DANI IMBERT
The Brentwood local taking reality
TV by storm
•
LIFE'S A BEACH
Why Southend is a top summer destination •
CREAM ON TOP
How afternoon tea sparked an award winning White Roding company
Over 30 pages of inspiration and insight
TOWIE STAR LUCY MECKLENBURGH UNVEILS
HER SUMMER FASHION COLLECTION
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EDITOR
MARK KEBBLE
ART DIRECTOR
PAWEL KUBA
SENIOR DESIGNERS
MIKE ROBERTS
SUZETTE SCOBLE
MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER
CARMEN GRAHAM
JUNIOR DESIGNER
JOE MUNSEY
PRODUCTION MANAGER
DANICA BRODIE
GROUP SALES MANAGER - SOUTH
ABIGAIL GARDNER
MEDIA CONSULTANTS
CELIA GREGORY, CLAIRE YATES
FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
JERRIE KOLECI
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ALEXANDRA HVID
DIRECTORS
CRAIG DAVIES, LEAH DAY, JAMES FUSCHILLO
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ALEXANDRA HUNTER
MANAGING DIRECTOR
SHERIF SHALTOUT
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ABSOLUTELY’S
June issue
highlights
ou know how it is. At a loss after flicking through 56 channels on your chosen streaming service and still not able to find something to watch, an advert promoting property marketing comes up and you just have to take a look at how much your own home is worth. Although the value didn't exactly have me jumping for joy, what I did find fascinating was how different our property looked when we bought it six years ago. I am amazed at how old fashioned it was, how pokey the bathroom looked, how bland the living room was. Without really noticing, we have completely transformed the look and feel and it gives a real insight into our design tastes.
I am sure if we ever do move the future inhabitants will probably think our design is too garish, but therein lies the fun when it comes to interiors. We are all different and there is so much inspiration out there that it is always exciting when it comes to a home revamp.
To help you on your way, we present our Absolutely Home supplement once again, featuring everything from biophilia in the home to a look inside Alice Temperley's world. Enjoy.
COMPILED BY PENDLE HARTE
The Curve vases in gorgeous pastel tones of blush pink and lilac will inject your home with a pop of colour and curve appeal, £68. luxeology.co.uk
Balmain's Beyoncé collaboration features 16 looks, each inspired by a track on Beyoncé’s Renaissance album. This is Cozy. balmain.com
Featuring generous cups, bubbled stems and bold colour, wine glasses from Ornamental by Lameice come in a variety of bright shades, £95. koibird.com shades, farfetch.com
A collaboration between Barton Perreira and beauty brow stylist Kelley Baker has resulted in these stylish Brow Babe shades, £430.
Copenhagen-based jeweller Sif Jakobs' collections are simple and stylish – we love this pink zirconia pendant, £99. si akobs.uk
This pure silk hair wrap shields hair against the nightly friction and moisture absorption of bed linen that causes breakages, frizz and split ends, £50. silkelondon.com
Primadonna's Palace Garden set features all-over embroidery that runs all the way to the straps, making it as stylish as it is comfortable. ameliesfollies.co.uk
Colour experts Caran d'Ache and Paul Smith have teamed up for a new special edition of the iconic 849 pen in fi ve new colour variations, £55. carandache.com
Beautifully so and tactile feathers combine with brass ball chain and a bouclé trim in the showstopping Juliette light, £445. coldharbourlights.com
ROBE
Orchard Moon's kimonos are so and smooth as silk, but 100% plant-based. Unlike silk, this fabric doesn’t use animals as part of its production process, £260. orchardmoon.com
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MARKSHALL ESTATE
There’s lots going on at Markshall Estate with the recent launch of Percy’s Adventures – a family fun edu-tainment event taking place over the school holidays. There is also a brand-new play area close to the Orchard Kitchen café and, also in June, Markshall celebrates 30 years since the Visitor Centre opened to the public. Keep an eye on their social media pages to find out how you can get involved with the celebrations. markshall.org.uk
Reality TV star Dani Imbert may well seem pretty confident on screen, but the 25-yearold hasn’t always been that way. “I was really quiet growing up, a really shy girl in primary school. If anyone had said you’d be on TV back then I wouldn’t have believed them,” the Warley resident tells Absolutely.
We’re chatting as the 31st series of The Only Way is Essex (or TOWIE as it has become known) has just started and Dani is excited but secretive about what viewers are about to see unfold. “I can never say too much because I can’t ruin what’s about to come out on TV, but it’s a really good series and I’ve had a lot of fun filming it,” she smiles. While it might never have crossed Dani’s teenage mind that she might one day be on the reality show that has spawned household names such as Gemma
Collins, Lucy Mecklenburgh and Mark Wright, it didn’t stop her from being a huge fan when it first aired back in 2010.
“I remember being in Year 7 when TOWIE first came out and being super buzzing about it. I was obsessed, my mum used to come with me and we’d go and line up outside the shops some of the cast members owned to try and get a picture with them,” says Dani, who attended Brentwood County High, where many of the ITVBe show’s cast members past and present were educated. “It’s funny because I was a real super fan of Harry [Derbidge from the original cast] and now I’ve ended up being on the show and becoming friends with him.”
Brentwood born and raised – and still in the same house she has lived her whole life, name-checking Sheesh in Chigwell, Aura in Loughton and Figo in Brentwood as her favourite go-tos – it was perhaps inevitable that Dani would one day end up on the show, which follows the lives of a group of young men and women living in and around Brentwood.
Prior to joining the show, which was the
first of its kind to feature real people in modified situations, saying unscripted lines but in a structured way, Dani worked at a local financial advisory firm to ‘pay the bills’ while also attending castings for fashion and beauty modelling jobs on the side.
“While being on TV wasn’t necessarily a dream of mine, once I gained my confidence after leaving secondary school, I wanted to see my face plastered on a billboard,” admits Dani, who models for ASOS Marketplace.
It was around this time that she started to get approached through her social media account to do reality shows, but it wasn’t until the producers of TOWIE got in contact in 2020 that she took the idea seriously.
“I was getting messaged about shows like Love Island and True Love or True Lies and I just wasn’t interested. I even got approached to go on Naked Attraction and I thought ‘absolutely not’. But then I got the message from TOWIE and it was the only one I considered, purely because I already knew people on the show and had grown up in the area.”
but now
Dani joined the 27th series of the BAFTA award-winning programme, which aired in 2021, and was quickly entered into a romance with Gatsby, aka Liam Blackwell. The pair dated for a time, but split last year and viewers of the latest series will have seen a romantic storyline play out between Dani and her best friend Roman Hackett – although Dani remains tightlipped on the ‘will they won’t they’ situation.
While the show is predominantly centred on Essex and is primarily filmed in Brentwood, Buckhurst Hill, Loughton, Chigwell and Chelmsford, the cast regularly jet abroad to destinations such as Marbella, Dubai, the Dominican Republic and most recently, Thailand, where the cast are put up in lavish accommodation.
But it’s not all about living it up. One of the things that makes TOWIE so successful is the drama that often plays out on screen, which often involves explosive arguments. “What I’ve struggled with the most is falling out with a friend on the show,” Dani admits.
“As soon as that happens, the producers stay with you to make sure you don’t cross paths. It’s intense. You might want to meet
up with them the next day and sort it out but you can’t, you have to wait until the cameras are rolling as they want everything to be as real and as raw as possible. We call it ‘sifting’, which means ‘save it for the scene’.”
Questions are often raised over how authentic TOWIE is, but Dani insists the show is not scripted. “Honestly I wish it was scripted, it would be so much easier,” she laughs. “It’s real life. Obviously, they do set up the ‘bump ins’, but we are all
from the same area so the likelihood is I would bump into these people anyway.”
For Dani, the show is all about having as much fun as possible with her friends and opening doors to opportunities she might not otherwise have had to further her career as a model.
But, as she begins filming for the 32nd series, she admits that she does hope one day to follow in the footsteps of TOWIE alumni such as The Simms sisters, Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou, and Sam and Billie Faiers, and have her own show one day.
“There are so many programmes I would now love to do and my dream is to have my own show one day, when I’m older and have my own family and kids,” she adds.
“Considering I wasn’t interested in being in the world of TV when I was young I’ve gone completely full circle and I have the TOWIE experience to thank for that. It’s the ‘OG’ of reality shows, it blew up so quickly, but I can see it going on forever. It’s amazing to see how much it has put Essex on the map.”
All the latest episodes of TOWIE are available to stream on ITVX and you can follow Dani on Instagram @daniimbert
“I wish TOWIE was scripted, it would be so much easier”AURA IS A FAVOURITE OF DANI’S
Full, Half & Tailored
Spa Days
By REBECCA PITCAIRN
Q You’ve built a following of over 480,000 followers on TikTok. How did it all start?
A I started TikTok, like many people, during lockdown 2020 out of boredom and being at home 24/7. I found it funny creating lip-syncing videos, which I would then send on to all my family and occasionally post on my Facebook page. I like to think I’m a bit of a joker and love making people laugh so I fell in love with the TikTok app the minute I started, although I was extremely nervous to even post my first video – so much so I got my five-year-old niece to get in it with me! My page started to become more than just funny videos after I became pregnant with my daughter Ava (now two) and I announced it with a TikTok video in September 2020. I began sharing my first-hand experiences of being pregnant while also raising a toddler (my son James is now five) and I think people related to it.
Q What did you do before you became a social media star?
A I worked with children, which is something I have done all my life having studied childcare at college. I worked in a nursery initially, eventually becoming a room leader and that led me to work as a teaching assistant, which is when I fell pregnant with James. I didn’t feel ready to return to work after my maternity leave was up so I left my job at the school and became a stay-at-home mum. I then trained to become a lash technician and loved the freedom that gave me to work while being a mum to a small child.
Q Where in Essex did you grow up?
A I’ve lived in Essex all my life and grew up in Chadwell Heath, Romford. I went to Grove Primary School and then on to Chadwell Heath Foundation School.Essex is a great place to bring up children. We love simple things like going to the park, which doesn’t cost anything and can provide hours of fun. But we also love a day trip to Southend, the kids absolutely love the soft play and the arcades.
Q You post about the good and bad of parenthood, but you’ve also shared raw moments, such as details of dealing with the tragic loss of your mum, Lorraine. Why did you decide to be so honest and how has it helped with the grieving process?
A Social media can paint such a perfect picture of people’s lives that sometimes you feel like you’re not normal for having bad
days. I like to share the good and the bad because we all go through both no matter how perfect our lives might seem and showing others they are not alone in certain circumstances is something I absolutely treasure about TikTok. The hundreds of people that can relate to my situation of losing a parent or a loved one hurts my heart, but having someone to talk to that’s been through it is really comforting. The month after my mum passed away I actually found out I was pregnant with James, which completely saved me. I really do not know what I would have done otherwise. I don’t ever think you deal with loss and grief, nor do I think it gets easier with time – you just learn to live with it. One thing that has helped me and my family is we still celebrate my mumevery birthday – we all get together as if we would if she was here.
Q You sadly had a miscarriage while on holiday last year, which you’ve also posted about. Was it a di cult decision to share that news with your followers?
A My dad actually said not to post it, but when I sat and thought about it, I wanted to. Miscarriage is something that’s not
really spoken about and so I was completely unaware of how common it is. I also had no clue what was happening to my body at the time and it was such a scary experience. I think had I known a bit more about it, I could have seen the signs. So, I just knew I needed to share my loss with others in the hope they could feel comfort from the fact that it can and does happen to anyone – I’ve had two perfectly healthy pregnancies and births with two beautiful babies to show for it, but that doesn’t mean to say it won’t ever happen to you. It was so sad to read a number of messages from women who had been through a similar circumstance.
Q What’s your favourite and least favourite thing about being a mum?
A There are so many things I love about being a mummy,but I would have to say my favourite is just the unconditional love you have for these tiny little humans – my heart has never felt anything like it. And there isn’t really anything I dislike about being a mum, but the lack of sleep is an absolute killer. I used to be the heaviest sleeper known to man and now I will wake at a pin drop!
Follow Leanne on TikTok @Leanneschapman“My heart has never felt anything like it”A FAMILY PORTRAIT NOT LONG AFTER AVA WAS BORN
Granted city status in 2022, Southendon-Sea certainly comes up with the goods when looking at a day trip – or longer. Southend Pier & Railway is one of the toprated historical attractions in the UK and the longest pleasure pier in the world at 1.34 miles long. In April 2023, it was voted Pier of the Year by The National Pier Society. Southend Pier is the perfect destination to cool down on a hot summer's day and soak up the stunning estuary views with ice cream or a cheeky bag of chips.
Southend Pier is not the only historical attraction to discover. Don’t miss a trip to Southend Museums historic houses Prittlewell Priory and Southchurch Hall. Learn more about the history of Southend with a visit to Southend Central Museum, which houses the world famous Prittlewell Prince burial collection. There is lots on o er in Southend for nature lovers to enjoy with the Sea-Life Adventure Zooquarium, and for thrillseekers there is Adventure Island, the UK’s number one free admission theme park. Alongside the traditional seafront arcades, Southend is home to the new generation of interactive ten pin bowling, Kingpins. For even more family fun visit Caddies, the craziest crazy golf located in the high street.
Fancy heading to the beach? Southend has seven miles of coastline to explore, so there’s plenty to choose from Leigh-on-sea to Shoeburyness. Think Southend is just beaches? Well, there’s a plethora of parks and green spaces, perfect for that family picnic.
Why not get your culture fix from one of the city’s top galleries, including Focal Point Gallery and Beecroft Art Gallery. Are you looking to immerse yourself in new art experiences? Some fantastic art-inspired events are landing in Southend this summer.
