Bristol Living Dec 2022 - Jan 2023

YOUR FREE COPY DECEMBER 2022/JANUARY 2023 

Bristol 

NEW YEAR 

NEW HOME 

If 2023 heralds a move, we 

have a practical guide 

LIVING 

Historic 

CHRISTMAS 

AT THE SS GREAT BRITAIN 

FESTIVE 

FANCIES 

Delicious alternatives to 

Christmas pudding 

WIN 

AN ADULT AND 

CHILD BIKE DUO, A 

SMART WASHING 

MACHINE, A 

£400 CHRISTMAS 

HAMPER AND 

MORE! 

A LIFESTYLE JOURNAL FOR THE CITY OF BRISTOL

Say 

to gifts 

that make 

memories 

From pottery making 

in Bristol, to wine 

tasting in Bath. 

Find Christmas gifts 

for everyone at 

yuup.co

CONTENTS 

04 COMPETITIONS 

The competition page you don’t want to miss - 

with lots of goodies to win this edition 

09 GIFT GUIDE 

Perfect presents for everyone on 

your gift list this year 

12 EDUCATION 

If you are considering boarding school, we 

chat to the Boarding Schools Association 

18 FESTIVE FANCIES 

Delicious dessert alternatives if you are not 

a fan of a Christmas pudding 

26 HOMEMOVING GUIDE 

Top tips if you are planning to move 

home in the New Year 

32 BEAUTY HOT LIST 

Our pick of beauty and hair products to 

lift the winter gloom 

A NOTE FROM THE 

EDITOR 

I do hope you’re ready for some festive fun - because 

this edition is coming in with (sleigh) bells on! After 

so many years of disrupted celebrations, it’s great to 

be able to look forward to some normality and really 

get into the spirit. 

Before I launch into what is coming up - I want to 

apologise for a recipe mistake in the last edition - we 

misprinted a recipe for a spicy dahl - the correct 

method is available on www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

should you wish to make the dish. 

Right...this issue - first up we’ve got some delicious 

recipes - if you aren’t a fan of Christmas pudding (I’m 

in your camp) we’ve got lots of alternatives to keep 

everyone happy! 

The competition section in this edition is a real 

bonanza - we’ve got an adult and child bike duo, 

a smart washing machine, 2 x £150 vouchers for 

cashmere clothes and accessories, a deluxe hamper 

and family fun at the Sea Life centre all to be won! 

EDITOR Katie Thomson 

e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk 

PUBLISHER Sally Thomson 

ASSISTANT EDITOR Kate Norris 

KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER Tessa Welbourn 

e tessa@minervapublications.co.uk | t 01225 984 551 

CONTRIBUTORS Rebecca Rose, Pete Lawrence 

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. 

Address: Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, Hilperton BA14 6JB 

This is all alongside our usual dose of school, home, 

garden and later life advice. 

I hope you enjoy this issue and have some time in 

the coming months to take pause and reflect on the 

year - the passing of a much loved monarch, but a 

host of new beginnings - we will have the first King’s 

Christmas speech this year to punctuate our own 

celebrations. However you spend the festive season, 

I, and the rest of the team here, wish you a very 

happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year - see you 

in February! 

Katie 

Front cover courtesy of SS Great Britain 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

COMPETITION 

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. 

WIN Bobbin, the 

A SET OF PARENT London based 

AND CHILD independent 

bike retailer 

MATCHING offers a 

VINTAGE STYLE selection 

BIKES FROM of vintage 

style bikes in 

BOBBIN 

pastels and 

BIKES! beautiful bright 

shades, suitable 

from age two with 

balance bikes, all the way up to 

adults. 

They also offer a range of 

complimentary accessories 

including wicker baskets, pannier bags, 

helmets and bike decorations. 

We are offering one lucky reader an 

adult Brownie 7 Dutch Bike worth £549, 

Bobbin’s signature Dutch bicycle and a 

matching child’s Gingersnap bike (12”- 

26”) start from £189 

All handmade in small batches the 

Bobbin bikes offer high quality and 

comfortable, not to mention stylish, 

leisure bikes for the whole family. 

www.bobbinbikes.com 

Closes 19/12/2022 - 

Competition keyword: ‘BOBBIN’ 

Did you know that a Candy RapidO washing machine is so 

smart that you can show it a photo of your laundry and it will 

tell you the perfect cycle to wash it at? Candy’s Snap&Wash 

smart feature allows users to communicate with their washing 

machine via an app. This feature offers technology that provides 

efficiency from the comfort of your phone. 

If you like to keep things simple but not compromise on quality, 

then Candy is the perfect option for you. And we have a smart 

Candy RapidO washing machine to offer one lucky reader! 

www.candy-home.com 

Closes 19/12/2022 - Competition keywords: ‘CANDY RAPIDO’ 

Loop Cashmere is the home 

of feel good cashmere. Each 

garment is crafted with love, 

following sustainable practises 

from goat to finished garment. 

Our Winter 22 collection is out 

now, offering gorgeous lofty knits, 

irresistible textures and a rainbow of 

colour. The collection is designed in the 

softest cashmere to effortlessly see you 

through the winter months in complete 

luxury. 

We’re offering you the chance to win one of 

two £150 gift vouchers and treat yourself or 

a loved one, to a little sustainable luxury. 

www.loopcashmere.co.uk. 

Closes 19/12/2022 - Competition keyword 

‘LOOP’ 

WIN 

2 X £150 

VOUCHERS TO 

SPEND ONLINE 

WITH LOOP 

CASHMERE! 

WIN 

A CANDY SMART 

WASHING 

MACHINE 

WORTH OVER 

£400! 

Looking for the perfect gift this Christmas? 

Delight your friends and family with a selection box of delicious 

treats. One lucky reader will win a ‘Decadent Christmas in a 

Box’ containing the following: 

6kg Free Range Whole Turkey | 4.5kg Unsmoked Ham | 1kg 

Side of Smoked Salmon | 1kg Organic Cheddar | 1kg Cropwell 

Bishop Stilton | Christmas Pudding | Harrow & Hope Brut 

Reserve (750ml bottle) | Classic Cranberry Sauce | Granny’s 

Apple Chutney | Artisan Coronation Sauce | British Goose 

Fat | Luxury Bread Sauce | Traditional Roast Gravy | Sage & 

Onion Stuffing | Pigs In Blankets | 200g Smoked Chicken 200g 

Smoked Duck. 

www.copasturkeys.co.uk 

Closes 09/12/2022 - Competition keyword ‘COPAS’ 

Discover the amazing 

underwater world of the 

SEA LIFE Aquariums 

at one of the 11 

locations throughout 

WIN 

4 X TICKETS 

TO ANY SEA 

LIFE CENTRE! 

WIN 

CHRISTMAS IN 

A BOX WORTH 

OVER £400 

WITH COPAS 

TURKEYS! 

the UK and Ireland. 

Are you a Shark lover, a 

Humboldt Penguin fan, or 

a clownfish fanatic? At SEA 

LIFE you can see them all - from 

the curious and the rescued to the rare and the enigmatic. Every 

SEA LIFE is unique, and so are its creatures – a visit here will get 

you closer to the oceans than ever before. 

There are 11 SEA LIFE centres where the prize can be redeemed; 

London, Birmingham, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, 

Blackpool, Brighton, Manchester, Scarborough, Hunstanton, 

Weymouth and Bray. Three lucky readers will win 4x tickets. 

www.merlinannualpass.co.uk 

Closes 19/12/2022 - Competition keywords: ‘SEA LIFE’ 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

s a very 

and 

A WIBBLY-WOBBLY 

CHRISTMAS 

A LITTLE CHRISTMAS ROBIN TELLS 

ME THAT YOU’VE DECIDED TO CAST 

CAUTION TO THE WIND AND THROW A 

FESTIVE PARTY PAR EXCELLENCE... 

