The Lifestyle Jul - Aug 2024

THE 

LIFESTYLE 

JULY/AUGUST 2024 

feeding a 

CROWD 

Perfect recipes for 

group catering 

Phil 

VICKERY 

We catch up with the 

charming TV Chef 

WIN 

A BBQ PLUS KIT, 

GARDENING 

GEAR, LUXURY 

UNDERWEAR 

AND MORE! 

into the 

GARDEN 

Creating your serene outdoor space 

TRAVEL | HOME & GARDEN | FOOD & DRINK | BEAUTY | INTERVIEWS

CELEBRATE IN STYLE 

Audleys Wood offers the perfect 

setting to host friends and family 

for those all-important special 

occasions. 

Our Head Chef devises an everchanging 

3-course menu based 

on traditional favourites, which are 

enhanced with some contemporary 

twists to delight your guests. 

Celebration Package includes : 

Use of a private dining room 

Chef’s choice canapes on arrival 

1 Glass of Prosecco per person 

served in arrival 

3-course meal – Set Menu or a 

Choice Menu 

Tea and coffee 

£65 per adult 

Complimentary bedroom for the organiser on the night of the event for 

all 2024 bookings. To book call 01256 817555 

Alton Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG25 2JT 

handpickedhotels.co.uk 

AUDLEYS WOOD 

HOTEL 

BASINGSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE 

HOTELS 

BUILT FOR PLEASURE

Renovating 

inside and out - 

from page 23 

EDITOR’S NOTE 

into the garden 

"The glory of gardening: hands in the 

dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. 

To nurture a garden is to feed not just the 

body, but the soul." 

—Alfred Austin 

I don't know if it's a sign of age, the times or just a 

yearning to slow down, but I've been loving time 

in the garden of late. There is something in the 

delayed gratification of it all - the nuturing, the 

learning, the failures and the triumph. It's definitely 

not instinctual yet, but the planning, musing over a 

layout with a steaming tea in hand, gives me a sense 

of inner calm that I don't encounter all that often. 

Mix in with that the feeling of seeing a plant in bud 

or bloom for the first time - well, that's just a bit of 

magic. 

We know we are a nation of garden lovers. If you are 

a keen horticulturalist, king of the BBQ or even just 

like a sit in the sunshine with a rosé (who doesn't!), 

then this edition is for you. We've got a real-life 

garden transformation to help inspire you, with lots 

of ideas for creating sociable spaces. 

If you are hoping to entertain this summer, we've 

got a delcious selection of recipes which are perfect 

for feeding a crowd. 

On the foodie front, we were also lucky enough to 

interview Chef and TV presenter Phil Vickery - 

alongside a fab recipe from him. 

We'd got our usual dose of amazing competitions, 

plus extra articles on wedding planning and advice 

on nurseries to get your teeth into. 

We will see you again in September - where we will 

be shining shoes ready for the new school year. 

i minervapublications | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS 

Paxcroft Farm, Hilperton BA14 6JB | T 01225 984 430 

Assistant Editor: Kate Norris 

Contributors: Rebecca Rose, Angela Cave, Matthew Biggs 

Would you like to find out about advertising? Simply email 

studio@minervapublications.co.uk or call 01225 984 430. 

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

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 


CONTENTS 

18 

06 COMPETITION 

Fabulous goodies to 

be won, from BBQs to 

gardening gear 

08 WEDDING 

Top tips if you're 

planning the big day 

10 NURSERY 

Advice from the 

National Day 

Nurseries Association 

16 PHIL VICKERY 


nation's favourite TV 

Presenter and Chef 

18 RECIPES 

If you are hosting this 

summer, we've got 

some fab dishes for you 

25 GARDEN 

A garden before and 

after to inspire 

31 ADAM FROST 


horticulturist and 

Chelsea Show favourite 

36 WELLBEING 

From supplements to 

home workouts, we 

focus on wellbeing

M I D 

S E A S O N 

Sale 

25 

SAVE 10% 

with code 

SUNNY10 

34 

hauslife.co.uk 


Plan your dream wedding 

Planning a wedding can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. For 

many couples, navigating the nuances of wedding planning requires a 

blend of tradition and modernity, along with careful attention to detail. 

Here are some essential tips to help you plan your perfect day. 

