ME AND MY WARDROBE - This is The North Eastclients.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/ne_monthly/pdfs/ne062003.pdf · ME AND MY WARDROBE James Brass JUNE 2003 INTERIORS MOTORING GADGETS BEAUTY

The Northern Echo

The lifestyle magazinefor the North-East

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‘My breastcancer wasa blessing’SLIMMINGThe womenwho lovebeing losers

ME AND MYWARDROBEJames Brass

JUNE 2003

INTERIORS MOTORING GADGETS BEAUTY FASHION

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2 June, 2003 Online: www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk

SHARON GRIFFITHSWhy I love weddingsINTERIORSPeople who live inglass housesSIX OF THE BESTPick of the digital radiosSHOPPINGLuxury gifts onthe InternetGARDENINGPlants for the conservatoryDIYTime to tacklethe roofFASHIONPacking for the holidaysME AND MYWARDROBEJames Brass

BEAUTYBronze medals in theself-tanning gameINTERVIEW‘My breast cancerwas a blessing’SLIMMINGThe women who loveto be losersGADGET MANThe little box of tricksbeneath my TVFOODCelebrated chefcomes homeNE CONNECTIONSTee time at aluxury hotelMOTORINGMotorbikes and themature manCOFFEE TIMECrossword and YourStars

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FRONT COVERJames Brass from TheHouse in Yarm – seeMe and My Wardrobeon page 14

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contents21

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3June, 2003 Online: www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk

�At the bestweddings,

elderly auntssmile indulgently

at boisterous young men...

sharon griffiths

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WHAT’S COOKING?

WONDERFUL occasions, weddings.But maybe they should come with agovernment health warning. I loveweddings – big, small, grand,

casual, terribly traditional or utterly mad. Itotter into my posh shoes, tuck hanky andconfetti into my bag and set out with a beaminggood will to have a jolly time.

It’s hard not to really. Brides almost alwayslook lovely. Grooms almost always lookhandsome. All those people scrubbed up intheir best. Posh outfits, new suits. Generallyfilled with a general air of benevolence towardsthe bridal couple in particular and young lovein general.

Or old love. Some of the best weddings arethose of seriously grown-ups, which are, in away, even more cheering. Either because theyare a triumph of hope over experience, orbecause people have been so happy in onemarriage that they think it’s worth a shot atanother. When you see a groom in his 60sdancing with his bride’s eight-year-old grand-daughter, and both of them delighting in theexperience, then it’s hard not to feel that theworld’s a pretty good place really.

Weddings have become big business, majorproductions, often costing an amazing amountof money. So the least we can do is enjoy them.But they are almost bound to be interesting.And, in an increasingly cynical world, theyalways – well, usually – are suffused with thissplendidly soppy and sentimental atmospherewhich we all need occasionally.

Not to mention an air of relief – whenparents of brides and groom realise that, yes,it’s actually happening, that the major playershave turned up and no one’s done a runner orfound just cause and impediment.

The Graduate has a lot to answer for...My two extremes include an incredibly posh

Mayfair Catholic wedding where I had a bizarreconversation with Lord Longford over thechocolate profiteroles.

Seriously disconcerting to meet someone thatfamous and so often caricatured. Especiallyafter a lot of champagne. Like talking to acartoon. He was, I remember, vague butcharming – especially as he was talking to thismad woman with a mouth full of cream andchocolate.

At the other extreme was the weird weddingof a hippy friend – Oxford register office, lentilburgers and candle chanting at an earnestveggie cafe for seriously spaced-out witnesses.

Even so, I thought the groom looked decidedlyodd. Turned out that later that night hedeliberately set fire to the bed with the bride init. Oops.

There are more obvious flasHpoints atweddings, generally involving the bridegroom’sboisterous friends plus bride’s elderly femalerelatives, plus copious amounts of alcohol.

But the great thing is that more often thannot, these rows don’t happen. At the bestweddings, elderly aunts and grannies smileindulgently at boisterous young men, who inturn, should spend at least half an hourdancing attendance on elderly relatives,bringing them drinks, flirting with them andmaking them feel young and daft again.

For – unlike our European neighbours – weare a sadly ageist society and weddings aresome of the few occasions you get a wide rangeof ages and backgrounds forced to socialisetogether. Reassuringly, most times it worksbrilliantly.

Then there are all those outfits to admire...At one grand wedding in the bride’s family’s

private chapel (beat that for one-upmanship),the pews were arranged like choir stalls, facingacross the aisle instead of towards the altar.This meant we could all get a proper view ofeveryone’s outfits. Very satisfying – especiallyas there were some seriously expensive outfitsto look at.

Once – carried away by it all – I fell in lovewith a man I met at a wedding. In the morninghe’d been a stranger in a smart suit andexpensive lemony after shave I’d stood next toin the mass photo. By midnight we weredrifting in a punt swearing undying love foreach other.

Then, the next weekend we met up again.This time there were was no big romanticwedding as a backdrop. Instead of champagneon the lawns of a country house, we weredrinking beer in a dark little pub. His aftershave clashed with the vinegar on the barmeals. We never met again. And although I canremember that smell of lemons, and thepattern on his signet ring, I have long sinceforgotten his name.

Still, I remembered it was a jolly goodwedding. Most weddings are. And if you’re offto one or more this summer – enjoy them.

But it’s best not get ttoo carried away…

� Don’t miss Sharon Griffiths in TheNorthern Echo every Wednesday and Friday

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interiors

HOW often do you sit in thegarden in bright sunshine, butwith a chilly wind rattling thenewspapers and cooling yourcup of tea? How frequently is analfresco lunch ruined by

plunging air temperatures, or worse, a suddendownpour?

Yes, the English summer is here again in allits glorious uncertainty. But as countlesshouseholders have discovered, instead of goingout into the garden, you can bring the gardeninto the house by building a conservatory.

Conservatories started off much likeexpensive greenhouses, full of plants and naffcane furniture, but conservatory living hascome of age, and these days a conservatory ismuch more likely to be built as a de factoextension to a kitchen or sitting room, a spaceto sit, play, eat and entertain in all year round.Whereas a conventional extension can make ahouse gloomy, these airy glass rooms let thelight flood in, and modern ventilation andblind systems have put paid to the oven-liketemperatures that used to plague earlymodels.

The Barlow family in Barnard Castle have ahuge, south-facing conservatory adjoiningtheir kitchen and overlooking the garden. Itwas built by Darlington-based Amdega, one ofthe best known names in the conservatorybusiness. “The conservatory had been added

by the previous owners, and I must admit Iwas worried that it would be far too hot in thesummer,” says mother-of-two ChristineBarlow. “In fact, it’s absolutely fine, the blindsand ventilation work really well.”

Although a fairly major project in itself,adding a conservatory is actually a relativelysimple way to enlarge the living space in yourhouse without the hassle of a full blown brick-built extension. The room that is created isusually much more attractive, too.

Kate and Andrew Bell built a stunningconservatory onto the kitchen in their prettyStaindrop house last summer (the house isnow for sale through Smiths Gore EstateAgents).

“We can’t imagine how we managed withoutit,” says Kate. “It’s a fantastic space for us as afamily and when friends come, I can chat tothem while I cook. The kids can wander in andout of the garden and at night we can dineunder the stars without freezing to death.”

If you are thinking of taking the plunge andbuilding a conservatory, there are someimportant issues to consider. One, obviously, iswhere to build it, and the direction it will face.Are there overhanging trees that might needto be removed? And try to avoid making theconservatory the only entrance to the back ofthe house or it will end up as a glorified porch.Another is cost. A well-built hardwoodconservatory is not cheap, but it is likely to

People who live in glass houses

Conservatoriesoffer some ofthe mostversatilespace in thehome, givingan opportunityfor a widerange ofdesignapproaches.NICOLATUXWORTHreports

RIGHT ANDCENTRE:Aidan Jackson’sGainfordconservatory

IN ASSOCIATION WITH CHAMELEONMIRRORS


add value to your house. A plastic DIYaffair may not, particularly if it isinappropriate for the age and style of yourhome.

Remember to budget for blinds, heating,flooring and decoration as well as theconservatory itself. A bespoke, hardwoodconservatory can cost anything from£10,000 to £100,000.

If you do decide to go ahead, you areunlikely to regret it. As one estate agenttold me: “I’ve never known anyone moveinto a house and get rid of the conservatory.People love them.”

FROM TOP:In the summermonths, theboundarybetween livingareas inside andoutsidebecomes blurredby anassortment ofpots, tables, andchairs

A conservatorydesigned as alarge familyroom, withcomfortablesofas close to afireplace and aseparate areafor dining. It isbuilt against theoutside of thehouse and theold exterior wallis covered withsienna-colouredlime stucco

The paintedwooden style ofthis countryconservatoryworks well in itslocation,surrounded bytrees

From TheConservatoryBook by PeterMarston(Cassell & Co,£25)

CONSERVATORY DOS AND DON’TSAIDAN Jackson, Amdega’s marketing director, offers thefollowing advice...Do try to use a specialist company to build your conservatory, orask around to find a tried and tested local builder.

Do make sure that your conservatory blends well with theexisting structure of your house. Ffor example, that theconservatory walls are finished in the same way as thehouse, and that the windows are sympathetic to the shape ofthe existing windows.

Do always show your plans to the local authority. Mostconservatories do not need planning permission, but it is muchbetter to be safe than (very) sorry.

Don’t build a conservatory with inadequate ventilation. At thevery least there should be roof ventilation with proper panelsthat open fully.

Don’t rush the planning stage. Make sure you look into differentheating systems, for example. If you opt for radiators rather thanseparate underfloor heating, remember that radiators take up quitea lot of space, and that your system boiler must be able to copewith the extra capacity.

Don’t underestimate the amount of space you need: aconservatory is an expensive investment, and it needs to bea viable living space to make the cost worthwhile.

� We can’t imagine

how we managed

without it... It’s a

fantastic space for us as

a family and when friends

come, I can chat to them

while I cook...

Overleaf: a riverside hideaway


interiors

ROOM WITH A VIEW: Jonnie andGill Usher relax by the river in theirconservatory extension

GOT to keep them talk-ing. There must bemore questions to ask,if not about the conser-vatory, then about any-

thing at all. And all the time thestresses and strains of the day flowaway like the River Tees just feetbeneath the windows.

