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ISSUE 74 . MARCH 2011
HAVANA NIGHTSA JEWEL IN THE CITY’S DINING CROWN
BORN TO MOCKCOMEDIAN AND PRESENTER DARA O’BRIAIN
AUSTRALIA’S LUXURY COASTLINECRUISING ALONG KIMBERLEY COAST
FASHION . PROPERTY . TRAVEL . BEAUTY . EDUCATION . ART . FACES & PLACES
THE CITY’SLONGEST ESTABLISHED LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
B0311_001 COVER MAR11.indd 1 22/2/11 17:09:34
HAVANA
RESTAURANT & COCKTAIL BAR3 2 D u k e S t r e e t , B r i g h t o n Te l e p h o n e 0 1 2 7 3 7 7 3 3 8 8
w w w. h a v a n a . u k . c o m
B0111_002 Havana1.indd 1 13/12/10 14:11:31
Power with refinement. Racing with style. Only Bentley combines these seeming contra-dictions into a refined driving experience at the pinnacle of British motoring. May we present the all-new Bentley Mulsanne – the opposite of mass production. Hand crafted and engineered in Crewe, England, this all-new grand tourer
elevates motoring to a whole new level. Find out more at www.bentleymotors.com.
Fuel economy figures for the Bentley Mulsanne in mpg (l/100km): Urban 11.2 (25.3); Extra Urban 24.0 (11.8); Combined 16.8 (16.9). CO2 emissions (g/km): 393.
Harwoods of Sussex London Road, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1AR. Tel: 01798 877213. www.bentleymotors.com/harwoodsThe name ‘Bentley’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. © 2011 Bentley Motors Limited. Model shown: Bentley Mulsanne, mrrp £224,700. Price correct at time of going to press.
HARWOODS OF SUSSE X
Welcome to a new chapter in Bentley history. The new Continental GT – a remarkable fusion of performance, luxury and modern technology. Its sharp, sculpted features are indicative of our DNA. The powerful 567bhp (575PS, 423kW) FlexFuel W12 engine is matched by a hand-crafted, contemporary interior. All-wheel drive
ensures you are transported in superior comfort. Supreme motoring that is unmistakably Bentley.
Fuel economy figures* for the Continental GT in mpg (l/100km): Urban 11.1 (25.4); Extra Urban 24.9 (11.4); Combined 17.1 (16.5). CO2 Emissions (g/km): 384.
Harwoods of Sussex London Road, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1AR. Tel: 01798 877213. www.bentleymotors.com/harwoodsThe name ‘Bentley’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. © 2011 Bentley Motors Limited. Model shown: Bentley Continental GT, mrrp £135,760. Price correct at time of going to press and includes VAT at 20%. Price excludes road fund licence, registration and delivery charges.
HARWOODS OF SUSSE X
B0211_003 HARWOODS ADS.indd 1 25/1/11 17:29:26
where holidays begin
Holidays begin
Cruise or speed to France in as little as 3 hours this spring, and enjoy a break without breaking the bank.
France from £99 return*
Visit brittanyferries.com or call 0871 244 0409
Calls cost 10p per minute, plus network extras. *Based on car and two passengers for 3 days away. Travel until 17 April 2011. Book by 28 March. Conditions apply.
CONTENTS
ABSOLUTE 5
March 2011 . Issue 74www.absolutebrighton.tvCover shot by Paul WilliamsModels: Heida and Moritz from Nevs London www.nevs.co.uk
8
brighton
ABSOLUTE FEATURES8 Colour Block FashionVivid and daring colours26 Born to MockComedian Dara O’Briain on hisApprentice spin-off show62 So You Want To Own A Racehorse?John Periam investigates at Goodwood
ABSOLUTE REGULARS7 Editor’s Letter14 Fashion ColumnNatalie Wileman on how to keep up with current trends in the city18 Absolute Socialite DiaryPeter Jarrette shares a page from hisbusy schedule20 Absolute Faces and Places22 Suitably BootedFabulous footwear for men and women24 Celebrity Spotlight 32 Albion NewsThe latest on the new venue for the Seagulls34 Merry MarchFive things to cheer you this month35 NEW What’s Going On...Thoughts and observatons on recent news and events by Mo Hunter-Shine48 We Love You, Mum!Gifts for Mother’s Day49 Absolute News60 John Nash and the PrinceTim Parker on Brighton Pavilion’s architect, and his friendship with the Prince of Wales64 Designer CrocsTake an adventure cruise along theKimberley coast in Australia68 Absolute Whats On69 Absolute MotoringHarwoods launch the new Bentley GT71 Luxury On The RoadThe exciting new Jaguar XKR coupe74 Absolute Distribution Points
ABSOLUTE INTERIORS28 Festival of ColourLiving with a single colour30 Best of BritishFurnish your home with red, white and blue!
ABSOLUTE HEALTH AND BEAUTY36 Absolute Hair with Mark Woolley39 Absolute Dental Column40 Absolute Life Coaching42 Absolute Make-Up ColumnCelebrity make-up artist Jeni Dodsonshows how to look pretty in pink44 Pamper TreatsHave a bit of you-time with these luxurious pampering products47 Good NightSheryl Waters with advice on gettinga good night’s sleep
ABSOLUTE FOOD AND DRINK53 The luck of the IrishWonderful St Patrick Day treats54 Havana NightsThe jewel in Brighton’s dining crown56 Flippin’ Fabulous!Luxurious pancakes
26
71
56
28
B0311_005 CONTENTS MAR11.indd 1 24/2/11 17:35:58
Over 18’s onlyChallenge 21 policy in operation
Know When to Stop Before You StartVisit www.gambleaware.co.uk
SATURDAY 26th MARCH FROM 10pm
Live in Reflections Restaurant at the Rendezvous Casino
FREE ENTRY
Rendezvous Casino, Brighton Marina, BN2 5UT
For more information call 01273 605602email [email protected]
or visit www.rendezvouscasino.com
B0311_006 rendezvous.indd 1 22/2/11 17:22:41
EDITOR’S LETTER
ABSOLUTE 7
There’s something about being a long term resident in Brighton & Hove, or a born and bred one (such as
me), that makes you appreciate the city all the more if you visit other pastures. A conversation that I recently
had while driving through our bustling town on a busy Saturday afternoon this month, with my daughter who
is studying away from our home town at university, reiterated this fact to me once again; how unique our
seaside town is.
Even though studying at a very cosmopolitan city in its own right, whenever she is home for her visits, it
apparently opens her eyes to just how different the people, fashion and streets such as the cobbled Lanes
are, compared to anywhere else; it’s so true. Where else would you see eclectic (even eccentric) artistic
people walking side by side mingling with the so-called sophisticated elite folk of Brighton & Hove? And
we don’t look twice at, for example, purple-haired people, celebrities or people singing in the streets
randomly, do we? Anything goes in our city. But we do it with style and panache, and the beautiful backdrop
of our largely Regency architecture helps that chic-ness (is there such a word? We can get away with it
in Brighton!) Yes we regularly get called the ‘London by the sea’ in the national press, but I think we are
much more than that; it’s unique down here. For I, like many that regularly work in London for example, am
always happy to be back in our exclusive little haven by the sea and away from ‘the big smoke.’ I love the
buzz of the capital, but coming home really does give one that feeling of, well, ‘home.’
And it’s not just the present day Brighton that boasts the exceptionality of this metropolis reputation; British
history was made here with the likes of HRH Prince Regent (later King George lV) and his gifted architect
John Nash (who transformed The Royal Pavilion) and put Brighton on the paparazzi map back then. Tim
Parker explores this fascinating story of the dynamic duo, whose working relationship blossomed in to
a friendship; in fact, they were quite a scandalous pair in their day, frequenting the tabloids with their
‘bachelor’ lifestyles, even though both were married I might add (celebrity columns haven’t changed much
then). But there’s no getting away from the fact that John Nash and the Prince helped to define the style
of an era in Britain that we see today, from Marble Arch to Regent’s Park, but that started right here in
Brighton. See page 60.
Thank you for reading our magazine and we’ll see you in April - and happy Mothers Day (3rd April) to all
those special Mums out there (especially mine!)
Advertising enquiries:0845 389 [email protected]
Editorial e-mail:[email protected]
All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior written consent of Absolute brighton. The views and opinions expressed by contributors to this magazine may not necessarily represent the views of Absolute brighton.Absolute brighton takes no responsibility for claims made in advertisements featured in this magazine. Absolute brighton can take no responsibility for unsolicited material.
Printed in the UK byTHE MAGAZINE PRINTING COMPANYwww.magprint.co.uk
Features / Design: Maureen Hunter-Shine
Switchboard: 0845 389 0662Fax: 0845 389 0663www.absolutebrighton.tv
Director / Editor:Verity Craig
Advertising Manager:Rishma Patel
Sales Executive:David Hall
Accounts: Chris Pugh
Head of Accounts/finance:Adam Style
Managing Director:Paul Craig
Sales Executive: Rob Hill
The story behind The Pavilion. P60
B0311_007_Editors MAR11.indd 1 25/2/11 09:39:20
ABSOLUTE FASHION
8 ABSOLUTE
B0311_008_009 Fashion MAR.indd 2 23/2/11 11:50:18
ABSOLUTE FASHION W
oman w
ears: Jaeger emerald green one shoulder tiered dress;
Gianna red patent belt by LK
Bennett; Sw
arovski ‘Louise’ crystal necklace.M
an wears: Farhi M
en red cotton shorts, Pal Zileri cream
knit shirt with green trim
,Jaeger London green pointelle sw
eater
ABSOLUTE 9
B0311_008_009 Fashion MAR.indd 3 23/2/11 11:51:03
ABSOLUTE FASHION
10 ABSOLUTE
Traf
fic P
eopl
e ra
spbe
rry
ruffl
e sh
ort d
ress
with
ros
e de
tail
at
neck
; LK
Ben
ett l
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red
sued
e an
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athe
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B0311_010 Fashion 3 MAR.indd 1 23/2/11 11:55:45
Wom
an wears: B
outique by Jaeger cobalt blue short sleeve dress with black sash;
Diva at M
iss Selfridge Mojave ring; LK
Bennett sage patent bow
clutch bag.M
an wears: Farhi M
en cobalt linen shirt; Pal Zileri fine blue silk w
ool scarf,and m
ustard linen cotton trousersABSOLUTE FASHION
ABSOLUTE 11
B0311_011 Fashion Feb 4 MAR.indd1 1 23/2/11 12:01:22
Com
ptoir de Cotonniers ‘Jioddle’ blue jersey polo T shirt; H
enry Holland for P
retty Polly vintage lilac tights;
LK B
ennett silver silk coat; Aqua H
epburn skirt; Anna purple patent slingbacks
12 ABSOLUTE
ABSOLUTE FASHION
B0311_012 Fashion 5 MAR.indd 1 23/2/11 12:06:11
ABSOLUTE FASHION
ABSOLUTE 13
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Paul Williams, www.paulwilliams.org
STYLIST:
Gregg Stone, www.greggstone.co.uk
MODELS:
Heida and Moritz
MAKE UP:
Kate O’Brien, using Bobbi Brown
HAIR:
Sara Chatterton mac.com
STOCKISTS:
Jaeger www.jaeger.co.uk
Swarovski www.swarovski.com
L.K.Bennett www.lkbennett.com
Pal Zileri www.palzileri.comTel 020 7493 2280
Nicole Farhi FARHI www.nicolefarhi.com
Traffic People www.trafficpeople.com
Comptoir des Cotonniers
www.comptoirdescotonniers.com
Wom
an wears: LK
Bennett fuchsia dress.
Man w
ears: Nicole Farhi pink linen shirt;
Pal Zileri green linen trousers
B0311_013 Fashion Feb 6 MAR.indd1 1 23/2/11 12:11:15
At long last, the sun is returning, the evenings
are getting longer and, most importantly we
can FINALLY give serious consideration to our
spring/summer wardrobes! If, like me, you have
been pouring over copies of Grazia and Vogue
for the past months, you will have a very clear
idea of what the season’s trends are, and which are
your favourite looks. But wear to buy? Well, that’s
what I’m here for, of course! Over the next few
issues I will be working through the strongest trends,
giving you the lowdown on where to buy into these
looks. This month:
70s Glamour:This look has me very excited, glamorous maxi
dresses in fl oating chiffon. However, if, like myself
you are a little vertically challenged, aka short, then
you will welcome the updated version which sees
frighteningly sexy slits for day wear as well as the
maxi/mini combo seen at Pucci.
To avoid the designer price tag, yet avoid the high
street copies, I will be heading to Hope & Harlequin
in Sydney street, who have the best selection of 70s
maxis, then getting scissor happy removing the lining
for a sheer leg as seen all over the catwalks this
season.
Statement jewels:If you love this look, but still are not convinced on
evening wear as day wear, then my suggestion is to
add some 70s luxe with striking accessories. Mimco
in Duke Street are leading the pack this season, with
gorgeous 70s inspired bags in butter soft leather.
I love the new season Frieda, in beige (as pictured).
At £320 it’s a little pricey but as it will take me into
next season and I can fi t my life
into it (four kids remember!), this investment piece
will be worth every penny. Mimco have also homed
in on the statement jewellery trends gracing this
seasons catwalks and pieces such as their Full Bloom
necklace (as pictured), £120, will pack a punch of
new season to your existing wardrobe.
Cutting back?!Having splurged in Mimco, I will be looking to cut
back a little, so the upcoming My Swish as part of
Brighton’s Festival of shopping next month (see
website for dates) will provide a welcome break
for my credit card. I was recently invited to their
designer clothes swap hosted at Pelham House in
Lewes, which was a fabulously well organised event
with complimentary massages. Not only did my
friend and I swag goodies from Karen Millen, Dkny,
L.K Bennett and Aquascutum, but I returned home
with delicious hand-made chocolates by Limetree
Kitchen and Neals Yard Remedies goodies for my
lucky boyfriend, which were available to purchase
on the night. We continued the saving and ended
our evening with a delicious meal in the restaurant
of the gorgeous boutique hotel, as our goodie bag
contained a voucher for a meal for £10. With this in
mind I will be fi rst in line for the April event at the
equally stunning Hotel Du Vin.
Until next month……xHope & Harlequin:31 Sydney Street www.hopeandharlequin.comMimco: 3 Dukes Lane www.mimco.co.ukPelham House Lewes www.pelhamhouse.comMy Swish: www.myswish.co.ukLimetree kitchen: www.limetreekitchen.co.ukNeals Yard Remedies: 2A Kensington Gardens:www.nealsyardremedies.com
Hotel Du Vin: 2-6 Ship St, www.hotelduvin.com
This month,
stylist and
designer
Natalie Wileman
explores the local
scene for clothes
and accessories
that reflect the
current trends
Spring/summer city buys
‘TIS THE SEASONABSOLUTE FASHIONISTA
14 ABSOLUTE
As ever, don’t forget to check out my facebook and Twitter pagesfor up to the minute news of what’s hot in the city!
B0311_014 FASHION MARCH.indd 1 23/2/11 17:47:18
01903 753743Unit 1 Quoin EstateMarlborough Road
Lancing
B0311_015 Halfords.indd 1 25/2/11 15:45:36
ABSOLUTE FASHION
Visit the House of Gerry Weber, Eastbourne to celebrate the launch of their new
season’s spring/summer collections. Gerry Weber welcomes spring and summer with cheerful colours and expressive prints.The collection focuses on prints that create a link between the colours – from fern designs to animal skins to brush stroke looks. Colonial and ethnic influences define a stylish safari look – ethnic-inspired prints are combined with mocha and sand colours. Border and floral prints add a special touch in combination with stripes or animal prints.Special season launch week runs from Monday March 14th to Saturday March 19th. If you make any purchase from the store during the week you will be entered in to win a Trip for two to Paris! Spend £50 any day and receive a free gift! Every day there will be special events in store. • Monday14th Pre-book a free 1 hour
personal shopping appointment and receive a £25 voucher to use, AND 10% off all full price purchases on the day, call the store now to book!
• Tuesday15th Lucky Dip - with any purchase you can win a voucher from £5 to £100
• Wednesday 16th An instore stylist will advise you of all your holiday wardrobe needs and highlight key looks for the season. Spend £200 or over and receive a £30 voucher for your next purchase!
• Thursday 17th See the key summer wedding looks, and enjoy a glass of Champagne and chocolates! Buy a suit and receive a top half price.
• Friday 18th ‘Dress Down Friday’ - find the perfect pair of jeans and get a second pair with 20% off. View the fantastic range of Gerry Weber edition casual separates.
• Saturday 19th Saturday Celebrations, enjoy a refreshing drink while you view the key summer celebration looks on the instore red carpet! All customers will receive a £5 voucher to spend on the day!
Call the store for further details,Gerry Weber 134 Terminus Rd,Eastbourne 01323 746010
Earthy and ethnicGerry Weber Fashion Week 14th - 19th March
The American Express Community Stadium in Brighton aims to be licensed to host weddings from July and promises to be one of the
most exciting new wedding venues in Sussex.As well as stunning, modern rooms with great views, the stadium team are reporting that they will offer the best dining for weddings available in the county, overseen by newly-recruited chef and award-winning former personal chef to the Prime Minister, Frederick Tobin. Said Polly Harrison, who is heading up hospitality and events at the Amex: “We have a brilliant new team aiming to offer very personal service and whilst we have some great set packages to choose from, with a range of top suppliers, we won’t impose them on our customers – we are open to all ideas and want to offer couples a completely bespoke service and, if possible, we want to say yes to any request, no matter how unusual.”All the facilities will be opened to the public at the stadium’s first ever Wedding Fayre on September 4th when premier wedding event organisers, Stylish Events, will be hosting one of their superb events with fully-choreographed fashion shows featuring top London show models. The stylish West Stand plays host to eight luxury lounges giving the team complete flexibility in their bespoke service for civil ceremonies and wedding receptions. The stadium has also teamed up with some of Sussex’s finest hotels to offer great value overnight accommodation.
For more information, email: [email protected] call 01273 542 343 and ask for the weddings team.
Sussex weddings atthe Amex
16 ABSOLUTE
B0311_016 gerry weber.indd 1 24/2/11 17:31:14
GERRY WEBERFASHION WEEK
MONDAY MARCH 14TH TO SATURDAY MARCH 19TH
Come and join us at GERRY WEBER Eastbourne to celebrate the launch of our new season’s Spring/Summer collections
134 Terminus Rd, Eastbourne 01323 746010
WIN A TRIP FOR TWO TO PARIS!
SPEND £50 ANY DAY AND RECEIVE A FREE GIFT!
EVERY DAY THERE WILL BE SPECIAL EVENTS IN STORE:
MONDAY: Special Personal Shop appointments
TUESDAY: Lucky Dip promotion
WEDNESDAY: Spend over £200 and receive a £30 gift Voucher
THURSDAY: Buy a suit and get a top half price
FRIDAY: Buy 2 pair of jeans and get 20% off the second pair
SATURDAY: Special Celebration events in store and money off voucher for all
Call the store for details!
to
ABSOLUTE SOCIALITE DIARY
PJ, aka Peter Jarrette Brighton’s favourite socialite, says
farewell to a well known Brighton and Hove character
and tells of his visit to Alive and Swinging
GOODBYE TO A BRIGHTON GENT
Dear diaryI should like to apologise... but perhaps ‘like’ is too strong a word. However apologies, like children, should be seen and not heard. Now see this. Last month I referred to an event as being held in London. This event, Crufts, is now a Birmingham fi xture. It was held in London for many years and like me it has since moved. That done, and before I fl y headlong into news of recent fun and fury, I would like to mention the farewell many citizens bid to Brighton’s foremost historian and historical tour guide, the late Michael Robins. Mike, as he was known to many but not me, had been a fi xture on the Brighton and Hove scene for some decades. Karin and I had known him for the last six or seven years. I’d given him the mischief moniker of ‘The World’s Oldest Tour Guide’ although, only in his early sixties, he clearly wasn’t. Michael Robins was also a close liaison to all the Brighton Mayors whom, early on in my socialite career, he recommended I invite to my parties and events saying “PJ, Mayors look good on you.” A warm and wonderful send off for him was organised by his close friends Meg and Paris Stone in a rare service held at St. Andrews, Waterloo Street. The very church Michael spearheaded the renovation of. A number of speakers including Cllr Paul Elgood spoke of Michael and his unparalleled contributions to the community and Meg Stone delivered rip-roarious stories of Michael in his recent and last years in our lives. Michael was a chief First Class British Airways Steward in his earlier career and was commended for his part in the swift evacuation of a 747 in an emergency landing in the Azores. A happily camp and committed bachelor the last I will say on this wonderful gent is that ‘he got them off in record time!’ Now furious fun was offered to us in the form of Alive and Swinging at the Komedia. I’ve mentioned this revue before and since then this hard working and highly entertaining ensemble have become slicker and shinier than ever. Laura Nixon aka Marilyn Monroe, Brighton’s Suspiciously Elvis and Frank Sinatra were joined on stage by three new support acts including a real life, all singing, Jessica Rabbit. They performed excellently in front of an enthusiastic sell-out 300 strong supper club crowd with much interaction with the audience. Look out for the next Alive and Swinging, a revue that sees Marilyn, Frank and Elvis return to Earth for one night of boozy fun “because Heaven’s become boring”. Marilyn’s shimmering couture gowns by Kevin Renaissance are a triumph in themselves! A chap recently came up to me at an event to say that he had a copy of a recent PJ’s Socialite Diary stuck on his fridge, as his fridge is in No. 36 Norfolk Square. In a previous column I mention No. 36 as it was our old address. It seems I’ve come a long way only to wind up in a kitchen in my old home. Oops, I did it again...
