Skerrits Lifestyle magazine - produced by Title Media www.titlemedia.co.uk

Issue One
Winter/Spring 16/17
SUPER
STAR
we talk to Skerritts’ very own
Louise Hearn
SPLASH OUT
DIVING IN THE
MALDIVES
BRITISH
BULLDOG
HESKETH MOTORCYCLES
All hail the new
King of the road
L I V E Y O U R L I F E T O T H E F U L L

Skerritts Lifestyle
ART DIR: FLAVIO ALBANESE PH. JOSEPH CARDO
MIALUCE COLLECTION
FOPE.COM
2-3 East Street, Chichester PO19 1HE
Tel. 01243.782135 www.austenjewellers.co.uk
2

Hello from Richard Skerritt
I first had the idea to create a Skerritts Lifestyle magazine
about a year ago. I felt that although we were working
to communicate with our clients and represent our brand
effectively with advertising and sponsorship, we weren’t
having an opportunity to communicate directly with people.
Without our clients – and future clients – we are nothing,
and this magazine I hope will give us an opportunity to
speak to those people directly, and lots of others besides.
Skerritts isn’t all about work. In fact, just the opposite.
Our business and the work we do, we hope, enables
many people to relax and enjoy life, so for me it was
important to have a magazine that reflected that. At the
end of the day, we work to live, not the other way round,
so Skerritts Lifestyle has been created and designed to
reflect just that. Celebrating the good things in life!
Through this magazine you’ ll find plenty to read – there
are bits and bobs about us and what we do, but lots of other
articles to read, recipes to try and ideas to explore. We’re
planning on producing this magazine twice a year and
we would love to hear from you too, so please get in touch
with your news. We’re opening new offices in Worthing
and Chichester and we can only see the business – and
our magazine – growing each time. So get involved!
I hope you enjoy Skerritts Lifestyle. Here at the business we do our
best to do just that, and I hope our optimism and professionalism
is clear throughout this magazine. Happy reading!
Richard Skerritt
Get in touch
skerritts@titlemedia.co.uk
contents
4 News
10 Skerritts Star
Louise Hearn
12 A Day in the
Life of the
Savoy Doorman
18 Louboutin’s
Made to
Measure service
21 Fashion
28 Join our
Wine Club!
32 Restaurant
Gordon Ramsay
reviewed
35 Food &
Drink News
42 Travel
48 Paul Hayward
the life of a
sports journalist
52 Hesketh
back on
the road
58 Final Word
Georgi Bennett
her foodie life
Skerritts Lifestyle is published by
Title Media Publishing Ltd.
www.titlemedia.co.uk

Skerritts Lifestyle
CHARI-TABLE
Now your restaurant bookings can benefit charities, without
costing you anything. Lord Fink and David Johnstone have
launched restaurant booking platform ChariTable. When
making a booking through the website or the iOS app, the
user can choose from a growing list of over 4,500
restaurants across the UK. And for every diner in the party,
£1 will be donated by the restaurant to a charity of the booker’s
choice.
Great for corporate social responsibility programmes, and
companies can raise substantial funds for their nominated
charity by encouraging employees and clients to make
restaurant reservations through the platform.
www.charitablebookings.org
BANK ON THE BEST
We’re very excited to announce a new relationship with top bank
Handelsbanken, exclusive to Skerritts. We feel that it’s a great fit
between two great organisations that hold the same values – trust,
service, and that little bit extra for our clients. Handelsbanken
originated in Sweden in 1871 and now has more than 200 branches
across the UK. Our two organisations share many values and
Handelsbanken is known to be one of the world’s strongest banks, as
well as having an emphasis on providing a first class service.
What this means is that Skerritts customers now have access to a range
of concierge services not available anywhere else. This can include
anything from VIP airport lounge access or age-unlimited travel
insurance, to more personal services like priority
bookings at five star restaurants, exclusive tickets to
the opera – one of our team has even had shoes flown in
especially from Geneva! And as well as this, there are
special rates of interest on current accounts, not
available anywhere else, and everyone has access to
their own 24 hour personal account manager.
4

Skerritts Lifestyle
SKI INTO LONDON
The Courthouse Hotel in Soho is transforming their rooftop space
into a cosy ski-themed winter terrace. It’ll be decked out with plush
fleece chairs and sumptuous cushions, with blankets to snuggle
beneath, and warming heaters and ski lanterns will offer a true après
ski experience in the heart of London.
Grey Goose has designed a warming cocktail menu, and the hotel will
be running their food menu of warming treats alongside, including
'Smoky Chorizo cooked in Red Wine', and the signature ‘Piping Hot
Sticky Toffee Pudding’. The terrace will run until February 2017.
PRIVATE SPRIVATE SPACE ON THE COTE D’AZUR
We love Lou Casteou – the 112 year old hillside chateau built in 1904 by Lord Amherst of Hackney, the man who funded
the Howard Carter excavations in Egypt and the
discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb. The gorgeous South of France
residence offers exquisite modern luxury, including a home
cinema, heated outdoor pool, commercial kitchen and its own
helipad. The chateau can accommodate 32 guests.
Lou Casteou is situated in the Esterel Mountains between Cannes
and St. Tropez; five minutes from sandy beaches, boutiques and
restaurants. Amongst other accolades, it’s been used by Simon
Cowell as his ‘judge’s house’ on The X Factor! Hire costs from
£30,000 per week for up to 30 guests staying in the chateau.
www.loucasteou.com
LEARNING ETIQUETTE
Manners and etiquette are still important, and two venerable bastions
of ‘Britishness’ have come together to launch a new ‘school’!
The Lanesborough has formed a partnership with Debrett’s,
THE authority on etiquette, offering guests an expert guide
to traditional British social occasions, covering etiquette,
dress codes and dining. Hosted by a Debrett’s expert, a
full-day guide to ‘The Season’, with an overnight stay at the
hotel, is available for the ultimate etiquette lesson, while a
90-minute ‘Guide to Tea’ will be available for those
looking for a taste of timeless tradition.
www.lanesborough.com/etiqueee or call 020 7259 5599
5

Skerritts Lifestyle
FIGHTING
–––– FOR A ––––
CAUSE
Skerritts’ Fight Night was
a knockout thanks to the huge
support of local businesses
The great and good of Brighton’s business
world turned up in force and dug deep to
support Action Medical Research at a special
fight night at The Grand Hotel in August this
year, which raised over £81,000, contributing
hugely to the whopping £100,000 that
Richard and Heidi Skerritt have ultimately
donated to this amazing charity.
The event was called ‘Fightin’ in Brighton’ and
organised by Skerritts Chartered Financial
Planners. The first fight saw Richard ‘The
Beast from the East’ Skerritt take on Matt ‘The
Gentleman’ Ryan from Title Media. The guests
watched on in white-knuckled anticipation as
both competitors battled it out for crowning
glory until at last a winner emerged…
Matt put up a good fight, but it was 6ft 5ins
Skerritt who took home the gold. Brighton’s
Brighton’s infamous businessman Robbie
Raggio entertained the crowd throughout
the next five fights, helping to raise the
grand figure. Celebrity guest and British
middleweight champion Chris Eubank
Junior also joined the fun and even donated
a pair of boxing gloves to the auction.
Sponsored by DMH Stallard, UHY
Hacker Young, Incorpore and Skerritts,
Fight Night was a huge and memorable
success, combining a thrilling show of
boxing, top-notch entertainment and a
wonderful venue, all made possible by
Richard Skerritt and his dedicated team.
6

Skerritts Lifestyle
The cheque was finally presented to Action Medical
Research Chairman Mr Phil Hodkinson and is a
combination of support Richard and Heidi have so
generously given to a specific research project,
but also to our general funds, most of which was
raised by the boxing night in August –
an incredible achievement!
A fantastic evening
that lived up to the hype!
ACTION MEDICAL RESEARCH
Action Medical Research is a UK-wide charity
funding vital research to help sick and disabled
babies, children and young people.
For over 60 years they have been changing lives and through
their peer review system and Scientific Advisory Panel they are
able to find and fund cutting-edge medical research in the UK,
which helps tackle premature birth and treat sick and vulnerable
babies, as well as helping children affected by disability, disabling
conditions and infections and target rare diseases that together
severely affect many children.
For more information visit www.action.org.uk
7

Skerritts Lifestyle
Make your voice heard
Brochures and magazines with bespoke content
Web design and copy
Corporate literature and marketing
Social media campaigns
Newsletters and blogs written
For all your publishing and marketing. We work with you to create
exactly what your brand and company needs, in print or online
Contact us for a free quote
Title Media Sussex Ltd | www.titlemedia.co.uk
8

