Absolutely Hertfordshire December 2023

HERTFORDSHIRE

Hertfordshire DECEMBER 2023

Stage is SET

SP ECIA L Interior design inspiration and insight

The curtain rises on Hertfordshire's best pantomimes

DECEMBER 2023

MO NST E R

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BRUNCH How HATCH cornered casual dining in St Albans

Brave

HEARTS The joy of winter outdoor education at York House

Party

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ANTHROPOLOGIE ST ALBANS REVEALS THEIR LATEST FESTIVE COLLECTION ST YLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT

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ABSOLUTELY

Contents DECEMBER 2023

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63 14

C U LT U R E AGENDA

The best festive events in Hertfordshire

16

MADDIE MOATE

Fun and education in St Albans this month

20 DR LUCY WILLIAMSON

53 WINTER HAIR

The days may be duller and darker, but the same shouldn't be said about your hair

A B S O L U T E LY H O M E 63 ROUGH LIVING Founder Dan Spendlove on the evolution of the industrial look

The Herts local's healthy tips for festive eating

FOOD & DRINK 34 HATCH

Cornering St Albans' brunch scene

39 THE THREE HORSESHOES Why the future's bright for the Radlett local

FA S H I O N & B E AU T Y 42 THE SHOOT Party pieces from Anthropologie

47 JEWELLERY

Nine of the best from Galio in St Albans

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CLAIRE GARNER

On a decade in business

75 POGGENPOHL

A serene kitchen case study

A B S O L U T E LY M AG A Z I N E S .C O M

The online guide to inspirational living that helps you stay one step ahead of the crowd and gives you the chance to win exclusive prizes.

E D U C AT I O N 78 YORK HOUSE

Why the winter doesn't stop outdoor education

80 TALKING HEAD

Ed Balfour on a year at Edge Grove

O N T H E C OV E R Anthropologie's Christmas collection (anthropologie.com)

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Editor’s

LETTER ABSOLUTELY’S December issue highlights

I

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am a bona fide (or should that be fido?) animal lover. Always have been since growing up in a home with a Boxer dog, four rabbits, a tortoise and even a python called Monty (yes, I know, not very original).

As soon as I could when I got my first place, I adopted indoor cats (as I was in a flat). One marvellously lived to 22 so it's only now – as I have progressed to a house – that I have my own dog.

Dogs, for me, are a true wonder. I have sponsored several guide dogs and I still to this day can't believe what they are trained to do. But it was only recently that I came across Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Their name sums up exactly what their perfect pups are trained up to do, but like all charities they are in constant need of support. Have a read on page 82 about their wonderful work and, as it's Christmas and the perfect time to think of others, maybe you can help change someone else's life. The puppy Aled will undoubtedly put a smile on your face.

All that's left for me to say is... Merry Christmas!

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The Shoot

Party looks at Anthropologie St Albans (p42)

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Decorations Bring out the best in your Christmas tree (p29)

MARK KEBBLE EDITOR

Maddie Moate

The beloved TV presenter on her new book (p16)

St Albans BID

Why there is plenty to excite this Christmas (p31)

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Agenda

The best festive events across Hertfordshire (p14)

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GOLDEN YEARS

Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY

PENDLE HARTE

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Fusing unmistakable femininity with a rock n roll aesthetic, Queens of archive produce showstopping statement styles that embrace original prints and unique fabrications, with refined fit at their heart. queensofarchive.com

BLING BLING Everyone loves shiny tree decorations. Our favourites are these monogram air balloons at Anthropologie, £10. anthropologie.com

M E TA L W O R K This sweet shoe comes in the softest silver and bronze craquelure leathers to add a pop of metallic to any outfit. And they're super comfortable too, £149. penelopechilvers.com

G O L D S TA R Stylish, creative jewellery pieces from Moushe are designed to be versatile and worn in countless different ways. moushedesigns.com

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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES

EDITOR’S PICK

DISCO BISCUIT Lily Charmed’s new Biscuit jewellery collection features Custard Creams, Jammie Dodgers, and Rich Tea styles in recycled Sterling Silver and Gold-plated recycled sterling silver. lilycharmed.com

LIGHT UP

GOLD RUSH The Oscar bowl is inspired by mid-century architecture and adds a couture presence on your cocktail table, £150. jonathanadler.com

IN THE SHADE The Adidas Originals eyewear collection marks an intersection of sport and street style seen through the lens of culture. £129 specsavers.co.uk

This gorgeous star doubles as a Christmas tree topper and a lighting feature with glittering gold LEDs, £40. rockettstgeorge.com

SHIMMER SUIT

GOLDEN G LOW

Aubade's Nuit Sauvage bodysuit exudes mystery, fascination and magic with its sensual look and see-through fabric. ameliesfollies.co.uk

Stoov's rechargeable heated pillows are the ultimate in cosy styling this winter. Charge them up and settle in for hours of warmth. stoov.com

MORE THAN GOLD Booja-Booja's vegan Christmas chocolate truffles are simply divine. wholefoodsmarket.co.uk

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Cirque du Soleil and Alegria are trademarks owned by Cirque du Soleil and used under license.

C U LT U R E

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS THE ODYSSEY, 2 DECEMBER

As Old Santa (Jim Broadbent) passes down the most important operation of the year to the next generation, his eldest son Steve (Hugh Laurie) takes delivering presents to a whole new level. With a stateof-the-art control centre, nothing could go wrong… But with such a tight operation, how could they miss one child? Could this mistake end the magic of Christmas? It's up to Arthur (James McAvoy), Santa's youngest son, to deliver a present to the forgotten tyke. odysseypictures.co.uk

Agenda 14 • Maddie Moate 16 • Lucy Williamson 20 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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The Agenda

D EC E M B E R ' S H OT T E ST H A P P E N I N G S

EV E NT

Stotfold Creative Fair

3 December FA I R F I E L D C O M M U N I T Y H A L L This popular event is back for their third year, this time at a much bigger venue - meaning more local creatives for you to enjoy.

Bringing over 40 small businesses to Stotfold including food, drink, crafts, face painting and a meet and greet with Santa himself and Mrs Claus. Entry is free, meaning this is the perfect Christmas warm up for all the family. @stoltfordcreativefair

E X H I B I T I ON

Christmas Past & Present THRO U GHO U T D EC E MB E R , H I TC HI N TOWN HALL & MUSEUM

Throw the turkey out the window and step back in time to discover Christmas dinner traditions from the past, and not just the British ones, on 5 and 20 December. Secrets of the Stores on 9 December will showcase toys gifted to children over 100 years ago, handle some classic toys and flick through some items from the museum’s archive. No need to book, it’s free, just drop in and find the fun in the galleries. north-herts.gov.uk

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E XH I BI TI ON

Ballito Bombshells Until 4 February ST ALBANS MUSEUM + GALLERY A fascinating tale of silk and steel, the Ballito Bombshells exhibition tells the story of Fleetville’s Ballington Hosiery Mill that manufactured everything from delicate stockings to robust artillery shells between the 1920s and the 1960s. Inspiring and remarkable, Ballito Bombshells recounts the stories of its employees and charts the history of the factory itself. Visitors will be able to enjoy a selection of the designs that made Ballito so memorable, and an insight into the company’s role in WWII. stalbansmuseums.org.uk

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CULTURE • DIARY

CO M E DY

Ed Byrne

PHOTO: ROSLYN GAUNT

1 December A RT S D E P OT One of the UK’s favourite TV household names returns to the stage with a brand-new show. From the quote attributed to Mark Twain, humour is defined as Tragedy Plus Time. Go and join one of our leading laugh specialists as he tests that formula by mining the most tragic event in his life for laughs. With legions of fans both in the UK and abroad, Ed Byrne remains the observational stand-up to see. artsdepot.co.uk

TREASURE HUNT Find something a little different at one of Hertfordshire’s markets

ST ALBANS MARKET Market Place, every Wednesday and Saturday Shop for everything you could possibly want and enjoy the buzz and energy of the historic twice-weekly St Albans Market, which is at the heart of the city’s story. You’d be hard pushed not to leave without something a little different to take home with you.

EV E N T

FESTIVE EVENTS Throughout December ST ALBANS The festive season kicked off at the Christmas Cracker in November, a magical street festival in St Albans that featured family entertainment, delicious street food and a great place to shop with festive market stalls.

Now, head to the city centre for the Gingerbread Trail which is new for 2023 and brought to you

by St Albans BID. This fun, familyfriendly activity leads you through the festive streets in search of ten Gingerbread sculptures.

EnjoyStAlbans.com

FARMERS’ MARKETS Stock up on local specialities at St Albans and Harpenden Farmers’ Markets including mouth-watering cheeses, seasonal fruit and vegetables, fresh herbs, top quality meat and game, dairy produce, and locally hand-crafted goods.

Opposite St Albans Museum + Gallery on the second Sunday of every month and Harpenden Lower High Street on the fourth Sunday of every month (except December, which is the third Sunday)

This Month’s Must See

ST ALBANS VINTAGE MARKET

MOVIE DOUBLE BILL

M

2 D EC EMBER, ST ALBAN S CATHEDRAL

ake it a Christmas to remember with The Snowman and Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers, with live accompaniment from an outstanding professional orchestra.

Presented by Carrot Productions, their award-winning show is brought to life in spectacular fashion by the UK's finest musicians. Alongside The Snowman, join everyone’s favourite cheeseloving inventor, Wallace and his trusty companion, Gromit.

City Centre, St Albans, Sunday once a month 9am-3pm Inspirational deals and fascinating finds are a plenty at the St Albans Vintage Market with all manner of antiques, vintage, brocante and architectural salvage.

ST ALBANS VEGAN MARKET 7 January 2024, St Peter’s Street Find up to 60 stalls at the St Albans Vegan Market including a huge variety of vegan fast food, healthy eats, artisan savouries, sweet bakes, craft cheeses, handmade cosmetics, ethical clothing and jewellery, arts & crafts, plasticfree, and charity stalls. All created by a handpicked selection of talented, ethical and sustainable businesses.

stalbanscathedral.org

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Curiosity &

CHRISTMAS

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uriosity is Maddie Moate’s speciality. With awards and plaudits under her belt for – among others – CBeebies’ Maddie's Do You Know and CBBC’s Show Me The Honey, she is also known to children via her own YouTube channel.

This has racked up more than 50 million views. Kids love her programmes and, for parents, they hit that sweetspot of being entertaining, but also brilliantly educational.

