Velvet Magazine March 2016

Take Me I’m Free 

march 2016 

Smart Homes 

Tried and Tested: Fitness Classes 

Celebrating Spring 

OVER 

154 

local products, 

events and recipes 

you’ll love! 

Meet the people who’ll 

make you easter 

SPRING 

SUMMER 

BEST BEAUTY 

BUYS 

Velvet Exclusive 

Plan the 

perfect 

Easter 

Hair & Beauty 

Awards 

Living Adventurously 

Mighty Motors 

Interior Agenda 

The top free monthly 

from the award-winning 

publishers Cubiqdesign

4 

Velvet Magazine | Mar 2016

Featuring in this 

month’s velvet 

Contents 

Isabelle Chappell 

People who make Easter 26 

“Our speciality is our 

handmade sheet chocolate 

and our ‘Hot Cross Bun 

flavour’ at Easter time.” 

Jeckyll and Hyde 98 

Food, Drink & Entertainment 

Nest 

Nic Traher 

“With an abundance of 

new seasonal ingredients 

to cook with, the colours, 

textures and smells 

of spring give me the 

opportunity to create lovely 

dishes.” 

Check our website for more information 

from Velvet Magazine and our advertisers. 

01638 666432 www.velvetmag.co.uk 

21 

26 

33 

37 

How We Like It 

The best local chefs talk to us 

about their favourite seasonal 

produce 

The People Who Make Easter 

We meet the people who 

make Easter extra special 

Go Ape 

Lauren and Sammi monkey 

around at Go Ape! 

What’s On 

Check out the best things 

to do around the region this 

month 

80 

84 

Property 

88 

Rustic Rocks 

Bring a traditional look to 

the kitchen with vintage 

furnishings and accessories 

Going for Gold 

How to use this year’s 

favourite metallic in your 

home 

P&B Interiors 

The experts give us their top 

interior design tips 

Motoring 

Editor Gemma Treby 

Editoral Georgia Watson, Lauren 

Eade, Sammi Nice, Sara Slade, Rachel 

Cracknell, Emma Ward, Jessica Nelson, 

Paula Ahlberg, Katy Powell, Josh Tait, 

Sarah Decent, Sian Anderson, Alex 

Higgs, Ludy Gee 

Design & Layout John Treby, Adam 

Blythe, Elliot Littlefield, Steve Parr, 

Eugene Hector, Matt Cockerton, Sean 

Brkovic, James Willcox, 

Advertising & Sales Becca Plaxton 

Special Thanks to Marion Treby. 

Printed in the UK by The Magazine Print 

Company PLC. www.magprint.co.uk 

Cover image courtesy of Hobbs. 

Health, Fashion & Beauty 

45 

61 

69 

Cambridge Style Week 

The best of Cambridge’s 

fashion on 15th- 20th of 

March 

Ask the Expert 

We get the low down on how 

to perfect our skin routine 

The Review: Fitness Classes 

Discover some of the best 

local fitness classes 

92 The Mercedes-Benz C 220 

Coupé 

We get to test drive 

Mercedes-Benz brand new 

C 220 

98 Jeckyll and Hyde: Audi’s RS6 

Performance 

All you need to know about 

Audi’s RS6 Performance 

Velvet Magazine | Mar 2016 5

Editor’s Notes 

We’re always looking to support businesses. 

Please email your press releases and information 

on anything new and exciting, which you feel our 

readers need to know! 

info@velvetmag.co.uk 

My month 

in pictures 

#afternoontea for 

three @fitzbillies 

#cambridge 

Celebrating Theo’s 6th birthday and Casper’s ABCs! 

Planning holidays, Mexico especially…Slammers 

anyone? Marvelling at Cellini’s monogram 

pendant Thinking about upskilling and being inspired 

Talking about transitional fashion and keeping warm... 

Brrrrrr! 

@chippenhampark with the winks 

#snowdrops #spring 

from the 

editor 

Twilight at the museum 

@sedgewick #dinosaurs 

#cambridge 

As we put together the last pages of this issue, I feel well and 

truly frazzled. In this issue, I’ve had to engross myself at the same 

level as eight years ago when we launched Velvet Magazine. Two 

reasons, first of all we have a lot to live up to considering all the 

love you have showered us with on our re-launch / new look, and 

secondly my lovely assistant Georgia is moving on to work in her 

family business. 

She has tough boots to fill and will be greatly missed, but I am 

pleased to welcome Sammi Nice whose experience working 

at Elle and Vogue will add a touch of sparkle to our local 

magazine. Recruiting for this position has made me focus on 

how requirements have changed so much in what seems like a 

short space of time, especially in the digital world. It’s also forced 

me to focus on gaps in my own skills and sign up to further my 

education, so I’m not left behind by the millennials! 

Follow me on Instagram @gemmatreby 

Keep up to date with the latest local lifestyle news and 

amazing offers by joining our newsletter! 

www.velvetmag.co.uk 


& 

Food Drink 

Entertainment 

Velvet’s Monthly Views and Reviews on all things edible, palatable and enjoyable 

Classic Cocktails p23 

Cooking the Italian way p25 

Waitrose Recipe p13

Food 

by Lauren Eade 

Our 

KitchenArticle 

Three of the Best… 

New Foodie hangouts 

Lavenham Blue 

Vintage Tea Rooms, Lavenham Blue, 

is set to open on the Market Square 

in the centre of the historic 1village of 

Lavenham on 4th March. With a secret 

garden, delightful interior decoration 

and, according to them, ‘the best view in 

Suffolk’, we can’t wait to visit! 

@lavenhamblue 

pho, cambridge 

Pho has just arrived in Cambridge. 

Named after the Vietnamese national 

dish, the restaurant is offering up healthy, 

mostly gluten-free, authentic Vietnamese 

food. Made with aromatic fragrant stock, 

lean meats and fresh ingredients, we can’t 

wait to try some of its delicious 

looking dishes. 

www.phocafe.co.uk 

2648 Cambridge 

Opening one of Cambridge’s newest 

bars in one of the oldest locations, 2648 

takes over from The Vaults to bring a new 

menu, sound system and even a secret 

passageway to your dining and 

drinking experience. 

www.2648.uk 

@2648cambridge 

Tweet us your favourite street food @VelvetMag 

10 


Food 

Star Chef 

Jeremy 

Medley 

We talk favourite spring 

ingredients and plans for 

the season with Jeremy from 

Infusions4Chefs and Ice 

Cook School. 

“Spring brings some great ingredients. 

Rhubarb is one of my favourites! It can 

be used for both for sweet and savoury 

dishes. I compress it in a vacuum pouch 

with a salt and sugar solution. This 

crushes the structure and then gives 

it a lightly cooked texture and taste 

with the freshness of not cooking it. 

The salt removes the bitter notes and 

the sugar just enhances the sweetness. 

Then gently warm in orange juice, as this 

also makes it bright pink. Ideal to serve 

as part of a dessert, with meats or oily 

fish like mackerel, which is also great in 

spring! This season, water bath cookery 

is marching into the home kitchen, so 

in our cook shop we’ll be stocking a 

Burton Sous Vide Bath that is pretty 

special; it comes with a hand pump and 

pouches too, so no need for any other 

equipment. The cook shop is bulging 

with ideas, ingredients and gifts, and we 

have a Lunch Bar on Wednesdays which 

offers a three-course meal for £15!” 

Read more about Jeremy at 

www.velvetmag.co.uk 

The DIY Cook 

A book for those who want to embark 

on kitchen ‘projects’ instead of just 

cooking. Aptly named the ‘Enthusiasts 

guide to the classics’, Tim Hayward, 

owner of Fitzbillies, Cambridge, talks 

through the art of making the best pork 

pies, bouillabaisse, trifle and sloe gin to 

name a few. 

The DIY Cook by Tim Hayward, £19.99, 

www.amazon.co.uk 

Mill Road Feast 

Inspired by London’s street feasts, the 

Mill Road Feast on Sunday 2nd March 

is another day for the food-lovers. 

Expect hot food from Vietnamese 

soups to vegan curries as well as 

gourmet brownies and tasty sweet 

treats in Cambridge’s most vibrant and 

cosmopolitan street. 

10am-3pm, 2nd March, Gwydir Street 

Car Park, Mill Road, Cambridge 

Reviewed by Gemma Treby 

What is it? You receive a selection of recipe cards and the ingredients to make the 

dishes delivered straight to your door. You can select how many recipes you would like 

per week and for how many people. 

What’s great? This really does take the hassle out of cooking, but still gives you 

that virtuous ‘I made it from scratch’ feeling. I loved the fact that each meal was 

individually packaged in a brown paper bag, so it can literally just be taken out of the 

fridge and cooked in a flash. 

Favourite Bit? I have tried a few recipe delivery companies now and The Mindful 

Chef is definitely my favourite as it champions clean eating, organic and gluten-free. 

All the recipes take no more than 25 minutes, so it’s great for me as time is never on 

my side! 

Downside? Some of the recipes are not very family-friendly, so my two young boys 

cannot always benefit from having dinner with us. 


Food 

Our 

This Month’s Best Recipe Courtesy of Waitrose 

Celebrate 

British Pie Week 

7th-13th 

march 

Classic Chicken and Mushroom Pie 

1 Heat the oil in a large saucepan and cook the onion, 

bacon, chicken and rosemary over a high heat for 5 

minutes until golden. Stir in the flour and cook for 

a minute more then pour in the wine and bubble 

vigorously for 2 minutes. 

2 Add the chicken stock and both varieties of 

mushroom. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes until the 

chicken is cooked through with no pink meat and the 

sauce has thickened. 

3 Preheat the oven to 200ºC, gas mark 6. Stir in the 

crème fraîche then spoon the mix into a heatproof pie 

dish, discarding the rosemary stalks. 

4 Open out the pastry sheet and lay it over the filling, 

tucking in the edges. Brush the top of the pie with milk 

and sit the dish on a baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 

minutes until the pastry is golden and cooked through. 

Delicious served with mash and steamed greens. 

Serves 4-6 

Prepare 25 mins 

Cook 25-30 mins 

Ingredients: 

• 1 tbsp olive oil 

• 1 onion, finely chopped 

• 4 rashers smoked streaky bacon 

• 1 x 6 pack essential Waitrose 

British Chicken Thigh Fillets 

• 2 sprigs rosemary 

• 2 tbsp plain flour 

• 100ml white wine 

• 300ml chicken stock 

• 1 tbsp Cooks’ Ingredients Dried 

Porcini Mushrooms 

• 250g chestnut mushrooms 

• 2 tbsp crème fraîche 

• 320g pack Jus-Rol Shortcrust 

Pastry Sheet 

• 2 tbsp milk

Food 

Bone White 

China Eats 

BWC keep us up to date with their foodie 

loves and favourite places to be seen 

We’ve been enjoying the new Allotment residency 

at Novi, Cambridge this month. Every Thursday, 

Friday and Saturday from 9 till 3, this pop-up café 

and bakery has been serving up delicious locally-sourced vegan 

treats - the edible flowers and vegetable art on the cakes are 

very Instagram-tastic. Owner Katie appears alongside a rotating 

line up of successful evening pop-ups in the Novi kitchen, 

including Paella Cocina, Guerilla Kitchen, Reggae Kitchen and 

Steak and Honour. 

A new favourite spot is Stir Café on Chesterton Road; it has an 

amazing calendar of community events, with everything from 

yoga to sewing club and even hiphoptots! They also have a killer 

matcha latte which we recommend trying! 

We’ve also been trying out two newcomers to the Cambridge 

market - The River Kitchen, selling pizzas and vegan treats from 

its temporary pizzeria, and Tasty Cambridge, whose brownies and 

energy bites give a whole new option for a quick healthy lunch 

on-the-go. 

Further afield, Alex has been discovering the veggie and vegan 

delights of her new home city Ely, including the most delicious 

vegan bagels at Samovar Tea House and not one, two but three 

vegan and veggie stalls at the Ely Farmers Market on the second 

and fourth Saturday of the month. 

Finally, if you happen to be a parent who fancies a stimulating 

break, make sure to visit the blog or search for details of the 

next #CamMamaCollective happening at BWC favourite 

Espresso Library. 

We’d love to hear what 

you’ve been eating this 

month, we are 

@alexhiggsBWC and 

@SianBWC on Instagram 

and Twitter #BWCeats. 

www.bonewhitechina.co.uk 


Food 

Three quick and easy recipes from three chefs 

Each month we’ll bring you a simple 

three-course dinner for you 

to cook up in your own kitchen. All 

recipes include only four ingredients, but 

you may need to grab a few staples from 

your cupboards. 

Starter 

by Nic Traher 

Dessert 

by Sofia Wood 

1/2 a bunch of chives 

250g of cream cheese 

8 slices of prosciutto 

1 bunch of leeks 

Spring leeks with prosciutto, chive, 

cream cheese and thyme vinaigrette 

1. Wash, trim and place the leeks in a 

grilled pan for 5-6 mins, turning them 

regularly. 

2. Put vinegar, sugar, 6 sprigs of thyme, 

salt, pepper and olive oil in a sealable 

bottle and shake well. 

3. Chop your chive and mix into the 

cream cheese, season to taste. 

4. Serve on toasted bread with the leeks, 

2 slices of prosciutto, a dollop of cream 

cheese and drizzle of vinaigrette. 

Main 

by Rafal Samborski 

Mojito Meringue Roulade 

1. Preheat oven to 180° and grease 

23cm x 30cm baking tray. Whisk egg whites 

until stiff peaks. Gradually add caster sugar 

whilst whisking. 

