SO_TW_OCT14_Online_Cover_Spire.indd 1 30/09/2014 15:08

SO_TW_OCT14_Online_Cover_Spire.indd 1 30/09/2014 15:08

OCTOBER 2014 £1.50WWW.SOMAGAZINE.CO.UK

SO

WE

AL

DE

N

PR

OB

AB

LY T

HE

BE

ST

LO

CA

L M

AG

AZ

INE

IN T

HE

WO

RL

D

ISS

UE

25

- OC

TO

BE

R 2

014

WE

AL

DE

NsoE THE BIGGEST

MAGAZINE INTHE WEALD

KIRSTIE ALLSOPP“WEALDEN PROPERTY MARKET IS NO PLACE FOR NEWBIES”

RAIL FARESLoophole saves commutershundreds of pounds

LATER LIFEAll the options to help you plan ahead

FASHION WEEKThe view from our London front row seat

HALLOWEENDiscover the stories that will chill you to the bone

MOTORINGPorsche Cayman S is the ultimate petrolhead’s plaything

Cranbrook hotelstands test of time

Northiam man’s pedal power

Crowborough hitsthe right note

Hawkhurst farmhas woolly feel

Hole Park reallygets the hump

LOCAL & LIVEWere you papped at the music festival?

HOMESWe reveal the most expensive place to

live in the Weald

FOODWhy currying

favour really is a good thing

SO Wealden_OCTOBER14_Cover.indd 1 23/09/2014 09:30

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 09:34

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 09:35

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 10:11

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 10:12

I

\ ·~ ' ».: t I

f

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 10:15

Designers and makers of handmade solid wood kitchens

and furniture for every room

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 10:16

Please coli for o brochure or visit our showrooms

Unit 9, Chart Form, Seal Chart Sevenoaks. Kent TN 15 OES Tel: 01732 762682

www.rencraft .co.uk

81 Colverley Rood T unbridge Wells, Kent TN I 2UY Tel: 01892 520730

J<bbi 8V1P.W

£vAFIDs 20t3

rwmwu

~,,

·' ~I

tDESIGNER KITCHEN6 BATHROOM AWARDS

2013 E:m:DI

I

56THE CELEBRITY

“Kent is no place for newbies” – Kirstie Allsopp on the

Weald’s property market

8 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

HELLO

63THE FASHIONOur report straight from the front row of London Fashion Week

HERE’S WHAT’S INSIDE YOUR OCTOBER ISSUE

113THE GUIDE

Making the most of your options in later life

145 THE HOMESPull up a chair in the Great Hall for £3.3million

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Contents.indd 8 22/09/2014 16:32

138THE INTERIORS

There’s still time to give your home a pre-festive makeover

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 9

C O N T E N TS SO

Letters 11

News 13

Calendar 17

Woolly wonders in Wadhurst 21

Camels on the run at Hole Park 25

Pedal power at Northiam museum 29

Rocking out in Crowborough 31

Hawkhurst’s furry friends 37

Tunbridge Wells’ big music bash 41

THE MOTORWhy the Porsche Cayman S is practically perfect...

STRICTLY LOCAL...

THE TRAVELWe’re planning our winter escape to marvellous Mauritius106

THE FOODCranbrook restaurant’s menu is fi t for royalty

214

238

THE FEATUREWhy the Weald is among the country’s

most unaffordable places to live

95

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Contents.indd 9 23/09/2014 10:46

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 10:21

MODEL SHOWN KL38- £27,971 *

KRIEDER SHOWROOM - 3 Chapel Place, Tun bridge Wells, Kent TN11YQ - 01892 619721 - info@krieder.com - www.krieder.com

·Price sllOvm includes delivery, cablnel lurnilure, appliances, work tops and VAT

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 10:22

I<RIEDER

12 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p12_SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Advert.indd 2 23/09/2014 15:04

-t. 07921820094 e. samanthayardley@googlemail. eo m samyardley

photography w. www.samyardleyphotography.co.uk

Relaxed and natural documentary Wedding photographer, based in Tun bridge Wells.

H O LME TIMELESS FLOORING & FURNITURE

Selling beautiful solid wood furniture and reclaimed flooring. Helping you create your ideal Holme. Brand new showroom now open in Tunbridge Wells. Selling and sourcing w i th passion for vintage mid-century furniture. Holme specialise in British and Danish furniture from the 1950's 60' s & 70's mixed with iconic American designer pieces.

www.holmo·uk.com I 01892 527 926 I 7 Chapel Place, High Street, Tunbridge Wells. Kont, TN1 1YQ

10% DISCOUNT ON FURNITURE WHEN PRESENTING THIS ADVERT

POLICE PRAISEKent Police are doing a great job

at trying to keep the Weald’s rural

crime fi gures down. Apparently

we are the fourth most affected

area in the UK and this affects

our local economy by about

£1.8million each year. Ouch. So

good on you Kent Police Rural

Crime Task Force - let’s follow the

rest of the country with their low

rural fi gures!

John Barnes, Flimwell

Ed: We’ve obviously got the top of the cops…

SURGERY SUSSEDIt was certainly an eye opener to

read So magazine’s Round Table

debate, in the September issue.

I didn’t realise the difference

between plastic surgery and

cosmetic surgery was so big. The

lack of regulation in the cosmetics

industry is very concerning but I

was pleased the panel gave a very

interesting insight into their careers

and their respective industries.

I’ve often passed places where

surgery is being advertised and I

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 13

L E T T E R S SO

INBOXEmail jconnolly@onemediauk.co.uk or write to us at

SO WEALDEN, Longford House, 19 Mount Ephraim Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1ENPlease be sure to include your full name and address. Letters may be edited for publication.

LETTER OF THE MONTH

WAR CAMEL Did anyone else catch the Weald Foundation for the Humped Animals unveiling? I was in Cranbrook having a coffee when I saw the amazing ‘War Camel’ – a huge puppet camel called Gobi. It strolled through the streets and I almost had to do a double take! I think it was inspired and designed with War Horse’s creators. Two people are needed to work the puppet that even has moving lips and eyes. I think it’s such a great idea to raise awareness of the Wild Camel Project Foundation.

Daniel Cartwright, by email

Ed: Camels over coffee, whatever next!

TOPICAL TWITTERTOPICAL TWITTERTOPICAL TWITTER

Happy Pippa@happypippa “So many lovely red berries hanging of the trees this morning in Tenterden.”

The Walled Nursery @TheWalledNurser “Brilliant ferry ride to #Bodiam castle thanks to @bodiamboating & Captain Alex for bravely allowing the boys to steer”

Rolvenden Cat Rescue@RolvendenCats “Thanks to all our followers for helping to raise our profi le & for all the retweets. It all helps cats in need :)”

Nicky Clark@nickydclark “@bell_ticehurst Thank you for such a lovely party at Paul & Laura’s amazing wedding. You really looked after us all.”

Anthony Ellis@AntTheFarmer “Goudhurst bound with the lorry to load up these 11 bins. I do like this part of the world…seems so much more peaceful!”

Beccy Prebble@becs_prebs “Loved visiting #Tenterden museum today with my children! Brought back lots of memories of my visits there as a child :-)”

The Milk House@TMH_TN17 “We’d like to thank everyone who joined us at #MilkFest! We enjoyed ourselves immensely & hope you did too.” #TMH

Frazer Thompson@Englishwines “So the most expensive bottle of #Englishsparklingwine sold isn’t £79 any longer. It’s £10,000. #chapeldown #turnercontemporary

Why not tweet us yourself? We’ll print our favourites @SoMagazines

definitely think more people should

be made aware of the dangers

involved in having cheap procedures

administered by unqualified ‘surgeons.’

Definitely food for thought!

Sophie Davis, by email

Ed: We’re glad you found the feature informative.

PARKING PEEVEParking in Tenterden has always

been an issue, but one thing that

really grinds my gears is when

people park in places they’re not

supposed to! I can never park when

I have a doctor’s appointment

because mums park there to drop

their little darlings off to school and

visitors can’t get anywhere near my

house because people park there

instead of paying to use a car park.

I’m starting to get seriously annoyed

with the lack of spaces available in

the town - who else is with me?

Christopher Chance, Tenterden

Ed: Fancy writing a rant for us?!

KEEN ON KINOI recently visited Kino Digital in

Hawkhurst for the fi rst time. Now, I’m

not normally a cinema-goer because

there isn’t one nearby. However,

I was so impressed with Kino I’ll

defi nitely be back! How lovely to

have such a facility in a local village. I

enjoyed my fi lm with a glass of wine

and will soon be back to sample one

of their tasty-looking paninis!

Shona Watts, Sandhurst

Ed: We hear their cakes are delicious too!

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Letters.indd 3 23/09/2014 10:47

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 10:26

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 10:27

~ . ((olltn~ & ~on~ --------------------··--------------------

63 High Street, Royal Tun bridge Wells, Kent TN 1 !XU Tel. 01892 5340181 Fax. 01892 510536

Email. info@gcollinsandsons.com I www.gcollinsandsons.com

OUR MONTHLY LOOK AT SOME OF THE LOCAL STORIES MAKING THE HEADLINES

NEWS

SPARKLING SALEThe makers of Chapel Down wines in

Tenterden will be raising a toast after a bottle

of their fizz sold at auction for £12,500. The

Nebuchadnezzar, which is the equivalent of 10

magnums of Champagne, is claimed to be the

largest ever bottle of English sparkling wine.

Signed by artists such as Tracey Emin and

Damien Hirst, the bottle – thought to contain

around 60million bubbles – was auctioned in

aid of the Turner Contemporary in Margate.

“We are very proud to have our award

winning wine associated with some of

England’s finest contemporary artists,” says

Chapel Down CEO, Frazer Thompson. “We

love trying to do things differently, to surprise

and delight our customers, and this bottle is a

great example of that.”

ROYAL APPROVALAn Uckfield business has been given The

Queen’s award for innovation, after its owners

spent five years creating a neuroscience

system. Specialising in providing products for

the electrophysiology and imaging

community, Scientifica won the prestigious

award for its Multiphoton System. The device

is used to produce high resolution images of

cellular structures and activity within thick

tissue samples and living organisms. “It’s

great to have our flagship product recognised

with such a prestigious award,” says Mark

Johnson, the company’s MD. “After all the

hard work that has gone into this product it’s

very rewarding to get this recognition.”

STAMP OUT THEFTSix months after one of

Etchingham’s historic

letter boxes was stolen,

thieves have struck

again. A second box,

which was installed

during the reign of

George VI, was stolen

from a post in the village

after thieves pushed it

down and removed it

from Sheepstreet Lane.

Villagers now have to

walk a mile to post their

letters and the “irreplaceable” postbox theft has angered

locals. “We are enraged about it,” says villager Alison Vernan.

“It is the original one. It is a part of our town and we thought of

it as our own property in a way.” Neighbour Mary Richardson

adds: “I am absolutely disgusted with the whole affair - they

have been going like hot cakes.”

WHY THE LONG FACE? A regular at a pub in Heathfield has been turning punters’

heads – because she’s a donkey! Becky, who is owned by the

pub’s landlady Fiona Airey, has been spotted popping into the

Brewer’s Arms in Vines Cross. The customers try to take

pictures of her and even give her food when she comes in.

“She is 35 years old now and when she is hungry she comes

into the pub for her food,” says Fiona. “She is getting to the

stage now where she just lets herself in.”

HYPNOSIS HALTHypnotising Wealden residents

could now be harder to do, as

Wealden District Council have

adopted new laws introduced

under the Hypnotism Act 1952.

Now, anybody wanting to

perform the act of hypnosis will

have to follow a set of rules.

These include contacting the

council 28 days before giving a

performance and giving details

on whether they have previously

been refused a licence. Some

forms of hypnosis have also

been banned, such as ‘age

regression’, hypnotising a

subject to block out pain or

leading them to believe they

have lost something.

MANHOLE MADNESSResidents of Tenterden are being kept awake at night by a nuisance noise. Since the roadworks on

the A28 finished in July, a manhole cover has been making a racket – and residents are complaining

that they can’t sleep. The noise, which sounds “like a shotgun going off” can be heard half a mile

away and means locals are constantly disturbed when cars drive over the cover. “We might move

under the Gatwick flight path because jumbo jets are probably quieter,” complained one resident.

“Something needs to be done, before lack of sleep causes us to lose our minds.”

SO

16 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_News.indd 16 23/09/2014 10:52

p17 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 3 23/09/2014 17:18

ONE MAN, ONE MACHINE. G.P.M.H.

~. ((ollin~ & ~on~ --~--------··------------63HiPScnei,RD,aJTunbriclaeWdls. KenrTNIIXU

'N. 01192 5340181 Fax. 01892 SIOS36

......... .,.,lll-ncbons.com I www.pllinsandsoR$.com

PONSOR AND OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER OF THE GRAND PRIX DE MONACO HISTORIQUE

18 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p18_SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Advert.indd 2 23/09/2014 15:07

-I=' --hand selected, farm pressed juices

NEXT DAY HOME DELIVERY OF ORGANIC FRUIT, SALAD & VEGETABLE BOXES THROUGHOUT KENT & LONDON.

AWARD-WINNING FARM PRESSED JUICES.

For more details or to place on order visit www.chegworttwolley.com or call the form direct on 01622 859272

Water Lone Form. Water Lone. Chagworth. Horrietshom, Kent ME I 7 I DE

PERFECT SUSSEX SETTING Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Cluh is a heautiful ,..,untry hou«' hotel nestled m 186 am•s o( heaubfully maitlt.:utlro parkland

in the heart of the Ashdown Forest. Offering luxurious ae<-ommodabon, exCt'llent food, extensrve g.m!ens ,md parkland,

Ws a d~lightful pla<"l' to 1\'lax and unwind.

The perfed gill ..

lf you're looking for a gtfl for that person who has everything then our glfl vouchers make the rdeal

r~nt! ·n,ey can he used towards any expen~ncc at the hoteltndudrng a(tcmoon tea,

overnight stays and spa treatm••nts.

FO RTHCOMING EVENTS

Sunday 5111 Ortob.•- Mushroom Forage with Lunch- £40.00 per per<On

Moudny 6Ur 0. tobt'l'- Crandpal\'nls Oay Aflornoon Tea-£~ LOO per couple Saturday 251/t O.·tob.'T- Game Omner- £69.50 per person

lvlomtay Jrd NO!'"''tbcr- Lldies Lunch- £35.00 per person fridoy 1l <I Not'<'mbt>r - Cocktatl Ma<tcrdass - £20.00 per person

Ashdown Park l lold, \\'ych Cro", Nr Forc'l Ro\\, Fast Sussex, RI 118 5jR

01342 824988 I www.ashdownpark.com

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 19

E V E N TS SO

OCTOBERCALENDAR

9TH

HOUSE STYLEThe UK Touring Theatre comes to the Queen’s Hall Theatre in Cranbrook, bringing with it a new adaptation of

Henrick Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. The show, set in late 19th century Norway, explores

themes of feminism, marriage and money. The play is a world premiere of an English

translation of the Scandinavian classic, which was once the world’s most

performed play. Tickets are priced at £10 and can be purchased at

www.queenshalltheatre.co.uk.

2ND

FEELING FOLKYWith Morris dancers, craft stalls and

processions to name just a few of the events taking place, Tenterden’s Folk Festival returns for another year from Thursday October 2 to Sunday October 5. For four days the town will be taken over by dance displays, workshops and concerts, while the many pubs will be holding folk-inspired events. Ideal for all

the family, the event is free and camping is available from £49. The fun starts from 10am

daily and events wind down at 11.30pm. www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk

11TH

WHODUNNIT?It wouldn’t be Halloween without a

mystery or two, so the Murder Mystery evening in St Michael’s, near Tenterden will have guests guessing who exactly

committed the crime. The Who Killed the Director? themed evening costs £5 per

person, and a quiz and a raffl e will be held. All proceeds go towards the village hall

refurbishment. Guests are asked to bring their own refreshments. The event begins

at 7pm and to book a place call 01580 766 811.

5TH

AUTUMN DAYSSummer blooms might seem a distant memory, but visitors of Hole Park near Rolvenden will be in for a surprise. This October

they’ll be able to view a fl ower unique to Hole Park, the late-fl owering agapanthus. On October 5, 12, 19 and 26 the park is running ‘Autumn Sundays’ when visitors can stroll round the 15-acre gardens and enjoy the vibrant colours and exotic plants.

The park is open for Autumn Sundays from 11am to 6pm and admission is £6 for adults and £1 for children. www.holepark.com

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Calendar.indd 3 23/09/2014 10:43

20 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

12TH

OH DEERIf lazy Sundays aren’t your thing then the

Deer Stalker Aqualthlon could be the event for you. Held at Crowborough Leisure Centre,

the aquathlon involves swimming, running and relays. An adult aquathlon will take place, followed by a children’s event for under 17s.

The day promises to be exciting for both participants and spectators, but if you do

fancy a piece of the action, sign up at www.hedgehogtri.co.uk. Fees start from £19

for the adult event and £13 for children. For full details visit the website.

17TH

DOSEY DOE Cowboy boots at the ready…it’s time to

swing your partners round and round and give a ‘yee-ha’ for Uckfield’s Barn Dance.

The event is being held at the Cinque Ports Club and all money raised will go to Uckfield

Performance Ensemble. Tickets cost £10 and there will be hot food and a raffle,

as well as a prize for the best fancy dress costume. The dance starts at 7pm and tickets can be booked by

calling 01825 762 281 or by emailing info@dawson-hart.co.uk

16TH

ROYAL BALLETThis autumn Kino Digital in Hawkhurst is

bringing to its screen four live ballet performances from the Royal Opera House. The ballet season begins at the cinema on Thursday October 16 at 7.15pm with a performance of Manon, which tells the story of a young woman who falls prey to the moral corruption of 18th century Paris. Later showings will include Swan Lake, La Fille mal gardée and for the final showing, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Tickets are £20

and bookable online at www.kinodigital.co.uk or by calling 01580 754 321.

SO E V E N TS

11TH

APPLE REVIVALCranbrook’s annual Apple and Country Fair returns, this year celebrating not only the great British apple, but also marking the 100th anniversary

of the First World War and Cranbrook’s role in it. The event will have live jazz, apple mulching, juice making and local ciders to try. There’ll be

entertainment, too and competitions for visitors to take part in. Ideal for all the family, the day is free and will run from 10am until 4pm.

www.cranbrook.org

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Calendar.indd 4 23/09/2014 10:43

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 21

E V E N TS SO

25TH

SHRIEK WEEKIt’s not only the animals that will be making

loud noises at Drusillas in Alfriston this Halloween. From Saturday October 25 to Sunday November 2 kids could be in for

some spooky surprises as part of the zoo’s Shriek Week. Last year’s event included a

mummy mayhem temple and creepy-crawly encounters and this year is set to be even more spook-tacular. Plus, on Wednesday October 29 Scooby Doo will be asking

visitors to help him solve some mysteries. www.drusillas.co.uk

31ST

FRIGHT NIGHTSAs well as Kent and East Sussex Railway’s Halloween Fun Week, on Friday October 31

and Saturday November 1 ‘fright night’ train journeys will be running from Tenterden station. Aboard the steam trains scary

activities will be taking place, with ghostly goings on at each station. There’ll also be a firework display and a few scary surprises.

Families are invited to come dressed up and every child will receive a snack box. Tickets

cost £16 and can be booked by calling 01580 765 155.

25TH

FEAR FARMThe Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch is usually known for its cute farm animals, but from Saturday October 25 to Sunday November 2 the farm is getting fearsome

with the centre’s Fear and Fun Week. Children can ghost hunt around the

farm, enjoy a Wiley Wolf ‘scare glow’ UV production, have some frightening face

painting done and earn a treat by finding all the clues in the ‘Spooks Quiz Trail’. Fancy dress is encouraged and usual admission

prices apply. www.rarebreeds.org.uk

21ST

BELL BOUQUETSThe Bell at Ticehurst is encouraging creativity this

autumn by running a series of workshops. On Sunday October 21 their ‘make your own hand-tied bouquet’ workshop will inspire those attending to get crafty

with flowers, with the help of florist Jane Will of Flowers and Daughters in Rotherfield. Later in the year workshops will include making chutneys for

Christmas and Christmas flowers. Each course costs £85 and runs from 10.30am to 4pm. A two-course lunch and refreshments are included. Details are

available at www.thebellinticehurst.com

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Calendar.indd 5 23/09/2014 10:44

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 15:12

E V E N T SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 23

SOCIAL

SA

RA

H B

ON

D

REPEAT PERFORMANCEThe first Weald Wool Fair was a huge success when

54 artisans and traders, and even local llamas, drew

2,000 people to Wadhurst. The local knitting group

was represented by Shirley Rothera of Wealden

Wholefoods at the spinning wheel, and some

stallholders, such as Flaxland, came from as far as the

Cotswolds to show off skills such as scutching – the

dressing of flax in preparation for spinning. Organiser

Heather Hay-Ffrench (pictured right) with husband

Jonathan Ffrench, of Cousley Wood’s Village Yarn

Dyers, says: “I am thrilled. It went so well we are

holding a Winter Wool Fair on Saturday November 1

and will definitely do another next summer.”

www.wealdwoolfair.co.uk

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Social_WadhurstWoolFair.indd 4 23/09/2014 10:57

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 10:30

Kitchens

EDMONDSON INTERIORS

BESPOKE KITCHENS & INTERIORS SINCE 1994

Head Office - Workshop - Showroom

Hammonds Farm, Smiths Lane

Goudhu~t. KentTN17 lEU

01580 212934 www.edmondsoninteriors.co.uk

Bedrooms Studies Bathrooms

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 25

SOCIAL

A NEW NAME, A NEW CHAPTER, AN

EXCITING FUTURE FOR EDMONDSON INTERIORS

Clients, previous and new and the team at

kitchen and furniture makers Bespoke Interiors,

celebrated their change in company name with

a fantastic launch event. The event was superbly

supported by Frankie’s Farm Shop, Anno Distillers,

Farrow & Ball Tunbridge Wells Showroom and

Cocolicious, all of whom are local to the

Edmondson Interiors showroom in the heart

of the Kent countryside, Goudhurst. From

morning croissants, cupcakes to canapés,

we were delighted that so many could come

and share in the fun of the all day cooking

demonstrations and expert talks on all

things interiors inspiration!

01580 212 323

edmondsonInteriors.co.uk

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_Social_Edmundsons.indd 3 23/09/2014 11:38

SO E V E N T

26 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

CH

AR

LIE

BO

ND

SOCIAL

HOLE PARK’S BUMPY RIDE

Camels aren’t usually associated with Kent,

which is why thousands of visitors turned up

to watch the animals race when they came to

Hole Park. The event, which was in aid of the

Wild Camel Protection Foundation, had local

produce stalls, Mongolian wrestling and live

world music. Four camels competed in the races

and their riders, who were all untrained, had the

difficult task of keeping the camels on course.

With one of the camels nicknamed ‘Bucking

Bertie’, both the crowd and the jockey were

nervous. Luckily he didn’t get the hump!

www.wildcamels.com

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Social_Hole Park Camels.indd 2 23/09/2014 10:59

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 10:31

' - ,.\ ~- ..JI;. "' •'

I ,. '

Are you are looking for a professional company to manage your fireplace or wood burning stove project?

We have been doing exactly that for the past 40 years. We bring that wealth of experience to every installation we undertake. We offer 10 years warranty on all our leading brands and we will not be beaten on price or service. Our beautiful showrooms showcase the best products available and our helpful and knowledgeable staff look forward to extending you a warm welcome

GAS FIRES- WOOD STOVES- FIREPLACES

-VICTORIA STONE Showrooms: Victoria House, 79 Saint John's Road, Tunbridge Wells, KenrTN4 9TU

Telephone 01892 541 337 • Em ail sales@victoriastone.co.uk • www.victoriastone.co.uk

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 10:32

Had enough of being overweight? Hands up all those who feel they're in

a constant battle to achieve a healthy

and sustainable body weight. How

many diets have you tried and failed,

feeling totally frustrated and not

knowing what to do next?

Having had a weight problem for 35 years/ Rachel was desperate to find a way of being able to lose weight once and for al l. 11 had just about resigned myself to the fact that I would be overweight for the rest of my life, when I came across the principles of the Metabolic Weight Loss Programme. I followed these and to my amazement, I lost 3 stone in just over 3 months and then went on to successfully maintain my weight. The relief was enormous to have found something that finally worked for me.'

'This isn1t an open-ended slimming club; says Rachei. 1We set your target weight at the beginning and then get on with the business of helping you lose the weight/ addressing any difficulties along the way, then we concentrate on keeping it off - for good!/

For those who are not able to visit, a very successful remote support service is provided throughout the UK - distance is no object!

Rachel became passionate about wanting to help as many people as possible with their weight problems/ which led her to become a qualified weight loss consu ltant. In the last 1 0 years, she has helped over 3,000 clients from all walks of life to help bring their dieting days to an end once and for al l. 'My cl ients' ages range from 8 years to 85 years old/ so there is hope for everyone!'

With an average weight loss ~! 7-14 lbs a month .for clients and hundreds of hand written testimonials, Rachel~~ results

speak for themselves

Clients often comment on how impressed their doctors are with their results. 'My doctor is very happy- I've been able to come off blood pressure and cholesterol medication; says one. Another doctor said,'AII my lady patients on thyroid medication are struggling to lose weight/ but you've lost 2 1/2 stone despite being on thyroxin- well done!'

One of the popular aspects of the Metabolic Weight Loss Programme is there's nothing faddish about it. There are no meal replacements, d iet shakes or diet pills. All the foods on the programme are easily obtainable. Clients frequently say just how easy it is to follow, they don't feel hungry and are not having to constantly battle with cravings. The four stages of the programme are tai lored as necessary to provide the maximum results for each client.

Rachel and her team give weekly one-to-one consultations/ guiding you through the programme w ith personalised support/ lots of empathy and total conviction in the success ofthe programme. Email support is available in between consultations.

With an average weight loss of 7-141bs a month for clients and hundreds of hand written testimonials, Rachel's results speak for themselves. 'I see real results daily, time after time I see people's

lives change in front of me.'

Rachel offers free consultations for those who are wanting to lose their weight once and for all.

Rachel Ricketts 01342 327396 Email rachel@rachelrickettsweightloss.co.uk www.rachelrickettsweightloss.co.uk

SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 29

p29_SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Advert.indd 3 23/09/2014 15:17

Phillip McKnight

01892 514514 Unden House

Linden Close

Tunbridge Wells

Kent TN4 8HH

www.bsrb.co.uk

-

INTERIOR • EXTERIOR • DOMESTIC • COMMERCIAL

01892 539 389 • 07970 729 114 • www.McKnightdecorator.co.uk

BSR BESPOKE CHAR T ERED A C COUNTANTS

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 10:34

Embarrassed about loose dentures or worried about losing teeth?

StoneRock can help you with our

Same Day Fixed Teeth Solution

lf_llf:!::!re• All-on-4

( j S tone~2S~ 01580 752202 info@stonerock.co.uk www.stonerockdentalcare.com

Dr Russell Blanchard BDS

STONEROCK FACIAL CLINIC

Look Younger •.. Feel Fantastic ...

I N T E RV I E W SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 31

Nestled on the Kent/Sussex

border opposite Northiam

steam railway station is The

Mill Toy and Pedal Car Museum.

Previously a Chinese restaurant and

originally a mill built in 1900, it’s now home to

thousands of antique toys – a collection that

the museum owner Phil Collins has built up

over 25 years.

“People always said I should show my

collection,” says Phil. “For a long time

everything was

stored in a barn

in Lewes. We

were waiting for

the right

premises to

come up and

when this did, we

took it over.”

Phil’s

assortment consists of over 500 pedal and

petrol cars and thousands of antique toys, all

of which are now proudly displayed within the

museum. Since it opened its doors in 2011,

visitors have come from all over the world to

relive their childhoods.

“We get people from Belgium, Germany, all

over,” Phil explains. “People are looking for a

bit of their childhood. Not everybody

understands the toys though. We don’t do

school trips because it goes straight over the

children’s heads.”

Phil’s passion for pedal cars began in 1986,

when he discovered a Jaguar E-Type in a

Brighton junk shop. From then, his collection

began to rapidly grow.

“You just buy one and then you get into

the history and engineering of the toys,” Phil

says with a laugh. “I had people I knew who

were working down at the local tip and they’d

keep an eye out for them for me.”

The challenge now, Phil explains, is getting

his hands on bargains.

“The trouble is, the Chinese are taking

their toys back and so are the Japanese. You

can’t even get things in charity shops any

more because people just look up the prices

on the internet.”

So, has he had to pay against all odds for

any of his collection?

“I have paid up to £8,000 for a car,” he

admits. “But then

I’ve also paid a fi ver.”

Although Phil has

bought most of the

items, he does have

a few toys that have

sentimental value.

Some were his own

and some belonged

to his children.

“I didn’t save them because I thought they

would be worth something,” he says. “I saved

them because I can’t throw anything away! If

people knew how much toys would be worth

one day they’d never take them out of their

boxes or play with them.”

With people contacting Phil from as far

away as Canada to see if he’ll buy their toys,

he’s defi nitely well-known for what he does.

In the past couple of years he’s defi nitely

become more of a household name though,

because he currently holds the Guinness

World Record for the largest collection of

pedal cars in the world – a record he’s hoping

to hold onto.

“We’ve got the award for 400 cars, but we

actually have 453 and altogether, including

the petrol powered ones, we have about

580,” he says. “So if someone came along

and said ‘we have more’ we’d be able to say

‘so have we!’”

Being constantly surrounded by toys it

might seem like Phil’s life is all play. So, is this

what he wants to do for the rest of his life?

“I’m always on the lookout for other

opportunities,” he says with a smile. “I’ve

done various different things before and the

way I see things, if you look for something

you never fi nd it, but if you’re not looking

something comes and taps you on the

shoulder. That said, I wouldn’t want to be an

ice cream seller. I was at the wholesalers the

other day and this bloke was stocking up on

Flakes, thinking he was going to have a right

old day. Then it was a complete wash out!”

Entrance to the museum costs £5 for adults

and £3 for children.

www.themilltoymuseum.com

people are looking for a bit of their childhood. Not

everybody understands the toys though. We don’t do school

trips because it goes straight over the children’s heads

Pedal power

I N T E RV I E W SO

Pedal powerHe might share a name with a famous Brit singer, but pedal car afi cionado

Phil Collins from Northiam has been making records in his own right…

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Local_Interview_Pedal Car.indd 3 23/09/2014 11:19

Untitled-1 1 23/09/2014 12:07

BANG & OLUFSEN

lt takes 89 years to create movement this beautiful.

The new 55" BeoVision Avant. An Ultra High-Definition, 4K Bang & Olufsen Smart TV with iconic sound. Experience it in store now. Recommended price £5,995*.

bang-olufsen.com beoshop.co.uk

E V E N T SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 33

SOCIAL

SA

RA

H B

ON

D

MUSICAL SHOWCASELocal young musicians had their day in the

spotlight, and sunlight, when Crowborough Rocks

staged their summer event in the garden of

The Deerstalker pub in Ashdown Forest. Organised

by volunteers to showcase the talents of students

and sponsored by the Tunbridge Wells Music

School, the day featured Milly McCarron, Pulse and

Sappy, among the 16 acts. Visitors enjoyed a

barbecue, too. “I’m a big fan of Taylor Swift and

Pixie Lott,” says Milly. Let’s hope she follows in

their footsteps. Crowborough Rocks is now booking

bands for its autumn event on Saturday November 22

at All Saints Church Hall, Chapel Green.

www.facebook.com/crowboroughrocks

and www.twmusicschool.com

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Social_Crowborough Rocks.indd 4 23/09/2014 11:01

34 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p34_SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Advert.indd 2 23/09/2014 11:53

-West Kent Shooting School • Open Monday to Friday l Oam to Spm

• Practice Facilities in English Sporting a~ Skeet

• Lessons available by appointment

• Ideal setting for Corporate Entertainment

Come and have a go at Clay Pigeon Shooting

Our 30 minute "Taster" sessions only £35

Old Hay (off Pearsons Green Road)

Brenchley, Paddock Wood Kent TN12 7DG

T: 01892 834306 E: info@westkentshooting.co.uk

www.westkentshooting.co.uk

M LEEDS CASTLE FIREWORKS

HEVER CASTLE & GARDENS

CHILDHOOD HOME OF ANNE BOLEYN

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS PAST

29 November- 14 December (WED-SUN) 15 December- 24 December (DAILY)

Discover the origins

of Christmas traditions

fOR MORE INfORMATION VISIT

hevercastle.co. uk/whatson

Or call- 01732 865224

'*Pre- booking is essential

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 11:55

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 15:21

CALL NOW ON 01892 724123

LOFT- The areas leading conversion specialists

• Careful design and concept planning by dedicated design consultant

• Scope creation for the endless opportunities to create additional space within an empty loft void

• Specialists in all aspects of attic conversions

•If you are considering a loft conversion

EMAIL INFO@LOFT.UK.COM

BESPOKE LOFT CONVERSIONS

LUXURY BEDROOMS

CHILDREN'S PLAYROOMS

ENSUITE BATHROOMS

HOME OFFICE SPACE

VELUX I Installer

~ Partnm"'p . , www.loft.uk.com

SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 37

p37_SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Advert.indd 3 23/09/2014 15:19

Fed up with buying Dad socks for Christmas?

How about a C urling Voucher? ]ust call us and we will solve

your problem!

FENT®NS RINK L OVE CURLING IN KENT

Dund.tk F.tnn, Dund:tk· R'""'· Tunhnd~c \'(1,· 11 ,, Kent TN l 9AQ \.'t I S.92 R26Cl'4 • t nfd'ii._~urlm~i nh.:nt.ul.Hk • \\1\\'\\.Lur linginkcnt.co.uk

Maaic at Weddinl!s Ifs your maeical day. so whY not add sParkle

and amazement with some maeic from Stuart and Maeic at Weddines

Durine the meal This is the time for some amazing table magic. At the top table you' ll hear your guests' laughter and applause as the magician works his magic around the room.

Durine the recePtion Help kick start the evening festivities with some impressive mix 'n mingle close-up magic.

