Velvet Magazine February 2016

Take Me I’m Free
Velvet Exclusive
your
wedding
Inspiration
2016 Bridal
Trends
Reforming
Your Workout
Seasonal
Spring Menu
The Whole
Earth
Day In The Life
Of A Wedding
Planner
Rachel Lamb dispels
the myths of bespoke
bridal gowns
Global Style
The Crush
Ingterior Awards
The top free monthly
from the award-winning
publishers Cubiqdesign
NEW
LOOK
We’ve had a little
refresh! New look,
new size!

Cubiqdesign is a multi award-winning design agency.
No jargon... Just great ideas and stunning designs...
info@cubiqdesign.co.uk | 01638 666432
www.cubiqdesign.co.uk
Follow Cubiqdesign on twitter twitter.com/cubiqdesign

An Inspired
Education
Now for boys
as well as girls
Discover more at our Open House:
A hands-on experience for boys
and girls in years 4 and 5 and
their parents
Saturday 12th March
Union Road, Cambridge
9.30 to 12.30
Register now via
stephenperse.com

spa bridal pacKages
EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE IN LUXURIOUS INDULGENCE
IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR WEDDING
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spareservations@bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk
WWW.BEDFORDLODGEHOTELSPA.CO.UK

Contents
Featuring in this
months velvet
Contents
Emma Simpkins
“We guide ‘brides-to-be’ through
the extensive collections whilst
making the experience fun,
informative and truly tailored
to their individual needs.”
Bespoke Bride 95
Cooking Courses 13
Dr Lynda Brereton
“Starting school is a major
milestone in any child’s
life. A good school will seek
to ensure everyone starts
school feeling confident and
positive.”
Check our website for more information
from Velvet Magazine and our advertisers.
01638 666432 www.velvetmag.co.uk
Editor Gemma Treby
Editorial Georgia Watson, Lauren Eade,
Sara Slade, Rachel Cracknell, Emma Ward,
Jessica Nelson, Paula Ahlberg,
Josh Tait, Sian Anderson, Alex Higgs, Ludy
Gee, Lauren Sullivan
Design & Layout John Treby, Rian
Davies, Adam Blythe, 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
Food, Drink & Entertainment
Health, Fashion & Beauty
Nest
60
The Crush
We fall in love with the new Rolex
Oyster Perpetual range
Get Booked... Mud Runs
Three of the best mud runs coming
your way
Reforming Your Workout
Lauren tries a session on the Pilates
Reformer machine at Activate Pilates
Velvet Interior Awards
We reveal the interior award
winners
Education
13 Cooking Courses
70
Become top of the class at the best
cookery schools in the area
15 Insider: Watch This Space
75
Discover Bury St Edmunds must
visit destination coming this summer
30 What’s On
Wedding
Check out the best things around
the region this February
83
41
50
53
97
113
Independent Schools
Our directory of the top private
schools in the area
The Whole Earth
An inspiring exhibition at the
Friends’ school
The People Who Make Your
Wedding
We celebrate those special
people who make your dream day
2016 Bridal Trend
Brides by Solo reveals their top
bridal trend for 2016
The Old Hall Ely
All there is to know about this
beautiful wedding venue
Keep up-to-date with the
latest news from Velvet Mag.
Tweet us @VelvetMag
Facebook us /velvetmag
Instagram @velvetmag
Cover image courtesy of House Of Fraser
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 5

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Welcome
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
Stretching out the festivities
#carousel #burystedmunds
Velvet’s month
in pictures
Attending IQ Magazine’s event at the Hotel
Chocolat Café. celebrating our brand spanking
new look Velvet. Dazzled by the amazing bridal
collections for 2016/2017. Talking about lots
of health and fitness stuff.
@velvetmag review
@theglassworksgym
#mywork #cambridge
from the
editor
How excited are we at Velvet HQ. We love change, totally
embrace it, so when we were given the opportunity to
re-vamp our much loved mag many an explosion of squeaks and
squeals were witnessed (on the mag side we are mainly an allfemale
cast!). We hope you love it as much as we do!
You will notice that we have changed our order of features
round a little. We open Velvet with our ‘Food, Drink and
Entertainment’ sections; this has proved popular with our
readers. You guys told us that you want more foodie stuff, so we
hope that we have delivered with the best interviews, features
and hot-off-the-press launches and new happenings.
Alongside getting our head around the rebrand, in this issue we
have mainly been burying our heads in the world of weddings.
As my wedding was some seven years ago, I look on this issue
with nostalgia; only three more years to go until my husband
and I can legitimately have a ‘10 year blessing / re-union /
party’. Somewhere hot I hope, but if you’re not like me and
prefer celebrating the big day locally, we have a
rundown of our favourite venues on page 119. It’s been
a delight to bring together the feature ‘The People Who Make
Your Wedding’, giving a great behind-the-scenes look
at what it takes to pull off your wedding.
Hook the iceberg @nationaltrust
#ickworth #grandadsarethebest
Follow me on Instagram @gemmatreby
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 7

&
Food Drink
Entertainment
Velvet’s monthly views and reviews on all things edible, palatable and enjoyable
The Bull Inn p18
Sombrero Servings p27
The Look Out p33

Food & Drink
by Georgia Watson
Our
KitchenArticle
1
1This mobile woodfired pizza oven heats
to temperatures of over 700° to create
rustic, authentic Italian pizzas.
With homemade dough and tomatoes
imported from the mother country itself,
this street food is carefully thought out
and of course delicious!
Fired Up
www.firedupizza.co.uk
2
3
Velvet’s next
foodie outing:
We’ll be visiting the
Rosti Kitchen 10th Feb
Charles Babbage Rd,
Cambridge
CB3 0FS
2
2
www.guerrillakitchen.co.uk
Guerrilla Kitchen
At the forefront of the steamed bun
(or bao) revolution, the Guerrilla Kitchen
takes this Chinese-inspired dish and
includes mouthwatering fillings such as
pork belly and hoisin or braised beef rib.
A unique addition to the street food
offering in our area, we have to admit the
baos look incredible!
3
Rosti Strasse
Bringing a little piece of Switzerland
to the streets of Cambridge, Rosti Strasse
is cooking up delectable Swiss potato rosti
in a street style with quality ingredients
and a huge range of toppings. We like the
sound of the air-dried ham, mushroom
and gruyère option!
www.rostistrasse.com
Tweet us your favourite street food @VelvetMag
10
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016

Food & Drink
Velvet Loves
Star Chef Crush
Rosie
Sykes
We speak to the new chef at
Pint Shop, Rosie Sykes, about
developing the menu and
what’s in store for spring.
“Developing the menu with the team is a
very organic process. We understand each
other well, so it is just a case of talking
about ideas that fit in with what Pint Shop
is about. I find it very interesting and
rewarding to have other views and to be
doing dishes I wouldn’t necessarily have
had in my sights in the past. For example,
our lamb kebab made from slow cooked
spit roast lamb that has been marinaded
in harissa and lemon juice. It’s a huge hit
and rightly so, as it’s a good version of a
ubiquitous after pub staple!
We’ve just launched our winter/early
spring menu, there are still some winter
warmers, but we are starting to think
about lighter, brighter times. I have
developed a little salad of winter leaves
with roast salsify (the vegetable oyster,
as it was known in Victorian times),
croutons, mustard and half a soft boiled
duck egg.”
Read more about Rosie at
www.velvetmag.co.uk
Tried and tested: Healthy Cookbooks
Released at the end of last month, the ever popular Deliciously Ella brings us her second
cookbook, ‘Every Day’, packed with 100 healthy plant-based, diary-free and glutenfree
recipes. Ideal for those with busy lives who need inspiration for quick, but healthy
weekday dinners, the recipes are easy to follow and delicious. Also releasing their second
book later in the month, the Hemsley sisters launch ‘Good + Simple’ that has recipes
to build good gut health with affordable ingredients. ‘Eat Fat, Get Thin’ by Mark Hyman
has a thought-provoking title and discusses how eating fat may not have all the negative
connotations we associate with it. With a diet based on the latest science, this cookbook
explains how to eat ‘fat’ while getting fit and healthy.
Cambridge Artisan
Set up by 15-year-old Amelise Burr, Cambridge Artisan offers delicious hampers and
gift boxes filled with foodie delights from local producers.
www.cambridgeartisan.co.uk
FEBRUARY FOOD FEST
Eadonstone Food Fest with Ian Cummings and Alex Rushmer
27th February from 11am.
www.eadonstone.co.uk
Save
the
date
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 11

Food & Drink
Become top of the class this year:
Perfect Places
For Cooking Courses
Cambridge Cookery
School
At the Cambridge Cookery School,
there’s a range of courses to choose
from, so there’s something for everyone.
If you fancy sharpening up your knife
skills, there’s a unique class that teaches
you how to handle the utensils correctly
and shows you which knives to use for
different tasks. The experience costs
£135 and at the end you can sample two
exquisite party dishes followed by
a glass of wine, the perfect end to the
evening!
Cambridge Cookery School and Café,
School House, Harrison Drive,
Cambridge, CB2 8QL
www.cambridgecookeryschool.com
School of Culinary
Medicine
If you enjoy cooking healthy foods and
learning about the human body, then
look no further! The School of Culinary
Medicine offers a full diploma course for
£650 that focusses on the science of
food and how we can nurture our bodies.
Modules for the course include the
immune system, the digestive system
and joints and bones. The course can
be structured around your daily life as it
allows you to take time off when needed
and return to it later, ideal for those who
lead a busy lifestyle.
School of Culinary Medicine,
Waterbeach Road, Landbeach,
Cambridge, CB25 9FA
www.schoolofculinarymedicine.com
Suffolk Food Hall
The Suffolk Food Hall has many fantastic
classes running throughout the whole
year. From focaccia to flatbread, for just
£65, enrol for their bread workshop and
who knows, you could be the next Paul
Hollywood! There are also many seasonal
courses for the children to enjoy
including Halloween horrors, Christmas
creations and Easter bunnies for just £25
per class.
Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead, Ipswich,
Suffolk, IP9 2AB
www.suffolkfoodhall.co.uk
Gog Magog
Gog Magog Hills
This cooking school focusses mainly
on meat and offers a butchery class
for £128. The course will give plenty of
information about the animals, their
welfare and types of farming. You will
learn how to make the most of your meat
and will be shown how to cook various
joints to perfection. The professionals
will also help you to become familiar with
tools of the trade, and by the end of the
course you will have stuffed your very
own pork shoulder to take home with
you. The course finishes with a mouthwatering
pork dinner accompanied with a
well-deserved glass of wine.
Gog Magog Hills, Heath Farm, Shelford
Bottom, Cambridgeshire, CB22 3AD
www.gogmagoghills.com
ICE
ICE stands for ‘Infusions Culinary
Experience’. It offers exciting courses
run by professional chefs and two master
chefs of Great Britain for all ages. Look
out for the gentleman’s club evening
cooking course. At just £65 it offers
those who have little or no experience
the chance to learn a variety of dishes,
so no more excuses guys! Another
unique experience is the parent and child
cooking class for just £75. It allows you
and your child to bond whilst cooking
up a storm together in the kitchen –
great fun for everyone.
ICE, 2 Lundy Court, Rougham Industrial
Estate, Rougham, Bury St Edmunds,
Suffolk, IP30 9ND
www.icecookschool.co.uk
ICE Piping Macaroons
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 13

Food & Drink
Insider:
WATCH THIS SPACE
Discover Bury’s next must-visit
Visit www.chestnutgroup.co.uk
for more information
destination coming to town this summer
If you’ve been to Bury St
Edmunds lately, you’ll have
noticed that the place is
buzzing. New businesses,
shops and restaurants are
flocking to our successful
town, demonstrating that it’s
not just a great place to visit,
but also to live and work.
Unused buildings are few
and far between, and, thanks
to The Chestnut Group, an
award-winning independent
hospitality company based in
the region, we’re soon to see
one less.
The Chestnut Group
purchased Ounce House in
2014 and has permission to
transform the tired site into a true destination for quality
dining and overnight stays. The new hotel will have a sleek
and stylish bar, a top quality
This summer,
the new hotel
will offer the
ultimate drinking,
dining and hotel
destination in
Bury
restaurant serving the best local
and seasonal produce, and a
series of immaculate rooms,
each with their own design.
Philip Turner, owner of The
Chestnut Group, successfully
opened The Packhorse Inn
in Moulton and The Rupert
Brooke in Grantchester, and
couldn’t be more excited about
adding to the town’s leisure offering. “We’re so looking forward
to becoming part of the vibrant Bury community,” Philip
explains. “Throughout the planning process, we’ve developed
close relationships with our neighbours and can’t wait to bring
something new to the area.”
This summer, the hotel will have employed 26 local people
and invested over £1 million with suppliers across the area.
“We believe in working hard to support our surrounding
communities and this is very much our top priority. Our aim
is become the best employer in the hospitality sector in East
Anglia, and we won’t achieve this without making sure we’re
the best we can be.”
Article by Emma Ward
Take a look at www.velvetmag.co.uk
to read the full and exclusive interview
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 15

Food & Drink
Bone White
China Eats
Okay, so we admit it, we did try and be a bit healthy last month,
jumping on the resolutions bandwagon and all that. We even sort
of did Dry January. It didn’t last long, mind you. Don’t worry;
normal form will be resumed this month.
In our quest to inject some healthy eating into our lives, we visited
some of our favourite healthy spots. Stickybeaks is always high
on our list for a plant-based, low-calorie lunch. They have a range
of salads and you can mix and match as you fancy. Just avert your
eyes from all the delicious-looking cake on the counter.
We often find ourselves meeting with fellow mamas at Shelford
Delicatessen in Great Shelford, not only because the food is
great, but they are also kiddie-friendly. On sunny days there
is a playhouse in the garden to play in; if it’s raining there’s a
basket of toys and books to keep little hands busy. The pasta
al forno is our staple dish, with a doughnut to follow if we visit
on a Saturday when they make them fresh on the premises.
This month though, we mixed it up and gave our regular lunch
a healthy slant with a selection of their exceptional salads and
a good dollop of their garlic-laden carrot humus to give the old
immune system a boost.
Of course no one can be an angel all month long, so we did
indulge in a wood-fired pizza at the Fired Up pop-up at No. 77,
in Caxton. The pop-up ran throughout January, with Fired Up
The BWC mamas try in vain
to give up the indulgent fancy
food and drink
offering their full range of pizzas, including their legendary Nduja
sausage and basil. It went down a storm. No.77 is now back to
its original self – a Michelin-recognized Thai kitchen which is well
worth visiting for. The décor is pretty special too, if that’s your
sort of thing.
On a rare date night we were lucky enough this month to finally
try out Provenance Kitchen on one of their regular slots outside
Thirsty wine shop on Mitcham’s Corner. The pulled beef burgers
were spot on and the rosemary potatoes made a great change
from chips during our virtuous month. We took ours away, but
next time will be eating inside at Thirsty and getting in on their
beer action – huge bottles of various brews to share looked right
up our street.
www.bonewhitechina.co.uk
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 17