2. Pour the mixture into the tray evenly. 

Bake for 20-25 mins. Remove once golden 

brown and squidgy. 

3. Whisk double cream until spreadable. Add 

mint, 1 tbsp icing sugar, lime zest, juice and a 

splash of rum. 

4. Turn the meringue upside down, peel 

away the baking paper and spread cream 

mixture all over, then roll into roulade shape. 

Poached Chicken Duxelle 

1lb of mushrooms 

4 chicken breasts 

1. Cook the mushrooms and onion in olive 

oil until browned, season and add zest and 

juice of one lemon. Cook for 4 minutes, 

add the wine and cook until evaporated. 

2. Flatten the chicken to ¼ thickness using 

a meat pounder. Spread the mushroom 

filling over each chicken breast. Roll each 

breast lengthways and wrap in cling film. 

10 mint leaves 

270g of caster sugar 

1/3 cup of white wine 

1 medium onion 

3. Cook in boiling water for 20 mins, then 

allow to rest for 10 mins. 

300ml of double cream 

5 egg whites 

Special thanks to our three chefs this week, Nic from the Black 

Lion in Long Melford, Rafal from the Best Western Heath Court 

Hotel, Newmarket and Sofia from Samovar Tea House in Ely. 

All recipes serve four. 


Food 

Scarlett and Mustard 

Frittata Starter 

RECIPE OF THE 

MONTH 

Scarlett and Mustard 

Frittata Starter 

Courtesy of the 

Suffolk Cook Book 

Scarlett and Mustard, a Suffolk-based 

company, has 24 products within it’s portfolio 

that include a range of dressings, marinades and 

oils. This recipe uses ‘Billie’s Champion Chilli 

Jam’. It acquired the addition of ‘champion’ to 

its name when it won a Great Taste Award! 

1. Whisk the eggs with a little salt and pepper, 

then beat in half the jar of Billy’s Champion 

Chilli Jam. 

2. Heat the rapeseed oil in a small non-stick 

frying pan over a low heat. Add the chopped 

spring onions and spread out. Then pour in the 

egg mixture and leave to cook gently for about 

5-7 minutes, or until the edges start to set. 

3. Meanwhile, preheat the grill to high. 

4. Once the edges have started to set, sprinkle 

over the crumbled feta cheese and chopped 

coriander, then put the frying pan under the 

hot grill for 2-3 minutes. 

5. Turn out onto a platter and then serve with 

an extra dollop of Billy’s Chilli Jam, springs of 

fresh coriander and some warm crusty bread. 

Ingredients: 

www.scarlettandmustard.co.uk 

• 6 eggs 

• 1 jar of Billy’s Champion Chilli Jam by Scarlet 

and Mustard 

• 1 tbsp rapeseed oil 

• 3-4 spring onions, peeled and chopped 

• 75g feta cheese, crumbled 

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander 

• Salt and black pepper 


Food 

How we 

like it 

Our chefs welcome the freshness of spring and the delicate 

seasonal produce they’re excited to be cooking with this month 

Spring Lamb 

Nic Traher, Head Chef at 

The Black Lion, Long Melford 

Well, spring is just round the corner and at the Black Lion we’ve 

been busy creating a very special new menu. As a chef, this is 

an exciting time of year. With an abundance of new seasonal 

ingredients to cook with, the colours, textures and smells of 

spring give me the opportunity to create lovely dishes. One 

ingredient that’s never far from any chef’s mind is the beautiful 

English lamb, which will soon be taking centre stage on our 

menu. Sweet, tender lamb is such a fantastic ingredient and I’m 

always spoilt for choice as to which cut to use. Simple cookery is 

the best policy in my eyes, so if you’re roasting or braising your 

leg or shoulder of lamb, cook it at a low heat for a long time to 

ensure an amazingly tender and flavoursome meat. 

Jersey Royals 

Lee Cooper, Head Chef 

at the Ickworth, Horringer 

Spring marks the transition from winter to summer and for me 

it’s one of my favourite times of the year, when the produce 

suddenly wakes up from the wintry sleep. The spring lamb in 

the fields and blossom on the trees shows us that lighter dishes 

can take pride of place on our menus. There are some fantastic 

foodie dates through spring; St George’s Day, Mother’s Day, 

Easter and May Day. 

Some of the great food heroes will show up over the next 

few weeks as we start to see spring greens and cabbages, wild 

nettles and fantastic rhubarb, all of which I love to cook with. 

Jersey Royals will appear through March, best cooked simply 

and served with a wedge of good butter, a sprig of mint and sea 

salt. From April into May we should see delicious spring lamb 

and my fingers are crossed for a little asparagus. Exciting times! 

20 


Food 

Rhubarb 

Robert Chambers, Head Chef at 

Crown Catering, Cambridge 

As a chef, I absolutely love rhubarb. I remember as 

a child, going to the bottom of the garden with my 

Grandmother for the first time to pick fresh rhubarb. 

My Grandmother then prepared the most delicious 

rhubarb crumble for me to try for the first time and 

now, I can’t get enough of it. Cooked correctly, it is one 

of my favourite British ingredients whether it is used 

in a classic crumble (with proper custard), or at our 

restaurant, the King’s Head in Dullingham, as a rhubarb 

and custard mille-feuille. Another easy rhubarb recipe, 

which is a lovely addition to porridge or yoghurt, is 

rhubarb jam. All you need is 1kg of rhubarb to 1kg 

of sugar and half a vanilla pod. Heat it gently in 

a large pan and then boil for 10 minutes until 

the fruit is soft. The correct setting point 

temperature is 105°c if you have a sugar 

thermometer. The naturally high levels of 

pectin found in rhubarb will make the jam 

set. A perfect way to make the best of this 

seasonal produce. 

Spring Onion 

Lee Bye, Head Chef, 

Tuddenham Mill 

Spring onions or ‘scallions’ as we call them in the 

restaurant are a spring favourite. These little super 

food friendlies are harvested young, before the 

onion has time to swell. We tend to char them in the 

restaurant on open coals and serve with local lamb and 

a good quality ricotta cheese. It has a milder flavour 

than a traditional English onion and doesn’t make 

your average man like me cry! An easy vegetable to 

plant from seed, for anyone who fancies having a go, 

Grandad Rob Doe’s top tip is ‘to get them in early’. 

To you and me, that means as soon as the soil starts 

to warm up in early spring. One small bag of 

seeds is plenty and will feed an average 

household. These seeds are fairly slow 

germinators and will take up to three 

weeks to see your labour paying off. 

My top tip for using them is on the 

BBQ and dressed with a good olive or 

chilli oil. 


Negroni 

Ingredients 

Food 

Ice 

Orange 

Gin 

Campari 

Martini Rosso 

Nick Armitage, partner of Guat’s Up! 

talks classic cocktails 

In the cocktail world, 2016 looks set to be the year that the classic 

cocktail returns. There will, of course, be some up-and-coming 

dripdown ‘molecular’ mixologists pushing cosmic envelopes, 

wafting about in dry ice, and a lot of infusionists, me included. 

But, for the tried and tested straight down the line drinkers, this 

looks like being a fine year. The Cosmo is reappearing on a lot of 

lists already, but the world seems to have gone crazy for one drink 

in particular. No self-respecting 

The world 

seems to have 

gone crazy for 

one drink in 

particular 

cocktail list is without one. 

The Negroni originated in Florence 

in 1919, when the ex-rodeo clown 

and, incidentally, the Count, 

Camillo Negroni, who was drinking 

in the Café Casoni, was bored with 

the soda insipid Americano and 

demanded something 'stiffer'. 

The Negroni was born. With just three simple ingredients, gin, 

Campari and vermouth, the quality selected is key. 

For a beautifully balanced Negroni, use Sipsmith’s gin; for a more 

herbal concoction, use the Californian St. George Terroir gin. 

The Campari is a Milanese spirit, a perfect palate opener which 

has a bitter orange flavour that will affect the Negroni if you 

use too much, so balance is essential. In a forest of choices, the 

vermouth I suggest you choose is Martini Rosso, it's ‘the bright 

one, the right one’. 

The Negroni 

1. Make sure that you have all your ingredients, tumbler, ice and 

strip of orange 

2. 1 1/2 shots gin, 1 1⁄2 shots Campari, 1 1⁄2 shots Martini Rosso 

3. Fill your glass with ice 

4. Pour in all the ingredients and stir 

5. Garnish with orange zest 

Guat’s Up! 

7 Guildhall Street, 

Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1PR 

Tel: 01284 755612 

www.guatsup.coffee 


It's Easter soon so why not hop over 

to Cambridge's favourite chocolate shop 

for a luxury bunny, chick or egg 

Or as an alternative why not book one of our Chocolate Courses and learn 

to make your very own handmade chocolates : Gift vouchers available 

Visit our shop in St Andrews Street or buy online from our website. 

Click and Collect and Same Day Delivery available. 

And don’t forget our award wining Hot Chocolate, 

the chocolate lovers essential treat. 

21 St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge, CB2 3AX . Tel 01233 778982 

www.chocolatchocolat.co.uk

Food 

A superb and contemporary 

culinary experience 

Rachel Cracknell visits 

Cambridge Cookery 

School 

I 

arrived at Cambridge Cookery School and 

was greeted by welcoming faces, a cup of 

tea and some great-looking brownies that 

had just been taken out of the oven - simply 

delicious! 

Following the welcome drink in the Cookery 

School’s charming new café, I was taken 

to my cooking table where I met the other 

budding cooks who were just as excited as I 

was to get started. 

First on the recipe agenda was a herb and 

tomato focaccia. Working in pairs, we mixed 

the measured ingredients before kneading 

the dough to develop the gluten. The 

focaccia dough was quite wet, which made 

the kneading slightly difficult. However, 

the professional chefs were on hand to 

demonstrate the technique of how to 

form a soft and smooth dough ready for 

rising. The teaching method was refreshing; 

instead of being told what to do, we were 

simply guided if we asked for help. This 

friendly and easy-going approach allowed 

for experimentation during the class, and 

certainly helped to grow my confidence in 

cooking these technical dishes. 

To accompany the focaccia, we produced 

freshly made tagliatelle and a creamy 

porcini sauce, and for main we made a 

crunchy herb organic chicken thigh with a 

winter salad. The salad dressing was divine; 

the perfect dish following the creamy and 

filling tagliatelle. 

To finish, we cooked a torta al limone with 

pear and almonds. It was a slightly easier 

course to create, but just as exquisite as the 

rest of the dishes. 

Tina Roche, founder of the Cookery 

School, has created a superb and 

contemporary culinary experience. 

Everything from the welcome cup of tea to 

the cookery master class and the threecourse 

dinner at the end of the course 

with an accompanying glass of wine, was 

fantastic. It was a truly delightful day and for 

£135, it’s an experience I’d definitely like to 

try again very soon. 

Cambridge Cookery School & Cafe 

School House, Harrison Drive, 

Cambridge, CB2 8QL 

Tel: 01223 247620 

www.cambridgecookeryschool.com 

Written by Rachel Cracknell 


Food 

Meet the people in your community 

who will make your Easter that extra 

bit special - from the traditional Easter 

service to chocolate indulgences 

The Lamb Farmer 

Chris Reeks, from La Hogue, 

raises the lambs that go on 

to become the centrepiece 

of Easter Sunday lunch 

“Lambing season starts on 15th March for 

us, our ewes graze on the Euston Estate, 

and lamb naturally outside, but sometimes 

with our help if necessary! It does mean no 

sleep for three weeks! The lambs we offer 

at Easter would be around a year old (from 

the previous season’s lambing) and are full 

of natural mature flavour. We also offer 

spring lamb from local farms, which would 

have been born in January. 

Lamb is very traditional to eat at Easter 

and people seem to like the natural lamb 

we produce and sell at La Hogue Farm 

Shop and Café, so it keeps our butchers 

very busy! 

The Farm Shop also offers an array of 

Easter goodies including locally baked hot 

cross buns, Easter gifts and decorations, 

and our Café/Restaurant offers some 

traditional and seasonal Easter Fayre. 

For two weeks over the Easter holidays, 

we offer children and adults alike, the 

opportunity to come and help feed the 

baby orphan lambs here at La Hogue 

twice a day. The sessions are at 11am and 

3pm every day, and booking is essential as 

places are limited and prove to be 

very popular!” 

26 


Food 

The Dean 

Frances Ward, Dean of St 

Edmundsbury Cathedral, 

helps us celebrate the 

meaning of Easter 

“During Easter, we have special services 

with addresses on a theme during Holy 

Week (the week leading up to Easter). This 

year the addresses will be led by Jessica 

Martin, the priest-in-charge of the villages 

of Duxford, Hinxton and Ickleton, on the 

theme of ‘The Passion of Remembering 

and Forgetting’. On Easter Day it will be 

an early start, as the first service is 6am. 

There will be four services that day. 

I love the contrast of Easter: Christians 

observe Lent as a holy and serious time, 

thinking of the 40 days that Jesus spent 

in the wilderness, and reflecting on life. I 

fast: just water all day Fridays, and don’t 

drink alcohol – which helps me centre on 

what God wants me to do with my life, and 

reminds me of the poor and hungry in the 

world. During Holy Week, we remember 

how Jesus carried his cross through the 

streets of Jerusalem and then how he died 

a horrible death on Good Friday, and then 

how, after three days, his disciples saw 

him and spent time with him - another 

40 days. Mary Magdalene was the first 

to meet him at dawn in the garden, and 

Easter Day – more than anything, means 

the joy of seeing someone you love again, 

when you thought they had died. Imagine 

that joy – and that’s what Easter 

feels like.” 

