YORKSHIRE

AUGUST 2023 • YORK, HARROGATE, WETHERBY, WHARFEDALE, SKIPTON, RYEDALE AND NORTH LEEDS • COMPLIMENTARY

SUMMER

TIMES

Celebrate Yorkshire on
dreamy days out

Inside
HOMES &
GARDENS
ARTS &
CULTURE
STYLE &
WELLNESS

Proper
pub grub
Tommy Banks’ stunning
Abbey Inn revealed

MAPPIN
& WEBB
Discover the luxury jeweller’s
new concept store in York

WIN!

Lunch f
or t
in Leed wo
s

2 | Living

Living | 3

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Est 860

Tythe Farm, Wansford, Driffield

Guide Price £1,500,000

An exceptional country property with extraordinary gardens and grounds on the market for the first time in nearly a century. An
imaginatively redesigned and wonderfully executed 5 bedroom property, providing over 5,000 square feet of beautifully presented
accommodation. Exceptionally versatile range and layout of rooms, with guest wing and a high specification finish throughout. Adjoining
buildings providing 1,745 square feet of garaging, storage, workshop and bedroom / office. Substantial, 6,300sq.ft detached commercial/
agricultural building. Let on an annual tenancy of £20,000 per annum. In all around 10 acres of landscaped gardens and grounds with large
lake with summer house, extensive lawns, woodland shelterbelts, orchards and delightful mixed herbaceous and cottage garden borders.

Gennell House Farm, Flaxton, York

Guide Price £1,500,000

A conveniently positioned in a private rural location between Malton and York. The property comprises a fully renovated house, range of
buildings, 5 van caravan site and in all is situated within around 20 acres of grassland. A sympathetically restored early 18th Century Farmhouse
providing almost 2,400 square feet of attractive characterful accommodation with a further 521 square feet of attic space yet to be developed but
could create a superb master suite of rooms. Outside there are attractive south facing mature gardens and grounds. A large range of buildings
totalling over 12,000sq.ft of floorspace providing stables, workshops, machinery and produce storage. In all the land extends to approximately
19.8 acres comprising grazing and mowing land and has previously produced cereal crops.
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YO R K SH IR E LIV IN G

CONTENTS
AUGUST 2 0 2 3

22

FEATURE

68
16

16 LIGHT FANTASTIC
Discover Yorkshire’s
iconic lighthouses

HOMES &
GARDENS
22 LEGACY OF

A COUNTESS
Embrace high Victorian
style to the max

30 NEW HORIZONS
A stunning Art
Deco-style house
on Whitby’s West Cliff

STYLE &
WELLNESS

38 LAKESIDE IDYLL
A classic country house
with gardens and a
private lake

68 TAKE THE PLUNGE
How cold water
exposure helps Denny
Davis relieve stress
Living | 11

YO RK SH IR E LIV ING

CONTENTS
AUGUST 2 0 2 3
FOOD & DRINK
80 PROPER PUB GRUB
Tommy Banks’ stunning
Abbey Inn revealed
87 WIN! WIN! WIN!
Lunch for two at Riva
Blu in Leeds

SOCIETY
92 KING’S VISIT
The monarch in
Pickering

ART & CULTURE
94 RESTORATION

PERIOD

Inside reopened
Beningbrough Hall

100 YORKSHIRE BOOKS
Settle down for the
holidays with some
great reads

92

TRAVEL &
LEISURE
106 ISLAND HOPPING
Combine gorgeous
Greek retreats with
coastal chic
110 DOGGIE TREATS
Check out these leads
for days out with
your hound

MY YORKSHIRE
130 JULIA CHAPMAN
The Dales cosy
crime novelist
COMPETITION
Winner: Yurtshire –
Julia Pryor

130

YORKSHIRE

AUGUST 2023 • YORK, HARROGATE, WETHERBY, WHARFEDALE, SKIPTON, RYEDALE AND NORTH LEEDS • COMPLIMENTARY

SUMMER

TIMES

Celebrate Yorkshire on
dreamy days out

WIN!

Lunch for
tw
in Leeds o

Inside
HOMES &
GARDENS
ARTS &
CULTURE
STYLE &
WELLNESS

Proper
pub grub
Tommy Banks’ stunning
Abbey Inn revealed

MAPPIN
& WEBB
Discover the luxury jeweller’s
new concept store in York

106

ON THE COVER
Mappin & Webb

12 | Living

Living | 13

YO RK SH IR E LIV ING

WELCOME
AUGUST 2 0 2 3

I

t’s high time for high summer,
I’m sure you agree, when
the lure of the coast pulls us
eastwards in Yorkshire. If you
have children or grandkids,
you will be hard-pressed to
resist a day or seven by the beach.
Lighthouses capture the imagination
– we share artist Roger O’Reilly’s
romantic images, inspired by travel
posters that are a beacon of his love for
them. Lighthouses have by necessity
some of the best clifftop views, closely
matched by coastal homes. One couple
turned to “seaside architecture”, and
the Art Deco influence to build a new
house with sweeping sea vistas from
Sandsend to Whitby Abbey. We peek
outside from their enormous windows.
Check out our leads for summer
days out with your hound and bespoke
doggy ice cream to keep them cool. It’s
country show time season, when they
can test their agility, enter a champion
dog show, or enjoy a festival to get
tails wagging.
August is a time to celebrate
farming, equestrian, country

‘It’s high time for high
summer, I’m sure you
agree, when the lure of
the coast pulls us
eastwards in Yorkshire’

crafts, produce and horticulture,
with entertainment and shopping
thrown in at sites across the county. If
you need to cool down, wellness coach
Denny Davis reveals why immersion to
cold water can be good for your health.
If the prospect of all this activity
is giving you an appetite, we offer a
review of The Abbey Inn, Tommy
Banks’ latest project where you can
enjoy dishes created from his foraged
herbs and home reared meat and
garden produce in a “proper pub”.
Afterwards you can stroll across the
lane to stunning Byland Abbey.
For a taste of Italy, enter our
competition to win a meal for two in
Riva Blu in Leeds. If you are planning
a holiday abroad, we sample island
hopping between two gorgeous
Greek islands.
Wherever you wander, enjoy high
summer this holiday season.

CATHERINE TURNBULL
EDITOR
catherine.yorkshire.living@gmail.com

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SUE TAYLOR
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RYAN WESTWOOD

Advertising (Harrogate/Wetherby)

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andrea.harris@living-magazine.co.uk

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Yorkshire Living adheres to the Editors’ Code of Practice (which you can find at pcc.org.uk/cop/practice.html). We are regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
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14 | Living

Living | 15

LIGHT fantastic
Discover more about Yorkshire’s lighthouses ahead of a trip to the
seaside during the summer holidays

16 | Living

FEATURE

A

rtist Roger O’Reilly has
spent five years illustrating
the 350 lighthouses of
Britain and Ireland,
including those that
line the Yorkshire coast.
Lighthouses capture the imagination in a way
that few other structures do. These iconic
buildings evoke a keen sense of the romance
and adventure of life at sea and a reassuringly
benevolent presence when illuminated at
night. For sailors, they are a welcome first
sight of safe harbour, while during daylight
hours, they act as markers, beacons, and
in the case of yacht races, destinations
in themselves.
Beyond sailing, lighthouses have won
a royal seal of approval – Princess Anne is
said to be fascinated by them and has visited
almost every example on the British coast – a
pastime known as lighthouse-bagging.
Artist and author O’Reilly’s illustrations
are inspired by the travel posters of the 1930s
and 40s and his love of lighthouses. “This
has been a time consuming and challenging
project, but one that reflects my fascination
for these maritime structures,” he says. “I
design, illustrate and print the works at
my home studio. As part of the illustration
technique, among other surface treatments,
I use my thumbprint as an integral part of
the textural process, literally putting my
fingerprints all over the work. I also ensure
to sign each print so there’s no question
of authenticity.”

Whitby High
There are numerous lighthouses in the
historic town of Whitby, two on the piers of
the town’s harbour and the third south-east
of the town on Ling Hill. This last and largest
of the lighthouses, also known as Whitby
High lighthouse or by the local moniker “the
Hawkser Highlight”, has guarded this coast
since 1858.
Whitby High lighthouse is the remaining
half of a pair of towers known as the twin
lights of Whitby South and North that used
to serve as a fixed pair of lights to warn of the
dangers of nearby Whitby Rock. In 1890, a
red sector was added to the South lighthouse
to cover the Whitby Rocks, an ingenious
device whereby boats looking towards the
light while inside the line of the bell buoy and
coming south towards the harbour keep an
eye out for the lighthouse beam showing red.
Move a couple of metres and it turns white.
Red spells danger, but so as long as the light
remains white, you’re on a safe approach.
When the North light was demolished, the
site was retained and eventually in 1901 a new
fog signal station, referred to locally as the

‘Some folk say that on
a black blustery night,
a lonesome figure can
be seen making his way
with a covered lantern
towards the lighthouse
before it disappears’
Hawkser Bull, was debuted featuring a pair
of Raleigh Trumpets powered by compressed
air. These gigantic metal horns still adorn the
building, which is now a private residence.

Whitby East & West Piers
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Whitby
was one of the main trading ports on the east
coast. The West pier, constructed in 1632,

replaced a previous wooden pier and this
was followed in 1702 by the East pier. The
handsome Doric column we see today on
the West pier was built in 1831, but despite
its attractive appearance, the light has an
eerie history.
Lore has it that one stormy night the
keeper noticed that the light had gone
out – why he was somewhere else that he
would notice it from afar is never explained!
In any case, he hurried towards the tower
and soaked to the skin, sped up the steps to
re-ignite the lantern. Having rekindled the
light, he sped back down the stairs (perhaps
to resume a game of knurr and spell), but
slipped on the now greasy stone stairs, fell
headlong into the void and departed this
mortal coil.
Some folk say that on a black blustery
night, a lonesome figure can be seen making
his way with a covered lantern towards the
lighthouse before it disappears through the
locked and bolted door.
Living | 17

Flamborough Head
The lighthouse acts as a waypoint for passing
deep sea vessels and coastal traffic, and
marks Flamborough Head for vessels heading
towards Scarborough and Bridlington.
A lighthouse was first established at
Flamborough by Sir John Clayton in 1669 but
was never kindled. The present lighthouse
was designed by Trinity House architect
Samuel Wyatt and constructed by John
Matson of Bridlington in 1806.
In 1940 the lighthouse was electrified,
and further modifications took place in 1974.
An electric fog signal was installed in 1975
replacing diaphone apparatus. In former
times a rocket was discharged every five
minutes in foggy weather reaching an altitude
of 600 feet. Flamborough Head Lighthouse
was automated in early 1996.

Scarborough Pier
The light on Vincent Pier dates from 1806,
but was rebuilt following damage sustained
in the German bombardment of 1914. On
December 16 the Imperial German Navy
conducted a raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool
and Whitby. Scarborough was hit by 520
shells and 18 townspeople were killed. The
last shot fired at the town hit the lighthouse
dead centre. While the shell did not explode,
it caused sufficient structural damage to leave
the tower highly unstable.
Three days later, the top half was
demolished. As it was only insured for £500,
the Scarborough Townsmen’s Guild needed
to raise donations from the public to cover
the cost of the repairs. A fund of £2,225 was
eventually collected and on December 22,
1931, the rebuilt lighthouse was relit.

Spurn Point
The earliest reference to a lighthouse on
Spurn Point is 1427. From the 17th century
there are records of a pair of lighthouses
being maintained as leading lights: a high light
and a low light.
In 1767, John Smeaton was commissioned
to build a new pair. Smeaton’s highlight;
a 27m tower remained in use until 1895,
but coastal erosion created problems with
maintaining the low light and within a short
time it had been washed away by the sea.
In 1895 both lights were replaced by
a single lighthouse designed by Thomas
Matthews, which still stands on the grass
of Spurn Head. This later lighthouse was
discontinued in 1985 due to improvements
to navigation.

18 | Living

‘Princess Anne is said
to be fascinated by
lighhouses and has
visited almost every
example on the British
coast’

FEATURE

Withernsea
This inland lighthouse is in the middle of the
town in the East Riding. It took 18 months
to build between 1892 and 1894. Formerly
owned and run by Trinity House, it ceased
operation in 1976 and is now used as a
museum featuring the history of shipwrecks
with HM Coastguard and Withernsea and
Spurn Point lifeboats exhibits. The lighthouse
is a surprising distance (nearly 400 metres)
from the sea front. At the time it was built,
there was nothing between it and the sea but
sand dunes, and fear of coastal erosion led to
it being positioned well back.

Paull
In 1836 Hull Trinity House built the 12m
high lighthouse Paull, near Hull, then
situated between the shipyard and the town.
The three-storey, stuccoed brick tower was
designed by Francis Dales. Illuminated by
oil lamps, the tower initially displayed a
fixed white light, with a red sector added in
1852 to help guide vessels around the nearby
Skitter sandbank. In 1870 Paull lighthouse
was replaced by two sets of leading lights, one
at Thorngumbald Clough and the other at
Salt End.

Thorngumbald
The two lighthouses at Thorngumbald
Clough were established in July 1870 and
built on the foreshore on half an acre of land
purchased at a cost of £110 from a Mr Hugh
Baxter the previous year. When the military
officer in charge of the Paull battery first
heard of the proposals he complained that
they would block his line of fire in defence of
the river but was assured that they could be
dismantled if necessary in time of war.

Lighthouse Edition signed prints are now
available in four formats and cost from £30
unframed. Browse the collection online.
Legendary Lighthouses of Britain: An
Illustrated Guide to the Sentinels that Guard
Our Shore, is due to be published at £25 in
January 2024 and may be preordered.

lighthouseeditions.com
Living | 19

|

Living | 21

LEGACY of a COUNTESS
Embrace high Victorian style with recreated textiles and wallpapers inspired
by samples discovered in Castle Howard’s archive

W

WORDS BY CATHERINE TURNBULL
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMMA RAYE AND CHRISTOPHER HORWOOD

hen a former
chatelaine of Castle
Howard redecorated
the stately home
in the 1880s, she
carefully stored bolts
of fabric and wallpaper and kept a record
of her purchases. Now the archive samples
protected from light damage by Rosalind,
9th Countess of Carlisle 140 years ago have
been recreated in a bespoke collection of
seven bold designs that will thrill lovers
of maximalism.
The design treasures were recently
discovered by the castle’s current owners
Nicholas and Victoria Howard. The archive
samples offer a unique glimpse into the
22 | Living

‘Rosalind and her
husband shared a love
of art and moved in the
social circles of the Arts
and Crafts movement’
vibrant colours and bold designs fashionable
at that time, including oriental patterns and
floral chintzes. Mrs Howard, inspired by
Rosalind’s legacy, has been committed to
bringing seven of the stunning samples back
to life, with English interior designer Watts

1874, to create the Castle Howard Indienne
Collection. The countess married painter and
politician George Howard in 1864, who later
became 9th Earl of Carlisle in 1889.
Castle Howard’s curator of collections
and archives, Eleanor Brooke-Peat explains
the background to Rosalind’s flair for interior
design. “Rosalind and her husband shared a
love of art and moved in the social circles of
the Arts and Crafts movement and admired
the Pre-Raphaelite style,” says Eleanor.
“When they were newly-wed, they
used their connections to build their first
home, designed by architect Philip Webb in
Kensington and turned to Morris & Co to
decorate it with wallpapers and fabrics in the
high Victorian maximalist style of the 1860s.

Rosalind Howard by Lord Frederic Leighton

They became friends with William Morris
and even holidayed with him and his wife Jane
in Italy. They also entertained leading society
figures at their other home at Naworth Castle
in Cumbria.
“Rosalind learned a lot about the design
process during the first project in Kensington.
When George inherited Castle Howard and
other estates it was in great need of TLC
and redecoration.”
Rosalind was by then known as the
Radical Countess for her campaigning
for women’s suffrage and the temperance
movement. She managed the estate and
closed all the public houses on Castle
Howard and Naworth Castle land.
Despite her keen interest in politics and
campaigning, and bearing 11 children, the
countess led the redecoration of Castle

‘It’s remarkable to see how she applied what she
had learned in her previous decorating projects
and from her wide travels around the world’

Howard from 1879 over a 20-year period.
“It’s remarkable to see how she applied
what she had learned in her previous
decorating projects and from her wide travels
around the world,” says Eleanor.
“She followed the high fashion of the day,
loved Japanese designs, but also had a wide
repertoire and used Morris & Co wallpapers.
We have letters from William Morris to her
with recommendations and advising that he
will be sending her a roll of wallpaper. It is
interesting that he was mainly designing them
for more modest artistic homes, and she was
applying them to her enormous home.”
Rosalind kept detailed accounts, as well as
samples, which reveal that 170 rolls of Morris
blood red Sunflower pattern wallpaper were
used to decorate the Long Gallery. The cost
in 1885 was £46 and 15 shillings (£46.75),
which is now equivalent to around £7,685.87,
according to the CPI inflation calculator. The
local decorator Carass Topham was paid
£89.15s.3d (£14,656.58).
Further purchases were made in person
by the countess at London department
stores, Maples in Tottenham Court Road
and Liberty in Regent Street and were sent to
Castle Howard. The boys’ schoolroom (now
the White Daisy Gift Shop) was redecorated
Living | 23

‘We’re thrilled
to partner with
Watts 1874 to
bring these
beautiful historical
designs to life’
in 1886, with Morris & Co’s Daisy wallpaper.
“We have a few examples of the original
décor in situ,” says Eleanor, “and you can see
the difference due to light damage between
those and the papers that Rosalind archived
so carefully. It’s an amazing collection that
has survived, which tells us so much about
the fashion then. Now we have a trend for
maximalist design, Mrs Howard realised
the great potential to recreate part of
the collection.”

