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2042-1931 ISSN
ISSUE 93 MAY/JUN25
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A RT I N M OT I O N . Cha r ity cham pi o n . M O R O CCO C A L L S . Fashion future. Y E S C H E F. Cra t h o r n e spo tli gh t . C I T Y STAYS . Spa i n s ession. G A R D E N G LO R Y. Wa tch Ed it . C A B I N C L A SS . Drivi n g fo rce . L I T T L E M O M E N TS . B ig nam es. L U X E .
WHERE SOLD
All you have to do is dream...
DOLCE & GABBANA
RALPH LAUREN
LOCHERBER MILANO
ROBERT WELCH
Welcome to Seymour’s Home: your go-to destination for all things luxurious As the days grow longer and summer approaches, it’s the perfect time to refresh your living space and embrace the joys of the season. Here at Seymour’s Home, we’re thrilled to offer you a stunning collection of the world’s most desirable homeware brands, all complemented by our exceptional customer service.
Each item we stock is handpicked by our team, ensuring that you receive only the finest designer pieces to enhance your home. So why wait? Visit us at Seymour’s Home and discover the perfect pieces to transform your living spaces into a haven of comfort and style. We can’t wait to welcome you and help you create the home of your dreams!
Don’t wait - pop into Seymour’s Home in Darlington today or visit our online store.
www.seymourshome.com 24 Grange Rd, Darlington DL1 5NG Grange Road Tel: 01325 355272
WELCOME
ISSUE 92 MAY/JUN25
contents 6>> The agenda
Hip happenings for May and June
14>> Goal getter
A milestone for the Alan Shearer Foundation
18>> Rock star For the first time this year, I’m writing this editor’s letter from my garden. The flower beds are blooming, the trees are blossoming and there’s an undeniable sense of energy in the air. The lighter, brighter days are well underway, bringing with them the promise of vibrant colours and the kind of warmth that invites us to live fully and embrace new possibilities. It’s a time of abundance, renewal, and celebration - and in this edition, we’re reflecting that spirit in everything we do. Our foodie story this month is with someone whose culinary creativity is as rich and vibrant as the season itself - James Close, Culinary Director at Rockliffe Hall. James’s journey is one of reinvention and mastery, and in our chat, he shares how he continues to push boundaries in the kitchen, the region and the food world as a whole. With the season of abundance comes the perfect opportunity to refresh, rejuvenate, and explore new possibilities. Whether it’s transforming your home, checking into a wellness retreat, or discovering new ways to embrace the beauty of summer, we’ve gathered inspiration to help you make the most of these (hopefully!) sun-filled months. As always, Luxe is dedicated to showcasing the finer things in life. In this issue, we’re diving into luxury getaways, exploring the everevolving world of fashion, and highlighting the exciting changes happening across our region. From dazzling events to innovative experiences, this summer promises to be one of the best yet. I hope this issue inspires you to embrace the season with open arms and a heart full of excitement. Remember to check in with us online at luxe-magazine.co.uk See us on social at: Instagram: @theluxemagazine Facebook: @luxemag
THE LUXE TEAM Christopher March publisher chris@allies-group.com
Bringing stone lifting back to life
20>> Art with heart
Jim Moir on his Newcastle exhibition
24>> Fashion edit Postcard from Marrakech James Close is in the process of starting his new chapter as Culinary Director at Rockliffe Hall. When he’s not working, his luxe things in life include: spending time with his wife Maria and his two children, travelling to France for food and wine inspiration, and making the time to hit the gym.
32>> Digital age A fashion movement
38>> Getting well Healing with Dr Neet
42>> Rockliffe reimagined A new chapter for James Close
50>> City living Stylish summer stays
56>> Outside edge
Interior inspo for garden glamour
63>> Dial up
Our top watch picks
66>> Grand tour
Behind the wheel with Maserati
68>> High flyer
Inspiring stuff with Stu Abbott
71>> Social diary Eyes and teeth time
Dr Jenny Connor is the founder of Dalton Moor Farm, a forward-thinking veganic farm in Seaham. Her luxe things in life include: being outside in nature every day, sharing life in the countryside with her husband and dogs, and helping people live their best lives by finding their strengths.
Scan our QR code and keep up-to-date with the latest luxe moments. Our partners
EDITORIAL Elysia Fryer editor editor@luxe-magazine.co.uk SALES Debi Coldwell director debi@allies-group.com PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson info@kgphotography.co.uk Nicky Rogerson nicky@kgphotography.co.uk Sean Elliott Photography seanelliottphotography.co.uk DESIGN David Stubbs creative director dave@allies-group.com Euan Underwood euan@allies-group.com If you wish to advertise with us please contact our sales team: Debi Coldwell: debi@allies-group.com / 07910 918366
Allies Group Ltd, The Schoolhouse, 12 Trinity Chare, Quayside, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3DF allies-group.com All contents copyright ©2025 Allies Group Ltd. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork or advertising materials while in transmission or with the publisher or their agents. All information is correct at time of going to print, May 2025.
Calum Stott is a Cumbrian farmer on a mission to bring back England’s long-lost tradition of stone lifting. When he’s not farming, fathering his two young children, or reviving folklore, his luxe things in life include: supporting the village community, his Lakeland Terrier Trigger, and the combination of beer, whisky and folk music.
luxe is published bi-monthly by Allies Group Ltd
MAY/JUN25
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ADVERTORIAL
By Karolina Photography
Wedding Day Confidential:
The inside scoop
by Tanya Hedley, Head of Weddings at Gainford Group
There’s something about being the wedding planner that taps into my love for playing the mysterious stranger. I might know everyone in the room but to most of the guests, I’m just an intruder with a clipboard. Here’s my unfiltered take on what really happens on the big day and how you can embrace it No one ever notices all the little saves. Maybe that unreleased Beyonce track that you downloaded from YouTube had an ad half way through it – good job we tested it! Maybe Mum decides to give a surprise speech. Guess what? We already had an inkling when we saw the third glass get poured and Chef was already on notice that food could be delayed! The timeline is sacred—but flexible. At Gainford Weddings we build wedding timelines with military precision but we also know when to flex. If you’re in the middle of
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Ask any married couple and they’ll tell you: the day flies by. One minute you’re putting on your shoes, and the next you’re swaying under chandelier of The Ballroom for your first dance. That’s why we sneak you away for stolen moments just the two of you (yes, we saw Mum’s face when we said she couldn’t come). Watch your guests from a quiet corner because these moments, no matter how small, often become your most cherished.
Final Thoughts As a planner, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected and treasure the unpredictable beauty of weddings. They’re not just about pretty tablescapes and dreamy dresses. They’re about love, connection, and the joyful chaos (why do you think movie makers love weddings so much!) So if you’re planning your big day, here’s my advice: focus less on perfection, and more on presence. Your wedding doesn’t have to be flawless to be unforgettable. It just has to be you. Want more expert advice – join us for our next VIB event – the ultimate girl’s day out for the Bride to Be in association with H Beauty.
a teary-eyed first look and it’s running a few minutes late, we’ll adjust. We build in buffer time for photoos, makeup touch-ups, and shoe changes (Loubs to Nike right?). Our goal is to keep the day flowing smoothly, without rushing you. Your wedding vendors are your safety net. Chances are we have worked with your photographer, florist and band before – they may know the venue better than you. Treat your vendors well and trust their experience - you’ll be amazed at how much stress you can avoid.
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Your emotions set the tone. If you’re stressed, your wedding party will feel it. If you’re calm, joyful, and present, everyone around you will relax too. That’s why I remind couples to eat (yes, it’s the first question I ask on the morning), take deep breaths and soak it all in.
WEDDING OPEN NIGHTS
24/05/25 5PM 7PM MAY/JUN25
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ELEGANT • TIMELESS • UNRIVALLED The Vermont Hotel, Castle Garth, Newcastle, NE1 1RQ | 0191 233 1010 | weddings@vermonthotel.co.uk | vermont-hotel.com Photograph by Karolina Photography MAY/JUN25
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The agenda: summer fun >> Luxe diary dates for May and June… MUSIC Bloom: Motown THROUGHOUT MAY & JUNE
For those who love soul and groove, Bloom’s Motown nights are the ultimate way to experience the magic of Motown music. Celebrate the sounds of legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and The Supremes, with the incredible live band creating the perfect party atmosphere. These evenings are filled with upbeat energy and nostalgia, as the timeless music of Motown fills the air. bloomdayandnight.com
TALKS & WORKSHOPS Charlotte Tilbury Masterclass 11 MAY
Calling all beauty-lovers! Don’t miss the opportunity to attend an exclusive Charlotte Tilbury Masterclass at Wynyard Hall. Learn the secrets of flawless makeup application from the expert herself, with tips and techniques that can transform your beauty routine. Whether you’re a makeup novice or a beauty pro, this class will elevate your skills with insider knowledge from one of the biggest names in the industry. Plus, you’ll get to try out Charlotte’s iconic products and leave feeling like a true beauty expert. wynyardhall.co.uk
FOOD & DRINK Lunch Club with Ad Gefrin Gin Tasting 14 MAY
Join Dobson & Parnell for a delightful afternoon at their Lunch Club featuring an exclusive gin tasting experience with Ad Gefrin Distillery. The expert-led tasting will introduce you to the rich, complex flavours of Ad Gefrin’s handcrafted gins, all paired with a delicious, seasonal lunch. A perfect opportunity to savour the very best of local produce, while discovering the unique botanicals and techniques that make Ad Gefrin a standout name in the world of craft gin. dobsonandparnell.co.uk
ARTS & CULTURE The Late Shows 2025 16 - 17 MAY
Get ready to explore the cultural gems of Newcastle and Gateshead at The Late Shows, an annual event where artistic venues come alive after hours. For two nights, some of the region’s best galleries, museums, and cultural venues stay open late, offering a unique chance to discover new exhibitions, interactive performances, and exciting installations. Whether you’re an art aficionado or simply looking for an inspiring evening out, The Late Shows promises to deliver an unforgettable mix of creativity and culture. thelateshows.org.uk
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FOOD & DRINK Santorini Sunset Party 25 MAY
MUSIC Kylie 17 MAY
Pop icon Kylie Minogue takes to the Utilita Arena stage this May. Known for her electrifying performances and chart-topping hits, expect all the classics like Can’t Get You Out of My Head and Spinning Around, as well as new tracks from her latest album. An evening of pure pop magic. utilitaarena.co.uk
THEATRE Snow White: The Sacrifice - balletLORENT 17 MAY
Transport yourself to the sun-kissed shores of Santorini at Grantley Hall’s Santorini Sunset Party. This vibrant event brings a taste of the Mediterranean to Yorkshire, with delicious Greek-inspired food, refreshing cocktails, and breathtaking views. As the sun sets, enjoy live music and the lively atmosphere of this glamorous celebration. It’s the perfect way to kick off the summer season in style. grantleyhall.co.uk
THEATRE Once Upon A Toon by Paul Ferris - Book Launch 28 MAY
An evening for literature lovers and proud Geordies. Paul Ferris, a well-known figure in Newcastle’s rich cultural landscape, brings us a fascinating blend of history, heart, and humour through his new book. Expect to be transported back to the golden days of Toon football, all while enjoying some engaging discussion and insights from the author himself. A must-attend for anyone who loves a good story - and the city that’s full of them. live.org.uk
FOOD & DRINK Burger & Champagne Pop-Up 6, 7, 13 & 14 JUNE
Indulge in the ultimate guilty pleasure with a twist at Rockliffe Hall’s Burger & Champagne Pop-Up. Combining two of life’s finest luxuries - gourmet burgers and exquisite champagne - this pop-up promises an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you’re treating yourself to a classic beef burger or exploring one of the exciting vegetarian options, paired with a glass of bubbly, your taste buds are in for a treat. rockliffehall.com
TALKS & WORKSHOPS Mani-Fest 2025 16 JUNE
Mani-Fest 2025 is a transformative event for anyone eager to explore manifestation, mindset, and spirituality. Taking place on 16 June at The Glasshouse, this immersive festival offers keynote speeches from renowned experts, interactive workshops, and a holistic marketplace. Attendees will gain practical tools for personal growth, spiritual development, and manifestation. With general admission and VIP options available, Mani-Fest is ideal for those seeking to enhance their life and wellbeing. Inspiring speakers include founder Mart Tweedy, as well as big names such as Kirsty Gallagher, Victoria Jackson, Katie George, Josie Baxter and more! mani-fest.uk
balletLORENT presents an enchanting reimagination of the classic Snow White fairytale with The Sacrifice. This contemporary ballet blends exquisite choreography with a deeply emotional story that explores love, loss, and redemption. With stunning costumes, hauntingly beautiful music, and some truly mesmerising dance sequences, The Sacrifice brings a fresh, bold twist to a beloved tale. darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
THEATRE Something in the Water 18 MAY
There’s no better time to celebrate the remarkable talent and humour found in the North East! Join host Steph McGovern and presenter, Joe McElderry as they deliver a cabaret-style revue show at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal. With stars including Jill Halfpenny, Rosie Ramsey and Sonny Tennet, and powered by North East funk-soul supergroup Groovetrain, it’s a night that is sure to have you on your feet! theatreroyal.co.uk
ARTS & CULTURE Exhibiting Artist Talks: Charlotte Hodes 24 MAY
Join Charlotte Hodes, one of the most innovative artists in the contemporary scene, for an insightful talk at The Bowes Museum. As part of the Exhibiting Artist Talks series, Charlotte will share the inspiration behind her stunning exhibitions and explore the creative process that brings her work to life. Expect a deep dive into the world of art, culture, and design as Charlotte discusses her journey and influences. thebowesmuseum.org.uk
CHARITY Inspirational Women Networking Ladies Lunch 13 JUNE
This June, Wynyard Hall will play host to one of the North East’s most uplifting events the Inspirational Women Networking Ladies Lunch - an empowering afternoon bringing together women from across the region for an afternoon of conversation, connection, and community impact. Following the success of last year’s event, which raised over £11,000 to support individuals experiencing food insecurity, Feeding Families are setting their sights even higher in 2025. All funds raised will go directly to the North East charity. This year’s lunch boasts an impressive line-up of speakers who will share their stories, experiences, and insights through engaging Q&A sessions. Sophie Milliken MBE, CEO of Moja, Chair of Smart Works Newcastle, and listed in the Top 10 Most Empowering Women, joins forces with Gill Hunter, Managing Partner of Square One Law and a trailblazer in the legal field. Hosted by Ingrid Johnson, a British voiceover artist and broadcaster with over 30 years of experience. Guests can expect inspiring real-life success stories and the chance to connect with like-minded individuals in an atmosphere filled with support and ambition. Tickets are priced at £37 per person, with an opportunity to ‘Pay It Forward’ - donating a ticket for someone who might not otherwise be able to attend. Inclusivity is at the heart of the event, and no one is left behind due to cost. For those who want to make an even greater impact, table sponsorship is available for £500, along with additional sponsorship packages designed to align your brand with a cause that’s creating real change. feedingfamilies.org.uk
MAY/JUN25
Twilight Tour, Dine & Taste Packages available on Friday and Saturday Nights
Afternoon Tea at The Glass House, Wynyard Hall Now Open for Evening Dining on Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights
For the moments that matter For more information and to make a reservation adgefrin.co.uk/dine
01668 281554
South Road, Wooler, Northumberland, NE71 6NJ
Indulge in a wonderful afternoon surrounded by the natural beauty of The Glass House at Wynyard Hall. Now serving Afternoon Tea every Wednesday to Friday, from 2pm – 5pm, this serene botanical setting is the perfect backdrop for a midweek treat.
Whether you’re catching up with friends or simply taking time for yourself, Afternoon Tea at The Glass House is a moment to savour. Book your table now at wynyardhall. co.uk or scan the QR code to reserve.
Delight in a selection of freshly baked scones, delicate finger sandwiches, and handcrafted patisserie – all served with your choice of artisan tea or coffee. £29.00 per person.
Strength on your side... Our Wynyard Park office is home to Tilly Bailey & Irvine's dedicated Commercial and Business Solicitors. It is ideally located on Wynyard Business Park, just off the A19 from Teesside, Wearside, Tyneside and the A1. Tilly Bailey & Irvine Law Firm has a long tradition of acting for businesses, and the people who own and run them, across Teesside, the North of England, and nationally. The Wynyard team advise on all types of Corporate and Commercial transactions, Commercial Property, Commercial Disputes, and Employment Law. Our Private Family Law team are also located within the office and can assist you with all your family law matters, working with the wider business teams, utilising their wealth of experience to provide an all-inclusive seamless service to every client. In addition to our business hub, Tilly Bailey & Irvine is a full service law firm, offering services such as Conveyancing, Wills, Trusts & Probate, Personal Injury, and Investments & Wealth Planning, and has offices across the region.
Visit our website:
For more information about our services, or to book a confidential appointment to speak to a solicitor, contact us on 01740 646000 or visit www.tbilaw.co.uk 12 Evolution | Wynyard Park | Wynyard | TS22 5TB Castle House | 11 Bridge Road | Stockton-on-Tees | TS18 3AD @tbilaw
TillyBaileyIrvine
Tilly Bailey & Irvine
York Chambers | York Road | Hartlepool | TS26 9DP 8 Newgate | Barnard Castle | DL12 8NG T: 01429 264101 F: 0333 444 4420 W: www.tbilaw.co.uk
Tilly Bailey & Irvine LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
MAY/JUN25
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Outdoor events & festivals >> From food festivals to live music, the North East is packed with exciting outdoor events this season.. Whitby Fish and Ships Festival 17 MAY
Head to Whitby this May for the Fish and Ships Festival, where fresh seafood and maritime heritage take centre stage. This one-day event celebrates Whitby’s fishing history and the UK’s vibrant maritime culture, offering a range of delicious seafood from local vendors, as well as a series of fun, family-friendly activities. whitbypark.co.uk
A Stone’s Throw 23 - 25 MAY
The Stone’s Throw Festival promises a fantastic mix of live music, art, and outdoor activities. The North Shields event will feature performances from emerging artists and bands, local food vendors, and a range of fun activities for all ages. astonesthrowfestival.co.uk
Gary Barlow with Beverley Knight 13 JUNE
Get ready for a spectacular night of music with Gary Barlow and Beverley Knight at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre. Gary Barlow, known for his stellar career as part of Take That, will bring his incredible vocal talents and timeless songs, while Beverley Knight’s soulful voice will have you captivated. scarboroughopenairtheatre.com
Classic Car Show 29 JUNE
Gear up for a day of timeless automotive excellence at the Classic Car Show at Raby Castle. Whether you’re an enthusiast or just curious about vintage vehicles, this show promises a stunning collection of classic cars from different eras, all set against the beautiful backdrop of Raby Castle. With over 100 cars to admire, including some rare models, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get up close, chat with car owners, and learn more about the history of these magnificent machines. raby.co.uk
Durham Fringe Festival 2025 23 - 27 JULY
Malton Food Lovers Festival 24 - 26 MAY
One for the foodies! The Malton Food Lovers Festival is back, bringing the best of Yorkshire’s culinary delights to the heart of the town. For three days, you can indulge in local produce, street food, cooking demonstrations, and tastings from top chefs. With over 100 food and drink stalls, there’s something for every palate - whether you’re looking for a fresh take on local classics or new, exciting flavours. This festival is a true celebration of Yorkshire’s food scene and a great way to explore delicious food while soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. visitmalton.com
Book it now >> Time to plan ahead. Secure your spot for these unmissable events…
Get ready for an explosion of creativity at the Durham Fringe Festival 2025. This five-day event showcases a diverse range of performances, including theatre, comedy, dance, and spoken word - from both emerging artists and established names. The festival provides a platform for independent and experimental works, offering a fresh and exciting perspective on the arts. durhamfringe.co.uk
Screen on the Green JULY - SEPTEMBER
Newcastle’s outdoor cinema is back for summer! From July until September, Screen on the Green will be home to everything from classic films to the latest blockbusters. Bring a blanket, grab some popcorn, and settle in for a memorable movie in the heart of the city. getintonewcastle.co.uk
The Music of Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight 25 JULY
Relive the magic of Fleetwood Mac’s timeless hits in an intimate setting with The Music of Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight at the Stockton Globe. This enchanting concert will transport you through the band’s incredible catalogue of songs. stocktonglobe.co.uk
Seaham Food Festival 2025 2 & 3 AUGUST
Kynren: An Epic Tale of England EVERY SATURDAY FROM 19 JULY - 13 SEPTEMBER
Step back in time and witness 2,000 years of history unfold at Kynren: An Epic Tale of England. This open-air spectacular in Bishop Auckland is a must-see for history buffs and thrill-seekers alike. With breathtaking live action, immersive storytelling, and stunning special effects, Kynren brings England’s history to life in an unforgettable way. From ancient battles to iconic moments in British history, this outdoor show is an epic adventure that’s sure to amaze and inspire. 11arches.com
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The Seaham Food Festival is back - a gastronomic celebration you won’t want to miss. This two-day event is a paradise for anyone with a passion for great food and drink. Expect a feast of local and international flavours, cooking demonstrations, food stalls, and live entertainment. Whether you’re a dedicated foodie or simply looking for a fun day out by the sea, the Seaham Food Festival promises to deliver a tasty experience for all. seahamfoodfestival.co.uk
War Horse 10 - 20 SEPTEMBER
Prepare to be moved by the heart-wrenching tale of War Horse, returning to the Theatre Royal in Newcastle this September. Based on Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel, this iconic production tells the story of Joey, a horse sold to the cavalry during World War I, and his young owner’s determination to bring him home. With awe-inspiring puppetry, powerful performances, and a deeply emotional storyline, War Horse promises to be an unforgettable theatrical experience. theatreroyal.co.uk
Luxe reads
Switch off this summer with our top five reads each perfect for getting lost in the pages The Sunset Crowd: A Novel By Karin Tanabe Set in the glamorous backdrop of the Hamptons, The Sunset Crowd invites you into a world of wealth, intrigue, and simmering secrets. Tanabe’s story centres on Nora, a young woman entangled in a high society that thrives on excess and appearances. As she navigates her way through scandal, love, and betrayal, readers are swept away into the golden, sun-drenched days of summer. But beneath the charm of the Hamptons lies a darker side, and Nora’s life will never be the same once she learns the truth about her friends, her past, and herself. Perfect for fans of juicy beach reads with depth, The Sunset Crowd offers just the right mix of luxury and suspense, making it the ideal novel for a long, lazy afternoon by the pool. Seven Summers By Paige Toon This charming novel follows the love story of Maggie, a woman whose life intertwines with that of a handsome stranger over seven unforgettable summers. From sun-kissed beaches to quiet, intimate moments, the novel encapsulates all the magic of a summer romance that spans years. Yet, as Maggie’s journey reveals, time changes everything - seasons, people, and hearts alike. It’s a story about love, loss, and rediscovery, reminding readers that some connections are too deep to ever truly fade away. A Midlife Holiday By Cary J Hansson For those seeking a lighthearted escape, A Midlife Holiday by Cary J Hansson is the perfect remedy. Follow the story of Nora, who’s looking to spice up her life after reaching a certain age. Feeling disillusioned and a bit stuck, she embarks on a solo adventure that leads her to the picturesque Mediterranean. What follows is an unforgettable journey of self-discovery, fresh starts, and unexpected romance. This delightful read will inspire you to take life a little less seriously and maybe even book your own midlife getaway. The Last Days of Summer By Sarra Manning A rich, emotional journey about two unlikely people finding love in the most unexpected of places. Set against the backdrop of a sundrenched English summer, the novel follows Isabelle, a woman dealing with heartbreak and self-doubt, who meets the brooding and mysterious Sam. Their story is one of complex emotions, set against the intoxicating beauty of long summer days, where tension simmers between them. A compelling read for anyone who’s ever wondered what might happen if they let go and followed their heart. The Distance Between Us By Maggie O’Farrell A brilliant exploration of family dynamics, love, and loss. This novel follows a family during a tumultuous period, with each member facing their own battles and grappling with secrets that threaten to tear them apart. With Maggie O’Farrell’s signature lyrical prose and sharp eye for human frailty, The Distance Between Us is a poignant read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. The perfect choice for anyone who enjoys literary fiction with heart.