PJwww.radiobasingstoke.comwww.twitter.com/socialitepetewww.facebook.com/peter.jarrette
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ABSOLUTE LOVE
...in all the wrong places?Looking for love...Are you still sifting through the lies of online
dating, hoping to find the love of your life?
Sure, it can happen. You may even know a friend
or two who found their perfect match. At first,
it’s fun looking through all those profiles in hopes
of finding ‘the one.’ Then you contact a few that
look really good. It’s an ego boost when they
reply. And that’s when the trouble starts. First
they lie about their age. Then they lie about their
height or their weight. And the worst is when
they lie about their marital status.
In fact, Logitech recently surveyed Europeans
and found that 58% of them had been victims of
online dating dishonesty.
Turn the Odds in Your Favour
To increase your odds, ask yourself this question:
Who are the people who always seem to get
the best deals in business? You know the kind
– they’re all over the headlines. They are sports
stars, celebrities, writers, and investors. What do
they all have in common that helps them always
land the right deal? They all hire an agent. Believe
it or not, you can now hire an agent to handle
your dating life. This agent or Dating Consultant
as they are known at TopMatch will handpick the
perfect match for YOU. They will find someone
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background and aspirations. They’ll help you
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wasting mismatches. Their photo and ID are also
verified, so you can be sure they are who they say
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Guaranteed Success
With traditional online dating sites, your odds of
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a million or worse (there are around 11 million
singles in the UK). But when you hire a TopMatch
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five. And the one you find will be honest and
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The next generation of online dating is here,
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Visit www.brighton.topmatch-uk.com for more
information and to book a FREE personal
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Martlets
WalkWalkMidnightMidnightMidnightWalk
FRIDAY 17TH JUNE2011
Midnight onwards!
Last year our Midnight Walkers raised over£190,000 in sponsorship.
Will you help us beat that total in 2011?
Get the girls together!
REGISTER ONLINE AT www.martlets-midnightwalk.co.uk
OR CALL 01273 747455Will you join us for a night to remember?
www.sportsystems.co.ukwww.sportsystems.co.uk
Midnight 190x133mm:Layout 1 7/2/11 12:02 Page 1
B0311_019 TOPMATCH.indd 1 23/2/11 15:52:29
SINGLE IN
GEISHA
20 ABSOLUTE
FACES & PLACESSpeed dating organiser Sofi a Upton
Gemma has her fortunetold by Madam Rosali
Madame Geisha in East Street, Brighton was
the venue for the launch of Single In the City.
The event went off well in spite of inclement
weather, and people came from as far afield
as Worthing and Eastbourne for a really fun
evening of music and wonderful games like
lock n’ key, speed dating, fortune telling and
the brilliant cocktail that everyone sampled
on arrival.
The good news is that quite a few of the men
picked the right keys and many introductions
were made. Spinning the Club Classics for the
evening and keeping everyone busy was Mr
Lurve, Ambrose Harcourt of Brighton’s Juice
107.2.
This is intended to be a monthly event with
the next event scheduled for April and is also
sponsored by Absolute Brighton, Brighton’s
Juice 107.2 and drinks firm, Midori.
Please check www.madamegeisha.com
for more details.
Photographs Graham Franks
Grace Hull
Cool sounds fromAmbrose Harcourt
“Yiannimal”Kiki and Anna Fielding
B0311_020 Social Singles 1.indd 1 24/2/11 13:06:59
ABSOLUTE 21
FACES & PLACES
Ambrose Harcourt with Madam Geisha proprietors,Jenny Anderson-Mann and Damian Frizzell
Dani Masterson,Sean St. John andZena McCarthy
Amanda Cogginsand
Paul Coleman
Michela Burgess tells Yianni-mal, “The idea is you use a key”
Michela Burgess andEdyta Bryla
“Turn the cup three times” Madam Rosali tells
Zena McCarthy
“You have 30 seconds left!” says Sofia Upton
B0311_021 Social Singles 2.indd 1 24/2/11 13:08:30
ABSOLUTE FASHION
22 ABSOLUTE
Shoe BootThe retro style high top shoe from Jones Bootmaker. With 5-eyelet lace up, wing
tip detail to toe, discreet pin punch detail around shoe and fi nished with a small
platform, this shoe boot is updated with a modern wash fi nish.
£79.00 www.jonesbootmaker.com Jones Bootmaker, East Street, Brighton
SUITABLY...Still hot for this season, women’s ankle boots make the perfect partner for everything from casual chic to stylish skirts or denim shorts mixed with socks or tights
Tuff Fur Ankle BootThis high wedge ankle boot
by Dune has faux fur trim and a contrast platform featuring
strap and buckle detail for added style and comfort.
£110.00www.johnlewis.com
Two-Toned BootLace up leather and suede mix ankle boot
with 3.35inch heel.£69.99 www.zara.com
Zara, Churchill Square, Brighton
Suede LeatherMix Boot
Scarlet by Miss KG is a gorgeous suede boot with leather straps and buckle detail. Military inspired, this style will give an instant update to any
outfi t this season.Available in brown.
£95.00 www.kurtgeiger.com
1-2 North Street,Brighton
with 3.35inch heel.£69.99 www.zara.com
Zara, Churchill Square, Brighton
Suede Buckle BootThis genuine suede upper boot with round toe ankle style, and side zip fastening has stylish
contrast colour buckle straps and grip sole with high chunky heel.Available in tan or chocolate brown.
£69.99www.newlook.comNew Look, Western
Road, Brighton
Shoe Boot
with socks or tightswith socks or tights
Tuff Fur Ankle BootThis high wedge ankle boot This high wedge ankle boot
by Dune has faux fur trim and by Dune has faux fur trim and a contrast platform featuring a contrast platform featuring
strap and buckle detail for added style and comfort.
www.johnlewis.com
Damisi BootDamisi BootDurable, military inspired work Durable, military inspired work Durable, military inspired work boot made from a washed grain boot made from a washed grain boot made from a washed grain leather and hand burnished to leather and hand burnished to leather and hand burnished to achieve a two-tone effect. The achieve a two-tone effect. The achieve a two-tone effect. The Damisi boot by All Saints has a Damisi boot by All Saints has a Damisi boot by All Saints has a lace up front with buckled ankle lace up front with buckled ankle lace up front with buckled ankle
cuff and contrast topstitch.cuff and contrast topstitch.cuff and contrast topstitch.£185.00 www.allsaints.com £185.00 www.allsaints.com £185.00 www.allsaints.com £185.00 www.allsaints.com
All Saints, 62 East Street, All Saints, 62 East Street,
Two-Toned BootLace up leather and suede mix ankle boot
with 3.35inch heel.
Suede Buckle BootThis genuine suede upper boot with round toe ankle style, and side zip fastening has stylish
contrast colour buckle straps and grip sole with high chunky heel.Available in tan or chocolate brown.
£69.99www.newlook.comNew Look, Western
Road, Brighton
cuff and contrast topstitch.£185.00 www.allsaints.com £185.00 www.allsaints.com
All Saints, 62 East Street, All Saints, 62 East Street, All Saints, 62 East Street, BrightonBrighton
B0311_022_023 BOOTS.indd 2 23/2/11 13:39:21
ABSOLUTE FASHION
ABSOLUTE 23
Men’s boots are getting even sleeker. From smart ankle ones to coloured and casual, there’s
a great selection for guys this season a great selection for guys this season a great selection for guys this season a great selection for guys this season a great selection for guys this season
SUITABLY...a great selection for guys this season a great selection for guys this season a great selection for guys this season
Dolce And GabbanaGreen Laced Boot
These green laced shoe boots by D & G are made of textured
leather and suede with a rubber sole and logo detailing.
£275.00www.dolceandgabbana.com
Demise BootDurable, military inspired work
boot with lace up front and buckled ankle cuff.
£175.00 www.allsaints.comAll Saints, East Street, BrightonAll Saints, East Street, Brighton
Red Kicker BootThe boot that started it all back
in 1975; the original Kick Hi. With its trademark chunky sole, brass eyelets, tab and triple stitching,
you’ll be lacing up a piece of fashion history.
£65.00 www.kickers.co.uk
Westward BootA rugged, casual boot from
Merrell. Features Merrell air cushioning in the heel, which
absorbs shocks and helps protect feet from injury.
£130.00www.jonesbootmaker.com
Jones Bootmaker, East Street, Brighton
Brogue BootThis pure cow leather brogue boot by Reiss is
stylish and chic for everyday wear.£179.00 www.reissonline.com
Reiss, East Street, Brighton
BOOTED
B0311_022_023 BOOTS.indd 3 23/2/11 13:39:31
ABSOLUTE CELEBRITY
SPOTLIGHTNicole Kidman Finally Speaks Out About Divorce With Tom Fans of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman alike were shocked when the Hollywood pair suddenly divorced in 2001 after 11 years of marriage.Now, over a decade later, Ms Kidman admits that the split tore her apart. “That was a great relationship,” the actress, 43, says. “I think it ran its course though. When it ended, I was really damaged and not sure whether (love and marriage) was ever going to happen again to me!”During the high-profile union, Kidman says she made certain sacrifices for Cruise, 46. “I was never seeking to be a celebrity. But I was prepared to do that for love... it’s hard when you’re young. But I’m ready to give up anything for love, because ultimately, that is what you have.”Now remarried to Keith Urban, the Oscar nominee has two young daughters, Sunday Rose, aged 2, and Faith Margaret, born via surrogate in late December 2010. “I certainly never thought I’d have a baby at 41,” she recently said of Sunday Rose.
Celebrity
Could The Honeymoon Be Over Already For Chelsea?Rumours are circulating that former President’s daughter Chelsea Clinton and her new husband are spending time apart. Their lavish wedding last summer had the world captivated. But it seems that the honeymoon period is already over. Marc Mezvinsky has quit his job as an investment banker in favour of a ‘three month break’ at the exclusive ski resort of Jackson Hole in Wyoming.But rather than accompanying her husband on the extended break, the Secretary of State’s daughter announced she will be remaining in New York instead, giving them a three month separation period.The news that the pair will be living apart comes as something of a surprise not only because they are newly-weds, but also given that friends claim Ms Clinton is desperate to start a family.
CeLeBrITy STyLe SeCreTS …HOW DO THey DO IT?Keira’s Smokey Eye Secret?
Get it spot-on by following Keira Knightley’s lead. Revered for
her smoky eyes and pale lips combo, the actress found her
perfect pencil at none other than Boots… yes, good old Boots!
Knightley said, “No7 Lip Liner (£6.75) in Nude, is the perfect
colour for me! I love it and use it all the time.”
Age-Defying Iman’s Secrets at 55
The facialist Ole Henriksen is known for his fabulous facials
and skincare line and one major fan of his work is beautiful
model Iman. One of his bestsellers, Ole Henriksen Truth
Serum, £40, flies off the shelves. “When I moved to LA the
best thing was meeting Ole Henriksen my facialist, and David
Bowie, my husband,” She says. “I put Truth Serum on at night if
my skin is extra-dry. It’s so luxurious and smells like oranges!”
Our undercover celebrity spies unravel the world of showbiz news and gossip
Celebometer Who’s going UP and who’s going
DOWN this month…
A moving performance
Winning the Golden Globe Best Actor award puts
Colin Firth in a good position to take the Oscar
as well for his performance as George VI and his
struggle with a stammer in ‘The King’s Speech’.
The Queen is reportedly said to have been moved
by the his portrayal of her father, too. A right royal
performance!
Dropping further?
Kerry Katona is cited in the forthcoming divorce
of her former personal trainer Kevin Green. She is
reportedly worried that this new revelation about her
private life could make her popularity fall.
From where, we ask?
24 ABSOLUTE
B0311_024 Celeb spotlightMAR.ind1 1 23/2/11 18:10:22
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ABSOLUTE INTERVIEW
26 ABSOLUTE
Award winning stand up
comedian and Mock The Week
host Dara O’Briain is known
for his hilarious anecdotes and
audience interaction. He talks
to Danny Masters about his
success hosting The Apprentice
spin off show
BORN TO
MOCKHave you always been funny – how about at school?
No, I was enormously shy at school! As a teenager, I was quiet and awkward.
That’s what continues to give me motivation. I hated being like that and really
enjoyed leaving it all behind. It all started when I went to university and came
out of myself through debating. There was a remarkably short time-span
between being painfully shy and enjoying being an extrovert.
Presumably you were a huge fan of the Apprentice before you
started hosting spin off show The Apprentice: You’re Fired!?
Yes I watched it before and loved every series. My favourite ever apprentice
has to be James from the series before last. He was a big galloot of a guy who
was very funny. He was a genuinely funny person and quick with it. Because of
his deadpan manner, people thought he was just stupid but he was a sharp guy.
Did you realise how big the show was before working on it?
No, it’s only when Harry Hill mentions The Apprentice every week on TV
Burp that you realise just how big it really is. And then there are the endless
internet parodies like the Lego version of the show. There’s an entire industry
of people, of which I am only one, feeding off this giant machine. It’s a parasitical
relationship - just that I used to get fi rst bite at it.
Which Apprentice contestant would you want working for you?
When I’m touring I generally only need someone who can drive me around
and get me to the gig on time, and I’m not sure any of them would be capable
of that.
Would you be any good as a contestant on The Apprentice?
No I couldn’t do it. More than that, I wouldn’t do it. It’s not my natural thing -
I’m a lone wolf and I have been for too long now. I don’t think I could function
in an offi ce. I have weird intersections with the real world every so often
where I do corporate gigs and after dinner events and there’ll be some junior
person who is your liaison and they’re so nervous that you’ll say something
that will get them into trouble with the person above the person above them.
You know they work in this stratifi ed system where the person two layers
above them says, “that comedian guy spoke a bit quick”. And you’ll get that
passed down and it comes back as “Christ, what the hell did you book that guy
for, he speaks so fast nobody could understand him.” I see that happen and I
think: thank Christ I don’t work in that environment. I couldn’t stand it. But then
I guess they don’t have to drive to Torquay for four hours to do a show, so
each to their own.
You’re also host of Mock the Week. You seem to spend most of
your life behind a desk?
It’s true, I’ve done shows involving desks for a decade and a half. I’ve hosted
four panel shows - and some for about 10 series so I’m very much a half-man/
half desk beast. I did a show in Ireland where we had four comedians round
a table and we’d bring on a guest and chat to them, so actually interviewing
people while juggling other people’s contributions is what I always seem to end
up doing. I can’t pretend it’s rocket science. The most diffi cult part of television
presentation is not walking into the furniture. Once you’ve mastered that you
just talk and react.
You sat next to Frankie Boyle on that show – what do you make of
his controversial style of comedy?
Some people may fi nd Frankie offensive but I don’t have a problem with his
style. Crucially, he also has an abundance of wit. I have undying respect for
Frankie and he’s a genius at what he does. But what’s happening now is that
there’s a lot of young comedians who aren’t fi nding their own voice - they’re
potentially fi nding Frankie Boyle’s.
What TV shows do you enjoy?
I loved Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon’s show, The Trip. It was very polished
and very funny. Like most men, I can take or leave vampires because they’re
women’s stuff, but boys get zombies, which is great, so I loved The Walking
Dead with Andrew Lincoln on FX.
When I’m on tour I don’t get to watch a lot of TV, so I usually plough my way
through a DVD box set of Friday Night Lights. It’s an American drama series
about a high school football team in Texas and is totally riveting.
Do you ever allow yourself to watch tacky TV?
I do track what’s going on in the X Factor. I make a point of watching the
auditions which are always worth watching for the crying and the emotion.
But when it becomes two hours of singing, I couldn’t give a f**k. I’m not a song
person. I will have a look at the dancing on Strictly because they’ve at least
learnt a skill and there’s something theatrical about it. And a proper old school
hoofer like me admires that.
Would you ever appear on it?
I’ve turned it down twice because I’ve got a dodgy knee and I don’t look good
in spandex. I actually turned it down once midway through a gig. I got an email
in the interval, came out for the second half and said, “Guess what Dublin, I’ve
just told them to stick Strictly Come Dancing”, and the place erupted. I won’t
do any show with the word ‘celebrity’ in the title. It’s just not worth going there.
I have a trade and no matter how ludicrous it is, I’ve spent years learning how
to talk and I’m not going to suddenly throw that away.
Dara O’Briain’s live DVD, ‘This is the Show’ is in shops now.
www.daraobriain.com
B0311_026_027 Dara OBriain.indd 2 22/2/11 16:43:32
ABSOLUTE 27
“...I got an email in the interval, came out for the second half and said, “Guess what Dublin, I’ve just told them to stick Strictly Come Dancing” and the place
erupted. I won’t do any show with the word ‘celebrity’ in the title.It’s just not worth going there.”
ABSOLUTE INTERVIEW
The Mock the Week team
B0311_026_027 Dara OBriain.indd 3 22/2/11 16:43:36
ABSOLUTE INTERIORS
28 ABSOLUTE
Whether it’s a shade of raspberry, fuchsia, petal or
pale, pink has defi nitely worked its way back in to
being an interior designer’s favourite. Being a colour
of happiness and hope, pink lifts a room immediately
from the fi rst brush stroke (and isn’t just for girls).
Tones of brown and caramels perfectly compliment
wood and leather, making it an easy colour to use
in any room of the home. Blended with colours
such as teal or lime, it will never look boring or dull.
Until recently black was unheard of for interior design. Now proving
ever popular in the home or in commercial premises such as bars
and restaurants, the strongest colour of all has arrived with a
vengeance. Looking especially good blended with silver or gold, it
can be enhanced, leaving a lasting impact.
White walls, furniture, curtains and objects can be just as bold as a
strong colour when left alone without the mix of an additional tone.
The discipline has to be there though, or you could gradually end up
with a multi-coloured effect rather than the effect of neutral striking
white.
Pink Paradise
Baroque Black A White Retreat
Rustic Brown
Festival Of Colour
13
24
B0311_028_029 INTERIORS COLOURS.2 2 23/2/11 16:49:10
ABSOLUTE INTERIORS
ABSOLUTE 29
Whether jade or lime, green themed rooms are especially good for
enhancing a retro funky space in a home. With so many wallpapers
and textiles arriving for the new season in shades of green, there’s
so much to choose from that it would be almost impossible to get
it wrong.
Known as the comforting and spiritual colour for the home, purple
works in just about any room. It has the ability to be warm and
cool depending on the shade, and is said by psychologists to make
a person feel ‘restful and relaxed.’ Perfect purple!
Yellow is said to be a colour usually chosen by
intellectuals. Pick a warm yellow for a traditional rustic
look, or a bright pale shade for a modern fresh lift in
the home; either way, yellow will give a sunny glow
(and in this country, we need all the help we can get!)
Don’t think of the 80s style red; red interior these
days is classy, rustic and innovative. It can be traditional
when matched with wood or can be modern when
blended with plastics such as Philip Stark designs.
