Guildford Living Oct - Nov 2023

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C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

18 17 

INTERIOR HOME FOR UPDATES XMAS 

Editor Katie Thomson 

e katie@minervapublications.co.uk 

Assistant Editor Kate Norris 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Pre Press Manager Rebecca Rose 

Contributors 

Matthew Biggs, Angela Cave, 

Louise Thomson, Pete Lawrence 

JACK AUTUMNAL STEIN BAKING INTERVIEW & RECIPE 

22 

FOR ADVERTISING 

e studio@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984550 

Front Cover courtesy of Del Monte 

04 

COMPETITIONS 

16 27 

PLANTS FOR POLLINATORS 

AKTAR ISLAM 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS 

Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, 

Hilperton BA14 6JB 

t 01225 984 550 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

Printed on sustainably sourced paper. 

Please recycle this copy or pass it along 

when you are finished for someone else 

to enjoy. 

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. 

I write this note on the day 

I of intense had my discussion first English about 

strawberry the future of this GCSEs. week, I’m and sure my 

word, we can it was all recollect beyond delicious what a 

- tough perfectly time exam sweet, season it was was a 

very - and good how dramatic advert for we eating may 

seasonally. have felt about I’ve the tried impact to echo of 

this those in results all my recent on our fruit lives and - 

vegetable only to realise purchases, in the fullness and it’s 

had of time, a transformative it’s not the sole effect thing on 

my that cooking makes or - everything breaks a life’s just 

tastes trajectory. better - more vibrant, 

needing less seasoning and 

just Here overall in the office, very tasty. we’ve been 

comparing all our own results 

I’m stories, making and whether most they of 

cooking were ones whilst of celebration I still have or a 

kitchen commiseration, - mine is we due all to agree be 

ripped that, with out hindsight, two weeks and can 

it look will be back camping at our stove school and 

air experience frying for and two observe months from how 

there! it has shaped I’ve already us, but picked not that my 

kitchen, defined but us. it got me thinking 

about all the other areas that 

need It seems updating only right in my to home. reflect If 

you on school are thinking as we of come a similar into 

refresh, open day please season check - if you out have our 

home children pages or grandchildren this edition still - 

they’re on their full educational of inspiring journey, trends 

and we have a few some timeless advice classics. to help 

choose the right school. 

We’ve also got some lovely 

editorial On the foodie on the side best of things plants 

for this pollinators edition, we - it’s have never an 

been interview so important with Michelin to support chef 

wildlife Aktar in Islam, the garden. plus some 

delicious recipes for the 

The autumn. competition guide this 

issue is a bumper one - we 

have If you an outdoor have furniture visitors 

set descending from Bramblecrest at Christmas, worth 

nearly you just £3,000, want plus to make a cordless some 

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plus our home a lot pages more makes this edition. 

well 

worth a look and an enter! 

Please don’t forget to check 

We our website will be for back our again bumper in 

August crop of competitions. 

- I’ll be fully rebooted 

and recharged into summer 

mode. That’s See all you from then! me - I’m 

sorry to say that the next 

time you see us, we will be 

Katie 

in Christmas mode. Fair 

warning! Ho ho ho! 

Katie 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

COMPETITIONS 

We have three ways to enter 

these amazing giveaways: 

SINGLE ENTRY 

You can enter this 

competition alone for 70p per 

entry (the cost of a stamp) 

in the competition section of 

minervamagazines.co.uk 

– please select the keyword 

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to enter. 

COMPETITION 

CLUB 

You can join our Competition 

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BY POST 

You can send your entry on a 

postcard with the keyword to 

Minerva, Unit 21C, Paxcroft 

Farm, Hilperton, BA14 6JB - 

one entry per postcard. 

Please include a contact 

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One lucky reader will win a three-night stay in the luxurious 

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4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

what's on at 

yvonne arnaud 

theatre... 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Head to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in 

Guildford this Christmas for their take 

on the original rags to riches tale, the 

godmother of all pantos, Cinderella! 

Their sparkling, award-winning pantomimes are made in-house in 

Guildford. Written, directed, designed and staged by the Yvonne 

Arnaud team, you can be sure of a thoroughly original production 

for all the family every time. 

This year’s stellar line-up includes EastEnders and Detectorists 

favourite Lucy Benjamin as the Wicked Stepmother, Radio’s Peter 

Gordon in a hilarious Ugly Stepsister duo alongside Guildford 

Shakepeare Company co-founder Matt Pinches, and CBeebies 

star James Merry for his third Guildford panto. They are joined by 

a fabulous cast of actors from stage and screen, and an eightstrong 

all-singing, all-dancing ensemble. 

Running from Saturday 2 December to Sunday 7 January , it 

promises to be the perfect festive treat for the whole family, full 

of slapstick and slosh, music and magic. 

What’s more, the theatre offers British Sign Language interpreted, 

Dementia-friendly and Relaxed performances, so everyone 

can join in the fun. There are also options for pre-show parties 

with family and friends, or homemade Christmas dinners in the 

Riverbank Kitchen, so you can add even more sparkle to your 

panto experience. 

Tickets start at £24, with discounts for groups, under 16s and 

more. You can find out more at Yvonne-Arnaud.co.uk/whatson/Cinderella, 

or call the Box Office team on 01483 44 00 00 

(Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm). 

Don’t wait to book – the clock is ticking! 


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BOOK TODAY 

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When the sun goes down, the lights go up. 

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RHS Registered Charity No: 222879/SC038262 

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wisley_nov23_110x153.indd 1 www.minervamagazines.co.uk 23/08/2023 09:24| 7

Divorce and Separation 

– Family Law Partners 

Approach 


Family Law Partners work with clients 

to help them avoid the traditional Court 

process where possible, which is often both 

emotionally and financially draining... 

As a firm we have one of the strongest dispute resolution teams, 

which includes mediators, collaborative lawyers, an Arbitrator 

and a therapist. 

What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)? 

ADR is an alternative way to resolve a dispute, other than 

via Court. The majority of clients prefer making decisions 

themselves relating to children and financial matters rather than a 

Judge having the final say. 

