Velvet Magazine November 2016

Take Me I’m Free 

nov 2016 

over 

Jingle Belles 

local products, eats, 

events and people 

Conscious 

Living 

Get a Grip This Winter 

IGNITE 

YOUR 

INTERIOR 

Beauty Haul 

A Guide to 

Christmas Events 

Country 

Christmas 

Crafts 

Festive Foodie Plans 

season 

to sparkle 

The Velvet 

Fashion Show 

Round Up 

The top free monthly 

from the award-winning 

publishers Cubiqdesign

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 

Chocolate tasting courtesy of Hotel Chocolat at The Velvet Fashion Show 

Cannot get enough of… Pret’s Chickpea 

Indian Flatbreads... Loving... my black velvet boots... 

enjoying… this bobble hat weather... looking 

forward to… Bonfire Night and a weekend in London 

with Mum... HATING… these dark early morning runs 

Happy Birthday Paige! Celebrations in London last month... 

Deliciously Ella Cacao and Almond balls 

#SundayBake #GuiltFreeTreats 

My month 

in pictures 

from the 

guest editor 

Welcome to November’s issue. Last month saw the annual 

Velvet Fashion Show at the Granary Barns in Woodditton and 

what an evening it was. 

Having only joined the Velvet team in February, I hadn’t been 

a part of the chaos before, but it was very rewarding to know 

we had pulled off such a great evening. I’d just like to thank 

everyone who took part and made the evening possible. 

There’s a full run down of the event on page 51. 

With Christmas next month (yes I thought the same… where 

has this year gone?), we’ve crafted up some gift guides for 

him, her and the little ones. Be sure to check out pages 35, 37 

and 39. We’ve also listed some local festive events which are 

happening in the run up to the big day. 

I’m a bit of a beauty junkie all year round, but when it comes 

to Christmas there’s even more to be excited about. Take 

a look at page 65 to see some of the beauty baubles and 

crackers some of our favourite brands have launched this 

year. The Jo Malone Christmas collections are always a firm 

favourite of mine. In other beauty news, Charlotte Tilbury and 

Marc Jacobs have finally made it to the John Lewis beauty 

counter in Cambridge. If you haven’t already caught a whiff of 

Charlotte Tilbury’s Scent of a Dream, I strongly suggest you 

do. Another highlight of last month? Most definitely the VIP 

opening of Hotel Chocolat in the arc Shopping Centre, Bury 

St Edmunds. Happy reading! 

Sammi 

Follow me on Instagram @samminice1 

Keep up to date with the latest local lifestyle news and 

amazing offers by joining our newsletter! 

www.velvetmag.co.uk 

Velvet Magazine | November 2016 7

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Featuring in this 

month’s velvet 

Contents 

Pint Shop p22 

Ignite Your Interior p91 

Natali Walker 

“Velvet has already been 

hugely popular this year 

when it comes to fashion.” 

Adam Prescott 

“Every exercise 

session does not have to 

be a battle.” 

Check our website for more information 

from Velvet Magazine and our advertisers. 

01638 666432 www.velvetmag.co.uk 

Editor Sammi Nice 

Editorial Gemma Treby, Pete 

Townshend, Rachel Cracknell, Elyssa 

Fagan, Paula Ahlberg, Josh Tait, Ludy 

Gee, Georgia Watson, Ashleigh Kerr 

Design & Layout John Treby, Adam 

Blythe, Rachael Savory, Elliot Littlefield, 

Steve Parr, Eugene Hector, Matt 

Cockerton, James Willcox 

Advertising & Sales Becca Plaxton 

Special Thanks to Marion Treby 

Printed in the UK by The Magazine Print 

Company PLC. www.magprint.co.uk 

Cover image courtesy of Hobbs 

Food, Drink & Entertainment 

13. What a Banger! 

Hear from Powters ahead of British 

Sausage Week 

18. Conscious Living 

Hear more from Cherry Hinton’s Co. 

21. Festive Foodie Plans 

With the Bone White China girls 

27. Christmas Taken Care Of 

At Tuddenham Mill 

Health, Fashion & Beauty 

35. Gifts for Her 

A helping hand this Christmas 

37. Gifts for Him 

This festive season 

51. The Velvet Fashion Show 

Here’s a round up of our event 

last month 

65. Jingle Belles 

The ideal Christmas beauty gift 

67. The Only Way is Obagi 

Skincare from Cathedral Dental 

73. Wellbeing Warehouse 

An open day for all 

Nest 

87. Scents of Christmas 

With a festive candle 

89. Country Christmas Crafts 

From Blackthorpe Barn 

motoring 

96. Get a Grip This Winter 

The best vehicles for this season 

98. Dream On 

Hear from Newmarket Motor 

Company 

Get a Grip This Winter p96 


Velvet’s monthly views and reviews on all things edible, palatable and enjoyable 

Conscious Living p18 

Recipe of the Month p17 

A Guide to Christmas Events p32

Food 

Kitchen 

Our 

What a banger! 

British Sausage Week 

31st October - 6th November 

Now in it’s 19th year, British Sausage Week is 

an annual celebration to reward the nation’s 

best bangers! We caught up with the guys from 

Newmarket’s Powters to hear all about theirs... The 

famous Powters sausage began back in 1881 and 

is now entering its fifth generation. Each of their 

sausages are made using free range pork from British 

farms and they use only the best cuts to make their 

bangers the best of the best. 

From Newmarket Pig, to Prize Pig, Tipsy Pig, Skinny 

Pig, Chilli Pig, Scrumpy Pig and even Hotdog Pig, 

their varieties are endless. Their Prize Pig sausages 

are gluten free and made with 97% pork, whilst their 

Tipsy Pigs have a splash of Suffolk Abbot Ale and 

their Skinny Pigs are only 97 calories and less than 

3% fat. From toad in the hole to a Full English, a 

BBQ or even a hotdog... Powters have a sausage for 

every occasion! Pop in to their shop in Newmarket 

or even order online where you can also explore their 

tasty recipes. Powters sausages are also stocked in 

Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and the Co-op. 

Powters 

Wellington Street, Newmarket, CB8 0HT 

Tel: 01638 662418. www.powters.co.uk 

Article by Georgia Watson 


Feeling Festive 

Back due to popular demand, Nancy’s 

Teashop are delighted to bring their 

Christmas Classic Afternoon Teas back 

from the 30th November right up until 

31st December. This will be their fourth 

year offering an array of festive treats, 

all of which are served on their delicate 

vintage china. Each tier will consist of both 

sweet and savoury delights with a festive 

twist and will be served with a choice of 

teas or coffees. There’s also the option 

for a glass of mulled wine or prosecco 

to really get you in the festive spirit. We 

cannot wait to try one of their mince meat 

scones... 

Food 

Nancy’s Teashop 

18 Old Station Road, Newmarket, 

CB8 8DN. Tel: 01638 667064 

www.nancysteashop.co.uk 

Hotel Chocolat 

Arrives in 

Bury St Edmunds 

We are most excited to welcome 

the tasty chocolatey delights 

of Hotel Chocolat to the arc 

Shopping Centre in Bury St 

Edmunds. They’re just in time for 

Christmas and they’ve even got a 

café serving a range of innovative 

food and drink with a cocoa twist! 

Salted caramel brownie please... 


22a Gosnold Street, arc Shopping 

Centre, Bury St Edmunds, 

IP33 3DG 

www.hotelchocolat.com 

New to Cambridge 

The shed 

The Shed, located in the historic village 

of Lode on the outskirts of Cambridge, 

is both a restaurant and bar boasting an 

impressive menu and carefully selected 

array of fine wines, cask ales and draught 

beers. Its talented chef Ben and the rest 

of his team ensure their menu is made 

fresh using only the very best seasonal 

local produce. Whether you’re looking 

for somewhere to celebrate a special 

occasion or perhaps just a drink with 

friends, be sure to pop in to 

The Shed. 

45 Lode Road, Cambridge, CB25 9ET 

Tel: 01223 812425 

A Better 

Class of Crisp 

Cut from their own home-grown 

British potatoes, Savoursmiths are 

not only delicious, but have been 

diligently produced to be a healthier 

snack than the crisps you currently 

find on the shelves. 

With no MSG, and cooked in 

rapeseed oil to lower saturated 

fats, the products are also gluten 

free. Based in Cambridgeshire, 

Savoursmiths is set to make its 

debut in Fortnum & Mason with 

such flavours as Champers & 

Serrano Chilli, Truffle & Rosemary, 

Parmesan & Port and Wagyu Beef 

with Honey & Mustard. 

www.savoursmiths.com 


Our 

This month’s recipe courtesy of Waitrose 

Why not add chopped walnuts or hazelnuts to the 

mixture in step 3 for a nutritious boost? 

Ingredients: 

• 3 Weetabix 

• 100g essential Waitrose Sultanas 

• 150ml milk 

• 250g light brown muscovado 

sugar 

• 2 large Waitrose British Blacktail 

Free Range Eggs 

• 2 large ripe bananas, mashed 

• 120g butter, melted 

• 150g self-raising flour 

• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 

• 1 tsp ground ginger 

Spiced Banana Loaf 

1. Preheat the oven to 170ºC, gas mark 3. 

Grease a 23x13cm non-stick 1.25kg loaf tin 

and line the sides with baking parchment, 

making sure it rises 2cm above the rim of 

the tin. 

2. Place the Weetabix, sultanas and milk in a 

bowl and set aside until all the milk has been 

absorbed. 

3. Meanwhile, whisk together the sugar and 

eggs until pale and voluminous. Add the 

banana, butter, flour, bicarbonate of soda, 

cinnamon and ginger, and whisk until well 

combined. Finally, beat in the Weetabix 

mixture. 

Serves 10, Prep 15 mins, Cook 1 hour 15 mins 

4. Spoon into the prepared tin and bake 

for 1–1 ¼ hours until golden and firm, and a 

skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. 

Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes then 

cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Food 

Conscious Living 

Co., Cherry Hinton’s health conscious café, has been going from strength to 

strength since its opening earlier this year, but we were keen to find out even 

more about their inspiration and journey so far 

Inspired by ‘conscious living’, Co. has built its ethos entirely around 

being aware of one’s existence and the impact we can have on 

our environment and wellbeing. We caught up with owner, Aksara 

Inamdar, to find out more about this fascinating concept. 

Tell us a little more about yourself and what you mean by 

‘conscious living’. 

It quite literally means living consciously and being aware of your 

existence, thoughts and surroundings. Today, more people than ever 

are struggling with mental and physical illnesses and many of these 

occur due to the daily stress of ‘life’. With the cost of living rising and 

resources such as healthcare and finances reducing, we have even 

more reason to suffer from stress, anxiety, depression and more. 

Having experienced symptoms of this, like many others, I decided 

it was time to try and make a positive change. I realised you have 

to make a conscious effort to take into consideration what is really 

important to you and to take a little more care of yourself by taking 

simple small steps such as eating better, introducing some form of 

exercise into your weekly routine, sleeping better and participating in 

some sort of wellbeing activity such as yoga. 

How does all of this contribute to your ethos at Co.? 

The Co. ethos is based entirely upon living consciously and being 

mindful of all aspects of your existence. I was able to build the 

concept of Co. based on three things which are very important to 

me and what I wanted the brand to stand for; Conserve, Connect 

and Consume. For anyone that’s seen our logo, you will notice 

alongside our tagline ‘conscious living’ you can also find these three 

words. They’re all ‘co’ words, hence the name! 

Conserve stands for the conservation of everything that surrounds 

us; our people, our environment, our farmers and our produce. We 

are always thinking about our carbon footprint and therefore choose 

to work with local suppliers to offer our customers the best of what 

is available locally. We stock local beers from the likes of Black Bar, 

Old Friends Brewery, Milton Brewery, Three Blind Mice in Ely, and 

cider and juices from Watergull Orchards. Our artisan breads and 

cakes come from Norfolk St Bakery and the Allotment Café, in 

addition to newbie on the block Raw & Delicious who makes baked 

goods free from all the ‘nasties’: dairy, gluten and refined sugar. 

Whatever we don’t stock from local producers, we make ourselves. 

Written by Sammi Nice 

Photography: Andy Wright 

Regarding the conservation aspect, we have taken sustainability into 

consideration in every aspect of the business. We only use recyclable 

or recycled packaging and we will be encouraging this even further 

once our loyalty system kicks off in the new year. This will enable 

us to reward our customers with points every time they return a 

reusable item such as a jar or bottle. These points can be used as 

currency. We use our coffee waste as compost and our food waste 

is next to nothing, which means that we will very shortly be hitting 

our goal of becoming zero waste. Whatever food waste we do have 

is collected for compost. Even our decor was upcycled from Rhode 

Island and the tables in our function room are made from old doors! 

Connect stands for connecting with our inner selves and the people 

around us such as our customers, our suppliers, our producers, our 

friends and also those unknown strangers! This is the inspiration 

behind our workshops, yoga classes, collaborations and soon to 

come pop ups and supper clubs. Co. is a place where people can 

come to sit back, relax, meet a friend, try something new and meet 

someone new. 

Consume stands for consumption and thinking about the way 

we consume, what we consume and how we consume. We are 

encouraging our customers to shop local, support local independent 

businesses, and adopt a healthy and informative approach to eating, 

making decisions which help prevent waste and encourage people to 

use what they have. 

18 

Velvet Magazine | November 2016

Food 

Co. 

15 High Street, 

Cherry Hinton, CB1 9HX 

Tel: 01223 778080 

www.cofifteen.co.uk 

Is your entire menu aimed at the health conscious? 

Our seasonal menus are entirely produce driven and everything is 

prepared and cooked fresh onsite in our kitchen. We use entirely 

natural whole foods and our dishes start out in the rawest form. 

Everything from porridge to sandwiches to soups, cakes and salad 

dressings are entirely homemade. Some of what we use for our 

menu and sell here in the cafe, we buy in from other local shops and 

bakeries. Our fruit and veg is grown and sourced locally from Kale 

and Damson and even our drinks are local too. 95% of all our dishes 

are considered healthy and suitable for vegetarians or vegans. We 

have very few meat options and very few dishes containing dairy. 

