Absolutely Buckinghamshire June 2022

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Buckinghamshire JUNE 2022

SPECIAL Over 30 pages of inspiration and insight

JUNE 2022

Flower

ABSOLUTELY-BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.CO.UK

POWER THIS SUMMER IT IS ALL ABOUT FLORALS IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE PLUS SHERRY HOSTLER The Quainton author on choosing books over trapeze TOP TEN A decade of design excellence at Amersham Interiors THE NATURAL WAY Why children should learn in the great outdoors

ST YLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT

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EDITOR MARK KEBBLE ART DIRECTOR PAWEL KUBA SENIOR DESIGNERS MIKE ROBERTS SAMANTHA SCOTT MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER CARMEN GRAHAM JUNIOR DESIGNER KAI NICHOLLS GROUP SALES MANAGER - SOUTH ABIGAIL GARDNER MEDIA CONSULTANTS LOUISE PEARSON, STELLA ADAMS, ANABELA KOLECI FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTORS CRAIG DAVIES, LEAH DAY, JAMES FUSCHILLO NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT

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ABSOLUTELY

Contents JUNE 2022

52

72 18

C U LT U R E AGENDA

FA S H I O N & B E A U T Y 52 THE SHOOT

PLATINUM JUBILEE

56 BERRY'S WINDSOR

The best events across the county this month

21

Where you can celebrate in June

24 FINLEY TAPP

Summer colour from Little Mistress

How they are marking 75 years in business

62 DR RACHEL WARD The TV personality on Berkshire life

On football and winning Love Island

FOOD & DRINK 34 FOOD NOTES

A B S O L U T E LY H O M E 70 TOP TEN

37 GOAT ON THE ROOF

72

The best bites in your local area

A taste of tapas comes to Newbury

41

RECIPES

Make the most of vegetables

41 A B S O L U T E LYB U C K I N G H A M S H I R E .C O. U K The online guide to inspirational local living.

The best fabrics and wallpapers

AMERSHAM INTERIORS

Marking a decade of design inspiration

84 GARDENING

Five plants you need this summer

O N T H E C OV E R Little Mistress SS22 collection, available at John Lewis (little-mistress.com)

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

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Poggenpohl Marlow 75 High St | Marlow SL7 1AB phone 01628 326 061 marlow@poggenpohl.com www.marlow.poggenpohl.com

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Editor’s

LETTER ABSOLUTELY’S June issue highlights

I

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F inley Tapp

What happened after winning Love Island

have an alter ego. Nothing quite as exciting as heading into a phone box and emerging in tights and being able to fly – it doesn't help that you can't even really stand in a phone box these days – but that of a qualified England FA football coach.

Football was always my first love, and even my wife would say it probably still is.

Running an amateur football team saw me move into coaching and, today, I am involved with both adult and youth teams continuing the good work of the England FA DNA. This side of my life came into sharp focus with our lead profile, Finley Tapp, this month. Most will know him as the winner of Love Island, but his story of struggling to make it as a football pro struck a cord with me. I see so many kids whose parents clearly see their offspring as a way to earn fame and fortune, and most do not end up in football. Finley Tapp was nothing like this, but it's a dog eat dog world out there and, really, it shouldn't be. He talks about how he is looking to help youth players today.

Of course, we can't let the month of June pass without a nod to HM The Queen, so inside we have a round up of events still on. And I am sure the Queen would love our Home special – maybe it will give her some ideas to spruce up Buckingham Palace. Enjoy the issue.

4

Home Trend

Why it's all about yellow when it comes to accessories

Mark Kebble MARK KEBBLE EDITOR

Kit Kemp

The latest in design inspiration comes in twos

2

Sherry Hostler

The Quainton author on her local favourites

3

Platinum Jubilee

How the county is bringing out the bunting

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Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY

PENDLE HARTE

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FINE FLORALS Basak Baykal is a fine jewellery designer whose primary source of inspiration is nature itself, but her references span from Art Nouveau masters to movies and poetry. Through these inspirations she has intertwined this with natural elements to create ethereal, fine, floral jewellery. bbaykal.com

B L O C K PA R T Y These dreamy block-printed robes are made by a team of female artisans in India from super soft , ethically produced organic cotton, hand-block printed using azo-free dyes. £60 shadesofcoollondon.com

PRETTY PRINTS Yolke and Penelope Chilvers have collaborated on a beautiful design capsule that celebrates Yolke’s nostalgic signature print clothing complemented by Penelope Chilvers artisanal espadrilles, the Africa and the Valenciana. penelopechilvers.com

LEAF ART Debra Franses Bean's sculptures have the colour sensibilities of a painter and balance the conceptual narratives of beauty, fashion and social media within a perfectly polished hard resin sculptural form. The Rumi Sunflower, £3,950 artbagstudio.com

EDITOR’S PICK

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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES

P E TA L P O W E R East End Press' wooden prints are made from sustainable sourced birch ply and printed by hand on both sides with a colourful floral bouquet print – perfect for adding a pop of colour. eastendpress.com

PICTURE PERFECT Vilagallo “travel therapy” shorts (£95) with matching blouse (£125) in a viscose blend, available at Jak + Liza in Beaconsfield. jakandliza.com

LU S H L AC E Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Wicked Floral Lace Balconette Bra Top is certainly one to get the pulse racing. £75 victoriassecret.co.uk

C AT WA L K COOL

FLORAL FA N C Y

Fun pure cotton cropped trousers, designed using fabulous catwalk fabrics.

Easy modern elasticated waist. £395 winserlondon.com

This Lush Palace Garden embroidered lace Plunge Bra set can be found at Odette Lingerie, with sizes up to a G cup. Bra £96, thong £35 odettelingerie.co.uk

IN BLOOM Emma Dodi's creative cake designs range from stunning hand piped floral designs to modern architectural pieces and colourful jovial creations. emmadodicakes.com

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PRESENTS

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C U LT U R E

ROYA L A SCOT 14-18 JUNE

Real life drama returns in 2022 as Royal Ascot presents a spellbinding explosion for the senses, featuring an all-star cast and world-class racing.

With a history as rich as it is long, Royal Ascot sits proudly as the jewel in the crown of the British social season. Five days of unparalleled racing, style, fine dining and pageantry return in full majesty this month. ascot.com

Agenda 18 • Platinum Jubilee 21 • Finley Tapp 24 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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The Agenda J U N E ' S H OT T E ST H A P P E N I N G S

F I L M

Open Air Cinema 27 June-1 July ASHRIDGE HOUSE Bask in the summer garden at Ashridge House for some unmissable open air cinema this June. The line-up is stacked with modern day classics: 27 June is Mission Impossible, 28 June Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet, 29 June Forrest Gump, 30 June Pulp Fiction and, finally, on 1 July Pretty Woman. ashridgehouse.org.uk

VIVIAN MAIER NEW YORK 1953

T H E AT R E

Six

12- 16 JU LY, AYL E S BU RY WATE RSIDE THEATRE

From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing 500 years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. These Queens may have green sleeves, but their lipstick is rebellious red. Don’t miss this multi award-winning smash hit, with tickets sure to be in demand, so book yours now. atgtickets.com/venues/aylesbury-waterside-theatre

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P H OTO GR APHY

Vivian Maier 11 June-25 September MK GALLERY MK Gallery will present the first exhibition in the UK of acclaimed photographer Vivian Maier. The exhibition will uncover the remarkable story of the mysterious Chicago nanny who led a double-life as one of the greatest street photographers of the 20th century, amassing hundreds of thousands of images which were hidden in a storage locker and remained undiscovered during her life. mkgallery.org

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

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CULTURE • DIARY

EV E N T

Royal Windsor Flower Show 11 June YO R K C L U B , W I N D S O R G R E AT PA R K The Royal Windsor Flower Show celebrates its 115th anniversary in the picturesque surroundings of its new home the York Club, Windsor Great Park. They are honoured that Her Majesty The Queen is Patron and the great Alan Titchmarsh, alongside a plethora of well-known names and faces from gardening, food and craft and television, will host and present a day that promises to be full of inspiration, insights and fun. rwrhs.com

ART

TO WATC H The exhibitions marking the Platinum Jubilee The South Bank Centre’s Platinum Jubilee cultural celebrations encompass both ‘Official’ and ‘Alternative’ Royal Command Performances alongside classical music, punk, dance and parties.

Highlights include music from Nu Civilisation Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a day exploring how punk exploded into

EV E N T JAMES VAULKHARD - QUEEN

17-19 June C L AY D O N E S TAT E , B U C K S Bigfoot, the UK’s first craft beer music festival, returns in 2022 for a three-day boutique event set to unite an essential line-up of artists with a celebration of the very best in contemporary beer culture. Joining previously announced headliners Caribou and Happy Mondays as 2022 headliners are none other than Texan trio Khruangbin. bigfootfestival.co.uk

popular culture in 1977, the year of the Silver Jubilee, including an exclusive screening and panel discussion with Academy Award®winner Danny Boyle on his new Sex Pistols series, Pistol. From 1-5 June, South Bank Centre, SE1.

Over at Oxo Tower Wharf, Art Save the Queen is a celebratory exhibition at gallery@oxo. Featuring portrayals of Her Majesty Queen

This Month’s Must See

BIGFOOT FESTIVAL

THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA

T

1- 2 JU LY, AYLE SBURY WATERSIDE THEATRE

he tea-guzzling tiger is back on the road in this delightful family show, packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos. A stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem - expect to be surprised! A musical play adapted and directed by David Wood, based on the much-loved book by Judith Kerr.

ERNESTO ROMANO - QUEEN 2

Elizabeth II by 52 urban and contemporary international artists as Britain celebrates the monarch’s 70 remarkable years on the throne.

The line-up includes Goldie, James Vaulkhard, Carrie Reichardt, Ernesto Romano and Will Teather, and 10% of revenue generated from the exhibition will be donated to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. From 2-12 June, gallery@oxo, SE1.

atgtickets.com/venues/ aylesbury-waterside-theatre

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Luxury Holiday Rentals at Glenmor Make yourselves at home in the heart of Gleneagles The Gleneagles experience is one of a kind – you can now enjoy it from the comfort of a Glenmor luxury holiday home, located in the heart of Gleneagles. On your stay you can enjoy complimentary golf for one person, plus access to all of the leisure, dining and pursuits of the 5 star estate. We have 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties available, perfect for all the family. With prices starting from £3,500 for a 2 bed, £4,410 for a 3 bed and £4,840 for a 4 bed for 7 nights.

Find out more: GLENEAGLES.COM/GLENMOR +44 (0)1764 694321 OWN@GLENEAGLES.COM

The Timeshare, Holiday Products, Resale and Exchange Contracts Regulation 2010 requires Gleneaglesto provide you with certain key information in relation to the proposed seasonal ownership contract. A standard information form which contains this key information in relation to that contract may beobtained by contacted us via the above methods.

Golf at De Vere Wokefield Estate An 18-hole championship golf course awaits...

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CULTURE • JUBILEE

THE IVY ROYAL WINDSOR BRASSERIE WILL MARK THE PLATINUM JUBILEE IN STYLE

R o y a l O C C A S I O N S

The whole of the UK is coming together to mark HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and there’s plenty happening closer to home

A

t the time of writing, events at Windsor Castle in May kicked off the celebrations to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Very special events took place in the private grounds of Windsor Castle from 12-15 May, and the celebration saw more than 500 horses and 1,000 performers create a 90-minute piece of spellbinding arena theatre that included actors and artists, musicians, international military displays from the Commonwealth, Europe and our own Armed Forces, dancers and global equestrian displays.

With the Bank Holiday weekend at the start of June upon us, there is more to look forward to all around the county.

O

THE BIG JUBILEE LUNCH

ver 60,000 people have registered to host Big Jubilee Lunches on the Platinum celebration weekend on Sunday 5 June, with events ranging from world record attempts for the longest street party to back garden BBQs and everything in between. Over ten million people across the UK are expected to be joining the celebrations to share friendship, food and fun at Big Jubilee Lunches as part of this nationwide act of community friendship.

People across the world are also joining in with over 600 international Big Jubilee Lunches being planned throughout the Commonwealth and beyond – from Canada to Brazil, New Zealand to Japan and South Africa to Switzerland. We expect to see plenty all across the county too.

FAIRMONT WINDSOR PARK

FOOD FIT FOR ROYALT Y

FAIRMONT WINDSOR PARK / THE IVY ROYAL WINDSOR BRASSERIE

W

here better to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee than at Fairmont Windsor Park, seconds away from Windsor Castle, the Queen’s main residence. To celebrate the occasion, the new English countryside hotel will be offering a specially designed Jubilee Afternoon Tea Menu created to honour Her Majesty, available until 5 July at Fairmont Windsor Park’s calming yet opulent Orchid Tea Room. The carefully curated menu includes Coronation Chicken and Scottish Smoked Salmon sandwiches, delectable sweet treats including New Forest Strawberry Royal and Dulche De Leche Granny Smith Apples and much more, finished off by Fairmont Windsor Park’s unbeatable scones.

“500 horses and 1,000 performers created amazing theatre” A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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CULTURE • JUBILEE

Don't miss

Dates for your diary to mark the Platinum Jubilee

FAIRMONT WINDSOR PARK AFTERNOON TEA

1 JUNE

The Ivy Royal Windsor Brasserie has announced it will be opening its doors on Tuesday 31 May, just in time for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. In celebration of this year’s Platinum Jubilee festivities, the brasserie will be adding a number of limited-edition cocktails to its already extensive menu. Cocktails will include Queen Victoria (£10.75), a smooth mix of Tanqueray 10, Vanilla Syrup, Lavender Syrup, Crème de Mure and Lemon Juice, while Lilibet (£13.50) features Tanqueray 10, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, Lemon Juice and Honey Syrup, topped with The Ivy Champagne for a true royal touch. fairmont-windsorpark.com theivywindsor.com

LOOKING THE PART THE ROYAL ASCOT MENSWEAR COLLECTION

F

avourbrook has once again teamed up with Royal Ascot for 2022 as Official Men’s Formalwear Licensee, bringing its sartorial and formalwear expertise back to the fabled Ascot Racecourse for what promises to be a spellbinding five days of world-class racing on this most important of years marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Due to an update in the Official Royal Enclosure Dress Code, Favourbrook marked a first for the prestigious event by creating the navy ‘Furlong’ morning suit, the first such navy morning suit permitted in the Royal Enclosure in the event’s history.

