House & Lifestyle | 290 by House & Lifestyle

Holiday lets made easy

Stallion Property Management are holiday let experts covering Bournemouth, Poole and surrounding areas. We take care of your holiday let and boost your rental income. Our pricing ranges from 18-24% for a fully managed service of your rental income depending on the circumstances of your property.

• Listing on multiple platforms

• Price optimisation

• Hassle-free service

• Guest vetting & communication

• Perfect pictures

• Maintenance & repairs

• 24/7 Check-in

• Cleaning

• Guest support

Stallion Property Management - Just WOW! I can’t recommend this company enough, I want to shout it from the rooftops, these guys, Ross and Gary, are absolutely brilliant, professional, dynamic, excellent communication, honest, amazing taste, patient and understanding.

TRACY, BOURNEMOUTH

Contact us now for a free consultation. 01202 287351 contact@stallionpm.co.uk 18 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NE stallionpropertymanagement.co.uk

Luxury shutters and blinds designed just for you!

We are proud to introduce a range of superb-quality real wood and polyvinyl shutters that can be supplied and fitted in under four weeks, alongside an unrivalled choice of imported shutters that offer real value. Our custom-made shutters and blinds bring a blend of style and functionality to any space. Whether you prefer elegant shutters for privacy and light control or tailored blinds for a modern finish, we have the perfect solution. Our extensive range includes Roman, Roller, Venetian, and Vertical blinds, all made to measure to fit any window.

With premium craftsmanship, expert fitting, and a no-obligation consultation, Insignia offers seamless service and a stunning finish every time. Call today for your free consultation! Experience first-hand the elegance of our awnings and shutters with a showroom visit that lets you ‘test drive’ our finest offerings. Plus, enjoy our personalised service, where we come to you — hassle-free and without obligation!

Welcome

As temperatures soar and summer settles in, we’ve gathered plenty of in iration for the weeks ahead – from expert travel ideas and coa al escapes to memorable days out, wellness-in ired interiors and recipes perfe for sunny evenings.

Think dramatic Nordic landscapes, hidden island escapes, cultural gems and tropical adventures – discover the destinations travel insiders say should be on your August wish list. Prefer to stay closer to home? We’ve rounded up five stunning coastal hotels in England and Wales o ering sea views, beachside luxury and the ultimate summer escape. Whether you’re a lifelong petrolhead or looking for a memorable family day out, find out why Beaulieu’s Supercar Weekend is one of the South Coast’s most exciting summer events. Could your bathroom be the most relaxing room in the house? We look at the wellness-led design trends helping homeowners create their own spa-inspired retreat. And from mastering charcoal and controlling the flames to cooking far beyond burgers and sausages, Northern Irish BBQ expert Jim Moore shares his top grilling tips – plus three mouth-watering recipes to inspire your next cookout.

ABOUT US

House & Lifestyle is a monthly magazine with approximately 150,000 readers and available in hundreds of outlets throughout Dorset and Hampshire. Pick up a free copy each month from supermarkets, newsagents, estate agents, theatres, garden centres, shopping centres, health clubs, hotels, train stations, bus stations, bars, clubs, restaurants, garages, doctors surgeries, dentists, cafes, pubs and many other retail outlets. House & Lifestyle magazine is published by GWP Marketing Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden except with the express permission of the publisher. The views expressed in House & Lifestyle are those of the contributors and are not necessarily shared by the magazine or its staff. GWP Marketing Ltd accepts no responsibility for content and / or advertising copy supplied by third parties.

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CONTRIBUTORS

GARY PEARCE PUBLISHER

gary@house-mag.co.uk | 01202 287165 ext #1

ROSS STALLION SALES DIRECTOR

ross@house-mag.co.uk | 01202 287165 ext #1

VICKY ANSCOMBE EDITOR

vi @house-mag.co.uk | 01202 287165 ext #2

HANNE-LISE BASSON ACCOUNT MANAGER

han@house-mag.co.uk | 01202 287165 ext #1

LOCAL PROPERTY

58 ST QUINTIN PROPERTY GROUP

You may be sitting on an asset you didn’t realise you could sell

INTERIORS

86 CUSTOM CREATIONS

Made for the way you live

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

96 TINCLETON SOLAR SYSTEMS

Why solar panels shouldn’t be ‘fit and forget’ for homeowners

OUTDOOR LIVING

100 THE LANDSCAPE SERVICE

Where nature meets design

FOOD & DRINK

118 THEO RANDALL Recipes DAYS OUT

125 DORSET CRUISES

A gin, some jazz and Poole Harbour

READ ALL ABOUT IT

The latest news stories in your area.

DISNEY AND PIXAR’S CARS RACE BACK TO BEAULIEU IN A BRAND-NEW 20TH ANNIVERSARY DISPLAY!

Back by popular demand, life-size models of some of your favourite stars from Disney and Pixar’s Cars return to Beaulieu for a brand-new display celebrating the 20th anniversary of the original film.

From 29 June, Lightning McQueen, Jackson Storm and Finn McMissile from Disney and Pixar’s Cars raced back to Beaulieu in a brand-new display featuring iconic themed props including the Piston Cup and a gaming experience, which will come later in summer, all showcased within a brand-new dedicated space.

In this exciting new display area, see lifesize models of these Cars stars up close, pose alongside some of your favourite characters and make unforgettable memories together.

Coming soon, later in summer, visitors will be able to pre-book an all-new children’s racing game experience. Packed with highoctane fun, the experience will take aspiring racers on a thrilling journey inspired by the fast-paced world of Disney and Pixar’s Cars. Keep an eye out on social media and on www.beaulieu.co.uk for more news on the date this will be available. The gaming

BEAULIEU

www.beaulieu.co.uk

experience includes an accessible seat that allows children who use a wheelchair to transfer safely from their wheelchair into the gaming chair.

The brand-new display will also feature a colourful collection of themed props, immersing visitors even further. Fans will have the chance to pose proudly in front of the winner’s podium, just like a true racing champion! These additions will help bring the action-packed world of Cars to life for visitors of all ages.

This special 20th anniversary celebration is set to delight visitors of all ages and is a must-see at Beaulieu this summer.

Visitors can see the stars as part of a general admission ticket to Beaulieu, which also includes entrance to the whole Beaulieu attraction, which covers the National Motor Museum, Palace House and historic Beaulieu Abbey, We Had One of Those, Little Beaulieu, On Screen Cars, and its grounds and gardens.

HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT APPOINTED TO LEAD FUNDRAISING AND PARTNERSHIPS

Lighthouse Poole is delighted to welcome Emma Bovey to its Senior Management Team as Head of Development and Partnerships. Emma brings extensive experience of the arts, cultural development and fundraising, most recently as Head of Development at Southampton Forward, where she raised significant investment to support community-led programmes and culture-led regeneration across Southampton.

In her new role, Emma will lead on fundraising strategy and the development of key business partnerships to support Lighthouse’s artistic and community engagement programmes, as well as capital projects that will help secure the organisation’s long-term sustainability.

“I am proud to be returning to Lighthouse,” says Emma. “Having worked here earlier in my career, it feels wonderful to be coming back in this new role.”

LIGHTHOUSE, POOLE www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

STARS DORSET WELCOMES JEFF MOSTYN AS PATRON

STARS Dorset, Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services, the Dorset-based charity supporting survivors of sexual violence, is proud to announce that Jeff Mostyn has become its newest Patron, joining actress Julie Hesmondhalgh in championing the charity’s vital work across the county.

Jeff brings with him a remarkable record of public service and deep roots in the Dorset community. Best known as the longestserving chairman in AFC Bournemouth’s history, a role he held for 16 years, he is also a Fellow of the FA Council. He holds an Honorary Doctorate from Bournemouth University. His recently published memoir, The Chairman, has been shortlisted for ‘Football Book of the Year’ at the prestigious Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards in association with The Sunday Times. A passionate supporter of the voluntary sector, Jeff is already a trusted friend to several Dorset charities.

Jeff joins fellow Patron Julie Hesmondhalgh, the acclaimed actress celebrated for her roles in Coronation Street, Broadchurch and Happy Valley, as STARS Dorset continues its mission to build a society free from abuse.

DORSET

HISTORIAN DAN SNOW OPENS

BUCKLER’S HARD’S NEW EXHIBITION

The Buckler’s Hard Shipyard Trust has officially opened its latest exhibition, Beaulieu River at War, with historian and broadcaster Dan Snow attending the launch. Running from 1st June through to the end of October, the exhibition explores the profound impact of the Second World War on the Beaulieu River and surrounding estate.

Dan Snow said: “From the Second World War to medieval history and 18th-century shipbuilding, Buckler’s Hard is a truly remarkable place of layered history.”

Before the outbreak of war, the Beaulieu River was a quiet, working waterway. However, once requisitioned for naval use, it became part of a much larger and largely hidden wartime operation. Activity intensified dramatically, with vessels moving constantly along the river, shore facilities rapidly adapted, and land across the estate repurposed to support Britain’s war effort.

www.bucklershard.co.uk

The threat of invasion reshaped daily life in the area. Beaulieu village became part of a wider defensive network, with measures introduced to slow and disrupt any potential enemy advance. As preparations for D-Day gathered momentum, the estate took on increasingly vital roles. Training exercises escalated, secrecy tightened, and the river became a testing ground for innovative military techniques and equipment linked to the Allied invasion of Europe.

The exhibition also highlights the area’s contribution to the Mulberry Harbour project, with elements constructed locally, and the transformation of Buckler’s Hard’s historic shipyard, which pivoted from its traditional role to wartime productionbuilding essential naval vessels.

Beaulieu River at War is a free exhibition which has been curated by local historian Marc Heighway alongside Mary Montagu-Scott.

ADVENTURE ATTRACTIONS BACK GOVERNMENT’S GREAT BRITISH SUMMER SAVINGS PUSH

Iconic south coast attraction takes immediate action to help families stretch budgets further as VAT reduction kicks in

Adventure Attractions are throwing their weight behind the Government’s Great British Summer Savings initiative, and going even further, by removing the historic Bournemouth Pier Toll and offering families 25% off at RockReef and PierZip, the adventure climbing and zipline attractions at the end of the pier.

The Government’s scheme, launching on 25th June, will temporarily reduce VAT on children’s attractions and leisure activities from 20% to 5% until 1 September, as part of a national effort to make family days out more affordable this summer, including their birthday packages. Bournemouth Pier and RockReef are building on that momentum with immediate, additional savings for visitors.

Featuring 28 Clip ‘n Climb walls, the Vertical Slide, HighLine aerial obstacle course and PierZip, the world’s first pier-to-shore zip

ADVENTURE ATTRACTIONS www.adventureattractions.co.uk

wire, RockReef is helping families make their money go further as households continue to seek affordable UK days out and staycation experiences.

With international uncertainty, rising travel costs and continued pressure on family budgets, many families are expected to choose UK staycations and day trips this summer. Bournemouth remains one of the country’s most popular seaside destinations, offering award-winning beaches, free family entertainment and a wide range of attractions without the cost and complexity often associated with overseas travel.

The 25% discount is available until 1 September 2026 and applies on selected RockReef and PierZip activities. The offer forms part of Bournemouth Pier’s wider commitment to delivering value for visitors while supporting the local tourism economy during what is expected to be a strong summer season for domestic travel.

For more information, full T&Cs and to book, visit www.rockreef.co.uk.

ROCKREEF www.rockreef.co.uk

NEW MAYOR OF POOLE CHOOSES LOCAL HOSPICE AS CHARITY OF THE YEAR

The new Mayor of Poole, Councillor Tracey Newman, has selected Forest Holme Hospice as her Charity of the Year for 2026/27, and will be supporting the hospice throughout her tenure by helping to raise both funds and awareness of its services and the difference it makes to local people facing life-limiting illness and bereavement.

The Mayor recently visited the hospice alongside the Deputy Mayor of Poole, and the Sheriff of Poole, where she was given a tour and met with staff to see first hand the vital care and support it provides to patients and families across Poole, Wimborne and Isle of Purbeck.

Hannah O’ Hare, CEO at Forest Holme Hospice Charity, said, “It was a real pleasure to welcome them all to the hospice and their warmth, genuine interest, and engagement made for a wonderful visit.

We are grateful for the time they spent with us and look forward to building a strong relationship and working closely together throughout the coming year to raise awareness of hospice care and the difference it makes to so many local people.”

FOREST HOLME HOSPICE www.forestholmehospice.org.uk

(Pictured L-R) Sheri of Poole – Cllr Rosemarie Stirk, Forest Holme Hospice Charity CEO – Hannah O’Hare, Deputy Mayor – Cllr Steve Hayes, Mayor of Poole – Cllr Tracey Newman

ARTS BY THE SEA IGNITES BOURNEMOUTH AFTER DARK WITH FIRST SPECTACULAR ELEMENTAL PERFORMANCES ANNOUNCED

Fire-breathing dragons, lightning bolts and spectacular fire performances will transform Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens after dark when Arts by the Sea returns this September for its 16th edition.

Across both Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September, the festival’s evening programme will bring this year’s ELEMENTAL theme to life through a series of awe-inspiring performances from Lords of Lightning, interdisciplinary and internationally touring artist Paka the Uncredible and Bournemouthbased Steamship Circus.

As daylight fades, audiences will be invited to gather in the Lower Gardens for a spectacular celebration of fire, light and electricity, experiencing some of nature’s most powerful forces reimagined through art, performance and engineering.

Inspired by the powerful energies that shape our world, this year’s ELEMENTAL theme explores the spark of electricity, the energy of fire, the grounding strength of earth and the renewing flow of water. Throughout the festival weekend, audiences will encounter work inspired by each of these forces, but as darkness falls, fire and electricity will take centre stage.

Arts by the Sea is a free event bringing together diverse music, intriguing installations, dance, street theatre and participatory experiences in one unique and celebratory programme.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

A giant of a pantomime is ready to take off this year as Lighthouse Poole announces a larger-than-life family adventure in a brandnew production of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Jack and the Beanstalk will be made in Poole especially for Lighthouse audiences by the same team that brought the house down with last year’s national Pantomime Awards-nominated Dick Whittington, as well as the smash hit Sleeping Beauty (2024) and Panto Awards winners Aladdin (2023) and Cinderella (2022). CBeebies star and Lighthouse favourite Chris Jarvis will write and direct – and feature as Dame Trott – with production designer James Smith, choreographer Daniel Donaldson Todd and musical director Adam Tuffrey.

“It’s my favourite time of year and I can’t wait to get started,” says Chris Jarvis. “Jack and the Beanstalk has all the elements of a traditional family pantomime – a great story, brilliant actors, great comedy, songs, sets and costumes – and a few surprises as well.

Opening on Thursday 10 December, Jack and the Beanstalk runs until Sunday 3 January. Tickets are on sale now.

LIGHTHOUSE, POOLE www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON BUYING, RENTING AND SELLING HOMES.

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A brand newly completely refurbished second ﬂ oor apartment which has been ﬁ nished to a very high standard by the current owner. The property offers modern and contemporary accommodation throughout with bright and spacious rooms and a south facing balcony which overlooks manicured communal gardens in this well managed purpose built development just a few minutes’ walk to Westbourne. Offered with vacant possession.

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OUTDOOR DINING

Two speeds of reform: Where leasehold and the Renters’ Rights Act stand in mid-2026

The private rented sector is living through its biggest regulatory shake-up in decades, but the pace of change depends entirely on which part of the property world you’re looking at. Ground rent and leasehold reform is still inching through Parliament, while the Renters’ Rights Act has already landed and is reshaping how agents and landlords operate day to day. Here’s where both stand right now.

Leasehold reform: slow progress, big ambitions

The government published its draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill back in January, setting out the most farreaching shake-up of leasehold ownership in a generation. The headline measure is a cap on ground rents for existing leases at £250 a year, falling to a peppercorn after a 40-year transitional period. Alongside it sits

a plan to make commonhold the default tenure for new flats, effectively ending the sale of new leasehold properties, plus the abolition of forfeiture as a remedy for unpaid charges.

It sounds decisive, but the practical timeline is anything but rapid. The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee published its scrutiny report on the draft Bill in late May, running to 165 pages, and the government now has two months to respond formally. Industry watchers expect an amended Bill to reach Parliament properly in the autumn, with Royal Assent realistically not arriving until mid-2027. Even then, the ground rent cap itself may not take legal effect until “late 2028,” subject to parliamentary timing, though Labour backbenchers have been pushing for an earlier date.

There’s also unfinished business from the previous Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, much of which remains unimplemented after freeholder groups took the government to court. The High Court dismissed that challenge last autumn, but permission to appeal has been sought, adding further uncertainty to when leaseholders will actually see cheaper, longer lease extensions. For landlords with leasehold rental stock, the message right now is: the direction of travel is clear, but don’t expect to feel the financial impact for a couple of years yet.