Southend City Jam (southendcityjam. co.uk) is returning 1-3 September 2023 after the overwhelming success of last year’s debut festival. The free celebration of street art is being organised by Southend-on-
Sea City Council and Southend Tourism Partnership, alongside local artists Karl Sims and Steve Hart, who have championed street art in Southend for decades.
Herd in the City (herdinthe.city) will be stomping into Southend for over seven weeks from 14 July-4 September 2023. Havens Hospices and Wild in Art will bring the free fabulous large-scale public art elephant sculpture trail to Southend. The beautifully decorated herd will be located from Shoeburyness and Leigh-on-Sea.
Leigh Folk Festival (leighfolkfestival. com)returns to the picturesque Leigh Library Gardens and surrounding venues in the heart of Leigh-on-Sea, from 22–25 June 2023 for the 31st time. You can expect four fantastic days celebrating music, culture, community and much more.
Nothing beats the Southend sunsets. The city boasts a wide range of seafront, family
friendly and date night dining favourites. Whether it’s classic seafood cockles from picturesque Old Leigh, or world famous Rossi ice cream from the seafront, Southend has a wide range of culinary delights to be enjoyed.
We may be talking about summer here, but there’s never a bad time to visit Southend. With so much to see and do, you’ll need to stay longer than a day. Enjoy one of the stunning seafront stays and wake up to some of the best views around. For a truly luxurious stay, check out the five-star rated Roslin Beach Hotel.
Southend also has plenty of self-catering accommodation, budget friendly hotel chains or guest houses to choose from. With a variety of options, accommodation in Southend ensures that back to base doesn’t mean back to basics.
For more, head to visitessex.com or visitsouthend.co.uk
“With so much to see and do, you'll need to stay longer than a day”
Historic castles, contemporary art galleries and stunning landmarks, Essex is blessed with some of the finest buildings in the country. This month, marking our homes and design special later in the issue, Visit Essex gives us the lowdown on the county’s must-see structures.
Hedingham Castle is one of the most iconic buildings in Essex. Built 900 years ago, the ancient defensive landscape of the motte and bailey castle, along with the Norman keep, form an impressive heritage treasure that is well worth a visit. Alongside being one of the best preserved keeps
in the country, Hedingham Castle also boasts the widest Norman arch in domestic architecture in Western Europe. Entry is £11 for adults, £10 for seniors (65+), £9 for children (aged 4-16) and children aged under 4 go free.
A House for Essex is a unique and incomparable house overlooking the River Stour. A House for Essex is designed by Essex-born artist, Grayson Perry, and demonstrates that art and architecture can lift everyone’s spirits. Grayson tells the story of Julie on his ceramic pieces around the exterior of the green-tiled house. The building can be viewed by a public footpath, which leads down to Essex Wildlife Trust’s reserve at Wrabness.
Everyone loves a trip to the flicks, but a visit to the Electric Palace Cinema in Harwich is also a trip back in time. The cinema has recently reopened following a £1 million restoration, and this gem is one of the oldest purposebuilt cinemas, dating back to 1911. The cinema was recently featured as a filming location for Downton Abbey: A New Era and is also frequented by its patron and top actor, Clive Owen.
Take a step back and wonder at Layer Marney Tower near Colchester, which is the tallest Tudor Gatehouse in the UK. The magnificent building stands at 80 feet tall and is set within stunning grounds. The Marney family had big ambitions to build a grand palace, but
sadly after the death of Lord Henry Marney, who was a close friend of Henry VIII and his son, work ceased and only the gatehouse was completed. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of events at Layer Marney Tower from fun on the farm to events to commemorate the 500th year of Lord Marney’s passing. Entry is priced at £10 for adults, £7 for children 13+ and students, and children under 13 go free. Event prices may di er.
Built upon a Roman temple, Colchester Castle is one of England’s most important heritage sites and is the largest Norman Keep in Europe. Built on the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius, today the castle houses a museum that is home to archaeological collections of international quality covering 2,500 years of history, such as the ‘Colchester Vase’. Colchester Castle is a must for all the family, set in beautiful parkland, and o ers interactive displays, plus a large scale ‘son et lumière’ projection. Entry is priced at £11.95 for adults, £6.75 for children (aged 4-16) and £7.75 for qualifying concessions.
Standing tall atop the cli s at Waltonon-the-Naze is the historic 86ft Naze Tower. Built by Trinity House in 1720, this octagonal navigation tower has played an important role in maritime history and is Grade II* listed, as it’s the only building of its type and era in the country. Over eight floors reached by a spiral staircase of 111 stairs, the Naze Tower now houses an art gallery and a tea room. The tower also boasts an open top roof viewing platform o ering breathtaking
“Hedingham Castle is one of the most iconic buildings in Essex”LAYER MARNEY TOWER ELECTRIC PALACE CINEMA A HOUSE FOR ESSEX
views of land and seascapes. Entry is £4.50 for adults, £4 for seniors (60+) and students, £3.50 for children (aged 4-15) and free for children under 4 years.
Sa ron Walden is also home to Essex’s most stately of houses, Audley End House and Gardens. The mansion was built in 1605 for Thomas Howard, first Earl of Su olk and Lord Treasurer to James I. In the 1760s the house was modernised by celebrity architect Robert Adam, but in the 1820s the house was remodelled to restore it to its Jacobean glory. Visitors can explore upstairs and downstairs at this impressive home, which is now owned by English Heritage. Admission starts from £20.90 for adults, £12.70 for children (aged 5-17) and £18.10 for concessions.
Known locally as the ‘banana’, FirstSite in Colchester is an international awardwinning gallery and is home to a creative community space. The gallery was designed by Rafael Vinoly and creates an environment like no other. Its dramatic frontage and golden shell leads through to a stunning gallery and studio spaces, which have a unique versatility that makes it perfect for events as well as a fun and inspirational space to immerse yourself in art, culture and creativity. Entry is free.
Thaxted Guildhall is believed to have been built by the townsfolk between 1462 and 1475 and started life as a meeting place for people of the town. Sadly the building fell into disrepair, but one of the town’s charities, Yardleys, took over the Guildhall at the end of the 17th century and it became Thaxted
Grammar School until 1878. Today, visitors can wander around the building, which houses a permanent display of old photographs and historical objects. Thaxted Guildhall is open Sundays and Bank Holidays and entry is free.
Ingatestone Hall is another Tudor mansion well worth a visit. The moated manor house was built by Sir William Petre, Secretary of State to four Tudor monarchs and is still owned by the same family today. Today Ingatestone Hall is a fascinating window into history, with guided and non-guided tours available of the hall and its gardens on certain days. Entry is £8.50 for adults and £4 for children 5-16 years old.
To discover more, visit visitessex.com
Something
so join us for an unforgettable festive experience
Every night in December until the 23rd. Thursday to Saturday £32 per person include 3 course menu, a glass of bubbly on arrival, tea, coffee and mince pie, disco till late.
CHRISTMAS LUNCH WITH SANTA Sat 17th December from 12 noon to 3pm.
And we are inviting you to discover it all. From festive feasts to tasty tipples. The cheerful parties and memorable gateways. It is everything you could wish for and more, Please
AFTERNOON TEA WITH SEASONAL TWIST £28 PER PERSON
The Sun Inn in the beautiful village of Dedham has been the destination pub, restaurant and place to stay since 2003 and a stop off for travellers and locals since before artist John Constable immortalised the village and surrounding countryside in the 18th and 19th centuries. This July, the inn celebrates its 20th anniversary under the ownership and management of Baker Hospitality and next month we will be joining the party. thesuninndedham.com
The English Cream Tea Company, based in White Roding, is much loved by locals and those further afield.
Founder Jane Malyon explains how it all came to brew
Q Your family appears to have links to tea going back some way to your Great Grandfather…
A My Great Grandfather was Henry Norris and he had risen from the age of 15 to eventually run the docks of London as head of the Port of London Authority. During WWI, the docks were how our country’s goods arrived – and the King asked Henry to ensure tea and sugar kept coming in during the war… because we are, after all, a nation of tea drinkers! For his work he was awarded ‘Commander of the British Empire’. We have therefore created a tea in his honour, called Henry Norris CBE Smokey Tea.
Q As a child, did your family often sit down to have tea and cake?
A As a child, most weekends we would create afternoon tea at home – and I
LOVED it! We’d have prawn sandwiches (it was my job to peel the fresh prawns) and home-made Victoria sponge cake, plus some bought cakes from the local bakers. Chocolate dipped meringue pairs sandwiched with fresh cream and topped with angelica and grace cherries were my favourite.
Q Why did you love that experience so much?
A I’ve always loved tea time. Firstly the food treats are ruddy delicious! Who doesn’t like sandwiches and cakes, with cups of tea alongside?! Also, though, it’s so conducive for chatter, smiling, listening and sharing – and I adored the sweetness of our behaviour and the togetherness. No-one drinks too much at afternoon tea either, so you’re not likely to get rows and unpleasantness! Tea time is the best of times.
A FAVOURITE FROM JANE’S CHILDHOOD
Q Before launching The English Cream Tea Company, what were you doing work-wise?
A My husband and I ran an outside catering company and a wedding venue. I also was (still am) a writer, speaker and a coach. We ran the wedding venue up until Covid struck, then The English Cream Tea Company went turbo-busy during lockdown with so many people ordering treats, often to be sent to loved ones.
Q What actually inspired you to launch The English Cream Tea Company?
A Inspiration-wise, I met an elderly lady from Chelmsford, entirely randomly, and we got talking about the best afternoon tea experiences including The Ritz and The Savoy. She said it was her most favourite thing, but she could no longer travel, so reluctantly thought she’d had her last teatime extravaganza ever. It sparked the lightbulb moment in me that if she couldn’t get to the afternoon tea, could it get to her? We had to get the health/safety aspect sorted out for sending fresh teatime goodies in special hamper boxes and had to prove the temperature control etc to the Trading Standards people. After that, we launched our delivered fresh Afternoon Tea Hampers via a Facebook page – and within a few hours had enquiries from all over the UK and five other countries!
Q How have you evolved in the 10+ years since?
A We’ve very much evolved and that includes the product range, having our own brand of luxury jams and teas, winning Great Taste Awards and other business awards, opening our own events
“Afternoon tea is so conducive for chatter, smiling, listening and sharing”
Tea Room (The Secret Sconery) and writing a bestseller: Scone or Scon(e) - the Essential Guide to British Afternoon Tea. We also gained the Guinness World Record for the largest English Cream Tea Party in the world. Those last two were highlights for sure along with meeting so many people that adore this great British tradition. It’s a privilege to be involved in this world.
Q What tends to be the most popular purchases from you?
A The most popular are our Chocolate Brownie Tins, our Cream Tea Deluxe Gift Tins and our Fresh Cream Tea For Two afternoon tea hampers.
Q What is The Secret Sconery?
Q What foodie destinations do you love to visit around Essex?
A We love to go to fish restaurants in Essex and to also try out new places. We enjoy British, Thai, Indian, Chinese… pretty much all cuisines! From local cafes to dressy-up restaurants, it’s all fab and fun.
Q What’s new for The English Cream Tea Company in 2023?
to the public about 10 times a year or for
A The Secret Sconery is the name of our Tea Room. We work there, but also open it to the public about 10 times a year or for private events. It’s in a converted small barn set in many acres of garden. It’s truly secret – not visible from any roads!
Do you also live in White Roding? We live in the house on the same property in White Roding and have done for 39 years. We love the people, the closeness to towns whilst being rural ourselves and because so many family members live nearby.
A One of our new ventures has involved going viral on TikTok! We only started an account a year ago and currently believe we’ve had 878 million views on @afternoonteajane. That’s been quite a surprising adventure. We’ve just gained our first contract with a major retail brand – so we’ll excitedly see where this leads into the future! Move over Mary Berry…
englishcreamtea.com
“We gained the Guinness World Record for the largest English Cream Tea Party in the world”
An authentic, contemporary approach to Indonesian cooking
Words PETTY PANDEAN-ELLIOTT
Photography by YUKI SUGIURA
Makes 12–14 skewers
Sate Babi Rica-Rica Origin: Sulawesi
Rica-rica is a sambal from Manado, North Sulawesi. The name translates to ‘chilli’ in the local dialect and, to be expected, this spicy condiment has fiery intensity. The spiciness is also attributed to the red ginger, distinctively coloured, local to Manado and smaller than your typical ginger. You can also try this dish using prawns, chicken or fish fillets.
Preparation: 10 minutes, plus 10 minutes marinating
Cooking: 15–20 minutes
For the rica-rica:
• 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 2 banana shallots, coarsely chopped
• 2–3 red bird’s eye chillies
• 2 large red chillies
• 20 g/3⁄4 oz ginger, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil or sunflower oil
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt, to taste
For the satay:
• 600g/1lb5oz pork tenderloin, cut into 2-cm/ 3⁄4-inch cubes
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
To serve:
• Steamed rice
METHOD
1 Soak 14 long bamboo skewers in water for 1 hour.
2 To make the rica-rica, combine all the ingredients, except the oil, lime and salt, in a blender and blend to a fine paste. Set aside.
3 Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the paste and sauté for 6–7 minutes. Season with lime juice and salt and sauté for another 2 minutes. Set aside.
4 To make the satay, season the pork with salt, half of the rica-rica paste and the lime juice. Mix well and set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
5 Preheat a charcoal barbecue or a griddled (grill) pan over high heat. Thread 4 pieces of pork onto each skewer. Grill the pork for 5–6 minutes, brushing it with marinade and turning often, until cooked through. Transfer the skewers to a plate.
