CHESHIRE RESIDENT - MAY 2014

Society

Above: Students from the RNCM; Emma McPhilemy,
Catherine Hanson, Isobel Williams and Emily McArthur

Above: Kendal Love, Cush Jumbo and Susie Leyland Above: Nathan Wiley, Natasha Keynejad, David
Thacker, Lesley Hutchison
The stage was set...
The Manchester Theatre Above: Nathan Ives-Moiba, Paula Wilcox and Elliot
Awards drew a host of talent Poignantly, the Robert Robinson Balshim
to the Royal Exchange Theatre Award for Dance went to the Michael
recently. Clarke Triple Bill - a production
As well as actors such as Paula programmed by the Lowry’s artistic
Wilcox, John Henshaw and Eric Watts Director Robert Robinson, who had
adding their weight to the event, those passed away in the Summer before it’s
honoured also included the dedicated actual performance.
directors and producers who ensure that
audiences are constantly served up And The Special Achievement Award
quality entertainment in the region. went to the Library Theatre’s Artistic
Director Chris Honer who stands down
from his role after more than 20 years.

Above: Trudy Chandor, Rebecca Fenwick and Hugo
Chandor

Guests at the Above: Natalie Greydon, Julian Glover and
Manchester Christopher Villiers

Theatre Awards Cheshire Resident 101

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WHATEVER
YOUR LIFESTYLE

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TO SUIT IT!

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Karndean
Specialists

Society

What weddings are
about...love

ASmHaOnWda’Cs AMSeEre
Feted wedding gown designer
Amanda Wyatt held a runway Collections.
extravaganza at the luxury Mere Her audience, which included

specially-invited guests and fashion

Hotel in Knutsford recently. buyers, was treated to a feast for the

The occasion? In true fashion style, eyes as they received a preview of the

the launch of her Autumn/Winter beautiful new designs.

Above: Stunning floral displays

Goody
bags for

guests

Above: Amanda takes a bow

Above: Runway elegance Above: Amanda greets guests
Cheshire Resident 103
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resident

FOOD&DRINK

ISTH’SOWTIME

for Hollywood

TpLoAHpsWEupN CLUB

Send us a tweet @ChesResident MDJinaainmrg otuietnast
Manchester
Cheshire Resident 105

GOURMET

FOOD NEWS

Hooray for Hollywood

Silver fox Paul Hollywood
is heading this way with
his one one-man show

He’s coming to the Palace
Theatre on May 18th with Paul
Hollywood’s Get Your Bake On
Live Tour and we assume
there’ll not be a soggy bottom in sight
(how many more times can we use that old
line we wonder?)

Says Paul: ‘I really wanted to do
something different. People have one
image of me from The Great British Bake
Off, as the stern judge who gives out
criticism, and I’ve got another image on
shows like Pies or Puds which show the
real me, which is basically a bit of a joker!
So by going on a one man tour the public
will get to see the cheekier side of my
persona and learn a bit about my life. ‘

A: What will the audience see on the
tour?
A: Basically I am taking baking on the road
and the premise is the story of my life in
baking; how my Dad persuaded me to
ditch my path of being a trained sculptor
and join the family business. Tales from my
time as a head baker at some of the world’s

most exclusive hotels and, of course, been given a new home on BBC One this
anecdotes from my time filming The Great year which will be a great new platform
British Bake Off. I’ll also be answering all for it. I just can’t believe how successful it
those baking questions people ask me on has been, I thought it would just last two
twitter or in the street. series but each year it just gets bigger and
bigger, more people watched last year’s
Q: Will there be any surprises on the final than X Factor which is just amazing.
tour? Although we are moving channels the
A: Yes, we’ll be inviting a selected number show will stay the same, after all, if it’s not
of people up from the audience who will broken why change it?
get a little masterclass from me and be able
to test out their own skills. It should be Q: What else have you got coming up
really good fun, I always see teaching as Paul?
part of my job. A: I am working on a new book and a new
series to follow Pies and Puds, it can be
Q: Is there a new series of The Great hard fitting it all in as there is always
British Bake Off this year? something going on, but I like it that way
A: Yes, I’ll actually start filming for the new especially when it’s all so much fun to
series during the tour so it’s going to be a work on.
full on couple of months. The show has www.paulhollywood.com

106 Cheshire Resident Send us a tweet @ChesResident

GOURMET

GETTING KIDS COOKING

An Italian restaurant group for free” campaign after a these findings show that the Pick up a picnic
has launched a campaign at survey* by the restaurant majority of kids don’t get the
its Bromborough restaurant showed that only 45% of chance to cook at home, but This summer in Manchester make your al
this week to help encourage families sit down to eat many families are not getting fresco escape in true Italian style with a
more families to eat together together four times weekly, the chance to sit down and delicious Carluccio’s picnic hamper. Simply
and inspire kids about with one in ten only eat together as a family, due collect on the day and enjoy the true taste
cooking. managing one family meal to work and lifestyle of Italy in your chosen patch of green.
Pesto at the Dibbinsdale Inn together a fortnight. commitments. ‘
on Dibbinsdale Road, created For more information visit Priced at £45, each picnic hamper serves
the special “Design a Pizza Neil Gatt, co-owner of Pesto www.pestorestaurants.co.uk two and contains generous portions of
restaurants, says: ‘Not only do delicious regional Italian dishes, made fresh
on the day and presented in a smart and
reusable cool-bag. In Italy picnics tend to
be a family affair – something Carluccio’s
hasn’t forgotten with their addition of a
children’s picnic, available for £10.
www.carluccio’s.com

Green scene scheme so you can make the most of what NEIGHBOURHOOD
is sure to be a Summer sensation. HEADS FOR HALE
Summer’s on its way so what better than an
alfresco venue right in the heart of the city? Operated by Fluid Bars, The Lawn Club Celebrities will soon be able to head for
will feature a retractable roof, day beds, Neighbourhood in Hale
Following on from the success of open fires and more seating to ultimately
InBloom and The Long Bar last year and combine the al fresco nature of InBloom The owners of the city centre celeb-
Hibernate through the Winter comes the and the cosy winter retreat offering of magnet, James and Karina Hitchen, have
Lawn Club at the Lawns in Spinningfields. Hibernate under one roof but with more of taken over the former Man Zen Chinese
a traditional, clubhouse feel. restaurant on Ashley Road in Hale which
This pop-up destination is designed on a www.fluidbars.co.uk they are to transform into new restaurant
quintessentially British theme that mixes and bar Victor’s. So watch this space...
quirky charm and contemporary glam.
There’s even an optional membership Cheshire Resident 107

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GOURMET

A sure thing

You don’t need luck on wine glass every time you take a drink, or cheese, Quick’s cheddar fritters and
your side to enjoy the whipping plates away while you’re in mid pickled romanescu, basically a fancy
delights of James Martin’s conversation. cauliflower cheese complete with little
Manchester restaurant - ‘bombs’ of cheesy sauce that “exploded” in
just an appetite for James Martin is famed for being the the mouth. The main has Black Truffle
delicious food bloke on Saturday Kitchen and having had Gnocchi, home-made riccotta, purple
the pleasure of meeting him when he sprouting broccoli and brown butter
We had been intending to launched the restaurant I can say he is dressing, a sort of taste of the forest in
visit James Martin’s actually hunkier in the flesh. Alas, he spring. Delicious.
restaurant at the 235 wasn’t around but he does his “thing” at
casino for a while but every special events like the restaurant’s “Meat The carnivore kicked off with a fresh
time we set a date, something came up - Market” where he showcases his brand of Thai crab risotto, that combined a delicate
and suddenly it is celebrating almost a year modern British cuisine. And I bet it goes hint of meaty shellfish with a sharp kick of
in the city. The restaurant has been a down a treat with the ladies. kaffir lime and chilli. But it was arguably
complete success with diners and so we his hefty T-bone steak, billed as 28 Day
had to find out why. So meaty is the menu, you’d be forgiven aged Hereford, that was the star of the
for thinking that a vegetarian i.e me, would show. It was really a magnificent beast. A
Firstly, one huge asset are the staff. be laughed out of the room or made to eat cut that lived up to any “ideal” that you
They were as obliging and welcoming as the usual suspects - lasagne, risotto. But might have about the perfect steak. It came
they could possibly be, without tipping no. There’s even a vegetarian menu from with perfect chips and onion ringsand with
over into obsequiousness. They gave us which I chose caramelised cauliflower a sauce of choice.
time to relax and peruse menus while
taking in the opulent room which combines Puddings fit the modern classic theme
the brickwork of the Great Northern and it is so nice to see custard tart on the
Warehouse with a contemporary take on menu, however my baked dark chocolate
vintage. You access it via a glitzy staircase sable, a rich wodge of chocolate with
sweeping up to a mezzanine level away pistachios and yoghurt sorbet was the
from the gaming tables but close enough winner.
to any excitement.
The menu is complemented by a
They were that special breed of waiting smallish wine list that is not overpriced.
staff who were finely attuned to your We drank a Fleurie that had bags of fruity
needs - really there are few things worse character.
than someone zealously topping up your
Of course if you want to push the boat
out you can enjoy a Barolo for £390 a
bottle - but to do that we’d have had to
have won at the casino and dining here we
really didn’t have to take any chances. We
definitely came out winners.