Rustic Brown
It’s all about dazzling your home with a single colour this season. Lift or tone a room with a splash of highs or lows
Racy Red Parade Of Purple
Hello YellowGo Green
Festival Of Colour
5 6
78
B0311_028_029 INTERIORS COLOURS.3 3 23/2/11 16:49:13
ABSOLUTE INTERIORS
Mini Cooper fl askAs part of their British Heritage
selection, Wild and Wolf have unveiled this motoring fl ask at John Lewis. Perfect for those up and coming picnics in the
summer!More in the collection available.£16.95 www.johnlewis.co.uk
Set of four Union Jack table matsby Blueblack & Red
Made in denim and stonewashed.£30
www.notonthehighstreet.com
Trunk/ Mini walk-In WardrobeAn incredibly stylish and versatile piece of furniture, a cabin trunk with a painted
Union Jack design that looks good in any room of the home. But open up the trunk and inside are fi ve large drawers
and a hanger rail turning the trunk into a stylish mini wardrobe that can be used as
discreet additional storage. £380Exclusively available online only.
www.notonthehighstreet.com
As part of their British Heritage
unveiled this motoring fl ask at
More in the collection available.£16.95 www.johnlewis.co.uk
Union Jack RugThis rug is made from 100% antique washed wool, to give it a distressed effect. It is handmade by skilled craftsmen with each piece taking 6 to 8 weeks on the loom. It’ll make
an instant statement to any room with little effort.Prices start from £300Various sizes available.
www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk A unique and highly decorative Union Jack coffee table that doubles up as a storage trunk. Finished in a distressed effect, this union jack trunk coffee table will add heaps of charactor to any living room. It is made from a wooden frame and upholstered in a
jute (sack-like) fabric, edged with black leather. The inside is lined with black velvet.
£580 Available online fromwww.alenderandpearl.co.uk
Industrial Trunk coffeetable
Vintage cushionThis cotton and velvet-backed
cushion features muted tones for a stylish, shabby-chic effect, and
is perfect for scattering in the bedroom or living room.
£28www.johnlewis.com
Best of British
30 ABSOLUTE
Union Jacks continue to be an iconictrend for home interiors… surround yourself with patriotism
B0311_030 Best of British interi1 1 25/2/11 13:55:59
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Canine CabinsCanine Cabinsfrom £499 inclusive of vat + delivery
Eco friendly units for Commercial & Private useunique modular panel design with dual glazed PVCU doors and windows
We at Coldstream believe our buildings cater for the growing demandWe at Coldstream believe our buildings cater for the growing demandfor quality space within the home enviroment whether your need isfor quality space within the home enviroment whether your need isfor quality space within the home enviroment whether your need isbusiness, leisure or hobby
Bespoke worktops in Granite, Quartz and MarbleArchitectural and Monumental masonryLarge selection of natural tiles andmosaics availableStone bowls & shower trays, glass tops& splash backs
Sussex Stone Marble & Granite LtdBroad Oak Garden Centre, Burwash Road,Broad Oak East Sussex TN21 8UPTel – 01435 865900 Fax – 01435 [email protected] www.sussexstone.co.uk
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New Hailsham Showroomopening Spring 2011!
01243 811301West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 [email protected]
West Dean College is the perfect place for your creative holiday - a magnificent flint-faced mansion set in the heart of the rolling South Downs.
Summer Schools and short courses in a variety of visual arts subjects including mixed-media, life painting, oils, printmaking, pastels and watercolours.
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B0311_031 ADS.indd 1 25/2/11 10:30:18
Brighton & Hove Albion FC is on a high – on the pitch we have had lots to shout about, sales of season tickets are well under way and there
has been plenty of progress on the stadium construction as well. Installation of the pitch is going well, with sub-contractor Kestrel laying
the underground drainage and installing the boilers and irrigation tanks for the undersoil heating and irrigation system – we should be ready to start sowing the grass next month.
On the stands you can see the rails being installed ready for the seats and we have now ordered
the giant TV screens which will be at either end of the stadium. They are the fi rst ever of their
type in the UK, and are the same as those used by the New England Patriots American Football Team in the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA. In the meantime, inside the
players’ changing rooms and showers are being fi nished, the ceilings installed in the 1901 Club
lounges and the bars are being built.Showing our commitment to making everything special at the stadium, including the catering, we have now
appointed former personal chef to the prime minister and multiple award winning cook, Frederick Tobin, as head chef at the American Express Community Stadium to serve superb quality food throughout the stadium.Fred’s star-studded career includes posts at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s Country Residence, the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane and Harrods in Knightsbridge. At the stadium, he will oversee seven kitchens, eight 1901 Club corporate hospitality suites, 14 kiosks, each with their own chef, a supporters restaurant, as well as a huge range of non-match day events, from trade fairs and conferences to weddings and private parties. Our events team is now in place and can take bookings at: [email protected] or call: 01273 542343.More great news is that American Express and Albion in the Community, our award-winning charitable organisation, have entered into a ground-breaking, community-focused partnership delivering a wide range of social initiatives across Sussex. Under the banner ‘Realise the potential of the community’, the partnership between American Express and AITC will provide young people and adults the opportunity to learn new skills and gain qualifi cations which will be of long-term benefi t to both Sussex-based residents and the local economy.
ABSOLUTE FOOTBALL
Martin Perry, Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove Albion FC, tells us the latest on the Amex Community Stadium
ALBION UPDATEFEVER PITCH!
Heritage Stones 188x132.indd 1 17/02/2011 09:36
Frederick Tobin
Azure events team
B0311_032 Albion update MAR11.in1 1 23/2/11 18:23:42
Golf is an unusual sport in that it is one of the few games where the ball is in a stationery
position when you hit it. This gives you the opportunity to ensure that you are in the correct position before you make your swing.Getting into the correct position then allows your body to work correctly through the swing.
I have been coaching golf at Brighton & Hove Golf Club for 15 years, and most faults that I see can be traced back to this starting position, especially the grip. Placing your hands on the club in the correct fashion is essential, as it is this that controls the club head. Starting with your left hand, place it on the grip about half an inch from the top. The left thumb should sit just to the right of centre on the grip, and when you look down you should be able to see two knuckles on the back of the left hand. The main pressure should be in the little fi nger and the one next to it, which should gently squeeze the grip.Next, you should place the right hand straight underneath the left, and make sure you are gripping the club in your fi ngers. Your right thumb should sit just to the left of centre on the club, and your right hand should cover up your left thumb.You now have choices. You can play with your
hands in this position, or ideally you can join your hands together. To do this you should link together the little fi nger of your right hand with the forefi nger of the left hand. This is called the interlocking grip, and is used by players such as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.The pressure points on the right hand should be the middle two fi ngers, which should gently squeeze the grip.
The above is only a starting point, to really improve you should visit your local PGA Professional for a lesson or two, and ask them to improve your grip and set up position.Phil Bonsall is a PGA Professional, and Director of Golf at Brighton & Hove Golf Club, which is the oldest Golf Club in Sussex, and celebrates 125 years in 2012. He is available for lessons at most times, and would love to welcome you to the Club where you can join for 12 months for only £399.
PGA Professional Phil Bonsall talks about the
importance of grip to your game
GOLFERS… GET A GRIP!
I have been coaching golf at Brighton & Hove
GOLFERS… GET A GRIP!
Phone Phil on 01273 556482 or email [email protected] for further details
Planning a Celebration? We can cater for:
Weddings Birthdays
Anniversaries Meetings
Sunday Lunches
Enjoy our beautiful surroundings and stunning views across the
golf course to the sea.
Yearly Membership Only £399
Join the oldest golf club in Sussex for 12 months and enjoy:
Unlimited Golf Full use of Clubhouse
3 Free lessons worth £60
Come and See for Yourself
2-for-1 Green Fee on 18 holes with this ad
Brighton & Hove Golf Club Founded 1887
Devils Dyke Road, Brighton BN1 8YJ T: 01273 556482 www.brightongolf.co.uk
ABSOLUTE GOLF
B0311_033 GOLF EDIT.indd 1 23/2/11 16:58:51
MERRY MARCHFIVE THINGS YOU SIMPLY MUST KNOW ABOUT THIS MONTH!
5Double top
The Brighton Centre welcomes
the world’s top darts players for
the play-offs of this year’s Premier
League, and it hosts a league night
on Thursday 24th March.
The Premier League features the
worlds top 8 players competing over
three months at venues around the
country. The tournament has grown
enormously each year since being
introduced in 2005.
Doors open at 6pm and starts at
7.30pm. Tickets at
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Get ZigTech!
The iPad 2, being launched in March, is expected to
be slimmer and lighter with a faster processor, more
RAM, and a camera for FaceTime video chat. It is also
expected to have advanced graphics capabilities to
allow playback of high-defi nition
video and superior 3D
graphics.
Make sure you
get a bit of this
new Apple.
Another deliciousApple release
ABSOLUTE MARCH
34 ABSOLUTE
The latest in cutting edge footwear technology, ZigTech by Reebok
is said to enhance your performance when running and working out
by a staggering 20%. Nicknamed ‘the energy drink for your feet,’
these surprisingly lightweight trainers are
meant to increase your
power performance
but without the
wear and tear.
Prices start
from £79.99
Rag Trade Pop Up is back at Brighton’s
Thistle Hotel, on Saturday 12th and Sunday
13th March (10am – 5pm).
The only sale in the country where you
can buy and sell preloved designer
womenswear, Rag Trade brings a new and
exciting meaning to spring-cleaning.
The ultimate shopping experience for the
current economic climate, Rag Trade gives
you the chance to make money from your
wardrobe and buy beautiful clothes for
bargain prices.
Sell your designer and high-end high street
clothes, shoes, bags and accessories, and
get 50% of the sale price.
The Rag Traders will be in the beautiful
Atrium at The Thistle Hotel collecting your
pieces for six days prior to the sale.
Your clutter is anothers’ treasure so drop it
in on one of the collection days below;
Saturday 5th March 10am – 5pm, then
Monday 7th March- Friday 11th March 10
am – 5pm and a late night collection on
Wed 9th March 10 am- 8pm.
www.ragtradepopup.co.uk
Rag Trade Pop Up
For one month only
Exclusively available from 1st - 31st March,
The Elemis Anti-Ageing Face and Eyes
collection (RRP £75) is presented in a
luxury gun-metal faux leather vanity case.
It contains Pro-Collagen Marine Cream;
Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream,
and Pro-Collagen Eye Renewal, to support
and restructure the eye area. An offer not
to be missed. www.timetospa.co.uk
allow playback of high-defi nition
video and superior 3D
graphics.
Make sure you
get a bit of this
new Apple.
allow playback of high-defi nition
video and superior 3D
www.reebok.co.uk
B0311_034 FIVE MARCH things.indd1 1 24/2/11 16:32:32
.
ABSOLUTE COMMENT
The mighty have fallen
The recent row about the sexist remarks made by two well-known
Sky sports presenters, Andy Grey and Richard Keys is still going on.
The scourge of sexism has now been brought to the surface again, and
has become a dinner table debate once more.
The fate of the two men in question seems to be a major source or
controversy – should they have lost their jobs (one sacked and one
forced to resign)? Some see their demise as possibly the result of a
disgruntled colleague wanting to ‘drop them in it’ – (apparently their
arrogant manner had made them very unpopular at Sky), and believe
that they should not have had such severe treatment. Others say
good riddance.
I have heard remarks like those many times in pubs and in social
situations and these people just carry on because their remarks are
behind closed doors. You will never eradicate ignorance. However,
these presenters were two highly paid, high-profi le experienced
individuals, who should never have allowed themselves to be in the
position of having their unsavoury remarks overheard. Not very
professional. Their protests about it being ‘banter’ have also fallen
on deaf ears. We have all taken part in banter, and it is usually
amusing and tongue in cheek. These comments were not, and were
particularly aimed at one person who was not present to respond.
Very unpleasant. As for the further revelations of Richard Keys’ foul
comments to Jamie Redknapp about a former girlfriend, it begs the
question has he ever developed beyond the age of fourteen? Mr Grey
and Mr Keys, if you consider such comments as yours to be banter,
then you will not take offence at something I overheard the other
night about you… “Perhaps they are going through a mid-life crisis.”
“No, I don’t think so, they obviously haven’t got out of adolescence
yet”. These remarks were made by men.
In the wake of all this, I do hope there is not a backlash from
these recent events, and that Sky continues to provide excellent
sport coverage, encouraging and supporting the great banter
and camaraderie that exists between the male and female sports
presenters at present.
And so to bed...
The tabloids have been doing their bit to help insomniacs over the
last two months or so. We have been getting a blow-by-blow account
of the collapse of the marriage between Katie Price and (yawn) Alex
Reid, the bitchy comments going back and forth, and… and (zzz)
pictures of Katie looking more and more like a Barbie Doll that has
been left by an open fi re. It seems to me that they… that they…
zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
MMo Hunter-Shine makes observations on recent news and events
“As for the further revelations of Richard Keys’ foul comments to Jamie Redknapp about a former girlfriend, it
begs the question has he ever developed beyondthe age of fourteen?”
Tickets are now on sale for a tasty line up of events celebrating the
‘spring harvest’ Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival, with a strong
focus on seasonal Sussex ales, wines and local food, kicking off on April 1st.
The festival will launch the fi rst ever Brighton & Hove Restaurant Week
and public voting for the Brighton & Hove Foodies, seeking the city’s best
restaurant, food pub, café and food shop will also open online that day at
www.brightonfoodawards.com.
The festival starts with a hilarious chef ’s pancake race on Brighton Pier at
noon on April 1st, followed by the British Beer Festival, hosted by CAMRA
at the Pub du Vin, where you can enjoy samples, talk to experts and tuck
into pub grub, including a hog roast from 2pm until late.
On Sunday 3rd April, the Champagne and Sussex Sparkling Wine Festival
at Hotel du Vin will showcase 15 suppliers, offering tutored tastings, master
classes and the opportunity to buy a huge range of lovely bubbly.
Restaurants, cafés and food pubs will offer diners ‘prix fi xe’ menus which will
be promoted through the food festival website and offi cial brochure, with
restaurants offering £10 lunch and £15 dinner menus; and cafés serving up
a £5 deal.
Details of festival events, including associated foody fun, such as the fabulous
Chocolate Festival on New Road on April 16th and 17th, can be found at
www.brightonfoodfestival.co.uk.
What’s going on....?Sussex Spring Harvest
ABSOLUTE 35
B0311_035 Rant Mo.indd 1 24/2/11 17:27:32
With a steady stream of red carpet events one
after the other, the awards season was as much
a fashion and beauty showcase as it was about
the accolades themselves. Hairstyles modelled
on the red carpet gave us foresight into the
trends that will be cropping up later on in the
summer, so whether it was the Golden Globes,
BAFTAs or the Academy Awards, it was worth
taking a general mental note of who wore what
hairstyle to each event.
Such is the elegance and prestige of these
ceremonies that there was bound to be a
plethora of sophisticated up-dos on show,
whether they be sculpted and super sleek
or slightly more loose and voluminous. The
clean and graphic lines as worn by Natalie
Portman and Eva Longoria demonstrated a
strong leaning towards hair that is luxurious and
polished and surprisingly, achieving this look needn’t take as much
effort as you may think. Whilst it may seem logical at fi rst to use multiple
products for combined optimum effect, this will actually be counter-
productive as it weighs hair down with product build-up. Instead, apply
a lightweight ‘do it all’ product like Electric Smoothing Cream (£17)
to wet hair and blow dry straight using a Denman Large Paddle Brush
(£11). The product evaporates on hair whilst it is being blow dried so
hair is left bouncy, shiny and pliable - the perfect base for creating a
sleek, structured up-do. A precise side parting coupled with a gentle
sweeping fringe will help to soften and frame the face whilst height can
be created by back brushing at the back of the crown to add shape.
Or, as sported by Scarlett Johansson and Lea Michele, opt for a looser,
more textured approach to the up-do by pushing hair forward to
create a quiff or tonging shorter layers around the face for a softer,
more relaxed feel. For an even more laid back approach to red
carpet styling, follow the lead of Angelina Jolie and Anne Hathaway
who stunned the world with their luxurious free-fl owing hairstyles that
cascaded naturally whilst still having such a glossy, full and voluminous
feel. Perfect this look by rubbing some Electric Serum (£17) between
your hands before
touching the hair lightly,
focusing on the lengths
and ends to highlight
the layers in the hair,
creating texture and
separation.
*Aforementioned
celebrities are as seen at
the Golden Globes 2011
.
The awards season hair round-upBy Mark Woolley
Mark Woolley is the owner and creative director ofElectric Hairdressing. Mark splits his time between the
Brighton and London salons.For appointments call 01273 202088
www.electric-hair.com
I would love to wear my long hair up more
often but I find up-dos quite difficult to do so
have you got any ideas for something that I
could easily do myself?
I have the perfect up-do for you! Have you
tried a bun, or a variation of it? A bun is
so easy to do and is becoming more and
more popular on the red carpet due to its
versatility. It can be taken high like a top
knot or low near the nape of the neck and
finished to suit any occasion whether casual
or more glamorous. Just apply some Electric
Smoothing Cream to wet hair before blow
drying to get it as smooth and frizz-free as
possible so hair just glides into place. Start
by gathering your hair into a neat ponytail
at your chosen position and gently twist
the lengths whilst wrapping into a bun and
secure with as many pins as necessary. For
a more casual, natural effect, simply ruffle
the bun with your hands or tease out loose
strands of hair. To add more shape to the
look, just back brush hair at the back of the
crown and smooth over gently with your
palms before styling into a bun.
LETTER OFTHE MONTH
ABSOLUTE BEAUTY
Red carpet report
36 ABSOLUTE
Electric Smoothing Cream (£17)Denman Large Paddle Brush (£11)
Angelina
Lea
Eva
Natalie
B0311 _036 Mwoolley MAR11.indd 1 23/2/11 17:00:22
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Eaton Road JAN10.indd 1 19/2/10 11:38:04
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Telephone: 01273 822476www.beautysecretssalonandspa.co.uk
Open 7 days a week for your convenience
AB_CACI launch.indd 1 10/02/2011 15:49:12
42 Cornfi eld Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4QH. Tel: 01323 644421
New stylein Eastbourne
Cambridge & Co
Cambridge & Co is a family run shop in Cornfi eld Road, Eastbourne, at the War Memorial.