6 Serve as is or with the steamed rice, spiced vegetable stew and the remaining rica-rica.
Serves 4–6
Lawi Lawi dan Udang Origin: Sulawesi
Indonesians are no strangers to the health benefits of seaweed, masterfully preparing it in inventive ways. And this Sulawesi salad is no exception. It’s a winning combination of briny seaweed, succulent prawns and sweet mango lightly dressed in a spicy, creamy coconut dressing. The Balinese have a version of this salad with spices and grated coconut (rujak bulung). The sea grape, sometimes known as ‘green caviar’, is one of my favourites. You can buy sea grapes in specialist shops or online, but for practicality, I have used dried seaweed in this recipe. You could also replace it with samphire (sea asparagus).
Preparation: 25 minutes, plus 20 minutes soaking
Cooking: 5 minutes
For the salad:
• 20 g/3⁄4 oz dried wakame or hijiki seaweed
• 2 carrots, coarsely grated
• 1 ripe mango, cut into 1-cm/ 1⁄2-inch cubes
• 2–3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 24 tiger prawns, peeled, deveined and patted dry
• Salt, to taste
• Juice of 2 limes
For the dressing:
• 40 g/11⁄2 oz (1⁄2 cup) unsweetened desiccated coconut
• 100 ml/31⁄2 fl oz (scant 1⁄2 cup) coconut milk
• 3–5 red bird’s eye chillies, finely chopped
• Large bunch of basil, finely chopped
• Salt, to taste
1 To make the salad, soak the seaweed in a bowl of water for 10 minutes to rehydrate (or follow the package directions).
2 To make the dressing, combine the coconut and coconut milk in a bowl. Mix well and set aside for 10 minutes. Add the chillies and half of the basil and season with salt. Set aside.
3 Drain the seaweed. Add the carrots and mango. Set aside.
4 Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Season the prawns with salt and lime juice. Add the prawns and sauté for 4 minutes until pink. Transfer to a bowl.
5 Combine the dressing and salad and toss gently. Add the remaining half of the basil and toss again. Top with the prawns and serve immediately.
Serves 4
dengan Tauco
Origin: Modern recipe
I grew up in Jakarta with tek-tek noodles. ‘Tek-tek’ is the rapping sound of a wooden stick hitting the side of the cart, made by street food vendors looking for evening business and keen to attract the attention of hungry patrons. Sadly, online meal delivery services are replacing this great tradition. Simple, quick, and easy to make, mie tek-tek can be prepared in endless variations. I enjoy it with chicken breast, chicken liver or eggs, and I like this version for its ample umami undertones courtesy of the miso. I deliberately omitted sweet soy, relying on the sweetness from the sweetcorn, which also adds vibrant colour to the soup. Finish it with a bit of vinegary tang and chilli heat for a wonderfully memorable meal.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons miso paste
• 350 g/12 oz (2 cups) sweetcorn
• 2 red bird’s eye chillies, finely chopped
• 250 g/9 oz fresh egg noodles
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 100 g/31⁄2 oz (3 cups) baby spinach
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• Salt and white pepper, to taste
• 3 spring onions (scallions), sliced
• 2 tomatoes, cut into 1cm 1 ⁄ 2inch cubes
• 1 quantity Crispy Shallots (optional)
1 Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 2–3 minutes until golden brown. Turn the heat o . Add 1 litre/34 fl oz (41⁄4 cups) boiling water to the pan.
2 In a small bowl, combine the miso and 3 1⁄2 tablespoons hot water and mix well.
3 Put half of the sweetcorn and half the miso mixture into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into the pan, then add the remaining half of the miso mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the remaining sweetcorn and the chillies.
4 Bring a separate saucepan of water to the boil. Add the fresh noodles and simmer for 3 minutes. Drain, then transfer to a bowl of cold water. Drain again. Drizzle the soy sauce over the noodles and mix. Divide the noodles among 4 bowls.
5 Add the baby spinach to the pan and cook for 30 seconds, or until just wilted. Add the vinegar and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste. It should be sweet, sour and spicy with a hint of miso.
6 Ladle the soup over the noodles and top with sweetcorn, spring onions (scallions) and tomatoes. Finish with a sprinkle of crispy shallots, if using.
“‘Tek-tek’ is the rapping sound of a wooden stick hitting the side of the cart”
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Penelope Chilvers and India Hicks are launching a collection of pink shoes. Absolutely meets them
Penelope Chilvers and India Hicks are a powerful duo. The two charismatic women seem as though they must have been friends for their entire lives – though they haven’t. But when they did gravitate together, they knew immediately that they had to collaborate. Penelope Chilvers’ successful shoe business and India Hicks’ multi-faceted design career are a winning combination. And they’ve just launched their second project together. After a successful autumn capsule last year designed for ‘tomboys and adventurers’, the design partnership continues with follow-up collection Pink Sands, whose mantra is “go anywhere, do anything”. Inspired by India’s life in the
Bahamas, it is a whimsical collection that transports us to sunny climes with its dreamy feminine pastels and sandy hues. India and Penelope have produced a capsule of three spring styles: The Devil’s Backbone Cowboy boot in powder pink, The Castaway Heeled Ankle boot in sand suede and the Shifting Sands ballet pump in butter soft leather.
As Patron of the Princes Trust, India is a key ambassador for Women Supporting Women, a passionate group committed to providing the right help to nurture, inspire and empower young women to build their own futures through employment, education, training or by starting their own business. In support of this Penelope and India are pledging £5 from all full-priced sales of this capsule collection to the cause.
Supporting women is a cause close to Chilvers’ heart. As a single mother of two girls, she was driven to start her own business when she found herself unemployable, returning to London from Barcelona in the recession-hit early 1990s. “I created my business around my life, not the other way round,” she says.
“I had some Spanish riding boots, they were handmade and all my girlfriends loved them, so I started like that. I’d go back to the artisan in Seville and put in orders for 10, 20, 30 pairs.” She still sells a similar long tassell boot (Kate Middleton has a pair).
For Hicks, supporting women is just as central to her philosophy. “I’ve had lots of di erent careers. Careers is a loose word. I was brought up to marry a duke. Why would I need to learn to type or do anything? So it came as a surprise to me that women actually could do anything. I went to such a terrible school that it actually closed down. The Princes Trust has a mentor programme and it’s so important for giving women the confidence to do things.”
For the collection, Hicks put together a moodboard featuing elements from the island in the Bahamas where she has lived for the past 27 years and brought up her five children. “It was pantone colours and shells. The island where I live actually has pink sand. I thought it was nice to have an elegant discreet high boot, then to have a pink cowboy boot – we couldn’t resist.”
Penelope Chilvers’ shoes are all about longevity. “We encourage customers to resole and repair – they get better and better with age. And it’s very unlikely that they’ll go out of fashion in a year,” she says.
Available at Mr & Mrs Jones, Sa ron Walden, penelopechilvers.com
“A mantra for the collection is go anywhere, do anything”PENELOPE CHILVERS PINK SANDS MOODBOARD
MELISSA KAYE
18K Pink Gold One-of-a-Kind Lenox Ring, £19,500 melissakayejewelry.com
JENNA BLAKE
18K Yellow Gold Nautical Link Bracelet, £POA jennablake.com
MARLO LAZ
14K Yellow Gold Gemma Ring with Alexandrite and Rubies, £5,750 marlolaz.com
LOQUET
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POMELLATO
Nudo 18K Rose and White Gold, Topaz and Diamond Necklace, £3,150 net-a-porter.com
MOUSHE Flowing Love Set, £43 moushedesigns.com
LAUREN RUBINSKI
BFF Lurex and Bead Bracelet, £65 net-a-porter.com
EMILY P. WHEELER
18K Yellow Gold, Amethyst, and Enamel Elsa Ring, £1,530 emilypwheeler.com
TOWIE star Lucy Mecklenburgh’s debut collection with Very is perfect for easy summer fashion for all the family VERY.CO.UK
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You cannot fail to be intrigued by Britta Hochkeppel, an author, naturopath, intuitive healer and holistic therapist, now living in Coggeshall, Essex. Working hard on her business, Vita Serena, which she established after many years of her own trauma therapy and healing journey, Britta is now providing the possibility of physical, emotional and spiritual restoration and healing for clients who have long-since given up on more traditional methods of medicine. Here, Britta talks with us about why clients come to her for relationship support and advice – and gives us her advice on how to revive life with your loved one.
“People often seek my advice when their relationship is presenting signs of conflict or if unhealed past trauma is causing the current relationship to fail, or if one is undergoing a transformation, for example, hormonal changes such as the menopause or old unresolved issues resurface.
“Another very common aspect is low self esteem. This can have a negative impact on the relationship as well as their sex life. My client may wish to improve the quality of their relationship, understand their partner better and wish to learn how to communicate about the imbalance on mental, emotional and sexual level with their partner too.”
“Love is key. If love is present any relationship that has got stuck can be
revived and re-energised. A healthy and satisfying relationship takes conscious and continual e ort and simple changes can often have significant e ects.
“The reason why most relationships run stale as I call it is because one or both have allowed every day life to separate them from each other, forgotten what they loved about each other initially and often the fact that they have stopped communicating with each other.
“Another reason can be that one is frustrated about the self, which is often projected onto the partner – blaming the other for how we feel. One of the most important aspects to ensure a fulfilling and healthy relationship with longevity is that you need to look after yourself.”
1. Taking care of yourself: Making time for your wants and needs must be a priority and to have a life that doesn’t depend on your relationship, meaning you realise that your partner is someone who you should share your life with, however who is not your entire life.
2. Communicate from the heart: All too often we allow fear or expectations to overshadow reality. It is important to share hopes, dreams, fears and be able to express our thoughts and feelings freely and openly. Most people assume that they do this, however believe it or not 70% is in the mind only and not spoken out loud. When we communicate it is best if we let go of ego, as the ego will manifest issues and demands that often fail. Speaking from the heart is key. You should feel safe to be vulnerable and able to express your truth.
3. Listen: Listen with an open heart and do not take it personally or judge what you hear. Your partner has a right to express their truth even if it is not yours. Before responding take a deep breath, ask yourself: “What is the best way for me to respond in this situation?”
4. Take responsibility: For your actions and behaviour and try to not blame others. Every relationship is a teacher to our soul and once we become aware of this we can ask “what am I learning in this moment” or “what is my partner teaching me about myself?”
“When my clients come to see me about their relationship challenges I often suggest these undernoted tips as well.”
a. Take a trip – can be simple or as extravagant as your budget allows. A change of scenery and away from daily pressures is key.
b. Create a date night and reminisce about the time that you fell in love with each other and why. Why not dig out old photos –maybe even printed photos from years ago!
c. Give unexpected gifts – favourite flowers or chocolate or boost their day by leaving a loving note.
d. Demonstrate a ection – show that you love each other. Surprisingly a lot of couples stop being a ectionate or physical and sometimes stop kissing or even holding hands. First thing in the morning and last thing at before you go to bed should be the time for kissing your loved one. It doesn’t always have to be a long passionate smooch – a peck on the cheek and a smile can work wonders and brighten your partner's day.
e. Take turns in planning something fun or special for each other and use the “we” speech instead of “I”. Go for walks together and speak openly about money trouble or any other concern and find joint solutions.
Find out more top tips at vitaserena.co.uk
“If love is present any relationship that has got stuck can be revived ”REMIND YOURSELVES OF HAPPY TIMES A TRIP AWAY WILL DO WONDERS FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP
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Summer is on its way, the weather is warming up –and water retention is a common symptom that rises in both men and women in the summer months. Water retention, known as oedema, is swelling in parts of the body. The most common areas of the body to be a ected are the lower legs, ankles, feet, hands, face (particularly under the eyes) and abdomen.
Several factors can cause water retention. Some causes may be a sign of a severe health condition, while others may not be serious.
• Flying in an aeroplane: Changes in cabin pressure and sitting for a long time may cause your body to hold onto water.
• Standing or sitting too long: Gravity keeps blood in your lower limbs. Getting up and moving around often is essential to keep blood circulating.
• Consuming too much sodium: You may get too much salt by using a lot of table salt or ingesting processed foods and soft drinks.
• Certain medications: Some medications can cause water retention as a side e ect. These can include chemotherapy treatments, over-the-counter pain relievers, blood pressure medications, medications for Parkinson’s disease, and certain hormonal birth control pills.
• Heart failure: Which occurs when the heart can’t pump blood e ectively and can cause the body to retain water.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): It can cause leg swelling and a clot in a vein. This is considered a medical emergency.
• Pregnancy: The shift in weight during pregnancy can cause the legs to retain water.
• Kidney disease: Can cause water retention in the arms and legs. This happens when the kidneys are not able to filter excess fluids from the body, leading to build-up.
• Cirrhosis of the liver: Can increase pressure in the liver, and reduced production of proteins by the liver can lead to water retention.
• Menstrual changes and fluctuating hormones: May cause water retention.
Follow a low-salt diet and limit your sodium intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams per day. Try adding spices instead of salt to flavour vegetables and lean proteins.
Eat potassium- and magnesiumrich foods to help balance your sodium levels. Options can include, bananas, avocados, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and leafy vegetables, such as spinach.
Take a vitamin B6 supplement; according to a 2020 study, vitamin B6 significantly helped with premenstrual symptoms like water retention. Eat protein as it attracts water and keeps your body balanced.
Keep your feet elevated, which can help move the water upward and away from your lower limbs. Wear compression socks or leggings; compression socks are becoming more popular. They may initially feel slightly uncomfortable as they are made to fit tight. The purpose of compression apparel is to squeeze your legs and prevent fluid from accumulating.