James Martin
Manchester235, Great Northern,
2 Watson St, Manchester, UK M3 4LP, UK
+44 161 828 0345
www.jamesmartinmanchester.co.uk

108 Cheshire Resident Send us a tweet @ChesResident

The best a man can get

James Martin tells us why he has all the right ingredients
to make his Manchester restaurant a big success

James Martin, host of Saturday Kitchen
and Restaurateur reveals what inspires
him both in and out of he kitchen.
Q: What was the first thing you ever
cooked? How old were you where
was it?

It will have been aged five or six, a Sunday

roast with my mum.

Q: What made you want to become a
chef?
Well, I wasn’t very good at anything else

except that! I grew up on a farm so it was a

natural transition from farmer’s kid to chef.

Q: Do you have a food philosophy?
My philosophy is simple; use the best
ingredients you can find, in this country we
are fortunate to have such great produce to
utilise.

Q: Where do you like to eat when you
are not at your restaurant? What
kinds of things do you like to cook at
home?

Home. I have a great vegetable garden, I

like to have dinner parties and invite

different chefs round to cook. I use it as an

experimental place for the restaurants.

Q: Who is your favourite dining Q: What do you think of the Q: If you could cook for anyone living
companion? restaurant scene in Manchester and or dead who would it be?
My girlfriend, Louise, she is really getting in Cheshire? I spent time with Keith Floyd when he was
to her food and enjoys trying new things. This is where you want to be outside of alive and it’s not until they are gone that
London. There are a lot of great ideas here you wish you’d spent more time with them,
Q: What would your last meal be? and enough people that live here to sustain like Clarissa Dixon Wright who will also be
A proper bacon butty! Proper white bread, all the different types of restaurants that are sadly missed.
lots of butter and some grilled back bacon. available. Now I am here I can’t understand
why I wasn’t before. Q: What next for James Martin?
Q: Are you surprised by how Well, firstly 150 portions of Thai crab risotto
successful your restaurant at 235 has Q: The emphasis on your menu is for tonight’s Wine Series.
become in such a short time? definitely on meat. What do you think
It takes a long time to build a restaurant, but of vegetarians? We just are focusing on what we are
we have a great team both back of house We have a separate veggie menu. I wanted doing with James Martin Manchester.
and front of house. I have known the head to utilise the great produce we have in the
chef Doug Crampton for a good few years, country and as a farmer’s kid it seemed the We have some great events planned
which gives a good head start. We have The obvious choice. We do cater for all though. for the summer such as a Super Car
Wine Series tonight so have 150 booked in Sunday on June 8 which I’m sure will be a
for dinner on a Tuesday night, so yes I am great event.
surprised, but it makes me more focused to
get it right.

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Mad about May

It’s the perfect time to eat shoots and leaves says
nutritionist Kathryn Johnson, of Raw Appetite

112 Cheshire Resident Send us a tweet @ChesResident

Health

Kathryn Johnson, of Raw Recipes
Appetite, is more than just a
nutritional advisor. She’s a GREEN HERB SALAD 1 punnet cherries, halved and 2. Put cashews in a high speed
raw food teacher who works stoned (or buy stoneless blender with coconut cream
with clients in Cheshire, Serves 2 variety like piccotta) and water. Process until silky
Manchester and beyond to bring vitality Ingredients smooth
into their lives through real food and 8oz chickpeas, cooked For light chocolate sauce: 3. Add sweetener and rose oil.
practical actions. 4 spring onions, finely 1 T cacao powder Blend again to combine
chopped 1 T coconut oil, melted 4. Pour the cream over the
There’s so many reasons to love May. 1 rib celery, finely sliced 1 t sweetener of choice cherries
It’s on the cusp of spring and summer and Large handful parsley, finely Pinch of salt 5. Make the chocolate sauce
strong with ancient traditions like Beltane chopped by stirring all ingredients
that are still, blessedly, uncommercial. In Half handful of wild greens, Method together in another bowl
the old Celtic calendar, this is the time finely chopped 1. Set aside a few cherries for 6. Just before serving, drizzle
when people would drive their animal 1 T sunflower seeds, decoration, divide the rest sauce over dessert. Decorate
herds up to summer pastures to benefit presoaked between 2 dessert glasses with set aside fruit. Enjoy!
from the fresh, rapidly growing and highly 1 T poppy seeds
nutritious vegetation. Young serving leaves such as
chicory or romaine lettuce
If your foraging instincts are still intact, Lemon, oil, and garlic dressing
wild greens, wild flowers and tree with a teaspoon of honey. If
blossoms are abundant now. They are using ramson’s omit garlic in
vibrant, tender and naturally rich in dressing
vitamins, folates, and minerals such as,
calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron. Method:
Wild items may tend towards the bitter 1. Make up the dressing and
end of the taste spectrum, but this is highly set aside for flavours to marry
beneficial for the human body, supporting whilst you chop other items
detoxification, and the immune system. 2. Combine all the chopped
ingredients plus chickpeas and
RENEWAL seeds in a large mixing bowl
3. Pour over dressing and toss
The phrase to eat by in May is: shoots and to distribute. Leave to
leaves. Or, try some flower blossoms. Keep marinate for 10 mins or so
an eye on what’s budding in the 4. Put curved leaves on a
hedgerows and pastures - but understand serving platter and fill their
that these plants are potent, often grooves with the salad
medicinal, so stick with small quantities:
CHERRY ROSE
Edible weeds - the young leaves of CREAM
nettles, sorrel, and chickweed are fairly
easy to find. The most robust edible weed Serves 2
is nettle which you can turn into soup, for
example, or lightly steam. Alternatively, Ingredients:
juice them with apples, or dry them and 1 cup cashews, soaked 4 hrs &
drink as tea for the rest of the year. Sorrel rinsed
with its slightly sour flavour can be 1 T coconut cream
popped into a smoothie, salad, or snipped 1/3 cup water
to enhance egg or cheese recipes. 6 drops of Rose oil
Chickweed, akin to the taste of sweetcorn 1 T coconut sugar (or
raw, or spinach cooked, can be used as a sweetener of choice)
garnish, in pesto, or gently wilted into
casseroles or stews. options. Cucumbery comfrey is MaDyIDisYOthUeKmNoOnWth? of
exceptionally high in protein. Add to
Young flowers - scented, delicate and juices, make fritters or lightly wilt and use Be nice to nettles week.
best used immediately. Hawthorn, wisteria in soup or stews.
and elderflower, make the prettiest Find out more at http://www.nettles.org.uk/
garnishes for salads or desserts, as well as For advice on how to identify, harvest
novel tempura fritters. They have long and use these wild items responsibly see National Vegetarian Week.
been appreciated as ingredients for the Tree Council’s website:
excellent cordials, wines or teas. Be careful HedgerowHarvest.org.uk. Some of these Find out more at
though: only use the blossoms (other parts plants may not suit people with heart www.nationalvegetarianweek.org/
of the plant are poisonous). conditions or allergies.
www.rawappetite.co.uk
Wild herbs - dandelion leaves can be
used like rocket in salads, pesto, a green
juice or smoothie. Ramsons, as everyone
knows is wild garlic, so an aromatic soup
or steamed to accompany oily fish are

