Marlborough Living May - Jun 2024
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
YOUR FREE COPY MAY/JUNE <strong>2024</strong><br />
<strong>Marlborough</strong><br />
Featuring the<br />
Vale of Pewsey<br />
& Devizes<br />
living<br />
Cyrus<br />
TODIWALA<br />
We catch up with the<br />
renowned Indian chef<br />
easy summer<br />
STYLE<br />
Winning looks for a<br />
stylish summer<br />
WIN<br />
A GARDEN LOUNGE<br />
SET, LUXURY<br />
SWIMWEAR, KITCHEN<br />
& BATHROOM<br />
ACCESSORIES &<br />
MORE<br />
Calm &<br />
COSY<br />
A living room transformation to<br />
inspire your renovation<br />
NORTH WILTSHIRE’S FAVOURITE LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
FINDING THE RIGHT<br />
WAY FORWARD<br />
At Wansbroughs, our lawyers cover a wide range<br />
of disciplines but all share a common dedication to<br />
clarity, quality and exceptional service.<br />
WE COVER:<br />
• WILLS, TAX, TRUSTS & PROBATE<br />
• RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY<br />
• RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN<br />
• FAMILY<br />
• FARMING & AGRICULTURE<br />
• COMMERCIAL PROPERTY<br />
• BUSINESS & CORPORATE<br />
• EMPLOYMENT & HR<br />
• DISPUTE RESOLUTION<br />
• PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION<br />
wansbroughs.com | 01380 733300 | mail@wansbroughs.com
C O N T E N T S<br />
A NOTE<br />
from the editor<br />
24<br />
RECIPES CELEBRATING SHALLOTS<br />
Ah, <strong>May</strong> and <strong>Jun</strong>e in the UK<br />
– the seasons of blooming<br />
flowers, endless cups of tea,<br />
and magazines filled with<br />
delightful reads - well, we<br />
hope you agree!<br />
As the sun starts to peek<br />
out from behind the clouds,<br />
this edition is bursting with<br />
stories to put a spring in your<br />
step and a smile on your<br />
face.<br />
04<br />
COMPETITIONS<br />
On the home front we have<br />
a living/diner transformation<br />
to really inspire you - with<br />
most of the work undertaken<br />
by the homeowners<br />
themselves! It’s a calm and<br />
welcoming space - perfect if<br />
you like things more neutral.<br />
On the foodie front we have<br />
some recipes celebrating an<br />
unsung hero - the flavourpacked<br />
shallot. Who knew<br />
that this versatile little root<br />
veg could be used in so<br />
many different ways!<br />
LIVING ROOM RENO<br />
Editor Katie Thomson<br />
e katie@minervapublications.co.uk<br />
Assistant Editor Kate Norris<br />
Publisher Sally Thomson<br />
Pre Press Manager Rebecca Rose<br />
Contributors<br />
Matthew Biggs, Angela Cave,<br />
Louise Thomson, Pete Lawrence<br />
FOR ADVERTISING<br />
Account Manager Anna Cashman<br />
e anna@minervapublications.co.uk<br />
t 01225 984510<br />
Cover courtesy of FatFace<br />
31<br />
RETIREMENT PLANNING<br />
50<br />
MINERVA PUBLICATIONS<br />
Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm,<br />
Hilperton BA14 6JB<br />
t 01225 984 550<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk<br />
Printed on sustainably sourced paper.<br />
Please recycle this copy or pass it along<br />
when you are finished for someone else<br />
to enjoy.<br />
Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be<br />
held liable for any loss occasioned by<br />
failure of an advertisement to appear, or<br />
any damage or inconvenience caused by<br />
errors, omissions and misprints. No part of<br />
this publication may be reproduced without<br />
prior permission from the publishers.<br />
The opinions expressed within are not<br />
necessarily those of the publishers.<br />
If you are looking to shake up<br />
your wardrobe a little as the<br />
mercury rises, check out our<br />
summer style guide - we are<br />
all about those easy-breezy<br />
pieces that still make you<br />
looked pulled together.<br />
Our later life guide sees an<br />
insightful guide to retirement<br />
accommodation - perfect<br />
if you’re considering those<br />
next big steps.<br />
We will be back again in the<br />
height of summer - hopefully<br />
having already had some<br />
lovely sunshine and looking<br />
forward to some wonderful<br />
July and August scorchers<br />
ahead. See you then!<br />
Katie<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3
Time<br />
COMPETITION<br />
Find out more about entering our competitions online<br />
at minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions - join our<br />
Competition Club and enter over 60 comps a year for<br />
only £12.99! Or enter for free by post.<br />
All the below close on 15th July <strong>2024</strong><br />
WIN A FINAMILL<br />
RECHARGEABLE ELECTRIC<br />
PEPPER MILL & SPICE<br />
GRINDER BUNDLE!<br />
Fall in love with freshly-ground spices<br />
again with FinaMill’s award-winning<br />
patented electric grinder! With its<br />
interchangeable pods, FinaMill is a<br />
brilliantly easy way to grind spices,<br />
regardless of whole spice shape,<br />
size and hardness. From salt and<br />
peppercorn to cumin seeds and even<br />
coffee beans! Win one of 3 bundles:<br />
Available from Amazon.<br />
Keyword ‘FinaMill’<br />
WIN ONE OF 3 METHVEN<br />
SHOWER HEADS WORTH<br />
OVER £130<br />
Methven, the manufacturer of<br />
beautifully designed, innovative, and<br />
award-winning showers are offering<br />
their Eco Aio Shower head. Featuring<br />
patented Aurajet® technology, the<br />
handset gives up to 20% more spray<br />
coverage* and twice the amount of skin<br />
contact to deliver a full-bodied spray<br />
with maximum body contact and allover<br />
warmth.<br />
Shop online at uk.methven.com<br />
Keyword ‘Methven’<br />
WIN A ULLEHUSE 6-SEATER<br />
GARDEN LOUNGE SET IN GREY<br />
WORTH £949.99 FROM JYSK<br />
Get summer ready with the help<br />
of JYSK. The best-selling JYSK<br />
ULLEHUSE polyrattan 6-seater<br />
corner sofa and table set with luxury<br />
cushions is a garden essential. Worth<br />
£949.99, the ULLEHUSE Lounge Set<br />
is a customer favourite and perfect<br />
for relaxing and alfresco dining. JYSK<br />
prides themselves on creating quality<br />
items that are loved in Denmark and<br />
now across the world.<br />
Shop online at jysk.co.uk<br />
Keyword ‘ULLEHUSE’<br />
WIN CLASSIC<br />
BUNDLE BED<br />
WORTH £325<br />
Forget deflating air beds and hard roll<br />
mats, Bundle Beds have everything<br />
that you need for a brilliant night’s<br />
sleep in one bundle – yes, it’s ALL<br />
included! A super comfy self-inflating<br />
mattress, cosy duvet, comfy pillow and<br />
super soft bedding. Award winning,<br />
super soft and with a ten-year warranty,<br />
this is the perfect solution for extra<br />
beds, sleepovers, travel and camping!<br />
Shop online at bundlebeds.com<br />
Keyword ‘Bundle Bed’<br />
WIN A GIN TASTING SESSION<br />
AND BOTTLE OF ARTISAN GIN<br />
You have the chance to win one of<br />
four pairs of Gin Tasting Experience<br />
vouchers plus a 50cl bottle of one<br />
of Warwickshire Gin Company’s six<br />
signature gins in a prize worth £77.<br />
The inspiration behind the awardwinning<br />
craft distillery’s portfolio of<br />
artisan premium spirits, comes from a<br />
desire to capture a moment in history,<br />
developing flavours to fully represent the<br />
county’s own unique story and bringing<br />
the range of hand-crafted flavours to life.<br />
Find out more at:<br />
warwickshiregincompany.co.uk<br />
Keyword ‘Warwickshire Gin’<br />
WIN ANITA ROSA FAIA<br />
SWIMWEAR<br />
One lucky winner will win the Anita<br />
Rosa Secret <strong>Jun</strong>gle Elouise Soft Cup<br />
Swimsuit (size 10-12) and cover up, two<br />
runners up will receive another costume<br />
from the Secret <strong>Jun</strong>gle collection.<br />
With practical and decorative zip front<br />
opening for a customised design and fit,<br />
it’s made with Lycra Xtra Life fibre so it’s<br />
long lasting. The wire-free cups are kept<br />
in a powernet shelf with wide underbust<br />
elastic for an extra bust support.<br />
Comes with low cut rounded back and<br />
adjustable straps for ease of dressing.<br />
Find out more at Amplebosom.com<br />
Keyword ‘Anita Rosa’<br />
4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
Do you need help<br />
managing your<br />
finances?<br />
Your local, independent financial adviser is right<br />
around the corner and ready to help you.<br />
Proud to support:<br />
Perspective (South West) Ltd<br />
Equilibrium House, 1 Pelhams Court, London Road, <strong>Marlborough</strong>, Wiltshire SN8 2AG<br />
Tel: 01672 515991 www.pfgl.co.uk/southwest<br />
All calls to and from our landlines and mobiles are recorded to meet regulatory requirements.<br />
MODERN<br />
ART+<br />
DESIGN<br />
12 & 13 JUNE <strong>2024</strong><br />
11AM OXFORD<br />
Mallams<br />
1788<br />
For full details of the sale visit<br />
www.mallams.co.uk or contact<br />
max@mallams.co.uk<br />
Elisabeth Frink (1930 – 1993)<br />
Horse’s Head<br />
£3,000 - £5,000<br />
Our heritage & expertise positions us as one of the UK’s leading auction houses<br />
BOCARDO HOUSE, ST MICHAEL’S STREET, OXFORD OX1 2EB<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 5
‘Orion 5’ by Richard Atkinson-Willes <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Talos Gallery Summer Exhibition runs from 25th <strong>May</strong> to 21st July <strong>2024</strong><br />
Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am - 5pm. ENTRY IS FREE<br />
Closed Monday and Tuesday.<br />
Toilets are available onsite but please note that the café is CLOSED.<br />
Please note that wheelchair access is difficult.<br />
Talos Art Gallery is at Broads Green Farm, Heddington, Nr Calne SN11 0NX<br />
www.talosartgallery.co.uk
Talos Gallery Summer Exhibition <strong>2024</strong><br />
Spring seems to have been a long time coming this year, but at least the endless rain<br />
has suited the wonderful sculpture garden at the Talos Gallery, near Calne, which is<br />
preparing to open its delightful old dairy buildings and grounds stocked with a new<br />
collection of sculpture and painting for the discerning art lover. The Talos Summer<br />
Exhibition has become a popular annual event, renowned for the quality and diversity<br />
of the artwork on display, and it’s delightful setting in picturesque Wiltshire countryside.<br />
Last year we invited plein-air artist Valerie Pirlot to spend a day at Talos painting the<br />
oasis of colour and controlled chaos that gallery visitors love, and the results will be<br />
here in our summer exhibition to compare with the real thing.<br />
The theme of this year’s summer show is boldly contemporary with a collection of<br />
brand new sculptures by gallery owner Richard Atkinson-Willes, which have been<br />
made specially for the exhibition. Richard is joined by fellow formalist sculptor Philip<br />
Rae-Scott, whose work will be moving from Talos to a major London gallery immediately<br />
after our show. We are also thrilled to have a major installation by sculptor Adam<br />
Roud, who began his career working in the famous Morris Singer foundry. Adam is<br />
well known for his figurative work, but this year will be showing an abstract collection<br />
occupying a whole room as well as two enormous, monumental pieces in the garden.<br />
Travellers on Great Western Railways will be familiar with the major installations at<br />
Bristol Temple Meads and Paddington stations by painter Cindy Powell, whose work<br />
champions global conservation issues. The originals of both of these powerful sets of<br />
paintings will be at Talos for the summer along with a selection of Cindy’s latest work<br />
championing conservation in her beloved home country of Africa.<br />
‘Talos Gallery Garden’ by Valerie Pirlot 2023
ISC'S 150 TH<br />
ANNIVERSARY<br />
The act of giving back<br />
is very much embedded<br />
within the culture of<br />
independent schools<br />
<strong>2024</strong> is a big year for the<br />
Independent Schools Council<br />
(ISC). It marks 50 years since the<br />
organisation was established,<br />
with the express aim of<br />
representing all independent<br />
schools via their member<br />
associations. While the last<br />
five decades have brought new<br />
challenges and opportunities for<br />
the sector, one thing remains<br />
unchanged – the ISC’s role as a<br />
service organisation, protecting<br />
and promoting the interests of<br />
independent schools at home<br />
and abroad.<br />
As we celebrate our big 5-0,<br />
let’s take a closer look at the key<br />
characteristics – and contributions –<br />
of independent schools.<br />
Diverse range of<br />
specialisms and learning<br />
approaches<br />
There is a wide variety of schools<br />
within the independent sector:<br />
day and boarding schools; singlesex<br />
and co-educational schools;<br />
faith schools and schools with<br />
specialisms such as in the arts<br />
or sport. This means there is an<br />
environment to suit every child and<br />
their needs.<br />
Almost a fifth of ISC pupils – over<br />
100,000 – benefit from some form<br />
of special educational needs and<br />
disability (SEND) provision, with<br />
families often choosing independent<br />
schools because of the smaller<br />
class sizes and specialist support<br />
they provide.<br />
Partnership work and<br />
community support<br />
Cross-sector partnerships between<br />
state and independent schools<br />
enrich the educational experiences<br />
of all involved. These include<br />
academic programmes, careers and<br />
higher education support, teacher<br />
development programmes and<br />
governance partnerships, among<br />
many others.<br />
Staff and pupils at independent<br />
schools place great emphasis on<br />
building links and strengthening<br />
relationships with members of<br />
the wider community, actively<br />
volunteering and offering their time<br />
