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New Forest Living Mar - Apr 2023

Spring has sprung! Our March/April edition is a celebration of the best of it - cracking competitions, Easter eats, as well as a Mother’s Day gift guide. Happy Easter!

Spring has sprung! Our March/April edition is a celebration of the best of it - cracking competitions, Easter eats, as well as a Mother’s Day gift guide. Happy Easter!

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Taster Mornings at<br />

King Edward VI School<br />

Our Taster Morning events are a fantastic way for parents and children who are currently<br />

in Year 5 or 7, looking for September 2024 entry to experience our wonderful school.<br />

Thursday 11 May<br />

Tuesday 16 May<br />

Tuesday 23 May<br />

During the event families will have the chance to meet the Head, explore the school and<br />

grounds, learn more about King Edward's and join us for some lunch.<br />

To book, please email our Registrar, Mrs Sheppard: registrar@kes.hants.sch.uk<br />

We look forward to welcoming you this Spring.<br />

kes.school


C O N T E N T S<br />

A NOTE<br />

from the editor<br />

12<br />

PERFECT EASTER RECIPES<br />

Do you find you’re a different<br />

person as spring unfurls?<br />

I certainly am - it’s like a<br />

shed a coat (physically and<br />

metaphorically) and have<br />

more of a spring in my step.<br />

Tasks feel more achievable,<br />

new projects more exciting<br />

and just a little stroll in the<br />

sunshine feels like the best<br />

kind of battery recharge -<br />

like I’m solar powered and<br />

I’m topping up my energy<br />

stores!<br />

04<br />

COMPETITIONS<br />

This edition is a celebration<br />

of the early spring, with<br />

some wonderful recipes to<br />

enjoy over the Easter period,<br />

plus lots of home and<br />

garden content to inspire.<br />

Our resident gardening<br />

guru Matt Biggs gives us<br />

insights into making our<br />

front gardens both beautiful<br />

and wildlife-friendly, plus we<br />

have a guide to flooring if<br />

you are considering all your<br />

options during a renovation.<br />

FLOORING GUIDE<br />

19<br />

Editor Katie Thomson<br />

e katie@minervapublications.co.uk<br />

Assistant Editor Kate Norris<br />

Publisher Sally Thomson<br />

Pre Press Manager Rebecca Rose<br />

Contributors<br />

Matthew Biggs, Angela Cave,<br />

Louise Thomson, Pete Lawrence<br />

FOR ADVERTISING<br />

Account Manager Helen Skeates<br />

e helen.skeates@minervapublications.co.uk<br />

t 01225 984494<br />

Cover image courtesy of Adam Frost<br />

HELP FOR CARERS<br />

28<br />

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS<br />

Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm,<br />

Hilperton BA14 6JB<br />

t 01225 984 550<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk<br />

Printed on sustainably sourced paper.<br />

Please recycle this copy or pass it along<br />

when you are finished for someone else<br />

to enjoy.<br />

Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be<br />

held liable for any loss occasioned by<br />

failure of an advertisement to appear, or<br />

any damage or inconvenience caused by<br />

errors, omissions and misprints. No part of<br />

this publication may be reproduced without<br />

prior permission from the publishers.<br />

The opinions expressed within are not<br />

necessarily those of the publishers.<br />

The competition guide this<br />

issue is a bumper one - you<br />

can win a delightful forest<br />

stay in a Grand Designs<br />

style tiny home, plus an<br />

energy efficient dryer worth<br />

£700. This, plus a lot more<br />

makes it well worth a look<br />

and an enter!<br />

We will be back again in<br />

May - I’ll be fully rebooted<br />

and recharged into summer<br />

mode. We will have a<br />

Coronation to look forward<br />

to and lots more great<br />

summer content. In the<br />

meantime, grab an Easter<br />

egg and tuck into this issue!<br />

Katie<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3


COMPETITION<br />

To enter any (or all!) of our competitions, head to<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions.<br />

