BUSINESS
Finance with a personal touch Meet the husband and wife team who can make sense of your money
FOOD & DRINK
Go on a gastro adventure
We take a culinary journey around Tunbridge Wells’ best restaurants
SHOPPING
Christmas presence
Don’t miss our brilliant seasonal gift guide that has something for everyone
TALKING SHOP…
ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS TOGETHER MEMBERS ON WHY SUPPORTING YOUR TOWN IS SO IMPORTANT THIS CHRISTMAS - AND HOW IT’S THE PERFECT PLACE TO BUY GIFTS AND SOCIALISE WITH FRIENDS
November 2021
35 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1LS
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w w w. e d n e y a n d e d n e y. c o m
I SEE CLEAR VISION
through Nikon spectacle lenses
WELCOME
Editor’s LETTER
W
elcome to your November edition of SO magazine. As the festive season will soon be upon us we thought we would dedicate this issue of the magazine to our much loved traders of Tunbridge Wells. Entering into a second Christmas with the pandemic still very much evident means that it’s more important than ever to show our shops and hospitality industry your support. One misty Monday last month with the help of Sarah-Jane Adams, the new Business Improvement District (BID) Director for Tunbridge Wells, we gathered together many of the town’s shop, café and restaurant owners for our photoshoot. The idea was to get some fun pictures of them to run in the magazine so you can see the faces behind the places - and to help publicise BID’s Christmas campaign for 2021. BID Director, Sarah-Jane, is tasked with the job of managing the town and ensuring it gets every opportunity to improve its economic and social standing. For Christmas she and her BID colleagues are working with everyone from retailers to restaurateurs in order to help boost footfall and promote Tunbridge Wells as a safe shopping destination to meet all your festive needs. So instead of scrolling on your sofa for all your present ideas why not head down to a few of our great independent and chain stores to spend your money instead? There’s more
Retail therapy: Traders from Tunbridge Wells town centre tell us about their plans for Christmas with the Business Improvement District team
about all this on page 10. We also have our annual Christmas gift guide which is supporting a number of local independent retailers so make sure you turn to page 25 to get a head start on sourcing the perfect gifts for friends and family. And to cover how you can support our local hospitality sector there’s also a great Food & Drink section in this issue showcasing some fantastic restaurants and pubs – both old and new. We’ll say cheers to that!
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14 16
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On the money: Grovewood Wealth tell us the secrets of their success when it comes to financial planning
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The big cheese: Jess Gibson from the TN card meets the owner of The Cheese Shop in St John’s
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On song: Young singer/songwriter Seb Turner Moore on performing live and being talent spotted by the BBC
November 2021
A lotta bottle: Why The Bottle House pub remains such a class act
Healing powers: Naomi Murray from Botanica on why Vitamin D is so important So long furlough: Hypnotherapist Karen Martin gives her advice on how to come out of it unscathed Wrap up warm: How to ensure your home is Scandi style super cosy this winter
47 48 50
Sowing for success: Gardening expert Victoria Truman on which bulbs to choose for spring Country smiles: Why a visit to Frasers, an exclusive rural retreat, will make you very happy
Enjoy the issue,
Eileen Leahy Editor So magazine
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Drive of your life: We give the new Porsche a spin… P43
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @somagazines
Tel: 01892 779650 www.timeslocalnews.co.uk
eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.uk
Culture vulture: what’s on where this month
Striking all the right notes: Paul Dunton meets The Bluetones frontman and local musician Mark Morriss
Issue 157 SALOMONS ESTATE Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 0TG
EDITOR Eileen Leahy
5 9 10
contents
DESIGN David Sexton
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR EDITORIAL Victoria Truman Richard Moore richard.moore@onemediauk.co.uk Karen Martin Naomi Murray
SALES advertising@onemediauk.co.uk
PHOTOGRAPHY Marissa Cooper
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Taking to the stage: Why TWODS are so delighted to be back treading the boards again
All we want for Christmas… Don’t miss our great gift guide with something for all friends and family members
31
Bijou bistro: We pay a visit to Rendez Vous, one of Tunbridge Wells’ most popular restaurants
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Cover shot photographs by Marissa Cooper SO Magazine | November 2021 | 3
Calendar
Our edit of the most entertaining events happening this month At the time of going to press most of the following events were still scheduled to run but please do check with each venue before heading out somewhere… Tori Scott
BROUGHT TO THE BARRE The London Ballet Company returns to Trinity Theatre on November 10 with a double bill of Poppy and A Little Princess. Poppy is now in its 9th year and tells the story related to World War 1 and a family within, affected by this time in our history. A Little Princess is a new original production, created by dancers of The London Ballet Company this year. “The pandemic has restricted our live performances over the last 18 months,” says the group’s artistic director Sophie Wright “and we're so excited to get back to our favourite theatre to date and perform for Tunbridge Wells.” See more at www.trinitytheatre.net
SEE ORLANDO BLOOM Former Macabees frontman Orlando Weeks performs his new solo material at The Forum on Sunday November 14 at 7pm.The indie kid will be showcasing songs from his new album Hop Up. For ticket details visit www.twforum.co.uk
DID YOU KNOW? The first natural ‘firecrackers’ were bamboo stalks that would explode with a bang when thrown into the fire. They’re believed to have originated in China.
Orlando Weeks
REMEMBER, REMEMBER The Round Table fireworks display is back at Dunorlan Park on Saturday November 6. After a hiatus last year, due to the ongoing pandemic, the fantastic fireworks are back. Make sure you wrap up warm and wear wellies as conditions could be cold and muddy. The entrance price is £8 in advance for adults and kids (or £10 on the day) with children aged 5-15 costing £5 in advance (£7 on the day). Children under five go free over 16 with proceeds going to various local charities. For more info visit www.rtwrt.org/ tickets
WELCOME TO THE PARTY Join American powerhouse Tori Scott (pictured above) as she takes to the stage at Trinity Theatre on Sunday November 7 for a memorable evening of hilarious anecdotes of her life in showbiz and the odd song too. Dubbed ‘The Judy Garland for the Grindr generation’ this promises to be a cracker of a night! For tickets and timings visit www.trinitytheatre.net
THE NAME’S BOND . . . On November 16 and 23 Trinity Theatre will be showing the latest James Bond movie No Time To Die. Starring Daniel Craig in his last outing as the world’s most famous fictious spy it is not to be missed if you’re a fan. For tickets and screening times visit www.trinitytheatre. net
JUST FOR LAUGHS Comedy superstar John Bishop is coming to the Assembly Hall Theatre with his highly anticipated brandnew stand up show – Right Here, Right Now. Appearing on both November 17 and 18, this will be John’s eighth stand up show and it is shaping up to be his best yet. It will see him performing across the UK, Ireland, America, Canada and Europe – so make sure you catch him in TW while you can. He can’t wait to be back on the road again! Tickets cost from £38 and can be booked at www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
DID YOU KNOW? Phoebe WallerBridge—the Emmywinning creator and star of Fleabag was brought in to polish up the script of the No Time to Die script specifically at the request of Daniel Craig
SO Magazine | November 2021 | 5
Calendar
NICE ICE BABY On November 19 the town’s popular ice rink will open again for the festive season. In addition to the two rinks, the smaller of which is reserved for young children and their parents and carers, there will be the popular Polar Bar serving all manner of refreshments. And for the first time the Fine Grind coffee shop will have a pop up there. Tickets are priced according to the times you visit and start at £15 per adult. Santa Claus will be showing up later in the month and there will also be the opportunity to dance with some Disney Princesses! See www.assemblyhalltheatre. co.uk
DID YOU KNOW? Bedgebury Pinetum is the largest one of its kind in the world? It’s also hugely important on a global scale for species conservation, scientific advancement and the understanding of conifers.
SEASONAL SHOPPING SPREE The Empowering Women Networking & Christmas Shopping event takes place on Friday November 19 at One Warwick Park Hotel in Tunbridge Wells. Organised by Marie Bell of Vincenties Luxury Candles it’s the perfect excuse to top up on your festive shopping and also hear two formidable females – stylist Victoria Genevieve and fitness expert Sarah Gorman - talk about their careers. As well as lots of fashion and lifestyle items for sale there will also be a bar and a goody bag to take home! Tickets cost £22.15 and are available from www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/ empowering-womennetworking-christmasshoppingtickets-170539612572
SEASONAL SOUNDS The Lamberhurst Music Festival, which has been going since 2003, welcomes soprano extraordinaire Helen Lacey (pictured below) to perform at St Mary’s Church on Saturday November 19. The Lamberhurst born star has been praised by some of the classical musical world’s biggest stars including John Rutter who called her ‘one to watch’ as well as Simon Austin who referred to her as a ‘golden voiced soprano. Starting at 7.30pm tickets cost £20 per person from www. lamberhurstmusic.couk
CHRISTMAS IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT It's the most wonderful time of the year, and despite the ongoing pandemic the good news is Christmas hasn’t been cancelled! One of the best places to experience a little sprinkling of festive magic is at Bedgebury Pinetum and the illuminating fun starts on November 19. Take a walk through the stunning illuminated forest and marvel at the many colourfully lit trees and shrubs and Christmas trees floating on boats. Tickets cost £13 for children aged 5-16 and £19.50 for adults. A family ticket costs £60. Visit www.christmasatbedgebury. seetickets.com
6 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
FESTIVE CHEER The Hospice in the Weald will be hosting its annual and incredibly popular Christmas Market over the weekend of November 26-28. On the Friday evening there will be a special VIP ticketed event at the hospice’s main building on Maidstone Road, Pembury taking place from 7.30pm9pm. Organisers tell us it’s ‘the perfect way to start the festive season with friends’. As well as having the first look at the 40 plus stalls before the event opens its doors to the general public on Saturday and Sunday there will be a chance to enjoy a glass of fizz and some delicious canapes on the evening. Tickets cost £20 per person, book at http://www. hospiceintheweald.org.uk
Before
After
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Before
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Music
first album, Afters. The Helicopter Of The Holy Ghost is a project that was star ted by two musicians called Billy Reeves and Crayola Lectern. The songs were recorded by a host of esteemed musicians from various bands, and I was asked to contribute vocals right at the end of the recording process. It really is a beautiful album, and I’m honoured to be on it. It was released by KScope Records in August and seems to be selling pretty well. We hope to do a series of live shows in 2022. Fingers crossed the stars align for us.
“PEOPLE’S HUNGER FOR LIVE MUSIC SEEMS ONLY TO HAVE INCREASED AFTER SUCH A LONG TIME AWAY”
What was the most recent song you wrote and the inspiration behind it? The last song I wrote is a silly little ditty called ‘Credit To The Cat’. And it’s about my cat. I’m not sure it’ll ever see the light of day, but it keeps me amused. Is there a favourite song from your back catalogue you enjoying playing above all others? I often open my solo sets with a song called ‘Rimini’ which helps me open my pipes up at the top of the show. I enjoy performing that one because it doesn’t require any warm up, and I can just launch right into it. Could you share with us some of your most memorable moments onstage? When we played the Reading/Leeds festival in 2000 we were billed to play in between Limp Bizkit and Foo Fighters. We knew they’d have some pyrotechnics with them, and that we would be foolish to try to compete, so instead of ending our set with a huge display of lights we dressed up our guitar tech to look like Richard Gere in An Officer And A Gentleman, and he came up on stage and swept me off into the wings! still get quite emotional when I think about it - which is a lot!
Our resident music guru Paul Dunton talks to indie legend and Tunbridge Wells resident Mark Morriss of The Bluetones about life post lockdown and his new musical project…
Paul Dunton Music Editor
Follow Paul @PaulDuntonmusic
So Mark after such a long hiatus of playing live what has it been like to get back to regular gigging? Since things started to reopen in July I’ve found myself busier than ever. People’s hunger for live entertainment seems only to have increased after such a long time away, and there has been a noticeably greater sense of enthusiasm on the part of audiences up and down the country. How do you find juggling your calendar for Mark Morriss the solo artist with touring with your band The Bluetones? With The Bluetones we tend to plan tours quite a long way in advance, which means I’m able to plan my other projects with a clear sense of knowing when I’ll have gaps in the schedule. I’m lucky that I’m able to swap between roles, and work with a wide variety of musicians.