The Chocolatier 

Isabelle Chappell, from 

Chocolat Chocolat, makes 

Easter as delicious and 

creative as possible 

“I start planning Easter flavours back in 

November and finalise our collection in 

December. We make all our chocolate in 

our Kitchen at the front of our shop, so 

customers can watch us making. We then 

taste the freshly-made chocolate within 

30 minutes to check all’s as it should be. 

It’s a busy job as we make chocolate at 

least three times a day, seven days a week. 

Our specialty is our handmade sheet 

chocolate, and our best seller is our ‘Hot 

Cross Bun Flavour’ at Easter time - only 

available four weeks before Easter due to 

its fresh ingredients. We’re also making 

milk chocolate mini eggs, and our Easter 

themed chocolate bars. This year, for the 

first time, we are making egg-shaped 

chocolate slabs which can be decorated 

with your own message, alongside a new 

sheet chocolate flavour ‘Carrot Cake’, 

which I know our customers will just love!” 


ADVERTISE HERE 

FROM £91.20 

for more information contact 

becca@cubiqdesign.co.uk

Food 

The Egg Hunt Organiser 

Caroline Drew, works 

for The National Trust at 

Ickworth, makes sure the 

family are entertained 

this Easter 

Easter is one of our busiest weekends of 

the year. The Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 

runs from 29th March through to 8th April, 

and it’s a brilliant time for families to be 

out and about together. It gives our visitors 

of all ages the chance to join in, follow the 

clues and get some chocolate at the end. 

The money raised from the hunt stays at 

Ickworth, so Easter is very important for 

our fundraising. 

The Cadbury bunny, Augustus - Ickworth’s 

cat - and I hide clues on each day that we 

run the egg hunt. People have to find the 

clues, and when they reach the end of the 

hunt, they find their egg. There are two 

different routes, one short if it’s a little 

chilly, and one longer to make a day of it, so 

families can set off on the route which best 

suits them. 

Throughout the school holidays, we run 

children’s crafts in The Gallery, which will 

be Easter and Spring themed. These are 

run by many of our volunteers, who enjoy 

spending time with the children, helping 

them to navigate through all the creative 

activities on offer. 


Local Events 

What’s On 

Easter family special 

Burwell Museum 

Archery at Easter 

Kentwell Hall 

Find out what life 

was like in Burwell 

Climb the windmill, follow the 

trails, enjoy the rare vintage 

vehicles, old schoolroom and 

village shop. 

Burwell Museum, Mill Close, 

Burwell, CB25 0HL 

24th, 27th & 28th March 

11:00 - 17:00 

Adult £4; child £2 (includes 

Museum or Windmill Trail) 

Go Lego Building 

A special Brickologists 

Young Engineers Lego Brick 

Workshop. Suitable for ages 

6-16. Part of ‘Brick City’, an 

exhibition recreated solely with 

Lego bricks! 

Moyse’s Hall Museum, 

40 Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds, 

IP33 1DX 

25th March 

10:30 - 12:30 & 13:30 - 15:30 

£4; booking advised 

Get Scientific 

At the amazing chocolate 

show, find out what makes 

chocolate taste so good. 

Surprise guests will be 

giving exciting talks and 

demonstrations too. 

Cambridge Science Centre, 

18 Jesus Lane, Cambridge, 

CB5 8BQ 


10:00 - 17:00 

Adult £3.50; child £2.50; under 

5s free; family £10 

Visit Kentwell Hall 

Join in some of the Tudor 

activities as Kentwell’s Tudors 

bring 1589 to life. 

Kentwell Hall, Long Melford, 

Suffolk, CO10 9BA 

25th March - 28th March; 29th 

March - 1st April 

11:00 - 17:00 

Adult £16.20 (£14.58 online); 

child (5-15) £12.20 (£10.98 

online) 

Go on an Easter 

Egg Hunt 

Follow the clues to find the 

Easter Bunny’s precious 

choccy treats. More Easter 

egg hunts at Wimpole 

Estate Gardens, Royston, 

and Ickworth Park, Bury St 

Edmunds. 

Anglesey Abbey, Lode, 

Cambridge, CB25 9EJ 

25th - 28th March 

11:00 - 15:30 

£2.50 per trail. Admission 

charges apply 

Look Out Archery 

at Easter 

Test and develop your skills on 

this range with the backdrop 

of Ickworth’s Rotunda to 

inspire you. 

Ickworth, Horringer, Bury St 

Edmunds, IP29 5QE 

25th March - 3rd April 

11:00 - 16:00 

£3 for 7 arrows. Admission 

charges apply 

Animal Offspring 

Quiz Trail 

Spring is in the air! Test your 

knowledge of baby animals on 

this springtime walk. Answer 

all the questions and pick up a 

prize at the end! 

Nowton Park, Nowton Road, 

Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2BT 

25th March - 10th April 

From 10:00 

Quiz sheets £1 at the Café 

Easter Fun Day at 

The Museum of East 

Anglian Life 

See the spring lambs, chickens, 

pygmy goats, cows, rabbits, 

and Tulip the Suffolk Punch 

horse. As well as plenty of 

Easter activities! 

Museum of East Anglian Life, 

Abbotts Hall, Stowmarket, 

Suffolk, IP14 1DL 


11:00 - 16:30 

Adult £7.50; child £4.25 

30 


Local Events 

for the 

teens 

Gruffalo’s Child 

Steamed Up 

Go Wild 

Enjoy Easter thrills at 

WildTracks. Choose karts, 

quads or 4x4 Off-Road 

vehicles. Learn to be 

Robin Hood or join in a 

Battlefield Live Game, or 

fire air guns or catapults. 

WildTracks Off-Road 

Activity Park, Kennett 

Take the kids to 

Snapper Jaxx 

Join in some crazy canine 

capers with trainers Barbera 

Woofhouse and Reginald 

Rollover...but where are their 

dogs?! 

The Grafton Centre, Cambridge, 

CB2 3BJ 


11:00 - 15:00 

Free 

Easter Steamed Up 

Easter-themed activities for 

children and two engines in 

steam running to a special 

timetable. 

Mid Suffolk Light Railway, 

Brockford Station, Wetheringset, 

Stowmarket, IP14 5PW 

27th - 28th March 

11:00 - 17:00 

Adult £8; child (5-16) £4; 

family £20 

Easter Monday fun 

at the Farmland 

Museum and Denny 

Abbey 

With an Easter trail and craft 

activities for children, you 

can also tour Denny Abbey at 

11:30 and 14:00. 

Farmland Museum & Denny 

Abbey, Ely Road, Waterbeach, 

Cambridge, CB25 9PQ 


10:30 - 16:00 

Adult £5; child £3 

Meet the 

Gruffalo’s Child 

A magical and musical 

dramatisation of the Gruffalo 

child’s adventure. Perfect for 

ages 3 and above. 

Cambridge Arts Theatre, St 

Edwards Passage, Cambridge, 

CB2 3PJ 

29th March - 3rd April 

Times: Various 

£15.50 

Find out about 

the extraordinary 

Egyptians 

Uncover the mysteries of this 

ancient world. Suitable for 

8-10 year olds. 

The Fitzwilliam Museum, 

Trumpington Street, Cambridge, 

CB2 1RB 

29th - 31st March 

10:30 - 13:00 

£25; Booking essential 

Frogs and Snails 

and Teddy Bear 

Tales 

Enjoy the puppetry, original 

music and humour of this 

delightful production. Specially 

designed for 3-7 year olds. 


Haverhill Arts Centre, High 

Street, Haverhill, Suffolk, 

IP33 1QR 

11:30 & 14:30 

Adult £6; child £5; 

family £20 

Get Active 

On its 25-acre site, 

Mepal Outdoor Centre 

offers a wide range of land 

and water-based activities 

from air rifle shooting, 

archery, bushcraft, 

canoeing and high ropes 

to camping. Develop 

new skills in this exciting 

environment. 

Mepal Outdoor 

Centre, Ely 

Learn to Cook 


School is a fully approved 

activity provider of 

courses for the Duke of 

Edinburgh’s Award. With 

menus to suit a student 

budget, this five-day 

residential course enables 

you to cook healthy, 

delicious food for life. 

Fun evening activities are 

also included. 


School and Café, 

Cambridge 


Entertainment 

Article by Lauren Eade 

Go Ape 

Thetford Forest, Brandon, 

Santon Downham, IP27 0TJ 

www.goape.co.uk 

go ape! 

Lauren and Sammi get wild at Go Ape! 

Sammi and I arrived at Thetford Forest at 10am on a rather 

nippy Wednesday morning, ready to experience Go Ape’s 

tree top adventure. Heading over to the Adventure Lodge, 

we signed the relevant paperwork and met our instructor Ben, 

who helped us both into our harnesses. Despite the cold, it was 

nice to get out of the office and do something active and with 

both of us being into our fitness, we were happy to get stuck in. 

First and foremost, we were clearly instructed on how to go 

around the course safely. Ben told us to clip the green carabiner 

on the rope to ourselves and our safety carabiners to the wire 

above our heads when climbing up the ladders. And of course, the 

golden rule - always stay attached! 

After practicing our safety techniques on a short zip line on 

a low level course, we were then let loose on the high ropes! 

Walking over wobbly bridges, crawling through tunnels, balancing 

on beams and flying down zip wires, we were loving monkeying 

around in the treetops. 

Our instructor Ben met us again before the big Tarzan swing, 

something neither of us had done before. Definitely the scariest 

part of the course, holding on to three ropes we stepped off the 

platform and felt ourselves drop. The rope swing caught us and we 

went flying into the net before climbing back up to the safety of 

the platform - quite the adrenaline rush! 

The early morning meant the course was quiet and with most of 

it to ourselves, we could go at our own pace. Despite our slightly 

reserved start, we found ourselves speeding through the course. 

As I never mastered the art of coming down the zip wire whilst 

staying facing forward, we’re sure to return for another session of 

swinging through the trees, or perhaps stay at ground level on one 

of their forest Segway experiences! 


N E W M A R K E T 

THE HO ME o f HORSE RA CING 

Animal Health Trust 

8 th Annual Gala Race Day 

July Course, Newmarket - Saturday 25 June 2016 

All sponsorship packages include 

All sponsorship packages include: 

• Champagne reception and sit down lunch to include all wines for your guests with afternoon tea and Gin Bar 

• Entertainment throughout the day with guest tipster and auctioneer, main auction, silent auction and Champagne raffle 

• A full page colour advert in the race card and A4 souvenir brochure 

• Advertising opportunities around the course 

Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU 

Tel: 07805 428 327 Email: sophie.tyser@aht.org.uk www.aht.org.uk 

Registered Charity No 209642

Entertainment 

look out 

Article by Josh Tait 

Coming 

Soon 

dvd 

review 

Keep your eyes peeled for our line up of must-see films, 

up-and-coming musicians and the next big thing... 

Director: Oliver Stone 

Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Nicolas Cage, Melissa Leo 

Release Date: May 

The previously prolific screen star Joseph Gordon-Levitt was 

comparatively quiet in 2015, starring in just two films, the 

relatively unheralded ‘The Walk’ and ‘The Night Before’. He 

makes his 2016 debut with ‘Snowden’, the biographical tale of 

Edward Snowden, who leaked confidential NSA information 

to the press in 2013. Director Oliver Stone has made his name 

tackling controversial subjects - JFK and 9/11 to name but two - 

and this promises to be a thrilling take on an intriguing subject. 

kill your friends 

Director: Owen Harris 

Stars: Nicholas Hoult, Ed Skrein, James Corden 

Release Date: 7th March 

‘Kill Your Friends’ has drawn several comparisons, from its 

Trainspotting-esque soundtrack to the affable, Patrick Bateman 

style sociopathy of its protagonist, 27 year old Steven Stelfox. 

Nicholas Hoult, of ‘About A Boy’ and ‘Skins’ fame, plays Stelfox, 

and it’s safe to say that he has come of age as a lurid, drugaddled 

A&R man embarking on a senseless killing spree. 

The 90s music industry - Britpop and all - is an inspired setting, 

and though its murder-ridden premise is hardly the most 

original, rookie director, Owen Harris, has John Niven’s terrific, 

darkly hilarious novel to draw on as inspiration here. 

Band to Watch 

eagulls 

Leeds-based Post Punk 

quintet Eagulls have 

been busy since the 

release of their debut 

album in 2013. Amid a 

hectic, worldwide touring 

schedule, they have 

debuted a number of new 

tracks live, and released 

Lemontrees, the first of 

these, in early February. 

With echoes of 80s 

giants The Smiths and 

The Cure, it is a more 

measured, contemplative 

release than the frenetic 

punk of their debut. 

Eagulls have shown a 

willingness to develop 

their sound in the last 

couple of years, and their 

upcoming sophomore 

record looks to banish 

the dreaded ‘second 

album syndrome’ that has 

plagued many of their 

forebears. They tour the 

UK in March. 

www.eagulls.co.uk 

Top Four 

Cinema 

Picks 

Hail, Caesar! 


Risen 


Coming to a 

screen near 

you... 

Rock the Kasbar 


Eddie the Eagle 



Entertainment 

#WeAre350 

Discover the year-long 

celebration that’s taken over 

Newmarket 

If you’ve taken a stroll down Newmarket’s high 

street recently, you’ll have seen the beautiful 

banners adorning each lamppost – inviting you 

all to participate in the biggest party the town has 

ever seen. Velvet has an exclusive preview of what’s 

going on behind the scenes, and trust us when we 

say that it’s going to be a party you won’t want 

to miss. 