Find the competition and enter on that post,<br />

using the appropriate keyword.<br />

T&C’s apply and no cash alternatives available. Winners chosen at<br />

random - entries made after closing date will not be accepted.<br />

WIN!<br />

A WEEKEND BREAK<br />

WITH NEW FOREST<br />

ESCAPES AND<br />

RECONNECT WITH<br />

NATURE!<br />

Win the ultimate mix of a coast<br />

and country break with <strong>New</strong><br />

<strong>Forest</strong> Escapes and enjoy a<br />

weekend staying at the ultra<br />

cool, architect designed The<br />

Boat Shed, Lymington.<br />

Just one of <strong>New</strong> <strong>Forest</strong><br />

Escapes’ handpicked holiday<br />

homes, The Boat Shed is a mini<br />

‘Grand Designs’ home for up to three<br />

people with playful minimalist style.<br />

Dog companion welcome!<br />

Wake up to the sound of sea birds and<br />

the tinkling of boat masts. Take a short<br />

stroll to Lymington’s pretty cobbled<br />

quay and bustling cafes, pubs and<br />

shops. Or wonder to the coastal path<br />

for wilder walks, bigger skies and long<br />

beaches.<br />

<strong>New</strong> <strong>Forest</strong> Escapes is extremely<br />

proud to be a locally owned holiday<br />

home company with a ‘Greener and<br />

Greater’ ethos in everything they<br />

do. With a selection of truly unique<br />

homes, from bijou and beachy, to pure<br />

escapism, or grand and fabulous, and<br />

heaps of dog-friendly options, check<br />

out our website.<br />

www.newforestescapes.com<br />

01590 462005<br />

Closes 24/04/<strong>2023</strong> - Competition<br />

keyword: ‘ESCAPES’<br />

Saving time and money on<br />

drying your laundry just got<br />

a whole lot easier, thanks to<br />

this tumble dryer from leading<br />

home appliance brand, Haier.<br />

The I PRO Series 7 Plus dryer<br />

uses heat pump technology<br />

that works to cleverly conserve<br />

the heat inside your dryer’s<br />

drum. This not only lowers<br />

energy consumption by up to<br />

50%, but also ensures that<br />

your laundry is taken much<br />

better care of compared to<br />

a regular tumble dryer. The<br />

lower energy consumption<br />

WIN<br />

AN A+++<br />

DRYER WORTH<br />

£700 FROM<br />

HAIER!<br />

also means<br />

that you’re<br />

able to use more<br />

than one of your appliances<br />

simultaneously, saving you<br />

even more time! It also comes<br />

with an energy rating of A+++.<br />

One lucky reader will get the<br />

chance to win this amazing<br />

appliance worth £700.<br />

www.haier-europe.com<br />

Closes 24/04/<strong>2023</strong> -<br />

Competition keywords:<br />

‘HAIER DRYER’<br />

We’ve teamed up with the<br />

Holiday Inn Cambridge to<br />

offer our readers the exclusive<br />

chance to win a staycation<br />

break. The lucky winner and<br />

their guest will enjoy a night’s<br />

stay with dinner and breakfast<br />

at the hotel.<br />

The Holiday Inn Cambridge has<br />

unveiled a major refurbishment<br />

to transform its public spaces<br />

and showcase a brand new<br />

Open Lobby concept on the<br />

ground floor. Set by a lake in<br />

Impington, it offers a relaxing<br />

WIN<br />

A STAYCATION<br />

FOR TWO<br />

AT THE<br />

HOLIDAY INN<br />

CAMBRIDGE!<br />

stay in the rolling<br />

countryside just 4 miles north<br />

of the city centre.<br />

One winner will receive an<br />

overnight stay at the Holiday<br />

Inn Cambridge hotel. The<br />

winner and their guest will<br />

share a double or twin room<br />

including breakfast and dinner<br />

at the hotel.<br />

www.lghhm.com<br />

Closes 24/04/<strong>2023</strong> -<br />

Competition keywords:<br />

‘HOLIDAY INN’<br />

WIN<br />

TICKETS TO THE<br />

BABY SHOW<br />

AND TOMMEE<br />

TIPPEE BABY<br />

BUNDLE! The Baby<br />

Show with Lidl<br />

GB is back for<br />

its 21st year. Taking<br />

place at ExCeL London from<br />

3rd to 5th <strong>Mar</strong>ch, Manchester<br />

Central 14th – 16th <strong>Apr</strong>il and<br />

NEC Birmingham 12th – 14th<br />

May, it is the UK’s largest<br />

and best-loved pregnancy<br />

and parenting event, giving<br />

new and expectant parents<br />

the opportunity to shop for<br />

everything they could ever<br />

need for their new arrival.<br />

Win tickets to the show and<br />

a fantastic Tommee Tippee<br />

bundle full of your new-born<br />

essentials worth £150! And a<br />

pair of tickets to Manchester<br />

OR Birmingham for three lucky<br />

runners up!<br />

www.thebabyshow.co.uk<br />

Closes 24/04/<strong>2023</strong> -<br />

Competition keywords:<br />

‘BABY SHOW’<br />

The new VAX SpotWash Home<br />

Pet-Design spot cleaner kills<br />

over 99%[1] of potentially<br />

harmful bacteria and removes<br />

spills, stains and pet mess<br />

from carpets, rugs, hard floors,<br />

upholstery and car interiors.<br />

Use the Extra Wide 2-in-1<br />

Wash Tool for quick clean ups<br />

and everyday stain removal,<br />

keeping the Messy Clean Up<br />

Tool separate to clean away<br />

unhygienic messes left by<br />

your pets. Lift away dirt and<br />

stubborn stains effortlessly<br />

with new SpinScrub Hand Tool,<br />

and tackle tougher, odorous<br />

pet mess with the Pet Stain &<br />

Odour Neutralising Solution.<br />

[1] When used with VAX<br />

Spot Washer<br />

Antibacterial<br />

Solution.<br />

WIN<br />

A VAX<br />

SPOTWASH<br />

HOME PET-<br />

DESIGN<br />

Buy direct<br />

from www.vax.<br />

co.uk priced £179.99<br />

including free solutions and<br />

delivery.<br />

www.vax.co.uk<br />

Closes 24/04/<strong>2023</strong> -<br />

Competition keyword:<br />

‘SPOTWASH’<br />

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


RINGWOOD’S<br />

AWARD-WINNING<br />

SHOPPING HAVEN<br />

Discover the <strong>New</strong> <strong>Forest</strong>’s<br />

best shopping secret.<br />

With big brands, independent<br />

boutiques and charming cafès;<br />

all nestled around a picturesque<br />

courtyard, it’s easy to see why<br />

The Furlong has won both the<br />

Gold and the Silver awards for<br />

the Best Shopping Destination<br />

on the south coast.<br />

NEW STORE<br />

OPEN<br />

For the latest festive events, offers & seasonal opening times visit thefurlong.co.uk<br />

GET BEHIND THE SCENES WITH US ON ANY OF<br />

OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS @FURLONGCENTRE<br />

FIND US JUST OFF<br />

THE A31, RINGWOOD


SWEET TREATS<br />

A luxury gift box including<br />

almonds en-robed in white, milk<br />

and dark chocolate, cinnamon<br />

dusted milk chocolate covered<br />

almonds and almond nougat.<br />

Luxury Chocolate Almond,<br />

Nougat and Truffle Selection Gift<br />

Box, £30, farhi.co.uk<br />

ON YER BIKE<br />

As the weather warms up, treat your mum to a<br />

stylish accessory pack to kit out her bike - we<br />

particularly love Bobbin Bike’s helmets - a real<br />

upgrade for a fashion-forward cycling look.<br />

Ding Dong Bell, £15, Metric Bike Helmet Matte<br />

Blueberry, £44, Button Bike Light Set, £9, all<br />

bobbinbikes.com<br />

MOMENT OF CALM<br />

Give mum five minutes to de-stress - this<br />

attractive gift cube contains 12 individuallywrapped,<br />

plastic-free, biodegradable pyramid<br />

tea bags in six assorted<br />

caffeine free, herbal and<br />

relaxing flavours.<br />

Moment of Calm<br />

Gift Cube, £10,<br />

birdandblendtea.com<br />

Mum’s<br />

T H E<br />

WORD<br />

It’s Mothering Sunday on 19th<br />

<strong>Mar</strong>ch - here are some gift ideas<br />

to show her how much you care<br />

COLOURFUL COVER UPS<br />

The perfect piece to pop on whilst getting ready,<br />

or even to take away on holiday. Available<br />

in a wide range of prints and patterns -<br />

one size to fit 8-16.<br />

Cotton Kimono Dressing Gown, £38.99,<br />

hauslife.co.uk<br />

PERFECT PREP<br />

The Easy Prep Pro food processor gives you<br />

all the performance of a full size processor<br />

but in a user friendly, compact size that’s easy<br />

to store or keep out on your worktop. It comes<br />

with just the right amount of accessories - a<br />

selection of blades and discs to give you a range of<br />

different functions but is super easy to use and clean.<br />

SUPER SOFT<br />

Cashmere is the ultimate luxury, and an<br />

investment to enjoy for years to come.<br />

We love this classic roll neck sweater.<br />

Cashmere Silk Roll Neck Sweater in<br />

Flecked Grey, £199, loopcashmere.co.uk<br />

Cuisinart Easy Prep Pro Food Processor, £140<br />

6 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


NORFOLK<br />

ROYALE<br />

HOTEL<br />

Bournemouth<br />

Sunday 19th <strong>Mar</strong>ch <strong>2023</strong><br />

Mother’s Day<br />

Sunday Lunch<br />

Treat your Mum and all the family to a delicious carvery<br />

at the Norfolk Royale Hotel, with a gift for Mum too<br />

1 Course £17.95<br />

2 Courses £22.95<br />

3 Courses £27.95<br />

Afternoon Tea<br />

Fancy something different, treat your Mum to our<br />

delicous Afternoon Tea<br />

from £17.50 per person<br />

To book call 01202 551521<br />

The Norfolk Royale Hotel, Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, Dorset BH2 6EN<br />