PICTURED ABOVE

Sharon Canning. Owner of Move On Sales and Lettings

The Renters’ Rights Act: live and already reshaping the market

While leasehold reform crawls forward, the Renters’ Rights Act has moved at the opposite pace. It came into force on 1 May, and by the end of that month landlords and agents needed to have issued the mandatory Information Sheet to every existing tenant or risk a penalty of up to £7,000. Section 21 “no-fault” evictions are gone, assured shorthold tenancies have converted automatically into rolling periodic tenancies, and rent increases are now limited to once a year via a formal Section 13 notice with two months’ warning, with tenants able to challenge increases at tribunal.

Early market data from Rightmove and Zoopla suggests tenant competition has eased to its lowest level in six years, even as underlying supply shortages keep wellpriced, well-presented properties letting quickly. The more interesting story is what’s happening behind the scenes. Several commentators are predicting accelerated consolidation in the agency world: smaller and “accidental” landlords, facing a heavier

CONTACT

01202 711169

Sharon@moveon.biz

compliance burden and tighter margins, are increasingly handing management over to professional agents rather than selfmanaging. That points toward a sector that favours either larger, systemised operators or specialist niche agents, with selfmanagement becoming a less attractive option for casual landlords. Rent Guarantee and Guarantor insurances are becoming more popular.

ADDRESS

420 Poole Rd, Branksome, Poole BH12 1DF

WEBSITE

www.moveonsalesandlettings.co.uk

Lenders and receivers are watching closely too, since the loss of Section 21 means regaining vacant possession—even for sale or repossession—now runs through the courts and Section 8 grounds, lengthening enforcement timelines considerably.

The takeaway

Two reform programmes, two very different clocks. Leasehold change is coming but will take years to bite financially. The Renters’ Rights Act is already live, and the agents and landlords adapting fastest are the ones treating it as an operational reset rather than a paperwork exercise.

Sharon Canning and her team at Move On, are a multi-award winning company who specialise in lettings and are renowned locally of being the experts. For a free, friendly chat, contact Sharon or her team, or email sharon@moveon.biz.

How to work the warm minimalism kitchen trend

A warmer palate of neutral tones is key to a modern aesthetic in the kitchen

If your kitchen feels dark, dated, or simply done its time and due for a refurb and in need of a little TLC, there couldn’t be better time for a spruce-up.

“We’re seeing a shift towards lighter, brighter kitchen spaces, with greater emphasis on the kitchen as a social hub within the home,” says Lizzie Beesley, head of design & style at Howdens.

“Designs are increasingly balancing practical appliance and storage requirements with areas to sit, gather and interact.”

Indeed, she says lifestyle enhancing products, such as boiling water taps and wine coolers, are becoming more desirable, while clever behind-the-door storage solutions are helping customers make the most of their space.

“Natural, fresh finishes continue to dominate, from soft pebble tones and calming greens to warm oak and walnut décors, paired with rich, statement worktops that add depth and definition.

“Summer is also encouraging homeowners to experiment more with their kitchen environment, embracing a relaxed and inviting aesthetic,” suggests Beesley, with more than 24 years’ experience in the interiors industry, creating award-winning kitchens which combine style with everyday practicality.

For a fresh new vibe, she says the warm minimalism trend has been inspired by the Italian look. “It relies on a signature combination of warm neutrals, woodgrains and soft lighting.”

“Smart storage, glazed units and ergonomic design are all considered as part of the overall layout. This is the luxury look for a modern aesthetic and therefore a key area of innovation. We see matt metallics, pocket doors, marbles and warm stones being used.

“It’s also a key look for handleless and J-Pull kitchen cabinet styles,” she adds.

ABOVE

Howdens Frome Kitchen in Reed Green, a contemporary shaker style with metallic finishing touches, character shelving, balanced planning & natural palette of green & oak; POA, Howdens | Howdens/PA

How to embrace warm minimalism without blowing the budget

To achieve the warm minimalist look without replacing your entire kitchen, a few simple updates can make a big difference.

“Start by introducing a warmer palette through neutral tones, woodgrains, and natural stone finishes,” suggests Beesley. “Small changes such as replacing your worktop or updating your cabinet frontals in a softer, warmer colour can instantly transform the space.”

She says you can also refresh the overall feel of the room through decorative updates such as repainting the walls in warm, earthy shades, and consider installing new flooring.

Think wood floors in a natural grain, oak parquet, or warm herringbone in a luxury vinyl tile.

“I especially love woodgrains and natural stone, as they instantly bring warmth, texture, and character to a space,” highlights Beesley.

She continues: “Don’t underestimate the impact of styling either – updating accessories such as vases, chopping boards, and kitchen décor can help your kitchen.

“Most importantly, to truly achieve a minimalist aesthetic, focus on reducing visual clutter… keep surfaces clear, store everyday items neatly away, and create a calm, uncluttered environment.”

How to boost the look

The key to achieving a warm minimalist look lies in the finishing touches to truly elevate your kitchen, highlights Beesley.

“Introduce warm metallics or matte black finishes through taps, handles, rails, and light switches to create a cohesive and considered design.

“These subtle details help tie the whole space together and add sophistication.”

Moreover, she says lighting also plays an essential role in elevating the room. “Illuminate key areas such as beneath wall cabinets or within decorative glazed units to create focal points and atmosphere.

“Functional lighting inside larder units can improve practicality and add a premium feel.” She continues.

“Also, consider how you light an island or dining area… a streamlined pendant will enhance the minimalist aesthetic.”

ABOVE

Howdens Winterton Gloss Kitchen in Sandstone and Dark Stone, with U-shaped peninsula layout, zoned spaces for cooking and socialising, and designed to balance style and function | Howdens/PA

Planning your new space

As well as investing in wall-to-wall cabinets, Beesley suggests looking at storage differently “by prioritising pantries, coffee nooks and alternative shelving.

“A pantry can serve as a breakfast space for example, storing a toaster along with condiments, and the items we use day-to-day… but don’t always want on display.”

“By contrast, a coffee nook can make a feature of a space families know they use throughout the day and want constant access to.”

Finally, she says to consider the room as a whole when creating a warm minimalist space…

“Elements such as flooring, wall treatments, internal door styles, and window furnishings all contribute to the overall look and feel, helping to create a calm, balanced, and beautifully cohesive interior.”

Words by Sam Wylie-Harris, PA

A spacious, modern kitchen with black cabinetry and herringbone wooden flooring | Alamy/PA

ABOVE

Pantry cupboard in modern painted kitchen with plenty of room for storage | Alamy/PA

LEFT

The Bath Works: The hidden value of a luxury bathroom renovation

When it comes to home improvements, few projects combine everyday enjoyment with long-term value quite like a luxury bathroom renovation. While kitchens have traditionally been viewed as the heart of the home, today’s buyers are placing increasing importance on beautifully designed bathrooms that deliver both style and comfort.

For homeowners across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the surrounding areas, investing in a high-quality bathroom can significantly enhance the appeal of a property. In an increasingly competitive market, buyers are often drawn to homes that require little or no immediate updating. A thoughtfully designed bathroom signals quality, attention to detail and a wellmaintained home, helping to create a

strong first impression from the moment a viewing begins.

The most successful bathroom renovations balance current design trends with timeless appeal. While bold colours and statement finishes can be tempting, many homeowners are choosing elegant, enduring materials that will look as impressive in ten years’ time as they do today. Natural stone, warm wood finishes, sophisticated lighting and carefully considered layouts continue to stand the test of time while adding a sense of understated luxury.

Today’s buyers are also looking for features that enhance everyday living. Spacious walk-in showers, generous storage solutions, underfloor heating and high-performance brassware have become highly desirable additions. These premium fixtures not only improve functionality but also create the spa-like experience that many homeowners now seek within their own homes.

A luxury bathroom renovation is about more than aesthetics alone. It is an opportunity to improve the way a space functions, maximise available room and introduce products that deliver greater comfort, e iciency and longevity. When expertly planned, these improvements can add tangible value while enhancing enjoyment of the home for years to come.

At The Bath Works, we help homeowners create bathrooms that are as practical as they are beautiful. Whether you’re looking to maximise the value of your property, modernise an outdated space or create a luxurious retreat tailored to your lifestyle, our experienced design team can guide you through every stage of the journey. Book a personal design consultation in one of our award-winning showrooms or arrange a home site visit to explore the possibilities and discover how exceptional bathroom design can add lasting value to your home.

Visit us in one of our showrooms in New Milton, Poole and Southbourne, call us on 01202 525211, visit our website www.thebathworks.co.uk or email us at sales@thebathworks.co.uk

CONTACT

01202 525211

sales@thebathworks.co.uk

WEBSITE

www.thebathworks.co.uk

The sensible friend of the property world

From landlords to tenants, Camerons helps keep moving day meltdowns to a minimum

If property were a dating app, Camerons would be the friend quietly whispering, “Maybe don’t move into the flat with the suspicious damp patch and the neighbour who appears to own six drum kits.”

Based in Bournemouth, Camerons are not in the business of flashy promises or estate agent clichés involving “stunning opportunities” that turn out to be a cupboard with ambitions. Instead, they specialise in something refreshingly useful: making lettings and property management feel considerably less painful for landlords and tenants alike.

For landlords, Camerons offer a helping hand through what can sometimes feel like a legal obstacle course performed while balancing a spreadsheet. From tenant sourcing and referencing to property management, notices, inspections and ongoing support, they are there to handle the moving parts that landlords would rather not wrestle with alone. Because while owning property might sound glamorous in theory, in reality it can occasionally involve a leaking tap at 11pm and a strongly worded text about a boiler.

For tenants, Camerons help take some of the mystery — and mild panic — out of finding somewhere to live. Whether

PICTURED ABOVE

Aleina Cameron, Owner of Camerons Estate and Letting Agents, Bournemouth

What also makes a difference is their local knowledge. Bournemouth and the surrounding areas are constantly evolving, and Camerons understand the quirks of the local market better than most. They know which areas suit young professionals, growing families, students or retirees, helping clients make informed choices rather than expensive guesswork. In a world where internet listings can make even the smallest box room look like Buckingham Palace, having someone with genuine local insight matters.

And it is not just about finding tenants or handing over keys. Camerons also support clients through valuations, maintenance issues and the everyday admin that quietly piles up in property ownership. It is the sort of behind-the-scenes work that often goes unnoticed until something goes wrong — which is exactly why having an experienced team involved makes all the difference.

CONTACT

01202 295678

info@cameronsproperties.co.uk

you’re after a student flat, family home, seaside apartment or simply somewhere with enough kitchen space to pretend you’ll definitely cook more, their team helps match people with properties that genuinely fit. More importantly, they aim to explain the process clearly, which in property terms feels almost revolutionary. WEBSITE

ADDRESS

162 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH8 8AS

At a time when moving house can feel like an emotional endurance sport involving paperwork, panic and seventeen passwords you can’t remember, Camerons are quietly doing the hard work behind the scenes.

No drama. No jargon. Just property done properly — with a bit less headache and a lot more common sense.

The perfect setting for your evening wedding celebrations

TWILIGHT WEDDING PACKAGE

Getting married abroad but still want to celebrate with loved ones at home, or prefer to skip the form alities and head straight to the part

Red Carpet

Glass of Prosecco and nibbles

Pick between our Classic Evening Buffet (6 items), our Deli Grazing Table or our Indian Buffet DJ & disco

Cake stands and knife

Bridal suite for the Bride and Groom (including full English Breakfast)

Package starts from £2339 for 70 people

Our Twilight Package is designed for an unforgettab le evening celebration. We take care of all the arr angements, so you can simply enjoy the moment with your closest family and friends in a rela ed, vibrant atmosphere

ENQUIRE NOW:

01202 763653

events@rivierabournemouth.co.uk www.rivierabournemouth.co.uk

Burnaby Road, Alum Chine, Bournemouth. BH4 8JF

Where should you travel to in August?

Travel experts share their top picks.

With school holidays and peak summer heat, the month of August evokes classic holiday-time vibes. So where do the experts suggest you go this year?

SHORT-HAUL

Faroe Islands

The archipelago of the Faroe Islands sits 205 miles north of Scotland but feels like a world away. A self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark, the 18 islands have just become a lot easier to reach.

Kristijan Švajnzger, Intrepid Travel’s regional general manager for East and North Europe, says: “With the recent introduction of direct flights from London, the Faroe Islands has never been more accessible for Brits keen for an alternative holiday escape in August without the crowds, or heat, of many other European destinations.”

Think dramatic sea cliffs, tall waterfalls, incredible seafood and hiking trails with few people on them.

“August is generally the best time to hike the coastlines, kayak the fjords and visit the villages dotted along the islands,” says Švajnzger “The weather is mild and there’s more than 15 hours of sunlight, meaning ample time to explore.”

The Westfjords, Iceland

Head north west and the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ is another heat-escaping option.

“The 12 August brings a once-in-a-generation event to Iceland,” notes Tim Hentschel, CEO and co-founder HotelPlanner.com. “For the first time since 1954, a total solar eclipse will cross the country. Western Iceland offers the most accessible landmass along the global eclipse track which means it will hold the longest duration of totality in Europe (up to two minutes and 13 seconds).

LEFT

Faroe Islands | Alamy/PA

ABOVE

The Westfjords, Iceland | Alamy/PA

RIGHT

The countryside outside of Limerick, Ireland | Alamy/PA

“Travellers can position themselves to witness the eclipse over the fjords of the remote Westfjords, the volcanic peaks of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, or even while soaking in the geothermal waters of the Reykjanes Peninsula.”

Limerick, Ireland

You don’t always need to travel far, particularly in August. Julie Wakley, Tourism Ireland’s head of Great Britain, suggests Limerick in Western Ireland – known as the gateway city to the Wild Atlantic Way. “On the island of Ireland, we enjoy a pleasantly mild summer climate for comfortable days spent outdoors,” she says. “Limerick and the surrounding area is an absolute haven for active, low-impact exploration where rich cultural history meets the great outdoors.

“Spend a quiet morning cycling or walking the magnificent Limerick Greenway, which carves a beautiful path through the rural countryside, or head to Ballyhoura to world-class mountain biking trails and forest walks, deep in nature.”

Alternatively, “The mystical lakefront of Limerick’s Lough Gur is a serene setting steeped in thousands of years of archaeology and folklore,” she says. Also in August, venture south for the Cork on a Fork food festival.

Lofoten Islands, Norway

In Northern Norway, above the Arctic Circle, is the archipelago of the Lofoten Islands – known for granite peaks, deep fjords, colourful villages and empty whitesand beaches.

“August is actually one of my favourite times to visit Lofoten,” says Sam Bruce, co-founder of Much Better Adventures. “You’re past the peak midnight sun season, which means the worst of the crowds have gone, but you’re still getting 15 to 20 hours of daylight, and that late-summer Arctic light is unlike anything else in Europe. Long, golden, endlessly photogenic.

“Most people are on a beach in the Mediterranean, which means you often have the trails entirely to yourself. Lofoten is an extremely beautiful place, and it has a much more favourable climate in August than a lot of places further south, where you might struggle with the heat.”

Toulon

British Airways Holidays destination manager Nina McMaster suggests Toulon for a more classic summer break. BA recently launched new twice-weekly flights from London City to the southern French city.

“Toulon is the gateway to St Tropez, one of the most glamorous locations in Europe, with August being a great time to visit,” she says. “At this time of year, the city offers a buzzing summer escape thanks to its beach clubs and outdoor markets.”

The area is known for its incredible gastronomy (think long alfresco lunches and people watching). “Toulon is also a perfect base for day trips – travellers can visit Provence for wine tasting, paddleboard through the Gorges du Verdon, or hop on the train to experience the stunning coastline that the French Riviera has to offer,” says McMaster.

LONG-HAUL

Central Vietnam

Vietnam might sound sticky in August but it depends where you go. James Mundy, global PR manager at Inside Travel, says: “Central Vietnam has its own little climate, so August is actually very nice.

“You’ve got places like Hoi An [a UNESCO-listed ancient trading port] and Hue [the former imperial capital] and beaches around there. Whereas in the north you’ve got some typhoons coming in and affecting places like Hạ Long Bay, and in the south it’s a lot more humid, around Ho Chi Minh and the Mekong Delta. So Central Vietnam is very nice.

“It’s also not a peak time of travel for Vietnam, so being one of the most popular places in the country for tourism, it gets very busy other times a year. So, July and August are actually quite quiet, and therefore it’s a great time of year to go. You can still enjoy the beaches, you can still enjoy the countryside.”

FAR LEFT

Lofoten Islands, Norway | Alamy/PA

LEFT

Toulon, France

| Alamy/PA

BELOW

Boats in Hoi

An, Vietnam | Alamy/PA

Tanzania

“Tanzania in August is hard to beat,” says Sam Bruce of the East African country famous for wildlife and, of course, Mount Kilimanjaro – the continent’s highest mountain.

“Peak dry season means the best safari conditions, Kilimanjaro is in prime shape for climbing, the beaches are excellent and there’s nothing stopping you doing all three on one trip.