2016 marks 350 years of making history, a 

key anniversary that celebrates the Home of 

Horseracing. Newmarket Racecourses, as well as 

other stakeholders in the town, are taking huge 

steps to get as many people involved as possible. 

With an exciting and varied programme of 

events running alongside the packed race and 

entertainment calendar, we’re in for a treat as 

everyone from the local primary schools to the 

neighbouring businesses and racing royalty are 

participating in the big bash. 

“This year presents us with a big opportunity to 

tell the story of horseracing and to celebrate this 

fantastic anniversary as a town, as well as securing 

our heritage for future generations” Olivia Hills, 

Communications Manager, at the Racecourses said. 

The town will be using this important anniversary as 

an opportunity to share how racing has shaped our 

region for over three centuries - as well as getting 

people excited about what the future holds for this 

unique part of the world. 

With everything from a 350-strong mass selfie 

on Newmarket’s Heath to a Duxford fly-over and 

a town carnival, there’s something for everyone 

to enjoy. There will be unmissable competitions, a 

special running of the Town Plate, and free tours 

from Discover Newmarket – and that’s all before 

the opening of the National Heritage Centre for 

Horseracing and Sporting Art. 

There will be key events happening in the town 

throughout the year, with proceedings kicking off 

in a big way at next month’s Craven Meeting and 

QIPCO Guineas Festival. Stay up to date with all of 

the goings on throughout the year by visiting 

www.newmarket350.co.uk. 

Submit your own Newmarket memory 

by visiting www.newmarket350.co.uk/my-story 

for the chance to receive 2 free Grandstand 

Tickets to Autumn Ladies Day on 

Friday 7th October. T&C’s apply. 


Entertainment 

exposure 

Find us at the latest events, openings and soirées… 

An evening with Hotel Chocolat 

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show 

What 

Gemma Treby and Peter Harris 

A decadent night of sampling all things chocolate from Cocoa Nib Beef 

Jerky to salted caramel hot chocolate. The evening offered a chance for 

local businesses to network and be inspired by keynote speaker Peter 

Harris, co-founder of Hotel Chocolat. 

Where 

Hotel Chocolat’s new café, Lion Yard, Cambridge 

What 

A stylish, elegant event held at the sleek Cambridge showroom with 

outfits on show from local designers such as Martha V, Nicola Sexton, 

Dizen Clothing and John Lewis. The evening was pure shopping heaven 

and introduced the launch of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé. 

Where 

Eugene Hector and Sammi Nice 

Mercedes-Benz of Cambridge Showroom, Barnwell Road, Cambridge 

Best of Suffolk Culinary Showcase 

Bohm & Bee Launch Party 

What 

Mark Suddes, Georgia Watson and Mike Mulvihill 

The Best of Suffolk Culinary Showcase at Edmunds Restaurant was a 

spectacular six-course feast created in co-ordination with West Suffolk 

College’s catering students and six top chefs from our region. 

Where 

West Suffolk College’s Edmunds Restaurant, Bury St Edmunds 

What 

Becca Plaxton and Caroline Garville 

A beautiful boutique new to Bury St Edmunds. Becca had a lovely time 

exploring the Bohm & Bee store, bringing its popular handmade capes 

and other gorgeous clothing items and accessories to the town. 

Where 

Bohm & Bee, St John’s Street, Bury St Edmunds 

38 


Entertainment 

the stage 

Four Events 

Coming Up... 

Article by Marion Treby 

Plan your entertainment with our pick of the 

top acts and recent reviews 

Hairspray, cambridge corn exchange 

The storyline of this upbeat, feel-good musical set in 

1960s Baltimore, isn’t just romantic; it celebrates racial 

integration, taking a real incident when black and white 

youngsters stormed a TV studio to dance together, 

denouncing racial segregation. Touching moments 

between leads Tracey Turnblad (Freya Sutton) and Link 

Larkin (Ashley Gilmour), are effectively contrasted with 

comedic exchanges between Edna and Wilbur Turnblad 

(Tony Maudsley and Peter Duncan), and Velma von Tussle 

(Claire Sweeney) and daughter Amber (Lauren Stroud). 

From the soulful voice of Motormouth Maybelle to the 

heartfelt performance of Tracey, it’s highly recommended. 

For the full review visit www.velvetmag.co.uk 

Musical: Footloose 

4th-9th April 

Cambridge Arts Theatre 

Musical: Legally Blonde 

26-30th April 

Theatre Royal, Bury St 

Edmunds 

The Ukulele Orchestra of 

Great Britain 

These all-plucking superstars, who celebrated 30 Plucking Years 

of ukulele action last year, return with toe-tapping music, hilarious 

banter, and superlative entertainment. The rich palette of sound 

from just their variously-sized ukuleles, without backing tracks or 

electronic trickery, is truly amazing. From popular to highbrow 

and old songs to classical standards, the Orchestra takes a 

trolley dash through musical genres. They may appear in 

formal evening wear, but they’re anything but conventional. 

Cambridge Corn Exchange, 6th April, 19:30 

Tickets from £22.50. 01223 357851 

www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk 

MUSIC 

Dance: Riverdance 

3rd May 

Cambridge Corn 

Exchange 

An Audience with 

Martin Kemp 

1st June 

Apex, Bury St Edmunds 

with The Noise Next Door, 

Pappys & Three Half Pints 

Cambridge Junction 2, 

22nd April, 20:00, Tickets £13 

01223 511511 

www.junction.co.uk 

The best of improvised, sketch and physical comedy comes 

together for one night of explosive hilarity. Improvisers 

and masters of quick wit The Noise Next Door will deliver 

explosive doses of their trademark chaotic, off-the-cuff 

comedy. Britain’s best live sketch act, Pappys, nominated 

for best show at the Edinburgh Festival, 2012, and winners 

of the Chortle Award for Best Sketch Performers, 2013, 

are the true kings of the genre. Hilarious slapstick comedy 

group The Three Half Pints received 5-star reviews at their 

two Edinburgh Fringe Runs, and are fast becoming the 

next big thing in live comedy. 


Martha V Advert

& 

Health Fashion 

Beauty 

Velvet’s one-stop shop for all your health, fashion and beauty desires 

Healthy Hotlist p66 

Fashion Handbook p42 

Crush p51

Fashion 

Fashion 

The 

Article by Georgia Watson 

Bohm & Bee 

London-based clothing shop Bohm & Bee 

arrived in Bury St Edmunds last month. 

Stocking its classic, stylish capes made 

with high quality fabrics and finished with 

unique, vintage buttons, the high end 

fashion boutique is sure to be a big hit. 

The versatile clothing can be dressed up 

or down when paired with its range of 

elegant accessories. 

Bohm & Bee, 82 St John’s Street, 

Bury St Edmunds 

totally 

transitional 

Buy it now before it goes, the perfect 

throw on jacket that ticks all the boxes. 

Pink, suede and frills. 

Christa Probst Jacket, £95, 

Artichoke, Ely 

spring shoes 

at modish 

Sarah Decent from Modish 

guides us through the key 

trends to look out for 

Manas Boots, £125 

The colour silver is making the 

Fash Pack go weak at the knees 

right now. But here at Modish I’m 

suggesting giving pewter a go. It’s 

a little softer, a little darker and 

much less bacofoil-esque than 

silver. Plus the reflective surface 

means that, chameleon-like, 

pewter shoes tend to pick up the 

colours from the rest of your 

outfit, so they literally go with 

everything. Clever huh?! 

Then there’s the growth of 

activewear in clothing, which 

is more than matched by the 

number of trainers and sneakers 

in the shops. These days sneakers 

aren’t something you just chuck on 

with a pair of jeans - why not try 

them with a smart cigarette jacket 

or tube skirt and tee? 

And finally the last trend will make 

some of you wince: all things 70s 

inspired is here to stay. Now in its 

third season you’ll continue to see 

plenty of block heels, tan suede 

and leather, cowboy boots and lots 

and lots of fringing! But if you only 

want to dip your toe into this look 

these ankle boots by Manas fit the 

bill beautifully. 

3 Green Street, Cambridge. Tel: 01223 354436 & 15 George Street, Saffron Walden. 

Tel: 01799 528852. www.modishonline.co.uk 

42 


Fashion 

Get the Look 

Modern Victoriana 

Back in fashion with a little help from BBC1’s drama, Dickensian 

1. Isabel Marant Serek Skirt, £235, 

Giulio, Cambridge 

2. Gina Bacconi Chantilly Scallop 

Lace Bolero, £89, John Lewis, Grand 

Arcade, Cambridge 

3. Premium Feather Cape, £40, 

Topshop, Bury St Edmunds 

Monochrome 

+ 

SPRING TRENDS 

1. Pleats Please 

If it has a pleat or a ruffle this season you are 

safe. This spotty shirt will look perfect with 

white jeans. 

Shirt, £54, Martha V, Newmarket 

2. Fringe Benefits 

Back from last summer, fringing has 

returned. This jacket will be one that can 

last into autumn. 

Elizabeth and James Zadeh Jacket French 

Navy, £809, Anna, Saffron Walden and 


3. Nothing But Net 

Combining the trend for netting, sports 

luxe and monochrome all in one, this is a 

sure fire hit for the spring season. 

Marc Cain Sports Skirt in Mesh, £189, 

Marc Cain stocked at Angela, Long Melford 

4. Plaid Play 

A classic shirt will always be in style, and 

this plaid number is no exception. With 

its relaxed collar and boyfriend fit, it’s 

flattering and cool for summer. 

Rails Reese Shirt White Grid, £139, Anna, 

Saffron Walden and Bury St Edmunds 

new store: 

Joseph Cheaney 

& Sons 

The brand’s first store outside 

London has arrived in Cambridge’s 

thriving Rose Crescent. Producing 

and stocking classic leather shoes 

for both men and women, all made 

in its own Northamptonshire 

factories, this brand has a 

longstanding British heritage dating 

back to 1886. We love these blue 

suede brogue Chelsea boots, a fresh 

spring update that will look perfect 

with jeans and a cosy jumper. 

Charlotte Ladies Wingcap Brogue 

Chelsea Boot in Denim Blue Suede, 

£195, Joseph Cheaney & Sons, 

Cambridge 


THE CAMBRIDGE STYLE WEEK 

NIGHT OF FASHION 

FASHION ON 

THE FRINGE 

Check out 

cambridgebid.co.uk 

for all the info on store events, 

free goody bags and discounts 

throughout Cambridge 

Style Week. 

WHEN 

Friday 18th & Saturday 19th 

March from 7.30pm 

WHERE 

The Guildhall, Cambridge 

TICKETS 

£16 (Standard tickets) 

£35 (VIP tickets) 

Book tickets now: cambridgelivetrust.co.uk/tickets

Fashion 

Returning for its fourth year, 

Cambridge Style Week brings the city 

two nights of fashion 

Returning for its fourth year, Cambridge 

Style Week moves to the centre of the 

city to host two nights of fashion-filled fun 

at The Guildhall this month. Dedicated to 

supporting independent clothing boutiques 

and designers in the city, it’s no wonder 

that the event teamed up with Cambridge 

BID (the Business Improvement District 

for the city centre) to ensure all the very 

best local fashion hits the catwalk. 

Featuring city centre boutiques such as 

Elegant Atelier, Boudoir Femme, Petrus, 

Cuckoo, Dogfish, Sevenwolves, Burr Bridal 

and Podarok, as well as high street staples 

John Lewis, LK Bennett, Oska, Triumph, 

Hobbs and Cath Kidston, there is a real 

sense of Cambridge camaraderie in this 

line-up. Also featuring Anglia Ruskin 

#CsW16 

Night Of Fashion 

Friday 18th & 

Saturday 19th March 

from 7:30pm 

University students and designers such as 

Alice Potts, Alexander Huck and Evelyn 

Hou at I-Unique, and online boutique 

Five Six Blue, the two fashion shows will 

be packed full of the very latest spring 

fashions for all ages and styles. 

With many stores also hosting offers 

and discounts throughout Cambridge 

Style Week, the city is set to be full 

of fashionistas blogging, vlogging and 

instagramming their way around town as it 

becomes a real hub for creatives. 

With no fashion show complete without 

an area to shop till you drop, of course 

you can pick up the outfits straight off 

the catwalk, as well as browse from other 

fantastic retailers. From the Cambridge 

Raincoat Company, to Anne Furbank, 

right down to Triumph lingerie, you can 

literally purchase a new outfit from head to 

toe. And after a night of fashion, fun and 

retail therapy, head out onto the streets 

of Cambridge to sample the many foodie 

delights and night life awaiting you. 

Cambridge Style Week 

15th - 20th March 2016 

www.cambridgestyleweek.com 

For further information on Fashion 

In The Fringe visit 

www.cambridgebid.co.uk 


Fashion 

Velvet picks nine essential S/S pieces to 

help you craft your perfect off duty 

capsule wardrobe 

Editor’s 

Choice 

Sundry T, £79, Anna, Bury St Edmunds 

Boyfriend Jeans, £95, Whistles, Cambridge 

Sneakers, £140, Rose Rankin available 

from Elegant Atelier, Cambridge 

Chloe Shirt, £240, Giulio, Cambridge 

Selected Femme Dress, £80, 

Boudoire Femme, Cambridge 

Blazer, £55, Topshop, Cambridge 

Top 

Pick 

Christa Probst T, £32.50, Artichoke, Ely 

Taifun Skirt, £64, Martha V, Newmarket 

T-Bar Ballet Pump, £89, 

Mint Velvet, Cambridge 


Fashion 

Article by Sammi Nice 

Velvet Magazine attends 

the Mercedes-Benz of 

Cambridge Fashion Show 

where the new C-Class 

Coupé is revealed 

Mercedes-Benz and fashion go hand in 

hand. Its cars are known for style as well 

as substance; so when we were invited to 

the showroom for the Mercedes-Benz 

of Cambridge’s Fashion Show, we knew 

we’d be in for a night of pure decadence. 