Planning a wedding can be an exciting 

yet overwhelming experience. For 

many couples, navigating the nuances 

of wedding planning requires a blend 

of tradition and modernity, along with 

careful attention to detail. Here are some 

essential tips to help you plan your 

perfect day. 

Set a Budget and Stick to It 

One of the first steps in wedding planning 

is establishing a realistic budget. 

Weddings can be costly, and it’s crucial to 

know how much you’re willing to spend. 

Make a list of all potential expenses, 

including venue, catering, attire, flowers, 

photography, and entertainment. Allocate 

a portion of your budget to each category 

and try to stick to it. Remember to set 

aside a contingency fund for unexpected 

expenses. 

Choose the Right Venue 

The venue sets the tone for your 

wedding. Whether you prefer a historic 

manor house, a rustic barn, or a chic 

city hotel, make sure it reflects your 

style and accommodates your guest 

list. Many venues offer all-inclusive 

packages, which can simplify planning. 

When visiting potential venues, consider 

the location, capacity, and available 

amenities. Don’t forget to check if the 

venue is available on your preferred date. 

Plan the Ceremony 

Decide whether you want a religious 

or civil ceremony. If you opt for a 

church wedding, ensure you meet all 

the requirements set by the Church of 

England or your respective denomination. 

For civil ceremonies, contact your local 

registry office to book an appointment. 

Consider personalising your ceremony 

with readings, music, and vows that are 

8 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

meaningful to you both. 

Prioritise the Guest List 

Creating a guest list can be one of the 

most challenging aspects of wedding 

planning. Start by making a list of 

immediate family and close friends, 

then gradually add extended family and 

other friends. Be mindful of your venue’s 

capacity and your budget. It’s often 

helpful to have an A-list (must-invite) and 

a B-list (nice-to-invite), which can help 

manage numbers if you need to make 

cuts. 

Hire Trusted Vendors 

Vendors play a crucial role in bringing 

your wedding vision to life. Research and 

book reputable vendors early, including 

caterers, florists, photographers, and 

DJs or bands. Reading reviews and 

asking for recommendations can help 

you find reliable professionals. Schedule 

consultations to discuss your ideas 

and ensure they understand your 

expectations. 

Plan Your Attire 

Choosing wedding attire is a personal 

and often emotional experience. Brides 

should start shopping for their dress 

at least six to eight months before the 

wedding to allow time for fittings and 

alterations. Grooms and groomsmen 

should also select their suits or attire 

well in advance. Consider the season 

and venue when choosing your outfits to 

ensure comfort and appropriateness. 

Organise the Details 

Attention to detail can make your 

wedding truly memorable. Consider 

elements such as invitations, seating 

plans, favours, and decorations. 

Incorporate personal touches that 

reflect your relationship, such as a 

themed wedding cake or customised 

centrepieces. Don’t forget practical 

details like transportation and 

accommodation for guests, especially if 

your venue is in a remote location. 

Manage the Day Itself 

On your wedding day, the last thing you 

want is to be stressed about logistics. 

Hire a day-of coordinator or designate 

a trusted friend or family member to 

manage the schedule, coordinate 

with vendors, and handle any issues 

that arise. This allows you to focus on 

enjoying your special day. 

Embrace Tradition and Personal 

Touches 

Weddings often incorporate traditional 

elements, such as the bride wearing 

“something old, something new, 

something borrowed, and something 

blue”. However, don’t be afraid to infuse 

your wedding with personal touches that 

reflect your unique style and relationship. 

Balancing tradition with modern trends 

can create a memorable and meaningful 

celebration. 

Enjoy the Journey 

Finally, remember that wedding planning 

is a journey. While it can be stressful 

at times, it’s also an opportunity to 

strengthen your bond and create 

lasting memories. Stay organised, keep 

communication open with your partner, 

and don’t lose sight of what the day is 

truly about – celebrating your love and 

commitment to each other. 

By following these tips, couples can 

plan a wedding that is both beautiful and 

uniquely theirs.

STANBROOK ABBEY 

HOTEL 

WORCESTER 

CREATING MAGICAL 

MEMORIES 

Experience elegance and charm at Stanbrook 

Abbey Hotel in Worcestershire. Our historic 

abbey, with its stunning architecture and 

beautiful gardens, offers a romantic and timeless 

setting for your special day. Our dedicated 

wedding planners will bring your vision to life 

with bespoke packages and gourmet dining 

options. Enjoy the exclusivity of our venue for 

a private and personalised experience with our 

exclusive use weddings and bespoke packages. 