During the lockdowns you regularly performed live stream gigs which were very well supported and received, do you think you will continue to do those going forward? The livestreams were really quite a lifeline for me throughout 2020. With no way of being able to play shows there was a danger of creative rust setting in. The vir tual gigs gave me something to focus on and provide some structure around. They really were a great help to me throughout lockdown.
What’s coming up in the pipeline for both projects? Any gigs or new releases happening? Next up for me is a tour with Nigel Clark (from Dodgy) and Chris Helme (from The Seahorses) throughout November and December, supporting Shed 7 on their UK tour. We’ve been writing songs together since late last year and there are plans afoot to record an album in 2022 and continue touring. Right now we’re playing as an acoustic three piece, which allows us to showcase the songs in quite a stripped down manner, but hopefully we’ll be taking a full band out in future. And you’ve also been involved in with The Helicopter of The Holy Ghost project? How did this come about? This year saw the release of the band’s
When can we next expect to see you perform in your home town of Tunbridge Wells? I’ve been so busy throughout the second half of 2021, but I’ve managed to squeeze a hometown gig into the diary before the year is out. I’m playing an acoustic set with my pal Mike Wilton in the cosy environs of the Even Flow Coffee shop on December 30. I played a set there earlier this year, and it really is a great little gig. STRINGS ATTACHED Mark will play with Nigel Clark (top) and Chris Helme
For more info on Mark Morriss and his news visit www.markmorrissmusic.co.uk SO Magazine | November 2021 | 9
Cover feature
CHAPEL PLACE
10 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
I Photographs © Marissa Cooper
With the festive season fast approaching SO magazine discovers why our town centre shop, café and restaurant owners need your support now more than ever
t’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and as a result you’re probably curating a rather sizeable shopping list for gifts and gourmet goodies to ensure this year is going to be one to remember. Prior to the pandemic we all knew that supporting our local traders was key to both their own – and a town’s – survival. But now after numerous lockdowns, tier systems and furlough schemes introduced as a result of the coronavirus, it’s absolutely vital to show your allegiance to all our shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. Why? Because the bricks and mortar retail industry was in trouble way before the Covid crisis hit but
now it’s pretty much on its knees. And of the town’s many retail areas instead. Dubbed ‘Royal Tunbridge Spells’ the stark truth is that without your the campaign is all about valuable custom many of our bringing the magic back favourite local businesses for Christmas 2021. will simply not be able Unlike last year to survive. WHAT IS RTW when all nonAnd that is exactly Together Business essential retail, why Royal Improvement District? restaurants and Tunbridge Wells A not for profit organisation to bars closed just Together Business improve trading conditions in areas ahead of the busy Improvement such as marketing and promotion, festive period, this District (RTWT events, street scene, training, year we have the BID) have launched Christmas lights etc. opportunity to do a new festive something. We can campaign to encourage spend money in all our the residents of Tunbridge town’s fantastic and diverse Wells borough to stop shops and support our hospitality scrolling online for festive gift sector to ensure they have the best inspiration and shop in person in one
Cover feature
Grosvenor Road
FESTIVE SPIRIT Traders from Tunbridge Wells town centre ask you to support local this Christmas
seasonal trading period. As well as encouraging us to shop locally, RTWT BID will also be handing out free Christmas door bows for town centre businesses to display on their premises so customers know they are part of the festive campaign. The RTWT BID will also be putting on plenty of festive street entertainment every Saturday from the end of this month until Christmas. And there will also be a number of magical storybook sessions in Royal Victoria Place, with a town centre trail for children to claim a spell kit. The organisation will also be launching a new, quarterly RTW Together town centre magazine which will kick off with a Christmas issue, available from the end of this month. It will have plenty of ideas on where
THE PANTILES
shoppers can find ideal gifts for all the family and tips on where to find the best food for your budget and palate. RTWT BID has also commissioned a short Christmas film to promote the funding and organisation of the Tunbridge Wells town centre Christmas lights which will be officially turned on later this month. Sarah-Jane Adams, BID’s new Director, tells SO magazine why it’s such an important campaign for everyone to get behind: “The past couple of years have been such a shock to our economy, and this year we’re hoping that this Christmas season will give the town centre traders that we represent a real boost, both financially and morally. “We know that Tunbridge Wells locals are loyal and supportive towards our town centre businesses, and we’re lucky to have such a high MONSON ROAD
ROYAL VICTORIA PLACE
HIGH STREET
SO Magazine | November 2021 | 11
Cover feature
Royal Tunbridge Wells Together charts a course with refreshed tourist map The RTW Together Business Improvement District is plotting its way across the town centre with the help of its newly revised tourist maps. Originally created several years ago, the leaflet features a beautifully illustrated map by local artist Elaine Gill,
commissioned by RTWT. The brochure has now been updated to include fresh information, photographs of the town centre and reflect the BID’s refreshed branding. A full list of stockists can be found at www.rtwtogether.com/map
Nicola from Fat Face displays the new RTWT BID map
CURRENT RTW INITIATIVES: 1. Remembrance display: The BID has dressed the clock tower in Calverley Precinct in a striking collection of artificial poppies and autumnal foliage, cascading down the legs and onto the base of the landmark to mark this year’s period of remembrance. Available to view until November 14.
proportion of independent and creative entrepreneurs to complement the much loved big name brands. “Big and small, we are all the BID, and we encourage customers to come offline if they can and drop by to spend in store, grab a festive bite to eat and let shop, restaurant and salon owners do what they do best - when you buy your gifts in person, you’re putting a smile on more than one person’s face.” Traders in the town are clearly delighted to have the support of the RTWT BID. Storm of Denny’s Place barbers on Grosvenor Road told SO magazine: “The BID has been a breath of fresh
CAMDEN ROAD
12 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
WHERE TO FIND OUT MORE: www.rtwtogether.com Instagram and Twitter: @rtwtogether BID Director, Sarah-Jane Adams sarah-jane@tunbridge wellstogether.co.uk
air in a town in need of a boost. To have a contact such as Sarah-Jane who passionately cares about our business as much as we do is vital. “The BID have made each business feel important and acknowledged our contribution to the town. We are a community, a family and Christmas is all about family, so please shop locally with yours.” Michelle from Manic Ceramix on the Camden Road agrees that having this type of support is essential for survival: “Being part of the BID feels like being part of a family and it’s so great to get to know everyone and have the support of each other.”
2. Free self-defence classes: The RTWT BID is offering free onehour self-defence classes for those who work within the town centre, the area which the BID represents. Classes are instructed by Heather Jordan of Surge Self Defence and participants also receive a free personal alarm, a worksheet of moves, and a code to access a safety app. 3. Royal Tunbridge Spells: bringing the magic back this Christmas with festive street entertainment, storybook sessions, a new magazine and a short film 4. Supporting the arts: BID funded Museum of the Moon installation in Calverley Grounds as part of the recent Puppetry Festival
HOW DOES A BID WORK? The RTW Together Business Improvement District is funded by, and represents nearly 700 businesses in Tunbridge Wells town centre, working to deliver projects to improve footfall, promotion and trading environments. The BID is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, providing services such as the town centre’s Christmas lights, street improvements, events and marketing campaigns. Voted for by traders in 2019, the BID will serve a 5 year term before going to a re-vote.
GABRIELLA LOVES... Cover feature
01892 01892 540216 540216 || gabriellajewellery@outlook.com gabriellajewellery@outlook.com || www.gabriellajewellery.co.uk www.gabriellajewellery.co.uk 01892 540216 | gabriellajewellery@outlook.com | www.gabriellajewellery.co.uk 9 Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1YQ (located between 9 Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1YQ (located between the the High High Street Street and and the the Pantiles) Pantiles)SO Magazine | November 2021 | 13 9 Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1YQ (located between the High Street and the Pantiles)
Culture
“I’M AT MY HAPPIEST WHENEVER I’M PLAYING OR SINGING…” Seb Turner-Moore is a local singer songwriter who has just released his first single and been scouted by BBC Upload. Here he tells SO magazine why he’s striking all the right notes for a successful career… Have you always lived locally and if so what do you like most about it? Yes. I lived in Tunbridge Wells before our family moved to Crowborough when I was around eight years old. I’ve loved living there because there’s such a chilled and relaxed vibe to the town which I’ve really benefited from growing up. It’s great having Tunbridge Wells just up the road as it’s such a good location for music. It’s been really beneficial for me as a growing artist and performer. I always refer to Tunbridge Wells as mini-London because it’s always had that exciting and popular feel to it. And do you have any plans to move to London to further your career? Good question. I actually do have plans to move into a flat in London around January time. So, I’m really looking forward to that. It will be good to just experience a whole new location. And of course, we all know London is definitely the mecca of the music industry so it’s definitely the right place to be if I’m to take my music career to the next level. 14 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
You sing and also play - do you love both equally? The simple answer is yes. I’m at my happiest whenever I’m playing or singing, so yes, I love both equally. When did you start out singing and playing? When I reached Year 8 at Bennett Memorial School I found my passion for singing. From then on, I worked hard to develop my technique and skills until it just became a part of who I was. I started playing piano back in primary school but I didn’t learn in the traditional way. I decided to teach myself by ear. It seemed to just work much better for me and meant that when I came to start writing songs I could be more unique with my style of playing. And how about performing to audiences? I’ve always seen myself as a performer - from my first nativity show to opening the main stage of a music festival. Through my life so far, I’ve contributed to many performances.
This summer I performed at Priory Live on the BBC Upload stage as part of their radio show for rising local talent
During my time at Bennett Memorial, I was involved in several highly successful musicals that were organised by the music department. These include Les Miserables, Oliver, Oklahoma and I also starred as the lead role of Captain Von Trapp in the Sound Of Music in the final year at the school. I feel these productions really helped with developing my confidence and performance skills on stage. Another opportunity I was given in school was the lead singer of the Soul Band. The band performed at several school concerts and also at Trinity Theatre in the centre of Tunbridge Wells. I really enjoyed my time in the band it was a great experience for me, and it really grew my confidence for performing in front of large audiences.
Which musicians do you admire and why? Well, this could be quite a long list, but I’d say my top three would probably be The 1975, Nothing But Thieves and Two Door Cinema Club. For me The 1975 are definitely up there because of the way they experiment with a number of different styles in their music, however there’s also a distinctive sound in their music that is so recognisable and catchy and that’s what I really admire.
What do you love most about performing? I think my favourite thing is just the joy and happiness it gives me to be up there on stage singing my own music and seeing others in the audience enjoying it - and just having a good time. Because at the end of the day that’s why we do it.
Tell us about your EP A New Beginning… It came out last month and is my second EP. The first one was called That Summer Time Feeling and was released at a similar time last year, it was all about having a good time through the summer. However, this new EP is about the star t of something new through a whole new style and theme to my music, hence why it’s called A New Beginning.
What gigs have you done so far this year? This summer has been great for me. I’ve had several amazing opportunities to get up and perform. The first one was at the Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival. I was given two performances for this, first at the Compasses pub and the second was a great experience at The Pantiles band stand. The second festival I performed at was Priory Live festival in Orpington. I performed on the BBC Upload stage as part of their radio show for rising local talent. And finally, to finish off the summer I opened the main stage at Local & Live, which was just an awesome experience. It felt so good to be part of such an amazing event.
How would you describe your sound? I would say my style of music would fall under an indie pop/retro sound. I try to keep my music and songs nice and upbeat and enjoyable!
