Surrey Homes | SH113 | June 2024 | Education Supplement inside

PRICELESS 

JUNE 2024 

113 

JUNE 2024 

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT inside 

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes

BESPOKE KITCHEN DESIGN 

DESIGN • SUPPLY • MANAGE • INSTALL

Come and visit our showroom: 

Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7RP 

01293 826620 

www.rdokitchenstudio.co.uk 

rdokitchenstudio

Surrey’s Premier Builder 

Upfold Construction has been established since 2009 

and is a domestic builder providing services throughout 

Surrey, Sussex & Hampshire. 

Located in Cranleigh we are perfectly placed to offer a 

total building service to those clients seeking a local, 

professional and reliable builder. We carry out all aspects 

of building from extensions, renovations to a complete 

home refurbishment allowing us to provide a package of 

design, planning, building & finishing. 

We are members of The Chartered Institute of Building 

which guarantees our committment to quality of product, 

services and integrity of conduct. 

For more information, please contact us on: 01483 600335 

Email: info@upfoldconstruction.co.uk or www.upfoldconstruction.co.uk

Contemporary, reliable 

and expertly crafted 

swimming pools 

POOL CONSTRUCTION | MAINTENANCE | SPA | LANDSCAPING 

Simplicity and expert finishings have been our unbeatable combination for 

over 40 years. Based in Surrey, we are a family run business that is committed 

to providing a premier service on both private and commercial projects. 

www.lagoonpoolsltd.co.uk 01932 569 569 info@lagoonpoolsltd.co.uk 

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Contents 

June 2024 

12 

21 

25 

26 

26 

HOUSE OF THE MONTH 

Dream homes on the market 

NOTEBOOK 

Upcoming events for your diary 

THE MUST LIST 

Keep up-to-date with the latest 

must-see and must-have goodies 

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS 

Explore a total refurb of 

an Edwardian home 

85 

86 

88 

88 

FASHION FAVOURITES 

Why we think Odyl is 

the ultimate destination 

for summer fashion 

PREP & POETRY 

Rebecca Cuffe edits perfect pieces 

for a wearable preppy look 

SERVING UP SUMMER 

Charlotte Butterworth focuses 

in on British produce to create 

three incredible summer dishes 

97 

98 

105 

46 

MORE THAN JUST 

A PRETTY FACE 

Jen Stuart-Smith gives the 

lowdown on the multiple uses 

of some much-loved plants 

ROSES ALL THE WAY 

Jo Arnell explains how to 

incorporate roses into more 

imaginative border displays 

WHAT’S ON? 

Fun-filled dates for your diary... 

38 

41 

46 

57 

GET THE LOOK 

Invest in key features 

for ultimate impact 

GOING ONCE 

Hidden treasures at auction 

houses across the South East 

THE ULTIMATE 

FAMILY GETAWAY 

A striking holiday let conversion 

in the heart of the countryside 

GET THE LOOK 

Give your home a contemporary 

yet bucolic look 

92 

94 

96 

BATH TREATS & 

SUMMER STARS 

Josephine Fairley chooses 

bathing goodies for 

every budget 

NEED FOR SPEED 

Sarah Maxwell explores ways 

to speed up your metabolism 

NOURISH TO FLOURISH 

Charlotte Lau analyses to 

benefits of eating strawberries 

Published by Priceless Media Ltd. Kettle Chambers, 21 Stone Street, 

Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF | Call 01580 714705 | Email info@priceless-group.com 

Visit priceless-group.com Copyright © 2024 Priceless Media Ltd. The views of the 

advertisers & contributors are not necessarily those of Priceless Media Ltd. 

106 

FABLES FROM THE FARM 

Jane Howard’s latest instalment 

from Coopers Farm 

EDUCATION 

SUPPLEMENT 

All the latest 

schools news 

and views. 

After page 58. 

Education 

7

2 – 7 July 2024 

Members’ Days 2 & 3 July 

A day of glorious gardens, 

fabulous flowers & 

boutique shopping 

Tickets from £30.85 

plus online booking fee* 

*Ticket price includes an 85p service fee. 

A booking fee of £1 applies to each transaction. 

BOOK NOW AT 

rhs.org.uk/hampton

From the 

Editor 

In a matter of weeks, schools will be out for summer, 

and if you’re contemplating a move, a fresh start 

or are at the beginning of your child’s journey 

through education, this issue’s supplement is definitely 

for you! Schools from across the South East have 

been guiding us through all the latest news, teaching 

approaches and wellbeing support available to help 

you pick a place that’s the perfect fit for your family. 

If you’re interested in complete home refurbs, then 

our first interiors shoot will be right up your street. The 

owners have elevated this capacious Edwardian home 

from dated to stunning by twisting its orientation, 

opening up the layout and adding an extension, all whilst 

adhering to the house’s original footprint as much as 

possible. And inspiration abounds in our second shoot, 

where an old stables have been converted into a lovely 

holiday retreat, surrounded by tranquil farmland. 

Lastly, but certainly not least(ly!), it’s finally time for our 

Midsummer Fair this month. We’ll be returning to the 

stunning Hole Park in Rolvenden from 6-8 June for three 

days of fabulous shopping, showcasing and supporting 

a huge variety of local businesses and with 

plenty of opportunities to sit back and relax 

with delicious food and drink to keep you 

going! To see who’ll be exhibiting, and 

to book your tickets to save time at the 

entrance, see wealdentimes-fair.co.uk. Can’t 

wait to see you there, and don’t forget that 

each ticket includes entry to Hole Park 

Gardens, too. Well worth an explore! 

Enjoy your Priceless Magazine 

McALLISTER THOMAS FINE ART 

ROSE FULBRIGHT 

LIGHT AND WATER 

OPENS SATURDAY 22nd JUNE 

Priceless Team 

EditorLucy Fleming 

Supplements & Features EditorRebecca Cuffe 

Sub Editor & Features Writer Emily Pavey 

Design & Production DirectorAnthony Boxall 

Sales ManagersLisa Gordon-Hughes 

Maria Hurley 

Senior Account ManagerSarah Norwood 

Senior Account Manager Andrew Boughton 

Wealden Times Show Director Flo Simpson 

Events Manager Liz Miles 

Events Sales Director Jude Brown 

Financial ControllerStephen Hunt 

Accounts Sarah Davies 

Nicola O’Leary 

Social Media ManagerCharlotte Lau 

Managing DirectorVivien Cotterill-Lee 

Executive ChairmanJulie Simpson 

Original Art For Your Home 

McALLISTER THOMAS 

117 High Street 

Godalming 

Surrey GU7 1AQ 

01483 860591 

www.mcallisterthomasfineart.co.uk 

priceless-magazines.com 

9 

mcallister-thomas-vertical-advert-June 2024.indd 1 19/05/2024 11:57

MANY 

CLEARANCE 

MODELS ON 

DISPLAY 

Tel: 01420 590510 

www.distinctivelightinguk.com 

SHOWROOM OPENING HOURS 

9am - 5pm: Monday - Friday. 

9am - 1pm: Saturday 

Elstead House, Mill Lane, Alton, Hampshire GU34 2QJ 

Surrey Homes - FP- June Edition.indd 1 14/05/2024 09:42:10

Find us here! 

Call 01580 714705 to find your nearest distributor of 

Surrey Homes or to get free copies delivered for £30 a year. 

12,000 copies of Surrey Homes are printed 

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the following outlets and are the 

only local magazine available at key 

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questions about our distribution please 

contact Vivien Cotterill-Lee 

vivien.cotterill-lee@priceless-group.com 

istockphoto.com/ Maria Voronovich 

Ashtead 

• Patrick Gardner 

Bagshott 

• Cubbitt Antiques 

• Howlands 

Estate Agents 

• Longacres Nursery 

Banstead 

• King of Cotton 

Betchworth 

• Buckland Deli 

• The Community 

Shop 

Bookham 


Buckland 

• Buckland Nurseries 

Garden Centre 

Camberley 

• Romans 

Caterham 

• Shard Solutions 

Cheam 

• Cook 

Chelsham 

• Knights Garden 

Centre 

Chobham 

• Melita 

• Pasha 

Claygate 

• Trew Art 

Cobham 

• Cobham Furniture 

• Fego Café 

• Oh So Coco 

Cranleigh 

• Curchods Prime 

• Notcutts 

• Roger Coupe 

Dorking 

• Dorking Travel 


• Princess Alice 

Hospice 

• Sainsbury’s 

Epsom 

• Mayfield Lavender 

Nursery & Shop 


Esher 

• Sandown Park 

Racecourse 

Farnham 

• Cook 

• ME Estate Agents 


• Waterstones 

Felbridge 

• Doves Barn Nursery 

Godalming 

• Cook 


• Sarah Louise Dix 


Godstone 

• Knights Garden 

Centre 

Guildford 

• BoConcept 

• Elm Nursery 

Farm Shop 

• High Clandon 

Estate Vineyard 

• Neptune 

Haslemere 

• Lythe Hill 

Hotel & Spa 

• Tesco Superstore 

Knaphill 


Leatherhead 


• Robert Leech 

& Partners 

Lingfield 


Lyne 

• The Farm Shop Lyne 

Milford 

• Secretts 

Old Oxted 

• Fish Plaice & Grill 

Oxted 

• Cook 

• Jackson-Stops & Staff 

• Limpsfield Stores 

• Morrisons 


Oxshott 

• The Bear 

Redhill 

• Priory Farm 

Reigate 

• Buckland Nurseries 

Garden Centre 

• County Clothes 


• RDO Kitchens 

Ripley 

• Ripley Nurseries 

Farm Shop 

• The Talbot 

Surbiton 


Walton on 

Thames 



Warlingham 

• Botley Hill 

Farmhouse 

• Rayners Estate 

Agents 

West Byfleet 

• Roman Tiles 

Weybridge 

• Tesco Extra 

Woldingham 

• Fine & Country 

TRAIN 

STATIONS 

• Dorking 

• East Grinstead 

• Epsom 

• Esher 

• Guildford 

• Haslemere 

• Kingston 

• Redhill 

• Richmond 

• Surbiton 

• Weybridge 

• Wimbledon 

• Woking 

11 

Fine Art 

Pop Art 

Picture Framing 

Investment Art 

Sculptures 

From inspiration to creation, 

ART 

define your space with 

ART 

11 The Parade, Claygate, Surrey, KT10 0PD • WWW.TREWART.COM • PH 44 (0)1372 470997 

ART 

FRAMING 

priceless-magazines.com

House 

Month 

of the 

£3,000,000 

Gordon Lee picks out some of his 

favourite homes on the market 

Ripley 

The dream: Breathtaking period 

family home that has been 

meticulously refurbished. 

Where: Ripley is a charming and 

vibrant village with a high street of 

independent retailers, excellent pubs 

and eateries, and a village green that 

hosts a popular Farmers Market. 

Setting: Set in nearly 2 acres, 

the stunning grounds combine 

streams, bridges and formal 

gardens with uninterrupted views 

across the adjoining fields. 

Beds: 5 Baths: 5 

Special features: Triple-aspect 

drawing room with a roaring 

open fire; a large bright family 

room, and a superb snug that 

overhangs the millstream. 

Pleasing details: Bespoke 

kitchen with stone worktops 

and Aga; luxurious modern 

bathrooms; exposed beams 

and brickwork throughout. 

Outside: Gated entrance; 

spacious self-contained 

detached annexe, home office, 

and a gym with garaging. 

Time to town: Nearby Cobham 

and Guildford offer a wide 

selection of restaurants, shopping 

and entertainment, plus a fast 

train service to London and the 

southwest. Junction 10 of the M25 

is approximately 2 miles away. 

Agents: Knight Frank 

01932 591602 

knightfrank.co.uk 

priceless-magazines.com 12

Ashtead 

£1,400,000 

The dream: Fabulous family home, 

stylishly remodelled and extended by the 

current owner, an interior designer featured 

on BBC Interior Design Masters. 

Where: The popular village of Ashtead, which 

sits on the slopes of the North Downs. 

Setting: Detached 2,500 sq ft home on one 

of the most prestigious roads in Ashtead. 


Special features: Stunning open-plan kitchendining-family 

room, with sliding doors to 

the garden. Sensational main suite with en 

suite, walk-in wardrobe and Juliet balcony. 

Pleasing details: Log burner in the lounge; 

electric car charging point in the carriage 

driveway with parking for several cars. 

Outside: Large secluded garden with 

manicured lawn, summerhouse/ 

office, and hot tub. 

Time to town: Close to the village and 

Ashtead station, with trains to London 

Waterloo (45 mins). Equidistant (20-22 

miles) from Gatwick and Heathrow airports. 

Agents: Cairds 01372 888888 cairds.co.uk 

Polzeath, Cornwall 

£2,750,000 

The dream: This stunning family holiday 

escape also offers an ideal opportunity to work 

from home, and eventually a place to retire to. 

Where: Polzeath is a surfer’s paradise on the 

beautiful North Cornwall coast and close to 

Rock and Daymer Bay, where conditions are 

ideal for sailing, canoeing and windsurfing. 

Between Polzeath and nearby Padstow there’s 

a wealth of excellent restaurants and pubs. 

Setting: Iconic, contemporary town house 

with uninterrupted sea and coastal views. 


Special features: Sky hammock with panoramic 

sunset views; cosy, enclosed 4th floor terrace 

with built in kitchen/BBQ; stylish cocktail bar. 

Pleasing details: Air source underfloor 

heating; wood burner; smart house 

tech; Tibo sound system. 

Outside: Underground parking for two cars 

and private surf store; west facing sunset 

balconies, with another facing east for sunrise. 

Time to town: 20 miles to Newquay airport; 

7 miles to Wadebridge; 15 minutes to 

Padstow by water taxi, from nearby Rock. 

Agents: John Bray Estates 01208 862601 

johnbrayestates.co.uk 

13 


50% RESERVED 

PHASE 2 AVAILABLE 

RH19 2NT 

Purchase your new home with lower 

monthly repayments 

Own New Rate Reducer Available - purchase your dream new 

build home with a lower interest rate for a fixed period, have lower 

monthly repayments and own 100% of your home* 

All 3 and 4 bedroom homes offer: 

• Underfloor heating to the ground floor 

• Floor coverings throughout 

• Bespoke shaker-style kitchen 

• Integrated appliances 

• Minoli wall and floor tiles 

• Fitted wardrobes 

• Landscaped front gardens 

• Turfed rear gardens 

• Indian sandstone paths and patios 

• Parking, garages and EV charging 

Prices from £315,000 

Show home open daily, 10am to 5pm. Call us on 01342 885377. 

*Selected plots only. T’s and C’s apply

With Pegasus communities across 

the Surrey hills and beyond. 

Choosing a later living home 

that’s right for you has never felt 

so good. Exclusively for the Sixty+ 

Cobham Bowers 

SURREY 

1, 2 & 3 bedrooms 


Rent from £2,900 pcm 

01932 321 033 

cobhambowers@lifestory.group 

pegasushomes.co.uk/cobham-bowers 

Aylmer House, 74 Portsmouth Rd, KT11 1FG 

Highfields 

WEST BYFLEET 

1 & 2 bedrooms 


Rent from £2,600 pcm 

01932 483 128 

highfields@lifestory.group 

pegasushomes.co.uk/highfields 

61 Hobbs Close, West Byfl eet, KT14 6LT 

Terms and Conditions apply. Offers are available on selected apartments only and will be paid on completion. *The Stamp Duty offer does not include any additional or incremental Stamp Duty payments payable by investors 

or those who will result in owning more than one home as a result of this purchase or any additional Stamp Duty payable by overseas purchasers. **50% service charge will be discounted at the rate applicable at the point of 

reservation and deducted from the completion statement. Purchasers must complete by 30th June 2024. We reserve the right to extend, reintroduce or amend any such offer as we see fit at any time. Prices correct at time of print. 

Please speak to our sales team for more information.

Birchgrove Leatherhead 

Christ Church 

Apartments 

Luxury assisted living retirement apartments 

Enjoy 

more. 

At Birchgrove, we invite you to 

embrace the beauty of later life – 

and enjoy more of what you love. 

Enjoy more time with loved ones 

and more freedom to live life 

as you please. 

Leading 

the way 

in retirement 

rental living 

Enjoy a home more thoughtfully designed to make living 

in later life easier, featuring waist-height appliances and 

step-free en suites. Be part of a vibrant social community 

with more to do in exceptional facilities like a Restaurant, 

Club Room, Wellness Suite and Bar. Experience the peace of 

mind a more secure new home with on-site 24hr concierge 

brings. And leave any property maintenance worries behind. 

Say goodbye to all that home ownership hassle 

and hello to an inclusive rental option. 

Ready to make yourself at home? 020 3929 5599 

www.birchgrove.life 

Locations in Surrey, Kent & London: 

Banstead | Chiswick | Ewell | Godalming | Hampton 

Leatherhead | Mill Hill | Sidcup | Woking

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE 

Why retirement communities 

are becoming popular 

with retirees 

A 

retirement community, also 

known as an assisted living 

community is a housing 

development specifically 

designed for people in later life. These 

communities typically offer a range of 

housing options, including independent 

living apartments, as well as additional 

amenities and services that promote an 

active and social lifestyle for residents. 

Retirement communities are designed 

to provide a supportive and engaging 

environment while also offering various 

levels of support and assistance based 

on the individual’s needs. Many offer 

a wide array of amenities and services 

such as a restaurant, bar, landscaped 

gardens, social and recreational 

activities, and much more. 

The primary goal of a retirement 

community is to create a safe, 

comfortable, and enjoyable living 

environment for older adults, fostering 

a sense of community and providing 

opportunities for socialising, intellectual 

stimulation, and an active lifestyle. 

Specialist developer Birchgrove is 

rapidly growing its portfolio of highquality 

retirement communities. One 

ingredient behind this success is the 

diverse breadth and depth of experience 

behind the Birchgrove name. All working 

together to create a community where 

people can age well by staying healthier, 

happier and stronger for longer. 

Birchgrove is creating a new retirement 

development – Christ Church 

Apartments, Leatherhead, Surrey. 

Christ Church Apartments is located on 

the Epsom Road on the site of former 

United Reformed Church. When 

complete, the accommodation will offer 

62 spacious and modern apartments 

housed within three buildings surrounded 

by beautiful trees. With sustainability 

at its heart, the architecture is striking, 

with capped gables and a grand entrance 

façade, mirroring the site’s history 

and neighbourhood’s character. 

Christ Church Apartments will offer a 

choice of elegant, light-filled one- and 

two-bedroom self-contained apartments, 

future-designed to make living in later 

life easier and more enjoyable. We 

believe the kind of home you want to 

show off to your friends a little will be 

the kind of home you’ll love living in. 

Birchgrove offers its retirement properties 

solely for rent. There are no stamp 

duty costs or legal conveyancing fees 

or stress associated with purchasing 

a property. Nor additional service 

charges or exit fees. You simply pay the 

inclusive rent and a one-off joining fee. 

The Birchgrove rental model covers all 

the large-ticket expenses like energy costs 

– electricity, heating and water – and 

many of the rising incidental costs that 

go along with owning your own home 

e.g. housekeeping, broadband, window 

cleaning, gardening, buildings insurance, 

security and a whole host of other things. 

All apartments are specifically designed 

for people in later life, featuring waist 

height appliances in the fully fitted 

kitchens for easy access, en-suite walk-in 

showers, wide corridors and walkways. 

You will never find two Birchgrove 

retirement developments the same, 

because they believe the place you 

call home should be as individual as 

the people and neighbourhood it sits 

within. Birchgrove makes sure that every 

community is not only future-designed 

to suit people’s needs as they age but has 

character to complement the local area. 

Thoughtful spaces that bring people 

together help forge communities where 

people feel grounded and at home. 

To find out more about Christ Church 

Apartments you can get in touch with 

the team on 020 3929 5599 or visit 

www.birchgrove.life You’ll find them 

at Patrick Gardner Estate Agents on 

Church Street, Leatherhead. Or, if 

you prefer, they’d be just as happy 

to visit you at your own home.

Homes ready to move into 

GU23 6PD 

STUNNING NEW SHOW HOME LAUNCHING 

SATURDAY 13 TH JULY 

Clover House, our new show home at plot 23, is an impressive 4 bedroom detached house with 

Tudor-style frontage. This home offers an all-inclusive specification with an open plan kitchen / 

dining / family room with bi-fold doors out to the garden and separate living room and study. The 

master bedroom benefits from a terrace, dressing area and en-suite bathroom whilst bedroom two 

also provides an en-suite bathroom and integrated wardrobes. An integral garage, utility room, EV 

charger and Indian Sandstone path and patio completes this home. 


