Absolutely Cheshire November 2023

CHESHIRE

Cheshire

NOVEMBER 2023 / £3.95

PLU S SARAH JAYNE DUNN From Hollyoaks to hot property

S P EC I AL Stylish decorations and gifts galore

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ALDERLEY EDGE

Where luxury and location meet in perfect harmony NOVEMBER 2023

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SPARKLE AT ARKLE

Dining out at The Chester Grosvenor

ABSOLUTELYMAGAZINES.COM

Step to IMPRESS

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PENELOPE CHILVERS SHOWCASES THE LATEST IN FOOTWEAR AT TUULA IN ALDERLEY EDGE ST YLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGA NT

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Beech Lane Chapel, Beech Lane, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 2DR Tel: 01625 503 092 | www.davidlislekitchendesign.com

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CONTE N OV E M B E R 2 0 2 3

170

59 C U LT U R E AGENDA

62 ELLIOT HILL

145 TREND

68 ON THE MENU

146 DOVE ARCHITECTURE

24 SOPHIE ATTWOOD

FA S H I O N & B E A U T Y 80 LUCY QUARTERMAINE

153 KITCHEN KIT

26 ALDERLEY EDGE

84 THE SHOOT

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The latest events in Cheshire, including a double serving in Warrington

20 SARAH JAYNE DUNN

Talking taboo subjects and Cheshire haunts with the former Hollyoaks star

The Nantwich PR guru reflects on her top campaigns

Once known as Chorlegh, how the area become Cheshire's prime hot spot

38 FOUR OF THE BEST...

Exploring the work of a quadruple of Cheshire photographers

FOOD & DRINK 60 TASTING NOTES

The most exciting foodie news from across Cheshire

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Meeting the executive chef of The Chester Grosvenor

Fine dining at The Vines at Carden Park Hotel

The Chester jewellery designer on creating something unique

Step into autumnal style courtesy of Penelope Chilvers

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JEWELLERY

Gems that will make your ears truly sparkle

INTERIORS 140 LIFESTYLE INTERIORS

Cheshire's Gemma Schofield on staging rooms and launching fragrances

Autumn colours are winning us over both inside and out

We visit the Warrington-based practice to uncover why this female-led team has become an industry leader

Five of the hottest products right now for the hub of the home

E D U C AT I O N & K I D S 176 TALKING HEAD How reading is promoted at Birkenhead High School Academy

180 LIFE SKILLS

We head to Aysgarth School to see how they are setting pupils up for the future

185 LOUISE BOYCE

The model and mum of three on the chaos of motherhood

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E D I T O R'S

Picks

CHRISTMAS

Comes earlier every year you say? Not on our watch, as we showcase some of the unique gifts to buy right now (p47)

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WEDDINGS

Planning for your big day is stressful, we know, so inside this supplement we aim to take the pain away (p97)

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t has been a little overwhelming.

What, you may ask? The hugely positive response to the first issue of Absolutely Cheshire, that's what.

When you spend months planning, preparing and writing a brand new magazine, you never quite know how it will be received out in the big wide world.

Having worked in publishing for over two decades, I know the county is home

For the home...

Interior design's top trends (p145)

to other lifestyle titles, but we just felt that there was room for something a little different. And it's been satisfying to find out that is indeed the case.

So on to the difficult 'second album'.

We didn't put all our eggs into the one launch basket, and inside you will find not one, but two specials, as Christmas comes early and wedding bells ring out.

Our exclusive interviews this month throw up suprising things, from taboo subjects with Sarah Jayne Dunn, to Chester jeweller Lucy Quartermaine's drive to always create something new. We know how she feels.

As always, do get in touch with your stories, this is your magazine as much as ours. Enjoy the second issue.

WA R R I N G TO N A R T S

The magazine closes with welcome news that Warrington will have an ever bigger festival in 2024 (p194)

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

The online guide to inspirational local living O N T H E C OV E R

MARK KEBBLE EDITOR

Penelope Chilvers AW23 collection (penelopechilvers.com)

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EDITOR MARK KEBBLE ART DIRECTOR PAWEL KUBA SENIOR DESIGNERS MIKE ROBERTS SUZETTE SCOBLE MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER CARMEN GRAHAM JUNIOR DESIGNER JOE MUNSEY PRODUCTION MANAGER DANICA BRODIE MEDIA CONSULTANT CHARLIE CREED FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTORS CRAIG DAVIES JAMES FUSCHILLO NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT

For editorial enquiries please email: mark@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 07818 690 386 or email: craig@zest-media.com

Studio G06, Wenlock Studios, 50-52 Wharf Road, London N1 7EU; 020 7704 0588 Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors.

We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters.

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ABSOLUTELY • THIS MONTH DANIELLE LOVES ALL THAT CHESHIRE HAS TO OFFER

DANIELLE GREGORY

Cheshire CHATTER City or country life? Why not have both, writes Danielle Gregory

A

fter years of living in Chester and the surrounding areas, it's been an incredible opportunity to really see the county flourish. Back in the day before I met Sam [Allen] and started Doll Beauty, I lived in a few different cities, but being away for the last few weeks celebrating my 40th, I can't wait to get back to Cheshire.

I currently live in Wimbolds Trafford.

Being in Chester really does give you A STUNNING VIEW OF EASTGATE CLOCK IN CHESTER

the best of both worlds, with an ever growing social scene mixed with the countryside on your doorstep. You can easily hop between city life and rural living at the drop of a hat.

One thing I really love about the location is the accessibility to both sides of the Cheshire scenery. Just ten minutes one way you have gorgeous villages such as Hoole and Christleton, and a short drive the other way you’re heading to beautiful villages such as Tarporley and Alderley Edge.

One of my all time favourite places to visit has to be The Hollies Farm Shop in Little Budworth, Tarporley. They have everything under one roof from a local butchery, delicatessen, takeaway, Gift Barn and Luxury Forest Lodges.

For another option on lodges, I absolutely love the Rackery Retreat; based just outside of Chester in Rossett, The Luxury Glamping site is incredible and makes the best staycation if you just want a little home away from home without travelling the earth.

We’re planning on visiting again very soon and taking our lovely Dolly the pom – being the star of the show, she can't miss out on the fun can she?

Danielle Gregory is the co-founder of Doll Beauty, see more at dollbeauty.com

This month

I'll be visiting…

The brand new Sexy Fish restaurant just opened in

Manchester. The decor looks stunning and the food is absolutely a bit of me.

San Carlo – the restaurant recently opened up in Alderley Edge and I cannot wait to go with the girls.

Chef's Table recently opened on Pepper Street Row in Chester and I cannot wait to head there for Sunday dinner. I’ve heard nothing but good things, so me and Mason will certainly be popping in as soon as we can.

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N E W WAV E S

Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love

Oliver James makes the finest inflatable Lilos. These are pieces that stand the test of time and look great, with no punctures, no mould and not even any colour fade. Doubles from £1,385. oliverjameslilos.com

ELECTRIC BLUE New from Dyson is the Blue Blush range, a fabulous matte shade for the world's best hair tools.

The Ultra-Blue was built on the intense hue of the lapis lazuli semi-precious stone and it's a true showstopper. dyson.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

TO P TUCK Designed in a nonchalant, relaxed fit in refreshing pale blue, Whistles' Nancy top features a gathering detail around the neck and a drawstring detail at the hem, making it a minimal yet playful silhouette. whistles.com

SOLE MAN Terry de Havilland's metallic leather block platform sandals are just as fresh today as they were in the 1970s. This is Zia, with a lightning flash on the heel. terrydehavilland.com

COMPILED BY

PENDLE HARTE

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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES

TRUE BLUE It's not time to give up on sunglasses yet, and we are loving the collection of frames in various shades of blue at French eyewear boutique Bloobloom. bloobloom.com

HOME OF STYLE The Conran Shop's fabulous online store is a treasure trove of everything from large pieces of furniture to small accessories. conranshop.com

T H E I TA L I A N LOOK Borbonese is a historic Italian brand of bags and accessories. Founded in Turin in 1910, the brand is universally recognized for its Eye of Partridge Suede, capable of attracting an elegant and cosmopolitan clientele. borbonese.com

LIGHT UP

SECOND SKIN

Hay's stylish candles and candle holders come in a variety of shapes and colours. Kit yourself out for autumn evenings. hay.nl

Marie Jo's Jane Italian brief comes in a beautiful Velvet Blue shade with intricate embroidery and a feminine vibe. ameliesfollies.co.uk

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

FILL IN Les Mondes de Diptyque is the brand's first scented candle collection offering refills with an assortment of accessories. diptyqueparis.com

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Limited to editions of 280, our newly-commissioned Art Deco posters feature glamorous holiday destinations around the world, ski resorts in the European Alps, and the world’s greatest historic automobiles. Over 100 designs to choose from, all printed on 100% cotton fine art paper, measuring 97 x 65 cms. Priced at £420 each (inc. UK sales tax). Private commissions are also welcome. @pullmaneditionsposters All images and text copyright © Pullman Editions 2023

Pullman Editions 94 Pimlico Road Chelsea London SW1W 8PL +44 (0)20 7730 0547 info@pullmaneditions.com

Our central London gallery

V iew and buy online at www.pullmanedit ions.com AD PULLMAN.indd 16

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C U LT U R E

KILLERS of the FLOWER MOON 1 NOVEMBER, THE REX WILMSLOW

Based on David Grann's best-selling book, set in 1920s Oklahoma and depicting the serial murder of members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation, a string of brutal crimes that came to be known as the Reign of Terror. A truly epic cinema experience from Martin Scorcese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. An entertaining and thought-provoking instant classic. rexcinemawilmslow.com

Agenda 18 • Sarah Jayne Dunn 20 • Alderley Edge 26 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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The Agenda

EV E N TS N OT TO M I S S I N C H E S H I R E

E XH I BI TI ON

A Stitch In Time

Until 21 January WA R R I N G T O N M U S E U M Warrington’s finest tailors, milliners and cobblers who worked to keep the town’s residents ‘clothed and booted’ in times gone by are the focus of a new exhibition. A Stitch In Time will showcase a selection of garments, accessories and footwear from Warrington Museum and Art Gallery’s rarely seen costume collections. The exhibition will explore the lives and tell the stories behind Warrington’s costumiers of the past. wmag.culturewarrington.org

E XH I BI TI ON

Scribble

A RT

Robert Watson

Until 14 January WA R R I N G T O N M U S E U M Tony Green’s work has been seen in the likes of World of Interiors and Vogue, and he’s collaborated with brands such as L’Oréal and Selfridges where he created illustrations for Jacquemus, Prada and Adidas.

For Tony’s new exhibition, Scribble, he will be showcasing his playful, spontaneous and energetic style. wmag.culturewarrington.org

U NTI L 5 JA NUA RY, MA NC H E STE R CEN TRAL LIBRARY

Robert Watson is putting the finishing touches to a gigantic, profile-raising showcase of his work at Manchester Central Library – describing it as the ‘opportunity of a lifetime’. The Sky Above Her will feature 70 of his pieces of various sizes. robertjohnwatson.co.uk/central-library-2023

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CULTURE • DIARY

EV E N T

Wonderland 21 November-31 December TAT T O N PA R K Indulge your imagination and follow in Alice’s footsteps through the Duchess’ Garden, the Queen of Hearts’ grand palace, and the amazing Magic Forest at Tatton Park. Marvel at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and dance the Lobster Quadrille before entering the Queen of Hearts’ kitchen to pick up your festive tasty treat. Be entertained by charming characters along the way and enjoy the festive illuminated displays that take over the state rooms and servants’ quarters this Christmas. tattonpark.org.uk

EV E N T

NOEL FITZPATRICK

This Month’s Must See

3 November PA R R H A L L One of the world’s most renowned and much-loved orthopedic-neuro veterinary surgeons, Noel Fitzpatrick will bring his show, Beyond Supervet, to the stage this autumn. This hugely entertaining evening will be full of fun and fascinating insights into the things Noel has learned from the thousands of animals he has helped throughout his career. Going beyond the wonderful world of The Supervet, Noel will explore how caring for animals really can help us all and how modern medicine can have an incredible impact on our lives. parrhall.culturewarrington.org

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

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26 N OVEMBER, STORYHOUSE

Matter of Life and Death took the imaginative daring of jointly credited writer-producerdirectors Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger to new heights. David Niven plays a British airman who survives a plane crash and falls in love with an American radio operator (Kim Hunter), only to be summoned to the afterlife by a heavenly ‘Conductor’ (Marius Goring). storyhouse.com

AND THE WINNERS ARE… The stand out artists at New Light Art Prize have been announced

FRANCES BELL

A

s covered last issue, the biennial New Light Art Prize shines a light on Northern artists, celebrating the immense talent the region has to offer, and the winners have been announced.

The New Light Valeria Sykes Award: Frances Bell, ‘Lockdown’ – Frances is a full-time professional portrait and landscape painter.

The £2,500 New Light Patron’s Choice Award: Robert Cook, ‘Bog Bumper Emerging from the Moss’ – Robert has worked as a wildlife artist honing his craft.

The New Light Emerging Artists Award sponsored by Saul Hay Gallery: George Melling,

CHRISTINE STABLES: THE ART OF BALANCE

‘During the Endless Night She Felt Herself Losing Her Mind’. George's current body of work draws on images from photographs of family and friends from childhood.

New Light Purchase Prize: Christine Stables – ‘The Art of Balance’. Christine lives in Stockport in Cheshire. In her winning piece ‘The Art of Balance’ she uses organic shapes, created with loose white lines, showing off the colour orange by using contrasts in textures, translucency, opacity and complementary colour.

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“I have no regrets and I have not looked back”

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CULTURE • INTERVIEW

Fans

FAVOURITE Cheshire’s Sarah Jayne Dunn chats to Absolutely about her favourite haunts in the county, leaving Hollyoaks, and embracing body confidence in her 40s B y N ATA L I E L I

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY: KERRY SPICER

I

t’s clear that life after Hollyoaks has constructed a new-found freedom for actor and podcaster Sarah Jayne Dunn. Playing the character Mandy Richardson on the Channel 4 soap on and off for more than 25 years, Sarah is entering a new era in her career – and she certainly isn’t looking back.

Candid and unapologetic, 42-year-old Sarah is eager to discuss her main business venture on the online subscription platform OnlyFans. “OnlyFans was something I explored during lockdown. I’d had various conversations with my husband Jon. I’ve been self-employed since I was 14 and as an actor you never really know when the next job will come so it doesn’t give you security.

“I remember chatting to a photographer who suggested joining the platform – I was already posting a lot of bikini, underwear, and fitness shots on Instagram, and he said, ‘you’re essentially giving these images away for free, why don’t you sell them?’. That triggered everything.”

Sarah explains that after allowing her to start an account, Hollyoaks’ production company Lime Pictures swiftly terminated her contract when she began posting images on OnlyFans.

“I’d had conversations with them [Lime Pictures], and they had said it’d be fine for me to set up my OnlyFans account, so they knew about it. I think it became a reality to them and they soon decided it was a big ‘no’. This all happened in the space of a week; I was shocked about everything changing so quickly.”

Sarah believes there were double standards because the show was always keen to broadcast implied nudity on screen.

“My argument was, why is it a problem when I’m not doing anything different to what I’ve always done, or what they’ve always made me do,” she adds. “Their stance was that it’s an 18+ platform.

“I just knew I’d made the right decision in joining OnlyFans and I’m a firm believer in everything happening for a reason, so I have no regrets and haven’t looked back,” explains the doting mum to seven-year-old Stanley.

Sarah, who played Mandy on Hollyoaks from 1996 until her 2021 axe, recalls auditions in Macclesfield aged 12 and the joy of her big break. She adds: “I have been sexualized since being a teenage girl, and I’ve had no control over that.

I’ve done shoots for magazines and cast calendars; images were edited in interviews and words were taken out of context.”

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CULTURE • INTERVIEW

TATTON PARK

THE FAMILY LOVE WOOD FIRE SMOKE'S PIZZAS

“It feels amazing to speak my truth and not be filtered or edited.

It has been freeing”

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up to put this content out more,” she adds.

“It feels amazing to speak my truth, and not be filtered or edited – it’s been freeing.”

Sarah reveals she misses the camaraderie and banter from working on the set of a soap and would consider a return to TV for the right job. A brief stint in Hollywood in the Oscar-winning Batman film The Dark Knight, where she appeared as one of gangster Sal Maroni’s mistresses, gave Sarah a taste of that world.

“Yes, I dipped the ‘the edge of my toenail’ into Hollywood,” she laughs. “I’m realistic about the industry and I’ve seen my former cast members do incredible stuff. You must be a certain person to really want it that badly and I don’t know if that’s for me. Strictly Come Dancing is the one show I would bite my hand off to do. Every year I manifest it! I love dancing, the costumes and it’s a dream to be on that show and be paid for it. For now, I am in a privileged position to choose something that feels right and works with my family life.”

Sarah’s Cheshire haunts ALDERLEY EDGE If we fancy a local date night, we catch the train to grab food and drinks at San Carlo (formerly Piccolino’s).

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QUARRY BANK IN STYAL We’re National Trust members and there’s plenty to enjoy in Cheshire. I love to visit Styal for headspace, it’s beautiful and peaceful.

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PICTUREDROME MACCLESFIELD Macclesfield is up and coming – we love the Picturedrome, it’s got plenty of fantastic food places. We can bring the dogs in, grab great coffee and pizza.

Macclesfield is feeling like a mini-Altrincham these days.

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QUARRY BANK IN STYAL

WILMSLOW The area has some lovely familyfriendly restaurants including Stan’s favourite pizza place, Wood Fire Smoke. We also frequently visit Higher Ground Café and Bar in Congleton.

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PHOTO: SUE BURTON

Complete control of content and her destiny means everything to Sarah who grew up in Leigh, Greater Manchester, and now resides close to Knutsford, Wilmslow, and Alderley Edge, “the golden triangle”. A typical day features the school run, creating content, recording for her podcast ‘Hot and Bothered’, which explores taboo topics, and a regular pole dancing class in Cheshire.

Sarah has reportedly made a seven-figure sum from posting OnlyFans images, and has since built her own garden studio at her Cheshire home. “It’s great having my own space to shoot content and brand campaigns with all the equipment and backdrops – away from the main house. I normally work while Stanley is at school and Jon is working. It’s been a worthwhile investment.

“This job has given me freedom and time like I’ve never had before. If I were still working on the show, I’d have to leave the house at 6.30am to drive to Liverpool and I’d be there until 7.30pm. Now I can take Stanley to school and pick him up.”

Facing scrutiny for her career move was something Sarah admits she was expecting.

“I had this horrid wave of fear that I was going to be judged for posting on OnlyFans.

You can never please everyone and there’ll always be someone who doesn’t agree. I received negativity, but nowhere near as much as I anticipated. The response was the opposite, people were outraged at the hypocrisy and women said: ‘you’ve inspired me to be comfortable in my own skin’.

“OnlyFans is empowering and when women tell me they feel inspired it buoys me

THE HOLFORD ESTATE, KNUTSFORD Jon and I were married here in 2018 and we’ve not been back to celebrate, but maybe we’ll save our return for our 10-year anniversary.

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

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GET TO KNOW…

SOPHIE ATTWOOD F O U N D E R O F G LO B A L B E AU T Y AG E N CY SA C O M M U N I CAT I O N S AND NANTWICH RESIDENT

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PHOTO: ELLIOTT C HOWE

SOPHIE LOVES THE LOCAL COUNTRYSIDE

Q Since launching SA Communications, what campaigns are you particularly proud of?

A Wow there have been a few! For me, the campaigns that really leave a mark are the ones that resonate most. Alongside leading plastic surgeons and cosmetic doctors, I worked hard to challenge legislation surrounding injectable treatments. Although there is a legal minimum age limit of 18 for tattoos, teeth-whitening and sunbed use, there wasn’t for injectable fillers.

We regularly saw reputable surgeons carrying out ‘blind surgery’ on patients with fillers and dealing with complicated cases with real professionalism.

But then we also saw the darker side. We came across beauticians who were injecting young girl’s lips after a brief, hour-long training session. We saw others offer filler treatments for ridiculously low prices, which meant poor quality products that were not clinically backed or even cleared for use. Most shockingly I spoke to one patient who had sadly endured permanent blindness in one eye after having ill-placed fillers in her nose, which were then dealt with incorrectly when complications arose.

As a mouthpiece for multiple experts within the industry, it was important that we pushed and amplified this narrative.

Plus as a parent of a little girl I strongly felt young people needed to be protected by law.

Q How did it feel to be named within the Management Today 35 Under 35 List?

A I think as a woman in business there are so many things you have to juggle – whether it’s blatant sexism, the juggle of motherhood (not least the expectation from school that it will be you who drops everything the moment a child has a temperature!) and, above all else, I feel an inbuilt sense of inferiority which has

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carried down from generations before us. So I really am delighted to have received this accolade – because it’s been a challenge to get here. It’s not often that you step back to see how far you’ve come – and also reflect on how much the business you’ve built has flourished in what is quite often the face of adversity.

Mainly, though, it’s down to the team around me, for trusting my vision, joining me on this journey and listening to my big plans and helping bring them to fruition. It may be my name on the wall, but without them, I’m just a building with a logo, really.

PHOTO: GARETH TANDY

CULTURE • PROFILE

DELAMERE FOREST

time for myself. I’m up at 5am most days and I get a Pilates class out of the way as well as some emails to get ahead of myself for the day. Then I try to be ready and prepared for when my daughter wakes up – although this fluctuates regularly!

I dress her for primary school and leave the house for 8am for the school run.

At 9am in the office we kick off the week with a group meeting – or a brain dump as I often so fondly call it – where we share ideas for each client’s PR account and form a clear strategy to ensure that we hit the ground running that week. And then, once we all have a hot cup of tea in our hands, it’s off for a full morning of pitching ideas to various titles and editors for our clients.

A lot of the time, I’m out at events, engaging with new and existing clients or filming for broadcast platforms. I’ll therefore often find myself sitting in the green room with clients and briefing them

HER NEW BOOK, BEAUTIFUL PR

“PR is an exhausting, yet rewarding industry and I still love it” about their upcoming interview – whether the client is speaking about eye health, menopause policies in the workplace or the latest trend on TikTok, it’s my job to prepare them adequately for the interview and, of course, calm any nerves.

In the evenings I’ve been writing a book, Beautiful PR. It’s been a long process and taken a lot of willpower, but it’s finally here, in tangible form, and available to pre-order from major retailers including Waterstones, Barnes & Noble, WH Smith and Amazon.