Food & Drink
The Bull
food
Rated as the AA’s Funkiest B&B,
we look behind the scenes at
The Bull and get to know the
people who have put this local
haunt firmly on the map
Quick Fire Q & A:
We speak to Cheryl, owner of
the Bull Inn.
How long have you owned the Bull?
My partner Wayne and I bought the Bull Inn in May 2007.
The Bull was open and operating at the time, but in a way
which you would not recognise today. It was a shabby roadside
inn that you would only ever have visited once. Today, we
proudly display our 5 star gold award, along with the AA’s
Funkiest B&B in the UK accolade.
What industry changes have you seen since
you became owner?
July 2007 saw the introduction of the smoking ban, and, as we
were told every day that we were buying at the wrong time in
the middle of a recession, we knew that things could only get
better! Hard work and determination have shown what can be
done with a failing business even in a time of recession.
What are the highlights and lowlights of running
your own business?
Highlight – Seeing the pub and dining room full with happy
customers and enjoying themselves by drinking and eating
award-winning food. Most importantly, surrounding ourselves
with a happy team makes the difference between success
and failure. Our team is of the utmost importance to us, and
without them what we have achieved would not have been
possible.
Lowlight – There is not one experience that I could say was a
lowlight for us, as we take each experience as it comes and then
learn from it and either change our way of doing something or
continue as we are and realise you can’t please all of the people,
all of the time.
When was the last time you had a night out?
Where did you go?
We took some of the team away for a couple of nights just
recently after the Christmas craziness. We went on an amazing
road trip to both Sheffield and London, staying in fab hotels and
dining in fantastic restaurants. We are fully aware that their hard
work and positive attitude make the difference between
a business and a successful, award-winning business.
What’s your favourite room in the Bull and why?
It’s such a difficult question and one I get asked daily by guests
booking rooms with us! I love them all and they all have such
a unique personality to them! If I had to choose one, it would
probably be Lazy Cow, as it is a really light and spacious room
with some fantastic funky features. I love the cowhide lazy chairs
in front of the double height window, and of course, the double
monsoon shower with a huge licking cow glass panel in it,
not to mention the huge, superking bed!
What’s your all-time favourite dish on the menu and why?
The Bull Fillet Steak Tower – fillet steak, potato and tarragon
croquette, red onion marmalade, green beans and almonds, chef’s
creamy peppercorn sauce. This has been our signature dish for
almost nine years, and it’s gone through a few transformations
over that time. It remains one of our best sellers on the menu and
guests travel from far and wide for the tower dish along with the
Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert.
What did you dream of being when you were growing up?
I dreamt of working in Clarks, the shoe shop.
18
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016

Food & Drink
Favourite Suppliers
The Bull Inn’s chef lets us in on his top
5 trade suppliers and why they are
so amazing to work with.
1 Our locals who come
in and trade fresh fruit
and veg for beer!
2 Powters of Newmarket
3 Lanes of Burwell
4 Orchard free range eggs
of Eriswell
5 Chapel & Swan Smokehouse
The Bull Inn, The Street, Barton
Mills, Bury St Edmunds,
IP28 6AA. Tel: 01638 711001
www.bullinn-bartonmills.com
“These suppliers are all fantastic to work with,
as the produce is such great quality and fully
traceable. Often, we are talking direct to the
business owners who know all the answers
to any questions we may have regarding the
produce. The small local businesses are also
very responsive and can deliver quickly. If we
have had a busy evening, they can be there
first thing to stock us back up again!”
Top
Culinary
Tips
Apprentice Chef
“If a cream sauce gets too hot and
splits, simply add a little cold cream to
it and it will come back together.”
Trainee Chef
“Taste, taste, taste as you go.”
Chef
“Start with high quality ingredients
and you will get great results.”
Chef
“Always seal your steaks in a red hot
pan to lock all the flavours into the
meat.”
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 19

Friday
night fEAST
Three quick & easy recipes from local businesses
Food & Drink
Each month we’ll bring you a simple threecourse
Friday night feast 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
from Fish
Burwell Ltd
Homemade Smoked Mackerel Pate
2 smoked mackerel fillets
200g soft cream cheese
1 tablespoon horseradish sauce
½ juice of a lemon
1 Place the cream cheese in a bowl and
add smoked mackerel, lemon juice,
horseradish and seasoning.
2 Blend all the ingredients together and
taste. Add more seasoning accordingly.
dessert
from The
Pantry
3Transfer to individual bowls and chill.
Serve with crusty bread and green salad
for decoration.
(Serves 2)
Minted Lamb Chops with Flat Mushrooms and Roasted Cherry Vine Tomatoes
Main
from The Three
Blackbirds
4 lamb loin chops, untrimmed
80g of chopped fresh mint
4 flat mushrooms
4 bunches of vine-ripened cherry tomatoes
1 Peel the mushrooms and place them
in a roasting tin with tomatoes, olive oil
and seasoning. Roast for 10-15mins.
2 Massage a marinade of chopped mint,
garlic, salt, olive oil, ground coriander,
thyme and pepper into the chops.
3Pre-heat a griddle pan and cook the
lamb for at least three minutes. Then
place in roasting tin with mushrooms
and tomatoes for one minute and serve.
(Serves 4)
chocolate Bread and Butter
Pudding
200g of dark chocolate
6 croissants
70g of raisins
Custard
1 Make the custard by boiling 450ml of
cream and 450ml of milk. Whisk 200g
of sugar, seven egg yolks and add to the
liquid and whisk.
2 Melt the dark chocolate and 50g
of butter.
3 Cut the croissants thinly and layer them
into a dish with the custard, chocolate
and raisins.
4 Press the mixture down and wrap in
foil in a Bain Marie. Cook the dessert
for 180 o c for 20 minutes.
(Serves 10)
Special thanks to our three chefs this week, Trisha Bircham from Fish
Burwell Ltd, Vincent Woolley from The Pantry and Lukasz Zon from The
Three Blackbirds.
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 21

C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
7362 Reys Dedicated To Chicken Valentines Ad_Jan 2016.pdf 1 11/01/2016 11:48
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Food & Drink
Comprises of dishes
Seasonal spring
Menu
that excite
We chat to Luke Rose, Chef
at the Best Western Heath
Court Hotel, about this season’s
menu inspirations
At this time of year we have so much to look
forward to: the weather slowly turning warmer;
the promise of spring flowers and produce; as well
as events such as Valentine’s, Mother’s Day and
Easter. To find out how the spring season inspires
our local chefs, we spoke to Luke Rose, the new
Chef at the Best Western Heath Court Hotel in
Newmarket, to find out what we can expect in the
following months.
Berties Restaurant, having recently undergone a
refurbishment, offers a relaxed dining experience,
where you can often pick up the odd racing tip and
local knowledge from the industry experts eating
around you. If this sounds like an appealing place
for you to spend Valentine’s, we can reveal that
the menu certainly won’t disappoint.
Featuring a three-course menu of such delights as
vodka and beetroot cured salmon, pan-fried fillet of
sea bass, gnocchi with pesto sauce and Champagne
and vanilla poached strawberries, followed by coffee
and petit fours, for just £27 per person, our mouths
are watering at the thought!
“My inspiration behind the menu was my significant
other; it comprises of dishes that excite, and creates
a talking point by using ingredients that are known
for their aphrodisiacal qualities,” revealed Luke. “The
Valentine’s menu showcases the standard of what
we can produce in the kitchen and hopefully some
of the dishes which will appear on the Heath Court’s
future menus.”
“And then, for Mother’s Day, we will be serving
our popular carvery. We are offering a three-course
carvery with plenty of options, followed by coffee
and dinner mints for £25 per person. This was very
popular last year, so we would recommend booking
early to avoid disappointment.”
Telephone the events team on 01638 676392.
Best Western Heath Court
Hotel, Moulton Road,
Newmarket, CB8 8DY
Tel: 01638 667171.
www.bw-heathcourt.co.uk
Article by Georgia Watson
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 23

Food
Our
This month’s best recipe courtesy of Waitrose
Ingredients:
­• 100g plain flour
­• 1 large egg
­• 300ml semi-skimmed milk
­• Sunflower oil, for frying
­• 2 ripe bananas
­• 1 tbsp Tate & Lyle icing sugar,
plus extra for dusting
• 250g tub mascarpone
­• 4 tbsp Lyle’s Squeezy Golden,
Strawberry or Chocolate
Syrup, plus extra to serve
Banana-filled Pancakes
with Lyle’s Syrup Drizzle
1 Place the flour in a large bowl, make
a well in the centre then crack in the egg
and add half of the milk. Beat together,
gradually adding the rest of the milk
to make a smooth batter.
2 Heat a splash of the oil in a non-stick
medium-sized frying pan. Add a ladleful
of batter and swirl to coat the base of the
pan thinly. Cook for 30 seconds or so until
golden then turn and cook the second side.
Repeat to make 8 pancakes.
Pancake Day
February
9th
3 Mash together the bananas and icing
sugar then roughly stir into the mascarpone
along with one of the Lyle’s syrups (golden,
chocolate or strawberry). Divide the mixture
between the pancakes, tuck in the edges
then roll up neatly. Place two pancakes
on each serving plate, dust lightly with icing
sugar and drizzle with more syrup before
serving.
Serves 4
Prepare 35 mins
Cook 20 mins

AUTHENTIC
MEXICAN
Celebrating
Io years
Lunchtime Mexican & Traditional Menu
Tuesday-Saturday 12-2pm
Mexican Restaurant
Tuesday-Saturday 6.30-9pm
Loyalty card available in the restaurant
Fresh Seafood Specials | Six Real Ales
Great Range of Tequilas | Party Bookings
Thursday Lunchtime 2 course special
Great British Roast & Dessert
ONLY £8 for 2 courses!
(Follow Facebook for weekly details
/thefox.burwell)
The Fox Burwell
01638 741267
2 North Street, Burwell, Cambs CB25 OBA
www.thefoxburwell.co.uk
10 Miles from Cambridge
3 Miles from Newmarket
Booking is advisable

Food & Drink
Sombrero
Servings
Georgia Watson returns
to The Fox in Burwell for
more Mexican magic
During my time at Velvet, I’ve been lucky
enough to visit The Fox and its sister
restaurant, The Bengal Fox, a number
of times. On this occasion I brought
with me a new member of the team,
Adam, to experience the delights of the
quintessential village pub with a
Mexican twist.
Walking through the bar, you get a real
sense of a community pub with locals
at the bar and real ale on tap (something
Adam was happy about!). Heading
through to the restaurant, Adam
exclaimed that it felt as if he was leaving
Suffolk behind and entering a little piece
of Mexico.
Greeted by our friendly server, we took
our seats as the Mexican music in the
background helped build a fun, relaxed
atmosphere. With advice from the
landlord, Bob, we opted to try the new
specials on the board, all of which
sounded delicious! For starters we decided
to share the wild mushroom, spinach and
cheese quesadillas, which arrived on a
wooden plate with vibrant green salad and
bright red chilli peppers. The perfectly
folded quesadillas looked mouthwatering
and contained a fabulous mix of cheesy,
delicate tasting mushrooms with a little
Mexican kick.
Again picking our choices of mains from
the specials board, I decided to go for the
trio of roasted peppers with pulled pork,
chilli and refried beans, and Adam chose
the wild mushroom and prawn taco with
tequila cream sauce. The plates of bright,
bold colours reached the table piled
high with fabulous smelling food, and we
couldn’t wait to jump in.
Tasting a forkful of the roasted pepper,
the gorgeous slow cooked pork with
Mexican flavourings was a melt-in-themouth
creation! I could have eaten a
whole dish of this pork; with the slight
crunch of the veggie accompaniment and
gooey melted cheese it was truly inspired.
Trying the next pepper, my palette was
met with soft refried beans that were
packed full of flavour and a spicy hit.
The final roasted pepper was a Mexican
version of chilli con carne with a building
spiciness.
Sneakily tasting some of Adam’s taco,
the sauce was phenomenal, with the
wild mushrooms and prawns offering
a light hint of spice, together with
the traditional Mexican tastes of a
crisp taco, salsa, guacamole and sour
cream accompaniments. Although not
something you’d associate with Mexican
cuisine, the prawns went incredibly well
with the flavours, and it was definitely
a dish I’d order next time.
We’re already looking forward to seeing
the team at The Fox again soon, and
I think Adam is definitely a new regular!
We
Recommend
you try the wild
mushroom,
spinach and cheese
quesadillas
starters!
The Fox, 2 North Street, Burwell,
CB25 0BA Tel: 01638 741267
www.thefoxburwell.co.uk
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 27

Food & Drink
in season
wine
George Unwin, of Baythorne
Hall, keeps us up to date with
the wine scene this February
We wine merchants don’t care that much for
January, and we’re especially wary of the word
‘dry’, it doesn’t do us any favours at all. But (sigh
of relief) February is here, and soon everyone will
begin to realise what delights they have missed out
on over the past 31 days. If you have resisted the
urge, then why not treat yourself to something
particularly good this February, and there is plenty
of delicious seasonal food on its way for the wine to
accompany.
Clams, Cockles
and Muscles
Seasonal, fresh shellfish deserves a delicious
fresh wine, and at this time of year when the seas
surrounding us are cold, shellfish is at its absolute
best. The French, who are quite a good guide when
it comes to food and wine combinations, would
reach for their Chablis, Muscadet or Picpoul. Dry
East Anglian Bacchus works very well, and, from
a little further afield, the lighter Italian varietals
such as Grillo, Inzolia and Vermentino.
Barossa Valley Shiraz
available at
Baythorne Hall
Cauliflower,
Purple Sprouting
Broccoli and Leeks
So often an accompaniment, but if the veg is
taking centre stage, then this is the time to grab
your Sauvignon Blanc, it’s such a great option with
vegetal/herbal flavours. However, if cheese is added
to the mix, and it so often is with vegetables dishes,
then do try something with a touch of sweetness
like a demi-sec Vouvray from the Loire Valley,
a Riesling from Germany or a rich New Zealand
Pinot Gris.
Rhubarb and
Blood Orange
Two tart fruits that require the addition of sugar
when turned into a pudding, and the amount of
sugar will have a bearing on the wine to choose.
With orange, try to match the flavour, so a mature
Sauternes or Orange Muscat will work best.
Rhubarb is a little trickier, the wine must be high
in acidity and very sweet, so botrytis Riesling or
Sémillon, of which there are many great examples
now available from the New World.
Venison
A good cut of venison deserves a good wine,
and if the meat’s roasted, fried or grilled then
a flavoursome red is required. There are options
from around the world, including southern French
reds from the Rhône Valley and Languedoc, Rioja or similar from Spain,
Zinfandel from California, Shiraz from Australia or one of the exceptional
red blends now appearing from South Africa. My personal choice would
be a good Shiraz from Australia’s Barossa Valley. At this time of year when
the cold weather can still be in full swing, there’s nothing like a warming
dish and hearty wine by the fire.
For further advice and to purchase the
wines recommended, visit Baythorne Hall,
Baythorne End, Halstead,
Essex, CO9 4AH.
Tel: 01440 785680.
www.baythornehall.co.uk
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 29

Local Events
What’s On
Things to do in and around Suffolk and Cambridgeshire this February
Wine Night
Bloc Party
Fitzwilliam
Go Running
Planning to take part in
a Parkrun or Race for Life?
Qualified leaders will help
you build your fitness and
confidence.
Wimpole Estate, Royston,
Arrington, Herts, SG8 0BW
4th, 11th, 18th & 25th Feb
09:30 - 10:30
Free
Celebrate the
Chinese New
Year
With this spectacular
Variety Show organised
by the Anglo-Chinese
Cultural Exchange.
The Apex, Charter Square,
Bury St Edmunds,
IP33 3FD
8th Feb
19:30
£12; children & seniors £8
The NME
Awards Tour
The amazing line up features
headliners Bloc Party,
plus Drenge, Rat Boy
& Bugsy Malone.
Cambridge Corn Exchange,
Wheeler St,
Cambridge,
CB2 3QB
9th Feb
19:30
£28.10
Take the Kids
to Explore Art
Make art of your own
in the studio to take home.
The Fitzwilliam Museum,
Trumpington St,
Cambridge,
CB2 1RB
Fave!
10th Feb
10:00 - 11:30
£3 per child
South African
Wine Night
Presented by Ed Keith from
Hallgarten and Rob McKinley
from Swartland Winery, enjoy
with a wonderful menu to
complement the wine.
The Angel Hotel, 3 Angel
Hill,Bury St Edmunds,
IP33 1LT
11th Feb
From 19:00
£45 pp booking in advance
Get Crafty
Enjoy making some fun
spring time items with the
kids. There are outside
activities too.
West Wing Gallery,
Ickworth House,
Bury St Edmunds,
IP29 5QE
13th – 21st Feb
11:00 - 15:00
Free
Valentine’s
Mask Ball
Glamour, intrigue and
romance. Champagne canapé
reception followed
by dinner and dancing.
Ravenwood Hall Hotel,
Rougham, Bury St Edmunds,
IP30 9JA
14th Feb
From 19:00
£75 pp booking in advance
Take the kids
to a Magic Show
Enjoy the magic and silliness
of Morgan and West’s Utterly
Spiffing Spectacular
Magic Show.
Cambridge Junction 2,
Clifton Way, Cambridge,
CB1 7GX
16th Feb
11:30 & 14:30
£10 adults; £6 children
30
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016