HOTELS 

BUILT FOR PLEASURE 

Jennet Tree Lane, Callow End, Worcester 

01905 832 940 

handpickedhotels.co.uk 

A different approach to 

family law 

Our Horsham team deliver exceptional client 

care and promote the use of alternative 

dispute resolution to help minimise both the 

emotional and financial cost of separation. 

The Family Law Partners office is in 

central Horsham. We also advise clients in 

Billingshurst, Cranleigh, Crawley, Godalming, 

Guildford and surrounding areas. 

We can help you with: 

Children matters 

• 

Divorce and Separation 

Dissolution of Civil Partnerships 

Cohabitation disputes 

Prenuptial and Postnuptial agreements 

Cohabitation agreements 

Mediation and Collaborative Law 

For a confidential conversation and to learn 

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contact our team: 

01403 599215 

info@familylawpartners.co.uk 

www.familylawpartners.co.uk 


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 


L U C T O N S C H O O L 

Holiday 

CLUB 

CLUB 

15 JULY - 

9 AUGUST 

£36 LUCTON SCHOOL 

PER DAY 

Herefordshire HR6 9PN 

01568 782000 

BOOK 

NOW! 

P R I C E S 

F R O M 

SPORTS | GAMES | SWIMMING| ARTS 

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT 

www.luctonschool.org/summer-camp

Mountains and plains 

and adventure 

A revelatory new exhibition, ‘Mountains and 

plains and adventure’: William & May Morris 

and Iceland, is now open at Kelmscott Manor, 

coinciding with the centenary of May Morris’s first 

trip to Iceland. 

Visitors to Kelmscott Manor can 

still experience the spirit of Iceland, 

especially when encountering the 

topiary Fafnir yew hedge, originally 

cut by William Morris (1834–1896). 

Morris was a Victorian polymath – 

writer, designer, conservationist, social 

thinker, antiquary, and scholar of 

Icelandic. His daughter May (1862– 

1938), also a designer and expert on 

historic embroidery, knew Iceland 

from girlhood through his enthusiasm 

for its literature and culture. Both had meaningful relationships with 

the country and were warmly welcomed by Icelanders. William visited 

twice (1871 and 1873), and May visited three times over half a century 

later (1924, 1926, and 1931) with her companion, Mary Lobb. 

This exhibition, based on May Morris’s previously unknown diaries 

acquired by the Society of Antiquaries of London for Kelmscott 

Manor in 2018, is the first to explore her relationship with Iceland. 

It compares her Icelandic adventures with her father’s experiences, 

highlighting both constant and changing elements over the years. 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Preparations, Hospitality & Friendships, Reading Saga 

Landscapes, Social & Technological Change, and Recognition & 

Legacy. It will draw on collections from the Society of Antiquaries at 

Burlington House and Kelmscott Manor, and include loans from the 

British Library, William Morris Gallery, and Haslemere Educational 

Museum. 

Co-curated by Dr. Kathy Haslam (Curator, Kelmscott Manor) and Dr. 

Emily Lethbridge (Senior Research Lecturer at the Árni Magnússon 

Institute for Icelandic Studies), Dr. Haslam says, “We are thrilled to 

explore May’s passion for travel and Iceland through her vivid words 

and to understand more deeply the Morris family’s relationship 

with Iceland.” Dr. Lethbridge adds, “This exhibition is an important 

milestone in Morris studies and cultural history, including women’s 

travel writing and cross-cultural exchange between Iceland and Great 

Britain in the 19th and 20th centuries.” 

The exhibition runs from 6th June- 26th October and is open to the 

public on our usual open days, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 

10.30am-5pm (last entry to house at 4pm). Entrance to the exhibition 

is included with the standard ticket price. 

The exhibition will explore themes such as Motivations & 

For more details visit kelmscottmanor.org.uk 

SATURDAY 7 th SEPTEMBER 2024 

TwoJays Corner 

Antiques & Vintage 

Unit B5 Tweedale Industrial Estate 

Near Madeley (near Blists Hill, Ironbridge) 

Telford TF7 4JR 

01952 462340 • www.twojayscorner.com 

FREE 

Car 

Parking 

SCAN THE QR CODE TO 

BUY SHOW TICKETS! 