Q Whereabouts do you live in Cheshire?

A I live near Nantwich, in a little rural

village. Our Cheshire offices are in Nantwich

PHOTO: NALEXANDRA HARASHCHENKO

PHOTO: ELLIOTT C HOWE

Q Describe a typical day for you…

A I’m an early riser – it’s when I get a little

SOPHIE IS A FAN OF THE FOOD AT GIOVANNI'S

too. It’s a great place to live, accessible to reach our London base and a lovely place to sit away from the office with a coffee to get the creative juices flowing.

Q If you had to pick your three favourite local places, where would you choose?

A Giovanni’s in Knutsford is a lovely relaxed restaurant and so welcoming and family-friendly. Delamere Forest is my regular place to walk the dogs, and The Fishpool Inn near to it in Northwich is a great little place for some food after time in the countryside. We’re so lucky to have all of the countryside in easy reach.

Q How do you see the future of SA Communications evolving?

A We’ve just opened our US office, which has enabled us to have a team on the ground over there for press activations.

The team up in Cheshire is growing too, which is lovely to see. We’re engaging with various educational institutions to support creatives getting into the PR industry. PR is an exhausting yet rewarding industry and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t still love it – so hopefully that passion will be the driver for sustained growth, continued success for our clients and an unrivalled determination to be the best in our industry.

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On the

EDGE Home of fast cars and flash lives, Cheshire’s Alderley Edge is anything but a sleepy village.

Absolutely learns more about what it has to offer B y K AT E J O N E S

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VICTORS

“Alderley Edge is the ideal spot to get a feel for life in the luxe lane”

A

lderley Edge has been called the “Knightsbridge of the North”, and it’s easy to see why. The village, which has a population of 4,800 according to the 2021 census for England and Wales, is part of Cheshire’s Golden Triangle (or Footballer Belt), a collection of affluent small towns and villages popular with Premier League footballers and individuals from entertainment. Having been described as one of the country’s poshest places to live, this is the ideal spot to get a feel for life in the luxe lane.

LOOKING BACK

VIEW FROM THE EDGE, PHOTO BY SUE BURTON

Previously known as Chorlegh, the first written evidence of Alderley Edge appeared in the 1200s. It was made up of estates that saw a large number of different owners amid the Middle Ages, though since the 1400s, the majority of them have been under the ownership of the De Trafford family.

However, until the middle of the 19th century,

Alderley Edge was a quiet and mostly agricultural area formed of a blacksmith’s, a number of houses and the De Trafford Arms, which can still be found in the present day.

Then came the arrival of the Manchester and Birmingham Railway, which constructed a line out to Alderley. Free 20-year season tickets were offered to Manchester businessmen who built homes with a rateable value of over £50 within a mile of the station, leading many families to construct villas and mansions. Train travel was also responsible for the change in Alderley Edge’s name: the railway company did not want to call the village’s station Chorley in light of the potential confusion with Chorley in Lancashire, so took inspiration from the sandstone escarpment above the village (known as Alderley Edge or the Edge), which is the area’s main topographical feature.

The escarpment is owned by the National Trust, which refers to the site online as Alderley Edge and Cheshire Countryside.

The organisation claims that Alderley Edge is the oldest known metal-mining site in England, and that there has been mining A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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activity here for more than four millennia.

It also notes that since the 1800s, Alderley Edge has been associated with a legend of an underground sleeping army guarded by a wizard. The legend provided some inspiration to writer Alan Garner for The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, a 1960 children’s fantasy novel.

SEE AND DO

“Ut ut vendige ntibus aut volorum et aceritat” NETHER ALDERLEY MILL, PHOTO BY SUE BURTON

As part of the county’s Golden Triangle, Alderley Edge is a location of affluence.

Celebrities such as Morrissey, Wayne Rooney and Molly-Mae Hague have all been spotted in this part of the world, so if you pay a visit, you might well find yourself noticing a famous face. Alongside superstars, there are also supercars – whether you’re a Lamborghini or a Bugatti fan, it’s possible that you’ll spot your favourite make here.

Alderley Edge has additionally featured in the TV series The Real Housewives of Cheshire, so keep an eye out here and see if you can recognise any of the places that have appeared on the small screen.

First opened in 1921, Alderley Edge Park boasts six acres of open grassland and has been the setting for the village’s May Fair.

Make the most of some time in the open air, book out a tennis court or bowling green in advance or, if you have little ones, take a trip to the children’s play area. Nearby, Alderley Edge’s Festival Hall hosts different events. It’s also a location for the annual Alderley Edge Festival, which for more than a century has enabled performers of all ages to demonstrate their musical, acting and public speaking talents.

“Alderley Edge is said to be guarded by an underground sleeping army” EXPECT TO SEE A SUPERCAR ON YOUR TRAVELS

PIZZA AT LA CUCINA

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THE WIZARD TEA ROOM, PHOTO BY JOHN B HEWITT

What’s on in

Alderley Edge Nature Walkshop: Invigorate & Inspire Your Month Alderley Edge and Cheshire Countryside, 1 November

Focus yourself for the month ahead with forest bathing, meditation and journaling at this National Trust site. eventbrite.co.uk 

Alderley Edge Symphony Orchestra Festival Hall, 4 November

An event featuring music from composers including ColeridgeTaylor and Beethoven. aeso.org.uk 

An Evening of Soul & Motown Festival Hall, 11 November

Soul, Motown and disco from Yvette Royle and Kenny Paget Le Tour.

At the Alderley Edge and Cheshire Countryside National Trust site, there are views to be had across Cheshire and the Wirral, with different walks taking in beech woodland and open pasture. A “Wizard’s Wander” trail is available on the National Trust website, following a route including places of interest like the Armada Beacon and Stormy Point.

EATING AND DRINKING

A good range of restaurants can be found in Alderley Edge. San Carlo is a recent addition to the village’s food and drink scene, with the spot having undergone a £3 million transformation. Victors is another pretty dining location, where an Asian-inspired menu is served under wisteria trees. La Cucina, meanwhile, is a highly-rated local restaurant on Tripadvisor (as of September 2023), with the eatery devoted to providing authentic wood fired pizza and traditional fresh pasta. If these

aefestivalhall.com 

Alderley Edge Christmas Lights Switch On 18 November

Celebrate the approaching festive period at this Yuletide event. alderleyedge-pc.gov.uk 

Alderley Edge Probus Club Alderley Edge Union Club, 13 and 27 November

A group for retired and semiretired professional individuals and businesspeople. sites.google.com/view/ alderleyedgeprobus

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CHEERS TO THE CHAMPAGNE CAPITAL OF BRITAIN

YARA OFFERS LEBANESE AND SYRIAN FOOD

options don’t float your boat, try Yara, which offers a contemporary approach to traditional Lebanese and Syrian food.

Alderley Edge has been described as “the champagne capital of Britain”, and there are plenty of places to enjoy a tipple or two here.

Corks Out boasts a regular range of more than 10 sparkling wines and champagnes by the glass, while The Bubble Room has a Champagne Friday deal. The De Trafford Arms pub is the village’s top-rated restaurant on Tripadvisor (as of September 2023), and The Merlin also rates highly, with the venue promising “a great selection of wines, ales and lagers”. For something softer, The Wizard tea room will cast a spell. You could also take a trip to Just Plonk while you’re in the village – the location stocks champagne, wine, beer and spirits from luxury celebrity brands. Maybe you could purchase a drink from a famous face’s label – after all, Alderley Edge is a place of personalities.

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B e y o n d

o u r

WORLD With its famous Lovell Telescope that punctuates the area’s skyline, Jodrell Bank near Macclesfield is a true Cheshire icon. But what actually happens on site?

B y K AT E J O N E S

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here’s no denying that Jodrell Bank is a unique location within Cheshire’s landscape. Known for the Lovell Telescope – which features a bowl not dissimilar in appearance to a giant television satellite dish – the attraction has a futuristic quality to it, with its novel look undoubtedly provoking curiosity among the uninitiated as to the purpose of the site. You may well know of Jodrell Bank’s existence, but at the same time, you may feel as if you have limited knowledge of what goes on there.

However, if you have previously made a link between the destination and space, you were correct in doing so. As a scientific facility, Jodrell Bank is in continuous use by astronomers across the globe, who undertake important research exploring the universe beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

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“It is home to four radio telescopes, which pick up radio waves from the sky”

SKY AT NIGHT, PHOTO BY ANDREW BROOKS

Named after the river valley at which it was established, it is an observatory, home to four radio telescopes (the Lovell Telescope, the Mark II, the 42ft Telescope and the 7m Telescope), which pick up radio waves emitted by astronomical sources in the sky. It also serves as the headquarters of the e-MERLIN network – seven radio telescopes around the UK that deliver radio pictures of space.

IN FOCUS Jodrell Bank was initiated in 1945 by Sir Bernard Lovell, a physicist from The University of Manchester. Lorna Harper, deputy director at Jodrell Bank, explains that during the Second World War, he had been involved in the development of radar, but had returned to the university after the conflict had ended. “He was conducting research into solar rays, but he was suffering from electrical interference caused by the trams that went up and down Oxford Road,” she says.

“At that point, he came to Jodrell Bank, which was at the time The University of Manchester’s botanical grounds. He requested that he would be here for a couple of weeks – but he never left.”

At Jodrell Bank, Sir Bernard found that what he was observing were not

solar rays, but radar, or the data that was emitting from objects in space. The discovery marked the beginning of the study of radio astronomy, which Lorna describes as “a transformative moment in the history of science”. “It was a transition from optical astronomy – looking at the stars with our eyes, or telescopes that we can see through – to radio astronomy, where we can detect what’s out in the universe by the receipt of radio waves,

INSIDE THE SPACE DOME, PHOTO BY ANDREW BROOKS

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“We were able to observe celestial objects that are beyond the Milky Way”

PHOTO BY ANDREW BROOKS

through which we can ‘see more’,” she explains. “We were able to observe celestial objects that are beyond the Milky Way – so, for the first time, mankind could ‘see’ beyond our Solar System.”

As the science progressed, experiments at Jodrell Bank moved across the site. They culminated in 1957 with the completion of the building of the Lovell Telescope, still one of the largest and most powerful radio telescopes globally. Construction had started in 1952, but by the former year the telescope was greatly over budget and many people had lost faith in the venture.

However, when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 (the first artificial satellite) in October 1957, it became evident that the instrument was the only in the world able to locate and track the carrier rocket that

THE APOLLO 11 LUNAR MODULE ASCENDING FROM MOON'S SURFACE

had launched it, and the telescope became fully operational within weeks. In another key moment in the Space Race, the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, Jodrell Bank followed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle’s descent and listened in as man set foot on the Moon.

The observatory has been involved in the discovery of space elements including black holes, pulsars and the fading glow of the Big Bang. In June, it was reported that following a quarter of a century of observations using instruments including the Lovell Telescope, a group of astronomers had uncovered the first evidence of ultra-lowfrequency gravitational waves, with this potentially offering information about the creation and development of the universe.

In addition, in 2012, Jodrell Bank marked the arrival of the global headquarters of the Square Kilometre Array – an international project that will construct and operate the largest array of radio telescopes on the planet. “This will be one of the biggest science projects in the world,” Lorna says.

A LOCAL DAY OUT Owned by The University of Manchester, Jodrell Bank was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.

As a destination, it is made up of two components: the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics and The Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement. The latter manages Jodrell Bank as a visitor attraction, connecting individuals with its history and science.

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GRACE JONES HAS APPEARED AT JODRELL BANK

What’s on at JODRELL BANK

Astro Night – Kids!

13 January & 2 March 2024

One to excite the younger members of your family. 

Pink Floyd’s 50th Anniversary Of ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ Until 10 December

Sold out at the time of writing, this immersive planetarium show mixes technology with the heart of Pink Floyd’s music.

From December a ticket to the Pink Floyd gigs will be tied into an annual ticket 

Telescope Talks On-going

Hear about the Lovell Telescope at one of these events, which happen at various times daily and are included in a Jodrell Bank ticket. 

Astrophotography Exhibition Opens second week of Nov

Capturing the wonder of the universe in a series of sky portraits, this series of images represent a career long project by Dr Anthony Holloway, Jodrell Bank’s very own Head of Computing.

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The First Light Pavilion, a grass-topped dome that reflects the Lovell Telescope’s scale and shape, opened to the public in June 2022. Inside, you can discover the exciting The Story of Jodrell Bank exhibition, kick back with a free exhibition film in the futuristic Space Dome (which also runs paid, planetarium-style Dome Shows) and pay a visit to the First Light Café. The Science Exhibition in the Space Pavilion provides information about the science of radio astronomy, while the Planet Pavilion contains a mechanical Solar System model, a cafe and a gift shop.

The site additionally boasts more than 35 acres of grounds, with an arboretum and outdoor exhibits (including the Whispering Dishes, which enable your voice to be carried over a distance) also available for you to enjoy at the destination.

Another string to Jodrell Bank’s bow is its range of events, from its stargazing nights to its Girls Night Out events (which focus on women and science). The annual bluedot festival is a celebration of music, science and art, with those previously appearing at the gathering including Björk, Grace Jones, Professor Brian Cox, Tim Peake and New Order. The attraction is also launching a winter solstice event programme, and this will feature lectures, immersive shows and projections onto the First Light Pavilion.

As mobile phones interfere with the site’s telescopes, visitors are required

THE SPACE DOME, PHOTO BY ANDREW BROOKS

to switch off their devices or set them to flight mode while they are at Jodrell Bank (though the latter still allows for photography where this is permitted at the attraction). However, with so much on offer here, it’s unlikely that you’ll miss yours during a trip, which provides a fascinating insight into outer space and its study. jodrellbank.net

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LENS T H R O U G H

T H E

We look behind the camera and explore the diverse styles of some of Cheshire’s finest photographers B y A L I S H A D AV I S

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PHOTO BY EMMA BEAUMONT

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hotography is a timeless art form with its ability to freeze moments in time, convey emotions, and document the beauty of the world. Photography has earned its place as one of the most popular and accessible creative outlets – and Cheshire is full of talented photographers, all with their own style and medium. We meet four of them.

Emma Beaumont LIFE ST YLE P HOTOGRAP HER

Instagram - emmabeaumont10, emma-beaumont.com

Q How did you get involved in photography?

A Since childhood, my passion for photography

has been a constant. I began with film at a young age, capturing cherished moments with loved ones.

Candid photography capturing raw emotions remains my favourite style, as it's a time capsule of memories.

Despite a long career in creative industries, I eventually transitioned to freelance photography..

Q What inspires you?

A People and connections inspire me the most. I’m

a huge people person, and I’m very empathetic and understanding. I always see the good in everyone and the authenticity of people and their stories has

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always fascinated me. I also take inspiration from experiencing different cultures. My sister is my biggest inspiration; she has her own sustainable fashion and lifestyle company, and constantly inspires me with her work ethic and resilience.

Q What's your creative process

for getting the shot?

A The biggest thing for me is being in the moment.

There’s lots of technical things that inform on the creative process, like composition and lighting, but for me it’s about creating those authentic moments.

That often involves me making people laugh. It’s very important I bond with my clients, otherwise I won’t get the best photos for them. I prefer more natural environments and real situations, which is why I regularly photograph love stories (weddings, engagements, families), events and brand/lifestyle.

Q Do you have any tips for other photographers?

A For those starting out, please don’t forget the

business side. I’ve met so many photographers who are brilliantly talented, but haven’t nailed that part.

Don’t be afraid to collaborate with people. Try not to compare yourself to others. This is easier said than done, but finding your own style is so important, and ultimately, what people will see first and connect with. Working on your mindset is important for this, so I’d recommend creating routines where you spend a few minutes on this each day, especially as photography can get lonely sometimes.

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PHOTO BY RICHARD DASH

PHOTO BY HELEN SPIEGL

“Experiment with light. The better your lighting, the better your image” PHOTO BY EMMA PHILLIPSON

Emma Phillipson FAS H I O N A N D CO M M ERCIAL P H OTO G RA P H E R

Instagram - @emmaphillipsonphotographer, emmaphillipson.com Q How did you get involved in photography?

A I was 18, living in London and shooting

a documentary in Covent Garden on black and white film with an old Pentax camera and it ignited something.

Q What inspires you?

A Aesthetics! Working commercially means

you rarely have the time to work from your own inspirations. That doesn’t mean you don’t get to work creatively. Bringing all the elements of colour, texture, shape and lighting together into an image to create something aesthetically pleasing is what drives me.

Q What's your creative process?

A There are four crucial elements: composition,

lighting, styling checks, and direction. Composition involves creating great shapes through angles and focal lengths and ensuring a contrast between the product and the background. Lighting is the most important. Good lighting can elevate a bad shot, but it can also ruin a great one.

Styling comes after composition and lighting where I collaborate with the styling teams.

Direction varies depending on the subject being photographed, so I often adapt my approach, sometimes opting for a more "show" rather than "tell" method of guidance.

Q Do you have any tips for other photographers?

A Experiment with light and criticise it

in your test shots. Photography literally translates as ‘drawing with light’. The better your lighting, the better your image.

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Richard Dash

FOOD PH OTOGRAP HER

Instagram - @richard.dash

Q How did you get involved in photography?

A Accidentally. My partner and I took a trip to

Tuscany, and he bought a DSLR Camera. After the initial rage at the expense, I began playing around with it. I could instantly see there was much more to photography than I thought.

Q What inspires you?

A Inspiration comes from everything. I’ll walk into a

room and will immediately start seeing “the shot”.

Good lighting really gets me going! Mainly, though, I look to the subject for inspiration and let that lead me.

Q What's your creative process for getting the shot?

A I’m an intuitive photographer. Where others

may be able to preplan a shoot brief and then execute it meticulously, I’m a little less logical in my approach. When we’re on location, I’ll always say, “give me a minute, let me feel it out”.

Photography is storytelling, so sometimes it can take a little while to find your storyline.

Q Do you have any tips for other photographers?

A A friend once said to me “be obsessed or be

average”. I’ve barely scratched the surface of some of the complexities of photography. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t immediately get the shot, just focus on finding your angles and your lighting.

Helen Spiegl

P ET AND EQU I NE P HOTOGRAP HER

Instagram - @helenspieglphotography, helenspieglphotography.co.uk

Q How did you get involved in photography?

A From taking it up as a hobby, I went back to college

and learnt properly. Although I loved the darkroom process and seeing an image develop, it was the digital age that made pet photography more accessible.

My maternal grandfather was a very keen amateur photographer and I discovered recently my great

“I am inspired by light, shape and form and the desire to create something a bit different” grandmother was a professional portrait photographer in the late 19th century, so it was in my blood!

Q What inspires you?

A I am inspired by light, shape and form and the desire

to create something a bit different. Something that makes people stop and look, that triggers emotion.

Being from a veterinary background it was inevitable I would specialise in animal.

Q What's your creative process for getting the shot?

A It’s important for me to get to know each pet (and

their human) before we start photographing. Many people arrive a little anxious and worried their pet won’t perform, but we take our time.

Q Do you have any tips for other

pet photographers?

A Use treats, toys, lots of praise and make it fun.

Patience is the key. Don’t have distracting bright lights and if you have the option of shooting with a shallow depth of field, your subject will stand out more.

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Making A

S TAT E M E N T

Aston Martin marks its 110th anniversary with its most advanced and stylish launch yet: the DB12

T

he world’s first Super Tourer, the Aston Martin DB12, heralds a new era for the brand as the first of its next generation sportscars. The bold and assertive exterior design of the new DB12 is the perfect expression of power and potency. Combining a scintillating driving experience with exceptional refinement, state-of-the-art technology, and indulgent luxury, the DB12 demands a new definition.

DB12’s core values of high-performance and ultra-luxury are spearheading Aston Martin’s next generation of sports cars. As such it heralds a new era. One which will see all Aston Martin models characterised by prodigious performance and pinpoint dynamics and seamless integration of advanced technologies.

2023 is the 110th anniversary for Aston Martin and 75 years of the illustrious DB model line, which sees this sports car take a new direction, one which makes it the most complete and accomplished DB model in Aston Martin’s history. Through cutting edge British innovation, the DB12 is blessed with exceptional performance and handling to satisfy the most demanding drivers alongside exemplary craftsmanship for which the brand has long been renowned.

In short, it has the perfect combination of dazzling speed and agility, but with enough space and comfort inside to fully relax.

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The DB12’s bold and assertive exterior design is a perfect expression of power and potency. Presented with the immaculate style for which Aston Martin is renowned, integrating 75 years of DB heritage and segment defining proportions worthy of the world’s first super tourer, it exudes confidence and commands attention with an impressively athletic physique, measured aggression, and unrivalled elegance. The latest addition to Aston Martin’s most illustrious bloodline, DB12 exemplifies the brand by boldly moving forward. That wholesale progression is reflected in the DB12’s styling, which features an all-new front-end treatment, wider stance and more muscular surfaces for increased presence. The interior has also been completely redesigned, with clean horizontal lines emphasising the sense of space and providing the perfect contemporary backdrop for a new state-of-the-art infotainment system.

In keeping with its mission to deliver excellence in every aspect, the Aston Martin DB12 introduces a new experience in audio enjoyment. To this end it is fitted as standard with the Aston Martin 390w 11 speaker audio system. Utilising advanced hardware, this system offers a surround sound mode and employs QuantumLogic® sound processing to create a soundscape and audio performance designed to match DB12 perfectly. Seamlessly integrated design ensures the system looks as good

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“It has the perfect combination of dazzling speed and agility, but with enough space and comfort inside to fully relax”

as it sounds. With stainless steel speaker grilles available in finishes to match the interior jewellery of DB12, they feature perforations optimised for perfect acoustics and striking aesthetics. Emphatically fresh yet unmistakably Aston Martin, DB12 defines the new breed of Super Tourer.

The car gives the driver a choice of five pre-set driving modes, allowing the freedom to incrementally explore the limits of grip and traction with complete confidence and safety. Put simply, no series production Aston Martin has dedicated itself so completely to setting new dynamic benchmarks. The DB12 has a best-in-class power output of 680PS/800Nm from 4.0 V8.

The Twin-Turbo engine elevates the level of driving excitement to a new standard.

It has an all-new suspension system featuring new intelligent adaptive dampers, Electronic Rear Differential (E-diff ) and

Aston Martin bespoke 21in Michelin Pilot.