Email events@norfolkroyale-hotel-bournemouth.com<br />

Website www.thenorfolkhotel.co.uk


Furlong Centre<br />

supports Ringwood<br />

ECO Fair <strong>2023</strong><br />

Saturday 20th May from 10.30am...<br />

ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />

Organised by Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency<br />

(RACE) and hosted by The Furlong shopping centre, this year’s<br />

Ringwood Eco Fair is focusing on making space for nature. As<br />

part of this they will be giving away 50 dwarf fruit trees to be<br />

planted in the gardens of Ringwood. First come, first served.<br />

Come along to learn how you can encourage more wildlife in your<br />

garden and find opportunities to get involved with local groups<br />

who have a passion for nature.<br />

There will be groups, individuals and businesses with interactive<br />

stalls, local craft stalls with nature inspired products for sale<br />

and it will all be located at the Furlong Centre and outside the<br />

Gateway Building close to Ringwood car park and the bus stops.<br />

Plus, from 2pm there will be a clothes swap in the Meeting<br />

House.<br />

Fun for all the family - bring your children along to create their<br />

own leaf art, sample some vegan food, build a bug hotel and<br />

learn about trees and their importance to wildlife. Opportunities<br />

to learn about the <strong>New</strong> <strong>Forest</strong> National Park Authority and the<br />

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.<br />

There will be live music and <strong>Forest</strong> FM will be broadcasting from<br />