MAY/JUN25
LOCAL BEAUTY
♥ NE
Our wonderful region through your lens. Here are some of your recent shots from days out in local beauty spots
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1. Alan Blackie, Lambley Viaduct @alphajphoto 2. Shannon Clarke, Bamburgh @shannonclarke.photography 3. Laura Thompson, Souter Lighthouse @laurathompson_photography 4. Siân Nichol, Roseberry Topping, @yorkshirepostcard
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GET CREATIVE
THE CRAFTS CORNER
with Sara Davies Entrepreneur and queen of crafts, Sara Davies, brings you a step-by-step guide to her latest craft projects... Father’s day You will need...
The sun is shining, the nights are light and the BBQs and garden parties are in full swing! And, what better way to spruce up your back garden than with this gorgeous, bright bunting? You can use the same template to create bunting for lots of different occasions, simply swap out the papers and coloured wool. June is also Father’s Day so I’ve come up with the perfect card to celebrate the special man in your life whether it’s making it with the kids for your husband, for your dad, step-dad or grandad or someone that’s been like a father to you, a handmade card is the perfect way to let them know that you care.
A sheet of 12”x12” patterned paper Patterned and plain coloured card Scissors or guillotine Pencil Cellotape White card Computer and printer 6x4 card blank (you can create one yourself out of some white card) Glue gun
To create...
1. Start by creating the rosette. Simply cut a strip of patterned paper from a sheet of 12”x12” patterned paper, measuring 12” in length and 1 ½” wide. 2. Take a pencil and make a score line every ¼” down the length of the strip. 3. Next, make a concertina fold across the strip as though you were making a fan. 4. Tape the two ends together so you have a concertinaed circle, 5. Cut out two circles from white card around 1” in size. 6. Push the strip that you’ve just made into a circle down to make it lay flat. Then, take one of the circles and use the glue gun to fix it in the centre of the rosette. Flip the piece over and glue the other circle on the front. 7. Turn on your computer and type out ‘happy father’s day’ in a font of your choice multiple times so that you can create strips from the pieces. 8. Print them out onto some regular copier paper and cut them into 1” strips - you’ll need two in total. 9. Use some glue to adhere one of the “happy fathers day’ strips along the right hand side edge of the card front. 10. Decorate the remainder of the card with some coloured card and patterned paper. 11. Glue some 1” strips of coloured card, patterned paper and the ‘father’s day’ strips to the back of the rosette to create the ribbon tails. I layered these at alternating lengths to create a staggered effect. 12. Adhere the rosette to the front of the card. 13. Finish the card by adhering a paper star to the centre and add a personal message for your special someone inside!
Summer bunting You will need... Card Pencil Ruler Scissors
To create...
Cord or string Wool Patterned paper Glue gun
1. To create the bunting, you will need to create a template. Cut a piece of card measuring 6” x4” then draw a line down the middle with the card in the portrait position. 2. Next, draw a line across the piece of card, 2” up from the bottom. Then, draw a line from each of the bottom corners up to where the two lines that you have just drawn meet. 3. Use some scissors to cut away the triangle that you have created at the bottom. This will give you the perfect pennant shape for the template! 4. Next, take some patterned papers, place the template on top and use some scissors to cut around it. Cut as many
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pennants as you like for as long as you would like the bunting to be. 5. Once you have cut out your desired amount of pennants, set them to one side and cut a length of string as long as you would like your bunting then set it to one side. 6. Take some coloured wool that complements your patterned papers to create some fringing. 7. Cut some lengths of wool measuring approximately 4” long and fasten them onto the string with a larks head knot (fold the piece of wool in half, place it over the top of the string then thread the two loose ends through the loop that you’ve created and pull). The thickness of the wool will determine how many pieces you will need, but each section of fringing will need to be 4” wide so it’s the same width as the paper. 8. Finally, take the hot glue gun and adhere the pennant pieces behind the fringing sections, set them aside to dry and then your bunting will be ready to hang.
MAY/JUN25
sponsored charity
Friday 26th September 2025 11:30am until 6pm
Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, Co. Durha m, TS21 2EH PLUS
Joe Pasquale THE DOLLY SHOW Emerald Thieves JJ Galway BAND
PURVEYORS OF FINE IRISH MUSIC
LIVE PERFORMANCE BY
TONY HADLEY
BRANDON BLOCK Compère Steve Walls
A notoriously superb afternoon event, where the all inclusive price includes a Fantastic Seafood Menu, Oyster Stalls, free flowing Guinness, Wine, Beer and Lager.
Fantastic entertainment, its just like having a day at the races, but without the horses! tickets
£200.00
+ VAT PER PERSON
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GOAL GETTER
Leading with heart Football icon. Charity champion. Proud Geordie. Alan Shearer is celebrating a £7 million fundraising milestone for his namesake centre, supporting people with complex disabilities - but he’s far from done. As the Alan Shearer Foundation gears up for its next chapter, Luxe chats to the Newcastle United legend about legacy, leadership, and why giving back is the greatest goal of all When you think of Alan Shearer, you think of record-breaking goals, roaring crowds at St James’ Park, and the unmistakable one-arm salute that became his signature. He’s a man who has long held hero status in the North East - a local lad who became a Premier League legend and captained his country. But there’s another side to the star - one that’s every bit as impressive and, in many ways, even more impactful.
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Step away from the floodlights and into the heart of the community, and you’ll find Alan’s legacy standing strong in the form of the Alan Shearer Centre - a specialist facility in Newcastle supporting people with profound disabilities and acute sensory impairments. It’s a place of care, joy and boundless support, and a true lifeline for thousands of families across the North East. And this year, Alan and his tireless team are celebrating an awe-inspiring milestone: £7 million raised to ensure that more than 5,000 members can continue to access the
centre’s life-enhancing services entirely free of charge. “It’s probably one of the most important things I’ve ever done,” Alan says, speaking with a calm conviction that instantly cuts through. “To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect all those years ago - I just knew I wanted to help.” It’s a story rooted in serendipity and sincerity. Back in 2006, shortly after hanging up his boots, Alan was approached by a friend who was involved in a new project - a vision to create a safe and inclusive activity centre for people with complex disabilities. It struck a chord immediately. “When I finished playing in 2006, a good friend asked if I’d consider supporting a new activity centre for people with complex disabilities,” he recalls. “The moment I saw the plans - and realised the life-changing difference it could make I was all in. I committed the money there and then.” He’s referring to the proceeds of his testimonial match - a huge gesture of generosity that marked the beginning
of what would become a lifelong passion for giving back. At the time, Alan was already a long-standing ambassador for the NSPCC and had always been actively involved in supporting causes close to his heart. But this felt different. “It just felt right,” he continues. “I realised how fortunate I’d been to have lived my dream, and it was time to start helping others live theirs - or at least give them the best possible quality of life.” And so began a journey that’s been quietly and powerfully evolving ever since. In 2012, Alan officially launched the Alan Shearer Foundation - a dedicated fundraising arm to support the centre and ensure its services remain completely free. That support covers a wide range of therapies and experiences, from hydrotherapy and sensory play, to social events, outdoor activities and music sessions - not to mention nutritious meals, which have become a vital part of the
I realised how fortunate I’d been to have lived my dream, and it was time to start helping others live theirs - or at least give them the best possible quality of life MAY/JUN25
GOAL GETTER
offering as more families grapple with the cost of living. But with operational costs rising year on year, the Foundation has now set a new goal: to raise a minimum of £320,000 annually to maintain the centre’s core services - an increase of £70,000 on the previous target. “It’s become clear over the last few years and months that we need to increase our annual fundraising targets,” Alan says. “We’ve had incredible support over the years - from local people, businesses, celebrities - and it’s all made a massive difference. But we need to do more if we’re going to keep these services going, let alone grow and develop them.” What’s striking is that Alan doesn’t speak about this challenge in terms of difficulty or pressure - instead, his focus is on the opportunity to do more, to give more, to inspire more people to get involved. “I’ll do anything I can to help,” he says. “I see the difference this place makes every single day. I meet people who are genuinely passionate about supporting families who face huge challenges, and I can’t put into words just how much that support means to me and to everyone involved with the centre.” For Alan, this is about legacy - not the kind that fades with time, but one built to last. And it’s a legacy he’s determined to nurture through action, not just association. “Legacy means showing up,” he says firmly. “Not just putting your name on something and walking away. That’s never been me, and it never will be. I want to be part of the solution. I want to make sure this place not only survives, but thrives.” His hands-on involvement is testament to that ethos. From hosting annual fundraising balls and golf days, to personally championing the centre at every opportunity, Alan is as committed
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now as he was when the doors first opened. The centre itself is nothing short of extraordinary. Nestled in peaceful surroundings, it’s a sanctuary - designed to feel as far removed from a traditional care facility as possible. It’s colourful, welcoming and purpose-built to support a diverse range of needs. There are state-of-the-art sensory rooms, an expansive hydrotherapy pool, outdoor play and learning spaces, and calm, inclusive areas for rest and social connection. It’s a place where laughter rings through the halls, where music uplifts, and where every individual is valued and cared for. Nic Gilbert, Chief Executive at St Cuthbert’s Care, has witnessed first-hand the impact of Alan’s involvement. “To reach the £7 million mark is a major milestone,” she says. “Alan has unselfishly devoted his time since day one, and we’re incredibly lucky to have such a high-profile figure so passionately involved. His support has enabled us to double the size of our hydrotherapy pool and expand our outdoor play and learning spaces. The difference that’s made is immeasurable.” But perhaps the most powerful impact is the centre’s accessibility. With every service completely free, families are able to access transformative therapies and experiences without the financial burden that often accompanies specialist care. In a time when so many families are under pressure, that support is invaluable. “We’re not just funding a place to spend time,” Alan says. “We’re creating experiences. We’re improving wellbeing. We’re offering a safe space to families who might otherwise feel isolated or overlooked. Every donation, big or small, helps us make that happen.” As he reflects on the journey so far, Alan’s pride is clear - but there’s also
a deep sense of responsibility. “We’ve come so far, but we can’t afford to stand still,” he says. “The need is growing, the costs are rising, and we want to continue evolving. That means getting even more people involved - whether it’s businesses, schools, community groups or individuals. Everyone has a role to play.” He’s keen to stress that support doesn’t have to be financial. Time, awareness, and advocacy are equally valuable. “Giving your help and time can be so rewarding,” he says. “To see happy, smiley faces and feel the appreciation from people who are truly grateful - it’s incredibly humbling.” Alan Shearer has always been a figure of pride for the North East. From his early days in Wallsend, to becoming the Premier League’s all-time leading goal scorer, and captaining Newcastle United, he’s a man who’s consistently represented
the region with heart and honour. He’s not just a sporting hero. He’s a changemaker. A community leader. A man who uses his platform not for personal gain, but to lift others. As the Foundation enters its next chapter, there’s a renewed call to action. Whether it’s through attending a fundraising event, making a donation, becoming a corporate partner or simply spreading the word, there’s a place for everyone in this story. “We’ve achieved something special, but we’re not done yet,” Alan says with a smile. “There’s still so much more we can do - and I can’t wait to see what comes next.” Alan Shearer spent his footballing career leading the line. Now, nearly two decades later, he’s leading a movement rooted in community and hope. He might have hung up his boots, but his greatest goal is still in play. alanshearerfoundation.org.uk
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OUR PICKS
Living by… “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” Maud Hart Lovelace Perfect scent…
Watching…
Say hello to summer in a bottle. Jo Malone’s Beach Blossom Cologne is everything we want to wear when the sun is shining and the Aperols are flowing. Light, luminous, and utterly dreamy, it’s that just-stepped-off-the-sand scent we’ll be spritzing from brunch to beach bar. Think citrusy top notes and sun-drenched florals with a fresh, breezy twist - a perfectly balanced fragrance that feels both playful and poised. £124, jomalone.co.uk
Premiering in the UK on 1 May, this dramedy stars Steve Carell and Tina Fey as part of a long-standing friend group navigating midlife crises and relationship upheavals. A modern reimagining of the 1981 film, it offers a blend of humour and heartfelt moments. netflix.com
Beach Blossom Cologne, 100ml
The Four Seasons
10 things luxe loves Soak up the season with our pick of summerinspired pleasures…
In our basket…
Cox & Cox Two Panama Planters When it comes to outdoor styling, we’re going big and bold this summer - and these oversized Panama Planters from Cox & Cox are top of our wishlist. Sleek, sculptural and effortlessly stylish, they look great on patios, courtyards and poolside. Fill with architectural plants for a modern Mediterranean vibe, or let vibrant blooms spill over the edge for something a little more colourful. £425, coxandcox.co.uk
Listening to…
Creatures at Play We’re hooked on the sound of Creatures at Play this summer. Hailing from Teesside, this musical duo (real-life friends Alex Adamson and Mike Walker) bring a fresh twist to classic soul and R&B. Think velvet vocals and lyrics that actually make you feel something. Slick, soulful storytelling that stays with you. These are the kind of artists that make you proud to press play - and we can’t stop. Our alfresco dinner in the garden soundtrack, sorted! creaturesatplay.co.uk
Dreaming of… Jimbaran Beach, Bali
If paradise had a postcode, it might just be Jimbaran Beach. Tucked away on Bali’s dreamy southern coast, think crystalclear waters, golden sands and a backdrop of swaying palms. Come dusk, the beach comes alive with candlelit dinners, local music and the smell of grilled fish. We visited back in 2019 and have been dreaming of this sunset seafood dinner ever since. Pure bliss.
Pampering with…
The Awaken Summer Day Retreat with Rebecca Dale SATURDAY 12 JULY, BRINKBURN ESTATE, NORTHUMBERLAND Step into your summer sparkle with The Awaken Summer Day Retreat – a soul-soothing day of connection, healing and self-discovery in the serene surroundings of Brinkburn Estate. Hosted by women’s coach Rebecca Dale, this soul sanctuary retreat is designed for women ready to recharge, reflect and reconnect with their truest selves. The day includes uplifting yoga, reiki healing, a powerful manifestation workshop, guided meditation, and a nourishing lunch - all wrapped up in a warm, welcoming space for likeminded women on their personal growth journey. Book via Instagram: @_rebecca_dale
Kitchen kit…
DeliVita Wood Fired Pizza Oven - Orange Blaze Time to take the kitchen outside. Pizza party, anyone? Handmade in Yorkshire and built to impress, this fiery little number delivers restaurant-quality pizzas in minutes - all with that irresistible wood-fired flavour. It’s compact, stylish and totally portable, so whether you’re hosting garden parties, poolside pizza nights or spontaneous alfresco suppers, it’s ready to roll. £895, limelace.co.uk
Reading…
Western Swing by Matt McGowan A newly released novel that takes readers on a road trip through the American Midwest, exploring themes of escape and self-discovery. An engaging read for those lazy summer afternoons.
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Following…
Isla Travel Consultancy Planning the trip of dreams? You’ll want Isla Travel Consultancy on your radar. With a scroll-worthy feed packed full of far-flung destinations, private island escapes and ultra-luxe stays, it’s the ultimate wanderlust hit. Think curated getaways, personalised itineraries and a behind-the-scenes look at the world’s most exclusive travel experiences. Consider this your passport to stylish travel planning. We’re swooning over this snap of Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa in Barbados! @isla.travel.consultancy
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WRITE PLACE
quickly. It was thrilling to see Vera come to life on screen. What can you tell us about your relationship with Brenda Blethyn? Brenda is warm, generous, and a delight to work with. She reads both the books and the scripts - not every actor does that - and she’s brought Vera to life in a way that feels magical. She truly understands the character. We recently did a book festival together in Iceland, and we had an absolute blast. We never stopped laughing! How important was it for the region to feature so heavily in the books and the show? It was essential. It was a red line for me and the production company. I couldn’t imagine Vera being from anywhere other than the Northumberland hills. The region is integral to the story; it’s not just a backdrop but a character in itself. Vera has become iconic for the North East and Northumberland. Why do you think that is? Vera showcases the full spectrum of the North East. In the past, much popular TV focused on communities that were portrayed as deprived or stereotyped. Vera, on the other hand, highlights everything from grand country estates to former pit villages, and it celebrates our landscape in all its forms. I think that’s why there’s so much pride in the region.
Crafting crime
Ann Cleeves OBE, the brains behind ITV’s Vera series, opens up about her journey from writing her first novel to creating one of British television’s most iconic detectives When did you turn to writing, and more specifically, when did you find your niche as a mystery crime writer? I began writing in my twenties, not long after getting married. My husband was an ornithologist, and we lived on Hilbre, a tidal island nature reserve. We were the only people living there, so it was the perfect place to start writing. My first novel was published about five years later, and that’s where it all began. What can you tell us about your first novel? I followed the advice of ‘write what you know’. The detective in my first series was an amateur sleuth, an elderly man with a passion for natural history. In A Bird in the Hand, my debut novel, I actually kill off a birdwatcher. It was a way of combining my personal knowledge with a love for mystery.
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Any ongoing or upcoming projects you’re working on that we should know about? Yes! There’s a new Jimmy Perez book coming out in October called The Killing Stones. It features the main character from my Shetland novels, but it’s set in Orkney. The book is available to pre-order from your local indie bookshop, and I’m really excited for readers to discover it. What does downtime mean to you? I have a cottage in the Tyne Valley, which I bought after my husband passed away. It’s a peaceful retreat, a place to relax, walk, and read. It’s a lovely area, and I often find myself unwinding there when I need to clear my head. And finally, your three luxe things in life? My family is at the top of the list - two daughters, their partners, and seven grandchildren who all live close by. I also love the community I’ve found in Whitley Bay, where I now live. I feel very much a part of the town. And I can’t forget the friends I meet at the Rockcliffe Arms on Sundays for pre-dinner drinks. It’s the little luxuries in life that really mean the most.
Where did you get the inspiration for the Vera novels? When we moved to the North East, I met many strong women who influenced the creation of Vera. I think Vera grew from them, or from the formidable spinsters I knew growing up in a small town in the early sixties. I liked the idea of writing about an older woman who wasn’t concerned with family or a husband. She was competent, authoritative, and didn’t worry about appearances. How did it feel to be approached by ITV to bring your novels to life in a British crime drama? It was incredibly exciting. I’d had a couple of my books optioned before, but nothing came of them, so I assumed this would be the same. But then it all happened very
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LIFTING A LEGACY
Rock star Between raising rare breed sheep, working as a farm advisor, and life as a dad of two, Calum Stott finds time for an ancient pursuit steeped in strength and storytelling. He’s on a mission to rediscover and revive England’s long-lost tradition of stone lifting. With stones scattered across the north’s landscapes, each one holds a weighty story, and Calum is determined to bring them back to life…
In the rugged borderlands between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, surrounded by fields, fells and folklore, is a man on a mission to lift the past - quite literally. Calum Stott, 34, is many things: a part-time farmer, fell junkie, full-time dad, farm advisor and ranger. But more recently, he’s become something else entirely - a stone lifter, and a reviver of an ancient culture, now largely forgotten in England. His journey into this world began not with a history book, but with a podcast. “I first heard about the practice of stone lifting while listening to The Blindboy Podcast, back in December 2023,” Calum explains. “There was a guest on the show called David Keohan @indiana_stones on Instagram - who talked about his journey into rediscovering the culture in Ireland. It was incredible. He’d found over 40 historic stones through research and sheer determination.” Calum was hooked. The more he listened, the more convinced he became that a similar history must have existed in England - especially in the wild north. “We’ve got such a turbulent past,” Calum says. “These lands have seen Celts, Romans, Vikings, Border Reivers. So much of our history has been lost or buried, but I just couldn’t believe that this culture hadn’t existed here too.” From there, Calum’s journey into the world of ancient stone lifting began - not in the gym, but in the great outdoors. With a reverence for the past and a strength forged on the farm,
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ADVERTORIAL
Resolving family disputes out of Court Facing family disputes? Recent reforms now promote collaborative,out-of-court solutions…
he started hunting for these relics: heavy, weather-worn stones that once tested the strength, manhood or worthiness of local legends. “Stone lifting has existed across the globe,” Calum tells me. “In Scotland, Iceland, Sweden, Japan, Canada - everywhere. Some were manhood stones, some were part of churchyard competitions, some were used to earn jobs or prove worth. They’re just lumps of rock, yes, but they’re deeply respected. They’re links to the past. That’s the important bit. They carry the stories of the people who once lived here.” Calum’s first official lift came in February 2024. He’d already been researching for a month when he came across an 1840s county map showing three lifting stones near Ennerdale Water in the Lake District. Although the expedition didn’t uncover the originals, it was a turning point. “We didn’t find the stones, but we marked the spot where they were meant to be by bringing three new stones from the area and placing them there,” he recalls. “It was symbolic. A nod to the old ways.” Since then, Calum has travelled across the north and beyond, following whispers of folklore, clues in maps and songs, and stories handed down through generations. “There’s the church at Mungrisedale, where two unusual stones sit by the entrance. There’s Westward near Wigton, where the ‘Great Richard Barwise’ carried a famous stone. There’s a pub in Old Hartley where a boundary stone once lifted by the ‘Hartley Samson’ is now stuck in concrete,” he says. He even tracked down a stone once associated with Robert Burns at a farm near Dumfries, and another mentioned in a ballad from 1847 near Corbridge, where a suitor lifted a stone to win the hand of a certain Nelly of Elsden. But perhaps the most meaningful moment came closer to home, in Middleton-in-Teesdale. “There was a modern stone first lifted in 2012 for the Bowes Museum’s Stone Festival, but that wasn’t the one I was after,” Calum says. “A drystone waller told me about a historic stone that had sat in a blacksmith’s garden. I managed to track down a 93-year-old farmer who remembered the story from his father, even though he’d never seen the stone himself.” Through sheer determination (and a lot of asking around), Calum eventually reached the owners of the old blacksmith’s house. What he found was beyond what he’d hoped for. “They invited me into their garden and showed me this smooth, egg-shaped stone. Their father had protected it for years. I spent 45 minutes wrestling with it. Couldn’t get it up. Took a break. Then gave it one last go - and I managed to lift it just high enough for the wind to pass beneath. It was my first historic stone. The feeling was indescribable - pure exhaustion, but so much pride. I connected with something really special.”