Working with many local boutiques and 

designers, the show was set to feature all 

the upcoming spring trends, as well as the 

launch of the new C-Class Coupé. 

Arriving at their showroom on Barnwell 

Road, we were greeting by a red carpet and 

unfortunately lots of rain! Welcome drinks 

and canapés from The Cambridge Dining 

Company were an added touch. The catwalk 

was framed by many pop-up boutiques with 

luxurious skin care and beauty products 

Burr Bridal 

from Arbonne Cambridge, jewellery from 

Stella & Dot and an accessories collection 

from Mercedes-Benz themselves. There 

was plenty to see before the main event. 

The showrooms’ General Manager, Mick 

Jolly, welcomed the audience and spoke 

about the new C-Class model. The catwalk 

show itself revealed lines from Martha 

V, Nicola Sexton, Dizen Clothing, Burr 

Bridal, Artichoke and John Lewis. There 

was a mix of casual, workwear and evening 

pieces heading down the runway. We 

were enraptured by the collections from 

Martha V and Dizen Clothing, the former 

sending down a striking coral chiffon mock 

dress as well as numerous pale pink hues 

teamed with summery structured jackets 

and cropped trousers. Dizen Clothing also 

revealed some spring looks with transitional 

pieces from Vero Moda, ONLY and Noisy 

May that were wardrobe updates we need 

right now. 

From our front-row perspective, we know 

monochrome, florals and pale pastels will 

be key this spring, and the show confirmed 

that our local retailers will be the best places 

to shop for these new season styles. 

The evening was brought to a close by the 

grand reveal of the new C-Class Coupe, 

which didn’t disappoint. Similar to Mercedes 

other models, it exuded elegance and style. 

Dizen 

Mercedes-Benz of Cambridge 

199 Barnwell Road, 

Cambridge, CB5 8SH. 

Tel: 01223 401100 

www.mercedes-benzofcambridge.co.uk 


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Cashmere sleep set 

www.thevelvet.co 

SEASALTCORNWALL.CO.UK

Crush 

Our 

Monogram Necklace, Cellini, Cambridge 

Velvet’s pick for 

Mother’s 

Day 

Available chains 

1. YG Cable Chain, 50cm, 45cm & 40cm 

2. YG Curb Chain, 50cm, 45cm & 40cm 

3. YG Franco Chain (Light), 50cm, 45cm & 40cm 

4. YG Franco Chain (Medium), 50cm & 40cm 

5. YG Barleyweave Chain, 50cm, 45cm & 40cm 

If you had a monogram necklace in the early naughties, it 

was more than likely inspired by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and 

the City. Fast forward, and personalisation is still a trend. 

From Burberry’s initialised poncho to the coveted Edie 

Parker Bespoke Flavia Clutch. As this trend has stood the 

test of time, it’s clearly worth investing in, so upgrade your 

personalised décolleté decoration to the real thing. 

Monogram Necklace, £POA, created by Cellini, Rose 

Crescent, Cambridge. www.cellini.co.uk 

Any initial can be ordered and delivery will take up to four weeks.

Alevere Advert

Fashion 

Chewing the 

fashion cud 

Ludy’s blog www.ludy.co.uk 

instagram @ludy.co.uk 

Ludy, lifestyle blogger, sends a warning 

‘the indecent proposal is to embrace your 

nightwear on the streets’ 

Any occasion will be the 

ideal occasion next S/S 

2016 to shamelessly 

embrace your PJs and 

slip dresses. Contrary 

to the past blunt sexy 

dollybird and in-yourface 

sleek and sensual 

undergarments, next 

summer’s slip dresses 

are having a frivolous 

comeback with the 

same lightness and 

fun vibe with which 

we will be exposing shoulders and applying ruffles to soften last 

season’s edgier outfits. The slips will be silk with obvious lace 

trimmings, but adorned playfully by myriads of colours, added 

detailing and unpreposterous cleavages, which render them 

feminine but genuinely unprovocative. Gone are the days of 

burlesque lingerie and small demure details of silk cheekily 

popping out of giant knitwear. 

The slip dress is confident and happy to expose itself, or to be 

dressed down, hand-in-hand with your boyfriend’s cardigan when 

chilly, or decorated with a choker and hoop earrings. 

I adore this trend, it seems to empower femininity without 

highlighting the obvious. This fashion defines an overtly sensual 

item of clothing with a smile, making sure you do not take it and 

yourself too seriously. 

Likewise, polish last year’s Olivia von Halle’s PJ sets as they are 

confidently here to stay. I truly went overboard last November 

with the notion of elegant sleepwear attire, and suggested we stop 

in our tracks and dash as fast as lightning to the likes of OVH, 

Timeless Sleepers, La Perla and Equipment. 

This S/S 2016, more than ever, will embrace 

the pyjama at any function, venue or 

situation. They will be matching, they will 

be split, the trousers will be embellished 

and they will always be ready to dress up or 

down. The nightwear trend...just spectacular, 

so spectacular. 


Beauty 

Article by Lauren Eade 

Notebook 

Beauty 

3 

1 

Three Of The Best 

Egyptian Eyes 

After Chanel’s Spring 2016 Couture Show, 

Egyptian eyes with exaggerated flicks are 

bound to be a key trend for S/S. Although 

flicks above and below the eye may not be 

practical for everyday wear, a well applied 

feline flick on the upper lash will always be a 

classic beauty look. We bring you three of the 

best eyeliners for the job... 

1. Deep Black Kajal, £8.90, 

Kiko Milano, Cambridge 

2. Eve Pearl Smudgeproof Liquid 

Eyeliner in Black Pearl, £19, Daydreams 

Skin & Body Therapy, Bury St Edmunds 

3. MAC Fluidline Eyeliner, 

£16, MAC, Cambridge 

4. Mii Cosmetics Showstopping Lash Lover 

Mascara, £14.50, The Spa At The Bedford Lodge 

Hotel, Newmarket 

2 

Pastel peach 

Opt for a creamy peach mani this 

spring with OPI's New Orleans 

collection for SS16. It looks great for this 

inbetween-season weather! 

OPI Nail Lacquer in Crawfishin' for a 

Compliment, £11, SK Clinic + Spa, 


Blue 

Mascara 

Yes, that 80s staple is back. 

Not one for everyone, but if 

you’re brave, this is a fun look 

for an evening out, that will 

show you’re up to date with 

the latest catwalk trends. 

Yves Saint Laurent 

Luxurious Mascara 

Waterproof in Majorelle 

Blue, £25, John Lewis, 

Grand Arcade, Cambridge 

54 


Beauty 

Stylist insider 

We speak to hair stylist Lucy Pettitt 

about the upcoming season 

What hair trends do you think will 

be popular in s/s 2016? 

Very much continuing on from the existing 

trends, balayage, ombre and babylights. 

However, I think we will see many more 

subtle and softer tones, with slight sunbleached 

colours and warmer shades 

shining through. Maybe the odd splash of 

vibrant colour added, but generally keeping 

it quite natural. 

Do you have a top hair care tip for 

the approaching summer? 

My top tip for summer is to simply to 

be kind and look after your hair. I don’t 

believe enough of us do. You don’t have 

to spend loads of money on products 

and conditioning treatments, it can be 

simple changes made at home. Once a 

month when washing your hair, shampoo 

as normal, then towel dry your hair, apply 

your conditioner and leave for an hour or 

even longer. This gives the conditioner a 

chance to soak in rather than applying it 

and washing it off 20 seconds later...you 

wouldn’t put hand cream on and then wash 

your hands straight after. 

www.lucyslocksmobile.com 

Read more from our interview with 

Lucy at velvetmag.co.uk 

Step By Step to Star 

Wars Hair 

Creative manager of Charles Worthington, Katie Allen, 

tells us how to recreate this Princess Leia hairstyle, 

as featured by Chanel. 

1 Use hair pins to secure a defined middle 

parting. 

2 Tucking hair behind the ears, flatten hair 

and pin at the nape of the neck in an 

upward curve, making sure the pins are 

facing down and overlapping to make 

a line of Xs. 

3 Coat hair with hairspray and then carefully 

back brush the hair upwards and over the 

line of pins. 

4 Using pins and strong hold hairspray, secure 

the roll at the back of the head and tuck in 

any loose ends. 

Tried and Tested: 

This month, Lauren 

Eade tests out Decleor’s 

Aroma Dynamic 

Circulagel Refreshing 

Toning Gel for Legs. 

With summer just around the 

corner, it’s about time to start 

thinking about that bikini body, 

starting off gently with this toning 

gel from Decleor. The gel has 

a lovely fresh fragrance which 

really made my legs feel revived 

and refreshed. I could feel the gel 

tightening 

and toning 

as it tingled 

on my legs 

and, combined 

with my 

weekly exercise 

routine, I can 

definitely see a 

difference! 

Decleor Aroma 

Dynamic 

Circulagel 

Refreshing Toning 

Gel for Legs, £28, 

Stoke by Nayland 

Hotel & Spa, 

Colchester 


Beauty 

2016 

Brow Trends 

Gemma Treby tests out 

the HD brows treatment 

at Envy Beauty 

My first question for Amy, owner of 

Envy Beauty, as she welcomed me into 

her salon was, ‘Why don’t you have a sign 

outside?’ If I could have fast forwarded 

to the end of my treatment, I would have 

known the reason... she simply does not 

need one! Most business comes from 

word of mouth referrals, something that 

I can vouch for, as my ‘before and after 

brow picture’ that I posted on Facebook 

caused such a stir and received more likes 

and shares, than the birth of my little boy! 

Putting my pride over this aside, Amy is 

our answer to The Brow Lady. Using the 

HD brow technique, Amy analysed my 

facial structure and current brow shape 

whilst asking me what I wanted to achieve. 

She was pleased I didn’t request the 

Article by Gemma Treby 

Scouse Brow (Google if you’re unsure) 

as, according to Amy, 2016 is all about 

the natural brow and enhancing what 

you have. No more scaring small children 

then! 

My HD brows took 45 minutes to create, 

the same time as a good hair cut in a top 

salon. There was no amount of preening 

left to the imagination, as my brows were 

died, waxed, plucked and threaded to 

perfection. I have had threading before 

and it was a little (or a lot if I’m honest) 

teary. However, Amy’s technique was 

incredibly gentle, which I appreciated a 

great deal. 

I am now booked in every six weeks for 

a maintenance, which, at just £25, won’t 

break the bank. 

Brushed up at DKNY 

Arched perfection at Carolina Herrera 

Mellow Yellow at Alexander Wang 

Before 

After 

One we couldn’t have predicted at Rodarte 

Envy Beauty 

Rous Road, Newmarket, 

CB8 8DL 

Tel: 07787 817122 

facebook/envybeautytreatments 


Hair 


How To… 

Create Sophisticated Pigtails 

We give you some advice on how to create the hottest 

spring hair look: the grown-up pigtail 

Essential Products 

1. To achieve a sleek, sophisticated 

look: Toni & Guy Smoothing Lotion, 

£7.49, Toni&Guy, Newmarket 

2. To reduce frizz when braiding: 

KMS Taming Creme, available from 

The Moore Hair Company, Ely 

3. For straight, curly or waved 

pigtails: GHD IV Styler, £99, Pride 

Hair & Beauty, Newmarket 

As seen on the runway at Miu Miu, Chanel and Giles, pigtails have had a grown-up 

makeover and stepped out of the playground and onto the catwalk. If you’re not sure 

how to pull off this look, we’ve brought to you an easy step-by-step guide. Just add red 

lippy and rock the look. 

Giles 

Chanel 

The French Braid 

1. Divide the hair into two sections at the back. 

2. Take three equal pieces of hair from the front of 

the head and, starting from the top, French braid 

down the pigtail. 

3. To French braid, start like a regular plait, but every 

time you fold a piece over to the middle, take hair 

from the other side of the head and add it to the 

nearest section of the plait. 

4. Do this on both sides. 

The Accessory 

With hair accessories being a must for this spring, 

look for classic bows in neutral colours to ensure you 

don’t look too school-girlish. 

1. Straighten your hair. 


3. Create two low pigtails that are close together at 

the nape of the neck. 

4. Secure with hair bands and attach your chosen 

hair accessories. 

3 

1 

OUR TOP 

PURCHASE 

Marni S/S16 Milan 

Fashion Week 

The Wrap Around 

This is a simple look that can be worn with 

straight or curled hair. 


2. Take the first pigtail and separate an inch wide 

section from the back of the head. 

3. Wrap this around the rest of the pigtail to 

form a makeshift hairband and pin in place. 

4. Repeat for the other side. 

Top Tip 

For a sleek look, 

slightly wet the hair 

beforehand, or, for a 

relaxed vibe at stage 

four, pull the top of 

the pigtail slightly for 

a backcomb effect. 

2 


Beauty 

ASK THE 

EXPERT 

Nicola Coe from Pure 

Beauty is our guest 

skincare expert: this month 

she answers your questions 

Q. I am turning 40 soon and have 

always followed a good skin care 

regime, but do you have any tips to 

keep the wrinkles at bay? 