“This is the ideal adventure for anyone who loves wildlife and mountains; for those who want a trip where they can reach an iconic summit but also come away with memories of watching giraffes, lions and elephants out in the wild.”

Mauritius

Izzie Simms, British Airways Holidays destination executive, recommends the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius at this time of year (BA offers three direct services a week from the UK).

“August is a great time for visiting Mauritius due to it being the drier season, making sightseeing and outdoor activities more comfortable than the more humid months,” she says.

[The country] typically experiences sunny days, low rainfall and pleasant temperatures (ranging from 20–25°C) throughout August.

“It is also one of the best months for kitesurfing enthusiasts to visit, thanks to the steady winds. Mauritius is only three hours ahead of the UK in the summer meaning that jet lag is not an issue.”

Words by Lauren Taylor, Features and Travel Editor, PA

A safari in Tanzania | Alamy/PA

A beach in Mauritius | Alamy/PA

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Beaulieu reveals spectacular Hypercar lineup for Supercar Weekend

Supercar enthusiasts can now get their first glimpse of the Prestige & Hypercar line-up for this year’s Beaulieu Supercar Weekend, with the first exciting models revealed and more still to be announced. Taking place on 1-2 August, the unmissable two-day family event is one of Beaulieu’s biggest events and among the most spectacular supercar shows on England’s South Coast. Visitors can also look forward to a host of new experiences for 2026, including live music for the first time and a brand-new hospitality area in the Abbey Domus, offering the perfect place to relax, enjoy food and drink, and soak up the atmosphere throughout the weekend.

Take advantage of Advance Tickets savings and book now by clicking here.

Leading this year’s Prestige & Hypercar display, set on the stunning lawns of Palace House, the ancestral home to the Montagu family, is the all-new Ferrari F80. Joining it is the Swedish hypercar, the Koenigsegg Regera and the Aston Martin Valhalla, showcasing its impressive Formula One-inspired technology. Making a welcome return is the Lotus Evija, one of the world’s first allelectric hypercars, while the dramatic Brabham BT62 will showcase the aerodynamic design for which the Brabham name is famous.

Ferrari enthusiasts are in for a treat with the iconic Enzo and groundbreaking LaFerrari displayed alongside the track-focused SF90 XX Stradale, highlighting the evolution of Ferrari’s ultimate performance cars. Also adding to the excitement is a special display of three generations of the legendary Ford GT, featuring the original 1964-69 model, the 2005-06 revival, and the latest 2017-22 version. Meanwhile, British supercar fans won’t want to miss the Noble M600, an exclusive highperformance machine that has earned a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting supercars.

The Prestige & Hypercar Lawn will also welcome back the celebrated Porsche Holy Trinity display in partnership with Porsche Centre Bournemouth. More prestige and hypercars will be revealed in the lead-up to the event, so supercar fans are encouraged to keep an eye on the latest announcements via Beaulieu’s social media channels and website.*

The Demonstration Run is always a highlight of Supercar Weekend, with selected supercars taking to Beaulieu’s Chestnut Avenue at 11.30am, 1pm and 3pm, giving showgoers multiple chances to catch the action. Drivers will put their cars through their paces, showcasing their handling and braking in a thrilling live display, with all the action also broadcast live on the big screen in the Arena.

The Supercar Sound-off, sponsored by Nanolex Car Care UK, is another crowd favourite, with a selection of cars revving their engines in a bid to win the loudest cheer and take home the coveted Beaulieu trophy. Elsewhere, visitors can step into the driver’s seat with the F1 simulator, offering the chance to experience the intensity of high-speed racing as they take on virtual laps of a racing circuit. The F1 Simulator is available for an additional charge on the day.

Live music will feature at Supercar Weekend for the first time, with visitors able to enjoy performances throughout the day. Soundtracking Saturday is acoustic duo The Woven Crows, featuring John Burke and Tatt Hussein, while Sunday will see brother-and-sister duo Tunebox performing popular pop and rock covers, with more acts still to be announced.

For those looking to enhance their Supercar Weekend experience, special hospitality packages are also available. Set within the medieval Beaulieu Abbey Domus, the hospitality area offers the perfect base for guests, complete with a live stream of the action so nothing is missed, alongside a light breakfast, unlimited freshly brewed tea and coffee, a hydration station, buffet lunch, a glass of prosecco and a sweet treat. Visitors aged 18 and over can also upgrade to include unlimited beer, house wine and soft drinks. Hospitality packages are available in addition to a Supercar Weekend ticket.

Sporting Bears will return with their stunning supercar display, hosting a raffle in support of the local children’s charity Simon Says. Lucky winners will have the unforgettable chance to experience a ride in one of their supercars during one of the Demonstration Runs. Meanwhile, the popular Mini ROVER rides return, giving young drivers the chance to get behind the wheel of a replica Series 2 Land Rover. Suitable for children aged four to ten, the off-road experience ends with drivers receiving their very own driving licence. Mini ROVER rides are available on the day for an additional charge of £10 per child.

Tickets for Beaulieu Supercar Weekend are available now. Book your tickets before 11.59pm on 24th July to take advantage of discounted advance ticket prices. For more information, visit www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/ beaulieu-supercar-weekend.

Tickets for Beaulieu Supercar Weekend include full access to the entire Beaulieu attraction. Explore the National Motor Museum where you can see the latest exhibition Driven: Britain’s Motoring Story. Head to our interactive We Had One Of Those display, spot famous vehicles in On Screen Cars and visit Palace House, ancestral home of the Montagu family, with its beautiful grounds and gardens. Discover Beaulieu’s WWII Secret Army Exhibition, wander the historic Beaulieu Abbey, and let kids explore Little Beaulieu adventure play area before enjoying a bite to eat in the Brabazon Restaurant.

www.beaulieu.co.uk

*Show vehicles are subject to change.

Impressive Grade II Listed Home in Lymington

in Lymington

£3,750,000

A truly impressive Grade II Listed period family home offering an exceptional living environment set within an oasis at the heart of Lymington high street with generous accommodation along with private landscaped walled gardens of half an acre with swimming pool. Visit your local Spencers office or contact us today to discover more about our

living environment set within an oasis at the heart of Lymington high street with generous accommodation along with private landscaped walled gardens of half an acre with swimming pool.

Burley, New Forest

Horton, Dorset Neacroft, New Forest

OIEO £2,000,000 OIEO £1,250,000 £1,150,000

£2,000,000

This substantial residence features six bedrooms and five reception rooms, set within approximately 6.1 acres of grounds including three paddocks, a walled garden with outbuildings, and direct views across the open forest. The property presents a rare opportunity to renovate or redevelop STPP.

and deceptively spacious enviably positioned just Barton-on-Sea’s stunning cliff top of local amenities.

The Stables is a modern build, spacious barnstyle family property with detached garage in a secluded and sunny setting on the edge of Horton village.

Sea, Hampshire Godshill, New Forest

A stunning four-bedroom detached family home offering beautifully presented and versatile accommodation throughout, including a home office, double garage and ample off-street parking, all situated within the sought-after hamlet of Neacroft.

Nestled in an idyllic forest setting with outstanding views across the New Forest National Park, this charming four-bedroom detached period cottage offers a potential annexe, detached garage/ workshop, ample parking, and gardens.

Landford, Salisbury

A charming farmhouse style property situated in a rural hamlet and standing in beautifully landscaped grounds extending to approximately 0.6 acres.

Barton on Sea, Hampshire Godshill, New Forest

A beautifully presented and deceptively spacious chalet-style residence, enviably positioned just moments from Barton-on-Sea’s stunning cliff top and within easy reach of local amenities.

0.6 acres. A beautifully presented and deceptively spacious chalet-style residence, enviably positioned just moments from Barton-on-Sea’s stunning cliff top and within easy reach of local amenities. Nestled in an idyllic forest setting with outstanding views across the New Forest National Park, this charming four-bedroom detached period cottage offers a potential annexe, detached garage/ workshop, ample parking, and gardens.

Idyllic New Forest Cottage in Boldre

£1,200,000

Beautifully extended character cottage in a

Beautifully extended character cottage in a superb rural setting, ideal as a main or second home. Stylishly presented with vaulted openplan kitchen/dining room, four bedrooms and further benefits from no onward chain.

Sea, Hampshire and deceptively spacious enviably positioned just Barton-on-Sea’s stunning cliff top of local amenities. 3 3

From hay bales to home sales!

The New Forest Show 28th -30th July

Burley Village Show 1st August

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Property Location

Ellingham Show 8th August 12

Ellingham Show 8th August

Romsey Show 12th September

Burley Village Show 1 August Ellingham Show Romsey Show 12

Spencers are proud to be sponsoring this summer’s country shows.

Property Location

£1,000,000

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Spencers are proud to be sponsoring this summer’s country shows.

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Visit our stands to discover more about Spencers’ show stopping service and the wide range of properties for sale or let across our network.

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Why your bathroom is a wellness trend waiting to happen

Spa-inspired bathrooms boost happiness, says Sam Wylie-Harris.

It only takes a weekend getaway and a spa treatment, or summer retreat with a luxe en-suite bathroom to remind ourselves how a little pampering goes a long way.

A fresh set of fluffy towels, scented candle or range of aromatherapy products, ambient lighting and a safe sanctuary can put a different face on the mindset.

As Emma Freeman, brand and communications manager at Hansgrohe UK, puts it: “Our bathrooms have become the perfect place for an evening winddown, a restorative morning ritual, or simply a moment of peace away from the chaos outside.”

Moreover, she says the bathroom is where wellness begins. “It’s the space where we start and end our day, so creating an environment that genuinely supports a sense of wellness, relaxation or even invigoration, makes complete sense.”

Indeed, she says it’s a shift that’s been quietly building. “We’re spending more time in our bathrooms than ever before, transforming them from purely functional spaces into places where we actually want to linger.

“And that’s changing how we design them.”

ABOVE

Matrix Ocean Teal Gloss Tile (9.8cm x 19.8cm), £36.59 per square metre (was £43.29), Topps Tiles | Topps Tiles/PA

LEFT

Hayle Outdoor & Bathroom Round Diffuser Wall Light - Brass, £149, Industville | Industville/PA

Here, Freeman, who works across a host of inspirational hospitality and residential build schemes, shares her expert tips to create a transformative wellness space in your own home…

Simplicity is the secret

Strip away the noise – that’s the thinking behind the modern wellness bathroom, says Freeman.

“And it’s refreshingly straightforward… a cluttered bathroom feels cluttered in your mind. Clean lines, clear surfaces, purposeful details all create visual quiet. Your nervous system recognises it as a safe space to relax too. A spa doesn’t feel luxurious because of what it contains, but because of how it makes you feel – the same principle applies.”

She continues, “Creating a wellness bathroom at home is about harnessing the power of calm through thoughtful design choices that quiet the mind and invite you to slow down.”

“It’s not about minimalism for its own sake. It’s about editing. Hidden storage, floating vanities, handless cabinetry aren’t fancy add-ons, they’re the foundations of a restful space.”

Layer in soft, warm lighting instead of clinical downlighters, she suggests, “and you’ve created somewhere that encourages you to slow down.

“Dark showering is trending not for effect, but because the enveloping quality of taking a shower in limited light creates something meditative, ideal to encourage relaxation before bed.”

Embrace the soft shade

Move away from stark whites and clinical greys toward softer, more nurturing tones, suggests Freeman.

“Gentle creams, warm beiges and terracotta, soft sage greens, and pale dusty blues create a palette that not only feels on trend, but also inherently calming; as muted tones work very much like a visual sigh.”

She says to layer these soft shades through your tiles, walls, and even your ceramics, allowing subtle variations to add depth without creating visual noise.

ABOVE

Spa wellness beauty treatments at home | Alamy/PA

“The key is choosing finishes that diffuse light softly. These colours work on your mood in a way bright shades simply don’t,” highlights Freeman.

“They simply don’t demand attention, instead they allow the mind to settle.”

Matt finishes are ideal here, says the bathroom expert. “They diffuse light softly, avoiding harsh reflections that can feel sterile.

“Even darker tones – a feature wall in warm charcoal perhaps, works beautifully when they’re considered rather than dramatic.”

Adding visual warmth

For many years, Freeman says chrome has been the default brassware finish for those updating their bathroom space.

“But chrome, for all its durability, carries an inherent coolness. Although it still works for many, the increased availability of warm metallics like brushed bronze and brushed brass allows a softer aesthetic to fill our bathroom spaces. Warmer finishes bring genuine warmth to a room,” she adds.

Brushed bronze, in particular, has a depth and richness that feels honest and natural rather than deliberately designed, underlines Freeman.

“When paired with earthy colour palettes, warm metallics create a sense of luxury that feels accessible too. It softens the edges of your bathroom, making it feel less like a place of routine and more like a refuge.”

It’s also worth considering how these finishes work across the room. “A brushed bronze shower frame catches the light differently than chrome, creating softer shadows.

ABOVE

Reactive Glaze Double Toothbrush Holder, £7; Reactive Glaze Soap Dish, £4, rest of items from a selection, Dunelm | Dunelm/PA

LEFT

Hansgrohe Raindance Alive Q, 2 Sprays, EcoSmart, ShowerSelect Comfort, Brushed Bronze, £2,144.99, (was £2,735.39), SuperBath. |

Hansgrohe/PA

“A brushed brass tap becomes a sculptural aspect that draws the eye gently. The textural quality of these finishes has the real ability to create visual interest while maintaining calm.”

Water as therapy

Not all showers feel the same, highlights Freeman, and says a harsh narrow jet creates a completely different experience than water which cascades like rain; or emerges as a soft mist.

“The ability to choose how water touches your skin is genuinely luxurious,” suggests Freeman.

“Some mornings you need invigoration. Others call for gentleness. When a shower offers multiple spray options, it acknowledges your needs change day-to-day.”

Alongside rain shower heads, look for multi-function shower heads, massage jet functions or she says shoulder showers are a great way to ease tension after a busy day.

“So it’s worth thinking what would most benefit you in the planning stages of your bathroom.”

Rethinking daily rituals

The most overlooked wellness opportunity in the bathroom lies in reimagining mundane moments, underlines Freeman.

“Newer washbasin innovations are beginning to blur the line between basin and shower – they recognise different tasks deserve different water experiences.

A soft, integrated spray in a basin tap transforms morning face washing from routine into a lovely ritual, she suggests. “The ability to rinse your hair gently at the basin without hunching over, or contorting yourself, becomes an act of self-care rather than a compromise.

“In addition, innovations in personal care solutions –like bidet toilets – are being designed thoughtfully, with intuitive controls and genuine comfort. It’s acknowledging personal care is important… not something to be embarrassed about.”

BELOW

Hansgrohe Avalegra AquaUnit, £1,166.08, (was £1,761.98), 580 x 475mm, Brushed Bronze, SuperBath | Hansgrohe/PA

Room to breathe

An emerging trend in wellness bathroom design is the double-basin configuration, notes Freeman.

“Its appeal reveals something important about how we relate to space – two basins don’t necessarily mean more functionality. It’s about freedom,” she explains. “Space to spread out, move without constraint, to exist comfortably alongside another person.

“That principle applies throughout – handless cabinetry keeps sightlines clean and frosted glass maintains privacy without harsh barriers.

“When you strip away visual noise, the remaining elements – a beautiful tap, a carefully chosen mirror –actually get to shine.”

Real wellness

At the end of the day, Freeman says your bathroom doesn’t need to look like a magazine shoot to feel like a genuine sanctuary.

“It needs intention. Thoughtful colour choices, warm finishes, proper consideration for how water actually feels on your skin. The bathroom was always there… we’re just finally realising how important it is – and that matters.”

*Prices correct at time of going to press

Words by Sam Wylie-Harris, PA

ABOVE

Zellica Flute

Forest Green

Tile, £59.72 per square metre, (6cm x 24cm), Topps

Tiles | Topps

Tiles/PA

The Perfect Venue for Every Occasion

Discover the perfect venue for your next business event or special celebration at the Ocean Beach Hotel & Spa, located on the stunning East Cliff. Our adaptable event suites create the ideal setting for every occasion.

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With more than 20 years of industry experience, Apex Mortgage Brokers provide expert, independent mortgage and protection advice tailored to each client’s circumstances. Whether you’re purchasing your first home, moving property or navigating a more complex borrowing situation, their experienced advisers take the time to understand your needs and identify suitable, competitive options from a wide panel of lenders. Supported by a dedicated Completions Manager, clients benefit from a smooth, hands-on service that keeps their application progressing efficiently from initial enquiry through to completion.