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Drinking

Think pink

Rosé wine and the summer are just made for each other
says our resident wine expert Muriel Lismonde

Muriel Lismonde is an award far from our vineyard), enjoying the rosé is no longer the black sheep of the
winning winemaker with a sunshine with friends and family while family. And when we were establishing
vineyard in South West cracking open a bottle - or two - of this all our own vineyard, producing a delicious
France. Her Tour De too drinkable wine. Happy days – and I’m rosé was high on our wish list.
Belfort wines are available sure most who have been seduced by the
in the UK online and at her wine and anticipation of pleasure that rosé brings So what’s changed?
cookery school Le Vin La Table in Hale. with it, would agree.
She is also a qualified WSET wine tutor. Until three or four years ago, when it came
Here Muriel tells us about a French But it’s not always been the case. In to harvest time, if red grapes were not
revolution in the rosé market. France it could be said that rosé has considered to be of sufficient quality by the
traditionally been the less than attractive winemaker to make a good red wine, it
Think of rosé and many of us duckling that’s now grown into an elegant was common practice to demote the fruit
immediately dream of long lazy holiday swan. In days gone by, le rosé would not to make instead a simple rosé. Inferior in
lunches, warm, balmy days and barbecues be given table room in most discerning quality and considered suitable only for
al fresco. This fruity beverage in its various French homes. It was considered by many quenching thirst in the heat of the summer
hues of pink brings with it the promise of to be a relatively crude drink that lacked sun, rosé was the “poor branch” of the
sun and fun synonymous with summer – the finesse of its more respectable siblings wine industry,
though it can, of course, be enjoyed year- – the classic reds and the whites that have
round; the perfect antidote to those Winter long been entrenched in the roots of This has changed completely and there
blues! French wine heritage. is now a wide choice of good rosé from
many regions and countries, such as
For me, rosé evokes memories of sitting Thankfully, for all who now love the France, Spain, Italy, Austria, South
by the sea in the South of France (not too evocative lure of ubiquitous pink liquor, America and England. These days, grapes
are often selected specifically with a rosé
caption xyxyx blend in mind, with the same attention to
quality and the production process that’s
bestowed on the reds and the whites. The
result has been a very marked
improvement in taste, a wider selection
and a significant hike in consumption, with
prices for good rosé wines equivalent to
quality red and white wines.

Is rosé a drink for all seasons?
Of course. Rosé has the ‘feel good factor”.
Pour into your glass and it suggests
pleasure. At this time of year when we’re
in the heart of spring, it’s great for lifting
the spirits after winter and it brings with it
a hint of summer to come. In France, rosé
is still largely viewed as a summer drink,
traditionally taken as an aperitif at home
or enjoyed on the beach or poolside on a
hot day.

How do I choose a good rosé?
Choosing a rosé from the label or bottle is
not straight forward – there will be no
indication of the production method used
and the colour is not a reliable guide to
sweetness and fruitiness, although blush
wines do tend to be lighter and the deeper

114 Cheshire Resident Send us a tweet @ChesResident

uWsehdattogmraapkees raorseé?

Rosé is made with black-skinned grapes
though some winemakers will choose different
varieties for their reds and rosés.

In France, rosé wines from the Provence
region are most popular. Strictly bound by the
AOC Côtes de Provence Quality Charter they
are considered to be the best and are made
from the same grape varieties as their red
wines: Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre,
with aromas of, for example, grapefruit,
banana, strawberry and almonds. However the
Languedoc region more to the West produces
the light coloured “vin de sable” or “sand
wine” rosé wines, which are often made from
Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
grapes. Some well-known rosé “Vins de
Sable” or “Sand Wines” are from the
Camargue area, but made from the Syrah,
Carignan and Grenache grape varieties. At our
Tour De Belfort vineyard we have chosen for
our own rosé, Merlot for its fruity flavour and
Syrah for a touch of spiciness.

There is a common misperception that rosés
are a mix of red and white wines – but in
France, other than in the Champagne region,
this is illegal practice.

Provence is the most popular region shades can be more full bodied and Tip: Rosé wines, with the exception of
sweeter - but not always. The alcohol level Champagne rosé should be drunk young,
A good bottle can can be a better guide - the higher the as a rule not over 3 years old and should
cost up to £10 alcohol the more body in the wine. Rosé always be served chilled.
Send us a tweet @ChesResident wines are not usually matured in oak; they
should be easy drinking. A light pale pink Why are some wines blush and
doesn’t mean a lack of flavour and a dark others a deeper red?
raspberry colour is not always a guarantee The depth of colour in a rosé is determined
of fruitiness. by the production process; the length of
time the grapes remain in contact with the
What food what would you skin. At Tour de Belfort, like many
recommend to be paired with rosé? vineyards that produce lighter rosé, we
These quality wines will pair beautifully “press” our grapes as we do for our white
with al fresco summer aperitif and dining. wines. Vineyards producing darker rosés
Uncorking a bottle can unveil an exciting usually use what’s known as “the bleeding
range of aromas and flavours from method”, where grapes are crushed and
watermelon, grapefruit, lemon to most the skins left in the vat to macerate until
berries - cranberry, raspberry, strawberry the wine has reached the desired colour.
and cherry. As a simple guide for pairing, These wines tend to be heavier and
it’s always helpful to revert back to the sweeter, whereas the “pressed” rosés are
native area of a wine for a good match. As often lighter and fruitier.
the Provence rosés are generally a safe
bet, then opt for a “niçoise” salad or a Price
bouillabaisse. Fish is always a good choice Rosé is no longer a cheap option. In the
but you’ll find it’s also great with pizza, or pursuit of quality, vineyards now produce
barbecued meats and sausages It may not rosé wines with the same dedication and
be the obvious choice, but rosé is also a care as their reds and whites and for a
good all year round for curries and other good rosé you can now expect to pay
Asian-inspired food.. upwards of £10 a bottle.

Cheshire Resident 115



TRAVELresident
DREAM DESTINATIONS TO BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS

getaGwraeyast

We’re heading for the sun

Gran Canaria

spa breaks

A family affair

in Antigua

Heaven & hell

North west-based acting duo Siobhan Finneran and Mark Jordan talk road
trips, sunshine family holidays and getting lost in Portugal with Jill Nash

How often do you travel? Siobhan Finneran and Mark Jordan Anna Maria Florida
We only really get to travel together as a
family once a year. Sometimes, with work Mallorca over the years; we would go back Funniest travel experience?
we get away, but in reality it can mean you to Anna Maria Island in Florida in an We once went to Portugal. Arrived early
only get to see the route to and from the instant. We had an incredible beach holiday evening, had a nightmare with the hire car
airport and the inside of your hotel room. there, an unforgettable time with all the and the awful ill-fitting baby seat. They
We are music fans, and love a festival and aforementioned ingredients + pancakes basically wanted to tie Joseph into it (our
hope to do a few this summer be it in a totally working together - it was bliss. son was only about 18 months old at this
campervan or tent. With teenagers we are stage). So by the time we left the airport it
happy in a field as there is always was very dark and we had to find the villa
something to do and see. which was in the middle of nowhere and
the sat nav was yet to be invented. We got
What do you need for the perfect totally lost and ended up driving into a
holiday? small town for help, we found ourselves in
Our perfect holiday has to include loads of the middle of a fiesta and when I say in the
sunshine, a quiet villa with a private pool middle I mean included in the procession
but within driving distance of a good of floats! There wasn’t a sober party-goer
beach, supermarket and restaurants. We in sight so once we’d waved our way
have had some fabulous holidays like this in through the merry throng we had to find
our own way. It wasn’t that funny at the
time but it is now.