The navy morning suit returns this year, alongside the more traditional black and charcoal morning coats to complement an array of formal trouser styles, together with new waistcoats, ties and pocket squares for the discerning racegoer. favourbrook.com/pages/royal-ascot

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Celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee at The Lexicon, Bracknell 

2 JUNE

Jubilee: Beacon Lighting, National Trust – Stowe, New Inn Farm, Buckingham 

LOOK SHARP AT ASCOT

Halton Jubilee Festival, Halton Tennis Centre, Aylesbury

3 JUNE

THERE FROM THE START DANIEL OF WINDSOR

H

ere’s one location that was up and running even before Her Majesty was crowned Queen. Daniel prides itself on its traditional values of providing "Quality, Value and Service", which is why it has always remained a family run independent store since it was established in 1901 by W.J Daniel. Their quality of service has been recognised by the highest authority and rewarded with a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty The Queen as a supplier of 'Gifts' to the Royal Household.

W.J Daniel currently own three great stores located in Windsor, Chiswick and Ealing. The Windsor store, the largest of the three, continues to thrive like it has done for over a century. danielstores.co.uk

Family Funday to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Maidenhead 

The Jubilee Tribute Show – Abbey Ruins Reading

4 JUNE

Jubilee Dance – Caversham Lakes, Reading 

Afternoon Tea On The Thames 

Chiltern Society Roadshow – Queen’s Jubilee Fete, Great Missenden

5 JUNE

Jubilee Children's Concert at Forbury Gardens, Reading 

Queen's Jubilee Celebration, Beech Hill Memorial Hall, Reading 

SPECIAL GUESTS AT DANIEL IN WINDSOR

Cookham High Street Jubilee Party 

Jubilee: Bring Your Own Street Party, National Trust – Stowe, New Inn Farm, Buckingham 

A Right Royal Tea Party, Danesfield House Hotel & Spa, Marlow-On-Thames

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

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Some furniture is made for the here and now.

Some is built to stand the test of time.

At Neptune, we believe that the best can do both.

Good design never grows old.

Reading, 0118 932 6060 Chesham, 01494 398472 neptune.com

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“I felt like two different people when I was playing football and off the pitch”

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CULTURE • INTERVIEW

A TA P P I N Former semi-professional footballer and Love Island winner Finley Tapp on football highs and lows, supporting young players, and life with girlfriend Paige Turley B y N ATA L I E L I

H

e may have been crowned one of the Love Island winners 2020 and found true love, but Finley Tapp is all too familiar with heartache of another kind.

Before entering the ITV show, Tapp was a semi-professional footballer with big dreams and ambitions for the beautiful game. He was signed by his local team Milton Keynes Dons (MK Dons) at the tender age of seven, but was left with disappointment and dashed hopes when his contract wasn’t extended at the age of 18. “You know I always felt reserved talking about football, and even when I appeared on Love Island the producers asked about my football career and wanted to focus on that, but I felt like an imposter as I hadn’t had a long career in football and didn’t want to blow my own trumpet,” he admits. “In my eyes I never really made it to the level I had dreamed of.”

Tapp, 22, now lives with girlfriend Paige Turley who he met on Love Island, and

cites enjoying the “best years of his life” during the 2017/2018 season, winning the league, making it to two finals and a record run in the FA Youth Cup. Making his professional debut against Premier League Bournemouth in the League Cup in 2018 was a dream come true, but the transition from academy to professional was a huge mental leap for the then 18-year-old.

“I was living every person’s dream, being paid to do something I loved. But I felt like two quite different people when I was playing football and off the pitch. I was timid at football; I didn’t want to express myself too much. It was so daunting at times.”

A few weeks following his release from MK Dons, Tapp was offered a contract by Oxford City where he began to fall in love with football once again. The opportunity to enter Love Island then came up – too good to pass on. Life may have taken its twists and turns for Tapp, but he is adamant that his experiences can help others. “For ages I put off talking about my experience of football and then it got to

the point where I thought, ‘d’you know what, everyone has a different journey’ and even though I didn’t have a lengthy career I can help those who go down a different career path, those that need that ‘inside’ help when they are released from a football club.”

Tapp is now on a mission to support and encourage young players. “At the moment I want to meet youth teams of professional clubs and share my experiences. I’ve already visited MK Dons and spoke to the youth team, and I want to support young players transitioning from academy to professional level and those experiencing life after football. There are lots of challenges and sacrifices that can get ignored as players get absorbed in the glitz and glamour of the football world. I want to tell them to take it all in their stride and find ways to deal with mental pressures. If it helps just a few players, then it’s well worth it.”

Today, with 1.2 million Instagram followers, life after Love Island is worlds apart from Tapp’s football days. He A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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CULTURE • INTERVIEW

HE FILMED LOVE ISLAND IN CAPE TOWN

remains a fitness enthusiast, but has turned his attentions to becoming an influencer – successfully securing collaborations with McDonald’s, Deliveroo and Uber Eats – as well as major fashion brands such as Burton Menswear. He has also worked with Turley to release a couples’ pyjama collection with online fashion retailer In The Style. In January 2022, Tapp and Turley featured in the seventh series of E4's Celebrity Coach Trip.

With the pull of this post-Love Island career it seems like Tapp has departed the world of football for good. I wonder if he ever plans a return. “I know how much time it takes, and the sacrifices you have to make for football. I know I must leave it until I can give it 100% and then I’ll get my boots back on,” he reveals.

“My schedule is busy, tonight we’re going to the Pride of Manchester Awards so I can’t do both. I still watch any football match I can on the telly – Paige isn’t interested! MK Dons are in the play-offs, so it’s been great to watch that, but it does make me want to play.

“Since leaving football I’ve found my life is not so structured. I am grateful I am not working a 9-to-5 schedule and I can invest my time into helping youth teams. I’ve always said I’d love to open up a bar, but that’s a long-term plan, in the meantime I

OXFORD WITNESSED HIS TALENTS FOR A PERIOD

HE PLAYED FOR MK DONS

am really enjoying fashion collaborations.”

Despite the fame and glamour, it seems Tapp, who grew up in the village of Deanshanger outside Milton Keynes, remains grounded. “I feel like I have stayed the same since Love Island and I feel grateful that Paige and I have a good support network to keep us grounded. It’s not alien that people do change a bit. Paige and I are fortunate to be in this together. I do visit my family back in Deanshanger, more recently for my dad’s 50th birthday. My parents, grandparents, cousins, aunties, and uncles all live there – plus Milton Keynes has a brilliant shopping centre! But Paige and I are hoping to buy a property soon in Scotland, so fingers crossed we find a place. Marriage is not on the cards quite yet… but certainly in the future.”

Follow Finley Tapp on Instagram @finley_tapp

HE GREW UP IN MILTON KEYNES

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W O N K O O B E L A S N O

WEATHERBYS SUPER SPRINT STARRING

SATURDAY 16 JULY GET GOING BOOK NOW

NEWBURYRACECOURSE.CO.UK

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CULTURE • PROFILE

Q Did you always want to be a writer?

A From a very early age I used to inform

everyone who would listen that my dream job was to be a writer. Well, either a writer or a trapeze artist. I couldn’t decide. I’m thrilled that I finally fulfilled my dream of becoming an author. I did try the trapeze once and realised that I really wasn’t that keen on heights.

Get to know…

SHERRY HOSTLER Q UA I N TO N - B A S E D AU T H O R

Q What originally inspired you to write Hypnotic?

A I was inspired several years ago when I was watching one of Derren Brown’s old TV experiments called ‘The Assassin’.

He basically convinced some poor chap to assassinate Stephen Fry, and it blew my mind that it could actually be possible. From that point my mind started ticking away, but I didn’t actually put pen to paper until a few years later.

Q What can you tell us about the story itself?

A It’s a contemporary psychological thriller that tells the tale of Tom who, while trying to outrun his past and save his marriage, is unwittingly drawn into a university experiment with a hidden objective: can you hypnotise someone to commit murder? The experiment is led by the obsessive Bethany who has her own agenda and secrets that she will do anything to keep safe. What Tom doesn’t realise is that the more involved he becomes in the experiment, the more he’s putting himself and those he loves at risk.

Q How did it feel when the book was published?

A It’s one of the best feelings in the world.

The first time I held an actual copy of MY book in my hands was incredible.

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QUAINTON'S WINDMILL

“So far, nobody has figured out the ending” Q What has the early reaction been like?

A The reaction has been fantastic. The book

THE AREA IS GREAT FOR DOG WALKS

is getting lots of amazing reviews on Amazon and so far nobody has figured out the ending.

Q Are you already working on your next novel?

A I am indeed. It’s another standalone psychological thriller, which is as yet untitled.

I’m about two thirds through it already, so I’m hoping that it will be published early next year. Funnily enough, since the first novel has hit the shelves, lots of people have also been asking whether I will be writing a prequel or sequel to Hypnotic, so watch this space.

Q How would you sum up your writing process?

A It’s been a three-year journey altogether, and when Covid hit, it really made me knuckle down. I say knuckle down, but I spent a lot of time procrastinating, staring out of the window, going for walks with my dog, and drinking wine. I like to think they all helped my creativity though. Especially the wine.

I thought the hardest part of the process would be the writing, but there was a lot of planning before I could even get started,

SHE'S A FAN OF WADDESDON MANOR'S GROUNDS

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BUCKS RAILWAY CENTRE

as you can’t afford to leave any plot holes in this type of book as your readers will find them. Also the editing process is long and arduous, so it definitely pays off to have a good editor. My best piece of advice to any aspiring writers would be to write the book you want to read, as you WILL have to read it about a million times!

I’m fortunate enough to have an office at home where I write. It’s wonderful to have somewhere where I can leave all my paperwork lying about.

Q How long have you lived in Quainton and what do you love about it?

A We moved to Quainton nearly five years ago. I adore living in a small village as it really does have an amazing sense of community spirit. When we first moved here I felt a bit like the new girl at school, but it didn’t take long to make some fantastic friends and we all really do look out for one another.

Q If possible, can you name three places you love visiting in Quainton – or further afield in Buckinghamshire?

A My absolute favourite place in the village is to go for a walk with my dog up Quainton Hill. It gives me a sense of calm, and I often get some great ideas for books while I’m out walking.

We are really spoilt here in Quainton with two fantastic attractions. We have our very own working windmill, which is fascinating, and we can watch its sails turning from our house; and no trip to Quainton is complete without a visit to Bucks Railway, which is the home of Thomas the Tank Engine.

Oh, and did I mention the pub and cafe?

Q With summer approaching, are there outdoor spots in the county you love?

A There are so many places that I love.

We can often be found walking in the countryside with our dog. The Waddesdon grounds are a big favourite for us.

Hughendon Park is up there too, as is Hambleden Valley. Also West Wycombe and Bradenham. I could go on. Maybe I should write a book on dog walks next!

Q What else are you looking forward to during the rest of the year?

A I’m really excited about finishing my second book and also very much looking forward to finally being able to visit my dad in Australia towards the end of the year. I haven’t been able to see him for years now so it’s going to be really special.

Perhaps I can tie in a book tour…

sherryhostler.com

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

LOCAL Q+A.indd 30

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Liberty CUSTOM BREAST PROSTHESIS

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The original 'must-have'.

Justifiably extravagant.

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RARE MILLÉSIME 2008

True to the Rare Champagne signature, Rare Millésime 2008 holds unlimited potential of growth, youth and complexity.

This champagne is crystal-clear, light gold in colour. The initial nose shines with the pure vivacity of this vintage, showing pronounced aromas of orange blossom, hyacinth and white flowers, with notes of just-ripe Williams pear, fresh coconut, almond, and tangerine. rare-champagne.com

PHOTO: MARCO STRULLU

FOOD & DRINK

RARE FIND

Food News 34 • Goat On The Roof 37 • Feast Over Flame 46 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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WHAT TO DRINK

IN THE spirit Gin recommendations for the month

TASTING NOTES

The latest launches and news from across the county

By MARK KEBBLE

By PUDDINGSTONE DISTILLERY

Campfire London Dry Gin 70cl 42% ABV  £36 An exquisite London Dry gin that has won multiple spirits awards and the World’s Best Martini Challenge, expertly balancing classic and contemporary botanicals with smoothness and complexity.

Juniper and fresh orange peel entangle with golden berry, rooibos and six other botanicals in this favourite.

Campfire Cask Aged Gin 70cl 43% ABV  £40 Forget any preconception about cask aged spirits. This is not smoky, it’s not woody, it’s simply delicious. Ten botanicals underpin a gin that draws its pale golden hue, soft fruity bourbon notes, hints of caramel and a lingering vanilla palate from the meticulously selected American Oak casks.

Campfire Old Tom Gin 70cl 45% ABV  £38 In considering how an 18th century rural distiller might approach the creation of an ‘Old Tom’ gin, one of the oldest gin styles, we’ve used fragrant botanicals that would have been available regionally; chamomile, malted barley combined with spice and lemon citrus deliver notes of sweetness.

The Campfire Gin range is distilled by founders and operators, Ben and Kate Marston, at the multi-award winning Puddingstone Distillery in Tring, Hertfordshire.

Alongside the four strong Campfire Gin range, the distillery also produces seasonal varieties and special editions in support of conservation and wildlife projects.

puddingstonedistillery.com

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Finding Karma MOLE & BADGER PUB & SHOKUDO

Karma Sanctum on the Green, located in picturesque Cookham Dean, is excited to launch its new Japanese-inspired, casual dining experience by three-time Michelin star chef, Garry Hollihead.

Following the concept’s successful launch at Wild Heart Bar & Shokudo, at its sister property Karma Sanctum Soho in London, Karma Sanctum on the Green’s restaurant has been rebranded as Mole & Badger Pub & Shokudo for the launch of its new menu. karmagroup.com

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

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FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

DAD DINNERS

Three to make Father’s Day a memorable one

GRAPE ESCAPES HORWOOD HOUSE

English wines are having a moment and what better backdrop to enjoy them against than the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside?

Freshly refurbished historic hotel, Horwood House, has announced a new partnership with multiple award-winning boutique wine estate, Chafor, to host a series of wine tours, tastings and overnight stays. horwoodhouse.co.uk

THE FIRECREST

Best of British THE SHED

Celebrating the culinary talent across the UK, The Shed, the private dining room from Tom Kerridge’s two-Michelin starred pub The Hand & Flowers, announces a new Taste of Britain series. The Shed will host some of our finest chefs in a series of one-off culinary dinners showcasing great British ingredients, supported by the award-winning British sparkling wine producer Hattingley Valley.

