Surrey Homes | SH114 | July 2024 | Property Supplement inside

PRICELESS 

JULY 2024 

114 

JULY 2024 

PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT inside 

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes

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Contents 

July 2024 

12 

21 

25 

28 

45 

46 

28 

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 

OUT OF THE BLUE 

A beautiful oast house that’s 

ready to greet guests 

GET THE LOOK 

A natural palette done just right 

MIDSUMMER MAGIC 

We reflect on a wonderful 

three days at Wealden 

Times Midsummer Fair 

65 

83 

84 

88 

91 

84 

GET THE LOOK 

Fab finds for quirky interiors 

SERVING 

CENTRE COURT 

Rebecca Cuffe aces tennisinspired 

fashion trends 

COUNTER BALANCE 

Chef Robin Read cooks this 

month’s recipes for us at his 

brand new Tunbridge Wells 

restaurant, The Counter 

TRAVEL GORGEOUSLY 

Josephine Fairley shares her pick 

of travel-sized wonder products 

HEAT WAVE! 

Sarah Maxwell tackles exercise 

during the menopause 

100 

102 

103 

105 

106 

56 

CONTAIN YOUR EXCITEMENT 

Jen Stuart-Smith gets creative 

with container planting 

GREAT EXPECTATIONS 

Mike Piercy shares his 

thoughts on tutoring 

CREATIVE THINKING 

Online educators, Technology 

Triumphs, explain how 

they foster creativity 

WHAT’S ON THIS SUMMER 

Fun-filled dates for your diary... 

FABLES FROM THE FARM 

Jane Howard’s latest instalment 

from Coopers Farm 

49 

56 

A WEEKEND IN... 

TUNBRIDGE WELLS 

Our guide to this 

amazing spa town 

IN THE CLOUDS 

Explore a unique maisonette 

in the heart of Tenterden 

93 

94 

NOURISH TO FLOURISH 

Charlotte Lau analyses the 

benefits of eating cherries 

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN 

Jo Arnell amps up evening 

impact with gloriously scented 

and glowing plant picks 

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. 

PROPERTY 

SUPPLEMENT 

Lots of valuable 

advice for 

improving 

your home. 

After page 66 

istockphoto.com/ Sebastien Mercier 

Property 

sponsored by 

7 

priceless-magazines.com

From the 

Editor 

Firstly, everyone here in the Priceless office would 

like to say a big thank you to everyone who 

came to enjoy Wealden Times Midsummer 

Fair – from our amazing set-up team and exhibitors 

to the thousands of fabulous shoppers supporting 

independent businesses. As ever, beautiful Hole Park 

provided the perfect backdrop for our three-day event 

and musical interludes from Marlborough House, 

Dulwich Cranbrook, Sutton Valence and Ashford 

School added to the relaxed summery atmosphere. 

This issue’s property supplement delves into all the 

important considerations when purchasing or altering 

your home. From legal advice to tips on how to decorate 

your new build, there’s plenty of food for thought. 

Our interiors features, though certainly different in style, 

are both buildings with a history that have undergone 

a dramatic transformation. The first, an impressively 

proportioned oast house, is living a new life as a holiday let, 

whilst the second – a Grade II listed maisonette – started 

life as a merchant’s shop on Tenterden High Street and is 

now a unique home to a couple who relish central town life. 

Out in the garden, Jo Arnell explores 

the intoxicating world of scented 

plants that come into their own at 

night and Jen Stuart Smith packs out 

containers with bountiful blooms. 

Recipes come courtesy of exciting new 

restaurant from acclaimed chef, Robin 

Read, The Counter. Happy cooking! 

Enjoy your Priceless Magazine 

geo wall hung wc 

original original 

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high quality, timeless design, authentic elements 

axis 

carlton 

astonian astonian original original brassware brassware 

Priceless Team 

EditorLucy Fleming 

Supplements & Features EditorRebecca Cuffe 

Sub Editor & Features Writer Emily Pavey 

Design & Production DirectorAnthony Boxall 

Sales Manager, Surrey HomesLisa Gordon-Hughes 

lisa.gordon-hughes@surrey-homes.co.uk 

Sales Manager, Wealden Times Maria Hurley 

maria.hurley@wealdentimes.co.uk 

Senior Account ManagerSarah Norwood 

Senior Sales ExecutiveAndrew 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 Chairman Julie Simpson 

Contact number for Wealden Times01580 714705 

Contact number for Surrey Homes 01580 236072 

9 


Tunbridge Wells . 70 Calverley Road . TN1 2UJ . 01892 548 111 

Oxshott . 1 High Street . KT22 0JN . 01372 841 730

Find us here! 

The Artificial & Natural Grass Specialists 

istockphoto.com/ Maria Voronovich 

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 

every month. We are available in 

the following outlets and are the 

only local magazine available at key 

commuter stations. If you have any 

questions about our distribution please 

contact Vivien Cotterill-Lee 

vivien.cotterill-lee@priceless-group.com 

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 

The Artificial & Natural Grass Specialists 

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House 

Month 

of the 

£1,650,000 

Reigate 

Gordon Lee picks out some of his 

favourite homes on the market 

The dream: This home perfectly 

balances the allure of country 

living with modern luxury, to give 

you the best of both worlds. 

Where: Between Reigate and Redhill. 

Setting: Nestled within a sprawling 

4-acre plot, this exquisite, detached 

family home offers a serene 

rural retreat while remaining 

conveniently close to the vibrant 

towns of Reigate and Redhill. 

Beds: 5 Baths: 4 

Special features: Remarkable open 

living space that seamlessly flows 

through various well-defined zones. 

A spacious kitchen, with breakfast 

bar, features light shaker cabinetry, 

elegant marble-effect countertops 

and stunning herringbone tiling. The 

family room, with bifold doors, affords 

panoramic views of the lush gardens 

and opens onto a newly laid patio. 

Pleasing details: A charming two 

bed annexe, with stylish bathroom – 

ideal for guests or extended family. 

Outside: An enormous verdant 

garden with views across Reigate Hill 

Golf Club. Delightful summer house 

with kitchen and shower room. 

Large private driveway to the front. 

Time to town: Gatton Park 

is connected to London via 

three stations Merstham (0.9 

miles), Redhill (1.6 miles) and 

Reigate (2.1 miles). Close to 

the M25 and Gatwick too. 

Agents: Stone Estate Agency 

01737 301557 stoneestateagents.co.uk 

priceless-magazines.com 12

Betchworth 

£700,000 

The dream: Superb, fully modernised, readyto-move-into 

bungalow. Ideal, future-proofed 

downsizer or perfect for a young, growing family. 

Where: Betchworth sits in the heart of the 

Mole Valley, approximately 3 miles east of 

Dorking and 3 miles west of Reigate. 

Setting: Rural – with lots of country 

walks on your doorstep. 


Special features: Fabulous open plan 

kitchen, lounge, dining room, with integrated 

appliances, and under floor heating. Stylish 

bi-fold doors open out to the rear garden. 

Pleasing details: The generous main bedroom 

has space to incorporate an en suite in the future. 

Outside: The sizeable rear garden includes 

a large shed with power. To the front 

there’s a lawned garden, double garage, 

and driveway for up to six cars. 

Time to town: Dorking and Reigate are just a 

10-minute drive away. Both towns also have trains 

that connect to London Waterloo in about an hour, 

whilst Gatwick Airport is less than 20 minutes away. 

Agents: Barnard Marcus 

01306 882148 barnardmarcus.co.uk 

Guildford 

£1,450,000 

The dream: Stylish city centre 

living, but in a quiet backwater. 

Where: A short walk from the 

vibrant centre of Guildford. 

Setting: Stunning, Victorian terrace 

house, sympathetically restored 

to a very high standard. 


Special features: A spacious, open plan kitchen/ 

family room that opens onto the southerly 

facing garden. The lower ground floor has a 

beautiful snug, reception, and shower rooms. 

Pleasing details: This pretty, period home has 

a wealth of characterful features including sash 

windows, fireplaces and stripped flooring. 

Outside: An attractive front courtyard, 

with a partially walled, private rear garden 

that’s well stocked with shrubs and trees. 

Residents’ bay parking to the front. 

Time to town: About a 10 minute walk to 

the Upper High Street. Trains from Guildford 

reach London Waterloo in 36 minutes, with the 

A3 links linking to the M25 just 6 miles away. 

Agents: Chantries & Pewleys 01483 405222 

chantriesandpewleys.com 

13 


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 

Prices from £480,000 

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.

B E S P O K E H O M E f i n d i n g 

i n S E V E N O A K S 

Laura Millar Home Finders are experienced property finders, 

with intimate knowledge of the market in sought-after 

Sevenoaks and the surrounding villages. We work closely with 

our clients and utilise our insider connections to match you 

and your family to your dream home, often sourcing 

spectacular properties before they reach the open market. 

HELLO@LAURAMILLAR.CO.UK 

+ 4 4 ( 0 ) 7 9 6 9 0 0 5 5 4 9 

WWW.LAURAMILLAR.CO.UK 

GU23 6PD 

NEW SHOW HOME LAUNCHING SATURDAY 13 TH JULY 

• 4 bedroom detached house with 

Tudor-style frontage 

• All-inclusive specification to 

include flooring, tiling, wardrobes 

and appliances 

• Open plan kitchen / dining / 

family room & separate lounge 

• Bi-fold doors out to the garden 

• Master bedroom with terrace, 

dressing area and en-suite 

• Garage, parking & EV charger 

• Indian Sandstone path and patio 

with turf to rear and landscaping 

to the front 

• Homes ready to move into 

SECURE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY. CURRENT SHOW HOME OPEN DAILY, 10AM TO 5PM 


Call us today on 01483 921474 

15 


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 

Another option to buying 

a retirement home 

The specialist developer of 

contemporary retirement 

properties, Birchgrove, 

offers modern apartments 

in Surrey, Kent and London. All 

apartments are spacious with all the 

mod-cons you’d expect. Many also come 

with private patios and balconies. 

A large family home with too many 

rooms unused, not to mention the garden 

to maintain can be a big headache to 

keep up with, making a self-contained 

apartment option very appealing. 

The process of selling and buying a 

new home is stressful for anyone, but 

even more overwhelming for people in 

their later years. That is why Birchgrove 

is transforming the way people view 

renting by making it as hassle-free as 

possible. Birchgrove apartments are 

offered solely for rent. The inclusive 

rent covers all the large-ticket expenses, 

so you have more time and money 

to enjoy the things you love. 

Location is a top priority too, with the 

communities built close to amenities 

and shops with good transport links, 

as well as plenty of places to walk. 

Reflecting on his decision to move 

to a retirement apartment, Ray 

shares his story of why a move to 

Birchgrove was right for him: 

“I’ve lived in the area for fifty-four years 

now. It’s where my roots are, my stomping 

ground, so I wanted to stay here. It’s 

like your comfy old boots, it’s what I 

know – as are the people and things I 

do here that form a large part of my 

life – particularly since I lost my wife. 

At this age you’ve got to face facts and the 

fact is I’ve a four-bedroom house I rattle 

around in. It should be on the market for 

a family who could make better use of 

it. I knew I’d have to downsize at some 

stage, but there aren’t many options out 

there – and I don’t want a nursing home 

thank you. I’m 86 and not getting any 

younger – I mean bits are gonna start to 

fall off aren’t they and you can’t do what 

you used to do. You may think you can, 

but you can’t. So it’s important to plan 

ahead and adjust for this eventuality. 

One option is to buy - but then you’re 

locked into their system – caught in 

other words. Not to mention most are 

overpriced, and you can’t get rid of them 

at the end. And I don’t want to leave a 

massive burden for my family to have 

to sort when I’m gone. I also thought 

about moving out to a retirement 

village but it’s not here, so then I’ve torn 

out my roots completely. So, you’ve 

got to try and find a compromise. 

Renting is a different option, it’s not 

cheap, but neither are nursing homes. 

Value is most definitely in the eye 

of the beholder. I’m quite a social 

person so I’m looking forward to a bit 

more company and things to do. 

To find out more about 

Birchgrove retirement properties 

and to explore your options, please 

contact the team on 020 3929 5599 

or visit www.birchgrove.life

S H O W H O M E S 

O P E N D A I L Y 

2, 3 & 4 BEDROOM HOMES 

FROM £450,000 MOVE IN NOW 

BOOK YOUR VISIT TODAY 

01483 944 011 | sales@leighwoodfields.co.uk 

Leighwood Fields, Alfold Road, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8WQ 

Prices correct at time of going to press and subject to availability. Photography is indicative only. 

50201_Berkeley_LeighwoodFields_SurreyHomesJuneAd_AW.indd 1 31/05/2024 12:48

LAST 

CHANCE 

Farnham 

WIN THIS HOUSE 

IN SURREY 

Worth £3,000,000 

Quick Facts 

• Mortgage free 

• No stamp duty or legal fees 

• All furnishings included 

• £100,000 in cash 

• Live in. Rent out. Sell up. 

Located in Farnham, this Idyllic House with five 

bedrooms, five bathrooms and a pool house 

complete with a sauna, could be all yours when 

you enter the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, 

Surrey. 

And the best part? 

By entering the Surrey House Draw, you’ll be 

supporting Prostate Cancer UK to fund the 

TRANSFORM programme - the UK’s most 

ambitious prostate cancer screening trial ever. 

Enter By Sunday 30th June at omaze.co.uk - Use code FARNHAM15 for 15% off 

Omaze guarantees to make a minimum charitable donation of £1,000,000 to Prostate Cancer UK. Omaze UK Limited is the promoter of the Surrey House Draw with Prostate Cancer 

UK (registered charity no. 1005541 in England and Wales and SC039332 in Scotland) being the charitable beneficiary. Over one third of sales goes to charity and VAT. Omaze guarantees 

17% of sales from the Surrey House Draw will go to the charity. Irrespective of sales, Omaze has guaranteed a minimum total payment of £1,000,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. No purchase 

necessary. The Surrey House Draw closes on 30th June 2024.

BACK AGAIN FOR 2024 

FREE FAMILY 

ENTERTAINMENT 

FREE ACTIVITIES 

EVERY FRIDAY, 12PM – 5PM 

FROM 26TH JULY TO 30TH AUGUST 

GO 

ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE IN EPSOM MARKETPLACE 

FOLLOW GO EPSOM AT WWW.GOEPSOM.COM 

OR ON FACEBOOK FOR WEEKLY UPDATES

Notebook 

Lead the Way 

Take note! We’ve rounded up the best 

of what to see and do near you 

Summer Nights 

istockphoto.com/ Andrii-Oliinyk / 

EL Studio / Vitalii Barida 

There’s a sizzling line-up of live music at 

The Pantiles in Royal Tunbridge Wells this 

summer. Every Thursday evening head 

there for Live at The Pantiles, running until 

early September. Enjoy a diverse selection 

of bands and artists, creating the perfect 

soundtrack for your summer nights. 

Plus, don’t miss their spectacular Soul Train events, 

bringing the best of funk and soul to RTW’s historic 

streets. Mark your calendars for two special dates: 

27th July: The Saviours of Soul and 

31st August: The Audacity Funk & Soul Band. 

These promise vibrant performances that 

will keep you dancing all night long. 

Proudly sponsored by Evelyn Partners, 

with support from Dandara and Thomson 

Snell & Passmore, these evenings are 

a highlight of the Tunbridge Wells summer scene. 

For more information, and the full line-up, visit thepantiles.com 

and keep an eye on their social media pages for regular updates. 

And don’t miss our feature in this issue – 

A Weekend in Royal Tunbridge Wells. 

21 

Someone can’t wait for Walkies at 

RHS Wisley! Treat your furry pal 

to a stroll around the world-famous 

garden from 6pm until 8.30pm on 

Thursday 11th or Sunday 28th July 

(with further dates in August on 

their website). You can explore all 

the outdoor areas, tuck into a treat 

from the food and drink trucks 

and don’t fret about leaving anyone 

out... puppuccinos and doggie ice 

creams will also be available. 

The Walkies events are free for 

RHS members or £9.25 for an 

adult ticket, £5 for children. 

rhs.org.uk 

MAKING A 

SPLASH 

Dolphin sightings along 

the Sussex coast are on the increase. 

As part of their commitment to 

protecting this beloved species through 

research, awareness and education, The 

Sussex Dolphin Project is offering four 

boat trips across four wonderful locations 

There’s the Brighton Sunset Cruise 

or trips to Seven Sisters, Rampion 

Wind Farm and Beachy Head, all 

running during July and August. 

You’ll explore the waters, see the coast 

from a different perspective and learn 

all about the precious local marine 

life. Find out more from their website. 

sussexdolphinproject.org 

priceless-magazines.

World Class 

Diary at the ready! YolanDa Brown, MOBO-winning 

saxophonist, brings her jazz, soul fusion to the 

magnificent Landmark Arts Centre on July 27th 

with two shows. She kicks off in the morning with 

YolanDa’s Band Jam, a fun-packed family experience 

and hit CBeebies TV show. Like ‘Jools Holland for 

kids’, it makes music fun and interactive. Whilst An 

Evening with YolanDa Brown showcases her musical 

talent that made her popular with stars like Billy 

Ocean. Expect an unforgettable night of soulful 

rhythms and world class jazz fusion. Don’t miss this 

rare chance to hear a world great in action! Grab your 

tickets at LandmarkArtsCentre.org 

CUT ABOVE 

This year’s Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival from 

29 June until 14 July promises events galore at a 

variety of venues across TW. There are a host of 

top-class acts coming to town including many 

award-winning comedians. Alongside music, 

dance, theatre and comedy there are workshops 

too. Check out the fringe website for an amazing 

choice of performances to enjoy. twfringe.com 

istockphoto.com/ 

Royal Mint 

Polo ‘the sport of kings’ 

is one of the oldest known 

sports in the world, thought to have 

originated in Persia over 2,000 years 

ago. The British Open Polo Championship 

for the Cowdray Gold Cup is the premier 

polo tournament in Europe at 22 goal level. 