There is the option to add meat if customers wish. We really think 

about every aspect of what is going into each dish to keep everything 

as natural as possible. We only use sugar in baked goods and even 

then it isn’t the white stuff! We use alternatives such as coconut 

sugar, agave syrup and honey. 

Tell us a little more about your recent collaborations and 

upcoming events. 

We have recently launched our events side of the business where 

we are working with plenty of local favourites such as the Allotment 

Café, We Three Club, Annas Flower Farm, Old Friends Brewery 

and Steak & Honour. There’s also some new faces, such as Lisa from 

Refine Fitness, who is offering yoga classes, and the Rocking Raw 

Chef who is leading some unrefined cookery classes. We also have 

an array of kid’s workshops, cookery workshops, supper clubs and 

more. Our events space or function room is also available for private 

parties or conferences. We are in the process of developing our 

menu at the moment and will be introducing many more of our own 

baked goods such as cakes and breads. We’re also currently working 

on our catering packs for events, outside catering and celebration 

cakes. 

What’s been your biggest achievement so far? 

We have just been informed that we will be awarded a Gold award 

(which is the highest you can achieve) as part of Sustainable 

Cambridge’s Pledge for Businesses. This is something that we are 

really proud of, as the whole pledge is pretty much in sync with our 

ethos, proving that we are hitting most of our proposed targets and 

staying true to our mission statement. This is truly fantastic news 

considering we’ve only been open less than three months. 

What else does the future hold for you? 

We are constantly speaking with our customers about what they 

enjoy most when visiting us, and what they would like to see 

more of; in addition to constantly researching more effective 

cooking methods and ingredients with greater nutritional values, 

all in addition to actually tasting great too! They’re great tools 

for bettering ourselves. We have a long way to go in terms of 

communicating our brand across to people and generating 

awareness of how people can make small changes and see a big 

difference. Saying this, I would be happy to have played a part in 

altering even one person’s way of thinking! 

Where do you see Co. in five years? 

In five years, I’d like us to to become as fully self-sufficient as 

possible and acting as a producer in addition to a caterer and retailer. 

Sustainability will be kept at the heart of our ethos and I’d love for 

the Co. to become a hub where people come to meet, eat, relax, 

participate in workshops or classes and act as a space for people to 

learn, progress and to really embrace conscious living. 


Food 

Festive 

Foodie Plans 

From reviews and local openings to upcoming events and new apps... 

Hear what the Bone White China girls have to say this month 

We’re feeling incredibly Christmassy and have been busy visiting 

lots of new openings. Sian visited Cambs Cuisine’s latest restaurant, 

Millworks (in the old Sweeney Todds building for the long time 

residents amongst you!) and loved the building’s new look and tasty 

new food offerings from the resident charcoal grill, 

named Mortimer. 

We’ve also been trialling new foodie portal Cambridge Food 

Collective where you definitely need to do your big Christmas shop. 

Forget the supermarkets, these are all local producers with fresh 

fruit and veg from Damson & Kale and even local truffles if you 

really want to pimp your roast potatoes! 

We’ve been helping organise the next event from Ely Markets 

following the successful Ely Vegan Fair. Ely Festive Lates will be 

launching Thursday 17th November and running every Thursday 

evening from 4.30 - 8.30pm in the run-up to Christmas. These 

family-friendly evenings will be bursting with street food, shopping 

and live music on the market square. Enjoy streetfood from Choux 

Stopper, I am Dumpling and more under the fairy lights whilst 

stocking up on perfect gifts from regular Ely Market traders such 

as Oriolo’s Jewellery, Jo Clark Designs cards, prints and mugs and 

Buster and Lou’s gifts for the pet-lover in your life. Silver Oak 

coffee will be keeping everyone warm with their home-roasted 

coffees and luxurious hot chocolates, and there’s even been talk of 

espresso martinis! Visit the Ely Market’s Facebook page for more 

information about this. 

We were also lucky to attend a small gathering for the Christmas 

menu preview at Regent Street haven NOVI. Seasonal cocktails, 

handcrafted syrups and thoughtful dishes; it was a delicious 

seasonal menu which was carefully created and balanced to give 

the best flavours of the season. Not only does it have something 

for every party requirement, but day-to-day has a satisfying yet 

virtuous brunch menu and variety of detoxing smoothies, plus a 

brand new evening bar menu to accompany any occasion. What’s 

even better news is they’ve launched the ‘NOVIApp’ on the App 

Store - just download, collect digital stamps and receive your 

7th coffee and 9th cocktail for free. Make ours a Sloe Down - 

Cremorne sloe gin, blackberry and balsamic shrub, creme de mure, 

lemon bitters, soda! 

We’ve also heard they’re launching seasonal masterclasses, so 

follow them on social media (@NOVICambridge) for those 

announcements and for your chance to win a free place. 

We hope you’re all feeling as festive as us! If we’ve missed a new 

opening or event that you’d like us to mention just get in touch on 

Facebook, Twitter or Instagram - @bonewhitechina. 


Food 


Full Points for 

The Pint Shop 

A few beers, a light lunch or perhaps a 

much bigger feast... The Pint Shop has it all covered 

Having not heard much about The Pint 

Shop before our visit, it was great to 

learn a little more about its journey since 

opening three years ago. Inspired by the 

Beer Houses of the 1830s, The Pint Shop 

has followed in the footsteps of those 

brewing their own beer after The Beer Act 

was passed. The Pint Shop has taken the 

spirit of these original Beer Houses and 

offer a range of craft beers with some killer 

British food thrown in. The team behind 

The Pint Shop has created a space where 

anyone is welcome and any occasion goes. 

Their bar serves over 16 different craft 

beers and if gin is your thing, you certainly 

won’t be spoilt for choice with over 100 

different varieties. 

We were welcomed by Rich Holmes and 

given a tour. The initial vibe is chilled, 

relaxed and homely. We sat down with a 

pot of English Breakfast as it didn’t really 

feel right having a pint on a Monday lunch 

break out of the office! We scoured the 

lunch menu as Rich explained more about 

their drinks menu and dishes on offer. 

The Pint Shop’s menu changes seasonally 

which allows them to offer the very best of 

what is available at that time of the year. 

“Sometimes our menu will only last for a 

few weeks before we change it again. It’s 

all very dependent on what is in season 

and for how long it remains tasting its 

best,” Rich explains. After hearing more 

about their extensive list of craft beers, 

gins and European wines, we heard all 

about the lunch menu and their best 

selling dishes. Now I haven’t been sent to 

a Velvet food review for a while, but I had 

planned on sticking to my usual, ‘see what 

they recommend and try something a bit 

different.’ 

“Our set menu is great if you’re looking 

to have a starter, main and dessert but 

aren’t looking to feel ridiculously stuffed 

afterwards. If you are seeking a true feast, 

our main menu is packed full of British 

classics from seafood, lamb shoulder, 

pork belly and even our classic Pint Shop 

burger,” Rich continues. We opted for 

the beetroot and celeriac soup, shrimp 

pasty and confit duck salad to start. With 

a range of different flavours, this was 

certainly going to enable us to try a bit of 

everything. 

First up was the soup. Now we all know 

beetroot is famed for its rich colouring but 

this soup was an exquisite shade of dark 

pink. The texture was phenomenal and it 

was incredibly rich tasting. The celeriac 

came through nicely and the horseradish 

and smoked mackerel toast on top really 

set the dish off. The shrimp pasty was 

warm and hearty without being too filling. 

The shrimp wasn’t too overpowering and 

the pickled red onion was the perfect 

accompaniment. The duck salad was 

22 


Food 

Pint Shop 

10 Peas Hill 

Cambridge, CB2 3PN 

Tel: 01223 352293 

www.pintshop.co.uk 

sweet, yet fresh with the hazelnuts adding a welcoming crunch. 

Next up, we tried the overnight pork belly with braised hispy 

cabbage and apple and mustard sauce. Now I’m not usually a pork 

lover, but this certainly changed my mind. The meat couldn’t have 

been better. It was cooked to perfection and quite literally melted 

in your mouth. The sweetness of 

“Sometimes our 

menu will only 

last for a few 

weeks before 

we change it 

again.” 

the warm apple chunks and seasonal 

vegetables made for a really pleasing 

dish. The second of the main dishes 

was pressed and charred lamb 

breast, glazed with honey and served 

on a bed of autumnal root veggies. 

The meat fell away from the bone 

and was packed full of flavour. 

We certainly didn’t need a dessert 

but we just couldn’t say no to the 

Malteser ice cream with hot chocolate pouring sauce. It was a 

sweet ending which didn’t leave us feeling over fed. All in all, if 

you’re looking for a chilled vibe with quality food, you should most 

certainly make a trip to The Pint Shop. We are looking forward to 

heading back one evening and seeing what their drinks menu has 

to offer… 


AUTHENTIC 

MEXICAN 

ESTABLISHED 

2005 

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 us on 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 

Written by Pete Townshend 

Spices to Savour 

We visit the Indian Restaurant with a difference, Zara Indian Cuisine... 

Curry has always provoked a conflict of 

emotions in me. I absolutely adore the 

vibrant colours and rich flavours, however, 

these super-rich ingredients (and my own 

personal greediness) tend to leave me 

uncomfortably bloated, harbouring a feeling 

of guilt at the number of calories I have 

consumed! 

The result is that a curry has become one 

of those guilty pleasures that I only ever 

justify enjoying on a very special occasion. 

However, this month that all changed with a 

visit to award-winning Zara Indian Cuisine. 

Nearly 10 years ago, Zara moved into the 

old Station House in Great Shelford and 

began turning this historic building into a 

new breed of Indian Restaurant. “When 

we moved in, the building was completely 

derelict”, says manager, Khaled Ahmed. 

“We set about restoring it to create a stylish 

restaurant with a fresh modern look.” 

And they certainly succeeded, the result 

being a light and colourful space - an 

environment to match its food. “We only 

ever use vegetable oil in our recipes, and 

always the minimum possible, just enough 

to wet the pan,” says Khaled, “and with the 

use of the freshest ingredients and finest 

spices we can create lighter dishes that 

retain all of the flavour.” 

Eager to experience this, we began with a 

mixed starter. 

The juicy and flavoursome lamb Sheek 

Kebab and Chicken Tikka were fantastic, 

but the dishes that really stood out were the 

Onion Bhaji and Paneer Shashlick. Forget 

the soggy, deep-fried texture that you 

can all-to-often experience, this bhaji was 

beautifully crispy with no grease, and the 

cheese in the Paneer Shashlick was grilled 

to perfection resulting in a wonderfully light 

texture, and a flavour that was still rich. 

Moving on to the main, we enjoyed a 

selection of different dishes to suit every 

taste. The Ajwani Salmon was tender, light 

and juicy with a spicy edge adding a bit 

of a kick - perfect for all you fish-lovers 

out there! Next was Chicken Jaipuri, an 

excellent alternative to Chicken Tikka 

Masala. It was mild, sweet and creamy, with 

a spice called jeera adding a wonderfully 

interesting aniseed zing. The third main 

we tried was the Lamb Gurkha which uses 

a combination of 10 different ingredients 

making this dish as fresh and lively as it is 

colourful. 

Finally, to accompany our mains, we 

enjoyed two fantastic sides. The Brinjal 

Bhajee consisted of silky smooth aubergine 

that melted in the mouth, while the Saag 

Panir was a welcome return of that light and 

fluffy cheese, perfectly combined with a 

deliciously creamy spinach sauce. 

Overall, for a curry with all of the flavour, 

but not quite so much of the guilt, we can’t 

recommend Zara Indian Cuisine enough! 

And we’re not the only ones, with it being 

shortlisted for Best Spice Restaurant in its 

region at the British Curry Awards 2016! 

Zara Indian Cuisine 

1 Hinton Way, Great Shelford 

Cambridge CB22 5AX 

01223 846 668 

www.zarashelford.com 


FESTIVE MENU 

Perfect for your Christmas celebrations 

with family, friends or work colleagues 

3 course lunch menu £24.95 

3 course dinner menu £29.95 

Available Monday to Friday throughout December 2016. 

Booking is advisable. 

www.tuddenhammill.co.uk 

info@tuddenhammill.co.uk | 01638 713552 

High Street, Tuddenham, Nr. Newmarket, Suffolk IP28 6SQ 

F E S T I V E F A I R 

Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th November 

10am - 5pm inside The Courtyard, Elveden Estate 

For a really festive shopping experience, pop down to the Festive Fair at 

The Courtyard to really kick start your Christmas! Browse over 20 stalls selling 

food, drink, arts and crafts and enjoy some delicious hot food and drink. 

Elveden Courtyard IP24 3TJ Tel: 01842 898068 www.elvedencourtyard.com

Christmas 

Christmas 

taken care of 

From festive feasts to overnight retreats, 

this Christmas, Tuddenham Mill has got it covered 

If the idea of spending hours in the 

kitchen and constantly tidying up from 

the Christmas mayhem isn’t quite filling 

you with excitement, why not let someone 

else do all of the hard work this year? 

Tuddenham Mill has a range of two and 

three night packages which would be ideal 

for those seeking a true Christmas break. 

Check in to one of their Mill Stream rooms 

or Loft Suites on Christmas Eve and be 

taken care of right through to Boxing Day. 

If exquisite dining and idyllic rural settings 

are your thing, then their award-winning 

menus and picturesque views certainly 

won’t disappoint. You’ll be greeted with 

mulled wine and mince pies and can spend 

the afternoon however you wish until dinner 

is served that evening. 

For those who fancy it, how about Midnight 

Mass at Bury St Edmunds’ historic 

cathedral? Then welcome Christmas Day 

in a leisurely manner as you enjoy a deluxe 

breakfast and see how generous Santa has 

been! 

