Henley and Marlow Lifestyle Jul - Aug 2024

S ummer 

E scape 

Danesfield House Hotel & Spa, 

Henley Road, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 2EY 

As you approach the tree-lined drive 

that winds beneath the striking Clock 

Tower, you’ll be in awe of this immense 

setting. The gleaming, whitewashed 

exterior of Danesfield House sits 

overlooking the River Thames between 

Henley and Marlow and the Chiltern 

Hills beyond, amongst 65 acres of the 

most impressive landscaped gardens. 

Purple wisteria climbs the walls of the 

building while the wonderful scent of 

lavender wafts among the grounds. 

Pretty fountains and waterfalls make 

Danesfield Gardens so quintessentially 

English while the Italian Garden adds a 

touch of the Mediterranean. 

Brimming with history, Danesfield 

House was once home to the 

Intelligence Section of the RAF, 

formerly RAF Medmenham from 

1941 and remained in the hands of 

the RAF until 1977. It first opened its 

doors as a hotel in 1991. 

There are 60 stunning rooms and suites 

to choose from, some with four poster 

beds or freestanding baths, and some 

with their own balcony and views 

across the Thames. There’s a welcome 

mix of both traditional country house 

style rooms and more contemporary 

design to choose from. Huge windows 

capture the mesmerising scenery and 

luxurious furnishings dress the rooms 

beautifully. 

Danesfield House arguably enjoys the 

most spectacular country house setting 

in the UK, which is why it has become 

such a popular venue for weddings and 

corporate events. There are four 

imposing rooms available for private 

dining; whether you want to entertain a 

large party of 100 or host a more 

intimate affair of 10 guests, there is an 

ideal space to accommodate your 

group. 

With an award-winning restaurant and 

luxury spa, facilities at Danesfield 

House have been designed with guests’ 

utmost pleasure in mind. Whether you 

prefer to dine in the magnificent Oak 

Room with its wood panelling, 

towering ceiling and huge fireplace, or 

look out onto the terrace and gardens 

from the Orangery with views to ‘dine’ 

for, you can enjoy an incredible dining 

experience at Danesfield House. 

For all enquiries: 

enquiries@danesfieldhouse.co.uk 

01628 891010 

If you are planning the kind of wedding 

that’s only seen in fairy tales, you have 

come to the right place! Danesfield 

House weddings are magical! There are 

few settings as enchanting for your big 

day. From a marquee on the lawn or a 

traditional ceremony in the Versailles 

Suite, to an elaborate celebration with 

exclusive use of the entire hotel, there 

are several options for civil ceremonies 

and partnerships.

C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

12 

PHIL VICKERY AND HIS RECIPE 

Welcome to the high summer 

edition of your fave local 

lifestyle magazine! 

As the days stretch longer 

and some sunshine finally 

makes an appearance (I 

swear I have webbed feet 

by now), it’s time to embrace 

the season’s vibrant energy. 

We are a nation obsessed 

with gardening, and this is no 

more true than in this edition, 

where we have a real life 

transformation to inspire you. 

If you’d like your space to be 

a little less abandoned and 

a little more Eden, hopefully 

this guide will help kick-start 

your plans for summer. 

04 

COMPETITIONS 

Speaking of gardens, we 

had a chat with multi- 

Chelsea gold medal 

winning horticulturist and 

TV Presenter Adam Frost - 

it was wonderful to get an 

insight into where his love of 

gardening began. 

GARDEN RENOVATION 

Editor Katie Thomson 

e katie@minervapublications.co.uk 

Assistant Editor Kate Norris 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Pre Press Manager Rebecca Rose 

Contributors 

Matthew Biggs, Angela Cave, 

Louise Thomson, Pete Lawrence 

FOR ADVERTISING 

Account Manager Ryan Davis 

e ryan@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984498 

Cover courtesy of uke.co.uk 

19 

ADAM FROST 

24 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS 

Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, 

Hilperton BA14 6JB 

t 01225 984 550 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

Printed on sustainably sourced paper. 

Please recycle this copy or pass it along 

when you are finished for someone else 

to enjoy. 

Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be 

held liable for any loss occasioned by 

failure of an advertisement to appear, or 

any damage or inconvenience caused by 

errors, omissions and misprints. No part of 

this publication may be reproduced without 

prior permission from the publishers. 

The opinions expressed within are not 

necessarily those of the publishers. 

We also had the chance to 

catch up with the charming 

Phil Vickery, who also gave 

us a fabulous recipe to try. 

He’s utterly charming and is 

set to appear at this year’s 

Three Counties Food & Drink 

Festival. 

If you’re thinking your home 

needs a seasonal lift, we 

have a lovely piece called 

Interior Espresso, designed 

to show you smaller projects 

that can breathe new life into 

your space. 

So, kick back, relax, and 

let the sunshine guide you 

through these pages filled 

with seasonal inspiration! 

Katie 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

Time 

COMPETITION 

Find out more about entering our competitions online 

at minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions - join our 

Competition Club and enter over 60 comps a year for 

only £12.99! Or enter for free by post. 

All the below close on 25th August 2024 

WIN A STELLAR VERVE 

COOKWARE BUNDLE WORTH 

OVER £300! 

Want to cook more healthily this 

summer? With new cookware range, 

Stellar Verve, you can prepare your 

favourite recipes and reduce the fat 

thanks to its responsive non-stick 

technology that requires little to no oil. 

To celebrate the launch of Verve, we’ve 

teamed up with Stellar to give one lucky 

reader the chance to win a bundle of 

Stellar Verve goodies including a 26cm 

Frying Pan, 28cm Wok, 26cm Grill Pan, 

all worth over £300. 

Available at www.stellar.co.uk. 

Keyword ‘Stellar’ 

WIN A BBQ TRADITIONALIST’S 

TREAT BY CHAR-BROIL 

WORTH OVER £300 

Anyone who loves the smell and taste 

of charcoal BBQ will love the new Char- 

Broil Charcoal L. The BBQ impresses 

with its large 3,665cm2 cooking area 

and nifty features from the versatile 

charcoal bowl to side shelves with 

practical hooks for grilling utensils. In 

a stylish black design, key features 

include a temperature gauge on the lid, 

adjustable smoke stack and charcoal 

trays and an integrated bottle opener 

for keeping the chef hydrated! Charcoal 

L (£319.99 RRP) is available online and 

at garden centres nationwide. 

Keyword ‘Char-Broil BBQ’ 

WIN THE OPINEL BBQ SET 

This timeless companion, available from 

Berry Useful, comprises a 16cm steel 

bladed knife complete with a safety 

collar that locks the blade in open and 

close positions, a spatula and XL tongs 

with a grid lifting slot at the heel, making 

time at the BBQ easier! 

Available from berryuseful.co.uk 

Keyword ‘Opinel’ 

Essentials Lace B 

The Essentials Lace femin 

this season’s fashion shad 

Whether as loungewear 

dress – the understated b 

a delicate silk band, is su 

their removable pads pro 

with four hook and eye c 

lined with perforated, bre 

second skin! 

This great style also come 

even more variety to you 

their underwear to be sty 

Available from www.stud 

Sizes S/ M/L/XL 

WIN A TRUSTED BONA 

PREMIUM SPRAY MOP TO 

NURTURE FLOORS 

Bring out the beauty of wood and hard 

surface floors with the trusted Bona 

Premium cleaning system. The durable 

Premium Spray Mop and washable, 

reusable microfibre pads plus Bona’s 

water-based, low-VOC, GREENGUARD 

GOLD certified cleaning formula 

remove 99% of bacteria from your 

floors. We’ve five Bona Premium Spray 

Mops for Wood or Hard Surface Floors 

including 4L cleaning solution to win. 

Shop online at www.bona.com 

WIN THE BRAND NEW 

HOZELOCK AUTO REEL MOBILE 

AND BOKASHI COMPOSTER 

WITH KITCHEN CADDY 

Hozelock is giving away the ultimate 

gardening bundle, including the 

brand-new Auto Reel Mobile, Bokashi 

Composter and Kitchen Caddy, worth 

over £340. 

Built to cover all of your composting 

and watering needs, this bundle is the 

perfect solution to help your garden 

thrive this summer and includes 

Hozelock’s most premium hose storage 

solution. 

