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IS THIS FACE WORTH 30MILLION young guns 21 high achievers under 30 making their mark across the Weald why cara delevingne at the age of 21 is the world s highest paid model be a beach belle this restaurant s so good our foodie ordered the starter twice THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STYLE ON THE SANDS AND HOW TO GET THE LOOK Inside the Wadhurst mansion that s yours to rent for 7 500 a month MASERATI MASTERCLASS On the road with the new Quattroporte SO COLUMNIST ROSEMARY SHRAGER The day they locked me out of Buckingham Palace impro chums News Gossip Education Music Gardens Motors Events Beauty plus AUGUST 2013 1.50 WWW.SOMAGAZINE.CO.UK PAGE EXQUISITE WATCH SUPPLEMENT FEATURING AN INTERVIEW WITH ROGER SMITH CONSIDERED THE WORLD S GREATEST LIVING WATCH MAKER 2 5 paul merton & co head for town SO CONTENTS HELLO HERE S WHAT S INSIDE YOUR AUGUST ISSUE 20 33 THE BUYS This month you should... pop on your shades THE FASHION Your guide to sizzling on the beach 69 26 8 AUGUST 2013 THE CELEBRITY International under-30s who are overachieving THE WATCHES Our new supplement is really worth your time CONTENTS SO 155 THE HOMES 96 101 THE HOMES (pic of Michael Brooker property) East Sussex mansion with a Royal pedigree 156 Yours to rent for 7 500 a month THE RESTAURANT We check out a Michelin-starred eatery in East Sussex THE GARDENS Take the dinner table outside this summer 92 THE COLUMNIST Why was Rosemary Shrager locked out of Buckingham Palace THE MOTOR Life is sweet with the Maserati Quattroporte 175 THE YOUNG GUNS Meet the local high achievers 1 156 AUGUST 2013 9 LETTERS SO INBOX Email jconnolly onemediauk.co.uk or write to us at SOTW Kenwood House 1 Upper Grosvenor Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 2EL Please be sure to include your full name and address. Letters may be edited for publication. LETTER OF THE MONTH TOPICAL TWITTER Cath de Cr vecoeur STYLEPourMoi Sun is out no better time to check out how to work the maxi dress on this month s Fashion Insider of SoMagazines tunbridgewells.so Rachel Holweger Rachel_Holweger lovely to have my photo with David Beckham last night thank you great evening SoMagazines Wicked Productions WickedPantomime Good news The Vic Hall can stay open Thank goodness for that. I would have nothing to do for the rest of the year Lol Caroline Smith PlaygroundOnlin jimdesign Tess_Purley SoMagazines kidenza Thank you for helping to broadcast the plight of the Heavy Horses Ross Noble realrossnoble If you want to come and get some free custard off me I will be at black dog cafe Camden rd tunbridge wells today at 5 30 come say hello. RoyalTunbridgeWells RoyalTunWells Report reveals a 34% rise in company closures in Tunbridge Wells during the first 3 months of the year Payne and Son PayneandSon twellsretailgroup.nmgl.co.uk Calling ALL Tunbridge Wells Retailers Please join this group so we THE RETAILERS can have how say Might I pass on the following facts without comment about two stories in the same edition of the Courier newspaper. The first was about the annual Mela music festival staged in Tunbridge Wells to sample the sounds of Africa Asia India and Europe. It was organised by Kent Equality Cohesion Council with Arts Council England contributing to the 15 000 cost. The event attracted hundreds . The second story told how the plug has been pulled on the town s annual Local and Live music festival held to showcase musical talent in and around Tunbridge Wells. Organisers were apparently unable to secure funding. The event attracted up to 20 000 people. John Banks by email Wimbledon Fever The best sporting season of all is finally here I thoroughly enjoyed all the action on the tennis courts and am well and truly in strawberry and Champagne mode I ve even joined a tennis club in Tunbridge Wells to perfect the craft myself Now I m looking for another sporting occasion to enjoy a day at the races perhaps Time to go hat shopping I think... Although is it just me or did there seem to be a lot more heckling from the crowds at Wimbledon this year Very uncivilised indeed... Beth Aldrich Tunbridge Wells Ed Maybe we could combine the two events Film Buff It was pleasant surprise to see the Fusion Film Festival featured in the last edition of So magazine. The local music scene is always made a song and dance out of aspiring filmmakers. So thank you to for giving film a voice in the area. Jeremy Ottway by email The next week we re boiled alive Ordinarily I m as stoic as the next a Brit but this is getting ridiculous David Conner by email Ed Take heart David better than constant rain Ed The spectators were probably trying to make themselves heard over all that grunting Drink Aware I was horrified to learn of the increase Tunbridge Wells area. It gives our town unsafe in their own community. Hats off to the police officers striving to make but I rarely hear of any opportunities for in alcohol related crimes in the all at ChYps Children s Hospice at Home a bad name and makes people feel our town safer by imposing heavier punishments on rowdy drinkers Ed We look forward to discovering the next Steven Spielberg among our Ben Williams Tunbridge Wells talented readers. Ed Absolutely let s hope we only see the right type of high spirits from now on. Another bizarre summer so far this year is it so much to ask for a few rays of sunshine that last all summer My wife and I were going to take the kids to Camber Sands for the day but grey skies and drizzly rain rendered us housebound. Weather Weary THE GRAND TOUR Thought you might like to see me enjoying So magazine in Valetta s Grand Harbour in Malta. I never travel without a good read Bill Glover By email Ed Well we are a British institution after all. Why not tweet us yourself We ll print our favourites SoMagazines AUGUST 2013 11 SO THE NEWS OUR MONTHLY LOOK AT SOME OF THE LOCAL STORIES MAKING THE HEADLINES HELEN MAYBANKS A childhood dream came true for one Tunbridge Wells boy when he was cast in the new London production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Jack Costello 12 plays the title character in Roald Dahl s surreal classic alongside Douglas Hodge as Willy and Nigel Planer as Grandpa Joe with Skyfall director Sam Mendes at the helm. It s not Jack s first foray into the West End having starred in Oliver Residents lined the streets to cheer on the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment as 150 soldiers marched through Tunbridge Wells to mark being given Honorary Freedom of the Borough. The troops were inspected by Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Cllr Ronen Basu Brigadier Richard Dennis OBE ABC and Lord-Lieutenant of Kent the Viscount De L Isle. The parade was followed by a special reception at the Assembly Hall Theatre and the signing of a Community Covenant with which the borough council and other organisations from the business charitable and voluntary sectors pledged to give their support to the area s service community. These included Town & Country Housing Group which runs Two Worlds a project to raise awareness of the problems faced by members of the forces when returning to civilian life. SWEET SUCCESS JOINING FORCES Love Never Dies and Les Mis rables in the past. But this musical is sure to provide very sweet memories for the Judd Grammar School pupil as the show at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane looks set to be a hit with audiences. Holding a tarantula and offering free hugs to strangers are just two of the many new things Jemma Quartermaine wants to do during her 40th year. The Tunbridge Wells resident ticked off one activity when she handed out cuddles to passersby on The Pantiles with 22 people taking her up on the offer. Jemma and her husband Richard 39 have both made lists of over 40 things they d like to do before they turn 41 also on Jemma s to do compilation is climbing Ben Nevis riding a Segway hiring a motorbike and sidecar getting a tattoo and swimming with sharks. Richard shares many of Theatre lovers breathed a sigh of relief as the Royal Victoria Hall in Southborough was granted a stay of execution for now. Supporters feared the theatre would have to close due to an unsafe fire escape as the town council faced a 25 000 repair bill for the crumbling wall on which it rested. A fire safety officer ruled that the hall could stay open as it is however town councillors again voted to spend no more money on the building at all until its future could be secured. Hopes of leasing the hall to a private firm cannot be realised without including the car park and offices owned by the borough council which refuses to gift them to Southborough Town Council. Town councillor Jacqui Jedrzejewski told a meeting We can t spend 25 000 on something that doesn t have a future. Selling off vacant land raised nearly 80 000 for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council with some plots fetching many times their guide price at a London auction. A plot in Greggs Wood Road was expected to sell for around 2 000 yet it realised 26 000 for another small plot in Liptraps Lane the hammer went down on a winning bid of 52 000 more than 10 times the original estimate. An acre on the junction of Forest Road and Bayhall Road valued at 600 000 failed to sell at the auction although an unknown buyer has expressed interest in the plot which has outline planning permission for two five-bedroom detached houses. ARACHNID AMBITIONS THE SHOW GOES ON his wife s ambitions but he d also like to canter a horse across a beach and visit the Alps or Himalayas. Keep tabs on their progress at www.our40at40.wordpress.com BID FOR CASH News that Tunbridge Wells latest district police commander was leaving drew criticism from MP Greg Clark. Chief Inspector Nicola Faulconbridge had been in the job for just a year when she moved on to pastures new meaning the area has had five different district commanders in the last three years. Mr Clark wrote to Chief Constable Ian Learmonth to complain at the top job s high turnover describing the news as disappointing . However a police spokesman said moving officers between roles improved their skills and described the new district commander Chief Inspector David Pate as an extremely experienced police commander . AUGUST 2013 COP SWAP 13 EVENTS SO CALENDAR AUGUST MEDIEVAL MEDLEY GRAHAM TURNER 10 TH Go back in time to a bygone era during Bodiam Castle s Medieval Weekend on August 10 and 11. With a range of historical attractions to enjoy including jousting tournaments living history encampments medieval musicians and trading stalls you can get a feel for what life was like in this intriguing period of Britain s past. Each day s entertainment will be opened by a grand procession led by the castle s former owner Sir Edward Dallingridge who travels from medieval times to join in the celebrations. www.nationaltrust.org.uk bodiam-castle FAMILY FORAGE Back by popular demand the Family Map Safari at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is a fun day out for children and adults alike. Starting at the site s classroom you can set out amongst the picturesque trees streams and lakes to see how long it takes your family to complete the course and potentially win a prize Tickets are priced at 2 and booking is essential as numbers are limited so make sure you reserve early. www.forestry.gov.uk bedgebury 6 TH YOU LL LIKE THIS Disguises false identities and deception create a web of intrigue in Shakespeare s pastoral comedy As You Like It. Complicated romances are a staple of many of the Bard s most humorous plays so both men and women will enjoy this timeless story about misplaced love. See the Illyria Open Air Theatre perform the play at Tonbridge Castle where the beautiful setting will add atmosphere to the show. The performance starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost 11 7. Visit www.tonbridgecastle.org or call 01732 770 929 to find out more. 6 TH ROLL UP ROLL UP Aspiring musicians can try their hand at a variety of skills thanks to the Big Top season at Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. On Thursday August 8 and Friday August 9 there s a series of workshops on being part of a band playing Djembe African drums or rock guitar or simply exploring the basics of music making. You can also try arts and crafts or master the arts of plate spinning juggling and hula hooping in the circus skills workshop. Book online at www.trinitytheatre.net or call 01892 678 678. AUGUST 2013 8 TH 15 SO EVENTS BEE BUSY You can learn about the fascinating and vital work of bees when Friends of the Earth Tunbridge Wells lead a bee walk on the Common. Setting off from the car park opposite Linden Cricket Club Pavilion in Fir Tree Road at 10.30am the walk will be about two hours long. The aim is to identify bee habitats and find out more about these perpetually busy insects. It will also be a good chance to enjoy a stroll in the fresh air and meet new people. For more information about the group visit www.foe.co.uk groups tunbridgewells 18 TH SWINGING EVENING Get ready to tap those toes and lose yourself in nostalgia when The Swinging Little Big Band revisits the Grey Lady Music Lounge on The Pantiles. From Frank Sinatra to Michael Bubl the group performs classic swing hits in punchy style and transports you back to an era of suave sophistication. Tickets cost 7 on the door or you can add a two-course meal for 28.99. The concert sold out last time they appeared at the Grey Lady so book now to avoid disappointment. www.thegreylady.co.uk 12 TH WILD WEST Children are encouraged to explore their wild side when Groombridge Place near Tunbridge Wells hosts a cowboys and Indians experience over the bank holiday weekend. From Saturday August 24 to Monday August 26 young visitors are invited to come dressed as cowboys and Indians have a go at drumming meet the re-enactors and hear thrilling stories about the Wild West. The activities run from 11am to 5pm and are free with an admission ticket to Groombridge Place. Find out more at www.groombridgeplace.com 24 TH DAY TO REMEMBER Spend your bank holiday weekend at Penshurst Place to enjoy a fantastic mixture of events. Spanning two days of fun activities for the whole family there is plenty to keep children and adults alike entertained from watching the falconry displays with Huxleys Birds of Prey Centre to trying your hand at mini crossbows tug of war or leatherworking. You can also join the Knights School or spend the day as a princess and explore the maze. www.penshurstplace.com 25 TH 16 AUGUST 2013 OPINION SO RANT MY POP UP EATERIES This is the page reserved for readers to make their voices heard on issues that raise their blood pressure. Here food lover Daniel McCormack expresses his concerns about the fickle nature of the Tunbridge Wells restaurant scene town. Along with the local music scene our food offering is one our strongest assets and considering the size of our community in the big scheme of things we are definitely spoiled for choice. However it seems to me that more and more nowadays new eateries are popping up left right and centre only to close down within a year or less. One of the most recent examples was the short-lived Five World Kitchen on Mount Pleasant Road. Taking on the seemingly cursed location previously occupied by the likes of Burger King and Mamma Mia there was no way this amalgamation of international cuisines was going to go the distance and was one of many culinary casualties seen in recent years. Pigwidgeon and Pye was fast becoming a personal favourite of mine particularly at lunchtime. Due in part I believe to its unfortunate position opposite the defunct ABC cinema site L ike many of my fellow Tunbridge Wells residents I very much enjoy eating out at the many restaurants throughout the however it was forced to close its doors earlier this year (a decision that was somewhat odd to me as it always seemed to be heaving whenever I went in there). It has now transformed into C te Brassiere yet another chain of value continental food how long will this one last Only time and justifiably cynical diners purse strings will tell. Once one restaurant has closed down a new one immediately pops up again and many of the has been going strong for five years with a second site now open in Maidstone. Hailing from Naples the family run independent retreat offers delicious home cooked food and is as genuine as it gets attracting newly devoted patrons all the time. Now I understand that we re in a recession and that new businesses need to be tried and tested before they know whether they re to sink or swim. But I can t help feeling that this temporary approach to our dining options is having an increasingly detrimental effect on the town s culture as a whole. It is cheapening New eateries are popping up left right and centre only to close down within a year or less. replacement eateries seem to conform to the same blueprint. An identical selection of retro movie images inexplicably plaster the walls which in turn are predictably lined with the same swirly wallpaper while the publicity insists that it s the newest and hottest place on the local foodie map. I suppose what s lacking is a much needed dose of authenticity and longevity. Take one of my favourite restaurants Il Vesuvio on Camden Road. This is a truly wonderful place to eat and its identity and rendering it a stopover for roaming restaurateurs without any sign of permanency tradition or endurance. This problem won t solve itself it s up to us diners to invest our time and money in smaller businesses who offer established quality rather than quick fix solutions. I hope I m not alone when I say that our foodie landscape is in dire need of a serious shakeup if it is ever to be taken seriously. WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE YOUR VIEW ON A HOT LOCAL TOPIC If so email Editor Jane Connolly jconnolly onemediauk.co.uk giving your opinion in no more than 500 words. We will not publish anonymous letters and contact details must be supplied but your name need not be published (please specify this preference clearly in your letter). Articles may be edited for publication. AUGUST 2013 19 SO YOU SHOULD CALL... It seems that everyone has a smartphone these days and there are plenty of accessories available but if you really want to stand out from the crowd why not commission a bespoke case from Stuart Hughes A Chinese businessman did exactly that asking the Liverpool-based designer to create a case for his iPhone 5 with a budget of... 10million. Was it money well spent Well he ended up with a masterpiece comprising 135g of 24ct gold more than 250 flawless diamonds and a single black diamond as the home button. If you d like to invest in similar check out www.stuarthughes.com for information. THIS MONTH WATCH... In this futuristic action thriller from the director of TRON Legacy Tom Cruise stars as one of the last drone repairmen on Earth or is he His soaring existence patrolling the quiet skies above an abandoned planet is suddenly interrupted by a spacecraft crash and its mysterious passenger. Will he be able to forget everything he s been told about Earth and save the future of humanity Find out when Oblivion is released on DVD on August 19. Available from www.amazon.co.uk for 13. READ... One of the most curious incidents in English history is explored in Tracy Borman s new book Witches A Tale of Sorcery Scandal and Seduction. In September 1613 the heir of a noble family suffers violent convulsions at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire and later dies an agonising death. His case is the first of an epidemic that strikes the entire family effectively ending the genetic line. Witches are blamed for the bizarre deaths but this book exposes a possible conspiracy that went right to the top of Jacobean English society. Available for 16 at www. waterstones.com from August 29. LISTEN... Four long years after the release of their third album Franz Ferdinand return with a new release Right Thoughts Right Words Right Action. Described by lead singer Alex Kapranos as about the idea of the cynic s search for optimism the album is believed to boast a different sound to those of their previous output. Teaser videos have whetted fans appetites for this new collection of songs so if you liked previous hits such as Take Me Out Do You Want To and Michael you ll want to check out their latest works. Available at www.play.com for 10.21 from August 26. 20 AUGUST 2013 THIS MONTH SO WEAR... Vintage looks are always hot and there are few better ways to add a retro touch to any outfit than by donning some cool cat s eye sunglasses. These transparent cherry red beauties from Thierry Lasey will instantly give you the fashion edge this summer whether teaming them with a scarlet sun dress skinny jeans or simply your favourite bikini. Get yours for 295 from www.net-a-porter.com and you ll be putting others in the shade all through the holiday season. PACK... Getting away from it all takes on new meaning at Ballyfin a stunning country house hotel in County Laois. Having long been considered one of the finest Regency mansions in Ireland Ballyfin not only offers a luxurious backdrop for your holiday it also provides a chance to really get into the atmosphere by wearing period dress. Leave the absurdities of 21st century life behind by taking advantage of the hotel s costume room then you can relax in the 80ft library or enjoy a boat trip on the 28-acre lake in true Regency style. A stay in a Junior Suite at Ballyfin will set you back 1 100 per night but what price historical indulgence www.ballyfin.com CHILL... Whatever the Great British summer throws at us you can create a feeling of Oriental tranquillity in your own garden with the Dirk Wynants Extremis BeHive Tent. Designed to comfortably seat up to 12 people in an elegant round structure with two integrated lighting units the tent has retractable sides and the floor is made of trampoline fabric so it easily adapts to the number of people inside to give maximum comfort. At 16 300 this is a step up from the average marquee and is sure to impress your garden party guests. You can order the tent from www.madeindesign.co.uk DRINK... For all those wine buffs among you finding the right decanter to get the best flavour from your tipples can be tricky. Rokos has designed a vessel that has three angled settings to allow maximum oxygen into the liquid the decanter can hold a full bottle of wine when set at 13 half a bottle at 60 and those precious last few drops at 104 . Invest 484 in this clever innovation and you ll get better value from your wine cellar for years to come. Buy yours at www.veryfirstto.com AUGUST 2013 21 GOSSIP SPONSORED BY SO CONFIDENTIAL BY TACITUS NOTHING ESCAPES OUR ATTENTION CATCHLIGHT MEDIA FEATUREFLASH needs to be more careful when chatting on trains Answer The young Ruby Wax look-alike who made disparaging remarks about one of our leading TW orthopaedic consultants when coming home from a London book signing . She looked stunned when a fellow passenger shouted across the carriage advising her to mind her tongue. WHO does this wife try to keep her feet hidden Because she went on a girlie break and while under the influence had one of them tattooed. Hubby is not known as an aficionado of such things hence the undercover operation. Who s put their foot in it then WHY... restaurant hotel boss has a wicked sense of humour That would be the one who wears aT-shirt with big letters on the front declaring I love animals. Nice sentiment spoiled by the words underneath adding They re delicious. Bring on the Animal Liberation Front. WHICH... is this top chef in a bit of a stew Because the powers that be have ordered him to make full use of menu leftovers to create the next day s specials and he is not happy. Let s hope his diners all have healthy appetites. WHY... out for cougars on the prowl in Royal Victoria Place. Female staff at a certain shop (household name) have something of a reputation for pouncing on young male customers. It s made abundantly clear they might like to pay a return visit at closing time. Steady on ladies. WATCH... in big trouble over a pair of shoes That would be the wife who dumped hubby s brogues in a charity recycling bin instead of dropping them off to be repaired. She claims she misunderstood his request. Yeah right. More likely she hated the shoes. WHO S... are school kids no longer allowed brain storming sessions Because the PC brigade believe such phrases are hurtful to some people with medical conditions. Students now attend mind mapping sessions. Quite right too. That s just a no brainer. WHY... is Binky down in the dumps again Because the wife of her long term lover is due to give birth next month and it looks as though the cad has decided his future lies with his family. For goodness sake Binky get your own bloke and have a life WHY... Heard a rumour Pass it on at confidential onemediauk.co.uk We never reveal our sources COMPLETE SECURITY SOLUTIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS premierprotects.co.uk 01732 764444 AUGUST 2013 Your secret is safe with us 23 MOTORS SO When it was announced that the Local & Live Music Festival would not be going ahead this year it left Tunbridge Wells with a big void to fill over the August bank holiday weekend. However local traders moved quickly to organise Music on the Tiles a new festival at The Pantiles that will ensure there s plenty to look forward to for both music lovers and businesses MUSIC ON THE TILES Wells. While giving local bands and artists the chance to perform for appreciative crowds it has also attracted more than 15 000 additional visitors to The Pantiles and generated around 250 000 in extra revenue for pubs restaurants hotels and other businesses in the town each year. Last year So magazine was a sponsor of Local and Live and has been a strong supporter of the festival. The news that organiser Paul Dunton had been forced to cancel this year s event left local firms concerned that there would be no daytime festival in Tunbridge Wells this bank holiday weekend. Nick Moore (Managing Director of So magazine) met with Paul and in association with four other established local businesses The Brew House Salomons NDGA and Insurance Shop offered to make up the short fall in sponsorship needed for the event to go ahead as planned. After much consideration Paul made the decision that as many of the support services had already been cancelled 2013 was the year to give Local & Live a break. This is a decision which So fully understands and supports in the hope that the event will return bigger and better next year. Following the decision So moved quickly and offered the funding to partly help stage a new music festival on The Pantiles. Organised in association with The Pantiles Traders Music on the Tiles is a three-day festival that will run from Saturday August 24 to Monday August 26. A dozen bands will be performing over the weekend covering a broad range of sounds across jazz soul blues and folk acts confirmed at the time of writing include Betts and the Boys Sorrel Nation Quinto Sophie Nevil Rob Reed and Leslie Alexander Head South Java and Blues Brothers Little Brother. In the evenings Local & Live will be staging fundraising gigs at the Forum with the aim of ensuring that Local & Live businesses one of which Salomons has been in the town for over 200 years we have been able to commit enough funding to stage what will be a fantastic free music festival along with two other events later this year on The Pantiles. Julian Leefe-Griffiths owner of The Tunbridge Wells Hotel is a co-organiser of Music on the Tiles. He says We ve worked hard to create a plan that ensures we run a successful safe and enjoyable music festival which will hopefully attract new visitors to the area to sample what Tunbridge Wells can offer. This view is echoed by Christopher Neville the Marquess of Abergavenny and owner of the Lower Pantiles who says he s sure it will be a marvellous music event in picturesque surroundings. More information and updated band listings can be found online at www.pantilestraders.co.uk and www.somagazine.co.uk Turn to Paul Dunton s music column on page 191 to hear why Local & Live will come back stronger than ever. AUGUST 2013 O ver seven successful years the Local & Live Music Festival has become one of the summer highlights for Tunbridge After much consideration Paul made the decision that 2013 was the year to give Local & Live a break returns in 2014. So magazine is helping to produce posters flyers and advertising to promote both Music on the Tiles and events at the Forum to ensure thousands can enjoy a diverse amount of music day and night. Nick Moore spoke of his desire to make sure the town can still enjoy free live music over the bank holiday weekend. With the sad news that Local & Live had been cancelled it was essential that we as a magazine at the heart of the community acted quickly to effectively still help stage a fantastic music festival over a very important weekend of the year. By joining forces with four other key local 25 SO MOTORS INTERNATIONAL UNDER 30 s WHO ARE BLAZING A TRAIL When model Cara Delevingne turns 21 this month she s likely to be enjoying a slightly higher profile birthday bash than the average young woman. She s already appeared on the cover of Vogue been hailed as the new Kate Moss and has just been named the highest paid model in the world all before she s reached the age of majority. Youth is power it seems so we take a closer look at Cara and some other impressive under-30s who are wasting no time in making their mark BRIGHT SPARKS et s face it most 20-year-olds in Britain are still at university embarking on first jobs or wrestling with the and Yves Saint Laurent and at the 2012 British Fashion Awards she saw off competition from David Gandy and Jourdan Dunn to be named Model of the Year. With many fashion experts declaring her to be the most influential British model since Kate Moss it looks like Cara will become a true beauty icon for our time. After a few seasons you get used to think about and I don t know it just makes you much more aware of what you look like and what people think. It s a bit of a nightmare. As the grand-daughter of former English However for some young people things are hardly born into penury. Her mother Pandora is a friend of the Duchess of York and was hailed as one of the great society beauties in the 1980s while her grandmother was a lady-in- agonising dilemma What shall I do with my life Many people won t ever fully answer that question and even if they do they probably won t reach the pinnacle of achievement in their chosen field until they re in the latter stages of their career having made slow but steady progress up the ladder over a number of years. very different. For some no time is wasted in getting out of the starting blocks and whether through talent hard work or sheer luck they re soon leaving their contemporaries to gaze at their dust. For these special few when the big 3-0 rolls around they ve already got a lifetime of achievement under their belts and are looking for their latest challenge. These are the people who give inspiration to the next generation and who make their elders feel if we re honest a tiny bit inadequate. Cara Delevingne is a case in point. On her 21st birthday (August 4) don t expect to see her enjoying a quiet family dinner or bopping away in a small town nightclub with friends. As she shares a flat with Georgia May Jagger and her closest pals include pop stars Rihanna and Rita Ora Cara is far more likely to spend her special day jetting to a super club in some foreign clime or partying at a rock star s mansion. Having become the highest paid model in the world she brought home 30million between May 2012 and May 2013 it s safe to assume that there ll be no maximum budget for her birthday celebrations. But these days rich young women with famous friends are not an unusual sight so what makes this girl so special When I was really small my mother had difficulty keeping me dressed as I liked to be naked The fashion industry has certainly fallen in love with Cara Delevingne and even if you don t know her name you probably see her face with its distinctive trademark eyebrows almost every day. Her major modelling campaigns have included H&M Zara and Chanel while fans of the catwalk will have seen her strutting her stuff for Stella McCartney Burberry Dolce & Gabbana Moschino and Oscar de la Renta. She s now the face of DKNY L [modelling] and there s a lot you actually have to Heritage chairman Sir Jocelyn Stevens she was waiting to Princess Margaret. Her father Charles made his money in property and gave his three daughters a privileged upbringing in Belgravia and Chelsea. But despite this enviable start in life Cara s already had her fair share of heartache. Pandora struggled with a lifethreatening heroin addiction for many years and spent a lot of time away from home in rehab leaving Charles to raise Cara and her older sisters Poppy and Chloe on his own. Mother and daughters are now close but will Cara be able to keep her head in a notoriously fickle showbiz world and come out the other side still smiling Or will she fall victim to the temptations and distractions that her level of fame can attract Only time will tell but one thing s for sure she s made a big impression so far and that 21st birthday party will be a social highlight of the celebrity year. 26 AUGUST 2013 MOTORS SO When I was really small my mother had difficulty keeping me dressed as I liked to be naked Meet nine more international under-30s who are making the world sit up and pay attention... SO MOTORS SPORT ACTING Selena Gomez Actress and Singer 20 wanted to be an F1 driver. Taking to the track alongside his heroes has proved to be an exhilarating experience. It s really weird he says. When I did my first practice session last year I was on the track with Michael Schumacher. He started in F1 the year I was born and I ve been watching him all my life so to be out there racing with him was amazing. As the relatively new Marussia F1 Team looks to gain its first championship point this season Max hopes that he ll help put his team in pole position. I would love to be World Champion one day. I think we ve got a good chance of scoring a point this year and I would love to be the driver who scores that point. The flag is up now watch this space... Here s a tale to make any struggling parent have hope for their child. Selena Gomez s single mother had to scratch a living and the girl endured daily bullying throughout her school years. Her breakthrough role came in the hit American children s show Wizards of Waverly Place. A well-publicised two-year romance with pop phenomenon Justin Bieber pushed her further into the limelight and this year she was named the world s highest paid actress raking in 63million in the 12 months to May 2013. She s also released albums launched a fashion line and formed her own production company that s a lot of strings for a very young bow so there s no reason to doubt that Selena Gomez will go from strength to strength in the future. Max Chilton Racing Driver 22 When it comes to glamour it s hard to beat the razzamatazz of Formula 1 and this year there s a new face on the starting grid who is sure to make a big noise. Starting with go-karts at the age of nine Max Chilton has made his way up through the ranks of T Car racing Formula 3 and Formula 2 to make his Formula 1 debut this year. He was still just 21 when he climbed into the driving seat for the Marussia Formula 1 team at the Australian Grand Prix and he s delighted to be in action in one of the world s most watched sports. It s the pinnacle of motorsport he says. It s also the fastest and most technological sport some of what we develop is introduced into road cars and mass-produced all over the world. I ve loved racing all my life and always MUSIC BUSINESS Ed Poston Music Industry Executive 28 With the explosion in internet music and the self-promotion opportunities this has presented the music industry is even more competitive and over-populated than ever. So if one person can be described as the glue that holds the UK industry together it s safe to assume that person is pretty special. Ed Poston started out promoting concerts as a teenager now he s responsible for signing and developing writers and artists at BMI a major performing rights organisation that looks after the interests of songwriters and composers. Having added talent such as Ed Sheeran Rita Ora and Example to their books Ed evidently knows a good thing when he spots one and has been hailed by fellow professionals as an absolutely brilliant individual . Looks like our music industry is in good hands... 