SECURE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY BY CALLING 01483 921474 

CAN’T WAIT UNTIL THEN? OUR CURRENT SHOW HOME IS OPEN DAILY, 10AM TO 5PM

JOE 

BONAMASSA 

U K F E S T I V A L E X C L U S I V E 

SHERYL 

CROW 

RUFUS 

WAINWRIGHT 

U K F E S T I V A L E X C L U S I V E 

SEASICK STEVE HERMANOS GUTIÉRREZ THE SHIRES 

COURTNEY BARNETT WARD THOMAS THE STAVES VILLAGERS 

ROSANNE CASH & JOHN LEVENTHAL BC CAMPLIGHT DYLAN GOSSETT 

JADE BIRD JALEN NGONDA DAMIAN LEWIS BESS ATWELL 

TURIN BRAKES JJ GREY & MOFRO NICK WATERHOUSE 

DALE WATSON & HIS LONESTARS ELI PAPERBOY REED THE DELINES 

BRENNEN LEIGH & JOSHUA HEDLEY FERRIS & SYLVESTER KEZIA GILL 

WHEN RIVERS MEET DYLAN LEBLANC LIZZIE NO TWINNIE ZANDI HOLUP 

NAT MYERS MICHELE STODART JARROD DICKENSON ALYSSA BONAGURA CVC PRIMA QUEEN 

ÁINE DEANE DIVORCE HOLLY MACVE MUIREANN BRADLEY BRÒGEAL ÁRNÝ MARGRÉT 

LUKE FLEAR HENRY WEBB-JENKINS CLARA MANN SAMUEL NICHOLSON JON MCLEOD 

HANDPICKED & HOSTED BY 

“WHISPERING” BOB HARRIS OBE 

KEZIA GILL & FRIENDS 

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Notebook 

Rock On! 

Take note! We’ve rounded up the best 

of what to see and do near you 

High 

Notes 

It’s quiz time! Take a guess at 

how many seats there are at the 

White Rock in Hastings? 

1066, naturally (making it one of 

the largest venues in East Sussex). 

Situated on the shoreline with 

unbeatable views of Hastings Pier, 

the venue is your perfect local 

entertainment destination for 

music, comedy and the annual 

pantomime. With a rich and varied 

programme, see what’s on and 

discover top-named comedians 

alongside world-class live music, 

right on your doorstep. We’ve noted 

Jules Holland and his Rhythm 

and Blues Orchestra on 15 June 

and Rhod Gilbert & the Giant 

Grapefruit on 7 July, just for starters. 

whiterocktheatre.org.uk 

Celebrating the release of their glorious 2019 vintage, The Shakespearean 

Cuvée, High Clandon Vineyard will be hosting Art & Sculptures in the 

Vineyard from 30 June until 14 July. There will be over 180 works of art 

on show in the spectacular setting high in the Surrey Hills. This event also supports 

Cherry Trees children’s respite charity. The owners, Bruce and Sibylla Tindale, 

ask for £7 per person donation for Cherry Trees and a percentage of art sales 

will also be donated. Experience the many works of art by notable artists 

whilst strolling through the wildflower meadows, vineyard, Rose Arch 

Walk and tranquil Japanese Garden. High Clandon will take part in 

the National Gardens Scheme on 7 July when you can treat yourself to 

a delicious Cuvée and Cream Tea supplied by Cherry Trees charity. You 

will find all the details you need on their website at highclandon.co.uk 

FAIR FAVOURITES 

Don’t miss Wealden Times Midsummer Fair 

at Hole Park, Rolvenden, Kent, from Thurs 6 – Sat 8 

June, 9am-5pm. Browse over 250 hand-picked exhibitors. 

There’s something for everyone with gifts galore, summer 

fashion, handmade products and so much more. Enjoy a craft 

ale or a glass of something bubbly in one of our outdoor bars 

or if you want something a bit more substantial, sample the 

delights of one of our many street food vendors. It’s a 

great day out and the perfect start to summer. 

wealdentimes-fair.co.uk 21 

DANCE 

AND SONG 

Stour Music Festival of Early Music 

returns from 21 until 30 June to All 

Saints’ Boughton Aluph in the heart 

of the Kent countryside. Fireworks, 

flamenco, a Handel opera and great 

choral music will be brought to the 

(normally) quiet country church on 

the Pilgrims’ Way between Ashford 

and Canterbury. You’ll find some of 

Spain’s most flamboyant dancers, plus 

soprano Anna Dennis singing Handel 

opera arias in an orchestral concert 

also featuring Handel’s Fireworks – 

followed by the real thing outside. 

stourmusic.org.uk

The Summer Festival 

at The Menuhin Hall, Cobham will 

return for a week-long celebration of beautiful 

music from Saturday 29 June until Friday 5 July.. A diverse 

programme awaits, featuring performances by the extraordinarily 

talented pupils of the Yehudi Menuhin School, as well as renowned 

artists such as Julian Bliss, who will explore the boundaries between 

jazz and classical music. Family Day will feature a performance 

of The Planets enhanced by lighting and projections, with 

outdoor fun for children. Not to be missed is the 

Finale, a memorable night of film music. 

Tickets £10-33 (under 30s half price) 

themenuhinhall.co.uk 

SUMMERTIME JOY 

Calling all love birds! Join The 

Bell in Ticehurst and some wonderful 

suppliers for their quirky Wedding Fair on 

Sunday 23 June from 11am until 3pm. You can 

take a look around the beautiful spaces including 

The Big Room, Stables and Garden and get some 

inspiration. Create a unique vision for your big day, 

enjoy a sip of bubbles and taste some delicious canapés 

while you’re at it! Make sure you preregister using 

weddings@thebellinticehurst.com 

or call 01580 200300 

thebellinticehurst.com 

Wedding Bells 

Giddy Up 

Get your friends and family together 

for an exciting evening of racing, 

followed by a headline concert this 

summer. With three fantastic headliners 

to choose from, there’s something for 

everyone to enjoy at Sandown Park! 

Don’t miss Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics 

returning with a brand-new set for 

2024 (26 July), the ever-popular 

Madness (31 July) and beloved 

pop rockers McFly (8 August). 

Witness stars of the racetrack, as they 

compete for glory before the stage 

is set for an iconic music superstar. 

These events that’s certain to be 

an odds-on favourite for all! 

Tickets at thejockeyclublive.co.uk 

BRIGHT LIGHT 

McAllister Thomas Fine Art presents a solo 

exhibition by British artist Rose Fulbright 

at their Godalming gallery from 22 June, 

featuring works on silk and antique furniture. 

For ‘Light and Water’, Rose’s aim is to convey 

the luxurious, slow flow of time in nature, 

combined with a sense of freedom and awe in 

the sublime. She has focused on two opposing, 

yet intricately connected, parts of the human 

experience – huge, spacious skies with their 

celestial bodies, and the sea with its tides. 

Rose says, ”I aim to create rhythmic, energising 

depictions of the awe-inspiring moments I 

find myself in, mostly while travelling with my 

young family. I am interested in remembering 

the preciousness of the vitality, freedom and 

awe that we all feel when outside.” 

If you would like further information on Rose’s 

forthcoming exhibition, contact the gallery on 

01483 860591 or email 

info@mcalisterthomasfineart.co.uk 

istockphoto.com/ rodho 


22

No need to travel to the 

South of France – this 

summer’s must-have sip 

comes from closer to home. 

Balfour Winery’s Nannette’s 

Rosé has just won Gold 

at the prestigious global 

Rosé Masters. This English 

Rosé not only pleases the 

palate but also supports 

Kent Wildlife Trust, with 

each purchase helping 

fund rewilding projects. 

Raise a toast with Nature’s 

Perfect Pairing. It’s £18.75 

online where you can also 

book a visit to the winery. 

balfourwinery.com 

We begin June amidst 

Garden Wildlife week and 

so doing our bit to aid the 

declining biodiversity of 

British wildlife is an 

absolute must! There 

are loads of ways 

to get involved. Just one 

is introducing feeders and 

wildlife habitats to your 

garden. This one is from 

£29 Boxwild, a Surreybased 

company 

that has a stock of 

seeds, feeders and houses 

for all the birds in 

your garden to 

enjoy. boxwild.com 

Faith in Nature is celebrating 

50 years of nature-inspired 

beauty and sustainability. 

And we’ve long been fans 

of their plastic-free vegan 

and cruelty free bars of soaps, shampoos 

and conditioners. faithinnature.co.uk 

must 

The 

From must-sees to must-buys and 

must-dos, don’t miss this month’s 

round up of what to buy, see, do, 

and generally get excited about! 

Dear reader it’s the 

season of Bridgerton 

and what better way 

to enjoy the latest 

instalment than with a classy 

(if boozy) afternoon tea? NIO 

Cocktails new tea martini 

cocktail is the perfect tipple 

for just such an occasion. 

Inspired by English tea 

making tradition each readymade 

pouch contains a tasty 

mix featuring Vodka and Tea 

Liquer. A three pack is £19.50 

at niococktails.co.uk Cheers! 

It’s Father’s Day on the 

16th and while dads 

and father figures can be 

notoriously difficult to shop 

for, Tenovus Cancer Care’s 

shop has plenty of options. 

As it’s also the perfect time 

for a BBQ, we love this 

King of the Grill Bamboo 

Serving Board, which is just 

£6.99, plus your money 

will go to a good cause! 

shop.tenovuscancercare.org.uk 

We love this Graham 

Clarke greetings card 

‘Hopalong’ – inspired 

by local hop picking and 

breweries – perfect for Father’s Day! 

You can buy it online for £3 or in 

poster form (500x700mm) for £25. 

Or how about treating dad to 

a trip to Graham’s fascinating 

studio gallery, full of printing 

paraphernalia and his heartwarming 

works. It’s open on 

21st-23rd June and 12th-14th July 

or you can visit by appointment. 

grahamclarke.co.uk 

Hand-poured in Kent, 

the candles of Harris & 

Brown are truly delightful. 

With soy wax, wood 

wicks, and far-reaching carefully 

perfected scents, these local lovelies 

are a lasting luxury that costs from 

£30 per 30cl candle or £12 for a 

9cl one. There are currently four 

beautiful scents available but more 

are being created so watch this 

space and be sure to visit them at 

our Wealden Times Midsummer 

Fair (wealdentimes-fair.co.uk) at 

Hole Park in Rolvenden from 6th 

to 8th June at stand A49. handb.uk 

If you’re looking to cook up a 

scrummy Father’s Day feast we’ve 

got you covered! Michelin-starred 

Indian restaurant Gymkhana 

(gymkhanalondon.com) have created a 

delicious and easy to use range of sauces, 

marinades and chutneys to get their 

famously fabulous taste at home. AND 

we’ve got a discount for you – use code 

TheWealdenTimes20 from 1st of June until 

30th of June for 20% off your entire order 

at gymkhanafinefoods.com Enjoy! 

*Offer is valid from 1st June until 23:59 30th 

June. Offer is redeemable once per person. Offer is 

valid for 20% off entire order and is not available 

to combine with other discounts or offers. 


Reaching 

heights 

new 

don’t mind sharing with you that 

I suffer from a chronic condition 

known as house envy. The symptoms 

normally flare up on visiting a beautiful 

home, and grow more severe around 

decent cornicing, pendant lighting or 

statement wallpaper. The treatment 

usually involves a large credit card bill. 

I have had it for years and have been 

able to manage it, until that is, I meet 

Angela in her six bedroom Edwardian 

home in Churt and am struck down by 

a new symptom: transformation awe. 

Angela and her husband were no 

strangers to house renovation when they 

moved out of London to be nearer their 

son’s school. “Paul and I are quite seasoned 

house developers, from our first flat to our 

first house to our next bigger house. I’ve 

never been someone who wants to buy a 

house that’s ready to move into. I’ve always 

wanted properties that need everything 

doing to them so that I can make them 

my own and add value.” Angela was clear 

that she wanted a period property, and 

instantly recognised the potential of the 

house, on the market for the first time 

in 50 years. “The central heating was 

extremely basic,” Angela says, “but it still 

had lots of Edwardian beauty and original 


26

Words: Fiona Patrick 

Photographs: David Merewether 

Stripping an Edwardian property back to its 

bare bones has paid dividends for seasoned 

house developers Angela and Paul, who, after 

tracking down the perfect builders for the 

project, ensured that this huge renovation was 

completed in a staggeringly speedy 11 months 

features as well as good room proportions.” 

Wasting no time, Angela instructed a 

local architect to do a survey and check 

the position regarding planning early 

on in the purchasing process. “We had 

a pretty clear idea of what we could and 

couldn’t do,” she explains. “So as soon 

as we moved in, we immediately started 

putting together our plans for planning 

approval.” The art of being one step 

ahead is one that Angela, a financial 

services professional, used throughout the 

build. Planning permission was slow on 

account of Covid, but Angela used the 

time to line up a builder – Hurstmore 

Developments – and a place to stay. “As 

soon as planning was approved, we broke 

ground straight away,” says Angela. “But 

we rented a property nearby for a year. I 

think on a project of this size, it just pays 

for itself to be out of the way because the 

project moves so much more quickly.” 

While the footprint of the house did not 

change a huge amount – bar an extension 

on the ground floor to create space for 

an open plan kitchen and living area – 

almost everything else about the rest of 

the house did. “One of the major things 

that we changed was the orientation of 

the house,” explains Angela. Originally, 

the façade facing the driveway housed 

a blocky downstairs loo, but now the 

(stripped back and restored) front door is 

the first thing you see, and as you enter the 

house you are greeted by a jaw-dropping 

triple height hallway. Were there any 

challenges to achieving such a spectacular 

entrance? “Well, we had some quite 

hefty steels supporting the structure! The 

thing that made it structurally possible 

and affordable is that we’ve got the beam 

which the chandeliers now hang from.” 

A glass partition adds to the drama 

of the space, through which you can 

see the dining room and out to the 

garden beyond, designed to highlight a 

traditionally under-used area. Angela says, 

“If you’ve got a formal dining room when 

you’ve also got a dining table in your 

kitchen, it can become a bit of a lost space. 

So for me it was really important that the 

glass allowed it to become a room that you 

know and is in your consciousness because 

you see it all the time.” This concept is 

reinforced by an open doorway between 

the dining room and the kitchen, and all 

importantly, it is where the wine is kept! 

Angela designed the “wine wall” herself, 

utilising bricks salvaged from other 

parts of the house during the build, and 

found the wine racks from a supplier 

who normally supplies commercial 

cellars. Coupled with some strategically 

placed downlighters, Angela achieved 

for a few hundred pounds what would 

have cost thousands to outsource. 

The brick façade is mirrored on the 

other side of the wall in the living room. 

This sense of cohesion is at work all over 

the house but is subtle enough not to 

overwhelm the décor. “My first golden 

rule is that there will be continuity 

throughout the whole house in some 

shape or form, which I call my ‘yellow 

brick road’,” explains Angela. “The 

concept is something I learned from my 

good friend Sam (an artist, photographer 

and designer) who has mentored me over 

several years and projects to develop 

27 


BEFORE 

Is Moss a Growing Problem? 

Yes, is the answer on a roof, and the problem is growing exponentially. 

AFTER 

Moss Master Ltd is a family-run business 

with more than 20 years experience in 

exterior hard service cleaning. 

BEFORE 

AFTER 

We offer an assortment of specialist Moss, Lichen 

and Algae services. As industry leaders we deliver 

professional work with exceptional attention to detail, 

ensuring your property is left the envy of your friends and 

neighbours. Having developed an excellent reputation 

due to our reliability, honesty and hard work, we guarantee 

that your home exterior cleaning needs will be met to 

the highest standard. 

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MOSS, LICHEN & ALGAE ISSUES 

Unit 7, Lindford Business Park, Chase Road, 

Lindford, Bordon, Hampshire GU35 0FE 

01420 479746 | info@mossmaster.co.uk 

www.mossmaster.co.uk

Previous page: The open, 

light-filled first floor landing 

was originally dark, pokey 

and had several disconnected 

rooms leading from it. 

The triple chandelier 

was made to order by 

Dowsing & Reynolds 

This page: An extension was 

added to the ground floor 

to create space for an open 

plan kitchen and living area 

Left & above: The garden blends into the 

hillside on several terraced levels, with naturalistic 

planting. The stone walls have been created from 

York stone paving salvaged from the original 

house patio. The stone was painstakingly cleaned, 

categorised, cut and fashioned into beautiful walls 

by the skilful stonemason at Austin Landscapes 

my own interior design skills. She is 

an indispensable source of wisdom on 

colour choice and originally suggested the 

Slaked Lime which has been a triumph.” 

Slaked Lime features in every room 

bar one – “that ensures that as you go 

around the house, as you move from one 

room to the other, it feels harmonious. 

It all flows and has a journey.” There 

are also one or two pieces in each room 

that act as an anchor in terms of colours 

and textures. In the living room, the 

original Jo Barrett painting and Chinese 

rug, both previously owned, served as a 

springboard for the colour scheme, not 

just in this room, but throughout. “I’m 

not just doing each room in isolation. If 

I’m choosing a fabric for the sofa it still 

needs to harmonise with all the other 

tones that I’ve got through the house.” 

This sense of flow has also been applied 

to layout, and nowhere more so than 

the open, light-filled first floor landing, 

which was originally dark, pokey and had 

several disconnected rooms leading from 

it. “Now when you’re standing on the 

landing on the first floor, I think it feels 

like this is how the house always should 

have been. We’ve got a kind of heart of the 

house that goes from top to bottom 

29 


Top: Light floods into a TV area, and the connection to the outside 

is enhanced through windows which stretch right down to the 

floor Above: Herringbone parquet runs throughout the ground 

floor. The new flooring was chosen to closely match the original 

parquet that was sadly unsalvageable Above right: A wine wall was 

created in the dining room, and mirrored in the sitting room next door, 

using bricks salvaged from other parts of the house during the build 

and everything radiates and flows around it beautifully.” 

It was important to Angela that each of her three children 

had decent sized double bedrooms on the same floor as her, 

to create a family space, while the top floor (converted from 

loft space) could be more self-contained for guests. “For 

our bedroom we took the two largest rooms on the first 

floor and created our suite,” says Angela. The suite centres 

around a main pillar, allowing the bedroom, bathroom and 

dressing room to be interconnected, another brain-child 

of Angela’s and a clever solution to a practical issue – who 

gets to sleep on the side of the bed nearest the bathroom! 

The inspiration for the wallpaper in her daughter’s 

bedroom came from the beautiful surroundings of the house. 

Angela says, “The pattern is tawny owls and pine and oak 

trees and that is exactly the wildlife that we have on the 

common, so it’s perfect.” Celebrating the natural habitat in 

which the house sits is a recurring theme, “The other 


30

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48 December 

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This page, from top: The panelled dining room is a great space for more formal meals, and features a striking piece commissioned 

from artist Dan Hillier. Another Hillier piece hangs on a wall in the cosy sitting room, to the right of the dining room 

wallpapers that I’ve chosen for the other 

bedrooms – the swallows and ferns – we 

have surrounding us. I wanted patterns 

and images that suit where we are.” 

In her son’s room, a window was added 

to the wall under the pitched roof, adding 

a flood of light and incorporating the 

beautiful views of the garden and forest 

beyond. “Now that the window is there, I 

can’t imagine the room without it. From 

the outside it used to be a big blank wall, 

now it makes sense both inside and out.” 

On the top floor there is now a long 

gallery landing with a bedroom at each 

end and a bathroom in between. Having 

lived in London for 20 years and leaving 

behind a cosy network of friends when 

they moved, it was imperative to integrate 

a place for friends to stay into the house. 

The fern wallpaper at the top of 

the stairs, I notice, is mirrored in the 

downstairs loo, in a different colourway. 

The brass fish towel rail has my symptoms 

blazing but may be hard to come by, 

being part of the old house. It is one of 

many original features that Angela has 

painstakingly included to ensure that, 

even after the mammoth renovation 

process, it still feels like a period house. 

The piece of timber used for the coat 

hooks in the cloakroom is actually the 

original door bars from the front door. 

The panelling underneath the coats is 

original. There is even a framed picture 

on the wall containing a piece of original 

floorboard. Angela explains, “One of the 

builders that worked on building the 

(original) house was obviously a bit of 

an amateur poet, and he had written a 

limerick on the floorboard. We found it 

when the floorboard came up and it‘s part 

of the history of the house, so it’s still 

33 


This page: Angela has chosen wallpaper 

throughout the house that echoes the 

flora and fauna that surrounds the 

house, from Sanderson’s Owlswick 

paper in her daughter’s room to 

G P & J Baker’s Ferns on the top 

floor landing and downstairs loo 

here.” The scale of upheaval clearly 

did not preclude attention to detail. 