Skerritts Lifestyle
INTO
The Palace
Those of you who know Richard
and his wife Heidi Skerritt will know how close to
their heart the charity Action Medical Research is,
and also what a stunning amount of money they’ve
raised for it. This year the Skerritts got to celebrate
in style at a fantastic champagne and canape event
at Buckingham Palace...
The charity and its guests were invited by patron His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh for the event, held in
The Picture Gallery. Around 100 guests met researchers representing six separate studies funded by Action from
across the UK, and heard speeches from Professor David Edwards and His Royal Highness. Guests included
major donors, corporate supporters, and celebrities including Dr Dawn Harper and Davina McCall.
The event also gave researchers funded by Action Medical Research the chance to showcase their
ground-breaking work to Prince Philip and his guests. Professor David Edwards gave a speech explaining the
importance of medical research and the charity’s impact on the lives of children and babies.
“There are hundreds of
thousands of children in
the UK whose lives are
devastated by disease and
disability. It’s too many.
Far too many. We need
support to fund vital
research to develop new
treatments and cures.”
“We are delighted and honoured that His
Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh
hosted this event to allow a few of the dozens
of researchers we are currently funding to
share details of their inspiring work,” said Phil
Hodkinson, Action Medical Research’s
chairman. “Medical research for children is
underfunded in the UK. For every project the charity funds there’s another one we have to turn away – simply
because of a lack of funds.
“There are hundreds of thousands of children in the UK whose lives are devastated by disease and disability. It’s
too many. Far too many. We need support to fund vital research to develop new treatments and cures for sick
babies and children which is why events like these are so important to show the vital work Action Medical Research
is doing.”
Action Medical Research is currently funding research into premature birth, meningitis, Down Syndrome and epilepsy,
as well as some rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children.
For more details on the UK-wide children’s charity, please visit action.org.uk
9

Skerritts Lifestyle
skerritts
star
Louise
Hearn
Each issue we meet the Skerritts
Stars who keep the business
running like a well-oiled machine.
First up, head of operations
Louise Hearn takes us for a stroll
along her Walk of Fame…
Images: Matt Ryan
the 3 second quiz
What’s the most
important thing in life?
Happiness.
Thing you’re most proud of?
For this year 2016, it would be the
Fight Night that I organised. My wedding
was the only event I had arranged previously
so to put on a 420 people event whilst doing
my day job was a great achievement for me.
Next place on the bucket list to visit?
Formentera, it is a definite for next year.
Favourite Sunday afternoon?
When Monday is a day off, they are just the
best aren’t they! They are rare so a roast and
catching up with friends is a great alternative.
Anything you regret?
Life is too short for regrets.
10

Skerritts Lifestyle
What exactly does your
job entail? How do you
fill your working days?
I think it would be easier to say
what it doesn’t entail! It’s certainly
a varied role (which I love), and no two
days are the same. My role is to manage
the operational side of the company; we
have a great team here and I oversee this. I
thrive on challenges and solving problems,
in our industry there are plenty of these!
My role includes – to name but a few….
• Recruitment
• Implementing and designing
new procedures
• Work distribution and allocation
• Regulatory reporting and monitoring
• Finances (the purse strings; I like to
hold those tight ha ha!)
• Charity event organiser extraordinaire
• Agony aunt
• Bad cop/good cop
(Richard usually gets good cop!)
How did you end up here?
Before Skerritts I worked in
retail and business banking as
an adviser; one of my good friends
left to work at Skerritts, as did a few
others. Richard was looking to expand
and I was approached. I met with
Richard one lunchtime and ten years
later I am still here. The only regret I
have is that I did not move sooner!
What have you learnt since
you took on the job?
To appreciate that you never stop
learning, and the day that changes
is when the role is not perhaps right for
you. I joined as an adviser initially, and
some would say the timing was bad as
it was not long after that the financial
crisis hit. For me it was an opportunity
to show my strengths and skills in
problem-solving and providing solutions
to other areas of the business. When I
joined Skerritts I knew it would give me
opportunities and it continues to do so.
What are the most important
things you’ve learned about
being in business?
To embrace change and see it
as an opportunity. Every business
has competitors and if you do not stay
ahead then you will get left behind.
You are never able to please everyone
however if you treat people with respect
and empathy you will gain their trust
and this in turn will promote a team
with good morale and feel valued.
Tell us about your daily
routine, from getting out of
bed to finishing the day.
The alarm goes off at 6.30 and
the first thing I do is check my
emails and appointments then make
a coffee. Much to the annoyance of the
household I then put a wash on. I say it
helps wake them up but I am sure they
would have something else to say. Then
I shower and head off to work around
7.30/45. My journey into work is when
my catch-ups are done, hands-free of
course. Once in the office I check in with
our support staff, make sure they are
okay.. In a world where communication
is predominantly done via email or text,
it is paramount that you still have that
face to face connection with people.
I love a list and this will be the first thing
I refer to. In any one day there will be
on average 250 emails in to my inbox,
calls, staff will come to me to ask advice
on how we can do a myriad of things,
and that’s before I tackle ‘the list’.
I tend to grab a bite to eat at my desk most
days. We now have four offices in total,
and each office feeds into Hove. Richard
and I work closely together so we get
together usually mid-morning when we
are both in. Before leaving I will check
the diary for the following day for both
Richard and I and start another to do list!
It is a bit like wake, work, list, repeat.
What would happen if you left?
That is not on my agenda however,
I would like to think that what
I would leave behind is a slick,
well run and happy ship. There is
no doubt that my number would be
on speed dial for most of the staff!
What do you do in
your spare time?
My solace is the gym, I find it a
great way to unwind. Getting
away when possible even for a short
break to re-charge the batteries,
work life balance is so important.
Tell us a bit about your
home life – married with
kids or definitely single?!
I am married to Paul and we have
two children, one who is now at
college and one who has just started high
school. So we have more spare time as
they have a better social life than we do!
Where do you see your career
in five years?
Definitely with Skerritts! I am
fortunate to be able to say that I
love my job and whilst I am still alive
and kicking you will find me here.
Skerritts Star Louise Hearn
louise@skerritts.co.uk
11

Skerritts Lifestyle
Tony Cortegaca
has been welcoming guests
at The Savoy Hotel for three
decades, meeting many of the
world’s elite, and Daniel White
got the chance to find out what
it takes to be a head doorman at
one of the world’s finest hotels.
12

Skerritts Lifestyle
A day in the life of
The
SAVOY
Doorman
13

Skerritts Lifestyle
British wines at their best
Bolney Wine Estate is a family business and one of the UK’s oldest
commercial vineyards.
An impressive range of both still and sparkling wines, as well as our
famous Sussex red wine... We even produce a sparkling red!
Visit Bolney and nd out about why we are so passionate about our
wines. Tours, tastings, Saturday wine masterclasses and event space
for hire.
Brand new visitors centre with a new café and shop both featuring
local produce.
www.bolneywinestate.com
14

Skerritts Lifestyle
When you arrive at The Savoy Hotel in London
the first face you’ ll see is that of Tony Cortegaca.
“Every morning, I come and polish my
shoes and make sure my uniform is nice and
clean,” he says. “Appearance and looking
elegant and smart is very important in our
business. I’m the first person people see,
so I have to make a good impression from
the beginning. I like to give a nice warm
welcome, treat people with respect and make
them feel like they’re very important.”
An ever-present at The Savoy since his arrival
in the front of house team, Tony knows the
importance of being warm and friendly to
guests and his surrounding team. It is easy
to tell he is well liked by his colleagues and
over the years has become a close friend
and confidant to them, as well as those who
make visits to the hotel, regular or not.
The head doorman has been
working at the Strand-based hotel
for 30 years, and has been a smiling,
welcoming presence ever-since.
Beginning life as a kitchen porter, he was
promoted to night porter within six months
of joining the hotel, before taking up his
current position – a role which, on average,
has a retention record of 40 years.
His days are filled meeting and greeting
everyone who enters the hotel, from A-list
celebrities to the hotel’s behind-the-scenes
team. Juggling a steady stream of taxi drivers
and chauffeurs, excitable tourists eager to take
selfies, a vast array of luggage to be transferred
to the appropriate rooms and a wealth of visitors
to be welcomed, he does it all in a and warm and
sincere manner. It all begins from the moment
he steps into the hotel, as he knows full well
the importance of looking professional and
providing a seamless entrance to the hotel.
“You have to be warm,
friendly, happy and
smiley and if you do
all these things, they’ll
remember you,” he tells
me. “You’ve then got a
chance to see them again,
and you can have a
rapport with them. Once
you break that barrier and
start talking to people,
it becomes easier and
you’d be surprised what
they can tell you. People
can talk to me because
I break that barrier, so
it’s very important when
they first come that you’re
approachable, accessible
and there to help them.”
Brushing shoulders with the world’s mostfamous
comes with the territory for Tony and
during the years he’s shaken the hands of
15