and resources to help others. The<br />
act of giving back is very much<br />
embedded within the culture of<br />
independent schools – in fact, many<br />
incorporate this work into their<br />
weekly timetable.<br />
Widening access through<br />
bursaries<br />
The independent sector is<br />
committed to providing valuable<br />
educational opportunities to greater<br />
numbers of children and young<br />
people. This determination is<br />
reflected in the amount of bursary<br />
support made available to families –<br />
ISC schools provide over £1 billion<br />
in fee assistance every year.<br />
Much of this support is meanstested,<br />
intended for families who<br />
otherwise could not afford to send<br />
their child to an independent school.<br />
Nearly half of all pupils on meanstested<br />
bursaries have more than<br />
half of their fees remitted – and over<br />
7,000 pay no fees at all.<br />
Economic value and<br />
contribution to the<br />
economy<br />
Independent schools put into<br />
society far more than they take out.<br />
They save the taxpayer £4.4 billion<br />
each year through the education of<br />
children and young people outside<br />
of state schools. Across the sector,<br />
independent schools contribute<br />
in the region of £16.5 billion to<br />
the economy and generate £5.1<br />
billion in tax revenues, as well as<br />
supporting over 328,000 jobs.<br />
All of the above is a testament to<br />
the valuable role of independent<br />
schools, both in the education<br />
system and society more generally.<br />
Despite ongoing challenges –<br />
including rising costs, soaring<br />
teacher pension contributions<br />
and the threat of VAT on fees –<br />
independent schools are continuing<br />
to support their wider communities,<br />
enriching the experience of their<br />
staff and students in the process.<br />
At the ISC, remain dedicated to our<br />
role in representing the needs and<br />
interests of these schools – here’s to<br />
the next 50 years!<br />
Find out more at www.isc.co.uk
A world class education<br />
at a vibrant and inclusive school<br />
Entry at Year 9 and Year 12<br />
Fee assistance available (means-tested)<br />
Call: +44 (0)1672 892300<br />
Email: admissions@marlboroughcollege.org<br />
5324 Marlb <strong>Living</strong>_Bursary_165x240_v3.indd 1 22/03/2023 12:11
NEW IN AT<br />
The Parrot Cage<br />
I have returned recently<br />
from a trip to India where<br />
I had the best time meeting<br />
my suppliers and choosing<br />
more fabulous treasures.<br />
If you are planning a holiday what better to pack than a<br />
gorgeous hand block printed organic cotton dress, or a<br />
soft silky kaftan for lazing in the garden - or by the pool.<br />
Glorious cotton waffle dressing gowns, soft cotton pj’s -<br />
and to complete a perfect nights sleep- a gorgeous cotton<br />
bedspread. I also have velvet jackets, quilted reversible<br />
jackets and, of course, pashminas, scarves and shawls for<br />
any and every occasion so pop in and say hello and get ready<br />
for a seriously stylish summer…<br />
Angela Cave<br />
PARROTS<br />
AND<br />
PEONIES<br />
Pashminas, scarves & shawls<br />
in silk, wool and cashmere<br />
The Parrot Cage<br />
The Shambles, Devizes<br />
I:L<br />
07305 094535<br />
cavea23@gmail.com<br />
www.angelacave.com<br />
ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />
SICK LAPTOP, PC OR MAC?<br />
PC HOSPITAL SURGEONS ON CALL<br />
RAPID RESPONSE UNITS<br />
FAST REPAIRS - WE COME TO YOU<br />
• Computers restored to health<br />
• Intensive care for crashed PC’s<br />
• RIP... resurrection in progress<br />
• Qualified surgeons COMP TIA A+<br />
• Life longevity programme (Health checks)<br />
• Body part replacement (upgrades & full systems)<br />
• From £29 fixed price repair (plus any components)<br />
• No fix - no fee<br />
MOBILE PHONE & TABLET REPAIRS<br />
• Fixed prices • Screen & Battery Replacement<br />
• Charging Port Repairs • OS Restoring<br />
• Data Recovery • Data Transfer • Lock Removal<br />
• Phone Network unlocking<br />
Call on: 01672 233148<br />
or visit<br />
www.computer-repairs-wiltshire.co.uk<br />
U S E C O D E<br />
L I V I N G 2 5<br />
b e a u t i f u l l y<br />
c r a f t e d . . .<br />
e f f o r t l e s s l y<br />
s t y l i s h<br />
h a u s l i f e<br />
2 5 %<br />
O F F<br />
G A R D E N<br />
F U R N I T U R E<br />
O N L Y U N T I L<br />
2 0 / 0 5 / 2 4<br />
S E E T H E F U L L C O L L E C T I O N O N L I N E A T<br />
W W W . H A U S L I F E . C O . U K<br />
10 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
Discover<br />
Create<br />
Learn<br />
Celebrate<br />
7th July – 3rd Aug <strong>2024</strong><br />
Over 400 courses<br />
are waiting for you<br />
Visit summerschool.co.uk<br />
to find out more<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 11
Hat Pop-Up<br />
at The Golden Lion Gallery<br />
22 <strong>May</strong> to 1 <strong>Jun</strong>e<br />
Abigail Holgate and Leonie Dooré are happy<br />
to announce a 2-week residency at<br />
The Golden Lion Gallery showcasing their<br />
original millinery creations.<br />
Opening Hours: 11am - 3pm<br />
Wednesday to Saturday<br />
The Golden Lion Gallery<br />
Ramsbury SN8 2PE<br />
www.abigailholgatemillinery.co.uk<br />
www.leoniedooremillinery.co.uk
To view our client testimonials, please Estate visit our administration<br />
website<br />
A warm A warm welcome welcome to New to New Wave Wave Law Law Solicitors.<br />
At New Wave Law we do<br />
www.newwavelaw.co.uk<br />
At New things Wave differently. Law we We do offer things a personal, differently. caring, We adaptive and empathetic Lasting Powers of Attorneys<br />
offer a service, personal, designed caring, to adaptive positively and impact empathetic our clients’ lives and those of their<br />
(LPAs)<br />
service, designed to positively impact our<br />
families.<br />
Please contact Sammi Thorpe<br />
clients’ lives and those of their families.<br />
Applications to the Court of<br />
And with over 20 years experience, we have mastered the art Protection on of putting 079392 for 64566 the appointment<br />
or via email<br />
And with you first. over 20 years experience, OUR SERVICES<br />
we have<br />
at of a sammi@newwavelaw.co.uk<br />
Deputy for property and<br />
mastered the art of putting you first.<br />
As a result of recent expansion, Will drafting we are now covering the Wiltshire and financial affairs<br />
As a Berkshire result of areas, recent offering expansion, Estate to visit we you planning are at home now to make your life easier. We<br />
covering are delighted, the Wiltshire as part and of this, Berkshire to offer a areas, discount on our services<br />
Acting<br />
to new<br />
as a Professional Deputy<br />
Estate administration<br />
offering clients. to visit you at home to make your life<br />
easier. We are delighted, as part Lasting of this, Powers to offer of Attorneys<br />
a discount on our To services view our client to testimonials, please visit our website<br />
(LPAs) new clients.<br />
www.newwavelaw.co.uk<br />
To view our client testimonials, Applications please visit to our the Court of<br />
website www.newwavelaw.co.uk<br />
Protection for the appointment<br />
Please contact Sammi Thorpe<br />
of a Deputy for property and<br />
on 079392 64566 or via email<br />
OUR Please SERVICES contact financial Sammi affairsThorpe on<br />
at sammi@newwavelaw.co.uk<br />
079392 64566 Acting as or a via Professional email at Deputy<br />
Will drafting<br />
sammi@newwavelaw.co.uk<br />
Estate planning<br />
Estate administration<br />
Lasting Powers of Attorneys<br />
(LPAs)<br />
Applications to the Court of<br />
service, designed to positively impact our clients’ lives and those of their<br />
families.<br />
And with over 20 years experience, we have mastered the art of putting<br />
you first.<br />
Protection for the appointment<br />
of a Deputy for property and<br />
financial affairs<br />
Acting as a Professional Deputy<br />
OUR SERVICES<br />
As a result of recent expansion, we are now covering the Wiltshire and<br />
Berkshire areas, offering to visit you at home to make your Will life drafting easier. We<br />
are delighted, as part of this, to offer a discount on our services to new<br />
clients.<br />
Estate planning<br />
barnes coaches<br />
High Summer<br />
Highland Fling<br />
Sat 6th July <strong>2024</strong><br />
5 Days: From £725pp<br />
Mountains, glens,<br />
lochs, and legends;<br />
this tour allows us<br />
to take in all that<br />
makes Scotland<br />
so spectacular.<br />
Includes boat<br />
cruise, Strathspey<br />
Railway, whisky<br />
tasting and<br />
Highland Folk<br />
Museum!<br />
The Peak District<br />
and Delectable<br />
Derbyshire<br />
Fri 19th July <strong>2024</strong><br />
5 Days: From £599pp<br />
Enjoy the heart of<br />
the glorious Peak<br />
District with visits<br />
to Buxton Visitor<br />
Centre, Tissington<br />
Hall, where we<br />
have a private tour<br />
followed by tea<br />
and scones. We<br />
also enjoy a cream<br />
tea when we visit<br />
Derby Silk Mill and<br />
finally a behindthe<br />
-scenes tour of<br />
Royal Crown Derby!<br />
Wonders of the<br />
Weald, Kent<br />
Thu 1st Aug <strong>2024</strong><br />
5 Days: From £629 pp<br />
Includes Penshurst<br />
Place, Walmer<br />
Castle, Hole Park<br />
and train ride! Not<br />
only do we visit<br />
three of the best<br />
houses in Kent,<br />
but have tours of<br />
them all and food<br />
at two of them! We<br />
also experience a<br />
ride on the Kent<br />
& Sussex Railway<br />
through the rolling<br />
hills of the High<br />
Weald countryside.<br />
01793 821303 | barnescoaches.co.uk<br />
Warners Corton<br />
Coastal Village,<br />
Suffolk<br />
Mon 5th Aug <strong>2024</strong><br />
5 Days: From £499pp<br />
This hotel is set in<br />
a stunning location<br />
and has quality<br />
entertainment,<br />
sports, swimming<br />
and activities<br />
designed to help<br />
you have fun and<br />
indulge. You can<br />
choose to do as<br />
little or as much as<br />
you like and there<br />
is entertainment<br />
every night!<br />
UK & European<br />
Coach Holidays<br />
West Wales &<br />
Pembrokeshire<br />
Coast<br />
Mon 12th Aug <strong>2024</strong><br />
5 Days: From £579pp<br />
Includes Picton<br />
Castle, National<br />
Wool Museum<br />
and free use of spa<br />
hotel!<br />
We see the great<br />
coastal scenery in<br />
this area of West<br />
Wales, and we<br />
have included two<br />
fascinating guided<br />
tours.<br />
World War I<br />
Battlefields Tour<br />
Tue 27th Aug <strong>2024</strong><br />
4 Days: From £599pp<br />
Includes visits<br />
to Flanders Field<br />
Museum, Tyne Cot<br />
and Essex Farm,<br />
Last Post Ceremony<br />
at Menin Gate,<br />
Somme Battlefield,<br />
Historial, de la<br />
Grande Guerre<br />
Museum, Albert,<br />
Thiepval Memorial<br />
and Beaumont-<br />
Hamel Memorial<br />
Park.<br />
HOME PICKUP & DROP OFF SERVICE ON HOLIDAYS 4<br />
DAYS & OVER! Use our online postcode checker to see<br />
if we can pickup from your postcode! ><br />
barnescoaches.co.uk/holiday-pickups<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 13
Joy<br />
Throwover<br />
- Grey Spirit<br />
Fashion,<br />
Devizes<br />
Tarnish-Proof gold plated<br />
earrings, £14.99, hauslife.co.uk<br />
Boho Dress,<br />
£26, George<br />
at Asda<br />
Bag, £39.50, M&S<br />
Bella Slider, £37,<br />
Accessorize<br />
easy<br />
S U M M E R<br />
S T Y L E<br />
Summer is looming into view - so bringing<br />
the season of ease. Light cottons, breathable<br />
linens - effortless silhouettes<br />
AND OR Skirt, £69,<br />
and Leona Cardi,<br />
£75, John Lewis<br />
Lyons Tan Sandals,<br />
£95, Dune<br />
Margaret Midi Dress,<br />
£129, Barbour<br />
Cotton smock<br />
dress with<br />
pockets, £49.99,<br />
hauslife.co.uk<br />
Sandals,<br />
£65, M&S<br />
UV Sunglasses, £19.99,<br />
hauslife.co.uk<br />
Olivia Art Floral Shirt,<br />
£46, Fatface<br />
14 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
American Vintage<br />
Birkenstock<br />
Lollys Laundry<br />
The Michelin restaurant Hywel Jones<br />
by Lucknam Park transports you<br />
to a bygone era of elegance and<br />
sophistication.<br />
Executive chef, Hywel Jones ensures<br />
an unforgettable dining experience is<br />
delivered for each and every guest.<br />
In his quest for perfection, Hywel uses<br />
the finest ingredients to ensure the<br />
fullest flavours and where possible<br />
sources from local suppliers.<br />
V 01225 742777<br />
lucknampark.co.uk<br />
Lucknam Park, Colerne, SN14 8AZ<br />
Mos Mosh<br />
Nice Things<br />
Pom Amsterdam<br />
Red Button<br />
Vilagallo<br />
Yerse<br />
Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm<br />
3 High Street, Devizes SN10 1AT<br />
www.spiritfashion.co.uk @spirit_devizes<br />
YOU FIT<br />
FOR SPRING<br />
READY FOR SUMMER<br />
ENJOY £0 JOINING FEE PLUS<br />
*Terms Apply<br />
£10 OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH * youfitclubs.co.uk<br />
01793 817 012<br />
swindon@youfitclubs.co.uk<br />
Holiday Inn Swindon, <strong>Marlborough</strong> Road, SN3 6AQ<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 15
Cushion,<br />
£12.50,<br />
jysk.co.uk<br />
Britty Flynn<br />
Poster,<br />
desenio.com<br />
Checkerboard<br />
Table Lamp, £59,<br />
rockettstgeorge.co.uk<br />
FatFace Bea Gingham Scarf, £35,<br />
Keswick Wide Leg Crop Jean,<br />
£59, Frome Check Shirt, £46<br />
Hair Clip, £6.99,<br />
hauslife.co.uk<br />
CHECK-MATE<br />
Step into a world of timeless design with these<br />
beautiful checkerboard patterns. This classic motif,<br />
known for its versatility, takes centre stage in <strong>2024</strong>,<br />
offering a bold yet structured aesthetic. From<br />
fashion to interiors, Checkerboard effortlessly blends<br />