the event.<br />

Would like to know about alternative technologies like solar<br />

panels? Want ideas for upcycling? Interested in reducing food<br />

waste? Then come along to find out more!<br />

There are also lots of opportunities to shop locally, with all the<br />

shops and cafes open plus stalls selling sea glass jewellery,<br />

honey, beeswax candles, organic seeds, plastic free household<br />

goods and refills.<br />

<strong>Mar</strong>y DeBoos from RACE said “The past 2 events have been a<br />

great opportunity for people to share ideas, get new inspiration<br />

and explore small steps we can all take to help the planet. We<br />

hope to see lots of people joining in this year too.”<br />

For more details of events taking place at The Furlong shopping<br />

centre in Ringwood visit www.thefurlong.co.uk<br />

Full event details here - www.raceagainsttime.org.uk/eco-fair/<br />

Discover the <strong>New</strong> <strong>Forest</strong>’s<br />

secret garden…<br />

St Barbe<br />

Open<br />

exhibition<br />

29 <strong>Apr</strong>il<br />

- 10 June<br />

Thatched tea rooms<br />

Tranquil location<br />

Stunning spring display<br />

40 fairy doors<br />

Open 2022: Gillian Owen - Free Diver<br />

Paintings<br />

Prints<br />

Drawings<br />

Sculptures<br />

Ceramics<br />

Textiles<br />

Furzey Gardens, School Lane,<br />

Minstead, SO43 7GL<br />

Book online<br />

furzey-gardens.org<br />

Registered charity no. 1053319.<br />

www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk<br />

8 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


DISCOVER<br />

THE WONDER OF<br />

EXBURY<br />

THIS SPRING<br />

200 acres of spectacular spring<br />

colour and peaceful woodland set<br />

against the backdrop of the<br />

Beaulieu River. Welcome back<br />

to the great outdoors.<br />

Gardens and Steam Railway<br />

reopen on 18th <strong>Mar</strong>ch<br />

exbury.co.uk<br />

Exbury Gardens<br />

<strong>New</strong> <strong>Forest</strong>, Hampshire, SO45 1AZ<br />

info@exbury.co.uk | 023 8089 1203


A lifelong<br />

Love of Learning<br />

By Christopher King, CEO, Independent<br />

Association of Prep Schools...<br />

There is, of course, a great deal of<br />

difference between the concept of having<br />

a love for learning and the idea that<br />

a child should enjoy going to school.<br />

However, the child who does enjoy<br />

school is likely to be a child who thrives<br />

on many fronts in the classroom and<br />

co-curricular areas and, in turn, is likely<br />

to advance their learning experience at a<br />

rapid rate.<br />

You probably already know the almost<br />

certainly true story of the child who,<br />

when asked by his mother how his very<br />

first day at school had gone, got the<br />

reply: “It was ok, but I don’t think I need<br />

to bother going again.” Hardly a ringing<br />

endorsement of the school experience<br />

and its ability to capture the imagination<br />

of the child!<br />

However, I’d venture to suggest that the<br />

experience of the underwhelmed child<br />

is a great deal less likely to be replicated<br />

today. IAPS schools work very hard from<br />

day one to start children off on the right<br />

footing as they move forward into a life<br />

of learning. A child’s happiness is crucial<br />

to effective learning and, whilst structure<br />

and planning provide the framework, it is<br />

the effort which goes into understanding<br />

the child and their needs which counts.<br />

Small class sizes help, a high pupil<br />

to adult ratio counts as well, but a<br />

commitment from the Head, and senior<br />

management engaging with staff at all<br />

levels, leads to creating the environment<br />

where a child can thrive.<br />

Homework is a much-debated issue,<br />

with some parents seeing it as a weight<br />

which hangs over them every evening or<br />

weekend. Again, the more enlightened<br />

school only sets work which encourages<br />

and draws out the interests of the child<br />

in areas where they show enthusiasm<br />

already. The routine of finding room for<br />

homework becomes a habit which again<br />

helps to build an ethic which will stand<br />

a child in good stead for the future.<br />

Reading is simply the key to learning at<br />

all levels and developing confidence with<br />

language is a high priority for all IAPs<br />

teachers. Practice and small but regular<br />

incremental steps see the vocabulary and<br />

speed of reading hasten and, in doing so,<br />

the ability to work independently grows<br />

too.<br />

Independent learning is, indeed, the<br />

goal and IAPS schools will talk about<br />

the different ways in which this target<br />

skill is developed. In many cases the<br />

school will talk about child-centred<br />

learning, which sometimes concerns<br />

rightly optimistic and ambitious parents<br />

as it can be painted by some as a way to<br />

accept underachievement a slow rates<br />

of progress. However, child-centred<br />

learning does not mean the child cannot<br />

be challenged and encouraged in equal<br />

measure.<br />

Children like to please and, in a positive<br />

environment where their peers are also<br />

happy learners, the atmosphere created<br />

carries the child forward. In my role<br />

I am privileged to visit many schools<br />

in IAPS membership and witness the<br />

building blocks for lifelong learning being<br />

set down in the classroom, in outdoor<br />

activities and on the games field. In<br />

such schools you can see the children<br />

engaged and clearly thriving in a way<br />

they will carry forward through all stages<br />

of their formal education and, indeed,<br />

their future lives.<br />

10 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


Woodlands Lodge<br />

COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL<br />

Afternoon Tea<br />

Get together with family and friends<br />

and enjoy our home made sweet<br />

treats. We serve a traditional<br />

Afternoon Tea (£20 pp), as well as<br />

a Gentleman & Chocoholics version<br />

(both £25 pp), and our Enchanted<br />

Afternoon tea which is ideal for our<br />

younger guests (7.50 pp)<br />

Served daily 2-5 pm | Reserve a table<br />

now 02380 29 22 57 or via email<br />

reception@woodlands-lodge.co.uk<br />

www.woodlands-lodge.co.uk<br />

Are you Curious about<br />

your Health?<br />

Summer<br />

cOurses<br />

<strong>Apr</strong>il – June <strong>2023</strong><br />

Saturday Art School<br />

O<br />

Gives young artists aged 7-15 the chance to explore<br />

their creativity outside of regular school art<br />

classes, in a fun and encouraging environment.<br />

Wide range of subjects available.<br />

Evening and weekend courses<br />

Our adult courses are the perfect opportunity to<br />

discover, develop or nurture your creative talent.<br />

Wide range of subjects available. Suitable for all<br />

abilities and anyone aged 18+.<br />

Limited places available. Check our website for full<br />

details, including course dates, times and costs.<br />

Explore our courses<br />

and book now<br />

aub.ac.uk/summer<br />

shortcourses@aub.ac.uk<br />

01202 363222<br />

Increase your Health Span and<br />

feel the difference with a<br />

Bio Resonance Health Scan<br />

Offering an effective complementary treatment for chronic fatique<br />

We can also help with:<br />

Lyme Disease<br />

Chronic Back Pain<br />

Cardiovascular Decline<br />

Gut & Digestive Issues<br />

At Bio Health Scan we have found a way<br />

for you to recover from your injuries<br />

quicker than conventional methods<br />

in a safe and pain free way.<br />

And along the way help you<br />

become your own Health Boss.<br />

You can probably imagine how complicated that can be ...<br />

Book your session online today or<br />

call Kevin on 02079 657 548<br />

BioHealthScan@gmail.com<br />

BioHealth-Scan.com/curiousabouthealth<br />

Bournemouth. BH12 5EW<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 11


QUAIL EGG<br />

ARANCINI<br />

MAKE LEFTOVER RISOTTO INTO SCRUMPTIOUS<br />

ARANCINI BALLS FOR A FABULOUS STARTER,<br />

LIGHT BITE OR CANAPE.<br />

PREP TIME: 30 minutes<br />

COOK TIME: 20 minutes<br />

SERVES: 12<br />

INGREDIENTS:<br />

400g leftover risotto, cold<br />

12 Clarence Court quails eggs<br />

50g plain flour<br />

Sea salt and freshly ground black<br />

pepper<br />

Cayenne pepper<br />

1 egg, beaten well<br />

100g dried breadcrumbs<br />

1 small bunch of sage leaves<br />

Vegetable oil for deep fat frying<br />

200g homemade or good quality rape<br />

seed mayonnaise<br />

1 teaspoon baby capers, rinsed, dried<br />

and chopped<br />

A small bunch of dill, parsley and basil,<br />

leaves chopped<br />

METHOD:<br />

Start by mixing the leftover risotto, if it is<br />

very dry add a little beaten egg if needed.<br />

Boil the quails eggs to soft boil, usually around<br />

1 and a half to 2 minutes. Plunge into cold<br />

water and when cooled peel and place to one<br />

side.<br />

Take 3 plates, mix the flour with salt, pepper and<br />

a good pinch of cayenne pepper on one. Have<br />

the beaten egg on another plate and the dried<br />

breadcrumbs on another plate.<br />

Take a small ball of cooled risotto and flatten into a rough<br />

disk place an egg in the centre of the disc and pat into a<br />

little ball with extra risotto or needed. Roll the ball in the<br />

seasoned flour, dip into the beaten egg and then roll in the<br />

breadcrumbs. Place on another plate and repeat until you<br />

have 12 breadcrumbed arancini. Pop them in the fridge whilst<br />

you heat the vegetable oil and make the mayonnaise.<br />

Heat 5 inches of vegetable oil in a medium saucepan.<br />

Meanwhile make the mayo. Spoon the mayonnaise into a<br />

small mixing bowl and add the capers. Chop the herb leaves<br />

a little and add them to a pestle and mortar with a little pinch<br />

of sea salt, bash the leaves well until you make a paste and<br />

stir through the mayo. Season well the pepper.<br />

When the oil is hot enough (test with a piece of bread, when it<br />

turns lovely and golden the oil is ready) carefully fry 2 arancini<br />

at a time turning if needed until the breadcrumbs are golden.<br />

Lift out with a slotted spoon on to kitchen roll. Pick the sage<br />

leaves and add them to the oil, fry for a few seconds and lift<br />

out with the slotted spoon on to the paper. Put the arancini<br />

into a bowl and scatter over the fried sage leaves. Serve<br />

immediately with the herby mayo or cold as part of a picnic.<br />

www.clarencecourt.co.uk/recipes<br />

12 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


POTATO, SPRING ONION<br />

& FETA FRITTATA<br />

A SUPERBLY SIMPLE ONE-PAN RECIPE, ALICE LIVEING’S<br />

DELIGHTFUL FRITTATA OFFERS A HEALTHY YET HEARTY MEAL<br />

THAT THE WHOLE FAMILY CAN ENJOY!<br />

PREP TIME: 5 minutes<br />

COOK TIME: 20 minutes<br />

SERVES: 4<br />

INGREDIENTS:<br />

250g cooked new potatoes, sliced<br />

4 Clarence Court Burford Brown eggs<br />

1 handful of dill<br />

4 spring onions, finely sliced<br />

100g feta, crumbled<br />

Olive oil<br />

METHOD:<br />

In a small non-stick frying pan, heat oil<br />

over a medium heat. Add potatoes, then<br />

fry until beginning to crisp, this should<br />

take around 8 mins. In a bowl, whisk<br />

together the eggs, spring onions, dill and<br />

some seasoning. At this point, turn on<br />

your grill.<br />

Tip the eggs into frying pan, mix quickly,<br />

lower the heat, then sprinkle over the<br />

crumbled feta. After about 8 mins, once<br />

the top side has almost set, pop under<br />

the grill for 2-3 mins or until firm and<br />

golden. Slide out of the pan and serve!<br />

www.clarencecourt.co.uk/recipes<br />

14 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


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PEAR AND BLACKBERRY<br />

FRANGIPANE TART<br />

QUICK HOMEMADE FRANGIPANE IS THE PERFECT CARRIER FOR ALL TYPES OF FRUIT. KEEP IT<br />

SEASONAL, APPLES AND PEARS IN AUTUMN, CRANBERRIES AND CITRUS IN THE WINTER, BERRIES<br />

AND FIGS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER.<br />

PREP TIME: 1 Hour<br />

COOK TIME: 1 Hour<br />

SERVES: 8<br />

INGREDIENTS:<br />

Plain flour<br />

1 x 500g pack shortcrust pastry<br />

160g unsalted butter, softened<br />

160g caster sugar<br />

2 Medium Clarence Court Burford Brown eggs<br />

160g ground almonds<br />

2 tablespoons plain flour<br />

1 teaspoon almond extract<br />

50g blackberry jam<br />

100g blackberries<br />

3 pears<br />

Icing sugar<br />

METHOD:<br />

Roll the pastry to 3mm thick on a lightly floured<br />

work surface. Carefully line a 22cm, round, fluted<br />

tart tin allowing for a little overhang. Prick the base<br />

all over and place the lined tin in the freezer for 1 hour.<br />

Meanwhile place the butter, sugar, egg, almonds and<br />

extract in a large mixing bowl.<br />

Whisk together until smooth and place to one side. Peel<br />

one of the pears, core and chop then place to one<br />

side.<br />

Pre-heat the oven to 180c/350f/gas<br />

mark 4. Fill the chilled case with<br />

baking beans and blind bake for<br />

15 minutes. Remove the baking<br />

beans and return the case to<br />

the oven and bake for a further 5<br />

minutes or until golden.<br />

Once baked, remove the tart case<br />

from the oven and spoon the jam into<br />

the bottom of the case. Scatter over<br />

the chopped pear. Fold half of the<br />

berries into the frangipane<br />

and spoon over the jam<br />

and chopped pear.<br />

Smooth over with a<br />

spatula.<br />

Halve, core and slice<br />

the remaining 2 pears.<br />

Arrange the slices over<br />

the frangipane and dot the<br />

remaining blackberries around.<br />

Place the tart on an oven tray and<br />

bake for 30 minutes or until just<br />

risen and set.<br />

Allow to cool for a few minutes<br />

before removing from the tin and<br />

allow to cool on a wire rack. Serve<br />

warm with creme fraiche and berries or<br />

allow to cool completely.<br />

Dust with icing sugar and serve.<br />

www.clarencecourt.co.uk/recipes<br />

16 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


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Why not visit our showroom?<br />

