kudos issue 14

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Your free lifestyle magazine for Kent and East Sussex Issue 14

4 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

Twitter: kudoskentwww.kudoskent.co.ukManaging Director: Robin Tucek Publishing Director: Hannah Tucek Editorial Director: Ann Wallace Creative Director: Neil Constant Fashion Editor: Sally-Ann Carroll Photographer: Matt Harquail

Advertising Sales: 01892 300321

Kudos is published bi-monthly by:

While every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers, authors and printers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced in any form without the written permission of the copyright holder and publisher, application for which should be made to the publisher. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

It’s that time of year, when we make New Year’s resolutions that we’re determined that, this year, we’ll stick to. But just one in 10 of us will achieve our goal, according to a study by Professor Richard Wiseman from the University of Hertfordshire – with most of us scrapping the good intentions as early as January 23rd. My resolutions are probably much the same as yours – spend less money, lose weight... and the rest. But one I am determined to stick to is to go on producing a great magazine, and three years since we launched, I hope you’ll agree that that’s just what we’re doing. This issue is no exception. We have an exclusive interview with Lesley Joseph, star of TV’s Birds of a Feather, who is performing in Tunbridge Wells in March as Miss Hannigan in a production of Annie. She talks about her alter ego, Dorien, and her musical career. We also talk to some experts in their field, from smoked food to swimming pools, and reveal a bungalow that’s been totally transformed into a fabulous contemporary family home. Head teachers answer a reader’s question about bullying, and we check out the fashion scene. With Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day on the horizon, we’ve got romantic recipes and gifts for the one you love – and your mum. Then there’s the rest of our regular features, including beauty, health, business, home and garden. It all adds up to a bumper package – and it’s free! So why not make Kudos one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2016.

Hello

Contents

Welcome to the January/February issue

Hannah TucekPublishing Director

8 Kudos loves...

12 News & events

19 Pets corner

20 Love celebrity

26 Love fashion

38 Love health

40 Love beauty

47 Love food and drink

60 Love home

80 Love garden

86 Love education

93 Love family

96 Love business

98 Love heroes

WELCOME TO KUDOS

6 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016LIVE LOCAL

A21, near Sevenoaks

76 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016LIVE LOCAL LOVE LOCAL

7PM

Taken by Matt Harquail for the Wells Advisory


Things we lovethis issue

His ’n’ her macs...Two’s company with these cool macs. Pale blue for her, £125, Phase Eight; and stone coloured for him, £120, J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams.

Wrist actionNow you can wear your music on your wrist with these stylish sound wraps which deliver exceptional sound quality – and the cables will never tangle! Available in a range of colours from £14.99.www.mywraps.com

And relax...This time of year, it’s all about recovering from Christmas and chilling out in front of the fire. And you couldn’t get more relaxed than in one of these recliners, which are made in Germany by Himolla. They are available from David Salmon in Cross-in-Hand and Eastbourne. Clockwise from bottom right: Crosby, Chester, Mosel and Tobi. www.davidsalmon.co.uk

KUDOS LOVES


Retro music on the moveThis GPO retro record player has built-in speakers and, with its vintage attaché carry case, makes it easy to listen to your favourite vinyl wherever you are. It plays 33, 45 and 78 RPM records and also comes with a USB stick so you can record your vinyl.Price: £69.95www.cuckooland.com

Think outside the boxIt’s winter time and no-one likes a cold home or office. But cold draughts can sneak in anywhere! That’s why we love this EcoFlap letterbox draught excluder – a unique letter box cover to stop draughts coming in without damaging your letters. It has super-smart British engineering that uses the force of a draught to shut your letterbox tighter, so the harder it blows, the tighter it remains shut. No crumpled post, no trapped fingers and no torn newspapers. You can use it on the inside in addition to your usual letter box so you can keep all your aesthetics, and it’s available in white, brown and black. Price: £23.99 www.itdoesthejob.com

Treat yourselfJust because Christmas is over, it doesn’t mean we have to stop treating ourselves. And Glow Tanning & Beauty in Tunbridge Wells agrees with us, which is why they have some spectacular offers between 5th January and 5th February. So if money is tight after the big Christmas spend, it won’t cost you a fortune to give yourself one of these treats:

20% off gel nails, hands and toes20% off cluster eyelash extensions and express individual eyelash extensions with Poppie30% off luxury paraffin wax manicureHalf price file and polish when booked in for HD BrowsFull head micro ring hair extensions – £250Full head micro weft hair extensions – £230

To make an appointment, call 01892 619915www.glowtw.com

KUDOS LOVES


A time for mothers and loversCelebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th and Mother’s Day

on March 6th with our gifts, chosen with love

The history of Valentine’s Day – and the story of its patron saint – is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. One legend is that St Valentine was a bishop who held secret marriage ceremonies for soldiers in opposition to Claudius II, who had prohibited marriage for young men because he believed it made them weak. He felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus would not make good soldiers. So Valentine married couples in secret and when Claudius found out, he had him imprisoned, and later put to death. Some stories say that the young couples who Valentine had married gave flowers and letters to him when they visited him in the prison. Another legend has it that Valentine was a prisoner who fell in love with his jailor’s daughter. Before he was put to death, he sent the first ‘valentine’ to his love when he wrote her a letter and signed it ‘Your Valentine’.

Although Mother’s Day and Mothering Sunday have morphed into one celebration in the UK, they come from different origins. Mothering Sunday began as a celebration of the mother church, not motherhood, during the 16th century when people returned to their so-called “mother church” – the main church or cathedral in their area – for a service. Years later, the celebration became a day when servants were given time off to visit their families. Children would pick wild flowers to present to their mothers, which became the modern-day tradition of giving presents. Mother’s Day, unrelated to the Christian celebration, began in the United States. It was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in Grafton, West Virginia. Her mother, Ann Jarvis, had previously founded Mother’s Day Work Clubs in five cities across the US to improve sanitary and health conditions for working men and women. After Ann died, her daughter held a memorial for her and campaigned to make Mother’s Day a recognised holiday. Her wish was finally granted in 1914.

KUDOS LOVES

Clockwise from top left: Treat your Valentine to a love cupcake, created with a culinary stencil. Set of four, £6.85, www.lindyscakes.co.uk; set of four silver charm bracelets handmade with 925 silver beads and sparkling Swarovski crystals, £110, www.giftwrappedandgorgeous.com; this personalised timeline print takes special milestones in your lifetime, transforming them into a wonderful piece of art, £48, www.thedriftingbear.com; pretty roses Mum mug makes the perfect gift, £19.95, www.daisypark.co.uk; personalised vintage teaspoon, £18.99, www.GettingPersonal.co.uk; innovative Dear Mum, From You to Me Book is filled with different questions for mum to create a memory book, £11.99, www.GettingPersonal.co.uk

12 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016LOVE NEWS

The West End comes to OxtedPaul James Jewellers is delivering a Bond Street experience closer to home following a stunning month-long refurbishment

The calm and contemporary interior of Paul James’ new store in Oxted now provides a beautiful backdrop for the exquisite jewellery and watches on display. The space has allowed Paul James to offer an even more extensive range, including award-winning British jewellery designer Andrew Geoghegan, who designed the stunning Chocolate Box ring. This miniature piece of Cubist art sets a trio of distinct blues in flawless 18ct white gold, for a splash of bohemian beauty and can be viewed now in the new-look Oxted store. “We had a very clear idea of our target audience and what we wanted to achieve,” says the shop’s owner Tom Barrs, who runs the business with his partner Stephanie Ling. “This is the third time during my ownership that the store has been refurbished and is by far the most comprehensive change that we have made. The majority of the work was carried out by Hallmark Design and we are really pleased with what they have done to the shop front and the internal layout. In addition to the design team, I asked my sister, Jo Faulkner, an interior designer, to help with the finishing touches. She chose a warm and inviting palette of neutral colours with a dark smokey blue as the central colour and some beautiful materials, such as the marble stone floor, the gorgeous textured wallpaper and some sumptuous fabrics for our bespoke chairs. An enormous Art Deco-style mirror provides a terrific focal point. The result is luxurious but not intimidating, and is something truly individual, which is exactly what we wanted.”

High-tech for your homeDanish luxury AV and audio manufacturer delivers an interactive and dynamic experience for Sevenoaks customers

Bang & Olufsen has officially opened its store to customers following months of anticipation, bringing the brand’s renowned quality and design to the heart of the Sevenoaks High Street. Daren Russell, the owner of the new store, brings with him 30 years’ experience of delivering audio, video and advanced technology to non-technical, happy clients. His expertise in home integration promises that any customer investing in Bang & Olufsen products for their home will be assured of an installation service second-to-none. “We want to provide Sevenoaks customers with the ultimate customer experience which is, and will continue to be, at the heart of Bang & Olufsen,” says Daren. “While people can research our products online, only a visit to a store can show you the true potential of having Bang & Olufsen products in your home. Our expertise in installation will ensure that customers enjoy a seamless and stress-free experience from when they first walk into the store until they are enjoying their purchase in the comfort of their own home. We can’t wait to welcome people into the showroom to demonstrate what we can do.”

Paul James is best known for its exceptional service and coloured-stone jewellery, but its stock includes a comprehensive selection of quality precious jewellery, both modern and vintage. The store also has a large collection of pre-owned watches and provides a bespoke service to produce one-off designs, bringing the experience of Bond Street to the Surrey Hills.www.pauljamesjewellers.com

The store is open from 10am-5pm each weekday and from 9am-6pm on Saturdays. Daren would be delighted to arrange personal introductions to Bang & Olufsen’s unique multi-room solutions to Kudos readers. Just call him on 01732 667077 or email [email protected]

UpfrontWhat’s new and happening

12 LOVE NEWS

14 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016LOVE EVENTS

Kung Fu Panda 3In cinemas 29th January When Po’s long-lost panda father suddenly reappears, the reunited duo travel to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new panda characters. There he meets Mei Mei, an overly-eager panda, who had been promised to Po through an arranged marriage when they were children. To make matters worse, an evil ancient spirit called Kai begins terrorising China and stealing the powers of defeated kung fu masters. Now, in the face of incredible odds, Po must do the impossible – learn to train a village full of his fun-loving, clumsy brethren to become the ultimate band of Kung Fu Pandas! Starring the voices of Jack Black as Po, Seth Rogen as Mantis and Angelina Jolie as Tigress.

Little Orphan AnnieThe hit musical comes to Tunbridge Wells

Annie, the world’s favourite family musical, comes to Tunbridge Wells for one week only, starring Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan (see our feature on page 20).

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas, though, and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search…

Based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip Little Orphan Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, the original Broadway production opened in 1977 and ran for nearly six years, setting a record for the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon Theatre) and wining the Tony Award for Best Musical.

With its award-winning book and score, this stunning new production includes the unforgettable songs Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow. Don’t miss Annie – you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll love it!Annie is at the Assembly Hall Theatre from 1st-5th March. Box office 01892 530613 or book online on www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

How to Be SingleIn cinemas 12th February

There’s a right way to be single, a wrong way to be single, and then... there’s Alice. And Robin. Lucy. Meg. Tom. David. New York City is full of lonely hearts seeking the right match, be it a love connection, a hook-up, or something in the middle. And somewhere between the teasing texts and one-night stands, what these unmarrieds all have in common is the need to learn how to be single in a world filled with ever-evolving definitions of love. Sleeping around in the city that never sleeps was never so much fun. Based on the novel by Liz Tuccillo, which was published in 2008, How To Be Single is a follow-up to the 2009 hit film He’s Just Not That Into You, which made $200 million worldwide. It stars Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson and Leslie Mann.

That’s entertainmentLatest releases on stage and screen

Photo credit: Paul Coltas

1514 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016LOVE EVENTS

Totally BeserkAmazing circus skills and death- defying stunts

Direct from five sold-out seasons in London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, and from two packed-out theatre tours, Britain’s favourite contemporary thrill circus is setting out to excite and entertain the nation at a whole new set of theatre venues. Combining the latest cirque-style skills with off-the-scale thrilling stunt action, Cirque Berserk is a danger-filled spectacle that will amaze audiences of all ages. A troupe of over 30 jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, musicians and death-defying stunt men are joined by award-winning physical comedian Tweedy (“The best Clown I have ever seen” – The Guardian). Plus, the show presents the world’s most dangerous circus act, the legendary Globe of Terror, with three motorcyclists speeding at over 60mph inside a steel cage, is seen for the first time live on stage in the UK (“off the scale awesome” – Daily Telegraph). Cirque Berserk will be at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford, from Wednesday 13th to Saturday 17th January. Times and booking links at www.cirqueberserk.co.uk

The Estate Yard, Eridge, Nr Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 9JR

Handmade in Britain, in any fabric in the World.

01892 572 309sofasandstuff .com

LOVE EVENTS


Out and aboutwith

LOVE GOING OUT

19th JanuaryTearing It up, Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells Local artist Lucy Ames will be tearing up the Trinity Theatre as she launches her latest exhibition with a Collage Workshop for adults and children alike. Lucy will talk about the use of collage in painting, how and why she uses it in her own work, and help you embark on a collage landscape yourself. She hopes to see the floor of the Trinity Theatre Gallery covered in torn paper before the workshop is complete. Lucy produces landscapes in oils and acrylics, which feature semi-hidden snippets of paper torn out of newspapers, magazines, maps or music scores. These torn items may appear random but are carefully selected to provide more information about the scene, add texture, interest, and usually humour to her paintings. www.trinitytheatre.net

22nd January at 8pmFrant Music Festival, Frant ChurchFrant’s 12th season of music kicks off in January with recitals by one of the most sought-after opera stars, Carolyn Sampson – an English soprano in opera and concert, who has sung in Masaaki Suzuki’s recording project of Bach Cantatas and has appeared at the English National Opera. Carolyn will be accompanied by pianist Joseph Middleton, who has performed with the likes of baritone Sir Thomas Allen and soprano Dame Felicity Lott.

29th January at 8pmFrant Music Festival, Frant ChurchFrant welcomes a piano superstar from Paris, Pascal Rogé, in a recital with his partner in life, and in music, Ami Rogé. Each pianist will play solo items, and also delight the audience with some four-hand piano pyrotechnics! Pascal has featured with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Vienna Symphony, L’Orchestre de Paris, and all three top London orchestras. Tickets are available from Frant Stores and Britten’s Music Shop. www.wegottickets.com or by tel. 01892 750665.

5th FebruaryMark Thomas: Trespass, Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge WellsTrespass is Mark’s usual odd mix of theatre, stand up, activism, a dash of journalism and dollop of mayhem. He sets out to try and carve a small space in the urban world where mischief and random chance can lurk.www.trinitytheatre.net

5th February at 7pmQuiz Night , Woods Restaurant, Tunbridge Wells£12 per person to include a light supper.For tickets, email [email protected] or call 01959 525110.

Warm up for winterWhat nicer way to spend a chilly lunchtime or evening than in a cosy pub in front of a roaring fire. Here’s our pick…

White Hart, SevenoaksThe White Hart is a fascinating 17th-century building, with no less than four fires, two open and two log burners, which are all lit in winter.

Nevill Crest & Gun, EridgeThe beautiful fireplaces in this 500-year-old listed building are an important traditional element to the pub. Cosy up in front of the inglenook or one of two woodburners.

Brecknock Arms, Bells Yew GreenThe Brecknock Arms is a charming, friendly village pub with an open fire in the main lounge and a woodburner in the small lounge.