“It was a really big project. The roof 

came off. Hurstmore took out every 

window, every door. They pulled up 

the floorboards and stripped back 

every bit of plaster and left a brick 

shell basically, so in lots of ways it’s 

almost a new build,” Angela tells 

me. “But it was really important 

 


34

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BLIND AND CURTAIN 

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Our newly redesigned Luxaflex showroom, showcases 

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This page: The capacious main suite is designed around 

a central pillar, allowing the bedroom, bathroom and 

dressing room to be interconnected. The swallow 

wallpaper behind the bed is by Designer’s Guild 

to me to put Edwardian cornicing 

back in… spindles on the staircase and 

the handrail, things like architraves, 

full depth door bars on the doors.” 

By this time my condition is peaking, 

but the moment my ailing jaw really hits 

the floor is when Angela tells me how 

long this all took. “We were back in the 

house exactly 11 and a half months later.” 

How was this achieved? “I’m a project 

manager professionally, so I’m very used 

to doing things according to the critical 

path. I think I made it quite an exhausting 

project for Hurstmore because there were 

no fallow periods at all! We worked well 

together to stick to the deadline. If the 

weather got in the way, I would always 

be ready with something else that could 

be done, and we were fortunate in that 

Hurstmore always happily obliged.” 

I’m not sure a credit card is going to fix 

it this time, unless I can buy an Angela. 

Address Book: 

Angela is now able to help others 

realise their dream homes as she has 

set up her own self-build, renovation 

and extension consultancy service. 

From getting projects off the ground 

and finding the right contractors and 

professional partners, through to full 

project management, design input 

and help with sourcing, she can be 

contacted at angela@gatefield.co.uk 

To speak to Hurstmore about a 

project, visit hurstmore.co.uk 

Austin Landscapes austinlandscapes.co.uk 

Designed by Sam 

designedbysam@icloud.com 

Nicholas Morton nicholasmorton.co.uk 

37 


Get the 

LOOK 

1 Eichholtz Icaro chandelier £1,190 Sweetpea & Willow sweetpeaandwillow.com 2 Tamara single wall light in 

antique brass and ribbed glass £51 där lighting darlighting.co.uk 3 Charlie Mackesy framed ink and watercolour 

on paper artworks The Hardest Person to Forgive and Well Hello POA Belgravia Gallery belgraviagallery.com 

4 Origin OI30 doors from £2,319 Shard Solutions shardhome.co.uk 5 Blend 1 Brick Slips £75/m 2 The Brick Tile 

Company bricktilecompany.com 6 Hambledon Wine Rack £185 Garden Trading gardentrading.co.uk 7 Moreton 

slatted shelf ladder £185 Garden Trading gardentrading.co.uk 8 Barbican armchair in vintage tan £449 Cult 

Furniture cultfurniture.com 9 Harlyn Oak Parquet £57.12/m 2 The Wood Flooring Co thewoodflooringco.com 


38

ANTIQUE MIRROR TILES AND BESPOKE FRAMED MIRRORS 

www.retro-reflections.com 

Your Dream, Our Vision 

Photo Credit: Louisa Grace Interiors 

Specialists in the supply & installation of contemporary bespoke aluminium glazing systems. Our showroom & offices are based in 

a historical boatyard overlooking the River Thames in Hampton. Specified by Architects, recommended by Contractors, referred by Clients. 

Urban & Grey Ltd 

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5-9 Thames Street 

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TW12 2EW 

Telephone: 020 8979 6367 

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Sliding Doors • Bifold Doors • Flush Casement Windows 

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39 


Upcoming Sales 

Entertainment & Memorabilia 30 & 31 May 

Men's Fashion 5 June 

James Bond 7 June 

Jewellery, Watches & Coins 19 June 

Silver & Fine Art 20 June 

Antiques, Books, Stamps, Clocks & Antique Furniture 21 June 

Cars, Motorbikes, Parts & Automobilia 28 June 

View the catalogues and bid online at 

www.ewbanks.co.uk 

Burnt Common Auction Rooms, 

London Road, Send, 

Woking, Surrey, GU23 7LN 

www.ewbanks.co.uk 

01483 223101 

info@ewbanks.co.uk

Going 

Once 

1 

We’re taking a look at all the best goodies 

that can be picked up at auctions 

MEMORABILIA & 

COLLECTABLES 

First up: Andrew Ewbank, Partner, 

Auctioneer & Valuer at Ewbank’s tells 

us about memorabilia and collectables 

“ 

Memorabilia and Collectables 

covers everything from vintage 

movie posters, music, film, 

TV or sporting memorabilia, through 

to comics, Pokémon trading cards, toys, 

models and retro video games. While 

some more traditional areas may have 

waned in popularity in recent years, 

these categories have exploded and prices 

continue to rise as they go from strength 

to strength. In 2023 Ewbank’s collectables 

departments represented over £2.2M in 

sales for the business. 

Popular culture sales are really capturing 

buyers’ imaginations with the pull of 

nostalgia, so there has never been a better 

time to sell in these categories. For trading 

cards and comics, buyers are looking for 

good-quality sealed products or early 

issues, but raw cards and books can also 

be sold, and – if in good condition – can 

be worth getting graded to increase their 

value. Vintage film posters are a very 

strong market, popular titles tend to be 

pre-1990 and include James Bond, 50s and 

60s cinema classics, and horror movies. 

Up for auction on May 30 th , Ewbank’s 

have a collection of original prototype 

artworks for Hammer horror films by 

renowned poster artists, Tom Chantrell 

and Bill Wiggins, which were created to 

be used as the basis of the British Quad 

poster releases. 

Auctions can be a great way to add 

to your own collections too – they 

provide a way to buy completely unique 

items, and you have more security with 

a reputable auction house than you do 

with some online marketplaces. There 

are still bargains to be had as a buyer too, 

for example, if you are after an original 

Star Wars poster from 1977, look at 

some of the foreign language versions 

that are available for less than the British 

Quads. All auctioneers charge Buyer’s 

Premium on top of the hammer price, and 

shipping can be expensive depending on 

the required insured value, so if you are 

local, you can save money by collecting in 

person. As to what to collect and buy, go 

for what you love, you’ll be knowledgeable 

and engaged in the process. And why not 

attend a sale? Auctions are fun, you can set 

your own spending limit, and just enjoy 

yourself! There is no need to be afraid of 

the auction process, all of our auctions 

are live online, often with a video feed of 

the auctioneer so that you can bid from 

the comfort of your own home. Visit 

Ewbank’s in Woking, Surrey or online at 

ewbankauctions.co.uk 

” 

Upcoming and past lots, from top to bottom: 

1. Bill Wiggins (American 1917-2012). 

Frankenstein. The Monster From Hell, 

c1974. Mixed media collage, unsigned. 

Prototype artwork for the poster. Estimate: 

£2,000-4,000 in Auction on 30th May. 

2. James Bond: Live and Let Die (1973) British 

Quad poster, framed. Estimate: £800-1,200 

3. Marvel Comics: The Amazing Spider-Man 

No. 194, featuring the 1st appearance of the 

Black Cat (1979) raw copy. Estimate: £150- 

250 in Auction 29th May. 

4. Velvet Underground. Music concert 

poster, Lancaster University, 29 October 

1971, part of the ‘Loaded’ tour. Estimate 

£800-1,200 in Auction 30th May. 

5. The Pink Floyd - Original Early concert 

poster for the Marquee Club 22 & 29 

December, IBIS Designs, flat, 20x30 inches. 

Sold for £20,800 inc. fees. 

6. Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954). 

Original hand painted artwork for the UK 

Quad film poster of the Universal classic. 

Sold for £28,600 inc. fees. 

2 

5 

6 

3 4 

41 


1 

Past lots, from top to bottom: 

1. Flower-head gold ring with 

European cut diamond and 

emeralds, sold for £2,900 

2. 14ct White Gold Ruby Set 

Dress Ring, 20th Century, 

with synthetic white stones 

and faceted rubies 

3. Ruby and diamond cluster 

ring sold for £820 

Past lots, from top to bottom: 

1. Late 19th/Early 20th century 

French Mahogany Bureau unsold 

January 2020 guide price £250-£350 

2. Victorian Parquetry Inlaid Walnut 

Hexadecagonal Top Occasional 

Table Sold September 2022 £220 

2 

JEWELLERY 

David Parker, Managing Director 

at Canterbury Auction Galleries 

tells us about the benefits of buying 

jewellery through auctions 

“ 

When choosing a ring or a special 

gift that comes in one of those 

precious small packages, many of 

us now value more than ever, something that 

is eco-aware, unique and easy on the pursestrings. 

There’s only one place to go to find 

that perfect sparkling something that ticks all 

the boxes and it’s your local auction house. 

New diamonds involve mining that is often 

environmentally destructive, and lab-grown gems 

are not as eco-friendly as one might assume, 

releasing greenhouse gases for every manufactured 

carat, with the diamonds produced then not 

holding their price quite like natural stones, either. 

So we say re-sparkle! A pre-loved gem is not 

freshly mined and, at auction especially, is a 

“ 

FURNITURE 

Alan White FNAVA, Partner 

and Auctioneer at Ibbett 

Mosely talks furniture 

One can still buy a good Georgian chest 

of drawers for less than £100 at auction. 

The younger generation seem to have 

realised this now, and some are starting to buy 

more traditional furniture, enjoying the auction 

process (in the saleroom or bidding online) and 

picking up some very good quality pieces for much 

less than they used to cost. Bargains can still be 

had as many sales will include pieces from as little 

as £50. Many pieces of furniture, though of quite 

considerable age, can outlast much of the furniture 

produced today if looked after. It can even be seen 

as a form of recycling, and so it’s good for the 

environment too. 

The market for Antique Furniture has been 

going through a poor patch for some 12 to 15 years 

now. Values have been quite low, especially for 

Georgian and Victorian “Brown Furniture”. Pieces 

such as chests of drawers, dining tables and chairs, 

card tables, and work tables, have sold for quite 

modest sums, or struggled to sell first time round. 

Really good quality English and Continental pieces 

from the late 17th to the early 19th centuries are 

still in demand. Two such pieces passed through 

our Auction Salerooms in Sevenoaks in the last 

42 

lot more affordable than new as there are no 

manufacturing costs. Plus of course they come 

with an enviable aura of vintage romance and 

a huge array of beautiful, unusual settings. 

The Canterbury Auction Galleries are 

seeing some excellent jewellery prices at the 

moment, especially in precious stones like 

emeralds, rubies and solitaire diamonds. As 

long as you go to a reputable source, you 

can rest easy in the knowledge that gems at 

auction measure up in the 4 essential Cs (cut, 

colour, clarity and carat). Canterbury Auction 

Galleries’ specialists bring to bear many years’ 

experience and professional testing techniques 

when they grade stones and Gemology 

certificates can be available on request, 

” 

too. 

You try before you bid too – every auction will 

have viewing days where you’re welcome to browse 

and try on the huge variety of jewellery on offer. 

Lastly, bidding at auction is thrilling: give it a go! 

Check out the gorgeous range of 

gems of all kinds in the next sale at 

thecanterburyauctiongalleries.com 

year. The first one was an Early 18th century 

walnut card table. It was un-restored and heavily 

used, but was a beautiful English piece and it sold 

for £6,000, to one of the top London dealers. 

The second example was a mahogany writing 

table from the Regency period (about 1780 to 

1840, when some of the best quality furniture 

was produced) which came from a general house 

clearance. It had certainly seen better days but its 

superior quality was still apparent. It saw some 

competitive bidding, between both private and 

trade buyers, eventually selling for £4,700 to a well 

established locally based dealer. 

Auctions are normally open for viewing at least 

two days before the sale, and you can purchase 

a catalogue with descriptions and price guides of 

the lots. You could also see the catalogue online, 

via the auctioneer’s website, or an online bidding 

platform, such as “Easylive”, or “The Saleroom. 

com”. You can also register to bid using these 

methods, live in the Auction Room, or the 

auctioneers can be instructed to bid on your 

behalf. Added to the hammer price is the buyer’s 

premium, which might range from 15% to 25%, 

plus VAT. 

” 

Buying at auction can be enjoyable and 

atmospheric, and I would recommend anybody to 

try it at least once, to see if you get the bug. For 

more information telephone us on 01732 456731 or 

visit ibbettmoselyauctions.co.uk

ART 

Henny Smith, Director/Auctioneer 

at Parker Fine Art has all the 

info you need if you’re interested 

in buying art at auction 

“ 

We are the only auction house 

in England that sells solely 

fine art and frames and 

the great variety of art in our auctions 

encompasses great artists across the 

centuries. The auction world can be 

seen as intimidating, but we welcome 

everyone to come and view our sales and 

learn about how we act for our vendors 

and buyers alike. Whether buying a £100 

etching or selling a £50,000 oil, our 

buyers and sellers trust us as auctioneers. 

It’s always exciting to see what is 

going to be under the hammer each 

month. There is always a demand for 

works by the old masters, as we have 

seen memorably with the sale of a work 

attributed to Palma Vecchio (number 3 

on the right) which we sold for £52,500. 

Our frame sales are also hugely popular 

with some of them dating as far back as 

the 17th century. Equally there is also 

a desire for the upcoming artists of the 

21st century. 

Buyers need to remember that the 

gavel falls at the ‘hammer price’, auction 

houses then have commission on top 

of that (plus VAT on the premium). If 

you are selling we have a very simple 

structure – just a £10 (+VAT) lotting 

fee – there are no other charges unlike 

most auction houses which charge 

commission, illustration and insurance. 

This means the vendor knows they are 

getting everything back just minus this 

small fee. It makes quite a difference on a 

£100,000 lot! 

Auctions are a fair market as the price 

is decided by the bidders rather than 

being dictated by the seller. An estimate 

is placed on a work, which is just a guide 

price but is often a good indication of 

what it may achieve at auction. This 

helps the vendor to decide if they think 

it is the right time to sell and a buyer 

decide if they wish to bid. Prospective 

buyers can always ask us about the 

condition of a work too as it helps in 

deciding what price they may go up to. 

However, the final price greatly depends 

how many bidders want to buy as we 

have had works fly above estimate. There 

are often surprises in the auction world 

and that is what makes our industry so 

interesting. 

1 

2 

3 

During viewings we often hear how 

clients approach the artwork 

differently and we always 

enjoy talking to our 

customers. Some want to 

buy something purely 

for decorative purposes, 

others follow the work 

of a particular artist 

and some just want 

to discover and expand 

their collection. It is such 

an individual choice – we 

often find that when couples 

come in together they find it 

more difficult to make a joint 

decision. Art is all about an 

individual’s taste and that is 

why it is fortunate that we have 

such a variety of works available. 

One thing that we do really believe 

is that art should never be bought as 

an investment, buy because you love it, 

not for what it may become. Then you 

will always appreciate it on your wall, 

and perhaps it will increase in value 

while it’s there as a bonus. 

Buyers have so many options on how 

to bid, whether they leave a bid with us 

(known as a commission bid), go for 

online bidding (live during the 

sale through one of the bidding 

platforms), on the telephone 

(with a member of staff when 

the lot comes up for sale) or 

by being in the room with 

us as the auction 

” 

takes place. 

During Covid we saw more 

people discovering the world of 

buying at auction and there has been 

an increase of bidders worldwide. 

Parker Fine Art Auctions 

have two Fine Paintings 

and Frames sales coming 

up on Thursday 6th June 

and Thursday 4th July. 

To find out more, browse 

illustrated catalogues, 

check viewing times or 

learn how to attend in 

Farnham, Surrey 

visit them online at 

parkerfineartauctions.com 

Upcoming and past lots, from top to bottom: 

1. Henri Moreau “Les Ballerines se Chaussant” 

Coming up for auction in June and July £2000- 

£3000 

2. George Clausen “A Wood Nymph” Sold for 

£30,000 

3. Attributed to Palma Vecchio (c1480-1528) 

Italian. The Madonna and Child with St John 

The Baptist and Mary Magdalene Sold for 

£52,500 

4. LS Lowry “The Fever Van” Sold for £9375 

4 

43 


Paddle 

We talk to TV legend and local 

celebrity Raj Bisram about how to 

get the most out of an auction 

Alongside appearances 

on much-loved BBC 

programmes Antiques 

Roadshow, Antiques Road Trip 

and Channel 4’s Four Rooms, 

Raj Bisram’s day job is founding 

director of Bentley’s Auctioneers 

& Valuers in Cranbrook (and 

Mayor of Cranbrook too!) so he 

is more than qualified to explain 

the appeal of buying at auction. 

For many of us, the first 

experience of an auction is 

through the media of television, 

whether it be BBC Bargain 

Hunt, Antiques Road Trip or 

Flog-It! But if the thought of 

attending an auction in real 

life fills you with the dread of 

accidentally buying a priceless 

vase, the reality is very different. 

Buying at auction is much 

easier than you think and 

can give you access to items 

that would be very difficult 

to find on the high street, at 

prices that are a fraction of the 

cost. Do, however, factor in 

that all auction houses charge 

a commission on top of the 

hammer price that will be 

added on to your final bill. 

2025 will be our 30th year as 

a respected local auction house, 

and in that time our monthly 

sales have become a staple for 

both local and international 

buyers alike. With the advent 

of internet auction websites, 

we have extended our reach to 

all four corners of the globe, 

satisfying an ever-increasing 

international market. We pride 

ourselves in providing a large 

choice of quality and interesting 

items every month, normally 

amassing over 800 lots. From 

collectables, ceramics and 

furniture, to silver, jewellery, 

coins and fine art, our buyers 

always find what they want. 

Over the years we have sold 

many rarities, from a 19th 

century US 

lifesaving medal 

(£7,200) and a large 

Chinese bronze temple censor 

(£62,000) to rare Single Malt 

Scotch Whisky (£1,800) and a 

Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson 

dressing table (£11,400). But 

it is not just the higher value 

lots that sell well – many 

buyers go home with a personal 

bargain piece of furniture or 

object to adorn their home. 

Why not come along to one 

of our sales soon and enjoy 

the experience for yourself? 

“ ” 

Come and meet Raj at Wealden 

Times Midsummer Fair at Hole 

Park! He’ll be there between 10am 

and midday on Thursday 6th June, 

so whether you want a picture with 

the local mayor, are looking for 

some antiques advice or just want to 

say hello, he would be delighted to 

meet you! See wealdentimes-fair.co.uk 

and bentleysfineartauctioneers.co.uk 

Some memorable Bentley’s 

lots, clockwise from above: 

Rare Russian painting by 

Vasily Vereshchagin – sold for 

£15,000; Rare early Chinese 

bronze temple censor – sold for 

£62,000; Robert ‘Mouseman’ 

Thompson dressing table 

– sold for £11,400; 19th 

century US lifesaving 

medal – sold for £7,200 

istockphoto.com/ nadia_bormotova 


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45 


Down a quiet country 

lane, enveloped by 

stunning countryside, 

Crabtree Farm has 

provided Andrew 

Jenkinson and his 

family with the space 

they needed to breathe, 

after many years spent 

in London. Following 

extensive renovation 

work, the farm is now 

ready to share its idyllic 

surroundings with guests 

who come to stay in the 

converted outbuildings 

Maybe it was his 

upbringing in a small 

fishing village on the 

east coast of Yorkshire. Maybe it 

was the relentless nature of twenty 

years spent at the heart of London’s 

media industry, at one of the 

UK’s biggest advertising agencies. 

Whatever the ultimate pull, for 

former Creative Director Andrew 

Jenkinson, the return to a more 

rural existence was too strong to 

resist. In September 2019 Andrew, 

along with his jewellery designer 

wife Rachel Jackson, decided to 

make the move and left London 

with their two young children for 

rural Kent, to pursue a complete 

change of lifestyle and for Andrew, 

a complete change of career. 

Crabtree Farm comprises a 17th 

century Grade II listed farmhouse 

and an array of outbuildings (a 

sheep shed, stables, barn and a 

granary) all nestled on a quiet 

country lane on the outskirts of 

Hastingleigh on the Kent Downs. 

Surrounded by bucolic fields, with 

chickens and sheep roaming, along 

with some free-range children, it is 

easy to see why the family wanted 

to rediscover a different way of 

life away from the hustle and 

bustle of the city. It was, however, 

a move that was not without its 

setbacks. “It really wasn’t easy, to be 

honest,” says Andrew. “We started 

looking way before Covid hit and it 

took two years to finally get here. We 

began our search in Oxfordshire, as 

we needed to be in the circumference 

of London so Rachel could still get to 

work. But then it was for a farm in 

Tenterden, Kent that we put in our 

Andrew has developed a range 

of healthy recipes which he hopes 

guests will try out with their 

families during their stay “I really 

wanted the kitchen to work for 

people who like cooking.” 