Get in touch and find out how we can brine a little maeic to vour weddine stuart KeiiY

0203 728 8729 0776 265 9795 ~ - @ stuart@magicatweddings.co.uk

EqUity M:;ic at Weddings I• part of the Maglclanary en..,mble

-

38 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p38_SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Advert.indd 2 23/09/2014 15:57

-

f?;V cor5on neutral energy·

The Woodstove Trading Company 5 Honeycrest Industrial Park, Lodge Road, Staplehurst. Kent TN12 ORX web: www.woodstovetrading.co.uk I email: sales@woodstovetrading.co.uk

Showroom Open - Monday to Friday 9-5 1 Saturday 9-11 tel: 01580 893510

E V E N T SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 39

SOCIAL

CH

AR

LIE

BO

ND

ALPACAS PACK THEM INFamilies had a fun day out when the Lightfoot

Alpaca Farm in Hawkhurst opened its doors to the

public. Guests were able to get up close and

personal with the animals, which included donkeys,

alpacas and llamas. Stallholders selling local

produce and items made from alpaca wool showed

off their wares, while the animals showed off in

front of the amused visitors. Lightfoot Alpacas has

one of the largest herds in the country, homing

more than 500 animals.

www.alpacabreeder.co.uk

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Social_Alpacas.indd 4 23/09/2014 11:03

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 15:24

E V E N T SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 41

SA

RA

H B

ON

D

SOCIAL

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF LOCAL & LIVE

The Tunbridge Wells bank holiday music event

Local & Live became a full-blown festival this

year as the town rocked over four days at 11

venues. Thousands flocked to Calverley Grounds

when the main event was staged there for the

first time. Others filled The Forum and pubs,

clubs and cafes. With 225 acts vying for pole

position, organiser Paul Dunton set up a

Eurovision-style competition. He had asked

every band in his 400-strong roster to vote for

who should appear on the main stage and they

couldn’t vote for themselves. The Standard

Lamps came out top! www.localandlive.org

See Paul Dunton’s column on page 255 for

what’s happening next year

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Social_Local and Live.indd 3 22/09/2014 17:08

SO

42 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SOCIAL

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Social_Local and Live.indd 4 22/09/2014 17:08

-

E V E N T SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 43

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Social_Local and Live.indd 5 22/09/2014 17:09

44 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p44_SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_Advert.indd 2 23/09/2014 15:36

-

@­POWER : P LAT E . ~ (j/~~RIS£0

Discover the Difference

e Improve fitness a .. e lncrease circulati~ e Build core stren~th e lnch loss e Any age- any level e Maximum 5 in a class

Try our 6 week Challenge

Crescent Road I I • a

Untitled-1 1 23/09/2014 11:35

46 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

If you’ve got an

offer, event or news story

we would love to share it

with our thousands of

@SoMagazines

followers

Follow us @SoMagazines

ShareGot

something to

?

p46 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 15:32

Untitled-1 1 23/09/2014 11:21

Brighton Tel 01273 841228

Reigate Tel 01737 226450

12 Union Square Eridge Road The Pantiles Tunbridge Wells TN4 8HE Tel 01892 617462

Offer only applies to orders placed in store - Award winning showrooms nationwide

bd 'lroo s o:JY

Ripples www.ripples.ltd.uk

FP 2013 210x297.indd 1 23/09/2014 10:38

M Y R A N T SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 49

WHAT A LOAD OFHOCUS POCUS

Halloween is on its way, but will you be celebrating on October 31 or hiding behind the sofa? Tonbridge resident Claire reveals why the much-maligned All Hallow’s Eve has cast an enchanting spell over her

DO YOU HAVE A RANT YOU’D LIKE TO RELEASE?Email your views, in no more than 600 words, to Editor Jane Connolly jconnolly@onemediauk.co.uk. We won’t publish anonymous

letters and contact details must be supplied, but if you’d prefer not to be named in print please make this preference clear.

T here’s nothing British people enjoy

more than a jolly good moan. And the

more contradictory the complaints,

the better – for example, if you listen to Joe

Bloggs in the street, every year our summertime

is too cold one minute and too hot the next.

Similarly, Brits like to accuse each other

(particularly the younger generation) of having

no sense of community and being unwilling to

come together and celebrate as a nation, while

being faced with much evidence to the contrary.

Football is one of the few things that can

actually promote a sense of patriotic

togetherness, but then the naysayers are too

busy complaining about merchandise and

England flags on cars to notice how much

pleasure the carnival atmosphere brings to

sports fans. So it’s no surprise to me that

Halloween also attracts the criticism of these

misery guts, as some people seem determined

to quash joy and fun at its source.

There are 365 days in the year, but how many

of them are dedicated to a particular celebration,

where people dress up, have parties, carry out

traditional rituals or simply use it as an excuse to

enjoy themselves in a communal spirit?

Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, Easter Day and

Valentine’s Day (if you haven’t written that off

too) – that’s about it. Add on your own birthday

and perhaps one or two other days of note and

you’ve got about a week’s worth of revelry,

which leaves 51 others when nothing special

happens at all. So why would you want to rain on

the Halloween parade?

Some people are under the delusion that

Halloween is an American festival, with

practices such as trick or treating being a

transatlantic infestation. Well actually, trick

or treating was happening in the UK and

Ireland long before the Americans ever

thought of it. Halloween as a term dates back

several centuries and the concept itself even

further, so what right do grumpy people have

to tell us not to celebrate it? I’ve even

overheard religious people berating

dressed-up children for “promoting the

Devil”, showing a clear ignorance of the true

origins of this ancient festival.

Admittedly, trick or treating is one of those

pursuits that we could probably live without.

Or perhaps placing an upper age limit on the

children taking part would help to prevent

people from feeling intimidated on their own

doorsteps. When the ‘child’ asking you for

sweeties has clearly been shaving for a while,

it’s not so much charming tradition as twilight

robbery. Those who use the night as an excuse

to viciously attack their neighbours’ homes or

go around asking for money are ruining it for

everyone, but that’s no reason to deprive

innocent children of a very special experience.

When I was a child, Halloween was just as

magical a time as Christmas – okay, so the

things I was being invited to celebrate probably

didn’t exist, but when has that ever stopped

us? Childhood is short enough these days as it

is, so please don’t take away another occasion

when youngsters can simply enjoy a little of

life’s rare magic.

SO WEALDEN_OCTOBER14_MyRant.indd 3 22/09/2014 17:10

50 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO O C TO B E R

THIS MONTH YOU SHOULD

SPLURGE...Diamonds are forever, or so they say – and at around £1million, the Argyle Cardinal red diamond is certainly the buy of a lifetime.

As the centrepiece of Rio Tinto’s annual tender of rare coloured diamonds in Sydney, it is hoped the 1.21 carat Cardinal will equal

the record set by a red diamond at Christie’s in New York last year, at $1.6million (just over £960,000) per carat. The collection

features four Fancy Red Diamonds – experts believe there are only 30 red diamonds in the world, so you’ll need to raid the piggy

bank if you want to be a lucky owner. Potential buyers have until October 8 to submit their bid.

LISTEN...Madness fans will be in heaven with this

35th anniversary digitally remastered,

two-disc edition of the band’s iconic

debut album, One Step Beyond. Featuring

29 tracks, the CD boasts the original

tracks, plus 14 rehearsal tracks from 1979

– these include two songs that have never

been heard anywhere else. With various

promo videos and a BBC documentary on

the DVD, plus a 24-page booklet, this is a

must-have for any Madness enthusiast.

Available from www.play.com for £10.98

from October 13.

READ...It’s a long wait until popular fantasy

series Game of Thrones returns

to our small screens, but addicts

can get a fix with a lavish new

book published on October 28. The

World of Ice and Fire reveals the

hidden history of Westeros and the

lands beyond, with hundreds of

pages of new material from George

RR Martin, author of the novels on

which the award winning TV show

is based. Pre-order yours at

www.waterstones.com for £24.

WATCH...If you missed the hit Sky TV series

Penny Dreadful when it first aired

earlier this year, you’re in for a treat.

Perfect Halloween viewing, the dark

drama stars Timothy Dalton, Josh

Hartnett and a captivating Eva Green

as Victorian vigilantes on the trail of

some truly chilling characters. Literary

classics such as Frankenstein, Dracula

and The Picture of Dorian Gray are

drawn upon for this scary story.

Available from www.amazon.co.uk for

£19 from October 13.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_TMYS.indd 2 22/09/2014 10:24

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 51

T H I S M O N T H SO

JOIN...Why do some people manage to

secure the best restaurant tables,

the most exclusive invitations

and the unattainable tickets,

while some don’t? Well, you can

be among the VIPs if you own

a prestigious Aristocard – you’ll

have no trouble bagging that

reservation and getting into the

best parties if you fl ash this little

piece of metal. However, although

membership only costs $250

(£150), the admission process is

stringent; applicants must pass a

suitability test and a face-to-face

interview before being accepted.

So give your shoes a shine and

head to www.aristocard.com to

see if you cut the mustard.

CARRY...The only thing better than a great new handbag

is... a great new handbag fi lled with amazing things.

New brand Jam Love has joined forces with luxury

website VeryFirstTo.com to launch ‘the ultimate

handbag’ – the SHIBAURA Travel Tote. It’s made

from leather and bonded canvas, comes in a range

of colours and is fi lled with, according to women

who took part in the site’s survey, the fi ve most

desirable accessories. These are: a Vertu Signature

Touch phone, an iPad Air, a Burberry Contrast zip-

around leather wallet, a Sony Cyber-Shot RX 100 III

and a pair of Gucci sunglasses. All this for £10,325

exclusively at www.veryfi rstto.com

SCRIBBLE...Forget that old ballpoint with the chewed end – it’s time you moved

up in the world when it comes to penmanship. If you’re looking for

a more classy addition to your desk or briefcase, you’ll certainly

turn heads with the Parker Duofold Giant Limited Edition Fountain

Pen. Encased in 18kt solid gold, with a 23kt clip and pen holder, plus

a total of 16 diamonds, the pen is a steal at £25,000. The company

is producing just 125 instruments to celebrate its 125th anniversary

– you can take a look at this rare model at Websters Pen Shop at

Bluewater. www.websterspenshop.co.uk

up in the world when it comes to penmanship. If you’re looking for

a more classy addition to your desk or briefcase, you’ll certainly

turn heads with the Parker Duofold Giant Limited Edition Fountain

Pen. Encased in 18kt solid gold, with a 23kt clip and pen holder, plus

a total of 16 diamonds, the pen is a steal at £25,000. The company

is producing just 125 instruments to celebrate its 125th anniversary

– you can take a look at this rare model at Websters Pen Shop at

Bluewater. www.websterspenshop.co.uk

SWING...Golf holidays don’t get much better than this. If you fancy

yourself as the next Rory McIlroy, it’s time to put your clubs where your mouth is. Holidays Please is offering a 100-day trip around the world, during which you’ll play on every one of the 48 golf courses

featured in the European Tour last year. From St Andrews to Australia, this remarkable itinerary will be a dream come true for golfers. The £62,500 ticket includes fi rst class

fl ights, accommodation, green fees and luxury private transfers – or you can upgrade to the private

jet option at £250,000 per person. Better work on that swing!www.holidaysplease.co.uk

SO TW_OCTOBER14_TMYS.indd 3 22/09/2014 10:25

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:28

Untitled-1 3 22/09/2014 16:28

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:28

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 55

G O S S I P SO

CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL

Got a rumour? Pass it on via confi dential@onemediauk.co.uk We never reveal our sources

BY TACITUS

NOTHING ESCAPES OUR ATTENTION

WHY are certain estate agents

at loggerheads over a load

of rubbish?

Because one of them caught their rival

going through the bins outside their offi ce;

they were looking for interesting titbits

about clients and deals. Words were

exchanged, tempers fl ared and sale

boards raised. Always thought

real estate could be a

dirty business.

WHO knows all about taking a

responsible approach to

drinking? That would be the lady

on a night out with friends who turned to them towards

the end of a challenging session and declared: “Sorry, I won’t have

another bottle of champagne because I’m driving!” Well done you. Not!

WHY does this councillor have fond

memories of the Vintage Fair?

Because he bumped into a

female voter on the doorstep

while out canvassing, fell head

over heels and saw her again

much later at The Pantiles event

where he engineered an

introduction. Both are available

(he is divorced) but has he got

her vote? Watch this space.

WHO

feels totally unappreciated

in the work place?

That would be the woman who

has worked at a smallish local

company for three years.

She was standing in reception

one morning before going to

her offi ce when the boss

came along and asked her

who she had come to see

and could he help her.

WHY is this woman a real fruit cake?

Because she insists on dressing each day

in the colour of a fruit. So far she’s worn outfi ts

around town that are orange, peach, strawberry,

yellow and even kiwi, which makes her pretty

easy to spot. The word ‘eccentric’

springs to mind.

WHYhas this wife lost the battle

with the sat-nav? Because she kept insisting

she was better at giving her hubby directions when he

was behind the wheel. Only problem was her verbal

updates consisted largely of her saying, as they fl ashed

by a motorway, exit: “ I think that was our turn off.”

Game over.

WHICH famous family retailer is

threatening to leave town?

Simples: The one facing the

prospect of having a bar open very

near to their premises. The

furious owners have apparently

let it be known that if the idea

gets off the ground they

will pack up their wares –

something that would cause

a sensation!

WHAT’S happened-to-Binky-

news-update!

It’s offi cial; the wedding is off!

Binky has fi nally lost patience with

her fi ancé who has refused to stop

his mother from interfering in their

plans for the big day. The wretched

woman insisted on a ‘proper

church wedding’ with bridesmaids

and page boys of her choosing.

Life would have been hell Binky!

WHOdidn’t know which way to turn

at Local and Live? Answer: The 30–something attractive brunette who got

tired and emotional during the day–long TW music festival.

Considerate young men gallantly offered to see her home - as did

a number of women. A kindly neutral stepped in and carried her off, to much abuse from

the lady herself.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Confidential.indd 3 22/09/2014 14:05

SO C E L E B R I T Y

56 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO TW_October14_KirstieAllsopp.indd 2 22/09/2014 13:04

Property expert, craft enthusiast

and star of Location, Location,

Location, Kirstie Allsopp says:

“Kent is just so pretty, the only

strike against it is that it is the birthplace of

Phil Spencer!”

She and her TV partner-in-crime (‘Pip’, as

she affectionally refers to the man born

near Canterbury) recently brought the new

series of their long-running show to the

green pastures of Tunbridge Wells and the

surrounding areas. Their house hunt, for two

young couples buying for the fi rst time, took

them from The Pantiles to St Johns and

Southborough. Kirstie can easily see the

appeal of Kent as a place to put down roots.

“It is picture perfect, with lovely

countryside,” she says. “You’ve got the

trendy, busy social scene of central

Tunbridge Wells, but just outside there is still

a country village-ish feel to the area.”

She and Phil struggled with their search,

she says, because the market is moving so

fast in the county, with properties selling

within 24 hours of going on the market.

House prices have also shot up, rising 7.1% in

the past 12 months – which means Kent may

not be able to retain its appeal for

commuters hoping to live within easy reach

of London, but without stumping up for

extortionate London prices (houses here are

currently two-and-a-half times cheaper than

in London).

“It’s no place for newbies,” says Kirstie,

explaining that if even she and Phil, as

experienced wheeler dealers in the housing

business, found the Kent market tricky to

navigate, then she wishes fi rst time buyers

the best of luck with their negotiations.

When Kirstie isn’t traipsing around

‘project’ properties and having playful

banter with her beloved Phil, she’s at home

in either her Notting Hill or Devonshire

houses, spending quality time with her

partner and two children. She’s become well

known for her love of crafts, ever since she

and Phil produced her fi rst string of

home-crafting shows via their independent

TV company, Raise The Roof Productions.

“My house is full of craft projects that I’ve

This time last year we met the queen of the property search, Kirstie Allsopp and took a look at her remarkable rise to fame. Now we catch up with her to see what’s been happening over the last 12 months – Kirstie shares her thoughts on the Weald’s intense housing market and inspires us to get crafty as her ventures go from strength to strength

SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 57

KIRSTIEON KENTKIRSTIEON KENTKIRSTIE

SO TW_October14_KirstieAllsopp.indd 3 22/09/2014 13:04

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:29

started but will never fi nish,” she says with a

laugh. “My life’s ambition is to make a quilt

from scratch.”

Of course, fi lming shows like Kirstie’s

Crafty Christmas means that she can

combine work and fun.

“I get to make a lot when I’m fi lming the

shows, which is a brilliant fi x, because being

a busy working mum there isn’t lots of spare

time. I do love making things with my

children and I was given the most amazing

gift recently by two little girls, of boat

bunting, which I hung in Devon. They gave

me the full kit, all made with instructions. I

want them to come on my Christmas show

and teach me how it’s done – although I’ve

asked them to come up with an idea for

Christmas bunting, a new spin on their

amazing boats,” she adds.

Kirstie’s craft of choice is the humble

pom-pom, which she says are “fast, simple,

and instantly gratifying, and of course you

can do so much with them. Bunting, tree

decorations, you can adorn your cushions

with them, put them on your clothes, your

shoes…”

It hasn’t all been about cosy crafts over

the last year though – never one to shy away

from a controversial debate, Kirstie has

attracted criticism recently for her opinions

on such topics as child rearing and

compensation culture.

An outspoken user of Twitter, Kirstie

sparked outrage last Christmas when she

suggested that victims of the UK fl oods

were not showing “the Blitz spirit” by

complaining about the lack of electricity and

asking for compensation.

Earlier this year, she made headlines

again by suggesting that women should

have children early in their adult life, putting

career and personal ambitions on hold until

their 30s or 40s. Her comments came under

fi re from feminists who believe Kirstie is

supporting an outmoded and sexist view of

women’s roles, but Kirstie stood by her

remarks.

At a talk last month, she said that women

were “being lied to” about their chances of

conceiving in their late 30s.

“I want to say to women: be honest with

each other, with your partners, daughters

and sons – know that you can have careers

at any age, you can go to uni at any age,”

SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 59

“Women are being let down by the system. We should speak honestly and frankly about fertility and the fact it falls off a cliff when you’re 35”

C E L E B R I T Y SO

“I feel passionately that the comprehensive

ethos is wrong, and that you cannot educate all children together in the

same environment in the same way because

they are so varied”

SO TW_October14_KirstieAllsopp.indd 5 22/09/2014 13:05

she told the audience. “You can do a thousand

brilliant things at any age. But just for now, we

haven’t opened the fertility window any wider. It is

easier and simpler and less of a heartache to just

have children when our bodies allow us to. Nature

is not a feminist and that’s just the truth.”

Clearly, her passion for crafting is less

controversial and her TV shows and books have

attracted an army of fans, who all want to see

what Kirstie will make next. Crafting is a lifelong

passion that has fascinated her since childhood.

”My mum was an interior decorator and my dad

was an auctioneer, so making beautiful things has

been in my family for as long as I can

remember and more importantly,

up-cycling and changing things

around,” she says.

By the way, Kirstie’s cousin is also

the queen of interiors, Cath Kidston

(pictured right).

“When I was little, I was obsessed

with the look of my bedroom and I had a

dressing table full of bits I collected and

made,” Kirstie recalls. “For my 12th birthday my

mum transformed my bed into a four-poster with

white fabric, green bows and a pink trim… Then

we moved house and my mum made the curtains

of my beautiful bed into blinds for my new room,

because I moved into the attic!”

Kirstie believes that everyone has their own

craft – “you just have to fi nd yours”. She’s hoping

to inspire the next generation of crafters and she

offered advice to those who are unfamiliar with a

crochet hook and a glue gun, at her Handmade

Fair that took place at Hampton Court Palace last

month. She gathered together a host of experts

and laid on loads of workshops and activities, all

dedicated to the joy of crafting.

“I liked the thought of doing something so bold

and different to other fairs that are out there,

putting learning at the core and celebrating so

many talented people and sharing the whole

experience with others who love

making,” she says. “The Handmade

Fair isn’t just about a whole lot of

shops in a tent. This is a gathering of

the people you’ve seen with me on

screen, answering your questions,

teaching you their techniques and

opening up to a live audience. It’s 3D TV

without the funny specs!”

What So magazine wants to know is when will we

get a 3D version of Location, Location, Location, so

that we can have Phil and Kirstie on hand when we

next need to move house? Let’s hope they make

that happen one day.

“It’s perfectly possible to have an enormously privileged upbringing, which I did and still understand the value of the pound”

Kirstie Allsopp by numbers

Age: 43

Children: 2

Marriages: 0

Homes: 2

TV programmes: 7

Books: 5

60 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO C E L E B R I T Y

SO TW_October14_KirstieAllsopp.indd 6 22/09/2014 13:06

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:29

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 14:48

T H E LO O K SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 63

Our favourite october look

As we head into the autumn in earnest, there are a number of key looks to keep in mind

when stocking that warmer wardrobe. One huge trend that will be inescapable this season is

sheepskin and faux fur, but how do you wear it with style? If you don’t feel comfortable with a huge fur coat, try wearing it as an accessory. Garments, handbags and even shoes edged in shearling offer an understated nod to the trend. This stylish look from Hobbs offers some chic

inspiration – team the shearling scarf (£199) with the Teddy cocoon coat (£499, available in

chocolate and red) for a cosy yet neat look. This would work with either a dress or trousers; here, the model wears the Verrio floral blouse

(£149), Herringbone trouser (£159) and Brynne Derby shoe (£179).

www.hobbs.co.uk

ANIMAL MAGNETISM

SO TW_OCTOBER14_TheLook_Cover.indd 3 22/09/2014 10:44

64 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p64 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 10:05

T H E LO O K SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 65

Always one step ahead of the pack, we’re among the fi rst of the magazines to report on the sartorial highlight that is London Fashion Week. There was a defi nite buzz in the air as everyone got in line to

take their seats at Somerset House for the much anticipated Spring/Summer 2015 shows. Our fashion expert, Catherine de Crèvecoeur, reports straight from the front row for So magazine, giving you the top highlights from the designers’ collections and an idea of the trends we can expec

to see next season. The overall mood gave a defi nite sense of romance, poetry, a fi ne line between beauty and darkness and a celebration of the strong woman

Direct from fashion’s front lineto see next season. The overall mood gave a defi nite sense of romance, poetry, a fi ne line between beauty

and darkness and a celebration of the strong womanand darkness and a celebration of the strong womanand darkness and a celebration of the strong womanand darkness and a celebration of the strong woman

J.W. Anderson Collared

Contrast collars and cut-out details providea girly twist to menswear-like clothing.

PREEN Flowing fabrics

Draped, loose, boxy shapes are takingover fi tted outfi ts.

Pringle of Scotland Pretty pastels

This colour palette trend is going nowhere,with soft pastels taking over most collections.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_TheLook London Fashion.indd 3 22/09/2014 10:51

66 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO T H E LO O K

Amanda Wakeley White out

Crisp, clean and fuss free, white remains a key colour in the new

spring/summer season.spring/summer season.

Lucas Nascimento Block colours

Ditch the bold prints for block colours in white,

black and bright orange.black and bright orange.

Paul Costelloe 60s vibe

A nod to the 60s with cocoon silhouettes, shorter hemlines and chunky shoes.hemlines and chunky shoes.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_TheLook London Fashion.indd 4 22/09/2014 10:52

T H E LO O K SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 67

Christopher Raeburn Sports luxe

Moving away from the obvious sports sweatshirts, this trend

offers a more relaxed, chic look.

JOSEPH Big sleeves The bigger,the bolder, the better.the better.

Jean-Pierre Braganza Asymmetric lines

A major theme for the season, contrasting lines and bias cut

forms take centre stage.forms take centre stage.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_TheLook London Fashion.indd 5 22/09/2014 10:54

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 14:39

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 69

T H E LO O K SO

Autumn is here but never fear – we’ve selected our favourite pieces from the new season collections to keep you up to date and on trend in October

BUYS OF THE

ADRIANNA PAPELLPrint dress in teal, £140

www.johnlewis.com

NEEDLE AND THREADGilded Filigree embellished chiffon dress, £175

www.net-a-porter.com

DAY BIRGER ET MIKKELSEN

Rain sequin embellished chiffon top, £200 www.day.dk/uk

Prices correct at time of writing

www.johnlewis.com

ÊTRE CÉCILECircle stripes dip hem T-shirt, £105

www.etrececile.com

J. CREW

Collection fl oral satin-twilltapered pants, £250 www.jcrew.com/uk

Rain sequin embellished chiffon top, £200

MAISON SCOTCH

Printed belted dress, £154 www.scotch-soda.com

CATH KIDSTON

Double strap leather bagwith printed lining, £125 www.cathkidston.com

ALICE BY TEMPERLEYLou Lou long printed maxi skirt, £396

www.temperleylondon.com

Rain sequin embellished chiffon top, £200

PAUL SMITH ACCESSORIES

Grey shearling neck warmer, £149 www.paulsmith.co.uk

PHASE EIGHTTabatha double breasted trench coat, £120

www.phase-eight.com

J. CREW Barrett buckled suede

ankle boots, £275 www.jcrew.com/uk

PHASE EIGHTRose textured two-tone tote bag, £139

www.phase-eight.com

month

SO TW_OCTOBER14_TheLook_Fashion Buys.indd 3 22/09/2014 10:41

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:31

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:32

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:34

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 73

T H E LO O K K SO

This style is best for longer or mid length

hair – those with short hair can mimic a

similar look by making a few smaller

braids secured with hairgrips.

To create a sophisticated halo braid, divide

your hair into two equal sections and plait

each section separately from behind each ear.

Then cross the braids and pull the two sections

forward until they frame your face. Position

the braid close to your hairline for the best

halo effect. If your hair is long enough these

braids will cross at the crown and can be

secured behind your ears – or wherever your

braids end. To make the look neater, tuck the

ends of your hair under the base of the

opposite braid slightly when securing.

You can go two ways with this style – for a

sleek look, try applying a smoothing product

such as Ojon Super Sleek Restorative

Blowout Perfector (£23) to your hair before

drying for a shiny and frizz-free look.

Alternatively, you can pull at your braids

slightly to create a more tasselled look. To help

add texture and volume, add a mousse before

blow-drying – we like Bumble and Bumble

Thickening Full Form Mousse (£21.50).

Flyaway hairs can be kept loose with this look

to frame your face and enhance your features.

Celebrity fans of this style include Scarlett

Johansson (pictured), Selena Gomez and

Jennifer Lawrence. Jessica Alba likes a twist,

experimenting with two separate braids for a

striking effect, while Amanda Seyfried wears

hers a little further back on her head, just as

you would a headband, to create a crown braid.

SPARKLE

The halo braid is a popular way to frame your face for autumn/winter 2014, as it’s pretty and feminine while also being practical

of anHAIR

ANGEL

SO TW_OCTOBER14_TheLook_HairTrend.indd 3 23/09/2014 14:54

74 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p74 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 14:56

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:35

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:36

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 77

T H E LO O K SO

HairheroesAutumn weather can play havoc with your stylish hairdo, so we’re on patrol for some

seasonal hair saviours. Here are some of our favourite fi nds for October

OROFLUIDOVOLUME MOUSSE

300ML, £15Suitable for all hair types, this strong yet lightweight mousse is great for adding

volume, fi rming up curls and giving a shiny fi nish.

It’s all thanks to the argan, cyperus and linseed oil,

while the amber fragrance is a breath of fresh air.

Available at Hare & Now in Ide Hill and Ruffl es

in Hawkhurst

AUBREY ORGANICSISLAND NATURALS

SHAMPOO325ML, £10.49

Recover some of that summer feeling with

this tropical shampoo, which blends mango,

avocado oil, coconut milk and organic Shea

butter to hydrate and nourish your hair. Also available in a

complementary conditioner.Available from

www.aubreyorganicsuk.co.uk

COLOR WOWBRASS BANNED MOUSSE

194ML, £16.50The pastel trend spreads to hair, but this mousse aims to enhance your

colour treatment rather than add sugar hues.

Using a hint of lavender in the formula for blondes

and a teal tint for brunettes, it softens

unwanted brassy tones for a softer look.

Available from www.uk.spacenk.com

ALASSALAMOROCCAN ORGANIC ARGAN OIL FOR HAIR

50ML, £16.99This 100% organic

oil is great for protecting your hair against the

ravages of winter weather, preserving shine and guarding against the damage and dryness

that can be caused by a combination of cold,

wind and central heating.Available at

www.nutricentre.com

BOUFFEHAIR THICKENING

SPRAY200ML, £5.99

Supplied in a range of shades and an

‘all colours’ version, this product boosts

volume and maximises your style, all while looking and feeling

weightless. Say goodbye to

back-combing and hello to big hair!

Available from Boots

this strong yet lightweight mousse is great for adding

It’s all thanks to the argan,

while the amber fragrance

COLOR WOWBRASS BANNED MOUSSE

ALASSALAMOROCCAN ORGANIC

BOUFFEHAIR THICKENING

SO TW_OCTOBER14_TheLook_HairProducts.indd 3 22/09/2014 10:37

78 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p78 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 11:21

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 79

T H E LO O K SO

Tried & Tested... Our pick of the best beauty products around this month

FILEbeauty

Take a peek in our cosmetics bag as we reveal our beauty favourites

MADAME LA LAMADAME LA LA TAN

200ML, £36You don’t have to lose your summer glow with this new self tan that features a DD

(Dynamic Do-All) tan perfector, instant bronzer,

built-in hydrator and anti-aging skin benefits. It comes in two shades and even claims to be streak-free for a perfect finish. Available from Fenwick in Tunbridge Wells and www.madamelala.com

COLLECTIONBIG FAKE CURVES

MASCARA£4.99

Eyes are massive in beauty this season, so

you need lashes to match. Pretty doll-like peepers need special treatment, so the pink silicone brush in this

new mascara is designed to cover

lashes from root to tip.Available from Boots

and Superdrug

TEMPLE SPATHE BIG REVEAL

50ML, £40This glycolic gel peel

blends exfoliating ingredients with

detoxifying pomegranate extract

and moisturising raspberry seed oil, to

lift away dead skin cells for a great one-minute

facial. The product launches this month.

Available from www.templespa.com

RUBY REDSOOTHE & NOURISH BODY MOISTURISER

500ML, £48Six nourishing plant oils – olive, sweet almond,

grapeseed, babussu, shea butter and jojoba – combine with aloe vera and glycerine in this new formula to

help hydrate skin and even out skin tone, with fragrances of jasmine, cardamom and ylang ylang.Available from www.rubyredcosmetics.co.uk

MARKS & SPENCERPURE SUPER GRAPE OVERNIGHT

TREATMENT OIL28ML, £16

M&S has developed the first natural skincare range to feature resveratrol, taken from English grapes left over from the production of the firm’s own English wine and grown at

Tenterden’s Chapel Down winery. The range also includes face serum, eye serum and day and night cream.

Available at Marks & Spencer

DR ORGANICDEAD SEA MINERAL SALT BODY POLISH

200G, £8.99Natural oils and dead sea salt is used to exfoliate the skin and

hydrate it, leaving you with a clear, soft surface. Mandarin, bitter orange, thyme, wild mint and

spearmint lend their oils and give the polish a great fragrance.

Available from Holland and Barrett

JIVESSEMARINE COLLAGEN CREAM

50ML, £80To give yourself a rejuvenating boost this

autumn, try this premium cream containing marine collagen peptides. The formula

stimulates natural collagen production to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines.

Available from www.jivesse.com

ORGANiiORGANIC SHOWER GEL

300ML, £5.95New British brand ORGANii has launched a

range of organic products including six shower gels in fragrances such as liquorice,

peach and strawberry. The range also includes cream soaps and liquid soaps.

Available from www.organii.co.uk

SO TW_OCTOBER14_TheLook_Beauty_Pg1.indd 3 23/09/2014 15:11

SO T H E LO O K

80 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

TIMELESS STYLE I

t seems the oldies really are the

best, if the renewed popularity of a

1960’s face powder is any guide. Half

a century after the product fi rst wowed

celebrities and fashionistas, Corn Silk

is once again fl ying off the shelves.

Makeup artists and beauty experts

have dubbed the translucent pressed

powder ‘selfi e friendly’, as it eliminates

shine and can restore an elegant glow

to even the sweatiest brow. Priced at

£5.44 at www.amazon.co.uk – where

it has recently been riding high on the

bestsellers list – this is a beauty secret

that is as friendly to your budget as it

is to your Facebook photos.

The silver fox look is always in vogue

– just take a look at the likes of Paul

Hollywood, Philip Schofi eld and

George Clooney if you want reassurance

that grey temples are considered

distinguished. But if you’re not crazy about

the grey sneaking into your facial hair, yet

don’t want to commit to using dye, help is

at hand. Blackbeard for Men (£7.99,

www.bodyforreal.co.uk) is an instant,

brush on colour that eliminates greys in

beards and moustaches but only for a

short period, so you can wash it out at the

end of the day. Applied using a mascara

style brush, the colourant lasts about eight

hours and is ideal for those who just want

a temporary fi x or a more subtle change of

look. You could use it to just colour some

of the greys, for a more natural look or

to fi ll out moustaches, side burns or even

eyebrows.

If you don’t want to colour hair but

remove it, the Zeos For Men (£29.99,

www.zeosformen.com) might be of

interest. Claiming to be the fi rst warm male

wax kit solution on the market, the system

leaves you stubble-free and smooth for

four to six weeks – ideal for sports use or

those who simply want to avoid the hirsute

look. The self-heating applicator has an

adjustable temperature setting and the

wax reportedly removes hair as short as

2mm with the fi rst application. Perfect for

all those smooth operators out there...

BUBBLE, BUBBLE, TOIL & TROUBLE

GENTS’ GROOMING

Give yourself the chills while enjoying a

relaxing hot bath this Halloween, with

some fun new spooky products from

Lush. You’ll fall under the spell of the

Wizard Bubble Bar (below left, £3.25),

which combines divine fragrances of ylang

ylang oil, juniper berry and tangerine

with popping candy for a spine-tingling

experience. The anti-aging properties

of shitake mushrooms are incorporated

into a Fairy Ring Soap toadstool (below

middle, £4.10), along with myrrh oil,

patchouli and opopanax oil. For some

real Halloween magic, treat yourself or a

loved one to the Wizard Hat Gift (£12.95)

– containing a Wizard Bubble Bar, a Star

Light Star Bright Bath Melt and a Sparkler

Bath Bomb – for an uncannily utopian

pamper. Available from Lush in Tunbridge

Wells and online at www.lush.co.uk

SO TW_OCTOBER14_TheLook_Beauty_Pg2.indd 2 22/09/2014 10:47

SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 81

p81 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 3 23/09/2014 15:09

82 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p82 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 14:40

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 83

T H E LO O K SO

Spire Tunbridge Wells has launched

Momentum Orthopaedics, offering

expert diagnosis, treatment and

rehabilitation for a wide range of

musculoskeletal conditions. Specialising in

four main areas – shoulder, hip, knee and foot

and ankle – Momentum Orthopaedics is

currently made up of six highly qualified

expert orthopaedic consultants with over 60

years of combined experience between them.

The weekly consultant-led clinics will ensure

that patients have access to rapid assessment,

diagnosis and treatment without having to be

placed on a waiting list. Momentum

Orthopaedics welcomes everyone, whether

the patients are insured or not. The team is

able to offer quotes for treatment in advance

over the phone or in person*.

The team of consultants, made

up of Mike Fordyce, Paul Skinner,

Justin Forder, Nick Bowman,

David Rose and Richard

Benson, specialises in all

orthopaedic conditions,

ranging from minor to complex

surgery such as arthroscopy and

joint replacements.

Momentum Orthopaedics has a dedicated

team of specialist physiotherapists offering

a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis

and rehabilitation, accepting referral directly

from patients and all healthcare

professionals.

