Beaconsfield Life February 2012

BEACONSFIELD LIFEGERRARDS CROSS, AMERSHAM, RICKMANSWORTH & CHORLEYWOOD, BERKHAMSTED, MARLOW & HENLEY-ON-THAMES

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LOCAL LIFE | BEAUTY | FASHION | TRAVEL | DINING | PROPERTY £2.60WHERESOLD

THE GAUCHOINTERNATIONAL POLO

LOCAL LIFE,ARTS & EVENTS

ANTIQUES WITHJOHN BLY

SPORT RELIEF 2012

PLUS…

p01_BUCKS_COVERS_FEB_Life Mags 21/02/2012 09:49 Page 2

0871 200 0440

01865 290 600www.londonoxfordairport.com

New Daily Flights to Jersey and theIsle of Man from Oxford Airport

Daily, year-round scheduled services toJersey and the Isle of Man commence

this spring with Manx2.comBeautiful British island breaks in just an hour!

p02_BUCKS_AD_LONDONOXFORDAIR_Layout 1 16/02/2012 11:38 Page 1

EDITOR

FAYE MANNING

EDITOR’S ASSISTANT

KATIE MILLER

SUB EDITOR

ALEX LUX

FASHION EDITOR

NICHOLAS PETER

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

HELEN CHENERY 07738 783756

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

JASON DANIEL

ACCOUNT MANAGER

KATHY MANNING, KEN FLEET

SALES

PATRICK SMITH, JAMES MARSHALL, ALISON GRIFFIN

DIRECTORS

PATRICK SMITH, RORY SMITH

© All Rights reserved. All Fish Media Group Ltd magazines are copyright and cannot bereproduced in any form either in part or whole withozut written permission from thepublishers. Whilst Fish Media Group Ltd takes every reasonable precaution, noresponsibility can be accepted for any property, services or products offered in any ofour publications and any loss arising. Whilst every care is taken with all materialssubmitted to all of our magazines the publisher cannot accept the loss or damage tosuch material. The Fish Media Group Ltd reserves the right to reject or accept anyadvertisement, article or material prior to publication. Opinions expressed are strictlythose of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Fish MediaGroup Ltd. We accept no liability for any misprints or mistakes and no responsibility canbe accepted for the content of these pages.

PUBLISHED BY THE FISH MEDIA GROUP LTD,

THE RIDINGS, WOODFIELD LANE, ESSENDON, HERTFORDSHIRE AL9 6JJ

0844 800 8439WWW.THELIFEMAGAZINES.COM

On 21st March 2012 Gaucho will host !e GauchoInternational Polo at London’s O2 arena, unitinghigh-octane polo interspersed with live world famous

music to produce a unique event never seen before in Britain. Following the triumphant inaugural year in 2011, Gaucho

International Polo has now evolved into the ultimate celebration ofArgentina’s sporting and cultural heritage at the O2 arena. !e2012 event will consist of two international arena polo matchesmerged with exclusive performances from Grammy award winningband, Bajofondo.

Sport Relief is back - and it’s coming to London! !e city is set tohost one of the "agship Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Miles on Sunday25th March, and needs Londoners to show their support byentering now at www.sportrelief.com. !is year, over one millionpeople are expected to pull up their socks and take part in theSainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in order to raise some serious cash forvulnerable people right here in London, across the UK and in theworld’s poorest countries.

Enjoy your issue and until March...

Faye Manning, Editor.

Welcome to our January issue…

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PrecisionT IM E P I E C E S

mens designer watches, jewellery, accessories

and pre-owned watches

If you wish to be added to our mailing list

to recieve news and current offers

please email your contact details to:

[email protected]

135 High Street, Ruislip. Middlesex HA4 8JY www.csbedford.co.uk e: [email protected] t: 01895 632100 www.csbedford.co.uk e: [email protected] t: 01895 632100

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Wedding rings by:

Ungar and Ungar

Blumer

Georg Jensen

Meister

Omega

Breitling

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Monica Vinader

Stephen Webster

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Links of London

Beautiful Designer Wedding Jewellery for your Special Occasion

135 High Street, Ruislip. Middlesex HA4 8JY www.csbedford.co.uk e: [email protected] t: 01895 632100

www.lidacucina.co.uk [email protected]

Showroom open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm(Saturday 10.00am to 4.30pm, Sundays and evenings by appointment)

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Editor’s Letter 3

Contents 12

What’s On… 14

Local Life, Arts & Events 16Cheese Makers MarketGet More Out Of Your Life Magazine!First Class Jewellery From Local Resident

Feature 34The Gaucho International Polo

Education Life 37The Best Schools In Your Area

Feature 46Sport Relief 2012

Fashion 48Labels Celebrate 2 Years Of SuccessLose The Winter Blues

Health & Beauty 54Q&A With Dr. Shameek PopatGet The Superstar LookHearing MattersWhat A Glow GetterThe Good LifeSpring Into ActionLooking GoodThe Perfect Body

House & Garden 74Antiques With John BlyIs Triple Glazing Better Than Double Glazing?Award Winning StyleNew Work Ethic?Patriotic PlantingThe Complete Conservatory ServicePlaytime For AdultsThe Heritage Window CompanyTurn One Into Two

Travel 94Time For A City Break

Food & Drink 96Something Special From Laurie

p12_BUCKS_CONTENTS__ 20/02/2012 14:36 Page 1

Leander Club is the most prestigious and successful rowingclub in the world, with 99 Olympic medals won by our membersup to and including the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

In celebration of our success we are proud to introduce anevening with… Dan Snow

The evening will take place at the historic Leander Club, Henley OnThames where you and your guests will be welcomed by Dan andmeet and mingle with the Club’s Acadamicians who have set theirsights on the very top of the sporting ladder. Guests will enjoy afine-dining experiece and get the inside track from Dan and theathlete table hosts as we move closer to Eton Dorney Rowing Lakein August 2012.

Leander ClubHenley On Thames

We are extending a special offer to readers of Fish Media Group’s ‘Life’ titles at a special price of £295.00 perperson or a table of 10 including an athlete at £2,950.00. This will be a great corporate event or for thatspecial occasion. It will be a night to remember!

Profits for the evening will go to support the Leander Academy in developing our next generation of athletes for 2016 and beyond

Sales - [email protected] or tel. 01491 636764

If you are planning a stay in South Oxfordshire and are in need of overnight accommodation at short notice, allowus to let you in on one of the Thames’s best kept secrets. Leander Club is a fabulous place to stay, whether you’re aclub member, non-member or member’s guest. It is also steeped in Olympian rowing history, echoing to thefootsteps of legendary rowers.

Exceptional standards of comfort are available in a choice of 11 individually designed en-suite bedrooms, offering:• Many bedrooms offering river views from the second floor• Unique designs reflecting the history of a particular major rowing school, university or club, and featuring

associated memorabilia• Complimentary olives and nuts on arrival with a choice of refrigerated pink sparkling wine, cooled mineral

water, tea or coffee• Inclusive full English breakfast.

In addition, you’ll find everything you would normally expect – television, hairdryer, telephone, lift access tobedrooms and complimentary WiFi. Members receive priority bookings for the Club facilities but non-memberbedroom booking enquiries are welcomed.

To book your accommodation, or to find out more about the Club and what we can offer, please call 01491 575782. Bookings may also be made on-line through the Club website.

Striving for excellence on and off the water

LeanderClub_Feb__ 16/02/2012 11:36 Page 1

W H A T ’ S O N

1 4 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

UKES FOR UNICEFA Grand Ukulele Festival in aid ofUnicef. !ere will be solo actsincluding Krabbers, KenMiddleton, Keef and HamishCurrie, Groups and open micsessions. For the beginners therewill be a workshop and some easystrum-a-longs. Improvers willhave a choice of two workshops.!ere is a ra"e with many prizeswhich include two fabulousukuleles. Light refreshments willbe served and there is a licensedbar. All ages and abilities welcome!ose staying for the day shoulduse the station car-park.11.30 to 17.30 Entry is by donationto Unicef.Berkhamsted Civic CentreHertfordshire HP4 3HDSaturday 3 Mar 2012www.ukesforunicef.com

SCRAPBOOKINGRESIDENTIAL WEEKENDScrapbooking Residentialweekend. All meals andaccomodation included Beginnersand experienced equally welcome!!Run by experienced scrapbookingtutor. Includes teaching sessions,use of papercrafting tools. Craftingshop onsite £155 twin £189 singleRing 01525 400523 or [email protected] 4:30pm to Sunday 4:30pmHemel Hempstead HertfordshireHP3 9BQ. Friday 9 Mar 2012 toSunday 11 Mar 2012www.lindagransby.co.uk

A BIRD IN YOUR EARSnail Tales brings you anotherchance to enjoy stories you won't#nd anywhere else - because eachone has been born in the minds ofchildren. Genies in teapots andhat-munching squirrels are just afew of the characters joining boysand girls like you on fantasticalexploits, brought to life withpuppetry, song and opportunitiesto jump on stage and join in.Families with children aged 3-11years will join our magic-spinningstorytellers on a journey through acreative world, made for children

by the people who know thembest - children! ‘Refreshinglyencapsulates everything that achild’s imagination should be...’!e Stage ‘A delight from start to#nish.’ Bedford Corn ExchangeSaturday 25 February, 2.30pmTickets £6.25 / £4.25 DacorumCard To book call 01442 228091or visit www.oldtownhall.co.uk!e Old Town Hall, High Street,Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AEHertfordshire HP1 3AESaturday 25 Feb 2012

BEACONSFIELD FARMERS’MARKET!is popular and busy market hasaround 30 stalls o$ering anamazing selection of quality, localfood - traditionally reared beef,lamb, bacon and pork products.Also free range poultry, game,great cheeses and yoghurts,seasonal fruit and veg, beer andcider, wines, breads, pies, cakes andother baked goods, honey andpreserves, fresh trout and sea #sh.Guest local stall: Young EnterpriseGroup selling fair trade tea! Hotbacon rolls available fromCastleman's Farm. Otherrefreshments from tea roomsnearby. Free parking in WindsorEnd.9am - 12.30pmWindsor End, Old TownBuckinghamshire HP9 2JJSaturday 25 Feb 2012www.tvfm.org.uk

MAGNOLIA HOUSE - OPENGARDEN FOR NGS% acre, many mature trees inclmagni#cent copper beech andlarge magnolia.Wollemipine,Cactus,fernery,stream,beehives, 2 ponds,greenhouses. 2 small aviarys.10,000 snowdrops and helleboresin spring. Collection of over 60di$erent hostas. Stay in our selfcatering accomodation,enjoy thegarden. It is constantly beingudated and new features added.Open:Suns 26 Feb (11-2), 24 Feb2013 .Admission £3, Children free.

Times:11-2. Telephone:01628525818. Open for charity.Magnolia House, BuckinghamshireHP10 0QD. Sunday 26 Feb 2012www.lanford.co.uk/events

BOURNE END COMMUNITYCRAFT MARKET10am-1pm. Bourne End Library,Wakeman Road, Bourne End,SL8 5LX. Local residents o$eringtheir own produce and services,including: Purely Local FreshFood ~ Savouries ~ Cakes ~Fudge ~ Charity Tombola ~Jewellery ~ Cards ~ Jams &Chutneys ~ Garden Produce ~Candles ~ Crafts ~ Art ~ Fashion~ Health & Beauty ~ Bags ~Cushions ~ and more Saturday

14th January 2012 10am-1pm.Parking (Pay&Display) DisabledAccess, Free Entry.10am-1pm - Free Admission -Disabled Access - Public Car Park(reasonable charges 30p/hour)on-site refreshments available.Any interested producers pleasenote that you must be local toBourne End. We also havesu&cient food and jewelleryproducers.Bourne End Library, WakemanRoad, Bourne EndBuckinghamshire SL8 5LXSaturday 10 Mar 2012.

GERRARDS CROSS BOOK FAIRSecondhand and antiquarianbooks for the collector, dealer orcasual reader10am - 4pm Tel: 07884 425450Gerrards Cross Memorial Centre,East Common, Gerrards CrossBuckinghamshire SL9 7ADSaturday 10 Mar 2012www.davidfordbooks.co.uk

LITTLE CHALFONTFARMERS’ MARKET!is is the place to shop for locallyproduced, quality rare-breed pork,bacon and award-winningsausages. NEW! Veg stall. Alsobeef, lamb, poultry, free range eggs,organic breads, pies and bakedgoods, cheeses, yogurts, homebaked cakes and lots more fromsmall local producers. Take a break- refreshments by WI in villagehall.9am - 1pm Every secondSaturday in the month.Village Hall car park, Cokes Lane,Little Chalfont BuckinghamshireHP8 4UDSaturday 10 Mar 2012www.littlechalfontfarmersmarket.co.uk

CONCERT: DUO DORADO-"ANGELS AND DEVILS"!e programmes presented byHazel Brooks - violin and DavidPollock - harpsichord, have beenwidely praised for their variety andcolour. Visually interesting andmusically stunning, the duointroduce the pieces to bring tolife the musical and historicalcontext. !is programme includesworks by Corelli, Handel,Scarlatti and ends with Tartini's'Devil's Trill' sonata.Concert starts at 20.00 Doors

WHAT’S ON

CPSA CLAY PIGEONSHOOTINGCOMPETITION100 English Sportingregistered Shoot over 10manned stands. Prize Moneywill be High Gun receiving£75, followed by 1st place ineach CPSA class receiving freeentry to the next month’sCPSA. During winter lightconditions: #rst entries from10am and last entry 3pm. Allshooting needs to #nish by4pm. All entries £30.00No booking required. Formore information call 01494883227 or [email protected] Shooting Ground,Park Lane, Lane EndBuckinghamshire HP14 3NS!ursday 1 Mar 2012.www.ejchurchill.com

p14_BUCKS_WHATSON__ 20/02/2012 13:14 Page 1

open at 19.15 Single tickets £15Under 18s free Tickets andfurther information from the BoxO&ce 01494 765420Dr Challoners High School, CokesLane, Little ChalfontBuckinghamshire HP7 9QBSaturday 25 Feb 2012www.amershamconcerts.org.uk

HENLEY WINE EVENINGJoin us at this lovely venue overlooking the !ames for a fun andinformal wine tasting evening thisMarch, and this year we havedecided to push the boat out byinviting some of the very #nestwine producers to join us. You willbe able to sample over 30 fantasticwines from across the globe,including a number of wonderfulwines presented by theirproducers as we will be joined byAndrew Napier from DomainesBarons De Rothschild (La#te),and highly acclaimed winemakerHenry Laithwaite, both of whichwill be happy to talk to you aboutlife in the vineyards. We will alsobe showcasing our very ownstunner, the !eale VineyardEnglish Sparkling Wine from!eale. Our tastings are veryrelaxed – no wine knowledgeneeded!6.30-8.30pm Tickets are £23.50Henley River & Rowing Museum,Mill Meadows, Henley-on-!amesOxfordshire RG9 1BFTuesday 6 Mar 2012www.laithwaites.co.uk

NEARLY NEW SALEBaby/Kids Nearly New SaleFantastic bargains to be had!Mothers to be and parents canpick up a bargain at our sale.Items include high chairs,buggies, toys, books, clothes andmore ……… Lots of Nearly newstalls and small businesses. Facepainting for the children. Stallsavailable at £12.00 each. Ifinterested please call or text 07921560356 or emailmama##[email protected] am - 12.30 pm £1.00 entry peradult. Children get in free. Adonation from each entry feegiven to Action For Kids. Witheach entry a ra"e ticket given forthe FREE RAFFLE. Lots oflovely prizes. Ra"e drawn at12.00 noon.Liston Hall, Chapel Street, MarlowBuckinghamshire SL7 1DDSunday 4 Mar 2012

THE LITTLE FOX MARKETRickmansworth's BoutiqueOutdoor Market at the Fox &Hounds in Rickmansworth HighStreet! O$ering a great mix ofunique stalls and undiscoveredgems, !e Little Fox Market hassomething for everyone, bringingyou a unique shopping experienceevery month. Savor some deliciouslocally home baked goodies orbrowse the excellent selection ofjewellery, homeware, gifts, handmade beauty products and more.Come along on the #rst Saturdayof every month from 10 am -3pm. Fantastic high qualityproducts run by local people. Eachevent raises money for charity andpromotes small business in ourarea. Homemade. Individual.Tasty, Interesting, Friendly andUnique!!e Market opens at 10am andends at 3pm. We take entrancedonations for local charities.!e Fox & Hounds Public HouseGarden - 183 High Street,Rickmansworth, Herts. WD3 1AYHertfordshire WD3 1AYSaturday 3 Mar 2012www.littlefoxmarket.co.uk

BRIDGE DRIVEStart your day with a co$ee andbiscuit followed by a great BridgeDrive, spend time chatting withfriends over lunch with BucksFizz and continue playing in theafternoon before we announce theprize winners of the day! !erewill be a ra"e as well and allproceeds go towards the PaulStrickland Scanner Appeal,Mount Vernon Hospital,Northwood. Paul StricklandScanner Centre providesstate-of-the-art scanning servicesfor the early diagnosis of cancerand other serious diseases andneeds funds for new scanners.Registered Charity No 298867.10.30am for 11.00am start and#nishes at 3.30pm. Entry is£10.50 per person to includeco$ee & lunch with bucks #zz orsoft drink, bookings on 01923844290. Pairs and teams of fourwelcome, the format will beChicago Bridge, please bring yourown cards and table cloth forlunchtime.Sarratt Village Hall, !e Green,Rickmansworth HertfordshireWD3 6AS. Monday 5 Mar 2012www.stricklandscanner.org.uk

The Tanyard, Tring Road, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6NDt: 01296 625488 e: [email protected]

p14_BUCKS_WHATSON__ 20/02/2012 13:14 Page 2

L O C A LE V E N T S

With over 98% ofBritish householdsbuying cheese, and a

staggering 700,000 tonnes(including cottage cheese andfromage frais) consumed onaverage each year, the UK isclearly a nation of CheeseLovers. And so what better placeto visit, than the UK’s top eventfor Cheese Lovers, which willtake place on Saturday 14th Aprilat "e Market Place, OldBeacons#eld?

Although Cheddar is thenation’s favourite cheese, thisevent will o$er visitors so muchmore! An opportunity to taste,learn about, and buy new andunusual cheeses, as well as artisanand traditional favourites, theCheese Makers Market will o$ercheeses from over 70 di$erentproducers, showcasing bothBritish and Continental varieties.

In association with PremierCheese (a specialist supplier totop restaurants around the UKincluding Le Manoir aux QuatSaisons and Tom Aikens) and LaCave à Fromage (a wonderfulcheese retailer with shops inLondon and Brighton o$eringover 200 di$erent varieties) thiswill mark the second year of themarket.

In 2011, the market wasopened by Alain Roux, ChefPatron of the renownedWaterside Inn. With over 2,000visitors, last year’s participantsincluded noted producers such asCooleeney from Ireland, "ornbyMoor from Cumbria, Bath SoftCheese, Cornish Blue Cheese,Errington from Scotland, Isle of

Mull Cheddar and Innes Cheesefrom Sta$ordshire."is year, Eric Charriaux and

Amnon Paldi, Directors of bothPremier Cheese and La Cave àFromage, will be making "eCheese Makers Market evenbigger and better, with moreproducers (hailing as far asPortugal, Spain, France and Italy),cheese and wine matchingtutorials hosted by renownedwine journalist Tim Atkin,workshops and chefdemonstrations."e Cheese Makers Market

will also have a few carefullyselected stands selling cheesemacaroons, cheese ice cream,cheese making kits, cheeseaccessories, wine, cider, beer,bread and hot food made with

cheese. Look out for the pop-up

restaurant sponsored by PremierCheese and La Cave a Fromage,which will o$er delicious #necheese selections served with

bread and wine, or aselection of #ne cheeseand charcuterie platters

or raclette servedwith or withoutwine.

