Cheltenham Living Jul - Aug 2024

Porsche Centre Tewkesbury 

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At Porsche Centre Tewkesbury we are passionate about helping you find your dream 

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www.porschetewkesbury.co.uk 

01684 880 117

C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

14 

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 Steve Davies 

e steve.davies@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984506 

Cover courtesy of Phil Vickery 

21 

ADAM FROST 

27 

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 

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All the below close on 25th August 2024 

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For more informatio 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

cotsw lds 

SATURDAY 

7 th SEPTEMBER 2024 

Letting your holiday home 

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At Cotswolds Hideaways our local team is here 

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SCAN THE QR CODE TO 

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Saturday 7th September 2024 

Car 

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Fun for all the family: The Shetland Pony Grand National, 

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NEW Attwell Farm Park Feature! 

Showground Opening Hours 8.30 - 17.30 

01.03.2024 – 31.07.2024 01.08.2024 – 06.09.2024 Show Day 

Adult £27.50 £30.00 £35.00 

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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 


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ADVERTISING FEATURE 

FORTY YEARS OF IVF 

BABIES CELEBRATED 

AT BCRM 

An emotional response greeted the personal accounts given by two IVF 

mums at a party to mark 40 years since the creation of the clinic where they 

had their treatment, with tribute being paid to the “brave and remarkable 

pioneers” involved by international fertility expert Valentine Akande. 

The two women, who experienced fertility treatment 37 years 

apart, each praised the dedication of staff at the Bristol Centre 

for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM) which now treats people with 

fertility issues from all over the South West and Wales. 

The mothers’ heartfelt accounts both stressed how lucky they 

felt to have ended up with their much-wanted babies, thanks 

to advances in reproductive medicine and the work of the clinic 

which started as a joint research project between the University 

of Bristol and Southmead Hospital and has since evolved into 

the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM). 

Emily Glennon, whose daughter was born in 2021 after 10 years 

of treatment, said: “When we got the invitation to come along 

today, and I thought about the place being full of people who 

had lived the IVF journey just like us, I felt really emotional. 

“It’s such a powerful image: that all these families only exist 

because of fertility treatment.” 

And Caroline Harvey, whose baby Clare was born in June 1985, 

told guests: “I don’t think anyone who hasn’t been childless can 

ever begin to understand what it’s like not to be able to have 

children. 

“We heard about the birth of Louise Brown and our doctors had 

mentioned that Bristol was starting with IVF treatments, but it 

never entered our heads we would have a chance. 

“After 11 years of infertility, we have since had more than 38 

years of wonderful parenthood and have loved every minute.” 

The 150 party guests had responded to a public invitation for 

parents and their ‘made in Bristol’ IVF babies and grown-up 

children to gather to celebrate the milestone, as well as staff and 

practitioners past and present. 

Valentine Akande, BCRM’s medical director, said: “We were 

overwhelmed by the amazing response, and delighted that so 

many of our past and present patients, their IVF offspring and 

the healthcare professionals involved in their care over the last 

40 years have been able to attend today’s celebrations.” 

BCRM provides fertility treatment for both private and NHS 

patients and has one of the best success rates with IVF and 

other fertility treatments in the UK. 

www.fertilitybristol.com 

BCRM, Bristol’s longest running fertility 

clinic, provides expert advanced fertility 

assessment, treatment and advice. 

Email: Contact@BCRM.clinic 

or Phone: 0117 259 1159 

to book a consultation appointment at our 

state-of-the-art centre. 

BCRM is located at 135 Aztec West, Bristol, 

BS32 4UB, has free parking and is easily 

accessible from the M5. 

Embark on your parenthood 

journey with us! 


BABY AND 

Beyond 

TOTTER + TUMBLE: 

Totter and Tumble playmats provide 

a safe and secure floor for many of 

your child’s milestones - from their 

first tummy time, to sitting unaided, 

to taking their first steps. These 

mats are also great for parents too, 

providing a cushioned surface for 

the many hours spent playing on 

the floor. Messy play is a must for 

children’s sensory development and 

Totter + Tumble’s wipeable playmats 

are the ideal spots for playing on. 