WIN ONE OF THREE 

UNDERWEAR SETS 

Introducing the Essentials Lace bralette 

from ANITA: comfort meets style! 

Perfect for lounging or adding a touch of 

elegance to any outfit. With adjustable 

back closures and removable pads, it 

offers a flattering fit. Plus, it’s wire-free 

and breathable, making it feel like a 

second skin! Pair with the matching 

Essentials Lace brief for the ultimate style 

and comfort combo! 

If you can’t wait to win then grab yours 

from www.studiolingerieandresort.com. 

Keyword ‘Bona’ 

Keyword ‘Hozelock’ 

Keyword ‘Anita’ 

For more informatio 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

VILLA PROVENCE 

Experience the Magic of Autumn in Villa Provence 

www.villaprovence83.com 

exquisite wines from renowned local vineyards, where the 

harvest season brings a sense of excitement and anticipation. 

Delight in farm-to-table dining experiences, where local chefs 

showcase the bountiful harvest in their innovative creations 

and particularly at this time of year, indulge in the rich flavours 

of truffles, chestnuts, and figs, perfectly complemented by the 

region’s world-famous olive oil. 

Reconnect with nature as you meander through Provence’s 

stunning landscapes. Discover hidden hiking trails that lead 

you to breathtaking vistas, where you can marvel at the 

panoramic views of rolling hills blanketed in a tapestry of 

autumn colours. Immerse yourselves in the tranquillity of 

lavender fields, still fragrant even in the cooler months. Unwind 

with a leisurely bike ride through picturesque countryside, 

taking in the sights and sounds of rural Provence. 

Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse 

yourself in the enchanting beauty of Provence in this most 

exquisite villa this September and October. 

As the summer crowds fade away, Provence reveals its true 

beauty in a breathtaking display of colour, warmth and light. 

Comfortable sunny days, crisp mornings and evenings, dreamy 

flower fields, abundant vineyards, and aqua seas warmed by 

the summer sunshine. 

Villa Provence is nestled in the vines of the most prestigious 

of Provencal vineyards with easy access to the French Riviera, 

St Tropez, Monte Carlo, Nice, Marseille and the magnificent 

Gorges De Verdon. 

Villa Provence is a spectacular Provencal home sleeping10 

-12 guests with 5 bedrooms extensive living facilities, two well 

equipped indoor and outdoor kitchens and stunning wellness 

areas, including a beautiful heated pool, a fully equipped studio 

gym room, with a Pilates reformer, jacuzzi, infrared sauna and 

hammam, with games facilities including a range of board 

games and boules. 

Experience the art and culture that Provence is renowned for. 

Immerse yourselves in the works of legendary artists like Van 

Gogh and Cézanne, as you explore world-class museums 

and galleries. Delve into the region’s rich history by visiting 

medieval castles and ancient Roman ruins, where the stories of 

the past come alive. 

Autumn in Provence is a time of reflection, rejuvenation, and 

rediscovery. Let the beauty of the season captivate your hearts 

and create unforgettable memories as you explore this timeless 

region together. Unwind, reconnect, and fall in love with 

Provence all over again. 

Book your autumn escape to Villa Provence today and let 

the magic unfold! Please see www.villaprovence83.com for 

further details or call Jane at +33 673659788 

or email: villaprovence83@gmail.com. 

Quote 

HM Lifestyle 

for a 10% 

discount. 

Savour the flavours of this exquisite season with fresh 

vegetables, fruit and eggs from the gardens in the property as 

you embark on a culinary journey through Provence. Sample 


Make tracks for 

a great day out 

Explore this 21-acre living museum 

and unearth almost two centuries of 

railway history. 

01235 817 200 | didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk 


Hannah Beech, Founder 

One of Britains 

leading beauty 

skincare 

specialists is 

now in Henley 

● Bespoke Cellular Facial 

● Energetic Facial 

● Deep Cleansing Facial 

● Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatment 

● Polynucleotide Eye Rejuvenation 

● Infused Vitamin Micro-Needling 

● Hyaluronic Acid Facial Rejuvenation 

● Platelet Rich Plasma Facial Rejuvenation 

● Radio Frequency Collagen Stimulation 

● Dermalux© LightTherapy 

Crowsley Park, Henley on Thames, RG9 4JJ 

Or Home Visits 

Tel: 07561 135570 

www.hannahbeechskinscience.co.uk 

Facial Aesthetics - Body Contouring - Advanced Skincare 

We are a multi-award winning and CQC registered medical aesthetic clinic. 

Offering the world’s leading non-surgical treatments for a wide range of skin 

conditions as well as facial ageing, body, and feminine health concerns. 

● Laser hair removal 

● Medical skincare 

● HydraFacial 

● Thread vein removal 

● Feminine health 

● Skin tightening 

● Injectables 

● Emsculpt NEO 

● CoolSculpting 

We are discreetly located on Furze Platt Road opposite Pinkneys Green with 

plenty of on site parking. To learn more or to book a consultation please 

call our team on 01628 20 20 28 or visit www.berkshireaesthetics.com 

Dr Selena Langdon 

Medical Director 


IT'S A GAME 

CHANGER 

BUT NOT 

FREE 

When the Chancellor 

announced his plan 

for expanding the 

childcare support for 

parents with young 

children last year, 

families across the 

country would have 

been jumping for joy. 

Some of these children who will be 

benefiting from the new places for nine 

month olds in September had not even 

been born then! 

It’s true that early education and childcare 

is very expensive, especially for our 

youngest children. This is a time when 

parents are going back to work after 

parental leave and can least afford to take 

the hit. Research has shown that many 

parents end up working just to pay for 

their child’s nursery. 

So the offer of “free” hours for their child 

is a game changer. Unfortunately it’s not 

free. It will make a big difference to family 

finances, but there will still be costs. 

The reason that childcare has been so 

expensive over the last few years in the 

UK compared with similar countries is 

because the Government contribution 

has been so low. There has only been 

some help for children once they turn 

three, unless they are from disadvantaged 

backgrounds and that’s only from age 

two. 

Unfortunately although the Government 

offers funded hours, the money they pay 

for these has never covered the actual 

costs of delivering high quality early 

education and care. When we speak to 

providers, 83% say funding rates do not 

cover their costs and at a lower rate than 

inflation. As a result of underfunding, 

early years providers have had to 

increase the cost of paid-for hours to 

make up the shortfall. 

From September, children of working 

parents aged nine months upwards 

will be entitled to 15 hours of funded 

childcare per week. This is great news 

– not just enabling parents to work but 

high quality early education and childcare 

supports children’s development, 

wellbeing and learning. 

There are catches however: 

• The 15 hours are only during 

term time – most parents work all 

year round so most providers will 

“stretch” these hours across the 

year – reducing the hours per week 

• The Government only pays for 

the actual childcare sessions, 

which does not include any meals, 

snacks, consumables or additional 

activities – so families may see 

settings make charges for these 

• Depending on the length of your 

sessions, you will need to pay for 

any additional hours you need at 

the nursery’s usual fee especially 

for early or later hours. 

National Day Nurseries Association which 

represents nurseries across England, 

Scotland and Wales recommends that 

parents speak as soon as possible to 

their local providers to find a place for 

their child. Our research showed that 

many nurseries were concerned they 

wouldn’t be able to meet demand. 

Ratios of staff to children are higher for 

our youngest children so in many cases 

they need to recruit more practitioners. 

We hope everyone who wants and needs 

these funded childcare sessions gets a 

place in their preferred local childcare 

provider. We are sure you will all feel 

the benefits but until the Government 

changes the funding system, they won’t 

be free either to you the parents or those 

who are delivering them. 

By Purnima Tanuku OBE, 

Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries 

Association (NDNA) 

www.ndna.org.uk 


SCHOOL HOLIDAY 

ACTIVITIES & CHILDCARE 

An Independent Prep School for Boys & Girls aged 3-13 

USE CODE: 

LIVING20 

Use code for an 

EXTRA £20 off your booking! 

*Minimum of 2 days 

Dolphin School inspires a love of learning that lasts a lifetime 

Please visit our website to learn more, 

or contact Kate Spooner 

admissions@dolphinschool.com 

Visit barracudas.co.uk 

or call 01480 467 567 

www.dolphinschool.com 

0118 934 1277 

Waltham Road, Hurst, Berkshire, RG10 0FR 

5 Science labs with 

Junior and Senior 

specialist teaching 

Pre-School & Reception 

Over 100 different 

extra-curricular 

clubs and activities 

on offer 

Excellent sports 

facilities with elite 

coaching 

Large, purpose-designed Pre-School & Reception 

Superb facilities including a thriving performing arts theatre 

Oxfordshire’s leading independent co-educational day school 

Come and join us. 