You’ll find all the international stars 

of the game at this exciting event in 

the incomparable setting of Cowdray 

Park’s stunning grounds, right in 

the heart of the South Downs 

National Park. The final takes 

place on Sunday 21 July. 

cowdraypolo.co.uk 

Trevor’s Treasure 

We love an exciting swashbuckling adventure to 

encourage the kids to get reading. So we’re delighted 

to hear that one of our readers, local grandfather Trevor 

Anderson has had his novel, The Time Cave – Spanish 

Main, published. The time-slip tale is for children aged 9-13 

but we’ve heard it’s been enjoyed by adults too and it was 

recently named Book of the Week on the London Mums 

website. It’s available in paperback and in Kindle format. 

Sew Good 

The Sussex Guild will be returning to Michelham 

Priory – a 12th century priory with a Tudor 

extension, situated on a picturesque moated 

island – on Friday 26 to Sunday 28 July. Enjoy 

the historic setting and take the opportunity 

to talk to contemporary craft makers from 

whom you may buy directly or take the 

opportunity to commission bespoke items. 

Guild members will be showing a wide 

range of contemporary crafts in marquees 

as well as in the Elizabethan barn and 

a working forge. You’ll find ceramics, 

textiles, jewellery, leatherwork, wood, 

glass, metalwork and furniture. Some 

designers will be actively demonstrating 

their creative skills including several 

ceramic techniques, blacksmithing 

and lamp-worked glass. Seven acres 

of beautiful grounds, free parking, 

a licenced cafe, areas for 

children’s play and picnics, 

make this an ideal day 

out. Full admission details 

are at thesussexguild.co.uk 

01273 479565. 


Louie died aged 7 months 

“They held our 

hands through 

the unimaginable” 

Annie, Louie’s mum 

Louie was a happy, playful baby. When a cough worsened dramatically overnight, 

his worried parents took him to hospital where he was put on a ventilation machine to 

help him breathe. Sadly, following a series of complications and after the most difficult 

week imaginable, little Louie died. 

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices supports very sick children 

and their families throughout Surrey and south-west London. 

Registered Charity No: 1042495 

Scan now 

and support 

families like Louie’s 

BB24035 SSCH_SurreyHomes_Mag_Fullpage_2406 AW.indd 1 

11/06/2024 4:15 PM

Bespoke structures designed and made in Kent 

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Enquire now for delivery in Autumn 2024 

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New spring / summer Barbour shirts 

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Bring some of your personality to your wardrobe with a 

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48 London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1AS 

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PL407_TraditionalVerandah_V1.indd 1 30/01/2024 11:10 

LUXURY FITNESS, DANCE AND TENNIS RETREATS 

DISCOVER CHÂTEAU LOU CASTEOU 

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priceless-magazines.com 

24

Pride is in the air and with 

Brighton’s annual celebration 

just around the corner it’s time 

to show your support! The Oxfam shop 

has a great collection that supports 

LGBTQIA+ causes like Gay Alliance 

Ukraine. This travel cup is £9.99 at 

onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk 

If you’re looking for a cosy, 

friendly spot with delicious 

food for your next meal out, 

we recommend The Print 

House in Tenterden. They recently earned 

a well-deserved four-star rating from the 

AA – the first hotel in Tenterden to receive 

such acclaim. They are also showing the 

Wimbledon finals this month on the 13th 

and 14th. theprinthousetenterden.com 

Silent Pool have the 

summer tipple of 

the season! This is 

their English Garden 

Expression Gin, and 

as far as the 

taste goes the 

name is pretty 

spot on. 

Conjuring images of a beautiful 

English garden in the Surrey Hills 

it makes for the perfect beverage 

for sunny days in the South 

East. It’s a fresh smooth mix of 

juniper, sweet peach, bright citrus 

and aromatic florals. Couple 

with a nice tonic, sit back and 

enjoy! It’s £45 for a 70cl bottle at 

silentpooldistillers.com 

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! 

Between the Olympics, the Tour 

de France, and Bastille Day 

too, it’s all eyes on France this 

month and the perfect time to indulge 

in authentic French flavours. There is 

of course, the wine, the cheese, pastries 

and breads. But for something different, 

have you ever tried a beignet? These ones 

from Moi by Mademoiselle Desserts 

are light and fluffy mini brioche dough 

delights that come with four tasty 

filling options including speculoos, 

apple, hazelnut & cocoa, and red 

fruits. They are super yummy and just 

£3.50 for a pack of 8 at moibymd.co.uk 

For extra sun protection in 

the summer months a cap is 

always a good idea and we love 

these ones from Bournemouthbased 

Brit brand Blue Panda. 

They donate 15% of their profits to 

wildlife and conservation efforts and their 

made-to-order caps each have an adorable 

embroidered animal indicating the charity 

you have supported from lobsters and 

elephants to mallards and hedgehogs! The 

brand also has great eco credentials and 

the caps are just £24 at bluepanda.co.uk 

Available in 

the relaxing 

aromas of 

Orange 

Spice and 

Ylang Ylang 

aromatherapy, 

Skär Organics’ luxurious 

and beautiful candles are 

handmade in Yorkshire and 

are the UK’s first and only 

candles certified organic by 

the Soil Association. Ecofriendly 

and excellent! They 

are £32.50 for 150g and £40 

for 200g at skarorganics.com 

If you’re packing for summer hols check out Birds sunglasses. They 

are all about planet-positive stylish shades using materials like plantbased 

cellulose, and ultra-low carbon production processes. They also 

support good causes like WWF and RSPB and you can even send in 

your old sunglasses and glasses to them to recycle and receive £20 off 

your order. This Rio pair is £95 at findyourbirds.com 

Anyone planning a wedding? These 

rentable silk bridal bouquets from 

The Floral Hire are a great way to 

save money, are available by post 

and are absolutely beautiful! You 

can order individual items to rent 

from £2.50 – simply order to arrive 

3 days before the wedding, and 

post back when you’re done! Bridal 

bouquets are all £45 and this one 

is the Amelia. thefloralhire.com 

25

THE ORIGINAL FESTIVAL OF BUSHCRAFT AND MUSIC IS COMING TO HOLE PARK 

Day tickets available 

Friday 16th to Sunday 18th August 

Weekend tickets also available 

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Archery ◆ Axe Throwing ◆ Bow Making 

Canoeing ◆ Music ◆ Family Activities 

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C 

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26


Out of the 

Words: Jo Arnell 

Photographs: David Merewether 

blue 

Tricia Trend’s Goudhurst home is the perfect base 

from which to explore the beautiful countryside 

and forests that surround it – and what better 

place to stay than in a traditional Kentish oast! 

29 


Eliot Siegel 

his fine a 

fashion m 

The British 

CHRISTMAS GUIDE 

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EL 

n 312 Upper Richmond Road West, London. SW14 7JN. 

n 020 8876 0070 n info@rugdtoreonline.co.uk 

n rugstoreonline.co.uk 

Eliot has b 

with eig 

created six 

printed on 

printer in 

grey boxe 

n Find the 

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If you are looking for festive cheer, 

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specialising in craft beers, natural 

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30 

48 December

Previous page: The main bedroom suite Above: The Aga brings a homely feel to the spacious kitchen 

How many times have you stayed in a beautiful 

holiday home and imagined yourself living 

there permanently? It’s something that many 

of us have thought about – and perhaps even gone as far 

as looking up the particulars, but it is a rare thing when 

stars collide and the dream can become a reality. 

When Tricia Trend and her family came to stay in this 

fabulous five bedroomed twin oast house in Goudhurst they 

had no idea what fate had in store for them. They’d been 

thinking of buying a holiday property, but not an oast house, 

and anyway it wasn’t on the market. “We came to stay with our 

two children and we fell in love with the whole area,” explains 

Tricia. “This is on the Bedgebury Estate. You can walk – and 

there are cycle tracks – out to Bedgebury from here. It’s an 

area of outstanding natural beauty and very peaceful, as we 

are far from the road.” It is indeed a very enviable location, 

overlooking the lake, surrounded by countryside with a 

fabulous view out to Bedgebury Manor and the Pinetum. 

Determined to find something to make into a holiday home 

of their own, Tricia began to search around. “I started to look 

in the area, but nothing came up,” she recalls. Then – in that 

‘is it chance or is it fate’ kind of way – she saw that the oast was 

available for sale. “We came to look in early January 2022, but 

the estate agent said it was already sold. As is often the case in 

the tricky field of property purchasing, when hopes are so often 

dashed, but occasionally reborn, it came back onto the market. 

And to cut a long story – and a nerve-wracking moment as the 

sale went to sealed bids – short: “We bought it in April 2022.” 

They thought about moving from their home in Ascot, 

Berkshire and almost decided to live here in the oast 

permanently, but family life was very settled where they were 

living and it would have meant quite an upheaval. “The 

children were at the age where they want to stay at their schools 

and with friends,” Tricia explains, and so although it was very 

tempting, they were not ready to make the permanent move. 

Keeping the house as a holiday home was a sensible decision, 

especially as it was already set up to be let out – although 

they had to re-organise the accommodation from scratch, as 

all the furniture and fittings went when it changed hands. 

“I have inherited the interior,” Tricia explains, “it was carried 

out by a designer for the previous owner. Most of the colours are 

either Farrow & Ball or Little Greene and luckily they left us all 

the names – very useful, as we have redecorated in some areas.” 

Heritage buildings can be quirky – often owners feel more 

like curators and it can be hard to coax an old dwelling into 

a modern comfortable home. This is nineteenth century 

31 


Above: The dining area has lovely views over the 

garden. The beautiful tablescaping is by local company 

Beyond the Table (beyondthetable.co.uk) The conical 

rattan pendant light above the table is by Nkuku 

and like many Victorians, has a solid air. Although recently 

refurbished, it is an established conversion and has been 

a home for several families since then. It must be very 

interesting to own an oast house – they are such symbolic 

buildings and the Weald in particular has a large number, 

some dating back to the sixteenth century. Kent has the 

ideal soil and conditions for growing hops and had plenty 

of wood for the kilns, so the industry quickly grew and 

flourished here. The landscape is now famous for these 

wonderful buildings, although hop farming has declined and 

nearly all of them have been converted to other uses now. 

The iconic round shape of a Kentish roundel oast is lovely 

to look at, but circular rooms are hard to furnish without 

spending a fortune. The oasts here are square with pyramidal 

roofs, rather than roundels, which is lucky – these have all 

the character, but are practical too. “My neighbour’s house 

has many more original features, there aren’t many left here,” 

says Tricia, “but we have lots of wonderful photographs 

of the original oast back in the hop drying days. This 

place was converted to a residential dwelling in 1983.” 

“We are near the hop picker line – the trains that bought 

people in, mainly from East London, to pick hops in the 

summer. They were staying in pretty basic conditions 

I think, but then it was an escape from the city and 


32


As seen on TV! 

Posh Pawn is just a stone’s throw away. 

As part of the esteemed Prestige 

Pawnbrokers family serving Surrey, 

London and the home counties, 

and made increasingly popular by 

the hit TV Show ‘Posh Pawn’; Posh Pawn has 

established itself as the ultimate destination 

for individuals seeking to sell, loan against, 

exchange or purchase preloved luxury items. 

SO WHERE ARE YOUR 

NEAREST STORES? 

In Surrey and the surrounding areas 

Posh Pawn is situated in Weybridge, 

Guildford and Richmond. 

The Weybridge store is the place it all 

began. Being the first branch and situated 

in a very affluent part of Surrey, as you’d 

expect, the team see some high value goods 

and collections including art and cars as well 

as amazing branded jewellery pieces such as 

Cartier and Bvlgari. Luxury brands like Rolex, 

Patek, Chanel and Hermes are appraised daily 

due to the clientele and current cash needs. 

“It’s certainly been busy in recent months 

with record numbers coming in to sell or 

borrow against luxury goods.” 

Owner, James Contantinou. 

After the success of Weybridge a 

second location opened up for Posh 

Pawn in Richmond, pawnbroking in the 

highly influential borough of London for 

over 10 years, with a new retail premises 

opening in the past 2 years to fill the gap 

of luxury retail in the area. Richmond 

is a beautiful appraisal and retail store, 

the attention to detail in respect of the 

finishes gives a true feeling of opulence. 

“Classic style and old money aesthetics are 

key factors for Richmond clientele. Chanel, 

Hermes and Cartier are brands that 

perform extremely well in our retail sector, 

even bringing in a few celebrities through 

the doors.” 

Store Manager, AnnaGrace Johnson 

More recently is the Posh Pawn 

Guildford branch. Purchased and fitted 

during the pandemic presented the 

team with unique challenges, which 

were overcome, nevertheless. 

“Guildford really is a showcase of what we 

have achieved, giving a great insight into 

the variety of assets that we deal with. The 

large open space gives us an opportunity to 

display the larger assets among the array of 

glorious luxury goods displayed on the walls 

and cabinets.” 

Owner, James Constantinou 

Loan Against or Sell or Buy Luxury 

With years of experience in the industry, 

Posh Pawn has become synonymous 

with trust, reliability, and exceptional 

customer service. This legacy of excellence 

is reflected in every aspect of Posh Pawn’s 

operations including their Weybridge, 

Richmond and Guildford stores. 

Posh Pawn are proud to offer a flexible 

pawnbroking service, allowing you to leverage 

your luxury assets to secure a short-term loan, 

providing you with the immediate funds 

you need while retaining ownership of your 

prized possessions. Or if you are looking to 

part with your possessions for good, Posh 

Pawn offers a seamless and confidential 

selling experience. Their team of experts 

possesses an in-depth understanding of 

the luxury market, enabling them to assess 

and appraise your items with precision. 

Also at Posh Pawn you’ll find luxury items 

at a fraction of their original retail prices! 

Each item undergoes rigorous authentication 

and quality checks, ensuring that you get 

genuine luxury without compromise – unable 

to visit in store? No problem! You can shop 

online at www.shopprestige.com. Whether 

you’re looking for an investment piece to 

add to your collection or statement accessory 

to elevate your style, Posh Pawn has it all. 

So why not take a trip to Posh Pawn 

today! 8 UK locations including: 

GUILDFORD - 01483 964019 

164-166 High Street, Guildford GU1 3HW 

guildford@prestigepawnbrokers.co.uk 

WEYBRIDGE - 01932 859880 

109 Queens Rd, Weybridge KT13 9UJ 

weybridge@prestigepawnbrokers.co.uk 

RICHMOND - 0208 948 4867 

2-2a George Street, Richmond TW9 1JY 

richmond@prestigepawnbrokers.co.uk 

www.prestigepawnbrokers.co.uk 

www.shopprestige.com

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This page: A cosy sitting room with a log burner leads off the kitchen and 

dining area; A print of a horse by photographer Vicki Smith entitled ‘I’m 

Listening’ hangs above a chair in one corner Right: The TV snug 

a way to enjoy the countryside.” 

Tricia has displayed some of the 

wonderful black and white photographs of 

the hop pickers at work – picking, drying, 

packing and storing the hops until they 

were ready to send out to the breweries. 

As we stand in the base of one of the 

oasts, in what is now the sitting room, it 

is hard to imagine that this was a semiindustrial 

space. “There would have been 

a kiln in here and the room would have 

been open to the rafters,” she explains. 

“The oast acts like a huge chimney.” 

Now though there are two floors above 

this room. The room does still have 

a fire, but it’s a clean and cosy wood 

burner with no need for a giant flue. 

A wonderfully wide staircase leads 

up to the second floor and the main 

suite. This room boasts a dressing room 

and, up some more stairs within the 

room into the top below the cowl, 

there’s a spacious en suite – mezzaninestyle 

– which means it has no door, 

so has its own private floor instead. 

The next bedroom along is even larger 

than the main. It doesn’t have its own 

bathroom, but more than makes up for 

that with a balcony large enough to call 

itself a terrace, with an uninterrupted 

view out across the landscape to the 

lake and Bedgebury Pinetum. 

The family bathroom is shared 

by another large bedroom – a twin 

room, while in the oast at the other 

end there is a family suite – a large 

35 


This page: A staircase in the main bedroom suite leads to a private bathroom 

on the floor above, complete with roll top bath and wet room 

double bedroom, bathroom and sweet 

little children’s room tucked into the 

roof space. The main bedroom in the 

second oast makes the most of the lofty 

pyramidal roof space and original beams. 

“It makes dusting up into the rafters 

quite tricky,” smiles Tricia. “Luckily 

we have a great team of cleaners which 

gives me peace of mind. I try to use 

local suppliers wherever possible – 

down to the food gifts in the welcome 

basket from local farm shops.” Tricia’s 

background is in hotel management 

and she has much experience in front of 

house and so understands the attention 

to detail that’s needed to make a stay 

comfortable. “These little touches make 

all the difference I think,” she says. 


36

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or call one of our helpful design team 020 3957 6150

Clockwise from above left: The square oasts have made choosing 

furnishings much easier. This bedroom at the top of the house has a 

soaring ceiling that opens up to the oast cowel above; The bathrooms 

are airy and contemporary; Tricia has been sure to maximise guest 

comfort with luxury bed linens and super-soft carpets and rugs 

The lake view – where the place gets its name – is clear from 

the bedrooms. As you look out, the only house that can be 

glimpsed in the distance through the trees is Bedgebury Manor. 

They are right next to the Pinetum and in an Area of Outstanding 

National Beauty. Bedgebury Pinetum was set up by the Royal 

Botanic Gardens at Kew and the Forestry Commission back 

in 1924 as a pollution-free site for a large conifer collection. 

Today the 320 acres are a wonderful place to explore – there are 

great cycle tracks and bikes for hire, and Go Ape – a tree top 

adventure experience that’s a fantastic attraction for families. 

“There’s so much to do around here,” Tricia says. “My son 

loves cycling, it’s ideal for children. There are cycle tracks out 

 

39 


Above: A large bedroom has a calming palette of pale sage greens and its own terrace 

that looks out towards Bedgebury Pinetum Left: The central staircase is illuminated by 

whitewashed wooden pendant lights. Similar can be bought from cotswoldluxe.co.uk 

to Bedgebury from here which 

avoid the roads, it’s great to be so 

immersed in the countryside.’ 