Currently you perform solo but you also have plans to form a band how is that going? The search is still on for a band but I’m contacting lots of people so hopefully soon something will fall into place soon. I’d love to hear from young musicians out there who are looking for a similar musical journey to me – I’m on Instagram all the time, so get it touch! For more information on Seb Turner Moore and his music visit Instagram sebturnermoore_official
Culture
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SO Magazine | November 2021 | 15
Advertising Feature
“Talking about finance shouldn’t be a scary thing”
Lynne and Michael Gadsden from Grovewood Wealth Management Ltd tell SO magazine why they are putting a personal spin on the subject of people’s finances and making the subject of wealth and investment more accessible to all…
16 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
T
he words tax, pension and financial planning might strike fear into plenty of us but for Lynne and Michael Gadsden they are, quite literally, all in a day’s work. “There’s no reason why you should be scared of your finances,” declares Lynne who co-runs Grovewood Wealth Management Ltd with her husband Michael. We’ve been invited to talk to the couple about their unique approach to managing people’s finances, which is clearly a recipe for success given that Grovewood Wealth Management Ltd is celebrating 20 years in business this year. The couple set up their Chartered Financial Advice practice in 2001 after they were both made redundant from their roles as Financial Consultants at Prudential. In 2012 they were invited to become a Senior Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management. That relationship has resulted in them having access to far bigger resources in terms of financial advice and technical logistics while still retaining
their hyper local appeal. We’re chatting via Zoom, as is so common these days, with Lynne and Michael talking to me from their office which is located in the picturesque Speldhurst countryside. With the sun shining and the leaves on grand trees swaying in the background it’s certainly not what you imagine a financial advice HQ to look like. Lynne tells me that setting up their own company was all about putting a personal spin on all the faceless advice available on the market. “We’ve always wanted to treat people as we would want to be treated,” explains Lynne. “Talking about finance shouldn’t be a scary thing. We deal with multigenerational clients and have always offered a type of hand holding approach when it comes to discussing their money.” Michael adds: “I guess you could say we are all about demystifying the jargon surrounding wealth, investment and tax. We deliberately took offices out here in the countryside so our clients would feel relaxed when they arrived and
Some of the awards Grovewood Wealth Management Ltd have won: Women in financial advice awards 2020 – winner financial adviser of the year: south east Kent women in business awards 2018 runner up Top rated financial adviser 2021 as listed in the times
wouldn’t have to stress about parking spaces or parking tickets.” The couple say they are predominantly experts in the area of Tax Planning and can help to save customers money thanks to their expertise, but their renowned fiscal advice doesn’t solely define them. “There are so many things we can help people with,” continues Lynne. “We are different from other advisers in that we are a family business and we like looking after other people’s families. We’re both in our early 50s and have an awful lot of experience – almost 60 years between us. We know we are good at what we do.” Additional areas in which Grovewood Wealth Management Ltd can help clients include: extracting profits efficiently from businesses, later life advice, dealing with vulnerable clients and making pensions and investments work harder for people. “We are business owners ourselves and we know what it’s like to run your own company,” states Michael. “You don’t always have the time to look at your finances and that’s where we come in. We can help you - there’s a lot of people out there we can help.”
Advertising Feature
Money matters: some of the services Grovewood Wealth Management Ltd offer: Investment planning Retirement planning Protection planning Corporate services Later Life and long term care advice Inheritance Tax planning Exploring intergenerational wealth management Specialist advice for: Lynne and Michael reveal another key element of their business is providing a personable and bespoke approach. “We realise that no two clients are the same, but we’ve helped save people significant sums with our expertise and careful planning. And it’s important to note that many of our clients aren’t super wealthy either.” Michael and Lynne say that being a Senior Partner Practice of St. James’s Place means they have myriad benefits when it comes to doing business compared to other competitors. “We provide guaranteed advice at St. James’s Place. There are nine of us in the Grovewood Wealth offices here in Speldhurst but thousands of St. James’s Place employees supporting us remotely.” Michael explains. St. James’s Place guarantees the suitability of the advice given by members of the St. James’s Place Partnership when recommending any
of the wealth management products and services available. More details of which are set out on the Group’s website at www.sjp.co.uk/products. Lynne agrees: “Although we are part of one of the biggest wealth management firms in the country, essentially we are a local business looking after our clients and their needs.” Lynne, who won Financial Adviser of the Year South East in the Women in Financial Advice Awards last year and was a finalist again in 2021, goes on to say Grovewood Wealth are committed to serving people and not number crunching. “People are key to everything we do. We are very much against that faceless approach to finance. We have clients dating back 30 years. We’ve seen them working, we’ve helped them retire, we’ve got their kids set up and their grandchildren.” And when things get difficult in older life - when clients lose capacity
Business owners City professionals Company directors Later Life needs Vulnerable clients Those recently bereaved Individuals going through divorce Professional partnerships Retirement
that brings a lot of emotional issues. and need extra help - then But we are really good with people Grovewood Wealth Management Ltd and will talk them through a variety can also assist. of options that will benefit them.” “We both have huge amounts of Lynne and Michael admit that experience and expertise,” continues most financial advisers charge upLynne who is a prolific business front fees but they they offer a no networker having recently coobligation initial consultation to see founded enTWine* with solicitors if they can help. It all seems very Pam Loch and Victoria Sampson. “I am also a member of the Society straightforward and fair I say… “Well again it’s about that personal of Later Life Advisers and therefore a approach and doing things the way specialist in giving advice as clients we want to do them,” responds get older. That means when someone Michael. goes into a retirement village, or “We’ll look at someone’s investments needs care, or passes away I have the and pensions etc and give them advice. specialist skills to look after their The best thing is for people to come estate. and talk to us and we’ll let “I have one client where I you know if we can look after four help you. generations of their family. And they all The value of an need different things investment with but what unites it all “People’s wealth can is trust. Finances just disappear without St. James’s Place will aren’t scary. Let us be directly linked to the right advice” worry about the the performance of complicated stuff so the funds you select you can live your life.” and the value can Lynne and Michael are therefore go down as well also keen to stress that you as up. You may get back less don’t have to be a millionaire to than you invested. make use of Grovewood’s services. “You don’t have to be wealthy,” says The levels and bases of taxation, Michael. “Yes, we have got clients and reliefs from taxation, can change with a few million but we’ve also got at any time. The value of any tax clients with 50 thousand pounds. relief is dependent on individual People are on a journey from A to B circumstances. and that journey goal for many will be creating financial independence Grovewood Wealth Management Ltd is and we are there to guide them on an Appointed Representative of and that journey.” represents only St. James’s Place Wealth “People’s wealth can just disappear Management plc (which is authorised without the right advice,” admits and regulated by the Financial Conduct Lynne. “Especially with things like Authority) for the purpose of advising inheritance tax. But we will help solely on the group’s wealth clients pass the money to the next management products and services, generations. more details of which are set out on the Lynne goes on to say that the firm is group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. also able to offer a no obligation The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and consultation to those who don’t really the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ know what to do with their money. are marketing terms used to describe “A lot of people – even millionaires St. James’s Place representatives. – just keep their money in the bank. A lot of them don’t get advice. And if * Please note Lynne’s involvement with someone has just sold their business enTWine is separate and distinct to or come into a pot of money well services offered through St. James’s Place SO Magazine | November 2021 | 17
Advertising Feature
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“It’s a nice little community so come and say hi!”
Photographs © RTW Together Business Improvement District
Royal Tunbridge Wells Together BID members reveal why Grosvenor Road is the place to be this month…
Hello everyone – Eric Knowles here – with a brief introduction in my role as chairman of The Hoard @ ScottishAntiques. com, and a senior stakeholder in a new local business It’s taken us a few months to get things properly underway, but – with the amazing assistance of the Marquis of Abergavenny and his estate management team – we have finally been able to reanimate The Corn Exchange on the Lower Pantiles, and breathe new life in to this historic amenity. It’s now operating as the real-world manifestation of what was once an on-line only business - retailing high-end art glass, sculptures, furniture, paintings, English silver and stemware with myself
18 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
as the titular head - and star attraction - of course. Operations to date have proved so successful that we have attracted the interest of other significant players in the antiques firmament, and will be detailing the addition of their expertise to our stable in the New Year with a view to having them on site by midJanuary. In the meantime, however, we have more than enough items to entice and intrigue, catering for everything from gifting solutions over the festive season to the acquisition of investment-grade pieces and substantial decorative items to enhance any home. One of the real pleasures of being here and being able to set out our stall in this particular location is its proximity to the heart of the historic Tunbridge Ware industry, which – in its heyday – was based around The Pantiles, Frant Road and Mount Ephraim. We’re actively endeavouring to make the products of this extraordinary craft one of our signature lines, and to give it the high profile
that it deserves. Naturally, as Tunbridge Ware was intended – for the most part – to provide decorative accessories for the home, there are a great many sewing boxes with their accoutrements, tea caddies, writing slopes and other items which serviced the requirements of Victorian home-makers – the housewives of their day. These stoic ladies underpinned society with their unruffled and untiring efforts, and it is the fact that the pieces are so readily identifiable as having been used for such essentially personal travails, day in and day out, which is part of what makes them so desirable – each in its own right providing a fleeting window back to the 19th century domesticity. I do hope you are able to pop in and visit us in due course. As I say, we’re in the Corn Exchange at 49 Lower Walk on The Pantiles, and can be contacted on 01892 322777 or by way of ericknowles@ scottishantiques.com
hilst many interchangeable town centres provide the same generic shop fronts and bland concrete landscapes, not so Royal Tunbridge Wells, where quaint cobbled tradition meets the cool and contemporary. In amongst its historic shops and landmarks you’ll find craft beer bars run by up-and-coming hipsters and artisan independents alongside big name brands. From road to road, each area boasts its own unique personality, which is why in this series, we’re highlighting the town centre communities which make our Business Improvement District so diverse, vibrant and full of character. This month we’re stopping by Grosvenor Road, where chains and family-runs form an eclectic neighbourhood. As the site of a former carriage factory, Amelia’s Scott’s First World War laundry for billeted soldiers and the origins of the Kent and Sussex Hospital, this location isn’t lacking in its share of historical credentials, but today is home to a mixture of modern retail, hospitality and service units. Businesses selling their wares here include giants Tesco Metro, Poundland and Costa Coffee, trading happily alongside local names such as the Green Duck Emporium, which hosts two outlets here.
Owner of Fuggles Beer Café, Alex Greig outlines its appeal: ‘It’s got some great independents, interesting and quirky shops for young and old, and works for all types of budgets – it’s a real mix.’ The latest residents are the Tunbridge Wells Youth for Christ centre, offering young people a safe place to drop in after school to play games, fuel on snacks and make new friends, adding a charitable venture to this already varied road. No strangers to charity are Denny’s Place, whose annual barber shop festival of music, haircuts and tattoos has raised over £8,000 for nearby Pickering Cancer Drop In Centre, an event made possible with grant funding from RTW Together. Josh from Nobel Wines speaks for the group of resident businesses here when he says “It’s a nice little community on this street, come and shop local!” Next time you’re visiting Tunbridge Wells town centre, don’t overlook the interesting offerings just out of view – groove along to Grosvenor Road to find friendly faces and new favourites. To find out more about RTW Together, and the collective of town centre businesses it represents, visit www. rtwtogether.com, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @rtwtogether
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20 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Royal connections
& a literary link
“3 Swaylands is a unique and historic ground floor apartment with luxury accommodation, Royal connections and fascinating links to J M Barrie’s classic Peter Pan,” its owner told SO magazine. “As well as being set in simply stunning surroundings against the backdrop of the High Weald, it offers spacious contemporary accommodation that combines period features with a luxury lifestyle. “The apartment, which also benefits from 40 acres of landscaped gardens and a private gym, tennis court and cricket pitch, is at the heart of the villa built at Swaylands by William Woodgate in 1837. And it’s not just the house that’s impressive. The grounds are also Grade II Listed and include a magnificent five-acre rockery, once reputed to be the largest in Europe. “The building, which had been extended over the years, was expertly restored in 2008.The restoration work retained all the period features, including high ceilings, elaborate cornices, impressive bay windows and decorative mouldings. “Our apartment, 3 Swaylands, was created within what had been the main drawing room and music room of the original house and retains all the original character of the wellproportioned and painstakingly designed building. “One of the previous owners was George James Drummond, a wealthy banker with friends in very high places. He entertained his close friend The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, in those same rooms, lending the apartment a uniquely regal flavour. It is quite something to
sit there now and think back to previous visitors. “Other guests included Queen Mary, at that time Princess Mary of Teck, and author J M Barrie, who is said to have based the character of Peter Pan on one of George Drummond’s children. “Drummonds Bank had offices at Charing Cross, and George Drummond is said to have bought Swaylands because it was close to Tonbridge Station and gave him quick and easy access by train to his office. It’s interesting that, even now, the quick and frequent service to London Bridge is another great benefit of living here.
