SUMMER SENSATION AT THE MAY FAIR SPA
Perfect treatments that are ideal for summer skin

Located within The May Fair hotel, The May Fair Spa offers a unique collection of facials and body treatments, which will leave you looking and feeling your best throughout the summer holiday season.

PREP your skin, before you jet off, with an exfoliating treatment, as this will ensure a long lasting, golden tan. The Milk and Honey Wrap (£99, 1 Hour) is ideal. Reveal firm and velvety soft skin in one hour with this luxurious body treatment. A Full body salt scrub, followed by a Milk and Honey pack insures your skin’s metabolism is activated and skin that is normally dry and dehydrated is reborn. Elasticity is improved and body contours are firmed. A cocktail of active ingredients will restore balance and hydrate the skin.

PROTECT your face with The Vitamin C Infusion Facial and Hand Treatment (£99, 1 Hour). Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for achieving smoother, firmer and youthful skin. This treatment offers pure Vitamin C, with Vitamins A and E help to brighten the skin, lighten pigmentation and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; leaving you with a beautifully radiant complexion.

RE-HYDRATE the skin with the Jetlag Reviver Treatment (£300, 3 Hours). Designed to revive even the weariest traveller, this spa package will boost mind and body leaving you feeling ready to face the world again. The individual components of this package have been combined to reverse the negative effects of long haul flying and a high altitude atmosphere. For the face; the facial targets dehydration, bringing your skin back to a radiant glow. The body wrap helps to ease puffy aching legs, and works on the neck, shoulder and scalp also.

For bookings and further details on the May Fair Spa, please contact 020 7915 2826 or log on to www.themayfairhotel.co.uk/spa

METRO ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF VENTURE CANDY COMPETITION TO FIND UK'S NEXT TOP ENTREPRENEURS
Metro has announced the winners of the nationwide competition Venture Candy 2011, to find the UK’s next top entrepreneurs.

The aim of Venture Candy is to provide growing enterprises with the exposure, profile and support they need to transform themselves into the talked-about brands of the future. The finalists were chosen by a panel of judges, including Stuart Trevor, Sarah Beeny, Piers Linney, Jo Malone MBE, Tyler Moorehead and Richard Reed.

Voted for by Metro readers, the winners are:
• Design and Technology category - ParcelGenie, an app which allows friends and relatives to mark occasions by sending small inexpensive gifts quickly and easily through a mobile phone without an address. The gift can then be picked up at the recipient’s place of choice. ParcelGenie received 78% of the votes in this category.
• Food and Drink category - Bear, a company which produces natural sugar-free snacks based on the diet of bears which live in the wild. Bear received 54% of the votes in this category.
• Green category - Going Going Bike.com has the answers to key cycling questions and aims to connect the cycling community including buyers, sellers and specialised suppliers via one easily accessible market. Going Going Bike won 36% of the votes in this category.
• Health and Beauty category - Filthy Gorgeous offers top-to-toe treatments for women who are short on time or those who just like to be pampered. Filthy Gorgeous won 51% of the votes in this category.
• Fashion and Interiors - Bouf.com is an online marketplace for homewares, fashions and gifts from small independent boutiques. Bouf.com won 51% of the votes in this category.

More than 1,500 small firms entered the competition to search for the nation’s most innovative new enterprises. The shortlist was whittled down to three finalists in each category and put to a public vote. Metro received more than 16,000 votes for readers’ favourite new businesses.

The winners will each receive a host of valuable business assets that will give them the business foundations they need to grow including:

• £50k minimum ad campaign per category winner (£250k in total) in Metro
• Marketing and branding advice from The Scarlett Mark, the co-creators of Venture Candy
• Ad campaign creation from The School of Communication Arts
• Exposure to a high profile panel of successful entrepreneurs
• Business club membership from Adam Street Members Club
• Cloud based unified communications solution from Outsourcery

Linda Grant, Managing Director, Metro, said: “As one of the UK’s most innovative media brands, we’re proud to celebrate entrepreneurship and creativity and offer small businesses the opportunity of a lifetime to turn their business into a reality. We’ve been delighted with the exceptionally high standard of entries into the competition this year and really feel that these winners are incredibly worthy of the prizes.”

