Absolutely Essex November 2021

ESSEX

Essex NOVEMBER 2021

SPECIAL Innovation and ideas for wedding planning NOVEMBER 2021

Knitting TOGETHER The hottest collection in Essex to warm you up this winter

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PLUS SIMON LIPKIN The life and times of the Essex actor THE BESPOKE APPROACH Design inspiration in Dunmow INTO THE SPIRIT Talking Great Bentley and ghosts at The Creek restaurant

ST YLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT 22/10/2021 11:59

INFO@RKSIGNATURELIVING.COM 020 8532 5959

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NEW BUILDS, EXTENSIONS, COMPLETE RE-MODELS & INTERIOR DESIGN. From initial architectural design through to completion.

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AN EXTRA SPECIAL SANTA’S GROTTO. 6 NOV – 24 DEC Wander through four wonderful realms of festive fun in Lakeside’s Nutcracker Village.

Book tickets at lakeside-shopping.com

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ABSOLUTELY

Contents NOVEMBER 2021

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80 10

C U LT U R E ABSOLUTELY LOVES

FA S H I O N & B E A U T Y 40 THE SHOOT

SIMON LIPKIN

48 F45 NOAK HILL

Why we have a passion for pink

16

Looking back at the stage star's career

Wrap up warm thanks to Joe Browns

The winning Australian fitness concept

20 HOLLY DONOVAN

59 WEDDINGS SPECIAL

FOOD & DRINK 24 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

HOME & INTERIORS 78 INTERIORS NEWS

26 THE CREEK

80 EN MASSE BESPOKE

30 RECIPES

84 COSY ROOMS

The Essex TV presenter who adores Essex

News from the industry

What makes this Great Bentley hotspot so good

Bring Yotam Ottolenghi into your home

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Top tips and luscious looks for the big day

The latest from the industry

A closer look at the award winning business

Create your very own winter warmer

A B S O L U T E LY- E S S E X .C O. U K The online guide to inspirational living that helps you stay one step ahead of the crowd and gives you the chance to win exclusive prizes.

O N T H E C OV E R Jor Browns AW21 collection, found at Next across Essex. See more at joebrowns.co.uk

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The Creek is a multi award winning family run restaurant and bar owned by Terence and Caroline Howard and offering classical British dishes with a European influence using only the best locally sourced ingredients

EDITOR MARK KEBBLE DIGITAL EDITOR LAYLA TURNER

CHRISTMAS PARTIES 4 courses from £34.95

Christmas Day

5 courses for £105

New Years Eve Champagne Lunch

4 courses for £45

ART DIRECTOR PAWEL KUBA SENIOR DESIGNER MIKE ROBERTS SAMANTHA SCOTT MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN MAGAZINE MANAGER CELIA GREGORY FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTORS CRAIG DAVIES, LEAH DAY, JAMES FUSCHILLO NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT

For editorial enquiries please email: mark@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 07862 004024 or email: celia@zest-media.com

Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date on what’s happening, new dishes, booking availability & more.

We look forward to welcoming you with a smile.

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.

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The Creek

We b si t e

Flag Hill • Greta Bentley • Colchester • Essex - CO7 8RE

absolutely-essex.co.uk

Tel: 01206 586435 or 01255 317950 thecreekgreatbentley.co.uk

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KIRAN DULAI

Welcome

Kiran Dulai, part of the team at Surya Hotels, who were behind the revamp of The George in Colchester, on revitalising Essex icons

THE EDITOR'S November issue highlights

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Travel

E

ssex has always been my home county: with the coast just 20 minutes away and with London only a convenient hour’s drive, there’s so much to do and explore. I’ve lived in Colchester town centre for the last few years and throughout lockdown one our family home got its newest member, Laila, the cutest little Yorkie. She kept me busy throughout the unsettling period and now she is my best friend. A lover of travelling abroad, if anything 2020 taught me to relax more, walk more (instead of gymming) and enjoy what Essex has to offer.

Since the easing of restrictions I’ve been back to work in the family business. Since acquiring the first hotel ten years ago, Surya Hotels has grown to a group of 13 hotels set in idyllic locations, many of which are in Essex including The Kingscliff on the coast of Holland on Sea. Refurbishing the properties is an ongoing process and the latest project I’ve worked on was The George Hotel, situated in Colchester town centre. The extensive two-year refurbishment saw it reopen this year with a bang! It was fantastic to be part of project managing the design, build and furnishing to restore Colchester’s 500-year-old Grade 2* listed iconic Inn, which has been in the heart of many over the years, and the feedback since we’ve reopened has been phenomenal.

Working in hospitality throughout the limbo of lockdowns, it has been a challenging two years and I have nothing but respect for those who have worked tirelessly throughout to support the business and community whilst adapting to all the changes. It fills us with pride to see what has been achieved and only excitement to see what else is to come.

Why now is the perfect time to seek out Ibiza

4 3

Weddings

Tips and advice in our mini special

Recipes

Bring Yotam Ottolenghi into your home

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Cosy Rooms

Tips to create your very own winter warmer

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Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY

PENDLE HARTE

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PINK FIZZ

Sanderson has revived a collection of vintage textile and wallpaper prints from its vast design archive. Pictured is Golden Lily in Pink Fizz, £150 per roll. archive. sandersondesigngroup.com

R OS E G LOW Curiosa Studio's new Glowbule light is a candy-coloured ball of light that comes as a table light or a pendant in various sizes. curiousa.co.uk

FUSCHIA FROCK This tartan taffeta tiered dress

by Molly Goddard is a piece of pure pink joy. £2,400 mollygoddard.com

E XOT I C M A G E N TA Wedgwood's new Wonderlust collection is an eclectic mix of patterned mugs, bowls, dinner plates and more, inspired by the wonders of travel. This is the Pink Lotus plate, £40 wedgwood.com

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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES

WILD ABOUT THIS Really Wild's lightest knit and the most versatile. Crafted from the finest two ply Scottish cashmere in a baby pink, you’ll want to reach for this every day. £265 reallywildclothing.com

P E TA L H E A D Couture millinery brand Merve Bayindir takes inspiration from the Golden Age of Hollywood for the new collection, which includes this fabulous flower fascinator. mervebayindir.com

P I N K L A DY Madeleine Thompson's new lounge collection, MT Cotton, includes hoodies, pants and onesies in a luxe, soft , cotton fleece. madeleine-thompson.com

TO P D R O P

FLORAL F L AV O U R

The 9ct Rose Gold Pink Freshwater Pearl & Diamond Top Drop Earrings are one of the latest offerings from Baker Brothers Diamonds. They will cap off the perfect autumnal look. £149.50 bakerbrothersdiamonds.com

Pale Fox vintage Prosecco Rose is a sparkling wine reminiscent of red berries, pomegranate and white flowers. £29.95. palefoxprosecco.com

PA L E B L U S H Aubade's Rosessence collection is designed for comfort and elegance – and you'll find a perfect fit at Amelie's Follies. ameliesfollies.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

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C U LT U R E

BACK WITH A BANG DOWN HALL HOTEL

Making an epic comeback for 2021, luxury countryside hotel Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate in Hatfield Heath will be putting on a spectacular night for the whole family, with the return of their dazzling firework display. Taking place on Thursday 4 November, guests are invited to arrive from 6.30pm for a welcome drink, ahead of the firework lighting, all set against the backdrop of 110 acres of gardens and woodlands. downhall.co.uk

Agenda 14 • Simon Lipkin 16 • Holly Donovan 20 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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The Agenda

N OV E M B E R ' S H OT T E S T E V E N T S

EV E N T

Christmas Wonderland 27 November H AV E N H O U S E C H I L D R E N ' S H OS P I C E , WO O D FO R D G R E E N Father Christmas is so busy that he is now fully booked, but children can still enjoy Haven House's Enchanted Woodland Trail where they can experience snow, farmyard animals and festive treats.

They'll receive a trail booklet where they can embark on The Elf Hunt and try to help Santa find his elves. havenhouse.org.uk

E X H I B I T I O N

Bloomberg New Contemporaries U NTI L 28 NOV E MB E R , F I RSTSITE

Bloomberg New Contemporaries is an annual exhibition that showcases the work of artists at the beginning of their careers. It holds a vital role in the UK’s contemporary art scene, presenting emerging artists. One of those included is Essex artist Elsa James, whose Black Girl Essex exhibition was staged at Firstsite in 2019. firstsite.uk

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EV E N T

Fireworks Spectacular 5 November LO U G H TO N Savor a stunning professional show of fireworks lighting up the evening sky as we pay tribute to Guy Fawkes Night in Loughton. Dig into appetizing hot food and refreshments from local suppliers for the rest of the evening, before heading to local pubs at the close of the performance to proceed with the bonfire evening fun. bonfirenightparty.com

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CULTURE • WHAT'S ON

A RT

Wilde Essex Until 7 November WO N KY W H E E L Finchingfield-based gallery Wonky Wheel will host a unique perspective on the Essex landscape by Thaxted artist Clare Wilde. In this series of work, Wilde deliberately works on a small scale in order to ask people to really look, to draw your attention in to quiet, dream-like vistas that first appear relatively empty but if you take the time to really see, are filled with detail and colour. wonky-wheel.co.uk

ART

TO WATC H Lisa Baker suggests reasons to visit the capital this month

STUDIO WEST

Curator Caroline Boseley launches a brand-new space for contemporary art and community in West London.

The Notting Hill gallery will open its doors this month with an exciting duo show by the artist couple at the forefront of contemporary painting, Victoria Cantons and Xu Yang.

From 10 November, studiowest.gallery

EV E N T

CHRISTMAS MARKET

This Month’s Must Visit

27-28 November T H E B L U E B OA R A B R I D G E Need a little festive buying inspiration?

If you do, make a note in your diary to visit The Blue Boar in Romford at the end of November, when they will be holding their Christmas Market. Expect stalls full of quirky gifts, from toys and clothing through to festive decorations and candles.theblueboarabridge.co.uk

BEN HASSETT: BEER. SODA. LOTTO.

I M AG E S I N F R A M E S

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ON GOIN G, WAN STEAD

his year, more than ever, Images in Frames presents a truly unique collection for everyone. The gallery used to be primarily a framer whilst also selling ‘nick-nacks’ and mirrors. Other than the artwork itself, the gallery has completely transformed in appearance and the business now operates as both an art gallery and a bespoke framer. With two branches – in Wanstead and Walthamstow – they hope to open another very soon. Visit their website for their latest exhibitions.

Ben Hassett, known for shooting the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle, is exhibiting seductive, personal photographs of LA Liquor Stores at David Hill Gallery. The works are melancholic yet beautiful.

Until 18 December, davidhillgallery.net

PATRICK HUGHES: THE PERSPECTIVE PARADOX Inventor of ‘reverspective’ and paragon of the London art scene for over 60 years, Patrick Hughes opens an exhibition of new works at Hang-Up Gallery. The spectacle brings together seminal recent works exemplary of Hughes’ playful lifelong investigation into the psychology of perception.

Until 16 December, hanguppictures.com

imagesinframes.com

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“I never want to be the leading man, I always want to be the funny person”

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CULTURE • INTERVIEW

SONG & DANCE

A West End and screen star, with a return to the stage imminent, why Essex actor Simon Lipkin is a very big deal indeed B y K AT I E T R A X T O N

T

he first time I saw Simon Lipkin perform I was 12-years-old. It was my first term at secondary school in Essex and he was in the year above me. I walked into the main hall, big enough to hold all the students and teachers, for a choir competition for all ages – 11 to 18. As I watched a sea of accomplished uniformity, one student broke ranks, a breath-taking voice belting out California Dreamin’ as he dropped down on his knees at the insistence of the well-loved lyrics. Every eye was on him.

Only eight years later, he was in the opening cast of Avenue Q. Since then, Lipkin has become a recognised West End star able to switch seemingly effortlessly between stage and screen. After an international hiatus in the performing arts during the early stages of the pandemic and lockdown,

he’s now back in action having recently recorded two new TV shows and takes to the stage again for the first time in two years with Brian & Roger at the Menier Chocolate factory opening 2 November. Here's what he has to say about his career to date...

THE BEGINNING – FROM DREAM TO REALITY It all began when I was a little boy. My parents were huge theatre lovers, so they used to take me regularly to see plays and musicals. It was the musicals I immediately fell in love with. The first one I remember was Oliver! at the Palladium. I couldn’t think of anything more that I wanted to do than be on that stage. Even as a nine-yearold, I didn’t want to be Oliver or Dodger, I wanted to play Fagin. For anyone that doesn’t know, Fagin is an old man who looks after a den of thieving children.

It’s a funny part, a character part and I knew that’s what I wanted to do. That’s a theme whenever I see a show, I never

want to be the leading man, I always want to be the funny person next to him.

I genuinely believe the only reason I’m an actor today is because of my parents and their support. They never once said to me, “No, don’t pursue acting, get a proper job, have something to fall back on.” That may be irresponsible parenting, but I love them for it. They even supported me in moving to the Sylvia Young Theatre School halfway through secondary school, which was the best thing I ever did.