The way the house is laid out means 

that it works really well for more than 

one family to stay, but still have their 

own space. “It’s perfect for celebrations 

like birthdays and anniversaries, 

you can fit several generations in 

comfortably and we have let it out for 

both Christmases since we’ve had it.” 

Furnishing a large property like this 

is no mean feat. Luckily all the basics 

were in place and once minor repairs 

and a small amount of refreshing 

had been done they could focus on 

making the rooms comfortable. “I’ve 

always loved interior design and 

pottering around looking for things,” 

she says. “Whenever I stay somewhere 

I’m always turning over rugs and 

things to see where they’re from.” 

Somehow choosing a scheme 

becomes easier when it’s not your 

own house, you’re not distracted by 

ephemera and existing pieces. They 

had a colour scheme to work to for 

each room, and most of the interior 

is decorated in restful pale blues, 

which tone in with the tranquil 

setting. This is a place of relaxation 

and Tricia was clear from the start 

that when people come away to stay 

somewhere, comfort is a priority. “I 

had stayed here so I knew that the 

beds were really comfortable. It 


40

KEEP COOL THIS SUMMER 

Visit our Showroom to see our Ceiling Fan 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- July Edition.indd 1 11/06/2024 09:44:06

This page: The stunning 

grounds are the perfect place 

to relax and dine; Tucked away 

outside in the converted garage 

there’s a games room packed 

with all the entertainment 

that a teenager might need 

was so important to get good mattresses 

– in fact people have asked where the 

mattresses came from. We got them from 

’Tasha Interiors on the Goudhurst Road. 

They offer a really personal service and 

the mattresses are all British made.” 

It can be tricky to make a large space 

feel cosy, but the underfloor heating in 

the bathrooms and kitchen help. The 

oast sitting room has a welcoming feel, 

there’s a snug at the other end of the 

house and although the open plan kitchen 

is huge, the magnificent Aga at one end 

brings a homely feel. “The Aga is on all 

the time,” explains Tricia, “but it stays 

cool in the summer as the downstairs is 

so airy. We can also open the windows 

here at this end and then get airflow 

and a cool breeze, so it’s not stuffy. 

“We’ve had to pick furniture and 

things to fit in with the schemes, but 

sometimes quirky pieces really work. 

The oversized chair was bought for my 

own house, but when you buy things 

online it’s so hard to judge the scale 

of them. So when this arrived it was 

far too large, totally out of scale, but I 

knew exactly where it would fit here.” 

Outside there’s a large and comfortable 

terrace surrounded by immaculate rose 

beds edged with nepeta and herbaceous 

perennials. A beautiful little summerhouse 

looks out over a large striped lawn and 

in the converted garage there’s a games 

room packed with all the entertainment 

that a teenager might need. 

As we step outside from the serene, 

organised blues of the house interior into 

the greens of the landscape it’s easy to see 

how Tricia and her family fell in love with 

their holiday home. Horses graze in the 

next field and beyond them is the deep 

wooded calm of the Pinetum. There’s 

no traffic noise, no real hint of human 

activity – just the sound of birds singing 

and the rustle of the leaves in the trees. 

Tricia has given much thought and care to 

ensure that visitors to the oast are able to 

experience a relaxing slice of all this and 

enjoy a luxuriously comfortable stay in a 

fabulous icon of the Kent countryside. 

Address Book: 

To book a stay at Bedgebury Oast 

visit the Bloom Stays website 

bloomstays.com/property/bedgebury-oast 



Busting the myths 

of garden pergolas 

As indoor-outdoor living trends show no 

signs of slowing down this summer, MD 

of external shading experts, Caribbean 

Blinds, is addressing the common 

misconceptions often associated with one 

of the best products designed to enhance 

any outdoor space – louvered pergolas. 

“With various options available in the 

market, the performance and functionality 

of different garden pergolas have been 

scrutinised over the years,” explains Stuart 

Dantzic, MD of Caribbean Blinds. 

“However, modern louvered pergolas 

manufactured today are worlds away from 

those originally introduced in the UK. 

In fact, when developed with incredible 

attention to detail, pergolas can be classed 

as a robust garden product that truly 

transforms various outdoor spaces.” 

Pergolas don’t offer 

protection from the 

elements, they are 

purely decorative. 

Many people believe that 

pergolas are mainly a decorative 

addition to any outdoor space 

and don’t offer adequate protection 

from the sun, wind or rain. However, 

this isn’t true as Stuart highlights. 

“Quality aluminium louvered 

pergolas have come a long way in 

terms of performance and now operate 

effortlessly so homeowners can create 

their desired ambient conditions. At a 

touch of a button, the louvered roofs 

open and close to provide unbeatable 

shade and shelter from the elements. 

“Further developments to the 

products mean additional features can be 

installed to offer even more protection 

from the wind and rain. For instance, 

at Caribbean Blinds we offer optional 

windproof side screens so that our 

customers can create a pleasant outdoor 

environment come rain or shine.” 

Pergolas 

require a lot of 

maintenance 

and care. 

One common 

misunderstanding 

concerning pergolas is that they are a 

high maintenance product which needs 

regular care and attention. However, 

garden pergolas can be manufactured 

from various building materials 

and the amount of maintenance 

required will depend on which 

one you choose explains Stuart. 

“Compared to wood alternatives, 

louvered pergolas made from quality 

aluminium will require very little 

upkeep. This is because aluminium 

is an incredibly robust metal that is 

corrosion resistant and long lasting. 

“Opting for a pergola built 

from aluminium will no doubt give 

homeowners the confidence that 

they’re investing in a product that not 

only looks fantastic but also delivers 

outstanding performance year after year.” 

Pergolas are 

only suitable in 

the summer 

Another misconception 

surrounding pergolas 

is that they can only 

be used in the warmer 

months, but this isn’t the case. 

“A quality louvered pergola manufactured 

from a reputable supplier can be 

completely customised to accommodate 

a range of different needs,” adds Stuart. 

“With the choice to include infra-red 

heating, LED lighting and windproof 

side screens, homeowners can create 

the perfect outdoor conditions that will 

allow them to enjoy the fresh air no 

matter the weather, day or night and 

even during the summer and winter.” 

With various garden pergolas readily 

available, it can be difficult to know 

which one will best suit your needs and 

perfectly enhance your outdoor space. 

“Always do your research before 

investing in a pergola for your 

garden to feel confident with your 

choice,” comments Stuart. 

“At Caribbean Blinds we only 

manufacture and supply aluminium 

louvered pergolas and would always 

recommend this as a top choice for 

homeowners. This is because, compared 

to those made from alternative building 

materials, louvered pergolas offer 

exceptional style, impressive durability 

and functionality, and can also 

withstand harsh weather conditions.” 

If you’re looking for a product 

to create the perfect indoor-outdoor 

living space, browse the full range 

of louvered pergolas developed 

by Caribbean Blinds today. 

www.cbsolarshading.co.uk/louvered-roofs/

Sale 

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44

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LOOK 

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45 



istockphoto.com/masterzphotois

Midsummer Magic 

We’re celebrating a wonderful three days at Wealden Times Midsummer Fair! 

istockphoto.com/masterzphotois 

After worrying for weeks and weeks 

about the unpredictable British 

weather, we couldn’t believe our 

luck that gorgeous Hole Park was bathed 

in sunshine for the duration of Wealden 

Times Midsummer Fair, for three days 

of shopping and summery vibes. 

HUGE thank yous go out to all our 

incredible exhibitors, sponsors Evelyn 

Partners and Sofas & Stuff, set-up teams 

and visitors who ensure each year keeps 

getting better and better! Alongside 

plenty of fair favourites, we welcomed 

lots of new stands this year, all of whom 

worked so hard to present their products 

as beautifully as humanly possible. Our 

Best Stand award went to the lovely Nila 

Parmar Designs, whose fantastic display 

was packed with colour and texture. 

We loved listening to the talented 

local school choirs and Headcorn 

Ukulele Group, whose gentle music 

brought a lovely atmosphere to our 

Deck Chair Zone, sponsored by the 

fantastic Evelyn Partners, whilst visitors 

took some time out to enjoy some of 

the delicious food and drink on offer. 

Thursday visitors, did you manage 

to spot Antiques Road Show’s Raj 

Bisram exploring the marquees? You 

might just be able to spot yourselves, 

too, in the photo roundup across this 

spread! We look forward to seeing you 

in November at The Hop Farm! Visit 

wealdentimes-fair.co.uk and enter MSF24 

for a discount on pre-booked tickets. 

47 


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01892 535555 

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54 | SEPTEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine SO Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2023 | 55 

44 High Street 


Where quality and service cost less! 

01892 535555 

sales@wellsinteriors.com 

54 | SEPTEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine SO Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2023 | 55 

Ethical Luxury Jewellery 

& Bespoke Designs 

Handcrafted in our In-House Workshop 

Jewellery Remodelling 

Bespoke Design 

Repairs & Alterations 

KATA Jewellery 

48C St. John’s Road 


TN4 9NY 

01892 482 659 

katajewellery.com 


48

a weekend in ... 

Sponsored by Royal Tunbridge Wells Together 

TUNBRIDGE WELLS 

We’re taking a tour of the thriving town of Tunbridge Wells, finding all the 

best spots to eat, drink, stay and enjoy exciting entertainment 

WHERE TO SHOP 

COUNTY CLOTHES 

For men’s fashion, County Clothes Menswear offers 

extensive ranges of formal and casual wear, in classic and 

contemporary styles. Expect premium brands like Meyer 

Trousers, Barbour, Geox, Eterna and Roy Robson and 

there’s also a personal tailoring service, giving you the 

opportunity of styling your suit or jacket to your own 

individual taste. There’s a fantastic mix of accessories and 

over a hundred men’s footwear options, all spread over 

two floors (2,100 sq ft). The principles of Quality and 

Personal Service are much in evidence, so pop in and take 

a look. Learn more at countyclothesmenswear.co.uk 

KATA JEWELLERY 

A real hidden gem is KATA Jewellery, on St. John’s Road, 

Tunbridge Wells. A small family-run boutique, KATA 

Jewellery is much more than a jewellery shop. With their 

workshop on site, they carry out repairs, alterations and 

restorations, but the real jewel in their crown is their 

bespoke and remodelling work – they have tremendous 

skill creating forever jewels to be treasured. Alongside 

their own collection, they exhibit local artists making it a 

wonderful creative space to visit. katajewellery.com 

istockphoto.com/ Steve Bateman 

SUSIE WATSON DESIGNS 

Susie Watson Designs are known for their timeless English style, handmade 

craftsmanship and unique designs that capture the imagination. The 

extensive collection of handmade furniture, fabrics, wallpapers and paints 

make it easy and enjoyable to put a scheme together. With 10 stores 

nationwide, designer and founder Susie Watson and her daughter Anna, 

continue to develop lovely home and garden products. The beautiful Royal 

Tunbridge Wells showroom’s friendly team of designers can offer expert 

advice, and you can even arrange a home visit – just phone 01892 521859 

or email tunbridge.wells@susiewatsondesigns.co.uk. susiewatsondesigns.co.uk 

49 


SCAN HERE TO BOOK 

Located in the centre of Tunbridge Wells, 

TN1 Bar & Kitchen combines a modern, 

spacious restaurant with a lively bar. 

This family-owned, award winning, 

restaurant offers a warm welcome, fresh 

food cooked to order, and a wide range of 

cocktails and drinks. 

Perfect for breakfast, brunch, 

lunch, nights out and after-work 

get togethers, we are a seven 

minute walk from the train station 

and adjacent to the Crescent 

Road car park. 

Situated a couple of minutes from the 

Assembly Hall Theatre and Trinity Theatre 

and a 15 minute walk from The Forum, we 

are perfectly placed for pre/post event 

dinner or drinks. 

We are renowned for our live 

music, from local artists, every 

Thursday, Friday & Saturday night. 

Why not join us for a meal or just 

drinks at the bar? 

We are fully-accessible for 

wheelchair and pram users, with 

wide aisleways and lots of space. 

BOOK NOW by scanning the QR code, giving us a call, or visiting our website: 

T: 01892 513900 W: www.tn1barkitchen.co.uk 

@TN1barkitchen 

33 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. TN1 1LS 

We are open 7 days a week from 9am - midnight Mon to Sat & 9am - 9pm on Sundays. 

Rated No.1 Turkish Restaurant in Kent! 

Located in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, 10 minutes from 

the train station and 15 minutes from the Pantiles 

Come & Enjoy Sensational Mediterranean 

Flavours For Lunch, Dinner or Private Dining 

Set Menus & Sunday Roasts 

Cocktails - 2 for 1 

Disabled Space 

Dog Friendly 

01892 530051 

4 Upper Grosvenor Rd, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2EN 

www.zorbamezegrill.com 


50

WHAT TO EAT 

sponsored by Royal Tunbridge Wells Together 

THE COUNTER 

This high quality dining experience is the debut 

restaurant of ex-Firmdale Hotels Executive Chef Robin 

Read, who creates his menus inspired by a love of classical 

cookery and a curious mind for new techniques. The 

decor is appropriately classy and contemporary with a 

strong sense of quality that’s reflected in the food. The 

menus showcase the best seasonal local produce from 

small, independent farmers, growers and producers from 

farm to sea. You can get five-, eight- or ten-course tasting 

menus (costing £60, £95, and £125 respectively) and also 

drink pairings with three or five-glasses of wine costing 

£36 or £60, while three glasses of non-alcoholic pairings 

are £32. The Counter is open from Wednesday to 

Saturday and you can find some recipes from Chef Robin 

in this issue’s food section! Book at thecountertw.com 


Together recommends... 

MOUNT EDGCUMBE 

The Mount Edgcumbe is located against a stunning 

backdrop of sandstone rocks, trees and views over The 

Common, and yet is still only a few minutes’ walk 

from the centre of Tunbridge Wells. This family-run 

pub has earned its reputation as being ‘the heart of the 

country in the heart of the town’ with its beautiful beer 

garden, boutique accommodation and a newly expanded 

restaurant space serving a British-European menu. 

After months of renovating and planning, their 

fabulous new extension opened its doors at the 

beginning of May. Offering exceptional food with 

attentive service, it’s the perfect new dining space. The 

bar now extends into what was the old restaurant, 

creating more room for memorable moments with 

friends and family. The Mount Edgcumbe also offers 

two spacious private dining areas on the first floor, 

ideal for birthdays, wakes and other special occasions. 

For more information call 01892 618854, email hello@ 

themountedgcumbe.com or visit themountedgcumbe.com 

TN1 BAR & 

KITCHEN 

The award-winning TN1 Bar & Kitchen 

has delicious food, live music three nights 

a week and plenty of fun cocktails and 

drinks. Centrally located just minutes 

from The Assembly Hall Theatre and 

Trinity Theatre, this is a favourite among 

theatre goers. It’s also well worth a visit 

for its cocktail happy hours, burger deals, 

classic British meals like breakfasts and 

roasts, as well as mussels and dessert 

packages, plus tasty weekly specials. 

It’s also dog friendly – you may 

even meet Dave, the charming 

resident canine! Follow 

@TN1BarandKitchen, 

call 01892 513900 or 

visit them online at 

tn1barandkitchen.com 

51 


We forecast fun this summer 

Special holiday homes picked by hand in Kent & Sussex. 

Thinking about holiday letting? Get in touch for free advice. 

bloomstays.com | 01227 903404

WHERE TO STAY 


PETSPYJAMAS 

If you’re looking for a dog-friendly stay, PetsPyjamas 

have lots of options both in and around Tunbridge Wells 

and if you book through them dogs always stay free, so 

you can save up to £50! There is a particularly lovely 

selection of cute and characterful cottages. From £114 

per night you could stay in Sawmill Cottage. It sleeps 

two right in the heart of the town in the cultural hub of 

The Pantiles, and has a lovely roll top bath and a little 

suntrap garden with a BBQ perfect for an evening in. If 

you need space for more people, further on the outskirts 

there is The Old Gate House which sleeps up to 12 and 

sits in the grounds of the Salomons Estate. This opulent 

option costs from £459 a night and has beautiful views 

and 36 acres of grounds with woodlands – a real dream 

for those looking to get some fresh country air with a 

thriving town nearby. If you want a bit of the best of 

both of these however, The House At One Warwick 

Park (pictured below) has room for 8 guests for £240 

a night and is in a very central location right by The 

Pantiles. For more options and to find your pet-perfect 

stay visit petspyjamas.com 

THE TUNBRIDGE 

WELLS HOTEL 



There’s a lot going on at The Tunbridge Wells Hotel! 

Spring and summer are always a fantastic time to visit The 

Pantiles. It’s an attractive place for a weekend away – to 

stroll, enjoy a leisurely breakfast or a spot of lunch. There’s 

a lovely bit of shopping to be done, some people watching 

and great places to eat (the best of which might just be 

The Tunbridge Wells Hotel). Whether it’s Groombridge 

Asparagus or South Coast Cod, The Tunbridge Wells 

Hotel works hard to create innovative and beautiful – but 

most of all – tasty food. As an independent hotel and 

restaurant, staff and managers work really hard to create 

a warm atmosphere to eat and have fun in, as well as 

providing great service. The weekends are always super 

busy with the lovely Terrace to enjoy. But don’t forget 

there are Thursday nights’ live music and jazz events, 

taking place on the bandstand right outside the Hotel. 

It’s a fantastic way to enjoy some summer music and 

delicious food in a really lovely alfresco setting. To find 

out more email info@thetunbridgewellshotel.com, call 

01892 530501 or visit thetunbridgewellshotel.com 

BLOOM STAYS 

For a luxury getaway for two try Dairy Barn. Sitting 

in the small village of Blackham, you have the benefit 

of being just 5 miles from Tunbridge Wells while also 

enjoying breathtaking, uninterrupted views across rolling 

countryside – which you can admire from the hot tub 

on the terrace! This stay is pet friendly and comes with 

a BBQ and romantic open fire, making it a fabulously 

cosy spot to spend your evenings when you’re done 

having fun in the town. The decor is modern, clean and 

up to date and you can book 2 nights for £562. This is 

available through Bloom Stays, who specialise in Kent 

holiday cottages and have plenty more options in the 

area as well as many other Kentish hot spots. Explore 

and book in your stay at bloomstays.com 

53 


In association with: 

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES FOR DETAILS. 