Discover all that a Cranford education has to offer. 

STARTING 

FINAL PLACES 

FOR RECEPTION 

SEP 2024 

Book your personal tour: admissions@cranfordschool.co.uk 

Excellence in Independent Education for Boys and Girls aged 3-18 

MOULSFORD, WALLINGFORD OX109HT - WWW.CRANFORDSCHOOL.CO.UK 

Cranford_153x110mm_Henley Marlow Lifestyle_JULY 2024 AW.indd 1 www.minervamagazines.co.uk 17/06/2024 10:19 | 9

ISI INSPECTION 

Herries Co-Ed Preparatory Herries Co-Ed REPORT Preparatory 

School & Nursery from ages 2 - 11 School & Nursery from ages 2 - 11 

‘EXCELLENT’ 

Cookham Dean, Berkshire Cookham Dean, Berkshire 

in all areas 

ISI INSPECTION 

REPORT 

‘EXCELLENT’ 

in all areas 

Herries 

Prep School 

& Nursery 

Apply now for 

September Join us for 2024 

a tour and have a glimpse 

into an exciting day at Herries! 

Join us for a tour and have a glimpse 

into an exciting day at Herries! 

Call 01628 483350 or email admissions@herries.org.uk 

www.herries.org.uk 

Call 01628 483350 or email admissions@herries.org.uk 

www.herries.org.uk 

“Small places can do big things” Joanna Year 5 

“Small places can do big things” Joanna Year 5 

Small Class Sizes • Specialist Subject Teachers • Study Skills 

Sports at Bisham Abbey • Woodland Activities • Wraparound Care 

Bank holiday weekend! 

Fri 23 rd - Mon 26 th 

August 2024 

Stonor Park, 

Henley-On-Thames 

SAVE £2 

with early bird 

tickets* 

Adult flexi ticket: £8 

Free parking 

Kids go free 

The UK’s biggest country craft show with over 200 stalls! 

ARTISAN SHOPPING | STREET FOOD | CRAFT DEMOS | FAMILY FUN 

www.thecraftshows.co.uk 

* purchased online by 18/08/2024 


GREAT DAYS OUT 

Perfect family fun - to keep even the 

busiest little people happy! 

Guide 

HENLEY 

ADVENTURE GOLF 

MILL MEADOWS, HENLEY 

HENLEYADVENTUREGOLF.CO.UK 

Escape to an adventure where every 

putt leads to family fun! Henley 

Adventure Golf invites you to tee off 

on a journey through miniature Henley 

landmarks. Experience 18 holes of 

excitement and laughter, with free 

admission for under 3s and exclusive 

discounts for Henley residents. Create 

lasting memories with your loved ones 

while exploring our charming course. 

ADVENTURE 

PLAYGROUND 

MILL MEADOWS, HENLEY 

WWW.VISIT-HENLEY.COM 

Henley’s new adventure playground, 

opened this summer, is a triumph of 

fun and inclusivity. Designed to cater 

to children of all abilities, it features 

imaginative play zones, accessible 

equipment, and sensory-friendly areas. 

Why not make a day of it with a walk by 

the river, a picnic in Mill Meadows or a 

nice lunch and an ice cream in town... 

DINTON 

ACTIVITY CENTRE 

HURST, WOKINGHAM RG10 0SU 

WOKINGHAMCOUNTRYSIDE.CO.UK 

Dinton Activity Centre, located within 

Dinton Pastures Country Park in 

Hurst, is offering a range of activities 

for everyone this summer! Join the 

holiday clubs or sailing programmes for 

children and young people of different 

ages and ability levels. Hire a boat - 

pedalos, kayaks, paddleboards and 

more – to enjoy a scenic day out on the 

Black Swan Lake. 

THAME MUSEUM 

79 HIGH STREET, THAME OX9 3AE 

WWW.THAMEMUSEUM.ORG 

An amazing museum telling the 

6000 year story of Thame. Visit 

the BeeGees’ Robin Gibb Gallery. 

Experience original Elizabethan 

wall paintings. Discover Thame’s 

important role in the Civil War. Enjoy 

surprising Pop-up Exhibitions. Follow 

Children’s Trails and find out what life 

was like in Thame throughout history. 

Browse our wonderful shop and 

enjoy a fun family day out. 

D I D C O T 

RAILWAY CENTRE 

DIDCOT, OXFORDSHIRE OX11 7NJ 

DIDCOTRAILWAYCENTRE.ORG.UK 

Explore the golden age of the Great 

Western Railway - savour the sights, 

sounds and smells of steam as you 

explore our living museum. 

Summer events include Brick 

Adventures, visits from Paddington 

and Bluey and Bingo and our 

September Gala welcomes visiting 

engines. 

RIVER & ROWING 

MUSEUM 

MILL MEADOWS, HENLEY RG9 1BF 

WWW.RRM.CO.UK 

Discover the art and stories of the 

River Thames, the sport of rowing 

and the town of Henley-on-Thames. 

With four permanent galleries, two 

galleries with regularly changing 

exhibitions, The Wind in the 

Willows experience, our shop and 

The Rowing Room café, there’s 

something for everyone! 


A BRITISH 

STAPLE 

TV presenter and author Phil Vickery has been 

an integral part of the This Morning family for 

over 22 years and is firmly regarded as one 

of Britain’s favourite chefs. This summer, you 

can catch him at Three Counties Food & Drink 

Festival, which runs on 27th & 28th July at 

Three Counties Showground, Malvern. 

Here Sally Thomson catches up with Phil to 

have a chat about food and the delights of 

enjoying good dishes... 

THIS MORNING I WATCHED A LITTLE SHORT OF VIDEO OF 

YOU AND YOUR DAUGHTER WINNIE. YOU WERE HAVING 

A CHAT ABOUT THE JOYS OF FRESH PRODUCE IN THE 

SPRINGTIME, IN PARTICULAR TALKING ABOUT ASPARAGUS, 

RASPBERRIES AND STRAWBERRIES AND HOW MUCH YOU 

LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR. 

Jersey royals, the first salad. I love all that sort of stuff and as a 

seasoned chef, which I’ve always been, we were always taught 

fresh is best. 

SO YOU WERE ALWAYS INTERESTED IN REGIONAL, LOCAL 

PRODUCE? 

Yes, I’ve always cooked that way my whole life. There is 

something absurd about eating a raspberry from Guatemala in 

February. 

YES, I FEEL EXACTLY THE SAME AS THAT. I LIKE TO TRY AND 

GROW MY OWN PRODUCE AS WELL. I’VE GOT RASPBERRY 

CANES IN THE GARDEN WHICH I ENJOY. 

It’s nice to look forward to the first game in season: the first 

pheasant, or the first roe buck. It’s always been a priority of 

mine. 

SO DO YOU LIVE OUT IN THE WILDS? 

Yes, I live in the country. 

WELL, WE’RE VERY LUCKY. WE’VE GOT LOADS OF 

PHEASANTS IN OUR GARDEN BUT I COULDN’T DO 

ANYTHING WITH THEM. I JUST LET THEM WANDER AROUND. 

Oh, I like to eat them. Bear in mind, when I was a young chef, 

there were so many pheasants around that they were bred as 

game birds. But it’s always been very important to me that we 

cook in season. And that will never change. I was born up in 

Folkestone in Kent. I wanted to be a doctor, but my elder brother 

became a doctor, so I had to change course. I’ve always had 

sort of a fairly outdoorsy life. I’ve done a variety of things and I’m 

largely self-taught. 

YOU SPENT QUITE A LOT OF TIME IN TAUNTON, DIDN’T YOU, 

AT THE CASTLE HOTEL? 

I did. Yeah, that’s really where I made my name. I was told 

“Oh, you’re a good lad, but you probably won’t get the job at 

the Castle.” I was like, “Okay, fair enough, but I’ll help you.” 

Meanwhile I had nine very happy years there (at The Castle), and 

I was very lucky. 