The DB12 launch comes at a time when Aston Martin is enjoying one of the most dynamic periods in its 110-year history thanks to continued podium success in the 2023 Formula 1® season.

Competing at the pinnacle of world motorsport remains a key pillar of the marque’s brand and product strategy.

DB12’s core values of high-performance and ultra-luxury are spearheading Aston Martin’s next generation of sports cars.

Roberto Fedeli, Group Chief Technology Officer of Aston Martin, said of the new DB12: “DB12 is a statement car. One that asserts Aston Martin’s position as a leader in performance, dynamics, engineering, and technology. We have pushed every aspect of this car to be best-in-class. The result is more power and performance than its rivals. Combined with exceptional

handling and an exciting soundtrack, it is a car with passion and a truly sporting character. Crucially, thanks to its breadth of capability we have achieved this without compromising refinement, comfort and luxury. Together with our use of industry-leading dynamic control and infotainment systems, DB12 is the start of Aston Martin’s most exciting new era.”

Set in the heart of Cheshire, Aston Martin Manchester is an official Aston Martin retailer. They provide new and pre-owned Aston Martin models, priding themselves on an unparalleled level of customer care, expertise and a personal, bespoke service for sales, aftersales and ownership requirements.

The DB12 is now available to experience at Aston Martin Manchester, astonmartin.com/ en-gb/dealers/aston-martin-manchester A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY ‘Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication’ Leonardo da Vinci.

Saman tha Bartlett Interiors Tel. 0203 086 7100 | Mobile. 07595670539 Email. stud io@ samanthabartlett.com Website. www.samanthabartlett.com

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Christmas S

P

E

C

I

A

L

Under the TREE

Looking for Christmas gift inspiration and get ahead of the crowds? Inside this mini festive special, we pick out the perfect gift ideas that cover all the family.

In this sect ion G I F T S F O R H E R 48 G I F T S F O R K I D S 50 G I F T S F O R H I M 51 G I F T S F O R T E E N S 52 G I F T S F O R T E C H I E S 55 G I F T S F O R P E T S 57

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THOMAS SABO

AEYDE

Fine Jewellery Piercing Studs, from £175 saboteur.world

Elijah Earrings, £125 aeyde.com

SMYTHSON Envelope Cross Body Bag, £595 smythson.com

DIPTYQUE Candle Lantern, £65 libertylondon.com

PENELOPE CHILVERS Wyoming Cotton Socks, Three Pack, £35 penelopechilvers.com

JULES B Christmas Tree Print Long Pyjamas £45 julesb.co.uk

PENELOPE CHILVERS Goldie Embroidered Cowboy Boot, £329 penelopechilvers.com

Gifts for

HER All she wants for Christmas

EDITOR’S PICK

PERL COSMETICS Nourishing Lash Oil, £22 perlcosmetics.com

By PENDLE HARTE

RENNE JEWELLERY 2.5mm Classic Bangle & Honour Feather, £130 rennejewellery.co.uk

LEILA SWIFT JEWELLERY Lila Necklace, £105 leilaswift.com

SILHOUETTE

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Fuschl in Black, £265 silhouette.com

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CHRISTMAS • GIFTS KISS THE MOON Beauty Sleep Collection, £42 kissthemoon.com

EBERJEY Tartan Plaid Pyjama Set, £200 harveynichols.com

CANDIER Can't Talk... Candle, £31 koibird.com

JURLIQUE Rose Hand and Body Indulgence Set, £82 jurlique.co.uk

PAUL & JOE JO MALONE LONDON

GAETANO PESCE

Refreshing Mist anthropologie.com

Limited Edition Christmas Bottle, £124 johnlewis.com

Handmade Resin Nugget Vase, £195 koibird.com

MATCHBOX Rosie Hoops, £30 matchboxjewellery.com

ONITSUKA TIGER Mexico 66SD, £155 onitsukatiger.com

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ORCHARD TOYS

CHRISTMAS • GIFTS

Games, £12.00 orchardtoys.com

EDITOR’S PICK

VANS Kids checkerboard classic slip-ons, £37 vans.co.uk

HECTOR'S POST Personalised books, £29.99 hectorspost.com

BANWOOD Classic bike in green, £290 banwood.com

TONY'S CHOCOLONEY

RIDLEY'S

Christmas chocolate pouch, £10 anthropologie.com

Avocado Smash game, £11.99 johnlewis.com

Gifts for

LEGO Lego storage head, £19.99 johnlewis.com

JOHN LEWIS Play cafe set, £40 johnlewis.com

KIDS All the best presents for under-11s

RACHEL ELLEN Bee Happy umbrella, £12 rachelellen.co.uk

By PENDLE HARTE

JELLYCAT Toastie Amusable Avocado, £22 anthropologie.com

TINC

50

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Boogie disco light, £17.50 tinc.co.uk

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CHRISTMAS • GIFTS ALESSI Parrot Sommelier Corkscrew, £50 alessi.com

EDITOR’S PICK

MARSHALL Major IV Headphones, £129.99 marshallheadphones.com

RAPHA Logo Socks, £14 johnlewis.com

BERLUTI Peak Point Leather Boot, £1,880 berluti.com

Gifts for

HIM

What do men want this year?

Here's our edit

By PENDLE HARTE

HARLEQUIN X SOPHIE ROBINSON Sherbet Stripe Robe, £95 johnlewis.com

GANT Checked Pyjama Set, £100 gant.co.uk

ONITSUKA TIGER Track Top, £150 onitsukatiger.com

MOSCOT Sheister Sunglasses, £325 moscot.com

BROOKLANDS WATCH COMPANY CREP PROTECT Ultimate Shoe Care Gift Set, £35 johnlewis.com

PAUL SMITH

Triple-Four Racing Chronograph, £5,754 brooklandswatches.com

Early Bird Scented Candle, £65 paulsmith.com

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CHRISTMAS • GIFTS

DAISY LONDON Zodiac Necklace, £99 daisyjewellery.com

OTHERLY Oatmilk Chocolate Bars, £4 anthropologie.com

JONATHAN ADLER

JOHN LEWIS

Nepo Baby Needlepoint Cushion, £98 jonathanadler.com

JL220 Sewing Machine, £190 johnlewis.com

EDITOR’S PICK

UGG X TELFAR Logo Mini Boot, £170 ugg.com

WESTMAN ATELIER Eye Want You Mascara, £42 westman-atelier.com

MARSHALL Willen Speaker, £99.99 marshallheadphones.com

ALLSAINTS

Gifts for

CHILLY'S Pastel Bottle, £26 chillys.com

TEENS

Smile Leather Airpods Case, £29 johnlewis.com

Getting it right for the teenagers in the house

RACHEL JACKSON LONDON

Smily Face Earrings, £60 racheljacksonlondon.com

By PENDLE HARTE

BLAUER Charlotte Down Jacket, £333 blauerusa.com

MATHMOS Rankin-designed Lava Lamp, £130 mathmos.com

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MAISON GAMES Rainbow Chess Set, £220 koibird.com

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Always a Classic.

Designed to last a lifetime, these minimalist bottles have kept people hydrated and happy for years. Our vacuum-insulated Classic is the solution for both cold and hot beverages on the go. This iconic bottle is proof that reusables never go out of style. kleankanteen.co.uk

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CHRISTMAS • GIFTS

H I G H T E C H GIFTS FOR GADGET LOVERS

1

BEAN COUNT S A G E B A R I S TA

TOUCH IMPR ESS

1

This is the queen of all espresso machines. So intelligent it's almost human, it can tell you when your grind is too fine, remembers how you like your coffee and even reminds you to wipe the wand. And of course the coffee tastes great too, £1,199.95. sageappliances.com

2

IN A SPIN

2

AU D I O T E C H N I C A

Designed with portability in mind, the Sound Burger offers a retro aesthetic mixed with modern updates. Ideal for compact living spaces, this affordable turntable has Bluetooth connectivity and USB charging, £199. audio-technica.com

3

P I Z Z A PA R T Y O O N I VO LT 1 2

Ooni's first indoor, all-electric pizza oven cooks delicious 12-inch pizza in just 90 seconds, from the comfort of your kitchen, all year round.

Heating up in just 20 minutes, this oven is perfect for both novice pizza-makers and experts, £799. johnlewis.com

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IT' S A WRAP DY S O N A I R W R A P

Once you've mastered how to use this, you'll never look back. And now there's a new blue colourway that makes the last word in hair tools more covetable than ever, £479.99. dyson.co.uk

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S O U N D M OV E BA NG & OLUFSEN

4

Beosound A5 is a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker with long-lasting battery and wireless charging built in. Real oak and rich aluminium make for a tactile experience, crafted with longevity in mind, £899. bang-olufsen.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

GIFTS TECH.indd 55

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CHRISTMAS • GIFTS THE INNOCENT HOUND Christmas Bauble with Air-dried British Game Dog Treats, £8.50 theinnocenthound.co.uk

FRENCH BEDROOM Ma Petit Douceur Pet Bed, £325 frenchbedroom.co.uk

THE BOTTLED BAKING CO Goji Berry Biscuit Mix for Dogs, £11 johnlewis.com

SOFA.COM Bluebell Pet Bed, £380 sofa.com

EDITOR’S PICK

CAROLINE GARDNER

OUTBACK TAILS Leather Dog Collar, £29.95 outbacktails.com

DOCK & BAY

Pet Bowl , £20 carolinegardner.com

Gifts for

Towel, £25 dockandbay.com

PAWHUT Cat Activity Centre, £44.99 robertdyas.co.uk

PETS

ARTEMIS 3-in-1 Dog Wash, £32 hiartemis.com

PAWSOME BOUTIQUE Dog Harness, £34 pawsomepawsboutique.co.uk

Festive treats for our furry friends

By EVE HERBERT

JOHN LEWIS Gingham Pet Bed, £32 johnlewis.com

ANNABEL JAMES CUPID & COMET Advent Calendars for Pets, £6 shop.battersea.org.uk

Christmas Cracker for Dogs, £9.95 annabeljames.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

ONE TO LOVE THE MANOR AT GREASBY

The Manor at Greasby, on the Wirral, is a gastropub-style restaurant, with a stunning adjoining wedding barn on site amongst the grounds of the 17th century manor house. Following its highly anticipated opening in March 2023, the venue is the latest romantic hotspot for upcoming nuptials around the Wirral area and beyond. Look out too for some very special Christmas menus. themanorgreasby.co.uk

Food News 60 • The Chester Grosvenor 62 • Recipes 70 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

GRAPE news

TASTING NOTES

Cheshire's food news and most exciting openings in the industry this month

By MARK KEBBLE

Wine recommendations for the month

By THE WINE SOCIETY

Cutio Macabeo, Carineña 2021  10.50 A textured, round Spanish white which has floral fruit and an appealing nuttiness from lees ageing. This comes from a small family project which is now run by third generation Jorge Nevascues.

The Society's Australian Cabernet Sauvignon 2021,  £8.50 Made for The Wine Society by Yalumba, one of the great names of Australian wine, the nose is juicy, generous and bright with blackcurrant notes.

The palate is full-bodied and fresh, with black and red-fruit character and great structure.

The Society's Celebration Crémant de Loire 2020,  £13.50 This elegant, refined sparkling wine is made for The Wine Society by Gratien & Meyer. It comes from the Saumur region of the Loire and uses a large percentage of chardonnay in the blend, which gives the wine its length and delicacy. Light, bone-dry and refreshing, it makes for a delightful aperitif.

Since it was founded back in 1874, The Wine Society has dared to do business a little differently. Bringing together a community united by a shared love of wine, The Society is a co-operative and owned by its members. This means there is no requirement to pump profit into annual dividends or bonuses for shareholders – all profits go back into the business.

The Wine Society welcomes all wine lovers.

Become a member today and receive £20 off toward your first order. thewinesociety.com

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Greek myth FENIX

FENIX, the upcoming and hotly anticipated addition to Manchester's burgeoning dining scene, is bringing high-end contemporary GreekMediterranean food and culture from Mykonos to Manchester. Diners will be invited into a space subtly created to tell the mythological story of a phoenix rising from the ashes. The bar, fitted with rich, dark wood dining tables, sits beneath a canopy of dense, gold fauna, whilst the restaurant space is reminiscent of a Grecian beach-side hotel. fenixrestaurants.com

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FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

JUST DESSERTS Three Cheshire favourites to mark British Pudding Day on 9 November

TO P O F THE PUBS THE CHOLMONDELEY ARMS

Take this away COTE CHESTER

Côte at Home, the home delivery of the very best of quality French cuisine, has launched its mouthwatering autumn menu. The luxury delivery service has established a reputation for its range of premium steaks and meats, prepared in its own butchery and expansive selection of artisan French cheeses. The new value boxes are all combinations of the new dishes, but as two or three courses (all with dessert, some with starters). cote.co.uk

H AU T E D O LC I Indulge in the art of desserts only at Haute Dolci Cheshire Oaks.

They take immense pride in their handcrafted selection of desserts, from cakes, cheesecakes, fluffy pancakes, indulgent cookie dough, to other exquisite confections. hautedolci.co.uk

A pub once described as a ‘lost cause’ has now been named the best pub in Britain after taking the overall title at the Great British Pub Awards.

A new entrant for 2023, The Cholmondeley Arms has been named Great British Pub of the Year and named number one ‘Country/Rural Pub’. The country pub also offers a tasty and unique menu. cholmondeleyarms.co.uk

THE REAL FRUIT CREAMERY The aim of this Knutsford gem has been to share their love of creating fresh gelato, providing a personalised experience with every single ice cream they serve.

Freshness and flavour is at the heart of everything they do. therealfruitcreamery.co.uk

NUM BERS GA M E 8 BY ANDREW SHERIDAN

Steak a claim UPSTAIRS AT THE GRILL

At Upstairs at the Grill in Chester they have always prided themselves on showcasing some of the very best steaks from supporting British farmers, to other great cuts and breeds from across the world. For their classic steaks they use only British and Irish Beef, sired from traditional and continental cross breeds. These Red Tractor standard beasts are aged for a minimum of 35 days, ensuring a superb flavour. upstairsatthegrill.co.uk

H E AV E N LY D E S S E R T S Designed to delight your senses, the menu at this Liverpool institution continues to innovate dessert dining using only the finest ingredients.

With flavours ranging from classic to contemporary, their desserts deliver a dining experience like no other. heavenlydesserts.co.uk

Award-winning chef Andrew Sheridan has retained his three AA Rosette Award after moving his flagship restaurant 8 from Birmingham to Liverpool. Andrew and his team received the award - one of the AA’s most prestigious accolades for food - at an event in London in September. restaurant8.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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“I said in my interview I would walk over hot coals to work here and I still mean it”

ELLIOT HILL

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FOOD & DRINK • PROFILE

HOME

Cooking

Elliot Hill, executive chef at The Chester Grosvenor, on the honour of working at his local institution and why autumn is an exciting time to eat there

By MARK KEBBLE

T

restaurant La Brasserie, which offers delicious all-day dining with a glamorous champagne and cocktail bar. Their afternoon tea is also a pretty memorable experience.

But, today, Absolutely’s visit is all about Arkle, refined dining the Cestrian way. “Quite simply, the very best experience we can offer,” Elliot says on what to expect. “The food is a reflection of the team and the seasons, and we always look to celebrate the best local ingredients we can get our hands on. We just want to be the best version of Arkle we can and tirelessly work to improve every aspect we do.”

Considering the food is, in part, a reflection of Elliot himself, where did his love of food stem from? “Growing up, I was very fortunate to have two parents who could both cook, so I have some very fond memories of cooking with the humblest ingredients, which I always try to showcase in both of The Chester Grosvenor’s restaurants,” he reflects. “My dad particularly liked to use a lot of fats and butters, and loved making slow cooked stews and chillies. In this respect, I was very fortunate to have a culinary passion from both parents instilled in me.

“I actually started in a front-of-house role and every so often would watch a cooking

he Chester Grosvenor has been a landmark of Cheshire since 1865, something Elliot Hill is more than aware of.

“Chester is my hometown and The Chester Grosvenor is an iconic part of its landscape,” he smiles. “I feel honoured to be here and, in my lifetime, I’m only the third executive chef to be here which is truly humbling, especially being from the area. It’s also been the biggest challenge of my career and I said in my interview I would walk over hot coals to work here and still mean it. There’s a lot to do, and a lot has suffered during and post-covid, but it gives me immense pride and satisfaction to see what we’ve done, and where we can go.”

He’s certainly taking on the challenge of being the executive chef head on. The Chester Grosvenor is home to 2 AA Rosette 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 ARKLE RUNS A TASTING MENU

“A dish may be phenomenal, but if if doesn’t work on the menu, we don’t make space for it” always recommend that other young chefs do the same. I got to experience highs and lows whilst learning different techniques and styles – and it’s this experience that made me the chef and the person I am today.”

Which brings us to Arkle. The dining here is based around tasting menus, which are full of exquisite dishes and a real showcase of kitchen prowess. “One of many reasons is that we spend so long creating dishes in a sequence that we want it to be an experience,” Elliot says on going down the tasting menu route. “We want to make memories and impressions that will last with people for a long time and the best way to do that is by controlling that experience. We offer two menus here, a full tasting menu and a five course, with a choice of mains and desserts.

“Menu design is a real team effort,” he adds. “With myself, head chef Ray Booker, sous chefs Neil and Will, and Jordan my pastry chef, we’re always looking to improve something and perfect what we do.

Ultimately how often dishes change depends on the ingredients and seasonality. We do a lot of preserves nowadays too, so when

INSIDE ARKLE

programme or see what the chefs were doing, which would really interest me,” he continues. “I kept nagging and asking the head chef how he cooked certain things and eventually, during a time they were short staffed, he asked if I wanted to work in the kitchen. It was at this point that I realised I had a real passion for cooking.”

What would he say was the most important thing he learnt during the early stages of his career? “The most important thing has always been attitude,” he says.

“Throughout my career I have always looked to keep progressing and learning and I don’t think you get that in most other careers. That whole encompassing feeling is a stiff learning curve for a lot of people, but for me I found it inspiring.”

To further develop his skills, he ventured down to the capital’s food scene. “When I first moved down to London I committed myself to a couple of months as a stagiaire at some amazing restaurants, and would O TL E U LY T E LY. A B SAOB LS U m aLgOaNzD i nOeNs

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FOOD & DRINK • PROFILE

fruit and vegetables are in season, we will ferment, pickle, souse and dry them to get longevity. We also change dishes based on how it works in the menu and sequence; for example, we could be working on a dish that we think is phenomenal, but if it doesn’t work in the menu, we don’t make space for it.”

What can we expect on the autumn menus? “Autumn and harvest is a phenomenal season, with some real top-quality ingredients coming to the fore, such as squashes and game. We’ve got a bramble dish on the horizon which is lovely, as well as our two main courses of venison with malted salsify, and pork with squashes which are both fantastic. Also in the works is a play on corn beef hash.”

Does he have a favourite dish right now? “My favourite dish on the menu at the moment is actually the pre-dessert and our pastry chef Jordan did a wonderful job with this one. The dish is iced rosehip, olive oil and honey, which is full of flavour and texture that just makes you want more,” he smiles.

It’s clear he takes great delight in sourcing produce and then finessing the ingredients to create one of the stunning dishes on

DINING AT THE ARKLE IS A REAL EXPERIENCE, PHOTO BY PETER LOWBRIDGE

“I want the experience to be one that stands out in someone’s memory” 66

show at Arkle. “If the produce is top-quality, we will always look to source it locally,” Elliot adds. “For instance, we use honey from Haughton at the moment, as well as Handbridge honey, who are small batch producers. We use Field 28 in Daresbury as well, who are very exacting in their herbs and vegetables. We even use a local mill for the flour that makes our bread. However, if it’s local but not the very best, then we don’t tend to use it, and would have to

look further afield. The same goes with seafood, we usually get it from Scotland or Cornwall and showcase the best of British.”

There’s just enough time for Elliot to reflect again on working at a luxury hotel that has always been close to home. “I always say this industry is about highs and lows, and you have to face them both head on,” he says. “It’s wonderful to be a part of such an iconic hotel in a city steeped in so much history. I feel privileged to be the custodian of the kitchens here and to guide the chefs who have been through the door and who are still yet to come, too.

“With Arkle, I want the experience to be one that will always stand out in someone’s memory. We want the best version of Arkle that will set the benchmark against all our guests’ future experiences in other restaurants. Quite simply, we want to offer a unique experience that you can only get here in Arkle at The Chester Grosvenor.” chestergrosvenor.com

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THE HOUSE OF COLOUR

by Clarence Court

Each freshly laid Clarence Court egg is unique. These colourful treasures are patiently laid by traditional breed birds originating from rare breed ancestors. Their heritage gives them a unique hue and flavour reminiscent of a bygone era. For eggs how they should be, simply look for the crown.

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O N T H E ME N U

The Vines Bringing elegant dining to Carden Park Hotel, head chef Graham Tinsley has formulated a brand new, seasonal tasting menu. Here he tells us about it

Q How long have you been involved with Carden Park Hotel and what originally attracted you to working there?

A I originally opened the hotel with Hamish [Ferguson] back in June of 1997. I went on to pursue other personal projects and passions for about 10 years, but soon realised there is nothing like Carden Park Hotel and have now been back for about 13 years.

Q How would you describe the setting?

A Of Carden Park Hotel itself, I would say that it is truly magical, especially with a one mile road that meanders through the estate, and a beautiful façade of the hotel as you turn the corner at the end. But in terms of The Vines, it is the opulence that draws people in most (and the custom-made, stand out, wine fridge!).

Q How have you approached the menus at The Vines?

A We tend not to do a full change of menu, but rather subtly go with the seasons, to best reflect the countryside that surrounds us. We are always interested in trying something new and pride ourselves on creativity in the kitchen, but we often revisit dishes that have been popular from previous menus. The Tandoori Monkfish being one of them.

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THE VINES TEAM, WITH GRAHAM TINSLEY FAR LEFT

Q Would you say you have a particular style of cooking?

A We specialise in Modern British cuisine, but I tend to bring classical elements from other cultures into my dishes, and I find my inspiration from all across the globe.

For example, I am big on Asian food and my son lives in Singapore, so I am always trialling new dishes from things I have learnt or discovered over there. I used to own a fish restaurant, so I incorporate a lot of that into my menus. My senior sous chef in The Vines is from Limoges, so he brings a welcomed classic French twist to our dishes.

Q Where do you source your produce from?

A With all of our ingredients, we aim to source the freshest and most localised that we can.