The beauty of the playmats are that 

at the end of the day when the kids 

have gone to bed you’re still able 

to enjoy your home without being 

met with the garish colours play 

mats so often tend to be. Starting 

from £80.00 with many designs 

to choose from. Available from: 

totterandtumble.co.uk 

MAGNET MOUSE: 

With a beautiful range of prints 

including their signature mouse 

design, and gorgeous Liberty print 

florals, Magnet Mouse clothing is 

revolutionising baby 

wear not just in 

terms of style, but 

also ease of use! 

The magnetic 

fastenings are 

perfect for quick, 

middle of the night 

changes as well 

as on the go, so 

you have can 

have more cuddles and less 

struggles. Indian Block Print Alice 

Shirt in Fresh Blue, £48, Unisex 

Mouse Babygrow Set £49.95, 

and Blue Romper Set, £45, all 

magnetmouse.co.uk 

GLOW DREAMING: 

The Glow Sleep Easy, £119.95, a 5 

in 1 sleep aid that will help create the 

perfect sleep conditions, combining 

Red LED light therapy, with organic 

Pink noise, ultrasonic Humidifier 

with optional Aromatherapy and a 

Green Light to rise. The Glow Sleep 

Easy can be app controlled from any 

room in the house and gives you 

access to their Sleep Memberships 

where you can contact their team 

for one-on-one support. Backed by 

science, engineered for sleep. For 

more information visit 

glowdreaming.co.uk 

LITTLE 

HOTDOG 

WATSON: 

Cool kids hat brand Little Hotdog 

Watson is on a mission to make 

the best kids hats in the 

whole world. They 

create high-quality, 

responsibly-made 

kidswear designed to 

give parents peace of 

mind, and are made for 

maximum adventure. 

All their Summer 

hats provide UPF50+ 

protection, have built in 

mosquito repellent and 

a keep cool fabric liner. Each hat is 

made from high quality cotton, fully 

machine washable and incorporates 

smart design technology created to 

keep young explorers comfortable 

and protected, whatever the 

weather. Starting from £30, 

littlehotdogwatson.com 

S P O T T Y 

OTTER: 

Spotty Otter, the 

renowned outdoor 

clothing brand trusted 

by parents nationwide. 

Putting the FUN back 

into Functional Kids 

outdoor gear! Designed 

to keep kids dry and 

comfortable during 

school and all their 

outdoor adventures. 

With a focus on quality, 

durability, and style, Spotty Otter’s 

range is the ultimate solution for 

parents seeking reliable protection 

against the elements. Check them 

out today at spottyotter.co.uk 

YOUR CHANCE 

TO WIN 

Win an amazing bundle featuring 

a product or selection from 

every brand on this page! Head 

to minervamagazines.co.uk/ 

competitions to find details of 

entry. Competition keyword: ‘Mega 

Baby Bundle’ 

Closes 15th July 2024. T&Cs apply. 


An intimate venue suited to all your needs from celebrations, 

gatherings, coaching seminars, business meetings, crew filming, 

weddings and extended large families. 

THE YNYS ARMS

The Ynys Arms was converted 

from a “free public house” 

and has been welcoming 

guests since August 2022. Its 

the perfect property venue to 

entertain your guests. 

The Ynys still maintains it’s 

rustic country pub feel while 

adding everything you need 

to host your private exclusive 

intimate venue. 

A licensed Wedding Venue, 

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property which is enclosed 

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over looking fields. 

Our venue offers 

accommodation sleeping up to 

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THE YNYS ARMS, 

YNYSMEUDWY ROAD, 

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CHECK IN: 16:00 

(Reception open 24 hours) 

CHECK OUT: 10:00 

QUIET HOURS: 

Quiet hours between 23:00 

and 08:00 

02920 001480 

www.nickybrightholidays.com 

www.ukbride.co.uk/wedding-venues/the-ynys-arms 

www.visitwales.com/accommodation/self-catering/ 

ynys-arms-2172309 

Children welcome 

No smoking 

Pets welcome 

Parties allowed including 

bachelor parties

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 


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. 