The current owner talks to Mark Haffenden of Batcheller Monkhouse about why he was drawn to 3 Swaylands, Penshurst
“Although the building oozes history, the restoration was carried out to the highest modern standards. The apartment enjoys contemporary bathrooms and kitchen, highly efficient underfloor heating and full double glazing. It also has a garage and two additional car parking spaces, along with a private terrace to two sides. “For us, 3 Swaylands has been the ideal weekend retreat, but the gardens, leisure facilities and open countryside close at hand make it equally desirable as a permanent family home.” The spacious apartment features a reception hall and cloakroom, impressive drawing room, dining
room and modern kitchen/breakfast room, three bedrooms, two with en-suite facilities, and a storage room. For more information, please contact our agent Mark Haffenden at Batcheller Monkhouse, Tunbridge Wells on 01892 512020.
“Although the building oozes history, the restoration was carried out to the highest modern standards”
SO Magazine | November 2021 | 21
Culture
“This travel inspired show will definitely provide all the escapism you need!”
Charity is one of the core tenets of the TWODS society, and for over 100 years we’ve raised funds for dozens of local good causes. Our last five productions between 2017 and 2019 raised over £15,000. Our current show, Destination Anywhere: A Musical Journey will raise funds for Nourish Community Foodbank. desperate to escape to a destination anywhere outside the limits we have been living with. Be it a much-needed holiday, a road trip, a personal journey or simply just to escape to your own wonderland. Our inspiring – and award-winning Director, Adele Ebbage (who has been a member of TWODS herself for over 28 years), has compiled a show which takes us on a magical musical journey, packing in over 30 destinations and 40 shows. What did you miss most about performing live? There were so many things to miss. The thrill, excitement and anticipation of waiting to go on stage on the first night. The joy of entertaining an audience with a show we’ve been rehearsing for months and hearing their applause at the end. The friendships, camaraderie and memories made on and off stage throughout the show can last a lifetime, and we’ve all missed that so much over the last two years!
At the end of the month TWODS take to the stage at the Assembly Hall for the first time in two years with their show Destination Anywhere. Here its chair June Fuller tells SO magazine what audiences can expect For those who aren’t familiar with TWODS can you give us a brief history of the society? It’s one of the oldest amateur theatre groups in the country. Formed in 1889 as the Tunbridge Wells Dramatic and Musical Society, our first production was of two plays: A Blighted Being and My Preserver, which were performed on a stage built by the actors themselves at the gymnasium on Calverley Road. A large variety of straight plays followed at 22 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
The Great Hall whilst the Tunbridge Wells Operatic Society, formed in 1890, began staging more musical shows at that same venue. The groups merged in 1911 and have performed almost every year, with the exception of the two World War years and the Covid pandemic! And now can you bring us right up to date by telling us what you’re putting on next? We have a versatile and tremendously talented
Destination: Anywhere features both classic and contemporary show tunes
membership, and after so long in lockdown we wanted to showcase as many of their skills as possible! So, after being away from the theatre for almost two years, we decided what better way to return to the stage than with Destination Anywhere - a compilation of the best the world of musical theatre has to offer! What is the cast looking forward to most about getting back on stage? After multiple lockdowns and restrictions, we are all
Can you give us a sneek peek of what this new show will comprise of? It features both classic and contemporary show tunes, as well as a whole host of exciting dance routines. The musical travelogue includes numbers from over 40 different West End musicals including The Producers, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Shrek, Mamma Mia, The Lion King, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Copacabana, Footloose, Hairspray, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Wicked, Six, Come from Away, Miss Saigon and Our House. It’s definitely set to provide that escapism we’ve all been craving! You can’t beat performing to a live audience.
And how does it feel to be all together again and performing for an audience? It’s a feeling that only your fellow performers will understand. We are so grateful to our loyal audiences and hope that they come back to support us, as I know the cast has been working so hard to bring this show to fruition. What do you think the audience will enjoy most about seeing Destination Anywhere? The show is fast paced, upbeat and uplifting, with something for everyone. Despite TWODS huge back catalogue, there are numbers from 38 shows that we have never performed before which is very exciting. Sum up the show in three words if you can... Travel, Adventure, Joy And lastly, if any of our readers would like to join what do they need to do? Go onto our website TWODS.org or come along to one of our new members’ evenings to find out what it’s all about. We always need new recruits – especially men. And it’s important to stress that you don’t have to be a performer to make an amazing contribution. Perhaps you’d like to help front of house selling programmes, working backstage making props or costumes, or learning new skills as a stagehand? There are many roles to enjoy either side of the curtain. To purchase tickets for Destination Anywhere, on at the Assembly Hall from November 24 – 27, please visit www.twods.org or call the Assembly Hall Theatre box office on 01892 530613.
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Gift Guide
TWODS DA - SO TW Advert 148 x 255mm + 3mm bleed.indd 1
24 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
12/10/2021 14:50
GIFT GUIDE
Have yourself a LUXURIOUS little Christmas ALL THAT GLITTERS: Gold All Stars Stack, £145, Bella Jane Jewellery http://www.bellajanejewellery.co.uk
MORE THAN WORDS: Meisterstück Around the World in 80 Days Solitaire LeGrand Resin and Platinum-Plated Fountain Pen, Montblanc, £1,790 http://www.mrporter.com
Make frantic festive shopping a thing of Christmases past courtesy of SO magazine's gift guide which provides you with all the present inspiration you’ll need this year
TEA FOR TWO: Treat your loved ones to a Salomons gift voucher, from £10. Visit Salomons website https://www.salomons-estate.com
BRIGHT IDEA: This luxury scented candle and diffuser set makes the perfect gift for the home lover, from £45, Vincenties Luxury Candles, www.vincentieslyxurycandles.co.uk
AMAZING ARM CANDY: Treat your fashionable friends to one of these gorgeous bracelets which come in a variety of cool colours, from £26, Catherine de Crevecoeur, http://www.catherinedc.com
RING THE CHANGES: Platinum Trilogy ring, total diamond weight 1.18ct £4950, http://www.gabriellajewellery.co.uk SO Magazine | November 2021 | 25
CHRISTMAS 2021 CHRICSH TRMIS ATSSet 0S21 Christmas Menu M2A 28-20 02pax 1
Christmas Set Menu 8-20 pax Starters Christmas Set Menu 8-20 pax Starters Spiced Pumpkin and Butternut Squash Soup Starters Spiced Pumpkin and Butternut Squash SoupBites Aubergine, Chickpea & Coriander Spiced Pumpkin and Butternut Squash Soup Aubergine, Chickpea & Coriander Bites Bites Salmon Gravadlax Aubergine, Chickpea & Coriander Salmon Salmon Gravadlax ChickenGravadlax Liver Pate Chicken Liver Pate Ham Hock & Pea Salad Chicken Liver Pate Ham Hock & Hock PeaMains Salad Ham & Pea Salad Roast Turkey Mains Mains Roast RoastGammon Turkey Roast Turkey NutGammon Roast Roast Roast Gammon Nut Roast Nut Edgcumbe Roast Fish Pie Edgcumbe Pie Edgcumbe Fish PieFishRisotto Wild Mushroom Wild Mushroom Desserts Wild Mushroom RisottoRisotto Desserts Christmas Pudding Desserts Sticky Toffee Pudding Christmas Christmas PuddingPudding Vegan Brownie Sticky Toffee Pudding Sticky Toffee Pudding Chocolate Orange Cheesecake Vegan Brownie Vegan Brownie Festive Ice Creams ORCheesecake Fruity Sorbets Chocolate Orange Chocolate Orange Cheesecake Selection Cheeses £2 supplement Festiveof IceLocal Creams OR Fruity Sorbets Festive Ice Creams OR Fruity Sorbets Selection of Local Cheeses £2 supplement Selection of Local Cheeses £2 supplement
2 Courses £24.95/ 3 Courses £30.95 Glass of Prosecco & Christmas Crackers included! 2 Courses £24.95/ 3 Courses £30.95 2 Courses Glass of£24.95/ Prosecco 3 & Courses Christmas£30.95 Crackers included!
Glass of Prosecco & Christmas Crackers included!
Tel: 01892 618854 Tel: 01892 618854 Email: hello@themountedgcumbe.com Tel: 01892 618854 Email: hello@themountedgcumbe.com Website: www.themountedgcumbe.com Email: hW elelbos@ em iteth :w wowu.nthteed mgocuunm tebdeg.cco um mbe.com
Eat. Drink. Stay. Enjoy. WebsiteE : wawtw hermionukn.tedS gctuamyb.e.cE om . .tD njoy. Eat. Drink. Stay. Enjoy.
GIFT GUIDE
Gift Voucher
DON'T HANG AROUND: This pearl necklace won't be here for long, £53, The Diamond Setter, www.thediamondsetter.co.uk
Prosecco Afternoon Tea for 4 people.
For Someone Special
CHRISTMAS 2021 The value of £100.*
To book please call 01892 520 587 or email reception@onewarwickpark.co.uk
Christmas Set Menu 8-20 pax Starters Spiced Pumpkin and Butternut Squash Soup LOVE TOKENS: Show that special person in Aubergine, Chickpea & token Coriander Bites your life you really care with a luxury gift for One Warwick Park Hotel, from £10. See more at Gravadlax One Warwick Park,Salmon http://www.onewarwickpark.co.uk GLASS ACT: Invest in some of the colourful Chicken Liver Pate sculptural pieces by Glass by Claudia, like this ‘Rainbowl’ piece, (available in 3 colour options) Ham Hock & Pea Salad £70 each instore or www.claudiawiegand.co.uk Mains Roast Turkey CIRCLE OF TRUTH: Make a stylish commitment to someone LET CHRISTMAS Roast Gammon by treating them to this ring, BE GIN: £591, The Diamond Setter, Luxury Discovery Gin Nut Roast www.thediamondsetter.co.uk Edgcumbe Fish Pie
Hamper, £100, Fenwick department store and http://www.fenwick.co.uk
Wild Mushroom Risotto Desserts Christmas Pudding Sticky Toffee Pudding Vegan Brownie Chocolate Orange Cheesecake Festive Ice Creams OR Fruity Sorbets IT WITH FLOWERS: Luxury monthly Selection of LocalSAYCheeses £2 supplement subscriptions are available from The Bloom Foundry on St John’s Road, prices from £90-£360, http://www.thebloomfoundry.co.uk
2 Courses £24.95/ 3 Courses £30.95
A SOFT TOUCH: baby pink Rosie Sugden cashmere socks, £35, Bod and Ted, www.bodandted.co.uk
Glass of Prosecco & Christmas Crackers included! GOLDEN WONDER: LOUISA BRACELET WITH CHARMS 22 carat Gold Plated Bracelet - £28 Charms £7.50 each, from Love and Luxe, www.loveandluxe.uk
Tel: 01892 618854 Email: hello@themountedgcumbe.com Website: www.themountedgcumbe.com
Eat. Drink. Stay. Enjoy.