Sankey’s, Tunbridge WellsThe focal point of the Sankey’s Pub is its large open fire surrounded by comfy armchairs and banquettes, the ideal setting to enjoy the largest and inspired range of beers in the area.

The Kentish Hare, BidboroughThe lovely Kentish Hare has a double-sided woodburner that heats both the snug, where you can enjoy the heat from the comfy sofas, and also the bar reception, with tables where you can relax with a drink or meal.

The Sussex Arms, Tunbridge WellsTucked away behind the Corn Exchange, this popular 18th-century coaching inn has an open fire at the back of the pub where you can relax on sofas and play traditional board games.

Light my fireWant to create that pub atmosphere at home? Originally patented in 1742 by Benjamin Franklin, the Regency woodburning stove enjoys a pedigree unmatched by any other stove. It was designed at a time when America was still a British colony and its proportions were undoubtedly influenced by Franklin’s extended visits to Georgian London. Functioning like an open fire with its large firebox, the Regency forgoes adjustable heat output. The stove can be burnt with the doors closed or open for the traditional fireplace atmosphere. You can even cook your food on it! Available from The Woodstove Trading Company in Staplehurst.www.woodstovetrading.co.uk

Kudos

16 LOVE GOING OUT

19KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

Email a photograph and details of your pet to [email protected]

LOVE PETS

Pets cornerIt’s time to turn the spotlight on your best friends!

All whiteMeet Scarlet, a five-year-old West Highland white terrier cross, who was rescued at 18 months old. She loves her home in Tenterden!

Bunk buddiesWow, who’d have thought it, a humble apple crate turned into a personalised cat bunk bed. We’ve seen everything now! Absolutely unique – it’s brilliant for your cats to climb over, sleep in and make their home. With eye-catching graphics, including optional paw prints and ladder, it really is the ultimate cat bed! Price: from £79 www.plantabox.co.uk

Time for walkiesWear it to the park, on the school run or to the café to meet your dog friends, the new DOOG Walkie Bag holds everything you need for your dog walk. It comes with 20 degradable and scented pick-up bags, a water-bottle holder and an inner waterproof lining for your mobile phone. Small enough to be lightweight for a brisk walk but large enough to hold your wallet, dog toys and dog-walking essentials. Three designs available, all with a striped cotton inner lining and stylish, comfy shoulder strap. Price: £36.50 www.dooguk.com

Food for thoughtSmart white metal dog food storage tin with silver-coloured handles. It comes with a small scoop, and there are other kitchen accessories available in this style. Price: £14.75 www.MelodyMaison.co.uk

Meet Bonnie, from Crowborough“Forget fancy beds... give me a box and I’ll be in there! Although, I must say, that bunk bed does look pretty cool...”


“Live theatre for me is everything”We loved her as Dorien in Birds of a Feather. Now get ready to see a whole new side to Lesley Joseph...

Lesley Joseph will be forever etched in our minds as Dorien Green, the snobbish but endearing man-eater in Birds of a Feather. The BBC1 series first aired in 1989, when we saw poor relation Sharon (Pauline Quirke) move in with her nouveau riche sister Tracey (Linda Robson) as the two of them coped with being ‘single’ after their errant husbands were jailed for a bungled armed robbery. Dorien was their next-door neighbour. When the show, penned by the legendary comedy team Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, ended on Christmas Eve 1998, it attracted UK audiences of nearly 20 million. In 2012, the show was revived for the stage and a UK tour sold out two years running. And in 2013, Marks and Gran convinced ITV (rather than the show’s original home) to film a new eight-part series. And it doesn’t end there. A new series was filmed last summer and is due to be screened this month. It’s been a busy time for Lesley Joseph. She’s been sharing the role of Miss Hannigan with Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood for the UK tour of Annie, taking over full time in November. And she squeezed in panto, playing the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella with Brian Conley. We caught up with Lesley to talk about Miss Hannigan and Dorien, ahead of Annie’s arrival in Tunbridge Wells in March.

How did you get involved with the production of Annie?Annie is something that I have done before and loved it. I did it about 15 years ago – I opened it at the Victoria Palace and then job shared with Paul O’Grady; there’s obviously something about me and job-sharing with a man in a frock! I’ve been talking to the producers for a long time about this – Craig was always going to open it and I was always going to take over, because I had Birds of a Feather to do in the summer. What happened was when Craig left to do Strictly, I was doing Birds during the week and then they asked me if I could cover him on a Saturday, which meant that I was literally doing Birds of a Feather for five days, then Annie for one day and then collapsing on the Sunday. But it actually worked really well because it gave me a lift into the production which I then took over once I had finished Birds. I then did panto before taking over in Annie. I love the show; I think it is just amazing.

So what attracted you to Miss Hannigan?Well, it’s a wonderful part because she’s evil but there is a tiny bit of heart there somewhere. It’s a fantastic role – you get to sing and dance Easy Street which is just the best number in the entire

LOVE CELEBRITY

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2120 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 LOVE CELEBRITY

“Live theatre for me is everything”

world. It’s a fun part, too, and combines everything that I love doing; singing, dancing and acting. I think the fact that it is still around after all these years is testament to how great it is. That people go and see it and take their children, and then when they grow up, they’ll take their children, says it all. It’s a classic musical with some wonderful songs, especially Tomorrow. When you get a child belting that out, it brings the house down. The kids in this show are really amazing. I think children now really do grow up being a triple threat, with their acting, singing and dancing. You get six, seven, eight, nine year olds who are all fantastic. And this is a particularly good production. It’s got wonderful choreography by Nick Winston, who has expanded some of the songs much more than they have been before. For example, in NYC which is a number where Daddy Warbucks takes Annie walking around New York City because she’s never been to the movies. It’s now such a big song-and-dance number, with people being taxis, children crossing the streets, balloon sellers, tap dancers… it really is fantastic. It’s just a wonderful, wonderful production.

This isn’t the first musical you’ve done. How’s your singing voice?I’ve been doing musicals all my life. My singing voice? I always say I sing bass; it’s low and belty. It doesn’t go very high but then for the parts that I do, I don’t need to go very high. On the other hand, I used to have a much higher voice such as when I played Aunt Em and Glinda the Good Witch of the South in the Wizard of Oz. I used to sing soprano but I think over the years my voice has mellowed and gone down an octave! I know the parts I can play and the parts that I can’t. I know what I can sing and what I can’t sing. I know what I can move and what I can’t move, so I can be very specific in what I do. I think that’s why my career has lasted as long as it has, because I dip in and out of lots of different things. I have the radio show and I do musicals, straight theatre and television. I’ve also presented, so I put fingers in lots of different pies and I think that gives you longevity.

Will you be doing Annie until it finishes in June?Yes, right through till June, although I won’t do the performances

in Scotland – Elaine Smith takes over for those. I’ll be coming to the Assembly Hall in Tunbridge Wells in March. I’ve been to Tunbridge Wells twice, once with a musical called Hot Flush, and then for Calendar Girls. I love Tunbridge Wells! In fact, when I did a play called Exclusive Yarns, we shot it in the Pantiles, which is gorgeous. Tunbridge Wells is a beautiful town, I love being there, it’s very special.

So where’s home and will you get much time to see it?Home is London and yes, I will get plenty of opportunities to go home. I’m lucky because a lot of the venues are commutable.

How do feel that this version of Annie compares to the actual film?Personally speaking, I love live theatre. Live theatre for me is everything. I think going to the theatre and seeing a fantastic production is just amazing. So for me, the film is lovely, but there is nothing quite like going and seeing a show. And this particular production is a fantastic one. It bases it very much in the Depression; it’s very gritty, with a lot of solid singing and dancing, and it’s all right there in front of you. And you see that particular performance on that particular day that no-body else sees because every one is unique to you and that audience. That’s why I love theatre. It changes every single performance. I first trod the boards when I was about seven, and it wasn’t to be a star or to be famous or for the money, it was because I just wanted to act.

Was there anything of you in Dorien? You played her so perfectly!No, there wasn’t. Dorien actually grew out of the nails and the heels. Nails meant that she had to hold her hands in a certain way and couldn’t do very much, and the heels meant that she had to trot, and then I just applied my comic technique to her. We are so alien to each other so I was worried how people would react to her, but they absolutely loved her. They saw a vulnerability there as well, which is why they loved her.

Photo credits: Paul Coltas

very, very short dresses. So that was very much, oh my God, right, diet and exercise has to be taken very seriously now!

If you could play any role what would it be?What I would love to play is one of the great Chekhov ladies, like Madame Arkadina in The Seagull or Mrs Ranevksy in The Cherry Orchard. I don’t think I ever will, though. I don’t think people see me in that way. I love doing straight theatre – I call it straight theatre, but it can be very funny. I was in Humble Boy, a play inspired by Hamlet and written by Charlotte Jones not so long ago. I also did The Gingerbread Lady by Neil Simon, which was a pretty savage piece about an alcoholic. I love doing that sort of theatre, so if I could do anything, it would be one of the great Chekhov ladies. That would be a dream role.

Annie is at the Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells, from 1st-5th March.

I have to say, the series we have just done for ITV I think is the best we have ever done. It’s wonderful. You have to watch the first episode with Martin Kemp, it’s really fantastic. It’s being aired some time in January.

Will there be more after this one?I haven’t got a clue if there will be another one. To be honest, we never know. You wait to see what the ratings do, whether people want to do more. I would never want to predict anything because I would be so disappointed if it didn’t happen. I just like to take it day by day, and enjoy each one. Who would have thought 25 years after we started, we would still be here? That’s an extraordinary testament to the strength of the programme. So many times people ask me why I think it was a success and I always say, it was the three of us. It’s as simple as that. The chemistry between Pauline, Linda and Lesley, and Sharon, Tracey and Dorien, and what you see is the real thing. We are family. It doesn’t get much closer with people that I have worked with. I’ll never be more suited to two actresses than I am with them and that was entirely unpredictable. You can’t predict that sort of chemistry, but when it comes along, it’s wonderful.

So after a break of 15 years of doing Birds of a Feather, did you just slip back into the part of Dorien?Yes, I did. The only thing was that I had to exercise furiously to get my legs back! Not that they have gone anywhere but they are not as sharp as they used to be and you have to go back to getting into

Photo credit: Matt Crockett


Bella dress, £49.99

VACANT The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, www.vacantclothing.co.uk

LOVE FASHION


ODYL High Street, Cranbrook, www.odyldesign.com

Baum und Pferdgarten Baum und Pferdgarten

LOVE FASHION

28 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016LOVE FASHION

BRORA High Street, Tunbridge Wells, www.brora.co.uk

Clockwise from top left: Cashmere wave knit cardigan in French navy, £295, cashmere wave knit jumper in ash, £279, cashmere cobweb cardigan in platinum, £295, and cashmere colour block jumper in dove, £285


LILY & CARTER www.lilyandcarter.co.uk

Lily and Carter London is a new emerging womenswear brand with focus on elegance and simplicity. L&C is a small capsule collection of key wardrobe garments that offer subtle and chic styling in a tailored yet comfortable fashion.

The luxurious and contemporary lifestyle brand was founded by young inspiring local entrepreneur Sophie Stirk. Her aim is to offer a collection of sleek, stylish clothing made from quality fabrics that are unique with feminine detailing on the trim, neck and back – all at a mid-price point.

The brand is due to launch in February 2016

LOVE FASHION

Loose crochet shirt dress, £70

Satin cami, £40, and panel trouser, £60Left to right: Satin cami, £40, panel trouser, £60, cross back jumpsuit, £80, and halter dress, £75

Printed wrap dress, £65 Cross back jumpsuit, £80 Boxy black ribbon blouse, £55, and panel trouser, £60

30 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016LOVE FASHION

Go, go, geoWhether you prefer skirts or trousers, it’s all about the geo prints. Persia skirt, £75, from Phase Eight.www.phase-eight.com Baum und Pferdgarten outfit from Odyl. www.odyldesign.com

Safari styleHere at Kudos, we love our pets. In fact, we love anything that is pet related, which is why we adore these gorgeous Safari-inspired jewellery pieces from Bill Skinner Studio in Otford, Sevenoaks.www.billskinnerstudio.co.uk

Denim rocksSmart or casual – denim has never gone out of fashion. That’s why we love this Magda denim dress, £95, from Phase Eight. It’s perfect for work or play! www.phase-eight.com

Fashion notesThe latest style news and designer updates

33KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 LOVE FASHION

Spring is just round the corner, so here’s a nod from Sally-Ann Carroll to the latest trends that are about to hit the shops

Lace and silk meet sumptuous suede and leather for a dynamic portrayal of the season ahead. Leather jacket, £199, suedette skirt, £35, and printed top, £35, R.J.R. John Rocha at Debenhams. www.debenhams.com

Elegant simplicity sets the tone – these classic pieces have been given an injection of modernity and style.White shirt, £89, skirt, £89, and trainers, £99, Marks & Spencer. www.marksandspencer.com

Rich, textured jacquards and graphic patterns are paired seamlessly alongside bold botanicals and poetic florals.Floral dress, £120, Debut at Debenhams. www.debenhams.com

Fashion editor’s notes

Skin deep Soft focus In print

Attention to detail has been applied to the must-have accessories for spring. Don’t leave home without at least one of them!

Essential little extras

Blue suede curved saddle bag, £27.50,Marks & Spencer. www.marksandspencer.com

Floral sandals, £79, Dune. www.dunelondon.com

Straw hat, £45, Hobbs. www.hobbs.co.uk


Fashion editor’s notesSally-Ann Carroll highlights the latest spring looks for men. Sports luxe continues

as a strong influence, together with relaxed silhouettes and luxury footwear

Tan bomber jacket, £45, BhS.www.bhs.co.uk

Mint crew-neck sweater, £20, BhS.www.bhs.co.uk

Tweed bag, £19.99, New Look.www.newlook.com

White polo shirt, £69, blue blazer, £299, trousers, £99, and trainers, £99, Best of British by Marks & Spencer.www.marksandspencer.com

LOVE FASHION


Bomber jacket, £170, denim jacket, £90, and mint shorts, £45, all from House of Fraser.www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Printed jacket, £85, shirt, £80, T-shirt, £25, chinos, £55, belt, £18, and backpack, £45, all from House of Fraser.www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Baseball top, £39.50, Blue Harbour by Marks & Spencer.www.marksandspencer.com

Navy suede brogue, £80, J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams.www.debenhams.com

Navy nubuck driver, £69, Marks & Spencer.www.marksandspencer.com

LOVE FASHION


Fashion editor’s notesSunny spring looks for your little ones

Mint zip-through hoodie, from £12, Tammy at BhS.www.bhs.co.uk

Yellow spot sweat dress, £7, Tu at Sainsbury’s.www.tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk

Blue crochet trim T-shirt, from £9, Tammy at BhS.www.bhs.co.uk

Floral skirt, from £10, BhS. www.bhs.co.uk

LOVE FASHION

Striped dungaree set, £10, Tu at Sainsbury’s.www.tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk


Rise and shineKudos celebrates Breakfast Week with some

of the best ways to start the day

It can be easy to fall into a rut at breakfast time, so if your mornings need a refresh, these delicious recipes will help you combat breakfast boredom. Make Breakfast Week (24th-30th January) the start of your mission to shake up your morning routine. After all, experts do say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! From speedy mid-week breakfasts to a leisurely brunch, there are so many different breakfast foods to choose from. Whether you are eating at home, your desk, or on the go, these simple ideas can be ready in moments to set you up for a healthier and happier morning. For more ideas, visit www.shakeupyourwakeup.com

Breakfast SconesGet your bake on and have fun making these Breakfast Scones. Make in advance for an on-the-go breakfast when you are short on time Ingredients:• 125g self-raising flour• 100g wholemeal self-raising flour• 1 tsp baking powder• 50g butter• 75g smoked ham, diced• 50g mature hard cheese, grated• 50g sun-dried tomatoes, chopped• 2 tbsp chopped chives• 125ml semi-skimmed milkMethod:1. Preheat the oven to 2200C, gas mark 7.2. Sift the flour and baking powder in a bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingers to resemble breadcrumbs.3. Stir in the ham, half the cheese, all but one tbsp of tomatoes, add the chives, then season. Mix in the milk to form a soft dough.4. Roll out to 2cm thick on a floured work surface and using a 6cm round cutter, cut out eight scones, placing them on a baking tray.5. Sprinkle over the remaining cheese and chopped tomatoes. Bake for 10 minutes, until golden.

