Leamington and Warwick Living May - Jun 2021

Contents 

A Note 

from the EDITOR 

07 

Back 

A Culinary Journey through 

to Basics - perfect egg recipes 

Northern Ireland 

The competition 

page returns 

04 

At last, as I write, we are hopefully 

nearing the end of the restriction 

tunnel. We should proceed 

with caution, but the tantalising 

glimpses of life returning to normal 

are just great to savour. 

The past year has been fraught with 

challenges, but hasn’t it been filled 

with learning too? Of our resilience, 

our adaptability and of course, a big 

old beacon shining on the things 

that really matter. It’s hard to think 

it’s been over a year since we went 

into the first lockdown - I naively 

thought it would be a month or 

two. Here we are, more than 365 

days on - a little battle weary, but all 

the wiser. But, it’s shaped us - and 

shaped the way we make our little 

magazine too! 

First up, we’ve got some tasty egg 

recipes which will take you right 

back to nailing those basics, plus 

some ideas on how to take them to 

the next level. 

How can your 

garden grow? 

13 

Key Account Manager Marion Cassidy 

e marion@minervapublications.co.uk 

d/l 01225 984502 

twitter: @LeamingtonLive 

Editor Katie Thomson 

e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk 

Building in 

22 

conservation areas 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Pre-Press Manager Kate O’Connell 

Contributors Rebecca Rose, Peter Thomson, Sue Cooke, Matthew Biggs 

Angela Cave and Pete Lawrence. Front cover courtesy of Clarence Court Eggs 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS HQ 

Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, Hilperton 

Trowbridge BA14 6JB 

t 01225 984 550 

visit our website www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be held liable for any loss occasioned by failure of an 

advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions and 

misprints. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission from the 

publishers. The opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the publishers. 

Then we are focusing on the 

garden - the hub of our social 

lives over the last few months! It’s 

also a necessary extension of our 

living space, so with that in mind 

we’ve gathered together lots of 

inspiration to help you perfect your 

space. 

Finally, we are bringing back our 

very popular competition page 

- this issue it has nearly £1,500 

worth of prizes! You can enter 

all the ones listed on the page, 

plus some web-exclusives at 

minervamagazines.co.uk - you 

can also opt into being the first to 

hear about new giveaways when 

they are launched. 

All that’s left for me to say is, enjoy 

this edition and keep on truckin’ - 

the end really is in sight. So, a big 

social-distanced-virtual-Zoom hug 

from us all at Minerva, and see you 

again in July. 

Katie 

Katie 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

COMPETITION 

Time 

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barbecue food remains juicy and tender on the inside. 

To enter any (or all!) of our competitions, head to 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions. 

Find the competition and enter on that post, 

using the appropriate keyword. 

T&C’s apply and no cash alternatives available. Winners chosen at 

random - entries made after closing date will not be accepted. 

Char-Broil gas 

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Closes 30/05/2021 - Competition keyword ‘CHAR’ 

Skincare and 

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The winner will receive a special 

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head collection, a Relaxing 

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two runners up will each receive 

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Then visit Larkswold in the 

Cotswolds and experience 

their amazing scented candle 

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There are plenty of dates to 

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Also included is a stretch hose, Spinscrub hand 

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We’ve got one to win worth £299.99 including a 

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4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

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BACK TO 

Perfect egg recipes for every 

chef’s repertoire - all from the 

egg-sperts...Clarence Court 

Basics 

Now, first things first - you need to 

nail the basics - that is, perfect runny 

poached eggs and dippy boiled eggs. 

Always start with the freshest possible 

eggs, then... 

PERFECTLY POACHED 

Two must do tips before you start - add 

at least 1 tsp light coloured vinegar to 

your water. The second is to sieve your 

egg. When you crack an egg you’ll notice 

that there’s a firmer white and a more 

liquidy white. Well, that liquidy white is 

what creates all those white wispy bits. 