In family matters ADR includes solicitor-led negotiation, 

mediation, collaborative law, Early Neutral Evaluation / Private 

FDR, and Arbitration, all of which can be used as individual 

options, or as a combination. 

Two of the most commonly used forms of ADR are solicitor-led 

negotiations and Mediation. 

What is Solicitor-Led negotiation? 

The aim of solicitor led negotiation is to try and reach an 

agreement via solicitors’ correspondence, discussions on the 

telephone between solicitors or a round table meeting. Often 

solicitor-led negotiation is regarded as a good alternative to 

mediation, when mediation is not suitable. 

Mediation 

Mediation is a voluntary, without prejudice and confidential 

process whereby the parties meet with a trained independent 

mediator. The mediator will not impose a decision on the parties 

and instead he/she acts as a facilitator to assist the parties to 

explore and discuss the issues in dispute, with the aim of finding 

solutions. 

Hannah Viet is a Director and Mediator at Family Law Partners, 

specialist family lawyers in Horsham. 

Contact Family Law Partners: 01403 599215 or email 

enquiries@familylawpartners.co.uk. 

A different approach to 

family law 

Our Horsham team deliver exceptional client 

care and promote the use of alternative 

dispute resolution to help minimise both the 

emotional and financial cost of separation. 

The Family Law Partners office is in 

central Horsham. We also advise clients in 

Billingshurst, Cranleigh, Crawley, Godalming, 

Guildford and surrounding areas. 

We can help you with: 

Children matters 

• 

Divorce and Separation 

Dissolution of Civil Partnerships 

Cohabitation disputes 

Prenuptial and Postnuptial agreements 

Cohabitation agreements 

Mediation and Collaborative Law 

For a confidential conversation and to learn 

more about our fixed fee appointments 

contact our team: 

01403 599215 

info@familylawpartners.co.uk 

www.familylawpartners.co.uk 


Activity Trail 

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Cherry Picking 

your Boarding School 

KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR OPEN DAYS 

It is a myth that boarding schools 

shut down for July and August, but 

it is equally a truth that they become 

hives of activity at the beginning of 

a new autumn term. Schools will 

enthusiastically prepare to welcome 

prospective families to their first open 

days as they look to take the first 

steps towards establishing the life-long 

relationships that epitomise their role. 

A boarding school can offer a unique 

and enriching experience, fostering 

independence, academic excellence, 

and personal growth. Attending a 

boarding school open day is an essential 

step in the decision-making process, 

giving you the opportunity to immerse 

yourself in the school’s environment, 

understand its values, and evaluate 

whether it’s the right fit for your child’s 

individual needs. 

Before you step foot through the school 

gates, here are the three steps to success 

in choosing a boarding school: 

1. SPEAK TO STUDENTS 

Speak to students during your 

visit – they will give you an honest 

account of the boarding experience! 

Observe how they interact with 

you, are they confident and do 

they engage in conversation? Do 

they speak enthusiastically and 

positively about the school? Look 

out for staff and pupil interactions 

and not just between those who 

are on open day ‘duty’. Is there 

two-way respect between staff and 

students? How do students behave 

with and treat one-another? 

1. SIZE, FACILITIES, AND 

LOCATION 

Are you looking for a school 

which will offer a vast range of 

opportunities and experiences 

as part of a huge boarding 

community? Or will your child 

feel overwhelmed and lost in this 

environment? Does the location 

of the school suit your family 

circumstances? 

Notice how the boarding facilities 

are presented. Are they well looked 

after? Do they feel homely and 

welcoming? Draw your attention 

to the wall displays - do they 

demonstrate inclusivity and 

diversity or are they different 

versions of the same thing? 

How is safeguarding prioritised in 

boarding? What security measures 

does the school have in place 

to ensure student safety? What 

are the pupil and staff ratios in 

boarding houses and who is on site 

overnight? 

1. STUDENT WELLBEING 

Ask questions about the school’s 

commitment to care. What is the 

procedure if a boarder feels unwell 

during the night? How does the 

school manage day-to-day medical 

provision? What is their policy with 

regards to parent communication? 

Learn and ask questions about the 

school’s approach to mental health 

and wellbeing. Are counselling 

services available to boarders and 

what measures are in place to 

prevent bullying or discrimination? 

Do students know who they can 

talk to if they have any concerns or 

worries? 

A boarding school is a hungry 

place! Are food options balanced, 

varied, and accommodating of 

dietary needs? The boarders 

themselves will be the first to tell 

you if they enjoy the food provided 

or whether they order pizza to their 

houses three times a week. 

The range and diversity of boarding 

schools is huge. Thankfully, so is the 

information available on the internet, so 

do narrow your search down by checking 

out websites and speaking to your 

current Head. Once you have your list of 

schools to visit, enjoy the experience – 

open days are normally great fun as well 

as being tremendously informative. 

The Boarding Schools’ Association 

(BSA) is part of the BSA Group. BSA 

Group supports excellence in boarding, 

safeguarding, inclusion and health 

education, serving more than 1,500 

organisations and people in 40 countries 

worldwide. Since its foundation in 1965- 

6, BSA has promoted boarding education 

and the development of quality boarding 

through high standards of pastoral care 

and boarding accommodation. 


INDEPENDENT PREP 

SCHOOL OF THE 

YEAR AWARD 2023 


St Catherine’s, outside Guildford, has 

been shortlisted for the Independent Prep 

School of the Year Award 2023. The Chair 

of the Independent Schools of the Year 

noted the excellence in student experience 

evidenced by shortlisted schools. Naomi 

Bartholomew, Headmistress, noted “I am 

so pleased that we have been recognised 

for our approach to teaching science.” 

Our philosophy is that scientific learning should be handson 

and occur throughout the curriculum. We support our 

specialist Science staff to keep learning and ensure our 

girls have strong role-models. In doing so we encourage 

girls’ career aspirations in scientific fields. Our Prep School 

alumnae include girls currently studying Medicine at King’s, 

Natural Sciences at Durham and Computer Science at 

Southampton. Alumnae in Science include Natasha, an 

immunology research scientist at UCB, Alisa, a Mellalurgy 

Lab Manager and Daisy heading to Lancaster to study 

Zoology. We also enjoy working with local schools to share in 

scientific discovery with events such as our ‘Super Science 

Camps’. 

Awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) Gold 

Award (Outreach) in 2022, we have already been recognised 

for our commitment to girls’ education in Science and my 

team and I are very excited to be shortlisted and would be 

thrilled to have the honour of being named Independent Prep 

School of the Year 2023. As parent Dr Lowe said ‘‘I love to 

hear her teacher say... ‘Sorry we are late out, we got carried 

away in our Science Experiments!’” it is wonderful that St 

Cat’s reputation for science teaching and young scientists 

has been recognised in the Independent Prep School of the 

Year Award 2023 shortlist. 

www.stcatherines.info 


SPORT FOR ALL 

AT ST CATHERINE’S 

From a very young 

age sport has moulded 

me into the person 

I am today. As a 

result of this, I have 

been inspired to 

teach because of 

the motivation and 

transformation that 

sports has brought to 

me and those around 

me. I believe that 

sport has the power to 

change lives and it is 

our role to inspire and 

enthuse children to 

develop a love of PE. 

I believe in an inclusive approach to 

sports and providing opportunities 

at many different levels where we 

can celebrate everyone’s success, 

regardless of ability. From athletes in 

the very early stages of a successful 

sports career performing to National 

level, to providing all children with the 

opportunities to play proudly represent 

their school, I believe our aim is to 

develop self-belief, confidence and a 

desire for the children to achieve their 

very best. 

St Catherine’s Prep School offers a full 

and varied sporting programme for all 

the girls. In Pre-Prep the girls have four 

PE lessons a week where they develop 

their fundamental movement skills 

alongside hand-eye co-ordination in 

games, stroke technique in swimming 

and balancing skills in gymnastics. 

Teaching these skills in Pre-Prep forms 

the building blocks to more advanced 

techniques and game strategy as 

they move through the Prep School. 

The girls have five PE lessons a week 

with a varied curriculum including 

netball, gymnastics, swimming, cricket, 

athletics, cross country, and football. 

The staff to pupil ratio is low and all 

PE lessons are taught by qualified 

PE teachers with a broad range of 

specialisms but always with a genuine 

passion for developing and nurturing 

the skills of every individual. 

Physical Education plays an integral 

role in the health and wellbeing of 

our girls and a varied PE curriculum 

alongside a variety of extra-curricular 

opportunities has a positive influence 

on the concentration, attitude and 



academic achievement of the children. 

By embedding sport in their daily life, 

this often develops a life-long love of 

sport. 

The sports curriculum is complimented 

with a broad and 

varied extra-curricular 

programme where 

all children have the 

opportunity to further develop their 

skills learned in lessons and train 

together in preparation for netball and 

cricket matches, swimming galas, 

cross country, gymnastics, Biathlon 

and athletics events. Many of our 

teams progress to National level but 

everyone who attends clubs represents 

St Catherine’s in competition and 

we value and celebrate all success 

while also teaching the girls to deal 

gracefully with defeat. 

Written by Lisa McGuigan, Director 

of Sport, St Catherine’s Prep School 

Run, swim, bowl, catch, jump, throw - PE is for all - to develop confidence and 

work as a team. With a busy fixtures calendar and top positions at national 

competitions to retain, it’s lucky our sports grounds are on-site and there’s 

plenty of space to be active! Specialist, Lisa McGuigan will coach your daughter 

to see sport as integral to life. 

Visit us. Call Sarah Waller our Registrar on 01483 899665, or email 

prepadmissions@stcatherines.info 

OPEN MORNINGS 

Friday 13 th October 2023 Thursday 8 th February 2024 

St Catherine’s Prep, Bramley 

GSA Day & Boarding School since 1885 | 4-18 years | Guildford 

www.stcatherines.info | admissions@stcatherines.info

Looking for a top co-educational 

day school in Surrey? 

Your future starts here! 


Are you a bright, ambitious student 

in Years 5 or 6 and planning your 

educational journey into senior 

school? Reigate Grammar School 

is the place where your dreams 

can flourish. Allow us to share why 

choosing Reigate Grammar School 

is a decision that will shape your 

path to success. 

Reigate Grammar School is an 

independent co-educational 

school known for its commitment 

to academic excellence and 

holistic student development. 

With a rich history of nurturing 

exceptional talent, the school 

prides itself on preparing students 

for academic success, as well as 

in various extracurricular pursuits 

and community engagement. 

The remarkable achievements 

of the 2023 cohort exemplify the 

institution’s dedication to fostering 

well-rounded, compassionate, and 

accomplished individuals ready 

to make a positive impact on the 

world. 

The achievements of RGS students 

transcend not just academic 

success but encompass a diverse 

range of other pursuits. Their 

holistic development speaks 

volumes about their character 

and the comprehensive education 

they receive at Reigate Grammar 

School. In a world where academic 

achievements are often viewed in 

isolation, RGS sets a remarkable 

example by emphasizing a 

broader educational experience. 

The students of RGS are not just 

scholars; they are also active 

contributors to their communities. 

Through charity work, volunteering, 

creative and performing arts, 

adventurous activities, and 

sporting triumphs, they exemplify 

the institution’s ethos of nurturing 

versatile individuals who are not only 

book-smart but also communityconscious. 

For the graduates of 2023, the top 

grades achieved are more than just 

marks on paper; they are the keys 

to life-changing opportunities. Top 

grades create life chances, and 

this year has seen record numbers 

of Reigatians heading off to 

Oxford, Cambridge, Russell Group, 

medical school and similar worldclass 

universities in the UK and 

internationally. This achievement 

follows a consistent trend of more 

and more success year on year 

when RGS students have been 

applying to world-class universities. 

What sets Reigate Grammar School 

apart in its approach to GCSEs is its 

unique timeline. While most schools 

commence GCSE studies in Year 

10, RGS students embark on this 

journey in the Third Form, which 

is equivalent to Year 9 elsewhere. 

This extended preparation period 

allows for a deeper and more 

comprehensive study curriculum, 

ultimately supporting higher 

attainment levels. Additionally, 

the school’s elective program 

encourages students to explore 

subjects beyond the confines 

of examination specifications, 

fostering a love for learning that 

extends far beyond the classroom. 