Being an 'edu-tuber' was not something Maddie set out to be. She fell into it thanks to a harmonious alignment of her skills and interests with a shift in the way we digest media. “At school I absolutely enjoyed science, but I also enjoyed drama clubs and theatre and dance. So, at university I ended up doing the media and theatre side of things.

It was only after university that I realised how much I missed science,” she says.

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Knowing that an acting career wasn’t for her, she thought about all the areas of her degree that had grabbed her. She’d loved web design and suddenly there was this emerging thing called YouTube. It started small when she was picked up by a company to front short technology videos for a female audience. “Other companies were marketing tech at women atrociously, and they were trying to change that – as in, it’s not all about having a small pink phone,” she says. Her tone was light, comic but informative, and suddenly it clicked. “I felt like I was back in my natural habitat because I was talking about tech.”

She was picked up by other media companies (including the BBC), so things snowballed. Ten years on, working across multiple channels including her own, she’s a familiar and trusted face, delivering fun and factual content on wildlife, science, technology and the rest.

And now Christmas, for A very Curious

Christmas, is Maddie’s take on something that just about every child is keen on.

The good news is there’s more than a stocking filler’s worth of edutainment here. From what Brussels sprouts do to digestive tracts to how snowflakes are formed to why, indeed, we have Christmas at all – it’s all here. It’s an approach that her YouTube audience will recognise.

Snappy delivery, fascinating information and even carefully chosen cracker jokes to add fun asides to more weighty stuff.

Maddie came at Christmas from an open-minded perspective. She didn’t want this to feel limited – so there’s plenty of seasonal science and nature content and a far broader set of traditions are explained.

“I was really fortunate to be able to find kids who celebrate Chinese New Year, Hanukkah and Diwali and I asked them to explain to me what their traditions were and what their festival was. It felt great to have the voices of some young people in

ILLUSTRATIONS: PAUL BOSTON

TV presenter, 'edu-tuber', author and St Albans panto star, Maddie Moate is a dab hand at feeding curious minds.

Absolutely Hertfordshire finds out more about her work

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CULTURE • INTERVIEW

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CULTURE • INTERVIEW

It’s in front OF YOU Three of the best local pantomimes

THE ALL NEW ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN – A PANTOMIME SEQUEL Alban Arena 8-31 December Coronation Street legend Chris Gascoyne will star as Captain Hook, alongside this month’s interviewee Maddie Moate as Tinkerbell, and St Albans’ favourite Ian Kirkby as Mrs Smee, in The All New Adventures of Peter Pan. Get ready to fly back to Neverland once again. Join Elizabeth Darling, Wendy’s daughter, as she embarks on a thrilling journey with Peter, Tinkerbell, and the Lost Children of Neverland. alban-arena.co.uk

“I come at topics with genuine curiosity and an eagerness to learn” the book – a golden opportunity to show me learning through the voice of others.”

For children, this is surely part of the appeal of Maddie’s work – learning together. She comes at subjects not as if she’s imparting knowledge but finding out with you. “I come at topics with genuine curiosity and an eagerness to learn,” she says. “Because my background really is in storytelling, it’s about entertaining people and finding the hook – especially finding that hook that is going to resonate with younger people and children.”

Christmas is obviously a winner for this age group – but great also to have a defined theme. “I love teaching and educating around a theme. What I’ve discovered through my YouTube work is that you can teach a whole spectrum of different subjects if you find a theme that’s going to engage children.” She's done this with many other topics before (from Egypt to spies), but with this season of the year there’s so much going on – the science of crackers, the crafts of Yuletide, the reason we eat turkey. There are quizzes to challenge and 12 fun and seasonal activities to enliven the winter holiday – all are linked to short YouTube videos that will be arriving just before Christmas.

Shortlisting was, says Maddie, a fine balance, but it was also fun to delve into a subject that already feel like

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BEAUTY & THE BEAST Eric Morecambe Centre 9-30 December When the Prince is cursed to live as a Beast in his magical castle his only hope is to find true love before the last petal falls. Will the beautiful Belle be the chance he has been waiting for?

This family pantomime features spectacular scenery, glittering costumes, amazing special effects, plenty of audience participation and Harpenden’s pawfect panto pooch – so book your tickets now for Harpenden’s finest festive treat. the-emc.co.uk

CINDERELLA Watford Palace Theatre 30 November-31 December

MADDIE WILL BE STARRING IN PETER PAN

familiar territory. “Kids like to know about themselves and they like to know about things they know about,” she says. With this book children have the opportunity to enjoy Christmas not just for the presents, but for their new-found wisdom about the holiday season.

A Very Curious Christmas is published by Puffin (£12.99). Maddie Moate is appearing as Tinkerbell in The All New Adventures of Peter Pan at the Alban Arena from 8-31 December

Starring Watford's favourite Dame, Terence Frisch, Cinderella wants to party ‘like it's 1999’ but her stepmother has other ideas…

Watford. New Year’s Eve, 1999. Cinderella loves music. Every night she dances alone in her room (cellar) and gets lost in the music – that is, until her dodgy CD Walkman gives out.

Meanwhile, over at the Palace, the King vows to throw the ‘Party of the Century’ in a bid to find the Prince of Pinner a wife.

And with Cinderella’s stepmother hell-bent on her daughters (Britney & Christina) marrying up, she sees this as their golden opportunity.

The Palace has been the home of panto since 1908, and Christmas just isn’t the same without it. Support your local theatre and be part of this yearly heart-warming Christmas pantomime, but don’t delay – the clock is ticking, so book your tickets before they run out. watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

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Poggenpohl has 17 points of sale throughout the UK & Ireland · uk@poggenpohl.com For your nearest Poggenpohl Studio please go to www.poggenpohl.com

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CHESS VALLEY

PHOTO: SUE LACEY

Q Can you give us an overview of the services you offer?

A As a Registered Nutritionist I use the hidden potential of our gut microbiome at the core of my work. I provide personal nutrition support, regular workshops for groups and events. I also have an online gut health course, which is a super way to understand the impact of gut health on our whole health, while understanding sustainable food choices too.

GET TO KNOW…

DR LUCY WILLIAMSON THE HERTFORDSHIRE-BASED N U T R I T I O N I ST O N H E R TO P T I P S TO STAY H E A LT H Y OV E R T H E F E ST I V E S E A S O N

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Q Do you think more and more people are now understanding ‘you are what you eat’?

A Fortunately, there seems to be a good understanding now around the negative impact that ultra-processed foods have on our health, being higher in energy, and lower in valuable nutrients and fibre that we need for optimum health. It’s still easy though to fall into a trap of thinking you’re making healthy, sustainable food choices when you may not be.

The term ‘plant-based’ can cause confusion for example. We think we’re doing the right thing for the environment, but actually these ‘ready-made’ plant-based foods can be heavily processed and involve long food miles.

Q What’s the biggest trap people fall into when it comes to nutrition?

A Two answers here! It’s easy to focus on the nutrients that have been added into foods rather than valuing a natural food in its whole form. Nutrients are less ‘bioavailable’ to us when added into foods to fortify them, like calcium for example. Just because it’s been added into a food doesn’t mean we can actually absorb it well! Compare this to whole, natural dairy for example – its protein means we can absorb its natural calcium very well.

Also, it’s really important to remember that ‘plant-based’ doesn’t mean ‘exclusively plants’. By filling your plate two thirds with a variety of colourful plants and the other

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CULTURE • PROFILE

THE BOOT IN SARRATT

VISIT LUCY'S WEBSITE FOR TASTY RECIPES LIKE OAT CAKES WITH QUINOA

third with ‘less but better’ meat, dairy, eggs or fish (organic or higher welfare certified), you are making sure you get all the vital nutrients you need while nurturing your all-important gut health at the same time.

Q Do you have some tips for how to approach festive eating and drinking?

A Looking after gut health really strengthens our immune system and so builds our resilience to common winter bugs. Include a little fermented food every day; dairy kefir and or sauerkraut are great, but happily, blue cheese and biolive yogurt are also fermented foods.

Include a variety of plants with all your meals; it’s helpful to remember that ‘plants’ mean nuts, seeds, grains, pulses, beans, veg, fruit, herbs and spices too… so it’s not hard to do!

Try food combining to reduce the impact of more sugary foods than usual on your waistline, like having some nuts with your mince pie or a protein-rich Greek yogurt instead of cream.

Swap the occasional glass of fizz for some of our locally produced sparkling fermented tea.

It’s a fabulous non-alcoholic alternative and also contains far less sugar (try real Kombucha).

Red wine, cider and beer all contain gut healthy antioxidants too, but do drink in moderation to avoid losing the health benefit.

“Looking after gut health really strengthens our immune system” Q Will you be spending Christmas at home in Hertfordshire?

A We moved to Hertfordshire 14 years ago from the North of Scotland, so we tend to head back up there for Christmas, but I’ll be enjoying some of our local Christmas markets before we go.

Q What does 2024 hold in store for you?

A I’m excited to have updated my online

Q What’s the best thing you love about Christmas where you live?

A There’s nothing better than being back together as a family (our eldest is away at University now) and heading to a cosy local pub. We love Sarratt for this – it has three to choose from.

For more information about Lucy, her gut health course, or how she could help you, visit lwnutrition.co.uk

gut health course and I’m really looking forward to sharing it in 2024. It’s a great way to get clarity around healthy eating within the confusing world of nutrition and there are lots of practical recipes too.

Q Do you have a favourite place to visit at this time of the year?

A This year we’re looking forward to catching some Christmas atmosphere at Woodoaks farm by Rickmansworth where two local choirs will be singing in the old Tythe barn there.

Q Are you always keen to make the most of winter walks?

A We love to walk our border terrier Ruarie in the Chess Valley – there are many routes there and the Hertfordshire countryside is stunning.

NUTS WILL HELP GUT HEALTH

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CULTURE • PARTNERSHIP

Festive B

R

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Escape to Sopwell House this Christmas

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elebrate the magic of Christmas at luxury hotel and spa, Sopwell House in Hertfordshire, with its two- and three-night festive stay packages.

Available from Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day, expect an unforgettable yuletide experience with celebratory feasts complete with fizz, wine and spirits, carols and plenty for the kids to do, from family games, movies, swimming and even a visit from the big man in red.

Get into the festive spirit with the family on Christmas Eve, arriving to a glass of mulled wine and a Festive Afternoon Tea, including a special sweet treat selection for little ones. Guests can then unwind in the award-winning Cottonmill Spa, with swim times for all the family in the 15m pool, or settle down for movies and

games with the kids in the games room.

