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Wealden Times Magazine is the monthly lifestyle magazines for Kent & Sussex. Discover beautiful homes and interiors, read about their owners, find recipes for every occasion and delve into our pages on horticulture. Feel inspired by our fashion features and get the latest on health and beauty.

Fables from the Farm: Missing her feathered friends, Jane restocks her flock with rare breeds

With the evenings beginning to draw out and the first crocuses poking through it’s just about possible to imagine that spring is round the corner. And at Coopers Farm that means only one thing: the arrival of abundant and assorted...

A Dietary Alternative?

Hilary Wilce shares new research into ADHD from King’s College  Anyone who has to cope with an impulsive and hyperactive child – and that’s hundreds and thousands of parents and almost all teachers – will know how challenging it is...

Naked Attraction

Jo Arnell strips the garden back to beautiful winter basics Winter can stretch on into spring sometimes, remaining colourless and drab for longer than necessary, dragging its grey heels even as the days lengthen and the green shoots start peeking...

Plant Hunters

Sue Whigham explores the origins of many popular plant species and how they were discovered   I must say that when my son and daughter-in-law announced that they were going to take a sabbatical in the summer of 2019 and,...

Eat Well : Tahini Choc Chip Cookies

The vegan version of these are just as delicious, none of us can decide which we love the most. Store these cakey cookies in an airtight container for 5 days. You could warm them briefly in the oven to give...

Eat Well : Rescue Noodle Soup with Leftover Chicken

There’s nothing quite like a warming bowl of homemade soup to make you feel a thousand times better. If I’ve had a Sunday roast chicken, I make this on a Monday to get a great boost of vegetables in. It’s...

Eat Well: Parsnip Dahl topped with Roasted Parsnips & Pink Pickled Onions

This is ideal to make at the end of the weekend with any leftover root veg that didn’t make it into the Sunday roast. It will set you up nicely for Monday’s dinner – just reheat and top with the...

Hillside Haven

Maggie Alderson explores the ultimate fantasy home – an architect-designed eco self-build, complete with indoor pool Making my way along the impressive tree-lined drive to this house, I feel like Kevin McCloud when he goes back to revisit the owners...

A House to Truly Love

After documenting the transformation of her Victorian villa on social media, Olya Lammas decided to trade in her career in fashion to follow her passion for interiors  “I wasn’t planning on buying a home like this!” says interior designer Olya...

Win A two-night stay for two people at Laindons Guest House

Located in the heart of Hastings Old Town, The Laindons is an impressive Georgian building that began life as a coach house in the 19th century. Today, it continues the tradition of providing comfort and a high level of luxury...

Starting Out

Your child’s first steps into education can be daunting. These local independent schools share advice to get things started on the right foot Pre-School - Spring Grove School  Why choose an independent pre-school? The choice of pre-school is a very...

Use Your Brain Power

Make 2020 the year you learn something new, and you’ll reap the benefits (regardless of your age) says Hilary Wilce New year, new start! Most of us feel like blowing off the cobwebs and turning to something new after an...

Grow Your Own Sun

Jo Arnell injects some mood-lifting yellows into the winter garden  When most of the colour has withered back into the earth and the natural world is dark and dormant it can seem a bit bleak outside. We can admire the...

Win A Louise deluxe waxed jacket from Welligogs

Welligogs began nearly twenty years ago when Kim and Ray, the founders, made the decision to move from Australia to England. Kim, being British, always wanted to eventually move back home and give her four children a British upbringing. Ray,...

Fresh Fix: Seville Orange Almond & Polenta Cake

You can make this cake with any oranges, but Sevilles are just coming into the shops for their brief season right now. They’re the best orange for marmalade and for the cake too; bitter, but full of flavour. This cake...

Fresh Fix: Beetroot & Pearl Barley Risotto

Pearl barley contains more protein and dietary fibre than risotto rice and makes risotto into a more nutritious meal. The grains are slightly nuttier and more substantial. Boil the beetroot in a small pan of water for 10-15 mins until...

Fresh Fix: Curried Coconut Cauliflower Steaks

The whitest and creamiest of all the brassicas, cauliflower accepts other flavours well; spices, such as cumin, ginger and turmeric are good in combination and, together with coconut, make this into a comforting plateful. It is vegan, dairy and gluten...

Treading Lightly

A rental property has become a stylish stop-gap for a family in search of their dream home in the country. Creating a beautiful, personal home doesn’t always involve a wrecking ball – simply decorating can transform a space. Every house...

Return to Splendour

Alex Jørgensen has worked a design miracle on this Tunbridge Wells property, transforming it from fluorescent strip-lit office space to contemporary home In the heart of one of Britain’s most classic towns a great change is afoot. In a Tunbridge...

Season’s Teachings

Hilary Wilce pays tribute to the life-changing work of our teachers It’s the season of joy and goodwill so let’s give a great big shout-out for our country’s teachers. Every day they get up, go to work and very often...

Dream of a Green Christmas

Jo Arnell shares her top tips and tricks for an eco-friendly festive season It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And the most wasteful – if my rubbish and recycling bags are anything to go by. Every year I...

Get the Party Started: Brandy Snap Baskets with Passion Fruit & Mango

Method: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Melt the butter, sugar and golden syrup together, remove from the heat and stir in the flour, lemon zest and juice and spices. When cool, use a teaspoon to make balls the size...

Get the Party Started: Cheese Soufflé Toast with Cherry Tomatoes

Method: Butter the base of the tin. Remove bread crusts and cut so they completely cover the base of the tin. Season the bread base with salt, pepper and a pinch of cayenne. Spread the Cheddar cheese evenly over the...

