hedge trimmer from Kaercher £189.99 Kaercher.com

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Tel: 01444 230023

• Installation

• Heating | Boilers

• Electrics

• Building Work

• Plumbing

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e-mail sales@midsussexkitchens.co.uk

www.midsussexkitchens.co.uk

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T R AV E L

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P RO M OT I O N

THE LAND OF FIRE AND ICE

celand has long been a dream destination for me with its intricate folklore, fiery volcanoes, black volcanic beaches, icy glaciers and the dancing winter lights – The Aurora Borealis, commonly known as The Northern Lights. Now that we are starting to see international travel become that much easier, I’ve decided that now’s the time to go. In February 2022 I’ll be heading off to Iceland to hopefully tick off one of the top features on my bucket list – The Northern Lights. I’ll be taking a small group of travellers with me to Reykjavik next February for 3 nights and in that time, we’re going to do our best to spot this natural phenomenon from the deck of a boat, away from the bright city lights. I honestly cannot wait! The truth is that the Northern Lights are always, however, the dark days and nights of winter provide the perfect canvas to witness these magical events. The Northern Lights are a big draw card, but there is so much more to this incredible destination. For example, did you know that Iceland is home to the oldest recorded parliament that still exists today? The valley where disputes were settled and the parliament met is now within the Þingvellir National Park, which usually

features as the first stop on the traditional Golden Circle tourist route. For me, the geography nerd, it’s an opportunity to see two continents meet as this is the only place on earth where the MidAtlantic Ridge is visible above water. Water is a big feature in the formation of Iceland – not only with glaciers carving their way through the landscapes but also in the form of geysers and waterfalls. On my trip to Iceland, we’ll be exploring Langjökull Glacier on a snowmobile, see the iconic Gullfoss Waterfalls and experience the explosive force of Strokkur, the most active geyser in this hot spring area. It’s all sounding very active now, isn’t it? For me, a well-planned holiday will have some downtime planned into it and we’ve made sure to dedicate a good amount of time at this next highlight. A traditional pass time in Iceland is to indulge some time in one of their many Hot Spring pools. The most famous of all being The Blue Lagoon. With its location close to Reykjavik, the famed deep cleansing and purifying properties of the silica mud and its iconic cloudy blue waters, the Blue Lagoon is a must for any mini break to Reykjavik. 

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Mauritius Escape the UK’s unreliable weather and indulge in the pure pleasure of this Indian Ocean Island. From 1st October Mauritius will be dropping its restrictive quarantine measures for fully vaccinated travellers, so this should be a destination on top of your last-minute holiday wish list. With warmer weather and still relatively low rainfall, the best time of year to travel to Mauritius is October. With a wide range of properties from peaceful adults only properties to more upbeat accommodation to family focused resorts, there’s plenty of range available here to suit multiple budgets.

Isle of Skye I’d like to see, moving forward, a trend is supporting local hospitality more. Perhaps staycations will be a permanent feature in our future holiday plans. For me, the most iconic of our islands is the Isle of Skye, with quaint fishing villages, rugged coastline and medieval castles. There is certainly a great amount of charm and attraction to this, the largest island of the Inner Hebrides. Being in the UK, the weather can be difficult to predict but if you’re packed well enough, you’ll have clothes suitable for any weather. The best time to visit is April – October and I’d recommend visiting the island as part of a tour visiting Skye, Loch Ness and try the Steam Train experience with the family.

Koh Rong Samloem An island that I’ve designed trips to so many times and it’s exciting that, with Cambodia being on the safe list, this idyllic destination has once again become accessible again. Of course, you don’t go to Cambodia just for its idyllic islands, but once you’ve explored Siem Reap, the Cardamom Mountains and Phnom Penh, head off to the coast to relax and truly unwind. Depending on your relaxation needs and time available, I’d recommend between 3-5 days in this paradise with the best months to visit being December- February if you don’t mind it being busy. March-May being slightly quieter but still with great weather.

Jersey I have fond memories of Jersey, visiting as a young adult with my family. Accessible by flight or ferry and with beautiful beaches, military history, fantastic walking opportunities, gastronomic delights galore and for families don’t forget Jersey Zoo – visitors to the island will not find themselves bored. With natural beauty, historical interest, the mixture of English and French culture, seafood to die for and truly instagrammable views across the island, if you’ve never visited Jersey then you should definitely get there to enjoy everything this island has to offer. I specialise in designing bespoke itineraries for couples, families and small groups across the globe. Any itinerary I suggest is going to be especially curated for you. Prices will vary from enquiry to enquiry and destination to destination, so the best thing to do is to get in touch either by email or simply give me a call so myself and my team can chat through your unique holiday requirements today.

For more information on these fabulous holidays please contact: Fiona Bateman Email: fiona.bateman@travelcounsellors.com • Phone: 01273 317 048 www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/fiona.bateman

VIP Small Group Tour to Iceland (3 nights) •

Tour Details: Iceland VIP Small Group Tour

Snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier

•

Dates: 10th – 13th February

•

£990 per person double occupancy

•

Personal Host throughout tour

•

Single Occupancy Available for small surcharge

•

B&B in 3* Hotel in Reykjavik

•

£100 deposit and monthly payments

•

Northern Lights Cruise

•

Entrance to Blue Lagoon

•

SuperJeep Golden Circle Tour including

available(balance due in December) •

Flights can be added for full package protection

To book contact: Fiona Bateman Email: fiona.bateman@travelcounsellors.com Phone: 01273 317 048

www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/fiona.bateman

One-to-One

GARDEN DESIGN with Nigel Philips

Cooper & Son Funeral Directors

INSTANT GARDEN DESIGN SERVICE FOR THE SMALLER GARDEN COMPLETED IN A DAY– FROM £375

nigelphilips.co.uk email nigel@nigelphilips.co.uk 01273 477746

At Cooper & Son we understand that no two lives are the same, which is why every funeral we arrange is completely individual too. Whether you’re making the arrangements for a loved one or prudently planning your own, we’re here for you in every way.