Cold storagewill be availablefor visitorswanting topurchase andkeep their

shopping chilled while theycontinue to browse and enjoytheir time at Old Beacons#eld.

Amnon Paldi said: “AlthoughCheese is our business, it is alsoour passion and hobby! We wantto give visitors the opportunity tonot only taste cheeses that may benew to them, but also allow themto meet the Cheese Makers whomay produce some of theirfavourites. "e Cheese Makers Market

will be a must visit for not only

die hard cheese lovers, but also forconsumers looking for a one stopfor everything relating to Cheeseand Dairy.”!e Cheese Makers Market will beon Saturday 14th April 2012, from9.30am to 5.30pm.!e location is !e Market Place,Old Beacons"eld, HP9 2JNCar parking is available, and thereis a fast train service from LondonMarylebone to Beacons"eld.Events and further details atwww.cheesemakersmarket.com

CHEESE MAKERS MARKETDATE ANNOUNCED FOR 2012

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 21 6

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L O C A LL I F E

1 8 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

When you

read the“Life Series”group ofmagazines

across Berkhamsted, Amersham,Beacons!eld, Gerrards Cross,Chorleywood, Rickmansworth,Marlow and the beautifulsurrounding areas about thefascinating stories concerninglocal people, local businesses,good causes and thecountryside, towns and villagesthat you are part of, don’t yousometimes think that there areother topics that would lookgood in print? are you perhaps akeen amateur photographerproducing shots taken in theimmediate area that wouldcomplement and enhance thearticles in the magazine?

WELL – NOW’S YOURCHANCE TO SEE YOURNAME, OR THAT OF YOURORGANISATION IN PRINT!

We have highlighted many ofthe exciting things going on inour area, and would very muchlike to encourage more of you tobring your message to a wideraudience. So, whether you are anew business in Berkhamsted, a

fund-raiser in Marlow, a charityorganiser in Beacons!eld, alife-style coach in Chorleywoodor a successful communitygroup in amersham, we wouldlove to hear from you!

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WRITE AN ARTICLE(SOMETHING BETWEEN1000-1250 WORDS),WITH PHOTOS, ANDE-MAIL IT TO: [email protected] OR CALL 07932 608 797.

You’ll get the idea of the sort ofthing we are looking for bybrowsing through this edition ofthe magazine. Don’t worry toomuch about perfect grammar orspelling – we will check it beforeit goes to print! So how aboutit? Why not get those creativejuices going, sit down and startthinking of ways in which youcould publicise the part of yourLocal Life that is mostimportant to you? if you want totalk about what you have inmind, or would like some advice

as to how to get the best fromthe topic you want aired, thenplease include a contact numberso that we can help you.Remember, “Life Series” set ofmagazines publishes articlesabout stories of general localinterest, so please don’t send usthe account of great-auntMaud’s birthday or yourprecious o"-spring’s coming ofage! We would also be delightedto receive photographs relatingto the area, illustrating aspects oflocal life, commerce or nature.again, please send your !les tothe above e-mail address – sorrybut we are unable to acceptprinted media for inclusion inthe magazine.

WE LOOK FORWARD TOHEARING FROM YOU!

In all cases, material should beoriginal and the work of theauthor/sender. !sh MediaGroup reserves the right to editand/or amend any material andaccepts no responsibility forerrors or inaccuracies, howevercaused. origination andcopyright will be acknowledgedwhere appropriate. Usual termsand conditions apply, and areavailable upon request.

GET MORE OUT OF

YOUR LIFE MAGAZINE!YOUR LIFE MAGAZINE!

p18_BUCKS_OURLIFE__ 16/02/2012 19:59 Page 1

TELEPHONE:

01494 854266

TELEPHONE: 01494 854266

TELEPHONE: 01494 854266


In 1990, Nick Fitch founded Nicholas James (his middlename) – a jewellery design company. Aware that hecouldn’t change the jewellery world overnight, Nick

quietly designed bespoke pieces for his clients. But helonged to introduce contemporary styles to the then-staticjewellery industry. Gradually he developed his own, uniquestyles; ultimately succeeding in introducing his collection tomore than 70 top-end, independent jewellery retail stores.Innovative, design-led jewellery had arrived.

In 1999, the year he won ‘Best Design in Diamonds’ atthe UK Jewellery Awards, Nick prepared to open hisown boutique jeweller’s. "e shop in St Cross Street(o# Hatton Garden) became known for its seasonaldécor and imaginative displays, featuring anything fromgilded walls and 1970s wallpaper to feather-$lled baubles.Customers paused to admire the displays – then stopped togaze at thejewellery, which matched the décor for wowfactor and creativity. "e shop’s success soared as it builtup a reputation for its fast-evolving collections. Nick’swork was commanding great respect within theindustry; in 2002, De Beers invited him to design the‘King George V & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes’commemorative pin for Royal Ascot.

Within 5 years, the property on St Cross Street was nolonger big enough. In 2004 Nick acquired new,much larger premises in the busiest part ofHatton Garden. With a huge blank canvas towork with, Nick was able to create a trulyinspirational interior. "e showroom brokewith design convention, presenting thecollections in art-gallery style, withhyper-modern $ttings and a relaxedatmosphere. It took 12 months to complete,but the %agship Nicholas James store opened tocritical acclaim – and huge popularity. It beatthe Apple Store in Regent Street as best shopdesign in 2005 at the British Retail InteriorDesign Awards. Nick’s signature style,combined with an interior that was completelyunique, was destined to transform thelandscape of Hatton Garden forever. In 2009Nicholas James won Best IndependentRetailer at "e UK Jewellery Awards.

"roughout the noughties, Nick had beenattracting attention within the industry and hissuccess has been recognised and rewardedmany times over in the years that havefollowed. Most recently, Nick was placed on the Hot 100list compiled byProfessional Jeweller magazine in 2010, described by editor RachaelTaylor as “a roll of honour of the most creative, successful and talentedpeople working in the British jewellery industry today”. Nicholas Jameswas voted No: 5 out of 50 Inspiring Independents by the UK jewelleryindustry last month.

Nick was approached by Arthur Price (one of the UK's biggestand most established) cutlery manufacturers to come up withsomething unique for their cutlery. "e end result was a 65kg spoon

light with blue LED's and 758spoons, 150 diamond set. It iscurrently on display at the WyndhamGrand Hotel in Chelsea Harbour.

“It was a fun and exciting projectthat pushed our skills as jewellers intoa completely di#erent arena.”

Specialising in clean, contemporarylines and working predominantly with

platinum, 18ct gold and diamonds, the range is designed to be worn everyday and exudes an understated chic whilst obviously being specialist $nejewellery. Nick takes on bespoke work all the time – in fact it is one of thehighlights of his job, working closely with a customer to produce afabulous one o# creation that captures the desired outcome completely.So, to get a taste of Nick's jewellery and shop, visit nicholasjames.com, or visit thestore at 16-18 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8AT. Mention you are "LIFEMAGAZINE READER" and you will be assured of being given VIPtreatment!

L O C A LL I F E

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MARCH 24TH TO 31ST

MAY 12TH - 20TH 2012

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L O C A LA R T S

2 8 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

p28_BUCKS_GALLERYROUGE__ 20/02/2012 15:21 Page 1

Ga!ery Roug"

Gallery Rouge has !rmly established itself as the place you must visit !rst should you be looking for artwork for your home or o"ce. #e selection of artwork is the largest and widest in Hertfordshire, as the gallery is uniquely positioned in representing work from;

DeMontfort Fine Art (who represent household names in Fabian Perez, Henderson Cisz, Doug Hyde, Rolf Harris and Todd White to name but a few)

Washington Green Fine Art (representatives of Alexander Miller,

MARCH 24TH TO 31ST

JULY 21ST - 29TH 2012

MAY 12TH - 20TH 2012

SEPTEMBER 15TH - 23RD 2012

NOVEMBER 3RD - 11TH 2012

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Bob Dylan, Peter Smith, Paul Kenton and Lawrence Coulson amongst others)

Buckingham Fine Art (with the hugely popular Kerry Darlington, Barry Hilton, Adam Barsby and Mark Spain)

Independent artists from across the UK including David Renshaw, Chris Chapman and Peter Wileman PRIO

International artists exclusive to the gallery in Europe including Hessam Abrishami, Bill Mack, Eric Waugh and John-Mark Gleadow.

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 2 9

L O C A LA R T S

p28_BUCKS_GALLERYROUGE__ 20/02/2012 15:21 Page 2


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p32_BUCKS_AD_VARIOUS__ 20/02/2012 17:32 Page 1


THE GAUCHO

INTERNATIONAL POLO

On 21st March 2012 Gaucho will host ! e Gaucho International Polo at London’s O2 arena, uniting high-octane polo interspersed with live world famous music to produce a unique event never seen before in Britain.

Following the triumphant inaugural year in 2011, Gaucho International Polo has now evolved into the ultimate celebration of Argentina’s sporting and cultural heritage at the O2 arena. ! e 2012 event will consist of two international arena polo matches merged with exclusive performances from Grammy award winning band, Bajofondo.

Bajofondo, who have put ‘electrotango’ " rmly on the world music map will open and play throughout the tournament, creating a thrilling blend of polo and performances. ! e matches will see Scotland taking on Ireland and culminate in the titanic clash between IG Index’s England and Argentina, pitting Britain’s " nest player, Jamie Morrison

against the Royals’ favourite star, Nacho Figueras. ! e Gaucho International Polo will be a true Argentine festival,

with tastings from some of the country’s " nest wine producers, brought to the event by leading authority, Wines of Argentina. ! ere will also be a fun and charitable twist to the event in the form of “! e White Jeans Party’. What to wear to polo matches has often been hotly debated amongst the style conscious, but white jeans are winning in the fashion stakes with enthusiasts such as Prince Harry donning them at matches around the world.

In keeping with this, every guest who arrives at the event wearing a pair, a pound will be donated to the BFF (British Forces Foundation).

Arena polo is an emerging trend in the polo world and takes place on a smaller pitch with only three players per team rather than the usual four, creating a fast-paced and spectator friendly game. With simpler rules and tickets starting at just £20, it is an accessible way of introducing

F E A T U R E

3 4 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

p34_BUCKS_GAUCHOPOLO__ 20/02/2012 15:15 Page 1

THE GAUCHO

INTERNATIONAL POLO

On 21st March 2012 Gaucho will host ! e Gaucho International Polo at London’s O2 arena, uniting high-octane polo interspersed with live world famous music to produce a unique event never seen before in Britain.

Following the triumphant inaugural year in 2011, Gaucho International Polo has now evolved into the ultimate celebration of Argentina’s sporting and cultural heritage at the O2 arena. ! e 2012 event will consist of two international arena polo matches merged with exclusive performances from Grammy award winning band, Bajofondo.

Bajofondo, who have put ‘electrotango’ " rmly on the world music map will open and play throughout the tournament, creating a thrilling blend of polo and performances. ! e matches will see Scotland taking on Ireland and culminate in the titanic clash between IG Index’s England and Argentina, pitting Britain’s " nest player, Jamie Morrison

against the Royals’ favourite star, Nacho Figueras. ! e Gaucho International Polo will be a true Argentine festival,

with tastings from some of the country’s " nest wine producers, brought to the event by leading authority, Wines of Argentina. ! ere will also be a fun and charitable twist to the event in the form of “! e White Jeans Party’. What to wear to polo matches has often been hotly debated amongst the style conscious, but white jeans are winning in the fashion stakes with enthusiasts such as Prince Harry donning them at matches around the world.

In keeping with this, every guest who arrives at the event wearing a pair, a pound will be donated to the BFF (British Forces Foundation).

Arena polo is an emerging trend in the polo world and takes place on a smaller pitch with only three players per team rather than the usual four, creating a fast-paced and spectator friendly game. With simpler rules and tickets starting at just £20, it is an accessible way of introducing

Londoners to Argentina’s most celebrated sporting tradition. Combining the best in Argentine food and wine with

the sophisticated glamour of Buenos Aires, Gaucho is now not only the ultimate dining destination but an established ambassador for Argentine culture and sport. Gaucho’s UK Operations Director, Martin Williams sums it:

“Gaucho are delighted to be working with the HPA to create an annual International Polo match at the O2- I hope that it will grow to rival the success of the former ‘HPA Cartier International Polo’. ! is year we have created what promises to be an amazing Gaucho Polo Party: ! e Argentine wine tasting lounge and Bajofondo concert are included in the event and all tickets, while the ‘White Jeans’ charity theme and after-parties will keep the event casual and a lot of fun.”

21st March 2012, Doors open 5.30pm Polo matches start 7.15pm with live performances from Bajofondo throughout Afterparty starts 9.45pm

Tickets from £20, through Ticketmaster W: www.gauchopolo.comF: www.facebook.com/Gauchointernationalpolo

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 3 5

F E A T U R E

p34_BUCKS_GAUCHOPOLO__ 20/02/2012 15:15 Page 2


!e independent school system in the UK is one of the "nest in the world and you are fortunate to have some of the best schools in the country right on your doorstep. In today’s economic climate, making the right choice for your child’s education is of paramount importance.

Sometimes every parent needs a helping hand in deciding what is best for their children.

Our Education Life series is an invaluable resource for any parent considering private education. Many schools will be having their "rst open days of 2012 soon.

Encourage your children to come with you and get their feedback after each visit. Take a note book with you and write down positive or negative things that your child brings up. !is will be a useful tool when you are comparing notes!

It also provides an insight into the

way a child sees a prospective future school. !is month sees the "rst of our three part Education Life series which will also appear in April and September issues.

Please feel free to contact me corinne@!shmediagroup.co.uk if you would like any further information

T H E F I N E S T S C H O O L S I N Y O U R A R E A

W!lcome "!a#e$EDUCA

UCAATION LIFE

TION EDUCATION LIFE

TION LIFE

TION LIFE

EDUCAT H E Q U

UCAATION LIFET I O N S U P P L E M E N T A L I T Y E D U C AT H E Q U

TION EDUCATION LIFET I O N S U P P L E M E N T

TION LIFEY 2 0 1 2A R F E B R U

TION LIFEY 2 0 1 2





p37_BUCKS_EDUCATION__ 20/02/2012 17:36 Page 1

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E D U C A T I O NL I F E

3 8 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

Choosing the right GCSEs for your childWords Tom Jenkins

You are welcome to arrange an individual visit anytime

' A ‘Top Ten’ boys’ school

' ‘Outstanding’ - 2008 School Inspection

'� Inspirational teaching

' Unique tutorial system

' Civilized, friendly & unpressured

' Small class sizes

'� ��(��"�!�� "!�(��!' Superb facilities set in 250 acres

'� ��!" �"�� #�� $��

MTS is a 15 minute journey by car from the M1 or M25. MTS coaches from Beaconsfield, Ealing, Harpenden, Harrow, Mill Hill, Radlett, Stanmore. MTS is adjacent to Moor Park (Metropolitan Line); Chiltern Line trains change at Harrow

Why not choose the best for your son?

Guided tours (last tour 11.30)The Head Master speaks at 12.15

Please contact Penny Wright, Admissions Secretary [email protected] +44(0)1923 845514Merchant Taylors’ School Northwood Middlesex HA6 2HT

1561

�%��"�� "&��!"��"��!�� For boys 11 - 18

MTS Merchant Taylors’ School

�� "��450 years of excellence

www.mtsn.org.uk

Easy access by tube and coach

Open Morning May 12th 2012 10.00 - 12.30


You are welcome to arrange an individual visit anytime

' A ‘Top Ten’ boys’ school

' ‘Outstanding’ - 2008 School Inspection

'� Inspirational teaching

' Unique tutorial system

' Civilized, friendly & unpressured

' Small class sizes

'� ��(��"�!�� "!�(��!' Superb facilities set in 250 acres

'� ��!" �"�� #�� $��

MTS is a 15 minute journey by car from the M1 or M25. MTS coaches from Beaconsfield, Ealing, Harpenden, Harrow, Mill Hill, Radlett, Stanmore. MTS is adjacent to Moor Park (Metropolitan Line); Chiltern Line trains change at Harrow

Why not choose the best for your son?

Guided tours (last tour 11.30)The Head Master speaks at 12.15

Please contact Penny Wright, Admissions Secretary [email protected] +44(0)1923 845514Merchant Taylors’ School Northwood Middlesex HA6 2HT

1561

�%��"�� "&��!"��"��!�� For boys 11 - 18

MTS Merchant Taylors’ School

�� "��450 years of excellence

www.mtsn.org.uk

Easy access by tube and coach

Open Morning May 12th 2012 10.00 - 12.30


It is one of the more stressful weeks in the life a Headmaster when the Inspectors come to call. !e Independent Schools

Inspectorate, who have responsibility for visiting independent schools give a week’s notice of their intention to arrive and ask for relevant paperwork to be sent to them immediately. !is produces a frisson of excitement for those responsible for the raft of paper work, although thankfully, these days the rain forests are safer given the use of email and electronic media.

!e importance of the inspection cannot be overstated. !is is peer-review, from experienced professionals, most of who have been or are current school leaders. !eir "ndings stay with the school for the next six years, so that three day visit can have a dramatic e#ect on a school.

“Pupils’ achievement is excellent and they are very well educated in accordance with the school’s aim for pupils to realise their intellectual, social and physical potential.

!e pupils’ overall achievement is excellent, well supported by

development is strong, they develop self con"dence and self esteem through their life in the school.

!e school o#ers excellent pastoral care, fully supported by policies and procedures and the pupils feel cared for and safe.

!e school provides an excellent curriculum which covers all the requisite areas of learning and which creates independent learners, well prepared for their senior schools.

Teaching is excellent overall, successfully promoting the pupils’ progress and supporting the school’s aims.”

One could be forgiven for thinking the school had written these comments, but they come from the ISI report undertaken this year at Westbrook Hay Prep School. Was there a sense of relief ? Of course, but also an understanding that our parents would expect nothing less.

Visit www.westbrookhay.co.ukto read the full report

a broad and very well planned curriculum and good teaching

!e personal development of pupils is excellent; pupils’ spiritual


WESTBROOKHAY IS AN

EXCELLENTSCHOOL...FACT

OPEN MORNING

Saturday, 3rd March 2012 9.30am – 12.30pm

An Independent Prep School for boys and girls aged 3-13 years

To view, contact:

01442 256143email [email protected]

www.westbrookhay.co.ukLondon Road, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RF

The pupils’ overallachievement is excellent, wellsupported by a broad and very

well planned curriculum.Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2011

Happiness | Confidence | Success



At St. Helen’s girls are encouraged to take an active involvement in their learning as part of a broad education that promotes independent learning and creative thinking.

Independent Learning Weeks are a regular feature of the curriculum, enabling girls to work individually, and as part of a team, to produce pieces of work that they can be really proud of by taking control of their own learning. Further up the school

there are opportunities for students to develop their critical thinking skills through activities such as the Year 9 Enquiry project where girls undertake individual student-led research on a topic of their choice.

Sixth Form students can choose to study A Levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, which places emphasis on developing the skills needed for university and beyond, focusing

on independent research, critical thinking and active involvement in the community. All students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning through e!ective planning of their time and a critical approach to their studies.

Outside the classroom, a varied extra-curricular programme o!ers opportunities to develop key skills and to build con"dence. Girls are encouraged to develop

leadership skills and take the initiative through activities such as the Combined Cadet Force, operated jointly with Merchant Taylors’ School, or by taking on roles of responsibility within the school community.

By developing those core skills, upon leaving St. Helen’s, each girl is con"dent, self-reliant and independent, ready to take their place in the adult world.

P!omoting I"de#ndent Lea$ning

St. Helen’s SchoolEastbury Road NorthwoodMiddlesex HA6 3AS

Tel: 01923 [email protected]

www.sthn.co.uk

Open MorningWednesday 20th June 2012 10.30am - 12.30pm

Our staff and pupils are delighted to welcome all prospective Senior School (11+) pupils and parents.