Tuddenham’s much-loved Christmas Day 

lunch will then be served by renowned 

Head Chef, Lee Bye and his team. There’s 

a choice of Loch Duart salmon, duck liver 

parfait, squash soup and Denham Estate 

venison to start, all of which are served with 

expertly picked seasonal ingredients. For 

the main event, choose from Norfolk black 

turkey, Woodbridge pork, Arbroath pollock 

or potato Wellington, all of which are served 

with locally-sourced trimmings including, 

the famous Newmarket sausage, malt 

glazed parsnips, salt-baked golden beetroot 

and other festive delights. Those with a 

sweet tooth will also be delighted to hear 

there’s a pre-dessert as well as the option 

of traditional Christmas pudding, bitter 

chocolate marquise, marmalade glazed 

almond cake or an enviable board of British 

cheeses and chutneys. Following your 

festive feast, the evening will see a range of 

grazing boards which you can enjoy in their 

bar or in the comfort of your room. Boxing 

Day will allow time for you to work off all of 

that delicious food by exploring the scenic 

walking routes around Tuddenham before 

re-fuelling with a divine buffet selection. 

Does all this luxury sound like something 

you could get used to? Then how about a 

two-night break to welcome in the New 

Year? There’s another fantastic menu on 

offer, followed with live music and dancing. 

Wake up overlooking the mill pond and 

turn to your hangover foodie bag for 

much-needed sustenance. Brunch will then 

be available until 2pm with a buffet that 

evening. 

Whether you’re looking for your 

Christmas to be taken care of, or a few 

days to celebrate the coming of a New 

Year, Tuddenham Mill certainly have an 

abundance of sophisticated, chic offerings. 

Tuddenham Mill 

High Street, Tuddenham, 

IP28 6SQ 

Tel: 01638 713552 

www.tuddenhammill.co.uk 


Christmas 

Dates and 

times for your 

calendar 

Thursday 24th November 

2pm - 8pm 

truly magical Christmas Time 

Friday 25th and Saturday 

26th November 

9am - 8pm 

Sunday 27th November 

10am - 5pm 

Bury St Edmunds is home to some of the most unique independent boutiques, nestled 

amongst several national brands too. It’s a town with heritage, culture, a thriving 

entertainment offering and a fantastic food and drink community. And the best bit... its 

festive spirit is like no other town. 

In the midst of the town’s Christmas celebrations is the annual Christmas Fayre, a 

wonderful showcase of local and global produce and crafts from over 300 traders. The 

event has been exciting local children and families for over 10 years, so we take a look at 

what’s coming up this year. 

The Christmas Fayre will open earlier than previous years at 2pm on Thursday 24th 

November. Visitors will be welcomed by an opening parade of childrens puppets, which 

will travel from the arc Shopping Centre to the Abbey Gardens at 5:30pm. Most of 

the town’s shops, as well as stall holders, will be opening late for shoppers and, with free 

parking offered from 4pm, it’s a great night to get into the festive spirit. There will also be 

discounted fairground rides and a sparkling firework display from 7:45pm. 

The Fayre continues from 9am on Friday 25th November with a weekly street market, 

as well as street entertainment and special offers along the independent shopping street, 

St Johns Street. New for 2016, there will be a cookery demonstration kitchen in the 

Cathedral Courtyard along with 14 delicious food stalls. 

A great range of local and regional chefs will be 

demonstrating during the day on Friday, Saturday and 

Sunday. Meanwhile, businesses in Langton Place will offer 

families the chance to meet a variety of small animals, 

whilst in the Abbey Gardens there will be a chance for the 

little ones to visit Santa in his grotto, and meet his reindeer 

on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday and Sunday. 

Whilst visitors shop, there will be plenty of music and 

entertainment to keep your toes tapping. There will be 

church choirs, school bands and rock, jazz, and folk acts. 

To finish the weekend there will be a traditional carol 

concert on Angel Hill with music provided by the Salvation 

Army band. 

For further information and for a full programme of 

entertainment visit our website 

www.burystedmundschristmasfayre.co.uk 


Christmas 

stress-free 

christmas shop 

Presents Galore 

Millennium Grandstand 

Rowley Mile Racecourse, 

Newmarket, CB8 0TF 

Tel: 07768 680527 or email: 

wendy.milbank@gmail.com 

We find out how the 

Presents Galore Gift Fair 

takes the stress out of your 

Christmas shop 

Christmas is just around the corner - the season of goodwill, 

good food and good times! A huge part of getting into the 

Christmas spirit is the giving and receiving of presents and, when 

done right, it’s a tradition that can bring such excitement and 

happiness to the receiver, whilst also bringing a huge amount of 

joy and satisfaction to the giver. However, all too often it can 

have the opposite effect! 

We’ve all had that feeling of disappointment when we unwrap 

the fifth pair of socks or scented candle on Christmas morning, 

or the stress of battling through the crowds on Christmas Eve 

trying to find those elusive final gifts! 

Well, here at Velvet we wanted to let you know that it doesn’t 

have to be that way! Gone are the days of feigning excitement 

at boring gifts, or despairing at what to buy for those people who 

have everything - head along to Presents Galore at the Rowley 

Mile Racecourse in Newmarket. 

This fantastic gift fair is held annually at the Millennium 

Grandstand in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and is the 

biggest in East Anglia. With countless exhibitors from categories 

such as art and books, children, clothing and accessories, food 

and drink, home and garden, jewellery, men, and even pets, 

the selection of gifts on offer is enormous so there truly is 

something for everyone. 

On top of all that, a lot of the products are cheaper at Presents 

Galore than they are on the High Street - if they’re even 

available on the High Street at all. Exclusivity at a cheap price, 

for a good cause? Count us in! 

Presents Galore takes place on just three dates this year, so 

make sure you don’t miss out. 

Friday 25th November, 5:30pm-8:30pm; 

Saturday 26th November, 10am-5pm; 

Sunday 27th November, 10am-4pm. 

Get into the Christmas spirit in style! 


Events 

A Guide to 

We’ve put together the ultimate list 

of local events that will get you in the festive spirit this year 

Christmas Events 

1. Fantastic Christmas Craft Fair 

Find unique and unusual presents at a selection of stalls. With 

mulled wine and mince pies to get you in the festive mood. 

The Stable Block, Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Cambridgeshire, 

SG8 0BW. 12th - 13th November. 10:30am - 5pm. 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk 

6. Garland Making Workshop 

Turn your hand to garland making to decorate your home or give 

as a lovely homemade gift. 

Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham, Bury St Edmunds, IP30 9LZ. 

23rd, 30th November, 7th, 14th December. 10am - 1pm. 

www.blackthorpebarn.com 

2. Bury St Edmunds Lights Switch On 

Browse the charity stalls, eat seasonal delights and watch in awe 

as the whole town lights up for the Christmas period. 

Bury St Edmunds town centre, IP33 1UZ. 17th November. 

2pm - 8:30pm. www.burystedmundsfestivals.com 

3. Ely Christmas Gift & Food Fair 

Whether you’re looking for a special gift, unique decorations or 

delicious accompaniment for Christmas dinner, you’ll be spoilt 

for choice in Ely. 

Ely Cathedral, Chapter House, The College, Ely, CB7 4DL. 

18th - 19th November. (18th: 10am - 9pm; 19th: 9:30am - 

4:30pm). www.elycathedral.org 

4. The North Pole 

The North Pole returns to Cambridge with fairground rides, an 

alpine bar and an ice skating rink. It’s free to enter and ice skating 

for the kids starts at just £7.65. 

Parkers Piece, Cambridge, CB2 1AA. 18th November - 4th 

January. www.thenorthpolecambridge.co.uk 

5. Cambridge Christmas Lights Switch On 

Local heroes, Cambridge United will be switching on the festive 

lights in Cambridge city centre this year. 

The festive white lights will stretch across 22 streets throughout 

the city centre which will light up from 5pm. Cambridge 

BID have also organised a programme jam-packed with 

entertainment such as music and dance from local homegrown 

talent. 

Grafton Centre, Cambridge, CB1 1PS. 20th November. Lights 

switch on: 5pm. www.cambridgebid.co.uk 

7. Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre 

Back by popular demand and bigger than ever, the Bury St 

Edmunds Christmas Fayre takes over the town from Angel Hill 

up to the arc Shopping Centre with over 300 stalls. 

Bury St Edmunds town centre, IP33 1UZ. 

24th - 27th November. 

www.burystedmundschristmasfayre.co.uk 

8. Ely Christmas Lights Switch On 

With live acts, craft and charity stalls, funfair and Santa’s Grotto. 

Market Place, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4NP. 25th November 

Lights switch on: 6:45pm. www.elylightswitchon.webs.com 

9. Long Melford Olde Christmas 

A festive day in Long Melford full of old and new Christmas 

traditions. Dress up if you wish and why not finish the Christmas 

shopping? 

Long Melford, Sudbury, CO10 9JG. 27th November. 12pm. 

www.longmelford.co.uk 

10. Visit Father Christmas 

Take the little ones to visit Father Christmas at Elveden. He will 

be there from late November meaning they will be just in time 

to let him know their wish list! Each child will receive a traditional 

gift and Norway Spruce sapling as well as getting the chance 

to have their photo taken with him too! Take a look at their 

Christmas trees and festive crafts in their gift shop too. 

Elveden Estate, London Road, Elveden, Thetford, IP24 3TQ. 

28th, 29th November, 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th 

December. www.elveden.com 

32 


Events 

11. Dick Whittington 

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as the cast of Dick 

Whittington transports you on a magical journey at this year’s 

family panto. Tickets start from just £16.50. 

Cambridge Arts Theatre, 6 St Edward’s Passage, Cambridge, 

CB2 3PJ. 1st December - 8th January. 

www.cambridgeartstheatre.com 

12. Beauty and the Beast 

A traditional family pantomime full of enchantment and magic 

that will delight the whole family. Set in the depth of Beastly 

St Edmunds, the story of Beauty and the Beast is brought to 

life thanks to Chris Hannon and Karen Simpson. Christmas 

birthday? Why not make your birthday a visit to the pantomime! 

There are pre-show parties available. 

Theatre Royal, 6 Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1QR. 

2nd December -15th January. www.theatreroyal.org 

13. Christmas Market & Lights Switch On 

A day of shopping and an evening of fun in the historic 

market town of Saffron Walden. 

Saffron Walden town centre, CB10 1HL. 2nd December. 

9am - 8:30pm. wwwsaffronwalden.gov.uk 

14. Lavenham Christmas Street Fair 

A seasonal feast for all the senses, there will be music, 

entertainment and stalls set amid the backdrop of Lavenham’s 

historic market place. 

Market Place, Lavenham, Sudbury, CO10 1SZ. 

2nd - 4th December. www.visit-lavenham.co.uk 

16. BBC Radio Suffolk Carol Concert 

Festive music and readings featuring BBC Radio Suffolk 

presenters and local musicians. Tickets from £12.50 with £3 from 

each sale benefiting BBC Children in Need. 

The Apex, 1 Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3FD. 

3rd December. 7:30pm. www.theapex.co.uk 

17. Ickworth Family Christmas Sparkle 

Put the ‘ho ho ho’ back into your family Christmas at Ickworth. 

Make Christmas decorations, crafts and crackers, sit next to the 

Christmas tree with stories and gifts from Father Christmas and 

follow the Christmas trail. A very special, festive day out for the 

family. 

Ickworth Park, Horringer, IP29 5QE. 9th, 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th 

and 18th December. www.nationaltrust.org.uk 

18. Kentwell’s Magical Christmas 

With activities for all the family, enjoy insights into Victorian life 

with a music hall, magic show, crafts, Victorian Tavern and, of 

course, Father Christmas! 

Kentwell Hall, Long Melford, Sudbury, CO10 9BA. 10th & 11th, 

17th & 18th December. 10am - 5pm. www.kentwell.co.uk 

19. Carols by Candlelight 

Nothing says Christmas quite like a carol service. Firmly 

established as one of Britain’s most popular touring groups, the 

Locrian Ensemble perform in period costume by candlelight. 

Tickets from £19.50. 

The Apex, 1 Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3FD. 

21st December. 7:30pm. www.theapex.co.uk 

15. Mill Road Winter Fair 

Known for its special charm, Mill Road will be blocked off as 

thousands flock to revel in the atmosphere, watch performances 

and shop the festive stalls. The Fair is renowned for its special 

charm and festive atmosphere with over 10,000 people 

participating in many different ways. Find out more about what’s 

on offer on their website! 

Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2BD. 3rd December. 

10:30am - 4:30pm. www.millroadwinterfair.org 

20. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 

A highlight of the whole year for many in Cambridge. 

Be sure to get in line early if you don’t want to miss this evening 

of festive charm. 

King’s College Chapel, King’s Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1ST. 

24th December. 3pm. www.kings.cam.ac.uk 


Gifts For Her 

Gifts 

1. Mulberry Chain Strap Crossbody Bag, 

£880, Giulio, Cambridge 

2. Odessa Boots, £63, Dune, Cambridge 

3. ghd Platinum Copper Luxe Premium Gift 

Set, £175, www.ghdhair.com 

4. Christian Louboutin Eau de Parfum, £215 

each, www.selfridges.com 

5. Thomas Sabo Glam Ladies’ Rose Gold 

Plated Bracelet Watch, £225, Ernest Jones, 


6. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, £299.99, 

Boots, Bury St Edmunds 

7. Polaroid Zip Instant Mobile Printer, 

£109.95, Apple, Cambridge 

8. Barbour Outlaw Jacket, £219, Golding, 

Newmarket 

9. Aspinal of London Mayfair Black Leather 

Purse, £175, John Lewis, Cambridge 

10. Classic Christmas Sleekster, 

£22.50, Hotel Chocolat, Bury St Edmunds 

11. Sonnet Loop Pendant Necklace, £450, 

Mappin and Webb, Cambridge 

12. Scuffette Slippers, £75, John Lewis, 

Cambridge 

13. Anya Hindmarch ‘Smiley’ Make-up Bag, 

£225, Giulio, Cambridge 

14. Whistles Faux Pom Beanie, £45, 

www.asos.com 


Gifts For Him 

Gifts 

1. Happy Socks Mix Pattern Socks, £28, 

John Lewis, Cambridge 

2. Raymond Weil Toccata Black Leather 

Strap Watch, £695, Fraser Hart, Cambridge 

3. Seidensticket Shirt, £65, Golding, 

Newmarket 

4. Gianni Conti Wallet, £29.95, Golding, 

Newmarket 

5. Kiehl’s Grooming Solutions Nourshing 

Beard Grooming Oil, £22, Kiehl’s, 

Cambridge 

6. Burberry, Mr. Burberry Fragrance Gift 

Set, £50, John Lewis, Cambridge 

7. Beats Studio Wireless Headphones, 

£329.95, www.beatsbydre.com 

8. Braun Series 9 Shaver, £329.99, Amazon 

9. ESPA Men’s Skincare Survival Kit, £40, 

The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel 

10. Etro ‘Ameba’ Weekend Bag, £583, 

Giulio, Cambridge 

11. Loake ‘Errington’ Brown Brogue Boot, 

£175, Dapper Fox, Bury St Edmunds 

12. Ted Baker Keepsak Belt, £45, Javelin, 


13. Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper 

Cracker, £20, Molton Brown, Cambridge 


Gifts 

dear santa 

If they’ve not already made their lists and checked 

them twice, we’ve given you a helping hand in what to 

get the little ones this Christmas... 