How wonderful! You’ve printed the invitations, the playlist 

has been organised and the bar well-stocked, which just 

leaves the important matter of what to serve your expectant 

guests. Might I suggest a jelly? You may be sceptical but 

hear me out. Having spent decades in the gastronomic 

wasteland, the wibbly-wobbly stuff is shaking off its 

homespun image and enjoying a renaissance amongst the 

influencers of social media. For once, I’m in total agreement 

with the too-cool-for-school brigade. After all, who but the 

most po-faced amongst us hasn’t been captivated by the 

sight of a spectacular shimmering jelly? Those in search of 

seasonal ‘wow’ factor, should look no further. 

ADVERTISING 

FEATURE 

It’s unfortunate reputation as childrens’ party fodder belies 

the fact that for centuries jelly was synonymous with the 

most ambitious haute cuisine. During the Victorian era 

jelly making reached heights of gravity-defying brilliance, 

as chefs in the great aristocratic houses and best London 

hotels competed to create showstopping wobblers that 

were as much design statements as culinary ones. Thanks 

to the Industrial Revolution, the British became undisputed 

masters of the jelly mould. Manufacturers adapted the diestamping 

techniques of their colleagues in the silver trade 

to the mass-production of copper moulds in elaborate 

shapes – each one a miniature architectural masterpiece – 

lined with tin. The tin was important because it stopped the 

taste of the copper tainting the jelly and, more importantly, 

prevented your guests from dropping down dead with 

Verdigris poisoning. By the late 19th century, manufacturers 

were illustrating hundreds of designs in their catalogues – 

fantastical, multi-tiered geometric crowns, turreted castles 

with scrolling minarets, embossed with all manner of birds, 

animals, fruits and flowers. So esteemed were British jelly 

moulds that chefs from the Continent were known to cross 

the Channel in search of the ultimate mould. They are still. 

Collectors have been known to pay over £1,000 for rare 

designs. If I find one in my stocking, I shall be very happy. 

Merry Christmas! 

0 

ishing all Fine our Art customers Fine 

Auctioneers 

Art Auctioneers and & Valuers clients & Valuers a very 

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers 

Merry Christmas A Trusted and a Presence prosperous Since and 1860 

A Trusted Presence Since 1860 

A Trusted Fine Art Presence Auctioneers Since & Valuers 

Happy New Year 1860 

FREE VALUATION 

FREE A VALUATION Trusted Presence Since 

DAYS 

DAYS 1860 

FREE VALUATION DAYS 

Held FREE at the salerooms 

Held at the Held salerooms at 

VALUATION 

the salerooms 

DAYS 

2022 Auction Highlights 

Every Monday (except at Bank Every Monday Held (except at the salerooms Bank Holidays) Holidays) 

Every Monday 10am (except - 1pm Bank Holidays) 

Every 10am Monday - 1pm (except & 2pm Bank - 5pm Holidays) 

10am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm 

NO 10am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm 

NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY 

NO APPOINTMENT NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY 

NECESSARY 

Valuers for Bristol, 

Valuers South 

Valuers 

for Bristol, Gloucestershire, 

for Bristol, 

South Gloucestershire, 

South Gloucestershire, 

Somerset & Wells 

Somerset & Wells 

Somerset 

www.clevedonsalerooms.com 

& Wells 

£6,800 



01934 01934 

01934 01934 

830 830 111 111 

830 111 830 111 

01934 830 111 

info@clevedonsalerooms.com 



Clevedon Salerooms, The Auction Centre, 

Clevedon Clevedon Salerooms, The The Auction Centre, 

Kenn Road, Clevedon, Bristol, BS21 6TT 

Clevedon Kenn Kenn Road, Road, 

Salerooms, Clevedon, Clevedon, 

The Bristol, Bristol, 

Auction BS21 BS21 

Centre, 6TT 6TT 


Clevedon Salerooms, The Auction Centre, 


0 £8,200 

£15,000 

Wishing Wishing all our all customers our customers and and clients clients a very a very 

Merry Wishing Merry Christmas all Christmas our customers and and a prosperous and a prosperous clients a and very and 

Merry Christmas Happy Happy and New a New prosperous Year 

Year 

and 

Wishing all our customers and clients a very 

Happy New Year 

Merry Christmas and a prosperous and 

Happy New Year 

2022 




£4,400 

£4,400 £4,400 

£6,800 £6,800 

£6,800 

£15,000 £15,000 

£15,000 £15,000 

£7,000 £8,200 

£5,000 £5,000 

£7,000 £8,200 

£5,000 

£7,000 NEXT SALES: Thursdays £8,200 

5th && 26th January 

£5,000 

NEXT SALES: Thursdays 5th & 26th January 

To browse and bid visit: www.clevedonsalerooms.com 

To NEXT browse SALES: and Thursdays bid visit: www.clevedonsalerooms.com 

5th & 26th January 

To browse and bid visit: www.clevedonsalerooms.com 

£5,000 

£5,000 

£15,000

haus 

LIFESTYLE | GIFTS 

MENTION 

BRISTOL 

LIVING FOR 

10% OFF IN 

STORE 

POP UP SHOP NOW OPEN AT 

28 UPPER BOROUGH WALLS, BATH 

FREE UK P&P ON ALL ORDERS 

www.hauslife.co.uk

WHAT’S ON 

Dec 22/Jan 23 

BRISTOL OLD VIC 

24 Nov – 7 Jan 

THE NUTCRACKER 

Be transported to a fantastical kingdom where toys 

come to life, nutcrackers can talk and just about 

anything feels possible… The latest in Bristol Old Vic’s 

series of festive family blockbusters. 

Ages 7+ 

2 Dec – 8 Jan 

BELLE AND SEBASTIEN 

Expect snowy peaks and wet noses in a tale of faithful 

friends. Cécile Aubry’s classic family story reimagined 

by two of the South West’s strongest co-producing 

partners, Travelling Light and Bristol Old Vic. 

Ages 4+ 

11–14 Jan 

THERE’S NOBODY ELSE IN THE 

WORLD AND THE WORLD WAS 

MADE FOR ME 

The latest show from Bristol Old Vic’s Young Company 

exploring power, punishment and the current state of 

young people’s mental health. 

19 Jan – 11 Feb 

DRIVE YOUR PLOW OVER THE 

BONES OF THE DEAD 

International touring company Complicité presents 

a new work for the theatre, directed by Simon 

McBurney and based on Nobel Prize-winning author 

Olga Tokarczuk’s novel of the same name. 

bristololdvic.org.uk 

VICTORIAN 

CHRISTMAS 

WEEKENDS 

3-4 & 10-11 Dec 

FALLING 

SNOW 

FESTIVE 

FOOD & 

DRINK 

VICTORIAN 

CHARACTERS 

LIVE MUSIC 

Buy your tickets at 

ssgreatbritain.org/bristolliving 

or scan the QR code 


BS3 SANTA RETURNS 

TO BRISTOL 

BRISTOL ACTOR STEWART WRIGHT 

IS BACK, OFFERING FAMILIES THE 

OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THIS FESTIVE 

SEASON UNFORGETTABLE WITH A NEWLY 

REWORKED PRODUCTION OF BS3 SANTA... 