(Last school tours leave at 11.30am)

By appointment only - please contact the Admissions Secretary

International Baccalaureate and A Levels offered

Impressive range of extra-curricular activities

Focus on the individualBursaries availableScholarships offered: academic, art,

music and sport at 11+20 acre parkland site

An independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18

St. Helen’s is adjacent to Northwood station (Metropolitan Line), 20 minutes from Amersham, and coaches are available from Amersham, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross and Hemel Hempstead.


Bunkers Lane, Hemel HempsteadHertfordshire HP3 8RP

E: [email protected]

T: 01442 240 333F: 01442 269 981

• Excellent academic standards & results

• Wide range of extra-curricular activities

• Breakfast and after school care available

• Small class sizes

Saturday 17 March 201210.00am - 12noon (last tours begin at 11.30am)

no appointment necessary

OPEN DAY

Working Open Morning - Friday 18 May 2012Come and see our Nursery and Junior Department in action.

Please telephone to book your place

Independent Day School for Girls 3-16 & Boys 3-5

Open DaysMonday 5th March 2.00pm to 4.30pm

Saturday 10th March 9.30am to 12.00 midday

Independent education for boys and girls aged 3 to 13

Chesham Preparatory School

Chesham Preparatory School, Two Dells Lane, Orchard Leigh, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 3QF

Tel 01494 782619 | www.cheshamprep.co.uk Email [email protected]

NURSERY

NOW OPEN

Independent education for boys and girls aged 3 to 1

Chesham Preparator

3Independent education for boys and girls aged 3 to 1

y SchoolChesham Preparator

Open DaysMonday 5th March2.00pm to 4.30pm

Monday 5th March

Open DaysY

NOW OPEN

NURSER

NOW OPEN

NURSERY

NOW OPEN

NOW OPEN

Y

NURSER

2.00pm to 4.30pm

th March0Saturday 12.00 midday.30am to 19

wo Dells Lane, reparatory School, Treparatory School, Two Dells Lane, Chesham POrchard Leigh, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 3QF

9 162494 781el 0TTel 0 | .cheshamprep.co.uk www www.cheshamprep.co.ukEmail [email protected]

wo Dells Lane, Orchard Leigh, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 3QF

.cheshamprep.co.ukEmail [email protected]

th March2.00 midday

LOCKERS PARKBene agere ac Laetari:good results, good manners, good fun

Bursaries are available to boys years 3 to 6

www.lockerspark.herts . sch.ukTelephone us on: Hemel Hempstead 01442 251712

SCHOLARSHIP DAYSATURDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 2012

OPEN MORNINGSATURDAY 17TH MARCH 2012

Day & Boarding Preparatory School for boys aged 5 - 13 years

“... a winning formula of security, activity and motivation.” The Good Schools Guide

Registered Charity Number 311061


Academic & Creative Excellence atEdg! Grove S"h#l

Edge Grove is a friendly independent boarding/day preparatory school for boys and girls aged 3-13

Open Day Wednesday 29th February 9.30am – 12pm

Edge Grove School

Edge Grove School, Aldenham Village, Hertfordshire WD25 8NL 01923 855724 [email protected] www.edgegrove.com

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Wednesday 29th February 9.30am – 12pm

aged 3-13independent boarding/day

01923 855724 admissions@edgegre School, Aldenham vve School, Aldenham ordge GE

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Open Day Saturday 6th October 2012, 1–4pm(no appointment necessary)

Headmaster Peter B Hamilton MAButterfly Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire WD6 3AFTel: 020 8266 1700 [email protected]

www.habsboys.org.ukregistered charity no: 313996

An outstanding independentday school for boys agedbetween 5 and 18.

The Haberdashers’ Aske’sBoys’ SchoolNurturing Excellence

Following a detailed assessment by the ISI (IndependentSchools Inspectorate), Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School hasrecently been judged to be excellent in virtually every aspectof its relationship with its pupils and its community.

The school knew that it offered an outstanding educationalenvironment. After all, it has achieved 40% or more A* gradesat A level in each of the years that this new distinction has beenawarded. However, it was exciting to read the ISI’s conclusionthat the school provided an ‘outstanding educationalexperience’ which allowed its pupils to perform to ‘the highestlevel of their ability’. Particular attention was drawn to the highquality of the teaching that enabled such spectacular results.

More importantly, perhaps, was the praise which the ISIfocused on the spiritual, moral, social and culturaldevelopment of Habs boys. The high standard of pastoral careprovided at Habs was particularly noted, which the inspectorsclaimed played a powerful role in creating what they describedas a ‘friendly and supportive school community.’ Furthermore,added the ISI conclusions, this sense of community extendedto the parents, judging by the responses received to theparental questionnaire which the ISI undertook.

‘I always knew that I and my team of outstanding staff werefocused on building a first-rate educational environment,’noted Headmaster Peter B Hamilton, ‘yet even I would not havedared to expect such an outstanding ISI report. I pay tribute,’he continued, ‘to the support and direction provided by our entire community of pupils, staff, parents and old boys.Working together,’ he concluded, ‘we have built a school whosepupils go on to lead happy, purposeful, and successful lives.What better start can a school provide to any child?’

Habs is Exceptional!E D U C A T I O NL I F E


35 The Parade, PrestwickRoad, Watford WD19 7EE

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F

f

L O N D O N E V E N T S

sport Relief is back - and it’s coming to London! ! e city is set to host one of the " agship Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Miles on Sunday 25th March, and needs Londoners show their support by entering now at www.sportrelief.com.! is year, over one million

people are expected to pull up their socks and take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in order to raise some serious cash for vulnerable people right here in London, across the UK and in the world’s poorest countries.! is year, the London Mile

has a new route along the Mall which takes in some of the most iconic sights the city has to o# er. Entrants will pass Horse Guards Parade, the Queen Victoria Memorial, Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch to name but a few.

Last time, more than 16,000 people took part in the London Mile, and the

people of London raised and donated over £6million. Since then, more than 190 projects in the city have received grants thanks to money raised through Sport Relief.

Sportsman, James Cracknell, has pledged his support to the campaign: “It’s that time of year again, London, Sport Relief is back! Make sure you enter your whole family into the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile, which this year is

happening along the Mall on Sunday 25th March. You can choose to complete 1, 3 or 6 miles, so what are you waiting for? Come on London, with your help we can help to raise money to change the lives of people here in the city, across the UK and throughout the world’s poorest countries.”

Celebrating the UK’s biggest year of sport, a whole host of famous faces from the world of sport and entertainment will be taking part in Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile events across the length and breadth of the UK on Sunday 25th March including Olly Murs, Lorraine Kelly, Kara Tointon and James Cracknell among many others. ! e public

can go the extra mile too by choosing to take on either 1, 3, or 6 miles and entering online at sportrelief.com/mile.

On Sunday 25th March BBC One will host the Sport Relief Mile Show which for the % rst time will be live in London from the Mall. From Birmingham to Belfast and Leeds to London, it will bring all the highlights as the great British public is joined by a magnitude of famous faces as they tackle 1, 3 and 6 Miles all across the UK. ! is year’s Sport Relief

splashed into action early with Sport Relief superstar, David Walliams, going to extraordinary lengths for ! e BT Sport Relief Challenge:

LONDON GEARS UP FOR SPORT RELIEF

Go the extra mileGo the extra mileSPORT RELIEF 2012:

This year, over one MILLION people are

expected to PULL up their socks and take

part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile

4 6 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

p46_BUCKS_SPORTRELIEF__ 20/02/2012 12:10 Page 1

F EBUARY 2 0 1 2 3

Walliams vs !e !ames. He swam a staggering 140 miles along the !ames, raised over £1 million and even rescued a dog! A documentary catching every splash will be shown in the lead up to the Sport Relief Weekend. David’s was the "rst in a series of celebrity challenges supported by BT. More challenges will be announced during the campaign.

‘!e JLS boys have also written and recorded the o#cial Sport Relief single, Proud. !e single will be available to download on 18th March and in stores from 19th March. JLS will also be performing a special one-o$ matinee concert for Sport Relief at !e O2 on Saturday 24th March. !e boys will be joined by special guests and it looks set to be huge.!e Sport Relief Sock is

back and to coincide with the nation’s biggest year of sport, the Socks feature a

special Union Jack inspired design. Made from Fairtrade cotton, they’re perfect for lounging or training in. Grab a pair from Sainsbury’s and Fitness First from 15th February and www.sportrelief.com from 19th January.!e nation can also get its

hands on the o#cial Sport Relief 2012 T-shirts, available from SportsDirect.com stores and online. For the "rst time ever, the Sport Relief T-shirt can be personalised by adding letters and numbers to give them their own unique twist! !e T-shirts are made from Fairtrade cotton and available now!

February will see the return of the ever popular Let’s Dance for Sport Relief hosted by Steve Jones and Alex Jones on BBC One. !e show will feature a fresh batch of celebrities shimmying their way onto our screens every Saturday in the run up to the big Sport Relief Weekend on 23rd - 25th March.

Tune in for a fantastic night of BBC TV entertainment on Friday 23rd March on BBC One from 7pm. Claudia Winkleman, Fearne Cotton and Gary Lineker will join other top presenters to host a night of comedy sketches including award winning comedian Miranda Hart’s special Sport Relief ‘Miranda’ and the return of Outnumbered. !ere will also be special Sport Relief episodes of Never Mind the Buzzcocks, 8 out of 10 cats, Mock the Week and A Question of Sport. !ere will also be celebrity challenge highlights including David Walliams and Helen Skelton and "lms about the amazing work Sport Relief supports shown on the night.

Money raised from Sport Relief will be spent helping some of the most vulnerable people in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries. Visit www.sportrelief.com for the latest news!

L O N D O N E V E N T S

sport Relief is back - and it’s coming to London! ! e city is set to host one of the " agship Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Miles on Sunday 25th March, and needs Londoners show their support by entering now at www.sportrelief.com.! is year, over one million

people are expected to pull up their socks and take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in order to raise some serious cash for vulnerable people right here in London, across the UK and in the world’s poorest countries.! is year, the London Mile

has a new route along the Mall which takes in some of the most iconic sights the city has to o# er. Entrants will pass Horse Guards Parade, the Queen Victoria Memorial, Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch to name but a few.

Last time, more than 16,000 people took part in the London Mile, and the

people of London raised and donated over £6million. Since then, more than 190 projects in the city have received grants thanks to money raised through Sport Relief.

Sportsman, James Cracknell, has pledged his support to the campaign: “It’s that time of year again, London, Sport Relief is back! Make sure you enter your whole family into the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile, which this year is

happening along the Mall on Sunday 25th March. You can choose to complete 1, 3 or 6 miles, so what are you waiting for? Come on London, with your help we can help to raise money to change the lives of people here in the city, across the UK and throughout the world’s poorest countries.”

Celebrating the UK’s biggest year of sport, a whole host of famous faces from the world of sport and entertainment will be taking part in Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile events across the length and breadth of the UK on Sunday 25th March including Olly Murs, Lorraine Kelly, Kara Tointon and James Cracknell among many others. ! e public

can go the extra mile too by choosing to take on either 1, 3, or 6 miles and entering online at sportrelief.com/mile.

On Sunday 25th March BBC One will host the Sport Relief Mile Show which for the % rst time will be live in London from the Mall. From Birmingham to Belfast and Leeds to London, it will bring all the highlights as the great British public is joined by a magnitude of famous faces as they tackle 1, 3 and 6 Miles all across the UK. ! is year’s Sport Relief

splashed into action early with Sport Relief superstar, David Walliams, going to extraordinary lengths for ! e BT Sport Relief Challenge:

LONDON GEARS UP FOR SPORT RELIEF

Go the extra mileSPORT RELIEF 2012:

This year, over one MILLION people are

expected to PULL up their socks and take

part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 4 7

F E A T U R E

p46_BUCKS_SPORTRELIEF__ 20/02/2012 12:10 Page 2

SPRING IS IN THE AIR ASLABELS OF AMERSHAMCELEBRATE THEIRSECOND BIRTHDAYBeautiful Spring season

stock is now on o!er atLabels of Amersham - a

Charity shop with a designerdi!erence which this monthcelebrates its second birthday.

Labels of Amersham, part ofthe Florence NightingaleHospice Charity (FNHC) is abeautiful boutique-style Charityshop, attracting customers fromacross Aylesbury Vale andChiltern Hills with the o!er ofgrabbing a one-o! couturebargain at a fantastic price - andwith wedding season coming up,it could be the perfect afternoondate for any Mother of the Bride.

On o!er in the shop, are nearlynew items in excellent conditionwith famous names to choosefrom including Mulberry, Prada,Jaeger, Vivienne Westwood,Diane von Furstenburg, Nicole

Fahri and Barbour and manymore.

“We have some beautifuldesigner out"ts on o!er perfectfor any occasion and couldcertainly dress a Mother of theBride or wedding guests fromhead-to-toe,” said LynneReynolds, Shop Manager atLabels. “We have a variety ofaccessories, handbags and hats tochoose from to create thatcomplete wedding out"t orall-important Spring look – yousimply don’t need to go anywhereelse!”

If you wish to sell clothesthrough Labels on a 50/50 splitthen please call the shop on01494 728333 to make anappointment with. It’s a greatway of making some money andhelping the Charity at the sametime!

EXCLUSIVE SHOPPINGEVENING AT LABELSLabels is open Monday-Friday,10am-5.00pm, but if you can’tmake these times, the team isgiving all you fashion-consciousladies the opportunity to visitthe shop out of o#ce hours withan EXCLUSIVE promotionalshopping evening taking placeon $urs 1st March until 8pm.

So why not pop along for aglass of bubbly as Labelscelebrate its 2nd birthday, bringa few friends and enjoy having abrowse throughout the shop atyour leisure.

“Knowing you are helping tosupport the FlorenceNightingale Hospice whichgives care and support to localfamilies a!ected by life limitingillness, will make your shoppingexperience at Labels all the more

pleasurable,” added Lynne.If you would like to "nd out

more, contact Lynne Reynoldsor Liz Dickinson on 01494728333 or pop in to Labels, 12$e Broadway, Old Amersham,today.For more information about theFlorence Nightingale HospiceCharity visitwww.fnhospice.org.uk. !eCharity needs to raise over half amillion pounds each year to keepessential local Hospice servicesrunning for families a"ected bylife-limiting illness.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 24 8

F A S H I O N

p48_BUCKS_LABELS__ 17/02/2012 12:41 Page 1

12 The Broadway, Old Amersham, Buckinghamshire HP7 0HP

Why miss a decibel of life?

Siemens Aquaris.™

Enjoy life without limits.

Answers for life.

HEAR BETTER WHEN YOU’RE SWIMMING?



LOSE THEWINTERBLUES

GIVE YOUR DENIM DRAWER AN UPDATE WITHTHE NEW SEASON JEAN TRENDS. LISA HAYNESSHOWS YOU HOW TO FIND YOUR PERFECT PAIR

YELLOW SKINNY JEANS, £16; SORBET BLOCK VEST, £7 AND HOOP EARRINGS, £6, MATALAN0845 330 3330WWW.MATALAN.CO.UK

5 1

F A S H I O N

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

p51_BUCKS_WINTERBLUES__ 16/02/2012 11:05 Page 1

Begone January blues, the outlookfor spring denim is lookingbright, with traditional indigos,navies and stonewash jean hues

making way for pastels, prints andeye-popping colour.!e big denim makeover comes at a time

when it's revealed 75% of British womenwear less than a quarter of the jeans in theirwardrobe regularly. !e findings, by fashionadvice site Miss High Street(www.misshighstreet.com) indicate anaverage ownership of 10 pairs of jeans,leaving at least seven pairs lying neglectedin the denim drawer.

Time for a new trend-led spree? HannahBuckley, founder of Miss High Street,recommends a frugal fashion approach:"Don't splurge on trend jeans because theirappeal might be short-lived."Coloured skinnies are huge this season but

opt for some of the cheaper versions on thehigh street."

Dive into the denim rainbow revolutionwith our jean-ius guide.

CANDY COLOUREDDolly mixture-inspired shades will bedi"cult to resist this spring. Whereas lastwinter was all about leather-look dark andmoody jeans, this season is pale andinteresting.

Denim boutique owner, Donna Ida!ornton (www.donnaida.com) says: "Asseen on the catwalks, pastels are so fresh forspring.

"From acid colours of sharp lemon topretty mint shades and soft candy tones, it'stime to embrace a sugary sweet denimpalette."

How to wear them: !ink chic and teamthem with blouses and pointed courts.

PRINT PARADEMade for exhibitionists, eye-catching printshave made their mark on denim.

"Prints are key to this season's denim,from floral to tropical and aquatic for theadventurous," says !ornton.

"Animal print is such a statement, too,which can be worn in faded pastel denimshades of mint, blue or rose, featuring asubtle leopard or snake print for added wowfactor."

How to wear them: Let theseshow-stopping jeans do all the work bythrowing on a plain white tee and flats fordaytime, or black vest and heels in theevening.

BRIGHT BRIGADE!e block brights that dazzled throughout2011 are going nowhere fast. Red jeans arepractically vying with traditional blues as adenim staple.!ornton says: "!ere's no escaping the

rainbow of shades which will be hitting thedenim boutiques in spring.

"Hot pinks, cobalt blues and aquamarinelook stunning in skinny jeans."

How to wear them: Be brave andcomplete the colour block look with a topin a similar shade, or contrast with ametallic tee.

SUMMER STRIPESHello instant leg lengtheners! Pyjamas are abig catwalk trend for spring/summer butstripy denim is the more wearable way towork stripes on the streets.

"!is season anything goes with stripes - contrast colours, thick stripes or pinstripes,"!ornton suggests.

"!e 'pyjama look' is the fashionistafavourite, worn skinny and cropped for a

fresh take on nautical."How to wear them: Keep the look fresh

and maritime-inspired with washed-outcolours like creams, pale blues and fadedreds.

CROPPED CAPERSIf you can't bare to be parted from yourblues, step into summer with a pair ofcropped jeans.

Shoe addicts will adore these for theirfeet-baring qualities, which make themperfect for teaming with ballet pumps andankle boots alike.!ornton says: "If the new denim hue is

colour, colour, colour, then the new shapefor spring is the crop.

"!e look is mid-rise, straight leg andankle length."

How to wear them: Pair with a crisp shirtfor a clean and modern look.

MIH JEANS PARIS IN STRAWBERRY, £155; DES PETITS HAUTS JOAKIME TEE, £60; DES PETITS HAUTS YVONNE JACKET, £130; PAIGE VERDUGO JEANS IN BULB, £195 AND L'AGENCE PLEATED SILK BLOUSE MINT, £285, ALL AVAILABLE AT DONNA IDA WWW.DONNAIDA.COM

FANATICAL ABOUT THE FITWhether you're crazy about this season'snew shades or a denim traditionalist, it's thefit that will stand the test of time. Aflattering cut is even more important ifyou're planning to work pale, bright or printjeans.Avoid denim dilemmas with these top tips:Staple jeans aren't something to splurge onwithout a serious test run. Jean sizes canvary between brands and stores, so hit thechanging rooms.Decide if you want to wear your new jeanswith heels or flats (or both) and take themwith you to get the length just right.If you're buying online, look to a site likewww.sojeans.co.uk, which has a SoSelectapplication to find the best brands to suityour shape.Back pocket placement is all-important forflattering your behind, so check out thosemirrors. Pockets set wide apart can addwidth. Pockets set close can create theillusion of a compact bum and pockets thattilt outward can create curves.A bootcut hem can balance out big hips andthighs. Pair with towering platforms tocreate the illusion of supermodel pins.Opt for a Seventies-style crease if you wantto draw attention away from your hips andlengthen your legs.If you have a petite or boyish shape,straight-leg jeans will give you a moredefined outline.Mid to high-rise (measurement from waistto crotch) are usually the most flatteringcuts for skinny jeans. Steer clear of low-risewhere you can end up exposing yourunderwear.