M

rs Howard says: ‘We’re
thrilled to partner with
Watts 1874 to bring these
beautiful historical designs
to life. We’ve worked
closely with interior designer Remy Renzullo
to recreate the colours and textures of the
originals, giving these traditional patterns a
new lease of life for a modern audience. I’m
thrilled to honour Rosalind’s legacy and to
be able to share the beautiful designs and
collections from Castle Howard’s history.’
One of the most striking wallpaper
redesigns is Goose, a 19th century Japanese
pattern featuring stylised winged geese or
storks taking flight through trumpeting
lilies, peonies, buds and leaves. Available in
blue and mustard, it can still be seen in the
Archbishop’s bedroom.
Aurea Indienne was originally documented
as an Indienne Tree of Life border fabric
with large, stylised flowers on a meandering
branch offset by a typical vermicelli back
print. Completing the collection is Rosalind
Indienne, Garden House Chintz, Howard
Indienne, Temple Toile and Cecilia.
Castle Howard is running an event
titled If Walls Could Talk, giving visitors the
opportunity to learn about Castle Howard
interiors and Rosalind’s legacy on Friday,
October 6 at 2.30pm. Tickets are available on
Castle Howard’s website.
The Castle Howard Indienne Collection is
available on the Watts 1874 website and hand
block productions are printed to order, with a
minimum order of eight rolls with a lead-time
of 10 to 12 weeks.
Prices for wallpapers range from £184
to £340 per metre. Fabrics are from £184 to
£196 per linear metre.
castlehoward.co.uk
watts1874.co.uk

24 | Living

Living | 25

26 | Living

HOME FRONT
INTERIORS • TRENDS • ACC ESSO RIES • D ESIGN

Rippling
reflections
Adorned with intricate white
coral accents, this mirror
conjures visions of sun-kissed
shores and gentle ocean
breezes. Transform your space
into a seaside sanctuary and
bask in the enchanting allure of
this exquisite white coral mirror.
Arteriors X Celerie Kemble
coral twig mirror, £1,731,
arteriorshome.com

SEASHORE SOFA
A modern interpretation on the
classic British scroll arm sofa.
Waverley’s high back makes it
great for that extra back support
and don’t let its compact elegance
fool you, this sofa boasts extreme
comfort with its luxurious featherfilled back cushions.
Waverley in cloth 18 bengul indigo,
£2,415, sofasandstuff.com
Living | 27

SEA LIFE
In this underwater
world of adventure, fish
are going about their
daily activities within
“Sea Life”. The fish are
swimming, cycling and
angling among some
hidden secrets that lie
deep within this picture of
unusuality.
Mckenzie sea life wallpaper
in aqua and orange, £249,
limelace.co.uk

COASTAL CUSHION
Hand made in England, our
cushions are filled with a duck and
down feather 100 per cent cotton
pad. All cushions are stocked in our
London Showroom. Composition:
100 per cent Linen Fabric, Duck
and Down Feather Pad.

ORNATE OCTOPUS
Beautifully crafted, this side table
features an octopus, its tentacles
arranged artfully and holding aloft
a circular glass top. Inspired by this
amazing sea creature, the attention
to detail is evident in the textured,
embossed design.
Octopus side table, £575,
annabeljames.co.uk

28 | Living

Blue wave large square cushion,
£160, fermoie.com

Seascape
serenity
Inspired by the rolling waves
of a tempestuous sea the line
drawn design flows across your
floors. These luxurious rugs are
hand tufted in wool and art silk,
so that the lines of the waves
have a subtle shine when they
catch the light.
Seascape in Summer rug, £1,840,
abigailedwards.com

Living | 29

NEW
HORIZONS
Viewed from the outside, Poet’s View is a stunning
Art Deco-style house on Whitby’s West Cliff. And from the
inside looking out, the views are simply captivating
WORDS JENNY NEEDHAM
PHOTOGRAPHY SARAH CALDECOTT

30 | Living

W

hen Martin Smith
and Jo Wise viewed
a scantily-furnished
1920s dormer
bungalow on
Whitby’s West Cliff,
it had only two pictures on the walls – one of
Middlesbrough’s famous Transporter Bridge,
the other of iconic Roseberry Topping. “I’m
not in the slightest bit spiritual, but it did
seem like a sign,” says Martin “We bought the
house on the spot.”
Both places were constants in the
romantic tale of Martin’s mother and father,
who met in the summer of 1944 at a dance
in a small village hall in North Yorkshire.
“It was an original love-at-first-sight thing,”
explains Martin. “He was an officer in the
Royal Navy, sent with his crew to Teesside
on a two-week secondment to pick up and
sea-trial his brand-new landing craft. She was
a Wren, serving at the docks. During their
short courtship, whenever he could, dad
would cross the Tees on the Transporter

‘It quickly
became clear
that the property
was beyond
economic repair,
so we decided
on a complete
rebuild’

Bridge and catch a bus to Great Ayton, where
mum lived with my grandparents. On their
few innocent dates, they would walk together
to the top of Roseberry Topping, before he
caught the last bus back to the docks and his
duties. A simple wartime tale of two hearts,
but it’s our family’s special story and steeped
in nostalgia.”
Martin, originally from Stockton-onTees, and Jo, from York, had been looking
for a seaside bolthole when they spotted
the bungalow on Rightmove. It was York
Races day and they were running late, but
impulsively decided to take a look. “The
satnav guided us north of the Moors to avoid
the traffic and hence through Great Ayton,”
says Martin. “Without warning, old memories
rushed to the fore and I told Jo my mum and
dad’s story for the first time.”
It was more than emotion, though, that led
the couple to buy the property. It may have
been unprepossessing, but what a setting!
There were two options; renovate or rebuild,
and the couple quickly decided on the latter,

commissioning York-based architect Daniel
Harvey, founder of Studio DH, to come up
with design ideas, and builder Rob Davis of
Oak Construction to implement them.
“When we bought Poet’s View, it was a
popular holiday let and we continued to use
it as such whilst we sought advice on the
renovation,” says Martin. “It quickly became
clear that the property was beyond economic
repair, so we decided on a complete rebuild.”
The brief was ‘seaside architecture’, and
the Art Deco influence was inevitable. It was
vital to maximise the spectacular sea views
from Sandsend to Whitby Abbey. Then
there were more specific requirements – Jo
wanted a luxurious bathroom and dressing
room; Martin wanted his classic cars to be
on display.
And they both wanted to use most of
the space for their own living requirements,
so although the house has the potential to
be a four or five-bedroom property, it has
only a single guest bedroom in its current
configuration. “There are plenty of hotels
Living | 31

The view to Whitby pier

in Whitby for visitors,” laughs Martin. The
planning and design stage took two years,
although Scarborough Borough Council were
supportive and the couple enjoyed a close and
consultative relationship with them.
“Some locals and neighbours were
resistant to change and there was
considerable hostility from a tiny majority on
online forums, but most of this has since been
overcome as the project was finished and
people realised how well the new property
sits in its environment,” says Martin. A few
remain implacably opposed, despite the fact
that Poet’s View was awarded Best Design
in the Yorkshire Residential Real Estate
Awards 2022.
The house is very exposed to the elements,
battered and buffeted by the winds and
storms of the North East coast, but good
design and the use of top-end materials have
ensured it is warm and strong. “It’s tested to
withstand Hurricane Force 12,” says Martin.
To achieve the exterior they wanted, Martin
turned to the team at NC Plastering, who
worked through the winter to apply a render
that would stand up to the harsh climate,
whilst also offering an aesthetically pleasing
design that fits with the Art Deco theme.
There are anodised aluminium windows, a
steel roof and a roof terrace for drinks outside
on sunny days.

‘We have collected
many treasures over
the years, but never
been able to display
them at their best.
The design of Poet’s
View took all these
into account’

32 | Living

The couple’s vehicles are
visible from the hallway

The aim was to bring natural light and
sea views into their home, and the couple
have succeeded magnificently. An enormous
‘horizon window’ on the first floor affords
views from sunrise to sunset and the home’s
many windows mean every room is suffused
with light.
The couple used as many local
tradespeople and suppliers as possible. The
local blacksmith James Godbold designed and
built the stunning, wrought iron staircase and
the many other interior features that mirror
the staircase’s design – including Martin’s
desk, the driveway gates, garden bench,
interior fittings – so that it flows throughout.
Martin and Jo were inspired by Charles
Rennie Mackintosh’s belief that good design
includes all aspects of a house, including its
fixtures and fittings, and paid great attention
to detail. Martin’s favourite feature is the
design of the skirting boards – a seemingly

minor detail that lifts every room. Decor
was Jo’s domain, clean and uncluttered
with a modern style that reflects the Art
Deco theme. She did, however, let loose in a
luxurious bathroom with a glorious gold tub
from Heritage Bathrooms.
There are plenty of quirky touches, too.
“We have collected many treasures over the
years, but never been able to display them
at their best,” says Martin. “The design of
Poet’s View took all these into account – for
example, we wanted our cars to be part of
everyday living, not stuck away in a dark and
gloomy garage, so they are visible from the
hallway. Jo found a dilapidated Victorian
wall-mounted street lamp in a pub clearance.
We had it renovated and then stored it in our
wardrobe for more than a decade knowing
that one day we’d have the perfect place
for it – and now we do.” An original Joseph
Bassett-Lowke model of the Flying Scotsman

steam engine is proudly displayed in the
downstairs loo, alongside a Russian Cold War
map of Whitby.
The couple sold their first Whitby home
in the spring of 2021, and with nowhere to
live during the final ten months of the build
bought a narrowboat and toured the canals of
the UK, returning monthly for site visits with
the builder and architect. Now they’re happily
ensconced in Poet’s View, with Doris, their
border terrier.
“Some days we just sit and watch the
sea, especially during stormy weather,” says
Martin. “The wildlife is somewhat limited
– pretty much only seagulls and dogs – but
we watch the boats through our binoculars,
and surfers too. This is the house of all
our dreams, built to fit us and our lifestyle
perfectly. Friends and family are welcome to
visit, but not too many at once or for
too long!”
Living | 33

34 | Living

WHEELS OF TIME
Skipton’s medieval High Corn Mill has opened a luxury holiday let that showcases the
ancient building’s history – and pays tribute to local art and style

H

igh Corn Mill owner
Andrew Mear was
determined to showcase
local history, art and
style within a recently
completed apartment,
which features the work of window artist
Jenny Trebillon in the spacious entrance area
alongside part of the inner workings of the
iconic mill wheel. The Beck is a four-bed,
three-bathroom, first floor flat which sleeps
up to 10 and follows a custom conversion of
former office space within the ancient mill.
A large welcoming panel with an early
sketch of the entrance arch to neighbouring
Skipton castle details some of the history of
the building, the roots of which stretch back
to the 12th century. The lounge area features
a large-scale graphic of a small waterfall from
the mill dam, visible from the towpath bay
the castle. There is also a collage of images
documenting the visit to High Corn Mill in
1988 of King Charles III, when he was Prince
of Wales. Gold footprints on the floor allow
guests to stand exactly where the man who
would be king once stood.
“This is all part of the proud history of
the mill, and we sincerely hope King Charles
may return to see what has changed in 35
years,” says Andrew. “As the world changes,
so the nature of the mill continues to evolve.
It originally started out as a place to grind
locally grown corn and since then has
operated as a museum and, in more recent

years, as a mix of office and independent
retail business. We are now working towards
opening a High Corn Mill Visitor Centre in
Spring 2024.”
The large reception area featuring a full
wall mural by local artist Jenny Trebillon,
shows a scene from Skipton’s canal basin
area. Immediately in front of it, and encased
in glass, is one of the ancient cog wheels that
kept the water wheel turning. The work of
Embsay artist Victoria Alderson can also be
found in the apartment.
Early records show a corn mill in Skipton
in the 12th century. Land was given by Henry
the VIII to the powerful Clifford family.
Originally the corn mill was housed within
the ditched enclosure of the castle. In 1310
the land was owned by Robert de Clifford,
in 1311 two corn mills existed but by end of
14th century just High Corn Mill remained.
The main body we see today dates from the
18th century. Under the law of the land the
people of Skipton were bound to have their
corn ground at the mill. The monopoly was
lifted during the 19th century.
In 1954 the castle estate was broken up
and ten years later the mill was purchased by
George Leatt and housed a seed merchant
and a folk museum. The wheel visible now
dates to 1967. In 2009 Andrew installed a
water turbine to generate electricity via the
National Grid to supply hydro power.
highcornmill.com
Living | 35

36 | Living

Living | 37

LAKE idyll
A classic country house nestles in eight acres of land
and gardens with a private lake and cabin beneath
the hills in Ampleforth
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT HILLIER

38 | Living

T

his Victorian home comes
with a range of outbuildings,
land and a boating lake,
and enjoys an idyllic setting
towards the southern
edge of Ampleforth in the
Howardian Hills and on the edge of the
North York Moors. The house is set back
from the village road behind a landscaped
garden with a traditional covered well and
a pretty village beck which wends its way
around to the south of the property.
A driveway sweeps in front of the property
and continues to the garage block and
outbuildings beyond, passing the formal

Together the two-acre
lake fed by a beck, and
woodland have created
a wildlife habitat that
includes resident swans,
heron, kingfishers and
even otters

gardens and grounds. There are expanses
of sweeping lawn and an extensive stone
terrace that spans the rear of the house and
wraps around the garden room, sheltered by
brick planters.
A productive kitchen garden with ten
raised beds lies close to the house. The
two-acre boating lake with a pontoon is fed
by the beck that gently winds southwards.
Together the lake and woodland have created
a wildlife habitat that includes resident swans,
heron, kingfishers and even otters. There is
a luxurious cabin with a bridge to the island
terrace and a circuit walk around the lake.
The lakeside cabin, known as The Boat

House, was built in November and has full
height glazing and sliding doors that open to
the decking in front. It has TV and internet,
a wood-burning stove, solid oak bar with
seating and a garden with courtyard terrace.
A sheltered seating area with a fire pit is
encircled with colourful planting.

Beyond the lake is a young orchard
comprising apple, pear, plum, and cherry
fruit trees as well as a copse. There are three
paddocks with post and rail fencing.
Fairfax House is a classic Victorian house
dating from 1875, constructed of Flemish
bond bricks. It has been comprehensively
Living | 39

What the agent says

renovated and updated by the current
owners, whose vision at the outset was to
create an energy-efficient and luxurious longterm home.
The whole property has been finished
to the highest possible specification using
technology, craftsmen and interior designers.
Its Victorian heritage has been faithfully
reproduced with ornate floor tiles, a new
staircase in the 19th century style, limestone
fireplaces, wall panelling, cornicing,
and William Morris, Cole & Son and
Sanderson wallpapers.

E

very room is beautifully
appointed. The large kitchen
dining room faces west across
the gardens and grounds and
is open plan to the family
room, both with underfloor heating beneath
a ceramic tiled floor. There is a large island
unit with a breakfast bar, granite worktops,
Butler sink, induction hob, integrated Neff
appliances including a microwave oven and
ample space for a family-sized dining table.
Alongside is the utility room/boot room
and separate cloakroom wc. There is a study
with bespoke, fitted office furniture and
two workstations.
Two formal reception rooms flank the
staircase at the front of the house and have
wood-burning stoves housed in handsome
fireplaces. A glorious addition is the garden
room which has full-height, full-width bifold
40 | Living

The whole property
has been finished
to the highest
possible specification
using technology,
craftsmen and
interior designers

doors on the south and west elevations giving
panoramic, far-reaching views across the
lakeside gardens.
Upstairs, the principal bedroom suite
with its bespoke fitted dressing room and
bathroom, has bifold doors and a ‘breakfast’
balcony across its western face. There are
three further double rooms and a single room
all served by a superb house bathroom.
Fairfax House, Ampleforth is for sale
with Blenkin & Co with offers invited of
over £1,750,000.

blenkinandco.com

Exceptional country property with its
own lake, within strolling distance of
village amenities.
Fairfax House has been rigorously
modernised by the current owners,
making effective use of the latest
technology to create a country house
that is energy efficient, high functioning
and luxuriously appointed. Its Victorian
heritage sits comfortably alongside its
two-storey contemporary extension
designed to take full advantage of the
glorious west facing outlook over lakeside
gardens and grounds.
• Detached Victorian country house,
outbuildings, lake and land.
• Principal house totalling nearly 3,300 sq
ft plus a range of outbuildings.
• Powered by renewable energy with
EPC rating of B.
• Ideal for large scale entertaining.
• Landscaped gardens including a
spring-fed lake.
•Beautifully appointed lakeside
cabin with bar.
• Suitable for equestrian purposes –
stabling and paddocks.
• Idyllic and private setting with
far-reaching country views.
• Walking distance to multiple
village amenities.
Inside: Entrance and staircase hall, three
reception rooms, garden room, study,
kitchen dining room, utility/boot room
cloakroom/wc, principal bedroom suite
with dressing room and bathroom, and
four further bedrooms.
Four-bay garage with granary steps to
first floor room.
Outside: Barn, potting shed, stable block,
stable/ stores, greenhouse, lakeside cabin,
gardens and grounds, lake, in all just over
eight acres.