Look out for Gareth Ward (Ynyshir) on 27 June. tomkerridge.com

For a Father’s Day 2022 celebration that’s as special as dad deserves, make sure you’re all sitting down together at The Firecrest in Aylesbury. They’ve got so many ways you can celebrate all weekend long, including a limited time only three-course Father’s Day menu from £24.95. vintageinn.co.uk

T WO

FOR

ONE

THE RETREAT AT ELCOT PARK

MILLER & CARTER Miller & Carter Taplow have a genuine passion for steak and you can be rest assured that only the finest, most succulent cuts will make your dad’s plate. Add to that an exquisite range of fine drinks and impeccable service and you have a day to remember. millerandcarter.co.uk

The Retreat experience in Newbury is all about enjoying exceptional food and drink and they have two stunning restaurants: 1772, their all-day Brasserie, and Yu, a wonderful Pan-Asian restaurant, as well as a number of fabulous spaces for private parties. Don’t miss their afternoon tea offering. retreatelcotpark.com

Crowning moments B I L L’ S

Bill’s Windsor welcomes you to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee with a limited-edition food and drink menu celebrating the very best of British.

Streets nationwide will be buzzing all month long to celebrate Britain’s longest reigning monarch and Bill’s invites diners to celebrate the four-day Bank Holiday. Feast like a royal as guests will be treated to an array of classic British dishes and cocktails. bills-website.co.uk

D O G & PA R T R I D G E This pub in Sunninghill offers a comfortable space for socialising and having a meal in their wellestablished restaurant. They have a diverse range of products that are healthy and delicious, and some that are a little naughty but still delicious. Look out for a special Father’s Day menu on 16 June. dogandpartridgesunninghill.co.uk

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at The Henley Royal Regatta (29th June – 3rd July 2022)

SUMMER SOCIALISING IN STYLE

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25/05/2022 15:40

FOOD & DRINK • PROFILE

I

GOAT ON THE ROOF SPECIALISES IN TAPAS

SHOUT FROM THE

ROOFTOPS There’s a new restaurant in Newbury that’s well worth talking about

By MARK KEBBLE

t’s merely two days since he opened his new restaurant in Newbury, but any concerns that hospitality entrepreneur Patrick Vaughan-Fowler won’t have time to talk are quickly banished as he’s only too eager to wax lyrical about Goat on the Roof. “It’s been absolutely brilliant,” he enthuses about the opening, which took place on 26 April. “The response has been great.”

And it’s little wonder when you see what Goat on the Roof has on offer. With a focus on small plates and sharing dishes, the menu has been designed to offer the very best of seasonal produce. Think Isle of Wight tomatoes on toast, Somerset brie with Wiltshire truffle, Berkshire bavette steak with red chimichurri, wild mushroom crispbreads, Cobble Lane fennel and garlic salami, and tartare of Scottish salmon with croutons. Desserts come in the form of forced Yorkshire rhubarb with granola and elderflower, burnt Cambridge cream, and salted caramel tart with malted milk ice cream. Small plates start from £3.50, with puddings starting from £7.

It’s a tasty sneak preview of what Vaughan-Fowler and his head chef, Sam A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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FOOD & DRINK • PROFILE

“Goats are very British. People don’t seem to forget the name” May, have concocted, but – I have to ask – why the name? After a chuckle, VaughanFowler says: “There are traditional tapas restaurants in Madrid with quirky names like The Cat in the Shadows or The Duck on the Corner. I like to think that goats are very British, so I thought it matched our concept.

People don’t seem to forget the name!”

He says that plans for Goat on the Roof have been in the making for three years, but why Newbury for the location? “I have lived in Newbury for six years,” he explains, “and I have always wanted somewhere like this to go to on my days off. We want people to be able to come and join us any time, whether it be for a quick snack, a full feast with family friends, or to try some delicious wines.”

Vaughan-Fowler speaks warmly of pairing up with his head chef, describing May’s cooking style as “simple and seasonal, he lets the ingredients speak for themselves”, which are sourced from producers and farmers from the British Isles. “There are so many fantastic ingredients being produced on the British Isles,” he says on their approach. “We think it’s mad to ship food from the other side of the world when there

PATRICK VAUGHAN-FOWLER, AT THE BACK, WITH SOME OF HIS TEAM

is such wonderful produce on our doorstep.

We always wanted to produce a menu that truly celebrates the farmers and producers of the UK and heralds an identity of what British cuisine has now become. From fishermen to cheesemongers, local vintners to farmers, Goat on the Roof offers a fresh new take on the bounty of ingredients that we’ve always been lucky to have in the UK.” With tapas at the heart of what Goat on the Roof offers, there is always a reason to come back again to try something different.

Does Vaughan-Fowler have a favourite dish right now? “I’d probably have to say the Pink Fir potato and broad bean salad,” he says, before also name-checking Colchester rock oysters, local asparagus and the Isle of Wight tomatoes and wild garlic pesto.

The reasonable prices suggests this will be a culinary hit in the heart of Newbury, and the early response has been incredibly enthusiastic. Considering Vaughan-Fowler has worked in hospitality for years, and had to suffer through the pandemic, it’s wonderful to see him so happy to have Goat on the Roof open. “I am thrilled to be serving people again,” he smiles wide.

G OAT O N T H E R O O F 1 Bridge Street, Newbury, RG14 5BE 01635 580015. goatontheroof.co.uk

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Mr Hobbs is part of the Hobbs of Henley experience which celebrates 150 years of luxury boating on the Thames.

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23/05/2022 11:16

Award Winning Cricketers Gin cricketersgin.com

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

ON

Vegetables A new book from Berber & Q’s Josh Katz focuses on the simple vegetable Wo r d s J O S H K AT Z Photography JAMES MURPHY

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

Hasselback Butternut Squash With shallot confit walnut tarator Serves 4

Hasselback is a technique for cooking potatoes originating from Hasselbacken, a restaurant in Stockholm where the dish is alleged to have been first served. The potatoes are sliced at intervals but kept connected at the base, and then roasted in clarified butter until crispy on the outside but soft and tender within. This brilliant technique works on a number of different vegetables, including swede and sweet potato, but this is a favourite.

INGREDIENTS Walnut Tarator • 80g (2¾oz) walnuts, toasted • 1 shallot, finely chopped • 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped • 120g (4½oz) Greek yoghurt • ½ bunch of coriander, shredded • 20g (¾oz) sumac • Juice of ½ lemon • Flaked sea salt and ground black pepper Butternut Squash • 1 butternut squash, cut in half lengthways • 80g (2¾oz) unsalted butter • 120ml (4fl oz) olive oil • Rosemary and thyme sprigs • 4 Confit Shallots • 2 tbsp toasted jasmine rice, coarsely ground • 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds, toasted • Few tarragon sprigs

METHOD Walnut Tarator 1 Remove the skin from the walnuts by rubbing them briskly, then chop to a medium crumb, retaining some texture.

2 Combine the chopped walnuts with the rest of the ingredients for the tarator, fold through and adjust the seasoning to taste with salt and black pepper.

Butternut Squash 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F)/180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6.

2 Make incisions into each butternut squash half, at intervals of roughly 2mm (1/16in), about two-thirds of the way into the flesh and along its entire length.

3 Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil,

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rosemary and thyme sprigs, and cook for a few minutes to infuse.

4 Dip and roll each squash half in the butter to generously coat. Lay the squash halves alongside the other in a cast-iron pan or roasting pan, season generously with salt and black pepper, and roast in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour, basting regularly with the excess butter mix.

The squash should caramelize as it roasts and become soft and unctuous.

5 Once cooked all the way through and meltingly soft, transfer the squash to a plate and garnish with a dollop of walnut tarator, some confit shallots and sprinkle with ground toasted rice and toasted pumpkin seeds. Finish the dish with some picked tarragon leaves.

Cucumber Salad With pomegranate mint Serves 4

Everybody needs a quick and easy cucumber salad to balance a barbecue menu. This pairs well with just about any protein fresh off the grill, especially fish such as salmon or trout, but also chicken.

INGREDIENTS • 5 Lebanese or baby cucumbers, cut to 3mm (1/8in) rounds • ½ tbsp coarse salt, plus extra for seasoning • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

• 50g (1¾oz) fine bulgur • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 80ml (2½fl oz) extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra to finish • 100g (3½oz) natural yoghurt or Greek yoghurt • 1 tsp dried mint • 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses • 40g (1½oz) pomegranate seeds • 1 red chilli, thinly sliced • Small handful of picked mint leaves • 1 tbsp chopped dill • ½ tsp sumac • Flaked sea salt and ground black pepper

METHOD 1 Toss the sliced cucumber with the salt and set aside in a colander over the sink for 20–30 minutes.

2 Meanwhile, soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 20–30 minutes to remove some of its pungency.

3 Soak the bulgur in enough water just to cover for 5–10 minutes, drain, tip into a dry tea towel and wring dry. Transfer to a bowl and dress the bulgur with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and half the olive oil, then season to taste with salt and black pepper.

4 Combine the yoghurt, the rest of the lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil and the dried mint in a small bowl and season to taste with salt and black pepper.

5 Dress the cucumber in the yoghurt dressing and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

6 Spread the dressed cucumber across a large serving plate or platter, drizzle with pomegranate molasses then top with bulgur, pomegranate seeds, drained red onion and sliced chilli. Garnish the salad with picked mint leaves and chopped dill, and finish with a dusting of sumac and drizzle of olive oil.

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R.S. TROUTT & CO FINE ENGLISH BUTCHERS

Friendly, traditional Butchers offering fresh meat products with a modern gourmet twist.

Master Butcher with a wealth of knowledge and over 35 years experience.

Now stocking our full range of quality meats for your summer bbq Home delivery available

Serving hot and cold food all day Dry aged grass fed beef • Multiple varieties of home made sausages Pre-flavoured chicken breasts • Rolled pork belly stuffed with haggis and blackpudding Homemade beef burgers • Kebabs • Lamb chops • Pork chops • Chicken kiev Duck • Pies • Black pudding • Cheese • Scotch eggs • Home cured bacon Aberdeen House, Hazlemere Crossroads, Hazlemere HP15 7LG Tel 01494 711803 Tudor House, High Street, West Wycombe HP14 3AE Tel 01494 526880

www.rstrouttbutchers.co.uk RS TROUT.indd 43

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

• 200g (7oz) spinach • 200g (7oz) natural yoghurt • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1½ tbsp lemon juice • 50ml (2fl oz) extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tbsp dill • Flaked sea salt and ground black pepper • Pita breads or flatbreads, lightly brushed with oil and warmed in the oven or grill, to serve

METHOD 1 Pour sunflower oil into a heavybased saucepan to a 2cm (¾in) depth.

Place the pan over medium-high heat until the oil is 200°C (400°F) when probed with a thermometer.

Lower the chickpeas into the hot oil to deep-fry for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Remove the chickpeas from the oil with a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper, sprinkle with the za atar and turmeric, and season generously with salt and black pepper.

2 Bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil and blanch the spinach for 30 seconds, drain and refresh in a bowl filled with iced water, or under cold running water. Drain and squeeze dry with your hands to remove as much of the liquid as possible. Finely chop the spinach and add to a bowl. Stir through the yoghurt, garlic and lemon juice. Fold in half the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

3 Spread the borani around the base of a plate and spoon over the deepfried chickpeas. Garnish with chopped dill and finish with a generous drizzle of the remaining olive oil around the outside. Serve with warmed bread.

Spinach Borani With fried chickpeas Serves 4

on where you are in the world, some with meat, and many using blanched or sautéed vegetables that are subsequently blended or incorporated into the yoghurt. Fried chickpeas are a great topping for many dips and spreads. At our Shawarma Bar, we garnish our hummus with fried chickpeas. If you’d rather not go to the effort of making them, this borani will taste delicious all by itself.

INGREDIENTS Borani is a dish of Persian origin, though there are Turkish variations, usually involving yoghurt as a base or topping. It comes in all different shapes and forms depending

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• Sunflower oil, for deep-frying • 100g (3½oz) drained tinned chickpeas, rinsed and patted dry • ½ tbsp za atar • ¼ tsp ground turmeric

Berber&Q: On Vegetables by Josh Katz.

Published by Kyle Books.

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BBQ BOXES

ALL OUR MEAT IS 100% BRITISH, FROM FREE-RANGE NATIVE BREEDS SOURCED FROM HG WALTER AND DOVECOTE PARK.

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15 SPITTAL STREET, MARLOW BUCKS, SL7 3HJ THEBUTCHERSTAPANDGRILL.CO.UK 25/05/2022 15:40

FOOD & DRINK • EVENT ENJOY GREAT MUSIC AND FINE FOOD

A decadent

DAY OUT Why Feast Over Flame at the Henley Royal Regatta, from 29 June-3 July, will offer up a feast for the senses

F

east Over Flame at the Royal Henley Regatta is truly a feast for all the senses. Enjoy exceptional views of the regatta from Feast’s exclusive riverbank terrace, mellow music courtesy of a live jazz saxophonist and a gourmet fourcourse Feast cooked at your private ‘Big Green Egg’ bespoke BBQ table.

Experience the Royal Regatta in serious style at this immersive pop-up brought to you by the experienced team that have created some of the most memorable dining events around The Chilterns. This is an unforgettable experience and full day out to be enjoyed with friends or family.

The Feast Over Flame enclosure gives you access (11am-11pm) to a covered marquee surrounded by beautiful outdoor lounge areas overlooking the regatta.

Your day starts with welcome champagne and nibbles while you enjoy the live music and all the action on the river.

A gourmet lunch includes asparagus, fillet of beef and tiger prawns, served with a selection of sides and wine, and you will spend the afternoon socialising, enjoying S’mores and hot chocolate and, of course, watching the rowing.

Two fully stocked bars, serving a choice of over 20 cocktails and a hand-selected wine list, will also be open all day for those wishing to purchase additional drinks, and an evening burger will be served from 8pm for those wanting to while away a sublime summer evening.

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EXPECT AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

A WONDERFUL SETTING

Feast is renowned for unparalleled food, unforgettable dining and unrivalled events.

Founded by Neal and Sarah Dove (who have years of experience working at The Lanesborough, Cliveden and other five-star venues), Feast has a well-deserved reputation for exquisite presentation and intuitive service, hosting pop-ups and private events across South Bucks in outstanding locations.

All you need to do is gather a group of friends together, choose a date and book your private table!

Book now at tickettailor.com/ events/feastevents Instagram: @feastevent

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

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FOOD & DRINK • PARTNERSHIP

Candied aubergine

with vegetable curry and parmesan crumble I NG R E DI E N T S : Aubergine • Cumin • Olive Oil • Garlic Whole wheat bread • Cooked red beetroot • Red pepper • Green pepper Turnip • Turmeric • Coriander • Parmesan • Flour • Soft butter • Basil

M E T HOD 1

Cut the aubergine lengthways in two, then cut into squares, dress with olive oil, and cook in an oven for 30 minutes at 160 degrees.

2

Prepare the four curries. For the purple curry, mix the cooked beetroot with olive oil, ground cumin and whole wheat bread.

For the yellow curry, mix the turnip with olive oil, garlic, ground cumin, ground turmeric and whole wheat bread. For the red curry, mix red pepper with olive oil, garlic, ground cumin, paprika and whole wheat bread. For the green curry, mix green pepper with olive oil, garlic, ground cumin, fresh coriander and whole wheat bread.