SO IN TERMS OF, YOU’RE GOING TO BE DOING THE THREE 

COUNTIES, THE DRINK FESTIVAL? 

I am indeed. I love cooking outdoors. Especially if you climb 

that hill and you get the view across the whole vista up there, it’s 

sensational. It’s beautiful. I was very impressed. Plus you can 

interact with the audience a bit more, have a bit of a laugh. So I 

really enjoy it. 

ARE YOU ALLOWED TO SAY WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO COOK 

THIS TIME? 

I haven’t got a clue what I’m going to cook at the moment. It’s 

probably piggies. No, it will be seasonal. It might be a bit of my 

pork, I’m not quite sure. Again, it’s what weather’s like. If the 

weather’s really hot, then I’ll do light food. If it’s a bit grim and 

overcast, then I’ll do some other stuff. 

SO WILL IT BE WITHIN A MARQUEE? 

Yes, it will be, yeah. 

SO WOULD YOU EVER LIKE TO HAVE YOUR OWN COOKERY 

PROGRAMME OR A SLOT? 

I’m happy working on This Morning. I’ve been all around the 

world on This Morning. I’ve been to... oh my goodness. I’ve 

cooked on the Indian Barrier Reef. I’ve cooked outside the 

Opera House. I’ve been all over India. I’ve been all over Namibia. 

I’ve been all over Norway. I’ve been all over Alaska. I’ve been to 

Peru. I’ve been very lucky. 

SO WHAT’S GOING TO BE YOUR GO-TO DISH FOR 

THIS EVENING? WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO COOK FOR 

YOURSELF? 

This evening, I might have some Arctic char. It’s like an oily fish, 

a bit like salmon. It’s lovely. It’s a beautiful fish. It’s a freshwater 

fish out of England, but this one’s come from Norway. But they 

do have a very mild salmon flavour. Perhaps with some Jersey 

Royals and some roasted English asparagus. 

See Phil Vickery and many other top chefs at the Three Counties 

Food & Drink Festival this summer on 27th & 28th July at Three 

Counties Showground, Malvern. WR13 6NW. 

For the further information visit threecountiesfoodfestival.com 


We rescue and rehome dogs. 

@crowneplazamarlow 

Chloe 

Manolo 

AA Rosette 

Glaze Restaurant 

Quad Wellness & Spa 

Stunning Lakeside 

Location 

Perfect Location 

for Celebrations 

Aqua Bar & Lounge 

Fabulous Cocktails 

+44 (0) 1628 496 820 | events@cpmarlow.co.uk | www.cpmarlow.co.uk 

Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1GJ 

Tyrion 

Pesto 

Please call to book an appointment to visit 

Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary is a small independent animal 

rescue organisation. We do not operate a ‘walk around’ 

option as we believe that an interview process helps 

determine the right companion for you. 

Registered Charity: 256728 | Established 1958 

Tel: 01344 882689 | pineridgedogs@yahoo.co.uk 

Priory Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 8RJ 


SMOKED 

CHICKEN, 

TOMATO & 

PEA PAN PIE 

SERVES 4 

PREP 15 mins 

COOKING 40–45 mins 

No faffing about: just line an ovenproof 

frying pan with filo, bake, fill, top and 

bake again. The base is nice and crisp, 

and the filling is hearty and tasty. Pretty 

much any filling can be used, but the 

drier the fillings, the better the pie. 

INGREDIENTS 

10 sheets frozen filo pastry, roughly 

defrosted 

1 egg, beaten 

25–30g butter, melted 

4 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for 

drizzling 

1 onion, finely chopped 

1 courgette, finely chopped 

1 garlic clove, crushed 

400g can chopped tomatoes in juice 

200g frozen peas 

10g beef stock cube, crumbled 

400g smoked chicken breast, roughly 

chopped 

1 teaspoon smoked paprika 

4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 

(about a small bunch) 

salt and freshly ground black pepper 

green salad, to serve (optional) 

METHOD 

Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 

6. Place a few sheets of filo pastry 

in a 20cm × 3cm-deep, ovenproof, 

non-stick frying pan, brushing each 

layer with a little beaten egg and then 

melted butter. Keep any trimmings for 

the top later. 

Bake in the oven for 10 minutes to set 

the egg and pastry, then remove. 

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a saucepan 

over a high heat. Add the onion, 

courgette and garlic and cook for 10 

minutes to soften. 

Add the tomatoes, peas and stock 

cube and simmer for 12–15 minutes 

until nice and thick. Stir in the chicken 

and season well with salt and pepper. 

Spoon into the cooked filo. 

Very finely slice the rest of the filo 

pastry and place into a bowl. Drizzle 

with olive oil, sprinkle over the smoked 

paprika and chopped parsley, then 

season well. 

Recipe from Phil Vickery, The Canny Cook, Kyle 

Books (3 Feb. 2022) 

Arrange the filo on top of the filled 

pie. Pop into the oven and bake 

for a further 15 minutes until nicely 

browned. Serve with green salad, if 

you like. 


Pratts Pods Ltd 

Your local tech repair experts 

Wokingham & Henley-on-Thames 

We repair all makes 

and models of : 

Smartphones 

Tablet 

Apple Watches 

Laptops 

MacBook’s 

iPads 

Game Consoles 

PC's 

& More 

Cracked screens, 

battery replacements, 

data recovery, no power 

repairs and much more! 

www.prattspods.co.uk 

info@prattspods.co.uk 

0149 191 7820 

0118 304 7777 


Feeding a 

CROWD 

Whether you’re hosting a brunch, a BBQ or an 

impromptu lunch, we’ve got some delicious 

recipes for you... 

RED FOX 

BREAKFAST 

TACOS 

with a cheese crust 

INGREDIENTS 

80g chorizo, diced 

(optional) 

4 small tortillas (corn or 

wheat) 

100g Belton Farm Red Fox 

cheese, grated 

4 medium eggs 

1 avocado, sliced 

Lime wedges, for serving 

Hot sauce, for serving 

(optional) 

Pink pickled onions, for 

serving (optional) 

Fresh coriander, leaves 

picked, for serving 

METHOD 

Add your chopped chorizo 

to a pan and fry until 

crispy. Set aside. 

In a frying pan on a 

medium heat, add a 

handful of grated red fox 

cheese, let bubble and 

melt. Once melted, bring 

place a tortilla on top of the 

melted cheese. Cook for a 

minute or two, then flip. 

In another frying pan fry 

the eggs until the whites 

are set but the yolk is still 

runny. 

Assemble the cheesy 

tacos, add a couple 

of avocado slices, the 

chorizo, the fried eggs 

and top with the coriander 

leaves, a couple of dabs of 

hot sauce and the pickled 

onions. Serve with lime 

wedges alongside. 

Recipe courtesy of Belton Farm Red Fox Cheese 

Recipe courtesy of Belton Farm Red Fox Cheese 

RED FOX 

CHEESE 

SAUCE 

Loaded Hotdogs 

INGREDIENTS 

2 shallots, sliced into 

rings 

100ml red wine vinegar 

100ml water 

1 tsp sugar 

1 tsp salt 

200g smoked bacon 

lardons, optional 

50g butter 

50g plain flour 

250ml of milk 

½ tbsp English mustard 

½ tbsp Turmeric 

200g of Belton Farm Red 

Fox cheese 

4 hot dog sausages 

(veggie or meat) 

4 sub rolls 

1 green chilli, finely 

sliced 

15g chives, finely 

chopped 

Crispy onions, optional 

METHOD 

Add the onion slices to 

a small bowl. Heat up 

the red wine vinegar, 

water, sugar and salt 

on a medium heat until 

simmering. Pour over the 

onion slices and put to 

one side. 

Add bacon pieces to a 

pan and fry until crispy 

and browned, for about 

10 mins, drain on kitchen 

roll and put to one side. 

Meanwhile, make the 

cheese sauce. Add 50g of 

butter for a pan on a low 

heat and allow to melt. 

Once melted, add 50g of 

plain flour and whisk until 

a paste is created. 

Turn up to a medium 

heat and add the milk. 

Whisk until all the milk 

is combined and has 

created a thick sauce 

consistency. 

Whisk in the grated Red 

Fox cheese until melted 

and combined with the 

sauce and generously 

add salt and pepper. 

Grill the hot dogs for 5-7 

minutes until browned 

and a little crispy. 