PorridgeFruits, seeds and spices are a great way to pimp up your porridge in the morning Main ingredients:• 40g porridge oats• 300ml semi-skimmed milk Topping 1 – Cranberry and pomegranate• 50g dried cranberries• 25g pomegranate seedsMethod:1. Place the oats, milk and cranberries in a small saucepan, heat gently and cook for 3-4 minutes.2. Top with pomegranate seeds.Topping 2 – Coconut and banana• 25g fresh coconut, grated• 1 ripe banana, sliced• 1/4 tsp dark muscovado sugarMethod: 1. Place the oats, milk and ¾ coconut in a small saucepan. Mash ¾ of the banana and add to the pan, heat gently and cook for 3-4 minutes.2. Top with remaining coconut and banana, and sprinkle over the sugar.Topping 3 – Apple and cinnamon• ½ tsp ground cinnamon• 1 red appleMethod: 1. Place the oats, milk and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Grate ¾ of the apple and add to the pan, heat gently and cook for 3-4 minutes.2. Top with the remaining sliced apple and add a pinch of cinnamon.

LOVE YOUR HEALTH

38 LOVE YOUR HEALTH


S

LOVE BEAUTY

Smooth operatorsSkin serums are lightweight moisturisers that contain the most concentrated dose of anti-ageing ingredients. Here’s why they should be part of your skincare regime

Not sure where to start? Try these:• Original Skin Renewal Serum with Willowherb by Origins, £32.

This serum will brighten your skin and give it back its glow. Best to apply in the morning after cleansing and before your moisturiser.

• Olay Regenerist 3 Point Super Serum, £24.99. This is perfect for giving you a real glow.

• Vichy Idealia Life Serum, £29.50. Helps defend skin against stress, fatigue and pollution to keep it radiant over time.

• Clarins Double Serum, £55. The first of many oil-serum hybrids with a lovely, silky-smooth texture and visible efficacy.

• Dior One Essential, £67. Dior’s One Essential Serum helps moisturise the skin to reveal its natural beauty and radiance.

• Olay Total Effects Moisturiser and Serum Duo SPF20, £14.99. A smart-working daily hydrator, SPF protection and anti-ageing serum in one – making this a good skincare staple.

• Liz Earle New Superskin Face Serum, £48. Enriched with powerful naturally-active ingredients, this luxurious and fast-absorbing serum has been specially formulated to help slow the effects of ageing, naturally.

Also look out for Environ’s AVST range. The AVST Creams 1-5 are Environ’s new innovative skincare range of moisturisers containing vitamin A and antioxidants including vitamins E, vitamin C, green tea extract, honeybush and rooibos tea extracts, resveratrol and beta-carotene. Work it from the inside, too, with the Advanced Nutrition Programme which includes a whole range of supplements designed to help improve your skin from the inside out. Both these and the Environ AVST range are stocked by the No 6 Clinic and Shop in St John’s, Tunbridge Wells. These product ranges have been hand-picked by No6 Clinic owner Samantha, who says: “ In my opinion, these clinic-only, skin-maintenance products are the best available worldwide and contain pure active ingredients, are results driven and cruelty-free. Both our loyal and new clients love them!”

Serums are designed to help give your skin a fresher, younger and healthier appearance. The beauty of a serum is that most of the fluid is eliminated, so what you’re left with is a high concentration of active ingredients. Serums contain the most potent dose of anti-aging ingredients – antioxidants, peptides and skin brighteners – you can find in non-prescription products. Think of serums as the cure; they can help reduce previous damage or combat specific issues such as ageing, acne, sun damage or dehydration. Using a serum regularly can give your skin a firmer, smoother texture, make pores appear smaller and increase moisture levels. However, you should use them in conjunction with your usual moisturiser. The most expensive serums aren’t always the best, but they do tend to contain higher-quality, more concentrated ingredients. And because serums are typically very concentrated, a little goes a long way. Unlike a moisturiser, they aren’t packed out with thickening ingredients to lock in moisture. They have smaller molecules, too, so skin absorbs them faster and deeper than a moisturiser – you only really need a tiny pea-sized amount, so despite the expense, they will last you for ages. There are cost-effective serums on the market as well, that provide all of the beneficial properties found in expensive formulas. Check the ingredients for antioxidants like pomegranate extract, vitamin C and grape seed extract, which help protect against possible sun damage and fight the damaging free radicals responsible for much of what we perceive as skin aging, including fine lines. Those few concentrated drops are super-efficient. Serums are made of very small molecules, so the skin absorbs them quickly, deeply and more effectively. For best results, cleanse your face, use an alcohol-free toner and leave it damp on the skin before applying your serum. Wait for a few minutes until the serum is fully absorbed before applying a moisturiser.

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• If you’re wearing it, you’re trending. Wearable technology like fitness trackers, smart watches, heart-rate monitors and GPS-enabled gadgets are on the rise. Some US industry analysts have predicted that the wearable technology market will approach $6 billion dollars this year. Wearables also include smart glasses, with a predicted $1.5 billion in sales, and smart fabrics and interactive textiles, reaching sales approaching $2.6 billion by 2017.

• Pigtails, plaits and wet-look slicked-back hair were on the catwalks at the Spring/Summer shows. Kendall Jenner modelled the slick look at Balmain, which also featured high ponytails, bound with hair extensions.

• Dolce&Gabbana featured messy updos adorned with headscarves, headbands or opulent jewels.

• Models sported faux freckles at Emanuel Ungaro, achieved by make-up artist Lucia Pieroni with MAC lip pencil in Oak and eye pencil in Coffee.

• Graphic coloured brows were a strong influence, with lots of navy and royal blue.

Beauty notesThe latest products and news

from the world of beauty

Lay the foundationTransform an “almost right” foundation shade into the perfect one with The Body Shop’s Shade Adjusting Drops. Works with most liquid foundations.Price: £10www.thebodyshop.co.uk

Soothing saltAdd a handful of Detox Dead Sea Bath Salts to your bath to detoxify and soothe, with a blend of lavender and eucalyptus essential oils, along with highly-detoxifying Cambrian Blue clay. Price: £13.95www.hollys-house.com

Tibetan flower powerRituals Fleurs de L’Himalaya is a delightful floral perfume that takes its inspiration from the Valley of Flowers in the Himalayan Mountains. Price: £39 for 50mluk.rituals.com

Soft soapThis beautiful collection of organic soaps from Nathalie Bond Organics is handmade using only natural ingredients that are chemical-free and kind to the environment. Delicious scents include Orange & Clover, Geranium & Pachouli and Pine Needle & Juniper. Price: £5 a 115g barwww.thewisehouse.co.uk

Trending for 2016

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Is make-up bad for my skin?In short – yes, it can be! Most of us like the even skin tone that a good foundation can give us, but unfortunately most foundations will clog your pores and stop your skin from ‘breathing’. This can lead to duller skin and more break-outs. There is such a thing as good make-up, though, and in fact, wearing the right make-up is better for your skin than

wearing no make-up at all. The right sort of mineral make-up can actually moisturise your skin. If you’ve tried high-street brands of mineral make-up you may have found they are quite drying on the skin. This is because to claim they are a mineral make-up, they only have to include 3% minerals. The rest of the make-up is made of fillers such as talc, which can be very drying.

Is the SPF in my make-up good enough?I hear this question all the time. We ask all our patients about daily SPF use, and so many have been conned by the marketing around SPF in make-up. In most cases, no, it is not. The SPF 15 in most make-up has no protective effect whatsoever, and you should always wear a specific sunscreen in summer and winter.

So what make-up would you recommend?The only brand I recommend is Jane Iredale. They are unique in the marketplace and their products contain 95% mineral with no filling agents. Their liquid formulations also contain hyaluronic acid, which will nourish and moisturise the skin. Six of their products have also been awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation. They have had to provide scientific data to show that these products safely aid in the prevention of sun-induced skin damage.Tel: 01732 647007 www.illuminateskinclinic.co.uk

Sophie Shotter, MBCHB BSC (Hons)Cosmetic Doctor

Ask the doctorYour cosmetic surgery questions answered

LOVE BEAUTY


Take me to The Chapel......’Cos I’m gonna get married

Well, actually, yes, quite literally. With my impending wedding, where better to have my hair done than at The Chapel in Tunbridge Wells

First off, let me get one thing straight. The Chapel is not a hair salon. Not in the regular sense. It’s a revolutionary concept in hair, an experience more akin to a beauty spa than a hair salon. Situated in an 18th-century converted chapel in Chapel Place, tucked off the High Street, its decor has an urban, industrial edge softened with leather sofas and cool tones. There is no harsh lighting, no brash manner; everything is calm and welcoming. Owned by husband-and-wife team Amanda and Toby Dicker, the Tunbridge Wells branch opened 14 years ago and is their flagship salon. They have since opened salons in Sevenoaks, Islington and Verbier in Switzerland. So next time you’re skiing and in need of a cut, you know where to go. The Chapel is very different. Laid out over three floors, it has designated zones, from the dedicated colour room and cut room, to the relaxation room – somewhere to chill when you are having your hair coloured. The ultimate for me was being handed a Java Bean restaurant menu to choose from and enjoy on the sofa with a glass of wine, while waiting for my colour to finish. See what I mean about different? So how does The Chapel work? Generally, they allow 75minutes for a cut for new customers but charge for one hour only and anything from 90 minutes upwards for a cut and colour, with prices based on an hourly rate depending on the stylist. Without the limitations of a service-based price list, this allows the stylists complete freedom to use whatever technique they wish and achieve a more bespoke look. They always like to have at least 15-minutes complimentary consultation with a new client, or guest as they call their customers, which takes the form of a chat with the stylist or colourist on one of their comfy sofas, flicking through images on an iPad to get an idea of what you want, rather then being plonked straight into a chair. It all feels really relaxed, and they are keen to get to know you, gain your trust and find out your boundaries.

Seeing as I was getting married, I decided to go all out and have a bit of colour but I didn’t want anything drastic. I’ve also got a couple of white hairs (shock, horror!) that needed disguising. I wanted my hair to look shiny and luscious for the big day, so I had a demi-permanent colour which lasts for six to eight weeks, eventually fading so you don’t get that obvious line at the roots. So what is the difference between a demi-permanent and a permanent colour? Permanent hair colour will cover grey hairs, so if you have a lot of grey, then this is for you. You can also lift your hair colour or change it completely. With demi-permanent, you have the same as your natural base colour or darker – for me, they added tones to my base colour for added interest. It can also blend in greys, so it’s fine for the odd few hairs. It’s also low maintenance as you don’t have to have it redone if you don’t want to, you can just let it fade out. Demi-permanents are gentler than permanents, and act as a conditioner, smoothing the hair and giving it shine. However, they are still colour so will damage your hair to some extent, although less so then permanent. It seems a lot of people have a permanent hair colour when they don’t need to. The Chapel do have stronger products that are a step up from demi-permanent but still not as strong as permanent hair colour. They are ideal if you have a few more grey hairs as they will cover up to 75% and will eventually fade out. So, what about my hair? It looked the most glossy it has ever looked, with lots of subtle colour tones. I loved it! The Chapel is the ultimate in hair experiences. It has the same vibe as a spa, so I didn’t just come out with great hair, I also felt relaxed and refreshed. My stylist said it takes her four hours to have her hair coloured. If I was going to spend four hours, then I couldn’t think of a better place to be!

LOVE BEAUTY

You’d never guess this was a hair salon No harsh lighting for The Chapel

44

My before and after shots. Look how happy and relaxed I am with my gorgeous, shiny hair!

LOVE BEAUTY

• If you’ve got bleached hair and you’re going on holiday, make sure to shampoo your hair every time you come out of the pool. Chlorine sticks to the hair and builds up. You can’t see it but you can feel it, and it will also affect the result of your hair colour.

• Never go for a drastic change before a big event. It’s best to work up to it, making slight changes each time rather than doing it all in one go, particularly if you are not sure.

Top tips

The Chapel in Sevenoaks is equally cool

Mood lighting and a relaxed vibe in Sevenoaks


Food notesCatch up with the latest restaurant news,

produce and foodie events

Head chef Manuel Mattozzi, Perfetto restaurant in Sevenoaks and IghthamThe end of January sees the start of a wonderful and ancient tradition in Italy, Carnevale! Across the whole of the country, it’s a celebration of exuberance. Often involving colourful floats and parades, people dress up in incredible costumes disguised with fancy masks. As with all things Italian, traditional feasting and merriment play a huge part in the celebrations! Carnivale comes from the words carne vale - ‘farewell to meat’ – and is seen as an opportunity to indulge and use up treats before the start of Lent. During Carnivale, you will often find a traditional sweet pastry called ‘Chiacchiere’ (or Chatter!) freshly cooked and served as street food. Of course, hundreds of years ago there were no such thing as ovens, so keeping with tradition, it’s lightly fried and seasoned with sugar or honey. Where I’m from in Le Marche, we make Chatter like this:Ingredients:• 250g flour• 1 egg• 25g butter • 50g milk • 20g sugar • Grated rind of one lemon• A pinch of salt• 2g baking powder • 15g Grappa • Peanut oil for frying Method:1. Together in a bowl put the flour, eggs, softened butter, sugar, salt, grappa, lemon peel and baking powder.2. Begin to knead the dough, adding the milk until it is smooth and workable. Form a ball and wrap in clingfilm,then let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

3. Once rested, roll out the dough with a rolling pin into a thin layer (approx. 3 or 4mm). Use a pastry wheel to cut a rectangle shape and then make two incisions in the centre of the rectangle (this will prevent the Chatter from puffing up too much).4. Heat the oil to high and fry the Chatter until golden. Drain and pat dry on paper towels. Sprinkle with icing sugar and eat immediately!