PHOTO: MARCO STRULLU

3

RARE PA I R I N G How this rare champagne inspires a complementary aubergine dish

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T

rue to the Rare Champagne signature, Rare Millésime 2008 holds unlimited potential of growth, youth and complexity.

Rare Millésime 2008 imparts the fervour of an infinite spring.

This champagne is a crytal-clear, light gold in colour. The initial nose shines with the pure vivacity of this vintage, showing pronounced aromas of orange blossom, hyacinth and white flowers, with notes of just-ripe Williams pear, fresh coconut, almond, and tangerine. Saline and smoky hints balance the nose perfectly. The palate is crisp and precise, with citrus and tropical fruit lingering on the long, complex finish.

Mix flour, soft butter and grated parmesan.

Cook the crumble on an oven tray, ensuring it is properly broken up.

4

Cover the aubergine in the different colours of curry. Add a little Parmesan crumble and basil.

The Rare Champagne experience is a sensory journey. Champagne has this gift to sublimate, and offers a tasting of absolute generosity, mixing the beautiful and the refined. It is all the nobility of the heart that expresses itself through the wine, the moment and the people associated. An experience under the glow of excellence which, while simple and sophisticated, remains and will always remain unforgettable.

Mélanie Serre, Chef of the restaurant Louis Vins in Paris and Elsa in Monte Carlo, created this vegetarian dish to complement the flavours and aromas of Rare Champagne Millésime 2008: Candied aubergine with vegetable curry and parmesan crumble. rare-champagne.com

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

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A TA ST E O F THE CO UN TRY The relaxed setting. The breathtaking view.

A feast for the senses. A moment to savour.

Dining at Coworth Park.

A S C OT + 44 (0)134 4 8 7 6 6 0 0 D O R C HES T ER C O L L E CT I ON .C OM #DCmoments CoworthPark CoworthParkUK CoworthPark

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‘‘TASTE OF SUMMER’’ - WINE TASTING SUNDAY 5TH JUNE, 5PM

Summer is the time for garden parties, picnics and beach days. The last thing you want when the weather warms up is a rich hearty wine. But that doesn’t mean you want a drink that tastes of nothing. Whether it’s crisp whites for al fresco dining, lighter reds for barbecues or refreshing rosés for balmy evenings. We are delighted to bring to you a summer wine tasting.

During the evening we will taste a selection of delicious wines that lend themselves well to alfresco dining or tojust kicking back with a good book in the garden.

Welcome Cocktail | Twelve Wines | Guest Speaker | Seafood and Barbeque Snacks | Eton Mess Cup Once you’ve developed an appetite, we invite you to stay for dinner. £29.95 per person All wines from the evening can be bought at a retail price.

“FATHER’S DAY OFF” SUNDAY 19TH JUNE

FATHER’S DAY LUNCH It is the time of year when we can truly thank Dad for all that he does.

Celebrate with us and treat Dad to a memorable three-course family lunch.

Welcome Drink Glass of Champagne, Old Fashioned or Beer Three Course Sunday Menu Tea, Coffee and Petit Fours Priced at £39.95 per person (Children Menu Available) Father’s Day Sunday Lunch is served from 12pm - 8pm Why not add an extra special touch to the occasion with a one of our gift options?

5 Bottles of Rebellion Lager Gift Set £16.50, Gift Box Bottle of Pommery Brut Royal £35.00, Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Old Single Malt £44.95

“DRAM LOVERS’’ - WHISKY CLUB FRIDAY 24TH JUNE, 7pm

Whisky Selection - Campbeltown, Glen Scotia Double Cask, Kilkerran Heavily Peated, Kikerran 12 Years Old, Springbank 10 Years Old Welcome Cocktail | Whisky Tasting | Finish off with a glencairn glass of your favourite dram £27.95 per person

To book please call us direct on 01189 798 805 or email us at enquiries@chalkrestaurants.com Chalk Restaurant, 31 Broad Street, Wokingham, RG40 1AU

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FA S H I O N

STA R S I N OUR EY E S BERRY’S JEWELLERS

Marking their 125th anniversary, Berry’s have unveiled their OPEIA jewellery collection – a celestial-inspired range of elegant diamond jewellery crafted from 18ct white gold and platinum. Running throughout this celebratory collection is a strong focus on family, depicted by the shape of the classic circle, infused with bursts of light inspired by shooting stars. Read more on page 56. berrysjewellers.co.uk

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W H AT E V E R T H E

OCCASION Little Mistress’s latest collection, available at John Lewis, is perfect to celebrate the summer, from beach parties to wedding bashes

LIT TLE-MISTRE SS .COM

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L o o k

t o

t h e

S T A R S

We discover the inspiration behind Berry’s special 125th anniversary collection

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FASHION • FOCUS

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ewellery lovers rejoice, as one of the nation’s most beloved brands celebrates its 125th year in business by launching the special edition ‘OPEIA’ collection. Berry’s, the family-owned expert jeweller with stores nationwide, has unveiled the breath-taking range that is available to purchase in-store and online.

Designed by one of Berry’s in-house designers, Emily Rose, the OPEIA collection draws inspiration from the five generations of the Berry’s family who have run the business since its first store opened in 1897. This theme runs through each design, with Emily taking inspiration from the night sky. The final portfolio is inspired by shooting stars, comets and other cosmic phenomena that are brought to life in the flowing designs of the range, which is named after the constellation of Cassiopeia.

This anniversary collection comprises of ten pieces: the showstopping OPEIA necklace, a small and large pendant, a pair of drop and stud earrings, three rings, a bangle and a bracelet. The designer says of the new collection: “The collection is contemporary, yet timeless, with a focus on creating wearable pieces that will stand the

test of time and celebrate the company’s most important milestone to date.

“The OPEIA collection is designed to capture attention, with flowing, curved designs adorned with diamonds for that showstopping lustre. With Berry’s heritage, the theme of ‘family’ was a central concept in the collection, from mood board to final design. ‘OPEIA’ takes its name from Cassiopeia, a five-point constellation in the shape of a W, which is a nod to the Walton family who have run Berry’s for five generations.” Each design shares a significant focus on the number five to reflect five generations of family at Berry’s Jewellers – the designs feature five graduating diamonds for this very reason.

Each graduated round brilliant-cut diamond features echoes the way in which moving comets leave a trail of shimmering light behind them as they glide through a rich blanket of black night sky. Assembling different-sized diamonds in this way simultaneously creates the impression of dynamic movement and fluidity throughout each design. Meticulous attention to detail has gone into even the smallest aspects – the negative inverted space inside each circle also forms a five-point star shape, yet another nod to the meaning behind the number five.

Making each new piece from the 125th anniversary collection so special are the subtle nods to the company’s long heritage.

The focus on the Cassiopeia constellation itself tips its hat to the northern roots of the business, whilst the soaring comets and majestic shooting stars formed by beautiful

diamonds signify five generations of Berry’s craftsmanship. Symbolic of their heritage, the OPEIA Collection shows their unwavering commitment to extraordinary artistry.

Simon Walton, managing director of Berry’s, comments: “OPEIA is without a doubt a beautiful collection and one befitting of such an anniversary for Berry’s.

It is testament to Emily and her team’s skills that the pieces are so arresting.

“To make 125 years is a sign of celebration, we wanted to mark it by producing something that our clients can celebrate with us. The unveiling of this new range marks our 125th year in the business, and of this we are extremely proud.”

Chairman Jeffrey Walton adds: “If my mother- and father-in-law would have thought that we’d be here after 125 years, they would have been amazed. So, we want to enjoy every second of this, and we want everyone to enjoy it with us.”

B E R RY ' S Berry’s boasts boutiques across the nation, including Windsor. For more information, visit berrysjewellers.co.uk

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New Hours: Tues-Sat 11am-5pm | New Private Appointments Tues -Sat at 10am T: 01494 725711 | E: info@odettelingerie.co.uk

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FASHION • JEWELLERY

Sparkling times Nine of the best rings to mark any special occasion B y T H E J EW E L L E RY WO R K S H O P O F A M E R S H A M

jewelleryworkshopamersham.co.uk

Platinum, emerald and diamond ring. £11,000

18ct white gold, tanzanite and diamond cluster ring. £9,100

18ct white gold diamond cluster ring. £21,600

18ct white gold amethyst and diamond ring. £1,520

18ct white gold, ruby and diamond 3 stone ring. £10,350

18ct white gold, tourmaline and diamond ring. £4,950

18ct white gold, tanzanite and diamond cluster ring. £2,750

18ct white gold, emerald and diamond 3 stone ring. £2,750

18ct white gold, ruby and diamond ring. £3,295

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s r e t t a m t n e m o Every m

www.bpcollins.co.uk | 01753 889995 Business immigration | Corporate & Commercial | Criminal | Dispute resolution | Employment Environment | Property | Family | Wills, trusts & probate

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

T R E AT YO U R S E L F DONNINGTON VALLEY SPA Donnington Valley Spa in Berkshire is a light, uplifting space with a list of heavenly treatments, professional therapists and a menu designed to leave you feeling relaxed, revitalised and carefree. They bring together the finest spa products with the most effective and exquisite treatments.

Spa Day Bookings: 01635 551188 donningtonvalley.co.uk

Dr Rachel Ward 62 • Beauty Notes 65 • Surfing 67 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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DR WARD WORRIES ABOUT THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON OUR CHILDREN

LIFE & TIMES

A regular on our TV screens today, Berkshire's Dr Rachel Ward on the impact of Covid-19, GP issues and valuing our healthcare system

By MARK KEBBLE

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Q&A Q Were you always interested

in health and wellbeing – if not, what sparked your interest?

A Until the age of about 16 I was determined to be a vet. I spent the school holidays doing work experience at farms, vet surgeries and zoos. I then started to get fascinated by the pace at which human medicine was evolving from cancer treatments to heart disease and I knew I had to get involved. I did a week of work experience at my local hospital with my friend’s dad. On day one he took me to see a post mortem, but it still didn’t put me off. I had found my vocation.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • PROFILE

SHE IS A TUTOR AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY

Q What did you specialise in during the early stages of your career?

A Initially I went down the route of General Surgery training and in particular I wanted to be a Breast Surgeon. I took exams to become a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and got a place on surgical training. I spent an incredible 18 months working in Melbourne, Australia, in trauma surgery and cancer surgery. When I returned to surgical training in UK I realised that hospital medicine in the NHS was not what I wanted long term and I needed the independence of running my own practice.

Q How would you say you have evolved as a medical practitioner over the years?

A Like most doctors, I went into medicine to help people, but over the years I have realised that the best thing I can do to help patients is to empower them and give them the skills they need to take control of their own health.

It is very easy, for example, for me to keep prescribing more medication to patients with Type 2 Diabetes. But if I can ensure they have the knowledge and confidence to improve their diet, do more exercise and improve their diabetes control that way, their long term outcome will be far better.

Q How important was your time working in Australia?

A I have always been a huge advocate for the NHS, but I think to truly appreciate our healthcare system, which is free at the point of care, you need to live and work in other systems which run differently.

Though Australia does have a public health system, there is a greater proportion of private healthcare and different funding streams, which does influence the type of care people get. As doctors, we are very lucky that working abroad is relatively easy and such an enriching opportunity that I would recommend to anyone.

Q Where are you based today?

A I now have what we call a portfolio career

as my working week has several aspects to it. I am based in my practice in Didcot,

Oxfordshire, three days a week. I am the social prescribing lead for Didcot, so some of that time will be spent at local charities, schools and other organisations working on health and wellbeing projects. One day per week, I am a tutor at University of Oxford, teaching medical students. This was online for a while over the last two years, but it is great to be back at the University now.

Q You are a regular on our TV screens.

How did TV work first come about?

A In 2015, I was a junior doctor when the junior doctor strikes took place. I called into BBC Radio Berkshire one day, as I didn’t feel the true situation was being explained.

I spoke on the radio several times at that stage and afterwards became a regular on BBC Berkshire and Oxford. That led to some interviews on Radio 4 and Radio 5 live and a researcher from BBC Breakfast heard me talking about Covid-19. I was invited to join the BBC Breakfast team of GPs and have loved doing the appearances ever since.

Q How devastating has it been to see the destruction wreaked by COVID-19?

A It has been incredibly upsetting to see the physical, mental and societal impacts of Covid.

I have found the impact on our country’s children particularly upsetting as they are not getting those missed years of childhood back.

Initially, as doctors, we obviously felt helpless in the pandemic, but since the first vaccination was licenced we had a new focus and felt we could impact the outcome of the pandemic.

“I have learnt to appreciate the simpler things in life” A I live in a small village in West Berkshire and have been here for 12 years. We initially moved here as a good half way point when I was working in Oxford and my husband was in Winchester, but we quickly fell in love with village life and the community we have. We aren’t going anywhere!

Q You work in a stressful industry, so is it the perfect place to get away from it all?

A Though I don’t live in my GP catchment, most people still know me as the village GP. We do get the odd knock on the door for emergency assistance, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We are very lucky to be a stone’s throw from the Ridgeway and at the end of a stressful week, walking there with my greyhound, is the perfect way to clear my head.

Q What’s next for you?

A In the media, I am working on a campaign

called Rebuild General Practice – raising awareness of the staffing crisis in GP and asking the government for input.

I am also working on a very exciting project with local primary schools in my area, together with the charity Sofea. It’s called Nourish and Flourish and its goal is to embed nutrition, healthy eating and cooking skills into the core curriculum for all Year 5 pupils.

Follow Dr Ward online @drrachelwardgp

Q What do you think we should learn from the past couple of years?

A Personally I have learnt to appreciate the simpler things in life again – not being restricted on seeing friends and family, seeing our children in a school nativity, going on holiday. More broadly I think this has taught us all about the value of health and wellness and the importance of a well functioning healthcare system that we can all rely on.

Q Away from work, where do you live and how long have you been there for?

DR RACHEL WARD

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

BEAUTY NOTES

The latest in luxury makeup and skincare B y R AC H E L H O G G

EDITOR’S PICK

BARRIER

Support

FOCUS

REN

Forever bottle

REN skincare’s newest face oil is a real saving grace for stressed and sensitive skin. The ultra-nourishing formula utilises a combination of nine unique bioactive ingredients to strengthen the skin’s barrier and has been clinically proven to reduce the seven signs of skin sensitivity within 14 days of use, £44.