nostalgia with a contemporary twist.<br />
Warm Blue Gingham Linen Bedtime<br />
Bundle £415, pigletinbed.com<br />
Checkity Check<br />
Check Wallpaper,<br />
lusthome.com<br />
Afina Check Bone Box,<br />
£195, oka.com<br />
Chennai Handwoven Cushion Cover,<br />
£27, hauslife.co.uk<br />
Rug, £254,<br />
pappelina.com/en<br />
Chequered Earth Art Print,<br />
£23, greenlili.com<br />
16 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
Walcot Marble Side Table,<br />
£299, hauslife.co.uk<br />
Dylan Armchair,<br />
£795,<br />
theroost.com<br />
Homewares from<br />
katiefischer.de<br />
‘Graceful Neutral’ Paint,<br />
yescolours.com<br />
Serenity Coffee Table, £299,<br />
wheresaintsgo.co.uk<br />
Ceramic Vase, £39.99,<br />
wayfair.co.uk<br />
Trendsetters<br />
OUR FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE FASHIONS & FINDS<br />
Antique White<br />
Table Lamp<br />
With Linen<br />
Shade, £99,<br />
hauslife.co.uk<br />
Boxed Wall Art, £179,<br />
rowenhomes.com<br />
NEW NEUTRALS<br />
Grounded neutral hues have become a staple within the<br />
world of interior design thanks to their ability to create a<br />
calming, tranquil ambience throughout the home (and the<br />
fact that these versatile shades compliment virtually every<br />
colour combination you might have in mind).<br />
Whether you’re looking to go all out or simply need a few<br />
statement accessories to ground your space, our curated<br />
collection has a little something for everyone.<br />
Cushion, £45,<br />
frenchbedroom.co.uk<br />
Clifton Sofa, £2499,<br />
hauslife.co.uk<br />
CorkWall - Lagos Beige,<br />
naturewall.com<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 17
BABY AND<br />
Beyond<br />
TOT TER + TUMBLE:<br />
Totter and Tumble playmats provide a<br />
safe and secure floor for many of your<br />
child’s milestones - from their first<br />
tummy time, to sitting unaided, to<br />
taking their first steps. These mats are<br />
also great for parents too, providing a<br />
cushioned surface for the many hours<br />
spent playing on the floor. Messy play<br />
is a must for children’s sensory<br />
development and Totter + Tumble’s<br />
wipeable playmats are the ideal spots<br />
for playing on. The beauty of the<br />
playmats are that at the end of the day<br />
when the kids have gone to bed you’re<br />
still able to enjoy your home without<br />
being met with the garish colours play<br />
mats so often tend to be. Starting from<br />
£80.00 with many designs<br />
to choose from. Available from:<br />
totterandtumble.co.uk<br />
MAGNET MOUSE: With<br />
a beautiful range of prints including<br />
their signature mouse design, and<br />
gorgeous Liberty print florals, Magnet<br />
Mouse clothing is<br />
revolutionising baby<br />
wear not just in<br />
terms of style, but<br />
also ease of use!<br />
The magnetic<br />
fastenings are<br />
perfect for quick,<br />
middle of the night<br />
changes as well<br />
as on the go, so<br />
you have can<br />
have more cuddles and less<br />
struggles. Indian Block Print Alice<br />
Shirt in Fresh Blue, £48, Unisex<br />
Mouse Babygrow Set £49.95,<br />
and Blue Romper Set, £45, all<br />
magnetmouse.co.uk<br />
GLOW DREAMING:<br />
The Glow Sleep Easy, £119.95, a 5<br />
in 1 sleep aid that will help create the<br />
perfect sleep conditions, combining<br />
Red LED light therapy, with organic<br />
Pink noise, ultrasonic Humidifier<br />
with optional Aromatherapy and a<br />
Green Light to rise. The Glow Sleep<br />
Easy can be app controlled from any<br />
room in the house and gives you<br />
access to their Sleep Memberships<br />
where you can contact their team<br />
for one-on-one support. Backed by<br />
science, engineered for sleep. For<br />
more information visit<br />
glowdreaming.co.uk<br />
LITTLE<br />
HOTDOG<br />
WATSON:<br />
Cool kids hat brand Little Hotdog<br />
Watson is on a mission to make<br />
the best kids hats in the<br />
whole world. They<br />
create high-quality,<br />
responsibly-made<br />
kidswear designed to<br />
give parents peace of<br />
mind, and are made for<br />
maximum adventure.<br />
All their Summer<br />
hats provide UPF50+<br />
protection, have built in<br />
mosquito repellent and<br />
a keep cool fabric liner. Each hat is<br />
made from high quality cotton, fully<br />
machine washable and incorporates<br />
smart design technology created to<br />
keep young explorers comfortable<br />
and protected, whatever the<br />
weather. Starting from £30,<br />
littlehotdogwatson.com<br />
S P O T T Y<br />
OTTER:<br />
Spotty Otter, the<br />
renowned outdoor<br />
clothing brand trusted<br />
by parents nationwide.<br />
Putting the FUN back<br />
into Functional Kids<br />
outdoor gear! Designed<br />
to keep kids dry and<br />
comfortable during<br />
school and all their<br />
outdoor adventures.<br />
With a focus on quality,<br />
durability, and style, Spotty Otter’s<br />
range is the ultimate solution for<br />
parents seeking reliable protection<br />
against the elements. Check them<br />
out today at spottyotter.co.uk<br />
YOUR CHANCE<br />
TO WIN<br />
Win an amazing bundle featuring<br />
a product or selection from<br />
every brand on this page! Head<br />
to minervamagazines.co.uk/<br />
competitions to find details of<br />
entry. Competition keyword: ‘Mega<br />
Baby Bundle’<br />
Closes 15th July <strong>2024</strong>. T&Cs apply.<br />
18 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
BABY CARRIER: CARIPOD addresses<br />
challenges faced by many parents when using baby<br />
carriers, such as complicated loading, poor back support<br />
or simply the lack of height/size inclusivity. Designed by<br />
parents at Seraphine, the CARIPOD was conceptualised<br />
in back in early 2020. Since then, the CARIPOD has<br />
been meticulously trialled, with the result being a patentpending<br />
pioneering baby carrier that fits seamlessly<br />
into an active lifestyle, redefining baby carrying through<br />
convenience, accessibility, comfort, support, and style.<br />
£169, www.seraphine.com<br />
BOTTLE WASHER:<br />
Baby Brezza Bottle Washer Pro®<br />
Never use a bottle brush again!<br />
Automatically washes, sterilises and dries<br />
bottles, pump parts and sippy cups.<br />
Powerfully washes with 20 high-pressure<br />
spray jets, using 50% less water than hand<br />
washing. No need to plumb in - just plug in<br />
and go. Kills 99.9% of germs with steam,<br />
then dries with HEPA-filtered hot air. £299,<br />
cheekyrascals.co.uk<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 19
Meet the Chef<br />
CYRUS<br />
TODIWALA<br />
The Three Counties Food and<br />
Drink Festival will be welcoming<br />
award-winning chef and author<br />
Cyrus Todiwala in their guest<br />
chef line-up on Sunday 28th July.<br />
Sally Thomson caught up with<br />
Cyrus to talk about his most<br />
recent cookery book and his visit<br />
to Worcestershire this summer.<br />
As an additional treat for our<br />
readers, Cyrus has kindly shared<br />
his classic Butter Chicken recipe<br />
with us.<br />
I understand that you are going<br />
to be involved with the Three<br />
Counties Food and Drink Festival<br />
in July, Have you done it before?<br />
No, not as yet, but I am looking<br />
forward to it. They caught me just in<br />
time before I made other plans.<br />
I understand that you were very<br />
much involved with your family<br />
cooking. So, did that trigger you<br />
love of cooking?<br />
Well, living in India you never<br />
thought of cooking as a profession?<br />
Now chefs have been glorified,<br />
they’ve got recognition, they’ve<br />
got exposure and there are now<br />
cooking programmes in India.<br />
In my days, if you opted to become<br />
a cook, you were considered an<br />
insult to a middle class family.<br />
Rather a disgrace more than<br />
anything else.<br />
When you entered the cooking<br />
profession you were fixated<br />
and decided that was want you<br />
wanted to do?<br />
Over a period of time, things like<br />
dyslexia or similar were treated<br />
as lethargy or laziness. There are<br />
certain things I just couldn’t do.<br />
One of them is maths, it didn’t gel<br />
with me.<br />
I’m a practical person so could<br />
have done a lot of things, but my<br />
tastebuds were good and my<br />
understanding of food evolved from<br />
childhood and over a period of time.<br />
What was the first dish that you<br />
made on your own?<br />
My first one was chapatis.<br />
We lived in what you call a joint<br />
family. My mother’s sister lived in<br />
one side of the house and we lived<br />
on the other side. My grand aunt<br />
used to make the most excellent<br />
chapatis. I used to help myself<br />
to them from her box. And with<br />
nobody else around I would take<br />
them and caramalise them with<br />
butter and sugar and then sell them<br />
to my cousins and my sister!<br />
Now your heritage, you have<br />
plethora of wonderful dishes, do<br />
you have one that you absolutely<br />
love or does it depend on your<br />
mood or is seasonality? Which is<br />
the one which makes your mouth<br />
water?<br />
As a child, one of the things I<br />
enjoyed most was my mother’s dish<br />
called eggs on potato. So we so<br />
coddled eggs on cumin flavoured<br />
potato. Do you know Ronnie<br />
O’Sullivan? He’s coming here for a<br />
class today so I’m going to teach<br />
him how to make that.<br />
We layer it up, we break a couple of<br />
eggs on top and we let them coddle<br />
nicely in the heat of the pan.<br />
In terms of your style of cooking<br />
is it Parsi cuisine?<br />
It was part of our upbringing as<br />
we are Zorastrians. Our religion is<br />
the oldest monotheistic religion in<br />
the world. We predate Christianity<br />
by about two and a half thousand<br />
years. We had to flee Persia from<br />
the occupation, and we had to seek<br />
refuge and the closest was India. But<br />
I do enjoy living here. Meanwhile I’m<br />
in love with the world.<br />
THE THREE COUNTIES<br />
FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL<br />
As well as cookery demonstrations<br />
from Cyrus, the festival will<br />
showcase over 160 traders<br />
showcasing food, drink, gifts,<br />
crafts, garden products, and<br />
delicious street food and bars.<br />
There’s a full menu of family<br />
entertainment including a cookery<br />
school for kids, live music and<br />
more cookery masterclasses from<br />
Phil Vickery, Rachel Allen, and<br />
Marcus Bean, as well as Bake-Off<br />
favourites, Matty Edgell and Dan<br />
Hunter. www.threecounties.co.uk<br />
20 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
BUTTER<br />
CHICKEN<br />
MASALA<br />
The classic Butter Chicken from<br />
North India, Chicken Makhani, is<br />
a bit different from as well as a bit<br />
more subtle than this. The Butter<br />
Chicken Masala of Bombay is so<br />
well known it does not even have<br />
any other Indian term for it. Ideally<br />
use the cooked Chicken Tikka<br />
recipe from my book, but you<br />
could instead marinate 4 cubed<br />
chicken breasts in 4 heaped<br />
tablespoons of thick plain yoghurt<br />
with 1 tablespoon of tandoori<br />
paste and then grill it like the tikka.<br />
Butter Chicken in Bombay was<br />
made famous by the one and only<br />
Delhi Durbar restaurant. Please do<br />
not think of calories when cooking<br />
this dish as the word does not<br />
exist here! Serves 4<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
40g/3 tbsp butter<br />
2tsp chilli powder<br />
1tsp caster sugar<br />
½ tsp salt<br />
200g tomato puree<br />
juice of ½ lime<br />
5–7.5 cm (2–3 in) piece of fresh<br />
ginger, grated or finely chopped<br />
1 heaped tsp cumin seeds,<br />
toasted and ground<br />
2–3 green chillies, finely chopped<br />
(plus 1–2 extra split and added for<br />
flavour, optional)<br />
200ml double cream<br />
Chicken Tikka (see recipe intro)<br />
1 heaped tbsp chopped coriander<br />
MEHTOD<br />
Heat the butter in a kadai, wok<br />
or large deep frying pan until it<br />
foams. Remove from the heat and<br />
add the chilli powder, sugar and<br />
salt, stir well and put back onto<br />
the heat, stirring and cooking for a<br />
minute or so, then add the tomato<br />
pure and lime juice and cook for<br />
2 minutes over a low heat, stirring<br />
well.<br />
Add the ginger, half the cumin and<br />
the chopped chillies and cook<br />
over a low heat until the butter<br />
separates slightly. Add the split<br />
chillies, if using, and the cream<br />
and simmer for 6–8 minutes.<br />
Discard the split chillies.<br />
Add the cooked chicken tikka<br />
meat, and heat through until<br />
piping hot. Taste and re-season,<br />
if necessary. Sprinkle with the<br />
chopped coriander and the<br />
remaining toasted ground cumin.<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 21
S T Y L I S H<br />
Stays<br />
COOMBE ABBEY<br />
HOTEL warwickshire<br />
Nestled in the serene landscapes of Warwickshire, England,<br />
Combe Abbey Hotel stands as a beacon of history and luxury.<br />
Originally a 12th-century Cistercian monastery, it has evolved<br />
into a stunning hotel while retaining its historic charm and<br />
architectural grandeur.<br />
Guests are welcomed into a world of opulence and tranquillity,<br />
where every corner exudes elegance and sophistication. The<br />
hotel offers a variety of luxurious accommodations, from cosy<br />
rooms to indulgent suites, each meticulously appointed with<br />
modern amenities and picturesque views of the surrounding<br />
countryside. Iwona and Abbi were particularly welcoming and<br />
helpful, ensuring we had everything we needed for our stay.<br />
Culinary delights await at the hotel’s restaurants and bars,<br />
where guests can savour exquisite dishes crafted from locally<br />