In association with:

WHAT TO DO 


BEWL WATER 

For adventurous outdoorsy fun you really can’t beat 

Bewl Water. Get the family laughing and loving being 

outside in the sun. It’s just a 20 minute drive outside 

Tunbridge Wells and while summer is something special 

it is open all year for laser tag, fishing, swimming, water 

sports, biking, walking and more. Perhaps best of all, in 

the sunny seasons you can race around their giant Wibit 

floating inflatable aqua park. For £20 per person you get 

50 minutes of Total Wipeout style careering, climbing, 

jumping, falling, splashing and sliding fun! To maximise 

your time at Bewl you can also camp there too – or 

upgrade to glamping in one of their lovely yurts complete 

with log burner, comfy beds and stargazing viewpoint. If 

you’re planning a trip in August be sure to check out the 

Dragon Boat racing and if you are in Tunbridge Wells for 

a weekend trip, note that Bewl has family fun days every 

Sunday from now till September 1st, with lots of extra 

amusements that kids and parents will all love. Learn 

more and book at bewlwater.co.uk 

SCOTNEY CASTLE 

Less than half an hour’s drive outside Royal Tunbridge 

Wells you’ll find the perfect day trip opportunity in 

Scotney Castle. It has plenty to do with a ruined medieval 

castle, Victorian mansion house and acres of natural 

beauty – including a romantic picturesque garden, ancient 

woodland and rolling parkland. Throughout the summer 

holidays families can try circus-themed activities including 

stilt-walking and juggling. There will also be a Summer 

Season of theatre productions and live music including 

Shakespeare’s Henry V, The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck 

and ABBA Chique. Then, in September there will be a 

Heritage & Harvest Autumn Fair on the 14th and 15th. 

Find out more at nationaltrust.org.uk 

TRINITY THEATRE 



Trinity Theatre, in the heart of the town, is set in a 

striking 19th century Decimus Burton-designed grade II* 

listed building. The theatre, a registered charity, hosts all 

sorts of diverse performances of drama, comedy, cinema, 

music and dance, alongside live broadcasts of world class 

theatre, opera, and dance. The theatre plays a big part 

within the community, hosting regular events like The 

Repair Café, local community initiatives and, through 

its theatre school, it is a springboard for local talent. This 

summer you could catch No Jacket Required – the UK’s 

leading Phil Collins tribute’s 21st Anniversary UK Tour 

(Fri 19 July 7.30pm, tickets £27.50). Or for a family 

favourite the kids will love, tickets to see Inside Out 2 are 

just £6 (Fri 26 July 1.30pm & 6.30pm). Musical fans 

will love Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical, 

an international sensation which will take you to an 

enchanted world of magic and music (Fri 16 August to 

Sat 17 August, tickets from £13.50). 

For more information call 01892 678678, email 

enquiries@trinitytheatre.net or visit trinitytheatre.net 

©National Trust Images/James Beck 

55 


In a central, yet 

completely private, 

location in Tenterden, 

a creative couple have 

lavished their Grade II 

listed maisonette with 

colour and personality 

‘ 

We mortals are but dust 

and shadows,’ said the 

poet Horace, reminding 

us from long ago of our fleeting 

time on earth. The marks we make 

may remain, but if you live in a 

listed property, even these are fairly 

temporary, as there’s not much you’re 

allowed to do to alter the structure 

and features. The owners of this 

Grade II listed maisonette above a 

shop in the historic market town of 

Tenterden were aware, and actually 

very happy about, their property’s 

listed status, despite the obstacles. 

“We were in Rolvenden before, but 

wanted to come somewhere more 

central,” says the owner. It’s hard to 

imagine anything more central than 

this high street location. “The shop 

downstairs was called Potters, which 

was owned by George Pope who 

married Barbara in later years. The 

shop moved to the other end of the 

high street after George died, and 

Barbara lived here for 70 years. So we 

renamed it Potter’s Cottage in their 

honour. Although George and Barbara 

are no longer here, we’re still friends 

with the family and they come to visit 

sometimes.” The last owners must 

have witnessed quite a transformation 

– the layout may be the same, but 

everything else in the interior has had 

a unique and glorious makeover. 

“We thought we’d found a blank 

canvas,” she says, “but had to ask the 

council what we could and couldn’t 

do. A surveyor did come in and 

suggested replacing the ceilings, but 

we didn’t want to open it up and 

alter it. We are the custodians,” she 

adds, “we wanted to make it safe and 

comfortable, but to be sensitive to the 

age of the property. Henry VIII was 

supposed to have visited Tenterden 

in 1538 – not our home as far as 


56

In the 

clouds 

Words: Jo Arnell 


57 


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81 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2UY - Tel: 01892 520730 

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Email: info@rencraft.co.uk 

NEW WEBSITE | www.rencraft.co.uk

Above & below: Fascinating collections of 

curios and nick-nacks abound, including 

in the coffee table, which has rather a time 

capsule feel Previous page: A second 

sitting room is smaller and more intimate 

we know though – the surveyors said 

at the time this was a hall house where 

meetings were held, with a central fire 

in the middle of the building at one 

time. There are not many Tudor façades 

left and it was weather-boarded at some 

stage. The wattle and daub ceilings are 

still the same,” she pauses and smiles, “it 

will be standing for many years after us.” 

After a tricky start – due to hitches 

with the land registry, which meant that 

they couldn’t move in for twelve days 

and had to stay in a nearby hotel – they 

managed to move in, “despite the fact 

that the application to land registry has 

taken eighteen months to come through.” 

There are three bedrooms and two 

bathrooms in the maisonette, but the 

layout is complicated. “We thought we 

were downsizing – that was the plan, 

but we ended up upsizing,” she laughs. 

Despite this, the couple have had to 

leave some of the furniture behind, 

because access has been an issue. “We 

lost two sofas,” she says, “but there was 

nowhere for them to go really. And the 

big granite work surface in the kitchen 

had to be sawn in half and re-installed.” 

Such is life with winding staircases, small 

doorways and low ceilings, but there was 

one advantage. “The walnut credenza 

had to be left here – the layout of the 

property meant it came up easily, but 

would not get out again. We like it – and 

it makes a great drinks cupboard.” 

When they first arrived, every room 

was piled to the top with furniture. This 

was while they undertook important 

updating work, involving completely 

re-wiring and re-plumbing. This big and 

messy job involved lifting floorboards 

and surface mounting conduit with wires 

and pipes onto the walls, all made doubly 

difficult and uncomfortable because they 

moved in the November before last, at 

the start of a very cold winter, when 

temperatures at times went down to 

minus eight. “In the end the council came 

round and dropped us off a two ring 

electric cooker,” she remembers. Despite 

the freezing conditions and coping with 

all their furniture piled up to the ceilings 

under dust sheets, they managed to 

decorate the rooms and then eventually 

lay carpets, improving the insulation as 

they progressed. “It originally had an 

energy rating of G. Now it’s D, which 

is really good for a listed property.” 

59 


Above: Old and new have been carefully blended throughout 

the house Left: Contemporary wallpaper from Lust Home 

has been used either side of the large brick fireplace 

Living on a high street is interesting – and great fun looking 

out at the life going on below. Tenterden is not the noisiest 

of towns, but there is constant activity through the day as 

people visit the bustling pubs and shops, and then there’s the 

regular bell ringing practice in the church. There are more 

benefits too, like neighbouring a fantastic hardware store. 

“We love everything about where we live, and Webbs were 

brilliant and very helpful,” she says. “It was challenging to get 

people in to do the work though, because of the access issues 

and being on the high street, but in the end we found some 

really great people. I saw them working nearby. Charles from 

Blooflame plumbers was wonderful, as were Jason and Kane 

the apprentice. Our electrician was great too – Eddie from 

CEM Electrical Services. Local. Keeping it local is important.” 

Sitting by the window at a lovely oak table, in a room that 

feels so established, it’s hard to believe that the renovation 

has only taken eighteen months. “We started at 8am every 

morning and treated it like a full time job. My husband is 

a carpenter by trade and made the oak table we’re sitting 

at from oak he found on the floor in the yard. He’s also 

made several other pieces of furniture and carved the oak 

box at the end of the bed in the hobbit bedroom upstairs. 

They were all made from things people threw out.” 

Everything has been redecorated bar one small, but 

remarkable, square in a corner of the sitting room. This 


60

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61 


Top left: Original wallpaper has been preserved in a corner of the living and dining room Above right: A Victorian-style 

arrangement of curios Above left: The hallway Above right: The old kitchen has been refreshed with a re-paint 

is a fragment of wallpapered wall from 

the eighteenth century, when this was a 

merchant’s shop. “From the days when 

you had to pay a tax to have wallpaper. 

I found the pattern in a museum – 

there were three different types and I 

knew we had the Emu one,” she smiles. 

“I’ve framed it and varnished it.” 

Wallpaper makes a statement 

(thankfully it’s not a taxable luxury 

any more) but it can be very expensive 

and tricky to choose the right one. As 

we pass by the kitchen I spot a clever 

solution that avoids making a decision. 

“I loved so many of the designs and kept 

buying samples, so in the end I used all 

the samples together like découpage,” 

she says, pointing to a section of wall. 

“That way I can have a bit of all of 

them.” It’s a little like a wallpaper version 

of the ‘hall of fame’ she has made 


This page: Several large murals decorate surfaces throughout the house 

in the hallway filled with pictures of friends and family. 

Wallpaper is used judiciously here – and a little can 

go a long way. Most of the rooms have been painted in 

the owner’s favourite colours – duck egg blue and dusky 

pink. It seems to work perfectly with the colour scheme in 

each of the rooms, belying the skill and eye for detail that 

has gone into choosing accessories and soft furnishings 

that magically mix well with either blue or pink. “I’ve 

always decorated and can see the potential – people 

either don’t have the insight or are a little scared. 

“A lot of furniture we’ve had for a long time. Most of the 

curtains were made for two houses ago and the ones in the 

bedroom I’ve had for thirty years and had them taken up. The 

funny thing is that we had exactly the same tiles for our kitchen 

as these,” she says, pointing to the tiles in the kitchen. “The 

cupboards are good quality oak, they were in perfectly good 

condition so we just painted them. The base units are Farrow & 

Ball’s Apple Green and the top cupboards are in Chamomile.” 

The pale blue backdrop in the main bedroom and adjoining 

bathroom is a perfect foil for the polished wooden furniture 

and oak beams. Pattern is restricted to the wallpapered wall 

behind the bed, resulting in a cool and dreamy atmosphere – a 

far cry from the cold and stark beginnings in this room where 

the couple spent much time huddled around an oil heater. 

Above this room is the ‘snug’ – we are into the rafters here 

and snug is the word – this is definitely a room for sitting 

in, rather than standing, as the ceiling is incredibly low. An 

illusion of space has been created with a colourful mural of Lake 

Como at one end – “we go to Italy a lot” – the perspective is 

great too, as if we are looking out at the view over the lake. 

There’s an opulent feel to the other sitting rooms in the 

63 


This page: The ‘Hobbit Hole’ is right 

at the top of the house, and comprises a 

bathroom and guest bedroom. Murals on 

the wall are by local artist, Sophie Dengate 

maisonette, despite the fact that much 

of the furniture has been up-cycled and 

imaginatively repurposed, using richly 

patterned fabrics, velvet and thick carpets 

to create a luxury feel. The coffee table in 

the main one functions as a glass topped 

display cabinet. I’ve got everything in 

there – the children’s teeth, keepsakes and 

nick-nacks. I found it in a charity shop.” 

The second sitting room is smaller 

and more intimate. A striking grey 

velvet cushion with an image of the late 

Queen takes pride of place, embellished 

by the owner with red jewelled 

detailing to match her red lips and to 

mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 

Upstairs – and this is really the third 

floor – we are into the roof space again. 

There’s a sign on the stairs that reads 

‘Hobbit Hole’ and as we wind our way 

up it’s not hard to imagine why this 

section is so named. It’s quirkily cosy 

up here, with cherubs floating among 

the clouds in the sloping blue of the 

bathroom – these were hand painted 

by local artist Sophie Dengate. 

The impressive floral jardinières in 

the Hobbit bathroom – and many other 

items – came from Tara, who owns Rising 

Star in Tenterden. “I find things from 

charity and antique shops – and visits to 

the Wealden Times Fair. We are big fans 

of the Fair and always visit,” she says. 

As I turn to leave I can’t help thinking 

that if Vivienne Westwood met Alice 

and they teamed up to decorate a house 

in Wonderland they might end up with 

something like this interior – a fabulously 

creative mix – surreal and at the same 

time eminently practical. This is a totally 

bespoke and captivating makeover, and 

a unique celebration of both the owners’ 

lives and that of their venerable home. 

Address Book: 

Blooflame blooflame.com 

CEM Electrical Services 

cemelectricalservices.co.uk 

Rising Star Instagram @risingstarkent 

Sophie Dengate sophiedengateart.com 

Webbs webbsoftenterden.com 

Woodcocks woodcocksinteriors.co.uk 


Get the 

LOOK 

1 Pastel fabric bunting £18 Talking Tables talkingtables.co.uk 2 Angel 8 light polished chrome crystal pendant £1,290 

där lighting darlighting.co.uk 3 Kids Woodland wallpaper mural £33/m 2 wallsauce.com 4 Shorthair Cat Portrait print 

from £13.50 Ink & Drop inkanddrop.com 5 Winifred fringe table lamp £245 Rockett St George rockettstgeorge.co.uk 

6 Italian Woman with Lemons Moro Head vase £315 Casa by JJ casabyjj.com 7 Wentworth Loveseat £2,219 Bridgman 

bridgman.co.uk 8 Royal Anarchy Queen Elizabeth cushion £28.80 Ink & Drop inkanddrop.com 9 icon Amara velvet 

footstool £39.99 Bean Bag Bazaar beanbagbazaar.co.uk 10 Willis & Gambier dressing table £895 Unique Home Pieces 

uniquehomepieces.com 11 St Tropez 100% Tencel carpet in 3072 Vanilla £133/m 2 Riviera Home rivierahomeuk.co.uk 

65 


ON THE BEACH 

50 MINUTES TO LONDON. 

SEA VIEW APARTMENTS FROM £395,000. 

BOOK A VIEWING: CONTACT DOUG ACTON 

01303 760 940 doug.acton@folkestoneharbour.com 

shorelinefolkestone.co.uk

Property 

sponsored by 

istockphoto.com/ Sebastien Mercier

WE’RE EXPERTS 

IN YOUR FIELD. 

OR PLOT, BARN, GARDEN, SITE… 

Founded over 15 years ago, we are experts in the sale and acquisition of land and development opportunities. We help 

developers and homeowners to optimise their returns, providing a unique and bespoke service that can be trusted. 

Many of our clients retain our services and, in the majority of cases, pay our fees saving property owners significant costs. 

For no obligation advice or more information, contact Stephen Donnelly: 

07739 514 350 I 01892 579 937 I steve@sjd-projects.com 

LAND AND DEVELOPMENT 

sjd-projects.com 

Commercial buildings for residential conversation • Former public houses • Redundant building for development • Buildings for conversion or replacement 

Houses for improvement • Large sites on the edge of town • Barn conversions • Large gardens in residential areas • Major regeneration projects

The Priceless Property Supplement sponsored by 

BLUE SKIES 

AHEAD 

Key market metrics highlight a renewed 

optimism around property, so we’re talking 

to local experts to find out what’s going on in 

the housing market. First up: SJD Projects tell 

us what all the facts and figures really mean 

London has 

fewer homes available 

compared to last year, yet 

it has seen a 23% increase in buyers and 

February saw a 10% increase in deals compared 

to 2019, contrasting a 5% decline in other regions. 

The housing market in 2024 is showing strong signs of 

recovery, particularly in London. A recovery in the capital is 

signalling renewed confidence and optimism which will drive a 

noticeable uptake in market activity. 

Data from 

January shows the 

highest increase in both homebuyer 

registrations and new listings in over a 

decade. February showed a 14% rise in potential 

buyers compared to the same period in 2023. 

First-time buyers and those looking to 

upsize are leading the charge. 

24.3% of 

homes sold in 

England and Wales have 

achieved or exceeded their asking price 

this year. In 2023 this was 23.6%. 

More properties are being realistically priced, 

and fewer homes are seeing price reductions. 

Inflation is trending 

downward and expected 

to be near the BoE’s target 

2% by April. Financial markets anticipate rate cuts 

starting in June, and further reductions later in the year. 

With mortgage rates falling and economic conditions stabilising, both buyers 

and sellers are gaining confidence. This positive trend suggests a vibrant year 

ahead for the property market, with more homes being listed and sold at 

favourable prices. For those looking to buy or sell, now is an opportune time to 

take advantage of the positive conditions. 

Although the UK technically 

entered a recession at the end of 

2023, recent data suggest this downturn 

was brief. Now, homes are selling faster, with about 8% 

going under offer within a week, compared to 6% last year. 

Despite a somewhat lacklustre economic backdrop, buyer 

confidence is being boosted and many who held back in 

2023 are now ready to make a move. 

Leading surveys, such as those from 

Halifax and Nationwide, indicate that property 

prices are no longer falling in all regions. Both show 

year-on-year price increases, reversing the nearly 5% 

declines reported in 2023. 

Improving economic conditions and reduced pressure 

on household finances have enhanced confidence 

among both buyers and sellers. 

For expert advice on the sale and acquisition of land and 

development opportunities, visit sjd-projects.com 

69 


sponsors The Priceless Property Supplement 

WHAT 

BUYERS 

WANT 

Our second expert is Mark Hoyle, New Homes Sales Manager 

at Northwood property sales and lettings in Ashford. He has 

an update on the current property market and what ticks the 

important boxes for today’s home buyers in the heart of Kent 

GETTING 

BACK ON 

TRACK 

Vari Bowling, Partner at Patrick 

Gardner & Co. Leatherhead, 

explains how she views the current 

state of the property market 

What are buyers after? 

Location is important but so is 

communication and transport 

links and affordability. Buyers are 

increasingly looking at locations 

which provide value in price and 

space relative to London but with 

good transport links to the city. 