The clinic will also be able to offer

Momentum patients access to its Radiology

Department, including its newly opened

MRI and CT scanners, located within the

hospital grounds. With a state-of-the-art MRI

and CT scanner, the Imaging Department

has regular clinics with early and late

appointment times, performed by specialist

consultant radiologists and radiographers.

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon,

Mike Fordyce (left), says: “Momentum

Orthopaedics allows our

dedicated team of specialists to

offer an express service for all

orthopaedic conditions, from

consultations and rapid

access diagnostics, through to

cutting-edge treatments and

aftercare services.

We aim to provide specialist and

tailored care, unique to each patient.”

Adrian Connolly, Hospital Director at

Spire Tunbridge Wells, says: “At Spire

Tunbridge Wells Hospital, we pride

ourselves on offering our patients exceptional

services and care. With Momentum

Orthopaedics, patients will

now have access to a team of specialist

consultants together under one roof,

ensuring that they are seen and treated

quickly and safely. We are delighted to be able

to offer this specialist clinic as part of Spire

Healthcare, in the fantastic surroundings of

Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital.”

Account Manager for GE Healthcare,

Mr Stephen Mittins, says: “We are

delighted to provide the MRI and CT Imaging

Technology and to work with Spire

Tunbridge Wells to increase and support

their clinical imaging expertise.”

To make an appointment or find out

more about Momentum Orthopaedics

call 01892 598 124 or visit

www.momentumorthopaedics.co.uk

*Please ask for a copy of our Patient Terms and Conditions for full details of what is included in our fixed price treatment.

expertKEEP YOUR MOMENTUM

Spire Healthcare in Tunbridge Wells launches Momentum Orthopaedics

OPINION

SO TW_OCTOBER14_The Look_ExpertOpinion_Spire2.indd 3 22/09/2014 11:01

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:37

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 85

A DV E R TO R I A L K SO

SOUTHBOROUGH SALON WINS TOP NATIONAL AWARDSouthborough hair salon, The Gallery, has beaten hundreds of hairdressers in the UK to be awarded ‘Salon of the Year’ at the prestigious Hairdressers Journal British Hairdressing Business Awards

The awards recognise outstanding

achievements in the hairdressing

industry. Director of The Gallery,

Lorenzo Colangelo (below, third from

left), and his team were presented with

the award at a star-studded ceremony at

the Lancaster London Hotel by celebrity

host Steven Mulhern (below, far left),

beating five other finalists in the Salon of

the Year category.

To win the award, The Gallery in London

Road had to enter a dossier answering a

detailed criteria, providing evidence to

substantiate all the claims. Impressing a

panel of business leaders and respected

industry associates, the award entry

secured them a place in the 2014 winners’

line-up.

Speaking after the awards, Lorenzo said:

“This is a great day for The Gallery and

recognises all the hard work done by my

team. To see the business started by my

father, Tony, in 1982 grow to become what

we are today, makes us incredibly proud of

the efforts of everyone involved.”

Hosted by Hairdressers Journal’s

Executive Director, Jayne Lewis-Orr, the

event, in its 16-year history, has become

the most significant evening in the

hairdressing business.

Speaking at the ceremony to an

audience made up of leading business

names, brand ambassadors, industry

peers, sponsors and finalists, Jayne

commented: “Each year the work

presented by the entrants is of an

incredible standard, but this year the

finalists have outdone themselves. The

competition has been very strong and the

judges had a difficult job in deciding the

winners, but through our autonomous

judging process, the right winners were

rewarded on the night.”

For further information, call

Becky Seabrook at The Gallery

on 01892 514 900

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_TheGallery.indd 3 22/09/2014 13:51

86 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p86 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 15:12

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 14:47

SO

88 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

Despite being very well-known in the world of insurance and an employer to over 1,100 staff living in and around Tunbridge Wells, Markerstudy as a business and our Corporate Social Responsibility programme is relatively unknown.

Tunbridge Wells is a great place to live and work; in fact, many of the Markerstudy management team have made it their home. As a large local employer, we support both local businesses and residents alike in many different ways.

Here are some local Markerstudy projects that we undertake to support our community

DRIVE TO ENSURE

• Drive to Ensure is a free road

safety awareness programme

launched by Markerstudy in July

2013 and supported by Kent

County Council

• Markerstudy Group is dedicated

to promoting safer driving,

particularly among young people.

Drive to Ensure prepares children

aged eight to 18 for life as a driver.

Delivered in schools, youth groups

and pupil referral units, it covers

issues including drink driving,

speeding and wearing seatbelts.

Fun interactive games explore the

programme’s four principles –

Drive Slow, Drive Sober, Drive

Silent and Drive Secure

• It has now been delivered to

more than 1,000 children

• Ensure Kids, a similar

programme aimed at younger

children, has now been launched

and will be delivered to over

10,000 local children over the next

three months – for free!

e Santa Express 2013Working with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, the

Markerstudy Leisure division brought the Santa Express

land train to Tunbridge Wells from November 29 to

December 29 2013, providing free travel around town.

• We carried over 10,000 passengers during

a one-month period

• Collections raised £1,000 for The Pickering Cancer

Drop-in Centre in Tunbridge Wells

e Santa Express 2014It’s back! Due to popular demand, the

Santa Express will be returning to

Tunbridge Wells this Christmas. This time

we decided to invest in our own train at a

cost of £100k, so the people of Tunbridge

Wells will be able to enjoy free travel

around town at other points of the year.

So, look out for the Summer Express too!

Rusthall Amateur Boxing Club• Rusthall Amateur Boxing Club was facing closure in 2013

• Markerstudy hosted ‘Fight Night’, inviting staff to participate

• On the night 160 guests raised £20,650 in the auction

• The raffl e raised £1,006

• The total money raised was doubled by our Board of Directors to a

whopping £43,000, with all funds going to the local Rusthall Tunbridge

Wells ABC, giving valuable support to a club that operates without funding

TUNBRIDGE WELLS AT CHRISTMASFather Christmas World is sponsoring The Pantiles

Christmas 2014 activities over fi ve weeks with

sponsorship of £30k, helping drive much needed

footfall and trade to the area. It is forecast our

funding will help attract over 10,000 additional

shoppers/visitors over the period.

SUPPORTING THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND THEIR FAMILIES• Our Shooting Stars programme challenges and prepares future

leaders of Markerstudy Group. The 2013 project assigned to delegates was

to organise Markerstudy Group’s fi rst pantomime. The objectives: to raise

funds for charity and have a positive impact on the local community

• Tickets were offered free of charge to emergency service

employees and their families in and around Tunbridge Wells,

recognising their hard work over the festive period.

Seats were then offered to the local community and

schools and finally to Markerstudy Group employees

• Employees from across the entire

group were involved

• Bucket collections and programme

sales raised £1,409.40, which was divided

between Help for Heroes and The Pickering

Cancer Drop-in Centre in

Tunbridge Wells

committed to our local community

St Andrew’s Medical Centre in Southborough

One of our businesses, the

NDGA, supports St Andrew’s

Medical Centre with an

annual donation of £250.

This money has helped the

surgery to improve

customer communication

and waiting room

information for its 7,000

patients. The NDGA is a

non-profi t making division

with 980 children enjoying

a world-class gymnastic

facility.

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

programme’s four principles –

Drive Slow, Drive Sober, Drive

Silent and Drive Secure

It has now been delivered to

more than 1,000 children

Ensure Kids, a similar

programme aimed at younger

children, has now been launched

and will be delivered to over

10,000 local children over the next

three months – for free!

employees and their families in and around Tunbridge Wells,

recognising their hard work over the festive period.

Seats were then offered to the local community and

schools and finally to Markerstudy Group employees

• Employees from across the entire

group were involved

• Bucket collections and programme

sales raised £1,409.40, which was divided

between Help for Heroes and The Pickering

Cancer Drop-in Centre in

Tunbridge Wells

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_MarkerstudyLeiseure2.indd 2 23/09/2014 14:45

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 89

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

What’s happening in 2015?HELPING THE YOUNG SUCCEED IN BUSINESSWe have exciting plans to launch a

new initiative for young local

entrepreneurs. We want to help

young people with great ideas get

a solid foot on the work ladder and

succeed in the competitive

business world. More details of

this new venture will be

announced later this year.

COMPANY AWARDS

V Three stars – Best Companies

2013 and 2014

• Awarded a ‘three-star’ rating, the best achievement possible, and named an ‘Extraordinary’ company to work for

V The Sunday Times ‘100 Best

Companies to Work For’

• National award recognising 100 best companies to work for in Britain• One of the eight categories judged on is ‘Giving Something Back’ (see below)

V Best for Giving Something Back 2014

• Staff scored Markerstudy Group as having an ‘81% positive strong social conscience’• Judges said Markerstudy ‘put road safety at the heart of its charitable work’• It added ‘employees... chose to give their time to write, develop and design... Drive to Ensure’• 83% of staff said Markerstudy’s leader runs the organisation on a ‘sound moral basis’

V 11th in 2014

• Top insurance business and one of two Kent companies in the top 10, mid-sized category• 88% of staff believe they can make a positive contribution to the success of the company• 80% said that senior managers follow Markerstudy’s values of teamwork, recognition, learning and focused fun• 82% of staff stated they loved working for Markerstudy Group

Statement from the Markerstudy Group’s Board of DirectorsMany things have been written and said about

the Markerstudy Group over the past few years

– not all of them factually correct. To help dispel

any misconceptions about the company, the

Board of Directors would like to offer an insight

into some of its recent community activities.

We have made a substantial commitment to the

town as thousands of our stakeholders work and

reside here. It’s a simple philosophy for us. We

have to add to the economic development and

wellbeing of the area to enhance all elements of

the town. If the town flourishes, so do we.

We feel it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy, in that the

more successful we become, the more we

reinvest and the cycle begins again.

Markerstudy was established in 2001 and the

simple business principle applies to all areas.

We hope the town will continue to embrace our

attempts to make Tunbridge Wells a premier

destination of choice. Thank you to all those

businesses and individuals who have supported

us through the years.

The Board of Directors, Markerstudy Group

To find out more about Markerstudy Group,

including working for us, please go to

www.markerstudy.com

e Pickering Centre – Markerstudy’s Chosen Charity

As our chosen charity, we have donated and raised significant sums

for The Pickering Centre over the past five years. Most recently,

we are very conscious of the need to enable disabled or sick

youngsters and those from under-privileged backgrounds to enjoy

the magic of Father Christmas World. So, we have pledged an entire

day of Father Christmas World tickets to The Pickering Cancer Drop-in

Centre. Some 1,800 complimentary tickets will be allocated to local

children and their families via Pickering and seven other local charities.

Supporting local cultural and music eventsWe have been the headline sponsor for all major

events hosted on The Pantiles for the last four years,

including Jazz on The Pantiles, Music on the Tiles,

The Spring and Harvest Food Festivals and

Local & Live with donations of £25k.

LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORTWe actively support local business and, wherever

possible, employ local tradespeople and suppliers for

our various businesses in Tunbridge Wells.

FOOD BANKSWe support local food banks and

make regular donations through

our four town centre offices.

Brew House HotelMarkerstudy is investing £6m into the

redevelopment of The Brew House Hotel. With a

launch date of December 2015, it is set to become

Kent’s first five-star hotel.

SALOMONS ESTATEMarkerstudy acquired Salomons Estate in 2013 with an

ultimate aim to restore it to its former glory. An

ongoing rolling renovation programme is in place,

which has already seen the restoration of the Bell

Tower and the refurbishment of the AA four-star hotel

accommodation. We also launched ‘Picnic on the

Lawn’ opening up our beautiful lawns for visitors to

enjoy, free of charge, when they bring their own

picnics. Plus, we hosted Kent’s largest Easter Egg Hunt,

which was free of charge to eager chocolate hunters!

ANYONE FOR CRICKET?Since 2009 we have sponsored

and supported Tunbridge Wells

Cricket Club with donations

of £6k.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_MarkerstudyLeiseure2.indd 3 23/09/2014 14:46

SO T R A I N FA R E S

Rail passengers across the Weald are facing big increases in fares in the new year. Tickets will go up by at least 2.5%. However, So researchers have uncovered a legal loophole that some people are using to save more than £300 on their annual season ticket. In one case the saving could amount to £1,700

90 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

T rain travellers have discovered

they can cut their annual

commuting costs to London

through a strange ambiguity in

the fare structure – buying a season ticket

to a destination outside the capital that you

can only reach by going through London.

Here’s how it works:

If you buy an annual season ticket from

Tunbridge Wells to London it will cost you

£4,260. But if you buy an annual season

ticket from Tunbridge Wells to Oxted in

Surrey, via London terminals, it will only

cost you £3,932 – a saving of £328.

And it works from other stations, too.

An annual season ticket from Stonegate to

London is £4,548, while an annual season

ticket from Stonegate to Oxted, via London

terminals, is only £4,228 – a saving of £320.

Oddly, you cannot get a quote from

neighbouring Wadhurst, but you

can from other stations on the

Hastings line as long as they are south of

Tonbridge.

These include High Brooms, where the

Oxted option is £228 cheaper… Frant where

it’s £328 cheaper.... Etchingham and

Robertsbridge are both £320 cheaper and

from Battle there’s a saving of £292.

The biggest apparent saving we found

was travelling from Tonbridge to Oxted via

London Bridge. When we called National

Rail inquiries they advised us the annual

season ticket would be £2,168

against a normal Tonbridge/

London season ticket of £3,884

– a massive saving of £1,716.

In order to double check this

fi gure we called Southeastern

who later wrote to us saying

“...I can confi rm that there is an

annual season ticket for travel

from Tonbridge to Oxted, which

is valid for travel via London

Bridge and East Croydon. The

cost of this ticket is £2,168.”

However, this contradicts information

provided by other Southeastern sources

stating that such a ticket would not be valid.

Meanwhile, here are some confi rmed

discounts from a different line, Maidstone to

Victoria. The annual fare from both East

and West Malling to London is £3,996, while

East or West Malling to Oxted via London is

only £3,912 – a saving of £84.

But commuters may not be able to use

the loophole very much longer. We

understand Southeastern are aware of it

and are investigating, with a view to closing

Hastings line as long as they are south of

Tonbridge.

These include High Brooms, where the

Oxted option is £228 cheaper… Frant where

Rail passengers across the Weald are facing big increases in fares in the new year. Tickets will go up by at least 2.5%. However, that some people are using to save more than £300 on their annual season ticket. In one case the saving could their annual season ticket. In one case the saving could amount to £1,700

neighbouring Wadhurst, but you

can from other stations on the

that some people are using to save more than £300 on their annual season ticket. In one case the saving could amount to £1,700

Words:

Sarah Bond

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Train Fares.indd 2 22/09/2014 15:26

T R A I N FA R E S SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 91

Maidstone Line

to

Victoria

Annual Season

Ticket

to London

Annual Season

Ticket to Oxted via

London Terminals

Annual Saving

East Malling £3,996 £3,912 £84

West Malling £3,996 £3,912 £84

Hastings Line to

London Charing

Cross

Annual Season

Ticket

to London

Annual Season

Ticket to Oxted via

London Terminals

Annual Saving

Tonbridge £3,884 £2,168 £1,716

High Brooms £4,160 £3,932 £228

Tunbridge Wells £4,260 £3,932 £328

Frant £4,260 £3,932 £328

Wadhurst £4,524 No quote available -

Stonegate £4,548 £4,228 £320

Etchingham £4,548 £4,228 £320

Robertsbridge £4,548 £4,228 £320

Battle £4,696 £4,404 £292

OTHER WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR FARES...

• Work out how much you would save by renewing your annual season ticket before January 1 to beat the rises and get it at this year’s price.

• Check whether you could save money by setting off from a different station. Fares can vary up and down the line, and check the car parking charges, too.

• For general tickets, always try and buy in advance as you can save a great deal. The National Rail site is good for showing the best fares from all rail companies www.nationalrail.co.uk but it might be wise to check individual rail company sites and try and use sites that do not charge a fee.

• Sometimes you can save quite a bit by splitting your tickets – buying separate tickets for different legs of your journey, so it is worth checking those options. And you don’t necessarily have to break your journey if a ticket to a midway station and then a second ticket from there to the end of the journey proves cheaper – as long as the train stops at the midway point.

• You can save loyalty points towards future tickets by buying your rail tickets through Red Spotted Hanky www.redspottedhanky.com – but be sure to use your loyalty points before the end of each year as they do not carry over. Once purchased, you will receive simple instructions on how pick them up from the ticket machine at your chosen departure station.

• Quidco.com is a site that offers cashback and it is worth shopping around for other sites with incentives for buying rail tickets through them – some may offer Nectar point deals, too.

• Always claim “delay repay” refunds on all tickets, including season tickets, when trains have been delayed by a certain amount of time. Details of the rules and which rail companies have signed up for the Passengers’ Charter can be found at the Passenger Focus watchdog site www.passengerfocus.org.uk Southeastern railway claims can be made online at www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/contact/delay-repay/ or you can pick up a form at the station.

• Don’t forget to check for new discount railcards. Two Together is a new one from National Rail this year and gives discounts for two adults without the need for travelling with children, such as on the Family and Friends card.

it when the increased fares take effect on

January 1 2015.

When we tried to check the legality of the

loophole with National Rail’s telephone

service, the operator insisted that it was

perfectly fine to “break” the journey by

getting off at one of the London terminals

and you wouldn’t have to go all the way to

Oxted.

However, at one Southeastern ticket

office we were told that you have to

complete the full journey a certain number

of times a year.

The ticket seller could not tell us how

many times and when we asked how

someone would ever be able to prove they

had done this, she replied “by swiping the

magnetic strip on the ticket through the

barriers at Oxted”.

But that is no guarantee the journey has

been made because the barriers may not be

working and magnetic strip tickets

sometimes fail.

The loophole

came to light when

one regular

commuter forgot to

renew his season

ticket locally and

went to a London

ticket office to buy

it there instead.

“Each year I buy

my season ticket and watch the price going

up steadily and thought I just had to grin

and bear it,” he told us.

“Then I found myself in a situation where

I had forgotten to buy my annual ticket at

my home station, so I went to buy one at a

London station. I said to the seller ‘my

season ticket from the local station to

London is about £4,000’ and he said ‘I can

tell you a way to get it cheaper’. I said ‘Is it

legal?’ and he replied ‘Yes it is’.

“So, on his recommendation I bought an

annual season ticket to Oxted via London

instead, which was much cheaper. Since

then I have used it to get to and from

London and it has been fine, even when

checked by ticket inspectors. And I will go

on doing this for as long as possible.”

Bob Baker, Chairman of the Tunbridge

Wells and District Rail Travellers Association,

says: “I haven’t heard about the Oxted

season ticket wheeze before, but I have

heard that in the past you could travel from

Battle to London cheaper by buying a

through ticket to St Albans and getting off

in London.

“Both that and the Oxted anomaly

reinforces the ludicrousness of the fare

system under a privatised railway.”

Our research highlights some confusion and anomalies on rail fare pricing. When buying a ticket you must ensure it is a valid ticket for the journey you wish to make.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Train Fares.indd 3 22/09/2014 15:26

92 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

LIFE&STYLE SOME OF THE BEST WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR HOME AND LIFESTYLE THIS MONTH

Hehku is a fresh, exciting brand created by a

team of renowned luxury kitchen and

glassroom designers. The Hehku team utilise

their years of experience to deliver heavenly

bespoke living spaces of divine look,

function and quality. Consisting of the

exclusive Cucina (kitchen) and Illuma

(orangery and conservatory) brands, Hehku

are fast building a reputation for producing

beautiful, eye-catching designs blended with

uncompromisingly attentive service. Using

only the finest materials to create

‘transformational living spaces’, Hehku will

truly enhance the way you enjoy your home.

Alltask House,

Commissioners Road,

Rochester,

Kent ME2 4EJ

0800 542 0852

www.hehku.co.uk

HEHKU

P ioneering

children’s centre

Starjumpz will be

opening its doors on the

evening of Thursday

October 2 to parents,

teachers, health and other

professionals wanting to

learn more about the

services it offers to children of all ages with learning, developmental,

motor and behavioural challenges.

Based in Tunbridge Wells, the centre can diagnose, treat and

support children of all ages with neurological and behavioural

problems such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Sensory

Processing Disorder, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.

The centre brings together a number of renowned professionals

specialising in child development. Starjumpz also recently added

Neurofeedback to its range of therapies. Neurofeedback treats

problems known to have a huge impact on learning such as attention

and concentration, hyperactivity, anxiety, sleep and depression.

Starjumpz is also the only centre in the South East to offer

Neurofeedback treatment, in combination with other intensive

therapies.

The Open Evening will take place from 7pm to 9.30pm on

Thursday October 2. To book a place, call 01892 510 257

or email info@starjumpz.com

Speldhurst Place, 78 Speldhurst Road,

Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 0JA

www.starjumpz.com

STARJUMPZ CHILDREN’S CENTRE

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Life&Style.indd 90 23/09/2014 15:16

L I F E A N D ST Y L E SO

EDMONDSON INTERIORSOur experienced designers and

master craftsmen make utterly

bespoke kitchens and spaces. From the

traditional and truly classic to the

most contemporary, we follow our

clients’ needs but give our years of

experience and expertise to produce

outstanding, ‘dream come true’

results.

Visit us at our showroom and

workshop in the heart of the Weald of

Kent and you’ll understand how much

store we put in the relationship with

our clients. Alternatively, if you’d

prefer, we can arrange for a designer

to visit you at home. We’d love to hear

from you!

Hammonds Farm, Smiths Lane,

Goudhurst, Cranbrook,

Kent TN17 1EU

01580 212 323

www.edmondsoninteriors.co.uk

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 93

RENCRAFTFor more than 33 years, we have specialised in the design and build of exceptional handmade, solid wood kitchens and furniture

for every room of the home. With showrooms in Tunbridge Wells and Chart Farm, Sevenoaks, we are hugely proud of our workshop,

which adjoins our Sevenoaks showroom, facilitating a truly tailored and seamless service. We pride ourselves on fine quality

materials, exemplary attention to detail and outstanding client service. We look forward to welcoming you to our showrooms soon.

81 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2UY

01892 520 730

Unit 9, Chart Farm, Seal Chart, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0ES

01732 762 682

www.rencraft.co.uk

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Life&Style.indd 91 23/09/2014 15:16

94 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p94 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 16:41

With property prices still on the rise, the local market is continuing to show strong signs of recovery, but this could be bad news for those who

aspire to live and work in the Weald. Are you comfortably on the property ladder while your high earning friends struggle to afford a

place in your neighbourhood? As research reveals that two local districts are among the UK’s 10 least affordable places to live, we take a closer look at the surprising figures. Which areas are the most exclusive

and which prominent Wealden town fails to make the top 100?

A F FO R DA B I L I T Y SO

COULD YOU AFFORD TO BUY A HOME IN THE WEALD?

NEW RESEARCH BEGS THE QUESTION

SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 95

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Wow_AffordableHomes.indd 3 22/09/2014 09:49

Everyone knows that London is the country’s most expensive

property hot spot. With homes in most boroughs now costing

at least 10 times the local average salary – to buy in

Kensington and Chelsea, you’ll need to stump up more than 30 times

your annual pay – it’s no surprise that in excess of one million people

choose to commute to work in the capital rather than live there.

London salaries, of course, go much further outside the city. But

what if you want to work where you live? According to a recent

study of rural property markets by the National Housing Federation,

those who choose to live and work in certain areas outside London

may not be any better off. The research reveals some unexpected

facts about relative affordability, i.e. how much properties cost in

relation to the average salary paid in the local area.

For example, you’d be better off landing a job and settling in

Hammersmith, where property costs 16.3 times the borough’s

average salary, than trying to work and set up home in Sevenoaks,

where you’ll pay up to 17 times your income – making it the country’s

fi fth most unaffordable place to live outside London. When, as in

Sevenoaks, local salaries are also slightly under the UK national

average of £26,500 per annum, that’s a worrying scenario for many

homebuyers.

The situation is not much better in the Wealden district, which

came in at number 10 in the unaffordability stakes. Here, the

average property will set you back just over £291,000, which is

nearly 15 times the likely local salary of £19,900. Even those who

earn well over the local average might fi nd themselves priced out of

their dream home, with London commuters, wealthy incomers and

holiday home seekers pushing up values. This means that people

who already bought a property in these areas years ago can feel

very smug indeed, while even those on superior salaries looking to

buy now may have missed the boat.

Here are those top 10 pricey postcodes in full:

SO A F FO R DA B I L I T Y

LOCAL AUTHORITY DISTRICT MEDIAN HOUSE PRICE AVERAGE LOCAL SALARY AFFORDABILITY RATIO

South Bucks £563,032 £27,903 20.2

Cotswold, Gloucestershire £344,614 £18,075 19.1

Chichester, West Sussex £356,146 £19,911 17.9

Waverley, Surrey £438,032 £25,464 17.2

Sevenoaks, Kent £399,540 £23,442 17

Tandridge, Surrey £383,336 £24,154 15.9

South Oxfordshire £372,632 £24,107 15.5

Purbeck, Dorset £273,586 £17,846 15.3

South Hams, Devon £304,012 £20,478 14.8

Wealden, East Sussex £291,535 £19,932 14.6

96 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

Sevenoaks, Kent £399,540 £23,442 17Sevenoaks, Kent £399,540 £23,442 17Sevenoaks, Kent £399,540 £23,442 17Sevenoaks, Kent £399,540 £23,442 17Sevenoaks, Kent £399,540 £23,442 17

Wealden, East Sussex £291,535 £19,932 14.6 Wealden, East Sussex £291,535 £19,932 14.6 Wealden, East Sussex £291,535 £19,932 14.6 Wealden, East Sussex £291,535 £19,932 14.6 Wealden, East Sussex £291,535 £19,932 14.6

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Wow_AffordableHomes.indd 4 22/09/2014 09:50

Rother in East Sussex charts at number 16 with asking prices of 13.9

times the average local salary, while residents of Tonbridge and Malling

are slightly better placed at number 39, as they’ll only need a mortgage

of nearly 12 times their income to buy in the district. In terms of

relative affordability, this means Tonbridge locals shell out more for

their homes than if they lived in Harrow, Kingston upon Thames or

Hackney.

Perhaps surprisingly, Tunbridge Wells doesn’t feature in the top 100

unaffordable districts, making it much less exclusive than its

neighbouring towns. Does this mean that properties are under-priced,

locals are overpaid or that the employment and property markets have

struck a happy balance?

To cast more light on the situation, we’ve crunched the numbers to

see how property prices pan out in nine key towns and villages across

the Weald. Will the figures support the NHF’s research and if so, where

will you face the most competition for an affordable home?

Bearing in mind the average house price in England currently

stands at £276,000, we discover what proportion of homes for sale

fall within the £270,000 to £280,000 price bracket in each area. See

how many opportunities there are for first time buyers and what

percentage of the local market requires a king’s ransom for the keys.

Note: We searched properties available on the market at the time of writing, as listed on Rightmove.co.uk. For Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks, we searched within a three-mile radius; for the others we searched a one-mile radius.

H O M E S SO

TUNBRIDGE WELLS Properties for sale 716

More than £1million 45 Market share 6%

£500,000 to £999,999 120 Market share 17%

£280,000 to £499,999 310 Market share 43%

£270,000 to £279,999 21 Market share 3%

£150,000 to £269,999 175 Market share 24%

Under £150,000 45 Market share 7%

Top priced property £2.95million

SEVENOAKS Properties for sale 248

More than £1million 48 Market share 19%

£500,000 to £999,999 67 Market share 27%

£280,000 to £499,999 102 Market share 41%

£270,000 to £279,999 4 Market share 2%

£150,000 to £269,999 25 Market share 10%

Under £150,000 2 Market share 1%

Top priced property £5.95million

TONBRIDGE Properties for sale 328

More than £1million 6 Market share 2%

£500,000 to £999,999 64 Market share 20%

£280,000 to £499,999 154 Market share 47%

£270,000 to £279,999 12 Market share 4%

£150,000 to £269,999 78 Market share 24%

Under £150,000 14 Market share 3%

Top priced property £2.5million

SO SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 97

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Wow_AffordableHomes.indd 5 22/09/2014 09:51

SO A F FO R DA B I L I T Y

CRANBROOKProperties for sale 149

More than £1million 19 Market share 13%

£500,000 to £999,999 55 Market share 37%

£280,000 to £499,999 48 Market share 32%

£270,000 to £279,999 3 Market share 2%

£150,000 to £269,999 19 Market share 13%

Under 150,000 5 Market share 3%

Top priced property £3.5million

TENTERDENProperties for sale 82

More than £1million 6 Market share 7%

£500,000 to £999,999 23 Market share 28%

£280,000 to £499,999 38 Market share 46%

£270,000 to £279,999 0 Market share 0%

£150,000 to £269,999 10 Market share 12%

Under £150,000 5 Market share 7%

Top priced property £1,995,000

CROWBOROUGHProperties for sale 152

More than £1million 18 Market share 12%

£500,000 to £999,999 32 Market share 21%

£280,000 to £499,999 68 Market share 45%

£270,000 to £279,999 7 Market share 5%

£150,000 to £269,999 16 Market share 11%

Under £150,000 11 Market share 7%

Top priced property £2.85million

EDENBRIDGEProperties for sale 78

More than £1million 26 Market share 33%

£500,000 to £999,999 17 Market share 22%

£280,000 to £499,999 11 Market share 14%

£270,000 to £279,999 0 Market share 0%

£150,000 to £269,000 18 Market share 23%

Under £150,000 6 Market share 8%

Top priced property £3.95million

TICEHURSTProperties for sale 41

More than £1million 4 Market share 10%

£500,000 to £999,999 7 Market share 17%

£280,000 to £499,999 22 Market share 54%

£270,000 to £279,999 0 Market share 0%

£150,000 to £269,999 7 Market share 17%

Under £150,000 1 Market share 2%

Top priced property £4million

GOUDHURSTProperties for sale 39

More than £1million 7 Market share 18%

£500,000 to £999,999 17 Market share 44%

£280,000 to £499,999 11 Market share 28%

£270,000 to £279,999 1 Market share 3%

£150,000 to £269,999 3 Market share 7%

Under £150,000 0 Market share 0%

Top priced property £3.35million

So, of our nine Wealden towns and villages, all have by

far the greatest proportion of property available at

above £280,000 – none have more than a few for sale

at the national average of around £276,000.

Bearing in mind that the average local salary is

slightly lower than the national average in the

Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Wealden and

Ashford local authority districts – the only exception

being Tunbridge Wells borough, which bucks the trend

at just over £28,000 per annum – this means that

many of these homes are even more unaffordable to

locals than they appear at first glance.

Could the key to Tunbridge Wells’ affordability be

that healthy average salary? This may be the case, as

house prices in Goudhurst and Cranbrook – both of

which are in the TW borough and where the greatest

number of homes are priced between £500,000 and

£1million – do not hint at a lower end property market.

But you’ll certainly need to be earning top dollar if

you want to live in Edenbridge, which emerges as our

most expensive spot to buy a home. With 55% of the

available properties costing more than £500,000,

and 33% at £1million or above, you’ll need to be

earning significantly more than Sevenoaks district’s

average £23,442 per year to secure a pad in

this beautiful town.

Many Sevenoaks

residents might find

themselves priced out

of buying their dream

home, but that doesn’t

mean they’re tight-

fisted with their cash.

Donation website

JustGiving.com has

named Sevenoaks as

the UK’s most

generous town, in

terms of individual

donations. Their data

showed that over the

year to May 2014,

locals gave an average

of £42.29 per head to

charitable causes,

making them the most

selfless donators in

the country.

CHARITY STARTS AT HOME

98 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Wow_AffordableHomes.indd 6 22/09/2014 09:51

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 14:48

SO E V E N TS

PHOTO SHOOTA monthly round up of socials and other events across our part of the world

ALL THAT HOLIDAY JAZZFor the second year running, the popular free summer season of

jazz on The Pantiles brought 12 extra Music on the Tiles

performances for three days and nights over the August bank

holiday. They included a lively evening performance by guitarist

George Anderson of Shakatak fame and his band (above). Even the

rain on Monday didn’t stop play. Headliners the Blues Brothers Little

Brother and other acts simply moved indoors and entertained inside

the Tunbridge Wells Hotel and Woods Restaurant.

www.pantilestraders.co.uk

SA

RA

H B

ON

D

RUNNING WILDHole Park’s annual Camel Race Day didn’t hit any humps – as thousands of

people turned up to see the animals compete. The event, held in aid of the Wild

Camel Protection

Foundation, created traffic

chaos across the Weald as

cars queued to get into

the park to see the

camels race. The ‘War

Camel’ Gobi also made

an appearance, while

Mongolian wrestlers

performed and visitors

enjoyed live music.

www.holepark.com

GOOD WOODThe Weald was alive with the sound of

music when The Rare Breeds Centre in

Woodchurch held their Acoustic in the

Wood concert. The event was a sell-out,

with visitors coming from across the county

to listen to some of Kent’s best local talent.

All proceeds from ticket sales went towards

helping the Canterbury Oast Trust. Guests

danced the night away under the stars

before the show closed with an incredible

performance from Coco and the Butterfields.

www.rarebreeds.org.uk

DA

N S

CO

TT

100 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

CH

AR

LIE

BO

ND

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Social_Random.indd 3 22/09/2014 11:30

E V E N TS SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 101

SA

RA

H B

ON

D

NOT HORSING AROUNDThe British Equestrian Federation (BEF) found rising Kent stars

when they held a Furity Evaluation day at Plumpton College. Three

local breeders may have reared the stars of the future, as their

horses received high scores for their potential in dressage,

showjumping and endurance careers. Some could even become

Olympic champions. “Just A Jewel is the best one I have bred so far,”

says breeder Julia Soyke from Tunbridge Wells. “I am excited about

her, she is bold, curious and nimble and easy to handle. I am looking

for a really keen and committed owner for her”.

GENO’S FEELING FOODLegendary blues singer Geno Washington may have

swapped his Ram Jam Band for Yo Yos, but he still

had The Forum in Tunbridge Wells rammed and

jammed. Now in his 70s, he rocked the stage with

such hits as I Feel Good and Jumpin’ Jack Flash.

“Absolutely fabulous. I love coming to Tunbridge

Wells,” Geno told the The Forum’s new online TV

show The FTW. “The atmosphere was great… They

treat us fantastic and in actual fact I feel like a fat rat

in a cheese factory!” The next legend to appear at The

Forum is fiery Arthur Brown on Saturday October 25.

www.twforum.co.uk

SA

RA

H B

ON

D

Northiam Blue Cross Centre

saw animal lovers from

around the Weald turn out

for their Fete and Fun day.