A flypast of five ducks in perfectformation catches my eye. Treesand shrubs along the banks swaygently in the breeze and small birdsof various varieties flit frombranch to branch. This is a specialplace. It’s not just a conservatory,it’s a hide. If I dare sit here anylonger, encroaching further on thegoodwill of my hosts Gill and Jon-nie Usher, then I may see the foxes,deer and spawning salmon theytalk about so fondly.

More than £13,000 may seem a lotfor a bit of glass, stone and metalbut the effect on the Ushers, count-less family, friends and visitors hasbeen priceless. The 1779 cottage hasgood vibes throughout. It is choco-late box stuff, behind an attractivechurch, by a river in gloriousNorth-East England. It may not begood enough to eat but Turnerthought it was well worth paintingand the back door features in one ofhis works of art.

“We have been here 21 years anddone a lot of work on the house,”says Jonnie, a former lecturer whonow works with polar explorerRobert Swan. “We’ve had the con-servatory about two years, which isjust as well – I don’t think we wouldhave got any work done if we’d hadit any earlier.”

It was the weather that gave theUshers the impetus to build theconservatory on the side of theirlovely home. Gill hails from Kentwhere temperatures are balmy,much warmer than in chilly Coun-ty Durham. “I just could not believethere was no summer,” she says. “Icouldn’t use the garden, I couldn’tsit out, there were no warm springsand we seemed to have the log fireson all year round. Building the con-servatory altered life beyond recog-nition. Now we are out here eightmonths of the year. The fact thatthere is no sun isn’t a problem anymore.”

Jonnie dug his own foundationsfor the 14x12ft room, 3ft down and2ft wide. “It was hard work and hadto be incredibly precise for the con-servatory to fit,” he says. “It costabout £450 but would have costabout £3,000 if I’d had it done, so itwas a big saving.” It then tookabout a week for the professionals

A riverrunsby it

IAN LAMMING visits the house of Usher, where theconstruction of a conservatory with stunning views haschanged the owners’ way of life

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to construct the metal and glass structure.The physical effect was to extend the house

outwards and bring the outdoors in. “It givesdepth to the existing rooms, making them feelmuch larger than they are. It creates a senseof space as well as actual space,” says Jonnie.“It was imperative that the conservatory wasdouble-glazed and it is very rare that it isfreezing in there. It’s actually made thelounge a lot warmer too.”

The psychological impact has been just asmarked. “We spend hours in here every dayjust talking,” says Gill.

“If you go and sit in the living room duringthe day you feel like a slob,” adds Jonnie. “Youfeel you ought to be doing something else soyou don’t spend as much time there. But inthe conservatory it feels like you are partici-pating in the outside and it takes all the guiltaway.”

It’s the same when they have company: theconservatory draws visitors with its specialcharm. “If you have a lot of people comingthrough the house, if they all sit around thefire, you feel responsible for them. But in theconservatory they are responsible for them-selves,” says Gill. “It’s terribly subtle butmakes an enormous difference. Visitors justsit there happily, they are autonomous,whereas elsewhere in the house they look toyou to guide them. They sit there watchingthe birds, the river and any animals that crossthe garden.”

Jonnie adds: “That’s because you feel youare in the garden with bird life going on allaround you. The birds happily make nests inthe tit box up there unfazed by us sittingwatching.”

The flooring continues the indoor/outdoortheme, being made of African slate to com-

plement the shale which underpins the house.But a conscious decision has been taken tomake the conservatory a room, not a green-house, with foliage limited to little more thanone hanging basket in the corner. “A lot ofpeople have theirs festooned with plants andraffia furniture where we have made ours intoanother living room,” says Jonnie.

Positioning is also essential, according toJonnie. Their conservatory faces southeast tosouthwest and gets the sun in the morningand evening. As a result, it doesn’t get too hot,seldom exceeding 80 degrees C, where manyowners have to resort to blinds or find theirconservatories too hot to handle in the summer.

They believe the house was once owned bysomeone who sympathised with the colonial-ists’ struggle against the British during theAmerican War of Independence. There’s a di-amond etching in one of the oldest windowsthat reads: “May every endeavour in the sup-port of liberty be crowned with success.”

Those endeavours now stretch no furtherthan the freedom to relax just feet away fromthe beautiful River Tees. And if I could havethought of any more questions to ask Gill andJonnie, that’s just what I would have liked tohave done.

Pictures: SARAH NICHOLSON

Page 10: My favouriteconservatory plants


AFTER ten years as a stockbroker,Olivier Brizard was becoming tiredof London life. Ten-hour days andtraffic jams were beginning to taketheir toll and he was finding it

harder and harder to spend time with hisfamily. He and his wife Adele decided it wastime to quit the rat race.

Two years on, they’re living a farmhouse inLittle Ouseburn, near York, where they run two

successful Internetbusinesses, selling

wine accessories andluxury gifts.

“When wewere inLondon, wewere achievingfinancially butwe didn’tachieve muchpersonally.We sat downand thoughtverycarefullyabout what

we wanted todo and wedecided wewanted acompletechange,” saysAdele.

Initially, theyplanned to move

to the south ofFrance. Olivier,

who has a lifelongpassion for wine,

hoped to take a

viticulture course, with the aim of setting uphis own vineyard, but, after a two-weekfactfinding trip, they realised it wasn’t whatthey wanted and decided the Internet could bethe key to the lifestyle they wanted.

They chose Yorkshire because Adele hadbeen to boarding school in the Dales and theyhave absolutely no regrets about the move.They love country life, as do their daughters,five-year-old Florence and two-year-old Ophelia.

The couple started Brizard and Co while theywere still in London and spent their first yearin Yorkshire setting up the website. “I go toFrance a lot and I used to find all sorts ofunusual things like decanters and corkscrewsyou can’t buy over here. I thought it would be agood idea to try and sell them. The Internetidea developed from there,” explains Olivier.

Like many of the French, Olivier has alwaysbeen passionate about wine.

“It’s a totally different culture from here.People really appreciate wine. They sit downand talk about it in depth.”

Interestingly, he believes the French tend tobe more limited in their appreciation of wine. Alot just drink the wine from their region oreven vineyard but they are extremelyknowledgeable about that particular wine.They know how the wine has evolved, whetherit’s been affected by the weather. In France,there’s usually only French wine in asupermarket but in Britain, we tend to trymuch more.

Olivier jokes that his job in the City allowedhim to try lots of different wines while takingclients out to lunch but he has travelledextensively, visiting vineyards across the globe.He also hold a diploma from the Wine andSpirit Trust.

Customers can call and benefit from hisknowledge and experience and he also holds

A touch of classOlivier and Adele Brizard gave up their lives in London to start a

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corporate wine tasting events. “I want people totry new things. Very often, they just keepdrinking what they know. It’s like food. InFrance, we give our children everything to tryand if they don’t like it, they don’t like it. Butover here, people limit what their children eat.”

Brizard and Co was followed last year by TheBacchanalian Express, which sells luxury giftsranging from baby bootees to bottles ofchampagne. When you order something, aswell as sending an unusual gift, you can be sureit will be exquisitely wrapped, thanks toAdele’s attention to detail.

After she gave birth to Ophelia, a friend senther a beautiful photograph album but it camein a huge box, wrapped in thick, green craftpaper.

“It just didn’t fit with the album at all. Weput a lot of thought into our packaging becausewe want people to know we take care. That’swhat the business is all about. We wanteverything to be the best possible quality.”

The business has grown steadily and thecouple know they’re going to have to movesomewhere bigger in the near future, but theystill have the flexibility to live their lives theway they want.

“Before, I had to be in the office even if therewas nothing happening,” says Olivier. “If we’renot busy, we can go out and take the childrensomewhere. The beauty of the Internet is thatyou don’t have to be there for the orders tocome in.”

But for all they’re happy with their new life,the decision wasn’t taken lightly. Adele says:“It’s very hard to give up a substantial incomeand change your lifestyle but we have donethings we would never have been able to do ifwe had not set up on our own. It has been ahuge learning curve but very rewarding. Peoplethink about doing something but they neverget round to it for fear of failure. We have beenextremely lucky.”

� You can visit the websites atwww.brizard.co.uk and www.bacexpress.net.

� I go to France a lot and I

used to find all sorts of things

like decanters and corkscrews that

you can’t buy over here...

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WINES TO HAVE WITHYOUR BARBECUE

EVERYONE has their own idea of what a‘real’ barbecue is and, although there aremany variations, most are based on meatgrilled slowly and basted with a piquantsweet sauce. The sauces usually have acommon thread of ketchup, vinegar ormustard and get their sweetness frommolasses, honey, brown sugar or even fruit.Anything with these sauces is a challenge forwine pairings.

When selecting wine for barbecues, thinkBBQ – Big, Bold and Quaffable. Any wine ofthis type should have all three qualities. Theyshould be full-bodied – minimum 13 per centalcohol with plenty of fruit extract – bold andassertive with forward fruit flavour and goodacidity. Finally, they should be quaffable –smooth, delicious and gulpable. Wines forbarbecues should be able to support thesucculence of the meat brought out by theslow cooking and not compete with thepiquancy and sweetness of the sauce.

Here are a few suggestions…Rich sweet red sauce: zinfandelBeef and lamb: hearty reds – cabernetsauvignon, merlot, syrah.Pork (with slight undertones ofsweetness and mild flavours) and mosthams: will take a fruity white, with garlic andherbs added try Chianti Classico.Grilled chicken without an intense sauce:Californian chardonnay. Tomato-based sauces: barbera, with itshigher acidity. Hamburgers: will usually take any red winewhich is not too old or complex. TryBeaujolais.

The Australians are particularly fond ofbarbecues. They recommend BanrockStation Shiraz, Rosetto Promenadecabernet/merlot, Rothbury Estatecabernet/merlot, Tatachilla Grenache/Shiraz.

KEN STEPHENS� Ken Stephens’ wine column appears inThe Northern Echo every Tuesday

win

dow

sho

ppin

g

NOVICE GARDENERSHOW To Garden is a handy, easy-to-folloowguide from John Cushnie, Radio 4’sfavourite Gardener’s Question Timepanellist, for all those first-time or would-begardeners who don’t know where to start,which plants to choose, and what todo with them or when. £12.99 fromWH Smith.