Fresh from a sell-out run of Ben Elton’s comedy The Upstart 

Crow, Wright will bring Father Christmas to life. Experienced 

at entertaining all ages with his own brand of improvisation 

and audience interaction, theatre meets ‘An Audience with 

Father Christmas’ in BS3 Santa. 

Created by Wright, in the height of the COVID pandemic, 

BS3 Santa was originally produced to be performed outdoors 

on people’s doorsteps and in the streets of Bristol. For 2022, 

in association with Tobacco Factory Theatres, BS3 Santa has 

transformed into an enchanting, interactive show which will be 

performed both indoors and outdoors at venues across Bristol. 

From Tuesday 13 to Friday 23 December (excluding Mon 19 

Dec) there will be two shows of BS3 Santa a day (10.15am and 

11.30am) at Tobacco Factory Theatres. Bristol audiences can 

also catch BS3 Santa at Zion Community Art Space (27 Nov at 

6.30pm), Yate Library (8 and 9 Dec at 6.30pm) and Windmill 

Hill City Farm (15, 17, 18, 20, 22 Dec at 6pm). Find out more 

at www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

15% off* 

for family 

bookings! 

*when purchasing 4 tickets 

including at least one child ticket 


THE 

VERY MERRY 

GIFT 

GUIDE 

PERFECT PRESENTS 

FOR EVERYONE ON 

YOUR LIST 

Easy to use, handheld appliances are 

a game changer, and they don’t come 

better than KitchenAid, 6-Speed Hand 

Mixer with Flex Edge Beaters, £119, 

kitchenaid.co.uk 

Upgrade 

tatty old slippers 

for these stylish 

moccasins, 

Fielding 

3 Suede 

Slippers, £49, 

moshulu.co.uk 

Support his fitness 

goals in 2023 - get 

better results from any 

workout routine with 

the thin, lightweight 

fitness smartwatch 

that includes a 

6-month Premium 

membership, Fitbit 

Versa 4, £199.99, fitbit. 

com 

gifts for 

HIM 

Beautiful pieces for your festive table - we love the 

platters and mugs in this simple, glorious collection. 

Sophie Conran Mistletoe Round 

Platter, £41 and Set of 2 Mugs, 

£31.50, portmeirion.co.uk 

Let the pub come to you with our Pub 

in a Box, full of Devon cider and 

snacks, Pub In A Box, £20.99, 

sandfordorchards.co.uk 

Slip into cosy luxury with 

cashmere socks 

- with the option 

to monogram, 

Tabitha, Ribbed 

Cashmere 

Socks, £34.50, 

pantherella.com 

gifts for 

HER 

Beautiful puzzles - featuring shaped puzzle 

pieces, called whimsies, designed to match 

the theme of the image for an entertaining 

experience, ‘The Jumper’ Wooden Puzzle, 250 

pieces from £32, wentworthpuzzles.com 

The whole family can match in luxury organic 

cotton PJs, from £28 polarnopyret.co.uk 

Help her soothe her skin and 

soul with this collection - a 

candle, bath and body oil and 

a decadent overnight hydration 

therapy, ESPA Soothing 

Collection, £45 (worth £53), 

espaskincare.com 

Look chic anywhere with 

Silhouette’s signature, flattering 

sunglasses, Fuschl, £265, 

silhouette.com 

Stylish, comfortable bikes 

to hop around town, 

Brownie 7 Dutch Bike, 

£549, bobbinbikes.com 

Luxuriously soft cashmere with subtle 

detailing, Lofty Cashmere Batwing Sweater 

in Birch, £199, loopcashmere.co.uk

For the Harry Potter fans, these 

velour Hedwig PJs are a cosy 

treat, Hedwig Pyjamas, £20, 

marksandspencer.com 

The perfect snuggle suit for 

Christmas lounging, made 

in super soft organic cotton, 

Big Character Snuggle Suit, 

£44, welovefrugi.com 

gifts for 

KIDS 

A children’s 

favourite made 

easy to listen to through 

the ingenious Tonies 

box, Tonies Snail and 

the Whale, £14.99, 

tonies.com 

Challenge them with a 1500 

piece puzzle, Ravensburger 

Pokémon 1500pcs puzzle, £18.99, 

ravensburger.co.uk 

The cutest Christmas 

jumpers, Jolly 

Knitted Jumper, £38, 

welovefrugi.com 

An amazing 60 hole automatic 

bubble launcher. Charge it up, dip 

it into the bubble solution provided, 

aim, pull the trigger and watch 

thousands of bubbles emerge, 

Bubble Gun Extreme, £39.99 

thumbsup.com 

gifts for 

FOODIES 

(& DRINKERS!) 

Take the guesswork out of cooking 

meat with the Meater - it connects 

to your phone for accurate cooking 

every time. MEATER Plus With 

Bluetooth® Repeater, £119, 

store-uk.meater.com 

The ultimate gift for a truffle 

lover! This signature box includes 

delicious 200ml White Truffle Oil, 

190g Ultimate Truffle Mayo, 22g 

Royal Truffle Ketchup, 100ml 

Seriously Addictive White Truffle 

Hot Sauce, 90g Gourmet Truffle 

Honey & 65g Signature Truffle Dust. 

Truffle Guys Signature Selection 

Box, £89.95, truffleguysuk.com 

Inspired by the Norfolk 

coastline, Coastal gin has 

a delicate, salty influence 

complemented by bright 

citrus flavours. We also love 

their eco-friendly refill packs. 

Bullards Coastal Gin, £40, 

bullardsspirits.co.uk 

Baking kits with a festive flair, Christmas 

Macaron Kit, £18, honeywellbakes.com 

No Christmas Day feast is complete without these merry condiments, including 

Christmas Spice Chutney, which contains a host of festive spices, and our 

Cranberry, Port & Orange Sauce, which cuts through rich meats like 

turkey and goose with its tingling tartness. The Festive Four Gift Pack, 

£14.15, tracklements.co.uk 


Know someone who started a business in lockdown and 

could use some kit to elevate their work? Thermal printers 

don’t use any ink and can print onto different shaped 

labels. Zebra are market leaders and their products are 

great quality with lots of label size options, to help with 

everything from pricing to branding, Zebra 2-inch, £99 or 

4-inch £189, ZSB Thermal Printer, amazon.co.uk 

Make pots, bowls and more in this hands-on 

pottery workshop led by a friendly team of female 

ceramicists! Crafty Pottery: Hand Building & Wheel 

Throwing in Fishponds, £40, yuup.co 

gifts for 

THAT PERSON 

WITH 

EVERYTHING 

Cleverly created to diffuse 

our 100% natural Essential 

Oil Blends at the touch 

of a button, the Neom 

Wellbeing Pod not only 

scents any space within 

minutes, but it also works 

to boost your wellbeing 

too - check our Neom’s 

scent packages featuring 

the highest quality essential 

oil blends to promote good 

mood, sleep, relaxation 

and more, Real Luxury 

Pod Starter Pack, £115, 

neomorganics.com 

Greenery is always a welcome gift - especially to lift 

the spirits in the gloomier winter months. We love 

Bunches’ flower subscriptions too. Large Monstera, 

£48.30, bunches.co.uk 

Say goodbye to chaotic poop bags 

and squished treats in your pockets... 

and say hello to Westley - a brand 

of thoughtfully designed harnesses 

and accessories, Dog 

Walking Bum Bag, 

£30, and Harness £32, 

wearewestley.com 

gifts for 

PETS 

Named after its deep, cosy 

sides and deep-filled luxury 

mattress which give the bed a 

den-like feel, the Deeply 

Dishy Bed is perfect for 

hunkering down in, from 

£145, charleychau.com 

This Chief 

Mouser 

Training Kit 

is the perfect 

gift for the 

avid hunter 

- kittens and 

mature cats 

alike. Inspired by 

the role given to the 

cats of Downing Street 

(currently Larry the Cat) 

who have the important 

job of keeping 

mice at bay, £29, 

cheshireandwain. 

com 


HOW THE UK 

OFFERS THE 

BEST IN WORLD 

BOARDING FOR 

STUDENTS 

THERE ARE BOARDING SCHOOLS ON 

EVERY CONTINENT ON THE PLANET 

(APART FROM THE ONE WITH LOTS 

OF SNOW AND PENGUINS!). YET FOR 

ALL THE SECTOR’S GLOBAL SPREAD, 

THE OLDEST, MOST DIVERSE AND 

CHOICE-RICH LAND OF BOARDING IS 

THE UK. 