Skerritts Lifestyle
anyone who’s anyone, from
Frank Sinatra to Stephen
Fry to Princess Diana and
plenty more. Despite a life
of mingling with the most
influential celebrities around,
he’s remained humble
and modest throughout
his tenure at the door.
“I’ve been very lucky in this
job,” he explains. “I’ve been
invited to things I never
thought I’d be invited to,
and dealt with, talked to
and been recognised by
people I never thought I’d
meet. We’re in the position
of seeing everyone coming
in and going out, so we see
and hear a lot of things.”
While Tony may be the face that welcomes you
upon your arrival, there is a whole team at work
behind the scenes and, in order for Tony to be
able to focus entirely on the guests, he has to
work in tandem with his colleagues to ensure
that every part of the hotel runs to perfection.
“You need to work together in this business,”
he continues. “You need to be friendly with
everyone and respect your colleagues,
because they’re your in-house guests. If
you help them, they’ll help you as well,
so it’s very important to have this rapport
and help each other when you can.”
Hailing from Portugal, Tony had to train
for six months before taking up the position
on a full-time basis and his education in the
etiquette of the job continues to this day.
He is proud to continue the traditions of
doormen from years gone by, sporting a black
top hat and a tuxedo, as well as offering the
accommodating presence required for the role.
“Our position is quite important in a
hotel like this,” he stresses. “It comes with
tradition, because all the good hotels used
to have a doorman with a top hat,
which has carried over and hasn’t
finished. Even today, people come
in and ask to take pictures with me
because of that tradition. I didn’t build
it, but we keep it going in that way.
“Attitude is very important. If someone’s
approachable and friendly, and has a
good attitude and a nice smile, all the rest
is easy to deal with. We can see sometimes
when people are in the wrong job or when
they get tiered. You need to be organised
in this job, but there’s no science to it.”
For Tony, 12 hour shifts are by no means an
irregularity and despite three decades in this
service-led career, he still gets satisfaction
when the working day is over if he has
done his job to the best of his abilities.
“I go home very happy if I’ve made people
feel important,” he reflects. “It makes me
think we’re doing something good, because
when people come and spend their time
here, they don’t need to talk to us, as there
are so many things they can do. But they do
come and talk to us, which makes my day,
and I’m very pleased when people come and
ask me questions and I’m able to help them.
“We’ve got everything here. There’s a unique
charisma and something special that you
don’t get in other hotels. It’s friendly and
welcoming and everyone’s trying to help.
The passion is different, so I’m always
ready to come to work and treat every
day like it’s my first. If everyone does
their job properly, it’s a perfect hotel.”
www.fairmont.com/savoy-london
16

Skerritts Lifestyle
SPOIL YOURSELF WITH OUR ORGANIC,
ESTATE-REARED INGREDIENTS IN THE
STUNNING SURROUNDINGS OF GOODWOOD
Enjoy a two-course meal and a glass of wine for £19.95
To book your table, please visit the website or telephone 01243 928220
goodwood.com
17

Skerritts Lifestyle
We all know those red soles
it’s unmistakeable, the Louboutin signature.
But did you know that you can have them
made to measure? In fact, aficionados would say
that there really isn’t any other way to wear them.
We investigate how the process works…
measuring
up
“If you can dream it, we can make it,” they say. In Christian
Louboutin’s Atelier in Paris, elite artisans bring your footwear dreams
to life with their Made to Measure service. One of the best-kept secrets
in the fashion world, the service is unique, and totally luxurious.
One-of-a-kind shoes (and boots) are fashioned specifically just
for you, using your personal measurements. It’s Eight Steps
to perfect footwear and it goes like this…
Step One
Everyone’s perfectly sculpted pair of shoes
begins with a trip to the Atelier in Paris, so make
your appointment and prepare your twinkle
toes! Start by contacting the Paris customear
service team by email (it’s on the website, address
below) and letting them know about your feet.
Then they’ll be in touch to book you in.
Step Two
Once you enter the Louboutin inner
sanctum, your feet will be measured at
over a dozen key points. Foam moulds
will then create accurate threedimensional
imprints of your feet,
which will ensure a perfect fit.
18

“the most
exclusive
shoes in the
world only
come in one
size, yours!”
Skerritts Lifestyle
Step Seven
Next, the cut and sewn elements are brought together with the
structural elements of your shoe. The upper part is given threedimensional
form by stretching and positioning it on the ‘last’, which
was sculpted from your foot earlier in the process. At this stage, the
shoe is nearly finished, with the exception of special embellishments.
Step Eight
Once the design, development and finishing processes have concluded,
your shoes, made to measure for you (and you alone), then go through
bichonnage, or a final quality check by the Atelier. And no shoe leaves
the Atelier without the approval of Christian Louboutin himself, or
without the brand’s signature red-lacquered soles. Et voila! You are
now the owner of the most unique pair of shoes in the world!
Prices for Made to Measure Christian Louboutin shoes
start from £3,000
Step Three
Next, the fun bit! Choose your perfect profile,
including height, toe shape, material and flourishes.
Each shoe, including Louboutin style classics like
Pigalle, Fifi and So Kate, still require a custommade
‘last’, and all embellishments – whether bows,
sequins or strass – are always applied by hand.
Step Four
After you make your selection, the Louboutin
artisans begin the painstaking work of ‘Last
Adjustment’ – the sculpting of a threedimensional
cast of your foot (what a souvenir)!
Step Five
Say “À bientôt!” and the team takes over from here.
Once the mould is made, artisans create the first
draft of your shoe by hand in leather, regardless of
the final materials selected. All of the elements are
hand-cut to your specifications, and then passed
along to another specialist for sewing and assembly.
Step Six
When the first shoe is complete, it’s time to make
your way back to beautiful Paris for a private fitting.
Your feedback is encouraged at every step of the
process, which means you’re guaranteed to leave
with a pair of custom shoes you absolutely love.
NO TIME TO TRAVEL TO PARIS?
Don’t worry, there is a similar service available here in the
UK, although the totally unique bespoke fitting service is
only available in Paris. But you can visit Louboutin London
stores where they offer a slightly lower-key tailored service.
Using your own shoe size, you can select your own choice
of material and choose your own colour and have your own
shoes made up. The in-store service allows you to choose
from a wide range of different options, meaning you can really
enjoy wearing your very own styled footwear! This option
is perfect for making sure you have that unique touch.
Not all London stores offer this service so please check with
your favourite store before calling in.
Prices for Louboutin selected bespoke shoes
start around £600
www.christianlouboutin.com
19

Skerritts Lifestyle
DbDrive
ARRIVE IN STYLE IN AN ASTON MARTIN DB9
NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR PROMS, WEDDINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
20
Facebook: AstonMartinDbDrive Telephone: 07702 651272

Skerritts Lifestyle
glamour
girl
Miss Selfridge
Suva Leather
Buckle Heel
Sandal £90
Whether you’re going for a
job interview or attending a
glamorous party, stay sophisticated
with these chic picks...
La Redoute
Teal Suede
Jacket
£175
House of Fraser
Biba Brown
Faux Fur
Coat £229
Debenhams
Butterfly by
Matthew Williams
Dress £250
Chupi
Wrap Your
Laurels
Ring
£81
Marks & Spencer
Autograph Bag
£99.99
Jigsaw
Eloisa Block
Heel Mule
£249
21

Skerritts Lifestyle
Jigsaw
Ivory Funnel
Neck £179
Jigsaw
Ivory
Culotte
£279
Jaeger
Pinstripe
Jumpsuit
£225
Dress, River Island
Radley
Elms Bag
£199
Jigsaw
Orange
Belted
Dress £249
Bottica
Luna Vermeil
Pyramid Earrings
£137.00
22

Skerritts Lifestyle
Afternoon Tea
at The Grand
To book call 01273 224300
THE GRAND BRIGHTON, 97-99 KING’S ROAD, BRIGHTON, EAST SUSSEX, BN1 2FW
www.grandbrighton.co.uk • eat@grandbrighton.co.uk TheGrandHotelBrighton @GrandBrighton
23

Skerritts Lifestyle
SLICK WHISTLE
AS
A
From special occasions to office life,
stay sharp with these AW16/17 slick picks...
Rotary
Ocean Avenger
Two-Tone
Rose Watch
£169
Superdry
Leather
Jacket
£450
Dubarry
Woodlawn
Coat £449
Topman
Wide Brimmed
Fedora £22
Tommy Hilfiger
Black Leather
Holdall £340
Dune
Paco Triple Trim
Sunglasses £30
24

Skerritts Lifestyle
Burton
Skinny Fit Grey
Suit Jacket £80
Trousers £40
Jeff Banks
Long Sleeved
Floral Shirt £42
Durbarry
Donovan Quilted
Jacket £249
Howick
Tie Clips £46
House of Fraser
Navy Floral
Print Silk
Tie £40
Ben Sherman
Tan Leather
Brogues £90
Burton New Season
Coat £85
3 Piece Suit £190
Shirt £18
Tie £10
25

Skerritts Lifestyle
Heaven Scent
Les Exclusifs Boy Chanel 200ml £230
New this year. Traditionally blending lavender with geranium,
coumarin and moss, this classic structure in perfumery
conjuresup images of a clean shave and unequivocal virility.
Tom Ford Ombre Leather ‘16 EDP 50ml £148
This is an extremely ’textural’ scent that imprints you with a tactile
sensuality. It’s warm and has the richness of leather and oakmoss
balanced with the luxurious sensuality of jasmine and patchouli.
Ferrari Fragrance iPhone Case gift sets: 75ml Red or Black EDT £38
We just couldn’t resist these! Available exclusively from House of Fraser,
Man in Red is a bold scent that celebrates all that is thrilling
about Ferrari. A fruity ambery fougère, it is an intense and
compelling scent. Fun case too!
Diptyque Kimonanthe EDP 100ml £130
This is technically a unisex fragrance, but we feel it’s quite
masculine. A rich scent, steeped in camphor, clove, sandal
wood, spices and leather.
Crabtree & Evelyn Black Absinthe Eau de Cologne
100ml £45
Absinthe began life as a herbal tincture before
transforming into the muse of the French bohemian
crowd. Paying homage to the rich history of
absinthe, this contemporary cologne has lively,
herbaceous notes with a lasting sensuality.
Very cool and edgy.
Malin+Goetz Petitgrain Perfume Oil 100ml £38
This intense and long-lasting Petitgrain oil blends
notes of citrus and soft woods for a clean, refreshing
yet warm scent. Top notes of bergamot and Petitgrain,
middle notes of lavender, base notes of quaiacwood and tonka bean. Lovely.
Rituals Roi d’Orient 50ml £39.50
Roi d’Orient is elegant – a powerful and sophisticated fragrance that
fuses smoky amber and opulent rich musk with a zing of white pepper.
26