28 AUGUST 2013 MOTORS SO POP Lady Gaga Singer 27 Can a controversial pop star renowned for her bizarre outfits really be among the world s most powerful women Respected business magazine Forbes seems to think so in its annual poll of the 100 most influential females in the world Lady Gaga is ranked at number 45 among Prime Ministers royalty and philanthropists. But when you consider that she has 38million Twitter followers to go with her 53million fortune it s no surprise that she s considered a force to be reckoned with in this social media-obsessed world. Unlike many mega-rich stars however (questionable fashion choices aside) she has embraced her responsibility as a role model for young people by setting up the not-for-profit Born This Way Foundation which aims to stamp out intolerance this is a clear attempt to help youngsters avoid the bullying that she suffered as a teenager for being eccentric . BUSINESS Nick D Aloisio Entrepreneur 17 Lord Alan Sugar likes to boast about how he started his business while still just a boy but here s a precocious talent who puts the Apprentice boss s early achievements into the shade. Having started tinkering with computers when he was nine British teenager Nick D Aloisio was well-placed to stake his flag in the emerging apps market his news summary app Summly which compiles stories based on users interests and presents them in a more user-friendly way for mobile phones was a huge hit. He created a basic version of Summly at the age of 14 before becoming the youngest person in the world to raise venture capital in order to develop it into the finished product. Earlier this year Nick sold Summly to Yahoo for a reported 20million. Will he be getting a Saturday job anytime soon We doubt it but it s also unlikely that the tech world has seen the last of this whizz kid. POLITICS Pamela Nash Labour MP 29 The title baby of the house might sound a little patronising but it also brings publicity as Pamela Nash found out when at the age of 25 she became the youngest current member of the House of Commons in May 2010. She was elected to replace 64-year-old John Reid as MP for the Scottish constituency of Airdrie and Shotts just four years after graduating from the University of Glasgow with an MA in politics. Her youth marked her out as one to watch though she was soon under fire for failing to submit a single parliamentary question in her first six months in office. However she is certainly busy these days Pamela is Private Parliamentary Secretary to the Northern Ireland Shadow Cabinet team as well as sitting on the select committees for science and technology and Scotland two subjects that should be of great interest to young voters. With youth on her side she is better placed than most MPs to engage under-30s in politics so this early start could result in a long and influential career. AUGUST 2013 29 SO CELEBRITY FASHION JW Anderson Designer 29 Anyone of a nervous disposition should perhaps not venture onto the website of Jonathan William Anderson s fashion brand for they ll see something rather out of the ordinary. Renowned for his open-minded approach and love of the word unisex JW Anderson stole the show at last winter s Men s Fashion Week in London when his collection of strapless tops shift dresses and knee-high frilled boots for chaps sent the tabloid papers into a frenzy of outrage. But his efforts have also attracted a high degree of praise and admiration culminating in the British Fashion Council naming him the Emerging Ready-to-Wear Talent of the Year at last year s awards ceremony. Like it or not it looks like JW Anderson has been THOMAS LOHR accepted into the higher eschelons of fashion society and we could all be wearing his designs before the decade is out... SOCIAL MEDIA Mark Zuckerberg Computer programmer 29 When you look back over the 21st century so far it s hard to think of a more dominant social innovation than the ubiquitous Facebook. Believe it or not the social networking programme was launched less than a decade ago yet Facebook is now used by over 1billion people worldwide having experienced a 10-fold growth in the last five years. Now as essential to business as it is to personal interaction Facebook is a technology trend that has outlived its the process. He s had to see off or settle various lawsuits over the last few years as others have claimed their share in the creation of Facebook but he ll undoubtedly be remembered for good or ill as one of the tech world s greatest inventors. RAPHA L LABB competitors and revolutionised the online world making a healthy 9billion fortune for Mark in PHILANTHROPY Alan Mak Lawyer businessman writer and charity president 29 Summarising Alan Mak s CV is no easy task as the award winning lawyer sits on a variety of boards and councils dealing primarily with sustainable business foreign policy and global issues such as poverty and leadership. He is also a non-executive member of the UK board of Havas SA a Paris-listed global advertising communications and digital services group plus he is a governor of an East London school and is President and Trustee of the award winning Magic Breakfast charity. The organisation is helping children to improve their learning ability by starting each day with a healthy breakfast they now provide meals to more than 7 500 children across 230 primary schools. Despite being one of the youngest non-executive directors of a multinational in the UK Alan still makes time in his schedule to inspire young people by giving motivational talks at schools as part of the Speakers for Schools programme on September 13 he ll be visiting Judd School in Tonbridge to reveal how he has made a difference and how they could follow in his footsteps. Now turn to page 175 to find out about our very own local Young Guns 30 AUGUST 2013 SO 32 AUGUST 2013 T H EOL O O K M TORS SO Over at Melissa Odabash they ve got a fantastic array of exotic swimwear that will make you stand out from the crowds on the beaches. There s a range of gorgeous accessories too such as floaty kaftans and trendy hats all designed to make you feel as glamorous and feminine as possible. This Jori kaftan 192 is one of our top picks for looking cool yet chic on a hot summer s day. Visit www.odabash.com to shop the full collection. BEACH BEAUTY Our favourite AUGUST look AUGUST 2013 J LY 33 SO 34 AUGUST 2013 THE LOOK SO insider I f you re searching for a fashion staple that will guarantee to give you an effortlessly chic sophisticated look search no further try a great pair of shorts. While they might often be associated with a more casual look shorts don t necessarily have to be kept for those picnics in the park or household chores teamed with the right blazer and a pair of great shoes you can guarantee to show your pins off in style from summer through to autumn. While some of you might shriek in horror at the thought of displaying so much leg I would like to reassure you that there are different ways to work this great piece of clothing to suit all tastes shapes and occasions. But first a regular exfoliation moisturising and sometimes needed self-tanning routine is a must before you choose to put your legs on show. Avoid tight shorts and instead work with your with structure like this great tailored pair from Topshop (for 35 at www.topshop.com). Check that they fit you well especially around the waist in the rise and in the thighs. If you have wider hips and thighs choose a broader softer leg. When it comes to choosing what top to wear with your shorts just remember this useful rule if your shorts are loose and baggy wear a tighter top. If they are shorter and tighter loosen up on top. Now we come to the choice of fabric if you re going for a soft feminine style try lace ones but make sure you balance things by teaming them with more simple basic items with minimum detail such as a basic shirt blazer and flat ballet pumps. If you like the idea of Bermuda shorts you can go beyond the relaxed nautical look by working them together with feminine soft fabric tops and blazers pretty high heeled shoes and bold statement jewellery. Stay stylish out there HELGA ESTEB SHUTTERSTOCK.COM FASHION FASHION EXPERT AND PERSONAL STYLIST CATHERINE DE CR VECOEUR REVEALS HOW TO BRING THE LATEST TRENDS TO YOUR AUGUST WARDROBE STEAL HER STYLE Mila Kunis does relaxed chic in style with this great shorts and blazer combo. Switch to shorts on your next night out and turn heads with these from www.internacionale.com for just 18. Team them with a black or cream colour blazer simple blouse and killer heels for a modern feminine look. silhouette go for ones OVER-DRESSED OR UNDER-DRESSED IN A ONE IS NEVER LITTLE TIP Invest in a good T-shirt bra the right one will give you the confidence and shape you need under those unforgiving tees top BLACK DRESS KARL LAGERFELD Splurge Vs Save This piece of arm candy by DKNY (left) available for 255 at www.selfridges.com is the ideal work to weekend bag perfectly sized for everyday essentials. For a similar on and off-duty look you can get this bag from Dune for 65 at www.dune.co.uk Catherine de Cr vecoeur PERSONAL STYLIST www.stylepourmoi.com AUGUST 2013 35 SO THE LOOK belle OF THE BEACH Whether you re after a flattering kaftan or the perfect beach-to-bar dress we ve got your holiday wardrobe sorted MARC JACOBS SUNGLASSES 254 www.farfetch.com J BY JASPER CONRAN HAT 16 www.debenhams.com HOOP EARRINGS 360 www.ornella-iannuzzi.com WOVEN NECKLACE 25 www.phase-eight.co.uk MARGARITA KAFTAN 165 www.myabluebeach.com MIRACLE RED SWIMSUIT 140 www.houseoffraser .co.uk BLUE DRESS 69 www.very.co.uk FREIDA DRESS 79 www.monsoon.co.uk MAYA SANDAL 99 www.hobbs.co.uk WHITE VERDI TROUSERS 99 www.fennwrightmanson.com PAISLEY PRINT DRESS 225 www.jaeger .co.uk KURT GEIGER LONDON CONTRA WEDGES 140 www.harrods.com 36 AUGUST 2013 THE LOOK SO cream OF THE CROP Stay on trend this summer with some statement trousers. Whether you prefer bold prints sexy skinnies or eye catching brights there s a style for everyone PINK JACQUARD TROUSERS 32 www.next.co.uk SPOTTED JACQUARD TROUSERS 38 www.next.co.uk TORY BIRCH TROUSERS 220 www.net-a-porter .com MILLICENT TROUSERS 45 www.monsoon.co.uk BETTY JACKSON TROUSERS 42 www.debenhams.com BANDANA PRINT TROUSERS 25 www.asos.com PALM TREE TROUSERS 99 www.jaeger .co.uk CHRISTOPHER KANE PANTS 275 www.farfetch.com PREEN TROUSERS 50 www.debenhams.com ELGIN SKINNY JEAN 35 www.asos.com FOR THE GENTS RALPH LAUREN POLO SHORTS 69 www.houseoffraser .co.uk TAN LINEN TROUSERS 150 www.edeandravenscroft.co.uk BERTIE BOUNCE SHOES 65 www.dune.co.uk PANAMA HAT 85 www.edeandravenscroft.co.uk J U LY 2 0 1 3 37 SO 38 AUGUST 2013 SO PLAYING IT STRAIGHT After several seasons out of favour super straight locks are making a comeback. Poker straight hair dominated the summer catwalks and luckily it s a style most of us can achieve at home. Keep your hair in top condition with a heat protector and some good quality hair oil - don t forget to trim any split ends as well. After blow drying run straighteners through your strands for a polished look then finish with a little hair gloss for a super sleek shiny do like this one by Joico. 40 J U LY 2 0 1 3 T H EOL O O K M TORS SO Hairheroes Sun surf and sangria are all very well but the holiday lifestyle can wreak havoc on the much-loved locks you ve been tending through the cooler months. Fortunately hair care brands are on hand with a wealth of solutions to keep your tresses in top condition and perfect shape no matter what style you opt for WORKING TEXTURE SPRAY 250ML 30 Perfect for adding texture to your hair this spray will give you sun-drenched style for the beach and fantastic volume for those balmy evenings. Available from www.selfridges.com SHOW PREMIERE BOTANICAL HAIR CARE NUTRI-REPAIR CONDITIONER 150ML 6.50 Sun and chlorine will dry out your hair so this new botanical siliconefree range aims to restore moisture to frazzled dos. There s a shampoo and repair oil in the collection too. Available from www.yves-rocher.co.uk YVES ROCHER ANTI-BREAKAGE SHAMPOO 300ML 9.99 & HAIR LOSS MASK 300ML 12.99 Whether your hair has been the victim of the sun or your fondness for straighteners these new products are formulated with proteins vitamins and ginseng to improve breakage resistance. Available from selected Boots stores and www.naturvital.co.uk NATUR VITAL BUMBLE & BUMBLE SURF FOAM WASH SHAMPOO 8.5OZ 18.50 More than a decade after creating their iconic Surf Spray this new shampoo from Bumble & Bumble uses minerals and sea botanicals that tousled by the sea breeze look. Available from www.bumblea ndbumble.co.uk STYLE SPRAY WAX 150ML 7.19 Super straight hair is hot this summer for glamorous evenings out so make sure there s not a hair out of place with some smoothing spray wax. No fly-aways to ruin your poker straight do Available from Boots AUGUST 2013 TONI & GUY 41 SO MOTORS Tell us about your career path so far... I began my career with John Frieda s in Mayfair at 15 and assisted Clifford Stafford who trained many of today s elite hairdressers. Nicky Clarke spotted me and took me on as his assistant. Working closely with Nicky over many years I became his right-hand man. What s the biggest hair trend this summer Retro glamour is hot this summer with lots of modern takes on old classics like the beehive. Fringes are also very big texture. As Yves Saint Laurent said Fashion fades...but style is eternal. If you could only buy one haircare product for a holiday in the sun what would it be Herra Protect Hair Perfume is the luxury hair care product that I m recommending to all my clients to take on holiday this year. It protects the hair against harmful UV rays and has a fabulous fragrance so your hair will look great and smell amazing. Which celebrity s hair would you most like to get your hands on I would like to work with Katy Perry. I like the way she switches between very classic simple looks and more adventurous creative ones. She is not afraid to be an individual and develop her own styles and trends. Daniel Jordan DANIEL JORDAN LONDON HIGH STREET SEVENOAKS WWW.DANIELJORDANLONDON.COM 01732 455 535 along with cropped short-layered hair and pixie cuts which are fresh sexy and very low maintenance and can be easily re-styled. When looking at current trends you should always consider their suitability to your face shape and hair TOUCHOFSTYLE You don t need to trek all the way to London these days for an on-trend and stylish new hair look... everything you need is right here on your doorstep. And to prove it we talk to top local creative stylists about summer trends and seasonal tips What s your background From the tender age of 16 I started a hairdressing apprenticeship. From there I attained my NVQ 2 and worked in salons in Essex which was fantastic as I was often asked for new and innovtive styles and fashionable colours. In 2005 I opened a salon in Cranbrook with my sister-in-law. It has been a fantastic journey of dicovery in which I have learned so much. In 2012 I became a Master Colourist for Wella Professionals which has been tremendous for me personally and even better for both the salon s clients and all our staff. Which celebrity s hair would you like to get your hands on I would love to style both Jennifer Aniston and Simon Cowell s hair beacause I think a change would be great for them they have looked the same for so long What about summer hair products My favourite summer product would be Aqua-Seal by Kerastase. Most importanty it has a UV filter is water resistant and helps to re-hydrate your hair. shiny hair and for the younger girls maybe intwine some small plaits and braids. Sara Purdy PURDY & POWER HIGH STREET CRANBROOK WWW.PURDYANDPOWER.COM 01580 720 990 Tell us about summer trends My summer trends for 2013 are soft curls and beachy waves using styling wands and salt sprays. For finishing I would add oils or serums because everyone wants 42 AUGUST 2013 ADVERTORIAL SO Fabian Lecoultre-Downs OCTANE HAIR STUDIOS CRANBROOK ROAD HAWKHURST WWW.OCTANE-HAIR.CO.UK 01580 752 952 Tell us about the salon... Octane Hairdressing for Men has been in Hawkhurst for over five years. With more than 100 years of combined staff experience finding quality haircuts is not hard at Octane. The staff have trained and worked in London and Brighton as well as some of the major cities in Europe the Caribbean Canada and Australia to name but a few. The shop is based on the Steve McQueen film Le Mans boasting half a 1970 Porsche 911 RS at the reception desk and many other items that would have been seen trackside at Le Mans back in 1970. What s the biggest hair trend this summer The biggest men s trend this year would have to be the disconnected textured flick. Now some might call it a comb over but there s a lot more going on on top for this style and the sides are faded down. This all gives the haircut a depth and sharp look. Which products would you take on holiday in the sun We sell a large range of hair products but one that stands out from the crowd is Evo s Box o Bollox texture paste. It has a very high hold factor and a very matt finish. Another is Evo s Water Killer a dry shampoo that s great for those who are on the go whether it s the gym or a music festival. Which celebrity s hair would you most like to get your hands on We would like to get our hands on a few who come in to us But one that wouldn t happen unfortunately is the late king of cool Steve McQueen. AUGUST 2013 43 PHOTO SHANE TURNBULL SO MOTORS training and now have 20 years experience. What s the biggest hair trend this summer This summer we are going to see more balayage and dip dye especially with the launch of Wella s Colour ID system. It will let clients enjoy multi-tonal colouring layering colour into the hair without boundaries. Holiday blondes and sun kissed brunettes will never have looked so stunningly natural and head turning. If you could only buy one haircare product for a holiday in the sun what would it be It would definitely be Wella SP Perfect Hold Jaimie Ansell-Hilton SW1 HAIR AND BEAUTY HIGH STREET TUNBRIDGE WELLS WWW.SW1HB.CO.UK 01892 618 388 Tell us about your career path so far... At a young age I managed a hair salon in a local health spa and then became a director at a Tunbridge Wells salon. At SW1 Hair and Beauty I specialise in hair extension work and colouring. I recently graduated as a Wella Master Colour Expert after two years of intense hairspray because you can use it to add lift hold and texture while it provides the most fantastic brilliant intensive shine. Once you use it you will never look back. Which celebrity s hair would you most like to get your hands on Joanna Lumley has an amazing amount of hair giving us endless opportunities to be creative with a new look Of course I would balance it with her well known style personality. On the other hand for outright fun and laughter I would love Julie Walters to let me style her and have a gossip International for the Fellowship of British Hairdressing in London. Tell us about summer trends Making waves this summer is what it s all about Brooklyn Decker creates the look perfectly. While a tousled beachy texture is setting the trend blonde is most certainly the must have colour. What about summer hair products If I could buy one product for a holiday in the sun it would be Essence Absolute Oil from Shu Uemura. Long lasting it has a great smell as well as heat and UV Mario Failla THE GALLERY SOUTHBOROUGH TUNBRIDGE WELLS WWW.THEGALLERY.ME 01892 514 900 What s your background In addition to being a L Oreal ID Artist and a L Oreal H3 Ambassador I also have 10 years experience as a former Art Team member with Andrew Barton. I have twice been a regional finalist for the L Oreal Colour Trophy and was a guest artist at Salon protection. It s luxury at its best. Which celebrity s hair would you like to get your hands on I m a huge movie fan and love real classics like Trading Places so I think I would choose one of the female icons of the 80s. Jamie Lee Curtis would be a top choice. I like her go a grey colour so I would just focus my efforts on her cut clean simple styling that can be worn a variety of different ways. 44 AUGUST 2013 ADVERTORIAL SO time teacher I jumped at the chance. Being a part of The Chapel has allowed me to be the stylist I ve always wanted to be - offering guests time to express themselves and working together to come to a design perfect for them. Tells us about summer trends. Summer hair needs to have more movement texture and in this weather needs to be easy to handle. Festivals are a great source of inspiration we dress our hair and ourselves in ways that perhaps we wouldn t be brave enough to try in our everyday lives. For example braids and candy floss colours are great ways to get that summer feel. Check out Kelly Osbourne and Helen Mirran for their take on it. sally crockforth THE CHAPEL SEVENOAKS AND TUNBRIDGE WELLS WWW.THECHAPEL.CO.UK 01732 759 839 And summer hair products At The Chapel we have a great variety of home care but I particularly love K rastase. My ultimate summer hero product is Spray A Porter which is great for that effortless beach look. Which celebrity s hair would you like to get your What s your background I started with Vidal Sassoon 12 years ago in Covent Garden which is where I caught the creative bug. When I completed my training I built a loyal fan base in the City allowing me to perfect my craft and put my personality into my work. While there I started teaching in the salon and realised I had a passion for education so when an opportunity came up in the Sassoon Academy for a full hands on I d love to work The Chapel magic on Bradley Cooper as he has amazing texture and great bone structure and I think Rita Ora could do with ditching the blonde. She has an incredible style that should be reflected in her hair. (Sally is available at both The Chapel Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells) Miu Hermes Chloe and Margiela. These experiences have attracted a high profile clientele to me including Victoria Beckham and Naomi Campbell. Now I m really enjoying my time working with Leigh and helping to develop the salon and the brand. What s the biggest hair trend this summer I m noticing really diverse and contrasting trends from the young Shoreditch kids championing the graphic lines with undercuts and bold bright crazy colours to the much looser beach glamour seen on the more stylish women. If you could choose just one product to take for a holiday in the sun which would it be greg morgan LEIGH ROBERTS VALE ROAD TUNBRIDGE WELLS WWW.LEIGHROBERTS.CO.UK 01892 557 718 Tell us about your career path so far... I ve been very lucky to have worked as Creative Director for Vidal Sassoon and Aveda Top Stylist at John Frieda and Artistic Director at Toni & Guy. I ve also worked with some of the world s leading fashion photographers including Ellen von Unwerth Lee Broomfield Tim Bret-Day and Rankin with editorial work appearing in Vogue Elle and ID magazines and on some major fashion shows including Prada Miu Davines Sea-Salt Spray - just wash spray and go. It s perfect for really easy unstructured hair that looks like you ve been on the beach. Alternatively to completely get rid of frizz and combat the effects of humidity have a Nanokeratin treatment before you go. Then you can just let your hair dry naturally and have totally hassle free smooth shiny hair all the time. Which celebrity s hair would you most like to get your hands on Well I m lucky to be able to work on numerous high profile clients already many of whom I have a lot of fun with. At the moment I m trying to get my hands on Anna Wintour s hair because I do cut an awesome bob. AUGUST 2013 45 SO beauty FILE Take a peek in our cosmetics bag as we reveal this month s beauty favourites Tried & Tested... our pick of the best beauty products around this month MANUKA HONEY & BEE VENOM SERUM 30ML 45 LIQUID FOUNDATION 30ML 10.50 This new natural skincare brand combines Manuka honey The first makeup collection specially formulated for with purified bee venom to assist cell regeneration and give exotic skintones EX1 offers products to complement the an anti-ageing effect. The oil-free serum massages in easily natural pigments found in darker skin so shoppers can and skin is visibly tightened. buy the right tones at high street prices. Available from www.beetox.co.uk Available from www.lookfantastic.com BEETOX EX1 INVISIWEAR SPARKLING MINERAL WATER COMPLEXION MIST 100ML 7.49 Infused with grapefruit lavender and ylang ylang scent this organic mist hydrates and refreshes skin for up to eight hours. Ideal for sprucing up on hot days. Available from www.aubreyorganicsuk.co.uk AUBREY SELF SUN BODY TINTED LOTION 125ML 18 Banish those pasty legs with this lovely tinted gel which glides on easily and produces a natural looking tan within a few hours. Detailed instructions mean you look bronzed not orange. Available at Clinique counters and www.clinique.co.uk CLINIQUE INTENSIVE TREATMENT FOR WATER RETENTION & CELLULITE 250ML 32 Get bikini-ready with this intensive product that can show results within two weeks reducing fluid retention and the appearance of new cellulite for a leaner smoother look. Great for targeting those problem areas. Available from www.urbanretreat.co.uk beautique PUPA EYE SHADOW SHIMMER BRICK 42 Achieve a shimmering mermaid look with this mix of 10 iridescent shadows use one for a subtle effect or sweep across all colours for an incandescent sheen. Available at Fenwick Tunbridge Wells and www.bobbibrown.co.uk BOBBI BROWN HEALTH SUPPLEMENT 30-DAY SUPPL 180 Y For a summer pick-me-up this twice-daily natural formula created from super-fruits native to the Amazon offers an energy boost as well as having a cleansing and detoxifying effect. You can just sprinkle it on yoghurt or blend it into your smoothie. Available from www.oncacompany.com ON A FOR NOUVEAU LASHES SUMMER LIMITED EDITION 12.95 Looking perfect by the pool is a doddle with these which are water and heat resistant and can be worn for up to three days. Plus the design is light and flirty to suit your summer wardrobe. Available from www.millie-mackintosh.com MILLIE MACKINTOSH 46 AUGUST 2013 THE LOOK SO SCENTS OF SUMMER GENT S GROOMING Talking of fragrances you ll be hard pushed to beat the exquisite scent of Dior Homme Cologne ( 51 for 75ml) this summer. Crisp as a glass of dry white wine this citrusy blend just oozes the essence of summer calabrian bergamot grapefruit blossom and white musks create a cologne that is simple yet sophisticated. Available from Harrods at www.harrods.co.uk Here are some of our favourite fresh and fruity fragrances for warm days SEX AND THE CITY SUNRISE 1OOML 22.50 Transport yourself to Manhattan for a city summer with this light and flowery fragrance inspired by the iconic TV show. Rose de May star jasmine and lily of the valley provide the indulgent mid notes. Available from www.hbouk.com ORLA KIELY ROSIE EAU DE TOILETTE 100ML 42 Like dancing through a woodland glade in summer... this delightful scent combines rose coriander and mandarin with black pepper nutmeg and cedar wood all in a cute retro bottle. Available from Debenhams and www.keepmeinspired.co.uk BOHEMIAN NATURALS THAI SUNSHINE PERFUME 4ML 30 Escape the British summer with this delightful scent inspired by the Land of Smiles. Top notes of lime lemongrass and ginger combine with crisp cedar wood to bring the warm climate to you. Available from www.bohemiannaturals.com If you re hitting the tennis court or cricket pitch this summer Molton Brown s new Sport Collection should find its way into your kit bag. The 4-in-1 Sportswash ( 16) takes care of body face hair and shave freeing up more room for your gear while the Body-warming Sportsbalm ( 18) will help ward off muscle aches before or after you exercise. Finally the Anti-perspirant Sportstick ( 16) gives you fresh protection for up to 24 hours. Available from www.moltonbrown.co.uk CALVIN KLEIN CK ONE SUMMER LIMITED EDITION EAU DE TOILETTE 100ML 26.95 If you love CK One who doesn t this summer version is a real treat as notes of watermelon cucumber lily and citrus add a light and fruity edge to this perennial unisex favourite. Available from www.fragrancedirect.co.uk CALMER VIOLETS There s a big trend for rainbow bright eye makeup this summer but if you want a more sophisticated take on the look the Yves Saint Laurent Marrakesh Sunset Palette just oozes class. When you re preparing for a big night out either at home or on some sun-kissed shore create a smoky eye using the violet