sourced ingredients. The Garden Room Restaurant offers fine<br />
dining with a modern twist, while The Abbeygate Bar provides<br />
a more relaxed atmosphere for light bites and afternoon tea. If<br />
you fancy soaking up the opulence in your room, there is also<br />
an extensive Room Service Menu.<br />
Combe Abbey Hotel is also the perfect venue for weddings,<br />
celebrations, and special events. With its enchanting setting<br />
and experienced event planners, it promises unforgettable<br />
moments amidst the historic beauty of Warwickshire.<br />
Beyond the hotel’s walls, guests can explore the wonders of<br />
Warwickshire, from the historic city of Coventry to the majestic<br />
Warwick Castle. Whether seeking cultural experiences or<br />
natural beauty, there is no shortage of attractions to discover.<br />
In essence, Combe Abbey Hotel offers a timeless retreat<br />
where history, luxury, and natural beauty converge, inviting<br />
guests to unwind and create lasting memories in the heart of<br />
Warwickshire.<br />
Coombe Abbey Hotel, Brinklow Rd, Binley, Coventry<br />
CV3 2AB | coombeabbey.com<br />
CALCOT & SPA<br />
tetbury<br />
Nestled amidst the scenic beauty of Tetbury, the Calcot Hotel<br />
and Spa offers an enchanting escape that seamlessly marries<br />
luxury with rustic charm. Renowned for its exceptional culinary<br />
offerings, the hotel delights guests with a culinary journey<br />
that celebrates locally sourced ingredients transformed into<br />
delectable dishes, from hearty breakfast spreads to gourmet<br />
dinners.<br />
Moreover, the spa at Calcot Hotel is a sanctuary of tranquillity<br />
and rejuvenation. Guests indulge in an array of therapeutic<br />
treatments, from tension-relieving massages to revitalising<br />
facials, delivered with precision and care.<br />
The latest addition to the Calcot experience is the Grain Store,<br />
a state-of-the-art fitness facility that sets a new standard for<br />
wellness. This modern space features cutting-edge equipment<br />
and innovative fitness programmes tailored to every guest’s<br />
needs. From energising workouts to relaxing yoga sessions,<br />
the Grain Store offers a holistic approach to well-being,<br />
ensuring guests leave feeling refreshed and revitalised.<br />
In summary, the Calcot Hotel and Spa is a haven of<br />
luxury where impeccable service, culinary excellence, and<br />
indulgent spa experiences converge. With the addition of the<br />
Grain Store, guests can now embark on a comprehensive<br />
wellness journey, embracing both physical fitness and<br />
holistic relaxation. Whether seeking a romantic getaway or a<br />
rejuvenating retreat, Calcot Hotel promises an unforgettable<br />
stay that exceeds all expectations.<br />
Calcot & Spa, Gloucestershire, Tetbury GL8 8YJ<br />
calcot.co<br />
22 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
STYLISH<br />
Stays<br />
Tucked away in a delightful enclave<br />
of coastal Devon, the Cary Arms<br />
& Spa occupies a dramatic and<br />
achingly beautiful site in scenic<br />
Babbacombe Bay. This historic<br />
coaching in has welcomed many<br />
visitors over its illustrious history -<br />
including royalty - so we felt right at<br />
home embarking on a weekend in<br />
here, with our two small dogs in tow.<br />
With ten elegant sea-facing rooms<br />
and suites at the inn, four restored<br />
fisherman’s cottages and eight<br />
brilliantly quirky deluxe beach huts<br />
and beach suites, there’s a good<br />
fit for any guest. Our bolthole was<br />
a luxurious beach hut - perfect<br />
for that extra bit of privacy. These<br />
serene spaces feature a dramatic<br />
mezzanine level, with a porthole<br />
framing uninterrupted views out to<br />
sea, as well as their own terrace to<br />
enjoy the morning or evening rays.<br />
Knowing we are a nation of dog<br />
lovers, many hotels and holiday<br />
lets have become more flexible to<br />
allow our four-legged friends along<br />
for the trip, but few places use the<br />
term dog friendly and mean it with<br />
as much love and care as the team<br />
at the Cary Arms. The hotel really<br />
makes holidaying with your dog easy<br />
- pooches are presented with a cute<br />
bag of goodies on arrival, as well as<br />
a bed and water/food bowls to make<br />
them feel at home - the restaurant<br />
is dog-friendly too and the staff<br />
were making sure all the dogs were<br />
catered for at breakfast by sliding<br />
them a sausage or two - with their<br />
owner’s permission of course.<br />
The restaurant is one of the<br />
destination eateries in the area, with<br />
a menu of modern British classics<br />
alongside seasonal daily specials.<br />
Fish, is of course, the dish of the<br />
day, and the setting enjoys the same<br />
panoramic views as the rest of the<br />
hotel; it makes for a very special<br />
dining experience. If you’re lucky,<br />
you’ll be able to spot the local seals<br />
trying to steal a bite from fishermen.<br />
The bay area is a haven for walkers,<br />
with the three-week English Riviera<br />
Walking Festival (4th-19th <strong>May</strong> this<br />
year) drawing hiking enthusiasts<br />
from far and wide. The opening<br />
weekend of the festival is planned<br />
to coincide with another celebration<br />
of local culture, the Brigham Pirate<br />
Festival. Attracting thousands, the<br />
event is a swashbuckling mix of<br />
seaside shenanigans and piratethemed<br />
fun, celebrating the area’s<br />
rich heritage of smuggling.<br />
Babbacombe Bay was a popular<br />
landing point for smugglers, just<br />
far enough from Torquay to be<br />
reasonably safe for the smugglers<br />
to get ashore and wind their way<br />
through a network of secret paths<br />
and tunnels. You can explore many<br />
of these hidden tunnels and caves<br />
- just make sure to check tide<br />
timetables!<br />
There are lots of walks to enjoy<br />
straight from the hotel - and with<br />
enough fish and chip or cake stops<br />
to keep you powering up those<br />
steeper cliff edges. Once you’ve<br />
pounded the shoreline, you can<br />
then take a well-earned soak in<br />
the hotel’s spa. The glass faceted<br />
sea-facing spa includes a waterfall<br />
hydrotherapy pool, relaxation<br />
area, steam room, sauna, exotic<br />
experience shower, gym, and two<br />
treatment rooms - perfect for some<br />
indulgence and to really melt away<br />
the tensions of the week.<br />
There are few weekend stays were<br />
I’ve left feeling quite so refreshed,<br />
well-fed and contented - if you’re<br />
planning a UK coastal break, the<br />
Cary Arms certainly ticks all the<br />
boxes. It’s perfectly located for<br />
seaside exploration, and the team<br />
go above and beyond to make<br />
sure your stay is as comfortable<br />
as possible. In an age where time<br />
to recharge is in short supply, I<br />
wouldn’t hesitate to visit again.<br />
Katie Thomson<br />
www.caryarms.co.uk<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 23
That’s<br />
Shallot<br />
UK Shallot help us celebrate this unsung<br />
hero! Find more recipes at: ukshallot.com<br />
SALMON AND<br />
SHALLOT<br />
TANDOORI<br />
SKEWERS<br />
These tandoori salmon skewers<br />
are the perfect BBQ recipe for<br />
summer, or they can also be<br />
grilled indoors on a griddle pan<br />
if it’s a classic British summer<br />
of rain!<br />
Serves: 4<br />
Preparation Time: 15 minutes<br />
(plus up to 60 minutes<br />
marinating time)<br />
Cooking Time: 10 minutes<br />
For the quick pickled shallots<br />
4 round shallots, peeled and<br />
finely sliced<br />
125ml water<br />
125ml white wine vinegar<br />
½ tsp fennel seeds<br />
½ tsp cumin seeds<br />
1 tbsp table salt<br />
2 tbsp golden caster sugar<br />
For the skewers<br />
4 skinless salmon fillets (about<br />
125g each)<br />
2 round shallots, finely chopped<br />
1 large garlic clove, grated<br />
2.5cm piece of fresh ginger,<br />
grated<br />
Juice of 1 lime<br />
100g Greek yoghurt<br />
1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder<br />
1 tsp ground turmeric<br />
1 tsp ground cumin<br />
2 tsp ground coriander<br />
2 tsp smoked paprika<br />
Salt and pepper, to taste<br />
Vegetable oil<br />
To serve<br />
4 naan breads<br />
4 tbsp raita<br />
2 tbsp coriander leaves<br />
1 long green chilli, finely sliced<br />
Lime halves<br />
Prepare the quick pickled<br />
shallots. Place the sliced<br />
shallots in a clean bowl. Put the<br />
water, wine vinegar, fennel and<br />
cumin seeds, salt and sugar into<br />
a small pan over a medium heat<br />
and stir until the sugar and salt<br />
are fully dissolved. Pour the hot<br />
pickling liquor over the shallots<br />
and leave to cool slightly. Cover<br />
the bowl and place in the fridge<br />
to pickle.<br />
To prepare the salmon, cut each<br />
fillet into 4 equal-sized chunks.<br />
Place the chunks in a bowl with<br />
the chopped shallots, garlic,<br />
ginger and lime juice and mix<br />
well.<br />
In another bowl, mix the yoghurt<br />
with the spices and some salt<br />
and pepper. Add this spiced<br />
yoghurt to the salmon and mix<br />
well again. Leave to marinate<br />
in a cool place for at least 20<br />
minutes, or up to an hour.<br />
Once marinated, thread the<br />
salmon onto your skewers.<br />
Brush the hot barbecue or<br />
griddle pan lightly with a little<br />
vegetable oil then lay the<br />
skewers on it. Cook for 2–3<br />
minutes on each side until<br />
golden brown and lightly<br />
charred. Meanwhile, warm the<br />
naan on a low heat in the oven.<br />
Once cooked, transfer the<br />
skewers to a warm plate.<br />
Spread the naans with a<br />
tablespoon each of raita. Top<br />
with a salmon skewer. Scatter<br />
over the pickled shallots, some<br />
coriander and sliced green<br />
chilli. Serve with lime halves for<br />
squeezing over.<br />
24 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
CHAAT MASALA<br />
POTATOES AND<br />
SHALLOTS<br />
Sweet and crunchy, raw echalions<br />
shallots marry perfectly with crispy<br />
new potatoes, cold yoghurt and a<br />
zingy dressing in this fresh Indianinspired<br />
salad.<br />
Serves: 4<br />
Preparation Time: 10 minutes<br />
Cooking Time: 35 minutes<br />
For the potatoes<br />
750g baby new potatoes, cut<br />
lengthways into 1cm thick slices<br />
2 tbsp olive oil<br />
1 tsp chaat masala<br />
½ tsp ground turmeric<br />
Salt and pepper, to taste<br />
250g thick Greek yoghurt<br />
1 echalion, thinly sliced on a<br />
mandolin or by hand<br />
1 green chilli, thinly sliced<br />
1½ tsp coriander seeds, toasted<br />
1½ tsp nigella seeds, toasted<br />
For the coriander chutney<br />
30g fresh coriander, reserving a few<br />
for garnish<br />
1 green chilli, deseeded and roughly<br />
chopped<br />
1 tbsp lime juice<br />
4 tbsp olive oil<br />
Salt<br />
To serve<br />
1½ tbsp shop-bought tamarind<br />
paste<br />
1½ tsp caster sugar<br />
¼ tsp chaat masala<br />
Preheat the oven to 200°C fan. Put<br />
a large pan of salted water on to<br />
boil. Once boiling add the potatoes<br />
and cook for 4-5 minutes until<br />
cooked through. Drain the potatoes.<br />
Add the potatoes to a large baking<br />
tray – drizzle with the 2 tbsp oil,<br />
and top with the chaat masala,<br />
turmeric and seasoning. Toss<br />
to mix thoroughly. Roast in the<br />
oven, stirring once or twice, for 35<br />
minutes, or until deeply golden.<br />
Meanwhile, make the coriander<br />
chutney. Put all the ingredients into<br />
a food processor or blender and<br />
blitz until smooth. Set aside.<br />
To make the tamarind dressing,<br />
whisk together all the ingredients in<br />
a small bowl with 1½ teaspoons of<br />
water until the sugar is dissolved.<br />
Set aside.<br />
Spread the yoghurt on a large<br />
serving platter. Top with half the<br />
coriander chutney, swirling it through<br />
without completely incorporating.<br />
Drizzle with half of the tamarind<br />
dressing, and top with the potatoes,<br />
shallot and chilli. Drizzle over the<br />
remaining coriander chutney and<br />
tamarind dressing, then sprinkle<br />
over the toasted seeds and reserved<br />
coriander leaves and serve.<br />
CHICKEN,<br />
SHALLOT AND<br />
CASHEW CURRY<br />
This warming, fragrant chicken curry<br />
is the perfect dish to cook over the<br />
weekend when you have a little bit<br />
more time. Serve with rice, chapatis<br />
and pickles for a delicious feast.<br />
Serves: 4<br />
Preparation Time: 15 minutes (plus<br />
2 hours marinating time and 30<br />
minutes soaking)<br />
Cooking Time: 45 minutes<br />
For the chicken<br />
2 tbsp Greek yoghurt<br />
2 tsp turmeric<br />
Salt and pepper, to taste<br />
800g skinless bone-in chicken<br />
thighs and drumsticks<br />
2 tsp vegetable oil<br />
6 cloves<br />
1 cinnamon stick<br />
120g round shallots, peeled and<br />
finely chopped<br />
1 tsp sugar<br />
100ml warm water<br />
½ tsp ground cardamom<br />
For the cashew paste:<br />
75g cashew nuts<br />
5cm piece of ginger, peeled and<br />
roughly chopped<br />
2 green chillies<br />
For the temper:<br />
1 tbsp vegetable oil<br />
2 round shallots, peeled and thinly<br />
sliced<br />
30g cashew nuts<br />
1 tsp mustard seeds<br />
10 curry leaves<br />
Put the yoghurt, turmeric and salt<br />
and pepper in a bowl and stir to<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 25
combine. Mix through the chicken,<br />
cover and leave in the fridge to<br />
marinate for at least 2 hours.<br />
Meanwhile, make the cashew<br />
paste. Soak the cashews in 100ml<br />
of warm water for half an hour. Put<br />
the cashews and their liquid in a<br />
blender with the ginger and chillies,<br />
blitzing to a smooth paste.<br />
Heat the 2 teaspoons of vegetable<br />
oil in a large, lidded saucepan on<br />
a medium heat. Add the cloves<br />