Skerritts Lifestyle
Liz Earle Botanical Essence No.9. Botanical Essence No.9 Eau de Parfum 50ml £49
A complex scent with top notes of blackcurrant bud, bergamot and red ginger; a heart of
velvety rich osmanthus is offset by Damask rose and patchouli. Created around a base of
woody oakmoss, Haitian vetiver and vanilla. This fragrance launched in September.
Elizabeth Arden Viva La Juicy Rosé Grande Edition 200ml £89
Loving this shimmering ombré effect bottle, containing one of our
favourite scents for any Juicy ‘It’ girl! Irresistible bouquets of
pink blossoms, which pop with fizzy citrus.
Ghost WhiteLight 50ml £34
A lovely new addition to the iconic moon fragrance collection. The ethereal
WhiteLight is a stunning, unique fragrance, an addictive mix of fresh juicy
pear and mandarin combined with jasmine, violet and patchouli and vanilla.
Gucci Bamboo Eau de Parfum 30ml £44
Boots are doing a lovely service with a personalised engraving for
perfumes as gifts – perfect for Christmas or Valentine’s Day! We
adore this scent from Gucci, soft but warm with sandal wood,
vanilla and amber.
Yves Saint Laurant Mon Paris £47
Mon Paris is a subversive reinvention of the traditional chypre;
the new floral perfume turns the traditional model upside
down by introducing a brave, bold narcotic white chypre
‘fit for love today’ apparently. Ooh!
Joan Collins I Am Woman EDP £50
There’s a lot packed into this little bottle. Top notes of
bergamot, lemon peel, orange zest and peach nectar,
with heart notes of rose, orange flower, jasmine
and moss, underpinned by vanilla, tonka, amber,
cedar wood, sandal wood and patchouli.
Plenty of va-va-voom!
Angel Étoile des Rêves EDP for Night 100ml £110
Perfect for night time, a sensual blend of vanilla, praline and white
musk that's lifted by fresh and woody notes of patchouli and
bergamot. Apply it at night and revel in it.
KORRES Peonia/Amber/Vanilla/Pear 50ml £30
This exciting brand just creates amazing new things all the time and this warm, exciting, spicy
scent isn’t just a gorgeous smell, it’s free of synthetics and non-biodegradables. We love.
27

Skerritts Lifestyle
Ever thought you’ d like a
proper wine cellar but that
you’ve got nowhere to put it?
Spiral Cellars has just the
answer for you.
best
cellars
28

Skerritts Lifestyle
Fine wine collections are seen as both a good
investment but also a source of pride, meaning
that cellars need to provide a space where it
can be both stored and admired. Cellars and
wine rooms add value to your property, but
they also earn the investment back in 10-15
years, compared to warehousing. So what do
you need to think about? We asked the experts.
What kind of space do you
need for a wine cellar?
You don’t necessarily need much space
because they can be designed to fit any space
you have. We are seeing a lot of demand for
smaller wine rooms, particularly in London
properties where space is at a premium.
Does it need to be on
the ground floor?
Our underground cellars do need to be
on the ground floor and tend to be located
in the kitchen/dining areas for obvious
reasons. However, we also install many cellars
in locations such as living spaces and hallways,
where they will deliver maximum visual impact.
We recently installed a cellar at the bottom
of a three storey spiral staircase, so when
looking down from the top of the staircase,
it appeared as if the cellar was a continuation
of the staircase. Some clients prefer not to
showcase their cellar, in which case, they opt
for locations that are hidden away from prying
eyes such as the garage or laundry room.
What should you
consider before
investing in
a wine cellar?
Decide whether you are starting
a wine collection to drink or as
an investment. If you are buying
it to drink, you need to find wine
you love! If it is the latter, you need
to research the market to find
something unique or exclusive if
you are to achieve price rises. It is
also important to keep proper records of each bottle
you have. There is a range of specialised software
for this, including Spiral Cellars’ personalised
What are the different types
of construction available?
A Spiral Cellar is a natural underground cellar
built from limestone and fitted into the ground
below a property, so there is no need to have an
existing basement or cellar. It can be installed
under any ground floor room and can either be
fitted cleanly into a finished room, or form part
of a new build house, extension or refurbishment
project. The solid concrete construction, builtin
natural ventilation and the correct position in
the property creates the right temperature and
humidity. There is a range of options available, with
even things like stair treads and LED packages to
make the cellar a stunning feature in the room.
online wine portfolio management platform, Spiral
Library, which combines inventory and search tools
with tasting notes, market data and other important
information to give you a full spectrum wine
management tool. Importantly, it will help you keep
track of when the wine actually needs to be drunk!
What kind of maintenance
do wine cellars need?
Wine cellars need very little maintenance although
we do recommend that you have the climate control
system installed in wine rooms regularly serviced.
Underground cellars do not need a climate control
system, so they are pretty much maintenance free.
“The solid concrete
construction,
built-in natural
ventilation and the
correct position
in the property
creates the right
temperature and
humidity”
29

Skerritts Lifestyle
“Decide whether you are starting a wine
collection to drink or as an investment.
If you are buying it to drink,
you need to find wine you love”
If money is no object, what kind
of features can you include?
Recent commissions include wine rooms
featuring stainless steel and glass, dramatic glass
wall displays and even requests for hi-tech options
such as locks with finger-print technology and
glass which turns opaque at the flick of a switch.
What sort of price range
are we looking at?
Because no two wine rooms are the same
there is no ’typical price’. But as a guide, we
recommend that people budget for a minimum
of £30,000 (inc VAT) for a wine room, with
wine wall prices starting from £20,000 (incl.
VAT) and wine wardrobes from £12,000
(incl. VAT). For the underground cellars;
again these are priced according to the type of
cellar chosen, its depth and the various door,
lighting, fit and accessory packages selected.
These start from £19,140 (incl. VAT)
www.spiralcellars.co.uk
30

Skerritts Lifestyle
If looking at these lovely wine cellars has made you thirsty, we’ve got some more good news for you.
Introducing the Skerritts Wine Club, and a chance for you to experience some truly exclusive wines.
In association with The Butlers Wine Cellar, you now have a chance to sign up for a wine
club that will bring you regular, carefully hand-selected cases of fantastic wines. Skerritts
Wine Club is available exclusively to our clients, offering an opportunity to enjoy sharing
exciting wines and trying new flavours. And we’re thrilled to be working with Henry Butler,
whose tastings are legendary and whose knowledge of wine is unsurpassable!
join
the club
Members will receive mixed cases of wines not
available to anybody else, changing every quarter
and with new wines for each season. Choose from
Gold, Silver and Bronze selection, and have the
opportunity to be invited to special tastings and events
as part of the membership. We love our wines here
and we want to share that journey with our clients.
THE MEMBERSHIPS
Each box offers a substantial discount
on quality wines, where club members
enjoy a special rate on their boxes. The
Butlers Wine Cellar will create bespoke
quality boxes, four times a year, selected
exclusively for wine club members ONLY!
Each box will include tasting notes, and
all boxes are a case of 12 mixed wines.
The wines in the boxes are wines we think
are interesting, tasty and offer good value.
There won’t be any big brands in the
boxes. We like the opportunity of showing
members a selection of wine they might not
normally chose left to their own devices.
Bronze £120 per box
This will be good quality everyday
wines; wines we think would suit most
occasions, whether it be a dinner party
or an unexpected friend dropping in.
Silver £150 per box
The silver box explores some classic wines
from around the world, producers who
excel at what they do. This is a next step
up and will offer an opportunity to try
some really exciting producers’ wines.
Gold £200 per box
What a box of treats! Enjoy a selection
of delicious, exclusive wines and
vintages. Memorable wines, wines
which will impress your dinner guests,
wines to put a big smile on your face!
ABOUT BUTLERS
The Butlers Wine Cellar is a second
generation family run independent wine
shop. Butlers has been supplying wines to
the Brighton community for over 35 years.
They have two shops, and pride themselves
on having an unbeatable range of wines
from around the world. This includes
great value everyday drinkers, to rare
and collectible vintages. They also
specialise in English sparkling wines.
Butlers have happily worked with
Skerrits on various charitable events,
and are keen to share their expertise
with Skerritts customers.
JOINING
For more details about joining,
for Skerritts customers only
(sorry!) please go to:
www.skerritts.co.uk/wineclub
31