Living | 41

BRIGHT &
beautiful
Nicola Ash loves sharing her love of colour
and All Things Quirky with customers at
her debut store in Guisborough

42 | Living

T

he rooms in
Nicola’s Ash’s
Grade II listed
Georgian home
in Norton bring
a smile to the
face – they are vibrant, uplifting
and fun, a veritable riot of colour
and pattern. “I don’t do bland,”
she laughs.
Now the talented stylist
is offering both her interiors
expertise and a range of unique
upmarket pieces that showcase
her love of maximalism at
her debut homeware store
in Guisborough.
Love All Things Quirky stocks
a fabulous range of goodies
from patterned cushions and
tableware to colourful lamps and
velvet furniture. It’s Nicola’s first
venture into retail and she’s had
a hugely positive reaction from
customers in her first couple of
months’ trading, although her
interiors style was already well
known by the 23,400 followers
on her successful Instagram page.
“People have said the store is like
nothing they’ve ever seen before
and that it’s such a refreshing
change,” she says. “That in itself
makes me feel as though I’ve
accomplished something – I’m a
firm believer that interiors should
reflect your own unique style”.
Love All Things Quirky stocks
a number of well-known interior
brands – including independent
splatterware pottery company
Hot Pottery, HKLiving, Vaiselles
Boutique and Print Sisters
cushions – and it adds to the
market town’s great range of
independent small businesses.
Located just north of the the
North York Moors National
Park, Guisborough is a bit of
a shopping hotspot, the ideal
location for distinctive and
individual businesses.

Editor's

PICK

Dowsing and
Reynolds
Cuff leather
wall sconce
£114.99

Love All Things Quirky,
11 Market Place,
Guisborough TS14 6BN
@loveallthingsquirky
Previous page, from top –
Sophie Adla Blue Wave
Beehive Vase £95
Wear the Walls Utopia set
of four napkins £48
Wear the Walls Posy Aqua
frilled cushion £99
Right –
Reupholstered Parker Knoll in William
Morris Acanthus Velvet £950
Abigail Ahern Shaggy Ovis Pouffe
£338

PHOTOGRAPHY BY
SARAH CALDECOTT

Living | 43

44 | Living

Living | 45

COLOUR of the MONTH
S M O K E BY B E N JAM I N M O O R E AVA I L A B L E AT B R E W E R S

Smoke by Benjamin Moore is a
versatile medium grey softened with
attractive blue-green undertones. It’s a
shade that conjures up coastal homes
and calming retreats. The sophisticated
grey will infuse your space with and
aura of comfort, and tranquility. Just
what we need in these hot summer
months and beyond...
Smoke by Benjamin Moore, from
£59, brewers.co.uk

46 | Living

Living | 47

48 | Living

Living | 49

50 | Living

WALLPAPER we LOVE
O PI U M B LUS H SU M M E R F RO M T H E C U RI O US D E PA RT M E N T

Opium Blush, is an entangled spectacle
of Papaver somniferum (or opium
poppy as it’s more commonly known!)
in contrasting shades of delicate and
dark pink. Curiously converging the
“sleep bringing” origins of the poppy
with the decorative Art Nouveau period,
for a bold interior statement. Digitally
printed on fine quality toll coated
paper, with a smooth matt finish. The
Curious Department’s paper carries
FSC certification, using paper from
sustainable sources.
£135, thecuriousdepartment.com

Living | 51

52 | Living

Living | 53

THE FRINGE is BACK

Tassels on our household items were a popular design feature in the post-war years, and
they are now making a stylish and contemporary resurgence

Global Explorer Wooden Tassel Wall
Hanging in natural, £55, amara.com

Global Explorer Tassel hanging tapestry
in black, £47, amara.com

Bloomingville Deco cotton throw,
£75, amara.com

54 | Living

Deco Martini ‘blush’ bette fringed
lampshade in recycled velvet,
£325, divinesavages.com

OF OUR FAVOURTIE

LAMPSHADES

Mindthegap Neptune’s Dream
lampshade (large) in blue/gold,
£224, amara.com
Ibride Alpaga luxury bar cabinet,
£6,369, amara.com

Mindthegap Birds of
paradise drum lamp shade
(small), £144, amara.com

Vivaraise Fara cushion (45x45cm) in
lineen, £34, amara.com

Kim Seybert fringe napkin
in natural/silver, set of four,
£130, amara.com

Mindthegap Phoenicia batik
lampshade in multi (large),
£240, amara.com
Erdem woven jacquard throw
with fringes in green/ivory,
£978, amara.com
Luxe tassel fringe mirror,
£88, amara.com

Mindthegap zold
lampshade (large),
£224, amara.com
Mindthegap Saray Ottoman in zold linen, £887, amara.com

Living | 55

Clarence fringe hand
towels, set of two, £39,
thewhitecompany.com/uk

Bloomingville bamboo wall décor
in black, £119, amara.com

Global Explorer jute fringed object,
£88, amara.com

Mindthegap orchid bloom cushion
(50x50cm), £159, amara.com
Mette Ditmer Denmark Morocco towel
(bath size), £38, amara.com

Eichholtz Odette fringe stool,
£380, luxdeco.com
Eichholtz Fringe Chandelier, £2,355,
sweetpeaandwillow.com

Vivaraise Fara throw (135x200cm) in
amber, £118, amara.com

56 | Living

Living | 57

58 | Living

NATURAL TOUCH
GARDENING • DESIGN • TRENDS • OUTDOOR LIVING

Seabreeze SOFA

Eichholtz ocean club sofa in white, £6,890,
sweetpeaandwillow.com

PLANT IT
Crafted from durable
clay in light grey, with
an etched geometric
pattern to the surface,
this set of three
planters makes a stylish
alternative to traditional
terracotta pots. Each
set contains one small,
one medium and one
large planter, which can
be positioned together
or apart.
Three geometric etched
planters in light grey, £225,
coxandcox.co.uk

In the shade
A gorgeous piece, this parasol is
screen-printed natural coloured
waterproof cotton canvas with
blue zig zags and a water resistant
treatment. The underside is a soft
blue with an Arabian-influenced
valance and handmade natural
cotton tassels.
Blue Aretha Octagonal Parasol,
£1,200, eastlondonparasols.com

Living | 59

AL FRESCO
TOUCHES
This tablecloth adds a touch
of rustic seaside charm to your
garden. Made of linen, which
is known for its strength and
durability, this tablecloth is
also hypoallergenic, making it
suitable for those with allergies
and sensitive skin. It’s also
naturally anti-bacterial and will
soften over time.
Sophie Allport teal gingham
linen tablecloth & napkins, £140,
sophieallport.com

SHINE BRIGHT
This vintage industrial aluminium
bulkhead wall light features
a prismatic glass cover and
hexagonal protective cage. These
are reclaimed from cargo ships
and professionally refurbished to
be robust and watertight.

Sun seeker
Embrace the coastal essence
of your outdoor sanctuary
as you recline on this sunlounger which features a
low profile with a solid teak
slatted top. The slatted
design allows for optimal
airflow, keeping you cool
even on the hottest of days.
Norfolk Sun Lounge, £1,479.36,
satara.com.au

60 | Living

Outdoor Vintage Aluminium Bulkhead,
£210, loomlightdesign.com

JUST add
WATER
Incorporating three entwined
dolphins supporting a
gadrooned bowl with an
egg-and-dart rim, the new
Italianate Fountain is ideal for
a large pool where a high jet
of water can be achieved.
Italianiate fountain, £945,
haddonstone.com

Living | 61

62 | Living

PROMOTION

NEW SHOWROOM
BRINGS LUXURY
Luxury jewellers, Mappin & Webb, part of the Watches
of Switzerland Group, has unveiled its brand-new
luxury showroom located on Davygate, in York

T

he Mappin & Webb York
showroom features a new
concept and offers a light,
bright luxury environment,
with soft blush accents, that
add a feminine touch to
the signature Mappin & Webb blue, whilst
creating a warm inviting atmosphere. The
showroom is a contemporary open plan
space, with designated watch and jewellery
areas along with two private VIP areas and
a bar area. The beauty in the building’s
architecture combined with bespoke fixtures
and fittings all adds to the overall elegance of
the space.
The showroom offers clients a wide
range of luxury jewellery and watches with
dedicated branded areas; a large Rolex room
designed to reflect the brand’s commitment
to quality and craftsmanship, with sleek and
modern fixtures and fittings that complement
the building’s historical features. There are
also dedicated branded areas for TUDOR,
Hublot and BVLGARI watches.
The new design also introduces a
jewellery area with a separate VIP room,
and a dedicated bridal area with an array
of diamond pieces from the Mappin &
Webb collections. Key collections include

the feminine and understated designs
of Gossamer where precious gemstones
or pearls take centre stage, presenting a
graceful and contemporary look. The Vinea
collection is inspired by nature’s blooms and
meandering vines, with delicate marquise cut
diamonds and diamond pave petals creating
a contemporary, mixed cut, floral aesthetic.
Or explore the Riveret collection, which
embraces the leading aspirational trend of
mixed cut diamonds.
Mappin & Webb’s high end jewellery
collections featuring stunning pieces that are
designed to be worn on special occasions,
made with intricate designs and precious
stones that are sure to turn heads, and a wider
offering from luxury jewellery brands FOPE,
Messika and Roberto Coin to name a few.
The Mappin & Webb York showroom
experts look forward to welcoming new
and existing clients to experience the new
showroom all for themselves.

Visit Mappin & Webb,
6-12 Davygate, York, YO1 8RJ
01904 639798
Living | 63

LOVES
64 | Living

Kayll is a fusion of designer Jessica Kayll’s love of travel with
her hand-painted textile design. Resortwear which was modest,
timeless and beautifully made was difficult for former Alexander
McQueen designer Jessica to find, and so Kayll was created.
Alison Silk Kimono Robe, £620, kayll.com

|

LOVES
66 | Living

Meditate, relax and fall asleep with Morphée: a non-digital and screenless relaxation and
meditation sleep-aid device. Morphée offers 200+ combinations of guided meditation and
sophrology sessions, all designed, tested, and validated by sleep experts. The sessions can
be listened to during nocturnal awakenings or your bedtime, guiding you towards a night of
deep and restful sleep. With a vast mixture of sessions, Morphée will help calm your daily life,
recharge your batteries, cope with high levels of stress, and find a natural solution for insomnia.
Morphée, £89, frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

Living | 67

CRYO ME A RIVER
York wellness coach Denny Davis reveals how cold water exposure
and guided breathing help relieve her stress

I

f the idea of icy water as therapy
leaves you cold, you may find taking
the plunge will reduce stress and
boost wellbeing. After struggles
of her own, York wellness coach
and yoga teacher Denny Davis
has become an official Wim Hof Method
Instructor – teaching the ideas developed by
the Dutch extreme athlete.
It uses a combination of cold exposure,
breathing techniques, and meditation to
help users take control of their mind, reduce
stress, and improve mental and physical
wellbeing. It might sound like a fad, but
it has a huge celebrity following, such as
David Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow, Oprah
Winfrey, and Justin Bieber. The Wim Hof

68 | Living

INTERVIEW BY CATHERINE TURNBULL

It’s a powerful method
to keep our circulation
healthy and influence
hormones positively
and get a positive effect
on our wellbeing
Method has three pillars: controlled exposure
to cold (cryotherapy), breathing exercises,
and commitment. By combining these three
elements, it is believed you can get more
clarity, manage stress, and have a more
positive outlook on life.

Denny has seen for herself how it provides
clarity, reduces stress, and can help you have
a more positive outlook on life. We asked
her how.
What were your own struggles that led
you on this path to wellness?
In 2015 I made the boldest change of my
life. I quit alcohol. Whilst this is a pretty
‘trendy’ thing to do now, back in 2015 it was
tough. Through my teens and twenties, I
loved going out and socialising and gradually
developed an unhealthy relationship
with alcohol.
For the last eight-plus years I have been
on a relentless quest to find my way home
to myself and discover what it means to

‘I’ve had a lifelong
struggle to find
ways to fit into a
noisy world that
didn’t accommodate
my needs’
live a life more connected with purpose
and meaning.
I also went through IVF and miscarriage
in the middle of my first sober year,
which was a huge test.
Last year, many things finally fell into place
when I found out I was autistic. I’ve had
a lifelong struggle to find ways to fit into
a noisy world that didn’t accommodate
my needs. I have masked my whole life,
struggling to meet the expectations of the
world around me. I am thankful for the tools
in my toolkit to help me navigate the world. I
can live a life of my own design.
How did you feel?
Giving up alcohol, I felt scared and
vulnerable. I had to discover who I was
without the veil. Facing oneself on a deep
level takes a lot of courage. There was a
deep sense of fear of not being enough. I
questioned myself, would I be accepted?
How would I socialise? When you have
spent more than a decade relying on alcohol
to socialise and fit in, it’s a scary thing to
show up just as you are. But the journey
I’ve been on has been nothing short of
a blessing.
What helped?
Six months into sobriety I trained as a yoga
teacher. I developed a deep practice, training
in India, San Francisco and Ireland. Yoga
helped me to form a deeper connection with
myself, my body and mind.
Working with therapists, hypnotherapists
and coaches supported me on my journey,
as did my husband, family and friends. Noone can do this alone, we need support.
What are your wellness tools?
Yoga, Vedic mediation, journaling, ice baths,
breathwork, coaching, quiet time alone,
eating well. I’m now a qualified yoga and
meditation teacher, breathwork coach,
positive psychology practitioner and Wim
Hof Method instructor.
I have turned my struggles into a way to
help others live more fulfilling lives. It helps
my autistic brain find focus and reminds
me I can find comfort in the discomfort.
On a deeper level, it helps me to heal old
emotional wounds.
Living | 69

‘We learn to find
comfort in the
discomfort and in
doing so we aid the
body’s nervous system’
How does the Wim Hof method work?
What are the benefits and are there
any risks?
The Wim Hof Method is a simple and
powerful tool that anyone can learn. It’s
quick and effective; an easy wellness tool
to fit in to your day. Going into the cold
everyday acts as a teacher. We learn to find
comfort in the discomfort and in doing so
we aid the body’s nervous system to adapt
to stress more effectively. It reminds me that
I can do challenging things with ease with
the right mindset and commitment.
The Wim Hof Method is well-researched,
with many studies showing that the
method is effective at managing pain and
reducing the inflammatory response in
the body, which is beneficial for keeping
our bodies healthy and can be helpful for
some with autoimmune disease such as
arthritis. It’s a powerful method to keep
our circulation healthy and influence our
hormones positively.
Overall, we get a net positive effect
on our wellbeing. The method should not
be practised by those with serious heart
conditions, during pregnancy, epilepsy or
Raynaud’s syndrome type 2. I teach Wim
Hof workshops in my space in York and I
run online breathing classes. The workshops
are also popular for corporate team building
events, as it breaks down barriers and brings
people together on a human level.
Your philosophy for wellness?
This is about enhancing longevity and
having fun. The amount of information
about what to do these days for optimal
health can be overwhelming. Too much of
anything is always too much. Just take it easy
and experiment.
Try new workshops or classes, don’t
worry, just give it a go. There is no need to
force wellness, you will only create stress.
Keep it simple and do what makes your
heart sing. Above all, I believe you can do
things that are difficult. How do I know this?
Because if I can do it, I trust anyone can.
When you are bold you can achieve things
beyond your wildest dreams.
You can join Denny, of Solasta Rising,
at a beginner’s workshop, Wim Hof
Fundamentals or the four-week Wim Hof
Method course Ice Goddess, which is
designed for women.
solastarising.com
70 | Living

Living | 71

72 | Living

PROMOTION

PROTECT YOUR EARS
Expert audiologists at The Hearing Suite have some timely advice for how to
keep your ears healthy when heading off for a holiday in the sun

T

he holidays are fast approaching
and here at The Hearing
Suite we see so many people
experiencing blockages, ear
infections and discomfort in the
summer months. But how can
you keep your ears healthy and still enjoy your
summer holidays?
1. Don’t forget to apply sun cream to your ears
(especially to the tops) or wear a hat with a brim.
People so often forget their ears when staying
safe in the sun, increasing the risk of lumps and
bumps in the future.