L’Occitane wants their customers to fill for the future

renskincare.com

Feeling

Rejuvenated D O N N I N GTO N VA L L E Y S PA

Germaine de Capuccini offer a uniquely tailored approach to skincare. With products designed to treat not just a specific skin concern, but also a specific skin type ensuring you get the right results from your skincare. The range of signature, facial and body treatments at Donnington Valley Spa are delivered by highly trained therapists. donningtonvalley.co.uk

ROSE MASK FOREO

If the weather changing has left your skin in need of a refresh, why not try Foreo’s new Bulgarian Rose Face Mask? Just apply using the UFO mask device, which activates the ingredients and boosts the strength of the formula, and within two minutes your skin will be looking hydrated and reinvigorated, £18.99.

L

’Occitane's mission to lessen its environmental impact began unofficially in 1976 when founder Olivier Baussan encouraged his customers to reuse and recycle their glass bottles.

This Eco-Refill program was made official 32 years later, and to this day is still one of the main ways the company seeks to reduce waste. The program offers customers a sustainable way to consume some of L'Occitane's most loved products, whereby they are able to purchase a reusable bottle made of 85% less plastic than the standard packaging. These bottles are refillable either by purchasing eco-refill pouches or visiting selected stores around the UK and pouring directly from the refill fountain. This program continued to grow in popularity and now 26 product lines are available to purchase with more being added every year. By encouraging customers to make this switch, the company has been able to divert 2,000 tonnes of plastic a year from landfills.

To celebrate its ongoing commitment to sustainability, L'Occitane launched Green Day Weekend in 2019. The celebration ran from the 26-29 May and this year they are offering customers a free beautifully decorated 250ml Forever Bottle when they buy any two Eco-Refills until the 8 June 2022.

L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE

250ml Forever Bottle, £3 loccitane.com

lookfantastic.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • FITNESS

FITNESS

TOP

NOTES

PICKS

By RACHEL HOGG

EXERCISE-FRIENDLY MAKEUP

PLUMP-IT LIP BALM Enriched with a blend of natural oils and shea butter, this is the perfect lip balm for a deeply hydrated, and protected pout, £17.

BLEND-IT CONCEALER A high-performance concealer that stretches and flexes with your skin and will stay put through even the most gruelling workouts, £16.

LIFT-IT MASCARA Say goodbye to panda eyes!

This waterproof mascara will lengthen and lift your lashes and won’t budge no matter how much you sweat, £20.

S K I N I N M OT I O N The innovative beauty brand that formulates sweatproof makeup you can move in. skininmotion.com

SURFING CHAMPION STEPHANIE GILMORE

S URFS -UP You can enjoy the ocean without damaging it, with Roxy’s new sustainable swimwear collection

N

ow the weather is warming up, it means it’s nearly time to brave the sea again.

Exercising in saltwater has a variety of benefits for your health besides improving your fitness, including boosting your skin’s health and mental well-being.

These benefits are enhanced when the water is on the colder side, but before you dive in, it’s important to make sure you’re wearing the right thing for your safety and comfort. Heritage surf brand Roxy has been making high-quality surf and swimwear for over twenty

years and is a favourite amongst professionals surfers, including seven-time world champion surfer, Stephanie Gilmore. Gilmore is the ambassador for Roxy’s flagship sustainable range, POP Surf, which is a collection of environmentally considered products. This range is just one part of the company's larger commitment to minimising its impact on the environment and making its manufacturing process cleaner and less wasteful.

Pop Surf has launched a colourful new collection just in time for Spring, that features brightly coloured neoprene wetsuits made from recycled rubber tyres and

bottles and swimwear made from 100% regenerated nylon. What's more, the light colours and floral patterns have been created using dope-dying techniques, which use less water than traditional dyeing methods. These changes to the manufacturing process have occurred without compromising performance, and all the pieces are twice as resistant to chlorine, sun cream and oils and are built to last longer and stay out of landfills. So whether you are a first-time surfer or a seasoned pro, you can venture into the ocean wearing something that you know is helping protect it for future generations to come.

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G R E AT DANES CARL HANSEN & SON

Design company Carl Hansen & Søn is a third-generation family-run Danish business.

They believe that iconic design is a combination of simplicity, aesthetics and functionality brought to life through skillful work with the highest quality materials.

inside this section: T O P T E N : PAT T E R N C R A Z E p 7 0 A D E C A D E I N D E S I G N AT A M E R S H A M I N T E R I O R S p 7 2 T H E L AT E S T D E S I G N A DV I C E F R O M K I T K E M P p 7 7 I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H

T O P T I P S O N W H AT T O P L A N T T H I S S U M M E R p 8 4 HOW LIGHTING CAN TRANSFORM A HOME p99

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SHELF LIFE 10 of the best... patterns COMPILED BY PENDLE HARTE

GREEN SCENE

All Tomorrow’s Futures is a multilayered depiction of the natural world in a beautiful, highlytextured fabric made from a carved lino cut pattern. £147 per metre. themonkeypuzzletree.com

FUN TIMES From the Woodstock collection, Mindthegap’s Festival Memories wallpaper is full of detail and designed with both light and dark backgrounds to suit all spaces. £195 mindtheg.uk

FOLK TALE ANIMAL MAGIC

The extra large scale Glasshouse design uses an on-trend colour combination of sage and lilac, accompanied by a light grey backdrop, and is available as fabric and wallpaper. grahambrown.com

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Alice Meadow wallpaper has a folk-inspired summery colour palette of reds, pinks, and greens with blue accents. The original design was painted by hand, then scanned onto the computer to add colour. £139 olenkadesign.co.uk

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H O M E | TOP TEN BOLD BOTANICALS

Supernatural botanicals and boldly-scaled florals sit alongside simple geometrics, stripes and plains, all designed and proportioned especially for outdoor use in Liberty’s new collection of garden fabrics. libertylondon.com

DOWN UNDER

LINEN LOVER

This abstract, ikat-inspired linen depicts the foxglove flowers which come in beautiful clusters of tubular shaped blooms. £125 eloisehome.com

Melita is the prettiest pastel reinterpretation of a glorious floral aesthetic from Aboriginal Australian heritage. The brand supports Aboriginal communities by ensuring a proportion of each sale goes back to the artists. £150 telescopestyle.com

BLONDE AMBITION

Atomic Blonde was a best-selling dress fabric before 20th Century Cloth lauched it as an interior weight fabric. The pale yellow background with a boomerang motif makes for stylish wallpaper too. £72 20thcenturycloth.com

IN A SWIRL

The pretty Baxter Swirl wallpaper design was inspired by a decorative fashion fabric.

The ornate pattern was reimagined and painted with watercolours and pencils by John Lewis’ design team. £30 johnlewis.com

LIBRARY WALL

The Art Nouveau-inspired Lotus design brings a touch of 19thcentury elegance. Each sweeping bloom is printed with real Farrow & Ball paint, creating tactility and a sense of movement. £137 farrow-ball.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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James Hare Voyager collection, stocked at Amersham Interiors

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H O M E | PROFILE

D E C A D E in D E S I G N It’s ten years since Ailsa Williams and Wendy BowmanPrice took over the running of Amersham Interiors. The former tells us how it’s gone Words A I L S A W I L L I A M S

W

endy and I were introduced by the original owners of Amersham Interiors. We had both shown an interest in buying the company, but needed to find a business partner. It seemed sensible to get us together. The two of us got on well straight away, we both had the enthusiasm and drive to make a success of the takeover. As well as the experience and passion for interior design, we had complementary skills, myself in marketing, Wendy in small business management.

The business was ready for a revamp and update, an injection of new energy and we hoped to give it that. We also wanted to carry on bringing the vast selection of fabric and wallpaper designs available right into the heart of Amersham for everyone to share.

We like to keep the clients very much involved all the way through the process. Some like to be more involved than others, but at the end of the day we are doing the job for the client and not for us, it is important to us that they

James Hare Hatton collection

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H O M E | PROFILE

“Amersham is home, so it’s great to be working in our local community” love it! Normally we start with a site visit to get to know the property, the client, their lifestyle and preferences, followed by a consultation in the showroom to present a selection of interior schemes that we have put together for them.

It’s difficult to pick out any one project because almost all of them are remarkable for one reason or another. From the large multi-million pound houses in one of our many prestigious roads to ancient cottages and farm houses, to new developments of more affordable homes, everyone needs window treatments professionally applied.

We have accounts with all the major fabric houses.

Brands that are known to the general public by way of their advertising and marketing are brands that we must stock in order to be viable interior design professionals.

We then select only the collections within these brands that we feel are right for our market and customers. The pattern books we buy are expensive, so it is important they work for us. However, this has to be earned, the top brands are very selective about who represents them on the high street and they limit their stockists within an area.

How do we look back on the past ten years? It was very tough at the beginning. Getting the business back on its

Wendy Bowman-Price, left, and Ailsa Williams

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James Hare Voyager collection

Sanderson fabrics are stocked at Amersham Interiors

feet, making it once again a presence on the high street.

However, once established as the new owners, our shop window and word of mouth soon brought the customers in.

The biggest single thing that has impacted our sector in the past decade is the internet, they don’t have our overheads or give our level of service so can discount heavily. However, I also think that is turning around to some extent as people find it difficult to choose from photographs on a small screen, something which is tactile, and requires a high level of advice in procurement.

People have wanted to revamp their homes during the pandemic, with more time spent at home, and holiday budgets being spent on interiors. So this has been good, but we did lose almost six months of trading over two lockdowns, which was damaging for turnover. However, I can’t fault the help we received from the government, which saved our business and allowed us to weather the storm and stay afloat until we could open the doors again.

We are currently looking at taking on more staff to cope with the increased workload, so growth is very much in our future plans. But we are also keeping a wary eye on the economy as the cost of living rises globally and raw materials are in short supply leading to longer lead times.

We will need to adapt to survive.

Amersham is home, so it’s great to be working in our local community. In the last 30 years since I’ve been living here, the high street has gone through many stages and I think, right now, is one of the best times for our town. It’s diverse, local businesses mixing with national staples.

The beautiful tubs with magnificent trees lining the high street and maintained by hard working volunteers have made such an impact. Café culture is alive in Amersham allowing people to stay a while and enjoy the environment.

We have a market that has become more artisan over the years and is a real draw for people outside the town. And the new leisure centre is just beginning its journey, too. amershaminteriors.com

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s u o i r u x Lu

FA B R I C S & CO LO U R S

The new Duette® collection by Luxaflex®

Boasting an exciting new selection of fabric colours and designs for every window. Duette® Shades create a feeling of pure comfort in the home with perfectly diffused light, extraordinary energy-efficiency, and the latest smart home control.

Find a showroom at luxaflex.co.uk

Luxaflex® PowerView® smart blinds works with

Apple HomeKit

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H O M E | COLLECTION

Design

destinations Designers Kit Kemp and Annie Selke launch a new travelinspired collaboration

K

it Kemp and Annie Selke have joined creative forces to produce a lifestyle collection inspired

by Kit Kemp’s favourite destinations – New York, London, and Barbados.

Drawing on the two design powerhouses’ love of travel and textiles, the collection captures the spirit of three iconic locales – translated into some 50 unique and storied rugs, dozens of exceptional pillows, bedding, and rug ottomans – viewed through Kit Kemp’s unique lens.

“We are known for adding character and style to interiors to make rooms look magical and sing. We have named the collections after our favourite destinations London, New York, and the Caribbean. I think we can all do with a good splash of eccentricity and style,” says Kemp.

“I have always travelled a great deal for work and decided a long time ago that every night away from home should be uplifting and, when possible, inspiring. Kit Kemp’s hotels are the first hotels that made that wish come true,” says Annie Selke. “This collection embodies the magic of Kit Kemp and the transformative spaces and experiences she creates.” Well-versed in the demands of hotels and other high-traffic spaces, the two founders leveraged that experience to create high style, high-performance rugs that will wear well over time.

“We can all do with a good splash of eccentricity and style”

kitkemp.com / annieselke.com

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LIVE THE DREAM

An aspirational site finding service.

At Sited we source exceptional sites for clients requiring a bespoke service – facilitating the dream of developing their own home.

See it, Source it, Sited.

Sited Limited 78 St Johns Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 9PH 07739 514350 01892 579937

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www.sited.land

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H O M E | FOCUS

Sitting Comfortably The experts at Evie & Skye on curating cushions to reflect your personal aesthetic

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rt is powerful. It changes space and can transport the observer to another place or time.

Like art, a room can also be transformed by adding a perfectly curated selection of cushions. When chosen correctly, the process of mixing cushions of various patterns, colours, textures, and sizes can enhance and invigorate a once uninspired, mismatched, or bland room. However, selecting and styling an assortment of cushions, to have the impact you desire, can be intimidating and challenging.

The good news is Evie & Skye are obsessed by designing and styling beautiful cushions.

Therefore, we thought we’d ask them to pull together some tips to help you transform your home into a fresh, aspirational space and that reflects your personal aesthetic, ready for the summer.

Step 3.

IDENTIFY A STYLING ARRANGEMENT

Step 1.

CREATE AN EMPTY CANVAS

According to Evie & Skye, “it doesn’t matter if your starting point is your bedroom, living room, family room, playroom, study or dressing room – you have to start with an empty canvas”. They recommend that you start by removing all existing cushions and accessories in the room that you no longer want.

Step 2.

CONCEIVE A COLOUR PALETTE

Spend some time just being in the room that you plan to re-decorate. Observe the room’s mood and figure out how it makes you feel. Look at the style of furniture – is it formal or casual? – and ask yourself “what is the room’s purpose, and do I need to make a change to achieve the look and feel I want”.

Once you have completed the evaluation of your room, build a palette of two/three colours to complement and enhance the space according to how you want it to feel once it has been rejuvenated.

Styling of cushions can be tricky, but the good news is it’s not a science: there are a wide variety of techniques recommended by designers pending on its general style and purpose. When identifying your styling approach, the key points for consideration are the arrangement, size, and texture of cushions. However, Evie & Skye do recommend you use two or more cushions to create interest in the space.

Step 4.

CURATE A SELECTION OF CUSHIONS

Once you have made your choice of colours, quantity, sizing, and identified your preferred textures, it is now time to do your research and find your cushions. Dani, from Evie & Skye, says: “Spend time on designer websites, as often sets of cushions have already been curated for you, giving you the confidence to mix patterns, colours, and textures.” When purchasing your cushions, Evie & Skye recommend looking for cushions made from quality materials and have a certified feather-based inner for a plush and indulgent end look. Most importantly have fun and let your space reflect who you are! evieandskye.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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WOOD BURNERS | GAS FIRES | ANTIQUE SPECIALISTS

In honour of her Majes ty’s Platinum Jubilee, we are celebrating our Best of British Manufacturers!

Chesneys of London – World famous manufacturers of fireplaces and woodburning stoves

Charnwood Stoves Manufactured on the Isle of Wight since 1972

SUPPLYING & INSTALLING THE WORL DS CLEANEST & MOST EFFICIENT WOOD BURNERS & GAS FIRES

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H O M E | DESIGN

“Contemporary kitchen tiles are stylish, durable and lowmaintenance – if you choose your materials wisely”

T T a k e

t h e

F L O O R Fed up with your kitchen floor?