FOR NIPPY NIGHTSSUMMER always evokes feelings ofwarm, sunny days spent in thegarden relaxing and enjoying arefreshing drink. But what happenswhen the sun goes down and thehumidity and heat turn into a nippynight? One solution is to buy apatio heater. The Sunforce PatioHeater, pictured, with tilting head,is £249.99 from Homebase.


gardening

The Northern Echo’s gardening writer, BRIGID PRESS,chooses her favourite conservatory plants

Conservatoryspeaking

STEPHANOTIS FLORIBUNDA(wax flower)FAMED for the beauty andperfume of its large jasmine-like flowers. It is not easilybrought into bloom, as it needsa constant temperature of 18Cand hates draughts. It likes ahumid environment andconstant watering, especiallywhen in full flower.

LITHOPS KARASMONTANA(living stones)PAIRS of swollen fleshy leaves,which are fused together toresemble small pebbles an inchhigh. The only give-away iswhen they throw out whitedaisy-like flowers. They needbright sunlight, but notparticularly hot temperatures.Water sparingly.

BOUGAINVILLEA BUTTIANA(paper flower)MAKES a splendid specimenplant with its large, colourfulflower bracts. They are vigorousclimbers but can be pruned intoshrub or tree-shaped plants.They need plenty of directsunlight, water only when thesoil dries out.

PLANT OF THE MONTH

PEONY (Paeonia officinalis)

A HARDY herbaceous or shrubby perennial plantwhich has long been a favourite in the gardensof Britain. It bears large, ball-shaped bloomsin red, pink and white. The original was the double, deep crimson-flowered bush fromSouthern Europe. It is named after Paion, aphysician of ancient Greece. They thrive insunny borders filled with rich soil, but mustn’tbe planted too deep. They take up to five yearsto establish and flower. Superstition suggests thata peony bush should only be dug up by a dog, never a man, that theseeds ward off evil, and that an uneven number of flowers on a plantforetell of death in the family.

Brigid PressRead Brigid every Saturday in The Northern Echo

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

CLIVIA MINIATA (kaffir lily)STUNNING heads of flame-coloured flowers burst out of a mound of luscious green leaves. They likebright light, but not direct sunlight. The compost should be kept moist at all times. They actually growbetter when confined to small pots.

THE house and, inparticular, theconservatory can providethe right environment inwhich plants from all overthe world can survive.

The range is broad andvery varied, from short-term annuals to jungleorchids, to large leavedevergreens and long-livedsucculents. Some arevery easy to look after,such as desert cacti,which will tolerate bothhot, bright sunshine anddull, cool corners. Othersmay need specialistmanagement.

Light is probably themost crucial factor. Mostneed a clean, bright light,but not the heat that isgenerated from themidday sun through aglass window. Variegatedand flowering plants tendto need a brighter light.

Air generated bycentral heating systemsis usually just too dry.This can be remedied bygrouping plants together,or through a regularmisting routine. It isalways best to water frombeneath, into a shallowtray or saucer, and onlytop this up once all themoisture hasdisappeared.

HOYA CARNOSA (wax plant)A CLIMBING plant which is covered infleshy green foliage and clusters of fragrantwhite flowers. The scent is strongest in theevenings. It needs a bright area, and cantolerate direct sunshine in winter, but notsummer. The plant performs better whenmisted regularly.

ANTHURIUM ANDREANUM (painter’s pallet)ORIGINATING from the tropical rainforestsof South America, they are grown for theirbrilliantly coloured flower spathes(modified leaves) and their ornamentalheart-shaped leaves. They are demandingplants, requiring constant warmth andhumidity. Must be shaded from strong light.

DATURACANDIDA(angelstrumpet)AN exoticclimber withhugependulousflowers andplenty offragrance. Itis usuallygrown as ashrub orsmall treeand canreach eightfeet. Likes awarm, brightlight withmoist soil.


d.i.y

RAINDROPS keep falling on my head –unfortunately, I am still inside myhome. A dodgy roof can spell miseryand a lot of expensive damage, so it

makes very good sense to carry out regularchecks and repairs.

The roof is probably the most importantpart of your house and needs regular lookingafter to maintain its weather-resistance.

It is a good idea to inspect your roof twice ayear. Dealing with problems as they arise canprevent a roof having to be replaced, which isvery expensive and disruptive. Roofs can beweatherproofed using a combination of slates,tiles, shingles, thatch, felt, lead and zinc.

You do not always have to climb a ladder toinspect the roof. Many can be inspected fromoutside using binoculars, and from the insideby taking a look in the loft.

But if you do need to climb onto the roof, bevery careful. Do not walk about on the roofcovering and if you are inspecting a flat roof,use boards to spread your weight. On apitched roof, use a proper roofing ladderwhich hooks over the apex of the roof.

There are several things to look out forwhen checking outside the house. On pitchedroofs check for missing, damaged or misplacedslates or tiles. Always pay special attention tothe edges and to the ridge tiles at the apex ofthe roof. On flat roofs check for blisters andbumps, and for puddles which show that wateris not draining away as it should.

The strips of felt or metal which seal thejoints between roof and wall are calledflashings. Check that they have not lifted orworked loose.

On chimneys, check that chimney pots andthe mortar around their bases – theflaunching – are sound. Also look forcrumbling pointing between the bricks anddamaged or misplaced flashings where thechimney meets the roof.

If you are checking the roof from inside thehouse, look for chinks of daylight, which mayindicate potential leaks.

One of the most important things to look

out for are signs of damp. If you think youmay have a leak, make your inspection whileit is raining if you can. Otherwise look forwater stains on the inside of the roof and onthe roof timbers. Also check for any signs ofrot or woodworm.

Another important aspect of roofs isventilation. In most pitched roofs you shouldbe able to see daylight all around the eaves ofthe roof. If you cannot, the chances are thatyou need better ventilation.

Lastly, check the loft insulation. Make sureit is spread evenly and that it does not coverany electric cables.

If you are nervous about heights, do notattempt to carry out DIY roof repairs yourself.And even if heights don’t bother you and yougo ahead with repairs, never compromise onsafety.

Before you start, move or protect anythingthat could be damaged by something fallingfrom the roof. Keep the area below out ofbounds, especially for children.

A platform tower is much safer to work onthan a ladder and they can be hired at lowcost. If you do use a ladder, make sure it islong enough to extend by at least three rungsabove the edge of the roof, and tie it to a largehook screwed into the fascia board.

If you have a felted roof with a coating ofchippings, try to pick cool weather. When feltis hot, sharp edges on the chippings can easilypuncture it.

Look for slippedor missing tiles

2

Slater’Slater’Slater’sssripperripperripper

WWWedges toedges toedges tolift tileslift tileslift tiles

Regularly checking the condition ofyour roof may well save costlyrepairs later on

1

Fit new tileThe new tile can then be easilyinserted. Once secured in positionremove the wedges

Remove old tileUse a slater’Use a slater’Use a slater’s ripper to removes ripper to removes ripper to removean old damaged tilean old damaged tilean old damaged tile

Also check in the loft forchinks of light, water stainsor signs of infestation

Check the ridge for sags, cracksor missing mortar

To replace damaged tiles

1

ROOF REPAIR

2

QUICK F IX Can I install a smoke detector myself?Yes, all you have to do is screw them intoplace as most are battery operated.

How do I repair a cracked paving stone?Lever it out and set a new slab on a bed ofmortar

by RICHARD SPENCER

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Working for Formula 1, SarahFrench became a professionalglobetrotter. She shares hertravelling tips with Women’sEditor CHRISTEN PEARS

MOST of us find it difficultenough deciding what topack for our summerholidays but SarahFrench used to travel200,000 miles a year.

Working as head of press and PR forBridgestone Motorsport, she visitedFormula 1 racing circuits across the globeand was always required to beimmaculately turned out. So how did shemanage to look stylish without having topay for excess baggage on her flights?

“I’ve always been a traveller. I used totake huge amounts but the more youtravel, the more you realise that most of itisn’t worth taking, especially when youhave to carry your own bags. Now I justtake real basics and try to minimise theweight,” she says.

“My weakness was always shoes. I usedto take lots of pairs to go with differentoutfits but I eventually got that narroweddown to the point where I would take onepair that would have to go witheverything.”

During the racing season, which runsfrom March to October, Sarah was awayevery fortnight, visiting locations asdiverse as Australia, Japan, Brazil, Canadaand the US, as well as just abouteverywhere in Europe.

“It was all a bit crazybut that’s the side ofmy job I reallyenjoyed. It wasn’t achore and I didn’tmind living out of asuitcase.”

Because she wasrepresenting thecompany, Sarah alwayshad to travel in a smartsuit. At the races, she wasrequired to wear uniformbut she also had to attend alot of evening functions.

“It was all pretty formalbut I always avoided takingthings like blouses andshirts because I found theygot really creased.Anything that neededfolding, I didn’t take.

“I buy my suits at Hobbsbecause they’re wool andquite light and they travelreally well. I would get off aplane after 22 hours and stilllook half decent at the otherend. It was amazing.”

The lessons she learned as abusiness traveller serve her wellwhen she heads off on holiday –she’s going to Peru later thismonth – and help her keep herluggage down to a minimum.

It may seem obvious, she says,but you have to tailor yourholiday wardrobe to yourdestination. For example, therewon’t be much call foreveningwear in the middle ofthe Andes.

Sarah never takes her bestclothes on holiday. Apart fromthe risk of your luggage goingmissing in transit, she doesn’tthink they benefit from beingcrammed in a suitcase anddribbled with sun lotion.

“It is nice to take yourfavourite things with you butit’s so easy for them to comeback damaged. It’s just notworth it.”

But one item, which mostof us wouldn’t dream ofpacking, is an essential forSarah – her gym kit.

“I always take a pair oftrainers and some gym gear.A lot of hotels have gymsnow, which is great if you’vegot a spare hour.”

Sarah is now publicrelations manager for RegVardy and although she doessome travelling, it’s mostly in theUK.