Choosing Reigate Grammar 

School means choosing a path to a 

brighter, promising future. Join us, 

and let’s embark on the next step of 

your journey together. Your success 

story starts here. Apply now, your 

future is bright at RGS! 

www.reigategrammar.org/ 

admissions/entry-at-11 


AKTAR 

ISLAM 

Unleashed 

Sally Thomson caught up with the Michelin 

starred chef to discuss inspiration, teamwork and 

hospitality after Covid... 

When I read your website the first 

thing that struck me was your 

strapline, ‘Opheem is just me, 

Unleashed’. Would you like to tell 

us more? 

Well, over the years I’ve always 

worked with other people. For 

example, in my last business, 

everyone had a say on how the food 

was presented. For example, you’d 

put a dish together and in its initial 

conceptual stage to where it ended 

up was far removed from what it 

was supposed to be. 

I understand the unleash bit on 

your website - now you’re being 

totally yourself? 

I am lucky to do what I enjoy. The 

only thing that I’m constrained by 

is the produce that I’ve got access 

to, whatever is coming out of the 

land, whatever is coming out of our 

seas. And the seasons. I’ve always 

worked with seasons and, it’s just 

natural for me to cook. 

What was it like when you 

received your Michelin star? 

Obviously, it’s an incredible 

experience to achieve such an 

award. It was lovely, incredible 

to achieve it a year after I set up 

Opheem especially after the years of 

constraints that I’ve experienced. 

I’m very proud of my team. I’m 

proud of everyone within the 

business. Because though I set 

the vision, the direction, we’re all 

in the boat together and we’re all 

rowing that boat together. When 

the waters are choppy we all have 

to experience that together. It’s the 

power of the team. 

Covid was a really difficult time 

for the hospitality industry - how 

did you navigate that time? 

We started Aktar at Home, but that 

became something much bigger 

than I expected. 

With Aktar at Home, it’s all about 

investing in the community and 

creating jobs - much of the time for 

people that lost their jobs as a result 

of the pandemic. There are teams 

who are in the portioning and the 

packing team and the processing 

team. They’re all people who are 

from the inner city of Birmingham, 

you know, aged 25 and below 

who traditionally struggled to find 

employment. So, we give them a 

chance and an opportunity to join 

the team and develop within the 

team. And obviously they’re paid well 

above national living wage to make 

sure it gives them a start in life. 

The other thing that we did last year, 

was give away 6,000 care packages 

for people who were struggling 

to feed their families. We just 

asked people in the communities 

to nominate people within their 

community that they know are 

struggling to feed themselves or 

feed their kids. Just to get in touch, 

let us know, and we just sent a box 

out to them. 

I wanted to ask you about the 

name of your restaurant. Where 

does that come from? 

“I’ve always worked 

with seasons and, 

it’s just natural for 

me to cook” 

It was inspired by a region that was 

known as Mandu, but it’s a Sultan of 

Mandu, a guy called Giyath Shahi. 

He was an epicure in the late 1300s. 

He enjoyed the nicer things in life 

and there’s a particular manuscript 

that he wrote or commissioned, 

which concentrated on recipes from 

the time and his life. And something 

that he enjoyed was opium! 

So, Opheem ia a play on the word 

opium, but it’s more based on 

the understanding, it’s a sensory 

indulgence and that’s what his life 

was built around. 

Sensory indulgence, I love that. Do 

you ever visit India so you can go 

to the places which inspired you? 

I used to spend a lot of time in 

India. I’d spend a month or so 

there every year. At least three 

weeks just travelling and eating 

and documenting recipes and 

understanding the culture. 

It’s really inspirational - then towards 

the end of your trip, you always miss 

a roast dinner! There’s nothing like 

a Yorkshire pudding. By the end of 

it all you want is to come home and 

have a lovely roast dinner. 

You can find out more about 

Opheem at opheem.com and Aktar 

at Home at aktarathome.co.uk 


BEAUTIFUL 

We sample some delicious recipes from the new 

Two Magpies Bakery recipe book, written by the 

bakery’s founder, Rebecca Bishop. The book 

aims to teach how to make all your favourite 

breads, pastries and pizzas, as well as recipes for 

celebrations cakes, bakes, bars and savoury dishes 

Baking 

BERRY FRIANDS 

Fruity little almond cakes 

with a dollop of jam in the 

centre – a great afternoon 

pick-me-up and a longstanding 

favourite. Choose 

seasonal fruit such as 

sharp summer berries, juicy 

plums or autumnal figs and 

blackberries. This recipe 

also works well with glutenfree 

flour. 

Make the friand mix a 

couple of hours ahead (or 

even the day before) to 

allow the ground almonds 

to absorb the liquid egg 

white and melted butter – 

the firm batter will rise more 

evenly. 

Makes: 10 

INGREDIENTS 

130g unsalted butter 

160g caster sugar 

80g ground almonds 

50g plain (or glutenfree) 

flour 

130g egg whites 

150g seasonal berries (or 

stone fruits, figs, rhubarb, 

chopped) 

100g Raspberry Vanilla Jam 

50g apricot jam, sieved 

50g pistachios, chopped 

METHOD 

Brown the butter by bringing 

it to the boil in a pan. Allow 

it to bubble fiercely for 

5–8 minutes, scraping the 

bottom of the pan with a 

spatula regularly. When the 

butter starts to smell sweet 

and nutty and the boiling 

foam rises up in the pan, 

pour the hot liquid (including 

the brown flecks and 

scrapings from the bottom 

of the pan) into a heatproof 

bowl. Allow the butter to 

cool, stirring occasionally as 

it firms up. 

Weigh the sugar, almonds 

and flour into a bowl and 

whisk until combined. Still 

using the whisk, gradually 

add the egg whites, then 

the cooled browned 

butter in three stages until 

absorbed and no longer 

oily-looking. Cover the 

mix and leave to rest for a 

couple of hours or in the 

fridge overnight. 

Preheat your oven to 

180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. 