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. 


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

• Woodburning and 

Multifuel Stoves 

• Gas and Electric Fires 

• Bespoke Media Walls 

• Mantelpieces, surrounds 

and beams 

• Gas Fire Service 

• Stove Service and Sweep 

With 2 large showrooms 

to choose from and an 

experienced sales and 

installation team, can 

supply and create 

exactly what you are 

looking for. 

DO YOU NEED A 

WINDOW CLEANER 

OR GUTTERS 

CLEARING 

WE ALSO CLEAN PATIOS, 

DRIVEWAYS, GUTTER & 

FASCIAS, ROOFS & MORE 

Cheltenham Showroom 

01242 680076 

Unit 18-19 Knightsbridge Business 

Centre, Cheltenham GL51 9TA 

Gloucester Showroom 

01452 290155 

7A Northbrook Road, 

Gloucester GL4 3DP 

E: sales@fireplacegalleryfires.co.uk 

WWW.FIREPLACEGALLERYFIRES.CO.UK 

INSTANT QUOTE 

01386 718165 

www.cannins.co.uk 

p e r f e c t 

g i f t i n g 

1 0 % o f f 

u s i n g 

1 0 H A U S L I F E 

f a s h i o n & 

a c c e s s o r i e s 

hauslife.co.uk | 3 Abbeygate Street, Bath 


Garden 

I N T H E 

MAINTENANCE MADE EASY 

Stihl is a titan in the garden tool industry, and their new 

range of garden tools are a fantastic addition to the 

collection. They share interchangable AK batteries, 

meaning you can swap your spares between the 

tools. We’ve found that the RMA 248 Mower and 

FSA 60 trimmer are perfect for a medium garden 

- being lightweight and easy to manouever but not 

lacking in battery length to complete the work. 

The team at Stihl have given us some top tips for lawn care this summer: “It is 

good practise to start by trimming the edges with a gardening tool such as the 

STIHL FSA 30. The first grass trimmer in STIHL’s AS System of interchangeable 

battery-powered tools, the FSA 30 is extremely lightweight and easy to 

manoeuvre. Be careful to avoid potential hazards such as patio windows, and 

consider the direction you mow in, so the grass falls onto the lawn and can be 

collected by a lawn mower, rather than onto the path or flowerbed. 

EFFORTLESS 

WATERING 

Equipped with a 30m hose and 

an additional 5m feeder hose, 

this Auto Reel mobile ensures 

extended reach for all your 

watering needs. Experience 

unparalleled ease with its 

automatic rewind feature, 

complete with a reliable brake 

system for controlled retraction. 

No more tangles or kinks, 

thanks to the anti-kink hose 

design, allowing for smooth 

operation every time. 

Designed for practicality, 

the foldable front kickstand 

provides stability during use, 

while the large wheels enable 

effortless mobility around your 

garden. Never misplace your 

hose or accessories again, with 

designated hose and connector 

park points, 

along with a rear 

accessory storage 

basket for added 

convenience. 

Hozelock Auto Reel Mobile 

– RRP from £219.99 

“Begin mowing your lawn at the side, in the corner that best suits you, being 

careful not to walk too fast so as to optimise the cut and collection efficiency of 

your lawn mower. The new STIHL 2 and 4 series lawn mowers are available in 

a variety of cutting widths to best suit the lawn areas, as well as different drive 

options including variable speed drive which ranges from 2 to 4.5km and single 

speed drive of 3.5km hour; a comfortable walk. 

STIHL RMA 248 battery-powered lawn mower with AK battery and charger – RRP from £489 and STIHL 

FSA 60 R battery-powered grass trimmer – RRP from £169 (tool only) 

GARDEN IN COMFORT 

Garden with complete ease and in comfort with 

these slip-on and off clogs. Fleece-lined 

for maxiumum comfort, these padded 

garden clogs are waterproof and easy 

to use for those occasions when you 

need to nip out into the garden. 