118 Cheshire Resident Send us a tweet @ChesResident

Travel

The worst hotel you’ve stayed? Romance in Venice visited, so diverse in its culture and
The worst hotel ever was sadly in England architecture, sickening sights of deprived
near to Gatwick airport. We had an early Floating Market, Bangkok lifestyles and glorious up-lifting sights of
flight to the USA and needed an overnight people working hard and praying amidst
for our family of four - never easy to get a completely different they all were - in look 12 lanes of traffic for a better life, amazing
decent family room but this was the pits. and in atmosphere, but each place had temples, colours, smells, and amazing
We can’t remember what it was called, but something special to offer and a little people - all mind blowing stuff.
a big hotel chain who should have known surprise, be it free cookies from hotel
better. We even took towels out of the reception, to amazing scenery and even Best piece of travel advice?
suitcases for the kids to sleep on as we more amazing inhabitants. There was Best travel advice is to read up on where
didn’t trust it was as clean as it should’ve plenty to marvel at from incredible you are going to - knowledge is a great
been. Badly run, non helpful, over worked architecture, fantastic diverse food, thing. A good travel guide can help you
staff. It’s a disgrace that families in need of manatees on the beach, fun fairs, and not through the holiday and don’t pack too
a room should be left with this as their forgetting the weather! much - sadly Siobhan is still struggling
best option - we didn’t eat there – and Your favourite city? with this!
went out which was actually inconvenient Siobhan’s favourite city is Paris (but she
given the time we arrived, and if we worked there last year at Christmastime so Where next?
could’ve re-arranged it we would’ve done - it felt very special and not too a distant We have nothing planned yet, but we want
a complete and utter waste of money. I did memory). It was chaotic but so beautiful to to go to Mexico at some point. Mark would
complain at reception in the morning walk around. She loves the European way love to go back to Thailand (he went when
@5am but to be honest it fell on deaf ears of life and the staggeringly beautiful he was younger and nearly stayed there,
and we just wanted to leave! buildings. he loved it so much). Actually, we all quite
Mark’s favourite city is Bangkok - its fancy that. New York is on the list as none
The best hotel you’ve stayed? probably the weirdest place he ever of us have been there yet and that would
We have been really lucky and stayed in definitely include trips to the theatre, and
some great hotels. As a couple the endless sightseeing and shopping. Mark
Ca’Maria Adele in Venice is a beautiful and Joseph snowboard so a snowy trip
boutique hotel just slightly away from could be on the cards, but really don’t
everything but not so far you felt excluded, know. We may have to settle for a festival
amazing interiors and fantastic staff. As a in a tent.
family with small children The Excelsior
Palace Hotel in Rapallo was glorious, our *Siobhan is currently filming a new series of
room was not amazing (it’s always a Benidorm, and her new BBC One crime thriller
struggle for families) but brilliant staff, Happy Valley is to be screened later in 2014.
location, fab food, and views to die for. Mark is involved in a new kids series Rocket’s
The Grand Floridian Disneyland Florida, Island on CBBC and a film called Halcyon
we had an incredible suite there for the Heights, which is also due out soon.
last couple of days of a fantastic holiday so
basically lived next door to Mickey Mouse,
there was Disney magic everywhere. Mark
loved the Roosevelt in LA and he stayed in
the private cabana suite, Siobhan loved the
Banke hotel in Paris.

Most surprising destination?
We travelled by car from San Francisco
down the Big Sur stopping in Santa Cruz,
Carmel and Cambria for a few nights in
each. It was really shocking how so

Pancakes; a necessary ingredient

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Travel

St James’s Club, Morgan Bay, Saint Lucia

A family affair
The Jarvis brood were reluctant to join their parents on holiday...
until someone mentioned the magic word ‘Antigua’

by Katie Jarvis

So, to recap, there are five of us. The Jarvis family in Antigua did I mention? Ellie is petrified of flying.
Ian and me, who are The flight is going reasonably well until
outnumbered.
Ellie, 21, who never has her an hour before landing.
nose out of a book. “What’s the weather like in the
Ed, 20, who is mad on wildlife and very
funny (don’t take a word he says Caribbean?” I chattily ask a member of the
seriously). cabin crew.

And Miles, 18, streetwise, with his own “We’re not sure we’ll be able to land,”
band: a serious challenge to genetics. she says.

(If Ian and I were his age, we’d be “Hurricane Chantal is hovering off the
terrified of him. coast.”

As it is, we’re mildly nervous.) Oh, and “Ooooh!” wails Ellie, utterly
panicstricken and outraged by life’s
injustices.

Send us a tweet @ChesResident Cheshire Resident 121

St James’s Club, Morgan Bay, Saint Lucia secluded all-inclusive resort on the south- “Oh God, teambuilding,” says Miles.
eastern coast of the dinky island of “She’s going to ask us to fall backwards
“Not only have we got a hurricane, but Antigua, just a little more than 100 square into each other’s arms next.” Truth be told,
it’s a chavvy one!” miles in area. we don’t need to leave the St James’s Club.
Our three-bedroom villa has a glorious
“Well, this is exactly what happens And when I say ‘all-inclusive’, I mean balcony, on which we can relax in
when you educate women,” Ed points out. that you order à la carte from any one of loungers and read our extensive
three fantastic quality restaurants, or – for holiday books.
“They over-think things and become a supplement – from the fine dining menu Or there are the resort beaches, such as
hysterical.” of the flagship, Piccolo Mondo. the calm waters of Mamora Bay, where
you can laze in the warm waters or take
You know how it is. You want to carry Eating while watching the turquoise Hobie Cats and paddle-boats out for free.
on having family holidays deep into old waves crashing around you has to be one There are numerous pools – some
age; probably until the growing number of of life’s must-do experiences. adults only; some for all ages – and,
cats you own makes going away everywhere, bars that serve your included
untenable. But as soon as the kids hit ‘Nor is it just good food drinks – chilled beers, white wines, the
teenage years, it’s a Damascene moment: that’s plentiful: the drink ubiquitous rum punches, juices, water,
Adam and Eve’s bite from the apple in the flows too: whether wine, whatever – and top-up fast-food for those
Garden of Eden. growing teenage boys.
the local beer, or an But we do venture out.
They suddenly realise how little they extensive cocktail menu’ Our first excursion is on one of the
enjoy your company when you’re not resort’s catamaran trips, to Green Island,
actually doing their washing. Particularly popular amongst our lot is a Robinson Crusoe spot of dazzling
the breakfast at the Rainbow Garden, white sand, surrounded by reef and
“What about Dartmouth?” we say, with where omelettes and waffles are cooked shallow waters.
excessive cheeriness. to order. On the way, we catch a school of busy
dolphins; once we get there, we imitate
“You know how much you used to enjoy Nor is it just good food that’s plentiful: them, as best we can, by putting on our
crab fishing. the drink flows, too: whether wine, the own fins and snorkelling round the clear
local beer, or an extensive cocktail menu. waters, where we find queen conch, shoals
Or France? We could do some cycling of little fish so colourful they look as if
together!” Then we suddenly remember I never overindulge – of course – fitted with LEDs, black sea urchins with
bribery. though I use its mellifluous influences to oil four-inch spikes, and a lobster the size of a
our togetherness-time. man’s forearm.
“Antigua?” It’s a deal-clincher. The next day, we’re out again, on a
As we fly over the clear blue Caribbean “Let’s discuss what we most like about
sea, in the midst of animated family each other,” I hiccup one evening, as we
conversation (“We’re going to crash and sit outside in the warm Caribbean air.
die, aren’t we?”), I reflect on the
importance of still going away together.
It’s a chance to catch up with these
people, who until recently, were such little
children and who are now grown up
and mature.
We’re headed for the St James’s Club, a