46

Words: Antonia Deeson 

Photographs: David Merewether 

The ultimate 

family getaway 

first offer. We fell in love with it but 

missed out when we found ourselves 

in a contract race, just weeks before 

we were due to complete. Crabtree 

Farm happened quite quickly after, as 

we were in rented accommodation at 

this point and needed to move. It was 

a bit of a shock! One minute we were 

in a small, modern flat in London and 

suddenly we found ourselves in a very 

run-down house, set within ten acres 

of land and an infestation of European 

hornets. We were so unprepared: we 

had one car, no wifi, no phone signal 

and knew no one. I thought I would 

love it, but even though it had been 

me pushing to make the move out of 

London, it took me longer to settle 

than Rachel, who actually fell in love 

with the farm much faster than I did.” 

Five years later and with most of the 

work on the main farmhouse nearly 

completed, for Andrew and Rachel, 

the dream is finally becoming reality. 

The family initially decided to focus 

on getting the holiday business up and 

running first in order to finance the 

47 


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Ditton Garages, Southville Road, Thames Ditton, KT7 0UL

This page: The open plan living space has been designed to work for socialising and maximising guest enjoyment. “We used to collect 

pottery from Turn & Earth in London so there’s a lot of our pottery in the stable, as well as our artwork that we sourced from galleries 

in places like Frome in Somerset, as well as work made by Art at the Farm, at the Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford,” says Andrew. 

rest of the major renovation project. 

“There were some holiday lets already 

here,” says Andrew, “but they were 

really run down and very poorly done. 

We moved into one of them in order 

to start the work and began converting 

the two stables and the granary (where 

we now live). The adjoining sheep shed 

was connected to the main house and 

granary and is now a large open plan 

kitchen, as I love food and cooking.” 

Andrew has developed a range of 

healthy recipes including juices and 

smoothies, sweet treats and main meals, 

all listed on the Crabtree Farm website, 

which he hopes guests will try out 

with their families during their stay. 

The overall vision for Crabtree 

Farm is to offer a place where friends 

and families can connect with one 

another. “One day we would like 

49 


Above: Next to the main bedroom, a family bathroom 

has a huge walk-in wet room area and a generous freestanding 

bath, all from Drench Left: The careful renovation 

has left many of the stables’ original timbers exposed, 

carefully blending the old with the contemporary 

to share our beautiful farm with much larger groups. 

The first phase will sleep 18 people and once the barn 

is converted this will extend to 26,” says Andrew who, 

along with Rachel, plans to run holistic, experiential 

retreats that are rooted in food, the arts and wellness. 

Currently the two-bedroom stables, North and South, 

are both available as holiday lets, having been beautifully 

renovated by the couple. The North Stable is both pet and 

family friendly and available to rent via Petspyjamas.com 

(the South Stable is pet-free). All the building work 

has been done by Andrew, who also renovates historic 

properties, when he is not working on Crabtree Farm. 

The couple’s passion for interiors and for garden 

design is apparent throughout the stunning and very 

sympathetic renovation. A modern rustic aesthetic has 

been employed by Andrew and Rachel, who have aimed 

to be as sustainable as possible with their choices. “We 

took out the gas and oil and put in air source pumps and 

will be using solar power for the entire farm. We have 

used locally sourced materials wherever possible and we 

recycle whatever we can. Eventually we want the entire 

farm to be self-sufficient and for families to be able to 

come down and live off grid during their stay with us.” 

Despite the back-to-nature narrative, there is still 


50

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This page: Reclaimed wood from a local barn adorns the walls of the bathroom, with a modern slate floor and stylish green wall 

tiles sourced from Mandarin Stone. A Tikamoon rough stone sink and free-standing bathroom vanity unit complete the look 

a nod to the chic interior design style 

of a luxury members club or hotel. 

From the modern artworks to the 

reclaimed dark stained wood walls, 

from the hand thrown pottery to the 

attention to detail across all the fixtures 

and fittings. The fashionable deep 

purple wooden kitchen was made by 

Andrew during lockdown, with an oak 

kitchen worktop and beautiful Buster 

& Punch handles. “I am a foodie 

and so I really wanted the kitchen to 

work for people who like cooking,” 

says Andrew. “I hate it when you stay 

somewhere and there are no decent 

utensils. There’s a set of really sharp 

knives, decent stove and hob, a good 

bottle opener (which is so good they 

often go walkabout!) great tableware 

and glasses, so it’s a pleasure to eat and 

drink while you are staying here. I’m 

also happy to lend out cooking utensils 

to people, so if you need a hydrator, a 

meat thermometer or even a mixer for 

a bit of baking, then you can have it!” 

The sense of offering their guests 

a complete home-away-from-home 

experience, is something the couple 

have striven to achieve across all their 

decisions regarding the renovation and 

interior/exterior design. “We used to 

collect pottery from Turn & Earth in 

London so there’s a lot of our pottery 

in the stable, as well as our artwork 

that we sourced from galleries in 

places like Frome in Somerset, as well 

as work made by Art at the Farm, at 

the Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford,” 

says Andrew. The kitchen, the open 

plan living room with contemporary 

L shape sofa, the dining area with 

wooden table and chairs, all have 

been sourced or designed to work 

for socialising and maximising their 

guests’ enjoyment. It’s chic, it’s cosy 

and it’s all been well considered. 

There are two bedrooms, a twin and 

a king. The twin rooms have beds by 

the Cast Iron Bed Company. The huge 

king sized velvet bed from Sofa.com in 

the double room was originally Andrew 

and Rachel’s bed in London, but it 

was too big to fit into the granary 

where the family are currently living. 

Bed linens come in linen or 100% 

Egyptian cotton from Zara Home and 

the Secret Linen Store. All the bedding 

is allergy free with a selection of pillows 

and duvet weights. The windows are 

all taken back to the original wood 

53 


This page: The velvet bed in the main bedroom is from Sofa.com, 

dressed in linen or 100% Egyptian cotton bed-linens from Zara 

Home and the Secret Linen Store. Mirroring the bathroom, 

reclaimed boards line the wall behind the bedhead 

with wooden Venetian blinds 

downstairs. Curtains and 

blinds in either linen or velvet 

are all lined with blackout 

fabric and handmade. The 

walls have been painted with a 

palette of relaxing and peaceful 

Little Greene and Farrow & 

Ball colours that mirror the 

location – grey, blue, green 

and stone. The floors are either 

carpeted or have been kept 

wooden, again adding to the 

sense of touch with the choice 

of all-natural materials. Andrew 

and Rachel have also added 

delightful touches of texture 

with sheepskins from the local 

sheep farmer and cushions 

in a variety of finishes, 

which they have combined 

with accessories and lighting 

from the likes of Abigail 

Ahern and Tala. The mix of 

comfortable and industrial 

perfectly mirroring the former 

agricultural use of the stables. 

A fabulous family bathroom 

has both a huge walk-in wet 

room area and a generous 

free-standing bath, all from 

Drench. Reclaimed wood from 

a local barn adorns the walls, 

with a modern slate floor and 

stylish green wall tiles from 

luxury retailer Mandarin 

Stone. A Tikamoon rough 

stone sink and free-standing 

bathroom vanity unit complete 

a room that would not 

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This page: The twin rooms 

have beds by the Cast Iron 

Bed Company with touches 

of texture added by sheepskins 

from the local sheep farmer 

and cushions in a variety of 

finishes; The original wood 

stable doors are simply glazed 

behind them where necessary 

look out of place in a five star hotel. 

The exteriors of the stables have 

been kept to a traditional vernacular 

of black feather boarding and Andrew 

and Rachel have kept the original 

wood stable doors and simply glazed 

behind them where necessary. Outside 

there are an array of benches, firepits 

and wellies, a children’s play area and 

a BBQ. Those looking to investigate 

the countryside that wraps itself 

around the farm, which is all very 

much part of the sense of community 

and family fun that Crabtree Farm 

embodies, are encouraged to investigate 

the farm’s fields. “We have so many 

birds and animals all around us, 

and we really love our guests to 

enjoy what we have to offer here. 

It’s a very special place and one that 

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56

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60

The Priceless Education Supplement 

5TopTips 

ready 

Help your child navigate exam season 

with help from the experts 

to get 

exam 

It is no secret that, for some students, the 

exam season represents a stressful time. 

Antony Nesling and Beverley Bloem, 

Diploma Coordinator and High School 

Counsellor at ACS International School 

Cobham, have shared their advice on how 

you can help your child conquer exam season 

without being negatively impacted by stress. 

Manage stress, don’t avoid it 

First and foremost, it’s important to 

recognise that exam season is not something 

your child can avoid. If the result of an exam 

matters to your child, it is inevitable that the 

possibility of not achieving their desired grades 

will create feelings of stress and anxiety. When 

these feelings occur, your child should not run or 

hide from them, but face them head on. This will 

enable you and your child to identify the trigger 

points and make a plan in order to deal with the 

feelings effectively, allowing them to work towards 

effectively utilising stress as a tool. Once your 

child can manage their stress effectively, they will 

be able to focus on the task at hand and do the 

best that they can. 

Master study time 

Somewhat linked with managing 

stress, mastering study time is arguably 

the most important thing students 

can do to help themselves during exam season. 

Most students will be revising for several subjects 

at once, all of which require a great level of 

understanding with a lot of information to learn 

– it can be overwhelming! Without a plan, your 

child could end up feeling as though they haven’t 

given each topic the time and attention they 

deserve. By creating a schedule for study time, 

your child will be able to visualise how much 

time they should spend on a subject, which will 

give them the confidence that they are sufficiently 

prepared. When creating this schedule, we would 

recommend making it a physical copy instead of 

digital. By having something tangible, your child 

will be able to keep it visible at all times to help 

keep them focused when revising. But this isn’t 

just to your child’s benefit; a physical schedule can 

also keep you in the loop on your child’s study 

time, and can help you aid your child’s focus 

and make sure that they’re accountable to their 

timetable. 

Avoid burn out 

Be careful of your child doing too 

much. If your child’s study time doesn’t 

account for adequate rest, recreational 

time and regular breaks, they might start to find 

themselves mentally unable to focus on the task 

at hand. Ensuring that your child looks after 

themselves in this period is just as important as 

revision. As cliché as it might seem, getting a 

good night’s sleep and eating healthy foods will 

help them recoup energy and maintain focus 

for longer which, in the end, will result in a 

more productive study session. Remember, every 

student is different: some students may not burn 

out for a whole day, some students it may be a few 

hours – but the important thing is that your child 

is honest with themselves, and you, about what 

rest they need in order to help them keep pushing 

forward in a productive manner. 

Develop a flexible routine 

Even with sufficient rest and a study 

schedule that allows for plenty of 

time for revision, it doesn’t necessarily 

61 

mean that your child will be in a healthy routine 

with study time. By having a rigid routine that’s 

focused solely on studying, your child may start 

to find that studying becomes a chore, and not an 

enjoyable part of the exam process. Our advice, 

would be to help implement a healthy, flexible 

routine that allows your child to enjoy their day, 

while also staying true to their original schedule. 

For example, a routine that involves having your 

breakfast, going for a walk, seeing some friends, 

and then revising, would be more enjoyable than 

waking up and revising for the same amount 

of time. A rigid routine that doesn’t account 

for enjoyment will ultimately become harder to 

follow, and as a result may turn your child away 

from wanting to revise. Flexibility allows them 

to take control of their own time, and with your 

support can maintain a healthy relationship with 

their study schedule. 

Redefine exams 

For our final suggestion, we 

recommend redefining what exams 

really mean. We often see students who 

stress over exams, and it’s easy to see how failure is 

their biggest fear during exam season. Exams are 

important for educational development, and of 

course, every student should work hard to be able 

to do their very best, but not getting their desired 

grade will not determine whether they will be 

happy or successful later on in life, or solely define 

their future. Help your child to embrace their 

own pathway, whatever that may look like. 

If you’d like to find out more about ACS 

International School Cobham, and how to 

visit on their next open day on Saturday 28th 

September visit their website online at 

acs-schools.com/cobham 



Back of the Net 

As we all cheer on the rise of girls football, we’re going behind the scenes at Queen Ethelburga’s 

to find out how our schools can meet the new demand and achieve some fantastic goals 

Supported by both excellent results by the 

Lionesses and an ambitious growth strategy 

by the FA, it is no surprise that women’s 

football was the fastest growing UK sport in 2023, 

according to the The Guardian. 

Since the 2022 Euro win, QE have seen a huge 

increase in the demand for girls’ football and so 

the decision was taken to separate the boys and 

girls football Performance Sport Pathway (PSP) to 

provide the girls’ team with their own dedicated 

coach who could fully get to know them as 

players, individuals and team members. 

As one Year 10 striker, Freya, says, “We pushed 

for PSP Girls Football and encouraged our friends 

to join so we could form a team but after the 

Euros, we suddenly had 4 teams; U13, U14, U15, 

U16!” 

U16 winger, Megan, who also plays for 

Clifford, adds, “I like being part of a non-main 

sports team. It promotes that we had a choice 

to play what we wanted to and not what was 

expected of us. Having our own coach has made 

such a difference because we study game scenarios 

like putting the ball through more defenders and 

reacting to losing the ball. He is great at reading 

our game and each of our abilities to help us find 

the right position and how to develop. We had 

skill before but not that much knowledge on how 

to apply it. Our team plays a cleaner game now.” 

The PSP offers girls in Years 7-13 the choice 

to train weekly both within the PE curriculum 

lessons in the day and as a team after school. Each 

student benefits from an Individual Development 

Plan that comprises of coaching, nutrition, 

strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, sports 

massage and the latest tactical, technical, physical 

and mental training. The programme allows 

“Having our own 

coach has made 

such a difference 

because we study 

game scenarios” 

for competing at a higher level and teaches 

responsibility, resilience, teamwork and leadership 

skills. It runs alongside a vast extra-curricular 

sport, activity and fitness programme and includes 

external talks and coaching sessions from scouts, 

coaches and industry professionals. 

Girls’ Football Coach, Sam Westhead says, 

“The reaction to the Girls’ PSP has been fantastic. 

Individually and collectively, the team have 

really developed through the amount of training 

and fixtures now on offer. The participation 

rates continue to grow, and we have entered 

multiple cup competitions across different age 

groups, where we have seen some really pleasing 

performances and results. I am looking forward 

to helping the girls continue the excellent progress 

they have made so far.” 

Lead Football Coach, Paul Bolland, comments, 

“Girls’ football continues to build momentum 

at QE, with lots of students taking advantage 

of curriculum lessons, activities and our PSP. 

The fantastic progress made has enabled us to 

play competitive fixtures in several national and 

local competitions this year, and I am excited to 

continue developing girls’ football at QE.” 

The PSP takes place in QE’s dedicated Sports 

Village on campus, which benefits from a 

25-metre swimming pool, triple court sports hall, 

gym and specialist studios. Outside, there is a 

four-lane synthetic cushioned running track and 

over 30 acres of professional grass and 3G artificial 

pitches, which are used in the summer holidays by 

Premier League U18 teams. 

For more information about the Girls’ Football 

PSP at QE and scholarships for girls’ football, 

visit qe.org or email admissions@qe.org to book a 

private tour. 


62

Thinking of changing your daughter’s school? 

Why not book a tour and see for yourself 

all that Seaton House has to offer? 

We are a small school with a family environment, 

putting wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. 

Exceptional academic success ensures that our girls 

leave us to attend the very best schools in the area. 

15 hours Early Years Funding accepted in our Nursery 

To book a tour or for any other enquiries, 

call our Admissions team on: 

020 8642 2332 

Or email: 

marketing@seatonhouse.sutton.sch.uk 

The finest 

start in life 

Ranked 2nd in the 

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Prep Schools 

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senior schools rank 1st & 7th in the north for academic performance 

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Girls 

& 

Boys 

Two schools tell us about the benefits of a single sex education 

The Granville School 

Gloria Steinem said, ‘Don’t think about 

making women fit the world – think 

about making the world fit women,’ 

and that is what we aim to do in an all-girls’ 

school. We do not need to make our girls ‘fit’ 

a curriculum that wasn’t specifically designed 

for them. We offer bespoke teaching, tailored 

carefully to the needs not only of girls as a 

gender, but to their individual requirements. We 

design our curriculum to suit our girls and we 

reap the rewards of every benefit a female-only 

classroom brings. 

Research repeatedly shows that girls in girls’ 

schools, consistently outperform their peers. 

A report by the Girls’ Schools Association in 

February 2024 demonstrated that, “the gap 

between girls in girls’ school and girls in co-ed 

schools is widening for most subjects,” and 

noted that traditionally ‘male’ subjects such 

as Computer Science, Maths and the natural 

sciences have a considerably higher uptake in 

girls’ schools than in co-educational schools. 

An all-girls’ education not only leads to higher 

attainment but also opens the door to the world 

of STEM. We see this at The Granville. Our pass 

rate for 11+ has been 100% for girls who attend 

from Reception to Year 6 and we are the largest 

single feeder into Sevenoaks School. We are nonselective 

and small, yet the education we offer 

packs a huge punch when it comes to results. 

Beyond the classroom, we also see huge 

benefits – there are no gender stereotypes to 

be bound by. Our extra-curricular programme 

offers, among others, Boxing, Jujitsu, Chess, 

Golf, Football and Coding. Nothing is out of 

reach and there are no glass ceilings here. Our 

girls grow up feeling that every opportunity is 

available to them. 

Female social dynamics in the primary age 

group can often look quite different to those 

for boys. Development both physically and 

emotionally does present differently between 

genders. Our expertise in supporting girls 

through our pastoral care system and more 

structured programmes such as Girls on Board, 

leads to great outcomes. Every girl is different but 

with a broad toolkit of skills and knowledge, we 

can enable each of them to thrive. 

granvilleschool.org 

The New Beacon 

What better start in life than being 

offered every available opportunity; 

making your choices based on your 

interests rather than a predetermined expectation 

– whether you choose to dress up, build a fort, 

ice biscuits or discover dinosaurs. We believe 

in inspiring children to try everything and 

therein lies the joy of a single sex education: 

no judgement, no inhibitions, no restrictions. 

Education should know no limits and children 

shouldn’t feel obliged to fit a stereotype. For our 

boys at The New Beacon, this is their reality. 

Far from cultivating a macho culture of toxic 

masculinity we see our boys queue up to audition 

for the Chapel Choir; no one thinks twice about 

taking on the female lead in a production or 

learning to play the harp. Space, sewing, cars, 

cookery, podcasting, pottery…it’s all fascinating 

and boys love to get involved and learn. We 

teach lacrosse alongside rugby, incorporate dance 

into fitness, embrace language acquisition and 

reading, and why wouldn’t we? We are teaching 

skills for life, for everyone. 

Developmentally, boys mature at a slower rate 

between the ages of 6 and 14, those crucial prep 

school years. They get bad press for impulsive, 

immature behaviour; finding themselves labelled 

competitive or thoughtless, for excitement, 

naivety and overexuberance. Constant 

comparison with girls and a sense of falling short 

is a surefire way to create anxiety and insecurity. 

As a result of our environment, our boys are far 

more likely to discuss social and emotional issues. 

They understand that asking for help isn’t a sign 

of weakness, it is the strongest thing they can do. 

We work collaboratively with girls’ schools, 

embracing diverse opinions and equal 

opportunities, whilst reinforcing the need to 

find one’s own identity. After all, it is when we 

are comfortable in our own skin, confidently 

pursuing our own interests, that we can engage 

respectfully and collaboratively with others. 

There is no need for resentment or discomfort 

when you recognise your own worth. We 

understand and celebrate boys – their humour, 

energy and exuberance. We want our boys to be 

themselves and we are here to help them discover 

the very best version. 

newbeacon.org.uk 

65 



Outside the Box 

We hear from two schools about how outdoor 

life is enhancing education 

Future 

Leaders 

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School 

explain how they foster resilience and growth 

In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, 

where adaptability and fortitude reign 

supreme, the quest for exceptional leadership 

and resilience has never been more crucial. Parents, 

recognising the paramount importance of these 

attributes, seek schools which actively cultivate 

these qualities in their students. 

Enter The Duke of York’s Royal Military 

School, a champion of exceptional learning where 

leadership and resilience aren’t just theoretical 

concepts but lived realities. Fondly referred to as 

Dukies, students here are not only educated but 

nurtured to excel, armed with the essential tools 

and mindset to emerge as the leaders of tomorrow. 

The crucible of this transformative journey lies in 

the acknowledgment that leadership and resilience 

is honed through hands-on experience. 

The Great 

Outdoors 

Joff Powis, Head of Vinehall Schoo,l explains 

the benefits of Outdoor Learning 

In the realm of education, the allure of the 

great outdoors is often overshadowed by the 

structured confines of traditional classroom 

settings. However, the paradigm is shifting, and 

prep schools are increasingly recognising the 

invaluable benefits of incorporating outdoor 

learning into their curriculum. At Vinehall we 

are embracing this and witnessing first-hand 

the positive impact this is having on our school 

community. Our vision is to create a dedicated 

outdoor classroom deep within our exceptional 

grounds through which we will unlock 

numerous benefits for the children, empowering 

them with skills and knowledge that extend far 

beyond traditional classroom settings. 