and cinnamon and let sizzle for a<br />
couple of minutes until fragrant.<br />
Add the shallots and cook, stirring<br />
often, until golden – around 6<br />
minutes.<br />
Add the chicken and fry for 8<br />
minutes until seared all over.<br />
Lower the heat, add the sugar, a<br />
pinch of salt and 100ml of water.<br />
Cover and simmer for 20 minutes,<br />
stirring halfway through. Stir in the<br />
cashew paste, simmer for a further<br />
5 minutes, add the cardamom, and<br />
take the pot off the heat.<br />
Allow the curry to rest whilst making<br />
the temper – heat the 1 tbsp oil in a<br />
small frying pan on a medium heat.<br />
Add the shallots and cook for five<br />
minutes until starting to turn golden.<br />
Add the cashews and fry for a<br />
further 2 minutes. Add the mustard<br />
seeds and curry leaves, cook for 30<br />
seconds. Pour the temper over the<br />
curry and serve with rice or chapati.<br />
BEEF AND<br />
SHALLOT<br />
EMPANADAS<br />
The filling of these empanadas is<br />
a classic combination of Spanish<br />
flavours – beef, shallot, sultanas and<br />
olives. Deep fried until crispy, then<br />
finished with a salsa verde inspired<br />
shallot green sauce.<br />
Serves: 6-8<br />
Preparation Time: 25 minutes (plus<br />
resting time)<br />
Cooking Time: 30 minutes<br />
For the dough<br />
450g plain flour<br />
1 tbsp salt<br />
60g unsalted butter<br />
1 egg<br />
6 tbsp water<br />
1 tbsp vinegar<br />
For the filling<br />
2 eggs, hard-boiled<br />
1 tbsp of olive oil<br />
4 echalion shallots, peeled and<br />
chopped<br />
1 garlic clove<br />
1 tbsp dried oregano<br />
500g beef mince<br />
1 tbsp raisin<br />
1 tbsp pitted green olives, roughly<br />
chopped<br />
½ a 400ml tin of chopped tomatoes<br />
Vegetable oil for frying<br />
For the green sauce<br />
1 small bunch of tarragon<br />
2 large bunches of flat-leaf parsley<br />
2 round shallots, peeled<br />
3 tsp Dijon mustard<br />
40g small capers, drained, rinsed<br />
and roughly chopped<br />
200ml extra virgin olive oil<br />
2 tbsp sherry vinegar<br />
Start with the dough - mix the<br />
flour, salt, and butter in a bowl by<br />
hand until it comes together as a<br />
homogeneous dough.<br />
In a separate large bowl, beat the<br />
egg, water, and vinegar, and add the<br />
mix to the flour dough.<br />
By hand, knead the mixture on a<br />
clean surface covered with a little bit<br />
of flour until it comes together as a<br />
rustic dough, and set aside, covered,<br />
in the fridge for one hour.<br />
To make the filling – peel and cut<br />
the hard-boiled eggs into thin slices.<br />
Heat the oil in a large pan on a<br />
medium heat - cook the echalion<br />
shallots until golden brown, then<br />
add the garlic and oregano, and<br />
stir for two minutes. Add the beef<br />
mince and cook for 10 minutes until<br />
browned. Add the raisins, olives,<br />
hard-boiled eggs, and chopped<br />
tomatoes.<br />
Meanwhile, make the green sauce<br />
by blitzing all the ingredients to a<br />
chunky texture in a blender.<br />
Heat 6cm vegetable oil in a large,<br />
deep-frying pan on a medium heat.<br />
Take the dough and roll out with<br />
a rolling pin to form a rectangular<br />
sheet around 2cm in thickness.<br />
Then, using a small bowl or cup, cut<br />
out circles around 12cm in diameter.<br />
Take a circle of dough and fill it with<br />
2 tablespoons of the beef filling.<br />
Then, fold the dough over and mark<br />
the edges with a fork to close the<br />
empanadas.<br />
26 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
WILTSHIRES PREMIER STOCKIST<br />
For more details, check our<br />
website<br />
www.rosesofdevizes.co.uk<br />
10% Off all accessories<br />
with every BBQ purchase.<br />
Associate Company<br />
4 Estcourt St, Devizes,<br />
SN10 1LH<br />
Tel: 01380 722689 Option 1<br />
www.rosesofdevizes.co.uk<br />
See website for further details<br />
p e r f e c t<br />
g i f t i n g<br />
1 0 % o f f<br />
u s i n g<br />
1 0 H A U S L I F E<br />
f a s h i o n &<br />
a c c e s s o r i e s<br />
hauslife.co.uk | 3 Abbeygate Street, Bath<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 27
Add a few empanadas to the oil at<br />
a time – cooking for 4-5 minutes<br />
until golden brown. Serve on a large<br />
platter or board with the green sauce<br />
on the side.<br />
SHALLOT<br />
PISTO WITH<br />
MANCHEGO<br />
EGGS<br />
Pisto is a vegetarian Spanish dish<br />
similar to ratatouille or caponata.<br />
Here we’ve topped it with a crispy<br />
Manchego fried egg, making it the<br />
perfect brunch, lunch or even dinner.<br />
Serves: 4<br />
Preparation Time: 25 minutes (plus<br />
resting time)<br />
Cooking Time: 20 minutes<br />
4 tbsp sultanas<br />
50ml sherry vinegar<br />
60ml extra-virgin olive oil<br />
4 echalion shallots, peeled and cut<br />
into 2cm cubes<br />
1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into<br />
2cm cubes<br />
1 aubergine, trimmed and cut into<br />
2cm cubes<br />
2 courgettes, trimmed and cut into<br />
2cm cubes<br />
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced<br />
1 tbsp dried oregano<br />
4 ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped<br />
3 tbsp toasted pine nuts<br />
Salt and black pepper<br />
4 tbsp chopped parsley<br />
Vegetable oil, for frying the eggs<br />
100g Manchego, grated<br />
4 eggs<br />
1 big pinch smoked paprika, to serve<br />
Put the sultanas and sherry vinegar in<br />
a small bowl and leave to plump up.<br />
To make the pisto, put the extravirgin<br />
olive oil in a large, deep frying<br />
pan on a medium heat. Once it’s hot,<br />
add the echalion shallots and red<br />
pepper, and fry, stirring occasionally,<br />
for about 5 minutes, until soft. Add<br />
the aubergine, cook for 2 minutes,<br />
then add the courgette and cook,<br />
stirring from time to time, for a<br />
couple of minutes, until all the<br />
vegetables are soft.<br />
Stir in the garlic and oregano, cook<br />
for a minute, then add the tomatoes<br />
and cook on a very low heat, stirring<br />
occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, until<br />
they reduce and turn saucy. Strain<br />
the sultanas, discarding the vinegar,<br />
then add them to the pan with the<br />
pine nuts. Season to taste, then take<br />
off the heat and stir in the parsley.<br />
Add a little vegetable oil to a medium<br />
frying heat on a medium heat – add<br />
a little pile of grated Manchego and<br />
once it’s melted crack an egg on top.<br />
Add a little more Manchego around<br />
the borders of the eggs. Fry until the<br />
egg white is set and the cheese is<br />
golden and crispy.<br />
Transfer the pisto onto dishes and<br />
top with the eggs, then finish with a<br />
drizzle each of extra-virgin olive oil, a<br />
good pinch of smoked paprika and<br />
pepper.<br />
ukshallot.com<br />
28 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
Review<br />
GEORGE AND<br />
DRAGON ROWDE<br />
Anna Cashman and her family’s delightful<br />
visit to The George and Dragon Rowde...<br />
During a recent visit to The George and Dragon Rowde with<br />
my partner and son, we were met with exceptional food,<br />
service, and accommodation. Our arrival was greeted warmly<br />
by the owner ‘Chippy’, formerly of SoHo House in New York,<br />
and manager Sydnie, both of whom effortlessly maintained the<br />
bustling yet cozy atmosphere of the local pub. It became evident<br />
why this establishment is so highly regarded.<br />
Seated promptly, we were attended to with care & offered freshly<br />
baked homemade bread that left my son impressed. His delight<br />
continued with a hearty serving of sausage and chips from the<br />
children’s menu, a testament to the pub’s commitment to catering to<br />
all patrons.<br />
A shared starter of impeccably crispy deep-fried brie followed then<br />
we indulged in our main courses. I ventured into trying megrim, a fish<br />
I had never encountered before, guided by Sydnie’s knowledgeable<br />
recommendation. Accompanied by a delicious noisette butter sauce,<br />
the dish surpassed all expectations and is probably the best fish dish<br />
I have ever had.<br />
My partner opted for the salmon, paired with asparagus and basil<br />
mayonnaise, each component perfectly executed and complementing<br />
the dish’s overall appeal.<br />
The locally sourced vegetables were cooked to al<br />
dente perfection, but it was the fish that truly stole<br />
the spotlight.<br />
For dessert, the menu presented irresistible choices,<br />
including the locally produced Rowdey Cow ice creams, savoured<br />
eagerly by our son. Ultimately, we indulged in the blood orange bread<br />
and butter pudding and the coffee liqueur choux bun with chocolate<br />
sauce, both exquisite and super light.<br />
Our accommodation was spacious, immaculate, and thoughtfully<br />
designed, offering a glimpse into history with its sixteenth-century<br />
steel bath, much to our son’s glee.<br />
The following morning, breakfast consisted of a varied selection of<br />
toast, homemade jams, and pastries, accompanied by ample coffee.<br />
Reluctant to depart, we eagerly anticipate our return, perhaps opting<br />
to dine in the potting shed or al fresco in the pavilion within the<br />
enchanting secret garden – the only enhancements we could fathom<br />
for an already outstanding experience.<br />
Famous for seafood, delivered daily from Cornwall.<br />
Alfresco dinning on our heated terrace.<br />
Two private alfresco tables available, the potting shed up to 5 and the pavilion for up to 10!<br />
High Street, Rowde, Devizes SNl0 2PN<br />
Telephone: 01380 723053 • thegeorgeanddragonrowde.co.uk •<br />
fi<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 29
Image Hypnos Beds<br />
LEADING BRANDS AT<br />
AMAZING PRICES<br />
“Over 25 Mattresses to try from leading<br />
manufacturers such as Hypnos, Kaymed,<br />
Mlily, Dormeo and many more...”<br />
FREE LOCAL DELIVERY<br />
FREE ONSITE PARKING<br />
OLD BED / MATTRESS DISPOSAL AVAILABLE<br />
New shop now open!<br />
Unit 1, 23 Salisbury Road, Amesbury, SP4 7AW<br />
www.elitebedsandmattressesdirect.co.uk<br />
Thatcham: Unit 9, Wyvale Garden<br />
Centre, Bath Road, Thatcham,<br />
RG18 3AN • Tel : 01635 897665<br />
Devizes: l & 2 Windsor Drive, Devizes,<br />
SNlO 2TH • Tel: 01380 887943<br />
<br />
HEATING OIL SUPPLIES<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
30 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
A living and dining room<br />
transformation to inspire...<br />
Photography by Lucy Hartley-Saunders<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 31
With many of us opting to<br />
improve instead of move, it’s never<br />
been more important to make our<br />
spaces work better for us. After<br />
extending a kitchen to the side<br />
of their house, homeowners Kate<br />
and Tom needed to reconfigure<br />
the existing kitchen and separate<br />
dining room into a space that<br />
reflected the flow of their lives.<br />
Opting to open the rooms<br />
completely, we caught up with<br />
them to discuss the process.<br />
In terms of the build, can you tell us<br />
what you’ve done?<br />
The living area occupies what was once<br />
the dining room, and the dining room was<br />
the teeny tiny kitchen. We prioritised a<br />
larger living space over a big dining area -<br />
I think many of us have moved away from<br />
the formal dining space, instead opting<br />
to have something move convivial. We<br />
have a large breakfast bar in the kitchen,<br />
which is in the new extension, so there are<br />
options for dining, and it made sense to<br />
just keep the space flowing.<br />
A structural steel was added between the<br />
old kitchen and dining room, then the old<br />
door from the hallway was blocked up, so<br />
the sofa could tuck neatly into that corner<br />
of the room.<br />
We pulled up all the floorboards to insulate<br />
fully underneath, and pulled down the<br />
ceiling to make the new electrical elements<br />
easier to install, and again improve the<br />
insulation. The two spaces were fully replastered.<br />
It was a lot of work, but actually,<br />
the walls weren’t in great condition before<br />
and now they are beautifully smooth.<br />
“We prioritised a larger<br />
living space over a big<br />
dining area - we wanted<br />
to have something move<br />
convivial.”<br />
What flooring was here before<br />
and why have you chosen the<br />
finish you have?<br />
This space has been transformed<br />
by the flooring, which was an<br />
easy-to-lay, fully DIY process.<br />
The flooring runs from the<br />
kitchen all the way through<br />
to the living area. It had to be<br />
something that would work with<br />
the underfloor heating, be able<br />
to stand up to the demands of<br />
kitchen life, be easy to clean<br />
with two dogs in the house and<br />
still give the space a feeling<br />
of warmth. I wanted to find a<br />
clean-looking tone which didn’t<br />
read too grey or too yellow, so<br />
settled on Canadian Nude Oak<br />
from Karndean - it’s a rigid-core<br />
product, so doesn’t need gluing<br />
down and just clicks together<br />
using the tongue and groove<br />
system. It can be laid over an<br />
existing floor too.<br />
That stove is amazing - why<br />
did you choose it?<br />
The existing fireplace had a small<br />
opening in it, and it looked like it<br />
would lend itself well to an inset<br />
stove. I’m not over-stating it<br />
when I say this stove is one of my<br />
favourite things I’ve ever had in<br />
32 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
▶<br />
The doors were a real success story - we widened<br />
what was once the single kitchen door into a set<br />
of slimline double doors on parliament hinges so<br />
they can open right back to the wall. The glazing<br />