SO Magazine | November 2021 | 27
let’s celebrate! This Christmas, come together with friends and family at the Bottle House – a beautiful 15th century inn nestled in a leafy corner of Penshurst. Whether you want to entertain in your own private dining room, gather round a table in our restaurant, cosy up on nook seating around log stoves or make merry beneath our heated pergola, there’s no better place to celebrate the season! • Indoors: 60 covers, plus additional bar seating • Outdoors: Oak-beamed pergola – seats 24, heated and covered, plus other tables with blankets and lanterns • Captain’s Cabin - Nautically themed private room, seats 10 to 16 people • Copper-topped bar and cosy nook seating • Special Christmas menu (see online) • Special Christmas cocktails using our home-made infused spirits range • Local ales and excellent wine list For details or to make a reservation, visit thebottlehouseinnpenshurst.co.uk or call us on 01892 870306
GIFT GUIDE
BROUGHT TO BOOK: A Year of Mystical Thinking by local author Emma Howarth, £12.99 Waterstones Tunbridge Wells
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL… THE NAME’S BOND: Original French release James Bond 007 From Russia with Love poster 1963, £6,595.00, Pushkin Antiques, The High Street, or www.pushkinantiques.com
SOCK IT TO SANTA: Personalised Letter to Santa Christmas Stocking £35, Lime Tree London, http://www.limetreelondon.com
CHEERS TO THE GOOD TIMES: Eva Solo whiskey glass, £15, Fenwick, in store or at http://www.fenwick.co.uk
1.) 4.5-5MM AKOYA CULTURED PEARL STUD EARRINGS An iconic classic to be worn and adored every day. The luxurious lustre of these pearls compliment any colour scheme, a staple to every jewellery collection. £110 2) THREE ROW TRI-COLOUR SKYLINE PENDANT A celebrated classic from the Skyline collection, this 0.53ct tricolour variation featuring three rows of diamonds ties in your jewellery collection seamlessly. £2,600 3) 18CT YELLOW GOLD LARGE DIAMOND SWIRL PENDANT Handcrafted in our on-site workshop the swirl pendant draws inspiration from flowing organic shapes found in nature. It is easily worn as a statement piece on its own or layered with other necklaces of varying lengths. £4,450 www.gcollinsandsons.com
JINGLE BELLE: We love this cute little festive sweater, £32, The White Company, in store on The High Street or at www.thewhitecompany.com SO Magazine | November 2021 | 29
Food & Drink
Make a date to visit
Rendez-Vous
Rendez-Vous on Camden Road has long been considered one of the best places to eat in town thanks to its fantastic food, warm welcome and appealing ambience. Eileen Leahy pays the bijou bistro a visit to discover the recipe for its ongoing success… THE LOWDOWN Rendez-Vous has been serving up its trademark French inspired classics with a side order of more experimental local seasonal offerings - for the past eight years. At the helm are Mark Harper, who heads up the front of house operation with his French wife Lydie, and John Boreham who is the restaurant’s classically trained head chef. Both men are passionate about what they do and whether you drop in for a quick lunch or linger a bit longer in the evening you’re bound to find yourself in conversation with them at some point. Whether it’s discussing how the nearby Camden Butcher has perfected its Merguez recipe or chatting about loyal customers bringing in their allotment gluts, you’ll quickly feel very much at home in this French inspired eatery. FIRST IMPRESSIONS With its wooden tables and chairs, stripped back flooring, polished cutlery and glimmering candles Rendez-Vous certainly reflects the classic ambience of a typical ‘bistrot du coin’. It may be compact and bijou but this only adds to its romantic charm and first impressions can be rather deceptive when you step over its threshold because actually it’s spread over three floors and can accommodate 50 diners. Currently though they are still spacing out tables to comply with social distancing. On arrival my guest
and I are warmly greeted by Mark who ushers us to our cosy corner table on the ground floor. He talks us through the tantalising specials board or ‘les speciaux’ and duly offers us a Kir Royale. Given the amount of chatty and content diners already here – on a weekday evening – it looks like we are in for a good time . . . UNDER STARTERS ORDERS On the specials board there are a number of tempting dishes to whet our appetites. I am sorely tempted by the decadent sounding twice-baked smoked haddock cheese souffle (£7.50) which comes with a rich chunky tomato and garlic sauce. But in the end I decide to go with the Merguez casserole (£7.50) as I’m intrigued to see just how well the aforementioned Camden butcher has replicated the distinct smoky and aromatic taste of the traditional north African sausage which is widely available across Southern France. I’m pleased to report the expertly spiced nuggets of Merguez do not disappoint and quickly polish the dish off, soaking up the piquant sauce with hunks of fresh bread. My guest had wanted to try the fresh ceviche of turbot, anointed with zingy chilli, ginger and lime and served with an avocado salad (£8.50), but at the last minute he reneges on his decision and instead opts for the duck terrine (£7.50). One mouthful in and he declares he’s made the right choice. It is smooth with a
“Although RendezVous is ‘French influenced’ Mark and John admit they always want to make the best of seasonal produce and ingredients too”
pleasing salty kick and a dollop of the accompanying homemade sweet jam chutney takes it to another level. Textural satisfaction comes courtesy of the tranches of toasted sourdough served with it. THE MAIN EVENT Although the duo say Rendez-Vous is ‘French influenced’ Mark and John admit they always want to make the best of seasonal produce and ingredients - whether that’s from local specialist suppliers such as The Warren Estate in Crowborough - or just friendly customers with a large allotment! That’s why alongside the likes of pan-fried medallions of beef fillet (£19.50) and Steak Frites (£14.50), you’ll also find dishes such as Jamaican spiced slow roasted beef short (£21.50) and monkfish, rhubarb and coconut curry, served with saffron rice and poppadoms (£17). I decide upon the latter and when ordering Mark says it can be tweaked to my personal preferences - dialling up the
heat or mellowing it. I’m impressed by this bespoke approach but say I’ll go with the chef ’s preferred cooking method. Marks says the rhubarb used in the dish was brought in by a customer earlier that week. “It’s like Ready Steady Cook sometimes,” he laughs. When the curry arrives it’s nothing short of sensational. The perfect combination of a subtly spiced and slightly sweet sauce enveloping the chunks of meaty monkfish. I give it a perfect palate pleasing 10 out of 10. My guest has chosen to indulge in the chorizo and herb crusted filet of cod (£19.50) which comes with a delicious crab and mussel sauce, crushed new potatoes and mange tout. He declares it a taste triumph that is further enhanced by a few glasses of rosé from Provence. Hey if you can’t get to the South of France right now then Rendez-Vous is certainly a good substitute. RENDEZ-VOUS’S USP For a relatively small restaurant - and team - this brasserie certainly punches way above its weight when it comes to delivery excellent quality food at affordable prices. It’s no wonder that it has held the coveted top spot on Trip Advisor for restaurants in Tunbridge Wells for so long. And lots of my French friends living in the area rave about its 'genuine ambience' and 'delicious traditional food'. So whether you’re hankering after a taste of la belle France or want to partake in a culinary celebration of some seasonal ingredients then make sure you make a date with Rendez-Vous. I guarantee you will not be disappointed . . . www.rendezvoustw.co.uk SO Magazine | November 2021 | 31
R O Y IN A T AW EA KE TA Large Parties Catered For – Inside or Out Office Parties – Lunch or Evening Three Course Lunch Festive Menu - £24.95 Three Course Dinner Festive Menu - £29.95 A La Carte Also Available Book Early to Avoid Disappoint ment!
YOUR LOCAL RESTAURANT 4 Upper Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2EN 01892 530051 | www.zorbamezegrill.com
Food & Drink
A FEAST FOR THE SENSES SO magazine pays a visit to The Bottle House and discovers its recipe for ongoing success
T
he Bottle House has always been somewhere I’ve enjoyed visiting but the popular country pub, located in the picturesque village of Penshurst, has played a very special part in my life during the past year or so. Just before we were plunged into Tier 4 status last November it was where I took my daughter for her 15th birthday lunch. Memories of the hearty burger, triple cooked chips and indulgent sticky toffee pudding we both enjoyed that winter’s day in front of the pub’s crackling fire were made even more special when we found ourselves back in lockdown just a few days later and pining for such an epicurean experience. And then when the government partially lifted restrictions for the hospitality sector in April this year, The Bottle House was where my family and I enjoyed our first taste of dining out – albeit alfresco – thanks to its new purpose-built pergola which is now a permanent and very popular fixture. Sitting outside with blankets around us dining on steak frites and chocolate brownies really did feel almost close to celestial. So to find myself back there eating dinner inside on an autumnal evening is a very special treat indeed. “We’ve had to diversify quite a bit,” says Paul Hammond the pub’s manager who’s been a steady pair of hands at the helm of this hostelry for over 30 years. “As well as building the pergola we offered customers a takeaway service during the lockdowns and that’s proved to still be very popular. We now also offer a private dining area too. It’s a Friday night when my husband and I visit, and I’m pleased to say The Bottle House is nice and busy with lots of diners and drinkers feasting and chatting, clearly enjoying the relaxed and convivial atmosphere that the place is well known for. “As we’re a very old establishment we had to think about how we could ensure our customers were safe,” continues Paul as he hands us our menus. “But instead of putting in Perspex screens to maintain social distancing we came up with the idea of wooden panels which are more in
keeping with the pub’s character and can be moved if necessary.” As we settle back to peruse the menu it’s good to see The Bottle House’s popular staples such as Larkins Beer-Battered Cod (£14.50), Speldhurst Sausages and Mash (£14.50) and homemade pizzas (from £12) are still very much in evidence. But peppered in amongst the gourmet pub grub are more exotic sounding dishes such as Spanish Style Fish Stew (£17.50), Slow Roast Orchard Farm Pork Belly (£16.50) and Fillets of Sole & Prawns En Papillote (£17.95). I opt for the latter liking the sound of classic French style steamed fish and new potatoes fused with a fragrant
It’s good to see The Bottle House’s popular staples are all here peppered in amongst more exotic sounding dishes Asian kick courtesy of soy sauce, spinach and spring onions. My husband likes the sound of the comforting shortcrust pie of the day and when Paul tells him it’s a beef and ale filling today it’s a shoo-in. “No starters?” queries Paul. “No we’ll save ourselves for dessert,” we both respond having decided beforehand that the Kentish cheeseboard featuring local Winterdale varieties sounds incredible. “Well next time make sure you try the Smoked Haddock Scotch Egg,” suggests Paul. “It’s one of our most well-liked dishes here and it’s very, very good.” Noted for next time Paul. . . While we wait for our food we take in the establishment’s charming surroundings. All the hallmarks of a classic country pub are here: exposed beams, stripped back wooden flooring and tankards hanging above the bar counter, but these elements are further enhanced courtesy of the pub’s décor scheme: think a soft sage green and putty paint palette and soothing low-level lighting. In
addition, there are plenty of old photos and antique paintings festooning the pub’s wainscot walls. And there’s also a good few vintage bottles of booze on display – well it is called The Bottle House after all… One of the things I’ve always loved about this pub, which dates back to the 15th Century, is the way it has cleverly managed to anchor down its traditional roots as a country pub yet it also feels like it’s exactly on point for its modern day customers too who also expect
an offering of exciting culinary creations and cocktails. Talking of which, the latter is an area Paul and his team are currently experimenting with thanks to the infused spirits they have been creating using foraged finds sourced literally from just a few yards away. As well as Blackberry whisky and damson vodka, you can also try their crab apple or rosehip vodka and rhubarb gin. I make a mental note that next time I visit I’m definitely trying their Bottle House Old Fashioned cocktail made
with blackberry whisky. Our food is excellent and generous in portion. My fish is light and fragrant thanks to its aromatic Asian twist while my husband reports his beef and ale pie as being the perfect seasonal dish: rich, indulgent and super filling. As we get up to leave feeling sated and satisfied Paul says they’re currently working on a Bottle House brandy too - sounds like the perfect excuse to return as soon as possible… thebottlehouseinnpenshurst.co.uk SO Magazine | November 2021 | 33
ADVERTISING FEATURE
If you're craving food that's delicious, authentic and full of flavour then head on down to Perron, a fanstastic new Mexican inspired eatery where Tequila, tortillas and tacos are the order of the day…
34 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
ADVERTISING FEATURE
W