BUY TICKETS ONLINE: 

www.moretonshow.co.uk 

or call 01608 651908 

Saturday 7th September 2024 

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

Premium Livestock Showing, Arena Eventing Competition, 

Fun in Farmtastic, Sheep Shearing Competitions, Top Show Jumping, 

Rural Crafts, Fabulous British Food & lots of free activities for all to enjoy! 

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 

Child (5-15) £13.75 £15.00 £17.50 

Family (2 adults 

& up to 3 children) 

£68.75 £75.00 £87.50 

Find the perfect piece for your home or garden 

Open Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 

10:30am to 4pm and by appointment in between. 


DISCOVER 

WEYBRIDGE, SURREY 

KIDS ENTRY FROM £9.50 * 

BOOK ONLINE AND SAVE 

*When you book tickets online in advance of your visit. Children aged 4-17. Children under 4 go free.

©Manvir Rai 

Director Carlos Acosta 

Sir Frederick Ashton’s 

La Fille 

mal gardée 

25 – 28 September 

brb.org.uk/Fille

F O O D & 

DRINK 

Delicious recipes to feed a crowd, plus we 

interview Phil Vickery

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. 


Martin Bell Photography 

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HOME & 

GARDEN 

A garden transformation to inspire, plus 

little lifts to your interior

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 


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ALL TIMBER WINDOWS 

& DOORS IN JULY 

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

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timber windows and doors really can enhance the value and beauty of your home. 

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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!” 


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 HERO 

Local Horticulturalist Neil Lucas awarded prestigious RHS Victoria Medal of Honour 

Neil Lucas is recognised as one of 

the country’s leading authorities on 

ornamental grasses and this year 

marks his 30th Anniversary at Knoll 

Gardens near Wimborne, where his 

stunning grasses, grown in the onsite 

nursery, can be seen planted in 

drifts in the gardens for all to enjoy. 

It is fitting that in this landmark year 

Neil should be awarded the Royal 

Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Victoria 

Medal of Honour in recognition of 

his services to horticulture. 

The Victoria Medal of Honour is 

awarded to British horticulturalists 

whom the RHS considers deserving 

of this special lifelong honour. 

Established in 1897 in perpetual 

remembrance of Her Majesty Queen 

Victoria’s 63-year reign - only 63 

people may hold this medal at 

any one time. Subsequently, the 

Victoria Medal of Honour is not 

awarded every year, making it all 

the more prestigious, as well as 

poignant, to be selected. 

“There is no higher horticultural 

award than the Victoria Medal 

of Honour. Those who have 

received this medal are the very 

best of the best. We at the Royal 

Horticultural Society are delighted 

that Neil Lucas VMH has been 

recognised for all that he has done 

over so many years.” Keith Weed 

CBE, President of the Royal 

Horticultural Society. 

Knoll gardens is an RHS Partner 

Garden and is renowned for its 

beautiful naturalistic plantings of 

ornamental grasses and perennials, 

and its wildlife-friendly approach to 

sustainable garden management. 

Neil Lucas said “I am delighted 

to be awarded the Victoria 

Medal of Honour by the RHS. 

Reflecting on previous and current 

recipients, who through history 

have inspired generations of 

gardeners, it is especially rewarding 

to have had my contribution to 

horticulture recognised through this 

longstanding tradition.” 

In this memorable 30th year at 

Knoll, Neil has also successfully 

launched his latest book ‘Grasses 

for Gardens and Landscapes’ and 

hosted a party of local dignitaries 

from across Dorset. 

More on Neil’s book and on the 

gardens and their history can be 

found at www.knollgardens.co.uk 

Knoll Gardens, Stapehill Rd, 

Hampreston, Wimborne BH21 7ND 


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 


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Trade & Retail 

Nationwide Delivery 

Suppliers of - 

- Porcelain Paving 

- Natural Stone Paving 

- Tiles 

- Sleepers 

- Matching Accessories 

www.rflandscapeproducts.co.uk - E: info@rflandscapeproducts.co.uk - P: 01977 782 240 


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being your best self! 

What do you get in the bundle? 