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BELOW: turquoisepatchwork bikini top,£8.99, briefs, £8.99,sarong, £12.99, fromNext

HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS

SHELLING OUT: turquoise shell tunic, £25, Evans; flat toe-post mules, £19.99, River Island; lightbrown/gold flash mirror sunglasses, £19.99, www.fostergrant.co.uk

SARAH’S TRAVELLING TIPS

1Take the right luggage: Make sure your case or bag has wheels.Sarah takes a large bag rather than a case. It’s easier to handle

and because it’s soft, you can pack more into it. She also recommendstaking a big piece of hand luggage. If you run out of space in yoursuitcase, you can always fit things in your hand luggage.

2Don’t bother with a coat: Coats are bulky and unless you’re goingsomewhere cold, you’re unlikely to need one. Take a warm woolly

instead. It takes up less room and is more versatile.

3Lots of layers: By layering your clothes, you’re prepared for anychange in weather conditions. Sarah recommends layers when

you’re flying as the temperature on the plane can fluctuate.

4Mix and match: Take plenty of neutral colours and pieces that mixand match. That way, you can create lots of different outfits from

just a few basics.

5No electrical equipment: Don’t bother with a hairdryer. Mosthotels supply them now. Don’t take an iron either. If you take the

right clothes and pack cleverly, you won’t need one.

6Mini sizes: Don’t load your suitcase down with huge bottles ofshampoo. Companies such as Charles Worthington sell special

travel size hair and beauty products.


For someone who’salways been interested inwhat people wear, salesconsultant James Brasslanded the perfect job

W ORKING in a designerstore provides JamesBrass with the perfect opportunity toindulge his passion for labels. The 24-

year-old from Middlesbrough is a sales consultantat The House, the Yarm-based designer clothingand homeware store.

He developed an interest in fashion at an earlyage and had perfected the art of stylish dressing bythe time he was 14 when he used to steal his olderbrother’s designer gear. “I always wanted to workin fashion and working in The House means I canfulfil my designer label obsession,” he says.

How would you describe your look?I don’t really have a look as such; I tend to just throwsomething on.What’s your favourite item of clothing?

�Working in

The House

means I can

fulfil my

designer label

obsession

CLOCKWISEFROM LEFT:

CASUAL: PaulSmith denimjacket, DieselStyleLab pantsand Paul Smithtrainers.

DAYWEAR:Prada jacket,Diesel StyleLabpants, Boss T-shirt and PaulSmith shoes.

SMART: HugoBoss pinstripesuit with shirt,tie, cufflinksand shoes byPaul Smith.

Pictures:MIKE GIBB

My Fake Genius T-shirt.It’s easy to throw on, I feelcomfortable in it and I can wear it with anything.What’s your worst buy?A pair of Wrangler jeans when I was 12! They weredrainpipes – and the height of fashion at the time – butmy older brother thought otherwise and decided totorture me about them.What are your favourite shops?The House and Harvey Nichols in Leeds.What’s the most you’ve ever spent on an item ofclothing?I spent £1,000 on a Comme des Garcons jacket. Do Iregret it? Yes! I only wore it four times then I wore it inthe rain and ruined it. I haven’t worn it since.Which celebrity’s style do you admire most andwhy?Jude Law. He could wear anything and still look stylish.

me and my wardrobe


beauty

NO-ONE wants to be pale andinteresting when the sun comesout. Instead, we want agorgeous, golden glow. But thedangers of sunbathing – from

premature ageing to skin cancer – are welldocumented and there’s also evidence thatthe fake heat of the sunbed can damage theskin.

While many may be doubtful about hownatural a fake glow can look, every year faketan formulations get better and better. In thebad old days, messy creams could often turnyou a streaky orange because they weredifficult to apply. But now it’s easy to fake itconvincingly and there’s a huge range ofproducts to help you do so – from 20-secondprofessional spray treatments to mousses,wipes and gels.

The most effective way to fake a tan is tovisit a salon, where you can have aprofessional spray treatment. Currently ahit with celebrities such as TamzinOuthwaite, Geri Halliwell and Tess Daly, theUV-free tan is over in minutes and you cantidy up and go immediately afterwards.

Try Spray Tan by The Tanning Shop,which contains MagneTan, a revolutionarytechnology that works with the body’smagnetism to ensure no area of the body iscovered twice, guaranteeing a streak-freeand flawless tan. There are three colourlevels – English roses are strongly advised togo for level 1, a 20-second blast of colour,which leaves you a glowing, healthy brown.

A single treatment costs £24.99, takes lessthen ten minutes in total, develops over acouple of hours and lasts for around a week.For stockists, phone (01325) 360900.

New from Australia, is Sun FX tanningsystem. Virtually odourless, it doesn’tcontain alcohol so it’s ideal for sensitiveskin. The treatment uses DHA as a bronzer,a sugar cane extract which is the AmericanFDA’s (Food and Drug Administration) onlyrecommended product for self-tanning. Eachtan is expected to last up to six days. Forstockists around the country, call (01322)290101, and treatments cost from £25 to £35for a full body spray.

If you prefer applying your own self-tanrather than putting your tan into the handsof beauticians, there are several guidelinesto bear in mind for a natural-looking tan.Application is the key to having thatfantastic long-lasting glow.

Pick a self-tanner which matches yournatural skin tone, be it fair, medium or dark.It’s much easier to apply two coats of a palershade than one dark coat, for a strongercolour and bronzed effect.

Before you use a fake tan, make sure youexfoliate well and complete any waxing orshaving that needs to be done. The smootheryour skin is, the more even the tan will be.

If you are applying the product at home,make sure you slather on moisturiser beforeyou apply the lotion as drier areas of theskin will soak up more of the formulation.For best results, allow an hour or twobetween applying body lotions and the self-tanner. Don’t shower, swim or do any form ofexercise that might make you sweat for atleast six hours after application – a streakybody is a bit of a giveaway.

Warm the product in your hands andmassage the self-tanner in, using long

smooth strokes and applying even pressurewith your fingertips. Don’t forget the back ofthe neck, sides of your waist, underarms,inner thighs and backs of knees. Apply morelightly where skin is thickest: elbows, knees,toes and fingers. And be sure to wash yourhands thoroughly after you finish – asotherwise it will leave tell-tale signs.

With so many products to pick from, hereare some of the latest formulations that wetried and tested:

SPRAYSunFX Spray On Tan, £35THIS has the wow factor as in ‘‘Wow, wherehave you been?’’, which is how my friendgreeted me afterwards. The tan is sprayed onby a beauty therapist – the first applicationtakes ten minutes and top-up is two minutes.It is odourless and dries quickly althoughcolour does rub off on light-coloured clothes.I was very happy with the colour, which wasgolden brown rather than orangey andlooked pretty natural.

The Tanning Shop Spray Tan, £24.99AFTER a short explanatory video, you slapon a bit of barrier cream to nails, hands andfeet, then stand in a small cubicle where foursmooth – and cold! – jets spray you front andback. Then you simply rub off the excess,and pop your clothes back on. Despite being

naturally pale-skinned, it left me with anatural-looking healthy, brown glow, andgenuinely has no streaks or flaws at all.Impressively quick, simple and convincing.

Instant Tan, £35AN all-over tan in just six seconds. Simplyundress and step inside the special booth,where you will be sprayed by tanning mist.Available at selected Saks salons, includingDarlington. Call 0845 6005959.

MOUSSEMarks & Spencer Self Tan Foam, £7THIS light liquid immediately turned intofoam upon application, which made it veryeasy to spread. It comes in one universalshade, which made me look slightly bronzedon the first application. For a strongercolour, reapply after two days. My skin wasleft soft and moisturised without any streaksalthough it had a slightly strong fragrance(not recommended before a night out). Itwasn’t messy and was simple to use. Alsoavailable in spray and wipes.

Boots No7 Self Tan Quick Dry Body Mousse,£9.50IT only took a few minutes to apply thislight, foamy formulation and within a fewmore minutes my skin was dry. The subtletan which developed over the next couple ofhours was an even, golden colour that lookedconvincing and was certainly value formoney. One gripe – although I followed theinstructions and washed my hands afterapplication, I obviously didn’t wash themthoroughly enough and ended up withorange palms. Next time I’ll use gloves.

ORGANICFake Bake, £35A NEW organic tan fresh from the States.Favoured by Catherine Zeta Jones, itcontains 37 per cent more tanning agent thanother self tans. Available from Saks salons.

IRECENTLY worked in avery plush five-storeyhouse in Notting Hill,

London. The photo shootfeatured six wealthyladies, one of whom wasTV presenter Tania Bryer.They were organising acharity event. Designerlabels everywhere!

I found myself instinctively using mydesigner range of hair and make-upproducts. I used Touche Eclat by Yves SaintLaurent, £21, to erase the shadows fromunder the eyes instead of the equallyeffective, Lightening Touch, £8, by TheBody Shop. Amplicils Full DimensionVolume Mascara, £15.50 by Lancôme, wasused to create fuller lashes instead ofanother favourite of mine, Great Lash,£4.49 by Maybelline. Luminous SilkFoundation, £25, by Giorgio Armani, is aweightless foundation which was smoothedover the skin to leave a very natural, yet silkyfinish. Translucide, £8.99, by L’Oreal isanother lightweight foundation that leaves aluminous finish.

One product I wouldn’t be without is EightHour Cream, £18, by Elizabeth Arden. It isthe ultimate beauty tasker, protecting theskin and lips moisturising your driest bits.You can even use it to define the ends ofyour hair.

NOT only are clothes designers showingoff their season’s collections but so are

hairdressers. A bit closer to home for me wasa photographic shoot at a studio inNewcastle with photographer Eric Murphy. Iwas producing the shoot and directing themake-up for Toni & Guy’s Darlington andMiddlesborough salons.

The hairstyling reflected the new look –softly textured lengths contrasting with aheavy, blunt fringe, giving a feminine, yetslightly retro look. Two great products thestylists used were Control Freak Serum,which controls hair and gets rid of frizzieswithout product overload, and After Party, asoft, yet non-greasy serum to tame andshine, both by Tigi.

The make-up we applied is a key look thissummer, very feminine and minimal with asheer and shimmery finish. Here are somefavourites to achieve this look: Fresh AirContinuous Moisture Tint, £20, by EsteeLauder, which has an SPF 15. Apply it like amoisturiser to give a hint of colour and ahealthy glow; Touch Tint for eyes, £12, byClinique, a range of soft, glistening eyecreams with a crease-free, cream-to-powderformulation in soft pastel tones, andConvertible Colour by Stila, £23, which candabbed on the apples of your cheeks andyour lips.