This is the second year of Venture Candy and is an opportunity for Metro, as the newspaper of choice for young urban professionals, to champion emerging new talent.
The competition launched on Wednesday 4 May and invited aspiring business owners to submit applications online. Readers texted their votes to Metro or voted online.

MARY PORTAS LAUNCHES CONCEPT STORE

Retail expert Mary Portas is to launch a shop and collection aimed at grown-up women, in partnership with House of Fraser. The concept store launches Thursday August 18th at 9.30am within the department store’s Oxford Street branch and online at houseoffraser.co.uk/maryportas.

VERTBAUDET: INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DESIGN COMPETITION 2011

Vertbaudet the international children’s fashion and interiors brand is giving one lucky child between the age of five and twelve the chance to design the party outfit of their dreams - and see it turned into reality!

Designing clothes that both children and parents love, in styles that are not only original and individual, but stylish and practical as well - who better than Vertbaudet to stage a competition that champions children’s imagination and flair.

The winning design will be turned into a finished product for the winner, and will also be sold in the Autumn/ Winter 2012 Vertbaudet catalogue. Not only that, but the winner will also receive a Nintendo Wii and game, as well as £350 to spend with Vertbaudet, so they can give their wardrobe or their bedroom a fabulous makeover!

Children can use felt tips, crayons, paint, collage or whatever else they like to create their designs – anything goes! There are templates for both boys and girls that can be downloaded from Vertbaudet’s website: www.vertbaudet.co.uk where they will also find all the information they need in order to enter. Entries can be drawn directly onto the A4 paper, and they must be submitted either online or by post by 15th September, with the winner being announced no later than 15th October. So, whether they fancy themselves as the next Stella McCartney or a budding Alexander McQueen, download the entry form and unlock their inner potential!

POLLEN STREET SOCIAL RANKED NUMBER 8 IN THIS YEAR’S GOOD FOOD GUIDE

Chef Jason Atherton and his new restaurant, Pollen Street Social, have won two awards in The Good Food Guide 2012 with Best New Entry and Highest New Entry. Since opening in April this year, Pollen Street Social has won critical acclaim from the likes of Fay Maschler and Giles Coren, and has now been ranked at number eight in The Good Food Guide’s Top 50 Restaurants. Pollen Street Social is the culmination of Atherton’s career to date. The restaurant has been a long time in the making and Atherton’s meticulous planning and attention to detail has so far made it one of the most significant launches in 2011.

Elizabeth Carter, Consultant Editor of the Guide, has commented ‘Pollen Street Social was one of the most eagerly awaited London openings of 2011 and it is a triumph. Pace-setting invention has always defined Jason’s style and this newly energized chef is cooking better than ever.’

“I am absolutely ecstatic with the news.” Atherton said “It means so much after the hard work that myself and the team have put in over the last few months since opening in April. I would like to give a huge thank you to my staff for their efforts, and friends and family that have supported me along the way, and of course to all of our guests that have dined here and look to come in the future. Here’s to the next few months being as successful!”

Pollen Street Social
8-13 Pollen Street
London, W1S 1NQ

http://www.pollenstreetsocial.com/

WESTFIELD STRATFORD CITY – THE ULTIMATE FASHION HOUSE FOR BEST OF BRITISH OPENING 13TH SEPTEMBER 2011
London’s new shopping and leisure destination opening at the gateway to the Olympic Park

Opening on the 13th September 2011, Westfield Stratford City will be the largest urban shopping centre in Europe and will be the destination for visitors to London to shop at some of Britain’s best loved and most iconic stores.