Grease your mini cake 

moulds or muffin tin. Place 

half the fruit at the bottom 

of the moulds, then pipe 

or scoop your friand mix 

to come a third of the way 

up the sides. Use a small 

spoon to place the jam into 

the middle of each cake 

before topping with a dollop 

of the remaining batter. 

Your moulds will be about 

two-thirds full. Decorate with 

more fruit on top. 

Bake for 20–25 minutes, 

turning the moulds or tin 

after 15 minutes. Use a 

skewer to check the cakes 

– it should come out clean. 

Cool for 5 minutes before 

removing from the moulds/ 

tin and cooling on a rack. 

Warm the sieved apricot 

jam and brush over the top 

of each cake, then sprinkle 

with the chopped pistachio 

nuts. 

Two Magpies Bakery is published by 

Headline Home and is available from all good 

bookshops and online 


CARDAMOM 

Try and source black cardamom seeds for 

this, grinding them fresh for every bake. The 

intense, astringent taste is utterly unique. 

Once tasted it will live in your memory and 

keep you returning, again and again. 

Weigh the flour, icing sugar, cardamom and 

salt into a large bowl and mix to combine. 

Rub the cubed butter into the flour mix 

until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Warm 

the milk 30°C, add the yeast and stir to 

dissolve. Add this liquid to the dry mix and 

bring the dough together using your scraper 

until all the dry matter is incorporated. 

Allow the dough to rest in the bowl, 

covered, for 20 minutes, then turn out onto 

the counter and knead for 5 minutes until 

you have a smooth, elastic dough. Place the 

dough back in the bowl, cover and prove for 

1 hour with stretch and folds after 20 and 40 

minutes. Maintain the dough temperature 

at 26°C. 

While your dough is proving, make the 

cardamom butter by gently combining all 

the ingredients in a bowl. 

Roll the dough into a rectangle 60cm x 

24cm, with the narrowest side next to your 

body. Spread with the cardamom butter and 

fold the bottom edge halfway to the centre 

of the dough, then fold the top edge of 

the dough to fully cover the first half of the 

dough (a single/letter fold). The dough will 

now measure 20cm x 24cm. 

Knots 

Wrap the dough in cling film or baking 

parchment and chill in the freezer for 20 

minutes. Remove and place the longest side 

of the dough parallel to your body. Gently 

roll the chilled dough to 30cm high, then 

trim the sides. Cut 12 x 2cm wide strips of 

dough. Cut each strip into three sections 

from the bottom edge, leaving the top edge 

still attached so that each strip has three 

sections. Prepare your tin by greasing it well 

or lining with cases. 

Plait the sections and roll each plaited strip 

so that the ends are tucked underneath 

when placed into the muffin tin. Prove for 

1–2 hours until puffy and increased in size. 

Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. 

Brush the buns with egg wash and sprinkle 

with nibbed sugar (optional), then bake for 

12–15 minutes. Brush liberally with syrup as 

soon as they are out of the oven, then turn 

out of the tin after 10 minutes to prevent the 

buns sticking. 

Makes: 12 

INGREDIENTS 

Cardamom dough 

450g strong white bread flour 

80g icing sugar 

12g ground cardamom 

8g fine sea salt 

75g cold unsalted butter, cubed 

260g full-fat milk 

7g active dried yeast 

Cardamom butter 

100g soft unsalted butter 


10g ground cardamom 

10g lemon juice 

½ tsp fine sea salt 


TIRAMISU 

LAYER CAKE 

INGREDIENTS 

Vanilla Genoise Cakes 

40g butter, unsalted 

3 large eggs room 

temperature 

75g sugar 

65gself raising flour 

10g corn flour 

100g cocoa powder, sieved 

Coffee syrup 

3 tsp instant espresso coffee 

granules 

120ml boiling water (or 

130ml strong espresso 

coffee) 


Marsala cream icing 

250g mascarpone 

130ml double cream 

130g icing sugar 

45ml Marsala 

METHOD 

First make the genoise cake: Preheat the oven to 

180ºC, line 2 6-inch baking pans (or 1 9-inch) with 

parchment paper on the bottom only. Don’t grease 

the sides. Set aside. Melt the butter in a sauce pan 

or microwave, set aside to cool slightly. Mix the flour 

and corn flour together in a small bowl and sift. 

In the bowl of a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, 

beat the eggs and sugar on full speed until the 

mixture is almost white, triples (at least) in volume 

and reaches ribbon stage. About 10 to 11 minutes 

on high for a stand mixer, closer to 15 minutes for 

a hand mixer and 20 minutes or more if whisking 

by hand. 

Add half the flour very gently. Fold in to the egg 

mixture, then add half the butter, pouring it around 

the edge of the bowl. Fold in. Repeat with the 

remaining half of the flour and butter. Take care not 

to fold out too much air. 

Transfer the batter to your baking pan(s) and bake 

22-25 minutes on the center rack, with the cakes 

closer to the oven door. Try not to open the door 

for the first half of baking. 

They should spring back when gently pressed or 

a toothpick comes out clean. Use a sharp knife 

to run around the edges of the pan, then turn the 

cakes out onto a cooling rack to cool completely. 

To assemble the cake: Prepare the coffee syrup 

using either coffee granules and hot water or hot 

espresso coffee. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. 

Using a whisk, beat the mascarpone until smooth 

and thick, then add the cream, icing sugar and 

Marsala. Beat until thick and holding soft peaks. 

Slice the two genoise cakes in half so you have 

four layers. Level the top cake layers and place one 

on the cake board to use as the base. Brush with 

the coffee syrup. 

Reserve 200g of the Marsala icing to use on the 

top and sides of the cake. Spread a third of the 

remaining Marsala icing over the bottom layer of 

cake, then sieve a generous layer of cocoa powder 

over the surface. 

Repeat the cake, coffee syrup, Marsala icing and 

cocoa powder layers twice more, then place the 

final cake layer on top and use the remaining coffee 

syrup to brush over the top of the cake. 

Smooth half of the reserved icing onto the sides 

and top of the cake, then pipe ‘kisses’ of Marsala 

icing over the cake’s surface. Dredge the whole 

cake generously with cocoa powder. 