Fleecy Cloggies® Teal, £12.99, townandco.com 

SUSTAINABLE HOME 

Making your own compost fro food waste is a great way to both 

reduce your gardening costs and utilise a polluting waste product. 

Creating your own compost produces carbon dioxide as part of the 

natural carbon cycle, whereas throwing food away for landfill produces 

both carbon dioxide and methane, a hugely harmful greenhouse gas. 

This compost bin from Hozelock has a handle for spinning, meaning 

you don’t need to turn your compost - it also produces it faster, giving 

you compost in as little as 6-8 weeks. As an added bonus, it creates 

nutrient-rich liquid plant feed, in a handy, ready-to-spray bottle. 

Hozelock EasyMix 2-in-1 Composter – RRP from £189.99 


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

Envirobuild Explorer Decking and 

Barton Rattan Set 

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. 

Origin Bifold Doors 

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 

concerned about and in turn we 

researched a lot and made sure 

our choices were anti-slip - this 

Kensington SE 04 from Origin 

BEFORE 

Earth Anthracite Porcelain, RF Paving 


Earth Anthracite Porcelain, RF Paving 


“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.” 

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. 

Envirobuild Explorer Decking and 

Barton Rattan Set 

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE PLANTING? 

We were really inspired by Prairie-style 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 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 


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. 

Established in 1973, The Aquatic Habitat is an 

independent family run business specialising 

in indoor and outdoor aquatics and have been 

providing top quality fish, plants and equipment 

to fishkeepers for over 50 years! 

We aim to cover all aspects of the aquatic hobby with wide selections of cold water 

and tropical fish, pond and aquarium plants plus a great range of equipment. 

Our friendly expert team are on hand for excellent advice and help for 

beginners & enthusiasts, with well over 50 years combined experience in 

the aquatic trade and many more years as hobbists. Together our extensive 

knowledge covers all aspects of fish keeping giving you a personal and 

friendly service. 

• Great fish selection - lots to choose from. 

• FREE water testing - for Pond and aquariums. 

• Specialist in fish scrapes - In-depth diagnosis & advice on treatment. 

• FREE car parking. 

• All fish are quarantined - for a minimum of 10 days. 

• Easily accessible from Jct 11A, M5. 

Find us on 

social media: 

Call us now 01452 862791 www.the-aquatic-habitat.co.uk 

Shurdington Road, Brockworth, Gloucester, GL34PU. 


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!” 


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+. 


mental and physical 

health in the over 50s 

‘Many of the challenges we face are out 

of our control... 

But one thing we always have power over is how 

we respond – how we think and feel. 

Oddly enough – thinking is not something 

we necessarily do well. We tend to think 

and react habitually, driven by beliefs, 

expectations, background, education etc. 

Fortunately, you are not broken. At any time, you can 

learn how to respond more flexibly, more skilfully. To think and feel in 

ways that support you in being the person you want to be. 

Which is where mindfulness comes in. Mindfulness teaches you how 

to be an observer of your thoughts and feelings, and how to direct 

your attention and awareness in ways that help you rather than hinder 

you. Mindfulness enables you to get out of your own way. 

When you do this, you can: 

• Relieve pain 

• Reduce stress 

• Be less anxious 

• Sleep better 

• Manage depression 

• Increase resilience. 

Mindfulness combines modern neuroscience with ancient wisdom. It’s 

practical, intended to be used in your daily life. 

Anyone can learn, and everyone can benefit. 


How to get out of 

your own way 

Join me for an adventure into your body and 

mind. How to respond flexibly and skilfully, 

whatever life brings to your door. 

Group and 121 training, based on modern 

science and ancient wisdom. 

Reduce pain and stress, manage anxiety and 

depression, sleep better, increase resilience. 