We are exclusivly stocking;Lyle & Scott Heritage Range, Joules, Hunter,
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B0311_037 ads.indd 1 25/2/11 11:49:41
The Brighton Forum,
95 Ditchling Road, Brighton, BN1 4ST
drfi [email protected]
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Dr Fish Holisitic Spa
Dr Fish caters for small parties and home visits, and is open by appointment 7 days a week
Brighton’s fi rst intimate private Holistic Fish Pedicure is now open within the Boutique setting of Brighton Forum,
offering the revolutionary Garra Rufa Spa treatment. This is a natural pedicure that removes dead skin painlessly and is stimulating, rejuvenating, relaxing and a total sensory experience, leaving silky smooth results in just 15 minutes.Garra Rufa fi sh gently suck away the dead skin and whilst
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The Art & Science of Dentistry ‘We believe your smile is one of your greatest assets’
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We specialise in cosmetic dentistry, using the latest techniques in a state-of-the-art practice, at realistic prices in a
calm & relaxed atmosphere
by Becky Hollands
B0311_038 ADS.indd 1 24/2/11 16:52:43
Caring for your mouth and teeth involves two very distinct emotions - fear and vanity. This makes choosing your toothbrush rather more emotional than you would think, and also produces a strong desire to get
the correct brush. All of us would prefer to remain pain free and fear is as good a reason as any to motivate us to maintain mouth care as clean teeth are almost certainly healthy pain free teeth. These teeth are also the best looking and, as an added bonus, these teeth will also be using the same bone that keeps our faces in a youthful shape, thus preventing the onset of premature facial lines. Cheaper than a face lift and far more effective! Added up, all of these things mean that taking time to make sure that you are using the right toothbrush will not only make you feel good but also look good! There is good evidence that the ancient Egyptians used various ways to clean their mouths, and that evidence follows through to all subsequent civilisations. However, our favourite tool to carry out this care is the toothbrush, which is in fact a relatively new implement. During the 100 years or so that toothbrushes have became more common, choosing one has become ever more diffi cult. Initially it was easy, as there was in all probability only one to choose from. Not so now in 2011 - it is a minefi eld of confl icting claims, counter claims and apparent imperatives. Standing in the supermarket dental aisle, you could be forgiven for thinking that these implements are not humble toothbrushes but items of scientifi c revolution. There are so many to choose from, all of which will have some special property to enhance your smile. But which of these properties do you need or want? Here are some tips to help you in your choice:Firstly, mouths on the whole are small places and so your brush must have a small brush head to enable access. Some of the plaque that you are trying to remove is located on the fl at areas of the tooth surface and some of this plaque will be removed by the friction of normal everyday life, so the areas that you want the toothbrush to be really effective in are often very small and well protected by the surrounding shapes of the mouth. This means that the smaller the toothbrush the greater is your liklehood of an effective clean. The longer the toothbrush head, the less likely it will be that you will be able to clean all of the teeth suffi ciently well to maintain gum and tooth health. So keep the brush small.The next vital feature that your toothbrush must have bristles that can clean without causing damage. The bristles need to be able to mould themselves to the shapes that are presented to it. Everyone is unique in the size, arrangement, and accessibility of the teeth in their mouth. Bristles must be super pliable, they must bend easily and maintain that ability to bend over many occasions . It seems that our choice of bristle texture is emotionally-led rather than reason-based and because of those emotions we feel that it is important to buy the brush that we think is ‘man enough for the job’ and consequently almost everyone chooses a brush that is too fi rm. It is important to remember than that a good ‘scrub’ with a medium/fi rm bristle will usually, over time, produce disfi gured and over-sensitive teeth. Over-sensitive teeth are usually longer then they should be as to much of the crown has become exposed. It is also worth noting that medium/fi rm bristles do not adapt closely to the tooth shape, and therefore cannot remove plaque
stain as effectively from the teeth. So for maximum effectiveness and to prevent damage, your small head toothbrush also needs to be soft.Smaller and softer is what power brushes tend to be which, for some people answers the question which is best, power or manual. However, I would point out that there are some excellent manual brushes on the market that are both small and soft. Examples of these are sadly often missing from supermarket shelves. The only reason for this is that a supermarket retailer exists to make a profi t for the chain, and not to care for your teeth, so obviously the brushes they prefer to stock will maximise those profi ts, and their suitability to do the job that they are being sold for is secondary. Examples of good brushes that are generally recommended by theprofession are; Sensodyne Search 3.5 - a small brush head but maybe a little on the fi rm side but used carefully this has been good brush for many years.Sensodyne Total Care - has a well shaped brush head with slightly softer bristles. It is a slightly more modern version of the 3.5.Tepe Select - this range of toothbrushes is excellent in very many respects. They come is a range of medium, soft and extra soft together with a Special Care bristle which is for post surgery, and for those suffering from Dry Mouth Syndrome. All of these come in two brush head sizes. The Select is the larger, while the Compact is smaller and both sizes feature a tapered head that increases the access towards the posterior of the mouth. The soft in a Compact size is my recommendation. These brushes are also available in a wide range of colours, so coordinating your bathroom colours is usually possible! Curaprox 5460 - the number refers to the bristles which are top quality, densely packed and made of Tynex, which maintains it ability to bend over long periods. If feels very soft, but because of the number of the tufts it is very effi cient and comfortable in use. If you have used a manual brush for some time it is worth doing the fi ngernail test to make sure that you are not causing damage to your teeth and gums. You do this by putting your fi ngernail on to the tooth at a right angle at the position where the tooth meets the gum. Can you fi nd a groove? If you can then the groove is man made and is normally caused by tooth brush abrasion. Finding a groove like this suggests that it is a very good time to swap to a power brush as
the brush heads are much smaller and because of the way that power brushes operate, they are less likely to cause damage.Caring for your mouth is one of the best investments that can be made in healthcare terms, so it makes sense to get the maintenance tools right. All these toothbrushes are available in Marina Dentalcare.
If you have any questions about your choice of brush, I am in the practice on Wednesday mornings, and will happily answer any queries that you
may have. Choosing a power brush is something that I will discuss next month.
To book your complementary free consultation withDr Farrokh Sharifzad, please call 01273 628899 or visit
www.mainadentalcare.co.uk for more information.
Dr Farrokh Sharifzad from Marina Dentalcare, discusses
how to choose and use your toothbrush
ABSOLUTE 39
LearningTO BRUSH
ABSOLUTE DENTAL
B0311_039 Marina Dental MAR11.in1 1 24/2/11 18:14:08
ABSOLUTE LIFE COACHING
Rule 1: Listen to other points of views Nothing can be accomplished by telling a person they are wrong. In fact, a great deal of damage can be done to a relationship whether friendship, work colleague, family or relationship. What can happen is that you can unwittingly strip the other person’s confidence and quite likely, make them angry. Try the approach of asking them why they have a certain opinion on a subject matter that you don’t agree on, in a calm and genuine way. Ask them what they feel the best way to resolve this clash of opinions is. Allowing people to explain to you their opinion in a non-argumentative manner and by listening to them with interest will already be a big step forward to resolving the issue in hand. You can both hold on to your individual opinions, but learn to understand each other a bit more and care about the other person’s opinion. This will improve the situation and your relationship.
Rule 2: Change the patternWhy not try changing your usual tactics, and thus possibly stop all arguments? Being diplomatic for example, can immediately dissolve arguments
and change them in to healthy debates rather than arguments. Show respect for the other person’s opinion for a change too- try it, and see what happens. Once again, this does not mean you must both agree, just inform them that you take on board their opinion but do not share that opinion. Never tell people outright that they are wrong.
Rule 3: Listen Listen to the person as they explain to you their opinion. Continue this with positive words such as ‘certainly… however,’ or ‘I take on board what you are saying.’ Remember that very few of us are logical all of the time; we as humans are naturally bias or influenced by our own experiences in life. Many people for example have a problem with jealousy and envy of others, which is connected to insecurities. So with the fear of looking ‘stupid’ a lot of people hate admitting when they are wrong. None of us like being told we are wrong!Summary:So when you next feel an argument arising with someone, try stepping in to their shoes
for a moment; view the situation from their perspective, listen to them and let them ‘sound off’ telling you their opinion. They will eventually run out of steam anyway, but will feel they have really explained to you fully their view.Remember, in a heated argument people are usually like a dog with a bone; they don’t often listen and hold on to their view. You, however, can now train yourself to rise above that uneasy feeling. Also, it is good to remember that being rigid with opinions can hold you back in life and cause problems in relationships forever. Rise above your adversity and listen to others in a calm and interested manner from now on. You’ll have dignity, pride but most of all, peace. Call Georgina or Terrina on 07912 206483.Absolute Brighton Life Coaching www.absolutebrightonlifecoaching.co.uk
Kick out fixed opinions and avoid arguments by trying this step by step guide from Absolute Brighton Life Coaching
Create an argument-Free Zone
We are a long established dental
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to high clinical standards and
providing patients with state of
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01273 731586 www.brunswickroaddentalpractice.co.uk
Brunswick Road Dental Practice
LIGHT UP YOURFACE WITH A
STUNNING SMILE!
Brunswick2.indd 1 16/12/10 11:44:13
B0311_040 Life coaching MAR.indd1 1 24/2/11 17:43:07
Head therapist Laura Kingssays: “Beauty at Wickwoods has just opened three new luxurious treatment rooms offering a full range of pampering, anti-ageing,
detoxifying and maintenance treatments, in addition to sports
massage and full Beauty Wedding Packages.
We offer a gorgeous range from Li-Tya - a natural organic product range utilizing ancient philosophies with botanics to
enrich, revive and nurture. You can also try the celebrities’
favorite ‘Crystal Clear’, an incredible lifting and anti-ageing treatment providing a fl awless
youthful complexion.”
(ALSO OPEN TO NON MEMBERS)
Beauty At WickwoodsMOTHERS DAY
TREATBook a Li’tya Deep Ocean
Renewal Facial and receive a Miji Susu Dew Massage for half price
To be taken on the same day booking Valid Until April 31st
Beauty at Wickwoods welcomes everyone to theirnew luxurious treatment rooms…
THE COUNTRYSIDE RETREAT
Whether a member or not,Beauty at Wickwoods offer a full range of treatments from
pampering and de-stressing massages to anti-ageing treatments, along with those essential beauty boosters; manicures, pedicures and waxing. We also offer sports
massage and wedding beauty packagesBeauty at Wickwoods offers a gorgeous organic range from Li’ Tya, as well as Crystal
Clear, an incredible lifting and anti-ageing treatment providing a fl awless youthful
complexion. In the wonderful new rejuvenating atmosphere of Wickwoods Laura, our
Senior Therapist and her team will bring peace and tranquility to your day
BEAUTY AT WICKWOODS IS OPEN TO NON MEMBERS
t: 01273 857567 e-mail: [email protected] country club, Hotel & Spa, Shave Wood Lane, albourne, Hassocks BN6 9DY
B0311_041 ads.indd 1 24/2/11 13:00:51
ABSOLUTE MAKE UPCelebrity make-up artistJeni Dodson is our independent beauty advisor bringing to you the latest beauty buzz and hot tips straight from thered carpet!
1. YSL - 5 Colour shadow palette A palette of fi ve luminous eye shadows, to contour, enhance and dress your eyes in colour that lasts. www.houseoffraser.co.uk £39.50
2. Shu Uemura - Glow On Blush Boundless blush colours for the cheeks that
work just as well on the eyes, these can also be used wet to intensify the colour. Choose between matte or pearl fi nish.www.liberty.co.uk £19.50
3. Lancôme - Colour Design 5 Shadow palette in Pink EnvyLancôme’s new versatile, all-in-one palette conveniently creates a full eye look for day or night. Sculpt and lift in soft day colours or intensify with dramatic evening hues for smoldering smoky effects.
4. 3 Custom Color Watercolours for Cheeks in Hyacinth and Coral Waterlilly, these cream blushers provide a sheer fl ush of natural colour to the cheeks. They can also be used on the lips as a tinted lip balm as well or added to the eyelids for a
light dewy wash. Works wonders on almost all skin tones. www.cultbeauty.co.uk £15.00
5. Accessorize - Exotic Brights Eye Dust in Magenta. A spectacular collection of highly pearlised eye dusts available in a stunning range of colours to enhance your eyes.www.accessorize.com £3.00
6. Too Faced LockdownA range of deep, intense cream eye shadow containing metallic pigments combined with an anti-crease formula which promises to deliver sex appeal with staying power. www.boots.com £13.50
www.jenidodson.com
Pretty in pinkIt’s been a long, gray winter and time we started to inject some fun in to make-up shopping again and
what better way to begin than to bath ourselves in the uplifting colour of pink!
Make-up is breaking all the rules and making such a big impact this spring, with bright full-on pink, almost
red eyeshadow being just one of the many new make-up trends of this season. A very popular choice at
the Dior, Valentino and Chanel spring summer shows. This look can be daring, but let’s be honest, it’s easy
for a model to wear bright pink and still look gorgeous. But will the rest of us look a little crazy wearing
fuchsia eye makeup?
The great thing about pink is that it’s both slightly edgy and slightly princess, so it looks good in many
forms and on many different types of women. And depending on how it it is applied, it can defi nitely be
uplifting, soft and beautiful.
The trick is simply knowing which shade to choose and what other make-up to pair it with.
Below are some foolproof tips for wearing pink eyeshadow.
1. Choosing the right shade: The closer the eyeshadow colour veers towards a ruddy/red, the trickier it is to wear. If you are fair in skin tone then I would suggest using a pale, bluish-pink shadow. A vibrant fl amingo pink for an olive complexion, and a warmer, more coral pink for darker skin, and the true hot pinks look especially gorgeous on a Latina complexion.
2. Full-on colour: Pink eyeshadow this season is meant to be daring, so wether it is day or night you can always ‘wing it’. Choose a strong pigmented shade of a matte pink eyeshadow and apply it in a block all-over your upper lids, but not above the crease. Then, by sweeping it out, past the outer corners of your eyes you can create a wing-like effect. Try applying the eyeshadow with a damp brush to perfect the shape and fi nish with lashings of mascara.
3. Impact with black: To accentuate the colour further you need to team it with a black eyeliner or, at the very least, a lot of black mascara, this is true of any bright coloured eyeshadow. The black anchors the look and defi nes your eyes so you’re not just seeing pink against bare skin, which can make you appear sickly, if black liner looks too heavy, you can pair it with a chocolate brown one instead. Warm up the cheeks, and keep the lips pale.4. Go monotone: Pink is one of the few bold colours that looks pretty when worn together
on eyes and lips. If this sounds too extreme then try mixing a bright shade of lipstick together with a sheer lavender-pink to soften. Then on your cheeks, apply a faint layer of natural pink blush, you want a slight fl ush so you’re not washed out by the strong eye and lip colours.
5. When in doubt, go sheer: If a heavily-pigmented shadow is too much colour for you, try dabbing a hot pink cream blush on your lids instead. The cream texture is less intense than a velvety powder and creates a fresher, more spring-like look. To prevent fading, prime your lids fi rst, patting on the blush, then setting it with a dusting of translucent powder.
6. Pastel pink: Perhaps the easiest colour to apply, and also looks great on most skin tones. Just be sure to use a semi-transparent or sparkly pink, with a barely there pink hue. Extend the colour halfway up to the brow bone and wrap around to the outer corner of the eye, avoid any chalky and opaque pinks. Curl your lashes and keep your eyebrows brows groomed but soft.
INTHE
PINK
www.boots.com £13.50
42 ABSOLUTE
Choosing the right shade: The closer the Choosing the right shade: The closer the on eyes and lips. If this sounds too extreme then
TIP! Regardless of which hue you pick, a
bit of sparkly shimmer in your pink
eyeshadow will help to make it obvious
that your hue isn’t the result of a
seasonal allergy or tired eyes!
B0311_042 Make-up MAR11.indd 1 23/2/11 17:57:02
THE LAUNCH OF
PEGASUS
FACES & PLACES
Mike Booth and Sachie Shinohara of Aura Soma
Aura-Soma Products Ltd launched their brand new fragrance
range called Pegasus recently. The Pegasus range contains eight
unique, organic, vegan scents which are the culmination of ten
years dedicated work and research towards capturing and bottling
the essence of Aura-Soma Products Ltd.
From Radio 2,presenter Janey Lee Grace
with Mike Booth of Aura Soma
Anna Brozler
Big Brother winnerJosie Gibson
Jo Brooks of JBPR with Andrew Kayof Latest
Heather andAlex Davisonof Aloka, Brighton
The Aura Soma team
Treat your loved one to an
Asase Spa gift voucher for Valentine’s Day, available via telephone and in store
30 minute Fish Pedicure - £25
30 minute Fish pedicure + 10 minute Foot
Massage - £35
30 minute Fish Pedicure + Polished Finish - £37
For a unique Hen and Stag party enjoy a night
of pampering at Asase Spa with a glass of
complimentary Champagne for the Hen/Stag
and their guests, discount packages and late
night opening available on request.
Birthday party packages available upon request.
Asase Spa is Brighton’s newest pedicure spa exclusively
offering Garra Rufa Skin Treatment. Originating in Turkey,
the essence of the practice is Garra
Rufa fi sh being allowed to restore
the skin’s health by nibbling the
dead skin on feet. The experience is
therapeutic and relaxing, a delightful
sensation. The result is healthier
and smoother skin and a noticeable
improvement.
Other massage treatments available Check website for
further information.
Unit 13, Hanningtons,19 Brighton Place, Brighton BN1 1HJ
01273 [email protected]
www.asasespa.co.uk
Treat your loved one to an
Unit 13, Hanningtons,Unit 13, Hanningtons,Asase Spa
B0311_043 asase_aura social.indd1 1 25/2/11 09:45:11
44 ABSOLUTE
ABSOLUTE BEAUTY
Take something off the shelf and indulge yourself - you’re worth it!
1. Clinique Happy Heart. This is a full bodied, fl oral fragrance that celebrates happiness in the spirit of love.RRP £33 www.clinique.co.uk
2. Clinique Happy Heart Body
Wash. A lightly scented, body lotion with the rich fl oral scent of Clinique Happy Heart (above). RRP £20www.clinique.co.uk
3. Clinique Sparkle Skin Body
Exfoliator. This vibrantly iridescent Caribbean-blue exfoliating gel wakes up tired, lacklustre body skin. RRP £16 www.clinique.co.uk
4. Deep Comfort Body LotionA lightweight yet moisturising formula providing immediate comfort and hydration that lasts all day.RRP £25.50 www.clinique.co.uk
5. NEW Happy in Bloom (limited edition). Another lovely fragrance from Clinique. This fresh, fl oral scent brings to mind a frosted spring morning with an aura of dew laden fl owers. RRP £23 www.clinique.co.uk
6. Phytogel Bath and Shower Gel by Sisley. Truly aromatic bliss in the morning, with the stunning scent of Eau de Champagne.£42 www.sisley-cosmetics.com
7. NEW Dirty Works Pore-fect Face Scrub - has an instant cooling effect that will give your skin a revived and radiant glow.and NEW Dirty Works Belle of the Ball Face Mask. This detoxifying quick beauty fi x deeply cleanses and replenishes the skin.£4.99 each. Available from leading Sainsbury’s stores nationwide
8. Soap & Glory Fab Pore Facial Peel. An intensive action pore-refi ning facial peel powered by the exclusive Poreshrink™ Complex.£6. www.boots.com
9. Caudalíe Fleur de Vigne® Shower Gel. With the gentle scent of watermelon, white rose and rose pepper. This will leave you smelling delicious! £8.50Space NK and www.caudalie.com
10. VIE at home Hydrotherapy Spa Detoxifying Mineral Bath Soak. Relax, detox and unwind in rich mineral bath salts infused with Swiss Glacial Water and Spirulina. Turns the bath water a beautiful shade of blue for instant relaxation.£12.50 www.vieathome.com
11. Bliss Hot Salt Scrub. An at-home treatment that will leave you skin salon soft! Super-softening, spa-strength skin smoothing action.£28.60 www.blissworld.co.uk
indulge yourself - you’re worth it!
2 3 41 5 6
7 9 10 118
INDULGENT LUXURY!
12. Chérie Eau de parfum by Dior. A new Miss Dior fragrance created for an ‘elegant and spirited young woman in love’. £60.50 (50ml) www.missdiorchérie.com
12
INDULGENT LUXURY!
12
ABSOLUTE BEAUTYABSOLUTE BEAUTYABSOLUTE BEAUTY
Take something off the shelf and Take something off the shelf and indulge yourself - you’re worth it!Take something off the shelf and Take something off the shelf and Take something off the shelf and
Pamper party!
B0311_044 Beauty pamper.indd 1 23/2/11 16:07:53
Becky Hollands, Registered nurse and founder of Becky HollandsAesthetics, has worked alongside some of the country’s leading cosmeticsurgeons. A specialist in Restylane® dermal fillers and other non-invasivefacial aesthetic treatments, you can expect expert advice during a freeconsultation, and treatment to enhance the natural you.
Fresher Faces
Restylane, which launched in 1996, wasthe first ever hyaluronic acid dermal fillerused to alleviate the signs of ageing.
Although a healthy lifestyle and dietare big factors as we age, they alonecannot tackle the loss of volume that
causes lines and wrinkles. BeckyHolland’s highly professional standard ofcare and commitment to natural resultshas secured a rapidly growing and loyalcustomer base who see non-surgicalenhancement, but long lasting results.
Q&AWhat does the treatmentinvolve? The Restylane gel is injected in tiny quantitiesusing a fine needle. It can be used on the face,décolletage, neck and lips to diminish the lookof lines, add fullness and give a gentle lift tobrows. The procedure takes about 20 minutes.
Will the injections be verypainful?Some people may feel discomfort. A localanaesthetic cream is often used when treatingfacial lines, and integrated pain relief is now alsoavailable to provide a quicker and altogethermore comfortable experience during treatment.
Is it safe?Restylane is very safe and has been used in over11 million treatments worldwide. Its uniquepatented hyaluronic acid (HA) gel closelyresembles your body’s own supplies, so there’sless risk of allergic reactions.
How does it work?Restylane replaces the HA that your skin has lostover time. It’s injected directly where it is neededunder the skin, restoring lost volume for afresher and firmer complexion.
How long does it last?Results are instant and long-lasting. Follow-uptreatments will usually be needed between sixto 12 months.