For example, our fish comes from North Wales, while all meat is delivered directly from Wrexham just down the road from us.

With Cheshire also famed for its milk and cheeses, we source these locally, but in terms of vegetables, we opt for local green grocers.

Q What can you tell us about the new autumn tasting menu?

A It’s still in its early stages so I don’t want to give too much away, but as with all of our other

dishes, the ingredients are in season, and some are even foraged from the team ourselves. For example, I live near the beach in Abergele, Wales and tend to bring in sea herbs, like sea fennel, sea kale, sea buckthorn for dishes. The elderberries included are foraged right from the Carden Park Estate, as are the nettles.

Plus, for a creative twist, instead of using napkins as the base of our dishes, we used dried vine leaves from the on-site vineyard.

Q Why did you want to launch a

tasting menu in the first place?

A Tasting menus allow diners to get a full taste of a chef’s repertoire, unlike traditional a la carte, where they are narrowed down to just a couple of dishes. With our tasting menus, we are able to showcase as many skills as possible and can take our guests on a real journey of the senses.

Q Are there a couple of dishes on that menu

that you particularly love – and if so, why?

A The Tandoori Monkfish is the most popular for good reason, and it’s certainly one of my favourites. Otherwise, the Chateaubriand is a good choice as it's carved in front of the customer, and the show stopping Baked Alaska is also flamed at table side.

Q What other food options are

there at Carden Park Hotel?

A Alongside the fine-dining Vines, we have a mixture of options. For example, we have the Elements restaurant within the spa, which offers a more relaxed setting, meanwhile Redmond’s is a popular option amongst family visitors for its versatile dining offerings.

Q Looking ahead, what are the Christmas

dining plans at Carden Park Hotel?

A We are open 365 days a year, including right the way through Christmas. As usual, I will be here on Christmas Day, welcoming in both old faces, and new, and we have some exciting plans for the season, including a resident’s package and traditional Christmas lunch.

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

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BITTER

symphony A new book celebrates bitter flavours in all their depth and complexity Wo r d s A L E X I N A A N AT O L E

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

Liquorice miso-glazed aubergine Serves 2–4 Miso aubergine is a crowd-pleaser (and one of the best ways to eat this vegetable). Here, I add liquorice, which brings a bittersweet note that plays off against the darker, umami flavours of soy and miso. This is an adaptation of a Milli Taylor recipe and it’s a versatile dish that can be served alongside sushi rice and tenderstem broccoli for a light lunch, or alongside meat or fish for dinner

INGREDIENTS • 2 aubergines (eggplants) • 2 tbsp vegetable oil • 2 spring onions (scallions),

finely sliced, to garnish • Sesame seeds, toasted, to garnish For the glaze: • 1 tbsp white miso • 1/2 tsp caster (superfine) sugar • 2 tsp sake • 1 tsp tamari (or soy sauce) • 1 tsp sesame oil (or 1/2 tsp

toasted sesame oil)

• 1/4 tsp fine liquorice powder To serve: • Sushi rice

METHOD 1 Preheat the oven to 190°C fan/210°C/425°F/gas 7.

2 Cut each aubergine in half lengthways, then score the flesh quite deeply (without piercing through the skin) to create a cross-hatched pattern. Brush each half with the oil, then place on a baking tray and bake in the oven for 15–20 minutes until starting to develop some colour.

3 Meanwhile, make the glaze by whisking together all the ingredients in a small bowl.

4 Remove the aubergines from the oven and brush over the glaze, then return to the oven for another 15 minutes until caramelised and deeply golden.

5 Allow the aubergines to cool for around 5 minutes, then scatter over the spring onions and sesame seeds and serve. I prefer to eat just the flesh, leaving the skin behind.

Salmon tacos with grapefruit + avocado Serves 4

INGREDIENTS • 4 salmon fillets, about 150–200g (5–7oz) each, skinned and pin-boned For the spice rub: • 1/2 tbsp cumin seeds, toasted and ground • 1 tsp hot paprika • 1 tsp dried oregano • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (or chilli flakes) • 1 tsp garlic powder • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt • 1 tsp maple syrup • 2 tbsp vegetable oil For the avocado crema: • Juice of 1 lime, or to taste • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt • 30g (1oz/2 tbsp) creamed coconut (or coconut cream) • 1 tbsp freshly boiled water (omit if using coconut cream) • Flesh of 1 avocado • 20g (3/4oz) fresh coriander (cilantro), leaves and stalks • 1 green chilli, deseeded • 1cm (1/2in) piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped • 1/2 small garlic clove, grated • 1/2 tsp maple syrup For the grapefruit salsa: • 1 red grapefruit, peeled, segmented and roughly chopped • 10 radishes, trimmed and quartered • 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced • Pinch of flaky sea salt To serve: • 9–12 tacos (soft or hard, according to preference) or tostadas • Small handful of mint leaves • Small handful of pumpkin seeds

METHOD 1 Preheat the oven to 160°C fan/180°C /350°F/gas 4. Line a baking tray with foil.

2 To make the spice rub, toast and grind the cumin seeds, then combine with the paprika, oregano, cayenne and garlic powder, and mix with the salt, maple syrup and oil to form a paste. Lay the salmon fillets on the baking tray and coat with the spice rub (use your hands).

3 Heat a heavy-based frying pan (skillet) over a high heat until very hot, then add the salmon fillets and sear well on all sides (45–60 seconds per side). Return the salmon fillets to the baking tray. (You may have to do this in batches, depending on the size of your tray – you don’t want to crowd them as this will prevent you getting a good crust on your salmon.)

4 Transfer the salmon to the oven, cook for 5 minutes, then remove to rest.

5 For the avocado crema, I find it easiest to use a stick blender. Simply combine the ingredients in a tall container (or jug) and blend until thick and creamy. If using a food processor, use the small bowl: combine the lime juice, salt, coconut cream and boiled water and blend until smooth, then add the rest of the ingredients and blend. Add more lime juice or salt, to taste, or an extra splash of water, if needed, to get the right consistency.

6 For the grapefruit salsa, combine the ingredients in a small serving bowl and mix gently.

7 When ready to serve, warm through your tacos, if liked. Then put all the elements in the middle of the table and allow everyone to build their own. To build a taco, I recommend a spoonful of the avocado crema, followed by the salsa, then flakes of salmon. Garnish with mint leaves and a sprinkling of toasted pumpkin seeds.

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

“The bitterness of coffee balances the spiced, malty sweetness of the Biscoff” • 4 tsp espresso powder

Coffee + Biscoff no-bake cheesecake Makes 8–12 slices This cheesecake is inspired by my local ice cream kiosk, Minus 12. Their flavours change regularly, which keeps it exciting, but I’m always thrilled when I see the coffee Speculoos flavour on the board, as the bitterness of coffee balances the spiced, malty sweetness of the Biscoff.

This cheesecake is pure, rich, unapologetic indulgence. Although I’ve presented this as a whole cheesecake, it would also work well served as little cheesecake pots in individual glasses.

All cheesecakes require an overnight stint in the fridge and this is no different: you won’t get a clean(ish) slice from a set cheesecake unless you give it plenty of time to chill.

INGREDIENTS • 1 x 165g (51/2oz) pack

of light cream cheese

• 60g (21/4oz/2/3 cup) icing

(confectioners’) sugar

• 250g (9oz) smooth Biscoff spread • 500ml (18fl oz/2 cups) double

(heavy) cream, fridge cold

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for the biscuit base • 260g (21/4oz/4 tbsp) coconut oil • 30g (1oz) unsalted butter • 25 Biscoff biscuits (about 200g/7oz) plus extra to serve

METHOD 1 Start with the biscuit base. Melt together the coconut oil and butter, then set aside to cool slightly.

2 Add the Biscoff biscuits to a food processor and process briefly until you have a coarse crumb. Add the cooled coconut oil and butter mixture, pulse a few more times to combine, then tip into the tin. Alternatively, you can crush the biscuits by hand using a rolling pin and a sealable sandwich bag, and mix everything together in the pan that you melted the butter in.

Press the mixture into the base of the tin, using a flat-bottomed glass to get it even. Chill in the fridge.

3 For the filling, whisk together the cream cheese and icing sugar until smooth. Separately, whisk together the Biscoff spread, double cream and espresso powder with an electric hand whisk until just combined. Fold the cream cheese into the Biscoff mix, then spoon this over the chilled biscuit base, smooth over the top and return to the fridge to set overnight.

4 To serve, release the cheesecake from the springform tin by applying a blowtorch to the sides. If you don’t have a blowtorch, simply run a knife around the outside of the cheesecake instead. This is best served chilled, with each slice topped with a crumbled Biscoff biscuit.

TIP When dealing with biscuit bases, it can be helpful to build straight onto the plate you want to serve from – make sure your plate is completely flat, then place the ring of your springform tin directly onto the plate without the base, and build the cheesecake.

Bitter Alexina Anatole is published

by Square Peg and available now

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Share the joy of the season with the mark of a truly delicious gift

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU VISIT A LE CREUSET STORE • BESPOKE CUSTOMER SERVICE • EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT RANGES AND OFFERS • PRODUCT EXPERTISE AND AFTERCARE • FREE DELIVERY OVER £50 • LOYALTY REWARDS • FREE RECIPE CARDS CALL & DELIVER | PAY BY LINK | FREE UK DELIVERY WHEN YOU SPEND £50 OR MORE | CONTACT THE STORE FOR MORE DETAILS LE CREUSET FULHAM ROAD, 156 FULHAM ROAD, LONDON. SW10 9PR. TEL: 0207 3707509 • E-MAIL: FULHAMROAD.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET HAMPSTEAD, 31 HEATH STREET, LONDON. NW3 6TR. TEL: 0207 4356109 • E-MAIL: HAMPSTEAD.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET ISLINGTON, 137 UPPER STREET, LONDON. N1 1QP. TEL: 0207 2261595 • E-MAIL: ISLINGTON.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET MARYLEBONE, 6 NEW CAVENDISH STREET, LONDON. W1G 8UH. TEL: 0207 4865404 • E-MAIL: MARYLEBONE.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM

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LE CREUSET MUSWELL HILL, 74 MUSWELL HILL BROADWAY, LONDON. N10 3RT. TEL: 0208 8834394 • E-MAIL: MUSWELLHILL.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET NOTTING HILL, 54 LEDBURY RD., NOTTING HILL, LONDON. W11 2AJ. TEL: 0203 2200017 • E-MAIL: NOTTINGHILL.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET ST. ALBANS, 27 MARKET PLACE, ST. ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE. AL3 5DL. TEL: 01727 850453 • E-MAIL: STALBANS.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET WIMBLEDON, 4 CHURCH RD., WIMBLEDON VILLAGE, LONDON. SW19 5DL. TEL: 0208 9440624 • E-MAIL: WIMBLEDON.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM

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FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

DRINKS CABINET What to drink this month

By PENDLE HARTE

PRETTY IN PINK R AC Q U E T R O S É The Rochambeau Club, a distinguished members-only institution on the Côte d’Azur, has made their fabulous rosé, Racquet, available to purchase for the first time outside of club grounds. This lovely little Côtes-deProvence AOP is perfectly created for idyllic long afternoons and boasts excellent mineral structure with subtle notes of white peach and citrus, with a beguiling, refreshing finish.

therochambeauclub.com

TWO PEAS POD Pod is the first British, sustainable vodka that’s made from 100% British peas and tastes like peas. It's a fresh and flavourful vodka with sweet, vegetal pea notes, a touch of citrus, light savoury tones and a silky finish. Not only are its peas 100% British, but the water, labels and glass are all locally sourced.

podpeavodka.com

ALCOHOL FREE PENTIRE Just launched at Waitrose is non-alcoholic aperitif, Coastal Spritz, which features Pentire's signature coastal botanicals, blended with Blood Orange, Sea Rosemary and Oakwood to create the perfect balance of natural bitter flavours and refreshing coastal tones. It's plant-based, low calorie and delicious, £27.80.

pentiredrinks.com

SPOTLIGHT

The art of great gin Ginagain

R

ick Allen, Ginagain's founder and artist, had a flavour profile figured out for a gin almost 20 years ago.

Growing up on the edge of California's Central Valley where most of the fruit and citrus farms can be found, oranges were always in abundance. When he fell in love with gin, while travelling in England in the 90s, he decided to put the two together and intially created a compound gin for friends and family.

It wasn't until Covid lockdown, when there was an abundance of time and an orange tree in the front yard in his house in Santa Cruz California, that he started to perfect the recipe.

Working with an independant distillery in the UK in February 2022 saw Ginagain launch its first edition, a tiny batch run in a copper pot still.

A true London Dry gin, the imported organic Californian orange peel shines through like a hot summer's day in the Central Valley without the overly sweet notes in some of the flavoured gin on the market.

Recently awarded 93 points by the International Drinks Specialists, they reviewed Ginagain as inviting, bright and open nose with a balance between green herbs, spices, roots and fruity notes. There’s a hint of floral citrus and some lovely juniper too – it's complex and elegant on the nose.

What's more, it's well priced at £39, so this should one for all gin lovers.

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

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Created and designed by housecreative.co.uk

Making the adorable affordable

Preloved designer clothes, shoes and handbags, from luxury brands and fabulous high-street labels. We buy and sell Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Dior, Gucci, Christian Louboutin, plus many more.

New Road, Prestbury SK10 4HP 01625 820000 dresscheshire.com @dresscheshire AD DRESS.indd 76 12590 Dress - Absolutely Cheshire – November 2023 – A4 FP_AW.indd 1

19/10/2023 09/10/2023 15:11 16:59

FA S H I O N

RELOVE

the Pre-loved DRESS CHESHIRE

Yes, you can afford high end designer fashion, and you deserve it too. Buying preloved makes savvy shopping sense and helps to build a wardrobe full of classic pieces from some of the finest quality brands in the world - without the price tag. Dress Cheshire buy and sell luxury brands and fabulous high street labels. dresscheshire.com @dresscheshire

Model wears: SANDRO DRESS. HERMÈS KELLY BAG, GLOVES & SCARF. CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN SO KATE HEELS. TOM FORD SUNGLASSES Photo credit: AGA MORTLOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

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THE CHESTER BOUTIQUE

Something

UNIQUE Lucy Quartermaine has developed a global following for her exquisite jewellery, created in Cheshire. She tells us about designing with a difference

J

eweller Lucy Quartermaine has a wonderful boutique in Garden Lane, Chester.

Known for her iconic Drop Collections, Lucy has a huge celebrity fan base, including Alesha Dixon (who was spotted in her Armour Rings at the Eurovision Song Contest), Alex Scott, BAFTA Nominee Taj Atwal, Lilah Parsons, and TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins.

Absolutely Cheshire visited her boutique to discover early inspirations, what her celebrity fans mean to her, and why we should all be excited about what’s to come.

LUCY QUARTERMAINE

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Q When did you first develop an interest in designing jewellery?

A I was in awe of my grandmother, who used to create beautiful pieces of jewellery by setting natural gemstones in silver.

She gave me a vast collection of buttons to choose from and I would spend hours threading them onto string to create necklaces and bracelets. I then went on to secure a place at Sheffield Hallam University, where I embarked on an honour’s degree course in metalwork and jewellery.

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FASHION • Q&A

“Each piece of jewellery is unique and can reflect the wearer's personal style” Q When did you launch your own brand and was it tough to get off the ground?

A I launched my brand Lucy Quartermaine in 2004 with a small, makeshift workshop and a jeweller’s bench in my bedroom.

I worked every second that my baby slept, soldering, and filing away at silver while my daughter dreamt beside me.

We were a team, spurred on by passion but no profit; any money made went straight back into the business.

Q How did you want to offer something different?

A I wanted to make jewellery that looked unlike others. I didn’t want it to be like the usual kind you see. I offer a Be Unique Collection, which emphasizes the idea that each piece of jewellery is unique and can reflect the wearer's personal style.

Additionally, we've been developing a

fun and engaging personality quiz to help you discover jewellery pieces that match your style and personality. This quiz will add a touch of personalization to your shopping experience, making it easier than ever to find the perfect pieces that resonate with you.

Q How do you create new designs?

A I create new designs by combining

inspiration, creativity, and skill. I draw inspiration from everything around me. I get a lot of ideas from nature, art and culture.

Q Can you explain how your pieces are created?

A I first get ideas from things around me, I then draw these ideas like a picture. I pick out the materials that I want to use and if I want to incorporate gemstones. Next, the picture comes to life, and I receive a sample

of the jewellery to see how it looks and fits.

If I am happy with the result, then I make this live to my customers on my website.

Q What would you say have been your best sellers?

A The armour rings have emerged as some of my best-selling pieces. These bold rings have captured the hearts of jewellery enthusiasts and celebs. Their unique and edgy appearance adds a touch of modern elegance to any outfit. The popularity of the armour rings speaks to their ability to make a strong and stylish statement.

Q Have you evolved at all in recent times?

A Yes, we have evolved in recent times

by expanding our team. This growth has allowed us to enhance our capabilities and provide even better support and services to our users. We remain committed to evolving A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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“Our boutique is designed to offer a luxurious atmosphere”

and adapting to meet the changing needs of our customers and the broader community.

Q What can we expect when we

Q Is it nice to have a celebrity following?

A Yes, I am very thankful to have such a great

experience. Our boutique is designed to offer a welcoming and luxurious atmosphere, where you can explore a selection of our finest jewellery pieces up close and try on. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff will be there to assist you.

celebrity following, it helps more people see and know about my brand and products. When celebs wear and talk about our products it often attracts media attention and creates a buzz, reaching a wider audience, this can lead to increased sales and brand recognition.

Q What have winning awards meant to you?

A Winning awards has meant a lot to us, it’s

like getting a big thumbs up for the hard work we do. It makes us proud of what we have achieved and gives us confidence that we are on the right track. Awards also tell us that others appreciate what we’re doing, and that’s a great feeling. It motivates us to keep doing our best and keep improving.

Q How long have you been based in Chester

and what do you love about the area?

A I have been based in Chester since I

started, and I actually live and grew up in this lovely city. What I truly cherish about Chester is its rich history. The ancient walls that encircle the city, the beautiful Tudor-style buildings, and the Roman remains make it feel like a living museum!

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visit your boutique?

A You can expect a unique and immersive

Q As we head into autumn/ winter, what’s new from you?

A We are excited to introduce brand new jewellery pieces that are yet to be revealed, so stay tuned on our social media for exclusive looks. We have been hard at work crafting unique designs that we know you will all love.

Q What comes next?

A We only hope to get bigger and bigger. Our

goal is for the brand to go worldwide, and to be known everywhere. Expanding our reach and making our brand accessible to people worldwide is a key part of our vision.

We are committed to growing and evolving, always striving to provide the finest jewellery and the best possible experience for our customers, whether they are near or far. lucyqdesigns.co.uk

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toccata collection www.raymond-weil.co.uk . 0161 672 0700

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LEFT: Bartholomew Leather Boot - Black - £269 RIGHT: Penelope Chilvers Cortina Leather Shearling Boot - Black - £269

Step into

AUTUMN The new season is captured in a fresh new collection from Penelope Chilvers of lightweight oiled suede boots in natural colours, available at Tuula Retail in Alderley Edge

P E N E L O P E C H I LV E R S . C O M

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LEFT: Penelope chilvers Cropped Lined Tassel Boot - Conker - £339 RIGHT: Penelope chilvers Cuba Velvet Boot Bordeux - £299

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FAR LEFT: Penelope Chilvers Cortina Leather Shearling Boot Black - £269 ABOVE: Penelope Chilvers Pasofino Embroidered Suede Cowboy Boot - £349

PHOTOGRAPHY: Tara Rowse STYLISTS: Marie Louise Pumfrey and Gemma Sort Chilvers MODEL: Lorelle Rayner HAIR & MAKE-UP: Dani Guinsberg

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WIGGY HINDMARCH

Q&A

A cut

above Absolutely meets Wiggy Hindmarch, the woman behind the brand at Wiggy Kit

Q What's the ethos of Wiggy Kit and who

is the Wiggy Kit woman?

A The Wiggy Kit woman is discerning,

she understands her body and her busy lifestyle, and wants pieces that are going to work as hard as she does. Our mission is to provide sophisticated yet functional pieces that give women the freedom to be their multifaceted selves without needing multiple wardrobes. Versatility is always at the centre of everything we create.

ALL IMAGES AW23

Q Tell us about the new collection and

what inspired it...

A Autumn/winter 2023 was inspired by a

multitude of things. Environment – a sense of place, visualising a house or a location, who lives there? How would they like to dress when inhabiting that space? A great majority of the collection feels like pieces you might have inherited from your father’s wardrobe or a coat borrowed from your boyfriend.

I like taking traditional menswear shapes and adapting them for the female form. I collect antique wallpaper prints and fabric remnants – I have boxes and boxes of offcuts that I draw from when developing collections and create almost all of my own fabrics and

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FASHION • Q&A

“A majority of the collection feels like pieces you might have inherited from your father’s wardrobe” prints. I love pantone books and their different grades of the same colour, combining different shades, the playfulness of creating a palette for the season to make it recognisably Wiggy Kit. Q How did you embark on setting up a

fashion label?

A I have always been interested in clothing

and the ability to transform yourself through makeup and accessories. Having trained as a dancer and later working in retail, I am not afraid of hard work or putting myself out there. When I noticed that I had two separate summer wardrobes – one for home and one for holidays – I decided to create a brand that provided a solution to the problem of warm weather dressing, and from there I moved into dressing my client year-round with the recent launch of autumn/winter collections.

From the very beginning, it was important to ensure that the brand offered something unique with its own point of view, a product that solved so many sartorial problems and that could take you anywhere around the world.

Q What is your background?

A I grew up in the UK and moved to the US

at 18. I didn’t go to university, instead going straight into work in various boutiques. At the world-renowned boutique Capitol, in Charlotte, North Carolina and then at Catherine Prevost in London, I gained so much of the experience and knowledge needed to create Wiggy Kit.

Q Do you design for yourself?

A I think it must be for oneself or else it

is impossible to effectively problem-solve.

Fortunately there are plenty of women who appreciate amazing cuts, interesting silhouettes, custom prints and beautiful fabrics that feel amazing to wear. The customer base has grown exponentially because I still work to create versatile and hard-working pieces that can be worn anywhere; once a client tries a piece they come back for the whole collection.

I get complimented everywhere I go by complete strangers and so do all my clients.

There is no greater driver for business.