My first proper job in the West End was at 19 in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Through that, I was cast in the original line-up of Avenue Q. It was amazing for me, because going on from there I had something behind me that meant people spotted me for exciting jobs that they otherwise might not have considered a 20/21-year-old for. I count myself lucky – and I always say lucky because while people can say it’s not about luck it’s about talent, it’s a mix of right place, right time.

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A BOND STREET CHRISTMAS IS A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS FOR ALL Tis’ the season of shopping, dining, and sharing special experiences, plus much more...

Visit Bond Street this Christmas.

BONDSTREETCHELMSFORD.COM

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CULTURE • INTERVIEW

STARRING IN NATIVITY THE MUSICAL

“You can't match the satisfaction of being on stage” THE LIFE OF AN ACTOR – IN AND OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT On stage is where I feel most comfortable.

There is a natural remedy when you’re on stage; you can have had a terrible day, but when you get on stage it transports you somewhere else. I think that happens on both sides of the theatre. As a member of the audience, if a show is done well, you should be transported, you should forget everything else. It’s different to the cinema, because actors and audience are in the same place at the same time.

Standing in front of an audience is where I feel most alive, there’s no other way of describing it. It’s not a job, it’s a privilege.

I’m not working hard for a living. Even if something stressful happens at work – and there are stressful parts to the job – I know how lucky I am to do what I do because of the rewards. That’s how I feel – although physically and skills-wise it is a hard job.

If you ever go and see a musical or play, the cast will have dedicated their lives to learning how to fulfil their roles.

You see them jumping around having a good time, which is exactly what they should be doing, because their job is to create that experience for the audience, but a lot of work has gone into that.

WITH CRAIG MATHER AND GARY WILMOT, WIND IN THE WILLOWS

If they’re in the ensemble and they’re incredible dancers, they’ve probably danced since the age of four or five and done nothing else and broken bones and their feet have bled. They work out and condition themselves continually to make sure their bodies can do what they need them to do eight-times per week for roughly two hours per show.

It also affects your lifestyle. If you’ve got ‘a big sing’ and with big notes to hit you can’t ever go out, because you’re being paid to nail every performance, so during the day you stay quiet and look after yourself. Even if you’re doing a play you need your voice, which means your social life becomes a bit non-existent.

You’re also working at the times everyone else socialises. You work from 6pm to 11pm, so a short shift really, but that’s every evening and all through Saturdays and Sundays. It can be a lonely lifestyle, which is what makes the West End or any acting or showbiz community a little family and why we’re all so close.

THE FUTURE – NOW AND NEXT As an actor, you do worry about where the next pay cheque’s coming from. We’re all self-employed freelancers, so once one job’s done you often have no idea what’s going to happen next. So far, something has always come up and even if you’ve spent a few months dwelling about not having a job, as soon as the phone rings and you get another job everything is fine again.

That little switch resets and you crack on. It’s all part of the life you’ve chosen.

Right now, I’m lucky to be working on stage and in front of a camera. The two require very different skills and offer very different experiences. When you move from theatre to TV and film, it’s hard because you can’t immediately feel whether what you’re doing is working

like you can with a live audience. You do multiple takes of a scene, shot from multiple angles and then someone else edits different performances together to make the final scene. You have to trust your director and editor and the enormous group of people working together to make it happen. The lifestyle is also very different. Both are fun and I love making TV and film, but my heart will always be in the theatre.

You can’t match the satisfaction of being on stage, so I’m very happy to be in rehearsals for Brian & Roger at the Menier Chocolate Factory. It’ll be my first time on stage in about two years due to the pandemic, so I can’t wait. I would love to write things for other people, because I really enjoy helping others achieve things they didn’t know they could from behind the camera or by putting pen to paper, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to step away from acting. Maybe the future will be a cycle of directing, writing and acting. If I could keep going around in that sequence indefinitely, that’d be a pretty happy existence.

Visit menierchocolatefactory.com for more on Brian & Roger. Katie Traxton is the founder of Good Vibes Only Talent, goodvibesonlytalent.com

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SHE LOVED APPEARING AT LONDON'S OLD RED LION

Q When did you first pick up the presenting bug?

A I think I’ve had the bug for a very long time! Right from when I was about seven, I used to turn everything into a day time telly show. I would present a cooking programme whilst making a sandwich, or a beauty tips segment when stealing my mum’s makeup. I used to love pretending I was on Blue Peter, making something weird with glue and loo roll tubes. Luckily, this was way before video phones, so there are no videos for my mum to embarrass me with!

Get to know…

HOLLY DONOVAN

TV PRESENTER

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Q Have you previously done some work in film and theatre too?

A Yes I have. I actually studied as an actor at East 15 acting school in Southend, so for around eight years I dabbled in theatre and TV. I’ve done a ton of Shakespeare tours as well as producing and putting on some modern writing plays too. My favourite was a play called No Place Like Hope at the Old Red Lion Theatre in Islington. I adored performing in it. I really hope that those kind of theatres can survive after Covid as they are so intimate and are full of such dedicated, wonderful people.

Q What kind of TV work have you done to date – and has there been a particular highlight?

A My last telly job was EastEnders, where I had a baby upstairs in the Queen Vic! I didn’t tell anyone that I was playing the part of a pregnant girl, so my mum had a right shock when she saw it. It was so surreal. I absolutely loved my time on the show, even though pretending to give birth is pretty intense. Filming gave me such a buzz and everyone was so nice.

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CULTURE • PROFILE

HAPPY MEMORIES ARE IN SOUTHEND

Q Are there certain topics you’d love to present about?

A There are so many! I particularly love going on journeys and finding out the truth about something, such as what’s really inside our beauty products, or how the food industry works. I am also passionate about my health and fitness, so anything related to exercise or athletics would be amazing to do a feature on. Being creative has always been a massive love of mine too, so give me some glitter glue and some arts and crafts and I’m sure to be in my happy place.

Q Tell me about where you grew up…

A I was born in Chelmsford and grew up in

South Woodham Ferrers. Our house was on a quiet little road and right opposite my primary school. My mum worked in Southend on Sea and my dad worked in Maldon. My nan and grandad lived in Loughton and my auntie in Canvey Island, so safe to say, I saw a lot of the county.

Q What are your favourite childhood memories of the county?

A I have so many. My childhood was here, but also my university years. I would have to say that my favourite memory of Essex

SHE'S A TALENTED VIOLINIST

SHAKESPEARE AND THE STAGE WERE KEY IN HER EARLY CAREER

“I love to go back to Southend and ride the rides that I was never tall enough for when I was little” SHE GREW UP IN CHELMSFORD

is of Southend-on-Sea when I was little. My nan and grandad would take us there on weekends, where we would have fish and chips at Bailey’s and then my grandad would hold my hand whilst I walked along the sea wall. I would always be amazed at Peter Pan’s Playground (for me it will NEVER be Adventure Island) and I would nearly always end up in tears when I was still too short to ride the Barracuda. My grandad would always buy me an ice cream to soften the blow though. My grandad isn’t around anymore, so this memory is very close to my heart and I remember those trips so clearly.

Q Today, where do you love visiting in Essex?

A I love to go back to Southend and ride the rides that I was never tall enough for when I was little! I also always go back to our old East 15 haunts. I like to see the

studios, and go to the pubs where we used to play gigs (I’m a violinist too and played in a folk band). We used to always go to the Alex, which has now had a very snazzy refurb, and if I’m with my mum, then we go to Tomassi’s because we always used to have cake there when I was growing up.

Q Do you have an Essex secret you are willing to reveal to us?

A I used to order the set menu for two people from Zen City Chinese in Westcliff, and then secretly eat the entire thing to myself. My obsession with health and fitness meant that I kept this very secret…

Q What does 2022 hold in store for you?

A It will hopefully be crammed full of

epic presenting jobs. I can’t wait to find myself presenting a show that I love.

Fingers crossed you’ll see me soon.

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FOOD & DRINK

JOIN THE CLUB FLITCH OF BACON

The Flitch of Bacon Gourmet Club has been launched to much fanfare in Essex. The Flitch, originally backed by two Michelin starred chef Daniel Clifford, was the first establishment in Essex to gain a Michelin star and is now under the creative mind of Paul Croasdale. The Gourmet Club will host monthly special events and membership offers several advantages.

Visit their website to find out more. flitchofbacon.co.uk

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WHAT TO DRINK

GRAPE news

TASTING NOTES

The latest food news and most exciting openings this month

By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

Wine recommendations for the month

By IL VINO

Contino Vina del Olivo 2018, Rioja  £69 Great aromas of fruit with an elegant complexity and a great richness of tannins, highlighting the spicy hints in perfect balance with the fruity nuances. Touches of red fruit and balsamic notes like anise and liquorice.

Great structure, rounded, with tannins of mature fruit and high quality barrels.

Roda I Reserva 2015, Rioja  £54 A red cherry background, gradually building in intensity, with wonderful sensations that fill the glass. It´ is smooth on the palate. Plums and cherries fill the mouth, and the excellent quality of the aged oak appears subtly, with a cocoa and spice finish. The fruit endures with a longlasting sensation of freshness.

La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva 2012, Rioja  £30 Garnet red with a highlycomplex blend of spicy and balsamic aromas of sweet liquorice, patisserie, vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa, coffee and nutmeg, and notes of stewed red fruits. Outstanding balance, pleasant freshness and supple, round tannins for a very pleasant taste.

Il Vino is the premier independent wine merchant in West Essex, offering a selection of outstanding wines, champagnes and cognacs and cigars from around the world. Il Vino will also soon be offering customers private tasting events at the shop in Buckhurst Hill.

ilvino.co.uk

Festive feast D E E R S B R O O K FA R M

It’s a time for celebrations and Deersbrook farm shop has the finest selection of local award winning produce with the butchery displaying free range turkey, chicken, duck and goose, their very own grass fed beef and Gloucester Old Spot pork, plus wild game and venison. All of their sausages and chipolatas are handmade, and their dry cured bacons and hams are cured and smoked onsite too. Christmas orders must be in by 1 December either online or instore. deersbrookfarm.com

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FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

GET BREADY Top picks for the humble sandwich

TIME TO SHARE CUBANOS

Cost effective REEDS FAMILY BUTCHERS

The home of your classic breakfast sarnies in Leigh on Sea. If you're a traditional breakfast sandwich lover, this is the place for you, with plenty of choice for lunch and more. With meat and veggie options, there's a little something for everyone to enjoy the British classic. cubanosleighonsea.co.uk

Reeds Family Butchers in Corringham, Essex, has relaunched its Savers Club. Traditionally Savers Clubs have been offered by butchers for generations and the Reeds Family Butchers Savers Club is the same, but operates online via their website. It is an easy and perfect way to save for Christmas or a rainy day or just to be more organised, and can be set up in a couple of clicks. reedsbutchers.co.uk/savers-club

LIBAN TAPAS

South Woodford's Liban Tapas has a new Parisian terrace and new Christmas flower wall to help us all get into the festive spirit this month.

Their new menu is inspired by Lebanese/Eastern Mediterranean dishes, made for sharing. Everything is made daily, with sustainability key to the way they work. They also offer a group set menu, so consider this for your Christmas get together. libantapas.com

MRS SAILSBURY'S Nestled in Bright’s Path, a quintessentially British alleyway in the heart of Maldon, lies Mrs Salisbury's Famous Tea Rooms, alive with character.

Offering heavenly breakfasts and scrumptious sandwiches, this is the perfect little lunch getaway. mrssalisburys.co.uk

M I X

A N D

M ATC H EFEZADE

Get the party started THE GALLERY BAR AND BRASSERIE

The Gallery Bar and Brasserie in South Woodford prides itself on providing all you need for any social occasion.

They regularly host a selection of different events and offers, as well as setting the scene for your favourite seasonal parties. Highlights this month include 2-4-1 cocktails Wed-Fri from 5-8pm, and the incomparable Drag Brunch on 20 November. thegallerybarandbrasserie.co.uk

R E D D O G SA LO O N With a variety of sandwiches and burgers on offer, Red Dog Saloon on West Thurrock Way does not disappoint when it comes down to options. The inventive names sets the scene for the sandwiches themselves; The peanut butter burger, Chilli cheeseburger and the Punisher MK2 – dare to take on such a challenge? reddogsaloon.co.uk

As we approach the festive season, the likes of Efezade Mezze Grill in Loughton certainly does stand out.