Hyperion Tiles showcases the latest tile trends to inspire your next interiors update

he kitchen is the heart of the modern home.

No longer just a place to cook and eat, this room now multi-tasks as never before, which means the flooring option you choose has never had to work harder. Fortunately, contemporary kitchen floor tiles tend to tick all of the necessary boxes. They’re stylish, durable and low-maintenance – if you choose your materials wisely, and porcelain, terracotta and stone are all hard-wearing and relatively easy to care for.

Once you’ve chosen your tile material, you’ll need to consider size, shape and colour. Squares and rectangles are a safe bet – and bigger, less ‘busy’ tiles will trick the eye into thinking your space looks larger. But, parquet kitchen floor tiles are are also enjoying a moment, and work well in both modern and traditional settings.

Patterned kitchen floor tiles, such as Hyperion Tiles’ Ca’Pietra Cabana Porcelain Sicily tiles (pictured), are the perfect choice if you’re keen to make a serious style statement. Bright shades and bold designs complement the block colours of kitchen cabinetry, adding instant interest and a dash of individuality to your space. If you have reservations on overkill, define a specific area or zone with patterned kitchen floor tiles, rather than the entire room.

Another way to add interest to your room scheme is to introduce some texture or colour variations within your kitchen floor tiles. Slate and limestone tumbled tiles are perfect if you’re after a rustic, aged look. Another advantage? Every slab will be unique, allowing you to create a truly bespoke design.

For more inspiration on modern kitchen tile trends, visit Hyperion Tiles Kitchen floor tiles blog at hyperiontiles.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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Department Store Tetbury Nutmeg Mini Modular Sofa Set with 2 Stools. WAS £1,799.00 NOW £1,499.00 SAVE £300.00

£1499

Monterey Dove Grey Recliner Set with Footstools & Ceramic Top Side Table WAS £1,395.00 Now £1,099.00 SAVE £250.00

I’m

Recycled

Monterey Dove Grey Double Hanging Cocoon WAS £949.00 NOW £799.00 SAVE £150.00

The eco-friendly Tetbury collection is recyclable and includes ‘soft touch’ season-proof eco seat cushions made from recycled plastic bottles. The range comes in Nutmeg synthetic wicker and can be left outdoors all year round.

Full collection available at Daniel of Windsor, shop in-store & online: www.danielstores.co.uk Tel: 01753 801000

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H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

shown a viral video of a baby laughing.

Naturally, this caused her to laugh as well, proving she really is one of the people after all.

Royal advancements How tech has changed during the Queen’s 70year reign - and how she’s embraced it

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orn in a time when morse code was a popular form of communication, still reigning during the age of Zoom calls, the Queen has lived through some big changes in the way we connect with each other.

As we celebrate her 70th year on the throne, it’s fascinating to look at the technology and telecommunication evolutions she’s lived through (and used herself).

THE FIRST ROYAL TWEET

TELEVISED CORONATION

Charities, leaders, even countries have long vied for a brief interaction with the Queen. A Royal visit is often seen as an unmistakeable sign of importance on the world stage.

That’s why, when she visited the Google headquarters in 2008, it was obvious just how powerful the tech giant had become.

During the visit the Queen and her late husband, Prince Philip, were reportedly

The decision to televise then 27-year-old Elizabeth’s ascent to sovereign in 1953 is often credited as ushering in the advent of every UK home having a TV. For many Britons the landmark broadcast was the first time they would glimpse moving images of the Royals, with thousands buying televisions specifically to watch.

Twitter got its (unofficial) royal seal of approval in 2014 when the Queen composed her first ever tweet. While visiting London’s Science Museum, she posted: “It is a pleasure to open the Information Age exhibition today at the @ScienceMuseum and I hope people will enjoy visiting. Elizabeth R.” The short post maintained the Queen’s renowned brevity, but showed the world how she had truly embraced the digital age.

VISITING GOOGLE

CONNECTION ISSUES

Even the Queen isn’t immune from poor internet connection. While joining a video call with KPMGUK to celebrate the accounting firm’s 150th anniversary in 2020, staff were telling her stories about inclusion and diversity. In a moment all too familiar to the rest of us, board member John McCalla-Leacy was midsentence when the connection dropped out, giving everyone a frozen image of the monarch.

Moments later the connection was restored and the meeting continued, with the Queen explaining how everyone had temporarily “disappeared”. In the postpandemic world of video calling, the minor mishap was seen as a prime example of how reliable internet connection is vital to everyone, regardless of where they work from.

If you ever have important video calls, you’ll know how a fast broadband connection can make the difference between a smooth conversation and one interrupted by dropped connections and grainy visuals. Unlike many broadband providers, Swish Fibre offer a Full Fibre service, meaning lightning-fast fibre going right into your home, not just to your street. This gives you the fastest available download and upload speeds, giving you crystal-clear TV streaming and video call quality fit for a Queen, even if the whole family are using the internet.

Visit swishfibre.com to see if Full Fibre is available at your postcode

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In the

GARDEN Five plants to grow in June

By LUCY BELLAMY

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ature has a way of effortlessly arranging itself into beautiful and harmonious patterns This latespring plan adopts a pointillist approach, with points of colour working together to create bolder shapes. Allium ‘Miami’, Cirsium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’ and the tall grass, Stipa gigantea, all have flower heads made up of lots of minute flowers. The fennel leaves provide a background foil for the bulbs and perennials, while Iris ‘Sable’ in rockand-roll purple roves gently through. This meadow-esque design feels unexpected in a small city garden and has even more impact as a result. In summer the fennel has yellow flowers.

Method

1 Use a spade to dig over the soil to a crumbly consistency, breaking up any big lumps.

2 Gather together all the plants.

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3 Starting with the Stipa gigantea, space the plants out on the soil, still in their pots.This is a tall, airy plant, so consider how it will look in different spots, including when you view the scheme through the windows of your home.

4 Ad d t h e C i r s i u m r i v u l a re ‘Atropurpureum’ and Foeniculum vulgare, in ones and twos, so that the flowers and foliage mingle at the tips.

5 Dot the Iris ‘Sable’ at random among the other plants. Make sure not to place them too close together as they will grow to be quite hefty plants.

6 When every plant has a spot, dig a hole for the Stipa, Cirsium and Foeniculum.

Tap each plant from its pot and winkle out a few of the roots using your fingertips. Dig a hole for each plant to the same depth it was in its pot before planting and firming the soil down gently with your hands.

7 Next, plant the irises. Take care not to plant them too deeply, as the top of the rhizome (the woody stem that looks like a root) needs to stay above the soil. Water thoroughly.

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H O M E | GARDEN

The five plants 1 ALLIUM ‘MIAMI’ ORNAMENTAL ONION Geometric spheres of violet flowers thatare good for bees.

Architectural seedheads in winter.

• bulb • height 80cm (32in) • 5 per m2 (10ft2) • flowers from late spring to early summer

2 CIRSIUM RIVULARE ‘ATROPURPUREUM’ PLUME THISTLE A colourful cultivated form of the wild thistle, with jagged, dark green leaves and toasted-pink flowers.

• perennial • height 1.5m (5ft) • 1 per m2 (10ft2) flowers from early summer to early autumn

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8 Alliums are best planted as dormant bulbs in the preceding autumn. Bury the bulbs, 10–15cm (4–6in) deep, with their pointy ends facing upwards, tucking them between the other flowers. You can also buy them as budding bulbs in early summer, if you prefer.

Note: The flowers in this display shed their petals discreetly, which is useful in a small space.

FOENICULUM VULGARE FENNEL Feathery, bright green foliage and chartreuse, umbel flowers.

Edible, from root to flower.

• perennial • height 1.8m (6ft) • 2 per m2 (10ft2) • flowers from midsummer to late summer

4 IRIS ‘SABLE’ BEARDED IRIS A scented iris in vibrant purple.

Elegant and not too big.

• perennial • height 90cm (36in) • 1 per m2 (10ft2) • flowers from late spring to early summer

5 STIPA GIGANTEA GOLDEN OATS Ribbon leaves and tiny, papery flowers on stems 2m (6ft) tall. The delicate seedheads last all winter.

Semi-evergreen.

• grass • height 2m (6ft) • 1 per m2 (10ft2) • flowers from early summer to mid-summer

GOOD FOR...

Extract taken from Grow 5 by Lucy Bellamy, published by Mitchell Beazley, £22

bumblebees solitary bees hoverflies butterflies damsel bugs shield bugs ladybirds hibernating lacewing larvae

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

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Barclay Interiors Limited, The Lodge, 17 London Road, Ascot Berkshire, SL5 7EN info@barclay-interiors.com | +44 (0)1344 626165 | www.barclay-interiors.com BARCLAY DESIGN.indd 86

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M E | TREND BEAUTYH•OPRODUCTS FRENCH BEDROOM CO Paradise Garden Quilted Floral Bedspread, £148 frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

WOODCHIP & MAGNOLIA Wisteria Wallpaper, £85 woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk

FLORENCE BROADHURST Fitzpatrick Floor Lamp with Floral Shade, £395 florencebroadhurst.com

GINGER RAY Foiled Floral Fan Decorations, £9.99 gingerray.co.uk

FLORENCE BROADHURST

THE DESIGN ARCHIVES

Velvet Shadow Floral in Pale Teal, £115 florencebroadhurst.com

Grand Floral Velvet Fabric Mulberry, £78 thedesignarchives.com

CHINTZ CHIC

Bold florals and blooming prints are everywhere this season SWEETPEA & WILLOW Eichholtz Floral Table Lamp, £550 sweetpeaandwillow.com

GISELA GRAHAM Floral Ribbed Vase, £12.50 giselagraham.co.uk

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Floral Block Printed Cushion, £96 rockettstgeorge.com

SOFAS & STUFF Mulberry Floral Pompadour Spice Sofa, £5,263 sofasandstuff.com

EDITOR’S PICK

MADE Abel Bed Curator Floral Print, £449 made.com

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CLASSIC COLLECTIONS FOR KITCHEN FLOORING Transform your heart of the home with our carefully curated Ca’ Pietra luxury terracotta, stone & porcelain tiles.

Help bring your vision to life with our expert product knowledge & innovative ideas at our boutique destination

The Old Firestation, 67 High Street, Ascot SL5 7HP | 01344 620211

www.hyperiontiles.co.uk

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H O M E | BATHS

T U B T H U M P E R FIVE OF OUR FAVOURITE FREESTANDING BATHS

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B OAT L I F E BC DESIGNS

The original Copper Boat Baths are made in the traditional handcrafted manner used for centuries. This beautiful antique finish is achieved by applying sulphuric acid and chalk powder before sealing with lacquer. bcdesigns.co.uk

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CLEAN LINES L AU F E N

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The Lua collection includes this freestanding oval-shaped bath, designed by Toan Nguyen for Laufen to celebrate the ritual of water through a pure and linear design. laufen.co.uk

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PA I N T J O B

C AT C H P O L E & R Y E

These luxury copper baths unite classic architecture with contemporary design. Today, this style is coveted by many for its simplistic look, unrivalled comfort – and its ability to completely transform a room. catchpoleandrye.com

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S H OW S TO P P E R D U R AV I T

Duravit Happy D2 Bath has been created for supreme comfort. The White Alpine finish is smooth to the touch and adds comfort. Designed

by Sieger Design, its sanitary grade acrylic body is lightweight and requires minimal cleaning. duravit.co.uk

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AVA N T G A R D E A C Q UA B E L L A

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Acquabella's Venet tub with overflow is a spa-style centerpiece.

With sloping sides and bevelled edges, the Venet freestanding bath will be the place to relax. acquabella.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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H O M E | TREND

PEPPER SQ Cone Pendant Lamp Honey Yellow, £259 peppersq.com

EICHHOLTZ Contessa Vase, £235 sweetpeaandwillow.com

SECRET LINEN STORE Big Waffle Cushion Cover, £13 secretlinenstore.com

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Sustainable Velvet Small Sofa, £1645 rockettstgeorge.com

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Recycled Glass Yellow Vase, £60 rockettstgeorge.com

KN INDUSTRIES The Saucepan, £78 collected.daytrue.com

GOLDEN YEARS Why yellow is the colour of the moment

MUSTARD MADE The Lowdown locker, £249 mustardmade.com

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

LOAF Truffle sofa, £1745 loaf.com

POOKY Shibori Shade With Phoebe Wall Fitting, £97 pooky.com

ATKIN & THYME Archie Armchair, £449 atkin&thyme.co.uk

TALKING TABLES THE NORTHERN LINE Yellow Dipped Glaze Mug, £12.95 thenorthernline.co.uk

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Yellow Glass Candle Holder, £14 talkingtables.co.uk

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Warming your home is our Passion

We provide a full service offer, from the site survey, consultancy, 3D modelling, installation and after sales care. Our experienced team listen to your requirements, provide knowledgeable advice and a complete interior design solution that bring dreams to life.

Our engineers are qualified to supply and fit any solid fuel and electric appliance from traditional free standing stoves to highly contemporary inset and free standing fires, offering a bespoke service to meet your requirements.

We have built our reputation on honesty and integrity, always offering clear advice to ensure you get the right solution for your home and lifestyle.

Whatever your project, call us or visit our showroom

Marlow Stoves 01628 290 142 info@marlowsstoves.co.uk marlowstoves.co.uk

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TA S T E

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O U T D O O R S

H O M E | DESIGN

Marlow Stoves on extending your lifestyle outside of your home

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our dream outdoor kitchen can now become a reality.

Find stunning and durable kitchen packages in a choice of colours and materials. No expensive landscape design fees or architect drawings are required to achieve timeless style in your outdoor space.

Whether it’s a compact and stylish kitchen featuring the essential barbecue, fridge and workspace you need or a full kitchen suite, beautifully proportioned and with a generous workspace, Marlow Stoves have a solution to suit your entertainment needs in any alfresco space that you will be proud of for many years to come.

In all of the kitchens they offer, beauty and functionality combined with market leading appliances are brought together to make your outdoor BBQ area everything you’ve ever wanted. A range of stunning, robust, quality units and accesso-

ries that are flexible with design, space and budget.

With many of us spending a lot more time at home, we often reflect on where best to invest for maximum return. Investing in outdoor living gives you a greater feeling of space and a guaranteed way to enjoy the better weather. It really is the feel-good solution for you and all your friends and family.

At its simplest, outdoor living is expanding your lifestyle into your garden and patio spaces. It’s about taking those elements of everyday life that happen indoors, out. Your outside living space isn’t just for show or to grow things in, it is where you and your family eat, read, chat, socialise, cook and work.