Q Reversible items are a recurring theme

in your collections. What is it about them?

And are they complex to create?

A Reversible pieces are important because they are hardworking and so versatile, you really get more for your money. There are A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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FASHION • Q&A

being helped by Women supporting Women.

They provide practical, tangible support and I knew I could help as a mentor in the same way.

Q And what's next for Wiggy Kit? A Things are looking really exciting, we

will be launching the party collection next month, a move into occasion wear for the festive season and beyond. What I like is the slightly off-kilter approach we have to party dressing that makes it so unique and special.

Definitely not predictable. We will also be doing more trunk shows in the USA, and hopefully in the UK too: they are a great way to connect to our fabulous clients in person.

many intricacies to creating them, but it is so worth it because they are adaptable, and that is at the heart of the brand.

Q What designers do you admire?

A Ulla Johnson for her use of prints and

colour, Aquazzurra for their exquisite shoes and Celine for giving me the perfect sunglasses to hide behind!

Q And what do you like to wear to work?

A Wiggy Kit! It wouldn’t be right if I wore

anything else. The collections are designed with work, play and everything in between in mind. I feel happiest in them. Usually one of my statement skirts with either a knit in winter or a matching set in summer.

Q You're involved with the Prince's Trust Women supporting Women – can you tell us about that?

A I am a fairly new ambassador with the Prince's Trust, having been introduced by my dear friend, India Hicks. I was blown away listening to the stories of the women

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“I get complimented everywhere I go by complete strangers – and so do all my clients”

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FASHION • JEWELLERY

Ear Candy Perfect earrings for curating an artful ear stack B y C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G

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ERIN FADER JEWELRY

GROWN BRILLIANCE

ITA

24K Gold Plated and Cubic Zirconia Crawlers, £28 erinfaderjewelry.com

14K Yellow Gold Round Lab Grown Diamond Huggies, £268 grownbrilliance.com

14K Yellow Gold Triple Ray White Diamond Ear Cuff, £1,730 itajewelry.com

JEMMA WYNNE

MELISSA KAYE

KARMA EL KHALIL

18K Yellow Gold Escalator Ear Cuff, £670 jemmawynne.com

18K Yellow Gold Lola Needle Earrings, £2,150 melissakayejewelry.com

18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Sunrise Ear Cuff, £25,963 karmaelkhalil.com

OLIVER BLANDI

MILAMORE

RITIQUE

18K Gold Diamond Burst Single Threader Earrings, £1,331 (single) oliverblandi.com

18K Recycled Yellow Gold and Akoya Pearl Earring, £1,338 (single) en.milamorejewelry.com

18K Yellow Gold Tricone Small Hoop Earrings, £2,903 ritique.com

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2 0 2 3

C O L L E C T I O N

www.rosa-clara.com

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WEDDINGS

IN A SPIN We all know preparing for your big day can be a stressful time. From choosing the right venue, to the perfect dress, via those little floral touches, there is so much you need to take on board. Which is why Absolutely Cheshire has put together this mini weddings special, where we tick off plenty of the to do list. The latest bridal looks? Check.

Exploring the best Cheshire venues? Check.

We even select some of the best fragrances to make you smell just right too, plus pick our top ten essentials for weddings right now.

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W

10 THINGS WE

Absolutely

LOVE A wishlist for a perfect wedding

ETHICAL J EW E LS

La Maison Couture x Tomasz Donocik's beautiful Busia Collection will raise funds for the Earthbeat Foundation. lamaisoncouture.com

H AT S OFF

Merve Bayindir's new milinery collection breaks bridal boundaries and caters for a new age of brides. All pieces are handmade. mervebayindir.com

FLORAL FASHION Dried flowers remain the uber stylish choice and Shida Preserved Flower's wedding collections are exquisitely curated to work with all colour themes and styles.

These beautiful natural flowers last up to a year and will make a strong statement on the big day. shida.florist

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FA B F I Z Z

Our recommendation for wedding fizz? Historic French producer Champagne De Saint-Gall has arrived in the UK and the Premier Cru Rosé is delicious. de-saint-gall.com

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WEDDINGS • 10 THINGS ZIP IT

Elizabeth Scarlett's wedding pouches have either ‘bride’ or ‘bridesmaid’ embroidered onto the luxurious velvet base in beautiful script lettering.

A great gift for a bride or her bridesmaids. elizabethscarlett.com

UNDER COVER Eres' Oisive range offers a delicate and refined silhouette. Made of silk satin and Leavers lace, the pieces come in a soft, sunny colour palette: Calcaire, a rosy beige; Canisse, a fresh sand yellow; and Muscade, a chestnut brown. eresparis.com

HIGH LIFE

Authentically handcrafted in Spain, these romantic, satin, striped and embroidered espadrilles have high and mid-height rustic, jute wedges that are comfortable and sure-footed for sandy beaches and lush lawns everywhere. penelopechilvers.com

PRETTY DRESS

STO N E FREE

Aspiga’s first bridesmaid collection features chic, pretty and understated dresses in this season’s on-trend lilac and navy.

They are simple tea dresses designed to be worn beyond the wedding, perfect for all occasions. aspiga.com

Rich in texture, Ella Stern's Molten Sow Ring is set with aqua, pink sapphire, yellow sapphire, citrine and star set diamond sides in 9ct recycled gold. ellastern.com

ST E P U P

Everybody knows that the coolest brides wear Terry de Havilland. The classic platform sandal comes in all shades and metallics. terr ydehavilland.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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6

Runway looks

WE LOVE From sharp tailoring to short glamour, crystal detailing and lavish silk gowns, here are six runway looks we have loved this year Photography B A R C E LO N A B R I DA L FA S H I O N W E E K

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TA I L O R E D E D G E

SHARP SHIFT

We were delighted to see a new crop of sharp separates in the mix for the wedding season – perfect for less formal or two-event celebrations and for brides who prefered to stride down the aisle in... strides. Isabel Sanchis, as ever, got the look spot on with this long-line white blazer and form-flattering trousers. We love the edgy safety-pin fastening, a discreet nod to the punk-bride spirit. isabelsanchis.com

There were plenty of cool bridal looks for the resort or high-summer celebrations among the new season designer collections, but this shift dress caught our eye for its wearability and throw-on elegance. With a subtle hi-low hemline to show off your wedding heels, it has a gorgeous cutout lace panel to add interest and highlight that tan. Pockets add a laidback vibe to a dress that would earn its keep on honeymoon too. jesuspeiro.com

Is ab el Sanchis

Je sús Pe iró

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BALLROOM SPIRIT

ICE MAIDEN

There were plenty of ballgown and regal styles in the mix this year, and some of our favourites had a real 1950s vibe.

This Hollywood-worthy number from Pronovias taps into that trend. It channelled this season's focus on big sleeves – many, like these, are detachable for a quick change of style. It also introduced a welcome pop of glitter on the bodice and is created from rich silk in soft pastel pink. pronovias.com

The Barcelona Bridal Week runway glittered during couturier Vestal's runway show, with some deliciously detailed gowns in the mix. This one tapped into an ongoing trend for regal gowns. The elegant highneck, half-sleeve bodice studded with flower embellishment is paired to a shimmering full skirt with more trailing flowers to emphasise the waist. The soft silvery hue of the gown adds to the showstopping effect – definitely a gown fit for a princess. @vestal-official

Pronov ias

Ve sta l

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C U T A B OV E

BUTTONED UP

Lush high-shine silks are a strong fashion story for new-season bridal, and Rosa Clará's new collection features some beautiful gowns cut to show off the potential of this wonderful fabric. This gown channels an almost 1930s film-star vibe with its long sleeves and neat cuffs. But the plunge neck and on-trend cutaway detail around the midriff are relaxed elements that make it a great choice for glamorous destination brides. rosaclara.es

A new name on the runway at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, Nicolas Montenegro is one to watch. Trained in Milan, he worked at a top design house (dressing Beyoncé and Kylie Minogue) and started his eponymous brand in his home village outside Seville in 2020. We just love his collection with its hallmarks of superb tailoring, clever details and form-flattering lines. This was one of our favourites for its flattering sleek cut, three-quarter sleeves and oversized buttons. nicolasmontenegro.com

Ros a C lará

Nicol a s Mon te n e gro

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JUST I M AG I NE A stunning mansion house.

The beautiful backdrop. The people you love.

A perfect moment. A day to remember.

Weddings at Coworth Park.

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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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Setting the Stage One of the biggest decisions couples make is where to tie the knot. Here, Absolutely takes a trip to Knutsford to sample somewhere special

T

he Courthouse in Knutsford, Cheshire, stands as a testament to both history and modern elegance.

Housed within a magnificent Grade II listed building dating back 200 years, this remarkable establishment has been revitalised by Flat Cap Hotels. Today, it stands proudly as a stylish restaurant, bar, and boutique hotel, offering an enchanting setting for weddings, among other delightful experiences.

Renowned locally as the place to be, The Courthouse exudes an irresistible charm, making it ideal for couples seeking a truly exceptional wedding or other celebration venue. The stunning architecture, combined with the warm and inviting atmosphere, creates an ambiance that captivates all who enter its doors.

With the ability to accommodate a range of events, The Courthouse sets the stage for unforgettable wedding ceremonies, receptions, and everything in between.

The Courthouse offers three impressive event spaces: the intimate Judges Chamber,

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WEDDINGS • VENUE

“Renowned locally as the place to be, The Courthouse exudes an irresistible charm”

THE GRAND STAIRCASE

accommodating up to eight people; the spacious Moneypenny Suite, capable of hosting events for up to 100 attendees; and the stunning Grand Courtroom, with a capacity of up to 300 people. Its prime location, only a short 20-minute journey from Manchester Airport and boasting convenient train connections to both Manchester and London, makes it an ideal choice for hosting a memorable wedding.

At The Courthouse, Flat Cap Hotels has carefully curated a collection of remarkable bedrooms, ensuring a comfortable and luxurious stay for wedding guests. Currently, the venue offers 16 beautifully designed rooms, including dog-friendly options. As part of ongoing development, plans are in place to transform old prisoner cells into immersive and impressive accommodation, adding a unique touch to the overall experience.

From the Signature and Superior rooms to the Executive suites, each one offers its own distinctive features, providing guests with a truly personalised stay. Amenities such as premium British-made toiletries, flatscreen TVs, homemade snacks, and plush bathrobes are thoughtfully provided, ensuring every guest feels pampered and indulged.

The Courthouse is deeply rooted in the local community of Cheshire, and it reflects this through its strong ties with local suppliers. Situated a short distance of the venue, a network of exceptional food and drink suppliers contribute to the creation of unforgettable dining experiences. This commitment to supporting the local economy enhances the authenticity and quality of each dish, adding an extra layer of pride to The Courthouse’s offerings. As a wedding venue, The Courthouse holds a special place in the hearts of those who choose to celebrate their love within its walls. The rich history of the building, combined with the modern amenities and exceptional service provided

by Flat Cap Hotels, creates an enchanting and memorable experience for couples and their guests. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand affair, The Courthouse is the perfect backdrop for a wedding day that will be cherished for a lifetime.

THE COURTHOUSE You can find out more information at flatcaphotels.com, or follow on social on Facebook and Instagram

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WEDDINGS • VENUES

Five to

impress

A quintet of other venues in Cheshire that may just be the one for your special day

D I D YO U K N O W ?

Grange Barn host only one wedding a week, so you can have exclusive hire of the barn from Fri-Sun

Grange Barn grangeweddingbarncheshire.co.uk

T The Chester Grosvenor

T

his beautiful venue is nestled away in the picturesque village of Marbury on the Cheshire / Shropshire border. Grange Barn is a converted barn on a family farm and has a charming and unique feel.

With simply stunning views over the Cheshire plains, Grange Barn provides an idyllic country setting for your wedding day. Run by Sally and Tom Charlesworth, this venue has a very personal feel, allowing their guests to put their own touches to this versatile space. The barn is very flexible, accommodating weddings of up to 150 people.

Couples are welcome to get married in their separate indoor ceremony area or (weather permitting!) on the large outside decking overlooking the spectacular views.

If you would like a church service, they are a stone's throw away from the beautiful Saint Michael's Church of Marbury. There are plenty of lovely churches all within a 5-10 minute drive from Grange Barn.

chestergrosvenor.com

he award-winning Chester Grosvenor combines eye-catching, historic architecture with modern facilities. Dating back to the 18th century, the hotel stands next to the landmark Eastgate Clock, the pillared entrance paired with the black and white timbered exterior providing the backdrop for a fairy-tale wedding.

‘The Gallery’ on the first floor landing boasts the original staircase with a stunning 28,000 piece crystal chandelier, a perfect location for your wedding photography. They can accommodate wedding breakfasts and civil ceremonies from two to 200 guests.

Their boutique spa has five luxury treatment rooms, a relaxation area, and a manicure and pedicure station for the finishing touches. All to help you completely relax before, during and after the big day.

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WEDDINGS • VENUES

Arley Hall & Gardens

D I D YO U K N O W ?

Merrydale Manor is the former home of Michael and Suzanne Irlam and has been extensively renovated

Merrydale Manor merrydalemanor.com

M

errydale Manor is a bespoke Cheshire venue which aims to be the most luxurious and sophisticated venue available in the North West, set in acres of beautiful countryside and rolling parkland in the heart of the Cheshire. Merrydale Manor is entering its sixth year and is the perfect setting for couples to tie the knot, hold private parties or for companies to put on corporate events to remember.

Merrydale Manor is only ever hired on an exclusive basis, so you and your guests have the entire estate to yourselves. The estate comprises of a grand sweeping driveway that leads you through luscious parkland and manicured gardens.

There is an exquisite manor house and a serene lake, providing the perfect views when you’re saying ‘I do’ or to look over as you sip on a celebratory drink!

The pièce de résistance is the glamorous, purpose-built Merrydale Suite and Bar where you can raise a toast, dine on delectable dishes or simply dance the night away. This contemporary space maximises views of the courtyard gardens at the back and over to the tranquil lake at the front.

L

arleyhallandgardens.com

ocated in the heart of Cheshire's countryside, Arley Hall & Gardens is a charming venue, full of character and history.

This treasured family home features stunning interiors and is the perfect setting for a beautiful wedding day. As well as this, the award-winning gardens span eight acres, providing a vast, enchanting background for your outdoor wedding photos. Licensed for civil ceremonies, you can have your ceremony in the Hall, on the stunning Herbaceous Border in the award-winning gardens, the Cruck Barn, or the Olympia Barn.

For the wedding breakfast, there's the impressive Hall, elegant Drawing Room, and intimate Library, which all provide unique, majestic settings. The evening reception takes place in the Victorian Olympia Barn complex. If you want to cater to more than 250 guests, why not make the most of the many acres of land and have a stunning lake-side marquee reception?

D I D YO U K N O W ?

Accessible by its very own train station, you’ll find easy-going trails for all abilities in Delamere Forest

Nunsmere Hall

N

nunsmere.co.uk

estled in the enchanting Delamere Forest, Nunsmere Hall is a breathtaking country house hotel that marries historic charm and timeless elegance. Framed by a stunning 60-acre lake and set against the backdrop of rural Cheshire, it’s the perfect country escape.

Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Cheshire countryside, Nunsmere Hall is the ideal setting for your special day.

Wisteria-clad walkways, lakeside views and neatly manicured gardens envelop this charming country house. Everywhere you turn, greenery abounds to create a calming hideaway that is world’s away from everyday life. It’s a truly dreamy setting for your romance to unfold.

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Autumn / Winter 2019

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Knowsley Hall

EXCLUSIVELY YOURS Authentic Stately Home Home to The Earl & Countess of Derby 5* Gold awarded accommodation Set in a private walled estate, within 2,500 acres of gardens, lakes & parkland TO ARRANGE YOUR PRIVATE VIEWING, CONTACT US ON 0151 489 4827 Join us at our open evening on Thursday 23rd November. Visit website to register your free place.

Knowsley Hall, Prescot, Merseyside, L34 4AG w: knowsleyhallvenue.co.uk t: 0151 489 4827 e: weddings@knowsley.com @knowsleyhall | Photography by: Jeff Langhorne

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Your Biggest Day, The Smallest Details Opened in 1865 as Europe’s first ‘Grand Hotel’, The Langham, London has an unrivalled location at the top of Regent Street. With a history of hosting royals and aristocrats, more than 155 years later, The Langham remains a London icon where the finest events and grandest celebrations take place.

Celebrate life’s milestones in our opulent Grade II Listed Grand Ballroom, rose-filled Courtyard Garden, or elegant private dining rooms. With menus overseen by two Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr, and a dedicated event specialist to guide you every step of the way, we shall ensure your celebrations are managed to perfection.

1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London W1B 1JA T (44) 020 7636 1000 | tllon.weddings@langhamhotels.com langhamhotels.com/london

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WEDDINGS • PARTNERSHIP

INSIDE STORRS HALL

LINDETH FELL

Two's COMPANY Why Storrs Hall Hotel

and Lindeth Fell Country House are popular for any kind of wedding

S

torrs Hall Hotel and Lindeth Fell Country House offer picture perfect wedding venues in the spectacular Lake District National Park.

They complement each other perfectly while offering something different.

Storrs Hall sits right on the shores of Lake Windermere, south of Bowness THE RESTAURANT AT STORRS HALL SET FOR A WEDDING

on Windermere. It’s a Grade II* listed Georgian country house, with a comfortably grand period rooms, nestled up to by the Victorian wing housing a bar from Blackpool Tower – popular with Grooms and Best Men before the vows.

Catering for 80 guests on an Exclusive Use basis, with up to 120 evening guests, the hall has 29 bedrooms, with the option to add in the other self-contained accommodation in the 17 acres of grounds – the six Lakeside Suites and the Georgian Boathouse that has its own private corner of the grounds right on the lake. You can also book Lindeth Fell on an Exclusive Use basis if you want extra accommodation for your guests. There are a choice of internal and open air locations licenced for ceremonies at Storrs, including the elegant Drawing Room, the South Lawn, the Garden Pavilion, and what has to be the most exclusive private location for an elopement – The Boathouse Terrace.

Their contrasting offer to a big wedding party including friends and

family is the elopement package, the Just For Two celebration. It’s a very popular destination venue for those of you who want to keep your vows intimate, but still make it a celebration.

Lindeth Fell Country House is an AA 5 Star Bed & Breakfast, offering more than you’d expect. Its Edwardian architecture is wrapped by seven acres of ingeniously designed gardens by the famous designer Thomas Mawson, his subtle creation features terraces adding outside living space ahead of the trend, with mature planting defining lawned ‘rooms’ dropping down the hill, including a pretty lily filled pond. They also create total privacy for Lindeth. There are glimpses of Lake Windermere, but as the house faces West there are beautiful panoramic views over Claife on the Western shore, towards the Coniston Mountain ranges.

Lindeth will be licenced in 2024 for both Exclusive Use weddings of up to 40 people, a more intimately scaled celebration than at Storrs, or Just For Two ceremonies. The team will cater to your personal requests to create a totally bespoke celebration for you.

Both venues are peacefully secluded, with beautiful views, and both have a team who will make your special day perfect.

Contact weddings@storrshall.com with enquiries for both Storrs Hall and Lindeth Fell A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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WEDDINGS • TREND JO MALONE LONDON Osmanthus Blossom Cologne, £115 jomalone.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

ACQUA DI PARMA Colonia Limited Edition Designed by Samuel Ross, £140 acquadiparma.com

DIPTYQUE Eau Papier, £90 diptyqueparis.com

EDENISTE Dream Lifeboost, £68 harrods.com

ROADS Neon, £120 roads.co

SERGE LUTENS Tarab, £420 sergelutens.co.uk

TORY BURCH Mystic Geranium, £90 spacenk.com

BON PARFUMEUR 803, £81 harveynichols.com

ON THE

scent

OSTENS Rose Oil Isparta, £135 ostens.com

All the most romantic fragrances for your wedding day B y PENDLE HARTE

ZADIG & VOLTAIRE This is Us, £65.80 zadig-et-voltaire.com

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THAMEEN EAU TRIPLE Mexican Tuberose, £143 selfridges.com

Fanfare Cologne Elixir, £250 selfridges.com

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ For Her, £76 johnlewis.com

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New

ROMANCE Expect the unexpected with Lihi Hod's sumptuous bridal gown collection

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Knightsbridge

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Call 0371 3460 409 or visit bupaprivateclient.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

CLEAN DREAM GLOW RECIPE This hydrating, skin barrier strengthening cleanser is packed full of ceramides and pre and post-biotics.

Avocado oil helps to break down make-up, whilst also nourishing the skin. £25; cultbeauty.co.uk

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Get ready with Dr Nyla for the festive season

Doctor Nyla is a skin specialist, trusted

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

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

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WHY CHOOSE MEDISPA Winner of the prestigious “BTL Face of the year” award.

The largest Skin Tightening clinic in the United Kingdom.

The largest Ultracel Clinic outside of London.

The only Diamond Premiere Coolsculpting clinic outside London and the second largest Coolsculpting clinic in Europe

“Clinic of the year 2019/20” at the safety in Beauty Awards.

T R A N S FO R M AT I O N FAC E L I F T ™ The Transformation Facelift™ is a bespoke treatment from Doctor Nyla, unique to her clinics and combining a variety of incredible antiageing treatments to make you look and feel 10 years younger in the space of only six weeks! The next generation, multiplatform transformational facial offered exclusively at Dr Nyla.

This treatment offers non-surgical skin tightening and lifting to treat all anti-ageing concerns – from textured, dull skin, to deep wrinkles and loss of laxity. The treatment programme can combine a number of super technologies dependant upon your specific concerns such as Ultherapy, Exilis Elite radio frequency, Morpheus skin needling as well as tweaking with injectable enhancements where necessary, To give immediate & long-term results with minimal downtime. The skin will begin to

feel smoother and tighter after the first treatment and results will continue to improve for up to six months.

The skin ageing process happens to everyone, and is a completely natural process. However, it can be very difficult for some people, and make them lose confidence in their appearance. As we get older, the production of collagen and elastin in our bodies slows, causing the common signs of skin ageing, such as fine lines, wrinkles

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Q&A

NICK MITCHELL

In good S H A P E Nick Mitchell, the man behind Ultimate Performance Cheshire, on what it takes to be the very best in the industry

U

ltimate Performance has become one of the world’s leading personal training companies, with 24 gyms spread all over the world. They have a flagship gym in Alderley Edge – U.P. Cheshire – where they train high-profile clients, both in terms of being celebrities and net worth.