Tuesday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm<br />

Saturday 9.30am to 4.30pm<br />

• We supply and install a wide range of stoves: Hunter,<br />

Esse, Salamander Hobbit, Burley, Di Lusso, Avalon,<br />

Heta, TermaTech, Parkray Aspect etc.<br />

• Wood burners and multifuel stoves, traditional and modern.<br />

• Styles to suit all tastes.<br />

• We can supply flues, cowls and accessories.<br />

• We design and build complete fireplaces.<br />

• Complete stove and flue installations.<br />

• HETAS pass with Distinction. HETAS Registered Engineer.<br />

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Visit: www.cozystoves.co.uk<br />

18 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


WOOD<br />

Cuban White Star<br />

Tile - CTD Tiles<br />

Engineered<br />

Wood<br />

TILE<br />

The natural choice for bathrooms, tiles are also becoming<br />

more popular for living spaces - helping to connect indoor<br />

and outdoor spaces with uniformity.<br />

Wooden flooring has traditionally been the go-to choice<br />

for many households due the beautiful appearance of the<br />

colour and grain found in many tree species. It can make<br />

your home feel warm and add character to rooms no matter<br />

their size.<br />

Generally speaking, you<br />

can choose between<br />

two options - hardwood<br />

and engineered, both<br />

with their own inherent<br />

pros and cons.<br />

ENGINEERED VS<br />

HARDWOOD<br />

Fendi Herringbone<br />

by Havwood<br />

Engineered flooring<br />

consists of layers of ply<br />

that have been bonded<br />

together with a top<br />

layer of solid wood. The<br />

advantage of engineered<br />

flooring rather than solid<br />

wood is that it has less tendency to expand and contract –<br />

meaning that it can be used with underfloor heating and in<br />

areas where moisture and temperature levels may vary, such<br />

as kitchens.<br />

The significant advantage of hardwood flooring is that it can<br />

be sanded and refinished numerous times throughout its<br />

lifespan - because the top layer of engineered flooring is a<br />

wood overlay, there is a limit to the number of times it can be<br />

refinished - this is not true of hardwood, giving it real longevity.<br />

TAKE TO THE<br />

FLOOR<br />

Considering upgrading your flooring? We compare the<br />

pros and cons of different styles and most suitable uses<br />

• Hypoallergenic – Tile is inhospitable to dust mites,<br />

mould, germs, and bacteria and often used to replace<br />

carpet for people with allergies or asthma.<br />

• Impact resistant, and difficult to abuse or scratch<br />

compared to other coverings, a tiled surface will last.<br />

Porcelain tile is made of dense clay and put through<br />

a firing process which renders it harder than granite!<br />

There is no need for cutting boards or pot holders to<br />

protect tile countertops from damage. Even floors in<br />

high-traffic areas are no match for the durability of tile<br />

when properly installed. Properly installed, tile can last<br />

a lifetime.<br />

• Ceramic and porcelain tile do not emit<br />

VOCs and are created<br />

with naturally occurring<br />

clay and minerals that<br />

are heated to high<br />

temperatures, and<br />

contribute to its long life<br />

span.<br />

Briar Natural Loop,<br />

Westex Flooring<br />

CARPET<br />

First and foremost, a carpeted floor is a safer floor. The soft<br />

surface and cushioned under-padding not only reduce the<br />

impact of a fall, but also the likelihood of it happening in<br />

the first place. Carpet is inherently slip-resistant, meaning<br />

it’s harder to slip and fall. Carpet requires a bit of extra<br />

maintenance compared to vinyl or tile, but there’s simply<br />

no substitute in terms of sound absorption, warmth and<br />

overall comfort.<br />

Black Oak Boulevard<br />

Solid Wood - Junckers<br />

• When you’re choosing a new carpet, the most<br />

important thing to consider what type of carpet you<br />

are buying is what room you are buying carpet for.<br />

Different carpets suit different areas, and some are<br />

more hard-wearing to suit better areas like stairs.<br />

• Always opt for a good, thick underlay. As well as<br />

making the carpet feel more plush underfoot, it will<br />

also help reduce wear and tear.<br />

• Consider your usage carefully; if you have a busy<br />

household with pets and children, a bleachable carpet<br />

may be a more sensible option than pure wool.<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 19


LUXURY<br />

VINYL TILE<br />

NATURAL<br />

STONE<br />

Amtico Spacia Stones<br />

Create an authentic wood, marble or stone finish instantly<br />

in your home in an affordable way. Ideal for your bathroom,<br />

kitchen or hallway; luxury vinyl tiles are practical, durable and<br />

easy to clean, and they are easy and cost-effective to fit.<br />

• The design layer of LVT is topped with a transparent,<br />

protective coating with a built-in stain guard and<br />

scratch resistance. As a result, LVT flooring is extremely<br />

durable and hardwearing, soft to walk on and even<br />

waterproof, making them ideal for areas like kitchens<br />

and bathrooms, or anywhere with excess water.<br />

• Provides warmth and cushioned feel underfoot.<br />

• The average lifespan of LVT is 25-30 years depending<br />

on maintenance, traffic and location.<br />

• As a robust yet versatile alternative to tiled and<br />

hardwood, LVT’s ability to replicate their designs to<br />

an intricate detail is much admired. Displaying the<br />

character, look and grain of wood flooring or the texture<br />

and feel of Italian slate tiles, LVT offers an affordable<br />

alternative.<br />

<strong>Mar</strong>lborough Terracotta Herringbone - Ca’Pietra<br />

Natural stone is held in high regard as a premier building<br />

material because it reflects unique character, stability, and<br />

grandeur. It looks wonderful in heritage properties, but<br />

can also give depth and visual interest to newer builds.<br />

Variations in natural stone’s broad range of colour, pattern,<br />

and texture are wonderful to look at and impossible to<br />

replicate.<br />

• Pattina is the point - there are many surfaces which<br />

are designed to look the same on day one as day<br />

100 - natural stone is not designed to be that way.<br />

Materials like terracotta patina over time.<br />

• Stone can be a wonderful way to connect indoor and<br />

outdoor spaces with unified flooring - it helps create a<br />

sense of space.<br />

• Stone flooring is durable. It can stand up to spills<br />

and high traffic, making it ideal for kitchens, hallways<br />

and bathrooms. Stone is naturally moisture and stain<br />

resistant, unlike wood flooring. Even though the initial<br />

investment for stone flooring may cost more than<br />

carpet or vinyl flooring, it will last longer.<br />

• Natural stone is timeless. Since they’re not affected<br />

by ephemeral trends, these tiles will result in an iconic<br />

look that’s guaranteed to add value to your property<br />

regardless of when you decide to sell it.<br />

Karndean Art Design<br />

Jaipur Brushed Limestone - Mandarin Stone<br />

20 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


Maybe it’s time<br />

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<strong>New</strong> <strong>Forest</strong> Designs, 6 High Street, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 1AX<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 21