helps to ensure light can shine on this darker<br />
pocket of the house. We used reeded glass film to<br />
create an obscured effect for the utility door - still<br />
allowing light to shine, but without needing to see<br />
the detail of the appliances in there.<br />
▶<br />
The dogs are clearly giving<br />
this feather-filled sofa<br />
their seal of approval. The<br />
space is styled with subtle<br />
patterns and textures,<br />
including lovely throws and<br />
cushions from homewares<br />
brand hauslife.co.uk<br />
▶<br />
We went for the Stovax Riva2, which had a sleek but<br />
robust design. The visuals are spectacular - the range<br />
provides convergent airflow to keep the glass clean.<br />
I’m eco-conscious, so that weighed in heavily on my<br />
choice - the Riva2 not only meets but exceeds Ecodesign<br />
efficiency standards, which aim to improve air quality by<br />
minimising the level of permitted emissions from wood<br />
burning products. For those in smoke control areas, as<br />
we are, all models are DEFRA exempt as standard for<br />
burning wood in urban areas without the need for an<br />
additional kit.<br />
▶<br />
This is actually an extendable table - so it can be round<br />
to seat four people, then has leaves to take it all the way<br />
to a 12 seater. It’s only the two of us, so we didn’t want a<br />
massive table that spent most of the year getting in the<br />
way, only to be used at full capacity at Christmas. So,<br />
this arrangement really suits us. I wanted the chairs to be<br />
sleek and sit below the top line of the table, as the space<br />
is small and I didn’t want them to encroach. Then the<br />
black lines just make sure that strong shade is present in<br />
each little zone.<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 33
The ‘during’ photos are interesting to look back<br />
on - it really is a big transformation<br />
▶<br />
“I really love this<br />
space. It feels<br />
welcoming and cosy,<br />
and that was always<br />
the goal. It’s not a<br />
formal seating area,<br />
but a place to retreat<br />
from daily life”<br />
▶<br />
There’s no getting away from the need for a TV<br />
in a living space, but I really didn’t want it to be<br />
the focal point of the room. I wanted a smaller<br />
television with a slimline frame, so it didn’t make<br />
such a visual statement - I really loved the slimline<br />
look of this Mitchell & Brown QLED 4K Ultra HD<br />
TV- and even better, they’re a British brand with<br />
a seven year warranty, which is so much longer<br />
than many other brands. It’s a smart TV, so ready<br />
to go with all the apps. We’ve got it mounted on<br />
a pull-out bracket, ready to move as and when<br />
it’s needed.<br />
my home. It offers instant cosiness,<br />
and such a beautiful focal point<br />
whether it’s roaring or gently glowing.<br />
That sofa looks incredibly<br />
comfortable…<br />
Oh, my, goodness! It is the most<br />
comfortable sofa I’ve ever sat on -<br />
it’s the Chaise Otto from<br />
sofa.com. My partner and I saw it<br />
in our local showroom and sat on<br />
it for nearly half an hour! We didn’t<br />
want to move, and it immediately<br />
transported us to lazy Sundays in<br />
front of the fire, stretched out on<br />
the chaise. It has feather-wrapped<br />
cushions which make it dreamily<br />
squishy, and the covers are<br />
removable for washing, which is<br />
essential with my penchant for beige<br />
alongside having two dogs…it also<br />
means we can update the look of it<br />
in a few years without replacing the<br />
whole sofa.<br />
Are there any other design<br />
elements you love?<br />
We’ve zoned this space with this<br />
huge rug from Ruggable - it’s actually<br />
machine washable so can stand<br />
up to daily life, spills, muddy dog<br />
paws and more! Then we have the<br />
amazing Lithe Audio ceiling speakers<br />
- one above the dining table and the<br />
other in the adjoining kitchen space,<br />
connected to one another. It’s lovely<br />
to be able to have music on whilst<br />
cooking, and then keep the ambient<br />
sounds on during dinner. I think they<br />
look really sleek too.<br />
How did you use black as an<br />
accent?<br />
The house already has blackframed<br />
windows, so it made sense<br />
to include this in the other design<br />
choices. By echoing the black in the<br />
stove surround, the internal doors<br />
and the dining chairs, it means your<br />
34 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
BOOK YOUR<br />
OIL BOILER SERVICE<br />
NOW FOR<br />
10% DISCOUNT<br />
We are local providers of Plumbing,<br />
Heating & Renewable Services<br />
Book now for 10% discount during <strong>May</strong><br />
– quote “MAY<strong>2024</strong>” when booking<br />
Please contact us for a free,<br />
no obligation consultation and/or quote<br />
07920 054545 | office@plum-it.co.uk<br />
www.plum-it.co.uk<br />
f<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 35
eye can move from vignette to vignette, without<br />
feeling like one element is really pulling focus.<br />
Is the cabinetry bespoke?<br />
Sort of! We had some quotes which really varied, so<br />
we found the most cost-effective solution was using<br />
IKEA Metod upper cabinets on a frame on the floor,<br />
and then using some sturdier timber to make tops<br />
and shelves. By running the skirting boards around<br />
the front of the frame, they look built in - it’s a really<br />
good tip for making things look bespoke.<br />
Is there anything you’d change?<br />
I really love this space. It feels welcoming and cosy,<br />
and that was always the goal. It’s not a formal<br />
seating area, but a place to retreat from daily life,<br />
where you can really just spill out and chill. It’s<br />
versatile enough to cater for our needs as they shift.<br />
The space is full of design touches which help make it feel lived in,<br />
but also high end. All the sockets and switches are from Corston<br />
Architectural, and they just exude quality. Family photos are<br />
styled alongside more conventional decor items, plants and pieces<br />
collected from holidays - this isn’t a show home, but reflective<br />
of who lives here. Lighting is key too - wall lights help make the<br />
room feel cosy, with lamps and picture lights offering additional<br />
multi-level lighting.<br />
▶<br />
STOCKIST INFORMATION:<br />
Sofa, Otto Chaise in Taupe Brushed Linen Cotton<br />
sofa.com; Sarrah Blue Quartz Rug, ruggable.co.uk;<br />
Alvah Extendable Round Dining Table and Chantilly<br />
Polyester Blend Upholstered Slat Back Parsons Chair both<br />
wayfair.co.uk; Karndean Canadian Nude Oak Flooring,<br />
palioexpress.com; Neutral Abstract Sands Canvas Print,<br />
abstracthouse.com; Stovax Riva2, find your nearest supplier<br />
at stovax.com; QLED 4K Ultra HD TV (available in 43”,<br />
50” & 55” screen sizes), find your local stockist online at<br />
mitchellandbrown.co.uk; Reeded Glass Film,<br />
surfacedesigns.com; Heritage Clear Glazed Doors,<br />
climadoor.co.uk; Cushions, Coffee Table, Throw and<br />
Log Basket from hauslife.co.uk; Ceiling Speakers from<br />
litheaudio.com<br />
36 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
200623 - Cheverell Ad A5-aw.indd 1 23/06/2020 10:01
BOILING WATER TAP<br />
Designed in England and handcrafted<br />
in Italy, the Pronteau Propure<br />
Quad is a clean and contemporary<br />
tap that boasts sleek, sharp, and<br />
sophisticated lines. A tap that is<br />
packed full of style and engineering<br />
excellence, perfectly blending design<br />
with functionality whilst adding<br />
contemporary styling, symmetry, and<br />
personality to your kitchen.<br />
Built-in safety<br />
features ensure<br />
little hands<br />
are safe for<br />
complete peace<br />
of mind<br />
SLIMLINE<br />
DISHWASHER<br />
Together with 3D Zone Wash, the<br />
combined action of the powerful<br />
water jets from the upper and lower<br />
spray arms and the variable speed<br />
inverter motor, makes sure precisely<br />
the right amount of water is used<br />
throughout the selected basket for<br />
either 40% more cleaning power or<br />
40% more energy efficiency, depending on<br />
your needs.<br />
With enough capacity to hold up to 10 place<br />
settings and including a dedicated cutlery<br />
tray, this dishwasher is great for cleaning up<br />
after dinner parties and everyday mealtimes.<br />
Hotpoint HSFO 3T223 W X UK N Dishwasher,<br />
from £399, Energy Rating: E.<br />
It delivers 98° boiling water,<br />
alongside hot, cold and filtered water,<br />
to cater for all your household needs.<br />
From £899, see the full range at<br />
pronteau.co.uk<br />
Appliance<br />
GUIDE<br />
As items we use every single day, the appliances<br />
in our homes have to be practical, energyefficient<br />
and functional. We take a look at some<br />
upgrades you could make<br />
UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER<br />
The HL4 gives great performance, across all<br />
floor types with no loss of suction to deeply<br />
clean carpets and above-floor surfaces.<br />
It’s lightweight, easy to carry at under 5kg,<br />
and moves seamlessly from floors to other<br />
surfaces at the press of a single button.<br />
And gives you peace of mind with a FREE<br />
warranty up to 3 years. Hoover Upright<br />
Vacuum Cleaner with ANTI-TWIST -<br />
HL4, £199, hooverdirect.co.uk<br />
VENTING INDUCTION HOB<br />
This Hotpoint vented induction hob features a built-in vent hood<br />
that automatically removes vapours and odours. With Automatic<br />
Aspiration, the hood will routinely set the right power level to<br />
protect your kitchen by keeping it smelling and feeling fresh, so<br />
you can spend more time cooking and eating with your loved<br />
ones. The innovative Combi Due Zone allows you to combine<br />
two cooking zones into one extra-large space, which is easily<br />
controlled with Hotpoint’s unique touch control hobs. So, no<br />
matter what you are cooking, and how many people you are<br />
cooking for, Hotpoint has you covered. Hotpoint PVH92BUK<br />
Black 90cm Vented Hob, from £1899, Energy Rating: A<br />
38 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
SAXON<br />
LAMINATES<br />
Chippenham<br />
Ready to renovate in <strong>2024</strong>?<br />
Saxon Laminates, a name synonymous with excellence in the<br />
South West, is a trusted provider of top-tier laminates and<br />
worktops. Our reputation extends to both professionals and<br />
homeowners who seek superior quality.<br />
Experience the unparalleled difference that our extensive<br />
knowledge and expertise bring to your projects. Visit our<br />
showroom in Chippenham and you'll witness our craftsmanship<br />
firsthand, explore a diverse range of products, and receive<br />
impeccable service. Our dedicated team are here to provide<br />
expert advice and help you choose the perfect worktop for your<br />
unique needs.<br />
We feature leading brands at competitive prices, ensuring you get<br />
the best value for your investment. Our efficient in-house<br />
transport ensures prompt delivery throughout the South West.<br />
Worktops, sinks, taps, splashbacks,<br />
showerpanles and more!<br />
Plus Laminate board fabrication<br />
Unit 7<br />
Bath Road Industrial Estate<br />
Chippenham<br />
Wiltshire<br />
SN14 0AB<br />
Tel: 01249 660172<br />
orders@saxonlaminates.co.uk<br />
Check us out on social media!<br />
www.saxonlaminates.co.uk<br />
www.saxonlaminateschippenham.co.uk<br />
Ready to upgrade your home this Spring?<br />
Why not consider one of our state-of-the-art media walls<br />
or a beautiful wood burning stove to enhance your room?<br />
Our luxury media walls combine a TV with a fireplace, so<br />
you get to enjoy the cosiness of a fire, with a modern twist.<br />
Whatever your vision, our bespoke service will help you find<br />
the perfect centrepiece for your home.<br />
Have you got any<br />
questions?<br />
Visit our showroom<br />
or phone in today,<br />
and a member of the<br />
team will be happy<br />
to help.<br />
BUSINESS HOURS<br />
Monday - Friday 09:00 - 17:00 | Saturday 10:00 - 17:00<br />
V 01793 432100 M bjsheatingandfires@outlook.com<br />
Unit 12 Aspen Close, Kembrey Trade Centre,<br />
Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 8AJ<br />
EX-DISPLAY<br />
PRODUCT<br />
Sale<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 39
Bedford Park<br />
SS24 Collection by Morris & Co<br />
Your friendly local experts since 1958<br />
Free measuring service for<br />
Carpets, Curtains, Blinds<br />
and Shutters<br />
01672 513491 www.dandrfurnishers.co.uk
THE VELVETISER<br />
Create a moment of bliss in your day - in just two and a half<br />
minutes, you’ll have barista-grade hot chocolate at home.<br />
A stylish addition to the kitchen, it has a sleek silhouette<br />
and pours as easily with the right or left hand. You can use<br />
Hotel Chocolat sachets or your own premium chocolate<br />
blends - and it froths milk beautifully for coffee too. Starter<br />
kit complete with chocolate sachets and mugs, £109.95,<br />
hotelchocolat.com<br />
DOUBLE OVEN<br />
With a generous 74-litre capacity, this Hotpoint<br />
built-in electric double oven provides ample<br />
space for cooking confidently and enhancing<br />
the flavour of your dishes. The Multiflow fan<br />
ensures even heat distribution throughout the<br />
entire oven, maintaining consistent temperature<br />
levels regardless of where you place your<br />
food, guaranteeing perfect results every time.<br />
Additionally, the Digital Display offers a variety<br />
of time settings, enabling you to select the ideal<br />
cooking duration for your meal. Hotpoint Class<br />
2 DD2 540 IX Built-in Double Oven - Stainless<br />
Steel, £359.00 Energy Rating: A<br />
SANDWICH MAKER<br />
Make your toasted sandwich from any<br />