If your body doesn’t return naturally to its balanced state, you should seek medical help. Medical professionals typically treat oedema by treating its cause, a doctor who may prescribe a diuretic medication to make you urinate more.
For more information, call 01245 363889
IRON BOOST
Women tend to be more susceptible to iron deficiency.Dome’s Iron Assist vitamins contain 12mg of iron in a polyphenol-rich chocolate capsule, £21. domevitamins.com
Together Health’s Women’s Wholefood Multivitamin delivers a complete vitamin and mineral formulation in a one-a-day capsule. Contains 22 essential nutrients, £10.99. togetherhealth.co.uk
Hypnotherapy app Clementine has meditations and coaching sessions for everything from confidence to sleep
HORMONE SUPPORT
Wild Nutrition’s award-winning daily multi nutrient offers a fullspectrum of vitamins, minerals, and herbs, designed to support healthy hormone cycles, energy, and immune system, £33.50. wildnutrition.com
Like many busy working mums, I find it hard to build in any ‘me moments’ into my day. So the first time I log on to Clementine is a Monday morning, after a stressful nursery drop o (my toddler didn’t want to say goodbye), and before I face a mountain of emails in my inbox. The app’s cheerful interface instantly makes me smile. I choose the ‘My day, my way’ meditation, and immediately feel calmer as I spend a few minutes ‘hugging’ myself and gently tapping my forearms, breathing through the positive a rmations.
Founded by Kim Palmer, Clementine has an extensive menu of meditations to choose from – covering everything from sleep (‘I can sleep deeply at night’) to stress and anxiety (‘My f*cks are mine to give’). There’s also meditations for menopause, including ‘mind-skin rituals’ created in collaboration with No7. Sessions, and are led by a brilliant panel of four di erent therapists, including Hazel Gale, who is the app’s lead cognitive hypnotherapist. It isn’t long before I’m hooked, looking forward to having a moment to try a new meditation. And once you’re into it, there’s plenty more to explore. Clementine has
some great coaching courses, including ‘Become a more confident person’ and ‘Become more body confident’. There’s also free online workshops, including a ‘Collective hug event’, a session that includes face massage, tapping, a rmations and visualisation. The app’s thoughtful design makes it easy for me to build meditation time into my day. There’s a ‘walking’ section that I can listen to whilst my daughter naps in the pram, and the ability to set reminders. And the more time I spend on Clementine, the more I realise how much better I feel for it.
clementineapp.com
Waveney River Centre is on the borders of South Norfolk, in the Waveney Valley, surrounded by some of the Broads’ most stunning scenery. It’s a place you can escape to, somewhere to savour uninterrupted views across the river and marshes.
Waveney River Centre features an indoor heated swimming pool, shop, launderette, play areas and a family friendly pubThe Waveney Inn. This holiday park is the essence of the Broads at their most authentic and beautiful. It’s a place of boatyards and birds, wildlife and the winding river.
With a range of 1-4 bedroom holiday homes and a move-in ready refurbished lodge available now, it’s time to escape the everyday and enjoy this iconic area of outstanding natural beauty.
Explore the stunning coastlines and countryside of Norfolk and Su olk, including the iconic Broads National Park, from your own UK holiday home with Tingdene Lifestyle. Spend the weekends with your loved ones or even buy as an investment to let to holiday guests. We have a range of lodges and caravans for sale for you to choose from.
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WHY WE LOVE BIOPHILIA p66 INSIDE A STUNNING ESSEX HOME p70
WHAT CATH KIDSTON DID NEXT p80
FLOWER POWER IN THE HOME p93 TOP 5 LOOKS FOR THE BEDROOM p95
SEH BAC
A stunning single-storey extension is the perfect way to improve your home and create your dream living space, opening a whole world of possibilities – while leaving a lasting impression.
For more than 50 years, SEH BAC have been helping homeowners transform their properties through their fantastic range of high-quality home improvements.
At SEH BAC they have a passion for delivering exceptional craftmanship. sehbac.com
HOUSEOF. X EMMA GURNER
Houseof has teamed up with interior designer Emma Gurner to create The Contrasting Colour Collection of table lamps, ceiling lights, floor lamps and wall lights.
Emma’s designs are notable for her playful use of colour and incorporating modern style with hints of nostalgia. Alongside houseof’s bold colour palette and retro shapes, the collaboration feels a natural fit. houseof.com
GEBRUDER THONET
Invited to design for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, India Mahdavi extended the Loop family, which already included a lounge chair and a banquette, with a newly designed dining chair and a lounge chair, called Mickey for its characteristic ears that recall those of a mouse. gebruderthonetvienna.com
DARTINGTON CRYSTAL
Little Treasures
Amethyst Optic vase, £22 dartington.co.uk
GRAPHENSTONE
Graphenstone, the world's most certifi ed eco paint, has launched two new colours for spring/summer 2023 – Serpentine blue, a so chalky blue inspired by the trend for wild swimming, and Baked Clay, a deep oxide red reminiscent of sun-baked Moroccan earth. graphenstone.co.uk
BERGS POTTER Willow vase, £73 nordicnest.com
MODERN HISTORY
Nature vase, £20 modern-history.co.uk
CONRAN SHOP Wide Block Sgraffi to vase, £160 conranshop.co.uk
FERM LIVING Verso table vase, £95 fermliving.co.uk
DROOL ART
If you’re looking to jazz up your interior and support earlycareer artists, try Drool. With a selection of prints ranging from bold and contemporary, to muted and abstract, Drool offers artists exposure, allowing vibrant, quality giclée prints to be shipped worldwide. drool-art.com
HAY
The iconic Wall Clock is a result of a collaboration between HAY and designer Jasper Morrison. It embodies Morrison's talent for creating relevant and straightforward items that fit seamlessly into everyday surroundings, £105. twentytwentyone.com
Cala Homes reveals how nature-inspired interiors with wellbeing in mind are set to reign supreme in 2023
Biophilic design is certainly not a new concept, but it’s one that’s continuing to pave the way when it comes to interior and property trends in 2023. A movement that connects constructed environments to nature, as the world continues to urbanise, creating surroundings that aid wellbeing has become increasingly important.
The concept originally comes from the term ‘biophilia’, which Harvard naturalist Dr. Edward O. Wilson described as humanity’s “innate tendency to focus on life and life-like processes”. As well as boasting many life-enhancing benefits, the biophilic trend also implements the beauty of nature, which helps reduce stress levels and puts people in a more peaceful state within the home.
In short, biophilic design is all about bringing the outdoors in to enhance connectivity to the natural environment. And it’s one that design experts at leading housebuilder Cala Homes have introduced throughout a variety of its showhomes across Essex and beyond.
One of Cala’s interior designers, Eileen Kesson from Envision, reveals some simple ways to incorporate the biophilic trend within the home, with tips from design elements encapsulated in the leading housebuilder’s new build developments, including their Beaulieu development in Chelmsford
Eileen says: “It’s always a pleasure working with Cala Homes when it comes to introducing interior trends such as the biophilic look, as this works amazingly in its Light & Space Collection homes. These showhomes have lots of open spaces and large windows which help harness the power of natural light, which is a simple way to bring nature indoors.
“Homes have been designed with families in mind, using lush foliage and greenery to bring the outdoors in. By incorporating design elements such as sprawling leaf-motif wallpaper, botanical artwork, and an organic spectrum of green tones, it adds a breathtaking vibrance and organic flair. In other developments we have integrated biophilic concepts again with a mix of greens, woods, and burnished brass to reflect the subtle tones seen in nature and in turn create a relaxing environment. Furthermore, vintage accessories and pieces with history help connect people to the outdoors whilst creating an oasis of calm.”
Overleaf, Eileen offers up Cala’s top tips for recreating the biophilic look…
In 2023, expect to see shades of green everywhere. Whether it’s leaf-embossed wallpaper or deep, mossy hues, green is the perennial favourite. Calming colour palettes in varying shades of green is a simple way to create a show-stopping look all the while helping to bring the outdoors in. One openplan kitchen and dining area from a Cala showhome has encapsulated the trend by combining deep sage kitchen units, creating a cosy feel to the room alongside dark wooden flooring.
Biophilic design embraces cherished pieces of furniture, accessories, and vintage items. Blend the old with the new using bespoke items with history to bring warmth and character into the home. One simple way to get the look is by adding accessories such as a large, distressed timber mirror or antiques made from natural materials to make a statement. Think rustic side tables carved from the woods outside or scallop-shaped accessories.
Monochrome abstract artwork featuring floral designs continue the biophilic theme with a modern twist, whereas an on-trend, green kitchen with brass detailing offers a sense of tranquillity. Meanwhile washed wood furniture mixed with modern smoked glass and brass create a warm, comfortable setting within the home without feeling outdated.
Wall decoration, natural light and the use of plants can help improve productivity when it comes to your working-from-home space. Create a biophilic space by using a work station housed in a family area to ensure home and work life are blended. Incorporate as much natural light as possible for a thriving workspace, and use natural patterns and textures to enhance wellbeing, creativity and health.
Choose furniture and accessories with textures that match those from the outdoors. Matt and natural fabrics in curved silhouettes help bring a soft and organic feel. For example, curved sofas, wooden coffee tables and watercolour cushions embrace the biophilic look and are calming to look at. Steer clear of sharp corners and straight lines and think more along the lines of river-worn stone or the meandering path of a river.
Discover more about Cala Homes’ Essex developments at cala.co.uk
“Natural light and the use of plants can help improve productivity”
How Alice Temperley and Emily Mould joined forces to create a world of floral maximalism
Words EVE HERBERTWhen Alice Temperly and Emily Mould teamed up with a mutual desire to fill the world with beautiful things, it was clear that pairing their design houses would cause a stir. Temperley London’s founder and creative director, Alice Temperley MBE, and the Romo Group’s director of design and excellence, Emily Mould, share a passion for design and ethos for quality that has reulted in a unique partnership.
Inspired and excited to experience each other’s worlds, the two studios delved into the Temperley design archives that span the last two decades and found an abundance of handpainted prints, intricate embroideries and delicate detailing. After much deliberation a selection of pieces were chosen and the reimagination began. Working together,
the two studios maintained the essence of a Temperley fashion piece and translated it into an interior masterpiece, capturing the intricacies of shimmering beads and sequins with glimmering metallics and recreating delicate embroideries as large-scale works of art.
The five new collections narrate a fantastical story in striking wallcoverings, indulgent velvets, fluid satins and luxurious weaves adorned with leaping leopards and swinging monkeys. Opulent palms, bursting blooms of colour, and swirling seas of marble create an evocative and heady landscape, decadently embellished by extravagant, bohemian trims. The Temperley love of leopard print makes its mark in a plethora of finishes, scales and colours. A luxurious plain velvet in a rich colour palette complements the collections, adding an equilibrium to the partnership’s maximalist aesthetic.
Inspired by the Temperley archive, a haberdashery of trims includes classic passementerie brush fringes, twist cords and key tassels as well as embellished flat weave trims. Taking a maximalist approach, the eccentricity continues with an offering of cushions, where luxurious qualities and bold prints have been perfectly paired with grandiose fringes.
This partnership brings a new lease of life to much-loved designs that will live in people’s
homes for years to come. “There’s something for everyone in the collection – from the ‘neutral’ leopard which goes with absolutely everything or the bolder prints that are evocative and heady, each design can stand alone or be layered together to create depth and atmosphere in a room,” says Alice. Emily adds: “It was like being a child in a sweet shop, seeing all these beautiful fabrics and intricate details that had been carefully hand stitched. There were a couple of designs that instantly stood out to me, the Euphoria monkey print being one of them, I could just see it being a perfect fit for the Romo customer.”
Alice Temperley MBE founded her eponymous label Temperley London in 2000, a year after graduating from the Royal College of Art. With a modern elegance shaped by virtuoso craftsmanship, extraordinary fabrics and a resolutely British bohemianism, Temperley London is a lifestyle, with a transportive power to another world. Meanwhile, Romo is renowned for its assorted library of classic and contemporary designs.
“A fantastical story in indulgent velvets, fluid satins and luxurious weaves”
Heading inside an outstanding Queen Anne country house situated outside a quiet rural village in Essex
East Donyland Hall is located between the villages of Rowhedge and Fingringhoe, near Colchester, and arriving at the main house is an experience from the off. Georgian doors lead into the entrance hall with an 18th century staircase adorned with twisted balusters and bespoke moulded handrails. The entrance hall leads into the formal drawing room, with dual aspect over the gardens and an open fireplace with marble surround. Off the back hall, with beautiful marble columns, there is a well-proportioned dining room again overlooking the moat to the rear, and with easy access to the kitchen.
To the right of the entrance hall is a sitting room with an open fireplace. This room leads to the kitchen with a four door Aga and walk in pantry. There is a rear lobby with access to a utility room and a conservatory, which has access to the gardens and has beautiful views over the moat and parkland. Stairs from the main hallway rise to the first floor landing, where there are five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The second floor is currently used as a separate annexe, with a kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. There is so much to take in that Absolutely decided to chat to Tim Phillips, director within the country department at Savills specialising in the sale of homes in the East of England, to get more of the inside track on a stunning property.
Q How rare is it to market a property such as this?
A Properties such as these come to the market maybe once in a
generation. Queen Anne style houses in themselves are relatively rare – it was a short lived architectural period as the monarch only reigned for 12 years. As a result properties from the era are often much sought after and nearly always in short supply. They retain an elegance and charm that is incredibly popular with buyers and – for many – owning a home from this exclusive period is hugely desirable. If you add to that the stunning rural setting, beautiful gardens and additional buildings specific to East Donyland Hall, it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Q What can you tell us about the village it is located in?