With dog shows, live

entertainment, animal

agility classes and face

painting among the

activities, the day was

perfect for pets as well

as their human

companions. The

charity also opened its

doors to the cat units,

so visitors could view some of the

felines in need of a new home. www.bluecross.org.uk

BARKING MAD AT THE BLUE CROSS

CR

AIG

PA

YN

E

WISHING IN THE WELLSTunbridge Wells shoppers had their Monday blues well and

truly blown away when Australian band The Wishing Well

came to town. The group performed a variety of music at

Fiveways, using violins, electric guitars and even a cello to

create a folk-rock sound. Crowds gathered to watch the

musicians in action, and many took to Twitter and Facebook

afterwards to compliment them and promote the performance.

www.facebook.com/thewishingwell

CH

AR

LIE

BO

ND

CH

AR

LIE

BO

ND

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Social_Random.indd 4 22/09/2014 11:31

TERRIFYING TALES FOR HALLOWEEN

Contrary to popular British belief,

Halloween is not an American

invention, but rather a deep-rooted

tradition that stems from Blighty’s own dark

past. Like any ancient ritual, there’s still a

degree of debate about its exact origins and

development, but the event is commonly

believed to have derived from the Celtic

harvest festival, Samhain. In ancient Gaelic

culture, the spring and summer were regarded

as the ‘light half’ of the year; once the harvest

was collected and the nights began to draw in,

this heralded the arrival of the ‘dark half’ and

all the mystic connotations that came with it.

Our ancestors also believed that around this

time, the veil between this world and the next

was at its thinnest, with spirits, goblins, fairies

and other creepy entities able to enter our

plane and walk among us at will. The practice

of wearing frightening costumes and

embracing occult items may have started in a

bid to frighten away these ghoulish creatures,

by playing them at their own game.

In a bid to banish pagan festivals and beliefs,

Pope Gregory III moved the Christian

celebration of All Saints’ Day from May 1 to

November 1 in the eighth century. All Hallows is

an old English term for All Saints – over time All

Hallows Eve, on October 31, became shortened

to Hallowe’en. And the rest is history...

Although the Americans often get the

blame for the popularity of trick-or-treating,

the practice already existed in the UK and

Ireland in some form, well before our

transatlantic cousins adopted it in the early

20th century. ‘Souling’, in which the poor

would sing outside wealthy people’s doors in

exchange for food, was going on long before

then, while ‘guising’ – dressing in costumes

and carrying turnip lanterns – was recorded in

Scotland as early as 1895.

Our fascination with ghosts and ghouls,

however, isn’t just restricted to one night a year.

For centuries we’ve been captivated by the idea

of an afterlife and what happens when some

poor soul is unable to reach ‘the other side’.

This premise has sparked the imaginations of

countless great writers, from Shakespeare’s

Hamlet to Stephen King’s extensive canon of

spine-tingling works. The art of terrifying

readers is an exquisite one – without the use of

visuals or sound to provide easy scares, writers

have to craft unsettling pictures in their readers’

minds using words alone. This is no mean feat

and one at which many authors have failed;

others, however, have created timelessly

horrifying moments that live in the imagination

long after you’ve read the final line.

So, if you’re in the mood to be spooked this

Halloween, here’s our selection of some

chilling tales, both classic and modern, that are

sure to make your skin creep. Just don’t read

them alone...

Settle down by the fire, snuggle closer to your loved ones and discover the scary stories, both old and new, that are sure to chill you to the bone

THE TELL-TALE HEART BY EDGAR ALLAN POEFirst published in 1843Dark fiction doesn’t get much darker than the writings of Edgar Allan Poe and when it comes

to macabre moments, his catalogue provides a wealth of highlights. Buy any collection of his

short stories and you’ll find numerous unforgettable tales within – The Fall of the House of

Usher, The Black Cat, The Masque of the Red Death, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Cask of

Amontillado, Hop-Frog and The Man of the Crowd are all essential reading for any self-

respecting horror fan. Poe infused his work with glimpses into drug-fuelled madness and

even insanity, in a way that leaves the reader unsure that some of it doesn’t stem from Poe’s

own unfortunate experiences. If we have to choose one stand-out story though, it would be

The Tell-Tale Heart. More horror than supernatural, the tale explores how an irrational

obsession can create situations that may or may not be real, and induce phenomena that

ultimately bring a criminal to justice by his own hand.

SO H A L LOW E E N

102 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO TW_OCTOBER14_HalloweenBooks.indd 2 22/09/2014 13:37

H A L LOW E E N SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 103

GHOST STORIES OF AN ANTIQUARY BY MR JAMESFirst published in 1904You’ll find many of these tales reproduced in later, larger anthologies, but this first issue is

proof, should it be needed, that MR James is the undisputed master of the ghost story. The

elegance of his writing belies the really quite horrible situations that arise, from murdered or

stolen children to a hairy demonic beast manifesting in a cosy sitting room. James’ favourite

protoganists are fusty old academics whose assured sense of reality is suddenly rocked by

the most baffling and terrifying occurrences. A great example of this is Oh Whistle, and I’ll

Come To You, My Lad, in which a misanthropic professor heads off for a relaxing holiday in a

remote part of coastal Suffolk. In a textbook case of curiosity kills the cat, the professor finds

an old whistle buried among some Templar ruins and unwisely decides to blow it... Thus

begins a slow-burning nightmare that will give any reader a few uncomfortable nights.

THE TURN OF THE SCREW BY HENRY JAMESFirst published in 1898If MR James was a prolific creator of horrors, his namesake Henry James produced one great work

that is cited by many aficionados as the greatest ghost story ever written. Reportedly inspired by an

anecdote told to the author by the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Turn of the Screw was described by

the Independent in 1899 as ‘the most hopelessly evil story that we have ever read in any literature,

ancient or modern.’ More than a century after it was first published, the ambiguity of the story has

kept the debate buzzing among critics and literature students, with a number of different theories

emerging about its possible subtexts. A prim young governess lands her ideal job, taking care of two

charming children in an isolated country house – only to find that she is their sole guardian against an

insidious force for evil that wishes to corrupt her young charges’ souls. Does the woman really see

what she thinks she sees? Are the spirits of two former servants really out to capture the children, or

are her visions driven by paranoid delusion? Read for yourself and see if you can solve the mystery.

THE SHINING BY STEPHEN KINGFirst published in 1977While Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film version is deservedly acclaimed as a scary

watch, the real story of the ill-fated Torrance family is found in King’s

masterly third novel. There are frightening moments in the book, certainly –

more so than in the movie, in fact – but the novel is so much richer and really

brings the characters to life. Jack is more than just a volatile drunk, Wendy is

not the meek dishmop portrayed in the film and five-year-old Danny’s

complex ‘gift’ is explored in the dark detail it warrants. Perhaps most

importantly, the family’s history is described in some depth, giving a greater

insight into the existing tensions and resentments that were just waiting to

boil over amid the malevolent attentions of the Overlook Hotel.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_HalloweenBooks.indd 3 22/09/2014 13:38

104 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO H A L LOW E E N

THE WOMAN IN BLACK BY SUSAN HILLFirst published in 1983Film adaptations are famously unable to stick to the source material, as if the

original bestselling story was not quite good enough for Hollywood directors. Often

changes are made to better suit the movie format but this does mean that cinema

audiences who haven’t read the book end up with a skewed idea of the real plot. The

recent film version of The Woman in Black, starring Daniel Radcliffe, was a

serviceable thriller with plenty of jumpy moments, but it took huge liberties with

Susan Hill’s modern classic. Her deceptively simple tale takes an ambitious young

solicitor to the fabulously eery Eel Marsh House to sort through a deceased client’s

mountain of neglected paperwork, where he discovers that he might not be quite

alone. Viewed by many critics as the perfect ghost story, this short and definitely not

sweet volume is a must for your bookshelf.

THE LITTLE STRANGER BY SARAH WATERSFirst published in 2009As much as we love our monsters, ambiguity is a fantastically effective part of any writer’s toolbox. Ghosts

provide the ultimate division of opinion in real life – some people believe emphatically, others won’t

entertain the idea – and this conflict is used to devastating effect in Sarah Waters’ fifth novel. Shortlisted for

the Man Booker Prize, this tale is something of a departure for Waters, who was previously best known for

the controversial Tipping the Velvet and who won’t actually confirm whether The Little Stranger is a ghost

story or not, leaving readers with a tantalising mystery in the last few pages.

In post-war rural Warwickshire, a hard-up doctor is called to attend the last servant still working at grand

Hundreds Hall. Home to the aristocratic Ayres family, the house is, like so many other stately homes at that

time, in severe decline – as are the family’s fortunes. One by one, the occupants’ pasts come back to haunt

them, as Dr Faraday watches in helpless bewilderment. Is it all the work of an unfriendly spirit or are the

Ayres’ simply cursed with mental illness? Buy a copy and see if you can work it out...

DARK MATTER BY MICHELLE PAVERFirst published in 2010Chilling in the most literal sense, this successful children’s author’s first attempt at an adult

novel plays out in an extraordinary frozen landscape. It’s 1937 and young Jack is given the

chance to escape the poverty and drudgery of his London life by joining a year-long Arctic

expedition. Resentful of his privileged upper class colleagues, Jack is already struggling with

his insecurities before they set sail. But as the short Arctic summer draws to a close and

endless night beckons, he gradually becomes aware of a very unwelcome extra guest...

Once these uncanny stories have put you in the mood for chills, check out the many

great Halloween events taking place across the area.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_HalloweenBooks.indd 4 22/09/2014 13:38

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:42

SO T R AV E L

Writer Mark Twain once said that he believed Heaven had been modelled on Mauritius. So if you’re looking for some luxurious winter sun as the festive season looms, the Indian Ocean island just

might provide the perfect getaway, as Lauren Taylor discovers

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

As I struggle to perform a tree pose followed

by sun salutations, only the sound of birds

chirping and leaves rustling in the ocean

breeze threaten to throw me off balance.

But the setting, a gazebo surrounded by pretty

gardens, helps to induce a much-needed sense

of calm and my early morning yoga session puts

me in a relaxed frame of mind for the day ahead.

I’m deep in the Indian Ocean, on the island of

Mauritius and in an attempt to unwind and raise

my spiritual awareness, I’ve enrolled in a Reiki

master course at the dreamy Shanti Maurice resort.

I’m not 100% convinced that a novice can master

this healing practice in just 48 hours, but I arrive

with an open mind, which I’m told is the fi rst step.

One thing I am certain of is that the island’s

sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and calm

turquoise waters spell instant relaxation.

The fi ve-star Shanti Maurice is located in the

rural, unspoilt south of Mauritius, dominated

by farmland and sugar cane plantations.

There are far fewer hotels here than in the

north of the island.

The fl oor-to-ceiling window in my room is a

picture of ocean water and white sand. As the

days go by, I fi nd myself leaving the curtains open

so I can wake up to the sunrise in the huge bed

facing out towards the sea. The room itself is

elegant and minimalist, with a balcony overlooking

the beach and an outdoor rain shower.

But this island of one million people has far

more to offer than just its picturesque coastline

and year-round sunshine. Steeped in history, it’s a

melting pot of diverse beliefs and culture. Offi cially

discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, it’s since

been occupied by the Dutch, French and British,

before becoming independent in 1968, but it

was Indian ethnic groups that were the fi rst to

arrive on the island to settle.

The European and Indian infl uence is evident

in the local food, dress and culture. Many people

speak English, French, Creole and an Indian

dialect, Bhojpuri. And the religions include

Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism.

I witness the religious fervency on a visit to

Ganga Talao lake. Surrounded by temples and

statues of deities Shiva, Hanuman and Lakshmi,

it’s considered to be the most sacred Hindu place

on the island. People are gathered around the

water’s edge, excitedly dressing the statues with

colourful decorations as a mark of respect.

106 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Travel.indd 2 22/09/2014 09:59

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 107

T R AV E L SO

“Everyone comes out to the streets to celebrate,

no matter what religion they are,” our driver tells

us. “Mauritians are proud of being so inclusive and

welcoming of lots of different cultures.”

Having soaked up some of the spiritual

atmosphere, I’m ready to embark on my Reiki

training. Developed by a Japanese Buddhist in the

early 1920s, the technique involves laying hands on

specifi c areas of the body to channel ‘life energy’.

Many champion its healing powers and it’s even

used in a number of private hospitals and hospices,

as a complementary therapy on top of conventional

treatment, for illnesses such as cancer.

There’s no evidence that it can cure conditions,

but many people believe in its powers of improving

overall wellbeing.

Vijay Raghavan (below) from the Centre of

Natural Healing gives me and my fellow

travellers an introduction to the Reiki principles, its

history and all things spiritual. We learn abdominal

breathing and meditation, where we are

encouraged to channel positive energy. I can’t help

but feel it’s a shame the teaching isn’t outside,

given that the surroundings are so pretty, but

there’s a lot to get through in two days. We learn

about chakras and energy and self-healing, then

practise techniques on one another.

We meditate and chant, which feels incredibly

alien at fi rst, but I tell myself to get over it. Then

we take part in ‘attunement’, where the Reiki

healer ‘transfers’ the Reiki ability over to us,

allowing us to fi nally learn the technique for

laying hands on ourselves and others.

It’s pretty simple but people react very

differently. Some say they feel something very

powerful, others just that it’s “comforting” or

“relaxing”. It sparks diverse debate at dinner

afterwards though, but what someone will get

from a course like this completely depends on the

individual. I continue my spiritual training with a

soothing yoga session, indulgent 60-minute full

body massage in the heavenly Nira Spa and a day

spent lounging on the beach.

When I’m not feeding my soul, I spend time

feasting on excellent seafood in the resort’s

restaurant. Mauritians are warm and welcoming

hosts, as I discover on a visit to the Rum Shed, a

beach hut style rum bar within the resort. I sip

on a cocktail while wriggling my toes in the

sand and marvel at how the 20-year-old

barman Sunny might just be the happiest

man I’ve ever met. Later that evening, we dine

at Fish Shack where lanterns line the beach.

A roaring bonfi re lights up the dark sea as

Mauritian dancers in traditional dress spin in

the fi relight to a drum beat.

On my fi nal day, I wake up early, not for

another yoga session but to take a catamaran

ride in search of a school of dolphins that

gather in Tamarin Bay. They jump alongside

the boat and when a mother and baby appear,

everyone squeals with excitement.

On our way back to the resort, we stop at

a tiny uninhabited island where stalls line the

beach and men sell jewellery from rowing boats.

But even insistent hawkers do little to dampen

my mood. I certainly feel far more centred,

mindful and relaxed than I did a week ago.

While I’m not sure I’m quite ready to offer up

my services as a Reiki healer, it will easily make

for good dinner party conversation back home

and the process of learning a new skill has

helped focus my thoughts for a few days.

Instead, I wrap my healing hands around

another cocktail in the Rum Shed and raise a

glass to the setting ball of fi re on the horizon

- my own take on a sun salutation.

I find myself leaving the curtains open so I can wake up to the sunrise in the huge bed facing out towards the sea

Travel facts Lauren Taylor was a guest of Western

& Oriental (www.westernoriental.com)

who offer seven nights at Shanti Maurice

(www.shantimau rice.com) from £2,040

per person, based on two sharing. This

includes seven nights’ accommodation

half-board, economy fl ights on Emirates

from Gatwick and private airport transfers

in Mauritius. Valid for travel until

December 22 and must be booked 30 days

before departure. The two-day Reiki

Workshops cost an additional €299 (about

£247) per person and will be running from

October 18 to 19 and December 13 to 14.

www.tourism-mauritius.mu

PA

PH

OT

O/S

HA

NT

I M

AU

RIC

E R

ES

OR

T

PA

PH

OT

O/T

HIN

KS

TO

CK

PH

OT

OS

PA

PH

OT

O

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Travel.indd 3 22/09/2014 10:05

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 14:49

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 109

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

WHY SEPARATION AND DIVORCE CAN BE A CIVILISED AFFAIRIf you are experiencing the anxiety

and loss of a relationship ending and

suffering sleepless nights worrying

about the future, you are not alone.

Almost 50% of all marriages end in

divorce and for many it can be the most

traumatic time in their lives. Months

and sometimes years are spent

deciding whether to separate and then

when the decision has been made it

can take an age to pluck up the

courage to take action. Emotions run

high and delays are usually down to

fear of the unknown and what life will

be like after the separation, not to

mention how you’ll cope fi nancially and

what you’ll tell the kids.

The truth is, there is no easy way out.

However, the actions you take now and

the choices you make will have a big

impact on your new life.

Your future is in your hands. You can

choose to be reactive to your situation

or you can be proactive, take the lead

and put a stop to the fi ghting, anger

and hurt.

Divorce and separation is a life

changing event and mistakes can be

costly, both emotionally and fi nancially;

you must be prepared to invest

to secure your future. To take control

you need information and advice from

an experienced and trusted advisor,

which will allow you to make

informed decisions about your future.

My dedicated team are handpicked

for their experience working with

people who are going through a

relationship breakdown. They are

all members of Resolution, which

means that they have the legal

experience required to give you the

best advice and are committed to

solving your problem in a conciliatory

way if possible – saving you the

emotional drain of the legal court

battle and the legal fees that go with

it. They understand the emotional

pressure and stress you are going

through; they can help ease

the pain and will work with you to

achieve the best outcome possible

for you to move on with your life.

Our service is confi dential, discreet

and bespoke to each client and we

will never disclose your information

to others. Out of hours appointments

are available.

For a limited period of time I am

offering a selected number of potential

clients the opportunity to meet with

one of the family solicitors in my team

for a free initial consultation to discuss

the options available. Due to high

demand my team are only able to offer

20 appointments this month and I

know that the appointments will book

up very quickly.

Choosing the right legal team is key to

your emotional and fi nancial future, so

contact us today to see how we can

help you achieve the outcome you want.

To take control of your future and apply for one of our free consultations just complete this coupon and post it to the address below.Alternatively call or email me today quoting reference SO0314

Telephone 01892 526 442or email so@keenemarsland.co.uk

Name..............................................................................................................................

Address..........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................

Tel. No............................................................................................................................

Email: .............................................................................................................................

Appointments available at Tunbridge Wells, Edenbridge, London, Windsor and Woodley

Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No. 71480

The right legal team is key to your emotional and fi nancial future. Family Law Solicitor, Mediator & Collaborative Lawyer, Sarah Jelly

Keene Marsland Solicitors6 Clanricarde Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1PH www.keenemarsland.co.uk

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_KeeneMarsland.indd 3 22/09/2014 13:05

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 14:49

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 111

L AT E R L I F E SO

OPTIONS FOR LATER LIFEWhen we plan ahead for our later years, we all want to look forward to a retirement that is independent, fulfilling and packed with happy memories. For most people, freedom and dignity are their top priorities, along with good health, financial security and the chance to spend quality time with loved ones

R etirement presents the opportunity

to enjoy new experiences, revisit past

passions or simply enjoy the life you’ve

worked so hard to build.

Growing older, however, can present

a variety of challenges and when

circumstances change, finding a solution

can seem like a difficult and emotive task.

But whether you’re seeking help for

yourself or for a much-loved relative,

there are caring experts out there just waiting

to offer the guidance and advice you need.

If an older person wants to stay in their own home and just

needs a little assistance with daily chores, there’s a service to

suit and support their lifestyle. When more attention is required,

there are other options that offer personal independence, with

practical and medical support on hand 24 hours a day. Read on

to meet the local experts and find out how they can help to

make later life fulfilling and enjoyable, whatever the

circumstances.

Plus, we chat to Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon about

playing a grandmother in her latest film and we discover why

retired people should be making their finances a family affair.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Later Life Intro.indd 111 22/09/2014 12:53

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 14:50

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 113

L AT E R L I F E SO

LATER LIFEinside your

guideWHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?From domiciliary care in

your own property to round

the clock support at a purpose-built

nursing home, there’s plenty of

choice when it comes to planning

your future

LUXURY OF INDEPENDENCEAssisted living means a beautiful

home without the worry of

maintenance, as you’ll discover

at Barchester Care’s new Assisted

Living apartments

DIGNIFIED LIFESTYLEAt Beulah Lodge, residents

are encouraged to live

independently and treat

the Victorian house as

their own, while enjoying

the support of dedicated staff

FOCUS ON PATIENTSWith a refurbished hydrotherapy pool

and a commitment to quality, the team

at Burrswood is here to meet your

physical, spiritual and emotional needs

CARE AROUND THE CLOCKFind out how Bluebird Care can help

you live an independent lifestyle in your

own home with 24/7 live-in support

JOIN OUR CLUBAudley Willicombe Park retirement

village offers luxury leisure facilities

at its Audley Club Health and

Wellbeing Centre

GROWING OLD DISGRACEFULLYHollywood actress Susan Sarandon

tells us why her latest movie role

wasn’t about “an old granny in

glasses and a crocheted sweater”

PERSONAL SERVICESpecialising in live-in care,

The Good Care Group provides

everything from respite support

to highly personalised 24-hour

homecare

HOME FROM HOMEDebbie Harris of Harris and King

explains how her expertise can

help you to find the right care home

SHY ABOUT RETIRINGWhy you should consider discussing

your retirement finances with your

nearest and dearest

POWER IN YOUR HANDSWarners Solicitors shed light

on power of attorney and how

you can ensure the right people

take care of your affairs

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Later Life Index.indd 113 23/09/2014 14:46

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 14:50

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 115

L AT E R L I F E SO

DOMICILIARY CAREThis is where you are

looked after by a personal healthcare professional in the comfort of your own home. You are afforded

the freedom and familiarity of staying at

home with a few modifications to make

mobility and day-to-day living easier and more

convenient. Your personal carer visits once or twice a day, ensuring you are kept safe and healthy

without infringing on your independence. So, you are

able to live your life in a familiar and comfortable environment, while also

being safe in the knowledge that you have

someone to call upon whenever you need them.

About £12-16 p/hrAppeals to: People who are capable of looking after themselves but

would benefit from daily contact and check-ins

LIVE-IN CAREThis means that you get to

continue living at home, with your personal carer coming to live with and care for you full time.

Having someone close by at all times can make

everyday tasks considerably easier.

Furthermore, extended company with a carer can

do wonders for your emotional wellbeing, as they come to know your habits, preferences and requirements intimately,

resulting in a more effective relationship that can adapt as needed. It

also means peace of mind for your family, who can rest easy knowing that

there is always someone at home to look out for you.

About £600 p/wkAppeals to: People who are no longer capable of looking after themselves but don’t want to move

out of their home

SHELTERED HOUSING

This is where you live independently in designated grouped housing such as a block of flats. Often run by housing associations who

work closely with local authorities on a not-for-

profit basis, these schemes allow you to look after

yourself and come and go as you wish, living your life freely from an established, reliable base. Living as part of a close-knit housing area also allows for a more social

environment, where you can be part of a friendly, supportive community.

A manager or officer also resides on site, offering assistance in the case

of an emergency.About £12-20 p/wk plus

rent or mortgage payments Appeals to: People who are

capable of looking after themselves but prefer to live in a more communal

environment

CARE HOMESThese are for people who

are no longer able to live at home by themselves, providing a wealth of convenience in a safe, comfortable and social environment. They are

staffed 24 hours a day with all your meals provided, so you can relax and feel right

at home, meeting new people and making new

friends along the way. The variety of activities on offer means you can stay busy. You can also lead a quieter

lifestyle in a peaceful environment. With a

communal atmosphere you’ll be able to enjoy

the company of others, safe in the knowledge

that you’re being cared for round the clock.

About £700-800 p/wkAppeals to: People who are no longer capable of looking after themselves and require day-to-day

living assistance

CARE HOMES WITH NURSING

Care homes with nursing are purpose-built facilities

aimed at people with medical disabilities who are no longer able to be cared

for or look after themselves at home. Nursing aides and skilled nurses are available 24 hours a day, providing premium medical care where home carers are

unqualified to do so. Visiting hours are generally more

flexible than hospitals, meaning you can see more

of your loved ones. Stimulating activities are organised and communal

grounds provided, enabling you to socialise with fellow residents while you’re on the mend.

About £1,200-1,400 p/wkAppeals to: People with medical conditions who are no longer capable of looking after themselves

and require 24-hour medical assistance

FINANCIALFinancial planning for later

life is something that is certainly worth thinking

about early. The first step is to talk to an

Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) with

whom you can discuss a risk assessment,

evaluate your financial status and explore all the

available avenues. Pensions are generally

the most popular safety net option,

as this is something you can gradually

save for and contribute to throughout your working adult life.

Statistics show that the average life

expectancy in the UK is getting

higher. English males can now expect

to live 78.4 years, while for English women

it’s slightly higher at 82.4 years. This means that

children born today are expected to live two

years longer than children born 10 years ago.

But it’s not just about planning ahead. It’s also

about the issues some of you might be facing

today, or maybe you have older relatives unable

to live without some form of support.

There are now numerous choices

available, which can be hugely beneficial to

the person entering this new chapter of

their life, as well as to their family. Each

option can be tailored to different needs

and requirements, so whether you or a

family member wants to live independently

or require full-time assistance, there is

always a solution.

We take a look at some of those options

and give you an overview of the different

services, while also providing advice on that

all important question of financial planning.

People today are living longer, healthier lives, which makes planning for those future years increasingly important. We look at some of the choices for you and your family to consider

WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?

SO TW_OCTOBER14_LaterLife_Options.indd 115 22/09/2014 12:49

p117 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ad.indd 3 23/09/2014 15:27

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 117

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

AUDLEY WILLICOMBE PARK LAUNCHES REFURBISHED AUDLEY CLUB

Newly refurbished Health and Wellbeing Centre reopened to owners and visitors

Audley Willicombe Park is the luxury

retirement village in Royal Tunbridge Wells

and has recently refurbished the Audley

Club, which is home to the Health and Wellbeing

Centre, as well as its bar/

bistro areas and

swimming pool.

Motion Spot, specialists

in creating beautiful

interiors that are designed

to be accessible to all,

provided support for the

flooring and changing

rooms in the Health and

Wellbeing Centre. The new

look facilities will continue

to provide an extensive

range of activities for owners, including personal

training, Zumba and Pilates classes.

“Willicombe Park is a magnificent and important

local landmark and we are excited to share the

revamped Audley Club with existing owners and

the wider community,” states Audley CEO, Nick

Sanderson. “At Audley we pride ourselves on offering

owners and members from the wider community the

kind of facilities you would

expect at an exclusive

country club or five-star

boutique hotel.”

The Audley Club is

part of the Victorian villa,

Willicombe House, which

Audley painstakingly

restored to its original

grandeur from when it

was the home of William

Willicombe, an architect

who was renowned

in the local area at the time as the Cubitt of Tunbridge

Wells for the number of houses he built in the area.

0800 093 8181

www.audleyretirement.co.uk

The Audley Club is part of the Victorian villa, which Audley

painstakingly restored to its original grandeur

A full club membership for anyone aged 55+ by answering the following question:

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT TO JOIN THE AUDLEY CLUB?

Send your responses and contact information to either: carolynm@audleyretirement.co.uk or by post to Willcombe Park, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3US.

For full terms and conditions on how to win this fabulous prize head to www.audleyretirement.co.uk

WIN...

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Later Life_Advertorial_AudleyHome.indd 117 23/09/2014 17:34

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:43

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 119

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

THE LUXURY OF INDEPENDENCE AT HURSTWOOD VIEW

Assisted Living is a great way to maintain your lifestyle when you get older, safe in the knowledge that care and support is close at hand if you need it. With Barchester

Healthcare’s new Hurstwood View range, you’ll feel right at home in no time

Is it time you enjoyed more peace of mind in your

retirement? Would you like a beautiful new

home without the worry of upkeep? Do you

want to keep your independence with the

reassurance that help is at hand if you need it?

Barchester Healthcare’s brand

new Assisted Living

apartments near Five Ash

Down might just be the answer

you’ve been waiting for. A range of

15 one and two-bedroom luxury

apartments is now available, with

just a few remaining.

Close to the pretty hamlet of Five Ash Down,

Hurstwood Court enjoys a rural location, yet is

conveniently located just off the A26 between the

Sussex towns of Uckfield and Crowborough.

The apartments are situated next to Hurstwood

View Care Home, which provides first-class nursing,

residential and dementia care. Living in an Assisted

Living apartment will allow you to enjoy a beautiful

home, while knowing that support is close by if you

ever need it. At Hurstwood

Court we take care of the

property upkeep and

maintenance, meaning you

can enjoy life in a safe, caring,

socially active and supportive

setting.

Assisted Living is all about

peace of mind. It’s the perfect solution for someone

who wants to maintain their independence in their

retirement. Call Jane on 01825 565 971 for more

information or visit www.barchester.com

All luxury apartments have

been built and decorated to

very high specifications.

Each apartment offers:

• Modern kitchen with

integrated appliances and

granite worktops

• Main bathroom en-suite

• An allocated parking space

• Emergency 24-hour call

system to onsite care team

• 24-hour CCTV

• Audio-visual telephone

entry system (connected to

main entrance)

• Sky TV and telephone

sockets throughout

• Smoke and fire detectors

throughout, including a

heat detector in the

kitchen

• Solar panels linked to each

apartment

All properties are self-

contained, but you have the

option of taking advantage

of the additional services

and facilities available from

the care home, such as:

• 24-hour onsite care

• Clubs, activities and

entertainment, including

shopping trips and outings

• Hairdressing boutique and

nail bar

• Housekeeping and laundry

services

• Café

• Dining services

• Use of Hurstwood View’s

beautiful gardens

Is it time you enjoyed more peace of mind in

your retirement?

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Later Life Barchester Healthcare.indd 119 23/09/2014 15:30

120 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p120 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 15:16

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 121

For older residents of Tunbridge Wells

who want to continue living an

independent lifestyle, Beulah Lodge

Rest Home has established itself as a

mainstay of professional support in the area.

Located on Beulah Road at the heart of

the town, Beulah Lodge occupies a large

listed Victorian house, enjoying the peaceful

surroundings of a quiet residential area.

Owner Robert Histed bought the house at

an auction in 1987, renovating it from its

previous state as a home for boys in the

1920s.

Here, residents are encouraged to live

independently, enjoying a quality of life that

is based on safety and stability, while being

treated with the utmost dignity and respect.

With the level of required care being

assessed on an individual basis, each

resident receives their own personalised

care plan, created specifically for them and

serving to ultimately enhance and enrich

their lives.

Set out over three floors and accessible

by lift, the individually styled en-suite rooms

can accommodate up to 21 residents, who

are made to feel right at home and given

the freedom to treat the house as their own.

Ian Lucy, the home’s experienced chef,

prepares mouth-watering breakfasts,

lunches and dinners on a daily basis from

fresh, locally sourced produce, so it certainly

isn’t hard to see why meal times are a real

treat at Beulah.

On that note, there is a distinctly

communal atmosphere that is cultivated

here, bringing residents together to enjoy

one another’s company in a variety of

activities. From shopping trips into town to

bingo with staff members on Thursdays,

there is never a shortage of things to

participate in and enjoy.

A little pampering never goes amiss

either, as weekly visits from the hairdresser

and in-house beauty treatments make the

residents feel their best.

Further events to look forward to are the

popular cheese and wine evenings, as well

as afternoon cream teas, which always go

down a treat. A variety of crafts and

vocations can also be pursued as residents

try their hand at baking, flower arranging

and card making. Plus, for the more festive

time of year, there’s always plenty of carol

singing to get everyone in the Christmas

spirit.

Further afield, specialist outings are

chosen by residents and arranged by staff.

With past trips having included visits to the

theatre, the Brighton Sea Life Centre and

Buckingham Palace, such events are often

highlights on each resident’s calendar,

allowing them to get out and about for a

day of sightseeing.

Perhaps the strongest and most touching

part of life at Beulah is the long-lasting

attachment and fondness that residents

develop over the years. With people living

here long into their later years, they are able

to lead rewarding and fulfilling lives, making

new friends and remaining happy and

contented in comfortable surroundings that

they can truly call home.

If you or someone you know is looking

for respite or long-term care in the centre

of Tunbridge Wells, why not arrange a visit

and see for yourself what Beulah Lodge

has to offer?

The friendly and experienced staff at Beulah Lodge in Tunbridge Wells continue to help people make the most of their later years

PROVIDING QUALITY CARE FOR OVER 25 YEARS

Beulah Lodge Rest Home1 Beulah RoadTunbridge WellsKentTN1 2NP01892 548 447www.beulahlodge.co.uk

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_Beulah_Lodge.indd 3 22/09/2014 14:42

122 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO L AT E R L I F E

PATIENT CENTRED CARE AT BURRSWOOD HOSPITAL

A unique, independent hospital situated in Groombridge, Burrswood provides an excellent and respected facility for those needing short-term medical care

Care is provided by our professional and

dedicated clinical team in a spacious

40-bed (en-suite) Decimus Burton

building, surrounded by 110 acres of

beautiful gardens and peaceful grounds; a

wonderful place for recovery and healing.

As a Christian organisation and a

registered charity, we have welcomed

patients of all faiths and none for more

than 60 years. Patients’ physical,

emotional and spiritual needs are met by a

highly skilled team of doctors, nurses,

physiotherapists, counsellors, chaplains

and support staff;

all helped by many trained volunteers.

The Outpatient Department offers

counselling, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy

and clinically approved complementary

therapies, or you can stay in our Guest

Rooms for a therapeutic break.

We are proud of our commitment to

quality, person-centred care and providing

value for money. But you don’t have to be

a patient to visit; the gardens and extensive

grounds are open to the public seven days

a week, so we hope that you will come to see

for yourself what makes Burrswood such a

special place. Our Tea Room offers delicious

home-cooked food and we also have a

bookshop and gift shop on site.

To find out more visit our website

www.burrswood.org.uk

Alternatively, call our Admissions Team

on 0800 988 4379 or email

enquiries@burrswood.org.uk

Burrswood Hospital, Groombridge,

Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9PY

Registered with the Care Quality Commission.

Registered Charity No 1095940

Burrswood’s hydrotherapy pool has re-opened

following refurbishment. We offer hydrotherapy

to a wide range of people, many of whom have

complex needs. Thanks to all the generous

donations that made this possible, even more

people will be able to access our service.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_LaterLife_Burrswood2.indd 104 22/09/2014 12:36

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 123

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

Bluebird Care is challenging conventional thinking about later-life care with its new 24/7 Live-in Care service where personal assistants live around the clock in the homes of vulnerable customers.

As Debbie Moulton of Bluebird Care explains: “Live-in Care provides a bridge between the time when independent living can be achieved with assistance from visiting carers and the time when residential care is unavoidable.

“We have had several customers from our day-visit service who have trialled Live-in Care as an alternative to residential care and have made the trial

permanent.”

The costs are similar but the advantages of staying home and maintaining local social networks can make live-in care an attractive option. The local Bluebird Care office provides the staff for the supervision process and also the back-office resources necessary to comply with employment regulation.

With places in top-quality residential care in short supply, many families are thinking hard about how their senior members can be helped to remain in their own homes – which is what most of them want.

Bluebird Care may just have the solution that works for your family.

Joan’s StoryJoan has lived in her own home since she was 14,

has always been independent and likes her routine. A few years ago she was admitted to hospital

and upon her discharge was told that she needed help. She went into various nursing homes before deciding she wanted to move back home.