1. Smart watches aren’t just on our wish 

lists this Christmas! There’s a pedometer 

to help keep them active, as well as a 

camera, calculator, calendar, alarm, 

voice recorder, timer and more! 

VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch, £42.99, 

www.toysrus.co.uk 

2. Give the kids their very own ‘Go-Pro’ 

with this KidiZoom Action Cam. It can 

be mounted to their bike or helmet and 

even has a waterpoof case to catch any 

underwater action. 

VTech KidiZoom Action Cam, £49.99, 

Amazon 

3. Suitable for children aged 3-8, this 

Audi ride-on car is pretty close to the 

real thing! It’s even got flashing lights, 

music and a parental remote control. 

Rastar Audi TT Ride On Car, £230.99, 

Halfords, Bury St Edmunds 

4. Get updates from the Furby Connect 

World app, where the Furby’s antenna 

will glow if there’s something new to 

discover. It uses Bluetooth Smart 

technology to sync your compatible 

device with your Furby. 

Furby Connect, £79.99, 

www.toysrus.co.uk 

5. A little festive treat for the little ones, 

all wrapped up in an adorable Christmas 

stocking. 

The Elf’s Stocking, £10, Hotel Chocolat, 

Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds 

6. If they’re constantly driving you crazy 

to borrow your iPad when you’re in the 

midst of an important work email, the 

new Amazon Fire Kids Edition Tablet will 

solve the problem. 

Amazon Fire Kids Edition 7 Tablet, 

16GB, Blue or Pink, £99.95, 

John Lewis, Cambridge 

7. Pokémon Go has taken the world 

by storm this year and this new 

wristband will completely change 

the way they play. The wristband 

will vibrate when you approach 

a PokéStop and light up when a 

Pokémon is close. 

Pokémon Go Plus Smartwatch 

Nintendo, £58.99, www.amazon. 

co.uk 

8. A fun-filled game for all of the 

family which will leave you all in 

suspense. Keep your fingers crossed 

that it isn’t you who is pied in the 

face! 

Pie Face, £15.99, Argos, 


9. A gift that will amuse them 

for hours, Selfie Clothing Co.’s 

fun colour-in tops come in many 

different patterns and 

act as two presents in one! 

Kids Colour In Tops, from £15, 

www.selfieclothing.co.uk 

10. There’s lots of family festive fun 

to be had with this Winter Holiday 

Train set from LEGO. You can even 

decorate the Christmas tree and 

drive the train to see it rotate. 

LEGO Creator Winter Holiday Train, 

£69.99, www.shop.lego.com 


Experience the magic of Christmas in a unique setting 

with sparkling entertainment and a delightful 

three course festive meal 

Just £55 

per person 

LIMITED AVAILABILITY 

To find out more or to book visit 

newmarketracecourses.co.uk or call 01638 675 300

Local Events 

What’s On 

Take a look at what's on in and around Suffolk and Cambridgeshire this month 

Chinese State Circus 

KT Tunstall 

Cambridge Literary Festival 

Storytelling and 

Drawing Fun at the 

Doodle Dance Show 

Grab a pen and kick off 

your shoes for this playful, 

interactive story-show that will 

get the whole family drawing 

and moving, doodling and 

imagining. 


Cambridge Junction 2, Clifton 

Way, Cambridge, CB1 7GX 

12:00 & 14:30 

Adults £10, children £6 

KT Tunstall 

After nearly 10 years out of the 

limelight, KT is back and ready 

to rock, with a new psychedelic 

rock record rooted in classic 

song writing. 


Cambridge Corn Exchange, 

Wheeler Street, Cambridge, 

CB2 3QB 

19:30 

From £20.25 

Corinne Bailey Rae 

The acclaimed ‘queen of British 

soul’ who has just released her 

third studio album ‘The Heart 

Speaks in Whispers’, plays 

Cambridge on her first UK 

tour for five years. 


Cambridge Corn Exchange, 

Wheeler Street, Cambridge, 

CB2 3QE 

19:30 

£27.75 

Chinese State Circus 

This visually spectacular show, 

with breathtaking acrobatics, 

takes you on an exhilarating 

journey through Chinese 

culture. 


The Apex, Charter Square, Bury 

St Edmunds, IP33 3FD 

19:30 

Adults £25, children £10 

Enjoy some Folk with 

Clive Gregson 

This gifted singer/songwriter 

guitarist has collaborated with 

many folk scene luminaries, 

including Christine Collister, 

Richard Thompson, Nanci 

Griffiths, Eddie Reader and 

Boo Hewerdine. 


Cambridge Folk Club, The 

Golden Hind, 355 Milton Road, 

Cambridge, CB4 1SP 

20:00 

From £11 

Crafty Gifts 

Admire perfect handmade 

pieces from The March Hare 

Collective, talented artists and 

craftspeople from all over East 

Anglia. 

19th & 20th November 

The Gallery, Ickworth House, 

Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, 

IP29 5QE 

10:00–15:00 

FREE, normal admission 

charges apply 

Go on a Wine Tasting 

Journey 

Your friendly, informal and fun 

wine journey through the old 

and new worlds begins with 

champagne. You’ll taste at 

least 13 wines from around the 

world. Lunch is included. 


Gonville & Caius College, Trinity 

Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TA 

11:00–16:00 

£89 

Cambridge Literary 

Festival 

Zadie Smith talks about 

her new novel, Swing Time, 

a story about friendship, 

music and identity, with Tom 

Gatti, Culture Editor, New 

Statesman. 

22nd November 

Lady Mitchell Hall, Sidgwick 

Site, Sidgwick Street, 

Cambridge, CB3 9DA 

18:30-19:30 

From £8 


Entertainment 

look out 

Article by Josh Tait 

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

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

X-Men: Apocalypse 

Director: Bryan Singer 

Stars: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence 

Release Date: 7th November 

With most superhero film franchises mired in endless reboots 

and relaunches, it is refreshing to see the X-Men series – time 

travel hi-jinks aside – somewhat intact since its first incarnation in 

2000. Brian Singer returns to direct his fourth instalment of the 

series, as ancient, all powerful mutant Apocalypse awakens, with a 

burning desire to wipe out modern civilisation. Despite the presence 

of Oscar Isaac as the eponymous villain, Apocalypse himself is 

something of a disappointment, but James McAvoy and Michael 

Fassbender are predictably excellent as warring ex-partners Charles 

Xavier and Magneto. 

The Dark Tower 

Directors: Nikolaj Arcel 

Stars: Idris Elba, Katheryn Winnick, Matthew McConaughey 

Release Date: February 2017 

Although many of Stephen King’s novels have been adapted– think 

The Shining, It, or even Misery, the epic Dark Tower series of 

novels is arguably the most ripe for a translation to the big screen. 

More sci-fi themed than many of King’s other works, Girl With the 

Dragon Tattoo director Nikolaj Arcel is aiming to hit the mark, with 

Idris Elba starring as ‘The Gunslinger’, a man embarking on an epic 

journey to save a dying world. 

Band to Watch 

temples 

Kettering psych rockers 

Temples sophomore 

album will be released in 

early 2017, a tantalising 

three years after 

their well-received 

debut Sun Structures. 

Frontman James 

Bagshaw has described 

lead single Certainty as 

having an ‘eerie, early 

Disney vibe’, and while 

its shimmering synths 

could have been lifted 

straight off their first 

album, with their as yet 

untitled second release 

so long in the making, it 

seems likely to contain 

a few surprises. After 

a sold out show at 

London’s Hackney 

Oslo on October 6th, 

Temples are set to tour 

the UK in the near 

future. 

Top Four 

Cinema 

Picks 

Doctor Strange 

Out Now 

The Accountant 


Coming to a 

screen near 

you... 

Arrival 


Fantastic Beasts 



Entertainment 

the stage 

Four Events 

Coming Up... 

Article by Marion Treby 

Plan your entertainment and read 

the latest reviews 

Cambridge Corn Exchange, 12th - 17th 

December, 19:30 plus matinees. 

Tickets: from £25.50. Tel: 01223 357851. 

www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk/cornex 

sister act 

Mark Steel: Who do I think I am? 

In his newest stand-up show, inspired by his experience of becoming 

a father, Mark Steel tells the “amazing tale” of his search for his own 

identity (The Guardian), and finding out more about his natural mother, 

who gave him up for adoption. Mark has written and presented Mark 

Steel’s in Town (BBC Radio 4), The Mark Steel Lectures (BBC 2), 

regularly appears on Have I Got News For You (BBC 1) and The 

Newsquiz (BBC Radio 4), and has also appeared on QI and Room 101 

(BBC 2). He was also named as Columnist of the Year at the 2015 

Press Awards for his weekly column in The Independent. 

Cambridge Junction 2, 20th November, 20:00. Tickets: £17. 

Tel: 01223 511511. www.junction.co.uk 

This musical comedy, a smash hit on Broadway and 

in London’s West End, tells the story of disco diva 

Deloris van Cartier, who’s forced to go into hiding 

when she witnesses a murder. Concealed in a convent, 

she helps her fellow sisters find their voices, despite 

the watchfulness of the Mother Superior. 

Directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood 

(Strictly Come Dancing) this fabulous, family-friendly 

show features dazzling dance routines, music by Tony 

and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken, and songs 

inspired by Motown, soul and disco, with musical 

arrangements by Sarah Travis. 

Music: Clive Gregson 

18th November, 20:00 

from £11, Cambridge 

Folk Club, The Golden 

Hind, Cambridge 

Comedy: Hal 

Cruttenden, 21st 

November, 20:00, £18 

The Apex, Bury St 

Edmunds 

Panto: Beauty and the 

Beast, 2nd December - 

15th January 

From £8.50, Theatre 

Royal, Bury St Edmunds 

Miles and Coltrane @ 90 

This special 90th birthday concert celebrates the work and 

partnership in the 1950s and ‘60s of jazz greats Miles Davis and 

John Coltrane, and will showcase such seminal recordings as Kind 

of Blue, A Love Supreme and Blue Train. 

Organised by multi-award winning Cambridge saxophonist Dan 

Forshaw, the concert will feature his quartet with special guests 

Martin Shaw, the trumpet legend who has performed with many 

leading jazz artists, and alto saxophonist Tony Kofi, co-founder of 

the Monk Liberation Band. 

Cambridge Arts Theatre, 13th November, 19:45. Tickets: from 

£18. Tel: 01223 503333. www.cambridgeartstheatre.com 

Music: The Best of 

Times, a Christmas 

story told by Michael 

Morpurgo 

11th December, 13:30 

& 16:30, from £18, 

Saffron Hall, Saffron 

Walden 


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

Beauty Haul p63 

Move This Way p77 

Chewing The Fashion Cud p59

Handbook 

Fashion 


The 

3 Party Season Dresses 

La Boutique 

We caught up with Mathilde, 

owner of recently opened 

La Boutique in Bury St Edmunds. 

“I opened La Boutique on St 

John’s Street in September. 

The shop is a ladies French 

boutique where I stock a 

variety of both clothing and 

accessories. I bring new 

styles into the boutique 

every few weeks to ensure 

my customers are given 

exclusivity. I moved to 

England from France a year 

ago now and decided that 

the atmosphere in Bury 

St Edmunds was perfectly 

suited to my style; cute and 

charming,” she tells us. 

Ted Baker Latoya 

Dress, £179, Javelin 


Wrapped Up 

From prints to plains and even 

pom poms, Lesley Gillam has a 

range of scarves to keep you warm 

and on trend this season. 

Velvet Pleat Chain 

Dress, £85, Topshop 


Needle & Thread Short 

Sleeved Dress, £384, 

Giulio, Cambridge 

La Boutique, 18 St John’s Street, 


Lesley Gillam Designs 

The Bakehouse 

Exning, Newmarket 

Tel: 01638 578875 

48 


Handbook 

Roll Up, Roll Up 

Roll neck season is back! From funnel necks to roll 

necks and turtle necks, they’re a winter staple, season after season 

Mid Pink Crushed Velvet Funnel Top 

£14.99, New Look, Bury St Edmunds 

SET Grey Roll Neck, £185, 

Blue, Saffron Walden 

Sweater with Roll 

Neck £16.99, 

Zara, Cambridge 

Vilagallo Turin Black Rollneck 

Jumper, £60, www.fivesixblue.co.uk 

Dea Kudibal Raven Navy Turtleneck 

£165, Boudoir Femme, Cambridge 

Little Black 

Dress 

If you’ve not got an ‘LBD’ in 

your wardrobe, now is certainly 

time to invest. Simply change 

your accessories to create a 

different look each time. 

We love this embellished 

fringed Frank Lyman dress. 

Frank Lyman Black and 

Silver Dress, £195, Martha V, 

Newmarket 

Bag A 

Bargain 

Take inspiration from 

Chanel’s detailed cross 

body bags and go 

hands-free this season! 

Wrap the chain around 

your belt for an instantly 

on-trend but practical 

look. We love this high 

street steal from Zara. 

Embossed Crossbody 

Bag, £55.99, Zara, 

Cambridge 


Fashion 

Nicola Sexton 

Five Six Blue 

The Velvet AW16 

Fashion Show 

Last month we presented the region’s best 

AW16 fashion to over 200 guests 

Javelin 

Over 200 guests filled the Granary Barns last month to 

see our sell-out show. For the fourth year running, we 

showcased the region’s best retailers and what they were 

pitching as key trends and styles for the current season. 