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Travel

Land Rover tour of the island – the five of “Tarantulas,” Trevor explains. And an alternative view...
us, an American couple and Trevor, a local “Erm. Don’t those have a nasty bite?”
guide, who’s full of fun and knowledge in “Oh, yes. Very nasty.” Miles, 18
equal quantities. We see Montserrat on the horizon – “In One cent, five cent, 10 cent, dollar!
the night, you can see fire coming over the The music blares from the speakers around the
“I know almost everybody on the volcano top” – before ending up in the catamaran as the young, energetic crew lead
island,” he says, which – judging by the waters of the unparalleledly beautiful, the comparatively stiff bunch of holiday-
toots and shouts – is no idle boast. gloriously deserted, Half Moon Bay, a makers in a rather suggestive, but light-
perfect circle of Caribbean loveliness that hearted, dance.
After cruising round the island villages makes the most glossy of holiday The main ringleader, going by the name of
– such as Liberta, with its pink, yellow, brochures look shabby in comparison. Xavy, shouts encouragement to his pupils. The
blue houses and their hammock-hung A few days later, we hire a car and turnout on his makeshift dance-floor is
verandas – we explore the flora and fauna: head back there. impressive as the vast majority of those on
the aptly-descriptive red flamboyant tree; We want to explore this strange place, board join in, although it is debatable whether
the papayas beginning to turn yellow and which was the first to feel the awesome it is to do with the happy, chilled vibes
the strange brown pelicans, which power of Hurricane Luis, the cruel visitor everyone on the island seems to possess, or the
eventually turn themselves blind by hitting of 1995. tasty variety of cocktails.
the water head-first. I have no idea whether or not we’re
supposed to do this but we make our way Ed, 20
We then turn up a rickety track to the into the eerie remains of the hotel that The wildlife is spectacular: the lightning-quick
colonial Wallings Dam, where a group of took the full whack of that visit, and which humming birds that flit around the resort; the
colourful schoolchildren are heading out has been deserted ever since. zenaida doves, lesser Antillean bullfinches, and
on a field trip. Once the preserve of celebrities such as the cheeky yellow bananquits that fly into
Audrey Hepburn and Elton John, its guests’ rooms and sort through the tea trays,
“Hello, gov’nor!” they call out cheerily, clientele today are lizards, spiders and throwing out the coffee and the milk until
in perfect Mockney, as we pass by in things I don’t really want to think about, they get to the sugar packets that they
our 4x4. lurking beneath the dense undergrowth. acrobatically open.
It’s wonderfully Mary-Celeste-ish; you
At the top, Trevor shows us the can wander through store cupboards, Ellie, 21
cruellyspiked silk box tree, where slaves filled with 20-year-old account books and Give me sun, give me sand, give me an azure
were once tightly tethered, the points letters, guest slips and maintenance books. blue ocean - I’m in heaven.
eating into their bare flesh. On the wall of the rickety kitchen is a Floating in the sea, lazily drifting through the
notice, ‘What to do in case of hurricane’. warm currents that chase across the water, you
“And look at these holes in the ground!” Oh, and there’s so much more to tell wonder what could be better.
he says. you. But you’ll just have to go yourself. Perhaps the fact that you can just walk right
The hurricane that nearly stopped us off that beach and straight into any number of
“Spiders live in them. landing, wafted around for the first night, excellent restaurants at the St James’s Club.
When we were boys, we’d try to get then left, leaving the sun to shine and the Particularly fantastic was Thai night at The
them out by sticking grass down there.” breeze to play and the balmy air to Rainbow Garden - I’ve never tasted a curry so
He shows Ed how to do it. shimmer around us. delicious as their Thai red.
“What kind of spiders are they?” Ed We played tennis, table tennis, visited To be honest, I’d have been content to
asks, mid-stalk-twiddle. the gym (well, Ed did), swam and sailed. sunbathe and eat myself silly for the week.
We ate, and we drank. However, there was so much to do, we were
“You know I love you all very much, spoilt for choice: water sports, tennis,
don’t you,” I say, in a spirit of renewed swimming, luxury catamaran trips, an island
togetherness, attributable entirely to this safari and shopping in the capital.
wonderful, wonderful holiday.
“How much has she drunk?” Miles asks. Ellie, Ed and Miles Jarvis
“Don’t worry,” Ellie says to me, kindly.
“I’ll hold your hand safely back to
the villa.”

Kuoni Cheltenham offer seven nights on all-
inclusive at St James’s Club & Villas, Antigua
(www.stjamesclubantigua.com) in a club room,
including flights with Virgin Atlantic from
London Gatwick with transfers in resort.
The prices for March 2014 are from £2,000 per
person, based on two sharing.
For information on visiting Antigua and
Barbuda, log onto:
www.visitantiguabarbuda.com

Send us a tweet @ChesResident Cheshire Resident 123

CGrAanLCLaInNarGia
A trip to Gran Canaria offers so much more than the traditional sun-seeker’s
holiday, as Andy Cooper discovers on a spa break

124 Cheshire Resident Send us a tweet @ChesResident

10 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW
ABOUT GRAN CANARIA
1Half of the island has
been declared a Chill out poolside
Biosphere Reserve by at Marina Suites,
UNESCO, featuring as it does Puerto Rico
the peculiarities of the
A perfect day by the Macronesian natural of dolphin: common, bottle which comes from the
pool at Hotel Cordial environment and a wide nosed, rough toothed, ‘Guanches’; the island’s
variety of local flora and striped and Atlantic spotted. original inhabitants.
Mogan Playa fauna. It is said to be one of the
6 On his 1492 voyage earliest defined forms of
They are there, indelibly, when 2 The climate and towards the New World, wrestling.
we think of a Canary Islands landscape of the island Columbus, his ships and crew,
holiday – the staple three ‘Ss’ strongly favours the growth stopped in Gran Canaria. 9 The golfer will love the
of sun, sea and sand. of aloe vera which is island – there are ten
Well, maybe it’s about considered by many experts 7 The name Islas Canarias courses to be played,
time we added another ‘S’ to shatter the as the best in the world. comes from the Latin including the oldest in Spain,
preconceptions...that of spa. The plant has highly curative term Insula Canaria, meaning the Real Club de Golf de Las
and therapeutic properties. “Island of the Dogs”. Palmas.
Because after returning from Gran
Canaria buffed, biffed, burnished and 3 Gran Canaria is a It is thought that these 10 Most tourists flock
bronzed it’s clear that the traditional all- continent in miniature, ‘dogs’ were actually a species to the south of the
year-round climate should not be the only offering beaches and resorts of Monk Seals, which in Latin island where the climate
draw to those volcanic isles dotted into the as well as deep ravines, pine translate as ‘sea dogs’. tends to be warmer than
Atlantic off the African coast. forests and palm groves the north.
across its 1,560 square 8 The island has its own
Just a relatively short ‘hop’ from us via kilometres. sport, Canarian wrestling,
regular flights from Bristol Airport, Gran
Canaria is an island which has a changing 4 Its position and climate
reputation. means the island offers
gentle summers and warm
Yes, it will always be a magnet because winters.

The average daily daytime
temperature ranges from
20-26 degrees Centigrade.

5 The island boasts
abundant sea life off its
shores, including five species

of that fabulous year-round climate and a From being wrapped in the island’s
multitude of beaches but, as I discovered, abundant aloe vera, to salt scrubs to
on a recent short break there, it has so relaxing, de-stressing massages, it was
much more to offer. hard to imagine at the end of our stay that
there were many ways left in which our
Spa breaks may be the ‘mot juste’ in the sun-kissed bodies could be kindly treated.
UK right now, but the Canarians can
rightly lay claim to the fact that they have It’s pretty much the perfect combination
been at the forefront of the movement. – top up the tan and then retreat indoors
for some intense body maintenance which
‘Thalasso’ treatments, based around sea will have you feeling invigorated.
water and the many healthbearing benefits
it can bring, have been offered on the Using the pretty harbourside village of
island for many, many years and with Puerto Rico as our base, we buzzed around
recent updates to the existing facilities from resort to resort discovering a whole
many hotels and spas offer, it’s well worth host of fine, quality hotels offering superb
acquainting yourself with them. facilities, allied with the warm welcome
which the Gran Canarians specialise in.
We were given something of a ‘Grand
Tour’ of spots to the south of the island Yes, the Canary Islands are when all is
which offer a variety of treatments. said and done, a rocky outcrop in the