‘People so often
forget their ears when
staying safe in the sun,
increasing the risk
of lumps and bumps
in the future’

2. Equalise your ears on the aeroplane. The old
tale of a boiled sweet to suck, or some gum
to chew on helps your Eustachian tube open
and close making take off and landing much
more comfortable.

skin in the ear canal. This makes you much more
prone to ear infections when you swim.
We often recommend that people prone to
wax blockages have their wax removal a week
before they go away. That way they are confident
their ears are healthy and can relax and enjoy
that well earned break.
To book your appointment call or visit
the website.

3. Avoid cotton buds if you can. Not only will
they push wax in further, but they often graze the

01423 429222
thehearingsuite.co.uk

Living | 73

74 | Living

PROMOTION

SCENT OF SUMMER
Check out these fragrances for the season for
men and women – summer in a bottle

ESTÉE LAUDER BRONZE GODDESS
L’EAU DE LUMIERE FRAGRANCE – £64
This exotic summer fragrance gives you the most amazing feeling
of being on an oasis far away. The floral amber scent of jasmine
sambac, coconut milk, tuberose and citrus notes is an unforgettable
combination working together to create a destination you want to
come back to again and again. Talk about summer in a bottle!

MONT BLANC PLATINUM 60ML – £58
This new men’s fragrance from Mont Blanc
is an exploration of the already popular
Mont Blanc Explorer fragrances. This woody
ambery eau de parfum opens with a vibrant
fresh note of grapefruit, violet leaves, and
clary sage, then the woody accord appears
through of cedarwood. The eye-catching
bottle of a textured silver sleeve which is
inspired by the 1858 Geosphere Mont Blancs
watch. A must-have fragrance for all.

YSL Y EDP INTENSE – £82
Y EDP intense is a testament to the YSL modern man, who dares
to follow his passions and carve his own path. This men’s cologne
pairs cool French lavender, sensual patchouli, and a vivid blend of
blue juniper berries, for a spicy, seductive twist. The Y bottle is an
expression of modernity with the sharp design and bold cut out Y
logo. A strong statement for that bathroom shelf.

FRAGRANCE DU BOIS SOLSTIS – £185
A scent for all seasons, Solstis is the story of
the intimate relationship between the two
annual solstices of the sun. Opening with
citrus notes of mandarin and bergamot,
this elegant fragrance conjures up sultry
summers. The heart notes herald the end
of the summer with earthy spices and zesty
white florals. The romance endures as
Japanese vetiver mimics the intense aroma of
fertile woods after a tropical downpour.

LANCÔME IDOLE NOW – £58
Idôle Now is the latest to line up with the
brand. This unique florality fragrance is
inspired by nature, merging natural original
ingredients with science. The powerful trio of
iconic ingredients including rose, orchid and
natural vanilla. Create a richer, bolder, more
caring fragrance pushing the boundaries
in a more alluring way through fluffy
vanilla facets. In three sizes, this streamline
fragrance bottle is made for all occasions.

Book an appointment in-store with one of our consultants for more guidance.
All products are available from Browns Department Stores, Davygate, York, YO1 8QT
brownsyork.co.uk
Living | 75

76 | Living

PROMOTION

LIFE CHANGING RESULTS
James Jones, a heating and plumbing engineer from Wensleydale, recounts his
positive experience of Intervertebral Differential Dynamics (IDD) Therapy

‘Even with the amount
of medication I was
taking I barely got two
hours sleep at a time,
and my pain was at
its worst first thing
in the morning’

M

y back is a 100 times
better, I went from
crippling back pain to
getting back to work
pain-free without
surgery or injections.
When I first met Vanessa at Cathedral
Osteopaths in Ripon I was in a lot of
pain, with very poor mobility. My pain
was mostly down both legs. I couldn’t
sit, I couldn’t lie down, never mind do
simple jobs like get under a kitchen sink
to change taps. Everything was extremely
painful and uncomfortable. The problem
started in early December last year but it
progressed and obviously it got a lot worse.
By March this year it was at its worst and my
mobility became a concern. It really got to
me mentally.
At that point I was taking diazepam,
tramadol, co-codamol and gabapentin. I don’t
know whether it was a combination of being
in pain and the medication that I was on, but
it was quite a struggle. Even with the amount
of medication I was taking I barely got two
hours sleep at a time, and my pain was at its
worst first thing in the morning. I was very
down for about a week to ten days.
I’d been to a physiotherapist a couple
of times. She told me manipulation wasn’t
going to help me and so I had an MRI scan

which found two disc bulges and one disc
protrusion in my lumbar spine. And then my
wife found Vanessa’s details online, so I made
an appointment to see if I was suitable for
IDD Therapy.
It only took one week to get an
appointment for an assessment, and I
commenced my treatment program the
following day. I had IDD treatments
combined with a few osteopathy
appointments for seven weeks, plus graded
exercise programs to help with my recovery.
It is two and a half months since I
completed my treatment, during which time I
have been taking it easy as far as I can, despite
working seven days a week. Life is 90 per
cent back to normal. My work’s a lot better,
my home life’s improved. Most importantly
for me was that I avoided surgery. A preexisting health condition meant that recovery
would have been much longer for me. It’s
tremendous what IDD therapy has helped me
achieve in such a short space of time. My next

goal for the end of this month is to get back
on my bicycle. I would strongly recommend
IDD therapy to anyone struggling with the
same symptoms as me.
If you have been diagnosed with a bulging,
herniated or prolapsed disc in your back or
your neck or spinal stenosis then IDD therapy
may be for you.

Information packs are available on
the website or call to arrange a free
telephone consultation.
01765 804055
cathedralosteopaths.co.uk
services/idd-therapy
Living | 77

78 | Living

Kindness after loss
Sue Ryder launches three Grief Kind Spaces in Yorkshire
to tackle grief loneliness after bereavement

P

eople of Yorkshire can now
access free and informal peerto-peer bereavement support
from Sue Ryder, as the
charity launches Grief Kind
Spaces in Skipton, Leeds
and Bingley. Andy Longden from Sue Ryder
Manorlands Hospice, near Keighley, opened
the Sue Ryder Grief Kind Spaces and shared
his hope that the initiative would help reduce
the isolation and loneliness felt by many
people following a bereavement.
“Almost every home in the UK has, or
will experience the loss of someone, but Sue
Ryder’s research has found that 86 per cent of
people who had been bereaved said they felt
alone in their grief,” he says. “Our Grief Kind
Spaces offer a free, friendly in-person drop-in
session providing a safe, welcoming and
supportive place for anyone who has been
bereaved to share their experiences of grief,
helping them to feel heard and less alone.”
Further research by the charity revealed an
acute need for more informal bereavement
support, which carved the way for the
creation of Grief Kind Spaces. “We spoke
with 8,000 people who have been bereaved
last year and many told us what they really
wanted was to meet and talk to others who
had also been bereaved,” Andy adds. “I
hope through our spaces we can meet this
unfulfilled need.”
The service in Bingley takes place from
10am until 12pm every second Thursday of
the month at Bradford and Bingley Sports
Club, Wagon Lane, Bingley, BD16 1LT. In
Skipton the space is open every two weeks

‘Just pop in to receive
a warm welcome from
our team of trained
volunteers, who are
there to listen if you
have experienced any
kind of loss at any time’
at Fisher Medical Practice, Coach Street,
Skipton, BD23 1EU. You can visit Leeds on
the second Monday and last Thursday of
every month from 4.30pm-6.30pm at the John
Lewis Community Hub, 4th Floor, Victoria
Gate, Harewood St, Leeds, LS2 7AR.
Sessions are welcoming, inclusive and open to
anyone who is over 18 and has experienced
a bereavement.
There is no need to register or book. You
don’t need to have received any support or
care from Sue Ryder previously either. “Just

pop in to receive a warm welcome from our
team of trained volunteers, who are there to
listen if you have experienced any kind of loss
at any time,” Andy says.
Sue Ryder Grief Kind Spaces is not
a counselling service. Anyone seeking
more formal support can use Sue Ryder’s
existing Online Bereavement Counselling
Service and other support services. The
charity supports people through the most
difficult times of their lives, whether that’s a
terminal illness, the loss of a loved one or a
neurological condition.
Other recent research suggests that being
lonely may increase the risk of heart disease
in diabetes patients. Scientists have found
loneliness to be a bigger risk factor for
coronary heart disease than diet, exercise,
smoking and depression. The researchers
said their findings, published in the European
Heart Journal, highlight the importance of
meaningful social relationships to stay healthy.
sueryder.org
Living | 79

PROPER PUB,
PROPER GRUB
A country inn with rooms opened by Tommy Banks
overlooking the Gothic ruins of Byland Abbey
ticks all the boxes
WORDS BY CATHERINE TURNBULL

T

Charlie Smith and Tommy Banks

he Tommy Banks Group’s
previous hostelry takeovers at
the Black Swan in Oldstead
and Roots in York are no
longer pubs – they are much
garlanded Michelin-starred
restaurants. So, there was much excitement
when Yorkshire’s superstar chef announced
he would be opening the Abbey Inn at
Byland as: “A proper, country pub serving
up reimagined classics with our signature
Oldstead style.”
The very idea of being able to dine on
produce grown and reared on the Banks
family farm and garden without the £175
tasting menu price tag at the Black Swan in a
“relaxed” pub setting had us checking diaries
within minutes of the news. Tommy was
excited too: “Washing pots in this building
was one of my very first jobs when I was a kid,
so to now open my own pub in it is a dream,”
he says. “It’s a beautiful venue, with so much
history in its four walls.
“One of my main goals in opening
a third place is to continue my mission
for championing hyper-local, sustainable
produce. We’ve been rearing our own cattle,
sheep and pigs for a while now, and The
Abbey Inn allows us to get one stop further in
our journey to complete carcass balance and
true nose-to-tail dining.”

80 | Living

As we arrived on a sunny early Thursday
evening the west end of Byland Abbey was
illuminated in gold. We settled in the garden
of the inn, yards away from the glorious
backdrop with the menus. Seasoned head
chef Charlie Smith, who has worked with the
Banks family for five years, and Tommy offer
a mix of pub fare up until 8pm – examples are
an Oldstead pork pie (£8), a sharing board
with the pies, added cheese, smoked salmon
and pickles etc (£20), Oldstead charcuterie
with rare-breed coppa, lomo and smoked
salami, pickles (£14), or The Byland Burger
made from Oldstead Dexter beef, reared a
mile away, served with cheese, bacon and
chicory root jam and beef fat fries (£21).
We were on the evening menu, which
includes the burger and more ornate options
for evening palates. The starter of glazed
Herdwick lamb rib yoghurt flatbread,
fermented carrots (£14) came with bread
topped with fragrant herbs and a generous
dollop of yoghurt, whilst the smoked Pablo
beetroot ewe’s curd, rhuboshi, elderflower
vinaigrette (£12.50) was a deliciously delicate
artful plate with Yorkshire rhubarb that is
fermented and pickled in a Japanese style.
A main off the specials menu of a
woodland-reared T-bone pork chop, served
pink off the bone, encased in melting fat,
came served with fermented mushroom

béarnaise and richly satisfying umami-laden
hen of the woods mushrooms. We ordered
sides of triple-cooked chips (it’s a pub you
need good chips), and grilled Oldstead
vegetables, plus nasturtium salad and cured
egg yolk (£6 each side). I had been tempted
by the smoked haddock pottage pearl barley
and spelt, wild garlic and crispy leeks. I’ll be
back on a cooler evening for some of this
comfort food.
Portions are generous but it’s worth finding
room for dessert. The strawberry and sweet
cicely Eton mess sundae (£9) shows off the
kitchen’s soft serve ice cream-making brilliance.
The carrot and chicory root tiramisu carrot
sorbet, carrot caramel, white chocolate (£11)
is a major twist on the Italian classic that
successfully keeps tiramisu lovers happy.
Staff are enthusiastic and genuinely
appeared thrilled that we had enjoyed our
meal so much. At the bar you can sit up
and try some of the cocktails created by
James Banks from the Black Swan’s own
liqueurs and vermouths – perhaps a rhubarb
negroni with rhubarb, sweet vermouth and
lavender (£10). There’s real ale on the pump,
a well-curated 30-bin wine list showcasing

producers from lesser-known regions and
Banks Brothers canned wine.
The Grade II listed, 19th century inn has
been sensitively refurbished by the Banks
family, taking care to preserve and highlight
the old building’s original features. Dining
tables have been crafted in the workshops on
the farm at Oldstead and the pub’s sign has
been hand carved by Tommy’s father, Tom
Banks. The 70 covers are housed in several
cosy dining rooms and a larger barn-style area
with a log burner. Garden and bar snacks
are served outside during lunchtimes and
early evenings on some days. There are three
bedrooms for adults only.
So, what makes a proper country pub?
Good ales, fine wines, a bar, pub classics,
locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, a warm
welcome (dog and child friendly), a flagstone
hearth and a well-tended beer garden. The
Abbey Inn ticks all these boxes and adds finer
dining options too.
For opening times for the pub, dining
and more visit the website. Closed
Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
abbeyinnbyland.co.uk
Living | 81

82 | Living

PROMOTION

GLORIOUS GAME
Head chef Jon Appleby, of the Feversham Arms,
in Helmsley celebrates Yorkshire grouse

T

he Glorious 12th is a date
known by most across the
county of Yorkshire. From
the beaters on the drives to
the diners who really do look
forward to the first taste of
grouse of the year, August 12 is the start of
the shooting season and brings a real buzz to
local people. It was a real eye opener when I
started to work closer to the Yorkshire Dales to
see how much the game season brings together
local communities. Everyone from the young
adults beating for the shoots, to the local hotels
and guest houses accommodating shooters from
further afield, and the game dealers who deliver
the finest Yorkshire game to restaurants all over
the country.
With the Feversham Arms being near to some
of the best shooting grounds, it is right that
bold rich flavour of this prized bird, which we
we serve it on the menu of The Weathervane
must let speak for itself on the plate.
restaurant. Served classically with game chips,
bread sauce and a rich game jus, the simple
garnish is the perfect accompaniment for the
fevershamarmshotel.com

Living | 83

BRADFORD’S
PREMIER ALLNIGHT VENUE
The renovated Napoleons Casino and Restaurant
combines fine dining and luxury entertainment
to create Bradford’s top destination for night owls

L

ocated in central Bradford,
Napoleons is the only
place in town for late-night
entertainment, exquisite
food and a plethora of
games to try your hand
at. Relax in the comfortable seating areas
overlooking the casino floor or bring friends
and family along for a blowout birthday
meal – totally free during your birthday
month if you’re a member!
Discover the wonderful events and
unmissable entertainment on offer at
Napoleons, where there’s always something
to amaze and delight.

84 | Living

ATMOSPHERIC NIGHTLIFE
Whether you’re looking for some
classic casino fun or just searching for
somewhere to stay out a little later,
Napoleons has exactly what you’re
looking for. The brand-new bar is the
perfect place to unwind, with cosy
corners and comfortable seating
boasting views overlooking the buzz
of the Gaming Floor. The Bar & LateNight Menu serves mouth-watering
small plates and dishes until 1am daily,
perfect for sharing with friends.
As Bradford’s only 24-hour venue,
the atmosphere at Napoleons is truly
second to none, with the bar staying

UNBEATABLE NIGHTS
AND SPECIAL EVENTS
The live entertainment at Napoleons
is truly unmatched in Bradford. As the
only place where you can spend your
entire evening until the small hours of the
morning, the events line up at Napoleons
is jam-packed with theme nights and
tribute acts. Rest assured that you’ll
experience a safe night out, with 24-hour
security at the venue. Get in quick as
many of the events occurring soon are
already fully booked!
Roll back the years with timeless tunes
from Gary Barlow, the Blues Brothers
and Tina Turner. There’s a full roster of
one-time-only events at Napoleons this
year, from pop quizzes to Northern Soul
nights. Towards the end of the year,
the party really gets into full swing –
Christmas disco events, Christmas quiz
nights and the all-important New Year’s
Eve party with a Motown theme.

open until 4am! Napoleons recently
celebrated the full renovation with a
spectacular Michael Bublé tribute act
and four-course meal, with a Casino
Relaunch Party the following day
featuring a complimentary buffet and
drinks reception.
Napoleons works hard to create an
environment in which everyone feels
included and has a fantastic night.
Whether you’re looking for a new place
to start a truly memorable night out,
finish off your evening in true luxury,
watch live sports on the big TVs, or
attend a classy live event, you won’t
forget Napoleons any time soon.

PROMOTION

‘From Thai spiced fish
cakes to a classic prawn
cocktail with Bloody
Mary mayonnaise,
the starters menu is just
the tip of the iceberg...’