Sandbanks/Poole

£3,000,000

Exceptional frontline ﬁve bedroom detached residence overlooking Poole Harbour | Tastefully remodelled to an exacting standard throughout | Twin balconies with exceptional harbour views | Large plot with beautifully manicured grounds | Oﬀ road parking for multiple vehicles

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£3,000,000

Completely secluded country holding with no near neighbours | Direct access into the New Forest National Park — ride or walk straight out | Approx. 24 acres of mixed paddocks, woodland and landscaped grounds | Spacious ﬁve-bedroom main house with excellent scope to modernise | Secondary two-bedroom cottage — ideal for multi-generational living or income | Established equestrian infrastructure, including stabling and grazing land

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Over 2,700 sq ft six-bedroom home in a prime semi-rural setting between Wimborne and Ferndown | A self-contained annexe with independent entrance, offering flexibility for multi-generational living or ancillary accommodation or additional income | Careful attention to detail and quality of finish throughout | A highly desirable plot backing onto protected land, providing privacy and pleasant outlook

East Orchard/Shaftsbury New Build Oﬀering

Guide Price £650,000 (GDV Estimated £750,000)

£200,000 Land Purchase + £450,000 JCT Build Contract | An exciting opportunity to secure a brand-new individually designed four bedroom detached bungalow within an exclusive rural development at Trapdoor Farm, East Orchard.

You may be sitting on an asset you didn’t realise you could sell

Across Dorset and the surrounding countryside, many landowners find themselves with land that feels impossible to shift — a small paddock that hasn’t attracted interest, a redundant barn, an awkward parcel, or a site that has stalled after a failed planning application.

But “hard to sell” rarely means “without value”.

As a long-established estate and letting agent in the region, we’re well known for property expertise — and we also specialise in land sales of this kind, where the opportunity lies beyond the traditional residential market.

Increasingly, we’re seeing how many land sales are missed simply because the land is being viewed too narrowly.

In reality, demand for land is evolving.

Alongside farming and development, there is strong and growing interest in recreational and lifestyle uses: pony paddocks and equestrian space, smallscale smallholdings, countryside retreats, storage and hobby yards, bushcraft and outdoor education sites, nature and conservation projects, and informal recreational land for personal or group use.

These buyers are not always visible through conventional marketing. They are often highly specific in what they’re looking for, and actively searching for land that others may overlook.

That is where opportunity often lies.

With over 50 years of combined experience, we specialise in unlocking these alternative routes to sale — introducing specialist buyers, exploring a wider range of potential uses, and positioning land based on its recreational and lifestyle potential as well as its planning status.

So if your land has been sitting unsold, it may not be the land itself that is the issue — but the way its possibilities are being viewed.

CONTACT

01202 877 123

info@stqpropertygroup.co.uk

ADDRESS

14 Victoria Road, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9HZ

WEBSITE

www.stqpropertygroup.co.uk

The Ballad of Johnny & June – The Johnny Cash musical

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, 8 - 12 September 2026

“Everybody always asks me what’s the most important thing my parents ever taught me,” says John Carter Cash. And his answer is… “Persistence! In the face of struggle and hardship you continue on. My dad stuck with it, he kept making music. My mother June did too.”

The parents he speaks of are of course Johnny Cash and his wife June Carter Cash, both American icons and legends of country music. Their 35-year marriage as well as their huge musical legacy is explored and celebrated in the stage musical The Ballad of Johnny & June, which arrives in the UK and Ireland for a six-month tour (from 2 March) following acclaimed seasons at California’s La Jolla Playhouse and the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta.

The show packs a plentiful supply of Cash’s best-known songs, including I Walk the Line, A Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues, Hey Porter and Ring of Fire (which was written by June and Merle Kilgore). Jackson was a famous Johnny and June duet, while Wildwood Flower is a traditional song that harks back to June’s history with her parents and siblings in the Carter Family band, who were a huge influence in the development of folk, bluegrass and country music. The iconic songs, and Johnny and June’s famous love story, are brought to life on stage by the talented cast lead by musical theatre stars Christopher Ryan Grant as Johnny and Christina Bianco as June.

RIGHT

Christopher Ryan Grant as Johnny Cash | Credit Pamela Raith

“For a long time I’ve wanted to see the right musical made, something that wasn’t just recounting the same information that everyone’s seen before,” reflects John (now 55). “It’s like characters are often portrayed in a two-dimensional way, but I wanted to show the more complicated parts of my parents’ nature. I wanted to portray the truth and beauty of the simple people that they were and the love they shared.”

He’d been contemplating this project for a decade when the stars finally aligned and he met producer, director and writer Des McAnuff, whose glittering career includes such fabled musical productions as The Who’s Tommy, Jersey Boys, the Temptations story Ain’t Too Proud and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. What especially recommended him to Cash was his work on Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, with music and lyrics by Roger “King of the Road” Miller. “I knew he was the right person, because it was my father’s favourite play, and I just felt it was the right choice.”

And so it proved. “It really is something I believe in,” Cash asserts, of the finished product. “I think the song choice is neat because the hits are there, but there are also songs that really tell the full arc of my parents’ lives. I think it’s a wonderful production.”

John’s own contributions to the show have been invaluable, bringing vital insights and emotional truths to a story which, as Johnny and June’s only child, he is uniquely familiar with. He impressed McAnuff in the way he wanted to convey some tough reality, rather than airbrushed fantasy. “We realised that he didn’t want the fairytale, he wanted the truth,” McAnuff told the Los Angeles Times. “The truth is so much more interesting than the fairytale.”

The script for the musical was written by McAnuff and Robert Cary, based on a string of in-depth conversations with John.

He recalls: “I sat down with Des and Robert for numerous hours where they dug deep into my life and my memories, and really looked into my experiences. It wasn’t like any other creative process that I’ve ever done. And then they would go ‘right’, and we’d come back and do it again, until they said ‘we want your character to tell the story’. They’d heard me relate the story to them so many times that they felt that the man who plays me should be the guide for the entire musical.”

Thus the John Carter Cash character (played by Ryan O’Donnell) breaks the fourth wall with the audience, acting as narrator and singing the theme tune, newly written for the show by the musical director.

LEFT

(L-R) Chomba S. Taulo, Christopher Ryan Grant, Christopher Short |

Pamela Raith

BELOW

Celyn Cartwright & Chomba S. Taulo |

Pamela Raith

RIGHT

Cast of The Ballad of

Johnny June | Pamela Raith

“Most of the things you see are tied in with my personal memories, and the way the characters speak is straight out of my mouth,” adds Cash. “So in essence I did write a lot of them, it’s just editing it in the right way.”

Following in the parental footsteps, John has been a musician and songwriter (he’s released three solo albums), and still remembers how his father introduced him to Bob Dylan’s music when he was 12 years old.

“He bought me cassettes of the first three Bob Dylan albums, and I sat in my room at their apartment in New York City and listened to them all the way through. That was when it was just Bob with his harmonica and guitar. My dad said ‘don’t listen to that rock’n’roll stuff that Bob did later, listen to the early ones’.”

Later, he became prolific as a record producer. As well as working with a string of prestigious artists including Sheryl Crow, Loretta Lynn, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, he produced his mother’s albums Press On and Wildwood Flower, and worked on four of the albums which his father released on Rick Rubin’s American label.

“Rick Rubin would be there for some of the sessions, and in some he wouldn’t be. In those instances I was sort of acting as producer for my father. That was when I was really beginning in the industry. I’d never produced before when I started working with my dad and my mother in the studio, and that’s really where I learned how to make music, working with them.”

After his parents had died, within a few months of each other in 2003, he took a conscious decision to embrace his experiences of being a part of the Carter-Cash dynasty, rather than pursuing a separate career which would take him away from the family legacy. A first step was his writing a biography of June, Anchored in Love: An Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash (2007).

“It was the first book I ever wrote,” he recalls. “I really opened up about my mother’s life and my family’s life. It’s where my philosophy about what to present and how to present it began, although of course there are lots of things I’d never tell.”

Something he did choose to do was face up to the realities of how both his parents suffered from debilitating addictions. June had problems with

amphetamines and painkillers, while Johnny battled addictions to alcohol, amphetamines and barbiturates. But during their lifetimes both of them were willing to discuss their problems, believing that their example could help people in their audience struggling with similar issues.

Getting to grips with his family history has been a huge undertaking for John, and he describes it as “an ongoing catharsis. If I had a master’s or a doctorate in something, it would be Johnny Cash and the Carter family. I’ve studied it my whole life.”

Much of what he has learned has found its way onto the stage, and he’s keen to stress that despite the enormous presence of Johnny, the Man in Black, it’s not a one-man show.

“This musical is as much about my mom as it as about my dad. It shows my mother’s strengths. It shows where she faltered. But it shows the beauty that they had in their love and their relationship.”

The production comes to Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 September. Tickets are on sale now and can be booked via the theatre’s box office or website.

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Amazing UK coastal hotels to book this summer 5

Beachside stays in the south of England and Wales.

With the weather heating up, escaping to the coast to feel the sea breeze and sand beneath your toes probably feels pretty appealing right now. These gorgeous hotels sit right on the beach, in southern areas of the UK, for top weather and pristine beaches – with rooms with sea views and immediate access to costal walks.

THURLESTONE HOTEL, DEVON

Marking 130 years under the same family ownership this year, The Thurlestone Hotel in Devon’s South Hams offers impressive views out to the sea. The four-star is on the doorstep of the National Trust property South Milton Sands, a wide golden beach with rock pools, with access to South Milton Ley Nature Reserve for amazing birdlife. Hikers can take the South West Coast Path towards Hope Cove and Bantham for cliff-top views of the arch of Thurlestone Rock.

Hotel guests will find a spa, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a nine-hole golf course, kids’ club and gardens.

HOW TO BOOK: Rooms at the Thurlestone Hotel start from £230, including breakfast.

WATERGATE BAY HOTEL, CORNWALL

Set directly on a two-mile stretch of sand, this contemporary coastal escape is the epitome of laidback beach living, a few miles outside Newquay. Think dramatic cliffs, beach walks, surfing and dining with an ocean view.

The hotel’s spectacular indoor pool, with floor-to-ceiling windows, allows guests to watch surfers catching waves while taking a dip – and there’s a clifftop hot tub.

Perfect for families, there are special beach lofts and large family suites – as well as an Ofsted-registered kids’ club. Meanwhile grown-ups can take part in beach yoga, lawn games, surf lessons or a Land Rover Discovery experience.

Summer sees a series of ‘beach feast’ events taking place in June and July, with long tables set up on the sand, live music playing and food.

HOW TO BOOK: Rooms at Watergate Bay Hotel start from £295, including breakfast.

THE GRAND, BRIGHTON

The iconic Victorian landmark on Brighton’s seafront, The Grand has seen a lot since it opened in 1864, surviving wartime occupation and a devastating political bombing in the Eighties. It was also, famously, the first place to have a hydraulic lift outside London and where the band ABBA stayed in 1974 after winning Eurovision.

These days the historic hotel is enjoying a £17 million renovation, with new suites and a spa, as well the Cyan restaurant with views from the conservatory to the sea, and the chic Victoria Bar & Lounge, all in keeping with Victorian style with more than a touch of modern luxury.

With the beach-side city, full of independent shops and a buzzing restaurant and bar scene, right on the doorstep, guests are also spoiled for choice for things to do.

HOW TO BOOK: Rooms at The Grand start from £150, including breakfast.

THE ALEXANDRA HOTEL, LYME REGIS

This West Dorset spot provides an elegant seaside retreat overlooking the Jurassic Coast – the only natural UNESCO listing in England. The 125-year-old boutiquestyle Alexandra Hotel is located right on the shore, its huge garden providing sweeping sea views, while the town’s independent shops and cafes are within walking distance.

Imagine morning coffees on the terrace and coastal walks straight from your door.

Lyme Regis itself is renowned for its historic 13thcentury harbour, sandy beaches, and fossil-rich cliffs. Check off the rock-pooling at Monmouth Beach and the start of the new for 2026 Great Chalk Way – a trial for walking and cycling running over 400 miles from Lyme Regis to the North Norfolk coast.

HOW TO BOOK: Prices at the Alexandra Hotel start from £215, including breakfast.

ST BRIDES SPA HOTEL, PEMBROKESHIRE

Perched on a hill side above the compact but charming coastal town of Saundersfoot, St Brides Spa Hotel is somewhat of a local landmark in this corner of Wales. The award-winning spa’s open-air infinity pool gives guests sweeping views of Saundersfoot Harbour, blue flag beach and bay. With 34 bedrooms and six selfcatering apartments, it was named The AA Hotel of the Year for Wales in 2025 and comes with a 2 AA Rosette Awarded eatery, The Cliff Restaurant.

Set in the Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park, it’s also perfectly located for a spectacular coastal walk to the picturesque town of Tenby, where more blue-flag beaches and postcard-worthy Welsh views await.

HOW TO BOOK: Rooms at St Brides Spa Hotel start from £199, including breakfast.

Words by Lauren Taylor, Features and Travel Editor, PA

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The UK lettings market in 2026: Resilient, evolving, and full of opportunity

Burns Hamilton’s, Sotiria Laitmer, offers expert lettings advice

The UK lettings market in 2026 remains one of the most dynamic areas of the property sector, characterised by strong tenant demand, evolving landlord strategies, and new opportunities for growth. While the sales market has steadied, the rental sector continues to demonstrate resilience, underpinned by ongoing affordability challenges for homebuyers and a sustained need for high-quality rental homes.

Demand from tenants remains consistently high across much of the country, with many individuals and families opting to rent for longer due to economic considerations and lifestyle flexibility. At the same time, supply has tightened somewhat, as some landlords have reassessed their positions in response to higher borrowing costs, taxation changes, and updated regulatory requirements, including energy efficiency standards. This shift has created a more balanced, professional environment where the focus is increasingly on quality over quantity.

Encouragingly, rental growth, while still present, is beginning to stabilise in many regions. This signals a market that is maturing and finding a more sustainable

pace. Tenants are becoming more discerning and value-conscious, which is encouraging landlords to differentiate their properties through improved standards, thoughtful upgrades, and competitive pricing strategies.

Landlords who remain active in the sector are well-positioned to benefit from these

conditions. There is a growing emphasis on long-term tenant relationships, reliable income streams, and proactive property management. Investments in property condition; particularly energy efficiency improvements are proving especially valuable, helping to attract quality tenants, reduce void periods, and future-proof assets against regulatory change.

Letting agents are playing an increasingly important role in supporting both landlords and tenants. Their expertise in compliance, pricing, and tenant selection is essential in a more regulated and competitive landscape. Professional management, clear communication, and a strong understanding of local markets are helping to create smoother, more transparent renting experiences for all parties.

Overall, the 2026 lettings market is defined by adaptability and opportunity. While challenges remain, they are driving positive change across the sector. For landlords, agents, and investors who embrace these shifts, the market offers a stable and rewarding environment with strong longterm potential.

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PICTURED Sotiria Laitmer –Associate Director, Burns Hamilton

•

At Burns Hamilton, we’ve been specialising in residential lettings and property management across Bournemouth, Poole and the surrounding areas for over 55 years. As ARLA-licensed letting agents, we pride ourselves on delivering a professional, reliable and personal service to both landlords and tenants.

Whether you’re looking to let your property, searching for your next rental home, or need expert guidance throughout the tenancy process, we’re here to make the experience straightforward, efficient and stress-free.

What is Commonhold?

Burns Hamilton’s Operations Director, Emily Gray, offers expert advice.

Commonhold is often described as a simpler, fairer way of owning a flat and it is rapidly moving back into focus as proposals look to replace leasehold as the default tenure for new developments. At its simplest, commonhold allows flat owners to own their property outright on a freehold basis, with no lease expiry and no landlord sitting above them. Instead, owners collectively own and manage the shared areas through a commonhold association.

On paper, the advantages are clear. Ownership is permanent rather than diminishing over time. There is no ground rent, and costs are set more transparently through agreed budgets. Perhaps most significantly, owners have a direct say in how their building is managed, which addresses some of the longstanding frustrations associated with leasehold, particularly around control, accountability and decision-making.

However, that shift in control also brings added responsibility. Commonhold relies on owners engaging in governance, which can be challenging where there are differing priorities. Decision-making may be slower, and the need for financial discipline, particularly around reserve funds and long-term planning, is critical. There is also a practical question of capability: not all groups of owners will have the time,

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lease, meaning the leasehold framework remains in place. In commonhold, there are no leases at all: ownership is freehold from the outset, governed by a single, standardised structure.

This leads to a broader, and still unanswered, question for the sector: how different will commonhold feel in practice compared to a well-run RMC block? In many cases, the day-to-day management may look similar, particularly where resident control is already effective. Whether commonhold represents a genuine step change, or simply formalises what strong RMC-led blocks already achieve, remains to be seen.

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Block Management

What is clear is that change is coming, with a growing emphasis on transparency, control and resident involvement.

Gray FTPI AssocRICS MIoL – Operations Director, Burns Hamilton

expertise or inclination to run what is, effectively, a small organisation.