e catch up with the guys at La Cocina Perrón – Tunbridge Well’s first proper taquería & cocktail bar. WHATS THE VIBE? After spending last winter in lockdowns the guys at Perrón wanted to open a place where people could spend some quality time eating together and drinking together. The challenge was to try and make a place where the quality of everything was super high and authentic but the atmosphere was still fun and informal. There are plenty of places in Tunbridge Wells to go and have a traditional sit down meal (starter, main, dessert, feel too full then pay the bill and leave). Things are a bit more spontaneous here – you can still come for a traditional dinner at 7pm but its also possible to just spend the evening drinking margaritas or to grab a quick bite while passing through (they’re open till 1.30am at the weekend!) THE TACOS La Cocina Perrón use traditional, authentic recipes, home made salsas and high quality ingredients. You can tell the attention to detail by the array of chillies on display imported from Mexico, their range of tequilas & mezcals at the bar and even the traditional tortilla presses they use for making their fantastic corn tortillas. “We keep the menu small so we can keep the quality high. We usually have around 4 or 5 tacos available and a couple of sides. Everything is focussed on big flavours you just won’t get anywhere else.” This is clear the minute you try their incredible tangy tomatillo & jalepeńo salsa, the barbacoa slow cooked spiced lamb or their incredible Baja style fish tacos. Even the chorizo is a step up from what we’re used to in this
country. “Mexican chorizo is a little different to Spanish. Its not dry cured and its got a ton of flavour (we use a mix of guajillo and árbol chillies, all spice, cloves, paprika and Mexican oregano). We toast all of our spices whole and grind them fresh – it really makes the flavours pop and it’s a great way to add an extra dimension to your food” WHAT PEOPLE THINK We had a look through some of the reviews and its clear these guys are doing something right. For a new business, they’ve already got quite a following. “Lovely buzzy place to enjoy beautifully made high end cocktails and delicious Mexican food” “fresh ingredients and by far the best Mexican around” “Proper, delicious margaritas (also an excellent old fashioned) and the best tacos in T Wells. Wish we lived closer so we could visit more often!” “Fab little Mexican place. Excellent food and even better margaritas!” “Had tacos from this place last week and wow!! Incredible flavours. So well cooked. The staff are super friendly & the mojito was probably the best one I’ve ever had.” “Finally, a lovely taco bar in the south east. Staff are perfect and the food is fantastically fresh and delightful. Will be coming back again and recommend to head there for some relaxed tacos and cocktails.” “Divine! Really good vegan food and the cocktails are amazing! Mezcal is lovely and we want more!” COCKTAIL SPECIALISTS Its only been a few months since launching their cocktail menu but Perrón has already firmly established themselves as the go to place in Tunbridge Wells for a really well made drink. “We do things properly here, no
sugary mixers or gimmicks – just really good quality spirits, well balanced drinks and super fresh ingredients. For example, we have incredible espresso here from Ozone Coffee Roasters so we really take advantage of that. That espresso is so rich, full bodied and complex that it sits beautifully in an espresso martini. In fact its so good we don’t mess around with it adding kahlua or other synthetic flavourings. Why add cheap coffee flavoured liqueur to an already exceptional coffee?” While visiting, we saw quite a few tables that were obviously just there for the drinks. “We have a nice split between people coming for food and people just coming for drinks so it gives the place a great atmosphere. It feels more like a bar than a stuffy restaurant.” MARGARITAS, TEQUILAS AND MEZCAL There’s a choice of margaritas at Perrón depending on how you like them but they all look great. “We’ve got a killer range of tequila and mezcal here so we can tweak things to just the right level. We serve our standard margarita with Herradura Plata which is a great tequila but we also make a mean Tommy’s Margarita with one of our top notch reposados, a very tasty Mezcal & Jalepeńo Margarita for the more adventurous and then there’s the occasional special like our fresh pineapple mezcalita or our ‘El Mejor’ made with Fortaleza Reposado.” BOOKINGS AND MORE INFO You can book tables direct with them on their Instagram profile @ perron.taco or have a look through their website at www.perron.shop . Failing that, its always worth just popping down there and seeing if they squeeze you in. Plus they’re always on the look out for staff so drop the message if you have a passion for good food and good drinks and want to join the team! SO Magazine | November 2021 | 35
Food & Drink
Besides cheese what else can we find in the shop? Cheese loves company, so we stock a wide range of wonderful accompaniments for your cheese board, almost all of which can’t be found in a supermarket. So small batch, handmade crackers and chutneys, locally made chocolate and the like, along with a selection of gift ideas, just perfect for your cheese lover’s Christmas gift! Do you have any recommendations as we head towards Christmas? First of all, come and help celebrate our first birthday on the December 1. Our opening last year in full lockdown was a fairly muted affair so this will be a chance to put that right! Secondly, look out for our range
of hampers, gift boxes and cheeseboard selections, all available to pre-order. What’s your favourite cheese at the moment? That’s the hardest question I get asked in the shop along with ‘what is your best cheese’! Lord London, by Alsop & Walker, is a great pick as we head towards Christmas. It not only looks great it’s a real centre piece for any celebration, tastes even better, and if baking is your thing, a la camembert, it is good at that too! How are you thanking TN card members for shopping locally? We are delighted to be a part of such a brilliant community; we currently offer 10% discount on our favourite cheese of the month. This November it’s Lord London from Alsop & Walker.
A cut above the rest... Every month the TN card founder Jess Gibson shines a spotlight on one our local independent businesses who are members of her shopping loyalty reward scheme. This month Jess talks to Jonathan Cook of The Cheese Shop on St John’s Road, which brings the best of our Kent and Sussex cheese to Tunbridge Wells
Jess Gibson Founder the TN Card
What led you to open the shop last year? My sister owns a cheese shop in Conwy, North Wales, and over the years there had been much discussion around why a town like Tunbridge Wells did not have a proper cheese shop! So the seed was duly sown . . . My redundancy was the impetus to change direction and fulfil my ambition, by opening a cheese shop. What were you doing before cheese? Prior to running my new business I had a 25-year career working in London media buying agencies, until I was made redundant during the first lockdown last year. Why did you choose to open in the St John's area? We have lived in St. John’s for nearly twenty years and so know
36 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
the area well. It’s a brilliant residential catchment, an increasingly thriving commercial community plus local parking is free and easy! How many cheese varieties do you stock and how do you select your range? We have over 50 brilliant artisan and farmhouse cheeses regularly in stock. The majority are British, including the best from local Kent and Sussex cheese makers, as well as broad selection of European favourites. Selection is a fluid combination of taking advice and inspiration from my brilliant suppliers and trade memberships such as The Specialist Cheesemakers Association as well as my own research. Then of course there’s our customers: for every cheese we stock, there are at least another dozen we are asked about!
ABOUT THE CHEESE SHOP LOCATION: 48b St John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9NY VISIT FOR: Over 50 artisan and farmhouse cheeses plus accompaniments MEMBER REWARD: 10% off Lord London, Alsop & Walker Join the TN community for £20 a year and enjoy rewards at over 400 local independents at www.thetncard. com
Food & Drink
Christmas Hampers are now available!
where quality comes naturally • Our butchery is modern in its provision but traditional in its values. very best service is assured whether it be whilst shopping • The instore or having a delivery to your door using our online services. skill of our butchers assures the very best cuts are created and • The using whole carcasses means that everything is available. of our sausages and burgers are homemade. We have many • Allvarieties including gluten-free. • Our bacon is dry cured on the premises from free-range pork. • We use paper packaging.
BULK ORDERS FOR WEDDINGS, PARTIES, FESTIVALS, AND LARGE EVENTS HOG ROASTS AND BARBECUES PADDOCK MAINTENANCE • HAY AND HAYLAGE FOR SALE
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01580 753558 • parkfarm3@btconnect.com
01580 753558 • parkfarm3@btconnect.com
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SO Magazine | November 2021 | 37
WELL-BEING
WHY IT’S TIME TO
SUPPLEMENT
WHEN THE SUN SETS...
This month our natural health expert Naomi Murray from Botanica in Rusthall explains the benefits of taking Vitamin D during the darker winter months
N
ovember 2 was Vitamin D Day so it seems appropriate to put pen to paper this month about all the benefits this wonder vitamin has and to celebrate the recognition it deserves. As we enter another winter season, now more than ever we need to talk about protective measures to see ourselves safely through to the other side and one way of doing that is to consider supplementing with Vitamin D. Before you do so though, you want to have a vitamin D test to check your status. This year the sun hasn’t been in such abundance, less people have travelled abroad, and there are still those who haven’t ventured far from home. All of this may lead us to consider a population with less than optimal Vitamin D levels. How do we get Vitamin D? Vitamin D3 is made in your skin when you are exposed to sunlight. It then travels in the bloodstream to the 38 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
liver and kidneys where it goes through various processes before it can be converted into a form of Vitamin D that the body can use. The best way to obtain Vitamin D is from the sun but it can also be found in foods like butter, egg yolks, liver and oily fish. It is important to point out to avoid confusion that there are two main forms of Vitamin D: D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 comes from plants and fungi grown under UV light. Vitamin D3 supplementation is preferred as research shows that taking Vitamin D2 is less effective that D3 at improving serum concentration of vitamin D. The importance of Vitamin D for overall health: Countless studies show the benefits of having optimal vitamin D levels. There is strong evidence that serum 25(OH)D levels in the range 40-80 ng/ml can significantly reduce the risk of the diseases associated with the greatest mortality rates in developed
countries. Vitamin D is protective against cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, MS, hypertension, influenza and many chronic diseases. In fact a large European study revealed lower vitamin D levels are linked to higher mortality rates. Vitamin D and Covid-19 Last year as we experienced the beginning of the pandemic one of the first observations I made was the importance of optimal Vitamin D levels as a protective measure. Studies confirm that Vitamin D protects against colds and flu. We have always known this, and so the first thing we should have done was to test the nation to assess the need for supplementation. We have seen the effect this virus has had on the elderly and BAME community, both commonly low in Vitamin D. But Vitamin D deficiency can affect anyone. In fact a family member who lives abroad and is an avid sunbather, had very low levels of Vitamin D
A few surprising Vitamin D deficiency symptoms: Hyperhidrosis excessive sweating especially the head and neck Aching bones Low immunity Unexplained depression and black moods Schizophrenia Sleep apnea Muscle weakness Fatigue It’s also worth noting that children suffering from nightmares are commonly deficient in Vitamin D
Naomi Murray Co-founder of Botanica Health
caused by low magnesium. Magnesium is critical in making Vitamin D bioavailable. And so it can sometimes be complex. Scientific evidence has shown Higher vitamin D blood levels are associated with lower rates of SARSCoV-2 infection. Higher vitamin D levels are associated with lower risk of a severe case illness (hospitalisation, ICU, or death). Intervention studies (including RCTs) indicate that Vitamin D can be a very effective treatment. Sunshine is good for you! A large study has shown that those who avoid sunshine are twice as likely to die as those who sunbathe every day. As written in The Lancet – “Paradoxically, outdoor workers have a decreased risk of melanoma compared with indoor workers, suggesting that chronic sunlight exposure can have a protective effect.” And so as the sun shows less of an appearance over the next five months or so it might be worth thinking seriously about checking your Vitamin D status. It might just make all the difference.
Thomas Mansfield The Estate Plannin Solicitors
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Our new range of simple services from Thomas Mansfield Solicitors are offered at an affordable price but without compromising on our specialist advice.
Our Simple Will Service £225 plus VAT for a single Will £295 plus VAT for two “mirror” Wills.