GET THE LOOKMake those January blues a distant memorywith a sunny dress like Britain's Got Talentnew judge, Alesha Dixon. Steal her yellowstyle - with a more demure split - in Next'screpe maxi, £48 (www.next.co.uk).

BUY IT NOWDiana Vickers proves she's still got the rock'n' roll X Factor with her latest shoot forVery. "My inspiration came from the 1950sand early 1960s retro style," she says. "I loveall those old-fashioned vintage shapes - lotsof quirky prints and bright colours." Herlatest spring/summer collection is availableonline at www.very.co.uk, priced from £29.

1 4

5

2

3

1 MARISOTA, £27 0871 984 6000WWW.MARISOTA.CO.UK

2 CURRENT/ELLIOTT, £195WWW.DONNAIDA.COM

3 DOROTHY PERKINS, £350844 984 0261WWW.DOROTHYPERKINS.COM

4 MARKS & SPENCER, £250845 302 1234WWW.MARKSANDSPENCER.COM

5 TOPSHOP, £40 WWW.TOPSHOP.COM

5 2 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

F A S H I O N


Begone January blues, the outlookfor spring denim is lookingbright, with traditional indigos,navies and stonewash jean hues

making way for pastels, prints andeye-popping colour.!e big denim makeover comes at a time

when it's revealed 75% of British womenwear less than a quarter of the jeans in theirwardrobe regularly. !e findings, by fashionadvice site Miss High Street(www.misshighstreet.com) indicate anaverage ownership of 10 pairs of jeans,leaving at least seven pairs lying neglectedin the denim drawer.

Time for a new trend-led spree? HannahBuckley, founder of Miss High Street,recommends a frugal fashion approach:"Don't splurge on trend jeans because theirappeal might be short-lived."Coloured skinnies are huge this season but

opt for some of the cheaper versions on thehigh street."

Dive into the denim rainbow revolutionwith our jean-ius guide.

CANDY COLOUREDDolly mixture-inspired shades will bedi"cult to resist this spring. Whereas lastwinter was all about leather-look dark andmoody jeans, this season is pale andinteresting.

Denim boutique owner, Donna Ida!ornton (www.donnaida.com) says: "Asseen on the catwalks, pastels are so fresh forspring.

"From acid colours of sharp lemon topretty mint shades and soft candy tones, it'stime to embrace a sugary sweet denimpalette."

How to wear them: !ink chic and teamthem with blouses and pointed courts.

PRINT PARADEMade for exhibitionists, eye-catching printshave made their mark on denim.

"Prints are key to this season's denim,from floral to tropical and aquatic for theadventurous," says !ornton.

"Animal print is such a statement, too,which can be worn in faded pastel denimshades of mint, blue or rose, featuring asubtle leopard or snake print for added wowfactor."

How to wear them: Let theseshow-stopping jeans do all the work bythrowing on a plain white tee and flats fordaytime, or black vest and heels in theevening.

BRIGHT BRIGADE!e block brights that dazzled throughout2011 are going nowhere fast. Red jeans arepractically vying with traditional blues as adenim staple.!ornton says: "!ere's no escaping the

rainbow of shades which will be hitting thedenim boutiques in spring.

"Hot pinks, cobalt blues and aquamarinelook stunning in skinny jeans."

How to wear them: Be brave andcomplete the colour block look with a topin a similar shade, or contrast with ametallic tee.

SUMMER STRIPESHello instant leg lengtheners! Pyjamas are abig catwalk trend for spring/summer butstripy denim is the more wearable way towork stripes on the streets.

"!is season anything goes with stripes - contrast colours, thick stripes or pinstripes,"!ornton suggests.

"!e 'pyjama look' is the fashionistafavourite, worn skinny and cropped for a

fresh take on nautical."How to wear them: Keep the look fresh

and maritime-inspired with washed-outcolours like creams, pale blues and fadedreds.

CROPPED CAPERSIf you can't bare to be parted from yourblues, step into summer with a pair ofcropped jeans.

Shoe addicts will adore these for theirfeet-baring qualities, which make themperfect for teaming with ballet pumps andankle boots alike.!ornton says: "If the new denim hue is

colour, colour, colour, then the new shapefor spring is the crop.

"!e look is mid-rise, straight leg andankle length."

How to wear them: Pair with a crisp shirtfor a clean and modern look.

MIH JEANS PARIS IN STRAWBERRY, £155; DES PETITS HAUTS JOAKIME TEE, £60; DES PETITS HAUTS YVONNE JACKET, £130; PAIGE VERDUGO JEANS IN BULB, £195 AND L'AGENCE PLEATED SILK BLOUSE MINT, £285, ALL AVAILABLE AT DONNA IDA WWW.DONNAIDA.COM

FANATICAL ABOUT THE FITWhether you're crazy about this season'snew shades or a denim traditionalist, it's thefit that will stand the test of time. Aflattering cut is even more important ifyou're planning to work pale, bright or printjeans.Avoid denim dilemmas with these top tips:Staple jeans aren't something to splurge onwithout a serious test run. Jean sizes canvary between brands and stores, so hit thechanging rooms.Decide if you want to wear your new jeanswith heels or flats (or both) and take themwith you to get the length just right.If you're buying online, look to a site likewww.sojeans.co.uk, which has a SoSelectapplication to find the best brands to suityour shape.Back pocket placement is all-important forflattering your behind, so check out thosemirrors. Pockets set wide apart can addwidth. Pockets set close can create theillusion of a compact bum and pockets thattilt outward can create curves.A bootcut hem can balance out big hips andthighs. Pair with towering platforms tocreate the illusion of supermodel pins.Opt for a Seventies-style crease if you wantto draw attention away from your hips andlengthen your legs.If you have a petite or boyish shape,straight-leg jeans will give you a moredefined outline.Mid to high-rise (measurement from waistto crotch) are usually the most flatteringcuts for skinny jeans. Steer clear of low-risewhere you can end up exposing yourunderwear.

GET THE LOOKMake those January blues a distant memorywith a sunny dress like Britain's Got Talentnew judge, Alesha Dixon. Steal her yellowstyle - with a more demure split - in Next'screpe maxi, £48 (www.next.co.uk).

BUY IT NOWDiana Vickers proves she's still got the rock'n' roll X Factor with her latest shoot forVery. "My inspiration came from the 1950sand early 1960s retro style," she says. "I loveall those old-fashioned vintage shapes - lotsof quirky prints and bright colours." Herlatest spring/summer collection is availableonline at www.very.co.uk, priced from £29.

1 4

5

2

3

1 MARISOTA, £27 0871 984 6000WWW.MARISOTA.CO.UK

2 CURRENT/ELLIOTT, £195WWW.DONNAIDA.COM

3 DOROTHY PERKINS, £350844 984 0261WWW.DOROTHYPERKINS.COM

4 MARKS & SPENCER, £250845 302 1234WWW.MARKSANDSPENCER.COM

5 TOPSHOP, £40 WWW.TOPSHOP.COM

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 5 3

F A S H I O N


5 4 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT; ROSEBANK DENTAL PRACTICE, SHIRE LANE, CHORLEYWOOD, HERTFORDSHIRE WD3 5NHWEB - WWW.ROSEBANKDENTAL.CO.UK EMAIL – [email protected] • TELEPHONE - 01923 282 691

Dear all, I would like tothank Life Magazinefor their kind words

and would also like to take thisopportunity to say !ank You,to you, and all my kind patientsthat have come to play a bigpart in my life. I am verygrateful that I have been able towork hard and achieve somuch, but would not have beenable to have done so, had I notbeen so happy and fortunate tohave such wonderful patients asI do at Rosebank. Dentistry ismy passion, but none of itwould have been possiblewithout my lovely team.

For this months’ Q&A, itoccurred to me that a hugenumber of people are currentlyin the process of planningsummer holidays. So even

though most of us are great atlooking after out oral healthwhen we are at home, we don’toften pack the dental "oss! Sohere are a few ways you canprevent cavities while you areaway from home.....

Crunchy fruits andvegetables such as apples,carrots, cucumbers, and celerycan help to mechanically cleanfood debris and bacteria fromyour teeth.

In addition, fruits such ascranberries, blueberries, andapples contain nutrients thatdecrease the stickiness of thebacteria that causes cavities.Green and black teas alsocontain minerals that canreduce the growth of bacteriaon your teeth.

And best of all…Cheese.

While the mechanism is notcompletely understood,numerous studies have shownthat eating cheese after eating asugary snack greatly reducesthe damage to your teeth.Cheese tends to increase theamount of saliva in your mouthwhich helps keep cavities atbay. Cheese can also helpneutralise the acid that bacteriaproduce. Calcium,phosphorous, and proteins incheese may also helpremineralise damaged toothenamel. !e best thing is thatcheese just tastes so good. !ese are some basic ideas –

but together with your normaltooth care regime can help youmaintain happy healthy teeth.

Dr S Popat

CHORLEYWOOD LIFE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE DR POPAT AND HISTEAM ON THEIR 10TH ANNIVERSARY AT ROSEBANK DENTAL PRACTICE.DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS UNDER THE CAREFULLY GUIDANCE OF DRPOPAT, ROSEBANK HAS SEEN A COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION. FROM ASMALL TWO SURGERY PART TIME PRACTICE TO A THRIVING, COMPLETELYRENOVATED, MULTI-AWARD WINNING PRACTICE WITH THREE TREATMENTROOMS AND IN HOUSE SPECIALISTS. AS THE NEW YEAR PROGRESSES ANDWE REFLECT ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS AT ROSEBANK - WE CAN TRULYAPPRECIATE AND CONTINUE GIVING OUR SUPPORT TO A WELL DESERVINGLOCAL DENTAL PRACTICE.

Q&A WITH THE AWARD WINNING DENTIST

DR SHAMEEK POPAT

&H E A L T HB E A U T Y

ROSEBANKACHIEVEMENTS• Private Dentistry

Awards 2007Dr Popat - Finalist for‘Best Smile Makeover’

• Dentistry.co.uk WebsiteAwards 2007Rosebank - Winner mostImproved website –www.rosebankdental.co.uk

• Dentistry Awards 2008Rosebank Winner ‘BestPractice in the SouthEast’

• Dentistry Awards 2009Rosebank Finalist ‘BestPractice in the SouthEast’

• Smile Awards 2010(Clinical Awards)Dr Popat - Winner‘Restorative Smile Award2010’Dr Popat - Highlycommended ‘PatientSmile Award 2010’Dr Popat - Highlycommended ‘OverallSmile of the Year 2010’

• Private Dentistry Awards 2010Dr Popat - Winner‘Private Dentist of theYear’ (10th YearAnniversary of theAwards)

• Smile Awards 2011Dr Popat - Winner of‘Interdisciplinary Award2011’Dr Popat - Finalist‘Patient Smile Award 2011’

• The Dental Awards 2011Monika Patel - Winner‘Dental Hygienist of theYear’

• Dentistry Top 50 2011Dr Popat voted No. 23most influential in UKDentistry

• Kois Centre, SeattleGraduate 2011 (Dr Popat3rd UK Dentist to achieve it)

• Smile Awards 2012Dr Popat - Member of theJudging Panel for theSmile Awards 2012

p54_BUCKS_ROSEBANK__ 16/02/2012 20:45 Page 1

Solitaire Salons located in Stanmore, Whetstone and Northwood are the pioneer of walk-in eyebrow bars in North London, offering a drop-in threading service that allows a quick and pain free treatment for girls who want professional, glamorous eyebrows with better definition and a fabulous shape.

The salons offer an extensive range of hair and beauty treatments all carried out by fully qualified staff and at very reasonable prices. Treatments include Waxing, Threading, Tinting, HD Brows, Eyelash Extensions, Enzyme Facials, Manicures, Pedicures, Shellac, Minx, Facials, Body Massages, Scrubs, Indian Head Massage and Reflexology.

Since launching its second site in Whetstone at the end of 2010, and also Solitaire Northwood situated within Hair on Broadway Northwood, Solitaire is fast becoming a North London beauty institution, renowned for its comprehensive range of treatments and bespoke approach to hospitality and service.

Solitaire Whetstone offers luxury SPA DAYS, combining a range of treatments to create a one-stop shop for all things in relaxation and pampering. Located on the bustling Whetstone High Street, Solitaire Whetstone offers a haven of calm that is worlds away

from the hustle and bustle of the city.Perfect for individuals in search of some much needed escape or for larger groups on a mission to spoil themselves, Solitaire gives guests the chance to mix and match treatments including massages, pedicures, manicures, hot stone therapies, facials, body scrubs and more so that every spa day will be perfectly attuned to their needs.

For those wishing to give a spa day as a unique gift, Solitaire’s team of expert therapists are on hand to advise on any treatments and help create the ultimate bespoke pampering package.

We are stockists of Essie, Duri, Dermoalogicaand Moroccan Oil

Laser Clinic AvailableSolitaire is also offering Laser Hair Removal which can free you from daily shaving, pain plucking and waxing and give you silky smooth and beautifully bare skin. Suitable for both men and women. Laser hair removal is a rapid, yet gentle way of removing unwanted hair, and is medically proven to give you permanent hair reduction.

Solitaire Stanmore Solitaire Whetsone Solitaire76, The Broadway, 1332, High Road, Stanmore, Whetsone, Middlesex HA7 4DU N20 9DU

020 8954 2288 020 8446 1006 01923 828888OPENING TIMES Mon, Tues, Weds 10am - 6pm Thurs, Fri 10am - 7pm Saturday 9am - 7pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

Email: [email protected]

Solitaire Beauty on Facebook

HOB Salon,48, Green Lane,

Northwood,Middlesex HA6 2QB

Solitaire Stanmore

Solitaire Stanmore

Solitaire Whetsone

Solitaire

Solitaire

76, The BrStanmorMiddlesex HA7 4DU

020 8954 2288OPENING TIMES

, oadwayy, 76, The Bre,rre,

Middlesex HA7 4DU

020 8954 2288OPENING TIMES eds 10am - 6pm ues, W Mon, T

1332, High Road,Whetsone,N20 9DU

020 8446 1006 eds 10am - 6pm Thurs, Fri 10am - 7pm Satur

01923 828888day 9am - 7pm r rday 9am - 7pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

HOB Salon,een Lane48, Gr e


01923 828888 Sunday 10am - 4pm

HOB Salon,een Lane,




GET THE

LOOK

CELEBRATING HIS 25TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR IN HAIRDRESSING CHARLES WORTHINGTON

REVEALS HIS INSIDER SECRETS AND RED CARPET GLAMOUR TRICKS.

BY LISA HAYNES

p57_BUCKS_CW__ 16/02/2012 11:13 Page 1

Hairdressing is constantly evolving. From dip-dyecolour trends to asymmetric cuts and feather hairextensions, the faddy trends may come and go. Butan elite stable of hairdressers has stood the test oftime.

Charles Worthington is undoubtedly a member of this exclusiveclub - and this year marks a quarter of a century since he opened hissalon doors.

With a client book crammed with A-listers, and blow-dryingskills at the ready for his fourth year as o!cial hairdresser at theBAFTAs in February, Worthington is celebrating the occasion witha hair gift for us all - a limited edition BAFTA and CW 25thAnniversary Collection of products.

His mantra is "bouncy, shiny, touchable hair that looks full of life".With the Oscars and BAFTAs upon us, Worthington reveals howto achieve that red carpet look in the comfort of your home.

RED CARPET HAIR RULESYou don't need an invite to a flashy premiere to feel like a superstar.Follow Worthington's hair tricks for a big event in your diary andyou'll be fighting o" the camera flash bulbs in no time...Eat your hair healthy#e glossy hair you see on the red carpets isn't achieved by shinespray alone. Stars spend weeks prepping for their big red carpetmoment, according to Worthington, diet included.

"You can't expect to have shiny hair without a balanced diet withplenty of vitamins, minerals and nutrients," he says.

"If you want to boost your diet with supplements to help yourhair health, then take vitamin B complex, zinc and Omega 3 thatwill provide essential fatty acids."Hold the latherDitch grand plans for hair treatments on the day. Styling yourtresses when it's not freshly washed provides better hold for dressedhair.

"Freshly washed hair can be slippery, so day-old hair is alwaysbetter," Worthington explains.

"Spritz a volumising spray into dry hair, then rough dry to achievemore texture to work with for dressing your hair. Beware if you havegreasy hair, use a dry shampoo first."Faux glossHair looking bouncy but lacklustre? Fake that Hollywood shine. Worthington recommends ditching the hairspray and using volumising spray and shine serum instead.

"A little trick of mine is to apply a tiny amount of serum to thepalm of the hand then, using a large make-up brush, lightly sweep

over the hair for subtle glossiness and shine," he recommends.You can also try Worthington's trick of blasting cold air at the

end of each blow-dried section to set the style and seal the cuticleswith extra shine.Secure the styleNobody wants to spend half the night constructing an elaboratehairstyle only for it to start falling out as soon as you pick up yourfirst canape.

Matte hair grips are an essential in Charles Worthington'swardrobe of hair essentials because they have a firmer hold andshow up less than shiny ones.

"If you're dressing hair, my top tip is bending back one corner of ahair pin to form a fish hook - it means that when you put the pininto the hair, it can't come out.

"Bear in mind you need to allow a little time to take the hair outafterwards!"

5 8 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

p57_BUCKS_CW__ 16/02/2012 11:13 Page 2

Cheat!Worthington cites a style he created for Emilia Fox at the BAFTAsas a red carpet favourite - a side-on, tousled low bun.

"!e one big advantage of this style is that it's at the side of yourhead so you can see what you're doing, which means you're cheatingto start with," he says.

"Not many people realise that you can use a big bun ring - myfavourite secret weapon to create the illusion of plentiful hair."

Put your hair in a ponytail and pull through the ring, grippingsections of the hair to the ring.

CELEBRITY SECRETSWorthington has coi"ured the locks of countless A-listers duringhis 25 years of blow-drying, snipping and styling. Here, he revealssome of his favourite famous encounters in the hairdresser's chair:

I loved working with Sharon Stone for the BAFTAs in 2009 -that lady has star quality! She was breathtakingly beautiful evenwithout any make-up. For the BAFTAs, her hair was quite short, sowe decided to put it up to give the impression of an up-do. !e aimwas for an e"ortlessly chic look that wasn't too structured or ageingbut had a more spontaneous feel.

When Sex And !e City were filming the very last episode, theydid the final scenes in our salon in New York. !at was thanks toKim Cattrall who was a client and suggested our salon for the shoot.At the time, Kim had blonde shoulder-length, high-maintenancehair, which needed to look mega-groomed for the part. She lovedhaving polished, bouncy hair - our blow-dry times together werealways fun.

Jerry Hall has thick, luscious hair, which sometimes needscontrolling. !at said, she is so lucky to have good strong hair. Sheloves the Salon Results Moisture Seal range, which has thenourishing Argan oil as a key ingredient. Jerry also used to loveusing the Moisture Seal Mineral Rescue Rejuvenating Masque(£5.69); we would put this on her hair whenever she was in thesalon for a bit of extra conditioning and a moisture boost.

When westarted workingwith model JodieKidd for one ofour haircollections, wewanted to create aTwiggy-esque lookso we got her towear a short wig asher hair was longat the time. Sheloved having anelfin look so muchthat it was shortlyafter the shoot wedecided to cut herhair short. Wigsare a great way togive people insightinto how theymight look withshort, long or curlyhair and can helpto give you theconfidence tomake a big change.

TRIED & TESTEDValentine's Day is upon us. Give your lips a kissable makeover withan alluring red lipstick. Our testers rouge their pouts:

Vivo Lipstick in Red Red, £1.99 (Tesco) 3/5One coat of this looked sheer, but the second really packed a brightpunch. An a"ordable way to pull o" a seductive pout without goinginto the red with your bank balance.