For more information contact:Becky Hollands RN
BeckyHollands
AESTHETICS
After RestylaneBefore Restylane
After Restylane LippBefore Restylane Lipp
After Restylane VitalBefore Restylane Vital
07979 800 [email protected]
www.beckyhollands.co.uk
Becky Hollands AestheticsClinics in Brighton, Hove,
Harley Street
www.restylane.co.uk
The BUZZ Words -Hyaluronic AcidA large percentage of our skin is made upfrom Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a highly absorbentsubstance that hydrates and creates volume.As we age, our levels of HA decrease, causingfine lines and wrinkles. Luckily, help is at handwith Restylane – a HA gel that is injecteddirectly into the skin to boost its appearance.There are a range of products available to suitevery treatment need and subtly minimisecreases and revive the complexion. For more details go to :
© B
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Becky Hollands A4 FP:Layout 1 17/2/11 10:58 Page 1
❁
ABSOLUTE BEAUTY
I was invited to Wickwoods Country Club and
Spa for a massage, which was very welcome
as I was feeling extremely deflated and tired.
The short drive from Brighton was pleasant
through the winding country roads to the leafy
Village of Albourne, and as I pulled up to the
entrance I was struck at how tranquil the
setting was, a perfect location.
I was warmly greeted by Laura King the Senior
Beauty Therapist and shown through to the
bar to fill out a health questionnaire. The bar
was pleasantly busy with friends catching up
for lunch, members having coffee and guests
relaxing. Laura showed me through to the
newly built state-of-the-art beauty rooms
which were outstandingly decorated in neutral
calming colours, with the smell of oils and
creams in the air; I was eager to see what
Laura had in store for me.
Laura explained that I was having the Miji Susu
Dew Massage and asked me how I would like
the pressure, to which I replied ‘intense’; this
was a 35 minute massage concentrating on the
neck, back and shoulders perfect for easing
the tension of daily life out of my body.
The Miji Susu Dew Massage is inspired by
traditional Australian Aboriginal techniques
that tone, re-align and help the energy flow
through the body. The rhythmic technique
enhances the mind and body balance. Laura
applied the perfect amount of pressure,
concentrating on the top of my shoulders to
the very base of my back. It felt very soothing
and made me feel completely de-stressed.
The massage allows the body to start healing
itself by releasing physical and emotional
tensions. I slowly drifted off to sleep which is
always a good sign of an excellent massage.
I could have stayed there for hours but I felt
rejuvenated and was ready to conquer the day
ahead of me.
Laura and her team offer a full range of beauty
treatments and spa packages from waxing,
facials, body wraps, anti ageing treatments to
the celebrity favourite ‘Crystal Clear.’ Members
and Non Members are welcome to try out the
wonderful treatments on offer at Wickwoods.
I highly recommend you try any treatment, I’m
sure you won’t be disappointed.
Tel: 01273 857567
www.wickwoods.co.uk
Lay back and enjoy❁ABSOLUTE BEAUTY
❁ABSOLUTE BEAUTY
I❁Iwas invited to Wickwoods Country Club and ❁was invited to Wickwoods Country Club and ❁Lay back and enjoy❁Lay back and enjoyRishma Patel has the perfect massage in the lap of luxury
Turn back the clockO
ver the past five years I have succumbed to the non-invasive world of cosmetic surgery.
Botox and fillers, as I have written about previously, are excellent ways of preventing the
onset of time, including that of premature ageing.
I have received treatments at a Knightsbridge salon (only once a year) for the past five years. I decided
to try an aesthetic practitioner a little closer to home.
Florentina Marcu of Brunswick Road Dental Practice has been trained by the top aesthetic surgeons
in the world. She is extremely knowledgeable on procedures, their effects and side effects, so I knew I
would be in good hands.
I chose to have a small amount of Botox in my globular (I have massive vertical frown lines in the
middle of my forehead) and a little more at the corner of my eyes to help with ‘crow’s feet’ lines; this is
marvellous for me as I am an extremely smiley person who has over exaggerated facial expressions.
I also chose to have a little Restylane in the same area.
I was delighted with my pre care. Florentina spent much time on describing the procedure and results,
which put my nerves at ease.
As an experienced dentist too, Florentina ‘s injection technique was superb. Hygiene was 100%, and her
verbal interaction was professional and knowledgeable.
The price of the procedures I undertook was in line with most other professional practises.
Would I visit again? Absolutely. I am going to undertake my derma roller sessions with Florentina from
now on too.
Florentina’s ethos of ‘inject a little and add more on the second visit’ was comforting. One can always
add, but never take away. My second top-up visit was as I would have wished; a little top-up in all areas.
The effect? Totally natural; family and friends think I look well as opposed to looking artificial and like a
lizard.
Brunswick Road Dental Practice, 2 Brunswick Road Hove BN3 1DG.
Tel: 01273 731586 www.brunswickroaddentalpractice.co.uk
Ever been tempted to try Botox or Restylane to hold back the
years, but a bit too nervous? Paula Seabourne-Pearson of Jenerator
Creative shares a frank and honest view of her experience as she
undergoes the two injectable’s at Brunswick Dental Practice in Hove
46 ABSOLUTE
B0311_046 BOTOX.indd 1 25/2/11 10:05:44
Lack of sleep is a common and serious problem that has personal
health consequences. Increasing numbers of people are reporting that
they suffer from a lack of sleep. In fact The National Sleep Foundation
(NSF) reports there has been a 13% increase in insomnia problems over
the last eight years. People who get enough sleep (eight hours or more) are
more likely to have healthier lifestyles and a better quality of life than people
who do not get as much sleep. Many people turn towards pharmaceutical
drugs for sleep relief, but these come with side effects. Fortunately, there are
many natural ways to relax and get your zzzzzzzs.
DietIf you are having trouble sleeping, try giving up caffeine. A person who
is taking caffeine such as coffee, Red Bull or fizzy drinks on a regular basis
typically does so because they feel drowsy since they haven’t had a good
night’s sleep. But by drinking caffeine to wake up, a vicious cycle is created.
The caffeine perks them up, but at the same time, it overstresses the body’s
endocrine system and nervous system, which causes imbalances. It may seem
like an impossible task, but giving up caffeine permanently may be a vital
component to getting some decent rest.
Another stimulant that tends to disrupt sleep is sugar. Refined white sugars, as
well as simple carbohydrates such as bread and pasta which turn to sugar in
the body, overstress the pancreas and other organs needed to shut down and
feel calm. Blood sugar imbalances can send you feeling ‘out of it’ and restless.
MSG (monosodium glutamate) is something you have to look for on food
labels because it’s hidden in a lot of products. This is a highly toxic ingredient
that can cause sleep disorders, as well as headaches, puffy eyes, weight gain,
and so many other health issues.
NutrientsFor better sleep, the body needs healthy foods and nutrients. Many nutrients
are known to have a calming effect on the nervous system and help promote
good sleep. Whole foods contain many of these natural insomnia cures, but
supplements are also available to ensure that you obtain the proper dietary
amounts.
Calcium is nature’s tranquilizer. Natural forms of calcium are found in green
vegetables and sesame.
Magnesium is needed to absorb calcium and is the number one deficiency in
the world. Magnesium is a muscle relaxant as well as important for balancing
blood sugar and blood pressure. Natural sources of magnesium are halibut,
peanuts, whole grains, spinach, bananas, avocados, and nuts and seeds.
Sunlight is also an essential nutrient for sleep and overall health because it
provides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight
in winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D
supplement.
To help fall asleep and calm anxiety, many people turn to valerian root.
Studies show that valerian has a significantly positive effect on poor sleep
when compared to a placebo. It is also safe and helps the whole body relax.
L-theanine is one of the ingredients of green tea. This amino acid is known
to have calming properties. Research has shown theanine to calm the brain
by producing alpha waves and may also lower blood pressure. Green tea is a
natural, healthy form of caffeine, so if you are inspired to give up the coffee,
green tea could help give you the kick you are looking for without the side
effects.
5-HTP is the abbreviation for L-5-hydroxlytryptophan. L-Tryptophan is an
amino acid. Some have used tryptophan as a mood enhancer, as well, as it is
known to help with serotonin mechanisms in the brain.
HabitsEating late at night is a common cause of insomnia. When people stop
eating after 7pm, sleep often comes much more easily and is more peaceful.
According to Chinese medicine, digestion is the strongest in the morning,
between 7am and 9am for the stomach, and 9am to 11am for the spleen/
pancreas. Twelve hours later (7pm to 11pm) digestion is the weakest, and
eating at this time will cause gas, bloating and indigestion, making it difficult to
fall asleep easily.
Imagine how much more sleepy you might be if you had a really hard, good
workout. Physical exercise is important for good sleep and overall health.
Find a way to work out that you love, and do it consistently.
Stress is a common factor for insomnia too. One third of insomniacs report
that they are losing sleep over money and economy concerns. Meditation is
a great way to take a holiday from your worries. Learn to observe your mind
and focus on your breathing, especially when you are trying to sleep.
Because of its negative impact on health, it is important to address sleep
problems. If you are experiencing sleep disturbances, this could be your
body’s way of “waking you up” to make some lifestyle changes. Listen to it,
and enjoy the journey towards a good night’s sleep.
ABSOLUTE HEALTH
GOOD NIGHT
a
provides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight
in winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D
provides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight
in winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D
To help fall asleep and calm anxiety, many people turn to valerian root.
Studies show that valerian has a significantly positive effect on poor sleep
when compared to a placebo. It is also safe and helps the whole body relax.
ZZZ ZZZZZ ZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZprovides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight Zprovides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight
in winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D Z
in winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D ZZprovides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight Zprovides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight
in winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D Z
in winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D ZZprovides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight Zprovides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight
in winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D Z
in winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D Z Zprovides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight Zprovides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight
in winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D Zin winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D Zprovides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight Zprovides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight
in winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D Zin winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D
To help fall asleep and calm anxiety, many people turn to valerian root. ZTo help fall asleep and calm anxiety, many people turn to valerian root.
Studies show that valerian has a significantly positive effect on poor sleep
ZStudies show that valerian has a significantly positive effect on poor sleep
when compared to a placebo. It is also safe and helps the whole body relax.
Zwhen compared to a placebo. It is also safe and helps the whole body relax.
ZTo help fall asleep and calm anxiety, many people turn to valerian root. ZTo help fall asleep and calm anxiety, many people turn to valerian root.
Studies show that valerian has a significantly positive effect on poor sleep
ZStudies show that valerian has a significantly positive effect on poor sleep
Zprovides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight Zprovides us with Vitamin D. The UK generally does not get enough sunlight
in winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D Zin winter months, so if you suffer from insomnia, consider taking a vitamin D
To help fall asleep and calm anxiety, many people turn to valerian root. ZTo help fall asleep and calm anxiety, many people turn to valerian root.
Studies show that valerian has a significantly positive effect on poor sleep
ZStudies show that valerian has a significantly positive effect on poor sleep
when compared to a placebo. It is also safe and helps the whole body relax.
Zwhen compared to a placebo. It is also safe and helps the whole body relax.
Our health expert Sheryl
Waters discusses the
causes of insomnia and
offers advice on how to
get a good night's sleep
“People who get enough sleep (eight hours or
more) are more likely to have healthier lifestyles
and a better quality of life”
ABSOLUTE 47
B0311_047 Sheryl_MAR11.indd 1 23/2/11 17:07:10
ABSOLUTE MOTHERS DAY
48 ABSOLUTE
We love you, mum!Bouquet Garden Aromatherapy
Bath MeltsA glorious bouquet of roses and summer petals bursts from the top of every bath melt in the new KempAromatherapy Bouquet Garden range.From £5.50
www.notonthehighstreet.com
A glittering statement
Silver Effervescence Star bracelet
£195
www.linksofondon.com
Tel: 0845 120 2922.
Classic fragrance!
Muelhens 4711
Eau de Cologne Splash
£14.99 300ml
www.fragrancedirect.co.uk
The Chocolate Time Chocolatiere
Lets you create great tasting
chocolate sweets at home
£19.95
www.prezzybox.com
Show your mum how much you care this Mothers Day
with a special gift
Paco Rabanne Lady Million
This special fragrance is vibrant,
sensual, fresh, fl oral and woody,
like the nectar of voluptuous fl owers
30ml £33.00
Stockists: 0207 494 6220
Personalised Letter Soapsby Jonny’s Sister
Made with the fi nest natural ingredients
from £6.95www.notonthehighstreet.com
Mothers Day Special OfferA 30 minute Garra Rufa fi sh pedicure.
The revolutionary new spa treatment!£15Dr Fish, Brighton. Tel: 07407 403354
MUM Gift Box
Full of scrummy products inspired
by the garden
£25.95
www.lush.co.uk
Dr Fish, Brighton. Tel: 07407 403354
The Chocolate Time Chocolatiere
Lets you create great tasting
chocolate sweets at home
www.lush.co.uk
B0311_048 Mothers day gifts.indd1 1 24/2/11 12:34:20
NEWSXXTRANews items brought to you
by Mo [email protected]
A luncheon was generously
hosted recently by Marco Pierre
White for the Friends of East Sussex
Hospices (FESH) to launch a fantastic
new fundraising campaign called
“NOSHCHEZNOUS”.
Through NOSHCHEZNOUS, FESH is
calling for willing hosts or hostesses to
ask friends, family, schoolmates or work
colleagues to a food event of any kind,
inviting a discretionary donation to FESH
for their hospices.
The campaign is aimed at helping the
nine hospices supported by FESH to raise
some of the £35.7m needed to continue
their work in 2011.
Marco Pierre White said of
NOSHCHEZNOUS: “This is a wonderful
way to enjoy the pleasurable experience
of cooking for family and friends while
supporting local hospices which help so
many of our families and friends.”
FESH Chairman, Kathy Gore,
commented: “I hope that Sussex will
take NOSHCHEZNOUS into its homes
and hearts to help our hospices continue
to deliver their care when it is most
needed. Our hospices survive thanks to
local support. Sussex hospices are the
most poorly funded group of hospices in
the UK, receiving only 22% state funding
compared to the 32% national average.”
FESH hopes that not only foodies will
answer the call and come up with
innovative ideas - absolutely anything
goes! From jeans and jam butties to posh
frocks and poached salmon and from
curry to cupcakes, those wishing to host
an event can fi nd ideas and inspiration on
the FESH website (www.fesh.org.uk) or by
calling Patti Whitaker on 01825 890075.
Hostess packs, which include a
NOSHCHEZNOUS apron and invitation
cards will be sent to anyone wishing to
The Brighton and Central Sussex Group of Advanced Motorists (BACS) is hoping Momentum,
a new course launched by the Institute of Advanced Motoring for 17-25 year olds who have recently passed their driving test, will help to improve the safety of younger drivers in the Sussex region. In the past 18 months 57 people have died on the roads of Sussex in accidents, and 19 of these were aged 17-25, accounting for a third of all fatalities (according to WSCC). BACS hopes by encouraging younger people in the region to take the Momentum course, these fi gures should fall dramatically. Taking the course couldn’t be easier. Momentum incorporates two modules: an interactive online assessment followed by an on-road session with an IAM examiner and will be available to younger drivers throughout Brighton and Central Sussex. For more information on Momentum please visit www.bacs-iam.org/Young.htm
STAR CHEF MARCO PIERRE WHITE LAUNCHES NEW HOSPICE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
ABSOLUTE 49
YOUNGER DRIVERS IN SUSSEX CAN GAIN MOMENTUM
BEAUTY SECRETS WIN PRESTIGIOUS SKINCARE AWARD
One of the south-east’s leading luxury salon and spa groups has won the prestigious ‘Guinot
Crown Award’ for 2011. Award-winning Beauty Secrets scooped the highly regarded skincare award, for the 12th year running, at an exclusive awards ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square, London, in January. Beauty Secrets have three of only 51 salons in the UK to be awarded this honourable status that celebrates treatment expertise, product knowledge, customer satisfaction and professionalism.
B0311_049 NEWS.indd 1 22/2/11 16:49:54
A BAR OPENS ITS DOORS TO THE VIPS OF THE CITY
50 ABSOLUTE
FACES & PLACESGavin O’Neill and Emma Taylor
Paul Francis of Showtec withAbsolute’s Rishma Patel
A super evening took place for the arrival of
newly refurbished A Bar, an event not to be
missed in the busy Brighton calendar this
month.
Unveiling the newly styled and rebranded bar/
venue, guests were lavished with champagne,
canapés, live music and ‘Drag With No Name’,
while being able to admire the transformed
bar, terrace and restaurant area. With an
exceptionally beautiful new interior design,
and the super-friendly and efficient bar staff,
this venue is tipped to be a new haunt for the
discerning in-crowd of Brighton and Hove
who are looking for a little luxury when out
drinking or eating in the city.
A Bar, 11-12 Marine Parade, Brighton.
Tel: 01273 688825
Photographs Richard Bidwell
Mike and Jennifer Mendoza, Jemma Garrett and Mike Holland
Daniel Richardsand David Stringer
David Calderhead, owner of The Amsterdam Hotel, with Bernard Greaves
Absolute’s columnist Peter Jarrettewith Sian Evans
Tim O’Gara, and Tony Chaperlin
Ruth Goodall, Peter Otto, Stephen Grainger withDavid Calderhead (standing)
Marta Wolniak and Absolute’sfashion columnist Natalie Wileman
B0311_050 Social A BAR 1.indd 1 24/2/11 12:41:06
ABSOLUTE 51
FACES & PLACESTerry Beedell, Dale Drury (Manager of The A Bar)and John Wood
Stefan Lamamy, Franke Darling and Herve Guyad
Lisa Gillan, Debs Lewis and Erica Thomas
Richard Dene-Morel, John Wood,Felice De Luca,
Alex Matthews of “Bib ‘n Tucker”
Stefan Lamamy andFranke Darling
Colin andMaria Brace
Dennis Sharp, John Ruiz, Richard Gumbrill and Chris Weatherstone
Absolute’s Rishma Pateland Rob Hill
Marta Wolniak, Sian Evansand Natalie Wileman
B0311_051 Social A BAR 2.indd 1 24/2/11 12:42:48
B0211_049 A Bar.indd 1 25/1/11 07:59:44
ABSOLUTE RECIPE
GRASS-FED BEEF STEW WITHHERBY DUMPLINGS Serves 12 Ingredients
Method1 .Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large, fl ameproof casserole. Add the shallots or small onions and fry until they are nicely browned all over. Set aside on a plate. Add the onions, carrots and sugar and fry until nicely browned. Set aside with the shallots. 2. Put the fl our into a large bowl and season well with salt and pepper. Add the beef and toss together well. Heat another 2 tablespoons of oil in the casserole and fry the beef in batches until nicely browned on all sides. Set each batch aside with the vegetables as it browns. 3. Add 25g of the butter to the casserole and stir in the remaining seasoned fl our from the bowl. Gradually stir in the stout, rubbing the base of the pan to release all the caramelised juices. Stir in the stock, followed by the beef and vegetables, thyme leaves, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce and some seasoning. Bring to the boil, part-cover and leave to simmer very slowly on the top of the stove for 1½ hours. 4. Melt the remaining butter in a large frying pan, add the mushrooms and fry briskly for 2 minutes. Stir them into the casserole, part-cover, and simmer for another 1 hour until the beef is tender.
Special recipes for St Patrick’s Day (March 17th)
CREAMY IRISH LIQUEUR FUDGEPreparation time: 15 minutesCooking time: 15 minutesMakes 800g/1 ½ lb - 36 squares
Ingredients397g can condensed milk150ml/ ¼ pint Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur450g/1lb Demerara sugar125g/4oz Glenilen Farm Handmade Country Butter2 tbsp Cooley Distillery Irish Whiskey
Method1. Grease a 7inch/18cm square tin.2. Place all the ingredients into a large non stick saucepan and heat gently stirring until the sugar has dissolved. 3. Bring the mixture to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes stirring continuously until the temperature reaches 116o/240oC on a sugar thermometer (make sure you stir continuously scraping into the sides of the saucepan or the cream and butter will burn and give you brown specks in your fudge) - don’t worry if you don’t have a sugar thermometer; fi ll a small bowl with cold water and drop a teaspoonful of the mixture into the water - roll it between your fi ngers it should form a soft ball. If not, simmer and stir for a little longer and try again until a soft ball is formed.4. Remove the pan from the heat and beat for fi ve minutes with a wooden spoon until thickened and slightly grainy. Stir in the whisky and pour into the prepared tin. Allow to cool. When cold, cut into squares. Store in an airtight container for a month (if it lasts that long)!