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22 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


Amazing<br />

Glazing<br />

Of any investment in your property, your glazing is arguably<br />

the most important - from improving the energy efficiency of<br />

your home to creating dramatic focal points that frame a space. We’ve got<br />

a guide to options out there and some top elements to look out for. Before<br />

starting any project though, check local building regulations - especially<br />

if you live in a listed property or conservation area, where there may be<br />

restrictive covenants on the works you can undertake.<br />

UPVC WINDOWS<br />

UPVC windows have come on leaps and bounds,<br />

with many more colour options, plus a raft of finishes<br />

to imitate wood and even composite finishes for that<br />

extra touch of luxury.<br />

Replacing older double glazed units is likely to save<br />

you greatly on energy bills. Triple glazing adds that<br />

extra layer of insulation - both for heat and sound,<br />

ideal if you live on a busy road.<br />

When looking at energy ratings, you’ll also see the<br />

‘U-Value’. U-Value is a measure of how easily heat can<br />

pass through something. The lower the amount of heat<br />

the material lets escape, the higher the U-Value will be.<br />

Some windows might have a high energy rating, but<br />

low U-Value. This is because the energy rating looks<br />

at all aspects of the window, including the types of<br />

glass or gas, and not just how well the materials<br />

insulate, so they might be better overall.<br />

ROOFLIGHTS AND LANTERNS<br />

If you really want to let the light shine on in, roof lights and lanterns<br />

make an amazing impact. Under similar conditions, roof windows are<br />

shown to provide at least twice as much light as vertical windows of<br />

the same size.<br />

Struggling to decide between the two? The biggest difference<br />

between a roof lantern and a rooflight is their appearance and cost,<br />

both from an interior and exterior point of view. Flat rooflights are<br />

barely visible at a ground level whereas roof lanterns provide an<br />

impressive addition to the architecture of your property. If you’d like<br />

a roof glazing system that is also a focal point, then a roof lantern<br />

is most definitely for you. An integral part of a large section of any<br />

roof, such as an orangery, roof lanterns can also be installed onto<br />

conservatories and flat roof extensions.<br />

A rooflight, on the other hand, is a glazed flat unit typically installed<br />

onto a flat roof, perfect for stargazing at night! It is a great option for<br />

making your living space look much more spacious and open-plan –<br />

whilst maximising the amount of natural light for smaller living spaces<br />

without compromising the height of your roof.<br />

Historically roof lanterns were first used by the Victorians and therefore<br />

tend to be an architectural feature of older style properties, whilst<br />

rooflights are a more modern feature and therefore stylistically neutral<br />

no matter what property type you own.<br />

BI FOLDING DOORS<br />

Origin Doors - Image courtesy of Village Conservatories<br />

The quality of bi-folding doors can vary dramatically - online<br />

suppliers can rarely offer the same installation guarantees<br />

as traditional glazing companies, so you really need to<br />

understand what you’re buying. Be aware too that the everdiminishing<br />

sightliness on doors put additional pressure on<br />

the sliding mechanisms - especially if your glass panels are<br />

large. It’s always best to go for longevity of function over<br />

saving a few millimetres of frame.<br />

Never choose UPCV bifolds - aluminium doors are far more<br />

robust and do not shrink and expand.<br />

Origin are market-leaders offering robust build quality and are<br />

manufactured in the UK. They have both slimline and thickerframed<br />

doors for wider expanses of glass - we also love the<br />

industrial look of the glazing bars for that Crittall look. Find out<br />

more at origin-global.com<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 23


A TOUCH OF<br />

FROST<br />

LISA ROCKLIFFE CHATS TO<br />

AWARD-WINNING BRITISH<br />

GARDEN DESIGNER AND<br />

TELEVISION PRESENTER,<br />

ADAM FROST...<br />

Full disclosure, I’m a huge Adam Frost fan. I love my garden<br />

and he is one of the most accomplished garden designers<br />

in the business. Long before he showed up on Gardeners’<br />

World on a Friday night he was a hugely renowned garden<br />

designer and holder of seven RHS Chelsea Gold medals. He’s<br />

a heavyweight in the world of garden design as well as being a<br />

gifted broadcaster and all-round nice guy. When we catch up he<br />

is about to embark on an extra run of shows about his life and<br />

his career in gardening.<br />

WHAT PEOPLE CAN EXPECT FROM THE SHOW?<br />

“Well it goes through my life as a gardener really. I’m 50+ now<br />

and the show came about because someone heard my life story,<br />

which isn’t without its cul-de-sacs, and they suggested taking it<br />

out on the road and talking about it. In all honesty I thought they<br />

were joking, and even when we started doing it, I thought no<br />

one would turn up but people did and it went really well so they<br />

asked if we could add a few more and that turned into eight!<br />

“I talk about my childhood, moving from just outside London<br />

to Devon when I was 15, leaving home at 16, getting a job in<br />

the Parks Department, moving back to London, and eventually<br />

getting a job with Geoff Hamilton, which was a big change<br />

in my life. On the evening I go into all those details; the night<br />

takes in everything;, the good the bad and the indifferent. There<br />

are moments when they’ll smile and laugh, there are moments<br />

which will make them go ‘Oh my God I can’t believe he did that’<br />

and there might even be a tear or two as I’m very honest about<br />

the rubbish things that have happened to me, all the way to how<br />

I ended up on telly on a Friday night doing ‘Gardeners’ World’.<br />

To be honest I’m really a 16-year-old toerag who’s done alright,<br />

so I suppose that’s what it’s all about.”<br />

SO HIS INTRODUCTION TO GARDENING WAS FROM<br />

EARLY CHILDHOOD?<br />

“Yeah I had a really difficult childhood so I spent a lot of time<br />

with my grandparents. I talk about my ‘Tidy Nan’ and my<br />

‘Scruffy Nan’. ‘Tidy Nan’ had an allotment and that taught me<br />

about growing your own food. ‘Scruffy Nan’ had this wilderness<br />

outside her back door, and I was just free to explore. There was<br />

the care and being looked after and guided by ‘Tidy Nan’ and<br />

whilst ‘Scruffy Nan’ looked after me too I had a lot of freedom.<br />

That is how it all started for me. It’s interesting, my last book<br />

was ‘How I Garden’ and it opened my eyes to how the people I<br />

have known have influenced how I do things. For instance, look<br />

at Geoff Hamilton. I went in there as a 21-year-old and he was<br />

talking about organic gardening, using peat-free compost and<br />

preserving the countryside – this is 30-plus years ago. This was<br />

a man who was completely ahead of his time and I think I just<br />

sucked all that up really. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have met<br />