“Browns, mulberries and khaki greens stole the show and it 

seems the designers have left behind the summer brights 

and opted for traditional autumnal tones,” says Gemma 

Treby, Editor of Velvet Magazine. “There also seemed to 

be a far more tailored look, as waists were clinched in and 

trousers were tapered. It’s looking like we are all going to 

have to put away our baggy jumpers and take on a more 

fitted approach!” Gemma continues. 

Harriet Kelsall 


Fashion 

blue 

Robinsons Mercedes-Benz 

The night was not just about fashion 

but also promoting and raising 

money for our chosen charity, The 

Newmarket Festival. The Newmarket 

Festival is a community fundraising 

project that raises funds throughout 

the year and allows Newmarketbased 

charities to bid for funds. It’s 

a great charity and really does invest 

back into our local community. 

Welcome drinks and chocolate 

sampling were provided by Hotel 

Chocolat and our sponsors, 

Robinsons Mercedes-Benz lined the 

driveway with their latest models. 

Our other sponsor, cult fragrance 

brand, Escentric Molecules, 

generously donated samples to each 

lucky ticket holder. 

Scotts Eyecare 


The main event saw over 20 retailers 

exhibiting. These ranged from a variety of 

independent retailers across the local area 

such as Martha V, Javelin, Nicola Sexton, 

Five Six Blue, Golding, Harriet Kelsall, 

Nanook, Modish, blue, Boudoir Femme, 

Petrus, Scotts Eyecare, Elegant Atelier, and 

Wellbeing Warehouse, as well as many other 

national brands such as John Lewis, Jigsaw, 

Hobbs and Ted Baker. We would also like 

to thank our third sponsor of the evening, 

Cambridge BID. 

Wellbeing 

Warehouse 

52 


Fashion 

Nanook 

Elegant Atelier 

Elegant Atelier 

Petrus 

Modish 

Special thanks go to The Granary 

Barns, Highfield Event Group for 

our staging, set and their continuous 

support and to Newmarket 

Racecourses for providing each 

ticket holder with the opportunity to 

go to the Dubai Future Champions 

Festival as well as a Golden Ticket to 

next year’s QIPCO Guineas Festival. 

A very special thank you also goes to 

the models who kindly donated their 

time to make the evening possible. 

The hair and makeup for the evening 

was thanks to Ella Tebbutt, Kelly 

Mackay of The Beauty Bar UK, Karry 

and Eileen from Cambridge MakeUp 

Artist and The Moore Hair Company 

in Ely. 

The evening also saw an abundance 

of raffle prizes from Hotel Chocolat, 

Escentric Molecules, The Chestnut 

Group, Tuddenham Mill, Center 

Parcs, Bedford Lodge Hotel and Spa, 

Abbeycroft Leisure, Asgard Fitness, 

Coffee and Co., SK Clinic + Spa, 

Paul Mitchell, ESPA and Elemis. 

Golding 


Fashion 

Size Up This Season 

Shoehorne 

8 Sun Lane 

Newmarket, CB8 8EW 

Tel: 01638 662943 

www.shoehorne.co.uk 

Natali, owner of Newmarket’s 

Shoehorne, gives us a quick 

lowdown on this season’s musthave 

shoe trends 

Shoehorne, situated just off Newmarket High Street, 

stocks a range of shoes for all occasions, styles and ages. 

Natali prides herself on offering high-quality brands and a 

huge variety of styles meaning there really is something for 

everyone. Prices range from £30 right up to £200, and she 

also has a range of winter accessories including fur collars, 

winter hats, bags and even jewellery. Take a look at just four 

of the opposing styles which have just hit the shelves… 

1. Seasonal Sparkle 

These stunning Ravel sandals are the perfect finishing touch to 

any festive outfit. The open sides and pointed toe make for a very 

sophisticated look, and the mid-heel height means you can dance 

the night away in comfort. “These are a new shape for Ravel this 

year and we also have them available in black. Ravel have some 

fantastic other heels, flats and boots on offer this season too,” 

Natali tells us. 

Manas Winter Boots with 

Fur Cuff, £140 

3. Very Velvet 

If you’re looking for a versatile day-to-night ankle boot, then look 

no further than these velvet boots from Ravel. “Velvet has already 

been hugely popular this year when it comes to fashion and I have 

to admit to being a little apprehensive of it at first but these have 

been flying out. I love the autumnal dark red colour of these too,” 

she continues. 

Marco Tozzi 

Tasseled 

Over-the-knee 

Black Boots, 

£59.99 

Ravel Gold Sparkle Medford 

Heeled Pumps, £65 

Ravel Velvet Coleman 

Heeled Ankle Boots, £75 

2. Winter Warmer 

If you’re looking for practicality and warmth this winter, these 

lace-up boots from Italian designer, Manas are the way to go. 

The durable sole and high-quality materials mean they’re a solid 

investment piece which will last for many winters to come. Natali 

says, “They’re a new style here for us in Newmarket and I love the 

fur cuff. They’re a trendy version of your normal walking boot and 

are ideal for everyday wear.” 

4. Knockout Knee-Highs 

The over-the-knee trend is here to stay. Having been big last 

year, this year welcomes more variety, from flats and heels to 

different colours and detailing. These flat faux suede boots with 

tassel detailing are ideal for all ages. “This year I’ve got a lot more 

flat varieties of the knee-high and over-the-knee boots. These 

ones are elasticated at the top and the tassels give them a quirky 

edge,” Natali explains. 


Fashion 

Dubai Future Champions Festival 

Autumn’s 

best dressed 

ladies 

the 

winner 

Velvet Magazine helped judge 

the Style Awards at Newmarket 

Racecourses Dubai Future 

Champions Festival last month 

56 

This year Velvet partnered once again with Newmarket Racecourses 

for The Style Awards at the Dubai Future Champions Festival, 

sponsored by The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel. I was on hand to help 

judge who would take home the coveted title of Best Dressed Lady, 

plus over £8,000 worth of prizes. The judges and I were unanimous 

in voting Sarah Weston as the winning lady. Sarah’s winning outfit 

consisted of a Ted Baker skirt, top by Closet, hat by Carol Kennelly, 

shoes by Hobbs and a bag from 

“Other key 

trends on the 

day were tweed, 

furs and lots of 

autumnal berry 

tones.” 

Velvet Magazine | November 2016 

Aspinal of London. I loved the way 

she had taken a spring colour pallette 

of creams and pastels and worked 

in a deep mulberry and appropriate 

accessories to bring the look into 

autumn. Other key trends on the day 

were tweed, furs and lots of autumnal 

berry tones. 

Winning lady, Sarah Weston, took 

home an array of prizes including 

a Winter Retreat Spa Break for 2 people including overnight stay, 

dinner and breakfast plus £1000 worth of luxury ESPA beauty 

products courtesy of The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel, a 3 night 

stay at Offbeat Mara Camp for 2 people courtesy of Smokesilver 

Travel and Offbeat Safaris, a bouquet courtesy of Tolly’s Flowers, a 

bespoke piece of millinery courtesy of Laylaleigh Millinery, a leather 

handbag and purse courtesy of Whitehouse, Cox and Co., a personal 

styling session and £500 to spend courtesy of Hobbs, haircare 

and treatment courtesy of Sean Hanna Salon and fragrance from 

Escentric Molecules. Our two runners up, Louise Wong and Victoria 

Roberts, also received prizes from Fairfax & Favor, Shoehorne, 

Newmarket Racecourses, Abbeycroft Leisure, Coast, Escentric 

Molecules, Martha V, www.yourwardrobeedit.com and Sean Hanna. 

Sarah Weston 

From left to right 

Judge: Gemma Treby 

Runner Up: Louise Wong 

Winner: Sarah Weston 

Third Place: Victoria Roberts

Fashion 

The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel 

Bury Road, Newmarket, CB8 7BX 

Tel: 01638 676130 

www.bedfordlodgehotelspa.co.uk 

“We really tried to choose 

ladies which we felt had 

captured the essence of 

autumn fashion.” 

Rachael Montagner and Kaz Clarke from The Spa at 

Bedford Lodge Hotel with winner, Sarah Weston 

We caught up with Rachael Montagner at The Spa at Bedford Lodge 

Hotel to find out a little more about their involvement with The Style 

Awards. 

What does it mean to The Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel to 

sponsor The Style Awards? 

We are now in our 4th year of sponsoring The Style Awards and 

really enjoy partnering with Newmarket Racecourses on this fabulous 

event. There is a great synergy between fashion and The Spa as both 

are about looking and feeling your best. 

This year was particularly special as Newmarket celebrates 350 years 

of racing so there were some really momentous things happening 

around the course and in the fashion marquee. 

What is it like to be one of the Judges of the Style Awards? 

It is a real privilege to be one of the judges. As much as I enjoy 

summer racing, I have a real love of autumnal fashion, so judging on 

Autumn Ladies Day was a real treat. 

It is lovely to be able to work alongside other really great Style 

Awards’ partners too, including Laylaleigh Millinery, whose hat I was 

lucky enough to wear on the day. Deciding on our top 3 prize winners 

(let alone narrowing it down to the top 10), was very hard and there 

is a lot of deliberating which goes on behind the scenes. This year we 

really tried to choose ladies which we felt had captured the essence 

of autumn fashion and depicted the meaning of style, it is the style 

awards after all! As judges we felt style was about individuality and not 

just the outfit itself, but the way in which it was worn. 

As a Judge, did you get to enjoy everything Newmarket 

Racecourses Dubai Future Champions Festival has to offer? 

As a judge, it wasn’t easy to get to see much of the day’s racing but 

it was evident there was a real buzz around the course. Luckily, as it 

was a two day Festival I was able to attend on Saturday as a racegoer. 

There really was something for everyone from the Taste of Dubai Tent 

to the spectacular fanfare team, and of course not forgetting the 

great racing! Sadly no winners though! 

The Boulevard Pavilion was a great addition to the Festival this year. 

The bar had been transformed with beautiful drapes in bright colours 

and comfy floor seating with an abundance of cushions for a truly 

Middle Eastern feel. 

To view and purchase your photos 

from The Style Awards, visit 

www.velvetmag.co.uk 


www.javelinonline.co.uk 

New 

seasoN 

collectioN Now iN 

to shop these gorgeous New collectioNs just follow 

our iN store arrows aNd up the tartaN stairs. 

MENSWEARSUDBURY BURYSTEDMUNDS WOMENSWEARSUDBURY 

01787 312886 01284 754559 

01787 377600

Fashion 

Ludy’s blog - www.ludy.co.uk | Instagram - @ludy.co.uk 

Superga 

Superga 

Olivia Von Halle 

www.thea-jewelry.com 

Chewing the 

FASHION CUD 

Fashion blogger Ludy, talks Christmas gifting 

Superga 

www.thea-jewelry.com 

It’s official... the current fashion world’s 

mantra is ‘see now, buy now’. We’re finally 

allowed and encouraged to buy directly 

from the catwalk without having to spend 

the next six months drooling over lucky 

VIPs parading the clothes we glimpsed at 

thanks to our fashionistas and their uber 

quick instagramming! 

This new approach is a definite catalyst to a 

compulsive buying frenzy, encouraging us 

to indulge simply by the touch of a button. 

For those of you, who like me, spend vast 

winter months glued to their screens, 

followed by great outbursts of excitement 

at the prospect of a black delivery van 

at your front gate, this new deal is sheer 

heaven. Straight in your closet is the new 

motto. How ‘insta-amazing’ and what an 

‘insta-result’ for our crazily ‘insta-manic 

world’. 

The festive season suddenly kicks in with 

the urge of compiling endless wish lists, 

and luckily, our influential fashion bloggers 

have highlighted the best things to get 

hold of this season, from trench coats, to 

stirrup trousers, to heritage knitwear, or 

opulent velvet dresses. 

This year, I am compelled to 

opt for something much more 

distinctive and personal to give 

as a present and cheekily to hint 

as a wish... Monogram-mania will 

definitely sweep me off my feet 

this Christmas. I feel a complete 

fondness for branding and have 

decided that there is nothing more 

touching and exciting than receiving 

a personalised gift. Is there anything 

more loveable than a customised 

present, adjusted, modified, styled, 

cut and trimmed just to please the 

one you love? Over the years this 

trend has crept up across seasons, across 

bags, cushions, slippers, embossed diaries 

and even Nutella. Personalising shows that 

an object is valuable enough to hold on 

for some time, and suddenly something 

otherwise ordinary is no longer throwaway 

fashion. ‘See now, love forever’ sounds 

far better. The Italian in me tends to 

always want to monogram everything and 

anything in sight; this obviously includes 

linen, jewellery, trainers, stationary, 

furniture, cars, children, dogs… the lot! 

L/UNIFORM 

The Cambridge Satchel Company 

I believe that your own unique piece 

inevitably exudes more than a touch of 

class; the warmest conceivable thought. 

It has been cared for, touched and 

designed especially for you. Some see it as 

narcissism on leather. I would simply define 

it as a thrill, which provides me with a 

sense of importance and a feeling like that 

is never ever going to go out of fashion, 

right? I will share my piping hot list which 

will surely lift your spirits whilst tackling the 

Christmas shopping! 


Fashion 

Marylebone Clutch, £89 

Hobbs, Bury St Edmunds 

Elisa Sequin Maxi 

Dress, £225, Whistles 

Cambridge 

Silver Ombré Sequin Mini 

Skirt, £35, River Island 


Winter Floral Sequin Dress, £79 

Topshop, Bury St Edmunds 

Saint Laurent Monogram Shoulder 

Bag, £915, Giulio, Cambridge 

Essential Murene 

Sweater, £215, Anna 

Saffron Walden 

Season to Sparkle 

From sequins and metallics to sparkles and shimmers... now is 

Phase Eight Belluci 

Sequin Jacket 

£120, John Lewis 

Cambridge 

definitely the time of year for your wardrobe to shine 

Velvet 

fave 

Sequin Shorts, £42 

Topshop, Bury St Edmunds 

Erdem 

Ashish 

Preen 

Sequin Dress, £49.99 

Zara, Cambridge 

Tabia Sequin Skirt, £69 

Monsoon, Bury St Edmunds 


Beauty 

Article by Sammi Nice 

Notebook 

Beauty 

Lash 

Out! 