Joan says: “The people in these homes had dementia, so I didn’t fit in and was having to wait for people to help me with my personal care. I had to eat the food they cooked and no one really had the time to keep me company. I really wanted to come home!”

Joan’s Social Services case manager gave her a list of companies who o­ered care at home to choose from. After interviewing with three di­erent companies, she chose Bluebird Care as they were the nearest and the friendliest.

Joan adds: “I met with Graz in my own home and she was very pleasant and ecient and put the service into place very quickly. I’ve had carers from di­erent backgrounds and of di­erent ages and we’ve adjusted very quickly to each other and they know my routine.

“I find it really beneficial having live-in carers - I have the upper hand in my own home and I’m still independent. I get one-to-one care and everyone looks after my needs.

“At this stage in my life that’s very important to me.”

CARE VISITS AT HOMEGood Old Fashioned Service

AU G U ST 2 0 1 3 XX

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

Dear DebbieCan you explain why some people are given money to

help them with care costs and others have to pay for it

all themselves? It doesn’t seem very fair - they are all

OAP’S after all.Yours sincerely,

Claire Chester

Dear ClaireThe reason is that Social Care is considered to be different

from Health Care, which is covered by the NHS and is

universally available without charge. “Fairness” is a

difficult concept in Social Care! At present, if you have

more than £23,250 in savings or capital, you have to pay

for your own Social Care. If your savings are below that

level, you may qualify for some assistance from your local

authority - which will provide guidance.

Even if you have to pay for your own Social Care, you

may qualify for Attendance Allowance, which is not means

tested. To be eligible, you must be 65 or over and have

either a physical or mental disability that is severe enough

for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to

supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety. The

payment is presently either:l £53 per week if you need frequent help or constant

supervision during the day, or supervision at night, orl £79 per week if you need help or supervision

throughout both day and night, or you are terminally ill.

You can claim by filling in Form AA1A, available from the

Post Office, or by going online at www.dwp.gov.uk/eservice/

Best wishes,

Debbie Moulton

Care Manager

Bluebird Care (Sevenoaks)

DEBBIE MOULTON, CARE MANAGER OF BLUEBIRD CARE, OFFERS HER ADVICE

Call our professional team in

Sevenoaks01732 471 541sevenoaks@bluebirdcare.co.uk

DearDebbie

Email Debbie Moulton at debbiemoulton@bluebirdcare.co.uk or call your local oce for more information:

Bluebird Care develops

24 hr Live-in Care

Looking after an elderly relative is a challenge most of us face at some stage, but now there is a service that oers independent living in one’s own home.

Bromley 0208 315 0236 bromley@bluebirdcare.co.uk

Sevenoaks 01732 471 541 sevenoaks@bluebirdcare.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells 01732 808 947 tunbridgewells@bluebirdcare.co.uk

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_BlueBirdCare.indd 3 23/09/2014 13:56

124 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO L AT E R L I F E

GRAND EXPECTATIONS

At 68, Oscar winning actress Susan Sarandon is one of Hollywood’s elder stateswomen– though her latest role had people wondering whether she really could be a grandmother.

Here, she chats about portraying the older generation and reviving a classic

Susan Sarandon is refl ecting on a

“crazy” moment earlier this year

when she set thousands of fi lm

fans’ hearts afl utter.

The Oscar-winning actress

Tweeted a picture of herself with her

Thelma and Louise co-star Geena Davis,

posting it beside the 1991 fi lm’s classic image

showing the two friends posing for a picture

in their car. The Twittersphere went into

overdrive with more than 27,000 people

reTweeting the image and over 30,000

marking it as a favourite.

If the social media reaction to the gesture

is anything to go by, time has done little to

dampen the popularity of the seminal movie,

which saw Sarandon and Davis playing two

friends in search of liberation on the

American highways. But given the famous

ending, Sarandon admits she struggles to

see how a sequel would ever work.

“I’d love to work with her [Davis] again,”

says the 68-year-old, who joked that if there

was a follow-up fi lm, the two stars would have

to stay seated in the car to hide the height

difference between herself and 6ft 1in Davis.

“They have kind of knocked around a few

ideas of a sequel to Thelma and Louise, but

they were so ridiculous,” the actress explains.

“I remember at one point saying, ‘Well what

would we do?’ And someone said, ‘You’d

collect a big cheque, that’s what you would

do’, but I don’t really know how you would

resurrect them [the characters] in any way.”

Thelma and Louise aside, Sarandon

recently hit the road again for another movie.

Released in UK cinemas in July and coming

to DVD this autumn, Tammy is a straight-up

comedy caper, in which she plays Pearl, the

grandmother to Bridesmaids star Melissa

If you look at my own life, you’ll see that I’m like a free agent. I just travelin and out and all over

COPYRIGHT: JAGUAR PS

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Later Life Interview.indd 124 22/09/2014 12:57

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 125

L AT E R L I F E SO

McCarthy’s eponymous character. The fi lm

also stars Kathy Bates, Dan Aykroyd and

Toni Collette and is produced by Will Ferrell.

Sacked from her job and fed up with her

life, Tammy heads off on a road trip with

the only person she knows who has a car

and the money to fund a jaunt - her

grandma.

“Tammy is underdeveloped, stunted and

immature. She’s a train wreck. But with a

good heart,” says McCarthy, who also

co-wrote the fi lm with her husband Ben

Falcone (he makes his directorial debut on

the movie as well).

At 43 though, McCarthy is only 24 years

younger than Sarandon, so is it realistic for

them to play a grandma and granddaughter?

“I’m bad at math,” says Sarandon,

laughing. “I just did what they said!”

Apparently, however, the team are

satisfi ed that the casting works.

“If you fi gure that Pearl had a baby at 16

and that child had a baby at 16”, notes

Sarandon, “it’s totally possible.”

The actress didn’t think it was a “huge”

deal to consider how young her character

must have been when she gave birth.

“If you look at my own life, you’ll see that

I’m like a free agent. I just travel in and out

and all over. I haven’t done anything

according to the right schedule or been with

the people at the right whatever,” she says –

though she did have a few concerns, about

the type of grandmother she’d be playing.

“One of the fi rst questions Susan had was,

‘Are you seeing like a little old granny with

glasses and a crocheted sweater and an up

do bun?’” explains McCarthy, who has two

daughters with Falcone. “And we were like,

‘Oh God no, she has raging problems with

alcohol and she sleeps around’, and Susan

was like, ‘Ok, we’ll be fi ne, we’re in the real

realm’.”

Part of being in that “real realm” meant

the usual Hollywood grooming was off the

agenda for Sarandon, who was made-under

with a short salt and pepper perm, baggy,

washed-out pastel blouses and often a bottle

of liquor in hand.

“It’s very liberating to look that bad,” says

the Oscar winning actress, who also placed

peppercorns in her shoes to force a limp. “We

just accentuated everything I would normally

hide. And so it didn’t matter if I was sweaty or

the lighting was poor. That was kind of cool in

hindsight.”

You can pre-order Tammy on DVD from

www.amazon.co.uk

It’s very liberating to look that bad... it didn’t matter if I was sweaty or the lighting was poor

Susan Sarandon turns 68 this month, so

her ‘three score and 10’ celebrations are

not too far away. Here are some great

looking colleagues who mark the big 7-0

this year

Diana Ross, singer

Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin guitarist

George Lucas, Star Wars and

Indiana Jones creator

Michael Douglas, actor

Roger Daltrey, The Who singer

Timothy Dalton, former James Bond

Stockard Channing, Rizzo from Grease

Jeff Beck, guitarist

Connie Booth, comedy actress

Robert Powell, actor

Jerry Springer, talk show host

Gladys Knight, singer

Tim Rice, lyricist

Joe Cocker, singer

Len Goodman, Strictly Come

Dancing judge

Ray Davies, The Kinks frontman

SENSATIONAL SEVENTIES

COPYRIGHT: JAGUAR PS

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Later Life Interview.indd 125 22/09/2014 12:56

126 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO A DV E R TO R I A L

Your Care in Good HandsSpecialising in live-in care, The Good Care Group offers a personalised later life service for you and your loved ones, ensuring the support is there when you need it most. Kent Area Manager Elaine Ferris tells us what the group has to offer and how it can make all the difference

TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE

BACKGROUND AND EXPERTISE

OF YOUR COMPANY

The Good Care Group’s vision is to

provide a high-quality, professional

homecare service unique to the

health and care market. We aim to make

a real impact on quality of life by adopting a

highly person-centred approach to care. Our

service is closely monitored and responsive to a

client’s changing needs. We specialise in ‘live-in’

care and our service is fully managed, which

means that we oversee and support the care

team assigned to clients. We have a specialist

Admiral Nurse, Dr Penny Hibbard, who can

provide help and advice to families, as well

access to 24/7 support.

WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?

Whether you’re looking for 24-hour live-in care or

a respite service to allow a family carer

to take a much needed break, we

provide a one-to-one personalised

service delivered by expertly trained

professional carers. We are regulated

by the Care Quality Commission (CQC),

so you can be assured of the highest

standards of care (we specialise in dementia,

Parkinson’s, stroke and end-of-life, as well as other

issues affecting day-to-day living).

FINDING CARE FOR A LOVED ONE IS A

SENSITIVE SUBJECT. WHAT ADVICE WOULD

YOU OFFER TO THOSE JUST STARTING TO

LOOK AT LATER LIFE OPTIONS?

Take your time to consider all the options

available and don’t rush your decision; planning

is key. A recent survey* showed that, of over

-75-year-olds wanting to be cared for in their

own homes, only 54% think this could be a

reality. Many people don’t realise they can receive

a high quality of service at home. We are very

happy to explain all the options and will signpost

you based on your situation.

*’The Care Choice Gap’ report, commissioned

by Consultus Care & Nursing

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial Good Care Group.indd 126 22/09/2014 15:21

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 127

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

HOW TO EVALUATE A CARE HOME FOR YOUR RELATIVEAs a result of her own experiences while looking for a care home, Debbie Harris established her own company in order to help families evaluate care homes and therefore find the best care for their loved one

With a background in

providing information

online for self funders

that focused on the best

care homes in England, Debbie now

offers support and information

individually to families, enabling them to

feel confident in their choice and reassuring

them that they have asked all the right questions.

The support offered by Debbie can be as

simple as a cup of tea and a chat to ensure that a

family is on the right track, or it might involve

making a list of the most suitable homes based

on individual needs and requirements.

Alternatively, she will visit homes on behalf of a

family and produce a shortlist from which they

can make their decision.

Whichever route is taken, Debbie will be there

guiding and supporting throughout the process

to ensure they find the very best care.

Looking for a care home is

emotional, often confusing and

very time consuming. However, it

is important to include your loved

one, wherever possible, in any

decision making.

Before you begin to look for a care

home, make a list of questions to ask the

Manager and staff and ensure you know the

type of care that you need.

Consider how the location of the home will

affect your ability to see your relative and try

and visit your shortlisted homes more than

once. Arranging to have lunch at the home

with the prospective resident will usually help

you make your final decision.

Please contact Debbie Harris on 07810 837

331 or email debbie@harrisandking.co.uk

www.dharris546666.wix.com/debbie-harris

Independent care advice to help you

evaluate the best care home for your loved

one Be reassured, we can help

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial Harris and King.indd 127 23/09/2014 12:44

p128 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 17:11

At Sunrise Senior Living of Sevenoaks,

everything is centred around six

principles: encouraging independence,

enabling choice, preserving dignity,

celebrating individuality, nurturing the spirit

and involving family and friends. It has a

dedicated and compassionate team who are

expertly trained to provide the highest

standards of care to each and every resident.

Each individual is treated with the highest

degree of respect and dignity, promoting

their independence, maintaining their skills

and even acquiring new ones.

Along with the picturesque grounds and

beautiful, hotel-like interior, Sunrise of

Sevenoaks residents have a choice in all

aspects of their lives, from which activities

they participate in to how their rooms are

furnished. Sunrise has a range of suites

available, specifically designed to suit a

variety of needs. This includes the Assisted

Living community and a specialist dementia

community called the Reminiscence

Neighbourhood. All the luxurious suites

celebrate individuality and every resident is

encouraged to bring in their own furniture.

Each suite has a memory box outside with

treasured items that the residents have

chosen and feel best represent them.

There is an extensive list of activities

available for residents to take part in, ranging

from appearances by guest musicians to

coffee mornings and gardening. These are

just a few of the opportunities for residents

to meet new friends and enjoy their

retirement. Many of Sunrise’s events are held

in its beautiful landscaped gardens, where

you might see one of the community’s pets

enjoying a leisurely stroll. Pets are an

important part of life at Sunrise, providing

companionship, which can be particularly

beneficial for residents living with dementia.

Sunrise of Sevenoaks’ Reminiscence

Neighbourhood provides residents living with

dementia with dedicated, well-supported

care, delivered by staff with specialist

training to support those with Alzheimer’s.

With specially designed ‘peaceful areas’ and

activities to stimulate the residents’ minds,

the Reminiscence Neighbourhood provides

an enriching experience at the community.

The chefs at Sunrise of Sevenoaks serve

residents nutritious and delicious home-

cooked meals each day in the high quality

restaurant. Residents can choose from a

range of meals, alongside snacks and treats,

which are available from the bistro all day.

As well as providing a wonderful home,

Sunrise offers expert advice to those

thinking about moving themselves or a loved

one into care. The dedicated Sunrise team

are always on hand to discuss different care

requirements and the options available to

people, supporting them to make the right

decision.

Everything at Sunrise is tailored towards

delivering exceptional care and quality of life

to residents.

For more information, please contact

Sunrise of Sevenoaks on 01732 807 123

or visit the community’s website at

www.sunrise-care.co.uk

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 129

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

AN EXCEPTIONAL PLACE TO CALL HOME

Providing high-quality assisted living, residential care and dementia care services in Kent, Sunrise of Sevenoaks is one of the most prestigious later life communities in the area.

We explore the support and services on offer for residents

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Later Life_Advertorial_Sunrise.indd 129 23/09/2014 17:55

SO A DV E R TO R I A L

130 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

WHY MAKE A LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY?

Mary Shaw from Warners Solicitors, based in Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, explains the benefits of making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

Many people do not realise that no one person automatically has the legal authority to step in and manage your affairs for you if you should lose capacity. An LPA allows you to choose attorneys that you trust, who can then make these decisions for you. There are two types of LPA:

• Health and Welfare• Property and Financial Affairs

The main advantage of having separate LPAs is that you can choose the attorneys dependent upon the type of decisions that need to be made; the person you wish to manage your financial affairs may not be the same person you would like to take decisions in relation to your health and welfare.

If you do not have an LPA and you lose the capacity to make decisions for yourself, an application has to be made to the Court of Protection to appoint someone to make those decisions. Accordingly, the person chosen may not be someone you would ordinarily choose to make such decisions. In addition, the court process can be costly and time consuming.

If you would like to discuss LPAs, please contact Mary Shaw by calling 01732 770 660 or emailing m.shaw@warners-solicitors.co.uk

Warners SolicitorsBank House, Bank Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1BL

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Business_Warners.indd 130 23/09/2014 14:52

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 131

L AT E R L I F E SO

SHY ABOUTRETIRING

The thought of discussing our financial arrangements with people we love leaves many of us tongue-tied – and recent research suggests it becomes no easier with age

A report from Aviva, which gathered the

views of around 1,000 people either

approaching or in retirement, concluded

money is a ‘taboo’ topic among many older

people, with more than a quarter (28%) of

those interviewed admitting they have not

had any conversation at all with their family

– even their spouse – about their retirement

finances.

Around two-thirds of over-55s said they

actually had discussed their plans with their

partner, but only one in five had involved

both their partner and their wider family.

Yet despite this secrecy, many people

said providing for their loved ones was a

high priority in retirement. More than

two-fifths (42%) of those surveyed said it

was important for them to have enough

money from their pensions and savings to

be able to help out their children and

grandchildren.

So, why are so many people keen to keep their

plans for retirement finances to themselves?

Perhaps people see their arrangements

as a ‘personal matter’ and simply don’t

want to get their family involved – around

half of people gave this as the reason.

But around a quarter of those who

haven’t opened up said they just don’t

know enough about their own finances to

have a proper family discussion (those in

the 55 to 64-year-old age group were the

most likely to cite this explanation).

The suggestion that many people are

brushing their financial plans for retirement

under the carpet happens to come at a time

when we’re being given much greater

freedom over how we spend our pension

pots. The “pensions bombshell”, unveiled in

the Government’s recent Budget, will make

it much easier for people to cash in their

pension savings when they retire, spending

their money how they want to, rather than

being forced to use it to buy a lifetime

income called an annuity.

There’s another concern about people’s

apparent lack of responsibility too: Aviva’s

report showed only around three in five

(59%) people aged over 55 have made a

will, rising to more than three-quarters

(76%) of people aged over 75. Just under

a quarter (22%) of those surveyed had

made some arrangements that will

provide their spouse with an income if

they die.

Clive Bolton, Aviva’s Managing Director

of Retirement Solutions, says all this

proves how it’s important for “honest

conversations” to take place within

families about finances.

He says: “These findings reveal a stark

difference between what people want to

do about their retirement finances in

respect of their families and what they put

into practice. The reality is that failing to

address the needs of those close to you

could mean they may lose out.”

On a final, brighter note, the report also

found that the older generation have, on

average, around £150 a month more in their

pockets than they did a year ago, a sign that

they are starting to feel the benefits of an

improving economy. Over-55s typically have

an income of £1,373 a month, which is an

extra £151 a month compared with the

spring of last year. Almost one third (29%)

of older people identified savings and

investments as a source of their income, up

from 24% a year ago.

Perhaps people see their arrangements

as a ‘personal matter’ and simply don’t want

to get their family involved

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Later Life Single Edit.indd 131 22/09/2014 12:51

132 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p132 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 10:24

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 133

G A R D E N S SO

Glorious GardensEmma Davies, who runs The Walled Nursery in Hawkhurst with her husband

Monty, tells us how to enjoy splendid succulents

Echeveria ‘Duchess of Nuremberg’A succulent, of course!

Beautiful rosettes of thick,

waxy leaves that are a stunning

pink/grey. Can reach 11cm by 20cm

in size. Will not tolerate any frost

and must have free draining soil

and a sunny spot. Best in

containers that you can move

indoors over winter.

Succulents seem to be all the rage at the

moment. We are all succulent addicts in our

nursery – we plant them in boots, cups and

saucers, broken pots, we even make living wreaths

out of them. What makes these little beauties so

great is that they are the easiest plants to grow;

the ultimate in low maintenance and needing little

watering, they give you architectural elegance all

year round.

So, what is a succulent? It’s a plant that is usually

thick and fleshy; they store water in their leaves or

stems, think of cacti but without the spikes. Most

succulents perform best in sunny spots, though

they will tolerate a fair amount of shade too.

Sempervivums, also known as house leeks, are

very popular; they are totally hardy and native to

wild, rocky, arid areas in mountainous regions.

Here they will happily grow and spread within

crevices (think about their native habitat when

planting, as this is what you need to copy for them

to thrive). If you’re new to gardening or to

succulents themselves, Sempervivums are good

plants to start with.

There are hundreds of Sempervivums to choose

from: some dark red, some bi-coloured, some

silvery/grey or vivid green, there is even one

variety called Arachnoideum, which looks as if it’s

covered in spider’s webs! Mix the colours up to

create a Persian carpet effect.

The key element to remember when planting

any succulent is free draining compost – mix

horticultural grit half and half with your multi-

purpose compost. They actually need very little

soil to grow, so why not create their own

mountainous crevices? If you have any broken

terracotta pots, place the pieces at angles within a

larger pot and then fill with your gritty compost

mix. Place the succulents between the crevices

you’ve created and watch them multiply and start

to scramble between the cracks.

There are many different species of succulents,

too many to write about individually, but here are a

few of our favourites. Aeoniums are also known as

tree leeks and are similar to Sempervivums in that

they have rosettes of either deep black, waxy

looking foliage or vivid green. The rosettes are held

above stout succulent

stems which also store

water. Spot them growing

out of walls in Cornwall where

they overwinter happily. Aeoniums in Kent,

however, are not hardy and will turn to mush

if frosted; an unheated greenhouse will keep

them happy or place them on your window sill

for the winter.

Lastly, Echeverias – larger versions of

Sempervivums – mostly form large rosettes in

attractive shades of pinky/grey or silver/green,

some with coloured edges, some hardy and some

not. These will do very well in shade and will

tolerate more water than other succulents. Very

architectural, we use these in our living wreaths

where they grow purely in sphagnum moss.

So, find yourself a container and have some fun!

Happy gardening!

Emma

www.thewallednursery.com

Rotherview Nursery, Hastings This nursery has a superb

selection of Alpine plants,

including many succulents.

They also produce fantastic

stone effect troughs which are

ideal for starting off a succulent

garden. A great nursery to visit,

it’s family run and has a large

selection of Camellias too.

www.rotherview.com

plantOF THE MONTH

nurseryOF THEMONTH

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Gardens.indd 3 22/09/2014 14:39

SO C O M M E R C I A L F E AT U R E

134 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

Fall in love with your gardenPrepare your garden for autumn with these

helpful tips from top local companies

MAY & WATTS GARDEN DESIGNNow is a great time to get in a designer to look at your garden,

either for a complete garden makeover, or an overhaul of

existing overgrown borders or tired features that need

rethinking. If you had a great holiday this year, there might be

elements that you’d like to add to your garden, such as planning

a sub tropical border for next year, introducing Mediterranean

plants into an unused gravel area or turning a viewing platform

into the perfect gem of a Japanese garden. Ask us to help you

think about it now and you could be enjoying it next summer.

7 Perryhill Cottages, Edenbridge Road, Hartfield,

East Sussex TN7 4JP

01892 770 284

enquiries@mayandwattsgardendesign.co.uk

www.mayandwattsgardendesign.co.uk

TREE SURVIVETrees should have a ‘health check’ once a year, as a healthy tree is a

safe tree. This means checking for the three D’s - Dead Wood,

Damaged Wood and Diseased Wood. It is now the end of the growing

season and a really good time to deal with these issues. If any of

these problems are found they need to be dealt with promptly and

safely. Any tears should be cut cleanly back to where they originate

from to prevent further damage and decay setting in. The new

season of autumn can usher in strong winds that can cause branches

to fail – some branches are lucky enough to fall to the ground, others

get caught up within the canopy of the tree and can be very heavy.

These heavy branches will need specialists like ourselves to remove

them in sections and bring them safely to the ground.

07984 129 383 / 01892 514 362

rudi@treesurvive.com

www.treesurvive.com

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_GardensDPS.indd 2 23/09/2014 15:44

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 135

G A R D E N S SO

Fall in love with your garden

WEALDEN COUNTRY LANDCRAFTAs we enter autumn there are many tasks to consider in preparation

for winter and for the year ahead. Borders will require tidying where

the foliage of some perennials like daylilies and geraniums need

cutting back; others can be kept to allow the seed heads to add that

extra dimension to the winter scene and to provide food for wildlife.

Most perennials will require splitting every two to three years to

maintain health and vigour. This is particularly beneficial in autumn for

summer flowering plants.

The soil can be improved by mulching with well-rotted organic matter.

At Wealden Country Landcraft we tend to put the main winter mulch

down later when we have removed all of the foliage and seed heads

from the perennials to enable us to access the border.

01892 837049 / 07990 751353

www.playfootgardendesign.co.uk

PETALS FOR PLANTSAutumn is the time to prepare your pots, containers and hanging baskets to

give interest and enjoyment throughout the winter months.

Our tip is to always use fresh compost. Plant suggestions include a mixture

of trailing foliage such as Vinca minor, Ivy, Lamium and Ajuga, Dwarf

Conifers Heauchera and winter flowering Heathers, interspersed with

Wallflowers, Pansies, Violas, Cyclamen and Ornamental Cabbage. You could

also use dwarf slow growing shrubs such as Skimmia, Viburnum tinus,

Gaultheria procumbens and Euonymus fortunei. To add further effect,

extend the season by under-planting with dwarf spring flowering bulbs.

Watering needs to be monitored as the compost will dry out during mild

spells and wind can also have a drying effect. Protect containers using

fleece during frosty periods and stand on pot feet to assist drainage.

01435 884 111

info@petalsforplants.co.uk

www.petalsforplants.co.uk

THE POT COMPANYAre you looking for a distinctive feature for your garden

that will stand the test of time? A corten steel water

table would not only make a beautiful centrepiece for

any garden, but it would also attract wildlife and is a

fantastic alternative to a pond.

Corten steel naturally weathers to develop a protective,

striking, rust appearance and works well in both a

modern and a more traditional setting.

The Pot Company can supply corten steel water tables

in various shapes and sizes. Get in contact for more

information.

01892 890 353

www.thepotco.com

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_GardensDPS.indd 3 23/09/2014 15:44

136 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p136 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 10:35

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:44

138 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO I N T E R I O R S

HOUSE IN THE COUNTRYThe story of Christina Strutt’s business is a true rags to riches tale. GabrielleFagan meets her to discover the inspiration behind her ‘country chic’ success

Christina Strutt was delighted

but surprised when friends not

only complimented her on her

home, but wanted to copy its

country chic decor. After all,

the hard-up mother-of-two had only

a shoestring budget to transform her

cottage into a cosy home, but it was

the way she used delicate, faded fabrics,

painstakingly collected from fairs,

markets and antique shops, which

caught the eye and made her style

unique.

Finally, unable to fi nd enough fabrics

to satisfy the demand to replicate her

look, Strutt resourcefully set to and

designed her fi rst fabric. That moment

marked the humble emergence of such

an innovative interpretation of country

style, a world away from predictable

twee chintz, that 15 years on has

blossomed into Cabbages & Roses –

the hugely successful, quintessentially

British fabric and lifestyle brand.

“I really had no intention of starting

a business all those years ago,”

Christina says, as she takes me on a

tour of her fl at and shop in a charming

Georgian building in London, to give an

insight into her design ethos. “At that

time, I was just a mum looking for a

way to earn some money that would fi t

around my family. My only aim was to

create something beautiful, which

could move and charm with its hint of

nostalgia,

and would fi t people’s homes and the

way they wanted to live. I suppose I just

wanted to sell things I loved and hoped

that others would love them too.”

Happily, what Christina loved –

fabrics and accessories featuring

washed-out fl orals, stripes and toiles in

cool colourways – has, in turn, become

adored by her legions of fans. These

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Interiors_Country Chic.indd 138 23/09/2014 16:48

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 139

I N T E R I O R S SO

include a host of celebrities, such as Gwyneth

Paltrow and Helena Bonham Carter.

Cabbages & Roses’ mail order business sells

worldwide and her fabric range, including her

fi rst Bees design, recently launched in John

Lewis.

“This is a place where I can work in the

week and get inspiration for new designs and

new looks,” she says, as she leads the way

through a string of beautifully decorated

rooms, including her studio, which feature

in her latest book, Cabbages & Roses: Living

Life Beautifully. Although it’s miles away

from Brook Cottage, the 15th century country

home in the rolling hills of Bath, Somerset,

where it all began, the interiors reveal not

only her style but are also redolent with the

atmosphere of ‘country’ that seems to suit

any setting.

The bias, as it’s an urban apartment, leans

toward stripped back shades of grey and

muted tones. She’s kept to a tight decorating

budget.

“It’s possible to make a big difference

without spending loads of

money,”she says.

So a sofa and bed were bought

in Ikea, bathroom fi ttings

sourced in sales and

hard-wearing sisal fl ooring

runs throughout. Walls are

painted in a classic Farrow &

Ball shade of Cornforth

White and make the

perfect backdrop for

her signature

Cabbages & Roses

fl oral fabrics and

skilfully curated

displays of

memorabilia,

crockery and art.

The kitchen,

which leads to a

sunny patio, is a

masterclass in

bringing a slice of

the country to a city setting. Subtle shades of

white predominate on the walls and fl oor, and

the only hints of colour come from decorative

plates and one of her fabric tablecloths.

A home-from-home look continues in the

ground fl oor shop, where her range – fabrics,

wallpapers, towels, cushions and perfumed

candles – is artfully displayed in room

settings. She enlivens the atmosphere

with antiques – French furniture and quirky

collections, from straw hats to vintage

perfume bottles and even an old-fashioned

bicycle. Everything is sourced during her

travels both in the UK and abroad.

“Basically, I haven’t an idea of what I’m

doing and I mostly make it up as I go along,”

says Christina, 58, who has a charming

self-deprecating modesty which belies her

success. “I’ve always fi rmly advocated that

homes need to be fi lled with more than lovely

things. To be really beautiful, they must be

lived in, with the ‘things’ complementing

the human stories that run through them.

Spaces must also be comfortable, practical

and functional.”

At weekends, she returns to Brook Cottage.

She often sits and comes up with ideas at the

kitchen table, where she hesitantly sketched

out her fi rst design all those years ago.

“I still can hardly believe that it has all

turned out the way it has,” she says. “All I

ever hoped to build was something around,

not just an idea, but a real life. Cabbages

& Roses has always been an expression of

the things I have found most enchanting

throughout my life. It’s a manifestation

of halcyon days here, of summers spent

picnicking in the English countryside, of

rambling coastal walks overlooking seas

twinkling in the evening light and of winter

nights curled up by the log fi re with a pile of

books and all the accoutrements of cosiness.”

money,”she says.

So a sofa and bed were bought

in Ikea, bathroom fi ttings

sourced in sales and

hard-wearing sisal fl ooring

runs throughout. Walls are

painted in a classic Farrow &

Ball shade of Cornforth

White and make the

perfect backdrop for

her signature

Cabbages & Roses

fl oral fabrics and

skilfully curated

displays of

memorabilia,

crockery and art.

The kitchen,

which leads to a

sunny patio, is a

masterclass in

bringing a slice of

Caption: Nis as denditatur re sa dercien impore verorumendi rem aboribus nate esti

DECORating TIPS

TREAT EACH ROOM AS AN

INDIVIDUAL

There’s no such thing as one overall style.

Read the character of the room as you

would a person to help you dress it.

CHOOSE ITEMS YOU LOVE

Showcase those and use your real favourite

as a starting point. Let one become a focal

point, whether it’s a piece of furniture, an

accessory or a few metres of fabric that

could inspire a colour scheme.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Neutral colours, unfussy furniture and

gentle patterns create a scheme that is

calm. Next, layer your accessories, artwork

and objects, and the result will be subtle

and relaxed.

CHARACTER IS ALL

Ignore dents, scratches and wear and tear

as they speak of a piece’s past and its story;

those hints of age and history will add

character and soul to a home.

Cabbages & Roses: Living Life Beautifully by

Christina Strutt, photography by Simon Brown,

is published by CICO Books, priced at £25.

www.cabbagesandroses.com

IMA

GE

S B

Y P

A P

HO

TO

/CIC

O B

OO

KS

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Interiors_Country Chic.indd 139 22/09/2014 13:08

140 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p140 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 10:39

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 141

A N T I Q U E S SO

ANSWERS 1: An unexplained recent surge in amber-buying resulted in this necklace achieving £7,000 at auction. With a gross weight of 168 grams, this means that it was deemed to be worth around £42 per gram – or four times the value of 9ct gold! 2: It is a snuff bottle and would have been made at some stage during the Qing Dynasty, between 1760 and 1860. It served the same function as a European snuff box, with the difference that smoking tobacco was illegal in China during the Dynasty, whereas snuff was considered a remedy for common illnesses such as colds, headaches and stomach disorders, hence, as with other medicines, the use of a bottle container. 3: Mother of pearl gaming counters probably came to Europe around 1700, carried on East India

Company trading vessels, perhaps as curios or as a sea captain’s personal trading consignment. They were soon in demand and, like the hugely popular Chinese porcelain, became infl uenced by European taste, with more ornate decoration and a wider range of shapes. In some instances, sets of counters were commissioned to match the decoration on the personalised table services of wealthy clients. 4: A Freemason. The triangle is a hugely symbolic in Freemasonry, as in many religions throughout the world, representing the sacred number three and Deity. 5: Possibly the most expensive spoon warmer in the world, it was estimated at £10,000 to £15,000 and made £46,000. Warm your spoon in it if you dare!

1‘All that glitters is not gold’ - a

well-known proverb referring to

things that may not be as

precious as they seem. In the

case of this amber bead

necklace recently sold at

auction, while it certainly doesn’t

glitter, if it is the ‘right’ type of

amber, it may be worth as much

as gold! How much do you think?

4This unusual Swiss

triangular pocket

watch was made in the

1930’s. Decorated with

various pictorial

symbols, it also bears

the inscription, Love

Your Fellow Man Lend

Him a Helping Hand.

You can buy an

inexpensive

reproduction of this

watch, but this is the

real thing, selling at

auction for £950. Who

might have owned a

watch like this?

5This rare stoneware piece was made in Southall, London around 1880

at Martin Brothers Pottery. It was modelled by Robert Wallace Martin,

the eldest of the four brothers, who were famous for their highly eccentric

‘grotesque’ designs - each unique item an echo of the art and architecture

of medieval times. What is it and what did it make at auction?

2This deceptively plain

pebble-like container,

only 7cm in length,

made £1,400 at

auction. It is Chinese

and carved from white

and russet-coloured

jade. How old do you

think it is and what

is its purpose?

3For centuries the Chinese have held the reputation of being a nation of compulsive

gamblers, using mother of pearl gaming counters which have become collectable

items in their own right. This collection of approximately 200 counters, of various

shapes and sizes including fi sh, roundels, squares and rectangles, recently made

£480 at auction. They are not especially uncommon items, but have an interesting

history. Most counters seen at auction were made in the early 19th century and used

for gaming during the Regency period, but when did they fi rst arrive in this country?

For centuries the Chinese have held the reputation of being a nation of compulsive

4

gamblers, using mother of pearl gaming counters which have become collectable

items in their own right. This collection of approximately 200 counters, of various

shapes and sizes including fi sh, roundels, squares and rectangles, recently made

£480 at auction. They are not especially uncommon items, but have an interesting

history. Most counters seen at auction were made in the early 19th century and used

for gaming during the Regency period, but when did they fi rst arrive in this country?

watch was made in the

1930’s. Decorated with

symbols, it also bears

the inscription,

Your Fellow Man Lend

Him a Helping Hand

reproduction of this

watch, but this is the

real thing, selling at

auction for £950. Who

might have owned a

This deceptively plain

pebble-like container,

only 7cm in length,

auction. It is Chinese

and carved from white

and russet-coloured

jade. How old do you

think it is and what

Company trading vessels, perhaps as curios or as a sea captain’s personal trading consignment. They were soon in demand and, like the hugely popular Chinese porcelain, became infl uenced by European taste, with more ornate decoration and a wider range of shapes. In some instances, sets of counters were commissioned to match the decoration on the personalised table services of wealthy clients. 4: A Freemason. The triangle is a hugely symbolic in Freemasonry, as in many religions throughout the world, representing the sacred number three and Deity. 5: Possibly the most expensive spoon warmer

of medieval times. What is it and what did it make at auction?