Add the sausages to 

the sub rolls. Top with a 

generous drizzle of the 

Red Fox cheese sauce. 

Finish with the bacon 

bits, quick pickled 

onions, chives, green 

chillies and crispy onions 

if using. 


CARR’S TEAR & 

SHARE BREAD 

with Tracklements 

Caramelised Onion 

Marmalade 

INGREDIENTS 

500g Carr’s Strong White Flour 

1 Jar Tracklements Onion 

Marmalade 

1 tbsp Sugar 

1 tsp Salt 

1 Packet Yeast 

100g Unsalted butter, melted 

250ml Warm Water 

150g Cheddar Cheese, finely grated 

METHOD 

In a large mixing bowl, combine the 

strong white flour, sugar, salt and 

yeast. Make a well in the centre and 

pour in the melted butter and warm 

water. Bring everything together to 

form a dough. Turn out onto a lightly 

floured surface and knead for a few 

minutes until smooth and elastic. 

Return the dough to the bowl, 

cover with a damp tea towel and 

leave to rise in a warm place for an 

hour. Once the dough has risen, 

knock out the air and turn out on a 

lightly floured surface and roll into a 

rectangle. 

Spread the onion marmalade evenly 

over the dough, top with the grated 

cheese and roll everything up. Divide 

into 8 equal portions and arrange in 

a lightly greased round tin or skillet 

pan, leaving space for growth. 

Cover loosely with cling film and 

place in a warm place for 30-35 

Recipe courtesy of ukshallot.com 

minutes to allow the dough to rise 

again. Preheat the oven to 180°C 

fan and bake the bread for 30-40 

minutes until risen, golden and the 

onion marmalade is bubbling around 

the edge. 

Allow to cool slightly before brushing 

with melted butter and topping with 

a light grating of cheese. Serve and 

enjoy straight from the pan/tin. 

GRILLED SHALLOT 

& CHICKEN 

BANH MI 

INGREDIENTS 

2 medium carrots, peeled and 

julienned 

100g radish, thinly sliced 

1 tbsp sugar 

½ tsp salt 

3 tbsp rice wine vinegar 

For the chicken: 

4 tbsp vegetable oil 

2 tbsp fish sauce 

1 tbsp oyster sauce 

½ tsp chilli flakes 

2 tsp sugar 

3 cloves of garlic, peeled 

2 stalks fresh lemongrass, trimmed 

2 teaspoons of lime zest 

700g boneless, skinless chicken 

thighs 

4 echalion shallots, peeled and 

quartered 

To assemble: 

1 large or 2 small French baguettes 

4 tbsp pork liver pate 

4 tbsp mayonnaise 

4 tsp hot sauce 

4 tsp soy sauce 

Recipe courtesy of Belton Carr’s 

Fresh coriander 

½ a cucumber 

METHOD 

Start by preparing the carrot and 

radish. Add the julienned carrots 

and sliced radish to a large bowl 

and toss in the sugar, salt, and 

vinegar. Set aside for 1 hour, stirring 

occasionally. 

Next prepare the marinade for the 

chicken and shallots. In the bowl of 

a food processor, add 2 tablespoons 

of the oil, the fish sauce, oyster 

sauce, chilli flakes, sugar, garlic, 

lemongrass, and lime zest. Process 

until smooth. Add to a bowl, along 

with the chicken and echalion 

shallots, and toss to coat in the 

marinade. Cover, transfer to the 

fridge, and marinate for 1-4 hours. 

Once marinated, heat the remaining 

2 tablespoons of oil in a large frying 

or griddle pan over a medium-high 

heat. Sear the chicken and shallots 

for about 5 minutes on each side, 

or until cooked through, this may 

need to be done in batches. Remove 

to a chopping board and slice the 

chicken into strips. 

Cut the baguettes to the lengths you 

want for each sandwich. Slice the 

baguette pieces length ways. 

Spread each sandwich with the 

sauces (pate, mayonnaise, soy 

sauce, and hot sauce) and then 

layer with the pickled vegetables, 

coriander, and cucumber. Top with 

the chicken and shallots and enjoy. 


Open 

Tuesday to 

Saturday 

from 10am 

HARDY PLANT SPECIALISTS 

Set in beautiful Chiltern woodland, with a wide 

range of common and unusual plants, including; 

herbaceous perennials, grasses, shrubs, climbers, 

trees and hedging. 

We use peat-free compost and are happy to give 

plant advice. 

Our easy access showroom is located at 

Cross Court, Downley, High Wycombe, Bucks HP13 5UW 

Call us on 01494 443 933 

or visit www.independentlivingconsultants.co.uk 

Willow weaving, plant propagation 

and other workshops available 

Ibstone Road, Stokenchurch HP14 3XS 

07542 718307 | www.stottsnursery.co.uk 

For all your woodburning stove 

requirements and fitting. 

Tel: 01865 341 452 

The Barn, Dorchester On Thames, OX10 7HH 

Email: enquiries@dorchesterfireplaces.co.uk 


Garden 

GLOW UP 

When it comes to projects that are a double whammy, garden 

landscaping ticks those boxes - hugely enhancing the lifestyle 

of the owner alongside adding a possible 20% to your home’s 

value 1 . Homeowners Tom and Kate wanted to transform their 

space from the unusable, awkward and dark sloped space, into 

a multi-level tiered garden that allowed for entertaining. We 

caught up with them to discuss the project. 

P H O T O G R A P H Y LUCY SAUNDERS 


Earth Anthracite Porcelain, RF Paving 

CAN YOU TALK US 

THROUGH HOW THE 

GARDEN WAS BEFORE AND 

HOW YOU APPROACHED 

THIS PROJECT? 

The garden was just not fit for 

purpose. The access steps were 

treacherous and made arriving home 

awkward and a bit anticlimactic. 

The hard landscaping left very little 

space for garden furniture, and the 

finishes were either bare concrete 

or hardcore. The sloped site was 

challenging. 

The biggest job was the removal 

of earth and the creation of larger 

retaining walls - this allowed the 

usable space to double. 

We then wanted to zone the space 

as lounging and dining, with the 

dining on decking coming off 

the kitchen, and the lounging on 

porcelain slabs, meeting in the 

middle on the walkway. 

HOW DOES IT WORK WITH 

THE EXISTING HOUSE? 

The extension was designed with 

the garden in mind, with the Origin 

bi-fold doors opening from the 

kitchen onto the raised decking 

area. The black ‘Granite’ finish 

of the decking complements the 

doors, and also provides contrast 

against the buff-coloured stone of 

the house. 

There’s a nice circularity now 

between the inside and out, and 

the two different seating zones 

are connected by a path which is 

bordered by the same repeating 

plant drifts to create a flow. 

WHY CHOOSE COMPOSITE 

DECKING? 

Composite was a no-brainer for 

us - it’s long-lasting and very low 

maintenance compared with its 

timber equivalent. It’s easy to clean 

with a jet washer and there’s no 

sanding and re-oiling involved. 

This is the Explorer range from 

Envirobuild*, which is made from 

recycled plastic. The company 

also donates 10% of profits to 

sustainability charities - it’s nice 

to see a company with social 

responsibility. 

The dining set is from the same 

company - we wanted something 

that would ‘pop’ against the dark 

decking, and this six-seater Barton 

set works beautifully to create a 

contemporary dining area. 

ARE THE PORCELAIN TILES 

SLIPPERY? 

This was something we were 

BEFORE 

concerned about and in turn we 

researched a lot and made sure 

our choices were anti-slip - this 

selection is Earth Porcelain Paving* 

in the colour Anthracite and it just 

looks superb. The large format 

tiles make sure the space looks 

contemporary and the colour hides 

a multitude of sins! We used it on 

both the patio and the new steps, so 

its functionality was as important as 

the aesthetics. 

The porcelain is also a practical 

choice, it’s immensely strong and 

durable, scratch and stain resistant. 

Important when we wanted this area 

to house our fire pit. 

IS THAT THE FRONT 

DOOR? 

Sort of! The parking in this house 


is at the back, so we wanted there 

to still be a sense of arrival when 

coming home. This is made possible 

by the beautiful Origin Aluminium 

Door with the full height casement 

windows either side for added 

impact. The wide steps leading 

down to the door are paved with the 

same porcelain as the other patio. 