Send us a tweet @ChesResident Cheshire Resident 125

Atlantic with one of the best year-round Stretching our trip beyond the shores A SUNNY SPOT
climates one can find within striking of the island as well, we took a trip on the
distance of the UK and that, over the years pleasure boat ‘Spirit Of The Sea’ to go Our hotel was Marina Suites Gran Canaria,
has led to their massive appeal as a holiday whale and dolphin watching. Puerto Rico, Mogán.
destination.
We might have missed out on spotting A spotless and fabulously appointed
But these days they are so much more the former, but as the many dolphins collection of apartments and rooms, this
than that. ‘buzzed’ around our boat, we looked back hotel looks out onto the busy harbour.
on an island bathed in warming sunlight,
Faced with competitive threats from even early in the morning, and it was hard Our top floor apartment was clean, airy
other destinations, the hotels and tourism not to conclude this is an island which and comfortable, with a real sun trap of a
providers have upped their game. deserves its reputation as a place of balcony.
relaxation and renewal.
If it’s golf, walking or entertainment you The staff were super attentive and
are seeking, there is plenty to attract and More information on Gran Canaria holidays can be found at helpful and the food selection for both
the island also doesn’t shirk on the grancanariawellness.com breakfast and dinner with our half board
fantastic availability of seafood all around: option was tasty, fresh and plentiful.
the restaurants we visited truly make the marinasuitesgrancanaria.com
most of what’s on offer.
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126 Cheshire Resident

SPA SELECTION

A round-up of the island’s finest spots for trying
some very special treatments

HMSeoaatssepildaReloeGmsiradasenndcia, Lopesan Villa del Conde Hotel Cordial Mogán
resort and Corallium Playa, Puerto de Mogán
None other than Bruce Springsteen Thalasso, Meloneras
chose this spot to relax in when he Family friendly would be one’s first impression
played a gig on the island a while back Close your eyes and imagine you are a Roman on a visit here.
and it’s hard not to see why. emperor as you lie in the luxurious spa pool in
your individual treatment apartment and stare Warm, welcoming staff and an abundance of
Tasteful apartments nestle out to sea. facilities and relaxation areas, you simply
unobtrusively adjacent to the pool area, would not need to leave this spot for the
meaning you are just a few paces from Clearly targeted at the couples/ romantic end duration of your holiday.
the water and yet retain your privacy in of the market, this spa hotel offers specialised
those wonderful rooms. treatments (including one as couples lie side by However, if you do, the short walk to the
side) set around an impressive Corallium traditional fishing village nearby is well worth
At night, you won’t be so much complex which lacks for nothing in facilities. it to see one of the oldest inhabited parts of
Dancing In The Dark, as Dining In The the island.
Dusk at the amazing, top quality
terrace restaurant. Bohemia Suites & Spa, briefly, take your eyes off the magnificent
Playa del Inglés food in front of you.
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Tucked smack bang in the middle of this rather
traditional resort is this uber trendy hotel
which offers luxury and high living on a
grand scale.

The spa areas alone are almost like a hotel
within a hotel and would grace any 5* star
establishment.

Elsewhere, the rooftop restaurant offers the
kind of views which would make you, albeit

Gloria Palace San Agustin
Thalasso and Hotel,
San Agustin

In many senses ‘The Daddy’ of the spa
treatment movement on the island.

A huge hotel, big on service, big on facilities
and big on the thalasso spa treatment package
as it was most likely the first to really promote
the benefits of waterborne treatments and
therapies.

The massive hydro pool and treatment areas
mean you are never short of a spot to relax in
and the facilities and staffing levels are second
to none.

Cheshire Resident 127

Above: Oliver Dunn

Above: Peter Murray from Pulse of Perfumery Below: Guests enjoying the event Above: Andy Ellison entertains
Above: Heads and tails

128 Cheshire Resident Above: CAFT’s Julie Gray with Oliver Dunn
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Society

TMeaEaRndEtrCeaOtsUatRthTe CAFT’s Marie
Molnar, Peter
Reid and Pippa

Watton

Local children’s charity, The material to create a breath-taking room Cakes of Hale donated an indulgent
Children’s Adventure Farm for the guests. cupcake for each guest. Clarins at House of
Trust, were joined by more Fraser in Altrincham also provided goodie
than 100 ladies for an afternoon CAFT’s Julie Gray hosted the event bags for the ladies as well as prizes for the
of tea, cakes and shopping at Mere and introduced vocalist Andy Ellison Grand Raffle.
Court Hotel who entertained the guests throughout
their tea with some smooth swing tunes. Guests were also invited to take part in a
It was their second Annual Peter Murray from Pulse of Perfumery in special raffle, with guests buying a special
Vintage Afternoon Tea at the venue Knutsford gave an inspiring and presentation box of fine preserves the prize
and they raised almost £6,000 on entertaining talk which enthralled and for which was a luxury two night stay at St
the day! amused the guests. Oliver Dunn of Martin’s Lane hotel in London with
Olichocparties also captivated the ladies afternoon tea at the Connaught. £600 was
The event began as all should – with with his delicious demonstration of raised in total from the special raffle alone!
a glass of fizz and some shopping! The truffle making, he also auctioned off his
drinks reception was sponsored by services raising £150 on the spot. Julie Gray says: ‘We’re now looking
Bright & Beautiful in Altrincham. forward to our Ladies’ Lunch event at The
Ladies were invited to browse the stalls A Grand Raffle included some Mere on 11th June and many ladies
which included jewellery, handbags and fantastic prizes and was drawn by attending the Afternoon Tea have already
even some pampering thanks to Cheadle charity Patron Suzan Holder. Prizes booked their tickets. We really can’t thank
Holistic Therapies and Roberta Beauty included four top tickets to see Gary everyone who attended enough, the money
Redefined. Guests were then shown Barlow live, an overnight stay in they have raised will provide once in a
through to the beautiful conservatory, London, several prizes from Mere Court lifetime holidays to local children in
which the charity had decorated in a and a perfume hamper worth £200 from desperate need.’ ■
pretty vintage Afternoon Tea theme, Pulse of Perfumery.
including lovely crockery donated by The charity relies totally on donations and support in order to raise the
Alice’s Vintage Pantry in Timperley. Crème de la Mer at John Lewis in
Perfect weddings completed the scene Cheadle donated 20 facial vouchers £1million it needs to continue their work. If you would like further
with chair covers and swathes of which were awarded to some lucky
ladies on the day and Elizabeth George information about the Adventure Farm call the fundraising office on

01565 830 053 or visit www.caft.co.uk

Send us a tweet @ChesResident Cheshire Resident 129

EDUCATION
Schools in the spotlight

The cast of Godspell

MUSICAL HIGHLIGHT

Stockport Grammar School pupils enjoyed
months of energetic rehearsals to bring
the school’s production of Godspell right
up to date with a fresh and contemporary
feel. The girls and boys had a great time
bringing the show together; their vigour
and enthusiasm came across in their
performances, with energetic dance
routines, catchy songs and plenty of
moving drama – all of which resulted in a
sell-out run across four nights and rave
reviews on the school’s Facebook and
Twitter pages.

Head of Drama Alison Moffatt said: ‘It
was important that the show focused on
community and what connects us as
human beings, not only in terms of what
the audience sees but to develop it in a
real sense for the cast and crew. This has
truly been realised through our months
working together.’