So add the egg to a fine mesh sieve/ 

strainer and the thinner, more liquid white 

is removed, leaving only the firmer white 

which will envelop the yolk. 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then 

reduce to low (or turn off the heat). Crack 

the egg in a fine mesh sieve (over a small 

bowl) and remove the liquidy whites. For 

a firm white and runny yolk you’ll want to 

poach the eggs for 3-4 minutes. 

DELIGHTFULLY DIPPY 

The timing here is based on using room 

temperature eggs. For a set white with a 

runny yolk, you want to boil for four-five 

minutes. Poke a hole in the top of the 

eggs with a needle or egg-puncher before 

you start. 

THOMAS FRAKE’S 

PORK HOLSTEIN 

Holstein usually uses white veal, but you 

can use pork, chicken or turkey. This 

recipe uses tenderised pork loin, breaded 

and fried in butter until golden, and then 

finished with chopped anchovies and 

capers in butter. A Braddock White egg 

is essential to finishing the dish as it 

provides a rich golden yolk that becomes 

the luxurious sauce. 

Preparation time: 30 minutes 

Cooking time: 12 minutes 

Serves: 2 

INGREDIENTS 

2 pork loin steaks 

100g flour 

1 Clarence Court egg 

100g Panko breadcrumbs 

25g parmesan, grated 

50g salted butter 

25ml rapeseed oil 

4 Clarence Court Braddock White Duck 

eggs 

4 anchovies, finely chopped 

20g capers 

Ingredients for the pickled cabbage: 

¼ white cabbage 

½ Bramley apple 

90ml white wine vinegar 

30g sugar 

10g fennel seeds 

METHOD 

Bring the vinegar, sugar and fennel seeds 

to the boil and remove from the heat. 

Finely shred the cabbage and apple and 

submerge into the vinegar. Leave to cool, 

then refrigerate. 

Flatten the pork with a rolling pin until 

5mm thick. Grate parmesan into the 

breadcrumbs. Dredge the pork in flour, 

then egg, then breadcrumbs, and repeat. 

In a deep frying pan, heat the butter and 

rapeseed oil on a mid-low heat until 

foaming. Fry the pork for 3 minutes a side, 

or until golden and crisp, being careful 

not to burn. Remove from the frying pan 

to a tray, spoon over some of the hot 

butter,and keep warm in a low oven. 

Fry the eggs in a little oil until the white is 

cooked but the yolk is still liquid. 

Add the pork Holstein to the plate, spoon 

over the capers and very finely chopped 

anchovies. Add the fried egg on top and 

the pickled cabbage alongside. 

SWEETCORN CHILLI 

FRITTERS 

Sweet and spicy crunchy corn fritters are 

a fantastic carrier for Burford Brown eggs 

and fresh guacamole. 

Preparation time: 20 minutes 


Cooking time: 15 minutes 

Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

1 small can of sweetcorn, drained 

(approx. 198g) 

6 spring onions, trimmed and sliced 

50g courgette, coarsely grated 

50g carrot, peeled, coarsely grated 

A small bunch fresh coriander, leaves 

picked and stalks finely chopped 

1 red or green chilli, de-seeded and 

chopped 

2 limes 

½ teaspoon smoked paprika 

Salt and pepper 

60g self-raising flour 

5 Clarence Court Burford Brown eggs 

50 ml milk 

2 ripe avocadoes 

10 cherry tomatoes 

Olive oil 

METHOD 

Drain the sweet corn and add to a 

mixing bowl with 3 sliced spring onions, 

grated courgette, carrot, sliced coriander 

stalks, half the chopped chilli and a few 

scrapings of lime zest. Mix together and 

then add the paprika, season well with 

salt and pepper then stir in the flour. 

Crack one egg into a separate bowl, 

whisk then pour into the grated mix with 

the milk. Mix well and place to one side. 

Peel and de-stone the avocadoes, chop 

the flesh and scoop into a bowl. Chop 

the tomatoes and add with the remaining 

sliced spring onion, chopped chilli, 

roughly chop a few coriander leaves, 

squeeze over the lime juice and add a 

splash of olive oil. Season well, stir and 

place to one side. 