It is also important to distinguish commonhold from a structure many will already be familiar with - a Residents’ Management Company (RMC) that owns the Freehold. Whilst, leaseholders, as members of the RMC, collectively own the freehold, but each flat is still held on a

Hawthorn House, 1 Lowther Gardens, Bournemouth, BH8 8NF

WEBSITE

www.burnshamilton.co.uk

At Burns Hamilton, we are already preparing for that future. Our teams have completed the Commonhold Course from The Property Institute to build a practical understanding of how the model will operate. Whatever your current setup, leasehold, share of freehold or RMC-led, we are ready to deliver what is needed.

If you would like advice on your building or support with your current property management arrangements, Burns Hamilton is here to help.

PICTURED Emily

At Burns Hamilton we have been successfully managing communal residential and mixed-use properties in the Hampshire and Dorset area for over 55 years, offering tailored block and estate management that keeps buildings safe, compliant and well maintained.

As a Member Firm of The Property Institute, with Property Managers holding relevant industry leading qualiﬁcations, we demonstrate a clear commitment to professional standards and consistently high levels of compliance across our managed portfolio. With specialist experience working alongside freeholders, RMCs and RTM companies, we handle repairs, ensure contractor competency, service charge administration and more — all supported by a dedicated Property Manager and team who know your building inside out.

Whether you require proactive management, statutory compliance expertise or a responsive service for residents and owners alike, we deliver with professionalism and strong local insight.

Northern Irish chef Jim Moore on his BBQ tips: ‘The fire isn’t controlling us’

Barbecue extraordinaire Jim Moore shares his top grilling tips as his new cookbook, How To BBQ Everything, is released.

Can you really barbecue absolutely anything and everything? Belfast-based BBQ expert Jim Moore believes we can.

“I haven’t found anything I can’t cook on the barbecue yet,” he says with a grin. Hence his new cookbook, How To BBQ Everything, a guide to doing just that. And this is from a man who has cold smoked cream on the barbecue for Irish coffee.

Known for his Instagram account @ onlyslaggin, whether you’re a dab hand at grilling, or your fire-cooking curiosity is only just piquing, Moore’s debut recipe collection has got you covered. Just don’t expect 10 ways with hot dogs, or him waxing lyrical about the merits of the burgers most of us grew up eating at rainstricken summer barbies.

“It was burgers and hot dogs, maybe a piece of steak or a piece of chicken if we were being really adventurous, and they wouldn’t always be barbecued the best; black on the outside and raw on the inside. I think we’ve moved on an awful lot from that,” says Moore.

“Barbecuing is an event. It’s not just cooking a meal. I love the social side of getting people round, having a bit of fun and a bit of craic,” he continues. “You don’t do the same thing with air fryers.”

He says crucial to the allure of grilling is being outdoors and the “immersive” experience of “harnessing fire”, which might sound daunting to some, but follow Moore’s top tips and you’ll be a pitmaster in no time…

Don’t buy a BBQ cover

“Most barbecues don’t need a cover on them. I think of a cover as almost a mental block to actually cooking,” says Moore. “People will look out and go, ‘The cover’s on,’ and it’s one more thing for them to take off. I always tell people, don’t buy a cover for barbecue. Mine sit outside, 24/7, 365, and there’s never any issues with them.”

10 minutes, your charcoal is lit and ready to pour into your barbecue, and you’re ready to go. There’s no waiting around for an hour for things to heat up.

“Years ago, we would have thought about piling the charcoal in, heaven forbid, people would have put lighter fluid on it and all that to try and get it going,” says Moore. wincing. “There’s no requirement to do any of that these days.”

Barbecue whatever the weather

Get to grips with charcoal

“People often think, ‘I’d love to cook on charcoal. It tastes way better, but gas is so much more convenient’. But there’s loads you can do to make starting charcoal much easier,” promises Moore. “Once you get that in your head, you never go back to gas.”

He suggests using a chimney starter. “You pour charcoal into it, put a fire lighter underneath, and it works like a turbo version of the barbecue itself,” and within

“I barbecue all year round,” says Moore, who often live-posts while cooking Christmas dinner on his grill. “Some of the winter months are actually better for barbecuing, because of the moisture and the air coming through that feeds the fire.”

Rain, he admits, can be a nuisance, “but if you have the BBQ on, you can nip out to check what you’re cooking, close the lid back down again and the barbecue will look after itself.”

Remember, BBQ is not a man’s world

The idea that only men man the barbecue is on its way out. “[Roughly] 30% of my audience is female, and I don’t think that’s just because of my dashing good looks,” says Moore wryly. “My wife is involved in the barbecue and she can cook every bit just as well as I can.”

He flags writers Melissa Thompson and Genevieve Taylor, who both have exceptional grilling cookbooks of their own. “It shouldn’t be a male-dominated activity. I don’t know why it’s ever fallen into that,” says Moore. “It shouldn’t be that way. Everybody can muck in and get involved.”

Make the most of a meat probe

“I’m always telling people: cook to temperature, not time. A lot of people have fear and start the chicken in the oven and

LEFT & ABOVE

Jim Moore | Liz and Max Haarala Hamilton/PA

ABOVE

Gold Coast-style coconut and lime shrimp skewers from How to BBQ Everything by Jim Moore | Liz and Max Haarala Hamilton/PA

then move the chicken outside to the BBQ,” says Moore patiently. “You don’t need to do that because your barbecue is an oven.”

A meat thermometer will bring peace of mind and help eliminate food poisoning. “You can probe the chicken at several different points, and you know when you hit 75 degrees, that the chicken’s fully cooked the whole way through,” says Moore. “If the packet says, ‘Cook for an hour and a half at 180 degrees’, you don’t need to do that.”

Understand air flow

Moore says he receives messages from people saying, ‘I took my eye off the ball. The temperature got away from me, so I’ve opened the lid to let the heat out.’ “You have to say, ‘Well, you’re not actually letting the heat out. What you’re doing is counterintuitive, you’re letting more oxygen in,”

says Moore, which fuels the flames and the heat. “While you let more oxygen in, the fire is getting away from you. You need to close that lid and just let it settle, let that bring the heat back down again, and then you harness it back up.”

Get your head around zones

“People will put a lot of charcoal into their barbecue, or fire up every grill on their gas barbecue, and they’ve no safe zones to go to if they get a little bit of a flare up,” explains Moore. Having hotter and cooler zones, for direct and indirect cooking, gives you options and means “we’re controlling that fire. The fire’s not controlling us”.

Have a plan

“Take your time. Think about what it is you want to do, plan your cook. Think about where you want to serve your food, and then work

backwards from there and have everything ready,” says Moore. “The more you can prep and have food ready before you put on the grill, the easier it’ll be for yourself.”

But be daring

“Try and elevate it and move on from just the burgers and hot dogs,” says Moore, who has been barbecuing a lot of lamb legs recently. “Once you’ve picked up one or two recipes in the book, you’ll be off and running, trying all manner of different things. Be a bit more adventurous.”

And one day, not too far down the line, he hopes more people get “to the point where they can cook everything on the barbecue in terms of their full dish, the sides, the dessert” – the whole delicious shebang.

ABOVE

LEFT

Jim

How To BBQ Everything by Jim Moore is published in hardback by Ebury Press, priced £25. Photography by Liz and Max Haarala Hamilton. Available now

How to BBQ Everything by Jim Moore | Liz and Max Haarala Hamilton/PA

Moore | Liz and Max Haarala Hamilton/PA

Gold Coast-style coconut and lime shrimp skewers SERVES 4-6

INGREDIENTS

900g raw prawns, heads removed and tails on 400ml tin of unsweetened coconut milk

1tbsp yellow curry powder or Thai-style red curry paste

1tbsp ground turmeric

1tbsp minced fresh ginger

1tbsp finely chopped lemongrass

1tsp dried chilli flakes, or finely sliced red chilli

3tbsp fish sauce

35g desiccated coconut or coconut flakes

Fresh lime wedges, for squeezing

Prep time: 15 minutes, plus 30 minutes–2 hours marinating | Cook time: 4-6 minutes

1. Rinse the prawns under cold running water and pat dry with kitchen paper.

2. In a bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, curry powder or paste, turmeric, ginger, lemongrass, chilli and fish sauce. Stir in the coconut. Add the prawns to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to two hours.

3. Thread the prawns onto the soaked skewers and brush lightly with the reserved marinade.

4. Place the skewers directly on the grill on a high heat (230–290°C/ 450–550°F) and cook for about two minutes per side, until the prawns are pink, firm and opaque.

5. Serve on a bed of grilled pineapple and rice, with lime wedges on the side.

STREET FOOD-STYLE: Serve with a spicy sweet chilli dipping sauce or a fresh mango salsa.

TROPICAL AUSSIE VIBES: Add chunks of grilled pineapple or green mango to the skewers.

SURF CLUB TWIST: Serve over avocado-lime slaw or wrap in a warm flatbread with a slather of coconut yoghurt

Liz and Max Haarala Hamilton/PA

Pulled pork with cider mop and tangy slaw SERVES

8-10

INGREDIENTS

2.5-3kg pork shoulder, bone-in, skin removed

3tbsp yellow mustard

3tbsp BBQ rub (see below or use your favourite blend)

240ml apple juice or cider

For the BBQ rub:

2tbsp sea salt

2tbsp soft brown sugar

1tbsp smoked paprika

1tbsp garlic granules

1tbsp onion powder

1tsp cayenne pepper

1tsp ground cumin

1tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the cider mop

sauce (optional)

240ml Magners

Irish Cider

120ml apple cider vinegar

2tbsp brown sugar

1tsp dried chilli flakes

1tsp Dijon mustard

To serve:

Soft brioche rolls, toasted, or flatbreads

Tangy slaw (red cabbage, carrot and apple tossed with cider vinegar and a pinch of sugar)

BBQ sauce or cider vinegar

Prep time: 20 minutes, plus marinating overnight (optional)

Cook time: 6-8 hours

1. Start by trimming any excess fat from the pork shoulder. Slather it all over with yellow mustard, it helps the rub stick and adds a subtle tang.

2. Mix the rub ingredients in a bowl and massage generously into the pork. Wrap tightly in cling film and chill overnight, if you’ve got the time.

3. Combine all the cider mop sauce ingredients, if using. Preheat your smoker or barbecue to 120–135°C (250–275°F) using a mix of charcoal and fruit wood like apple or cherry for a mild sweetness. If you’re using a water pan, add a splash of cider or apple juice or maybe some herbs for extra aroma. Set up for indirect cooking.

4. Place the pork shoulder directly on the grill or on a rack above the water pan. Cook with the lid down for six to eight hours, depending on size, until the internal temperature hits 92–95°C (198–203°F) and the meat feels soft and pulls apart easily.

5. Spritz with apple juice or cider every hour or so after the first two hours to keep the bark from drying out. Or mop with the cider mop every 45 minutes for a bit more tang.

6. Once cooked, remove the pork and wrap it in foil. Let it rest for at least 30 to 45 minutes. This step is crucial as resting helps all those juices settle back into the meat.

7. Using two forks or your hands (gloves help if it’s hot), shred the pork into strands, discarding any large fatty bits. Mix with any collected juices or a splash of mop sauce for moisture.

8. Pile the pork high onto toasted rolls or flatbreads. Top with a crunchy slaw and drizzle over your favourite BBQ sauce or some extra cider vinegar.

DEEP SAUCE: Add a splash of bourbon to your mop sauce for deeper flavour.

WASTE NOT: Use leftover pulled pork in mac and cheese, loaded fries or stuffed peppers. Or make tacos with lime crema and pickled onions.

Liz and Max Haarala Hamilton/PA

Crispy potato salad with mustard caper dressing

SERVES 4-6

INGREDIENTS

For the potatoes:

750g baby potatoes

1tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing (optional)

1tsp smoked paprika

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Small pinch of dried chilli flakes (optional, for heat), to serve

For the dressing:

3tbsp mayonnaise

2tbsp Greek-style yoghurt

1 garlic clove, finely grated

1tbsp capers, drained and finely chopped

1tsp Dijon mustard

Zest and juice of ½ lemon

5 spring onions, thinly sliced

30g fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

Prep time: 15 minutes, plus cooling | Cook time: 30-40 minutes

1. Add the potatoes to a saucepan of salted cold water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until fork tender. Drain and let them steam-dry in the colander for a minute or two.

2. Place the potatoes on a tray or chopping board and gently press each one with the bottom of a glass or metal cup to flatten, aim for one to one and a half centimetres thick. Let them cool slightly to firm up.

3. While the potatoes are cooling slightly, stir together the mayo, yoghurt, garlic, capers, mustard, lemon zest and juice, half the spring onions and half the parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding a touch more lemon if you like it extra zippy.

4. Preheat your barbecue for direct heat (medium-high 180-230°C/ 350-450°F). Brush the potatoes lightly with olive oil and season with smoked paprika, salt and pepper.

5. Grill the smashed potatoes directly on the grates or a griddle, turning occasionally until crispy and golden on the edges, ten to fifteen minutes depending on heat. Watch for flare-ups and move them to a cooler zone if needed. Once crisp, transfer to a baking tray and let them cool for five minutes.

6. Lightly toss the grilled potatoes with half the dressing until just coated, then pile them up on a platter. Spoon over the remaining dressing and scatter with the remaining parsley and spring onions. Finish with a crack of black pepper and maybe a few chilli flakes if you’re feeling bold. Serve warm or at room temperature with grilled chicken, ribs or just a cold cider in hand.

Liz and Max Haarala Hamilton/PA

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Made for the way you live

How Custom Creations transforms houses into beautifully functional homes

There is something deeply satisfying about a home that feels entirely yours. Not just beautiful, but personal — spaces that work effortlessly around everyday life, furniture that fits perfectly, and rooms that feel considered rather than compromised. After all, no two homes are quite the same, so why should the furniture inside them be?

That is where Custom Creations comes in.

Imagine stepping into a hallway where clever fitted storage transforms awkward under-stair space into something beautifully practical, keeping coats, shoes and everyday clutter neatly tucked away without sacrificing style. Or a bedroom where fitted wardrobes glide seamlessly from floor to ceiling, creating order

from chaos while somehow making the room feel larger and calmer. Perhaps it is a living space transformed by bespoke media units and storage solutions, thoughtfully designed to bring harmony to the everyday clutter of modern life.

Custom Creations understands that great furniture is not simply about filling a room — it is about enhancing how you live in it.

Specialising in handcrafted, bespoke furniture, Custom Creations offers tailored solutions for homeowners looking to create spaces that are practical, stylish and uniquely their own. From fitted wardrobes and media walls to home offices, bedroom furniture, kitchens and made-to-measure storage, the company works closely with clients to bring ideas to life with precision and care.

The beauty of bespoke furniture lies in the details. Awkward alcoves suddenly become useful storage. Empty corners evolve into elegant design features. Rooms that once felt cluttered or uninspiring are transformed into spaces that feel intentional and effortlessly organised. Unlike off-the-shelf furniture, custom-made pieces are designed to suit your exact measurements, taste and lifestyle — whether your preference leans towards sleek contemporary finishes or something more timeless and traditional.

For busy households, this can be genuinely lifechanging. A carefully designed fitted wardrobe can turn frantic mornings into smoother routines. A bespoke home office can make remote working more productive and comfortable. Clever storage solutions can reclaim valuable floor space and bring a sense of calm to busy family homes.

Yet perhaps the greatest benefit of working with Custom Creations is the personal approach. Rather than forcing customers to adapt to standardised designs, the team focuses on understanding individual needs, creating furniture that complements both the home and the people living in it. Every detail is considered, from finishes and materials to layout and functionality.

There is also something wonderfully reassuring about investing in furniture that is built specifically for your home rather than made to simply “make do”. Bespoke pieces are designed with longevity in mind — crafted to fit seamlessly, work harder and stand the test of time. It is an approach that not only elevates the look and feel of a space but can also add genuine practicality and value to everyday living. After all, when every inch of your home works beautifully for you, even the smallest daily routines feel that little bit easier.

Your home should tell your story. It should feel welcoming, comfortable and reflective of the life happening inside it. With thoughtfully designed, beautifully crafted furniture, Custom Creations helps turn ordinary rooms into spaces you genuinely enjoy spending time in.

Because when furniture is designed around you, home simply feels better.

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• Experience you can trust – Over 30 years specialising in loft conversions across Dorset, Hampshire and beyond.

• Free no-obligation survey – A home visit and detailed quote within 24 hours.

• Flexible options to suit every home – From full loft conversions to cost-effective non-habitable rooms and diy-friendly packages.

• All trades managed in-house – Planning, building regulations, structural work, scaffolding and waste removal handled for you.

• Velux roof windows, dormers & more – Let natural light flood your space with bespoke window installations.

5

From reading retreats to dark and moody spaces, here’s what’s gaining traction on the home front, says Sam Wylie-Southcott.

If you’re after design ideas for a decorating project, a fashion forecast and inspiration, how we dress the home defines the mood for the year ahead – and essentially sets the tone for how we want to feel and live.