Local Events
Half Term
Highlights
Out and About
The Escape Rooms
Make your Escape
Could you escape from
a locked room in just 60 mins,
using teamwork, logic and
common sense?
The Escape Rooms, Lincoln
House, Cherry Hinton Road,
Cambridge, CB1 8DH
Daily
From £12pp weekdays before
17:00
From £14pp weekends &
weekdays after 17:00
The Polka Dot and
Feathers Charity
Circus Ball
Get ready for a show-stopping
evening of sparkles and
spectacle.
Comberton Sports & Arts
Cambridge, CB23 7DU
20th Feb
From 22:30
£10
Find out about
Computing
History
Find out hands on, what
computers were once like.
Cambridge Museum
of Computing, Rene Court,
Coldhams Road, Cambridge,
CB1 3EW
Wednesday - Sunday.
10:00 - 17:00
£8 adults; £6 children 5 - 16
Take a Cambridge
Food Tour
Go off the beaten track
on this four hour tour and
discover some of Cambridge’s
best foodie venues.
Meet near Peas Hill,
Cambridge, CB2 3AD
Monday to Saturday
11:00
Adults £39.50 pp (£42.00
Saturdays incl Microbrewery)
The National Stud
Take a Tour of
The National Stud
Find out the history and
purpose of The National Stud
on this 90 minute tour.
The National Stud,
Newmarket,
Fave!
Suffolk, CB8 0XE
From 13th February,
Wednesday to Sunday
11:15 daily; 11:15 & 14:00
on Saturday & Sunday
£11 pp
Spring Wedding
Show
With live musicians and a wide
range of exhibitors, goody
bags and bridal magazines.
Holiday Inn, Lakeview,
Bridge Road,
Cambridge,
CB24 9PH
21st Feb
11:00 - 15:00
Free
Learn about making trails
and matching the animal
prints to your clue sheet.
Give birds a helping hand
and make some fun bird
feeders.
Ickworth Park,
Bury St Edmunds
17th February
11:00 – 15:00
Twilight at
the Museums,
Cambridge
Twilight at the Museums
is a free after-dark
event for families where
museums and collections
across the city of
Cambridge open their
doors for a variety of
torch-lit and illuminated
adventures.
Various museums
including the Fitzwilliam
17th February
16:30 – 20:30
Super Camps
Super Camps has
enhanced its ‘Go Play,
Go Create, Go Discover’
programme with a range
of new activities for
2016 to go alongside the
perennial favourites.
The Perse School,
Cambridge
5th – 19th February
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 31

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
Captain America: Civil War
Director: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Stars: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson
Release Date: May
Its title is perhaps something of a misnomer – Captain America
might nominally focus on Chris Evans’ star spangled Avenger,
but this is a comic book film that promises to span the entire
Marvel Universe. If the prospect of seeing Iron Man and
Captain America facing off isn’t enough, Civil War will also
feature the Marvel Cinematic Universe debut of Spider-Man,
with Tom Holland becoming the third person to play Spidey
on the big screen.
Spectre
Director: Sam Mendes
Stars: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux
Release Date: 22nd February
In what is rumoured to be Daniel Craig’s final outing as 007,
director Sam Mendes dazzles with the eye-catching set pieces
and slick cinematography that made 2012’s Skyfall such a
success. Christoph Waltz seemed like inspired casting as
Bond’s nemesis, but he lacks the pizzazz of the franchise’s most
memorable baddies. Craig is on top form though, and surely
must now have won over most of those who were unhappy with
his casting. He is not a traditional Bond in the mould of a Sean
Connery or even a Roger Moore, but he has made the role his
own and shines in this thoroughly modern and entertaining entry
into one of cinema’s most revered canons.
One to Watch
Jack Garratt
Though not a cast iron
guarantee of success,
the BBC’s Annual
Sound Of… poll does
have a pretty good track
record when it comes
to promoting new
talent. Past winners
include Ellie Goulding,
Jessie J, and last year’s
victors Years and Years,
and the chances of their
successor emulating
them seem high. Garratt
is an immensely talented
multi-instrumentalist,
his soulful voice and
eclectic brand of
funk mark him as the
competition’s most
interesting champion
for some years. Jack
Garratt’s debut album,
Phase, is released on
February 19th, with a
full UK tour to follow
in March and April.
www.jackgarratt.com
Top Four
Cinema
Picks
Goosebumps
5th Feb
Dad’s Army
5th Feb
Coming to a
screen near
you...
Trumbo
5th Feb
Deadpool
24th Feb
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 33

Entertainment
the stage
Four Events
Coming Up...
Article by Marion Treby
Concert
Plan next month’s entertainment with our pick
of the top acts to grace our local stages
The Philharmonia Orchestra
with soloist Esther Yoo
The three works in this superlative concert are Rachmaninov’s
descriptive symphonic poem The Rock (1893), Sibelius’ lyrical
but virtuosic Violin Concerto (1905), and Rachmaninov’s
vivacious and expressively Russian Symphony No.3 (1936).
The Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by one of the world’s
greatest musicians, Vladimir Ashkenazy, will be joined by
outstanding soloist Esther Yoo, now in her second year as BBC
New Generation artist.
Cambridge Corn Exchange, 2nd March
19:30 Tickets from £28.50
01223 357851 www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk
Music: Banco do Gaia
12th March
Cambridge Junction 2
Folk Music: Sam Carter
18th March
The Cambridge Folk Club
hobson’s Choice
Familiar faces from the small screen Martin Shaw (Inspector George
Gently, Judge John Deed) and Christopher Timothy, (James Herriot
in All Creatures Great and Small, Mac McGuire, Doctors) head the
cast in this production by Jonathan Church, Artistic Director of
the Chichester Festival Theatre. Martin Shaw plays self-made man,
shopkeeper, skinflint and boozer Henry Hobson, in this classic comedy
by Harold Brighouse, which celebrates its centenary this year.
When Hobson’s eldest daughter Maggie defies her father’s wishes
by marrying Will Mossop, his own boot-maker, a battle of wills begins
in which he stands to lose his customers, his girls and his pride,
but ultimately it is Hobson’s choice.
Cambridge Arts Theatre, 14th – 19th March
For times see website. Tickets from £23
01223 503333 www.cambridgeartstheatre.com
Russell Kane
Right Man, Wrong Age
The Apex,
Bury St Edmunds,
25th March,
20:00
Tickets £16
01283 758000
www.theapex.co.uk
Comedy
Theatre
Bolshoi Ballet: Spartacus
20th March
Haverhill Arts Centre
The Ronnie Scott’s Story
20th March
Haverhill Arts Centre
In this brand new show, multi-award winning comedian,
presenter, actor, author and scriptwriter Russell Kane, whose
TV credits include ‘Live at the Electric’, ‘Live at the Apollo’
and ‘Unzipped’, unleashes another blisteringly funny stand-up
performance about growing up, growing down, and why farts
will always be funny.
Laugh your way through how no one is ever the right age. Find
out how it’s normal to be 16 but feel 21; be 40 but pretend to
be 25; or be 80 and have the heart and sex drive of someone
much younger, with this ‘seriously good comedian’, given a five
star rating by The Times.
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 35

VISIT OUR AWARD WINNING,
INDEPENDENT WOMENSWEAR BOUTIQUE
DISCOVER OUR STUNNING
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE COLLECTIONS.
WE HAVE EVERYTHING FROM ELEGANT,
VERSATILE DRESSES TO STYLISH SHOES,
CHIC SUITS AND STATEMENT HATS!
WE’RE EXHIBITING AT THE BULL HOTEL WEDDING FAYRE (LONG MELFORD)
SUNDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 11.30AM - 4PM
T: 01787 370233
E: info@angelafashions.co.uk www.angelafashions.co.uk
Little St Mary’s, Long Melford, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 9HY UK

&
Health Fashion
Beauty
Velvet’s one-stop shop for all your health, fashion and beauty desires
Healthy Hotlist p50
Fashion Handbook p38
Crush p41

Handbook
Fashion
The
Written by Lauren Eade
Why did you bring your boutique to Cambridge?
I always wanted my own fashion business and when I moved to Cambridge five
years ago, it felt like the right location to open an independent boutique. When
I saw Rose Crescent, I knew it was the perfect space for my shop to open.
5 Minutes with...
Elegant
Atelier
We touch base with Sinead from
Elegant Atelier to discover what
her new boutique in Rose Crescent,
Cambridge, is all about.
What are your favourite brands from those that you stock?
French brand Ba&sh is the height of the style and look I want to champion.
The clothes are chic, well made, classic cuts with a cheeky edge.
What new stock do you have?
Sneakers and brogues continue to grow in popularity, and I have some amazing gold
and silver ones by Rose Rankin due in at the end of January. They are fun in style,
yet well-made and functional!
What fashion trends can we expect to see from 2016 that really excite you?
I love the slightly androgynous look. It’s been big in the high end designer labels for
a number of years, but is becoming more mainstream now – return to the trouser suit
but in a less structured way, all right up my style!
New sports
Boutique
Stylish Ski Wear
Bring the style to the slopes with this
original Burton Ladies ski jacket.
With its long silhouette, dynamic
contrasting print and a cosy fur hood,
it’s what we’re all wanting this season.
Burton Ladies TWC Charlie Jacket,
£184.99, Odyssey, Bury St Edmunds
Haven for yoga and pilates’
goers, Wellbeing Warehouse in
Newmarket has opened an
on-site shop which will be the first
place customers can try on No
Balls bamboo clothing. The newly
launched ‘Hot Yoga’ and ‘Sport’
ranges will also be exclusive to the
store. Find everything from comfy
harem pants and stunning printed
leggings to relaxing scented
candles and all your other yogi
necessities.
Wellbeing Warehouse,
147 All Saints Road,
Newmarket, CB8 8HH
38
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016

Handbook
Get the Look
Valentine’s Day
Rose Midi Dress, £120,
Topshop, Cambridge
Ruby and Diamond Earrings,
£4,500, Trinity Street Jewellers,
Cambridge
Stella McCartney ‘Falabella’
Heart Crossbody Bag, £530,
Giulio, Cambridge
We reveal the
hottest spring trends
Knitted Frocks Crochet
Skater Shoes
Cross Body Bags
Bin it
Buy it
The Backpack
It’s all about the backpack for S/S ‘16,
perfect for those upcoming festivals, beach
days and picnics.
MCM ‘Stark’ Backpack, £530,
Giulio, Cambridge
Grunge Boots
This season it’s all about grunge
looking boots and stacked sandals.
Helga Black Flat Ankle Boot by CK Jeans,
£99.99, Modish, Cambridge & Saffron Walden
Frills
Frills were all over the catwalks at the
spring shows, find your girly side with floaty
feminine frills this season.
Loved & Found BZR Claramilla Frill Top in
Paprika, £99, John Lewis, Cambridge
Floral Lace
A super girly, gorgeous trend, a floral lace
dress in pastel tones will be popular for posh
dinners and evenings out.
Christa Probst Dress, £99, Artichoke, Ely
Cambridge’s
BIG news
The Grand Arcade in Cambridge will
be welcoming Victoria’s Secret’s third
UK PINK store. The PINK range is all
about comfort with style at affordable
prices. If you caught a glimpse of the VS
Fashion Show last year, you’ll know what
to expect. Sportswear, sleepwear and
underwear with Victoria’s Secret’s staple
bright colours.
Perfect Full-Zip Hoodie,
£42.70, Victoria’s Secret PINK,
Grand Arcade, Cambridge
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 39

Crush
Our
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Pearl Master 39 POA
The Oyster
Perpetual range
comes in various
styles inspired by
the sea, including
Rolex Deepsea,
Submariner Date
and Explorer
The Pearlmaster is Rolex’s crowning jewellery
watch. Featuring the softly curved lines of
the Pearlmaster design, it is characterised by
uniquely rich dials and exquisite gem settings
of diamonds, sapphires or rubies and available
only in 18 ct yellow, white or everose gold
made by Rolex in its own foundry.
Mappin and Webb, Market Hill, Cambridge
Thurlow Champness, 13-14 Abbeygate St,
Bury St Edmunds

Fashion
Chewing the
fashion cud
Ludy’s blog www.ludy.co.uk
instagram @ludy.co.uk
PS: S/S 2016’s ugliest
trend ever?
Chanel channeling the rapper
vibe with its light sliders…..very
useful in seeking vast amounts
of attention and that’s about it,
although they do light up! Who
knows how many of us will end
up falling in love with them?
Lifestyle blogger and fabulous
fashionista, Ludy, gives us
the hottest S/S looks
Hey! We’ve
made it.
The sales
have generously
granted us a wish
or two, our credit
cards have managed
to take a breather
and, if you’re a true
stylish fashion feline
queen, by now you’ll have spring cleaned your closets,
dusted the pristine favourites and eliminated all the items
left untouched for the last three months. The decks are
clear for you to finally embrace the best of what’s yet to
come. Relocate all the black and subdued colours that
so craftily helped your winter silhouette, as a deluge of
bright and varied colours is about to hit the fashion world,
bringing with it a sense of warmth and opulence.
Gone is the austere look, gone is the minimalist flair
and, to the sound of maracas, let us welcome a Latina
S/S 2016…olé! Now picture yourself in Havana, Cuba’s
colourful capital, feeling the sunrays kiss your very bare
shoulders (shoulders will ALWAYS be bare next S/S),
listening to a lively and vigorous salsa whilst surrounded
by an infinity of yellow, red, and mostly orange elements!
Elated by the laid-back atmosphere, you casually slip on
your strapless beach dress with its opulent ruffle detailing
across the shoulders, or your oversized white shirt with its
voluminous sleeves over your frayed denim. There you go.
You’re bang on trend for S/S 2016.
Rumour has it that with the exaggerated ruffles come the
blooms as well. Suddenly a lady like Victorian-style dress
will be adorned with flowers and cheeky see-through
romantic slits. The ruffles will cascade, the silk will be sheer
and the chiffon will abound. Sooooo feminine, but
yet so ironic. I think Alessandro Michele may be
partly to blame as, since he has taken over Gucci,
fashion seems to be rushing behind him with
more sequins, metallics, bows and pompoms than
ever seen before….I love it!
He has finally introduced irony and a huge
amount of humour to our style, empowering
femininity like never before.
You will feel feminine, you will embrace a ladylike
look and, believe it or not, you will adore
pink…How romantic - I can’t wait!
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 43

Fashion
Blue Bag, £50,
Artichoke, Ely
hues
of blue
Blues across the spectrum will feature heavily in your
S/S16 wardrobe. Team with white or work the black/navy
trend for a fashion-forward, sophisticated look.
TIP
Darker denims are
more flattering
and lighter shades
will give a casual
look
Farah Flare Jeans,
£159.95,
www.nydj.co.uk
The Frayed Edge Shift Dress,
£299, Anna, Saffron Walden
and Bury St Edmunds
Sinatra Trilby, £165,
Laird London,
Cambridge
Velvet
loves
Marco Tozzi Shanti Boots,
£56, Shoehorne,
Newmarket
M.i.h Jeans Simple shirt
in Rope Print, £265, Boudoir
Femme, Cambridge
Raquel Allegra Shred Back
Cardi Blue Stripe, £479,
Anna, Saffron Walden
and Bury St Edmunds
Taifun Striped Skirt,
£64, Martha V,
Newmarket
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 45

Beauty
Article by Georgia Watson
Notebook
Beauty
Three Of The Best
Strobing Products
1
Brows Illuminator
This high definition shimmering light-diffusing
illuminator brings sophisticated glamour. The
lightweight pressed powder is enriched with
pearlescent pigments which have a natural
luminous effect to easily create S/S hottest
beauty look.
HD Brows Illuminator, £23.50,
Envy Beauty, Newmarket
Desert Island
Product
2
3
Skin illuminator
Filled with light reflective pigments, mix one
pump of this with your usual foundation for
a dewy glow, or use alone as a highlighter on
cheekbones, forehead and temples. Creating
a silky sheen, it will ensure your skin looks
healthy and radiant this spring.
Mii Sublime Skin Illuminator, £23.50,
Bedford Lodge Spa, Newmarket
anti Ageing
Velvety smooth, this product blends
effortlessly to leave skin looking brighter and
feeling hydrated. Even out the skin tone and
illuminating as it goes, this highlighting fluid
will be a great base for that just-got-backfrom-holiday
look.
Chantecaille Liquid Lumière Anti-Ageing
Illuminator, £33, Space.NK.apothecary,
Cambridge
“I am completely in love
with the Pevonia De-Ageing
Saltmousse.
It is the most wonderful
holistic exfoliation treatment,
infusing the skin with
dehydrated sea water known
for its natural high potency
concentration of minerals.
Smoothing and deeply
mineralising, my skin feels,
looks and smells divine, with
the beautiful combination
of Papaya and Pineapple,”
says Sian Thomas, Spa Manager
at SK Clinic + Spa.
Pevonia De-Ageing Saltmousse, £52, SK
Clinic + Spa, Bury St Edmunds.
46
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016