Delectable contemporary cuisine
Treat yourself to a heavenly meal to rival
any fine dining establishment whilst
enjoying genuine Yorkshire hospitality.
From Monday to Saturday, the restaurant
serves a variety of excellent dishes
from 5pm to 10.30pm. Dine in style
and enjoy a three-course dinner as well
as your choice of selected drinks on
arrival, and you’ll find plenty of delicious
meals to choose from on the new July
and August dinner menu.
The warm summer months are
perfect for a Mediterranean-themed
appetiser, with juicy marinated olives
or warm breads with olive oil, houmous
and sun-blush tomatoes. Napoleons
pride themselves on the quality of their
ingredients, unbeatable presentation,
and strong British influences with
a fusion twist.
From Thai spiced fish cakes to a classic
prawn cocktail with Bloody Mary
mayonnaise, the starters menu is just
the tip of the iceberg when it comes
to flavoursome dishes. Go for a true
Yorkshire speciality – the Napoleons’
famous grill – with a sirloin, ribeye or
fillet steak served alongside your choice
of sauces. Fillet of hake, crab and leek
risotto; pan-fried medallions of pork;

and tomato and lentil ragu make for
an ideal summer treat.
Finish off a fantastic meal with
a tempting dessert or two. The Oreo
and white chocolate blondie with salted
caramel ice cream is a firm favourite,
as well as the warm pear and almond
frangipane tart with clotted cream
and stem ginger crème anglaise. Make
sure you book yourself a table so you
don’t miss out!
18+ BeGambleAware

Living | 85

86 | Living

COMPETITION

WIN! WIN! WIN!
Lunch for two in sunny Southern Italian-style at Riva Blu
Restaurant & Bar in the heart of Leeds city centre

R

iva Blu is only a few handy
steps from Leeds’ main
railway station, but it is
transporting guests to the
south of Italy this summer,
with 20 new dishes on the
menu, authentic aperitivo, vibrant al fresco
dining, and homemade limoncello. It aims
to combine the glamour of the Amalfi Coast
with vibrant street food inspired by the edgy
back streets of Naples. The venue promises
classic dishes with a modern Mediterranean
twist, a laid-back atmosphere with a pinch of
theatrical flair, and the sweetness of la dolce
vita with some added zest.
There was a zesty scent of citrus and a
warm greeting and suggestions from our
Sardinian server Jimmy as we settled on a
turquoise banquette. Our taste of Southern
Italy began with a classic antipasto for Becky
– bruschetta al pomodoro with vine ripened
plum tomatoes, garlic, oregano and fresh basil
served on toasted ciabatta (£8.50) – a fresh
starter. My carpaccio of seared sliced beef
fillet, Venetian dressing and rocket salad was
generous and as tender as butter (£14).
After an excellent start and a glass of the
fruity white Grillo Serenata from Casa Girelli

Living has teamed up with Riva Blu to
offer two Living readers the chance to win
lunch for two in the Leeds restaurant. To
enter just answer the question below:
How many new dishes are on the
summer menu?
Please email your answer, along with your
name, address and telephone number,
with the words “Riva Blu competition” in
the subject field to catherine.turnbull@
nqyne.co.uk.

WORDS BY CATHERINE TURNBULL

‘The venue promises
classic dishes with a
modern Mediterranean
twist, a laid-back
atmosphere with a
pinch of theatrical flair’

The closing date for entries is August 20,
2023. The judge’s decision is final, and no
correspondence will be entered into. Usual
Newsquest rules apply. The lunch for
two prize has a maximum value of £100
for food and drink. It is valid Monday –
Sunday between noon and 3pm and must
be redeemed by September 30, 2023.

in Sicily, our secondi piatti main courses
swiftly followed. My tonno alla griglia – grilled
yellowfin tuna, vine ripened fresh tomatoes,
capers, Leccino olives, chilli, basil and lemon
was light, salty and refreshing (£27). It was
great that they asked how I’d like it cooked –
barely seared. Becky’s frutti di mare linguine
with wild red king prawn, mussels, clams,
calamari, white wine, tomato and chilli sauce
was packed with seafood (£21.50).
Last up was a tortino al cioccolato – a
warm chocolate fondant, with properly
oozing chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream and
crushed amaretti (£8.75). A real treat, from
start to finish.
Other dishes you might like for lunch
include super light pizzas sliced at the table
with scissors, a multitude of pasta and
salad choices or staples like lasagne, ravioli,
and gamberi rossi. Options for steaks and
other meat, vegetarian and vegan plates are
plentiful, as are the ice creams and sorbets.
Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar boasts
an open kitchen, cocktail bar and an al fresco
terrace for aperitivo.

11-12 Park Row, Leeds
0113 2443220
rivablu.co.uk/leeds

Living | 87

|

SUMMER COOLERS
Whether you’re clinking your favourite champs, or after refreshment ideas to accompany
those grown-up games in the garden, check out these colourful spirits and aperitifs…
PINKSTER SPRITZ ELDERFLOWER
& RASPBERRY AND RASPBERRY &
HIBISCUS, 24% ABV, £20 EACH FOR
70CL, PINKSTER GIN
‘Tis the season to spritz, and Pinkster has
you covered, with two fab variants to choose
from. They have foraged wild elderflower
from their local Cambridgeshire hedgerows
and married them with gin-soaked raspberries
(the Hibiscus expression is infused with, you
guessed it, hibiscus flowers). All that’s left is
for you to do is top a 25ml measure with ice
and soda. Fever-Tree Mexican Lime and a
squeeze of fresh lime is their go-to to mixer.

REVEREND HUBERT GARDEN GIN
LIQUEUR, 20% ABV, £34.95 FOR
50CL, MASTER OF MALT

CÎROC SUMMER CITRUS, 37.5%
ABV, £41.99 FOR 70CL, INKD
A crack shot, Cîroc’s new summer variant
can be sipped neat over ice, as the perfect
partner to Prosecco in a citrus spritz, or
in a fruity citrus sunrise with orange juice
and splash of cranberry. Infused with sunkissed notes of blood oranges that really
sing out, alongside zesty lime and other
natural flavours, there is a tangy, peppery
kick on the finish. Beautifully bright
and entertaining.

A tweak to a recipe first laid down in 1904,
the reverend’s great-grandson has recreated
the formula with a summery burst of sweet
pomegranate and tart cranberries. Incredibly
moreish and a flurry of flavours, rhubarb and
ripe plums are in the driving seat, mellowed
by brambly fruits and earthy juniper. Top with
soda, light or hibiscus tonic and garnish with
raspberries or citrus fruits for a joyous glass.
Think summer fête fabulous.

CHURCHILL’S DRY WHITE
PORT, 19.5% ABV, £21.50 FOR
50CL, BAR DOURO
A dry white port in a richer style,
Churchill’s spends 10 years ageing in oak
casks for its distinctive golden colour,
aromatic nose, smooth, nutty flavours
and lingering spiced, woody notes. A
deliciously different aperitif that works so
well with salted almonds, cured ham and
cheeses. Grab a highball, fill with ice and
add two parts Churchill’s Dry White Port
with two parts tonic and garnish with a
couple of twists of orange peel. A top drop
from the Douro Valley.

EL BANDARRA ROJO RED
VERMOUTH, 15% ABV, £20.99 FOR
100CL, EL BANDARRA
A bitter-sweet red vermouth boasting more
than 50 botanicals and local fruits, cloves,
cinnamon and bitter orange add further layers
of spice and herbal complexity. Aromatic and
utterly delicious, serve straight up over ice and
garnish with a slice of orange and an olive.
Barcelona in a bottle.
Living | 89

LEEDS

Yorkshire
Choice
Awards

A

remarkable gathering of 750
inspirational people celebrated
The Yorkshire Choice Awards
2023. The event was founded
by Joanne Maltby and Melanie Malcolm to
raise awareness of admirable local people
and businesses. The accolades highlight
how through adversity and courage, light
can shine and give the deserving nominees
and winners the exposure they deserve.
The hosts were Christa Ackroyd and
Jonathan Heath, and presenters: Christine
Talbot, Duncan Wood, Stephanie Hirst,
Lizzie Jones, Tanya Arnold, Tim Bilton,
Richard McCann and Steve Robinson.
yorkshirechoiceawards.co.uk

Customer Service: Fazenda, Leeds

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBLING PHOTOGRAPHY

Ada Butterfield

Business Woman: Valentina Hynes

Charitable Business: Redrow Homes

Christine Talbot

Community Arts: Eleanor Tomlinson

Independent Business: Sam Teal Productions

Kate Granger Award for Outstanding Contribution: Mike Bates

90 | Living

Inspirational Individual: Susan Mountain

SOCIETY

Local Fundraiser: Ian Flatt

Rob Burrow and family

Special Recognition Lindsey Burrow

Volunteer: Saliha Sadiq

Young Achiever: Ada Butterfield

New Starter: The Yorkshire Spa Retreat

Living | 91

PICKERING

Visit by
the King

K

ing Charles chugged into
Pickering Station after a trip
on the North Yorkshire Moors
Railway, which is celebrating
its 50th anniversary. The royal train
was pulled by iconic steam loco Flying
Scotsman, to mark the engine’s centenary.
Driver Chris Cubitt invited the King to
climb on the footplate before he left the
station to meet wellwishers. Accompanied
by North Yorkshire Lord-Lieutenant Jo
Ropner, the monarch visited shops and
St Peter and St Paul’s Church, famous
for its medieval wall paintings. The King
was given a guided tour by Dr Kate Giles.
He was told by the Rev Gareth Atha that
Queen Mary visited the church in 1937.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY
PA / SIMON JACOBS / CHARLOTTE GRAHAM

Unveiling the plaque to mark the 50th anniversary of North York Moors Railway

King Charles with Flying Scotsman driver Chris Cubitt

The King is greeted by Lord-Lieutenant of
North Yorkshire Jo Ropner

92 | Living

The royal train pulled by the Flying Scotsman

SOCIETY

The King with Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire
The Rev Gareth Atha and the King

The King with Dr Kate Giles

Jo Ropner

King Charles III at Birdgate Chocolatiers

At Timm Family Butchers

Living | 93

RESTORATION PERIOD
As Beningbrough Hall reopens after nearly two years of closure for repairs,
Catherine Turnbull takes a tour of the baroque masterpiece

W

hen I meet Alexa
Buffey, the
collections and
house manager who
recently arrived
at Beningbrough
Hall from a similar National Trust role in
Shropshire, she admits that the mansion has
a scarcity of objects with which to tell the
estate’s story, compared with many of the
Trust’s properties. That is one of the reasons
why in a previous partnership with the
National Portrait Gallery, the house hosted
exhibitions of portraits on loan.
Now, when I visit following a £2.3 million
infrastructure conservation project, Alexa tells
me that much research has been undertaken
into the house’s archives to uncover some of
the stories of the people who have called the
estate home over the centuries.
Beningbrough is one of the most
remarkable baroque houses in England and
its key treasure is the Great Hall. Since the
94 | Living

current hall was completed in 1716, heavily
influenced by John Bourchier’s grand tour,
it has been constantly re-invented, including
as a billet for aircrews during the Second
World War.
Following a closure of nearly two years,
the historic rooms on the ground floor
have reopened following the project. I’d
forgotten how impressive the Great Hall is,
the splendour of its columns and plasterwork
now enhanced with LED lighting, whilst the
grand cantilevered staircase is outstanding.
A monumental pineapple sculpture by
Toby Ziegler, on loan from the Arts Council
Collection, Southbank Centre, London
makes an impressive centrepiece to the hall.
Pineapples were actually grown on the estate
by Giles Earle in the 18th century.
“The recent work has been crucial in
preserving the building for future generations
and show off the stunning interiors in a better
light. The closure has also allowed us to
discover more about the people who shaped

Beningbrough throughout history and display
some key pieces from the collection,” says
Alexa, (pictured above) as we approach a case
in the dining room.
Under glass is a tiny silver seal that helped
change the course of British history. It is said
to have belonged to Sir John Bourchier, a

TOBY ZIEGLER CREDIT ARTS COUNCIL COLLECTION, SOUTHBANK CENTRE, LONDON

former owner of the estate before the present
hall was built, and had been used by him
to seal the death warrant of Charles I. The
Bourchiers should have lost much of their
property when the monarchy was restored,
but Sir John’s son Barrington was protected
by powerful family connections.
Another poignant remnant of the hall’s
story is Second World War graffiti above the
drawing room fireplace. WAAF Dorothy
Preston (Gipsy) and Canadian airman Harry
Olsen (Olie) met in late 1941 at the Alice
Hawthorn pub in Nun Monkton. The graffiti
bears their names and originally a heart, now
faded through human touch over the decades.
It is now protected to prevent further loss
of the inscription. The sweethearts’ time
together was short, though both survived
the war.
Also on display is the painting by John
Joseph Bouttats and John Chapman of the
north front hall. “It’s a really important
painting of 1751 as it shows what the hall
may have looked like originally,” says Alexa.
“We do acquire further knowledge all the
time that we are keen to share. Recently we
acquired some love letters written by Marian
Vere Dawnay, whose father inherited the
hall in 1891. She writes about visiting friends
in the village.”
The late Mr Ian Reddihough left a
generous gift in his will to support the

conservation and care of Beningbrough Hall,
which has enabled essential preservation
and repairs.
A programme of art exhibitions is
planned on the first floor in the newly
named Reddihough Galleries. The eightacre garden is undergoing a renaissance by
award-winning designer Andy Sturgeon,
enhancing the already impressive grand
borders, walled kitchen garden and extensive
wilderness play area. Surrounded by 380 acres
of parkland, the wider estate extends to offer
walks through hidden woods and along
riverside paths. The five-mile circular walk
is highly recommended.
Beningbrough is open daily, 10am to
5pm. The hall opens from 11am to 4pm.
nationaltrust.org.uk/beningbrough

INSPIRED BY ITALY

September 16 to March 17, 2024
This exhibition brings together the work
of Kate Somervell, a contemporary
photographer based in Yorkshire, and
Giovanni Battista Piranesi, an 18thcentury Italian artist. Both have taken
inspiration from Italian architecture. The
show highlights the romance and reality
of Italy and the Italian influence on one
of Yorkshire’s great houses. Stunning
views of Venice contrast with newlycommissioned images of Beningbrough,
alongside classical Rome.

Living | 95

PROMOTION

THE ART OF PLAY
Families can get creative this summer at The Hepworth Wakefield
with activities for children of all ages

T

IMAGES BY JMA PHOTOGRAPHY

he Hepworth Wakefield
garden is a place for nature,
people and art – and the
perfect way to spend a
sunny day during the school
holidays. To discover more
about the birds, mini-beasts, plants and trees
that live in the garden, families are invited to
pick up a free What’s in our Garden? sketch
book full of looking and drawing activities.
The sketchbook has been developed for
families, but visitors of any age can join in too.
Families can take inspiration from the
garden to build, experiment, draw and
imagine in the open air during free Garden
Play sessions, happening every Tuesday to
Sunday during the holidays. There is no need
to book – just turn up and play.
In the galleries and learning studios,
families can drop-in to workshops to make
prints, light-catchers or drawings. Workshops
happen every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Sunday during the school holidays and
are free with an exhibition ticket. Every Friday
and Saturday, look out for The Hepworth
Wakefield’s Art Pod in the gallery spaces.

‘Families can take
inspiration from
the garden to build,
experiment, draw and
imagine in the open
air during free Garden
Play sessions’

You will be greeted by a member of the
learning team, who will offer activities linked
to the exhibitions.
Explore artworks together and return to
the Art Pod to make, draw and create. Art
Pod activities are developed for two-to-12year-olds, however babies and toddlers are
more than welcome to join in.
On Wednesday, August 2, The Hepworth
Wakefield celebrates National Playday with
lots of activities across the galleries, learning
studios and garden.
It’s the perfect opportunity to plan a
day at The Hepworth Wakefield and see its
garden in full bloom.
Exhibition entry is free for members of
The Hepworth Wakefield, Wakefield District
residents and under 18s. During the summer
holidays, non-Wakefield families can get 50
per cent off adult tickets when visiting with
children – valid from Wednesday, July 26 to
Sunday, September 3. The offer is valid when
booking a minimum of two tickets and the
offer can be used multiple times over the
holidays. It can be used online or in person.
The Hepworth Wakefield Garden is open
daily and free for everyone to visit. All family
activities in the garden are free.
Plan your visit on the website.
hepworthwakefield.org

96 | Living

Living | 97

98 | Living

WILDISH SCENES

W

Six female artists exhibit paintings, pots, jewellery, poetry,
wallpaper and ceramic sculpture in York

hen York artist Jo
Walton approached
the city’s Pyramid
Gallery offering to
curate an exhibition
in the two first floor
galleries, owner Terry Brett had no hesitation
in taking up her offer. The gallery has shown
Jo’s “rust prints” and rusted or treated steel
paintings on several occasions.
For this show, Jo has selected and
invited other artists of various disciplines to
contribute to a joint show based on the theme
Wildish. The work includes paintings, pots,
jewellery, poetry, artist-designed wallpaper
and ceramic sculpture.
“It’s very refreshing for me to return from
a short holiday and be able to watch Jo and
the Pyramid team comprising Fiona, Sarah,
Ali and Angela, set up a complete show,”
Terry says. “And the show looks good,
based on wild country scenes and imaginary
creatures in materials that have a big impact
through texture or colour.’