A Surrounded by open countryside and next to the Roman River and salt marsh, East Donyland Hall lies just outside the village of Fingringhoe and five miles from Colchester. The village is classified as a conservation area and at its centre sits the historic St Andrew’s Church. There is also a preschool, primary school, pub, park and village pond. The name of the village derives from Old English and its geographical location, sitting at the confluence of the smaller Roman River and the River Colne. A ‘hoe’ refers to a jutting out piece of land, while ‘finger’ describes an elongated finger-like land extension. ‘Ing’ is a common toponym referring to ‘peoples’. As such, the name refers to the ‘people living on the land jutting out into the river’.
Q Could you summarise the history of the property?
A The first record of a house on this site was in 1463 – with a mansion
house recorded in 1638 built around the medieval core and encircled by the moat you see today. In 1730 an architect by the name of David Gansel bought the property, refronting the house and creating a model farm including three matching pedimented buildings including the stables, dairy and brew house. The house and the outbuildings were restored in the late 1940s – including the removal of a high parapet at the front of the property which hid the dormer windows. Over the years many interesting artefacts have been found in the grounds including a neolithic axe head, Roman coins and – when the moat was dredged in 1987 – some cannon and musket balls.
Q For you, what’s the first thing that catches your eye?
A It has to be the grounds and surrounding private parkland –they’re absolutely stunning. You approach the house via a lime tree lined driveway, passing between paddocks and gardens, before you reach the main hall which sits perfectly in its surroundings. From the front there are formal gardens overlooking the neighbouring landscape and moat, while to the rear there are large swathes of parkland and various areas of woodland perfect for walks. There is also a beautiful walled garden, formal rose garden, gazebo, kitchen garden, outdoor swimming pool, an all-weather tennis court, green houses and various fish ponds.
Q From a design point of view, what are the stand out elements?
A East Donyland Hall is typical of many Queen Anne style houses. The overall appearance is elegant, yet simple and the brickwork is fine and warm in tone – a higher form of the later Georgian style that lasted for 100 years. Graceful lines and strong bilateral symmetry are complemented by simple classical detail. Distinctive features include an 18th century staircase adorned with twisted
balustrades and bespoke moulded handrails and rows of beautiful sash windows that add a stately aesthetic touch. The formal drawing room is particularly impressive, light and bright with a dual aspect over the gardens – but you have equally amazing views from several rooms in the house including the study, dining room and all five of the first-floor bedrooms that overlook the moat and parkland.
Q Are there any surprises when you explore the property?
A The views are a continual surprise. The grounds are also teeming with wildlife, which has been enjoyed by the current owners, while you can also launch boats and enjoy water activities on the river. The main house is also home to a belfry – sometimes used by the current owners to announce mealtimes – while the stable yard and farmyard buildings include two old bull pens and a clock tower.
Q Who would this property suit?
A The property would make an ideal family home – as it has since 1963. It would be perfect for someone who wants to be in a private, rural location yet just a few miles from Colchester with its onward rail connections into London Liverpool Street. There are also a wide range of schools in the area and plenty of leisure facilities and amenities including sailing and golf clubs. The additional buildings – The Lodge, Lawn Cottage and Semaphore Cottage – could be let for those who want to generate an extra income, while the stable yard and farmyard provide an exciting opportunity for future development subject to planning.
East Donyland Hall, Rowhedge, Colchester, CO5 7JE, is on the market for a guide price of £5,750,000. For more information, contact Savills Chelmsford on 01245 269311 or visit savills.co.uk
“The views are a continual surprise, and the grounds are teeming with wildlife”
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There are many reasons to choose to have an indoor swimming pool, from the benefits of everyday exercise to swimming without restrictions. An indoor pool turns a 90-day outdoor pool swim season into a year-round pool party and guarantees perfect swimming conditions for 365 days a year. An indoor pool is an investment, one that can add value not only to your home, but to your health, social and family life too. They open up a whole new world of family fun, relaxation and exercise as well as becoming the new focal point of your home.
What do you want to get out of your indoor pool? What is the motivation behind this decision? What type of environment are you hoping to create? At Origin, they prioritise client-led construction, providing the best possible result and ensuring you get the pool and pool house you’ve been waiting for.
An Origin indoor pool allows you to control everything. You choose the temperature, the style, the lighting, the ambience and, of course, when and how you swim.
You can have all the mental and physical health benefits of swimming as well as the added luxury of year-round enjoyment, plus the privacy of swimming in your home or garden. The idea of an indoor pool presents an opportunity to create a unique interior space for play, exercise and entertainment – whatever you want it to be. The experts at Origin will help you design your dream space and create the right pool house for you and your needs.
If you’re concerned about missing out on those outdoor swims during the summer months, bifold or sliding doors are the perfect solution. They allow you to open up your pool house completely, letting you bring the outdoors in without the inconvenience and restrictions of an outdoor pool.
Having door openings is also a great way to capture the beauty of your garden. Whether you have beautiful, undulating views or just want to open up the space, bifold or sliding doors give you a unique backdrop to swim against.
When it comes to swimming pools, Origin does it all. Indoor pools are essentially bodies of water in a controlled, confined environment and, as such, have special requirements that must be met to ensure your pool house is not only aesthetically pleasing but functional too. At Origin, they eliminate the need to employ separate companies and manage the whole process for you. They’ve been building awardwinning indoor pools for over 40 years, and in that time have successfully completed plenty of pools and pool houses to a wide range of specifications. Origin’s experts collaborate with their clients on every project they manage.
With an indoor pool, the possibilities are endless. Wherever your imagination takes you, Origin will lead you there.
originpools.co.uk
If you’re a geranium person, you’ll understand what Cath Kidston means when she says that there’s ‘a sort of geranium cult’. These flowers with their distinctive fragrance inspire strong feelings, their scent transporting some people back to their childhoods instantly. If you’re in the cult, you’ll know that the past winter has been a particularly bad one for geraniums and many people lost prized plants to the frost. Not Kidston, though – because she has a greenhouse, and even though she claims not to be a good gardener and not to know when to prune hydrangeas, she is very good at geraniums.
So good in fact that she has set up a new business based on the flowers. Her new range of body care is made up of lotions and oils scented with geraniums from her greenhouse, and I’m meeting her at her pop-up shop in Bloomsbury’s Pentreath and Hall, where she is surrounded by a beautiful display of potted real geraniums and clever paper ones.
Of course it’s not the geraniums that make Cath Kidston a household name. It’s the chain of shops that she set up under her own name in 1993, almost inadvertently, which became a vast global enterprise, hugely profitable in Asia and immediately identifiable for its line in floral prints adorning everything from ironing board
covers to children’s pyjamas to wallpaper. It remains a vast business, but without her: she sold it, along with her name, in 2015. The new range of bath and body products is labelled C. Atherley, using her mother’s name, with no mention of Kidston.
In person, she’s not what you’d expect of a global businesswoman. In fact she’s probably the nicest person you’ll ever meet: smiling, kind, gentle and extremely modest. She tells me that her first shop in London was entirely different from the Cath Kidston stores that came later. Really it was a junk shop, selling random things that Kidston had made or found and repurposed. “I’d had a business before doing interiors and I sold curtain poles and fittings, then I had an idea. In the 80s a lot of people tried to have formal Victorian dining rooms and old fashioned chintzy tastes, but that era was changing and I thought, what do my friends want? They want a kitchen living room with a table that kids can play at, a family-friendly space, plastic oilcloth tablecloths that kids could make a mess on. I was going to car boot sales and buying old bits of painted furniture – just things that were fun for young people’s homes, mixing your
granny’s sideboard with an Ikea table. So it began as a junk shop really.”
The first product that really sold was a padded ironing board cover. “I had a tiny flat with the ironing board on the back of the door and I thought, why not have a nice cover?” So she made one and that became the first thing that really paid the rent. “Gradually it grew and I gave up the interior design to focus on the shop.”
Putting her name on the shop was at first just about drawing attention to her existing interiors business. “I just needed people to look me up in the phone book –but then it was too late to take the name away. I never expected it to grow.”
Now she can’t use my name for a business ever again. Is that weird? She’s philosophical about it. “I’m so used to it. I was very lucky with that business and I benefited from it so much. You don’t get anything for nothing. When I left I thought I’d just let it go, and keep my proud happy memories” She’s not the only person to give up her name in that way. “I saw the Laura Ashley family ahead of me – there’s a club of us. It’s not a bad club to be in if you see it in perspective really is it? By the end I was working in a very big company
with about 250 franchises in Asia. I’d never seen myself doing that.”
Severing her ties with the business she’d dedicated herself to for so long created a big life change – and at first she threw herself into decorating her house in Gloucestershire. “I loved seeing so much sky after having been in an office for so long.”
Soon she realised that she needed some sort of channel for her ideas. “All my references are to do with work so if see something exciting I’ll always think of some way of using it. But one day in India I saw the most beautiful design and it struck me that I had nothing to do with it.”
“ Now I’m probably back to where I was 30 or 40 years ago, looking at 18th century print archives”
Needing some way of being creative, she set up a small print studio. “It awakened in me a thought of how fun it was to be creative again. If you’re a designer it is really nice to evolve your ideas and now I’m probably back to where I was 30 or 40 years ago looking at 18th century archives and things. A lot of brands are interested in traditional stuff with a new twist now and I like brands that are really edited.”
While the Cath Kidston brand was very much associated with florals, Kidston herself isn’t someone whose house is filled
floral paintings, and a floral chintz seat in a chair but not full on floral. Much as I love print, I like things being quite simple. I love shapes rather than frilly things; I like plain bones to things.” She has a London house too, near the old Clarendon Cross shop, and she says: “it’s a traditional house but also quite modern – the kitchen is contemporary with pale wood floor and units, but also an old fireplace and Delft tiles. I love collecting pictures in auctions and car boot sales.”
Having her small creative team around her is a source of joy. “I’m 64 so I've seen a lot and I like being able to share that with my team, who are half my age and know all kinds of things I don’t.” The new range is made in partnership with Heathcote and Ivory, which is run by old friends of hers, and the geranium products are packaged with simple, bold designs and lovely illustrations by her younger colleagues.
with blousy prints. “I have always loved flowers – but not just in print, I love fresh flowers in the house. I love the odd flowery dress. My business started with a big rose print, then a gingham print with roses that I’d found in Czechoslovakia. But in my home there aren’t that many. I’ve got a four poster bed painted bright red and the backdrop is floral but the rest is plain. I have some
For Kidston, her own sense of style is at the core of all her projects. “It’s about atmosphere, I want somewhere that feels welcoming. Not the fashion of the moment. I like houses where people have lived for a long time. Slowly slowly. It might take ages.”
Find out more by visiting c-atherley.com
“Much as I love print, I like things to be quite simple”
For over 50 years we have been creating beautifully-crafted products from wood. Every project is as individual as our client’s brief and designed to complement the home it is for, whether it is a period property, a barn conversion or a contemporary residence.
For more information call 01206 735287/01473 365167 or visit www.hall-brothers.co.uk
Imagine being able to enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee and a chat with a friend looking at the garden. Planning an important family celebration with several generations getting together al fresco? Or wanting to read the weekend newspapers in the fresh air on a sunny Sunday? With Hall Brothers’ range of verandas, all of these are possible – without worrying about the weather.
A growing emphasis on the benefits of outdoor living and socialising in the fresh air, together with our unpredictable weather, having watertight cover can make all the difference between enjoying an occasion without having to rapidly head indoors for cover.
Over the last couple of years, more and more people are choosing to merge the interior of their home with the outside, adding a stylish undercover area so that they can enjoy the garden all year round.
As a third-generation family-run business, at Hall Brothers they have been designing, creating and installing a wide range of beautiful products to enhance your home for more than 50 years. A commitment to quality, working with first-class materials and using traditional craftsmanship skills are at the heart of their company values. Whether it’s windows or doors, staircases or conservatories, each project is designed to complement your home.
The same exceptional attention to detail applies to their verandas, which are bespoke and designed to suit you – from creating a small area for alfresco dining for two through to larger settings for more extensive entertaining. Starting with a patio or concrete base, their designs work around your individual property with a space at the back or an L-shape around the side.
Using only high quality hardwood timber, which can be painted to colour co-ordinate with the exterior, the roof will be designed to complement the style of your home, following a lean-to or pitched structure. Handrails can be used to demark the space or the veranda can be open-sided to merge seamlessly with the outdoors.
Toughened safety glass means that the veranda maximises the natural light available as well as providing a watertight covering that will protect against even the heaviest downpour and give some shade from the sun. There’s also an option for tinted glass for additional sun protection.
And, in general, the addition of a veranda doesn’t require planning permission which makes for a straightforward project without undue delays. So why not make the most of your space and create an attractive outside area that will bring pleasure to you, your family and friends for many years to come.
Find out more by visiting hall-brothers.co.uk
We were approached by our clients for a new kitchen at their home in Thorpe Bay. Like many people they had contemplated moving and after looking around decided that they liked the neighbourhood they lived in and the expense of moving could be quite prohibitive. Mainly they liked the house, but the kitchen was on the small side and decided that they wanted to get the kitchen extended.
Knowing how much extensions can cost these days we suggested that we should look at re-designing their existing kitchen and dining room areas before they went any further with the extension plans.
After taking all the dimensions and listening to the client's requirements, a proposal was drawn up reflecting a much better working environment. The clients in principal accepted the proposal subject to building costs.
The job needed a reasonable amount of building work so we suggested a contractor that we regularly use and work closely with to price the project. This included removing the wall between the kitchen and the dining room, moving the hallway door, taking out a picture window and installing glass doors to the garden. New ceiling lights were also supplied and installed, plus water based underfloor heating to the new combined area.