One location of interest is Ashford 

in Kent which continues to 

grow in town size and popularity 

amongst commuters hopping 

onto the high-speed train service 

to reach St Pancras in less than 

40 minutes. Of course, in the 

other direction Ashford is only a 

10-minute drive down the M20 to 

catch the Eurostar to France, but 

who needs France when some of 

the best English sparkling wines 

comparable to Champagne are 

produced in and around Ashford! 

Communications are an important 

factor in any buyer’s decision, 

and we are seeing demand for 

properties with a garden home 

office or an additional room 

which provides the space for 

hybrid working with 2 or 3 

days working from home. The 

Chilmington Green new garden 

town on the green outskirts of 

Ashford is an ideal location for 

these requirements with both 

contemporary and traditional new 

build homes for first time buyers 

and properties set within spacious 

plots such as those in the Hamlet 

development by Jarvis Homes. 

Increasingly, people are also 

choosing apartments as their 

family homes and set in the 

centre of Ashford is The Triangle 

development by Kings Crescent 

Homes which offers a great new 

residential quarter and is a fantastic 

location for hybrid workers, just a 

5-minute walk to the train station. 

Ashford has certainly taken a leaf 

out of apartment living in London 

with this new residential quarter 

providing luxury apartments with 

flexible space. When the week 

is over and a refreshing drink is 

called for, around the corner is the 

Curious Brewery bar. Apartments 

at The Triangle are available now to 

move into both to buy and to rent. 

Learn more about Northwood 

by visiting them online at 

northwooduk.com 

Following on from a turbulent 

Autumn/Winter property market, 

I’m pleased to report that the 

historically buoyant Spring market 

has proved to be exactly that! 

Interest rates have flattened, inflation 

has come back down and most 

importantly confidence has returned 

to the buying public. Lots of new 

properties have come to market and 

sellers are attracting good quality buyers 

and achieving excellent sale prices. 

The sales process can still be tricky 

but with a professional estate agent 

to guide you through the process, the 

joy can be put back into finding a 

new home. We also face the prospect 

of a new Government in the next few 

weeks and we are hopeful that whoever 

receives the keys to number 10 will 

endeavour to take care of the property 

industry. Property remains one of the 

cornerstones of the UK economy and 

a healthy property market is essential 

to a prosperous economy. 

To find out more 

about Patrick 

Gardner & Co 

call Vari on 01372 

360832 or visit 

patrickgardner.com 


THAMES 

DESIGN & BUILD 

Call us on 

020 8398 9252 

ARE YOU CONSIDERING AN EXTENSION, LOFT 

CONVERSION, OUTBUILDING, OR ANY OTHER 

ALTERATION OR ADDITION TO YOUR PROPERTY? 

Thames Design and Build provides architectural design 

and/or construction services to clients across Surrey, 

with over 80% of our projects being Surrey based. 

We offer: 

• A free consultation to discuss your ideas and 

advise you on the possibilities and permissions 

• A fixed quote for all stages of architectural work 

• A fixed quote for your build – we are equally happy to 

provide a build quote in respect of your existing designs 

We have a large portfolio of clients within Surrey, 

so whatever your plans are, we should be able to 

show you a comparable completed project. 

Please email us at info@thamesdesignandbuild.com 

or visit the website www.thamesdesignandbuild.com 

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


Transformer 

Thames Design and Build tell us about a recent project which 

shows how you can achieve an amazing modernising make-over 

This Thames Ditton project was a challenging 

one, with a tight deadline. The brief for our 

designers was to provide a ground floor rear 

extension, a loft conversion, and a complete internal 

modernisation. The key objective was to create a 

contemporary space and a feeling of “outdoor living” 

by better integrating the house with its garden. 

Our team of designers and builders rose to the 

occasion, creating a masterpiece that exceeded 

everyone’s expectations. From the sleek and modern 

extension which contrasted with, but perfectly 

complemented, the traditional style of the house, 

to the carefully crafted interior, every detail was 

meticulously thought through. 

Key elements included an 

attractive and spacious kitchen, 

with selected doors and drawers 

finished in natural wood, and 

an adjacent family snug formed 

by the installation of a matching 

slatted wood partition wall. 

Full height and width sliding 

glass doors in anthracite grey 

perfectly framed the garden 

aspect, adding to the feeling 

“The stylish 

dormer loft 

extension, clad 

externally in 

zinc, provided 

a new primary 

bedroom suite” 

of spaciousness and comfort. 

The relocation of the staircase, 

together with the strategic 

positioning of windows and 

skylights on all three floors, 

opened and illuminated the 

whole living space. Underfloor 

heating throughout the ground 

floor ensures maximum 

use of space and minimum 

disruption to the eye. 

The stylish dormer loft extension, clad externally in 

zinc, provided a new primary bedroom suite. Bespoke 

mirrored wardrobes combined perfectly with the large 

low-level windows to reflect the view of the garden, 

creating an open, airy and luxurious space. 

This project was a reminder that sometimes the best 

ideas come from unexpected places. As a creative team, 

we were always willing to think outside the box and 

push the boundaries of traditional design. Our clients 

were delighted, and we are confident that they share 

our view that this project truly was a testament to our 

passion and dedication. 

Find out more about Thames Design and Build visit 

thamesdesignandbuild.com 

73 



Redefine 

Design 

Jarvis Homes tell us about 

the latest interior design 

trends to incorporate into 

your new space – be it a 

new build or extension 

What’s on the 

Inside 

We take a tour around the inside of Antler Homes’ 

developments to understand how the interior of a new build 

is created to produce more than just a pretty facade 

To help them keep the high 

standard of interiors that we all 

dream of, Antler Homes carry 

out customer reviews and surveys to see 

what buyers are looking for, what does 

and doesn’t work well, what they want 

to see from a new build home and more. 

This makes them experts in the field of 

designing new spaces and we’ve been 

looking into how they do it! 

Antler Homes have an all-inclusive 

approach and include a number of 

high-spec interior perks as standard. 

The flooring is always Amtico, carpet, 

and tile with underfloor heating on the 

ground floors and in bathrooms. In 

those bathrooms and en suites you’ll also 

find Minoli tiling – primary bedrooms 

always have an en suite. Primaries also 

have integrated wardrobes (as do second 

bedrooms in 3 beds, and third bedrooms 

in 4 beds), some even have the added 

luxury of dressing rooms. Kitchens hold 

a special place as the heart of the home 

so these are always high specification 

with integrated appliances to make them 

really shine and work with ease as soon 

as you move in. Outside, Antler Homes 

use Indian sandstone on paths and 

patios, with landscaped front gardens 

to make a good first impression, and 

turf in rear gardens. There is, of course, 

allocated parking with EV charging 

points and external power. All this is 

always included but each development 

is unique. 

A great example of one of their 

developments is Green Oak Park 

in West Horsley, which offers Gold 

specification – and this was elevated 

to Platinum in homes over a certain 

size. The Platinum spec adds interior 

styling including larger staircases, fielded 

doors and tiling on the ground floor 

(as opposed to Amtico). You’ll also 

notice that the woodwork and doors 

are all painted in Fossil Grey (instead of 

white), as are the skirting and architrave, 

which are also larger in these homes. 

Antler Homes works hard to ensure 

their developments are beautiful while 

also taking influences from surrounding 

areas. To find one in the area you’re 

looking to buy, visit their website 

antlerhomes.co.uk 

Jarvis Homes has been designing 

houses since 1649 and today are 

known for their contemporary, 

architectural house styles and 

construction. As experts on 

balancing the latest sustainable 

features and energy efficiency with 

comfort and design, we’ve asked 

them to explain some of the latest 

key trends to incorporate for truly 

stylish living. 

” 

House design has moved on 

immeasurably over the last 15 

years. Gone are the divided 

compartmentalised, dedicated 

spaces of living and dining 

rooms in the ’50s – these have 

now transitioned thanks to the 

introduction of the ‘family room’ 

into more relaxed, fluent, flexible, 

open-flow, open-plan living spaces. 

The same can be said with interior 

design. Bold patterns, feature 

walls and earthy tones had a rapid 

rise and decline whereas the new 

neutrals, botanicals and modular 

seating systems seem to have longer 

staying power due to their flexibility. 

As standard in Jarvis Homes, we 

include key contemporary design 

details such as flexible openplan 

living spaces, utility rooms, 

underfloor heating, bifold doors, 

log burners, double showers, and 

alarm systems. But if you’re looking 

for some top design trends for 2024 

for interior inspiration, you may 

want to consider a wine fridge, 

Quooker taps, modular seating, 

contemporary vintage styling, 

spa-throoms, beautiful botanicals, 

ruffles and boucle finishes. 

jarvishomes.com 


SUSSEX 

HERITAGE 

TRUST 

AWARDS 

THE FARMHOUSE / NEW BUILD 

PHOTOGRAPH: TARRY + PERRY 

HAMPSHIRE / SURREY / SUSSEX 

NEW BUILDS · EXTENSIONS · REFURBISHMENTS · GEORGEANDJAMES.CO.UK/SURREY-HOMES · 01730 887287

What is a search agent and how 

can you help with a purchase? 

A property search agent (also called a 

property finder or buying agent) is a 

professional who specialises in finding and 

acquiring homes for buyers. We utilise 

networks, databases, and deep market 

knowledge to source properties that 

match our clients’ criteria – often before 

they even reach the open market. Many 

of the properties we source wouldn’t be 

discoverable through traditional channels, 

but our strong industry relationships give 

us access to exclusive private and off-market 

listings. All this expertise can save you 

significant time and effort while increasing 

your chances of securing your dream home, 

even in competitive markets. 

Once you’ve helped a client find a 

property, how does your work continue? 

We offer comprehensive support 

throughout the purchase process, handling 

every step, from clarifying your needs to 

negotiating, assisting with completion and 

beyond. We liaise with solicitors, mortgage 

advisors, and other professionals to ensure 

a smoother, less stressful process, allowing 

you to relax and spend time on the things 

that truly matter. Additionally, we can assist 

with decorating and renovation projects, 

connecting you with trusted contractors 

and interior designers. We also help new 

residents settle in by recommending 

local services, such as schools, healthcare 

providers, and leisure facilities. 


Meet the 

Search 

Agent 

We get to know Laura 

Millar of Laura Millar Home 

Finders, to discover how 

a Search Agent uncovers 

hidden gem homes 

What is an initial meeting with you like? 

First, we take the time to thoroughly 

understand your requirements – budget, 

preferred areas, must-have features, lifestyle 

needs, etc. We then discuss our process and 

how we will comprehensively search and 

evaluate every potential home to present 

you a curated shortlist of options. 

What price bracket do you usually work with? 

Our services are best suited for mid-tohigh-end 

buyers, typically properties 

valued at £750,000 or above. That said, 

we do assist clients at various price points 

depending on their specific needs. 

Is there an area you work within and how 

have you become so knowledgeable about it? 

We mainly focus on Sevenoaks and its 

surrounding villages and towns in Kent. 

We have an unparalleled familiarity with 

its diverse areas and communities and our 

intimate knowledge of the region comes 

from many years dedicated to working in 

the local markets on a daily basis. 

Are there any memorable properties you 

have helped your clients get over the years? 

We’ve had the privilege of helping clients 

find some truly remarkable properties. One 

that stands out is a historic manor house 

“Many of the properties we source wouldn’t be 

discoverable through traditional channels” 

dating back to the 16th century, with 

stunning Tudor architecture and beautifully 

preserved original features. Another 

memorable property was a contemporary 

masterpiece designed by a renowned 

architect, seamlessly blending cutting-edge 

design with the tranquility of its secluded 

countryside setting. 

What features make for the most 

sought-after homes in Sevenoaks? 

When it comes to the most sought-after 

homes in Sevenoaks, location is key. 

Properties within walking distance of the 

77 

town centre or popular village hubs are 

highly prized. Features like spacious living 

areas, modern kitchens, and well-appointed 

bathrooms are also in high demand. 

Outdoor spaces, whether it’s a large 

garden or easy access to the surrounding 

countryside, are equally desirable. 

Do you have any favourite areas or 

kinds of properties to work on? 

Personally, I have a soft spot for the 

charming villages dotted around Sevenoaks, 

where you can find quaint cottages with 

enchanting features like exposed beams 

and large fireplaces, surrounded by 

picturesque gardens. I also appreciate the 

grandeur of the larger country estates, 

with their sweeping driveways and 

meticulously landscaped grounds. But 

regardless of style I find the most joy in 

helping families find their ideal home – a 

warm, inviting space with plenty of room 

for living, playing, and making special 

memories together, complete with a lovely 

garden where the kids can run free. 

Find out more at lauramillar.co.uk 


Creating Privacy with 

Practical Instant Hedge 

or Screening trees 

Practicality Brown can supply a range of 

top quality trees for screening, which are 

particularly useful for creating privacy. 

As well as the screening trees, Practicality Brown 

grows a range of premium quality Practical 

Instant Hedge at the nursery in Iver. You are 

welcome to visit to view both trees and hedges. 

Contact us for details 

email trees@pracbrown.co.uk 

or call 01753 652022 for more information 

www.pracbrown.co.uk


The BIG 

Questions 

We’re asking local financial, legal and property 

experts to help us find some answers 

How do Property 

Management Services Work? 

Presence & Co. offers residential and commercial property 

management services, but what does a company like this have 

to offer and how can they change your property portfolio? 

What services do you offer? 

We offer a range of services to keep 

properties in perfect condition. We 

handle everything from routine 

maintenance to more complex tasks 

such as repairs and renovations, helping 

with block management or caring 

for your newly built estate. We also 

manage the day-to-day operations, 

including security, waste management, 

utilities, cleaning and landscaping. 

Can you tell us more about your Drone 

Piloting Service? 

Our drones provide visuals if you need 

a roof survey or an aerial overview for 

enhanced planning and assessment. 

They give you valuable insights into 

your property’s condition from a 

unique perspective as they can easily 

access hard-to-reach areas, enabling 

thorough and accurate inspections 

for roof conditions, infrastructure 

assessments, and site evaluations. 

What is Right to Manage (RTM)? 

The Right to Manage (RTM) is a legal 

provision that empowers leasehold 

property owners to take control of 

their building’s management without 

needing the landlord’s consent. If you’re 

a leaseholder, and current management 

is ineffective or neglectful, you have the 

right to appoint a new management 

company. Whether you live in a 

block of flats or retirement housing, 

Presence & Co. can guide you through 

the RTM process, ensuring your 

interests and those of your residents are 

properly represented and protected. 

How do you achieve a personalised service? 

The facilities and estates department, 

led by Tom Clements, takes a 

personal approach to meet your 

unique needs. We also make sure 

customers have a single direct point 

of contact to our team for any 

requests or concerns, and for all their 

property management needs, ensuring 

prompt and efficient responses. 

What differentiates Presence & Co. from 

other companies offering similar services? 

We offer a comprehensive, all-inone 

service approach for a seamless, 

in-house solution for all property needs, 

and have vast experience handling 

contracts of all sizes. Our dedicated 

facilities management team can 

maintain buildings with the support 

of our skilled internal maintenance 

department, and our integrated sales 

and lettings department is always 

on hand to assist with any property 

transactions. Presence & Co. promises 

to care for your property as if it were 

their own, providing peace of mind 

and a beautifully maintained estate. 

Our proactive management ensures 

that potential issues are addressed 

before they become problems, 

saving you time and money. 

Contact Presence & Co. on 01892 

507699 or info@presence.uk 

79 

4 Steps to Handle 

Boundary Disputes 

Oliver Streeten from 

Tunbridge Wellsbased 

independent 

surveyors, Trueplan, 

gives us his guide to 

resolve boundary 

issues amicably 

Handling a dispute with your neighbour over a 

land boundary requires a considered approach 

to prevent the situation from escalating. Oliver 

says, “It’s so often the case that a dispute arises 

from a simple lack of clarity or precision. In 

most cases, a survey of the area on the ground 

in conjunction with a clear understanding of the 

titled boundaries can offer a pragmatic solution 

for all parties. Getting it sorted sooner rather 

than later can save a lot of head and heartache!” 

1Approach your neighbour 

in a non-confrontational way and 

express your concerns clearly. Be 

willing to listen to their perspective and 

aim for a collaborative resolution. 

2Have any relevant documents to hand 

including property deeds, land surveys 

and any previous correspondence 

for a clear and precise understanding 

of your property boundaries. 

3Take photographs and make notes 

regarding the disputed area. These could 

be helpful during discussions, and if legal 

action becomes necessary. 

4Get professional help. If, after discussions 

with your neighbour, you feel that the 

situation is still unclear its important 

to get a surveyor in sooner rather than later. 

A land surveyor should be able to identify 

boundaries and any discrepancies between 

your title documents and what is physically 

on the ground. Using one surveyor for both 

parties will save time and money. Ask your 

solicitor for advice as they will be able to 

help with how to instruct a land surveyor. 

Disputes often happen when a small 

disagreement escalates to epic proportions and 

legal fees can become astronomical. A land 

survey can cost as little as £295, and restores 

both legal boundaries and neighbourly relations. 

For help from Trueplan visit trueplan.co.uk 



HOW TO GET READY 

TO BUY OR SELL 

The experts at Whitehead Monckton tell us how to be prepared 

With inflation down and the Bank of 

England expected to cut the base rate 

soon, high street lenders have been 

encouraged to drop their mortgage 

rates. Cuts of up to 0.45% are 

expected to boost house sales, which 

have shown an upturn already this 

year – Zoopla predicts 2024’s housing 

market sales are on track for a 10% 

increase on 2023. But with the house 

sale process averaging around 12 

weeks, and unexpected setbacks often 

adding 8 weeks or more, motivated 

movers need to get organised. 

The factors that affect getting a sale 

over the line swiftly are often lost or 

mislaid paperwork or failing to get 

financial matters and in-principle 

mortgage offers sorted before starting 

the process. Once underway, delays are 

frequently caused by slow mortgage 

valuations and surveys or local searches 

to identify planning matters. And the 

longer the chain of buyers and sellers, 

the higher the likelihood of delays. 