It really has it all: crowd pleasing drinks, a fabulous menu and superb live entertainment, which will help get all of your party into the right spirit with Christmas round the corner. efezademezzegrill.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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TERENCE HOWARD

THE PERFECT MIX

We meet Terence Howard, the owner and chef at The Creek in Great Bentley, to talk spirits, ingredients and experience

By MARK KEBBLE

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FOOD & DRINK • INTERVIEW

“Our dishes evolve regularly, so it’s about using ingredients we know are popular with our diners”

F

or anyone, like the team here at Absolutely Essex, who has enjoyed ‘The Creek’ at, well, The Creek will know what a simple pleasure it is. The take on a banana split – caramelised banana, Norfolk County salted caramel ice cream, Chantilly cream, roasted walnuts and salted butterscotch sauce – has been on every menu at the Great Bentley restaurant since 2014, and there’d be uproar if it ever disappeared.

And yet, ‘The Creek’ as we know it may have never existed if it wasn’t for chef/ owner Terence Howard and his wife, Caroline, taking over in September 2014.

“It was us who changed the name from The Flag Inn,” Terence picks up about the time when the husband and wife team started to build their vision.

THE CREEK HAS A CLASSIC APPROACH TO ITS MENU

“We changed the name upon advice from our designer, Hayley Roy from Harp Interior Design, who is local to the area.

The name is taken from Flag Creek, which runs behind the grounds of the restaurant.” And so The Creek was born.

It’s not the only thing Terence and the team have brought to the area. The food is classical British with a European influence and is wonderful, partly the result of Terence’s extensive background in the industry. “I was lucky to work in the establishments I did,” he says, with London stalwarts the Groucho Club, Home House and The Washington Hotel all on the CV. “My last job as executive chef at the Reform Club taught me how to manage and organise a very large operation. But The Savoy, my first job within a kitchen environment, was probably the one I took the most away from. I found it hard, it

made me question if a chef’s life was for me, but it toughened me up and set the tone for my career moving forward.” The idea of running his own place was always at the back of his mind. “It was always my ambition to run my own restaurant,” he nods. “I set myself a goal to complete by 35 years of age – I was two years behind at 37.”

Taking over the then named Flag Inn was a bit of a coup, as anyone who knows its history would attest to. “It’s a listed 17th century building,” Terence explains. “To the best of our knowledge the building has always been used as an inn/pub/restaurant.

Some say it’s haunted, though we have not had any experience of this! We like Great Bentley because of the rural and peaceful surroundings, but we are still easy to find.”

As well as the name change, Terence and Caroline got to work revamping much of the venue. “We changed the colour scheme inside and out, and the kitchen got a major overhaul,” Terence recounts. “The only things that didn’t change were the windows and doors due to this being a listed building, and also the floor and bar structure remained.”

How did he want to approach the menu?

“I’m classically trained, so that is very important to me,” he says. “I like keeping things simple, but interesting. I don’t follow trends – I am not trendy, I’m too old for that! Our dishes evolve regularly, so it’s about using certain ingredients we know are popular with our diners. Beef, duck, seabass, prawns, avocado and mushrooms are some of those, to name just a few.”

It goes without saying that the past 18 months have been tough, as it has been for all of Essex’s hospitality industry, but Terence is keen to look forward. The festive season is upon us – “I am looking forward to seeing people being together and enjoying themselves” – and he and Caroline will continue to evolve the offering so many of us love already. “Even though we did a lot of work on the garden during lockdown, we have plans for further improvements ready for next summer. We hope to still be here for another seven years.”

THE CREEK Flag Hill, Great Bentley Colchester, CO7 8RE 01255 317950 / 01206 586435 thecreekgreatbentley.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK • DRINKS

P O U R F O R T H Absolutely Essex shares a glass of wine with Tony Long, the man behind Il Vino, to talk about an exciting first year in business

By MARK KEBBLE

TONY LONG AND HIS WIFE EILEEN

C IMAGES BY BSG

THE NEW WINE TASTING ROOM

onsidering the fact independent wine shop Il Vino is approaching its first anniversary in December, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist – or a wine buff – to work out this was a business born in lockdown. It was also the moment that owner Tony Long took a punt on following his passion.

“I have been working in publishing all my career,” he recounts the story. “When I came back from running a media business in Dubai at the end of 2018, I took on the role of Publisher of an upscale wine and spirits lifestyle magazine called Club Oenologique. I have always had a passion for wine, so to me this represented a perfect combination. Then Covid came along and we had to suspend the magazine, and it was at that point I thought, even when this was over, I didn’t want to go back in to publishing. I wanted to stay involved in wine and there are only so many ways you can do that – and buying a vineyard wasn’t an option! Then I thought an independent wine shop near to where I live in Woodford Green would fit in well…”

Il Vino opened on Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill, just before last Christmas.

It was boosted by the fact that they could open under the government’s rules on essential businesses, but the success Il Vino has enjoyed since is all down to Long

and his wife Eileen and their vision for the business. Regular readers of Absolutely Essex will also be familiar with Long’s wine column reviews on our food news round-up pages, which highlights his preference for smaller, independent wine producers. “Some I know and have worked with before,” he says on how these producers are sourced. “I really enjoy that relationship and the fact they are making efforts towards things customers care more and more about these days, such as the environment and the ecological impact of producing wine. We do get some customers coming in wanting slightly more esoteric wines, and wines that have been produced in a certain style, but more often than not customers are looking for wines they know, which they have enjoyed in restaurants or when travelling for example, or wines they have heard of before.”

It’s clear to see why Il Vino has been such a hit in Buckhurst Hill, but plans are afoot to take the offering even further. At the time of writing, Long is all set to launch wine tastings at the back of Il Vino. “They will be bespoke private wine tastings for 10-12 people,” Long explains. “We will design the wine tastings around the customer’s brief and offer our own input to ensure they get a great tasting experience. For example, if someone says they love Spanish wine, but they usually end up with Rioja, we will put together a list of wines from different regions, different styles, and really give guests that attend a fantastic wine tour of Spain. What we will also do is match the meats, cheeses, etc to those regions wherever we can so you will get a more authentic tasting experience.”

The pandemic has been disastrous on a global scale, but positive elements have emerged from the rubble, in particular an increased demand for what local high streets offer. Il Vino is one such example, which shows what an independent business can truly offer the consumer.

A very happy birthday indeed.

IL VINO 28 Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill, IG9 5BY 020 8504 8799 ilvino.co.uk

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TEST

department Ottolenghi’s first Test Kitchen book focuses on practical larder solutions. Here’s a taster Wo r d s YO TA M O T T O L E N G H I P h o t o g r a p h y E L E N A H E AT H E R W I C K

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

Sesamecrusted feta and sun blush tomatoes on rosemary skewers Serves 8

‘Everything is betta with feta,’ says Tara, voted the number one feta fan of all time, and, to be fair, she might be right. We try really hard not to show cheese favouritism (cheesism), but we’d be lying if we didn’t admit that feta makes a prominent appearance in the OTK fridge, its salty, tangy properties lending it well to multiple preparations.

This dish is a little bit sweet, a lotta bit salty, a tiny bit bitter and a whole bit crispy. It’s exactly what you’d serve for brunch (with bacon, if you like) and not much else, as it really is quite rich.

INGREDIENTS • 2 blocks of Greek feta (360g), each cut into 4 triangles (8 triangles in total) • 35g rice flour (or plain flour if gluten-free flour not needed) • 1 large egg, well beaten • 100g mixed black and white sesame seeds, lightly toasted • 2 tbsp olive oil • 0.5 tbsp picked lemon thyme leaves, or regular thyme leaves Syrup • 120g runny honey • 1 tsp ground black lime (optional) • 3 lemons: 1 juiced to get 1 tbsp and the other 2 left whole

METHOD 1 Line a shallow baking dish (or baking tray with a slight lip), about 30cm x 20cm in size, with baking parchment.

2 Pat dry the feta pieces, then dip each piece in the flour, gently shaking off the excess. Coat in the egg, followed by the sesame seeds, making sure the feta pieces are completely coated.

Transfer each piece to your prepared dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or longer if time allows.

3 Preheat the oven to 220C fan.

Drizzle the coated feta pieces with the oil and bake from cold, for 18 minutes, very gently flipping the pieces over halfway, or until golden and warmed through.

4 While the feta is baking, put the honey and black lime, if using, into a small saucepan on a medium-high heat. Once it starts to bubble, turn the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until it turns a deep

amber caramel, about 6–7 minutes.

Take off the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.

5 Use a small, sharp knife to peel and segment the remaining two lemons and stir the segments into the cooled honey mixture.

6 When ready, pour the lemon syrup directly over the feta in the baking dish, sprinkle with the thyme and serve at once, straight from the dish.

Grilled courgettes with warm yoghurt and saffron butter Serves 2–4

This recipe is inspired by kousa b’laban, a Levantine dish of stuffed baby marrow cooked in yoghurt. In this simplified version the yoghurt sauce and grilled courgettes are cooked separately, then served with a quick saffron butter to spoon on top. There’s a bit of an art to cooking yoghurt without having it curdle; stabilisers such as cornflour and egg yolk tend to do the trick, as does cooking the yoghurt on a moderate heat, stirring continuously and gently warming through without boiling. The result: a silky-smooth and tangy sauce, great for these courgettes but also with other grilled veggies, fatty meats or even as a sauce to pasta.

INGREDIENTS • 30g unsalted butter • 0.25 tsp saffron threads, roughly crushed • 4 small, pale green or regular

courgettes, tops trimmed slightly and courgettes halved lengthways (600g) • 2.5 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp cornflour • 300g Greek-style yoghurt • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 0.5 tsp dried mint • 0.75 tsp coriander seeds, toasted and roughly crushed with a pestle and mortar • 1.5 tbsp picked mint leaves • Half a lemon • salt and black pepper

METHOD 1 Preheat the oven to a high grill setting.

2 Put the butter and saffron into a small saucepan on a medium heat. When the butter has melted, set aside to infuse.

3 Place the courgettes on a parchment-lined baking tray and toss with 2 tablespoons of oil, 0.3 teaspoon of salt and a good grind of pepper. Arrange them cut side up and grill for 15–20 minutes, until nicely charred and softened.

4 Towards the last 10 minutes of grilling time, make the sauce.

In a large bowl, whisk together the cornflour and 3 tablespoons of water until smooth, then add the yoghurt, garlic, dried mint, the remaining 0.5 tablespoon of oil and 0.5 teaspoon of salt. Whisk to combine, then transfer to a large, non-stick saute pan on a medium heat. Cook, stirring continuously, for about 10 minutes, or until thickened slightly and warmed through. Do not let the sauce boil, or it will split.

5 Transfer the warm yoghurt sauce to a plate with a lip and top with the courgettes, grilled side up.

Spoon over the saffron butter, then sprinkle with the coriander seeds and mint leaves. Squeeze over the lemon half and serve right away.

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

• 11 garlic cloves, peeled, 10 left whole and 1 crushed • 30g fresh ginger, peeled and julienned • 400g datterini or regular cherry tomatoes • 3 red chillies, mild or spicy, a slit cut down their length • 1 tbsp tomato paste • 2 tsp cumin seeds, roughly crushed with a pestle and mortar • 2 tsp coriander seeds, roughly crushed with a pestle and mortar • 0.5 tsp ground turmeric • 0.5 tsp chilli flakes • 2 tsp red Kashmiri chilli powder • 1 tsp caster sugar • 200ml olive oil • 180g Greek-style yoghurt • 15g picked mint leaves • 30g fresh coriander, roughly chopped • 2–3 limes: juiced to get 1 tbsp and the rest cut into wedges To serve • salt

METHOD Preheat the oven to 150ÅãC fan.

Put the chickpeas, whole garlic cloves, ginger, tomatoes, chillies, tomato paste, spices, sugar, oil and 1 teaspoon of salt into a large saut. pan, for which you have a lid, and mix everything together to combine. Cover with the lid, transfer to the oven and cook for 75 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the aromatics have softened and the tomatoes have nicely broken down.

3 Meanwhile, put the yoghurt, mint, fresh coriander, lime juice, crushed garlic and . teaspoon of salt into a food processor and blitz until smooth and the herbs are finely chopped.

4 Serve the chickpeas directly from the pan, with the yoghurt and lime wedges alongside.

1

2

Confit tandoori chickpeas Serves 4

These chickpeas have had their fair share of Insta fame for a multitude of reasons. The first being that the simplicity of the dish makes it really

quite attractive: throw everything into a pan and pop it into the oven, leaving it to its own devices (and you to yours).

The second being that slow-cooking the chickpeas in oil without added liquid makes them super soft, allowing all the aromatics to break down into the oil.

Lastly, this dish can easily be made ahead and served later; it only improves with time. Swap out Greek yoghurt with a non-dairy alternative for a completely vegan meal, and serve with rice.

INGREDIENTS • 2 tins of chickpeas (800g), drained (480g)

Extracted from Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love by Noor Murad and Yotam Ottolenghi (Ebury Press, £25)

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FOOD & DRINK • MEAL KITS

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TA S T E O F I TA LY

O R D E R P L E A S E OUR FAVOURITE MEAL DELIVERIES OF THE MONTH

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This service so easy to use fast and convenient. Taste of Italy are passionate about providing delicious and high-quality food, and their priority is to satisfy all of their customer's needs – they offer a variety of excellent food, prepared with the freshest and finest ingredients, to the highest standard. tasteofitalypizzeria.co.uk

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PA S TA E VA N G E L I S T S Pasta Evangelists and Pizza Pilgrims have teamed up to create an Italian cuisine mash-up.