Beauty
perfume
for v day
Sultry and feminine
fragrances are just
what’s required for
Valentine’s Day.
Here are our top picks:
Néroli & Orchidée Eau de
Toilette, £52, L’Occitane,
Bury St Edmunds
Elixir Eau De Toilette, £39,
Penhaligon’s, Cambridge
Vanilla & Anise Cologne,
£85, Jo Malone, Cambridge
What’s the number one beauty buy
you can’t live without?
Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Skin Protect
Cream. Especially at this time of year!
It’s great for giving TLC to my lips, hands,
elbows and even the rough patches on my
feet! It’s my must-have beauty item in my
handbag.
What make up product would you
recommend to even out skin tone?
MAC’s CC (Colour Correction) Cream.
It evens skin tone instantly and brightens
skin too. The clever part of these products
is they even out redness and counteract
sallow skin and dark spots.
How long should you keep your
make up for?
Ideally no longer than 12 months for
concealers and creams. If you can keep
your brushes really clean too, this helps.
Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour
Skin Protect Cream, £26,
Debenhams, Cambridge
MAC Prep + Prime CC Colour
Correcting SPF 30, £25, MAC,
Cambridge
bareMinerals bareSkin
Brightening Serum Foundation,
£26, Aqua Sana, Centre Parcs,
Elveden Forest, Thetford
Beauty insider
Kerry Curl, from Cambridge Makeup
Artist, answers our beauty queries
Any tips on how to create the
“no-make up” look with make up?
I have fallen in love
with the bareMinerals
bridal
beauty
bareSkin Brightening
Serum Foundation this
year. It’s ultra-thin and
contains jojoba, SPF
and brightens the skin
beautifully with that ‘barely there’ look and
feel. Mothers of the brides LOVE it!
What’s the one piece of beauty advice
you would give to brides?
Prepare your skin in the run up to the big
day, even if it’s as basic as an exfoliation
once a week and drinking lots and lots of
water! Treat yourself to a facial if you can,
and find time to relax; a lot of hard work
goes into a wedding and you must take
some time out where possible to de-stress
and recharge your batteries.
Tried and Tested:
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish
Rose & Cedrat Limited
Edition
We’d heard great things about Liz Earle’s
Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser,
so we couldn’t wait
to try out the limited
edition Rose & Credrat.
With a fresh floral
fragrance, the cleanser
is gentle, yet energising
leaving skin smooth and
soft. The muslin cloth is
a luxurious addition for
a spa like finish. Read
the full review on our
website.
www.velvetmag.co.uk.
Rushing To
The Salon
Georgia was lucky enough to try out
the new Rush salon in Cambridge last
month. Looking for a cut that would
add volume and be easy to maintain,
her stylist Alexia was brilliant at working
out exactly what would suit her face
shape and hair type. You can read the
full review and see the finished look
on our website.
www.velvetmag.co.uk/rush
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 47

BioSurface Peel
COURSE OF 3 FOR £210
INCLUDING MINI FACIAL BEFORE
PEEL, AFTER CARE KIT AND FACIAL
AFTER PEEL TREATMENTS FREE!
50% OFF
COURSE BOOKING FOR
3D LIPO TREATMENTS
Treatments we offer:
• Advanced Body treatments (3D Lipo)
Inch Loss, Skin Tightening, Cellulite
• Facials (Dermalogica)
• BioSurface Peel (Dermalogica)
• Eyes treatments
• Professional Eyelash Extensions
(Lash Perfect)
• Hands & Feet
• Waxing (Lycon wax)
• Permanent make up and microblading
In-salon Hairdresser now available
The Little Beauty Box, 16 Crown Walk, Newmarket CB8 8NG
T: 01638 428980 M: 07550 000 065

B List
B LIST:
Zingy Beauty
Got the winter blues? Don’t fret, there’s
a whole host of beauty products out there
designed to boost your mood and blow
away the cobwebs
Time to get scrubbing! Just because no one can see those grey
flaky limbs, you still have to put up with them! The best time is in the
shower, in the morning. This will get your blood circulating, warm you up
and wake you up! Molton Brown’s Eucalyptus Stimulating Body Polisher
is a nice treat, and is guaranteed to put a spring back into your step.
For a midday boost, lighten the air at your desk and feed those
dry hands with a hand cream such as L’Occitane Shea Zesty Lime Hand
Cream; otherwise, ones with mint are usually pretty fresh. Not only will
your hands thank you, but the zingy scent will awaken your senses and
give you a much-needed lift during the monotony of desk life!
Next on the list, bath time! Get into the spirit with a scented
candle to set the mood. Try a Neom’s Happiness Candle. They smell
divine and have been expertly blended to help you lift your mood and
help you enjoy a positive, more uplifted state of mind.
If baths aren’t your thing, you obviously haven’t tried a
soothing milky bath float like the one from The Body Shop. All you need
now is someone to run your bath, a nice cuppa and to indulge your skin
with a good moisturiser and anti-ageing eye cream to be looking, and
feeling, your best.
The final perk-me-up for winter- a new purchase
of course! Brighten up that gloomy face with a flash of lip colour in
my favourite seasonal colour of the moment - orange! Hooray for
payday – the last time I was paid, I was wearing reindeer ears and
drinking snowballs, so I’m planning on splurging on a new Tom
Ford lipstick in ‘Hiro’.
1. Tom Ford Lips and Boys Hiro, £27,
www.houseoffraser.co.uk
2. L’Occitane Shea Zesty Lime Hand Cream, £8,
L’Occitane, Bury St Edmunds
3. Origins Ginger Float Cream Bubble Bath 500ml,
£24.30, www.feelunique.com
4. Nimue Anti-Ageing Eye Cream, £29,
Pure Beauty, Newmarket
5. Bare Minerals Pop of Passion Lip Oil Balm Tangerine
Deep Blush, £16, SK Clinic + Spa, Bury St Edmunds
6. Neom Happiness Candle Large, £45, ESSE Retail and
Therapy, Melbourne
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 49

Hot list
Healthy
Health
Written by Gemma Treby
Three of the best mud runs
coming your way
Only The Brave
20th March, Elveden Estate
Choose from Intrepid - 5 miles and 20+
obstacles, or Fearless where you can
expect 10 miles and 30+ obstacles.
www.onlythebraveraces.co.uk
Get booked...
Mud runs
Insane Terrain
June 26th, Washbrook
Farm, Doddington
Expect more man-made mud pits, hay
bale climbs and pond wades. Huge slides
and more mud than ever before.
www.insaneterrainrunning.com
Bear Grylls
Survival Race
August 20th, Wimpole Hall
A series of challenges designed to help
you find your warrior spirit and prove that
life is a journey best lived boldly.
www.beargryllssurvivalrace.com
50
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016

Health
Train Your Brain
A new Canadian study has revealed
that using weights and incorporating
at least two sessions of upper and lower
body resistance work a week can ward
off age-related cerebral shrinkage and
maintain your cognitive abilities.
Jordan Richardson, Wellbeing Personal
Trainer at Nuffield Health Gym,
Cambridge says.
‘There are many benefits to weight
training: improved muscle strength,
tone, weight management, balance,
posture and sense of wellbeing,
to name a few. The problem occurs
when people that are doing weight
training have bad technique and
don’t get the most out of the exercise.
This can lead to joint issues, bad
posture and injuries. Working with
a Personal Trainer not only gives
you that support to push a few extra
reps out, or motivates you to train to
your optimal performance; trainers
are there to constantly correct your
technique, analyse your form and
posture and use any corrective
exercises that are needed.’
#Healthhacks
Amber Brammah of
www.lovefittraining.com gives us her
ultimate quick fixes
1 Get some ZZZZZZZZs
Don’t underestimate the importance
of good quality sleep. Your body cannot
repair and de-stress if it isn’t resting.
Make sleep a priority above all else,
especially if you’re looking to lose
weight, as chronically elevated cortisol
can lead to stubborn belly fat.
2 Hydrate
Imagine if there were a magic thing you
could consume that would help you to
burn fat, reduce bloating, make you feel
more alert, improve skin quality and aid
digestion. Hint: The magic substance
exists - WATER! Drink it. Lots.
What’s your level?
It’s easy to get wrapped up with the New Year craze
to get fit. Paula Ahlberg of the Wellbeing Warehouse
offers advice on exercising safely
For those of you who have been following my articles, you may remember last month
was all about finding the balance between dynamic exercise together with time to
restore, both for physical and mental health and wellbeing.
When embarking on a new fitness routine, it is important to ask for guidance from the
experts. It can be unsafe and often intimidating to book a class which is not suited to
your ability and preference.
We are lucky to have Wilson Physiotherapy as part of our team. Steve Wilson and his
colleagues are always there to advise any of the instructors who are concerned with
a particular injury or obstacle which may restrict taking part in physical exercise.
The physiotherapists highly recommend Pilates Reformer for anyone who experiences
back issues, or who has recovered from any type of surgery, due to the focus on
core strength and the training of all the
stabilising muscles of the body. Pilates
Reformer can be used for rehabilitation
through to dynamic workouts. Together
with the variety of Yoga classes, TRX and
Total Barre, you are sure to stay in top
form, but all under careful guidance.
What’s the deal?
Gemma pays a visit...
The Glassworks
The Glassworks, Cambridge’s only city centre
gym, has just undergone a major refurb. You
will find a state-of-the-art gym, spa area,
variety of classes and an Elemis treatment area.
The Vibe - It’s what I imagine a gym to be
in the centre of New York’s meat packing
district. Uber-cool, chilled, with only the best
equipment to hand.
Tried and Tested - I took two classes,
first of all Yoga with a small group of ladies, and,
for an extra boost, I then went on to Tabata.
High intensity, instructed very well and oh
man... I felt the post-exercise burn the next day.
Rest and Relaxation - The spa area
has a huge window that overlooks the river
Cam, on a very cold frosty day a dip in the
Jacuzzi was the ultimate treat.
Perfect for - Luxury, state-of-the-art
and if you work or live in Cambridge city.
www.theglassworksgym.co.uk
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 51

Health
Reforming your workout
Lauren Eade tries a
session on the Pilates
Reformer machine
at Activate Pilates
Activate Pilates, West Solarium,
Capital Park, Fulbourn, CB21 5XE
Tel: 07738 866771.
www.activatepilates.co.uk
Article by Lauren Eade
Being someone who enjoys lots of
different forms of exercise, it came
as a pleasant surprise to me that
I was going to have a one-on-one session at
Activate Pilates this month. I arrived at West
Solarium in Fulbourn to be warmly greeted
by instructor Steve Cresswell. Steve’s easy
going and friendly manner instantly put me
at ease and he introduced me to his wife and
business partner, Alex, before showing me
around the studio.
The room was light and spacious, yet
perfectly warm, something I was particularly
thankful for, as the cold January weather had
well and truly descended. After a few quick
questions about my physical fitness and
previous experience doing Pilates Reformer -
a couple of sessions a few years back - Steve
introduced me to the equipment. Despite
having used one of the machines previously,
I was amazed at how clever it was and just
how many exercises you can do with it.
As a regular gym-goer who’s used to very
different equipment, the machine initially
looked a bit daunting to me. But, as I laid
down on the carriage and pushed against
the foot bar using my feet, I quickly got the
feel for how it moved. Steve explained that
the resistance of the carriage is controlled
by five springs of different strengths which
can be added or removed easily to suit the
person’s ability, something that only takes
him one session to determine. His passion
for Pilates was something he “fell into by
accident”, literally, after sustaining a knee
injury which led him to become interested in
the rehabilitation side of things. The business
has been going strong for seven years and
runs an impressive 36 classes a week.
As I got used to the machine, Steve
demonstrated stretches and core-building
exercises to tone and stretch out my body,
clearly talking me through them. I also
experienced first-hand how less resistance
from the springs can in fact make for a
harder workout, as I was instructed through
some pretty tough abdominal exercises.
Throughout the session Steve listened to
what I enjoyed most and tailored the class
to suit me. He showed me an excellent hip
stretch when I said it felt tight, and I really
got the most from the 55 minute session.
And I can definitely say I’m feeling it the
day after!
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 53

nest
The
Velvet’s monthly property and interiors exclusive
contents
Home Hub
All the latest interior
and property trends
Newmarket’s Property Bubble
Cheffin’s updates us on the
Newmarket property scene
Deep Blue
Any shade or hue, it’s all
about deep blue
Image courtesy of Very

Hub
Home
baker & baker
Neil Spencer-Edwards, Marketing & Brand
Manager, from Baker & Baker discusses the rising
popularity of the new kitchen/dining fusion.
“We have been inundated with clients
determined to substitute the practical
staple that is the ‘breakfast bar’ with
a dining area incorporated into their
much-loved islands and peninsulas.
They have been thrilled with this
design, for which a concave crescent
enables the housing of a circular
dining table, thanks to a combination
of bench and traditional seating.”
www.bakerandbaker.co.uk
Velvet brings you the latest
home and interior trends
Interiors
Written by Georgia Watson
Bathroom Overhaul
We often see our
bathrooms as the clinical
space of the home,
picking blues, greys and
other cold colours to be
paired with clean, shiny
surfaces. 2016 however,
is seeing in the new trend
of making your bathroom
décor homely. With rugs,
striking printed wallpaper,
statement wall hangings
and funky lighting, the
space is completely
transformed to be
something more like
a living space.
Christopher Patrick Interiors
Marigold
madness
According to Elle Decor, Pantone may
well have got the colour of the year wrong,
with marigold (the shade, not the gloves!)
stealing the show instead. After the
popularity of the colour on the red carpet
at The Golden Globes, we could soon be
seeing this tone in our interiors.
Calligaris Match Coffee Table,
£304, Belvisi, Cambridge
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 57

Interiors
Hot Seat
Snuggle down in these cosy seats
when the cold weather bites.
1. Bardo Snuggler Chair
Was £819.99, Sale £699.99
Valentine’s décor
Statement Mirrors
Whether it’s in the bathroom or the
bedroom, making a statement with an
unusual or eclectic mirror is bang
on-trend, and is an easy way to
transform a room. If it’s a romantic style
you’re going for this month, then this
cut-out heart mirror with distressed
wooden edges from Angela Reed is a
perfect addition to any room.
Heart Mirror, 380mm, £29.95,
Angela Reed, Saffron Walden
editor’s
choice
Magnetic Paint
The trend last year for
chalkboard paint has
evolved in 2016 to
feature magnetic paint.
Use in the same way
as a chalkboard and
attach magnetic letters
to help occupy the kids.
Rust-Oleum Magnetic Chalkboard
Paint, Cutlacks, Ely. www.cutlacks.co.uk
2. Jefferson Pillowback Snuggler
Chair Was £1059.99, Sale £949.99
3. Maison Isabelle Snuggler Chair
RRP £1256, Sale £999.99
All available from Glasswells, Bury St
Edmunds. www.glasswells.co.uk
Interior
Guidance
“I have recently been involved with
several projects requiring lighting and
I have enjoyed looking at the latest
offerings from manufacturers. Lights
transform a space and can be an amazing
feature. There are so many options this
season, from sculptural paper shades to
decorative Edison bulbs, hand-blown
glass lamps or eco-friendly silk cocoons!
You can really make a statement with
your lighting!” reveals interior designer,
Jane Cappleman.
Black King Edison Pendant Lamp, £504,
Mineheart. www.mineheart.com
Hare Today
With Easter fast approaching, get into
the spring feeling with a hopping hare
cushion! We love this cute sketch
version which is chic enough to keep
on the sofa all year round.
Hare Pencil Sketch Cushion, £14.99,
Dobbies Garden Centre, Cambridge
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 59