Located at the gateway to the prestigious Olympic Park, 70% of the Olympic spectators (10 million visitors) are expected to pass through Westfield Stratford City shopping centre. It is the perfect showcase for the Best Of British brands and the first opportunity the public will have to experience the Olympic park. Visitors will be able to shop and dine in over 370 outlets all set on the doorstep of the London Olympic Stadium

The centre is anchored by the leading UK retailers, department store John Lewis, grocer Waitrose and the iconic Marks & Spencer (who have committed to making it a significant eco store), each of whom hold various royal warrants to supply the Queen and the Royal Family.

The popularity of British culture and fashion is currently at an all time high thanks to the recent royal wedding, and also down to the flying of the British flag by various British brands.

Key British brands showcasing at Westfield Stratford City include:

Links of London

Reiss

Hobbs

Kurt Geiger

Clarks

LK Bennett

M&S

John Lewis

The 1.9 million sq ft Westfield Stratford City development will create a new lifestyle destination for London that will infuse shopping and leisure with the creative spirit of East London. Housing over 300 stores, 70 dining options and a unique food market – the Great Eastern Market - Westfield Stratford City is the next chapter for shopping.

Westfield understands the way people live and shop and is answering the needs of the new breed of empowered consumer, and in turn redefining retail in the capital.

Working with experts from across the industries of design and architecture, Westfield has created a world class development consisting of a collection of buildings, outdoor spaces, shopping streets, offices, three 4 -star hotels and homes – all to create a city within a city.

With a strong entertainment offering, the development will act as a key new leisure destination for London. A 17 screen, all digital Vue Cinema will feature at the heart of Westfield Stratford City along with a 14 lane bowling alley from All Star Lanes and a Casino from Aspers. For destination visitor three 4-star hotels are located on site.

Westfield Stratford City is the Next Chapter for Westfield, the Next Chapter for London and the Next Chapter for Shopping.

DESROCHES ISLAND LAUNCHES NEW SPA – THE FIRST SPA IN THE INDIAN OCEAN TO OFFER THE EXCLUSIVE RANGE OF ELEMENTAL HERBOLOGY TREATMENTS.

Opening on the 12th August 2011, Desroches Island, one of the most exclusive private island resorts in the Seychelles unveils the eagerly anticipated spa, simply called ‘Escape’- the first spa in the Indian Ocean to offer the exclusive range of Elemental Herbology treatments.
The conservational philosophy embraced by Desroches is reflected in the extensive treatment menu. Natural oils and expertly selected ingredients have been blended together to create signature treatments unique to Desroches, as well as a massage philosophy that draws from the ancient principles of Chinese five element theory to create equilibrium across all five elements, including: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Each massage is conceived with a specific purpose - to Rejuvenate, Invigorate, Balance, Detox and Soothe. All treatments are skillfully delivered by experienced therapists from Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
“Desroches Island chose Elemental Herbology for its commitment to using raw, natural materials that are ethically sourced, and for the support it provides to local communities. And the fact that all products are free of synthetic fragrances, parabens, sulphates and preservatives. The packaging is recyclable and products are bio-degradable. Elemental Herbology corresponds seamlessly with Desroches’ environmental ethos and ethics, complementing its philosophy, making it the perfect selection”, enthuses Renee Leslie, General Manager for Desroches Island.
Desroches is a luxurious tropical island paradise with a passion for its natural environmental and ecological beauty. Escape has been sensitively designed to blend in with the local surroundings; effortlessly fusing the relaxing island atmosphere with the chic simplicity that is Desroches.

www.desroches-island.com

NUMBER 38 CLIFTON OPENS IN BRISTOL

New boutique townhouse accommodation brings an intimate private club feel to Clifton –
Overlooking the ‘The Downs’ in Bristol and within walking distance of Brunel’s iconic Suspension Bridge, Number 38 Clifton is a boutique townhouse accommodation option for the city’s visitors which has just opened. Rooms start from £100 for a double, bed and breakfast.
This smart double fronted Georgian merchant house has been completely refurbished over the last 18 months to offer ten stunning bedrooms. Spilling down the hillside, the views from the rear extend across the Clifton rooftops - and the terrace provides a peaceful sun-trap.