Our pasta box included lasagne inspired by Pizza Pilgrims' hot 'nduja pizza, with hot and spicy sausage, and fresh conchigle alla Margherita. Delicious all round. pastaevangelists.com

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OT TO L E N G H I Ottolenghi and Dishpatch have created the Shelf Love mezze box to showcase recipes from the new book – and it's a marvellous feast including black lime lamb skewers, roast aubergine with tahini, carrots with coriander/pistachio pesto and more. Our taster inspired us to experiment further with the book. dishpatch.co.uk

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P I Z Z A P I LG R I M S

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The Pizza Pilgrims x Pasta Evangelists' pasta-inspired DIY pizza kit was a fun project of readyproved dough, three cheeses and spaghetti. Yes, spaghetti on pizza is a thing – and it works, especially when coupled with the decadent truffle crust dipper. pizzapilgrims.co.uk

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PA E L L A BY JOSE PIZZARO Jose Pizzaro's paella and tapas box was an easy-to-prepare feast of summer vegetable paella, tomato salad, padron peppers and aubergine croquetas, complete with paella pan and instructions. Yum. dishpatch.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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FA S H I O N

YO U TH Q UA K E ST E L L A M CCA RT N EY

Stella Shared 3 is a capsule of conscious unisex staples exploring shared values and aesthetics. Inspired by ‘Y is for Youth’ from the McCartney A to Z Manifesto, the British fashion house offers its platform to three creative forces: Ed Curtis in London, Maisie Broome (Myfawnwy) in New York City and Tom Tosseyn in Antwerp. stellamccartney.com

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RIVER ISLAND Orange tailored double breasted blazer, £65, riverisland.com

COLOUR THERAPY Brighten up the darker, winter days with this selection of glowing trailblazers in the fashion industry right now

By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

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FASHION • TREND

EDITOR’S PICK

ALEXA CHUNG Who By Fire pyjama jacket, £225, trousers, £195, endlesswardrobe.com

LEMUEL MC

JOSEPH Colette double face cashmere – Arrowwood, £1,245, joseph-fashion.com

J

Lemuel MC jumpsuit, £240, lemuelmc.com

ust because the weather outside is dreary, does not mean your outfit has to be. It’s been said that the brighter the colour you wear, the brighter your overall mood will be.

Brands such as The House of of Sunny, Cinta The Label, Alexa Chung and Joseph are showing us how to utilise the larger than life colour palettes this winter, and dress to our mood. Whether it’s a statement coat, a fluffy knit, a colour coordinated two piece, or a simple yet effective leather look, here at Absolutely, we want to see all the colours this winter.

JOSEPH High neck long sleeve top – cashair, tinsel, £255, joseph-fashion.com

JOSEPH Morissey Nappa leather trouserpinecone, £1,145, joseph-fashion.com

CINTA THE LABEL The Alba cardigan, £95, cinta-the-label.com

JOE BROWNS Velvet Perfection dress, £65, joebrowns.co.uk

CINTA THE LABEL The Millicent cardigan, £105, cinta-the-label.com

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Dr e s s t o IMPRESS

The festivities are fast approaching, but Joe Browns – available at Next stores throughout Essex – has got you covered J O E B ROW N S .CO.U K

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Rental Villas & Apartments | Weddings & Events

CASA MONTE CRISTO C O L L E C T I O N

enquiries@casamontecristo.com

0207 334 3901

www.casamontecristo.com

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Plan your visit at enjoystalbans.com or scan me

ENJOYSTALBANS.COM

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22/10/2021 15:21

FASHION • JEWELLERY

A charmed life

Nine reasons why charms are taking the jewellery world by storm

By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

CHLOBO

T-BALANCE

SIF JAKOBS JEWELLERY

Moonbeam bracelet, £125, chlobo.co.uk

Sunshine multi-citrine crystal healing bracelet, £42, tbalance.co.uk

Portofino necklace, £169, sifjakobs.uk

BAKER BROTHER DIAMONDS

DLOB

ROXANNE FIRST

Shaun Leane rose gold vermeli heart bracelet, £195, bakerbrothersdiamonds.com

Hand-crafted glass baby mushroom charm, £70, dlob-dlob.com

Skittle Rainbow sapphire bracelet, £270, roxannefirst.com

ROXANNE FIRST

HILL & FRIENDS

CHLOBO

Princess Cut rainbow drop necklace, £855, roxannefirst.com

Sterling silver and enamel bangles, £195 each, hillandfriends.com

Creative dreams bracelet, £145, chlobo.co.uk

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

DAYS LIKE TH E SE CHANEL Shaped like an enormous bottle of Chanel N°5, this holiday calendar was designed as a work of art and is available in limited quantities. Containing some of the Chanel House’s most iconic products, among its many surprises are a limited-edition ROUGE ALLURE lipstick inspired by N°5, LE VERNIS in a new shade of red, a bottle of N°5 Eau de Parfum, and a host of other accessories dedicated to the fragrance and designed just for the occasion. chanel.com

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TRAIN & GAIN

F45 Noak Hill is causing a stir in Essex, so we spoke to one regular – 38-year-old Jess Pole – to discover why many love working out there

By MARK KEBBLE

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • INTERVIEW

F

45 Noak Hill is the latest group fitness training session to arrive in Essex. F45, short for Functional 45, is the ultimate high-intensity, circuit-based group training concept from Australia.

Sessions are 45 minutes long and fast-paced, burning up to 820 calories and pushing you to your maximum, with constant support and guidance from motivational F45 coaches. You don’t have to be fit to get fit, with classes suitable for all regardless of age and fitness levels, enabling you to workout at your own pace – as we find out here when talking to local Jess Pole.

Q Why F45 Noak Hill?

A When I started I wanted to join somewhere that felt approachable and non-judgemental as I was pretty much a fitness beginner. At my first session everyone was really welcoming and instantly made me feel part of the family. I was told exactly what to expect in my first session, but the main goal was to have fun.

Classes have no more than 27 participants, which means you receive close attention from each of the trainers.

I have found that has been key in keeping me motivated whilst also improving my form and technique from the instructors’ feedback. The smaller class sizes gives F45 that community feel where we all encourage one another, we can all have our separate goals, but feel like we are working towards something together.

The trainers are second to none and have a fountain of knowledge when it comes to fitness. I love that I never have to think about structuring my workout as it’s all been carefully created by trainers who can encourage me to meet my goals.

I always get pushed to improve my fitness, both physically and mentally.

Pumping music combined with the motivational trainers truly gives F45 an upbeat atmosphere and immersive experience like no other – each class

JESS POLE HAS SEEN THE DIFFERENCE IN HER WELLBEING SINCE JOINING

is more fun than any other workout I have ever been to, you really have to experience a class to truly appreciate it.

When I leave class I love that I carry that great energy into the rest of my day.

Q How long after joining F45 Noak Hill did you notice any positive changes?

A Within the first four weeks I noticed that I was less out of breath and I could do more in the sets. Being able to lift more or do an extra burpee made my confidence soar. My energy levels both inside and outside of the gym have also benefitted hugely. When I first joined I was doing three sessions a week, and now I’m doing five or six a week comfortably and enjoying each one.

In addition to mentally feeling better, I could see that I was physically better, having more energy, feeling stronger, shedding fat mass and having leaner muscles. I have noticed how my clothes fit better too.

My family has been so supportive in my transformation and have noticed how much more comfortable I am in my own skin.

I am impressed at how my body has responded so quickly to the training and I’m massively pleased with the results.

Q Why do you continue to go to F45 Noak Hill?

A I go there because it always makes me feel good and it’s always challenging – in a good way. It makes me feel better in my day to day life. I’m happier at home because I’m healthier and fitter. My eight-year-old has noticed the difference to how I am around her, and I feel like I’m setting a good example for her. She now always asks me how my F45 Noak Hill session was, so she’s supportive!

It might seem dramatic, but I would feel a bit lost if I didn’t have F45. It’s now

part of my everyday routine. I know I’m going to come four-five times a week, and if I can’t, I’ll do one of their online workouts at home. When I joined F45 Noak Hill I was a complete novice in terms of strength and endurance training and I’ve seen these areas improve massively.

Q What would you say to anyone apprehensive about joining?

A Don’t be scared or overwhelmed. You will be made to feel immediately welcome. Don’t worry if you haven’t done a deadlift or burpee before, or even if you don’t know what one is, you’ll soon be doing 20 of them and loving it!

It might be more expensive than a traditional gym, but I was determined to get results and find a gym that made me look forward to classes and that’s now what I have.

F 4 5 N OA K H I L L Noak Hill Road, Romford RM3 7YA, 01708 986707 f45training.co.uk/noakhill, IG: @f45_noakhill

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

BEAUTY NOTES

The latest in luxury makeup and skincare

By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

FOCUS

FEELING

EDITOR’S PICK

nourished

The story behind the Oxford Hormone Clinic and how they want to help women

ELEMIS

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Rose Facial Oil is for all skin types, including sensitive skin. This soothing facial oil is formulated with organic English Rose Oleo Extract, Padina Pavonica and Rosehip Seed Oil to intensely nourish the skin, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Rosehip Seed Oil will help leave skin feeling replenished and nourished.

15ml £67, elemis.com

T Natural HEALER S M A R T A S S B E AU T Y

SmartAss Beauty’s aim is to create safe, all-natural, hypoallergenic, organic skincare products that calm, treat and heal the skin. The SmartAss Beauty Donkey Milk skincare range comprises three products: luxury cream cleansing bar, wrinkle rewind mega moisture, and wrinkle rewind super serum.

Prices start from £10.95. smartassbeauty.co.uk

SWEET DREAMS R O C S K I N CA R E

Starting your retinol journey can be scary, but RoC has made it simple and fuss free. This month, discover their new overnight renewal treatment in a single-use capsule. RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Night Serum Capsules dramatically smooth and improve the look of collagen-depleted skin.

30 x capsules £35.99, rocskincare.co.uk

50

MIND & BODY

he foggy brain, lack of sleep, irritability, lack of sex drive, anxiety, hot sweats are just some of the things that every woman over the age of 40 are likely to experience.

Menopause is not something that your mother just went through!

It’s something that all women will experience and yet there seems to be a reluctance to acknowledge it, a taboo discussing it, and a lack of understanding of how to alleviate it.

Two doctors who had specialized in fertility, which today is well catered for, and who had started experiencing some perimenopause symptoms themselves, were aware that already stretched GPs didn’t have the resources nor were given the training on how best to treat it.

So, realising this gap in the medical industry, they decided to set up the Oxford Hormone Clinic to help women understand what they may be going through and look to provide a range of bespoke treatments from prescribing HRT, to acupuncture and advice on nutrition and lifestyle.

Recognising that women have a hectic work and home life they decided to offer face to face consultations in Banbury Road, Oxford, and online via Zoom, to make sure every women anywhere had the opportunity to meet with them.

So if at any time you think things may not be 100%, check out their free symptom test which you can find on their home page at oxfordhormoneclinic. com. A visit will also offer you more information and helpful advice as and when you need it.

oxfordhormoneclinic.com

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P A R T Y P I E C E S Why a visit to H beauty at Lakeside Shopping Centre is all you need to get into the festive spirit

By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

W “As well as having every favourite fragrance, the make-up section at H beauty is where the real magic happens”

e blinked and just like that it’s that time of year again. A time for glitz, glamour and, most exciting of all, gifting. It’s safe to say we’ve all been through a lot this past year and a half, so what better way to celebrate the easing back into normality than fully enjoying the party season – and this year, H beauty is THE destination to discover the most wonderful gifts.

To kick off the festive spirit, H beauty will feature a Harrods Beauty Calendar, which will include multi-branded products, as well as selling brand own Advent Calendars from the likes of Charlotte Tilbury, Kiehl’s and more.

As well as having every favourite fragrance, the beauty and make-up section at H beauty is where the real magic happens – with all the big-name brands displaying their latest products available this festive season.

H beauty doesn’t just provide a space that allows you to find the perfect gift, it has created a wonderland of product experiences. Welcoming you into their Fragrance Bar, you can find scents you will find impossible to resist. Delving a little deeper, the exclusivity of products

that H beauty has to offer will not disappoint anyone lucky enough to receive a gift purchased from here.

The Fragrance Bar at H beauty is the perfect example of this exclusivity.

As you step inside, find exciting niche brands such as Montale, Parfums de Marly and Maison Margiela. The Lakeside store has also recently welcomed a new addition to the fragrance family – encouraging you to come down and visit to both try and smell the wonderful and rare fragrance brands on offer.

Your winter skincare regime is so important to get right as the temperature drops, and H beauty will offer a helping hand. Take a tour through their skincare boutiques – The Ordinary, La Mer, Sunday Riley, Keys Soulcare to name a few – and your sought after exclusive winter skincare can be set up in one simple trip.