“Based on insights from the 2026 Houzz UK Emerging Trends Report, homeowners are looking to make their spaces work harder, while also feeling more personal and atmospheric,” says Kiya Kelly-Paine, design expert at home and design platform, Houzz.

“With searches up for flexible kitchen layouts, reading retreats and tactile, moody interiors, this year’s trends point to a growing appetite for homes that feel both highly functional and deeply expressive.”

Focusing on what’s capturing our imagination, KellyPaine, who specialises in design trends and how people are improving their homes, shares what’s set to shape the year ahead…

Emerging interior trends for the rest of the year

RIGHT

An elegant, green reading corner

Smart kitchen zoning & layouts

People are rethinking how their kitchens are laid out and used day-to-day, highlights Kelly-Paine.

“Searches for ‘moveable kitchen island’ have risen more than ninefold, while ‘freestanding kitchen’ is also up significantly, suggesting growing interest in kitchens that feel more flexible and less fixed.”

She says they’re also seeing searches rise for ‘kitchen bar’ and ‘coffee bar’, pointing to more defined zones for hosting, drinks and everyday routines.

Storage remains a major focus too, with increased interest in ‘appliance garage’ and ‘walk-in pantry’, as we look for ways to keep hardworking kitchens feeling calm and clutter-free.

Moreover, working with a professional using tools such as a 3D floor plan can help you visualise how these features will work together, before committing to a layout.

Gema Broch, who leads Studio BN, with more than 15 years experience in high-end residential projects, says: “Flexible kitchens and movable islands are becoming increasingly important in the way we live today.

“Kitchens are no longer purely functional rooms; they are social spaces, workspaces and family hubs, so adaptability is key.”

A movable or freestanding island gives clients the freedom to reconfigure the space depending on how they live, outlines Broch. “This flexibility is especially valuable in open-plan homes and smaller kitchens, where maintaining a sense of flow is essential.

LEFT

A flexible kitchen layout pairs a generous island with calm, concealed storage, showing how zoning can help a busy kitchen feel both practical and beautifully organised | Studio BN/PA

RIGHT

Mid-century modern kitchen with island, black and white cabinets, white quartz and walnut accents | Alamy/PA

These are kitchens with ability to evolve, allowing pieces to adapt both within the space, and even from home to home, notes Broch. “From a design perspective, movable islands also help kitchens feel less rigid and more layered.

“Mixing fitted cabinetry with freestanding elements creates warmth, character and a more timeless feel, avoiding the overly built-in look that can date quickly,” she adds.

Reading retreats

There’s also a swing towards quiet, dedicated spaces for reading and switching off, says Kelly-Paine, with searches for ‘alcove bookcase’ rising sharply.

While ‘small library’, ‘cosy snug’, and ‘reading nook’ are also on the up.

She says they’re also seeing this reflected in the kinds of photos people are saving, with built-in shelving, layered lighting and intimate seating areas proving popular.

“The data suggests homeowners aren’t necessarily looking for large libraries, but rather thoughtful pockets of space that feel personal, calm and separate from busier areas of the home.”

For anyone looking to create a reading nook, she says this space should feel one of the most relaxing areas. “It’s a place to unwind, a quiet corner with good natural lighting, and a lamp for reading into the evening.”

Alex Findlater of Alex Findlater, who’s been delivering full construction projects for the past 25 years, says: “Comfortable seating, nearby bookshelves, and a few plants would really give the space the warm, inviting feel it needs. Alcoves can be awkward spaces, and every property has alcoves of different shapes and sizes… our bespoke joinery allows these unused areas to become beautifully integrated, functional features that feel seamless within the room.”

ABOVE

A built-in bookcase and relaxed seating area turn this living space into an inviting reading retreat, creating a quiet spot to switch off | Alex Findlater/PA

RIGHT

A deep colour palette, rich timber and layered lighting give this games room a cocooning feel, showing how darker tones can bring warmth, character and atmosphere to a space | Carol Crowe Interior Design/PA

Modern organic and tactile textures

Minimalism is becoming more moderate as we gravitate towards interiors that feel warm, natural and tactile, highlights Kelly-Paine.

“Searches for ‘modern organic’ are up, alongside strong growth for materials and finishes such as ‘stone wall’, ‘limewash’, ‘natural stone’ and ‘Venetian plaster’.

“These elements bring depth and texture to neutral spaces, creating interiors that feel grounded rather than stark.

“With designs featuring layered neutrals, raw materials and subtle surface variation, rather than flat or highly polished finishes.”

For anyone who’s unsure how these finishes will work together, Kelly-Paine says mood boards can help bring the palette, materials and textures into one clear visual direction.

Roxi Zeeman, founder of Souq.Studio, who has specialised in interior design for nearly 20 years, says:

“There’s a clear move away from anything that looks too perfect… clients want surfaces that feel lived in –limewashed walls, plaster, honed stone and raw timber.

“It’s a softer, more tactile luxury that elevates everyday lifestyles,” she explains. “These materials bring depth and quiet character to a space, making even the most paredback interiors feel warm, personal and considered.”

Dark and moody spaces

While some of us are embracing soft, natural textures, others are leaning into deeper, more dramatic interiors, suggests Kelly-Paine.

Indeed, she says searches for ‘moody living room’ and ‘forest green’ have more than doubled, while ‘black bedroom’, ‘dark green bedroom’, ‘dark ceiling’ and ‘dark wood’ are also gaining traction.

ABOVE

A warm mix of natural textures, soft neutrals and exposed timber brings depth to this living space, reflecting the modern organic look in a calm, understated way | Souq.Studio/Anna Stathaki Photography/PA

Carol Crowe, founder of Carole Crowe Interior Design, a BIID Associate member (British Institute of Interior Design), with five years of experience running her own design practice, says: “I think the growing interest in darker, moodier interiors reflects a wider desire for homes that feel more grounded, cocooning and emotionally restorative.

“Darker tones, when used thoughtfully, can create depth, intimacy and a real sense of calm.

“It’s less about making a room feel dramatic for the sake of it, and more about using colour, light, texture and contrast to create a space that feels rich, personal and deeply comfortable to live in.”

Spatial optimism

We’re finding clever ways to make every inch count, underlines Kelly-Paine, “with a surge in interest for ‘under stairs pantry’, ‘hidden utility’, and ‘under stairs bar’.

“There’s also a continued interest in ‘broken plan’, which points to a desire for layouts that create distinct areas without losing light or flow.”

Murphy beds and container home are also proving popular, and there’s a trend for flexible solutions beyond the main living areas, says Kelly-Paine. “Whether that’s a guest room which serves more than one purpose, or a separate standalone space.”

William Durrant, director and designer of Herringbone House, with more than a decade in the cabinet and furniture manufacturing industry, says: “Everyone is looking to utilise their space the best they can.

“Under-stairs cabinetry is a great way to incorporate more storage, and we’ve used this space to create bars, shoe storage, pantries, wardrobes and wine storage,” he says confidently.

Words by Sam Wylie-Southcott, Press Association

ABOVE

A walk-in pantry and breakfast station sit neatly behind a wall of cabinetry, showing how smart storage can help every inch of a kitchen work harder | Herringbone Kitchens/PA

Why solar panels shouldn’t be ‘fit and forget’ for homeowners

For many homeowners, installing solar panels is viewed as a smart, long-term investment — helping to reduce energy bills, improve sustainability and potentially add value to a property. Yet once panels are installed, many people assume they will simply continue working efficiently for years without any further attention. In reality, solar systems should never be considered a ‘fit and forget’ feature of the home.

a property rather than installing them themselves. While panels may look perfectly fine from the ground, there are important questions worth asking: Were they installed correctly? Are they compliant with current standards? Have they been professionally maintained?

Like any major investment, solar panels benefit from regular maintenance and professional inspections to ensure they remain safe, compliant and operating at peak performance.

As solar energy becomes increasingly common across the UK, more homeowners are inheriting systems when purchasing

Without the proper checks, it can be difficult to know the true condition of an existing solar system — or whether it is delivering the performance homeowners expect.

This is where specialist support can make all the difference. Dorset-based specialists Tincleton Solar Systems work

with homeowners to inspect, maintain and assess solar installations, helping to provide reassurance that systems are both safe and operating efficiently. Whether panels have recently been installed or have been on a property for several years, regular inspections can uncover issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Even a well-installed system can develop faults over time. Wiring can deteriorate, inverters may become less efficient, roof fixings can require attention, and weather exposure may affect components. Dirt, debris and shading can also significantly reduce performance without homeowners

PICTURED ABOVE

John Scott, owner of Tincleton Solar Systems

even realising. In many cases, a system may still appear to be functioning, but energy generation could be considerably lower than expected — meaning households are not getting the financial return they anticipated.

A professional inspection can identify hidden faults before they become more costly problems. Tincleton Solar Systems offers homeowners peace of mind by assessing the condition, performance and safety of solar installations, ensuring systems continue to meet required standards and work effectively for the property owner.

This can be especially valuable when buying a home with existing solar panels. While surveys may identify visible structural concerns, they do not always assess the detailed condition or compliance of a solar installation. For new homeowners, arranging a professional inspection can help answer key questions about installation quality, safety and long-term reliability — reducing the risk of unexpected surprises after moving in.

Insurance is another important factor that many homeowners may not have considered.

As solar technology becomes more common, insurers are paying closer attention to how systems are installed and maintained. Documentation showing that a solar installation has been professionally inspected can provide valuable reassurance that the system meets safety and compliance expectations. In some cases, a lack of evidence around installation quality or maintenance history could potentially complicate claims should issues arise.

Ultimately, solar panels are designed to provide long-term benefits, but maintaining performance, safety and efficiency requires more than simply having them installed and hoping for the best. EMAIL info@tincleton.co.uk

Regular inspections and maintenance can help homeowners protect their investment, maximise energy generation and ensure systems remain safe and compliant for years to come.

For homeowners who already have solar panels — or those purchasing a property with an existing system — Tincleton Solar Systems can provide expert inspections, maintenance and advice to ensure everything is performing as it should.

Peace of mind starts with knowing your solar investment is safe, compliant and working hard for your home.

To find out more or arrange a professional inspection, contact Tincleton Solar Systems and speak to the experts. WEBSITE www.tincleton.co.uk

IN 6 WEEKS www.tuscanyblinds.uk

We are specialists with over 30 years experience supplying and fitting blinds, shutters and awnings. A family owned business based in Bournemouth, we service the Dorset and Hampshire area. We offer stylish blinds and shutters for the home, as well as commercial blinds and shutters.

Where nature meets design

Why great landscape design begins with the way you want to live outdoors

A beautifully designed garden is never simply “outside space”. It is an extension of the home — a place to pause, gather, breathe and reconnect. The best landscapes feel instinctive, as though they have always belonged, seamlessly weaving together architecture, nature and the rhythms of everyday life.

This is where The Landscape Service quietly transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary.

Award-winning and design-led, The Landscape Service approaches gardens with both creativity and precision. Working across Hampshire, Dorset and beyond, the team specialises in landscape and garden design for private homes, commercial settings and public spaces, crafting environments that feel as considered as the interiors they surround. From initial concepts and planting plans to full build coordination and project management, every detail is approached thoughtfully, ensuring each space feels harmonious and beautifully resolved.

Yet what makes truly exceptional landscape design is not simply appearance — it is emotion. A garden should feel something. It should invite long lunches that stretch into evening, quiet mornings with coffee in hand, children darting across open lawns or moments of stillness surrounded by movement and greenery. The Landscape Service understands this beautifully, Imagine stepping through sliding doors onto a terrace softened by layered planting, where textures shift gently with the seasons and every pathway seems to lead somewhere meaningful. Perhaps it is a sculptural garden designed to frame contemporary architecture, or a peaceful retreat where natural forms, soft movement and carefully curated planting create a sanctuary from the pace of modern life. At its best, landscape design becomes art you can step into — immersive, functional and deeply personal.

designing outdoor spaces around the people who will live in them.

Planting design also plays an essential role, introducing softness, structure and seasonality in ways that elevate the entire experience of a space. Whether contemporary and architectural or abundant and naturalistic, every scheme feels curated rather than imposed, allowing gardens to evolve gracefully over time.

Because the most inspiring outdoor spaces do more than look beautiful — they change how a home feels. Thoughtfully designed landscapes blur the boundary between indoors and out, transforming gardens into places that inspire, restore and quietly enrich everyday life.

MOTORING NEWS

Mark Sla tells us the late news on all things motoring.

MG HS HYBRID+AN IRRESISTIBLE CHOICE?

With the news that Spain has benefitted over the original home of MG for the company’s first return to Europe it seems a good point to have a look at one of MGs best selling models. With few exceptions the MG HS Hybrid+ ticks every box you could want for a spacious, comfortable, well equipped and value for money SUV.

The HS range offers petrol, Hybrid and Plugin Hybrid power options with the base of a 1.5-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder, 16-valve petrol engine. There’s 6-speed manual, DCT 7-speed auto and a sophisticated 2-speed automatic gearbox that works with the electric motor on the hybrid models. Lots of choice and cleverly offering something for everyone whether you’re an EV fan, a halfway house PHEV or HEV or a dyed-inthe-wool petrol driver.

Two trim levels in the Hybrid+ - SE and Trophy – with lots of standard equipment on both models and prices starting from £29,495. Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear privacy glass, rear view camera, LED lights, power driver’s seat,

powered and heated door mirrors, adaptive cruise control and auto lights and wipers. Move up to the £31,995 Trophy and the list grows even longer.

The practicality of the HS is excellent with big ticks in the headroom, legroom front and rear, oddment stowage plus luggage space. It’s also a very nice place to be and in Trophy form you can specify a tan interior that has 12/10 in the looks department. Plenty of adjustment means most drivers should find a comfortable position and the seating is extremely comfortable.

The only downside – as with so many cars – is the fact there is too much touchscreen and not enough physical buttons. The touchscreen in the HS is also a little slow to respond. This was an issue with the first MGs and I thought they had resolved it but it seems to have reappeared.

On the road the Hybrid+ is a delight with firm but sufficiently compliant suspension, refined and smooth power delivery thanks to the amalgam of petrol and electric power and sufficient performance to pass slower traffic with alacrity.

The HS Hybrid+, especially with the right colour choice and that Trophy model tan interior looks a far more expensive car than it is in reality. Even in lead-in SE form it’s a great purchase for anyone looking at family transport or outdoor pursuits owner. It may not hold its value to the degree European rivals will but looking at the initial price and the package as a whole it’s an almost irresistible choice.

We’ll source the perfect vehicle, Coach.

The scouting department is working around the clock.

That’s refreshingly straightforward.

Everything explained clearly.

FORD CAPRI

PREMIUM – IS FORD BACK?

If you’re of a certain age then you’ll probably remember the 1970/80s Ford Capri and the advertising strapline ‘The car you always promised yourself’. Re-launching a former model name can be tricky for car makers given certain buyers will always view the original car through rose-tinted glasses.

In Ford’s case the latest Capri bears no resemblance to the original, it’s an allelectric Coupe SUV and a rather good one too. Its chunky and solid profile reflects the SUV image while a more rakish roofline speaks to the coupe element of the name.

Prices start from £36,985, peaking at £52,055, with four trim levels, rear-wheeldrive or all-wheel-drive options and both standard and extended range. Dependant on model choice there are three battery sizes and a dual motor with the all-wheeldrive versions.

Standard fare across the range includes 19” alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, navigation, dual zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors plus a rear-view camera and rear privacy glass.

Higher trim levels add larger alloys, panoramic roof, premium 10-speaker Bang and Olufsen audio system with sound bar and subwoofer, keyless entry and start, hands-free power tailgate, wireless phone charging, heated seats and steering wheel and powered, heated and folding door mirrors. The combined range varies from 271 miles through to 390 miles with power outputs of 190PS up to 340PS depending on model power and drive choices.

Therefore, the first plus point for the Capri is the range of options in terms of power outputs, drive and battery choices. Inside the Capri the space for both occupants and their luggage is excellent and it’s a stylish interior too. Both the Capri and Explorer (almost a sister car from Ford) share a lot of VW underpinnings, but the Capri does drive and handle well compared to some rival EVs.

It’s not outright sporty but still entertaining given the right roads. There are four driving mode profiles – Normal, ECO, Sport, Individual and in AWD models Traction, designed to adjust steering, accelerator and powertrain response.

The large central screen has good clarity but as with so many cars the relative lack of proper buttons makes life a bit annoying. Familiarity would of course make life easier. In front of the driver the screen is smaller and rather too busy. Given its price point the interior as a whole doesn’t feel particularly premium even though well-equipped.

All-in-all the Capri makes a good play for potential EV Coupe SUV buyers looking for space, practicality, equipment and, although subjective, a different style to many of the rather analogous looking rivals. It may be controversial to some, but after a period of losing some of its best-selling and most loved models I think Ford is back!

KIA UPDATES PV5 LINE-UP AND REVEALS CARGO LINE-UP

Kia has expanded its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) line-up with the introduction of the PV5 Passenger 7-seat, a new ‘Elite’ grade and key updates.