If you are like me and end up withunattractive smudged mascara under youreyes when you get a bit hot, try Aqua Lash,£6.50, by Max Factor. This will not budgewhatever the soggy situation, but don’t piletoo much on. Spider eyelashes don’t workwith minimal make-up…�� Allison McKay recently moved back tothe North-East from London, where shewas a cover girl stylist for top magazines.

WIN A MAGICAL MAKEOVEREXPERIENCE – see page 22

Showing some pluckIF you want neat eyebrows, then followthe line of the brow and gently pluck thehairs underneath the brow. Pluckingbetween the brows gets rid of that mono-eyebrow look, but don’t overdo it or elseyou’ll resemble a rather startled bird...

Diary of a make-up artist

Bronze medal performances

The best way ofachieving an enviabletan this summer isnot to bake it but tofake it, saysSHEREEN LOW

SHADY LADY: it’s safer to get your tan before you go on holiday

WE RECOMMEND...CLARINS GEL Easy to apply,non-smelly, non-greasy and

leaves you with a healthy, natural glow,even on pale skin.SAFE TAN The aloe vera formula leavesskin moisturised and golden brown.Sponge applicator helps avoid tannedhands. Only available by mail order orfrom salons. Call 0800 0856960 forstockists. www.freshuk.com/safetan

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

ALLISON McKAY


THERE are two types of people inthis world: drivers and drifters.Drivers know from an early ageexactly what they want to do withtheir lives. They are focused andambitious, never losing sight of

their goals. Drifters have no idea what theywant from life. They often feel unfulfilledand frustrated but don’t know what to doabout it.

Trish Scott was a drifter. After leavingschool, she drifted into secretarial workbecause she thought that was the onlyoption open to her. Although she enjoyedher job, there was a constant nagging feelingat the back of her mind that she wasn’tfulfilling her potential.

She drifted in her private life, too, into herfirst marriage, which failed after five years.For the last 22 years, she has been marriedto her second husband, Peter, and the couplehave a 13-year-old son. Although she hadfound fulfilment at home, she says, she wasstill dissatisfied with her career.

But everything changed in December 2002when she was diagnosed with breast cancerand had to undergo a mastectomy inJanuary this year.

For the first few days, she was in a state ofshock. Her mind turned to worst casescenarios; she wondered whether she wouldsee her son grow up. But gradually, as shelearned more about her condition, she beganto realise the situation wasn’t so grim.

“My experience with breast cancer camecompletely out of the blue but it gave me theopportunity to really think hard about mylife and something incredibly positive came

out of it. I accepted what had happened tome and I found myself putting things intoperspective. I realised I was being givenanother chance,” she says.

“I have grown as a person and I do feeldifferent. I’m still the same Trish but there’sa lot more determination about me and a lotmore focus. I was lucky in that my cancerwas diagnosed and treated so early and thatI had so much support from my family andfriends. I know a lot of women aren’t solucky.”

Trish will have to take tamoxifen, the anti-breast cancer drug, for five years, but doesnot need chemotherapy or radiotherapy, andwhile some women have problems with theirbody image following a mastectomy, Trish isquite comfortable. She is happy to wear aprosthesis rather than undergoreconstructive surgery.

The night she came out of hospital,following her mastectomy, Trish lay in bed,thinking about the future. She was soexcited, she couldn’t sleep and suddenly, itcame to her – she wanted to be a life coach.

“I have no idea where that came from but Iknew immediately it was what I wanted todo. It took a real shock to the system for meto realise that I wasn’t fulfilling mypotential and being a life coach was a wayfor me to help other people do the samewithout having to go through an experiencelike that.”

Sitting in the conservatory of her home inRipon, Trish looks happy and relaxed. Shehas just given up her job as a businessadministrator at Ripon College to start herown life coaching practice.

The excitement she feels at her newventure is bubbling just under the surface.You can see it in her face, hear it in hervoice. It’s a big step but she says she hasabsolutely no doubts.

“I’ve never felt like this about anythingbefore. I believe in it totally, and that is amotivating factor in itself. I am sure therewill be challenges but I know that as long asI remain positive, I can deal with them.”

Initially, she knew very little about lifecoaching but as she recovered from heroperation, she carried out hours of researchand signed up for training with theCoaching Academy, based in Portsmouth.Unlike many life coaching organisations,which started in America, this one wasfounded in the UK and is aimed specificallyat the British market.

Unlike counselling or psychiatry, lifecoaching doesn’t deal with the past butfocuses firmly on the present and the future.By listening to what a client has to say andasking them a series of questions, the coachcan help them understand what is holding

them back and what they can do change thesituation.

As well as home study, Trish has attendeda residential weekend and is now workingtowards accreditation as a professional lifecoach through the Open College Network.As she begins to work with clients, her skillsare constantly evolving and she’s findingher new job immensely rewarding.

“It’s not about you coming up with optionsfor clients, it’s about giving them theframework to explore their options andcome up with the answers for themselves.It’s a wonderful feeling when you getsomeone to that ‘A-ha’ moment, when theysuddenly have that revelation about theirlife.”

Trish’s own moment of revelation, herdiagnosis with cancer, has transformed herlife.

“My days of drifting are over. I now have aclearly defined set of goals and anunshakeable belief in my ability to achievemy real purpose in life. If there was just onepiece of advice I was allowed to give peopleit would be this – don’t wait until an earth-shattering event in your life forces you tomake changes, to start living the life youwant to live. Sit down, right now, and writeout a list of what you want and make aconscious decision to start working towardsachieving those things.

“How you live your life is your choice andyour choice alone – choose to live it well.”� For more information about how lifecoaching can help you to transform yourlife, contact Trish Scott on (01765) 608092or email [email protected]

Being diagnosed with breast cancer was the best thing that couldhave happened to Trish Scott. She talks to CHRISTEN PEARS abouthow her illness changed her life and how she is using her experiencesto help other people change theirs

� I knew immediately it

was what I wanted to

do... It took a real shock

to the system for me to

realise that I wasn’t

fulfilling my potential

TRISH SCOTT: Having cancer made her realise she needed to make changes in her life

�My breastcancerwas a

blessing


slimmimgA suggested three-course mealfrom the Changes team...

COUNTRY BAKEDMUSHROOMS(Serves 4)INGREDIENTS275g/10oz large open cupmushrooms2 garlic clovesFinely grated rind one lemon40g/1½ oz wholemeal breadcrumbs1 tbsp fresh chopped parsleyOne tbsp fresh marjoramSalt and freshly ground pepperFrylight cooking sprayFresh parsley sprigs and lemonwedges for garnish

METHODPreheat oven to 190c/375f or gas markfive. Wash and dry mushrooms. Carefullyremove stalks and chop finely. Crush thegarlic and finely grate the lemon rind,and place in a bowl with mushrooms,breadcrumbs, herbs and 1½ tbsps water.Add the salt and fresh ground pepper totaste and then stir well.Spray the bottom of a shallow ovenproofdish with cooking spray. Arrange themushrooms in a layer in the dish. Dividethe stuffing equally beyond them andspray with Frylight. Bake in the oven for15 minutes. Serve hot, garnished withfresh herbs and lemon wedges.

CHICKEN GOULASH(Serves 4)INGREDIENTS8 boneless chicken thighs2 medium onions1 tbsp paprika1 tsp caraway seeds115g/4oz button mushrooms400g/14oz tin tomatoes½ pint fresh chicken stock (2 stockcubes)Freshly chopped parsley for garnishFylight cooking spray

METHODRemove the skins from the chicken. Heata little Frylight spray in a non-stick fryingpan and add the chicken. Cook over amedium heat for about 15 minutes untilwell-browned on all sides. Meanwhile,peel and roughly chop the onion.Remove the chicken from the frying panand replace with onions, paprika andcaraway seeds. Cook for about threeminutes then add the mushrooms andcook for about two minutes. Add thetomatoes and stock and bring to the boil.Reduce the heat to simmer then addchicken. Cover the pan and simmer for30 to 35 minutes until chicken is tender.Remove the lid and reduce the liquid to asauce consistency by boiling for five toten minutes, stirring frequently. Sprinklewith freshly chopped parsley and serve.

CHOCOLATE ORANGEDELIGHT(Serves 4)Ingredients1 packet chocolate flavour sugar freeAngel Delight2 oranges, peeled and cut into smallpieces and a little grated zest forgarnish1 large tub very low fat fromage frais

METHODPour Angel Delight powder into fromagefrais and mix well. Stir in the orangepieces and serve, garnished with lemonzest.

FIVE years ago, theywere working asconsultants for well-known nationalslimming

organisations but ironically,they were all putting on weight.Today, sisters Mandy Drake andJune MacFarlane, along withLynne Simmons and JulieWoodcock, run Changes, thesuccessful Darlington-basedslimming club.

Formerly known as Slimfit, itis based on a sensible eatingplan that doesn’t involvecalorie counting or weighingfood. It has more than 1,200members attending classesacross the region.

“It got to the stage where itwas embarrassing,” saysMandy. “We had to stand up infront of a class and talk aboutlosing weight but we were allputting it on. It just wasn’tworking so we decided to set upour own group.

“We had a lot of experiencebetween us and we did a lot ofresearch but we started outtrying to find a way that wouldsuit everybody. Some peopleliked to measure portions,others liked to count calories.That lasted for the first yearbut we found that we weregiving people too much choice.

“If people weigh food andcount calories, they can neverbe free of dieting. It becomes anobsession. That’s why we cameup with the Slim for Life plan,which we then replaced withSteps to Success.”

The healthy eating plan hasremained at the heart of theclub since and is based onportion control rather thanrestricting the kind of food youcan eat. It makes it much easierfor someone who is trying tocombine slimming withcooking for a family.

As well as classes around theregion, there is also a postalservice, which is provingextremely popular for thosewho don’t like slimming classesor just don’t have the time.

“We’ve also introduced

slimming from home for thosewho like the group atmospherebut don’t have time. This wayyou can slim with your familyor friends, or you can do it fromwork with your colleagues,”explains Mandy.

One of the most satisfyingthings for the four women isthe recognition they’re gaining.They’ve been on televisionseveral times and have beenfeatured in all the majornational slimming magazines.The key to their success issimple: the healthy eating planactually works.