CAN YOU TELL US MORE 

ABOUT THE PLANTING? 

We were really inspired by Prairiestyle 

planting, so lots of drifts of 

ornamental grasses and herbaceous 

perennials - most of the ones in this 

style are really great for pollinators 

too, which was perfect for us. 

For the grasses, we chose the 

ornamental grass experts at 

Knoll Gardens - their selection is 

completely unmatched! Then for lots 

of the perennials, we selected from 

a mixture of a local plant nursery 

and then some stars from the Piet 

Oudolf curation at Farmer Gracy. 

Oudolf is an authority on this style of 

planting, so this curation was hugely 

helpful in terms of planning. 

Lots of the plants came from local 

nurseries. The best deals can 

usually be found at nurseries and 

the teams there always have lots of 

advice to offer. 

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED 

DURING THE PROJECT? 

That a budget only applies until you 

discover what’s lying underneath! 

The digging out and muck away of 

the retaining wall was a longer and 

more costly job than we could have 

Envirobuild Explorer Decking and 

Barton Rattan Set 

anticipated. But ultimately, we’ve 

doubled the usable space in that 

area and it’s fabulous to use. We’d 

definitely stress the importance of 

having a contingency fund though. 

The other lesson was to make sure 

you know your garden before you 

start work - look at where gets sun - 

it will dictate not only where you sit 

but your planting schemes too. 

STOCKIST INFORMATION 

• Earth Anthracite Porcelain, 

Per m2 from £26.40 inc VAT, 

rflandscapeproducts.co.uk 

• Explorer Decking, £29.69 per length 

(inc. VAT), envirobuild.com 

• Baret Rattan Corner Dining Set, 

£2,799.99 - currently on sale for 

£1,119.99, envirobuild.com 

• Doors from Origin, origin-global.com 

• Planting; farmergracy.co.uk and 

knollgardens.co.uk 

1 

Research conducted by AXA. 

* PR discounted products 

Kensington SE 04 from Origin 

Origin Bifold Doors 


A BRITISH GARDEN CENTRES GUIDE 

Companion planting 

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting different types of plants 

together for their mutual benefit. This method not only helps protect plants from pests and 

diseases, but also promotes pollination, saves space, enhances productivity, and attracts 

beneficial insects. Companion planting is an effective and eco-friendly way of gardening as it 

eliminates the need for chemical sprays to repel insects and other pests. 

BEANS WITH SWEETCORN AND SQUASH 

A good example of the companion planting method is the “three 

sisters” method. This technique involves planting three main crops - 

beans, sweetcorn, and squash - together in the same plot of land. 

The beans are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they can convert 

nitrogen from the air so it can be used by the soil. This process helps 

to increase soil fertility and provides the sweetcorn and squash with 

the necessary nutrients to grow. The sweetcorn acts as a natural trellis 

for the beans to climb. As the beans grow up the corn stalks, they 

provide stability, whilst the beans also provide shade to the soil, which 

helps to keep it moist and cool. The squash acts as a natural mulch, 

which helps to retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds. 

GARLIC WITH ROSES 

Planting garlic bulbs at the foot of roses makes them taste nasty to 

aphids, ants, snails and flea beetles. The beautiful globe flowers of the 

garlic also have the added benefit of attracting bees and butterflies. 

Garlic is also said to help with powdery mildew when sprayed on the 

plant as well as enhancing the rose’s fragrance. 

TOMATOES AND BASIL 

Planting basil near tomato plants can be beneficial as the aromatic 

oils released by basil can enhance the flavour of tomatoes. Basil 

also has natural pest-repelling properties, which can help protect the 

tomato plants from insects like aphids and whiteflies. 

MARIGOLDS WITH VEGETABLES 

If you are looking for a natural and effective way to ward off harmful 

insects like aphids and whitefly, French marigolds could be the perfect 

solution and act as a natural repellent for pests that can damage your 

vegetable patch. We recommend planting French marigolds alongside 

peas, beans, potatoes, and sweetcorn. 

ONIONS WITH CARROTS 

Planting onions alongside carrots can be extremely beneficial for 

both vegetables? Onions have a strong scent that acts as a natural 

repellent for root flies, which are known to damage carrot growth. Not 

only does this method offer a practical solution for pest control, but it 

also maximises the use of your vegetable. 

HERBS AND BRASSICAS 

Did you know that certain herbs can not only enhance the flavour of 

cabbage, broccoli, and kale but also keep away unwanted pests like 

cabbage moths? Thyme, Sage, and Rosemary are some of the most 

effective herbs when it comes to repelling cabbage moths, thanks to 

their strong scent. 

LAVENDER AND CHILLI 

Planting lavender and chilli together offers multiple benefits for your 

garden. Lavender’s aromatic scent acts as a natural pest repellent, 

deterring insects like aphids and moths that can harm chilli plants, 

while also attracting beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, 

enhancing pollination and resulting in a better chilli harvest. 


CENTRAL HEATING, BOILERS & RENEWABLES 

Walterworks Plumbing and Heating can design and install complete systems using top quality energy efficient 

boilers and materials. Great care is taken to ensure that the new system fully meets the clients needs. 

- Slating - Tiling - Flat Roofs - GRP Fibreglass Flat 

Roof System - Lead Work - Chimney Re-pointing 

- Fascias - Soffits - Guttering - New roofs - 

Moos Removal 

All Roofing repairs - Free Estimates - All work guaranteed 

Fully insured - 24 hour emergency call out 

V 

M 

01491371022 

info@justhenleyroofing.co.uk 


Frost 

A TOUCH OF 

Gardening is in Adam Frost’s 

blood. The popular BBC 

Gardeners’ World presenter 

spent much of his Essex 

childhood learning how to grow 

plants at his grandparents’ 

gardens and allotments. No 

surprise then that a career in 

horticulture beckoned. Lisa 

Rockliffe caught up with him after 

his summer show season... 

I understand your introduction to 

gardening was from early childhood? 

“Yeah I had a really difficult childhood 

so I spent a lot of time with my 

grandparents. I talk about my ‘Tidy 

Nan’ and my ‘Scruffy Nan’. ‘Tidy Nan’ 

had an allotment and that taught 

me about growing your own food. 

‘Scruffy Nan’ had this wilderness 

outside her back door I could explore. 

There was the care and being looked 

after and guided by ‘Tidy Nan’ and 

whilst ‘Scruffy Nan’ looked after me 

too I had a lot of freedom. That is 

how it all started for me.” 

You seem keen, when you are 

presenting, to want to demystify 

gardening, “I was sold gardening on 

the basis that I could be a gardener, 

a chef or I could join the army. They 

were my options. Once you get 

involved you wonder why it was sold 

to you as the option for someone 

who wasn’t such a bright spark, 

which unfortunately it was back 

then, so when I’m stood in front of 

a camera I just want people to have 

a go. If I can keep it simple and 

explain things in four words not 10, 

I’ll use four.” 

Many people are put off because 

they think it’s too hard, and there’s 

too much Latin! “Exactly. We’re told 

if we don’t prune something on the 

third Wednesday in March the whole 

world’s going to come to an end and 

in reality it doesn’t. You don’t need 

to know the Latin names or how to 

pronounce them, as long as you can 

make yourself understood it really 

doesn’t matter. The plant just wants 

you to look after it, it’s not worried 

about how you pronounce its name.” 

Does he have any tried and tested 

combinations that he returns to in 

each garden that he does. “No but I 

do have certain plants that I call ‘Get 

out of Jail’ plants. For instance if I 

look at small garden trees I look at 

things like amelanchier and cornus 

mas, they work really hard. If I look 

at shrubs I love species roses, I 

love cotinus because of the foliage 

and the backdrop and the colours 

you can get it in. When it comes to 

herbaceous plants hardy geraniums 

are always great, astrantias are 

always good because they’re so 

long flowering” 

I imagine your love for gardening is a 

constantly evolving process? “Yeah 

it’s never finished. I have a continuing 

fascination with the natural world 

and as we look forward we are facing 

environmental challenges that we 

haven’t faced really before, and we 

are considering how gardens affect 

us emotionally and physically in a 

way that we haven’t really thought 

about much before. All that side of 

it is fascinating to understand and 

be part of – the human connection 

to gardening.” Has his view on that 

changed since Covid? “No not really, 

Covid gave me more time to be with 

my family and in my garden so I had 

that, but I always knew that gardens 

can fix us and can be major parts of 

our lives. Covid just gave me time to 

realise that it was more important to 

me than perhaps I thought it was.” 