The project is the brainchild of Adam Dorrien Smith and his brother Michael. A former university student in Bristol, Adam spotted a strong need for boutique accommodation in Bristol’s Clifton area, itself a bustling commerce centre as well as a destination for weekend breaks with great shopping, restaurants and bars. In fact the hotel is the perfect place to stay for the keen jogger with the leafy Clifton and Durdham Downs on the doorstep offering two square miles of great tracks for running.

From the moment you enter this understated house you’ll feel welcome and relaxed. There’s no formal reception and ringing phones, just a friendly check-in with your hosts Shona and Jarek at the seventeenth century merchant’s chest and an offer of a restorative brew in the light-filled lounge.

The interiors have been inspired by Bristol’s seafaring history – sisal flooring, light panelling, tin and copper baths, Victorian tiling, deep indigo walls, high ceilings and streaming light through the large windows. You will feel a gentle wave of locality – a nod to Brunel, his Great Western Steam Ship Company and other engineering triumphs.

Whilst the bedrooms are simply decorated, the hallway and lounges continue the local flavour - art from Bristol’s cultural quarter Stokes Croft, as well as Cornish artists - painter Anthony Frost and a bespoke sculpture from Tom Leaper. Where else will you find a David Hockney in the downstairs loo?

Bedrooms: No two are the same but the individuality lies more in the space, views and layout than themes or colours. There are 9 doubles and one twin all with white wooden shutters. Each has a super king or king sized double bed, Egyptian cotton, big fluffy towels and waffle dressing gowns, Roberts radios with ipod docking, plasma screen TVs, REN and Ila toiletries, large bathrooms and mini fridges stocked with local goodies. The two top floor suites each have a deep copper or tin bath tub with views across the Clifton Downs and to the historic University buildings. Free Wi Fi is available throughout the building.
Breakfast room/lounge: weekday breakfast is served from 7.30-9.45 and on weekends from 8-10.30. Expect local and organic produce, West Country Apple juice and Sharpham Park Muesli. Those looking for a healthy option can even partake in a ‘Gallette’ as featured in the Dukan diet. In the winter there is the wood burning stove to add the cosy factor and in the summer, sunshine and huge windows to fling open. The huge bespoke lampshades ensure good lighting and are a design feature in themselves, whatever the weather.
Terrace: south facing, this terrace is filled with bird song and sunshine. A delightful place to kick back with friends in the evening as the sun goes down or indulge in a West Country cream tea amongst the plants from Tresco Abbey Gardens.
Meeting rooms: Guests can book one of two rooms during their stay for private meetings with capacity of up to 14.
Design: Owner Adam Dorrien Smith has created an environment that he believes guests are looking for when they are away from home. He has assembled colours, textures, furniture, and artwork and tried to create a relaxed sense of place – a home away from home, perfect for business visitors or weekends away.
Spa: Number 38 has a partnership with Clifton's LIDO Spa, Restaurant & Pool to offer Spa breaks. These packages combine accommodation at Number Thirty Eight with full use of the LIDO facilities with its heated outdoor pool, hot tub and spa treatments www.lidobristol.com .
Prices:
Prices start from £100 per double bed and breakfast per night. Suites are priced from £135 per night. For individual bookings children must be over 12 of age.

Number 38 Clifton can be hired as a whole house and for this purpose welcomes groups of all ages.
For reservations please go to www.number38clifton.co.uk or call 0117 946 6905

THE PIG OPENS THIS SUMMER
The Pig opens its doors this summer...set in the heart of the beautiful New Forest this is a new style of country hotel - the baby sister of the nearby Lime Wood Hotel & Spa, but with a little attitude!

The Pig is the latest brainchild of Hotel du Vin co founder - Robin Hutson together with marketing guru David Elton and co investor Jim Ratcliffe who intend this first property in the New Forest to be the prototype for a completely fresh & imaginative approach to the country hotel.