For those selling an old family home, 

the bumps in the road are often 

due to title deeds. Land or property 

transactions must be registered at the 

Land Registry, and since 1991 all 

titles have been stored electronically, 

making them easily accessible for all. 

But if no transactions have taken place 

since 1991, all deeds and documents 

will still be in paper form. Many 

properties are still not registered 

electronically and in the event of such 

a sale, paperwork has to be found 

and submitted to the Land Registry, 

adding to the timeline. If a property 

isn’t registered digitally, owners would 

ideally get this sorted before the 

property goes on the market. 

Even if your property is on the digital 

register, you may have relevant deeds 

and conveyancing documents with 

details that do not appear in digital 

records. You also need any paperwork 

relating to modifications that needed 

planning permission or building 

regulations consent (or for leasehold 

property, any works requiring approval 

by the freeholder). Certificates will 

need to show these aspects have been 

properly followed through. 

Sellers who want to get ready before 

they go to market should ensure their 

solicitor has examined the title, lined 

up all the paperwork, anticipated 

any problems and dealt with them in 

advance. This means they are ready 

to act immediately when a buyer 

is found, avoiding delay later and 

potential fall-out. 

For more advice and information visit 

whitehead-monckton.co.uk 

Quick check list: 

Instruct a lawyer when you put 

your house on the market or, if you 

have nothing to sell, when you start 

your house search 

Find all the conveyancing 

paperwork from when you 

bought the property including any 

documents proving ownership and 

the title to the property 

Check you have all documents 

needed, including planning 

permission and building regulations 

for any works carried out (by you or 

previous owners), as well as installer 

and product certificates (for gas, oil 

or electrical works and for windows) 

Request an up-to-date 

management pack if the property 

is leasehold 

When you receive an offer, 

check if the buyer is well prepared 

with legal and financial matters 

in place before accepting, or give 

a deadline for arrangements to be 

made before you accept 

Every source of funds must 

be validated and sources checked. 

If a deposit or capital contribution 

is being gifted or loaned to you or 

your buyer, make sure it is cleared 

through the necessary money 

laundering process well in advance 

Keep a calendar to check the 

validity of your mortgage offer and 

other time-sensitive components, 

and apply for any necessary 

extensions in good time 

Ask about holidays from 

everyone in the chain and their 

lawyers, to enable forward planning 

and avoid last minute derailments 

How are elections affecting 

the property market? 

Duane Bridger, Solicitor 

at Bridger’s Law, shares his 

perspective on how politics 

is currently having a big 

influence on property 

Up and coming elections are 

fertile ground for speculation 

about the property market. Why? 

Votes. Any incoming party wishes to fly the flag that 

you will have more money in your pocket. And there are 

usually 3 amigos when an election is looming – Capital 

Gains Tax; Stamp Duty Land Tax and Inheritance Tax. 

Capital Gains Tax has recently dropped from 28% 

to 24%. Meanwhile there has been talk of abolishing 

Inheritance Tax entirely. The government receives more 

than £7.5 billion this way (about 0.3% of the GDP). 

It has little if any effect on the housing market, but the 

housing market has a huge effect on the economy, which 

is why Mr Sunak introduced the Stamp Duty Land Tax 

holiday, driving the housing market to new thresholds. 

When it comes to Stamp Duty Land Tax, currently no 

tax is payable on any purchases up to £250,000 (unless it’s 

an additional home). The current Stamp Duty temporary 

relief is set to end on 31st March 2025. From 1 April 

2025 this will drop to the first £125,000. Why did Mr 

Sunak introduce the Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday? 

Think of the number of people who take home a pay 

packet because you buy and/or sell your home: mortgage 

brokers, solicitors, estate agents, surveyors, chippies, 

electricians, landscapers, decorators, banks etc. Less Stamp 

Duty means more people have more money in their 

pocket. More money combined with a shortage of houses 

drives prices up. Inflation is dropping and it won’t be 

long before the Bank of England must cave in to lower 

interest rates. Lower interest rates mean lower monthly 

repayments which means you are able to borrow more. 

Once again, this often pushes house prices up. 

Currently there isn’t that much wriggle room for the 

government because money is tight due to the slow 

Covid economic recovery, as well as the war, which have 

been demanding a larger portion of the GDP, but will 

that prevent the ruling party from introducing cuts and 

kicking the financial can down the road? You’ll need to 

polish that crystal ball to predict what will happen, but 

my money is on the housing market wheels being well 

greased after the 4th July 2024. 

Get in touch by calling 01795 505992, emailing 

helpme@bridgerslaw.co.uk or visit bridgerslaw.co.uk 


Surrey’s Premier Builder 

Upfold Construction Ltd has been established for over 

15 years and is a domestic builder providing services 

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Located in Cranleigh we are perfectly placed to offer a 

total building service to those clients seeking a local, 

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building from extensions, renovations to a complete home 

refurbishment. Our expertise allows us to provide you with a 

We are aware this is your home and will work closely with 

you throughout the entire project enabling you to achieve 

your dream home. 

Both James Upfold, our Managing Director, and the company 

are members of the Chartered Institute of Building 

guaranteeing we are committed to giving quality of product, 

services and integrity of conduct. Concern for your needs as 

our client is paramount. 

01483 600335 

email info@upfoldconstruction.co.uk or visit www.upfoldconstruction.co.uk 

SurreyOakBarnsWT254-A4.indd 1 19/06/2023 15:45:31

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82

Maisie wide leg jeans £89.95 

Barbour barbour.com 

Strawberry 

necklace £55 

Tigerlily Jewellery 

tigerlily-jewellery.co.uk 

Vintage gold plated 

tennis racquet necklace 

£95 Annabel James 

annabeljames.co.uk 

Silver strawberry 

ring £26 

Thomas Sabo 

thomassabo.com 

Coral knitted tennis 

jumper £69.95 

Joules joules.com 

Oversized broderie 

scrunchie £14 Accessorize 

accessorize.com 

Sweatshirt with Tennis Logo 

£1,170 Brunello Cucinelli 

shop.brunellocucinelli.com 

Erin suede ballet 

pumps £125 

Blue Velvet 

bluevelvetshoes.com 

Volea dress in 

white £69.90 

Born Living Yoga 

bornlivingyoga.com 

istockphoto.com/ bonchan 

Serving 

Centre Court 

All white outfits, classic tailoring, sleek sporty styles – following 

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Long blazer Marc Cain 

£369 marccain.com 

Textured Stipe midi shirt dress 

£85 Oliver Bonas oliverbonas.com 

Shellies phone crossbody £35 

Dune London dunelondon.com 

Strawberry charm necklace 

£100 Lily Blanche 

lilyblanche.com 

Double breasted 

blazer £125 John 

Lewis & Partners 

johnlewis.com 

Tennis racquet 

charm with 

freshwater pearl 

£79 Thomas Sabo 

thomassabo.com 

price 

e 

com 

Knit dress £2,500 

Brunello Cucinelli 

shop.brunellocucinelli.com 

Bloom & Bay 

Ixora satin 

headband £13 

John Lewis 

& Partners 

johnlewis.com 

Summer Days sterling 

silver strawberry studs £26 

As Above asaboveuk.com 

Paul Green sneakers £189.99 

Blue Velvet bluevelvetshoes.com 

Red squirrel denim 

cap in support of 

Dorset Wildlife £24 

Trust Blue Panda 

bluepanda.co.uk 

Luna sunglasses 

Sports Luxe made from recycled 

bejewelled watch aerospace alloy 

£159 Olivia Burton £65 Bird Eyewear 

oliviaburton.com findyourbirds.com 

Lucy Rose & Merlot 

stripe velvet scrunchie 

£24 Amelia Scott 

amelia-scott.com 

Mickey Mouse 

tennis tote 

£229 Fossil 

fossil.com 

83 


Pot-roast chicken 

pot au feu 

Pot au feu is a classic French dish 

literally translating to ‘pot in fire’. 

All the flavours of a well-bred freerange 

chicken mingle together with 

summer baby vegetables, herbs and 

white wine. The technique may be 

French and harking back to Robin’s 

younger days with the Roux brothers, 

but it’s a dish that also personifies 

the philosophy at The Counter of 

amazing produce, seasonal ingredients 

and a lot of love and care. Rather than 

following a recipe, choose the freshest 

baby vegetables you can find – we’re 

spoilt for choice in July. Baby turnips, 

fresh podded peas and broad beans, 

baby gem lettuce sliced lengthways 

into quarters and the last of the 

Kentish asparagus would all be lovely. 

All this chicken pot au feu needs is 

fresh bread and a good glass of wine, 

Robin’s favourite is Simpsons’ Roman 

Road, a 100% Kentish Chardonnay 

with notes of lemon, honeysuckle 

and white peach on the nose. 

For the chicken: 

• 1 whole chicken, approx 1.6kg, 

giblets removed, legs trussed 

• 500ml good white wine, ideally the 

same you plan to drink the dish with 

• 1 litre fresh chicken stock, 

preferably homemade 

• 100ml double cream 

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard 

• bouquet garni of hard herbs such 

as rosemary, thyme and bay (tie 

with string so it’s easy to remove) 

• a little olive oil and butter 

For the vegetables: 

• 400-500g (prepped weight) baby 

vegetables of your choice 

1. Set the oven to 180°C and remove 

the chicken from the fridge to bring 

to room temperature. Heat a deepsided 

2.5-3L casserole, with a lid, on 

the stove and add a little olive oil and 

butter. Season the chicken inside and 

out with sea salt and gently sear on all 

sides in the casserole pot. Remove the 

chicken to a plate, reserving any juices, 

and add the white wine to the pot and 

reduce by half. Add the chicken stock 

to the pot and bring to the boil. Place 

the chicken into the pan, breast side 

down, with any reserved juices. Put 

the lid on and into the hot oven for 

20 minutes. After this time, turn the 

chicken over and take the lid off, before 

returning to the oven for 15 minutes 

to give some colour to the breast. 

Remove the chicken to rest and keep 

warm. Add the mustard and cream 

to the pot and check the seasoning, 

mix well and add the vegetables 

stirring to coat in the chicken and 

wine sauce, replace the lid and cook 

in the oven for a further 10 minutes 

so the vegetables are just cooked and 

retain their flavour and texture. 

2. To serve, joint the chicken into 

pieces and arrange on a platter, 

spooning over the vegetables and 

a little sauce. Serve the rest of the 

sauce in a warmed sauce pot or gravy 

boat and put on the table for your 

guests to help themselves alongside 

fresh bread and cold white wine. 


Counter Balance 

Chef Robin Read blends a love of classical cookery and a curious mind 

for new techniques in his recently opened restaurant, The Counter, in 

Tunbridge Wells, where he prepares this month’s trio of recipes 


Robin Read is chef-patron of The Counter, the 

result of a long-held ambition to have his own 

restaurant following years in the kitchens of the 

Roux Brothers and Marco Pierre White and 16 years 

as Executive Head Chef of the Firmdale Hotel Group. 

Alongside his wife, Greta, who runs front of house and 

the restaurant’s wine programme, The Counter offers 

five-, eight- and ten-course tasting menus, and is set 

within a 200-year-old Georgian building on Calverley 

Road, in the heart of Tunbridge Wells. In addition to 

the main restaurant, there is also a private dining room, 

small wine bar for pre- and post-dinner drinks and a 

courtyard kitchen garden with raised beds and pots 

growing herbs, salads and brassicas. Over the next few 

pages, Robin crafts three exquisitely flavoured dishes 

showcasing the best seasonal and local produce. 

Find out more about The Counter, and 

make reservations, at thecountertw.com 

85 


Cured trout, crème fraîche 

& pickled kohlrabi, 

cucumber & dill 

Serves 4 

This easy starter is impressive in 

looks and taste; taking only minutes 

to prepare, it does need to be chilled 

overnight in the fridge and is a perfect 

light and summery dish to have ready 

to serve when your guests arrive. 

Lightly curing the fish firms the flesh 

and seasons it all the way through. 

Buy from your fishmonger or order 

online from chalkstreamfoods.co.uk 

For the trout: 

• 400g whole piece of very fresh 

trout, skinned and cut from the 

middle section of the fillet 

• 50g Maldon sea salt 

• 25g caster sugar 

For the pickled vegetables: 

• 1 medium sized kohlrabi bulb 

• ½ a cucumber 

• 25g dill, washed and picked 

• 75ml water 

• 50ml white wine vinegar 


• 15g Maldon sea salt 

To serve: 

• 200g Northiam Dairy crème fraîche 

1. The day before you want to eat, 

mix the salt and sugar for the trout 

together and sprinkle over both sides 

of the fish. Lay on a plate and put into 

the fridge for a minimum of 12 hours 

(no more than 16) turning over after 

6 hours. Rinse the sugar-salt mixture 

off and pat dry. Chill until needed. 

2. For the pickled vegetables, use a very 

sharp knife or a mandolin and finely 

slice the kohlrabi and cucumber and 

put into separate bowls. Bring to the 

boil the water, vinegar, sugar and salt 

and pour over the vegetables. Leave to 

cool and chill in the fridge until needed. 

3. To serve, cut half-centimetre slices 

through the trout and lay four to 

five slices on each plate. Combine 

the pickled vegetables and gently stir 

through the picked dill, reserving 

a few fronds for garnish and serve 

with a spoonful of crème fraîche.

Gooseberry & 

elderflower fool 

Serves 4 Prep time: 25 mins, 

plus chilling overnight 

Gooseberries often lose out in the 

popularity contest to other soft seasonal 

fruit. These tart and firm little berries 

just need a little heat and sweetness to 

reveal their charms. Here Robin pairs 

the tasty fruit with the classic pairing 

of elderflower, a short-lived taste of 

summer and one to make the most of. 

If foraging for your own elderflower 

choose a warm sunny morning as the 

flavour is in the pollen, so rain will 

wash it away. Don’t rinse the flowers, 

just gently shake outside to lose any 

insects; alternatively, use a good quality 

ready-made elderflower cordial. This is 

lovely served with lemon shortbread. 

For the custard: 

• 250ml whole milk 


• 2 egg yolks 


• ½ tsp cornflour 

• 4 heads of elderflower, 

or 1 tbsp elderflower cordial 

For the gooseberry compote: 

• 300g gooseberries, washed, 

topped and tailed 

• 2 heads of elderflower, 

or 1 tsp of elderflower cordial 

For the cream 



1. Make the custard by heating the milk 

and cream to just below boiling point. Dip 

the flower heads of the elderflower into the 

custard (leaving the green stems outside 

the mixture). Put the lid on the pan and 

leave to infuse for 30 minutes. 

2. When the infusing time is almost 

up, whisk together the egg yolks 

(save the whites for another recipe), 

sugar and cornflour until starting 

to thicken in volume and lighten in 

colour. Remove the elderflowers from 

the infused milk, or at this stage stir 

in the elderflower cordial and slowly 

pour the milk mixture into the eggs 

and sugar, whisking all the time. Pour 

the mixture into a clean saucepan and 

slowly heat, stirring all the time with 

a spatula into the bottom of the pan, 

until the mixture thickens to coat the 

back of spoon. Cool quickly and pour 

into a lidded container, or a bowl with 

a plate over the top, and refrigerate. The 

custard will ‘age’ and thicken overnight. 

3. Make the compote by gently heating 

the washed gooseberries in a lidded 

pan. The residual water will be enough. 

Cook for 10-15 minutes until hot and 

pulpy before taking off the heat and 

adding the elderflower heads to the 

mixture to infuse for 30 minutes or 

stir in the cordial. Chill thoroughly. 

4. To serve, whip the double cream 

with caster sugar before gently folding 

it though the chilled custard. Ripple 

through three-quarters of the gooseberry 

compote. At the table, top each portion 

with the remaining compote, a few 

reserved elderflowers and, if you like, 

some lemon shortbread biscuits. 

87

Travel 

Gorgeously 

Josephine Fairley explores some very good 

things that come in small packages as 

she edits her pick of travel-size beauty 

istockphoto.com/ Liudmila Chernetska 

istockphoto.com/ BorisVasilenko 


Beauty 

Fact: there’s no such thing as a cheap 

flight. Or rather… there is, if you can 

manage to go luggage-free, which – 

for someone like me, who has always 

travelled as if I’m one of those collectors on 

the Grand Tour – is downright impossible. 

But every ounce counts, whether you’re 

managing hand luggage only (in which case, 

I salute you), or stowing bags in the hold. 

This is where minis and multi-taskers 

come in, and I’ve become rather an expert 

on those since I’d far rather pay to transport 

holiday reading than make-up and cosmetics. 

(And don’t suggest a Kindle. I had one of 

those, but on its third outing, while staying 

in a remote destination, it stopped displaying 

the last two lines. I thought I’d be able to 

cope but after 10 minutes realised all books 

were rendered completely incomprehensible, 

and I was thus condemned to plundering 

the less-than-fabulous hotel ‘library’ for 

dog-eared Barbara Taylor Bradfords and 

Wilbur Smiths for the rest of the holiday.) 

There are many different options now 

though, when it comes to lighter beauty 

travel. First and easiest, of course, is to 

decant your favourite products into dinkier, 

travel-friendly containers – and in my 

view, the best selection is at MUJI: simple, 

plain, functional. Labelling is essential, 

though, because even though you think 

you’ll be able to tell your body cream from 

your hair conditioner, mistakes are easily 

made. Actually, formula-wise, you could 

probably use your body cream as hair 

conditioner… but that’s another story, 

and you may well not fancy it anyway. 

Some products, however, are specifically 

formulated to be multi-taskers, and I recently 

discovered a fantastic example. I was sent a 

tube of every&one 5-in-1 Multi-tasking 

Cream Face & Body just before leaving for 

a spring sun break (booked when winter was 

going on and on and ON), threw it in the 

case – and by happenstance, also completely 

forgot to pack cleanser, moisturiser and 

body cream. How better to put that 5-in-1 

through its paces? And indeed, this fragrancefree 

tube of nourishment worked to remove 

make-up and sunscreen, and to quench both 

face and body, including hands and feet. I 

might still have preferred my usual balm 

style of cleanser, but nevertheless, it did the 

job – and all those others – extremely well. 

(And at 100ml, it is airport security-friendly, 

if you’re really hoping to travel light.) 