shadow and then edge with gold on the inner corners of your lids you ll be smouldering just like that Marrakech sunset. At 42 this perfect palette is a summer must-have but it s a limited edition and demand has been high so don t hesitate to invest Yves Saint Laurent products are stocked at Fenwick Tunbridge Wells and online at www.yslbeauty.co.uk AUGUST 2013 47 THE LOOK SO expert OPINION USING YOUR FAT TO FIGHT AGEING Fat is usually something we want to get rid of as quickly as possible but could it be put to good use in delaying the signs of ageing Cosmetic surgeon Dr Roberto Viel of e London Centre of Aesthetic Surgery in Harley Street tells us about the benefits of transferring fat to the face the cheek area giving us a sad gloomy look. By placing fat in the upper third of our face we produce an uplift effect reshaping the face to look more youthful. As well as losing volume from the face it can also happen to the backs of the hands. Autologous fat is the ideal filler to rejuvenate these areas as well as the nasal labial fold (mouth to nose grooves) or any other body depression. Autologous fat (one s own fat) is today s number one filling agent for loss of volume and creases on our faces. As we age the appearance of these creases is inevitable as part of the ageing process. But although there is nothing we can do to stop it we can fill out the creases with fat thus making them decrease or appear less prominent. We are seeing great results from this and very natural results. Plus since it is the patient s own fat there is no risk of rejection and no possibility of allergic reaction. Physicians are changing the way they think about rejuvenating the ageing face. Patient options are no longer limited to injection of foreign fillers surgical tissue removal or tightly stretched skin. Increasingly surgeons are choosing to inject autologous fat to plump up and restructure facial volume. The procedure is more than 100 years old dating back to 1893 when a German Franz Neuber used a patient s own fat to fill scarred tissue. Prior to the 1990s however few patients experienced long-lasting fat grafts primarily due to adipose tissue being damaged during high-pressure harvesting A s we get older we start to lose fat from our upper face. This loss of fat and associated loose skin starts to show in or harmful processing procedures such as washing and excessive exposure to air. I m a pioneer in modern fat grafting techniques and in the early 1990s I perfected a method of negative-pressure harvesting by hand. The greatest advantage of fat grafting is its safety as an autologous product. It s also less expensive than other injectable fillers such as the hyaluronic acids Restylane and Hylaform. Fat and hyaluronic acid are both good fillers fillers can do some things that fat can t like fill finer wrinkles and upper lip lines. However filler is very pricey compared to fat and lasts four to eight months on average. So it s pretty priceprohibitive for someone who needs a lot of volume re-expansion in their face. I think more physicians are starting to do fat grafting. Over the last 25 years I ve noticed that when we inject someone with fat their pores get smaller their pigmentation gets lighter even women who were subject to adult acne stopped having outbreaks. We didn t know what caused this at the time but recently we ve learned it comes from the stem cells within fat. This is what has made people s skin so wonderful after fat transfer. Although more research needs to be done with fat stem cells the next decade will likely see increased numbers of surgeons - including head and neck surgeons utilising fat grafting for facial rejuvenation. www.lcas.com AUGUST 2013 J LY 49 SOCIAL SO FLASH BACK Party goers in lycra and legwarmers danced the night away at an 80s night in Tunbridge Wells to raise funds for chYps Children s Hospice at Home. Around 140 people turned out at the Spa Hotel to support of the local charity s first Do You Love The 80s event. Backcombed hair and neon colours filled the function room as guests were welcomed with a Pimms reception and buffet. Director of Fundraising Rachel Holweger says nearly 5 000 was raised towards end of life care for sick children. www.chyps.org PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM KESTEVEN AUGUST 2013 51 SO 52 AUGUST 2013 SO MOTORS PICTURES BY SAM YARDLEY OAKS... Sponsored by FROM MIGHTY THOSE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN SEVENOAKS ALREADY KNOW THAT OUR TOWN IS A RATHER SPECIAL PLACE TO BE BUT WHAT MAKES IT SUCH A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE ith its particular blend of culture and commerce Sevenoaks is a great place to live and is very indicator of the town s desirability . Few other towns if any feature so prominently in such surveys but it s no surprise when you look at what Sevenoaks has to offer. Aside from its historical popular with commuters who can enjoy a swift journey to work in London and come home to life in a very special Kent town. It has a rich history and some famous landmarks Knole House (1456) Sevenoaks School (1432) and The Vine Cricket Ground (1734) and yet has its feet firmly planted in today. The status and standing of our town has been reinforced in recent months with the publication of three national surveys which all feature Sevenoaks. Following a major study by the United Kingdom Peace Index into the number of incidents of violent crime Sevenoaks was named as one of the most peaceful places in the UK. Another survey this time by Amazon placed us in the top 10 of the most well-read towns and cities in the UK. Perhaps the really interesting survey was the one carried out by the consultancy WealthInsight into the 10 richest small towns in Britain. It was based on the number of millionaires per head of population. Sevenoaks was placed third an impressive W significance and attractive streets there is so much entertainment on offer that residents hardly need to venture beyond the town for their cultural hit. At the Stag Theatre household names visit on a monthly basis to tickle funny bones at the Outside the Box comedy club music fans can discover an eclectic mix of live performance from blues to classic rock and families can look forward to festive fun on their doorstep when the annual pantomime gets underway. In addition the Sevenoaks Summer Festival adds two weeks of outstanding entertainment. This year s event saw a diverse and packed programme of shows to suit virtually every interest comprising art music drama comedy children s entertainment local clubs and much more. Highlights included appearances by poet Pam Ayres folk band Steeleye Span and guitarist John Williams all kicked off by a fantastic family day at Bligh s Meadow. All these community events going on mean plenty of business for the town s pubs cafes and restaurants while those seeking retail therapy Warners Solicitors discretion assured whatever the secret warners-solicitors.co.uk 54 AUGUST 2013 A D V E R TO T O A S M ORIRL SO Sevenoaks is such a friendly place and it s close to London yet far enough away to feel like you re in the countryside can also find much to enjoy in the town centre with its broad array of shops. Foodies are in luck as they can stock their cupboards at the town s fishmongers butchers bakers and delicatessens while the regular Wednesday markets offer yet another chance to stock up on locally produced food drink and other goods. From antiques traders and booksellers to independent fashion boutiques and beauty salons there s little you can t find on a retail therapy trip to Sevenoaks. District councillor Gary Williamson who also runs Williamsons Butchers in London Road was born in Knockholt and has lived in the Sevenoaks district for about 45 years. Sevenoaks is such a friendly place and it s close to London yet far enough away to feel like you re in the countryside he says. I became a district councillor 15 or 16 years ago because I wanted to put something back into the community in which I was born and brought up. For anyone who is new to Sevenoaks Gary recommends taking a good look around you as you explore the historic streets in order to absorb the wealth of history in the town. I would say look up rather than looking at the pavement he says. Take a look at the old court house the town hall the old chapel the Shambles read a few books. I love the history side of life here. As a butcher who also stocks a variety of other products Sevenoaks is a great place to be. With plenty of demand for traceable local meat and a fantastic location in the Garden of England Gary is well-placed to source high quality produce. I ve run this shop for 18 years and we ve diversified we re now doing outside catering too he says. We work with local farmers and producers who supply some very good things such as local cheeses meats and bread. I can only see that food scene getting better and better. With a thriving business and cultural community good transport links and a friendly atmosphere it s easy to see why Sevenoaks is one of the most desirable towns in the UK. AUGUST 2013 55 SO 56 AUGUST 2013 SO MOTORS SOPHISTICATED SHUTTERS At Hillarys you ll find a wide selection of fantastic shutter options. With their sleek good looks and practicality it s not surprising that shutters are widely considered the Rolls Royce of window dressings. Effortlessly chic they have many plus points as they give privacy light control sound and draught proofing while making a laidback statement. As shutters fit snugly and tightly into the window recess effectively closing off the window they provide even better insulation than curtains or blinds. Making the most of natural daylight is even more important during the shorter winter days and shutters allow you to let light flood in while maintaining privacy and security and a lovely cosy feel. In the UK our weather generally tends to be a bit on the grey side and daylight can lack the clarity and brightness of warmer climates. This is why painted wood has become so popular as we try to lighten up our homes with pale colours. Cream or white shutters can echo Mediterranean style help create a cool and calm coastal feel or even invoke a New England look while stained lacquered or oiled wood is ideal for a more country theme. 0800 916 6524 www.hillarys.co.uk LIFE & STYLE HERE S OUR PICK OF SOME OF THE BEST WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR HOME AND LIFESTYLE THIS MONTH ROYAL RETREAT This Victoria & Albert Amalfi freestanding volcanic limestone bath from Badger Bathrooms is a glorious addition to any bathroom. Softly contoured sides descend gracefully to the floor uncluttered by wastepipe work while an extended backrest provides full head support essential for those long luxurious soaks. 8 9 Tubs Hill Parade Tubs Hill Sevenoaks TN13 1DH 01732 464 450 www.badgerbathrooms.com 58 AUGUST 2013 LIFE & STYLES SO HEIR APPARENT As part of our Life & Style feature we profile some of the people driving local businesses forward. Heading the successful hair and beauty salon SWI in Tunbridge Wells is Manager Lauren Willis. SW1 Managing Director Sandra Wood tells us how she became part of the business. Lauren joined SW1 four years ago aged 26 after graduating from university with a BA Hons in fashion promotions. This led her into the world of fashion dressing and merchandising where she obtained great roles in companies such as Jaegar Topshop and Balmain. She realised though that her first love was hairdressing and decided to go out and find herself that career. Lauren has excelled at each and every challenge thrown at her. From never having cut or coloured anyone s hair she went to KCollege and completed the course within 14 months instead of two years. She also completed numerous courses and progressed though the stages in the salon from Undergraduate Designer to Salon Manager. An amazing achievement in such a short time From her interview I thought this lady could run and manage my business . She has immense passion for all aspects of life and carries you along in her bubbly exciting world. She is caring and a very hard worker for herself her team her clients and for the business a great speaker and leader of others. Lauren pushes herself and thrives in achieving every goal put in front of her with great vigour and without stepping on anyone s toes. She s a role model for our training of future professionals and all her clients love her care and attention to detail. Lauren s a total perfectionist. SW1 Hair and Beauty 17 High Street Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1UT 01892 618 388 www.sw1hb.co.uk Twitter SW1HB BATHED IN GLORY The Bathroom Shop at Tenterden is a family business that was established in 1987 but our family has been trading from these premises since 1928 Our aim is to provide quality value and above all service both before and after sales. What sets us apart from other businesses is not only our possession of so many years of knowledge and experience but also the wider variety of bathroom products we offer covering towels bath mats sponges toiletries kimonos shower caps shower curtains hand painted porcelain waste bins and particularly a wide range of accessories. We endeavour to help our customers achieve their perfect bathroom and to avoid pitfalls in the installation furthermore our expertise stretches to covering obscure spare parts and even discontinued lines or colours. We have formed relationships over many years with well-established distributors upon whom we rely to provide our sort of service and it is very rare that we cannot help with any enquiry. The Bathroom Shop 11 East Cross Tenterden Kent TN30 6AD 01580 763 207 www.the-bathroomshop.co.uk AUGUST 2013 59 SO So Spa so good This month So magazine caught up with Ant and Georgie Scragg two young hoteliers from Tunbridge Wells. We find out what makes this brother and sister partnership such a success and get an insight into The Spa s future The Balcony Room Zagatos Bar EVENTS FRIDAY AUGUST 30TH Live Jazz at Zagatos with Manhattan Magic & Lesley Alexander from 8.00pm FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27TH Live Jazz at Zagatos with Sue Rivers from 8.00pm SUNDAY OCTOBER 13TH Wedding Fayre 11.00am to 3.00pm SATURDAY OCTOBER 19TH Murder Mystery Night FRIDAY OCTOBER 25TH Live Jazz at Zagatos from 8.00pm FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29TH Live Jazz at Zagatos from 8.00pm 60 AUGUST 2013 ADVERTORIAL SO ANT We acquired the hotel in May 2007 which seems a lifetime ago now. It was tired and in need of some serious TLC. GEORGIE The hotel has always been an iconic building amongst the TW crowd WHEN DID YOU ACQUIRE THE SPA HOTEL AND WHAT WERE YOUR PLANS FOR IT direct approach. I like things done efficiently and to the high standards that the management team set. Managing one s staff is key and it is vital that the whole team are on board. time in London as that s where my friends are I think the level of product and service is unrivalled there and I m always soaking up ideas and trying to breathe them into The Spa where possible. GEORGIE I am lucky enough to have travelled well and lived in Barcelona for a few years so I like to think I can absorb trends and fashions well and hopefully continue to create a space that people can enjoy. and we wanted to bring it into the present day - providing a top class service and product. A serious makeover was on the cards We wanted to create beautiful stylish surroundings to make guests feel comfortable and relaxed whilst keeping on trend. ANT Definitely. I have worked for large DOES THE FACT THAT THE HOTEL IS FAMILY RUN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE ANT SCRAGG Deputy General Manager companies where the hotel is one of 15 or 20 hotels and there is definitely a more intimate friendly feel here. We get a lot of glowing feedback from our guests highlighting this. Plus I think it s always nice for guests if they can speak to the decision makers. Too often these days at best you might get an email address or a line manager. GEORGIE We will always try to meet and exceed each guest s expectations and any feedback is gratefully received. Both Ant and I are here daily so decisions can be authorised immediately alongside our General Manager Graham Rothwell. We do not have to go to head office to get the OK . ANT As my Father continues to take more of a back seat Georgie and I will have more influence in the running and the future of the Hotel. I think it s fairly simple in our minds. We want to continue to improve the fabric of the property whilst delivering excellent food and customer service. The Hotel spent so long under the previous ownership people are surprised when they see the changes we have made. GEORGIE From a design perspective I would like to continue to modernise the public areas obviously respecting the age of the building to create a chic sleek finish and perhaps catch the eyes of the younger generation of TW. There is so much growth left in the hotel and the company and through the design I would like to open up and offer the hotel to a wider clientele base. I think that there is a lot to give not only from Ant and I but the whole team up here on the hill www.spahotel.co.uk GEORGIE SCRAGG TELL US ABOUT YOUR FUTURE AMBITIONS FOR THE SPA. ANT Yes quite a few at vast expense so my FC keeps telling me We have refurbished the public areas but perhaps the biggest change was creating the Orangery. This has been a huge success it is so popular for weddings and private functions and for guests stopping by for lunch or drinks. GEORGIE We have also refurbished 34 bedrooms with a selection of contemporary schemes. Particular favourites are our Balcony Room which is very elegant and has a classic French style and 116 which has an African theme (and a fabulous bath shower - you will have to check in to find out more ) And of course the transformation of the Bar.... HAVE YOU MADE ANY MAJOR CHANGES OR ALTERATIONS SO FAR Assistant General Manager & Interior Designer ANT Despite my Father s success in the industry it was never my intention to follow this career path growing up. I used to play professional tennis. When that came to an end I turned to the only other thing I knew and embarked on an hotel management training scheme. When my family invested in The Spa it was a natural decision to get involved. Since then things have developed and my Father has taken a back seat. There is a good team of senior people that are helping develop my skills too so I m always learning. GEORGIE Whilst I have been involved in the operational management side my flair is for design (having studied at KLC School of Design). I am now fully focussed on the Interior Design and the remaining bedrooms Spa area and lounge are all being considered for possible schemes in this next chapter. There are definitely some exciting changes still to come. HOW HAVE YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE BUSINESS GEORGIE The bar is named after and styled around the iconic Aston Martin Zagato and was designed to attract a variety of guests and non-residents. With the traditional style in the lounge the bar is very modern in comparison. We wanted to create an area that appeals to a younger crowd and somewhere suitable for our live jazz nights which have proved really popular . YES TELL US ABOUT ZAGATOS ANT Whilst the industry is moving away from formality I still believe there is a place for professionalism and excellent customer service. That s what people want when they step into an hotel or restaurant. GEORGIE Having worked in hospitality since the age of 16 in both London and Spain and also on a Russian Nuclear Icebreaker that travelled to The North Pole these experiences have given me a very HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP YOUR APPROACH TO HOSPITALITY ANT I feel very passionately about the WHAT CONTRIBUTION DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE MADE ALREADY OR WILL MAKE IN THE FUTURE hotel and I am always trying to improve the service and standard of product. When I m not working I tend to spend most of my AUGUST 2013 61 SO GREAT GOLF CLUB More than just a These days golf courses offer much more than just a game many have also become popular venues for social events including weddings. With sweeping green backdrops and exquisite clubhouses it s no surprise places like Woodlands Manor Golf Club in West Kingsdown are now seen as attractive venues for both golfers and those about to tie the knot TELL US ABOUT THE COURSE Woodlands Manor lies in an official Area of Natural Beauty halfway up a stunning valley on the North Downs and is considered one of the prettiest and friendliest courses in Kent. Our mature parkland offers the distinct advantage of draining quickly and remaining dry even during periods of prolonged wet weather. In winter and spring while most Kent golfers are playing on temporary greens conditions at Woodlands Manor remain firm and fast. We never have temporary greens. The course layout provides an enjoyable challenge for all level of golfers with spectacular views throughout particularly standing on the 18th par 3 with a panoramic view of the valley. There s cherry blossom in spring lush verdant green landscape in summer and a beautiful gold and brown vista in autumn. The 10-acre practice facility is one of the best in the area and includes a grass driving range short game area chipping and putting greens and a practice bunker. Quickly improve your game with lessons from our PGA Professional Phil Womack. Woodlands Manor offers a membership programme for every golfer every budget and every lifestyle. As a serious bonus your annual subscription provides free access to 27 excellent golf courses as part of The Golf Club Network. Is there a better golf deal in all of the United Kingdom Most important of all we pride ourselves on our friendly staff who provide the very highest standards of customer service and like to say YES to make each and every visit more enjoyable for you We take pride in tailoring requirements to individual needs be it membership society golf or a friendly four-ball. 62 AUGUST 2013 GOLF SO WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CLUB AS A WEDDING VENUE Whether you are looking for a civil marriage ceremony full wedding reception and evening party or something a little more intimate Woodlands Manor is the ideal venue. The newly refurbished space is contemporary and flexible with stunning views of the Kent countryside while having easy access to the M25 and M20. The air conditioned space is fully licensed to hold civil ceremonies and the terrace is specially designed to accommodate a marquee to give you even more flexibility. Our lush green landscape is the perfect backdrop for creating truly magnificent wedding photographs. Packages are designed to give you everything you need for a fantastic wedding reception. The team at Woodlands has a vast amount of experience organising and managing weddings - experience which will prove invaluable to you from the moment you book right through to your special day. AND WHAT ARE THE PLAYING OPTIONS FULL MEMBERSHIP We provide tailored membership packages to suit the needs of prospective members ranging from 250 for a Lifestyle membership through to Full 7-Day Membership and Corporate packages. In between we have options for mid-week membership and PM Membership i.e. play after noon in Winter and 1pm in summer for a reduced rate. Corporate and Family packages are available. JUNIORS Juniors are always welcome with a variety of age brackets that enable a staggered progression to full adult membership. We also provide for Under-30 Under-25 and Under-21 progression. YOU RE ALSO KNOWN AS AN OUTSTANDING ASIAN WEDDING PARTY VENUE Yes we are. Choose one of our exclusive packages and we will exceed your wildest expectations by promising to turn your dreams into reality. Our dedicated event manager will coordinate every detail to your desired specification so that you can enjoy the day stress free. Sapphire Banqueting is a market leader in Asian wedding venues and we have a dedicated team with a wealth of experience in Asian weddings and receptions. With our extensive knowledge of all Asian faiths we are confident in being able to manage your wedding with great expertise. The large suite can easily be adapted for all types of weddings receptions and ceremonies and can seat 450 guests in one sitting or many more in multiple sittings. We can also divide the room for separate male and female areas. Wedding ceremonies and receptions can be indoors or outdoor and we offer a wide range of services from basic room hire to a complete package where we will take care of all the wedding preparations from venue d cor catering waiting staff wedding stages and cakes. Costs are tailored to every budget ranging from a fixed price service to a fully bespoke event. Catering ranges from alfresco Barbecue and Hog Roast through to more formal menus and settings tailored to individual needs. GREEN FEES These range from 22 to 36 pp with occasional promotions for 4-balls and 2 for 1 green fees. LESSONS PGA Professional and Director of Golf Phil Womack is the senior teaching professional and specialises in all areas of lessons and custom fitting including Mental Training and Course Management via a playing lesson. A variety of lessons are available to suit individual ability and ambition from 30 per half-hour. Prices can be reduced by booking a package of lessons. For new members there is an introductory lesson for 9.99 for initial assessment and a chance to get to know Phil your guide through your golfing experience. PRO SHOP In partnership with the Nevada Bob golf shop chain we provide a range of equipment and clothing on site with the option to order. WOODLANDS MANOR GOLF COURSE Tinker Pot Lane West Kingsdown Kent TN15 6AB www.woodlandsmanorgolf.co.uk 01959 523806 HOW DO PEOPLE GO ABOUT ARRANGING A VISIT TO THE VENUE Contact us either via the website www.woodlandsweddings.co.uk or by phone at 01959 523 806. We will be pleased to arrange a visit and if possible to visit when a function is in progress. AUGUST 2013 63 ADVERTORIAL SO Wimbledon legend enjoys an ace day out Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club has already produced one Wimbledon winner and there may be more on the way after acclaimed player Anand Amritraj offered his tips at the club s charity day action. The player gave an interesting Q&A session and also took to the court to test members skills. Our junior players were particularly excited to play with a former Wimbledon player and Anand didn t disappoint said Head Coach Tom Aydon I nspired by the action at Wimbledon around 60 people headed down to Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club to see former men s doubles semi-finalist Anand Amritraj in (pictured above with Anand). After points from the baseline Anand moved to the net to test our members against his legendary volleying skills he was like a brick wall Guests also enjoyed a barbecue provided by Fuller s Butchers and the evening raised 330 for chYps children s hospice. Anand wasn t the first Wimbledon star to grace the courts at the club in 1962 to 1964 the winner of the club closed ladies title was a certain Virginia Wade who would go on to win the 1968 US Open and become Wimbledon champion in 1977. It s no surprise she found inspiration at the club as it s one of the oldest in the country founded in 1899 the club held its first highly successful Open Championship in 1908 and created its first hard courts in 1931. After the Second World War both the men s and ladies teams won top divisions of the Kent Cup so it s a great place for aspiring players to hone their game. AUGUST 2013 65 PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM YARDLEY TIME NEW KIDS ON THE CLOCK EIGHT-DAY WONDER Our pick of the most exciting new models The men who are making our future heirlooms Fn Editi n O CUTTING IT FINE The World s thinnest mechanical watch W ATCH OUT Peek at a collection worth 1.5million OUT OF THIS WORLD How you could share in the ultimate high Roger Smith reveals how he learned from the master Magician s APPRENTICE TIME WILL TELL How to make the best of your investments FINE TIME SO A world of wonder T his month sees the launch of our brand new supplement dedicated to the fascinating field of horology. From the devoted craftsmen who create these captivating masterpieces to the financial benefits of investing in time Fine Time is your new guide to what s hot in the world of high quality high end watches. We re delighted to welcome as our guest editor watch expert Martin Wilson. As an independent wristwatch consultant Martin offers personal advice on the development and improvement of individual collections to a number of exclusive clients around the world. His expertise ranges from helping a client make the right choice on a single purchase to negotiating on significant acquisitions purchasing bespoke storage solutions or commissioning one-off pieces. I ve had an absolute passion for watches and clocks for as long as I can remember Martin says. As a teenager I d stop at all the watch dealers in the High Street marvelling at the Rolexes in the window. To me there is something magical about a mechanical watch movement the two metal plates and bridges holding between them the spring escapement and a set of simple cog wheels. This arrangement builds in complexity from the basic hours minutes and seconds to the most advanced master complications capable of depicting the number of days in the month and getting it right even in a leap year. I take the view that a watch is often the one item a person uses most. It can be with you all day and it may be used scores of times in that day. It even sits by your bed at night. Whether you want a watch you ll love to wear an horological masterpiece or a financial investment there is something for everyone in Fine Time. AUGUST 2013 69 FINE TIME SO Wind Up We take a look at the latest news from the world of watches OUT OF THIS WORLD When steel-nerved dare devil Felix Baumgartner made his record-breaking 24-mile jump from a helium balloon in the stratosphere last year he was wearing a very special watch that had to survive breaking the sound barrier. A one-of-akind prototype used in the development of the Zenith El Primero Stratos has been donated by the brand to the Only Watch charity timepiece auction due to be held in Monaco in September in aid of research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. We may not be queuing up to follow in Felix s footsteps when it comes to skydiving but we predict there ll be a lot of interest in this extraordinary watch. www.onlywatch.com FLYING VISIT Japan enjoyed its first ever display by a European aerobatic jet team when Breitling visited as part of its Asian Tour. The Breitling Jet Team which is the world s only professional civilian team amazed the crowds and gained coverage on 10 different TV channels as they flew over 12 cities in the Fukushima prefecture where residents are still overcoming the devastating effects of the 2011 tsunami. On the way to Fukushima the team had already given a spectacular display over Kobe harbour where more than 2 000 spectators including 550 Japanese Breitling Club members enjoyed the show from specially moored boats. The crowning shot was undoubtedly this picture of the jet team flying past the snow-capped peak of the iconic Mount Fuji volcano. CUTTING IT FINE Jaeger-LeCoultre s 180th anniversary has seen the setting of what could be a new standard in elegant watchmaking. As part of the celebrations the brand has released a ubilee collection of J three new models one of which has made history as the thinnest mechanical watch on Earth. With a case just 4.05mm thick the astonishingly slim Master Ultra-Thin Jubilee (around 12 000) is made possible by JLC s Caliber 849 movement which has actually been in existence since the early 1990s but hasn t been used very often. Could watches start rivalling smartphones and other gadgets for sheer brevity www.jaeger-lecoultre.com GOING GOING GONE CHECK OUT SOME OF THE TOP RECENT SALES RESULTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD 00 HEAVEN The first watch to be modified for James Bond by Q Branch went on sale as part of a Pop Culture auction at Christie s South Kensington fetching almost twice its maximum estimate. Predicted to sell at between 40 000 and 60 000 the Breitling Top Time worn by Sean Connery in 1965 s Thunderball and boasting a geiger counter to help him track down two missing NATO bombs was snapped up for nearly 104 000. It was the only example produced for the movie making it a pretty priceless piece of cinematic history. Not bad for a watch that was purchased at a car boot sale for 25... SHOPPING ONLINE Internet bidding reached a new high at Bonhams Madison Avenue salesroom in New York during a recent auction where the lots included an Ilbery enamelled gold pocket watch. Made for the Chinese market in the early 19th century the watch more than doubled its pre-auction estimate and was sold to a Beijing-based buyer for 58 000. The auction as a whole saw unprecedented interest from online bidders most of whom were from the US but there were also clients from the UK Europe the Middle East East Asia South Asia and South America. This may have contributed to at least three other lots doubling their pre-auction estimate. AUGUST 2013 71 SO Investing Time Collecting watches can be a highly fulfilling pursuit not only as a potentially lucrative hobby but also as a way of investing in one of our most intricate and timeless crafts. But for the novice watch collector trying to enter this glamorous world can seem a little daunting so we offer some advice on how to get started WHAT S IN A NAME With such a wide variety of fantastic traditional modern and emerging brands out there the potential for building an impressive collection of timepieces is immense. Some would say that you should simply buy watches that you like and admire even if you never intend to wear them. But there are a number of key companies whose watches are consistently on collectors wish lists commanding huge prices at auction and taking pride of place in most showcases. Here we look at three of the most perennially coveted brands. VACHERON CONSTANTIN Hugely popular among Chinese collectors in particular Vacheron Constantin was founded in Switzerland in 1755 making it the oldest continuously operating watch manufacturer. Earlier this year a major Sotheby s auction in Hong Kong saw a new world record set for the highest auction price for a Vacheron Constantin King Kalla when the white gold and emerald-cut diamond set bracelet watch sold for 499 440 (HKD 5.8million). Prices for new models range up to about 500 000 though the company recently invested heavily in a piece of its own history when a rare pocket watch it had made in 1918 was rediscovered. After languishing forgotten in a family bank vault belonging to car maker James Ward Packard for 60 years the 20K gold watch was snapped up by Vacheron Constantin for just over 1.4million ( 1.7million). In the past Hugues de Pins President of Vacheron Constantin North America has advised collectors to look for rare models in gold or platinum and limited editions in order to see their money grow. PATEK PHILIPPE Although Rolex is perhaps the bigger household name Patek Philippe continues to be the most consistent performer at auction. Renowned for their highly complicated movements that are made in-house rather than purchased from other makers this brand creates absolutely stunning timepieces that should feature in any self-respecting collection. In June Christie s sale of Important Watches in New York saw a number of records broken when an 1898 Stephen S. Palmer Patek Philippe Grand Complication No 97912 (left) sold for 1 510 500 ( 2 251 750). Not only was this the world auction record for a Patek Philippe Grand Complication it was also the highest price ever achieved for any watch at Christie s New York and for any watch in 2013 to date. Just a few days earlier at the auction house s spring sale in Hong Kong a Patek Philippe piece had also been the star performer in an auction that netted a total 13 269 004 across just under 500 lots. A Patek Philippe ref 5400 dating from around 2007 more than doubled its estimate price by attracting a winning bid of 407 886 (HKD 4 710 000). Historically the brand s vintage watches from the 1940s to the 1980s have tended to provide very good returns. 