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Calum has returned to that stone four times since, each time improving on his lift. He keeps in touch with the owners, who, like many people he encounters on this journey, are incredibly supportive. Calum may have found a new obsession, but this isn’t about ego or strength. “Stone lifting isn’t just about brute force,” he explains. “It’s about the story. The folklore. The history. That’s why I document everything - I take notes, screenshots, and I regularly update my Instagram (@calums_adventures). I’ve never been a writer - I hated English at school - but I’ve started writing articles and stories about the stones. One day, I’d love to write a book, if I can find the time.” There’s certainly no shortage of material. In addition to his extensive travels across Cumbria and the north, Calum recently completed a whirlwind tour of known Welsh lifting stones - five stones, ranging from 77kg to 136kg. Looking ahead, 2025 is already mapped out with potential stone hunts. There’s a lead in Shropshire, a lighthouse keeper’s tale pointing towards stones in the Outer Hebrides, and a long list of possible sites that still need verification. Despite his growing list of heavy stones and historic leads, Calum’s real strength lies in juggling it all. Alongside his full-time job with the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the farm he runs with his wife, Hannah, he’s also a hands-on dad to two young boys. “We’ve got a smallholding of rare breed sheep and cattle, and Hannah competes with her Portland sheep at agricultural shows throughout the summer,” he says. “It’s hectic, but we love it.” When asked if he has time for any other hobbies, Calum laughs. “Not really! Before kids and the farm, I did a lot of mountain sports - winter climbing, caving, camping, that sort of thing. Hopefully, as the boys get older, I can take them out with me. It would be amazing to share these adventures with them. “But for now, stone lifting has taken over. It keeps me outdoors and connects me to the land in a totally different way.” Calum may have only started lifting in early 2024, but his contribution to the culture is already significant. He’s not just documenting stones - he’s reviving a tradition and resurfacing the stories along the way. “These stones were part of everyday rural life,” he reflects. “They weren’t seen as strange or niche. They were respected, revered even. I think we’ve lost a lot of that connection to the land and to physicality. This brings it back.” And so, through muddy fields and forgotten churchyards, crumbling maps and ancient ballads, Calum Stott continues to lift. Not just stones, but stories. Follow Calum’s journey on Instagram: @calums_adventures
In a new chapter in my almost two decades of experience supporting clients with all aspects of family law, I’ve been delighted to join Ward Hadaway as a Partner in their Family & Matrimonial team. This happens to coincide with some significant recent reforms to the family court system. Pressures on the courts have been well documented, and new procedures have been implemented in the past year seeking to prioritise cases that genuinely need judicial intervention and streamline the process for those involved. It is now a legal requirement, in most cases, to attend a mediation information and assessment meeting before taking a case to the family court. This is unless an exemption applies, such as for domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns. Consequently, families are being encouraged to engage in non-court dispute resolution (NCDR). Whether that be with a neutral third party through mediation, working together in structured meetings with solicitors and other professionals to negotiate a solution, or going down the arbitration route to reach a binding outcome, the overarching aim is the same: for the couple to work collaboratively in navigating their issues, reduce conflict, and ultimately reach a satisfactory resolution out of court. The family court reforms have also coincided with a rise in a model referred to as ‘one lawyer’ or ‘resolution together’. Here, both parties use the same lawyer as opposed to the conventional approach of engaging legal support individually. This makes for a more streamlined process that eases the financial and emotional burden of divorce. It can also improve communication and prove for a better outcome than one that is imposed. It is important to note that attempting to resolve disputes out of court will not be suitable for every couple. It goes without saying that the nature of some family disputes means the degree of animosity is such, that working together towards an amicable and satisfactory resolution for all parties is unviable. Cases involving risk factors or hidden assets will also require the court’s investigative powers. It is therefore essential that all parties are in agreement that their pursuit of an out-of-court resolution is appropriate for their situation, and engage with a trusted divorce solicitor to make an informed decision on the best way to proceed.
Louise Masters Partner | Family & Matrimonial louise.masters@wardhadaway.com
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CREATIVE MUSE
Life in colour Comedy legend and artist Jim Moir chats to Elysia Fryer about his upcoming exhibition at The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle. From surrealist sketches to birdwatching, Jim reveals how his love of nature and a good old laugh continues to shape his colourful world There’s something delightfully unpredictable about Jim Moir (aka Vic Reeves). Whether you know him best as one half of the cult comedy duo Reeves and Mortimer, or as the brilliant mind behind the whimsical, often absurd paintings that have adorned gallery walls across the UK, one thing is clear: Jim is a man who sees the world a little differently. And thank goodness for that. Now working full-time as an artist, Jim returns to Newcastle for his fourth solo exhibition at The Biscuit Factory. Running from 16 May to 20 July 2025, Knot Twister Prologue is a love letter to Northumbrian birdlife and landmarks, celebrating the region’s natural beauty with Jim’s unmistakable flair for the surreal and the humorous. “It’s a bit of all sorts really,” Jim says. “Lots of inspiration is taken from birds and nature. I’ve done a painting of some kittiwakes on the Tyne Bridge. For The Biscuit Factory exhibition, I looked at things that have a nod to the area.” The collection will feature expressive, often eccentric works that highlight distinctive North East species - puffins, kittiwakes and beyond - all viewed through the lens of Jim’s playful and curious imagination. While the comedy world knows him as Vic Reeves, Jim has long nurtured a quieter yet equally powerful passion: painting. “Art has been at the heart of what I’ve done forever,” he tells me. “I’ve focused on it more in recent years, but it has always been the basis of what I do.” He describes his early comedy as an artistic endeavour rather than a comedic one. “When I started doing Big Night Out and The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, that was never supposed to be comedy, to be totally honest. It was an art project that turned into a comedy show. All of those sketches that I wrote are just a form of performance art, really.” It’s all part of the same creative impulse, he says. “If I have an idea, it might come out in a sketch show, it might come out in a
Art has been at the heart of what I’ve done forever. I’ve focused on it more in recent years, but it has always been the basis of what I do
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CREATIVE MUSE
Photo credit: Sean Elliott Photography seanelliottphotography.co.uk
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CREATIVE MUSE
If I have an idea, it might come out in a sketch show, it might come out in a painting, or it might come out in a song
painting, or it might come out in a song.” These days, however, it’s his studio where most of that creativity is channelled. “I get to my studio at around 5.30am and just start working. It’s a space where I can just get lost in the process. I’m usually working on quite a few things simultaneously, so I tend to dip in and out of projects. I’ve got six or seven paintings which are running in tandem right now.” His inspiration often comes from the natural world - he’s a passionate ornithologist who goes birdwatching daily - but there’s often an offbeat, tongue-in-cheek twist to the final product. “My comedy is quite twisted, so that’s how those paintings come out,” he smiles. “Some people might say, ‘is that comedy, or is it just sick?’ “It depends on my mood as well. I go out bird watching every day, so instead of taking photographs of the birds, I paint them. But I might have a random comedy idea, so I’ll transfer that into the painting.” It’s a rhythm that suits him - early mornings in the studio, afternoons spent in the countryside with his wife Nancy, walking and soaking in the landscape. “I’m in the studio until about 1pm, then I’m out and about, driving around the countryside, looking for inspiration and just enjoying being outdoors. It’s a drug, it’s dopamine - it just makes me feel good!” The pair walk up to 40 miles a week and recently brought their shared love of nature to the screen with Painting Birds with Jim and Nancy Moir for Sky Arts.
“That was fun,” he says. “I don’t see myself doing more sketch comedy on TV, but I’d be up for doing more travelogue stuff.” At 66, Jim has no desire to return to the pace
of television schedules. “I’m getting too old for TV,” he laughs. “I just want to stay at home in my studio!” Though he now lives in Kent, Jim has deep roots in the North East. He grew up in southwest Durham and still finds himself drawn to the region’s distinct character. “I left the North East in 1979, so I’ve spent about a third of my life down south,” he says. “But I do miss the countryside up in the North East and Yorkshire. It’s a bit more dramatic up there.” “I love spending time in Newcastle - I think it’s a great city. The architecture is some of the best in the country, so there’s lots of inspiration there. And it’s always great visiting and working with The Biscuit Factory.” So what does Jim hope visitors will take away from Knot Twister Prologue? “You could probably go through a variety of emotions - you could laugh, you could weep, and you could feel sentimental - take your pick,” he laughs. “I think going to art galleries is inspirational to anyone. I always go to art galleries for inspiration, and I always come away feeling
like I want to make something. I think it’s really good for people. If it inspires people to do something for themselves - or gives them ideas - I think it’s great.” While the Newcastle exhibition is the focus right now, Jim has a busy calendar of creativity ahead. “As well as The Biscuit Factory exhibition, I’ve also got shows at the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Liverpool, and another one at Dartmouth Food Festival in October, which is always fun.” As we wrap up, Jim shares the things that make him tick, away from art and comedy: “Birds are number one for me. I’m an ornithologist and always have been, since I was a little kid. “Clothes - I still can’t get enough of buying clothes. That’s an addiction I’ve had forever. My sense of style varies - I’m not sure I can describe it - it’s kind of traditionalist, but with a twist. “And finally, watches - I’ve got a big collection of watches.” From canvas to countryside, from comedy to kittiwakes, Jim’s work continues to reflect a life of creative freedom - and a deep-rooted love for the world around him.
Knot Twister Prologue runs from 16 May to 20 July 2025 at The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle. For more information, visit: thebiscuitfactory.com or jimmoir.com. 22 luxe-magazine.co.uk
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Imagine if distinction was matched with success For over 10 years we’ve continued to build a passionate team that work tirelessly to help protect, serve and support our clients each and everyday. We see nothing but potential in our people, our community and you. Imagine, together what we could do.
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HEAD TURNER
Postcard From Marrakech Marrakech, a city of whispers and wonder - where sunlit souks meet shadowed alleys, and every breeze carries the scent of spice and story. A place where time slows, textures speak, and landscapes glow with the mystery of ancient beauty. Celebrating 30 years of HOOKER & YOUNG, set in the beautiful city of Marrakech, Postcard From Marrakech is an anniversary shoot reflecting a deep love of hairdressing in a celebration of creativity, collaboration and the amazing people that make it all happen.
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HEAD TURNER
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Credits Hair HOOKER & YOUNG Fashion Clare Frith Models Deeann Shotton & Nina Stoddart Shoot location @shambhala.marrakech (Instagram) Products Schwarzkopf Professional Photography Michael Young hookerandyoung.co.uk
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SUIT UP
Cos Asymmetric Ruffled Swimsuit £85, cos.com
Reiss Nelly Chequered Print Cut Out Swimsuit in Green/White £118, reiss.com
Hunza G Julia Bikini - Blush £185, hunzag.com
Reiss Lexi Floral Print Tie Back Swimsuit in Pink/Orange £110, reiss.com Heidi Klein White & Navy Racerback Swimsuit £270, heidiklein.com
Zimmerman Acacia Crochet-trimmed Bikini £265, harveynichols.com
GET THE LOOK
Sunkissed style
Make a splash with our pick of luxe swimwear for summer…
Chloe Floral-printed Swimsuit £525, harveynichols.com
Moncler Stripe Bikini Set £505, endclothing.com
Ralph Lauren Scoopback One-piece Swimsuit, Yellow £45, flannels.com
Missoni Zigzag One-shoulder Fine-knit Swimsuit £380, harveynichols.com
Heidi Klein Palm Beach U-bar Halterneck Swimsuit £265, heidiklein.com
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Hunza G Pamela Swim Contrast Bubblegum/Red £175, hunzag.com
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XXXXXXXX
PROFESSIONAL HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
30 YEARS
Celebrating
Gosforth 0191 217 0217 Jesmond 0191 281 6714 Ponteland 01661 821 004 Wynyard 01740 644 690 www.hookerandyoung.co.uk Facebook: hooker&young Twitter: @hookerandyoung Instagram: hookerandyoung MAY/JUN25
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DIGITAL AGE
Future fits
From CGI catwalks to avatar couture, the world of digital fashion is not only here - it’s thriving. As the industry evolves beyond fabric and thread, Teesside University is positioning itself at the forefront of this tech-driven revolution. Course Leader Lynne Hugill shares her insight into how digital design is shaping the future of fashion, unlocking new careers and giving students in the North East the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing world
Imagine designing a dress you’ll never touch, styling a lookbook for an avatar, or walking into your wardrobe via a virtual headset. It might sound a little futuristic, but in today’s fast-moving fashion landscape, these once movie-like ideas are rapidly becoming reality. Welcome to the world of digital fashion - a space where Teesside University is leading the charge. “The digital shift in fashion has been bubbling away for years, but the pandemic really pushed us to get inventive,” says Lynne Hugill, Course Leader of the BA Fashion course at Teesside University. “We gave students software so they could design collections online when we couldn’t access the studios. It was born out of necessity, but it opened up so many possibilities - and it hasn’t slowed down since.” It’s no secret that COVID-19 turned the fashion world on its head. With photoshoots cancelled, fashion weeks postponed, and retail spaces shuttered, brands had to rethink their approach. Cue the rise of virtual models, CGI campaigns, and avatars. Luxury labels like Burberry and Louis Vuitton leaned into digital presentations, with influencers like Lil Miquela - a computergenerated personality with millions of Instagram followers - becoming household names in the style scene. Why? Digital fashion offers flexibility, sustainability, and endless creative scope. At Teesside University, digital fashion is being actively woven into the curriculum.
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Students aren’t just sketching ideas on paper - they’re creating garments in 3D, collaborating with gaming students, and even launching their own virtual fashion brands that they are selling online. “We have 3D software where we can design directly onto avatars,” Lynne explains. “Some of our students are already selling their digital garments online. People can download and wear them virtually. We’re seeing entirely new careers forming in real-time.” This spring, Teesside’s campus itself is getting a serious digital upgrade with the arrival of the Digital Life Building - a landmark addition to the university’s £300 million campus masterplan. The space will house cutting-edge AI and robotics suites, virtual reality labs, and animation studios. It’s part of Teesside’s ongoing mission to become a digital powerhouse, and the Fashion department is keen to tap into this high-tech playground. “The possibilities for collaboration are huge,” says Lynne. “We’re already working with the gaming courses - looking at how digital fashion and AI can combine. The Digital Life Building will supercharge that.” If you’ve ever wondered why your Instagram feed features perfect ‘people’ modelling the latest trends, you’ve probably stumbled into the world of CGI influencers. These are not real models, but rather pixels made pretty. Brands love them because they’re always on time, never age, and can be dropped into any location on the planet. It’s a fascinating evolution of marketing,
but also a sign of where fashion is heading. As virtual spaces like the metaverse gain traction, we’re increasingly curating not just our physical selves, but our digital identities too. “We’re already seeing people investing in clothing for their avatars,” says Lynne. “Platforms like Roblox and Fortnite allow users to buy digital wearables, and brands like Gucci and Balenciaga are releasing in-game collections.” The impact on sustainability is significant too. Digital fashion doesn’t require fabric, shipping, or storage. No wasted water, no carbon footprint, and no overflowing landfills. In a world where fast fashion is under more scrutiny than ever, it’s a compelling alternative. “There’s something quite exciting about the idea of wearing something conceptual online that you’d never wear in real life,” says Lynne. This forward-thinking approach is already creating exciting opportunities for students. A recent graduate from Stokesley, for example, landed a job at Berghaus in Sunderland, where he is part of a new department focused entirely on 3D digital design. “It’s amazing to see our students go into jobs that didn’t exist a few years ago,” Lynne smiles. “Berghaus created a whole new role just for digital fashion. We’re now actively teaching those skills because the demand is only growing.” Back on campus, things are just as dynamic. The BA Fashion course offers two pathways - Fashion & Communication (journalism and
brand-focused) and Fashion & Design (more hands-on, with a practical edge). In both routes, digital design plays a central role. “We ask students to reimagine how their collections would look in the future, using digital tools and AI,” says Lynne. “It’s about preparing them for where the industry is going, not where it’s been.” That future also includes the power of international collaboration. As Principal Lecturer with an international remit, Lynne travels extensively to forge global partnerships. Teesside now has franchise courses running in Nepal, Singapore, Madrid, Prague, Milan, and Dubai bringing a cosmopolitan edge to its North East roots. “We have a great partnership with The Ferrari School of Fashion in Milan,” she says. “We’ve got students there and students here doing exchanges. It’s brilliant. And international students really raise the level for everyone - they bring in new perspectives and drive.” There’s still space for traditional catwalk glamour too. Teesside University’s annual Fashion Show, taking place on 16 May in the Students' Union, is a highlight of the creative calendar - showcasing the very best emerging talent. But even that, Lynne says, is getting a digital upgrade. “We’re thinking about how to incorporate digital elements into the fashion show. The physical show isn’t going away, but it can definitely evolve.” And while virtual fitting rooms haven’t quite taken over our wardrobes just yet, their potential is growing - especially when you consider that over 61% of clothing purchases are now made online. “Virtual try-ons are already big in eyewear and accessories,” Lynne notes. “It’s trickier with clothing due to how fabric moves, but it’s a space that’s developing. Especially as online shopping continues to rise, we need tools to reduce returns and improve customer experience.” It’s easy to dismiss digital fashion as a gimmick, but the reality is far more exciting - and essential. Whether it’s creating new jobs, empowering local talent, or rethinking sustainability, this movement is reshaping the industry at every level. And Teesside University, through its unique blend of fashion flair and digital expertise, is helping lead that change. “Teesside is recognised for supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds,” Lynne says. “Digital fashion opens up even more opportunities - promoting social mobility, unlocking regional talent, and decentralising the fashion sector.” In other words? The runway of the future might be virtual, but the impact is very real. tees.ac.uk
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Win
WITH LUXE
W I N : A N OV E R N I G H T S TAY F O R T W O I N A S U I T E AT DA KO TA N E W C A S T L E , I N C LU D I N G T H R E E COURSE DINNER IN THE GRILL, BOTTLE OF D A KO TA - S E L E C T E D W I N E + B R E A K FA S T Luxe has teamed up with Dakota Newcastle, the city’s sparkling new luxury hotel on the Quayside, to give one lucky reader and a loved one the chance to win an overnight stay complete with three-course dinner, wine and breakfast. Situated on St Ann’s Wharf, overlooking the riverside promenade, the newest addition to the boutique hotel group houses 118 elegant bedrooms, including a range of stylish suites. Decorated in soothing, muted tones, and elegantly furnished with comfort in mind, all rooms at Dakota Newcastle include Apple TV with streaming apps and Sky Sports package; rainfall showers and luxury toiletries; crisp cotton linen; sumptuously soft bedding; and more.
The heart and soul of Dakota Newcastle is the Grill: sleek decor, sincere service, and exceptional food, beautifully crafted with quality seasonal produce. With much-loved landmarks in walking distance - including Newcastle Castle, the Tyne Bridge, and Grey’s Monument - those visiting can enjoy Dakota Newcastle as a base for exploring. Sporting enthusiasts can travel to St James’ Park within 10 minutes, and theatre buffs can enjoy a night at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal - a short 15-minute stroll away. A 7-minute journey from Newcastle train station, and less than 20 minutes’ drive to Newcastle International Airport, Dakota Newcastle overlooks the Quayside in the heart of it all. dakotahotels.co.uk/newcastle
To win this amazing prize, simply head to luxe-magazine.co.uk/win and enter your details, or scan the QR code. Closing date: Monday 30 June 2025
Terms & conditions: Dates are subject to availability and blackout dates apply. No cash value and non-transferable. Prize must be redeemed within 12 months. Any spend outside of the prize is the guest’s responsibility to settle, including additional food and beverage, room service, upgrades, parking and add-ons. Please check at time of booking as further T&Cs may apply.
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MADE WITH LOVE
Over a pot of tea in Stokesley, Elysia Fryer catches up with Emma and Karen, the motherdaughter duo behind Ninety One Jewellery - a brand born from resilience, creativity and a whole lot of heart
Sculpted stories It’s a sunny Wednesday with hints of summer in the air and I’m catching up with Emma and Karen at The Truffled Hog in Stokesley. With Karen’s artistic flair and Emma’s marketing mind, the pair have turned a passion project into a soulful, sustainable business that’s making waves across the North East and North Yorkshire. Each Ninety One piece, handmade and wholly unique, tells a story - and their own is just getting started. The powerhouse mother-daughter team - whose journey is every bit as heartfelt as the handcrafted treasures they’re creating - are an absolute delight, and it’s a joy to be in their company. It all started, as these things often do, in the midst of change. Karen, a nurse by trade and an artist at heart, found herself at a crossroads a few years back. After a challenging period in her personal life, she began to revisit a long-forgotten passion. “I used to make jewellery when the kids were little,” Karen explains. “It was always just a creative outlet for me something for myself, really. But when I went back to work, it just sort of fizzled away.” Until, that is, Emma - fiercely driven,
career-focused, and riding high on years of experience in marketing across London, the US and Spain - also found herself in a moment of pause. “I’d always been on the go,” says Emma. “Working non-stop, climbing that ladder. But I got to a point where I thought - is this what I want? Or do I want something that’s mine?” Cue a serendipitous meeting with someone connected to a sustainability shop in York and a spontaneous decision that would soon spiral into something much bigger. “I told Mum we had two weeks to pull something together,” Emma laughs. “We needed a brand, a product line, a plan - and fast.” What followed was a whirlwind. A few coffee-fuelled planning sessions, a flurry of ideas, and a name - Ninety One - plucked from the sum of their ages at the time. “We’d toyed with all sorts,” Emma adds. “Mum is quite musical, so we tried names like Aria or Melody - but they were all taken. In the end, Ninety One just felt right. And we didn’t have time on our side!” The initial collection, placed in the York store, sold out in just a few weeks. Suddenly, what started as a side project became something real - and really exciting. At the heart of Ninety One Jewellery is the
idea of uniqueness - not just in terms of the pieces themselves, but the story they tell. Karen’s process is nothing short of enchanting. Working from her home studio in Stokesley (an old spare bedroom, transformed into a treasure trove of cutters, machines and creativity), she hand-mixes polymer clay colours, layering and folding them in a process not dissimilar to the way seaside candy rock is made. “You’ll never get the same piece twice,” she says with a smile. “Even if I tried.” The result? A vibrant collection of earrings (and soon to be bracelets, necklaces and rings) that strike a balance between everyday wear and something a little bit special. It’s jewellery with personality bursts of colour, quirky patterns, and textures that make each piece totally unique. Whether it’s a pair of coral-toned studs or marbled costume jewellery, each design feels lovingly created - because it is. “We always wanted to sit in that sweet spot between costume jewellery and everyday pieces,” Emma explains.
“Something fun and stylish, but still really good quality. And, crucially, affordable.” With earrings starting from around £20 and sterling silver pieces a touch more, Ninety One is refreshingly accessible - but never generic. That’s thanks, in part, to Karen’s hands-on approach. She doesn’t follow trends for the sake of it, but she does keep an eye on what’s happening in the world of style, using it as a springboard for her own inspired experiments. “It’s a very organic process,” she says. “Sometimes I have a plan - a colour palette or shape in mind - but it often takes a turn, and I just roll with it.” And while the collections speak for themselves, it’s the personalised side of the business that really sets Ninety One apart. Bridesmaid earrings in bespoke shades, cufflinks for the groom, even place names designed to match a wedding’s colour scheme - Karen and Emma have created it all. “We had a friend in Italy who wanted a Sicilian theme,” Karen recalls. “Bright oranges and lemons - it was such a Photo credit: @oliviabellaphoto
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MADE WITH LOVE
It’s a very organic process. Sometimes I have a plan - a colour palette or shape in mind - but it often takes a turn, and I just roll with it joy to bring that vision to life.” It’s not just about making jewellery, though - it’s about sharing the joy of it. Ninety One also offers workshops, where people can come and create their own pieces in a relaxed, welcoming environment. “It’s about letting people explore their own creativity,” says Karen. “You don’t have to be artistic - just open to having a go.” Sustainability, too, sits at the core of everything they do. From sourcing UK-based materials and using recycled silver, to ensuring nothing goes to waste, the duo are deeply committed to keeping their footprint light. “Mum’s amazing at making use of every last scrap,” Emma grins. “If a piece doesn’t work out, it just gets remixed into something new. And if anything ever breaks, we’ll happily repair it.” It’s a philosophy that extends beyond the materials themselves. There’s a real sense of emotional sustainability in the way Emma and Karen have built their brand a business born from change, from healing, from connection. “We’ve been through a lot together,” Karen says, gently. “Emma supported me through my divorce.
She moved back to York, I came back to Stokesley… and now, here we are, creating something together.” Their bond is the beating heart of the brand. They bounce off one another effortlessly Karen’s grounded creativity paired with Emma’s strategic savviness. “I’ve done the city life, the international career,” Emma says. “But coming back home, working with Mum - it just feels right.” And it’s working. With stockists in York and the surrounding areas, and a growing online presence, the duo are beginning to make waves beyond their local patch. Their hope? To expand across the north and further afield - finding like-minded boutiques and individuals who connect with their ethos and their story. But at the end of the day, whether it’s a bespoke pair of earrings for a wedding, or a one-off piece made from scraps of clay and a spark of inspiration, Ninety One Jewellery is all about celebrating individuality - both in design, and in life. It’s about taking the messiness of change, the beauty of beginnings, and shaping it quite literally - into something meaningful. ninetyonejewellery.co.uk
o t e r Mo ore l p x E 2025 SUMMER OPENING
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LUXE LOCKS
Summer glow Summer hair is officially having a moment - and this season, it’s all about effortless glamour
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Think undone texture, multi-tonal hues, and a relaxed, sun-kissed vibe that feels as good as it looks. Whether you’re glowing with golden blonde or turning heads with rich, sunkissed brunettes, this colour trend is all about embracing the beauty of laid-back luxury. This season’s colour trend is all about dimension and depth - soft, seamless blends that mimic the way the sun naturally lifts and warms the hair. It’s a more refined, lived-in approach to colour that feels effortless and luxurious, perfect for summer days and golden hour moments. The beauty of this trend is its versatility, enhancing your natural tone while adding that extra glow that makes all the difference. This stunning image is fresh from our 30th anniversary shoot, Postcard from Marrakech - a celebration of three decades of HOOKER & YOUNG and our unwavering passion for all things hair. It’s honestly surreal to think we’ve been styling the North East for 30 years, and the love we have for what we do feels just as strong today as it did when we first started. For us, style is personal. There’s nothing better than helping someone feel like the very best version of themselves - with
hair that not only transforms the outside, but lights something up on the inside too. Confidence starts with feeling good in your own skin - and great hair plays a huge part in that. So if you’re ready for a fresh new look and a boost of self-confidence, book in now and let’s get you glowing for summer!