Poach the 4 eggs to your liking and use 

a slotted spoon to place them in a bowl 

of cold water. Keep the cooking water on 

the hob on a low heat so you can re-heat 

the eggs when ready. 

Place a large frying pan on a medium 

heat. Add enough olive oil to make a 

thin layer. Test the oil is hot enough by 

dropping a spoon of mixture into the 

pan if it bubbles it’s good to go. Add 

spoonfuls of batter into the pan and fry 

on both sides until golden. Use a fish 

slice to transfer to a plate lined with 

kitchen roll and then on to warm serving 

plates. Repeat until all the mixture has 

gone. Re-heat the eggs in the pan of 

simmering water and place on top of the 

fritters. Divide up the guacamole and 

scatter over the coriander leaves. 

FRESH EGG PASTA 

DOUGH 

You can either eat it straightaway or air dry 

a batch and then store it in an airtight jar 

for another day. To make a truly rich and 

bright pasta dough, use only egg yolks 

(not the whites) in the dough, at a ratio of 2 

egg yolks to 100g Tipo 00 pasta flour. 

INGREDIENTS 

4 Large Burford Brown eggs 

400g Tipo 00 pasta flour 

METHOD 

If using a food processor, crack in the 

eggs and tip in the pasta flour. Pulse a 

few times until it comes together like 

thick breadcrumbs. If it’s looking quite 

dry add a tiny splash of water or olive oil 

and pulse a couple more times. Tip the 

dough out on a clean work surface and 

knead well for a few minutes until it feels 

springy and quite firm. Shape the dough 

into a disc and wrap in cling film, and 

then place in the fridge to rest for around 

an hour. 

If you’re making the dough by hand, 

make a mound of flour on a clean work 

surface and then make a well in the 

flour. Crack the eggs into the middle 

and use a dinner knife to incorporate 

the flour gently into the centre and 

whisk it into the eggs. Continue mixing 

in the flour and then use your hands to 

combine everything together and form 

a rough dough. If it’s feeling a little dry 

just sprinkle over a little water or olive 

oil and start kneading. Knead well for a 

few minutes until the dough feels springy 

and quite firm. Shape into a disc as 

before. The dough is now ready for you 

to roll and shape as you prefer. 


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Dining at Mallory Court Hotel 

Our hotel and dining will be open from Monday 17th May! 

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13_04_2021- Leamington_and_Warwick_Living - Mallory Court.indd 1 www.minervamagazines.co.uk 12/04/2021 15:36 | 11

DIGITAL CONCERT 

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12 | Living-Magazine-153x110-02-A.indd www.minervamagazines.co.uk 1 06/04/2021 22:31

HOW CAN YOUR GARDEN 

GROW 

In these strange and unprecedented times, 

our gardens have never been more important. 

They have been the meeting place of 

family and friends and a real saviour in the 

face of so much difficulty. Whether you 

have green fingers or black thumbs, we 

have lots of inspiration for your space and 

ways to make it work harder for you! 

Image from OKA 


We look forward to seeing you again 

12th April 2021 

Come and see our lovely new range of clothing. Over the last 10 years we 

have increased the clothes range in the Gifts & Interiors Shop 

and are now very excited to introduce our new Spring/Summer season. 

We are alsofully stocked with lovely accessories, gifts and beautiful interior 

design ideas for the home. 

Hillers Gifts & Interiors is part of the award winning Hillers Farm Shop. It is run by fourth 

generation sisters Sally and Emma who are at the forefront of this busy, flourishing Farm 

Shop with so much more. The Farm Shop has an array of fantastic homemade products 

and many other delicious items that are carefully selected from specialist suppliers to 

bring their customers the very best in fresh, quality produce that is sourced locally 

wherever possible. Within the Farm Shop, there is a delicatessen and well stocked 

cheese counter, Ragley Estate Meats and Hillers Fish Shop and onsite there is The 

Garden Restaurant, Gifts & Interiors and Garden Shop, really something for everyone. 