The clients discussed a list of appliances to be incorporated into the
new design which were to be mainly the luxury German brand Gaggenau. Especially requested was a large flush fitting gas hob with large powerful extractor. The units selected was our Paul Newman own brand German handless kitchen furniture in ‘Ocean’ matt laquer with 30mm thick ‘Atlantic’ Quartz worktops.
The combined prices for the kitchen and the work was accepted by the client and the work started three months later. Now complete, the clients confirmed that everything worked perfectly and was good to use and brings a smile every time they walk into the room.
paulnewmaninteriors.co.uk
Choosing a new hot tub can be confusing. They all look and do the same thing, don’t they? As a result, it is very easy to choose a spa that you end up being disappointed in or is expensive to run.
That’s why the committed hot tubs Chelmsford sales team at HotSpring® are available to show you the differences that a HotSpring® Spa can provide and help you with any advice you need to help choose the right spa for you.
They are proud to offer a range of hot tubs in Essex. They will be glad to give you a demonstration of all their products and their various features, and they would encourage you to experience their powerful and relaxing spas and endless pools for yourself. Simply bring in your swim gear to experience the soak and hydromassage that their hot tubs in Chelmsford can offer. Changing room facilities and robes available to use. This service is available by appointment only.
Owning a hot tub comes with many benefits. Having a spa right at home could be the key to unlocking your work-life balance. It could be just the thing to reignite your romance. It could also be a way to get the kids excited about family time again. Your home spa is there to support an active lifestyle by easing muscle tension after exercise and warming you up before you work out.
For 45 years, HotSpring® Spas have become the world’s number one hot tub choice with over one million happy hot tub owners. On 18 December, 2019, their hot tub manufacturing and parent company Watkins, based in Vista California, produced its 1.5 millionth hot tub – an industry first! Dedicated to quality, HotSpring® Spas have won numerous awards and the brand has led the industry in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of energy-efficient hot tubs.
The HotSpring® Spas are designed to provide ultimate enjoyment, an easy ownership experience and lower energy costs, with over 30 models to choose from. As one of the leading UK hot tub retailers, you can trust HotSpring® World to not only provide a stunning range of hot tubs for sale, but also provide customer support and after-sales care for the best possible hot tub ownership experience.
7 Writtle Road, Chelmsford, CM1 3BL, 01245 950 540 hotspring.co.uk
Established in 1986, West End Interiors use their vast experience from past success combined with new and innovative thinking to produce fresh and exciting rooms using materials of the highest quality for classic and contemporary styles. They appreciate that your property is as individual as you are and must be handled with care and consideration. That is why they pride themselves and their installers on their attention to detail throughout the creation and installation process. Absolutely spoke the company’s Managing Director, Serena Busman, to find out more.
Q What does your business offer?
A Design and installation of bespoke kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.
Q What is unique about your business compared to another in your field?
A We offer a fully managed installation service from design conception to completion including removal of current fittings, new electrical and plumbing supplies, decoration and tiling. We care deeply about the final outcome for the project so will help implement a colour theme and décor style much like an interior designer would. Otherwise we work alongside the interior designer or lighting engineer contracted to the clients’ project to support the trades to the best end result for the client.
Q Can you tell us about a unique project you have completed in the area?
A We undertook a whole house project for the kitchen, boot room, bathrooms,
bedrooms and top floor study where we assisted in creating a wardrobe ‘wall’ between the master bedroom area and dressing room. The vaulted ceiling in the bedroom area allowed us to stack further units above the wardrobe and thus created a mirrored walk-way between the areas.
Q What trends in your area of specialism can we expect in 2023?
A The evolution of the breakfast cupboard has become a must for hiding away small appliances necessary for the kitchen rush to work and school. Boot rooms are an extension of the utility area, ideally suited to bespoke furniture for pet beds and showers. Strip LED lighting in floors and ceilings create effortless feature lighting in place of typical spotlighting.
Q How do you see your business evolving in the future?
A I think the CAD presentation will become more of a physical experience using virtual reality headsets and apps to view the rendered design concepts that we currently present in photographic form. westendinteriors.co.uk
WALLSAUCE
Wild Flowers Floral Wallpaper by Marina Stupakova, from £37 per m2 wallsauce.com
By PENDLE HARTE
WALTON & CO
Pastel Floral Runner, £2 waltonshop.co.uk
MINDTHEGAP Woodstock Midsummer Floral Fabric,
POOKY
Double Insignia Wall Light with Archive By Sanderson Design Shades in Hyacinth Cosmo, £29 pooky.com
SOFAS & STUFF
Mulberry Floral Pompadour Spice Sofa, £6,288 sofasandstuff.com
ANTHROPOLOGIE Ellen Merchant Tray, £32 anthropologie.com
BED THREADS
Buttery so , pre-washed, and designed to last, Bed Threads' pure 100% French Flax Linen Bedding Set in Limoncello makes the whole bed feel like the cool side of the pillow, from £220. bedthreads.com
RIPON INTERIORS
Investing in a Daval fitted bedroom means your space is not just beautiful, it’s also beautifully organised. Daval Como and Garda from Ripon Interiors. riponinteriors.co.uk
SCOOMS
This is the ultimate Hungarian goose down duvet. Sleep under a cloud all year round thanks to the clever four season approach: a 9 tog duvet and a 4.5 one can be used together or separately to ensure the right temperature at all times. Dreamy. From £250. scooms.com
This seasonal turn mattress has a warming wool winter side and a cooling cotton summer side. To guarantee the perfect night's sleep, the Lotus has 20,750 innovative springs. rodgersofyork.co.uk
Sheridan’s Marrea Quilt Cover Set features overlapping fl orals, set to be the feature of your bedroom. Versatile, it lends to easy accessorising. brownsyork.co.uk
Comfortable, Celebrating 50 years of family business
Stylish furniture is a must. We love this curved wood and metal Manila set, which is comfortable and hard-wearing with waterproof fabric and a sturdy feel. £1,200. sazy.com
This Mambo Santorini Dining Table with Firepit is a perfect addition to any garden space. Sit down with friends and family late into the night and make the most of summer, £1,161.98. ukhomeliving.com
Houseof's new outdoor lantern is an update to the traditional lantern style, with deconstructed walls and an illuminating glass globe. This IP44-rated wall light is waterproof and robust. houseof.com
Round tables are perfect for entertaining as they create a more sociable and intimate feel. The Lochlan's eucalyptus solid wood top is durable and the integrated parasol hole means you can add an umbrella. £999 danetti.com
Cra ed from lightweight gauze, Ellen Merchant's throws are inspired by a love of antique textiles and botanical forms. Each hand-drawn print from her studio showcases original patterns and colourful designs. £98 anthropologie.com
IT'S TIME TO GET YOUR GARDEN READY FOR SUMMER
Nice is much more than just a gateway to the Côte d'Azur. Since it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021 for its beauty, history, architecture and natural spaces, the city has been enjoying something of a renaissance. Read about it on page 100.
Since being declared a Unesco World Heritage site, Nice is having a renaissance. Absolutely visits
Words PENDLE HARTE
You’ve been to Nice. But have you stayed there?
France’s fifth-largest city is often seen as a gateway to the Cote d’Azur. People fly in and head straight to Cannes or St Tropez without actually noticing that Nice is a fascinating and beautiful place in its own right. At least, they used to. This is changing now, partly since UNESCO declared the city a World Heritage site in 2021, and partly because of a resurgence of luxury places to stay, creating a new buzz around the city. But it’s always been glamorous. Just take a look at the architecture, which defines the city into two halves, the old town and the new town. The old town was originally Italian, and the city’s history shows hundreds of years of changing allegiances. Italian was traditionally the first language here, and the old town’s architecture shares more with the Ligurian tradition
than the French. The Italian border is less than 20 miles away, and present-day Nice owes much to its Italian heritage.
We’re staying at the newly renovated Anantara Plaza Hotel – formerly the Plaza and before that the Hotel de France. It opened in 1848 to entertain Europe’s travelling aristocrats and was renamed the Plaza at some point in its thriving career. Fate led to it being abandoned in the 21st century before being entirely gutted and modernised by the Thai hotel group. Centrally located and a stone’s throw from the Promenade des Anglais and the sparkling Mediterranean, it’s a fabulous spot.
Our room has a sea view and large balcony from which to enjoy it – and you can admire the sea from the impressive rooftop restaurant too. It’s run by Portuguese celebrity chef Olivier da Costa and attracts non-residents from all over the region for showstopping fusion food that’s heavy on lobster, tru es and sushi, all served with dry ice, woodsmoke and other theatricalities. The bar o ers cocktails themed on a world tour with concoctions for every region, including a bourbon-based Socca Sour inspired by a Nicoise chickpea delicacy.
The hotel is embarking on a busy first season and prides itself on details: every room is equipped with a realistic-looking signature edible pebble, for instance, which
“The Italian border is less than 20 miles away, and present-day Nice owes much to its Italian heritage”NICE BEACH AND PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS PRIVATE TERRACE, ANANTARA PLAZA PLACE MASSENA, NICE
nobody would consider biting into unwarned. It also claims to be the only hotel in the world to o er separate monsieur and madame shower gels. Make of that what you will.
The Nicoise are proud of their food culture, and the city’s Italian influence gives rise to a street food culture that’s unknown elsewhere in France. Eating on the street, outside of regular mealtimes, is not part of French culture, and remains unacceptable in most places other than Nice. Here, the Italian tradition allows – encourages, even – eating in the street and Nice’s busy market o ers a host of local snacks to enjoy. There’s Socca, for instance, a chickpea flatbread eaten freshly scraped from the
hotplate – it’s delicious – along with the inevitable pissaladière, an oniony, anchovy tart eaten in small slices at seemingly every opportunity. Another local speciality is tourte de blettes, a sweet cake made –improbably – with Swiss chard and pine nuts, sweetened with raisins. We tour the market sampling everything and admiring the vast selection of flowers and healthylooking produce, all of it plumper and shinier than our British vegetables. Our lovely local guide, Sylvie, points out Henri Matisse’s former home overlooking the market square, and takes us to an ice cream shop where unlikely flavours include olive, jasmine and beer (also: tourte de blettes).
Nice claims more than 300 sunny days a year, with very little rainfall and mild winters, so it’s a lovely place to visit any time. The Promenade des Anglais is a wide beachfront strip, blessed with a long cycle path and lots of easy-to-hire Velo Bleu, so it’s easy to pedal o for an afternoon before returning to a relaxing treatment at the Anantara Plaza spa. At sunset it’s time for a drink on the rooftop terrace: don’t miss the Piscine – swimming pool – which is a vast balloon glass filled with ice cubes and Provencal rose. That’s life in Nice.
Rates start from €350 (£308) for a deluxe city view room including breakfast for two people; anantara.com
“The city's Italian influence gives rise to a street food culture that’s unknown elsewhere in France”ROOFTOP BAR, ANANTARA PLAZA
Self catering accommodation in eight converted barns on a working arable and dairy farm Situated in Waveney Valley adjoining the Norfolk Broads close to fantastic beaches and attractions
Luxury Norfolk Holiday Barns 01502 677208 | wheatacrehallbarns.co.uk | Wheatacre Hall Barns, Beccles, NR34 0AS
By CRYSTAL MCCLORY
The Côte d’Azur; from seaside resort cities to medieval villages, museums to gourmet restaurants. Swim in the ocean, stroll through the city, hike in nature. See unforgettable landscapes with incredible views.
Head south for St Tropez, Port Grimaud, and La Lavandou for beautiful beaches. Our hotel balcony in Cavalière overlooks tall Cypress trees, bougainvillaea and the blue ocean. On the beach, the sand sparkles in between my French red pedicured toes. Relaxed, we enjoy the music and eat creative cuisine at beach bar Les Canetons.
We drive back via Cannes and Mougins to sit on the soft sandy beaches of Juan Les Pins, Antibes. At Les Pirates La Pinède, piers jut out with sun loungers above the sea, a French flag flutters, a topless woman sways past in the sea. The sand is soft and sparkles in the sunshine of 29°C.
You can pay extra to sit on the pontoon – it's worth it for the sea breeze and VIP treatment with friendly sta . They are pirates, after all, but jolly ones. The sun is scorching, relieved by a dip in the ocean, floating star-shaped on the salty water. The ridges on the seabed massage the soles of my feet as I wade out of the gentle waves on to the powder-white sand.
We walk through the pine trees, listening to the sounds of the annual July jazz festival drifting in the air as the night ebbs away. We enjoy drinks at Le Crystal on the strip, which o ers great people watching, and have a lovely beachside meal at Cap Riviera. Cartier love bangles adorn tanned wrists on the sun-kissed clientele.
Hotel Antibes Les Strélitzias has apartments and rooms in a superb location. Peruse the paintings at Musée Picasso museum or grab a crazy cocktail at lively bar Pam Pam on the strip.
Eat burgers or lobster linguine at
Restaurant Le Perroquet. Browse the night market as you head down the Grande Plage to E et Mer for cocktails on the beach. Or sit outside the delightful Restaurant l'Oursin in the old town with attentive sta in a large municipal square.