February, of course, also marks a big date in the diary for restaurants. On St Valentine’s Day we plan to offer a special set meal which will showcase some seasonal favourites. On 13th February, we also have local band Hush playing in our upstairs wine and cocktail bar. They are an acoustic band and cover popular rock and pop songs (www.hushonline.co.uk). There’s no need to book unless you fancy a meal beforehand. Any enquiries call 01732 447777 or email [email protected] www.perfettorestaurants.com

Enjoy American craft cream soda and fiery root beer, thanks to pioneering new company Soda Folk. The Cream Soda is made simply with carbonated water, pure cane sugar and Madagascan vanilla extract, packing a luxuriant flavour punch. Root Beer Soda is also made with a base of carbonated water and pure cane sugar, but is taken to spicy new heights with the uniquely pungent and piquant root, wintergreen, then rounded off with aged vanilla and pure maple syrup.Price: £1.40 for a 330ml canwww.sodafolk.com

LOVE FOOD AND DRINK

Soda pop

48 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016LOVE FOOD AND DRINK

Melvyn Strange, General Manager from The Kentish Hare in BidboroughThe Tanner Brothers, Chris and James, together with the Kentish Hare team held a pre-Christmas Demo and Dine event at the Kentish Hare. It proved so popular that all tickets for this event sold out within days of being advertised. Demonstration dishes included smoked salmon and trout Pappillote, spicy mixed nut nibbles, salt spice and sweet pastry straws, Pancetta and chestnut stuffing, creamed sprouts with truffle, and classic Tarte Tatin, finishing with a fig, sherry and chocolate Pavlova. By popular request, Chris and James also showed how to debone a turkey, making it look so simple and using the leg meat to create a stuffed roll for easier cooking and a delicious flavour. After a glass of fizz, everyone returned to the restaurant for a lunch cooked by Chris, James and the Kentish Hare team, consisting of smoked salmon blinis with crème fraîche and caviar, corn-fed supreme of chicken with wild mushrooms, onions, crispy bacon lardons and Madeira sauce, and for dessert, a caramelised apple Tarte Tatin with clotted cream. Chris and James were on hand to answer any questions, and from the feedback comments we received everyone had a very pleasant Saturday morning and lunch! How 2015 seems to have rolled by and here we are in 2016, with exciting news at the start of the year. We were named ‘One to Watch’ in the Estrella Gastro Pubs UK awards last year and are now proud to confirm that we are on the shortlist of

three for ‘Best Gastro Pub UK Newcomer 2016’. The winner will be announced on 26th January at an awards ceremony and we have everything crossed hoping that The Kentish Hare is the winner! Forthcoming events planned are: by popular request, another Tasting Evening with the Tanner Brothers, a Valentine Special set menu, and during January we will be running a Dine and Donate menu to raise money for Hospice in the Weald and their new building project. Definitive dates for these events have yet to be confirmed, so keep checking our website for details. I would like to thank all our customers old and new for your support and on behalf of The Tanner Brothers and the Kentish Hare team wish everyone a very Happy New Year. Please note we will be closed from the 2nd-7th January for maintenance and will re-open on Friday 8th January from 5pm, food from 6pm. We hope to see you soon!

The Tanner brothers in action at the pre-Christmas Demo & Dine event

Sweet talkFlattery will get you everywhere – especially if you accompany it with a seductive bar of chocolate! Available in three eye-catching designs, each of the chocolate bars are handmade in England and contain luxurious and organic ingredients which are sure to impress. Fall head over heels with creamy ‘Smooth Operator’, rich ‘Tall, Dark & Handsome’ and spicy ‘Some Like It Hot’. Perfect as an anniversary or Valentine’s gift, or as a little romantic gesture! Each 60g chocolate bar is made to fair-trade standards.Price: £3.25 per barwww.oakroomshop.co.uk

4948 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 LOVE ADVERTORIALSLOVE FOOD AND DRINK

Fruits of the seaThe Old Fishmarket is now in its third year! Sankey’s are proud to show you some of the delicious meals that their very talented chefs have created over this time. Chefs Harvey Stevens and Jack Hone bring you a collection of the

very finest of their seafood creations to whet your appetite. Enjoy!

Set menu now being served:

Two courses for £11.95

12pm-6pm Tuesday to Friday

Happy Oyster Hour£1 per oyster

3pm-6pm Tuesday to Friday

@SankeysRTWThe Old Fishmarket By Sankeys

Tel. 01892 511 422www.sankeys.co.uk

Above from left to right: Cornish mackerel on a sea of homemade piccalilli, Eggs Royale, and John Dory on a bed of Kentish samphire

Scallops with seasonal squash Oysters


All f ine and dandy with Mat RileyCongratulations to Dandylion Teas, who had their debut pop-up event in December to a sell-out crowd at the Old Fire Station, Tonbridge, in collaboration with Mat Riley from the latest series of The Great British Bake Off. Those in attendance had six courses of teas paired with Mat’s bakes. During the evening, guests sampled up to six speciality teas which Mat paired with biscuits and cakes he had baked. Says owner Francesca Booth, “Dandylion Teas is rooted in heart, soul and good food. We believe in the integrity of our pure ingredients and wish for people to have an honest, decadent cup of tea that is worth your time. Our unique blends have been specifically designed to either enjoy on their own, or paired with desserts and cheeses. They can be enjoyed hot, chilled or even mixed to make a great cocktail. You’ll just love them! We are very proud to have recently been published in Tatler and GQ Magazine.” And now Kudos, too!Dandylion supply to discerning retailers. Find them at www.dandyliongroup.co.uk or on Twitter at @DandyLionGroup

Hats off to Ditto Creative (www.ditto.uk.com) for the fab branding!

Camomile meadow blend

Introducing Secreto 07: the secret of melt-in-the mouth beefF&B Premium Brands are working with De Laet & Van Haver to bring the award-winning dry-aged Secreto 07 to the UK market. Secreto 07 has recently gained international fame after being distributed by the brothers Adrià. World-renowned butcher Luc De Laet uses only the finest cuts from Rubia Gallega cattle to create Secreto 07, visiting the farms in person to guarantee that the meat is genuine Rubia Gallega. The meat is rubbed with a secret mixture of spices by hand prior to being hung for three weeks at a temperature of 2°C and a humidity at -650 then laid on racks for another three weeks. The enzymes start to break down the fat, and the meat is turned regularly to ensure full distribution of flavour. Luc comments, “I am thrilled to bring Secreto 07 to the UK. I’ve been working in butchery all my life and I have a real passion for meat. Secreto 07 is already loved by a number of Michelin-starred chefs and I believe that anyone tasting the buttery, bone-marrow flavour of this beautiful Rubia Gallega beef will become just as passionate about it as I am!” Secreto 07 is available exclusively at Selfridges. www.selfridges.com

Fit as The Butcher’s GinTaking inspiration from the secret blend of herbs and spices used to create Secreto 07, De Laet & Van Haver is proud to present The Butcher’s Gin. It’s the first gin based on the herbs and spices used for the preparation of Secreto 07 itself. The Butcher’s Gin is a spicy, characterful gin that is best enjoyed with Schweppes premium pink pepper tonic, garnished with a lemon zest, a pinch of pepper and fresh basil leaves.

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Oysters RockefellerThe ultimate food of love, oysters make a decadent dish Ingredients:• 6 fresh oysters in their shells• 55g butter• ½ small onion, chopped• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley• 55g spinach, chopped• 55g fine breadcrumbsMethod:1. Preheat the grill to its highest setting. Open the oyster shells with a shucker. Discard the top and loosen each oyster from the base of its shell. Set aside and keep cool.2. Melt the butter in a small frying pan. Fry the onion and the parsley for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, then add the breadcrumbs and cook for 1-2 minutes.3. Place a teaspoon of spinach and breadcrumb mixture onto each half oyster shell to cover the oyster and place a small lump of butter on top of each.4. Place the oysters onto a baking tray and transfer to the grill to cook until golden-brown.

Lobster Thermidor With a reputation as an aphrodisiac, lobsters are the perfect choice for a romantic meal Ingredients:• 750g lobster, cooked• 25g butter• 1 shallot, peeled and finely chopped• 275ml fish stock• 50ml white wine• 110ml double cream• ½ tsp English mustard• 2 tbsp roughly chopped, fresh flatleaf parsley• ½ lemon, juice only• Sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper• 50g Gruyère cheeseMethod:1. Cut lobster in half using a sharp knife. Remove the meat from the claws, tail and head. Cut the lobster meat up and place back into the shell. 2. For the sauce, put the butter in a saucepan over a me-dium to high heat, add the shallots and fry until softened. 3. Pour the stock, wine and double cream into the saucepan, bring to the boil and reduce by half. Add the mustard, herbs, ¾ of the cheese and stir until the cheese has melted. Season with salt and freshly-ground black pepper.4. Pre-heat the grill to its highest setting. Spoon the sauce over the lobster meat and top with the remaining cheese. 5. Place onto a tray and under the pre-heated grill for 3-4 minutes until golden-brown. 6. Place half the lobster onto a serving plate and serve alongside chips.

Image for illustrative purposes only

The food of loveWith Valentine’s Day coming up, why not cook

a romantic meal for the one you love...

LOVE FOOD AND DRINK


Steak with caramelised shallots and sweet potato chipsSteak and chips – what’s not to love?Ingredients for the steak:• 2 tbsp oil• 150g sirloin steak• Salt and freshly-ground black pepper• 1 banana shallot, cut in halfIngredients for the sweet potato chips: • 1 sweet potato• 250ml hot oil for deep fryingMethod:1. Place the oil in a hot frying pan, then add the steak. Season and add the banana shallot.2. Cook the steak for three minutes on each side or as desired. Remove the steaks from the pan and let them rest. Continue to cook the shallots for a further five minutes till golden and soft.3. Peel and cut the sweet potato into thin chips. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan or deep-fat fryer. Fry the potatoes until golden and crisp. Remove and drain on kitchen paper.4. Serve the steak with the shallot and the chips.

Chocolate MousseThe perfect dessertIngredients:• 115g dark chocolate• 55g butter• 4 free-range eggs, separated and at room temperature• 70g icing sugar• 300ml double creamMethod:1. Place the chocolate and butter in a large bowl and melt over a pan of simmering water, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Set aside to cool a little.2. Add the egg yolks to the chocolate mixture, then stir in the icing sugar. In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks. In a separate bowl, whisk the double cream until soft peaks form when the whisk is removed. 3. Fold the double cream carefully into the chocolate mixture then fold that mixture into the egg whites. 4. Pour the mixture into a serving bowl, cover with cling film and chill in the fridge for a minimum of 12 hours.

Love-heart cookiesThese buttery biscuits are ideal for Valentine’s Day, as you can write a special message to your loved oneIngredients:• 125g unsalted butter• 150g caster sugar

• 2 tsp vanilla extract• 1 medium egg• 250g plain flourIngredients for the decoration:• Icing sugar• Few drops of water• Food colouring: blue, pink, purple etc• Writing icing pensMethod:1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/gas mark 3 and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.2. Cream the butter and sugar together then gradually beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Fold in the flour to form a dough, then use your hands to bring the mixture together. If the dough is very soft, wrap in cling film and chill for about 15 minutes until it’s firm enough to roll out.3. Roll the dough out on a lightly-floured surface to about 3-4mm thick. Cut out hearts using a cutter and place the biscuits onto the baking tray.4. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden. Leave the biscuits to cool on the baking tray before removing. 5. Meanwhile mix some icing sugar and water and food colouring together to form a thick paste. Spoon some of the mixture into a piping bag and decorate the biscuits. Leave to cool. Write a message or draw love heart shapes onto the biscuits, using writing icing pens.


LOVE FOOD AND DRINKLOVE FOOD AND DRINK


Cocktails to put you in the mood for love...Strawberry DaiquiriThe sweetness of strawberries and the kick of lime make this classic daiquiri extra special Ingredients:• 4 fresh strawberries, plus ½ strawberry to garnish• 2 tsp white sugar • 35ml white rum • 1 tbsp strawberry liqueur • 25ml lime juiceMethod:1. Place the strawberries, sugar, rum, strawberry liqueur and lime juice into the base of a cocktail shaker and mash with the end of a clean rolling pin.2. Place the lid onto the cocktail shaker and shake well.3. Strain the mixture into a Martini glass and garnish with half a strawberry.

Rose cocktailA fragrant take on a Champagne cocktailIngredients:• 1 bottle Champagne or Prosecco• 4-6 tbsp rose syrup (available from specialist suppliers)Method:1. Pour the Champagne or Prosecco into the serving glasses and then drizzle the rose syrup gently on top, allowing it to trickle down to the bottom.

CosmopolitanChill the glasses in the freezer beforehand for an ice-cold treatIngredients:• 35ml vodka• 15ml orange liqueur• Squeeze fresh lime juice• 25ml cranberry juice• Twist orange peel, to garnishMethod:1. Place the vodka, orange liqueur, lime juice and cranberry juice into a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake hard and then strain into a small Martini glass.2. Hold the piece of orange peel over the glass and carefully flame with a match. 3. Garnish the cocktail with the flamed orange peel and serve.



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Fed up with his job as a chartered surveyor, Andrew Wickham began looking for an alternative career – and found the Weald Smokery. “I bought the business as a going concern in 1990,” says Andrew. “It was run by a husband-and-wife team who were operating out of buildings which we no longer use. “I was a qualified chartered surveyor, but I realised that wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I had already spent seven years qualifying and I couldn’t spend another seven years training for something else; the only way I could get to the same level was to run my own business. So, I was looking to either set up from scratch or find something to take on as a going concern. “A friend of mine heard the smokery was for sale and suggested I take a look. The previous owner showed me round and I thought, I could do that, it doesn’t seem too difficult. Part of the deal was that he would train me in all of the methods, so he and I worked together closely for a month and became really good friends.” Andrew ran the smokery on his own for a short time, then took on an employee and married Corinne, so it became a husband-and-wife operation again. “Over the years, we gradually increased in size and employees. We now employ 26 people, all of whom live locally, with eight or 10 working here at any one time. We built the new shop/café in 1999, and a bigger office/storage/preparation/smokery building in 2003. This was so we could expand the business and keep up with modern food and hygiene regulations.

“However, we have deliberately stayed small to maintain our high standards and remain close to our suppliers. We always know where every single fish, cut of meat and round of cheese comes from and we are naturally very selective.” There was a slight hiccup in Andrew’s plans when, in 2007, the smokery was bought by the Highways Agency as part of their scheme to improve the A21. Andrew’s former manager became the tenant and ran the business, and Andrew left completely for seven years. He says: “I sold because I thought that I wouldn’t be able to expand and plan ahead if they were going to build the road. But when the last government came into power, they ditched the scheme through lack of money, and under a legal precedent, I was able to buy back the business.” When Andrew first started in 1990, the whole concept of quality, original food was fairly unusual. To find a smokery, even today, is quite rare; to find one that just does smoked food and nothing else was even rarer then. “Things have moved on enormously in the food industry and people’s aspirations are much higher today,” says Andrew. “Back in the 1970s when I was a child, if you went to the supermarket there would be four choices of bread: white, brown, sliced or unsliced. Now, the choice is remarkable. And that goes across the board. Quality is so much better today, too, and people are much more interested in the provenance of the food they eat. “We are very much a traditional smoker; therefore the methods we use are very artisan, which gives us a unique selling point. Our competitors can produce at a lower price

Smoking hotThe expert: Smoked food

When Andrew Wickham bought the Weald Smokery 25 years ago, he knew nothing about smoking food. Today, he has an award-winning range,

a successful business and many satisfied customers

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than us, but they are mass producing it. In our products, the flavour and taste is all there because of the quality of the ingredients we use and the way in which we smoke everything. “Mass-produced smoked food comes from an enormous computer-controlled kiln heated by gas or electricity, with smoke wafted over as an afterthought – usually recirculated smoke. We use a log-fired brick kiln so our smoking is over a real log fire. It’s proper Bear Grylls stuff! We smoulder oak shavings and the smoke goes through a tunnel, past the product and out through a chimney. It means there’s always fresh smoke going through, day or night. Our method is much slower, so the product is unhurried, absorbing the flavour in its own time. With larger commercial enterprises, time is money so they have to produce as much as they can as quickly as possible for a big turnover. “We do everything in-house. All our cures are unique to us and they are all different: we use a different cure for our smoked duck than we do for our smoked chicken. If we were cold smoking a product, it would be a dry cure. If we are hot smoking, it’s a wet brine. There is no added moisture; in fact, quite the opposite, we take the moisture out. Most commercial bacon is brine injected to increase the weight, which is what you are paying for!