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Call today on 01892 337540 For more information and the terms of these offers please visit our website: www.tmwillsandprobate.co.uk
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Hypnotherapy
The last furlough... M
This month SO’s resident hypnotherapist, Karen Martin, discusses the fallout after furlough and suggests techniques to help you regain control if you’ve been affected...
any are facing their own winter of discontent following the global economic ravages of the coronavirus. While Rishi Sunak is figuring out how to raise money to pay the 68 billion pounds the furlough scheme cost, the 1.6 million people it supported are facing an uncertain future in a turbulent jobs market. On the one hand there are plenty of job vacancies and skill shortages which should push wages up and, on the other, inflation is being fuelled by higher energy costs and interest rates are set to rise. In short, most things are becoming more expensive, from holidays to basic groceries. The perfect storm of Brexit followed by the pandemic has changed all our futures in ways which are difficult to predict. Mental health charity Mind has reported a tsunami of mental health issues relating to money worries. Financial stresses have always been significant causes of anxiety and depression. Rising taxes, growth in personal debt and job insecurity are the stuff of sleepless nights. BROKE AND BROKEN Debt, poverty and rising costs affect mental health in a number of ways. If outgoings exceed income and controlling finances is a struggle, the pressure can be overwhelming. When the bills don’t get paid, cracks can start to show in the strongest of
relationships. Financial conflict is a main cause of divorce, which isn’t exactly a cheap option at the best of times. Before covid struck, depression and anxiety were the biggest cause of sick leave, amounting to 14.3 million working days lost per year. For those sufferers, working harder or getting a better paid job is not an option. Comparative figures post Covid are likely to be higher. This is an inevitable effect of the catastrophic impact on the economy and the price paid by those whose income or employment has been interrupted and those on low incomes or out of work. When the debts start piling up, financial insecurity is both a cause and effect of mental health issues. THE PRICE OF ADDICTION Another knock on effect on personal finances is the high cost of the many addictions which, if my clinic is anything to go by, are a silent epidemic and a mental health crisis. Costs are high. For example, it’s not unusual for me to see people spending monthly £200 plus on alcohol, £2000 on cocaine or £400 on cigarettes. With online shopping, it’s whatever the credit card limit is and with gambling, there is no limit to spending. When spending is out of control and life is filled with uncertainty, denial is not a solution. Being too embarrassed to share the burden or seek help is not an option. Talking
“Talking things through with loved ones or expert advisors is vital for both mental and financial health and wellbeing”
Karen Martin Hypnotherapist
things through with loved ones or expert advisors is vital for both mental and financial health and wellbeing. Recovery can take time, patience, determination and an iron will to pay off debts and plan for a brighter future. It’s no wonder that the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute reports that more than 100,000 people a year attempt suicide because of debt. Threatening letters, bailiffs at the door and stacks of unpaid bills pile on the pressure and lead to shame and despair. HELP IS OUT THERE: Working out a budget so you know what your outgoings are is a vital reality check if you want to take control of your finances. www. moneyhelper.org.uk has a useful planner to make this less of a chore. There is loads of free financial advice to help you through the minefield of services, support and options available to you. https:// www.nationaldebtline.org/ coronavirus-and-your-debts-ew/ is a good starting point https://www.mentalhealthand moneyadvice.org/en/ will help you to know your rights and figure out what kind of services you’re entitled to. It is only now as measures taken to protect people financially during lockdowns are being lifted that the true personal cost of the pandemic will become clear. Adjusting to the consequences is going to test the mental health of the nation. SO Magazine | November 2021 | 41
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Interiors
1.
8
WAYS TO STYLE A SCANDI SETTING THIS WINTER ...
I
F YOU live by the mantra less is more and covet Scandi style, chances are you’re surrounded by natural shades, your furniture echoes craftmanship and nature, there’s a clever mix of beauty with utility in your decor choices and you can’t stand clutter. This is the Scandi way – and it’s a timeless combination. But if you’re looking to start afresh, open up your space with a light pale palette and add more natural elements such as sheepskin, wood and earthy tones – or you’re still curating your Scandi scheme, there’s always a way to add a new twist or update. Here’s how to shop this timeless trend right now…
1.
Cosy Sheepskin Chair, £1,600 (other items from a selection), The White Company Soft and luxurious, elegant and timeless, this curved accent chair upholstered in curly sheepskin evokes thoughts of fireside cocktails and lounging around in your favourite cable-knit sweater.
2.
Handle Ceramic Vase, £28; Artificial Foliage in White Vase, £38, Next Pottery is right on point, and artisan pieces such as these distinctive vessels will contrast beautifully with a monochrome scheme.
3.
Set of 6 Cox & Cox Speckled Dinner Plates, £128, Next Finished in a blush pink glaze, this ceramic tableware is inspired by the Japanese tradition of WabiSabi – finding beauty in imperfection, such as bowls used for tea ceremonies and appreciating their uneven surfaces – fused with Scandi simplicity. The palette provides the perfect backdrop for gravadlax with mustard and dill sauce, too!
4.
Clarence Desk, £795 (other items from a selection), Graham & Green Even if you’ve nailed working from home and have your space sorted, this utilitarian desk, crafted in mango wood with industrialinspired pipework, will sit in perfect harmony with modern rustic decos. Plus, there’s the added bonus of four roomy drawers to clear the clutter.
Calm and serene, neutral interiors and Scandinavian-inspired homewares are so easy to live with, says Sam Wylie-Harris
Open up your space with a light pale palette and add more natural elements such as sheepskin, wood and earthy tones
SO Magazine | November 2021 | 43
Interiors
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44 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
Interiors
3.
2.
5.
Urban Paradise Sideboard – Black, £120, B&M Simple and neutral with enough natural elements to suit the Scandi aesthetic, this sideboard boasts attractive cane doors and the storage capacity to help you keep work surfaces sparse… apart from your sculpted vase on top, of course.
6.
WoodWick Smoked Walnut & Maple Candles with Pluswick: Medium Hourglass, £19.99 and Large Hourglass, £26.99, WoodWick With a wooden wick, dancing flame and sound of a crackling fire, these WoodWick candles fire the senses with base notes of smoked vanilla, patchouli and sandalwood topped with burnt sugar, toasted walnut and roasted cinnamon. A warm welcome for anyone coming in from the cold.
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Stoneware accessories in soft greys and bleached wood furniture will play up the vintage charm
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Ines Side Table in Black Marble & Black, £99 (was £149; other items from a selection or part of room set), Cult Even when you’ve made a clean sweep and gone minimal, you still need to introduce an object of desire – such as this art deco-inspired side table with A black metal base and marble top. Styled with a designer coffee table book and geometric candle holder, it will bring everything bang up to date.
8.
Malmo Ruffle White Double Bedding Set, (£115 Silver Mushroom) This ruffle-edged bedding set in 200-thread-count tumbled washed cotton has that lovely restful, relaxed feel about it, and works like a dream when styled with crochet cushions and chunky knits. Stoneware accessories in soft greys and bleached wood furniture will play up the vintage charm.
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SO Magazine | November 2021 | 45
Outside Edge
BEAUTIFUL CONVERSIONS, RESTORATIONS AND NEW BUILDS
BEAUTIFUL CONVERSIONS, RESTORATIONS AND NEW BUILDS BEAUTIFUL CONVERSIONS, RESTORATIONS AND NEW BUILDS
Get in touch Gettoday in touch to talk today to us to about talk toyour us about project: your project: 01580 857718 01580| 857718 07587 272928 | 07587| 272928 mike@phoenixdc.co.uk | mike@phoenixdc.co.uk | phoenixdc.co.uk | phoenixdc.co.uk
Gardeners Wanted
Get in touch today to talk to us about your project: o us about your project: 01580 857718 | 07587 272928 | mike@phoenixdc.co.uk | phoenixdc.co.uk 2928 | mike@phoenixdc.co.uk | phoenixdc.co.uk
If you have got what it takes for one of our beautiful gardens then we’d be delighted to talk to you. Get in touch today to talk to to uscare about your project: Established in 2007, we design, build and maintain gardens throughout Kent and East Sussex. We are currently 01580 857718 | 07587 272928 | mike@phoenixdc.co.uk | phoenixdc.co.uk looking for further experienced gardeners to join our team. You’ll be a self-starter, have good plant knowledge, excellent communications skills, wide experience and will be equally at home working with other team members, or on your own. We offer flexible working arrangements and an opportunity to work on some of the nicest gardens in the area. Call Tim Sykes at Gardenproud on 07725 173820.
46 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
Outside Edge
NOVEMBER’S TO DO LIST 1. Oh the joy of falling leaves! Clear them up every day if you can so it’s not a huge chore at the end of the season. Invest in an electric leaf blower, much easier than raking for hours on end unless you like raking! I leave a couple of small piles out of sight for hedgehogs and I push under the hedges for the birds and small mammals 2. Start covering or moving any tender plants, ideally a greenhouse is best or you could pop on window sills inside 3. Time to get that last weeding session or two in before winter sets in 4. Lawn lovers can do their last cut of the year. This may have already happened for some. I love winter in so many ways, one of them is not having to cut the grass every week! I love that it stays looking pristine for months instead of days 5. Bird lovers remember to leave food and water out, especially if it is freezing cold 6. Plant out winter bedding and bulbs (see main feature for more details)
SO Magazine’s gardening guru Victoria Truman reveals her favourite bulbs to plant in winter to guarantee a bright and beautiful spring
W
hen summer’s bright colours have faded and the garden is put to bed for the winter I like to pull out my bulb catalogues and have a good flick through, planning
for spring. Daffodils are the most widely used because they produce a reliable, bold display from early to midspring. However there are many more which add wonderful detail and flashes of seasonal colour, under
trees, in grass, amongst shrubs and ground cover planting. Some may be tiny when in full bloom but grouped together they will create a big impact once established. Cyclamen hederifolium flowers from late summer through to autumn and boasts pink and white blooms with marbled ivy like leaves. It will survive and thrive in dry shade on slopes and beneath a canopy of trees, plus it multiplies as long as it is allowed to seed and the seeds left undisturbed. In winter and spring, Cyclamen coum takes over the flowering display with more rounded flower and leaf, best planted when in leaf and flower as the corms rarely take if planted as dry bulbs. Buy tiny bulbs like Galanthus (snowdrop),Crocus,Fritillaria and Chiondoxa early and plant immediately as they dry out quickly and lose viability. With these bulbs I recommend buying in bulk as
one hundred tiny bulbs go nowhere. Galanthus nivalis, our British native snowdrop is the easiest and most reliable of snowdrops to grow. I love Snake’s Head fritillary, Frittillaria meleagris is a native of water meadows and a member of the lily family with fleshy, waxy bulbs that hate to be out of the soil. Plant immediately in moist soil, in grass and under the light shade of trees and shrubs. Smaller species of crocus are the best for naturalising in grass, around trees and borders. These spread by selfseeding. Crocus tomasinianus is one of the prettiest and blooms sometimes before the earliest snowdrops. Another perfect combination for early colour is the buttercup yellow of Eranthis hyemalis and Anemona blanda. Soak the hard, tiny tubers for 12 hours or more, then plant in groups. Watering occasionally through winter.