- Turmeric, Ginger & Black Pepper 

- Vitamin D 4000iu 

- Ashwagandha Calm+ 

- Biotin Growth+ 

- Milk Thistle 

- Iron Energy+ 

- Vitamin B12 Dual Power 

Bundle currently discounted to £39.99, 

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A low-cost 

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supplement 

P E D A L 

Y O U R 

W A Y T O 

H E A L T H 

BUSY BEE’S 

QUICK 

GUIDE TO 

FITNESS WITH 

PELOTON 

BIKE+ 

In today’s fast-paced 

world, finding time for 

self-care can feel like an 

impossible feat. But fear 

not, fellow busy bees, because with the Peloton 

Bike+ in your corner, achieving your fitness goals has never 

been easier—or more convenient. 

Gone are the days of spending hours at the gym. With the 

Peloton Bike+, you can squeeze in a killer workout in as little 

as 20 minutes. Whether you prefer a heart-pumping HIIT 

ride or a scenic journey through virtual landscapes, there’s 

something for everyone. And with motivating instructors 

guiding you every step of the way, you’ll be breaking a sweat 

and crushing your goals in no time. 

B U Z Z 

without the 

B O O Z E 

Introducing SENTIA, a revolutionary formula 

designed to elevate your mind by harnessing 

the power of your brain’s GABA levels. Revel in 

an unparalleled sense of tranquillity and ease 

as SENTIA works its magic. 

A potent blend of nootropics and adaptogens 

(basically, natural relaxation and feel-good 

nutrients), these blends give the effect of 

having one or two alchoitc drinks, but without 

the side effects. 

SENTIA Red is designed for relaxation and 

intimate moments, SENTIA Black is designed for 

engaging conversations and party starters.Grab 

both in 50cl bottles for £59, sentiaspirits.com 

But the benefits don’t stop there. Regular exercise isn’t just 

about looking good; it’s also about feeling good. With each 

pedal stroke, your body releases a flood of endorphins, leaving 

you with an unmistakable post-workout glow. Plus, the sense of 

accomplishment that comes with completing a workout—even 

a short one—can do wonders for your mental well-being. 

And let’s not forget about the community. Peloton isn’t just 

a bike; it’s a tribe. Whether you’re high-fiving strangers from 

across the globe or engaging in friendly competition with 

your fellow riders, there’s something undeniably uplifting 

about being part of a supportive community. 

So, to all my fellow busy bees out there, I leave you with this: 

don’t let your packed schedule be an excuse to neglect your 

health. With Peloton Bike+ by your side, you have the power 

to transform even the busiest of days into an opportunity for 

growth, both physically and mentally. So, clip in, crank up 

the resistance, and let’s pedal our way to a brighter, healthier 

tomorrow. See you at the virtual finish line! onepeloton.co.uk 


Personal, private healthcare since 1980 

OUTPATIENTS TESTS & SCANS TREATMENTS 

Our team comprises of over 50 

GMC-registered physicians and 

surgeons, as well as highly 

experienced physiotherapists 

treating those aged 4 and above. 

Includes advanced endoscopy, 

MRI service six days a week, X-ray, 

ultrasound, electrocardiograms, 

echocardiograms, as well as an 

extensive Phlebotomy service. 

Our treatments are provided by 

expert consultants in various fields 

with short wait times. We offer 

private health insurance or 

self-pay options. 

The New Foscote Hospital is a boutique private hospital located in Banbury, Oxfordshire. 

Owned, managed and run by clinicians, we offer a full range of treatments including: 

Cardiology 

Orthopaedics 

Urology 

Ear, Nose & Throat 

Dermatology 

Ophthalmology 

Cosmetic 

General Practice 

Gastroenterology 

Gynaecology 

Endocrinology 

Nerve Conduction 

Neurology Spinal Rheumatology Vascular 

Sports Medicine General Surgery Plastics Colorectal 

Book an 

appointment 

01295 252281 

info@foscote.hospital 

thefoscotehospital.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+. 


ARE YOU FINANCIALLY FIT? 

Get your finances in shape to fund the life you want. 

Live your best life today whilst planning for tomorrow. 

Help ensure financial security for the people you love. 

As a fully-qualified Financial Planner I will build 

you a realistic and achievable plan that targets 

financial fitness for the rest of your life. 

• Financial fitness coaching 

• Pensions review 

• Investment planning 

• Protection planning 

Get in touch today to arrange your 

no-obligation initial meeting. 

0330 164 0022 nick.higgs@sjpp.co.uk nickhiggsfp.co.uk 

Nick Higgs Financial Planning is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place 

Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for 

the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details 

of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. SJP Approved 10/10/23

The Lifestyle Jul - Aug 2024

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