The antithesis of the traditional country house hotel, this is really a restaurant with rooms; the focus is very much on the fabulous, uncomplicated and simple home grown garden food, true to the micro seasons and influenced by the forest, with the emphasis squarely on fresh, clean flavours. Whatever is not grown here in its walled garden is locally sourced within a 15 miles radius - immediacy from garden to plate is The Pig’s trademark.

To achieve this there is the ‘team of three’ – chef, gardener and forager. The kitchen is over seen by Head Chef James Golding (Le Caprice, J Sheekey, Soho House New York) and the menu is inspired by the likes of Skye Gyngell at Petersham Nurseries and Alice Waters at Chez Panisse, both pioneers of the philosophy that cooking should be based on the finest and freshest seasonal ingredients that are produced sustainably and locally.

James’ two trusty lieutenants are forager Garry and kitchen gardener Mike. Mike was previously Head Gardener at Babington House and worked at the River Café; he also has a Bsc.Hons in pharmacology. His brief at The Pig will be to actively search out and cultivate more unusual ingredients with which James can work his magic.

Garry is a veteran forager of the New Forest and works extensively with both Lime Wood and The Pig, ensuring the year-round food from the forest is captured and sampled! The duo will be such a vital part of the culinary mix that The Pig’s menus will change not so much daily but hourly, subject to what Garry unearths or what Mike deems to be in perfect condition.

Served in an authentically reproduced Victorian greenhouse dining room, complete with bare wood table tops and mismatched bone handled cutlery, a meal at The Pig will be a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
The unpretentious home grown style of The Pig’s food is replicated throughout the hotel. Eschewing the look of the over-designed properties that proliferate the nation, Judy and Robin Hutson have designed The Pig to feel confident and uncompromisingly comfortable in its own skin - here it’s all about shabby chic homely furnishings, muted colours, comfy chairs, big sofas and roaring fires. The Pig is warm, laid back, interesting and fun!

The Pig’s 26 bedrooms are a continuation of a theme - evolved rather than designed. Here you will find eclectic furnishings, great beds, oversized showers, ‘larders’ stocked with snacks and drinks, espresso machines and, with every room having a forest or garden outlook, naturally beautifully views.

Outside the main building are the Stables and Piggery - little duplex suites and rooms with their own private courtyards and plenty of original features. Massage treatments can be enjoyed in the ‘potting shed’ by the lake, staffed by therapists from the Herb House at Lime Wood. Subject to availability, guests will also be able to purchase a special day pass to Herb House.The Pig aims to bring the garden inside as much as possible and the inside into the garden too. Thus the grounds will include many areas where guests can kick back and relax over a glass – or two – and even savour some al fresco dining courtesy of the wood fired oven in the courtyard.

Hand-picked by Robin Hutson, Chairman of Lime Wood Group, the team at The Pig will be headed by General Manager Lora Strizic, former general manager at the award-winning Hotel du Vin Brighton.

Room rates at The Pig start from £125 per night. A three course dinner, excluding wine, will cost around £35.

THE PIG
Beaulieu Road Brockenhurst, The New Forest Hampshire SO42 7QL www.thepighotel.co.uk

CULT AMERICAN NIGHT OUT “DUELLING PIANOS” LAUNCHES IN LONDON’S SOHO
Duelling Pianos, a high energy, interactive music event featuring two baby grand pianos jamming together, has arrived at central London bar The Avenue, on Shaftesbury Avenue.
Every Thursday night, ‘2 men, 2 pianos and 1 incredible party’ will fill The Avenue bar with those classics that will leave the audience singing along. Write your requests down and enjoy the talent of Robbie Peaple and Danny Mills as they play three one hour sets over the evening, beginning at 8pm. In celebration of this new event, if you book a booth (free of charge) you will receive a complimentary round of shots and two pitchers of cocktails to share with your friends! The perfect place to unwind with colleagues after a long day at work or catch up with your good time friends.
Booths (for 8-10 people) are available to be booked by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or just pop along to the Soho bar from 6pm to experience the live music. www.duellingpianobars.co.uk for more information and follow us on Twitter (@duelling_pianos) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/DuellingPianoBars)