“Our signature product is our smoked salmon. That’s the one that has won us all our gold awards for many years, and really upset the Scots! Other produce we stock in the shop has to satisfy a number of criteria. When we put the café in back in February, we reduced the shelf space in the shop and it meant that a few lines had to go, so we honed down our criteria. Quality comes first. We want to create a reputation where customers respect our judgement and think, well, if the Weald Smokery thinks it’s good, then it probably is. We also like to support small, niche suppliers.” One way of sampling before buying is to eat in the smokery’s brasserie restaurant. Says Andrew: “All the things that we sell in the restaurant you can find in the shop. The idea is that customers can come and try the smoked salmon or smoked duck and chutney then buy it. “We are always looking for new products. You can pretty much smoke anything but you have to draw the line. I like to keep all of the products that I produce in stock all the time, so the more I increase the range, the more difficult it is to maintain stock levels. So I am pretty much settled on the products that I smoke now. I might bring in something new from a new product from time to time, but I’m not planning to be smoking ostrich or kangaroo any time soon!”www.wealdsmokery.co.uk

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60 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016LOVE YOUR HOME

From dated to dramaticHow a sad, dated bungalow became a stunning contemporary family home

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“My first instincts were right. Lee and his team did a brilliant job and gave us invaluable advice along the way, although he never forced his views on us.” The groundwork started in September 2014, and building work commenced in March last year. And like any major building project, it was quite disruptive. “We were down to using just a couple of rooms at the worst part. Our son had to move out and we used a caravan for everything except sleeping and showering. “The disruption was hard but the most challenging aspect of the whole project was the sheer number of decisions we had to make!” The building work took seven months, with another three allowed for Sara to decorate, although she still hasn’t quite finished. It overran by four weeks but came in pretty much on budget. Today, that dated bungalow is unrecognisable. It has been replaced by a contemporary home that’s perfect for family life. There’s a spacious entrance hall that leads to a big open-plan living/dining/kitchen/family room with a pyramid ceiling and skylight, and a wall of bifold doors overlooking the garden and countryside, filling the large space with light. There’s also a snug/living room, utility room and study. The master bedroom has an en suite, a large walk-in closet/second study, and doors leading to the garden. There are two further generous double bedrooms, one with an en suite, plus a family bathroom. Sara and Dave are thrilled with the result. ”My favourite space is the open-plan family room,” says Sara. In fact, my only real regret is that we didn’t have enough money to have made the bungalow even bigger!”

PPotential is a word that’s bandied about freely in property circles. Estate agents use it all the time to make less-than-perfect houses seem more desirable When Sara and Dave Fitzharris viewed a 1930s bungalow in a Kent village, it had potential written all over it – but they needed a large helping of imagination, too, to persuade them to buy it. Says Sara: “We had been living in Canada for six years and moved back to the UK for family reasons in 2013. We rented a property at first, then looked around for something to buy. “When we first saw the bungalow, it was a bit of a mess. It had four small bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and two bathrooms, but it was in a poor decorative state and in need of a lot of TLC. “There was no insulation, and the doors and windows were very badly fitting. You could actually see daylight through the bottom ledge of the patio doors in the living room! “Despite all that, we could see the potential and we loved the position and outlook. It’s great for getting the fast train link at Ashford, and having a livery yard next door was a real bonus as we have two ponies.” The couple employed an architect, and ideas for the property slowly developed as they explored their options. “Luckily, there were no problems with planning permission,” says Sara, “probably because most of the major changes were happening at the back of the house. “When it came to finding a builder, I googled Checkatrade for local companies, then did some research before contacting some of them. There was no contest though. As soon as I met Lee Fletcher, Company Director of LJ Fletcher Builders, I liked him and felt he was very honest and helpful.


Home notesFresh ideas and style tips on the home front

Force of natureThis absolutely stunning limestone tile is a natural work of art which would create the most beautiful feature, whether used in a bathroom, kitchen or sitting room. It’s called Baobab Limestone, named after the African Baobab, which is also known as the tree of life, and is the national tree of Madagascar. The sedimentary markings of these incredible stones reflect the cross-cut of the tree and would make the ultimate statement in any home. If you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary then this is for you. Baobab Limestone is available from The Stone Tile Warehouse in Maidstone. www.thestonetilewarehouse.co.uk

Love woodWood was always the traditional choice for garage doors, until more modern materials took over. Now wooden garage doors are enjoying a renaissance, thanks to their individual style. Each set of doors is totally unique, with various knots and patterns in the wood that add to their character. There’s so much choice, too: you can have them stained or natural, with or without glass panels, add a side opening, or choose an up-and-over style. Wooden doors are so much easier to repair – and they look beautiful too! Hayes in Bromley offers a range of wooden doors from several, different manufacturers. They also custom-build wooden garage doors, so if you have something specific in mind or would like a direct replacement of an existing door but can’t find it anywhere, they can make it for you, using traditional construction methods and solid timber to make sure your garage door will last for many years. Call to arrange a visit from one of their garage door specialists, or visit their showroom to see some examples.

www.hayesdoorcentreltd.co.uk


Best room in the houseRich Peacock Blue is the accent colour in this hand-crafted, bespoke kitchen by Chamber Furniture (above left). The twin hand-painted antique-style mirrored dressers and striking black-and-white tiled panel create the perfect surround for the Aga, and the dressers are the same shade as the walnut-topped table. The stylish dark-stained solid oak kitchen with antique-styled twin islands (above right) creates the perfect contemporary haven. The streamlined flush oak wall cleverly conceals built-in appliances with retractable doors, and provides ceiling-to-floor storage. Being totally bespoke allows over-sized doors and deep drawers to scale to the proportions of the room and maximises every last bit of space. Chambers’ kitchens start from £40,000. For more information, drop into their extensive showrooms in Halstead.Visit www.chamberfurniture.co.uk or call 01959 532 553.

Give clutter the bootThe boot room should be just as smart andorganised as the rest of your home. Mountains of coats and piles of wellies needn’t trip up unexpecting guests and footballs and gym bags shouldn’t disappear into the great abyss, never to be seen again. Neptune’s Pembroke fitted storage is beautifully designed to fit any space. Fully framed and featuring a zig-zag adjustable shelving system, the skilfully-designed fixtures can support even the heaviest and largest loads. For a more tailored look, customers can choose from 28 (plus seasonal) paint colours, mixing and matching to personal taste and style. Bookcase lights can also be fitted for extra visibility – perfect for those short and dark winter days. Neptune’s large range of baskets in numerous shapes and sizes also help to keep abandoned belongings in good order.Neptune in Tonbridge – 01732 351866www.neptune.com/tonbridge


Let there be lightInspired by industrial design, this Aqua copper ceiling light will make any space feel cool and contemporary. NUD are a Swedish brand who have created a range of high-quality design-led lighting and who cleverly mix colour, design and texture to create contemporary products for the home. Quirky materials include cork and copper to create lighting with style and impact. Price: £59 for the light fitting; bulb sold separately. www.loandbeholdstore.com

Drink upUse these Evergreen wine glasses from Baci Milano for parties, picnics and al fresco dining. Combining classic design and contemporary materials, these Baroque-inspired patterned glasses are made from durable acrylic and come in four chic colours.Price: £8www.amara.com

FlooredWood-style porcelain tile available in four stunning colours from the very best Italian design factories. The tiles are in stock now at The International Tile Store in Tunbridge Wells. Check out their 2016 catalogue – call 01892 514004 for details. Price: £42.40+VATwww.tilematesgroup.com

Tea timeIn-Spaces is a new online platform that offers a collection of unique, elegant and stylish home furnishings and interior decoration. This new edition of tea cups and saucers was designed by Sara Smith, who was inspired by the vintage tea sets which gave Stoke-on-Trent its worldwide fame as birthplace of the most beautiful bone china in the world. They’re finished with hand-painted 18-carat gold.Price: £290 for a set of fourwww.in-spaces.com

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Fit foreverythingTake a bedroom, add fitted wardrobes and you’ve got instant storage that will add value to your homeIt’s a truism that you can never have too much storage space, whether your home is old or new, big or small. One way of introducing space-efficient storage is fitted wardrobes. But where to start? That’s easy – head to Bluefield Wardrobes. Their aim is to design beautiful fitted wardrobes with state-of-the-art doors, changing the way people design and decorate their homes. With a wide range of sliding and hinge doors, plus matching furniture, they can give your home the style and look you want, at an affordable price. Their sliding door wardrobes are made to measure using the latest aluminium frames with concealed running mechanisms, making them perfect for sliding room dividers as well as wardrobes. And with over 40 colours and finishes available, from mirrors to coloured glass or wood effects, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Their exciting new Shaker range adds a whole new concept to whatever size or shaped space you have, while their made-to-measure fitted wardrobes offer a unique and practical solution to all your storage needs. Bluefield’s flexible design and innovative planning will fit any space, turning awkward areas into beautifully organised spaces.Tel: 0800 610 2020 www.bluefieldwardrobes.co.uk

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your homeThe latest trends for stylish living

The new vintageAs January welcomes the arrival of the new fabric and wallpaper collections, here at Skinners of Tunbridge Wells we have noticed a key feature this season is the reference to ‘archive’ collections. Many long-standing design houses have raided their archives and found some absolute gems hidden away. With a little tweaking here and there, these works of art now play a major part in some of the finest collections that we’ve seen to date. In keeping with fashion and the resurgence of the vintage look, our new collections evoke a sense of nostalgia but, this time around, with an added contemporary twist.

Sarah BellamyOwner, Skinners of Tunbridge Wells

On the tiles Beautiful, decorative tiles don’t come more inspiring than this. Turn your home into a work of art with Original Style’s Artworks collection of wall tiles, which is available from Freelands Tiles in Sevenoaks. They include designs inspired and influenced by art and architecture through the ages, particularly the Renaissance, Regency and Victorian eras, and from significant movements such as Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts. It goes to show that good taste and style are timeless, so Artworks tiles will look beautiful in both contemporary and traditionally-styled homes. The central tile is Bluebird; clockwise from top left is Moulin Rouge, Liberty, Belle Epoque, Black Fan, Seashells, Peacock Border, Lotus Flower Border and Lilium Border.www.freelands-tiles.co.uk

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Where dreams are madeHow a country manor became Narnia for the night

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“We invited all our staff from both our locations in Kent and London so there were 100 attending altogether.” Charlotte wanted a theme for the party and hoped that visiting The Secret Manor would give her inspiration. And it certainly did! “All I could think about as we walked around the Secret Manor on our first visit was The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” says Charlotte, “so we decided to go with a Narnia theme. “We worked closely with Andy Gifford of Re-dawn Productions (www.mydj.today) who was an absolute star. I was quite poorly in the last few weeks of the set up, and to have someone like Andy who could come in and make everything happen for me was amazing. I couldn’t recommend him highly enough. To have someone who can take all the stress away, understand your vision and make it into a reality is priceless. We all need an ‘Andy’ in our lives! He is also a fantastic DJ and he really made the whole event a huge success. “Theme-wise, we decorated a few of the rooms to give the feel of a traditional Christmas party, and then our guests were led down a corridor by our little butlers to a wardrobe and asked to walk through it to enter Narnia! “There they found Narnia full of fake snow, trees and deer. We even had our own Aslan the Lion that took pride of place at one end of the room. We also had a white sparkly dance floor, which everyone loved, too.” When it came to food and drink, Charlotte chose local company Relish (www.relish.co.uk), who she had used before. “They’re a fantastic catering company. We decided to go for food bowls this year, rather than our usual sit-down banquet. The menu created by Relish was really exciting and everyone loved it! We also used Insideout Bars

WWhen Charlotte Wroe of Fundraising Innovations in Maidstone was given the task of organising the company Christmas party, The Secret Manor was the perfect venue. “It was actually our CEO who spotted it in an article in Kudos and thought it looked like a fabulous venue for our party. I went along in September with a colleague of mine to meet Boo, the owner, and have a tour, and we both instantly fell in love with it.” The Secret Manor is a tucked-away rambling house between Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and the beauty of it is that it can be whatever you want it to be. It’s a blank canvas. You can decorate it just the way you want, organise your own catering and bring your own drinks. And you can party all night, as there are no time restrictions. The house was bought in 1991 from the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) and in recent times Boo Saraff and her husband Owen Blackhurst have gained permission to put the whole house to work as a venue. “Whatever our clients want, we strive to give them,” says Boo. “We work closely with them to tailor everything to meet their requirements. We’re incredibly flexible – no request has fazed us yet!” “There’s just something magical about the place,” says Charlotte. “As soon as we drove up I had butterflies and when we walked through the large wooden doors to the entrance, that was it. It’s such a beautiful building with the most amazing architecture and so much character! Everywhere you turn there’s something else to admire. “Boo and her staff were amazing to work with and made the whole process a stress-free experience. Nothing was too much trouble and Boo was very accommodating and would do anything in her power to help make our dreams a reality. The perfect host!


and they just made the whole experience enjoyable and stress free. “I organise quite a lot of events and I have to say, this is one of the best venues I’ve ever been to. You feel as if you’ve been transported into another time as soon as you step through the big front doors and it’s just so magical and beautiful.”

If you would like to book The Secret Manor for your event, email [email protected]. Follow them on Instagram for photos and events.www.thesecretmanor.com

(www.insideoutbars.co.uk), run by the lovely Felicity. “We hired the Minimen as two butlers who then turned into goblins when they entered Narnia. We’ve also got the lovely Andy Gifford to do the music for the night. “A few weeks before the party, we emailed all our guests a link to a website where they could put in their song requests for the night. It’s such a great idea as it gets people excited leading up to the event and Andy then knows the sort of music people want to hear. “Boo and her team were amazing to work with and I would love to work with them again in the future as it was an absolute dream! Nothing was too much trouble for them

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Robin Chiles, owner of Mountshill Woodcraft & Design in Cranbrook, talks about growing his company from small beginnings to the success it is today

Crafting a futureThe expert: Woodcraft

it and then needing more work. We quickly outgrew the premises, moved to Goudhurst for a short spell and finally ended up at Oakhurst Farm in Cranbrook, our current site, about 20 years ago.

How have the various lows in the economy affected the business?Because of the wide range of work we undertake, we have survived and adapted to what our clients want, and moved with the market.

How have you developed and expanded the scope of the company over the years?When we started, we made quite simple free-standing furniture and basic joinery such as doors and windows. We now produce a range of work, from bespoke kitchens and fitted furniture to complex staircases. We have always been quite good at investing in machinery. Good machinery saves a lot of time and helps us remain competitive.

Where do you find the skilled craftsmen that you need?Most years we take on an apprentice from one of the local schools or colleges. If we have a suitable applicant who really wants to become a joiner, we reckon that it takes at least three years training to reach the required standard. However, you continue learning all your working life. One of the best things about training young people is when, after six or seven years’ experience, they work with and train their own apprentice.

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WWhen did you start the company and how many people were involved at the beginning?I rented my first workshop at the beginning of January 1984 and it was just me. I only had a tool bag of hand tools and a couple of hand-held power tools, so initially the workshop seemed huge with nothing in it at all, not even a work bench. The first thing I did was build a joiners bench to work on, and got a telephone line installed. One of my first jobs was making packing cases for my landlord’s diamond-tool-making company; a job that we continue to do 32 years later.