loaf - from focaccia to a thick handsliced<br />
loaf. Stuff with your favourite<br />
filling and then brown and seal the<br />
perfect toasted sandwich. And it’s not<br />
just for sandwiches – you can also<br />
experiment with delicious French<br />
toast, omelettes, pastries,<br />
quesadillas and calzones.It<br />
couldn’t be easier to clean up<br />
afterwards – the removable,<br />
non-stick plates can go in the<br />
dishwasher. Sandwich Maker<br />
(GRSM1U), £80, cuisinart.co.uk<br />
COFFEE MAKER<br />
The One Cup Grind and Brew Coffee Maker has<br />
a built in, stainless steel conical burr mill, which<br />
automatically grinds your choice of beans directly<br />
into the HomeBarista reusable filter pod. Easy<br />
to use, simply place the filter pod into the chamber<br />
and choose your desired cup size – there’s a choice<br />
of 3 sizes: 120ml, 210ml and 300ml. You’ll then<br />
have delicious, perfectly brewed, fresh filter coffee.<br />
Cusinart One Cup Grind & Brew Coffee Maker<br />
(DGB2U), £250, cuisinart.co.uk<br />
AMERICAN FRIDGE/FREEZER<br />
For juicier strawberries and crunchier cucumbers, look no further than<br />
this Haier American fridge freezer - it keeps food fresher for much<br />
longer, thanks to its humidity and temperature control zones. As it has<br />
a 537 litre capacity, there’s plenty of room for up to 29 shopping bags<br />
filled with the family’s favourite goodies. The freezer drawers will make<br />
it so easy to see the contents - reducing waste. Its ‘Total No Frost’<br />
technology moves cool air around to stop ice building up. Plus it has a<br />
water dispenser to quench your thirst with a cooling drink. Haier FD 83<br />
Series 7 HFW7819EWMP, from £1599, Energy Rating: D.<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 41
Sambuca Tumbled & Aged Limestone - Reminiscent of the<br />
original flagstone floor, the Sambuca limestone features soft<br />
shades of grey and blue along with hand cut tumbled edges and<br />
a brushed aged finish. Random length x 500 x 20mm size. Can<br />
go inside and out. £53.94m², terzettostone.co.uk<br />
Composite decking is a great choice for lowmaintenance,<br />
long-lasting decking. Envirobuild’s<br />
decking is also made from 90% recycled<br />
materials, using 100% wind farm energy. From<br />
£29.69 per 4m length, envirobuild.com<br />
GARDEN<br />
Glow Up<br />
There’s still time to transform your space for the<br />
summer - here are some beautiful products to help<br />
your transformation<br />
Solar Lanterns,<br />
on sale from<br />
£175 each,<br />
hauslife.co.uk<br />
Porcelain works wonderfully in<br />
a variety of settings - it’s super<br />
hard-wearing and anti-slip,<br />
making it perfect for patios.<br />
Chorus White Italian Porcelain<br />
– Available In and Out. You can<br />
create a trade account online to<br />
receive reduced prices. Price from<br />
- £43m²., rflandscapeproducts.<br />
co.uk<br />
Lacock Lounge Set,<br />
currently on sale for<br />
£1452, hauslife.co.uk<br />
Astor 8 Seat Square Dining<br />
Set, currently on sale for<br />
£974.99, envirobuild.com<br />
42 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
ENHANCE THE VALUE<br />
and beauty of your home with real timber windows & doors<br />
THE REASSURANCE OF DEALING WITH Alocal SPECIALIST<br />
Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, a modern townhouse or a converted barn, we have a range of<br />
traditional and contemporary timber windows and doors that will complement it perfectly.<br />
Contact our showrooms across Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire to discuss how we can help you with our lovely range of<br />
products. You’ll receive expert advice and see how beautiful timber windows and doors really can enhance the value and<br />
beauty of your home.<br />
COTSWOLDS<br />
OF CLIFTON<br />
Timber Windows of Cheltenham<br />
15 Suffolk Parade,<br />
Montpellier, Cheltenham,<br />
Gloucestershire,<br />
GL50 2AE<br />
Timber Windows of Henley-on-Thames<br />
6A Hart Street,<br />
Henley-on-Thames,<br />
Oxfordshire,<br />
RG9 2AU<br />
Timber Windows of Cirencester<br />
18 Global Business Park,<br />
Off Wilkinson Road,<br />
Love Lane Ind Est, Cirencester,<br />
GL7 1YZ<br />
Timber Windows of Oxford<br />
255 Marston Road,<br />
Marston,<br />
Oxfordshire,<br />
OX3 0EN<br />
Timber<br />
windows<br />
COTSWOLDS<br />
Telephone: 01285 653999<br />
info@timberwindows-cotswolds.com<br />
www.timberwindows.com
NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME<br />
Beautiful gardens to visit in your area - plus raising vital funds for nursing and<br />
health charities. For more details, visit ngs.org.uk<br />
M A N O R F A R M H O U S E<br />
Patney, Devizes, SN10 3RB.<br />
Home-made teas. Refreshments in aid<br />
of The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust.<br />
2-acre plantsman’s garden originally<br />
designed by Michael Balston and<br />
updated by us over the past 12 yrs.<br />
Lawned areas with borders surrounded<br />
by hornbeams and yew hedging, long<br />
border and gravel garden by tennis<br />
court, formal vegetable garden with<br />
buxus parterres.<br />
C O T T A G E I N T H E T R E E S<br />
Tidworth Rd, Boscombe Village, nr<br />
Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0AD<br />
Home-made teas. Refreshments in aid of<br />
Salisbury Hospice Charity.<br />
Enchanting ½ acre cottage garden,<br />
immaculately planted with water feature,<br />
raised vegetable beds, small wildlife pond<br />
and gravel garden. Mixed borders of<br />
herbaceous plants, collection of geraniums,<br />
dahlias, grasses and shrubs giving yearround<br />
interest. Large variety of cottage plants<br />
for sale, grown from the garden.<br />
Sunday 12th <strong>May</strong> and Sunday 16th <strong>Jun</strong>e<br />
Admission: Adult: £4.00 | Child: Free<br />
B I D D E S T O N E M A N O R<br />
Biddestone, Wiltshire, SN14 7DJ<br />
Home-made teas and cakes.<br />
Cotswold stone C17 manor house (not<br />
open) with 5 acres of garden to enjoy.<br />
Lake, ponds, streams, arboretum,<br />
vegetable, cutting gardens and<br />
orchard. Formal front garden featuring<br />
box and yew topiary. Wheelchair<br />
access to most parts, a few steps.<br />
Friday 17th <strong>May</strong><br />
Admission: Adult: £8.00 | Child: Free<br />
44 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk<br />
Sunday 12th <strong>May</strong><br />
Admission: Adult: £6 | Child: Free<br />
W I N K E L B U R Y H O U S E<br />
Berwick St John, Shaftesbury SP7 0EY<br />
Home-made teas. Refreshments in aid<br />
of the village hall and St John’s Church.<br />
1½ acres with glorious views of<br />
surrounding countryside. The garden<br />
has evolved over last 6 years to<br />
including kitchen garden with bothy and<br />
greenhouse, mown paths through<br />
informal areas, meadow planted with<br />
spring bulbs, 30m iris border, ha-ha,<br />
wildlife pond and bee friendly planting.<br />
Saturday 18th <strong>May</strong><br />
Admission: Adult: £7.50 | Child: Free<br />
T W I G S C O M M U N I T Y<br />
G A R D E N<br />
Manor Garden Centre, Cheney Manor,<br />
Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 2QJ<br />
Home-made teas. Delightful 2-acre<br />
community garden, created and<br />
maintained by volunteers. Features inc 7<br />
individual display gardens, ornamental<br />
pond, plant nursery, Iron Age round<br />
house, artwork, fitness trail, separate<br />
kitchen garden site, Swindon<br />
beekeepers and the haven, overflowing<br />
with wildflowers.<br />
Sunday 19th <strong>May</strong> and Saturday 21st July<br />
Admission: Adult: £3.50| Child: Free<br />
K N O Y L E P L A C E<br />
East Knoyle, Salisbury, SP3 6AF<br />
Refreshments in aid of St Mary’s<br />
Church, East Knoyle. Very beautiful and<br />
elegant garden created over 60 years by<br />
previous and current owners. Among the<br />
many different areas in this 9-acre garden<br />
is a box parterre, a rose garden, a<br />
vegetable garden and, a recently planted<br />
formal garden designed by Dan Combes.<br />
Sunday 25th <strong>May</strong><br />
Admission: Adult: £10.00 | Child: Free
Into the Garden<br />
LOOKING TO SPRUCE UP YOUR GARDEN THIS SUMMER?<br />
TAKE A LOOK AT THESE SKILLED, LOCAL TRADESPEOPLE THAT<br />
ARE JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY...<br />
Wiltshire Garden Design<br />
Isobel works throughout Wiltshire & the<br />
surrounding counties, bringing over 30 years of<br />
design expertise to create unique designs that<br />
can enhances both your property and lifestyle.<br />
Wiltshire Garden Design develop schemes<br />
tailored to each client’s gardening experience,<br />
budget and practical considerations.<br />
‘We have been absolutely delighted by<br />
Isobel’s work, attention to detail, invaluable<br />
expertise and guidance…we now greatly<br />
enjoy our garden and the interest created for<br />
every season’. SW & KG<br />
0778 877 3356<br />
www.wiltshiregardendesign.com<br />
Superior Plants<br />
Here at Superior Plants we are a Nursery<br />
rather than a Garden Centre with a range of<br />
Shrubs, Herbaceous Perennials, Bedding<br />
Plants, Veg Plants and every type of plants<br />
for your hanging baskets. Our plants<br />
are affordable (as we grow the majority<br />
ourselves) and our onsite team are ready<br />
to help with any queries you have.<br />
Open every day until the end of <strong>Jun</strong>e<br />
from 10am until 4pm. Come and visit<br />
our growing nursery for all you plant<br />
requirements.<br />
01380 900105<br />
www.superiorplants.co.uk<br />
Wiltshire Teak<br />
Wiltshire Teak provides an extensive range<br />
of premium-quality teak outdoor furniture.<br />
Our products offer a perfect combination<br />
of classic style and durability — all at a<br />
competitive price. Wiltshire Teak supplies<br />
a wide range of customers, from five-star<br />
hotels to private homeowners. Whatever<br />
the setting, our furniture adds a stylish<br />
finishing touch that perfectly complements<br />
the surroundings.<br />
25% off during <strong>May</strong> using code:<br />
Spring 25 at checkout.<br />
01793 239 230<br />
www.wiltshireteak.co.uk<br />
LPS Garden Buildings<br />
Our experienced team provide and<br />
install a varied range of garden buildings<br />
to suit every budget, from a Potting<br />
Shed to an elegant Garden Room,<br />
fully plumbed and powered, adding<br />
attractive, lasting, practical space to<br />
your home, for work, leisure and living.<br />
We offer hard landscaping as well, to<br />
enhance your setting, with a choice of<br />
durable and beautiful materials.<br />
01225 700884<br />
www.lpsgardenbuildings.co.uk<br />
Adam and Eve Property Care<br />
We are the premier provider of Hot<br />
Water Washing and Gutter Cleaning<br />
in Chippenham, Corsham, Calne,<br />
Devizes and surrounding areas. We are<br />
committed to delivering exceptional<br />
results, transforming the exterior of your<br />
property and ensuring it’s cleanliness and<br />
maintenance.<br />
Contact us today for a free quote and<br />
experience the difference!<br />
07546 781605<br />
www.propertycareae.co.uk<br />
The Aquatic Habitat<br />
The Aquatic Habitat is a highly successful,<br />
family-owned independent aquatic<br />
retailer. Established in 1973 and providing<br />
top quality fish, plants & equipment to<br />
fishkeepers for over 50 years!<br />
A comprehensive range of products<br />
and also a wide selection of coldwater<br />
& tropical fish, pond & aquarium plants.<br />
Pop in & talk to our friendly, welcoming &<br />
experienced team.<br />
01452 862791<br />
www.the-aquatic-habitat.co.uk<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 45
HOW TO MAKE SUMMER BATHROOM<br />
RENOVATIONS WITH WATER SAVING<br />
IN MIND<br />
Did you know you could save around £400 simply by<br />
swapping your shower handset? It’s a great option if<br />
you’re looking to enhance your shower experience without<br />
undergoing a full-scale bathroom renovation. An easy<br />
smart swap, a shower handset can be easily added to your<br />
bathroom in just 5 minutes without any tools.<br />
A global manufacturer of beautiful, innovative and awardwinning<br />
showers, taps and valves and holder of three of<br />
six worldwide patents for showering technology, Methven<br />
showerheads provide performance without compromise.<br />
Methven is committed to conserving energy and water to<br />
protect the planet for generations to come with its innovative<br />
technologies which deliver an invigorating showering<br />
experience whilst using less water.<br />
Emma Foster, Head of Marketing & Product at Methven UK,<br />
shares her insights on renovating with water saving in mind:<br />
“The shower is without a doubt one of the most used items<br />
in the home, with multiple people using it at least once a<br />
day, so it is important that it offers you and your family an<br />
invigorating experience.<br />
“It is a common misconception that you need to replace the<br />
whole shower to enhance the performance, when in fact, you<br />
can simply replace your existing shower head to reinvigorate<br />
your showering experience, which is cost-effective and easy<br />
to-do.<br />
“Our shower heads are designed to reduce water usage,<br />
leading to lower gas consumption for heating. A Methven<br />
shower head which operates at 6 litres per minute, can<br />
therefore help a family of four save approximately £400 plus<br />
per year on their energy bills.<br />
“Households in the UK with a bath and shower, with<br />
unrestricted fixtures and appliances, use a staggering<br />
147.75 litres of water per person, per day on average. With a<br />
standard shower operating at 15 litres of water per minute, a<br />
6-minute shower uses as much as 90 litres.<br />