New CID Cosmetics i-pout lipstick in Scarlet, £15(www.newcidcosmetics.com) 4/5Containing a miniature version of your dressing table, this lippyboasts a light and mirror - perfect for Valentine night top-ups.Loved the deep blood red tone of the lipstick too.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in RedTango, £18.50 (www.esteelauder.co.uk) 5/5Knock 'em dead with a power pout in this pillar box red lipstick.Moisture rich, with warm tones and long-lasting coverage, this isevery siren's staple.

BUY IT NOWOne pot, double the fun. Givenchy's latest limited edition is both amake-up and skincare treatment. !e Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip& Cheek Balm is available in two Peachy or Pearly shades, £20.50each, nationwide (01932 233 824).

BEAUTY BULLETINSnip scaredWomen are o#cially caught in a time warp when it comes to hair.!e average woman has been sporting the same hairstyle for sixyears and 153 days, according to new research by Remington. Onein three women is su"ering a 'hair rut' while 75% admit to wearingthe exact same style for work and play. Princess Anne topped thecelebrity hair rut chart, voted as most in need of a revamp.Recessionista alertLooking for a fragrant Valentine's Day find? Whether you'retreating yourself or your beau, Boots has some savvy o"ers. For theladies, CK IN2U Her eau de toilette 50ml is £21, reduced from £28,and for him Davido" Cool Water Man 75ml is £25.33, reducedfrom £38. !e fine fragrance o"ers run until February 14(www.boots.com) !

Hairdressing is constantly evolving. From dip-dyecolour trends to asymmetric cuts and feather hairextensions, the faddy trends may come and go. Butan elite stable of hairdressers has stood the test oftime.

Charles Worthington is undoubtedly a member of this exclusiveclub - and this year marks a quarter of a century since he opened hissalon doors.

With a client book crammed with A-listers, and blow-dryingskills at the ready for his fourth year as o!cial hairdresser at theBAFTAs in February, Worthington is celebrating the occasion witha hair gift for us all - a limited edition BAFTA and CW 25thAnniversary Collection of products.

His mantra is "bouncy, shiny, touchable hair that looks full of life".With the Oscars and BAFTAs upon us, Worthington reveals howto achieve that red carpet look in the comfort of your home.

RED CARPET HAIR RULESYou don't need an invite to a flashy premiere to feel like a superstar.Follow Worthington's hair tricks for a big event in your diary andyou'll be fighting o" the camera flash bulbs in no time...Eat your hair healthy#e glossy hair you see on the red carpets isn't achieved by shinespray alone. Stars spend weeks prepping for their big red carpetmoment, according to Worthington, diet included.

"You can't expect to have shiny hair without a balanced diet withplenty of vitamins, minerals and nutrients," he says.

"If you want to boost your diet with supplements to help yourhair health, then take vitamin B complex, zinc and Omega 3 thatwill provide essential fatty acids."Hold the latherDitch grand plans for hair treatments on the day. Styling yourtresses when it's not freshly washed provides better hold for dressedhair.

"Freshly washed hair can be slippery, so day-old hair is alwaysbetter," Worthington explains.

"Spritz a volumising spray into dry hair, then rough dry to achievemore texture to work with for dressing your hair. Beware if you havegreasy hair, use a dry shampoo first."Faux glossHair looking bouncy but lacklustre? Fake that Hollywood shine. Worthington recommends ditching the hairspray and using volumising spray and shine serum instead.

"A little trick of mine is to apply a tiny amount of serum to thepalm of the hand then, using a large make-up brush, lightly sweep

over the hair for subtle glossiness and shine," he recommends.You can also try Worthington's trick of blasting cold air at the

end of each blow-dried section to set the style and seal the cuticleswith extra shine.Secure the styleNobody wants to spend half the night constructing an elaboratehairstyle only for it to start falling out as soon as you pick up yourfirst canape.

Matte hair grips are an essential in Charles Worthington'swardrobe of hair essentials because they have a firmer hold andshow up less than shiny ones.

"If you're dressing hair, my top tip is bending back one corner of ahair pin to form a fish hook - it means that when you put the pininto the hair, it can't come out.

"Bear in mind you need to allow a little time to take the hair outafterwards!"

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 5 9

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6 0 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

LOCAL AUDIOLOGIST OPENS NEWCENTRE IN LITTLE CHALFONT

H E A L T HB E A U T Y

Do you know someone who has the TV just a little too loud ormaybe has lots of gadgets and gizmos, that are supposed tohelp with this situation, but never uses them? Perhaps they

have a medical condition in their ears that prevents them goingswimming? Or they have hearing aids but don’t like the look or feelof them?

If that is you, or someone you know, you can now drop into theChalfont Hearing Centre, which has recently opened in theNightingales Corner parade of various health practices in CokesLane, Little Chalfont. Here you will !nd a blend of old worldcourtesy combined with the latest technology to provide anindividual solution for your unique problem.

Ian Croft is the practice lead and is now approaching twenty yearsin this !eld (after a previous incarnation as a teacher!) and has a widerange of experience. He previously had a practice in Pinner and hasalso provided audiological services on contract for the NHS. Otherrelevant experiences include being invited to Maryland (USA) toobserve practices there, launch hearing services for a number of largecompanies and, a while ago, introduce digital programming to theSouth-East team of a national dispensing company.

When asked why this new centre has opened Ian responded, “Ithoroughly enjoy helping people with their various needsaudiologically and, since the take-over of my last practice by a largercompany, I have really missed the day-to-day involvement. Althoughthe other national & international ventures were interesting, I am stillinvolved nationally through my work on the Council of myprofessional body BSHAA (British Society of Hearing Aid

Audiologists). “Living quite locally I like to provide a service that really bene!ts

all of the community because it’s not just an extensive range ofcompetitively priced digital hearing aid solutions from allmanufacturers, but prevention for people who shoot, work in themusic industry, use MP3 players or swimmers. We even help peoplewho already have private hearing aids as they can have them repairedor re-programmed for a very small amount. One gentleman, whohad been quoted nearly £4000 to replace his existing instruments hashad them repaired and refurbished for just a few hundred poundsand has just rung to say he is delighted.”

A number of opening o"ers are available so a quick visit or call to01494 765144 to ascertain what could be achieved for you isrecommended.Easi-Ear, Chalfont Hearing Centre, 17 Nightingales Corner, CokesLane, Little Chalfont, Bucks. HP7 9PZ. 01494 765144 eMail:[email protected] web: www.easi-ear.com

Ian Croft above; The inner ear, leftand the new hearing centre in

Chalfont pictured below

&

p60_BUCKS_CHALFONTHEARING__ 20/02/2012 14:35 Page 1


BOOST YOUR SKINCARE REGIME WITH BEAUTY'SREJUVENATING WONDER PRODUCT. LISA HAYNESUNVEILS THE SECRET OF SERUM.

Victoria Beckham and Rihanna were rumoured to have beensent advance supplies and eager skincare enthusiasts strippedthe shelves bare on its first day of sale.

Ladies, please welcome YSL's new Forever Youth Liberatorserum, hailed as the 'holy grail' of anti-ageing.

As previous stampedes for Aldi's Lacura Multi-Intensive Serumand Boots' No7 Protect & Perfect (albeit with lower price tags)prove, serums are hot property.!is unassuming product may take pride of place on every beauty

editor's shelf but many women are yet to sign up to the serum club."A lot of women wrongly assume that oil creates more oil," says

Chey Birch, aromatherapist and founder of beauty brand BlackChicken Remedies.

"But not all oils are equal - many have therapeutic properties foryour face that contain high concentrations of nutrients and canenter deep into the skin."

Moisturisers, beware. Serums are fast becoming the skincaremust-have.

SERUM NOVICEOnce you've stumbled upon a super serum, there's no going back.

But unless you're already an aficionado, there's confusion about whatthese hallowed bottles do and how to use them.

While creams only a"ect the top layer of skin, serums are packedwith active ingredients that can be rapidly absorbed through theskin's layers.

As well as brightening tired, dull complexions, serums are "highin concentrated ingredients to treat skin problems such as redness,wrinkles, discoloration, dehydration, sagging skin and acne", Birchexplains.

And there are no hard and fast rules on routine - they can be usedmorning and night after cleansing and toning, and before amoisturiser - or on their own.

"Apply a few drops of serum and use mild upward and outwardstrokes to blend the serum into your face," suggests Birch.

"Wait for five minutes to allow full absorption. After that, ifrequired, apply a moisturiser over the serum. Don't forget the neckarea too."

A good skincare routine might feel like a daily chore but addingthat extra serum stage can make all the di"erence for glowing skin.

BOTTLE BROWSINGJust as you choose a moisturiser according to your skin type, serumsaren't a one-fits-all product.!ey all smooth and repair but there are varieties targeted at

specific skin concerns. Some claim to erase pigmentation, acne and

WHAT A

6 2 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

p62_BUCKS_GLOW__ 16/02/2012 11:12 Page 1

redness, while others tackle fine lines and wrinkles."As the skin ages, we all notice slackening and sagging, with

deeper lines becoming more visible," says Sarah Chapman, facialistand skincare expert.

"Once you start noticing these signs, look for peptide-loadedserums, which also contain antioxidants such as vitamins A, C andE, coenzyme Q10 and targeted ingredients such as renovage thatwork on the cells' DNA to help defend and repair."

Chapman recommends thinking of serum as your skincareunderwear, which restructures and contours the skin.

If the winter overdose of central heating has dried out your skin,look for a serum based on hyaluronic acid (HA). "Slot this optioninto your routine if your skin looks dull and always feels tight, tolock in moisture and get your skin glowing and dewy again," saysChapman.

THE SERUM TAKEOVERWidely hailed as the hero of skincare for complexions, it's littlewonder that the beauty world has utilised the wonders of serum inother products.Make-upLook for the new wave of serum-enriched foundations to makeyour skin look radiant and healthy in an instant.

Max Factor make-up artist Caroline Barnes says: "January daystend to take the glow out of your skin. Max Factor Ageless Elixir 2in 1 Foundation + Serum (£12.99) boasts light reflective pigmentsplus it smoothes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and evensskin tone to boot."Eyes!ey are usually the first place you spot the tell-tale ageing signs, soan eye serum is an ideal place to start.

Roger Southin, Functionalab scientific formulator, says: "Foryounger people, I recommend starting o" with an eye serum toprovide nutrients for this fragile area."HairUnruly locks? Seek out a hair serum as an e"ective quick fix for badhair days.

Mark Woolley, creative director of Electric Hairdressing, says:"Serums usually contain a high concentration of potent ingredients,meaning you only need to use a small amount. !ey instantlysmooth down any stray hairs while adding a beautiful, naturalshine."

TRIED & TESTEDLisa Haynes tries out the all-new 'rasul mud treatment'.

While I gave up on most of my detox resolutions atapproximately 10pm on January 1, there was one ritual I left on mylist. !at was to have a 'rasul' - a traditional Arabian cleansing ritual.

Dubbed the ultimate luxurious detoxification experience (nodieting required), these have taken o" across the country in pastmonths.

Wearing bikinis, my friend and I entered a glistening tiled roomand unrobed to slather ourselves from top to toe in Moroccan claymud. Said to be 100% natural, the solution resembled melted milkchocolate but felt lovely on the skin and the application process wasa real giggle. We were also given a runny, gooey honey, rose andginger oil mask to apply to our faces.

Covered in mud, we sat in the steam room and waited for the roseessential oil--infused steam to fill the space. At first it was relaxingbut as the heat intensified, we really started to sweat, allowing themud and steam to combine and remove impurities.

We were thankful when a refreshing tropical rain showercompleted the treatment, dousing us with cooling water.

While a friendly therapist is on hand to supervise the treatment,you do have to get stuck in, so it's a great treatment to carry out withfriends.!e Sanctuary's sparkling crystallised steam room accommodates

four, but spas nationwide cater for varying numbers.As the mud-focused treatment draws toxins from deep within the

skin, it can leave you feeling fairly zonked afterwards, so it'simportant to re-hydrate.

Overall, the rasul experience is a good mix of mud slinging,unwinding and sweating out your sins.

THAT'S MY KIND OF DETOX!Find your nearest rasul and mud treatment atwww.wahanda.com/treatment/rasul-and-mud-treatments!e Sanctuary Hammam Rasul Experience, £50 for 45 minutes,

Covent Garden Day Spa (0844 875 8443/www.thesanctuary.co.uk).

BUY IT NOWMAC have collaborated with haute couture queen DaphneGuinness. She describes the luxurious make-up as "a window intomy imagination". !e limited edition collection is priced from£9-£33, available now (0870 034 2676/www.maccosmetics.co.uk).

BOOST YOUR SKINCARE REGIME WITH BEAUTY'SREJUVENATING WONDER PRODUCT. LISA HAYNESUNVEILS THE SECRET OF SERUM.

Victoria Beckham and Rihanna were rumoured to have beensent advance supplies and eager skincare enthusiasts strippedthe shelves bare on its first day of sale.

Ladies, please welcome YSL's new Forever Youth Liberatorserum, hailed as the 'holy grail' of anti-ageing.

As previous stampedes for Aldi's Lacura Multi-Intensive Serumand Boots' No7 Protect & Perfect (albeit with lower price tags)prove, serums are hot property.!is unassuming product may take pride of place on every beauty

editor's shelf but many women are yet to sign up to the serum club."A lot of women wrongly assume that oil creates more oil," says

Chey Birch, aromatherapist and founder of beauty brand BlackChicken Remedies.

"But not all oils are equal - many have therapeutic properties foryour face that contain high concentrations of nutrients and canenter deep into the skin."

Moisturisers, beware. Serums are fast becoming the skincaremust-have.

SERUM NOVICEOnce you've stumbled upon a super serum, there's no going back.

But unless you're already an aficionado, there's confusion about whatthese hallowed bottles do and how to use them.

While creams only a"ect the top layer of skin, serums are packedwith active ingredients that can be rapidly absorbed through theskin's layers.

As well as brightening tired, dull complexions, serums are "highin concentrated ingredients to treat skin problems such as redness,wrinkles, discoloration, dehydration, sagging skin and acne", Birchexplains.

And there are no hard and fast rules on routine - they can be usedmorning and night after cleansing and toning, and before amoisturiser - or on their own.

"Apply a few drops of serum and use mild upward and outwardstrokes to blend the serum into your face," suggests Birch.

"Wait for five minutes to allow full absorption. After that, ifrequired, apply a moisturiser over the serum. Don't forget the neckarea too."

A good skincare routine might feel like a daily chore but addingthat extra serum stage can make all the di"erence for glowing skin.

BOTTLE BROWSINGJust as you choose a moisturiser according to your skin type, serumsaren't a one-fits-all product.!ey all smooth and repair but there are varieties targeted at

specific skin concerns. Some claim to erase pigmentation, acne and

WHAT A

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 6 3

p62_BUCKS_GLOW__ 16/02/2012 11:12 Page 2


THE

LIFE

'REAR OF THE YEAR' PIPPA MIDDLETON SWEARSBY IT, SO JUST HOW GOOD IS PILATES AT HELPINGYOU ACHIEVE THAT PERFECT BUM? PIPPA'SPILATES GURU AND AUTHOR OF PILATES ON THEGO, MARGOT CAMPBELL, PUTS KATE WHITINGTHROUGH HER PACES AND EXPLAINS WHY IT'S THEPERFECT EXERCISE FOR EVERYONE. PLUS, CLAIRESPREADBURY TRIES OUT A PILATES WORKOUT FORPREGNANT MUMS.BY KATE WHITING

As recommendations go, none could come more highly for apilates teacher than from the Duchess of Cambridge's littlesister.

Cast your mind back to April 29 last year when, besides the lacynumber worn by Kate, all eyes were on her sister, Pippa Middleton,and more specifically, on her rear.

Now, the woman Pippa credits with helping her create thatinternationally renowned hour-glass figure, has revealed her secrets...

Pilates guru Margot Campbell has just released a workout DVD,entitled !e Perfect Pilates Bum, with a ringing endorsement on thefront from Miss Middleton, as well as a book, Pilates On !e Go.

Despite having a studio in the leafier part of west London, thereis nothing haughty about Campbell - she's a grounded, bubbly Scot,who's partial to a bit of Abba.

With !ank You For !e Music blaring from a stereo, Campbellsteers me to one of her pilates 'beds' - which, if it weren't for theCath Kidston-adorned cushions, look like something out of ahospital ward or horror film - all moving parts and draped withsprings and spiky rubber balls.

Within minutes, I'm jumping, but not in the normal, verticalfashion. Instead, I'm lying down with my neck in a brace andspringing o" a board at my feet. It sort of feels like being anastronaut and after a few tentative jumps, I'm flying.

First-timers should not fear - the beds are simply an aid to doingthe exercise which was pioneered by German Joseph Pilates in the20th century.

As pilates has developed, Joseph's mat exercises have becomemore popular and you'll often find these are the basis for localclasses. Campbell's book is a series of such exercises, with exoticnames such as 'Bananas' and 'Clams'.

"!ey're all designed to develop and strengthen the core musclesin your body," says the instructor, whose glossy dark bob and smoothcomplexion render it virtually impossible to guess her age.

A former health and safety o#cer from Glasgow, Campbell

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 6 5

p65_BUCKS_GOODLIFE__ 16/02/2012 10:58 Page 1

turned to pilates as a "calmer" form of exercise to supplementrunning, swimming and aerobics. She now does hot yoga too, butprefers the way that pilates works to strengthen the body overtraditional yoga.

"It wasn't just all about stretching and holding positions. Inpilates, we modify positions. So you might be in the plank position,but we'll do a press-up out of that. With yoga, you'll just hold theplank," she says."We keep it quite warming and we keep it going."

After just five minutes of lying on my back, sucking my tummy inand raising my head ever so slightly and lifting up my legs into'tabletop', I can see the appeal - pilates seems pretty easy.

How exactly did this shape Pippa's bum? While Campbell saysyou can tailor her exercises to focus on certain body parts, it's betterto work on the whole body - and you'll be better o! combiningpilates with other forms of exercise to get that Middleton shape.

""e bottom line is pilates can be enough for certain people," shesays. "If someone came in here and hadn't done any kind of workoutfor a number of years, they will start to see results, because they'regoing from a baseline of zero.

"But if triathletes (like Pippa) come in here, they're incredibly fitalready, and pilates helps them to stretch out and tone in a di!erentway."

So it helps if you add it into the mix with other regular exercise -and you'll see the di!erence in the way you perform those sports,says Campbell.

"If you're a runner, you'll be running a little bit taller and bedrawn in, supporting your back a little when you're doing it.

"If you're doing aerobics, you'll breathe better and draw yourtummy in - it's all about connecting the abdominals and stomachmuscles."

Pilates is often recommended to those with back problems,because as you strengthen stomach muscles, you give your backmuscles a rest, meaning they'll hopefully ache less.

"For people with non-specific back ache, a lot of it is to do withhow we carry ourselves and if you can use pilates to strengthen thestomach, learn to stand up and walk tall, you'll be using yourabdominals more and your back muscles less.

"And it will improve your wellbeing - you'll look and feel better."

My first attempt at a pilates class left me feeling like I'd played anhour-long version of the game where you have to pat your head andrub your tummy.

I was so busy trying to hold my tummy in, my back in an arch, mypelvic floor tight and focus on breathing out while I moved my legsup into the air. It was horrible.

But Campbell reassures me that you only need to focus on onething at a time and get it right.

"For me, the most important thing is pulling the tummy in byabout 60%. By doing that, you're starting to use your abdominalsand then you're protecting your back, as it's doing less work.

"Eventually you should pull up the pelvic floor, but don't becaught up by 'imprinted' or 'neutral' placement, all that means ispushing your back into the mat or not. Don't try to do too much atonce.