What was your previous experience in the industry? I had worked as a cabinet maker for a local company for nine months, followed by six months as a site carpenter, commuting to central London.

Why did you decide to start up on your own?To avoid paying a fortune getting to work in London and spending four hours a day traveling.

What were the challenges in those early days?I started making reproduction pine furniture but quickly realised I didn’t actually know how to do it! So I employed someone with experience and learned from him. Once there were two of us, I had to find enough work to keep us both busy, but ended up with too much for us to handle, so I had to employ someone else to help! From then on it seemed to snowball along similar lines – having too much work, employing more people to cover


How big is your team now?Apart from my co-director Ian and myself, we currently employ 12 in the workshop, including an apprentice, and four part time in the office and design team.

Where do you source your wood?All of the timber we use comes from sustainable sources. The timber merchants are very transparent these days on that score. Most of the material we use is temperate hardwood; 90% of the oak and ash is European, but we also use American walnut and maple. We rarely use softwood nowadays.

Describe the design and build process for a kitchen, from start to finish.We like our customers to visit our showroom and workshop so that they can see how we produce our cabinets, and the quality they can expect. Christine, our designer, then visits the customer at home, so that she can see how the kitchen will work as a space with the rest of the house. She was trained as an interior designer and she’s very good at it. She brings her ideas and measurements back to the office and then spends time, sometimes with the input of other members of the team, designing the room to function as it needs to. Computer plans and elevations are produced to show the layout and to see what is included in the quotation. These are both left with the customer for their consideration. On acceptance of our quote, the project is booked into our schedule. Six weeks before we are due to fit, we re-visit to take careful survey measurements, particularly if there have been building alterations. We also sit down in our showroom and discuss the finer details: colour choices, handles, lighting requirements and so on, which make the kitchen individual.A final set of drawings is produced and approved, from which we manufacture the kitchen. Each individual cabinet is designed, programmed and crafted. The cabinets are then delivered ready for our fitters to install. This process of manufacture takes two to three weeks and we welcome our customers into the workshop to see their kitchen in production. Once the cabinets are delivered, the fitting process usually takes around two weeks. If a stone worktop has been chosen, this will normally be fitted during the third week and will be followed by a decorator if a hand-painted finish has been chosen. We also offer a free follow-up visit six months after we have completed the fitting to make any required adjustments to drawers and doors.

What’s the current trend for kitchens?It depends a lot on the location and style of the property. The furniture we have designed and made for London properties has been slick and simple, with flat, overlaid doors. In comparison, furniture for Wealden properties has been more traditional in look; the shaker panelled door set into a chunky framework with traditional cabinet hinges is still very much a feature in a farmhouse setting. Soft, light colours prevail, whether the look is modern or traditional, with accessories and soft furnishings providing the colour, if needed. Strangely enough, having not done a limed-oak finish for a few years now, it has been requested three or four times just recently.

Do most clients come to you with a clear idea of what they want, or do they rely on you to advise them?Most of our clients have an idea in their mind of the look that they want, but don’t always know how this is best achieved. We work very closely with them to “grow” the design and build on their ideas, making each kitchen entirely individual, bespoke in the true sense, from start to finish.

Do you work mainly in Kent?Kent and London are where we do most of our work. But we have worked as far away as Norfolk, and we did some very exciting projects in the Alps in France a couple of years ago.

Is there one project that you’re particularly proud of?Personally, the manufacture and fitting of both the inner and outer doors to the tower of St Mary’s Church in Goudhurst has to be one of my favourite projects. I love driving up the hill and seeing the doors we made. Aside from that, we, as a team, get immense satisfaction from any project that changes the way our customers live their lives for the better; brighter, more organised kitchens, clever storage ideas or our beautiful sliding folding doors, for example.

Can you sum up the ethos of your company in one sentence.We strive to be fair and honest to all whom we work with and produce beautiful work of merit and enduring quality for every customer. www.mountshill.com

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Bespoke kitchen designer Rencraft has spent 35 years creating beautiful and personalised kitchens. With so much experience behind them, the expert team is always excited to incorporate the latest trends into their designs to create stylish yet timeless spaces. So what does 2016 have to offer? Fashions are always changing but a perfectly-designed kitchen never goes out of style. By combining the latest trends with quality workmanship and expert design, Rencraft kitchens are perfect not only for today but for years to come. 2016 looks set to be an exciting year, with a whole range of ideas ready to take kitchen design by storm.

Clever storage solutions will always be a crucial part of any kitchen and open shelving is set to become more and more popular over the next year. This practical solution for kitchen spaces is an ideal alternative to traditional cabinets. By displaying items on open shelves, you not only make them easier to access but completely personalise the whole look of your kitchen. This welcoming design invites guests to take a mug and help themselves to a cup of tea, creating a warm and attractive family space.

Marble has always been a favourite of interior designers, and the kitchen is no exception. Be it flawless marble worktops or dramatic splashbacks, there are plenty of opportunities to incorporate this material into your design. Why not consider black marble as a nod to the growing dark and dramatic kitchen trend? Sleek and intriguing, this look brings a new level of glamour to the heart of the home.

Last but certainly not least, combining textures and materials is a trend which doesn’t seem to be going out of fashion in the coming year. Combining fashionable high-shine finishes with matt consoles and splashbacks creates a real sense of contrast in the kitchen, adding interest and urging people to come in and explore. One increasingly popular way to achieve this is including a distinct island unit in the centre, heralding back to the days when separate pastry consoles and modular furniture was all the rage.

Kitchen trends for 2016

Prices for kitchen furniture from Rencraft start from £18,000.www.rencraft.co.uk

LOVE YOUR HOME

76 LOVE YOUR HOME Knight Frank LLP, 113-117 High Street, Sevenoaks TN13 1UP

Dwelly Lane, Haxted, Kent. Guide price £1,875,000.A charming Grade II* listed former farmhouse with separate cottage, situated in a delightful rural position south of Limpsfield Chart, with views over surrounding farmland. The property is immaculately presented throughout having been upgraded by the current vendors. The main house consists of an imposing drawing room with large open fireplace, dining room with a feature leaded light glazed door to the outside, and a characterful sitting room with a wealth of exposed timbers and a large inglenook fireplace. The triple-aspect kitchen/breakfast room is a superb feature of the property, fitted with a comprehensive range of bespoke Smallbone units beneath granite worksurfaces. There is an original bread oven and a door to the delightful conservatory. A utility room, cloakroom and study area complete the ground floor.

On the first floor, the double-aspect master bedroom features decorative painted wooden panels and views over the fields to the front. There is also a separate dressing room and the en-suite bathroom is spacious and well appointed with roll-top bath and separate shower cubicle. On this floor are two further bedrooms. The bedroom at the rearof the house is part vaulted with a feature raised platform. The family bathroom is spacious and vaulted. On the second floor there are two further vaulted double bedrooms and a bathroom. In addition to the main house is a one-bedroom self-contained cottage, linked by a covered walkway. The house is set in delightful established gardens including a charming walled kitchen garden as well as a paddock. There is a superb swimming pool with south-facing terrace. The house has stables and a detached garage with a room above.

01732 744477 www.KnightFrank.com


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Marcus Rowell, Managing Director of Tunbridge Wells & Hastings Auctioneers, laments the demise of antique shops and has some practical buying tips for both old and new

Under the hammer

I doubt that there is a household in the British Isles that has not watched a TV programme devoted either to antiques or interior design at least five times. It’s a peculiarity about British television that baffles me, rather like the wall-to-wall advertising of ‘medicine’ on Polish TV. The Brits don’t like antiques and yet spend hours watching programmes about them; no-one likes taking medicine, yet the Poles spend a fortune on drugs. Perhaps the antiques trade should club together and make some lifestyle ads featuring a pretty mummy, a few children, an 18th-century bureau (with compartments), and homework. Then you can forget the mummy and children and replace them with a scantily-clad model for post-watershed. Keep the homework, though, and bingo! Readers may be saying to themselves, “What nonsense, the British love heritage, antiques, the National Trust, the Church and the Queen”. Quite. That is exactly what the British do love – but it’s the packaged element, the idea of heritage, not a heritage and its meaning. “Church? Oh yes, we go to Midnight Mass, sometimes, and of course John will be having a church wedding. Isn’t the Queen lovely? The National Trust? We’re members, of course, we like the gardens at... where was it dear? Antiques? Well, we love the Antiques Roadshow. Do you remember that woman’s face when she was told that her painting was worthless, a fake... priceless!” Why is it like this? Why are antiques shops closing down as quickly as pubs? At least the pubs can blame Blair, but antiques shops? Interior designers exhort us in every medium to mix contemporary with antique or modern (mid-20th century) and yet very few TV watchers and/or magazine

readers seem willing or able to gear up to their purely imaginary aspirations. I have a suspicion that there is an element of totally unwarranted fear of being judged, of being seen as ignorant or even worse. It’s such a shame that most of the population are being gulled into buying expensive (advertised as cheap), bland, barely-sustainable furniture with a heavy carbon footprint, rather than beautiful, natural, cheaper, lighter antiques. The UK imports 32% of new furniture from China where it is mass produced mainly from MDF, chipboard and cheap veneer. An average 19th-century chest of drawers made of real wood weighs half that of a new one. Weight does not confer quality. I alone am not going to change the mind of the majority, but if we all went out over the next few months and bought something antique that pleases us immensely, told our friends why we had bought it, explained its history and why we had placed it just so... it would be a start. So, some tips on buying. Contemporary or antique, the first thing is that the item should be well made, functional and pleasing to the eye. That goes whether it’s expensive or cheap, bought at auction, from a dealer or even from the maker him or herself. Only buy to keep. This is particularly true of contemporary, but it is a good discipline to apply to all items acquired. You should really appreciate the object –remember, over 30 million pieces of contemporary furniture are thrown away each year. You are shriven if you join the above club and replace the rubbish with something worth talking about.www.twandh.co.uk

From left to right: An early Victorian mahogany and parcel gilt centre table, £200 hammer; William Thornley (1857-1935), Fishing Boats off a Harbour, £640 hammer; a 1930’s wooden ship builder’s apprentice dockyard model of a cutler, £380 hammer

LOVE YOUR HOME


Garden notesAll you need for your outside space

LOVE YOUR GARDEN

Hot stuffThis garden brazier is not only environmentally friendly but multi-purpose too. It can be used to burn garden waste and comes with a grill cover, perfect for sizzling those sausages for an impromptu BBQ. Made from steel with durable antique black polyester paint, it’s built to stand the test of time.Price: £86 www.theorchardhomeandgifts.com

Handy apronThe eye-catching design of this gorgeous gardening apron is inspired by vintage seed packets. Made from 100% cotton, it has three handy deep pockets for tools, twine and other gardening essentials.Price: £16.99 www.oakroomshop.co.uk

We will rock youPerfect for lazy summer days, this rocking garden chair is seriously comfortable and will add an element of style to your patch.Price: £125www.rigbyandmac.com

Jobs in the garden JanuaryTurn your compost Adding oxygen helps to keep the bacteria in your compost working, creating compost more quickly.Plant your Christmas tree outside If you bought a potted or rooted Christmas tree, and you’ve got space in your garden, then plant it outside. Hopefully it will survive to see another Christmas next year.Feed the birds Put out plenty of seed, nuts and fresh water for them each day. Spread well-rotted manure and compost Don’t dig it in yet – weather and worms will do some of the work for you.Harvest winter vegChit potatoes Put them in old egg boxes and keep in a cool, light (but not direct sunlight) and dry spot. FebruaryClean your greenhouse If you haven’t done so already, give your greenhouse a thorough clean and check for damage.Buy seeds and compost Stock up on any seeds and gardening supplies before the busy spring period.Sow early crops in the greenhouse or on a light windowsill You can get started with broad beans, early cabbages, leeks, onions, peas, radish, spinach and turnip.Finish digging If the soil is not too hard or waterlogged then finish digging it over and incorporating compost and manure. If the soil is very dry, then rake it over to get a fine tilth for seed beds.

Did you know? Putting plants in the office makes workers more productive, a study by Cardiff University shows. Psychologists found that introducing greenery to spartan workplaces led to a 15% rise in output. Staff concentration and satisfaction increased and they said the air quality had improved, possibly because foliage absorbs pollutants, dust and bugs.

Shoe shineThese garden-vegetable-patterned shoes are soft, extremely lightweight and perfect for slipping on to go out in the garden. Sizes 3-8.Price: £20www.backdoorshoes.co.uk

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overlooking the Bristol channel. We had to crane a one-piece pool from the bottom of the cliff up to the top and into its final location. Naturally, there are always considerations that need to be made, but we usually find a way to make it work. Things to really bear in mind are practicalities such as supply of water and electricity. A pool also requires filtration and that needs to be placed somewhere relatively nearby.

How many different kinds of pool do you offer?We offer three main types of pool. Panel pools, commonly known as liner pools for their vinyl lining; concrete pools which are typically tiled; and one-piece fibreglass pools which come delivered as a whole and are sunk into the ground.

What are the benefits of a pool?As a pool owner myself, the biggest benefit I have seen is that it really brings the family together. When the weather is right, it’s lovely to have a splash around with my two daughters. Naturally, fitness is another real benefit. You don’t need the biggest pool in the world to swim for fitness. For relatively low cost, we can install a swim jet which enables you to swim against a current of water, meaning you can swim until you want to stop!

And the pitfalls?One of the pitfalls that a pool can present is safety. Children and pets are naturally drawn to pools, but simple steps can be put in place to stop them accessing the water

We talk to Anthony Exell, Managing Director of XL Pools

Take the plunge

LOVE YOUR GARDEN

The expert: Swimming pools

HHow and why did you get into the swimming pool business originally?I had been working as a groundsman at a property with a swimming pool in Little Chart, just outside of Pluckley in Kent. After a few years of maintenance at the property, the lining of the pool required replacing. The firm who were contracted to do the work were a man short, so I offered to help. A few weeks later, I received a call from that swimming pool company asking if I could help them for a couple of days with another liner change. I ended up helping in a number of different tasks (still whilst maintaining the grounds at the property in Little Chart!). Before I knew it, I was working for that company full time. The rest, as they say, is history!

When was XL Pools formed and what made you want to start your own company?XL Pools was formed in 2002. We became a limited company in 2005. I saw things I could do differently, in my own way. I knew that I could flourish if I had control of my own company and so I decided to take the plunge! I saw opportunities which I think my previous employer had either missed or was not using to the best of its advantage, which I knew would really separate a pool company from the rest.

If someone wants a pool, what do they have to bear in mind? Can you install a pool almost anywhere?Almost anywhere, yes! We have installed pools in some very challenging places. One, I recall, was on the side of a cliff


unsupervised. Key switches and locked enclosures are typically the best ways to prevent unauthorised access.Another typical pitfall would be the maintenance and running costs. XL Pools have invested a lot of time researching the best and most cost-efficient equipment, meaning that with our advice, our customers save a lot of time and money on their pools.

How popular are pools in the UK?Surprisingly, despite the weather we get, pools are more popular than you might think. We certainly see a spike in enquiries during the summer holidays as families return from their trips abroad and want to bring a bit of that back to the UK.

What’s the best way to get the most out of your pool in the British climate?The weather doesn’t have to stop you swimming all year round. We have many clients who are swimming on Christmas Day! Using an enclosure or a powerful heater, it’s not impossible to be swimming in the colder months. Our enclosures can be pushed back so when the weather’s good, you can have the sun of your back. Effective heating is a must and, lastly, good maintenance. In the UK, we have a lot more environmental fallout than a pool in, for instance, Spain. XL Pools offer full service contracts or we can supply robotic cleaners that clean your pool for you!