Alongside achieving that winter glow, who doesn’t want to also nail the perfect party look ahead of this highly anticipated festive season? After you’ve visited the skincare boutiques, take a trip to the make-up section of the store, with brands exceeding every level of excitement, with the likes of Chanel, Dior, Charlotte Tilbury, Huda beauty and Gucci – and that’s naming a fraction of what’s on offer.

Lastly, to put that extra spring in your step this Christmas, H beauty have added a sampling station to your instore experience. When you spend £50 or more, you are able to choose two free samples from eight different brands.

From treating yourself to those around you, H beauty is your festive pit-stop for all things beauty this winter.

H B E AU T Y Level 1, Ground Floor Intu Lakeside Shopping Centre, West Thurrock Grays RM20 2ZP harrods.com

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Bridal Skincare preparation for flawless glowing skin

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • FOCUS

“Amplified focus on self-care and mindfulness has been crucial” THE HISTORIC BALLINGDON HALL

REIKI WAS A PART OF THE RETREAT

Time to RETREAT The founder of Chelmsford’s Brookside Aesthetics on why it’s important to get away from it all

By KAREN CHESTER

R

ecently, I was privileged to be invited to a celebrity retreat at Ballingdon Hall, hosted by Lee Whyberd (a clairvoyant and wellness practitioner), Lesley Reynolds (known as the Queen of Harley Street) and Doctor Aamer Khan. In all honesty, this was something that I would never have thought of booking for myself; however, I am thrilled to have taken up this opportunity, as this was a truly amazing experience that I would recommend to everyone.

With the pandemic taking a toll on the mental health of many, amplified focus on self-care and mindfulness has been crucial. When life becomes too much and you need to take time to reconnect with your thoughts, a retreat is the perfect place to escape to.

Everybody needs downtime in their

life. A lot of the time, women will take a relaxing spa day, but often men are unsure of where to go to unwind. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness economy is growing twice the rate of the larger global economy. It is also a fact that men are reaching out for help, support, guidance, and like-minded people to talk to. As a result, male wellness retreats are becoming very popular.

The retreat was led by some of the most influential leaders in the wellness industry, who all offered different mindful and healing sessions throughout the day.

The wellness sessions offered included chakra meditation, shadow work, memory and auras, colour therapy, soul loss and soul theft, ascended masters, spiritual guidance for letting go, and much more.

Over the course of the day, the group began to feel like a family. We were all invited to have one-to-one sessions in the

Ballingdon Hall clinic during the afternoon.

The clinic has several rooms offering different wellness treatments, from massage therapies, to reiki and reflexology. Following my treatment, I was extremely relaxed.

At the end of the day, the group reflected, sharing personal views on the time spent at the retreat. Ben Bidwell, aka the ‘Naked Professor’, explained that he was blown away with the retreat’s beauty. He continued to say that the group became a family to him; we cried together, we laughed together, and all came away feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Renowned Doctor Aamer Khan was thrilled to work with the team at Ballingdon Hall to open their doors for a wellness retreat for the first time. The guests were invited to immerse themselves in a retreat to mentally rebalance using many ancient shamanic drumming, meditation, crystal healing, reiki, manifestation, colour therapy and more.

Ballingdon Hall look forward to developing and offering more tailored retreats for men with a focus on reconnecting with nature and the outdoors.

The famous Ballingdon Hall is situated in a beautiful location in Sudbury, Suffolk, and sits on 20-acres of unspoilt countryside. Ballingdon retreats will take place monthly. Find out more at ballingdonhall.co.uk/retreats

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • FITNESS

FITNESS

TOP

PICKS SUPPLEMENTS TO AID PERFORMANCE AND COMFORT

NOTES

By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

C B D B A L M , £ 4 2 .9 9 This balm takes Puresport’s premium 0% THC CBD Oil and combines it with some of nature’s most profound ingredients: lavender, wintergreen, peppermint, lemongrass and more, which are all essential oils said to aid with pain relief and relaxation. puresportcbd.com

PURESPORT’S FEMALE BALANCE HORMONE H E A LT H S U P P L E M E N T The ingredients in this supplement were designed to work synergistically with your body and research suggests they may help with headaches, cramps, breast pain and mood swings. This natural supplement may also assist women going through menopause. £29.99, puresportcbd.com

I N N E R M O S T R E C OV E R Y CAPSULES Rest and recovery are often overlooked, but with these supplements, Innermost are trying to fix that. These nootropic capsules support the recovery process, reduce inflammation, and regulate hormone activity. £18.95, liveinnermost.com

T I M E TO ADAPT How to work with your cycle, not against it

E

ver found yourself struggling to workout at certain times of the month? Or, one day you’re hitting PBs and the next, you can barely lift a dumbbell?

It might be time to start adapting your workout routine to your monthly cycle. Exercising and the menstrual cycle are often confused and thought to be something that cannot be mixed – which is not the case says, Lucy Gornall, PT and head of wellness at Puresport.

“Your menstrual cycle is split into four phases, across a time period of roughly 28 days,” she says. “Day one kicks off your

period, AKA your menstrual phase.

Then, the follicular phase spans from around days 5 to 13, followed by the ovulatory phase on days 14 to 16 and finally the luteal phase, which runs across days 17 to 28.

“During the menstrual phase, the hormones progesterone and oestrogen are at their lowest.

You might struggle with energy levels, so walking, yoga and Pilates are good choices.

“With oestrogen rising during the follicular phase, your energy starts to peak and morning workouts should feel a lot easier.

With all this energy, try opting for more cardio-based workouts like running and cycling.

“The ovulatory phase is your most fertile time, and your energy peaks around this time. So jump on the HIIT bandwagon; short, sharp and sweet works well here.

“However, if ovulation pains creep in, taking a walk or stretching with a yoga session can help.

“As oestrogen declines and progesterone rises during the luteal phase, you might go from feeling energetic, to lethargic and fatigued as this continues. So while energy is high, keep up the cardio, but as energy declines and those dreaded PMS symptoms kick in, opt for short resistancebased workouts and yoga.”

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SPECI A L ISSUE a b s o l u te l y - w e d d i n g s .c o . u k

In this sect ion C O U N T R Y H O M E S 62 T E N T H I N G S W E L O V E 64 T H E W E D D I N G S H O O T 66 H A I R & B E A U T Y T I P S 71

Free FLOW TEMPERLEY

Temperley’s unrivalled reputation for craftsmanship shines most brightly in the use of lace, beading and embroidery in the new Blossom collection. For the full bridal experience, the Temperley Margaret Street Bridal Boutique is open for private appointments with expert bridal stylists. temperleylondon.com

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BOURTON HALL IN WARWICKSHIRE

WEDDED BLISS Here are six reasons why you should choose a Country House Weddings venue

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WEDDINGS • PARTNERSHIP

ST AUDRIES PARK IN SOMERSET

“You have exclusive use: it's your very own country house for the day”

C

ountry House Weddings offers six hand-picked wedding venues, chosen for their picturesque settings and opulent interiors, and designed solely with weddings in mind. From castles to country estates, a wedding-day dream can be created for all.

E XC L U S I V E LY W E D D I N G S

GOSFIELD HALL IN ESSEX

As the name suggests, Country House Weddings’ stunning venues and teams are exclusively dedicated to weddings – it’s all they do. Their venues are not hotels, or corporate event centres (although they might do the odd film shoot), they have been handpicked and refurbished specifically as perfect wedding venues – your home for your special day.

AWA R D -W I N N I N G C U S TO M E R S E RV I C E

Expect exceptional (and award-winning) customer service – including your very own personal wedding manager. They have no fewer than 25 industry accolades between their six venues (and two of them only opened in the last two years) from the industry’s two largest and most prestigious awards: the UK Wedding Awards and the British Wedding Awards.

They pride themselves on outstanding customer service to their couples, starting with their personal wedding managers who are there to hold your hand from six months before your day, right through the day itself – they even sleep at the venue so that they are there in the morning to see you off.

CLEARWELL CASTLE IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE

with your special day. Since this family-run business was started in 1989, they’ve held over 15,000 weddings in their venues. Their flagship venue, Leez Priory, was one of, if not the first country house in the UK to get a licence to hold civil ceremonies – so they like to think they know a thing or two about running weddings.

C U L I N A RY M A S T E R C L A S S

Country House Weddings offer outstanding food and drink delivered by a dedicated in-house catering team. Their chefs are employed and trained to provide the perfect wedding banquet – it’s their primary focus. Their menus and recipes have been developed and refined to ensure that they are the perfect fit for a wedding banquet service.

A M P L E O N - S I T E AC C O M M O DAT I O N

There is plenty of space to breathe, exclusively for you and your guests. Their venues can sleep between 40-100 guests within their onsite accommodation. There is no need for ‘carriages at midnight’, residents can retire to the library for a night cap, or three if they are that way inclined…

Let us not forget about their honeymoon suites. Adorned with four poster beds, luxurious features and fittings, and a perfect large bath or hot tub to soak in at the end of the day, the honeymoon suites are designed to provide a night as memorable as your day.

T H AT F E E L I N G O F E XC L U S I V I T Y

VA S T E X P E R I E N C E

They offer exclusive use of the house and grounds – it’s your very own country house for the day.

No Christmas party next door, or strangers taking advantage of your buffet, the venues are exclusively yours from midday to midnight.

With six venues and over 30 years’ experience holding weddings, you can entrust Country House Weddings

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

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10 THINGS WE

Absolutely

LOVE Here are ten things we absolutely love for the season to come

WEDDING B R E A K FA S T

Fortnum’s Huntsman Picnic Hamper for four will have you instantly picnic-ready. Lift the lid on this stylish hamper and you’ll find four enamel plates, four enamel mugs, four wine glasses and two cutlery rolls. Accented with recycled canvas, leather trims and brushed gold hardware, this basket will make your next outdoor gathering a breeze. £365 fortnumandmason.com

WATER TIGHT It’s paramount that one of the key make-up ingredients to a bride’s make-up look is waterproof mascara, and Chanel has the perfect one. A mascara that offers instant volume from the very first stroke for longer, plumper and thicker lashes. chanel.com

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TA K E A B O W

Rixo’s bridal collection is full of vintage-inspired pieces. Leanna is a midi dress with a square neckline, slim spaghetti straps, a column hip fit and a gorgeous big silk bow in premium ivory satin back silk crepe fabric. £657 rixo.co.uk

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WEDDINGS • 10 THINGS

CLARIDGES

At Claridges, they believe your wedding day should be exactly as you have always imagined. Whether it’s a lavish wedding breakfast or an intimate ceremony, just for two, they will set the scene perfectly for your special day. claridges.co.uk

LIFE OF RILEY

A beautiful keepsake to give the happy couple, Life of Riley’s leather memory box is a nifty way to store memorabilia and letters. No one will be aware of the 'treasure' stored inside this perfect home accessory, styled like a treasure chest. £220 lifeofrileyonline.co.uk

R O B E R T O C AVA L L I Give the gift of entertaining in high fashion style with this set of six champagne goblets from the Roberto Cavalli Monogram Gold Collection with stylish gold rims and gold RC monograms on the exterior. £297 amara.com

PA I R U P

This set of Mr and Mrs mugs from Emma Bridgewater would make a great wedding present. £39.95 emmabridgewater.co.uk

D&G BROOCH

Dolce & Gabbana offers a high-octane take on Italian glamour with this gold-tone brooch, which is embellished with glittering white crystals.

It’s made from polished metal with a festoon of classic curb links, then fitted with a back pin is the perfect gift only the mother of the bride could wear. £650; matchesfashion.com

ROSANTICA

Rosantica's gold Jungla bag forms a part of the label's Bamboo collection which is informed by founder Michela Panero's love of early 20th-century art and architecture.

Exclusive to Matches, it's crafted in Italy from bars that are shaped to resemble bamboo stalks and adorned with crystals. matchesfashion.com

B LO O M & W I L D

If you’re looking for some colour inspiration for your wedding, deep amber hues with dusky soft pinks and peach are starting to trend. Bloom and Wild can assist with it all. bloomandwild.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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Wild

AT T R ACT I O N The Temperley bride is etherelal and bohemian, with a hint of wildness too

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BESPOKE WEDDINGS & SELECTION OF PACKAGES AVAILABLE TO SUIT ALL BUDGETS

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BEAUTY BOOST

WEDDINGS • BEAUTY

IMPECCABLE WEDDING BEAUTY

BY SOPHIE TILLEY

Bridal SKINCARE TIPS

Beauty expert Sophie Tilley knows everything about preparation for big events – working with both brides and celebrities. Here she gives advice on being wedding-day ready, and it all starts with your skin...

1. Cleanse properly

You may be waiting to set the date, but it’s never too early to start perfecting your regime.