Skerritts Lifestyle
Richard Skerritt knows what he likes, and one of the
things he likes very much is a good lunch.
One of his favourite spots is Restaurant Gordon Ramsay,
so we thought where else should we turn to for lunch
advice? Richard and Heidi went along again, just to
check that it still meets their high standards...
Gordon
bleu
“I always remember on our
first visit being amazed that
there was actually a waiter
whose only job seems to be
to grate truffles…”
32

Skerritts Lifestyle
Turning up 25 minutes late with
arms full of shopping bags made for a
stressful dash to the restaurant and we
rushed in, fearing the worst. What
if they’d let our table go?! However, we
entered the bar area and were greeted
by friendly faces and ushered to our
table. Maybe it was the relief of not being
kicked out, or the calmness of the dining
room, but the stress we’d had en route
almost instantly dissipated, and within
minutes of sitting down I was enjoying a
G&T (Fever-Tree, naturally) and Heidi
had her usual glass of fizz. Phew!
Having been here on several occasions
already, I always worry that the next time
we visit the setting will have lost some of its
magic – but it never does. This is, without
doubt, my favourite lunchtime restaurant.
It’s hard to narrow it down to just what it is
“I think the only time I have seen
a more impressive cheeseboard
was at La Gavroche, where it
was a two man job to wheel it
between tables”
that makes it so special – the setting, the
service, the menu, the food, the ambience
– I guess it’s a combination of all of these
things. But we keep coming back and we
keep on loving it. In terms of service, the
staff cannot do enough for you. I always
remember on our first visit being amazed
that there was actually a waiter whose
only job seems to be to grate truffles for
those diners that want it on their pasta
(he’s the one in the white gloves).
I think is extremely reasonable, for such
a good wine in a top restaurant. Heidi
continued with the house Champagne.
We opted for the Menu Prestige, which
is the seven course set menu. We choose
this because it helps to extend our lunch
as long as possible; we never really want
to leave, and seven courses gives us plenty
of time to relax. Most set menus are pretty
much ‘fixed’, but as neither me nor Heidi
will eat Foie Gras for moral reasons,
they were very happy to swap this for a
starter on the a la carte. I went for the
scallops and my wife went for the tomato
tartare. I love seafood, but sometimes
find the texture of scallops a little bit
off-putting, but I needn’t have worried;
they were cooked to perfection. Heidi
was in heaven with her tomato starter,
which provoked lots of “mmmmm”s!
The second course was a
ravioli of lobster, langoustine,
salmon, oxalis and wood
sorrel – again, there was
silence as we devoured this,
apart from more mmmms
and lots of head nodding
to signify our approval.
Our next course, which
is Heidi’s favourite, is the
Isle of Gigha halibut with Atlantic king
crab, finger lime and a ras el hanout
broth, which contains a number of very
colourful flowers, and probably the
prettiest dish I have encountered.
Taking a deep breath, we plunged into the
next course, where Heidi ordered the lamb
and I had the pigeon, both of which were
the perfect portion size for a seven course
meal and again, cooked to perfection.
For the next course, we both opted for the
cheese course – I think the only time I
have seen a more impressive cheeseboard
was at La Gavroche, where it was a two
man job to wheel it between tables.
The Margaux was the perfect
accompaniment to the stilton on the
board, and I was now at the purring stage.
The final course was the Lemonade
Parfait, with honey, bergamot and
sheep’s milk yoghurt – it sounds like a
strange combination, but it really does
work, even after you have polished off
six previous courses. A lovely sweet
Sauterne was the perfect accompaniment.
The bill arriving is never the best part
– not just because it is always a bit
painful, but because it meant that the
meal was over – until the next time…
We’ ll be back Gordon, don’t you worry!
As we finished our aperitifs the
Maître‘d Jean Claude (or JC to those
that have met him before get to know
him as) came over and greeted us like
old friends; a skill that always makes
us feel special and is, to my mind, the
sign of a well-run house. As always, I
opted for a bottle of 2011 Margaux to
accompany my meal (I am a Bordeaux
man through and through and this one
is a particularly good one) which at £95
www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/restaurant-gordon-ramsay
68 Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HP
0207 352 4441
33

34
Skerritts Lifestyle

Skerritts Lifestyle
Food
Drink
&
trends
Every year sees crazy food and drink trends
coming of age, some better than others. We’ve
picked out a few new foodie fashions and
flavours for you to check out…
RED WINE IN SUSSEX
When one thinks of red wine, they no doubt
envision the sunny vistas of France, Italy and Spain
– but Sussex, not so much. However, this could all
be about to change. ‘Red wine from Sussex?’ you
might marvel, but this is seriously good vino.
Sussex-based Bolney Wine Estate has doubled its
sales since 2014, and continues to flourish and grow.
This is, in part, due to an increased interest in wines
originating from cool climate regions, of which
Britain is one, for their unique tart fruity flavours.
What’s unique about this is that sales of red wine
have overtaken sales of white for the first time;
with red wines making up 60% of the vineyard’s
production. Whatever the causes behind this surge
of increase in both red and British wines, Bolney
Wine Estate produces award-winning wines
and is definitely enough to make Sussex proud.
www.bolneywineestate.com
NOT YOUR USUAL PINTA
Unusual and boutique drinks manufacturers are springing up all
over the place, such as small distilleries and micro-breweries, but we
are really interested in this new vodka, produced on the South coast,
and made entirely from the milk of grass grazed cows. Yes milk.
The milk is separated into curds and whey. The curds are used
to make cheese, the whey is fermented into a beer using a special
yeast that converts the milk sugar into alcohol. This milk beer is
then distilled and treated to a secret blending process. The vodka
is then triple filtered and finished, before being hand bottled.
Does it taste cheesy? No. Does it taste really good and
clean and totally classy? Yes. We love this, and they’ve
just released a special set which includes an exclusive gold
Yukiwa cocktail shaker. Ideal for the perfect moo-tini?
We’ll get our coats…
w w w.blackcow.co.uk
A WINNING COCKTAIL
We couldn’t really look at drinks news in the South East
without talking about the huge, award-winning success that is Brighton Gin.
The handmade, small batch gin is produced at Brighton’s first (legal) distillery by the
UK’s only pair of female distillers, Kathy Caton and Helen Chesshire, using organic
British grain. Its botanicals include juniper, the peel of fresh oranges and limes,
locally-grown coriander seed and milk thistle, indigenous to the South Downs and
well-known for its liver-cleansing properties. Each bottle is filled, wax-sealed and
labelled by hand.
Skerritts were thrilled to work with Brighton Gin recently to create our own 25th
anniversary Skerritts bottle, complete with real silver slivers floating in the bottle.
For a chance to win a bottle of this beautiful gin, email us on skerritts@titlemedia.
co.uk with BRIGHTON GIN in the subject line and tell us your favourite gin cocktail!
Please remember to include your name and address. Entry closes on 30 April 2017.
www.brightongin.com
35

Skerritts Lifestyle
Food
Drink
&
trends
BRING HOME THE BACON
A little bit like we’re seeing more independent drinks companies, so too are we seeing
more home cooking and brewing going on. And we are totally LOVING this idea!
Who doesn’t love bacon? Apart from vegetarians (and we think there’s quite a few of those
who smell bacon cooking and feel a bit wistful!). But now you can make your own bacon.
A really exciting new idea that means you can cure your own
Sunday breakfast special right in your own home.
These guys have loads of products to choose from but we loved
their bestselling Curing Kit that contains everything you need
to cure your own original, sweet or smoky bacon at home.
www.rossandrossfood.co.uk
TIP TOP GREEN TEA
Matcha is the finely ground powder of specially grown and processed
green tea. Traditional Chinese and Japanese tea ceremonies centre
on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha as hot tea, and
embody a contemplative, spiritual experience. Matcha is also used
to flavour and dye foods, but the former is referred to as ‘ceremonialgrade’
matcha, meaning that it’s good enough for tea ceremony.
That’s the stuff you want.
OMGteas are based in Brighton and produce AAA grade matcha.
It’s not only high in antioxidants, their Organic Matcha Green Tea
supports the immune system, boosts metabolism and regulates both
cholesterol and blood sugar levels, as well as burning calories. And if
you don’t like green tea, they’ve got capsules!
www.omgteas.co.uk
TURKISH DELIGHT
Our foodie spies tell us that Turkish is going to be a big
trend for 2017 so we were excited to see this new coffee
and Turkish Delight brand making headlines.
Turkish coffee was once part of the London real coffee
revolution back in the 1600s – long before espressos,
lattes and cappuccinos hit the high street.
Ozerlat are re-introducing the sophisticated art of Turkish
coffee back to the UK with their new premium blends – Heritage
and Moziak. Turkish coffee is served black and unfiltered, and
brewed using a cezve (or small saucepan). And what better to go
with it than Turkish Delight? Unlike the sickly western versions,
Özerlat’s ‘lokoum’ is firmer and not as sweet, and is gluten free,
available in mastika, pistachio, date, clove, and cinnamon flavours.
www.ozerlat.com
36