Incredibly, the world’s oldest boarding school began 

accepting boarding students in the year 597, less than 

200 years after the fall of Rome and more than 1100 years 

before the American Declaration of Independence. 

More than 1400 years on, the UK is still a place where 

boarding continues to evolve with two brand new, 

government-funded boarding schools opening within 

the last decade and one independent school in the heart 

of London recently adding boarding for the first time. 

The diversity of UK boarding is not just a marketing 

strapline. Geographically, UK boarding can be found 

as far north as the Shetland Islands, just 50 miles from 

Norway and as far south as the Isles of Scilly, 28 miles 

south of Cornwall. 

Parents are spoilt for choice with boarding schools that 

are independent, state run, single sex, co-educational, 

academic, all-round, faith, arts, drama and music 

focused – or myriad combinations in between. 

Size-wise, the smallest UK boarding school has just 

one student while the largest has more than 1300. The 

average UK boarding school has around 150 boarders, 

although there are many that have fewer with around 30 

that have more than 500. 

There are around 70,000 boarding students at UK schools 

including more than 25,000 from dozens of countries 

across the world – a reflection of the continuing very 

high demand from parents to access the UK’s widely 

regarded education system. 

Some of this demand is about ensuring strong academic 

results for the chance to access the UK’s leading higher 

education institutions with four universities currently in 

the world’s top 10 (Cambridge alone has gained more 

than 120 Nobel prizes, nearly 50 more than the whole 

of France!). 

Aside from excellent academic teaching and learning, 

the popularity of boarding at schools in the UK is driven 

by the unique opportunities it offers young people from 

8-18. 

Boarding school is all about learning to live with others, 

experiencing a shared space, working together, having 

extra time to try new things (by avoiding school runs 

twice a day) and learning to stand on your own two feet. 

All UK boarding schools monitor closely the feedback 

they receive from parents and the most regular 

comments are about how their children have become 

more independent and confident thanks to their 

boarding experience. 

Much of this independence and confidence comes from 

being with other young people – but it is also the highly 

trained, caring and professional boarding staff who help 

them to prosper and thrive on solid foundations. 

For parents searching for boarding school options for 

their child, they can be reassured that the UK offers the 

cream of the crop with the best boarding opportunities 

in the world. 

Robin Fletcher, CEO, Boarding Schools’ Association 

(BSA) and BSA Group 


Christmas 

Bazaar 

SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER 

10.30AM – 1.30PM 

SANTA’S GROTTO CHRISTMAS GIFT STALLS 

SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES FESTIVE FOOD AND DRINK 

WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOPS AND MUCH MORE! 

EVERYONE WELCOME! 

BADMINTON SCHOOL | WESTBURY-ON-TRYM 

0117 905 5200 | BADMINTONSCHOOL.CO.UK

BRISTOL PUPIL 

SELECTED INTO 

U18S SEVERN STARS 

NETBALL ACADEMY 


Twelve-year-old Jina, a pupil in Year 8 at Badminton 

School in Bristol, has been selected to join the 

prestigious U18s Severn Stars Netball Super League 

Nova Academy based in Worcester… 

This phenomenal achievement for someone so young 

will enable Jina to train and play against some of the 

most talented netball players in the country. 

It comes after Badminton School’s appearance on 

CBBC’s new TV series ‘Our Boarding School’, which 

featured Jina during an episode where her skills on the 

court were noticed by a talent scout. 

Jina said: “I am very proud of myself for getting into 

the Nova Academy because it has always been a dream 

and I am glad I achieved it at the age of 12. Playing with 

older players makes me nervous sometimes but they 

are really nice and caring. They are also extremely good 

which aspires me to train harder.” 

Miss Elsley, Assistant Director of Sport at Badminton, 

said: ‘I am so incredibly proud of Jina and what she 

has achieved. Not many people get the opportunity to 

experience playing at topflight level, so this next year 

will give Jina an insight into what it truly takes to play 

at elite level and whether it is something she wishes to 

pursue longer term. Jina has worked so hard, overcome 

so much adversity and shown so much courage to 

achieve what she has.” 

www.badmintonschool.co.uk 

Wells Cathedral 

Christmas Highlights 2022 

19 th , 20 th & 21 st December 

Carols by Candlelight Concerts 7.00pm 

Tickets: £15-£50; book online: 

wellscathedral.eventbrite.co.uk 

22 nd & 23 rd December (x2) 

Cathedral Carol Service 6.00pm 

24 th December, Christmas Eve 

Crib Services 2.00pm, 3.15pm 

Festal Evensong 5.15pm 

Eucharist of Christmas Night 11.00pm 

25 th December, Christmas Day 

Cathedral Eucharist 9.30am 

Choral Matins 11.30am 

Plan your visit at wellscathedral.org.uk 


STARTING THE 

JOURNEY TO A 

LIFE-LONG LOVE 

OF LEARNING 

CHOOSING A SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD TO 

START IN AT RECEPTION IS A BIG DECISION, 

AND COLLEGIATE PREP ARE HERE TO HELP... 

At Collegiate Prep School we understand that making 

that all important decision on where to start your child’s 

educational journey is a huge one. There are so many 

factors to consider that it may feel overwhelming, but 

starting your research early and getting to know the 

schools that are on your short list is an excellent first 

step. Start by chatting to other parents and read any 

online reviews or reports, but the best way to discover 

how they can give your child the best possible start is to 

visit the school in person, either at an open event or for 

your own personal tour. 

What is it that makes Collegiate Prep’s Reception so 

special? It’s not just the small class sizes (up to 16) in our 

purpose-built classrooms; the bespoke outdoor learning 

area set in the heart of the prep school community; or 

our on-site forest school for muddy adventures. It’s also 

our understanding that as your child starts on their 

educational journey with us, they thrive when they play, 

explore and are provided with a creative curriculum. 


We have a very simple philosophy – happy children do 

well. So, with ‘happy’ at the heart of all we do, we pack 

every day with discovery, adventure and exploration. We 

enable them to flourish through play-based activities, 

whilst developing a strong foundation in the core skills 

of Literacy and Numeracy, ensuring your child falls 

in love with learning from the very beginning of their 

journey with Collegiate. 

Working closely with families is incredibly important 

too, and recognising how busy family life can be we 

offer wrap-around care from 7.30am and until 6.00pm 

at the end of the day, with the core school day starting at 

8.15am and finishing at 3.50pm. 

To discover how we can give your child the best possible 

start, please join us at our Reception Information 

Morning on Thursday 12th January 2023. Visit our 

website www.collegiate.org.uk to register, or please get 

in touch with our Admissions Team who will be happy 

to support your enquiry on 0117 992 3194 or email 

admissions@collegiate.org.uk. 