Marlow Stoves have spent ten years building a formidable reputation locally as a small, family run business and take great pride in the quality of their workmanship and customer service. They continue to provide a full-service product from design through to installation of

wood, electric and gas indoor fires.

At Marlow Stoves (Outdoor Living) they now also consult, design, develop and build solutions for all things sociable outdoors too. From cooking on gas or charcoal, kitchen, dining, lighting, seating, shade and cover.

Most importantly in the UK climate, and their favourite subject, warmth!

Their team are not only experienced in designing and building all things to do with fire, they absolutely love to cook on it. They sell the finest British charcoal products from Whittle & Flame, Kamado grills from Kamado Joe and Monolith, outdoor ovens from Gozney, gas barbecues from BeefEater, and top rubs and accessories. They’ll even tell you where to find the best pizza toppings locally. Drop them an email to be invited to their next open day where they will show off the latest equipment and accessories, share top tips when cooking outside and enjoy free samples of what they cook.

M A R LOW S TOV E S Unit U, The Rose Business Estate, Marlow Bottom, SL7 3ND 01628 290 142 · info@marlowstoves.co.uk marlowstoves.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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H O M E | DESIGN

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Mark Taylor Design looks at sustainable development and design in the home

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e are all increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability in every aspect of our lives – and lifestyles.

Sustainable development in design is no exception. It helps to lower negative impacts on the environment and improves building performance. It minimises waste. It improves the value of your property – and, crucially, creates a healthy and productive environment.

There’s no doubt we have changed the way we live – and the way we want to live.

“I think that people have learnt to become more self-sufficient, largely because they have had to,” explains MTD managing director, Mark Taylor. “People reallocated their budgets as foreign holidays were not possible, yet renovations skyrocketed. Then,

of course, there’s the working from home phenomenon. This has prompted people to use their properties very differently.”

Sustainable development isn’t just good for the environment, it enhances personal wellbeing too. This might include creating space to decompress, and changing lighting and colours. Another key development is the rise in pet ownership. This had led to the creation of more/different spaces in which to accommodate them, such as boot rooms and utility areas.

Sustainable development is a win for the environment, and your personal and professional lifestyle. Updating your interiors, installing a new kitchen or bathroom, or even adding another room such as a properly insulated orangery, can all add significant value to your property. Before you proceed, however, it’s important to identify your key

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objectives. For some people, a sustainable design project is all about ‘opening up’ existing space. For others, the priority is to create more rooms.

The use of sustainable materials has become increasingly popular, as clients become more aware of the environment and climate change. Popular design trends include carpets made from recycled plastics, concrete work surfaces, large sheets of recycled ocean plastics converted into work surfaces and wall coverings, and eco paints.

Looking ahead, Mark Taylor thinks sustainability will continue to be a key theme within home décor. Many people are now thinking of clever ways to upcycle and recycle, in order to minimise waste and be kinder to the environment. He also thinks smart homes will go much further than simply featuring stand-alone devices. They will provide greater insights into energy use that will allow us to become more energyefficient and mindful of ecological factors. marktaylordesign.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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“You Dream It, We Build it” Made to Measure, Bespoke Furniture Custom Designed, Precision Crafted and Expertly Installed by DAY & KNIGHT

Fitted Wardrobes ■ Sliding Wardrobes ■ Home Offices Media / Display Units ■ Kitchens Unit 4, Lincoln Park Business Centre, Lincoln Road, High Wycombe, HP12 3RD 01494 267699 ■ www.day-and-knight.co.uk

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H O M E | FOCUS

“They are dedicated to helping clients realise their dream kitchen”

Keeping it in

the family

A closer look at Kitchen and Bedroom Studios, the design business celebrating 40 years with integrity still at its heart

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hen Bob Baines opened his first kitchen showroom in 1982, he wanted integrity to be at the heart of the business. Forty years on the family business is celebrating its anniversary, with integrity and excellence in customer service still at the heart of its business.

Sadly, Bob passed away in 2017, but his children are now running the Studio, with Bob’s wife Beverley not having a day to day role, but remaining the owner and keeping a keen eye on how the business is doing. Three of Bob’s four children – Heather, Sue and Peter – are involved in

in-house team of experienced fitters.

It’s a winning formula that has resulted in loyal customers coming back for new kitchens when they move or for second kitchens in their holiday homes, in locations such as Scotland, the South of France, The Isle of White, Cornwall and Grenada.

The current showroom has seven stunning displays, showcasing the best in German and British design. There is also a full range of appliances from major manufacturers including Miele, Siemens, Fisher & Paykel, Neff and many more.

There are many products that would not have been available in 1982, innovations such as Wi-Fi enabled fridges and freezers that offer remote controls, down draft extractor fans and Quooker hot taps.

With a wide range of styles and price bands, the team prides themselves on their ability to create unique kitchens and bedrooms, which match individual lifestyles, at affordable prices.

An open day on 11 June will provide the opportunity for clients and friends to come together and celebrate, with food, drink and entertainment for all the family, whilst raising money for the Royal Marsden Hospital. The fun starts at 12 noon.

Visit kbstudios.co.uk for more information

the business, with the fourth sibling Daniel running his own successful property business in London, after spending time at the showroom in earlier years.

The showroom still occupies the original premises, but expanded to take the shop next door, so is now double the size. Alongside Heather, Sue and Peter are designers Andrea and Kate, and stores person/driver Carl. Teamwork is essential within the company and always has been a key element. They are dedicated to helping clients realise their dream kitchen or bedroom. All stages of the process are taken care of, from the planning service, with the aid of CAD design, to create realistic images of their finished rooms, to the installation by the A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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H O M E | DESIGN

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ighting design tells a story.

It’s the art of transforming a space into one that matches the tone and atmosphere you hope to achieve in your home.

Although often overlooked, lighting design is a crucial step to attaining the look and feel you desire.

When considering how to use light to enhance a space, designers examine the intention behind a particular space and how lighting can be used to communicate that intention. This can be achieved by utilising the direction, intensity, and placement of particular lighting pieces.

Intentions will depend on the clients’ needs and can range from creating a focal point to highlight various decorative pieces, or softening a room to create a cosy, comfortable atmosphere.

There are three types of lighting: ambient, task and accent. Ambient lighting – or general lighting – aims to illuminate a room so that all essential features are visible. An example of ambient lighting is a chandelier to evenly distribute light throughout a room.

Task lighting is more practical and acts as a guide to help you to achieve a particular goal. This could be as simple as under cabinet lights that make it easier to prepare food in the kitchen in the evenings.

Finally, accent lighting draws attention to a particular feature in order to add character to a space. Accent lights can be used to highlight prominent artwork in the home.

Another consideration to keep in mind is whether to use warm or cool light. Warm light is characterised by red, orange, and yellow tones that create a cosier feel. On the other hand, cool light is bluer in tone and brighter than warm light.

Warm light is often best suited for bedrooms or living rooms due to the cosier atmosphere it creates, while cool light helps with productivity in functional spaces like a home office. Varying warm and cool light throughout the home can create a dynamic lighting design.

With so many factors to consider, working with an interior designer to create the perfect lighting design for your home can be a big help. A designer will work with you to uncover how to best utilise lighting design in order to suit you. They’ll tailor the space to meet your aspirations and fulfil your aesthetic preferences. Your home has a story to tell and lighting design can help you express it.

Sarah Barclay is the founder of Barclay Interiors based in Ascot – for more information, visit barclay-interiors.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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Cloisters Design is a 4th generation family run business offering custom made kitchens and furniture for every room in your home.

Affordable and transparently priced with complete kitchens including furniture, worktops and appliances - from just £15,000. ◊

www.cloistersdesign.co.uk

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01442 231466

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studio@cloistersdesign.co.uk

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271 St. Albans Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4RP

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H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

Spring forward Try your hand at some creative recycling with Sarah Louise Dix’s upholstery courses

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a r a h L ou i s e D i x ’s upholst er y c ou r se s offer the chance to learn traditional and modern upholstery in a fun atmosphere in small groups. You will be immersed in a space full of fabric, furniture and creativity that will inspire you. Whether you’ve just found your dream home or simply want to update your interior styling, reupholstering original, quality or period pieces of furniture is a great way to start – and has the least environmental impact.

Sarah Louise Dix Upholstery is a working upholstery space with a large shop front, teaching space and workroom. With her fashion design background (at Vivienne Westwood’s PR company), Sarah can guide you through the design of your chair and fabric choices.

She also offers a full upholstery service and loves nothing more than talking through styles and trends, suggesting

fabrics and trims and working with customers to achieve a lasting look.

She and her team have worked on client projects ranging from antique heritage pieces to bespoke modular boat seating and everything in between.

The workroom also refurbishes select vintage pieces to sell in the shop. Sarah is currently transforming a Mid-Century Modern G Plan Tulip four-piece suite in stunning green velvet.

With new technology being developed all the time, fabrics are now being produced with an ecological awareness.

Using recycled fabric and yarns from the fashion industry, recycled plastic bottles and less chemicals used in fire retardant barriers all help make this industry more sustainable and they’re proud to support their suppliers who offer these and have eco ranges available to choose from at the shop.

“Projects range from antique heritage pieces to modular boat seating” The studio has all the new season’s fabric books for every style, including Osborne & Little, Designers Guild, Romo, Villa Nova, Colefax & Fowler, Clarke & Clarke, Blendworth & Linwood and more.

Based just outside London in Godalming, Surrey, Sarah Louise Dix offers ten week courses and Saturday footstool workshops run from 10.30am to 4.30pm, which are the perfect starting place for beginners wanting to try traditional upholstery for the first time. sarahlouisedix.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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P A T T E R N C

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Eley Kishimoto’s second collection for Kirkby Design is bold, striking and distinctive Words P E A R L B OY D

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H O M E | DESIGN

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reativity and excellence are paired with humorous fantasy in Kirkby Design’s second collaboration with ‘the patron saints of print of the fashion world’ Eley Kishimoto.

Kirkby Design and Eley Kishimoto originally joined forces back in 2017 with a range of textiles and wallcoverings that captured the vibrancy, originality, and personality of both brands.

For 2022, with the same visionary values, the two brands have reunited, taking the collaboration to new sophisticated heights by further exploring Kirkby Design’s experimental nature and penchant for extreme textures with Eley Kishimoto’s daring and decadent use of colour and pattern. Kishimoto’s Mark Eley says: ‘ I believe that with the integrity and quality of our relationship, we can continue with our collective

vision to make the interior world a prettier, more comfortable space.’”

Distinctive in its eclectic and contemporary appeal, this collection of fabrics, wallcoverings and accessories, effortlessly combine signature graphic designs with innovative textures.

The collection includes Six different prints.

Flash is an Eley Kishimoto signature and comes in a decorative weave in distinctive wool bouclé, as well as a handwoven wallcovering. The natural texture of handwoven raffia provides a contemporary backdrop for this digitally printed, strikingly modern design.

A Kirkby Design Studio fantasy collaboration, Graphic Fairytale is a distinctive and playful hero piece which has everything. Using elements from across the collection to narrate a story, this design is eclectic, retro and yet contemporary. Woven on a traditional loom, a tapestry like quality displays a graphic scene that combines design elements from across the Kirkby Design x Eley Kishimoto II collection.

Not just a pretty face, a floral design of highly stylised roses and thorny geometric shapes offers the perfect hybrid of graphic and organic design in Jagged Roses, which is a decorative velvet elevated by a unique contrast of scale and texture, a bed of sharp, thorny roses is illustrated through a fine cut and uncut cotton velvet. Woven on a traditional loom, this design offers fascinating luxury.

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Set in the glorious surroundings of Windsor Racecourse, with a wide variety of Exhibitors, Catering, Licensed Bar and Live Music.

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H O M E | XXXXXXXXX

Home Centre takes its inspiration from honeycomb, the iconic structure created by bees. The simple interplay of hexagons and circles uniquely allows for multiple design interpretations in the quintessentially playful style of Eley Kishimoto. In the decorative weave formed by cut and uncut velvet, geometric shapes create a sophisticated, small-scale design with a satin sheen ground.

With an unapologetically bold aesthetic, the Home Centre wallcovering sees metallic inks printed onto a natural wood pulp, adding further intrigue and an element of the unexpected in this three-colour design.

In Origami Rockets, the effect of multiple folded paper aeroplanes in flight is created by an arrangement of basic geometric shapes in a range of muted and colourful shades. Complexity and simplicity characterise an endlessly intriguing design. The decorative velvet comes in six new shades and the 3D appearance of the design is accentuated through textured cut and uncut velvet. For the printed wallcovering,the perfect complement to Flash and Jagged Roses, this textured plain is presented in a range of contemporary shades. A handwoven, natural raffia wallcovering which creates subtle texture and a stylish statement.

“A contemporary and sometimes playful approach to innovative design and colour” Jordan Mould’s influential British interiors brand, Kirkby Design, has a contemporary and sometimes playful approach to innovative design and colour. Creating distinctive textiles from its in-house studio in London, Kirkby Design has also pioneered unique collaborations including the successful Underground collection with Transport for London.

Established in 1992, London-based print studio Eley Kishimoto gained global notoriety through a plethora of outputs ranging from fashion, to diverse architectural and design collaborations.

Although initially celebrated for their vibrant fashion collections, the company has now become renowned for their ability to decorate everything.

Having created designs for top fashion houses including Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen and Louis Vuitton, Eley Kishimoto also have their own successful fashion label.

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Developing Remarkable People

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Did you know that Heatherton has a rising 3 co-ed nursery?

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E D U C AT I O N

MINI EXPLORERS Forest Schools are prime examples of how being outdoors can help children learn.

Whether that is about nature itself, or perhaps picking up some vital soft skills that will stand them in good stead later in life, heading outside opens up a world of opportunity.

Turn over to read one expert's view on what it can bring to an educational experience.

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GREAT OUTDOORS Why being in nature can be the best kind of classroom

By S U E L A I D L AW

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EDUCATION • FEATURE

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ince December, I have been very fortunate to have made frequent visits to Somerset. It is proving a unique experience in my life, seeing how the seasons are evolving every month in one particular, very rural spot. From the dark December days to the joy of turning the corner and seeing the first budding daffodils, followed by May’s bluebells and watching the birth of lambs. All this is often missed in busy urban lives and it has highlighted to me, once again, just how important it is for all of us to learn from and in nature.

One very obvious way for children to embrace outdoor learning is through Forest Schools. Not only are there opportunities for young children to enjoy nature-based, child-led activities on a regular basis, but there are also opportunities for taking part in school holiday Forest Schools.

Besides Forest Schools, there are many courses and activity holidays available for children of all ages to learn in and about the outdoors – such as sailing, kayaking, climbing, birdwatching... something for everyone. Indeed, many schools are, once again, taking classes on residential trips focussing on outdoor learning and activities.