Michael Young and Gary Hooker run Hooker & Young, with four salons across the North East. hookerandyoung.co.uk
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MAKEUP MUSTS
Beauty:update
MUA Helena Coleman talks us through her toppicks for a soft glam, summer glow… Instagram: @makeup_byhelenax GET IN LINE
BRIGHT EYES
MAC Lip Pencil - Whirl
Vichy Mineral 89 Eyes, Hydrating Eye Serum with Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine, 30ml
Whirl is my secret weapon for defining lips with a natural, sculpted look. Its muted rose shade complements so many lip colours, from nude glosses to deeper mattes. I use it to outline and slightly overline lips for that perfect pout. £20, lookfantastic.com
Dark circles and puffiness don’t stand a chance with this eye serum. The caffeine perks up tired eyes, while hyaluronic acid hydrates and smooths fine lines. I use it daily before concealer - it makes the under-eye area look refreshed and radiant, perfect for that soft glam finish. £16.87, boots.com BIG BOOST
Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Daily Hydrating Booster Serum, 75ml
This serum is my skincare hero. Packed with 89% volcanic water and hyaluronic acid, it hydrates deeply, leaving skin plump and prepped for makeup. I apply it every morning before foundation for a smooth, dewy base that holds up all day. It’s lightweight, absorbs instantly, and gives that ‘lit-from-within’ glow without any greasiness. £26.25, boots.com GET FLAWLESS
Tarte Shape Tape™ Concealer
O FOR GOLD
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer
This bronzer is a summer essential. It gives a warm, sun-kissed glow that looks natural and radiant. The cream-to-powder formula blends seamlessly into the skin, adding dimension without harsh lines. The perfect beauty hack for a flawless, bronzed face. £45, cultbeauty.co.uk
Shape Tape is my holy grail concealer. It covers dark circles, blemishes, and redness with ease, giving a flawless finish. The formula is creamy and blendable, and it doesn’t crease or fade throughout the day. I use it to brighten under the eyes and highlight high points on the face. £29, tartecosmetics.com LAY THE FOUNDATION
Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation, 50ml
This foundation is my go-to for a flawless yet natural look. It offers buildable coverage that evens out skin tone without masking your natural texture. I love how it feels weightless and gives a satin finish - ideal for soft glam. Plus, it’s sweatresistant, so it stays put through long summer days. £38, sephora.co.uk
EYE CANDY
MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Mattes® The Neutrals Eyeshadow
THINK PINK
This palette is a dream for creating soft glam eye looks. The shades are neutral, warm, and versatile, perfect for day-to-night transitions. The formula is buttery and pigmented, blending effortlessly. I love using the matte shades to define the crease and the shimmer shades to add a pop to the lid. £55, sephora.co.uk
This lipstick is a game-changer for soft glam. The formula is hydrating, and the finish is glossy without being sticky. The shade ‘Thanks It’s MAC’ is a beautiful, wearable pink that adds a touch of colour and shine. Whether it’s wedding makeup, a day at the races, or something a little more low key, it’s the perfect finisher. £25, sephora.co.uk
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MAC Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick, Thanks It’s MAC
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HEALTH IN HARMONY
Rooted in you Elysia Fryer catches up with Dr Neet Dang over coffee at The Bespoke Clinic in Jesmond. What starts as a casual chat quickly unravels into a deep, honest, and inspiring conversation about womanhood, wellbeing, and the future of personalised healthcare. A doctor-led approach to holistic care and functional medicine that’s as empowering as it is healing There’s something instantly calming about sitting across from Dr Neet Dang. Maybe it’s the sleek yet soothing interiors of The Bespoke Clinic, or maybe it’s Dr Neet’s honest vulnerability as she talks about the journey that brought her here. Either way, conversation flows and you feel instantly at ease - and that is exactly what she is here to do at the Jesmond clinic - you’re not a number, a problem, or a set of symptoms - you’re a whole person, ready to be seen. There’s no clock-watching here. Dr Neet makes time for her meetings - be it a patient, a business meeting, or an internal catch-up with colleagues. It feels like catching up with a friend who just happens to know a lot about hormones, gut health, and how the body holds emotion. Friendly chat, but backed with decades of medical experience and a deeply intuitive understanding of what we need to feel good in our skin. “I’m 48 now,” she starts. “And when I was 37, I started feeling really, really anxious. It just hit me out of nowhere. I was still working full-time as a GP, and I thought maybe it was just burnout. But something didn’t feel right. I wasn’t myself.” You’d think being a doctor would offer a shortcut to answers, but Dr Neet’s story is a perfect example of how even the most medically-savvy can fall through the cracks of a system built to treat symptoms, not stories. When she brought her concerns to her GP, the solution was a quick prescription
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for antidepressants. “I went along with it because, honestly, I didn’t know what else to do,” she admits. “But deep down, I knew that wasn’t the root of the problem.” After a few frustrating months, she pushed for a blood test. “It came back normal, so that was that. But I still wasn’t okay.” She recalls sitting across from consultants who waved away her symptoms as stress-related. And when she was eventually put on the combined contraceptive pill despite struggling with fertility and having gone through the adoption process - it felt like a ‘stick a plaster’ on it situation. What followed was a deeply personal health journey that would plant the seeds for her future as the founder of one of the North East’s most thoughtful, bespoke medical clinics. “I ended up going to The Marion Gluck Clinic in London, which specialises in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy,” she says. “Within a few months of starting treatment, I felt like myself again.” But just as she was getting back on her feet, a rash spread across her body - painful, relentless, and again, dismissed. One consultant, shockingly, suggested it might be linked to the colour of her skin. “It was a low point. I felt completely unseen. I just went home and cried.” It turned out to be an autoimmune condition, which she eventually diagnosed herself after weeks of sleepless nights,
medical journals, and instinct. “I started thinking, could it be my gut? That’s our second brain. If that’s off, maybe that’s why it’s manifesting physically. “I was reading research from China, India, the US - but nothing in the UK. So I just started doing it myself. Probiotics, digestive enzymes, food as medicine. Within three months, I was off the steroids prescribed by my doctor, and I was feeling human again.” That experience was her lightbulb moment. “It showed me what happens when we actually look at the whole person. Not just their symptoms - but their stress, their sleep, their relationships, their gut, their hormones, their everything.”
Dr Neet is quick to clarify that her frustrations were never directed at individual doctors. In fact, one of the GPs became part of the core group that helped her back to health. “They became part of my tribe,” she says. “My GP, my psychologist, my personal trainer, my yoga teacher, my family... It took time to find the right people, but eventually I had this circle of support that helped me to fully heal.” She understands why it’s often so difficult to get to the root of issues in a standard NHS setting. “The problem is, you only get 10 minutes with your patient and you haven’t got a chance to really get to know their background. “All you really get are the current symptoms. Because of that, there are so many things that get left behind as you’ve not had time to unpick or look at the bigger picture.” It’s something that weighed heavily on her during her years as a GP. “I was really struggling in general practice, particularly after going through everything I did with my own health. Ethically, I just didn’t feel like I was doing a good enough job. I’ve been there, and I really do appreciate the time constraints GPs are under - it’s relentless - but I wanted to offer
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HEALTH IN HARMONY more, to give patients the time, space, and care they deserve. And now I can.” That’s when she decided to explore a more holistic approach, looking at functional medicine and overall wellbeing. “I was off work for six months, and during that time I was in therapy, I was doing yoga, I was meditating, I was really thinking about my nutrition and finally taking the time to look after myself as a whole, not just making tiny changes for quick fixes. “I continued those avenues of self-care even once I was back to feeling like myself again,” she explains. “It’s not just about handing out a prescription for HRT or supplements. It’s about understanding the whole picture your sleep, your movement, your mental space. If these things aren’t where they should be, it’s about asking why. What’s preventing you from feeling your best? My goal is to uncover the root cause, whether it’s physical or emotional, and make it easier for you to get back on track. This is not about telling you how to live; it’s about supporting you in finding what works for you. “Helping patients understand nutritional value, emotional health, and the different needs we have at different stages of our lives. No two people are the same - and our care shouldn’t be either. It was during a coffee catch-up in Jesmond that a friend casually said what everyone else was probably thinking: “Neet, you should open your own clinic.” And so, The Bespoke Clinic was born.
it’s like to feel gaslit by the system, to leave an appointment with more confusion than clarity, to lie awake googling symptoms at 3am. “That’s why I’m so passionate about changing the experience,” she says. “It shouldn’t feel like a battle.” At The Bespoke Clinic, the path to wellness isn’t rushed. There are no one-size-fits-all prescriptions. Instead, patients are guided through a journey - often beginning with an in-depth consultation that considers everything from bloods and cortisol levels to lifestyle, diet, sleep and stress. Yes, there’s medical Botox and EMFACE facial contouring for those interested in aesthetic treatments. But even here, the focus is on what’s right for the individual. “EMFACE is amazing,” Dr Neet says. “It’s a non-surgical and non-injectable treatment - it stimulates your muscles and collagen naturally. But again, it’s just one part of a bigger picture.” The same goes for the EMSELLA chair, which treats incontinence and pelvic floor issues using electromagnetic energy. “This is the stuff no one wants to talk about,” she says. “But it’s life-changing. Women come in for one issue, and over time, as they open up, they mention it. And we’re like - great, we can help.” Her approach is refreshingly real. There’s no shame, no judgement. Just gentle, empowering encouragement to take control of your health, your way.
Solo season Sarah Pike, Luxe’s break-up and divorce coach, is here to help manage the stresses that come with a busy summer social calendar mid-seperation… Events season is upon us Brunches with the girls, a lads golfing trip, let’s not forget the obligatory family holiday - and a couple of weddings thrown in for good measure. But hang on, “I’m doing all this alone”. I’m going through a divorce. Arranging court dates. Whilst being the navigator of co-parenting nightmares. Sound familiar? A courteous cancellation If you don’t feel up to meeting a friend or attending an event, that is absolutely ok even if it is a wedding. Especially if it is a wedding! If you feel it could be too triggering to go right now, just say so. As long as you are polite, clear and courteous, I am almost certain they would be understanding. And I’m confident for good reason. The year I went through my own divorce, I was due to attend five weddings - the first four with bridesmaid duties. I politely informed the fifth bride of my non-attendance and whilst she was disappointed, it didn’t make one jot of difference to their big day. A lot of the time, our mind makes things much bigger than they really are. “By now I’m meant to feel better” Really? Which timeline of comparison are we on here? There is no manual, no right/ wrong way to do this, or a ‘get out of divorce jail free card’ either. What many of the well meaning people around you don’t know is that divorce genuinely changes you. It is the second most stressful life event for an individual - next only to the death of a loved one - so let’s not take this process lightly. Healing takes as long as it takes.
It opened its doors in September 2023, and by January 2024, it was fully operational as a CQC-registered, doctor-led clinic offering a totally unique blend of personalised medicine and holistic wellbeing. Evidencebased, rigorously thought-through, and beautifully executed care - with a soft touch. “I just thought, let’s create a space where we can offer it all,” Dr Neet says, smiling. “Yes, there’s HRT and gut health testing, but also counselling, aesthetics - even pelvic floor therapy. Because these things are all connected. “I’ll often say to a new patient: ‘I’m going to ask you a lot of questions, and some of them will feel totally unrelated, but just bear with me.’” That’s the magic of The Bespoke Clinic. It’s not just about hormones or skincare - it’s about helping patients understand the complexities of what might be happening inside them. Dr Neet wants to reframe health as a story you get to co-write, rather than a script handed to you in 10 minutes or less. “I’m not here to lecture,” she says. “I’m here to listen. To help you connect the dots. Because often, we’ve never been asked the right questions. No one’s sat down and said, ‘tell me your full story.’” And telling your story to Dr Neet feels easy. It’s therapy for your body, with someone who gets it. She’s been there. She knows what
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Dr Neet also works closely with external experts - from nutritionists and psychologists to trainers and therapists - to ensure patients have access to the right tools, not just quick fixes. “It’s about building a team around someone,” she says. “Because healing doesn’t happen in isolation.” And for all her clinical expertise, what makes Dr Neet truly special is her ability to make you feel safe, heard, and completely normal - even when you’re falling apart. “I share my own journey with patients,” she says. “To let them know I’ve been there.” You can feel it in the way she talks. The way she remembers patient stories with such clarity and care. The way she lights up when she describes someone finally feeling good again, often for the first time in years. “This isn’t about perfection,” she says. “It’s about being realistic. It’s about being kind to yourself. And it’s about knowing that there is help - and that it can actually work.” As we finish our coffee, I realise that The Bespoke Clinic is more than just a clinic. It’s a movement - a place where we can really reconnect with our bodies and understand our future. And at the heart of it all? A doctor who doesn’t just see you. She gets you. thebespokeclinic.uk
Oh life! With summer comes balancing the stop-over sheet, which means communication with your ex. As many of us know when it comes to co-parenting, this can be just another way for your ex to assert their control. Post-separation abuse is real, and for some it can be worse than a couple staying together. For one, creating a new life can be liberating, whilst the other loses control and very often does not like it. Our Family Wizard is a fully recorded service for calls, texting, calendar and expense tracking, specifically designed to reduce the stress of managing family plans across separate households. It even comes with a ‘tone-meter’ - basically an AI emotional spell-check that catches any language that is aggressive, humiliating, upsetting or hurtful - to keep communication on a more amicable level. Chill to fulfill Thanks to the likes of Wim Hof turning the nation’s attention to the benefits of cold water therapy, we have a number of businesses popping up all over the region. Proven to reduce the stress hormone cortisol, cold water therapy helps calm your nervous system and improve relaxation. Navigating the constantly changing landscape of divorce, more often than not our bodies can get stuck in ‘fight or flight’ mode, which over time becomes exhausting. I’d suggest looking up Ruth Smith - aka The Feel Amazing Therapist - her new ‘chill to fulfil’ programme is now live and online. Given the transformational results her clients see it’s no surprise her diary fills up so quickly! Help ‘off the shelf’ I am soon to launch an online course: ‘The Emotionally Intelligent Divorce’. Think of it as having my divorce coaching on tap. I’ve decided to cut the costs right down - let’s face it, when we go through a divorce our purse strings are tighter than ever - and I hate the thought of so many struggling with this. My course is packed with tools, techniques and printable resources. Payments can be as low as £30 a month for full lifetime access to the course materials (bear in mind hour long 1:1 sessions can be four times this - higher with some coaches). It’s the Rolls Royce of emotional support - on your terms, with no weekly scheduled appointments . What could be better? Please get in touch for more information. sarahpikecoaching.com Email: contact@sarahpikecoaching.com Instagram: @sarahpikecoaching001
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IN SEASON
HOME COMFORTS
with chef Chris Baber Charity cookery classes, Dubai dining delights, summer produce picks and foodie events - Chris Baber shares seasonal inspiration from his world…
MY WORLD >> I’ve just got back from an amazing trip to Dubai. It was really nice to see the city and get out into the desert, where I tried some Bedouin food which was cool. I was involved in an event in April, raising money for Beder - a mental health and suicide prevention charity. They’ve done a couple of cookbooks and have raised a lot of money and awareness. It’s something that is very close to my heart because I’ve lost a couple of mates to suicide, so I’ve become an ambassador for the charity, which is a great thing to be involved in. We did a cookery class using a recipe from one of their books - it was a lovely Persian saffron chicken dish, enjoyed with wonderful views over the top of London from one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants. My parents have recently been down from Hexham. I took them out for some really beautiful food in some of my favourite restaurants. We got great weather, we spent some time in Borough Market - so that was a real treat as I hadn’t seen them since Christmas.
FOODIE HAPPENINGS >> I’ve got the Olympians Wellness Weekend coming up again in Turkey. I’m sure you remember me talking about the event last year - I can’t wait to get involved in that again. It’s wonderful working with likeminded individuals in the worlds of food and fitness. Stay tuned on social media as I’ll be sharing updates on that trip. One of my favourite foodie spots I visited recently is a place called Yashin Sushi in Kensington. It’s very low-key, but the food just speaks for itself. Over in Dubai, every meal was great - the standard out there is so high. The best meal I ate was out in the desert, eating some traditional Bedouin cuisine. There was this lamb that was slow-cooked for 24-hours and it was absolutely sensational - really simple, cooked underground. It was just perfect.
Eating traditional cuisine under the stars. A fantastic foodie experience. I’ve had a catch up with my friend Elliott Grover, who had just got back from cooking at the Oscars. He has the number one steak restaurant in the UK, called 45 Park Lane. So I went to see him, tucked into one of his famous steaks and had a good catch up. I’ve been eating some really nice food lately. Sometimes, when things are busy, I don’t get out to enjoy food as much as I should, so it’s been good to make the time to fit it in with friends and family. The summer diary is filling up. I’ll be at Seaham Food Festival in August, which I can’t wait for - I love to head back up north for events! I’ve also got The Good Food Show at the NEC, Birmingham in June, which is always great to be involved in.
INSPIRED BY THE SEASONS >> I’ve got to mention Jersey Royal potatoes they’re great at this time of year. Great British food at its very best. Berries will start to come in as well - strawberries, raspberries - the soft fruits that we can do so much with. Rhubarb is another good one - it’s not around for ages, so it’s nice to make the most of it. You can’t beat a rhubarb crumble. All of the green stuff is at its best watercress, sugar snap peas, the last of asparagus season. The end of spring into summer is a wonderful time for produce - a lot of what we grow is at its best - before it gets too hot. There’s so much colour and variety available, and it’s important we make the most of it! I’m really excited to work with the produce over in Turkey again at the Olympians Wellness Weekend. Last year I used a lot of dried figs, nuts - they are so good at drying foods, which is a great way to preserve seasonal ingredients. Apricots are big over there - they have melons, oranges, cucumber, tomatoes - just the simple stuff, done really well. Travelling is always great as things taste a bit different, it’s fun to work with what’s at hand, and it just reminds me of the joy that food brings!
ASK CHRIS >>
If you have any questions you want to ask Chris, please get in touch via his Instagram page. Chris will select a question and answer it in the next column. #AskChris Q: You have friends coming over for a spontaneous alfresco dinner/bbq, what are you making? A: I’d do something cold that you can make in advance - something like a spanakopita - a Greek-style spinach and feta filo pie. You could make a really nice Greek salad with it, so you’ve got something cold and fresh. Really simple, but tasty. For me, on the barbecue, I love to cook lamb. If you can control the temperature, you can do a slow-cooked shoulder of lamb, wrapped up with some spices. You can also cook vegetables on the barbecue as well - that is very overrated. Wrap aubergines in tinfoil and cook them; you can make a baba ganoush with that. So there’s your summer alfresco supper - slow-cooked lamb, spinach and feta pie, a big Greek salad, baba ganoush. A gorgeous Mediterranean feast!
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TRY THIS
Spicy peanut chicken and rice bowl with crunchy slaw Serves 2
Ingredients 2 chicken breasts For the sauce: 4 tbsp peanut butter 2 tbsp water (to loosen if needed) 1 tbsp honey 2cm ginger, grated Juice of 1/2 lime 1 tsp curry powder
For the slaw: 1/4 red cabbage, finely shredded 1 carrot, cut into fine matchsticks 2 spring onions, shredded 1 tbsp olive oil Juice of 1/2 lime To serve: 200g brown rice (raw weight) Handful coriander 1/2 lime
Method Cook the rice according to packet instructions While the rice is cooking, mix all the sauce ingredients together, season to taste. Set aside. Mix the slaw ingredients together with a pinch of salt, set aside. Lightly bash the chicken with a rolling pin until 2cm thick then season with salt and pepper. Heat a large frying pan over a medium high heat with a splash of cooking oil. Fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and thoroughly cooked through. Pour in half of the sauce, cook for a further minute coating the chicken in the sauce. Remove from the pan and allow to rest for a few minutes then cut into slices. When the rice is cooked, divide between two serving dishes, top each with a handful of slaw to one side and the chicken to the other. Drizzle the chicken generously with the remaining sauce. Top with coriander and squeeze over some lime juice.
“HexClad makes cooking effortless and enjoyable, achieving amazing results time after time. The sheer versatility of a HexClad makes them the only pans I couldn’t live without. They are built to last with a lifetime guarantee and get better with age. They are by far the best investment you can make for your kitchen at home. There’s no other pan that will give you the same results. It’s time to get Hexy! A pan for the modern age.” - Chris Baber Find out more at: hexclad.co.uk
MAY/JUN25
PLANT-POWERED
Sweet sustainability
Dalton Moor Farm is rewriting the rulebook on sustainable farming, one delicious spoonful at a time. This forward-thinking veganic farm is home to Bee Free Vegan HUNNY™ - a handcrafted honey alternative made from foraged rowan berries and hedgerow blooms. Luxe checks in with founder Dr Jenny Connor to talk all things plant-based, planetloving and the power of nature
a surprisingly complex flavour - including that familiar honey-like note. I began experimenting to enhance and refine that quality. In 2018, I launched Dalton Moor Farm’s Vegan Bee Free HUNNY™ – a hand-crafted syrup made from rowan berries. Over time, I’ve refined the recipe to stay true to the character of the rowan while delivering that special sweet-bitter flavour that’s reminiscent of bee honey. What makes rowan berry syrup such a great honey alternative? Lots of things! It’s sustainable, made locally - so zero food miles - handmade and lower in sugar than bee honey. It has a distinctive flavour profile, it’s sweet but with a subtle bitterness and is also rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. The rowan berries are grown on my regenerative, veganic farm, hand-harvested, and the HUNNY is crafted by hand in my kitchen. The process supports our not-for-profit social enterprise, helping fund nature-based education and wellbeing opportunities, protect wildlife, and restore the landscape.