Was it nice to see everyone else 

notice it too? “Oh that was incredible. 

If there was one positive to come out 

of the madness that was Covid it was 

the 2 to 3 million new gardeners. I 

covered a few Gardeners’ Worlds that 

Monty couldn’t do and my daughter 

and I did a weekly thing on Instagram 

and it was great, I felt like we were 

having conversations with gardeners, 

so many of them new, and it was an 

uplifting thing. If you love something 

and other people want to come to the 

party things don’t get much better 

than that do they.” 

What really excites you in the 

garden? “I always talk about my veg 

garden being my hobby, which is 

a bit sad given how I make a living 

but it is. I love growing and cooking 

so I’ll spend my time in my front 

garden with my veggies.” Is he more 

a veg man than a flower man then? 

“I’m both really, I make my living 

designing gardens for people and I 

love putting combinations together 

and planting things and designing 

spaces but actually just on a 

personal level at the weekend, I love 

going out and planting a few veg, 

playing with it, cooking for the family. 

And that is more a hobby level really 

– the ornamentals are the day job. 

It’s also quite good if you say that 

on telly because when you make 

mistakes it doesn’t really matter!” 


Timber 

windows 

Timber win 

OF HEN 

OF HENLEY-ON-THAMES 

SUMMER SALE 

15 % OFF 

ALL TIMBER WINDOWS 

& DOORS IN JULY 

Improve the comfort and appearance of your home with natural timber windows and doors from sustainable sources. 

Constructed from engineered timber slow grown in cold climates, their strength, stability and beauty are guaranteed. 

With a15% discount off all timber windows and doors in our Summer Sale, visit our showroom to view our lovely 

range of products. You’ll receive expert advice and see how beautiful timber windows and doors really can enhance the 

value and beauty of your home. 

Timber Windows of Henley-on-Thames 

6A Hart Street, 

Henley-on-Thames, 

Oxfordshire, 

RG9 2AU 

Showrooms also in Cheltenham, Cirencester & Oxford 

New showroom coming soon in Chipping Norton 

Telephone: 01285 653999 

info@twcotswolds.co.uk 

www.timberwindows.com

MODERN 

EARTHY 

PAINT 

Make your home a 

calming place, with 

modern earthy tones to 

connect with nature 

‘Bunny Hop’, 

earthbornpaints.co.uk 

LIGHTING 

Lighting makes a huge impact 

- adding table lamps for a soft 

glow is great. And you can 

get either corded wall lights 

or those with a rechargable 

bulb if you don’t want the 

upheaval of chasing in 

new wires 

Sophie Allport x COAT, 

‘Lyddington Mist’, 

sophieallport.com 

‘Viridis’ Paint, 

grahambrown.com 

Pooky x Matthew 

Williamson 

Pendant Light, 

£44, pooky.com 

Larkhall Large 

Table Lamp £145, 

hauslife.co.uk 

Furniture from oka.com 

DECLUTTER 

Decluttering can make 

a huge difference to the 

way we feel in our homes. 

Get the help of an expert 

if you need practical steps for 

ongoing storage solutions. 

Storage baskets are a practical 

and aesthetically pleasing way to 

organise your belongings 

Set of 3 Baskets, 

£155, hauslife.co.uk 

Espresso 

INTERIOR 

Small-scale updates you can 

make to re-awaken your home 

BRIGHT 

CUSHIONS 

Inject some colour and pattern 

without having to lift a paint brush 

with some new cushions 

Outdoor Green Cushion, £40, claire-Louise. 

co.uk; Kappar Cushion, £145, abigailborg.com; 

Coral Cushion, £42, tartanblanketco.com 

BTC X Beata Heuman 

Alma Wall Light, £575, 

originalbtc.com 

Pre-loved kitchen, uke.co.uk 

posterstore.com 

NEW ART 

New posters, prints, or originals 

can transform a space. For 

something unique, head to your 

local antiques dealership or fairs 

REPAINTED 

KITCHEN 

A new kitchen is a big expense - if 

your cabinets are in good fettle and 

you’re happy with the functionality, 

a repainted or re-wrapped kitchen 

can be a great solution 


Est. 52 years 

All Makes of Carpets & Vinyl flooring. 

Laminates & Real Engineered Wood 

Flooring | Luxury Vinyl Planks/Tiles 

in many designs | Natural Carpets EG 

Berbers, Coir, Sisal, Seagrass. 

Call in our showroom 

140 – 142 Caversham Road Reading 

Tel: 0118 958 0050 

info@rainbowcarpets.co.uk 

www.rainbowcarpets.co.uk 

The Carpet Showroom that comes to you! 

For customers who prefer to select flooring in the 

comfort of their own homes or office 


Road Test Review 

GENESIS ELECTRIFIED GV70 

Are you in need of an electric vehicle that meets the demands of family life and feels 

like a smooth estate to drive? Enter the Genesis Electrified GV70. 

OVERVIEW 

Genesis is the luxury arm of Hyundai, who 

have been making huge strides in the 

SUV market with their perennially-popular 

Kona and Tuscon models. They’ve 

taken these successes and refined 

them, creating the Electrified GV70 - a 

stunning luxury crossover - from its gently 

articulated curves to a beautifully-decked 

out interior, this is a luxurious ride in every 

sense. We took it for a spin... 

DRIVING 

Given its heft, it handles corners 

surprisingly well - this is largely thanks 

to the rear-biased power delivery, which 

means the nose goes where you point it. 

Comfort is king, with the combination of its 

whisper-quiet motor and noise-cancelling 

technology - it effectively minimises 

wind noise with its standard acoustic 

windscreen and laminated side windows. 

RANGE 

The official range of the Genesis 

Electrified GV70 stands at 283 miles, 

although opting for the 20-inch wheel 

configuration slightly reduces it to 276 

miles. However, in real-world conditions, 

a more realistic estimate would be 

around 230 miles - still more than 

enough for day-to-day life, as well as 

some significant road trips. 

POWER 

Simplicity reigns in the Genesis Electrified 

GV70 lineup, boasting a singular 

mechanical configuration: dual electric 

motors and a four-wheel-drive setup, 

culminating in a formidable total power 

output of up to 483bhp. This propels 

the GV70 to achieve a brisk 0-62mph 

acceleration in just 4.2 seconds, eclipsing 

the performance of competitors such as 

the BMW iX3, Jaguar I-Pace, Tesla Model 

Y Long Range, and Volvo C40. 

INTERIOR 

The standard 14.5in infotainment screen 

is one of the largest you’ll find in the 

class. However, for shorter drivers, it 

can be a little hard to reach because of 

its high-placement on the dashboard 

- happily, there’s a dial on the central 

console to control the screen too. 

Overall the interior feels spacious and 

luxurious, with soft coatings on all the 

areas you regularly touch. The many 

options for seat and steering wheel 

adjustments amplify the comfort - 

adjustable lumbar support is standard, or 

opting for the Comfort Seat pack adds a 

massaging driver’s seat. 

Front and rear parking sensors, along 

with a reversing camera, are included 

as standard features. Additionally, the 

Electrified GV70 offers a clever feature 

to aid in kerb visibility through its side 

mirrors: when in reverse, the reversing 

lights project lines onto the ground 

behind the car. 

CHARGING 

The GV70 boasts a faster charging 

capability compared to the iX3 and 

Model Y, as it can accept power at a 

rate of up to 240kW. This translates 

to approximately 18 minutes for a 

10-80% charge when utilising a rapid 

charger with such capacity. On the other 

hand, a home wall charger will take 

approximately 12 hours to complete a full 

0-100% recharge. 

SAFETY & SUPPORT 

All models come equipped with 

automatic emergency braking (AEB) 

featuring pedestrian detection, lanekeeping 

assistance, and rear cross-traffic 

alert. The Innovation Pack enhances 

safety further with additional automated 

functionalities, including lane-change 

assist on motorways, blind-spot 

monitoring, and an upgraded emergency 

braking system. 

Unique to Genesis, a Genesis Personal 

Assistant will help you at every stage of 

your journey, from your initial enquiry, 

through the ordering process, to servicing. 