Through outdoor exploration and firsthand 

observation, pupils cultivate a grasp of subjects 

like geography and biology, sparking a 

fervour for learning that transcends the school 

environment. Nature serves as an expansive 

and varied classroom, teeming with chances for 

creative expression and experiential learning. 

Exposure to natural environments on a regular 

basis has been associated with decreased 

stress levels, improved mental wellbeing, and 

enhanced focus and concentration. Stepping 

beyond the walls of the customary classroom 

allows children to breathe in fresh air, absorb 

vitamin D from sunlight, and enjoy the 

therapeutic effects of nature. An outdoor 

learning classroom reflects Vinehall’s dedication 

to nurturing the holistic development of pupils 

by prioritising their physical and mental health. 

We hope to instil in our pupils a lifelong 

commitment to maintaining a healthy approach 

to learning and life. 

Beyond its academic and physical benefits, 

outdoor learning cultivates a profound sense of 

environmental stewardship and appreciation for 

the natural world. An outdoor classroom will 

provide a unique platform to educate children 

about sustainability, habitats, climate change, 

and the importance of preserving our natural 

areas. 

The benefits of outdoor learning are farreaching. 

By integrating outdoor experiences 

into the curriculum, schools can empower 

pupils to become curious, resilient, and 

environmentally conscious individuals who are 

prepared to tackle the challenges of the 21st 

century. vinehallschool.com 

Here, adventure is a vehicle for personal 

growth and character development. Through 

meticulously curated adventure training, the Duke 

of Edinburgh’s Award, and Combined Cadet 

Force trips, students are thrust into challenging 

environments where they must navigate obstacles, 

overcome adversity, and collaborate with their 

peers under pressure. Whether it’s scaling rugged 

peaks, braving the elements, or an exhilarating 

abseil down a 150ft viaduct, these expeditions 

instil the invaluable traits of resilience, adaptability, 

and resourcefulness. Overseas expeditions see 

Dukies exploring and taking part in volunteer 

programmes, such as building schools for 

underprivileged children. They learn the 

importance of clear communication, strategic 

planning, and decisive action. 

Students not only benefit from an all-round 

education but also state-of-the-art facilities, 

outstanding pastoral support, and unparalleled 

opportunities for personal and academic growth. 

The ethos of full boarding fosters maturity and 

independence; nurturing individuals who are 

academically and socially adept, culturally aware, 

and emotionally resilient. It equips students with 

the skills and mindset required for leadership 

and fosters the unconquerable spirit to confront 

life’s challenges head-on, and ready to lead with 

distinction in an ever-changing world. 

doyrms.com 


66

BEING THE BEST 

I CAN BE STARTS 

WITH BEING 

RIGHT HERE. 

Making your mark on the world begins on day one at Sir William Perkins’s School. 

Every student is supported to pursue their passions, whilst working to the highest educational standards. 

An independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18. 

Book your place at an open event at swps.org.uk 

Guildford Road, Cherstey, KT16 9BN Tel. 01932 574 900 admissions@swps.org.uk

What’s your 

next move? 

OPEN 

MORNING 

Saturday 5th 

October 2024 

10am - 12pm 

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01428 604 808 • registrar@saintedmunds.co.uk 

saintedmunds.co.uk 

BOOK HERE 

“A busy school with a kind heart… 

happy pupils thrive and do well.” 

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ANNUAL OPEN DAY 

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28 SEPTEMBER 2024 

reigategrammar.org | @reigategrammar Visit rgs.to/open to register or book a private tour 


68

SLive at the Coliseum 

Benenden School perform historic 

first at the London Coliseum 

Benenden School recently made history twice – not 

only being the first school to ever perform at the 

London Coliseum, but also putting on the first ever 

production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor 

Dreamcoat on the iconic Coliseum stage. 

As part of the school’s centenary celebrations, students 

dazzled audiences with their interpretation of the hit musical 

made famous by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice – 

certainly rising to the challenge of performing in London’s 

largest theatre in London’s West End. Students were no 

doubt encouraged by the presence of Roger Watson, the 

show’s original producer, in the audience. This was 

alongside a heartfelt message written by Sir Tim Rice, 

which featured in the production’s programme. 

Sir Tim Rice said: “I’m delighted, 

and frankly amazed, that 

Benenden are to 

perform Joseph 

at the London 

Absolutely Wizard 

Manor House School report on their recent 

heart-warming drama production 

Coliseum and I’m very grateful that they want to do this. 

Joseph was written in 1968 and I still find it extraordinary 

that so many theatrical presentations from schools to 

Broadway keep returning to the show.” This once-in-ageneration 

performance was made possible by Benenden’s 

partnership with the English National Opera, allowing the 

production to go ahead in a venue usually not available 

to schools. Benenden’s partnership with ENO extends 

beyond the Coliseum performance, however, as Benenden 

continues to partner with the organisation to deliver opera 

workshops in partner prep and primary schools – in an 

initiative aimed at introducing new audiences to opera. 

Samantha Price, Headmistress said: “The performance at 

the historic London Coliseum was certainly a highlight 

of our centenary celebrations and one that we will always 

cherish. I would like to thank the very many people that 

made this performance possible, from the cast and crew to 

those ‘behind the scenes’ – your work is hugely appreciated 

and will have created memories that will last a lifetime. 

Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat is a production 

that resonates with the universal themes of 

resilience, dreams and the power of unity 

– certainly a fitting choice to reflect 

the ethos of Benenden School.” 

benenden.school 

Last term, pupils in the Senior School came together to 

perform over three nights for their Senior Production, The 

Wizard of Oz, and what a show it was. 

The school hall was transformed into Kansas and the Emerald 

City as Seniors performed a remarkable and heart-warming 

show. With unforgettable songs and clever choreography it was 

a show that we will not forget. The well known storyline was 

delivered through outstanding performances from our very 

talented cast including over 140 pupils from the Prep School. 

One of our school values is #creativeandcollaborative which 

inspires our approach to producing a School Production. Sets 

are designed and created by our GCSE Drama group. Pupils 

are involved in making props, designing the lighting, assisting 

with hair and make-up, and operating the sound desks. The 

team always find creative ways to make costumes and sets. 

Behind a great show is always a hard working back stage crew. 

Manor House School encourages participation and inclusivity. 

There is a role for everyone in our school drama productions. 

Congratulations to the lighting and sound teams on expertly 

tackling a very technically challenging Senior Production and 

putting on such a fantastic performance! No-one would have 

guessed it was the first time they had operated a show. Thanks 

to DS Lighting for their support. 

We deliberately choose challenging productions and aim for a 

range of performances that involve girls playing male roles, to 

very good effect. 

When the show ‘wrapped’ on the last night, the girls enjoyed a 

fun after party with dancing and much needed food! 

We now look forward to our Prep School Production, Shrek. 

manorhouseschool.org 


From the Art 

News about 

some impressive 

productions 

69 



Home 

from 

Home 

Creating the right environment for 

children to thrive in Early Years can 

be a delicate balance, we talk to local 

schools to find out how it’s done 

“At regular intervals each day, children 

have opportunities for mindfulness” 

Mother of five and experienced 

educator, Amanda Burton 

Smith, Head of Pre-Prep at 

Feltonfleet school in Cobham, understands 

the importance of robust home-school 

connection for unlocking the full potential 

of young children. Advocating for strong 

home:school collaboration from the 

outset, Amanda believes this connection 

should extend beyond the interpersonal 

to include a supportive, homely, physical 

environment. 

Over seven years of leadership 

at Feltonfleet, Amanda has led a 

transformation of Feltonfleet’s buildings 

and gardens. Departing from the busy, 

vivid colour schemes that we may 

remember from our own infant school 

days, Feltonfleet’s educational spaces exude 

calm and tranquillity. Opting for a neutral 

palette, design choices promote a sustained 

focus and reduce the visual noise that can 

distract or even distress young children, 

ensuring that classrooms seamlessly mirror 

the comforting atmospheres of pupils’ 

homes. This thoughtful and deliberate 

approach facilitates a smoother transition 

between home and school each day, 

contributing to an environment where 

children feel a sense of familiarity and ease. 

Recognising transition points as 

potential sources of anxiety for some 

young children, Amanda and her team 

have implemented measures to embed 

calm and comfort throughout the day. 

Experienced and well-known staff 

members provide wraparound care, 

offering reassuring familiarity to pupils 

during handovers from and back to 

parents. Structured activities in mixed 

age ‘family style’ groups contribute to a 

relaxed atmosphere, which extends from 

06:30 – 18:30, to help parents juggle the 

school day around busy schedules. “Family 

service” meals, where pupils eat with 

teachers, contribute to a home-from-home 

dining experience, reinforcing positive role 

modelling of table manners and a sense of 

community within the school mealtime 

environment. 

The use of authentic resources 

and natural materials strengthens the 

connection between home and school, as 

well as the broader world. By mirroring 

real-life objects found in pupils’ homes, 

these resources foster a sense of belonging 

and engagement in imaginative play 

relevant to their lives outside of school. 

Wooden resources including a wide 

range of blocks, poles and planks enable 

children to experience a sense of openended 

flow in their play, fostering a sense 

of responsibility, reducing stereotypical 

choices that pink and blue plastic toys 

so often entrench, not to mention the 

positive impact on sustainability. At 

regular intervals each day, children have 

opportunities for mindfulness, using 

techniques they are taught, in which they 

experience calm, inner peace, often with 

soft lighting, a bubble tube or even under 

a leafy canopy in the forest. 

The result is an environment where 

every child feels at home and flourishes, 

enjoying each stage of their development. 

admissions@feltonfleet.co.uk 

feltonfleet.co.uk 01932 862264 


70


“The children’s 

love of learning 

is nurtured 

through play, 

guided by 

experienced 

teachers...” 

Ffion Robinson, Head of Churcher’s College 

Junior School and Nursery tells us about how 

they create the right conditions for children to 

thrive 

A happy, relaxed child will learn best 

Churcher’s College offers an exceptional Early Years 

education where we believe unleashing a child’s spirit 

sparks their wonder of learning. We think that a happy, 

relaxed child will learn best. 

The children’s love of learning is nurtured through 

play, guided by our experienced teachers, allowing them 

to blossom and grow. Our dedicated and qualified team 

put the children at the heart of school life. 

A green and leafy location 

Churcher’s girls and boys run and play freely, enjoying 

our expansive, leafy campus; they relish learning 

outdoors every day in our countryside setting. Located 

just off the South Downs in Liphook, Hampshire, we 

are conveniently positioned just one hour from London, 

on the borders of Surrey and West Sussex. 

Joining us 

The main entry point is at Nursery where we 

welcome children the term after their third birthday. 

Joining Nursery ensures the children benefit from 

establishing routines, meeting teachers and feeling at 

home in their surroundings, which will lead to an easy 

start to formal school in Reception. There are limited 

places also available in Reception, which are in high 

demand, please do get in touch if you are considering 

this entry point. 

Early Years funding for Nursery & Reception 

Early Years Funding is available for children from the 

term after the pupil turns 3 years old and for Reception 

children up to and including the term in which they 

turn 5 years old. 

We would love to welcome your son or daughter 

to our caring Churcher’s family and look forward to 

meeting you and your little ones soon. 

churcherscollege.com 

71 



Happy to Learn 

We speak to schools about their approach to the all-important subject of wellbeing 

Fostering Wellbeing at Ashford School: 

Nurturing Children from Nursery to 18 

An unfortunate confluence of rapid cultural, technological and 

social change has contributed to a widespread sense of unease and 

tension in teenagers. Younger children also seem to be showing 

increased amounts of low-level discontent. All-through settings, 

like Ashford School, have a particular insight into childhood 

wellbeing because we educate children from nursery to sixth form. 

Our reputation for academic excellence and for producing 

charming and articulate young adults depends on having pupils 

who are in the right frame of mind to learn. Understanding the 

causes of mental stress increasingly depends on our expertise, 

not just in education, but in wellbeing and mental resilience. 

In response to the growing demand for mental health support, 

many schools, including Ashford School, have invested in 

the people and spaces to provide comprehensive support and 

intervention strategies for pupils. Recognising the connection 

between academic success and emotional wellbeing, some schools 

have implemented programmes that prioritise mental health within 

the curriculum and also as part of their co-curricular activities. 

From the integration of mindfulness practices and emotional 

intelligence workshops, to the establishment of dedicated 

counselling services and peer support networks, schools have 

to start actively fostering a culture of empathy, resilience and 

self-care. By nurturing positive relationships and creating 

safe spaces for expression, educators and mental health 

professionals alike are empowering students to navigate the 

complexities of adolescence with confidence and resilience. 

The ultimate goal of wellbeing provision in schools is to cultivate 

a generation of happier, healthier, and more resilient individuals 

who are equipped to thrive academically and socially. By addressing 

the root causes of anxiety and fostering a supportive system of care, 

schools and families can help make positive outcomes that extend far 

beyond the classroom and boost academic results. ashfordschool.co.uk 


Happy Children and Academic Success go Hand in Hand 

at Longacre School, Ben Moir, Interim Head explains 

Longacre School is testament to the fact that happy children 

achieve high levels of academic success. When Miss Ursula 

Fairfax-Cholmeley founded the school in 1946, she created 

the motto, ‘A happy heart goes all the way’. Over 75 years 

on this is still very much part of the school’s ethos and proof 

that happiness and academic success go ‘hand in hand’. 

Happy children achieve more in the classroom due to several 

interconnected factors that contribute to their overall wellbeing 

and academic success. Most importantly, happiness creates a 

positive mindset, which is conducive to learning and problemsolving. 

When children are happy, they are more likely to 

approach challenges with resilience and enthusiasm, rather than 

with apprehension or fear of failure. At Longacre we regularly use 

the acronym FAIL and ask the children to consider the concept 

of failure as their ‘First Attempt In Learning’. We encourage the 

children to learn from their mistakes by re-evaluating their previous 

approach to the question, or the ideas and evidence they express. 

Additionally, happy children often have stronger social 

and emotional skills – essential for success both inside 

and outside the classroom. They are more adept at 

building relationships, collaborating with their peers and 

communicating effectively with teachers, all of which are 

conducive to a supportive learning environment. 

With a masterful balancing of the curriculum, our confident 

and aspirational children at Longacre make an additional thirtynine 

months’ value added progress. A love of reading is crucial to 

life-long success and is very much embedded in daily school life. 

The relationship between happiness and academic achievement is 

fundamental to our educational philosophy and how we approach 

life at Longacre. By creating a supportive and nurturing environment 

that prioritises the wellbeing of children, we also help ensure that all 

children have the opportunity to thrive academically and personally. 

Longacre School is a Co-Educational School taking children 

between the ages of 2 and 11, based just five miles outside 

Guildford, in Shamley Green. The school prides itself on happy 

children, who are able to be the individuals they want to be. 

The children have woods to explore, time to enjoy the fresh 

air, and encouragement to get muddy. longacre.surrey.sch. 

72

Discover Reigate Grammar School: 

Where Care Meets Excellence 

“They don’t care what you know 

until they know that you care.” So 

says Reigate Grammar School (RGS) 

Headteacher Shaun Fenton. His 

mantra encapsulates the ethos of RGS, 

underpinning everything we believe 

about the mental wellbeing of our 

students. It is at the core of everything 

we do, ensuring that children feel 

valued, understood and secure among 

friends, looked after by caring adults. 

Our acclaimed wellbeing programme 

emphasises the importance of mental 

health, providing students with a 

‘toolkit’ to navigate the challenges 

and opportunities of the modern 

world. We aim to help students find 

their own balance and fulfilment 

in our busy community. Wellbeing 

at RGS goes beyond happiness; it 

involves understanding how our 

bodies and minds function and 

learning to care for ourselves through 

life’s natural ups and downs. 

In today’s world, the pressures on 

teenagers are unprecedented. From 

the climate emergency to geopolitical 

conflicts and natural disasters, 

uncertainty is a constant. The RGS 

Wellbeing Programme equips students 

to handle whatever life throws at them, 

fostering resilience and adaptability. 

We encourage students to step outside 

their comfort zones, learn from 

experiences, and grow in a safe, supportive 

environment. Learning about their 

minds and bodies helps students respond 

effectively when challenges arise, fostering 

qualities such as energy, determination, 

acceptance, common sense, kindness, 

concentration, joy, and resilience. 

Every student at RGS has a peer 

mentor and buddy, with Upper Sixth 

Form students supporting new joiners. 

Heads of Year advance with their year 

groups, and form tutors stay with 

classes through Lower School, Upper 

School (GCSE years), and Sixth Form 

(A Levels and BTECs). This continuity 

provides stability and allows form tutors 

to deeply understand each student, 

offering personalised support. 

Our Wellbeing Programme permeates 

all aspects of school life. Delivered 

through electives, PSHEE lessons, 

workshops, assemblies, and themed 

days, it’s an integral part of our 

holistic approach to education. 

We invite you to experience the unique 

environment of Reigate Grammar School. 

Join us on our next Open Day to meet 

our dedicated staff, tour our school 

with students, and see first hand why 

RGS is the perfect place for your child’s 

education. Visit our website or contact our 

admissions office for more information. 

We look forward to welcoming you to 

the RGS family. reigategrammar.org. 

A leading independent day school for girls and boys 3 - 18 

73 


Offering a 

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74


We are the 

Champions 

Sir William Perkins’s School explain the importance of championing 

the individual as they lead the way in personalised education 

At Sir William Perkins’s School, the ethos 

of championing the individual is not just a 

motto but a way of life. A girls’ senior school 

in Chertsey, Surrey catering for students aged 

11-18, it goes beyond the traditional confines 

of education to nurture talent, ambition and 

generosity in every student. Recognising that 

each student possesses unique talents, interests 

and commitments, the school eschews a onesize-fits-all 

approach in favour of tailoring 

curriculums to meet individual needs. 

One of the hallmarks of the school’s approach 

is its emphasis on providing support for 

students who have talents and commitments 

beyond the classroom. Whether it be in 

the arts, sports, or other areas, Sir William 

Perkins’s School understands that a wellrounded 

education encompasses more 

than just academic achievement. Through 

personalised learning plans and individualised 

curriculums, students are empowered 

to pursue their passions while 

excelling academically. 

Curiosity, ambition, and 

generosity form the cornerstone 

of the school’s values, shaping not 

only the academic curriculum but 

also the overall ethos of the institution. 

Encouraging a spirit of enquiry and 

exploration, Sir William Perkins’s School 

instils a lifelong love of learning in 

students. Ambition is celebrated and 

nurtured, with students encouraged to set lofty 

goals and strive for excellence in all endeavours. 

Moreover, the school fosters a culture 

of community, instilling in students a 

sense of responsibility to give back and 

make a positive impact on the world. 

In a world where cookie-cutter education 

often fails to accommodate the diverse needs 

and talents of students, Sir William Perkins’s 

School stands out as a beacon of personalised 

learning and individualised support. A recent 

review by Talk Education cites the school as 

having “Stellar academics…combined with 

a fantastic co-curricular programme (it has 

a particularly fine reputation in rowing)” 

and applauds the school for “ensuring 

pupils’ individuality continues to be 

championed – there are no identikit 

girls here, just high-achievers in 

charge of their own future.” 

By putting the needs of each student front 

and centre, the school not only prepares 

them for academic success but also drives 

the values and skills needed to make a 

meaningful impact on the world. 

Come and visit us at one of our 

open events in September. 

Find out more at swps.org.uk 

“Through personalised learning plans 

and individualised curriculums, students 

are empowered to pursue their passions 

while excelling academically.” 

75

www.hazelwoodschool.co.uk 

01833 733841 

Dare to 

IMAGINE 

Dare to break down the conventions of the 

everyday and discover something new. 

Discover Hazelwood, an exceptional prep school for children aged 9 months to 13 years, nestled in 25 

acres of Surrey woodlands, offering one-of-a-kind learning opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, 

and boundless possibilities. 

Discover more by booking a tour today. 

Admissions@hazelwoodschool.com 

@HazelwoodSchool 

Hazelwood-240501_Library ad_210x297mm_Wealden Times.indd 1 13/05/2024 13:20


Meet theHead 

We’ve been getting to know Lindie Louw, Head of Hazelwood School 

Hazelwood School is a coeducational Nursery and 

Prep School set amongst 25 acres of woodlands 

on the Surrey Kent border. We enjoyed hearing 

about their forward-thinking approach. 

What led you to work in education? 

I spent my childhood in South Africa playing 

the piano, singing or pretending to teach – I 

would annotate music for my imaginary 

pupils. And so my love of music led me to 

education but Hazelwood is the place that 

really inspired me, it’s where I fell in love with 

teaching. It opened my eyes to the wonder of 

working with this age group where we have 

children in our care for this magical window. 