Treat yourself to a sublime bu et lunch in the most beautiful setting at iconic Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. Overlooking the Mediterranean, super yachts, boats, jet skis and motorised surfboards pass by, leaving white trails on the azure blue sea. We stroll poolside, evoking the iconic 70s Slim Aarons photograph. It’s time for a fond farewell. It’s easy to drive (or hop on a train) to Beaulieusur-Mer. Drive via Vence for culture at Henri Matisse’s La Chapelle du Rosaire and lunch at rustic hotel Colombe d’or. Villefranche-sur-Mer has a viewpoint (dedicated to Princess Grace) en-route with stunning views of the bay and the west coast of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. There’s opulent Belle Époque architecture all around and buildings at Beaulieu-sur-Mer look like fondant fancies. The French Fancy pastel facade
of the Royal Riviera looks down on the sun loungers on the shingle beach of Plage Des Fourmis. At Anao Plage, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, we sit on taupe beach towels under cream parasols that complement the rocky mountains behind.
La Voile d'Or hotel swimming pool looks out to sea and you can walk onto the marina. The idyllic beach club, Paloma Beach, named after Paloma Picasso, is on a cove. Eating moules marinière at Le Bar du Port, overlooking the marina, as the sky turns pink, you feel like you’re in a French film.
Baia Bella on Plage Afrique is an ecofriendly carbon neutral beach with hot sta and cool design. Enjoy pizza and pasta on the marina at African Queen amongst the suntanned yachtsmen. Sip a sunset cocktail at decadent Circé Restaurant, in the round La Rotonde building with a terrace amidst lush gardens with sea views.
A not so easy ride to Èze, driving hairpin bends through the mountains to explore the village. Climb up to the botanical garden, Jardin exotique d’Eze, wander past waterfalls and cacti. In the mountain village, little caves reveal boutique shops selling rocks in the rocks.
Take a breath and visit La Fragonard parfumeur factory. Take in the view from the bar overlooking the sea at legendary hotel Château de la Chèvre d'Or on the French Riviera.
Anjuna Bay is a beautiful Ibiza-vibe beach bar/ restaurant with live music, dream catchers, lanterns, aqua blue accents, macramé white umbrellas and wooden pelicans. Savour the Mediterranean flavours overlooking the ocean.
La Belle Etoile is a traditional French restaurant, its beautiful star shining bright in the cute old town of Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Tyres screech around corners on the hot streets of Monaco. Porsches, Bentleys, buses and hire cars drive on wind-y roads. Visit a casino, shop at Goyard, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Hermès. Grand Prix fans will marvel at magnifique Monaco. A few steps from the casino, the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and has incredible suites, a glassdomed atrium, and excellent food.
Parking in the casino car park, we’re grateful for the automatic open-top car. Hot air blows up a pavement grill – cue
a Marilyn Monroe moment. A series of lifts ascend as our temperatures rise to reach the Jardin Exotique gardens close to Villa Paloma Museum. Back at contemporary Le Versailles Hotel, my feet are black and I leave a carbon footprint in the shower! Dinner is at La Terrasse du Versailles for James Bond style views overlooking the inky blue Port de Villefranche-sur-Mer and the flashing lighthouse. The sea turns lavender as the sky turns pink. Dinner is divine, washed down with, what else, but chilled pale pink rosé
To book your holiday to the Côte d’Azur, or other destinations, visit Abbotts Travel at 134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA, call 020 8989 9445, or email info@abbottstravel.com
Celebrating the coronation of King Charles III, Forest School’s CCF complete with Drums Corp kicked off the festivities in style. As one of the oldest established school cadet forces in the country, the Contingent, still named The Rifles, is also celebrating its 140th anniversary this year. Along with drills, drumming, and exercises, pupils enjoy outstanding outward-bound and teambuilding activities.
“Nursery rhymes are the beginning of our journey with words and our joy in words”
Nursery rhymes are something that we take for granted. Most of us can recall ditties and poems sung or told to us in childhood. Sometimes we don’t even realise we remember all the words until we find ourselves passing them on to a small child. Yet many of these works date back centuries, part of a rich oral tradition, especially across the English-speaking world.
Allie Esiri never takes nursery rhymes for granted, and she’s spent around two years compiling her impressive new anthology, A Nursery Rhyme for Every Night of the Year. Beautifully designed, and with charming illustrations by Emily Faccini, it is a treasure house of rhyme. ‘Humpty Dumpty’ is in there, so too ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’, but also contributions from contemporary stars of children’s literature such as Julia Donaldson and Michael Rosen. Even that most annoying of all earworms, ‘Baby Shark’, made the cut.
Esiri is no stranger to taking on big projects – her previous bestselling anthologies have included A Poem for Every Night of the Year and Shakespeare for Every Day of the Year. She has also organised major live poetry events, appeared at literary festivals and spoken up for poetry
as a force for good over many years.
So where do these rhymes from the earliest years of childhood fit in with the wider poetic tradition? “I always think a poem is just a nursery rhyme that has grown up,” she says. But this is not to lessen their import or impact. “Think of ‘Over the hills and far away’ – G.K. Chesterton said it is one of the most beautiful lines in all poetry. And Robert Graves said the best of the older nursery rhymes are nearer to poetry than the greater part of TheOxford Book of English Verse. If you’ve got them inside your head, it’s such a gift: you have got beautiful words to draw on and make you happy.”
Some of the earliest language children hear and repeat comes from rhythm, rhyme and repetition – and Esiri says this is important, both for their enjoyment and their formative development. “Poems add language and literacy skills – and with nursery rhymes
Allie Esiri’s new anthology of nursery rhymes o ers
a rich variety of poems, songs and ditties ancient and modern to delight children and adults alike
you can add numeracy, as there are some wonderful ones about counting. There are social, physical and emotional skills that are being o ered. Some are purely didactic –ABC rhymes – and others are about manners or behaviour. Then there are games, skipping rhymes for instance.” Of course, there are also the cautionary tales (the baby rocking out of the cradle, the old man bumping his head, the bed bugs biting), but Esiri sees no need to worry. “The meaning reveals itself in later life,” she says. “They also might help children deal imaginatively with violence and danger – rather like fairytales.”
The research phase of this anthology also meant finding the version to include – oral traditions inevitably mean some fascinating variations in words and phrases, especially as nursery rhymes travelled across the world and were adapted to fit time and place. The origins of many nursery rhymes are lost, but myths and folklore about their meaning proliferate and many have a fascinating back story or current relevance. This is something Allie Esiri deals with, and her informative introductions to every rhyme are a delight. ‘There Once Was A Man Named Michael Finnegan’, an Irish poem first noted down in 1921, even makes an appearance in James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake, for instance. Or there’s ‘Humpty Dumpty’, sometimes believed to be about Richard III’s death at the Battle of Bosworth Field. But Esiri helpfully points out that equivalents can be found across Europe (in Germany he’s ‘Hümpelken-Pümpelken’) and the famous egg is even referenced in Taylor Swift’s ‘The Archer’. Who knew that ‘Jack Be Nimble’ is based on the popular childhood game of candle-leaping, from those far-o days before health and safety was even a thing? Or indeed that ‘Thirty Days Hath September’ is found in various forms across Europe – and with a French version dating from the 1200s.
A Nursery Rhyme for Every Night of the Year is organised by theme. March is spring and International Women’s Day, while April is, of course, April Fool’s Day and Easter, but also Passover and Ramadan. September is back to school, with educational nursery rhymes; November explores history and remembrance, and December has a festival flavour.
Creating an anthology that works is both an art and a science. “It’s like a giant puzzle,” says Esiri. “You look for the variety in di erent places, classic and modern, male and female, some funny and some moving. It’s also how they sit next to each other.” This brings some nice touches. ‘Roses are Red’ sits opposite Smriti Halls’ ‘Chilis are Red’, while ‘Los Politos Dicen’ (a classic from Ecuador) and ‘Little Boy Blue’ make a suitably rustic pairing.
This is a rich bedtime read for young children, and Allie Esiri hopes it will also be a resource that early years and primary teachers tap into. One of the great beauties of nursery rhymes is that they deliver whole stories and complex pictures in few words. But they also introduce children to the sounds of language and the power of repetition and rhythm. “If you are knowing and loving a nursery rhyme, then I do think it demystifies poetry,” says Allie Esiri. “Nursery rhymes are the beginning of our journey with words and our joy in words.”
THE CLASSICS ARE HERE – AND WITH WONDERFUL INTRODUCTIONS
“Robert Graves said the best of the older nursery rhymes are nearer to poetry than the greater part of The Oxford Book of English Verse”Allie Esiri’s A Nursery Rhyme for Every Night of the Year is published by Macmillan Children’s (£20, hardback)
Q Can you summarise your role at the school?
A No two days are the same and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The role of the Deputy Head Pastoral is one part of a large, dynamic, and highly talented team. Imagine being in the centre of a busy airport whilst at the same time meeting new people, as well as being asked to read a map with a variety of di erent directions – this is the life of a Pastoral Leader.
I am fortunate to work with a hugely committed team at Forest which has the greatest responsibility in ensuring we are constantly supporting pupils whilst holding them accountable. It is not always
easy and at times you feel like a true firefighter, but being part of a pupil's personal development is a true honour.
Q How key is the pastoral side to Forest School’s educational ethos?
A Pupils at Forest are known, liked, and valued. Relationships are just one corner of the pastoral foundations at Forest. Pastoral is not a separate entity at Forest – it is everyone’s responsibility. Personal Development sits at the centre of the educational ethos and as educators we must respond to the holistic development of a young person. At Forest co-curricular, academic, and pastoral is seen as one
curriculum to ensure pupils are prepared for life beyond the white gates.
Q What have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced in the role?
A In any pastoral role and in any school the impact of the pandemic will certainly play a role in the daily challenges we are currently experiencing. The impact on social interactions and emotional wellbeing shouldn’t be underestimated and schools should be confident in confronting these complex themes to best support the pupils in their care. There have been challenges in the past and there will be challenges in the future, but we must ensure we are promoting continuous dialogue between home and school to work in partnership when supporting young people.
Q Can you suggest some of the things you do to help one of your pupil’s wellbeing?
A It is important that when we are discussing pupils’ wellbeing there is never a ‘you’, but always a ‘we’. It requires a triangulation community between home, school, and the pupil. Schools cannot act in
“Being a part of a pupil's personal development is a true honour”NATASSJA MILTON CLASSES ARE FUN AND INFORMATIVE
isolation when supporting pupils through their educational journey. Wellbeing changes for us all, it is never fixed. Ensuring a range of support is available and that this support is personalised is key – as no one pupil at Forest is the same.
At Forest support can include everything from utilising our Digital Partners, having access to our Place2Be onsite counselling service, meeting the Chaplain, o ering peer mentors as well as regular meetings with members of the pupil’s core Pastoral team. Support can be multi-layered and it takes a team to truly support a pupil.
Q Does a happy pupil potentially mean greater academic success?
A Simply put, no. Pupils at Forest are individuals and success looks di erent in di erent ways for di erent pupils. The term happy is subjective as well.
What is important is that pupils have the opportunity to constantly access new learning opportunities whilst having a metaphorical safety net to catch them when it doesn’t go to plan. As highlighted in the Times Education Commission we are now in a time within education where we need to reset and their 12-point-plan for education is definitely worth a read!
Q Forest School is wonderfully located – do you make use of the outdoors?
A We are extremely grateful to be in the heart of the city whilst breathing in the fresh air of Epping Forest. Any school environment hugely impacts on a pupil’s learning experience. Engaging in a holistic curriculum enables pupils to access a range of learning opportunities including making great use of the wonderful outdoors! We also have a dedicated ‘forest school/outdoor learning’ teacher, including an outdoor classroom in the Park – Little Acorns.
Q How does the pastoral support change as pupils progress through the year groups?
A You will hear the phrase ‘age and stage’ a lot from the Pastoral team, but that doesn’t eliminate the core team that a Forest pupil has access to through their entire Senior School career. The core team at Forest consists of a Tutor, Head of House and Head of Section. The access to pastoral support doesn’t change, but what type of support a pupil needs may well do. The importance of ensuring pastoral support is always reviewed, reflected upon and discussed is key to enable maximum impact.
Q How do you look back on how the 202223 school year has gone at Forest School?
A It is incredibly important for pupils to be in school consistently for a number of reasons following the pandemic, but it has been truly spectacular to see Forest in all its glory this year with performances, events, fixtures, activities all back to normal. Pupils at Forest flourish when they are busy and involved in a variety of opportunities. The community buzz is truly infectious and instead of reading about it why don’t you come and see for yourself?
forest.org.uk
“Ensuring support is personalised is key at Forest”THE CO-CURRICULAR IS KEY WELLBEING WITH A DIFFERENCE
Saturday, 23 September 2023
8.30am - 1.00pm
Forest - Where People Grow
“A must-see option for parents wanting an education that’s so genuinely rounded you could make hoops from it”
Joining a new Sixth Form might seem a challenge, but it is also an exciting opportunity and could have huge benefits. Importantly, it will be the first time that your child will have made their own decision about where they want to study and be fully invested in the opportunity; possibly as a result of their own research, their own visit and via conversations with current and former students. At Colchester Royal Grammar School (CRGS) we have single entry in Year 12 to our Sixth Form and welcome around 50% of new students, joining from both local and international schools. A third of all Sixth Former students here at the school are female.