“People are always lookingfor a quick fix and you can getthat – but the weight goes backon very quickly. We wantpeople to adopt a healthy wayof eating for life. So many ofour members reach their targetweight and stay at their target

weight. You only have to lookat the four of us to see that.”

One of Changes’ manysuccess stories has beenChristine Horner. She joinedthe Shildon class in 1999. Shehad never been small, she says,but the weight had graduallycrept on and she’d tried severalslimming clubs and diets.

“It’s something thathappened over the years. Isuppose you becomecomplacent. You go for a size 14and that feels a bit tight so youget the next size up. In 1999 Igot to a size 22 and I thoughtenough was enough.”

She spotted an advert forSlimfit’s new club opening inShildon and went along with afriend. During the first 18months, she lost just over threestones but it took her untilChristmas 2001 to lose her

target of four stones. She was14 stone 4lbs, but nowfluctuates between 10 stone4lbs and 10 stone 8lbs.

“It’s only an hour a week butI’m not exaggerating when Isay it changed my life. A lot ofpeople want a quick fix. I lost apound a week but they want tolose three or four. You just can’tdo it. I lost my weight graduallyand it’s stayed off.”

She likes the plan becausethere’s no weighing. “Julie andthe others have had theproblem. They know what it’slike and they know what works.They understand what you’regoing through but that meansthey also know all the excusesso there’s no getting away withanything.”

Now 53, she swims and goesto the gym regularly and shesticks to the plan.

“I don’t worry about having atreat if I want one, like a coupleof gin and tonics or a glass ofwine with a meal, but the nextday, I just go back on the plan,and it works.”

� For more information aboutChanges, call (01325) 260060 or(01325) 260044 or visit thewebsite atwww.changes.uk.com

REFLECTION:THE SECRET FOREFFECTIVE LIVINGHOW often do you take time outto ask searching questions. AmI really satisfied in my job?What about my relationships,partner, family, friends? Whatabout my health? How muchtime do I have just for me, forenjoying myself? One of the keys to effectiveliving is to regularly stop andgive your life an MOT. Ask thedifficult questions and find outwhere you need to devote more

time and energy to keep thingsin balance and rolling along. Youcan find the time, things canwait, and the world won’t end.Over the next month take sometime out, have a good look atyour life and ask what could bebetter, what needs attention?You’ll then have a good way ofassessing your life and keepingeverything in balance.

Juliette Lee

� Juliette isavailable atwww.sunflowercoaching.com

LIFE COACH

The women wholove being losers

Darlingtonslimming clubChangescelebrates itsfifthanniversarythis year.CHRISTENPEARS reports

SENSIBLEEATING:

the Changes team–L ynne, Julie,

Mandy and June –celebrate their fifth

� It’s only an hour

a week but I’m

not exaggerating

when I say it

changed my life


gadget man

IHAVE just spent a month watching thefuture of television. It wasn’t a videorecorder and it wasn’t a DVD machine.The little box of tricks nestling beneaththe TV looked like an ordinary Sky digital

receiver but it concealed a rather neat trick.This is a Sky box that can record as well asreceive. It’s called Sky+ and it could well be thething to free you from the menace that is calledthe TV schedule. Sky+ boxes are fitted with ahard drive just like a computer.

And as with a PC they write information tothe hard drive which acts like a storage device –in this case TV pictures. So Sky+ allows you tostore your favourite TV programmes and watchthem at a time that suits you.

If that sounds a bit like a video recorder,think again. Because it uses sophisticatedwriting software the quality of the picturesyour box records is indistinguishable from theoriginal broadcast (when was the last time youcould say that of fuzzy old VHS?).

And as the Sky box has a whopping 40GBhard drive, it can store around 20 hours offootage – a bit more than a four-hour tape.

Impressed? It gets better. Setting the box torecord is so easy a child could do it. Simply callup Sky’s on-screen programme guide, highlightyour programme and press one button. That’sall there is to it.

The box has other tricks up its sleeve. Youcan start watching a programme even before ithas finished recording, you can watch one Skychannel as you record another (the box hastwin tuners) and the trick frame facilities areflawless. And if you fancy archiving some ofyour favourite programmes, the box will switchon and record an entire season then downloadthem to your video or other recording device.

Sky wasn’t the first company to market ahard disk recorder – Tivo got there first acouple of years ago – but it is the first to make areal go of the system. Tivo pulled out of the UKmarket earlier this year, although its electronicprogramme guide service will remain.

In future you’ll be able to buy boxes withlarger hard disks – Tivo could be opened up andretro-fitted with twin hard drives but Sky iskeeping quiet about the innards of its littlebeauty – and combo devices that pair a harddisk with a video or a DVD recorder. JVCalready has a hard disk VHS deck on themarket and Panasonic’s HSR recorder pairs a

disk with a DVD-R burner. About the onlydownside to the Sky system is the extra £10 amonth you have to pay for the electronicprogramme guide, although I expect this tocome down as the system gains market share.

In anticipation of greater demand, Skyrecently signed a deal with Amstrad tomanufacture hard disk boxes in China. TheAmstrad Sky+ box will join the existing line-uptowards the end of the year.

Sky is also planning a new combinedkeyboard and remote control, to be known asthe Sky Navigator. It will be sold as an upgradeoption as part of Sky’s new Accessory Range, aline of 11 Sky Branded products that will soonbe available in more than 3,000 retail outletsacross the UK and Ireland. First shipments ofthe Sky Navigator are scheduled for the secondhalf of the year.

Digital satellite viewers will be able to usethe Sky Navigator in conjunction with allstandard digiboxes as well as Sky+. It willcombine all the existing key functions from thestandard Sky remote control and Sky+ remote,as well as QWERTY and numeric keypadfunctions.

Says Simon Sugar, Amstrad’s commercialdirector: “As BSkyB’s first and longest servingset top box supplier, Amstrad welcomes thisopportunity to become a key BSkyB supplier ofthe Sky+ set top box, SkyB’s premium product.Sky has chosen Amstrad for its long standingexperience in set top box manufacture and itsproven reliability and efficiency.

“BSkyB and Amstrad have been pioneeringpartners in this industry for the past 14 yearsand we at Amstrad place great importance onthe successful continuation of thisrelationship.”

Brian Sullivan, BSkyB’s Director of NewProduct Development, says: “Since its launch,Sky+ has been the UK leader in the emergingPersonal Video Recorder (PVR) category. Asthis market grows, it is critical that we have thesuppliers to support demand.

“We also believe the Sky Navigator will be astrong addition to our Sky and Sky+ remotecontrol range, providing an increased level offlexibility for customers’ use of Sky’sinteractive services such as betting, textmessaging, e-mail and games. It will be one ofthe featured products available in the new SkyAccessory range.”

� Don’t missBurton’s Byte –game reviewsin TheNorthern Echoevery Friday

The little box oftricks beneathmy televisionThe makers of hard disc recorders claimthey can change the way you watch TV.NIGEL BURTON puts that boast to the test

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foodEATING OUT

BLAGRAVES. BARNARD CASTLE

Chef Rosemary Shragerhas moved her celebratedcookery school from theHebrides to NorthYorkshire. CHRISTENPEARS meets her

ROSEMARY Shrager learned tocook in what she calls “thewrong way”. Instead ofenrolling on a cookery course,she spent years working inkitchens in Britain and

abroad, learning her trade as she went along.The experience certainly hasn’t done her anyharm; she’s now one of Britain’s mostrespected chefs and, for the last four yearshas run the hugely successful cookery schoolat Amhuinnsuidhe Castle in the Hebrides.

“I absolutely love cooking and I loveteaching people how to cook. I would love tohave had the opportunity to have beentaught myself so I suppose I’m making up forit,” she says.

Amhuinnsuidhe was voted one of the topten cookery schools in The Observer in 2001and it’s easy to see why. Rosemary ispassionate about food and cookery. Justtalking about it brings a glint to her eye. Herpupils can’t fail to be inspired by herinfectious enthusiasm.

But she decided to move on when theowners put the castle up for sale. At first, sheintended to stay in Scotland but a chancemeeting with a student from Yorkshirechanged her mind.

“I had absolutely loved being atAmhuinnsuidhe because it was such amagical place but this seemed to be a naturaltransition. I wanted to stay in Scotland and Istarted looking at a few castles but I couldn’tfind anything suitable.”

Her student put her in touch with FelicityCunliffe-Lister who, along with husbandMark, owns Swinton Park near Masham. Thecastle is the ancestral home of the Cunliffe-Listers and although it had passed out of thefamily’s ownership last century, they boughtit back in 2000 and opened as a hotel.

Felicity had always been interested inrunning a cookery school and invitedRosemary to visit. “I knew it was the place tobe and we started planning at once. Myfamily comes from Pickering and althoughI’ve never lived in, moving here felt likecoming home,” says Rosemary.

The cookery school is housed in thecastle’s 18th century stables but guests stayin the hotel and are able to enjoy all thefacilities. The programme sticks to theformat that was so successful atAmhuinnsuidhe – two sessions a day for fivedays.

A typical day starts after breakfast with amorning of cooking, followed by lunch and atrip to a local attraction or time for rest andrelaxation. The second session takes place inthe late afternoon.

As much as possible, Rosemary tries to uselocal ingredients, including herbs, fruit andvegetables from the castle’s gardens.Although there are some demonstrations,the course focuses on hands-on experiencefor the students which, according toRosemary, is the only way to learn. Theyhave the opportunity to try everything frommaking puff pastry to sharpening knives.

“It’s quite intensive but I think peoplereally feel they’re getting their money’sworth. I went to a cookery school in Italyyears ago and I came away with 15 recipesand a feeling that I’d been completely andutterly diddled. I remember thinking that itwas no way to run a cookery school.”

Rosemary wants to avoid what she calls an“academy feel”, creating a much morehomely atmosphere, although she readilyadmits to being bossy in the kitchen.

“I’ve been called all sorts of things,including Sergeant Major, and if someone isdoing something wrong, I’ll tell them to stop.

“But I think some courses can befrightening. When people first come, they’reso nervous because they don’t know what’sexpected of them. It is intensive but we doget people of all abilities and they’re allpassionate about cooking

“You get people who are either foodies orwho are not. You can learn to cook but somepeople have an enthusiasm that sets themapart. You need that to keep you goingbecause cooking is actually hard work. Also,if you want to get something right, you haveto practise.”