"One thing that puts people o! when you first start pilates is it'squite slow, because you're learning the basics, but you'll be rewardedtenfold, because you'll be so much better and more controlled andyou'll get so much more out of the exercises because you're doing itcorrectly and you'll see the change in your shape. You've got to stickwith it and persevere."

"e following day my stomach muscles were feeling nicely tightand slightly sore, it might not be that easy after all...

INFORMATION!e Perfect Pilates Bum with Margot Campbell is available onDVD, priced £16.33

Pilates On !e Go: Sculpt Your Body In 14 Days by MargotCampbell is published by Hodder & Stoughton, priced £16.99

TRIED & TESTEDAs an expectant mum, getting out and about to exercise classes canbe tricky. Claire Spreadbury leafs through new book Pilates ForPregnancy by Lynne Robinson and tries out some moves from thecomfort of her front room.

WHAT IS IT?Pilates For Pregnancy is a new book by Lynne Robinson, who if youdon't know, is one of the most recognised faces in pilates andwellbeing. It's beautifully illustrated, taking mums-to-be through aseries of exercises suitable throughout pregnancy and beyond, inorder to help you regain your figure after birth.

WHAT'S IT LIKE?If you don't mind working from a book, Pilates For Pregnancy is theperfect exercise companion for all expectant mums looking to keepfit and stay strong for labour.

It's packed with information about your changing body andincludes a multitude of exercises to perform at every step of your

pregnancy. In a time when the advice on what we should andshouldn't be doing while pregnant continually seems to contradictitself, it can be reassuring to have a book full of pilates moves youknow are totally safe to do.!e book itself is really easy to follow, broken down into sections,

depending on which stage or trimester you're in, and the largeimages of pregnant women aid in ensuring you perform the exercisecorrectly.

I found this book a pleasure to read through and follow. Itcontains lots of information about my constantly growing body Iwasn't aware of and I would happily recommend it to anymums-to-be.

Working from a book can be a bit tricky but I found allowingmyself plenty of time to perform a few moves definitely helped. Andif you can get the daddy-to-be to read out the instructions, evenbetter!

Information: Pilates For Pregnancy by Lynne Robinson is published by Kyle Books, priced £12.79, available now from www.kylecathie.com !

6 6 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2


turned to pilates as a "calmer" form of exercise to supplementrunning, swimming and aerobics. She now does hot yoga too, butprefers the way that pilates works to strengthen the body overtraditional yoga.

"It wasn't just all about stretching and holding positions. Inpilates, we modify positions. So you might be in the plank position,but we'll do a press-up out of that. With yoga, you'll just hold theplank," she says."We keep it quite warming and we keep it going."

After just five minutes of lying on my back, sucking my tummy inand raising my head ever so slightly and lifting up my legs into'tabletop', I can see the appeal - pilates seems pretty easy.

How exactly did this shape Pippa's bum? While Campbell saysyou can tailor her exercises to focus on certain body parts, it's betterto work on the whole body - and you'll be better o! combiningpilates with other forms of exercise to get that Middleton shape.

""e bottom line is pilates can be enough for certain people," shesays. "If someone came in here and hadn't done any kind of workoutfor a number of years, they will start to see results, because they'regoing from a baseline of zero.

"But if triathletes (like Pippa) come in here, they're incredibly fitalready, and pilates helps them to stretch out and tone in a di!erentway."

So it helps if you add it into the mix with other regular exercise -and you'll see the di!erence in the way you perform those sports,says Campbell.

"If you're a runner, you'll be running a little bit taller and bedrawn in, supporting your back a little when you're doing it.

"If you're doing aerobics, you'll breathe better and draw yourtummy in - it's all about connecting the abdominals and stomachmuscles."

Pilates is often recommended to those with back problems,because as you strengthen stomach muscles, you give your backmuscles a rest, meaning they'll hopefully ache less.

"For people with non-specific back ache, a lot of it is to do withhow we carry ourselves and if you can use pilates to strengthen thestomach, learn to stand up and walk tall, you'll be using yourabdominals more and your back muscles less.

"And it will improve your wellbeing - you'll look and feel better."

My first attempt at a pilates class left me feeling like I'd played anhour-long version of the game where you have to pat your head andrub your tummy.

I was so busy trying to hold my tummy in, my back in an arch, mypelvic floor tight and focus on breathing out while I moved my legsup into the air. It was horrible.

But Campbell reassures me that you only need to focus on onething at a time and get it right.

"For me, the most important thing is pulling the tummy in byabout 60%. By doing that, you're starting to use your abdominalsand then you're protecting your back, as it's doing less work.

"Eventually you should pull up the pelvic floor, but don't becaught up by 'imprinted' or 'neutral' placement, all that means ispushing your back into the mat or not. Don't try to do too much atonce.

"One thing that puts people o! when you first start pilates is it'squite slow, because you're learning the basics, but you'll be rewardedtenfold, because you'll be so much better and more controlled andyou'll get so much more out of the exercises because you're doing itcorrectly and you'll see the change in your shape. You've got to stickwith it and persevere."

"e following day my stomach muscles were feeling nicely tightand slightly sore, it might not be that easy after all...

INFORMATION!e Perfect Pilates Bum with Margot Campbell is available onDVD, priced £16.33

Pilates On !e Go: Sculpt Your Body In 14 Days by MargotCampbell is published by Hodder & Stoughton, priced £16.99

TRIED & TESTEDAs an expectant mum, getting out and about to exercise classes canbe tricky. Claire Spreadbury leafs through new book Pilates ForPregnancy by Lynne Robinson and tries out some moves from thecomfort of her front room.

WHAT IS IT?Pilates For Pregnancy is a new book by Lynne Robinson, who if youdon't know, is one of the most recognised faces in pilates andwellbeing. It's beautifully illustrated, taking mums-to-be through aseries of exercises suitable throughout pregnancy and beyond, inorder to help you regain your figure after birth.

WHAT'S IT LIKE?If you don't mind working from a book, Pilates For Pregnancy is theperfect exercise companion for all expectant mums looking to keepfit and stay strong for labour.

It's packed with information about your changing body andincludes a multitude of exercises to perform at every step of your

pregnancy. In a time when the advice on what we should andshouldn't be doing while pregnant continually seems to contradictitself, it can be reassuring to have a book full of pilates moves youknow are totally safe to do.!e book itself is really easy to follow, broken down into sections,

depending on which stage or trimester you're in, and the largeimages of pregnant women aid in ensuring you perform the exercisecorrectly.

I found this book a pleasure to read through and follow. Itcontains lots of information about my constantly growing body Iwasn't aware of and I would happily recommend it to anymums-to-be.

Working from a book can be a bit tricky but I found allowingmyself plenty of time to perform a few moves definitely helped. Andif you can get the daddy-to-be to read out the instructions, evenbetter!

Information: Pilates For Pregnancy by Lynne Robinson is published by Kyle Books, priced £12.79, available now from www.kylecathie.com !

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 6 7


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Just as the days aregetting a little lighter,so too should yourmake-up bag. Leavethose dark, wintry

palettes behind and embrace thisseason’s fresh beauty vibe,inspired by summer meadows,Miami sunrises and seasideshades. Ignore any frost and iceoutside and channel these sunnylooks instead.

CANDY COLOURSGoodbye smoky eyes, hello sugarchic. Colour is back withinspirations like candied fruit,sorbet and macaroons for thosewith sweet tooth tendencies.!e mood is bolder than

wishy-washy pastels but moremuted than brights or neons -look to the sugary jars of a sweetshop for inspiration.

YSL even christened theirlatest spring/summer collection‘Candy Face’. Creative directorof make-up Lloyd Simmondssays: “Her smile is as bright asshining sugared drops andsyrups: shocking cherry,tangerine, grape andpomegranate, crystallised rosepetals and mint.”

Get the look: It’s all about the‘eyes-cream’. Choose yourfavourite sorbet hue and makesure it contrasts with your eyecolour. For a more subtle e"ect,try a candy-coloured eye penciland smudge.

GIRLY GLOWA youthful, fresh-facedcomplexion is this spring’s skinmust-have.!e ultra-feminine look is

achievable at any age with a baby

doll palette of pinks, mauves andbrowns. A combination of thetones on eyes, cheeks and lipsmake for a soft, romantic look.

Bourjois chief make-up artistCassie Lomas says: “Keep itinteresting by mixing up textures- matte on lips with a hint ofshimmer on eyes and cheeks orvice-versa.

“!e baby doll look requires#uttering eyelashes to completeit.”

Get the look: Achieve a freshand girly look with a #ush ofapricot, peach or pink on theapples of the cheeks to instantlybrighten the skin.

SUMMER METALIf a dark desert tan is a no-go,warm up your complexion withspring’s hot metallics.

Use tan-like shades to

accentuate the cheeks and eyesrather than an obvious all-overglow. Depending on yourcomplexion, work with a paletteof creamy copper, rust, terracottaand peach and ditch anything#at, matte and brown-based.

“Tan shades with a metallicedge have a preciousness andsophistication,” says MAC’sdirector of make-up artistry,Lyne Desnoyers.

“!eir inherent light-re#ectivenature ensures they never drawlines on the face in the same wayas #at colour, making themappear immediately more chic


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p70_BUCKS_SPRINGINTOACTION__ 16/02/2012 18:53 Page 1

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 7 1


and #attering.”Get the look: Catch Olympics

fever by creating the impressionof an athletic bone structure withmetallic highlights on thecheekbones.

MODERN VINTAGEGrab your #apper dress andpearls, the upcoming GreatGatsby re-make has prompted aretro revival in fashion and beauty- with a contemporary 2012 twist.

“!e idea of ‘Modern Vintage’is much more desirable,” says PatMcGrath, global creative designdirector for Max Factor.

She has modernised beautycues from bygone eras, includingthe Twenties silent movie years toFifties Parisian chic.

Bring lips and eyes bang up todate with an unexpected edge forfresh appeal. For instance, give atraditional Forties matte red lip aspin using a creamy texture.

Get the look: For a retro beauty#ashback in 30 seconds #at, try achic beauty spot as a $nishingtouch near the eyes or lips using adark brown eye pencil.

BOLD MINIMALISMVisualising the hazy red, orangeand yellow shades of a sunsetinstantly transports you intoholiday mode but this trendhas no call for sunglasses.

A pop of these bold blockcolours on the eyes - andnothing else - is the antidoteto fussy, maximum make-uplooks.

These shades need to beworn solo with beautifullybare faces. Save it for thebeach or wear now to brightenup pre-spring.

“Yellow tones don’t need to

be scary,” says Tom Pecheux,Estee Lauder’s creativemake-up director. “Try using itjust as a highlighter on thebrow bone until you get usedto playing with such adifferent shade on the eyes.”

Get the look: For brighteyes that pop, apply theeyeshadow with a wet brushand swirl it into the shadow tocreate an intense liquid colour.

TRIBAL TECHNIQUELeopard, zebra and ethnicprints. If you’re wild aboutthis season’s Africana-inspired fashion, extend thesafari look to your skin.

Tan has gone tribal toothis season with a highshimmer glow as thoughyou’ve just been on a jeepadventure.

St Tropez skin finishingexpert Nichola Joss says:

“When the base colour ofyour self-tan mousse is stillwet, finish the skin with a StTropez Illuminator, appliedliberally to arms and legs, tocreate a dewy 3D effect.”

Get the look: Work safarichic with your complexionas well as your limbs using ahighlighter for reflectiveskin. Emphasise witha flash ofgreen or blueeyelinerunder thelashline.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Topaz Spring2012 collection (0870 034 2566

www.esteelauder.co.uk).

Givenchy limited edition Le Prisme VisageBucolique Bucolic Blossoms N°1 compact

powder, £36.50 (01932 233 824).

Clinique Almost Spring 2012 collection,from £13.50 (0870 034 2566

www.clinique.co.uk).

Georgio Armani Spring 2012 EyePalette 1, £49.50 (nationwide).

p70_BUCKS_SPRINGINTOACTION__ 16/02/2012 18:53 Page 2

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have often said that we shouldemulate the prudent wealthypeople of Tudor times whoinvested their money in tangiblethings like land, property,decorative arts and items ofintrinsic value such as gold andsilver.!e production of artefacts

made of the latter was, by themiddle of the 16th century, strictlycontrolled and as proof of this theGoldsmiths’ Company hadinstituted a system of marking allitems so made which revealed withindividual stamps on the surfacethe quality of the material, theidentity of the maker, the placewhere it was tested and the o"cerin charge of the testing. As it wasan annual o"ce this mark changedeach year and, taking its form as aletter of the alphabet, becameknown as the Letter of the YearMark or more recently simply the‘Date Letter’. Originally it wascalled the Assay Mark - from theFrench word assai meaningexamination - introduced under astatute of 1478 wherein theGoldsmiths’ Company was madeliable to a fine if it marked anysubstandard silver. (A point hereis that in this context the termgoldsmith applies to silversmithsas well.) In 1545 the fourth markwas added, depicting a lionwalking to the left with its rightpaw raised and known as the LionPassant. It became known as theSterling Mark as it took the placeof the earlier King’s Mark todenote quality while the latterbecame recognised as the mark ofthe London Goldsmiths’Company and Assay O"ce. !ereason for the change wastwo-fold. Firstly by the mid1500’s the coinage had becomedebased by approximately 50%which meant that a silver crown (5shillings) had only half a crown’sworth of silver content. To provethe maintained sterling value andquality of wrought plate, that isitems made of silver, the LionPassant mark was introduced.Secondly, by this time and startingas early as 1378, Assay O"ces hadbeen established in various parts ofthe country, particularly at York,Newcastle, Lincoln, Norwich,Bristol, Salisbury and Coventry.While it was imperative that all

silver should be guaranteed to beof the sterling standard andmarked as such it was impracticalto expect silversmiths from thesedisparate places to travel toLondon to have their waresmarked and so each adopted adi#erent emblem to equate withthe Leopard’s Head of London.All these towns and cities used aletter of the alphabet to identifythe Assay Master but they did notall use the same sequence ofletters. London used the firsttwenty letters in the alphabetexcluding ‘J’ and when the run wasexhausted the typeface or theshape of the background ‘shield’was changed. In 1560 QueenElizabeth I restored the value ofthe coin, a move which set Britainon a steady course to recovery forthe best part of 100 years only tobe decimated by our civil war(1642 – 1649.) Among the resultsof this were vast amounts of earlierwrought plate being melted downto pay for it, which in turn causeda shortage of silver formanufacture. Over time thisa#ected the monetary supply tosuch an extent that by the 1690’sfurther legislation was necessary.

Until the reign of Charles II allour coinage was made by hand,stamped by hammer and die andthe edges trimmed with shears.Although trade was oftenconducted through barter orcredit, cash transactions were

common enough and so, beforeparting with your coins it was onlyhuman nature to snip a little bit ofthe edge of each one. !ese littlesnippets all mounted up - theoriginal ‘every little counts’ – but ithad already become a capitalo#ence to clip coins and, with afake die, forge your own money.However with an increaseddemand from workingsilversmiths these scraps couldcommand as high a price as thecoins they had been cut from, andwith less risk of detection of thecrime.

So a new type of coinage wascalled for and a mill was set up inthe Tower of London and poweredby horses to produce perfectlycircular coins. As a belt-and-braces measure aninscription or legend was engravedaround the outer edge therebymaking illegal clipping virtuallyimpossible. But the authoritiesfailed to see the problem withhaving both old and new currencyin circulation at the same time.Obviously people hung on to thenew with its full face valuemoney’s worth, while spending -and clipping - the old. Clearly theold coinage had to be withdrawnand the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of May1697 were the final days forcollection at the ten furnacesspecially built behind the Treasury,which was then at Whitehallbetween the Banqueting Houseand the river. For weeks greatpiles of coins, mostly half facevalue and barely recognisable hadbeen collected, melted down andcast into ingots. In one instancesome £52,000 of face value coinswere melted to produce just overhalf that amount of silver worth.But distribution of the new coinswas slow and while all this wasgoing on another factor becameevident; the value of coin clippingsto silversmiths had to betaken outof the equation. !is was done byraising the silver content ofwrought plate to a level above thatof coin. Not by so much as tomake the material too soft for useand durability but su"cient to bedetected by the assay. !e figureswere a raise from 92.5% pure to95.84% pure.

It was known at first as theNew Sterling Standard but – as it

was denoted by a stamp showingthe figure of Britannia – it soonbecame known as the BritanniaStandard. !is mark replaced theLion Passant mark and in Londonthe Leopard’s Head was replacedby a mark showing a Lion’s Headin profile, facing to the left with ajagged neckline as if torn from itsbody. Heraldically this is called‘erased’ and so the BritanniaStandard in London is denoted bythe Britannia mark and the Lion’sHead Erased. In all other townsand cities the Lion’s Head Erasedis used in addition to their townmark. From 1697 until 1720 theBritannia Standard was obligatorybut in the latter year the economyin England had recoveredsu"ciently for the government torestore the old Sterling Standardwhile retaining the BritanniaStandard as an option which itremains to the present day.

In the early days of the maker’smark, people were less literate andinitials meant little or nothing tomost, so symbols were commonlyused. !ese might be a miniatureimage of the shop or tavern signwhere the silversmith had hisworkshop, such as leathern bottleor a swan, a star or crescent moon.By the 17th century we see thefirst two letters of the surnamebeing used and by the beginningof the 18th century thesilversmith’s initials graduallybecame the norm.

From the 1720’s it can be saidwithout question that themanufacture and sale of Englishsilver was the most proficientlyrun and tightly controlled of allindustries, with the welfare andbenefit of manufacturer, supplierand purchaser held in equalesteem. !e four marks asdescribed filled every requirementand would surely have survivedunaided save for a change intaxation in the 1780’s and theConvention Hallmarks introducedin the 1970’s, nearly two hundredyears later.

When we’ve dealt with themwe really will get onto the silverfrom the Channel Isles, Scotland,Ireland and other desirablecategories where the present dayequivalent of the prudent Tudorperson should still be putting theirmoney !

7 4 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

&H O U S EG A R D E N

p74_BUCKS_JOHNBLY__ 16/02/2012 11:35 Page 1


7 6 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

More importantly, whichis the better productfor you and your

property? Nowadays, althoughthey do cost more, triple glazedUPVC windows, residentialdoors and French doors are notthat much more expensive thandouble glazed products.Properly installed UPVC tripleglazing o!ers unrivalled valuefor money when householdenergy savings and consequent"nancial savings are taken intoaccount (i.e. painting anddecorating), not to mention theother bene"ts of triple glazingover double glazing.

However, as triple glazing incasement windows, tilt and turnwindows, Georgian windowsand doors has an extra pane ofglass, each sealed unit is thickerand more heavy duty. So notonly does the extra glass cost atleast 50% more, each windowand/or door costs more to

transport as is much heavier.Top quality UPVC triple

glazing, with a U-value of 1.0W/m#k, is around 40% morethermally e$cient that standard"A" rated double glazing and60% more thermally e$cientthan standard "C" rated doubleglazing. %is is a great bene"t toUK home owners bearing inmind that between 2003-2009gas prices (i.e. heating bills) roseby an average of 14% each year.Unfortunately, this long termtrend does not look likely toreverse.

Going forward, futurewindow Building Regulations(which currently dictate aminimum 1.6 W/m#k U-value)are likely to call for windowsused in new build homes andreplacement windows to have aU-value of 1.4 W/m#k by 2013,and 1.2 W/m#k by 2016 inorder to reduce carbonemissions from the UK housing

stock. By investing in highquality UPVC triple glazing,with a U-value of 1.0 W/m#k orbetter, property owners areessentially future-proo"ng theirhome.