I also keep a little dedicated corner of my 

bathroom cupboard where I stash sachets 

and sample sizes as they cross my path, ready 

for holidays – I’ll be in a relaxed mood, so 

I’m up for trying new products when I’ve got 

a little more leisure time to do so, anyway. 

I also stow a couple of single-sachet face 

masks in there (always biodegradable), as 

complexions love an extra moisture surge 

in the heat and post-sun. (N.B. I never, 

ever deliberately tan my face – and I am 

constantly awestruck by the sight of women 

on the beach with their exposed faces angled 

skywards – but it inevitably gets incidental 

UV exposure, despite hats and parasols.) 

Beyond this, though, it is now possible 

to find many, many of our favourite makeup 

and skincare brands in downsized 

packaging, specifically designed for travel. 

Sometimes, these smaller-scale products 

feature in a themed kit – and I’ll come on 

to some favourites in a sec. The number 

of brands doing this has stealthily crept 

up over the past few years, and I think 

you might be surprised at what you can 

now find in Lilliputian packaging. 

Benefit, for instance, do dinky sizes of 

their fabulous mascaras (including my 

favourite, the ultra-grippy-wanded Bad 

Gal Bang!), plus many of the brilliant, 

multi-award-winning brow products (also 

useful if you’re someone who likes to 

carry their make-up kit on-the-go, closer 

to home). Bobbi Brown offer downsized 

versions of products like the invaluable 

Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick and 

Crushed Lip Colour, while fans of 

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless 

Finish bronzer will be pleased to learn that 

this is available in a travel size – which is 

great, because the original bronzing powder 

palette is much too bulky for holidays. 

From a skincare point of view, I’d always 

stick with tried-and-trusted favourites, 

though, rather than experiment with too 

much newness on holiday. The last thing 

you want is your complexion to rebel 

because you’ve just introduced a raft of 

unfamiliar products. But I can now find 

my stalwart skincare faves from Wildsmith 

Skin, Elemis, L’Occitane, Temple Spa 

and Clarins (NB they also do 30ml sizes 

of their suncare, useful if yours is a short 

break and you don’t want to lug big tubes). 

Simply Google your fave skincare brand, 

and see what they offer in ‘dolly’ sizes. 

It’s also worth doing a recce in your 

favourite beauty hall to see what summer 

kits are on offer, particularly if you’ve a 

favourite brand. QVC is great for that, too, 

if you ever venture down that rabbit hole. 

There are often great savings to be made 

here, with sometimes a fab make-up bag or 

even a beach tote thrown in. A couple of 

kits that have caught my eye recently, then, 

are Malin+Goetz Sun + Travel Kit, priced 

£76 (the contents are worth £97), a canvas 

pouch featuring eight top to toe essentials 

(including a small size of their Eucalyptus 

Deodorant, which I swear by). And though 

it’s not summer-themed, natural beauty fans 

will want to know about Beauty Kitchen 

Seahorse Plankton+ Discovery Collection, 

priced £50, which offers a quartet of 100% 

natural skin-savers from that range, including 

the excellent High Definition Facial Oil. 

Indie brands don’t always have the resources 

to put kits together, so (sun)hats off to 

them. Meanwhile, if jet-lag might be an 

issue, I point you in the direction of This 

Works With Sleep Comes Beauty Kit, £55 

featuring a bath soak, shower gel, pillow 

spray and a candle (just don’t set off the hotel 

smoke alarm!), all infused with their blend of 

astonishingly effective sleep-beckoning oils. 

I wouldn’t travel long-haul without them. 

It’s haircare that tends to be one of the 

heaviest things we lug away on holiday – 

unless we’re the type to embrace full-on 

beach waves. Again, leading brands from 

high street to luxe – and I’m talking Charles 

Worthington, Moroccanoil, Olaplex, OUAI, 

Bumble & bumble – all have travel-friendly 

offerings. Personally, I’ve tended in the past 

to pack the minis of Aveda Nutriplenish 

Deep, because it undoes some of the damage 

done by sun, sea and salty breezes (Aveda 

offer Discovery Sets across most of their 

haircare collections). But from now on, I’ll 

be packing the just-launched minis from 

Sam McKnight, including his brilliant 

dry shampoo, treatment mask, and styling 

products including Superlift Volumising 

Spray. The fresh-floral scent of this range has 

completely bewitched me (it was created by 

Lyn Harris, of Perfumer H) – and I keep it 

‘backstage’ at my hairdressers, for blow-dries. 

But actually, whenever you’re in Boots 

or Space NK or Superdrug, don’t overlook 

one last shopportunity for minis – because 

many of the leading beauty retailers now 

position a wide selection of travel-sized 

goodies in the area where you might 

queue to pay, understanding that these 

small-scale versions are also a great way to 

explore new skincare, haircare, bodycare 

and make-up at relatively low cost. 

And I’m all for try-before-you-buy. As 

well as not letting Easyjet have a penny 

more of my money than they deserve! 

Visit beautybible.com for more of Jo’s 

product reviews and beauty tips. 

89 


Gifts in Wills fund a third of 

our work, like the research 

studies Mei-Ling took part in. 

Thanks to research, she can 

see her girls grow up. 

To find out more about the power of 

gifts in Wills visit www.cruk.org/pledge 

Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), 

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90 

WrayCommonS64A.indd 1 28/01/2020 12:25

Health 

Heat Wave! 

Sarah Maxwell explains how to exercise when 

you’re dealing with hot flushes 

istockphoto.com/ Highwaystarz-Photography 

Exercising during menopause can 

be challenging in many ways. 

If hot flushes are a familiar 

part of your journey, you’re not alone. 

Many women know all too well that 

menopause flushes can swoop in 

unexpectedly, catching you off guard 

at the most inconvenient times. 

Other common symptoms of 

menopause include joint pain, 

muscle aches, and stiffness, which 

can make exercise more challenging 

but they are also often improved 

with regular physical activity. 

Definition of a hot flush: 

A sudden and intense feeling of 

heat that spreads across the body, 

often accompanied by sweating and 

flushing. A rapid heartbeat and a sense 

of anxiety can also accompany it. 

If you are experiencing these 

symptoms, regularly exercising might 

not be your top priority. Let’s explore 

how you can feel more confident about 

this and remember that regular exercise 

is essential for managing symptoms 

and maintaining overall health. 

Breathability 

Wearing lightweight and breathable 

clothing during exercise can optimise 

your comfort and maintain a more 

balanced body temperature. This 

can be particularly beneficial during 

menopause when hot flushes may 

be more frequent and intense. 

Remember to choose clothing 

made from moisture-wicking 

materials, such as polyester blends 

or technical fabrics, and consider 

layering your clothing to easily adjust 

your body temperature as needed. 

Underwear 

Made from fast-drying, nonabsorbent 

synthetic materials, these 

undies are designed to manage 

moisture by moving perspiration 

away during exercise. By keeping 

moisture away from your skin, 

these fabrics create an environment 

less conducive to bacterial growth, 

helping minimise unpleasant odours. 

Some brands to check out: 

lululemon.co.uk, wuka.co.uk, 

juliemay.co.uk 

Workout wear 

Moisture-wicking fabrics also keep 

your skin dry, minimising friction 

between your skin and the fabric. 

This reduces the likelihood of 

chafing and irritation, a common 

source of discomfort during a 

workout. Have a browse at: 

decathlon.co.uk/women/activewear, 

adidas.co.uk, sweatybetty.com 

Up the water 

Staying well-hydrated is essential 

for dealing with menopausal hot 

flushes. Women experiencing 

these flushes can sweat profusely, 

leading to dehydration. Consistently 

consuming cool water or herbal drinks 

will help cool you down, recover 

and optimise your overall health. 

Making sure you stay well-hydrated 

is really important when it comes to 

managing menopausal hot flushes. 

My tried, tested and regularly 

used emergency tips: 

1. Take a towel to the gym/class, 

soak it in cold water, and, when 

needed, put it around your 

neck or – better still – on 

your head (it depends 

on where you are 

and if you have no 

shame – like me!). 

2. Decant water into 

a small spray bottle 

and spritz it on 

your face as needed. 

3. Green-tinted moisturiser 

balances out the redness. Rosalique 

has a great product: rosalique. 

co.uk/products/rosalique-3-in-1- 

anti-redness-miracle-formula). 

Exercising during menopause and 

dealing with hot flushes can be 

challenging. Listen to your body and 

adapt exercise as necessary. Be aware 

of environmental conditions and work 

out at a cooler time of day, or 

opt for gym equipment 

near the air 

conditioning unit! 

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 

91 


Looking for healthy & wholesome summer recipe 

ideas to spice up your culinary repertoire? 

Kale 

& radish 

panzanella salad 

served with a honey 

& mustard vinaigrette 

by Lara Green 

fromthegreenkitchen. 

com 

Visit priceless-magazines.com for inspiration 

92

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

Dmytro Skrypnykov 

Nourish to Flourish 

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau 

explores the benefits of incorporating 

another healthy ingredient into our 

diets. This month it’s cherries 

One of my personal favourites… English cherry 

season. This small, but delicious, stone fruit 

doesn’t last long, so make the most of them 

and enjoy them whilst you can; as a snack, in summer 

puddings and crumbles, served in salads or with cheese. 

Despite their size, cherries are rich in antioxidants 

and anti-inflammatory compounds. Antioxidants are 

compounds that are found in the body and in certain 

foods that help defend cells from free radicals which 

cause oxidative stress. These free radicals can increase 

the chances of developing various chronic diseases, 

so eating a diet rich in antioxidants is important. 

Cherries, along with other berries (and dark chocolate!) 

are good sources of these magic compounds. 

Cherries are also high in polyphenols, a group 

of plant chemicals, that help fight cell damage and 

reduce inflammation which can maintain good 

heart health. A nutritionally dense fruit – as long as 

you don’t have an allergy to them – cherries make 

a valuable addition to the diet, so enjoy them fresh 

when in season, or frozen or dried all year round. 

Cherry and pistachio chocolate bark 

Serves 12 

• 275g of good quality dark chocolate 

• 50g pistachio nuts, chopped 

• 50g English cherries, chopped 

• a pinch of sea salt 

1. Line a baking tray or similar with a piece of baking paper. 

2. Break up and melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over 

boiling water, stirring continuously, until just melted. 

3. Spread the chocolate over your prepared 

baking paper using a spatula, until it’s fairly 

thin (the thickness is really up to you!). 

4. While the chocolate is still wet, scatter over the chopped 

cherries and pistachio nuts and then sprinkle over a little 

sea salt. Place in the fridge for an hour or so until set. 

Then break into pieces using your hands and enjoy! 

Charlotte runs Plume Nutrition, where she offers support and advice 

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priceless-magazines.com 94 

Trachelospermum jasminoides

Garden 

Pale flowers really stand out at dusk, and 

in darker parts of the garden 

In the Night Garden 

Jo Arnell explains how to make the most of your outdoor space once darkness falls 

istockphoto.com/even75 

Some enchanted evening you may 

see me outside – mainly searching 

for slugs in the garden, because 

the cool hours of night are when they 

slide out from their daytime hidey-holes 

and start their covert plant decimation. 

But slugs aside (a long way aside please) 

there is no doubt that out in the warm 

twilight, when the air is still and filled 

with fragrance, there are few situations 

more lovely. The business – and the busyness 

– of the day is over, we can relax into 

the evening and enjoy our outdoor space. 

Twilight is a liminal space, neither 

day or night and in the summer this 

transitional time lasts longer – in fact the 

further north you travel, the longer it 

lasts – and apparently there are actually 

three official phases of dusk too. It 

starts with civil twilight – when the sun 

is setting and just below the horizon, 

but it’s still fairly light. This changes 

to nautical twilight, when colours 

fade and the stars start appearing, and 

then deepens to astronomical twilight, 

when it is almost dark and hard to see 

anything in detail. The addition of 

garden lighting will help you to stay 

out for longer, enjoying the magical 

atmosphere of the warm summer nights. 

Shine on 

As the light fades and our eyes adjust 

to the darkening sky, the bright flower 

colours recede and pale pastels shine 

out. There’s a change in the ecosystem 

too, as the creatures of the day retreat 

to their roosts and the night shift takes 

over. Plants that attract in night flying 

pollinators like moths, beetles and bats 

tend to have white or pale coloured 

flowers. These are useful for shady parts 

of the daytime garden too, as they show 

up in dim light and will lift a gloomy 

corner, and contrast well against dark 

evergreen foliage. Geranium phaeum 

‘Album’ is a tough little perennial 

that will happily grow – and glow in 

deep, dry shade. The graceful spires 

of aconitums are taller, but also very 

useful in the gloom – like a shade 

loving delphinium shining out from 

the gloom in white, ivory or blue. 

The first flowers to disappear into the 

shadows as dusk falls are at the red end 

of the spectrum, while those nearest ultra 

violet – pastel blues and mauves will 

take on an ethereal quality, luminous 

in the half light. White flowers stand 

out against the darkness for the longest, 

especially if the moon is out and will 

create a magical atmosphere around 

a seating area. Try climbers like the 

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96

evergreen Trachelospermum 

jasminoides, the ‘Star Jasmine’, 

that has a neat, twining habit 

– unlike actual jasmine, that 

grows into a huge tangle of 

wild and whippy stems. It will 

prefer a warm and sheltered 

situation and – this is where 

it gets its name – has jasmine 

scented flowers in the summer. 

It’s not just flowers that 

can look good in the evening. 

Moonlight will enhance any 

variegated plants too. The 

variegated dogwood, Cornus 

alba ‘Elegantissima’ has pretty 

sage green leaves edged in 

white. It is deciduous, but 

has deep red stems in winter 

– cut back some of them to 

the ground in the early spring 

to maintain its shape and to 

encourage new coloured wood 

to shoot up from the base. 

Silvery ground cover is provided 

by Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’, a very 

useful low-growing, slowly 

spreading perennial with lovely 

white-veined leaves that will 

grow in the dry shade under 

trees. Variegated euonymus will 

provide an evergreen alternative 

and, depending on the variety, 

can be grown as bushes, ground 

cover or creeping wall shrubs. 

Garden lighting 

Electric outdoor lighting can be 

easily installed and connected to 

the mains (use an electrician for 

this) but a cheaper and effective 

alternative is to use solar power. 

Solar lights have no wires (or if 

not integral, then shorter wires 

connected to a solar panel) and 

can be positioned anywhere 

you like – providing the solar 

receptor is in sun during the 

day, so the battery can charge. 

They might not be quite as 

powerful as mains lighting, 

but they are more versatile. 

Architectural plants can 

look striking with the right 

kind of lighting – uplight 

through the foliage of plants 

like yuccas, phormiums or 

grasses for dramatic effects. 

Subtle lighting is more 

effective than harsh 

Misty foggy evening garden 

with blooming Hydrangea 

paniculata and Cornus 

alba ‘Elegantissima’ 

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Garden 

White sweet rocket (Hesperis) 

floodlights, but even then we should 

be sparing with artificial light. Wildlife 

is confused by light at night and 

too much glare stops us from seeing 

the stars. Light pollution is now a 

recognised problem across the world. 

Pump up the perfume 

We get a bit transfixed by the look of our 

plants and sometimes forget that all our 

senses are affected when we’re outside – it 

is an immersive experience and scent is an 

important factor. Once it gets dark and 

we can no longer see the flowers in detail, 

the aromas in the garden increase. Fragrant 

plants tend to pump out more perfume as 

it gets darker – sadly not for our benefit, 

but to lure in the night pollinators. 

Some of the most familiar cottage 

garden shrubs have the loveliest perfume 

– lilac and philadelphus (mock orange) 

are hard to beat, but the traditional 

varieties can get quite large. There are now 

dwarf types available – try the compact 

standard lilac Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’ 

or Philadelphus ‘Manteau d’Hermine’ 

for small plants with big fragrance. 

Create a sheltered site for scented 

plants – still air will help to trap the 

fragrance, but make sure that it doesn’t 

get too overwhelming; some plants, like 

lilies (especially the oriental ones) have 

really powerful scent. The only lily I 

sometimes grow (and be careful if you have 

cats – lilies are very poisonous to them) 

is Lilium regale, which was discovered in 

China by the intrepid plant hunter E H 

Wilson, who came across entire valleys 

filled with them. He nearly lost his leg 

on the trip, walking forever after with 

what he called his ‘lily limp’. The accident 

happened during an avalanche, not (as I 

like to imagine) by him being knocked 

off his donkey by the scent of the lilies. 

Low growing and insignificant by day, 

night scented stock becomes a feature 

of the garden in the evening. It is a 

hardy annual, so seeds can be scattered 

near seating areas or by the back door, 

although the fragrance will carry for quite 

a distance. There are many varieties of 

nicotiana (tobacco plant) that are also 

annuals, some of them growing from 

what looks like a speck of dust into plants 

over seven feet tall. The great thing about 

nicotiana is that it will grow in shade too. 

It is the species plants and less cultivated 

versions that have the most fragrance 

– aroma production is governed by the 

same hormone that influences length of 

flowering and the plant breeders are keen on 

prolonging the flowers, which sadly comes 

at the expense of fragrance. Old fashioned 

cottage garden biennials and perennials like 

dianthus – sweet Williams and pinks have 

a spicy fragrance, hesperis (sweet rocket) is 

a statuesque biennial with graceful white or 

lilac flowers and wallflowers have a lovely 

honey scent. Plant these in relaxed drifts by 

paths and you might even begin to enjoy a 

trip out to empty the bin of an evening. 

Sadly, once we are past the solstice, 

we lose two minutes of daylight every 

night. Even as the darkness slowly 

increases, we can stay out in the summer 

garden. It might be getting darker, 

but it is still lovely and warm – and 

hopefully beautifully fragrant too. 