Skerritts Lifestyle
37

Skerritts Lifestyle
As one of the most successful chefs
and restaurateurs in Sussex,
Ben McKellar is perhaps more
famously known simply as the
Gingerman. We found out a bit more
about the man behind the red hair
and even managed to persuade him
to create a recipe
a
for you.
taste
of
ginger…
Images: Matt Ryan
Q. Did you always want to be a chef? If not,
what were the alternative options for you?
A. I wanted to be a chef for as long as I can
remember. I remember clearly going to the old
supermarket on London Road and seeing all
the chefs’ hats in the window of City College
when I was about eight years old.
Q. Where did you train? Was there anything
that really stands out in your mind about that
in terms of inspiration, places you worked,
people you worked with etc?
A. I spent two years full time at City College
getting qualified in the old City and Guilds
system and then I went to France to look
for work. I worked in France for three years
before working for John Burton Race at
L’Ortolan restaurant in Berkshire. After that
I spent time at One Paston Place in Brighton
and Park Bistro in NYC. Each restaurant I
worked in offered different challenges and
opportunities to learn, I worked with young
chefs Martin Wishart and Yoann Conte both
of whom went on to gain two Michelin stars.
Q. Do you have any food heroes or heroines?
Why are they important to you?
A. An early influence on my career and mentor
was Mark Emmerson at One Paston Place who
sadly died age 52 from a heart attack while
still working in the kitchen, a sober lesson
indeed. Modern influences would be Richard
Corrigan and Nick Jones both of whom are
still at the top of their game after many years at
the top, a rare thing in this business.
38

Skerritts Lifestyle
“I think restaurants are like
my children, you can’t really
have favourites. All of them
give me great pleasure and
great frustration”
Q. Any more on the horizon?
A. We are currently converting the upper floors
of the Ginger Pig to guest accommodation,
providing 11 en-suite bedrooms, due to open
in April 2017. We are also hoping to finally
open the Ginger Fish which is part of the
Terraces development and much delayed for
various reasons.
Q. Tell us how you decided to open
your own restaurant.
A. It’s a natural progression for many chefs;
I had spent years working for other people
and absorbing their lessons like a sponge.
I was just back from NYC and looking for
“I particularly look
forward to the game
season; after long
summer months it’s
nice to cook with
grouse, pheasant,
partridge…”
the next challenge when Mark Emmerson
suggested I look to open my own place
in Brighton. I looked into it and found a
bankrupt site near Norfolk Square and after
help from mine and my now wife’s parents
we opened Gingerman in 1998.
Q. You have several places now,
do you have a favourite?
A. I think restaurants are like my children, you
can’t really have favourites. All of them give
me great pleasure and great frustration, and
like children we watch them grow and change.
The Gingerman will always be a little special
perhaps because that’s where we started.
Q. Favourite things to cook?
A. I particularly look forward to the game
season; after long summer months it’s nice to
cook with grouse, pheasant, partridge as well
as other autumn staples like wild mushrooms,
turnips, celeriac etc.
Q. Do you do the cooking at home?
A. At home we are great fans of Asian food,
which offers something very different from
the restaurants. Stir fries, curries and sushi
all feature heavily!
Q. Got any quirky regulars who come into the
restaurants all the time?
A. I’d better not say!
Q. What’s your idea of food hell?
A. Probably the only thing I don’t really like is
tripe. I’ve tried it English style poached in milk
with onions, Italian style in a tomato sauce with
chickpeas and Parmesan, and Chinese style
with fermented black beans and chilli, and not
really enjoyed any of them.
Q. Advice to budding young chefs out there?
A. Be patient and learn your craft. Resist the
temptation to be promoted too quickly as
often happens with the current industry skills
shortage, and behave with integrity. If you want
to leave a restaurant then work your notice
properly and act professionally as that’s the only
way bad industry practices will be eradicated.
The Gingerman Group
www.gingermanrestaurants.com
39

Skerritts Lifestyle
The Gingerman’s
Shiraz Braised
Short Rib
with Parsley
Dumplings
serves 4
ingredients
For the short ribs
4 short ribs beef
1 onion
1 stick celery
3 cloves garlic
2 carrots
Sprig thyme
1 bay leaf
200ml good quality Shiraz
250ml beef or chicken stock
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 lrg tsp muscovado sugar
For the dumplings
150g self-raising flour
75g butter
Bunch Parsley
1tsp mustard powder
preparation
Dice the vegetables to about 2cm and set
aside. In an oven proof casserole dish heat a
little olive oil, add the short ribs and brown
on all sides, remove from the pan.
In the same pan add the vegetable dice
and brown lightly adding the bay and
thyme. Deglaze the pan with the Shiraz
and reduce by half. Add the sugar,
chopped tomatoes and stock to the pan
and bring to the boil. Add the short ribs
making sure they are covered by the
liquid, if not add a little water. Place a lid
on the pan and put in the oven at
140 degrees for four hours. Once cooked
remove the ribs and pass the stock
through a fine sieve, reduce the stock
until a sauce like consistency has been
achieved, place the ribs back in the sauce.
For the dumplings, blend the parsley with
a little water until you have a puree and
set aside. In a bowl rub in the butter, flour
and mustard powder, season with salt and
pepper, add the parsley puree to form a
soft dough, you may have to add a little
water if the mixture is too dry.
Rest for 20 mins and then roll into balls.
Place the dumplings in the pan with the
reduced sauce and the ribs, return to the
oven with the lid off for approx 10 mins or
until the dumplings are cooked.
Serve with mashed potato.
40

Skerritts Lifestyle
41

Skerritts Lifestyle
Goodwood is famous for a
number of things –
not least the famous Festival of Speed and Revival events
– but the sheer variety of options and activities available
at this spectacular 12,000 acre estate is what makes
this working family home extraordinary.
As well as the public events, Goodwood offers a chance to
play golf, stay at the hotel, use the main house for events,
drive on the track and even fly in Spitfires! Not to mention
the working farm producing the most amazing meats
and beers. At a time where many of the great houses of
England have struggled to make their land and property
survive, let alone thrive, Lord March has made Goodwood
not just a desirable destination; it’s a booming business.
The latest addition to the Goodwood portfolio is the
simply sublime Hound Lodge. The home of the world’s
first major foxhunt and the actual reason the first Duke
of Richmond bought a house at Goodwood in 1697,
The Kennels and later Hound Lodge were widely feted
as the most luxurious dog houses in the world. Typical
of English aristocracy, the Duke spent far more time
and money on his hounds and horses than on his friends
and guests. He even famously installed central heating
in the kennels 100 years before the human owners were
able to enjoy it at Goodwood House.
42

Skerritts Lifestyle
View Halloo!
If you’re looking for a break in a country
house that feels more like home from home,
Goodwood’s latest space Hound Lodge
has just the right balance of
luxury and relaxation…
Words: Sam Harrington-Lowe
Photos: Sam Harrington-Lowe
and Mike Caldwell
43

Skerritts Lifestyle
Hound Lodge has now been completely
restored and stands as a beautiful ten-bedroom
country house, offering total privacy and
exclusivity (and central heating). The current
Lord March has worked in minute detail on
this extraordinary place; his aim has been
very specifically that staying there should
feel like you’re a guest of the family – and
that’s exactly what it’s like. It’s an opportunity
to immerse yourself in a Downton-like
existence for a short period of time, and enjoy
a beautiful home, complete with butler and
your own chef, and even the hard-found pine
essence in the bathroom which his lordship
states is the kind one only finds in the best
houses! And in case you were wondering,
dogs are very much welcome at Hound
Lodge too. They’re part of the heritage.
On arrival we were met with afternoon tea
and a spot of cake, before James showed
us to our rooms and explained how things
worked. My room (pictured) included a
butler bell in case I should need some help
and the room came fully equipped with a
small tray of whisky laid out for a warming
tipple. Returning to the drawing room,
James whipped up drinks for us before we
adjourned to the dining room for a beautiful
meal (much of the food served at Hound
Lodge is reared on the estate itself, for those
of you interested in food miles). The dining
room walls boast a number of paintings,
including a Stubbs. It’s very doggy and
very horsey at Hound Lodge. I loved it.
“Typical of English aristocracy,
the Duke spent more time and
money on his hounds and
horses than on his friends
and guests. He even famously
installed central heating in
the kennels 100 years before
Goodwood House.”
44

Skerritts Lifestyle
“It’s an opportunity to immerse
yourself in a Downton-like existence
for a short period of time, and enjoy
a beautiful home, complete with
butler and your own chef.”
Everything about the experience is relaxed
and special; from the comfy beds, with
mattresses stuffed with wool from sheep
grazing on the estate, to the food, which
is all about country house service rather
than the excessive formality of fine dining.
Breakfast is served in traditional tureens on
the sideboard, offering a range of meats and
eggs. Time and space are modern luxuries
and, at Hound Lodge, there is chance to
really enjoy them – it’s hard to leave. A sense
of solitude and peace is found here, away
from it all, deep in the Sussex countryside.
The house is perfect for small groups –
with ten bedrooms there’s the opportunity
to have up to 20 guests if couples are
involved, but this is also an ideal place
for small business events. On the estate
there’s opportunity to engage in plenty
of activity, including 4x4 off-roading,
shooting and even time spent in the spa
at the hotel. It’s perfect for incentives and
small high end team away-stays. Personally
I just wished I’d been able to stay forever.
The antithesis of a hotel, Hound Lodge
offers an experience that you simply can’t get
anywhere else. This supremely comfortable
place offers peace and respite from the world.
Beds that demand the deepest of sleeps,
the reassuring warmth and crackle of an
open fire and a sense of an old-fashioned
world in the best possible way. It harks back
to bygone days that most of us will never
experience and it’s a thoroughly relaxing
and enjoyable experience in every way.
Hound Lodge at Goodwood
Prices and activity details on application, hire starts from £10,000 per night for whole Lodge
www.goodwood.com
45