Dalton Moor Farm is a regenerative fruit farm and food forest just a stone’s throw from Seaham’s stunning beaches - a social enterprise dedicated to supporting the natural environment and empowering the community. Focused on promoting happier, healthier and more independent lives, it’s a lively hub of agriculture, wildlife, restoration and innovation - and when the opportunity came to chat to founder Dr Jenny Connor, we couldn’t wait to hear what she had to say. A passionate advocate for veganic farming, Jenny has spent more than a decade breathing life back into this land, creating a thriving food-forest-style farm rich in biodiversity. Among the many magical things being cultivated here is Bee Free Vegan HUNNY™, a handcrafted syrup made from foraged rowan berries - with the unique ability to mimic the flavour and health benefits of
traditional honey, without involving the bees. It’s sweet, sharp, complex, and completely cruelty-free. Available in an array of wild-infused flavours, from elderflower to evening primrose, it’s quickly earning a cult following - and for good reason. We catch up with Dr Jenny to talk about her inspiration, her process, and what’s next for the farm. What can you tell us about your Bee Free Vegan HUNNY and why you decided to create it? Honey bees don’t collect nectar for us they do it to feed their hive. That’s why many vegans choose not to use bee honey. But some still crave that sweet-bitter hit it brings to food. Most honey alternatives, like agave, maple, or date syrup, don’t replicate that distinctive flavour. They’re often just sweet - lacking the depth and subtle bitterness of bee honey. While experimenting with preserves in my kitchen, I noticed that rowan syrup had
I’ve always loved nature, and restoring even a small patch of land feels like a blessing. Learning how to grow and harvest without harm - and in a way that benefits all life - is both exciting and deeply fulfilling MAY/JUN25
Tell us a bit more about Dalton Moor Farm and the vision behind it... I founded Dalton Moor Farm in 2011 on what was once old arable land. Since then, we’ve transformed it into a wild, food-forest-style landscape rich in biodiversity. In 2020, I launched the School of Sustainable Living & Wellbeing to share knowledge and practices that support both people and the planet, through hands-on, nature-connected learning. In 2024, we built three beautiful reclaimed wooden teepees to offer off-grid accommodation for retreats and peaceful stays in nature. We also added an oak gazebo and willow fire circle for gatherings, festivals, and ceremonies - whether seasonal celebrations or special events like weddings and hand-tyings. This year, we’re excited to be hosting a Beltane Wellbeing Retreat in early May and a Summer Solstice Eco-Festival in June. We’re also working towards a cafe and shop with an expanded kitchen to support our food production and catering. Where did your passion for sustainable, veganic farming begin? I’ve always loved nature, and restoring even a small patch of land feels like a blessing. Learning how to grow and harvest without harm - and in a way that benefits all life - is both exciting and deeply fulfilling. That ethos extends into every aspect of life, from what I eat, to what I use on my skin or in my home. The fruit juices, teas, and preserves I create are rooted in ancient knowledge and modern learning, blending respect for tradition with innovation. Dalton Moor Farm is entirely veganic - no animal inputs, no harm, just respect for all beings. After researching animal agriculture,
my husband and I became vegan and chose to align the farm with those values. We believe in kindness for all animals, not just pets - and we’re always happy to share that message. How do you use Bee Free Vegan HUNNY in your own life? I use Bee Free HUNNY in all the ways others might use bee honey: in hot drinks or mulled apple juice, drizzled on porridge or toast, baked into cakes, as a glaze on roasted veg or mixed into dressings or sauces. Its versatility and rich flavour make it a daily staple in our kitchen. You also run workshops and retreats - how do those connect to the farm’s ethos? Our ethos of sustainability and kindness runs through everything - from products to programmes. The farm offers people the chance to reconnect with nature and themselves. Workshops and seasonal celebrations honour ancient traditions and rhythms something modern life has largely lost. Re-establishing these connections supports our wellbeing and deepens respect for the natural world. Everything we do - from the food we grow to the events we host - is about helping people live in harmony with nature, and with each other.
What’s next for Dalton Moor Farm? We’re continuing to grow our retreats and accommodation, with capacity for just four weddings per year, one in each season. Each is fully bespoke, with flexibility around date and format - anything from a one-day gathering to a week-long celebration. We’re also moving forward with plans for our new cafe and shop, expanding our commercial kitchen, and developing more outdoor spaces to support community events and eco-tourism. And through Cup of Life Coaching, which I launched in 2023, I’m helping individuals with chronic illness or life challenges reclaim their wellbeing. For organisations, I deliver year-long workplace wellbeing programmes to enhance physical and mental health, presence, positivity, performance, productivity, and profitability. daltonmoorfarm.co.uk
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NEW CHAPTER
With big ambitions, bold moves, and a razor-sharp vision for redefining luxury hospitality in the North East, James Close is back - and he means business. Elysia Fryer catches up with the Michelin-starred chef over coffee at Rockliffe Hall, where planning meetings are in full swing and the promise of something truly spectacular is already simmering beneath the surface
Rewriting Rockliffe
There’s a buzz in the air at Rockliffe - as you walk through the corridors and chat to the staff, you can feel it - something is shifting. The five-star resort is undergoing a full-scale transformation, and at the heart of that change is James Close, known for taking the Raby Hunt from a run-down country pub to a two Michelin-starred culinary destination. Now, his sights are set on something bigger.
Over coffee in Cafe TERRA, James is relaxed, full of energy, and clearly in his element. The conversation flows freely - from food philosophy to resort renovations, from architectural plans to pop-up events. “I like to dream big,” he says with a smile. “But I also like to make things happen.” And make things happen, he has. After years of success at the Raby Hunt - arguably one of the most ambitious restaurants in the region - James reached a turning point. “The Raby Hunt was doing amazing. We
I’ll be back in the kitchen, running the new restaurant day-to-day. But I’ll also take a day each week to focus on the resort overall making sure every food and beverage outlet is aligned and excellent 42 luxe-magazine.co.uk
had two Michelin stars - it was brilliant,” he reflects. “But it’s a small place. We had probably got to the point where we’d outgrown it. There was no room to expand. As much as I loved it, I started to realise we’d hit our limit in that space.” Then, as if on cue, came the email from Rockliffe Hall. “I didn’t think much of it at the time. I went along for a chat, and it just clicked. What they were planning - it reignited something in me.” He hadn’t been looking to move. The Raby Hunt was his world. But something shifted. “I’ve always loved hotels,” he says. “I was actually born in one - a country house hotel my parents ran in Durham. So, in a way, this feels like coming full circle.” Still, he was clear from the outset: this wasn’t going to be a halfway venture. “I wasn’t going to just walk into someone else’s kitchen. I wanted to build it from the ground up. So when they agreed to that… I knew this was the next big thing.”
Since stepping into the role, James has immersed himself in the project entirely. It’s not just about the food - though that will undoubtedly be spectacular - it’s about creating a full, world-class resort experience. Every corner of Rockliffe is being reimagined, and James is involved in every detail. “I’ve never sat in so many meetings in my life!” he laughs. “It’s a learning curve, for sure. But also really exciting. I’m used to just cracking on, but I’ve learned to respect the process. I’m a perfectionist, so even if something in the spa doesn’t feel quite right, I want to change it. That’s just how I’m wired.” He sees the resort as a canvas, and with a luxury relaunch in mind, the plans are as ambitious as they come: a new fine dining restaurant, a reimagined Orangery, a signature cocktail bar, a stylish steakhouse in The Clubhouse, a patisserieled cafe, a whisky lounge, a transformed room service menu, even a curated Halfway House on the golf course. All of it meticulously thought through. All of it carrying the Close signature. “From the cafe we’re sitting in now, right through to the cocktail menus, I’m involved in everything. And when it all comes together, it’s going to be seamless.” At the heart of it all is a powerful idea: putting food at the centre of the Rockliffe Hall experience. “We’re creating a gastronomic destination. Somewhere you come not just to stay, but to really eat,” he says. “The new restaurant is going to be the grown-up version of the Raby Hunt. Global flavours, no gimmicks. Just brilliant food, executed perfectly.” James made a name for himself by bringing a bold, globally-inspired fine dining experience to the North East. It was his travels - eating and learning around the world - that shaped his style. “We were one of the first in the region to really embrace global dishes at that level. And that came from me being curious, going out there, tasting, learning, and bringing it back. I want to take that even further here.” And this time, he has the space and the resources to do just that. He’s assembled what he calls his ‘Premier League squad’ - a team of top-tier talent, many of whom have worked with him before. “My wife, who was the pastry chef at the Raby, is here. My head chef came, my manager too. We’ve brought in talent from places like Barrio Comida, and we’ve got Troy Terrington on board. I’m trying to bring together the best of the best.” There’s excitement in his voice as he talks about each individual, each piece of the puzzle falling into place. But while the fine dining is the jewel in the crown, the wider offering is just as exciting to him. “The steakhouse in The Clubhouse is inspired by classic American steakhouses. It’ll have its own whisky lounge, and will feel totally different to the fine dining space. Then you’ve got Cafe TERRA, which will eventually become my wife’s patisserie. That’s going to be high-end, elegant, and a
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NEW CHAPTER
We’re aiming high, but I have full confidence we’ll get there. It’s about legacy now. I want to build something that lasts
real destination in itself.” He’s also introducing energy and movement - seasonal events, pop-ups, concepts designed to bring people back time and time again. “Resorts can get stale, so we’re bringing in that energy with events like Burger & Champagne nights. We want locals to keep coming back, as well as attracting people from across the UK and internationally.” There’s no mistaking the ambition here, but James is just as focused on the follow-through. “We’re talking big, but the most important thing is delivery. That’s what I pride myself on. I don’t just talk. I do.” Despite the grandeur of the project, there’s a deeply grounded quality to the way James works. He’s moved into the resort with his wife and kids, living on-site to stay fully immersed in the process, but also to find a better balance. “I’m from Darlington, so I’ve actually moved closer to home. We live on site now, which is great. I’m going to the gym, eating better, and generally just trying to stay balanced. I don’t want the restaurant to open without structure and wellbeing in place - for me and the team. “I worked in sport before this,” he starts. “I was an assistant golf pro. I don’t play anymore, but I’m using that mindset to build a high-performance culture here. We want staff to feel motivated, supported, and valued. It’s about marginal gains, just like
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elite sport.” That philosophy extends to the staff rooms, the team structure, even the kind of lifestyle being encouraged for the resort’s employees. “We’re designing spaces that feel good to work in. We want this to be a place where people want to stay and grow.” In his downtime, James still travels - but always with a purpose. He stays in world-class hotels, not just to unwind, but to research, take notes, and learn. “I’ve been all over. “Recently I stayed at Bad Ragaz in Switzerland - a three Michelin Key resort with three Michelin-starred restaurants. It was flawless. I came back full of ideas.” There was a moment in La Rochelle, he tells me, where he was cooking with ingredients from the local market rediscovering the joy of cooking simply and freely, without pressure. “It reminded me why I love this. And I came back refreshed, ready to build.” His perspective has evolved over the years. “I used to always want to speak to the chefs, but now I’m asking for the GM. That shows you how my head’s shifted - more strategic, thinking about the whole experience.” When the resort is complete, James will be right back in the kitchen - but this time with a structure that allows him to lead on a larger scale. “I’ll be back in the kitchen, running the
new restaurant day-to-day. But I’ll also take a day each week to focus on the resort overall - making sure every food and beverage outlet is aligned and excellent.” As we wrap up, another meeting calls. James shakes my hand with the kind of assured calm you’d expect from someone who’s done this before - only this time, on a scale unlike anything he’s taken on. For him, this isn’t just about stars or accolades, it’s about building something that lasts.
“We’re aiming high, but I have full confidence we’ll get there. It’s about legacy now. I want to build something that lasts.” The new Rockliffe Hall isn’t just a refurbishment - it’s a revolution. And at its core is a chef who never stops pushing, never stops dreaming, and never stops delivering. rockliffehall.com
James is going to be keeping us up-to-date with Rockliffe Hall’s developments in his new bi-monthly column in Luxe. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes insights, culinary creativity, and the latest happenings from James’s world of fine dining, luxury travel, and next-level hospitality. luxe-magazine.co.uk 43
FOOD IN FOCUS
Built on tradition
Dabbawal’s kitchen - where timeless techniques and true craft are at the heart of bringing Indian street food to life… Step behind the scenes at Dabbawal and you’ll find more than just the hum of a busy kitchen - you’ll find mastery. At the heart of the city’s original Indian street food restaurant, there’s a quiet reverence for tradition. Long before the food reaches your table, it’s shaped by traditional techniques and old-school methods that still hold power today. Dabbawal cooks from the onion up, with no shortcuts and no cheats. Every dish begins with the basics done properly: slow-cooked onions forming the soul of a curry, hand-crushed garlic, and spice blends measured by instinct. The kitchen is home to a traditional charcoal tandoor, a vessel of blistering heat and ancient flavour. Flames lick at skewered meats, hand-marinated in-house, while pillowy naans cling to the tandoor’s walls, blistering to perfection in seconds. Every corner of the kitchen has its craft. From intricate kebabs to deeply layered curries, from rice cookers to the in-house bakery producing soft naans and layered parathas, the rhythm of the kitchen is guided by highly trained chefs, each with their own area of expertise, who understand that to honour Indian street food, you must respect the process. In today’s world, where cutting corners has become common, Dabbawal’s philosophy remains unwavering: cook everything from scratch, use only fresh ingredients, work
with trusted local suppliers, and build every dish with pride. Oils are changed regularly, there’s no artificial food colouring, spaces are kept spotless, and only stainless-steel pans are used for safer, more hygienic cooking. They believe that to truly respect your guests, you must first respect your kitchen.
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Now more than ever, with the cost of living in sharp focus, where you spend your money matters. Dabbawal’s promise? Food made properly, served with pride, by professionals who believe that when you dine with them, you deserve the very best. dabbawal.com
MAY/JUN25
GO GREEK
HIP HOTELS
with Debrah Dhugga It’s the summer season - and the Greek Islands are open. We’re checking in…
In the evening, the location transforms into a magical wonderland as the sun dips below the horizon
Mykonos is big on the agenda this year, with direct flights available from most regional and international airports. If you haven’t visited yet, you owe it to yourself to book a trip to this stunning island. Since the 1970s, Mykonos has developed a reputation to rival the most glamorous destinations. Today, known as a playground for a fantastic, stylish holiday break, it is the perfect hot spot for those looking to indulge in everything from fine food to first-class hospitality - and, of course, sunshine! THE TOWNHOUSE, MYKONOS It is my favourite must-visit. I love small boutique hotels that offer 5-star service. When you can find them, they are my go-to choice. This fabulous adults-only townhouse was once an 18th-century aristocratic manor house and home to the first Mayor of Mykonos. Located in Manto Square Mykonos Town, Mikonos 846 00, Greece, only 10 minutes from the international airport.
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PRIME LOCATION The hotel is in the town and offers a harbour view and a beachfront setting with Agia Anna Beach just metres away. Nearby attractions include the Archaeological Museum and Mykonos Old Port, each within 700 metres. The hotel has a fitness center, a sun terrace, and the Mykonos famous Sky Bar at the top of the building. There are 20 fabulous bedrooms. Request a sea view or balcony. Our room was amazing. It was spacious and crisp, with a sparkly white Greek feeling, a sea view, and a balcony. The bedroom felt like a sanctuary, bathed in soft natural light that filtered through large white curtains. The walls are painted a crisp, clean white, enhancing the sense of openness and tranquility. The ceiling is high, adding to the airy feel of the space.
have a cocktail, and soak in those amazing Mykonos sunsets! It’s hard to move once you are settled in. Who doesn’t love a cocktail when the sun is setting? The hotel has no restaurant, but that’s not a big thing. It offers a great breakfast; after all, going out to eat is a big thing when having a break in Mykonos. There are so many great choices on the island, but my favorites are: Hippie Fish A unique beachside destination that offers guests an exceptional experience. Escape to a world of unparalleled luxury and exclusivity at Hippie Fish. It is nestled along the stunning Mykonos shoreline, an oasis where you can bask in the sun, sip on refreshing cocktails, and indulge in amazing food. Immerse yourself in the epitome of beachside elegance, surrounded by breathtaking views and impeccable service. I can promise you one thing: you won’t want to leave. Eva’s Garden Restaurant It has been in the same family for 39 years, and the team has the art of making a stranger a friend. Home-cooked and
cared-for dishes and dining areas surrounded by vines and flowers create a fabulous traditional Greek vibe. LOCATION The hotel’s location is amazing; you can walk around the old town and have special access to famous restaurants and nightclubs within walking distance. Boat transfers take you to the beaches during the day. In the evenings, the location transforms into a magical wonderland as the sun dips below the horizon, the sky becomes a canvas painted with pink, orange, and gold hues. Settle with your sundowner, and it truly feels like paradise. The hotel is the perfect escape for a two to four-night stay. What is also great is the choice of rooms to suit various budgets, from €215 for a level room during the low season to €2,800 per night for the townhouse villa in the high season. I can’t wait to return to this little gem... mykonostownhousehotel.com
DINING Breakfast options include continental, American, and à la carte with champagne, local specialties, and fresh pastries. The Sunset Experience SKYBAR overlooks the Old Town and the Aegean Sea. Sit back,
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SPA BREAK
UK GETAWAY:
Manor House, Alsager Elysia Fryer checks in for a staycation at one of the UK’s most exciting spa destinations. A slice of stylish serenity just a few hours from the North East…
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STAY HERE A few hours in the car, playlist on, coffee in hand, and I’m trading Teesside for the charming countryside of Cheshire. Fields roll past the window, villages become sleepier, and suddenly, the stresses of everyday life seem to slip away with every mile. Manor House Alsager is not your typical hotel-with-a-spa. This is an award-winning, wellness-focused sanctuary that’s bagged a coveted spot in The Times Top 50 Spas in the UK - and when you arrive, it’s not hard to see why. Tucked away in the quiet village of Alsager, just a stone’s throw from the M6, this hidden
gem offers all the escapism you’d hope for from a country spa hotel, without needing to hop on a plane or plan a week-long trip. It’s the perfect middle ground: easy enough for a spontaneous weekend away, special enough for a big birthday treat or girls’ getaway. Manor House Alsager is unapologetically different. It blends the charm of a boutique country house with the kind of stand-out spa offering you’d expect to find in a glossy international resort. Think swim-up bars, a dreamy meditation lounge, secret hot tubs, heated outdoor pergolas, and more spa experiences than you can count on both hands - all wrapped up in a stylish, cosy country hotel that manages to feel both
luxurious and wonderfully laid-back. Whether you’re heading here for rest and recovery, a romantic break, or simply to hit pause on the pace of life, it’s a destination that delivers on all fronts. STYLE The vibe here is indulgent, but not intimidating. The interiors are calming and carefully curated - soft lighting, earthy tones with pops of blue, tactile textures, plush velvet and natural wood - and the layout flows beautifully from lounge to restaurant to spa. It’s the kind of place that instantly makes you feel at home, albeit a very stylish one. Whether you’re lounging with a glass of fizz
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SPA BREAK
After hopping between hot tubs, herbal saunas and vitality pools, slipping into our suite feels like the perfect end to the day
in the sun-soaked Orangery, curling up by the fire in the snug, or taking a stroll through the perfectly manicured garden, every corner has been well designed and thought out with peace at the top of the agenda. And the spa itself? A total showstopper. There’s an impressive sense of theatre to the design, with outdoor hanging daybeds (complete with individual heaters, thank you very much), flickering fire pits, and a vitality pool that leads you straight to the UK’s first swim-up bar. It’s a standout moment. Order a cocktail or a glass of fizz and sip it in the steamy waters as you float under the sky - bliss. Little details make a big difference here there’s something about watching the sunset from a bubbling hot tub, drink in hand, with soft music playing in the background, that feels like pure magic. In the summer months the spa hosts special live music and DJ nights, to up the vibe even more! SPA HIGHLIGHTS This spa is extensive - and more than a little impressive. It’s not just a few treatment rooms and a hot tub. This is a fully immersive spa village experience, designed to help you truly switch off, reconnect, and feel completely renewed. The spa journey takes you on an experienceled wellness adventure. You can easily spend an entire day (and more) discovering new areas, trying out different heat experiences, and soaking up every soul-soothing moment. Start your day with a dip in the outdoor vitality pool - heated and wonderfully invigorating - before stretching out on one of the swinging daybeds and letting the warmth of the fire pit lull you into a state of pre-treatment calm. There’s a panoramic laconicum, an icy plunge bath for the brave, and the Potting Shed herbal sauna - a Pinterest-perfect garden hut filled with aromas. Each area has its own vibe and benefit, meaning you can tailor your spa journey to suit your mood. Inside, things continue with a calm, cocoon-like energy. The indoor pool is surrounded by soft loungers and a hanging bed - the perfect snap! The Finnish sauna is great for a deep detox, while the aromatherapy steam room works its magic in
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opening airways and soothing muscles. I opt for a 60-minute treatment - a soothing, full-body experience that melts away every ounce of tension. The therapists here are exceptional; knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about helping guests unwind. Post-treatment, I wrap myself in a fluffy robe and head to the Relax Lounge - a tranquil space complete with soft blankets, daybeds, and a nourishing mocktail menu. Add to that a gorgeous afternoon tea and a stylish branded tote to take home, and it becomes clear that every part of the experience has been considered with care and thought. LAY YOUR HEAD After hopping between hot tubs, herbal saunas and vitality pools, slipping into our suite feels like the perfect end to the day. Think plush beds, soft lighting, crisp linens, and a spa-like bathroom stocked with Temple Spa products. It’s cosy but elevated - the kind of place you instantly relax in. Rooms are split between the main house and the newer spa wing, offering two distinct styles. The main house rooms nod to classic country charm, while the spa wing leans more towards contemporary cool. Both are kitted out with everything you need for a restful night, and waking up here - knowing the spa awaits again - is one of life’s little luxuries. There’s a boutique feel throughout, and even the standard rooms have that special touch. Expect plush bedding, thoughtful lighting, Nespresso machines, and sleek modern bathrooms. It’s the kind of space you can sink into without a second thought - and trust me, after a day in the spa, you’ll sleep like a baby. FOOD & DRINK The Stables Bar & Grill is the beating heart of the hotel’s foodie offering - a warm, characterful space with original beams, ambient lighting, and a seasonal menu that showcases the best of local produce. It’s comfort food, but not as you know it. Expect hearty dishes with flair - think pan-roasted chicken with truffle mash, seasonal risottos, and beautifully cooked steaks. For those with a sweet tooth, the dessert menu doesn’t disappoint
(the sticky toffee pudding is a must). There’s a great selection of wines and cocktails, and the team behind the bar are more than happy to help you find your perfect pairing. I’d recommend grabbing a seat near the fireplace and letting the hours melt away. Breakfast is equally impressive - a mix of classic cooked options and continental bits, fresh juices, and good coffee served in the relaxed Orangery. It’s the kind of breakfast that sets the tone for another day of indulgence. THE VERDICT For those of us in the North East looking for a luxe spa escape that doesn’t require a
passport or an exhausting drive, Manor House Alsager is a dreamy discovery. It’s bold in its offering but utterly unpretentious - the kind of place you’ll want to return to with your mum, your best mate or your other half. Whether you’re visiting for a milestone celebration, a wellness weekend, or simply to press pause for a while, it delivers a hit of luxury with all the comfort of home. It feels like a retreat, a treat, and a warm hug all in one - and trust me, once you’ve experienced that swim-up bar at sunset, you’ll be planning your return trip before you’ve even left the driveway. manorhousealsager.com
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MAKE IT RADIANT MAKE IT MATFEN Calm, tranquil and radiant with luxury, make your escape to the country with two ways to stay this summer. Immerse yourself in the beauty of our Northumbrian estate with a 3 for 2 Summer Escape stay. Or, arrive by chauffeur to spa rituals, award-winning dining and absolute luxury with The Ultimate Matfen Experience.