Julie O’Sullivan

IZZY WILLIAMSON
Izzy specialises in making original, limited
edition relief prints. Her work is deeply
rooted in nature and stories from her
childhood in Whitby. The narratives within
her work observe feelings of playfulness
and wonder. Izzy, now based in York, has
produced designs for interiors, packaging
and branding.

ZOE CATHERINE KENDAL
Zoe makes jewellery and sculptural objects
from mixed precious and non-precious
materials including ancient and antique
beads, ceramics, and metals. Her oneoff creations reflect a playful exploration
of form and aesthetics, whilst revealing
craftsmanship and a passion for ancient and
contemporary adornment.

Izzy Williamson
and Terry Brett

CHRISTINE PIKE
Christine makes work that tells stories. They
vary in subject and scale, but with one central
theme: a joyful appreciation of nature and our
relationship to it, viewed through the lens of
folktale and myth. She works in paperclay,
ceramics, and mixed media. Christine exhibits
throughout the UK and holds an MA from
Norwich University of the Arts.

NICKY KIPPAX
Nicky is a poet from York. Her work can be
found in many anthologies and magazines
– including, most recently, Poetry News,
The Rialto and The Alchemy Spoon – and
has been shortlisted for the Bridport Prize,
the Bath Fiction Prize. She will soon be
publishing her first collection. Nicky weaves
her wordy magic among the artworks.

JO WALTON
Jo is a York artist. Her work is primarily
abstract – often combining rusted metal with

oil painting, and using wax, gold, silver and
copper leaf to create imaginary, colourscapes
and sea/earthscapes. Her art ranges in
size from 20 cm to 1m square and is on
wooden panels, metal and textured surface –
weathered to perfection.

JULIE O’SULLIVAN
From her studio in Leigh on Sea Julie
O’Sullivan presents a body of work shaped
by living alongside the transient beauty of the
Thames Estuary. She incorporates found seaglass, seaweed, shells and pebbles taken from
her local shoreline. Julie uses a very coarsetextured stoneware clay, yet there remains a
sensuous delicacy or fragility to her work.

Pyramid Art Gallery at 43 Stonegate,
York, is open Monday to Saturday 10am
until 5pm. You can see Wildish until
September 1.
pyramidgallery.com
Living | 99

YORKSHIRE books

Settle down for the holidays with three thrilling novels by local writers or explore the
county in the company of non-fiction guides
1. TITLE: End of Story by Louise Swanson
PUBLISHER: Hodder & Stoughton
PRICE: £16.99 (ebook £4.99)
This is the ultimate terrifying scenario for
fiction lovers – Hull-based Louise Beech,
writing as Swanson, has set her dystopian
thriller in a world of 2035 where fiction
books are banned by the government.
Writing novels or even reading fairytales
to children are crimes, punishable by
imprisonment or worse, as former fiction
writers disappear. Fern Dolstoy lives as an
outcast; she was one of the “great four”
feted authors, now stripped of her life and
friends, scribbling illegally in her notebook.
When young boy Hunter captures her heart,
she risks the little life she has left to make
up a bedtime story for him. There’s a fiction
within a fiction as the premise of Fern’s novel
threatens society further and a huge twist
in the final chapters. This moving book chills
and captivates throughout. My fear now is
that Swanson’s fiction will come true.
2. TITLE: The Forgotten Shore by Sarah Maine
PUBLISHER: Hodder & Stoughton
PRICE: £18.99 (ebook £4.99)
It can be tricky to pull off a dual timeline,
let alone three time periods, but York-based
Sarah Maine achieves this with skill in the
opening chapters of her sixth historical novel.
We are immersed in Scotland in 1940 where
wounded war hero Archie Maxwell wrestles
with the nighttime “frights” of PTSD after
the traumas of battle. In 1966 schoolgirl Eva
Bayne, aged 11, is at the centre of a crisis in
the remote Newfoundland fishing harbour
of Heart’s Repose over her friendship with
social outcast Tam Nairn. Fifteen years later
in Scotland Eva, now a rookie journalist,
investigates the mystery of missing heir to
the Rosslie Estate, Archie Maxwell, who
disappeared four decades earlier. As the past
reveals the Maxwell family’s secrets through
intense encounters with people in wild
places, Eva’s intuition leads her to a truth
and redemption. I loved Maine’s debut A
House Between the Tides, but The Forgotten
Shore is even more atmospheric. Perfect for
Daphne du Maurier fans.
3. TITLE: The Honeymoon by Kate Gray
PUBLISHER: Wellbeck
PRICE: £12.99 (ebook £5.99)
Two newlywed couples meet in Bali
and celebrate their last night together
at a swanky restaurant. There’s an ugly
altercation over dinner and the evening ends
on a storm-lashed clifftop with a dead body.
100 | Living

What follows is an almighty cover up and an
intricate web of secrets and lies as each of
the unreliable characters joust to save their
lives and marriages. Author Kate Gray of
Helmsley woke from a nightmare believing
she had killed someone and the idea for The
Honeymoon emerged screaming. She wrote
the book during a feverish three weeks
before it was snapped up in a four-way
publishers’ auction. If you are heading for a
beach holiday and looking for a twisty read
about a honeymoon from hell, this domestic
thriller might be just the thing.
4. TITLE: Walking the Wharfe – An Ode to a
Yorkshire River by Johno Ellison
PUBLISHER: Bradt Guides
PRICE: £9.99
Hiking a river upstream to its source is ultra
slow travel. Former RAF helicopter pilot
Johno Ellison is one of many captivated to
explore a flowing waterway and returned
to his roots to walk the 65-mile length of
the River Wharfe, beside which he grew up
in Boston Spa. Ellison retraces the steps of
Victorian author Edmund Bogg to investigate
how the riverscape and its communities have
evolved during the intervening 120 years.
From the Wharfe’s confluence with the Ouse
at Cawood, he tramps past Tadcaster, where
the force of floodwater claimed the bridge in
2015, to Ilkley where he joins the Dales Way
to reach the boggy moorland and a “little
bubbling spring”. It’s a journey through
turbulent history, myth and modern culture
in which Ellison encounters the kindness of
strangers and rare wildlife.
5. TITLE: Yorkshire: The North Riding by
Jane Grenville and Nikolaus Pevsner
PUBLISHER: Yale University Press
PRICE: £45
If you have an interest in architecture this
is the first complete revision of Pevsner’s
original volume on the North Riding of
Yorkshire, updated by Jane Grenville,
formerly of the University of York, Towns
explored include the stone and stucco
marine terraces and villas of the Victorian
seaside resort of Scarborough, the fishing
town of Whitby presided over by the Gothic
silhouette of its iconic abbey, and early
Garden City housing by the Rowntrees at
New Earswick. Architectural styles range
from the remains of unusually complete and
beautiful monastic establishments, including
the Cistercians at Rievaulx, to Vanbrugh’s
Castle Howard. This is the ultimate in-depth
guide to our built heritage through the ages.

Living | 101

WHAT’S ON
It’s show time in the countryside, cultural hotspots and in art
galleries this month with events for all ages to enjoy
BLOOM

York Art Gallery, until October 6
Flowers, plant life and gardens have
fascinated and inspired generations
of artists. Bloom displays more than
100 botanical artworks from York Art
Gallery’s collection, alongside key loans,
to explore the importance of nature and
green spaces for enjoyment, creativity
and wellbeing. The exhibition highlights
the story of the Museum Gardens in York
through art, from its early beginnings,
before exploring still life paintings and
how gardens and flowers reflect and
draw on themes of identity. See paintings
by leading artists such as Henri FantinLatour, Charles Ginner and Jan van Os,
and an installation by York-based artist
Jade Blood, as well as contemporary
loans from two collections: Richard
Saltoun Gallery and the Intoart Collection.
Creative activities for all ages are being
staged. Adult tickets £8.
yorkartgallery.org.uk

‘York Art Gallery’s
collection, alongside
key loans, explores the
importance of nature
and green spaces for
enjoyment, creativity
and wellbeing’

COUNTRY SHOWS

August is a busy month for country and
agricultural shows across the region. It’s
a time to celebrate farming, equestrian,
country crafts, produce and horticulture,
with entertainment and shopping thrown in
at many of the shows.
Ripley Show is held in the beautiful grounds
of Ripley Castle on August 13. You can
enter classes, including jumping classes,
fancy dress, vintage machines and all
dog classes, which include dog agility,
companion dog and friends show, terrier
racing, gun dog retrieve and sheep dogs.

102 | Living

Tockwith Show is held on the 6th. Both
Gargrave and Rosedale shows are on
the 19th and Malham and Wensleydale
on the 26th. Driffield Game & Country
Fair on August 27 and 28 promises an
action-packed timetable of activities and
entertainment throughout both days. There
are many more small shows in the Yorkshire
Dales and North Yorkshire Moors areas too.
northyorkmoors.co.uk
yorkshiredales.org.uk
ripleyshow.co.uk
driffieldgameandcountryfair.co.uk
tockwithshow.org.uk

DIARY

HAREWOOD HOUSE
ROLLS-ROYCE
ENTHUSIASTS’
CLUB, NORTH
OF ENGLAND RALLY
August 6

VW FESTIVAL

August 12-13
The RREC rally brings together some of
the UK’s most prized motor cars and
their proud owners, and 2023 marks the
43rd year at Harewood. Tickets from £14
adult/£8 child. The UK’S largest familyfriendly VW show returns with a full
weekend of entertainment, live music and
VWs galore. Tickets from £18 adult/£6
child. There are plenty more events this
summer to browse on the website. Book
in advance online to get the best prices.
harewood.org

LOVE STORIES

South Cliff Gardens, Scarborough, until
September 22
Promenade the renovated coastal Italian gardens
on an accessible trail while listening on your
device to real-life love stories, poetry and song
inspired by the location, and set to an orchestral
score performed by Scarborough Spa Orchestra
and Whitby Community Choir. “We had over 100
submissions from people all over Scarborough and
we were so moved by all the wonderful stories we
gathered,” says executive producer Hannah Davies
of community producing company, ARCADE. The
Love Stories audio trail is free to stream via the
Bandcamp app and from QR codes in the gardens.
hello-arcade.com/love-stories

YORKSHIRE
BALLOON FIESTA

NORTHERN PROSPECTS

Janette Ray Rare Books, 8 Bootham,
York, Until August 19
Lotte Inch Gallery is returning this
summer with a pop-up exhibition at
Janette Ray Rare Books. Showcasing
a selected body of paintings, prints,
ceramics and more, this collection of

works has York and the North at its heart.
Artists in the show include Amy Dennis,
Mark Hearld, Nicky Hirst, Kelly Jayne,
David Lloyd-Jones, Marie Walker-Last,
Robert H Lee, Isabella Maclure, Geoff
Morten, Malcolm Whittaker, Tom Wood
and more. Opening hours are Wednesday
to Friday 10am-5pm, or by appointment.

Castle Howard, August 25-28
Headline acts during the bank holiday
weekend include singer-songwriter
Ella Henderson, Top Loader and Blue,
Sister Sledge, Sam Ryder, Rak-Su and
Symphonic Ibiza. The fun-filled, family
event will also feature Andy & the Odd
Socks, from the CBBC hit show Andy and
the Band, YolanDa’s Band Jam, Dick and
Dom and the Raver Tots Big Top, who will
bring their dance music. There will also be
TV character meet and greets with Bluey,
and Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol
and activities for children of all ages.
Hot air balloons from around Europe
include new character balloons, which
will feature in the mass launches each
morning and evening, when spectacular
night glow displays will light up the skies
(all weather permitting). Day tickets and
camping for the weekend are available.
yorkshireballoonfiesta.co.uk/tickets

Living | 103

104 | Living

Living | 105

ISLAND HOPPING
Combine gorgeous Greek retreats with coastal chic on a dreamy two-island trip
in the spectacular Sporades isles of Skiathos and Alonissos

A

n older woman jumped
up and down like a child
and shouted: “Dolphins,
dolphins,” as we passed the
island of Skopelos. The pod
of cetaceans leapt away just
as we spotted the chapel that had a star turn
in the first Mamma Mia! film. If that wasn’t
enough scenic excitement the ferry also called
into two harbour villages, their dazzling white
houses cascading to the aquamarine water’s
edge in picture perfect dreamy Greek style.
We were on a ferry sailing to Alonissos
from Skiathos, after three days on the
forested pine-scented island fringed with 60
stunning sandy beaches lapped by clear seas.
Our base was the Skiathos Princess Hotel,
five miles from buzzing Skiathos Town and
106 | Living

WORDS BY CATHERINE TURNBULL

‘The ferry also called
into two harbour
villages, their dazzling
white houses cascading
to the aquamarine
water’s edge’
the airport, which has direct flights from the
UK. After a good sleep in the hotel’s spacious
rooms with private gardens and a morning on
the private beach we were off to town.
The best panoramic views of the hillsides
of tumbling white houses with terracotta
roofs are from the Bourtzi, a former Venetian

fortress, where a restaurant has seats on the
citadel’s edge. It’s an Instagrammer’s delight
– below on the rocks a woman modelled
swimwear. We feasted on a mezze of dips,
tuna and fennel salad, sea bream ceviche,
chicken tacos and truffle and parmesan chips
and the ubiquitous local cheese pie in filo
pastry. Sophisticated Greek and international
flavours done well.
A resident English guide and historian
Michael Evans led us through a labyrinth of
lanes away from the tourist bubble in the
central streets. We squeezed though narrow
alleys less than a shoulder wide, built to repel
attackers and he told us how the town was
abandoned in the 14th century to escape
pirate raids and moved to the fortress Kastro,
only returning in the 1800s, when islanders

‘We sailed into stunning blue caves, below the
ruins of the Kastro on a promentary, and saw
horned goats posing on rocky outcrops’

transported the stones of houses on foot.
Skiathos is a 12-mile long island with one
main arterial road and a wild interior. One
of the best ways to experience its beauty is
by boat. We circumnavigated the island in a
few hours on a private rib tour with GR Boat
Rental skippered by Angelos. During the
superb trip we sailed into stunning blue caves,
passed below the ruins of fortified Kastro
on its promontory, saw horned goats posing
on rocky outcrops and cruised towards
Lalaria beach before stopping for a beer on
the tiny islet of Tsougria. There was time for
swimming and snorkelling.
Skiathos Princess is owned by a Greek
family and part of the Santikos Collection.
Dinner at its elegant sister hotel Aegean Suites
on the edge of Skiathos Town is served at the
Pelagos restaurant on an outdoor candlelit
terrace. It is impeccable fine dining, matched
with luscious wine. Being so close to town
after dinner we headed for the party vibe,
where in the Blind Dog live music bar owners
Danny and Zoe belted out rock classics to an
audience of tourists and locals.
Next day we took the ferry to Alonissos
and a much more peaceful vibe. It’s a bigger
island than Skiathos with a smaller population
scattered across small settlements set in pine
Living | 107

WHERE TO STAY

‘A perfect day ended
with a swim at
Kokkinokastro below
a cliff bearing the
faint scars of an
ancient castle’

Marpunta Resort, Alonnisos
Set on a private peninsula on the
island’s southwest coast, this refined
retreat feels gloriously secluded. Its
white-washed buildings are set among
fuchsia bougainvillea. Inside, the mood
is simple but supremely stylish with sleek
light-flooded rooms with colour pops of
turquoise and tangerine.
There’s a shimmering pool, tennis
court, yoga and paddleboards for
exploring the azure coves near the hotel.
There are plenty of quiet spots to sit and
watch the views. It’s a popular wedding
venue too. The scuba-diving here is some
of the best in the Med. The hotel will
arrange guided tours and excursions.

forests and among sweet-scented wild herbs.
There’s a feeling of tranquility and unspoiled
natural beauty here, which is embodied in
the beautiful Marpunta Resort, our second
home. Set on a private peninsula on the
island’s southwest coast, this refined retreat is
gloriously secluded with suites reminiscent of
fishing family homes.
Local guide Dinah Sinclair walked us
down an old donkey path to the port of
Patitiri, where we visited the Mom seal
information centre. Alonissos is encircled
by Europe’s largest marine reserve, with
endangered Mediterranean monk seals,
turtles and dolphins living in its turquoise
waters. That evening we travelled over the
mountain range to Tassia’s Cooking in the
hamlet of Steni Vala, an atmospheric taverna
in a small bay where the mezze and whole fish
were served with tangles of delicious garden
greens and rock samphire.