Visit Hillers, a family run enterprise that is passionate about bringing g you the best in 

quality local produce and customer service that's second to none! 

So 

whether you want to browse in the award winning Farm Shop, enjoy a delicious meal 

in 

the Restaurant, walk round the beautiful Display Garden or find the perfect outfit or 

a 

gift for that special someone, visit Hillers where you'll be assured of a warm welcome 

NOW OPEN 

Hillers Farm Shop, Garden & Plant Centre with beautiful display gardens 

and The Hillers Hut for takeaway food & drink.

IDEAS FOR 

SMALL GARDENS 

LET THERE 

BE LIGHTS 

Small gardens have a lot more potential than you may 

appreciate. Whether dealing with a long narrow space 

behind a period home, a cramped backyard that lacks 

privacy, or even a little courtyard, the possibilities are 

endless. So don’t write off your small outdoor area just yet... 

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GROW? 

Are you hoping to grow cut flowers, your favourite herbs, 

or a few vegetables? When space is limited, it is especially 

important to determine which of these are worth growing 

yourself, and which are better to purchase seasonally from 

your local farmer’s market or shop. Focus on growing 

flowers and produce that are usually expensive, hard to 

find, have a short shelf life, or you use regularly. 

CREATE SEATING WITHIN BORDERS 

A great idea is to add seating to the edges of raised beds 

- it makes otherwise unused space a flexible element for 

socialising. Sleepers are a great option, or patio slabs on 

small diving walls. Have a folding bistro table on hand to 

create a dining area where needed. 

MAKING YOUR OWN GARDEN 

LIGHTING PLAN 

Garden lighting usually serves two purposes. Firstly to 

provide functional light and secondly to create an attractive 

atmosphere. Here is how to plan your space: 

STEP 1: SKETCH YOUR GARDEN AREA 

Sketch your garden area as close to scale as possible. Indicate 

important areas of your garden such as the terrace, seating 

area or other garden features you wish to illuminate. 

STEP 2: CONSIDER WHAT AREAS NEED THE 

MOST LIGHTING 

Decide which areas in your garden need the most lighting. Are 

there certain parts of your garden that you wish to have more 

atmospheric lighting? Or are there certain areas that need 

more functional bright light? Is an extra lamp needed outside 

your front door? Indicate these places on your plan. 

STEP 3: DETERMINE THE TYPE OF LIGHTING NEEDED 

Think about what kind of lighting is best for the areas that you 

have outlined. Think about how much light intensity you will 

need. Decide whether you want functional or mood lighting. 

Are you looking to highlight a particular tree or shrubs? 

Consider alternating between bright light and softer lights to 

create a beautiful effect. 

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX 

What about vertical gardens? Railing planters? Hanging 

baskets for strawberries? 

CREATE PRIVACY 

You may not have room for large evergreen trees and 

shrubs to create privacy. But, would a row of one of the 

many columnar varieties that provide height—without 

the width—work? If only seasonal screening is needed, 

perhaps narrow, columnar, deciduous trees or shrubs 

would be suitable? Or perhaps growing well-behaved 

climbers (e.g. jasmine or annual vines) on a vertical trellis 

would be the best solution. 

ADD A WATER FEATURE 

Water features are always a great addition to a garden. 

While a pond and waterfall may not be realistic, a simple 

recirculating wall fountain or bubbling tabletop pot may be 

the answer. 

MAKE EVERY SQUARE INCH COUNT 

Focus on high-value trees, shrubs, and perennials that 

offer multiple seasons of interest with attractive leaves, 

seasonal flowers, unique textures, colourful bark and/or 

great autumnal colour. 

STEP 4: DETERMINE THE LIGHT DIREC- 

TION FOR EACH LIGHT POINT 

Also figure out the direction your light needs to face 

to achieve your desired light effect. Are you wanting 

to uplight a fence or wall? Are you looking to 

illuminate the driveway with a recessed ground 

spot and if that is the case, do you need the 

light to be fixed shining upwards or adjustable 

so the you can direct the light yourself? 