Contact us on 01661 886500 or email info@matfenhall.com MATFEN HALL, MATFEN, NORTHUMBERLAND, NE20 0RH
DISCOVER MORE
GETTING AWAY
The Palace, Madrid
Hôtel du Couvent, Nice
Le Bristol, Paris
Luxe in the city Chic stays for stylish summer city breaks…
Who says summer has to be about sun, sea and sand? For those who prefer culture over coastlines, long lunches over loungers, and a buzz of energy over beachy calm, a city break could be just the ticket. With luxury hotels offering sky-high standards of comfort, style and soulsoothing tranquility, a city escape can feel just as indulgent as a tropical retreat. From romantic retreats in Paris, to family fun in Lisbon, we’ve rounded up the most luxurious city break hotels for summer 2025. Martinhal Lisbon Oriente If you’re all about sleek design, great food and a city that’s bursting with energy, Martinhal Lisbon Oriente is just the ticket! Set in the super-cool Park of Nations district, this hotel brings a fresh, playful vibe to luxury city breaking - think bold interiors, family-friendly touches and skyline views to swoon over. It’s built with modern travellers in mind spacious studios and apartments, a rooftop pool for a post-sightseeing dip, and a laid-back restaurant serving up top-tier Portuguese fare. Families are totally catered for too, with a brilliant kids’ club and thoughtful extras that take the stress out of travelling with little ones. What really sets Martinhal apart is the balance it strikes: it’s chic without trying too hard, practical without ever feeling plain, and relaxing even in the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic capitals. Step outside and you’re right by the river,
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moments from Lisbon’s best parks, museums and foodie hotspots. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a longer city escape, this is one for the style-savvy explorer - solo, coupled-up or with the crew in tow. martinhal.com Fairmont Golden Prague This newly reimagined icon sits right on the banks of the Vltava River in Prague, blending historic charm with that signature Fairmont polish. Inside, it’s high ceilings, rich textures and warm tones - a masterclass in modern luxury that still tips its hat to Prague’s storied past. The rooms? Plush, peaceful and made for lingering. Some come with postcard-perfect views of Prague Castle or the city’s iconic spires - best enjoyed with a coffee (or cocktail) in hand. Downstairs, you’ll find a spa that’s practically a destination in itself, plus a show-stopping rooftop restaurant where Czech flavours get a fine-dining glow-up. Whether you’re strolling across Charles Bridge or dipping into the city’s jazz scene, everything feels effortlessly close - yet the hotel remains a serene hideaway when you need it. fairmont.com Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp Tucked behind historic walls in the heart of Antwerp, Botanic Sanctuary feels like a beautiful secret - one you’ll be glad to have discovered. This former 13th-century monastery has been transformed into a serene five-star sanctuary that’s big on soul,
style and serious wellness credentials. Expect cloistered courtyards, high-end interiors and luxury throughout. Each room is a peaceful retreat, blending heritage charm with contemporary comfort - think oak beams, soft linens and dreamy lighting. It’s the kind of place where time slows down and the city feels wonderfully far away (even though it’s right outside your door). But the real draw? The spa. It’s vast, immaculate and completely immersive, with everything from herbal rituals to high-tech treatments. Pair that with Michelin-starred dining and you’ve got a restorative city break like no other. Step outside and you’re moments from Antwerp’s fashion quarter, buzzing galleries and chocolate shops galore. botanicantwerp.be The Palace Hotel, Madrid When it comes to classic European glamour, The Palace Hotel Madrid is the real deal. Sitting pretty opposite the Prado Museum, this hotel has been welcoming high-flyers, artists and royals since 1912 - and it’s still turning heads. Step inside and you’ll see why: a soaring stained-glass dome, marble everywhere, and a real sense of occasion. Rooms are bright, breezy and utterly luxurious but inviting - perfect for unwinding after days filled with art, tapas and sunny park strolls. The real showstopper? The central rotunda, where you can sip cocktails under the dome or brunch in style. There’s also a rooftop wellness studio and a sleek spa, certainly worth visiting.
Martinhal Lisbon Oriente With the city’s finest cultural venues right on your doorstep and the lively streets of Barrio de las Letras just a short walk away, The Palace is perfectly placed for a cultural city break or a sunny, sangria-fuelled escape. marriott.com Hôtel du Couvent, Nice Tucked into the hillside of Nice’s old town, Hôtel du Couvent is a spellbinding sanctuary where Riviera chic meets monastic calm. The vibe? Earthy, elegant and deeply peaceful. Think terracotta floors, shuttered windows, and a soft, golden glow that bathes everything in serenity. The rooms are totally dreamy, with natural textures and views over tiled rooftops or the Mediterranean beyond. And while it feels a world away from the bustle, you’re just moments from the Promenade des Anglais and the pasteltoned charm of Vieux Nice. But good luck pulling yourself away - the hotel’s gardens are a dreamy maze of citrus trees and herbs, and the subterranean spa is pure heaven. Add in Mediterranean cuisine with a hyper-local twist and a setting steeped in history, and you’re set for the ultimate summer city break. marriott.com Corinthia Brussels Brussels might be best known for beer and chocolate, but Corinthia Brussels is here to shake things up. Housed in a stunning 19th-century landmark just off the Grand Place, this new opening is all about elevated elegance and
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GETTING AWAY modern luxury with a golden-age glow. The interiors are nothing short of spectacular - polished, poised and dressed to impress. Rooms are soothing and sophisticated, with soft palettes, marble bathrooms and views over the city’s charming rooftops. Downstairs, the vibe is refined but relaxed, from the serene spa and wellness floor to the buzzing bar and bistro. Corinthia knows how to do timeless hospitality, and it shows in every thoughtful detail - from the intuitive service to the art-filled halls and the inner courtyard that feels like a private escape. Step outside and you’re in the heart of it all - galleries, boutiques, and some of Europe’s finest architecture. corinthia.com Fairmont Golden, Prague
Botanic Sanctuary, Antwerp
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Waldorf Astoria New York The legendary Waldorf Astoria New York is back and looking better than ever. This Park Avenue powerhouse has long been a symbol of New York glamour, and its return marks a new era of luxury in the city that never sleeps. The interiors channel golden-age Manhattan with a contemporary edge - Art Deco flourishes, plush textures, and a cool confidence that only a true icon can pull off. The rooms and suites are serene sanctuaries high above the buzz, with skyline views to seal the deal. The hotel is also home to a new world of fine dining, a full-service spa, and exclusive guest-only lounges that offer an elegant escape from the city’s highoctane pace. It’s old-school New York meets modern indulgence - and it absolutely works. Moments from Fifth Avenue, Central Park and the city’s best museums, Waldorf
Astoria is perfectly placed for exploring the Big Apple. waldorfastorianewyork.com Le Bristol Paris When it comes to Parisian luxury, Le Bristol Paris is the gold standard. With over 90 years of history, this five star gem remains one of the most coveted addresses in the world - and for good reason. The hotel’s vibe is effortlessly chic, with impeccable service and a sense of calm. Rooms are adorned with classic French flair - soft fabrics, exquisite antiques, and stunning views of Parisian rooftops or the lush garden, which feels like a secret oasis. Foodies will swoon at the Michelin-starred dining, including the legendary Epicure restaurant, where you can savour gastronomic masterpieces paired with impeccable wine. And after a day of wandering the nearby Champs-Élysées or Musée d’Orsay, unwind in the spa or by the pool, where you’ll feel worlds away from the hustle. Le Bristol is the perfect blend of old-world luxury and modern indulgence, making it a quintessential city break for those seeking the best of everything. oetkercollection.com Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin Situated right next to Brandenburg Gate, Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin has had a major revamp, and it’s an absolute must for those who appreciate the finer things in life. The hotel’s design is a beautiful blend of classic grandeur and modern sophistication - think old-school opulence with a contemporary twist. And while the history is rich, so is the
experience. Indulge in Michelin-starred dining, a top-notch spa, and an iconic bar that’s hosted everyone from royalty to rock stars. Whether you’re soaking up Berlin’s culture by day or relaxing in the hotel’s serene courtyard by night, the Adlon provides the perfect balance of elegance and ease. This is more than a place to stay; it’s part of Berlin’s beating heart - a luxury getaway for those who want to live in the city’s glamorous past while enjoying its cuttingedge present. kempinski.com FORTH Atlanta FORTH Atlanta is your next Stateside city break go-to. This sleek, modern retreat brings contemporary design and classic southern hospitality together in perfect harmony. The hotel’s design is a stunning mix of minimalist chic and southern charm, with cool art pieces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and carefully curated spaces. The rooms are luxurious without being pretentious, offering the perfect balance of comfort and design. When you’re not out exploring Atlanta’s vibrant arts scene, head to the rooftop bar for sweeping views and handcrafted cocktails, or indulge in a meal at the on-site restaurant. The laid-back but upscale atmosphere makes it the ideal spot for both business and leisure travellers who crave a stylish base in the heart of the city. FORTH offers a fresh perspective on southern American luxury - where relaxation, design, and hospitality seamlessly meet.A must-visit for anyone looking to experience Atlanta. forthatlanta.com
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Crathorne Hall
A FOCUS ON:
Crathorne Crathorne, once a quiet village in North Yorkshire, has become a creative haven with a number of bustling businesses. From milkshakes and curated gifts to seasonal menus and local produce, it’s a place where charm meets creativity. Growing up nearby, I’ve watched this village transform into something special. Elysia Fryer gives us the lowdown…
Crathorne, a small yet strikingly beautiful village in North Yorkshire, has become a destination that defies the conventional expectations of a sleepy country hamlet. Growing up in the nearby village of Hutton Rudby, with school in Yarm, Crathorne, to me, was a passing point on the way. Over the years, this village, which once seemed like an afterthought, has blossomed into a creative haven, alive with bustling businesses, friendly locals, and an increasingly vibrant community. Good things come in small packages, and that is certainly true for this place. Crathorne
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has managed to pack a punch in terms of charm, warmth, and appeal. Nestled among rolling fields, bordered by the River Leven, and flanked by stunning countryside, it has become a beloved destination not just for locals, but for those seeking respite from the everyday and a slower pace of life. Let me take you on a journey through this wholesome hamlet. The landscape here is undeniably picturesque: patchwork fields dotted with grazing sheep, lush woodlands sitting between, and quaint cottages lining the road. For those who enjoy walking, there is an abundance of scenic routes that wind through the village and the surrounding countryside, perfect for
Crathorne Hall stretching your legs and clearing your mind. With its proximity to the A19, Crathorne provides easy access to nearby towns like Yarm and Stokesley, as well as Middlesbrough, making it an excellent location for commuters seeking a quieter lifestyle without sacrificing convenience. Crathorne’s properties, many of which are still owned by Lord Crathorne himself, are picture-perfect country abodes, with stone cottages, grand farmhouses, and timeless manor houses for those lucky enough to call this village home. It’s not just the stunning homes that make Crathorne a desirable place to live and explore. There is a huge sense of community here, with locals and visitors alike
supporting each other’s businesses and events. There’s a gentle, yet thriving energy in the village, as more and more creative minds are drawn to Crathorne, making it a dynamic and engaging place to be. If you visit, you’ll quickly see why it’s become a favourite spot for those who appreciate the slower, finer things in life. A visit to A STILL LIFE is an absolute must. Located in the charming Old Post Office building, this shop is like stepping into a Pinterest board. With its beautifully curated collection of gifts, homeware, cards, and artisanal food products, it’s easy to lose track of time while you browse the shelves. You’ll find everything from seasonal flowers to nourishing teas, hand-thrown ceramics,
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT A STILL LIFE
A STILL LIFE
There’s a gentle, yet thriving energy in the village, as more and more creative minds are drawn to Crathorne, making it a dynamic and engaging place to be and luxury candles. The atmosphere here is slow and wholesome, encouraging you to take your time and appreciate the simple joys of life. With brands like True Grace Candles, Chapter Organics, and LV Pots, A STILL LIFE embodies Crathorne’s growing reputation as a destination for creativity and quality. Crathorne Farm Dairy is well worth a visit especially if, like me, you have excited little ones partial to a weekend treat or two! It’s a family-run gem in the heart of the village, serving up farm-fresh milk and milkshakes from a quirky self-service vending hut. My children love visiting for the DIY service and to pick up their favourite flavours. A visit to The Crathorne Arms is always a good idea. This eccentric country pub has so much character, with its quirky interiors, charming staff, and inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re sitting outside in the beer garden during the summer months, enjoying live music and wood-fired pizza, or tucking into a hearty Sunday roast by the fire in winter, The Crathorne Arms offers the perfect place to relax and enjoy great food. And with Eugene McCoy at the helm, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome and a memorable experience every time. Crathorne Hall Hotel, set in a stunning historic building surrounded by acres of beautiful grounds, is the perfect escape and is very much away from it all. Whether you’re enjoying afternoon tea in the drawing room, taking a woodland walk, or celebrating a special occasion, Crathorne Hall is a real box-ticker. If you’re in the mood for fresh, local produce,
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make sure to swing by Five Houses Farm Shop. A short distance from the village centre, Five Houses is more than just a farm shop; it’s a food-lover’s paradise. From the best cuts of locally sourced meat to fresh bread, homemade cakes, and beautiful gifts, there’s always something to tempt you here. The farm shop’s café offers a wonderful selection of sweet treats and savoury delights, and there’s a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like part of the family. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or shopping for special ingredients, Five Houses has become a destination in its own right. Crathorne’s magic lies in its seamless blend of luxury and simplicity - an idyllic place that encourages that slower pace of life that makes the countryside so special. The creative businesses that have blossomed here reflect a broader shift in the way we live and work. People no longer have to choose between living in a rural idyll and having access to high-end products, experiences, and services. Crathorne proves that it’s possible to have it all. The village has quietly become one of the area’s best-kept secrets, drawing in people who appreciate the beauty of the countryside, the charm of creative businesses, and the joy of connecting with a warm, welcoming community. As someone who has watched this village evolve, I can say that Crathorne has become far more than just a place to drive through. It’s a destination in its own right, and it has been a joy to experience that journey first hand.
Crathorne Hall
Crathorne Hall
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CHEF’S KITCHEN
HOT PROPERTY
Michelin-starred chef Shaun Rankin brings Scandi style to his North Yorkshire farmhouse kitchen, crafted with The Main Company THE LOWDOWN
The house is a farmhouse cottage in East Witton, a village in North Yorkshire. Shaun and his partner Melanie have lived there for just over a year with their dog Clover. It’s an old farmhouse property and is going to need quite a bit of work. The kitchen was, of course, the most important area for Shaun to change and so has been one of the first parts to be renovated. The plans are for each room to be individually designed, but each with a traditional feel. It’s not going to be a modern property, and they’ll be using plenty of wood and natural materials, to really bring the outside in.
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THE TRANSFORMATION
SHAUN: “The original kitchen was someone else’s design, it was how they wanted to cook - none of it worked for me. It was set up with an AGA system, and I don’t cook that way, and I didn’t think the floor or the flow worked, so we really needed to start again. “In terms of a brief, I wanted the kitchen to be classic in its right and not too modern. Materials were very important, so we looked at the Scandi approach which is where the Reena Simon x The Main Company collection came into it. I wanted to incorporate a mixture of paints, woods and textures. The main brief really, was about how the kitchen flows, starting with the list of equipment
that I wanted to include and where I wanted it, and then the design came together around that.”
THE RESULT
The kitchen is now characterised by clean lines, minimal cupboards and pale, hand-finished oak cabinetry. It feels calm and inviting and is the perfect balance between Scandi and rustic. The space brings together a calm palette of neutrals, pale oak and a touch of colour. An effortless blend of beauty and function with the calming essence of Scandinavianinspired aesthetics, the Reena Simon x The Main Company range was selected to bring a
comforting, yet contemporary tactility to this farmhouse kitchen. The oak on the cabinetry and walls takes centre stage, complemented by a palette of warm grey, a hint of teal and customised Corston Architectural black hardware, whilst reeded glass-fronted cabinets add a touch of elegance. Featuring two intelligent V-ZUG ovens as well as a black mirror-glass wine cooler in the seating area, the kitchen meets the professional chef’s requirements in terms of equipment whilst remaining welcoming and homely. A conscious choice of no tiles and the minimal cupboard arrangement demonstrate a wonderful balance between superior function and beautiful aesthetics.
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CHEF’S KITCHEN
We felt the Scandiinspired look worked really well with the architecture. When you look out the windows, all you see is wood, trees and fields, so it works well with the outside in/inside out approach
SHAUN: “Really it comes down to the layout and the design, with the main part being the flow. For a kitchen space to flow well (both at home and in a professional setting) it’s about putting the right equipment in the right places. “It’s all about making cooking simple at home, without too much fuss. You want the workspaces to feel right so that you’re not running around in circles! “The property is a farmhouse cottage, and we felt the Scandi-inspired look worked really well with the architecture. When you look out the windows, all you see is wood, trees and fields, so the Scandi feel really works well with the outside in/inside out approach. “It’s the little things for me! Things like the slim jim bins and different compartments for waste, storage cupboards built into the island for big equipment like mixers and toasters. This means the kitchen itself is quite minimalistic - I don’t like a cluttered kitchen. Other details like the soft closing drawers, that are lined with aluminium so that the pots don’t scratch the surface are a wonderful touch, and of course the nice big larder cupboard providing even more storage!”
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Alex Main is the Director at The Main Company and had met Shaun Rankin at events in the past. As a Yorkshire-based business, working with someone local was very important to Shaun, and so they were a perfect match. Working closely with Shaun, Alex selected the Reena Simon x The Main Company range to bring a comforting, Scandinavian aesthetic into the farmhouse kitchen.
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ABOUT THE MAIN COMPANY
Established in 1978, The Main Company is a family-run business creating bespoke kitchens that are full of personality, handmade in North Yorkshire. Combining organic design and meticulous craftsmanship, they use the very best in new, salvage and reclaimed materials to create bespoke kitchens, hand painted to hand oiled, made with individuality. As one of the largest suppliers of reclaimed timber in the UK, the majority of wood used by The Main Company is over 100 years old in order to create truly bespoke kitchens that exude character from years of authentic wear. The Main Company has a reputation for supplying completely unique materials for special, one-off projects.
From reclaimed flooring to salvaged materials, each and every project is a true statement of individual design and master craftsmanship. The family run company is known for its inspirational projects and products. Incorporating both traditional and modern designs, each and every project is handmade by The Main Company master craftsmen in its North Yorkshire workshops, using a range of authentic materials to create a truly bespoke look. From clean oak, character oak, traditional reclaimed pine, rustic pine, maple and cherry, the bespoke kitchen company offers a wide range of finishes to complement different living environments and personal style.
As a Yorkshirebased business, working with someone local was very important to Shaun, and so they were a perfect match
maincompany.co.uk
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GARDEN GLORY
Chilewich Botanic Woven Rug £148, seymourshome.com
Wayfair Java Garden Chair £394.99, laura-james.co.uk
George Smith Outdoor Dahl Chair From £3,420, georgesmith.com
INTERIOR INSPIRATION
Rowen Homes Zanzibar Acacia Wood Double Outdoor Daybed £999, rowenhomes.com
Outside edge Stylish picks to bring garden glamour this summer…
George Smith Outdoor Ilse Sofa Low Back From £5,538, georgesmith.com
Nkuku Bennu Vases From £32, seymourshome.com Rowen Homes Bali Outdoor Pillar Teak Lantern £999, rowenhomes.com
Graccioza Aveiro Beach/Deck Towel £195, seymourshome.com
Oka Shorwell Garden Sofa, Natural Teak £2,995, oka.com
Laura James Palm Brushed Acacia Garden Table with Sleek Steel Legs £439.99, laura-james.co.uk Rowen Homes Marina Outdoor Modular Daybed with Rising Table £2,799, rowenhomes.com
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MAY/JUN25
PRESS PAWS
POSH PETS
with Rupert helped by Elysia Fryer
Summer tails As we tiptoe from spring into summer, the days are getting longer, the air’s a little warmer, and the garden has officially become an extension of the house. Doors flung open, sunbeams on the sofa, and the perfect excuse for our pets to clock some serious outdoor hours. Rupert (our resident Luxe pooch) is loving the extra space - and the break from his lively human siblings! If he’s lucky, he’ll squeeze in a few games of fetch, a lazy sunbathe, and maybe even a cheeky splash in the paddling pool. With summer holidays on the horizon, we’re shining a spotlight on the north’s most
luxurious doggy boarding destinations - because our pups deserve a five-star break too! From countryside suites to plush home-from-home stays, it’s pawsitively dreamy. We’re also checking in with Elsie, a super-stylish Silver Labrador with a flair for accessories and a love of sea-drenched strolls. And, of course, Rupert’s been busy sniffing out the very best drying towels for soggy paws - because water fun is most definitely on the agenda. Here’s to a summer of sunshine, sprinkles and spoiled pets. Rupert, your Luxe pooch x
Rupert loves
Dry off in style after sandy strolls and summer splashes…
Ruff and Tumble Design Collection Drying Coat - Beach £39.87, ruffandtumbledogcoats.com Funny Fuzzy Striped Absorbent Drying Thickened Soft Dog & Cat Bath Towel £27.17, funnyfuzzy.co.uk
Jetting off this summer? Check out our pick of luxury dog boarding facilities and hotels that ensure your pooch has a holiday too… Parkhouse Luxury Dog Boarding, Thirsk Nestled in the North Yorkshire countryside, Parkhouse offers a five star stay for pampered pups. Think underfloor heating, memory foam beds, and acres of secure fields for joyful zoomies. With round-the-clock care and beautifully designed suites, this is dog boarding redefined. parkhouseluxurydogboarding.com Hadrian Pet Hotel, Matfen A boutique-style retreat near Matfen, Hadrian Pet Hotel provides a peaceful rural escape for your four-legged friend. With luxury suites, daily countryside walks and all the home comforts they’re used to, your dog will be treated like royalty. Add-ons include grooming and enrichment activities - ideal for those who expect more than just a kennel. hadrianpethotel.co.uk The Barkary, Bishop Auckland Stylish, fun, and full of personality - The Barkary is a true doggy haven. This
Elsie is a two-year-old Silver Labrador who splits her time between stealing socks, chasing balls and being adored by everyone she meets. She’s got the cuteness, the bounce and a serious case of the zoomies - especially when she spots her favourite humans. Equal parts cuddle monster and chaos queen, this beautiful girl is the definition of puppy joy.
POOCH’S PERFECT DAY OUT A day at the beach with her dad is always a win! When she’s not enjoying the ocean breeze, any day is made better by a visit from her family. She’s definitely one happy pup when the house is full.
Cocopup London Roary the Lion Drying Robe £38, cocopuplondon.com
boutique boarding service caters to each dog’s needs with expert care and plenty of fuss. Dogs enjoy home-from-home care, personalised routines, and plenty of cuddles in a beautifully appointed countryside setting. thebarkary.co.uk The Puppy Dog Palace, Sunderland If your dog demands the royal treatment, The Puppy Dog Palace is the place to be. This Sunderland spot is as extra as it sounds - full of cuddles, cosy nooks, themed play areas, and endless pampering. Each four-legged guest is treated like family in a stylish environment. A fabulous choice for small breeds and social butterflies. instagram.com/the_puppy_dog_palace_ Northumberland Dog Hotel, Hexham The ultimate rural retreat for dogs who love space, comfort and luxury. With tailored one-to-one care, agility zones, woodland walks and plush indoor relaxation areas, it’s a dog’s dream. Owners can even keep in touch with pupdates and adorable photo diaries. instagram.com/northumberland_ dog_hotel
Luxe pet Q&A
LUXE WALKS Elsie loves nothing more than getting her paws in the sand at South Shields beach with her dad. It’s ball-chasing heaven and she’ll run for miles with her ears flapping and tail wagging like it’s going out of style.
Billow K9 Dog Drying Mitts £22, peanutandpickle.co.uk
Barbour Tartan Quick Dry Dog Towel, Green Check £21.95, millbryhill.co.uk
Holiday hounds
DOGGY DOWNTIME Don’t let the energy fool you. She might be full of beans, but when the day winds down, Elsie’s all about the cuddles! Think sofa-bound, blanket-wrapped and snuggled up beside mam. HOUND HABITS Elsie’s got a thing for socks - her bed regularly features a secret stash smuggled in for safekeeping. When she’s excited (which is often), she zooms around like a whirlwind and can leap from a standstill with the grace of an Olympic showjumper. Her prized
possessions? A squeaky ball collection and one very well-loved teddy bear she likes to carry around in her mouth. PUPPY PAMPER Collars? She’s got them in every shade. Elsie’s a style-savvy pup with more accessories than you could possibly imagine - you can tell she’s the only child left at home! When it comes to pampering, she’s all in - happily lying back for a brush like the spa-loving queen she is. DOG’S BEST FRIEND Rosie is her best four-legged pal - even if she does boss Elsie around from time to time. But her true ride-or-die is mam. She’s the centre of Elsie’s universe. Honourable mention to cousins Amelia and Eva-may. Amelia gives the best cuddles and always makes time to play - Elsie loves to follow her around! FONDEST DOGGY MEMORY The day she found her forever home. PUPPY A-LISTER? Picture a mix of Tigger’s bounce and Eeyore’s sulky charm and you’ve got Elsie. She’s lively and playful, but every so often she slips into a slower, more thoughtful mood - especially after her recent phantom pregnancy. Let’s just say, she’s got a flair for both the fun and the dramatic.