When I first arrived here and stood in the 

chapel and looked out at the view I thought, 

this is a beautiful place to learn and a wonderful 

place to teach. Years later, I read the diary of 

one of the founders of the school and they’d 

expressed exactly the same sentiment. This 

really is a special and inspiring place. 

How do you view your role? 

My focus is to do right by the young people in 

our care, to inspire them and also to keep abreast 

of the latest in education, to stay innovative. 

We’re a down-to-earth school – in a lovely 

countryside setting – but we dream big for 

our children. At Hazelwood we see education 

through a very modern lens whilst still paying 

heed to tradition. One of the many joys of my 

role is having the scope to undertake in-depth 

research and ensure we keep up to date with 

advances to equip our children for the future. 

I think it’s incredibly important to be ambitious 

for the children in this sector. Research shows 

that we can have a huge impact on their thinking 

and approach to learning at this age, which lasts 

a lifetime. Our students will need to be able to 

adapt to change and so we’re teaching the skills 

now that will equip them to make the most of 

opportunities throughout their lives in an everchanging 

fast-paced world. It’s vital we instil values 

of respect, critical thinking and compassion, to 

help them become the positive changemakers 

needed in today’s society. This coupled with 

the rise of AI will increase the need for ‘human 

centred’ skills such as creativity, empathy, strong 

communication skills and problem-solving – all of 

which will be vital alongside good exam results. 

In my opinion, young people today are 

far better at understanding their place 

in the world than we are as adults. 

“At Hazelwood we 

see education through 

a very modern lens, 

whilst still paying 

heed to tradition.” 

What’s new at Hazelwood? 

In 2018, drawing on our research, we created 

the BOX – an adaptable learning space enabled 

for digital learning. It’s been such a huge success 

with the children that we’re now extending the 

concept and opening new dynamic, flexible 

learning spaces to encourage our children to 

learn in the way that is most effective for them, 

to stimulate them and encourage curiosity. The 

classrooms will accommodate collaborative 

working and independent learning. There will 

be moveable furniture, living walls, quiet spaces, 

plus the latest in education-related technology. 

Also inspired by feedback from our children, 

we’re extending our Electives Programme for 

our Years 7 & 8 and so Friday afternoons will 

be devoted to the pursuit of a wide range of 

enrichment subjects such as forensic science, 

fashion design, food tech, debating, graphics and 

life-saving – to name but a few. It’s a wonderful 

way to help them make connections across 

the curriculum and discover new passions. 

We have also just launched our fabulous 

new website which is a great source of 

information about all things Hazelwood. 

How do you prioritise wellbeing at Hazelwood? 

We pride ourselves on our warm and nurturing 

environment and our promotion of looking after 

one another and those in the wider community 

– our children are global citizens. We’ve 

implemented a comprehensive programme which 

involves the entire school community; wellbeing 

is woven throughout the fabric of our school 

life. We hold dedicated Wellbeing Days when 

pupils and staff alike can choose from a variety 

of activities which promote mental health such 

as animal petting, Reiki massage, crafting, sports, 

board games and plenty besides. We also have 

trained mental health first aiders to give pupils 

support when needed and also tools to manage 

their own wellbeing. Our online Wellbeing 

Hub can be accessed by staff, parents and pupils 

aged 10 and above and is a fabulous resource 

full of tools, links and signposts to experts. 

This term we celebrated ‘The Power of Me’ 

which encouraged the children to identify and 

celebrate the uniqueness of everyone. Throughout 

the term they had opportunities to showcase 

their particular strengths and dreams and 

champion those of one another. It was really 

wonderful to see the impact on them all. 

To find out more about Hazelwood School at 

hazelwoodschool.co.uk 

77 



Aiming 

HIGH 

We look to sixth form and beyond with two of 

our schools 

Sixth Gear 

Want to know how to successfully transition to sixth form? Head of Queen 

Ethelburga’s College, Steven Turner, shares five steps to get you to sixth 

Be Prepared 

Studying for your A Levels will be 

much harder than GCSEs. The 

course content you need to cover, 

the quantity of work you need 

to submit, the depth of research and the 

amount of independent study may come 

as a surprise to you in September. Use 

your summer holiday to relax but also to 

prepare. Are there educational visits that 

you could undertake over the holidays? 

Can you practice a skill or technique or 

learn something additional that will help 

you and build your knowledge? 

Get Organised 

Think about how you are going to 

organise all your deadlines. Will 

you use a planner, diary or an app 

like Trello or Asana. Will you organise 

your projects by date or subject. Would 

it help to use colour coding or separate 

folders and books for each subject. Put 

your chosen system in place before term 

starts. Research clubs you can join for 

your mental wellbeing and source work 

experience and extra-curricular clubs that 

might enhance your studies. 

Build an Effective Study Routine 

Create a timetable for your week 

and identify blocks of time 

suitable for study. Consider what 

is realistic and whether you are a morning 

person or a night owl – work with your 

own body clock. Within your timetable, 

create ‘catch up’ blocks to create some 

flexibility. Try to use your study periods for 

study rather than socialising but do allow 

some space in your overall timetable for 

fun, to keep you fresh. 

Study in Small Blocks, Often 

It is never too early to chunk 

up your workload and tick off 

smaller tasks, particularly if you 

are susceptible to tiredness, loss of focus, 

procrastination or loss of motivation. 

Consider a Pomodoro app like Flocus to 

time 25-minute study periods with breaks. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help 

Just because Sixth Form becomes 

more about independent learning 

you can still ask questions or seek 

advice from subject teachers, form 

tutors, academic mentors, fellow pupils 

and careers advisors. If you need help with 

anything, be bold and ask for the help you 

need. At Queen Ethelburga’s, we offer a 

lot of support and seminars around this 

area and on balancing academics with 

extra-curriculars and a social life. We train 

students how to study effectively from Year 

6 right through to Year 13. 

For more information 

on Queen Ethelburga’s, 

visit qe.org. 

Taking the 

Lead 

Tonbridge’s Upper Sixth will 

be taking up places at leading 

universities across the world 

A total of 24 students are celebrating receiving 

Oxbridge offers for the 2023-24 admissions cycle. 

The degree courses they will be starting feature 

a range of arts and science subjects including 

Mathematics, Computer Science, PPE (Philosophy, 

Politics and Economics), History and Politics, 

Geography, Engineering, Natural Sciences, 

French and German, Medicine, Linguistics, 

Modern and Medieval Languages, Chemistry, 

Physics, Design, Earth Sciences and Biology.. 

The acceptances mean that Oxbridge offers have 

been made to 15 per cent of the School’s Upper 

Sixth cohort. While many other top universities 

have not yet finalised their offers, the news for 

Tonbridge students looks promising. To date, 

they have received more than 580 offers from 

either Russell Group universities, such as Exeter, 

Nottingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, University 

College London, Imperial College, King’s College 

London and Durham, or from other high-tariff 

institutions including Bath and St Andrews. 

Internationally, Tonbridge boys have received 

unconditional offers from, respectively, Notre 

Dame, Pepperdine, Purdue, Georgia Institute of 

Technology, Northeastern, Clemson, UC Davis, 

Penn State and others, in the United States, while 

six students have offers to study in Hong Kong. 

The School’s Headmaster, James Priory, said: 

“Congratulations are due to all those receiving 

offers from a wide range of world-class universities. 

Competition from national and international 

candidates is stronger than ever, and these 

outcomes show that Tonbridge boys have 

performed exceptionally well. A huge amount 

of credit is also due to our talented teachers.” 

This news follows on from Tonbridge being 

ranked as the sixth best independent school 

nationally – and the country’s highest placed 

boarding school – in Parent Power, The 

Sunday Times Schools Guide 2024. 

tonbridge-school.co.uk 

78

MAKING 

CREATIVE 

QUALIFICATIONS 

ACCESSIBLE TO 

ALL 

Affordable online 

home based alternatives 

to GCSE qualifications 

Courses available 

across multiple levels in: 

Traditional Art & Design 

Digital Art & Design 

Cake Decorating 

Cookery 

Creative Crafts 

Design Technology 

Photography 

Textiles 

NCFE qualifications with 

NO exams or deadlines 

www.technologytriumphs.co.uk 

FInd us on our socials


Sew, what next? 

An online education provider tells all about their exciting creative options 

Technology Triumphs is a Kent based, award-winning distance 

learning provider set up specifically for young people. 

Established by qualified teacher Pip Rothwell in 2019, 

with the aim to provide additional opportunities to achieve 

nationally recognised qualifications in creative subjects – without 

the need to sit an exam, or even to sit in a classroom. 

For as little as £5 a week, parents can not only provide an affordable 

extra curricular activity for their child, but they do so in the knowledge 

that they are helping to improve their ongoing learning or work 

prospects with GCSE comparable qualifications being the end result. 

Learners not only develop their creative, practical and hands on skills 

and knowledge through the completion of fun and engaging tasks, 

but many have been able to use these qualifications in order to gain 

access to courses at colleges and sixth form, in place of GCSEs. 

In an ever competitive world, what better way to improve your 

child’s future prospects and to set them apart from their peers? 

If your child didn’t get their chosen GCSE options, was limited on the 

number of creative subjects they could choose, or simply wants to pursue 

a creative as a hobby, Technology Triumphs may be a solution for you. 

Partnered with awarding body, NCFE, Technology Triumphs is able 

to assess work and claim certification directly. As well as being named 

the winner of the 2024 KWiB Awards for ‘Women in Education’, 

Technology Triumphs has recently been shortlisted as a finalist for 

the NCFE ‘Centre of the Year’ in the 2024 Aspirations Awards. 

As there are no minimum ages set for our Level 2 qualifications, 

young people can complete their courses with the company 

before they even enter their GCSE years – gaining qualifications 

ahead of their peers and before the stress of their school 

studies and exams is even a factor to consider. 

Tutorials are pre-filmed and provided in easy to use workbooks so 

that there is no need to attend any scheduled lessons – making it 

a perfect option to fit in around other studies and activities. The 

team, made up of a mixture of qualified teachers, home educators 

and industry specialists, all believe passionately in the common goal 

of helping young people to fulfil their potential in the creatives. 

Whilst the company is based in Kent – due to the fact that there is 

no external assessment element – learners can access and complete 

their courses from quite literally anywhere in the world. 

Courses are currently offered from Entry level to 

Level 3 and cover the following subjects: 

• Art and Design (including digital illustration and animation) 

• Cake Decorating 

• Cookery 

• D&T 

• Textiles 

• Photography 

The company ethos is to make ‘creative qualifications accessible to all’ 

and whilst the provisions were originally designed for younger learners, 

there are also no maximum ages set, so adults are also invited to enrol. 

For further information please visit technologytriumphs.co.uk 


80


Doing things 

Differently 

We hear from Frensham Heights where, from their foundation, 

they have taken a progressive approach to education 

Nestled on 125 acres in the beautiful 

Surrey Hills just 40 miles from 

London, Frensham Heights 

offers a coeducational day and boarding 

experience – with day students from 3 to 

18 and boarders from 11 to 18. From our 

founding days, we have done things a bit 

differently, with each individual child sat 

firmly at the heart of everything we do. We 

are non-uniform and first-name basis and 

there is an energy about Frensham which is 

hard to describe. It’s a feeling of happiness 

and lightness, a sense of freedom. It comes 

from all the children being comfortable 

in their own skins, their own clothes. 

With no prefects or head boys and girls, 

everyone is on a level playing field. They 

Alongside the rich curriculum run 

endless opportunities for wider experiences 

outside the classroom. The extracurricular 

offering is immense with clubs running 

at lunchtime and after school. The 

opportunities are constantly growing 

and developing to stay relevant with the 

world around us and provide students 

with the skills and knowledge they need 

to prepare them for life beyond school. 

Boarding at Frensham Heights, like the 

whole school, is built on a very firm basis 

of mutual respect. Students are probably 

given more freedom than in other schools, 

but with that comes greater responsibility 

and ultimately a better understanding 

“Students are probably given more 

freedom than in other schools, but with 

that comes greater responsibility” 

can be who they are. And it comes from 

our foundation of exceptional pastoral care 

which thrives on the genuine relationships 

which develop between all members of the 

community – looking out for one another. 

An ISI inspection in 2022 rated 

Frensham Heights as ‘Excellent’ in both 

students’ academic progress and personal 

development. Frensham achieves exceptional 

academic standards as part of a much richer 

experience, through a broad curriculum 

and the equality given to all subjects. 

Dance, drama, music and creative arts 

are all within the curriculum for all students 

up through Year 9 with the timetable for 

Years 7 to 9 including weekly sessions 

of ceramics, art and DT. The school has 

recently launched the Frensham Heights 

Arts Awards – a bespoke Sixth Form 

programme which will prepare students 

for the industry and immerse them in their 

artistic discipline whilst supporting them 

academically to gain their qualifications. 

of how to live and behave beyond the 

school and home environments. All three 

boarding houses are coeducational – boys 

and girls have separate dormitories with 

shared social areas. A huge range of evening 

activities are organised from swimming to 

cooking plus bowling and cinema trips. 

Throughout all there is a natural progression 

of what is expected from the youngest 

through to the oldest – a sliding scale of 

structure, freedom and responsibility. 

The best way to really find out about 

Frensham and what makes it different is 

to go and see for yourself. There are mini 

open mornings during the school day 

and boarding open evenings where you 

can get a real glimpse into day to day life. 

Bigger open events on Saturdays offer the 

chance to meet all the teachers, sit in on 

student panels and hear from the Head. 

Go to frensham.org to find out 

more about Frensham Heights and 

all their upcoming open events. 

81 


Discover the Prep Schools of 

Reigate Grammar School 

SCHOOL Tadworth 

15 minutes from Reigate! 

Visit us 

Contact us to arrange 

an individual tour 

Scan to find 

out more: 

Register 

For one of our next 

Open Mornings 

Scan to find 

out more: 

Chinthurst School & Reigate St Mary’s are 

“Excellent in all areas” ISI 2023 

Surrey Homes Full Page May 24.indd 1 15/05/2024 12:47

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Education Supplement 

Find it in the September 2024 

issue of Surrey Homes 

TEL: 01403 262219 

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For advertising opportunities, call Andrew Boughton on 

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83 


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Telephone: 01932 865700 

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BLUE VELVET SHOES 

Visit Blue Velvet Shoes at 174 Kings Road, SW3 4UP or buy online www.bluevelvetshoes.com 


84

Fashion 

favourites 

Odyl’s Summer Styles 

We have long been fans of the gorgeous ODYL boutique and their joyful flair for figure flattering finds. Their shop 

happily lives just down the road from the Priceless office in beautiful Cranbrook, and owner Gemma and her team 

are always so lovely and helpful. For summer styles, shop worldwide brands like Fabienne Chapot, Petite Mendigote 

or Mos Mosh (who made the above Betti Lupe Blazer). With plenty of promotions and an outlet of discounted pieces 

there are some real bargains to be had here, too – in fact this blazer itself is currently 15% off at £245.65. Find ODYL 

on Cranbrook High Street, at our Wealden Times Midsummer Fair at stand Y01 or online at odyldesign.com 

85 


Lily Charmed 

story book 

necklace £65 

Wolf & Badger 

wolfandbadger.com 

Grey pinstripe 

pleated mini skirt 

£22 threadbare 

threadbare.com 

Bloom & Bay 

Ixora satin 

headband £17.95 

John Lewis 

johnlewis.com 

Cotton diamond texture crew £165 

Jumper 1234 jumper1234.com 

Ginelli penny loafer £90 Dune 

London dunelondon.com 

Oversized navy pinstripe blazer in wool 

£875 INNNA innna-official.com 

Wright cat eye 

glasses in Rosewood 

Stripe £85 IOLLA 

iolla.com 

Signet 

ring £995 

Prestige Pawn 

shopprestige.com 

Raquel brown leather watch 

£149 Fossil fossil.com 

Loom London Isla pleat 

detail white shirt dress 

£190 Wolf & Badger 


Prep& 

Poetry 

Spurred on by a certain Poets Department, dark 

academia, a touch of Claudia in The Traitors, we’re 

seeing button downs, polos and vests with a touch of 

moody romance in a poetic take on the Preppy look 

Diamond tank £225 

Bella Freud bellafreud.com 

Oatmeal tartan celt wool 

skirt £115 Celtic & Co 

celticandco.com 

Pleated silk-blend flared 

skirt £420 Femponiq 

femponiq.com 

Friends Like These 

tailored button 

through waistcoat £34 

Next next.co.uk 

b.young Ravna short jacket 

£59.99 SW19LONDON 

sw19london.com 

Carlie leather 

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86

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Goats’ 

cheese, 

nectarine & 

parma ham salad 

by Jo Arnell 

87 



Serving up 

Summer 

Charlotte Butterworth, a.k.a @theneedy.greedy, celebrates some of the 

finest local British produce in three recipes she’s designed to spotlight their 

extraordinary flavours to the very best effect Photographs: David Merewether 

Free range beef & 

blue cheese salad 

This hearty salad showcases the incredible 

5 week dry aged beef from my local farm 

and butcher, Paley Farm. The addition of 

Kingcott Blue Cheese from the neighbouring 

farm complements the beef perfectly. 

This is a salad, so don’t stress about the 

exact quantities, tweak to your taste. 

• 1 large piece of good steak – I used sirloin 

• 1 quantity of roast beetroot 

(see recipe on next page) 

• 100g (approx) of good crumbly blue cheese 

• 1 bag of salad leaves – I buy Kent 

grown from my local farm shop 

• cherry tomatoes – halved and roasted 

for 30 mins in olive oil at 180°C (or you 

can use jarred sun-dried tomatoes) 

For the balsamic dressing: 

These measurements are guidelines 

only – you may prefer your dressing 

more oily, vinegary or sweet 

• 150ml extra virgin olive oil 

• 50ml balsamic vinegar 

• 1 tsp runny honey 

• 1 tsp wholegrain mustard 

• small clove of garlic, crushed 

• ½ tsp Maldon sea salt and 

crushed black pepper 

1. Put all the dressing ingredients in a 

jam jar and shake like crazy. It should 

emulsify to produce a thick sauce. 

Taste and tweak to your taste. 

2. Season the beef with salt and pepper, 

sear it on all sides to get a lovely rich 

colour. If it is a thick piece, place in the 

oven. I use a meat thermometer to let the 

centre reach 60°C. Allow to rest for at 

least 20 mins. Carve into thin slices. 

3. Arrange the leaves on a platter, place the 

beef and roast beetroot on top, crumble over 

the cheese and dot over the roast tomatoes. 

When ready to serve, season with a little 

extra salt and pepper, drizzle over the dressing 

and some balsamic glaze for stripes! 

New potatoes with 

peashoot pesto 

Serves 6 as a side 

These peashoots are grown locally by 

Ro-gro, and they make an incredible 

pesto that tastes so fresh. Mix with 

cooked seasonal British new potatoes, 

and serve warm or room temperature. 

For the pesto: 

• 60g peashoots 

• 60g Parmesan 

• 40g cashews 

• 1 garlic clove 

• 30ml extra virgin olive oil 

• the zest of half a lemon (optional) 

• 750g baby new mini potatoes 

1. Pop the peashoots, cashews and garlic in 

a food processor. Add the Parmesan (I used 

the grater attachment on the processor). 

Blitz together and drizzle in the oil while 

the blade is running. Have a taste and check 

the consistency, you may want to add some 

water. Keep in the fridge until needed. 

2. Halve the potatoes and 

boil in plenty of salted 

 

89 


Roast beetroot & blue 

cheese on sourdough 

Serves 2 – generously, with 

plenty for leftovers 

Move over avocado and feta, this is a 

stunning sourdough topper, showcasing 

abundant British beetroot and stunning 

local creamy blue cheese from Kingcott 

Dairy. A delicious lunch, and the roast 

beetroot keeps in the fridge perfectly 

for three days to enjoy throughout 

the week. The addition of spicy nuts 

takes this to the next level, but do feel 

free to omit. I don’t peel my beetroot, 

I simply wash and top and tail, as 

so much goodness is in the skin. 

• bunch of uncooked beetroot – washed, 

topped, tailed and sliced into wedges 

• 50g Greek yoghurt 

• 1 tbsp maple syrup 

• lemon juice 

• olive oil 

• balsamic vinegar 

• chilli flakes 

• blue cheese, to crumble – I 

used Kingcott Blue 

• 50g mixed nuts (optional) 

• herbs to decorate 

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a 

baking sheet with non-stick baking 

parchment. Mix 1 tbsp of maple syrup, 

a pinch each of salt and chilli flakes in 

a bowl. Add 50g of mixed nuts of your 

choice and stir. Spread over the baking 

tray and cook for 8-10 mins. Remove 

from the oven and allow to cool. 

2. Toss the beetroot in 2 tbsps of 

olive oil, 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar, 

salt and pepper in a roasting tin. 