Ensure that you are using products that 

still relate to your skin’s current needs, as 

with age this will change. There are also 

lots of other factors that optimise skin 

health, such as drinking lots of water and a 

healthy balanced diet that includes vitamin 

C, anti-oxidants, protein, lots of fruit and 

veg. Protect your skin from sun damage 

and wear sunglasses as squinting causes 

lines around the eyes. Keep alcohol to a 

minimum, as it dehydrates the skin leaving 

it looking grey and dull. 

Q. I am A marketer’s dream! If an 

advert tells me something will make 

my skin wonderful, then I’ll buy it! 

But...are expensive products better? 

Quality ingredients and the research that 

goes into these products can raise the 

price. However, these products are usually 

worth the more expensive price tag. Do 

make sure that you are not just paying 

for nice packaging and a brand name and 

that you are taking professional advice and 

investing in a results-driven brand. 

Q. I’m not a teenager any more and I 

don’t have oily skin, but I still have 

breakouts that seem impossible to 

control! How do I manage this? 

What you need to consider is, is this 

happening at a certain time in your 

monthly cycle and where are the breakouts 

appearing? If they are around the mouth 

and jaw area, then they are probably due 

to your hormone levels. If this problem 

persists, then I would recommend that you 

seek medical advice. Using the correct 

facial wash or cleanser for your skin type 

will help to keep your skin clean and fresh. 

It is also important to use the correct 

toner for your skin type to close the pores 

after cleansing, to prevent 

dirt getting back into 

them. Exfoliation should 

be another important part 

of your weekly skincare 

regime. This will remove 

dead skin cells and draw 

out congestion. Always 

finish with a moisturiser 

that is not too rich, as this 

will increase blocked pores and create 

further breakouts. 

Win an exclusive Nimue skin 

technology facial treatment and 

skincare consultation with Nicola 

worth £49. 

Please visit www.velvetmag.co.uk 

and enter before the 1st April. 

T&Cs apply. 

Pure Beauty 

123 Freshfields, Newmarket, CB8 0EH 

Tel: 01638 601868 

www.pure-beauty-newmarket.co.uk 

Win 

An exclusive 

Nimue skin technology 

facial treatment and 

skincare consultation 

with Nicola worth 

£49! 

A diet that 

includes vitamin 

C, anti-oxidants, 

protein, and lots 

of fruit and veg 

2. Nimue 

Exfoliating Enzyme 

Pure Beauty, 

Newmarket 

3. Nimue 

Day Cream 

Pure Beauty, 

Newmarket 

1. Nimue 

Cleansing Gel 

Pure Beauty, 

Newmarket 


Beauty 

The Velvet 

Hair & beauty awards 

We ask you to vote for your favourite beauty salons 

who make you look and feel gorgeous 

This year we’re doing things a little differently and asking for you to vote for your favourite salons and 

therapists. We know how important it is for you to look and feel your best. It gives you the confidence 

to accomplish those things in life you want to achieve, as well as having that bit of essential ‘me’ time. 

From spray tans to manicures, highlights to massages, we want to know whom you rate as giving 

some top-notch pamper time. Do you only ever trust one person to cut your hair? Have you gone to 

the same salon for a manicure for years? We want to know! 

First For Beauty 

This award is for a salon or spa that gives consistently great beauty treatments, from basic manicures 

to exclusive treatments. Perhaps it has a fantastic variety of options, or gives great results every time 

you go; just let us know! 

Top hair stylist 

Going to a new hairdresser can often be a nerve-wracking experience. Many questions whizz 

through your mind; will they understand what I want and can I trust them with my hair? If you 

have a hairdresser who you return to time after time, who goes out of their way to make you feel 

comfortable whenever you visit, make sure you nominate them today! 

Top Therapist 

In life there are always some people you just click with, and that’s the same when it comes to beauty 

therapists. Do you have a therapist that you can chat away the time with when you go for a manicure, 

or someone who helps you relax whilst you’re going for a pre-holiday wax? Let them know they’re 

appreciated with a nomination. 

First For Customer Service 

This award is for a salon that offers the best customer service throughout, from when you first book 

your appointment, to the friendly receptionist who greets you at the door, to the therapists and the 

products they use. 

Nominate Now 

www.velvetmag.co.uk/beauty-awards-2016 


Beauty 

Baby it’s cold 

inside 

Gemma tries out the latest celebrity 

craze; Fat Freezing 

Any fad, craze or latest treatment regarding fat loss and I’m in! It boils down 

to vanity unfortunately, and striving to always lose that pesky half a stone. 

According to Jurgita, from the Little Beauty Box, I am not alone. “More 

than half of my Fat Freezing clients are those who need spot reduction. Fat 

Freezing is perfect for sculpting the shape of those stubborn areas such as 

inner thighs, muffin top and the arms.” I hear ‘inner thighs’ with excitement; 

no amount of lunges and leg raises seems to reduce this area for me, so I 

was game to give Fat Freezing a try. 

The 3D lipo machine has a multitude of different attachments for various 

parts of the body and two functions. First off, Jurgita had a look at the area 

in question to determine if it needed Fat Freezing or cavitation. “Cavitation 

helps to shape the body through the phenomenon of ultrasound 

technology. The fat cell membrane cannot withstand the pressure, and 

disintegrates into a liquid,” says Jurgita. “It offers an alternative to patients 

seeking effective reduction of localised fat deposits” confirms Jurgita. 

Naturally, I queried how Fat Freezing works and, most importantly, does it 

hurt? I was happy to find out that the process is non-invasive, and although 

it can be slightly uncomfortable, it shouldn’t register on the pain scale. 

“Fat Freezing targets the water content of the fat cell; the fat freezing 

hand piece chills down to -5°c and this temperature is maintained for 

approximately 45 minutes. The fat cells are then damaged, and begin to 

naturally eliminate,” says Jurgita. 

It is expected that 20-40% of my fat cells in the treated area will disolve. 

Intrigued and full of hope, inspired by the love of Barbie’s thighs, I lay back 

whilst the suction cup was applied to the area. 

I am not the 

most patient, 

but it beats 500 

ballet squats 

per day! 

With my fat fully clamped in, the machine 

was switched on. I felt an instant blast of cold, 

which I became accustomed to within a 

few moments. 

For 45 minutes, I just had to lie there with 

Jurgita keeping a watchful eye. Jurgita and I 

got on very well and had lots in common, such 

as kids and a love of all things beauty. Jurgita 

told me that some clients multi-task (a term I love to hear!) and will have a 

facial whilst Fat Freezing! 

At the end of my treatment, apart from feeling cold, of course, I felt fine 

and had actually appreciated the time to just sit back and relax. The only 

downside of this treatment is the lack of instant gratification; it will take 

approximately eight weeks for my body to eliminate the fat. I am not the 

most patient, but it beats 500 ballet squats per day! 

The Little Beauty Box, 

16 Crown Walk, Newmarket, 

CB8 8NG 

Tel: 01638 428980 

www.thelittlebeautybox.co.uk 


Hot list 

Healthy 

Health 

Article by Gemma Treby 

Heatrick 


Offering personal strength training sessions at 

Unit 1 Gym in Bury St Edmunds, Don Heatrick 

provides 30-60 minutes of highly specific, 

progressive training that targets individual body 

composition and strength balance in opposing 

muscle groups as well as addressing your 

personal performance goals. 

www.fit.heatrick.com 

three 

strength 

training providers 

urban workout 

Ely 

Based in Ely, James Nicholson works with all 

different types of clients with varying goals 

from an introduction to strength training to 

Olympic weightlifting. Running a personal 

training service, this option is for those 

looking to maximise their time and strive for 

their fitness goals. 

www.urbanworkout.co.uk 

cross train 

fitness 

Cambridge 

Join one of Cross Train Fitness’ Strength 

Training For Women classes to lose weight, 

tone up and get strong! Based in Volac Park, 

the home of Cambridge Rugby Union Football 

Club, here you’ll be put through your paces by 

coach Ben. 

www.crosstrain-fitness.co.uk 

66 


Health 

Reformed Body and Mind 

The Reformer: Paula Ahlberg, of 

Wellbeing Warehouse, looks at why 

this nifty bit of equipment could 

help shape and shift your 

physique and mind 

Become An Angel 

Who wouldn't want to look like one of 

the stunning Victoria Secret Angels? We 

all can understand the rigorous training 

schedule the models must go through 

to have those washboard stomachs, but 

there's also another secret the catwalk 

queens have been hiding. Miranda 

Kerr, who is known for her glowing 

complexion, says, 

“To keep my skin in check I always 

eat lots of greens and take Chlorella 

supplements.” 

We’ve spoken to Head Nutritionist at 

NutriCentre, Shona Wilkinson, to find 

out more. 

“Chlorella helps to improve 

circulation as well as skin firmness. 

It is also thought to help with 

decreasing cellulite and making your 

skin more elastic - this is due to the 

toxin removal properties and the 

ability to remove fat deposits from 

the skin. Try Nature’s Plus Green 

Lightning Energy Drink, it’s 

power-packed with superfoods as 

well as Chlorella.” 

In our quest for mental and physical enlightenment, Yoga is increasing in popularity. 

The perfect complement to Yoga is Pilates, and the Reformer Pilates equipment 

provides fine-tuned exercise with the resistance from springs and pulleys. 

If you’ve attended mat Pilates before, you’re likely to know what amazing 

core-strengthening work it is. Now add on the resistance of the Reformer, and you 

got yourself a whole new artillery to tone up your body! It is unquestionable that 

Reformer Pilates is literally a way to reshape your body. 

You will never bulk up with Pilates - instead, you can expect that envied long, lean, 

graceful tone. “In 10 sessions, you feel better; in 20 sessions you look better; in 

30 sessions you have a completely new body.” So says the founder of the practice, 

Joseph Pilates. We can testify to the truth of this saying. Don’t believe us? Come 

and try for yourself. 

Physiotherapists recommend it for injury 

prevention and rehabilitation. Celebrities 

and top athletes swear by its benefits. 

Combine the Reformer with Yoga, 

and you are well on the way to gaining 

strength of body and mind. 

jump up 

Indoor trampolining parks are set to 

become the next big thing for health 

fanatics, as well as thrill seekers. 

Flux Freestyle will be coming to 

Cardinal Park in Ipswich this spring, or, 

for something closer to home, why not 

hop along to the Cambridge University 

Trampoline Club! 

www.srcf.ucam.org 

Newmarket Hilly 

The annual Newmarket Hilly cycle 

event is set to return on the 12th June. 

Challenge yourself to the 100 mile epic, 

50 standard mile or 25 mile fun ride. 

You need to pre register, get your kit and 

most importantly train like a pro! New 

for this year is a children’s race for 

ages 5-14. 

www.newmarkethilly100.org.uk 


Interiors 

THE REVIEW: 

FITNESS CLASSES 

The Velvet team get out and about, 

testing our local fitness classes… 

1. Powerhoop 

2. Netball 

3. Belly Dancing 4. Jazzercise 

Reviewed by Georgia Watson 

Run by Tania McQuilkin 

When I arrived I was put at ease 

by Tania’s friendly nature and the 

sense of excitement from the rest 

of her class. Alternating one track 

of hooping to one track of cardio, 

we began by holding the hoop aloft 

while lunging and squatting. Then, 

time to get hooping! Every time I 

managed to hoop, I vowed to hoop 

for an extra second the next time. 

The whole act of hooping is 

addictive and challenging. The 

addition of cardio and lifting the 

hoop means you’re working your 

whole body. 

www.taniafitness.com 

Reviewed by Rachel Cracknell 

Run by Alex Burlow 

Getting back into sport or trying 

something new can be difficult. 

But, Jubilee Netball Club runs a 

regular ‘Back to Netball’ session, 

providing women of all ages with 

a reintroduction to the sport. It 

started with a warm-up including 

jogging, dynamic stretches and 

group drills. The drills were great 

as it gave me the chance to meet 

other players and helped build my 

confidence. The second half was a 

coached game which was fun, 

enjoyable and a great way to 

improve my fitness. 

www.jubileenetball.wix.com 

Reviewed Lauren Eade 

Run by Louise Ellison 

Being a regular at the gym, belly 

dancing wasn’t something I’d ever 

tried before. But my lack of 

experience wasn’t a problem as the 

beginner’s class led by Louise was 

perfectly suited to my ability. We 

started off learning how to ‘Tac’, a 

simple step where you move your 

hip in the direction of your step. 

Many of the steps looked 

deceptively easy and were really 

quite challenging. The choreography 

was fun and it was easy to have 

a laugh - worth going out of my 

comfort zone for! 

www.cambridgebellydance.co.uk 

Reviewed by Sammi Nice 

Run by Sarah Gray 

As regular gym goer and having 

danced for several years when I was 

younger, I was quite excited about 

attending my first Jazzercise class. 

I was also told that a 60 minute 

session could burn up to 800 

calories, so I was immediately 

sold! The class was predominantly 

a mixture of dance-based cardio 

movements, similar to aerobics, 

with an element of strength training 

for the last 15 minutes. The hour 

went quickly - unlike an hour in the 

gym! I really enjoyed the fact it gave 

me a full body workout. 

www.jazzercise.co.uk 


nest 

The 

Velvet’s monthly property and interiors exclusive 

contents 

Spring Greens 

Discover this season’s 

must-have hues 

Interior Agenda 

Meet the team behind 

P & B Interiors 

Rustic Rocks 

Change things up with latest 

classic accessories

Interiors 

Hub 

Your 


Velvet brings you the latest 

home and interior trends 

Marble 

Last year it was all about slate placemats 

and crockery, but in 2016 the new 

material is marble. 