They’ll help you choose the right model, 

arrange your test drive from home and 

help you build and order your perfect car. 

Every Genesis comes with five 

years’ peace of mind included. The 

comprehensive care plan includes 

warranty, scheduled services, roadside 

assistance as well as courtesy cars. 

OVERALL 

This is a phenomenal vehicle which 

stands tall alongside other makes in the 

class. More than once, we returned to 

the car in a car park to see it getting an 

admiring look over - it certainly does turn 

heads and has an elegant presence. It’s 

equally comfortable in the city and on 

country roads - it really does offer the 

best of all worlds. 

AWD Dual Motor Sport £65,105 (OTR). 

To start your journey with Genesis 

please look at the website 

www.genesis.com 


Drawing on over four decades of travel expertise, my goal is 

to assist, inspire, and craft your travel itineraries, no matter the 

scale. Operating as an Independent Travel Agent, I deliver a tailormade 

experience meticulously tailored to suit your preferences 

and financial considerations. I am committed to guiding you 

every step of the way, starting from our initial consultation and 

reservation, all the way to your safe return home. 

When you choose D&G Travel of Marlow for your holiday 

arrangements, rest assured that your financial investment is 

safeguarded, granting you the freedom to unwind and savor the 

essence of your holiday. Whether you prefer the convenience 

of a home visit or meeting over coffee, I am flexible and eager 

to discuss your travel aspirations. 

A sincere and warm welcome awaits you. If you find yourself 

daydreaming about your next adventure, whether it's 

scheduled for 2024 or beyond, please don't hesitate to reach 

out. 

Contact me today! 

Gillian Luxon, 

Director, D&G Travel of Marlow 

01628 471192 / 07798790070 

gillian@dandgtravelofmarlow.co.uk 

dandgtravelofmarlow.co.uk 

Mallams 

1788 

Leander Club 

Valuations 

Leander Club 

Henley-on-Thames 

Oxfordshire RG9 2LP 

Thursday 18 July 

10am - 2pm 

Meet our Specialists at the prestigious Leander Rowing Club 

where they are available to give free confidential valuations 

on any piece(s) you are considering selling at auction. 

Home visits also available. 

For further information contact 

01865 241358 or oxford@mallams.co.uk 

FREE PARKING 

A U C T I O N E E R S A N D V A L U E R S S I N C E 1 7 8 8 

www.mallams.co.uk 


MIND & BODY WELLBEING 

New Age UK research uncovers deeply troubling levels of 

mental ill-health among people in their fifties and over 

in later life 

A new report from the charity Age 

UK, ‘I just feel like no one cares’, 

paints a really worrying picture 

of the mental health challenges 

facing many members of our older 

population (people aged 50 plus). 

For the first time in this series of 

regular reports, Age UK’s data 

collection included people aged over 

50, rather than focusing solely on 

those aged 60 plus. The report helps 

to identify a wide range of factors 

that are impacting the wellbeing of 

older people and highlights how 

mental health challenges for specific 

sub-groups such as women, people 

with long term health conditions, 

carers and those living in deprived 

areas, are a lot more pronounced 

than for others. 

Another report published last week 

by the Centre for Mental Health - 

commissioned by Age UK – showed 

how older people are being left 

behind by inadequate mental health 

services, ageism and the absence 

of any national strategic approach 

for supporting them. This new Age 

UK report, ‘I Just Feel Like No One 

Cares’, reinforces the urgent need 

to take this issue seriously as our 

population ages and, as the report 

highlights, due to the significant, 

often disregarded needs of those in 

their fifties who are still very much of 

working age but approaching their 

later lives. Nationally representative 

polling[i] carried out for Age UK in 

September 2023 found: 

The entire 50 plus population: 

• Almost a third (31%) said that 

their physical health had got 

worse over the previous 12 

months, with (16%) finding it 

harder to look after themselves. 

• More than two in five (45%) said 

they had less energy; more than 

one in three (35%) said they 

couldn’t walk so far; and almost 

one in three (32%) said they 

were in more physical pain. 

• Almost two in five (39%) people 

aged 50 and over reported not 

sleeping well, and more than a 

third (34% - 8.7 million) told us 

that they felt less motivated to 

do things that they enjoy. 

• Almost half (48%) of unpaid 

carers aged 50 and over had 

felt anxious, more than a third 

(34%) had felt overwhelmed, 

and more than a fifth (21%) had 

felt lonely because of the care 

or support they provide. 

• One in eight (13%) people 

aged 50 and over were rarely 

or never having social contact 

with others in person, over the 

phone, or online. 

Find more resources and support 

at ageuk.org.uk 

HOW TO HELP 

The report from Age UK makes 

stark reading - but there are lots 

of ways to support feelings of 

wellbeing - we have just a few 

suggestions: 

EXERCISE It’s well 

understood that activity, particularly 

resistance training, can be hugely 

beneficial for retaining muscle 

mass, helping us age better. You 

could start at a gym under the 

instruction of a PT, or even start at 

home, using household items like 

water bottles or cans as weights. 

If nothing else, aim for 5 minutes 

- more than likely you’ll feel like 

doing more once you start. 

SOCIAL We are social 

creatures by nature, but as we 

age, those circles can get smaller. 

Forming new, regular connections 

is essential. Age UK’s website has 

a directory for social activities - 

also check local bulletin boards. 

Workshops or short courses in a 

hobby you enjoy is also a great 

way to meet people. 

MINDSET It’s hard 

to heal the body without the 

mind - mindfulness helps 

hugely. Yoga classes provide a 

helpful framework - and a group 

environment is helpful. 

[i] Age UK Polling: Kantar Research Express conducted an online self completion survey between 7th September and 21st September 2023 

amongst 2,621 adults in the UK aged 50+. 


Commitment to 

excellence 

K J Smith achieves prestigious platinum 

Investors in People Award 

The significant milestone of achieving the platinum accreditation 

from IIP underscores KJS Solicitors’ commitment to excellence. 

Achieving this status places the company among the elite 1% 

of IIP accredited organisations, a testament to its dedication to 

fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. 

Gaining this award demanded rigorous evaluation and 

unwavering dedication from the entire team at K J Smith. Under 

the guidance of Investors in People Practitioner Caroline England, 

the firm underwent thorough examination before an IIP panel. 

Caroline praised the firm’s culture of engagement, fulfilment, and 

positivity, emphasising its commitment to its staff’s well-being 

and professional growth. 

Caroline said: “The Platinum accreditation highlights K J Smith’s 

core strengths: a positive workplace culture characterised by 

open communication, collaborative practices, and continuous 

development opportunities.” 

Karen Harvey, Managing Director of K J Smith, highlighted 

the collaborative nature of the firm’s recent accomplishment. 

“Securing the Investors in People Platinum accreditation today 

is more than an achievement; it’s a reflection of the extraordinary 

dedication and talent within K J Smith... This award is theirs, a 

testament to their hard work, innovation, and the positive impact 

they make every day. To the team at K J Smith, you are the 

platinum in our achievement, and it’s an honour to celebrate this 

moment with you.” 

As a distinguished and people-centric organisation in the legal 

field, K J Smith continues to set new standards of excellence, 

guided by its unwavering dedication to its staff and clients. 

Find out how KJS can help you at kjsmith.co.uk 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Thinking of 

making a change? 

Speak to the experts 

in family law 

Our Services include: 

Divorce & Finances 

Cohabitation 

Pre & Post Nuptial 

Agreements 

Deeds of Separation 

Children 

Family Mediation 

Domestic Violence 

Grandparents’ Rights 

Wills & Trusts 

Lasting Powers 

of Attorney 

Estate Planning 

Wealth Management 

Why not contact us 

for your free 45 

minute consultation? 

Call us on: 

ASCOT 01344 513 000 

BASINGSTOKE 01256 584 000 

BEACONSFIELD 01494 629 000 

GUILDFORD 01483 370 100 

HENLEY 01491 630 000 

NEWBURY 01635 785 100 

OXFORD 01865 703 000 

READING 0118 418 1000 

READING CENTRAL 0118 418 1200 

ST ALBANS 01727 295 555 

SOUTHAMPTON 023 8200 2111 

WINCHESTER 01962 587 900 

Or email: info@kjsmith.co.uk 

kjsmith.co.uk

Henley and Marlow Lifestyle Jul - Aug 2024

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?