Skerritts Lifestyle
Nothing makes us feel better than
a bit of winter sun and the tropical
climate of the Maldives is at its best
from December through to March,
which is the dry season. But for
those of you who like to mix a bit of activity with your luxurious
beach behaviour, we investigate the diving opportunities…
Baros Maldives has been
renowned as one of the best diving
retreats in the Indian Ocean for
over four decades, home to breathtaking
coral reefs no more than 30 metres
from the shore, surrounded by a gorgeous
turquoise lagoon. This stunning island
country is made up of more than 1,000
islands and is a cultural melting pot, with
centuries-old influences from Africa, Asia
and the Middle East having shaped a
national identity and culture like no other.
The Maldives are home to the world’s largest
fish – the Whale Shark, which
along with about ten other
different species of whales and
dolphins can be seen anytime,
even from the cosy shelter of the sandy
Maldivian beaches. The Maldives have the
most precious and endangered ecosystem
on the planet, with numerous species of
plants and animals unique to the islands.
If you’re a novice though, or you’ve had
experience snorkelling and would like to
make the next step, Baros offer dives for all
different abilities. Guests are guided along
the reef in a completely safe environment
and the bio-fluorescent lighting will leave the
divers mesmerized by the sheer perfection of
the coral reef, making this experience truly
one-of-a-kind. Fluo Night Dives are held in
small groups guided by an experienced and
well-qualified instructor. Baros Maldives
don’t only invite all qualified divers to give
it a go, but also offer specialty training
courses for those seeking new adventures.
DIVE
Heaven
INTO
46

Skerritts Lifestyle
PADI PACKAGE
FOR BEGINNERS
The PADI Package includes a full diving course
with an experienced instructor, and provides a
PADI registered diver certification.
Use of diving equipment is included, with boat
trips and delicious refreshments on-board.
Thanks to Baros Maldives Diver Valet Service and
Diving by Design programmes the process has
been simplified and given a luxurious twist.
If you wish, your underwater adventures include
amazing sights such as manta, eagle ray, shark
and turtle spotting, and even a visit of the nearby
Maldives Victory shipwreck, and these can
be documented with complimentary Go Pro
cameras. This package also includes bed and
breakfast accommodation in a private villa and
speedboat transfers to and from the airport.
DIVING AND DINING
FOR SEASONED PROS
The Dining and Diving package promises to excite
even the most seasoned divers. Guests that already
have Open Water Diver certifications will get a
week’s unlimited diving as well as Fluo Night Dive
and even boat trips with on-board snacks.
This excellent package also includes airport
transfers, and a one-week minimum stay on halfboard
basis, providing guests with unlimited access
to Baros Maldives’ exquisite bars and restaurants,
including the critically acclaimed restaurant
The Lighthouse, one of the best fine-dining
restaurants in Maldives. Serving unparalleled
French cuisine with a surprising Maldivian
twist, meals are paired with fine wines
recommended by the sommelier from the glass
walled, walk-in cellar. This lovely restaurant
is set on an over-water pavilion, with a white
pinnacle roof, where diners can look at the
resident rays and fish swimming underneath.
MARINE CARE
Guests taking part in either programme
are encouraged to visit the Baros
Maldives in-house Marine Centre,
managed by a resident Marine
Biologist. Visitors can participate
in professionally guided snorkelling
excursions and the centre’s reef renewal
programme, and participate in planting coral
around the existing magnificent reef, in an effort to
support the ecosystem and global marine diversity.
Only 25 minutes by speedboat from Maldives International Airport,
Baros is home to over 75 beach and overwater villas, with three restaurants,
two bars and a beautiful spa. Voted as one of the dreamiest and most
romantic resorts in the Maldives. What are you waiting for? Dive in!
The Dining and Diving package starts from $1,247 per night
The PADI Package starts from $859 per night
Baros Maldives rates start from $675 per night in a Deluxe Villa on a B&B basis, excl taxes.
www.baros.com
47

Skerritts Lifestyle
The Daily Telegraph’s
Chief Sports Writer
Paul Hayward has
seen it all in the world
of sport and has won
everything there is to
win throughout his
distinguished career,
so Daniel White
sat down with the
Brighton-based
writer to learn more
about the man
behind the action…
48

Skerritts Lifestyle
SPORT
came to my
RESCUE
Friday 11 November, England v
Scotland. Ahead of one of the most
anticipated World Cup Qualifiers
in the UK in recent memory
there’s a sense of uncertainty.
Following Sam Allardyce’s turbulent
67-day reign as the Three Lions
manager, Gareth Southgate stepped
in as interim manager to guide
the England football team to a
comfortable 2-0 win against Malta
and a lucky 0-0 draw with Slovenia.
With memories of Euro 2016’s
failures still prevalent among the
players and fans, nerves are high as
they get ready to face one of Group
F’s tougher opponents, Scotland.
On the morning of the game The
Daily Telegraph’s Chief Sports Writer
Paul Hayward has been doing his
homework ahead of the big match.
With plenty of experience covering
matches and football as a whole, upon
sitting down with him I’m happy to
hear he’s still got butterflies in his
stomach prior to the encounter.
“I get incredibly excited, my great
passion is live sport,” he enthuses.
“Some people prefer to write interviews
and features but my main pleasure is
going to a piece of live sport and not
knowing what’s going to happen. It’s that
unscripted element. When you walk into
the stadium at night and the floodlights
are glowing and the grass is green and
no one knows what’s about to happen,
that’s the real excitement I get from sport.”
Despite this excitement, Paul has
learned to manage his enthusiasm
for England games after consistent
disappointments throughout his career.
“The worst aspect of my job for the last
30 years has been covering England
because it’s the one area in British
sport where there’s such a consistent
pattern of failure,” he admits. “There’s
been a cycle of disappointment since
1966 and in the last two tournaments
it’s got worse. It makes you nostalgic
for the days when England had quite
a decent side. It’s been amazing to
keep having to write this story over
and over again of England blowing
out in tournaments and I can’t see any
reason why it would change soon.”
After a bumpy 90 minutes England
managed to come out as 3-0 victors
against the Scottish, with Paul’s analysis
of the match stating it was almost certain
that Southgate would inherit “England’s
shaky throne” after the match. In the
world of social media and multimedia
devices, Paul’s skills as a match reporter
have been diminished. No longer do
fans have to wait until the following
morning to find out about the highlights
of the match, instead they are readily
available to them moments after they
have happened, pushing Paul to find
different ways to report the events.
“It’s a challenge to the modern media
because everybody will either have seen
the game or will follow the highlights,
the goals, the controversies on social
media,” Paul explains. “I like to say
that we are now a nation of 60 million
columnists because everybody is
published, we are all published on
social media. The one advantage we
have in a rapidly declining industry,
the newspaper industry, is that we
can come along and analyse and
interpret and discuss particular
points about a game or an event.”
It is safe to say that Paul’s opinion is
more knowledgeable than most. He has
more than three decades in the business,
working for the likes of The Guardian,
The Independent, The Daily Telegraph,
the Daily Mail and many more. His work
49