In my own early and adventurous teaching days, we took two classes of eight-yearolds to an island in the middle of the River

“It can lead to a lifetime of greater confidence and adventure” Thames for a few days, crossing over in a small rowing boat type ferry. On another occasion, we even discovered the fjords in Norway with a group of 11-year-olds.

These educational visits afforded amazing creative education for those children. Of course, over the years, regulations and safety requirements have become tighter, but the same rewarding experiences still remain.

As children grow older, many take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, the highlight of which is the expedition. If they stay the course through the Bronze and Silver Awards and learn, develop and familiarise themselves with the skills, the Gold Award Expedition can provide challenging and exciting experiences that can lead to a lifetime of greater confidence and further adventures.

However, perhaps the most valuable times of outdoor learning are those spent as a family. I am a huge advocate of allowing children to dig in mud, climb trees, investigate worms and insects, and simply explore the outdoors. Not only do they learn about nature and wildlife but, without knowing, they are developing their co-ordination, spatial awareness, sensitivity to things and people around them, learning to work as a team – and embracing well-being.

One of my happiest family holiday memories is set in the rural Languedoc. Our three young children and those of our friends spent two weeks messing about in a shallow stream, with a local French boy who spoke no English. They made dams, went “upstream”, watched fish and were totally engaged in all that they discovered and the adventures that they had. For them, it opened up a new world.

Modern life has so much to offer, but let us all – children and adults alike – grab as many opportunities to learn in and from nature. I still have so much to learn.

Sue Laidlaw is founder of Laidlaw Education LLP, which offers educational advice, lessons and courses for children of all ages through their centres, including Laidlaw Hall supporting children with special needs, and the Laidlaw Virtual Academy. For more information, call 020 8487 9517 or visit laidlaweducation.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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Enjoy the journey Based in the heart of Windsor, Upton House is a thriving Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School for boys and girls aged 2-11 years

With high academic standards, high calibre staff and excellent pastoral care, Upton House children blossom and have a zest for life, continually learning and developing their abilities, interests and talents within a caring and supportive environment.

Our children thrive in the modern world and we invite them to think outside the box.

Call 01753 862610 or email registrar@uptonhouse.org.uk

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EDUCATION • TALKING HEAD

“I believe in the importance of a strong all round educational provision”

CAROLINE TOWNSHEND

A new ERA

Caroline Townshend has been appointed as the first female Head of Crosfields School, taking up her position from April 2023. We find out more Q What drew you to the role of

Head at Crosfields School?

A From the moment I saw the role of Head at Crosfields advertised, I knew that it was the perfect fit for me; this is a pivotal point in the development of Crosfields and I am incredibly excited to have been appointed!

I firmly believe in the importance of a strong all round educational provision and empowering each individual, both of which are at the heart of a Crosfields education. It is clear that Crosfields is a kind, welcoming school community and one which my family and I very much look forward to joining.

Q What are you looking forward

to bringing to the role?

A Much of my experience over the past eight years has been related to setting up schools, which I have enjoyed enormously.

The launch of Crosfields Senior School,

housed in a state-of-the-art new building, has been a real success and is an incredibly exciting area of development to which I know I can bring much experience.

Following my studies in Psychology and Educational Neuroscience, I have always had a strong interest in the wellbeing of children and I am so pleased this is a central pillar of Crosfields.

Q When pupils start with you at

three years of age, how do you look to instil a love for learning?

A Children have a natural curiosity and love of learning, and we nurture this by providing engaging, first-hand experiences, within a safe and nurturing environment.

The children are surrounded by caring adults who enjoy talking with them and discovering each of their individual interests.

CLASSES ARE ENGAGING

Q What are students prepared for

when they move into the senior years?

A Crosfields School recognises the

importance of supporting students particularly at the point of transition. By offering Nursery to GCSE on one site we can ease concerns for children and their families. To support the transformation from Junior School pupil to Senior School student, the specialist teaching is delivered to the end in an environment with the latest equipment, such as the Design and Technology suite, and new science labs.

Moreover, our focus on wellbeing and pastoral support through a dedicated house system enables us to work alongside each individual and empower them to make the best choices moving forward.

Q When your students head into Senior

School, what opportunities are provided?

A With over 90 different co-curricular

activities offered from Nursery to Senior School, we provide equal opportunities to all students to participate and explore their interests in a safe and nurturing environment. Our staff look to instil resilience and independence within all A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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EDUCATION • TALKING HEAD

SPORT PLAYS A KEY ROLE AT CROSFIELDS

pupils as they mature into young adults.

We have high academic expectations of all students and we encourage them to be academically ambitious. Strong results open doors to future opportunities.

However, such results should not come at the expense of all round development.

Co-curricular activities are age appropriate and prepare our students to take part in nationally recognised programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Q What kind of things happen at

Crosfields School outside the classroom?

A Crosfields delivers a truly broad and thorough education with an exciting

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co-curricular programme that is equally engaging. With over 90 co-curricular activities available across the school, here is a flavour of what Crosfields has to offer outside of the classroom.

Forest School sessions from Nursery through to Senior School, across five designated areas surrounding the school.

Our state-of-the-art swimming pool enables us to offer swimming lessons starting from Nursery. Sport is an important aspect of life at Crosfields School with even the youngest children being taught by specialist teachers.

Children can take part in many sports including cricket, hockey, netball, rugby, football, lacrosse, rowing and cross-country running as well as gymnastics, and there are weekly matches against other schools. This year we even made cricket co-educational following a campaign from our Year 4 pupils.

There is a love of the creative arts and children can join choirs, orchestras and ensemble groups to express their passion.

Outside of school we encourage and support children entering external competitions such as public speaking, debating, maths challenges, choirs, and languages.

Residential and curriculum trips are also an important aspect of a Crosfields education. These are offered to children from Year 2 onwards, supported by a plethora of curriculum day trips from Nursery onwards.

THE NEW SENIOR SCHOOL BUILDING

Q What is your future vision

for Crosfields School?

A As the Crosfields community grows

and expands its educational provision for children and young people through to the end of GCSEs, my role is to ensure that we remain true to our mission: to provide an exceptional education which is broad, thorough and enjoyable, enabling children to make the most of themselves and be considerate of others. Schools are incredibly special communities that are about so much more than examination results. We have a responsibility to ensure the pupils leaving us at 16 are respectful, inquisitive and independent with a strong set of values and motivation to have a positive impact on society. crosfields.com

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Welcoming girls into Year 7 from 2023

With 40 years’ experience teaching girls, Reading Blue Coat is excited to extend its Co-Ed provision to welcome girls into Year 7 from September 2023.

For more information please contact the Admissions Team rbcs.org.uk

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Empowering each Individual

Showcase

CELEBRATION Saturday 17th September 2022

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FACT FINDER

There’s plenty to discover at Heatherton School in Amersham

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eatherton is a close-knit, dynamic, and forward-thinking school, which wholeheartedly believes a child’s education should be inspirational, challenging and nurturing. Their pupils belong to a warm, friendly, and happy community, where they feel secure and able to become independent learners who are willing to be adventurous and explore the unknown.

Although Heatherton School is well-known in the area, there are some aspects of school life that are less well known. For example, did you know that Heatherton has a co-ed nursery?

Where brothers and sisters can attend

together, their dedicated Early Years learning environment is where the building blocks for lifelong learning are laid. Their nursery girls and boys are very much part of the whole school and have specialist sessions for French, music, science, computing, art, ballet and PE. A team of teachers who are passionate about their subject and classes plan engaging and individualised lessons for each child they teach. The small class sizes with a teacher and TA allow for a high adult to pupil ratio to offer the appropriate level of support and challenge.

Did you know also that, as part of an enriching curriculum, Heatherton offers a vast array of educational day trips, visitors and clubs to further enhance the children’s learning and bring to life the topics of study? They

“Their pupils leave as remarkable people who are motivated to make the next step”

EDUCATION • FOCUS

take part in the local prep schools’ sports fixtures and galas. They always do well in cross-country, lacrosse, netball and athletics, and their girls love to play cricket and football too.

Did you know that as part of the Berkhamsted family of schools, they are in the enviable position of being small enough to have outstanding pastoral care yet large enough to have specialist staff, cutting-edge technology and cross-campus facilities? For example, their Year 3 to 6 girls use the Berkhamsted swimming pool for their weekly lessons and the whole school benefits from use of the outdoor activity centre, theatre and chapel.

Did you know that in October 2021, the Independent Schools Inspectorate found them to be a school enabling both ‘excellent’ pupil achievement and ‘excellent’ pupil personal development?

When the journey at Heatherton School comes to an end, it is just the beginning. Their pupils leave as remarkable people who are motivated to make their next step. There are many avenues open whether it be passing the 11+ and joining the local grammar school, another independent school or continuing their educational journey at Berkhamsted. As of September 2022, pupils in Year 4 and below at Heatherton will not be required to take an entrance exam for Berkhamsted Girls, making their journey through as smooth and seamless as possible.

To book a tour, call 01494 726433 or email admissions@heatherton.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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We are celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

“Excellent in all areas” - most recent ISI Inspection

Aiming high - flying higher Co-ed Nursery & Prep School Rising 3 to 11 Years Eton End School 35 Eton Road Datchet Berkshire SL3 9AX

www.etonend.org

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EDUCATION • NEWS

EDU CATION NEWS The latest from schools across the county

Star t at the End

Sum of their par ts

Eton End is a co-educational independent nursery and day school for children aged from 3 to 11 years set in beautiful, extensive grounds. Established in 1936, they merge tradition with a creative, dynamic, inclusive and aspirational approach to sustained successful learning.

Eton End pupils achieve excellent academic standards and develop a love of learning in small classes with specialist staff; wellbeing is pivotal to their educational ethos as they believe happy children continue to thrive. Looking ahead to senior school success is an important part of their preparation and journey too, be that for independent or grammar school options.

Local preparatory school, St George’s School Windsor Castle, has announced that 39 of its students from across Years 5 to 8 have been recognised for their achievement in the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Junior Mathematics Challenge. With eight students awarded Gold, 11 Silver and 20 Bronze, the results are the best in the school’s history of entering the competition.

Four of the children will now go on to compete in the challenge’s next phase, named the Junior Kangaroo, and one will represent the school in the prestigious Junior Olympiad, which is open only to the highest-scoring participants nationwide.

etonend.org

stgwindsor.org

SETTING THE SCENE Students from Great Marlow School had their chance to put questions directly to the project team behind the planned Marlow Film Studios, in a session organised by the school’s headteacher Kevin Ford. Four representatives of Marlow Film Studios were invited to the school to give a short presentation to 120 students aged between 15–17, ahead of the formal planning application being submitted to Buckinghamshire Council later this month.

“I invited representatives of both the Marlow Film Studios and those campaigning against it, to come into school so students could put their questions forward – and most importantly hear the answers directly

from the team involved about the matters which are most important to them,” says Mr Ford. “The studios potentially offer future generations of Marlow a great opportunity and it is important that young people are able to make up their own minds about its impact – both positive and negative.” gms.bucks.sch.uk

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Drowning in IT problems?

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PROPERTY • PROMOTION

“Thousands of pounds in reduced ground rent over the term of an existing lease could be saved”

STAYING POWER

Leaseholds are changing, but how will it affect you? B P Collins’ residential property team explains What is a leasehold property?

Owning a long leasehold interest in a property means you own the building, but not the land on which it stands, for a fixed term period of several years. A leasehold property is a depreciating asset, which is ultimately returned to the freeholder or landlord when the term of the lease ends. Leaseholders are also bound by contractual terms contained within the lease, such as the requirement to pay a service charge, ground rent and seek the freeholder’s or landlord’s permission to carry out any major works to the property.

Owing a leasehold property can be very expensive in the long run, particularly if it is shared ownership

or acquired via Help to Buy, plus costs can also mount up considerably when you sell a leasehold property.

What impact does the Government’s Ground Rent Bill have on leaseholds?

The Ground Rent Bill received Royal Assent in February 2022 with the Act coming into force in June, which means that the government’s objective of capping ground rents in new, long residential leases to a ‘peppercorn’ rent of zero is being implemented this year. As such, an existing lease will not be caught by the provisions of the Bill and the leaseholder’s ground rent under that lease will not change even after the Bill becomes law. A lease

extension or deed of variation, however, is usually as a matter of law deemed to be a surrender of the existing lease and grant of a new lease of the same property.

It is therefore anticipated that most lease extensions after the Act comes into force will impose peppercorn ground rents.

How much could homeowners save?

Thousands of pounds in reduced ground rent over the term of an existing lease could be saved, especially if a lease’s current ground rent is uncapped and subject to escalation (which can lead to unintended statutory consequences affecting the value and marketability of leasehold properties). A premium would, however, still be payable to the landlord to compensate it for its loss of rent and any marriage value.

For B P Collins’ full article on leaseholds, you can sign up to receive the next edition of its complimentary magazine, Insight, by emailing, enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk. For buyers of new properties, the reforms are likely to be a welcome change as it should stop them paying excessive ground rents. The proposed changes do not, however, help existing leaseholders with high or escalating ground rents.

For advice please contact B P Collins residential property team on 01753 889995 or email enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk; bpcollins.co.uk

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Made to any size, design and finish.

Visit our 10,000 sq ft showroom where we have over 500 pieces on display, all fresh from our workshop. Buy straight from the shop floor or have your very own custom table made to your size, design, and finish.

Each table that we produce is individual, characterful, and built to be passed down for generations.

Visit ennisandbrown.co.uk to see in stock tables and our Bespoke Table Guide.

Email. enquiries@ennisandbrown.co.uk Tel. 01442 827961

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Showroom. Tringford Piggeries, Tringford Rd, Tring, HP23 4LH Open 10am-4pm everyday including bank holidays

25/05/2022 16:15

A life lived well with dementia A truly bespoke approach to dementia care, the Signature Way At Signature at Beaconsfield we understand each individual’s journey living with dementia is different which is why the care we provide is bespoke to each resident to fit around each of their needs, likes and dislikes. Our approach is to get to know our residents, be encouraging, supportive and reassuring enabling our residents to live well with dementia.

“I have not seen her look so happy and healthy for years. She has a beautiful room, with her own kitchen and bathroom, overlooking a lovely, cared for garden. My aunt has made lots of friends and there is always so much going on. Sunrise is very well run and my aunt could not be better cared for.”

Review from Sheridan M (Niece of Resident)

ASS I ST E D L I V I N G | D E M E NTI A C AR E | NUR SI NG | R E SP IT E

To find out more about how Signature at Beaconsfield can provide total peace of mind for you and your loved ones, please contact our Client Liaison Manager today.

01494 840339 | enquiries.beaconsfield@signaturesl.co.uk | signature-care-homes.co.uk

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