Triple glazing supplied andinstalled by HazlemereWindows is all but identical totheir "A" rated double glazingwith the main di!erence beingthe internal bead, soaesthetically there is little or nodi!erence. %e internal bead hasbeen specially developed toenable a wider 36mm unit to be"tted into a standard 70mmpro"le. By using a 36mm tripleglazed sealed unit, as opposed tothe 44mm sealed units of otherfabricators, Hazlemere’s tripleglazing bead blends in with theoverall aesthetics of the windowand retains its concave form(sloping in towards the sealedunit). When a 44mm sealedunit is used in a standard 70mm

pro"le, the internal bead oftenhas to protrude from the frameof the sash, or "overhang" toallow for this much wider sealedunit. %is can look rather clumsyand compromise aesthetics.

Triple glazing is genuinelyworth the added investment for"ve reasons:1) Triple glazing is

approximately 40% morethermally e$cient than "A"rated UPVC double glazingso the savings are going to befar higher, potentially in theregion of £10,000 and 30tonnes of carbon over thenext 20 years.

2) Triple glazed windows anddoors will further reducedraughts and cold spots in aroom that currently has lessthermally e$cient windowsand doors. For instance,research has shown that if it’s-5°c outside, and 21°c inside a

IS TRIPLEGLAZING


DOUBLE GLAZING?BETTER THAN

p76_BUCKS_HAZLEMERE__ 16/02/2012 12:52 Page 1


home, the surfacetemperature of the insidepane of the triple glazedwindows will be no less than18°c. With single glazedwindows the inside panewould register at a mere 1°cand standard double glazedwindows would reach nohigher than 11°c.

3) Triple glazed windows anddoors can reduce the impactof exterior noise. %ey doreduce noise and are notsound proof, but the extrapane of glass, being of adi!erent make up to the twoexternal panes, does helptoward acoustic insulation.

4) Triple glazed windows anddoors could save each UKhome owner over £10,000during the next 2 decades,which is not inconsiderablewhen the rising costs of fuelare taken into consideration.In many cases these savings

could even o!set the cost ofhaving triple glazing installedin a home (over therecommended lifetime of theproduct).

5) A 3rd pane of glass, byde"nition, makes a tripleglazed sealed unit muchharder to break than a doubleglazed sealed unit – especiallywhen the middle pane ismade of toughened glass.What’s more, all Hazlemere's“A” rated UPVC triple glazedwindows are internallybeaded and the glass unit canonly be removed from theframe by a person who isinside the premises.

Double glazed windows areusually made up of two panes of&oat glass, unless the sealedunits are in a door, within300mm of a door or in windowsthat start less than 800mm from&oor level, in which case

Building Regulations stipulateall glazing must then betoughened glass. It is importantthat triple glazed windows havea toughened middle pane evenif the two outside panes are &oatglass, as this helps preventthermal breakage of the middlepane. %ermal breakage of themiddle pane can occur whenthere is a considerable di!erencein the indoor and outdoortemperature of a property.Because the thermally e$cienttriple glazed sealed unit keepsmore heat in, the internal panewill remain at roughly roomtemperature. Similarly, becauseless heat is escaping, the externalpane will remain cold when it iscold outdoors. %erefore the

middle pane of glass is subjectto very contrasting temperaturesi.e. warmth from the internalpane/cavity and cold from theexternal pane/cavity, andthermal breakage could occur ifstandard annealed glass wasused. By using toughened glass,the possibility of thermalbreakage is all but eliminated.To !nd out more aboutaluminium and UPVC double ortriple glazing, contact theindependent experts atHazlemere Windows on 01494854266 who have over 25 yearsexperience designing,manufacturing and installingreplacement window and doorproducts. Alternatively visitwww.hazlemerewindows.co.uk

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 7 7

p76_BUCKS_HAZLEMERE__ 16/02/2012 12:52 Page 2

7 8 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

CONSTRUCTION WITH AWARD WINNINGQUALITY AND STYLE


Frithsden Construction,established early in 2006,evolved from the

frustrating occurrencesexperienced by owners Anthonyand Julie Hayes. Over a periodof ten years the local couplepurchased various largeproperties needingrefurbishment or extending, butoften experienced problems withtradesmen letting them down,failing to complete the work toschedule etc.

After several years of learningthe hard way, Anthony, abusiness entrepreneur, and Julie,an Interior Designer saw theneed to create ‘FrithsdenConstruction’. With a strongteam behind them, consisting ofexperienced and creativearchitects, a good workingrelationship with local planners,knowledgeable contractsmanagers and all the necessaryskilled trades and craftsmenneeded, they have gone on tobuild several outstanding newhomes in Hertfordshire. Evenmanaging to win the muchcoveted ‘Federation of MasterBuilders’ award for the Southerncounties area, in just their secondyear of building! !ere seems tobe no stopping this enterprisingand driven company, with a verystrong ethos on creative designs,high standards of "nish, and acomplete understanding of theirclients needs in order to achievetheir dream home.

Identifying the need toexpand into the privateresidential sector, the companynow o#er a full ‘ProjectManagement Service’ from theconception of your dream to the

reality of completion. Cateringfor the private client who maybe unsure of moving at suchunpredictable times, but has aneed and desire to improve theirhome through extending orrefurbishment.

Whilst recognising thecurrent "nancial uncertaintieswe are all faced with, thecompany also o#ers a ‘StagePayment Plan’ system, allowingthe client to pay at variousagreed stages of the project, asthe work is completed. !is runsin-conjunction with therecognised building standards‘JCT minor works contract’.Ensuring that the client hasboth "nancial protection andvalue for money at all times.‘Frithsden Construction ’ is also aregistered NHBC and LABChome builder and contractor,and they strive to exceed the

high standards set by theseregulatory authorities. !e Company can even

support you with theirknowledge, expertise andcontacts for all the internalaspects of your home, helpingsource competitive kitchen andbathroom ranges, through towindow treatments and adviceon paint colours!!erefore, if you are thinking

of improving, or building yournew home, then why notconsider using the completeservices of local award winning‘Frithsden Construction’.If you would like to discuss anyaspect of your home, then feel free tocall Anthony or Julie on 01442870495 or email them [email protected]. You can alsovisit the web page for furtherinformation and previous projectsat www.ourdreamhouse.co.uk

IF YOU ARE THINKING OF IMPROVINGOR EXTENDING YOUR HOME RATHERTHAN MOVING THIS YEAR…

p78_BUCKS_FRITHSDEN__ 16/02/2012 19:57 Page 1

p78_BUCKS_FRITHSDEN__ 16/02/2012 19:57 Page 2

The trend for homeworking is increasing andthat’s a fact. !ese days

more and more people choose towork from home for at least somepart of the working week. BritishTelecom was one of the pioneersof home working with roughly15,000 home-workers who saythat they are around 20% moreproductive and take fewer sickdays than employees who travelto work each day from home!

With the 2012 Olympics fastapproaching, the UKGovernment is suggesting thatpeople work from home duringthat time to avoid travel chaosbut in reality this once quirkyconcept has already become arealistic choice for many and isset to continue.

Working e"ciently from ahome o"ce requires certaincriteria which contribute tomeaningful and productive work.Top of that list is the allimportant desk which cruciallyhas to be the right height andsize for the job at hand. A goodchair and plenty of space for#ling and storage are also majorconsiderations.

Since an o"ce can be #ttedalmost anywhere, it’s mostimportant to make best use of the

space available. We have helpedmany clients adapt existingrooms into home studies, creatingvaluable storage space along witha comfortable area to work inwhich doesn’t compromise onstyle. In the case of home studies’it’s really important that the areaworks well in the environmentfor which it is designed.

Luckily for us at St GilesFurniture we are able to workwithin a general framework ofproducts all made in our ownworkshop here in the UK fromgood quality sustainablematerials which #t into eithertraditional or contemporarystyles to suit everyone. Englishfurniture makers have a

wonderful reputation for qualityand a real timelessness abouttheir style which we like toreplicate as we design each pieceof furniture.

Driven by clients ideas andwork requirements, we are ableto design and create innovativeuse of space, essential for thehome o"ce. !e shape offurniture is often dictated by thematerials used but, thehardwoods we tend to work withgive huge versatility. A workingdesk area can still be a beautifulpiece of furniture andcompliment the room it sits inwhilst also being durable and #tfor purpose.

We have been lucky enough to

design many beautiful homestudy areas and have recentlyfound ourselves involved in anexciting project associated withthe “home o"ce” as part of ourassociation with the NationalSchool of Furniture. Second yearstudents studying FurnitureDesign at Bucks New Universityin High Wycombe have been seta project by St Giles Furniture to“design a home o"ce withelegance, to incorporate moderntechnology”. St Giles Furnitureis supporting the studentsinvolved with advice andsponsorship to encourage youngtalent in this #eld. !e #nished pieces of furniture

designed and produced by thesestudents, will be displayed in ourshowroom in Chalfont St Gilesat a special open evening to beheld on the 16th March 2012.!e evening will also be anopportunity to celebrate 25 yearsof trading along with the openingof our newly re-furbishedshowroom. Please come and joinus for a glass of champagne andparticipate in our charity auctionon the 16th March from 6.30pmonwards. Reserve your place by calling 01494873031 or e-mail [email protected]

8 0 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2


NEW YEARNEW LIFESTYLE? NEW YEAR

NEW LIFESTYLE?

p80_BUCKS_STGILES__ 16/02/2012 19:58 Page 1


8 2 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

The landmark events of2012 - namely theQueen’s 60-year reign,

followed by the Olympics - areset to prompt patriotic gardenersto !y the !ag for Britain this yearin the form of red, white andblue designs in their beds,borders and containers.

Blue and white lobelia, redsalvias and geraniums and otherbedding favourites could be themainstay for many borders. "echallenge will be getting thesecolours in the garden in time forthe jubilee celebrations in the#rst week of June.

"e Royal HorticulturalSociety (RHS) has just launchedan advisory page on its website(www.rhs.org.uk) providingadvice and suggestions togardeners wanting to go for red,white and blue planting schemes,bringing together a selection ofsuitable plants that will go welltogether.

“Unfortunately June is not thebest time to have masses ofcolour from plants grown fromseeds,” says Jenny Bowden, RHSadvisor. “But we have come upwith some great suggestions thatare relatively easy to grow.

“We know how importantthese two wonderful events are topeople and we just thought thatsome patriotic planting wouldhelp in the celebrations.”

"e secret will be to buypartially grown plug andmini-plants such as whiteverbenas, lobelias and Nemesia‘Wisley Vanilla’, redpelargoniums (geraniums) andblue Lobelia ‘Panthera Cobalt’ toput in containers and hangingbaskets. "ese plants will have tobe purchased as early as possible.

Plant centres are likely to havesupplies from April.

“Although it will be necessaryto get the plants into containersand hanging baskets as soon aspossible, gardeners also need toensure that they are kept insunny, frost-free conditions untilthe threat of frost has passed. Atemperature of 15C (59F) isideal,” says Bowden.

"emed selections for June!owering include Petuniagrandi!ora ‘Jubilee Mixed’, fromSuttons (www.suttons.co.uk).Compact in habit and reaching aheight of 25-30cm (10-12in),they should be sent out as youngplants in late April.

Another Suttons celebratorypackage includes CalibrachoaSuperbells ‘Red Devil’, Lobelia‘Panthera Cobalt’ and Verbena‘Superbena White’, which shouldperform all summer in baskets orcontainers. Young plants will besent out in May.

Verbena ‘Union Jack’ collectionis being o$ered by VernonGeranium Nursery(www.geraniumsuk.com). Withdelivery at the end of April, thereshould be time for plants to settlein and start !owering for June.

DT Brown is o$ering a

patriotic blend of young highlyscented red, white and blue sweetpea plants, which should bedelivered in late March and, oncehardened o$, can be planted intheir permanent positions.

As the Olympics andParalympics are being run duringthe end of July, August and earlySeptember, gardeners will haveenough time to grow plants fromseeds for these celebrations.

"e RHS suggests growingred, white and blue sweet peas,red-!owered Salvia splendens,Nicotiana (tobacco plant) in redand white, and blue !owers suchas ageratums or Salvia farinacea‘Victoria’.

However, if the thought of ared, white and blue border stirsup images of old-fashionedplanting schemes often seen inparks or on roundabouts, verticaldisplays may provide a morecontemporary feel.

Consider planting a wall of

blue, white and red withverbenas, ivy-leavedpelargoniums, lobelias andbegonias.

RHS Garden Harlow Carr, inNorth Yorkshire, is extending thetheme to vegetables by plantingred (‘Highland Burgundy Red’),blue (‘Purple Majesty’) and white(‘Elisabeth’) potatoes, while allfour RHS gardens will befeaturing planting displays tocelebrate both the Queen’sDiamond Jubilee and theLondon Olympics.

Other patriotic veg mightinclude the purple/blue variety ofcarrots, ‘Purple Haze’, whitecauli!ower ‘Avalanche’, runnerbean ‘Painted Lady’ whichproduces red and white !owersand rainbow chard, for itscolourful red stems.

Flying the !ag opens up somany opportunities forgardeners to go red, white andblue this summer.

PATRIOTIC


TIPS ON HOW TO HAVE RED, WHITE ANDBLUE DESIGNS IN THE GARDEN IN TIMEFOR THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEECELEBRATIONS - PLUS, FIND OUT WHATELSE NEEDS DOING IN THE GARDEN THISWEEK. BY HANNAH STEPHENSON

planting

Geranium St George

Verbena, lobelia andbacopa used to create aUnion Jack bedding plan

p82_BUCKS_PATRIOTICPLANTING__ 17/02/2012 12:38 Page 1

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8 4 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2


Aconservatory whichcreates a link betweenhouse and garden has

long since been a way of addingan extra room to our homes.recent trends however have seenthe humble conservatorybecome so much more exciting!

Over time our clients havebecome increasingly discerningand know exactly what toexpect from a company such asours.

Accordingly we have evolvedwith our clients and we nowproduce breathtakingorangeries, garden rooms andkitchen extensions as well asour stunning conservatoriesthat we are renowned for.

We build light and airyrooms that very quickly becomethe hub of your house,wonderful family rooms whereyou are able to cook, entertain

and relax.!e edwardian orangery is

ever more popular with smoothceilings and glass lantern roof itgives you the important lightwith bags of sophistication.however the options areendless; we specialise intraditional or contemporarydesigns using slate, glass,sustainable hardwood,aluminium or upvc.

Our interiors are "nished toa very high standard usingwonderful natural products,#ooring in slate, lime stone ormarble with under#oor heatingto keep youwarm on icymornings and lighting designsthat can change the mood ofthe room at the #ick of aswitch.

Everything can be modi"edto suit your home and budget.

Landsdowne o$er a complete

project management service;working closely with our clientswe will handle every detail,producing working drawings;we can prepare and submitplanning applications or listedbuilding consent wherenecessary, advise on the interiordesign and manage the worksright through to conclusion.

the addition of a landsdowneroom to your house, willwithout doubt, increase thevalue of your home, but moreimportantly it will enrich yourhome life by giving you abeautiful room in which to relax,enjoy family time or entertain. !e options are endless and

we are here to help you achievewhatever you need to make yourhome a special place to be.

Landsdowne is an establishedbusiness which has been tradingfor over 30 years. we arecommitted to producing onlythe very best. we have adedicated team of professionalswhich is why over 70% of ourwork comes fromrecommendations. you do nothave to take our word for it; wealways recommend that youvisit one of our recentinstallations before committingto a contract with landsdowne.we can guarantee that you willnot be disappointed.

Landsdowne Construction Limited9 Howard Estate, Chilton Road, Chesham HP5 2AUTel: 01494 775200email: [email protected]: www.landsdowne-conservatories.co.uk

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p84_BUCKS_LANDSDOWNE__ 16/02/2012 20:26 Page 1

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8 6 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

FREEZING WEATHERDOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’THAVE FUN INDOORS. HOMEBARS AND GAMES ROOMS

ARE BOOMING INPOPULARITY AS STAYING INBECOMES THE NEW GOING

OUT. GABRIELLE FAGANREVEALS THE TOP ‘TOYS’

FOR THE HOME.

FOR GROWN-UPS

Celebrities may partyat chic clubs,restaurants andpremieres but,increasingly, the

hottest entertainment destinationfor the rest of us is our own home.

Cinemas, party rooms, bars andgames rooms are now consideredmust-haves in high-end homes.But while most people don’t havethe budget for such lavish spaces,it doesn’t stop us embracing thephilosophy that ‘staying in’ is thenew ‘going out’ - and looking forkit to make it possible.

“!e world has moved on interms of the way people use theirhomes,” says designer TaraBernerd of Tara Bernerd &Partners.

“Of course, those who cana"ord luxury want entertainmentareas - a cinema room, a gamesroom with a pool table and a party‘night club’ zone so they cane"ortlessly and instantly enjoytheir often limited leisure time.

“Most people now regard theirhomes as little kingdoms, wherethey can demonstrate their taste,be cocooned and amused whenthey’re alone or with family, orentertain in style when the mood

takes them.”Home bars have shed their na"

reputation. A built-in bar was afamous and much mocked #xturein the Trotters’ lounge in TV’sOnly Fools And Horses, but nowhigh street giants Marks &Spencer and John Lewis bothhave sophisticated ranges of drinkscabinets and trolleys.

Freezing weather aside, whichmakes venturing out even lessappealing, socialising indoorsmeans you can tailor an occasionexactly to suit you and your guests.!is could potentially save youmoney, not to mention freeinghosts from concerns over drinkingand driving.

“Men may be more interestedin gadgets, gizmos and toys for agames room, while women arekeen to have areas where they canrelax and entertain such as cinemarooms and bar areas,” saysBernerd. Convenience and privacyare motivating factors for thosewho already have the luxury gyms,pools and spas, and see separateentertainment zones ascomplementary to those facilities.But she points out many peoplewant their homes to havemulti-functional spaces.

“One of our aims is to ensurethese rooms are versatile and havejust as much atmosphere andappeal when they are used asintimate, relaxing spaces as whenthey’re used for entertaininggroups of friends or for parties,”she says. So, if you’re a dedicatedparty-giver, movie bu", or justwant to kit out a room to giveteenagers some space (and yousome privacy), check outentertaining ideas from theexperts.

GAME ON“Games rooms are now essential‘play spaces’ in homes,” saysHenrietta Perry, director ofinterior design specialists CallisterRussell.

“One of the most importantthings for our clients is creatingthat ‘wow factor’.

“We source bespokedetails whether it’s avintage arcade game orone of our most recentacquisitions - a pool tablewhich once belonged tomusician Eric Clapton.

“It’s all part of ensuringa games room provideseverything to create the

right mood with a touch of theindividual’s character.

“!ey can be equipped witheverything from pool tables andpinball machines, to table football,memorabilia or art.”

GET SET AND PLAYSPEND:For fans of the beautifulgame, !e Games RoomCompany’s football tables startfrom £1,500 and include abespoke luxury table, from£19,000, on which family,team-mates or even pets’ faces canbe replicated on hand-painted castmetal #gures. Change the pacewith a sleek Vortex Air Hockeytable, £599 from !e ConranShop. Or play the machines withan Arcade table in a co"ee tabledesign with 60 vintage gamesincluding Space Invaders andPac-Man, £2,500, and limited

edition Juke Britannia jukebox, £6,500. Both from!e Games RoomCompany.SAVE: A ChampionsLeague Football Table,£129.95, has UEFAChampions Leaguestadium graphics and agrass-e"ect pitch. Or go


p86_BUCKS_ADULTPLAYTIME__ 16/02/2012 13:13 Page 1

for an Arcade ManiaUpright Machine, £1,399,

which features 150 games. Bothfrom John Lewis. GettingPersonal has Table Top AirHockey, £19.99.

SHAKEN NOT STIRRED“Home bars are enjoying a hugerevival and can be positioneddiscreetly in the corner of a livingroom or act as a focal point in aparty area,” says interior designerJoanna Wood.