the people I’ve met along the way.”<br />

BUT YOU STILL MUST BE OPEN TO TAKING THOSE<br />

IDEAS ON BOARD WHEN YOU SEE THEM?<br />

“Well I’ve always been someone to have a go at things, so I’m<br />

always willing to try – even when I don’t have a bloody clue to<br />

be honest!”<br />

YOU SEEM KEEN, WHEN YOU ARE PRESENTING, TO<br />

WANT TO DEMYSTIFY GARDENING. IS THAT FAIR?<br />

“I was sold gardening on the basis that I could be a gardener, a<br />

chef or I could join the army. They were my options. Once you<br />

get involved you wonder why it was sold to you as the option for<br />

someone without a great education, or for someone who wasn’t<br />

such a bright spark, which unfortunately it was back then, so<br />

when I’m stood in front of a camera I just want people to have<br />

a go. If I can keep it simple and explain things in four words not<br />

ten I’ll use four.”<br />

MANY PEOPLE ARE PUT OFF BECAUSE THEY THINK<br />

IT’S TOO HARD, AND THERE’S TOO MUCH LATIN!<br />

“Exactly. We’re told if we don’t prune something on the third<br />

Wednesday in <strong>Mar</strong>ch the whole world’s going to come to an end<br />

and in reality, it doesn’t. You don’t need to know the Latin names<br />

or how to pronounce them, as long as you can make yourself<br />

understood it really doesn’t matter. The plant just wants you to<br />

look after it, it’s not worried about how you pronounce its name.”<br />

ADAM AND HIS FAMILY HAVE RECENTLY MOVED<br />

FROM THEIR LINCOLNSHIRE HOME TO A NEW,<br />

SMALLER PLOT.<br />

24 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


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www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 25


“To tell you the truth on the first half of<br />

the tour I think most people just wanted<br />

to know why we moved! The reality was<br />

Mrs Frost was poorly, one of my kids was<br />

poorly and the wheels started to come<br />

off. We sat down as a family and decided<br />

to simplify our lives. At my old house I<br />

had three-acres and one lad helping me,<br />

and that wasn’t all the time, and it was<br />

too much. Now I have a garden that has<br />

rekindled my love for it. I have enough to<br />

do but I’m not constantly tied to it.”<br />

DOES HE HAVE ANY TRIED AND<br />

TESTED COMBINATIONS THAT HE<br />

RETURNS TO IN EACH GARDEN<br />

THAT HE DOES?<br />

“No, but I do have certain plants that I<br />

call ‘Get Out Of Jail’ plants. For instance,<br />

if I look at small garden trees I look at<br />

things like amelanchier and cornus mas,<br />

they work really hard. If I look at shrubs<br />

I love species roses, I love cotinus<br />

because of the foliage and the backdrop<br />

and the colours you can get it in. When<br />

it comes to herbaceous plants hardy<br />

geraniums are always great, astrantias<br />

are always good because they’re so<br />

long flowering. There are certain plants<br />

that will likely appear in most gardens<br />

because you know they are going<br />

to work. Then I sort of paint around<br />

them and what I paint around them is<br />

constantly evolving. I have a book of<br />

plant names that I keep adding to all the<br />

time. If I see a new plant somewhere I like<br />

I’ll get it and experiment with it, and when<br />

I’ve done that, it’ll start getting used for<br />

a client.”<br />

I IMAGINE IT’S A CONSTANTLY<br />

EVOLVING PROCESS?<br />

“Yeah it’s never finished. I have a<br />

continuing fascination with the natural<br />

world and as we look forward we are<br />

facing environmental challenges that<br />

we haven’t faced really before, and we<br />

are considering how gardens affect us<br />

emotionally and physically in a way that<br />

we haven’t really thought about much<br />

before. All that side of it is fascinating to<br />

understand and be part of – the human<br />

connection to gardening.”<br />

HAS HIS VIEW ON THAT CHANGED<br />

SINCE COVID?<br />

“No not really, Covid gave me more time<br />

to be with my family and in my garden so<br />

I had that, but I always knew that gardens<br />

can fix us and can be major parts of our<br />

lives. Covid just gave me time to realise<br />

that it was more important to me than<br />

perhaps I thought it was.”<br />

WAS IT NICE TO SEE EVERYONE<br />

ELSE NOTICE IT TOO?<br />

“Oh that was incredible. If there was one<br />

positive to come out of the madness that<br />

was Covid it was the 2 to 3 million new<br />

gardeners. I covered a few Gardeners’<br />

Worlds that Monty couldn’t do and my<br />

daughter and I did a weekly thing on<br />

Instagram and it was great, I felt like<br />

we were having conversations with<br />

gardeners, so many of them new, and<br />

it was an uplifting thing. If you love<br />

something and other people want to<br />

come to the party things don’t get much<br />

better than that do they.”<br />

SO YOUR NEW GARDEN IS A<br />

MULTI-LEVEL GARDEN, DOES<br />

THAT PRESENT ANY PARTICULAR<br />

CHALLENGES TO YOU?<br />

“It carries the same challenges really – it<br />

has drier areas, damper areas. It does<br />

dry out quickly because of the layers so<br />

the lawn is a waste of time – that is going<br />

to go. I’m probably going to have a play<br />

with some low growing wildflower mixes.<br />

That presents a challenge because Mrs<br />

Frost likes a tidy lawn and now she’s<br />

not going to have one! With this garden<br />

I’m most looking forward to spending<br />

time in the veg garden, I’ve turned the<br />

entire front garden into a veg patch. I<br />

always talk about my veg garden being<br />

my hobby, which is a bit sad given how I<br />

make a living, but it is. I love growing and<br />

cooking so I’ll spend my time in my front<br />

garden with my veggies.”<br />

IS HE MORE A VEG MAN THAN A<br />

FLOWER MAN THEN?<br />

“I’m both really, I make my living<br />

designing gardens for people and I<br />

love putting combinations together and<br />

planting things and designing spaces but<br />

actually just on a personal level at the<br />

weekend, I love going out and planting a<br />

few veg, playing with it, cooking for the<br />

family. And that is more a hobby level<br />

really – the ornamentals are the day job.<br />

It’s also quite good if you say that on<br />

telly because when you make mistakes it<br />

doesn’t really matter!”<br />

WILL HE BE AT ANY OF THE<br />

SHOWS THIS YEAR?<br />

“Yes I’m booked into Malvern Spring<br />

Festival, which will be really good.”<br />

AND WHERE IS HE MOST LIKELY<br />

TO BE FOUND WHEN THE<br />

CAMERAS AREN’T ROLLING?<br />

“I always go and catch up with my friends<br />

in the Floral <strong>Mar</strong>quee, the growers, and<br />

I love having a wander over to the food<br />

areas, find a new bottle of gin for Mrs<br />

Frost that sort of thing. These shows are<br />

a big thing. You go because you love<br />

gardens but they’re much more than that,<br />

they’re a great day out really.”<br />

AND WHEN YOU GO TO CHELSEA<br />

IS IT THE SAME?<br />

“Again I like catching up with friends and<br />

the Floral <strong>Mar</strong>quee. The Floral <strong>Mar</strong>quee,<br />

at 7am before anybody gets there, is<br />

one of the most wonderful places in the<br />

world. The privilege for me now is I get to<br />

walk on to all the gardens and I get to talk<br />

about them.”<br />

DO YOU MISS BEING THERE AS A<br />

DESIGNER?<br />

“Yeah I think that’s one for the future.<br />

Now we have done what we need to<br />

do to find the right balance in life I think<br />

hopefully it’ll give me an opportunity to<br />

do another garden. Watch this space.”<br />

Adam Frost will be appearing at Wyvern<br />

Theatre on 29 <strong>Mar</strong>ch, tickets are £34.50.<br />

Book online at swindontheatres.co.uk.<br />

26 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


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www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 27