Aim high, 

stay grounded 

Independent co-educational day and boarding 

school in Bristol for 0-18. 

Clifton College continues to lead the way as one of the 

best public schools in the country providing exceptional 

pastoral care, inspirational teaching, first-class inclusive 

sports, diverse and targeted co-curricular activities and 

excellent facilities. 

Discover life at Clifton College, visit 

cliftoncollege.com

FESTIVE 

Not a fan of traditional Christmas pudding or 

Fancies 

feel like shaking it up this year? Here are some 

amazing desserts that are every bit as festive... 

STICKY DATE PUDDINGS 

Preparation time: 25 minutes 

Cooking time: 35 minutes 

Serves: 8 

INGREDIENTS 

175g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra 

for greasing 

80g light brown muscovado sugar 

6 Waitrose Medjool Dates, pitted and 

finely chopped 

3 British Blacktail Free Range Medium 

Eggs 

2 tbsp treacle 

175g self-raising flour 

1 tsp baking powder 

1 heaped tsp mixed spice 

½ tsp fine sea salt 

2 tbsp whole milk 

STICKY DATE SAUCE 

40g unsalted butter 

3 Waitrose Medjool Dates, pitted and 

finely chopped 

125g light brown muscovado sugar 

250ml double cream, plus extra to serve 

METHOD 

For the puddings, preheat the oven 

to 180ºC, gas mark 4. Lightly grease 

8 mini pudding moulds (each about 

175ml in volume), put a small circle 

of baking parchment in the base of 

each, then sit them in a large, deep-sided 

roasting tin. 

Boil the kettle. In a large bowl, using 

electric beaters, cream the butter, sugar 

and dates for 2-3 minutes until light 

and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and then the 

treacle. Lightly beat in the flour, baking 

powder, mixed spice and salt, then 

loosen the mixture with the milk. Divide 

the mixture evenly between the moulds; 

it should fill them about halfway. 

Pour a kettle of just-boiled water into 

the roasting tin so the water sits about 

halfway up the outside of the moulds. 

Cover the top 

of the 

tin with 3 layers of large pleated sheets 

of tin foil, ensuring the foil is tightly 

sealed around the edges (you don’t want 

steam to escape as the puddings won’t 

rise). Bake for 30 minutes until risen and 

springy. 

To make the sauce, put the butter, dates 

and sugar in a saucepan and set over 

a low heat. Add a pinch of salt and 

stir occasionally until the sugar has 

dissolved. Stir in the double cream until 

combined; keep warm. 

Remove the foil and carefully release the 

side of the puddings from the moulds 

using a small, sharp knife. Invert onto 

plates and pour over the sticky date 

sauce, adding a little extra whipped 

cream, if liked. 

All recipes and images courtesy of 

Waitrose. You can find thousands more 

recipes at www.waitrose.com/recipes 


VEGAN CHOCOLATE & 

COCONUT CARAMEL POTS 

Preparation time: 30 minutes + chilling 


Makes: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

200ml pouch coconut milk 

2 pitted medjool dates, roughly chopped 

1 tsp vanilla bean paste 

100g vegan dark chocolate (such as Raw 

Halo Dark 85%), finely chopped 

250ml pack Oatly Whippable Creamy Oat 

1 tbsp maple syrup 

Raw vegan cacao powder, for dusting 

METHOD 

Put the coconut milk, dates and vanilla 

in a blender and whizz until smooth. Tip 

into a small pan and bring to the boil. 

Simmer vigorously, stirring regularly for 

10 minutes until thick and reduced by 

half. Divide between 4 small glasses and 

set aside to cool, then cover and chill for 

at least 1 hour. 

When the coconut caramel has chilled, 

put the chocolate in a medium mixing 

bowl. In a small pan, heat 100ml 

whippable creamy oat and the maple 

syrup to just before boiling. Take off the 

heat and pour over the chocolate in the 

bowl. Leave to melt for 1 minute, then stir 

until smooth. 

Put the remaining 150ml whippable 

creamy oat in another mixing bowl and 

use electric beaters to whisk to soft 

peaks. Set aside 2 tbsp to garnish, then 

fold the rest into the melted chocolate. 

Spoon into the glasses on top of the 

coconut caramel. Serve with a dollop 

of the whipped creamy oat and a 

dusting of cacao. These are best served 

immediately, but can be covered and 

chilled for up to 30 minutes. 

COOK’S TIP 

Make a double batch of the 

caramel, then cover and store 

in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

It’s particularly delicious 

spooned over baked apples. 


CHOCOLATE & 

HAZELNUT 

SNOWFLAKE 

Preparation 

time: 25 

minutes + 

chilling 

Cooking time: 35 

minutes 

Serves: 8 

INGREDIENTS 

2 x 320g packs Jus-Rol Puff Pastry 

Sheet 

100g hazelnut chocolate spread 

50g chopped roasted hazelnuts 

1 British Blacktail Free Range Medium 

Egg, lightly beaten 

Icing sugar, for dusting 

METHOD 

Unroll both of the pastry sheets and 

cut a 20-22cm circle from each (save 

the offcuts to make tarts, cheese twists 

or palmiers). Put one pastry circle on a 

sheet of baking parchment and cover 

one side evenly with hazelnut chocolate 

spread. Sprinkle over ½ the hazelnuts, 

leaving a 1cm border around the edge. 

Put the second pastry circle on top, 

20 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

pressing 

lightly around 

the border to seal. 

Put the lid of a small jar (about 

4-5cm in diameter) in the centre of 

the pastry (so you don’t cut through it), 

then use a sharp knife to cut the pastry 

into quarters (excluding the central 

circle). Cut down the centre of each 

quarter and then repeat. You should have 

16 equal strips of pastry attached to the 

centre. 

Take 2 strips next to each other and twist 

them away from each other 3 times. 

Press the ends together in a point, to 

seal. Repeat all the way around the 

circle – you should now have 8 snowflake 

‘arms’. Slide the snowflake, on its 

parchment, 

onto a baking 

sheet; chill for 

30 minutes. 4 

Preheat the oven 

to 200ºC, gas 

mark 6. 

Lightly brush the 

egg all over the top of 

the snowflake. Bake for 30-35 

minutes until golden and puffed up. Allow 

to cool, then dust with icing sugar and 

sprinkle over the remaining hazelnuts to 

serve. 

COOK’S TIP 

If at any point while making the 

snowflake the pastry becomes 

soft or difficult to work with, put 

it in the fridge for 15 minutes to 

cool and firm up.

We’re open: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm 

Sun 9am-4pm 

Shop online: fiveacre.farm 

Christmas shopping at Five Acre Farm Shop 

on North Street... Find the perfect gift for everyone 

from our range of homewares, sustainable toiletries, 

books, plants & gardening supplies, and craft beers, 

wines & spirits from local brewers and distillers. 

We also have shelves full of great local food produce 

and seasonal fruit & veg from our own farm in 

Backwell. You can even grab a coffee and snack 

from the counter to keep you fuelled whilst shopping! 

Vale House Kitchen is a bespoke country skills and 

cookery school situated in the village of Timsbury 

8 miles south west of Bath. We offer all the traditional 

courses you would expect from a cookery school but will 

have the added dimension of teaching skills such as 

fishing, shooting, foraging and butchery. 

CHRISTMAS VOUCHERS NOW AVAILABLE 

January 15th - Marmalade Making 

January 29th - Beginners Cookery 

February 4th - Introduction to Sourdough 

Tel: 07854239926 

info@cliftonwineschool.com 

A very warm welcome to C lifton Wine School! 