Roast in 180°C oven for 40 mins, 

until tender. Allow to cool. 

3. Blitz 100g* of the beetroot with 

the yoghurt and a squeeze of lemon 

juice until smooth. Taste and season. 

4. Toast the bread, then spread 

over the beetroot. Crumble over 

some blue cheese, add some nuts (if 

using) and decorate with herbs. 

* Use any left over beetroot wedges in 

a salad, such as the beef salad in my 

previous recipe, or simply as a side. 


Charlotte Butterworth is a 

private chef, cookery teacher, 

supper club host and recipe 

writer. Her next cookery 

workshop is 12 July in 

her beautiful kitchen in 

Cranbrook, Kent. Do message 

her to enquire about joining, 

private lessons or catering at 

charlotte@butterworth.co.uk 

Find her @theneedy.greedy 

on Instagram or Facebook 

Strawberry & 

vanilla possets 

Serves 4 

Kentish strawberries are outstanding 

in June. This showstopper of a 

pudding maximises their beauty and 

flavour. It’s elegant but very easy 

to make, a delicious reimagining 

of strawberries and cream! 

• 400ml cream 

• 80g caster sugar 

• vanilla extract 

• zest and juice of a lemon 

• 100g frozen strawberries, puréed 

• 1 punnet of Kentish 

strawberries, halved 

• mint leaves and toasted almonds 

(optional, to decorate) 

1. Put the cream and sugar into 

a saucepan. Heat gently until the 

sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil 

and let simmer for two minutes. 

While it simmers, zest in the 

lemon using a microplane. 

2. Juice the lemon and, after the two 

minute simmer, add to the cream 

mixture and stir. Remove from the 

heat, add the purée and vanilla, and 

pour into a jug (it makes it easier to 

then pour into individual glasses). 

3. Pour immediately into serving 

dishes (cocktail glasses look good, 

but ramekins work well too) 

and allow to set for four hours 

or overnight in the fridge. 

4. Top with strawberries, and decorate 

with mint leaves and toasted almonds. 

Charlotte’s suppliers 

Paley Farm 

The incredible sirloin steak 

I’ve used is from Paley 

Farm, near Cranbrook. 

Traditional livestock farmers 

and online butchers in the 

heart of the Kent countryside. 

They focus on raising native and 

rare breeds to the highest welfare 

and environmental standards, 

producing delicious, 100% grassfed 

meat. You really can taste the 

difference and I love visiting the 

butchers there for quality, choice 

and a good chat with the head 

butcher, Henry. paleyfarm.co.uk 

Kingcott Dairy 

The blue cheese I’ve featured is from 

Kingcott Dairy, award-winning 

farmhouse cheesemakers and dairy 

farmers. This small, sustainable 

family run farm in the heart of Kent 

carries out the whole process, from 

the grass through to the finished 

cheese – their ethos is to treat their 

animals, land and the environment 

with kindness and respect. All of 

their Kentish Blue and Kingcott 

Blue cheeses are made on the 

farm with milk from their lovely 

herd of cows. kingcottdairy.co.uk 

Ro-gro. The peashoots 

and micro herbs are from East 

Kent producers Ro-gro. They’re 

sustainably grown using innovative 

techniques to create an incredibly 

nutritious and delicious selection of 

greens. I buy from my local farm 

shop and I absolutely love eating 

and garnishing with them. ro-gro.uk 

91 


Beauty 

Bath treats & shower stars 

Bath or shower – or both? Whatever your bathing preference, Josephine Fairley explains it’s all 

about the layering when it comes to choosing soaks, creams and salts to enhance your ablutions 

Are you a bath or a shower person? 

More and more of us, I have 

observed, are both. Nothing really 

beats a bath for its therapeutic power, and 

the excuse to shut out the world while we 

sink beneath fragrant, sometimes mineralpowered 

waters, harnessing the power of 

hot water to relax our body and soothe 

our mind. (Best temperature for winding 

down? A neutral temperature, somewhere 

akin to that of the human body, or 

around 94-98°F, which offers the most 

relaxing effect on the nervous system.) 

Showers, though, offer a faff-free way 

to wash our hair – and/or get clean, fast. 

As summer approaches, too, an earlyevening 

shower can be a great freshener 

after getting home from work, before 

we turn right round again and head out 

the door to take advantage of the longer 

days, with a glass of something chilled 

in our hands, and maybe the aroma of 

a barbecue in the air. (Though if you’re 

looking to a shower to energise, always 

keep it on the cool side. Or, if you’re 

Liz Earle, take your showers completely 

cold, the virtues of which she explains 

in her bestselling wellbeing book, A 

Better Second Half – which I’ve been 

giving to ALL my female friends and 

relations, because it’s honestly that good.) 

Whether for bath or shower, though, 

I confess to a rather crowded bathroom 

shelf. Unlike skincare, with bath treats 

you can mix and match bathing products 

depending on your mood and/or how 

you want to smell – and I take full 

advantage of that. In fact, I often throw 

several products at once 

into the steaming 

waters, a tip I learned from my model 

friend Dayle Haddon, who likes to add a 

slurp of oil, a shake of salts and probably 

another slurp of something else entirely. 

And so long as you stick with a ‘mood 

theme’ – energising or relaxing – this 

‘Magic Bath’ formula seems to work well. 

Meanwhile, if you were to do 

a ‘Through the Keyhole’ into my 

own watery sanctuary, here’s what 

you might find right now… 

Shower power 

Search on the Boots website and you’ll 

find 340+ different shower options. Yikes! 

That’s a lot of choices. And there are 

definitely some great accessibly-priced 

high street finds out there; my choices 

are almost invariably shaped by fragrance, 

and I love the ambery sensuality of 

Sanctuary Spa Signature Collection 

Shower Cream, £7.50 for 250ml, and 

always come over all nostalgic at the scent 

of Badedas 3 in 1 Revitalising Shower 

Gel, Shampoo & Conditioner, £2.55 

for 200ml, with its herby, woodsy, whisksme-to-my-childhood 

scent. I’m also a fan 

of Pears Body Wash Lemon Flower, 

£2.90 for 250ml, which is a fresh spin on 

another much-loved scent, and Goodness 

Rose & Geranium Body Wash, £4.20 

for 500ml – another ‘time travel’ aroma, 

that one, which whisks me straight back 

to my grandmother’s greenhouse. 

But if you’d like to pimp your shower 

experience, there are some truly fabulous 

and more luxurious options. (I’ll be blunt, 

though: if you share a bathroom, you 

might want to keep them under lock 

and key, because it can 

be truly heartbreaking 

to discover that your 14-year-old 

has used up your entire stash of Jo Malone 

in one long, gas-bill-accelerating shower.) 

Some current favourites of mine include 

just-launched Escentric Molecules Body 

Washes, £38 for 200ml each, which have 

been launched in five of this maverick 

perfume house’s cult fragrances: Escentric 

01, 02, 03, 04 and 05 – the latter my 

chosen shower treat, which offers a warm, 

nuzzleable note of Cashmeran, contrasted 

against the freshness of bergamot, orange, 

rosemary, fig and pine resin. Recently 

unveiled, L’Occitane Almond Delicious 

Shower Cream, £17.50 for 200ml, really 

lives up to its ‘delicious’ name, with 

that much-loved, slightly marzipan-y 

fragrance, and a bunch of truly skincherishing 

ingredients – including shea 

butter – which honestly render the 

need for body lotion redundant, after 

you emerge from your drenching. 

Happy days: the aforementioned 

Jo Malone London now offer a wide 

range of their bestselling fragrances as 

luxe body washes, including Wood 

Sage & Sea Salt, Pomegranate Noir, 

Red Roses, and my all-time favourite, 

the sultrily sexy Velvet Rose & Oudh, 

£36 each for 250ml. If you REALLY 

want to go all-out posh, even Dior are 

now offering Liquid Hand & Body 

Soaps in their ultra-spiffy La Collection 

Privée – think: light, blossomy Sakura; 

transporting Jasmin des Anges, and sultry 

Ambre Nuit; there are nine fragrance 

options so far. (And you’ll definitely 

want to hide these, at £62 for 350ml.) 

But in fact, whatever your favourite eau 

de parfum or eau de toilette, you might 

want to revisit that range and check out 

their shower/body wash options, because 

many, many leading brands – including 

quite a few who’d previously discontinued 

their bodycare lines 

– are bringing 

them back, as so 

many of us seek 

to elevate our 

shower habits. 

istockphoto.com/ BorisVasilenko 


Bath treats 

I’m going to skip over the usual 

oils, here, and talk about bath 

salts – because this is where all 

the action is, tub-wise, right 

now. And there’s a reason for 

their popularity. When you soak 

in a bath of mineral-infused 

water, science has now confirmed 

that those minerals are indeed 

absorbed by the body. Now, this 

is a complete turnaround from 

what I was told at the beginning 

of my beauty writing career, when 

‘experts’ insisted: ‘The skin is like 

a raincoat. It keeps everything out.’ 

With the skin now harnessed in 

medicine to deliver all kinds of 

drugs – from HRT to patches that 

help withdrawal from nicotine – 

that’s clearly, well, balderdash. 

When it comes to bathing, the 

mineral magnesium is particularly 

valuable – great to beckon sleep 

and relax the body, potentially 

helping with rheumatic pains, too. 

I’m a fan of NEOM Organics 

Multi Mineral Bath Salts, which 

contain no less than 83 different 

minerals alongside magnesium, 

including potassium, zinc, calcium 

and iron – and are infused with a 

choice of two of NEOM’s muchloved 

fragrances, Perfect Night’s 

Sleep (English lavender and sweet 

basil), and Real Luxury (jasmine, 

rosewood, lavender and more). 

Recently launched Wildsmith 

Bath Salts, £55 for 500g, are my 

new joy, though, with the sea salt 

base infused with linden, Roman 

chamomile and cedarwood, for a 

truly transporting, ‘spa-y’ bathing 

experience. And the bath salts 

that everyone, but everyone asks 

me for, for birthdays? Annee de 

Mamiel Altitude Bath Soak, 

£55 for a hefty 400g jar, infused 

with an incredible cocktail of 

essential oils including peppermint, 

patchouli, pine leaf, eucalyptus, 

together with Shungite crystal 

powder ‘to neutralise electromagnetic 

energy.’ Not for nothing 

do these have a reputation as ‘a 

good night’s sleep in a jar’. 

At the high street end, I’m a 

massive fan of M&S Apothecary 

Women’s Calm Bath Salts, £7.50 

for 300g, which soothe the senses 

with cedarwood, lavender and 

sweet orange. (The whole M&S 

CALM Apothecary range is worth 

checking out, actually.) I honestly 

find that adding therapeutic salts to 

my bath does as much to relax my 

muscles – even after a heavy bout 

of gardening – as a massage, and I 

can just flop into bed afterwards. 

But the bottom line, is whether 

you’re a speedy shower-er or love 

a languid soak, there are plenty 

options for coming clean, while 

delighting your senses. Enjoy… 

Visit beautybible.com 

for more of Jo’s product 

reviews and beauty tips. 

Shannon Court, Surrey 

We provide residential care and 

residential dementia support. 

For more information, or to arrange 

a Home tour, please contact: 

T: 01428 604833 

E: shannon@rmbi.org.uk 

Shannon Court Road, 

Hindhead, GU26 6DA 

Caring is our way of life 

www.rmbi.org.uk 

Charity No: 1163245 Company No: 1293566 

Wealden Times - Surrey Homes - June 2024.indd 1 15/05/2024 15:00:39 

93 


Health 

Need for speed 

Sarah Maxwell uncovers just what causes our metabolism 

to lower and what we can do to rev it back up 

istockphoto.com/ Chinnapong 

Causes of a lower metabolism 

1. Age. Metabolism tends to decrease 

with age. As we get older, we lose 

muscle mass and our hormonal activity 

decreases, both of which can lower 

our metabolic rate. These hormonal 

changes can contribute to muscle loss 

and decreased muscle strength, too. 

2. Hormones. These play a crucial 

role in regulating metabolism. 

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) 

can lead to a slower metabolic rate, and 

menopause also affects metabolism. 

3. Low muscle mass. Muscle 

tissue is more metabolically active 

than fat tissue. Therefore, having a 

lower muscle mass percentage can 

result in a lower metabolism. 

4. Restricting calories. Severely 

restricting calorie intake for a prolonged 

period – consuming significantly 

fewer calories than your body needs 

for basic functions – can decrease 

metabolism. Our bodies are very 

clever at adapting when we restrict 

calories and quickly learn to conserve 

energy when they are not receiving 

enough fuel. It’s important to note 

that this differs from a balanced calorie 

deficit, a healthy way to lose weight. 

5. Lack of physical activity. A sedentary 

lifestyle can significantly contribute 

to a decrease in metabolic rate. 

6. Sleep deprivation. Inadequate sleep 

can disrupt hormone regulation, decrease 

metabolism and increase appetite and 

cravings, leading to weight gain. 

7. Stress. Chronic stress can affect 

metabolism in multiple ways. It can 

disrupt hormone balance, increase 

cortisol levels (leading to weight gain), 

and impact sleep quality. Managing 

stress through relaxation techniques like 

meditation or engaging in hobbies can 

help maintain a healthy metabolic rate. 

8. Certain medications. Some 

medications, such as certain 

antidepressants or beta-blockers, can 

have side effects that lower metabolism. 

Revving your metabolism up 

1. Regular exercise. You can 

actively preserve your muscle mass 

by maintaining a physically active 

lifestyle, including regular exercise 

and strength training. Remember, a 

lack of regular exercise or a sedentary 

lifestyle can accelerate muscle loss. 

2. Cardiovascular exercise. Running, 

cycling, swimming or brisk walking are 

just a few cardiovascular exercises that 

elevate your heart rate and help burn 

calories during and after the workout. 

3. Good nutrition. Adequate 

protein intake is essential for muscle 

maintenance and repair. This can be 

achieved by including lean meats, fish, 

eggs, dairy products and plant-based 

sources like beans and lentils. Insufficient 

protein intake and deficiencies in 

other nutrients, such as vitamin D and 

calcium, can impact our muscle mass. 

4. Strength training. Incorporate 

resistance exercises, such as weightlifting 

or bodyweight exercises, into your 

routine. Building lean muscle mass 

can increase metabolism as muscles 

burn more calories than fat. 

5. Keep active. Try to stay active 

throughout the day. Take breaks to 

move around, use the stairs instead 

of the lift, or go for short walks 

during your breaks. Every little 

extra thing you do adds up. 

6. Stay hydrated. Drink 

enough water to support 

proper metabolic 

function. Dehydration 

can negatively impact 

your metabolism. 

7. High-intensity interval training 

(HIIT). This involves short bursts 

of intense exercise followed by brief 

recovery periods which can help increase 

your metabolic rate and burn calories 

even after exercising. Aim for two short 

sessions per week for optimum results. 

8. Reduce your stress levels. Look at 

what causes you stress and factor in 

time to relax. This could be anything 

from reading a book to taking a relaxing 

bath, a massage or meditation. 

8. Sleep. Develop a good sleep routine 

and aim for 7 or 8 hours per 

night. Quality sleep is 

uninterrupted, free 

from disturbances 

and comfortable. 

A decent sleep 

is crucial for 

regulating 

hormones and 

maintaining 

a healthy 

metabolic 

rate. 

Sarah 

Maxwell is a multiaward 

winning Lifestyle 

Wellbeing and Fitness coach. You 

can find her at sarahmaxwell.com 

Get in touch via email at 

sarahmaxwell@mail.com 

and on social 

@sarahmaxlife 


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drsarahmcintyre-A4-Advert.indd 1 12/05/2024 16:09

istockphoto.com, miwa_in_oz , Magone, chokja, Elena Tsvetkova, Drazen Zigic, Agustin Vai / PippiLongstocking / EM / 

Everyday better to do everything you love 

Nourish to Flourish 

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau 

explores the benefits of incorporating 

another healthy ingredient into our diets. 

This month it’s strawberries 

This is the month to enjoy locally grown 

strawberries, found in abundance in our local 

farm shops, PYO farms and supermarkets – if 

you can, opt for organic or pesticide free. Bright, juicy 

and sweet, they make the perfect snack, addition to your 

smoothie, quick dessert or refreshing salad. They are an 

excellent source of vitamin C, where one cup provides 

almost 150% of the daily recommended intake, helping 

to support growth and repair. Manganese, contained 

in strawberries, supports the skin, bone formation 

and helps to regulate our blood sugar levels. They also 

contain good amounts of folate (vitamin B9) which 

again, supports normal tissue growth and cell function. 

Strawberries are very rich in antioxidants and plant 

compounds, which have benefits for heart health such as 

reducing blood pressure and cholesterol. They also support 

blood sugar control, where strawberries seem to slow 

down glucose digestion and reduce spikes in both glucose 

and insulin following a meal high in carbohydrates. 

Charlotte runs Plume Nutrition, where she offers support and advice 

for weight management, controlling cravings, sleeplessness, stress 

and increasing energy levels. Find out more at plumenutrition.com 

Simple summer strawberry salad 

Serves 4 

For the salad 

• 250g baby spinach 

• ½ cup basil leaves 

• 500g strawberries, 

hulled and quartered 

• 1 cucumber, sliced 

into ½ inch chunks 

• 200g cherry tomatoes (any 

colour), sliced in half 

• ¼ cup sliced red onion 

• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese 

1. Make the dressing: Combine all 

ingredients in a blender or small food 

processor until smooth and creamy. 

2. Make the salad: Put the spinach in 

a large salad bowl or serving platter. 

Top with the remaining ingredients 

and drizzle with 3 tablespoons of the 

dressing. Toss together gently. Serve 

with additional dressing on the side. 

For the dressing: 

• ¼ cup sliced strawberries 

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 

• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 

• 1 tbsp chopped shallot 

• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 

• 2 tsp honey or maple syrup 

• ½ tsp salt 


More than just 

a pretty face 

Garden 

Jen Stuart-Smith 

explores the 

multiple uses of 

some easy-to-grow 

garden favourites 

istockphoto.com/Oksana_Schmidt 

When you grow flowers for 

their beauty, shape and 

colour it can be easy to 

forget all the other qualities they have 

to offer. Some are edible, others provide 

scent – either directly, or in the form 

of essential oils – while the real stars 

of the show relieve pain and save lives. 

At Blooming Green, where we grow 

flowers for use in floristry, we’re big 

fans of using them for more than just 

bouquets and arrangements. In fact, 

this year, we are creating an apothecary 

garden, inspired by our colleague Kim. 

Kim used to work in intensive care in 

London and, curious about the beneficial 

effects of plants and essential oils, studied 

complementary therapy on the side. Not 

only is she a fan of aromatherapy and the 

use of essential oils but she often treats us 

to goodies, made using flowers from our 

plot and farm. We’ve had lavender cordial 

and shortbread, wild garlic kimchi as well 

as calendula lip balm! So, when we look 

out on our flower plot, it’s not just the 

flowers’ and foliages’ decorative qualities 

we notice, but a whole lot more besides: 

Clary sage: Striking, architectural 

mauve spikes are perfect for large 

arrangements or a dramatic bouquet. 

The essential oil of clary sage is said to be 

an aphrodisiac – though we are divided; 

its musky scent is somewhere on the 

scale between aromatic and armpit! 

Feverfew: Even its name is suggestive 

of its historic uses and power. Described 

by Nicholas Culpeper, in his Complete 

Herbal of 1653, as of ‘general utility 

to the fair sex’, we have to agree – 

though we tend to use its daisy-like 

flowers for rustic posies and bouquets. 

Mint: Perfect for a quick, tummysettling 

tea or when boiling new 

potatoes, we love mint and its 

purply-grey flower spikes. Its 

scent is invigorating and fresh. 

Varieties such as buddleia mint, 

apple mint and spearmint offer 

different shades of green. 

Borage: Pretty blue flower that’s 

perfect for your Pimm’s or inside ice 

cubes for summer drinks. Another 

edible flower that’s a pretty addition 

to salads or made into a sweet syrup. 

Dill: Not technically a flower – but its 

seed heads look wonderful in bouquets. 

We use the fronds to make a Norwegian 

cucumber salad and it’s great with fish. 

Calendula: A classic peppery 

petal that’s great in salads – but can 

also be used in oils, vinegars and 

tinctures. Popular as a companion 

plant in polytunnels and on the 

veg patch they attract pollinators 

and aphid-munching predators. 

Tansy: The bright yellow buttonlike 

flowers on this native plant have 

a strong, astringent smell. According 

to Culpeper, this flower needs no 

introduction… though we would 

recommend it for its insect-repelling 

qualities, either in a spray or grown 

outside your kitchen window. 

Nasturtiums: Another bright and 

peppery addition to salads, nasturtiums 

are easy to grow – so a fun one for 

kids – and work well in containers or 

scrambling over your raised veg beds. 