The PV5 Passenger 7-seat is aimed at a wide range of audiences, from family and group travel to ride-hailing and taxi services, including airport transfers, commercial shuttles and other shared mobility applications.

Expanding beyond the existing 5-seat variant, the PV5 Passenger 7-seat brings three rows of seating, a low step-in height, combined with sliding doors for easy access to the second and third row seating.

The PV5 Passenger 5-seat will continue to be available with both the Standard Range 51.5kWh and Long Range 71.2kWh battery options, while the PV5 Passenger 7-seat is exclusively available with the Long Range 71.2kWh battery in the UK.

Like all PV5 variants, the front-mounted charging port adds an extra layer of practicality, allowing recharging without obstructing access to the passenger or cargo area. The PV5 Passenger is also equipped with Kia’s Vehicle-to-Load (V2L)* technology on ‘Plus’ and ‘Elite’ grades, allowing the electric vehicle to power external devices using an internal or external socket.

From launch, the PV5 Passenger has been available with two grades; ‘Essential’ and ‘Plus’. These are now joined by a new high-spec ‘Elite’ grade that includes as

standard electric sliding doors with power door latch, ventilated front seats, surround view monitor, blind spot view monitor, park distance warning (side sensors), 2-tone full PU upholstery and premium paint.

Pricing for the PV5 Passenger in the UK now starts from £33,195 with the 5-seat Elite model from £39,675.

At the same time Kia’s making MY27 updates to the PV5 Cargo range. Driver comfort takes a noticeable step forward with standard lumbar support and a driver’s height-adjustable armrest (two -seat configuration only). Cabin refinement also improves thanks to a new composite bulkhead, while three -seats becomes standard – initially exclusive to the Cargo L2/H1 – with two-seats a no-cost option.

A new Cargo L1/H1 becomes the entry point to the PV5 Cargo line-up, with prices starting from £27,355 (+VAT).

FORD CAPRI

PREMIUM – IS FORD BACK?

KIA UPDATES PV5 LINE-UP AND REVEALS CARGO LINE-UP

Kia has expanded its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) line-up with the introduction of the PV5 Passenger 7-seat, a new ‘Elite’ grade and key updates.

From launch, the PV5 Passenger has been available with two grades; ‘Essential’ and ‘Plus’. These are now joined by a new high-spec ‘Elite’ grade that includes as

Pricing for the PV5 Passenger in the UK now starts from £33,195 with the 5-seat Elite model from £39,675.

A new Cargo L1/H1 becomes the entry point to the PV5 Cargo line-up, with prices starting from £27,355 (+VAT).

HONDA PRELUDE – THE RIGHT WAY TO BRING BACK A SPORTING COUPE FROM THE PAST

So many old motoring names are revived, often in a completely different guise to their original, can prove a tricky task for car makers. People of a certain age will remember those originals and inevitably may view them through somewhat rosetinted glasses.

Honda have been rather clever though with their relaunch of the Prelude name in that it’s not an SUV with electric power, as certain other car makers have done, the Prelude has been relaunched as the original, a coupe.

In this new guise the Prelude, to most of those who commented on my test model, is a handsome looking car. Power

comes from a 2.0-litre petrol engine with dul electric motors mated to an e-CVT automatic gearbox.

On the road the Prelude is a smooth and refined drive. Even the characteristic CVT rise in engine revs, and a consequent increase in noise, is more subdued than usual in the Prelude. The handling is assured and the ride compliant enough to soak up the tortuous bumps and potholes in our roads. Four driving modes – Custom, GT, Sport and Comfort – plus S+Shift which simulates gearchanges from the CVT gearbox.

As ever with Honda the build quality is superb and although the Prelude isn’t a luxurious interior it feels suitably premium and tactile. Space for front seat occupants is excellent, ditto the seat comfort, and there’s a decent range of adjustment. Even in the rear it’s not as constricted as you

might imagine. It’s only headroom that causes potential issues for taller occupants.

Standard equipment is good, there’s a single model at £41,595, with smart entry and start, rear view camera with both front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise, auto lights with high beam assist, auto wipers, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a pretty decent sound system with Bose speakers.

Performance-wise the Prelude isn’t especially quick, albeit certainly quick enough, with the benchmark 62 mph reached in just 8 seconds. As with many interesting cars speed doesn’t necessarily equate to enjoyment. The Prelude is a perfect example of this, it’s a car that’s more than capable of putting a smile on your face but at the same time has great useability for everyday travels.

Good looks, excellent build quality, practicality and enjoyment aplenty behind the wheel. It’s rare to find a car that ticks all these boxes and it’s a credit to Honda that despite the recent loss of the Civic Type R they can still produce a car that stands out from the crowd of rather homogeneous models we tend to see nowadays.

Door Servicing

Prevent breakdowns

Safety inspections

Repairs and replacements

Emergency call-outs

Service contracts

Dorset Opera Festival returns with two operatic masterpieces

Dorset Opera Festival, 21st - 25th July 2026

The Dorset Opera Festival takes place annually in late July, bringing together over 240 professional musicians and volunteers from around the world. Founded in 1974, the Festival has now been delighting audiences for more than five decades and continues to thrive at its home at Bryanston — the renowned school set in 400 beautiful acres near Blandford Forum.

This year, the Festival presents two contrasting operatic masterpieces: SaintSaëns’ Samson et Dalila, featuring some of the most sumptuous music in the French operatic repertoire, including the famous Bacchanale; and Donizetti’s sparkling comedy L’elisir d’amore, a heartwarming tale of love, mistaken identities and a magical potion, featuring the beloved tenor aria Una furtiva lagrima.

Over five decades, Dorset Opera has achieved remarkable milestones: a World Stage Première of a Donizetti opera, eight British Stage Premières, a World Première recording, and a full-scale opera commission for its 50th year. It has staged rare works too, including the British Stage Première of Puccini’s Turandot (with Luciano Berio’s completion) in 2007.

In 2023, the Festival was nominated at the International Opera Awards in Warsaw for its production of Massenet’s Le Roi de Lahore. Dorset Opera has been recognised as a Massenet specialist, with acclaimed productions of Hérodiade, Le Cid, and Le Roi de Lahore — all gems of French Grand Opera.

The Festival receives prestigious funding from the Laidlaw Opera Trust, one of the few UK opera companies to be awarded this honour, further recognising its outstanding quality.

Book easily online at dorsetopera.com or call the Box Office on 07570 366186. Guests can pre-order picnics or bring their own; relax at the Marquee Bar, or enjoy formal dining on 23 and 25 July. Ample free parking is available for all visitors.

PICTURED ABOVE

Picnicking at Dorset Opera Festival

PICTURED ABOVE

Cavalleria Rusticana, Dorset Opera Festival 2025 |

THE DORSET OPER A

MMXXV I

President: Sir Mark Elder CH CBE

The home of Country House opera in South West England featuring renowned soloists, a full orchestra and a large chorus of emerging young artists

Marquee Bar | Picnics | Formal Dining

Gaetano Donizetti

L’ELISIR D’AMORE

21, 24, 25 July at 19:00 | 23 July at 14:00

Camille Saint-Saëns

SAMSON et DALILA

22, 23 July at 19:00 | 25 July at 14:00

The Secret to Timeless Confidence: Why More Women Are Discovering HIFU

There is a moment many women recognise. You feel well. You feel energetic and capable and completely yourself. And then you catch your reflection at the wrong angle and think that is not quite how I feel inside.

Elegant Clinic is based in Canford Cliffs, Poole and is led by founder and Clinical Director Shikha Rishi, an independent prescribing pharmacist with more than a decade of experience in aesthetics and healthcare.

It is one of the most common things we hear at Elegant Clinic And it is exactly the conversation that led so many of our clients to HIFU

What sets Elegant Clinic apart is the approach. Every client begins with a thorough consultation, not to sell a treatment but to understand the whole picture. Shikha assesses not just what you can see on the surface but what is happening structurally beneath it. The recommendation that follows is always honest, always personalised and always in your best interest.

HIFU High Intensity Focused Ultrasound is one of the most advanced non-surgical skin treatments available today Unlike treatments that work on the surface of the skin, HIFU delivers focused ultrasound energy to the deeper structural layers, stimulating the body's own collagen production from within.

The result is a gradual, natural improvement in skin firmness, lift and definition. No surgery. No downtime No dramatic change overnight Just skin that progressively looks more like the version of you that matches how you actually feel.

E x p e c t ?

If you have noticed changes in skin firmness, facial definition or overall skin quality, a consultation at Elegant Clinic is the ideal place to start.

Because HIFU works by stimulating the body's own regenerative processes, results develop over the weeks and months following treatment Many clients notice:

·A more defined jawline · Firmer skin around the cheeks Improved facial contours Reduced skin laxity · Smoother overall skin texture The results are natural and understated which, for most of our clients, is precisely the point.

Shikha and her team will assess your individual concerns, explain exactly how HIFU works for your specific skin and advise whether it is the right treatment for your goals. There is no obligation and no pressure Just an honest conversation with a medically led team that genuinely cares about your results

Because sometimes the most powerful confidence boost comes from simply looking as vibrant as you feel B

Elegant Clinic 38 Haven Road, Canford Cliffs, Poole BH13

�� 07716 818848 www.elegantclinic.co.uk W h a t I s H I F U ?

TRAIN ELITE: BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE FITNESS COMMUNITY

Embrace personal growth, connect with likeminded individuals and achieve your fitness goals

Are you looking for more than just a gym? A place where you can thrive in a supportive and inclusive community while working towards your fitness goals? Look no further than Train Elite, the thriving fitness haven in Bournemouth that has redefined the meaning of a fitness centre. Here at Train Elite, we have made it our mission to create an environment that fosters personal growth, lasting connections, expert guidance, and, most importantly, a sense of belonging for everyone who walks through our doors.

Strength in Numbers: Power of Community

At the heart of Train Elite lies the incredible power of community. We firmly believe that shared goals and unwavering support can drive remarkable transformations. Whether your aim is to shed pounds, gain strength, or improve overall fitness, our community members uplift and motivate each other on their unique fitness journeys. Witness the unparalleled synergy that arises when individuals with a common purpose come together.

Join the Train Elite community today

We invite you to come and experience Train Elite first hand. Step inside our facility, meet our passionate team, and take advantage of our complimentary 3-session trial. Discover a fitness community that goes beyond the ordinary, where personal growth, lasting connections, expert guidance, inclusivity, and fun converge to help you achieve your fitness goals.

The restaurant you’ll want to return to

Why Bates Restaurant has become a favourite for memorable dining

There are restaurants you visit once, and then there are restaurants that quietly become part of life’s best moments — the birthday dinners, anniversary lunches, catch-ups with friends and those spontaneous “shall we just go out?” evenings when cooking feels far too ambitious. Bates Restaurant sits firmly in the second category.

Tucked away in Charminster, Bates has built its reputation not through gimmicks or fleeting food trends, but by doing something wonderfully simple: serving excellent food in genuinely welcoming surroundings. Family-run and proudly local, the restaurant offers the kind of atmosphere that immediately encourages you to settle in, relax and stay a little longer.

At the heart of Bates is a menu designed to please just about everyone. Whether you fancy perfectly cooked meat or fish, are vegetarian or vegan, or need gluten-free options, there is something thoughtfully prepared waiting for you. An extensive à la carte menu sits alongside daily specials, offering diners plenty of choice without ever feeling overwhelming. And then there are the homemade desserts — because no truly memorable meal should ever end without pudding.

What makes Bates particularly special, though, is its versatility. Looking for somewhere romantic for date night? It works beautifully. Need somewhere relaxed enough for a family celebration where everyone from grandparents to teenagers leaves happy? Equally ideal. Planning a birthday, anniversary, quiet midweek supper or simply meeting friends over good food and a glass of wine? Bates feels effortlessly suited to the occasion.

There is something reassuringly timeless about a restaurant that understands dining is about more than what arrives on the plate. It is about atmosphere, service and the feeling of being genuinely looked after. Bates has clearly mastered that balance — refined enough to feel like a treat, yet comfortable enough to feel like home.

In a world increasingly full of rushed dining experiences and forgettable meals, Bates Restaurant offers something refreshingly inviting: proper hospitality, delicious food and the perfect backdrop for any occasion — big, small or somewhere in between.

CONTACT BATES RESTAURANT:

T. 01202 240 310

E. johnbates617@gmail.com

A. 350 Charminster Road, Bournemouth, BH8 9RX

www.batesrestaurant.co.uk

Why looking after your eyes should never be an afterthought

When it comes to our health, regular checkups are often seen as essential — yet eye health can sometimes fall lower on the priority list. Many people only book an appointment when they notice a problem, whether it’s struggling to read small print, headaches or changes in vision. However, routine eye examinations can play a far more important role than simply updating a prescription.

Regular eye tests can help detect early signs of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration, while also identifying wider health concerns including diabetes and high blood pressure. Early detection is key, which is why choosing an optician who offers thorough, professional care is so important.

Whiffens Opticians in Lower Parkstone has built a trusted reputation for combining personalised eye care with a wide choice of stylish eyewear. Established in 1984, the independent practice offers comprehensive eye examinations, advanced OCT eye scanning technology, prescription glasses, contact lenses and sunglasses for patients of all ages.

Of course, glasses today are about much more than simply helping us see clearly — they are also part of personal style.

Choosing the right frames can transform confidence and complement personality, which is why having access to both expert advice and a broad range of options matters.

Whiffens Opticians offers everything from practical everyday frames to sought-after designer collections, helping customers find eyewear that feels comfortable, looks great and suits individual lifestyles. With recognised brands including Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren and Ray-Ban, there are options to suit a variety of tastes and budgets.

What often sets an independent optician apart is the level of service. Rather than feeling rushed, patients can benefit from tailored advice, support when choosing frames and aftercare to ensure glasses remain comfortable and properly fitted.

Whether it’s time for a routine eye examination, updating your prescription or investing in a stylish new pair of designer glasses, taking care of your vision should never be overlooked. Whiffens Opticians offers expert care alongside fashionable eyewear, helping customers not only see better but feel confident doing so.

After all, healthy eyes deserve the same attention as the rest of your wellbeing.

CONTACT

01202 771144

whiffensopticians.co.uk

ADDRESS

Whiffens Opticians, 2 Bournemouth Road, Ashley Cross, BH14 0ES

‘I

was destined to be a chef’: How Theo Randall’s ‘love affair for Italian food’ started

Theo Randall tells Eleanor Fleming about his earliest food memories, his career and the best ingredients for cooking Italian dishes.

Chef Theo Randall says his earliest memories centre around food – from his mother’s cooking to having pizza for the first time and tasting the “beautiful combination” of olives, cheese and tomato.

However, his true “love affair for Italian food” started in the late Eighties when he started working at The River Cafe restaurant in London, which opened in 1987.

“At the time, London restaurants were doing veal Milanese with spaghetti, or they were doing spaghetti bolognese, and it’s just not real Italian food,” he tells the Press Association.

“It was like that for a long time, until The River Cafe came along and it all changed. It was perfect timing in some ways – and so my love affair for Italian food started.”

Growing up, Randall says his family often holidayed in Italy and France and his late mother “cooked all the time” at home.

Describing her as an “amazing cook”, he says she would make bread several times a week and bake every Sunday, too.

This meant his school packed lunches were often very different to his peers’. “I was a kid who went to school with the homemade bread with Gorgonzola sandwich,” he says. “Everyone else had Mothers Pride (bread) and ham and a packet of Skips.

“My memory is all about food. I mean, I was destined to be a chef, I suppose.”

He says one of the greatest lessons he learned from his mother was “always trust your instinct” – and he has followed this throughout his life.

He started off washing dishes in a restaurant aged 15, before joining The River Cafe in 1989.

After a brief stint at Chez Panisse under Alice Waters, he returned to London to take up the role of head chef at The River Cafe and remained there for 15 years.

He left in 2016 to launch his first restaurant, Theo Randall at the InterContinental.

“I had this love affair with being in a restaurant, which was just so wonderful –the people and the Italian food – and it just became a learning curve,” he says.

“It was this incredible time, and the Italian food just really hit me. I was making pasta, making gnocchi, making amazing soups, these slow-cooked stews, these things cooked on spits. It was just real food.”

From his own experiences, Randall feels dining out is often “more elaborate than it needs to be” nowadays, whether that is the presentation or ingredients used to give a dish its “wow feeling”.

However, for him, especially when it comes to Italian food and the different regions, he wants to enjoy the local food with no frills.

While there are “fancy restaurants” to visit, he suggests Italian food has become overcomplicated – and sometimes, there is no need to “jazz it up”.

“I think that’s the key thing about Italian food, it’s about regionality,” he says. “Italian food is not pizza and pasta, Italian food is very complex. The Italians are very confident in what they do and they’re very confident in the way they eat.