We are a local wine school hosting events in Bristol at the Hotel du Vin. 

Choose from our Cheese and Wine Matching night, a Fine Wine tasting, 

Wines of the World evening courses, Steak and Red Wine night, and so 

much more. We also do unforgettable hen parties and corporate events. 

We don’t sell wine, we give you confidence to 

choose the best wines for yourself. 

You can purchase any course or 

tasting as a Wine School Gift Voucher 

starting from £30 the perfect present 

for any wine lovers! 

Tastings, courses and events now 

also available online. 

www.localwineschool.com/bristol 


IRISH 

CREAM 

FUDGE 

Preparation time: 20 minutes + 

cooling + chilling 


Makes: Makes about 30 pieces 

MAKES A 

LOVELY 

GIFT 

INGREDIENTS 

397g can condensed milk 

150ml whole milk 

425g light brown soft sugar 

115g unsalted butter 

100ml Baileys The Original Irish 

Cream 

Large pinch of salt 

100g dark chocolate (70% cocoa 

solids), chopped 

METHOD 

Line a 20cm x 20cm baking tin 

with parchment. Put the milks, 

sugar and butter in a large, 

nonstick saucepan and warm 

over a medium heat, stirring 

occasionally, until the sugar 

has dissolved. Put a sugar 

thermometer in the pan and turn 

up the heat a little, bringing the 

mixture to a moderate bubble. 

Stir continuously until the 

thermometer reaches 113-115ºC 

or ‘soft-ball stage’ (this should 

take about 15 minutes). Take the 

pan off the heat and set aside for 

5 minutes. 

Stir the Irish cream and salt into 

the mixture. Using electric beaters 

set to a medium speed, beat for 

about 10 minutes until you have 

a thick mixture that’s starting to 

come away from the sides of the 

pan. (You can also do this with a 

wooden spoon, beating for about 

15 minutes.) Tip the mixture into 

the lined tin, spreading it out 

evenly. Cool to room temperature, 

then cover and chill for 1 hour. 

Melt the chocolate in a bowl set 

over a pan of gently simmering 

water, stirring until smooth. 

Meanwhile, put a large sheet of 

baking parchment on the work 

surface. Turn out the fudge and 

trim the edges to neaten, then cut 

into squares about 3cm x 3cm. 

Dip ½ of each square of fudge in 

the chocolate. Leave to set on the 

parchment, chilling again briefly 

if needed. 


A NEW HOME, 

GIFT AND 

LIFESTYLE STORE 

IN SALTFORD 

FLOURISH FOODHALL AND KITCHEN 

HAS EXPANDED ITS OFFERING WITH A 

STUNNING NEW HOMEWARE STORE AND 

CRAFTING HUB, OPEN JUST IN TIME FOR 

YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING... 

The store stocks a wide range of beautiful gifts, many of 

which are handmade by local artists and makers, luxury 

Christmas food, home décor, kitchen & garden wares, 

pet care, art, candles, soaps, wellbeing products and 

much more, alongside a large crafting space where you 

can take up a range of workshops. 

Charlotte Lewis, manager at Flourish Home and 

Lifestyle says: 

“The store is packed with Christmas gift ideas, while our 

crafting space will be hosting activities such as jewellery 

making, landscape painting and wreath making over the 

coming couple of months”. 

Other festive features at Flourish include beautiful, high 

quality local Christmas trees from Frenchay Forestry in 


Bristol, and delicious free-range, locally farmed turkeys 

and other meats, which you can pre-order for Christmas 

day online on the Flourish website or in-store (orders 

closing on 15th December). 

If you’re looking for a lovely gift for that family member 

who already has everything, you can even buy gift cards 

that can be used across the whole site, including in our 

Kitchen, Foodhall and Home & Lifestyle store, and 

they’re valid for a whole year. 

Flourish Home & Lifestyle is open from 10am to 5pm 

Monday - Thursday and Saturday, 10am – 7pm on 

Friday and 10am – 4pm on Sunday! Why not pop into 

the kitchen for a festive hot drink or a warming bite to 

eat by the log fire. 

LUXURY CHRISTMAS FOOD & GIFTS 

BUTCHERY & DELI PRE-ORDERS, FESTIVE FOOD, HOMEWARE, 

GIFTS, STOCKING FILLERS, CHRISTMAS TREES, 

GIFT VOUCHERS & WORKSHOPS 

www.flourishatglenavon.co.uk 

Glenavon Farm, 331 Bath Road, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3TJ 


Garden Trading Dining Longworth 

Chair, £220, Longcot Dining Table, 

£1,200, Holwell Crockery From £12, 

www.gardentrading.co.uk 

WHERE TO BUY 

Christmas Snowflake Table Runner, £30, 

iamfy.co 2 Natural tree top star, £9.99, 

giselagraham.co.uk 3 White Paper Star, 

45cm £8.50, 60cm £11 and Layered Paper 

Snowflake (4), 50cm, £38, all hauslife.co.uk 

5 Ceramic Christmas Tree Tray 18.5cm, 

£4, hobbycraft.co.uk 6 Wooden Bench, 

120cm, £159, hausife.co.uk 7 Christmas Eve 

Cushion, £135, janconstantine.com 8 Dried 

Grass Filled Baubles, from £6, hauslife.co.uk 

9 Burnished Brass House Tea Light Lantern, 

£55, coxandcox.co.uk 

Brass Six Candle Candleabra, £109, 

www.hauslife.co.uk 

1 

Simply Scandi 

CHRISTMAS 

2 

A timeless, pared back style for a 

beautiful festive season 

3 

4 

www.lights4fun.co.uk 

5 

6 

8 

7 

9 


Wet Room trends 

& Inspiration 

Wet Room trends 

& Inspiration 

Wet rooms are increasing in 

popularity as they are very stylish 

while maximising your home’s 

space. Wet For rooms big are families, increasing wet in rooms 

are ideal popularity as they’re as easy are very to clean stylish 

and maintain while maximising while still your adding home’sa 

touch space. of luxury. For big families, wet rooms 

are ideal as they’re easy to clean 

and maintain while still adding a 

If you’re looking for considering touch of luxury. 

wet room, then check out our tips 

below. If you’re looking for considering a 

wet room, then check out our tips 

below. 

Numerous showerheads 

Treat yourself to numerous 

showerheads 

Numerous 

if you 

showerheads 

want to spend 

Treat yourself to numerous 

a little extra on your bathroom. 

showerheads if you want to spend 

With various showerheads, you 

a little extra on your bathroom. 

can have 

With various 

multiple 

showerheads, 

showers in 

you 

one, 

creating can have a spa multiple experience. showers in one, 

Showering creating under a spa rainfall experience. after a 

busy Showering day or using under the rainfall power after a 

setting busy to day wake or using you up the on power those 

early setting winter to mornings. wake you up on those 

early winter mornings. 

Creative drainage solutions 

Creative drainage solutions 

Spending a little more money on 

Spending a little more money on 

using using an effective an effective drainage drainage system system 

is not is only not only practical practical but but offers offers aa 

centrepiece for for your your bathroom as as 

well well as it as being it being practical. 

Lighting 

Incorporating natural light will help create a 

Lighting 

calming experience which can be helped by 

Incorporating natural light will help create a 

combining this with the right artificial light. 

calming experience which can be helped by 

combining this with the right artificial light. 

Many showers now come with their own 

colour-changing Many showers now lights come to with add their to own the ambience 

as colour-changing well as reflect lights your to mood. add to the ambience 

as well as reflect your mood. 