Two leading bridal specialists give us their advice for being your best self on the day

It may seem obvious, but many of us aren’t doing this first step quite right. And think about it, if you’re not cleaning your skin properly (that’s surface skin as well as deep into the pores) none of your serums, moisturisers and treatments can penetrate efficiently. Consider what you’re using in the morning separately to the evening as these ideally should be different textures. Morning is easy: a non-foaming facewash with a gel or cream-based product will do the trick.

The evening is where you should spend a bit more time after a long day, where you’ve likely been wearing skincare and make-up. Remove your makeup with a simple cleanser or micellar water, then clean your skin thoroughly. A balm cleanser is ideal for this as it will melt away impurities from fine lines and pores. Use with a muslin or microfibre cloth for extra polishing benefits.

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WEDDINGS • BEAUTY

UP-DOS ARE IN FOR BRIDES AT MICHAEL VAN CLARKE

2. Exfoliate regularly

New, fresh skin is what we all want. Uncover it by promoting your skin’s renewal process. This means sloughing off any dead, dry surface skin, but also stimulating the next layer to come through.

We’re not talking scrubs here (save that for your body) or anything too abrasive – gently does it. The best way is by using a liquid exfoliant.

One containing BHA’s (beta-hydroxy acid) and AHA’s (alpha-hydroxy acid) will rid your face of surplus debris and you don’t even need to remove it. Some are mild enough to use every day, others you can space out throughout the week. Ease yourself in and get ready to see glass-like skin revealed.

3. SPF always

This should go without saying, but protecting your skin from sun damage and all the harmful rays we’re faced with on a daily basis, is integral. Sun protection (that’s UVA & UVB rays) is the most anti-ageing product you can apply to your skin.

Rain or shine, winter or summer, if you can see your hand in front of your face, you should be wearing sunscreen. I always advise SPF50 and there are plenty on the market, most of which are very affordable and will pay dividends on your flawless skin goals.

retinol at night. Antioxidant vitamin C yields a host of benefits: radiance boosting, treating uneven skin tone (pigmentation) and calming redness.

Available in a variety of percentages, go for the highest you can afford.

Retinol (only to be applied at night) renews skin by promoting cell turnover. It will gradually shed the outermost dead cells of your skin, revealing fresh, new layers. Retinol comes in a variety of strengths so ease yourself in and gradually build up resilience. Be sure to wear SPF the following day – very important as retinol makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays.

5. Treat your skin

Whether it’s a mask or a moisturiser, keep an eye out for these key ingredients, depending on your main concern. If you want hydration, look for hyaluronic acid (naturally occurring in our skin), which can hold a hundred times its own weight in water. Humectants like glycerin draw moisture to the top layer of the skin, a great combination. For breakouts, salicylic acid is a good antidote, helping to control excess sebum whilst calming any redness or sensitivity. If you want an all-rounder Niacinamide is a great ingredient, helping skin to repair, retain hydration levels and build resilience. sophietilley.uk

4. Serum counts

Think of serum as taking your vitamins before eating your meal.

We want to boost the nutrients and actives to improve our skin’s daily diet. The key couple I’d say here are vitamin C for the morning and

GREAT MAKE-UP STARTS WITH GREAT SKIN, SAYS SOPHIE TILLEY

HAIR BY SUMMER LANGTON, MICHAEL VAN CLARKE

Great WEDDING HAIR

Summer Langton, Senior Stylist and bridal expert at Michael Van Clarke, has expert tips on trends and prewedding care

The key trends

A key trend right now is for very soft pretty hair – from loose waves to a sophisticated but relaxed chignon.

Classic half up half down remains a favourite for brides (from 1960s volume to boho plaits) and works really well with a veil. It’s also smart, but ensures brides still feel like themselves. Accessories are also becoming popular with brides – some choosing this route over wearing a veil – and many are also keen to change their look from an up-do for ceremony to down for the reception.

Your wedding routine

Get yourself into a good hair routine. That includes trimming your hair every 6-8 weeks, avoiding unnecessary blow drying and applying treatments (try Michael Van Clarke 3 More Inches Pre-wash once a week, leaving it in overnight). Do get to know the hairdresser who will be doing your hair so they know your style – and the atmosphere you want to create. I recommend a hair trial after you have chosen your dress.

Take along lots of pictures – the more the better – wear a top with a similar colour and neckline and don’t be afraid to try different styles. It’s wonderful if you can time a dress fitting for after your hair trial, so you see how everything works together. vanclarke.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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10% DISCOUNT quoting Absolutely Magazine until 31/12/21

WEDDING DREAMS BY LISA Bridal Boutique

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Stunning Collection of wedding dresses under £1,595 Plus Bridesmaid, Prom, Evening Wear and Accessories Friendly one to one service • Appointments only • Open Tuesday-Saturday Excellent Reviews • Established 14 Years • Just off the A40

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WEDDINGS • PARTNERSHIP

of the agreement (which means having had full financial disclosure from each other); • It must not be unfair to uphold the parties to their agreement in the circumstances at the time of the divorce. Pre-nuptial agreements are more likely to be upheld in short marriages, as there is less chance of the agreement having become out of date or superseded by unforeseen events.

Forward THINKING Pre-nuptial agreements – should you get one?

B y R AY D E N S O L I C I T O R S

W

hen couples get engaged and start planning their future together, there are a multitude of things to consider. Throughout the excitement the trickier subject of finances and assets, and how to manage or protect them, is often overlooked – unsurprising perhaps, in the flush of love and wedding prep.

However, though it might seem unromantic, discussing your options is sensible. We are increasingly seeing couples who recognise that, in the sad event their marriage doesn’t last, a pre-nuptial agreement could ensure financial aspects of separation are less painful.

People often say, ‘pre-nups aren’t

worth the paper they are written on are they?’ Well, not necessarily so, but as with many things in law, the answer isn’t straightforward. While there is no legislation dealing with pre-nuptial agreements in the UK, there is a growing body of case law.

The law in England currently states that pre-nuptial agreements are not automatically binding.

However, if properly prepared, they may well be upheld. So what does this mean? One of the most well-known cases, Radmacher v Granatino, sets out the key criteria for a pre-nuptial to be capable of being upheld in the event of divorce or separation: • The agreement must be freely entered into (including with each party taking independent legal advice); • The parties must fully understand the implications

Couples considering a prenuptial agreement should each seek independent legal advice and do what they can to ensure that the agreement is done properly.

This will provide a greater chance of the agreement being upheld.

Contrary to popular opinion, pre-nups are not just for the rich and famous. Whilst they are often used to protect the assets of a wealthy party, couples of more modest means are increasingly drawing up prenuptial agreements. Reasons for doing so might include: protecting inherited wealth, safeguarding future inheritance, retaining control of a business, providing for children from a previous relationship, even protection from liability for an outstanding debt.

So getting a pre-nuptial agreement could prove to be a very sensible decision, providing clarity, security and peace of mind – and even saving money on future legal costs.

020 3773 3919 enquiries@raydensolicitors.co.uk rayd en solicit ors .co.uk

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INTERIORS

MO D E R N LOV E L I B E RT Y

Liberty's Modern Collector collection of fabrics and wallpapers pays homage to Liberty’s long-standing legacy as the home of design and craftsmanship. The collection celebrates new artworks alongside archival Liberty prints that have been reinterpreted and reworked. libertylondon.com

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INTERIORS NOT E S Ideas, designs and styles for your home

By PENDLE HARTE

MASTER CRAFT AHU

Launched at London Design Festival, Ahu's Nazar mahogany and lacquer cabinet was created to highlight rare whiskies and spirits for the discerning collector.

Separate sections are formed by different masters and then assembled into one piece, conveying diverse knowledge and techniques of each artisan in Istanbul. ahustudio.com

BAC K YO U R S E LF BACKINACTION

This is the perfect gift in this extraordinary year. This chair from backinaction is both comfortable and beautiful for all who work at home. Every homeworker deserves a Varier chair from backinaction. backinaction.co.uk

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INTERIORS • NOTES

TA K E FIVE Peg boards CUCKOOLAND Zuiver Bundy Pegboard, £99 cuckooland.com

S M A LL TA LK

CO LO U R U P YO U R LI F E JOS HAIGH

Sometimes, an array of rhinos, giraffes and elephants in different sizes and colours is just what you need to brighten up that working space. Artist Jos Haigh has some wonderful prints of wildlife. joshaigh.com

OKA

LIME LACE Nomino wall storage system, £865 limelace.co.uk

Oka's Apadana is the perfect occasional chair; it can be used instead of an armchair or be styled in pairs to form a small sofa. It's a beautiful chair that will complement schemes both modern and traditional. £850 oka.com

WEARTH LONDON Peg It All, £195 wearthlondon.com

GARDEN TRADING Moreton peg board, £35 gardentrading.co.uk

GARDEN TRADING Ashwicke memo board, £35 gardentrading.co.uk

BASE LINE TOM DIXON

Anchored with a thick base that is reminiscent of game pucks, minimal and heavy-weight, Puck glasses are resilient enough to survive in a professional cocktail environment. tomdixon.net

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Setting the

STANDARD

The founder of en masse bespoke, based in Dunmow, on why they truly stand out from the rest B y D AV I D C O N L O N

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INTERIORS • PROFILE THE AWARD WINNING EAST BERGHOLT KITCHEN

“I wanted to be able to design and make our own interiors as well as supporting frustrated designers”

M

y design journey has unfolded in a slightly different way to most I would suspect. I started through a carpentry apprenticeship.

However, from the get-go I was fascinated by design, proportion, materials, and finishes. I was fortunate to fall into London work that included large scale renovation projects, which included making furniture on site.

I enjoyed working with period properties and felt at home with old design in terms of proportion methods. I then went on to study period carpentry techniques and finishes.

The turning point for me came after setting up a kitchen display at the 100% Design show. I had already been installing high end kitchens and interiors for some time at that point and had the opportunity to work alongside some amazing architects where I couldn’t help but learn and develop my own way of approaching things. I opened our workshop some 18 years ago, followed by our showroom at Blake House Craft Centre nine years ago, and have been making design led kitchens and furniture ever since.

I started en masse bespoke in 2003.

The idea was actually to bridge a bit of a gap I felt was within the interior sector.

There was always the two teams – designer and maker – and seldom did they work in

harmony! Designers were passionate about their design, and the maker didn’t want to push boundaries and make it in the easiest and most low risk way as possible. I wanted to be able to design and make our own kitchens and interiors as well as supporting those frustrated designers as my attention to their design was as exacting as theirs.

I would say the way we work has really started to change since opening our showroom back in 2012. Don’t get me wrong, we still make kitchens and furniture for other designers, but the vast bulk of our work is now designed by en masse.

Our style really is quite simple. It’s about using high quality materials and allowing them to be the star of the show. Planning is one thing, which we still try to follow rules wise, but in our own way and it is this that has evolved over the years subject to client requirements. But the design for us is all about timeless, non-trend interiors that will complement the building that they are in for many years to come.

Life would be so much easier for us if we produced ranges of kitchens, for example, in bespoke sizes. It’s what many ‘bespoke’ kitchen companies do, and there is nothing wrong with that. We approach one project at a time in its own very unique way. We have in the past had clients say that they loved a particular kitchen we had produced, and that they want one as well – but I feel that we would be cheating a previous client if we gave A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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Come to HARVEYS for somewhere to store your “Hoe Hoe Hoe”

Harveys Quality Garden Buildings Woodside Garden Centre, A127 Arterial Road, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 7TZ 01268 775770 | harveysgardenbuildings.co.uk

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INTERIORS • PROFILE THE HEDINGHAM HOUSE PROJECT

EN MASSE MARKET David Conlon on stand out Essex projects to date

THE FINCHINGFIELD PROJECT

a reproduction of their kitchen to someone else and just configured in a different size.

As I touched on earlier, for us everything is really about quality materials and timeless design. I am influenced by timeless design, and that can be in architecture, interiors, kitchens, or hotels. We have recently completed a kitchen for a client who said that this is their final house that they are building, and she did not want her kitchen to date. So that was the driving force behind our design. We designed our kitchen to be very much a part of the fabric of the building.

We have been involved in some amazing commercial projects. I thoroughly enjoy stripping back all of the elements and going on the ‘how to achieve it’ journey. As mentioned, we have worked with some amazing architects and designers over the THE FELSTED KITCHEN, PERHAPS THE NEXT AWARD WINNER

years, and I firmly believe we are where we are due to the constant exposure to good design. We have produced shop fits in the past for coffee shops, reception counters etc and I feel that the exposure to these sorts of projects all add elements to your designing skill set. When creating commercial projects, it’s still the same principles. Design, proportion, materials, durability, budget etc to name but a few of the considerations. So yes, we still feel very much at home working on these types of projects, albeit our passion is designing and making luxury kitchens.

I think that any recognition a designer gets is appreciated. But as a fan of The Designer magazine, I was over the moon when The Designer Awards selected us as finalists for their Kitchen Design of the Year over £30k category, let alone winning Best Use of Materials last year. It really is an amazing feeling when a publication like The Designer gets what you have been working so hard to achieve, it really does confirm that you are getting it right and people who you look to for inspiration get and appreciate it too.