Marjoram: Easy to grow, vigorous 

and copes well with dry conditions, 

marjoram’s tiny pink, mauve or 

white flowers are part of its charm. 

It works beautifully with summer 

vegetables or in oils and vinegars. 

Lavender: Fresh or dried, lavender 

is wonderfully calming and known 

for its sleep-inducing scent. Great 

for pollinators and good for 

humans too – who like to use it in 

ice cream, biscuits or cordial. 

Jennifer Stuart-Smith is cofounder 

of flower-growing and 

floristry business, Blooming Green 

bloominggreenflowers.co.uk 

97 


Garden 

Roses 

all the 

Way 

Jo Arnell turns her attention to the English 

garden’s most beloved blooms 

istockphoto.com/artant / Punnarong / Veleri / OGri / Gary Matuschka / Iva Vagnerova 

Roses are the beauty queens of 

the summer garden; delicate, 

fragrant and romantic – and 

despite stemming from another 

continent, they seem a quintessentially 

English plant. Prima donnas, however, 

do have a bit of a reputation for being 

tricky and needing lots of TL and 

for years roses were grown on their 

own, so that they could be sprayed 

and primped and grow unimpeded 

by rambunctious companions. This 

style of rose garden – I’m thinking 

island beds, scorched earth sparsely 

planted with twiggy Hybrid Teas and 

Floribundas, and all of them unscented 

– nearly put me off roses for life. 

Nowadays, thankfully, there are 

disease resistant varieties around 

and we have realised that roses 

are actually vigorous and tough – 

and most positively benefit from 

a bit of companion planting. 

A rose is a rose is a rose 

All roses started as wild plants, mostly 

in Asia, but they have been very widely 

bred and there’s now a bewildering 

number to choose from. The old roses – 

Albas, Gallicas, Damasks and Bourbons 

are at the root of most of our modern 

roses. These are highly fragrant, usually 

robust, but only flower once. The repeat 

flowering Portland Rose was developed 

in America and crossed with Bourbons 

and others to make Hybrid Perpetuals 

and then Hybrid Teas and Floribundas. 

The Teas have impressive single blooms, 

while Floribundas sport numerous 

sprays of smaller flowers, both are 

remontant (repeat flowering). Some of 

these powerhouse roses, in the quest for 

endless blooms, lost their old fashioned 

blousy charm and fragrance along the 

way. The New English roses (most bred 

by David Austin) brought back some 

of the qualities of the old roses, but 

kept the vigour and repeat flowering. 

Smaller roses have been bred for 

niche environments – there are patio, 

ground cover and miniature roses for 

containers and the front of borders. 

They have all the qualities of larger 

varieties, but miniatures are compact 

in growth habit, while ground cover 

roses are low and spreading. 

Standard roses are grafted onto a 

root stock with a long sturdy stem 

and can be used either as focal points 

– at entrances and by front doors for 

example, or within borders to bring 

height and impact at eye level. They 

do remind me a bit of the roses in 

Alice in Wonderland (thankfully 

they’re available in more colours than 

red or white) and will need to be 

supported and carefully pruned to 

stop them becoming too top heavy. 

Climbing roses are similar to shrub 

varieties, but have longer, more pliable 

stems. They differ from ramblers in 

that they are pruned in spring, as they 

flower on the current year’s growth, 

and tend to be less vigorous. Ramblers 

flower on the previous year’s growth 

and usually only once. These have 

a reputation for being enthusiastic 

– romping up trees and smothering 

outbuildings. Prune ramblers after 

flowering in late summer, although you 

can re-invigorate an overgrown one 

by cutting out some of the old thick 

stems right down at the base in spring. 

Species roses are robust and although 

they only flower once, often have other 

attributes that make them desirable. Rosa 

glauca has beautiful foliage, a graceful 

habit and lovely hips, R. banksiae will 

festoon an arch or pergola with tiny, 

soft butter yellow blooms early in May, 

long before any of the other varieties. 

Whatever your situation, or colour 

preference, you should be able to find 

a rose to suit – there are even some 

that will grow in shade, although 

most do prefer a sunny site. 

 


HILL PARK ROSES 

garden, that was my road to 

Damask-us moment. It might 

have been the way that the 

roses were elegantly looped 

onto supports or cleverly 

caged into pillar shapes, the 

careful choice of harmonious 

under and inter-planting of 

cottage garden perennials, the 

old fashioned, highly scented 

romantic blowsiness of them, 

All of the above – made to 

look an effortless, glorious 

tumble, but in truth highly 

orchestrated (this style is the 

hardest to achieve). I suddenly 

saw what all the fuss was 

about and ever since then I 

have been slightly obsessed 

and each autumn will add one 

or two to the garden. I have 

tried looping them down onto 

hoops too, but you need a lot 

of space for this – and need to 

be careful what you choose for 

the hoops, as pliable hazel and 

willow are prone to sprouting. 

As for the plants to grow 

around them, it is tempting 

to stick with the lovely cottage 

garden plants – Geraniums 

and Nepeta work very well 

as underplanting, with 

taller plants like foxgloves, 

Verbascums and Delphiniums 

in between. The problem with 

archetypal cottage flowers 

is that they tend to finish 

flowering in July – and the first 

flush of the roses is usually over 

by then too, so the borders can 

look a bit depleted. 

Geranium ‘Rozanne’ is 

a good choice for endless 

flowers and tall, airy Verbena 

bonariensis will waft happily 

around for a long time too. 

Plan for a succession of flowers 

and add in late bloomers 

like Salvias, Echinaceas and 

Sedums for colour from 

late July until the frosts. 

To extend the flowering 

time, dead head as much 

as you can, in fact most of 

the early perennials can be 

chopped back to the ground 

in July. This will tidy their 

foliage and most will flower 

again into the bargain. 

Geranium 

‘Rozanne’is 

a good choice 

for endless 

flowers 

Keeping the show 

on the road 

Dead-head your roses by 

snipping them off just above 

a set of leaves to encourage 

more flowers. There are some 

that you should not dead head 

though and these are either 

those that have lovely rose 

hips, ramblers, or species roses. 

Species roses flower only once, 

but in abundance. They will 

not bloom again no matter 

if you dead head, but these 

often have lovely hips too. 

The great thing about 

species roses is that they 

tend to be vigorous and free 

of disease. Rosa rugosa is 

one of my favourites, with 

single blooms (so good for 

pollinators) and huge 

 

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enquiries@hillparkroses.co.uk 

020 8398 0022 

Mo: 07715 325677 

Mike: 07702 227528 

The Planter Specialist 

iotagarden.com 

www.hillparkroses.co.uk 

99 


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100

hips the size of tomatoes in the 

autumn. It makes a great hedge 

and is often the rootstock chosen 

to graft other roses onto. 

Most the New English roses 

have been bred to have disease 

resistance and are lovely and almost 

as robust as the species varieties, 

but if you do have some in the 

garden that are prone to problems, 

it pays to set up a simple annual 

regime to keep them in the best 

possible health. Roses tend to suffer 

most from fungal infections like 

Rust and Black Spot, which are 

hard to eradicate completely, but 

may be kept in abeyance. Fungal 

infections proliferate in humid, still 

conditions, so providing a free flow 

of air around the plants will help to 

blow the fungal spores away. Prune 

carefully in the spring to ‘open’ up 

the plant – the books will tell you 

to prune to an outward-facing bud, 

or to aim for a goblet shape. This 

is to ensure good air circulation. 

Roses are hungry plants and use 

up a lot of energy in flowering, 

so feed and mulch well in spring 

as they come into leaf, and then 

give them a little pick-me-up tonic 

of a high potash fertiliser just as 

the first flush of flowers finishes 

to encourage them to keep going. 

Pick up and dispose of any infected 

leaves as you find them. I don’t 

spray with pesticides, but will use 

a (somewhat stinky) homemade 

garlicky concoction that I mix up 

with a soup blender – basically 2 

chillies, 1 onion and a whole bulb 

of garlic – mashed down with water 

and then strained through muslin. 

It deters pests and as garlic is antifungal, 

helps to keep these diseases 

at bay too – but make sure you 

are upwind of it when you spray. 

On the whole roses are resilient 

plants – ‘it’s been a good year for the 

roses’ is a phrase that seems to be 

trotted out every year. They manage 

to cope with most conditions and, 

once established, even periods of 

drought don’t seem to bother them 

too much. There is a rose to suit all 

preferences, climbing, bush, ground 

cover – and almost all colours 

including blue (called ‘Blue Moon’), 

which is an aberation, but might 

go nicely with a red delphinium… 

Roses for fragrance 

‘The Generous 

Gardener’ – climber 

‘Boscobel’ – large shrub 

‘Gertrude Jekyll – shrub 

‘Charles de Mills’ – shrub 

Roses for hips 

Rosa moyesii ‘Geranium’ 

– climber 

Rosa rugosa – shrub 

‘Rambling Rector’ 

– large rambler 

Floribunda rose ‘Coconut Ice’ 

Specialist rose suppliers 

David Austin – 

davidaustin.co.uk 

Trevor White – 

trevorwhiteroses.co.uk 

Peter Beales – classicroses.co.uk 

Harkness – roses.co.uk 

Rumwood (Maidstone) – 

rumwoodnurseries.co.uk 

Join Jo for a gardening class 

at her garden in Woodchurch. 

See hornbrookmanor.co.uk 

or call 07923 969634. 

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101 


Wealden Times 

Midsummer 

Fa i r 

Tickets 

available on 

the door and 

to pre-book 

wealdentimes-fair.co.uk 

6th-8th JUNE 2024 

Hole Park, Rolvenden TN17 4JB 

220+ independent retailers, street food and café bars 

Fashion • Home & Garden Ware • Gifts 

Plants • Jewellery • Artisan Food Tent 

1 

Tickets on sale at wealdentimes-fair.co.uk

Visitor information 

We’re so excited to be back in the beautiful grounds of 

Hole Park in June for our Midsummer Fair. We’ll be 

welcoming back plenty of favourites and lots of amazing 

new exhibitors, all looking forward to sharing their 

carefully selected goodies with you. 

Venue 

Wealden Times Midsummer Fair is at Hole Park near Tenterden, 

Benenden Road, Rolvenden, Kent, TN17 4JB 

Ticket price 

includes entry to 

Hole Park 

Gardens 

Pricing 

Adult (16+) £17.00 

Child (5-15) £8.00 

Infant (under 5) Free 

Opening Times 

6th – 8th June 

9.00am – 5.00pm 

EXTENDED 

OPENING 

HOURS 

Handpicked exhibitors 

With 220+ hand-picked independent retailers selling summer fashion, jewellery, 

gifts, home and garden wares, plants, trees and flowers plus an avenue of artisanal 

food and drink, the Midsummer Fair is the shopping event of the season. Set in 

the glorious grounds of Hole Park, with street vendors, baristas and bars serving 

delicious food, the finest coffee and jugs of Pimm’s, it’s a perfect day out with 

friends and family. 

Food at the fair 

Join us in the Deck Chair Zone and Coffee Stop – generously sponsored by Evelyn 

Partners – in the heart of our buzzing food area to enjoy cuisine from around the 

world and fresh produce grown right here in Kent. On Thursday and Friday you 

can also enjoy live performances from local school choirs. 

Choir performances 

Thursday 6th June 

11.30am Marlborough House School 

2.00pm Dulwich Cranbrook Jazz Band 

Saturday 8th June 

1.00pm Headcorn Ukelele Group 

Friday 7th June 

11.30am Sutton Valence School Choir 

3.00pm Ashford School Choir 

Come and meet Raj Bisram 

We’re delighted to have Raj Bisram – Mayor of 

Cranbrook, Antiques expert & TV presenter at the 

Fair on Thursday 6th June. 

THURSDAY 

6 JUNE 

10AM- 

MIDDAY 

He will be with us between 10am – midday so 

whether you want a picture with the local mayor, 

are looking for some antiques advice or just want 

to say hello, he would be delighted to meet you!

There’s so much to look forward to in 

the next few issues of Surrey Homes 

July: Property 

We take an in-depth look at all-things property – think searches, 

advice from planners and architects, how to prep your home for 

sale, info. on valuations, and tips for buy-to-lets etc. 

August: Taste of the South East 

A foodie’s paradise. Uncover the tasty treats the South East 

has to offer and find out where to experience them 

Mini feature – Planning consent 

Thinking of embarking on a new building project? Find out what permissions 

are needed and when, who to contact and how to get started. 

September: Education 

The third and final instalment of our look at independent schools for 2024. 

October: Luxe 

Glam up with all-things luxury. Our edit of the finest jewellery, watches, 

accessories, wine, art and cars, alongside profitable investments. 

November: Christmas Part 1 

Our run down of the best gift ideas 2024 has to offer. We’ll also 

be taking a special look at restaurants, food & drink. 

December: Christmas Part 2 

Think table settings, wrapping, gifts and plans for New Year. Coordinate 

a festive season to truly look forward to with plenty more advice on 

decoration, food and drink ideas to thrill the whole family.

CLAREMONT LANDSCAPE GARDENS 

CHIDDINGTSONE CASTLE 

THE SOUTHERN 

HOMEBUILDING 

& RENOVATING 

SHOW 

What’s On 

this Season 

FESTIVALS & SHOWS 

Thurs 6 - Sat 8 June 9am-5pm 

Hole Park, Rolvenden TN17 4JB 

WEALDEN TIMES 

MIDSUMMER FAIR 

Browse over 250 hand-picked exhibitors. 

There’s something for everyone with 

gifts galore, summer fashion, handmade 

products and so much more. Enjoy a 

craft ale or a glass of something bubbly 

in one of our outdoor bars or if you 

want something a bit more substantial, 

sample the delights of one of our many 

street food vendors. It’s a great day 

out and the perfect start to summer. 

Well-behaved dogs on leads are very 

welcome. Your ticket price also includes 

entry to the lovely Hole Park Gardens. 

wealdentimes-fair.co.uk 

Sun 30 June 

Chiddingstone Castle, 

Kent, TN8 7AD 

CHIDDINGSTONE CASTLE 

SUMMER VINTAGE FAIR 

The Summer Vintage Fair is returning 

to Chiddingstone Castle for its ninth 

year. Browse an extensive array of 

fabulous vintage stalls, homewares, 

textiles, furniture, fashion, jewellery, 

accessories, pre-loved items and 

gardenalia. Picnic from the delicious 

food stalls on the lawns of the Grade II 

listed Orangery whilst enjoying singing 

performances from Miss Vintage and 

dancing from Home Front Lindy Hop. 

Make a whole day of it and explore 

the historic house and collections as 

part of your visit with a discounted 

joint ticket (see details below). 

Entry: Adult/child Fair only £7.50 / £2.50 

Adult/child Fair and Castle 

combined entry £13 / £5.50 

chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/whats-on/ 

Sat 29 & Sun 30 June 

Sandown Park, Portsmouth 

Rd, Esher KT10 9AJ 

THE SOUTHERN 

HOMEBUILDING & 

RENOVATING SHOW 

Discover an inspiring event for 

self-builders and renovators looking 

for help with their projects, no 

matter what stage they are at, 

bringing their dream home to life. 

Gathering over 150 leading brands 

and 190 exhibitors, the event will 

provide impartial advice, practical 

tips and the latest products, with 

the largest cast of property and 

homebuilding and renovating 

experts – all under one roof. 

The show boasts the Home 

Energy Academy and Home 

Energy Hour talks, 15-minute 

one-to-one consultations with 

a range of specialists, and an 

abundance of masterclasses and 

seminars. This could be just what 

you need to get your homebuild 

dreams off the ground. 

Register on website for free tickets. 

registration. 

homebuildingshow.co.uk 

GARDENS 

Sat 8 June – Sun 14 July 

Claremont Landscape 

Gardens, Portsmouth Road, 

Esher, Surrey, KT10 9JG 

SCULPTURE TRAIL 

AT CLAREMONT 

LANDSCAPE GARDEN 

Surrey Sculpture Society will be 

bringing a new outdoor exhibition 

to Claremont Landscape Garden 

this summer. With striking vistas 

and playful architectural features, a 

walk around the garden has always 

been a pleasure and now there’s 

even more to see. The sculpture 

exhibition will provide a brand-new 

dimension with over 90 exhibits 

from some of Surrey’s finest artists 

to explore and purchase. The trail 

will be fully accessible to all. 

Entry: see website 

nationaltrust.org.uk 

THEATRE 

Thur 6 June 7.30pm 

EM Forster Theatre, 

Tonbridge, TN9 1JP 

DAD’S ARMY RADIO SHOW 

The nation’s favourite sitcom is 

marching its way to Tonbridge 

this month as the EM Forster 

Theatre welcome the Dad’s Army 

Radio Show. Using original scripts, 

three episodes of the classic BBC 

sitcom are adapted for radio for 

the very first time in this highly 

acclaimed stage production. Expect 

lots of sound effects, vintage 

music, nostalgia in spades as well 

as your favourite catchphrases, 

all hilariously delivered by two 

virtuoso performers. This is your 

chance to see an Edinburgh Fringe 

staple right on your doorstep. 

Entry: £20 

emftheatre.com 

Listings are correct at time of going to press 

but may be subject to change. Readers are 

advised to check with venues before making 

arrangements. We can list your event in 

the next issue of Wealden Times for only 

£75+VAT. Please supply up to 200 words 

that should include date, time, venue, 

contact for enquiries and any entry price to 

whatson@priceless-group.com or send with 

payment (cheques payable to Priceless Media 

Ltd.) to What’s On, Priceless Media, Kettle 

Chambers, 21 Stone Street, Cranbrook, 

Kent TN17 3HF. Priceless Media reserves 

the right to edit text to fit space allocated. 

Deadline for the next issue is 10th June. 

105 


Jane Howard sheds some 

light on the complex 

hierarchy of a bee colony 

I’ve been keeping bees for about twenty years 

and in all that time I never knew that DCAs 

(Drone Congregation Areas) existed. But having 

just been to a fascinating talk about them (life in the 

fast lane at Coopers) I came away, yet again, with 

one of those 'isn’t nature amazing' feelings. (I bet not 

one of you reading this knows what a DCA is, but 

read on and be equally astonished and impressed.) 

So first a little bit of bee background. During the 

summer months a colony of bees is made up of one 

queen, up to 50,000 worker bees (all female) and a 

couple of hundred drones (male). The 

worker bees, as their name suggests, are 

the ones who go out all day, visiting 

flowers to collect nectar which gets 

brought back to the hive to be made 

into honey. The queen is there to lay 

eggs. When the colony needs a new 

queen they feed one of the eggs royal 

jelly and after 16 days it emerges as 

a virgin queen bee. The old queen 

then leaves the colony (that’s what 

makes a swarm) and the new queen 

will make a single flight, up above the tree line. Once 

there she will mate with several drones (who in the 

act lose their genitals and fall to the ground and die 

shortly after) leaving the queen with enough sperm 

to lay at least half a million eggs in the years ahead. 

Well that’s the tale you get spun at bee school, but 

introduce DCAs into to mix and it’s sooo much more 

interesting. For your average male bee I always imagined 

life was pretty dull – get born in the spring, spend every 

day flying up above the tree line waiting for that virgin 

to pass by. If you get lucky it's terminal and if you don’t 

you just keep up the daily routine, up down, up down, 

When the colony needs 

a new queen they 

feed one of the eggs 

royal jelly and after 

16 days it emerges as 

a virgin queen bee 

till the autumn comes along and the workers kick you 

out of the hive to meet a rather cold and lonely end. 

But actually, no need to feel sorry for them at all: 

it’s like one summer-long pub crawl. A typical DCA 

is between 30 and 200 metres in diameter, about 30 

metres above ground. Drones can pick and choose 

which ones to visit, travelling, if the mood takes them, 

over 7km to a favourite one, or visit several in the 

same day. And they don’t all come 

from the same colony, they come from 

all over the place – from up to 240 

different colonies in one case – so 

plenty to chat about while waiting 

for the all important to fly past. 

And just so the girls can find 

them, once in the DCA they all 

make a particular sound, a bit like 

whistling I suppose, to advertise 

their location. No research has 

been carried out yet to investigate 

what queens are looking for in a good DCA; in 

fact do they actively choose one over another? 

Now I expect you are wondering how the learned 

bee people know so much about them? First they 

have to find them. To do so they put virgin queens 

in tiny cages tied to balloons (if, like me, you're old 

enough to remember the Nimble bread ads, you’ll 

be getting the picture), then they let the balloons 

go up tied to a very long piece of string and, if they 

end up in a DCA, bingo – lots of interest. If not, 

they bring her back down and try another spot. 

Who would’ve known. Half anyone? 

istockphoto.com/ sarahdoow 


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Surrey Homes | SH113 | June 2024 | Education Supplement inside

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