Starting Sixth Form at a new school is an exciting prospect, and here at CRGS the school becomes co-ed and o ers quite a di erent dynamic. The Sixth Form areas are separate, the uniform is business attire,
and this stands out against the sea of purple blazers worn by the lower school. We encourage a work hard, play hard mentality and, while there is a huge focus on academic studies, there are plenty of opportunities for ‘play’ including producing school productions, performing in orchestra and musical ensembles, representing the school in debates, on the sports field and lighthearted events – including the aptly named Fun Fridays. These timetabled breaks see
Sixth Formers take part in a range of nonacademic activities including karaoke, salsa, ballroom dancing, dodgeball, ‘just dance’ fun and countdown-style competitions. All Sixth Formers should have an active voice in how a school is run, be able to voice new ideas, to organise and lead school societies and be ambassadors for the school. Our Senior Prefect Team is comprised of 15-20 Sixth Formers chosen via interviews with the school’s Senior Leadership Team in the Spring Term. The prefect team is led by the School Captain, supported by Head students and prefects. These students have regular meetings with me and are not only a voice for the Sixth Form, but also support the running of the school, with working roles at open evenings and other public-facing events. Many Sixth Formers lead school societies and fundraising and outreach campaigns. One hugely successful
fundraising campaign was our ‘Cultural Day’. All students and sta wore their cultural dress in exchange for a small financial donation to the chosen charity, and the school was transformed for the day. The event broadened friendships and raised money for good causes, while helping our students to have a better understanding of the world.
We are in a unique position as a leading state grammar school to accommodate boarders in two family-style boarding houses on our grounds. Pupils come from varied backgrounds and our boarders have a worldwide outlook, with many arriving from as far afield as Hong Kong and Dubai. One boarder who recently left to study at Cambridge University said: “I think boarding has amplified my potential, and set me up well for the next stage of my life: university. It feels less daunting living in a new city, with new people and all by myself – I’ve done that once, so I can do it again”.
All schools endeavour to support students in a broad range of extra-curricular activities because it’s a great way to encourage existing and new students to mix. While CRGS prides itself on outstanding A-level results, in the Sixth Form we focus on dovetailing academic success with extracurricular endeavours.
JOHN RUSSELL Headmaster Colchester Royal Grammar School
These bring the school community together, and encourage independence, resilience and ambition in the individual.
John Russell, Headmaster of Colchester Royal Grammar School, discusses why joining a new school in the Sixth Form is a good idea
“The Sixth Form areas are separate, the uniform is business attire –we encourage a work hard, play hard mentality”
See our website for more details: www.daiglenschool.co.uk
This year was always going to be a busy time with Woodford Green Prep’s 90th anniversary celebrations. However, with the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth and accession of King Charles, the opportunities to learn about national as well as local history were fully embraced by pupils. Trips to historical sites, such as The Tower of London, the studying of archives or discussing the meaning of monarchy are just some of the learning activities undertaken.
In keeping with King Charles’ ethos of recycling unused items to support the natural world, cupboards and garages were scoured to source old and unused chairs, for
repurposing into thrones fit for a modern monarch. Everyone, from the Headmaster, administrative sta , school nurse to all classes, enjoyed researching the historical significance, roles, styles of thrones through the ages and society. Everyone avidly applied design and technology skills in anticipation of presenting their throne creations during the celebration picnic. The end result was a magnificent array of thrones, celebrating sustainability, the environment and community. Despite the best attempts of the rain (a somewhat British tradition), everything proceeded as planned. When the clouds parted and with the sunshine restored, everyone joined in to sing not only the National Anthem, but also a ‘happy 90th birthday’ for the school's 90th year.
The pupils’ decorations looked spectacular and, as ever, there was a great sense of community spirit. During their anniversary year it has been wonderful that so many former pupils, ‘Old Reds’, have been in contact. Their community of today builds upon what has gone before and at WGPS they are always happy to hear from past pupils. They also have a ‘Friends of WGPS’ for other members of their community, including families, sta and former friends. To join the ‘Old Reds’ or ‘Friends of WGPS,’ you may register on the school website, under the ‘Old Reds’ tab, there is no charge for this. Whether you have memories you wish to share, want to reconnect or just become part of the wider WGPS community, they would love to hear from you.
wgprep.co.uk
“Despite the best e orts of the rain, a British tradition, everything proceeded as planned”
ONGAR PARK LODGE
CM16
GUIDE PRICE
£1,350,000
A delightful Grade II listed period country house occupying grounds of 2.5 acres with far reaching views over surrounding farmland. The property o ers an array of character features with exposed timbers and fireplaces and is complemented by equestrian facilities. The first floor o ers four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Ideally situated for the Central Line and local state and independent schools is this beautifully presented three bedroom detached property which offers excellent living space. Features include a south facing rear garden, carriage driveway, three reception rooms and principal bedroom with en suite bathroom.
Rare to the market is this charming Victorian cottage located in arguably one of the prettiest roads in Buckhurst Hill. Features include two double bedrooms, a west facing courtyard garden and allocated parking. Superb location for Queens Road’s boutique shops and the Central Line station.
In today's market, exceptional professional photos are critical to the marketing of your home. When prospective buyers, or indeed renters, are looking at properties online, or in estate agent’s particulars, they often decide if they are interested in viewing in a matter of moments.
Of course it is your estate agents, and their photography team’s, job to consider the practical elements such as using a high quality camera and shooting the right angles, with the right exposure, but preparing your property ahead of time will help it to look the best it can; hopefully resulting in more interest in your advert.
Here are a few relatively simple steps you can take to prepare your home:
• Clear driveways of vehicles and move or hide bins and litter from the front of your house
• Declutter as much as possible, let your buyer imagine their own belongings in the room. Less is almost always more.
• Tidy around the home. From the kitchen and bathroom to the lounge and bedrooms neat cushions and bedspreads and sparkling taps and mirrors can make all the di erence
JAMES HUNT• Make sure your home is well lit. All lights should be on, including any lamps, and so its worth replacing any light bulbs that have gone out
• Mow the lawn and tidy around the garden, putting away toys or loose hoses
Following these guidelines will help to ensure your home has the very best images and attracts the most attention possible. At the very least, the house should be clean and tidy with no distracting elements that will detract from showcasing the potential of the rooms.
A stunning property on the market with Durden & Hunt
St Johns Road, Loughton, IG10
This unique and charming property has been home to the current owners for 40 years and is offered with no onward chain. Internally this property offers a large through living and dining room, a good sized kitchen, with separate utility room, reception room, which is currently being used as a gym, and unique entertainment room all with doors leading onto the patio area. The ground floor also includes an additional family room, an office and two downstairs WCs. The first floor consists of a master suite with en-suite, dressing room and access to the private balcony overlooking the quintessential garden, a tranquil and perfect place to sit at the beginning and at the end of the day. Additionally this floor is followed by two bedrooms which are complemented by a grand family bathroom, as well as a shower room with separate WC. The second floor further boasts three additional bedrooms all with fitted wardrobes, extensive eaves storage, and splendid views. Offers in Excess of £2,500,000 durdenandhunt.co.uk
BUSINESS : Foskett Marr Gadsby & Head WEBSITE : foskettmarr.co.uk
Q What area of law do you specialise in?
A Company Commercial. I work for a variety of clients, both individuals and small to medium sized ownermanaged companies advising on a wide range of individual and company/ commercial matters. This ranges from assistance for start-ups, to re-structures and buying and selling companies plus everything else in between!
Q What are the tricky aspects of this area of law?
A I often work to challenging time scales and have to be able to adapt and tailor my skills to the specific needs of a wide range of clients and businesses. In business, every matter is di erent and therefore it is important that we find solutions to any obstacles when working with all parties and advisors involved.
Q Can you tell us about a recent case, which you can discuss, that highlights
what you are about as a company?
I acted for long-standing owners of a family business looking to retire. It was a di cult process for them, both practically in terms of the pace of the transaction and the volume of paperwork required, but also emotionally in terms of the attachment which they had to the business. I guided them through the process, and it was wonderful to see their appreciation at the end.
Q In terms of your team, what makes you the best in this area?
A Our dedication to the job and our clients. We have a genuine desire to carry out work for our clients in an approachable, understanding and solution focused manner. Of course, we have all the specialist knowledge, but just as important, we are a very approachable team. We fully understand that our clients need the right guidance from people they can relate to and enjoy working with. We strive for the same goals. This is evident from the repeat business from many longstanding clients and referrers.
Q Are there many elements of your role that you enjoy?
A I enjoy my job immensely. I enjoy the variety of work, the client and colleague interaction and hearing the great feedback from clients on the approach and e ciency as well as overall satisfaction when a job has been completed.
BUSINESS : Attwaters Jameson Hill
WEBSITE : attwatersjamesonhill.co.uk
Q Tell us about your background in law…
A I first developed an interest in law when I decided to study the subject at A-level during my year out. I didn’t know what I wanted to go on to do at university. I studied for the A-level at evening school, whilst working. I had an inspiring tutor who encouraged me to go on to study Law at degree. I never looked back from there.
Q Today, what practice do you run and what is the business known for?
A The practice I run today along with my fellow partners at Attwaters Jameson Hill is geared towards making sure our clients achieve their objective in managing, growing and protecting their wealth for their own future and future generations. We have had the privilege of providing private wealth services to individuals, families, entrepreneurs, businesses and land owners for more than 200 years. The wide range of private wealth issues we deal with has seen our relationships with our clients often extend over decades and is rooted in the quality of our work.
I’ve had some success recently in securing sizeable refunds of Inheritance Tax for some clients. These have been accepted by HMRC in some cases as a result of retrospective IHT planning through the careful use of Deeds of Variation to estates within two years of death. In another case we managed to successfully challenge HMRC’s
Absolutely meets a trio of the finest solicitors the county has to o er
interpretation of scheme rules concerning the IHT status of some life policy proceeds. This saved the beneficiaries a very large amount of IHT, which HMRC would have otherwise held was payable because of how the policy provider had initially represented the payment of the life insurance in their correspondence to us. Had we not queried this further and challenged HMRC and the policy provider on it, over £100,000 of additional IHT would have been payable. Because of my professional involvement as an executor of the estate though, I was able to recognise there was an issue and take the right action to protect the beneficiaries. It definitely pays to have that professional expertise!
Q What do you love best about your job?
A What I love best about my job is supporting clients and their families through challenging and di cult times. It is very rewarding to know you’ve helped someone during what would otherwise be such a daunting process at an already emotional and testing time.
BUSINESS : John Fowlers Solicitors WEBSITE : johnfowlers.co.uk
Q Can you tell us a little bit about the history of your company?
A John Fowlers Solicitors was formed in Brightlingsea in 1924. Since then the firm has gone from strength to strength. With a headquarters based in Colchester we aim to be your one stop for all your legal needs.
Q What area of law do you specialise in?
A Civil & Commercial Litigation, which encompasses property, contract, commercial, land, probate and consumer disputes.
Q What are the tricky aspects of this area of law?
A That it is always evolving. An example
would be during Covid, landlord and tenant law had to change to keep in line with restrictions. Therefore, evictions were suspended, and notice periods were extended.
Q Can you tell us about a recent case, which you can discuss, that highlights what you are about as a company?
A In respect of a contested probate dispute, the opponent sought to have our client removed as a joint executor. An agreement was reached mid-way through the hearing for all the parties to step aside and agree to be replaced by a professional executor. This helped avoid further conflict and resolve the administration of the estate.
Q Are there many elements of your role that you enjoy?
A Problem solving. It is always nice to solve a problem for a client!
LESLEY-ANN MAYHEW
“IT IS VERY REWARDING TO KNOW YOU'VE HELPED SOMEONE DURING A DAUNTING PROCESS”
Wild Arts’ opera evenings head to the county this summer and tickets are flying out the door
There’s a new summer opera festival on the block, and it’s in beautiful, coastal Essex. You can now book tickets for a magical summer evening of picnics and music at Layer Marney Tower, one of England’s finest Tudor Palaces. The festival has its own particular character – top quality performances, an informal setting, and beautiful views over the River Blackwater. Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love will open proceedings on 22 June. Following sold-out performances at the first festival in 2022, tickets are already selling well for this year’s production – a brilliant new version of Donizetti’s most popular opera, sung in English by world-class singers, in the newly renovated Opera Barn within the gardens and grounds of the 500-year-old Tudor Palace Layer Marney Tower on the River Blackwater.
Performances are presented in two halves of around 50 minutes each. Playing to intimate audiences of 240 per show, the result is drama and storytelling at its most immediate and relatable. The creative format also seeks to counter the resource-heavy nature of traditional opera production and explore more sustainable presentation. Experience captivating storytelling and stunning vocals in a magical setting. With a ordable ticket prices and free transfers from the local train station in a vintage Routemaster bus, it's the perfect opportunity for seasoned opera fans and newcomers alike to immerse themselves in the world of opera.
The home for the Essex Summer Opera Festival is Layer Marney Tower, England’s tallest Tudor Gatehouse and one of Essex’s most magnificent heritage venues. Performances will take place in Quintin’s Barn, an ancient structure with excellent acoustics, recently extensively refurbished.
The festival is the starting point for a 30-date UK-wide summer tour of rural locations.
Two hundred pupils from four Essex schools will take part in the festival’s first education project run by Rebecca Milford and funded by the FSJ Trust and the Arts & Culture Fund. A specially adapted version of the 2023 production of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love will be the basis for interactive workshops introducing pupils to the opera's story and music. The pupils will then attend the dress rehearsal of the full show in the Opera Barn at Layer Marney Tower on 15 June.
Founded in 2022, Wild Arts is a new organisation producing world-class musical performances that are environmentally sustainable. The charity also runs the Roman River Festival in coastal Essex, and concerts by the Wild Arts Ensemble.
wildarts.org.uk
why everyone is talking about…Layer Marney Tower Martha Jones, Ella Taylor and Joanna Songi at the Wild Arts Cosie fan tutte dress rehearsal, photo by Lucy Toms Joanna Songi as Despina at the Wild Arts Cosie fan tutte dress rehearsal 2022, photo by Lucy Toms Richard Dowling and Gareth Brynmor John, Cosie fan tutte dress rehearsal, photo by Lucy Toms