BURNT 

CHEESECAKE 

with Spiced Mandarins 

Celebrate Bonfire Night with a perfect 

dessert, from Del Monte 

Vegetarian, gluten-free 

Serves 10-12 

Prep time: 30 minutes. Cook 

time: 1 hour, plus overnight 

chilling 

INGREDIENTS: 

680g full-fat cream cheese 


Good pinch of salt 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

25g cornflour 

4 medium eggs 

300ml double cream 

Ingredients for the 

mandarins: 

2 cans (298g) Del Monte® 

Mandarin Segments in Juice 

4 tbsp soft light brown sugar 

1 cinnamon stick 

1 star anise 

5-6 cardamom pods, slightly 

squashed 

METHOD: 

Make the cheesecake the day before 

you want to serve it. Preheat the 

oven to 200°C/gas 6 and find a 

20cm round springform tin. Take a 

large piece of baking parchment, 

more than big enough to line the 

tin, and scrunch it up in your hands 

– this makes the paper easier to 

manipulate. Unscrunch the paper and 

put it in the tin, using a smaller cake 

tin to help mould it to the sides. Don’t 

worry about the creases and wrinkles 

– these are all part of the look of the 

cheesecake! 

If you have a mixer, put the cream 

cheese, sugar, salt, vanilla and 

cornflour into it and beat them 

thoroughly together. Otherwise, do 

this in a large mixing bowl, beating 

until smooth. Add the eggs and start 

beating them into the cream cheese 

mixture, gradually pouring in the 

cream as you go. If you’re using a 

mixing bowl, beat in the eggs one at 

a time before beating in the cream. 

You want a nice, smooth mixture. 

Pour the mixture carefully into the 

lined tin and transfer to the oven. 

Bake for 50-60 minutes until the 

cheesecake is puffed up, very brown 

at the edges and a rich golden 

brown in the centre. It should have a 

slight wobble in the middle still. Take 

out of the oven and leave to cool 

completely in the tin – it will sink as 

it cools. Transfer to the fridge and 

refrigerate overnight. 

While the cheesecake is baking, make 

the spiced mandarins. Drain the juice 

from both cans into a saucepan. Add 

the brown sugar and whole spices and 

put over a medium heat. Stir until the 

sugar is dissolved, then let the juice 

come to a brisk simmer and cook for 

about 10 minutes until the liquid is 

reduced and syrupy. Take off the heat, 

add the mandarin segments and stir 

gently. Leave to cool then refrigerate. 

When you’re ready to serve, carefully 

remove the paper and transfer the 

cheesecake to a serving plate. Serve 

in slices, with a generous spoonful of 

the mandarins and their syrup. 


Robin Large Sofa in Basket Weave, 

Sandstone, arloandjacob.com 

HOME 

for Christmas 

OVERHAUL 

DINING SPACE - is your table large enough 

to host? Consider an extending table, which you can 

keep smaller throughout the year until you need to up 

the size. 

REPAINT - new paint or wallpaper is the fastest, 

and one of the cheapest, to completely transform the 

feel of a space. 

NEW SOFA - just be sure to choose one from a 

company who can deliver in time for Christmas! 

LIVING 

&DINING 

Broccoli Brown, 

Farrow & Ball 

Eyebright by 

Earthborn Paints 

Burano Dining Chair, bridgman.co.uk 

Navy Leaved Plant On Taupe A3 Graphic 

Print, Oak Frame, £45 cultfurniture.com 

QUICK FIXES 

REFRESH WITH NEW 

PRINTS - it’s amazing the life that new 

artwork can inject into a space - try to pick 

a piece which includes the colours of your 

larger furniture pieces, like your sofa. 

Istanbul Lamp, 

£179, hauslife. 

co.uk 

NEW CUSHIONS - seasonally 

change your cushions, you can keep the 

same inners and just swap the covers to 

refresh the space. Add more cosy fabrics 

like velvet, wool and corduroy as we come 

into the cooler months. 

NEW RUG - rugs have big impact 

without having to get new flooring. 

Clear Waters, Tresco by Ted 

Dyer - options from £120 

johndyergallery.com 


Guildford Living Magazine_Oct_Nov_Issue_165x240mm.indd 1 14.09.23 15:12

eachhouseart.co.uk 

OVERHAUL 

NEW BATHROOM - It might be time for a new 

bathroom. Depending on your fixtures, you may be able 

to reuse elements and just refresh the tiles. If you are 

undergoing larger works, chat through your plans with 

your bathroom installer to make sure they address all the 

practicalities. 

BATHROOM 

Rhoper Rhodes 

Roddy Wall Light pooky.com 

QUICK FIXES 

CHANGE ACCESSORIES- 

Replace your soap dispenser, toothbrush 

holder, loo roll holder and bin - a little refresh 

can make all the difference. The same goes 

for fresh, fluffy towels. 

REPAINT YOUR WALLS - if you 

don’t have full tiles, a fresh lick of paint can 

make a space feel cleaner and more inviting. 

Emerald Plumage Wallpaper, 

Divine Savages 

Dunelm 

REPLACE OLD/MOULDY SILICON - 

it’s amazing how much better fresh, clean and white 

silicon looks. 

NEW PRINTS - changing up your bathroom 

prints can breathe new life into the space. 

Hand Wash, 

£6.99, kitandkin. 

com; Tray, £35, 

boxwoodhomeinteriors. 

co.uk 


GUEST 

BEDROOM 

OVERHAUL 

REDECORATE - updating the room and 

adding elements of interest like panelling can be 

transformative. 

NEW BED - lots of us have guest rooms 

with beds that have been retired from service 

somewhere else in the house. Making sure the 

bed is comfortable and inviting, plus aesthetically 

pleasing gives an instant update - after all, it is the 

biggest thing in the room. 

SOFA BED - for many of us, our guest room 

is now our home office, so it might make more 

sense to have a sofa bed that can act as a break 

out space when you’re working and save space 

when not in use. 

Ca’ Pietra Proper Good Paint 

Pair of Ophelia Droplet Mirrors, £260, frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 

QUICK FIXES 

NEW LIGHTING - some new table lamps can 

refresh the space, or you can get wall lights with plugs 

to save space on the bedside tables. 