7. Have a seasonal bonfire where allowed 8. Put your feet up and enjoy a rest! www.victoriatruman.com
Victoria Truman Garden Designer
SO Magazine | November 2021 | 47
TRAVEL
Escape to the country... Want to get away from it all without travelling too far - or compromising your green credentials? Then set your Sat Nav to take you to the Kentish rural idyll and luxury retreat that is Frasers says Eileen Leahy who recently paid it a visit…
F
rasers is an awardwinning restaurant with rooms and events venue, set in 300 acres of glorious Kentish countryside on Coldharbour Farm near Egerton. It’s located not too far from the picture postcard villages of Smarden, Pluckley and Biddenden and popular local attractions Leeds Castle and Sissinghurst are just 20 minutes' drive away. Around a decade or so ago its owners, Adam and Lisa Fraser, saw the potential of creating a high-end hospitality hub to run alongside their
48 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
mixed farming operation. The idea was to create a luxury, get away from it all, exclusive residence that had great local food, a warm welcome, excellent guest facilities but equally a firm focus on sustainability and the environment at its heart. At Frasers you can drop by for a Sunday roast, hire one of its charming cottages for a few days of R&R, or host a wedding or other such special celebration there. Many businesses have also rented it as a location for numerous photoshoots such is its bucolic beauty. But whatever the reason for your visit guests will quickly realise that
At Frasers you can drop by for a Sunday roast, hire one of its charming cottages for a few days of R&R, or host a wedding or other such special celebration there
Lisa and her team, headed up by Frasers’ manager Jo James, want you to enjoy all of the above with as little impact on the environment as possible. “Our focus is on environmental sustainability from produce, land use, energy and supporting local supply chains,” explains Lisa. She adds she continues to grow links with wildlife groups and expand the venue’s biodiversity projects. “I am passionate about everything eco as I want to ensure our legacy is sustainable.” Frasers is also committed to only using local suppliers and also working with what it already has on its doorstep – which includes converting clusters of former farm outbuildings into eco friendly yet sumptuous accommodation. And after spending 24 hours exploring Frasers and all it has to offer I can say wholeheartedly say it
certainly achieves those objectives. But then it’s not surprising that Adam and Lisa’s vision has worked because a pioneering spirit runs in the family. Adam’s great grandfather Hugh founded his own retail company in 1850 which eventually became the House of Fraser empire. And in 2017 the couple won the British Farming Award for ‘Large Diversification of the Year’ in recognition of its transformation from solely a working farm to a successful hospitality business. It’s predominantly Lisa who now oversees the day to day running of Frasers while Adam concentrates on the farming side of things. “This is all Lisa’s vision,” confirms Fraser’s manager Jo who greets my guest and I upon our arrival one sunny Sunday afternoon in late September. “Everything you see here, from an old sea container being repurposed into a chic cocktail bar, to the creation of a beautiful cutting garden so we can provide flowers for events, is all down to Lisa. She is passionate about food miles too.” All produce is sourced within 36 miles of the farm which is also registered with the Government’s Environmental Stewardship Scheme, thereby executing low-impact, low carbon producing activities and in turn promoting the existence of a wide range of wildlife. Jo tells us all of this while we sit in the beautiful new alfresco entertaining area which boasts the aforementioned cocktail bar and cutting garden, as well as some allotments - all surrounded by lush
TRAVEL
part funded by the European farmland. You couldn’t wish for a Agricultural Fund for Rural more enchanting and relaxing Development. location. “We have families who hire all of it “People feel really safe out here as for special birthdays, Christmas or it’s so spacious. There are plenty of New Year but we also host corporate places to sit and children can run events there too. People can choose to around safely,” adds Jo. be catered for by our kitchen team or “Lisa created a wildlife trail so it’s they can bring their own food. We are lovely to see families here with their flexible and I think people like that.” children seeking out the bug hotel or Additional accommodation hanging out in the hide to spot can be found in the farm’s kestrels.” Oast House and former Jo adds that there is a “Diversification stable block, now network of footpaths renamed ‘Pond that are great for is a huge part of Cottage’. Both have walking during your our vision at Frasers. been transformed time at Frasers and I am passionate about into charming also a sunflower field everything eco as I want private dwellings which has been to ensure our legacy is with each bedroom planted specifically to sustainable” named after an apple support birds and local variety. ecology. “Visitors love the My guest and I are staying genuine nature element to for the evening in Stags’ Partridge their luxury getaway in the suite. Its smartly appointed, open plan countryside.” bedroom and spa style bathroom As my guest and I sip on our precomes with a patio area and pleasant lunch cocktail we can hear peals of laughter coming from the nearby Stags views over the surrounding Kentish countryside. It immediately strikes us Barn entertaining area. There’s a lively as the perfect place to kick back and baby shower happening and guests are unwind with just the sound of braying clearly having a fantastic time. cattle as your sonic backdrop – but we “Stags is great for all types of still have more to explore. entertaining needs,” says Jo of the My guest and I have kindly been eco-friendly barn which boasts four invited to sample one of Fraser’s most luxury suites and also a kitchen and popular offerings: a classic Sunday two large reception areas. It was also
FACT BOX: FRASERS www.frasers egerton.co.uk Barham’s Mill Road Egerton Nr. Ashford TN27 9DD Phone : 01233 756122 Email: info@frasers egerton.co.uk
roast in its beautiful, vaulted timber framed dining room which was formally a barn. With its buzzing yet cosy ambience and gorgeous views over the nearby rose gardens, the restaurant - which boasts two AA Rosettes - is the perfect place to treat your tastebuds. As well as serving up traditional roasts, it also offers afternoon tea, brunch and seasonal tasting and à la carte menus. It’s also where you will be treated to a delicous cooked breakfast, again all produce locally sourced, if you are staying overnight. We’ve both opted for Romney Marsh lamb – from a nearby female butcher - and when it arrives with a platter of Yorkshire puddings, freshly cooked seasonal vegetables and rich gravy we politely ask for cutlery to carve it. “Oh no you won’t need any of that,” smiles Jo. “You’ll find it will just fall off the bone.”And that’s exactly what happens. The meat is cooked to perfection and falls apart with just a prod of a fork. The homemade mint sauce is zingy and makes the perfect accompaniment to the lamb - along with a glass of crisp rosé from nearby Biddenden vineyard. Talking of wines there is a great selection of local ones on the menu – another example of Frasers using the best of what’s on offer on their doorstep. Our first class meal is bookended by the most delicious and impressive
smorgasbord of tempting canapes I’ve even seen or tasted – think prawn tempura, beetroot velouté and terrine with homemade piccalilli – and an indulgent Kentish cheeseboard. Feeling rather full we opt to enjoy the latter on the terrace outside our room once we’ve had a little stroll around… Located next to the main restaurant is a permanent marquee which Frasers offers as an option for guests celebrating weddings, birthdays and other special occasions. In it they also hold a number of activity workshops too. These can be anything from cookery to floristry, or photography to music and Lisa is keen to offer more of these in the very near future. “We will be launching a series of wellness workshops in the coming months for groups and businesses to get together to relax, recharge and reconnect – not only with each other but also with the beautiful surrounding landscape and nature here on the farm.” But whatever you choose to do at Frasers you certainly won’t be disappointed you did it at this delightful venue. It may be hundreds of years old but the venue’s focus is firmly on the future says Lisa. “I would like Frasers to continue to lead the way in innovation while giving a great experience to guests, to inspire others to do the same.” SO Magazine | November 2021 | 49
Motors
cumbersome task. Now, however, these have been replaced in favour of touch-sensitive haptic buttons – much the same as those you’ll find on the latest Cayenne – which gives the Macan’s cabin a far more minimalist appearance. The gear selector itself has been made smaller too. And though the general architecture of the cabin might be showing its years somewhat, the attention to material quality is still excellent.
Porsche Macan GTS
WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?
Porsche has given its popular Macan a brief update to keep it sharp. Jack Evans tries the GTS model to see what has changed. WHAT IS IT?
Porsche is a big fan of tweaking its line-up, refining and sharpening to keep its products at their tip-top best. It’s the case with the Macan, which has now been given a second, subtle update for 2021, prior to a fully electric version hitting the roads in 2023. To keep things fresh up until then, the current Macan now gains revised looks, a more streamlined engine line-up and a less buttonheavy interior than before. And though the previous Macan was by no means behind the times, it was starting to show its age in some key areas. So, has this updated version addressed this?
WHAT’S NEW?
We’ll admit when glancing around the Macan’s well-proportioned exterior, it’s hard to see exactly what has changed over the previous car. The distinctive full-width light bar at the rear is present and correct, but now the front end gains a tweaked grille, while around the back there’s a prominent diffuser. Still, it’s a subtle change. But things have been given a shakeup when it comes to powertrains. Entry-level Macan versions still use a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, but the more powerful Macan S ditches its older 3.0-litre V6 in favour of a more powerful 2.9-litre version. Gone too is the range-topping Turbo, instead replaced by the car we’re in today – the GTS. This model does, 50 | November 2021 | SO Magazine
however, nearly match the output you’d get from the older Turbo meaning that if you’re after pace, this is the one to opt for.
WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?
The Macan, in GTS setup, makes use of a 2.9-litre turbocharged V6. It kicks out a considerable 434bhp – exceeding by some margin the 375bhp you get in the Macan S – alongside 550Nm of torque. Driven to the wheels via a seven-speed PDK automatic, it’s enough power to send the GTS from 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds – or 4.1 seconds when fitted with the optional Sport Chrono package as with ‘our’ car – and onwards to a 169mph top speed. In terms of economy figures, we’re talking up to 25mpg combined and CO2 emissions of 258g/km. Of course, a way of eliminating these is by switching to electric – something the Macan is doing very shortly, as we previously mentioned.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
One of the best things about the Macan – and one that continues to be so in this new version – is how spot-on the driving position is. You can get low in the seat, while the thin-rimmed steering wheel – a pleasant tonic to the current trend for thicker wheels – gets loads of adjustment too. It just means you’re starting off from a good point.
FACTS AT A GLANCE MODEL: Porsche Macan GTS BASE PRICE: £64,770 MODEL AS TESTED: GTS PRICE: £85,276 ENGINE: Turbocharged V6 petrol POWER: 434bhp TORQUE: 550Nm MAX SPEED: 169mph 0-60MPH: 4.1 seconds MPG: 24.1-25.0 EMISSIONS: 258g/km CO2
Fire up the GTS and you get a metallic rasp as the engine gets going and moving off this continues on. Well-weighted steering gives you the confidence to make the most of the engine’s power, while good levels of body control ensure that you actually don’t notice its two-tonne weight as much as you may think. There’s a certain firmness to the ride at low speeds, but the quality of the damping means that larger potholes don’t thump through to the cabin. At motorway speeds, there’s some audible tyre and road noise, but it’s not too bad.
WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?
It’s inside where you’ll find some of the biggest changes. It was one of the real weak spots of the older Macan; a head-scrambling number of buttons littered the central area around the gear selector, making changing settings and features a bit of a
Prices for the Macan GTS kick off from £64,770 and included in this price you do get plenty of standard equipment. Highlights include LED headlights with dynamic cornering lights, park assist for hassle-free manoeuvres and GTS-badged eightway sports seats. You also get a full instrument cluster that has a 4.8-inch colour display fitted into a ‘pod’. A full infotainment setup with Apple CarPlay and a 10-speaker sound system is also fitted as part of the GTS’ standard list of equipment. Our test car, fitted with extras such as ‘Carmine Red’ exterior paint (£1,676), a panoramic sunroof (£1,166) and a heated multifunction steering wheel trimmed in Race-Tex with carbon inlays (£1,158) tipped the scales at £85,276 – a considerable chunk of cash for a car this size. You could, however, quite easily trim this back.
VERDICT
Consistent revisions – albeit relatively small ones – have ensured that the Macan has stayed competitive along its lifetime. Porsche’s smallest SUV is going to have considerable in-house competition once the electric version arrives (the pair are set to be sold alongside one another) but these tweaks have ensured that up until that point it’ll still remain as one of the best-handling cars in its class and one that will no doubt find favour with many drivers after performance and practicality. Sure, the options list can easily send prices skyward, but go easy with the box-ticking and this remains an incredibly appealing SUV both in terms of dynamics and – thanks to this update – interior quality.
PR ESENTS
ADAPTED BY
JEMMA KENNEDY
This Christmas, there’ll be music, mirth and much mistaken identity! 8 DECEMBER 2021 - 2 JANUARY 2022 Box Office 01892 678 678 • www.trinitytheatre.net