Come the evening join in with Sopwell House’s carol singing before enjoying a sparkling fizz and canapé reception followed by a three-course dinner in the glamorous St Alban Suite. Dance into the wee hours with the hotel’s resident DJ spinning a roster of Christmas tunes.

On the day itself, wake up to a hearty breakfast followed by a visit from Santa and a five-course Christmas Day lunch.

Surrounded by woodland, guests can walkoff their feast around Sopwell’s 12-acre grounds or head for a dip in the heated pool, before heading to the Brasserie where an impressive supper buffet awaits.

Those extending their stay into Boxing Day can take advantage of all that Sopwell House has to offer, including lunch in the St Alban Suite accompanied by live jazz and a final celebratory Asian-inspired

dinner at Omboo with wine and sake.

Located in the heart of the countryside and only 30 minutes from London, make merry memories with the family this Christmas at Sopwell House, with packages priced as follows: Two-Night Package: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – from £889pp Two-Night Package: Christmas Day and Boxing Day Package – from £934pp Three-Night Package: All three days – from £1,286pp.

SOPWELL HOUSE For further information and reservations, visit sopwellhouse.co.uk Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 2HQ @sopwellhouse

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CHRISTMAS NEW YEAR

&

Celebrations 2023

We have a limited number of spaces left for our fantastic festive events.

Book now to avoid disappointment.

CHRISTMAS EVE CELEBRATION Start the festive season in style with Christmas Eve in the St Alban Suite. Carol singing and sparkling reception, dinner with wine, and dancing through to Christmas Day. From £140 per person

CHRISTMAS DAY LUNCH – ST ALBAN SUITE Join us for a special Christmas Day lunch for all the family with live music and festive trimmings. Enjoy a sparkling reception and canapés, festive family atmosphere and live acoustic music.

From £210.00 per person

BOXING DAY JAZZ LUNCH Enjoy a leisurely Boxing Day in our grand St Alban Suite, the perfect occasion to catch up with friends and family.

Our indulgent lunch offering will be accompanied by a live Jazz duo.

From £115.00 per person

BOXING DAY DINNER Join us for an Asian inspired treat this Boxing Day evening, with a set menu full of delights from Omboo. Includes sake and 1/2 bottle of wine to complement the meal.

From £130.00 per person

TO BOOK OR FIND OUT MORE Call +44 (0)1727 864477

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Christmas S

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Count DOWN Absolutely Hertfordshire presents our special Christmas section, part two. After last month's gift inspiration, we focus a little more on how to make your home feel extra festive.

In this sect ion C H R I S T M A S H O M E 26 S U S T A I N A B L E P R E S E N T S 28 L AT E S T D E C O R AT I O N S 2 9

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CHRISTMAS AT

H O M E

Ideas and inspiration for a festive makeover

By PENDLE HARTE

TA B L E MANNERS HABITAT

The vibe at Habitat this Christmas is refined sophistication, with intricate floral-adorned tableware, plum glassware and speckled ceramics.

With an emphasis on rich jewel tones and brushed brass, the range has been designed to evoke an opulent, cocooning mood, with no tinsel in sight. habitat.co.uk

MAXED OUT LAMP/LDN

For a maximalist approach, hang lots of garlands and scoop armfuls of festive foliage into large vases. Line the mantlepiece with candleholders and choose brightly coloured gift wrap. For inspiration, visit Lamp/Ldn online. lamplondonhome.com

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CHRISTMAS • HOSTING

TA K E F I V E Decorations

THE REAL FLOWER COMPANY Berry wreath, £125 realflowers.co.uk

S I M P LE S T Y LE

ROSIE BIRKETT 'S TURKEY TIPS

FERM LIVING

Ferm Living's muted Christmas decorations include stylish folded paper stars, felt baubles and lots of candles for a sophisticated Scandi yule. fermliving.co.uk

OXFAM Kashmiri black cat decoration, £5.99 oxfam.org.uk

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hristmas hosting can feel really daunting, but it is, at its essence, really about having friends and family around for a delicious roast lunch. You don't want to be stressed and flustered when people turn up, so make sure you plan your menu and make it as easy as you can for yourself. Buy the best quality bird you can afford: I splash out on

JOHN LEWIS Twelve Days of Christmas Crackers, £28 johnlewis.com

ANTHROPOLOGIE Erika Velvet Fringe Christmas Stocking, £46 anthropologie.com

ANNA + NINA

a Copas turkey every year because I know it's high welfare, beautifully reared, easy to cook and has the most incredible flavour. Christmas is a real feast day and I know we will also have some marvellous leftovers, so it's always worth the investment, and it also takes a lot of stress out of the day as you know it's going to deliver delight to your guests. Make sure you work out your timings beforehand and work backwards, make prep lists in terms of priority jobs and make sure you leave enough time to rest your bird for a good while to keep it juicy and tender. Happy feasting! copasturkeys.co.uk

Candy Cane corded garland, £70 anthropologie.com

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CHRISTMAS • GIFTS

HERD Wool knitting kit £95 herdwear.co

EDITOR’S PICK

THE FIND STORE Eco 6 Piece Natural Kitchen Brush Set, £24 thefindstore.co.uk

O PIONEERS Liberty print knickers made from excess fabric, £30 opioneers.co.uk

DISCO DUST Eco body glitter, from £10 discodustlondon.com

COUNTRY MOUSE Caramel Eco Lambswool Throw, £79 countrymouse.co.uk

DIRTEA Lion's Mane mushroom powder, £39.99 dirteaworld.com

TORI MURPHY X JOY OF PRINT Japanese Eco Furoshiki Gift Wrap, £32 torimurphy.com

SPICER AND WOOD

ECO Gifts

Planet-friendly presents

Recycled glass jug, £42 spicerandwood.co.uk

GOMI Sustainable speaker in recycled plastic, £299 gomi.design

By PENDLE HARTE

THE DEN KIT COMPANY The Grow Your Own British Tree Kit, £19.50 thedenkitco.com

HAY Sip straight glass straws, set of four, £29 earllofeast.com

LORIEST & CO Sustainable scented candles, £40 loriest.com

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CHRISTMAS • DECORATIONS & KLEVERING Cocktail Ornament Set, £13 koibird.com

FIVE AND DIME

CLARIDGE'S

Birk N Sock Bauble, £15 fiveanddime-interiors.com

Zebra Bauble, £45 claridges.co.uk

THE CONSCIOUS CHECHERBOARD Papier Mache Bauble, £12 anthropologie.com

ABODE LIVING Miffy Tulip Dress Bauble, £16.95 abodeliving.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK EDITOR’S PICK

WESTMINSTER ABBEY SHOP Ceramic King Charles III Coronation Bauble, £14.95 shop.westminster-abbey.org

THOMAS GLENN

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Xmas Baubles, from a selection, £7 rockettstgeorge.co.uk

HUNG up

All the best baubles for the most stylish trees

Hello Dali Bauble, £52 koibird.com

HEAVENLY HOMES AND GARDENS Popcorn Machine Bauble, £10 heavenlyhomesandgardens.co.uk

By P E N D L E H A R T E

FERM LIVING Marble baubles, set of four, £39 heals.com

SOPHIE ALLPORT Red Glass 4x4 Bauble, £13 sophieallport.com

COX & COX AD&I Juicy Burger Bauble, £9.95 adandishop.co.uk

Beaded Leopard Bauble, £15.50 coxandcox.co.uk

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Sponsored by

Chickenshed reg charity no 1012369

What a Difference a Day Makes....

From panto get-togethers to frosty outward bound pursuits, help us bring home the spirit of Christmas for brave Hertfordshire children, when they need it most.

Scan the QR code, call us on 01462 530710, email campaigns@happydayscharity.org or visit www.happydayscharity.org to donate or find out more.

Registered Charity No. 1010943

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CHRISTMAS • PARTNERSHIP

ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL IN THE SNOW, PHOTO BY STEPHANIE BELTON

Casting a SPELL Enjoy magical St Albans this Christmas

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, PHOTO BY KL PHOTOGRAPHY

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estive decorations illuminate the streets, fantastic food and drink venues offer seasonal favourites, shops burst with gifts and partywear while a top programme of art, culture and Christmas events make St Albans a joyous place to be.

Glorious gifts are guaranteed at Molten Brown and Jo Malone with ranges of perfectly perfumed items and special scents for Christmas, while The Beauty House by Champneys is divine for beauty products or a spa voucher.

For new and vintage jewellery, watches and diamonds Kings Hill Jewellery is the place to go, or try Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery with sparkly ready-to-wear items alongside custom made pieces.

Find a party outfit at Earley’s on George Street with a gorgeous selection of occasion wear, or head to Simply French with star quality garments at affordable prices. Firm favourite Jigsaw boasts classic clothing and stylish accessories, while Copperfield has awesome gift ideas for men. Purchase fabulous interior gifts at independent boutique Cositas, or give the gift of choice with a St Albans Gift Card that can be spent across food, drink and leisure entertainment venues (stalbansgiftcard.co.uk).

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

If it’s time for a break, Knoops’ expertly crafted hot chocolate will provide the perfect pick-me-up, or select a seat at GAIL’s Bakery with their extraordinary hand-baked breads and views of the medieval Clock Tower.

Soak up the festive atmosphere in St Albans Cathedral and enjoy snacks through the day at their cosy Abbott’s Kitchen Cafe.

Celebrate the season with fine dining at Loft St Albans featuring the best British produce, local favourite Lussmanns Sustainable Kitchen offers exquisite dishes and a mouth-watering Christmas menu, while family-run Bellaccino’s Italian Restaurant boasts classic recipes passed down through generations.

Raise a glass and get the party started at 1920s inspired bar, Punchin' Palooka, or drop by The Peahen bursting with character and a top choice for Christmas cocktails and festive menus.

Join OVO for an atmospheric outdoor promenade experience of A Christmas Carol (7–23 December) amongst the ancient ruins of the Roman Theatre of Verulamium (ovo.org.uk), and check out the Advent and Christmas programme at the majestic St Albans Cathedral, including Carols on the Hour (stalbanscathedral.org).