Kellaway Bathrooms have a broad range of 

wetrooms Kellaway Bathrooms as well as have all the a broad other range elements of 

wetrooms as well as all the other elements 

you need to create the perfect space for 

you need to create the perfect space for 

you and your home. 

you and your home. 

172-174 Kellaway Avenue, 

172-174 Horfield, Kellaway Bristol, Avenue, 

Horfield, BS6 7YQ Bristol, 

0117 942 BS6 60507YQ 

0117 942 6050

THE HOME MOVING 

WE WENT TO THE EXPERTS AT THE HOME 

OWNERS ALLIANCE TO FIND OUT ABOUT 

THE HOT TOPICS IN THE HOUSING MARKET 

Guide 

WHY AVOID THE 

BUSIEST DAY TO MOVE? 

While it may seem sensible to move on 

a Friday, moving at the same time as 

large swathes of other people can put 

pressure on the professionals helping 

you move, which can mean a greater 

risk of delays. 

Of course delays can occur at any time, 

but on the last Friday of the month, it is 

also peak time for conveyancing fraud 

and you will need to pay more for a 

removal company. If there are delays in 

transferring funds at completion, you 

may have to spend the weekend in a 

hotel or on a friend’s sofa. 

For those reasons, moving on the 

busiest day of the year isn’t for the 

faint-hearted, especially with the 

August bank holiday also happening 

that week, pushing more moves onto 

the remaining four days. 

TIPS ON AVOIDING MOVING DAY 

DELAYS 

Suggest a mid-week move to all in 

your chain pointing out the potential 

downfall of choosing to move on 

a busy day like Friday. Savings are 

possible, for example, removals firms 

may offer mid-week deals on prices. 

See our guide to house removals costs 

at hoa.org.uk/advice 

Book the removals firm. Make sure 

everyone in the chain knows you’re 

working towards that date and book 

your removals firm well in advance, 

so you only need to confirm as soon 

as you exchange. It’s best to ask them 

to come to your house to assess the 

volume of your belongings. This 

ensures you have the right sized van 

and number of team members on the 

day of your move. 

Choose a removals firm you trust and 

have rapport with. 

Talk through what would happen if a 

delay occurred. For example, do they 

have emergency storage if needed? 

HOW TO ADD VALUE TO 

YOUR HOME 

Significant home improvements 

are expensive, so it’s important to 

consider how your plans will add 

value to your home. More and more 

of us are choosing to improve rather 

than move. So, here are 10 ways to 

make your property better to live in, 

in a way that can also add value to 

your home. 

If you have lots of plans for home 

improvements, it makes sense to focus 

on projects that will also add value. 

That way what you spend now will be 

reflected in the price of your property 

when you sell. But what adds value to 

a house? 

We asked over 300 members of the 

Federation of Master Builders (FMB) 

and estate agent members of the 

Guild of Property Professionals which 

projects will add value to your house. 

Here’s what they said. 

1. KNOCK DOWN A WALL FOR 

OPEN PLAN OR BROKEN PLAN 

LIVING 

Our research found that removing an 

internal wall to create an open plan 

kitchen and diner was the best way to 

add value to your home. 

Not only will this add value to your 

home, it should also make it more 

pleasant to live in, with more and 

more of us opting for open-plan living. 

Knocking down walls means more 

communal spaces where families can 

enjoy quality time together, whether 

that’s chatting while dinner is cooked 

or keeping an eye on kids while they do 

their homework. 

Best of all, this is a relatively simple 

project that most builders can 

complete in under a week. 

2. BUILD A GARDEN ROOM 

Another option is to add another living 

space outside. With so many more of 

us working from home, it is great to 

delineate living and working space 


and claw back that guest bedroom but 

having a dedicated office. Or it could 

be used as a gym! 

3. SPRUCE UP YOUR KITCHEN 

A new kitchen isn’t just a treat for 

you, it can also significantly boost the 

value of your home. Putting in a new 

worktop, cabinet doors or floor doesn’t 

have to break the bank – it costs 

around £4,000 on average. But, it could 

add £17,000 to the value of a London 

property, or the FMB and The Guild of 

Property Professionals found it could 

add around £15,000 to the average 

home in Cambridgeshire. 

4. CREATE A DOWNSTAIRS LOO 

A downstairs toilet is a big attraction 

to a variety of different buyers. Adding 

one will make your home attractive to 

young families with children, those 

that like entertaining and don’t want 

guests wandering upstairs, to older 

buyers who might be looking to future 

proof their homes. 

So, turning wasted space, such as 

an understairs cupboard into a loo 

can add value to your home. This is 

a great project if you have a limited 

budget because for only a relatively 

small outlay of around £1,500-£2,500 

you could add around £26,000 to 

your home’s value, according to our 

research. 

5. MAKE WAY FOR AN EN SUITE 

Another way to add extra bathroom 

space is to carve some space out of 

your master bedroom to create an en 

suite. The job should take around 11 

days but could add £14,525 to the value 

of the average London home. 

6. CREATE A PARKING SPACE 

We love green front gardens but 

if parking is at a premium in your 

neighbourhood, then paving over part 

of your front garden to create space for 

off road parking could significantly 

boost your home’s value. A parking 

space can add as much as 13% to the 

value of your home according to Direct 

Line. 

You’ll need to check with your local 

council to see if you need planning 

permission to do this. Usually, if your 

home isn’t on an A or B road you won’t 

need permission, but you will have 

to comply with your local authority’s 

regulations on dropping the kerb. 

7. SPRUCE UP YOUR BACK 

GARDEN 

Gardens are often overlooked when 

property projects are concerned but 

ploughing some money into your 

green space can be rewarding. Our 

analysis found that adding decking 

and lighting to your back garden can 

really boost the asking price when a 

property goes on the market. 

8. DECORATE 

If you are planning to put your 

property on the market make sure 

you give it a fresh lick of paint first. 

Don’t understand the importance of 

kerb appeal by updating the exterior 

of your home. Getting professionals 

in could set you back around £1,000, 

but it could add £5,000 to your home’s 

value, according to property expert 

Phil Spencer. 

9. CONVERT YOUR LOFT 

Homeowners looking to add floor 

space could significantly add value to 

their home. 

10. GET PLANNING PERMISSION 

If you are preparing to sell your home 

and can’t afford a big project to boost 

the value, you could consider just 

getting the planning permission. 

Buyers are prepared to pay quite a 

premium to avoid the paperwork 

involved in an extension and to know 

red tape won’t stand in the way of their 

plans and allowing them to start works 

the minute they pick up the keys. 

Submitting a basic planning 

application costs up to £400 but could 

add as much as 10% to the value of 

your home, according to insurance 

firm Hamilton Fraser. 

Get help submitting an application 

from a local planning consultant. 

And finally, before you start, ask the 

experts. 

Improving your home to make it more 

enjoyable is a benefit for you and your 

family today. Opting for a project that 

will also give you a big financial boost 

when you sell only adds to the benefits. 

However, if your primary aim is to add 

value to your home then you should 

consult an expert first to make sure 

you’ll get a return on your investment. 

Invite a few estate agents to value your 

property and ask them what they think 

will add the most value. The best local 

agents will be able to tell you what 

refurbishment projects other homes 

on your road have benefited from and 

how much value those projects added. 

www.hoa.org.uk 


2 

1 

4 

OCEAN HUES 

Echoing the reassuring and relaxing colour of the sea, 

aqua is set to be one of the hottest shades of the season. 