To book a gardening course 

contact Jo on 07923 969634 and 

see hornbrookmanor.co.uk 

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99 


Garden 

Old walking boots make a fun 

addition to the garden, here 

planted with nasturtium 

Contain 

your excitement 

Pale flowers really stand out at dusk, and 

in darker parts of the garden 

Jen Stuart-Smith discusses how to get creative with your pots and planters 

istockphoto.com/yuelan / AlexRaths 

My love affair with plants started 

with houseplants when I 

was a child. As my bedroom 

windowsill overflowed – resulting, 

occasionally, in waking up with compost 

under my duvet – I graduated to my 

grandmother’s greenhouse and enjoyed 

propagating all sorts of things from 

seeds and cuttings. There’s something 

about tending to plants in pots that 

feels more manageable than dealing 

with a whole garden. Or maybe it’s the 

sense of control? Although more needy 

of your time and attention, container 

gardening gives you so many options; 

experimenting with composition, 

growing things that wouldn’t tolerate 

your soil type – and getting creative 

with novel and interesting containers. 

If I need inspiration, I’ll pop round to 

my next-door neighbour. Fay has created 

a verdant oasis at the back and side of 

her cottage and, although space is tight, 

she has the most amazing collection of 

plants; bottlebrush, Japanese maples, 

witchhazel, hellebores and jasmines as 

well as an array of ferns. If in doubt, 

with my own containers, I’ll just ask, 

simply: “Fay, will this grow in a pot?” 

As well as Fay’s amazing garden, I’ve 

always loved the front door at Great 

Dixter – and imagine my own, slightly 

less grand ‘mini Dixter’ at home. 

As well as allowing you to grow exotic, 

non-native and tender plants (which can 

be moved into a greenhouse or indoors 

if necessary) container planting opens 

up a world of creative – and sometimes 

money-saving – options. One of the 

best presents my husband ever gave me 

– perhaps I’m easily pleased – was the 

drum of a cement mixer that someone 

had dumped in a ditch. Its patina of 

flaky orange paint and bare metal is the 

perfect accompaniment to an ornamental 

acer and, despite its weight, it can be 

moved as and when we’re experimenting 

with the layout of our garden. 

I also have some lovely ‘brocante’ 

including a hip bath and dolly tubs, 

given to me by a friend who moved to 

Greece. Other suitable vessels include 

catering-sized food tins, old buckets, 

watering cans and even walking boots… 

Just remember to add drainage holes to 

anything that was previously watertight. 

Keeping in mind that container plants 

will need regular watering and a closer 

eye, it makes sense to have them near 

to your house or garden buildings – 

though this is not a rule. Containers 

can also make an interesting addition 

to a border, introducing height or a 

splash of colour, where required. 

But, with back-door and patio pots 

in mind, what are the obvious choices? 

Herbs and salads are a great thing to get 

started with, both aesthetically and for 

use in the kitchen. Many herbs originate 

from hotter, drier climes, so can cope well 

in pots, as well as being pretty robust. 

Mint, one of the most hardy, is worth 

growing in a container, so that is doesn’t 

run amok in your borders. Salad leaves 

are also a fun thing to try – though 


you’ll need to keep a close 

eye on them as they can dry 

out and wilt very quickly. 

Scented flowers are also 

perfect for having by the 

back door and under your 

downstairs windows: jasmine, 

chocolate cosmos, sweet peas, 

nicotiana… and my personal 

favourite, acidanthera. Then 

there are plants such as scented 

geraniums, whose leaves, as well 

as flowers, come in a variety of 

heady scents. The list goes on 

and on. Warmer, sheltered areas, 

under a veranda for example, 

may support more 

exotic blooms such 

as gardenia, tuberose 

and stephanotis. 

But these highmaintenance 

lovelies 

will need your 

attention – so it 

helps if you enjoy 

spending your 

summer evenings pottering with 

a watering can. That said, there 

are some sophisticated watering 

systems out there, which can 

Watering by hand 

should be an enjoyable 

job and the perfect 

opportunity to check 

for pests and diseases 

– or just have a 

word or two with 

your leafy friends 

be set on a timer, if you don’t 

have the time or dedication to 

water by hand. But watering by 

hand should be a relaxing job 

and the perfect opportunity to 

check for pests and diseases – or 

just have a word or two with 

your leafy friends. Apparently, it 

helps both you and your plants! 

Your container plants may 

also need feeding, as compost 

will vary on its nutrient content 

and nutrient retaining qualities. 

There are masses of organic 

options out there… Liquid 

feeds tend to have a rapid effect 

– but you should 

always aim to water 

them onto already 

moist and receptive 

soil, to avoid water 

run-off and the 

feed ending up in 

the watercourse. 

Slow-release 

fertiliser pellets are 

less labour intensive and can be 

added to compost at the time 

of planting. If you plant into a 

nutrient-rich compost, perhaps 

with a little slow release 

fertiliser, you shouldn’t need to 

feed again for several weeks. As 

well as ‘off the shelf’ products, 

homemade options include 

well-rotted manure, liquid 

seaweed as well as easy to 

make nettle and comfrey teas. 

With a little care and 

attention a collection of pots 

can create an area in your 

garden with a personality of 

its own: culinary, scented, 

lush and green – as I am 

planning around our 

outdoor shower area – or 

reminiscent of a favourite 

holiday destination. The 

possibilities are endless and the 

results almost immediate… 

what’s not to like? 

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101 


Education 

Great 

Expectations 

Mike Piercy, education consultant and former Head of The New Beacon, gives his opinion on tutoring 

There’s nothing wrong with ambition; indeed it 

is to be praised. Encouragement of ambition 

is inherent in parenthood and teaching. 

I have something of a problem with prizes for all, however, 

where everyone’s a winner. As parents and teachers we wish to 

encourage children, to boost confidence. That said, they see 

more than we may realise: they come to recognise gratuitous 

praise; where prizes are universal and not meritorious. 

In an assembly some years ago I asked my pupils about 

ambition: what were their aspirations? The most memorable 

response was from one who aspired to be CEO of a wellknown 

multi-national company. The fact that his father 

held a senior position in that very organisation was no 

coincidence. I applauded his ambition then asked how he 

hoped to achieve it. His answer was logical: do well at GCSE, 

likewise at A Level, proceed to a good university working 

hard towards a 1st class degree. I shall watch and wait. 

At some point in a child or young person’s development, 

effusive encouragement should gradually dissipate 

giving way to realistic expectations – ideally by mutual 

agreement. Depending on the individual level of maturity, 

I would suggest somewhere around the cusp of Year 4 

and 5. With this evolution will, of course, come some 

disappointment which, in my view, is not a bad thing. 

The growing pressure of expectation must go hand in 

hand with growing academic demands – the pressure of 

national exams – the denial of which is unrealistic. 

I frequently used a mantra with parents when discussing 

their offsprings’ onward path – academic and otherwise: 

‘Expect much of children, they will surprise; expect little, 

they will disappoint.’ The two expressions reveal a delicate 

balance. Tip too far either way and personal development, 

growth, decelerates. A wise (now retired) Head of a very 

selective Grammar School when asked of the greatest 

challenge he faced in his school replied that it was those 

pupils who had been over-coached, drilled by parents 

and 11+ tutors within an inch of their lives. They arrived 

at the school stressed and exhausted, tutored beyond 

their unforced capability. Behavioural and mental health 

concerns often ensued. Many foundered and failed. 

So where should the line be drawn between ambition 

and realistic expectation? Overcooked steak is dry, lacking 

in texture. Overcooked children lose their emotional shape 

and structure – we are dealing with delicate development. 

My advice to parents is to acknowledge and make a clear 

distinction between their own ambitions for their children 

(sometimes dismissing the advice and experience of the school) 

and what is realistic for the precious, individual child. 

And so to tutoring. The neighbours’ children aspiring to 

grammar schools does not mean it is the right path for your 

children. Their school and teachers will have a more objective, 

experienced view. Successful entry to an academically 

ambitious school does not always mean a successful academic 

outcome – we are dealing with sensitive, soft tissue here. 

Robert Browning articulates the dilemma 

succinctly – and beautifully, of course: 

‘Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his 

grasp, Or what’s a heaven for?’ 

Let’s encourage ambition while being honest 

about our – realistic – expectations. 

Mike’s book, ‘Careering’ – a journey through his life, which also 

offers advice to parents – will be published by Troubador on 

28 August and can be pre-ordered. mikepiercy@hotmail.com 

istockphoto.com/ rudall30 


Education 

Creative 

Thinking 

Online educators, Technology Triumphs, talk us through their approach 

“ 

There is no doubt that creativity 

is the most important 

human resource of all,” – 

Edward De Bono, the originator 

of the term lateral thinking. 

Despite this, creative pursuits have 

been seemingly benched in recent 

times, with stronger emphasis instead 

being placed on academic subjects in 

our learning and work environments. 

Often, creative subjects are seen as ‘less 

worthy’ or something that should be 

pursued as a hobby rather than as a 

potential career choice. Increasingly 

schools are reducing – or even 

collapsing – creative and vocational 

departments due to budget cuts and the 

struggle to recruit subject specialists. 

So what does this mean for our young 

people and our future? Potentially, it 

means a loss of innovation, productivity 

and growth. Creativity is a vital and 

valuable skill that needs to be encouraged 

and harnessed in order for society to adapt 

and progress. Not everyone has aspirations 

to be a doctor, a teacher or a lawyer. 

There are so many vital job roles and 

careers that hold creativity at their core. 

In a world where we are becoming 

increasingly reliant on artificial 

intelligence for the generation of artwork 

and new ideas, why is it so important 

that we ensure that creativity in our 

young people is protected? Whilst AI has 

a role to play in society, the role of play, 

creativity and expression of mankind as 

individuals should not be undervalued, 

“...creativity 

is the most 

important 

human resource 

of all” 

it should be nurtured and embraced. If 

we don’t provide opportunities for young 

people to explore creative options, we 

are not only restricting their choices, 

but removing the human element to 

areas that potentially grow our economy. 

This is where we at Technology 

Triumphs, a Kent-based company, 

are striving to make a difference. 

Providing online provisions designed 

specifically for young people, the 

company was the first of its kind to 

offer GCSE comparable qualifications 

in subjects more commonly associated 

with DT and Art departments within 

mainstream schools, but from a remote 

setting instead. With flexibility and 

adaptability at its core, the company 

strives to serve all, from home educators 

to home-based learners to extracurricular 

students enrolled within 

schools and beyond. In short, anyone 

whose options have been limited. 

No learner left behind and creative 

qualifications made accessible to all. 

From entry level courses aimed at 

providing recognised qualifications 

for SEN learners who might feel 

marginalised and ignored, to Level 1 

and 2 qualifications which are GCSE 

comparable but without the stress, 

anxiety and accessibility issues of exam 

and assessment attendance. Now, and 

new to 2024, we can offer a Level 3 

qualification which provides UCAS 

points for University entry, so there 

really is something for everyone. 

Not only this but, due to the nature 

of the courses, adaptability for individual 

learner needs can be accommodated. 

More details on Technology 

Triumphs can be found at 

technologytriumphs.co.uk or on 

Facebook at facebook.com/ 

TechnologyTriumphs 

istockphoto.com/ Pattadis Walarput 

103 


Don’t miss our next 

Education Supplement 

Find it in the September 2024 

issue of Surrey Homes 

For advertising opportunities, call Andrew Boughton on 

01580 231810 or email andrew.boughton@wealdentimes.co.uk 

104

BROADSTAIRS FOLK FESTIVAL 

‘EDGES’ AT WATTS GALLERY 

ARTISTS’ VILLAGE 

HERNE BAY 

MUSEUM 

istockphoto.com/ RolfSt & Ridofranz & PeopleImages 

What’s On 

this Summer 

ART & EXHIBITIONS 

Every Tues to Sat 

until Sat 20 July 

Herne Bay Seaside 

Museum, 12 William Street, 

Herne Bay CT6 5EJ 

SEASIDE MEMORIES AT 

THE HERNE BAY MUSEUM 

Step back in time with seaside 

memories and explore the 

enchanting world of childhood 

entertainment before the digital age 

took over. In his new exhibition 

at Herne Bay Seaside Museum, 

Kent artist Giles Whitehead draws 

inspiration from his own childhood 

memories of seaside holidays in the 

1970s and from recordings from 

the museum archive. Share your 

own memories and add your unique 

story. Help the museum to celebrate 

the timeless allure of childhood 

holidays and create new ones too. 

theseasidemuseumhernebay.org 

Fri 12, Sat 13 & Sun 14 

July 11am to 3pm 

Up the Garden Studio, 

Meadow View Road, 

Boughton Monchelsea, 

Maidstone ME17 4LF 

GRAHAM CLARKE 

OPEN STUDIO 

Graham Clarke is always guaranteed 

to make you smile. Browse a huge 

collection of limted edition etchings, 

books, posters and greetings cards 

and glimpse behind the scenes at the 

traditional process of printmaking. 

grahamclarke.co.uk 

Sat 13 July – Sun 3 Nov 

Watts Gallery Artists’ 

Village, Down Lane, 

Guildford GU3 1DQ 

EDGES – WATTS GALLERY 

ARTISTS’ VILLAGE 

Edges explores what it means 

to be on the edge of something 

and how we understand ‘the 

outsider’. It is a group exhibition 

bringing together international 

artists working in ceramics and 

sound. The culmination of three 

residencies, Edges is an evolving 

collaborative project, featuring 

work by contemporary artists 

from Ireland, the UK and Estonia, 

three nations at the western 

and eastern edges of Europe. 

wattsgallery.org.uk 

COMMUNITY 

Sat 17 August 

Various venues around 

Cranbrook 

CRANBROOK & 

SISSINGHURST 

MAYOR’S DAY 

It was fantastic to have antique 

expert, TV’s Raj Bisram join us at 

our Midsummer Fair. He is a multitalented 

fellow and among the many 

strings to his bow he is the Mayor of 

Cranbrook. Mayor’s Day promises 

to be great fun so keep an eye out 

for more details nearer the date. 

MUSIC 

Fri 26 July, Weds 31 

July & Thurs 8 Aug 

Sandown Park, Portsmouth 

Road, Esher, Surrey 

KT10 9AJ UK 

THE JOCKEY CLUB LIVE AT 

SANDOWN PARK 

A nail-biting evening of racing 

followed by full headline 

performances. The line-up this year 

includes Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics 

returning with a brand-new set on 

Friday 26th July; music legends 

Madness on Wednesday 31st July; 

and the beloved pop band McFly on 

Thursday 8th August. To top it off, 

award-winning restaurants will cater 

for all tastes. Tickets are on sale now 

with prices and hospitality packages 

available to suit all budgets. 

thejockeyclublive.co.uk 

Fri 9 – Fri 16 August 

Venues around Broadstairs 

BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK 

Music and dance in over 20 

venues throughout the beautiful 

town of Broadstairs. Headline 

concerts include Oysterband, 

Kathryn Tickell & the 

Darkening, Le Vent du Nord 

and hundreds more musicians in 

over 400 events. Special family 

entertainment and a festival 

campsite in a beautiful town with 

a superb sandy beach. Join in with 

ukulele workshops, a festival choir, 

Bollywood dancing, tai chi, crafts 

for kids and knitting for everyone. 

You can dance all day and into the 

evening, or just relax on the prom 

with an ice-cream. Tickets on sale 

now. Book online or call 01843 

604080. Souvenir Programme is 

published in June, buy online. 

broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk 

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 8th July. 

105 


Jane Howard goes on a 

poo hunt to track down 

the dung beetle residents 

of Coopers Farm 

Last month, having been to a talk from 

the local beekeepers, I was inspired to write 

about the habits of the male honeybee. 

Well it’s happened again. A few days ago I found 

myself wandering around a field inspecting 

cow pats. On a dung beetle safari no less. 

As any farmer will tell you, whether they grow crops 

or raise livestock, the success of the farm depends 

on the quality of the soil. Traditionally small mixed 

livestock farms always had a few sheep, a few cows 

and a few acres of corn, and by moving everything 

around year-on-year the soil was always 

healthy. And one of the main reasons 

for that was the widespread presence 

of dung beetles. But here in the South 

East – thanks to a huge loss of land to 

development, less and less livestock on 

farms and far greater use of chemical 

wormers and insecticides – they are 

struggling. Which is why I went on 

the 'Dung Beetles for Farmers' safari. 

The morning was spent learning 

why they matter. There are four types: 

Dwellers that spend their entire life inside the pat; 

Tunnellers who spend more time beneath the pat, 

burrowing into the soil to build brood chambers and 

pulling the dung down for their larvae to feed on; 

Stealers who use the Tunnellers' tunnels for their own 

larvae and then there are the Rollers made famous 

by David Attenborough. Rollers are more commonly 

found in warmer, drier climates, which means fewer 

animals and more competition for the dung. So any 

self respecting dung beetle happening across a pat 

will bundle it up and roll it away before another 

beetle comes along. Without dung beetles the world 

A dung beetle des res 

has to be of a firm 

consistency, a sloppy 

mess really won’t cut 

it. And it can’t be 

too fresh or too old 

would be covered in dung – horse, cow, sheep, goat, 

antelope, elephant whatever. So they really do matter. 

In order to find them we needed to find the 'perfect 

pat' and that is quite an art. A dung beetle des res has 

to be of a firm consistency, a sloppy mess really won’t 

cut it. It also has to be of good depth so as to give 

them somewhere to hide from predators, flat pats are 

a no-no. And it can’t be too fresh or too old – dung 

beetles like it about 2 or 3 days old. 

However, there are lots of fly species 

whose eggs thrive so long as they hit 

a fresh, wet cowpat. Most lay eggs on 

the surface, but you have to admire the 

enterprise of the female horn fly who 

has really nailed it. She lives on the 

cow by sucking blood, but as soon as 

her host begins to defecate, she whizzes 

round the back and lays her eggs in the 

steaming stream of mid-air dung. And 

as they will land inside the pat rather 

than on the surface the eggs have breathing horns – 

yes, breathing horns – that project above the surface. 

They will hatch out in large numbers as long as the 

good guys, the dung beetles, don’t arrive to eat them. 

So armed with this abundance of scatological 

information we set off with charts, pencils, pots 

and rubber gloves to see what we could find. And 

yes, we did find them. So exciting that I went 

straight back to Coopers Farm and continued 

the search and we have them too. Who would 

imagine that a cow pat and a beetle could bring 

such joy. Maybe I should get out more! 

istockphoto.com/ sarahdoow / Ian_Redding 


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