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Make A Statement UNLOCK THE MAGIC THIS CHRISTMAS WITH SILENT POOL GIN

silentpooldistillers.com Please enjoy Silent Pool Gin responsibly

AD - SILENT POOLS.indd 32 Christmas Ad.indd 1 1732_SPG_Absolutely-London-

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FOOD & DRINK

RAISE A GLASS PIPER-HEIDSIECK

Celebrate Christmas this year with PiperHeidsieck. With the Champagne House that is family-owned and who are using business as a force for good with their B-Corp Certification, you’ll be in good company. The Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV has wonderful rich flavours of orange blossom and white peach, it makes the perfect festive aperitif. piper-heidsieck.com

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“We want to be the benchmark for casual dining”

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FOOD & DRINK • INTERVIEW

CHRIS EVANS

FOOD

on the go

HATCH is arguably the most popular brunch spot in St Albans. We talk to owner Chris Evans about the restaurant’s move to Christopher Place

By FIONA LOGAN

Q How many people can you seat now?

A Seventy at the back, 15 at the front. In our

Holywell Hill location, we had just 28 seats!

Q Describe HATCH to someone

who’s never been before…

A A lot of restaurants throw around the

term “casual dining”, but they’re still quite formal. We want to be the benchmark for what casual dining really is; we don’t want to feel like a restaurant, but we also don’t want to feel like a café, we sit somewhere in-between. You could come here on your own for a toastie, or with a group of friends for a celebratory meal – there’s never any pressure to order a lot of food. Service is casual, and we want people to feel relaxed.

Q Was it emotional leaving the old site after being there so long?

A I’m not very sentimental as a person, I have been pretty focused on opening up here. But it was a great spot and I’m sure the emotions will follow. We do still have that spot and ideally we can do something else there in the future.

Q Tell us about the HATCH story…

A HATCH first opened 10 years ago in 2013,

in the corner of the Maltings Shopping Centre; we were serving coffees and takeaway sandwiches from behind a shutter, hence the name HATCH. After two years in that initial site, we moved into a space on George Street for a while, but ended up in Holywell Hill. Our food offering went from being quite coffee-oriented into a full brunch service, and we now run burger nights too.

Q Why have you decided to move location?

A Over the past two or three years, we

have been turning away more people than we were able to seat, so we knew we needed more space. We kept our eye on options for a couple of years, but nothing felt quite right. I always liked this spot (in Christopher Place) and thought if I was patient, maybe one day it might come up.

O TL E U LY T E LY. A B SAOB LS U m aLgOaNzD i nOeNs

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FOOD & DRINK • INTERVIEW

“Hard work as a small business is what can keep you alive”

Q Have you always wanted to go

into the restaurant business?

A Before HATCH, I had worked in restaurants since school, and have managed various places. It was a hard lifestyle with long hours and I decided if I was going to do it as a career, I should do it for myself.

Q Have you got a good team here?

A Yes, we’ve got a great team here. All of our

core team are paid salaries as it’s not fair on anyone to have a pay that fluctuates. We try to encourage staff members to really lean into their strengths and work in an area they feel great about – I truly believe these guys are hospitality industry professionals.

Q How’s it all going with the new space?

A There’s been a few teething problems,

the space is a little noisier than planned, but we’re working on it! It’s certainly been busier than we thought it would be, which has been tough on our staff – but I suppose being busy is a good problem to have.

Q Why do you think HATCH is standing the test of time in a really difficult period of time for hospitality? What gives it the edge?

36

A It’s a bit early to speak for this place, as

we’re so new. I think our advantage is we’re not part of a huge chain that has to answer to shareholders. Instead of profits going back to them, they can go straight back into the restaurant; into the food and into the staff. Doing that means you end up with better quality food and service.

Q What have you learned along the way?

A Hard work as a small business

is what can keep you alive.

Q What’s been your proudest achievement to date?

A It’s more about the small moments for me.

It’s so nice to come in on my day off, see that the place is full and everything’s working perfectly. My favourite thing to do is wash up dishes in the kitchen – because if I can do that, it means everything else is running perfectly.

Q Is there anyone else on the Hertfordshire

food scene that you have a lot of respect for?

A Honestly one of my favourite restaurants

is Tabure for a special occasion. They offer really exciting food, it’s not too formal but not too casual. To me, it’s perfect.

Q What do you like to do to relax?

A My fiancé and I like to take our baby

to Willow’s Farm on my days off. At the moment, that’s my hobby! I have plenty of other hobbies like playing golf that have sadly taken a backseat for the time being.

Q Do you bring your friends and family here?

A Honestly… no, there’s so much pressure!

My friends and family are way too honest. I strictly told my family not to come here for the first couple of weeks of opening. I don’t want to be rude to them, but normally I’m too busy to talk!

Q Is there anything you want to say to loyal HATCH customers?

A The support for our new restaurant has been overwhelming and we just want to thank all of our customers, new and old. Please bear with us if things are a little crazy! One thing that’s so important to me is that I don’t want people to think we’ve come in here to sell out and for standards to drop, we simply came to make more space for everyone. But we are doing what we’ve always done!

hatchstalbans.com

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PIPER-HEIDSIECK PAVES A NEW WAY IN CHAMPAGNE

BY ACHIEVING THE B CORP SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION.

AD - LIBERTY WINES_14-Nov-2023_ABSOLUTELY HERTFORDSHIRE.indd 37 PH-BCORP Presse SP 230x310 ENG.indd 1

14/11/2023 14:55 03/11/2022 16:13

HAVE A LEGENDARY

CHRISTMAS  BOTTLED & DRAUGHT BEER TO TAKEAWAY VISIT OUR SHOP OR ORDER ONLINE

 BOTTLED CIDER & GIN  PRESENTATION GIFT SETS  GIFTS, CARDS & ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP  MERCHANDISE & BREWERY TOUR VOUCHERS  LOCAL PRODUCE

Throughout 2023 our Monthly Specials have been raising funds and awareness for LEGENDARY BEER FROM HERTFORDSHIRE Dunsley Farm, London Road, Tring HP23 6HA N 01442 890721 D www.tringbrewery.co.uk FTI

frankies.icecreams@gmail.com @frankies.icecreams

Our one of a kind 1955 Austin A30 ice cream van is ready to impress you and your guests on your special day with our bespoke packages FRANKIES_HP_ABS_BB_MAY2023.indd 1

AD - TRING - FRANKIES.indd 38

25/04/2023 09:02

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FOOD & DRINK • FOCUS

Riding H I G H

Peach Pubs have acquired their third Hertfordshire pub, which is good news for Radlett locals

T AMARENA CHERRY PROFITEROLE, HOT CHOCOLATE SAUCE

BRAISED PORT CHEEKS IN CHIANTI, WHITE BEANS, BLACK CABBAGE & TUSCAN OIL

he Three Horseshoes in Letchmore Heath, Radlett, has joined the stable of the awardwinning pub company Peach Pubs, taking to three the number of great pubs in Hertfordshire run by the business.

The beautiful, historic pub has been acquired

by Peach from its previous owner, with the intention that it will very much remain the idyllic, country pub and restaurant at the heart of the village, serving good food and drink with great, friendly service to match.

Peach is a familiar name on the social scene in the county, having successfully run both The White Horse in Harpenden and Brookmans in Brookmans Park since early 2011, creating two stylish and characterful pubs that are at the heart of their communities.

In adding The Three Horseshoes, it intends to continue the tradition, as Chris Stagg, Brand Operations Director at Peach Pubs explains: “The Three Horseshoes is an absolutely gorgeous pub that occupies a special place in the village and is enjoyed by guests from across the county, and we are thrilled to say it is now one of ours,” he says.

“We are known as being a collection of really great pubs, in market towns and villages in the heart of England with two wonderful pubs already in Hertfordshire.

The Three Horseshoes shares many of the same characteristics we have and is quite simply a natural fit with our ethos and approach,” he adds.

“We change our menus with the seasons and cook with quality ingredients with provenance from suppliers more used to supplying Michelin-starred restaurants than village pubs – Aubrey Allen British beef and free-range Jimmy Butler Blythborough pork as well as Cornish lamb, native fish and seafood, with British and seasonal food part of our ethic. Our pubs serve the good stuff – top quality, fresh, honest food from classic gastropub favourites, to modern,

DEVON WHITE CHICKEN, POMME PUREE, BUTTERED LEEKS & JUS

healthy dishes alongside weekend blow-out specials from our head chefs’ kitchens. We are also serious about Sunday roasts.

“All of this and much more will be on offer with Peach at the helm, so guests old and new will find a warm welcome and plenty of the good stuff as well as the assurance of having a capable and very experienced pair at The Three Horseshoes,” he adds.

The Three Horseshoes will continue to serve good food, all day, every day, with real ales, quality wines and cocktails that are perfect for popping in for a quick drink, a relaxed supper or leisurely Sunday lunch or a celebration dinner in its refined and unique private dining room.

THE THREE HORSESHOES The Green, Letchmore Heath, Radlett, Watford, WD25 8ER, 01923 856700 makinglifepeachy.com

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FA S H I O N

TWIST & SHOUT BERRY’S JEWELLERS

A modern twist on the elegant Art Deco style, the new Nouveau diamond jewellery collection from Berry’s Jewellers is striking and versatile.

Take your look from day to night, from office to out on the town, the Nouveau Collection is perfect for every moment in life.