‘All that glitters is not gold’ - a

well-known proverb referring to

things that may not be as

precious as they seem. In the

case of this amber bead

necklace recently sold at

auction, while it certainly doesn’t

glitter, if it is the ‘right’ type of

amber, it may be worth as much

as gold! How much do you think?

For centuries the Chinese have held the reputation of being a nation of compulsive For centuries the Chinese have held the reputation of being a nation of compulsive

Another chance to test your knowledge about antiques and their value and at the same time have a bit of fun. Here are fi ve fascintaing items that have been sold recently by one of the leading auctioneers in the south east, Gorringes. What do you know about them? Answers at the bottom of the page and no peeking!

UNDER THE HAMMER

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Under the Hammer.indd 3 22/09/2014 09:57

142 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO I N T E R I O R S

GETTING READYFOR GUESTS

Too soon to think about the festive season? Think again – if you’ll be playing host to family and friends over Christmas, time is running out to make sure

your home is a comfortable and welcoming place for guests

Now that autumn is here, it’s time to

look ahead to the next big celebration

and all the fun that Christmas brings.

But if you’re looking forward to having

visitors, now is a good time to take a

fresh look at your home. We all want to feel

proud of our surroundings, so take a stroll

around your property and try to see it through

your guests’ eyes – is the decor looking fresh

and clean, or could it do with a little

rejuvenation? Will your kitchen cope with the

rigours of group catering and is the sitting

room adequately furnished to ensure

everyone will be comfortable? Is the spare

room ready for visitors – indeed, do you have

enough room for all your party?

To help you get your plans in place, here’s

our useful guide to giving your home a

pre-festive makeover.

KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOORFirst impressions count, even for your oldest

friends, so make sure your home has kerb

appeal. A freshly painted front door, shiny

doorknob and healthy looking topiary on the

front step, along with a carriage lantern to

light their way to your door at night, will all

give your guests a warm glow when they

arrive. Does the house need painting? Get out

the ladders or hire a professional before the

winter weather arrives in earnest.

WARM WELCOMEYou can’t have your guests shivering through

Christmas lunch, so now’s the time to go on

draught patrol. From replacing an antiquated

heating system to swapping those crumbling

window frames for energy efficient double

glazing, head into the winter prepared for the

cold. Always wanted to open up the fireplace

in your living room or install a wood burner?

Now’s your chance to create a heartwarming

new feature – and don’t forget to have your

chimney swept!

TAKE TO THE FLOORFlooring in high traffic areas is sure to have

taken a pounding over the year, so if your

hallway or living room floor is looking tired

and grimy, putting down a new carpet or

re-sanding the floorboards will transform the

space immediately. Or if you’re happy with

your existing carpet, consider hiring a carpet

shampoo machine or calling in a professional

cleaner to rid yourself of all those shoe marks,

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Interiors_Home Improvements.indd 142 22/09/2014 13:12

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 143

I N T E R I O R S SO

food stains and pet hairs. Similarly, kitchen

and bathroom floors may benefit from a

change before you welcome guests; this can

be done relatively cheaply if you use linoleum

or vinyl tiles.

WHAT’S COOKING?We often put off the larger jobs for as long as

possible, but there’s nothing like impending

visitors to spur us into action. With a holiday

as food-focused as Christmas, much of the

action centres around the kitchen and you’re

bound to have people milling about as you

prepare the turkey. An outdated kitchen is not

only a bit of an embarrassment, but poor

equipment and a lack of capacity can actually

hinder you when entertaining. If you’ve been

meaning to carry out a makeover for a while,

there’s still time to treat yourself to the early

Christmas present of an attractive, well laid

out and efficiently functioning kitchen that will

be a joy to use. Remember that most kitchen

companies provide an expert design service,

which can help you to identify your needs and

create the perfect layout for your lifestyle.

Maybe you could forget all that dreaded

washing up by installing a dishwasher, ensure

you’ll have enough hob rings by investing in a

range cooker and avoid over-flowing worktops

by getting a bigger fridge.

GOING SPAREIf you’ve invited guests to stay overnight, it’s

important to provide them with a comfortable,

warm and pleasant sleeping environment.

Simply stacking all your junk in the corner of

the spare room and putting up a camp bed

won’t do, so if your guest bedroom is looking

less than palatial, now’s the time to tackle

the problem.

A good sorting session should rid you of some

clutter, but when a spare room has become a

dumping ground for things you genuinely need

to keep, consider hiring a storage unit to keep

your belongings safe without them taking over

your home. You also need to make sure you’ve

got the right furnishings for the room; if there’s

not much space for cupboards, installing bespoke

furniture or walk-in wardrobes could be

the answer.

Of course, if the guest suite is no more than

a box room or you need more accommodation,

it’s probably time to think about how you can

make better use of your space in the longer

term. Converting the attic could provide a

stunning extra room without the need for an

extension, while changing the garage into an

annexe is another option if you have off-road

parking available. These days, there is a range

of garden buildings on the market that can

provide extra space with all the comforts of

your main home. Eventually, you could have a

beautiful additional room to welcome your

guests by Christmas Eve.

LIFE IN COLOUROne of the quickest and most

budget-friendly ways to give a room a

lift is to replace the wallpaper or put

up a fresh lick of paint. Simply

refreshing your existing shade will do

much to brighten the decor, but how

about making a change? Consider

replacing whites and beiges with soft

greys, pale blues or even pastels – the

most subtle change could work

wonders for the room’s atmosphere

and provide inspiration for further

updates, such as curtains, soft

furnishings and accessories. A feature

wall draws the eye and makes a

statement that will liven up even the

dullest colour scheme. Alternatively,

re-glossing the skirting boards and

other woodwork will sharpen up the

room for an instantly fresher look.

Tired looking furniture can bring down

a scheme too, so it might be time to

throw out that old three-piece suite

and invest in some comfy new seating.

MAKE A SPLASHBathrooms take a lot of punishment from

busy families and often fail to exude a

relaxing atmosphere, but it’s easy to

overlook this and view the bathroom as a

purely functional space. If you’ve inherited a

grotty suite that needs replacing, bite the

bullet and get the makeover underway.

Even a generally well-presented room might

benefit from replacing mouldy grout,

cracked tiles, peeling sealant and rusty

shower screens, while an additional

cupboard or some hidden storage solutions

can conceal all those unsightly cosmetics

bottles and children’s bath toys for a sleeker

look. Adding a few touches of luxury can lift

the room and make your guests feel really

special – think about investing in some new

towels, high-end toiletries and scented

candles for a boutique hotel feel.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Interiors_Home Improvements.indd 143 22/09/2014 13:13

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:44

J U N E 2 0 1 4 3

HOME FRONTAs the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness descends upon us, thoughts turn to the cold weather ahead and feathering our nests in readiness for the winter. If roaring fi res, cosy sitting rooms and generous family meals

around the kitchen table are your idea of perfection, you’re in luck with this month’s selection of beautiful Wealden homes. From a quintessential English country mansion of national importance, to an elegant Victorian townhouse,

you’ll fi nd an irresistible collection of stunning properties to suit every taste. Whether they boast traditional open fi replaces or state-of-the-art technology, you’re sure to fi nd somewhere that will give you a warm feeling inside.

B E AU T I F U L H O M E S SO

CROWBOROUGHTudor thatched house

with heated pool

Price: £1,090,000

WEST PECKHAMAncient Monument exudes

a sense of history

Price: £3,295,000

TUNBRIDGE WELLSRare fi nd has ample

town centre parking

Price: £1.25million

SUNDRIDGEContemporary home in

Arts and Crafts style

Price: £3.5million

SANDHURSTCanadian A-frame

house bathed in light

Price: £895,000

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

SO TW_OCTOBER14_HomeFront.indd 3 22/09/2014 13:16

SO B E AU T I F U L H O M E S

Modern luxury combines with a rich heritage at this stunning Grade I listed home in West Peckham

With a magnificent Great Hall that boasts a triple height ceiling, Crown Post and original 15th century oak

doors, Dukes Place is an exceptional country house that has a fascinating history. Built on buried medieval foundations, the building dates from 1408, with the Great Hall and Solar guest suite being rebuilt around 1500. The house is full of charming period features, such as exposed joinery, original fireplaces and an inglenook, while recent renovations have improved the home and made creative use of the outbuildings.

Alongside the Great Hall, there is a dining

room, drawing room, study, library, sitting room, utility room and impressive kitchen/breakfast room on the ground floor. Each of the five bedrooms on the first floor has its own en suite facilities; the guest suite is located above the library and the master bedroom is particularly atmospheric, with its vaulted ceiling, Crown Post and Tudor era fireplace.

The beautiful gardens were laid out by RHS Chelsea Gold Medal winner Roger Platts and offer many features, including knot gardens, lavender beds, long lawns, ancient apple trees and a kitchen garden.

BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE

For full details contact: Hamptons International • 01892 516 611 • www.hamptons.co.uk

146 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Property_Hamptons DPS.indd 2 22/09/2014 12:21

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 147

B E AU T I F U L H O M E S SO

For full details contact: Hamptons International • 01892 516 611 • www.hamptons.co.uk

Property: Dukes Place, Grade I listed manor house

Location: Mereworth Road, West Peckham, Kent

Price: £3,295,000

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 4 plus 1 shower room & WC

Land: About 4.9 acres

Extras: Detached barn with entertainment

suite, workshops, garages, barn with three

open bays and studio above, heated swimming

pool, hard tennis court, formal gardens, kitchen

garden, paddocks, two-bedroom cottage

Best bits: Along with the tennis court and

swimming pool, there is excellent scope for

entertaining at Dukes Place. A barn was

recently converted to a modern entertainment

suite with a games room, kitchen and shower

room, plus there’s a two-bedroom cottage that

could be used as extra accommodation or as a

rental income.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Property_Hamptons DPS.indd 3 22/09/2014 12:21

148 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p148 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 10:41

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 149

B E AU T I F U L H O M E S SO

Make a point with an ‘A’ frame house in atranquil Sandhurst setting

Large feature windows – including a double height panel between the fi rst and second oors

allow plenty of light into this airy and contemporary home. Built in the 1960s and later extended, West Point is a Canadian ‘A’ frame house in a stunning semi rural location that off ers spacious family accommodation.

In the charming sitting room, windows and doors run along one side, allowing you to enjoy views of the secluded front gardens. A log burner is set into the stone tile hearth and wood par uet ooring adds extra character. The family room (or potential fi fth bedroom and study both have

windows to the rear, while the kitchen/dining room is a real highlight of this property. Fitted with contemporary white lacquer units, two integrated electric ovens, a breakfast bar and French doors to the rear terrace, the kitchen also has direct access to the integral double garage and utility room.

The four bedrooms and family bathroom are arranged across the fi rst and second oors. An en suite bathroom makes a

welcome addition to the master bedroom, which has superb views.

Alfresco dining will be a real treat here, as the attractive rear terrace has a delightful pergola and is set amid beautiful grounds with a good degree of privacy.

UNIQUE HOUSE HASCANADIAN CONNECTION

For full details contact: Chestertons • 01580 765 858 • www.chestertons.com

Property: West Point,

Canadian ‘A’ frame house

Location: Church Road,

Sandhurst, Kent

Guide price: £895,000

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2 plus WC

Land: About one acre

Extras: Integral double garage,

terrace, pond, greenhouse, vegetable

garden, within Cranbrook School

catchment area

Best bits: Located on a quiet no

through road on the edge of

Sandhurst village, West Point enjoys

marvellous views of the surrounding

countryside and offers all the

tranquillity you could desire.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Property_Chestertons.indd 149 22/09/2014 12:23

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:45

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 151

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

MOVING WITH THE TIMESThroughout its 30-year history of designing quality kitchens and other home features, Mounts Hill

Woodcraft in Cranbrook has seen styles change and tastes develop. We find out why this reputable

company’s commitment to quality, passion and skill remains the same three decades on

What were you doing 30 years ago?

School? University? First job? First

child? Don’t tell us, you weren’t even

born! It sounds like a lifetime ago – it

is a lifetime ago, but that was when Mounts Hill

Woodcraft first began making their kitchens,

furniture, windows and doors.

What’s changed in those 30 years?

Technology has moved us on, certainly. At

Mounts Hill all our drawings and designs were

by hand and quotes were typed on a typewriter

and filed in big box lever files. A lot of our work

was completely handmade and our apprentices

learned their trade slowly and surely.

But actually, quite a lot of that is still the

case here at Mounts Hill; not the quote writing,

for sure, but we still have a number of

employees who began their woodworking

careers here straight from school. They are

now extremely experienced, capable, clever

artisans in their own right and they are the

core of our success.

Certainly, our workshop is now full of the

latest machines and technology: laser cutters,

veneer presses, lathes and huge saws. But still

a lot of the work is done by hand, with skills

handed down from old hands to new.

Mounts Hill has definitely seen fashions

change over the years. Pine was the timber of

choice for both joinery and kitchens for many

years, but we can’t remember the last kitchen

we made from pine. We made stable doors and

patio doors a lot; now, our most popular doors

are bi-fold, sliding and folding, with huge panes

of glass and fantastic, smooth running

systems, as wide as you like. The lacquers we

use now on doors, windows and kitchens no

longer yellow with age. Colour schemes come

and go and traditional cockbeading and raised

and fielded panels seem to have slipped out of

style, making way for clean lines and minimal

Shaker-style kitchens. Did we even know what

a Shaker kitchen was 30 years ago? And what

about worktops? The available selection used

to be quite restrictive, but now the market

offers stunning granites, beautiful hardwoods,

quartzite, stone, glass and resin worktops,

different textures, a rainbow of colours, every

single one beautiful!

We now regularly quote for steam ovens, hot

water taps, wine fridges, touchscreen ovens

and American fridge freezers. Lights can be

operated by waving at them, digital television

screens fold down from under wall cabinets

and extractors pop up from worktops. Mounts

Hill Woodcraft has seen it all, designed it all,

built it all and fitted it all, but the basic principle

is still the same: to ensure the kitchen works

for the customer so that it’s the centre of the

home, the hub of the family, a pleasure to use

and will last a lifetime – at least 30 years!

www.mountshill.com

Mounts Hill Woodcraft has seen it all,

designed it all, built it all and fitted it all

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial Mounts Hill.indd 105 22/09/2014 11:44

SO B E AU T I F U L H O M E S

Built within the last five years, this Arts and Crafts house inSundridge has both contemporary style and a traditional feel

Spring Shaw is an exceptional country house designed by renowned architect Stephen Langer and offering modern

conveniences alongside period style charm.Oak ooring through most of the ground oor, period

and handmade stone fireplaces and tall ceilings make this feel like an historic home, while luxuries such as under oor heating and a Sonos music system bring it firmly into the 1st century.

This is a fabulous property for entertaining on a grand scale, as you can access the rear terrace from the dining room, triple aspect drawing room and impressive kitchen/breakfast room. There is further

recreation space in the air conditioned basement, which has a gymnasium, cinema room and shower room.

A feature double height window illuminates the oak staircase that leads to the first oor, where you ll find five bedrooms, two of which have an en suite bathroom or shower room. There is another bathroom on this oor and above, there is a large games room with potential to convert to further bedrooms, subject to planning consent.

Outside, the house is approached via a circular gravel driveway that takes you past the attractive ornamental pond and on towards the oak garage block.

ARTF L CO NTRY HOMEIN BEA TIF L GARDENS

For full details contact: Knight Frank • 01732 744 477 • www.knightfrank.co.uk

152 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO TW_October14_Property_Knight Frank DPS.indd 2 22/09/2014 12:10

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 153

B E AU T I F U L H O M E S SO

For full details contact: Knight Frank • 01732 744 477 • www.knightfrank.co.uk

Property: Spring Shaw, detached house

Location: Sundridge, Sevenoaks, Kent

Guide price: £3.5million

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 2 plus 2 shower rooms & WC

Land: About 7.4 acres

Extras: Games room, cinema room, gym,

garage block, ornamental pond, tennis

court, swimming pool with old oast and

pool house, open barn with workshop,

outbuildings, two greenhouses, kitchen

garden, orchard, paddocks

Best bits: Designed by RHS Chelsea

Best in Show winner, Roger Platts, the

stunning landscaped gardens have been

designed to take advantage of the open

countryside views, particularly from

the swimming pool.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

SO TW_October14_Property_Knight Frank DPS.indd 3 22/09/2014 12:13

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:46

Untitled-1 3 22/09/2014 16:46

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:46

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 157

B E AU T I F U L H O M E S SOIN ASSOCIATION WITH

A quintessential English country house in East Farleigh set in delightful landscaped gardens

Those who dream of living the real country life will be in heaven at Thatched House.

This immaculately restored Grade II listed home dates from the 17th century with 18th and 19th century additions, retaining many charming period features. The house’s elevated position offers wonderful views across the landscaped gardens to the west.

Oak floorboards extend throughout the drawing room, dining room, sitting room and family room, plus some of them boast fireplaces, inset wood burners and access to the gardens. A Rangemaster oven is a key feature of the attractive

kitchen, which also has a convenient integral dishwasher.

Upstairs there is a stylish bathroom to serve five of the bedrooms, while the second is en suite to the master bedroom. There’s useful built-in storage in three of the bedrooms and one boasts outstanding views to the west.

Designed by Michael Marlott of David Austin Roses, the beautiful front garden features symmetrical lavender and box beds and ornamental roses. The gravel driveway takes you through apple orchards and mature hedging, while paved terracing extends around the property towards the lawn.

For full details contact: Savills • 01580 720 161 • www.savills.co.uk

Property: Thatched House, Grade II listed

Location: Heath Road, East Farleigh, Kent

Price: £1,095,000

Bedrooms: 6

Bathrooms: 2 plus shower room & WC

Land: About 6 acres

Extras: Detached two-bedroom cottage,

all-weather tennis court, heated swimming

pool, thatched outbuildings, Breeze House,

double open bay garage, covered well, apple

orchards

Best bits: If you’d like to have staff living on

the premises, extra guest accommodation or a

private residence for family members, the

detached single storey cottage is an added

bonus to this property.

IDYLLIC THATCHED RESIDENCE WITH POOL

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Property_Savills.indd 3 22/09/2014 12:15

158 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p158 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 14:53

B E AU T I F U L H O M E S SOIN ASSOCIATION WITH

You can live the ideal Tunbridge Wells lifestyle in this refurbished Victorian townhouse with ample parking

Here is a fantastic opportunity to own a charming Victorian property in central Tunbridge ells, off ering all

the joys of this elegant architectural era while having been fully refurbished. The sash style double gla ed windows off er warmth without compromising on style, plus the house has been re-plumbed with zoned heating and re-wired to provide multi-socket TV and telephone points.

nder oor heating in all the bathrooms will help to keep you cosy too.

Having been sympathetically restored, the generous sized rooms have great charm, starting with the impressive entrance hall. An ornate marble fi replace and bay window are among the features of the dining room, while

the stunning and well-equipped kitchen/breakfast room will be a delight for any keen cook. The room opens onto the balcony, off ering opportunities to dine alfresco.

On the fi rst oor, you ll also fi nd a marble fi replace and bay window in the drawing room, from where you can enter the study. Across the hall is the master bedroom suite, comprising a walk-in dressing room and an en suite bathroom with separate shower cubicle. Up on the top oor, the guest bedroom benefi ts from an en suite shower room and a family bathroom serves the remaining two bedrooms.

Outside, there s a beautifully landscaped walled garden and a real rarity in central Tunbridge ells off road parking for six cars.

For full details contact: Jackson-Stops & Staff • 01892 521 700 • www.jackson-stops.co.uk

Property: 10 St John’s Road,

four-storey Victorian townhouse

Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Guide price: £1.25million

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 2 plus 2 shower rooms & WCs

Extras: Conservatory area,

balcony, wine cellar, walled garden,

off-road parking, annexe potential

Best bits: Ideal for use as independent

living space for a family member or simply

as a great recreation area, the lower

ground fl oor offers tremendous versatility.

Comprising a living room with

conservatory area, kitchen, shower room

and bedroom, this level could form a

self-contained annexe or be used as a gym.

RARE FIND HAS BEEN RESTORED

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 159

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Property_JacksonStops.indd 3 22/09/2014 12:18

160 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p160 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 15:17

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 14:52

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:47

SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 163

p163 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 3 23/09/2014 14:54

164 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p164 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 10:58

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:49

166 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO B E AU T I F U L H O M E S

Charming views are an added bonus with this former Victorian lodge in Langton Green

Overlooking a 10-acre field, the grounds of East Gate Lodge offer great tranquillity and

seclusion. If you’re seeking a peaceful place to enjoy the beautiful Wealden countryside, look no further than this single storey gem.

Parking is available on the gravel driveway and there is a patio and a raised terrace in the grounds, great for outdoor entertaining. Visitors are welcomed by an attractive rose garden at the front of the house, while gardeners will enjoy the productive vegetable plot that includes soft fruit bushes and fruit trees.

The open plan kitchen/dining room is

ideal for socialising, as you can chat to your guests while preparing dinner. Adjacent is the double aspect sitting room, which has a great sense of space due to the French doors opening to the triple aspect conservatory – from here, you can step out into the courtyard area via more French doors. Off the kitchen, you’ll find a useful rear entrance hall that doubles as a utility room.

A bathroom and shower room serve the three bedrooms, one of which has French doors opening onto the patio. The study is a handy place to work or it could be used as a fourth bedroom.

For full details contact: Howard Cundey • 01892 515 670 • www.howardcundey.com

Property: East Gate Lodge, single storey

Victorian house

Location: Speldhurst Road, Langton Green, Kent

Price: £700,000 to £750,000

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 1 plus shower room

Land: Just under 0.3 acre

Extras: Patio, raised terrace, vegetable plot, two

sheds, off-road parking

Best bits: Situated in an Area of Outstanding

Natural Beauty, East Gate Lodge has a fantastic

outlook over fi elds and countryside in the Weald

of Kent – all while being just on the edge of the

village of Langton Green

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

GATEWAY TO PARADISE

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Property_Howard Cundey.indd 2 22/09/2014 12:19

SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 167

p167 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 3 23/09/2014 15:18

168 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO B E AU T I F U L H O M E SIN ASSOCIATION WITH

A delightful Crowborough home with its own all-weather court and heated swimming pool

Dating from the Tudor period, this Grade II partly listed rural retreat is in an area of outstanding natural

beauty and off ers wonderful views across the surrounding countryside. The partly thatched roof is just one of the historic features that gives eleirs such charm others include exposed walls and ceiling timbers and open fi replaces.

These features can be found in the triple aspect drawing room, which has a working inglenook fi replace. There is another of these fabulous fi replaces in the family sitting room, which has double doors to the double aspect

dining room. A cast iron wood burning stove is set into the fi replace here, with a brick surround and oak bressumer over. In the kitchen, pine wall and base units and a double oven Aga give the room a lot of character, plus there s a useful utility room.

On the fi rst oor, three of the four bedrooms have built in cupboards. You can enjoy magnifi cent views of the well tended gardens from the double aspect master bedroom, which has an en suite bathroom. A further bathroom and shower room are also found on this oor. The remaining two bedrooms are located on the second oor.

For full details contact: McAuley Miller • 01892 614 777 • www.mcauleymiller.com

Property: Weleirs, Grade II

partly listed house

Location: Town Row Green,

Crowborough, East Sussex

Price: £1,090,000

Bedrooms: 6

Bathrooms: 2 plus shower room & WCs

Land: 1.18 acres

Extras: Swimming pool,

tennis court, decking

Best bits: Those who like to keep active

will be delighted with the leisure facilities

at Weleirs. In the attractive grounds there

is a heated swimming pool with an

adjacent pool house and you can even

enjoy a set or two on the all-weather

tennis court.

ANYONE FOR TENNIS

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Property_McCauleyMiller.indd 2 22/09/2014 12:08

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:50

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:51

Untitled-1 3 22/09/2014 16:51

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:53

Untitled-1 3 22/09/2014 16:53

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:53

Untitled-1 3 22/09/2014 16:53

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 09:23

Untitled-1 3 23/09/2014 09:23

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 09:07

Untitled-1 3 23/09/2014 09:07

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:55

Untitled-1 3 22/09/2014 16:56

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:56

Untitled-1 3 22/09/2014 16:56

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:57

Untitled-1 3 22/09/2014 16:57

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:58

Untitled-1 3 22/09/2014 16:58

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:04

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:04

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:13

Untitled-1 3 22/09/2014 17:13

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:05

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:06

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:08

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 16:50

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:13

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:14

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:14

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:15

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:15

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:16

2 F E B R UA RY 2 0 1 4

SO FA I R FA X G A L L E RY

ON THIS PAGEAdam Hargreaves ‘Autumn Breeze’ Oil on Canvas 106 x 132 cm

Jack Frame ‘GoldOak’ Oil Gold Leaf on Panel 100 x 100 cmJack Frame ‘Silver Birch’ Oil on Silver leaf each panel 150 x 78 cm Adam Hargreaves ‘Frost in the Valley’ Oil on Canvas 96 x 132 cm

Tree Trees an exhibition featuring on subject but three very different artist. Jack Frame a recent graduate from the

Glasgow School of Art, who is having success internationally. Adam Hargreaves who we are pleased is fi nding more

time between writing and illustrating the ‘Mr Men’ books to create his paintings, having already had 2 sell out shows

with the Fairfax Gallery. Beverley Rouwen whose ‘Wood’ inspired paintings have become a fi rm favourite with

Fairfax clients in its gallery shows and London exhibitions.

202 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

Open seven days a week • 23 The Pantiles (Lower Walk), Tunbridge Wells

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Fairfax.indd 2 22/09/2014 14:16

F E B R UA RY 2 0 1 4 3

FA I R FA X G A L L E RY SO

The Fairfax Gallery was founded in 1995 on the elegant Lower Walk of the Pantiles. Whilst now having two other permanent

galleries and exhibiting in London, New York, Singapore & Hong Kong the original Pantiles gallery, always ensures it has the

latest and strongest examples on display in its spacious gallery set over 2 fl oors with a large stock behind the scenes...

We are pleased to continue our home trial service throughout Kent, Sussex & London

to help you fi nd the perfect piece or help with a larger project.

ON THIS PAGEAdam Hargeaves ‘Refl ected Blue’ Oil on Canvas 100 x 71 cm

Jack Frame ‘Blossom Oil’ oN Panel 76 x 72 cmBeverley Rouwen ‘Did you ever’ Oil on Canvas 90 x 100 cmBeverley Rouwen ‘Wood Spirit’ Oil on Canvas 80 x 120 cm.

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 203

Tel: 01892 525 525 www.fairfaxgallery.com

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Fairfax.indd 3 22/09/2014 14:17

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:16

FO O D SO

OUR MONTHLY LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE LOCAL CULINARY SCENE

FOODNEWS

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 205

Royal approvalLocal restaurateur Matthew Sankey was invited to meet

HRH Prince Philip during a Royal visit to the National

Lobster Hatchery in Cornwall. The Duke of Edinburgh

was keen to meet Mr Sankey – owner of Sankey’s

Seafood Brasserie, the Fishmonger’s and the Old

Fishmarket in Tunbridge Wells – who has been working

with the Padstow-based Hatchery since 2009 to help

support sustainable fishing. Via the Buy One Set One

Free campaign, Sankey’s has raised more than £11,000

and helped released over 3,200 juvenile lobsters. The

firm’s menus are also checked daily against Marine

Stewardship Council’s guidelines on what to eat, to ensure

sustainability.

“Our work with the National Lobster Hatchery allows

our diners and ourselves to enjoy eating lobsters with a

clear conscience,” Mr Sankey says. “With the help of the

Hatchery, we’re able to replace every lobster we fish from

the sea. It’s as sustainable as it gets.”

www.sankeys.co.uk

Liquid goldKent and Sussex are among the most expensive

places to buy a pint, according to the latest edition

of The Good Pub Guide. Only London, Surrey and

Berkshire pubs charge more than Sussex’s average

going rate of £3.52; Kent is the sixth priciest

county for a pint, with most hostelries charging

£3.51. Unsurprisingly, the capital will set you

back the most with an average price of £3.79 per

pint – for a boozy bargain you’ll need to head for

Herefordshire, where you can expect to pay just

£3.03 for your beverage.

www.thegoodpubguide.co.uk

Favourite flavoursThe Garden of England is home to many superb food and drink producers that are appreciated by countless local consumers. If you’d like to see the purveyor of your favourite tipple or treat publicly acknowledged, don’t forget to vote in the Taste of Kent Awards 2015. Voting opened on September 26 and the scheme gives members of the public the chance to reward local producers with a well-deserved nomination. Organised by Produced in Kent, the awards offer accolades in many categories, including: Butcher or Meat Producer of the Year, Kentish Beer, Kentish Wine, Kentish Cider or Perry, Kent Juice Producer, Local Food Retailer of the Year, Fishmonger of the Year, Food Producer of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Dining Pub of the Year, Farmers Market of the Year, Food Product of the Year, Kent Countryside Award, Garden of England Champion Cherry and Soft Fruit, and Garden of England Champion – Top Fruit. To register your vote visit www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Food_News.indd 3 22/09/2014 14:38

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:16

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 207

FO O D SO

When did you first know you wanted to be

a chef?

When I was at school I I took food technology

as an option at the age of 13 and immediately

took a shine to it. And at home I was always

helping Mum out in the kitchen. She always

went to town with the Sunday roast, which

regularly featured eight vegetables. After

school, I studied hospitality and catering at

West Kent College. Within a week I knew it was

the right decision, as cooking came naturally

to me. I excelled and won Catering Student

of the Year. While at college I worked day

release at Hotel du Vin; having finished my

course early, I catered for a range of prestige

events, including the Chelsea Flower Show,

Hampton Court Flower Show, Wimbledon, the

Henley Regatta and the Paris Air Show where

I worked alongside Albert Roux.

Who’s your role model?

I became very interested in the Roux family,

but I’d say that my real role model is Paul

Gayler. He was the head chef at the five-star

Lanesborough Hotel in Hyde Park, where my

career took me just before my 18th birthday.

It’s a hard graft industry and the hours are

long and crazy, but it’s an absolute buzz and

you’re all there for the same reason – your

passion for food.

What are your food influences?

From a very young age I was accompanying

my mum to bakeries and fruit and veg stalls,

and she was definitely an early influence on

me. So I still have a soft spot for traditional,

home-cooked British food, like Lancashire

hotpots. I’ve also been influenced by chefs

that I’ve worked with. I thrive off working with

other people and giving something back. It’s

by far the best way to learn.

What is your signature dish?

I’d say my seared red snapper with saffron

fondants, broad beans truffle puree and a

bouillabaisse sauce. That’s a dish I created

of which I’m very proud and it’s becoming a

popular choice at our Bistro too.

What are your aspirations for the Bistro at

Salomons?

I want to expand the menu and really put

Salomons Estate on the map as a food

destination. I want people to start talking

about it as a thriving place to eat. I’m a

Tunbridge Wells boy, so making it a success

locally would mean a great deal to me. It’s

already picking up and getting busier – on a

lovely day there usually isn’t a table left on

the terrace.

What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever had to

cook?

When I worked at the Lanesborough Hotel,

we had to cater for a big bash hosted by an

Australian gentleman. Both kangaroo and

crocodile were on the menu!

If you were on Death Row, what would you

request for your last meal?

That’s a tough one. It’s a toss-up between a

slap-up Chicken Rogan Josh from my local

curry house (with a bottle of Cobra beer to

wash it down) and my mum’s famous roast

pork dinner with eight vegetables. But on

balance I think Mum’s roast would win!

www.salomons-estate.com

A life in foodHE’S WORKED ALONGSIDE ALBERT ROUX, MADE CANAPÉS FOR THE QUEEN AND HAS DELIGHTED LOCAL DINERS WITH HIS SIGNATURE SNAPPER DISH. RECENTLY PROMOTED TO HEAD CHEF AT THE SALOMONS ESTATE, JUST OUTSIDE TUNBRIDGE WELLS, DAN YARDLEY REFLECTS ON A CAREER SPENT IN FOOD

SA

M Y

AR

DL

EY

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Food_Salomons Chef.indd 3 22/09/2014 14:31

208 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p208 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 15:19

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:18

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:18

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 211

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

More than 500 beers from

30 countries entered the

competition, which was

judged by UK beer experts

including retailers, importers, publicans,

brewers, writers and fl avour analysts,

as well as highly experienced judges

from continental Europe to give a

comprehensive spread of tasting

experience.

Brews were entered from such far-

fl ung places as Brazil, Egypt, Mongolia

and Bury St Edmunds. Each was tasted

blind by the expert panel and medals

were awarded to the exceptional

entries. The trophy winners were

announced at an awards evening at

Dartmouth House in London’s Mayfair

on September 8.

“The IBC is not an easy competition

in which to win a medal of any colour,”

says Chairman of the judges, Jeff

Evans. “Our judges are among the

most demanding around, all of them

experts from across the brewing

industry. They don’t give medals

away cheaply and so bronze and

silver medals in the IBC, I believe,

are worth much more than golds

in other competitions.”

Van Bulck Beers Ltd

85 High Street,

Tunbridge Wells,

Kent TN1 1XP

01892 506 953

www.vanbulck-beers.be

“The IBC is notan easy competition

in which to win a medal of any

colour”

Taste of SuccessTHE INTERNATIONAL BEER CHALLENGE 2014 HAS AWARDED VAN BULCK BEERS IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS A BRONZE MEDAL FOR TASTE FOR THEIR GLUTEN-FREE ORGANIC LAGER

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial Food Van Buick.indd 3 23/09/2014 09:06

212 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p212 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 15:20

Untitled-1 222/09/2014 17:18

SO FO O D

214 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

In 1299, the George Hotel at Cranbrook

played host to the Plantaganet King

Edward I. It was the year he married

Margaret of France, the daughter of the

French King Philip III.

Just take a moment or two to savour that

little fact: King Edward I – old Longshanks

himself – dropped into the George more than

seven centuries ago.

Another monarch, Queen Elizabeth I, visited

the George 274 years later. That was in 1573, at

which point the inn was already getting on for

300 years old. Shakespeare would have been

just a lad of nine at the time (and, presumably, in

some poor teacher’s English class).

So, the very first thing that hits you about the

George is that it is not just old, it is seriously old.

It’s so old, in fact, that the Virgin Queen – she

who had the heart and stomach of a King –

would have thought of it as ancient when

she stayed there more than 400

years ago.

Now owned by Shepherd

Neame and admirably run by

General Manager Dan

Tornbom, the George these

days is a comfortable hotel in

the heart of Cranbrook with a

splendid dining room and a dozen

guest bedrooms – including The

Crimson, which is the one Queen

Elizabeth I laid herself down in.

The Brasserie at the George offers classics

like sausage and mash (£9.95) with a little

gastronomic flair that hints at something

superior to the normal pub grub; the sausages

are venison and the sauce is a juniper berry

and thyme jus, served with roasted

parsnip. The buzzy Brasserie also

serves chunky shepherd’s pie

(£9.95), Spitfire beer battered

cod with hand cut chips and

creamed peas (£12.50) and

one or two slightly more off

the wall items, including

rosemary baked Camembert

(with grape and apple compote and

caramelised onion and walnut bread) as

a starter for £10.95 and tagliatelle with piquillo

peppers, basil pesto and grilled vegetables with

cashew nuts for £9.50.