We decided to get the gym kit out of the dusty drawer and visit to meet the man behind Ultimate Performance, Nick Mitchell, and find out how he uncovered a niche that has lead to global domination.

NICK SHOWING US HOW IT'S DONE

Q What gap did you see before launching Ultimate Performance?

A My initial goal was to be known as the best trainer in the UK and have a PT gym business that was recognised as the best in London. I thought a couple of gyms might scratch the itch, but as ever with me, and I recognise that this is both a good and bad character trait, as soon as I get close to achieving my goal, I move the goalposts. I wanted two gyms, then only two London gyms and one abroad would work. Then I thought “you’ve made it when you have five”.

Now I’ve got more than 20 across the world.

And so over time, my goals have evolved from wanting to be the best personal trainer in London to wanting to reinvent what personal training should

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • PROFILE

THIS MONTH'S PROFILE STAR SARAH JAYNE DUNN, IS A CLIENT

“I wanted to build a personal training space where results mattered” be about and setting a benchmark for the rest of the industry to follow.

The moment that you walk through the doors of a U.P. gym, you know it stands for something. We have a belief system that runs through everything that we do.

It can be encapsulated in any one of our slogans – ‘maximum results in minimum time’, ‘results not promises’, or ‘where the excuses stop and the results begin’.

Q From day one, what did you want to offer? What made you different?

A There were two things in the front of

my mind really. One, the primary thing was that I thought the client experience was atrocious. I come from tough, hard, bodybuilding gyms where it’s not exercise, it’s training, it’s a visceral experience. I would observe the way most trainers work with clients, and I thought: ‘I wouldn’t come back for this, what would be the point in coming back for this?’ It’s boring, it’s dull, there’s no excitement in it. You need to make exercise exciting and interesting.

I also looked at the trainers who had no career platform, nowhere to go, exchanging time for money and that’s it, they flatline. I wanted to change that, I wanted to create a platform for the trainers who work for me.

I wanted to build a personal training space where results mattered. Where clients can genuinely see a return on their investment. That’s why I judge my trainers on the results they deliver for their clients. They don’t need to worry about marketing or selling themselves, they just need to work with their clients and deliver the best possible results. And we give them the training and the tools and the behind-the-scenes ecosystem to

allow them to deliver the best personal training experience on the planet. And that’s not hyperbole, that’s true. My trainers achieve incredible results that no other fitness business in the world can match.

Q How do you look back on the last 14 years of Ultimate Performance?

A Of course, to have grown and evolved from one gym in London to being the world’s only personal training business, and operating in places like Washington DC, Los Angeles, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong etc is satisfying.

And I take it as a complement in some ways when social media trolls comment on our pictures and say they’re too good to be true or that they’re faked – which they’re not – because it proves we’re achieving results for our clients no other fitness business in the world can match.

They’ve been milestones along the way for sure. Opening the first gym in London in 2009 was a big milestone. Opening the first gym abroad in Hong Kong was a big milestone. The first book I ever wrote was an absolutely enormous buzz.

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“People stare at the results wall with disbelief, but they're all genuine clients”

Q When did you open in Cheshire?

A May 2018. After opening so many gyms in London, as a Northerner (born and bred in Yorkshire), I always dreamed that we could expand away from metropolitan city centres and bring the U.P. experience to the kind of places in which I grew up. U.P. Cheshire was our very first location that’s away from the big city hustle and bustle.

Q What would we find inside the gym?

A A 2,500sq ft, state-of-the-art, private personal training facility stocked with a selection of purpose-built free weights and Atlantis fixed machines. You will also be greeted by a results wall, displaying the ‘before’ and ‘afters’ of genuine U.P. Cheshire clients, which everyone who first enters U.P. Cheshire stares at a disbelief because the results are that good, thinking that will never be them. But every single person on that results wall is a genuine U.P. client and those people who initially stare in disbelief often go on to be on the wall themselves.

Q Typically, how do you work with clients?

A Typically, a client will come to us with a goal, whether it’s to get in shape for their wedding or for a holiday, or after a real wake-up call with their health that jolts them into realising they need to take control of their health and well-being.

We will then arrange a consultation with a gym manager, who will talk to that client about their goals, their lifestyle, their pain points, their stresses, their previous experience and so on. The gym manager will then make a decision as to which personal trainer is best suited to work with that client. Because it’s not ‘one-size-fits-all’. We pride ourselves on partnering our clients with the right trainer whose approach will get the most out of their client. It’s all about buy-in. A client has to be bought into the process here at U.P. – in terms of diet adherence and sticking it out no matter how tough the sessions are – and the trainer has to achieve that buy-in. The more you put in, the more you get out, right? So, the more a client puts in, the better results they’ll get, and to do that, they have to buy-in to what their trainer is telling them.

So, developing that relationship is crucial.

Then a trainer will devise a bespoke, individualized workout and meal plan programme for that client that is completely unique to them. You can’t just rip a programme off the internet that has been written for someone else.

You need a programme that’s right and appropriate for you based on your body

composition, your experience, your skill levels etc. That’s what our trainers will do. They will then work, hand-in-hand, with their clients over the next 6, 12, 18, 52 weeks or however long it might be to help their clients achieve their goals.

Q What does the future hold for you?

A To carry on expanding the Ultimate Performance estate around the world.

We’re looking at opening more new gyms in London by the end of the year, and we’re looking to open a third gym in Los Angeles and a gym in Taiwan, which is a brand new location for us, in the near future.

Discover more by visiting ultimateperformance.com

ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE CHESHIRE

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D E C I S I O N The brand director of Willow Beauty writes about why you should choose organic products B y TA M R Y N S T O W E L L

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• PARTNERSHIP • XXXXX HEALTH & BEAUTY XXXXXXXX

I

n a world increasingly focused on health and sustainability, the choice of beauty products has become more than just a matter of personal preference. The cosmetics and skincare industry has witnessed a significant shift towards organic beauty products in recent years. Many individuals are now opting for organic beauty products over their conventional counterparts, and there are compelling reasons for this shift.

NATURAL INGREDIENTS

One of the primary reasons people opt for organic beauty products is the use of natural ingredients. Conventional beauty products often contain synthetic chemicals, artificial fragrances, and preservatives that can irritate the skin and harm the environment. Organic beauty products, on the other hand, are formulated with natural, plant-based ingredients that are gentle on the skin and safer for the planet. These products typically do not contain harmful chemicals like parabens or phthalates.

SKIN HEALTH

Organic beauty products are known for their skin-friendly qualities. Natural ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, and shea butter have been used for centuries to nourish and rejuvenate the skin. These ingredients provide hydration, reduce the risk of skin allergies, and can be especially beneficial for individuals with sensitive or reactive skin. Organic skincare products work with the skin's natural processes, helping it maintain its health and vibrancy.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Choosing organic beauty products is a responsible choice for the environment.

These products are often produced using sustainable farming practices, which reduce the carbon footprint associated with their production. Organic beauty brands prioritise eco-friendly packaging and avoid harmful ingredients that can harm the ecosystem when washed down the plug-hole. By supporting organic beauty brands, consumers are making a positive contribution to the planet.

CRUELTY-FREE

A significant number of organic beauty brands are committed to cruelty-free practices. As a majority, they do not test their products on animals, and more often than not their products are vegetarian or vegan (the most common non-vegan ingredient used is honey and beeswax). This is a crucial

“By supporting organic beauty brands, consumers are making a positive contribution to the planet” ethical consideration for individuals who want to ensure that their beauty routine does not involve animal suffering.

FEWER ALLERGENS

Organic beauty products are less likely to contain common allergens, artificial fragrances, or synthetic dyes. This means that people with sensitive skin or skin conditions like eczema are less likely to experience adverse reactions. The absence of synthetic fragrances and dyes also reduces the risk of skin irritation, making organic beauty products a safer choice for those with delicate skin.

NO HARMFUL CHEMICALS

Conventional beauty products often contain a host of synthetic chemicals that have been linked to various health issues, including endocrine disruption and allergic reactions.

Organic beauty products are free from these

potentially harmful substances. Many people choose organic beauty products to avoid exposing their bodies to unnecessary risks.

When we consider that the skin absorbs 70% of what we apply to it, and that these chemicals are then processed by the liver, it’s no wonder people are not only looking at natural products as good for the environment, but also good for their personal health.

Organic beauty brands tend to be more transparent about their ingredient lists and sourcing practices. This transparency allows consumers to make informed choices about the products they use on their bodies.

Willow is certified by the Soil Association and COSMOS, which means we have to adhere to strict claims, labelling and ingredients policies – helping build trust with our clients.

In conclusion, the decision to choose organic beauty products is not merely a trend, but a conscious choice that aligns with the values of health, sustainability, and ethics. By selecting organic beauty products, individuals can enjoy the benefits of natural ingredients, protect their skin and the environment, and contribute to the wellbeing of animals. These products represent a holistic approach to beauty that goes beyond surface aesthetics and emphasises the health of both individuals and the planet.

Ultimately, the appeal of organic beauty products lies in their ability to offer effective beauty regimes with a conscience. willowbeautyproducts.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • FITNESS

FITNESS

TOP

PICKS

NOTES

THREE PIECES FROM KHLOÉ KARDASHIAN X FABLECTIC S

By CARLY GLENDINNING

FRAME SCULPTING Reflecting Khloé's personal style, this frame sculpting bra delivers on high fashion and high performance. It's made from Fablectic's signature fabrics: designed for high sweat, ultimate comfort, and flexibility, £44.

G R AC E F U L

MOVES

CARGO ST YLE In shades of terracotta and St Tropez coral, this Cargo jacket perfectly reflects the collection's desert-inspired theme. With daily utility in mind, it's big on versatility, style, and – of course – wearability, £139.

BUNGEE LEGGINGS Designed to complement form, these high waisted leggings are made from Fabletics' signature Motion365+ fabric – the brand's highest sweat fabric that's cool to the touch, £89.

All available at fabletics.co.uk

Absolutely Cheshire stretches and sculpts with Chrissy Sundt's online platform Silver Linings

A

s a time-poor toddler mum, getting out of the house to do exercise can be tricky. Anything beyond the gym days I’ve preagreed with my husband is a challenge at the moment, so I always appreciate being able to exercise at home (squeezing in a quick training session during nap time is a dream!). Doing the same videos day-in-day-out can get dull very quickly though.

So I was excited to discover the Silver Linings platform, which has new content added to it regularly. Silver Linings was founded by Chrissy Sundt, a classical Pilates, Yoga and barre instructor who also has a passion for holistic wellness.

Chrissy has been teaching for over 20 years and combines

education with her ongoing work as a choreographer. After eight years of training at the Royal Ballet School and a dance career that saw her dance with both the Royal Ballet and the Birmingham Royal Ballet, an ankle injury led her to discover the rehabilitative benefits of Pilates. After teaching in multiple boutique studios across London, a series of trips to Kamalame Cay (the postcard-perfect private island in the Bahamas) inspired her to launch her first Silver Linings Wellbeing retreat. Two channels on YouTube: ‘SL By Chrissy’ and ‘Silver Linings @Home’ aim to bring the benefits of her retreats to a wider audience. The athome classes deliberately avoid expensive equipment, and users only need a mat to participate.

Classes are delivered by a roster

of brilliant practitioners – with specialisms from Yoga to mediation, HITT, barre, core, and more. What I’ve really loved is the varying length of the classes – with quick 12 minute workouts and more in-depth 45 minute-long classes (perfect for those with demanding schedules).

The way the classes combine different disciplines is also refreshing, and all the movements can be modified, depending on the level you’re at. As an ex-ballet dancer myself, I've really enjoyed Chrissy's choreography and pacing as well. All-in-all it’s safe to say I’m hooked already, and the best bit?

There's no negotiations about leaving the house. silverliningswellbeing.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

BEAUTY NOTES

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

REVIEW

MANOR HOUSE

WILD FLAME

A spa getaway in East Cheshire

A

E A R L O F E A ST

Carrying the brand’s classic ‘Wildflower’ scent, this limited edition candle from Earl of East transports you to a meadow in full bloom – with a blend of jasmine, gardenia and rose geranium, £50. earlofeast.com

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This deeply nourishing and reparative leave-in styling treatment strengthens hair follicles and adds hold and weight for perfect bouncy curls. It also smells delicious – infused with tropical Guava and coconut, £48.

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This melt-into-the-skin body balm absorbs quickly, leaving no residue. The deeply nourishing formulation is packed full of natural antioxidants, gentle AHAs, and soothing anti-inflammatories, £58.

EDITOR’S PICK

s the vibrant hues of autumn paint the landscape, East Cheshire’s familyowned, English country Manor House Hotel invites guests to embrace the golden season with its limited edition Autumnal Glow Spa Day. This newly launched Spa Day offers guests an holistic experience indoors and out that beats off the summer holiday blues and captures the beauty of the season.

Guests arrive at the spa where they are given their fluffy robes and towels, as well as bespoke tote bag and flip flops which they can take home with them following their visit. Guests can slip into their spa attire and head to the Pool House where they are greeted with a delicious seasonal mocktail. The hub of the spa, the Pool House has underfloor heating, as well as a log burning stove, making even the chilliest of mornings cosier. Housing the UK’s first Swim up bar, The Pool House is equipped to enjoy all year round and is an idyllic location to indulge in during the colder months. It wouldn’t be a spa day without a little indulgence, and for a truly warming experience, guests can enjoy the Salt Shed Experience included in the package, a private guided meditation in a Himalayan salt sauna to induce a meditative state of relaxation - a perfect prelude to the 60-Minute Autumnal Glow Spa Ritual.

This bespoke treatment combines a soothing 30-minute Back Massage with a revitalising 30-minute Glow Facial. Following treatments, guests also have access to a comforting relaxation lounge where they can lay in the peace a little longer before heading back out into the main spa.

MANOR HOUSE The Limited Edition Autumnal Glow Spa Day is available until 30 November

manorhousealsager.com

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

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Advanced Skin & Body Aesthetics Clinic

020 3489 8010 | 7 High St, Cheam, Sutton SM3 8RQ info@definitionskinaesthetics.co.uk | definitionaesthetics.co.uk

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • TREND CHANTECAILLE Bio Lifting Eye Cream, £196 chantecaille.co.uk

Q+A Vitamin C Eye Cream, £8 qandaskin.com

ROMILLY WILDE Eye Believe Serum, £66 romillywilde.com

GLOW RECIPE Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask, £41 cultbeauty.co.uk

111SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Eye Mask, £85 111skin.com

ALL SKIN | MED Firming Eye Cream, £50 allskinmed.com

DR. HAUSCHKA

EVIDENS DE BEAUTÉ Special Eye Treatment, £250 harrods.com

EDITOR’S PICK

ALL EYES

The latest products for dark circles and puffy eyes

Regenerating Eye Cream, £54 drhauschka.co.uk

EIGHTH DAY Eye Renewal Cream, £185 eighthdayskin.com

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LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Eye Cream, £33 spacenk.com

OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Vitamin CC Eye Sticks, £25 each sephora.co.uk

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INTERIORS

TH E BES P O K E A PPR OAC H EV E R E ST

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AN EMPORIUM OF TREASURES FOR YOUR HOME

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INTERIORS • PROFILE

GEMMA SCHOFIELD

I

was a bossy and determined child foremost, but I have always been creative. I’ve always been a good organiser and enjoyed adding my touch to things and making something the best it can be.

My father developed property for a living and I grew up on building sites watching him, I suppose that’s where the addictive attraction of the “before and after” came from for me. I did not do a degree in interior design, I did not actually do a degree, however I have always been driven and hard working and able to turn my hand to most things. I started property developing in my mid 20s and that

ON SHOW naturally led me into the interiors side.

Right from the start, I learnt that there is no substitute for hard work, it’s the same now, I don’t stop – I focus on something I want to achieve, and I do all I can to get there and that often involves a lot of work, but I enjoy being busy. If you’re going to be good at something you have to dedicate yourself to it, it’s really that simple.

Lifestyle Interiors was actually established by my former business partner, Elaine Gore.

Elaine worked with house builders on show homes and I would work with private clients on their homes, it was a coming together really and then Elaine quite quickly retired and it was a sink or swim moment – buy Elaine out and kick on with Lifestyle, or walk away and do my own thing under a different brand? I could see the potential of the two coming together, my drive and ambition and what Elaine had started on a small scale with the house builder market so took a leap, borrowed a huge amount of money and reinvented Lifestyle practically overnight – the rest as they say is history.

The Bramhall-based managing director of Lifestyle Interiors writes about evolution, being different and the sweet smell of success

By GEMMA SCHOFIELD

When Lifestyle became all my own it was practically like starting the business again from scratch. There were so many things I wanted to improve, change, or do differently. It was a case of can I make this a national brand in five years? That was always my goal.

We wanted to be one of the leading show home interior designers in the UK. We wanted to offer a bespoke product that other designers weren’t and we did this by bringing media walls and our joinery designs into show homes before anyone else did – it’s now more common as all our competitors followed our lead!

I was tired of seeing the same trade product in most house builders show homes by other show home designers, it became very boring and uninspiring, so I invested heavily into our structure so we could manufacture our own joinery, upholstery and soft furnishings in house. That way we had an exclusive look that we could afford to deliver as we cut the middle man out. This gave us an edge over all our competitors and still does.

We have recently completed two new show homes for Bovis and Linden Homes at Gaw Lane, Macclesfield, and a bespoke sales office all designed, manufactured and installed by Lifestyle. We have also just completed all A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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INTERIORS • PROFILE

the soft furnishings bespoke made for our private clients at Normans Hall in Prestbury, which is a stunning “super home”.

The business has evolved massively in the last five years, we have developed a recognisable and trusted brand with Lifestyle, we have lead the way on social media (we are the most followed show home interior designers in the UK), we have quadrupled turnover and staff numbers in five years and picked up over nine awards along the way for our work.

I spotted a gap in the market about three years ago for a large statement home diffuser that was luxury and great quality with a strong long lasting scent, but did not cost £600 like the ones I had seen from leading brands.

There was a trade large diffuser that hit the market three years ago we were using a lot, but when you look closely past its impressive size it had several failings. I thought I can do so much better than this, so I set off and Lifestyle Home was born. It’s been three years of hard work, investment, design, sampling, testing, changing to get to this point at launch and I am still learning every day. I am so proud of this product, the bespoke wooden tray the diffuser sits in was a real “ok we have nailed this” moment as it makes the product so elevated and unique. Even all the trademarking and copyright processes were incredibly challenging, but I feel we have got there now and we have a great story ahead of us.

I have always wanted to invent something.

I’ve always wanted to have a successful brand that gave customers something that was missing in the market place and I feel I have done this with the Lifestyle Home collection.

I love luxury items, I love my home smelling nice, so this was a natural choice to develop an affordable luxury, oversized reed diffuser.

We are slowly introducing more products later this year and in 2024, we have some stunning oversized candles coming forward for Christmas and then we plan to add room sprays, refills and 1500ml diffusers next year.

I currently live in Bramhall and have done for the last nine years – I was born and raised just outside Marple. I attended Cheadle Hulme school so have always loved the area, it has a really nice village feel.

Do I try to get away from it all and enjoy the county? I try! I travel all over the county at weekends with my youngest two boys as they play rugby and football so we end up everywhere taking and watching them. I used to be a keen horse rider so that got me out and about more, but I don’t have the time anymore so I often taxi Charlie and Archie around instead. We do try to go out for a Sunday dinner though, that is my tradition I try and enforce, get all three of my boys and my husband out to a pub in Cheshire and have a glass of wine and a roast dinner before it all starts again on a Monday morning…

LIFESTYLE HOME'S NEW DIFFUSER

Discover more at lifestylehomecollection.org

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Poul Kjærholm | Ole Wanscher

1955 | 1962

CARLHANSEN.COM

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INTERIORS • TREND

CARRIÈRE FRÈRES Scented Taper Candles, £32 for six carrierefreres.co.uk

ANNABEL JAMES Autumn leaves LED Lights, £39.95, annabeljames.co.uk

ERCOL AFTER NOAH Egg Shaped Seagrass Basket With Ochre Stripes, £7 afternoah.com

Marlia Armchair in Red Rust, £1,060 ercol.com

MONOWARE Autumn Tablescape monoware.com

RED ALERT

DONNA WILSON Bird Figurine, £240 scp.co.uk

OKA

EDITOR’S PICK

Holda Rug in Rust, £2,595 oka.com

Autumnal accessories in leafy shades

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

LEAF ENVY Windsor Rust Pot, £20 leafenvy.co.uk

ICONIC INTERIORS Lobby Desk Chair in Rich Chestnut, £995 iconicinteriors.com

WILDFLOWER BOTANICALS Autumn Luxury Candle, £22 wildflowerbotanicals.co.uk

LIGNE ROSET Saparella Modular Sofa Corner Unit Rust, £POA miliashop.com

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INTERIORS • FEATURE

DERRY VAUGHAN EDWARDS

F L Y I N G

HIGH Absolutely Cheshire meets up with Derry Vaughan Edwards, the founder of acclaimed Warrington based architectural practice, DOVE

D

OVE Architecture & Interiors Ltd is a vibrant and dedicated RIBA chartered architects practice based in Cheshire. The practice was formed in 2012 by Derry Vaughan Edwards, and Absolutely Cheshire caught up her with discuss over a decade of running her own business.

Q Before launching DOVE Architecture, what was your background in the industry?

A I worked for Stedman Blower, an awardwinning architectural company based in Surrey, specialising in heritage and vernacular architecture for approximately five years.

Q What inspired you to return to Cheshire and set up DOVE? A I wanted to move back to the North West; I have always had a love of the Cheshire countryside, the open space, and I wanted to create something for myself, which DOVE has enabled me to do. I felt that Cheshire could benefit from an architectural practice that looked to integrate contemporary architecture into an historical setting.

THE KITCHEN AT SHRIGLEY ROAD

Q Why was it the right time for you to launch your own business?

A It probably wasn’t viewed as the right time, as my children were young, however it allowed me to be flexible with my working time and to balance my family and work life, which I am sure lots of mums can relate to!

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

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19/10/2023 15:29

INTERIORS • FEATURE

SHRIGLEY ROAD

OUTSIDE SHRIGLEY ROAD

OAK HOUSE BESPOKE BED SIDE PENDANT LAMP

“Our aim is to be adaptable to all of our individual clients' needs” Q How did you want to be different from other architects?