Advice from 

www.lampandlight.co.uk 

Festoon lights 

and solar powers 

lanterns, from 

Lights4Fun.co.uk 


KEEP THE COLOUR PALETTE 

SIMPLE 

Two or three colours in varying shades, 

together with green, will be less visually 

cluttered than a jelly-bean-like explosion. 

CREATE A SENSE OF ORDER 

Clean lines bring an orderly feel to the 

garden. A clear rectilinear design can 

define spaces, while flowing organic 

curves can be used to soften awkward 

angles. 

Image from Colin Poole 

CREATE SECTIONS 

This garden has three sections, all with 

clear individual purposes – making 

the space feel bigger because of the 

multifunctional uses. The top level 

features a patio, which is bathed in 

morning sunshine. A central seating area 

made for socialising and the bottom 

deck houses a water feature. Then there’s 

the homeowner’s ‘she shed’. 

USE THE DIAGONAL AXIS 

A typical new build garden is often wide 

but shallow. Looking straight across the 

back garden therefore emphasises the 

shortest dimension. Alter the perspective 

by turning the patio, planting beds, and 

sight lines 45-degrees to line up with the 

diagonal axis, creating the illusion of a 

much larger space. 

LOOK FOR COMPACT PLANTS 

Choose plants that won’t overwhelm 

the ground plane, but don’t be afraid to 

include moderate sized or columnar trees 

to achieve the appropriate scale. 

Image from Moda 

Furnishings 

SOCIABLE 

SEATING 

Image from Dobbies 

Corner sofas are a great addition to the garden, 

extending the feel of living space outside. We 

love options with room to lounge, but also those 

with interchangeable tables which allow for 

dining, making the space more versatile. Opt for 

neutral colours and style with cushions so you 

can freshen up the look any time. 

To increase the usability of the space through 

the year and intothe cooler evenings, some 

element of heating is wise. We love the options 

from Moda Furnishings, which have either gas 

fireplaces within the table, or the pure theatre 

of an inset grill and corresponding ice bucket 

for drinks - you need never leave the table! 

Patio heaters have also come a long way in 

design and functionality. 


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Image from OKA 

ADD SOFTNESS 

The modern garden should 

cry out to be sat in - it 

should cosset and relax 

- like an extension of the 

living room. To achieve 

this, it’s important to 

add soft elements. 

Remembering that on 

the whole, gardens 

are hard spaces in their 

bones - but by layering 

textiles, materials and 

different seating options, we 

can create something really 

rather special. 

As 

well as textiles, 

take care to 

look at the ways your 

hard landscaping interacts with 

your soft landscaping - that is, 

your decking, patio, walls with 

your planting and lawns. Lots 

of texture and softness can be 

added with the careful selection 

of plants and trees - you want 

movement in the wind and tactile 

elements. 

THE LIFE AQUATIC 

Adding water to the garden can be one of the best things to do for 

your mental health. Here are a few things to consider: 

CONSIDER THE MOOD YOU ARE TRYING TO CREATE 

Water can play many roles in the garden, so it is good to be clear 

about the different atmospheres you want to achieve. For instance, 

a swimming pool or natural swimming pond could create a wonderful 

social space in a family garden, while an ornamental water feature 

could make a dramatic focal point in a smaller, urban plot. 

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MAKE SURE YOUR WATER FEATURE RELATES TO THE 

STYLE OF THE HOUSE 

Design detailing and choice of materials are an essential part of 

good garden design, but they are particularly important in smaller 

gardens, where water features might need to be sited close to a 

property. Water features can look completely out of place if they 

have no relation to the character of the house or the design of the 

garden that surrounds them. Use materials to reflect the other 

elements in the garden, such as paths and walls, and match the 

colour and tone of the materials to that of the building so they 

don’t jar and make for an uncomfortable setting. 