NEW BEDDING - new bedding really refreshes 

a space. Think about providing enough pillows and lots 

of layers like blankets and quilts - it makes a space feel 

inviting. 

ADD ACCESSORIES - decorative elements 

breathe life into a space - too often, guest rooms look 

forgotten about. Pair it right back, get rid of the clutter 

and add things like a reed diffuser, cushions on the bed, 

a mirror and a vase of flowers or a house plant. 

The perfect sofa bed for smaller spaces - 

Swyft Model 08 Sofa Bed swyfthome.com 

French Bedroom Company 

MAKE IT INVITING - adding things like fluffy 

towels, a nice cotton robe to wear or a basket with 

essentials like toothpaste, 

Demira Tassel Cushion, from £36, 

and Nia Tassel Throw, £65, both 

hauslife.co.uk 


Annie Sloan Kitchen Paint 

QUICK FIXES 

REPAINT YOUR CABINETS - if your 

units are in good condition, this is a great way to 

save money and stop the upheaval that a kitchen 

transformation can bring. We advise you only get a 

professional to do this as you need the finish to be 

hard-wearing. Similarly, changing the worktops can 

have a transformative effect. 

LIGHTING- kitchen lighting must be both functional 

and aesthetically pleasing. How about changing a 

pendant light to a spotlight rail for more working light, or 

changing the pendants on your breakfast bar. Try adding 

a wireless lamp to brighten dark corners. 

RESTYLE - change up the accessories you have on 

the sides and have a big declutter 

ARTWORK - hanging some new prints, or propping 

some on open shelves can inject personality into a space 

and make it feel more inviting. 

KITCHEN 

OVERHAUL 

ADD NEW KITCHEN STOOLS - many of us 

buy a quick fix with a new kitchen but it’s good to revisit 

with fresh eyes. 

ADD SOME OPEN SHELVING - it’s a fresh 

way to add a bit more storage and you can display your 

favourite pieces 

Olive & Barr Kitchens 

Wireless Lamp, £150, oka.com 

It might be time to bite the bullet and opt for a 

new kitchen - many of us are living with poorlydesigned 

spaces which don’t stand up to 

familial needs. If you’re trying to get this ordered 

before Christmas, you need to be decisive 

about what you need. Consult an expert 

kitchen designer - they’ll have ideas to 

maximise functionality whilst creating 

something beautiful. 

Print, inkanddrop.com 

Sylvia Kitchen Stool, 

£129, cultfurniture.com 


Exceptional, bespoke kitchen design & manufacture 

9D Farnham Trading Estate, Farnham GU9 9NN | 01252 750445 | www.lucasgrant.co.uk | hello@lucasgrant.co.uk 

Enhance Do you need your shelter outdoor and living shade? 

space 

Verandas • Glass • Rooms • Awnings • • Pergolas 

Carports • Solar • Garage Doors & Shutters & Shutters 

SBI SBI Ltd Ltd 0800 0742 721 sbiproducts.co.uk 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 27 

SBIWT247.indd 1 31/10/2022 14:10

Planting for Autumn colour 

NOTES FROM 

THE GARDEN 

As the full light of summer fades into 

Autumn so the colour palette of our gardens, 

changes and for me, Autumn is one of the 

most beautiful seasons in the garden. 

If you are starting from scratch and planning for colour, lucky you, 

then there are so many options, but the addition of some or any of 

the following will reward you as the summer wanes. Backlit plants 

can look amazing as the sun comes and goes and immediately, we 

think of Acers, that blaze of fire that creates so many spectacular 

exclamation points at this time of the year. Size certainly matters 

so check the height and spread that each plant will reach and then 

a little research will find you the ideal choice. If your soil type isn’t 

ideal – they are acid loving plants, then grow them in pots. A two- or 

three-year-old Acer in a beautiful pot can look spectacular and you 

can move it to the most advantageous spot to enjoy its autumn show. 

Trees are an obvious choice for colour and Amelanchier lamarkii or 

‘Snowy Mespilus’ is another beauty – it grows to about 7 metres so 

place it carefully, but it offers a lot- silvery leaves followed by snowy 

white flowers and pale copper leaves in spring. Berries follow that 

and then in autumn a stunning display of orange and red leaves – 

what more could you ask for? Shrubs also play a part – the wonderful 

‘Smoke Bush’, Cotinus ‘Grace’ has deep maroon leaves and a halo 

of fluffy grey toned flowers which look like the smoke of an autumn 

bonfire. Hydrangea quercifolia – the ‘Oak Leaved Hydrangea’ is 

“PALE AMBER SUNLIGHT FALLS ACROSS 

THE REDDENING OCTOBER TREES, 

THAT HARDLY SWAY BEFORE A BREEZE 

AS SOFT AS SUMMER: SUMMER’S LOSS 

SEEMS LITTLE, DEAR! ON DAYS LIKE THESE.” 

ERNEST DOWSON 

another treasure offering incredible leaf colour, and white flowers too. 

Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’, turning yellow in autumn, looks 

fabulous …… I am spoilt for choice! 

Smaller plants also offer great colour, from Nandina domestica ‘Fire 

Power’ to Asters, Helianthus, Japanese Anemone, Cyclamen – and 

let’s not forget the grasses. Miscanthus and Pennisetum or fountain 

grass add a totally different texture to the garden and as autumn 

winds increase also add a wonderful fluid movement too. 

Bourne Buildings Ltd 

THE LARGEST SHOWSITE IN THE UK WITH OVER 200 BUILDINGS, 

5,000 STONE ORNAMENTS & 100 FURNITURE SETS ON DISPLAY 

Set in a magical landscape of water and wildlife, Bourne Buildings 

is not your typical garden buildings showsite. 

Well known for its vast selection of garden buildings and expert 

advice, Bourne Buildings offer standard, as well as made-to-order 

designs of varying qualities and styles, fit for all budgets. 

Our complete range of services include product installation, base 

laying and a re-felting service. 

Visit our showsite to see an impressive array of stone ornaments, 

including eye-catching armillary sphere sundials, and over 100 

small garden furniture sets. 