“Clients can enjoy using themas an intimate space for eveningdrinks or cocktails or as aconvenient serving andpreparation area during the day fornon-alcoholic drinks such assmoothies.”!e demise of the dining room

is allowing people to use thatspace for entertaining, says JohnStephens, managing director ofRencraft, specialists in bespokekitchens and furniture.

“We are certainly noticing anincrease in demand for homeentertainment zones from sociablebar areas through to home cinemarooms,” he says.

“People now prefer largeropen-plan kitchens, with an area

at one end for socialising. Itparticularly suits those withchildren who don’t want thebother and expense of#nding babysitters and socan easily party at home.”

JOIN THE BARSPEND: A bespoke home barcrafted in oak, hand-painted andlit starts from around £5,000 fromRencraft and a curved bar inwalnut with nickel detailing, andsides in metallic plum-colouredvinyl, starts from around £4,000.Both available from JoannaTrading on request.SAVE: A Mayfair Drinks Cabinetcrafted from American ash wood,£599, and a Conran CayleyDrinks Trolley, £399, with woodenwheels. Both from Marks &Spencer.

Alternatively, John Lewis’srange includes an Ellis DrinksCabinet, £299, with a walnut#nish only available online and agilded Biggins Drinks Trolley,£599, available in March.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION“Cinema rooms are outstrippingpools in popularity in luxuryhomes,” says Matt Wayne,

consultant designer at FiniteSolutions.

“Cinema-size screens whichmagically appear or disappearwhen not in use are enormouslypopular, so we can conceal them inwalls behind panels or pictures.

“For one client we created aprivate ‘multiplex’ with a litpathway to leather seats, a100-inch screen, integratedacoustic panels whose frontsdisplayed family photos, and alibrary of 6,000 #lms arrangedinto themed programmes.”

Lighting is key to the rightatmosphere in entertainment areasor cinema rooms, points out SallyStorey, design director at JohnCullen Lighting.

“It’s essential to have lightinge"ects which are dimmable so thatone can immediately change theenvironment of a room from abrightly-lit area to a moody,dramatic party space or viewing

area at the touch of a button.“Consider adding uplights at

low level at either side of a#replace or around the corners of aroom, which can be verydramatic.”

SCREEN STARSSPEND: A cinema room withluxurious red carpeting, red silkdrapes, leather seating and touchpad control, from £10,000upwards for the audio visualequipment and installation fromFinite Solutions. Moreinformation available on request.SAVE: Set up a screen in anyroom you like by using a projectorand screen. Amazon has a widerange of screens including aDuronic FPS100/43 Floor100-inch projector screen,currently reduced from £169.99 to£129.99, and an AiptekPocketCinema V50 - DLPprojector, currently reduced from£299.99 to £239.99.

Recline in comfort on a HomeCinema Chair, £1,119.99, andcomplete the experience with

popcorn made by a MoviePopcorn Machine, £349.99.

Both available from Drinkstu".

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2 8 7

FOR GROWN-UPS


p86_BUCKS_ADULTPLAYTIME__ 16/02/2012 13:13 Page 2



The Hertitage Window Company’s legacy of quality

!e Heritage Window Company is a family run business with over 35 years industry experience, and was speci"cally formed to provide a bespoke service to discerning homeowners, who are passionate about retaining original window styles where at all possible.

!eir “Benenden” aluminium window is the slimmest aluminium window on the market, and has been uniquely designed to "t into existing timber frames, to replicate the original metal windows of period properties, while giving the bene"ts of modern double glazing and preserving the character of a period home. !e Benenden window can also be installed direct into brick or stone, or into new frames, and can be individually designed to replicate the shapes and sizes of the original metal windows and doors.

!e ethos of the company is to o#er a personal service which is second

to none and they will not willingly sacri"ce style or quality to reduce costs.

It was this combination of the unique “Benenden” ultra slim aluminium window, allied with the superb quality and service o#ered by the Heritage Window Company which prompted the Grand Designs team to choose the Heritage Window Company to work with them on the striking Art Deco house (link www.channel4/4homes/on-tv/grand-designs, then go to Episode Guides, Inspired by History, Guildford: the Art Deco House).

!e Heritage Window Company prides itself on o#ering an unpressurised approach, no obligation, just friendly, professional advice that the company’s clients have come to expect from !e Heritage Window Company, who directly employ their teams of skilled carpenters, thus ensuring a superb level of quality control.

More and more homeowners and speci"ers choose “!e Benenden” for its ability to replicate the slim elegant lines of steel windows. !e Benenden range can be supplied with a wide choice of glazing types, matching the lead patterns on original windows. !e “Benenden” window is available in a range of colours with 4 choices of glazing: leaded, heritage cross, Art Deco and Georgian, to match the original. !e “Benenden” is also available with a choice of handles, including brass to replicate the originals.

!e Heritage Window Company can also supply and install a wide range of double glazed products, including bi-fold doors.

!e Heritage Window Company is a Fensa registered company. !e “Benenden” range of slim line metal replacements for period style homes is fully compliant with the latest Building Regulations. All orders are

supported by a Deposit Protection and Insured Guarantee Certi"cate backed by IWA and are fully transferable to successive homeowners.

High levels of customer service Skilled !tters directly employed Over 35 years industry knowledge Replacement products for 1930’s Crittal windows and other metal framed windows 10 Year insurance policy for complete peace of mind

Why not call for advice and information on 0800 731 4294 (9-5 weekdays) or call in to a showroom to see the full range of windows and a friendly, knowledgeable and courteous service at :Beacons!eld 01494 730400!e team is Gary, Sharlene and SueDorking 01306 880404!e team is Russell, Janet & AmandaSevenoaks 01732 461919!e team is Oliver, David, Carol & SueWebsite: www.thwc.co.uk

!oice "f #he D$scerning Homeo%ner

9 0 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2


p90_BUCKS_HERITAGEWINDOWS__ 20/02/2012 17:19 Page 1

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You might not thinkso when it’s as coldas it is now, butyou’re lucky if yourhome has rooms

with really high ceilings. Notonly are they a fantasticarchitectural feature and quiteunusual, but they can also beused to create an extra room.

With the addition of amezzanine level (an internalbalcony overlooking the spacebelow), you can add a room moreeasily than converting your loftor cellar or building an extension.

A mezzanine level can have allsorts of uses - a dressing room,home o!ce, studio, spare room,or bed platform or play area in achild’s room (bed platforms alsowork well in high-ceilingedstudio apartments).

However, there are lots ofpractical considerations.

So that you can stand upcomfortably in both themezzanine and the spaceunderneath it, the room shouldhave a ceiling height of at least4.2m (13ft 9in), unless it’s a smallchild’s room.

Whatever you use themezzanine for, you’ll needsomething to enclose it. Abalustrade or half-height wall is a

popular choice because you stillget a feeling of space, althoughyou do, of course, lose privacy.

You’ll also need a staircase upto the mezzanine. Ladder-styleones are "ne for kids, but not souser-friendly for adults, whilespiral staircases save space.

For a really clever use of space,you can tuck things under a(conventional) staircase, like abuilt-in home o!ce or storage,or even a tiny shower room orkitchen in a studio apartment.

One thing you don’t want todo without is soundproo"ng,because this could a#ect yourenjoyment of the mezzanine andthe room below.

And don’t forget theimportance of natural light.Depending on where and howtall the room’s windows are, themezzanine could lack daylight, soyou’ll need bright arti"cial lightsthat can be operated from bothlevels of the room.

Because a mezzanine level isan internal structure, youprobably won’t need planningpermission to build one, unlessyou live in a listed building.

If you do, you’re likely to needconsent from your local council’sconservation o!cer - and yourapplication may be rejected.

You should also check withthe council’s building controldepartment, as they may want tomonitor the work to ensure itcomplies with buildingregulations.

Using an architect to designyour mezzanine is a good idea,because they should know whatrules and regulations apply.

Alternatively, a builder may behappy to design and constructthe mezzanine for you, or buildit to your design.

You may even need to employa structural engineer, asmezzanines are often big andheavy and so could put moreweight on the $oor than it wasdesigned to take.

If your home’s leasehold, youmay need the freeholder’spermission to add a mezzanine,depending on the terms of thelease. And if it’s a $at, with a $atbelow, you’ll probably have tocomply with the Party Wall Actbecause the weight of themezzanine could damage yourneighbour’s ceiling underneathit.

Costs for a mezzanine levelstart from hundreds of pounds(for a small, simple platform in achild’s room), but can costthousands, depending on the

structure’s size and the workinvolved.

Compared to most types ofbuilding work, though, this is arelatively quick and inexpensiveway of adding a room.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEKA hole in a plasterboard wall orceiling seems like a big problem- after all, how do you "ll air? -but it needn’t be. New ArtexEasi"x Plasterboard Repair Kit(£14.98, B&Q) is made for thejob and is really easy to use.Best of all, the tub containseverything you need to do therepair. You simply mix thepowdered "ller with water inthe tub using the stirrer, put oneof the self-adhesivemetal-and-mesh patches(there’s a large and a small one)over the hole and smear the"ller over it with the "llingknife (you have about 45minutes to perfect your‘plastering’ before it sets). Whenthe "ller’s hard, you sand it $atwith the sanding blocking, wipeit o# and it’s ready to bepainted - it’s so simple ande#ective.


GET THOSE JOBS DONE WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM DIYGURU JULIA GRAY. THIS TIME: HOW TO USE MEZZANINELEVELS TO ADD AN EXTRA ROOM IN ORDINARY HOUSES.

TURNONE

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Artex EasifixPlasterboard Repair

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p92_BUCKS_ONEINTOTWO__ 17/02/2012 12:20 Page 1

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9 4 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

THE RECENT WEATHER HASPROBABLY MADE YOU THINK ABOUTA SHORT ESCAPE TO WARMERCLIMATES. YOU WON’T WANT TOSPEND ALL YOUR TIME ON A PLANE –SO WHY NOT GRAB A CITY-BREAK?. AND IF YOU WANT REALVALUE-FOR-MONEY, ONE CITY HAS RECENTLY BEEN GIVEN THE TRAVELPRESS’S THUMBS-UP AS A BARGAIN DESTINATION. THAT’S LISBON!

T R A V E L

Afew days herewill only beenough to

make you want toreturn again. But here’sa few pointers to whetyour appetite.

HISTORYWith the remnants of2000 years of history,there’s plenty to see inLisbon. Phoeniciansand Romans,Barbarians and Moorshave all left theirstamp on the city. Start withthe quiet of the Sé, the 12thcentury cathedral, beforeplunging into the narrow,atmospheric streets of theAlfama district. Its Rua de SaoPedro hosts a lively !sh market."ere are museums and therebuilt castle, the Castelo deSão Jorge. For a taste ofneo-classical history, thebuildings of the Restauradoresarea will !ll your gaze as yousip co#ee from a pavementcafé. As you continue your tour,you’ll swiftly realise that eacharea of town - Belem, BairroAlto, Baixa – has a wealth ofmuseums, galleries andbuildings to amaze you.

FOOD AND DRINK

On the Atlantic Ocean, seafoodplays a large part in Lisbon’scuisine. Portugal is associatedwith sardines, but try squid, seabass, oysters…or a cataplana depeixe e mariscos, a !sh stew thatlets you taste many at once! Afeijoada is a spicy pork and beanstew: hearty cuisine maybe edgesit over haute cuisine, here, buteverything is available. "ere arehundreds of restaurants for allpalates – a cervejaria is the placefor a less formal beer and asnack. Portuguese wine may notbe that well-known to theBritish palate, but it should be.For a free (yes, free!) crash-coursetasting in what’s good, try

ViniPortugal’s(www.viniportugal.pt) tastingrooms at the Sala Ogival, all setin beautiful surroundings.

SHOPPINGChiado is Lisbon’s stylish,upmarket shopping area, but atthe other end of the scale is theFeria da Ladra (‘"ieves’Market’) $ea market in Alfamadistrict. Watch your handbag!In-between, you’ll stumble acrosseverything from sleek and chicshopping malls to brimmingdelicatessens, wine merchants andantiques markets.

GETTING AROUND Walking is recommended, but the

purchase of a LisboaCard (available at theairport, tourist o%ces,kiosks etc) will give youunlimited access tobuses, trams and theunderground, as well asthe funiculars –important in a city withso many hills!Competitively priced, italso gives free entry toover 25 museums andsights, and discounts onothers. One, two orthree-day passes are

available.

A DAY OUT A short break from your shortbreak? "ere’s enough to do inLisbon to !ll a lifetime, but forsomething di#erent, take a trainride to Sintra, a UNESCOWorld Heritage site, a delightfultown set among wooded slopes.It’s a favourite summer retreatwith parks and palaces.Managing Director ofenjoyholidays, Ronnie Findlay andhis sta! can recommend and adviseon a whole host of great-value citybreaks (including Lisbon). Givethem a call on 01753 885272.Content provided by MurrayStewart. [email protected]

KKKTIME FOR A

CITYBREAK

YOU DESERVE ONE!

p94_BUCKS_ENJOY__ 17/02/2012 12:47 Page 1

p94_BUCKS_ENJOY__ 17/02/2012 12:47 Page 2

9 6 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

&F O O DD R I N K

CARAMELIZED PINEAPPLE ON PAIN D’EPICES WITH ORANGE CURD,RUM SYRUP AND COCONUT ICE CREAM

WELL NOW THE SNOW HAS MELTED AND THERE IS HOPE OF SPRING JUST ROUND THE CORNER ANDTHE ABUNDANCE OF NEW SEASONAL INGREDIENTS, THIS SCRUMPTIOUS DESSERT PAYS HOMAGE TO

THE COMFORT FLAVOURS OF WINTER - ZINGY ORANGE AND SPICE FINISHED WITH THE EXOTICFLAVOURS OF COCONUT, PINEAPPLE AND RUM. PAIN D’EPICES IS CLASSICAL FRENCH, HONEYED, AND

SPICED BREAD THAT WE ALSO SERVE WITH SAVOURY AS WELL AS SWEET AT THE RESTAURANT.

IngredientsPain d’epices250g clear honey125ml milk50g caster sugar3 eggs120g dark rye !our120g plain white !our20g baking powder2 teasp mixed spice2 teasp ground gingerFinely grated rind of " orange and" lemon2 teasp vanilla extractOrange Curd4 oranges zest and juice150 g caster sugar150 g butter4 egg yolksCaramelized Pineapple1 large Pineapple200 mls dark rum50 g salted butter50 gm demera sugarCoconut Ice cream12 large free range egg yolks75g caster sugar500ml whole milk400 ml coconut milk100 ml double cream

MethodPain d’epices1. Butter a large loaf tin 23 x 12 cm

and line with butteredgreaseproof paper.

2. Heat the oven to Gas Mark 3,160 degrees C /325 degrees F

3. Heat the honey with the milkuntil melted, keep warm

4. In a large bowl, whisk the sugarand eggs together until verylight and smooth

5. Sieve all the dry ingredientstogether. Stir the warmed milkand vanilla extract into the eggmixture. #en fold in the dryingredients

6. Bake for 30 minutes, thenlower the heat to Gas Mark2/150 degrees C/300 degrees Fand continue to bake for onehour.

7. Leave to cool in the tin for 30minutes and then turn out

Orange Curd08. Reduce the juice and zest of

oranges by half09. Add the caster sugar and the

butter10. Add the 4 egg yolks – them

mix together and place on avery low heat, cook out untilthick and creamy

Caramelized Pineapple11. Peel and cut the large

pineapple in small cubes.12. Heat a heavy bottomed frying

pan add salted butter13. Sauté the pineapple chucks 14. Flame with the rum and then

add the demera sugar andcaramelize the pineapple untilgolden

Coconut Ice cream15. Lightly whisk your egg yolks

and sugar together 16. Heat the milk and cream and

coconut milk in a pan to nearboiling

17. Add a little of the hot milk andcream to the egg yolks, whisktogether and then add back intothe pan with the remainingmilk cream mixture

18. Continue to cook on a very lowheat gently whisking all thetime until the custard coats theback of your spoon

19. Allow to cool and then churnin an ice cream machine

To serve20. Cut a strip of pain de epices,

toast on both sides21. Spread with a little of the

orange curd22. Place on a plate to serve 23. Stack your caramelized

pineapple on top and serve witha scoop of the coconut icecream

24. Drizzle over a little of the panjuice rum syrup to $nish.

Chef ’s tipYou can garnish the dish with thinshavings of fresh coconut that havebeen toasted under a grill; amandolin is a great tool for this job.#ere are a number of other icecreams that would also work withthis dish such as passion fruit andbanana and mango.

Artichoke eventsNext month will see datesbeing released for ourGuest Chef Event.The Artichoke will bewelcoming an acclaimedguest chef, who willcollaborate in the kitchenwith Laurie offering aunique menu for onenight only. If you would like to joinour mailing list andreceive our monthlynewsletter and details ofevents and promotionsplease [email protected]

!e Artichoke is open for lunchand dinner from Tuesday toSaturday.!e Artichoke Restaurant, 9Market Square, Old AmershamTel: 01494 726611www.theartichokerestaurant.co.uk

p96_BUCKS_RECIPE__ 17/02/2012 10:53 Page 1

Bespoke Private CaterersAs seasoned professionals wehave a wealth of knowledgefrom within the industry.

Looking for something special?We evaluate your particularrequirements and design amenu package to suit.

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Seasons CateringCo. Ltd

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At L’artista Pizzeria Ristorante - which caters for and welcomes everyone! With such a varied and extensive menu, there are dishes for all tastes, including Vegetarians.

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For a unique experience, visit L’artista - the venue for celebrations!

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Sunday 18th March


Just 60 bottles of a Diamond Jubilee scotch, made by Johnnie Walker

distiller Diageo, have been produced for sale, and are being o!ered to known collectors of rare and expensive whiskies. Another single bottle will be given to the Queen herself.

"e whisky is a blend of grain and malt whiskies dating back from 1952, and #nished in casks made of oak from the Queen’s Sandringham estate.

If you don’t have £100,000 to spend and are wondering what it tastes like, the master blender for all Johnnie Walker whiskies, Jim Beveridge, said he is “surprised and delighted” by the way the Jubilee whisky has turned out.

“With whisky as old as 60 years, sometimes it can be a bit crusty and the $avours can be a bit subdued. But this one is very vibrant,” he said. “It has a fresh fruity $avour, and a #nish which is smoky and also has an exotic fruit taste.” He added that Diageo has whisky stocks dating back 50 years, but for anything older than that there are far fewer to choose from.

“1952 was an interesting year for distillers, as the whisky industry started to get back on its feet after the Second World War “ said Mr Beveridge.

"e whisky was bottled on 7th February in Baccarat crystal decanters, at the Royal Lochnagar Distillery on the edges of the Queen’s Balmoral estate.

David Gates, the head of Diageo’s whisky business, said the company originally planned to o!er the Diamond Jubilee whisky to wealthy a%cionados

in Asia Paci#c and Latin America, but has now had requests from the US and Europe as well.

All pro#ts from the sale of the bottles will go to the Queen ElizabethScholarship Trust (QEST).

TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE

£100,000whisky

9 8 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 2

&F O O DD R I N K

p98_BUCKS_WHISKEY__ 20/02/2012 11:50 Page 1


01494 766220To find out more about our art and artistsplease contact us in the gallery today…

We offer a FREE home art consultation service, please get in touch to find out more

Over the past year we have listened to you, our customers and worked longand hard to source new artists who’s work we believe you are going to enjoy

We have art by severalnew artists and some

fabulous new releasesby those you already

know and love.

This selection allappears on our websitewith lots more to choosefrom or why not pop into the gallery to viewthem first hand.

Chalfont Art & FramingPicture Framing and Art gallery7 Nightingales Corner, J/W White Lion Road, Little Chalfont, Bucks HP7 9PZ

www.chalfontartandframing.co.uk • [email protected]

CHALFONTART_2_FEB_Layout 1 20/02/2012 17:02 Page 1

Documents

Beaconsfield Life February 2012