A As an architect and interior designer, I naturally want to use my creative flair as much as possible; however I am also a working mum and we are predominantly a female led team. We understand that our designs have to work functionally for our clients. Clients can have very different needs, be it large scale new house builds to small extensions, reworking the design of rooms to completely redesigning entire houses; our aim is to be adaptable to all of our individual clients’ needs.

Q What was the first project you worked on?

A One of DOVE’s first projects was an

extension to a property at Saltersford Locks.

Our extension was a modest single storey rear extension that looked to greatly improve the kitchen space of the existing house.

Q Do you find Cheshire and the North West an inspiring place to work?

A Yes absolutely, Cheshire in particular has some beautiful properties along with open space and lots of farmland. It also has quite a diverse range of vernacular architecture ranging from the red brick and slate tiles of central Cheshire, to the black and white timber frame with red brick chimneys of the south Cheshire estates, to the mellow stone of North East Cheshire. Covering the whole of the North West gives DOVE a vast array of projects covering all styles and ages of both residential and commercial properties.

Q How do you like to work with clients?

A Communication is key, we listen to our clients’

needs, ensuring a detailed brief and we work alongside our client to create the perfect design.

Deciding to build, extend or redesign our home is a huge task to take on – our aim is to take as much of the hassle away from the client as possible.

Q Have you evolved in any way since 2012?

A Yes, we have gone from working solo to a five strong

team. And I have set up a separate interior design company – DOVE Interior Design Ltd – with interior designer Carly Wise. We felt there was room within A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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INTERIORS • PROFILE

the market for a more creative interior design practice, one that can work on a much more detailed level. We are incredibly creative and look for solutions that not only look fantastic, but are incredibly functional. We have found that by offering architecture and interior design, meaning we really do offer the whole package.

Q Is it possible to pick out three Cheshire projects from the past that stand out for you for some reason?

OAK HOUSE

SHRIGLEY ROAD

This is a lovely big stone Victorian end of terrace, sat within the conservation area of Bollington. The house was really disjointed from the garden, as the garden was 2m lower than the house. The property was cold and draughty and quite dark. Our brief was to create a kitchen / living space that could be shut off from the rest of the house and kept warm and light. We created a single storey contemporary extension that allowed the living space to step down to meet the garden.

Each element – cooking, sitting and dining – was at a slightly lower level till the garden was reached.

OAK HOUSE

“We want to continue our growth and keep bringing our designs to life” huge planning constraints, being located within the Greenbelt, and we have worked within this, pushing the boundaries of what is allowed and created a home that is contemporary and dramatic, but is grounded within the use of traditional materials.

We were initially called upon by the owner at the time to provide an architecture service, this was a significant extension to take it from a typical 1980s suburban home to a contemporary show property using traditional materials, worthy of its site off Leigh Road in Knutsford. We were then called upon again by the new owner who had recently purchased the house. They loved the property so much they wanted us to carry out a full house Interior Design Service. The brief was to create individual spaces for each room, some of which were calm, such as the bedroom, which was a light and tranquil escape, and others were vibrant and fun. Ultimately it was to remain a family home and not feel like a show home where they would find it difficult to relax.

Q What projects are you working on now that are particularly exciting?

A We are currently working on a new build Passivhaus in Knutsford that takes its reference from the clients’ love of art deco buildings. Also, interior design for a new build £3m house in Nottingham including bedrooms, bathrooms, cinema room, swimming pool and a ski lodge inspired basement bar! A four house terrace new build development in Hartford due to start on site in January 2024. These are well designed houses, cleverly designed to make the most of the plot of the land. We’re looking forward to being onsite and progressing the build.

GREENHILL

designs to life, whilst maintaining our focus on our personal approach for each and every client. We don’t ever want to lose what makes us different.

This was our first Passivhaus, after the client made various attempts to extend a 1970s bungalow, they made the decision to take the plunge and build a Passivhaus – this project is currently onsite. It had

Q What are your hopes for the future?

A To continue our growth and keep bringing our

dovearchitecture.co.uk

THE WORK IN PROGRESS AT GREENHILL

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INTERIORS • ACCESSORIES

1

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C O U N T E R C U L T U R E ESSENTIAL KITCHEN KIT

LINE UP PROCOOK

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2

DESIGN ICON AARKE

Swedish design brand Aarke have launched their first kettle and it's a feat of engineering and design, expertly designed with optimum function as well as being a minimalist, sleek addition to any countertop, £200. aarke.com

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IN THE MIX KITCHENAID

The latest addition to KitchenAid's palette is Agave, a beautiful blend of blue and green with a matte finish. And you can even order one with your initials engraved. kitchenaid.co.uk

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MICROPLANE MICROPLA NE

Microplane®'s new 3-in-1 Ginger Tool takes the hard work out of peeling, grating and slicing fresh ginger. You'll wonder how you managed without it, £19.95. microplane.com

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ALL ROUNDER O U R PL AC E

The iconic Always Pan has got bigger, with a new 32cm version that does everything with its non-toxic, non-stick coating. Saute, fry, boil, steam, bake and serve large meals in this stylish and versatile piece of kit that comes with a clever spatula that rests on the handle, £155. fromourplace.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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SAVE 20% ON LARGE RUGS PERSIAN | AFGHAN | CHINESE | INDIAN | PAKISTAN | MODERN | CONTEMPORARY | SHAGGY

Ella Claire Exclusive Range • Design ECA034 Was £1799 Now only £1439.20 Size shown 12’ x 9’ (3.66m x 2.74m) 90% wool, 10% viscose pile. Handmade in India. Other sizes are also available.

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Mahal Indian Rug • Design RAJ003 Was £1999 Now only £1599.20 Size shown 12’x9’ (3.66m x 2.74m) 100% wool pile. Handknotted in India. Other sizes are also available.

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INTERIORS • TREND OKA Set of Four Kintaro Dinner Plates Putting Green, £95 oka.com

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Set of 4 Grapefruit Plates, £45 rockettstgeorge.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK TRUFFLE TABLESCAPES Aqua Mother of Pearl Charger Plates, £80 truffletablescapes.co.uk

SPODE

MISSPRINT Wildflower Side Plates, £24 puretabletop.com

WELL SERVED

Morris & Co Set of 4 Side Plates, £66 spode.co.uk

All the loveliest plates to dine from

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

ANTHROPOLOGIE Nathalie Lete Dessert Plates, £16 each anthropologie.com

COX & COX Four Ada Side Plates, £55 coxandcox.co.uk

SAZY Perry Set of 6 Dinner Plates, £20 sazy.com

SWEETPEA & WILLOW Sudo Side Plates, £45 sweetpeaandwillow.com

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E F F O RT L E SSL A

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FROM SO

Home for Christmas Sit back, snuggle up and sink into the extraordinary comfort of Bridgman’s award-winning sofa beds. From the softness of each cushion to the finish of every fabric, you won't find furniture quite like it.

FA

TO

1-3 Bank Square, Wilmslow, SK9 1AN 01625 529585

Transform your home in time for Christmas when you shop your perfect sofabed at Bridgman's beautiful Wilmslow Showroom before 16th December.

Or head to bridgman.co.uk to indulge in luxurious living.

C H E LT E N H A M

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INTERIORS • STOVES

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F I R E S I D E FIVE OF THE BEST WOOD-BURNING STOVES

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W I N T E R WA R M E R MORSØ

Morsø cast iron stoves can generate plenty of heat even in the tightest space, thanks to its ergonomic design and sleek chimney, plus it has a handle that always stays cold. From £1,999. morsoe.com

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TURN IT UP

H U N T E R S T OV E S

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With easy-to-control settings that can turn up the heat in moments, this efficient stove is suitable for fireplace or freestanding installation and would be a classic addition to any living space. From £1,129. hunterstoves.co.uk

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SMOKE FREE R O WA N DA L E

The ACR Rowandale is a handsome multifuel design with an air wash feature to make sure the glass stays clean. This stove is suitable for wood burning in smokeless zones. From £1,799 in cream. directstoves.com

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EC O R E A DY A R A DA

The Solution 5 (S4) has traditional styling, but is available in a variety of contemporary colourways, including a rich Miami blue. All of Arada's stoves meet the latest eco-ready credentials. From £849. aradastoves.com

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C O SY N I G H T S C H A R N WO O D

Designed and made on the Isle of Wight, the Regency-inspired Cranmore 5 comes in matte black or coloured finishes and has a large picture window for cosy evenings fireside. From £1,864. charnwood.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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INTERIORS • PARTNERSHIP

Built to

LAST Delcor- The finest furniture hand crafted in Northumberland

D

o you remember what you were doing in 1978?

Grease was the must-see film that year. The Ford Cortina was the UK’s bestselling car. Kate Bush was in the charts with Wuthering Heights.

In Spring, 1978, Alison from Whitley Bay visited the Delcor showroom in Newcastle to buy her first sofa. She recalls: “We were impressed by the design, the comfort and the fact the furniture was made for you”.

Looking back this time, Alison said “My husband Andy and I had trawled round all the shops in Newcastle. Up until then we had made do with hand-me-downs and secondhand furniture. We didn’t believe in buying cheap items - we saved up (as you did in those days) and then bought something we thought would last.”

Here in Northumberland, Delcor has been

ALISON ON HER SOFA WITH DELCOR'S CHRISTOPHER HOPKINS

Sofas of distinction since 1967 SEATON DELAVAL SHOWROOM, 1970S

creating handmade upholstered furniture – sofas of distinction - to our customers’ individual specifications since 1967.

One of our early marketing lines described us as “the manufacturer who sells direct to the customer.”

We soon became well known throughout the Northeast. Later, through other showrooms in the UK, Delcor solidified its reputation as a high-quality specialist manufacturer and retailer of the very best furniture.

Alison recalls choosing the sofa and a matching chair, and then waiting for them to be made while her lounge was decorated. She had her first child in 1981 and moved to a larger home. She loved the sofa and chair she had but wanted to enlarge the set, so they returned to Delcor to purchase another chair.

We have always offered a refurbishment service for older Delcor furniture. People

come back to us to have their wellloved Delcor furniture fully restored.

Alison reflected “The suite lasted very well, in 2020 my husband died, Covid came, and life stopped. At the beginning of this year, I decided to redecorate, I realized my wonderful Delcor settee was really looking like it needed renewing as the fabric was starting to show its age.I must admit I won’t need my new sofa bed to last another 45 years but now I’ll have a fantastic piece of furniture to leave to my children knowing it will give many years of good service.”

“I was so well received during my visit. I felt like I’d come ‘home’. I knew your products were excellent and really didn’t need any persuasion to think about buying from you again.

Visit our showrooms in Seaton Delaval, Stamford, London, Altrincham or Witney. delcor.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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PALE OAK & PORCELAIN KITCHEN

A L L

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INTERIORS • PARTNERSHIP

“We created a hidden walk-in pantry behind a 'secret' door designed to blend in seamlessly” NEW LONDON KITCHEN

GOLD LEAF NEW LONDON KITCHEN

When our client purchased their property with an existing David Lisle kitchen from 2012, their plan was to refresh it, making it more personal to their taste.

As ideas and aspirations for the space grew, what started as a new island and a fresh coat of paint evolved into a complete transformation of the kitchen.

Our exclusive New London beading is a subtle yet effective detail, particularly on the triple-panelled doors of the Butler’s pantry and secret door into the utility room.

The cooling appliances are clad in Carrara porcelain, with a unique hand-applied 24k gold leaf rebate, illuminated by hidden LED light strips. The additional charcoal painted framework highlights this section as the “feature” piece in the room, but with the bespoke bronzed silver Birch splashback and book-matched waterfall island worktop, this kitchen wows from every aspect.

NEW LONDON KITCHEN WITH SECRET DOOR

With a stunning south-facing view overlooking the surrounding moorlands, the new owners of this Arts and Crafts property were keen to create a luxurious main living area that makes the most of the breathtaking views.

FUMED OAK & PORCELAIN KITCHEN

GOLD LEAF NEW LONDON KITCHEN

The original kitchen was set far back into the corner of the room, whilst a stud wall partitioned off a small, separate dining room. To bring the cooking area into the main space, we created a hidden walk-in pantry behind a “secret” door, designed to blend in seamlessly with the cabinetry.

By removing the stud wall and bringing the formal dining into the living space, we created a much brighter, social dining area that flows well with the kitchen and snug.

The monochromatic colour scheme allows the glamorous feature pieces to wow, such as the porcelain-clad fridge and freezer, and the bespoke, hand-silvered dining table.

PALE OAK & PORCELAIN KITCHEN

As experts in bespoke furniture, we have decades of experience in refining traditional joinery techniques, translating these to work harmoniously with modern technology and contemporary design. This kitchen is a perfect example. Though decidedly modern in design, the fine art of traditional craftsmanship is used throughout.

Through careful selection of subtly grained timber and dark, honed porcelain tops, the furniture absorbs the light in the space, creating a minimal and industrial aesthetic.

This gives emphasis to the state-of-the-art appliances, such as the bespoke brushed steel extractor at nearly three metres long.

FUMED OAK AND PORCELAIN KITCHEN

For this sleek, ultra-modern property we worked closely with the client to design a kitchen sympathetic to the architecture.

The fumed oak and slim dark porcelain tops create a strong palette without losing the minimalist aesthetic. The functionality of the space is minimalist too, with a secret secondary kitchen hidden from view for storage and washing.

The bespoke mirrored island hood reflects light from the many surrounding windows, with the flush-mounted hob below blending in seamlessly with the worktop. Every detail was carefully considered, resulting in an elegant kitchen perfectly suited to its surroundings. davidlislekitchendesign.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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Add a little Jungle Feel to your home with our range of velvet chairs and cushions

RaggedRose

sales@raggedrose.com | www.raggedrose.com

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INTERIORS • PARTNERSHIP

WINDOW TO A WORLD

highly sought after in homes in England, but this will be impossible to achieve without the right window glass.”

G-values focus specifically on solar gain and whilst this has many benefits for homeowners, it can cause problems depending on where the home is located, the different times of year and the aspect of the room.

“South facing rooms, for example, get more sunlight and will therefore need glass with a low G-value,” adds Anthony. “This means the window glass will be thermally reflective and won’t allow all of the heat to pass through it, keeping the room at a level temperature. However, rooms that capture the sunlight at parts of the day, but are not prone to overheating may want to take advantage of a higher G-value to maximise the 'free energy' and warmth provided from the sun to reduce reliance on central heating. To get the best results we recommend looking at windows on a perroom basis so that a different type of glazing can be used to suit the needs of each room.”

According to Everest, different glass types can deliver a full range of benefits to homes so homeowners should do their research to guarantee they invest in windows that will achieve optimum comfort in every space within your home.

G-values explained: what they are and why they matter to your home

A

recent investigation completed by window and door specialists Everest has explored the UK’s understanding of window performance.

Despite more than one in 10 (13%) highlighting that how well the window glass performs was the most important consideration when buying replacement windows, almost three quarters (73%) of Brits had never heard of G-values – a fundamental measure that demonstrates glass performance.

Anthony Threlfall, Head of Marketing at Everest, explains: “We have three different performance measures that we use in the home improvement industry and each one

shows if a window is worth the investment.

“U-values, G-values and the WER rating (which factor in both of these elements) determine the performance of a window and whether it will successfully create a comfortable living space within your home.

Unfortunately, our research shows that lots of homeowners have never heard of these specific performance measures and so, they wouldn’t know what to look out for when buying new windows.”

With this in mind, Everest is putting G-values under the spotlight to showcase its importance and why it should matter to homeowners. “The G-value tells us how much heat can pass through the window glass so it shouldn’t be overlooked,” adds Anthony. “Optimum living conditions are

Everest has a range of high-performance windows which deliver brilliant results. To find out more about how the Everest Ultimate range, Energy Saver range or Noise range can optimise your living spaces visit everest.co.uk/glass

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OW N T H E S K I E S T H E L E A D E R I N P R I VAT E J E T C H A RT E R

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TRAVEL

ANTARCTIC DREAMS TRAILFINDERS

Antarctica is a destination dreamed of by many but visited by few. As one of the planet's last true wildernesses it commands a rare mystique among travellers, drawn to its unique mix of endemic wildlife and dazzling icy vistas. Experience this adventurer’s paradise in ultra-luxury with Silversea Expeditions and Trailfinders. trailfinders.com/silversea

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J O I N T H E C L U B Life is sweet at Club Med’s Sicily outpost in Cefalù

By PENDLE HARTE

S

ome people are a bit sniffy about all-inclusive holidays. To those people I say two words: Club Med. Nobody who has ever been to Club Med would have any doubts about the sheer joy of its all-inclusive philosophy, and once you’ve experienced one you’re very likely to return. Those who know, know that a true holiday consists of a real break from all domestic responsibilities and almost all decision making. Other factors include never having to queue, never experiencing the slightest annoyance and definitely never having to carry any cash.

From the start, we’re well looked-after. Club Med’s Sicily outpost is in Cefalù, on the north western coast; we land at Palermo in the evening and are swept off in a taxi, arriving too late for dinner. Or so we thought. Our two rooms – well, not rooms, they’re self-contained small houses, cleverly and discreetly cut into the rock, all of them precisely angled for perfect sea views – are waiting for us with dinner laid out, plus a bottle of Prosecco and even pudding.

It’s very Club Med to anticipate your needs so precisely, and that’s exactly how our week continues.

Cefalù is one of Club Med’s more luxurious resorts. While it’s great for families, it doesn’t cater to children under the age of eight – and because of its extra exclusivity there are more adults travelling without children than we’ve seen at other Club Meds. It’s a beautiful spot, a sprawling resort set in cliffs along the coast with views over the bay to Cefalù and the Rocca, the impressive limestone cliff that dominates the town. There has been a resort on this site since the 1950s, when Village Magique consisted of much simpler wooden huts, and the new

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TRAVEL • EUROPE

VIEWS OVER THE BAY TO CEFALÙ AND THE ROCCA

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incarnation is just a few years old and feels fresh and contemporary. There’s a vast pool, but the best swimming is in the sea, where loungers are stylishly laid out on platforms set into the rocks and there are floating pontoons to swim to and dive from.

Our days settle into a routine punctuated by visits to the watersports centre, which has a dreamy location in a small creek below the resort.

Here there are lots of things on offer, including paddleboarding – regular style and the step pedal kind – plus kayaks and sailing dinghies, which require an introductory lesson and despite our bad luck with the wind (there is none most days) we manage to learn a few sailing skills. Between us we experiment with several activities, all of them easy to find on the Club Med app, including yoga, archery and circuit training (I manage one class). Luxury here involves never having to book ahead or worry that there won’t be a space. If you decide you want a kayak right now, there’ll be one waiting for you.

Everything is seamless and ready at all times.

I had hoped to visit Etna, and we could have taken an excursion – but it’s not exactly close. “Would it mean missing lunch?” asked daughter number two.

It certainly would, and that was the end of that.

Because meal times are a huge highlight at Club Med, and at Cefalù especially. Breakfast includes everything you could imagine, and we learn to hold back a bit because unless you’re very early, there’s not all that much time before lunch. So it’s mostly fruit, yoghurt and pistachios for me, but the teenagers are all over waffles with pistachio paste, miniature cakes and chocolate pastries.

INTERIORS • FEATURE

“If you decide you want a kayak right now, there’ll be one waiting for you”

LINEAR PLUS DRAWERS

Lunch happens either at the main restaurant as a buffet – a breathtaking one with an extensive salad bar plus lots of pasta, fish and meat, plus daily pizzas and more – or (and this is our favourite) at the smaller beach restaurant, where chefs prepare simple dishes of grilled fish and vegetables in an impossibly dreamy shady spot. Dinner is back at the main restaurant, after pre-dinner drinks and snacks by the pool. In fact there are snacks by the pool seemingly at all times – on one memorable occasion it’s a tomato festival. Tomatoes are a highlight of every meal, in fact, as are pistachios, a Sicilian speciality and we will never forget the dessert pizzas with sweet, bright green pistachio paste.

We’re also well entertained with a programme that includes live bands, dance performances, a light show and more, all thanks to the classic Club Med team of GOs, who have many skills: the afternoon sailing instructor is a dancer in the evening. On the last night there’s a prizegiving ceremony, where everyone proudly collects medals for outstanding achievements in yoga, archery and sailing. We’re fully committed Club Med people now, so where to next? clubmed.co.uk

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TRAVEL • CITYBREAK

Parisian

BLISS Is Paris still the ultimate cultural, romantic and gourmet destination?

Words S A N DY CA D I Z - S M I T H

A TERRACE AT THE SHANGRI-LA, PARIS

udrey Hepburn famously said: “Paris is always a good idea.” And while the City of Light undeniably has many charms, this sentiment is a hotly debated one. Is Paris overrated and over-crowded?

Or is it the ultimate cultural, romantic and gourmet destination? Having not visited for some time, we couldn’t wait to rediscover the city so we came with fresh eyes, and open hearts and minds.

Our journey starts with coffee, croissants and glossy magazines in the luxury of Eurostar’s Business Premier lounge. We move at a leisurely

pace to claim our spacious Business Class seats onboard. Travelling by train this way undoubtedly makes life better. We settle down in comfort to a tasty breakfast and a glass of bubbles – we’re on our way to Paris, after all. In what feels like an incredibly short time later (it happens when you’re travelling Business Class), we’re disembarking at the Gare du Nord and heading for our destination for the weekend, The Shangri-La Paris.

Located in the elegant 16th arrondissement in the former home of Prince Roland Boneparte, the hotel has an innate glamour, and we are immediately enveloped in that ineffable Parisian style. The lobby gleams and sparkles, and there’s the warmest of welcomes with our own personal A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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invigorating swims in the indoor pool washed with natural light and chilling outside on the peaceful terrace. We treat ourselves to facials and massages at Chi The Spa and try out the irresistible cocktails at Le Bar Botaniste. We saunter down the nearby Champs Elysees and visit the Yves Saint Laurent museum for our designer fix, falling more in love with Paris by the day.

But when night falls the city takes on an even more enchanting guise. After dusk, the Eiffel Tower ups its sparkle quotient, with extra twinkling for five minutes at the beginning of every hour (until it’s switched off at 11.45 pm).

It’s magical and unforgettable and we don’t even have to leave our room to wonder at it. There’s no doubt in our minds that Paris Shangri-Lastyle is definitely a good idea. Always.