Rosemary’s own passion for cookingstarted early in life. She remembers makingcakes for local fairs – and winning all theprizes. “I’m not sure how I did it but it usedto upset all the old ladies who alwaysentered.”

Her love of food continued to grow and ledher into a career. Her own cooking style isbased on classic French methods, althoughshe adds a modern twist of her own, and shehas worked with acclaimed chefs, includingPierre Koffmann at Tante Claire and JeanChristoffe Novelli. But while she is acelebrated chef in her own right, it’s herdetermination to introduce others to cookerythat sets her apart.

She has made two TV series – Rosemary:Castle Cook and Rosemary on the Road – andalthough she thinks there’s a danger ofpeople being put off cookery by a glut of TVchefs, she does believe something has to bedone to encourage people to cook.

“There’s a generation of people growingup not learning to cook and it’s importantthat we get them enthusiastic and teachthem to cook.

“There are so many people who live offnothing but pre-cooked meals. I understandwhy because I’ve had ready made mealsmyself. Sometimes you’re just too busy tocook but actually, it takes no time at all tomake a wholesome minestrone or a quickleek and potato soup.”

�� The first weekly courses are taking placethis month and cost £1,275 per person.There will be also a series of day courses,starting in July and costing £75.For more information, call (01765) 680900 orvisit the website at www.swintonpark.com.� Rosemary is also holding three-daycourses at Eggleston Hall near BarnardCastle in the autumn. Call (01833) 650553 or visit the website atwww.egglestonhall.co.uk

Blagraves HouseRestaurant,Barnard Castle

W HY has ittaken meso long to

discover this gem ofa restaurant? Basedin a former tavernwhich dates back tothe 1480s,Blagraves HouseRestaurant is an ideal place for a veryspecial dinner date.

The picturesque stone-fronted building issituated on the steep bank which runsdown to the Tees in the heart of BarnardCastle. Parking doesn’t seem a problemwhich was just as well on the night wewent. We were able to stop right outsideand dash across the road in pouring rain.

Visitors step into an old-worldatmosphere, with a roaring fire, old stonefireplace and lived-in chintzy sofas. Sippinga low-alcohol beer (sadly, I was driving), wetook in the impressive menu.

Starters: salad of locally smoked duckbreast with a light hazelnut dressing,home-made soup with a freshly baked roll,roast seafood with lemongrass andcoconut, salad of chargrilled Mediterraneanvegetables with a light basil dressing, crabmousse with brandy and spring onion,course country terrine with juniper and wildnettle.

Being a sucker for soup, I chose thehome-made mushroom. It was piping hot,strongly flavoured with a very nice creamytexture, although slightly salty for my taste.My wife went for the chargrilled vegetableswhich she really enjoyed. I have to praisethe wonderful mixed-grain roll served withmy soup.

Main courses: Roast fillet of sea basswith chives and prawns, grilled loin of lambon minted gravy, roast breast of guineafowl with goats’ cheese, individual beefwellington on a rich burgundy sauce, roastpeppers with spiced cous-cous and grilledhaloumi in a rich hummus sauce

Never having eaten guinea fowl before, Idecided to leap into the unknown. I waspleasantly surprised by the delicate butstrong-tasting meat, much more interestingthan chicken but not as overwhelming asduck. Again, it was cooked to perfectionand complemented by a rich cheese andbasil sauce. The selection of vegetableswas cooked perfectly, not too hard, not toosoft. My wife opted for the individual beefwellington and was full of praise for theflavoursome meat and the beautiful pastry.

To finish off a delicious meal, I had atruly memorable dish of home-madecinder-toffee ice cream while my wife had amouthwatering chocolate truffle torte withan Amaretto sauce.

Puddings: other pudding choicesincluded lemon possett with fruit compote,creme brulee, orange parfait with raspberrysauce and cheese and biscuits.

The upstairs, wooden-beamedrestaurant, which has only eight tables, is avery cosy and civilised place to dine and Iam sure we will be back again soon.

Blagraves has an extensive andreasonably priced winelist. We chose adelicious Pinot Noir Hawkes Bay from NewZealand, costing £17.95.

Our bill for two people came to £67.Blagraves House Restaurant is situatedon The Bank, Barnard Castle, CountyDurham. (01883) 637668.

Barry Nelson

Coming home to cook

RROSEMARY SSHRAGER: “If you want to get something right, you have to practise”


Soaking up the viewPETA KING enjoys a stunning view over a Northumberland golf

course from the comfort of her luxurious bubble bath

connections

P ROBABLY one of the best views inNorthumberland is from my bath atthe Linden Hall Hotel. Lying back inthe bubbles, I have an uninterrupted

vista of the immaculate golf course and rollingacres which surround this beautiful Georgianhouse.

I can also see several signs dotted about theformal gardens. Later, closer inspection revealsthe words: “Caution: deep lateral ditch atperimeter of lawn”. Aha, the ha-ha.

Which is the more lamentable: that in theselitigious times guests must be warned againsttheir own carelessness, or that a wholegeneration is ignorant of this eccentricexample of landscape architecture?

Linden Hall was built in 1812 by CharlesBigge, a Newcastle merchant banker andcontemporary of George Stephenson. Designedby Charles Monck in collaboration with thecelebrated Newcastle architect John Dobson,the house is a wonderful example of the styleand opulence of that prosperous time in theNorth-East.

The house was later bought by the Adamsonfamily and was lived in by the two Adamsonsisters until the death of Muriel Adamson in1962. And, despite being turned into an hotel, itretains that country house atmosphere, withfamily photographs, paintings and even estateaccount books in the hall.

Its 450-acre park – apart from the creation ofan 18-hole championship-length golf course – isprobably not much changed from those daysand the house, hidden in mature trees down ahalf-mile drive a couple of miles from the busytown of Morpeth, is a haven of tranquillity.

Linden Hall, converted into an hotel in 1983by Callers Pegasus, was recently acquired bythe Macdonald Hotels group. Its bedroomscombine modern comfort and traditional style,the main hall with its breathtaking staircase isan ideal place to relax and catch up with thenewspapers, or you can take tea in thecharming drawing room or the originalconservatory with its commanding views of thegolf course.

The hotel has two restaurants: the stylishDobson restaurant in the main hotel offersbeautifully presented and innovative cuisine,while the Linden Tree, the hotel’s own pubacross the courtyard, offers a typical countryinn menu.

The golf course completely surrounds thehotel and has panoramic views of the Cheviots,Coquet Island, the Northumberland coast…The course is designed in four loops, ideal forthose who don’t want to play a full 18 holes aseach loop finishes close to the hotel.

There is also an undercover driving range,

putting green and a chipping and bunkerpractice area, a changing area andprofessional’s shop. And with lessons andresidential packages, Linden Hall has become amecca for golf enthusiasts of all abilities.

The health and beauty spa has a swimmingpool, spa bath, sauna, steam room and fitnessroom, and therapists offer a range of beautytreatments. A Day Guest package includes useof all the indoor facilities, a choice of beautytreatments, plus lunch.

Linden Hall Hotel is situated at Longhorsley,just outside Morpeth. It is handily placed forvisits to Cragside, Rothbury, the first house inthe world to be lit by hydro-electricity;Wallington Gardens at Cambo; Belsay Hall,Hadrian’s Wall and the towns of Morpeth andAlnwick.

A standard double room at Linden Hall Hotelis £57.50 during the week and £67.50 atweekends. The price includes full Englishbreakfast.

Short breaks of a two-night stay, full Englishbreakfast and dinner at the Linden Tree, startat £64.50 per person per night. For furtherinformation and details of golf and beautybreaks, telephone (01670) 500000 or visitwww.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

WIN A LUXURY BREAKMacdonald Hotels and The Northern Echo haveteamed up to offer two lucky readers a two-nightstay at Linden Hall, including breakfast, a bottleof wine in your room on arrival and the use of thehotel’s leisure facilities.

Just tell us when Linden Hall was built. Sendyour entry on a postcard marked Linden Hall, toFeatures, The Northern Echo, Priestgate,Darlington, Co Durham, DL1 1NF by the end ofJune. Please say on your postcard if you do notwish to receive further information fromMacdonald Hotels. Terms and conditions: theprize as stated must be taken before November30, 2003 and is subject to availability. Terms andconditions apply.

PLACES WITHIN EASY REACH OF THE NORTH-EAST

TEETIME:

the golfcourse

and oneof the

luxuriousbedrooms

A RUMBLE like thunder shattersthe peace of a Yorkshire Dalestown as a pack of motorcyclistspulls up outside a popular bikerhaunt.

The riders handle their machines with thecasual air of experience of many years in thesaddle. They flick the gleaming machinesbetween parked cars, making light work ofbikes that can be heavy to manhandle.

To the casual observer these are youngmen pursuing an extreme and exciting sporton machines capable of anything up to200mph.

It’s only when you see them dismount,cocking leather-clad legs over tall seats thatyou realise all may not be what it seems. Asthey hobble from their bikes, desperate towarm their hands around a nice cup o’ tea,it’s difficult to say whether the creaking isfrom their thick cowhide leathers or thejoints that armour is designed to protect.And when the tinted visored helmets areremoved, more often than not the heads arebald, grey or silver.

Motorcycling is a young man’s sport thatappeals to men who are young at heart.Thirty years ago, they were young. Today,they imagine they are. That’s because a bikeis so much more than a mere machine: it isthe extension of the male psyche, the steedof thousands of Peter Pans.

DVLA statistics show that motorcycleownership amongst men of 45 is more than20 times higher than it is amongst 25-year-olds. A total of 21,5381 middle-aged men havea motorbike licence, compared with just10,232 of 25-year-olds.

Psychologists attribute the sudden

interest to mid-life crisis. Life tends to becomfortable and full of routine so they lookfor excitement elsewhere, something to getthe adrenaline flowing. Flashy sports carsare too expensive, younger women toodangerous for their health, so they resort tothe safer option, a two-wheeled big boy’s toy.

But what do they know? Instead of talkingabout the biking phenomenon these verysame psychologists should experience it forthemselves.