Discover the collection at your nearest Berry’s showroom or berrysjewellers.co.uk

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TIME to

sparkle St Albans’ Anthropologie always comes up with the goods when it comes to festive fashion ANTHROPOLOGIE .COM

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FASHION • KNITWEAR ASPIGA Red & White Stripe Jumper, £155 aspiga.com

EDITOR’S PICK

OPIONEERS Isla Tank Yellow, £255 opioneers.co.uk

BEE & SONS Bunny Cardigan, £275 beeandsons.com

HERD Fleetwood Cardigan, £495 herdwear.co

KNIT WIT

EMILIA WICKSTEAD Bobbie Jumper, £650 emiliawickstead.com

BRODIE CASHMERE

COS Pure Cashmere Turtleneck, £180 cos.com

Warm and stylish pieces for winter

Fraya Hat, £70 brodiecashmere.com

B y PENDLE HARTE

GANT Stripe Sleeve Crew Neck, £220 gant.co.uk

AMI MADELEINE THOMPSON Fleming Top, £378 madeleine-thompson.com

Cloudy Sweater Ami de Coeur, £465 amiparis.com

SHEEP INC The Checkmate Cardigan, £320 sheepinc.com

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Scan the QR code to book now

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14/11/2023 16:20

FASHION • JEWELLERY

Striking gold Nine of the best jewels for Christmas at Galio, St Albans GA L I O.CO.U K

PENDANT

EARRINGS

RINGS

18ct rose gold diamond & multi-coloured sapphire pendant, £2,795

Roccanova Lungo yellow gold earrings with green zirconia, £105

Top to bottom, sapphire, ruby and tsavorite 18ct gold half eternity rings, £1,110, £1,750, £1,575

BRACELET

RING

EARRINGS

Ellera Grande 18ct yellow gold plated bracelet with multi-coloured Zirconia, £119

18ct white gold & rose gold pink sapphire & aquamarine Toi et Moi ring, £1,150

8ct yellow gold, rainbow sapphire and diamond hoops, £2,190

EARRINGS

RING

NECKLACE

Novara Piccolo yellow gold earrings with facet cut multi-coloured zirconia, £79

18ct yellow gold, rainbow sapphire & diamond ring, £2,190

14ct yellow gold evil eye diamond necklace with different shaped diamond charms, £960

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

12-month full body health programme

150 data points linked to key health areas

Repeat testing after 6 months

Order today at randoxhealth.com/gift-cards AD - RANDOX.indd 48 + Absolutely London Christmas Gift Card Full Page.indd 1

14/11/2023 13:17 09:22

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Spice island DOLCE & GABBANA Made in Italy to the rigorous standards of high perfumery, Dolce & Gabbana's Devotion comes from master perfumer Olivier Cresp. Luminous in the top notes and sensual in the base notes, the freshness of orange flowers meets the sweetness of Madagascar vanilla. dolcegabbana.com

Winter Hair 53 • Beauty News 55 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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COUTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS YOUR TIMELINE TO THE PARTY SEASON Doctor Nyla is a skin specialist, trusted by TV personalities, well-known celebrity figures and some of Britain’s most familiar faces in the media industry. Founder and Medical Director of Doctor Nyla Medispa is a highly respected and much sought after cosmetic Dermatology GP and is considered one of the top cosmetic doctors in the country. Having practised medicine for over 20 years and having personally delivered over 200,000 treatments with truly exceptional results, she has gained the admiration of the industry.

COUTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS SIX WEEKS TO GO

eshape redefine and rela into your ody nonsurgically with no downtime, ust in time for Christmas

CoolSculpting

Doctor Nyla Medispa have the latest technologies to help contour and transform the body. The CoolSculpting Elite is even more powerful and with larger sized applicators to freeze even more fat - the results are seen even quicker than traditional CoolSculpting.

One of the best things about CoolSculpting Elite is that we can treat two areas at once. You can have both arms treated at the same time, making the treatment much more efficient for busy lifestyles. With the treatment typically taking 35 minutes, and results noticeable within 3 weeks.

Emerald Laser

Emerald laser is an FDA Market-Cleared full body fat loss treatment that allows clients to target areas of stubborn fat. Emerald Laser treats overall body circumference and is the only device FDA cleared to treat those with a BMI of over 30. pplied e ternally, the laser targets e cess fat by emulsifying fatty tissue through the use of cold laser technology developed by Erchonia. It provides an alternative fat loss treatment without the adverse side effects associated with surgical and other weight loss procedures like liposuction and body wraps.

follow us on @doctornyla | 0162 552 3307 | 0800 009 6661 For treatment or FREE consultation please contact Medispa or visit www.doctornyla.com

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COUTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS SIX WEEKS TO GO f your after a awline or

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Most patients only need one treatment for results that can last over a year. owever, ased on the degree of s in la ity, the biological response to ultrasound and radio frequency technology can vary. or ma imum enefit, we suggest you e plore our revolutionary transformation facelift, which combines a number of energy based devices to give you a natural yet, highly effective, overall lifting and tightening of the face and neck.

The Transformation Facelift™ is a bespoke treatment from Doctor Nyla, unique to her clinics and combining a variety of incredible anti-ageing treatments to make you look and feel 10 years younger in the space of only si wee s he ne t generation, multiplatform transformational facial offered e clusively at Dr yla. his treatment offers non-surgical skin tightening and lifting to treat all antiageing concerns from te tured, dull skin, to deep wrinkles and loss of la ity.

COUTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS FOUR WEEKS TO GO Emface Emsculpt

EMFACE is a revolution in facial treatments.

By emitting both synchronized RF and HIFESTM energies, it simultaneously affects the facial skin and muscles. The end result is less wrinkles and more lift naturally without needles. Best of all, EMFACE treats full face in only 20 minutes.

Emsculpt is the only procedure which helps women and men build muscle and burn fat simultaneously. In addition, Emsculpt provides the world’s first non invasive uttoc lift. msculpt is based on highintensity focused electromagnetic energy.

COUTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS TWO WEEKS TO GO

o to avoid any em arrassing, ruises or tell tale sign from your in ecta les it’s essential that these treatments are done two weeks prior to the all-important Christmas party

Botox

Dermal filler

Boto is an anti wrin le treatment that works by blocking impulses to tiny facial muscles, thereby reducing the prominence of e pression lines and achieving a more youthful, radiant look. You may lose tone and natural elasticity of the skin as you age, causing wrin les, fine lines, and folds to appear.

n ecta le yaluronic acid ased dermal fillers can restore, revolumise and re uvenate these facial lines and augment the appearance of the face – safely and effectively offering a refreshed appearance and look.

Envy facial

The best thing you can do to get your skin ready the week of your party events, we recommend booking yourself in for an Envy facial to give you that glow you are after etting a envy facial a few days before your Christmas party is the perfect time to allow your skin time to heal and refresh it’s renewal cycle. nvy acial is the only face and body skin-resurfacing treatment to gently yet effectively e foliate damaged skin cells.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • PARTNERSHIP

Bright SPARKS Winter may not feel particularly colourful, but as we head into party season, Trisha Buller says now is a great time to add a little zest

W

inter is one of our favourite seasons at Ciente hair health spa and we love the challenge of restoring colour faded hair, damaged by summer sun, pool, and sea water. This is the perfect time to create something quite different.

You may notice an increased hair shedding; just as leaves fall from the trees, hair can also enter into a resting phase that can cause an increase in hair fall, which is known as a telogen effluvium (shedding of hair in a resting phase).

However, do not fear. Providing you have no underlying health issues, or have embarked on a yo yo diet lifestyle, your hair growth cycle will be reproducing new hair growth within the dermis (the deep layers under the skin surface).

Here are some typical questions we receive from our clients regarding hair health: Q Can I colour my hair if it is shedding?

A Providing the shedding is not from a

scarring scalp issue and you have sought professional advice and there are no other unrelated issues, it is essential to carry out a skin and incompatibility test prior to any chemical service. Then it is perfectly safe to have your hair coloured professionally.

Q My hair has lost its shine since my holiday. Can I improve this?

A UV rays affect the hair condition as it can dehydrate the hair cuticle (outside layer of the hair structure). When the cuticle is missing the hair absorbs daylight as opposed to reflecting daylight, creating a dull lifeless appearance. An intensive treatment plan can assist in improving the condition of your hair.

Q My hair colour did not take after my hairdresser coloured my hair on my return from holidays. Why? A Pre treatments are an important part of the colour service, especially following on from a holiday where your hair has been exposed to UV sun rays and your hair is dehydrated. Hair is like an artist’s canvas. We need to prepare our canvas before applying the paints to ensure even coverage and a true colour match.

Q I have blonde hair and since the summer I have noticed green tones.

Can I remove these tones?

A Chlorinated swimming pools can create

khaki tones in blonde hair. It is because there are no warm undertones to neutralise the chemical reaction that the chlorine creates.

Chlorine is a bleach, so this will cause hair to break down and lose the warmer colour molecules within the hair structure.

Using colour conditioners with warm tones will help; again hair treatments are a must prior to using any colour. Hair that has been exposed to this environment will need to be treated first.

Trisha Buller is a senior consultant trichologist and nutritional practitioner.

Find out more at trishabuller.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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AT BENTLEY HOUSE, HERTFORD

Exceptional care from a compassionate team Person centred care is at the heart of Signature’s ethos. Our empathetic care teams provide high quality, practical care, and day-to-day companionship. We understand each individual is different which is why the care we provide is bespoke to each resident’s needs, likes and dislikes.

We even have dedicated communities for those living with dementia, offering an environment that supports independent living for as long as possible. We’ll put together a bespoke care plan that supports them where they need it - from personal care services to looking after the bills and gives them the independence to enjoy the finer things in life, wherever they can.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

BEAUTY NOTES

The latest in luxury makeup and skincare B y C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G

REVIEW

THE LIGHT SALON

PAMPERING PRESENTS

Boost LED Face Mask

L

G R OW N A LC H E M I ST

One of six Christmas gift sets from Grown Alchemist, ‘Giving Me Time’ includes the brand’s Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser, Hydra-Repair Day Cream, Polishing Facial Exfoliant, and Instant Smoothing Serum. A failsafe present for any beauty lover, it’s high up on our wishlists. £166; grownalchemist.com

EDITOR’S PICK

PERFECT BALANCE S A M AYA

Ayurvedic skincare is a hot trend at the moment, due to so many of us having overdone it on products with strong ingredients that compromise the skin’s barrier. SAMAYA is an all-natural skincare brand that uses Ayurvedic principles to balance out your particular ‘dosha’, with the aim of achieving overall balance and wellness.

samayaayurveda.com

BE AU T Y HAV E N E A R L O F E A ST

Earl of East has opened its first beautyfocused store. The lifestyle brand’s flawlessly stylish third shop has a brilliant edit of niche and hard-to-find brands (from CRA-YON to Mirror Water, and Wonder Valley), alongside their ownbrand candles, bath, and body products.

ED light-therapy masks are everywhere at the moment.

The A-list are obsessed with them, and if you’ve scrolled through Instagram recently you’ve probably noticed your favourite beauty influencer wearing one of the futuristic (if not slightly alarminglooking) devices. The best ones use red and near infrared LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) to target multiple skin concerns at once – including acne, fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage and pigmentation, and skin conditions such as rosacea.

Being a busy mum, I love any beauty treatment that promises to deliver salonquality results at home. So I was excited to try the Boost LED Face Mask from The Light Salon. It uses a combination of near-infrared light to trigger the cell’s production of collagen and elastin, and red light to plump the complexion.

Post-partum, my skin has been prone to hormonal breakouts and constant broken sleep has given me more lines than a supermarket checkout. LED light-therapy has been clinically proven to reduce fine lines, so I set about a diligent routine of wearing my mask five nights a week.