By George, they’ve got it

WITH A HISTORY THAT STRETCHES BACK SEVERAL CENTURIES, THE GEORGE HOTEL IN CRANBROOK BRINGS A WEIGHT OF EXPECTATION TO EACH OWNER. ERIK BROWN POPS IN

TO FIND OUT WHETHER THE FOOD ON OFFER IS STILL FIT FOR ROYALTY

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Food_George Hotel.indd 2 22/09/2014 14:34

FO O D SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 215

SO

But this is a weekday evening and we step

around the Brasserie and head for the

restaurant at the back of the hotel; a cosy, tall

room featuring ancient beams and brickwork,

a huge fi replace and chandeliers that

supplement the tea lights on the tables.

Before I go much further, I have to confess

that my paunch has been bothering me of late.

You know things are getting out of hand when

your tummy visibly enters a room before you

do and so – on this occasion – I shun the

chicken liver parfait with foie gras and red

onion marmalade (£8.95) and opt instead for

the seared scallops with curried caulifl ower

purée and crispy Parma ham (£9.95). Mrs B

goes for a special: the gravadlax with dill

crème fraiche at £6.50.

I recently had scallops in a Michelin starred

restaurant in London, where they had not

been caramelised and they were fl accid, bland

little things lacking in fl avour. It is with much

satisfaction, then, that at the George I tuck

into nicely browned scallops and a very lightly

curried caulifl ower purée – with a fl avour

closer to kedgeree than curry.

The gravadlax is chunky, which it isn’t

always and the crème fraiche is properly

refreshing.

Still thinking of the old waistline, I order

halibut for my main course. It comes with

smoked salmon, potato Anna (thinly sliced

potatoes cooked in butter), baby fennel, baby

onions and a dill cream sauce at £18.95.

(I could, of course, have opted for something

from the George’s Light Bite menu – a pea and

mint risotto with parmesan at a mere £3, for

instance – but it would not have been in the

proper spirit of a restaurant review. In this way,

waistlines are sacrifi ced for the craft.)

Mrs B orders pork fi llet medallions with

celeriac and ham dauphinoise, nutmeg

spinach and wholegrain cream mustard

(£14.95). The pork is pinkish, just as it should

be and there’s plenty of it. It’s prettily

presented too.

The halibut is excellent and huge and is set

off nicely by the fennel and dill cream sauce.

It’s probably the biggest fi llet of halibut I’ve

ever had, in fact.

A handsome cheese board (£7.95) includes

Kentish Blue as well as the more usual Brie

and Cheddar, and there are plenty of grapes

and biscuits to go with it. And then there is the

raspberry ripple cheesecake, a huge wedge of

a thing – easily enough for two at £6.95.

Perhaps it had been wishful thinking to have

seen the halibut as a lighter option: it really

was a big piece of fi sh and, of course, the

potatoes were rather too buttery to have been

considered a diet option.

Still, I’ve wanted to eat at the George since,

in interview, Mark Colley told me that it had

been his and his wife Sara’s, fi rst venture into

catering and hospitality. They made it their

own, then sold up and bought The Curlew at

Bodiam, which now has a Michelin star.

The restaurant is full, always a good sign

and the food is well prepared with some nice

touches – and great value, given the portion

sizes. It’s so good, in fact, that I arrange to

meet somebody in the Brasserie for lunch the

following week. Little do I know that meeting is

destined to be called off, but I’ll be back sooner

rather than later.

The George Hotel,

Stone Street, Cranbrook. TN17 3HE

01580 713 348

www.thegeorgehotelkent.co.uk

prices at a glanceStarters from: £5.50

Mains from: £9.95

Desserts from: £5.95

the george is seriously old. queen elizabeth I

would have thought of

it as ancient when she

visited in 1573

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Food_George Hotel.indd 3 22/09/2014 14:35

SO A DV E R TO R I A L OOD

216 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

Dating from the 14th century

with simple pub grub, four

acres of land and four cosy

bedrooms, The Bull Inn is a

magnificent, ancient building in the heart

of the Sussex countryside. Built between

1385 and 1425, it’s reputed to be one of

the oldest dwelling places in the country.

The wealth of old beams, low ceilings

and quarry-tiled floors give it a real air of

the traditional English country pub. It’s the

A WellEarned Break

IF YOU FANCY A HEARTY MEAL FOLLOWING AN AUTUMNAL STROLL THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES OF EAST SUSSEX, THE BULL

IN TICEHURST OFFERS DELICIOUS DISHES, TRADITIONAL ALES AND A WARM, INVITING DÉCOR. WE STEP OVER THE THRESHOLD TO

DISCOVER THE MANY DELIGHTS ON OFFER AT THIS GREAT BRITISH PUB

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial The Bull_v2.indd 2 23/09/2014 12:34

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 217

A DV E R TO R I A L SO SO

ideal place to relax and enjoy hearty pub

food after a long walk or cycle around the

surrounding areas, or the beautiful Bewl

Water, which is only a short stroll away.

You are always welcome to come and

unwind and enjoy your food and drink

while admiring the garden, watching

the ducks swimming on the pond or the

lovebirds in our aviary. Stepping through

the door on a crisp winter’s day, you

can toast your toes in front of one of

two roaring log fires, tuck into a hearty

meal and enjoy a well-deserved drink.

With a mass of small, intimate areas

within, this is the place to come for an

excellent range of real ales, including

locally-brewed Harvey’s. We also keep a

fine selection of lagers, ciders, wines and

spirits, and of course we offer tea, coffee

and soft drinks.

Food is an important part of life here

and the delicious home-cooked dishes

range from mouth-watering,

freshly-baked baguettes, to a full à la

carte menu. Whether eating in the warm

and inviting dining room or outside in

the large, pretty garden, a meal here

is well worth trying. Dogs are always

welcome and parts of the menu change

daily, depending on the freshest ingredients

around, so you can guarantee that there

is something for everybody available.

The Bull Inn

Three Leg Cross,

Ticehurst, East Sussex TN5 7HH

01580 200 586

www.thebullinn.co.uk

Stepping through the door on a crisp winter’s day, you can toast your toes in front of one of two roaring log fires

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial The Bull_v2.indd 3 23/09/2014 12:39

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:20

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 219

SO

Call me old fashioned... but whoever

thought it was acceptable to stuff

a frankfurter into a pizza crust

needs to be thrown off the

Leaning Tower of Pisa. OK, so we can blame

our friends over the Atlantic for mutating this

much cherished Italian delicacy, but we’ve

allowed things to go too far. Don’t worry,

though; it’s all about to change.

Firezza on Mount Ephraim has taken the

buffalo (mozzarella) by the horns and is

serving authentic, fresh, healthy and

surprisingly inexpensive pizzas to the

deprived folk of Tunbridge Wells. No

gimmicks or processed cheese, but instead a

full-on assault to the tastebuds, made to

order and cooked to perfection in the

wood-fired oven. This is pizza for grown-ups

(and little ones with great taste too). Your

pizza comes by either a half-metre or by 12”

and every topping has been carefully crafted

from a decade of discerning feedback from

Firezza’s London devotees. This is

Renaissance Italy on a thin, hand-stretched

base, delivered to your home or place of work

with a fast delivery to your door. You can also

order from a selection of beers and wines to

complete your posh night in (watching the

Godfather trilogy box set).

As it’s approaching my favourite time of

year, let me leave you with this seasonal treat

- The Porcini...wild porcini mushrooms, fresh

field mushrooms, truffle cream, Taleggio

cheese, imported mozzarella, Parmesan

shavings and tarragon. And if you don’t like

mushrooms, there’s 28 other pizzas to

choose from. Calling all genuine pizza lovers

- burn your take-away menus, download the

app, place your order and prepare to enjoy

the real taste of Italy.

Firezza

42 Mount Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge

Wells, Kent TN4 8AU

01892 521 050

www.firezza.com

When is a pizza not a pizza?ANSWER - WHEN ITS THICK, SOGGY BASE IS LOADED WITH PLASTIC CHEESE, A TOMATO SAUCE THAT HAS ITS OWN REGISTERED TRADEMARK AND A DOZEN OR SO MEATBALLS THAT HAVE ESCAPED FROM A FACTORY SOMEWHERE IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE

No gimmicks or processed cheese, but instead a full-on assault to the tastebuds

IMA

GE

S B

Y A

LIC

E H

AR

DIN

G

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial Firezza2.indd 3 23/09/2014 15:08

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:20

FO O D SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 221

In 1810, Hindoostane Coffee House,

the first Indian restaurant in the UK,

opened its doors in central London.

Two hundred years later, our love affair

with Indian cuisine shows no sign of abating.

In fact, the Cobra Good Curry Guide

revealed that last year Britons spent an

average £20 a month on cooking an Indian

feast at home and £31 on their favourite

curries while eating out – all amounting to

a staggering £30,000 lavished on curry

across an average lifetime.

So, what exactly is it about the eye-

watering, aromatic, heat-inducing Asian

cuisine that we love so much?

One aspect might be our history.

“I think Indian food is so popular in Britain

because when the British were in India, they

fell in love with the spices and local cuisine,”

says Vivek Singh, founder and CEO of

The Cinnamon Club and one of the most

celebrated chefs of Indian cuisine in the UK.

“And when they came back, they wanted to

recreate this unique taste. So spices started

being imported, along with chefs and cooks

who had the culinary knowledge.”

There’s another simple reason we adore

our curry: chillies. Research suggests that

when the body defends itself against the

heat of a hot chilli it releases endorphins,

the body’s natural painkillers.

Delicious and addictive as they are though,

curries have also gained a bad reputation

over the years, often being associated with

high levels of saturated fat, sugar and salt

content – particularly the ever-popular

chicken tikka masala, voted as Britain’s

national dish in 2006.

This doesn’t mean all Indian fare is bad for

you - far from it. Curries contain many spices

which boast a huge range of health-boosting

benefits. For example, some of the popular

curry ingredients, like coconut milk and

ghee, are often thought of as bad due to

their saturated fat content. But Priya Tew,

a freelance dietician registered with the

Health Professions Council and the British

Dietetic Association, believes that a small

amount of saturated fat is not a bad thing.

“Coconut milk does indeed contain saturated

fat, but the fat is made up of shorter chain

fatty acids which have been shown to be

easier for the body to break down and use

and have more health benefits including

lowering cholesterol, reducing the risk of

heart disease and lowering high blood

pressure.”

Similarly, chilli powder has a bad reputation,

but it also contains Vitamin A and C, which

are powerful antioxidants and if taken in

small quantities, has been shown to help

lower blood pressure.

Anjum Anand, food writer, TV chef and

founder of The Spice Tailor, is another

advocate for the power of curries, believing

that by choosing the best ingredients and

balancing the flavours, spices and ingredients,

we can all benefit from Indian cuisine.

“People’s experience of eating Indian food

in the West is not a true reflection of the real

food we eat at home, which is lighter, fresher

and far more well-balanced than what’s

offered at takeaways,” says Anand.

She has been following the principles of

Ayurveda, an ancient healing wisdom of India,

in her cooking for eight years and the style is

now also gaining popularity in the West for its

holistic healing and regenerating benefits.

“The Ayurvedic way of eating is not about

cuisine, it’s about ingredients,” explains

Anand. “So what you do with those

ingredients is what will make the meal

delicious but also healthy.”

SO

WE’VE GOT THEHOTS FOR CURRY IT’S A WELL KNOWN FACT THAT BRITS ADORE A CURRY, BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT TUCKING INTO THE SPICY DISH COULD BE GOOD FOR YOU TOO? AHEAD OF NATIONAL CURRY WEEK (OCTOBER 13 TO 19), NILIMA MARSHALL EXPLORES THE HIDDEN HEALTH BENEFITS OF THE HUMBLE RUBY

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Food_Curry NEW.indd 3 22/09/2014 14:26

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:21

SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 223

p223 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 3 23/09/2014 11:09

224 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p224 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 11:49

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 225

FO O D SO

Thought for foodTHIS MONTH, OUR RESIDENT CELEBRITY CHEF ROSEMARY SHRAGER TALKS ABOUT HER ADVENTURES IN EXOTIC CLIMES AND THE GOOD OLD KENTISH APPLE

As I write, I’ve just come back from

a trip to Grenada to fi nd out

about spices and their cuisine. I

was only away for fi ve days, but

I really packed things into my time there!

The food was incredible – all the fi sh was

line caught, we had Caribbean inspired

Ceviche using local spices, West Indian styled

curried fi sh, roasted and pickled fi sh and the

infamous Lion fi sh ( correct name is Pterois).

They are well known for their ornate beauty,

venomous spines and unique tentacles.

I stayed at Mount Cinnamon Hotel, which

was just a dream; if you want a holiday to

relax, this is it, it doesn’t get better. Plus

I visited the rum distillery, the last in the

Caribbean, which makes rum directly from

cane sugar. I drank rum in all the cocktails

– as you do!

The one thing I really want to talk about

is the nutmeg there. They have cinnamon,

turmeric, cloves, tonka beans, pepper,

ginger and vanilla. But I think the nutmeg

is by far the most important. Firstly, what

do they look like? Well, as you drive past

the trees, they look as if they are growing a

type of apricot. When you cut through you

have the nutmeg (kernel) with the red mace

covering the seed – nutmegs are not nuts,

they are kernels. Grenada is second only to

Indonesia in the export of nutmeg.

So, I hear you ask, what’s so special about

nutmeg? The answer is, what you can do

with it. You can make the fruit into jam,

also you can make liqueur – we put it in

all the rum punches with syrup. It goes on

pancakes, fruit salad and in lots of savoury

dishes, especially sausages.

They also make products out of it such

as lipstick and nail varnish. The shell of the

kernel is used for mulch, gravel and fuel

for burning. Also the nutmeg has an oil

that is used in aromatherapy, as it’s good

for rheumatism and arthritis and also as

an inhalation oil (take a look at the small

print of a certain well known inhalation

remedy for colds!).

Nutmegs have a long tradition in

folklore. In the 17th century, nutmeg was

the Viagra of the day, although it had to

be administered externally! Also there

was a superstition that anyone who

received a nutmeg on New Year’s Day

and carried it in their pocket all the year

round would be protected from broken

bones, strokes, scarlet fever and boils.

That is what is so special – I don’t know

any other spice that does so much, so I

say, “all hail the nutmeg!”

We are now in apple season as you

know and those who have followed my

writing will know that it’s one of my

favourite seasons. I especially love it

in Kent because you have the unusual

apples that you don’t see so often.

I would defi nitely recommend going

to the Apple Festival at Brogdale in

Faversham on October 18 and 19 – they

have the National Fruit Collection and I

will be there!

For inspiration this month I’m giving

you my apple tart recipe and I’m adding

a teaspoon of grated nutmeg to the

apple puree. Check the So website

www.somagazine.co.uk for the recipe.

I will also be at the Cake and Bake

Show at Earl’s Court from October 3 to

5. I love this show, it’s fun, creative and

exciting. Do come along and say hello,

I’ll be doing two demos a day.

Enjoy the apple tart, speak next month.

www.rosemaryshrager.com

I don’t know anyother spice that does so much, so I say, “all

hail the nutmeg!”

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Food Rosemary Shrager.indd 3 22/09/2014 14:24

226 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p226 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 11:12

This is where we send our resident foodies into local eateries incognito and they tell it like it is.

This month they sample a taste of Basil in Lime Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells

UNDERCOVERTHE

EATER

FO O D SO

There are several features of Tunbridge Wells that render it a truly fantastic place to live. The culinary scene is one of them but, as Undercover Eater has found over recent months, there are pockets of brilliance, sub sections of average-ness and a few, yes a few, places to avoid. I would like to think that I take my calling as Undercover Eater seriously and for the last two years I have attended The Bakery Industry Awards at The Hilton in Park Lane. Last year, a Tunbridge Wells based independent cafe called Basil reached the fi nal three in the Retail Innovation category. Probably worth a look then...

LOCATIONWith two sites in town – one centrally, by the Millennium Clock in Lime Hill Road and one on St Johns Road – Basil serves high footfall areas. Being forced to sample each, I can report that both were healthily busy at lunchtime. St Johns is marginally less expensive as it is just off-centre in a more residential thoroughfare. Nice touch Basil.

DECORAesthetically appealing in terms of strong branding, a feel of quality and excellent presentation both in the maintenance and style of the black paintwork, wooden furniture and fresh, clean, bright walls. There is an air of professionalism and excellence at point of entry into the Basil world.

MENUToday I pop into the Lime Hill Road eatery for a spot of lunch with a friend. As Undercover Eater is not very tall and adores food, predominantly healthy choices and signifi cant physical activity are essential to maintain a slim(ish) silhouette. Basil enables the healthy choices to happen without reducing the enjoyment factor. The sheer array of fresh, colourful salad type bowls of

goodness make my eyes hungry, let alone my stomach.

On this occasion, I select a piece of roasted butternut squash, chilli and toasted seed fi lo tart (£5.95) and three types of salad, which are also available to take away if so desired. However, I opt to take a pew and relax. It is so diffi cult to choose between the bowls of delight in front of me but I opt for green bean/feta/beetroot basic Greek and what can only be described as posh coleslaw. All mine for £8 and there is plenty of it. Probably a little too much if I’m honest but I commendably force it down in the name of research. A fi zzy mineral water costs a further £1.80. My friend opts for one of the

many sweet treats on offer: a chunky slice of courgette cake (£3.95) washed down with a beautifully frothy cappuccino (£2.20). Okay, so it’s not the cheapest lunch in town, but if you value quality, fresh, healthy food, locally sourced, lovingly produced and delivered with a smile, then boy, is it worth it!

STAFFDelightful, attractive, helpful, attentive – good people stick to good places and the well turned out, upbeat Basilians are an extension of the company’s excellent ethos. Winners.

In short, Basil is one of the reasons I may live out my days in Tunbridge Wells. It is the simple things such as great cafe culture, the glorious parks, the excellent schools and the feeling of community that keep me fi rmly rooted in our bubble of loveliness.

THE ONLY THING IS...There isn’t one on The Pantiles so I have to walk up a hill to get to either. Sort it out Basil!

1-3 Lime Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1LJ01892 541 566

56 St Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9NY01892 526 422www.basil-online.co.uk

Basil is one of the reasons I may live out my days in

Tunbridge Wells

research. A fi zzy mineral water costs a further £1.80. My friend opts for one of the www.basil-online.co.uk

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 227

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Food_UndercoverEater.indd 227 22/09/2014 14:52

228 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p228 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 15:22

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 13:18

230 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p230 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 13:23

GIVE IT SOME WELLY Pupils at Mayfi eld CE Primary School now have their own countryside ramble on their

doorstep, after creating a new Welly Walk. Launched earlier this summer, the two-mile

route was developed by the school’s Year 3 / 4 class with the help of the High Weald

Partnership’s Education Offi cer. The children learned how to use maps to plan and

navigate local footpaths; now they can use the route to explore the High Weald Area

of Outstanding Natural Beauty in which the school is set and discover more about the

local wildlife. There are now 50 High Weald Welly Walks regularly used by schools

across Kent, Sussex and Surrey. www.mayfi eldcep.e-sussex.sch.uk

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 231

E D U C AT I O N SO

WE TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF EDUCATION

EDUCATION NEWS

ACTIONS NOT WORDS “An incredible life-changing experience”

is how one student described her trip to

Thailand as part of St Leonards-Mayfi eld School’s Actions not Words programme.

After raising the minimum £500

sponsorship each through a variety of

events, 10 pupils went to Thailand where

they worked with disadvantaged children

through several local projects, under the

auspices of the Thai Children’s Trust. Their

experiences included holding English

conversation classes with orphans and

children with disabilities and special needs,

visiting the Pattaya Orphanage, taking a

party of blind children to the seaside, leading

dance and crafts classes at the Children’s

Home and donating 222 pairs of pants to

address the shortage of underwear.

The group also raised £3,000 to be

distributed by the Thai Children’s Trust

to the girls’ choice of projects. Organiser

Fiona Morris, who teaches geography at

the school, praised the students’ behaviour

and hidden talents.

“As always I was very impressed and

touched by the girls’ compassion and

humility,” she says. “They even chose to

give up their two afternoons of leisure time

to do extra work with the children. They

are great role models and ambassadors

for the school.”

The school has also celebrated a great set

of exam results – highlights included a 100%

pass rate at A Level and six Mayfi eld girls

being offered Oxbridge places.

www.mayfi eldgirls.org

MAKING THE GRADE A Level students at Bethany School in Goudhurst bucked the national trend this

summer by achieving the school’s highest ever proportion of top grades. The Year

13 group celebrated a 98% pass rate, with 83% of those at A* to C. Top achievers

included Amelia Howell from Tunbridge Wells, who earned 3 A*s, Sam Watts, also

from Tunbridge Wells, with one A* and two As, and Nathaniel Marshall of Sevenoaks

with three As. Another Tunbridge Wells student, Will Scott, is heading to the

prestigious Royal College of Music in London to study Classical Guitar.

“Once again I am delighted with the outstanding results obtained by our pupils,”

says Headmaster, Francie Healy. “This has been a tremendous year for Bethany

School and these results are the icing on the cake for these pupils, who have worked

incredibly hard alongside our committed staff. These excellent results demonstrate

Bethany’s success in generating a love of learning together with a passion for high

academic achievement.” www.bethanyschool.org.uk

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Education News.indd 229 23/09/2014 15:57

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 14:55

M OTO R S SO

OUR ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM THE MOTORING SCENE

MOTORING MATTERS

T-TOTALAudi has made signifi cant gains

in reducing the whole-life impact

on the environment of its latest

high tech sports car. Compared

with its predecessor, the new

Audi TT scores high, with an

increase in power output of up to

14% and a simultaneous decrease

in greenhouse gas emissions of

11%. As the premium vehicle

manufacturer states in its new life

cycle assessment of the third

generation TT, this means that

each car in the series saves around

5.5 tonnes of greenhouse gases

over its entire life cycle. This

includes not just carbon dioxide,

but other substances such as

methane, nitrous oxide and

halogenated organic emissions.

RIGHT ON TIMEFor the fi rst time ever, a

right-hand-drive Ford Mustang

will roll off a Ford assembly line

when global production begins.

The addition of a right-hand-drive

Mustang to Ford’s line-up of global

vehicles will allow the iconic ‘pony

car’ to be exported to more than

25 right-hand-drive markets

around the world, including the

United Kingdom, Australia and

South Africa. Mustang engineers

recently fi nished construction of

the very fi rst right-hand-drive

sixth generation Mustang. The

prototype Mustang will be used to

conduct various development

tests in preparation for the car’s

entry into the global market in

the coming months.

PLAYING TO TYPEJaguar has revealed the

prototype of its ‘new’

Lightweight E-type

– a further six of which

will be built and sold.

Jaguar announced in May

that it would recreate

six new Lightweights, each

built by Jaguar Heritage,

part of Jaguar Land Rover’s

new Special Operations

division. Each of the six

cars will be built to a

specifi cation originated

from the last Lightweight

E-type produced in 1964

and will be handcrafted

at the original home of

the E-type, Jaguar’s Browns

Lane plant in Coventry.

HEROIC ACTHot in the wheel tracks of

the high performance FT-1

‘Vision GT’ Concept Toyota,

a new ‘real world’ version has

been unveiled. The latest

interpretation of the show-

stopping concept coupe features

new graphite paintwork in place

of the vibrant red featured on

the original concept, fi rst seen

at this year’s Detroit motor

show. There’s also new interior

treatment, with saddle tan

leather elements to give a more

sophisticated feel. FT-1’s interior

designers drew their inspiration

from modern superhero fi lms,

particularly their use of

high-tech performance materials

for the character’s costumes.

DIAMOND DISCOTo mark the 60th birthday of the legendary Alfa Romeo 1900 C52 ‘Disco Volante’, Touring Superleggera - a

prestigious Milanese coach building fi rm which has been designing and building vehicle bodywork since 1926 – has

created the 2013 edition of the Disco Volante with the offi cial endorsement of Alfa Romeo. The Disco Volante is a

two-seater Gran Turismo with a completely bespoke, handmade carbon fi bre and aluminium body underpinned by

the stunning Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione coupe, with its front-central mounted 4.7-litre V8 engine and transaxle

rear drive with unmodifi ed specifi cations.

RETURN OF THE MACTwenty years ago, the then soon-to-be-launched McLaren F1 GTR began testing ahead of an assault on the 1995 GT

season. The track derivative, as the road-going version had done, rewrote the rule book and claimed victories and titles across the globe in the years that followed, securing a place in motorsport folklore. Two decades on and the covers have been pulled off the dramatic and purposeful McLaren P1(r) GTR design concept, during a private event at the

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance event in California.

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 233

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Motoring Matters.indd 3 22/09/2014 12:45

FOR ALL YOURPEUGEOT NEEDS

The official fuel consumption in mpg (l/100km) fro the 208 Range are: Urban 32.8–78.5 (8.6–3.6), Extra Urban 54.3–88.3 (5.2–3.2), Combined 44.1–83.1 (6.4–3.4) and CO2149–87 (g/km). 308 Range are: Urban 35.8 – 80.7 (7.9 - 3.5), Extra Urban 61.4 – 97.4 (4.6- 2.9), Combined 48.7 - 91.1 (5.8 - 3.1) and CO2 129-82 (g/km). 2008 range are: Urban 32.1-57.6 (8.8–4.9), Extra Urban 54.3-70.6 (5.2-4.0), Combined 43.5-65.7 (6.5-4.3) and CO2 150-99 (g/km). 508 range are: Urban 38.2 – 83.1 (7.4 – 3.4), Extra Urban 62.8 – 78.5 (4.5 – 3.6), Combined 51.4. – 80.7 (5.5 – 3.5) and CO2 144 – 91 (g/km). Expert range are Urban 32.9 – 37.2 (8.6-7.6), Extra Urban 42.8 – 48.7 (6.6-5.8), Combined 39.2 – 44.1 (7.2-6.4) and CO2 emmissions 189 – 158 (g/km).MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions.

HAYWARDS PEUGEOT Otford Road, Sevenoaks TN14 5EG. 01732 444000, www.haywards-sevenoaks.co.uk

A225

CRAMPTO

NS RD

MOOR ROAD

SEVENOAKS

£9,995 208 from

£22,045 508 from

£12,995 2008 from

£17,100 EXPERT from

Local Peugeot Dealer, Haywards in Sevenoaks, has unveiled an impressive new look, following a complete re-build of the interior and exterior of its site on Otford Road.

The new showroom, which was officially opened in July 2014, has undergone a complete make-over, creating a bright, modern showroom and transforming the exterior with Peugeot’s eye-catching Blue Box design.

Derek Hayward, dealer principal at Haywards said: “This has been

a major project at the Dealership, but the final results are definitely worth all the hard work.

“The new car show room is double the size of the old space, letting us display a wider selection of models at any one time and creating a spacious, bright and welcoming environment for both our customers and staff. The workshop has also increased in size with new ramps installed. We have reduced the time it takes for us to complete work and can now accommodate large vehicles.

HAYWARDS GOES UP A GEAR WITH NEW SHOWROOM“The whole team is pleased with the new look and we’ve had a very positive response from customers who are surprised by the transformation.”

The new showroom will allow Haywards to display Peugeot’s latest models, including Peugeot’s all-new compact city car, the 108, the 308 five door hatchback and other popular models including the 208 and 2008.

The dealership offers sales, service, parts, motability sales

facilities, and commercial. A selection of Peugeot commercial vans are also available, as well as generous customer parking.

For more information about the models in the Peugeot range or for aftersales enquiries, please contact Haywards on 01732 444000, or visit the Dealership on Otford Road. Alternatively, visit the website: www.haywards-sevenoaks.co.uk

£14,895 308 from

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 15:02

FOR ALL YOURPEUGEOT NEEDS

The official fuel consumption in mpg (l/100km) fro the 208 Range are: Urban 32.8–78.5 (8.6–3.6), Extra Urban 54.3–88.3 (5.2–3.2), Combined 44.1–83.1 (6.4–3.4) and CO2149–87 (g/km). 308 Range are: Urban 35.8 – 80.7 (7.9 - 3.5), Extra Urban 61.4 – 97.4 (4.6- 2.9), Combined 48.7 - 91.1 (5.8 - 3.1) and CO2 129-82 (g/km). 2008 range are: Urban 32.1-57.6 (8.8–4.9), Extra Urban 54.3-70.6 (5.2-4.0), Combined 43.5-65.7 (6.5-4.3) and CO2 150-99 (g/km). 508 range are: Urban 38.2 – 83.1 (7.4 – 3.4), Extra Urban 62.8 – 78.5 (4.5 – 3.6), Combined 51.4. – 80.7 (5.5 – 3.5) and CO2 144 – 91 (g/km). Expert range are Urban 32.9 – 37.2 (8.6-7.6), Extra Urban 42.8 – 48.7 (6.6-5.8), Combined 39.2 – 44.1 (7.2-6.4) and CO2 emmissions 189 – 158 (g/km).MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions.

HAYWARDS PEUGEOT Otford Road, Sevenoaks TN14 5EG. 01732 444000, www.haywards-sevenoaks.co.uk

A225

CRAMPTO

NS RD

MOOR ROAD

SEVENOAKS

£9,995 208 from

£22,045 508 from

£12,995 2008 from

£17,100 EXPERT from

Local Peugeot Dealer, Haywards in Sevenoaks, has unveiled an impressive new look, following a complete re-build of the interior and exterior of its site on Otford Road.

The new showroom, which was officially opened in July 2014, has undergone a complete make-over, creating a bright, modern showroom and transforming the exterior with Peugeot’s eye-catching Blue Box design.

Derek Hayward, dealer principal at Haywards said: “This has been

a major project at the Dealership, but the final results are definitely worth all the hard work.

“The new car show room is double the size of the old space, letting us display a wider selection of models at any one time and creating a spacious, bright and welcoming environment for both our customers and staff. The workshop has also increased in size with new ramps installed. We have reduced the time it takes for us to complete work and can now accommodate large vehicles.

HAYWARDS GOES UP A GEAR WITH NEW SHOWROOM“The whole team is pleased with the new look and we’ve had a very positive response from customers who are surprised by the transformation.”

The new showroom will allow Haywards to display Peugeot’s latest models, including Peugeot’s all-new compact city car, the 108, the 308 five door hatchback and other popular models including the 208 and 2008.

The dealership offers sales, service, parts, motability sales

facilities, and commercial. A selection of Peugeot commercial vans are also available, as well as generous customer parking.

For more information about the models in the Peugeot range or for aftersales enquiries, please contact Haywards on 01732 444000, or visit the Dealership on Otford Road. Alternatively, visit the website: www.haywards-sevenoaks.co.uk

£14,895 308 from

Untitled-1 3 23/09/2014 15:02

SO F E AT U R E

XXX M AY 2 0 1 4

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_CoopersBMW.indd 2 23/09/2014 16:00

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

BMW 4 SERIES CONVERTIBLEWith summer underway, the highly

acclaimed new BMW 4 Series Convertible

couldn’t have arrived at a better time.

Launched in March, it combines elegant

styling, aerodynamic details and sporty

proportions with a Retractable Hard-Top

roof to provide all-year-round driving

pleasure. What’s more, the new BMW 4

Series Convertible now boasts a generous

37O litre loading space with the roof up,

and an ample 22O litres with the roof down.

A new innovative loading aid part raises

the roof at the touch of a button, giving

you access to extra storage space beneath

the load area cover while the roof is down.

Available in fi ve trim options – SE,

Luxury, Modern, Sport and M Sport – and a

choice of three engines – 428i, 435i and

42Od – every BMW 4 Series Convertible is

as unique and distinctive as its driver.

BMW Z4 ROADSTERThis classic BMW roadster is now even

more appealing. As well as featuring new

interior and exterior design enhancements,

the latest BMW Z4 sees the introduction of

the new sDrive18i, offering a lower starting

price for the new range.

All the BMW Z4 models have

turbocharged engines for enhanced

performance and effi ciency, Drive

Performance Control for tailored driving

modes and optional eight-speed Sport

automatic transmission.

You’ll also fi nd a higher standard

specifi cation, including DAB digital radio,

Bluetooth, USB connection and Sport

multi-function leather steering wheel, with

stylish new paint colours, interior trims

and Alloy wheels available.

BMW 6 SERIES CONVERTIBLEThe stunning BMW 6 Series Convertible,

with its elegant, fl uid design, beautiful

proportions and dynamic sports car

capabilities, will have you craving the open

road. It has a graceful, athletic appearance

with sweeping contour lines and a low

muscular stance.

The sumptuous interior is equipped to

an exceptionally high standard

specifi cation, including Dakota leather

upholstery with SunRefl ective Technology,

and with two full-size rear seats, it can fi t

four adults comfortably.

The 32Ohp six-cylinder 64Oi SE achieves

O-62mph in 5.7 seconds, yet 35.8mpg

combined and 185g/km CO2 emissions.

The 65Oi SE’s twin-turbo V8 engine

delivers O-62 in an impressive fi ve seconds

– taking it to almost M car performance.

Thanks to BMW Effi cientDynamics

technologies, both models are class-leading

on fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

So, as you can see, there’s something

for everyone with this exciting range of

BMW Convertible models.

For more details on how to put the fun

back into your driving, feel free to contact

the team at Cooper BMW on Longfi eld

Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells.

THE BMW CONVERTIBLE RANGEDESIGNED FOR DRIVING PLEASURE

2O14 IS SHAPING UP TO BE QUITE A YEAR FOR COOPER TUNBRIDGE WELLS BMW, AND WITH THE RAIN TAKING A BREAK, WHY NOT LOOK FORWARD TO ADDING SOME FUN

TO YOUR DRIVING WITH ONE OF BMW’S RANGE OF EXCITING CONVERTIBLE MODELS?

Cooper BMW - 5O6-516 Longfi eld Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3UE - O1892 628 1O5 - www.cooperbmw.co.uk

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 237

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_CoopersBMW.indd 3 23/09/2014 16:00

238 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO A DV E R TO R I A L

New Porsche Boxster GTS sprints into summerFor its latest model, Porsche has upgraded the classic sports car to create a ride that’s smoother, faster and fit for the next generation of driver

Since the Porsche Boxster first appeared

in showrooms nearly 20 years ago, the

mid-engined two-seater has established

itself as the benchmark roadster.

The new Boxster GTS enhances the driving

experience further with an uprated engine

and specific chassis tuning, and in the

process sets a new standard for open-top

driving enthusiasts.

Building on the proven Boxster virtues of light

weight, responsive handling and a charismatic

flat-six engine, the GTS features an optimised

version of the proven 3.4-litre engine, which has

been tuned to produce an additional 15 hp (11

kW). The Boxster GTS thus develops 330 hp (243

kW) and pulling power has also increased by 10

newton metres to 370 Nm.