Opt in with larger pieces of furniture wrapped in 

oceanic hues, or make it easier to incorporate into an 

existing scheme with smaller accessory items. 

INTERIORS 2023 

It’s that time of year where we look at our spaces anew 

– here are our forecasts for some upcoming interior 

trends if you want to refresh your home. 

3 

ARCHES 

Arched doors are big news in extensions 

and renovations, and the gentle curves are 

softening the hardened edges that have 

proliferated for so long. Use as a motif if 

you’re decorating, or as a shape for windows 

and doors if you’re renovating. 

SOOTHING PASTELS 

While we might see a rise of deep and bold colors in 2023, 

certain spaces still call for a level of zen—and this is where 

pastels come back in. Think eucalyptus, mid-level blues, 

soft pink and putty taupes. 

5 

GET THE LOOK 

1. Diamond Aqua Blanket, 

£55, weavergreen.com; 2. Blue 

Arches Ceramic Pot Cover, 

£24.99, giselagraham.co.uk; 3. 

Cliff & Ocean Art Print, £41.95, 

abstracthouse.com; 4. image 

© Studio McGee; 5. Eucalyptus 

No.92, victorycolours.co.uk; 6. 

Squishmeister Corner sofa £2845, 

loaf.com 

6 


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Amesbury, SP4 7AW • Tel: 01980 874242 


TREES MATTER 

IN THIS EDITION, OUR REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR 

MATT BIGGS GIVES US ADVICE ON WHERE TO 

START IF YOU WANT TO PLANT A TREE... 

For thousands of years, we have appreciated trees, we 

have planted trees, we have written about trees, we have 

even worshipped trees. Even before we knew just how 

important they are to our environment, something 

within us recognized that trees matter. 

There are so many options that the first task must be to 

decide what you want your tree for. Is it for structure 

within your garden, for shade, for visual impact? Might 

it be for fruit, to attract birds or just because it is your 

favourite tree! 

Do look at the eventual height and spread of your tree – 

you might not see it when it is fully grown but you don’t 

want to cause problems for others and it is such a shame 

to have to remove a tree because it was in the wrong spot. 

Winter is a good time to plant, as long as the ground is 

frost free and not waterlogged; it is really important not 

to stint on the groundwork. Water the tree roots really 

well, even stand it in a bucket for an hour and make sure 

the hole is big enough – it needs to be three times as 

wide as the pot and the same depth. Fork the soil in the 

hole so that the roots can make their way easily as they 

develop, tease out the roots from the rootball and plant 

in a square hole. Use mychorrizal fungi to help the roots 

grow, and make sure when you place it in the hole the 

various aspects of it are where you want them – branches 

showing their ‘best side’. When you refill the soil into the 

hole don’t leave any pockets of air, firm and water well 

and stake the tree if need be. 

You can, of course also get the kids in on the act, acorns, 

conkers and tree seeds are so easily collected, pop them 

in a pot, labelling them so you know what is what, water 

and wait! It is so exciting to see that first green shoot and 

the tree and the child can grow together, how lovely! 

Whatever you plant and wherever you plant it, planting 

a tree is one of the most positive things you can do, for 

yourself and for future generations. 

To find out more visit Matt’s website: matthewbiggs.com 

Hi-Line are experts in Tree Care Services. Trained and 

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A PRACTICAL 

GUIDE TO 

BEREAVEMENT 

THE EMOTIONAL ASPECT OF DEALING WITH 

A BEREAVEMENT – EVEN ONE THAT WAS 

EXPECTED – CAN BE DEVASTATING, BUT 

WHEN YOU START THINKING ABOUT THE 

PRACTICALITIES OF WHAT TO DO NEXT IT 

CAN BECOME EVEN MORE STRESSFUL AND 

OVERWHELMING. IT CAN BE VERY EASY TO 

OVER COMPLICATE THE PROCESS AND GET 

LOST ON YOUR JOURNEY - THE EXPERTS AT 

THE BEREAVEMENT ADVICE CENTRE HAVE 

COMPILED THIS EXTENSIVE GUIDE... 

STEP 1 – WHERE DO I START? 

During the first few hours after a loved one has died, it 

can be very difficult knowing what to do with yourself. 

Knowing where to begin and taking that first step can be 

the hardest bit. While you’re waiting to collect the official 

paperwork from the doctor or the hospital to register the 

death, there are a few things you can be getting on with 

if you want to. One of these is finding any paperwork 

which might detail, for example, whether there are 

specific funeral wishes or requests for organ/body 

donation, as these need to be identified very soon after 

the death. If you feel up to it you can also begin to call 

family and friends to let them know what’s happened. 

STEP 2 – REGISTERING THE DEATH 

With the exception of when the Coroner is involved 

you’ll usually be contacted by either the hospital or the 

deceased’s doctor to arrange collection of the Medical 

Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD for short). You 

can then make an appointment with the Registrar to 

complete the official registration, it’s worth bearing in 

mind the death needs to be registered in the county 

where the person died, not where they lived. 

STEP 3 – MAKING THE FUNERAL 

ARRANGEMENTS 

It’s important to remember when you hand over the 

“Green Form” you are personally entering into the 

contract for payment with the Funeral Director. If you’ve 

found a Will or even a Letter of Wishes this might give 

you an idea about what your loved one wants for their 

funeral. This can be a relief for some as it takes some of 

the decisions out of their hands, but it can be a concern 

for others especially if there isn’t enough money or the 

requests are unrealistic. It’s important to understand that 

funeral wishes in a Will aren’t legally binding and don’t 

have to be followed if they’re not possible. 

STEP 4 – BUILDING A PICTURE OF THE 

ESTATE 

If you had Power of Attorney or managed the deceased’s 

finances you will probably have a clear picture of how 

the estate is put together. Alternatively the deceased may 

have been very organised, leaving you with a folder or 

filing cabinet containing all the information you’ll need 

to look after the estate. 

STEP 5 – LETTING EVERYONE KNOW 

There will probably be more people to tell about the 

death than you expect, and it can be hard to think of 

everyone. It can be helpful to make two lists, one 

for personal e.g. family/friends/work colleagues and 

another for professional e.g. financial organisations/ 

insurance companies/family solicitor/accountant/ 

financial advisor. 

STEP 6 – WORKING OUT IF YOU NEED 

PROBATE 

It’s worth remembering that Probate is only needed in 

certain circumstances, not just because a Will hasn’t been 

made or because the total value of the whole estate seems 

high. There are different factors which make Probate 

a requirement, but in simple terms it is decided by the 

value of individual sole assets within a person’s estate. 

There are exceptions to this rule so call us and we can 

check for you. 

STEP 7 – THE FINAL STEP 

Once you’ve obtained Probate (if required) then you 

can arrange for any sole assets to be sold or transferred. 

Before you hand over anything to the beneficiaries you’ll 

need to make sure any debts are settled and Inheritance 

Tax has been paid. When you’re comfortable that all 

debts have been paid you can either: 

Follow the instructions in the Will to pay any Legatees/ 

Beneficiaries OR Distribute the estate to the deceased’s 

relatives in line with inheritance laws called the Rules of 

Intestacy 

It’s really important that you keep clear records that show 

what money is coming in and out of the estate as this 

will give you a clear paper trail showing how the estate 

has been administered. You can then put these together 

with the Death Certificate, the Will (if there was one) 

and the Grant of Probate (if this was required) to form 

your estate accounts. 

Edited from an article published for the Bereavement 

Advice Centre, you can find more information and 

advice at bereavementadvice.org or call 0800 634 9494.

Bristol Living Dec 2022 - Jan 2023

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