Above: Bowdon hockey team

Jolly hockey
Bowdon Hockey Club is delighted
that their Girls U16 team has Surbiton, Beeston and Wycombe. The final Barnardo’s Choir Competition
finished the season with match against Reading was extremely
amazing success winning the tight; however, Bowdon gave it everything IN FINE VOICE
Bronze medal in the England they had and Bowdon’s Alice McAuliffe-
Hockey Cup Finals. Hall delivered a major blow to Reading The Queen’s School Young Voices Choir
with a goal towards the end of the first gave a superb performance at The
The team of girls worked hard all half; this was to be the only goal of the Barbican in the finals of the Barnardo’s
season and, after winning the North of match. Choir Competition recently.
England Finals, they gained a place in the
National Finals at Wakefield. ‘To reach the National Finals of the The girls sang Butterfly by Alan
England Hockey Cup was like a dream Simmons and I am the wind by Lin Marsh,
This was the first time that a Bowdon come true,’ said Bowdon Captain, Bethan and received very detailed and
U16 girls team had ever reached the Lowe. I am very proud of the team; encouraging feedback.
National Finals and there was great everyone has shown great spirit and
support for the team all weekend. determination. It was an amazing weekend Judges placed the choir in the
and we saw some fantastic hockey.’ “excellent” category and gave helpful
They went through to the play-offs for comments to develop their skills further.
third position after games against

130 Cheshire Resident Send us a tweet @ChesResident

Education

Above: (L-R) Frances Whorrall-Campbell, Alice Kirby, Evelyn Whorrall-Campbell, Aby Prothero and Grace Whorrall- Canoe endurance

Arty partyCampbell are all celebrating art school places. CREWS CUT IT

The recent success of The Queen’s School In addition to the triplets this year, Aby Three teams of intrepid canoeists from
Art Department looks set to continue, with Prothero, of Manley, has won a place at the Abbotsholme School are to take part in the
girls winning more places at prestigious art prestigious Ravensbourne College to study annual Devizes to Westminster (DW) Canoe
schools. Fashion Foundation. And Alice Kirby, of endurance marathon.
Tarvin, will study for her Art Foundation at
Three triplets from Kelsall have all the University of Leeds. The 125 mile race starts in Devizes and
succeeded in earning a place at the ends up under Westminster Bridge on a
prestigious Central St Martin’s (CSM) Aby hopes to follow in the footsteps on route that includes over 70 locks/weirs at
School of Art in London. former Queen’s pupil Harriet Williams, who which the boats must be taken out of the
left school in 2010 and is now a knitwear water and carried (portaged) making it a
Evelyn, Grace, and Frances Whorrall- designer for Alexander McQueen. huge physical challenge. The first two days
Campbell have all now accepted their offers are particularly gruelling as the teams
of places at the London Art School to study Head of Art Alistair Tucker said: ‘We are paddle for up to 10 hours a day to cover
Art Foundation. so proud of the girls’ achievements. They the 34 and 36 miles in order to be allowed
have worked extremely hard and I am sure to continue, making the race a true test of
They follow Hannah Wilcox, Katherine they will become successful in the creative mental and physical stamina and
Illingsworth and Ayesha Tan-Jones who industries in the future.’ endurance. We wish them luck!
have all won places at CSM over the past
three years. Cheshire Resident 131

Broadway babies The Little Mermaid

Stockport Grammar School has another
hit on its hands.

The school’s main stage was
transformed into a magical underwater
world as Year 6 pupils enchanted
audiences with their sparkling production
of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

The high-energy production was a
culmination of months of hard work and
the cast’s vigour and enthusiasm came
across in each and every show.
Accomplished dance routines, fantastic
singing and moving drama made it an
enthralling show to watch.

Stockport Grammar School has an
excellent drama and music offer. Find out
more at the school open days.

The Junior School Open Morning is on
Saturday May 10th 9.30-11.30am.

Senior School Taster Days for current
Year 5s are on May 13th and 10th June
10th. Call 0161 419 2408 to book

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Business

BUSINESS NEWS

Companies set to amaze a new generation

Some of the region’s top names are taking part in a project

designed to fire young imaginations, writes Martin Pilkington

Many of the biggest businesses in Talk at Jodrell Bank involved in the initiative, indeed, it is
Cheshire are putting their co-organising it. A full week of science
considerable weight – and sustainability is the availability of skilled shows is planned, running from star-gazing
sponsorship - behind a new engineers to drive future innovation. One of to bee-keeping, and at lunch times there will
event that is set to capture young the pre-requisites for a career in be the chance to meet and chat to an
imaginations this half-term. The likes of engineering is that young people are astronomer, though sorry kids (and ladies)
Urenco, Atkins, AstraZeneca, Waters studying Science, Technology, Engineering Professor Brian Cox doesn’t yet appear on
Corporation and C-Tech Innovation are and Mathematics - STEM. We see the the highlights list.
backing Amazed By Science, described by ‘Amazed By Science’ Festival as a novel way
co-organisers Marketing Cheshire as the of promoting STEM and encouraging young Teresa Anderson, director of Jodrell
first ever pan-Cheshire Science Festival. people to consider a career in Engineering.’ Bank says: ‘The festival will promote and
celebrate science, technology and
From May 24th to June 1st venues across As you’d expect, Cheshire’s most iconic engineering throughout Cheshire. We aim
the county are putting on demonstrations, science hub, Jodrell Bank, is heavily to increase interest and engagement in
shows and hands-on stuff that range from science for the general public and to
exploring radioactivity at Hack Green increase its relevance to our everyday lives.
Nuclear Bunker to a mini-archaeological We hope that this will inspire young people
dig. Bees – what we can learn from them, to pursue science at school and to consider
and their currently endangered plight, are a a career in this field.’
theme across several events.
Marketing Cheshire’s chief executive
Businesses are involved close-to as well, Katrina Michel trusts the event will not be a
with MBNA/Merrill Lynch holding a maths one-off: ‘We’re really delighted by the way
event, and Starchaser Industries of Hyde companies and organisations across
launching a Tempest rocket. Cheshire have reacted so positively to the
idea of Amazed By Science. Our hope is that
The idea is not just to entertain the what looks set to be a fantastic first running
children for a day or a week, but to hook of the event will lay the foundations for the
them on science and technology for life. As festival to be repeated next year and
Finbarr Dowling, managing director of the thereafter.’
Congleton plant of headline sponsors
Siemens, says: ‘A key area that will
determine our future success and

For more info visit:
www.amazedbyscience.co.uk

134 Cheshire Resident Send us a tweet @ChesResident

Tatton’s home grown success

Among the venues for Amazed By Science is venison on sale in the shop we have it on Gardener’s Cottage,Tatton Park
Tatton Park, where the hi-tech – Going our menus, and if we have the rhubarb on Talk at Jodrell Bank
Digital – and the not so hi-tech – steam the menu they have, say, our rhubarb jam
engine demos – will mix with the natural, on sale. So if you like it you can buy it on
like calving, meet the ducklings, and a your way out. It’s early days, but it hass
ranger safari. started well.’

Tatton is another Cheshire icon, but it’s a
business too and has to work build visitor
numbers and increase its revenue stream, as
Business Development manager Carole
Molineux makes clear: ‘Tatton is owned by
the National Trust, but run and funded by
Cheshire East Council, so we have to pay
our way. We do though have fantastic
resources here to help us do that.’

In its 18th-century pomp the estate fed
the owners. They even rented the then
incredibly exotic pineapples grown in their
pinery as centrepieces for grand banquets,
charging the equivalent of £6000! Present-
day Tatton is following their lead, in May
last year opening The Gardener’s Cottage
restaurant that relies heavily on home-
grown fruit and vegetables – even
pineapples still.

Business Transition Manager Duncan
Stewart oversees the project. ‘The chefs
here work with the gardeners, say what they
want from the gardens. We’re linking in
with the retail too, so where they have

Alfie Boe Happy 40th

Two Cheshire institutions are celebrating their life-
begins-at anniversaries this year – the University of
Law’s Chester centre, and Clonter Opera.
‘The centre at Chester has been open for 40
years,’ says associate professor Carol Draycott, its
head. ‘It was one of the original four sites of what
was then the College of Law. A good number of
students have passed through our doors over the
years - there are a lot of eminent solicitors now
who trained with us here.’ The Christleton
campus is important for the region’s legal eagles
current and future, offering continuous
professional development course for those in
practice, and both postgraduate and
undergraduate qualifications.
Clonter Opera had rather humbler origins, the
audience sitting on straw bales in a barn. Now, it
has a 400-seat theatre, bar and dining facilities,
and a national reputation for giving aspiring artists
– Alfie Boe among them – help early in their
careers. Their 40th will be celebrated with a
champagne reception and Gounod’s Faust on July
26th, when a glass may be raised to sponsors like
John Lewis and Brewin Dolphin supporting the
business as it enters its fifth decade.