Further emphasising the distinctive character

of the GTS is the Sport Chrono package and

Porsche Active Suspension Management

(PASM), fitted as standard.

These offer the driver the opportunity to not only

modify the damper stiffness, but also subtly

change the throttle characteristics of

the engine. In conjunction with the optional

Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) seven-speed

double-clutch transmission, the Launch Control

function – engaged via the Sport Plus button –

enables the Boxster GTS to accelerate from 0-62

mph in 4.7 seconds, 0.3 seconds quicker than the

standard Boxster S PDK.

With the standard manual six-speed

transmission, the GTS is the first Boxster to offer

the potential to top the 174 mph (280 km/h)

threshold. The new GTS is also the company’s

first mid-engined roadster to be certified

according to the Euro 6 emissions standard, and

achieves an overall fuel consumption with PDK of

34.4 mpg (31.4mpg with manual transmission).

The dynamic engine mounts also offered as

part of the Sport Chrono package enable the

Boxster GTS to offer an impressive breadth of

responsiveness. Under acceleration, cornering or

braking, the mountings for the engine stiffen

automatically to reduce the effects of mass

transfer during dynamic manoeuvres, further

increasing agility.

The Boxster GTS can also be specified with a

new, optional sports chassis configuration that

lowers the ride height by 20mm, underlying the

fact that at the heart of every Porsche

is a race car suitable for both the circuit

and everyday use.

From the outside, the new Boxster GTS

features subtle yet unmistakable visual

clues to its identity. Purposeful black finish

20-inch diameter Carrera S alloy wheels,

with 235/35 tyres at the front and 265/35

tyres at the rear, give a strong hint to the

car’s intent. A distinctively-styled front

spoiler and black finish Bi-Xenon headlights

– with the Porsche Dynamic Light System

(PDLS) as standard – present a new face,

and from the rear exterior lettering in silky

black gloss and a re-styled lower apron

complete the picture.

• The benchmark roadster gains a more

powerful 330 hp engine and uprated chassis

• Chassis tuned with Porsche Active

Suspension Management (PASM)

fitted as standard

• More purposeful styling further

emphasises mid-engine design

• On sale now, priced from £52,879, in

Porsche Centres across the UK and Ireland

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_Porche.indd 2 23/09/2014 16:06

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:22

240 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO M OTO R S

Porsche introduced an

all-new Cayman in 2013

and it was essentially just

that; a new structure and

chassis, new engines, a new

exterior design and a far

superior cabin. The standard

Cayman proved to be a terrific

thing in its own right but, as

with many high performance

cars, getting the right

specification is everything.

This then is arguably

the ultimate specification

Cayman; in S form with the

more powerful 3.4-litre 321bhp

engine, the purist’s choice of

six-speed manual gearbox, the

pricey but superb carbon

ceramic brakes and the

uncompromising but superbly

supportive bucket seats.

Where the previous Cayman

was a relatively discreet-looking

machine, the latest version has

a bit more personality. There

are shades of the 918 Spyder in

the front end and rather than

hiding in the shadow of the

911, it’s a car you could choose

for its looks alone.

Better still, the Cayman has

the image to stand up in its own

right. It’s no longer the option if

you can’t afford a 911, in fact

you may find the odd 911 owner

questioning their judgement...

There’s more space in the

cabin for humans and it’s easier

to get comfortable as a result.

You’ll find a bit more storage in

the cabin too; certainly a little

less than a similarly-sized

hatchback but you won’t

struggle to stash keys, phones

and the like.

Luggage space requires

a little more effort. There are

415 litres on offer, which sounds

good, but as this is a mid-

engined car, the space is divided

between the front and the rear

– so take squashy bags rather

than big suitcases.

Behind the wheel, everything

feels just right from the hot

seat; the driving position and

the weight of the controls are

sublime. Fire up the flat six and

there is a complex, delicious

growl from the exhaust – in fact

the sports exhaust option

means more noise, it’s an

essential choice.

The Cayman S is so well

Something for the weekend

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Motors.indd 2 22/09/2014 12:32

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 241

M OTO R S SO

honed it can deal with the

boring day-to-day driving

without effort, but when the

road opens up, you realise just

how good it is. The steering is

sharp but weighty and not

hyperactive, while the handling

balance is simply stunning. You

can lean hard on it with

complete confi dence and those

carbon brakes are hugely

reassuring. Most importantly,

the 3.4-litre engine is slick,

sonorous and deliciously fast.

Now let’s look at value for

money. A standard Cayman S

checks in at a not-unreasonable

£48,783 and for that money

you’ll have yourself an

outstanding sports car. Of

course, a few choice options

can bump the price a

little and the standard

equipment levels are fairly

modest.

On the other hand, the

Cayman is one of the least

depreciating cars you can buy,

so should you be daft enough

to sell it, you’ll get more of your

money back than with almost

all rivals.

So, who would buy one? If

you want your sports car to be

a genuine ground-up road

machine rather than a track

refugee or a hopped-up version

of a standard car, this is the one

for you. As long

as you only need two seats,

you could use it every day

and not fi nd it a chore,

whereas if you’re lucky enough

for it to be your weekend

plaything, then your weekends

are going to be amazing.

This car summed up in a

single word: Nirvana

If this car was a celebrity,

it would be: Ryan Gosling.

So annoyingly perfect you

want to hate it, but

unfortunately you just can’t...

Fire up the flat six andthere is a complex, delicious

growl from the exhaust

MODEL: Porsche Cayman S, £48,783

ENGINE: 3.4-litre unit petrol unit producing 321bhp and 273lb/ft of torque

TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 175mph, 0-62mph in 5.0 seconds

ECONOMY: 32.1mpg combined

EMISSIONS: 206g/km of CO2

Facts at a glance

Matt Joy hops behind the wheel of the new Porsche Cayman S and reveals why this feisty model is the ultimate petrolhead’s plaything

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Motors.indd 3 22/09/2014 12:34

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:23

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:23

244 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO B U S I N E S S

NEW TRAIN BOSS FACES PROTESTLast month saw the arrival of David Statham as Managing Director of the train firm Southeastern that covers Kent. He took over the controls from Charles Horton, who became Chief Executive of the new Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise.

According to David Brown, CEO of Southeastern’s parent group Go-Ahead, David Statham has “proven success in leading complex railway change projects and improving customer satisfaction levels.”

News that Southeastern has retained the rail franchise until at least June 2018 brought a strong reaction from Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark, who says:

“It is extremely disappointing that the Direct Award agreement does not address some of the fundamental concerns of local rail passengers such as the significant difference in the cost of rail fares between Southeastern and Southern.

“An annual season ticket from Eridge to London is around £1,500 cheaper than that from Tunbridge Wells, which I think is very wrong. I would also have liked to have seen the introduction of more flexible ticketing using smart card technology, especially for part-time workers.

“This Direct Award agreement is a missed opportunity and, having received poor service over many years, I believe rail passengers deserve much better.

“I’ve written to Southeastern’s new Managing Director and the Rail Minister to ask why these commitments have not been made and how this can be corrected in the future.”

OUR MONTHLY LOOK AT WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE LOCAL BUSINESS WORLD

BUSINESS NEWS

GREEN PRIDEThe Wadhurst company Nikwax will next month be handed the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. It’s the UK’s highest award for business success and will be presented by the Lord-Lieutenant Viscount DeL’lsle during a ceremony at Salomons in Tunbridge Wells.

The company manufactures water-based waterproofing solutions for outdoor clothing such as rain jackets and walking boots. Nikwax is the only established water proofing aftercare business in the world never to have used aerosols or PFCs.

Founder and current Managing Director Nick Brown says: “I feel immense pride when I see our product on the high street and know they are going someway to preserving the environment around us.”

Nickwax has three times received the Sunday Times Best Green Award.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Business News.indd 2 23/09/2014 16:08

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 245

B U S I N E S S SO

THE FUNDING CROWDWine maker Chapel Down is to raise nearly £4million by becoming the first company on the stock market to generate cash using crowdfunding.

The Tenterden vineyard wants to attract investors keen to spread the word about its products.

The venture will fund plans to lease 400 acres, which it’s hoped will help treble the amount of wine the company bottles in the coming years.

Investors will be able to buy as little as £10 worth of shares. Those who own at least 2,000 shares will receive discounts on wines, plus incentives like free tours and meal discounts at the nearby Swan. Shares will be issued at 28p each.

The move comes a year after the company raised £4.35million by issuing new shares on the market, when it attracted significant interest from the wider public.

Chief executive Frazer Thompson says: “If you can’t get excited about this in business, I struggle to see what you are going to get excited about. I’m not just looking for shareholders – I’m looking for pilgrims.”

Crowdfunding is a way of supporting a project by raising money from a large number of people, typically via the internet.

AIRPORT SURVEYKent Invicta Chamber of Commerce wants to know your views on where additional airport capacity should be located – Gatwick or Heathrow. The chamber has not yet taken a position but hopes to feed the view of Kent businesses into the decision making process. To take part in the survey follow the link: www.surveymonkey.com/s/SNM29T3

Meanwhile, the Leader of Kent County Council Paul Carter says “common sense prevailed” after proposals for a multi-billion pound airport in the Thames Estuary were thrown out. It had been

loudly championed by London Mayor Boris Johnson - but opposed by almost all authorities and politicians in the county.

“We are delighted that the Thames Estuary Airport proposal has not been added to the shortlist of long term options for additional airport capacity alongside Heathrow and Gatwick.

“The surface transport infrastructure alone, to get staff and passengers to and from a mega hub airport on the east side of London, would have cost tens of billions of pounds and taken decades to deliver.”

SMART WINA mobile technology developer has signed a contract with one of the world’s largest food companies worth at least £250,000 over three years.

Crimson Tide, based in Tunbridge Wells, says the value of the deal with the unnamed chain could rise significantly as its smartphone and tablet apps are rolled out worldwide.

Executive chairman Barrie Whipp tells us: “This contract is a transformational landmark for Crimson Tide.

“I was particularly pleased that Microsoft introduced the two companies based on Crimson Tide’s experience in delivering enterprise mobility in the cloud on Microsoft Azure.”

Crimson Tide was founded in 1996 and listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2006.

HIGH FLYING LEGAL EAGLE

One of the country’s most high profile lawyers, Christina Blacklaws, has joined Cripps in Tunbridge Wells as Director of Client Services, as part of the law firm’s strategy for continued growth.

Christina has 25 years’ experience in legal services including developing and running the largest specialist family law firm in the country; building an innovative hybrid (part virtual, part high street) firm and most recently as Director of Policy at the Co-operative Legal Services, where she was responsible for all external relationships.

She also sits on the Law Society Council, representing the Women Lawyers Division, and on the executive of the Family Justice Council.

“Working with an ambitious firm to take its business on to the next level is a great opportunity,” she says.

Cripps, a merger between Cripps Harries Hall and corporate law specialist Vertex Law, has a workforce of more than 300 – including 48 partners – and is budgeting this year for an annual turnover of £25.9m. It has offices in Tunbridge Wells, Kings Hill, London and Sandwich.

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Business News.indd 3 22/09/2014 13:58

Untitled-1 2 23/09/2014 14:57

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 247

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

COMMERCIALPROPERTY CHECKLISTIf you’re looking to set up or expand a business, you’ll need the right premises for your line of work. Daldeep Jaswal, Partner at Buss Murton Law LLP in Tunbridge Wells, guides us through some key points to think about when securing that all-important workspace

Whether you have an established or new business, as it

grows you will need to think about your premises needs. Unless you’re in the enviable position of purchasing your own premises, you’ll most likely be entering the rental market. Once you have found that ideal shop, offi ce or industrial unit, you will need to think about the terms on offer and how they suit your needs. Below is a quick guide as to what to consider:

PREMISESLeasing the whole or part of a building determines your repair and servicecharge liability.

RENTRent is usually paid quarterly and it mightbe possible to negotiate monthly payments and/or a rent-free period to alleviate the initial outlay and moving costs.

TERMThe most common term is around fi veyears, which gives both the tenant and the landlord some security. Stamp duty land tax might be due, depending on the term of the lease and rent payable.

RENT REVIEWSIf the term is over fi ve years, the landlord is likely to want the ability to increase the rent to an open market rent at three or fi ve yearly

intervals. If the parties are required to agree rent on open market reviews

and where agreement cannot be reached, an independent expert is likely to decide the rental. In some cases, rent reviews may be RPI linked, which will remove

the element of dispute, but almost always means an increase in

rent for the tenant on the review date.

SERVICE CHARGESWhen taking a lease of part of a building or a unit on an estate, you can expect to pay service charges to the landlord so that they can carry out any maintenance required to the structural parts of a building or cleaning maintenance and decoration of common areas, to name a few. Investigate with the landlord the possibility of capping service charges.

BREAK CLAUSESConsider paying a little extra rent in return for a break clause, especially where you’re taking the lease in your own name. Make sure the break is only conditional upon your paying rent up to the date of the break and handing back an empty premises free of you and your fi xtures, fi ttings and furniture.

REPAIRConsider the current repair of the premises and how much it will cost to put it into good repair. This will be particularly important come the end of the lease, as the landlord will

want the premises handed back in good repair and condition, which can mean handing it back in a better condition than when you started the lease.

ALTERATIONSMake sure the landlord is happy with the works you are undertaking before completing the lease. You may have to remove your alterations at the end of the lease, so agree in advance which can stay.

LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT 1954This Act provides tenants with the legal right to request a renewal lease from their landlord at the end of their lease on market terms. The landlord can only resist a new lease on certain grounds and in some circumstances has to pay the tenant rateable value compensation for non-renewal. It is fairly common for a landlord to exclude the lease from the relevant part if this Act to enable them to choose whether or not to renew the lease to the tenant.

There is more to taking a lease thanjust the above points and having a good commercial property solicitor involved in the process is vital, especially if you are new to the process.

djaswal@bussmurton.co.uk www.bussmurton.co.uk 01892 510 222

djaswal@bussmurton.co.uk www.bussmurton.co.uk 01892 510 222

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_BussMurton.indd 245 23/09/2014 16:09

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:24

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 249

B U S I N E S S SO

THE SMELL OF SWEET SUCCESSWinning an award can be great news for a business – helping them to gain the recognition they deserve. As the Sevenoaks Business Awards announce their 2014 winners, we track down two of last year’s success stories. Joint winners of the Young Entrepreneur award Bella Verrechia and Luca Tuvey explain how winning the award has helped their businesses to blossom…

BELLA VERRECHIA, 20, RUNS JOHNNY’S LITTLE SISTER FLORISTS IN SEVENOAKS.

Was fl oristry always your dream?No, when I was younger I was a ballroom dancer and I danced for England with my brother. Then he decided to quit and I stopped too. It’s great that I’ve found something I love as much as dancing.

How was your business seed planted?When I was 17 I went to Hadlow college to study fl oristry. From there I started a stall outside the Harvester selling fl owers, then a man who ran a sweet shop in Riverhead was selling up and he asked if I’d be interested in taking over. So I opened my shop there when I was 18.

What’s your favourite part of the job?I love the fl ower arranging, and researching fl orists and learning new things. I know it sounds mad but I just love fl owers! I also have a massive passion for vintage and I’m always shopping for pieces I can put in the shop. I think my shop shows who I am.

How has winning the award benefi tted the business?In April I opened a bigger shop in Hollybush Lane and winning the

award has really helped the business. I think when people see that I’ve won the award they put a lot more trust in me. Because I’m quite young they think ‘can she really do fl owers?,’ but now I’ve got the award behind me people can see that I can. I was nominated this year for another award too, so I think the business really is blossoming!

LUCA TUVEY, 16, HAS SET UP VARIOUS

BUSINESS VENTURES DESPITE STILL BEING AT

SCHOOL.

How old were you when you were bitten by the business bug?When I was 12, my friend showed me a magic trick and I thought ‘I can do better’, so I practiced morning noon and night until I could do magic perfectly. Then people started to book me for parties, weddings and events. When you’re 12 and getting paid for gigs it’s quite incredible!

So where did you go from there?The magic tailed off, but then kids at school started selling sweets. I thoughtI could branch out, so I began putting

boxes of sweets in shops around Sevenoaks with an honesty box. Every week I collected the money and bought more sweets from the wholesaler. It was a great earner and meant I got together enough money to go to Madagascar todo a humanitarian project last summer.

After winning the award did you carry on with the sweet business?No, after winning I had to take a bit ofa break while exams and life got in the way. Then, this summer I worked fora merchant services company as a commercial consultant. It’s been great because I’m getting experience that other school kids don’t.

You’re good at the sales talk – are your friends wary of you because they think you’re trying to sell them things?Yes! Recently I asked a friend if heliked art, and when he said no I said‘oh that’s a shame, I was going to askif you wanted to go to a gallery withme.’ He told me he’d said no becausehe was worried I was going to try and sell him some art!

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Business_Young Entrep.indd 279 22/09/2014 15:23

250 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO

p250 SO TW_OCTOBER14_Ads.indd 2 23/09/2014 11:18

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 251

A DV E R TO R I A L SO

ARE YOU DELEGATING CORRECTLY?Brought to you by Synergee Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers in Tunbridge Wells

Delegation does not just mean passing on a job that you are unwilling to do yourself. Consider the following questions:

COMMUNICATIONDo you make it perfectly clear to the other person what they have to do, or are you not clear about it yourself and simply hoping that the person you are delegating to will come up with something?

SETTING DEADLINESDo you ask for results by a specified time, such as ‘By the close of business’ or ‘In an hour’?

YOUR RESPONSEWhen you have asked someone to do something ‘urgently’, do you then action it immediately or leave it lying around on the desk for days?

SUPPORTDo you periodically check how the employee is getting on and offer to answer any

questions he or she might have, or do you just leave them to get on with it?

FEEDBACKDo you keep the employee informed of what happens after you take the work back, or do you just say, ‘Thanks, I’ll handle it from here’?

PURPOSE OF DELEGATIONDo you delegate only boring tasks you dislike, or do you delegate exciting and enjoyable tasks to give others an opportunity to learn?EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT

Do you give the same employee the same piece of work every time because they are good at it, or do you say, ‘You seem to be getting the hang of A, why don’t you have a go at B this week’?

Effective delegation allows small businesses to grow into large ones. The most successful entrepreneurs are those who can strike a balance between trusting the people around them and keeping the lines of communication open.

For further business advice or accountancy services, please get in touch with Synergee Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, based in Tunbridge Wells. You’ll find all the contact details you need at www.synergee.org.uk

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Advertorial_Synergie_HP.indd 3 22/09/2014 13:50

252 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

How did the event get started?

I’ve been working with KPG on the marketing

side since 2009, but the group was started in

1991 by three friends who wanted to raise

money for mental health charities. One of the

original founders’ children suffered from

mental health problems; they were artists and

decided to do some fundraising. I wanted to get

involved because I feel it is a case of ‘there but

for the grace of God go all of us’ and I wanted

to help. It’s only about one week of my time per

year that I need to give and that’s nothing.

So how does it work?

Everybody who is part of the show has to have a

connection with Kent, which is lovely because it’s

something that’s really for the county. We have a

selection committee and of course, if artists have

been coming to the fair for a few years and doing

well, we want to invite them back – the bottom

line is, if the artists are selling, that’s making

more money for the charities, which this year are

FYNVOLA, RETHINK, MENCAP and MacINTYRE.

But we also try to bring in new blood every year.

We have something to appeal to every

generation. If an artist sold their work in a gallery,

the gallery would charge up to 60% of the sale

price, but because we have small overheads we

only charge 25%. Net proceeds from the show go

to the charities and over the last 23 years, KPG

has donated more than £240,000.

Do visitors have to pay to get in?

No – we no longer charge an entrance fee,

which makes the show even more accessible.

There is a ‘meet and greet the artists’ reception

on Friday October 31, followed by two open

days. There will be about 50 screens of artists’

work and there’s no pressure to buy; people

can just come and enjoy the exhibition.

What about those who have never bought

original art before?

Choosing art is a very personal process

because it’s hard for anyone else to understand

a person’s home or the space they want to fill.

If they come on the Friday night, they may be

inspired by a piece of art and the artists will

also be there. Sometimes, talking to the person

who created the piece of work can ignite a little

feeling in the purchaser.

Isn’t original art expensive?

There’s something there for every price range

– art is priced from about £60 so it’s not going

to be thousands of pounds a piece. Some

artists are more popular and successful so will

cost more. Over the years I’ve seen art I’ve

loved and not bought it, only for the artist to

become more successful a few years later, so

it’s worth more and I’ve kicked myself!

The show opens at Sevenoaks School with a

reception from 6.30pm to 9pm on Friday

October 31; it then opens from 10am to 4pm

on Saturday November 1 and Sunday

November 2. For more details visit

www.kentpaintersgroup.co.uk

CULTUREVULTUREOUR MONTHLY LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE AREA

Following the recent suicide of actor Robin Williams, mental health issues have been thrust into the

spotlight of public awareness. For nearly a quarter of a century, Kent Painters Group (KPG) has been

raising money for mental health charities with their annual art fair. With this year’s event taking place at

Sevenoaks School at the end of the month, they hope that there will be even more public support for

the cause. Lucinda Lucey of KPG tells us more

SO C U LT U R E

ARTFUL WAY TO RAISE FUNDS

SO TW_October14_CultureVulture.indd 2 22/09/2014 14:13

C U LT U R E SO

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 253

C U LT U R E SO

GUITAR GREATOne of the world’s most respected guitarists visits

Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday

October 4. John Etheridge spans a variety of styles

with his music and has worked with numerous high

profile musicians. This month he’ll be performing a

rare solo concert, featuring tracks from his well-

received album, I Didn’t Know. His special guest will

be respected blues and soul singer Kit Holmes, who

combines sultry vocals with virtuoso guitar playing to

captivating effect. The show starts at 8pm and tickets

cost £17/£15. Call 01892 678 678 or visit

www.trinitytheatre.net to book.

Folk singer and fiddler extraordinaire Seth Lakeman brings the enchanting sound of

his latest album, Word of Mouth, to the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells

on Friday October 10. Recorded in a Cornish church, the album features songs based

on the experiences of everyday folk, from dockyard workers to female miners. The

artist was nominated for the Mercury Prize for his 2004 album Kitty Jay, so he’s a

strong musical talent who is well worth seeing live. Tickets cost £21.50. Book online

at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk or call 01892 530 613.

Gig OF THE MONTH

MYTH CONCEPTIONSChildren are invited to discover the magic

of classical music with a particularly

enchanting concert by Sevenoaks

Symphony Orchestra. In this short

performance at the Stag in Sevenoaks,

aimed at ages four to 12, the orchestra will

play pieces inspired by myths and legends.

From sleeping princesses to witches, the

music tells stories that are sure to enthral

youngsters and their families – the

conductor may even be in fancy dress...

The concert starts at 4pm and tickets cost

£7 each, £25 for four or £60 for 10 or

more. To book call 01732 450 175 or visit

www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk

A DAY TO REMEMBERIn the centenary year of the outbreak of the First World War, A November Day is a

poignant and gentle commemoration by Thingumajig Theatre. Told with puppets, live

music and an ingenius set, the play is a fable about two men, a dog and a tragic war.

When a woman discovers her grandfather’s forgotten belongings in an attic, she reveals

a moving tale about the miracle of friendship. The show can be seen at the Sinden

Theatre in Tenterden on Monday October 13, with performances starting at 2pm and

7pm. Tickets cost £8/£6. To book call 01580 763 826. www.sindentheatre.com

PRIMA DOÑASince being discovered while

working as a waitress at New

York’s iconic music venue, Lone

Star Cafe, Doña Oxford has

become a heroine of the blues

and roots scene. Her skills as a

vocalist and keyboard player

have been acclaimed by the

likes of Van Morrison, Keith

Richards and Albert Lee, and

she’s performed all over the

world. Don’t miss the chance to

see her play at The Forum in

Tunbridge Wells on Friday

October 24, with renowned

local band The Standard Lamps

in support. Tickets cost £8.50

at www.twforum.co.uk

HIGH & MIGHTYA wealthy socialite must choose

between three very different men

in the lavish musical comedy,

High Society. Originally starring

Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby and Frank

Sinatra, the Cole Porter-penned

show comes to Cranbrook, courtesy

of Cranbrook Operatic and

Dramatic Society. Musical highlights

include the timeless Who Wants to

Be a Millionaire, so prepare to tap

those toes when the show is staged

at Queen’s Hall Theatre from

Wednesday October 29 to Saturday

November 1. Tickets are priced

from £5 to £12 and can

be booked online at

www.cods.ticketsource.co.uk

SO TW_October14_CultureVulture.indd 3 22/09/2014 14:14

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:25

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 255

C U LT U R E SO

INSIDEVIEW

Our music columnist Paul Dunton looks back on a summer full of new experiences and fresh musical highs

Having now had time to catch

my breath, I thought I

would take this

opportunity to reflect

on the Local & Live

Music Festival that

took place over the

August bank holiday

weekend. I really

enjoyed organising it and

running it this year, I feel that

we now have a format that will

enable the event to develop and

thrive for years to come.

Calverley Grounds in Tunbridge

Wells proved to be a wonderful

central point for the event and I

know all the musicians involved

really enjoyed performing on such

a fabulous stage to thousands of

people. Thankfully, the weather

gods smiled on us and we were

blessed with dry weather for the

two days in the grounds – I can’t

express how relieved I was to see

the sun shining! The event’s

attendance hinges on good

weather to a degree; although

saying that, come wind, rain or

shine, Local & Live has a

dedicated following that I

know would turn up

no matter how

inclement the

conditions. It is this

whole hearted

support for the event

that gives me the

confidence and belief to keep

doing it every year and I am ever

appreciative to everyone who

came along and supported this

year’s festival.

With Calverley Grounds proving

to be a highlight, it was certainly

well supported by an excellent

‘Fringe’ element which enabled the

festival to spread its wings across

the town. It was, to a degree, an

experiment to see if we could

create a mini version of the

Edinburgh Fringe Festival over the

weekend. We certainly had the

roster available in terms of talent

and so it was a thrill to have The

Beau Nash, The Trading Post, The

Bedford, Sankeys, The Camden

Quarter, The Royal Oak, No.9

Smokehouse, The Forum and The

Grey Lady all involved, hosting

stages for well over 300 acts. This

made it the largest Local & Live

ever and I feel confident that the

fringe will now help sustain and

support the festival for future

years. I am already planning to

invite a few more pubs into the

fringe next year.

The festival could not have

happened without the help of all

our amazing volunteers, who

worked tirelessly behind the

scenes to keep the event running

smoothly. They are all individuals

from the local community who

gave up their time over the

weekend to help our cause. In our

festival brochure we have a credit

and thanks section to list

everyone who has contributed in

their different ways. I must,

however, award a special vote of

thanks to all the musicians who

performed and all the Local & Live

Angels, our sponsors and

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

and the Friends of Calverley

Grounds for their support and

assistance.

Looking ahead, these are

exciting times – Local & Live will

return next year and soon I will sit

down to begin organising that, but

in the meantime I will have a little

nap and play some golf! Local &

Live doesn’t stop there, it is an all

year round project and if you fancy

another taste of the festival, I

strongly recommend attending our

next two Local & Live Sessions.

These are on Saturday October 18

(Ant & Fie and Lectures) and

Saturday November 22 (The

Diarys and Mistress & The Malts);

four cracking Local & Live acts

who will be strutting their stuff in

the beautiful setting of Trinity

Theatre in Tunbridge Wells.

www.trinitytheatre.net

@paulduntonmusic

www.paulduntonandguests.com

SO TW_OCTOBER14_CultureVulture_PaulDunton.indd 3 22/09/2014 14:12

Longford House, 19 Mount Ephraim Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1EN

Tel: 01892 779 650www.somagazine.co.uk

EditorJane Connolly

jconnolly@onemediauk.co.uk

Head of DesignRowena Cremer-Price

rcremer-price@onemediauk.co.uk

Senior JournalistCharlie Bond

cbond@onemediauk.co.uk

Junior DesignerXela Ruy

xruy@onemediauk.co.uk

Production Co-ordinatorPhil Glover

pglover@onemediauk.co.uk

WriterFrederick Latty

fl atty@onemediauk.co.uk

Commercial & Digital Marketing ManagerLaura Plane

lplane@onemediauk.co.uk

Head of SalesJoe De Kwant Stoner

jstoner@onemediauk.co.uk

Commercial Team

Gemma Hakghak@onemediauk.co.uk

Alice Hardingaharding@onemediauk.co.uk

Patsy Kellypkelly@onemediauk.co.uk

Clara Higgs-Prosserchprosser@onemediauk.co.uk

Distribution Co-ordinatorHarry Lamb

ContributorsSarah Bond

Valerie ThackerCatherine de Crèvecoeur

Daniel GeeNick Ellis

David BartholomewPaul Dunton

Publishing Director Nick Moore

nmoore@onemediauk.co.uk

Editorial Director Richard Moore

rmoore@onemediauk.co.uk

All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions relating to advertising or editorial. The publisher reserves the right to change or amend any competitions or prizes offered. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited materials or the return of these materials whilst in transit.

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/SoMagazines

onemediaand creative uk ltd

Published by:Like us on Facebookfacebook.com/SoMagazines

MA

GA

ZI

NE

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE ONLINE

256 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

SO C O N TA C TS

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Contacts.indd 2 23/09/2014 16:13

O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4 257

T H E AT R E S SO

ENCORENew season’s greetings

We take a look at the new season at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells and enjoy a sneak preview of this year’s spectacular pantomime

The Assembly Hall Theatre boasts a

stellar line-up of shows this autumn

and winter season, from West End

musical extravaganzas to sell-out

comics and popular music.

Theatre-goers will also be entertained by

quality productions of ballet and opera,

along with the annual Christmas pantomime

– this year it’s Peter Pan.

The autumn season begins with a dazzling

new production of Dreamboats and

Miniskirts, the sequel to the phenomenon

Dreamboats and Petticoats. Set in the

period post-Elvis and pre-The Beatles, the

show continues the story of Bobby, Laura,

Norman and Sue, showcasing the greatest

hit songs of the Sixties along the way. Top

tunes such as Twist and Shout, Handy Man,

Pretty Woman, One Fine Day and many

more will have you walking down Memory

Lane in no time.

It has only been a year since former

Westlife member Shane Filan released his

debut solo album You and Me, featuring the

hit singles Everything To Me, About You and

Knee Deep In My Heart and fans are loving

him! Shane and his band promise some

crowd-pleasing old favourites, as well as his

new material and even a hint of traditional

Irish music thrown in for good measure.

The Assembly Hall Theatre also promises

nights of eclectic comedy from some of the

most talented comedians currently playing

the circuit, featuring Alan Davies from QI,

Frank Skinner from Room 101 and the

fabulous stand-up Omid Djalili.

And finally, we bring you Peter Pan – a

panto awash with swash and buckle!

Starring Mark Moraghan (Holby City) as

Captain Hook and Gemma Hunt (CBeebies’

Swashbuckle) as Tinker Bell, Peter Pan is

sure to be a Christmas extravaganza you

won’t want to miss.

To book tickets for all these shows

and more, call the box office on

01892 530 613 or visit the website at

www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

TO

NY

BR

IGG

S

DA

RR

EN

BE

LL

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Theatres.indd 3 23/09/2014 16:15

SO S EC R E T

AUTHOR’S GREATUNSOLVED MYSTERY

As the creator of literature’s sharpest logical mind, it may be a surprise to learn that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a staunch believer in the supernatural. When the acclaimed author died at his Crowborough home in 1930, he was still convinced that the spirit world was real –

a conviction that had cost him at least one friend during his remarkable life...

258 O C TO B E R 2 0 1 4

If Dr Watson had dared suggest to

Sherlock Holmes that a ghost or spirit

might be the culprit behind a fi endish

crime, it’s safe to assume that the

razor-sharp detective would have made

some pretty cutting remarks to his credulous

sidekick. But as Halloween approaches once

again, countless people around the world will

be steeling themselves for encounters with

the ‘other side’. And less than a century ago,

the fi ctional hero’s creator would have been

among them.

Although the Sherlock Holmes stories

often had a rather uncanny air about them –

The Hound of the Baskervilles being a case in

point – the mysteries always turned out to

have a common or garden criminal at their

root. Yet for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, life was

not always so black and white; for much of

his life, he operated in the grey areas of

psychology and searched ceaselessly for

proof of life after death, much to the

consternation of some of his friends. Those

who worked to expose fraudulent mediums

and phoney spiritualists often incurred the

wrath of the writer, who apparently wanted,

above all else, to believe.

Although one of his earliest works –

written while he was a medical student – was

a ghost story, his interest in the paranormal

seemed to really take hold following a series

of personal tragedies in the early 1900s. Sir

Arthur’s wife Louisa was the fi rst to pass

away in 1906, followed by his brother, two

brothers-in-law and two nephews just after

the First World War. Perhaps the most

devastating loss was that of his son Kingsley,

who survived the Battle of the Somme only

to succumb to pneumonia in October 1918.

Unsurprisingly, Sir Arthur’s grief turned to

depression and he became increasingly

involved in the spiritualist church,

presumably in the quest to make contact

with his lost loved ones. His novella The Land of the Mist focused on the subject and his

1922 work, The Coming of the Fairies,

appeared to suggest that he believed in the

famous Cottingley fairy photographs – these

were later exposed as a hoax perpetrated by

two young girls using paper cut-outs.

Sir Arthur’s beliefs brought him into

dispute with some key fi gures of the era,

including his friend, the eminent magician

Harry Houdini. The conjuror grew to despise

the spiritualist movement and was

exasperated by Sir Arthur’s insistence that

Houdini himself possessed supernatural

powers, even while Houdini openly stated

that his amazing feats were just tricks.

Famous ghost hunter Harry Price enraged

Sir Arthur by exposing some of his favourite

mediums as frauds, in experiments

conducted with the Society for Psychical

Research, of which Sir Arthur was a member.

After Price publicly debunked high profi le

spirit photographer William Hope, Sir Arthur

persuaded 84 fellow members to resign from

the Society with him in protest at Price’s

methods. He refused to accept the evidence

of Hope’s fraud and even wrote a book in

support of spirit photography as a theory.

Whether Sir Arthur was fi nally reunited

with his deceased relatives when he

collapsed at his home, Windlesham Manor in

Crowborough, on that sad day in July 1930

will never be revealed. Only he now knows

whether there really is anybody there...

Those who worked to expose fraudulent

mediums and phoney spiritualists often incurred

the wrath of the writer, who apparently wanted, above all else, to believe

AR

NO

LD

GE

NT

HE

FAM

OU

S P

LA

YE

RS

- L

AS

KY

CO

RP

OR

AT

ION

,U

S T

HE

LIB

RA

RY

OF

CO

NG

RE

SS

, MC

MA

NU

S-Y

OU

NG

CO

LL

EC

TIO

N

FROM THE ARCHIVES...

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Harry Houdini

SO TW_OCTOBER14_Secrets.indd 2 23/09/2014 16:17

Untitled-1 2 22/09/2014 17:25

Untitled-1 1 23/09/2014 12:11