Don’t forget to get in touch and send in pics of your pet for our next issue via Facebook and Instagram… Harbour Hounds Pink Stripe Drying Coat From £34.99, lordsandlabradors.co.uk
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facebook.com/luxemag
@luxe_mag
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CLASS ACT
Physical activity is one of the most powerful tools we have for mental health. In a world where young people are constantly connected yet often isolated, sport creates space: space to connect with others, or to be alone with your thoughts
The extra mile
From the classroom to international triathlon circuits, geography teacher Mike Salisbury is rewriting what it means to live with passion and purpose. The Dame Allan’s School educator and elite para-triathlete talks all things training, teaching and resilience You have an incredible story as a paratriathlete. What first drew you to the sport? I got into triathlon because some friends from uni persuaded me to do the Cotswold 113 during Covid. We were all stuck at home across the UK – Cornwall, Newcastle, Lincolnshire – and sending each other training updates became a nice way to stay in touch. Turns out I was decent at the running part, and the rest came together faster than I expected. I responded to a British Triathlon talent ID day drive, and by
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the end of 2021, I’d won the British Champs and raced for GB in Portugal. I’ve met some fantastic people through the sport and, in one of those small world type coincidences, at my first national event, I ran into Claire Cashmore, who I hadn’t seen since we were both growing up in Dubai – she’d moved from Paralympic swimming to triathlon and helped me figure things out early on. Meeting Claire, again, and being introduced to the fantastic team at British Triathlon, including my first coach, Becky Hewitt,
opened my eyes to the support available for para-athletes at this level and meant that working towards a place on the World Class Programme quickly became an important goal for me. How has your time as a para-athlete shaped your outlook on resilience, both in sport and in the classroom? Triathlon has taught me that real progress happens when you are committed to a consistent routine – you’ve got to learn to love the early mornings, the tough sessions, and the attention to detail in your diet and sleep regime. That mindset applies to teaching, too. Learning – whether it’s in sport or the classroom – isn’t about instant success and progress isn’t linear. It’s about putting in the work, even when it’s hard or frustrating. I’m a great believer in learning to enjoy the process itself, not just the end
result. The moments of achievement are great, but they’re fleeting. I’ve had the privilege of talking to and training with Paralympic and Olympic athletes who have achieved far greater accomplishments in the sport than I have - you might be surprised to know that some of them don’t really like competing (most of the time)! Ultimately, there’s always a lot of athletes in the field and only one can win. If you let not winning affect you too much then you can quickly adopt a negative mindset. On the other hand, Paralympic and Olympic medal winners often speak about the blues that follow a major event as they adjust to the comedown of returning to ’normal life’. I think that the message here for pupils is to enjoy the discipline, the effort, and the people you meet along the way as well as the end result. If the end result isn’t what you wanted, you can at least look back positively at what you got out of working towards your goal. Training for triathlons must be demanding. What are some of the biggest challenges you face, and how do you stay motivated? The weather in the North East certainly brings its challenges through winter… and spring, summer and autumn! There’s also the challenge of fitting training in around work as well as managing injury risk. Injuries are the most challenging to deal with and ask the most of your mental resilience. Focusing on what you can control at these times is a really useful mindset to get through tough periods. Tom Hodgkinson, head of Para-triathlon, always says ‘be world class at the things that take no talent’ and I think that’s a great way to get through injuries. It just means that you make sure that you always do your rehab, for example, or pay close attention to what you are eating to support recovery, and just make sure that you treat people with respect – all of these little gains add up and help you make the best of the situation you are in. Have there been any particularly memorable race moments that have stayed with you? One of the most unexpected advantages in my triathlon career has been my background in geography. Understanding the physical landscape of a course – whether it’s tidal patterns in swims or elevation changes on the bike – can make a tangible difference in race strategy. At the Alhandra event in Portugal, we swam in the Tagus River, which has a strong tidal influence. Most athletes
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CLASS XXXXXXXX ACT
LITTLE MOMENTS
with Nadia McSheffrey
As we approach the final school term, many children are facing heightened anxiety - whether from exams, school transitions or the general sense of change that comes with the summer term...
took the direct line down the middle, assuming the river’s outward flow would help. But, recognising that the tide was coming in, I opted for a longer route along the bank where the current was weaker. It paid off – I exited the water ahead of swimmers who were technically faster but had misjudged the hydrology. There’s a quiet satisfaction in applying academic knowledge to something as physical as racing – race hard, and smart! How important do you think sport is in the development of young people? Physical activity is one of the most powerful tools we have for mental health - especially now. In a world where young people are constantly connected yet often isolated, sport creates space: space to connect with others, or to be alone with your thoughts. Your mind wanders freely when running, cycling, swimming and I often find that I make connections that I otherwise wouldn’t sat at a desk. My best and most creative teaching ideas have come on long runs. Sport is also essential for protecting our resilience by building self-esteem. Taking part in a new sport is an excellent way for pupils to surprise themselves, find a hidden talent or just enjoy the rewards of hard work. The three pupils who have been so dedicated to turning up every week to the
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lunchtime cross-country club that I run have recent experience of this. They’ve all taken huge chunks out of their ‘6 lap’ PBs around the rugby pitch and it has been great to witness their success in achieving something that they previously didn’t think was possible. What’s next on your horizon – both professionally and in triathlon? Long-term, Paralympic qualification is the goal – especially after missing Paris due to injury. For this year, I’ve got a particular focus on swimming to try and close the gap to the faster swimmers in the front pack. Japan in May will be the first real test; it’s my first event since Worlds in Pontevedra October 2023 and I’m just looking forward to racing again after months of rehab. When you do get time to wind down, how do you relax? In the off-season I love to go surfing. This used to be something I’d do all year round but it really doesn’t fit in with triathlon training! I used to naively count ‘going for a surf’ as swim training, but I quickly realised it wasn’t helping my swim stroke and, unfortunately, you can’t use a surfboard in triathlon events! dameallans.co.uk
It’s a season of big changes, and I’m here to help you guide your children through it as smoothly as possible. My own son, who is 11, is taking his Year 6 SATs and while he is taking it in his stride, I know that’s not the case for every child. In our home, we’ve taken a conscious approach to reducing stress around exams. He’s doing extra work but in small, manageable chunks. We’re making sure he continues his activities and we’re being mindful of his sleep and nutrition. We’ve prioritised a calm and reassuring atmosphere, one that allows him to feel supported rather than overwhelmed. But exam stress is only one piece of the puzzle. Many children experience a deeper sense of unease as the school year winds down, with looming transitions, such as moving to secondary school, adding to their uncertainty. So how can we help our children navigate these feelings? Anxiety in children is more prevalent than ever. According to NHS Digital, one in six children in the UK (aged 6-16) now experience a mental health condition, with anxiety disorders being one of the most common. The impact of academic pressures, social media and the effects of the pandemic have created a perfect storm of stress for young people. Mona Delahooke, a clinical psychologist and author of Beyond Behaviours, explains that anxiety in children is often misunderstood as misbehaviour or defiance. She emphasises that when most children are dysregulated, they are not making conscious choices, it’s actually their nervous system reacting. Similarly, renowned psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk, in The Body Keeps the Score, highlights how stress and anxiety aren’t just psychological; they are deeply embodied experiences. The nervous system plays a crucial role in how children process and express anxiety. When their stress response is activated, they might exhibit symptoms such as: • Irritability and emotional outbursts • Physical complaints • Sleep disturbances • Difficulty concentrating • Avoidance of school or activities This means that rather than telling a child to ‘calm down’, we need to support them in regulating their nervous system. The Amygdala, the brain’s ‘fear centre’, is responsible for detecting threats and triggering a stress response. In children, this part of the brain is still developing, meaning they often perceive challenges as
much bigger threats than they really are. The Prefrontal Cortex, which helps with reasoning and emotional regulation, is also still developing in children and won’t be fully developed until they are 25 years old! This explains why they might struggle to put their worries into perspective or self-soothe effectively. Even our teenagers still need some form of interdependence. They still need us but it has to be on their terms; we can’t suffocate them. We just need to be available and present when they want to connect. So, how do we do that in a practical way? 1. Regulate first, reason later • When your child is feeling anxious, focus on calming their nervous system before offering logic or solutions. Use a soothing tone of voice, maintain a gentle presence. 2. Create a safe home environment y Children need a supportive environment to counterbalance external stressors. Routine, downtime and a place where they can unwind helps them feel safe. y Avoid excessive screen-time and over-scheduling them with activities. 3. Reframe the exam mindset y Exams are often positioned as make-or-break moments. Instead of focusing on scores, celebrate effort, resilience and learning. 4. Encourage healthy coping strategies y Teach your child how to manage stress in a healthy way. Some simple techniques include: deep breathing exercises, movement and journaling. 5. Help them name their feelings y Help them label their feelings: “It sounds like you’re feeling nervous about the test. Where do you feel it in your body?” 6. Prepare for transitions in advance y Talk about big changes in advance and role-play scenarios they might be nervous about. 7. Model calmness and self-care y Model to them how you manage your own stress in a healthy way. 8. Seek professional support if needed y If your child’s anxiety is persistent and significantly affecting their daily life, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional support. Children are resilient, but they need us to help them manage stress in a healthy way. We don’t need to have all the answers - we just need to be present, listen and remind them that they are supported.
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XXXXXXXX GOOD KIDS CLUB NEWS
LUXE MAMA
with Elysia Fryer Sunny season comes with cool kit, summer style and glorious getaways home and away...
Here comes the sun! Here comes the sun - and with it, the sweet chaos that is the start of the sunny season with small people. From breakfast on-the-go in the garden, to evening paddling pool picnics, summer living is in sight. If you’re anything like me, your diary is already a patchwork of playdates, picnics, and hastily scribbled reminders to pack something resembling sun cream. Whether you’re chasing waves on the South Coast, exploring the rolling hills of Yorkshire, or jetting off to the Maldives for some proper paradise – this is the season to make those golden memories. This year, we’re also hoping to pitch up for a good oldfashioned camping trip close to home. There’s something so special about getting back to basics (with a touch of Luxe, naturally!). And while the sun might be doing its bit, so is the wardrobe - we’ve swapped scarves and mittens for sandals and sun hats, and we’re obsessed with PO.P’s dreamy new summer collection. Think cool, comfy fabrics and playful prints perfect for keeping up with busy little explorers. Our summer holiday baskets are brimming with cute kit from UV suits and chic little caps, to towels and sunnies. Here’s to sunshine, snacking alfresco, and soaking up the season with our little ones. Elysia, George & Nora x
Beach buys
Get summer ready! The super cute kit in our basket this season… TOASTIE UV Protector Swimsuit - Jewels of the Ocean £45, toastiekids.com My Little Coco Beach Bum Poolside Poncho, Age 1-3 £22.99, mylittlecoco.co.uk
Zara Cherry Hat £12.99, zara.com
Dock & Bay Kids Beach Towels - Turtley Tropical £24, uk.dockandbay.com
PO.P Kids Embroidered Cap £20, polarnopyret.co.uk Boboli Boys Blue Beach Print Swim Shorts £24, childrensalon.com
Sunny style
Get set for sunshine, smiles and sweet summer adventures with PO.P’s latest summer collection…
Polarn O. Pyret (PO.P) always nails the balance between playful and practical, and this season is no exception. Designed with busy, curious, cartwheelturning kids in mind, it’s all about breathable fabrics, bright pops of colour and designs that let little ones move, explore, and enjoy every second of summer. Think soft cotton shorts, breezy t-shirts and party pieces perfect for birthdays, BBQs and beach breaks. The range is packed with vibrant prints - we love the cheeky crocodiles, smiling whales and juicy strawberries - alongside timeless stripes and effortlessly stylish linen. PO.P’s much-loved 100% GOTS Organic baby range also gets a sunny update. For the littlest loves (from pre-term to one year), expect the softest fabrics, gentle shapes and sweet matching sets that’ll have everyone cooing. Comfort and cuteness in equal measure. We’re especially loving the matching options for siblings - from tots to tweens, the whole gang can coordinate in style. Whether it’s stripes for a beach walk or gingham checks for a family lunch al fresco, these pieces are designed to last - and look gorgeous doing so. From humid holiday evenings to lazy garden days, PO.P’s summer collection has your little ones covered - quite literally - in the coolest, comfiest way possible. polarnopyret.co.uk
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IZIPIZI Junior Round Sunglasses, Yellow £30, johnlewis.com
Kidly Swim Shoe £6, kidly.co.uk
Family-friendly hotels
These fab family stays tick all the boxes for little ones and grown-ups…
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Swinton Park Hotel, Ripon Set within a 20,000acre estate in the glorious Yorkshire Dales, Swinton Park is the dream destination for families wanting a little bit of everything - country walks, spa time, and superb food. The hotel is super child-friendly, with family suites, a woodland play area, and plenty of fresh-air fun. For grown-ups, there’s a serene spa and seasonal dining to swoon over. The perfect luxe-meets-nature stay. swintonestate.com
Eagles Palace Hotel and Villas, Halkidiki, Greece Tucked away on a secluded beach in sun-drenched Halkidiki, Eagles Palace is a firm family favourite - and it’s easy to see why. From its warm Greek hospitality to its thoughtful touches for tots and teens alike, it’s a five-star retreat where every generation can unwind. Think luxury villas, a top-rated kids’ club, water sports, and sunset dinners with stunning views. eaglesresort.gr | scottdunn.com/greece/hotels/eaglespalace
THE NICI, Bournemouth Cool, contemporary and bursting with colour - THE NICI brings Miami-style vibes to the Dorset coast. With beach access just a stroll away, little ones can build sandcastles to their hearts’ content, while the hotel pool, kids’ cinema, and garden games will keep everyone smiling. Parents can kick back with cocktails on the terrace or indulge in a spa treatment. Big fun, family-style. thenici.com
Kuramathi, Maldives For a proper ‘pinch-me’ paradise escape, Kuramathi in the Maldives ticks every box. Families are welcomed to this paradise with open arms, where villas spill out onto soft sand and the crystal-clear lagoon is your everyday playground. There’s a kids’ club, nature walks, dolphin-spotting trips and plenty of delicious dining. Barefoot luxury for all ages. kuramathi.com
MAY/JUN25
GOOD NEWS
School noticeboard
Luxe checks in with some local schools on their latest news, achievements and highlights…
Cyber smart Royal Grammar School, Newcastle teacher wins prestigious CyberFirst award for excellence in cybersecurity education… The Royal Grammar School, Newcastle (RGS) is proud to announce that Jo Lynn, Teacher of Computing and Digital Technology, has been awarded the North East CyberFirst Schools Outstanding Teacher Award, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to cybersecurity education. Presented by the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) CyberFirst programme, the award celebrates Jo’s dedication to inspiring students to explore careers in cybersecurity and digital technology. Through her leadership, RGS has established itself as a leading CyberFirst school in the North East, developing an engaging computing curriculum, forging key industry links, and championing national competitions. Jo’s work has been particularly impactful in closing the gender gap in computing,
encouraging more girls to study Computer Science at GCSE and A-Level. She has introduced innovative teaching methods, invited in inspiring female role models, and actively promoted the CyberFirst Girls Competition, leading to a significant increase in female participation. Reflecting on her award, Jo said: "I’m thrilled and honoured to receive this recognition, but more importantly, it highlights the enthusiasm of our students, who embrace every opportunity to explore computing and cybersecurity. We’ve worked hard to grow the department, and it’s fantastic to see more students - especially girls - engaging with the subject and recognising its real-world impact." rgs.newcastle.sch.uk
Going for gold Yarm School crowned national netball champions… Yarm School’s under-14 netball team has been crowned National Champions at the England Netball National Schools final for the first time. The prestigious tournament, held at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, saw 18 of the country’s best school teams compete for the coveted title. Yarm’s U14 team demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the tournament, winning an impressive six matches to secure second place in their group and earn a spot in the semi-finals. The U14 team delivered an outstanding performance to win the semi-final against St Albans and advance to the final. The final match saw them face Brighton College, a formidable opponent who, despite losing to Yarm in their opening match, had previously topped Yarm’s group. In a tense final with many chances, the
match ended in extra time. Yarm managed to fight back to score two crucial goals, securing a thrilling victory and claiming the title. Dr Huw Williams, headmaster at Yarm School said: “This is an incredible achievement for the U14 girls, and all the coaches and staff involved. “The entire school community is immensely proud of their success and enjoyed celebrating this historic win for the school.” Miss Sam Cottrell, games teacher in charge of netball, said: “Their success is a testament to the countless hours of training, their passion for the sport, and their ability to rise to the occasion under pressure. I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them for making history for the school.”
expand the initiative. Miss Medway is also keen to explore partnerships with external organisations to bolster support. “Music is at the heart of Dame Allan’s,” she said. “The programme goes beyond preserving
endangered instruments - it’s about inspiring the next generation of orchestral musicians and enriching our entire musical community.”
yarmschool.org
Thank you for the music Dame Allan’s breathes new life into ‘Endangered’ Instruments with Pioneering Pupil Initiative… A bold new initiative at Dame Allan’s Schools in Newcastle is breathing life into rare orchestral instruments at risk of disappearing from the national music scene. The Endangered Instruments programme offers pupils from Year 3 to Year 11 the chance to learn and master often-overlooked instruments - including the viola, French horn, oboe and bassoon - alongside the cello, which, though not nationally endangered, has seen a decline in players at Dame Allan’s. The scheme has already inspired 20 pupils to join its first cohort. The driving force behind the programme is the Schools’ Director of Music, Katherine Medway, a French Horn player herself from the age of nine. She said: “These instruments are integral to an orchestra. Without oboes, bassoons and French horns, a full orchestral sound simply isn’t possible. The viola, often overshadowed by the violin, adds incredible depth and richness. She is being supported by Bonnie Brinn, Music and
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Drama Coordinator at Dame Allan’s Junior School, who is working with the youngest members of the programme. “We want to give our pupils access to the full range of musical experiences and, in doing so, help secure the future of these endangered instruments.” The programme was funded by a generous legacy donation from Allanian Dorothy Richardson, who was a professional singer and expert voice coach, and covers the cost of instrument hire and provides up to 30 fully-funded lessons per year. Pupils are encouraged to take part in school concerts and ensembles, gaining invaluable performance experience. To meet the practical challenges, Dame Allan’s has brought in a specialist double reeds teacher for the oboe and bassoon, while the violin teacher has expanded their lessons to include the viola. Looking ahead, Dame Allan’s hopes to secure further funding to sustain and
dameallans.co.uk
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XXXXXXXX GOOD TIME
A WATCHFUL EYE
with Josh Sims Josh Sims on the rise in unisex watches...
It’s likely a common enough experience for anyone who has browsed in a watch shop. Having expressed interest in buying, it’s politely pointed out to you that you are, in fact, erroneously looking at watches for women - or, if a woman, at watches for men. That’s because, naturally, they’re so different: in size, colour, materials, decoration and other design cues. Only, that distinction is gradually breaking down. As in fashion, which over recent years has pushed along two approaches towards a more unisex ethos - both the idea that men and women alike should be free to wear whatever they want, and that clothes can, from the outset, be designed to appeal to both men and women - so in sneakers, with many if not all of its key brands doing away with male/female design distinctions. And now in watches too. “Unisex watches are becoming more popular as people look for timepieces that reflect their unique style and tastes,” as Sylvain Dolla, the CEO of Tissot, notes. “Despite their size, [we’re seeing certain] designs resonate with everyone. They reflect a modern approach where younger buyers embrace Swiss luxury without the constraints of gender roles. In today’s market, women are not always drawn to diamond accents, for example, and men might choose a pink dial”. So far, so progressive, especially for a deeply conservative industry. Much fuss was made when actor Jay Ellis wore a diamond Cartier Tank to the Oscars in 2023, while actress Hong Chau wore a chunky Panerai stylish, high-profile women, from Christine Brinkley to Elle Macpherson, have been wearing outsized men’s watches since the 1990s, of course. “Ten years ago I designed a watch intended for women - 37mm, very shiny mother of pearl dial, stones - and every person who bought one of the edition of 40 or so pieces was a man,” recalls Jose Miranda, co-founder of Isotope Watches. “And they bought for themselves. At that point I started to realise how things were changing - that the idea of watches being ‘for men’ or ‘for women’ was disappearing”. Certainly many a social media influencer has championed the idea that consumers will and should, quite rightly, wear what they want, not what the watch industry markets to them. But the unisex debate is a more complex issue than the watch industry merely accepting that it arguably has lost control of the narrative. “One challenge in designing unisex watches is finding sizes that suit all while maintaining a gender-neutral look,” says Dolla. “The answer, as many brands are increasingly exploring, is to make the same watch in multiple sizes [Audemars Piguet, for example, now makes its Royal Oak in sizes from 34 to 41mm]. This dual-sizing approach allows us to keep watch face and styling neutral and inclusive, making a model adaptable without compromising its signature aesthetic”. That’s not as easy as it sounds: even if offering the same watch in different sizes is the right response to the unisex direction
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- and not a way of avoiding the more complex challenge of coming to terms with what men and women alike actually want - not all watch designs work across different sizes, in terms of aesthetics or mechanics. It’s also hard to avoid applying stereotype: if men are now ‘permitted’ to wear watches with colour and gemstones, because that’s a personal choice, isn’t it equally a personal choice to wear a small watch? Or, if a woman, a large one? And if scaling down a masculine watch for women has become a concern, the technically much easier scaling up of ‘feminine’ watches specifically with men in mind seems not yet to be a proposition on many brands’ table; diamond-clad pieces from the likes of Hublot and Roger Dubuis more the exception than the rule. “There’s a big opportunity here to develop a third category of watch [neither men’s nor women’s] on its own,” suggests Stephane Waser, CEO of Maurice Lacroix. “But I do think watchmaking is a lot about proportion and balance and so, say, scaling down a bigger watch to a small mid-size isn’t so easy [without spoiling the look]. It needs careful pre-planning. The fact is that very few brands are good at designing both big and small watches because they demand a different design language”. Certainly the Swiss industry has yet to break free of the idea that a watch must be
proportionate to wrist size, when consumers (or, at least, more style-forward ones) are saying otherwise. Fashion, after all, as a point of comparison, actively plays with proportion. “It doesn’t take much to see that, for example, more men are happy to wear watches regardless of their wrist size, and more in accordance with whatever is in, trend-wise,” says Michael Benavente, managing director of Bulova. “The rise of vintage watches has had a huge effect on that too I think”. They’re a reminder that watches were not always monstrous carbuncles - and that the distinction between men’s and women’s watches is a relatively modern invention. But size isn’t the only challenge in watches. Designing a mid-sized, mid-styled watch that foregoes all of the design tropes that helps define the masculine or the feminine risks resulting in timepieces that resort to the safety of homogenous classical minimalism. As Stephane Waser points out, that can work in fashion - both because such aesthetic neutrality is its own strong statement and because in clothing luxury tends to be associated with the sober and restrained - but less easily so in watches. The result risks saying nothing at all, argues Nicola Callegaro, co-founder of Echo/Neutra. He draws a parallel with the fragrance
industry, which over decades has - with no rationale at all, other than to expand its market - primed consumers to think of certain odours as masculine or feminine; Calvin Klein’s cK One - the first mass-market unisex fragrance - may have bucked the trend to huge commercial success, but not enough to break the industry’s habitual gendering. “But that does’t mean that it’s not interesting to try to create a one-model-fitsall type of watch, as a reflection of the times we live in,” he adds. “We see that happening in a lot of product categories now as a way of dismantling stereotypes”. His brand’s latest model - the Rivanera is an oblong, 40x20mm minimalistic model that references traditional dress watch styling and yet comes with a macho matt titanium case and grey dial - “basically a lot of masculine and feminine elements mixed up together,” as Callegaro puts it. “I’m not sure it makes any sense to talk about men’s or women’s watches anymore. But the difficulty is to get beyond those stereotypes without ending up with something that’s just boring”. It’s easy to see how discussions around the whole idea of unisex can leave one tied up in knots, for all that it might help iron out the imbalance that has long seen high-end timepieces targeted primarily at men - a correction that may also follow given a number of women taking top jobs within the Swiss industry over recent years. Indeed, perhaps for most brands the unisex question isn’t really about trying to create watches with cross-gender appeal - arguably even that is for consumers to decide, not the industry - but more about breaking free of the ways in which watches are marketed. Much as the car industry now very rarely suggests a large powerful car is driven only by large powerful men, while a compact car is for the little lady to do the supermarket shop in, so the watch industry is under pressure to change similarly. When not depending on celebrity association, watch print advertising resolutely remains stuck on received gender tropes. Manliness means the carries-hisknife-in-his teeth Navy SEAL type, or the well-groomed, sophisticated, safely bourgeois CEO type; womanliness the well-coiffured, evening dress-wearing, couldhave-been-a-model type. Both almost always wear the kind of watch conventionally ascribed to their sex. Small wonder that, while some brands are tackling the issue head on - way back in 2020 Hublot was already using footballer Kylian Mbappe to front the campaign for its Big Bang Millennial Pink, for example others are leaning into product-only imagery and descriptions focused around craft and build quality: the watch as object, not as projection of sexuality. “The majority of watches are, I feel, already unisex - certainly any classic or sports watch from the top of the pyramid down,” says Benavente. “But as much as we’ve tried to get away from gender, it’s difficult and stereotyping in watch marketing doesn’t seem to be breaking down quickly. It’s happening. But it’s going to take some time”.