72 AUGUST 2013 FINE TIME SO ROLEX If you re going to invest in the largest mechanical watch manufacturer the best idea is to look for sought-after vintage models. At Christie s Geneva this spring a very rare 1942 oversized stainless steel split seconds chronograph wristwatch ref 4113 became the most expensive Rolex to sell at auction at 778 575 (Sfr 1 107 750). At the same auction of Important Watches yet another world record was set for the highest auction price paid for a Rolex Submariner when a rare automatic sweep centre seconds wristwatch with Four-Liner dial ref 6538 circa 1959 sold for 365 309 nearly three times its maximum pre-auction estimate. New Rolex sports models with rotating bezels like GMT Submariner and Seadweller also strongly hold their value while recent vintage Submariners are also appreciating in particular look out for those with red typeface on the dial and Comex models made for a French diving firm. Rare early chronographs appear to be a sound investment plus there s lots of interest in the Paul Newman Cosmograph models. BACK TO THE FUTURE Trying to anticipate which will be the sought-after rarities in years to come is fraught with difficulty but if you can guess the models that stand a good chance of receiving a makeover a few years down the line you might have a strong investment on your hands. Functional sports watches are among the most likely to attract an update as time and technology moves forward. When Jaeger-Lecoultre s 60s Memovox and Omega s PloProf dive watch were given a new lease of life in revised form a few years ago there was a surge of interest in the original models. FAMOUS FACES As with most things watches are not immune to star power and if you can lay your hands on a timepiece that has been worn or owned by a celebrity there s a good chance your investment will have immediate added value. We ve already mentioned the coveted Rolex Submariner which has added appeal when it s one of those worn by James Bond. OO7 s more recent brand of choice Omega released a special Seamaster Skyfall watch to commemorate the latest Bond film which is sure to be of interest to both watch and movie fans in the future. In June 2012 Antiquorum auctioneers in Manhattan oversaw the sale of a 1960s Omega that had once belonged to Elvis Presley. The rare black-dialled Constellation Calendar smashed its pre-auction estimate five times over to sell for more than 32 200 ( 52 500). The Patek Philippe ref 2499 platinum wristwatch sold by Eric Clapton last year was admittedly incredibly rare being one of only two made but the 2.3million paid for it may also have been influenced by its famous provenance. AUGUST 2013 73 SO The Secret Collector PHOTOGRAPHY BY CREATE STUDIOS In our first issue we re given a privileged look at the treasure trove of a London based businessman who started collecting more than 10 years ago. Having acquired most of his watches through private auctions and invitation his 22-piece collection is now estimated to be worth about 1.5million. Martin Wilson tells us more about his favourite timepieces from among this array of gems PATEK PHILIPPE 6102PR CELESTIAL An exceptionally rare master complication. The platinum and rose gold 43.1mm case houses a 240 LU CL calibre. The watch displays the hours and minutes of mean solar time as well as a sky chart with phases and orbit of the moon. It has a mechanical self winding movement with a crown at two o clock to set the time and wind. The crown at four o clock corrects the sky and moon indications. The sky chart displays the nocturnal sky in the northern hemisphere and is achieved by applying the stars (using a PVD process) onto an array of rotating clear discs. The retail price is around 175 000 but this watch is very rare so sure to be worth considerably more. PATEK PHILIPPE 5170J This watch has a 39mm yellow gold case with a manual winding CH 29-535 movement. The watch is favoured for its simplicity of line and the newly developed tho chronograph movement. This classic column wheel stop watch comes with the rectangular pushers (at two o clock and four o clock) that are so reminiscent of the early 1940s and 1950s Pateks. The two sub-dials depict the continuous seconds on the left and a 30-minute counter on the right. The retail price is set at 57 340 but this is an asset tipped to appreciate. PATEK PHILIPPE 5016P SUMMIT MEETING MINUTE REPEATER WITH PERPETUAL CALENDAR AND TOURBILLON This watch is one of the finest grand complications ever made and represents a milestone in the history of high end complications. The 37mm platinum cased watch houses 506 handcrafted components delivering the complex array of functions that comprise hours minutes seconds perpetual calendar moon phase minute repeater and tourbillon. The hand-wound watch includes a retrograde date hand and the seconds are displayed in a subsidiary dial with the phases of the moon. The slider on the watch case operates the repeating function which deploys hammers to chime out the hours quarters and minutes on gongs. The tourbillon cage rotates the balance and the escapement to counteract any effect of gravity on timekeeping. There s no published price for this watch as it s discontinued but the retail price is between 500 000 and 550 000 although its rarity makes it worth more. 74 AUGUST 2013 FINE TIME SO PATEK PHILIPPE 5088P FIREARMS CALATRAVA One of only four ever made this is an investment class ultra-rare watch. Top dealers and highly valued clients are invited to buy this piece. The watch simply displays the hours and minutes. There is fine engraving and use of enamel on the dial case and lugs. Retail price is estimated at about 74 000 but a collector would pay many times that amount at least 200 000. PATEK PHILIPPE 5098P GONDOLO This fine platinum cased watch is inspired by an historical model from 1923 called the Chronometro Gondolo. The watch is manually wound in a 42mm x 322mm case. The tonneau shape is Art Deco-inspired and takes its name from Brazilian watch dealers called Gondolo and Labouriau who were based in Rio de Janeiro. Of particular note on this watch is the beautiful hand-guilloche dial. Estimated retail value is 35 610 but it is sure to appreciate. PATEK PHILIPPE 7130G WORLD TIME A 36mm white gold case. The bezel is set with 62 diamonds and the buckle is set with a further 27 diamonds. The calibre 240HU is a mechanically self-winding movement. The watch has a 24-hour day and night indication for the 24 time zones. The dial incorporates a hand guilloched inner section. Estimated retail value is 36 920 but again this will hold and increase its value. PATEK PHILIPPE 5180G SKELETON A 39mm white gold case set on a white gold bracelet. This exclusive automatic watch shows simply the hours and minutes. It is a demonstration of the delicate art of engraving. Manufacture consists of the cutting away and engraving of the movement s plates and bridges to the very limits of what is mechanically possible. The winding barrel is finely pierced and engraved behind a Calatrava Cross. Very few of these watches are produced each year due to the time it takes to make and the rarity of the engraving skills required. This is likely to improve on its estimated retail price of 70 620. PATEK PHILIPPE 5270G CHRONOGRAPH PERPETUAL CALENDAR This watch was introduced at Basel in 2011 a very rare and complex master complication housed in a 41mm white gold case. This manually wound watch is driven by the CH 29 535 PS Q calibre. The functions comprise hours minutes perpetual calendar with month moon phase leap year weekday and date. Despite the nature of the complications the watch remains simple and easy to read with a leap year indication at 4.30 and a day night indicator at 7.30. Estimated retail value is 118 940 but it s worth at least 150 000 due to its rarity. BEST OF THE REST Other highlights include the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980R a very beautiful Hublot and a gold ladies Cartier Ballon Bleu. AUGUST 2013 75 SO FINE TIME Meet the Magician s Apprentice When the iconic watchmaker George Daniels spoke at the Manchester School of Horology in the late 1980s he struck a chord with one particular student. A few years later that student Roger Smith began the long and trying process of impressing his idol with his own handcrafted timepieces. Persistence paid off and nearly three decades on Roger has followed in George s footsteps to become one of Britain s most renowned and innovative watchmakers. We meet the intriguing fellow who is making the heirlooms of the future I ronically enough patience is an important word in the world of horology. If you re a making my first pocket watch it was all about the lack of patience. It took many years for me to calm down and learn to make something that s very high quality to stop worrying about getting the part made and into the watch. I don t know whether age overtook my impatience but it was a struggle at first. Having been inspired by a very special visiting speaker Dr George Daniels widely considered to be the greatest horologist of his time Roger set about creating his first pocket watch. At the age of 22 he took the watch to Dr Daniels full of anticipation only to be told that the watch was not up to scratch. Not until five years later did he venture back to Dr Daniels workshop with his second attempt. George Daniels was not the sort of person I would have dared go back to with my second watch until I knew it was right Roger says. He didn t suffer fools gladly and I was aware of that so I would really have shot myself in the foot if I d gone back too soon. Remarkably Roger s latest creation passed muster and Dr Daniels was so impressed he invited the young pretender to move to the Isle of Man and work with him on the now legendary Daniels Millennium series. As the creator of the co-axial escapement which takes away the need to oil the escapement and has been hailed as the most significant advance in horology in 250 years Dr Daniels made an exciting collaborator and it was the beginning of a long friendship. Their final collaboration was in 2010 creating a series of 35 wristwatches to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Dr Daniels invention for which he was awarded a CBE for services to horology. When the master passed away two years ago Roger was left contemplating how he would keep the legacy alive. It was only really after George had died that I realised what a huge impact he had on my life Roger says. Everything I ve ever done or wanted to do since was down to him as is everything I do today. Dr Daniels bequeathed his entire workshop to Roger and the presence of his machines in Roger s studio is a physical manifestation of the ethos that runs through everything Roger does. Launched in 2006 Roger s Series 2 is a stunning example of an entirely handmade timepiece. The workshop produces 10 of these pieces per year each priced at around 90 000 to 100 000 and each one takes two years to make. The watches we make are based around George s approach to watchmaking which we call the Daniels Method where one guy learns to make a watch from start to finish Roger says. Until watches started to be mass-produced 32 trades were involved in the making of one pocket watch and that s what I had to learn. It s a very craftsman you need plenty of it in order to create a beautiful absorbing timepiece that will thrill collectors and outlive you across the centuries. If you re a watch enthusiast and you want a bespoke piece from the esteemed British maker Roger Smith you ll need to wait eight years before he ll even find the time to start on it. Patience then is a virtue. For the non-academic lad from Manchester who struggled at school and applied for a place on an horology course simply because he wanted a practical job it seemed unlikely that he would ever have the patience required to excel in his field. At 16 a year feels like a lifetime and Roger Smith concedes that those early days were a lesson in humility a sharp introduction to the art of playing the long game. That was the hardest bit he says from his small unassuming workshop on the Isle of Man. I didn t start making watches until I was 19 or 20 when I was inspired by George Daniels and that was one of the earliest battles. When I started George Daniels was not the sort of person I would have dared go back to with my second watch until I knew it was right Roger says. He didn t suffer fools gladly and I was aware of that so I would really have shot myself in the foot if I d gone back too soon. 76 AUGUST 2013 TIME SO It was only really after George had died that I realised what a huge impact he had on my life Roger says. Everything I ve ever done or wanted to do since was down to him as is everything I do today. unique approach it makes you look at watches in a very unique and obsessive way. You look at every detail. Still happily settled on the Isle of Man with his wife young daughter dogs and world famous workshop Roger is clearly committed to carrying on the great tradition advocated by Dr Daniels. But he s also looking to the future of horology. We re using George s great invention the co-axial escapement but we re always looking for ways to modify and improve so in our own way we re at the cutting edge of timekeeping. George taught me that it s not just about making watches but also about making a difference. Perhaps surprisingly Roger admits that he doesn t have a vast collection of watches himself just four or five examples of high quality engineering from the 1950s and 60s. One timepiece however is on his ultimate wishlist... George Daniels Space Traveller pocket watch he says without a moment s hesitation. It sold recently for 1.3million so that will never be in my collection. But I m servicing it soon and I m looking forward to seeing it. To me that watch is just sensational and it condenses all his ideas and his approach into one piece. It shows how incredible he really was. Although Roger is not convinced by recent suggestions that the British watchmaking industry is giving Switzerland a run for its money just yet he is happy to be at the forefront of an ever-growing ever-evolving charge. George Daniels used to say that the great thing about watches is they have amusing useful intellectual aesthetic and collectible qualities. You create this tiny thing that comes to life and can live for 200 years if you look after it. Find me another item that has those qualities. www.rwsmithwatches.com AUGUST 2013 77 SO FINE TIME Stop The Clock ZENITH ACADEMY CHRISTOPHE COLOMB HURRICANE Continuing to evolve the Christophe Colomb family is this stunning new edition boasting the same protruding bubble. Equipped with the Gravity Control module the Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane also boasts a fus e-chain transmission system ensuring constant force resulting in rigorously stable amplitude throughout the running period. Inspired by the maritime chronometers of the past this beautiful piece is priced at 188 000 and is limited to just 25 pieces. www.zenith-watches.com If you feel it s time to add to your collection you re spoiled for choice when it comes to exquisite timepieces that will mark you out from the crowd. Here s our pick of recent launches that will make your heart skip a beat PATEK PHILIPPE 5200 GONDOLO 8 DAYS DAY & DATE INDICATION Featuring Patek Philippe s latest technological innovations this watch introduces a whole new concept with an amazing manually wound eight-day movement. Available with a matte blue sunburst or silvery-white opaline dial this piece comes with a hand-stitched alligator strap and a sapphire-crystal case back. Priced at 39 960 the model is available at G Collins and Sons in Tunbridge Wells. www.patek.com When you re looking to sell a valuable piece you ll want to ensure you re getting the best possible price. Although auction house fees can be high finding the right experts to guide your sale can mean that it s seen by the right people and sells for the right price. Here s our guide to five of the most renowned auction houses for watch sales. CHRISTIE S This house has handled some incredibly high yield sales and takes its watch department extremely seriously. ANTIQUORUM Being a dedicated watch auction house means you re dealing with absolute experts who enjoy a high profile in the relevant media. SOTHEBY S The company s New York office recently held a watch and clock sale that raised 4.8million so your precious timepiece will be in safe hands. BONHAMS Experienced specialists based in the UK the United States and the Far East give Bonhams a broad foundation of knowledge that offers the edge over other houses. FELLOWS Specialising in lower value lots final prices are usually no more than 10 000 this company has identified a real niche and is a great place for new collectors to get started. HIGH FIVE BREITLING FOR BENTLEY BO6 To mark the 10th anniversary of Breitling for Bentley three new timepieces have been launched. One of these is the Bentley BO6 distinguished by its 30-second chronograph system. This is based on a central hand sweeping around the dial in half a minute thereby ensuring extremely accurate 1 8th second time readings. Plus there s another world-exclusive in the variable tachometer with a rotating bezel to calculate average speed whatever the time distance or speed achieved. Priced from 8 810. www.breitlingforbentley.com VULCAIN 50S PRESIDENTS MOONPHASE Every US President since Harry Truman has had a Vulcain Presidents Watch and to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic 1953 moon phase calendar watch Vulcain are bringing the timeless style right up to date with a new model. This watch uses vintage styling to make an elegant statement in the 21st century and will appeal to anyone who enjoys classic design. The 42mm diameter case is available in 18K rose gold or steel and houses the mechanical bidirectional self-winding Vulcain V-58 movement. Priced at 3 900 www.vulcain-watches.ch 78 AUGUST 2013 SO Specialist Selection Now with more than 50 years experience in the business Richard Burrell served his apprenticeship in the heart of London s jewellery trade Hatton Garden. Today Burrells Jewellery in Tunbridge Wells is a top destination for watch enthusiasts who are serious about their timepieces with a number of exclusive collections from renowned brands. Here he selects some of the best new models available ZENITH Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 STYLE 03.2040.4061 69C496 A specially designed chronograph that fuses the iconic Chronomaster Open with the original El Primero 1969 colours. The result is a striking chronograph that features two coloured sub-dials set against a silver dial that is open-worked at the nine o clock position providing a view of the El Primero Calibre 4061 automatic movement. The El Primero is the only series produced movement with such a high frequency making it one of the most accurate in the world. This El Primero is housed within a 42mm stainless steel case with sapphire crystal on the front and a transparent case back. The Chronograph functions include a central seconds hand with a 30-minute counter at three o clock and a 12-hour counter at six o clock. Zenith Pilot Annual Calendar STYLE 03.2430.4054.21.C721 Featuring the El Primero 4054 automatic chronograph movement small seconds at nine o clock a 60-minute chronograph counter at six o clock with a central seconds hand all set against a sleek matte black dial with white Super-LumiNova hands and hour markers this watch has everything you would expect to see on a 1940s aviation inspired timepiece whilst maintaining its modern and sophisticated image for the 21st century. Zenith Pilot Big Date Special STYLE 03.2410.4010.21.C722 Zenith Pilot Montre D a ronef Type 20 GMT STYLE 03.2430.693.21.C723 The new Pilot Montre d A ronef Type 20 GMT with a generous 48mm-diameter maintains the distinctive visual features one would expect to see on a Pilot watch a wide grooved and screw-locked crown imposing Arabic numerals entirely coated with white Super-LumiNova for ease of readability as well as a large matte black dial. The solid case back comprises a medallion bearing the image of a Bl riot plane and the inscription Montre d A ronef Type 2 ZENITH Flying Instruments . This self-winding chronograph features the Elite 693 automatic movement with a minimum power reserve of 50 hours. Zenith has accompanied the world of aviation throughout its storied history and continues this well established heritage by introducing the Pilot Chronograph Big Date Special new for 2013. Featuring a sophisticated matte black dial with contrasting white hands and hour markers both coated in Super-LumiNova to enhance visibility this model also features a large date display at six o clock. The chronograph counters at three and nine o clock and telemetric scale on the inner bezel replicate the design of a pilot s cockpit just another reminder of Zenith s rich aviation history. The Pilot Chronograph Big Date Special uses a Swiss made El Primero 4010 automatic movement exclusive to Zenith timepieces. The 42mm Stainless steel case with sapphire crystal front and case back is secured by a brown calf skin leather strap. 80 AUGUST 2013 FINE TIME SO BREMONT Bremont Codebreaker Bremont and the Bletchley Park Trust launch the Limited Edition Codebreaker . This watch is unlike any other watch ever created and in addition a percentage of the proceeds will be used towards the ongoing restoration of Bletchley Park. Inspired by a classic 1940s officer s watch the Codebreaker features a beautiful and never before seen Flyback Chronograph GMT automatic movement and incorporates some relevant historical artefacts from Bletchley Park pine from the iconic Hut 6 (the centre of the operations to decrypt the German Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe Enigma ciphers) and paper from one of the few remaining punch cards (used to analyse the vast amount of coded data created from the daily Enigma communications). Part of the rotor of the watch is made from the wheel of an original Enigma machine. Only 240 steel and 50 rose gold units of this Limited Edition watch will be created. Bremont ALT1-B2 Like an increasing number of Bremont watches this new release hails directly from the military as the design very closely mirrors the watch Bremont delivered to elite B2 Stealth Bomber Aircrew in 2012. The ALT1-B2 (GMT) has most of the advanced elements of the Bremont Chronograph range. It has its modified BE-54E movement Trip-Tick case with the Roto-Click internal bezel and black DLC case. The watch comes on a calf skin leather strap however a metal DLC coated bracelet is also available. Every watch case and movement is engraved with its Bremont serial number and is accompanied by its COSC certification (Contr le Officiel Suisse des Chronom tres). Bremont ALT1-WT World Timer The design features include a very complex highly finished dial and a Roto-Click bezel that enables the user to work out the global time zones using the international landing location in all 24 time zones. The watch itself can show UTC or Zulu time through its adjustable 24-hour hand. The Bremont World Timer is one of the most intricate and complicated military watches ever produced featuring the calibre 13 1 4 BE-54AE automatic chronometer with a 42-hour power reserve. Bremont MBII The Bremont MB was designed and built to become the definitive aviation chronometer in the market place and embody all that is meant by Made in Britain . It was tested and designed in conjunction with the iconic British aviation company MartinBaker. There are two models available the MBI and the MBII. The MBI is only available to those individuals who have ejected using an MB ejection seat and it can be identified quickly by its red aluminium barrel. The movement is protected by an anti-magnetic Faraday cage and a specifically designed anti-shock case mount. The MB range has been designed and tested to withstand the MB ejection seat test programme. Featuring the modified calibre 13 1 4 BE-36AE automatic chronometer with a 38-hour power reserve this timepiece is a true avionic inspired masterpiece. BELL & ROSS Bell & Ross STYLE BR 123 SPORT HERITAGE Bell & Ross STYLE BR 01 HEADING INDICATOR Using the graphic characteristics of the heading indicator to create an original and innovative timepiece this comprises three independent concentric discs graduated for the hours and minutes. To allow the markers to stand out against the background an airplane identical to the one found on the original instrument and yellow index marks are engraved under the glass. The anti-glare matt black carbon finish of the PVD steel case is inspired by the colour of an instrumentation panel designed to make the dials easier to read by eliminating glare. The watch is water-resistant to 100m (330 ft). The Heritage style embodies the period of 1960s aviation in its details. Sand-coloured hands and numerals reproduce the aged look of period watches while the round classically shaped polished steel case features a bulging anti-reflective sapphire crystal adding modern technology to the crystal s authentic shape. A bezel marked with 60-minute graduations and the contrast of time information on the dial enhance readability. Water resistance is 100m. Bell & Ross STYLE BR 01 CLIMB Inspired by aircraft cockpits legibility reliability and performance the display of the BR 01 CLIMB recalls the graphics of the reference instrument the Vertical Speed Indicator. Featuring the ETA2897 Automatic Mechanical Movement housed within the 46mm black PVD steel case this timepiece benefits from a yellow power reserve indicator at nine o clock a date window at three o clock and luminous index markers. Protecting the black dial is sapphire crystal with an anti-glare coating for ease of readability. It is water-resistant to 100m. Bell & Ross STYLE BR 126 FALCON The Falcon watch pays homage to its namesake s 50th anniversary featuring all the hallmarks of the Vintage Sport Heritage line and stands out due to the brown dial and brown leather wristband. The Falcon s outline silk-screened on the dial at six o clock lends itself to a distinct blend of originality and contemporary design. Functional and timeless this new model illustrates with elegance two of Bell & Ross favourite worlds aeronautics and precision. AUGUST 2013 81 SO TAG Tag Heuer Monaco Chronograph TwentyFour Limited Edition STYLE CAL5113.FC6329 This limited edition chronograph features an advanced dynamic absorber system to protect the movement a Calibre 36 which is visible through the sapphire crystal case back. In honour of the Le Mans 24 it features an oversized 24 marker in the 1 2 o clock position with two black semi sub-counters at three and nine o clock indicating respectively the chronograph minute and the small second and a date window at six o clock. Tag Heuer Calibre 8 Grande Date GMTMT STYLE WAR5010.BA0723 Travel in two time zones. The new TAG Heuer Carrera timepiece equipped with the GMT function and a Grande Date is superbly readable. The case in fine brushed and polished steel can be paired with the prestigious H-shaped bracelet or with an alligator strap in black anthracite or brown. This COSC certified timepiece also features double anti-reflective curved sapphire crystal and sapphire crystal open case back allowing full view of the Calibre 8 automatic movement within. A must-have for all travellers. Tag Heuer Ladylink Calibre 7 Automatic STYLE WAT2314.BA0956 Like their Brand Ambassador Cameron Diaz the Tag Heuer woman is sporty yet glamorous. To celebrate these women Tag Heuer created its most feminine collection ever. The new LINK LADY comes with the finest attention to detail. Featured here in a 34.5mm polished steel case it is surrounded by 48 diamonds set on a fixed bezel. The stunning white mother of pearl dial and diamond dot hour markers brings its femininity to life while the polished steel bracelet with folding butterfly clasp hints at the sporty nature below the surface. Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 36 RACING Chronograph STYLE CAR2B80.FC6325 Tag Heuer extends its illustrious Carrera collection with this new automatic fly-back chronograph. A masterpiece of Swiss time-keeping the Calibre 36 movement is housed within a sandblasted grade 2 Titanium case with black titanium carbide coating and a double anti-reflective curved scratch resistant sapphire crystal and case back. The dial is set with polished rings applied around the sub-dials featuring the chronograph minute and running seconds at three and nine o clock respectively. The tachymeter scale on the flange is set in red and hand-applied Arabic numerals and indexes with luminescent markers in black-gold. 82 AUGUST 2013 FINE TIME SO BREITLING Breitling Avenger II A1338111.BC33.1710A Absolute Power. Steely muscles. Peerless resistance. Extraordinary precision. The Avenger II Chronograph is designed to offer the maximum security and sturdiness. This true instrument for professionals is distinguished by its technical and functional style ergonomic construction and aviation-inspired stencil-type numerals. The case water resistant to 300m (1 000ft) with pushpiece guards screwed into the steel houses a self-winding chronograph movement certified by the COSC. Breitling Emergency II Style E762522.BC02.159E The first wristwatch with a built-in dual frequency locator beacon the Emergency II is a masterpiece of miniaturisation and advanced technology. The dualfrequency transmitter serves to issue alerts and guide search and rescue missions to your specific location. It also benefits from a revolutionary rechargeable battery operation. The antennae are activated by manual deployment making this a functional timepiece to activate in an emergency. The multifunctional electronic chronograph is housed within an ultra-sturdy titanium case and the chronometer is certified by the COSC. Breitling Chronomat 44 Frecce Tricolori STYLE B01104D.BC62.153S. A20DSA The undisputed star of the Breitling collections the Chronomat 44 reflects a universe dedicated to performance sporting feats and surpassing personal limits. The case housing the Manufacture Breitling Calibre 01 is water resistant to a depth of 500m (1 650 ft) a feat worthy of an authentic diver s watch. The epitome of authentic class and elegance this chronograph with its unique style embodies the perfect watch for all circumstances from intensive sport to sophisticated night life. Breitling Superocean II Limited Edition Blue Watch A173643B C868 149S A18D.2 This limited edition watch features a polished stainless steel case with a uni-directional rotating bezel with a blue rubber insert a matching blue dial with luminous markers and hands and Arabic numerals. At the three o clock mark is a date display window. Inside this Superocean is powered by a COSC certified mechanical movement with self-winding mechanism and a 40-hour power reserve. Water resistant to 5 000ft (1 500m). AUGUST 2013 83 FINE TIME SO Watch this space In just nine years the partnership at Swiss-based firm Greubel Forsey has introduced five inventions and won three prestigious prizes at the Grand Prix d Horlogerie de Gen ve. As the company presents the new Double Tourbillon Asym trique yet another reinterpretation of their first fundamental invention we look at how a Brit and a Frenchman are taking the watch world by storm restoration department followed then further horological study at Swiss institution WOSTEP. A move to Switzerland in 1992 saw Stephen joining Robert Greubel s team at Renaud and Papi where he worked on the most complicated mechanical movements. It seems this was a meeting of two kindred spirits also inspired by his father Robert Greubel grew up in Alsace France and began his career by working in the family shop Greubel Horlogerie. He was drawn to Switzerland in 1987 to work with IWC on their Grand Complication project before landing a job at Renaud and Papi where he BEN DAUCHEZ eventually became Co-Chief Operating Robert Greubel Officer and Partner. In 1999 Simon left the firm to work independently and two years later he and Robert co-founded CompliTime with the aim of creating and developing complicated mechanisms for high end brands. Within three years they had decided to launch their own watchmaking venture Greubel Forsey. Grand Prix d Horlogerie de Gen ve when it was named Best Complicated Watch. Robert and Simon have shown even more creativity by teaming up with British artist Willard Wigan to create Art Piece 1 which will feature a micro-sculpture installation observable through specially developed miniaturised optics. Now producing 100 watches a year and employing 75 staff it seems like the only way is up for Greubel Forsey. Perhaps the time is right to invest in a piece from these rising stars www.greubelforsey.com Stephen Forsey doing pretty well for a firm that s been established for less than a decade. Robert Greubel and Simon Forsey were very experienced watchmakers when they launched the partnership in 2004 yet the creativity and invention they ve demonstrated in that short time is still remarkable and marks them out as rising stars of the watch world. Born in St Albans Stephen Forsey inherited his father s passion for mechanics particularly the intricacies of the discipline and from 1987 he specialised in antique watch restoration. A role as head of Asprey s watch B earing in mind the fact that some watch brands have been in business for hundreds of years Greubel Forsey are The creativity and invention they ve demonstrated in that short time is still remarkable and marks them out as rising stars of the watch world During their debut year they presented at Baselworld their first invention the Double Tourbillon 30 with a patented tourbillion system specifically adapted for the wristwatch. Over the next four years they unveiled a further four inventions the most recent being The Diff rential d Egalit which stabilises the distribution of energy from the mainspring to the escapement and explores the possibility of using a spherical differential to supply stable force to the regulator. As well as winning numerous prizes for their watches Robert and Simon have also shown commitment to their craft by launching the Time aeon Foundation in partnership with Philippe Dufour Vianney Halter and Karl Voutilainen aiming to support promote and preserve the art of watchmaking at its highest level. In 2011 Greubel Forsey s Time Art Gallery was announced at the Bund 18 waterfront complex in Shanghai and last year saw the launch of Le Garde Temps Naissance d une Montre a human adventure designed to further safeguard the future of the craft by Last year their Invention Piece 2 became Greubel Forsey s third prize-winning timepiece at BEN DAUCHEZ sharing knowledge with other watchmakers. AUGUST 2013 85 SO factor The Meridian Watch Company s story is a simple one two friends recalling the heyday of English watchmaking set themselves the challenge of making a watch on English soil using local craftsmen and components The prime T hree years after the notion first occurred battling naysayers and in spite of doubters the two friends have Over many conversations they settled on creating a watch that is intended to be worn knocked about and enjoyed resulting in a watch sturdy enough to keep time through exposure to anything the elements can throw at it whether in England or abroad. The watch case is manufactured completely in Meridian s Norwich workshops from one solid piece of stainless steel ensuring durability. With each case and back manufactured as a pair they fit together perfectly and uniquely. The timepieces are water-resistant down to 1 000 feet. The sandwich dial is constructed by hand. Its brass back is painted in the preferred dial colour with SuperLuminovaTM applied for enhanced visibility in poor light conditions. The stainless achieved just that with The Prime Collection and a range of five calibres based around a Swiss movement. Simon a second-generation watchmaker is a fellow of the British Horological Institute. Having learned his craft under the watchful eye of his father Simon attended Hackney Technical College where he studied under Peter Roberts followed by WOSTEP in Switzerland. He founded his company restoring clocks and watches in 1986 his faultless work earning an ISO 9001 registration the first horological concern to do so. Richard is an industry veteran who has long Established in Tunbridge Wells since 2003 Mark Adam is proud to represent the very best of International and British design in the world of jewellery and watchmaking. Owner and goldsmith Adam Godfrey says We work only with centres of excellence representing jewellery and watch designers with whom we share the highest regard for exceptional craftsmanship and beautiful design. Furthermore our in house workshop allows us to design and make bespoke jewellery involving the client as much or as little as they want. colleted to the central shaft. Assembled from raw parts in the Norfolk workshops to Meridian s specification from a Swiss-made Unitas 6497 98 base calibre the completely reworked ebauche serves as a platform for the modifications and modules that define the five Prime calibres. The movement is engraved by hand with the lines of longitude engine-turning is applied around the balance and the bridges are hand-frosted the latter a revered traditional finish often found in English watches. Meridian s attention to detail and commitment to craftsmanship extend to the screws which are hand-blued in the workshop. Traditionally watchmakers would blue their own screws with heat and a trained eye. Modern chemical dreamed of manufacturing an English watch. As an industry veteran he has seen many brands come and go and thus brings a uniquely insightful perspective both as a manufacturer and a designer. steel chapter ring is then fitted enabling the SuperLuminovaTM toshow through the apertures in the dial itself. The skeletonised stainless steel hands too have been made polished and painted on site. They are handmethods recreate the colour but do not reproduce the surface effects nor achieve the extra hardness the heat-based approach brings. This artisanal care applies to the watch straps as well. Each watch comes with two hand- 86 AUGUST 2013 FINE TIME SO stitched straps made in the Home Counties one canvas and one leather. After a period of use the straps conform to the exact shape of the owner s wrist. The stainless steel buckle with integrated roller to ease fastening is made from 11 distinct parts. Every timepiece is accompanied by two Meridian hex keys and a small glass vial containing spare screws and strap bars. The Meridian Prime will be offered in three forms including brushed and satin-finished steel hand-polished steel and Meridian Black. Building an English watch involves the search for English contractors suppliers and raw materials exponents of dying crafts. Insisting on the use of traditional skills has resulted in handmade watches of which every example is a personal accomplishment by one of The Meridian Watch Company s eight employees and therefore each watch is as individualistic as the person who will wear it. With their focus on creating hand-crafted timepieces made with time-proven methods Simon and Richard continue to push themselves. Their next hurdle is the creation of their own movement which has been in development for eight years pre-dating their decision to create a new company. Meridian has every intention of furthering the rebirth of the English Watch. MERIDIAN WATCHES ARE AVAILABLE FROM Mark Adam Limited Bespoke Goldsmith Jewellers 68 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1YB 01892 616 617 www.markadam.co.uk AUGUST 2013 87 SO MOTORS GOING BACK TO na ure trendy ideas... From floral fancies to beautiful birds here are some of our favourite ways to bring the outside in the pool but it would also add style to any conservatory perfect for enjoying some natural light even on rainy days. If the weather fails to make our dreams come true this summer the shops are bursting with ways to go back to nature in your lounge kitchen or bedroom. We ve gone wild for these I 88 f all goes according to plan we ll have a great British summer with blazing sunshine every day a summer filled with picnics boating trips and lazy afternoons in the garden. However even on less idyllic days you can still enjoy the great outdoors indoors. This Sanya Brocante six-seater garden set from Dobbies 1 499 would look fantastic by AUGUST 2013 INTERIORS SO ROSE COTTAGE WALLPAPER 44 per roll Graham & Brown www.grahambrown.com WOOD NICKEL LAMP BASE WITH BIRD LAMPSHADE FEATURING SKETCHES OF SANDPIPERS BY ARTIST D BELLINI 127 DesResDesign www.desresdesign.co.uk SET OF FOUR PLACEMATS FEATURING SEABIRD SKETCHES BY ARTIST D BELLINI 45 DesResDesign www.desresdesign.co.uk PARROT CUSHION 25 House of Fraser www.houseoffraser.co.uk MATTHEW WILLIAMSON PEACOCK AND FLORAL TEAPOT 27.50 Debenhams www.debenhams.com PARIANE BIRDCAGE WALL HANGING 40 Debenhams www.debenhams.com HERON TABLE LAMP WITH SILK SHADE 225 Adventino www.adventino.co.uk LUPIN CUSHION 36.50 Adventino www.adventino.co.uk BUTTERFLY TABLECLOTH 77.95 DesResDesign www.desresdesign.co.uk SET OF FOUR CERAMIC COASTERS 12.95 Melody Maison www.melodymaison.co.uk SET OF THREE GAME TEA TOWELS 25 blueberries cushion 28 pony wine cooler 28 Milton & Manor www.miltonandmanor.co.uk J U LY 2 0 1 3 89 SO THE ORIENTAL RUG MERCHANT There is an old Persian proverb that says Where lies thy carpet there is thine home. There is truth in this old adage handmade rugs have great longevity (often outliving their owners) and furthermore a rug is an item of flooring that can travel from one home to the next. The Oriental Rug Merchant offers an eclectic range of unique handcrafted rugs from Persia Pakistan and Afghanistan - from the traditional to the contemporary there is an Oriental rug for every setting. 11 High Street Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1UL 01892 533 080 www.theorientalrugshop.co.uk SPECTACULAR FLOORING CAN TRANSFORM A ROOM CREATING A TRADITIONAL CONTEMPORARY OR HIGHLY INDIVIDUAL LOOK AT A STROKE. FROM THE LUXURY OF DEEP CARPETS TO THE SOPHISTICATION OF SLEEK HARDWOOD OR SLATE TILES THERE S A MYRIAD OF TEMPTING OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM FLOORING Five of the best... WOOD WORKS FLOORING The oak floor in the restaurant at Hever Castle in Kent has been renovated by Wood Works Flooring part of the Timbered Group based in Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent. Wood Works Flooring specialises in the restoration and installation of all types of wooden floors in homes and commercial locations throughout Kent and the south east. Call us or visit our website for more information. Unit 21 Colebrook Industrial Estate Longfield Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 3DG 01892 537 945 www.timbered.co.uk 90 AUGUST 2013 P R O M O T I O N A L F E AT U R E SO OAKS FLOORING Oaks Flooring (Sevenoaks) are one of Kent s premier suppliers of high quality floor coverings for carpet wood laminate vinyl and contract flooring. Why not visit our spacious retail outlet in Sevenoaks to find out more The company is a preferred retailer for all leading manufacturers of fine flooring materials. With our extensive product range depth of experience and detailed technical knowledge we are confident of finding the perfect floor covering to suit your budget. 4b St Johns Hill Sevenoaks Kent TN13 3NP 01732 741 174 www.oaksflooring.co.uk FLOORZ Floorz have been established in Tunbridge Wells since 2000 and we specialise in offering a unique range of bespoke solid and engineered hardwood floors. Our floors are manufactured in Holland France and the Czech Republic and imported directly by Floorz. Clients can decide on each element of their new floor from grade thickness and width to surface texture colour finish etc allowing our clients to create their own truly unique floors. 77 Calverley Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 2UY 01892 516 638 www.floorz.co.uk FASHION CARPETS Fashion Carpets is Royal Tunbridge Wells premier supplier of high quality floor covering carpet wood laminate and vinyl. With our extensive product range depth of experience and detailed technical knowledge we are confident of finding the perfect floor covering for every need and taste. 42 High Street Tunbridge Wells TN1 1XF 01892 528 676 www.fashioncarpets.co.uk AUGUST 2013 91 SO MOTORS Hot days and balmy evenings are perfect for alfresco dining in the fresh air but is your garden ready to entertain A slow start to the summer may have led you to neglect your outdoor space but don t worry decking or paving could be the solution for making your garden party-ready at short notice TEA ON THE TERRACE 92 AUGUST 2013 GM O D O N S ART ER SO Decking can be built on different levels with among other things built-in benches planters handrails steps and cut-outs perfect if you have or dream of having a hot tub makeover in time for an Indian summer. Creating a patio or deck is a brilliant way to add value and make your outdoor space more useable for entertaining and relaxing particularly if you are facing major issues such as sloping or in the case of courtyards an unattractive ground surface. Getting the location right is key. Do you want the patio or deck in full or partial sun or in the shade Where the sun falls in the garden at different times of the day could make a big difference to how much you ll use your new area. The obvious place to put it is near the house so it s convenient for alfresco dining but there might be a better spot elsewhere or you might want to pave or deck all the garden especially if it s a courtyard. Decking is a brilliant way to make sloping gardens usable - simply extend the deck out from the house to cover the whole garden and you ve solved the problem of an awkward hard-to-use and even dangerous (if you have small children) space. When deciding on the location you also need to think about things such as drainage (manhole covers will still need to be accessed) where the doors to the garden are (you may want to fit new ones) where the bedrooms are (especially with a bungalow or flat) and if the patio or deck will be overlooked (one spot may be better than another). Also consider the prevailing winds traffic noise if any and what you ll be looking out on when you sit and relax. It s important to have a deck or patio that s in proportion to the size of the house and to use colours and materials that work well with the building s style unless you want a deliberate contrast. I f you want to carry out a big project in your garden this year but the dreary spring and early summer left you feeling uninspired there s still an opportunity for a drastic While it should be in keeping your design can also be creative. Decking can be built on different levels with among other things built-in benches planters handrails steps and cut-outs perfect if you have or dream of having a hot tub. You can do a similar thing with paving - an easy way to add interest is to incorporate a circle or other design into your patio using a paving kit. Once you ve got a clearer idea of what you want draw the garden on graph paper (or your computer - there s a garden planner at www.housetohome.co.uk) marking on everything that s relevant. This will enable you to play around with different ideas and layouts then you can recreate them in the garden using a builder s square string and pegs or spray paint marking out what will go where. Before you start remember that if your home s listed you may need listed building consent from your local council to build a deck or patio and sometimes planning permission is required for other types of home. Click on the decking and patio on the interactive house at www.planningportal.gov.uk to find out more. Whether you employ a local contractor to install your new feature or you choose to tackle the project yourself decking and patios can be created in a relatively short space of time. Then comes the really fun part choosing garden furniture stylish decorations and perhaps a new barbecue to help make the most of your fantastic new dining space. Bon app tit Creating a patio or deck is a brilliant way to add value and make your outdoor space more useable for entertaining and relaxing AUGUST 2013 93 SO Summer may have been slow in getting started but the arrival of the hot weather has prompted the start of barbecue and party season at last. Whether you re hosting an alfresco gathering or simply want to relax in the peace and tranquillity of your garden a neglected outdoor space simply won t do. Here s how to make sure your garden really blossoms this season THE GREEN GRASS OF HOME Trim... The RSPB recommend avoiding cutting hedges and trees during the main bird nesting season of March to August. Plan work around these dates and use responsible contractors such as Hazelwood Tree Management Ltd. Hazelwood offers professional standards of tree surgery woodland management Terravent soil de-compaction and hedge-cutting. Our priorities are customer care satisfaction and duty of care to the trees from the initial enquiry to completion regardless of the size of the job or whether you are a domestic or commercial client. South Farm Barn South Farm Lane Langton Green Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 9JN 01892 863 148 www.hazelwoodtrees.co.uk Deck... Let Hartlake Garden Services give your outdoor living area that contemporary look. Why not replace an existing tired deck or patio with composite decking This natural looking hard wearing material requires very little maintenance and will give your garden that fresh up to date look. Please contact us to find out how we can help you make the most of your garden. 01732 850 921 07709 124 384 hartlakegardenservices gmail.com Elevate... This treehouse by Katsura Gardens is built around the stump of an old fir tree. Each of our treehouses is unique. They are built to suit the trees and the people using them who aren t always children Katsura Gardens is a small creative team of gardeners and craftsmen. Visit our website to find out more. 01342 851 385 07811 307 885 www.katsuragardens.co.uk ILEX Design & Build was founded by Steve Huxley a landscape architect with a passion for traditional oak-framed buildings. The ILEX portfolio has expanded in recent years to include house extensions and new build homes. An ideal garden project for ILEX would be a building such as a gazebo garden barn or garage including the associated landscape so the whole project can be designed as one. PO Box 76 Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 9FZ 01892 539 745 www.ilexdesignandbuild.co.uk Build... 96 AUGUST 2013 P R O M O T I O N A L F E AT U R E SO Adorn... Chilstone of Tunbridge Wells are celebrating 60 years of making prestige garden ornaments entirely by hand at their Langton Green studios. Each ornament is lovingly crafted by hand and sent to fine gardens all over the world. Visit our free show gardens or take a look at the website for more information. Victoria Park Fordcombe Road Langton Green near Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 0RB 01892 740 866 www.chilstone.com Revitalise... Gardenproud will help you transform an area or your complete garden with our design and landscaping teams. Then we can help you care for your garden through Gardenproud s regular maintenance service. See more about Gardenproud on our website and read about our latest news at www.reallygardenproud.com blog The Red House Camden Park Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 4TN 07725 173 820 www.reallygardenproud.com Create... As seen on TV Gabion cages are the new vogue for gardeners and designers who like to be different. Gabion cages are so versatile from retaining walls raised beds planters pond edging and furniture to creating your own natural environment the insects love them. What will you fill yours with More pictures and prices can be found on the Small Loads website. Forstal House Maidstone Road Paddock Wood Kent TN12 6PY 01892 833 325 www.smallloads.co.uk Splash... Mermaid Ltd have become the favourite local specialists in swimming pool construction refurbishment and maintenance. We are a family run business established in 1982 that still believes in old fashion values of customer service and efficient and prompt delivery. It s not just that Mermaid offer a full design and construction service but we also offer a full maintenance service to keep your pool running perfectly once it s completed. If you are thinking of changing your lifestyle give us a call. High Banks Slip Mill Road Hawkhurst Kent TN18 5AD 01580 753 031 www.mermaidswimmingpools.co.uk AUGUST 2013 97 SO 98 AUGUST 2013 PROPERTY SO HOME FRONT is month handyman Richard Dixon of RDSE Property Maintenance in Tunbridge Wells tells us how his service proves invaluable to his clients Tell us a bit about your background. this popular commuter town many of my clients have busy working lives and young families and they need a trusted contractor to do those jobs successfully and efficiently. pleasure in putting things right and creating a well presented finished product. I ve been interested in property for some time now and this is combined with a love of hard work and a desire to build repair restore and create. I have gradually progressed from tackling DIY at a very basic level at a young age to property maintenance and refurbishment for private clients a successful property renovation of my own and with my love of wood work I am continually honing my carpentry skills and furniture making abilities. I believe it has I think the term handyman used to be synonymous with a half-hearted approach to tackling property maintenance. I think people recognise that with many more of us having rental properties holiday lets and taking more pride in the presentation of their most important investment handymen or property maintenance companies offer a professional and important service. People are far happier to admit that they would rather someone else take on the jobs that are time consuming and that they don t have the expertise for to ensure that they are done properly. Has the demand for handymen risen in recent years What precautions should people take before allowing a handyman into their home I think it s always important to do a little research with any contractor before allowing them into your home. Take a good look at their information website and if you are particularly nervous meet for a coffee to discuss the proposed job somewhere else first. In addition if they re as reliable and efficient and successful as they purport to be they will always be able to provide a reference. Otherwise I would recommend an informal meeting to assess the property and nature of the job then request that a quote is sent and agreed before any works take place. What sort of jobs do you tackle I m currently in the process of converting a Green Oak building but I m happy to be approached to tackle any jobs that I feel I can successfully deal with from taking care of the DIY jobs that people don t have time for to exterior and interior painting and decoration internal refurbishment decking construction and more. I am happy to talk to any prospective client and see if I am the man for the job. What s your favourite aspect of the job Why don t people just learn how to do these jobs themselves and preference to carry out such work and others don t. We live in an age and culture where we all work so hard and have so little free time to do the things we enjoy that it is Seeing the clients revel in the finished work be it a fresh lick of paint on the house or a new decking area to enjoy handing over some bespoke furniture or simply putting up some new shelving anything that makes my client appreciate my craft and enjoy their home. 01892 860 477 07803 322 517 www.rdse.co.uk AUGUST 2013 Who tends to hire a handyman This may once have been a luxury but although my clients come from varying backgrounds from young to old they all share one thing in common a lack of free time. In I think that some people have a natural ability far easier to hand over to someone who takes 101 GRAND ACCOMMODATION OVER THREE FLOORS This magnificent rental property in Wadhurst is a beautifully presented family home B uilt just eight years ago Oakhurst looks like a heritage mansion yet offers all the modern conveniences you would expect and more. dining room with a table for 12 a bespoke library and an office while the double aspect sitting room is perfect for elegant entertaining. Two walk-in wardrobes offer useful storage in the master suite which also has an en suite bathroom. Two further bedrooms both of which have en suite shower rooms complete the first floor. Above on the second floor there are two more bedrooms with en suites and the sixth bedroom currently used as a gym. Country views can be admired from the large terrace and the attractive conservatory. Arranged over three storeys the generous accommodation boasts a high quality finish and many superb features. Made by Bespoke Kitchens the stunning kitchen breakfast room will make cooking a joy especially as the central island is positioned to help you enjoy the charming views through the adjacent orangery. Visitors will be charmed by the grand entrance hall which gives access to an impressive For full details contact Hamptons International 01892 313 000 www.hamptons.co.uk 102 AUGUST 2013 B E A U T I F U L H O MR S MOTO E SO Property Oakhurst detached rental home Location Mayfield Lane Wadhurst East Sussex Rent 7 500 pcm Available Now Bedrooms 5 6 Bathrooms 2 plus 4 shower rooms & WC Extras Garage block bespoke oak furnishings walk-in wardrobes zoned underfloor heating whole house sound system Best bits This luxurious house offers the best of modern living and has many stylish touches including backlit onyx stone panels in the library solid timber and marble floors fitted oak furniture and a integrated sound system. AUGUST 2013 103 SO OAKFRESCO IS A SMALL FRIENDLY KENT COMPANY WITH A REAL PASSION FOR CREATING UNIQUE GARDEN FURNITURE FROM OAK THAT WILL SERVE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS. THE DIRECTORS ARE DENISE AND DEREK CURTIS 104 AUGUST 2013 ADVERTORIAL SO HOW DID YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH OAK We moved to our current home nearly 10 years ago a beautiful old farmhouse filled with oak beams. We renovated a part of it in 2008 and worked with a fabulous carpenter with over 25 years of experience renovating old buildings and barns. That s when we learned about the beauty strength and versatility of oak. There are oak-framed buildings that are hundreds of years old we think that s wonderful for such a natural and beautiful product. When building our terrace we hunted for a huge oak table to fill the space as we both come from large families and love to socialise. A huge oak garden table was not something that was easy to find so we decided to design and make our own. Our new table drew lots of attention and interest so we then decided to go into business. Each piece really has the wow factor and makes a statement in any garden. WHERE DO YOU ACTUALLY GET THE WOOD Our oak timber is purchased from a local sawmill whose suppliers can prove the sustainability of their sources. We use green European oak. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AS YOU CREATE THE FURNITURE We think how lovely it is that something we created will play a part in the lives of so many families for generations to come. We love to hear when a customer tells us they seated 32 children around their new 12ft table for their son s fifth birthday party. It s incredibly pleasing when we have emails from customers saying their table drew lots of admiring comments from their guests. These are not pieces of furniture you see every day. We love that we create something slightly different and so enormously striking. WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHERS IN THE MARKETPLACE We can make a table from as little as 3ft up to 16ft long. We also make them slightly wider. Two people can sit at each end and the extra width means dishes and platters can sit along the middle leaving lots of space for guests to eat. The bigger tables truly are fit for a banquet. Our carpenter has a wealth of experience and traditional techniques are used in the crafting of each piece which means they can last for generations. How wonderful to be able to say This table belonged to my greatgrandfather. No more replacements every five years when softwoods rot and fall apart. No more storing and covering each winter. There is absolutely no need to protect oak. It s immensely strong and tough gaining in strength and character as time goes by. WHAT SORT OF FEEDBACK DO YOU GET FROM CUSTOMERS We have customers expressing their heartfelt thanks and passing on snaps of their family occasions. Recommendations always give us a boost. It means a lot when our customers love the piece we have created for them. Web www.oakfresco.co.uk Phone 01233 740 045 DO YOU MAKE PRODUCTS TO ORDER All our furniture is bespoke made so if a customer would like something a little less chunky we can absolutely do that. If they would like a carved inscription we can do that too. We are open to different designs and ideas. Having said that even when a customer would like something a little less ordinary we almost always keep to our four-week delivery plan customer service is extremely important to us. ADVERTORIAL SO Dear Debbie DEBBIE MOULTON CARE MANAGER OF BLUEBIRD CARE OFFERS HER ADVICE Dear Debbie Can you explain why some people are given money to help them with care costs and others have to pay for it all themselves It doesn t seem very fair - they are all OAP S after all. Yours sincerely Claire Chester The reason is that Social Care is considered to be different from Health Care which is covered by the NHS and is universally available without charge. Fairness is a difficult concept in Social Care At present if you have more than 23 250 in savings or capital you have to pay for your own Social Care. If your savings are below that level you may qualify for some assistance from your local authority - which will provide guidance. Even if you have to pay for your own Social Care you may qualify for Attendance Allowance which is not means tested. To be eligible you must be 65 or over and have either a physical or mental disability that is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you for your own or someone else s safety. The payment is presently either l 53 per week if you need frequent help or constant supervision during the day or supervision at night or l 79 per week if you need help or supervision throughout both day and night or you are terminally ill. You can claim by filling in Form AA1A available from the Post Office or by going online at www.dwp.gov.uk eservice Best wishes Debbie Moulton Care Manager Bluebird Care (Sevenoaks) Dear Claire AUGUST 2013 107 SO 108 AUGUST 2013 BEAUTIFUL HOMES SO BEAUTIFUL GARDENS IN SEMI-RURAL SETTING Extensive grounds and a separate annexe give this Edwardian house in Tonbridge a special appeal Property Greentrees substantial Edwardian house Location Cuckoo Lane Tonbridge Kent Price 1.65million Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 2 plus WC Land Just over 2.3 acres Extras Garden room three-bedroom annexe terraces orchards feature borders ornamental pond large garage outbuildings stables Best bits The extensive and beautifully crafted grounds offer some delightful features including an 80ft mixed border and orchards that produce a variety of fruits. The terraces are perfect for outdoor entertaining on sunny days while the stable block has plenty of storage and even the potential to convert into a home office subject to the necessary consents. G reentrees is an elegant property that offers plenty of space in the main house and also comes with all of which have delightful views across the gardens. The master bedroom has an en suite bathroom and there s also a family bathroom on this floor. In the well presented grounds you ll find the annexe which has three bedrooms a sitting room kitchen study and bathroom. There s extensive garaging and storage on offer in the outbuildings while the block of four stable boxes also offers some potential for change of use. A high stone built wall bounds the gardens along Cuckoo Lane and a pair of wrought iron gates open to the drive giving Greentrees a great sense of privacy. a useful three-bedroom annexe with its own entrance. This could provide independent accommodation for family members guests or staff. High ceilings are a feature of the generously proportioned reception rooms which include a drawing room sitting room dining room and garden room plus there s a laundry room adjacent to the kitchen breakfast room. Upstairs the attractive galleried landing gives access to the five double bedrooms For full details contact Chesterton Humberts 01732 741 212 www.chestertonhumberts.com AUGUST 2013 109 SO 110 AUGUST 2013 FANTASTIC FOREST RETREAT This substantial family home in the Ashdown Forest offers modern living with a beautiful backdrop you ll find this property. A wealth of outdoor pursuits is on offer in the forest while the property s pleasant gardens and large terrace offer plenty of opportunities for enjoying the fresh air. Inside the spacious entrance hall with a working fireplace leads to a double aspect sitting room and dining room both of which have French doors to the terrace. In the beautifully presented kitchen breakfast T he aptly named Forest Gate has direct access to Ashdown Forest which gives an idea of the idyllic rural setting in which room there s a fireplace and a snug area so this is bound to become a cosy hub of family life. There s also a TV room playroom utility room and a bedroom with doors to the garden on the ground floor. Fitted cupboards on the large upstairs landing provide useful storage and there are further built-in wardrobes in the master suite s dressing room along with access to the en suite bathroom. The guest bedroom boasts an en suite shower room and there are three further double bedrooms along with a family bathroom. For full details contact Freeman Forman 01892 615 757 www.freemanforman.co.uk 112 AUGUST 2013 B E A U T I F U L H O MR S MOTO E SO Property Forest Gate detached house Location Old Forge Lane Ashdown Forest East Sussex Guide price 1million - 1.5million Bedrooms 6 Bathrooms 2 plus shower room & WC Extras Off road parking large terrace Best bits With a number of spacious reception rooms and a ground floor bedroom this generous home provides plenty of versatile accommodation. AUGUST 2013 113 SO 114 AUGUST 2013 SO AUGUST 2013 115 SO 116 AUGUST 2013 BEAUTIFUL HOMES SO YOUR CHANCE TO OWN A CASTLE Whoever purchases this magnificent property in Hartfield will be buying a piece of England s rich and fascinating history Property Bolebroke Castle Grade II listed 16th century house Location Hartfield East Sussex Guide price 1.65million Bedrooms 10 Bathrooms 4 plus 5 shower rooms & WCs Land About 27 acres Extras Ballroom cellar outbuildings woodland two lakes separate threebedroom Granary Best bits Although it is believed to have earlier origins Bolebroke Castle is listed as dating from the 16th century and the atmosphere is loaded with history. Unsubstantiated reports claim that Henry VIII used this place as his hunting lodge while wooing Anne Boleyn at Hever Castle and the castle has recently been used as a venue for wedding receptions and medieval banquets. property that boasts plenty of period features such as stone mullion windows a splendid oak staircase wall panelling and what is believed to be the second largest fireplace in the country. Now in need of refurbishment Bolebroke Castle is also believed to be one of the first brick built houses in Sussex. The ground floor comprises a drawing room ballroom study kitchen breakfast room and dining hall with that stunning fireplace. Arranged over the first and second floors are O verlooking its own extensive grounds woodland and lakes Bolebroke Castle is an imposing the bedrooms and bath shower rooms part of the first floor is presented as an apartment with a bedroom sitting room kitchen and shower room. A shared drive and private entrance lead to Bolebroke Castle which is attached to other parts of the building in separate ownership yet presents a great deal of tranquil privacy. Also reached via the drive is the separate three-bedroom restored 17th century Granary which is Grade II listed. The grounds have many lovely features including a stone flagged terrace extensive lawns and the beautiful lakes. For full details contact Michael Brooker 01892 663 377 www.michaelbrooker.co.uk Foxwood Maclean 01732 862 184 AUGUST 2013 117 SO 118 AUGUST 2013 SO 120 AUGUST 2013 BEAUTIFUL HOMES SO FAMILY HOME IN GREAT LOCATION Situated just on the southern edge of Tunbridge Wells this spacious detached house has plenty to offer Property Detached family house Location Acer Avenue Tunbridge Wells Kent Guide price 650 000 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 1 plus shower room & WC Extras Integrated double garage built-in wardrobes Best bits For sports fans this house could not be in a better location the Nevill Golf Club Cricket Ground and Tennis Club is just a few minutes away giving you the ideal reason to become a member. F or busy families who like to be within easy reach of the action this house in Acer Avenue is perfect. Just a few suite shower room. The other four bedrooms share the use of a bathroom with separate shower cubicle. Double glazing and gas central heating mean this home will be cosy all through the winter no matter what the British weather throws at it. Outside there s plenty of parking on the driveway plus a double integrated garage and the whole family will enjoy using the private level garden. With the shops and restaurants of Tunbridge Wells just a short distance away this is a great home for those who like to run a busy social life. minutes from the town centre and local parks the property also has a level lawned garden where you can relax and watch the children play securely. There s plenty of room for entertaining as there are three reception rooms on the ground floor plus an attractive kitchen breakfast room. Upstairs you ll find five bedrooms all of which have useful storage in the form of built-in wardrobes the master bedroom has an en For full details contact LeGrys 01892 529 448 www.legrys.com AUGUST 2013 123 ADVERTORIAL SO Be it for business or pleasure a reliable internet connection has become a necessity for most of us MAKING THE RIGHT CONNECTION W e get lots of customers who confuse their incoming internet signal quality with the wireless signal from their router. Lots of products can be controlled with apps that require a connection to the internal wireless network that is the signal connection to the router which is usually indicated as one to three bars on an iPhone or iPad. Your internet comes into the house via a cable directly to a modem or an integrated router. The router has wired connections at the rear to connect a device like a PC or set top box directly. For most applications though a wireless signal is required and you login to a router by using the supplied password. Some devices use a system called WPS (wifi protected setup) that enable devices to connect without having to enter passwords. To check the actual speed of your internet connection go to www.speedtest .net and run a test. If you get a poor connection to your router from your device then the wifi signal is weak as indicated by the signal bars on your device. There are several ways to extend the signal. One is to add a wifi repeater that boosts the coverage. A wireless access point connects to the router via an Ethernet cable and extends the wifi to another part of the premises where the signal is re-broadcasted. You can use a Ethernet over power adaptor to connect devices directly or a dongle or wireless bridge for products that have no built in wifi. 56a London Road Southborough Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 0PT Tel 0800 999 0080 www.satshop.co.uk AUGUST 2013 125 ADVERTORIAL SO ashton burkinshaw 16 High Street Tenterden Kent TN30 6AP ab about letting LANDLORD TESTAMENTS We have used the services of Jeremy Jago of Ashton Burkinshaw for over two years and have been very pleased with the professional and considerate service we have received. Tenants for the property have been found quickly at the rent we have agreed and have proved to be of good quality. The property concerned is one of two we let the other being in South London and whilst both properties are well managed we are more impressed with the service Jeremy provides. We know we can always rely on a proper response to any queries and that we can rely on any advice given. (Landlord of a town house in Tenterden) My wife and I have been clients of Ashton Burkinshaw for over 10 years and can honestly say that we have had the very best of service during this time. We live abroad and have had to completely rely on the professionalism of this company. The personal contact we have with Jeremy Jago and his team is one of complete trust and we are happy to recommend them without hesitation. (Landlord of two flats in Rye) We have used Ashton Burkinshaw Tenterden for many years for our large residential letting portfolio. We have always been impressed with their friendly professionalism and all-round service as well as their good feel for valuation and success rate at finding suitable tenants. (Landlord of a Farm Estate in Kent) Ashton Burkinshaw of Tenterden have acted as Letting Agents of a property owned by me for over three years. During this period the firm has dealt with every aspect of the letting and general maintenance of the property. I have consistently found every member of the team in Tenterden to be extremely professional courteous and reliable. As an indefinable extra I have found them to be nice people to do business with . It is my personal intention to continue the relationship with Ashton Burkinshaw as they have consistently delivered the service I require and expect. (L L of a luxury apartment in Tenterden) The Tenterden Office is a member of ARLA and is regulated by the Property Ombudsman. AGENTS YOU CAN TRUST With low interest rates encouraging more investors to turn to the buy-to-let market it s vital landlords find the right agent - such as Ashton Burkinshaw 40th Anniversary. The Tenterden office is owned and run as a Franchise with the owner Jeremy Jago actively involved in the day to day running of the business. Since taking over the Franchise in 2005 the business has more than doubled in turnover. This is partly due to the natural growth in the Lettings Market but also to the reputation the office enjoys for professionalism trustworthiness and friendliness. The office looks after properties from one bedroom flats to large country mansions over a wide area. The team in Tenterden have over 50 years of experience between them a vital ingredient when dealing with all the issues that residential letting can involve Our only business is the letting and managing of residential properties and we have a full time Property Manager when a Landlord chooses our Full Management Service. We also offer Landlords a Tenant Finding and Rent Collection service as well as full rent protection and legal cover for complete peace of mind. Our Tenancy Agreements have been developed over many years and are crucial in safeguarding both parties position should a conflict arise. We will be open about our fees and charges with both tenants and landlords so there are no surprises in store. We will advise Landlords of their legal requirements and how the property should be prepared to ensure a speedy let. Referencing is carried out on all prospective A shton Burkinshaw is a specialist Lettings Agent with offices operating in Kent and East Sussex that recently celebrated its tenants but we would always discuss an applicant s full circumstances with the Landlord before proceeding. A market appraisal of properties is carried out at no cost. An Energy Performance Certificate is now required for all properties offered for letting but there is no minimum requirement yet The current rental market is extremely busy and there is a shortage of good quality properties currently available. Two and three bedroom properties under 1000.00 per calendar month are particularly in demand but most properties that are in good condition in a location where people want to live and being marketed at a suitable rental level will let. Properties with modern kitchens and bathrooms in good decorative order and with off road parking will let more quickly. Access to a mainline station is also beneficial. With low interest rates and house prices relatively so more investors are turning to the buy-to-let market. The Lettings Market is forecast to grow by some 18.2% over the next 4 years fuelled by an increasing demand amongst young people unable to raise a deposit to buy a property and a changing attitude to home ownership. 37% of tenants expect to stay in rented accommodation for 3 years or more. For further advice please contact Jeremy Jago at Ashton Burkinshaw s Tenterden office on 01580 763577 or email to tenterden ashtonburkinshaw.co.uk AUGUST 2013 127 SO AUGUST 2013 129 BEAUTIFUL HOMES SO LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION This beautifully presented rental home in Bell Yews Green could not be more conveniently placed to suit busy lifestyles Property Detached family rental house Location Broomfield Bell Yews Green Tunbridge Wells Kent Rent 1 750 pcm Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 1 plus shower room Extras Integral garage built-in wardrobes Available From start of September unfurnished Best bits With its great transport links Broomfield is the ideal location for a range of prospective occupants. Set within walking distance of Frant station which offers excellent connections to London and just a short drive from the broad range of shopping leisure and educational amenities of Tunbridge Wells this home is perfect for busy families. Perfectly located for commuters and shoppers this property is a short drive from Frant primary school and within walking distance of a shop pub and Frant Station. On the ground floor there s a large reception room with French doors to the patio and rear garden which means you can enjoy an alfresco lifestyle in good weather. B roomfield is a highly popular development and this attractive family house is sure to be in demand. The kitchen has a breakfast unit and a useful separate utility room with access to the garden and the integral garage. Upstairs there are four double bedrooms three of which have built-in storage. The master bedroom enjoys the use of an en suite shower room plus there s a family bathroom. With both a garage and off-road parking you ll have no problems accommodating your vehicles here. For full details contact Alexandre Boyes 01892 525 522 www.alexandre-boyes.co.uk AUGUST 2013 131 FOOD SO FOOD NEWS No British summer is OUR MONTHLY LOOK AT WHAT S HAPPENING ON THE LOCAL CULINARY SCENE ALE AND HEARTY complete without a beer festival so if you haven t yet had the chance to indulge don t miss a celebration of ale at The Beacon in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday August 31 and Sunday September 1. There ll be plenty of draught beers to taste and once your glass-lifting arm has worked up an appetite you can fill up on barbecue food. You can also enjoy live music at the pub in Tea Garden Lane and admission is free so this could be a great way to spend your weekend. www.the-beacon.co.uk Chocoholics always welcome new ways to enjoy their favourite treat and for those who also like a tipple Hotel Chocolat s new mini cocktail truffle range is long overdue. Packaged in handy cocktail glasses with 24 truffles in each the four flavours are Summer Gin Collins Virgin Pina Colada Mojito and our favourite Chocolate Martini. Serve chilled and preferably by a pool Available from the Tunbridge Wells store and online at www.hotelchocolat.com COCKTAIL PARTY A new Thai restaurant in The best of homegrown produce will be on display at the British Family Fayre in Westerham on Saturday August 31. Organised by the local Bradshaw family who made national headlines when they pledged to only live on British-made produce and items for a year the event is designed to showcase all that s good about our country including our mouth-watering food and drink. The fayre takes place in the grounds of Squerryes Court and entry is free. Find out more at www.britishfamilyfayre.co.uk CULTURAL THAI S EAT BRITISH Tunbridge Wells received a very special start when Buddhist monks paid a visit to bless it. The monks travelled from their small Thai temple in Gillingham to see the Tasty Thai eatery at The Allotment pub in St James Road where they met the locals and gave the restaurant their blessing. Landlord Keith Walker said It s a great tradition in Thailand to perform If you have an item you d like included in our Foodie Guide please send details to jconnolly onemediauk.co.uk this ceremony when new ventures are launched so I wanted their blessing. My cook Ann Sompong Toben is Thai so it means a lot to her too. AUGUST 2013 153 SO 154 AUGUST 2013 CELEBRITY CHEF SO DAVID BARTHOLOMEW Thought for food Our new food columnist Rosemary Shrager spills the beans on life as a celebrity chef in Tunbridge Wells T his month has been very odd. Despite having just moved down to Tunbridge Wells I seem to have spent most of my mother sent boxes of cherries to the school to be had by all I was very popular suddenly This month we were given some wonderful goose and duck eggs which John put on his Chef s Table. He steamed the duck eggs at 60 C for three hours then placed them onto Peas Francaise for those who don t know what this is it is peas bacon lettuce and shallots and it s delicious. I ve also been given some beautiful ceps which we sliced finely and put into a dehydrator for 12 hours. These gadgets are set at 40 C but you can use an ordinary oven at 50 C then you make Now for my faux pas of the month I was invited to attend the Coronation Festival in the gardens at Buckingham Palace on Saturday July 13. So I got up early that day to catch the train to Charing Cross then hopped in a taxi and arrived outside the Palace. A glance at my ticket revealed to my horror that it was for Friday July 12 All I could do was come back to Tunbridge Wells and write a letter... Turns out I was given the wrong ticket Finally as summer is here I wanted to share one of my current favourite recipes with you which is a lemony tabouleh. The trick is not to time in the north of England with Jean-Christophe Novelli either at a food festival or filming together while driving round in a bright red Mustang. Driving with a mad Frenchman is extremely scary We have already found some wonderful products since arriving in Tunbridge Wells to open our cookery school on The Pantiles. The Rapeseed Oil from Pure Kent farmed by the Eckley family in the Weald of Kent has to be the purest John I am so hoping the farm shop at Eridge which I know was extremely popular will open again and that the cookery school will be able to work alongside them in making Tunbridge Wells and the Pantiles a Mecca for foodies everywhere Rogers my Executive Chef and I have ever tasted it s seriously worth a purchase. On a similar note I am so hoping the farm shop at Eridge which I know was extremely popular will open again and that the cookery school will be able to work alongside them in making Tunbridge Wells and the Pantiles a Mecca for foodies everywhere. At this time of year I have to say I love all the wonderful cherries Kent has to offer. I was brought up with a large cherry tree orchard and what I remember most are the very long ladders they used to use for the picking. When I was at boarding school my powder and add it to risottos sauces savoury biscuits anything that will take on the flavour. Talking of biscuits I ve just launched two types of biscuits one spicy ginger one oaty at the Great Yorkshire Show on July 10. The fundraising biscuits have been brought out for the Veterans Artisan Bakery at Catterick which is under the umbrella of a charity called the Riverside Housing Association. This houses homeless armed forces veterans for 18 months and helps them to get back into the routine of a job hence the bakery being one of the roles on offer. We will have the biscuits for sale in the cookery school soon. www.rosemaryshrager.com AUGUST 2013 add any stock or water to your bulgur wheat just leave it in loads of lemon juice for a couple of hours mixing occasionally then add all the other ingredients. The full recipe for this fresh and summery dish can be found on the So magazine website. www.somagazine.co.uk Bye for now speak to you next month. 155 SO MOTORS This place has star quality There are tens of thousands of restaurants in the UK but only 162 have earned one or more prestigious Michelin stars. The Curlew in Bodiam is the only starred restaurant in East Sussex. Erik Brown went along to find out what makes this eatery one of the elite clear and the only lines on his face are laughter lines those little crow s feet at the sides of the eyes. The photograph was taken within minutes of him telling me that he d just worked 13 days of cripplingly long shifts and that one of his commis chefs had disappeared into thin air because a relative was sick. It s been hard work he had said. And he looked as fresh as a man just back from a three-week spa holiday. I guess it s the love of the job that does it. There s a favourite question I like to ask chefs What are you working on It seems so simple that it s almost banal but if the chef is any good you can relax sit back and listen. And Andrew Scott is very good indeed. C hefs are just amazing aren t they There s this photo I have of Andrew Scott head chef of The Curlew and in it he s smiling his blue eyes are I m trying to do a baked Alaska he says. I want to make it fashionable again. Or Arctic roll. That s what I m working on. For two people to share. Then he s off speaking with passion and clarity for about five minutes straight. The conversation is suddenly strewn with strawberry bombes melon pressed with different alcohols posh chicken mascapone cream with black pepper sugar and a lobster cocktail in a martini glass with an espuma of Marie Rose. One thing is clear the affable and talented Andrew Scott has found a natural home at The Curlew and he s obviously loving every minute of it. Developed by Mark and Sara Colley a former City broker and a research analyst The Curlew has only been open in its current form for four years and Andrew and his sous chef Neil Bennett have been there for just 10 months. But for those in the know and happily I am one of them it is already an institution. It is in fact the only place where the starter is so good that I ve ordered it again for pudding (double-baked cheese souffl it kind of works at both ends of the meal). The Colleys got to know Michelin-starred chef Graham Garrett of The West House Biddenden when they were running their first hotel restaurant The George at Cranbrook and they invited him in as consultant to help launch chef Neil McCue to position The Curlew. The restaurant picked up a Michelin star in the summer of 2011 and after two and a half years Garrett told them You don t need me anymore and moved on. McCue followed him last year and Scott came in from Michelin-starred Mallory Court outside Leamington Spa bringing his sous chef with him. Scott had previously worked with Simon Rogan at L Enclume Cumbria and at Lords of the Manor in Upper Slaughter Gloucestershire. So he had previous as the catering industry likes to say. My background is classical Scott says. But I do like to present things in a modern way not chintzy old school. So I keep to the seasons and I try to use as much local produce as possible. What that means is that his dry goods supplier is just up the road at Hawkhurst his fish come from Rye (he gets to pick the best as the supplier passes on his way to Billingsgate fish market) he uses a local butcher who can get him anything and a veg man so committed to the cause that he s growing Scott some coriander plants just for the flowers coriander is usually harvested before the flowers develop. Even the wine list has a local flavour with prices at a glance STARTERS FROM 8 MAINS FROM 15.50 DESSERTS FROM 8 WINE BY THE GLASS FROM 5.50 WINE BY THE BOTTLE FROM 18.50 156 AUGUST 2013 M OF O O D TORS SO The potted crab with fennel cream pickled mooli ginger and crab biscuit ( 9.50). sparkling wine from Appledore in Kent and Bluebell Estates in East Sussex and the first ever English bio-dynamic wine from the Sedlescombe vineyard just five miles away. Mark and Sara are clearly enthusiastic about Scott s cooking I ve never worked with such an energetic and talented group of people Mark says. But they re quite modest about the Michelin star. Glad to have it of course but it s not what defines us Mark says. It s a family business he adds serving the local community. If it has also become a destination restaurant great the Colleys are really proud of that. But they like to keep their feet on the ground too. So to the food. I have a starter of perfectlycooked mackerel with pressed cucumber (the cucumber-iest I ve ever tasted in fact) smoked mackerel parfait oyster and what was that oh yes the faintest hint of wasabi ( 9). Now that by itself is an impressive stunt. Wasabi doesn t usually hint at anything it usually just hits you somewhere in the respiratory tract. This is subtle stuff. It s been hard work he had said. And he looked as fresh as a man just back from a three-week spa holiday. I guess it s the love of the job that does it My wife orders the potted crab with fennel cream pickled mooli ginger and crab biscuit ( 9.50). Not given to emotional outbursts she nevertheless whispers an audible oh when she tastes the pickled mooli and ginger. Then for me the pork fillet and belly with caramelised onion walnut and rosemary gnocchi ( 20.50) with tiny upright cylinders of something sharp and green ah yes local apple providing acidity to offset the fatty pork belly and crispy crackling. Beautifully done. My wife goes for the Sussex lamb with cardamom yoghurt and saag aloo pur e ( 21). The lamb she says is tender and delicious and the cardamom yoghurt refreshing and tasty. She struggles a little with the saag aloo pur e not really her thing. So I taste it and like it a lot it has a kind of earthiness an umami flavour that complements the meat perfectly. Then not one but two desserts the one I order (off the short menu 20 for two courses 25 for three) olive oil cake with mascarpone mousse and lemon sorbet and the one Scott wanted me to have mango macaroon with mascarpone compressed mango pineapple and Szechuan pepper sorbet ( 8.50). The first is excellent with a lovely light lemony sponge and a sharp sorbet. The second is a standout dish with the pineapple and pepper sorbet cutting through the sweetness of the macaroon and pressed mango. Stunning. Mrs B agrees then tucks in to a delicious cheesecake of white chocolate poached cherries and pistachio ice cream ( 8.50). Oh and I indulge in a glass of the Sedlescombe First Release East Sussex 2011 ( 8) so bright and fresh and fruity that after lunch I drive to the estate and buy three bottles from the woman whose husband made it. Don t you just love this part of the world The Curlew is half an hour from Tunbridge Wells and the only Michelin-starred restaurant in East Sussex. The Curlew Junction Road Bodiam East Sussex TN32 5UY 01580 861394 www.thecurlewrestaurant.co.uk AUGUST 2013 157 SO 158 AUGUST 2013 SO 160 AUGUST 2013 ADVERTORIAL SO Why buy French when we have delicious cheese around the corner is month Francesco Furriello the Executive Head Chef at Signor Franco restaurant in Tunbridge Wells High Street reminds us why local produce is best n Naples the food we eat is from Naples and its surrounding area whether it be fruit olives vegetables cheese bread meat fish even olive oil and wine. Our land gives us riches every season and as I have said before it would not occur to us to import food from other regions I find it strange italian think like an under 11 s eat for free on sundays that English people don t seem too worried about the origin of what is in their shopping basket. They would rather buy tired peaches from Spain when their own fields are bursting with juicy sweet strawberries crazy And what about the ripen in fruit bowl fruit you find in supermarkets If they put food out like that in Naples there would almost be a riot English people do not seem proud enough of their produce which I think is a real shame when there is much to be proud about. Gooseberries tayberries cherries Kent cobnuts and greengages are just a few things that can be delicious when picked straight from the tree or bush but they have somehow been overlooked and have been overtaken by foreign things such as physalis kiwi fruit pistachios and watermelon. Kent is rightly called the Garden Of England for a reason and has wonderful meadow land for our livestock yet we seem set in our ways of buying lamb from New Zealand and even beef and pork from anywhere but here. I try as much as I can to support local artisan farmers and even our duck eggs are from near Tunbridge Wells along with our woodpigeon and asparagus. Golden Cross is an outstanding goats cheese and is made a short journey from here why buy French when we have delicious cheese around the corner In Italy people eat what is available it is as simple as that if it doesn t grow or live nearby they don t really eat it. In Naples we are very proud of our little transparent cicenielli fish which we catch in the harbour but in Milan they eat tiny frogs because they are plentiful there. Don t worry you may find some interesting things on my menu but I have no plans to serve frogs may I suggest some local rainbow trout instead So be a little Italian this month maybe buy some local produce go the Farmers Market and let s support the people who farm our land and produce excellent local food that we can all be proud to call Kentish. www.signorfrancorestaurant.com 01892 549 199 AUGUST 2013 I 161 SO AUGUST 2013 163 MOTORS SO MOTORING MATTERS OUR ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM THE MOTORING SCENE ALONG CAME A SPYKER Boutique motoring event Salon Prive has confirmed that Dutch car manufacturer Spyker will return with its models featured on both the Concept Lawn and as part of the Audemars Piguet British Super Car Show at Syon House London on September 4 to 6. Spyker has recently revealed the production confirmed B6 Venator which will feature on the Concept Lawn with a convertible Spyder version also expected to be revealed later in the year. The C8 Aileron first shown at this year s Geneva Motor Show will be displayed as part of the Audemars Piguet British Super Car Show. COMPACT CLASS Alfa Romeo unveiled more technical and production information about the new Alfa 4C which made its dynamic UK debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last month. The compact supercar perfectly embodies the Alfa brand with Italian style sporty performance and engineering excellence offering maximum driving satisfaction in total safety. The coupe with two bucket seats uses technologies and materials derived from the 8C Competizione - carbon aluminium rear-wheel drive - and technologies from the latest Alfa Romeo models but thoroughly developed to enhance the sports appeal of the new car . BE CONVERTED Aston Martin has unveiled the Vanquish Volante a stunning new luxury sports car that brings the thrill of open top motoring to the super GT class. Alongside its coupe sibling launched to worldwide acclaim last autumn the Vanquish Volante sits at the pinnacle of the luxury British car maker s sports car line-up. Benefitting from all of the technical engineering and design advances present in the Vanquish coupe the new Volante enhances the driving experience still further through the option of exciting convertible driving. FOURTH TIME LUCKY A jury of 87 leading motoring journalists from around the world has voted the Audi 2.5-litre TFSI unit the International Engine of the Year in the 2.0-litre to 2.5-litre category for the fourth year running. The first iteration of this legendary five-cylinder engine shocked the motorsport world with its formidable performance and unmistakable soundtrack powering iconic cars such as the original Audi Quattro and Sport Quattro S1 which dominated rallying. Now its legacy continues in the TT RS Coupe and Roadster featuring both turbocharging and FSI petrol direct injection two core Audi technologies. 