REMEMBER THAT DIFFERENT MATERIALS CREATE 

DIFFERENT SOUNDS WHEN WATER FALLS ONTO OR 

RUNS OVER THEM 

We all see and experience the sound of water very differently. It’s 

a very personal experience and you need to explore what it is that 

appeals to you about different sounds and what you might find 

distracting. Metal for example, can create quite a harsh sound if 

water falls onto it directly, but it will sound completely different if 

water falls down it vertically. 


SIZE REALLY DOES MATTER 

When viewing a pond or reflective surface, 

the more water you can see the bigger 

impact it will have, so don’t stint on size. 

Remember that if your pool or water 

feature is surrounded by planting, then the 

visible surface of water reduces further. 

PLAY WITH THE JOURNEY 

Think about the journey that water could 

take around your garden and unusual ways 

to capture it. Playing with the passage 

of water provides a wonderful interest in 

the garden. This is especially exciting for 

children and encourages outdoor play, 

exploration and creativity. Movement 

also helps to keep water clean and avoid 

stagnation as it heats up, especially in more 

open areas. Also consider where the water 

might be captured from, such as roofs or 

drainpipes. Introducing something like a 

rain chain is a great way to add interest and 

allows you to see the water run from the 

roof down the chain into the garden below. 

BE HONEST ABOUT THE 

TIME YOU CAN COMMIT TO 

MAINTENANCE 

Filtration systems can minimise 

maintenance required to keep water fresh, 

but remember a shallow pool of water is 

more likely to go green over time than a 

deeper water pool and don’t forget water 

can become hot and dry out in certain 

conditions, too, so you might need to top 

it up over time. 

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BUILDING IN A 

CONSERVATION 

AREA 

Just because your home 

is not listed, does not 

mean there might be 

restrictions in place from 

Conservation Area laws. 

Here the HomeOwners 

Alliance tell us what 

we should be aware 

of if planning home 

improvements which may 

fall outside of permitted 

development... 

WHAT IS A CONSERVATION 

AREA? 

These are designated areas of historic 

and architectural interest in which there 

are legal restrictions on what changes 

can be made to buildings, greenery and 

street furniture in order to preserve the 

unique character of the place. The first 

conservation areas were established in 

1967 and now there are around 10,000 in 

the UK including estates, parks, stretches 

of canal, historic town centres and some 

entire villages. 

The precise restrictions on what you can 

do will vary according to the rules set 

by your local authority and the nature 

of the area they are trying to protect. 

For example in some areas the rules 

might prevent changes to railings, street 

lighting, trees, windows, right down to the 

colour of paint that residents are allowed 

to use on their front doors. 

WHAT ARE THE PLANNING RE- 

STRICTIONS FOR HOMES IN A 

CONSERVATION AREA? 

Local authorities place extra restrictions 

on properties within conservation areas 

known as ‘Article 4 Directions’. These 

limit the changes that home owners 

would otherwise be able to make to their 

properties under their normal ‘permitted 

development rights’. These rights govern 

the home improvements that property 

owners are usually allowed to make 

without requiring planning permission. 

If you live in a conservation area, these 

automatic rights are more limited. 

You should speak to your local planning 

authority and look on its website in order 

to find out what specific restrictions apply 

to the conservation area that you live in. 

However the general rules are that you 

cannot, without permission, demolish: 

• A building that is more than 115 

cubic metres 

• A gate, wall or fence that is over 1 

metre if it borders the road or higher 

than 2 metres if not. 

You would also need permission for the 

following alterations 

• A single storey extensions that 

extend more than 3 metres beyond 

the back wall of the house or 4 

metres if the house is detached 

• Extensions greater than one storey 

“Local authorities place extra restrictions on 

properties within conservation areas known as 

‘Article 4 Directions’. These limit the changes that 

home owners would otherwise be able to make to 

their properties under their normal ‘permitted 

development rights’.” 

• Side extensions 

• Roof extensions or alterations 

• Cladding in any material 

• Any new construction of sheds, 

outbuildings, swimming pools. 

• The installation of chimneys, flues 

or vents at the front of the house or 

at the side if it faces the road 

• Installing satellite dishes or 

antennae that face the road. 