On display at our showsite in Farnham, we have over: 

• 60 Sheds 

• 35 Greenhouses 

• 60 Summer houses • 20 Garden Offices & Garden Rooms 

• 35 Playhouses • 8 Garages 

9:30am – 5pm Mon/Thu/Fri/Sat & 10am – 4pm on Sundays (Mar-Oct) 

10am – 4pm Mon/Thu/Fri/Sat & Sun (Nov-Feb) 

Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays all year round 

01252 718481 sales@bournebuildings.co.uk 

www.bournebuildings.co.uk 

Bourne Buildings Ltd, 39-43 Guildford Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 9PY 


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amazon.co.uk 

Animal Park 

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Particularly British Piccalilli, 

Caramelised Onion Marmalade, 

Cranberry, Port & Orange Sauce, 

Christmas Spiced Chutney, £6.80 each 

Cotton Kimono-Style 

Dressing Gown, 

£39.99, and Alie Leaf 

Gold Plated Earrings, 

£11.99, hauslife.co.uk 

Stihl PG 10 Secateurs, 

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Gloves, £26.20, stihl.co.uk 

Elevate Wine Glass, Set of 2, 

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Soho Street Cocktail 

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Assorted Chocolate Almonds 

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Kocktail Bottled Cocktails - 

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WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT 

FROM A GOOD CARE HOME? 

Finding out what a good care 

home looks like can help you to 

make choices about your care. 

It can also help you understand 

what you should be able to expect 

from a service you already use. 

When we inspect care homes, there are 

five questions we ask. 

Is it safe? 

Is it effective? 

Is it caring? 

Is it responsive to people’s needs? 

Is it well-led? 

In a good care home, you can expect 

to be safe because… 

The home and any equipment are well 

maintained and managers look for ways to 

improve safety. You should feel confident 

that your belongings are safe and secure. 

There are always enough staff on duty with 

the skills needed to make sure you are safe. 

You are protected from being bullied, 

harassed, harmed or abused. Abuse 

includes neglect and financial abuse. 

Staff deal with incidents and accidents 

quickly and openly (and investigate them if 

necessary) and they learn from mistakes. 

You feel safe and protected by staff, 

but you also have as much freedom as 

possible to do the things you want to do – 

regardless of your disability or other needs. 

Staff give you your medicine safely and 

store it correctly. Where possible, the 

home involves you in reviewing your 

medicines and supports you to be as 

independent as possible. 

The home is kept clean and hygienic to 

prevent any risk of infection to you or 

other residents. 

You can expect a good care home to 

be effective because… 

You are regularly asked for your views 

about the quality and choice of the food 

and other aspects of the home, and your 

feedback is consistently good. 

Staff make sure you get the right food 

and drink you need, and that you have 

enough of it. 

Staff have the right knowledge, 

qualifications and skills to carry out their 

role so that you have a good quality of life. 

You are always asked to give your 

consent (permission) to your care, 

treatment and support in a way you can 

understand. Where appropriate, your 

family and friends are also involved in 

decisions about your care. 

Staff know about your health needs and 

personal preferences and give you as 

much choice and control as possible. 

Staff speak with health and social care 

professionals, such as GPs, and take the 

right action at the right time to keep you 

in good health. 

You are asked for your likes and needs 

when the home is adapted or decorated. 

Any changes to the home are made to 

help you to be as independent as possible. 

You can expect a good care home to be 

caring because… 

Staff know about your background, likes, 

hopes and needs. This includes any needs 

you have because of your age, disability, 

sex (gender), gender identity, race, religion 

or belief, or sexuality (whether you are 

lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual). 

You are encouraged to express your views, 

no matter how complex your needs are. 

You have access to advocates (people 

who can speak on your behalf). 

Staff also know your wishes for your care 

at the end of your life, if this applies. 

Staff treat you with dignity and respect. 

They spend time with you, develop 

trusting relationships and are concerned 

for your wellbeing. 

You have enough privacy. 

Your family and friends can visit you. 

You can expect a good care home to be 

responsive to your needs because… 

Your care, treatment and support are set 

out in a written plan that describes what 

staff need to do to make sure that you 

receive personalised care. 

You, and your family and friends where 

appropriate, are actively involved in 

developing this plan. For example, you 

should be able to have a choice about 

who provides you with personal care, 

such as help with washing and dressing. 

As your needs and preferences change, 

your plan is changed, and all those who 

need to know, such as your care staff, are 

kept up to date. 

The plan includes information about 

the whole of your life, including your 

goals, your abilities and how you want to 

manage your health. You may also have a 

health action plan. 

Staff work hard to prevent you from 

feeling lonely. They do this by helping you 

to keep in contact with your family and 

friends. 

Staff also help you keep up your hobbies 

and get involved in the community if you 

want to. 

If you need to visit hospital, staff plan 

this well with you to make sure it goes as 

smoothly as possible. 

If you have any concerns and complaints, 

staff always take them seriously, 

investigate them thoroughly and respond 

to them in good time. 

You can expect a good care home to 

be well-led because… 

You know who the manager is, and 

anyone else in charge. 

Managers know what their responsibilities 

are and are always honest, including 

when things go wrong. 

Staff know what is expected of them and 

are happy in their work. 

Managers are available to support their 

staff. 

Staff have the confidence to report 

concerns about the care that colleagues, 

carers and other professionals give. 

When this happens they are supported 

and their concerns are thoroughly 

investigated. 


A luxury new 

care home for you. 

Now welcoming visitors 

Silverbirch House is a beautiful new care home 

in Worplesdon, offering tailored care in 

the very best surroundings. 

We’ll treat everyone as an individual, ensuring residents 

continue their much-loved hobbies and routines, and are 

served their favourite dishes in sociable dining rooms. 

We welcome our first residents to Silverbirch House in 

December 2023, but we’re currently open for 

visitors and we’d love to show you around. 

Call our friendly team to book an appointment. 

01483 494 163 

19 Tovey Green, Guildford, GU3 3FF • barchester.com/Silverbirch1 

If your care need is more imminent, please visit our newly refurbished home: 

Worplesdon View Care Home, Worplesdon Road, Guildford, GU3 3LQ • 01483 494 162

Guildford Living Oct - Nov 2023

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