D

inah took us on a road trip
to the hilltop Chora or Old
Village, abandoned when
it was devastated by an
earthquake in 1965. Now it’s a
bit of a chi-chi multinational spot as foreigners
have moved into restore the ancient homes
and open cafés and craft shops. The narrow
alleyways, connected by age-worn steps, and
balconies overflowing with flowers are pretty.
A donkey came down the steep street carrying
boxes, passing a monument to local resistance
fighters who were executed by German
soldiers in 1944.
Our tour continued through silvery olive
groves and a walk through the pines to two
remote and miniscule churches at Agia
Anagiri. Lunch at Margeritas Taverna in
Kalamaki showcased the local cheese pies
with tables set on the harbourside. A perfect
day ended with a swim at Kokkinokastro
below a cliff bearing the faint scars of an
ancient castle.
Back at Marpunta there was a last supper
by the pool and beach to showcase a brilliant
repertoire from tuna tartare to seared
steak, grilled vegetables and arancini. We
still had that two-hour ferry to catch back
to Skiathos, preceded by a boat trip to see
more caves whilst rock doves, Alpine swifts
and cormorants escorted our voyage. The
memory of their cries will call me back for
more island-hopping adventures.
108 | Living

Skiathos Princess
Perfectly positioned for both beachy bliss
and easy excursions into town, Skiathos
Princess has sweeping views over the
sheltered bay of Agia Paraskevi, with its
arc of pale-gold sand. The look at this
five-star retreat is laidback but luxurious,.
There are two pools, a sleek spa and a

kids’ club, along with spacious rooms
decked out in soothing neutral hues.
We enjoyed evening meals at PR
Ammos, the hotel’s breezy beachfront
taverna. Top of our list were pizzas, salads
and pizzas and sublime cocktails.
Santikos Collection is a family hotel
group that was founded in 1984.

airport, baggage and all connecting
transfers. Flights also available from Leeds
Bradford, Manchester and Newcastle
airports. Departures are available through
September this year or from May 27,
2024. For availability, call one of the team
on 0208 492 6868 or visit the website.
olympicholidays.com

OLYMPIC HOLIDAYS
Island Hop: Alonissos – Skiathos
Olympic Holidays is offering a nine night
holiday from £1,765 per person based
on two people travelling with four nights
at Marpunta Resort, Alonissos on a B&B
basis, and five nights at the Princess
Resort Skiathos on a B&B basis. Price
includes return flights to London Gatwick

HOLIDAY EXTRAS
The market leader in UK airport parking,
hotels, lounges, and transfers last year
helped most of their customers save at
least £100 on their airport parking.
Booking an airport hotel means you
can enjoy more holiday with less hassle.
You can cancel or amend without charge.
0800 316 5678
holidayextras.com

Living | 109

PHOTO BY GERRY SLADE

Dogs’ tea party at Carlton Towers

DOGGIE TREATS

C

Check out these leads for summer days out with your hound
and ice cream to keep them cool

arlton Towers is inviting
owners to bring their
pooches for a fabulous
doggy day out in the grounds
of the stately home for an
event supporting National
Foundation for Retired Service Animals on
the weekend of August 12 and 13.
A pound for each ticket sold will be
donated to the charity, which supports the
care, wellbeing, and welfare of retired service
animals from across the emergency services
– the police, fire, border force, and prison
services. Carlton K9 will feature demos where
you can learn handy tips about caring for your
pets from experts like Charlie the Vet
Activities include an agility course for
owners and their dogs with rosettes, a
designated woodland dog walk, where
dogwalkers can contribute towards raising

110 | Living

Activities include
an agility course for
owners and their dogs,
with rosettes to be won,
a woodland dog walk,
plus stalls and
live music
£1,000 by walking 1km, a drop off area for
donations of dogfood, bedding and toys for
a local dog rescue charity, plus a selection of
stalls and live music.
Advance tickets for Carlton K9 booked
through the Carlton Towers website (until
August 11) cost £5 per adult and £3 per

child, with a family of four ticket costing £15,
under-threes and dogs, no charge. Tickets on
the day £10 per adult, £6 per child, family of
4, £30.
Driffield Championship Dog Show will
be at Wetherby Racecouse with hounds and
utility groups on Friday, August 25, toy and
terriers on the Saturday, working and pastoral
groups on the Sunday and gundogs on the
bank holiday Monday.
Looking ahead, DogFest returns to
Harewood House on September 23 when
TV presenter Matt Baker will cut the ribbon
and open the show at 9.30am. Join him for
the annual Big Dog Walk around the grounds.
Also expect agility courses, hay bale races,
fun dog shows and breed meet-ups. Check
out our diary pages for the many Yorkshire
country shows in August with dog shows and
demos for more tail-wagging days out.

Doggie’s Delights’ Abbie Wills and Vinny Golden Retriever

Keep cool

PHOTO BY GERRY SLADE

The blazing hot summer last year was the
perfect launch pad for Doggie’s Delights’
ice cream for dogs. Recent animal science
graduate Abbie Wills, 23, started her Doggie’s
Delights side hustle last year and is now
supplying more than 10 ice cream shops, dog
cafés and dog shops in Harrogate, Beverley
and surrounding areas. The pet product is
free of fat, gluten and lactose with no artificial
flavours or preservatives.
“I initially got the idea when visiting a dogfriendly café, where the customers were all in
line ordering food, but also ordering vanilla
ice cream for their dogs,” says Abbie.
Her strong background in bioveterinary
science – with a large focus on animal
nutrition – soon made her realise that people
buying ice cream for their dogs, made for
people to eat, was a unhealthy food choice
for dogs.
“Ice cream contains full fat milk and cream
along with lactose which dogs simply can’t
digest,” adds Abbie who, over the following
weeks, rigorously researched the best ways to
remove lactose from dairy products.
She researched the best flavours for dogs
which were not just healthy but also tasty, and
this led her to opt for banana flavour (using
fresh bananas) and peanut butter flavour
(using real nuts). The product testing of the
first batch of Doggie’s Delights’ banana ice
cream was quite literally ‘lab tested’, on Pippa,
Abbie’s pet Labrador. “It was classic lab
behaviour,” laughs Abbie, “she loved it and, of
course, she wanted more.”
So far customers’ favourite flavour is the
peanut butter ice cream, which is made with
yogurt, peanuts and that essential lactase
enzyme in a small but controlled environment
in her Beverley home.
Meanwhile, Market Weighton-based
Burgess Ice Cream has developed Burgess
Barks ice cream for adult dogs, a vanillaflavoured frozen treat made from sugar-free
sorbet and vegetable fibres.
Burgess’s general manager, Richard
Wilson says: “We have had many requests
from customers asking if we could produce a
frozen treat for dogs. Burgess Barks is going
down a storm in the canine community.”
carltontowers.co.uk
dogfest.co.uk
Living | 111

112 | Living

PROMOTION

BACK TO SCHOOL

W

Make shoe shopping a pleasure with a wide selection
of brands and styles always available at Footloose

ith over seven
brands and 30
different styles,
Footloose Shoes,
in Pocklington, has
probably one of
the widest selection of school shoes in the
area. Brands include Start-rite, Ricosta and
Superfit all of which make shoes that appeal
to children of all ages. Helen, the owner
carefully selects the range with quality and
durability in mind.
The child-friendly team at Footloose are
experienced and fully-trained shoe fitters and
recognise the importance of correctly fitted
shoes. With the Start-rite gauge, as a guide,
the team will measure and fit your child’s
school shoes ensuring they have the best fit
possible and the correct growing room.

When to buy
School shoes arrive in store from the middle
of July and can be viewed or purchased
online. It is always recommended to have
children’s feet measured and appointments
can be booked on line via the website.
Footloose recommends shopping in
August, when you will get maximum choice.

About Pocklington
Footloose is situated in the market town
of Pocklington which has a selection of
independent shops and cafés, making it
a great place for a trip out. There are a
couple of car parks and on street parking,
all of which is free.

Make it easy
Footloose also stock a selection of trainers
suitable for PE and black plimsoles, making
school shoe shopping easy. Everything fits
differently so it is great to have them fitted
professionally, especially if they are worn
all day.

Rewarding loyalty
The newly-introduced loyalty scheme is a
great way to save. With a point earned per
pound spent, you can look forward to some
discount in the future, and even use it to
treat yourself.

Footloose Shoes Pocklington,
47 Market Place,Pocklington,
York YO42 2AP
01759 301201
Footlooseshoes.co.uk
Living | 113

Getting on board

WITH BOARDING
Making the move to boarding school can be a big step for children and their parents, but
by preparing youngsters in advance for living away from home, and having strategies in
place for combatting homesickness, the transition can be made smoothly

114 | Living

B

oarding is an increasingly
popular option for students
across the UK, with almost
500 boarding schools around
the country.
And while many schools
cater for day pupils as well as boarders, data
from the Independent Schools Council census
(May, 2023) shows boarding is on the up,
with an increase of 1,093 pupils opting to
‘live in’ over the past year, bringing the total
number of youngsters boarding to 66,325.
Figures from the Boarding Schools
Association census (January, 2023) suggests
that state boarding schools remain a
significant and vital part of the UK’s
education provision too, with more than
5,500 boarders in the state sector.

Why board?

Haberdashers’ Adams

There are many reasons families choose
boarding for their children. It could
be because of parents’ work or travel
commitments, or because it is the best option
at particular point in a student’s educational
journey – for example, boarding is currently
extremely popular with sixth-formers while
they are taking their A-level courses and
final exams.
And modern-day boarding is a million
miles away from the days of waving a child off
at the start of term and them not returning
home again until the holidays. Many pupils
nowadays stay at school on a flexible basis,
either as weekly boarders, or just ad hoc,
something that working parents really value
the versatility of.
But whatever the circumstances of your
child boarding – whether because they are
desperate to do so, or because circumstances
dictate – it can still be a huge, and often lifechanging (even enhancing) experience, and
one that can sometimes leave both parties
worrying about how they will cope. Paul
Juniper, head of boarding at Bede’s School,

St Peter’s School, York

Sussex, (bedes.org) says preparing youngsters
for living away from home is essential, and
that equipping them with a few key life skills
in advance will pay dividends.
“Any experiences you can provide which
allows your child to stay away from home
– even if it is just for a short period of time
such as on a school trip or summer camp
– can help prepare them for boarding,” Mr
Juniper advises.
“The camaraderie of a boarding house
is a truly special thing, but living alongside
others is not always easy and there are likely
to be some challenges along the way, but
children who board tend to develop excellent
social skills and know how important it is
to respect others, and appreciate different
personalities,” he adds, saying there are plenty
of things parents can do to help prepare their
child for boarding. These include developing
positive habits like keeping their rooms tidy,
making their bed, establishing a good bedtime
routine and preparing them to hand in digital
devices before bedtime.
“One of the benefits of boarding is that
children learn to manage their time and
the importance of personal responsibility.
You can help ease your child in to this
by encouraging them to become more
independent and self-sufficient at home. If
they are used to packing their school bags the
night before, checking timetables, and laying
out their uniform and having PE kits ready, it
will really help them hit the ground running at
the start of term,” he says.

Teamwork
Indeed, learning to live and work
harmoniously alongside others and as a
team is a valuable skill that will benefit young
people throughout their lives, and along with
the widening of social circles that comes
with boarding is something Tracey Mounter,
deputy head (pastoral and boarding) at St
Peter’s School in York, (stpetersyork.org.uk)
sees as a great advantage to students.
Founded in 627 AD, St Peter’s is a coeducational day and boarding school, and
attracts not only local pupils, but those from
other areas of the UK, and international
locations, too.
“Boarding provides pupils with the
opportunity to mix with young people they
may not otherwise have met,” she says. “And
it gives the gift of time to finesse talents,
begin lifelong friendships across the world,
along with independence, resilience, fun
and laughter.”
Ms Mounter describes the St Peter’s
boarding community as a ‘lively’ environment
where pupils have quality time to pursue their
interests on campus, without having to spend
their free time commuting between clubs
and activities.
“Our 47 acres of sports fields, swimming
pool, boathouse and well-equipped gym
mean pupils have everything on site to achieve
their goals,” she says. “And boarders can go
Living | 115

seamlessly and safely from their clubs and
practice, while having time for dinner and
socialising before bed.
“Our social media shows how vibrant
boarding life is,” Mounter continues. “From
theatre, bowling, and cinema trips to
celebratory meals such as Lunar New Year
to journeys across Yorkshire and beyond, the
opportunities are vast and enjoyable.”

Boost academic results
Staying on campus and enjoying all the
leisure and social facilities a school has to
offer, alongside access to teaching staff and
learning resources is one of the main reasons
boarding is growing in popularity among sixth
form students.
At St Joseph’s College in Suffolk (stjos.
co.uk), evening academic support is one
of the school’s most valuable resources for
its boarders.
“Subject teachers are on site and available
to boost academic results and assist with
evening study,” says Mrs Gina Rowlands,
vice principal pastoral. “And we also have
a boarding student coordinator who tracks
academic performance, keeping parents,
teachers, and boarding staff up to date.”

Teething troubles
But of course, for some children, no matter
how fabulous a school is, the transition
from home won’t be entirely seamless,
and there will be those for whom anxiety
and homesickness mars their early days
– something that can be a concern for
parents who are considering boarding for
their youngster.
At Haberdashers’ Adams school in
Shropshire, (adamsgs.uk), one of just 37
state boarding schools in the UK, boarding
masters Sam Obeng-Asare (Mr O to pupils)
and Bhalraj Chima say such worries are
‘completely natural’ for first-time boarders
and their parents.
“There is no one size fits all approach;
every child is unique and deals with challenges
in their own way,” explains Mr Obeng-Asare,

St Peter’s School, York

116 | Living

Haberdashers’ Adams

adding that they employ ‘a variety of strategies
to help pupils and their parents’.
“Homesickness and how easily a pupil can
contact their parents is usually at the top of
the list of fears,” Mr Chima adds. “Our junior
boarding master encourages daily contact but,
unusually, in the mornings.
“This is because a quick five-minute call
after breakfast sets the tone for the day, and
both parents and pupil can then go about
their school/working day feeling good.”
Forming friendships quickly also helps to
overcome homesickness and makes pupils
more comfortable in their new surroundings,
says Mr Chima, while acknowledging that is
not always easy for all children: “For those
who are more introverted this can be a slower
process, but at Haberdashers’ Adams there
are plenty of opportunities to make friends,
be it in the dorm, in the classroom or in the
myriad extra-curricular activities on offer.”
The first weekend is critical for boarders,
adds Mr Obeng-Asare, and the masters use it
to run fun team building activities: “This helps
the pupils form bonds within and across the
boarding house year groups,” he says.
“Most schools will run a welcome event
or induction programme for new boarders,”
continues Mr Juniper from Bede’s School.
“Parents should take every opportunity to
meet the house and pastoral team ahead
of their child’s start. At Bede’s we hold a
transition evening for new parents focused
on pastoral matters, and later in the year we
invite boarding families to spend some time
in the house and get to know staff. These
occasions really help settle any nerves (for the
parents and the children). “Communication
between home and school is incredibly

important. Throughout the admissions
process, your child’s school will have
captured a great deal of information which
will be shared with the boarding team, but
sometimes there are small details that may not
have been picked up on. Things can change
during a lengthy admissions process, so make
sure that you have shared any developments
with the school, particularly if it relates to
medical and learning needs or to their mental
health or wellbeing.
“It is equally important that parents take
advantage of all the information on offer
from the school, as well as attending all the
transition events. Getting ahead of the game
and making sure you know how practical
things such as uniform, school transport,
academic feedback, sports trials and matches
work can really help your child feel reassured
and prepared for this exciting new phase in
their life.”

GOOD TO KNOW
The Boarding Schools’ Association
(BSA) represents member boarding
schools in 40 countries, provides
training for boarding staff and
promotes boarding education.
boarding.org.uk
For more information about the schools
featured in this article visit their websites:
St Bede’s School, bedes.org
St Peter’s School, York,
stpetersyork.org.uk
St Joseph’s College, stjos.co.uk
Haberdashers’ Adams, adamsgs.uk

Haberdashers’ Adams

Living | 117

118 | Living

Living | 119

BALANCING ACT
FAMILY • L E ARNING • WELLBEING • DESIGN

HEAD in
the CLOUDS
The Cloud Desk is the ideal item
for a magical inspired bedroom.
Its original cloud-shaped form has
unique details that were specially
made to make homework feel
like a magical adventure, whilst
its compartments provide the
perfect storage for all of your
kid’s materials.
Cloud Desk, POA, circu.net

Pretty in Pink
Inspired by the iconic fairy
Tinkerbell, this desk chair is
here to add some magic to your
child’s bedroom or study area.
With its wings serving as the
backs design, combined with
practical wheeled legs and swivel
mechanism that makes them
highly mobile, this kid’s chair will
be a fun and useful feature to
add to your children’s room.
Pixie Blush Pink Office Chair,
POA, circu.net

QUIRKY SEATING

BRING me
SUNSHINE
Brighten up your child’s space
with this delightful design;
no matter their hobbies or
preferences, there’s always
room for a little extra sunshine.
Sun Over Sea Art Print By Little
Dean, £15, iamfy.co

120 | Living

Introduce little ones to their new
favourite spot with this comfy icon
floor cushion, decorated in an ontrend polka dot print with a luxury
velvet reverse. Lightweight and
portable, kids can move this bean
bag wherever their adventures take
them. Its wipe-clean fabric is great
for sticky fingers too.
icon Kids Polka Dot Floor Cushion Bean
Bag, £59.99, beanbagbazaar.co.uk

Exciting
EXERCISE!
Dolly Monkey Bars
is a kid’s wall ladder
specially made to keep
little ones exercised and
provide the ultimate
fun. With its modern
design and slide
feature, this luxury kids
ladder wall will be any
kid’s favourite spot
after homework time,
and will for sure be a
highlight point in any
kids’ room decor.