After preparing my skin with The Light Salon’s Enzymatic Cleanser & Mask, Boost Cleanse & Recovery Spray, and Hydrating Peptide Serum, I’ve really enjoyed just lying there for 10 minutes and not being able to do anything at all.

After two months of wearing the mask, I’m miraculously no longer suffering from as many hormonal breakouts. My complexion appears much more even and although my lines haven’t vanished, they definitely seem a little softer.

THE LIGHT SALON £395

thelight-salon.com

earlofeast.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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30-Day iFIT Family Subscription Included*

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14/11/2023 13:21

HEALTH & BEAUTY • FITNESS

FITNESS

TOP

PICKS THREE RUNNING SHOES DESIGNED FOR PERFORMANCE

NOTES

BEYOND LIMITS The brand new ‘Cloudflow 4’ from On Running has a spoon-shaped nylon blend Speedboard® that's stiff, strong, and lighter than the brand’s previous models. Put simply, it gives you a powerful forward roll to help you pick up the pace like never before, £150. on-running.com

B E AT T H E

SPRING FORWARD Designed based on the female foot, the new ‘blissfeel 2’ from Lululemon has a seamless frame that extends through the heel to create a cradled sensation. This ultra-comfortable shoe also has a 3D-moulded midfoot panel, to add stability as you run, £138. lululemon.co.uk

GO THE DISTANCE Designed to complement your natural movement, the TYR RD-1 Runner combines a foam midsole with a durable engineered mesh upper to provide the ultimate in comfort and response. A 10mm heel-to-toe drop helps to accelerate power, £119.99. wit-fitness.com

B U LG E Don't let Christmas stop your fitness regime, writes Frances Brown

T

he Christmas holidays are a magical time, but that doesn’t mean you should throw all your good habits out the window. In fact, physical activity during the holidays may be more important than at any other time of the year. Exercise can help you combat stress, prevent weight gain, help you maintain your good habits, get you off the couch, keep your gains intact, boost your energy, and even help you manage anxiety and depression. Also, holiday physical activity will make it so much easier to hit new fitness goals in the New Year. While everyone else is nursing a holiday hangover and starting from scratch, you’ll already be feeling and looking better than ever.

GET OUTSIDE

SET REALISTIC GOALS

Even if your usual classes don’t run over the holiday or your gym is closed, go out for a walk, jog, or bike ride. If you’re staying with family or friends, include them.

Be kind to yourself over the holiday season. A good idea is to schedule a short exercise session first thing in the morning. You’ll feel better for having ticked this off your to do list for the day.

HEAD ONLINE Sign up to an Online/On Demand programme which you can do on the go and fit into your schedule. It doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, my YouTube channel is free, and you have access to lots of short video clips.

A short 10-minute video clip is much easier to fit into your day than a whole hour’s class.

SCHEDULE WORKOUTS If you have a diary, schedule your exercise sessions, however short. This will increase the likelihood of doing them.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Avoid skipping meals as this can lead to overeating later in the day. Drink alcohol in moderation. Alcohol contains a lot of empty calories that don’t fill you up and can increase your appetite causing you to overeat.

Drink a lot of water. This can satiate your appetite and the possibility of a hangover.

Sign up for a course at Frans Fitness Pilates today. New courses commence from 5 Jan 2024 - see more at fransfitnesspilates.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • PARTNERSHIP

XXX IMAGE CAPTION XXX

DR NIK CHOPRA

WHAT IS HEALTH SCREENING?

Above and BEYOND The story behind The Doctor's Lounge and why they offer exemplary care to their patients

T

he Doctor’s Lounge was created as a space for those interested in receiving healthcare that is personalised, has continuity and is delivered with an extremely high level of service. Dr Nik Chopra realised the benefits of spending time with his patients and developing that all important relationship between doctor and patient and wanted to bring that back, teaming that with an environment to allow patients to have a comfortable medical journey.

WHAT THEY OFFER They provide two main services – a Private GP and Complete Health Screening to deliver both reactive medicine for when their patients are unwell and to allow them to focus on a proactive healthcare model.

Their GP services are complete from minor

illness to complex medical issues, through to end of life care. Whereas their health screening allows patients to obtain a full assessment of their health, identify areas to either look more closely at with specialist investigations or monitor over time to look for changes and trends to inform better healthcare and lifestyle decisions.

WHAT MAKES THEM DIFFERENT They believe that continuity with your doctor is key to providing the best possible healthcare. A doctor who knows your health, lifestyle and background can help to make the best decisions tailored to an individual. That small piece of information they know about you from a previous encounter can be the difference between the wrong/right diagnosis and can feed into the best possible management plan. They make sure patients are followed up after their consultations to achieve the best outcomes possible.

Health screening medicals occur over 2-3 appointments.

Appointment 1: They obtain a full understanding of a patient’s health risks, symptoms or interests and combine this with a full examination, blood tests and other tests. They understand a patient’s lifestyle in full to determine where there could be issues or areas for improvement.

Appointment 2: They discuss the complete results with patients and create a health plan that may lead to more investigations or in some cases some treatments and lifestyle changes.

Appointment 3: Should the patient be sent for further investigations, i.e. full body MRI scanning, they then follow up with a discussion and further health planning.

They are unique in that the doctor then will follow the patient through the year to help monitor and adapt to achieve the best possible outcomes.

DO THEY PROVIDE ANY SPECIALIST SERVICES? Their doctors have special interests in men’s health, to manage prostate problems and testosterone deficiency, women’s health, often managing the menopause, and children’s health. They provide minor surgery and joint injections as well as in house scanning. They have teamed up with some of the very best specialists to provide further services where needed.

The Doctor’s Lounge offers membership for those wanting to get the best of the continuity as they are allocated a personal doctor. Their patients comment frequently on the welcoming nature of their staff, the level of service they receive and the ability to develop that all important relationship with their doctor.

07359 466732 thedoctorslounge.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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+44 (0)1494 778787 info@urbanfront.co.uk www.urbanfront.com AD - URBAN FRONT_14-Nov-2023_ABSOLUTELY HERTFORDSHIRE.indd 60

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HOT RIGHT NOW CLAIRE GARNER INTERIORS

inside this section

For ten years, Claire Garner Interiors has been ahead of the game in Hertfordshire and beyond. We chat to the founder in this Home special about their latest projects and why their own studio in Aldbury was a real labour of love. page 67

ROUGH LIVING p63 CLAIRE GARNER INTERIORS p67 KITCH E N CAS E STU DY p75

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LUXURY STRETCH TENT HIRE ADD A BIT OF WOW TO YOUR NEXT EVENT From weddings to corporate events to lavish garden parties Stretch Tents have you covered Sides, doors, heating and full range of extras also available

Call for friendly advice and to book your site visit (Hertfordshire based) 01920 830256 info@alternative-stretch.co.uk | alternative-stretch-tents.co.uk

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H O M E | FEATURE

PA R T O F T H E

DAN SPENDLOVE

FURNITURE The Hertfordshirebased co-owner and design director of a luxury bespoke furniture brand Rough Living writes about his journey and luxury industrial

By DA N S P E N D LOV E

I was a creative child, which was very easily achieved back then, in the pre-technology years when arts and crafts were a homely game rather than playing on the internet.

I was drawing rather than designing at a young age and I remember trying to master pencil drawing and shading by copying Disney characters in my sketchbook.

Whilst a career in design was the clear plan from around the age of 17 and I chose to study at Kingston University, it didn’t actually materialise until I reached 26. I finished university with a good degree, but work opportunities were minimal then, so I worked in other jobs for five years before following my gut and starting a furniture brand.

Luckily, I learned and developed lots of valuable CAD (computer aided design) skills at university, alongside a small amount of furniture making. So, whilst I wasn’t exactly ‘in’ the industry, I was still ticking over and learning to deliver projects and meet clients’ expectations - which proved very useful in the long run.

Even when I was in my other job roles (post-university) I was always thinking about design and knew that one day I would pursue it somehow. I love the adventure of pushing ambitious plans and seeing what can be made in a business sense. I guess it is a passion for seeing things materialise into a physical form, whatever that might be.

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H O M E | FEATURE

“I will always go for a WOW design choice over a practical one” From day one, Rough Living offered cool handmade furniture. As simple as that. I knew how to weld, and I was adequate with hand wood tools, so my mind then turned into thinking how I could make things for a living and get paid at the same time.

We’re lucky in that we work with a lot of very talented designers on very exclusive projects. What we find is that trends begin in the commercial space, take a year or two and then wander into the high-end residential space, and then become mainstream.

So whilst we are not a ‘design’ firm as such, we have the benefit of seeing fresh design details and styles first hand, and we use them to inspire our own products that we can offer to the mainstream customer, ideally before the market is flooded.

Is there a Rough Living style? Luxury industrial. Originally it was ‘industrial’, but as we have grown as a company and developed our skills we feel that we can produce furniture in a more sophisticated way.

Five or six years ago, heavy industrial was extremely on trend with scaffold boards and heavy metalwork dictating a

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space. Things have grown sleeker in the market we are in and so refinement is key, slim lines, neat details and keeping the materials in-balance, which works very well in almost all interiors. Not only have our staff developed their skills further, but we have also increased and improved our machinery, allowing us to achieve things that weren’t possible before. There is always a new idea that would benefit from a new machine and so hopefully we will continue to grow.

It’s pretty unusual that we have a workshop [in Bayford] that has a joinery and metalwork side. Most furniture and joinery companies are specifically wood based; however, we do both. This is our biggest niche, but it is also essential when manufacturing industrial style furniture.

It saves the guesswork in manufacturing when you can make everything in-house.

Especially for commercial contracts when there are strict deadlines, everything needs to be right first time and we can test things that we’re making, rather than ordering in metalwork and hoping it fits when it arrives.

My wife and I recently moved to St Albans and we’re currently renovating a house which used to be part of an old school. My aim is to bring a bit of character back to the place, so we’ve opened up the living area by knocking down a wall, revealing all three large school windows into the one room which is great.

The downside is that we won’t have a kitchen ceiling for another few months yet!

The place also has a full-length loft, which we don’t need ourselves, and so we’re also vaulting both bedroom ceilings to reveal beams, increase the ceiling heights and add more impact. I’ll always go for a WOW design choice over a practical one.