Cook’s tipTo decorate with the shamrocks simply roll 50g/2oz green coloured fondant icing (you can buy this all ready coloured in supermarkets) in your hands until soft and pliable. Pinch off 4 small balls - roll three balls and fl atten slightly and shape into heart shapes for the petals and arrange on a piece of fudge. Roll the remaining piece into a small sausage shape for the stem and arrange on the top of the fudge to complete the shamrock shape. Press down gently to make it stick.
Flavour variations - add fruits and nuts, or use milk instead of cream liquor for the kids.
4 tbsp sunfl ower oil500g shallots or button onions, peeled1 large onion, sliced4 carrots, cut into 2.5cm pieces1 tbsp sugar65g plain fl our1.5kg grass-fed chuck steak or grass-fed braising steak, cut into 6-7cm chunks75g butter1 litre Irish stout
300ml beef stockThe leaves from 3 large sprigs thyme4 fresh bay leaves4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce250g chestnut mushrooms, wiped clean and left whole250g fi eld mushrooms, wiped clean and thickly slicedSalt and freshly ground black pepper
Herby dumplings or mashed potatoes, to serve
The luck of the
Irish
ABSOLUTE RECIPE
Special recipes for St Patrick’s Day (March 17th)
The luck of the
ABSOLUTE 53
B0311_053 Irish recipes.indd 1 23/2/11 11:17:21
54 ABSOLUTE
For many years, the buzzing hub of Brighton has been host to
an oasis of exquisite elegance and style. Throughout these
years, this tranquil and delightful haven, Havana Restaurant
and Cocktail Bar in Duke Street has kept its look and grace with little
change, proving that style never dates and continually delights people of
all tastes.
The Tuscan style façade has retained some of the detail from the
old Theatre Royal that once stood on this spot. The exterior is an
indication of what to fi nd inside – a relaxed colonial feel with earthy
creams and whites, beautiful furniture, large exotic plants and wooden
fl oors throughout. The lower section of the restaurant has beautiful
plush sofas, wicker chairs - more of a café feel. This area becomes a
popular cocktail bar in the evening, while towards the back of the space
is a more formal but genteel restaurant area with highly polished round
tables, a soothing water feature and even a grand piano.
My colleague Rishma and I left a rainy and grey February behind us
and walked into the sunshine of Havana! We were greeted by Ben
Samandi, the owner and genial host, and went through to the back
section where we immediately began to feel relaxed, the terrible
weather was a world away. You could imagine Agatha Christie sitting
at a table there, writing one of her Egyptian adventures, inspired by the
colonial steamship quality of the surroundings. There was a pleasant
hum of people, but the sound is absorbed and unobtrusive, providing
an informal but sophisticated ambience. The high ceilings with a skylight,
the plants in huge fl uted containers, and the muted colours all enhance
the atmosphere.
Despite its name, the menu is not Cuban, instead there is an
international selection, which serves to provide great variety. Amazing
starters include: Fregola risotto, served with winter fl avours, and
asparagus spears; mushroom ravioli with spinach and wild mushroom
cream (Rishma’s choice); truffl e potato tartare, oyster and ginger cream;
pan roasted scallops, creamed lemon pith (my choice); and sliced duck
breast, stuffed with Julienne vegetables. Prices £2.95 - £10.95.
Our main dishes were, of course, presented with panache, and naturally
cooked to perfection. I chose rack of lamb, mint fondant potatoes, slow
cooked garlic, pissaladiere pie, which had exquisite sweet fl avour, and
was superb. Rishma chose pan fried sirloin steak, thyme confi t potato,
wilted rocket, and truffl e sauce, also a gourmet treat for the tastebuds.
Other mains include: Crispy Shitake polenta, winter truffl e and wild
mushroom fricassee; sword fi sh, tomato and Chorizo jam, cretoise
vegetable and roast cod, black olives and pine nuts tapenade, risotto of
vegetables. Prices £11.95 - £24.95. Naturally there is a choice of exotic
desserts, if you have room.
There is also a varied and fl exible lunch menu consisting of light mains
such as risotto with mussels, clams, spinach and parmesan; Penne pesto,
served with sun dried tomatoes, Parma ham and cherry tomatoes, and
various salads. There’s a choice of special gourmet burgers, and a choice
of roasts is available every lunchtime. There’s a full lunchtime a la carte
menu available, as well as a fi xed lunch menu.
Tempted as we were to stay for another few hours, we had to leave. It
is truly a place to escape the outside world and your busy life, and chill
out in style - Havana is an experience, not just a place to eat.
Brighton and Hove sees many restaurants and bars come and go, and
has an ever-changing scene. One of the reassuring constants is Havana.
The people in this lively and frenetic city are special, and deserve
special places to go. Look out for the Havana experience growing and
bringing to Brighton and Hove a passage into a world of elegance and
understated luxury, with a huge chill-out factor.
(Havana Spoon arrives this month in Hove).
Havana Restaurant,
32 Duke Street,
Brighton BN1
Tel: 01273 773388
www.havana.uk.com
Live music every Saturday night
Our main dishes were, of course, presented with panache, and naturally
cooked to perfection. I chose rack of lamb, mint fondant potatoes, slow
Our main dishes were, of course, presented with panache, and naturally
cooked to perfection. I chose rack of lamb, mint fondant potatoes, slow
Our main dishes were, of course, presented with panache, and naturally
NIGHTS AAVAH NMo Hunter-Shine and Rishma Patel visit one of Brighton’s treasuresand discover why this well-loved haven is the jewel inthe city's dining crown
ABSOLUTE REVIEW
B0311_054_055 HAVANA NIGHTS.indd2 2 23/2/11 17:50:48
ABSOLUTE 55
NIGHTS
“You could imagine Agatha Christie sitting at a table there, writing one of her
Egyptian adventures, inspired by the colonial steamship
quality of the surroundings...”
ABSOLUTE REVIEW
B0311_054_055 HAVANA NIGHTS.indd3 3 23/2/11 17:50:56
ABSOLUTE RECIPES
56 ABSOLUTE
ABSOLUTE RECIPES
FLIPPIN’ deliciousBrian Turner, one of the best known UK celebrity chefs, has
developed the following recipe. Brian has one or two secret weapons in his kitchen including Tabasco Pepper Sauce – the ultimate fl avour enhancer. Brian has developed this recipe for Tabasco, using it to draw out the fl avours of the mushrooms and give them a gentle kick. This dish is simple, effective, and is a mouth-watering change to your usual sugar and lemon.
LIGHTLY SPICED CRISPY BACON WITH MUSHROOM PANCAKESServes 4Ingredients25g (1oz) unsalted butter115g (4oz) button mushrooms1tsp Tabasco® Pepper SauceSalt and freshly ground black pepper15 rashers streaky bacon1 tbsp chopped fresh parsleySavoury Scotch pancakes225g (8 oz) plain fl our1 tsp baking powder½ tsp salt1 medium egg, beaten150ml – 200ml milk (add more milk for a thinner consistency)
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/Gas 6.2. Melt the butter in a medium pan. Cut the mushrooms into small dice and cook in the butter and Tabasco® until drying out, about 4 minutes, then season.3. Cook the rashers of bacon in the preheated oven until well done and crisp. Take out and chop three of the rashers into fi ne bits, leaving the others whole. Add the bacon bits to the mushrooms, along with the parsley.4. For the pancakes: in a bowl mix the fl our, baking powder and salt together, then make a well in the centre and add the beaten egg. Stir, adding enough of the milk to make a stiff batter. Stir in the mushroom, bacon and parsley mixture.5. Heat a griddle or frying pan and place on it a 5cm (2½in) greased metal ring. Using a tablespoon, drop a spoonful of batter into the ring on the griddle, and leave to set and colour for a few minutes. Turn over, remove the ring and allow to cook on the second side. Each pancake takes about fi ve minutes to cook. Store inside a tea-towel until all are cooked. You should have about twelve pancakes. 6. Stack three pancakes per plate, with two pieces of halved rasher between each pancake, and two on top (three whole rashers per three pancakes).7. Pour 2oz melted butter with chopped parsley over to serve.
Pancake Day falls on March 8th this year, and is traditionally a day of indulgence,
before giving up sugary treats for Lent. But pancakes don’t have to be sweet,
the savoury versions are just as delicious
WHAT IS PANCAKE DAY?We all love to eat warm delicious pancakes on Pancake Day but do you know the origins of this fun day?Like many English traditions, it is connected with christianity - Pancake Day falls on shrove Tuesday, which is the day before the Christian fasting period of Lent. As we all know, this is a period of fasting and self-denial, which should last 40 days!Shrove Tuesday is often referred to as Pancake Day because fats, which were generally prohibited during Lent, had to be used up. People would take all the eggs and dairy products that they had left in their kitchens and use them to make delicious pancakes.Elsewhere in the world, Mardi Gras (fat Tuesday) also celebrates the day before Lent, with color, fun and indulgence before the 40 days of self-denial!
B0311_056_057 PANCAKE RECIPES.in2 2 23/2/11 11:23:59
FLIPPIN’ delicious
ABSOLUTE 57
Planning a Pancake Day extravaganza this Shrove Tuesday? Looking for something a little more exciting than sugar and lemon to spruce up your sweet pancake? Here’s the solution. Try out this truly
scrumptious vanilla cream topping made using a key ingredient – Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Extract. The sweet, rich fl avour of vanilla lends itself perfectly to whipped cream, creating a deliciously indulgent vanilla topping that will bring your pancake to life. What’s more, you can add a variety of ingredients to the vanilla cream to suit your taste. If fruit doesn’t grab you, try swapping it for toasted almonds and pecans, with a touch of golden syrup or alternatively, drizzle with melted chocolate and a handful of chopped walnuts.
Ingredients250g Plain Flour2 Free-range eggs1 pint Whole Milk½ tsp Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Extract50g Lard / Butter300ml Whipping CreamStrawberries, raspberries, blueberries or seasonal fruit of your choiceIcing Sugar for dusting
Method
1. Sieve the fl our into a bowl and whisk together with the eggs.
2. Slowly whisk in the milk making sure you disperse any lumps.
3. Heat a little lard in a large frying pan and tip to cover the whole surface, when sizzling, add a ladle of pancake mix, move the pan so the mix covers the whole surface.
4. Cook for a minute on one side and then fl ip or turn over with a palette knife and brown on the other side.
5. Remove from the pan onto a plate and place a square of greaseproof on top, repeat until all the mixture has been used.
6. Whip the cream and add the Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Extract.
7. Chop fruit into desired size.
8. Choose a pancake add a generous spoon of cream a generous hand full of fruit and fold in half.
9. Dust with icing sugar and enjoy!
ABSOLUTE RECIPES
PANCAKES WITH FRUIT & VANILLA CREAM
B0311_056_057 PANCAKE RECIPES.in3 3 23/2/11 11:24:07
DAY’S BUFFET RESTAURANTVoted Best Chinese Food in Brighton & Hove – The ArgusOur food taste is excellent and presentation is magnifi cent
Treat your MUM on MOTHER’s DAY – Sunday 3rd of April.Bring her to DAY’S and Earn our NEW REWARD CARD!
Spend quality time with your loved oneBooking is advised to avoid disappointment
We invite you to EAT AS MUCH AS YOU WISHDay’s Restaurant is offering more kinds of dishes for the same great price.
Enjoy the wonderful dining experience with the taste and warmth of the Orient hospitality
IT’S HERE – DAY’S BUFFET RESTAURANT REWARD CARD!Please ask and start earning your stamps and rewards
CALL 01273 748 888Unit 1, 75-79 East Street, Brighton BN1 1NF www.daysrestaurant.com
DAYS MAR11.indd 1 24/2/11 16:53:34B0311_058 DAYS MAR11.indd 1 24/2/11 16:56:24
....everyone’s reading it!If you would like your business to be included within Absolute Brighton
reaching an audience of over 25,000 then call us today on:
0845 3890662www.absolutebrighton.co.uk
THE CITY’S LONGEST ESTABLISHED LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
B0111_066 FILLER AD2.indd 1 25/1/11 08:58:14
ABSOLUTE LOCAL HISTORY
60 ABSOLUTE
JOHN NASH and the Prince
Tim Parker tells of the relationship between the architect of Brighton’s most famous building, and HRH the Prince of Wales
What a couple of chancers. They borrowed huge sums of money
from the government and friends, indulged themselves, took
short cuts, lived a life of Riley and for the most part got away with it. But,
they were, however, highly intelligent, talented and imaginative men with
new ideas. For all their faults, they left the country, certainly in a cultural
sense, a richer and better place than they found it.
Much has been written about George III’s son, the Prince Regent and
later King George IV, or Prinny as he was known throughout the country
and in the press during his lifetime. Alas, Prinny was rarely popular,
although there was nothing he would have liked better. But what a gift
he was to the cartoonists. Even today Whistler’s picture of Prinny on the
prowl after some tasty lady makes me smile.
As for John Nash, although he became a great friend and confi dant of
Prinny, he came from a very different background. His parents were
Welsh. His father, an engineer and millwright originally from Lambeth,
died when he was only seven. There was some family money, as the
family address being in Vine Street indicates, though I must confess that I
only know it from my family’s Monopoly Board.
As a young man, Nash was articled to Sir Robert Taylor, the highly
successful Palladian architect and former sculptor. Working in Taylor’s
John Nash
Brighton Marine Pavilion as it used to be
B0311_060_061 TIM PARKER MAR11.i2 2 23/2/11 18:06:55
ABSOLUTE 61
ABSOLUTE LOCAL HISTORY
“...Nash had become Prinny’s favourite architect and his plans for a great
swathe of Central London, including his dramatic vision for the layout of Regents Park, were much admired”
work was done. Changes of mind, new ideas; the minutest detail was
examined by the Prince and work done had to be undone. But in the
end it’s there for all to see; the music room, the dining room, there’s
nothing like it anywhere in the world. It’s not a magnificent palace in the
accepted sense. It’s more a fantastical home, full of unexpected treasure,
the chandeliers, the Chinese decorations, the kitchen, the dining room.
I had always assumed that there were other examples of Nash’s work
in Brighton, but when I started researching this article I found, much
to my surprise, that the Pavilion was the only Nash building in the
city. I rather thought that Nash had a hand in Lewes Crescent, but I
was wrong. Thomas Cubitt was the architect and a fine job he made
of that grand seaside development, which had the added attraction
of a train station in Kemptown, just a cab’s ride away from Sussex
Square. When we first came to live in Kemptown, my wife Beth had a
conversation with a man who in his youth had brought passengers from
the station to their houses in Lewes Crescent in his horse-drawn cab.
Nevertheless, while Nash was not directly involved in the Kemptown
developments, nor in Brunswick Square or Palmeira, his imprint on the
style and the line of those squares and crescents is clear.
While John Nash spent much of his time in Brighton, he continued his
major tasks in London including the renovation of Buckingham Palace,
which was to be his undoing. Costs were out of control: a £250,000
scheme exceeded £650,000. Only Prinny could save him, and when
Prinny died in 1830, Nash lost the job. He spent the remainder of his
life in semi-exile in the Isle of Wight. Nevertheless the Pavilion stands
glorious testament to the time when this extraordinary pair caroused
together in Brighton.
Marble Arch
Rear view of Buckingham Palace
office, Nash learnt a great deal, but did not particularly enjoy the
experience. Taylor was what we would nowadays call a workaholic and his
apprentices would be ordered out of bed to start work by 5am.
There is no doubt that Nash felt relief and released when his
apprenticeship with Taylor was completed. He got married immediately
and began living the life of a gentleman and a gambler; he loved parties.
Quickly and inevitably his money ran out. And his wife had run up debts of
some £300 with her milliners, more money than Nash could possibly earn,
so he packed her off to Wales and did his best to divorce her; a difficult
and expensive undertaking in those days. Further disaster followed. Nine
houses he had built on spec remained unsold and in 1783 he was declared
bankrupt.
Nevertheless, Nash picked himself up and by the turn of the 19th century
had established himself in London, where he lived glamorously in a house
he had built in Dover Street, and then weekending in a house on the Isle
of Wight. In a short time Nash had become Prinny’s favourite architect
and his plans for a great swathe of Central London, including his dramatic
vision for the layout of Regents Park, were much admired. Among many
other London schemes, Nash worked on Carlton House, Prinny’s London
residence, All Souls, Langham Place, the Quadrant and Piccadilly. Many
distrusted him but with Prinny’s support and more importantly Prinny’s
money, nothing could stop him. For the next 23 years Nash, living like a
prince, laboured to create the Prince’s Regent’s extravagant visions and
fancies. And of course we in Brighton have the most extraordinary legacy
of that partnership – the Royal Pavilion.
Despite their different stations in life, it is easy to see how Nash and
Prinny became friends; they were indeed birds of a feather. They must have
looked an odd pair, walking around the Royal Pavilion and deciding the
next priority. Nash was a thick, squat figure with round head, snub nose
and little eyes. But, quick-witted, amusing and extravagant he was exactly
the kind of man that Prinny liked to keep company with. Prinny was no oil
painting either. Fat, ponderous, gross even, but a great conversationalist,
and often surprisingly kind and thoughtful. Like Nash he had an eye for
the ladies. Indeed, after the two began working together there was a
strong rumour that Prinny owed a particular debt to Nash. The architect’s
second wife was one of Prinny’s many mistresses, and growing tired of her,
Prinny had been more than grateful when Nash agreed to keep her out of
his way!
As for Brighton Pavilion, Prinny had previously built a villa in Brighton,
designed by Henry Holland. He then decided that his villa should become
a palace. And a palace was exactly what Nash gave him. Taking the
then fashionable Indian style as a starting point, the spectacular Pavilion
eventually became one of the most beautiful (and extraordinary) examples
of Regency style anywhere in England. However, it took an age before the
B0311_060_061 TIM PARKER MAR11.i3 3 23/2/11 18:06:56
How many of us attending a race meeting (or just watching racing on
television) want to own a racehorse? Those that follow the sport in a big way often look in from the outside, wondering what it would be like. It is not just the fun of seeing your horse win, or as is often the case lose, it is the opportunity to see the action fi rst hand at the trainers stables and meet the jockeys. Racing is an expensive business, and being part of a group of owners is the closest you can get to have that important feeling of being more involved in the sport.I recently had the opportunity to attend the fi rst meeting for the 2011 season where members of the Goodwood Racehorse Owners Group (GROG) were introduced to their latest colt - a two-year-old, named Goodwood Atlantis. This is the 18th group of owners. Last year the group had a winner with their horse Goodwood Treasure, who also made a visit to this meeting.The reception attracted 245 members to Goodwood House to meet each other, and see both horses before 120 stayed on for lunch. The weather this time (the meeting having been put off the week before due to snow) was so nice that the welcome speeches were held outside, as both horses were paraded in the background.I asked top trainer John Dunlop (who owns Castle Stables at Arundel) where both horses are trained, and what is involved? “The cost of membership works out at £900 per person which covers the cost of the horse, vet bills, its
training costs, entry fees, travel to races and jockey fees,” he informed me. “Each year I select with an independent bloodstock agent a yearling from the sales and the horse then runs as a two and three year old, before the scheme is wound up and another set up.”“It is not just the racing that attracts membership though,” says racing manager Gail Brown. “Members are taught about the breeding and selection process, and are kept up to date on how their horse is responding to training, learning all about stride and athleticism and building a picture of their contender’s racing chances. It is a fantastic idea, as it enables fans of racing to share the journey from sale ring to racecourse, and hopefully Winners’ Enclosure, and all that it involves. We even manage some overseas visits to see racing.” I could see the enthusiasm of those attending by their response when both horses were paraded in front of them. Their attire was that to be seen at one of the famous Goodwood race days; it was a time to dress to suit the occasion; after all they were now owners!Since it was established in 1994 GROG has an enviable record of winners in its stable. There have been sixteen horses racing in the vivid yellow and red Goodwood livery, ten of them winning and some of them scoring victories on the home ground. At the end of two years the members receive their share of the prize money, and any resale value of the horse.“One horse, Goodwood Starlight, won four times,” Gail informed me. “Twice at Goodwood as well as being placed twice. Another one, Goodwood Maestro, was an 11-1 winner at Goodwood on his debut last year, and two-year-old Goodwood Treasure, who has another year ahead of her,
So you want to own a
Sussex is known for being an equestrian playground for horse lovers and racegoers alike. But how do you go about being an owner of a potential winning racehorse in Sussex?
John Periam investigates
ABSOLUTE RACING
racehorse
From top: Zara Phillips is an accomplished
equestrian. Together with her horse
Toytown, she collected individual and team
gold medals at the 2005 European Eventing
Championship in Blenheim and individual
gold and team silver medals at the 2006 FEI
World Equestrian Games in Germany.