Awards
Winners of the
interior
Awards
Congratulating our 2015 Velvet Interior Award Winners
Image courtesy of Sara Slade
Winner
First for Interior Design
Sara Slade
“We were thrilled to hear the news that we had
won the award for ‘First for Interior Design.’
We have been working hard over the last year
to expand our team and improve what we can
offer our clients, so it really makes everything
worthwhile! We would firstly like to thank all of
the readers of Velvet Magazine for voting, along
with a huge thank you to our wonderful clients for
their support - without them none of this would
be possible!”
Sara Slade
Image courtesy of Cambridge
Kitchens & Bathrooms
Winner
First for Kitchens and Bathrooms
Cambridge Kitchens
& Bathrooms
“It means a lot to Cambridge Kitchens &
Bathrooms to win this award, especially
as it’s voted for by our clients! As a
family-run business since 1978, customer
recommendations are very important to us,
so for local clients to put us forward for an
award is a great pat on the back.”
Sarah Wade
60
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016

Awards
Image courtesy of Glasswells
Winner
First for Furniture
Glasswells
Glasswells is the largest independent
department store in East Anglia,
providing excellent quality products
for your home, including furniture,
flooring and a wide range of
homewares. They are proud to have
been awarded ‘First for Furniture’ by
the Velvet readers. “We also continue
to focus on our customers, listening to
their feedback and providing choice
and value with a wide range of fresh
designs that inspire and appeal to all.”
Glasswells
Winner
First for Customer Service
Go Glass
“Go Glass are very proud to be
the winners of the ‘Customer
Service Award’ and would like
to take the opportunity to thank
the Velvet Magazine readers
for their valued support as we
continue to lead the way with
glass and mirror design and
innovation.”
Tracey Saunders
Image courtesy of Go Glass
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 61

Interiors
Aqua Wood Ceramic
Five Drawer Chest, £32,
Debenhams,
Bury St Edmunds
Oka
Lakai Handpainted
Table Lamp, £155,
Oka, Saffron Walden
Arabian Pitcher, £40,
John Lewis, Grand Arcade,
Cambridge
Russian Doll Salt & Pepper
Shakers, £5.95,
www.ivyjoan.co.uk
Global
Style
Take inspiration from around the globe to create a cultural,
friendly space that is inviting and full of personality.
With bright colours and interesting patterns, you can
really tailor a room to your personal style with this year’s
international trend.
Ashcroft Large Soft Basket,
£65, Neptune,
Bury St Edmunds
Poterie Slama Hand Painted
Ceramic Soup Dish, £12.99,
TK Maxx, Newmarket
TIP
For an easy update
to a room, take
an existing accent
colour and find
a small patterned
rug to match
Chevron Rug, £14,
www.ivyjoan.co.uk
Circle Sunburst
Mirror, £129,
Marks and Spencer,
Bury St Edmunds
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 63

Interiors
Interior
Insider
As spring begins to rear its head, Sara Slade
explains how the interior world has
been influenced
64
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016

Interiors
Something for
everyone’s palette,
from vibrant
multi-coloured
designs through
to neutrals
I
don’t know about you, but this winter
has been a bit of a non-starter. The
months have gone by without very
little change from the weather we had in
autumn. Yes, it has been mild and wet, but
fortunately we haven’t suffered like other
parts of the country with the torrential
downpours.
I wasn’t at all surprised to see the spring
bulbs poking their heads above ground in
early January, which leads me to think we
are going to have a warm and sunny spring
ahead of us (fingers crossed).
This is obviously what Tricia Guild,
of Designers Guild, had in her mind when
designing the new S/S home collections.
This is a fresh and colourful range of
fabrics and wallpapers, all designed to
keep the flow running from the garden
to the home in a beautiful way. The core
of the collection is 28 exquisitely drawn
and coloured floral designs which include
irises, orchids, oversized roses and a
fabulous design called ‘Nymphaea Lotus’
which combines lotus leaves and camelia
heads against a crisp white background.
The whole collection has something for
everyone’s palette, from vibrant multicoloured
designs through to much more of
a sophisticated take by using neutrals.
Their wallpapers are also brilliantly designed
to give you the perfect backdrop, with one
of my favourites being ‘Cielo’ which gives
a dreamy, cloud scene in the most
gorgeous of pastel colours.
Of course, if you are wanting, you can just
add a splash of this into your homes with
Designers Guild’s large home accessories
range, which includes cushions, throws,
bed linen and rugs.
Sara Slade
www.saraslade.co.uk
@sara_slade
Article by Sara Slade
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 65

Outdoor
Tree and hedge
Health Check
Kevin Drane, Senior Arboristat at SP
Landscapes, gives advice on how to
identify problems with your trees and
what to do if you have any concerns
What signs can people look out for to
identify if their tree is unhealthy?
It is difficult to identify unhealthy trees in the
winter as many shed their leaves, but in the spring/
summer months there are some key signs that
people can look out for. If there are no leaves
growing on a branch or the leaves are smaller than
usual or showing signs of discolouration then this
is a sign that something is wrong. When trees are
unhealthy the leaves tend to turn a yellowish colour
and wilt. This could be across the whole tree or
just one branch. Other things to look out for are
fungal brackets on the trunk or mushroom fungi
immediately around the base. Many fungi do not
cause harm to the tree but some can cause internal
rotting of the trunk or roots, causing the tree to fail.
What should someone do if they think their
tree could be unhealthy?
If you are concerned about your tree it is
best to get an expert in to assess it and make
recommendations. You can call our office to
arrange an appointment for a free consultation
where our Arborists will be able to give advice and
provide a quote for any required works. If no works
are required we will still send you a letter confirming
that your tree has been inspected and that it was
healthy. To ensure the accuracy of advice and
knowledge of the Arborist it is recommended that
you use an Arboricultural Association Approved
Contactor.
What options are there when choosing how
to prune an unhealthy tree?
Our recommendations for tree pruning will be
dependent on the condition of the tree and the
requirements of the client. In the majority of
cases we can simply remove the dead or diseased
branches to make a tree safe. If a tree has a
wood decaying fungus there may be an option to
carry out a crown reduction to reduce the risk of
branches falling. In some circumstances, depending
on the severity of rot and the fungi effecting the
tree, the only safe option is to remove the tree.
However if the tree will be missed there is always
the opportunity to plant a replacement, which is a
service we can offer.
Is there any other advice you would give to
tree owners?
As a tree owner you could be liable if a tree on
your property falls and causes injury to a person
or damage to a property. The law states that as a
tree owner you should have more knowledge than a
non-tree owner, which basically means you should
be aware of your trees and take reasonable steps to
look after them. It is recommended that trees are
inspected every five years or sooner if you notice
anything that causes concern. If in doubt it is best
to get them inspected by an expert so you have
peace of mind.
What other tree services do you offer?
We are able to produce in depth written tree
reports which may be required for planning
applications, mortgages, insurance or health and
safety. These reports provide a more thorough
analysis of the trees conditions as well as the
surrounding areas and also provide a longer term
management plan for the tree.
SP Landscapes & Tree Contractors,
Arboracre, Elms Road, Red Lodge, Bury St
Edmunds, IP28 8TD Tel: 01638 750186
Email: info@splandscapes.co.uk
www.splandscapes.co.uk
Article by Georgia Watson
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 67

Property
Newmarket’s
property bubble
Neil Harris, Director
of Cheffins updates
us on the Newmarket
property scene
Cheffins Newmarket,
2 Black Bear Court, Newmarket
Suffolk, CB8 9AF
Tel: 01638 663228
www.cheffins.co.uk
The inevitable questions everyone
asks as we head into 2016 is “Will
property prices in Newmarket and the
surrounding villages continue to go up? Will
houses in the town earn more than those in
the villages? Is Newmarket starting to feel
the effects of the Cambridge bubble?”
The overall average price in both Newmarket
and the surrounding area is still rising, so if
you own a property in either town or village,
there is good reason to be optimistic as we
head into spring.
Rising house prices look set to remain on
the political agenda; David Cameron and
George Osborne have made some changes
in the property market in the last 18 months
including the re-configuration of stamp duty
and the capping of tax relief on buy to let
investments so if you are re-entering the
property market after a period of absence
it is worth reading up on the changes to see
if they affect you.
Key new developments both in the town and
in the sought after village of Cheveley include
Alycidon Mews, a six unit development on the
Hamilton Road; the development features
a selection of detached properties within
half a mile of the historic High Street and
the Rowley Mile racecourse. The Cheveley
development has already featured in the local
news because of the archaeological findings
on the site. Work
Rising house
prices look set
to remain on
the political
agenda
is expected to
begin there in late
spring and will be
a really exciting
development
for the village.
New homes are
proving popular
with purchasers and we expect some serious
competition among buyers when these
developments are launched on to the
open market.
Today’s Property Values
£210K
2016
£395K
2016
£710K
2016
Images and data
courtesy of Cheffins
£140K
2005
£232K
2002
£499K
2007
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 69

Education
Independent
SChools
Velvet Magazine’s directory of the top
private schools in the area
Culford School, Bury St Edmunds
Culford is an independent co-educational boarding and day
school for those aged 3-18. At the Nursery, children learn
through play; they develop their learning in the Pre-Prep’s
happy, stimulating environment with its Forest School sessions.
In the Upper Prep, all teaching is by subject specialists. The
Senior School offers IGCSE Mathematics, Science and
English, and has an excellent sporting record and musical
tradition.
Great for:
Building pupils’ confidence in their own abilities.
www.culford.co.uk
Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds
Moreton Hall is a Catholic school for those aged up to 12.
Its recently opened Pre-School takes children as young as
a few weeks, the Pre-Prep curriculum provides a sound and
invigorating basis for the next stage, and in the Prep, there
is specialist teaching. The school has a strong musical tradition
and some boarding is available.
Great for:
Instilling high levels of self-awareness and confidence
to prepare students for their next school.
www.moretonhallprep.org
St Mary’s School, Cambridge
The only boarding and single-sex day school for girls aged
3-18 in Cambridge, St Mary’s has part time boarding in Years
7 and 8, and full time boarding from Year 9. In the Pre-Prep,
specialist teachers deliver a broad curriculum, and in the Prep
and Senior School interweaving themes link core subjects to
offer a rounded education. Senior School girls excel in all areas
including Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics.
Great for:
Catering for girls in a single-sex educational environment.
www.stmaryscambridge.co.uk
The Leys, Cambridge
The Leys is the only co-educational boarding and day school in
Cambridge for 11-18 year olds. Its broad curriculum and educational
philosophy is influenced by its Christian ethos. Home Boarders can
complete prep and evening activities at school, and sleep at home.
Great for:
Caring for the individual.
www.theleys.net
St Faith’s Prep School, Cambridge
St Faith’s is an independent co-educational Prep School for
those aged 4-13. It is recognised for its teaching of Spanish,
Science and Computer Science, and its attitude to ‘green’ issues.
Great for:
Links with the scientific and technological strengths
of Cambridge’s educational and business community.
www.stfaiths.co.uk
South Lee School, Bury St Edmunds
South Lee School is an independent day school for those aged
2-13. At the Nursery, children learn through creative play, including
Forest School activities. The Pre-Prep focuses on core subjects
and develops creative and physical skills, and the Prep’s five-year
programme equips students to transfer to a Senior School.
Great for:
A caring, nurturing environment.
www.southlee.co.uk
70
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016

The Perse School, Cambridge
Provides an excellent education for those aged 3-18.
The Nursery has a high staff/pupil ratio; the Prep School has strong
sporting, musical and dramatic traditions and excellent facilities;
the Upper School offers IGCSEs and the Pre-U, and has extended
its foreign language provision.
Great for:
A broad curriculum with outstanding teaching fostering
critical inquiry and intellectual honesty.
www.perse.co.uk
Friends’ School, Saffron Walden
A co-educational independent day and boarding school for those aged
3-18, the Friends’ School has a Nursery, Junior and Senior School and
a Sixth Form. Founded in 1702, the school has a rich history with an
excellent record of academic achievement and an extensive extracurricular
programme.
Great for:
Calm, caring place for individuals who benefit
from bespoke push, stretch and support.
www.friends.org.uk
Education
Fairstead House School and Nursery, Newmarket
A co-educational Preparatory Day School and Nursery for those aged
3-11, with a broad, balanced, creative and exciting curriculum.
Great for:
A truly sound foundation for children’s future learning.
www.fairsteadhouseschool.co.uk
Barnadiston Hall, Haverhill
Barnadiston is set in 16 acres of land and offers
a day school for children from 6 months to 13
years. In addition to the day school, Barnadiston
have boarding facilities for those aged 7-13.
Children can either board for a week or full time
and are cared for by the resident matron.
Extra-curricular activities are provided at the
weekends that enrich their academic experience.
Great for:
An outstanding curriculum and plenty
of activities to help develop their skills.
www.barnardiston-hall.co.uk
Sancton Wood School, Cambridge
Sancton Wood is a small day school for those aged 1–16. Its Baby
Unicorns and Unicorns Nursery have small, friendly settings;
the Junior Department has a diverse curriculum which broadens
in the Senior Department to include Latin, Philosophy and Ethics.
Great for:
An individually tailored education.
www.sanctonwood.co.uk
Ipswich Girl’s School, Ipswich
The vision at Ipswich Girl’s School is to provide an exceptional education
to children aged 3-18, in order to prepare them for a bright and
successful future. All students have access to fantastic facilities including
a swimming pool, theatre and abundant natural resources. GCSE and
A-level results are consistently above average, producing some of the
best results on a national scale.
Great for:
Excellent facilities and fantastic teaching.
www.ipswichhighschool.co.uk
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 71

Education
Settling YOUR CHILD
Into A New School
We seek advice from the industry
professionals
Primary School
Dr Lynda Brereton, Head Teacher, Fairstead House School, Newmarket
“Starting school is a major milestone in any child’s life. And that of their parents! A good school
will seek to reassure both parents and children alike and ensure that everyone starts school feeling
confident and positive.
As ever, communication and early preparation are key. Ideally, if a school has a Nursery, children will
spend time there, where there will be many opportunities to explore the Reception class and get to
know the Teachers and Teaching Assistants in that year group.
Children new to the school should be invited in for a number of visits both with and without parents.
This will familiarise them with the rooms, staff and let them meet and play with their new friends.
Play dates or trips over the summer all help to develop friendships. In addition, a ‘Cheese and Wine’
type evening for all parents to meet the staff and other parents is very helpful.”
Senior School
Gavin Reynolds, Assistant Head (Pastoral), Culford School, Bury St Edmunds
“Culford’s Senior School starts in Year 9, and while many pupils move up from our Prep School,
typically we see between 20 and 30 new children join us from a wide range of other schools. We
appreciate that the first day at Senior School can be a daunting prospect, so all the pupils are invited
to a fun induction day in June. They get to know their Housemaster
or Housemistress, meet some of their teachers and the prefects, and
have a chance to join in some of the exciting activities we offer as well
as sample some lessons and have a tour.
Both senior day and boarding pupils belong to one of four Houses
at Culford, all have a personal tutor and new children are assigned
a mentor so there is always someone they can turn to with any
questions before they even start in September. New pupils tell us
that it soon feels like they have always been at Culford!”
College
Culford now runs
two new Express
Bus services
directly from
Cambridge and
Norwich daily.
Caroline McGill, Young Persons Guidance Adviser, West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds
“The best advice I can give to students and parents is to be prepared. Keep key dates and times
handy so you know where and when to attend College. If you require financial, welfare or learning
support ensure you have informed us, and make any necessary applications. Enrolment and
Induction days will assist in orientation to life at College, so ensure you attend (term starts 31st
August 2016). This is your opportunity to meet your lecturers and make new friends. Everyone is
nervous on their first day, just don’t be afraid to ask questions and have fun. Once day one is over,
the rest will all slot into place and it will all be fine!’’
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 73