I think Christmas is about the only time of the year we close down for a couple of weeks as the rest of the year is filled with deadlines. It is great to just recharge and refresh with family. I mean, I say that now, I’ll probably be three days into my break and be back down the workshop to begin building the kitchen for our house or something. I’m not the best at sitting still! roughliving.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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ORIGIN POOLS BUILDING AWARD WINNING POOLS FOR OVER 40 YEARS

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H O M E | REAL HOME DEER WALK BY CLAIRE GARNER INTERIORS, PHOTO BY SARAH GRIGGS

CLAIRE GARNER PHOTO BY LYNDSEY ABERCROMBY

To the

MANOR BARN Absolutely uncovers the story of Claire Garner Interiors’ studio in Aldbury and looks back on a decade in design

C

laireGarnerInteriorswas established 10 years ago and has recently moved to the picturesque v illage of A ldbur y.

For the last two years, Claire and her team took on a full barn renovation to create the perfect studio space. This includes a curated sample library, bespoke cabinetry, custom furniture and has a wonderfully calm working environment – all set amongst the most scenic countryside.

“This has been an absolute dream project for me,” Claire says, “when I first saw the barn it was love at first sight. I could see all the potential the barn had to offer, and it was an opportunity to not only restore such a beautiful building, but to tailor the

space for all of our design requirements.

It encompasses exactly who we are as an interior design studio.” Absolutely Hertfordshire visited to find out more.

Q What inspired you to originally launch your business?

A I loved working directly with clients and enjoyed learning the business side of things, which is incredibly important when it comes to running your own studio, as I often have days where I don’t even get to think about design and my focus is solely on the running of the business.

In my previous role I knew that I wanted to grow and that I had the ambition to do so. I felt the best way to do this was to take the leap and set up my own studio, and I’m always so happy I did.

Q This was a decade ago – what did you want to offer from day one?

A An honest, personal, friendly and warm approach to design was always my aim from day one, and these are still the same core values the whole team offers today.

Q Would you say you have evolved in any way in the 10 years since?

A Absolutely! Firstly, I started as a onewoman band and now we’re a strong team of six. I am so grateful to have built a team who all sit in alignment with values, creativity and goals. In regard to design over the last 10 years, evolving is a natural part of the creative process as you’re constantly learning. Every time we complete a new project there is always something new we’ve discovered and learnt.

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H O M E | REAL HOME INSIDE THE BAR, PHOTO BY LYNDSEY ABERCROMBY

“As the barn was an empty shell, we were able to design the entire space” Q When did you first come across the barn

in Aldbury that now houses your studio?

A I had always dreamed of a character property for our studio and I was on the lookout for the perfect place, but I wasn’t sure when this would happen – until one of my team mentioned they had seen a farm which was in development. I jumped at the chance to pitch for the barn and felt so lucky that we were able to secure it.

Q What was the biggest challenge with the renovation?

A As the barn was an empty shell we were able to design the entire space – which meant we needed to balance design, budget and functionality. Also, this all needed to happen alongside running the business and client projects. We had a period with no office at all and it felt like we were back to start-up days, taking it in turns to host kitchen table meetings. It was all 100% worth every step of the journey.

Q Do you have a favourite element of the finished studio?

A It truly is a warm, friendly and beautiful place to come to work, not only is the

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barn cosy and inviting, it’s surrounded by beautiful scenery. One of my favourite pieces in the studio is our custom library table – we had this huge table made for us to create and display design schemes, and it’s often adorned with the most beautiful textiles.

Q How do you see the future of Claire Garner Interiors evolving?

A I always get excited about the future for us, and each year still amazes me with how much we grow, and you never know what exciting project could be on the horizon!

I’m so proud of my team and I can’t wait to keep building our residential portfolio both locally and globally. We approach all design the same, whether it’s full design or e-design, all projects are looked at uniquely to create a bespoke tailored service specially for the client’s design needs. We offer a consultancy service and work with architects, carpenters, and other trade specialists to cover any design requirements.

We also provide bespoke cabinetry, soft furnishings, and upholstery services for all of those custom details. I can see us evolving to keep expanding our services and network of skilled experts in the trade. We use a wide

THE BARN’S EXTERIOR, PHOTOS BY LYNDSEY ABERCROMBY

range of beautiful interior fabrics in our projects from well loved and established names such as James Hare, Fermoie, Mark Alexander, De Le Cuona and Fabricut.

We also launched our online shop earlier this year, and I’ve seen more and more people looking for authentic, bespoke furniture pieces which they can tailor for their spaces, which is why we designed a collection celebrating UK craftsmanship – this includes an online textile library for customers to select and customise their piece. We would love to keep expanding this collection. clairegarnerinteriors.com

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Renowned for our handmade kitchens, but also create stunning bespoke furniture for other rooms in your home

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W A R M E M B R A C E How SWR Home & Outdoor have got ‘cosy’ covered this Christmas

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H O M E | XXXXXXXXX

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“Their new showroom is the largest in the region”

t SWR Home & Outdoor, they understand that enhancing your home is a significant financial decision and will take great pride in providing exceptional care of both you and your home when you order with them. This festive season, they are delighted to offer a generous £200 discount on your final balance if you place an order when visiting their showroom throughout their “Give your home a hug this Christmas” campaign.

With over three decades of experience since they were established in 1989, they have an abundance of accreditations to their name. This locally run and independent company is a Grand Designs Approved Premium Partner, which only adds to their credibility and trustworthiness as a home improvements specialist in their field.

Their brand-new Hemel Hempstead showroom, the largest in the region, is now open to the public and showcases a wide range of products which include garage doors, front doors, awnings and windows.

You can visit them six days a week, which gives you the opportunity to explore at your leisure with a complimentary hot drink. Alternatively, you can choose to book a personalised consultation with one of their experienced product specialists.

All of their products are hand-picked from industry leading manufacturers, so they can ensure the durability of everything they offer. Each installation they complete is backed by their Homeowner Guarantee, which provides great peace of mind. This guarantee is their commitment that in the unlikely event of something going wrong, they will put it right and support you throughout the process.

SWR believe that your outdoor living spaces deserve

the same care and attention as your interior. Your garden is more than just a patch of land, it’s an extension of your living space and a place to make memories. That’s why they supply a comprehensive range of outdoor living products to help improve the functionality and aesthetic of your outdoor area.

They only supply brands that they know you can trust and maintain strong working relationships with a number of leading outdoor shading manufacturers, including Renson, Markilux, Weinor and WCS. Why not bring your home improvement dreams to life, by visiting their showroom to physically see that sleek and stylish patio awning or louvered canopy in action. Their product specialists will talk you through the available options whilst demonstrating the products and advising you on how to achieve your vision. You will finally be able to picture that glass room enhancing your already beautiful home and fully visualise that outdoor living lifestyle, which SWR can make a reality.

No matter what you order, you will receive products that are stylish, durable and constructed with your needs in mind. That desire you have for a seamless integration between your outdoor and indoor living can be obtained, so what are you waiting for?

To discover more, visit their website at homeandoutdoor.co.uk. Remember, when you place an order at their showroom between 20th November-20th December you can enjoy a £200 discount on your final balance*. Book a showroom appointment now by scanning the QR code. (*T’s & C’s apply – please see their website for details) A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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H O M E | SOFAS

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L O U N G E L O V E R NEED A NEW SOFA FOR CHRISTMAS? ORDER ONE NOW

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SINK DRAMA L OA F

The brilliantly named Wodge sofa is a supersized cube of softness to sink into for long periods. It's modular, so you can build your own combination – and we love this velvet in Pressed Olives. From £2,295. loaf.com

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S U N DA E G I R L SNUG

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The Cloud Sundae in fuzzy white boucle is designed for ultimate cosiness and even has a clever storage compartments for blankets and other essentials, £2,749. snugsofa.com

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LOW L I F E T R OV E

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The Talitha sofa is inspired Talitha Getty. Low and deep, it's filled with the highest quality feather and down mix, lending itself to be lounged in all day long. It's handmade too, from £8,250. thetrove.co.uk

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SITTING PRETTY H A B I TAT

Armed with city living charm.

Julien's generous dimensions make this one sociable sofa. The foam-filled T-shaped seat cushions and foam back cushions offer the utmost comfort and support, £695. habitat.co.uk

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LUX E L I V I N G J O N AT H A N A D L E R

Jonathan Adler's Beaumont collection's architectural yet airy bases are juxtaposed with silhouettes softened by sculptural flair. Settee, £2,170. jonathanadler.com

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SBI Ltd has been providing all of your shelter and shading requirements, since 1998

0800 0742 721 | sbiproducts.co.uk

Verandas • Glass Rooms • Awnings • Pergolas Carports • Solar Garage Doors & Shutters • Parasols • Conservatory Sail Blinds Glass Wind Screens for patios, awnings, verandas and parasols !

We provide comprehensive awning services, f rom cleaning and repairs to seasonal maintenance.

Get in touch today for the highest quality awning servicing!

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H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

SERENE progress Poggenpohl explain the planning that went into creating this beautiful, warm kitchen

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his kitchen design effortlessly marries simplicity, elegance and functionality, using a combination of ‘Natural Nut Tree’ and ‘Blossom White’ doors alongside the exquisite Neolith ‘Hima laya n Cr ysta l’ worktops. With a soft and elegant palette, this kitchen embodies a sense of tranquility and warmth, perfectly reflecting the client’s desire for a clean and inviting space.

The customer wanted a natural and organic feel to the kitchen. The warm tones and distinctive grain patterns of the ‘Nut Tree’ doors lends a touch of rustic charm, whilst the matt lacquered ‘Blossom White’ provides a clean and modern backdrop. The porcelain worktops in Neolith’s Himalayan Crystal finish add a luxurious touch, which is enhanced by its satin finish.

Ensuring a modern finish, the LED lighting is adjustable and integrated into the kitchen, allowing the client to easily control the mood and atmosphere of the space. The play of light and shadow further accentuates the textures and tones of the materials.

The client’s request for a muted colour palette that still exudes warmth is achieved with this

design. The soft and elegant tones create a serene ambience, fostering a sense of tranquility and comfort in the kitchen. The clean lines and uncluttered layout further allow for easy navigation and smooth workflow. This kitchen goes above and beyond meeting the client’s expectations as it harmoniously blends aesthetics, functionality and the desired ambiance. The use of the warm finishes and modern Siemens appliances achieves a balance between visual appeal, practicality and the desired serene and inviting atmosphere.