Help for Those who<br />

Care for Others<br />

Professor June Andrews discusses what<br />

makes a carer, and how her new book<br />

‘Carers and Caring’ can give some much<br />

needed advice to those who find themselves<br />

looking after a friend or loved one...<br />

Who are carers? To those who have<br />

a relative or friend that they care for,<br />

it might seem odd that this is even a<br />

question. It needs to be asked for two<br />

reasons. First, because sometimes the<br />

people who do it as part of their job<br />

are also sometimes called ‘carers’. And<br />

second, because family and friends who<br />

do caring work often say that they are not<br />

‘carers’. You may be a family member or<br />

friend who rejects the idea of being called<br />

a ‘carer’.<br />

Even if you don’t recognise that as<br />

yourself, you may be one those people<br />

who provide care as an act of love,<br />

loyalty, duty, kindness – or even by<br />

accident – looking after an ill, older, or<br />

disabled family member, friend, partner,<br />

or someone in your community. It may<br />

be a few hours a week or round the clock<br />

every day, in their own home or from a<br />

distance.<br />

My aim to help people see advantages of<br />

allowing others to call you ‘a carer’. What<br />

others say doesn’t change your personal<br />

relationship, and I believe you must allow<br />

them to use this label. This is because<br />

a lot of the outside help that is on offer<br />

is only available to anyone defined as a<br />

carer. And you deserve that help.<br />

Obvious examples are when health<br />

and social services talk about ‘Carer’s<br />

Allowance’ and ‘Carer’s rights’. This<br />

language used in their regulations, laws<br />

and administration is an imposition,<br />

but both you and to the person you are<br />

caring for could benefit hugely from this<br />

support. Acknowledging that you have a<br />

caring role opens the door. Keeping your<br />

identity as husband, daughter, wife, son,<br />

friend, neighbour or relative is important,<br />

but if you allow yourself to be known in<br />

addition as their ‘carer’, it just makes life<br />

easier. No one likes being labelled, but<br />

there is a good reason to be pragmatic<br />

about this definition.<br />

This is why I’ve written a book just for<br />

carers. The aim is to save you time and<br />

reduce the cost of caring by advising<br />

on common problems and ways round<br />

the system, and sources of help. Carers<br />

need practical advice that is easy to read<br />

and based on experience and evidence.<br />

Official processes are<br />

complicated, and it can<br />

take time to search for<br />

answers, being referred<br />

from pillar to post, when<br />

dealing with health and<br />

social care systems.<br />

My focus in “Carers and<br />

Caring” is on people<br />

caring for older, frailer<br />

friends and family. Many<br />

of the problems are similar<br />

for people who care for younger people,<br />

people with complex health needs or<br />

children, but there are very important<br />

differences.<br />

Caring can be a joy and a privilege. It’s<br />

part of human life to care for others, and<br />

for many people the involvement is a<br />

source of great happiness. It is a chance<br />

to give back to people who have given<br />

of themselves all their lives. If you are<br />

having such a wonderful experience, you<br />

might wonder why the focus is on where<br />

things have gone wrong, are difficult, or<br />

could be made better. That’s because<br />

this book is about when things are tough.<br />

The ‘Joy of Caring’ is maybe the next<br />

book for me to write! Highlighting and<br />

offering solutions to the tough stuff is<br />

intended make your caring experience<br />

less difficult now, allowing more space for<br />

the joyful stuff. You are the expert on this<br />

person and how they live. But<br />

even an expert needs some<br />

fresh ideas occasionally.<br />

There is more on my website<br />

at www.juneandrews.net<br />

including an A to Z of caring.<br />

The book is here<br />

https://juneandrews.net/<br />

books/carers-and-caringthe-one-stop-guide<br />

28 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


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www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 29


A GARDEN rethink<br />

In this edition, our regular<br />

contributor Matt Biggs discusses some<br />

nature-friendly options on how to<br />

transform our front garden spaces...<br />

The last few years have certainly thrown some challenges up<br />

about the way we use, and want to use, our gardens. Scorched<br />

lawns, hosepipe bans, floods and lockdowns, it has been a tricky<br />

time so now is the moment to take a step back and take another<br />

look at what we want from our outdoor spaces.<br />

It is all too easy to give in the ‘concrete it over and use it as a<br />

car park’ option and indeed front gardens are increasingly being<br />

used as such, but what a waste of a potentially attractive and<br />

even productive space. Birds and insects don’t love concrete<br />

and it also adds to the flood problem by offering no drainage so<br />

heavy rains run off directly into the gutters and can cause ‘flash<br />

flooding’. If you really need the space for a vehicle then consider<br />

using a material that will drain, a honeycomb of recycled plastic<br />

is available which gives strength and allows parking but the<br />

centre of the honeycomb is earth, and once it has been in place a<br />

while plants and grass will establish themselves so it looks softer,<br />

drains and gives birds and insects a little space too. Plant flowers<br />

round the edges, a hedge rather than a fence, some pots or<br />

hanging baskets maybe a small fruit or berry bearing tree, some<br />

water or even a birdbath - all of these are giving back to nature<br />

rather than taking away.<br />

Our outdoor spaces are ours to use,<br />

but also to share and if the past few<br />

years have taught us anything it is<br />

that we share our world with so many<br />

other creatures and they give back so<br />

much to us, so let’s return the favour!<br />

You don’t have to do all the hard work<br />

yourself, local garden centres, nurseries and landscapers have so<br />

much expertise they can share. Radio and TV programmes, the<br />

internet, books and magazines are all there for inspiration – so<br />

tap into to what is on offer and look forward to seeing who comes<br />

to share your space!<br />

To find out more about Matt visit his website<br />

matthewbiggs.com<br />

30 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


CONTENTIOUS PROBATE:<br />

CHALLENGING WILLS AND<br />

PROTECTING ESTATES<br />

ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />

The death of a friend or family member can<br />

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www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 31


Incorporating Starbuck & Mack<br />

CONTENTIOUS<br />

PROBATE<br />

CHALLENGING WILLS &<br />

PROTECTING ESTATES<br />

The death of a friend or family member can<br />

often represent a huge loss, but if there’s a<br />

problem with their Will or someone makes<br />

a claim against their estate, it can seem<br />

daunting to deal with.<br />

Our solicitors are able to advise if issues<br />

come to light about the preparation of the<br />

Will, how it was witnessed, the testator’s<br />

capacity or undue influence on the testator.<br />

Our Will writing team can help with<br />

preventing claims by advising clients on<br />

mental capacity tests, preparing sealed<br />

letters and ensuring there can be no<br />

allegations of duress.<br />

A professionally drafted Will is essential, as<br />

the cost of making a Will pales in<br />

comparison to the cost of defending a<br />

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OUR WORK INCLUDES:<br />

• Advising on challenges to Wills<br />

and Estates<br />

• Advising on the Inheritance<br />

(Provision for Family and<br />

Dependents) Act 1975<br />

• Assisting in obtaining the medical<br />

records of a deceased person<br />

• Advising on how to ensure that<br />

your wishes in a Will are respected<br />

via a capacity test or sealed letter<br />

Jasper Vincent Solicitors,<br />

Unit 1 Chevron Business Park,<br />

Lime Kiln Lane, Holbury,<br />

Southampton SO45 2QL<br />

Telephone: 023 8089 0919<br />

e: waterside@jaspervincent.com

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