Sleek and elegant, 

marble placemats 

may be heavy, but 

they’re easy to wipe clean 

at the end of a dinner party! 

This option, from House of Fraser, 

continues the grey theme that is popular, 

carrying over from 2015. 

editors 

choice 

Grey & Willow Grey Marble 

Placement Set of two, £30, House of 

Fraser, www.houseoffraser.co.uk 

Birds of 

a Feather 

Get involved with a Springwatch of 

your own with a bird feeder. Whether 

you have a small or large garden, with a 

hanging feeder all you need is a place for 

it to swing, and then you can sit back and 

watch as birds flock to your garden…all 

the joys of spring! 

Hanging Metal Bird Feeder, £20, 

Catesbys, Cambridge 

Rattan 

A huge trend that will continue throughout 

the spring and into summer, is rattan. A classic 

weave that is associated with tradition and 

hotter climates, rattan will give a holiday feel to 

an alfresco dining area. 

Galloway Rustic Wood Rattan Tub Chair, 

£500, www.artisanti.com 

Floral Art 

World-renowned floral designer, Paula Pryke 

OBE, based between Suffolk and London is 

sharing her tricks of the trade on 17th and 

18th March in Clare. Teaming up with Marie 

Curie to support the 30th anniversary of its 

Great Daffodil Appeal, you will get the chance 

to make a spring arrangement whilst raising 

money for an excellent cause. Places are £50 

and are limited. www.paulapryke.com 

72 


Interiors 

Shutter Style 

Originally used as a way to block out bad 

weather and keep in the heat, shutters 

have seen a resurgence, with the current 

trend for minimalism and clean lines, 

as well as the beautiful new decorative 

designs available. We speak to Wayne 

French from Suffolk Blinds: 

“The unique thing about 

shutters is that there are several 

combinations to suit every 

home or business. We offer five 

different louver sizes and 40 

colours, plus a custom colour 

match. Shutters can range in 

style from full height to café tier 

on tier (which is half the height 

of the window), shaped and 

much more, not to mention the 

different materials they can be 

made from.” 

www.suffolkblinds.com 

Spring 

Clean 

It’s the month for a good old spring 

clean, so we decided to bring you three 

of the best storage baskets to help you 

tidy up the clutter. 

1. Rattan Mandalay Storage Basket, £99, 

OKA, Saffron Walden 

Scandi Style 

National 

Bed Month 

Apparently, on average we spend 227.5k 

hours in bed, a whopping 25 years of 

our lives! This means having a bed that 

you love, that supports your back and 

that makes drifting off to sleep easy, is 

incredibly important. We love this sleigh 

bed from And So To Bed. 

Manoir Wooden Sleigh Bed, £3,475, 

And So To Bed, Bury St Edmunds 

We speak to an 

authority on 

Scandinavian style, 

interior designer 

Kati Suard, from 

Aaltonen Interiors 

in Cambridge. 

Why do you think Scandinavian and 

Nordic Interiors continue to be 

popular in 2016? 

“I think it’s the timeless, contemporary 

look that appeals to us. Scandinavian 

style is designed for people: it combines 

practical design with neutral colours to 

create light and roomy living spaces. 

The neutral background also welcomes 

personal accent colours, furnishings and 

furniture that make the look unique to 

the individual.” 

2. Littleton Oval Zinc Lined Basket, £70, 

Neptune, Bury St Edmunds 

3. John Lewis Coastal Wire Woven Basket 

with Handle, £12, John Lewis, 



Interiors 

Oliver Bonas 

Wire Wall 

Antelope 

Head, £30, 

Oliver Bonas, 

Cambridge 

Weber Premium 

Smokey Joe Spring 

Green, £65.99, 

Glasswells, 


Coco Chair, £575, Oliver Bonas, Cambridge 

Hexagons 

Cushions, £39, 

Catesbys, Cambridge 

Spring 

greens 

March is a time for new life as spring arrives into 

our world. Celebrate the new shoots in the garden 

by bringing fresh green tones into your home. 

Sass & Belle Boudoir Stamp 

Photo Frame, £13, 

www.dizenclothing.co.uk 

Verdi Green Glaze 

Water Jug, £45, OKA, 

Saffron Walden 

KitchenAid Artisan 

Apple Green Stand 

Mixer, £449, 

Steamer Trading 

Cookshop, Bury 

St Edmunds 

Newgate Cookhouse Kettle 

Wall Clock, £65, John Lewis, 



Interiors 

interior 

insider 

Sara Slade, our Interior Insider, 

explains why we should love a 

light less ordinary 

Constellation Light 

76 


Interiors 

One of our main 

objectives was 

to look for some 

interesting lighting, 

and we weren’t 

disappointed! 

We love Paris! We really love 

Paris, especially when visiting 

the Maison et Objet show in 

January. Many designers use the show 

to gauge the opinion of the visitors as to 

whether they will put their products into 

production. This year we went with our 

thinking hats on, a comfortable pair of 

shoes (in this case my Stan Smith’s) and a 

long shopping list for our clients. 

One of our main objectives was to look for 

some interesting lighting, and we weren’t 

disappointed! 

Almost the first stand we walked into 

was CVL Luminaires, and its new 

products were really interesting. The one 

piece that really caught my eye was its 

“Constellation” light. Its concept behind 

the design is a light that is reminiscent of 

natural formations, but most importantly 

is designed to grow organically to meet 

your needs. This light is beautifully crafted 

from brass and glass and can be fitted to 

your wall or ceiling (perfect if you haven’t 

got a lot of head room). It can be added 

to infinitely, so you could take this across 

an entire wall to create a dramatic feature. 

Keeping to the same idea of lighting that 

can grow to your needs was the Giopato 

& Coombes stand. Judging by the amount 

of designers and architects that were also 

standing alongside me in wonder at its 

“Bolle” suspension light, I was not alone in 

my enthusiasm for this new design. 

This lamp was inspired by the lightness of 

soap bubbles, and this you have to see to 

believe. The feather-light hand blown glass 

of seemingly interlocking bubbles, is held 

together without any screws. It really is a 

piece of art you will want to treasure - I’m 

certainly going to be putting my own 

order in! 

These pieces were really demonstrating a 

common thread at the show, with designs 

being flexible to your needs - not just for 

the present but having the ability to be 

able to adapt. Sounds sensible to me! 

Sara Slade 

www.saraslade.co.uk 

@sara_slade 

Article by Sara Slade 


Interiors 

Paul Walker, from Interconnection, 

sheds some light on the most commonly 

asked questions about home automation systems 

Q. What are home 

automation systems? 

We start with basic services such as the 

distribution of television, telephone and 

internet all around the home and then 

add on services such as distributed audio, 

cinema systems and lighting control. 

We also automate things such as blinds 

and curtains and also get involved in the 

installation of CCTV. 

Q. What would be the most important 

bit of advice for anyone renovating 

or building a new home? 

Put the wires in! Cabling is very 

inexpensive to do during the building or 

renovation of a property, but once the 

decorating is done, no one wants to start 

pulling their house apart. A well-designed 

infrastructure means that you can add 

systems as budgets allow and upgrade 

easily. We often get asked “can’t we just 

do it all wirelessly?” In some cases we can, 

but with wireless you never quite know 

how it’s going to behave, especially with 

modern building materials. 

Q. For cinema systems, don’t you end 

up with lots of remote controls? 

Nowadays, most of our media installations 

are controlled via an iPad. This gives a 

very simple interface that the customer 

can understand, including things like a 

single button press that can turn a whole 

system on and channel favourite buttons, 

so one press gets you to your favourite 

TV channels without having to navigate 

through TV guides. 

Q. What is the process from initial 

enquiry through to completion? 

We usually start with an appointment to 

discuss what the client wants to achieve, 

and at what level of budget. We then 

prepare an outline quotation, setting out 

what we will do and at what cost. We have 

demonstration facilities, so we usually 

provide a demonstration of the proposed 

solutions when we present the quote. 

Once this is agreed, we then prepare 

cabling drawings for the electricians to 

work to. When the property is nearing 

completion, we then carry out our final 

installation and commissioning with 

a client handover. Following on from 

then, we provide maintenance contracts 

ensuring minimum downtime. 

VELVET 

GADGETS 

Interconnection, 

Bury St Edmunds. 

Tel: 01284 768676. 

www.interconnectionltd.co.uk 


Interiors 

RUSTIC 

ROCKS 

Kitchens really are the heart of the 

home - they’re so much more than 

just ‘where we cook and eat.’ 

It’s a space which is so versatile when it 

comes to interior styling. Whether you’re 

looking to restyle or starting from scratch, 

it’s vital you pick something you love as it 

isn’t something we change too often. 

SKOGSTA Range, IKEA 

The traditional rural or rustic look doesn’t 

just have to be for your typical country 

farmhouse. Many people are favouring 

a ‘natural’ and ‘homely-looking’ style for 

their kitchen since it denotes a welcoming 

environment which is ideal for socialising. 

There’s plenty of ways to build this style 

into your existing home without having 

to uproot. We’ve shortlisted some of the 

key ways in which to incorporate this 

increasingly popular trend. 

Top trend tips: 

Stick to vintage-looking chunky 

woods for main furniture 

Opt for light paint colours in warm 

neutral shades as well as grey 

Make lighting choices heavy and 

industrial looking 

If possible, make a feature of your 


fireplace 

80 


Interiors 

Cattelan Italia Hublot Suspension 

Light, in Graphite, £539, 

from Belvisi Furniture 

Lighting 

Industrial-looking pendant lighting 

with deep iron-shades give intimate 

mood lighting, perfect for dinner 

parties. 

Thomas Kent Black Clock, £22 

Direct Furniture, 


Kitchenware 

Tables 

When it comes to kitchenware, stick to the darker shades. They 

provide a deep, rich contrast to the lighter wood. 

Make your 

kitchen table 

a focal point 

and choose a 

solid wood with 

contrasting legs. 

Choose chairs in 

a similar shade 

of paint or raw 

finish. Slightly 

different shades 

will add texture 

and depth. 

Le Creuset Range in Flint, 

Steamer Trading Cookshop, 


Cole & Mason, 

Pestle and Mortar, £30, 

John Lewis, Cambridge 

SKOGSTA Range, IKEA 

Calia Extending Dining Table, £799, 

John Lewis, Cambridge 


Interiors 

Bold Baths 

Wood 

If you’re going for a 

more natural feel, a 

wooden look bath is 

the perfect choice. 

Tie it in with greens, 

stone shades and 

other neutral tones 

for a bathroom 

that is relaxing and 

peaceful. 

Cambridge Kitchens 

and Bathrooms, 

Cambridge & 

Newmarket 

Be brave in style, colour and shape this spring 

Free-standing 

When it comes to a 

contemporary bathroom, 

free-standing baths are 

the way forward. In many 

different shapes and sizes, 

with or without feet, these 

baths also lend themselves 

to unusual taps for a unique 

design feature. 

Andrew James Bathrooms, 

Cambridge 

Tea cup 

The tea cup shaped bath has increased in popularity with its 

soft edges and sleek appearance. The stylish shape is unusual, 

tasteful and comfortable, and works to compliment different 

bathroom styles. 

Nicholas Anthony, Cambridge 

Colour 

A modern twist on a 

classic design, adding 

colour can transform 

your bathroom, giving 

it character and style. 

Choose darker colours 

such as plum, maroon or 

even black, for a chic and 

sophisticated look. 

Baytree Bathrooms, 



Interiors 

going for 

Gold 

Ciacci Tea Classic Bed, 

£3,500, Belvisi Kitchen & Furniture, 

Cambridge 

How to work gold into your home 

interiors this season 

Last year’s favourite metallic, copper, makes way for its shinier 

cousin, gold. If you’re going for the popular 70s look this season, 

opt for extravagant accessories that border on the eccentric, or 

for the opulent French aesthetic that rules spring interiors; soft 

gold furnishings are more the way to go. 

Often associated with glamour, gold can also be used as a raw 

material to accompany an urban looking home. By choosing 

tables with skinny gold legs, or factory lights in gold, it’s easy to 

mix in this metal without compromising your style. 

Artisan Shell Bowl Copper, 

£28.95, Angela Reed, 


Hollywood Gold Cushion, 

£12.49, Glasswells, 


Milking Stool, 

£384, Mineheart, 

Fenstanton 

Lempicka Screen, 

£995, Oka, 


84 


Interiors 

Dulux 

Luxe Bar Table, 

£280, Oliver Bonas, 

Cambridge 

Blending a group of different metallics, 

from bronze, copper and silver to gold, 

will create a warm atmosphere as well 

as a luxurious look. Dulux’s ‘Cherished 

Gold’ paint will be a great starting point 

for a feature wall, as its dark gold tone is 

bright enough to attract attention alone, 

yet can also be used as a base colour 

with other brighter shades such as blue 

and pink, or even a lighter gold. 

Zhu Table Lamp, 

£490, Oka, Saffron Walden 

Aurora Antique Gold Round Mirror, 

£199, www.artisanti.com 


Property 

What does 

Stamp Duty 

mean to you? 

Simon Morris, co-founder of estate agents, Morris 

Armitage, fills us in on the latest changes to stamp duty 

From next month, the government will be 

reclassifying stamp duty land tax (SDLT), 

which will impact anyone purchasing an 

additional property. So, if you’re a landowner, 

or you’re looking to buy a further 

property, you’re going to be paying a 

SDLT rate that’s 3% higher than the 

standard rate. 