This kitchen design captures the essence of simplicity, elegance and efficiency. The choice of materials, colour palette, lighting and appliances all contribute to a space that is both visually stunning and highly functional. Whether the client is cooking, entertaining or simply enjoying a quiet moment, this kitchen offers a quiet and inviting environment for the client and their loved ones to gather and create lasting memories, all while ensuring an ergonomic design that will stand the test of time.

To find your nearest Poggenpohl dealer, phone 01727 738 100 or visit poggenpohl.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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E D U C AT I O N

FRESH FACES EDGE GROVE SCHOOL

Head Ed Balfour believes in the truly transformative effect of a preparatory Edge Grove education; one which provides boys and girls with a safe, happy and uniquely child-centred environment in which they can build friendships (often for life), belong, develop their own agency and innate creativity, curiosity and character.

He tells us about his first year in the role on page 80.

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COLD FRONT Winter adventures in outdoor education at York House School B y J O N G R AY

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ith the sparkle of frost on the ground and wildlife in abundance, the great outdoors can be a place of beauty and wonder for young children during the winter months. Outdoor education during this season is also great for building strength of character. After all, it is well recognised that exposure to tougher outdoor conditions breeds more resilience.

If you look through the steamed-up windows of a classroom on a dark and damp winter’s day, you’ll likely see children and teachers alike going stir crazy. What they all desperately need is to get out into the cold air and unless the weather is truly biblical, they will all feel the benefit. Outdoor education can always adapt to conditions and the key to success in the harsher months is to keep the legs moving and the blood flowing.

Getting the right kit together is an important part of self-reliance when learning outdoors. Whilst the gentler months of the year can be great fun and most activities can happen in shorts, t-shirts and bare feet, the necessity for proper planning and preparation during winter brings extra beneficial layers

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to that process. Most mountain trekkers will have clear recollections of the day the weather was not kind to them, and they had forgotten their gloves, waterproof trousers or a beneficial beanie. We run an “Exceptional Performers (EP)” team for the outdoor education side of school life and their annual camp out normally happens in January. Ironically, the team hope for harsh weather – as their pupil members famously cite that “EP doesn’t stand for Easy Peasy”.

With a large number of resident animals

onsite, we like to incorporate the welfare of wildlife into our winter outdoor education.

There are a small number of our animals, such as the tortoises, that will need to move inside for the winter months. Most other animals can adapt to cope outside whether that is natural – the sheep growing their woolly winter coats – or assisted support from the smallholding team such as putting a rug on the pony and the donkeys. Our fish become fairly dormant during these colder months and live on their reserves.

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The children love to add some festive cheer to the smallholding too, which epitomises the real wish the children have to share joy with the animals. One of the harshest jobs in the deep winter days is breaking the ice from the water troughs. That is a tough task, but of course vital for the animals. Chickens produce far less eggs during the winter and their bedding needs to be regularly cleared out, kept dry and deep, as well as shelters built to protect them from the wind. Very young or very old animals may need extra adaptations, which is a good life lesson for human society.

When developing activities that are better suited to the winter months, some activities work really well on frozen ground – cyclocross, for instance, can be refreshing and, in a way, easier than on the softer autumn or spring ground. But beware the perils of marking out your cross-country track with white cones during winter – one January the inevitable heavy snow came down and navigation became a struggle.

That said, activities such as completing a night navigation with the frost coming down, cold clear nights with stargazing on

the activity list etc are some of the things that children will definitely remember.

Winter camp outs in particular carry a real sense of adventure. Recognising that the mat and layers beneath you are even more important than the layer on top is a realisation worth achieving. It has been said that each layer beneath you when sleeping outside is worth two on top. Children may assume that piling lots of kit on top of them will make them warm when sleeping on cold ground, but of course you will never warm up the ground, it will always win by sucking the heat out of you to give a miserable and sleepless night. Other acts to mitigate the risk of cold include getting pupils to share tents (and therefore warmth), giving a hot drink before they go to their beds, and ensuring there are plenty of calories consumed. On a cold night outdoors, it is remarkable how almost all hot food tastes entirely delicious.

When conditions are challenging, the need to look after the person next to you becomes essential rather than desirable.

Sharing kit, cheering each other up, and encouraging others all fits into our pupil

JON GRAY

aim of “leaving people and places better than you find them”. On a similar token, the morning after a camp, it is always an aim to “leave no trace”, which is a respectable way to approach the environment.

Jon Gray is the headmaster at York House, located just outside Croxley Green.

Find out more at york-house.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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YEAR TO

Remember Ed Balfour has been head at Hertfordshire’s Edge Grove since the start of 2023. Here, he reflects on his journey so far…

Q You took on the headship at Edge Grove school back in January this year, what has your journey been like so far?

A It has been an amazing journey and I am learning more and more about our wonderful community every day. I particularly love the rich diversity of our Edge Grove families, and the way in which every individual pupil brings a different perspective to discussion and debate. I have a feeling that our school has one of the most diverse communities in the area, welcoming pupils and families from a huge cross-section of different cultures.

What better way for our pupils to develop a global outlook on life and learning?

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Q What have been your personal highlights to date?

A That’s a difficult question as there have been so many! But as an English and drama specialist, if I had to choose one of my favourite highlights, it would have to be the theatrical productions of Matilda the Musical. I have been blown away by the ‘West End standard’ of these shows and the calibre of the individual and choric performances, which were delivered with magnificent energy and passion. These kinds of experiences are critical because they build independence and confidence in young children.

ED BALFOUR

I have also been exceptionally pleased with the outcomes of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Educational Quality and Focused Compliance Inspection in February this year (2023). There has been a lot of media attention around inspection standards recently, so I am very proud of our staff, pupils, parents and governors for the results they have achieved. To be judged ‘excellent’ in all areas with no recommendations for improvement is quite an achievement.

Q What have been your key learnings this year?

A I have learnt that many schools are similar,

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but if they are to be truly successful, they need to adopt a child-centred approach.

Pupils need a loud voice and staff need to encourage them as well as learn to listen more deeply, themselves. This year we have entrusted our pupils with more freedoms and greater responsibilities, and they have reciprocated that trust by demonstrating independence, confidence and remarkable maturity. I have always believed that if schools place their trust in children and try to remove the scaffolding that inhibits progress, pupils will thrive developing true character and creativity.

Q What has impressed you most about the pupils and staff at Edge Grove?

A Ralph Lucas, CEO of the Good School Guide, wrote in 2003 that ‘Excellent schools have a particular character that runs deep and penetrates into future generations’ – I couldn’t agree more. That sense of character has always been very strong at Edge Grove, and it is embedded in the kindness our pupils and staff show every day. I have also been very impressed by the ways in which our staff and pupils have embodied our school values. These values were actually created last year by our Year 8 pupils, and I am hugely proud of our staff and pupils for taking the courageous step of defining what our school stands for, and more importantly, why these values are so special to our community.

word mission: Integrity, Independence and Inspiration. Essentially this is all about grounding our education in pastoral care, exploring the ways in which children venture forth in their academic, co-curricular and pastoral learning, and how they aspire to excellence.

Q What new initiatives or changes have you implemented this year since taking on the headship?

A As a school, we have adopted a new child-centred approach alongside a three-

Q What is next for Edge Grove this coming academic year?

A With a brand-new timetable underway and our senior leadership team raring to go, I am very excited about what the new

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“If schools place their trust in children, pupils will thrive developing true character and creativity” academic year will bring for our pupils and our community. I am also looking forward to seeing our pupils flourish and achieve their true potential alongside a high-octane year of significant academic and co-curricular achievement. Most importantly, I am committed to ensuring our children make progress in a happy, nurturing environment that celebrates individuality, and one where they will develop the variety of skills they need to succeed in their future lives. edgegrove.com

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LAST WORD • CHARITY

why everyone is talking about…

Hearing Dogs for

Deaf People The charity is seeking volunteer puppy trainers across Hertfordshire to help train life-changing dogs

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hristmas should be about charity as much as anything else, and here’s one organisation Absolutely is keen to throw its support behind. An increase in the demand for its services has led national charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to put out an urgent appeal for volunteer puppy trainers.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People trains clever dogs to alert deaf people to important and life-saving sounds, including smoke alarms, intruder alarms, oven timers, alarm clocks and even baby monitors.

Its dogs also provide constant emotional support and companionship – helping deaf people to leave loneliness behind.

Deafness is on the rise in the UK; by 2035, it is estimated that one in five British people (over 15 million) will experience hearing loss, and the increase the charity is seeing in the number of people coming to it for help, reflects this.

The charity receives no government funding, but is very fortunate to have the support of a network of committed volunteers. There are two types of volunteer roles the charity urgently needs to fill: permanent puppy trainers, who will look after a puppy for the duration of its training (usually between 18 months and two years), and short-term trainers to cover times when other trainers are on holiday.

Nicola Pullen became a volunteer in 2019 and her first hearing dog puppy, Jemma, an eight-week-old Golden Labrador, arrived in June. Nicola says: “We’ve now looked after four puppies, and are currently training Albert, a black Labrador. Becoming volunteer puppy trainers was the best decision we ever made. It’s so lovely to be a part of the dogs’ journey and to know you’re helping them go on to change

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HEARING DOG PUPPY ALED

NICOLA AND DOLLY

someone’s life. I’ve made lots of friends and learned so much. We haven’t looked back and we recommend it to all our friends.”

Nicola Wimble, from Emmer Green, near Reading, was partnered with her hearing dog Dolly in 2020. She says: “Before getting Dolly, I lived in a world of silence where I never relaxed. Even at home, I was constantly listening out for the doorbell or the telephone. I rarely listened to music or had the TV on because it would block out the sounds I needed to hear, and when I put something in the oven, I would stay in the kitchen in case I missed the timer.

“The difference she’s made to my life is incredible,” Nicola smiles. “I’m so much more relaxed now – the TV can be on, I play music and go in the garden, and I don’t have to be concerned that I won’t hear things anymore.”

Victoria Leedham, Head of Volunteering at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, adds: “Anyone who volunteers for us can expect to feel like part of our family. No previous

NIKKI, ROB AND HARLEY

experience is necessary, and volunteers will receive lots of support and training to ensure they feel fully equipped to care for one of our dogs. The charity will also cover all costs involved, from the moment the volunteer takes the puppy home, to when it is handed over to one of our deaf partners after its training is complete.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People can visit hearingdogs.org.uk/volunteer.

The volunteering team can also be reached directly at volunteer@hearingdogs.org.uk or on 01844 348129

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