Yep... it may be time to give your lashes 

a break and hold off your next extension 

appointment. Try using a conditioning 

serum to help strengthen and lengthen your 

natural lashes. They’re best applied in the 

evening to allow them to work their magic 

overnight! 

1. Avante Dynamic Lash Serum, £69, 

www.incavante.com 

I Believe In 

Manicures 

“This Christmassy duo from OPI 

features the Sunrise... Bedtime! and 

Can’t Read Without My Lipstick 

colours. Feminine sparkles with a 

sexy classic deep red, these two 

beautiful varnishes will be suitable for 

all occasions this festive season,” 

Sian Thomas, Spa Manager at SK 

Clinic + Spa tells us. 

Breakfast at Tiffany’s Love Notes, 

£19.95, SK Clinic + Spa, Bury St 

Edmunds 

2. Dior DIORSHOW Lash Maximiser Lash 

Plumping Serum, £25, Boots, 


3. Jane Iredale Purelash Lash Extender 

& Conditioner, £16, Lilly’s Beauty Pad, 

Fordham 

62 


Beauty 

Indulge in Wine 

& Chocolate 

Inspired by two of her 

favourite indulgences, 

Bobbi Brown has 

introduced a new 

collection centred entirely 

on wine and chocolate... 

how delicious! 

Prices from £12.50, 

available from 

www.bobbibrown.co.uk 

One 

True Love 

We asked Ella Tebbutt, of MakeUp 

By Ella, what her one desert island 

product would be and why. 

Beauty Haul 

John Lewis, Cambridge has finally unveiled its new beauty hall which has not only 

increased in size, but has also welcomed a host of new names such as Charlotte Tilbury 

and Marc Jacobs Beauty as well as introducing a new MAC Cosmetics counter. Ed 

Connolly, John Lewis’s buying director for fashion and beauty says, “Beauty is one of 

the best performing categories at John Lewis and a significant footfall driver, so this 

investment is a reflection of our ambition in this space.” For those of you who haven’t 

explored the delights of Marc Jacobs Beauty, the range boasts an impressive selection 

of skincare and makeup must-haves from foundations, highlighters and primers to nail 

and lip colours, brushes, bronzers, and more! We particularly love their new Air Blush 

compacts which are available in five shades. 

John Lewis 

Grand Arcade, Cambridge, CB2 3DS. Tel: 01223 361292. www.johnlewis.com 

“It would have to be MAC’s Fluidline 

in Dip Down. It’s a gel brown liner 

which I use for my brows. I apply 

with an angled brush and it creates 

beautiful bold brows which I love. 

I can’t leave the house without my 

brows on. This product is great as it’s 

waterproof, long-wearing and doesn’t 

smudge! I wear it on holiday too and 

it lasts all day and night, so would be 

perfect for a desert island!” 

MAC Cosmetics Fluidline in Dip 

Down, £16 and MAC Cosmetics 

Small Angle Brush, £16.50, both 

available from MAC Cosmetics, 

Cambridge 

MakeUp by Ella 

Tel: 07908177298 


EXTENDED 

OPENING HOURS 

FOR DECEMBER 

Christmas open night on 

Friday 2nd December 

Simply Hair 

Beautiful boutique salon based in Exning high 

street, free allocated salon parking. All aspects of 

hairdressing Matrix and Balmain products used. 

01638 578334 

14 Oxford St, Exning, Newmarket CB8 7EW

Beauty 

Jingle 

Belles 

1. Aromatherapy Associates Star Jewels Gift Set, £34, Space NK; 2. Liz Earle Winter Glow Gift, £8, Boots; 3. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, £24, 

Kiehl’s; 4. Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily Cracker, £20, John Lewis; 5. Burt’s Bees Bee-inspired Pomegranate Gift Set, £7, John Lewis; 

6. Clarins Multi-Active Collection Skincare Gift Set, £42, Boots; 7. DECLÉOR Surprise Christmas Bauble, £12, www.lookfantastic.com; 

8. Elizabeth Arden Heart Eight Hour Limited Edition Skin Protectant, £27, Boots; 9. L’Occitane Pampering Shea Butter Christmas Cracker, £10, 

L’Occitane; 10. Caudalie Christmas Cracker Gift Set, £10, John Lewis; 11. Charlotte Tilbury Mini Lipstick Charms, £29, www.charlottetilbury.com; 

12. This Works Sleep Tight Bauble, £13, www.thisworks.com; 13. Clinique The Sweetest Thing Gift Set, £60, John Lewis; 14. Jo Malone Christmas 

Cracker, £33, Jo Malone; 15. Yves Saint Laurent Eye Makeup Gift Set, £50, John Lewis 


NEW 

Alterna Haircare 

products now 

available 

Look and feel beautiful at Lucies Hair Boutique. 

We are pleased to introduce Codie McAleese 

to the salon, to help build her client base 

we are offering 50% off a cut and finish 

throughout November with Codie. 

125 Freshfields 

Newmarket CB8 0EH 

01638 663233

Beauty 

The Only Way 

is obagi 

Velvet tests out ZO Skin Health by Zein Obagi 

at Cathedral Dental, Bury St Edmunds 

I have spent many years working in the 

cosmetic industry, long enough to not be 

blown away by claims from the latest miracle 

cream, glossy adverts and models convincing 

us to ‘use this potion and look like me!’ When 

Cathedral Dental contacted me and asked if 

I would like to try its new line of skin care, ZO 

Skin Health by Zein Obagi, I couldn’t have 

been happier, as it’s a brand that has been 

developed by a leading dermatologist and 

comes across as very credible. ZO can only 

be purchased by a medical practitioner, for 

“I’ll be 

surprised if 

you don’t see 

a significant 

improvement 

within two 

weeks.” 

example a nurse 

or doctor, due to 

its prescriptive 

nature and high 

percentage 

of active 

ingredients. The 

term ‘percentage 

of active 

ingredients’ is 

important when 

it comes to skin care, as most anti-ageing 

creams will have AHAs and retinol, but what 

percentage is what matters. Most creams 

that you buy off the shelf will contain 0.1% 

retinol, whereas ZO’s retinol concentration 

starts at 0.6%! 

My appointment was with the practice 

Nurse Danah Mapson, who specialises in 

the ZO range. Working alongside Danah 

in facial aesthetics is Dr Heidi Fitzwilliam, 

who specialises in dermal fillers and muscle 

relaxants. Danah explained the range to me 

and analysed my skin, advising on a course 

of action. I was pleased that Danah reported 

that my skin was in good condition, if not a 

little dry, with signs of sun damage appearing 

Written by Gemma Treby 

on my forehead. “The ZO range will 

definitely help; I’ll be surprised if you don’t 

see a significant improvement within two 

weeks. I would then recommend a ZO peel,” 

Danah advised. With over 30 products in the 

ZO range, I was prescribed five to get me 

started. The plan was that I would return two 

weeks later and have the ZO chemical peel. 

I got on really well with ZO. Danah had 

warned that initially my skin might feel dry 

which means it was adjusting to the products 

and getting used to not being drenched in 

oils, serums and traditional moisturisers. She 

was right, but this only happened for a few 

days. I especially liked the T-E Pads which 

contain salicylic acid, leaving your skin very 

fresh and wiping away excess sebum and 

dead skin cells. The Ossential Daily Power 

Defense was also amazing; amongst many 

other ingredients this contains retinol. 

Retinol is one of the few substances with 

small enough molecules to penetrate the 

epidermis and therefore stimulate collagen 

and elastin production. In summary, it 

reduces the signs of ageing, fine lines, sun 

damage and age spots. 

With my two week trial at an end, it was time 

to return to the surgery for the chemical 

peel. ZO have various stages of a peel, and, 

as I was starting out, I was to have the peel 


Beauty 

Products used: 

ZO Skin Health 

Offects Exfoliating 

Cleanser 


Ossential Daily 

Power Defense 


Ossential Growth 

Factor Serum Plus 


Offects TE-Pads Acne 

Pore Treatment 

Zo Skin Health Olluminate 

Intense Eye Repair 

ZO Skin Health Offects 

Exfoliating Polish 

Dr Zein Obagi - The Facts 

• Dr Obagi is a leading Beverly Hills 

dermatologist 

• ZO products address the skin’s overall 

condition rather than just the surface 

• ZO products are oil free, as Dr Obagi 

believes that the skin needs to re-learn 

how to hydrate itself by producing 

natural oils 

• ZO products can only be prescribed by a 

medical professional 

• ZO products contain a high level of active 

ingredients that can penetrate below the 

skin’s surface to make a difference 

that contained an effective but minimal 

amount of active ingredients. The theory is 

that you build up a tolerance and move up 

to the next level as you progress through the 

ZO range of treatments. Otherwise known 

as the ‘Red Carpet Peel’, the three-step peel 

promised not to produce any negative side 

effects, but just to reveal beautiful, glowing, 

radiant skin. As I relaxed back into the chair, 

Danah applied the product, which was left 

on for just four minutes. I coped for the full 

four minutes, but I could have requested the 

solution be neutralised at any time, if I was 

experiencing any kind of discomfort. 

The solution tingled and was slightly 

toe-curling, but, as they say, beauty is pain! 

Not too much pain though, and, as I would 

find out, it’s been certainly worth it. 

After Danah had neutralised the peel 

solution, I was then rewarded with a calming 

and hydrating mask, which was left on my 

face for ten minutes. Once it was off, I was 

handed the mirror. I didn’t know what to 

expect - a red raw face or luminous glow? 

I was shocked, actually flabbergasted, by 

how glowing my skin was. I cannot stress 

how much of a difference the ZO Red 

Carpet Peel has made to my skin, and I’m 

very much looking forward to next month’s 

appointment. Is it expensive? It only costs 

a little more than the top end products you 

can get on the high street, but from the 

results I have experienced, it’s an investment 

worth making. 

Cathedral Dental 

15 Angel Hill, 

Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1UZ 

Tel: 01284 705637 

www.cathedraldental.co.uk 


Beauty 

Mon-Fri 

10am-8pm 

Sat 

10am-6:30pm 

Sun 

10am-4pm 

GJ’s Salon 

7 Police Station Square 

Mildenhall, IP28 7ER 

Tel: 01638 717125 

www.gjssalon.co.uk 

Great Job from GJ’s 

Meet the team from GJ’s Salon in Mildenhall to hear about 

its endless tanning, hair and beauty services 

Celebrating its first anniversary this 

November, the team at GJ’s has been 

going from strength to strength since their 

opening in 2015. Offering everything from 

hairdressing, barbering, manicures and 

pedicures to waxing, facials, massages, spray 

tanning, HD brows, lash extensions and 

more, its highly experienced team have lots 

to offer. We popped in to meet the team 

and enjoy the grand tour. 

“We’re a family run salon that treats 

everyone that comes through the door as 

a part of our family. We have already built a 

really strong customer base since opening 

last year and we often have people just 

popping in for a chat! It’s great to be a part 

of something where everyone in the team is 

so passionate”, co-owner, Wayne Johnson, 

told us. 

GJ’s services are available for both men and 

women and their chic salon uses renowned 

professional brands such as Dermalogica, 

OPI and FakeBake to name a few. It also 

boasts an impressive range of MegaSun 

tanning beds. If you’re constantly seeking 

that sun-kissed glow and love nothing more 

than a quick nine-minute holiday, you really 

should take a look at their quality MegaSun 

beds. They’re the best in the market and 

have been trusted by the sunbed sector for 

over 15 years. You can even bluetooth your 

own music! 

Whilst I was there, I was offered a 

60-minute massage which was rather 

heavenly for a dreary Monday morning! 

Promised to heal pain, stress and 

other ailments, I was looking forward 

to experiencing a combination of their 

different techniques. As I laid in the 

candle-lit room, the treatment began at my 

feet. The two therapists used a variety of 

different techniques along my calves, thighs 

and feet. As a runner, my calves are usually 

quite tight, so it was initially rather painful 

but they soon loosened up. The treatment 

then continued up to my glutes and lower 

back and finished with my shoulders, 

neck and head. Each of their massages is 

different dependent on the individual, but 

the core techniques they use range from 

Lomi Lomi, Shiatsu, Thai and deep tissue. 

I left feeling relaxed and a little achey, as 

though I’d had a really good stretch. My 

calves and shoulders felt much looser too. 

After being made to feel so welcome by 

both Gary and Wayne, I can’t wait to go and 

experience a little more of what they have 

to offer. 


Health 

Hot list 


Christmas Wish List 

Take a look at just three of the best fitness watches which 

would make an ideal gift for any fitness fanatic 

1fitbit 

Charge 2 

For the style conscious... this will take you from 

the gym to drinks with friends. Oh and it also 

tracks heart rate, has multi-sport tracking and 

connected GPS, call, text and calendar alerts 

and even has guided breathing sessions and a 

battery life of up to five days! 

£129.99, www.fitbit.com 

Apple Watch 

2 Series 2 

Say hello to Apple’s latest model which has 

built-in GPS, a heart rate sensor, accelerometer 

and gyroscope, bluetooth, Wi-Fi and is even 

water resistant up to 50 metres! Apple has also 

teamed up with Nike and Hermès to bring you 

even more strap options. 

From £369, www.apple.com 

TomTom Spark 

3 Cardio & Music GPS 

The TomTom Spark allows you to track speed 

and distance, as well as measuring your heart 

rate and allowing you to set targets and track 

your progress. It can also carry up to 500 songs 

without the need for your phone. 

£149.99, www.tomtom.com 

New to 

Newmarket 

Asgard Fitness is Newmarket’s 

latest new fitness facility. If you’re 

looking for a well-equipped 

gym which is open seven days a 

week… then look no further. Be 

sure to pop in and take a look for 

yourselves! 

Asgard Fitness 

Studlands Park Avenue, 

Newmarket, CB8 7EA 

Tel: 07496683616 

Email: info@asgardgym.co.uk 

72 


Health 

Open Day at Wellbeing Warehouse 

Barrow Triple Tipple 

Three marathons in three days is 

certainly one way to burn off those extra 

Christmas calories! The first of the three 

begins on 27th December and will then 

run on 28th and 29th of December 

too. This isn’t for the faint hearted, but 

if you’re interested there are still a few 

places left! 