FRIENDS’ SCHOOL
SAFFRON WALDEN
Friends’ School is a school with a difference.
Small, vibrant, and located in the
heart of Saffron Walden, Friends’ is a
place where each child feels truly valued.
We welcome students of all faiths and offer
education for students aged 3-18 with
boarding from age 11.
The school has an excellent record of
achievement at both GCSE and A Level,
with a wide choice of subject options
available. There is an extensive programme
of extra-curricular activities in
both the Junior and Senior School and a
schedule of exciting weekend activities
for boarders. There is also a full timetable
of fixtures for those who enjoy playing
team sports.
Pastoral care throughout the school is
excellent because the staff really do know
each pupil well and there is always a
listening ear or a helping hand. Friends’
has a number of mini buses which serve
the surrounding area, from Cambridge
to Royston, Bishop’s Stortford to Great
Dunmow and also Audley End station,
Saffron Walden’s closest train station.
“Our search for the right
secondary school ended
as we walked through the
doors of Friends’ School. Just
starting his second year at
Friends’, our son is academically
and socially developing
beyond our expectations.”
A Year 8 parent
Visit Friends’ on their next Open
Morning when there will be an
opportunity to speak to the Head, tour
the Nursery, Junior School and Senior
School and chat to staff and students.
Call Alison Stanbury on 01799 525351
or email admissions@friends.org.uk for
further information.
OPEN MORNINGS
Thursday 10th March 2016 - 9.30am
Wednesday 11th May 2016 - 9.30am
Alternatively, if these dates do not
suit please call to arrange an
individual visit. You can be assured
of a warm welcome.
Friends’ School, Mount Pleasant Rd,
Saffron Walden, Essex CB113EB
www.friends.org.uk

the
whole
An inspiring exhibition
motivates the pupils at
Friends’ School
A visually striking series of art, photographs
and commentary, ‘The Whole Earth?’
exhibition, that tackled world issues such
as poverty and climate change, was recently
hosted by Friends’ School in Saffron
Walden. The school gave pupils the chance
to experience the six 10 metre panels
commenting on society’s challenges and big
issues in the middle of their school grounds.
Engaging and inviting a discussion with
the children about these current, pressing
issues, the exhibition allowed for every
aspect of the school to interact with these
themes during the course of the display.
A sequel to the critically acclaimed ‘Hard
Rain’ project, which has been viewed on
every continent by over 15 million people
in galleries, in cities, in many universities,
and at the United Nations Headquarters.
Jonathan Slinger, exhibition organiser at
the Friends’ School, explained why ‘The
Whole Earth?’ was so crucial to student
development.
“The academic staff from Anglia Ruskin
University’s Global Sustainability Institute
were running a programme for our Sixth
Form students when the idea of us hosting
the exhibition was first mooted. We jumped
at the opportunity because of the obvious
value it held for our students and the
Education
community of Saffron Walden.
“Over the course of a week, different
academic departments within the school
encouraged students to interact and
engage with the challenges raised by the
exhibition. For example, in geography,
students considered the alarming rate
of species extinction, science students
explored the viability of alternative energy
sources and in English lessons younger
students used poetry as a vehicle to
respond to the challenges raised. We were
also able to open the exhibition to the
public of Saffron Walden at a well-attended
event.”
Described by Joan Walley, Chair of the
House of Commons Environmental Audit
Select Committee, as “a modern day
Bayeux Tapestry - a visual monument of
the environment that offers solutions to the
problems of climate change and poverty,”
the exhibition was in harmony with the
school’s philosophy of extending students’
learning beyond the traditional curriculum
and to look outward to the issues the world
faces. It gave the pupils the chance to look
at their futures as the scientists, engineers
and artists of tomorrow, by appreciating
the significance of their role in improving
the world for all who live in it.
Friends’ School
Mount Pleas ant Road,
Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 3EB
Tel: 01799 525351
www.friends.org.uk
Article by Georgia Watson
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 75

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Education
brAin
power
Sally Fulcher, Clean
Eating expert, shares
her views on why good
nutrition is essential for
young learners
Good nutrition is vital for good health
but it’s also essential we feed the brain
with the correct foods to boost brain
growth function, concentration and
memory. Starting a healthy diet early
encourages good eating habits in
later life – a valuable lesson in itself –
while giving your youngster the best
possible chance in the classroom.
The brain is very greedy when it
comes to food! It needs lots of
different nutrients in order to develop
and function properly. If you add
up all the energy it takes to power
your body’s many functions and
activities, your brain requires at least
20% of your daily intake. And your
brain is fussy about receiving the
right nutrients. Feed it poor nutrition
and those deficiencies will seriously
impact on your cognitive abilities.
Tests have shown that high saturated
fatty and sugary foods actually lower
a child’s ability to stay awake and
concentrate. They cause a dramatic
drop in energy leaving children feeling
lethargic, irritable and unable to focus.
Top Brain
power foods
Salmon, Walnuts and kiwis
Packed with Omega-3 fatty acids essential
for brain growth and function.
Eggs
The yolks are packed with choline, which
helps memory development.
Whole grains
Whole grains provide fibre along with the
glucose to regulate the release of
glucose to the brain.
Oats and oatmeal
One of the best ‘grain for the brain’ foods
you can feed your young learner! Loaded
with fibre and vitamins B and E, potassium
and zinc.
Berries
Another great source of antioxidants
assisting the brain to use the energy
stores.
Colourful veggies
Such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes and
carrots. Veggies with a rich, deep colour
are the best sources of antioxidants.
Milk and Yoghurt
Dairy foods are packed with protein and
B-vitamins, essential for growth of brain
tissue, neurotransmitters and enzymes.
Lean beef
Iron is an essential mineral that helps kids
stay energised and concentrate at school.
Lean beef is one of the best absorbed
sources of iron.
Tests have shown that
high saturated fatty and
sugary foods actually
lower a child’s ability
to stay awake and
concentrate.
For more guidance from
Sally visit facebook.com/
cleanbodynutrition
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 77

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DESIGNERS
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edding
The
WOur wedding section full of everything to plan your dream day
contents
2016 Bridal Trend
Brides by Solo reveals it’s top
bridal trend of 2016
Real Life Wedding
We love Beau and Henry’s
real life carnival wedding
South Farm
We discover the unique
wedding venue that
is South Farm
lARA B

Wedding
Article by Georgia Watson
People who make
your wedding
We celebrate those special, hardworking people
who make your wedding day a dream come true
The Wedding Planner
Charlotte Bowskill,
owner, Bowskill
Events
www.bowskillevents.com
When I first meet the
bride, we have an initial
consultation and once
we’ve signed contracts,
the first thing we do is
secure the venue. We then
have a schedule which we
work to with every bride,
where we fill in all the
details from ceremony
and reception design,
to flowers, stationery, food
and photography. We plan
bespoke weddings from start
to finish, as well as a last
minute management plan. When it comes to suppliers, we have built up
access to industry luminaries where we get exclusive discounts for our clients,
but we also like to use local suppliers too! On the day itself we are always there,
as things always crop up and are on hand to make sure every detail
runs smoothly.
The most memorable wedding we’ve planned so far has to be a wonderful
Christmas wedding last year in London; our bride requested everything be
lit by candle light, and it was just magical!
The vicar
Canon Vicky Johnson,
Ely Cathedral
www.elycathedral.org
We spend a lot of time meeting with the couple
to talk about hymns, readings, and music, and
what kind of ceremony they would like. It’s also
important to get to know the couple, because
we want to try and make the ceremony personal
to them. To marry here, you need to be a regular
worshipper, or have a strong connection to
the Cathedral. Requirements here are slightly
different from a normal parish church.
There are so many wonderful moments in a
wedding service, but I think the most moving
and significant moment is when the couple
exchange the vows with each other. They are
promising to love and cherish each other for
better and for worse, for richer and for poorer,
in sickness and in health, until they are parted
by death. What amazing and wonderful words
to say to someone! To me, the vows are at the
heart of the wedding day, and at the heart of
Christian marriage.
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 83

Wedding
The Ringmaker
Tom Wilson, designer at
Harriet Kelsall, Cambridge
www.hkjewellery.co.uk
When a couple first visits our Green Street store, we draw out
their initial ideas and inspirations for their design, and make
sure we’re aware of likes and dislikes. The joy of filling our studio
with designers is that we can make instant connections with our
customers. The key thing is that we know what they want to
achieve, whether it’s understated, sparkly, sentimental, quirky,
classical, contemporary or any combination!
We start off with an initial consultation, an informal chat around
ideas and design concepts; this usually takes around an hour. The
production time for a ring can vary, but it’s usually a number of
weeks.
I love that no two designs are ever the same; every day presents a
new challenge. Whether it’s redesigning a family heirloom, creating
a new engagement ring that holds huge sentimental value or
creating one inspired by my customers’ passions and interests, it’s
a hugely rewarding experience knowing that our team has helped
create the perfect piece of jewellery.
The Hair and
Makeup Artist
Sharron Wratten, Elegant Hair
and Beauty, Bury St Edmunds
www.eleganthairandbeauty.co.uk
It’s important that bridal makeup lasts all day and
photographs well. I use Airbase Airbrush Makeup,
as it gives a lightweight flawless finish that’s great
for pictures. I always offer brides the opportunity to
have a consultation and trial for hair and makeup.
Although trends for hair and makeup change, I
have found most brides like a natural flawless look.
Brides can be nervous and excited on the wedding
morning. I travel to the bride’s home, venue or
hotel on the wedding morning, and this takes a lot
of stress off the bride. I like to allow time to set up
at the venue to get the bride and her wedding party
ready and create a relaxed atmosphere. Talking to
the bride is a distraction and so is playing music. I
like to allow up to an hour for the bride’s hair, and
up to an hour for the bride’s makeup.
84
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016

Wedding
The Caterers
Justin & Helen Cain, The
Movable Feast, Pakenham
near Bury St Edmunds
www.themovablefeast.co.uk
Our dishes are always freshly prepared and
we work in partnership with our couples
to create a menu that reflects their own
personalities. We like nothing more than
researching a theme and writing a menu to fit
the occasion.
We always encourage our clients to join us in
our prep kitchen for a personal consultation
before they choose us. This also gives them
an opportunity to meet us and learn about
the whole service that we provide. We can
event manage their whole day from drinks
reception and wedding breakfast through to
the first dance and final goodbyes.
We can cater in a wide range of venues,
and are just as used to catering in marquee
settings where facilities are either limited or
non-existent! We regularly set up kitchens
from scratch and have a fantastic support
team and servers. A couple’s wedding is one
of the most important days of their lives, and
choosing a caterer is often as much about
finding a supplier that you can trust as it is
about the menu design.
The Photographer
Peter Denness, Chippenham near Newmarket
www.petedenness.com
Before booking, l’ll always meet up with the couple for an informal
chat. It’s really important to feel relaxed and develop a good rapport
with each other.
My approach to wedding photography is to basically give it everything
I have. I think it’s important to document the whole day, and a lot of people
are surprised when I’m still there at 11pm, but after a few drinks everyone
loosens up, and then I’ll often get some of the best shots. My photographic
style mixes capturing natural moments in a creative way, combined with
dramatic, contemporary portraits using off-camera lighting.
When I set up my business, I wanted to keep things simple with the
packages I offered. All day coverage comes as standard, along with a
minimum of 400 fully edited images on a USB. Clients also get a password
protected online gallery where they, or their friends or family, can download
the full size files at no extra charge. An album, a second photographer or
a pre-wedding shoot can then be added on as required.
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 85

Wedding
The florist
Tracey Williams, owner, Flower
Power, Bury St Edmunds
For a bride getting married in S/S, I would have
to recommend the rose and the calla lily, and for
A/W I would also recommend the rose and the
Vanda orchid. The orchid, with its strong colour,
can be be wired very strikingly in a bridal bouquet.
I also like gypsophila (baby’s breath) as you can
use it as a filler or even on its own for
the bridesmaids.
The rose is my favourite, as it’s the flower meaning
love! With an elegant, versatile style that’s multipurpose
for brides, bridesmaids, button holes and
corsages, it can be used as table decorations and is
a deservedly popular choice for wedding flowers,
due to the huge range of colours and varieties.
The biggest piece of advice I would give to a
bride picking her flowers would be proportion.
If you are a petite bride, have a classy petite
bouquet, and the larger the lady, the bigger her
bouquet can be.
The Bridal
Boutique Owner
Emma Simpkins,
The Tailor’s Cat, Cambridge
www.cambridge-bridalwear.co.uk
We have worked with a number of bridal designers over the
years and for us it’s really about the combination of listening
to what our brides want, feeling inspired by the designer’s
collection and being aware of the latest trends - without
religiously following them!
Mid-week we can often manage ‘pop-ins’, but we do prioritise
pre-booked appointments to ensure that an experienced bridal
consultant is ready to guide ‘brides-to-be’ through
the extensive collections whilst making the experience
fun, informative and truly tailored to each of our brides’
individuals needs.
As a bridal shop, it is so important to us to offer a wide variety
of styles, shapes, sizes and colours. We usually find a few trends
can be emerging at once, we have some truly romantic tulle
skirted ball-gown dresses to choose from currently, but we
also have some rustic scoop backed ‘boho’ styles that would be
perfect for either a woodland wedding or barefoot on a beach.
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 87

Wedding
gorgeous
gowns
Our local bridal boutique owners and
designers pick their favourite gowns
for 2016
Lara Kinnett,
Lara B,
Newmarket
“Dare to be different! Last year
we launched our very own ‘Lara
B Couture’ range. The range
consists of separates, made
into a dress, to create your own
style and shape. This is a new,
exciting and exclusive way to
create the perfect dress and all
made here in the UK. We have
several options to ‘mix n’ match’
your look and you will feel
amazing in an exclusive dress.
Prices range from
£1,300 - £1,900, depending
on the combinations chosen.”
Lara B Couture Range by Lara B
www.larab.co.uk
Odette Lister,
Brides by Solo,
Newmarket
“A delicate illusion neckline
coupled with a dramatic illusion
lace back creates glamour in this
alluring ball gown dress. The
delicate lace bodice and flowing
tulle skirt is accented with a
feminine Swarovski crystal belt.
This award-winning designer
steals my heart again!”
Montgomery Dress by Maggie Sottero
www.bridesbysolo.co.uk
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 89

Wedding
Jitka Flack,
Jitka Made To Measure,
Wilburton nr Ely
“This dress was designed for a
wedding in Ibiza, so it holds a
real seaside theme. I love the
back of it, as it gives the gown a
completely unique look. It was
designed specifically for the
bride, who wanted a traditional
look with a modern twist.”
Jitka Made To Measure Dress
www.jitkabridalwear.co.uk
Rachel Lamb,
Rachel Bespoke Dress
Design, Witcham nr Ely
“It’s my current favourite
because it’s a very simple, clean,
grown up style and therefore
very wearable and versatile. The
skirt section is silk double crepe
and the bodice section and bow
are silk satin. It has a heavily
beaded crystal belt around the
middle and a puddle train. It
demonstrates a move away
from lace dresses that have
dominated for several years.”
Una Dress by Rachel Lamb Design
www.rachellambdesign.co.uk
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 91

Indulge the person you love
in in our beautiful bridal boxes
www.thevelvet.co
Bridal

Wedding
Michelle Honey,
Honeys Bridal &
Events, St Ives
“This gown is
sophisticated and chic.
It is the perfect gown
for any bride looking
for a modern look. It’s
a gown which can be
customised to give
the wow factor. Belt
accessories are great
to give a little bit of
glitz to the waist. It’s
my personal favourite
right now. I believe less
is more, and this gown
is all about that!”
McCall Dress,
by Sottero and Midgley
www.honeysbridalandevents.
co.uk
Lynn Keutgen,
Bride-All,
Exning
“I love this dress with it’s elegant
flattering shape, delicate lace
detail, low beaded back and
detachable tulle train. The
Prosa is from Pronovias 2016
Collection and is completely
unique and a real show stopper.”
Prosa, by Pronovias
www.bride-all.co.uk
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 93