Will this impact me? 

If you own a second property, be it a 

holiday home or a buy-to-let portfolio, 

this higher rate will apply to you. If you’re 

moving from 

It will only 

affect additional 

property 

purchases made 

on or after 1st 

April 2016. 

your main 

residence to a 

new property, 

but your main 

residence 

is yet to be 

sold, the 

transaction will 

also be subject 

to higher rates. However, if your main 

residence is then sold within the next 18 

months, you’ll be eligible for a full refund. 

What are the new rates? 

The stamp duty increase will be in line 

with the value of a property. If your 

second property is worth between £0 and 

£125,000, the proposed additional rate 

will be 3%. For properties valued between 

£925,001 and £1.5m, the SDLT will be 

13%. These costs are estimates, with the 

final figures being confirmed in the Budget 

on 16th March. 

Are there any exemptions? 

The changes to stamp duty may not be 

applicable in all instances. Caravans, 

houseboats and properties worth less 

than £40,000 will be exempt, along with 

charities and social landlords. There is also 

discussion around excluding investors who 

own more than 15 properties from this 

new system. 

To learn more about how the stamp duty 

change could impact you, simply visit 

www.tax.service.gov.uk, or get in touch with 

the team at Morris Armitage by visiting 

www.morrisarmitage.co.uk. 

Morris Armitage, Godolphin House, 

2 The Ave, Newmarket, Suffolk 

CB8 9AA. Tel: 01638 560 221 

www.morrisarmitage.co.uk 


Interiors 

We go behind the scenes at P & B 

Interiors to find out what it takes to 

make a house a home 

Quickfire Q & A: 

We speak to Tricia, one of the directors at P & B Interiors. 

What industry changes have you seen since you joined 

the business? 

I’ve been part of the business for eight years and have seen lots 

of changes when it comes to ‘what’s in and what’s out.’ More 

recently, we’ve seen a big increase in demand for cost-effective 

range of ready-made curtains and blinds. Within our flooring 

department we have noticed the increase in sales of wood and 

laminate floors. 

What is your Favourite Interior trend at the moment? 

Far more customers are selecting traditional pinch pleat curtains 

as opposed to a standard heading. This gives a more luxurious 

finish but also comes with added expense, as more material is 

required. Beautiful wallpapers designed for feature walls continue 

to be a favourite of mine, alongside the superb range 

of woolen fabrics particularly in a stripe or check. 

What is your favourite room at home? 

Hard to choose but for me, it’d have to be my dining room. It’s a 

lovely space, great for family entertainment and gatherings. I love 

old traditional furniture and have enjoyed incorporating this with 

our beautiful hand made curtains. 

On average, how often do people change the interior 

decoration of a room? 

That depends very much on the person and their budget. We 

have clients who want to invest in a classic look that will stand the 

test of time or those that are more influenced by fashion and will 

want a change every few years. If you are the latter, you can have 

great fun with texture and colour, whereas a classic look will be 

more about neutral colours and subtle patterns using the highest 

quality materials. 

What’s your Favourite part of the job? 

Nice customers, challenging interior projects and making and 

supplying customers with a quality product that I would be 

happy with. 

88 


Interiors 

Favourite Suppliers 

Tricia shares her top five brands and why they are 

so amazing to work with: 

1. Harlequin Fabrics 

2. Prestigious Textiles 

3. Amo Blinds 

4. Karndean Flooring 

5. Westex Carpets 

“All of our brands are well known for their quality 

as well as their reliability. This allows us to provide 

the same offering to our clients. We try to have a 

varied selection, from designer brands to the more 

affordable ranges,” says Tricia Cooper. 

Top Interior Tips 

“Take as many samples as you like from the showroom, it’s important to 

compare and try them out in your own home so you can see how it looks with 

your other interiors and lighting.” 

Lynn King, Show Room Assistant 

“Work with people who love what they do. I’ve been sewing for as long as I can 

remember and have always really enjoyed making curtains and Roman Blinds 

using quality fabrics - not sure why, it’s just one of my passions. Our workroom 

is well-managed because we’ve all had years of experience.” 

Violata Koleva Peikova, Workroom Supervisor 

“Make sure your measurements are 100% correct before you order. P & B 

offer a free measure service for all of their customers.” 

Alan Rix, Fitter 

“Never underestimate the importance of good customer service. We’ll 

always have time for our customers and take pride in our extensive product 

knowledge. Our staff are always on hand to talk through the ranges we sell, as 

well as answer any questions they may have.” 

Angela McKechnie, Receptionist 

P&B Flooring and Interiors 

1 Hammond Close, Exning Road, 

Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 0AZ. 

Tel: 01638 663736 

www.pandbflooring.co.uk 


Direct Furniture Advert 

90 


otoring MOur motoring section is full of the latest models, reviews and gadgets 

contents 

A Full Makeover 

Meet the new C-Class Coupé 

Jekyll and Hyde 

The new Audi RS6 is a tale of 

two halves 

New Models 

Time to upgrade with the 

latest releases this year

Motoring 

The elegant curves take 

inspiration from the S-Class Coupé 

The New Mercedes-Benz C 220 Coupé 

A FuLL 

MAKEOVER 

The new C-Class Coupé has had a true 

face lift, well not just a face lift, more like 

a full body makeover, and it looks like the 

surgery must have taken some time. After 

spending a few minutes studying the new 

model, and then looking back at the 2011 

C-Class, the older version is definitely 

all angles and lines compared to the new, 

curvaceous look of the 2016 Coupé. 

Looking at the ever-expanding Mercedes- 

The new C-Class Coupé 

has had a true face lift, 

well not just a face lift, 

more like a full body 

makeover... 

Benz range, you can see exactly where 

the designers have taken inspiration; the 

elegant curves are drawn from the S-Class 

Coupé, the strong and defined front is like 

CLA, and there’s a hint of the AMG GT 

in there for added measure. The low boot 

at the rear of the Coupé really helps to 

give it a low road stance and some serious 

presence, especially with the AMG styling 

pack. You can clearly see how this model 

slots perfectly into the Mercedes-Benz 

new look range, definitely appealing to a 

slightly younger audience, but still with 

room for the golf clubs in the boot! 

It’s noticeably better to drive than 

its predecessor. The steering is more 

connected and the driving position feels 

closer to the road - it’s been lowered by 

20mm which makes a big impact on the 

feeling you get back from the car. 

Moving to the interior, it’s a gadget lover’s 

heaven. The central column features 

the trademark Mercedes-Benz touch 

pad with multi-touch control, not to 

mention Garmin MAP PILOT navigation 

system and Active Parking Assist included 

as standard. If you are not already a 

Mercedes-Benz owner, it does take 

some getting used to the gear shift on 

the steering wheel, but five minutes in, 

it becomes quite natural. It does seem a 

central gear shift is now a thing of the past 

in the automatic market. 

Two words that sum up the interior are 

pure comfort. The contrasting sportiness 

of the outside, the ribbed Artico leather 

seats and the lower driving position make 

a pleasant driving experience. The central 

column flows from the touch pad towards 

the dashboard with a black ash, wood finish 

and brushed, aluminum detailing. The 

92 


Motoring 

imposing central column is the focal point 

of the interior and is now being mirrored 

on other models including the new GLE. 

The model we had for the afternoon was 

the C 220 with AMG styling, which is 

a brilliant everyday car. The design is 

gorgeous with great performance figures 

as well as being a practical car to fit four 

adults comfortably. 

The model I’d really like to get my hands 

on though, is the Mercedes-AMG C 63, 

which, with its extra styling pack and the 

obvious V8 engine, would make for a fun 

afternoon’s driving. I’ll continue hoping… 

Mercedes-Benz Of Cambridge 

01223 401100 

Mercedes-Benz Of Bury St Edmunds 

01284 769676 

www.yourmercedes.com 

Article by John Treby 

The new Mercedes-Benz 

C 220 d Coupé 

0-62 mph (s) 7.8 

Top speed (mph) 145 

Combined (mpg) 68.9 


Motoring 

Looking For A 

Younger 

Model? 

If your vehicle is in need of a serious 

upgrade, we’ve found the best new models 

set to launch in 2016 

1. Ford KA 

Summer 2016 

The third generation Ford KA will be a 

departure from the previous models. 

Only available with five doors, expect a 

similar style to the Fiesta, with a similar 

variety of engines. 

www.marshallweb.co.uk 

2. Volkswagen Tiguan 

Spring 2016 

This SUV is bigger than its previous model, 

with a more efficient engine. The four wheel 

drive is offered on more powerful engines 

whereas the lower powered versions have 

front wheel drive. 

www.vindisgroup.com 

3. Mini Convertible 

March 2016 

With similar styling tweaks as the third 

generation hardtop Minis, the new 

convertible is bigger and available in three 

engines. All models have a six speed 

gearbox and 6.5inch infotainment screen. 

www.elmscambridgemini.co.uk 

94 


Motoring 

4. BMW M2 

April 2016 

The new BMW M2 can reach 62mph in 

just 4.5 seconds. A 365bhp rear wheel drive 

coupé, the BMW has a fitted 3.0 litre, 

six cylinder petrol unit and comes with a six 

speed manual gearbox. 

www.elmscambridgebmw.co.uk 

5. Suzuki Baleno 

Spring 2016 

Larger than the Suzuki Swift, this car is still 

in the small car category, but with stats that 

reveal it to be a comfortable ride. With a 

355 litre boot and 110bhp three cylinder 

1.0 litre or 1.2 engine. 

www.johnbanks.co.uk 

6. Mercedes-Benz GLS 

Summer 2016 

The face-lifted GLS is the last model in 

the range to join the new naming structure. 

The SUV, formerly known as the GL, will 

have a visual and specification upgrade 

rather than a major overhaul this year. 

www.robinsonsmotorgroup.co.uk 


Motoring 

To The 

Future 

Velvet Magazine looks at the 

future for in-car technology 

Fiat Chrysler’s Uconnect, fourth 

generation later this year. 

Infotainment Systems Upgrade 

The Fiat Chrysler’s Uconnect infotainment system is 

already hailed as one of the best available. However, it 

will soon be introducing its fourth-generation, which 

will have a touch screen that can include Apple CarPlay 

and Android Auto for the first time, as well as in-car 

Wi-Fi. In the future, you can expect the Uconnect 

to also feature vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-toinfrastructure 

elements that allow cars to communicate 

with each other and reduce the risk of common crash 

types, such as rear-end and lane change incidents. 

Driver Tracking 

Audi’s new Virtual Dashboard, expected 

in two years, will include a feature 

named Driver Fit. This will monitor 

the driver to track such things as their 

tiredness, distraction levels and how 

close they are sitting to the steering 

wheel. This brings us another step closer 

to the world of semi-autonomous driving 

technologies. 

next generation Keyless Entry 

Revealed at the Consumer Electronics 

Show 2016, the Volkswagen BUDD-e 

is an electric vehicle that does away 

with door handles. You won’t even need 

fingerprints; the car will unlock upon 

voice command or gesture. Also on offer 

are on-board apps that connect to your 

home so you can unlock the doors as 

you head up the drive. 

Advanced Backup Cameras 

Already a function on many new cars, 

with the latest range of advanced backup 

cameras, it will be even easier to reverse 

park than ever before. With more angles 

and even a bird’s-eye view, you won’t 

be at risk of any bumps or scrapes, even 

in tricky parking spots. Look out for this 

function on some Nissan models and the 

new Toyota Prius. 

Written by Georgia Watson 


Motoring 

Jekyll 

and Hyde: 

AUDI’S RS6 

Sammi Nice heads out on 

the road to find out what we 

can expect from the all new 

Audi RS6 Performance 

Introducing the new version of the Audi 

RS6 Performance - for those who are 

looking for practicality and the ultimate 

driving experience. With the speed and 

thrill of a super car, but room in the back 

for the kids, it’s only a handful of cars that 

can accommodate a family camping trip 

but also compete on performance with the 

likes of the Lamborghini and Ferraris of 

this world, despite their price tags of 

over double the Audi’s. 

The staggering performance comes from 

the 4.0 litre V8 engine and thanks to 

Audi’s Quattro four-wheel drive system 

it stays firmly planted on the road. And 

when you’re at low speeds, Audi’s COD 

(Cylinder on Demand) will drop from eight 

to four cylinders improving efficiency by 

up to 12% - clever stuff. 

This car has it all, subtle and light when 

needed and loud and seriously raspy when 

you’re on the accelerator. Delightful and 

well-mannered at low speeds, and utterly 

crazy at the other end of the spectrum. 

It’s one of few cars that both spouses will 

enjoy, the school run in the week and the 

German Autobahn at the weekend. 

Call in to Cambridge Audi, part of the 

family-owned and family-run Vindis 

Group, and speak to Clare Fletcher, their 

luxury and performance specialist. Clare 

is renowned for the tailored and personal 

service she offers alongside her expert 

knowledge and genuine passion. 

Starting price; £84,675 

4 Litre twin-turbo engine 

Power 605ps 

0-62mph 3.7 seconds 

Economy 29.4mpg combined 

It’s one of few cars that 

both spouses will enjoy, 

the school run in the week 

and the German Autobahn 

at the weekend... 

Cambridge Audi 

Babraham Road, 

CB22 3AY 

Tel: 01223 414181 

www.audi.co.uk 


98

Velvet Magazine March 2016

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