• Fitting solar panels to the front 

of the roof facing the street than 

150mm from the roof slope. 

• Fitting solar panels that protrude by 

more than 150mm from the roof 

In addition your local authority may 

have imposed specific rules on the 

conservation area that you live in so it 

is vital to check these. Such rules could 

prevent you from: 

• Replacing original windows or 

doors 

• Altering the guttering or pipes 

• Felling trees or shrubs 

• Painting the facade or changing the 

colour of window frames and doors 

WHERE CAN I GET ADVICE 

ON CARRYING OUT BUILDING 

WORK WITHOUT BREAKING 

THE RULES? 

Speak to your local planning authority at 

an early stage and talk through your plans 

to find out if they are likely to require 

planning permission. If you do need to 

apply for permission, you could get your 

builder, architect or a planning consultant 

to submit an application on your behalf. 

Find out more at www.hoa.org.uk 


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Living at Priors House is all about quality of life. Every 

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GET SET - BAKE! 

Dust off your baking bowls 

and whip out your whisks for 

Alzheimer’s Society’s Cupcake Day! 

Alzheimer’s Society’s Cupcake Day is back 

for its sixth year running, so it’s time to heat 

up your ovens, grab the over ripe bananas 

and get involved on the 17 June 2021. 

Communities are being called on to unite 

against dementia this June by signing up 

for Alzheimer’s Society’s Cupcake Day. Join 

together with families, friends, neighbours 

and colleagues to help raise vital funds to 

beat dementia. 

Last year saw a huge rise in people baking, 

and with more time being spent at home 

practicing tray bakes and lemon drizzles to 

perfection, there has never been a better 

time to support the 850,000 people living 

with dementia in the UK. 

The UK’s leading dementia charity is 

encouraging everyone to get involved in 

Cupcake Day after a devastating year for 

people affected by dementia. Over a quarter 

of all Covid-19 deaths in the UK were 

people living with dementia, thousands 

have faced an increase in symptoms and 

mental health decline, and it’s been a heartbreaking 

time for families, who have either 

been cut off from loved ones or facing a 

lack of respite from caring duties. 

Podcaster, writer, and former 2019 Great 

British Bake Off contestant Michael 

Chakraverty is among those putting his 

support behind Cupcake Day and is 

encouraging people to get involved to help 

Alzheimer’s Society stop dementia in its 

tracks. 

Get your baking bowls at the ready. Sign 

up for Cupcake Day here: www.alzheimers. 

org.uk/cupcake-day. Meanwhile try this 

delicious recipe. 

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes 

Makes 12 

125g unsalted butter, softened 

250g caster sugar 

grated zest of 1 lemon 

2 eggs, beaten 

150g self-raising flour 

2 tbsp milk 

3-4 tbsp lemon curd 

2 egg whites 

• Preheat the oven to 180°C, 160°C fan, 

Gas mark4. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with 

paper cases. 

• Place the butter, 150g of the sugar and 

lemon zest in a bowl and cream together 

until light and fluffy. 

• Add the eggs, flour and milk and mix to a 

smooth batter. 

• Spoon the batter into the paper cases and 

bake for 20-22 minutes, until springy to the 

touch. Leave to cool on a cooling rack. 

• Using a teaspoon, spoon out a hole about 

1 cm deep in the middle of each cupcake. 

Spoon 1 tsp of the lemon curd into each 

hole. 

• Whisk the egg whites until stiff then 

gradually whisk in the remaining sugar, a 

little at a time, until you have thick glossy 

meringue. 

• Spoon the meringue onto the top of each 

cake, adding spikes with a fork or the back 

of the spoon. 

• Cook the meringue either with a chef’s 

blowtorch, or under a hot grill - keep an eye 

as they can burn very quickly! 

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Top tips to step back to normality 

Dr Hilary Jones provides useful tips regarding moving forward during the pandemic 

Many of us have spent the past year in the 

comfort of our own homes, establishing 

a work routine from our bedrooms or 

living rooms, adapting exercise and diet 

regimes, and finding alternative ways to 

communicate with friends and family. 