Michael Owen (Liverpool FC and England
footballing hero) owned Treble Heights, a
four-year-old fi lly trained by John Gosden,
who won a listed race at Newmarket.
Manchester United’s ‘Ferguson’ is part owner
of one of the most successful thoroughbred
racehorses of the 21st century, 2,000 Guineas
and Irish 2,000 Guineas winner, Rock of
Gibraltar.
Although the Queen hasn’t enjoyed a
particularly successful record in the
United Kingdom’s most famous races
with her horses, she nevertheless invests
substantially in the Royal Stables, and is
frequently seen at major racing events like
Royal Ascot and the Cheltenham Festival
B0311_062_063 Racehorse.indd 2 24/2/11 13:12:44
has been placed twice as well as scoring a win at Goodwood,” added Gail with yet more enthusiasm.From the start, members are even given a chance to name the season’s new colt. Goodwood Atlantis was chosen by Lesley McGrath and Angela Wormald. It was given a vote of approval by the board ahead of many other names offered. And his history? “He comes from the world’s premier speed line stemming from Mr Prospector, his great grandfather,” trainer John Dunlop informed me. “His shire, Elusive City, has the brilliant sprinter Dayjur as his maternal grandsire; and his own maternal great grandsire Kris was a Champion miler at three and four years of age with victory in Goodwood’s Sussex Stakes and has second place in the 2000 Guineas to his credit.”
While researching for this feature, I could see the immense passion that the members had for racing. Frankly, I was totally out of my depth. I have to admit I have only been to a few race meetings; however I have been to many stables when working with the Arundel Veterinary practice members. “Veterinary support is of the utmost importance to trainers and we have excellent links at Castle Stables with the Arundel team which is just down the road,” said John. “Every day our regular vet calls and keeps his eye on all the horses we have training with us. This can be early morning on the gallops
through to emergency visits late at night, and this is what our owners pay for - it is all part of the service we provide.”Goodwood of course would not be Goodwood without the support of the Duke of Richmond who is a keen racegoer in his own rights. “I have subscribed to the scheme since its inception, entertaining members at Goodwood House,” the Duke explained to me. “It is one of those estates that caters for all aspects of sport, from motor racing (supported in a big way by my son Lord March with the Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival) to the newly improved 18 hole golf course. What is closest to my heart though, is the racecourse, which has become one of the most established racecourses in the UK. By having the GROG scheme it adds a little more excitement when we have racing there.”There is clearly big money to be made for members, and to date, members have received on average more than they have put in. Add to that the enjoyment of seeing your horse race with a group of members that also become you friends, and you end up learning a lot more about a sport that in the past you could only enjoy as a spectator (or should I use the word punter)! “What is even nicer is if your horse wins, you then reap the funds in that go towards owning it; as well as placing a bet on it at race day giving one two bites of the cherry! To me that sounds even better,” said Gail Brown.As I drove out of the Goodwood estate, which also happens to be the largest organic farm in the UK, I took one look back towards Goodwood Atlantis and Goodwood Treasure thinking to myself what a nice life they are going to have. With their new owners, trainer and team behind GROG they can do nothing but win! Perhaps a call to my Bank Manager is in order this time next year?
“To date, members have
received on average
more than they have
put in”
So you want to own a
ABSOLUTE RACING
racehorse
Top left: Goodwood AtlantisFrom Top: 10th Duke and Duchess ofRichmondGail Brown, John Dunlop, Peter Jonesand Peter WillettVet Paul du Preez, MRCVS, advising theracing stable manager at Castle Stables
“What is closest to my heart, is the racecourse (on the Goodwood estate) which
has become one of the most established racecourses in the
UK...”Duke of Richmond
ABSOLUTE 63
B0311_062_063 Racehorse.indd 3 24/2/11 13:12:48
ABSOLUTE TRAVEL
64 ABSOLUTE
Ozzies never fail to surprise you. One minute they’re swigging bottles of Victoria Bitter and ranting about the state of Australian cricket and the next minute they’re hugging trees. I was greeted by
this surreal sight on a luxury expedition cruise along Western Australia’s wild and rugged Kimberley coastline. Our ship, the sleek and streamlined Orion was moored off Raft Point, a spectacular red mountain bluff that plunges into the aquamarine Indian Ocean. Jumping into rubber zodiac landing craft we were eager to explore some of Australia’s fi nest indigenous rock art but as we landed on a beach strewn with colourful semi-precious stones, the Australian passengers were distracted by a cluster of Boab trees. These pot bellied beauties are the much loved symbol of the Kimberley region and make an irresistible photo opportunity. Within minutes the Ozzies, were linking hands and performing group hugs. Little wonder then that they lost the Ashes!A few days earlier I’d arrived in Broome after a gruelling 48 hour fl ight from the UK and walking off the plane I felt as if I’d arrived on another planet. The bright red earth lends an almost Martian quality to the landscape which echoes to the sound of strange warbling from elusive birds. After checking into a stylish jarrah wood suite in the beautiful landscaped gardens of the Pinctada Hotel I was eager to run down to Broome’s legendary Cable Beach to take a dip in the Indian Ocean. My eagerness was tempered when the receptionist told me to ask about the crocs. “They spotted one down there a couple of weeks ago”, she nonchalantly told me.“Ask who”, I thought as I arrived at the semi deserted 22km long dazzling white beach.I spotted a distant group of school kids learning to surf and with the rather evil thought that a small school kid would be a more manageable titbit for a
croc than me. I tiptoed into the waves. All thoughts of crocodiles soon vanished as I fl oated on my back and let the warm ocean breakers wash away the jet leg.Broome is essentially a one-horse town but is full of nostalgic reminders from its golden years as a pearling boom town. Old pearling boats lie moored amongst the mangroves and a delightful outdoor cinema claims to be the world’s oldest and is packed with charming Hollywood memorabilia. Broome still produces some of the fi nest pearls in the world and at Paspaley’s I joined a welcome reception for the Orion Cruise. This sparkling boutique would be more at home on the Champs Elysee than Broome’s dusty High St. As we sipped champagne and nibbled oyster canapés the shop assistants passed around iridescent pink and gold pearls the size of marbles. It’s not exactly easy to juggle canapés and pearls at the same time and an elderly Australian lady had the misfortune to drop a priceless pink pearl straight into her handbag to roars of laughter.Viewing these beautiful pearls eased us into luxury cruise mode but our fi rst sight of the Orion still made a big impression. Graceful and streamlined with her funnel tilted back at a jaunty angle you’d never guess that this 53 room mega yacht has a reinforced hull designed to withstand the toughest Antarctic seas. On board, the decor oozes homely elegance. I especially liked the wood panelled library packed with informative nature books and a large
Designer
Explore the magnifi cent wildlife of Australia’sKimberley Coast on a luxury adventure cruise
by Neil GeraghtyThe Orion and Zodiacs
Happy crocodile!
Crocs
B0311_064 to 066 Travel KIMBERLE2 2 22/2/11 17:06:19
ABSOLUTE TRAVE
ABSOLUTE 65
globe on which you can appreciate just how isolated the Kimberley coast is. Settling into my spacious 5th fl oor suite, with my feet up on the balcony enjoying a sublime Indian Ocean sunset, my phone reception fi zzled out and I settled down to 10 glorious days of mobile free cruising.Early the next morning, still jet lagged, I was up before dawn and on the windswept prow of the ship ran into a couple of early morning power walkers.“See the whales” they pointed as they breezed past me. In the far distance I could just see jets of spray shooting up on the horizon. The captain had spotted them too and slowing the engine down to a purr he began nudging the ship slowly towards them. At 7.30 he made an announcement over the tannoy system and within minutes the deck was full of passengers in dressing gowns clutching thousands of dollars worth of camcorders. The Kimberley is one of the prime breeding grounds of humpbacks which are the most acrobatic of all the whales. Right on cue they began breaching and fl apping their giant fl ippers at the approaching ship and to gasps of astonishment glided within metres of the Orion’s prow. This exhilarating introduction to the Kimberley’s wildlife was straight out of David Attenborough’s The Blue Planet and there was a real buzz of excitement as we strolled to the stern of the ship to replay our cams over a breezy outdoor breakfast. Later in the morning the excitement mounted as we donned life jackets, jumped into the zodiacs and sped off over the choppy waves to explore the prehistoric cliffs and isolated bays of this magnifi cent coastline. At the sinister sounding Crocodile Creek we were greeted by the unexpected sight of our charming Filipino waiters wearing yellow sombreros and strumming guitars. They’d set up a margarita bar next to an idyllic waterfall that was cascading over burnished rocks into an opalescent pool.
The temperature was well over 30C and the cool water felt sublime. Clutching a margarita with a refreshing waterfall pummelling my shoulders I couldn’t help thinking that this was the most civilized way to explore the harsh Australian Outback.A couple of days later at Raft Point we tore ourselves away from the photogenic Boabs to trek up to the sacred caves of the local Wororra people. Harry Christensen one of Orion’s infectiously enthuiastic guides lead us up the hillside and leapt around barefoot pointing out towering termite mounds and scarlet Kimberley rose trees that dot the exotic landscape. At the foot of the caves he paused to ask permission from the spirits before entering the caves. Above us, ancient frescoes of bulbous headed wandjinas (ancestral spirits), dugongs and turtles swirled over the cave walls. The wandjinas bear an uncanny resemblance to ET and Raft Point has long been a favourite location for Alien visitation conspiracy theorists. With magnifi cent views over the sparkling Timor Sea, the caves were as spiritually uplifting as the most picturesque Greek Temple.Leaving Raft Point we headed off for some more close encounters with spectacular wildlife. The Kimberley has the second highest tidal range in the world and at Montgomery Reef the swiftly ebbing tide traps vast quantities of water inside the circular reef which spills over the coral in shimmering horizontal waterfalls. Thousands of fi sh get trapped and become fast food
Designer
Humpback whale
Raft Point
“I was up before dawn and on the windswept prow of the
ship ran into a couple of early morning power walkers.
“See the whales” they pointedas they breezed past me. In the
far distance I could just see jets of spray shooting upon the horizon.“
Crocs
B0311_064 to 066 Travel KIMBERLE3 3 22/2/11 17:06:32
ABSOLUTE FOOD
for myriads of birds. As our zodiacs approached the waterfalls snowy white egrets were hopping along the coral in an intricate ballet, stabbing at the fl oundering fi sh. What the birds miss the turtles snap up. Below us, green turtles were fl itting around and every so often would surface for air in the most fl eeting of photo opportunities. In a bizarre twist our ever obliging bar staff had set up a bar on a sand shoal and handed us glasses of rum punch as we sailed past in the shark infested waters.At Hunter Creek we entered classic Crocodile Dundee country. It was high tide and there was an eerie silence as our zodiacs glided through the mangrove tree tops. We felt distinctly ill at ease knowing that giant crocs were lurking below us in the murky depths. After all, surely a crocodile’s razor sharp teeth would make short work of a rubber zodiac? The only thing stirring was a russet coloured Brahminy kite that swooped low over our heads out of curiosity. After an hour or so we gave up and headed back to the Orion. At the mouth of the river a sharp eyed passenger spotted a young croc basking lazily in the sunshine on a small rock. As we edged to within metres of the rock the yellow eyed croc stared at us with demonic suspicion but decided we were harmless. Nevertheless I kept my camera at a safe distance in case my last photo became a real life snappy snap.At The King George River we reached the most beautiful stretch of the Kimberley coastline. This dramatic sea inlet stretches 12km inland and is fl anked by copper coloured cliffs that rise over 100m and resemble giant crumbling fl ake bars. In the jade green water stingrays were gliding around while high above us sea eagles were circling on the thermals. At the head of the inlet the dry season had reduced the normally roaring King George waterfalls to a mere trickle. A few hardy passengers including several octogenarians opted to hike up to the crest of the waterfall where pouring with sweat we jumped into pools on the dried up riverbed. It was an arduous climb and I was full of admiration at the intrepid OAPs. We were greeted by a round of applause when we reached the bottom again and as we sailed into the shadow of the cliffs we stumbled across our ever thoughtful bar staff who handed us glasses of champagne to congratulate us. In a neighbouring zodiac Harry scooped up a giant pink jellyfi sh and began telling us about its fascinating biology. It was a surreal scene sipping champagne while staring at a blancmange sized pink jellyfi sh and seemed to conjure up perfectly the blend of luxury and surprising adventure that is the hallmark of an Orion cruise.
Audley Travel specializes in tailor made holidays and cruises to Australia and beyond. Prices for the 10 night Orion Kimberley Expedition cruise including economy class fl ights and two people sharing an ocean view stateroom start from £6995 per person. For further information please call one of Audley’s specialists on 01993 838 810. www.audleytravel.comFor more information on Western Australia please visitwww.westernaustralia.com
holidays and cruises to Australia and beyond. Prices for the 10 night Orion Kimberley Expedition cruise including economy class fl ights and two people sharing an ocean view stateroom start from £6995 per person. For further information please call one of Audley’s specialists on 01993 838 810. www.audleytravel.comFor more information on Western Australia please visitwww.westernaustralia.com
“At Hunter Creek we entered classic
Crocodile Dundee country.”
Short-eared rock wallaby
Jabiru
“Clutching a margarita with a
refreshing waterfall pummelling
my shoulders I couldn’t help
thinking that this was the most civilized way
to explore the harsh Australian
Outback.”
66 ABSOLUTE
B0311_064 to 066 Travel KIMBERLE4 4 22/2/11 17:06:42
ABSOLUTE CHARITY EVENT
The Martlets is appealing for local women to get involved and
enjoy a night to remember at their Midnight Walk on Friday 17th
June 2011. A 13 mile women only sponsored walk, the Midnight Walk
raises vital funds for the Martlets Hospice. To enter, women can visit
the Martlets website www.themartletshospice.co.uk, pick up a form
from any of the Martlets Shops or call the Fundraising Department
on 01273 747455. Entry is £12 and walkers are asked to raise as
much sponsorship as possible.
“It’s absolutely not about how quickly you can finish the walk, this
isn’t a race.” explained Antonia Sheperd, who organises the Midnight
Walk. “For most Midnight Walkers it’s all about dressing up and
spending a night walking through Brighton with friends. It’s a girl’s
night out really, supporting a local charity. A lot of the women who
take part in the Midnight Walk are doing it in memory of someone
who has passed away. Others may not have used the Hospice
services themselves. However, the walk can be an important way of
supporting friends who’ve lost someone.”
A regular Midnight Walker, Donna James said “It’s such a buzz when
you finish and know that you have done something to help such a
great place. The people that need the Martlets are coming to the end
of their lives and it’s only right that I give just one night a year to help
out. And it’s the only place I can think of that you can have a girls
night out, have breakfast, get fit, have a good laugh and do your bit
for a great charity for the grand price of £12!”
Martlets Hospice calls for local ladies to enter their Midnight Walk
Come walking ladies!
fantastic early booking savings
Highlights summer 2011
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Canary Islands.........SAVE £196
Italy...............................SAVE £161
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goring 334 Goring Road (01903) 241221HASSoCKS 11 Keymer Road (01273) 844848rUSTingTon 18-20 Ash Lane (01903) 856981
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Call our team today to fi nd out what we can do to increase your business, and at the same time build a relationship with the City’s longest established and
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...then let US take YOU there
B0311_067 Midnight walk.indd 1 24/2/11 17:06:52
68 ABSOLUTE
In The Wake is the stunning new album from supremely talented singer-songwriter Al Lewis,
from north Wales. It garnered a clutch of great reviews and enthusiastic radio coverage when it was released via Al’s website last October. On 14th March the album will be offi cially released, and Al is now undertaking a Caffè Nero tour of the UK.He performs at Caffè Nero, 89A Church Rd, Hove on Friday 11th March at 4pm. With a sound that echoes the classic song writing of the 1970s (Tim Buckley, James Taylor), but delivered with a modern twist, Al Lewis has been making a big impression on London’s acoustic music circuit over the last 18 months. The second Al starts to sing there is a noticeable drop in audience hum and hubbub, as they stop to listen to his beautiful voice and captivating, melodic songs. www.allewismusic.com
ABSOLUTE WHATS ON
Jazz singer Alyson Green will be performing with her trio at the Ropetackle Arts Centre,
Shoreham, early this month. She has gained recognition for her sensitive and unique interpretation of some of the great Jazz classics.Alyson launches her 2011 UK tour at Ropetackle’s Jazz Club, where she will be joined by some of the UK’s fi nest jazz musicians in a programme that promises to contain her own distinctive versions of some of the great standards, showcasing songwriters new and old, with some great jazz interpretations of the works of Kate Bush, Oasis and Stevie Wonder, through to jazz classics from the likes of Gershwin - something here for all lovers of good music.
Alyson Green and her bandRopetackle Arts Centre, ShorehamThursday 3rd March8.30pm (doors open 7.45)Tickets: £10 www.ropetacklecentre.co.ukwww.alysongreen.co.uk
A troupe of four Brighton-based actors went homeless in Gatwick recently as part of their
research for a new play. Meanwhile their artistic director has been seeking out an old friend to fi nd out what happened after he was jailed when forced to live at the airport for real.Gatwick’s two terminals cover nearly 200,000 square metres between them while its 25,000 employees play host to some 31 million passengers per year. Yet within this 24-hour, constantly shifting community, there is a small minority who are neither staff nor passenger. Homeless and jobless, drawn to the warmth and shelter of the airport, they are part of a global phenomenon.
Partly inspired by the tale of Anthony Delaney, Gatwick’s own ‘Terminal Man’, who spent three years eating, sleeping and avoiding the security guards, the cast of Chronicle Theatre’s debut production have all lived rough in the terminals in order to prepare for the play. Their responses and experiences, along with the interviews they have gathered, form the basis of the play.No Particular Place To GoThe Lectern Public House (upstairs)5 Pelham Terrace, Lewes Road, BrightonMarch 30th - 2nd April8.30pm (doors open 7.45)
Tickets: £5
ALYSONGREEN
Jazz at the Ropetackle
Al atthe Caffe!
Chronicle Theatre Company’s Terminal Man
X Factor in Brighton
Every year X Factor becomes the talking point of a nation and once again fans will be able to
see all their favourite acts from this years series as they arrive at The Brighton Centre this month. This year’s performers will include Aiden, Paije and Matt, One Direction will be live and kicking, while Mary and Wagner will be showing the whippersnappers how it’s done and Katie, Rebecca and Cher will be bringing a touch of girly glamour to the proceedings.X Factor arrive at The Brighton Centreon 15th March.www.ticketmaster.co.uk
B0311_068 WHATS ON MAR 11.indd 1 24/2/11 16:59:22
Harwoods of Sussex, Pulborough, was the venue for the launch of the fabulous new Bentley Continental GT
recently.One hundred invited guests enjoyed the beautifully sculptured exterior, which was shown off to great effect with a dramatic light and sound show. The launch of the Continental GT is another key moment in Bentley’s history.Those who attandedd the launch, and selected customers, will have the chance to enjoy a GT Ride and Drive Day this month, at Cowdray Park, where they will get the chance to drive this beautiful new iconic car.
The beauty of BentleyThe new
Bentley Continental GTis launched
ABSOLUTE MOTORING
For further information about the Bentley Contininetal GTplease contact Harwoods on 01798 877213.
Harwoods Bentley Receptionist Sue Stacey, with Paul Laker, Harwoods Bentley Sales Executive
Mr Guy Harwood (right), chats to guests at the launch
ABSOLUTE 69
B0311_069 Harwoods Bentley.indd 1 24/2/11 12:49:37
LIMITED IN NUMBER. BUT NOT IN APPEAL.
Marking 50 years since the launch of the iconic E-Type Jaguar, the XK Special Edition celebrates a long line of great Jaguar grand tourers. And at £59,900, this limited edition 5.0 litre V8 Coupé highlights another Jaguar tradition: astonishing value.
FROSTS, BRIGHTON270 OLD SHOREHAM ROAD, HOVE BN3 7EG08444 779 968 WWW.FROSTS.BRIGHTON.JAGUAR.CO.UK
OFFICIAL FUEL ECONOMY FIGURES FOR THE XK IN MPG (L/100KM): URBAN 16.5 MPG (17.1); EXTRA URBAN 35.3 MPG (8.0); COMBINED 25.2 MPG (11.2). CO2 EMISSIONS 264 G/KM.*On the Road price is the Manufacturers Retail Price plus Car Tax, First Registration Fee and Delivery Pack.