The Great Barrow Challange 

The Academy, Church Farm, 

Church Road, Barrow, IP29 5AX 

Tel: 01284 810446 

www.thegbc.co.uk 

There is now that distinct chill in the air as the 

season turns and this brings time for change 

Wellbeing Warehouse is often described as ‘a little bit of London in the centre of 

Newmarket.’ On Saturday 12th November between 9:30am-5:30pm, we will be 

opening our doors for you to try a variety of 30-minute classes. Try one class for £4 

or three for only £10. 

Choose from The Pilates Reformer or Total Barre to seriously sculpt and tone, 

through to Beginner Yoga, flow Yoga, Mindfulness Yin Yoga to reduce stress and 

relax, or even take the challenge in one of our Hot Yoga classes. Our instructors are 

experts in their field and happy to direct you to a suitable class. 

If you do not wish to attend a class, all are welcome to view the centre along with 

our beautiful range of yoga and lounge clothing. 

Wellbeing Warehouse 

147 All Saints Road, Newmarket 

Tel: 01638 660065 

www.wellbeing-warehouse.com 

Festive 5K 

Sunday 20th November @ 11am 

Take part in this 5k fun run through the 

historic city of Ely. Festive fancy dress is 

optional but most definitely encouraged! 

If mulled wine, a minced pie, a Santa’s hat 

and a medal isn’t an incentive... we’re not 

sure what is! 

Ely Market Place, Ely, CB7 4NP 

For more information, head to the Arthur 

Rank Hospice Charity website: 

www.arhc.org.uk 

National Stress 

Awareness Day 

This Christmas stocking filler from This Works, 

contains a portable deep sleep, stress less roller 

which, with a quick swipe over pulse points, will 

provide a moment of blissful calm. The Stress 

Less essential oils help to encourage clear 

breathing and focus. Or how about a cup of 

calming tea to de-stress after a long day? 

This Works Calm To Go, £8, www.thisworks.com 

Clipper Calmer Chameleon Organic Infusion 

Tea, £2.39, www.shop.clipper-teas.com 


Health 

Mon - Tues: 

5:30pm - 10pm 

Wed: 6pm - 10pm 

Thurs - Fri: 

5:30pm - 10pm 

Sat - Sun: 

10am-4pm 

open for all 

Abbeycroft Leisure has opened the doors to Trumpington Sport; 

a new fitness and leisure centre with an abundance of fantastic facilities 

If you aren’t already aware, Abbeycroft 

Leisure already has facilities in Brandon, 

Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Mildenhall, 

Newmarket, Thurston and Felixstowe, and 

Trumpington Sport is its latest addition. It 

will be a part of Trumpington Community 

College, a brand new school which opened 

back in September by Parkside Federation. 

The school itself accommodates up to 

750 pupils and is also a part of the Great 

Kneighton development which will, when 

completed, see 2,550 new homes and a 

120-acre park. It’s a fantastic time for the 

local community and the sports centre itself 

will be open for all. Abbeycroft Leisure is a 

registered charity which operates as a social 

enterprise, meaning it re-invests any profit 

back into improving the community so you 

can certainly see why they’ve become a part 

of this exciting new venture. 

We were lucky enough to get a sneak 

peek of the development back in August 

as work was nearing completion and we 

couldn’t believe the size of it. Located 

on Lime Street, there’s a fully-equipped 

gym, four-court sports hall, dance studio 

and a full-size, all-weather pitch. There 

is even an outdoor multi-use games area 

for sports such as tennis and netball. The 

gym has been kitted out with the latest 

Matrix technology equipment. There will 

be a well-stocked cardiovascular area, a 

spacious free weight area and an array of 

other resistance and strength conditioning 

machines. An open day was held at the 

end of last month, where visitors were 

able to see and trial the new facilities and 

local clubs offered demonstrations. There 

was also a chance to explore the outdoor 

climbing wall for those seeking something 

a little more adventurous! If you’re perhaps 

lacking motivation and prefer the energy 

a class, there is a varied timetable running 

the usual Les Mills favourites. From Body 

Attack, Body Combat, RPM, Body Pump 

and even Zumba, whether you’re looking 

to tone up, slim down or strengthen, 

they’re great for adding enjoyment to your 

workout. Trumpington Sport will be open 

every evening and throughout the weekend. 

To sign up and find out more about its 

fantastic membership offers, call 

01223 675929. 

Trumpington Sport 

Trumpington Community College, 

Lime Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 9HB 

Tel: 01223 675929 

www.acleisure.com 


Health 

Move This Way 

From HIIT training to weight training and cardio, 

Adam Prescott, of Revolution Fitness Academy, talks to 

us about the different forms of exercise 

Well, we aren’t that far from 

welcoming in a new year. Yes, I said 

it. It won’t be long until we’re setting 

our New Year’s resolutions and 

you can probably guess the most 

common one... losing weight! 

Before you’ve decided to undergo 

the ‘New Year, new me’ thing, 

there’s often a few things which you 

have already thought about... 

1. You’ve started thinking about 

it at the end of November, early 

December and confirmed it 

mid-December. 

2. You now eat worse than usual 

because, “Oh well, it’s Christmas! I 

may as well continue eating rubbish 

and start afresh from 1st January.” 

This tends to roll on a few days or 

perhaps just the first Monday in 

January. 

3. You start looking at different diets 

or perhaps joining a club. 

4. You’ve checked out local gyms or 

bootcamps and start thinking about 

new gym kit. 

Over the past few months, I’ve discussed a little on how your lack 

of confidence and focusing on the wrong aspect of nutrition can 

poison your health journey. But what about exercising? We hear a 

lot about nutrition, what to eat and what not to eat, but exercise 

itself seems like background noise amongst all of the nutrition 

talk. Let’s have a look at the options… 

1. Weight Training 

The ups: Joining a gym to use the free weights or machine 

weights is an excellent way to ‘build muscle’ or ‘tone up’. It can 

also help you focus on strengthening particular muscles to 

prevent aches and pains, e.g. If your job requires you to drive a lot 

or sit at a desk, strengthening the hamstrings, lower back, glutes 

and abs would be an excellent way to reduce that ache you feel 

at the end of the day. Also the upper back and rear shoulder to 

prevent the typical desk or drivers posture. Weight training is also 

a great starter for newbies. A gym induction typically gives you 

a personalised programme to work on as well as a demonstration 

from the gym instructor. 

alone working out when you aren’t sure what it is you’ll be doing. 

The assistance you receive after your first induction all comes 

down to the quality of the gym instructor. It all depends on the 

gym. Once again, the ‘m’ word pops up. If you loose motivation 

and stop going, other than the potential for an automated email, 

no one is there to pull you back up from your dip. 

2. HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) 

The ups: These quick bursts of all out movement prove 

wonderfully efficient, helping you drop inches whilst firming 

up. You don’t even need any equipment, and you can pick up 

hundreds of ideas for workouts from social media or Google. HIIT 

training can be done anywhere making it very efficient for those 

tight on time. 

The downs: If you haven’t practiced the exercises before or 

you think you’re particularly unfit, HIIT could be a quick route to 

the local physio. This high intensity can sometimes result in a nose 

dive of motivation especially when doing it on your own. 

The downs: Entering a gym can be quite a daunting feat, let 


Health 

3. Cardio 

The ups: Whether it be running, swimming, cycling, rowing, or 

even brisk walking, some forms of cardio mean you just have to 

step outside your front door and start moving. They all tend to act 

as a great stress reliever and many cardio lovers often talk about 

getting lost in the music or thoughts throughout their workout. 

The pace is entirely down to you too! It doesn’t matter what your 

ability, everyone can start a form of cardio, on your own or with 

people, at your own speed, in your own style. 

The downs: All forms of cardio tend to take up a lot of time, 

and again, unless you’re doing it with someone, no one is there 

to pull you back out of a streak of poor attendance. The lack of 

investment sometimes doesn’t help either. With no financial 

commitment there is even less reason for you to keep going, 

especially in the colder months. 

HIIT, weight training and cardio, are the three main candidates 

for most people when starting to look into the exercise part of 

their New Year’s resolution. But which one is best!? If you’ve 

been reading over my articles the past few months, you may 

have noticed a common theme. I believe we are looking at many 

of our health targets from the wrong angle, and I feel the same 

about our fitness mindset too. Whenever people talk to me about 

fitness or exercise, they automatically assume they have to go 

through hell to get any type of result. We all do it, that thought 

of extra energy expenditure leaves us feeling very ‘urgh’ as the 

end of the day creeps in or the thought of having to get up earlier 

just to feel uncomfortable makes hitting that snooze button all 

the more inviting. It doesn’t have to be that way! Aim to enjoy 

moving, anything is better than doing nothing. Even if you stick on 

an audio book and go for a walk, maybe you turn up to an exercise 

class and go slower than normal, or lift lighter than everyone else. 

Every exercise session does not have to be a battle. Look to enjoy 

moving and the feeling of doing something rather than nothing. 

The best type of exercise is the one you enjoy most. 

At Revolution Fitness Academy, we run over 66 sessions per 

week. We give you unlimited access to all of them and you can 

book in and out of classes straight from our app. That sorts any 

flexibility problems out. Each session has no more than eight 

people and there is a highly-qualified or experienced coach to 

take you through every minute and every bead of sweat. You also 

have your own 24/7 nutrition and support coach on hand, over 

the phone to keep you motivated and feeling good. 

Here’s the fun part, you will have no idea what you’ll be doing until 

you get there. The only thing you can be sure of is, you will be fully 

supported by the coach and anyone else in the session. Slowly 

start changing the way you look at exercise, enjoy it, experiment, 

try new things with people. Learn to enjoy moving and challenging 

yourself, then you’ll discover the most consistent form of exercise 

you’ve ever done. 

Revolution Fitness Academy 

Unit One Gym, Kempson Way 

Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7AR 

Tel: 01284 625155 

www.rev-fitness.co.uk 


Health 

Ever Done It 

In The Dark? 

Gemma and her Mum 

Julie are challenged to 

an evening session with 

Liberté Fitness 

Book your 

free 

trial session 

now! 

‘Ever done it in the dark?’ is one of the 

slogans Liberté Fitness use in its advertising 

and for me, like most, I imagine it brings a 

cheeky smile to your face. 

Liberté Fitness established over six years 

ago when group outdoor exercise classes 

were reserved for the Hyde Park brigade. 

How lucky were we that Bury St Edmunds 

attracted such a trend-setting movement in its infancy! Fast forward, and amongst the 

many ‘bootcamp’ companies out there, Liberté Fitness has kept its loyal following and has 

managed to carve out a niche amongst the crowd. “Here at Liberté Fitness we welcome 

anyone, whatever your level of fitness or age. Our instructors are great at tailoring classes 

so that they can be adapted to accommodate those who are new to exercise, have injuries 

or are super fit! We focus on team games and challenges which always add an element of 

camaraderie and fun to every session,” says Alison, of Liberté Fitness. 

I was keen to challenge Alison’s promise and had the perfect way to put that statement to 

the test. My Mum and I were going to go together for a session! 

Exercise wise, I use the gym regularly and enjoy long distance running and pushing myself. 

My Mum on the other hand, you could class as fresh meat, having never exercised before, 

but she was looking to get started. 

We met the Liberté crew at 6.45pm at Nowton Park, in the dark! I had my old trackies 

on and Mum turned up in her lovely matching pale blue tracksuit armed with fur trimmed 

leather gloves. I didn’t say anything but I knew it wouldn’t be long before the pale blue gilet 

was covered in mud and gloves were cast aside. After being warmly welcomed, we started 

the session jogging to the field, some sprinted and some powerwalked. Iain the trainer tends 

to look after people who want to work to a high intensity and Alison looks after those who 

are just starting out and maybe need to be shown what to do or given a low intensity option. 

After an hour of getting stuck in the mud, bear crawls and wrestling matches (yes actually 

wrestling), Mum and I felt great. We were exhausted, but most of all we’d had great fun. 

The sense of teamwork at Liberté is lovely; 

everyone is such great friends, so much so 

that two members of Liberté are getting 

Liberté Fitness 

Nowton Park, Bury Road, 

Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5BD 

Tel: 07788 410769 

Email: alison@libertefitness.com 

married soon! Newcomers, like Mum and 

I were warmly welcomed and the rest of 

the team were eager to see if we would 

be joining up. I’m considering it, as Liberté 

would certainly add a different and very fun 

element of exercise to my weekly routine. 


nest 

The 

Velvet’s monthly property and interiors exclusive 

contents 

Copper Feel 

Induldge in all things 

copper this winter 

Scents of Chritmas 

FIll your home with the scents 

of festive candles 

Country Christmas Crafts 

Experience the festive charm 

of Blackthorpe Barn

Interiors 

Your 

Written by Ashleigh Kerr 

HubVelvet brings you 

the latest home and 

interior trends 

Copper Feel 

Indulge in all things copper this winter 

From kitchen appliances to lighting, cushions 

to accessories, it is easy to create a stylish, 

sophisticated space with a few feature items. 

This adaptable metallic oozes warmth in the 

winter months and zesty vibrancy in the 

summer, so it’s perfect for you all year round. 

Nigella Copper Velvet 

Bolster Cushion, £40 

Laura Ashley, Cambridge 

Dualit 4 Slice Toaster 

Copper, £160, Tesco 

Newmarket 

Copper and Concrete 

Lamp, £97.99, Glasswells 


Winter is Coming 

The temperature has dropped, and 

don’t we know it! Survive the cold 

(and the high electricity bill!) with a 

wood burning stove. Designed for 

both contemporary and traditional 

interiors, they make a great feature 

in any home and are perfect for 

cosy nights in. 

Umbra Copper Meta Wall 

Clock, £50, Debenhams 


Dovre Tai 35, Cast Iron Wood 

Burning Stove, £1,345, Ivett and 

Reed, Cambridge 


Interiors 

Are you sitting comfortably? 