42 High Street, Lewes 01273 475 557 19 Clinton Place, Seaford 01323 492 666 Also at Uckfield & Heathfield

Because every life is unique www.cpjfield.co.uk

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S P OT L I G H T

The Hanover Band celebrated its 40th Season with a garden party at which the Band’s Patron HRH the Duke of Kent was guest of honour. The end of season party was held in the picturesque garden of The Old Rectory in South Stoke near Arundel West Sussex All pictures supplied by: Graham Franks Photography - grahamfrankspics.co.uk

Orchestra CEO Stephen Neiman with partner Sarah

Ken Bodfish, Sue John and Chris Wellings

Christopher and Joanna Baron

Owners of The Old Rectory Sue and William Marsh with Teresa Knight

Cheryl and Andrew Stead

Nick from the Hanover Band on the French Horn

Members of the Hanover Band play Freifchut Overture

Guests at the event in The Old Rectory Garden

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Orchestra CEO Stephen Neiman with Father David

Katie Bowes

HRH the Duke of Kent meets guests on arrival

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S P OT L I G H T

Sussex Community Foundation was asked by the family and friends of Sue Addis to launch a charitable fund in her memory. Sue Addis was a pioneering figure in the Brighton and Hove business community. The very successful launch took place at a fundraising reception sponsored by The Grand Hotel and managed pro bono by E3 Events Director, David Hill, a trustee at Sussex Community Foundation. So far they have already raised over £5,000 for the Sue Addis Memorial Fund

Toni Darton and Stephen Chamberlain from Sussex Community Foundation with E3 Group CEO David Hill

Von and Mark Spofforth on the red carpet

Mikele Addis of Donatello’s with friends of Sue Addis

Robbie and Debbie Raggio on the red carpet

Robin Cousins MBE

Actor and Big Brother winner Jason Burrill

A sparkling welcome from Ash

42Antiques expert and dealer from ITV hit show Dickinson’s Real Deal, Simon Schneider and Heather James

Popcorn and Paparazzi!

CEO of Sussex Community Foundation Kevin Richmond

Presenting the evening E3 Group CEO David Hill

TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

TOW N & CO U N T Y

S P OT L I G H T

Guests were treated to a sample of this year’s Live From Las Vegas themed Midsummer Ball at the launch event for the 2022. Hilton Brighton Metropole held the launch for their annual charity Ball, which takes place on Saturday 25 June 2022, sponsored by Seco Insurance and Mortgages Ltd, in support of Chestnut Tree House, The Starr Trust, The Sussex Beacon and You Raise Me Up, who are all ‘Helping Young People in Sussex’.

Simon Sheehan and Manager of Hilton Metropole Brighton Sascha Koehler

The group from Chestnut Tree House with their artist Naomi Fell

The group from Sussex Beacon with their artist Penina Shepherd

Celebrity vet Marc Abraham OBE

James and Matt Turner

Kerry Mayo

Members of the Hanover Band play Freifchut Overture

On stage E3 Group’s David Hill

Radio Sussex presenter Allison Ferns

Stephanie Prior with Will Mumford

TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

Robin Cousins MBE with E3 Group’s David Hill and Lukas Wojcik

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TOW N & CO U N T Y

N AT U R E

BY C H A R LOT T E O W E N , W I L D C A L L O F F I C E R AT S U S S E X W I L D L I F E T R U S T

he corvid family has a distinctive look. Crows, Jackdaws, Rooks and Ravens are well known for wearing black. They are sleek, sophisticated and occasionally menacing. The chough breaks from convention by accessorising its black outfit with novelty red legs and a bill to match, but you’d have to travel down to Cornwall to spot this coastal corvid. Closer to home, the magpie dares to be different by adding a splash of white to its ensemble, while its seemingly-black feathers reveal flashes of iridescent blue and green when they catch the light. But the real ‘black sheep’ of the corvid family is the jay. Black and white both feature in its plumage but this colourful character has well and truly flaunted the corvid dress code, and in the most rebellious fashion - by wearing pink. Granted it’s a muted, buff shade of pink but it’s still a bold choice. The highlights of the jay’s outfit are the electric blue wing feathers, striped in black, which are one of the most highly-prized treasures the natural

world has to offer. Despite being so brightly coloured, the jay and its flashy feathers are surprisingly elusive. It’s a shy and secretive bird, rarely leaving the cover of the trees in its woodland haunts but more often shattering the peace with a harsh, squawking call. This is your cue to look up for the chance to spot a jay on the move, darting across a clearing or flying between trees. Jays are particularly fond of oak woodland, especially in the autumn. Just as magpies are known for their love of shiny objects, jays have a real obsession with acorns. As this year’s crop starts to ripen, the jay population prepares for a busy harvest and will spend up to ten hours a day looking for acorns. Some will be eaten straight away but their main focus is collecting and storing a secret food supply to see them through the winter. One jay can bury an astonishing 5,000 acorns in a single season but – understandably – it will inevitably forget about some of them, making this charismatic corvid one of the most prolific tree-planters in the natural world. TO W N A N D C O U N T Y M A G . C O . U K

IMAGE CREDIT: WWWNATURECONSERVATIONIMAGING. COM JEREMY EARLY_SUSSEX WILDLIFE TRUST

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