40 YEARS OF FUN The limited edition 40 Years of Caterham pack sold out less than a month after it was announced following huge interest from UK and overseas customers. The stylish pack was commissioned by Caterham Cars to celebrate its 40 years of manufacturing and developing the iconic Caterham Seven. In a limited run the pack was available at no extra cost to the first 40 buyers of Seven from May 9 and within four weeks all the packs had been snapped up there ll be plenty of vintage style motoring this summer for those lucky buyers. AUGUST 2013 165 SO MOTORS LA DOLCE VITA When it comes to feel-good cars there s not much that can touch Maserati s beautifully elegant Quattroporte. Andy Enright finds out whether life is as sweet as ever with the new sixth generation model 166 AUGUST 2013 MOTORS SO Facts at a glance MASERATI QUATTROPORTE From 80 000 ENGINE 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 or 2.8-litre PERFORMANCE 523bhp 0-62mph 4.7 seconds TOP SPEED 190mph EMISSIONS 278g km cars. This latest sixth generation version is a big step forward with a radically different engine line-up coupled with more space and less weight. Maserati as a brand is going places. In 2011 it made profits of 40million euros on sales of 588million euros. These figures were up 67million euros on 2010 and in 2012 it did even better selling over 6 000 cars. As encouraging as these numbers are however they re nothing compared to where the company envisages itself in 2015 when it expects to be selling around 50 000 cars. Yes you did just read that right an eightfold sales growth in three years. There s been some massive investment in new model development at Maserati and with a small saloon and an SUV in the pipeline the company is branching out into new market sectors. It s key not to forget the Maserati heartland which is why the GranTurismo and GranCabrio will continue to be improved and we have this the rather intriguing sixth generation Quattroporte. Expect to see a 2.8-litre twin-turbo V6 as the entry-level engine but what an entry level. With a power output of 407bhp this engine crucially dips under the 3.0-litre capacity limit at which punitive taxes are charged in the lucrative Chinese market. It s set to be the big seller in the range. Want more under your right boot Try the 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 that s good for 523bhp. This is closely related to a Ferrari design although the Ferrari engine is said to feature a cross-plane crank for more power but slightly less torque. The 2.8-litre engine will also be available with all-wheel drive but sadly not for right-hand drive markets. Apparently the steering T he Quattroporte was always a special Maserati model in effect a sports car dressed up as a big saloon while its rivals were big saloons dressed up as sports column would foul the driveshaft plane. Power for all Quattroporte models is directed through a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox. Measuring over five metres from tip to tail the old Quattroporte wasn t a small car but nevertheless rear seat accommodation was quite tight when you had taller occupants up front. Maserati has worked to improve the packaging of this latest model. It grows by 163mm in length to a hefty 5 263mm but there have been big gains in rear legroom thanks to a much longer wheelbase. In other words the Quattroporte has been transformed into a car that could now appeal to the chauffeur market as well as to buyers who just want to pedal the thing themselves. You can specify a two-seat rear bench with a central divider or a three-seater that splits and folds to extend the bigger and longer boot. controls are operated by a large central touch screen mounted on the centre console. There s a twin-cowled instrument cluster and traditionalists will be reassured that you still get an analogue clock inset into the dashboard. Naturally developing a range of more efficient downsized turbocharged engines and coupling it with a body that s lighter and more aerodynamic will result in improved economy and emissions but we ve yet to see hard data. The evolutionary styling of this Quattroporte will help protect residual values of the old car which weren t as bad as many think. Because it had been around for over eight years with styling left largely unchanged people see sub- 20k Quattroportes on dealer forecourts and think the car was a depreciation disaster. It wasn t. Three year old cars were still changing hands for 40 000 which means retained values of about 45%. That s very creditable for a luxury saloon with a big petrol engine. The sixth generation car looks set to do even better and if Maserati are to be The interior has been extensively modernised and is far more spacious with less of the cheap plastic switchgear which rather dated its predecessor It looks as good as ever. Yes there is a tiny bit more bulk to the styling compared to the svelte litheness of the fifth generation car but it s still a good deal sleeker than something like a MercedesBenz CLS. Even BMW s elegant 6 Series Gran Coupe is going to look a little bit clunky in comparison when one of these draws alongside. The Quattroporte s drag coefficient has been reduced by around 12% and weight has been slashed by about 100 kilograms largely through use of aluminium in the suspension front wings bonnet doors and boot lid. Historically the Quattroporte has occupied the 80 000 to 100 000 market segment and broadly it will continue to require that kind of budget. There s been a clear emphasis on improving quality both actual and perceived with stricter procedures in the build process and some high quality woods and leathers used throughout. Many of the major believed improved reliability should bolster residuals still further. Emissions of 278g km for the 3.8-litre engine aren t too bad either and a big improvement on the old version. Maserati looks to be adhering to a very sensible development plan for this latest Quattroporte. Not a lot needed doing to the basic styling of the old car so the exterior design is nicely evolutionary. The interior has been extensively modernised and is far more spacious with less of the cheap plastic switchgear which rather dated its predecessor. Removing weight developing more efficient engines and fitting a sharper-witted automatic gearbox were always the three priorities from a dynamic perspective and these look to have been achieved. So what s not to like www.maserati.co.uk AUGUST 2013 167 SO 168 AUGUST 2013 E D U C AT I O N SO EDUCATION NEWS WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE EDUCATION WORLD BACK TO THE FUTURE Students celebrated St Leonards-Mayfield School s 150th anniversary by putting together a time capsule to be opened when the school marks its 200th year in 2063. Items in the capsule include a current uniform a whole school photo pictures from the school s history current newspapers and letters written by former pupils from every decade since the 1940s. Most poignantly of all students have addressed letters to themselves to be opened when they are 50 years older. The capsule has been buried in the foyer of the school s new Sixth Form Centre due to open next month. Head girl Catriona Franck and the youngest girl in the school Eleanor Knight had the honour of lowering the sealed capsule into the floor. Headmistress Antonia Beary said the capsule would give future students a sense of life at the school today. We also hope that many of our current students will be able to revisit in 2063 and remember what it was like to be a St Leonards-Mayfield School pupil in 2013 she said. TASTE OF THE FUTURE Four young cooks offered up some fresh flavours when they took part in the Masterchef Grand Final at Bethany School in Goudhurst. The all-male finalists pictured left to right Max Harrison James Clarke Alex Pollock and Sam Tate all aged 12 and from Year 7 each designed a two-course lunch to be served in the VIP Suite during Wimbledon. Their dishes wowed the professional judge Josemanuel Azevedo Head Chef and co-owner of The Swan at Chapel Down Vineyard in Tenterden and he will feature one of each of the boy s recipes on the restaurant s menu. Sam Tate from Wittersham was named the winner with his menu of pan fried wild pigeon breast with a red onion and port reduction served with new potatoes and steamed baby carrots followed by English strawberry crumble and cr me fraiche. GOLD STANDARD There was sporting success for Tonbridge Grammar School when students competed in the Kent School Games at Medway Park in Gillingham. The Under-13 and Under-15 basketball teams both won gold in the girls competition while the Year 7 athletes achieved gold medals in the Super 8 s athletics contest. The students were accompanied by Miss Leggett and Miss Michaels on their successful excursion. A spokesperson said It was a fantastic day of competition and the students did themselves and their school proud We would also like to thank Mr Hindocha and Richard Surrey who coached the girls basketball teams this year. AUGUST 2013 169 SO 170 AUGUST 2013 SO AUGUST 2013 171 SO ADVERTORIAL Have you heard the forecast The predicted economic recovery will be good news for some but are you really prepared for what the future may bring Weald Financial Solutions say it s time to seek expert advice R ising consumer spending and a steady housing market are heralding the recovery of the British economy apparently. This is good news isn t it could spell total disaster for those surviving on credit or currently struggling to meet mortgage payments and make ends meet. The forecasted squeeze a single percentage point increase is likely to put on those already facing difficulties is eye-watering. There has never been a better time to fully take stock of what the forecast may have in store for you and to take some quality advice on how to protect yourself. The good times for some may well come at the expense of those already feeling the pinch. Do as the bankers do. When it s sunny buy an umbrella. Unfortunately the forecasted recovery is expected to be funded by people dipping into their savings or personal credit rather than any actual increase in income. To accompany economic growth we will also become re-familiarised with the nagging threat of rising inflation. Hot on the heels of this notion the hawks of Threadneedle St. will want to raise interest rates. An interest rate rise will benefit savers but Weald Financial Solutions is a boutique advisory firm specialising in helping its clients achieve financial security either from situations of financial difficulty or in seeking proper redress from financial institutions. Weald Financial Services is authorised and regulated by the Claims Management Regulator and is an Appointed Representative under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 for the provision of investment advice. Contact Ryan Allen Tel 01892 731 296 Mobile 07799 272 426 ryan wealdfinancialsolutions.com www.wealdfinancialsolutions.com 172 AUGUST 2013 BUSINESS SO BUSINESS NEWS OUR MONTHLY LOOK AT WHAT S GOING ON IN THE LOCAL BUSINESS WORLD PURE WATER Potable Water Solutions a company owned by Tunbridge Wells Council Leader David Jukes has developed the world s first low-cost portable water purifier. Last month saw one of the Hydro Voyagers leave the production line and head for a village in Kenya. David Jukes tells us he wanted to create a purifier capable of handling water from almost any source anywhere including seawater. The system can provide enough drinking water per day for a village of 2 500 people even during disaster situations. MIXED FORTUNES Good news and bad news on the local business front. The latest Duport Business Confidence Report for Tunbridge Wells shows a 34% rise in company closures during the first three months of this year compared to the same period last year 134 against 100. All of which indicates trading conditions in the town are still challenging. However on the positive side new company formations rose as did the number of director appointments under the age of 25. According to Duport s MD Peter Valaitis this suggests that entrepreneurial spirit is still alive and well in Tunbridge Wells which bodes well for the future of the local economy. HELPING HAND Staff from the Kings Hill developer Liberty Property Trust Uk undertook a makeover of a residential home in Tonbridge for adults with learning difficulties. Each year employees take part in the Bill Rouse Day of Caring and spend time helping their communities in memory of the company founder who died in 2003. The Liberty team worked in all parts of the centre run by the Scott Project Trust painting the kitchen laying two patios and erecting a garden shed. MAKING ALLOWANCES The 84 elected members of Kent County Council last year claimed a total of almost 1.8million in expenses and allowances a fall of 1% over the previous year. The bulk of the money was paid out for the basic allowance of 12 800 which each councillor is entitled to claim. Council Leader Paul Carter received a total of 55 000 made up of the allowance plus 42 000 for his role as Leader. Members claimed between them 130 500 for car mileage against 7 400 for using public transport. SHOW BUSINESS Local MP and Minister of State for Business and Enterprise Michael Fallon will deliver the opening address at the Sevenoaks Business Show that takes place on Friday October 11 at The Stag. Organiser Gabrielle Argent says it will provide an opportunity for businesses of all sizes to showcase their services and products. She s pictured aboard a double decker that will be used as a mobile workshop during the show. For more information visit www.7oaksbiz.com AUGUST 2013 173 MOTORS SO GUNS SINCE SO MAGAZINE WAS LAUNCHED IN 2008 WE HAVE STRIVED TO CARRY CONTENT THAT IS RELEVANT TO THE COMMUNITY AND AT THE SAME TIME INNOVATIVE. INDEED WE WERE THE FIRST TO PRODUCE A LOCAL POWER LIST HIGHLIGHTING THE 20 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE. YOUNG In this issue we publish another ground-breaking list this time it features local business personalities under the age of 30... the Young Guns. The list embraces individuals from across the world of commerce who have made their mark in their chosen career or profession. They range from Family Law Solicitor to Head Chef from Theatre Marketing Manager to Project Manager and from Hair Stylist to Restaurant Manager. All have been nominated by their company organisation. Whatever their background they all have a few vital things in common. They are all outstanding individuals in their twenties and high achievers in their particular roles. They are the ones to watch... AUGUST 2013 175 SO YO U N G G U N S Sponsored by Company Assembly Hall Type Arts Theatre Location Tunbridge Wells 01892 530 613 www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk Nominee Kayleigh Minihane (25) Title Marketing Officer Nominated by Brian McAteer Theatre Director WHAT ABOUT HER BACKGROUND Company Alexander House Type Hotel and Spa Location Turners Hill East Grinstead 01342 714 914 www.alexanderhouse.co.uk Nominee Mark Hemsley (23) Title Junior Sous Chef Nominated by Ian Heath General Manager and Mark Budd Executive Chef TELL US ABOUT MARK S BACKGROUND Kayleigh joined the Assembly Hall in 2005. She has since worked on the Box Office and in the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Events Department. AND HER KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE coupled with her creative flair and initiative makes her stand out not to mention her dedication to her work. WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HER CAREER WILL TAKE HER Graduating from Oxford Brookes University in 2010 with a degree in Business and Psychology she has worked on projects such as the Royal Visit Olympic Torch Relay Tunbridge Wells Celebrates and outreach workshops at the theatre. She is also the social media voice for the Assembly Hall at Christmas and manages the chalets at the Royal Tunbridge Wells Ice Rink. WHAT SETS KAYLEIGH APART With Kayleigh s creativity work ethic and flair for fashion we really hope to one day see her taking centre stage marketing and organising London Fashion Week HOW DOES SHE SPEND HER TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK She is interested in fashion beauty and travel. Kayleigh really does have boundless enthusiasm. Her cheerful and down to earth personality Mark discovered a real flare for cooking while studying hospitality. After his apprenticeship he trained as Chef de Partie before joining Alexander House as our very talented Junior Sous Chef. WHAT HAVE BEEN HIS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Company The Bespoke Care Company Type Live-in Care Agency Location Tunbridge Wells 01892 518 400 www.bespokecarecompany.co.uk Nominee Lindsey Nathan (29) Title Owner & Director Nominated by Susan Glover Owner & Director TELL US ABOUT LINDSEY S BACKGROUND WHAT HAVE BEEN HER KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Lindsey worked in Government for several years before moving over to the pensions industry. She recently organised a care at home seminar in Tunbridge Wells with other local independent businesses. WHAT SETS HER APART Mark worked hard during our rise to a five star hotel. He was also selected as a finalist for the AAE (Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards Of Excellence) 2013. WHAT SETS HIM APART Her determination drive and attention to detail have ensured The Bespoke Care Company is a thriving business. Lindsey is supremely organised ensuring the office and behind scenes operations run smoothly. WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HER CAREER WILL TAKE HER Lindsey is dedicated to our success. She will continue to progress the company build its reputation and ensure that it continues to be a recognised agency in the local community. OUTSIDE OF WORK Unbelievable passion Mark is naturally talented and creatively brilliant when it comes to food. He is also a strong supporting influence on the team. WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HIS CAREER WILL TAKE HIM Mark has developed a taste for competitions and continues to strive for awards. During the AAE he was singled out for his bread making skills and is dedicated to helping our restaurant achieve its third Rosette. HOW DOES HE SPEND HIS TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK She began her career in London before settling back in Kent to start up her family business. Her ambition was to provide an independent care service to the local community. Lindsey has a 14 month old son when she is not busy in the Bespoke Care office you will find her at a soft play group or at the swings Mark spends a lot of his spare time with family and friends. Naturally you will also find him dabbling in his own kitchen or with his nose in Larousse Gastronomique. 176 AUGUST 2013 Sponsored by YO U N G G U N S SO Company Baker Tilly Type Accountants and Business Advisers Location Tunbridge Wells 01892 511 944 www.bakertilly.co.uk Nominee Nathan Cuthbert (27) Title Audit Manager Nominated by Nick Sladden Managing Partner WHAT S NATHAN S BACKGROUND stage exams. He was promoted to the role of audit manager in September 2012. WHAT SETS HIM APART Nathan is dedicated has a passion to excel in everything he does and is always prepared to go the extra mile . WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HIS CAREER WILL TAKE HIM Nathan joined the firm in May 2007 as an audit trainee as part of our graduate programme having previously studied Mathematics at Imperial College London. AND HIS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Nathan deals with clients in diverse sectors such as charities pensions academies and companies. He also plays a significant role in monitoring the wider area of audit quality. Whatever he chooses to specialise in he will help shape the businesses in our commercial community. HOW DOES HE SPEND HIS TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK He qualified as an ACA in September 2010 earning recognition from SESCA with prizes in two of his professional He is a keen footballer representing Baker Tilly in friendly matches with local firms and earlier this year took part in the Tunbridge Wells half-marathon. Company Jeremy Hoye Type Jewellery Shop Location Tunbridge Wells 01892 522 599 www.jeremy-hoye.com Nominee Lucy Negus (28) Title Store Manager Nominated by Gary Hamblyn Company Director WHAT S LUCY S BACKGROUND Horsmonden while working at The Barn in Rainham as a Sous Chef. WHAT HAVE BEEN HIS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Lucy joined the company in October 2012 and opened our new store on Tunbridge Wells High Street in November 2012. Previously she worked in the Brighton Lanes. WHAT HAVE BEEN HER KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE He was previously Demi Chef to the Head Chef at Galvin la Chapelle a Michelin star restaurant. He has a Level 3 professional chef qualification from Westminster Kingsway as well as a Level 3 food hygiene certificate. WHAT SETS HIM APART Lucy holds a Professional Jewellers Diploma with over a decade s experience within the jewellery trade. She has excellent knowledge of diamonds and gemstones antique jewellery plus workshop and design processes. WHAT SETS HER APART Company Austens Type Restaurant Location Horsmonden 01892 723 158 www.austensrestaurant.co.uk Nominee Max Dosad (20) Title Head Chef Nominated by Richard Barker Managing Director TELL US ABOUT MAX S BACKGROUND Although only 20 his food was inspiring. He prepared the whole menu and showed a level of creativity I had not seen in any other applicant. He was the obvious choice to lead this new venture. WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HIS CAREER WILL TAKE HIM Max has set the bar high without exception every customer has been astounded by the quality of his food and even more surprised when this 20-year-old appears and introduces himself. WHAT DOES HE DO OUTSIDE OF WORK She is incredibly proactive outgoing and friendly and has gone above and beyond in order to establish our new store in Tunbridge Wells. Full of initiative she is constantly thinking of new ways to promote and enhance the store and establish the Jeremy Hoye brand identity in a new town. WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HER CAREER WILL TAKE HER He is an avid fan of West Ham United a collector of historic playing cards and a serious foodie. With Jeremy Hoye for the long term It s early days yet but the company has plans to expand into more stores and I see Lucy taking a lead role in these developments. HOW DOES SHE SPEND HER TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK In March Max applied for the position of Head Chef at the new Austens Restaurant in She s a movie buff loves cooking and is obsessed with travel. AUGUST 2013 177 SO YO U N G G U N S Sponsored by Company Knole Park Type Golf Club Location Sevenoaks 01732 452 150 www.knoleparkgolfclub.co.uk Nominee Ben Martin (24) Title PGA Assistant Golf Professional Nominated by Tim Ewer Assistant Secretary WHAT S BEN S BACKGROUND WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HIS CAREER WILL TAKE HIM Ben started playing golf at the age of 11 at Mid Kent Golf Club in Gravesend and was coached by PGA Professionals from the start. He turned professional in 2009. HIS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE HAVE BEEN WHAT Now that Ben has fully qualified with the PGA he intends to play in more professional tournaments to gain experience while continuing to run the Junior Academy here at Knole Park. HOW DOES HE SPEND HIS TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK Company The Chapel Type Hairdressing Locations Tunbridge Wells Sevenoaks and Islington 01892 549 900 www.thechapel.co.uk Nominee Kelly Phillips (25) Title Stylist Nominated by Toby Dicker Managing Director TELL US ABOUT KELLY S BACKGROUND Ben has recently completed his foundation degree in professional golf which is organised by the PGA and the University of Birmingham. He has also set up a Junior Coaching Programme for over 26 children. WHAT SETS HIM APART He is incredibly focused on his work very reliable and always willing to go the extra par-5 to give Knole Park Members perfect customer service. Ben spends a lot of time keeping fit. He goes to the gym five times a week and is a keen swimmer having once swum at county and national level. TO DATE WHAT HAVE BEEN HIS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Alex is ambitious and recently gained a qualification in building surveying. He aims to qualify as a chartered surveyor in order to develop and expand on his current building knowledge. WHAT SETS HIM APART Kelly was originally going to be an accountant until she realised she wanted to work directly with people. She quickly noticed that hairdressing could fulfill the salary and work satisfaction she wanted and has been with us since she was 19. In that time she has doubled her salary. WHAT SETS HER APART She is totally dedicated to her customers and her own business. She already owns two houses and wants to achieve more success. WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HER CAREER WILL TAKE HER Company LeGrys Type Independent Estate Agents Location Tunbridge Wells 01892 529 448 www.legrys.com Nominee Alex Standen (24) Title Assistant Branch Manager Nominated by Bill LeGrys Managing Director TELL US ABOUT ALEX S BACKGROUND Alex s knowledge and understanding of buildings is of great benefit to our clients. He often goes above and beyond to help our clients and has carved himself a great reputation. WHERE WILL HIS CAREER TAKE HIM He enjoys being challenged and is determined and passionate about his work. With the breadth of knowledge he has already gained he has established impressive foundations for a prosperous future. AND OUTSIDE OF WORK I see Kelly owning her own business. We believe she has all the attributes needed to run a salon with us. HOW DOES SHE SPEND HER TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK Alex is a very active and sociable person. He enjoys the outdoors often playing golf or mountain biking with friends. He also has a passion for vintage cars and motorcycles. Music gigs (35 last year) singing and studying property and design. Alex began his career with an independent estate agent as a property manager. He then became a sales negotiator gaining an in-depth knowledge of the sales process and lettings experience. 