One exciting project for us is working towards building our own properties in Essex, which will be well designed sustainable homes. We are desperately in need of change when it comes to sustainability within building and planning law, so we are already working towards offering low impact living with air and ground source heat, along with solar and water recovery.

Electric car charging and wooden buildings nestled within the trees is the plan. And, of course, we will look forward to creating some beautiful furniture and kitchens for families to enjoy for many years to come.

T

he kitchen in East Bergholt that won ‘Best Use of Materials’ 2020 has to be one of them as it really was a true reflection of what we are about as a company.

We had free rein on the project, which can make all the difference.

I really enjoyed the technical design of the Finchingfield cantilever kitchen island we made a few years ago. There was a little magic in the way that one looked, not your average kitchen, for not your average clients!

The kitchen we designed for Joe and Ruth in Hedingham became the house that we designed. As a couple, these guys were great to work with. Amazing design sense and all they did was encourage ideas and they did not doubt us in any way. The result was some of our best work yet.

Last but certainly not least has to be the kitchen in Felsted that we designed for Alan and Sharon. It has made it through to the finals of ‘Best Kitchen Design over 30k’ 2021, which I really am blown away by. If it stops there, I am super proud to be associated with the level of talent within the finals list.

DAVID CONLON WITH HIS RECENT AWARD WIN

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F E E L I N G

SNUG

We all have our own definition of a cosy room, whether it’s autumnal colours, moody lighting, or luxurious rugs

By MARK KEBBLE

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Diamond lights COSY COCO

 We all love the idea of being out in nature under the stars, but the feeling can be replicated with it beneath your feet too.

Cosy Coco's Diamonds Rug, available in jet black on natural wool, £899, is a slate of open and closed diamonds which create the effect of stars in the night sky. Take your socks off, get your feet cosy and drift away. cosycoco.com

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INTERIORS • TREND

Have some cheek AU D E N Z A

 We have a lot of time for Audenza's Cheeky Hiding Hare Table Lamp, which will add atmosphere to the lighting in any room. With a hot pink shade, there is no hiding this quirky character. Made from polyresin, the base has a textured, gold finish to give this lamp a luxurious feel. The Cheeky Hiding Hare Table Lamp is finished with a shocking pink fabric shade for a fabulous pop of colour. audenza.com

Paint work A N N I E S L OA N

 A fresh lick of paint is a quick-fire way to add a feeling of cosiness to a room that was previously missing out. Dark shades, in particular, will feel like being wrapped up from the elements outdoors.

The latest from Annie Sloan will certainly do the trick: here this living room features wall paint in Aubusson Blue, and chalk paint in Paloma, Antibes and Rodmell. Light the fire and you are good to go. anniesloan.com

Sun setter

S O N YA W I N N E R R U G S T U D I O

 Deep Sunset is a modern round rug inspired by the dramatic colours seen at sunset on a Middle Eastern beach.

The design of this vibrant round rug is based on a deep, rich palette of warm colours, including red and yellow alongside deep purples and pinks. This luxurious modern piece of floor art evokes memories of the sun low in the sky about to disappear into the horizon, in a restful, yet passionate and enticing state. sonyawinner.com

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INTERIORS XXXXXXXX • XXXXX TREND

Light embrace ICONIC LIGHTS

 You know the feeling: a long journey home in the cold and dark, which has you yearning after the warm embrace of home. As well as a fire feature, real or not, the right lighting will cap off the ultimate winter warming living room. We love the latest launches from Iconic Lights: the Geneva Matt Black & Satin Cylinder Table Lamp, and the Otis Angled Matt Black Ceiling Shade. iconiclights.co.uk

Pattern emerging B E AU M O N D E

 With rising gas prices, you don't always want to be reaching for the thermostat. So with the latest cinematic release on your screen, dim the lights and snuggle under a comfortable throw. Beaumonde's Nome yellow recycled cotton throw is a sustainable option, a zigzag pattern woven, yarn-dyed creation. beaumonde.co.uk

Rise to the occasion AU D E N Z A

 The Lola curvaceous burnt orange velvet chair is everything you could wish for in an occasional chair. Stylish, with clean simple lines, but with the additional twist of a ruched texture on the reverse of the chair for added pizzazz. In a deliciously rich burnt orange velvet for a warm vibrant hit of colour, it's handmade from birch and foam. The legs are made from stainless steel with a gold coating. audenza.com B SLO T E LY. A BA SO UL TU E LY m aLgOaNzD i nOeNs

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Our exhibition season comes to a close with ‘Wilde Essex’ by Essex based mixed media artist Clare Wilde.

The exhibition opens on the 8th October runs until 8th November 2021.

Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday, Monday and Tuesday by appointment only.

All of Clare’s work will be available to purchase from the gallery or online at www.wonky-wheel.co.uk

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INTERIORS XXXXXXXX • XXXXX TREND

Family at heart S O FA . C O M

 If armchairs had family, Sofa.com's Louis would be the trendy grandson of Duke. With the same high winged back as his grandfather, they have given Louis some more refined features and a slightly mid-century twist, with a seat that makes you go 'aaah' and smile as you sit down into its extra-soft seat cushion. sofa.com

Autumn shades WA L L S AU C E . C O M

 This made-to-measure wallpaper mural, featuring bursts of autumnal colour, is now available at Wallsauce.com. It is available to order onto a variety of wallpapers including paste the wall and peel and stick, which is perfect for those renters who are desperate to add a new design touch to their living arrangements. wallsauce.com

Velvet luxe C O S I TA S

 Cosy lighting to welcome in the darker evenings is what autumn’s all about.

Cositas are ahead of the game with this beautiful table lamp with a rubbed brass base that reflects the warmth of the light. The velvet shade adds texture and luxury to this contemporary design that will fit into any room setting. cositas.co.uk

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CINEMATIC

SCOPE Dennis Digwa, a director at RGB, on how three decades of experience is helping to change local homes in a big way

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INTERIORS • PROFILE

“THERE IS A LOT OF TECH OUT THERE, SO HAVING EXPERIENCED STAFF TO GUIDE YOU IS IMPERATIVE”

Q How have you evolved as a

A RGB stocks many brands from Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, Denon and many more. With the 30 years of trading, we have managed to create many accounts with all the large brands.

As RGB buys in bulk it allows us then to pass large discounts to customers.

A RGB has definitely evolved during the

Q What would you say are the top

THE NEW WOODFORD STORE FEATURES MORE TECHNOLOGY

Q What inspired the launch

of RGB 30 years ago?

A Peter Digwa, CEO of RGB, started the business with his love for electronics. His passion soon rubbed off to his customers, which in turn allowed the company to grow.

Q What did you offer in the early days?

A Still cameras, camcorders and

HIFI systems were one of RGB’s largest parts of its business. However, with new technology such as mobile phones, the likes of still cameras and camcorders started to phase out.

Q How different was the public’s

approach to technology back then?

A Customers relied on shops to have

great knowledge on products so they could be directed to the right thing for them. RGB have kept up this tradition; a number of other stores don’t offer this kind of experience, which is why our reviews are so high.

business since those early days?

years. We are proud of the fact that we have retained the majority of our clients, many of whom have been with us from our early trading years. This has contributed to us achieving numerous awards including the London Regional Finalists for the Coutts 2005 Prize for Family Business. With the add on of state of the art showrooms, and an award winning website which displays more than 10,000 products to choose from, it’s definitely a big change from the first store, which was only 500 square foot.

Q One element of the home that has

become big over recent years is the home cinema. Is that one area you have noticed a big change in?

A Yes, RGB specialise in home cinemas and are now an approved Control 4 dealer for automation in the home. We have noticed more and more customers preferring to adopt more automation within the household, and with the add on of voice control from Alexa, it makes it simple to control almost any device.

Q What do you offer for a home cinema?

A RGB offers everything from large

brands you stock generally?

A Samsung, Sony, LG, Siemens, Neff,

Bosch and Miele are just a few brands RGB stock and which are popular.

RGB always recommend customers to view products before purchasing.

Q What other elements of what you offer

has changed a lot over three decades?

A From 2009 RGB started to sell kitchen

appliances such as washing machines, dryers, ovens to a whole kitchen suite. This part of the business has grown significantly and RGB now are growing from strength to strength from its home cinema to its kitchen appliances arm of the business.

Q Why was now the time to open

a new store in Woodford?

A Woodford is an amazing area

with a great local community. RGB, being a family business, can relate to Woodford, which has a family type of neighbourhood where everyone knows each other – a lovely quality to have.

Q How will it differ from the Ilford store?

A The award-winning Ilford store

screens, sound bars, full surround sound Dolby Atmos systems and projectors.

They can design your chosen room to become a full theatre where you can enjoy movies in a whole new experience.

is an amazing store, however the new Woodford store now has even more new technology on display.

Q Would you advise a customer

A RGB stands out for its service to

on what kind of home cinema set up would work in their home?

A Yes, we always love to demonstrate systems so customers can make sure they have the perfect choice for them.

There is a lot of technology out there so having experienced staff guiding you to choose the right product is imperative.

Q Which of the TV brands you stock

work well in a home cinema set up?

Q To sum up, what do you feel

makes RGB stand out?

their customers. With a 4.7 Trustpilot rating it clearly shows customers are our number one priority. It’s important that all customers are given a fantastic experience and buy at amazing prices.

R G B E L E C T R I CA L S U P E R S TO R E 31 The Broadway, Woodford, IG8 0HQ 020 8924 7744 rgbdirect.co.uk

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TRAVEL

ISLAND LIFE 7PINES IBIZA

Are Ibiza's sunsets the world's finest? We think so, and especially when you're staying at 7Pines. Discover the ultimate in luxury on the west coast.

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AN IBIZAN

I DY L L Discovering the unique energy of the Balearics at 7Pines Ibiza

By SA N DY CA D I Z- S M I T H

T

here’s so much more to the White Isle that is Ibiza than the partyhard reputation it’s best known for. This stunning sun-kissed Spanish island is a glamorous, beach-bejewelled joy and the gorgeous home for our stay, 7 Pines Resort, embodies everything that’s fabulous about it. From the moment we were warmly greeted in the swathes of blue and white decor with our first (of many) Cava sangrias, we fell instantly in love with the unique energy of Ibiza.

Offering the ultimate in luxury living on the island’s west coast, 7Pines nestles in a fragrant pine grove up on high on the cliffs overlooking the sparkling azure

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Mediterranean with views towards the mystical rocky island of Es Vedra. The all-suite Ibizan-style village of whitewashed villas features 185 stylish suites that are the epitome of luxury and comfort.

We stayed in the Ibiceno Village in a spacious garden suite. Decorated in shades of blue (my favourite colour as it happens) with a large living space and its very own house bar, the suite opens up to a furnished covered terrace and private garden. The bar and wine fridge is stocked with everything you need to create cocktail heaven while the comfiest of king beds beckons in the bedroom. And the storage! There’s a whole wall of wardrobes, which you’re going to need if you’re properly prepared to truly enter into that spirit of Ibizan style.

Because every day starts with style.

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TRAVEL • NORTHERN TRAVEL • EUROPE LIGHTS

“This stunning sun-kissed Spanish island is a glamorous, beach-bejewelled joy”

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TRAVEL • EUROPE

“No one does sunsets quite like 7Pines”

We whiled away magical sun-filled hours alongside the infinity pool taking regular dips in the cool, crystal clear water. Snacks, cocktails and delicious lunch options are available all day – there’s a tempting array of sushi and salads ideal for summer dining.

And nothing is too much trouble – the poolside service is truly out of this world – every time the thought of refreshment crossed our minds or we wanted to move our umbrella to take full advantage of the sun, someone seemed to magically appear to help.

To enhance that feeling of relaxation and peace and pampering, the Pure Seven Spa sits at the heart of the resort with more breathtaking views. There’s a range of beauty services and wellness activities to enjoy. We started off our days with yoga or pilates, and there’s also meditation as well as personal training and a well-equipped gym on offer. And we couldn’t resist a revitalising personalised Seven Aromatic Touches massage with aromatherapy blends to suit our physical and emotional needs, a refreshing eucalyptus and rosemary mix, in my case.

As the day draws to the close it’s time for celebrating the sunset. No one does sunsets quite like 7Pines, they even have

a special daily ritual dedicated to it. Every night we were entranced by the everchanging view from the sunset terrace while we sipped on their signature Cava sangria and sampled sunset tapas as the golden orb sank beneath the horizon.

When night falls 7Pines takes on a different personality. It sparkles and shines like a fairytale wonderland and that chilled Ibizan music gently infiltrates into your consciousness. For dinner the three restaurants offer a great variety of cuisine to choose from. The cherry on the culinary cake has got to be The View with its spectacular panoramas and phenomenal food. We loved their tasting menu with wine pairing. A feast for the senses in so many ways.