Send us a tweet @ChesResident Cheshire Resident 135



Motoring

The power
and the glory

The Bentley Continental GTC V8 is stunning to look
at and brilliant to drive, writes our motoring
correspondent, Syd Taylor

Send us a tweet @ChesResident Cheshire Resident 137

Beating the best in the world is GTC V8 than to order it in resplendent single day. It’s actually better than you
the business of a Bentley – and yellow? It certainly makes a statement and could ever have imagined. No pen can do
nobody shows rivals the door banishes all thoughts of gloomy winter justice to its appearance and no poet could
with such beguiling months just gone. Here is a triumphant pitch his praise high enough to encompass
condescension. Here is trailblazing convertible that rewards lucky its peerless momentum and comfort.
refinement, power and prestige epitomised owners in so many ways. There’s nothing that’s not impressive, from
in a sculpture of electro-mechanical the moment you settle in, to the first of a
wizardry, complemented by fixtures and Get behind the wheel of one of these dozen parting glances.
fittings fit for royalty. beauties and it ‘turns out nice again’ every
So, once underway I began to unwind,
Pub quiz starter for ten: “What do a to indulge in a little joie de vivre. There are
Bentley and a banana have in common – few cars on the market that are both
apart from starting with a ‘B’ that is?” The stunning to look at and stunning to drive –
quip came courtesy of an envious and now the Continental has been
neighbour who couldn’t help but spot the remarkably transformed by the installation
beautiful, bright yellow convertible on the of a new 500bhp, 4.0 litre twin turbo V8
driveway of the parc fermé that is that is a much more ‘sporty’ engine than
my abode. the W12. Not only that, but its economy is
an amazing 40 per cent better. More than
Let’s face it, Bentley owners don’t tend 25 mpg is easily achieved. Gargantuan
to be shrinking violets. If you’ve got it, performance is about the same and near
flaunt it. And what better way to flaunt 190mph should be enough for anyone.
your new £136,250 Bentley Continental

138 Cheshire Resident Send us a tweet @ChesResident

Motoring

‘It purrs, it rumbles, it Below: A classic 4½ litre Bentley Blower on the
roars and sounds amazing way to Le Mans. The middle picture shows the
– burbling as it does at low sleek coverings on the modern powerplant and
the bottom Bentley’s iconic badge.
revs and rising to a roar’

This new V8 version knocks all others ‘To experience the very highest motoring table indeed.
into a cocked hat. It purrs, it rumbles, it luxurious cockpit and It’s a car that is absurd in its
roars and sounds amazing - burbling as it the inexhaustible power
does at low revs and rising to a roar that is to taste at the very contradictions: huge power yet great
would strike terror into the black heart of highest motoring table tranquility when required – all in a
Beelzebub himself. (Which makes a case chassis that offers balance, poise and
for taking 25 seconds to lower the hood at indeed’ formidable grip thanks to permanent
every opportunity). Yet, back off the four-wheel-drive.
throttle and ‘smart’ technology shuts down company, of course, and so many were
four of the eight cylinders making it into a eager to join me that I conducted an Fast bends reveal the sort of feel that
whisper-quiet cruiser that lopes along. The impromptu lottery. The lucky winner – builds confidence when pushing hard and
automatic gearbox gives imperceptible Clarissa Maidenhead – purred like a kitten the balance and coherence of the chassis is
changes and in eighth gear the engine is as she admired the Bentley. ‘Well,’ she always subtle, soaking up every shock with
not much more than ticking over at the said, ‘You certainly have the passenger to impunity.
legal limit. go with the car. Pity about the driver
though.’ It’s all so easy, so natural.
When you want, the Continental It is, of course, a convertible – but as
accelerates like an F15 on re-heat. You’ll To experience the luxurious cockpit and you are aware, there’s more than one
certainly leave your blues behind and the the inexhaustible power is to taste at the meaning to the term. This Bentley is an
rest of the world will need to get up early alchemist, converting day-to-day dross
to catch you in one of these. into a gleaming and enviable experience
by invoking the magic of the flying carpet
A driving experience of this sort craves with a consumate synthesis of luxury, pace
and dynamic ability.

Send us a tweet @ChesResident Cheshire Resident 139

Theuxncditeinrogus,
much&-loved

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage brings
out the schoolboy in our motoring

correspondent, Syd Taylor

140 Cheshire Resident From the window I saw my pal
Duggie, huffing and puffing up
the hill. I waved and eventually
he staggered to the door.
“Hey! Gibbo’s uncle has
come round and he knows a man who’s
got an Aston Martin like James Bond’s.”

In a jiffy we scrambled over hedges and
gathered, enthralled, on Gibbo’s drive
while Uncle Al, leaning on his gleaming
red MGA, told us about this unknown
deity and his Aston Martin.

Whether any cars today inflame such
schoolboy passions, I can’t say, for I’m no
longer a schoolboy; but I doubt it. This
was a dull era when only the sun gleamed
gold, but we knew about Aston Martins.
They were unchallengeably the finest in
the whole world and held mythical status.

They still live on today as thunderous,
exciting and much loved machines,
recreating the joys of sportscar motoring
as it was understood in its heyday.

As a boy, my links with these Titans
that moulded motoring history were the
stuff dreams are made of. Thank goodness
then, that in a world where the supercar
norm is big, pussycat blandness, Aston
Martin gives us the latest V8 Vantage, a

Send us a tweet @ChesResident

Motoring

car that kindles fantasies of derring-do in a button and a single whirr of the starter revelled in the delights of using the ultra
way that is seldom encountered nowadays. brings the hand assembled, dry sump, all fast formula one style paddle operated
alloy 420bhp quad cam V8 to life. sportshift - an automated manual
Utterly seductive and highly addictive, transmission developed by Aston Martin
it’s perfect from every angle. All are It’s an impressively torquey engine that which encourages brisk and tidy driving
mesmerised by the car which has provides you with seventy five percent of with little effort and now with closer
obviously been designed by an individual the maximum 470nm at just 1500rpm – ratios.
rather than by a committee. barely more than idle – so there’s real
tractability for tootling around town, Most importantly, when you’re moving
In tyre-smoking nonsense terms, I’m quickly, is the feeling that this is a poised
told by those far more able to push the ‘If your blood runs hot and balanced car in which to sweep
envelope than your correspondent, that it and you lust after not just through successions of bends confidently.
is, indeed, not the fleetest of the fleet, but, Because it’s light - thanks to the extensive
by the Lord Harry, 180mph should be power and speed, but use of alloys, magnesium and advanced
quick enough to make anyone’s toes curl. heritage too, then there’s composites - the dynamics are excellent,
More to the point, it feels so right and ‘at not much out there that heightening the impression of agility and
one’ with the driver. giving a great deal of enjoyment.
can touch this car’
So, if your blood runs hot and you lust Needless to say, braking power is totally
after not just power and speed, but (but what a waste!). reassuring thanks to massive discs that
heritage too, then there’s not much out As I accelerated away I felt the power wouldn’t be out of place on a race car.
there that can touch this scalp-pricklingly You’re promised great things with the V8
exciting car. and heard the deep growl of the exhaust Vantage Roadster – as you would expect of
as I rocketed up the road: the car felt a car so sporting of visage and name
Step inside and you are instantly struck taught, stiff and unyielding and I realised (not to mention the price of around
by how snug the cockpit is, with its acres what a solidly built machine it is. I was £87,309) and you’re duly served.
of fine leather. Seats hug and hold you made alert by the correctness of it all and
well, yet there’s a suppleness that says real was ready for speed. That’s how it was in the past and
luxury. The dashboard layout is impressive thankfully it’s the same today, with
with a reassuring array of instruments – Along my favourite twisty roads, I worthy qualities, a bold spirit and
but the finer points of ergonomics can be exuberant style continuing to
left to drivers of lesser machinery. live on.

Turn the key then press the glass starter Cheshire Resident 141

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