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Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Sorai £95,000, hublot.com
Tissot PRX Quartz 40mm £335, tissotwatches.com
Breitling Top Time B01 Racing £5,950, breitling.com
U-BOAT Classico 45 Titanium Tungsten £5,000, uboatwatch.com
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen The 8000 £6,500, montblanc.com
Raymond Weil Millesime 39.5mm Automatic Men’s Watch £1,475, beaverbrooks.co.uk
MAN KIT
Dial up
Luxury timepieces that blend the perfect blend of precision, craftsmanship and elegance… ROLEX GMT-Master II Oyster, 40mm, White Gold £40,900, rolex.com
IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month £69,800, iwc.com
OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m, 45.5mm, Black Ceramic on Rubber Strap £14,000, omegawatches.com
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 39mm Purple Chronograph Automatic Men’s Watch £6,050, beaverbrooks.co.uk
The Time Changer X Alain Silberstein Professional Retrograde Chronograph Watch £1,890, thetimechanger.com
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TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph £1,550, tagheuer.com
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LUXE LOVES
LUXE LOVES Into the blue Introducing the TUDOR Boutique Exclusive Edition: the Black Bay Chrono ‘Blue’. This distinguished timepiece features the signature ‘TUDOR Blue’ dial, adding a unique character, while honouring the brand’s rich heritage. Housed in a 41mm stainless steel case, the Black Bay Chrono ‘Blue’ is powered by a chronograph calibre movement, offering hour, minute, second, chronograph, and date functions. Goldsmiths TUDOR boutique, Metrocentre, Gateshead. goldsmiths.co.uk
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The Ultimate Driving Machine
LUXURY CARS. BUILT WITH DEDICATION. THE BMW M RANGE.
Vertu BMW Durham
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Concorde Way, Preston Farm Industrial Estate Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 3RB
vertumotors.com We are a credit broker and not a lender. Finance is subject to status and finance company acceptance. We do not act as independent advisors and can introduce you to a limited number of lenders. We will receive a commission from the lender which we will explain to you during the process. Your interest rate may vary based on your personal circumstances. Vertu BMW is a trading name of Vertu Motors (Continental) Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Company registration number 02156457. VAT Registration number 902737238. Registered office: Vertu House, Fifth Avenue Business Park, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0XA.
XXXXXXXX TEST DRIVE
A grand tour Elysia Fryer experiences the elegance and exhilaration of Maserati’s finest on a scenic drive through the North Yorkshire countryside… Both effortlessly elegant and full of character, Maserati and Grantley Hall are the perfect pairing for an exhilarating driving day; and when I was asked to join, I jumped at the opportunity. As I pull up at the five star hotel, its grandeur matched by the line-up of Italian masterpieces parked up outside, it instantly felt like the ideal spot to really get to know the brand - from the people who live and breathe the business, but also by getting behind the wheel and out on the roads. Those winding North Yorkshire roads where you get to experience the cars exactly as they were meant to be driven - whether you’re cruising through the countryside in the Grecale or letting loose a little in the GranCabrio. The setting brings everything into focus: the craftsmanship, the performance, the luxury. It’s not just a test drive - it’s a chance to step into the Maserati lifestyle, and there’s nowhere better to do that than from the driveway of Grantley Hall. After a warm welcome and a cup of coffee, we’re fully briefed and brought up to speed with the world of Maserati. A brand that celebrated 110 years of motoring mastery in 2024, Maserati has long been synonymous with racing heritage and bespoke Italian craftsmanship. Its story began on the track, and even today, that racing spirit continues to pulse through every model. What stood out to me was how the UK remains one of the brand’s most significant markets, and it’s clear to see why. These are not just beautiful machines - they’re built with passion, precision, and the kind of personality that resonates deeply with drivers looking for something a little different. Introductions made and coffees sipped, it’s time to get behind the wheel. The full range
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of press cars line the gravel driveway like a fleet of automotive art. From the sleek and stylish Grecale Modena to the showstopping GranCabrio Trofeo and the pulse-racing MC20 Coupe, each car has its own character, about to be unlocked. My day begins in the Grecale Modena Maserati’s answer to the stylish family SUV. And stylish it certainly is. As I open the door (with the press of a discreet button), I’m straight away taken in by the plush, modern cabin. Think luxe leather, soft suede visors, yellow contrast stitching and a beautifully intuitive digital interface. Apple CarPlay connects without fuss, the climate control is sleek and responsive, and there’s a real sense that this was a car designed for people who appreciate refinement, but also live in the real world. What really stands out to me is the space this SUV has all the practical hallmarks of a family car, without ever compromising on looks or driveability. From the generous boot space to the roomy back seats (perfect for child seats, I note), Maserati has achieved the rare balance of form and function. But most notably, it’s incredibly quiet. You can glide through the countryside without feeling the weight of the road beneath you - a testament to its smooth handling and ultra-refined engineering. It's a big car, but you never feel like you're taking up too much space. Swapping wheels, I climb into the GranCabrio Trofeo - the kind of car that turns heads before it even moves. Roof down, sun beaming through, I set off along the winding backroads of the Dales. And this is where the Maserati magic really comes alive. The route had been beautifully mapped out by the team, programmed into the Sat Nav and ready to roll - all I had to do was drive. Which, in this car, is an experience in itself.
The GranCabrio Trofeo doesn’t just drive - it performs. And yet, for all its power, there’s a surprising elegance to it. Inside, the seats cocoon you in quilted leather luxury, and the touchscreen system offers seamless access to everything you need. As we weave through charming stone villages and open up along empty moorland stretches, I feel the heartbeat of Maserati’s racing DNA in every turn of the wheel. It's practical, precise, and just the right amount of playful. There’s something about driving a Maserati through the sweeping hills and countryside of North Yorkshire that feels just right. The changing landscape - from tight roads through quiet villages to wide open vistas along the rolling hills - offers the perfect stage for a test drive. After a morning behind the wheel, lunch is served back in Grantley’s EightyEight Bar & Restaurant. The hospitality is every bit as luxurious as you’d expect - flavour-packed, seasonal dishes, cooked to perfection. Back to the wheels. A big part of the day, for me, is to learn more about the brand’s electric evolution. Maserati is fully invested in its future - and electric is a huge part of that. The Grecale Folgore and GranTurismo
Folgore both made appearances. The verdict? All the Italian flair you’d expect - just without the noise. It’s a bold step, but one that feels incredibly natural for a brand that has always looked ahead. Then there’s the MC20 Coupe. If the Grecale is the everyday head-turner, and the GranCabrio the romantic, then the MC20 is the true supercar - born to race, and built to thrill. Sleek, low and unapologetically fast, it’s a car that puts Maserati on the map for performance. It’s impossible not to feel a rush of adrenaline just watching it take off down a country lane. As the sun starts to dip behind the hills and the engines are switched off, there’s a buzz in the air - a sense that we’ve experienced something special in this partnership between Maserati and Grantley Hall. A match made in heaven. Reminding us to find joy in the journey. If you’re considering a car that does more than just get you from A to B - something that makes even the school run feel like a special occasion - Maserati is certainly worth looking at. maserati.com
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SKY’S THE LIMIT
The art of flight Step inside Stu-Art Aviation where aircraft engineer-turnedinventor Stu Abbott transforms plane parts into jaw-dropping design pieces. Elysia Fryer drops into his Durham HQ (and boards a podcast studio disguised as a cabin) to talk creativity, chaos and high-flying ideas…
It’s hard to describe exactly what it feels like walking into Stu Abbott’s workshop - part man cave, part museum, part movie set - but one thing’s for sure: it’s cool, and full of so many stories. In one corner sits a gleaming turbine, reimagined into a coffee table. Overhead, a
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curved section of aircraft wing hangs like a chandelier. Lined up by the doors, packages marked for destinations like Dubai await collection - bespoke pieces destined for high-flying homes and global boardrooms. “This is my haven,” Stu beams. “I’ve got a reception, packing area, the workshop, a build space upstairs, and now this podcast studio. You need a lot of space
when you’re hoarding bits of planes.” And hoard he does - not in a cluttered way, but in a wide-eyed inventor sort of way. Every sign, seat, wheel and window carries with it adventure and history. “I’m still working as an aircraft engineer,” he says. “So I know what I’m looking for I understand the materials, the structure.
I can spot something and think, yeah, I know what that can be.” This all started 13 years ago with a campervan, some spare aeroplane seats, and a curious mind. “I fitted one into the van and turned the other into an office chair. Put it on eBay for £175, thinking someone might fancy it - it sold within an hour. Then people started messaging asking if I had more.” Just like that, Stu-Art Aviation took off. From those humble beginnings - working nights in a garage without power, trailing an extension cord out the house window Stu’s creativity grew faster than a Concorde take-off. “I moved to a small workshop in Felling, then to a bigger one, and another. Each time it got busier, I realised I had to go bigger, especially when the TV work started.” Stu’s work has caught the attention of the screens too. BBC One’s Flipping Profit, George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, and most memorably, Johnny Vegas: Carry On Glamping. “I transformed a military helicopter into the most ridiculous, creative glamping pod you’ve ever seen. Tables popped out of nowhere, the fridge was in the floor, there was a rooftop garden! Oscar - my son helped with it all. “In fact, in the end, Johnny named the helicopter after Oscar. I was standing on top of it, on the roof garden (because, why not?!) when he told me and I started sobbing! It was really special.” There’s an energy to Stu that’s contagious. He doesn’t just make things - he brings them to life with stories, spirit and a whole lot of fun. Like his new project: The Screwed Up Podcast. His brand new podcast room - but not just any old podcast room - everything in here is aviation furniture. We’re sitting in plane seats as we chat, my notes are in the seat pocket in front of me, and we’ve got fake windows with LEDs on the wall. It’s like we’re mid-flight! “The podcast is about honing in on people’s sentimental items - things they keep hidden in the loft or garage. Every guest brings something with a story, we chat about it, then I come up with an idea to transform it into something usable. I want to give these things a new life, instead of gathering dust.” He already has a glittering line-up. “Peter Andre, George Clarke, Johnny Vegas and then maybe Kath from the cafe down the road. One week it’ll be a celeb, the next, someone totally unexpected. Everyone’s got a story.” With Stu’s ability to spin a tale and craft magic from the mundane, it’s bound to be a hit. But don’t let the humour fool you - Stu’s work runs deep with meaning. “The history of the pieces matters to me,” he starts. “I give customers certificates with the aircraft’s registration and story. I’ve got Concorde parts, 747 wheels, British Airways windows. I’ve even got a hanging lamp in here made from a piece of the sister aircraft of the Pan Am flight lost at Lockerbie. “That one felt special. I painted it Pan Am blue and made it into a lamp - something gentle and respectful. It’s important that the stories behind these things are acknowledged.” And some stories carry an extra weight. “I’ve got a section of wing in the workshop that gives me chills when I talk about it. It’s the only piece of American U2 spy plane in private hands, as they’re still in service. This one crashed in 1995 during a secret mission over Bosnia. “The pilot accidentally flew over a mass grave site and captured it on camera. That
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SKY’S THE LIMIT moment brought NATO into the Bosnian war. Two weeks later, he flew again, but the plane had an issue and he crash-landed. He sadly died from his injuries. “I was offered part of the wing and couldn’t believe it - it was about to be cut up into keyrings. I thought, you can’t do that. It’s too important. I’ve kept it, and I’m hoping to turn it into a memorial table and auction it for an airman’s widows’ charity. If I’m allowed.” That sensitivity is balanced with a daring, can-do attitude. Like the time he shipped a huge aircraft-wing boardroom table to Oklahoma City, only to find the only way in was via a small lift. “So I built a timber-framed lift in my workshop to test it. Then the shipping box split, and US customs thought I was arms dealing. But it made it, and it fit perfectly the client was over the moon.” Then there was the boardroom table made from a Mini, lugged up a spiral staircase in Glasgow. Or the office chairs built from Air France seats, where he found an old ticket stub from a Mr
Williamson hidden in the armrest. “It must’ve been there for five years. I put it back in before sealing it up - it was part of the chair’s story, after all.” Inspiration, it seems, strikes from all angles. “Sometimes I get a brief from a customer, sometimes it’s off-the-cuff. There are other companies doing similar things, but I try to stay spontaneous. I don’t want to be boxed in. I’ve got complete freedom - and that’s the fun of it!” His pieces have found homes all over the world – from the UK to the US, Japan to New Zealand. “Social media is wild. You post something, and suddenly someone in California wants a piece of a plane in their living room.” He’s also on a mission to break out of the aviation bubble. “There’s a lot of love from people in the industry, but I want to get more pieces into homes, cafes, shops. I picked up 260 airline
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trollies during Covid and turned them into barber shop stations. It’s just about reimagining how we see things.” As for his own home? “It’s chaos,” he laughs. “A bombsite of Lego and plastic toys. People think it must be full of my pieces - but no, it’s just family life.” Still, there’s no mistaking where Stu’s heart lies. Whether he’s breathing new life into a jet engine or building podcast sets disguised as cabins in the sky, his creativity knows no limits - and neither does his passion. He’s a one-man ideas machine, buzzing with energy and curiosity. As we wrap up our chat, still buckled into our repurposed airline seats, he grins: “At the end of the day, I just love building cool stuff. And if it makes people smile, even better.” stu-artaviationfurniture.co.uk
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LUXE PEOPLE
THE LUXE LOWDOWN:
Matthew Dale
Any recent, ongoing or upcoming projects or achievements we should know about? I’m staying on for another contract which marks the 40th anniversary of the production - so it will be a very exciting time when that comes around in October. What does downtime mean to you? It means a lot as I only get one day off a week. I’m generally always at work during the days rehearsing as well as the evenings performing, so it’s a lot. Being able to spend some quality time with my wife and two dogs is massively important to me. A Sunday is such a sacred day. It’s family day!
Lessons in life What did you want to be when you were growing up? I originally wanted to be a footballer. I was on the books of Hartlepool United. At the age of 16 I was unfortunately released by the club which led me down another path of a huge interest I’d always had growing up being a performer. So you could say plan A failed and plan B worked. What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Never give up on your dreams. Work as hard as you possibly can and always aim high.
Getting to know you
Name: Matthew Dale Title: Actor Where is home? London Why do you love where you live? The opportunities it brings, it has a great buzz about the place, and I simply couldn’t do what I do anywhere else in the country.
The day job
What do you do for a living? I am a performer in the West End musical, Les Misérables. I am what they call a ‘Swing’ (someone who covers all of the ensemble tracks in the show). I also understudy the lead role, Jean Valjean, where I get to play it
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every so often. I’m also assistant dance captain, so that means I look after the show, taking warm ups and writing out the set-ups for each performance. A day in the life of you? As soon as I’m up I’m feeding my two cavapoos (Bonnie & Clyde) breakfast. I then have my own breakfast and I take the dogs out for a walk before heading to the gym. I’ll then come back to my flat, have lunch and then on days that I don’t have a matinee show or rehearsals at the theatre, I’ll spend time with my wife before heading off to work. I get to work at about 5.30pm. We have a company warm up at 6.15pm, so I’ll eat my dinner before this and then it’s about getting ready for the show.
But also be a nice person. If you’re nice to others, expect the same in return. You might not always get that, but at least you can say you’ve tried. What is your greatest fear? Losing the people I love. Which living person do you admire most and why? My wife. She is a very strong woman. Stronger than she thinks she is, I believe. But she’s determined and is always working hard to achieve her goals.
Living luxe
What is top of your bucket list? I have two - a safari in Tanzania and a trip to India. What is your most treasured possession? I think I’d have to say all of the photos/ videos and memories of experiences I have on my phone. I lost my Grandma last year and I love looking back at photographs and good times we had together. My wife and I have also just returned from our honeymoon, so being able to look back at all of those memories is something to cherish.
What does the weekend mean to you? Again, the weekend (or a Sunday) means everything to me. Being able to walk my dogs on Hampstead Heath and going for a nice Sunday roast with my wife. Perfect. A memorable holiday? I’d have to say where I’ve just returned from, Japan! An incredible country. They have so many things down to a T over there. Stunning food, wonderful scenery and lovely people. Best dress? I quite liked my wedding suit from last year. However, I’m unlikely to wear it again. So I’d probably say my tux. I don’t wear it often, but when I do that’s what I like. I last wore it at a theatre awards event. Who would be your top-three dinner guests? My top three dinner guests would be Tom Hanks (favourite actor), Sir Gareth Southgate (I’m a Middlesbrough FC fan so I don’t think I need to say much more on that one), and my dad - as I don’t think he’d let me live it down if I didn’t invite him. The last place you ate? The Wells pub in Hampstead. They do a lovely Sunday roast! The last book you read? Embarrassing to say it, but I’m not a big
reader of books. It may have been a true crime book, but it was a while ago. The last thing you listened to? I’m always listening to dance/house music as I have to use it for my physical warm ups at work. Being a big Boro fan I also listen to the Red Alert podcast on BBC Tees after each game so I can stay in the loop as I don’t always get to watch or listen to the games being on stage. The last thing you watched? My wife and I watch so many TV series and films. There’s never anything we aren’t watching. We’ve just finished The White Lotus, we’ve also just finished Severance. In terms of light-hearted and easy watching, we love Married at First Sight Australia. It’s trash, but brilliant trash! Your three luxe things in life? I’d say the first is my wife - she’s my best friend and makes me a better version of me. My family (my parents, sister and dogs) they mean the world to me. And finally, football - specifically the Boro. I’m Boro mad! My first game was against Watford at Ayresome Park and I’ve followed them ever since. UTB!
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SOCIAL LIFE
luxe:looks
Break out the fizz. Time to get down to some people-spotting as we bring you our social snapshot of happenings across the North East. Eyes and teeth time! City Ladies, Hilton Newcastle Gateshead
Heather Swan, Natalie Turner
The Executive Group Lunch, Alnwick Garden, Treehouse & Lilidorei, Alnwick
Helen Johnson, Anne Louise Gent Joey Pitt, Kelly Swinbank
Any Wanless, Charlotte Redhead, Natalie Turner
Hannah Nagel, Jess Nicholson, Alicia Speed
Karen Wier, Sophie Milliken
Nicola Stafford, Tina Denny
Louise Bestford, Kayleigh Bell
Claire Birkhead, Dave Murnane
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Gordon Dale, Darren Rhodes, Alison Gittins, Simon Smith
Liz Peart, Matthew Strain, Garry McLafferty, Brian Logan, Jan Dale
Jan Dale, Claire Candlish, Nadia Fenwick, Lauren St Hilaire
Chris Kean, Andrew Hibbert, Adam Brown, Stacey Houldsworth, Senga Kean
Laura Duffy, Emma Ditchburn
Bellway People Awards, Crowne Plaza, Newcastle
Laura Cooper, Spencer Bradbury
Haley Woodman, Andrew Hibbert, Stacey Houldsworth
Vikkie Wilkinson, Haley Woodman, Gary McLafferty
Andrew Hibbert, Stacey Houldsworth
Liz Peart, Alison Gittins, Jan Dale
Graham Sleep, Liz Peart, Marie Nesbit, Gary McLafferty
Sarah Gray, Gurpreet Jagpal, Kay Carrick
Kelly Swinbank, Alison Gittins, Joey Pitt
Liz Peart, Jan Dale, Matthew Strain, Marie Nesbit
James Griffin, Adam Hawkes
Jeffrey Farnham, David Thomas, Paul Lawler, Paul Smits, Helen Fiorillo
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SOCIAL LIFE
Tees Valley Business Club, Wynyard Hall
Andrew Haley, Iain Townsend, Theresa Carling
Sara Davies Book Launch, Wylam Brewery, Newcastle
Sharon Starkey, Lotty Reeves
Katie Cooke, Kim Ingelby Andrew Stogdale, Kirsten Donkin
Joanne Whittle, Ashleigh Walker
Kevin Sedgwick, Suhail Aslam
Cerys Towler, Leanne Bradford Beverley Goodall, Mike Hale, Charlotte Barugh
Christine Parker, Alice Gardner
Jane Reynolds MBE, Ivor Hobbs, Kate Green
Emily Hunter, Sophie Carvin Dr Noel Dennis, Jeremy McMurray
Jules Lucas, Sonia Snell
Diane Williamson, Jo Elliott, Cheryl Spears
RGS 500 Choir & Orchestra Concert, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead
Andrew McBride, Chris Quayle
Kate Harrison, Suzanne Clarke
ChiChi Igun, Matti Imarhiagbe
Samantha Legget, Justine Joisce
Kathryn Glendon, Barbara Lister, Debbie Reith,Tracey Thompson
Angus Bennett, Jojo Bennett
Show Business in Hartlepool, Hartlepool College of Further Education
Geoffrey Stanford, Ms Lucy Winskell OBE, Alan Fletcher
Nigel McMinn, Andrew McBride
Hannah Catto, Justine Dickinson
Sally Green, Raman Sanghera, Shandeep Sanghera
Gary Riches, Andrew Dixon
Katie Hobbs, Ashleigh Ennion, Sarah Durrant
David Goldwater, Martin Stanley, Mike Shoesmith
Neil Warwick, Jane Reynolds MBE
Becky Metcalfe, Lotty Reeves, Sharon Starkey
Mark Bryce, Colin Hewitt, Warren Colby
Elliott Park
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SOCIAL LIFE
Willowburn Hospice fundraiser, Beamish Hall
Peter Thomas, Christine Thomas
Al Steel, Jenny Steel
David Elstob, Hannah Philips, Becki Pollard, Phil Pollard
Alfie Joey
Jane Robb, Ian Robb, Michelle McGuigan, David McGuigan
North East Ladies Day Spring Lunch, Wynyard Hall
Annabel Cowley, Anna Denham, Sarah Gray
Avril Cracknell, Tracey Hughes, Suzanne Guy, Susan Harker
Anita Boyd, Kathy Birkbeck, Helen Gordon, Elaine Bunn
Christina McMurray, Vicky Hyndman, Lyndsay Brown -Smith, Christine Dempsey, Claire Ayton
Jennifer Tremewan, Wendy Gill, Beverley Metcalfe
Louise Moor, Sharon Murray
Smartworks International Womens Day, Hilton Newcastle Gateshead
Zoe Rutter, Zoe Hingston and Surbhi Verdhana
Kat Austin, Annie Barrett, Rebecca Pringle, Katie Whiting, Emily Brooks
Molly Bell, Megan Garner, Amy Jukes, Laura Cook, Donna Hornby
Nicola Hands, Lauren Croft
Claire Fenwick, Surbhi Vedhara, Jess Fenwick, Leanne Robb
Maria Humphreys, Jane Hartley, Carol Meredith
Rise Learning Group Launch and Learn, Chaophraya, Newcastle
Imogen Brown, Lucy Irving, Kirsty Russell, Jon Smith, Adam Wright
Jen Tait, Norma O’Sullivan
Iain Herdman, Elaine Bartlett, Jen Tait
Mark Oleksik, Lyndsay Murray
Christina Lord, Kathryn O’Connell
Christina Lord, Helen Butler, Norma O’Sulliva, Paula Harrison, Jen Tait
Patricia Pattinson, Evelyn Tate, Anne Bullock, Sheila Holtins, Patricia Dorman. Claire Connelly, Pamela Hamilton
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Alexandra O’Neill, Jen Tait
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PARTING SHOT
Life’s a beach >> Portuguese summers on Salema Beach. Photograph by: @ef.creates.
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MAY/JUN25
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