FENG SUSHI ANNOUNCES SEVENTH SITE IN BILLINGSGATE

This September, fast casual Japanese restaurant group Feng Sushi will open a seventh restaurant in Billingsgate fish market. With only six covers, it will focus predominantly on the delivery and takeaway service for local homes and businesses in Canary Wharf and the surrounding areas. In keeping with the rest of the group, the interiors will be elegant and sophisticated and the menu will focus on classic and modern sushi and sashimi, along with seasonal specialities such as MSC mackerel donburi.

The finest quality sustainable fish will be sourced daily from the market itself and company co-founder Silla Bjerrum will continue to be heavily involved in market activity, carrying out regular demonstrations and participating in events. This is the group’s first launch since Luke Johnson bought a majority share in the business last autumn, one of several expected in the next 12 months. Feng Sushi is expected to confirm details about an eighth London site very shortly.

www.fengsushi.co.uk

THE THREE OAKS NOW OPEN IN GERRARD’S CROSS

Henry and Katherine Cripps are delighted to announce the launch of their latest project, The Three Oaks (Austenwood Lane, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, SL9 8NL; 01753 899 016).

The property which opened on 1st July in the village of Gerrard’s Cross, Buckinghamshire, is the third property from the couple, who also own The White Oak in Cookham and The Greene Oak in Windsor. The new venture will cross the bridge between country pub and restaurant, offering locals and visitors to the area quality British food within a relaxed and informal environment.

The kitchen offers diners a regularly changing menu focusing on British classics and is overseen by Executive Group Head Chef Jack Woolner (The Snooty Fox, Lowick and The Pheasant, Keystone), who has worked for the group for three years. Dishes take full advantage of the finest seasonal ingredients and much effort has gone into sourcing local suppliers to ensure the best possible quality.

Dishes include: roasted rump of lamb with creamed spinach gnocchi, braised scrag end and mint jus; roasted Cornish hake fillet with chorizo potato cake, rocket salad and salsa verde; and confit duck leg with ham hock and broad bean risotto and a duck jus.

Desserts include a range of traditional favourites such as apple and amaretto Bakewell tart, crème brûlée with raspberry sorbet and warm chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream. A set menu is also available priced at £15 for two courses and £19 for three courses. Claire Beckwith, previously General Manager at Michelin starred The Crown at Whitebrook, joins as Group Senior Manager.

Situated only an hour from London, The Three Oaks is a perfect destination for locals and travelers alike. With Jack Woolner at the helm, The Three Oaks is set to become a welcome addition to the local community and the UK foodie map.

http://thethreeoaksgx.co.uk/

BRASSERIE JOËL CONTINUES TO FLOURISH AT THE PARK PLAZA HOTEL

Brasserie Joël is a contemporary restaurant is located in the heart of London’s South Bank at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London hotel.
Joël Antunes’ menu is based on a selection of classic bistro dishes that pair the very best-available seasonal ingredients with the expertise he has gained from more than 30 years of cooking in some of the world’s leading kitchens.

The menu changes daily to provide the freshest fish, meats and produce, and includes a wide range of bistro favourites such as Traditional Steak Tartar, freshly made Fish Soup, homemade Pork Terrine, hand-dived Scallops, Sea Bass in Papillote, and Tournedos Rossini in Truffle Sauce. Entrees range in price from approximately £12 to £28.
Complementing the French-inspired menu is a wide variety of Old World and New World wines, a dozen of which will be offered by the glass.

http://www.brasseriejoel.co.uk/

THE AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY IN THE SOUTH EAST
No plans for the August Bank Holiday? Here are a few ideas to get you out and about across South East England…

29th August: Supercar Start-Up, Beaulieu, Hampshire
This bank holiday Beaulieu will be welcoming some of the world’s most prestigious supercars into the grounds. Have the chance to see and hear the unique melodies created by the multi-cylinder engines, as they are put through their start-up paces in the Beaulieu Arena. Entry costs from £10.75 per child and £17.75 per adult. For more information visit www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612 345.