XK SPECIAL EDITION
59,900*ON THE ROAD.
FROSTS JAGUAR08444 779 968
* Excludes Jaguar warranty. Frosts Cars Lts reserve the right to change/withdraw offers at any time without notice. All details correct at time of press. Please call for more details.
X-TYPE05 ‘55’ X-TYPE 2.0 D S Estate Ebony Black. 54,200 miles ................... £8,49506 ‘06’ X-TYPE 2.2 D SE Jaguar Racing Green. 57,526 miles ............ £9,49506 ‘56’ X-TYPE 2.0 D SE Estate Glacier Blue. 35,386 miles ................ £11,49509 ‘09’ X-TYPE 2.2 D SE Auto Glacier Blue. 11,624 miles ................... £17,49509 ‘09’ X-TYPE 2.2 D Sovereign Chilli Red. 18647 miles..................... £18,99509 ‘09’ X-TYPE 2.2 D SE Estate Chilli Red. 16300 miles ..................... £18,995
XF08 ‘08’ XF 2.7 V6 Diesel Luxury Indigo. 39,103 miles ......................... £22,99508 ‘08’ XF 2.7 V6 Diesel Luxury Midnight Black. 32,940 miles ...... £23,99509 ‘59’ XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Luxury Indigo Blue. 12,835 miles ............... £28,99510 ‘60’ XF 3.0 V6 Luxury Ebony. 908 miles ........................................... £29,99509 ‘59’ XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Luxury Liquid Siler. 11,960 miles ................ £30,99509 ‘59’ XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Luxury Pearl Grey. 5,708 miles ................... £31,49510 ‘10’ XF 3.0V6 Diesel Luxury Polaris White. 16,001 miles ............. £31,49510 ‘60’ XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Luxury Indigo Blue. 4,987 miles ................. £31,99511 ‘60’ XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Luxury Liquid Silver. Miles TBA ................. £33,99510 ‘59’ XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Luxury S Premium Silver. 8792 miles ...... £34,99511 ‘60’ XF 3.0 V6 Diesel Luxury Premium Silver. 26 miles ............... £37,995
XK05 ‘55’ XK 4.2 V8 Coupe British Racing Green. 66,118 miles ............ £21,49510 ‘60’ XK 5.0 V8 Portfolio Coupe Liquid Silver. 26 miles ............. £58,99510 ‘60’ XK 5.0 V8 Portfolio Coupe Stratus Grey. 60 miles ............ £62,995
XJ10 ‘60’ XJ 3.0 V6 Diesel Portfolio Indigo Blue. 285 miles ................ £62,995
10 ‘10’ XF 3.0 V6 DIESEL LUXURY
DIESELAUTOMATIC16,001 MILESPLOARIS WHITE18” ALLOY WHEELSCLIMATE CONTROLRAIN SENSITIVE WIPERSCRUISE CONTROLBLUETOOTH PHONE CONNECTIVITYSATELLITE NAVIGATION
ONLY £31,495
LOTUS *07 ‘07’ Lotus Elise 111 R Storm Titanium. 6,140 miles ......................... £23,99511 ‘60’ Lotus Elise S BASE-STD Solar Yellow. 10 miles .................... £33,99510 ‘60’ Lotus Elise 1.8 SC Quartz Silver. 15 miles ................................ £33,99510 ‘60’ Lotus Exige 240 Tour-STD Aspen White. 1 mile ................. £38,99510 ‘60’ Lotus Exige 240 Tour-STD Star Light Black. 1 mile ............ £39,995
Contact us today for more information or to book a test drive with one of our dedicated sales specialists.
LAND ROVER *
07 ‘57’ Freelander 2 2.2 TD4 XS Black. 31,136 miles ............................. £19,49506 ‘06’ Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6 Blue. 42,671 miles ................................. £20,49508 ‘58’ Freelander 2 2.2 TD4 GS Blue. 11,960 miles ............................. £21,49508 ‘08’ Freelander 2 2.2 TD4 XS Silver. 18,763 miles .......................... £21,99509 ‘59’ Freelander 2 2.2 TD4 GS Black. 7,712 miles ............................. £23,49507 ‘07’ Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6 XS Auto Silver. 35,716 miles ............. £23,99509 ‘58’ Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6 GS Auto Black. 21,495 miles ............. £27,49508 ‘08’ Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6 SE Auto Silver. 36,408 miles ........... £28,99508 ‘08’ Range Rover Sport 2.7 TDV6 SE Black. 16,694 miles .......... £32,49509 ‘09’ Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 HSE Black. 9,832 miles ........ £39,49508 ‘58’ Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 HST Black. 17,401 miles ........ £43,99510 ‘60’ Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Auto Teal. 3,852 miles ............. £49,99510 ‘10’ Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 HSE Grey. 6,482 miles ........ £50,995
,
B0311_070 Jag ad.indd 1 23/2/11 14:31:46
It’s hard to imagine why a Jaguar XK with its 155mph top speed and sub-six second sprint to sixty might not be fast enough - but then people with over £70,000 to spend on a luxury coupe or
convertible live by different rules. Jaguar’s 503bhp supercharged XKR is either an XK with massive performance or a cut-price Aston Martin. Either way, it’s a great car.
BackgroundLet’s kick this off with a benchmark fi gure. Call it 1,910kg. Focus on that number because that’s what was once the benchmark model in the luxury coupe sector weighs. The 383bhp Mercedes SL500 is undoubtedly a fi ne car and it sells well but it had an easy ride for too long. Not any more. Let’s imagine a vehicle with 120bhp more to power it, which is newer, better looking, quicker, around £8,000 more affordable, with a greater sense of occasion, a more special interior and which, crucially, weighs a full 250kg less so is also more agile. You’d have to say that if such a car existed, it would put a crushing move on the Mercedes. The Jaguar XKR is just that car and it’s no surprise that it is decimating sales of all of its direct rivals.
As much fun as the old MK1 XKR was, it was a ludicrously ineffi cient car. Rarely had so little space on the inside been offered by something so big on the outside. It was almost like a reverse TARDIS. The same length as a seven seater Ford Galaxy, the XKR struggled to seat two decently sized adults. The latest car gives you a lot more practicality and a bigger serving of on-road capability as well. It’s also a showcase for some state of the art vehicle engineering.
The Jaguar XKR Experience Let’s start with the engine. It’s now a direct injection 5.0-litre V8 unit complete with supercharger and now it’s good for a crushing 503bhp. This is a highly advanced piece of metal work on Jaguar’s part with its aluminium construction, independent variable cam timing and spray guided direct injection. Jaguar quotes a sprint to 60mph of just 4.6 seconds with the 50-70mph increment dispatched in a vanishing 1.9seconds. An electronic limiter intervenes softly at 155mph, fast enough for most of us. Without the limiter, Jaguar insiders reckon that over three miles a minute are possible given the car’s slippery aerodynamics and leggy gearing. The Convertible model is 50kg
For too long British sports coupes came with a list of caveats as long as your arm. However, the Jaguar’s XKR needs no excuses, says Andy Enright
Smooth Operator
ABSOLUTE MOTORING
ABSOLUTE 71
B0311_071 to 073 Motors Jaguar.i1 1 23/2/11 18:04:20
heavier than the coupe but retains the same performance fi gures. Beneath the skin, the latest models benefi t from ADC Active Differential Control which works to apportion drive to the wheels that can best deploy it.
In-Your-Face DesignThe latest XKR gets an even more aggressive front end and LED indicator lights on its wing mirrors. At the rear, the bumper sits lower and there are LED tail light clusters. It would be tempting to think of this car as an evolution of the old XKR. Tempting but wrong. This latest generation model is built from entirely different stuff. The advanced aluminium construction and massively superior technology embodied in the latest XKR raise its game enormously. There’s also a welcome injection of practicality to the XKR. The high hipline remains, but Jaguar has worked at making the interior feel a good deal airier, with a low scuttle and clever use of colour combinations. The wheelbase has increased by 162mm, and rear occupants will notice the difference immediately. Up front, there’s way more room around the pedal box and beneath the steering wheel. Gone is the rather mean boot of its predecessor - unforgivable in a car with Grand Touring pretensions - and in its place is a more versatile hatchback arrangement.
Unlike many premium convertibles, the XKR drop top model relies on a fabric roof rather than the voguish folding hard top, but there are valid engineering reasons for doing so. Folding tin tops require a whole host of heavy electric motors to operate and the ethos of the latest XKR is clever design and light weight. XKR-specifi c bits include that more aggressive front bumper with colour keyed fi nish that incorporates tall air intakes on each side, aluminium trimmed side power vents, old-school bonnet louvres and an aluminium trim on the mesh grilles.
CostThe XKR is not a notably inexpensive car to run. Any vehicle with a supercharged V8 engine that displaces 5.0-litres and cranks out 503bhp is going to have a rather immodest appetite for fuel and the XKR can slug it back with the best of ‘em. Jaguar publishes a combined fuel fi gure of 23mpg that seems rather hopeful and that fi gure will take a sharp nosedive if your right boot gives the supercharger something to chew on. The insurance rating is, rather predictably, a top of the shop Group 20.Depreciation is an area where the XKR more than hold its own. The Convertible will hold a full 52 per cent of its new
ABSOLUTE MOTORING
72 ABSOLUTE
B0311_071 to 073 Motors Jaguar.i2 2 23/2/11 18:04:25
price after three years. If you want a BMW 6 Series drop top with more power, you’ll need to shell out for the M6 and be prepared to see 40 per cent of your investment back after three years. Ouch. The Jaguar even manages to pip the Mercedes SL500 when it comes to retained value which is no mean feat. As good as the Jaguar XKR is, and it’s a very well executed GT car, one has to wonder whether it’s worth £6,000 over the price of a standard Jaguar XK. Yes, that £6,000 does buy you 125bhp extra, which is no small beer, but it also raises expectations as to the XKR’s worth as a sports car. It’s well finished, very capable, resolutely modern and now features excellent build and reliability. Years ago, a Jaguar of this all-round excellence would have been unthinkable. The achievements of the marque nowadays provokes harsher scrutiny but even under the most critical examination, the XKR is tough to fault.
ABSOLUTE MOTORING
“Jaguar’s 503bhp supercharged XKR is either an XK with massive performance or a cut-price Aston Martin”
ABSOLUTE 73
Jaguar XKR
Minimum price: £77,900 (5.0 Coupe 2dr) Maximum price: £83,900 (5.0 Convertible 2dr)0-60 mph: 4.6 secondsMax speed: 155 mphWarranty: 3 yearsService int. : 15,000 miles
B0311_071 to 073 Motors Jaguar.i3 3 23/2/11 18:04:27
74 ABSOLUTE
These are some of the many places where you can pick up your copy ofAbsolute Brighton
BRIGHTONJury’s Inn HotelStudio 27, Queens Road Parsons, Son and Basley, Queens RoadStarbucks, Churchill Square Moksha Café, 4/5 York Place, Jimmy Chop Chop, Trafalgar StreetThe Laines Deli, 31 Trafalgar StreetEasy News, 29 Trafalgar StreetThe Point Hairdressers, Trafalgar StreetRosalins Hair and Beauty Salon,78 Trafalgar StFired Earth, Prince Albert StreetGars, 19 Prince Albert StreetAmbience Gallery, Meeting House LaneKellerwood, 12d Meeting House LaneJeremy Hoye, 22a Ship Street Brighton Beautique, 14 Ship St She Said, Ship Street Gardens Reiss Clothing, East StreetToni & Guy, 68 East StreetChampneys, 24 East StreetMadame Geisha, East StreetRegent ArcadeArt at Five, BartholomewsKaren Millen, Nile StreetVelvet, Bond StreetArt @ Tailor Made, 3 Brighton Square Solutions inc, Hannington Quarter, Donatellos, 1-3 Brighton SquareFratellis, 20 Brighton SquareStarbucks, Market SquareElite dressmakers, The LanesBrowns, Duke Street Powder, 5a Duke StLook Fantastic, Duke Street Havana Restaurant, 32 Duke StreetHotel Du Vin, 2-6 Ship Street Electric, 18 Ship Street Leone Clare, Upper North StreetSabai Thai Restaurant. 165-169 Princes Place, North StreetJuice FM, North StreetAll Bar One, Pavilion BuildingsDome Box Offi ce, New RoadTreatment Rooms, 21 New RoadOkinami Restaurant, New RoadShine Hairdressers, Gloucester RoadMidnight Communications, Foundry StPriory Partnership, Frederick PlaceTower Point, North RoadWagamamas, North RoadMyhotel, 17 Jubilee SquareSkin Clinics, Jubilee SquareLA Fitness, North RoadO-zone, 21 – 23 Church StreetAruna Newsagents, 55 Gardner StreetAIB Bank, Marlborough PlaceGraves Jenkins, 26 Marlborough PlaceHealys Solicitors, 8 Old Steine Venus Hairdresser, Old SteineTerraces, Madeira DriveCaffyns showroom, Preston Road,
Wynne Baxter, 15-19 Dyke Road Blenios, Seven DialsUden Estate Agents, Seven DialsJohn Hoole Estate Agents, 214 Dyke RdDyke Golf Club, Devil’s Dyke, Dyke RoadThe Clinic Chiropractors,34 Dyke Road AvenueAlbion Hotel, King’s Road ParadeBrighton Centre, Kings Road Brighton Metropole, Kings RoadCavendish House, Kings RoadThe Grand, Kings Road The Thistle Hotel, Bartholomews Old Ship Hotel, Kings RoadHoliday Inn, 137 Kings Rd,Kings Hotel, 139-141 Kings RoadMarina West Hotel, 26 Oriental PlaceBrighton House Hotel, 52 Regency SqPelirocco Hotel, 10 Regency SquareHotel Una, 55 Regency SquareBrighton Racecourse, Freshfi eld Road
KEMPTOWNSeaspray Hotel, 25 New SteineThe Square Hotel, 4 New SteineNew Steine Hotel, 12a New SteineNew Madeira Hotel, Marine ParadeDrakes Hotel, 44 Marine ParadeBrighton Laser Clinic, Marine Parade Sun Qube 66 St George’s RoadSpruce, 11 George Street Gin Gin Restaurant, 74 St James StreetForde Hairdressers, 88 St James StreetTop to Toe, 46 Upper St James StreetFour Seasons, 3 Upper Rock GardensAlvia Hotel, 36 Upper Rock Gardens
BRIGHTON MARINAKarma, Waterfront Seatle Hotel, WaterfrontRendezvous CasinoDavid Lloyd, MarinaWalk of Fame Café, Waterfront Neilson, Locksview ASDA (Petrol station)Marina Dental Care, Marina Square
HOVESkerritts, 23 Coleridge StreetTranquility in the City, 12 Boundary Rd Eaton Road Dental Practise, Eaton RdThe Cricketers, Hove Cricket GroundTai Hair and Beauty, 7 Blatchington Rd Robbies Car Wash, Hove StationToast of Brighton, 40 Church RoadLa Fourchette, 42 Church RoadTingleys, 46 Church RoadCallaways Estate Agents, 59 Church RdFabulous Floors, 67 Church RoadHarry’s, Church RoadAlpha Contracts, 51–53 Church RoadHavana Spoon, 70-72 Church RoadMishon Welton Estates, 94 Church Rd
Waves, 99 Church RoadProperty Moves, 109 Church RoadHove Family Dental Practice,11 New Church RoadMisty’s, 116 Church RoadCoffee Republic, 57 Church RoadMishon Mackay, 170 Church Road Clinic Nine, 212 Church RoadLansdowne Place Hotel, Lansdowne PlArscotts, 54 Lansdowne PlaceCaffé Nero, The Drive Starbucks, Western Road Brighton White, 2 Hampton PlaceDesign Interiors, 56 Western Road Beauty Secrets, 65 Western RoadHove Kitchen, Western RoadCaffe Nero, 208 Western RoadCoffee Republic, 55 Western Road Spektra Hairdressing, 69 Western Road, Intoto Kitchens, 119/120 Western RoadNail Studio, 1 Brunswick RdBrunswick Pub, Brunswick RoadGK UNA hair salon, 19 Upper Market StTin Drum, Second Ave Le Lion D’or, George Street The Hair and Nail Loft, George StreetDiamond Nails, George StreetMurray Media, 1 Blatchington Road Babylon Lounge, Western EsplanadeThe Lawns Café, Hove Lawns, KingswayHove Practice, 28 Wilbury RoadGym and Tonic, 42 Queen Victoria Road
PORTSLADETooth Smart, 137 Portland Road, HoveHeart FM, Franklin Road, PortsladeRivervale cars (Mazda), Victoria RdCaffyns Volvo, Victoria Road, PortsladeHair and Beauty Lounge, Portland RoadWestbourne Motors, 270 Portland RoadTJ Signs, Portland Business Park
SHOREHAM/LANCING SOUTHWICKFrosts Cars, Brighton Road, ShorehamGlam, 14a High Street, ShorehamStephanie Reed, 80 High StreetCrown and Anchor, High St, ShorehamIdentity Hair Salon, High St, ShorehamShowtec, High St, ShorehamThe Smile Studio, East St, ShorehamHair and Nail lounge, 30 East Street, Crop Shop, 7 St Mary’s Road, Shoreham The Holmbush shopping centre Shoreham AirportStyle and Silver, Bank House,Southwick Square
WORTHINGBryce’s Seafood, The SteineThe Fish Factory, BrightonSofa, Marine ParadeCasa Ciro, Marine Parade
Richard John Hair, 2 - 4 Royal ArcadeSplash FM, Guildbourne CentreShaun Slater Gould, Ann Street Liming Restaurant, 13/15 New StreetFood Restaurant, New Street Euphoric. 17 Chandos Road Burlington Hotel, Marine Parade (Gio’s)Tangerine Bar, Marine ParadeCaffyns Plc, Goring Rd, GoringMontage, 29 Brighton Road
BURGESS HILLPorsche Mid-Sussex, York RoadBurgess Hill Girls School, Keymer Road
LEWESLewes District Council, Southover House, Southover RdChalk Gallery, 4 North StreetGorringes, 15 North StreetGorringes, Market StreetLewes Estates, High Street The Crown Inn, 191 High StreetSeasons Of Lewes, 199 High StreetArtisan, 197 High StreetCubitt & West, 209 High StreetWycherley Estate Agents, 56 High StreetCheese Please, 46 High StreetBone, 36 High StreetWhite Hart Hotel, High StreetPelham House Hotel, High StreetWynne Baxter, 221 High StreetShelleys Hotel, High StreetDome Hairdressing, High StreetLaportes, 1 Lansdowne PlaceEsquire, 3 Lansdowne PlaceEquilibrium Health Centre, 16 Station St Avant Garde, 28 High StreetOyster lingerie, 5 North Court Dorset pub, 22 Malling St
OTHER AREASHarwoods, London Road, PulboroughPolka Dot, HurstpierpointSouth Lodge Hotel, Lower BeedingThe Royal Oak, PoyningsTottington Manor, Edburton, Henfi eldNK Hair, Brick Lane Henfi eldRichwards Estate Agents, Henfi eldWhite Mischief Weddings, Henfi eldGhyll Manor, High St, RusperRipples Bathrooms, Keymer Rd, HassocksShepherd and Dog, FulkingWhite Horse Hotel, RottingdeanBright on Beauty, Rottingdean Angels n’ Saints, RottingdeanBuxted Park, Uckfi eld Baloos, WoodmancoteThe Ginger Fox, Woodmancote Cowdray Park, Cowdray, MidhurstCherrywood Events, Stanmer House
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE MANY PLACES YOU CAN PICK UP YOUR FREE COPY
EACH MONTH, ABSOLUTE BRIGHTON WILL BE DELIVERED TO SELECTED HOMES IN PRESTIGIOUS AREAS IN AND AROUND THE CITY. THIS MONTH: THE DROVEWAY, WOODLANDS AND BARROWFIELD CLOSE
B0311_074 DISTRIBUTION.indd 1 24/2/11 17:00:12
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From classic Colonial to New Cool, Havana brings you a new brasserie, bar
and late night lounge in Hove. Havana Spoon has a new look,
a new French chef with a new menu that builds on the Havana brand
with a glamorous modern twist
SpoonSpoonSpoon
70 - 72 Church Road, Hove. Telephone: 01273 651651
www.havanaspoon.co uk
OPENING 7th MARCH
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