Lockdown created a welcome slow-down 

for many people, allowing us to reflect on 

our fast-paced lives and spend more time 

looking after ourselves. As restrictions 

gradually ease and more freedoms are 

granted, it may lead you to feel conflicting 

emotions, so to help during this confusing 

time, I have provided my top tips to step 

back into normality, including: 

Go at your own pace 

Take time for yourself 

Reconnect with loved ones 

Get enough sleep 

Put your health first and get regular check 

ups 

Although friends and family may be 

excited for their COVID bubbles to burst 

as measures begin to loosen, it is normal if 

you feel overwhelmed and anxious at the 

thought of slowly returning back to your 

hectic pre-COVID life. 

My top tip 

Try to take each step at a time - you don’t 

have to jump straight back into your old 

routine. If going on a walk is enough for 

one day, stick with it, but try to build on 

this every day. Perhaps meet up with 

a friend or grab a coffee from the local 

shop - stepping out of your comfort zone, 

gradually and responsibly, can help reestablish 

a routine that works for you. 

Take time for yourself 

As we adjust to yet another big change, 

it’s more important than ever to look after 

30 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

ourselves and take note of how we are 

feeling. You may think you have taken too 

much time for yourself over the last year, 

however, as life picks up its pace again, 

it is likely you will crave more me-time, 

so be conscious to allow yourself these 

moments. 

My top tip 

Think about an activity that is just for 

you – for example reading a book before 

bed, taking a bath, or watching a movie. 

Practising mindfulness by taking 5 minutes 

every day to focus on your breath is an 

exercise that can help you feel relaxed, 

ease anxiety and enable you to focus on 

the present, giving yourself the time that 

you need. 

Reconnect with loved ones 

Communicating with others can help keep 

our spirits up, lessen feelings of isolation 

and anxiety, and make new memories. 

The pandemic has made it difficult for 

the majority of us to connect with friends 

and family, with most interaction having 

taken place at a social distance or behind 

a screen, so it is an exciting feeling being 

able to reunite with those close to you once 

more. 

My top tip 

As you begin to reconnect with your loved 

ones, be attentive to any changes in their 

health - you are much more likely to notice 

any changes than they are, especially if 

you haven’t seen them for a while. Have 

you noticed your family member or friend 

having difficulty following the conversation, 

for example? Then suggest they get their 

hearing tested - Hidden Hearing’s 5-minute 

online hearing test – available at www. 

campaignforbetterhearing.co.uk can 

provide an immediate insight into how well 

they are hearing. 

Thanks to the support of The National 

Campaign for Better Hearing, you or your 

loved one could be nominated to receive a 

top of the range hearing aid. 

Get enough sleep 

You will probably find your sleeping pattern 

change as our day-to-day activities get 

busier. Going back to work, doing more 

exercise and socialising will have a bigger 

impact on our energy levels than we might 

think, so getting enough rest is key. 

My top tip 

Try to stick to a regular sleeping routine, 

going to sleep and waking up at a similar 

time each day, and aim for at least eight 

hours sleep a night. If you struggle to get 

some shut eye, reduce screen time, avoid 

caffeine before bed and exercise regularly. 

Put your health first by having 

regular check ups 

Your health may have taken a backseat 

during the pandemic, and you may not 

have had your regular health checks, such 

as going to the dentist or getting your 

eyesight and hearing tested. However, 

it is important to take the initiative and 

book these appointments so that you can 

fully enjoy life’s magical moments postlockdown. 

My top tip 

As restrictions ease and summer comes 

along, you want to be able to absorb your 

senses to feel connected to the world 

around you once more – including hearing 

the birds outside, people watching in the 

bustling streets, and ordering that long 

awaited drink at your local pub. Prioritise 

your hearing health by booking a free 

hearing test at your local Hidden Hearing 

centre - call 0800 037 2060 or visit www. 

hiddenhearing.co.uk/hidden-hearing

Leamington and Warwick Living May - Jun 2021

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