“The Aurajet Aio handset from<br />
Methven, for example is optimised<br />
to 8/litres per minute. The<br />
handset also features patented<br />
Aurajet® technology for a<br />
powerful, full-bodied spray,<br />
providing up to 20% more<br />
spray coverage*, while helping<br />
to reduce water consumption<br />
and bills.<br />
*Compared to a conventional<br />
Methven handset<br />
For more information about<br />
Methven’s water saving showering<br />
solutions, visit: uk.methven.com<br />
stylishradiators<br />
thatdon't<br />
costtheearth<br />
.com<br />
46 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
NOTES FROM THE<br />
Garden<br />
By now we have enjoyed snowdrops,<br />
daffodils, cherry blossom and so much<br />
more from tulips to the brilliant green of<br />
new leaves on the trees… and there is so<br />
much more to come.<br />
Currently and over the<br />
past months there has<br />
been a huge amount<br />
of media coverage of<br />
mental health - both<br />
the fleeting and the<br />
fundamental, and also<br />
a number of reports<br />
about the benefits of<br />
gardening.<br />
After a stressful day, if<br />
you are lucky enough<br />
to have an outdoor<br />
space, just a few<br />
minutes breathing<br />
the air, watching the<br />
birds and seeing the<br />
seasonal changes can be<br />
incredibly beneficial.<br />
Tending your houseplants can be, too. Your garden is your<br />
own personal space, it is a valuable resource for you and<br />
for your family and making it a space you want to spend<br />
time in is so important. It need not cost a fortune, or indeed<br />
anything, there are often items on websites that are free to<br />
pick up, gardeners love to share seeds and cuttings and it is<br />
amazing how quickly you can enjoy the fruits of your labour,<br />
from a bunch of flowers to bring the outdoors inside, to a<br />
salad of your own home grown leaves. It has so much to offer<br />
so I hope your gardens bring you joy - and help to keep you<br />
healthy in mind and body.<br />
For more advice, visit Matt Bigg’s website:<br />
www.matthewbiggs.com<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 47
understanding<br />
the role of<br />
trustees...<br />
ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />
Kathryn Smith Cowap, a Partner in the<br />
Private Client team at Wansbroughs highlights<br />
the importance of the role of being a trustee<br />
and how it is vital that potential or current<br />
trustees are aware of their powers and duties.<br />
Trustees must act in the best interests of all of the beneficiaries<br />
of a trust and ensure that their own interests do not conflict with<br />
those of the beneficiaries.<br />
The Duties of Trustees<br />
Trustees are responsible for safeguarding the trust’s assets and<br />
ensuring they are appropriately invested. They must ensure<br />
decisions about investments are consistently assessed and seek<br />
appropriate guidance at regular intervals.<br />
The trustees must exercise their decision-making authority<br />
independently and ensure decisions are made in the best<br />
interests of all of the beneficiaries. Sometimes this will involve<br />
weighing up the interests of different types of beneficiaries, for<br />
example those who have an interest in the trust’s income versus<br />
those who are due to receive the capital after the death of other<br />
beneficiaries.<br />
DO YOU NEED A HOME CARE SERVICE<br />
BUILT AROUND YOUR NEEDS?<br />
IS YOUR LOVED ON IN NEED<br />
OF SPECIALIST SUPPORT?<br />
Fresh Springs Care provides a range of support<br />
services, from assistance with day-to-day tasks to complex<br />
care. Our trained and attentive staff offer customised care, all from the<br />
comfort of your own home, from one hour each day to live-in care.<br />
Your requirements may change. This is why our services are adaptable<br />
every step of the way and you will receive the highest standard of service<br />
while under our care.<br />
WHY CHOOSE US?<br />
Our Registered Manager is a Registered Nurse who has a wealth of<br />
knowledge in the care of the older person. We have a no fee, no<br />
obligation face to face assessment to understand your needs. We<br />
can support with short term care needs, hospital visits, respite care,<br />
live in care, night sits/wake nights/sleep in, daily care and support<br />
companionship. Trained and able care assistants we aim to provide quality<br />
and compassionate care.<br />
Tel: 01793 200084<br />
www.freshspringscare.co.uk<br />
The Powers of Trustees<br />
Depending on the type of trust, the settlor (the individual who<br />
creates the trust) can grant the trustees flexible powers in the<br />
trust deed. The trustees can then use their discretion as to when<br />
to exercise those powers.<br />
There are some common powers given to trustees:<br />
• Power of appointment: This is an express power and allows<br />
the trustees to appoint funds from the trust either directly<br />
to a beneficiary outright or onto an alternative form of trust<br />
such as a life interest trust (where the beneficiary would<br />
have a right to all of the income from those appointed<br />
assets). This would be executed by a Deed of Appointment<br />
signed by the trustees.<br />
• Power of advancement: This allows trustees to apply money<br />
or assets to a beneficiary for their advancement or benefit.<br />
• Administrative Powers: These powers are managerial and<br />
allow trustees e.g. to lend or borrow money. These powers<br />
will be set out in the trust deed.<br />
If you are thinking of setting up a trust or you are a trustee and<br />
require advice on how to manage the<br />
assets of a trust, please contact us at<br />
wealth@wansbroughs.com.<br />
Devizes Office<br />
Northgate House, Northgate Street,<br />
Devizes SN10 1JX<br />
Tel: 01380 733300<br />
Email: mail@wansbroughs.com<br />
www.wansbroughs.com Kathryn Smith Cowap -<br />
Partner - Wills, Tax, Trusts &<br />
Probate at Wansbroughs<br />
48 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
We are a small local fa<br />
in supporting people i<br />
centered care ta<br />
We pride ourselves on<br />
We are a small local family run business, specialising that meets your needs<br />
in supporting people in their own homes with person and respect for your r<br />
centered care tailored to individual needs.<br />
that<br />
We pride ourselves on offering a personalised service We that offer support with p<br />
meets your needs, promoting your independence and catheter care, meal<br />
respect for your right to choose the type of care that medication, best assistance<br />
suits you.<br />
bed changing, cleaning<br />
you to appointments,<br />
We offer support with personal care, washing, dressing, whilst your full time ca<br />
catheter care, meal preparation, management of visit time is 1/2 an ho<br />
medication, assistance with domestic tasks, bed changing, longer perio<br />
Laundry, cleaning, shopping. We can accompany you to<br />
appointments or on outings. We can support you whilst<br />
All staff are fully train<br />
all dementia friends a<br />
your full time carer takes a break. Our minimum visit time is<br />
champions who are abl<br />
half an hour up to several times a day, or longer periods to<br />
would like to become a<br />
suit your needs.<br />
arranged for organised<br />
your friends<br />
All of our staff are fully trained and are encouraged to<br />
join our apprenticeship programme, we provide bespoke 01672 514339<br />
training in dementia support, stroke awareness, diabetes<br />
management, nutrition and hydration, well-being and<br />
much much more. We are registered with CQC and have<br />
GOOD in all areas.<br />
Please call 01672 514339 for more details.<br />
LOCAL FAMILY RUN<br />
MOBILITY SHOWROOM<br />
Luxury Adjustable Beds<br />
Rise & Recline Chairs - Made to<br />
Order or Stock Chairs for Quick<br />
Delivery!<br />
Mobility Scooters - Lightweight &<br />
Road Legal<br />
Powerchairs<br />
Walking Aids & Rollators<br />
Wheelchairs<br />
Bath Lifts<br />
Stairlifts - Straight & Curved<br />
Daily <strong>Living</strong> Aids<br />
Scooter Servicing & Repairs<br />
Visit One of our Showrooms Open 6 Days<br />
Trudoxhill Nr Frome - *Shepton Mallet - Coxley, Wells - Warminster - Melksham<br />
CALL US ON 01225 251601<br />
www.lifeandmobility.co.uk<br />
*Open Sunday & Bank Holidays<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 49
NEW BEGINNINGS<br />
Choosing Retirement Accommodation<br />
As one approaches retirement<br />
age, the prospect of downsizing<br />
and moving into retirement<br />
accommodation becomes<br />
increasingly relevant. It’s a significant<br />
decision that requires careful<br />
planning. Here, we delve into some<br />
common considerations to help guide<br />
you through this transitional phase.<br />
LOCATION, LOCATION,<br />
LOCATION<br />
First and foremost, consider the<br />
location. Do you want to stay close<br />
to family and friends, or perhaps<br />
venture to a new area for a fresh<br />
start? Think about amenities nearby,<br />
such as shops, healthcare facilities,<br />
and recreational activities. Access<br />
to public transport is also crucial<br />
for maintaining independence<br />
and staying connected with the<br />
community.<br />
TYPES OF<br />
ACCOMMODATION<br />
Retirement accommodation<br />
comes in various forms, including<br />
independent living apartments,<br />
retirement villages, and assisted<br />
living facilities. Determine the<br />
level of support you require and<br />
choose accommodation that aligns<br />
with your needs and preferences.<br />
Independent living offers freedom<br />
and autonomy, while assisted living<br />
provides additional support with<br />
daily tasks and healthcare services.<br />
FINANCIAL<br />
CONSIDERATIONS<br />
Budgeting plays a vital role in the<br />
decision-making process. Consider<br />
the cost of accommodation, including<br />
any ongoing fees for maintenance,<br />
utilities, and services. Explore<br />
financial options such as selling your<br />
current property, renting, or accessing<br />
equity release schemes.<br />
FUTURE-PROOFING<br />
Planning for the future is essential<br />
when considering retirement<br />
accommodation. Think about how<br />
your needs may change over time<br />
and whether the accommodation<br />
can accommodate those changes.<br />
Look for features such as accessible<br />
design, mobility aids, and flexible<br />
care options. By future-proofing your<br />
choice, you can ensure that your<br />
retirement accommodation remains<br />
suitable and supportive in the years<br />
to come.<br />
HEALTHCARE AND<br />
SUPPORT SERVICES<br />
As we age, our healthcare<br />
needs may evolve. Consider<br />
proximity to healthcare facilities<br />
and the availability of support<br />
services. Assess whether the<br />
accommodation offers on-site<br />
healthcare professionals, emergency<br />
assistance, and access to additional<br />
care if needed. Prioritising access<br />
to healthcare can provide peace of<br />
mind and ensure your well-being as<br />
you age.<br />
LEGAL AND<br />
CONTRACTUAL<br />
CONSIDERATIONS<br />
Before finalising any agreements,<br />
thoroughly review the legal and<br />
contractual aspects of the retirement<br />
accommodation. Seek legal advice<br />
if necessary to understand the<br />
terms and obligations involved. Pay<br />
attention to details such as lease<br />
agreements, service contracts,<br />
and exit fees. It’s crucial to have<br />
clarity regarding your rights and<br />
responsibilities as a resident.<br />
SOCIAL AND<br />
RECREATIONAL<br />
OPPORTUNITIES<br />
Retirement accommodation often<br />
provides a range of social and<br />
recreational activities to enrich<br />
residents’ lives. From fitness<br />
classes and hobby groups to<br />
communal events and outings,<br />
these opportunities foster a sense<br />
of community. Take the time to<br />
explore the amenities and social<br />
offerings available within different to<br />
find the right fit for your lifestyle.<br />
EMBRACING THE<br />
JOURNEY<br />
Moving into retirement<br />
accommodation marks the<br />
beginning of a new chapter in<br />
life. Embrace this transition with<br />
optimism and open-mindedness.<br />
Take the time to explore different<br />
options, ask questions, and involve<br />
loved ones in the decision-making<br />
process. By carefully considering<br />
your needs and preferences, you<br />
can embark on this journey with<br />
confidence and enthusiasm.<br />
Choosing retirement accommodation<br />
requires thoughtful planning and<br />
consideration of various factors. By<br />
focusing on location, accommodation<br />
type, financial considerations, social<br />
opportunities, healthcare services,<br />
future-proofing, legal aspects, and<br />
embracing the journey, you can make<br />
an informed decision that aligns<br />
with your lifestyle and preferences.<br />
Remember, this transition is an<br />
opportunity for new beginnings and<br />
exciting possibilities.<br />
50 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
A home of<br />
your own<br />
with support<br />
if you need it.<br />
At Chantry Court, our team provides hospitality and support in<br />
a tranquil community setting. Whether you’re fully independent<br />
or need the help of our 24/7 care team, we are here to offer<br />
friendship, compassion and kindness.<br />
Come for a short stay or rent, or purchase one of our apartments.<br />
Please call if you would like to know more,<br />
or simply drop in for a cup of tea.<br />
ChantryCourt.com | 01373 887 248<br />
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 51
Everyday<br />
Kitchen<br />
Essentials<br />
112 High Street, <strong>Marlborough</strong>, Wiltshire, SN8 1LT<br />
shop@valentiner.co.uk