Randall is now about to release his sixth cookbook, The Italian Table, which is described as a vibrant celebration of regional Italian food.

I wanted to make sure this book was as precise to the original as possible.”

Featuring location photography shot in Italy, Randall says the images help root the recipes in the places and traditions behind them.

He says he was “inspired” to include photographs of his own recipes as he believes people “cook from what they see”, and he hopes this book brings the spirit of la dolce vita into every kitchen.

“(With the cookbook and photography), you get that feel that it is homely,” he says. “Yes, there is a setting – there’s a table, there’s a spoon, there’s the glasses, everything – but it’s very inviting. It doesn’t make you think, ‘Oh my God, I can’t do that’.

“This is how you would have it at home, how you would eat at home, so you look at this book, you go home and you think, ‘I’m going to cook dinner tonight… I’m going to cook it like that’.”

“They don’t care if it’s a plate of mussels or plate of clams and there’s no parsley or there’s no garnish or anything. They just want to eat those clams, they want to taste it.

“These recipes are sacred and you don’t really want to muck around with them.”

For those wanting to cook at home, Randall says olive oil, good-quality tomatoes and fresh herbs are key ingredients for Italian dishes.

He says many of his cookbooks are now “covered in tomato sauce and olive oil”, showing how well-loved they are, and his interactions with cookbooks over the years have inspired him to write his own.

Featuring 100 recipes, the book is structured as a classic Italian meal, moving from Antipasti, Primi, Secondi, Contorni and Dolci.

From Tuscan Ribollita and classic Amatriciana to handmade pastas and bold regional specialities, the recipes focus on honest ingredients and techniques.

“All my cookbooks – and this is my sixth cookbook – are designed for people who love to eat and cook at home,” Randall says.

“This is the first cookbook I’ve done where it’s all about classic Italian dishes, dishes that come from certain regions, and so

The Italian Table by Theo Randall is published by Quadrille, priced at £28. Photography by Lizzie Mayson.

Words by Eleanor Fleming, Press Association

ABOVE

Pollo alla Romana (Roman-style chicken) from The Italian Table | Lizzie Mayson/PA

ABOVE

Theo Randall | Lizzie Mayson/PA

INGREDIENTS

200g sliced guanciale or pancetta, diced or cut into matchsticks

6 egg yolks

75g Pecorino Romano, grated, plus extra to serve

75g Parmesan, grated

500g dried spaghettoni

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Spaghettoni alla carbonara SERVES 4

1. Cook the guanciale or pancetta in a large, hot frying pan until crispy. Remove and keep to one side, but keep the fat in the pan.

2. In a bowl, mix the egg yolks, grated Pecorino and Parmesan together with a fork so you have a thick mixture that is well combined. Keep to one side.

3. Cook the spaghettoni in a large saucepan of boiling salted water for two minutes less than the packet suggests.

4. Remove the spaghettoni with a pair of tongs and add to the frying pan with the fat remaining from cooking the guanciale.

5. Place over a medium heat and add a ladle of pasta cooking water, then remove from the heat and spoon the egg yolk mixture into the pan. Stir together until everything is emulsified. If it feels a little dry, add another ladle of pasta water.

6. Return to a low heat, stirring or tossing all the time, so the pasta has a creamy consistency, then add half the crispy guanciale and mix to combine.

INGREDIENTS

25g unsalted butter

500g panettone, cut into 2cm thick slices

3 eggs

75g caster sugar

Seeds from 1 vanilla pod (bean)

250ml milk

175ml double cream

To serve:

Vanilla gelato

Amaretto or Frangelico

7. Divide the pasta between warmed pasta bowls and scrape out all the sauce on to each dish, using a spatula. Divide the remaining crispy guanciale between the dishes and finish off with plenty of black pepper. Serve with a little extra grated Pecorino.

Panettone al forno (baked panettone) SERVES

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C fan/180°C/350°F/Gas mark four. Grease an earthenware baking dish with the butter.

2. Lightly toast the panettone until it has a little colour. You can do this in a toaster or under the grill.

3. Layer the toasted panettone in the buttered oven dish, overlapping each slice.

4. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together so the sugar dissolves, then add the vanilla seeds, milk and cream. Whisk well until everything is combined.

5. Pour over the toasted panettone and place the dish in a roasting tin, then half-fill the tin with hot water. Place the tin in the oven and cook for 25 minutes until the creamy custard is just set.

6. Take out of the oven and leave to cool a little, then serve warm with some very good vanilla gelato and a dash of amaretto or Frangelico.

Lizzie Mayson/PA

Pollo alla Romana (Roman-style chicken) SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

100g plain flour

8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

4tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 white onion, finely chopped

2 red peppers, deseeded and finely chopped

2 yellow peppers, deseeded and finely chopped

1 large fennel bulb, finely chopped

1tsp fresh thyme leaves

150ml dry white wine

400g tomato passata

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the gremolata:

3tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley

Zest of 1 lemon

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C fan/180°C/350°F/Gas mark four.

2. Place the flour on a dinner plate and season with salt and black pepper. Place the chicken thighs in the flour and turn over so they are all covered in the seasoned flour.

3. Put the olive oil into a large, hot, ovenproof frying pan and lightly brown off the floured chicken thighs. Take out of the pan and place on a plate to one side. Use some kitchen paper to wipe out the pan.

4. Put the onion, peppers, fennel and thyme into the hot pan you browned the chicken in, along with a generous pinch of salt. Cook over a low heat for 10 minutes, then add the wine and reduce for two minutes before adding the passata. Bring to a simmer then take off the heat.

5. Place the browned chicken thighs in the pan and spoon over the vegetables and sauce so all the chicken thighs are covered.cPlace a piece of baking parchment on top and then cover with foil so the foil is very tightly covering the pan, with no gaps.

6. Place in the oven and cook for 50 minutes, then remove from the oven and place to one side for 15 minutes before serving. Check the sauce for seasoning and mix the gremolata ingredients together.

7. Serve two thighs each with a generous amount of sauce and some gremolata, in warmed, deep plates with some braised greens and cooked lentils.

Lizzie Mayson/PA

FESTIVAL

14TH - 16TH AUGUST 2026 BRIDPORT, DORSET

DUB PISTOLS • FEROCIOUS DOG • DR MEAKER

N-TRANCE • DAVE PEARCE • BEZ (HAPPY MONDAYS) DJ SET

BRANDON BLOCK • FREESTYLERS • FUNKE AND THE TWO TONE Baby

GAZ BROOKFIELD

• BLACK WATER COUNTY • SAMANTICs

CAPTAIN • THE LEGGOMEN • MISCHA & THE MERRY MANY

STILLYANO • RIBBLE • CHRIS PAYN & THE PARADE

MOTHER UKERS • SHELBY’S ELBOWS • THE TRANSITIONS

World Class TRIBUTES FROM FOO FIGHTERS • THE KILLERS • ARCTIC MONKEYS

FLEETWOOD MAC • ROBBIE WILLIAMS • OASIS Many more acts to be announced

FREE KIDS’ ENTERTAINMENT & ACTIVITIES EVERY DAY

DINOSAUR SHOWS • MAD 4 ANIMALS • Jamie Jambo

MARK FRASER THE STORYTELLER • Bubble Shows

CAMPING AVAILABLE Of thieves & the Company

Count Backwards • MR MERLIN

TICKETS FROM £37 ADULT • £97 FAMILY • £18 CHILD • UNDER 5’S FREE!

A gin, some jazz and Poole Harbour

The perfect Sunday escape

There are plenty of ways to spend a Sunday afternoon. A walk along the beach, a leisurely lunch with friends or perhaps a few hours in the garden. But if you’re looking for something a little more memorable this September, Dorset Cruises has just the ticket.

In September, the final Gin & Jazz Cruise of the year sets sail from Poole Quay, inviting guests aboard the historic Dorset Queen for an afternoon of live music, local gin and spectacular harbour views.

Built in 1938, Dorset Queen has lived many lives. From wartime service to decades carrying passengers along the South Coast, she now sails proudly around Poole Harbour as one of Dorset’s most distinctive and characterful vessels. Lovingly restored and full of charm, she offers something increasingly rare: the opportunity to slow down and enjoy time on the water.

As the boat glides through Europe’s largest natural harbour, guests can settle back to the sound of live jazz while taking in views of Brownsea Island, Sandbanks and the beautiful Dorset coastline. The fully licensed

info@dorsetcruises.co.uk

bar serves a selection of drinks, including locally produced gins, making it easy to sip, relax and simply enjoy the journey.

What makes the Gin & Jazz Cruise so appealing is its simplicity. There is no schedule to follow, no queues and no rush. Just two hours to spend with friends, family or a partner while experiencing Dorset from a completely different perspective.

September is often one of the county’s best-kept secrets. The summer crowds begin to thin, the light softens across the water and Poole Harbour takes on a calm, unhurried atmosphere that feels worlds away from everyday life.

Whether you’re marking a special occasion, catching up with friends or looking for a unique date idea, the Gin & Jazz Cruise offers a wonderful excuse to leave dry land behind for an afternoon.

Beyond its public cruises, Dorset Queen has also become a popular setting for private celebrations. From birthdays and anniversaries to weddings, family gatherings and business events, more people are choosing experiences over traditional venues, creating lasting memories against the backdrop of Poole Harbour and the Jurassic Coast.

Increasingly, Dorset Queen is also welcoming businesses on board. Local companies are choosing private charters

for client entertaining, networking events, team celebrations and strategy days, recognising that memorable experiences often create stronger connections than traditional meeting rooms ever could. With Poole Harbour as the backdrop, guests can relax, talk and build relationships in a setting that feels both professional and refreshingly different.

Perhaps that’s the real appeal of Dorset Cruises. In a world that often feels busy and hurried, stepping aboard offers a chance to pause, reconnect and appreciate one of Dorset’s greatest natural assets from the best seat in the house – the water.

From intimate celebrations and weddings to client hospitality and corporate gatherings, Dorset Cruises offers a flexible and unique venue on the water, with experiences tailored to suit each occasion.

The Gin & Jazz Cruise takes place on Sunday 6th September. Tickets are available now

Train strong, feel confident; Thai Boxing for Mums at Wassmuffin

There’s never a wrong time to start something new — and Thai boxing is one of the most powerful ways to build fitness, confidence, and strength. After busy weeks of juggling family life, school runs, and endless to-do lists, many mums reach a point where they’re ready to focus on themselves again — to move, sweat, and feel strong.

Starting a new routine is about creating healthy habits that last. Thai boxing delivers a full-body workout that burns calories, builds strength, improves coordination, and boosts energy levels. Just as importantly, it o ers huge mental benefits. Hitting pads, learning new skills, and pushing past personal limits helps relieve stress, clear your head, and build confidence.

No experience is needed. Every session is designed to help beginners feel comfortable and supported, while still o ering progression and challenge as you grow stronger.

The 9:30am morning class is ideal for mums. It fits perfectly after school dropo , allowing you to train without rushing or sacrificing family time. Morning training sets a positive tone for the rest of the day — you’ll leave feeling energised, focused, and accomplished, rather than drained later on.

This is a welcoming, supportive environment where you can train alongside other mums who are on the same journey. There’s no ego and no pressure — just a space to learn, laugh, and get fit together.

Whether your goal is to lose weight, build strength, try something new, or simply enjoy some well-earned “me time,” the

9:30am Thai boxing class o ers the perfect balance of challenge and support.

Whenever you decide to start, make it about you. Train strong, feel confident, and move forward with purpose.

CONTACT

01202 729 270 | 07766 090116

info@fitterthanfit.co.uk WEBSITE

www.fitterthanfit.co.uk LOCATION Wassmu in Mixed Martial Arts Academy, 686 Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth, BH7 6BT

What’s on IN JULY

With a vibrant mix of countryside, beaches and attractions, there is always plenty to do in Dorset & Hampshire. Here is a selection of events happening across the counties over the coming weeks.

SANDPOLO

10 - 11 JULY

DORSET OPERA FESTIVAL

21 - 25 JULY

SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

04 - 05 JULY

A visit to the award-winning atmospheric Dorset Seafood Festival offers an amazing opportunity to gain a better understanding of the superb seafood available to us just off our wonderful shores.

Now located on Weymouth harbourside near to Weymouth Pavilion, the festival offers delicious seafood, quality wines and local ales, as well as family entertainment and an opportunity to watch demos from national chefs as well as our much loved local seafood heroes.

WEYMOUTH HARBOUSIDE

www.dorsetseafood.co.uk THE DORSET

SandPolo brings the thrill of world-class polo to the golden sands of Sandbanks, Poole. The unique, high-energy beach format makes one of the oldest equestrian sports easy for newcomers to follow, while still offering drama and excitement for seasoned polo fans. But SandPolo is more than the sport alone. Guests can enjoy fine dining in the hospitality marquee, explore the street food village, or relax with a glass in hand at the pitch-side bars while soaking up the atmosphere of the coast.

As the evenings draw in and the sun begins to set over horizon, the energy builds under the grand marquees as a carefully curated lineup of bands and celebrity DJs take to the stage, entertaining the crowds and celebrating the end of a fine sporting day against the idyllic coastal backdrop.

SANDBANKS BEACH www.sandpolo.com

Set within the beautiful grounds of Bryanston School, Dorset Opera Festival returns this July with two acclaimed productions: Saint-Saëns’ dramatic Samson et Dalila and Donizetti’s charming romantic comedy L’elisir d’amore. Renowned for combining outstanding professional performers with emerging talent, the Festival offers a week of world-class opera in a stunning Dorset setting, with evening performances and matinees available.

BRYANSTON, BLANDFORD FORUM

www.dorsetopera.com

KINGSTON LACY SOCIAL WALKS

08 JULY, 04 AUGUST, 15 SEPTEMBER

Discover the ever-changing woodlands and countryside of Kingston Lacy and meet new people on these gentle strolls, ranging from 3-4 miles (around 1.5 hours). These social walks are the perfect way to meet new people, explore beautiful walking routes, and enjoy the countryside. Designed to be relaxed and friendly, each walk ends at the Kingston Lacy café, where you’re welcome to stay for a drink and a slice of cake with your fellow walkers (refreshments not included). Whether you’re new to walking or simply looking for a sociable way to get outdoors, these walks offer a welcoming and enjoyable experience.

KINGSTON LACY www.nationaltrust.org.uk

THE NEW FAMOUS FIVE AND THE FORGOTTEN TREASURE

FAMILY TRAIL

JULY - 06 SEPTEMBER

Are you ready for an adventure worthy of the New Famous Five? Whether you arrive with a team of budding explorers or a family eager for a new challenge, The New Famous Five and the Forgotten Treasure quest brings Corfe Castle to life in a fun and imaginative way. Solve clues, crack puzzles and uncover hidden secrets as you explore the ruins.

CORFE CASTLE

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

TOTO THE NINJA CAT AND THE GREAT SNAKE ESCAPE

23 – 25 JULY

Meet Toto. She might look like an ordinary cat, but she’s no ordinary feline. Almost completely blind, Toto has incredible ninja skills, a big heart, and a nose for adventure. By day, she naps like any other pet… but by night, she’s out on daring missions with her cheeky brother, Silver.

In their very first adventure, a deadly King Cobra has escaped onto the streets of London, and it’s up to Toto to use every ounce of her courage and cunning to save the day.

Based on Dermot O’Leary’s best-selling children’s book, illustrated by Nick East, this purr-fectly thrilling tale is filled with original music, laugh-out-loud fun, and extraordinary puppetry, promising fun for the whole family.

UPTON COUNTRY PARK FESTIVAL

03 - 04 JULY

UPTON COUNTRY PARK

www.uptoncountryparkfestival.co.uk

CAR NIGHTS

03, 10, 17, 24, 31 JULY

POOLE QUAY

FACEBOOK: Poole Quay Events

SAUSAGE & CIDER FESTIVAL

04 JULY

LYME REGIS FOOTBALL CLUB www.lymeregisciderfestival.co.uk

FLOWER FAIRIES™: ENCHANTMENT BY THE SEA

JULY - 04 OCTOBER

RUSSELL-COTES HOUSE www.russellcotes.com

SUMMER SAFARI CRUISES

JULY - 09 AUGUST

POOLE QUAY www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk

Cavalleria Rusticana, Dorset

It is time to TAKE A BREAK

Pop

ACROSS CRYPTIC CLUES

1. Simulation (8)

5. Riches (4)

9. Church recess (4)

10. Teach (8)

11. Stall (5)

12. Copy (7)

13. Efficiency (13)

18. Rite (8)

19. Weary (4)

20. Trifling (7)

21. Earlier (5)

22. Profound (4)

23. Monocle (8) DOWN CRYPTIC CLUES

2. Censure (7)

3. Playhouse (7)

4. With stipulations (13)

6. Rival (7)

7. Suitability (7)

8. Contend (6)

13. Inflamed (7)

14. Stealthy (7)

15. Perpetrate (6)

16. Unaffected (7)

17. Grave (7)

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