At Cone Club we enjoyed tapas to our heart’s content as well as delicious Mediterranean dishes, including the freshest of fish. It’s also the place for breakfast – when we tucked into the sumptuous buffet with its colourful tropical fruit selection, Spanish delicacies and traditional hot options. You can also order a la carte. The perfect start to any day.

There are also four bars including the Pershing Yacht Terrace, which serves modern Japanese cuisine. And speaking of the water, 7Pines has a fleet of Pershing yachts available to hire for bespoke ocean voyages like lunch or dinner at sea or perhaps a visit to the nearby island of Formentera. That is if you can bring yourself to leave the elegance that is 7Pines on what is a truly bewitching island.

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A B E A U T I F U L S TAY F O R A L L T H E FA M I LY AT D O W N H A L L H O T E L A N D S PA P a d e l Te n n i s C o u r t • S h a r k y & G e o rg e A d v e n t u re C l u b • Wo o d l a n d Wa l k s • P l a y G ro u n d • A rc h e r y • S p a F o r P a re n t s • F a b u l o u s Dining • Luxury Accommodation

G i v e y o u r c h i l d re n a h o l i d a y t o re m e m b e r w i t h f u n f a m i l y a c t i v i t i e s a n d t i m e f o r y o u t o re l a x a n d u n w i n d

D O W N H A L L H OT E L & S PA M a t c h i n g Ro a d , H at f i e l d H e at h , Essex, CM22 7AS +44 1279 731441 w w w. d o w n h a l l . c o. u k

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TRAVEL • CARS

Electric DREAMS

Electric cars are the future – and traditional car ownership isn’t the only way. Absolutely test drives new subscription model Onto

By PENDLE HARTE

A

sense of panic was building up among Londoners driving older cars. We all knew about the long-planned extension of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ), but none of us quite wanted to address it. Everyone living inside the boundary created by the North Circular was living on borrowed time as the rush to avoid a daily charge of £12.50 for driving anywhere at any time heated up, and the second hand car market was imploding.

Londoners were scrapping their polluting old cars in their droves – but what’s the best alternative? Couple the problem with queues at petrol stations, and the obvious solution is electric, or hybrid. The manufacture cost is significant and therefore they’re expensive to buy, with not much of a second hand market yet. However traditional car ownership isn’t the only approach, and there are lots of cheaper and more sustainable ways of maintaining access to a car.

For instance, the subscription model. We borrow a brand new Audi etron through sleek new subscription service Onto. It’s easy to register and manage the whole thing through an app. We order the car for delivery to our door 72 hours later. The fee is all-inclusive of insurance, 1,000 miles, and charging at over 11,000 points, and there’s no deposit. You can stop renting the car after just one month, so there’s no commitment (but in fact most customers

keep their cars for over 14 months). And best of all, it’s sustainable, and ULEZ exempt.

As newbies to the world of electric, we’re grateful when they call to talk through the charging systems, though I’d breezily assumed that there would be a simple network of charging stations – I’d noticed them around, on lampposts, at motorway service stations – and that we’d simply plug and go. Well, not quite. The network is in fact made up of several rival networks, of varying reliability, with incompatible actual plug connections and different tariffs. So downloading several apps to your phone is an instant necessity, as is getting to know your local charging points.

Once you’re used to it, it’s no more complicated than finding a petrol station, and certainly much cheaper. Fast-charging points are by far the best option, as an Audi spokesperson explained. “The rule of thumb is: when charging begins at a battery level of 5 per cent, then 10 minutes of charging time, ideally at a fast-charging point, is sufficient for up to 110 kilometres or 68 miles of range; after nearly 30 minutes, 80 per cent has been achieved; a full charging process takes around 50 minutes.”

When our hire period comes to an end, we’re sold. Our new approach will be a hybrid one: we’ll subscribe to an electric car for the summer, for weekends away and trips, and then consider it month-bymonth in winter. Not having to think about maintenance, pollution guilt or ULEZ costs is all the motivation we need.

O N TO Onto is the UK’s largest electric vehicle subscription service. on.to

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SPECI A L ISSUE

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Mama loves

10 of our favourite things • Get creative

At the Academy of Contemporary Music

CAR RY ON With a baby carrier you can hold your baby close and at the same time keep your hands free for other things. Simple models suit a newborn baby best, while more ergonomic baby carriers with a waist belt allow you to carry for a long period of time. All baby carriers from Babybjorn are made of toxin-free materials and are soft against your child’s skin. babybjorn.co.uk

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10 things we Absolutely

LOV E The products and brands getting our attention this month

ORGANIC STYLE Fruit suits

RACH EL RILEY Rachel Riley and Annabel Karmel have come together for the collaboration of the year with the launch of their capsule foodie-themed baby and toddler clothing collection. Pyjamas £35; rachelriley.co.uk

TIME FOR BED H ABITAT It’s always fun o’clock with Habitat’s lion timepiece. Bold, bright and easy to read, the analogue dial is the ideal introduction to telling the time.

This charming lion waves his tail every second and gives out a soothing tick. £25; habitat.co.uk

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BEBE ORGANIC Bebe Organic is inspired by vintagefeeling pieces and nostalgic finds that are rich in detailing. Emphasis is placed on signature romantic flower prints, elegant embroideries, laces, and softest knits in distinctive hues that are romantic yet modern. bebe-organic.com

High kicks

B O BUX The Alley-Oop is Bobux’s first ever lace up basketball-inspired boot.

Featuring adjustable laces and a side zip, the dual opening makes this boot super convenient. It’s available in gold metallic, peacock metallic, navy metallic and rose gold metallic. £54; bobux.co.uk

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ma m a LOVE S

Baby bear

A N N A B EL JA M E S This lovely three piece baby dinnerware set is made from natural, renewable and sustainable bamboo. Includes a divided plate, spoon and sippy cup (with silicone insert). £20.95; annabeljames.co.uk

IT’S A WRAP

R OA D T R I P

CA M CA M COPE NH AG EN These swaddles come in a variety of prints, all in 100% GOTScertified organic cotton muslin.

Swaddled babies sleep better and cry less, so it’s win/win. £29; camcamcopenhagen.com

J O IE Joie’s iQuest is an innovative car seat with deep and dreamy recline that’s made to handle the ups and downs of every adventure. Birth to 105cm, £250; joiebaby.com

Cosmic baby

SILVER C ROS S Silver Cross’s new exclusive limited edition capsule collection, Constellation, brings a luxurious look to the brand’s best-selling travel systems. silvercorssbaby.com

WEANING WINS A NNA BE L K A R M EL Prints from bestselling book, Annabel Karmel’s New Complete Baby & Toddler Meal Planner, are brought to life in this new range of baby and toddler clothing and accessories in collaboration with Rachel Riley; rachelriley.co.uk

or’s Editick P

Word up HAB I TAT Habitat’s new range of kids’ room accessories includes some lovely bedding and lots of well-designed and fun pieces. We love this alphabet wall hanging, £10; habitat.co.uk

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mama mamaPROMOTION EDUCATION

Mastering the

ARTS

Receive your degree and your masters in just three years at the Academy of Contemporary Music

A “You can expect a one-stopshop for all your creative industries education needs”

cademy of Contemporary Music (ACM) is the place where creativity is nurtured and celebrated. Building on a 26-year history of educating creatives, ACM provides a place of learning that musicians, technicians, engineers, entrepreneurs and game developers alike can call home, taught by industry professionals who are enjoying active careers within the industry that you one day want to work in.

Situated in the heart of creative cities, Guildford, London and Birmingham, ACM offers courses in performance, artistry, songwriting, business, technical services, music production, game development and more, with study options at a range of academic levels including their brand new Integrated Masters programme.

Designed in collaboration with a range of industry partners, the Integrated Masters programme in Cultural and Creative Industries is at the cutting edge of education. Choose from a range of delivery routes: from an accelerated three-year undergraduate to postgraduate course or a more traditional four-year pathway.

The possibilities are endless. Combined with their diploma and degree level courses, you can expect a one-stop-shop for all your creative industries education needs; a great alternative to the traditional college and university route.

ACM also enjoys a partnership with Europe’s largest recording facility, Metropolis Studios, where 70% of this year’s BRIT award winners were mixed, mastered or recorded. Metropolis continues to be the leading mastering and recording house in the UK thanks to its chart-topping client list and ground-breaking technological marvels, like its 5G-powered learning environment and Dolby Atmos 3D recording studio.

This year also marks the launch of the ACM Games Academy. Working with pioneers like Supermassive Games and Alienware, students will have access to world-class computing facilities and industry-grade game development software. You’ll learn about all the different disciplines within Games Development, with every student receiving a specialist Dell / Alienware gaming laptop by ACM to help them with their studies. For a taste of all of this and more, visit one of their Open Days.

Find out more and book on ACM’s website at acm.ac.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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Blackmore End, Essex Guide Price £1,500,000

Mundon, Essex Offers in Excess of £1,400,000

An attractive, Grade II Listed, country cottage, with extensive accommodation

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4 Bedrooms | 4 Reception rooms | 2 Bathrooms | Kitchen/breakfast room | Mature Gardens and Grounds | Barn/workshop | Stables | EPC Rating E | About 8 acres

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Great Waltham, Essex Guide Price £795,000

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A charming Grade II Listed cottage, set in the grounds of a manor house

A Grade II Listed thatched cottage situated in a peaceful cul-de-sac

4 Bedrooms | 4 Reception rooms | 2 Bathrooms | Kitchen/ breakfast room | Conservatory | No Chain | Garden | Garage

3 Bedrooms | 2 Reception rooms | 1 Bathroom | Kitchen/ breakfast room | Garden | Garage

Stephen Howard Associate Director 01245 254626 stephen.howard@struttandparker.com

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BUSINESS • LEGAL

The next

STEP W Absolutely Essex talks to Matthew Desborough at Attwells Solictors about what you need to consider before launching or buying a business

By ELIZABETH HENDRY

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ith the furlough scheme finished, many people are now at a crossroads in their career and may want to start or purchase a business. Matthew Desborough, Business Law specialist at Attwells Solicitors, recommends that both current and aspiring business owners need to understand their own terms and conditions, in addition to their business contracts.

“Buying online templates may seem like a quick fix solution,” he says, “however, if you are not familiar with business law you may find your business has been put at risk or the template does not suit your specific needs. Equally, depending on your business structure, you may have personal liability under these documents.”

He continues: “Starting up a business from scratch or buying a business are both great options. However, it’s important to think about what’s best for your individual situation and to document these arrangements accordingly.”

Whilst it may be cheaper to start a business, it can require a lot of time, effort and personal sacrifice. Therefore, some will opt for a partnership or corporate business structure, pulling together talented individuals from their sector of interest. Such agreements need to be legally watertight and may be formed with people you are familiar with.

When creating a shareholder or partnership agreement, it's important to remember there are no guarantees.

Your solicitor will plan for all possible outcomes, including relationship breakdowns. It is critical to make sure that everything is properly documented.

The same applies when buying a business, whether by way of a share transfer or asset purchase. You will need to make sure that you know exactly what you are buying. Most businesses can be broken down into parts and do not have to be purchased in their entirety. This is referred to as an asset purchase.

Any purchaser needs to ensure they comply with Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations, which protect employees if the business they are employed by changes hands. TUPE can apply when employers sell or buy part or all of a business as a going concern or grant or take a lease of premises and operate the same business from those premises. If a purchaser fails to comply with TUPE, they could expose themselves to heavy financial penalties.

As part of their business law proposition, Attwells Solicitors can also support you with navigating your legal obligations as an employer. This could encompass hiring your first employees, taking on an established workforce, or making redundancies, including as part of purchasing or selling a business. They offer retainer packages for SMEs as well as fixed fee employment law services tailored to your needs.

For more support or information on starting or buying a business please contact Matthew Desborough on 01206 766333. Alternatively, visit attwells.com

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Eagle Way, Warley, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3BW

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balgoresproperty.com WHAT SETS US APART FROM OUR COMPETITORS AND PROVIDES ONGOING SUCCESS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS IS OUR ENDURING PASSION FOR BEAUTIFUL PRESENTATION.

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ost importantly, we truly believe in the power of stunning professional photography to promote and sell your property.

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A gorgeous five bedroom, detached family home set over three floors with a separate, self contained annexe. Boasting approx.

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This stunning Grade II listed period property offers spacious & versatile accomodation across its 4 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms and well presented 125’ rear garden.

Balgores Hornchurch | Asking Price £1,250,000

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Offered with no onward chain, this substantial four bedroom home features a fully self contained, attached granny annexe. Further benefits include an outdoor heated swimming pool, double length garage and three ensuites.

Boasting over 3,600sqft of living accomodation is this five bedroom family home, set on an overall plot measuring 0.16 acres. Features a 23’ modern fitted kitchen, four piece family bathroom with separate sauna and has planning permission granted for a single storey extension.

Balgores Wickford | Guide Price £900,000

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