Alison Bale BSc, mindfulness practitioner 

Tel: 07946 867769 alison@mindinsight.online 


LILIAN FAITHFULL CARE 

“IT’S A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC” 

How a hidden Hub in Cheltenham is helping combat 

loneliness & isolation for older people in the community 


At the heart of the 

Suffolk’s in Cheltenham 

is a project run by 

Gloucestershire charity 

Lilian Faithfull Care, which 

has become a real beacon 

of hope for older people 

in the area. 

The Secret Garden Hub 

has been offering adult 

day care for over five 

years and its warm happy 

vibe is infectious. Three guests, who visit regularly, share what 

keeps them coming back. 

Joy Ingram has been coming to the Secret Garden Hub since 

2022. Joy is living with a rare health condition. Before her 

first visit Hub manager Mark visited Joy and her husband 

at home. Joy explains; “He said ‘we don’t have anyone 

who is particularly trained for your condition but we will get 

somebody trained.’ So he sorted out somebody out who 

could help me if I‘ve needed it and nobody else had done 

that.” 

“Originally I came to give my husband some time off as he is 

my carer. I had lots of seizures, [but since coming here] they 

seemed to have stopped. I like chatting to the people here 

and the meals are always nice. I have actually changed as a 

person from being here and meeting people, I do like that.” 

Roger Morris lives with dementia and explains; 

“Dementia - it’s a horrible thing to have as you don’t trust 

yourself. You don’t know if you are thinking correctly. I have to 

write lots of notes, things like that, to lead a fairly normal life. 

I come to meet people because I lost all my confidence and I 

hardly dare go out on my own. It’s a peculiar thing really as I 

used to be very sociable.” 

Roger used to play rugby for Northampton as wing threequarter 

(and had a trial for England). 

“Well it was a completely amateur game in those games, 

training twice a week and once on Saturdays. We never used 

to get back home too early. When we played away the coach 

driver used say, ‘I’m leaving at midnight and if you aren’t there 

I’m going without you,’ and I did get left a few times!” 

Roger visits the Hub twice a week and he shared why, 

“[Coming here] it’s the 

camaraderie, chatting and 

talking to people which is the 

most important thing.” 

Mike Clayton started visiting 

after a serious health 

episode. 

“When I came home [from 

hospital] everything had 

changed, I couldn’t do 

anything. Loneliness is a 

terrible thing, you need to 

know that you are not alone. There are other people in the 

world in the same position as you, and that, I think is a god 

send.” 

Mike explained how coming to the Hub has aided his 

recovery and brought him a host of new friends. 

“I didn’t know this place existed. But I am glad I found it. And 

so my loneliness disappeared. I look forward to it. I shall go 

back amongst friends now and enjoy the rest of the day. It is 

something I look forward to.” 

Mike’s advice for anyone experiencing loneliness is, “Seek 

help, do not bottle it up look for these places where you can 

go, they are there, find them and then go and enjoy life.” 

To find out more call Hub Manager Mark Norris or one of the team 

on 01242 506121 or email secretgarden@lilianfaithfull.co.uk and visit 

www.lilianfaithfull.co.uk

ALL INCLUSIVE FEE 

Crofton Springs 

Luxury Care Home 

Opening October 2024 

Residential and dementia care 

Purpose Built Home 

Person-Centred Care 

Daily Activities 

All Inclusive Fee 

For more information contact us 

0113 465 4092 

Crofton.springs@idealcarehomes.co.uk 

Gloucester Road, Cheltenham GL51 8NR 

Nutritious Food 

EPC “A” Rating 

Can Operate As 

Carbon Free 

Ideal Carehomes 

Winner of 

Care Provider 2022

Timber 

windows 

Timber win 

OF CHELTENHAM 

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 Cheltenham 

15 Suffolk Parade, 

Montpellier, 

Cheltenham, 

GL50 2AE 

Showrooms also in Cirencester, Henley-on-Thames & Oxford 

New showroom coming soon in Chipping Norton 

Telephone: 01285 653999 

info@twcotswolds.co.uk 

www.timberwindows.com

Cheltenham Living Jul - Aug 2024

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