Many of the older bikers are not justturning to two wheels now as part of a fad,they have ridden continuously for more than50 years. When they started, the humblemotorbike was a cheap form of transportwhen cars were out of their reach. Todaythey remain a fun, practical and cheapmeans to get about. Thanks to newtechnology and lightweight materials bigbikes have never been smaller or moremanageable so there’s no need to worryabout straining a groin or aggravating thehernia.

The common claim about motorcycling isthat it appeals so much because it gives therider “freedom” to roam. That’s true, butthat feeling is not exclusive to motorcycles.The car, too, gives the same freedoms, or atleast it could if the roads weren’t so clogged.On a motorbike traffic barely registersmainly because the riders are more likely touse roads where there isn’t any and whenthere is, it is easily dispatched thanks to themachine’s performance, nimbleness and lackof bulk.

Having a bike taps into that part of thehuman soul that craves exploration. Thatroad end you have driven past on countless

occasions becomes a welcome diversion ontwo wheels. And sitting so high in the saddlegives the motorcyclist a completely differentperspective on the same country roads.

But there is more to motorcycling still.The actual dynamics of riding a bike arecompletely and utterly rewarding. It’s notjust the unbridled power and speed themachines are capable of producing. It’s thegenuine skill needed to ride them and getback in one piece.

Ever tried patting your head while rubbingyour tummy? Hard isn’t it? Well tryoperating the throttle and front brake withyour right hand at the same time as theclutch with your left, while changing gearwith your left foot and braking with yourright, while taking in your surroundings tomake sure you are not going to come off. It’squite a feat, but to the experienced rider, it’ssecond nature.

S TAYING alive also focuses the mindand speeds the reactions – anddoubtless gives riders a high.

Choosing the right line, swinging themachine through a set of tight bends withyour hips and the enhanced sensesdeveloped over the years to spot dangers onthe road that a car driver would ignore givethe motorcyclist the feeling of beingsuperhuman.

Women love jewellery, shiny objects ofprecious stones, gold and silver. Motorbikesfulfil the same need in a man. They arebeautifully made of the best materialstechnology can provide, tactile and shiny.Some are works of art and design, a pleasureto have in the garage, offering as much

enjoyment off season as they do on sunnySunday afternoons.

One of the main paradoxes surroundingbiking is the belief that it is an expression ofindividuality, yet at the same time you arepart of a large motorcycling fraternity.Bikers are never alone even if their friendsand family have deserted them for theweekend. Just sling on the gear and ride to aknown biker haunt to chat with members ofthe extended family.

Speaking of gear, the motorcycleparaphernalia is as important as themachine. Whether it is leather or Kevlar,Cordura or reinforced denim, the averagebiker cares more about his “weekendclothes” than his works wardrobe.

I have an admission to make. Totting upthe cost of my bike gear, the total exceeds£2,500. Italian designer leathers (one piece),Italian designer leather jeans and jacket(separates), Gore-tex winter suit (Italian, ofcourse), dry weather gloves, wet weathergloves, paddock jacket, body armour (as usedin many sci-fi movies) and a racing helmetwhich uses the same materials as a bullet-proof vest. Embarrassingly, my normalclothes are worth a fraction of the cost.

But the best thing of all aboutmotorcycling is the fact that riders can leaveall their troubles behind. When you are on abike neither work, money nor family worriesmatter. The motorcyclist concentratescompletely on riding and returns tired fromhis exertions but completely relaxed and de-stressed.

And it must be a winning formula – haveyou seen the age of many of themotorcyclists nowadays?

Kings of the roadAs the motorcycling phenomenon continues unabated, motoring correspondent IAN LAMMING considers its appeal to the mature man

June, 2003 Online: www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk 21

motoring� A bike is so much

more than a mere

machine: it is the

extension of the male

psyche, the steed of

thousands of Peter Pans

– Ian Lamming, right, on his Ducati Monster

June, 2003 Online: www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk22

competitionWIN A MAGICAL

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YOUR STARS byJUNEBAKER-HOWARD

HAVE you ever wanted tocompletely transform yourlook? CACI Beauty Oasis in

Darlington has teamed up withRisbeys Photography, Taylor Woodshairdressers and Flowers byNattrass to offer a professionalmakeover and photographic session.

The day includes a manicure,facial and makeover, haircut andblow dry, and your new look iscaptured forever during aphotographic session. Theexperience also includes lunch,refreshments and a superb bouquetof flowers to take home afterwards.

CACI owner Lesley Keneally says:“We’re not trying to make peoplelook completely different or makethem look like someone else. Wesimply want them to look their best.

“We offer one of the biggest menusof pampering packages in the North-East and this is just anotheralternative. It’s a lovely opportunityto just chill out and relax.”

NE Magazine readers have thechance to win a Magical MakeoverExperience, worth £125. Simply tellus which four Darlington companieshave got together to offer theMagical Makeover Experience.

Send your answer, along with yourname, address and daytimetelephone number, to Magical

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MAKEOVER TEAM: the therapists at CACI

easy coffee-time crossword

ACROSS3. Limps; 8. Audit; 10. Annal; 11. Mud; 12. Garda;13. Abdomen; 15. Riles; 18. Wan; 19. Relish; 21.Deduces; 22. Pour; 23. Beak; 24. Angular; 26.Cheese; 29. Tar; 31. Hutch; 32. Degrade; 34. lotus;35. Ali; 36. Clear; 37. Acres; 38. Tepee

DOWN1. Rumba; 2. Widower; 4. Ivan; 5. Padres; 6. Snail; 7.Tales; 9. Dud; 12. Genuine; 14. Mad; 16. Liner; 17.Shake; 19. Refutes; 20. Epoch; 21. Duvet; 23,Barrack; 24. Ashore; 25. Lag; 27. Hurles; 28. Eclat;30. Idler; 32. Dune; 33. Air.

Aries (March20-April 19)The arrival ofSaturn,planet of

reality, at one of themain angles of yourchart, denotes the needto come to terms withthe life you have createdfor yourself,particularly in respectof any conflictingaspirations ortendencies you possess.Meanwhile, the desirefor a settled andenjoyable home life islikely to become adriving force. This isliable to prompt you tofollow a course of actionthat involves making anumber of adjustmentson an emotional level.

Taurus(April 20-May 20) You haveentered a

period of preparationfor the ambitions thatwill seem all importantin just over two yearstime. The key word atthis stage is "education"because the scene is setfor you to gainknowledge and

experience, sometimeswhen least expected.This is the perfect timeto consider new ideas,new projects and waysof increasing, orimproving your skills orqualifications.

Gemini (May21-June 20) Theformidableplanet

Saturn enters yourhouse of money. Saturntends to be found in thisposition in the birthcharts of millionaires,as well asthose who are alwaysshort of cash, no matterwhat help is given. Thisimplies that it could bea feast or a faminedepending on whetheryou handle moneywisely.

Cancer (June21-July 22) The arrival

of Saturn inyour part of

the zodiac brings you toone of themilestones of your life,so expect clear signs ofwhere to go from here.Indeed, a bright New

Moon, in Cancer on the29th, confirms that youwill acquire a strongsense of direction bythe month end.

Leo (July 23-August 22) As there is asocial themein your

chart, you'll not lackinvitations or offers ofcompany, yet you maystart to feel trapped bycircumstances oralone in some way.However, changes areinevitable becauseSaturn's change of signsmarks the end of a longcycle of experience. Inany case it is too late toalter a situation thathas left its mark on you.

Virgo(August 23-September22)Saturn's

presence, in your houseof friends, reminds youthat your basic need asa Virgo is to be ofservice to others.Fortunately, anyaptitude you have to bea teacher or carer forothers, or to work for

the good of your fellowman in other practicalways, should come intoits own before you'revery much older.

Libra(September23-October22)

What you are trying toachieve, in the way ofworldly or materialsuccess, as well as theframework in which youoperate, has come to thefore. Ifyou have built on theright foundations, youcan expect recognitionand encouragement.Bear in mind thatprovidence alwaysknows what's best forus so regard any sign ofbeing thwarted as yourcue to reconsider yourobjectives and gameplan. In the short term,travel, foreignconnections and thechance to venturefurther afield areemphasised.

Scorpio(October 23-November21)

If ever there was a right

time to roll up yoursleeves and applyyourself in earnest tothe task of making yourdreams come true,assuming that theyare not based on wishfulthinking, it has to benow! In particular, lookforward to a rewardingphase from the 21st,when the world is readyto open up for you inmore ways than one.Your long-term goalsare favoured and, in thisrespect, it is to youradvantage to beexpansive in boththought and deed.

Sagittarius(November22-December21)The

financial and emotionalties you have withothers are under theplanetary spotlight, andthe transactions andconversations heldduring the next fewweeks will make it veryclear that you reap whatyou sow, even if it is notin the way expected.There will be moreprogress generally,which will be partly due

to the renewed efforts orinterest of oppositenumbers in bothbusiness and emotionalsituations.

Capricorn(December22-January19)

Although, by tradition,June is a workorientated month, yourmind is likely to be onthe state of play in yourpersonal life, where youappear to be coming tothe make or break pointin a situation that hasdragged its heels for fartoo long. Whether you arepleased or not with theoutcome, the factremains that you willknow where you stand,and will be able to makefirm plans and get onwith the next part ofyour life.

Aquarius(January 20-February18)

You could have a newspring in your step bythe time of the fantasticFull Moon on the 14th,when you are promised

some good news or aconversationthat raises your spirits.June should prove to beone of the bettermonths of the year foryou, with oneencouraging event afteranother to spur youon. By tradition,creative expression,romantic adventuresand pleasure fromchildren are forecast forthose born under yoursign.

Pisces(February 19-March 19Uranus, the

planet of suddenhappenings, is in yourbirth sign untilSeptember, which is making this avery unsettled phase ofexperience. Therefore,you will probablywelcome the stabilising affect thatSaturn will now have on yourrelationships with yournearest and dearest.The real choice you facethis month is whetherto make a furthersacrifice in the name oflove.


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Simon Bailes - Passionate about PeugeotWe look forward to seeing you soon!

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Documents

ME AND MY WARDROBE - This is The North Eastclients.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/ne_monthly/pdfs/ne062003.pdf · ME AND MY WARDROBE James Brass JUNE 2003 INTERIORS MOTORING GADGETS BEAUTY