Wedding
A Bespoke
Bride
You are known for your Bespoke
service. what does that mean exactly?
In a nutshell it means that I can make
almost anything that is desired. I add in the
‘almost’ because I am very open about what
I think will and won’t work. I offer a bridal
design service, but it’s rarely about what
I alone think – it is usually a collaborative
process between myself and the bride.
I am a guide who can help her realise
the dress of her dreams. This is achieved
through a series of design meetings and
fittings where the bride wears toiles (calico
prototypes) of the chosen design, followed
by fittings of the actual gown.
What made you want to work
as a Bespoke Designer?
It’s probably got something to do with being
five feet nothing myself! I have always had
trouble with getting clothes that fit. We
aren’t all a standard size. I enjoy the process
of working with my brides – it’s really fun
Rachel Lamb dispels
the myths of bespoke
bridal gowns...
to work on a project together and to see it
evolve into something beautiful that fits very
well and is comfortable too.
Tell us about your workspace.
I work from my purpose built studio at home.
It’s quite small, cosy and crafty.
I was recently talking with one of my brides
and she said that I should show some images
of my workspace, because it can be quite
intimidating for brides not knowing what and
who you’re going to see, but that’s not the
case at all. It’s definitely a workroom, not
a showroom. As you can see, neither it nor
I am anything to be scared of!
What were the highlights of 2015?
It felt like a year when brides really went for
their own personal style. For instance, colour
was extremely important. I made
a bright pink wedding dress, and a deep rich
purple one, as well as sage green, pale pink
and pale blue gowns!
Rachel Lamb Bespoke Dress Design
Sharmer Cottage, Headley’s Lane,
Witcham, Nr Ely, Cambridgeshire
Tel: 01353 778178
www.rachellambdesign.co.uk
So how much do your gowns cost?
People often think that bespoke means
expensive. However, that’s not always the
case! It varies depending on the design,
but almost all the bridal dresses I make fall
somewhere between £1,000 and £3,000.
The best thing is to ask – for example,
alternatives can be suggested which give the
same effect but are more cost effective.
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 95

Wedding
2016
Bridal Trend
Brides by Solo reveals its top bridal trends
To view the
collection contact
Brides by Solo on
01638 661648
With the current popularity
of the 1950s retro look in
fashion, it is hardly surprising
that this romantic period in history has
returned to popularity in the wedding
world. In 2016, one of the hottest
bridal trends will be T-length wedding
gowns. These dresses, inspired by the
tea-dances of the 1940s and 50s, are
traditionally cut to just below the knee
or mid-calf to allow for dancing.
“With the introduction of weddings
which are less formal, and people
getting married in less traditional ways,
the appeal of the T-Length dress is
back. The dresses are already proving
popular with those who want to move
away from the traditional full-length
wedding dress.” says Odette.
Having picked from numerous
designers to create her own exclusive
collection, Odette has curated a
variety of 40 different styles ranging
from gorgeous lace to long sleeve and
strapless gowns. Many of them can
be ordered in a choice of colours,
from the popular shades for 2016,
blush and oyster, to more daring
bright and bold options.
With expert knowledge that comes
from 33 years of experience,
Brides by Solo’s seamstress offers
customisation, so a vintage broach,
belt or even a coloured petticoat can
be added to your dream dress to make
it unique to you. Whether your style
is dance-hall glamour or digital-age
modernity, the T-Length wedding
gown is one to consider this year.
Prices range from £299 to £899.
Brides By Solo
115 Exning Road, Newmarket,
CB8 0EL. Tel: 01638 661648
www.bridesbysolo.co.uk
Article by Georgia Watson
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 97

PADDOCKS HOUSE
WEDDING SHOWCASE
SUNDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 2016
11AM - 4PM
free to attend
This stunning 18th century country house combines luxury with traditional
features and a unique sense of style. The sweeping drive, landscaped
gardens, exquisite rooms and tempting menus make Paddocks House the
ultimate wedding venue and is exclusively yours for your special day. Join
us for a chilled glass of house Champagne, meet our hand-picked local
wedding suppliers and enjoy a tour of our beautiful house.
Our wedding planner will be available on the day to discuss your own
personal requirements, alternatively why not pre-book an appointment
and you could be in with a chance of winning a delicious * Champagne
Afternoon Tea for two, simply call
01638 593222 or email us at events@paddockshouse.uk.com
www.paddockshouse.com
PADDOCKS
HOUSE
Paddocks House, London Road, Six Mile Bottom, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, CB8 0UE
*Terms and conditions apply

Wedding
Bridesmaid Dresses
We research the top trends for 2016 bridesmaids
Lace
Pastels
When you want a
bit of colour but
not too much in
your bridesmaid’s
dresses, pastels
are the way
forward. Soft
lilacs, light blues
and pale pinks
compliment any
skin tone, perfect
for a spring or
summer wedding.
Kelsey Rose,
Bride-All,
Newmarket
Article by Lauren Eade
Nudes
Go neutral
with nude and
stone shade
bridesmaid’s
dresses. The
natural look
will always be
timeless, bang on
trend and easy to
accessorise.
EbonyRose
Designs Estella
Dress, Honeys
Bridal and Events,
St Ives
Lace can be seen
in all fashions
this season, so
why not bring it
to your wedding.
It’s flattering,
elegant and
with a range of
stunning gowns to
choose from, lace
is an excellent
choice for your
bridesmaids.
True Bridesmaids
Dress, Burr
Bridal, Cambridge
Embellished
Beautiful
embellishments
of sequins, beads
or glitter will be
stunning when
the sun glints
of them during
an outdoor
ceremony. Long
silhouettes or
paired with
dainty chiffon will
ensure the look
is glamorous and
eye-catching.
Bari Jay
Bridesmaid
Dresses, available
from Mia Sposa
Bridal, Cambridge
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 99

Mother Of The Bride
Our favourite looks from local retailers featuring our top 2016 trend, navy
Wedding
Ronald Joyce The Veni
Infantino Collection
The neckline of this dress creates a real
wow factor, with a horseshoe scoop and
delicate beading. Pair with an equally
fabulous hat and stand out for being an
incredibly sophisticated and elegant
mother-of-the-bride.
Available from Martha V, Newmarket
www.marthav.co.uk
John Charles
2016 Collection
This beautiful fitted lace dress has a
flattering knee length and high neck, but
offers the modernity of lace and a sheer
jewel neckline. Available with or without
sleeves, it’s ideal for a summer or
winter wedding.
Available from Cream, Royston
www.creamfashions.com
Condici Dress
We love this dress by Condici. The fit
is wonderfully flattering and creates
a beautiful, feminine silhouette. The
lace sleeves on the dress offer the
versatility of being able to be worn
alone with confidence, and Angela also
stocks jackets, hats and fascinators to
compliment the look.
Available from Angela, Long Melford
www.angelafashions.co.uk
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 101

Wedding
Dapper Colour Vintage Light
Kilmore Single Breasted Velvet
Jacket, now £495,
Ede & Ravenscroft,
Cambridge
Buckingham Double Breasted
Velvet Jacket, now £450,
Ede & Ravenscroft,
Cambridge
Brown Tweed Jacket,
£295,
Dapper Fox,
Bury St Edmunds
Marsalis Flecked Modern
Blazer Grey, now £195,
Reiss, Cambridge
Suiting Styles
When it comes to your wedding day, you’ve got to be
yourself. There’s nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable
and out of place in a suit that’s not ‘you’. We’re here to help
you get it right, whatever your style.
Dapper
For those of you wanting to look classically handsome on your
wedding day, a dapper look will always be timeless. Black and navy suit
every skin tone, and there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to
complementing your bride’s dress either. Pieces of velvet, or even
a full velvet suit, give that touch of class and sophistication, fitting
for your big day.
Colour
It’s true that a colourful suit on your wedding day can be a risk. But
as long as you get the colour right and it matches your personality,
you’re sure to pull it off. If red is still a bit on the risky side for you,
then perhaps go for a bright blue or purple shade. And if you don’t
want to go full colour, try a colourful waistcoat and matching
pocket square.
Vintage
TIP
Opting for a quirky
trilby hat is a great
addition for a
vintage or
coloured suit
If you’re always the one hunting around in vintage shops for those
unique statement pieces, then there’s no reason to stray from your
comfort zone on your wedding day. Choose a tweed or chequered
jacket and waistcoat for an on-trend vintage look. Look for retro
accessories too, such as an antique pocket watch to finish off the
classical style.
Light
A light coloured suit isn’t going to be for everyone. But if you’re
going for a more relaxed and laid-back look for your big day, it may
be the ideal choice. Think light blue, cream or pale grey; perfect for
a summer wedding, and easy to tie in with your bride’s attire. It goes
particularly well with darker skin tones and will show off that
tan nicely!
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 103

Wedding
B LIST:
Our Exclusive
Wedding Edition
Anna Philbin helps out with her guide
to wedding day beauty
Some advice girl to girl - If you don’t usually go out uber
contoured, super highlighted and heavy browed, then this isn’t the look
you should want on your wedding day! You want to look like the best
version of yourself on your big day, not the best version of that girl you’ve
been following/stalking on Instagram! If you’re getting a makeup
artist, make sure you’re very strict with the brief and have a trial run!
Beauty is skin deep - If you’ve always been too busy to sort out
a proper skin care regime, now is the time to speak to a skin specialist.
They will help to make sure your skin is glowing, healthy and less likely
to suffer breakouts closer to the day. Do this at least six months before,
and make it your religion. Try Dermalogica skin analysis and facials
available at Lilly’s Beauty Pad, Fordham.
Hello perfect pearly whites! - This will really make
a difference in your photos and make you more confident and able
to relax when the snap-happy photographer is clicking away. You can
either buy whitening strips or kits for home, or push the boat out and get
a professional to do the job.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint - On the big day, you want to
look good from start to finish, so start with a really good primer that suits
your skin. I love MAC Prep and Prime, but I’ve heard great things about
Smashbox’s Photo Finish too, and, for fixing eyeshadow, Urban Decay’s
eyeshadow primer is a MUST! The important thing here
is to get one for your skin tone, so try a few at the counters first.
Freeze! - You need to finish with a setting spray. If you haven’t tried
one yet, then where have you been? They’re wonder products! I bet you
could actually do the shirt collar test after using a good setting spray and
it wouldn’t transfer. My favourite again has to go to Urban Decay; they
have three types for different effects and skin types too.
1. Photo Finish Foundation Primer, £25.50, Smashbox,
www.smashbox.co.uk
2. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Anti-Age,
£18, John Lewis, Grand Arcade, Cambridge
3. Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray 30ml,
£9, John Lewis, Grand Arcade, Cambridge
4. MAC Prep + Prime Skin, £21, MAC, Cambridge
5. Oral-B 3D Whitestrips, £75, Cathedral Dental,
Bury St Edmunds
6. By Terry Mascara Terrybly Waterproof, £33.50,
Space.NK. apothecary, Cambridge
7. Kohl Lip Pencil/Brush Combo in Cosmo, £13,
Daydreams Skin & Body Therapy, Bury St Edmunds
Final Tips for the Day
Glow - If you’re lucky to have been away for your hen
party and got the best (safest) tan ever, then well done;
otherwise, you will look ten times better for having a
spray tan. Again, they come in different strengths, so
don’t be scared, but do have a test run a month before!
Pucker up - Line your lips, apply lipstick, blot, apply,
blot, apply, blot = super-duper long lasting lippy!
Cry baby - Wear waterproof mascara - no one wants
to be a panda bride.
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 105

Wedding
Beau & Henry’s
Real Life
Wedding
Married 15.08.2015
The Sheene Mill Cambridge
Eight years after meeting at Braughing
Wheelbarrow race, Henry popped the question
to Beau at Standon Calling Festival in August
2014. As soon as they were engaged, the grand
planning commenced. We touched down with Beau
for an insight into just what was involved in creating
their spectacular dream day.
How did he propose?
Henry and I went back to our tent at Standon
Calling to have a drink. I turned around and there
he was with my beautiful pink sapphire engagement
ring. After crying and squealing for about ten
minutes, I said “Hell yeah!”
What was the inspiration behind
your wedding theme?
We flew to my parents’ house in France to
celebrate the engagement and there my dad asked
Henry, “What do you want to do, as we all know
Beau will take over?” Henry replied, “dodgems.”
and it escalated from there into a full carnival
theme. We worked with Meerkat Marquees who
helped to bring the theme to life with the big top,
gargoyles and the dodgems cars.
How did you go about choosing your dress?
I originally wanted a ‘50s style ¾ circle dress, but
each one I tried on just felt like a nice party dress.
After trying on hundreds, I finally found ‘the one’
in Mia Sposa in Cambridge. I knew I wanted colour,
and pink has always been my favourite, so I worked
with a dressmaker to create my showstopper dress.
It escalated from there
into a full carnival theme
106
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016

Wedding
Where did the idea for your bouquet come from?
I had seen broach bouquets before and loved the idea. Mine has
broaches from my family and sweet tokens to remind me of mine
and Henry’s life. I hope it will become a bit of a family heirloom.
How important was putting your own stamp
on the wedding?
Extremely! I think it’s really important to put your own stamp on
everything you do. No one should blend into the crowd; everyone
should shine all the time. It was hard work, but I loved every second!
My mum and my best friend Rhian did so much to help me! We
knew that if we were going with the carnival theme, it was all or
nothing, it’s no good doing half a job.
What about the cake?
Henry’s mum made our cake - we asked her to make us something
that looked delicious! We had a three tier Victoria sponge with
marshmallow fluff inside, covered in flowers and fruit. It was
delicious!
What was your favourite part of the day?
Right at the end of the day, Henry and I had a little “We did it”
moment. We felt like the only two people in the world. The fireworks
need a special mention and topped off the day nicely. Thanks for an
amazing show, PDC fireworks!
Article by Lauren Eade
Peter Denness Photography
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 107

Open
Day
30th Jan 2016
10am – 3pm
P2170 FELIX _ADVERT_79x106.indd 1 19/01/2016 16:11

Wedding
10 Reasons
To Get Married At
Tuddenham Mill
We find the top 10
Photography: Katherine Ashdown
reasons to tie the knot at
Tuddenham Mill
1. The Beautiful Surroundings
The historic nature of the watermill and
its tranquil mill pond make for the most
beautiful of backdrops for a wedding.
And with 12 acres of stunning Suffolk
countryside, there will be plenty of scope
for photos that will be treasured for years
to come.
2. The Fine Dining
Head Chef, Lee Bye and his talented team
have created a variety of exciting and
contemporary menus to choose from. You
could also opt for a more informal
style buffet.
3. Host Your Ceremony & Reception
Tuddenham Mill is ideal for small, intimate
weddings of up to 36 guests. For weddings
of up to 60 people, their elegant restaurant,
considered to be one of Suffolk’s finest,
is perfect. Or if you are looking for
something completely different, the Mill
can accommodate up to 120 guests for an
exclusive ‘house party’ wedding.
4. Bespoke Service
Always offering a bespoke service
throughout what they do, every detail is
carefully considered when it comes down to
your wedding. Work with the Mill’s wedding
coordinator to make your big day as unique
as you desire.
5. Spa Treatments
Brides-to-be can be pampered and
preened before the big day with the help
of the in-house treatments courtesy of SK
Clinic + Spa. Why not relax pre-ceremony
with a tension relief massage and a manipedi
before you glide down the aisle?
6. The Gorgeous Hotel Rooms
And when the sun sets on your celebration,
there are 15 stylish and luxurious bedrooms
for you and your guests to recline in
comfort. Including incredibly spacious Loft
Suites with huge double-ended stone baths,
Missoni dressing gowns, comfortable 6ft
beds, telescopes and real flame fireplaces.
7. The Location
Although in a rural and idyllic location,
Tuddenham Mill is only a few minutes’ drive
from both the A14 and A11, so ideal for
those coming from further away.
8. Exclusive Use
Tuddenham Mill can offer an exceptional
wedding venue where nothing is standard.
The Mill can be exclusively yours and every
last detail is tailored to your individual
requirements. The team will take care
of your entire day from ceremony, to
celebration, to accommodation.
9. The Fine Wines
At Tuddenham Mill your guests won’t be
short of delicious fine wines to toast to you,
the newlyweds! The Mill is one of only 3
establishments in Suffolk to hold the AA
Notable Wine List 2015 commendation.
10. The Anniversary Possibilities!
Returning to celebrate your anniversary
at Tuddenham Mill to relive some of the
magic of your big day could be on the cards,
and with Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds
just a short distance away there’s plenty to
explore on your return.
Tuddenham Mill
High Street, Tuddenham,
Nr Newmarket, Suffolk, IP28 6SQ
Tel: 01638 713552
www.tuddenhammill.co.uk
Article by Georgia Watson
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 109