Do you supply both private customers and public ones – schools, say, or spas?Over the years we seem to have become a go-to company for school pools! We currently work with a number of schools in Kent with their swimming pools, and the list grows. We look after spas as well as pools and get involved in all commercial pools.

How have you grown the business over the years?Simplifying everything! What I mean by that is by finding ways to simplify the pool builds and projects, finding better products and services for our customers, saving time and stress for both us and them. This gives us extra time to look after the smaller details which really separate us from our competitors. One such product is the Compass one-piece ceramic pool. The whole pool can be installed and ready to swim in under two weeks. The benefit to this is that because it is simple to install, we get time to concentrate on the finer details such as the landscaping and surrounding environment, which really makes the difference. Obviously, because the products are easy to install, we end up with far fewer problems with the equipment and less hassle for the customer. We rely on a lot of word of mouth for marketing, however we have a dedicated marketing manager who looks after the promotion of the business. A job made ever easier as this year we won three gold awards and two silver at our industry awards, along with winning the prestigious award of Swimming Pool Contractor of the Year!

Describe the process of installing a pool.There are five main stages to building a pool:1. Site survey and marking out. In this stage we will do a full survey of the location the customer would like the pool and determine things such as the level of the pool, the position in which it will best sit and the relevant landscaping that will be required. Once agreed, we mark this out on the ground to show the customer and the team where to start the excavation.2. Excavation and preparation. Our team starts to excavate the space where the pool will sit and the trench where all pipework will be laid.3. Pool build/installation. Depending on the type of pool selected, this is where we build or install the pool. If a one-piece has been chosen, the pool is delivered on a specially-designed lorry and then craned into position. A panel pool arrives almost like a flat pack kit which needs putting together, while a concrete pool requires form work and reinforcement, then concrete sprayed into these molds which are left to set.4. Filtration. Once the pool is constructed, the filtration room is set up and built. Pumps, filters and other sanitary equipment are installed, along with heating systems.5. Finishing touches. Extras such as paving and landscaping are then performed to finish off the pool build. Typically, customers like to include a large patio area around the pool to home things like tables, chairs and sun beds.

What’s the most extravagant pool you’ve built?One pool that really sticks out for me is a pool we built for a property that resides by an abandoned reservoir. The pool is 25m long by 2.5m wide and built with fitness in mind. Unlike most pools, it sits above ground and you climb a ladder up to get into the pool. Water overflows the sides into a gulley which sits at ground level, giving the effect of an infinity-style edge. The pool has an integrated slatted solar pool cover which is hidden in the pool wall when not in use. It’s finished in a beautiful mosaic tile which really makes the pool one of the most unusual and different we have ever built. In fact, it won a gold medal at our industry awards for the category non-traditional pool installations in 2012.www.xlpools.com

LOVE YOUR GARDENLOVE YOUR GARDEN

86 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016LOVE EDUCATION

TThe very word ‘bullying’ can be guaranteed to evoke emotional fear into the heart of every parent, and the mere suggestion of it to us or our teachers will prompt an immediate reaction and response. We all have anti-bullying policies, regularly reviewed, updated and inspected and we all place the pastoral care of individual children at the heart of our schools, but the one question most prospective parents will ask is “Do you have bullying in your school?” Children are gorgeous – but they can also be unkind. They are discovering and finding their way and place in the world and at various ages and stages will do or say horrid things. What matters is how we deal with that. Some recipients strike back, others ignore and move away while others take it to heart and are genuinely distressed. We have to understand the needs, reasons and reactions of every child. It must also be acknowledged that in this case, boys and girls tend to act and react differently! As with so much with children, open communication and mutual trust is the key. Do remember that what may seem trivial to you (a ‘borrowed’ snap band springs to mind) can dominate and affect a child for days or even longer. Never

promise not to tell anybody but more, build the confidence to share so that resolutions can be found. We want every child to grow and develop resilience, confidence and independence so that as they work through the journey of life, they are able to deal with difficult and uncomfortable situations and become the very people they were born to become.

Heads up!Top local headteachers answer your questions

Angela Culley, HeadmistressThe Mead School, Tunbridge WellsCo-educational preparatory school for boys and girls aged 3-11

“I’ve read so much about bullying in schools. How would I tell if it is happening to my child and how do schools tackle the problem?”Jessica White, Goudhurst

Francie Healy, HeadmasterBethany School, GoudhurstCo-educational day and boarding school for ages 11-18As a parent, the idea of your child being bullied at school naturally fills you with dread. It’s the one place where their protection seems out of your control. Nobody knows your child better than you, however, so you will spot the signs. Any changes in behaviour or routine are worthy of investigation. Avoiding certain routes home from school, becoming quiet and withdrawn or spending increasing amounts of time on social media are all things to look out for. Similarly, if your child is becoming aggressive at home, or suddenly becomes interested in something out of character, don’t just put it down to teenage hormones. Tackling bullying is a number one priority for every school and if they suspect bullying they will start by establishing a regular dialogue with you. Keep a diary or log about events at home and things your child tells you, so that the school can follow it up. Schools can also put you in touch with outside support for victims of bullying. Some of these, such as Young Minds, aren’t just there for victims, but for you, too. Every situation is different, and needs to be treated as such, but rest assured that bullying is not taken lightly at any school. If you suspect something, say something.

8786 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 LOVE EDUCATIONLOVE EDUCATION

Craig McCarthy, HeadmasterRussell House School, OtfordIndependent prep school for girls and boys aged 2-11In environments where significant numbers of people interact over time, there will inevitably be friction; it’s human nature. Parents experience this in the workplace and call it ‘office politics’. Children experience it at school and call it ‘bullying’. But beware, ‘bullying’ has a specific meaning. Bullying is the undermining of someone else’s happiness and confidence which is deliberate and repeated. Therefore, your child may be upset over an act of unpleasantness which, whilst unfortunate, may just be part of the rough and tumble of growing up rather than bullying. The key for parents and schools is to identify patterns that arise. Is your child mentioning the same names when expressing concern about school life? Do reported incidents occur at the same time each day, or at the same location within school? Some children internalise their feelings, so look for changes in behaviour. Are they unusually quiet, or withdrawn? Are eating patterns disrupted or are they refusing to go to school? It could be just normal adolescent behaviour, but bullying may be the root cause. If concerned, speak to your child’s school. A good school will have detailed provision for preventing as well as dealing with bullying of all kinds.

Martyn Ward, HeadmasterMarlborough House School, HawkhurstCo-educational preparatory school for girls and boys aged 3-13I can remember only too well that as a nursery child at a previous school, my own daughter was the victim of some unkind behaviour. At the time she was too young to be able to articulate her feelings but, as a parent, I knew something was not right. My happy, carefree little girl had gradually lost her sparkle. She was sad. I was bereft. My advice to a parent whose child has become unhappy (whether or not this is to do with bullying) is to take their concerns to the school. Immediately. The most effective method for tackling bullying is to create an environment where anti-social behaviour is counter culture, one where children talk openly and honestly about any difficulties that they are experiencing. If the values of kindness and respect are genuinely at the heart of the school, it will have robust systems that will kick into place in the event of any bullying and, crucially, teachers who will work tirelessly to help your child rediscover their happiness.

Hilary Blake, HeadmistressSacred Heart School, WadhurstIndependant Catholic mixed primary school for 3-11All schools must have an anti-bullying policy readily available to parents with clear procedures for resolving any issues which may arise. The victim may be reluctant to disclose for fear that the situation will worsen or that they are somehow at fault, therefore the signs are not always obvious. However, your suspicions may be aroused if you notice any changes in your child’s behaviour, alteration to sleeping and eating patterns, deterioration in school work, or loss of confidence and anxiety about attending school. A very useful source of information and advice is the NSPCC website, but if your child has disclosed to you that he/she is being bullied, you should reassure your child and then speak to the class teacher if it is a school-based issue. Depending on the nature of the bullying, outside agencies may be involved, particularly in serious cases of cyberbullying. You may need support in dealing with your own emotions, which can range from anger to fear to helplessness. If you have a concern regarding your child a good starting point always is to talk to the school; working together is often the best way to achieve a solution.

88 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016LOVE EDUCATION

Kate Elliott, Deputy Head TeacherBricklehurst Manor School, StonegateMainstream independent school for pupils aged 3-11To best be able to recognise if bullying is happening, we need to make sure that parents, staff and children know exactly what it is. All schools have a statutory obligation to create an anti-bullying policy that defines bullying as systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt and/or psychological distress on another. Bullying can be physical, verbal, social or cyber and involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the one who bullies and their target. It is important not to misuse the term bullying for unkind behaviour, where the difference is that bullying is repeated over time and intentional. Schools tackle the bullying problem best when they work with children and parents to understand, recognise and address issues. Schools should have a robust pastoral timetable to regularly discuss what bullying is and how to stand up to it safely, whilst impressing that it is unacceptable and must be reported. Schools will teach children how to get help, namely by talking to a member of staff whom they trust. Generally, good teaching that models how to treat others with kindness and respect, as well as keeping the lines of communication open, can often prevent bullying before it becomes an issue.

Jeremy Wyld, Deputy HeadmasterHolmewood House School, Langton GreenIndependent, co-educational preparatory school for boys and girls aged 3–13Bullying is possibly one of the most emotive issues that a school can face, particularly amongst younger pupils for whom friendship groups can shift on an almost constant basis. Schools have an obligation to focus on the issue itself through their anti-bullying policies, but, perhaps more than anything, it is crucial to be open about it and keep clear communication between school and home. In the case of bullying, the communication must work both ways. You should feel free to report your concerns, however minor they may seem, as soon as you can to your child’s form teacher or Housemaster (in boarding schools). Schools should always investigate allegations of bullying and should have a clear approach resulting in sanctions where necessary. Relationships between children can be fragile and fallings-out can have long-lasting effects. A school’s pastoral system must also encourage pastoral care. Ask your child’s school about their anti-bullying policy, how they communicate with parents (and how often) and how they ensure that children can learn how to rebuild friendships and relationships with others. Do they mark Anti-Bullying Week, how do they incorporate friendship issues into their PSHE programme, can you communicate easily with the school – all of these questions will give you a very good impression. In the case of prospective schools, make sure you visit on a working day, see the school in session and see how the members of the community interact. We have benefited from some fantastic speakers, in particular Robert Higgs, who have been brilliant with the children, giving them simple messages. The two key ones are bullying happens “Several Times On Purpose” (or STOP) and “Smash the Silence”, and these together summarise the approach that we should all take – bullying is a persistent act and only by speaking out against it (either as a victim or someone who would otherwise be a bystander) can the pattern be broken.

Unfortunately, in terms of signs of bullying, many of these (being withdrawn, being tired, uncommunicative) can often be confused with early adolescence, so it is really important to allow your child the chance to speak without feeling under pressure to do so. They may use the word “bullying” for a one-off incident and it is crucial to listen to them, let them talk through it and then you can reassure them. Don’t dismiss it; they live in the moment and perspective is very much an adult trait. Then, if you do fear that bullying is happening, take a deep breath and speak to the school. Don’t feel that you should hold off on saying something until weeks or months after the event thinking that an accumulated picture is helpful. It is extraordinarily difficult for schools to act retrospectively – not to mention the effect that this might have on the child. They will always provide a listening ear and undertake to investigate your concerns. Even if it isn’t “bullying”, there is an unhappy child involved and we must always remember that, and make every effort never to dismiss it.

8988 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 LOVE EDUCATION

Do you have a question for our Heads? Email [email protected]

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At Holmewood House, children are prepared for the future, whether it be for tomorrow’s lessons, next week’s play, next month’s trip to the National Portrait Gallery or next year’s entrance exams to senior schools. There is always something new coming up on the horizon. The school aims to give pupils the best possible start to their education and to their life, not just through the curriculum but also through the learning environment. It offers an outstanding education to pupils within what is about to become a truly exceptional teaching and learning environment.

The foundations have just been laid for a £4.2m building that will house eight airy and spacious new classrooms together with a central Teachers’ Hub on the first floor, above a new School Admin Centre, two Computer Science Labs, a Learning Hub, Digital Library and Enrichment Centre. These will be modern, adaptable and innovative facilities for children growing up and learning in an ever-changing world. The west façade of the building will incorporate a modern cloister which will help create a quadrangle atmosphere with the Collings Building and the Walled Garden, creating a wonderful and striking blend of innovation and tradition, which is one of the hallmarks of the ‘Holmewood Adventure’.

This new building will allow all of the Prep School year groups (Year 3 to 8, 18 classes in all) to have their own designated suite

of form rooms within a stunning new teaching and learning space erected in the last six years. Not many schools can make that boast. Within the new buildings, the highest level and blend of teaching will be delivered so that the children can access the best that the Holmewood curriculum has to offer. Extraordinary lives begin at Holmewood and you can see why!

A new chapter for Holmewood

Antonia Beary, HeadmistressMayfield SchoolIndependent Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18Every school has issues from time to time which are, or appear to be, bullying. The issue is not so much that they happen but how the school deals with them. If you have concerns talk to someone! You know your own child and if his or her behaviour is unusual – withdrawn and quiet, or at the other end of the spectrum, more aggressive – and you feel uncomfortable, then you need to do something. What you do slightly depends on the age of your child. Talk with and listen to what they say, but remember to try to keep an open mind as young children have a limited sense of perspective and use language without always understanding. Try to get the bigger picture: children can be economical with the truth, especially if their own behaviour has not been impeccable. Whether your child is the ‘bully’ or the ‘victim’, don’t overreact. Technically, bullying is not a one-off act, but involves repeated behaviour. An incident of poor behaviour can cause concern without it being bullying. Children make mistakes and overstep the mark sometimes. A teacher bringing it to their attention – how they have hurt someone or made them feel unhappy – then brokering an apology and reconciliation, can often be sufficient. If it is something more serious, then more serious action can be taken. Learning to respond appropriately to bullying – whatever your role – is an important life skill. Children need to learn what to ignore and what to do when someone takes things too far; what they should cope with themselves and at what point they should share; when to ignore and when to seek redress. These are skills that are useful, not only in school but beyond, in the work place and the wider world. All schools have clear anti-bullying policies which should be available on their websites. If you are not happy with the way in which you think school is dealing with a matter, then do contact staff directly. Schools would always prefer that you raise an issue than worry in private.


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LOVE EDUCATION

Kent College is delighted to welcome Ms Lodrick as their new Headmistress from January 2016. Julie was formerly Principal of The Mount School in York, a day and boarding school for girls, having been in post since 2009. She has had a wealth of experience in independent schools and her previous roles have included Deputy Head, Housemistress and Head of Music. She also has practice of working within the Methodist group of schools through her time at Queenswood in Hertfordshire.

What are you most looking forward to about joining Kent College?Getting to know the girls, parents and staff and being a part of the rich and varied life at Kent College. The School is in a beautiful part of Kent and I look forward to getting to know the area and the local community in and around Tunbridge Wells.

What are your favourite pastimes and ways to relax?I practice the piano when I can and recently resumed singing lessons, giving my first public recital since I stopped singing professionally. I enjoy running because it gives me time to think and listen to music, so I start most days by going out for a run. In 2008, I ran for JET in the London Marathon, and in 2013 and 2014 I ran in the first two York marathons. Family time with my step-children is extremely precious and as a family we enjoy mountain biking, camping and outdoor pursuits.