When it comes to picking a sofa, the options are endless 

Are you looking for comfort or style? A two seater or a three? A bucket chair or chaise 

longue? Once you’ve finally made a decision, you are then faced with the choices of which 

fabrics, leg styles and colours, cushion filling and fabric protection. A sofa can be a huge 

investment, so it is important to take your time and make the right decision. Oh, and 

testing is of course essential... 

Reflections 

Dark, dull rooms getting the better of 

you? Invest in a stylish mirror to create 

light and warmth in your space and to get 

your shine back. 

Cromwell Chesterfield Small Sofa, Newlyn Putty, 

£1,299, John Lewis, Cambridge 

Icarus Mirror, Antique Gold, £185, 

OKA, Saffron Walden 

Scents of Christmas 

Molton Brown 

Festive Frankincense 

& Apple Candle, 

£39, Molton Brown, 

Cambridge 

Jo Malone 

Miniatures 

Candle Collection 

£66, Jo Malone 

Cambridge 

Prosecco Party 

Prosecco has taken the 

world by storm and it’s 

the perfect tipple for all 

occasions. Valued for its fine, 

crisp taste and its digestible 

price tag, it is the drink to 

have these days. 

The key to great tasting 

prosecco is to keep it cold, 

and what better way than in 

a statement ice bucket that 

is guaranteed to be a talking 

point. 

NEOM 

Christmas 

Wish Candle 

£30 

John Lewis 

Cambridge 

1. Copper Pineapple Ice 

Bucket, £40, Oliver Bonas, 

Cambridge 

2. Follador Prosecco Superiore 

DOCG Torri di Credazzo, 

£14.99 for 75cl, Waitrose 


Shopping 

Country 

Christmas Crafts 

Who says that you have to travel all the way to Lapland to experience 

the true magic of Christmas? The Christmas and Craft Experience at 

Blackthorpe Barn brings all of the festive charm to Suffolk 

There’s no time of year quite like Christmas; 

the distinctive smell of fresh pine and 

spicy mulled wine, the colourful glow of 

Christmas lights, the cosy warmth of a hot 

mince pie, the booming sound of Santa’s 

voice, and the distant jingle of reindeer 

bells. 

When all these things come together 

they create an unmistakable atmosphere 

that is as unique as it is spellbinding. 

An atmosphere that is in abundance at 

Blackthorpe Barn this Christmas! 

Nestled beautifully in the woods, just 

outside Bury St Edmunds in the village of 

Rougham, this picture-perfect venue hosts 

the ultimate Christmas experience with 

a number of different attractions running 

from the end of October, right through to 

December. 

“We love Christmas at Blackthorpe Barn, 

it is a lot of hard work but just seeing the 

look on visitors’ faces and particularly the 

children’s faces, makes it all worthwhile,” 

says George Agnew, owner of Blackthorpe 

Barn and Rougham Estate. “This year we 

have searched the country to find some 

amazing new gift makers and we have found 

some totally inspiring people.” 

Right at the centre of the celebrations is 

the ever-popular Country Christmas Shop 

and British Craft weekends, offering a huge 

range of festive handmade decorations and 

gifts from some of the country’s leading 

craft makers. 

If you’re looking for something a little more 

personal, check out the ‘Make and Bake’ 

areas where you can create your very own 

gifts, decorations and tasty treats. 

The amazing Santa’s Grotto is also back 

this year to keep the kids entertained. 

Complete with hair-tingling atmospherics, 

this exciting experience will transport you to 

an enchanting land of elves, deer and a few 

added surprises - and that’s all before you 

meet Santa himself! 

Add to this the vast selection of Rougham 

Estate Christmas trees, holly, mistletoe and 

handmade wreaths for sale, as well as hot 

and cold snacks, coffee, hot chocolate and 

mulled wine from the Barn’s café and you 

really do have everything you could possibly 

need this Christmas! 

Blackthorpe Barn 

Rougham Estate, Bury St 

Edmunds, IP30 9HZ 

Tel: 01359 270238 

www.blackthorpebarn.com 


Interiors 

Ignite Your Interior 

Experiment with warm lighting, candles and soft 

furnishings to make your house a home during the 

colder months 

Pinterest: House sweet home 

1. Lovina Velour Truffle Cushion, £48, Laura Ashley, Cambridge 

2. Velvet Cushion Cover, £6.99, H&M, Bury St Edmunds 

3. Velvet Hug Gold Bean Bag, £44.99, Dunelm, Bury St Edmunds 

4. Atticus 5 Light Gold Pendant, £520, Abbeygate Lighting, Bury St Edmunds 

5. Giant Cream Lantern, £39.99, Glasswells, Bury St Edmunds 

6. Barrington Hurricane Lamp, £96, OKA, Saffron Walden 

7. Gold and Glass Votive Lantern, £15, Oliver Bonas, Cambridge 

8. Chyangra Goat Hair Cushion Cover, £78, OKA, Saffron Walden 

9. XL Jordan Lantern, £89, Marks & Spencer, Bury St Edmunds 

10. Rope Floor Lamp, £239.95, Abbeygate Lighting, Bury St Edmunds 

11. Culinary Concepts Stag antler Hurricane Lantern, £74.95, John Lewis, Cambridge 

12. Roma Throw in Ecru, £99, John Lewis, Cambridge 


Interiors 

Forget the Flat Packs this Christmas 

Make your Christmas dinner extra-special this year, 

and for many years to come with Cambridge Farmhouse Furniture 

These days, a lot of people’s idea of making furniture involves a set of instructions, an allen 

key and spending hours searching for that elusive missing washer! 

Indeed, flat pack furniture is becoming the norm and, while it may seem like the cheap 

and convenient option, you’re paying the price on quality. “The quality of the furniture is 

not great,” says Rory Sasse, owner of Cambridge Farmhouse Furniture, “many furniture 

retailers are advertising solid wood furniture, whereas in fact the the framework is solid but 

any large panel is actually veneered,” he continues. 

Rory founded Cambridge Farmhouse Furniture in 2011 with a mission to bring the quality 

back to our kitchens, dining rooms and bedrooms. The specialist team crafts bespoke, solidwood 

furniture, working closely with the customer to create the perfect finish. “Everything 

is bespoke, giving the customer the chance to have their input and choose each option to 

produce a totally unique piece of furniture”, says Rory. 

And unique is what you get with one of their made-to-measure dining room sets. You 

can choose your style of chair, table size, table leg style, paint colour and wood finish. The 

result is not only a fantastic-looking piece of personalised furniture, 

but also a piece of furniture that is built to a standard of quality that 

will last a lifetime. And on top of all that, every piece is made from 

carefully-sourced British timber, not only helping the environment, 

but keeping prices down, too. 

But why should us adults have all the fun? Country Farmhouse 

Furniture are also specialists in producing kids tables and chairs. 

The same level of personalisation is offered, and being a father 

himself, Rory understands the importance of a durable finish that will 

withstand all those years of homework and colouring-in! The result is 

a wonderful gift for your next generation that can be passed down for 

many generations to come! 

Sound like a perfect addition to your Christmas? Then you’ll be 

pleased to hear that Cambridge Farmhouse Furniture also operates 

Christmas delivery so you can rest assured that your new dining room 

set will be there in time for the turkey dinner! 

Cambridge Farmhouse Furniture 

Tel: 01638 508676 

www.cambridgefarmhousefurniture.co.uk 


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

contents 

Get a Grip This Winter 

We’ve put together a 

rundown of some of the 

best winter motors 

Dream On... 

We talk to Chloe Gimblett 

from Newmarket Motor 

Company about dream cars

Motoring 

Get a Grip 

This Winter 

There’s no denying that winter is 

coming. It won’t be long before 

our warm, green and pleasant land 

becomes a bleak and unforgiving 

icy wilderness. Well, maybe that’s 

a bit extreme, but one thing’s 

for sure, frozen nights and frosty 

mornings are going to make the 

roads a more dangerous place to 

be. With this in mind, we’ve put 

together a rundown of some of 

the best winter motors, whatever 

your style. 

City 

Fiat Panda 4x4 

Proudly dubbed by Fiat as the only 

city car with four-wheel-drive, the 

Panda looks to build on its already 

much-loved reputation. 

Its small dimensions and light weight 

make it perfect for city life, while the 

4x4 model’s extra traction means that 

it can make light work of rough and 

slippery surfaces. This combination 

ensures you keep on city slicking 

without any city slipping. 

Desira Group 

Western Way 

Bury St Edmunds IP33 3SP 

Tel: 01284 544845 

www.desira-auto.co.uk 

4x4 

SUV 

Sports 

Range Rover 

I know what you’re thinking: ‘surprise, 

surprise’, but trust us, we really, really did 

try to find a better 4x4 option! Let’s face 

it, most of us spend the vast majority of 

our driving time on-road rather than offroad, 

and with the Range Rover’s perfect 

combination of supreme luxury, space, 

and outstanding all-terrain performance, 

there simply is no better choice. 

Marshall Land Rover 

699 Newmarket Road 

Cambridge 

CB5 8SQ 

Tel: 01223 663128 

www.marshallweb.co.uk 

Maserati Levante 

If you’re looking for opulent luxury and 

unmistakable style, but in a practical and 

reliable package then the Levante is the 

one for you. 50:50 weight distribution, 

mechanical limited slip diff and smart 4x4 

system mean that it is impressive off-road 

and reliable in any conditions, but it still 

retains that all-important Italian elegance 

for which Maserati is so well renowned. 

Marshall Maserati 

Tyrrell Park 

Boongate 

Peterborough 

PE1 5PT 

Tel: 01733 823564 

www.marshallweb.co.uk 

Audi R8 

A supercar in this article? Ridiculous! 

Or is it? If you’re looking to spend that 

much money on a high-performance 

sports car, why buy something that has 

to be locked up in the garage for half the 

year? Audi’s Quattro four-wheel drive 

system makes for incredible grip meaning 

that, considering its power, the R8 offers 

an astonishingly predictable drive in any 

conditions. 

Bury St Edmunds Audi 

Skyliner Way 


IP32 7YB 

Tel: 01284 544060 

www.burystedmunds-audi.co.uk 

96 


Motoring 

Crossover 

Infiniti QX30 

This small crossover is the perfect 

choice if you’re looking for something 

a little bit different. Infiniti is the 

luxury arm of Japanese giant, Nissan, 

and although new to the UK, it has 

been selling cars in the US since 1989. 

The QX30 is built to a high standard 

featuring AWD for winter driving 

security and its stylish looks will set 

you apart from the average Joe. 

Infiniti Cambridge 

13 Swann’s Road 

Cambridge 

CB5 8JZ 

Tel: 01223 788000 

www.cambridgeinfiniti.co.uk 

Estate 

Saloon 

Hatchback 

VW Passat Alltrack 

It may look like a standard Passat, and 

after taking it for a drive you’d be forgiven 

for thinking it was! It has all the same 

space, comfort, luxury and quiet engine. 

However, the extra grip from this fourwheel 

drive Alltrack version means it is 

just as comfortable on gravel tracks as 

it is on the tarmac, giving you that allimportant 

added security in the snow. 

Vindis Volkswagen 

383 Milton Road 

Cambridge 

CB4 1SR 

Tel: 01223 581574 

www.vindisgroup.com 

BMW 3 Series xDrive 

The BMW 3-Series has already got the 

reputation of being top of its game in the 

super-competitive world of saloons. Its 

solid handling and great looks set it apart, 

but the rear-wheel drive train might be 

a bit lively in icy conditions. The answer? 

BMW’s xDrive four-wheel drive option. 

Although more expensive, it will pay 

dividends during the winter months. 

Elms BMW 

Sheepfold Lane, 

Cambourne, 

Cambridge 

CB23 6EF 

Tel: 08443 267249 

www.elmscambridgebmw.co.uk 

Mercedes A-Class 4MATIC 

We just can’t get enough of this great 

hatchback. Not only is the top-spec 

version the fastest on the market, its 

overall styling is beautifully subtle, its 

practicality and interior space gives 

everyday convenience, and the Mercedes 

4MATIC four-wheel drive system offers 

not only excellent all-round handling, but 

also extra reliability in colder climes. 

Mercedes-Benz of Cambridge 

Barnwell Road 

Cambridge 

CB5 8SH 

Tel: 01223 401100 

www.mercedes-benzofcambridge.co.uk 


Motoring 

dream on... 

Article by Chloe Gimblett of Newmarket Motor Company 

Newmarket Motor Company 

Exning Road, Newmarket, CB8 0EA 

Tel: 01638 666404 

www.newmarketmotorcompany.co.uk 

It is always entertaining to dream about the kind of car you would 

like to buy for pleasure. I see lots of sports cars at Newmarket 

Motor Company, from Porsches, Aston Martins, BMWs, Audis, 

Fords, you name it. There are however some great saloons and 

coupés around too which are equally exciting to drive and practical. 

It would be lovely to have a range of cars for different occasions but 

that is not realistic for most of us. I love ‘hot hatches’ like VW Golf 

GTIs. They’re great to drive, safe, reliable and have enough style to 

be desirable. But there are cars like the Volvo XC 90 which is just 

lovely to drive. It’s not a sports car but they are lively, handle well 

and are supremely comfortable, rather like a luxury room on wheels. 

So what makes us feel our car is desirable is an interesting question, 

is it how we feel about our car or is it how we feel others react to 

our car and what it says about us? 

I would like to know what readers feel makes a car desirable. 

The other challenge is finding and buying your dream car. We are 

often asked to find cars for customers and handing over the chore 

of finding the right car to a trusted dealership makes a lot of sense. 

We have lots of contacts who can help us to find your perfect car 

and of course we know exactly what to look for to ensure any car 

sourced for a customer is the best one available for their budget. 

This way of buying a car will save you time and money and helps 

remove some of the risk too. 

If you are having problems locating the right car for you, please 

get in touch with me and I am sure we can help. In fact we can find 

most vehicles, not just cars but vans too. Recently we have sourced 

Aston Martins, Range Rovers, Porsches, Volvo XC 90s, Fiat 500s 

and a Toyota Yaris. Finally, thank you for the very positive response 

to our car club idea. Please get in touch to let us know your 

thoughts on the kind of motoring events we could arrange. Perhaps 

even more importantly we would like to know your ideas for a social 

event; after all Christmas is coming… 

98 


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

Velvet Magazine November 2016

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