178 AUGUST 2013 Sponsored by YO U N G G U N S SO Company Warners Type Solicitors Location Sevenoaks 01732 747 900 www.warners-solicitors.co.uk nominee Rebecca Massam (28) Job title Family Law Solicitor Nominated by Rayma Collins Head of Law Team and Partner TELL US ABOUT HER BACKGROUND Osbournes where she gained a wealth of experience. HER KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Rebecca won Junior Lawyer of the Year in last year s Junior Lawyers Division Achievement Awards. She is active in Young Kent Resolution Sevenoaks Women s Refuge and Sevenoaks Citizens Advice Bureau. WHAT SETS HER APART Since joining Warners in 2011 Rebecca has demonstrated skills beyond those of a lawyer with her experience and she has been praised by senior colleagues for her proficiency and organisation. WHERE WILL HER CAREER TAKE HER Rebecca joined the team at Warners as a Private Practice Solicitor in 2011 having previously worked at the busy legal aid practice I have little doubt that Rebecca will continue to grow as a practitioner becoming a renowned local specialist and a great asset to the wider legal profession in due course. AND OUTSIDE OF WORK Rebecca is a keen baker who loves to raise money for charity by selling her cupcakes and biscuits. She also enjoys time with her husband Jon and son Seth. Company The Gallery Type Hair and Beauty Salon Location Tunbridge Wells 01892 514 900 www.thegallery.me Nominee Becky Seabrook (23) Title Front of House Manager Nominated by Lorenzo Colangelo Creative Director Company Signor Franco Type Italian restaurant Location Tunbridge Wells 01892 549 199 www.signorfrancorestaurant.com Nominee Freddie De Tommaso (20) Title Assistant Manager Nominated by Francesco Furriello (Executive Chef) WHAT S FREDDIE S BACKGROUND TELL US ABOUT BECKY S BACKGROUND Becky joined us in 2008 as a junior receptionist having previously worked as a receptionist at a leading car showroom. She has since become a priceless member of the team. WHAT ABOUT HER KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE She was awarded the first PHAB (Performance in Hair and Beauty) standard in Kent. She also completed a fab receptionist course and was twice awarded team player of the year. WHAT SETS HER APART WHERE WILL HIS CAREER TAKE HIM Freddie is Signor Franco s son. When Franco died Freddie was about to take his A levels at Tonbridge School. Following that he went to Bristol University to study modern languages. WHAT HAVE BEEN HIS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE The world is Freddie s oyster as they say. I would love to continue working with him but I think he will follow his dream to perform opera at La Scala. HOW DOES HE SPEND HIS TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK Becky has a talent for making people feel valued and welcome that is rare for someone so young. She does this effortlessly and is continuously praised by customers for it. WHERE WILL HER CAREER TAKE HER He has made a terrific impact and a tremendous difference here as he is serious about taking us forward. The customers love talking with him and his sense of bonhomie. AND WHAT SETS HIM APART Freddie loves socialising preferably seated around a dinner table with a bottle of Amarone and some fabulous cheese. Other than that he can be found at Glyndebourne or Covent Garden. I can see Becky becoming Business Manager at The Gallery or running her own salon. She is educating the reception team about amazing customer service and making people feel special. AND WHEN SHE S NOT AT THE SALON Freddie s traits are very similar to Franco s smart hardworking and enthusiastic about food and wine. He has managed to immerse himself in his work totally always going that extra mile. Becky s time outside work is spent working on her house in West Malling where she lives with her dog Benson and fianc e Chris. She also enjoys going to the gym. AUGUST 2013 179 SO YO U N G G U N S Sponsored by Company TerraBlu Type Homecare and concierge services for the elderly Location Tunbridge Wells 01892 529 429 www.terrablu.co.uk Nominee Anna Latter (23) Title Senior Support Worker Nominated by Richard Gould Managing Director WHAT S ANNA S BACKGROUND WHERE WILL HER TALENTS TAKE HER Company AV Trinity Type Independent Financial Advisers Location Tunbridge Wells 01892 612 500 www.avtrinity.com Nominee Michael Hill (27) Title Financial Adviser Nominated by Richard Randall Business Development Manager TELL US ABOUT MICHAEL S BACKGROUND Anna joined TerraBlu in 2009 as a Support Worker. Having had work experience caring for children she realised that she would enjoy supporting older people with their personal care needs. AND HER KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Anna is capable of becoming a leader in Social Care. She has the opportunity to help develop our specialist services as well as take on a more senior leadership role. HOW DOES SHE SPEND HER TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK In 2011 Anna was promoted to Senior Support Worker. She has twice won the Carer of the Month award and in 2010 gained her NVQ 2 award in Social Care. WHAT SETS HER APART Anna shows a combination of compassion and a meticulous eye for detail. She can adapt her style to deal with intimate aspects of care for someone who is terminally ill. Anna enjoys socialising with her friends and spending time with family especially her partner his two children and her grandmother. She is also planning to one day see the world Originally an investment analyst Michael joined our team at the beginning of the year and brings with him a wealth of investment expertise. WHAT HAVE BEEN HIS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE He passed the Diploma in Financial Planning and is well on course for Chartered status. WHAT SETS HIM APART Company Buss Murton Type Commercial & Personal Solicitors Location Tunbridge Wells 01892 510 222 www.bussmurton.co.uk Nominee Emma Barlow (28) Title Trainee Solicitor Nominated by Daldeep Jaswal Head of Property TELL US ABOUT EMMA S BACKGROUND WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HER CAREER WILL TAKE HER His inquisitiveness means he absorbs an immense amount of information and knowledge. His integrity and professionalism meant he fitted in with our company ethos from the outset. He also has a passing resemblance according to some to The Duke of Cambridge WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HIS CAREER WILL TAKE HIM She joined Buss Murton in 2012 after graduating from the College of Law in Guildford. Previously she studied for a law and business degree at Brighton University. TO DATE WHAT HAVE BEEN HER KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Emma hopes to stay with Buss Murton and become a long-term part of the team. She views this as her career and aspires to be more involved in our business development. HOW DOES SHE SPEND HER TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK The sky is the limit AV Trinity prides itself on its long standing relationships with clients and staff. Michael will continue to build on that tradition and enhance it. His intellect means that he will go far in financial planning. HOW DOES HE SPEND HIS TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK She won the inter-university moot against Sussex University and achieved the third highest first class honours degree in her year She also gained . experience at Pattinson Brewer Solicitors in London. WHAT SETS HER APART A keen cyclist Michael is also the proud father of daughter number two aged just two months who is keeping him very busy when he is at home. She is incredibly driven and loyal and is well suited to Buss Murton being very personable and client focused. She is always looking to enhance her self-development and potential. She enjoys walking her three dogs playing squash cooking and spending time with friends and family. She is also looking to continue her charitable work with the Victim Support charity. 180 AUGUST 2013 SO YO U N G G U N S Sponsored by Company The Curlew Type Restaurant Location Bodiam East Sussex 01580 861 394 www.thecurlewrestaurant.co.uk Nominee Marcellin Hardouin (24) Title Restaurant Manager Nominated by Mark Colley Owner WHAT S MARCELLIN S BACKGROUND Having previously been the restaurant manager at the also Michelin starred Mallory Court Hotel Marcellin joined The Curlew in December 2012. business s finances. I have never worked with a better equipped restaurant manager. WHERE WILL HIS TALENTS TAKE HIM Company Knowle Grange Type Health Spa location Frant Tunbridge Wells 01892 750 761 www.knowlegrange.co.uk Nominee Hayley Smith (25) Title Spa consultant and clinical specialist Nominated by Sue Hutchings Managing Director TELL US ABOUT HER BACKGROUND AND HIS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Marcellin has a ceaseless passion for food and wine which has been passed down through generations of Parisian restaurateurs. Having qualified from Fran ois Rabelais Coll ge in Normandie with a degree in Hospitality Management he is perfectly suited to his role. WHAT SETS HIM APART We intend to grow The Curlew group and we can fully envisage Marcellin taking on the role of Group Director. HOW DOES HE SPEND HIS TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK Marcellin reads cookery books and entertains for his fianc and friends. He loves eating in restaurants for inspiration and discovering new wines. He is immersed in the hospitality industry Marcellin creates an atmosphere of bonhomie while at the same time delivering a sharp and professional service. He has strong business acumen and a firm grip on the Hayley returned to Tunbridge Wells after developing a five star Spa Safari Lodge in South Africa. Her reputation preceded her so when I heard of her return I headhunted her HER KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Company Trinity Type Theatre and Arts Centre Location Tunbridge Wells 01892 678 670 www.trinitytheatre.net Nominee Joanna Holwell (23) Title Front of House Manager Nominated by Alex Green Venue Manager TELL US ABOUT HER BACKGROUND She is a talented all round beauty and holistic therapist whose signature treatments include eyelash extensions and gel nails. She also offers and specialises in cancer rehabilitation and fertility reflexology. WHAT SETS HER APART Hayley is an amazingly intuitive and knowledgeable therapist who goes the extra mile to give specialist advice. She has an interesting mix of being extraordinarily caring while her attention to detail is precise. WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HER CAREER WILL TAKE HER Joanna joined the theatre in September 2011 as a bar and caf staff member fresh out of the University of Leeds. She showed such promise and enthusiasm that she quickly took over the Front of House Manager position in early 2012. WHAT HAS SHE ACHIEVED SO FAR WHERE DO YOU SEE HER IN THE FUTURE I expect big things from Joanna as she steps confidently from one role to another HOW DOES SHE SPEND HER TIME WHEN SHE S NOT WORKING Although she s very compassionate she s also ambitious and driven. Her energy and talents attract the rich and the famous and I truly believe the sky s her limit. HOW DOES SHE SPEND TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK She made her mark by training up lots of new Ushers and Duty Managers and instituting a new online volunteer system. Recently she has played an essential role with two exciting projects Big Top and our bar caf refurbishment. WHAT MAKES HER STAND OUT Joanna enjoys live comedy music and gigging with her folk band Hunting Bears where she sings and plays the Celtic harp ukulele and guitar. They are due to release their second EP later this year and she is also learning the cello. She s particularly interested in Yoga Pilates and running. Family and friends are also very important to her and she has been known to enjoy a cheeky cocktail here and there. Her dynamic positive outlook makes her approach every task with enthusiasm and energy 182 AUGUST 2013 Sponsored by YO U N G G U N S SO Company Oaks Flooring Type Carpets & Flooring LOCATION Sevenoaks 01732 741 174 www.oaksflooring.co.uk Nominee Ashley Hopson (24) Title Showroom Manager Nominated by Carl Austin Installations Manager TELL US ABOUT HIS BACKGROUND Ashley joined the company as a junior staff member five years ago. He moved into sales two years later and now runs the Sevenoaks showroom. WHAT HAVE BEEN HIS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HIS CAREER WILL TAKE HIM He has undertaken Flooring Guild Sales training courses Levels 1-3 and has been responsible for securing large projects dealing with both customers and designers to fulfil their requirements. WHAT SETS HIM APART If he continues to progress I can see him taking over the full running of this business in time. HOW DOES HE SPEND HIS TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK Company Alexandre Boyes Type Estate and Letting Agents Location Tunbridge Wells 01892 525 522 www.alexandre-boyes.co.uk Nominee Emma Child (24) Title Lettings Manager Nominated by Kate Boyes Partner TELL US ABOUT HER BACKGROUND Running long dog walks and cooking. Ashley has an empathy with customers that younger people seldom have and a maturity beyond his years. WHA HA BEEN HER KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DA T VE TE She was a physiotherapist at the London 2012 Olympics and was qualified in 2013 as a National Classifier by the International Paralympic Committee for Disability Target Shooting. She is also a qualified Pilates instructor. WHAT SETS HER APART Emma joined Alexandre Boyes in 2008 as a Lettings Negotiator having been headhunted from a local competitor where she had gained several years experience in the Tunbridge Wells lettings market. WHAT HAVE BEEN HER KEY ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE Company BMI Healthcare Type Private Hospital Location Fawkham Kent 01474 879 900 www.bmihealthcare.co.uk fawkham Nominee Louise Spence (28) Title Physiotherapy Manager Nominated by Valerie Power Executive Director TELL US ABOUT LOUISE S BACKGROUND Louise has displayed great drive and enthusiasm in coming to a new hospital. She is extremely proactive in finding out about the systems in place and constantly looking for new opportunities. She is upbeat and dynamic which is infectious and inspiring. WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HER CAREER WILL TAKE HER Following her promotion to Lettings Manager in 2011 Emma has completed her Residential Lettings and Property Management qualification and is studying to become a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. WHAT SETS HER APART I think she will become a thought leader in the world of physiotherapy. There are great opportunities for physiotherapists of her calibre and I have no doubt that she could manage a much larger team. HOW DOES SHE SPEND HER TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK She is committed to the values of Alexandre Boyes market knowledge personal service trusted reputation and investing in staff. She will always go that extra mile to meet clients expectations. WHERE DO YOU BELIEVE HER CAREER WILL TAKE HER Running walking the dog arts and crafts and improving her French and Spanish conversation. She will continue being responsible for our lettings portfolio which is expanding with the acquisition of a second local office as well as other opportunities that are being explored. HOW DOES SHE SPEND HER TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK She joined us in June 2013 as one of the youngest ever managers within the BMI Healthcare group and the youngest Physiotherapy Manager within the organisation. Emma is a keen horse rider and enjoys running in her spare time. She is likes baking eating out at local restaurants and enjoying the odd glass of wine. AUGUST 2013 183 SOCIAL SO POWER PLAY There were plenty of double takes at the Hotel Du Vin when David Beckham and Kate Middleton look-a likes strolled into the Tunbridge Wells venue. They went along to the launch of MPower the single source marketing printing and online solution for businesses. Behind the new venture are Fox Print web designers Larrytech and One Media publisher s of So magazines. Fox Print Marketing Manager Natalie Elborough says the idea is to offer companies a one stop solution for their promotional needs. WWW.MPOWERMARKETING.CO.UK PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL MEYER WWW.FACEBOOK.COM SOMAGAZINES AUGUST 2013 185 SO C U LT U R E CULTUREVULTURE OUR MONTHLY LOOK AT WHAT S HAPPENING IN THE AREA Dan s got the baby blues Anyone going along to a gig by the intriguingly named Funke and the Two Tone Baby after listening to the album is in for a surprise as this is no four-piece folk blues band. This incredibly full and satisfying sound with a technological twist all emanates from 24-year-old Dan Turnbull but you ll be hard pushed to find a more exciting live experience. We caught up with Funke to find out more about this one-man-band who plays guitar and harmonica and even provides his own percussion WHERE DOES THAT NAME COME FROM I was watching a German news report about a woman called Funke who was holding a baby and because of the poor film quality the baby was two tone. So the name was born. HOW DO YOU CREATE THAT BARNSTORMING SOUND ALL ON YOUR OWN The term is looping I use a loop pedal to record music as I play it and repeat. I ve been doing it for about five years and once you grasp the technique it becomes second nature. But there s so much room for error I ve had some catastrophic gigs because if you play a duff note or get feedback it loops around and sounds terrible. WHO ARE YOUR INFLUENCES I m influenced by people like Black Keys BB King and Howling Wolf also bands like Led Zeppelin and even electronic music. I like the fact that I can make so many different sounds and my music has a very strong bass line and beat. I started beat boxing in the last two years. It started when I went to an event called Songfest and the Loop Pedal and Beat Box Champion was there. He gave the crowd a masterclass and I learned WHAT ARE YOU UP TO THIS SUMMER I m playing with the Worzels at the Watch It Festival in Dorset and I m supporting Hazel O Connor plus I m headlining the Big Green Cardigan in Find out more at www.funkeandthetwotonebaby.co.uk DO YOU LIKE NOT BEING IN A BAND It s wonderful. I don t have to be in a band. I know lots of people who don t like being in a band because the members are unreliable whereas I can play a gig at the drop of a hat. It would be nice to have someone with me when it goes wrong though YOU VE JUST RELEASED YOUR DEBUT ALBUM BATTLES. WILL THE NEXT ALBUM TAKE YOU IN THE SAME DIRECTION I think I ve found quite a nice niche. There s a lot of room for improvement but I ve still got so many ideas for what I want to do with the current set-up. There s so much you can do. I m now learning to beat box and play harmonica at the same time and there are new influences. I m starting afresh on writing new songs after the summer which is a great feeling. SO IT S ALL ABOUT PERSISTENCE THEN It s about gigging constantly meeting people and getting out there. It s not a short process this is my full time job 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday promoting gigs and booking them. There s a lot going on behind the scenes but it s reached the point where after all the contacts I ve made and festivals I ve played this year I think next year will be amazing. What I m doing is really working. everything I know from him. Sussex. I landed that because from October when all the festivals are booking for next year I really harass them until they give me a slot. Last year I played one of the smaller stages there and blew the roof off. 186 AUGUST 2013 C U LT U R E SO Experience live WELL OILED MACHINE dubstep bass and glitchhop when Men Imitating Machines bring their remarkable show to the Forum in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday August 10. Using a MIDI bass guitar and MIDI drums to control two laptops they create a spontaneous sound that s accompanied by a custom projection show and plenty of on-stage entertainment. This innovative Australian act is supported by AmPro Code Marla and Lea Lea. Doors open at 10.30pm and the gig is for over-18s only. Priced at 8 tickets can be booked online at www.twforum.co.uk Gig OF THE MONTH You can help raise funds for the 2014 Local & Live Music Festival by watching top acts in session at the Trinity Theatre. The Paul Dunton Orchestra performs breathtaking orchestral pop followed by the melodic folk rock that makes The Good Ship Band such a popular act. Plus there s a chance to see blues rock twisted roots band David Migden and the Dirty Words before they jet off to wow the Canadians at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival next month. The gig takes place at 8pm on Saturday August 3 and tickets cost 10. Book online at www.trinitytheatre.net or call the box office on 01892 678 678. Album review You can t go through a British summer without attending a Last Night of the Proms event so book your ticket now for Hever Castle s festival farewell on Sunday September 1. The Brandenburg Sinfonia will perform all the favourites including POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE BONFIRE MUSIC BY DAVID MUMFORD It was a particularly rainy and rather chilly summer s day when CV popped Bonfire Music on the gramophone for the first time but roughly 45 minutes later our cockles were firmly warmed. There s something a little bit magical a little bit ethereal about David Mumford whether it s his captivating voice or the light touch of his acoustic guitar you can t help feeling as if you ve been softly swept away to a slightly different world. The gently jaunty opening track Lover has a real country edge as does Mockingbird while Jerusalem and The March of Pomp and Circumstance along with other popular classical pieces to get those flags waving. Round off the season in traditional style complete with a picnic and glass of bubbly. Reserved covered seating costs 25 per person while a spot on the grass costs 16. To book call 01732 866 114 or go online at www.heverfestival.co.uk Wayfaring Stranger takes you into the atmospheric and poignant world of a prodigal son determined to get home. A long instrumental interlude in the aptly named The Wilderness Ghosts builds slowly and astonishingly really brings to mind the haunting images of its title. A highly accomplished album that will appeal to anyone who appreciates thoughtful lyrics and music that speaks to the soul. www.davidmumfordmusic.com. Described by a critic as probably the best goddamn blues band on the planet Buick 6 is a highly acclaimed live group whose members have played with some of the best musicians in the genre. Ex-Steeleye Span drummer Liam Genockey provides perfect beats while slide guitar master Roger Hubbard and the soulful bass of Colin Gibson round out their authentic blues sound. Catch Buick 6 in action when they visit the Stag in Sevenoaks on Saturday August 10. The music starts in the Plaza Suite at 8pm and tickets cost 12. Call the box office on 01732 450 175 or visit www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk BLUE HEAVEN As part of Trinity Theatre s Big Top programme three top funnymen will be bringing the laughs to the Comedy Cafe on Friday August 9. Jarred Christmas (pictured) is an award winning New Zealand comic who has become a firm favourite in the UK especially as a highly skilled compere. Having landed his own Radio 1 show at the age of 24 Tom Deacon certainly has the gift of the gab and is one of our fastest rising young comedians. The line-up is completed by Adam Bloom who has demonstrated the strength of his appeal by selling out theatres even on the other side of the world. The show starts at 8pm and tickets cost 10 or 12 including a meal deal. Call 01892 678 678 or visit www.trinitytheatre.net to book. AUGUST 2013 BRING ON THE CLOWNS 187 SO 188 AUGUST 2013 C U LT U R E SO INSIDE VIEW MICHAEL HOUGHTON Our music columnist Paul Dunton sheds light on his difficult decision to cancel this year s Local & Live Festival in Tunbridge Wells and explains why the event will be back bigger and better in 2014 my life was to recently announce that the eighth Local & Live had to be cancelled. The past seven festivals have been an absolute joy to organise and it s been incredibly fulfilling to see the event develop from its humble beginnings in 2006 when just 14 bands took part and 300 to 400 people came along to watch to the point we have reached over the last few years with around 20 000 festival goers and about 100 acts taking part. After year two as the event began to develop and evolve into a major festival it really dawned on me that the festival means a great deal to the town particularly the local music community both musicians and festival goers alike as well as the local economy. The response from the public has been overwhelming in terms of the support for Local & Live in fact it has been staggering. With an event like Local & Live outgoings total around 30 000 per year with income coming only from at the event donations festival bar O ne of the hardest decisions of profit-share and festival food concession profit-share. Therefore a major backer or backers are needed every year. Many of the bills we are faced with have to be paid ahead of the event including comprehensive event insurance (several thousand pounds) and deposits on a whole range of items such as various event equipment marquee hire skip hire... the list goes on. I have been campaigning for sponsorship and funding for this group who were all keen to see if a possible rescue package could be put together in time to save Local & Live. Whilst considerable offers were made the numbers did not unfortunately meet the total needs and given the fact that many of the festival s logistics and support had now been cancelled and considering the short time frame left to reactivate the entire event I felt 2013 was the year to have a break. We shall return in 2014 bigger and better than ever and we have a whole host of new plans to fund the event in its entirety. I would like to They have also secured the backing of the So magazine Markerstudy group to enable their smaller event to take place on The Pantiles over the August bank holiday weekend to the fill the void left by the absence of Local & Live. Many opinions are being voiced through social media about why Local & Live has been cancelled the main reason is due to severe lack of early funding. As for new events on The Pantiles that is out of my control. I have no desire to comment on the new event or the reasons behind it. I am just fully focused on bringing Local & Live back to Tunbridge Wells. Long live Local & Live Thank you for all your support it means so much to me. For all the supporters of Local & Live the 2013 festival will be represented by way of a weekend of fundraisers running from August 23 to 26 at The Forum and featuring performances from 21 local bands. All details are at www.twforum.co.uk Our first fundraising event is at Trinity Theatre on August 3 featuring David Migden & The Dirty Words and The Good Ship Band. For details visit www.trinitytheatre.net (Local & Live sessions). AUGUST 2013 I would like to add that So magazine Markerstudy have been very supportive of Local & Live particularly when they were the headline sponsor of the event last year year s event since November 2012. With just seven weeks to go to the event this year we had very little funding in the kitty and I decided to cancel the event breaking the news through the Courier newspaper including a request for any potential new backers to get in touch urgently. Following this I was contacted by several local businesses including add that So magazine Markerstudy have been very supportive of Local & Live particularly when they were the headline sponsor of the event last year. The Pantiles traders who have formed their own Music On Tiles and clubbed together the funding needed to make it happen have done so off their own back and after the cancellation of Local & Live. So magazine and the Markerstudy 191 SO C O N TA C T S Kenwood House 1 Upper Grosvenor Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 2EL Tel 01892 779 650 www.somagazine.co.uk Editor Jane Connolly jconnolly onemediauk.co.uk Head of Design Rowena Cremer-Price rcremer-price onemediauk.co.uk Deputy Head of Design Tim Feeley tfeeley onemediauk.co.uk Production Co-ordinator Phil Glover pglover onemediauk.co.uk Writer Frederick Latty flatty onemediauk.co.uk Commercial & Digital Marketing Manager Laura Plane lplane onemediauk.co.uk Head of Sales Joe De Kwant Stoner jstoner onemediauk.co.uk Commercial Team Gemma Hak ghak onemediauk.co.uk Paul Harvey pharvey onemediauk.co.uk Patsy Kelly pkelly onemediauk.co.uk Clara Higgs-Prosser chprosser onemediauk.co.uk Distribution Co-ordinator Harry Lamb Contributors Rosemary Shrager Anna Hawkins Valerie Thacker Catherine de Cr vecoeur Paul Dunton Sam Yardley Publishing Director Nick Moore nmoore onemediauk.co.uk Editorial Director Richard Moore rmoore onemediauk.co.uk Like us on Facebook facebook.com SoMagazines Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com SoMagazines one media Published by and creative uk ltd SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE ONLINE All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions relating to advertising or editorial. The publisher reserves the right to change or amend any competitions or prizes offered. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited materials or the return of these materials whilst in transit. 192 AUGUST 2013 M A G A Z I N E T H E AT R E S SO ENCORE Audiences have the opportunity to catch one of Tchaikovsky s world famous classical ballets The Nutcracker Fall into the new season A zany children s show a new comedy offering from Paul Merton glam rock legends a classical ballet and the much loved Jack and the Beanstalk make up the new season at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. We take a look at what s coming up this autumn he bestselling children s book Aliens Love Underpants is brought to life on stage for the very first time on Friday September 20 and Saturday September 21. Freshly arrived from outer space the aliens are charmed enthralled surprised and delighted by... underpants. Packed full of madcap action original music and lots of aliens (of course ) this show will make you and the children laugh your PANTS off Paul Merton and his world renowned Impro Chums Mike McShane Lee Simpson Richard Vranch and Suki Webster arrive on Sunday November 10 to create a unique and new comedy show based entirely on suggestions from the audience showcasing their own finely honed improvisational skills and almost manic compulsion to show off. Merton s Chums are some of the most T seasoned performers in this field and know just how to work the games the suggestions and the audience for maximum effect... Pure hilarity. British Theatre Guide Audiences have the opportunity to catch one of Tchaikovsky s world famous classical ballets feature original Slade founders Dave Hill (guitar) Don Powell (drums) John Berry (bass) and Mal McNulty (vocals) alongside current Slade members Pete Lincoln Andy Scott Tony O Hora and Bruce Bisland. Christmas of course brings pantomime to the theatre. This year s extravaganza Jack and The Nutcracker when the highly acclaimed Russian State Ballet and Opera House Company return to town on Sunday November 17. The enchanting tale of The Nutcracker is one of the best-loved ballets and centres around Clara and her nutcracker doll which magically transforms into a princely soldier. Two pioneers of glam rock Slade and Sweet have teamed up for a national tour and are back with plenty of glitz hits and ballroom blitz. They are known to have influenced worldwide stars such as Kiss Alice Cooper The Ramones The Clash Oasis and many more. The tour will the Beanstalk (December 13 to January 5) promises to be a giant unmissable show starring much loved actor Waterloo Road s Grantley Budgen Philip Martin Brown and children s Hi-5 presenter Luke Roberts plus the loveable Sarah Jane Buckley who plays the Forest Fairy. Tickets for these shows are on sale from the Assembly Hall Theatre box office in person or on 01892 530 613. Alternatively book online at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk AUGUST 2013 193 SO FROM THE ARCHIVES... THE REVEREND AND THE RAILWAY Thomas the Tank Engine is a much loved figure of children s literature the world over. Many may not know however that his creator was educated in Hawkhurst for several years while growing up. We delve into the archives to meet Reverend Wilbert Awdry and find out how his magnificent creation came to life F or those of us who grew up reading or watching the many adventures of Thomas the Tank Engine there are few childhood treasures that now evoke such cherished memories and nostalgia. Since the loveable character s inception in 1946 riding the rails with Thomas and his companions has become an essential part of growing up. The books and in particular the television series became a worldwide phenomenon that has captured the imaginations of millions. Receiving considerably less interest than his invention creator Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry has left our own village of Hawkhurst with a treasured connection to this literary legend. It is here where the young railway enthusiast was educated from 1919 to 1924 at Marlborough House School leaving an enduring impression on the community in which he grew up. Born in 1911 at Ampfield vicarage near Romsey Hampshire Wilbert was the son of the Reverend Vere Awdry and Lucy Awdry n e Bury. Relocating to Box in Wiltshire in 1917 Wilbert was raised just 200 yards away from the western end of Box Tunnel. It was during this time that the young boy s imagination kicked in and his love of the railway was ignited as he listened to the distinctive sounds of the Great Western Railway mainline which he could hear from his bedroom late at night. It was then that he personalities a theory that would forever shape his life work and legacy. Thomas himself was invented almost entirely by chance in 1942. In the midst of a bout of measles Wilbert s son Christopher requested a story from his father to take his mind off his ailment and Wilbert s mind turned to the tracks. To accompany his subsequent tale of The Three books of the immensely popular series then from 1982 Christopher took up his father s mantle and wrote an additional 16 titles. The legacy the two men created is one that has been felt from generation to generation as the the ceremony in London. He subsequently died peacefully in Stroud Gloucestershire on March 21 1997 at the age of 85 being remembered for his invaluable contribution to children s literature and entertainment. OPTIMIST ON THE RUN decided that trains had their own unique Railway Engines (the first of the acclaimed It was during this time that the young boy s imagination kicked in and his love of the railway was ignited as he listened to the distinctive sounds of the Great Western Railway mainline which he could hear from his bedroom late at night Railway Series which would bring Thomas vividly to life in a further 41 volumes) Wilbert built models of the character Edward as well as the eponymous hero whom he duly named Thomas for alliterative effect. Over the next 30 years Wilbert wrote 26 adventures of Thomas and friends have become a lucrative and immeasurably popular franchise playing no small part in shaping our literary landscape. By the time he was awarded an OBE in 1996 Wilbert was in poor health and unable to attend So just as the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and A. A. Milne have become integral parts of the cultural heritage of East Sussex Hawkhurst can add its own claim to fame as a fond childhood memory for the man who remained the best of all of Thomas s friends. 194 AUGUST 2013