Get the Party Started: Five-spiced Duck with Plum Sauce & Cape Gooseberries

Method: Preheat oven to 180˚C,350˚F, gas 4. Brush tortilla wrap with oil and cut into 18 squares. Place oil side down in the muffin tin and bake for 10 mins until crisp and dry.Mix the five-spice and honey together. Score...

Get the Party Started: Artichoke Crisps with Black Forest Ham

Method: Preheat the oven to 180˚C,350˚F, gas 4. Slice the artichokes thinly on a mandolin. You’ll need big slices as they will shrink. Toss them in oil and season. Lay the slices on a baking tray and roast for 10-15...

Banish the Winter Blues

Christmas stress can be kept at bay with a little self care, Sarah Maxwell explains At this busy time of year exercise and wellbeing will usually be last on your list of priorities, however... ! Christmas can be a stressful...

Have a Healthy Christmas

Henrietta Norton explains how, despite the extra indulgence, it’s still possible to have a nourishing and nutritious festive season Mid-winter celebrations give us the opportunity to commune and foster cheer, bringing light to the darkest month of the year.  “Research has...

A Classical Approach

With their lifelong love of design and architecture, Toby and Megan Osborne have restored a down-at-heel guest house to its stately elegance After enjoying an early morning coffee in the picturesque country town of Cranbrook, I can wholeheartedly understand why...

A box of delights

There is a particular joy in returning to visit a home you have seen only very much in the ‘before’ stage. In this case, the last time I saw Kimberley Watson’s flat in a Regency terrace on Hastings Old Town...

Learn to Play

Hilary Wilce emphasises the importance of self-directed play to develop growing minds Recently, I’ve been spending a lot of time with the under-fives – and they are amazing! Every moment of their lives is an adventure, and they are without...

Magic Mushrooms

Sue Whigham explores the wonderfully varied world of fungi We’ve got a fast growing and rather beautiful quaking aspen behind the pond; its nooks and crannies providing a nesting site year after year to a pair of starlings. Unfortunately, the...

Structural Assets

Jo Arnell shares her recommendations for plants with year-round staying power A herbaceous border in full swing at the height of summer is a wonder to behold, but come the autumn it does rather collapse into a heap of old...

Getting ready for the little black dress

It’s just as important to feel as good as you look this party season, as Sarah Maxwell explains with her tips for tracking down the ultimate LBD and the exercises you can do to own your look As we start...

Vitamin D: How much is enough?

Henrietta Norton explains what we can do to ensure we meet our bodies’ daily needs One in five of us in the UK are estimated to have insufficient blood levels of Vitamin D for good health; we simply can’t produce...

Keep it Local: Recipes

Try these tasty recipes using products manufactured in the WealdSage & Onion Sausage Stuffing  Stuff your turkey with this delicious festive stuffing, made using Korkers sausages, which have been produced in Rolvenden since 1959.  Method: Fry 2 chopped onions in...

Keep it Local

When Kentish baker, Simon Cannell, Managing Director of artisan bakery, Speciality Breads in Margate, decided to open Foodie’s Emporium in Headcorn, he enlisted the help of TV Chef Lesley Waters to help him spread his love for local produce. Here,...

Anna’s Top 10 Christmas Planning & Cooking Tips

1. Book an online shop for all your non-perishable items. With most supermarkets you can do this three weeks in advance; so, for delivery on 23rd, book on 2nd December. As you remember items over the three weeks you can...

Family Values: Irresistible Boxing Day Dish – Festive Pomegranate Molasses & Clementine Ham Hocks

Perfect for Boxing Day (or just to have in the fridge to pick at over Christmas). I prefer cooking ham hocks to a whole ham – their flavour is amazing, yet they’re relatively cheap (about £4 each). The glaze is...

Family Values: Christmas Day Sweet Centrepiece: Fruited Christmas Meringue Wreath

Method: Preheat the oven to 140°C/120°C Fan. On a large sheet of baking parchment, draw around a 30cm plate in the middle of the paper.Put the egg whites into a clean mixing bowl and whisk until soft peaks are formed...

Fables from the Farm: Jane ensures her flock is in prime condition

November means tupping time at Coopers Farm, when the rams go in with the ewes and the whole ‘sheep year’ starts over again. But of course before that can happen there have been lots of behind the scenes preparations to...

Village Person

A six-month sabbatical in the countryside turned into a whole new life for Kate Monckton, in an old village house lovingly brought to its full potential There is a special kind of satisfaction in visiting a beautiful house, when you...

A Family Affair

Inspired by travels across the world, interior designer Alexis Wylie has delivered her signature warm, vibrant, lived-in style with a redesign of a much-loved family home, combining old and new furnishings whilst retaining the house – and family’s – vivid...

Family Values: One-Pot Christmas Eve Crowd Pleaser – Asian Beef Stew

If I had to vote on my favourite one pot to feed a crowd, this has to be in my top three. Amazing Asian flavours, meat that falls apart, yet minimal effort, just time in the oven. I made it...

Sticky Clementine Puddings

Preheat the oven to 200°C, fan 180°C, gas 6. Liberally grease the basins. Zest and juice 1 of the clementines.Using a knife, remove the peel and pith from the other clementine and slice into 4 rounds. Remove the pith from...

Almond Dutch Baby with Blackberry Compote

Remove the top shelf and preheat the oven to 220°C, fan 200°C, gas 7. Tip the flour and sugar into a large bowl. Make a well in the centre. Crack in the eggs and add the milk and almond extract. Whisk...

Forward Thinking

Simon Wong, Chartered Financial Planner at JM Finn, explains how to plan for your child’s private school education . Are there any ways to cut the cost of a private school education? Any aspiring parent wishing to send their children to...

Sweet Dreams

Sue Whigham goes in search of the lesser-seen members of the Lepidoptera order of moths. I know that many of us, no, all of us, when we think of moths, have dark thoughts about clothes moths, or at least their...