LOBBY, SHANGRI-LA

guide waiting to show us to our room. And what a room, well Junior Suite actually, with one bedroom and separate living and dining rooms. There’s a dressing area, a huge marble bathroom with a walk-in shower, the deepest bathtubs, and the signature mirror-embedded television. To top it all, there’s a gasp-inducing Eiffel Tower and River Seine view through the oversized window.

As well as its enviable views and its location close to all the main attractions, the Shangri-La Paris is famous for its food. The breakfast menu reads like a catalogue of indulgence and we tuck into basketfuls of perfect buttery pastries, flavourful coffee and the ultimate start to any day – truffled scrambled eggs. We sample the fabulous summer lunch menu in the sunshine in La Bauhinia’s stunning secret garden with shared plates of tuna tataki, sashimi, seabass crudo and indulgent lobster ravioli. Summer captured on a plate.

The hotel is also home to France’s only Chinese restaurant with a Michelin star. Shang Palace celebrates southeast China’s cuisine and is quite simply stupendous. We loved the special menu with its sashimi, gorgeous dumplings and melt-in-themouth Wagyu beef sirloin. A meal to remember.

Of course the food should be memorable – the city is known as a gourmet destination. Outside the hotel we loved dining at the family-owned Au Petit Tonneau with its traditional French menu and lunching on the highly Instagrammable Girafe’s terrace in the Eiffel Tower’s shadow. We make the most of the hotel’s impressive facilities, enjoying

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shangri-la.com/paris/shangrila

“There's a gasp-inducing Eiffel Tower and River Seine view through the oversized window”

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

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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 £3,680 for a 2 bed, £4,630 for a 3 bed and £5,080 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.

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EXCELLENT ISI inspection

Every Heathfield girl has an irrepressible spirit. Uniquely hers, it drives her passion, voice and character. As well as providing an excellent academic education and top-class pastoral care, Heathfield identifies your daughter’s distinctive strengths and encourages her to live her ambitions, embrace her spirit and talent so that she develops as the best possible version of herself. Live life like a Heathfield girl.

SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING Wednesday 27 September 6pm – 8pm

WHOLE SCHOOL Saturday 7 October 9.45am to 12 noon

To book email:

Day, Weekly and Full Boarding for Girls 11-18

heathfieldschool.net | +44 (0) 1344 898343

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EDUCATION & KIDS

WELL READ BIRKENHEAD HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY

BHSA is an all-through (3-19 years) state funded academy open to all girls of the area, enjoying the support of their sponsors, the Girls’ Day School Trust. The original Birkenhead High School was founded in 1901, and its successor BHSA is and will continue to be a beacon of excellence in girls’ education. Over the page you can discover how the older year groups are helping the younger girls to become confident readers (with a little assistance from Rita the dog). birkenheadhigh.gdst.net

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REBECCA MAHONY

Listening in The Principal of Birkenhead High School Academy on how to grow articulate, confident students who read for life

By REBECCA MAHONY

T

oday’s world is constantly changing, and new challenges and opportunities emerge every day, but the power of oracy and reading remains a permanent force. In spite of this, we at Birkenhead High School Academy (BHSA) felt that the Covid pandemic was going to have a lasting, negative effect on our students’ ability to read and speak confidently if we were not going to fight it hard. During the same period, I envisaged the prospect of each of our pupils from age 3 to 13 being given a book in their hand, to help with our mission of reading to flourish.

A fabulous GDST alumnae fundraising project in partnership with local independent bookshop Lingham’s made this dream a reality. Funds rose to £12,000

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in a very short time; some authors donated class sets to our school.

All this was testament to the power of the written word that all of us cherish and value: books and the printed word clearly have not lost any of their magic.

Over the years, we have received much help in bringing reading to life through our wonderful partnership with Lingham’s: Clare Balding, Eoin Colfer, Chris Riddell, Dermot O’Leary and Dame Jacqueline Wilson have all engaged our students with their love for reading, their commitment to writing a good story and willingness to share it with their target audience.

Any school should have reading at its core through reading lessons, morning reading slots and a well-designed English curriculum. It is of course a well-known fact that reading increases empathy, curiosity and personal growth and it is moreover

TEH BIG SISTER PROJECT IN ACTION

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“Children exposed to 'reading with Rita' have improved reading ages and their levels of confidence” programme have improved reading ages, and their levels of confidence, fluency and comprehension have all successfully grown because they are simply reading more and with confidence and pleasure.

Our uniqueness of being a 3-19 state funded girls academy provides some very distinct opportunities for reading. Our small, bespoke sixth form where each individual student is known to all members of staff provides many opportunities such as the opportunity for our sixth formers to read to all our junior school students. The ‘Big Sister’ reading project is one of these events where it is clear that the mutual benefits of reading and being read to are something that will stay with all of our students. Not only does this give our sixth formers another chance at leadership, it also provides them with an opportunity to have a dialogue with younger students and the realisation of the positive impact they can have on others around them.

As we devote much of our attention to reading at BHSA, it was also time to shine the spotlight on oracy. Oracy, the ability

a gateway to future learning, which is what education is essentially all about.

At BHSA, however, we have a created an environment in which reading permeates every aspect of our school life, from expanding our library into two beautifully stocked libraries, one for senior school and one for our juniors; from the power of our reading dog Rita, who is employed as an aid to captivate our reluctant readers; to the impact of our ‘big girls reading to our little girls’ through the ‘Big Sister’ reading project.

Having a reading dog means that every child can read to Rita and she is a permanent part of their library and reading lessons, where girls read out loud to the dog and she simply listens and falls asleep. Our data has measured the impact of this five-year project: children exposed to the ‘reading with Rita’ A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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“The combined power of a confident speaker with a proficient reader will create a powerful voice”

RITA THE DOG IS A GOOD LISTENER

to express oneself effectively through spoken words, is an invaluable skill that can shape a girl's future. In a society that sometimes undervalues the voices of women, oracy becomes a much-needed tool for empowerment. We invested heavily in oracy training for all staff to raise its profile as the bedrock of each lesson and also beyond the classroom. Subsequently, a project was created which saw each student stand up and present to the rest of the class and the school community to articulate their views on a topic they strongly believe in. The combined power of a confident speaker with a proficient reader will no doubt create an unstoppable, powerful voice and we hope to equip future agents for change in areas where it is much-needed, with our articulate, well-informed students who speak with confidence and purpose.

On 15 September, our oracy project was injected with a surge of positivity as we welcomed former BHSA pupil Lizzie Waterworth to school. Lizzie, who is a professional cartoon voice artist and the voice of Horrid Henry, has recently published a book, How to Talk so People will listen, aimed at students aged 7 to 11.

A book like this was, to put it simply, not in

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existence. But judging by the enthusiastic reception from our Year 7 students it is very much needed. Lizzie explained to the students that confidence in speaking to others is not necessarily something that you are born with, but it is indeed a skill that can be perfectly honed. Lizzie gave many hilarious examples of nerves getting in the way of her auditions as a voice actor, and how as head girl of BHSA, she once forgot to bring a copy of her prize giving speech to the podium on the ‘big day’. Students were given many chances to practise using their inner cartoon voice and will no doubt be in a better position to address a crowd of people next month: a life skill for which we have prepared them well, which is the goal of every educational establishment.

And what about our future reading initiatives? Well, at the time of writing we are all set to welcome Cressida Cowell, author of How to Train your Dragon and former Children’s Laureate, to school to address not just our girls, but also pupils from our surrounding primary schools.

CRESSIDA COWELL WILL BE VISITING AGAIN SOON

Rebecca Mahony is the Principal at Birkenhead High School Academy. Find out more at birkenheadhigh.gdst.net

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

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king’s magna middle school, york

welcoming day & boarding students from years 6-9

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Skills

for LIFE Jonathon Anderson, headmaster of Aysgarth School, on the importance of 'life skills' that help children connect, have trust and be independent

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EDUCATION & KIDS • FEATURE

JONATHON ANDERSON, HEADMASTER, AYSGARTH SCHOOL

I

am struck over and over again by how much thought and investment goes into the lives of our schools both in the classroom and beyond. We continue to grapple with how we split our time across a range of subjects while still allowing space for sport, music, the arts and, of course, some time to be independent and to make choices.

On visits to senior schools, I have marvelled at science departments that look like universities and engineering departments using technology that makes my head spin. Sporting endeavours now come with a level of analysis and data collection that my own experiences at school simply could not match. Our pupils have a

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grasp of communication across the world that makes my childhood look very localised.

With all these impressive advancements and innovations, I am always left wondering about ‘life skills’, what they really are, how we develop them and what value they have to young people of tomorrow. For me, life skills are about one individual’s ability to deal with others, one-to-one and as part of a community. They are, perhaps, part of a Venn diagram that doesn’t overlap too much with technology and is more rooted in intangibles: trust, feelings, independence, confidence, and so on.

The recent focus on mental health might leave some feeling we have all gone soft, but the significant benefit I see is a willingness to talk, to enlist help and to trust. The point at which we follow this path will vary according to individual levels of resilience and personal circumstances, but knowing it's time to talk, that help is there and that stigma in this regard is all but gone better equips our pupils for the inevitable bumps in the road.

We might take steps forward in confidence after public speaking, a moment on stage, a sporting victory or an improving set of grades, but talking, getting help and trusting are core confidences – the true foundation for these other experiences to add to.

I feel very conscious of the importance of the 'preparatory' element of what we provide at schools such as Aysgarth. In many cases, we are quite small, incredibly caring communities, where pupils are known inside out. However, we prepare children for the much bigger stages to come, where the pace inevitably quickens and where life skills will be tested.

Having to consciously build a group of friends and adapt to a new community, house, class and team is a new experience for many and, I would suggest, requires skills

“Some life skills can be planned and taught but many only become second nature when lived through school culture” learned through PSHE lessons, boarding, positions of responsibility, collaborative work, school council experiences and time left to make choices. Some life skills can be planned and taught, but many only become second nature when lived through school culture, minute to minute, with a set of values and expectations.

Happily, I find myself in a place where trust has been actively developed through targeted interventions and forums and then reinforced through daily activities or in the boarding house. While our grades are something to be proud of, it is the life skills that our pupils take into the testing times ahead that fill me with confidence that exciting, fulfilling, compassionate futures await them. aysgarthschool.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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T he SENSE of

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EDUCATION & KIDS • PARTNERSHIP

M U T U A L L Y

BENEFICIAL Repton School highlight the impact of sport on academic performance

R

epton School, Derbyshire, does not just believe that top-flight sporting commitments and excellent academics can be balanced – the school knows they can. In fact, Repton would go further and say that sporting and academic outcomes, when managed with care and positive support, can – and should – be mutually reinforcing.

For years, Repton has been among the very best sporting schools in the UK and indeed globally, with world-class coaches, facilities and programmes driving enviable records in local and national sport. Repton’s alumni include more than 150 first-class cricketers, footballers who played in the Premier League, and hockey players who have represented GB and other nations in the last four Olympic games. Yet the school also produces captains of Oxbridge football and hockey

and MVPs at Ivy League US Universities including Harvard, Yale and Princeton.

The University of Cambridge’s 2019 study, the Academic Performance Report, looked at 4,000 results of undergraduates.

Their findings showed that those who represented the university in sport were more likely to perform well, with 5% more achieving 1st class degrees and 11% more achieving 2:1s when compared to undergraduates as a whole.

Academic outcomes for Repton’s scholar-athletes at A-level outstripped the average A-level outcomes. Last year’s Head of School, a GB U21 hockey player, received four A*s at A-level. The school’s Swim Captain, another with international honours, also left them with a straight run of top grades. Three of their elite hockey players won entry to Cornell, Dartmouth and Princeton – the most competitive Ivy League universities in the US. England Hockey has a training philosophy they refer to as RARE: ‘Right

Athlete, Right Environment’. In many ways that is what Repton believes in when it comes to the mutually beneficial impact of sport and academics: 100% of Repton pupils do three sessions of sport, week in, week out; and 80% of Repton pupils regularly compete for the school.

The full-boarding ethos at the school and the fact that Repton accommodates its teaching staff to be constantly on hand also extends the time available to pupils; not only to work and to train, but – and this is vitally important – to be regular teenagers with time to themselves, as opposed to time spent in cars shuttling from one sports session to another.

It is not merely a feeling or a suspicion that the scholar-athletes of Repton School might be doing better academically because of their sport, and vice-versa.

They see the proof of that every day, and they are proud to support that ethos. repton.org.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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EDUCATION & KIDS • INTERVIEW

Prep X X X X X

MAMA still got it

Absolutely Cheshire meets model, influencer, campaigner, mama-of-three, and now author Louise Boyce I n t e r v i e w C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G

Q Huge congratulations on the launch of your new book ‘Mama Still Got It’. What’s it all about and what made you want to write it?

A Thank you, I can’t believe it myself to be honest. My book is about a year in the life of a mum throughout the school year, with a comedy spin on it of course. From watching our treasured child ruin the school photo, being late for pick-up, the dreaded class WhatsApp groups, Halloween, chocolate advent calendars, and the unmatched agony of parents’ races on Sports Day through to Christmas, Easter, World Book Day and the summer holidays – when the whole cycle begins again. I chart

the euphoric highs and sh*t-soaked lows of parenting – and I haven’t held back. There are many stories in the book that I’ve never shared before… and I’ve given my husband Jesse a ‘right of reply’ (because I bash him a little bit) and my mum writes a chapter on how being a parent has changed over the decades too. I wanted to make parents feel ‘normal’ in their journey, highlighting moments when we can all breathe a sigh of relief that it isn’t just us feeling a certain way. I hope it’s a relatable tonic. Writing a book is something I’ve always wanted to do, so when Harper Collins asked if I wanted to write one I jumped at the chance.

Q We’re big fans of your cheeky toddler character, Bernie! How did she come to life (so to speak)?

A It all started when my friend Jenny came over to meet my third child. She handed me a congratulations card and a pair of plastic hands with a note saying ‘you’re gonna need an extra pair of hands’. I thought it was slightly odd as a bottle of prosecco would have sufficed, so the hands were put in my ‘everything’ drawer never to be seen again.

SUMMER 2018 | 1 85 Some 18 months later and we were in the second home-schooling lockdown hell. While I was trying to work and home school, my fiveA B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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“I chart the euphoric highs and sh*t-soaked lows of parenting – and I haven’t held back!” year-old kept saying to me ‘mummy, mummy watch’ on loop then performed something really not worth watching. I decided to recreate the video and asked my son to “say it again and I‘ll film you”. Naturally he refused, and I wondered how I could create a kid character... then I remembered the plastic hands! I filmed it and sent it to my best mate Jessie who said it was funny… so I posted it and thought, if it turns out badly I can always delete. The rest is history.

Q Did you anticipate how much people would relate to Bernie?

A Not at all. There have been many Bernie videos I’ve posted thinking, am I alone in this particular phase and will people be able to relate? Luckily they do, which made me realise I am not alone – and that is the hidden message too – that we are all in this together.

If your toddler has a meltdown about the way you peel a banana or the way you sing in the car – you are not alone. Your kid is right on track – and you are doing a great job.

Q You’re also the founder of the ‘Push It Out’ campaign. What made you want to call for more honesty in maternal advertising?

A Growing up in the modelling industry I always knew that the majority of maternity brands didn’t use real pregnant models and instead use a foam bump on very slim models.

Naively, I thought the general public also knew this. When I was pregnant with my third child (and the only pregnancy that featured on my social media account) I posted about going on maternity leave at 17 weeks pregnant, because I was showing too much to shoot with my usual clients and and I knew that I wouldn’t get much maternity modelling, especially as a UK size 16.

I would be replaced by non-pregnant models with foam bumps. The response from the post was overwhelming. I received messages from hundreds of pregnant women all over the world – some relieved, some angry, some dieting, some depressed from online shopping.

Knowing that women were dieting and feeling depressed from comparing themselves with models they see online (who weren’t even pregnant) made me realise I had to try and make a change. I had so many women behind me asking me to speak up about this so I did! I started a campaign called ‘Push It Out’ asking brands for more honesty in maternity advertising. I was asking brands for a disclaimer

on websites to state if the ‘pregnant’ model was wearing a foam bump or not and of course asking brands to use more REAL pregnant models. Luckily brands listened and now more and more websites have a disclaimer when the model was wearing a foam bump, and more real pregnant models have been working more.

Q As a champion of body positivity, what would you say to other mums who might be struggling with their body image?

A In my own experience, learning to love my body has taken time. Going from an eating disorder at a size UK 8 to a mother of three at a size UK 14/16 and feeling content doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process and something you have to work on yourself – it’s self-care.

Firstly, it’s really important and powerful to change the way you speak to yourself. Be aware of when you speak negatively about your body and ask yourself – would you say these negative things to a friend? Probably not, so then why say them to yourself? I like to remind myself of all the miraculous things my body has done – my body has kept me going for almost 43 years and battled flu, covid, colds, cuts and scrapes, heartbreak, miscarriage, eating disorders, pregnancy, hangovers, food poisoning and much more. My body has made three perfect people, birthed them and fed them. Life is too short to worry about how your body looks on the beach... and to be honest – no one else really cares.

Q And finally, what are the things you love most (and least!) about being a mum?

A I love being a mum – it’s messy and challenging but my gosh it’s rewarding (most of the time).

Motherhood is a special bond of unconditional love, sacrifice, and constant learning, adapting, and patience. I love watching them grow and develop into their own unique people with some of mine and my husband’s idiosyncrasies thrown into the mix. It’s an incredible journey filled with pride and joy... The mental load is the thing I find most challenging about motherhood. I read somewhere ‘It’s silent on the outside but sirens on the inside’. It’s exhausting to think for everyone all the time, which of course can turn into anxiety and resentment at times. Comparison is also something I think we all least enjoy. We’re the first generation of mothers to be on social media, so comparison is at an all-time high, however we have to remember we are all unique individuals with different strengths, weaknesses, and life experiences... and it’s so important to remind ourselves that a lot of the time social media is a completely fabricated reality.

‘Mama Still Got It’ by Louise Boyce is out now, published by Harper Collins

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PROPERTY

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uckington House is a handsome red brick and part-black and white timbered family home offering almost 4,000 sq. ft. of light-filled flexible accommodation arranged over two floors enjoying underfloor heating in most parts of the house. It is a large detached five bedroom home with extensive reception rooms, set in c. 3.76 acres with stables.

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PROPERTY • FOCUS

MONEY CAN BUY… A wonderfully designed property in Minshull Vernon WHERE Middlewich Road, Minshull Vernon, Cheshire, CW10 0LT WHAT A truly stunning Georgian style property with substantial grounds, recently renovated by the current owners to include the highest quality fixtures and fittings throughout.

INSIDE The grand entrance hall offers a fabulous oak staircase as well solid oak flooring and panelled walls. The living room is easily accessed from the entrance hall, including double glazed sash windows to front and side elevations.

Sectional glazed double doors lead on to a brilliant open plan kitchen and living space.

A grand dining room is easily accessed from the entrance hall with a large sash window to the front elevation, as well as beautiful cornicing details and a charming feature fireplace. The conservatory is a superb open plan room, with a recessed Jacuzzi spa tub, tiled flooring, fitted blinds and twin sets of double doors to the courtyard.

There are six spacious double bedrooms positioned on the first floor. The principal bedroom is in immaculate condition, with fitted wardrobes, a stunning three piece en-suite and a stylish vanity. The further five bedrooms are all equally well-proportioned, the second bedroom offers an en-suite as well as a walk-in wardrobe. Bedroom three also includes a modern en-suite.

OUTSIDE Twin gates open on to a sizeable gravel driveway in addition to a brilliant water feature to the front of the property. There are substantial grounds extending to 1.6 acres to the rear featuring a lovely garden pond, mature trees and shrubs.

The annexe to the rear of the property is accessed from the driveway to the left hand side of the property, featuring very modern accommodation, incorporating a kitchen with modern integrated electric oven, hob, fridge and freezer. There is also a double bedroom, this includes a walk in wardrobe and en-suite.

PRICE £1,200,000 SELLING AGENT Savills Knutsford 01565 632618 savills.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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LAST WORD • EVENT why everyone is talking about…

W a r r i n g t o n

Arts Festival The popular festival is to return in 2024 as part of growth plans after a small showcase this autumn

A

festival that has been providing a platform for Warrington creatives for more than a decade is set for a relaunch in 2024.

Culture Warrington’s annual Contemporary Arts Festival has previously been held in the autumn, but will be moving to springtime next year.

Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival (WCAF) is a multi-venue event that champions all artforms as well as providing a springboard for emerging creatives and new work. It is probably best known for presenting Luke Jerram’s awe-inspiring Museum of the Moon at Parr Hall and the ‘Light Night’ in Queens Gardens. Each year, the festival also supports emerging artists of every discipline with the Open Exhibition.

However, to provide a stopgap and an offering for WCAF audiences in the meantime, there will still be a small-scale festival this month under the banner ‘WCAF Presents’. This will encompass theatre productions, contemporary dance, exhibitions and even aerial dance theatre.

Leah Biddle, cultural manager for Culture Warrington, says: “We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our artists, supporters and audiences for helping to make WCAF a success as we enter our next chapter. We’re busy working on our programme for spring 2024 and we’re excited about the opportunities for growing the festival which lay ahead.

“But we also felt it was important to maintain a presence this year and we’re doing just that with ‘WCAF Presents’ – a diverse collection of events which really showcases what we do, just on a smaller scale.”

WCAF Presents includes: Identities, Pyramid, 22 and 23 September: Co-created with women who have lived through breast cancer and those who treat them, Rae Bell’s Identities unclasps the hidden adventures our boobs go on; Wired Aerial Theatre: Me

LUKE JERRAM AND MUSEUM OF THE MOON

vs Me, Pyramid, 3 October. This bungee assisted dance performance focuses on mental wellbeing. There will also be opportunities for school students to meet the company and discuss pathways into the creative industries; When You Light A Candle, You Also Cast A Shadow, Pyramid, 11 November: This unique performance includes a trio of dancers and a live string quintet in a moving show that celebrates the natural world amid warning about the climate crisis; Scratch Night, Pyramid, 16 November – this popular Scratch Night returns providing a friendly and open platform for works in progress where artists can seek audience feedback and peer review; Pete Regan: We’re All Alone In This Together, Warrington Museum, from 24 November. This exhibition ponders Warrington’s future following the closures of iconic giants Fiddler’s Ferry and Unilever and the dusk of the town’s industrial heritage. wcaf.culturewarrington.org

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KITCHENS | BEDROOMS | PANTRIES | LAUNDRY ROOMS | BOOT ROOMS

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