Advert

Wedding
How To Decorate
A Marquee
With the popularity of marquee
weddings rising, we find out
how you can decorate them
to suit your tastes
Article by Lauren Eade
Lighting
From chandeliers to vintage
lampshades, there are so many
options when it comes to lighting
your marquee. We love the idea
of paper lanterns; hang them
at different heights from your
marquee ceiling for a unique
and striking installation.
Draping
Draping large pieces of fabric
from the ceiling to the sides of the
marquee creates a luxurious and
romantic effect. It’s an easy way to
add colour, and putting lights behind
the draping will make sure that your
marquee sparkles well into the night.
Unusual Seating
What you do with your chairs can really
transform your marquee. If you’ve chosen
to have draping, then mirror the look by
tying material to chairbacks can suit the
style perfectly. If you’ve gone for florals,
then string flowers from
the backs of your chairs. Explore some
really unique chair ideas on Pinterest.
Customised Drinks
A fun and different way to keep
your guests involved is a station for
customising their own drinks! Cordials,
fruit, mini umbrellas and funky straws
mean that your guests can have
fun pimping their Proseccos. And
remember that choice is the key
to making this one work!
Table decorations
There’s no need to spend money
getting perfectly made up bouquets
of flowers for every table in the
room. Try spray painting old bottles
or jars with gold, silver or white,
adding some glitter and putting wild
flowers in them for a contemporary
twist on a classic.
Flowers
Bring flowers and foliage into your
marquee to make fresh, delicate additions
which can transform your space and tie
your colour scheme together beautifully.
Hang flowers from above, around the
marquee entrances or use them as table
decorations. You could even opt for
a tree instead, to make your marquee
fit seamlessly into your garden.
The Highfield Event Group
Tel: 01638 743860
info@thehighfieldgroup.co.uk
www.highfieldeventgroup.com
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 111

Wedding
country
charm
We find out all there is to know
about the beautiful wedding
venue that is The Old Hall, Ely
What’s the vibe?
The Old Hall is a beautiful country venue within a
mile of the heart of historic Ely in Cambridgeshire.
This Jacobean manor house has been recently
renovated and is blessed with stunning views over
lakes to Ely Cathedral. Providing all that is best
in English country house hospitality, it boasts
sumptuous accommodation, and real food
inspired by tradition.
How many guests can you have?
The maximum capacity of the main hall
is 140 (including children); this is the same
for outdoor ceremonies.
Are wedding packages available?
There are late availability and special offer dates,
with prices according to the time of year, starting
from £5,000. These are released five months
before the dates and are inclusive of venue hire,
food and drink.
What’s the catering like?
The Old Hall has fantastic in-house caterers, so
although it doesn’t allow external chefs, you can
expect a high standard of food, with a wide range
of choices on the menu. All the food is cooked
in-house with fresh locally sourced produce and
can be adapted in any way to suit your taste buds.
Which rooms can the couple marry in?
The Main Hall is licensed for indoor ceremonies,
but if you want to experience a stunning outdoor
wedding, then the Garden Pavilion with its paved
aisle will play host, weather permitting.
Can the bride and groom stay over?
The Honeymoon Suite is a luxury suite with a four
poster bed, and is complementary to the Bride and
Groom for the wedding day and night. There are
also a further eight bedrooms that guests can use.
All rooms in The Old Hall are allocated to the
bride and groom for exclusive use of the venue
on their wedding day.
The Old Hall, Ely,
Cambridgeshire, CB7 5TR.
Tel: 01353 663275.
www.theoldhallely.co.uk
Written by Georgia Watson
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 113

Wedding
Article by Georgia Watson
Image courtesy of www.linaandtom.com
South Farm
Nestling between the borders of Cambridgeshire and
Hertfordshire with its beautiful range of restored
rural buildings, organic smallholding and stunning
grounds, South Farm provides a distinctly different wedding
venue, with plenty of scope for the unique and personal.
A romantic oasis, the farm has been a wedding venue for
the past ten years, when the Paxman family decided to turn
their eco-friendly farm into a top notch wedding venue that
offers couples exclusive use of the whole property, as well
as home grown catering and on-site accommodation.
With a range of options for the ceremony and reception
including a Tudor Barn, Summerhouse, Drawing Room
and Old Dairy, the venue is completely flexible, which
is incredibly appealing to couples.
Marketing and Events Manager, Jane Price, explained what
makes the venue stand out to couples.
“Our couples receive the undivided attention of a family
concern dedicated to delivering the very best wedding day
possible, whatever the season, whatever the budget. South
Farm’s motto is ‘Distinctly Different’ and, with our rarebreed
animals, charming collection of Romany Caravans,
and authentic Thai Tuk-Tuk amongst just some of the lovely
features to enjoy, it’s easy to see why!”
With a unique collection of five lovingly restored Romany
Caravans and Showman’s Wagons, dating back to 1877,
and plenty of space for camping, even the accommodation
is one-of-a-kind.
“We love it when couples are keen to embrace our
‘Distinctly Different’ theme and make the most of all
the unique features. A favourite of ours is when couples
choose to have photographs on their big day with our very
cute piglets! Our Tuk-Tuk is brilliant fun for the bride’s big
entrance to a garden ceremony - you can be sure this will
wow guests! And afterwards, guests can have a ride on the
Tuk-Tuk themselves and pose for photos.”
With so many options for a truly personal wedding that
We discover the unique wedding
venue that is South Farm…
Image courtesy of www.photographybybea.co.uk
can fulfil your dreams and desires, be it a themed wedding
with extravagant props and ideas, or a secluded party with
delicious food, the hardworking team can make it happen.
“We’ve had so many memorable weddings, including
festival-themed weddings, country style garden parties,
grooms arriving by helicopter, the fun of duck-herding
during a drinks reception and a vintage fairground carousel
in the courtyard! Each wedding held
at South Farm deserves a special mention and we are
so proud to be a part of each and every one!”
South Farm, Shingay-cum-Wendy, Royston,
Hertfordshire, SG8 0HR. Tel: 01223 207581
www.south-farm.co.uk
Image courtesy of www.walkerjonesphotography.co.uk
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 115

Wedding
A Day In The Life Of A
wedding
planner
Becky McCarthy,
Wedding and Events Coordinator at Ravenwood Hall,
gives us an insight into her world
“There is no such thing as a typical day
in the life of a wedding planner, as every
wedding we host here at Ravenwood Hall
is unique, individual and special to that one
couple! So, here’s what a day could be like
for me…”
“I’ll be up at 7.30am, the first thing I do
is check the weather and hope it’s sunny.
My first job at Ravenwood Hall is to check
all the areas where the wedding will be
held to make sure they’re spotless. At
10am I will brief the team and we’ll all get
to work busying ourselves with the finer
details in the Pavilion and setting up the
tables. At 11.30am I will then pop over to
the hotel, if the bride is staying with us, to
see if she needs anything and to let her
know when she will see the registrar. All
couples must have a ten minute meeting
with the registrar before a ceremony at
Ravenwood. This is done in a separate
room to make sure the bride and groom
do not see each other! By 12.30pm the
photographer has arrived and the florist
is placing arrangements at the Summer
House. For a 2pm wedding, the groom
and guests start arriving at 1pm. Once the
groom has arrived with his wedding party,
I will go and have a chat. By 1.30pm I will
start leading the guests to the Summer
House to be seated. The ceremony takes
about 40 minutes. My favourite part is
when the couple are announced as Mr.
and Mrs. The newlyweds will then follow
me over to the Pavilion, where we have
Champagne waiting. Here they will greet
their guests and have photos, whilst we
serve drinks and canapés. Once all guests
are seated for the wedding breakfast I will
announce the couple to lots of ‘Cheers!’
Around 4.30pm my team will be in place;
some will be serving wine and bread
as others start to serve the starter. At
6.30pm, once the wedding breakfast is
finished, it’s time for the speeches.
Then we will busy ourselves clearing the
room ready for the evening. At 7.30pm
the party really gets started; I will make
sure that the DJ knows the time of the
first dance and when to announce the
evening buffet. I will stay for the entire
evening and start collecting the wedding
gifts. At 12am the party will come to an
end. I like to have a little chat with the
newlyweds, make sure they are happy and
taken safely over to the hotel, before I go
home and put my feet up!”
We are celebrating 30
years of planning spectacular
weddings from 1986 to 2016.
To read more, head to:
www.velvetmag.co.uk
Ravenwood Hall
Rougham, Bury St Edmunds,
Suffolk, IP30 9JA
Tel: 01359 270345
www.ravenwoodhall.co.uk
Article by Georgia Watson
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 117

Wedding
+
+
+
No. of Guests Up to 146 for wedding
breakfast, up to 200 for parties
Venue Style Distinctly Different
Location Royston
Catering Three course Wedding Breakfast or a
range of hot buffets or menus catered to your tastes
=
South Farm
www.south-farm.co.uk
Your Dream
Wedding venue
Written
by Georgia Watson
No. of Guests
Up to 120 Guests
www.ravenwoodhall.co.uk
+
Venue Style
+
+
Enchantingly Romantic
Location Tuddenham,
+
+
near Bury St Edmunds
+
Catering Three course meal,
buffet-style wedding breakfasts
=
or to your requirements
Tuddenham Mill
=
No. of Guests Up to 180
seated, further 40 in evening
Venue Style
Rural Romance
Location Woodditton,
near Newmarket
Catering Choose from their
selected caterers
The Granary Barns
www.thegranaryestates.co.uk
www.tuddenhammill.co.uk
+
+
+
=
No. of Guests
130 for wedding breakfast in
pavilion 200 for evening
Venue Style
Quintessentially English
Location
Rougham, Bury St Edmunds
Catering Three course meal
or to your requirements
Ravenwood Hall
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 119

The Dream
WEDDING
NESTLED IN THREE ACRES OF SECLUDED ROSE
GARDENS, BEDFORD LODGE HOTEL & SPA OFFERS
AN IDYLLIC AND ROMANTIC WEDDING SETTING.
CIVIL CEREMONIES
THREE SELF-CONTAINED BANQUETING SUITES
10 TO 150 GUESTS
Advert
PROFESSIONAL WEDDING COORDINATOR
01638 663175
weddings@bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk
WWW.BEDFORDLODGEHOTEL.CO.UK

Wedding
No. of Guests
Up to 150
+ +
Venue Style
Chic in the City
+ +
Location Cambridge
+ +
Catering In house options
available
www.thehousecollection.com
=
Hilton Cambridge
=
City Centre Hotel
No. of Guests
Up to 100 seated guests
www.hilton.com
+
+
+
=
Venue Style
Traditional glamour
Location
Newmarket
Catering Private dining
three course meal other options
available
Paddocks House
No. of Guests
Up to 150 daytime guests
Venue Style
Elegant Luxury
Location Newmarket
Catering Three course
meal, casual BBQ or elegant
Afternoon Tea
The Bedford Lodge
Hotel & Spa
www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk
+
+
+
=
No. of Guests
Up to 120 Guests
Venue Style
Contemporary Charm
Location Newmarket
Catering Three course meal
and evening buffet
Heath Court Hotel
www.bw-heathcourt.co.uk
www.theoldhallely.co.uk
+
+
+
=
No. of Guests 140 for
indoor or outdoor ceremony
Venue Style
Country Retreat
Location Ely
Catering In house catering,
your choice of style
The Old Hall, Ely
+
+
+
=
No. of Guests
Up to 500 guests
Venue Style
Unique and Personal
Location Newmarket
Catering In house
Newmarket Racecourse
www.newmarket.
thejockeyclub.co.uk/venue-hire
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016 121

Wedding
+
+
+
=
Cambridge
No. of Guests 80 guests for ceremony,
180 guests for reception
Venue Style Secluded Haven
Location Stow-Cum-Quy, Cambridge
Catering Three course Wedding
Breakfast, BBQ or Afternoon Tea
Quy Mill Hotel & Spa
www.cambridgequymill.co.uk
+
+
+
=
No. of Guests
Up to 300 guests
Venue Style
Iconic and Unique
Location Newmarket
Catering
In house catering,
buffet or formal menu
The British Racing
School
www.brs.org.uk
www.hotelfelix.co.uk
+
+
+
=
No. of Guests
60 for the ceremony, up to 180
for the reception in marquee
Venue Style
Victorian Villa
Location Cambridge
Catering Three course
Wedding Breakfast or buffet
Hotel Felix
+
+
+
=
No. of Guests 130 guests
or 300 in a marquee
Venue Style
Old-world Elegance
Location Newmarket
Catering Canapes and
formal dinner, or Champagne
Afternoon Tea
The Jockey Club
Rooms
www.jockeyclubrooms.co.uk
+
+
+
=
The
No. of Guests Up to 50 guests
Venue Style Sophisticated and Stylish
Location Cambridge
Catering From light finger buffets
to five-course gourmet meals
Gonville Hotel
www.gonvillehotel.co.uk
122
Velvet Magazine | Feb 2016

Wedding
‘Exclusively Yours’ Packages
from £85 per guest
Packages include exclusive venue hire, arrival drink &
canapés, 3 course wedding breakfast,
wine & complimentary bridal suite.
(Based on a minimum of 70 day guests)
Midweek Wedding Promotion
£3995 Fully Exclusive
£500 bar spend & Ceremony included for 50ppl.
Arrival drink, wine, 2 course wedding breakfast, up to 180
evening guests. Available Tuesday & Wednesday.
(See our website for full terms & conditions)
Fully exclusive venue options for up to 180 guests
Idyllic setting for intimate weddings
Fully licensed indoor and outdoor ceremony options
Award winning cuisine and boutique bedrooms
SHEENEMILL.COM - STATION ROAD, MELBOURN, CAMBRIDGESHIRE SG8 6DX - 01763 261 393

Sinuous power. Sensuous lines.
As standard with the all new C-Class Coupé.
Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the C-Class range: urban 24.8(11.4)-72.4(3.9), extra urban
40.9(6.9)-83.1(3.4), combined 32.8(8.4)-78.5(3.6). CO 2 emissions 200-48 g/km. Official EU regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and
actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors.
With its beautifully poised, athletic styling, the all-new
C-Class Coupé promises an unforgettable driving
experience - and it doesn’t disappoint. Slide behind the
wheel and relax into the integral sports seats, clad in
tactile ARTICO leather, and the urge to put the Coupé
through its paces is irresistible.
Experience it yourself from just £349* per month. Contact
your nearest Robinsons Mercedes-Benz retailer today.
Representative example
C 200 Sport Edition manual including optional metallic paint
36 monthly payments of*(Term of agreement) £349.00
On-the-road price £31,600.00
Customer deposit £5,999.00
Retailer deposit contribution £1,321.79
Optional purchase payment † £15,275.00
Amount of credit £24,279.21
Total amount payable †† £35,169.79
Purchase activation fee † £10.00
Representative APR 5.7%
Fixed interest rate 5.58%
Whilst this offer is only available through Mercedes-Benz Finance, we do arrange finance on behalf of other finance companies as well. Model featured is a Mercedes-Benz C 200 Sport Edition
Coupé with manual transmission at £31,600.00 on-the-road including optional metallic paint at £660.00 (on-the-road price includes VAT, delivery, 12 months’ Road Fund Licence, number plates,
first registration fee and fuel). *Finance offer based on a C 200 Sport Edition on a Mercedes-Benz Agility Agreement, on 10,000 miles per annum. Excess mileage charges may apply. † Payable if
you exercise the option to purchase the car. †† Includes optional purchase payment, purchase activation fee and retailer deposit contribution. Orders/credit approvals on selected C-Class models
between 1 January and 31 March 2016, registered by 30 June 2016. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Some combinations of
features/options may not be available. Please contact your retailer for availability. Terms and conditions apply. Credit approval subject to status by Mercedes-Benz Financial Services UK Limited,
MK15 8BA. Prices correct at time of going to print.
The best or nothing.
Robinsons Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz of Bury St. Edmunds Northern Way, Bury St. Edmunds, IP32 6NH. 01284 769676
Mercedes-Benz of Cambridge 199 Barnwell Road, Cambridge, CB5 8SH. 01223 401100