OF OUR FAVOURITE
LAMPSHADES
Nothing sets the mood
for your nursery,
playroom, or child’s
room like a colourful
lampshade. With these
upbeat patterned
shades, you can add
a dash of lively fun
with minimal effort;
but which one will
you choose?

Dolly Monkey Bars,
POA, circu.net

COMFY
CUSHIONS
Tiny Tot cushions are playful yet
sophisticated and the palette
ranges from soft and calm to
bold and bright. Measuring 30cm
x 30cm, they are filled with an
oversized down and feather insert
to ensure a deep luxurious feel,
with an invisible zip along the
bottom seam. Handcrafted in the
UK, they’re made from 100 per cent
natural cotton.
Bright blue and green tiny tots
cushions, £65, evieandskye.com

SNUGGLE UP
IN STRIPES
Bring your bedroom to life with this
playful, printed, organic cotton bedding.
Featuring thick primary-coloured stripes
on a white base with a plain white
reverse, you can either pair them with the
matching pillowcase or mix and match for
some extra fun!
Retro Fun Stripe Organic Cotton Duvet Cover,
£119, antipodream.co.uk

1. Flower wall lamp shade
in pink and green, £35
2. Dinosaur wall lamp shade
in blue and red, £35
3. Bird wall lamp shade
in white and orange, £35
All available from sazy.com

Living | 121

122 | Living

PROMOTION

HISTORY IN ACTION
Discover a world-class collection of arms and armour for free at the Royal Armouries
Museum in Leeds and enjoy an action-packed summer of events

A

t the heart of Leeds Dock
is the imposing Royal
Armouries Museum – a
modern take on a medieval
fortress. Over five floors
it houses the national
collection of weapons and armour from
around the world. The museum is a brilliant
family-friendly place for young warriors and
serious historians alike, and culture-lovers of
all ages. Inside the impressive glass tower, the
Hall of Steel contains an extensive display
of thousands of pieces of armour and arms,
around which twists an octagonal spiral
staircase, with great views over the canal and
city rooftops.
Among the highlights of the collection are
impressive armours of King Henry VIII and
an extremely rare Indian elephant armour
consisting of more than 5,000 iron plates.
With over 8,500 objects on display, you
are bound to discover your own favourite
treasures. This summer holiday an action-

packed daily programme includes live-action
combat demonstrations with historical
characters and weaponry, plus dramatic
performances and talks.
Outside is the tiltyard, a canalside arena.
Enjoy two free horse shows a day at 11am
and 2pm until August 25 and from August 29
to September 3. Visit the stables and meet the
horses and their grooms. Be sure not to miss
the spectacular The Smashes tournament

on August Bank Holiday on Saturday 26,
Sunday 27 and Monday, August 28, when
England take on Australia in a jousting battle
for honour and trophies. Tickets are from £5
to £20.
There is also a dockside bistro with an
outdoor terrace, and plenty of picnic areas
and a museum shop.
Just a 20-minute walk, or a short voyage
on the water taxi, from Leeds city centre
will bring you to Leeds Dock and the Royal
Armouries Museum. Admission is free.
Opening hours are currently 10am to
5pm, Tuesday to Sunday during term time
and daily during school holidays and bank
holidays. Visit the website for information
and to book your free tickets, or tickets for
the tournament.
Royal Armouries Museum,
Armouries Drive,
Leeds
royalarmouries.org
Living | 123

PROMOTION

ORAL AGREEMENTS
The case of Mansion Place Limited and Fox Industrial Services Limited illustrates
that oral conversations can result in a binding agreement

M

ansion Place Limited
(MPL) was a property
developer and it
contracted Fox
Industrial Services
Limited (FISL) to build
student accommodation in Nottingham.
There were delays with the construction
which FISL stated was due to the pandemic
and MPL’s failure to give vacant possession
of the site on time. MPL, on the other hand,
claimed that the delay was due to FISL’s
failure to progress the works and to commit
sufficient labour and resources to the project.
MPL subsequently served FISL with a
Pay Less Notice (under the terms of the JCT
Design and Build Contract on which the
construction works were being undertaken)
notifying FISL of its intention to deduct
liquidated damages from the payment of
£367,103.44 due to FISL under the contract.
Subsequently, a director of MPL and
the managing director of FISL spoke on
the telephone to discuss the dispute. The
discussion took place at the time when both
men were driving and were using hands-free
mobile phones to conduct the conversation.
FISL claimed that this conversation
resulted in a binding agreement whereby MPL
would waive its claim for liquidated damages
in return for FISL agreeing not to pursue a
124 | Living

claim for loss and expense because of the
delay in the works. MPL asserted, on the
other hand, that no such agreement had been
made during the telephone call and it pursued
its claim for liquidated damages.
The matter was referred to adjudication
(in accordance with the terms of the
JCT Contract) where it was held that the
telephone conversation did result in a binding
agreement and, therefore, MPL could not
pursue its liquidated damages claim. MPL
sought a declaration from the court that the
Adjudicator’s decision was incorrect.
The Hight Court had to decide which
of the two accounts was a true reflection
of the telephone conversation which had
taken place based on contemporaneous

documents, internal correspondence and the
follow-up exchanges between the parties.
The court found that the account by FISL’s
director to be more convincing as he had
honestly believed that a binding agreement
had been made during the telephone call
and he had then relayed this agreement onto
his colleagues.
The judge held that this was not as a result
of misinterpretation or wishful thinking on
the part of the Director of FISL but instead
the telephone conversation had included an
offer, acceptance and an intention to create
legal relations and therefore it constituted a
binding agreement.
This case is an important reminder that
witness evidence is important, particularly in
the context of oral conversations. The court
will consider the contemporaneous actions of
the parties following any oral conversation and
how that compares to evidence produced at
trial. What the director at MPL thought was
a casual conversation resulted in his company
waiving its claim for substantial damages.
If you are involved in any civil or
commercial dispute then Blacks Solicitors
can assist.
Please contact Luke Patel on:
0113 227 9316
LPatel@LawBlacks.com

PROMOTION

TIME IN, NOT TIMING
Imagine having the ability to predict market movements
so you could buy low and sell high?
WORDS BY LOUIS MADDISON, CHARTERED FINANCIAL PLANNER

M

arkets are unpredictable
– prices of stocks and
shares change every
second. Throughout
history, certain funds
have done astonishingly
well, and others have gone off the boil. It may
not seem like it at first, but while markets
are in turmoil, it has historically been a good
opportunity to invest. We always tell our
clients that it’s time in, not timing.
That brings us to diversification.
Diversification is having investments that react
differently to the same events. Let’s say that
you have investments in an ice cream shop
that is open all year round. Those investments
would generally be high in the warm months
and low in the cold ones. Subsequently,
your portfolio would rise initially but decline
when sales declined. However, this could be
counterbalanced. There’s a high chance that
in the cold months, when it rains, shares in
an umbrella shop would jump up (due to
higher demand).

If you were invested in both, the rise in
one would make up for the fall in another. But
over the long term, you get the benefit of both
rising. Which would be far less risky for you as
an investor.
This is a tricky thing to do on your own
so it’s best to contact a professional financial
planner to help.
The benefits of diversification include:
• Minimises the risk to your portfolio.
• Exposes you to more opportunities
for return.
• Safeguards you against adverse
market cycles.
• Reduces volatility
The markets are always subject to volatility,
according to what’s going on in the world.
To be a successful investor it’s important to

Why you need a Financial Planner Guide
For a guide to be e-mailed
Please visit: financialadviceguide.co.uk

For a guide to be posted
Please complete the form below and send to:
PenLife Associates, 3 Tudor Court,
Opus Avenue, York. YO26 6RS
Name:
Address:

Postcode:
Email:
Tel:

take a pragmatic approach. You have to stay
calm, don’t panic due to uncertainty. Hold
your ground, stick to your plan and don’t
let your emotions influence your decisions
and choices.
Here are a few key things that we think
you should consider ensuring you can make
the most out of your money:
1. Discover your attitude to investment risk.
2. Understand the relationship between risk
and return.
3. Diversification.
4. Take a long-term view... it’s time
in, not timing.
5. Be patient.
6. Avoid trying to time the market.
7. Have a strategic approach.
8. Our last step of advice is to get in
touch with us. You can do so by emailing,
or alternatively, call us on 01904 661140.
If you would like to order a copy of our
“Why You Need a Financial Planner” guide,
please follow the instructions on the cut-out.
Please note: The FCA does not regulate, tax
planning, estate planning, inheritance tax
planning, cashflow modelling or wills. The value
of your investments can go down as well as
up, so you could get back less than
you invested

PenLife Associates, 3 Tudor Court, Opus
Avenue, York, YO26 6RS.
01904 661140
enquiries@pen-life.co.uk
pen-life.co.uk

Registered in England No. 2390548. Authorised and Regulated by
the Financial Conduct Authority. Authorisation No. 212972.

Living | 125

126 | Living

PROMOTION

In time of need
Family-run funeral directors offer caring and professional services
for families who are dealing with bereavement

JG Fielder & Son
Funeral Directors

I W Myers Funeral Directors
We are reputedly the oldest established family funeral directors in
Britain. It was founded well over 300 years ago in 1701, in
Wheldrake, a small village just a few miles from York, when the
Myers family were undertakers, joiners and wheelwrights. For
each and every funeral we are enlisted to perform we aim to
give our families a very high standard of personal service, and we
pride ourselves on being thoroughly caring and compassionate at
one of the hardest times any of us will ever have to go through.
We cover not only York, Selby, Pocklington and Tadcaster with
our services, but we can also conduct funerals nationwide, and
we are here to help you day or night, seven days a week. If you
need our support, please call, email or write to us.
3A Main Street, Wheldrake, York YO19 6AG
01904 448283
enquiries@jgfielderandson.co.uk

We are York’s most experienced
independent funeral director having
served the community for over 130
years. We offer a caring and sympathetic service and our
compassionate team of professionals are available 24 hours. As a
fifth generation company our family have spent the last 130 years
building the knowledge and services needed at one of the most
difficult times in your life.
48-50 Clarence Street York, YO31 7EW
01904 654460
enquiries@jgfielderandson.co.uk

Rowley & Son
Rowley & Son offer a family run funeral services, based in York.
We provide a friendly, caring, and professional services for
bereaved families. As a family run business, we can dedicate the
time and effort that every funeral deserves. Whenever you call,
you will speak directly with a member of our family who will be
happy to assist.
65 Lawrence Street, York, YO10 3BU
01904 593096
info@rowleyandsons.co.uk

SC Bainbridge
J Rymer Funeral Directors
J Rymer Funeral Directors are funeral professionals in York. We
were founded in 1848 by James Rymer and are now managed
by the sixth generation of the Rymer family. Over the years, we
have built up a wealth of knowledge and expertise. We use this
to help arrange and conduct bespoke funeral services of the
highest standards.
01904 894886

At SC Bainbridge we provide
the highest standard of funeral
care, service, and facilities. We
are here to help every family in
our local community of Malton.
Our full-service funeral can be
tailored just how you wish whether that be a traditional
ceremony or a colourful celebration of life.
3 Princess Road, Malton, YO17 7JP
01653 692926

Living | 127

MOTORING

CHARGING AHEAD
The Ioniq 6 might look like nothing else on the road, but what
else does it have to offer? Jack Evans finds out

WHAT IS IT?
Boy, that electric car segment doesn’t stop
growing, does it? We’ve got new models
cropping up from manufacturers across the
board, while companies that have already
established a solid foothold in the market are
now taking things further and pushing the
envelope wherever possible.
Take Hyundai, for example. It has already
wowed the sector with its futuristic Ioniq 5,
but is it stopping there? No. We’re here with
the new Ioniq 6, which is an EV that looks
like nothing else on sale today. Is it all show
and no go? We’ve been driving it to find out.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?
You can get the Ioniq 6 in two different
flavours, with either rear- or all-wheel-drive
available. Regardless of which of these you
opt for there’s a 77.4kWh battery underneath,
though the all-wheel-drive version – which
we’re driving – does bring considerably more
power at 320bhp over the other’s 225bhp.
There’s not too much to split the two in terms
of range, however, with Hyundai claiming up
to 339 miles of range in the rear-wheel-drive
and 322 miles in the all-wheel-drive.
The all-wheel-drive doesn’t half get a move
on, mind you, with zero to 60mph being
achieved in 4.9 seconds. You’re able to switch
128 | Living

it to rear-wheel-drive-only mode, too, which
can help boost the amount of range you get.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
From the very start, the Ioniq 6 feels like a
car designed to encourage a little bit of calm
and serenity. Of course, there’s some real
performance on offer if you’re in the mood
to delve a little bit deeper into the throttle
pedal’s travel, but for just mooching about the
6 feels very fine indeed. Body control is good,
too, though we’d like to be able to sit a little
lower – it’s easy to feel a bit “perched” even
with the seat in its lowest setting.
It does feel particularly fast, that’s for
sure, but the Ioniq 6’s abilities lie in its more
“general” characteristics. It’s going to be
a great alternative to a traditional petrol
or diesel saloon, that’s for sure, while also
bringing a sprinkling of character to boot.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?
There are two main trim levels available for
the Ioniq 6 – Premium and Ultimate. There’s
also a run-out First Edition model, but it’s
those two “regular” specifications which
will be a core part of the Ioniq 6’s make up.
Prices kick off from £47,040 for a rear-wheeldrive model in Premium specification, but
these models still get dual-zone climate

control, heated front seats and a 12.3-inch
infotainment display with a digital cockpit.
Prices do crank up when you opt for
Ultimate spec, with a dual-range version with
“digital side mirrors” chiming in at £55,035.
However, we reckon that most drivers would
be more than happy with the Premium version.

VERDICT
The Ioniq 6 feels like a car to showcase a
company which is on a roll. Hyundai has
really been knocking it out of the park of
late and with the 6 it’s only furthering that
achievement. This is an EV which is desirable
and well-executed, combining elements which
are sometimes lost on electric cars.

At a glance
•Model: Hyundai Ioniq 6
•Price: £55,035
•Powertrain: Dual electric motors
•Power: 320bhp
•Torque: 605Nm
•Max speed: 115mph
•0-60mph: 4.9 seconds
•Range: 322 miles
•CO2 emissions: 0g/km

Living | 129

PEOPLE

MY YORKSHIRE

JULIA CHAPMAN

J

We hear from the cosy crime novelist how she imagines murder
and evil in the Dales she calls home

ulia Chapman is the author of the
internationally bestselling cosy crime
series, The Dales Detective. Born
in England, she has a wanderlust
that has kept her moving and has
followed her restless feet to Japan,
Australia, the USA and France. She spent
most of that time as a teacher of English
as a foreign language, but also dabbled in
bookselling, pawnbroking and waitressing.
She ran an auberge in the French Pyrenees for
six years, which provided the setting for her
first series, The Fogas Chronicles, published
under her real name, Julia Stagg. Julia
currently lives in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales
where The Dales Detective is based.

What led you to create this parallel
world of murder in the Dales?
From the minute I moved to the area, I felt
the Dales was crying out for a crime series.
The landscape is so evocative it becomes a
character in itself and when you throw in the
blunt, good-natured folk who populate it, it’s
a recipe for success!
How do you research, and do you have
some trusted advisors?
I have a good friend who until recently was
a local policeman and, even in retirement,
is always happy to answer my random
questions. Another friend is a vet, which has
proved more than useful, especially when
researching poisons for book four! Other than
that, each novel brings its own needs when it

he’s grown from being a bit-part into being a
fully fledged protagonist with his own fans.
I think he’s the one character I would never
dare kill off – my readers would lynch me!
What can readers expect from this
eighth outing for your crime solvers?
Date with Evil brings to a head a plotline
which has been brewing since book one,
Date with Death. So, readers can expect
fast-paced action, heart-stopping drama and
brilliant sleuthing, set against a stunning
backdrop. And all backed up by the
obligatory super-strong cups of tea.

comes to details and so I tend to reach out to
the people most suitable to help.
How fictional is Bruncliffe?
Fairly fictional. It’s loosely based on Settle.
But once you go beyond the borders of
Bruncliffe, everything else is real.
And its inhabitants and Tolpuddle
the dog?
The inhabitants of Bruncliffe are all fully
fictional, I’ve never created characters based
on real life simply because it’s far more
interesting to create them from scratch.
There are a lot of people in my books, so I do
have to keep good notes. As for Tolpuddle,

Where are your favourite places for the
running and cycling you love? A place to
eat for a pit stop?
I’m so lucky to live in the Yorkshire Dales
where I’m spoiled for choice when it comes
to running and cycling. There is nothing
better than a day on the bike, heading up
Silverdale out of Stainforth with the lapwings
and curlews in full voice. The climb totally
justifies stopping off at the Café by the Lake
in Kilnsey for a coffee and cake.
Three words that sum up Yorkshire?
Dry stone walls. Sheep. Humour.

Date with Evil – There’s Nowt so Evil
as a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing – by Julia
Chapman is published by Pan.
130 | Living

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