What is your vision for KC?My vision is that the girls of Kent College finish their education with a ‘critical consciousness’ of the world around them and are encouraged to seek to improve the lives of others. Kent College Pembury, affectionately known as KC, is already a happy, thriving girls’ day and boarding school, where the Methodist ethos is tangible and I will continue to foster this atmosphere. I would like the school to continue to provide a liberating and adventurous education for its pupils. Kent College enjoys a strong local profile as a leading girls’ school and I look forward to promoting the school even further afield. With the exciting news that the school has the go-ahead to install an all-weather sports pitch next year, it is important that KC continues to be equipped with modern and up-to-date facilities to support the girls’ learning and personal development. Academic standards are high and, together with the academic staff, I will continue to ensure that Kent College delivers the very highest level of education that is fully rounded, balanced

with Kent College’s newHeadmistress, Julie Lodrick

and enables the girls to achieve their potential. It is wonderful that there are outstanding opportunities for enrichment and success in the sports and the arts at KC, which help to prepare the girls for a fulfilling and culturally diverse life. I think it is important that the school continues to offer as broad an experience as possible to enable the girls to aim high and fulfil their dreams and ambitions.

What or who are you inspired by?When I was at school, I remember going to see Evelyn Glennie give a performance and as a keen young musician, I was fascinated to see her play having been told that she is profoundly deaf. She played a whole host of percussion instruments in her bare feet and spoke with quiet confidence. Her courage and determination to achieve her dreams and ambitions against the odds was a great inspiration to me then, and still is.

If you weren’t a Headmistress, what other career would you have liked?Apart from being a musician, I did consider following my father’s steps into the Royal Navy. I would have loved to travel and seen the world from a different perspective.

What do you feel is your greatest achievement to date?Being appointed as Headmistress of Kent College is most definitely my greatest achievement to date. I was thrilled and excited to receive the phone call and I am really looking forward to moving to our new home at the school in January. Running my third marathon last October and achieving my personal best time of 3 hours and 52 minutes, is also a recent highlight.

Q&A

90 LOVE EDUCATION

Whether you’re a yummy mummy, a loving partner or a doting grandparent, this is for you...

Yummy mummy corner

Parents in the South East give in to “pester power” to the tune of £4,264 a year, according to a new study by cashback and rewards site Quidco. New research has revealed the extent to which modern parents feel pressure from their children – with almost one third (32%) admitting they succumb “most of the time” to requests from their children to spend money. Three out of every four parents admit they are guilty of spoiling their children, the average parent shelling out £82 per week on spontaneous purchases. And the study showed that 92% of children in the South East pester their parents for treats when out and about. Of the parents polled, 22% admitted to spoiling their

children because their own parents were unable to spoil them, while a further 21% say bribing helps keep the children’s behaviour in public in check. And 53% say their youngsters have embarrassed them by throwing a tantrum in public because they haven’t got their own way. However, keeping up with their offspring’s peers was also a factor in why modern parents over-indulge – with 6% saying they wanted their children to “maintain the same lifestyle as their friends”. Vix Leyton for Quidco said: “Pester power is by no means a new concept, but with the advent of iPads, in-app purchases and instant downloads of music and games, the cost of it has escalated for parents across the South East.”

Pester power rules

Back-seat driverNow you really can have eyes in the back of your head with Garmin’s babyCam, the first in-vehicle video monitor that functions wirelessly with a compatible Garmin GPS sat nav. The babyCam transmits video to the GPS sat-nav display so you can monitor children in the back of the car. And thanks to its night vision, the babyCam also lets drivers view little passengers at night or in low-light conditions without disturbance.

Drivers can easily mount the babyCam unit to a front- or back-seat headrest within minutes, and the adjustable viewing angle can monitor multiple children in the rear seats. After driving to a destination, the babyCam even reminds drivers to check for passengers before leaving the car. Drivers can use compatible voice-activated sat navs to control babyCam with their voice. A simple voice command allows users to switch from the Garmin navigation display to the babyCam view.

The Garmin babyCam is expected to be available in January. Price: £159.99 www.garmin.com/babyCam

ElevensesFor your yummy mummy, her very own mug – just in case she forgets how special she is!Price: £11.95www.oliverbonas.com

Pillow talkThis multipurpose pillow offers support to expectant mothers during pregnancy, is the ideal shape for use as a nursing pillow and also helps to strengthen your baby’s back and neck muscles, providing support to help your baby learn to sit up.The elephant shape also encourages playtime and it has a 100% cotton cover that is machine washable. Price: £29.99 www.pinksumo.com

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LOVE FAMILY

Bullying is a problem for many children and young people and can have a significant effect on their emotional and mental wellbeing. As many as 70% of all young people* have experienced some form of bullying and it can take place not only at school, but also travelling to and from school, online or through a mobile phone and at home, where it can be perpetrated by siblings. Fortunately, for most of those bullied it is transitory and the impact is not long term, but for a few, the impact can be devastating, demoralising and cause psychological damage. Bullying can be carefully disguised. Often young people are not sure whether they are being bullied as they can and do fall out with friends, tease and name-call. Bullying is when one person intentionally and persistently tries to upset, hurt or intimidate another, either physically or emotionally. Bullying is not gender specific or limited to any one social background, and has nothing to do with intellect or ability. It can, however, have a lasting effect on the lives of those bullied, leaving the young person with feelings of loneliness, fear, anger and anxiety and may lead to depression and self-harm. Some young people are reluctant to tell their parents they are being bullied for fear of it escalating or not being believed, or being told it can’t be that bad and to just stay out of the bully’s way. Young people often believe that, somehow, they deserve to be bullied, so when a child does tell their parent, it may have taken great courage for them to open up and they will want to be listened to and not judged. Learning their child is being bullied can be an emotionally challenging time for parents, and feelings of anger and fear may be overwhelming as they realise they have been unable to protect their child. As some young people are disinclined to open up to their parents about being bullied, it is helpful for parents to recognise the signs and, if concerned, to gently and sensitively question their children. The signs to look out for are: a change in mood or behaviour; school refusal; an unexplained decline in school grades; unexplained scratches, cuts or bruises; coming home with missing

possessions or ‘loss’ of money; upset after using the internet or mobile phone; difficulty sleeping; change in eating habits; social withdrawal, self-harm or signs of anxiety. Once children have opened up to being bullied, parents need to reassure them that they have done the right thing to confide, that they are believed and that the parent will work with the school to try and stop the bullying and to keep them safe. Some children and young people are able to feel better once an adult has been told, knowing that action will be taken to stop the perpetrator; they are able to move on despite feelings of upset and anger. Others, though, can be so adversely affected by bullying that they need counselling to help them work through their feelings. They may refuse to attend school and their school work and friendships suffer. If left unsupported, the impact of being bullied as a young person can lead to mental health problems such as depression, low self-esteem and anger in adulthood*. Fegans is a charity based in Tunbridge Wells which offers counselling to support children and young people suffering emotional distress and challenging behaviours, including those affected by the distress and misery of bullying. When their compassionate, experienced and qualified counsellors see children and young people affected by the impact of bullying, they work with them to re-build their confidence and self-esteem; encourage an understanding of healthy relationships and help them to heal emotionally by listening to their story. Fegans will also work with the child or young person who is the bully. It can be a shock to parents who find out their child is a bully and may feel challenged by their behaviour. Counselling could help the young person to understand their own behaviour and the root of their unhappiness.

To find out more about the services Fegans offer or ways you can support this valuable local charity visit www.fegans.org.uk

*Source: YoungMinds at youngminds.org.uk

Coping with bullyingWould you know if your child was being bullied? Learning

how to recognise the signs and knowing where to go for help, could save them from long–term problems

94 LOVE FAMILY

96 KUDOS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016LOVE BUSINESS

Business notes

Top industry accolade for MillwoodTonbridge-based luxury residential developer Millwood Designer Homes has won one of the property industry’s biggest accolades at the ‘Oscars’ of the housebuilding industry, the What House? Awards 2015. The company, which currently has nine sites across Kent, Surrey and East Sussex, won Bronze for Best Small Housebuilder. Judges commented: “Millwood is now about more than large detached houses and has mixed up its portfolio to include larger developments of smaller-sized properties in response to the market, such as its Orchard Gate scheme in Ditton, Kent. Here Millwood created what it calls “a small hamlet that has evolved over time”. This is a look more developers should strive to achieve, not pastiche, but realising that complementary architecture is often a local winner.” The awards, presented by comedian David Walliams and held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, are the largest and most prestigious awards event in UK housebuilding, and now in their 34th year. Millwood is renowned for its large properties modelled on the traditional 15th and 16th-century Yeoman-style farmhouses, once common in the Kent and Sussex Weald. However, in response to changing market conditions, Millwood is now building a broad range of individually-designed homes from contemporary-styled apartments to more traditional two and three-storey homes, offering a range ideal for first-time buyers, families, downsizers and investors alike. Philip Brown, Sales Director of Millwood, said: “We are delighted to receive this excellent recognition for our dedicated and passionate family-run business. Our Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director are proud to live in their own Millwood Designer homes – convincing testimony of our total commitment to the Millwood product. We currently have six sites underway across the south east and we are dedicated to combining all that is best in local architecture with the very latest in contemporary living.”

Awards timeTunbridge Wells-based PR & marketing agency, Maxim, is pleased to announce that it will be holding the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards again this year. Last year, they received almost 150 entries and have plans to make it even bigger and better this year. The deadline for entries is 1st April 2016 and finalists will be invited to attend the lunchtime awards ceremony on Friday 15th July. For more information and to download the entry form, visit www.kpbawards.co.uk

Model companyAV Trinity have, for the 4th year in succession, been included in the New Model Adviser list of Top 100 IFAs in the UK. Says the editor of New Model Adviser, “This year we have placed a particular focus on advisers who are growing their businesses in a sustainable and client-centric manner. “It recognises firms’ profitability, assets under advice, recurring income, qualifications and commitment to the profession.” AV Trinity are one of only 28 firms in the UK who have featured in the New Model Adviser Top 100 in the four years since it started in 2012.

Expenses made simpleExpenseMagic is a free app for business use, aiming to take the fuss away from claiming back expenses, allowing you to manage receipts on the go. The user takes a picture of the receipt or invoice, which is automatically processed and stored onto secure servers. Come expense report time, you can then easily generate the receipts from your iPhone or online account. The initial download comes with five free tokens, for five expenses. Subsequent bundles of 20 tokens can be purchased for £2.99.Free app expensemagic.com

A round-up of local business news and the latest in technology

96

In the last issue, I wrote about the sound quality of Apple Music, the all-encompassing music service provided by Apple. I asked if there was a better way to store, play and control music on a Mac and all your Apple devices. Well, quite simply, there is and if you already have a CD collection, it’s free but, strictly speaking, illegal too!*

Our software tool of choice is Apple’s own iTunes because it’s included with every Mac and iOS device. Arguably there are better music rippers out there such as XLD, but for the purposes of seamless operation, iTunes remains the best choice for people new to the art of CD ripping. So with the software sorted, what hardware is required? You need an internet connection, your Mac and an optical (CD) drive. Earlier Macs had them built-in but for later models you need to buy Apple’s own Superdrive (around £65) or any one of a myriad of third-party brands for around £35. So let’s assume you have a large CD collection that you want to store on your Mac. The first thing to consider is the sound quality/file size ratio. The average CD takes up around 700MB burned to the disc. But by compromising on the sound quality, you can reduce this considerably. For me, though, it’s a no-brainer – ripping is a time-consuming process, so do it once and do it properly at maximum quality. With iTunes running on the Mac, go into iTunes Preferences then click ‘Import Settings’. From the drop-down menu select ‘Apple Lossless’, then ‘Okay’. As the name implies, this will deliver the best- sounding files which should be indistinguishable from the CD itself.

Music on the Mac Part 2: How do you get it there in the first place?Richard Ellis McCallum of A&E IT concludes his feature on Mac music

With your Mac connected to the internet, insert your first CD into the optical drive. iTunes will connect to an online music database and retrieve all the track information for you. It will then ask if you want to import the music. Start the process and watch as iTunes copies off all the music files and imports them ready for playing. It can do this faster than playing the CD, so the process can be quite quick. If you allow an average of five minutes per disc then you can roughly estimate how long your entire collection will take. If you’re fussy like me, you can then add album art and edit all the information about the artist and music afterwards. Then just sit back and enjoy your music. If it all sounds too difficult or time consuming, I can help rip your whole collection. Email [email protected] for information any time. You’ll never have to listen to poor quality, compressed music again. Finally I’d just like to wish everyone a HNY. If you got blessed with new Apple toys for Christmas then please consider having them set up properly by using our 24/7 online booking service. Visit the website for full details.

*The Intellectual Property Office is not aware of any cases of copyright holders having prosecuted individuals for format shifting music solely for their own personal use. Source: Daily Mail

LOVE BUSINESS


WWhat’s the history of ellenor Children’s Hospice Care?Celebrating 30 years of caring for the community this year, ellenor (formerly chYps) is Kent’s longest-established children’s hospice charity. Helping more than 2,000 families across Kent each year, its impact has been felt by many young patients over the years, and the thousands of mums, dads, brothers, sisters and relatives who have received emotional support throughout a child’s illness, from diagnosis and onwards.

What sets ellenor apart from other children’s hospices?For a sick child, when life-saving treatment is needed, this can often mean leaving the comfort, security and proximity of the family home for treatment or respite at a hospital or in a hospice. However, as a pioneer in the field of hospice-at-home care, ellenor enables children in Kent to receive the very best care and support they need at home, so they can stay with their loved ones.

Can you tell us about some of the services you offer?In addition to taking medical treatment into a child’s own home, ellenor also provides respite care, play and music therapy, and counselling. ellenor also offers crucial support for young people, assisting their transition into adult services. ellenor’s specialist team helps teenagers and young adults with progressive life-limiting illnesses and their family to adjust to the different world of adult care and ensures they are linked into all the services they need.

How many staff work for ellenor?Around 200 people work for ellenor, plus around 600 volunteers – without whom the charity couldn’t provide the care it does. ellenor is always on the look-out for more volunteers – particularly in south-west Kent.

What plans do you have for the future?There are still many families ellenor could be helping – so the charity’s goal is to be able to support every family who needs it. However, as a charity and not part of the NHS, ellenor needs to raise £6.7 million each year to keep providing these services. The end-of-life and respite care we provide relieves a heavy burden for a family and is given completely free of charge. ellenor never turns a child away – but the charity does need more funds to continue doing its work.

How can readers support ellenor and its work?There are many ways in which readers can support ellenor. You can attend an event, take part in a sporting challenge, hold your own event, open your garden as part of the Secret Gardens programme for 2016, take part in ellenor’s weekly lottery or

simply visit the website and donate. Alternatively, if you’re a business owner, you could join the ellenor Business Club. Why not sign up for the sponsored Chilli Dip at St Julian’s Club in Sevenoaks on Saturday 6th February? It’s an ice-cold dip into the frosty waters of the outdoor swimming pool, with a steaming bowl of chilli available for every dipper!To find out more, visit: www.ellenor.org

Baby Mia asleep

Celebrity ambassador Tom Parker, from pop group The Wanted, with a patient

ellenor Children’s Hospice Care was the UK’s first children’s full hospice-at-home service, and is still one of only a very few acute services providing oncology and

end-of–life care to seriously–ill babies, children and young adults in the home

Home is where the heart is

LOVE LOCAL HEROES

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Celebrity ambassador Tom Parker, from pop group The Wanted, with a patient

LOVE LOCAL HEROES

kudos issue 14

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