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C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

18 12 

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 19 

FOR ADVERTISING 

Account Manager Joe Crossley 

e joe@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984505 

Front Cover courtesy of Rockett St George 

04 

COMPETITIONS 

10 27 

PLANTS FOR POLLINATORS 

AKTAR ISLAM 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS 

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Hilperton BA14 6JB 

t 01225 984 550 

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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 

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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

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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 

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welcoming? Draw your attention 

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does the school have in place 

to ensure student safety? What 

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boarding houses and who is on site 

overnight? 

1. STUDENT WELLBEING 

Ask questions about the school’s 

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during the night? How does the 

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Learn and ask questions about the 

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Do students know who they can 

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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 


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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. 


Ensuring Consumer 

Safety and Compliance: 

The Vital Role of 

Professional Installers 

As the demand for sustainable and efficient home 

heating solutions continues to rise, the role of 

skilled installers becomes increasingly crucial in 

safeguarding homeowners. 

Highlighting the indispensable value of professional installers in 

maintaining safe and compliant homes, Alan Young, Compliance 

Manager for leading biomass and solid fuel heating expert 

HETAS, explores the importance of adhering to legislation for the 

benefit of both consumers and the environment. 

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE 

A well-maintained stove or boiler is not only pivotal in ensuring 

optimal performance but is a fundamental aspect of homeowner 

safety. It’s vital that installers conduct regular maintenance 

checks that mitigate potential hazards, such as carbon monoxide 

leaks and fire hazards. By addressing these issues proactively, 

consumers can enjoy peace of mind, knowing that their wood 

burning stove or boiler is running efficiently and safely. Regular 

maintenance such as an annual chimney sweep prolongs the life 

of the stove and also saves homeowners money in the long run 

by reducing the risk of costly breakdowns. 

COMPLIANCE WITH LEGISLATION 

Compliance with industry regulations and standards guarantees 

that the stove or boiler installed meets safety criteria and 

environmental guidelines. Homeowner safety should always be 

the top priority; and installers play a critical role in upholding this 

commitment. By staying up to date with the latest legislations, 

installers can guide homeowners towards sustainable and 

environmentally friendly heating choices, contributing to the 

global efforts in reducing carbon footprints. 

EMPOWERING CONSUMERS WITH KNOWLEDGE 

One of the most significant advantages that professional 

installers bring to the table is their ability to empower 

homeowners with valuable knowledge. From offering insights into 

the latest energy-efficient technologies to explaining the benefits 

of regular maintenance, installers can help homeowners make 

informed decisions about the best suited heating solutions for 

their home. Raising awareness fosters trust and loyalty and also 

encourages them to prioritise maintenance and compliance with 

legislation. Together, consumers and installers can form a strong 

alliance in driving the adoption of eco-friendly heating solutions 

and creating a safer environment for all. 

For more information about becoming HETAS registered, visit 

hetas.co.uk. 

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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 


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 


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 


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. 

Maybe it’s time for a 

kitchen 

that makes you 

Smile? 


Email: enquiries@tradelinkinstallations.co.uk 

Website: www.tradelinkinstallations.co.uk

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. 


Quality care in 

Newmarket you 

can trust 

When a family is thinking about care 

for a loved one, they want the best - 

they want to know that the care home 

they choose will put their loved one’s 

safety, happiness and wellbeing first. 

Kentford Manor is managed by award-winning provider Care UK 

- one of the UK’s most highly successful care home operators* 

with over 40 years’ experience of delivering high quality care to 

older people. 

Living at Kentford Manor is all about quality of life. Every 

colleague in the home is passionate about enabling residents to 

enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle, tailored around their unique needs and 

preferences. The lifestyle team organises a huge variety of group 

and one-to-one activities, with plenty going on each day. 

With the extra support that our care home offers, new residents 

are often surprised at what they can do, whether that’s being able 

to continue with an activity they’ve enjoyed in the past, or even 

discovering new hobbies with our daily activities. 

and beauty salon, and comfortable lounges and dining rooms. 

The home also boasts stunning gardens with wheelchair friendly 

pathways – the perfect place to spend some time when the 

weather allows. 

JOIN OUR UPCOMING EVENT 

Forget me not café 

Last Thursday of every month, 10am - 12 noon 

Join us at our Forget me not café for freshly brewed coffee/tea 

and delicious homemade cakes, prepared by our Head Chef. 

Kentford Manor care home 

Jeddah Way, Kennett, Newmarket CB8 8JY 

01638 438 273 

careuk.com/kentford-manor 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

The purpose-built home is designed for enjoying a luxury lifestyle, *As rated by the Care Quality Commission in England and the Care 

with en-suite 20220816 rooms and Kingfisher facilities Advert including HiRes.pdf a cinema, bistro, 1 06/09/2022 hair Inspectorate 21:07in Scotland. 


Expert 

dementia 

care 

Guided by the latest academic 

evidence, our dementia specialists 

support each resident to live every 

day to the full. 

If you’re considering a care home, 

call 01638 779 573 or visit 

careuk.com/kentford-manor 

Trusted to care 

Kentford Manor care home 

Newmarket

A FANTASTIC 

RANGE OF 

DESIGNS FROM 

CONTEMPORARY 

TO CLASSIC 

A WORLD OF CHOICE AT REEDS 

UNBEATABLE PRICES FROM A FAMILY BUSINESS YOU CAN TRUST! 

SOFAS | CHAIRS | FURNITURE | BEDS | MATTRESSES | FLOORING | CURTAINS | BLINDS AND MORE! 

Opening Times: Mon – Sat 9am to 5pm in Downham and Ely | Sunday 10am to 4pm in Ely only 

Visit the café in our Downham Market Store where delicious food and drink awaits you. 

Check out our website reedshomestore.co.uk | Find us on facebook for the latest updates 

REEDS Furniture, Flooring, Bed Centre & Homestore, Bridge Street, Downham Market PE38 9DS T: 01366 382213 

REEDS Furniture, Flooring & Bed Centre, Lancaster Way Business Park, Ely CB6 3NX T: 01353 669754

Newmarket and Ely Living Oct - Nov 2023

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