Skerritts Lifestyle
takes him all over the world, reporting
on events and interviewing the biggest
names in sport. A dream for many
passionate sports fans. He has even won
the Sports Journalists’ Sports Writer
of the Year award an incredible three
times, most recently in 2015. So what
stands out as the defining event he’s seen
throughout his life watching sport?
“I would nominate probably three or four
things,” he says after sitting in thought
for a brief moment. “One would be Andy
Murray winning his first Wimbledon
title on Centre Court. Winning the men’s
singles title as a British player
was a glorious moment. Another
would be the 2003 Rugby World
Cup final in Sydney when Jonny
Wilkinson kicked that dropped
goal. To beat Australia in Sydney
in a Rugby World Cup final, in
those circumstances, with a drop
goal in filthy weather, that was a
hell of a night. I’ve also enjoyed
many great football moments; I
particularly enjoyed the 1998
World Cup when France won in
Paris in the final against Brazil.
A million people flooded onto the
streets of Paris that night, that
was amazing.” I push him to pick
one highlight of them all. It is only
then he remembers. “Covering
the London Olympic Games,” Paul
reveals. “It was in this country and the
atmosphere was so great and the warmth
and the positivity was there. There’s no
country that I’ve ever been to that can
match the British sporting passion.”
Yet, things haven’t always been so rosy
for this master in his field. Last year
he was diagnosed with head and neck
cancer, forcing him out of work for more
than six months. “I was in a terrible state
because the treatment was particularly
brutal, I was hopeful I would get through
it but the damage it did to me was
quite severe,” Paul admits. However, if
there’s one thing he’s seen for his own
eyes throughout his career, it is the
ability sport possesses to invigorate
and strengthen those at their lowest,
and now he has his own story to tell.
“Sport came to my rescue,” he
confesses. “My target for getting back
to work was the Rugby World Cup in
England last year. I thought if I can
go and cover that tournament I’ll feel
like I’m back in the game and I did and
it made me understand the power of
sport in people’s lives because it’s life
enriching and life affirming. So I’ d like
to think that I have come through it,
I won’t know for a few more years.”
During the darkest days in his treatment
Paul received another boost from one
of world football’s most iconic stars.
Paul receives his third Sports Journalist of the Year award
Photo: Sports Journalists Association
Watching on as Barcelona played
Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp,
Lionel Messi produced a moment of
magic. With a little flick of the boot he
sent Jerome Boateng tumbling onto his
backside on the edge of the penalty area
before chipping an on-rushing Manuel
Neuer to make it 2-0 to the hosts.
“I wrote a piece describing Messi’s goal in
a Champions League game - it was the
most astonishing goal and I was in my
worst condition from the treatment,” he
recalls. “It got me out of my chair and I
didn’t feel ill anymore watching him score
that goal, it only lasted about 20 seconds
but nonetheless it was like a miracle.
So I wrote about this and a colleague of
mine in Spain showed it to Messi’s father
and Messi’s father showed it to Messi. A
few months later a Spanish colleague
asked to meet me before a Champions
League game. He pulled this thing out
of a bag, it was a letter from Messi and a
signed shirt saying ‘with much affection,
Lionel Messi’. I was so moved by it I
didn’t want to go and cover the Chelsea
game, I just wanted to go home and look
at this shirt and feel good about it.”
Back doing what he loves most, Paul
now has eyes on witnessing more
magical moments before he decides to
exit the business he enjoys so much.
“I’ d love to do a world series in
baseball and I still haven’t done a
Tour de France,” he lights up at
the prospect. “I’ve also written
three books for other people, I
ghost wrote the autobiographies
of Michael Owen, Sir Bobby
Robson and Sir Alex Ferguson
but now I would like to write my
own book about sport and I will be
very cross with myself if I don’t.”
With Paul eager to continue his
research ahead of the match and
knowing the train troubles I may
have to endure, it feels as though
the interview is at an end. However,
I can’t let him leave without
quizzing him on the latest news,
the election of Donald Trump, and
where he sees business heading.
“I can see that what we’re heading into
is this period of uncertainty, in which
no one can claim to know what’s going
to happen. So it’s going to test the skill
of financial analysts and financial
advisors to an extent that they’ve never
been tested before. I’m pessimistic on
quite a few fronts because I think it
will do tremendous damage for the
economy and the society but I hope
to be wrong. But my money’s on Mr
Skerritt to give the best possible advice
because he’s like Nostradamus, he
seems to be able to see into the future,
so I think he’ll cope quite well.”
To keep up to date with all Paul’s
latest analysis read his articles via
The Daily Telegraph or follow him
on Twitter @_PaulHayward
50

Skerritts Lifestyle
Clients are
our business
Dedicated to your success
DMH Stallard is a full service, award-winning
law firm that is passionate about winning and
passionate about client care. It’s not by chance
that we have one of the highest levels of repeat
business in the industry.
For Business
We make it our business to know your business,
delivering results and adding value whether
you’re an established market leader or an
ambitious start-up.
For You
Working for you and with you, our exceptional
personal law service will help you plan, protect
and achieve the very best outcomes for you and
your family.
Award winning service from a firm who is there for you every step of the way
51
LONDON GAT WICK GUILDFORD BRIGHTON WWW.DMHSTALLARD.COM

Skerritts Lifestyle
Back
with a
Bang.
Hesketh bikes
have overcome a bumpy start
to become one of the country’s
most treasured vehicles, as
Daniel White finds out.
Photos: Boo Hunniset
52

Skerritts Lifestyle
53

Skerritts Lifestyle
There’s something unique about a Hesketh bike. From its
distinctively British design and riding capabilities right
through to its troubled past and the current limited run, there
is something out the ordinary when it comes to Hesketh.
So let’s go back first of all.
Hesketh Motorcycles first came to the
public’s eye in 1982 when aristocrat Lord
Hesketh launched the company, having
gained fame through his Formula 1 team
in the mid-70s.
Using the team’s skills and knowledge Lord
Hesketh planned to revive the languishing
British motorcycling industry. But, while
they managed to produce a bike with
charisma and allure – the Weslake V-twinpowered
V1000 - it was also unreliable,
experiencing consistent engine problems
and technical issues to every one of the 139
made.
The business then fell into the hands of Mick
Broom, the company’s original development
engineer, who kept the name alive for three
decade by repairing and servicing existing
machines and, from time to time, even
building a number of new bikes to spec.
Then, in 2010, Paul Sleeman went to buy
a Hesketh of his own from Mick Brown and
came home as the owner of a new bike and a
£200,000 company –
Hesketh Motorcycles.
Lord Hesketh’s attentions then turned to
The Vampire, a journeyman bike built to
stand the test of time. Yet, the problems
persisted and after just 40 vehicles the
company folded as well.
54

Skerritts Lifestyle
Featuring a 2100cc
two-litre S&S
X-Wedge air-cooled
V-Twin engine,
Ohlin suspension
and Beringer brakes,
the Sonnet not only
overpowers the
Hesketh 24 but also
oozes style
55

Skerritts Lifestyle
Today, despite the limited run and lack of
fully-functioning bikes available, the brand
has endured and in turn built a telling cache
for itself. This has continued to build and
since 2010 Paul and his team have been
working away in a factory based in Redhill,
Surrey where they are looking to redefine
Hesketh bikes as reliable, powerful machines.
This culminated in 2014, when the company
announced the first bike release in 33 years
with the brand new Hesketh 24: a tribute to
Hesketh’s famous driver James Hunt, who
rode with the number on his 1975 F1 car.
Whether you’re
a biker or not,
you’re going to
want one.
Combining the ambition of Lord Hesketh
with the technical ability of today’s bikes, the
Hesketh 24 was built to impress. Propelling
the luxurious brute was a massive 1950cc
S&S X-Wedge air-cooled V-Twin engine,
offering torque in excess, while tributes to
Hunt only increased its prestige.
Yet, with only 24 bikes built, it was never
likely to be enjoyed by the majority of bike
fans. This, however, may all change with the
release of the Hesketh Sonnet, expected in
summer 2017.
Featuring a 2100cc two-litre S&S X-Wedge
air-cooled V-Twin engine, Ohlin suspension
and Beringer brakes, the Sonnet not only
overpowers the Hesketh 24 but also oozes
style. With a red current leather seat
and white bodywork, the Sonnet is to be
admired.
Although production numbers are yet to be
announced, hopes are that the new range
will see an increase on the last. And, in
anticipation of its release, the bike was driven
to Gun Hill Studios in Hailsham where it was
photographed for the first time ahead of its
maiden voyage at the Isle of Man TT.
As you can tell, the images look amazing
and if the 24 was anything to go by, we can’t
wait to see this bike at car shows across the
country over the next year.
James Hunt in his famous1975 Hesketh F1 car.
www.gunhillstudios.com
www.heskethmotorcycles.co.uk
56

Skerritts Lifestyle
57

58
Skerritts Lifestyle

Skerritts Lifestyle
A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO
OWN A VANTAGE GT12
Aston Martin Chichester is delighted to offer for sale Number 34 of
only 100 GT12 Coupes produced by Aston Martin for worldwide
distribution. The model combines all of Aston Martin’s learning
from years of sports car competition around the globe to produce
the most performance focused, road going Vantage to date.
Equipped with a new version of the brand’s 6.0 litre V12 engine
capable of producing up to 600PS, the car weighs in at 100kg less
than its V12 Vantage S sibling.
Featuring an incredibly desirable and full specification, this
particular vehicle was designed by and delivered to its one
and only keeper by ourselves earlier in 2016. It is finished in
Speedway White with the Full ‘Q’ Graphics Pack Plus and
Pure Black Alcantara and Leather stitched in Californian Poppy.
Options include 7-Spoke Satin Black Forged Alloy Wheels, Black
Side Window Surround, Carbon Fibre Boot Panel, Carbon Fibre
Lightweight Seats, Carbon Fibre Roof Panel, Carbon Fibre Mirror
Caps, Carbon Fibre Painted Front Grille, Clear Rear Lamps, Electric
Seat Adjustment with Memory Function, GT12 Badge, GT12 Logo
Embroidered into Headrests, Gulf Orange Brake Calipers, Leather
ECU Pouch, Q Graphics Pack Plus – Gulf Orange, Parcel Shelf,
Reversing Camera, Satin Twill Carbon Fibre Centre Console and
Full Factory Aero Kit.
A full personalised video of this car is available upon request.
Please contact our dedicated Aston Martin sales team without
delay on 01243 210442 to arrange your private viewing.
ASTON MARTIN CHICHESTER
TERMINUS ROAD, CHICHESTER, WEST SUSSEX PO19 8TX
01243 210 442 | CHICHESTER.ASTONMARTINDEALERS.COM
Vehicles are shown for illustration purposes only. These offers supersede all previously advertised offers. Prices correct at time of going to press. Offers are subject to availability. E&OE. 17576
59

Skerritts Lifestyle
www.skerritts.co.uk
60