26th August: Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross at Roald Dahl Museum, Buckinghamshire
Meet the terrible twosome; author Jeanne Willis and illustrator Tony Ross, who will be reading from their books: The Nanny Goat's Kid (nominated for the 2010 Funny Prize) and Tadpole's Promise. They will also be talking about where they get their ideas from and how they put them together to make a book. Entry into the museum costs from £4 per child and £6 per adult. For more information visit www.roalddahlmuseum.org or call 01494 892 192.

27th – 29th Hands On Spectacular, Chiltern Open Air Museum, Buckinghamshire
Head to Chiltern Open Air Musuem for a weekend packed with traditional activities for the family within the historic buildings around the site. Take part in a Victorian school session, try your hand at lace making, brick making and much more. Tickets cost from £8 per adult and £5 per child. For more information visit http://www.coam.org.uk/ or call 01494 871 117.

26th – 29th August: Island Steam Show, Isle of Wight
Big kids and their children can step back in time, hop aboard a steam train, marvel at vintage cars and visit a Red Indian encampment at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s Steam Show. While kids enjoy Mr Alexander’s Travelling Show and learn circus skills with Circus Wizz, mum and dad can pamper themselves at The Sanctuary, stock up on country crafts or visit the Real Ale Bar. A special Wightlink Steam Liner ticket, which includes return foot passenger catamaran crossings from Portsmouth, travel on Island Line trains and entry to the Island Steam Show costs £20.50 for adults and £10.50 for children (5-15 years). For more information visit www.wightlink.co.uk or 0871 376 1000.

27th – 29th August: Portsmouth International Kite Festival, Southsea, Hampshire
This year marks the 20th International Kite Festival, attracting hundreds of kite-fliers from around the world and tens of thousands of spectators. Taking place on Southsea Common, the event is free of charge and promises to be a colourful and fun day out for all. For more information visit: www.portsmouthkitefestival.org.uk .

26th August: Wine Workshop, Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey
Hosted by one of Denbies’ wine experts, the day will cover all aspects of wine tasting and appreciation, grape varieties and wine regions. All levels of knowledge are welcome and lunch with wine at the Gallery Restaurant is included. The day costs £95 per person. Visit www.denbies.co.uk or call 01306 876 616 for more information.

27th – 28th August: Love Letters at Petworth House, Chichester, West Sussex
Love is in the air at Petworth House as it celebrates the dying art of the love letter. Hear readings of famous letters, and stock up on sumptuous notepaper and scented inks. There will also be a master class to learn how to perk up your prose. Entry costs from £11.50 per person. Visit www.visitchichester.org or call 01798 343929 for more information.

28th August: Pubs of Old Portsmouth: A Guided Walk, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Learn about the ales and beers that have been brewed in Portsmouth since the 1500s on this two-hour guided walk around Old Portsmouth. The tour costs from £3 per person and spaces should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment. Visit www.visitportsmouth.co.uk or call 023 9282 6722 for more information.

28th August: Foraging at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey
Go scavenging with the estate’s gardening team and discover what edible and delicious treats are on offer within the grounds of Winkworth Arboretum. The event takes place between 1pm and 3pm and tickets cost from £5 per adult. Visit www.visitsurrey.co.uk or call 01483 208477 for more information.

28th August: Round Island Vintage Tour, Isle of Wight
To coincide with Red Funnel’s 150th Anniversary this September, it has launched a brand new ‘Vintage Tour’ that will celebrate the Isle of Wight. The trip around the island’s stunning coastline will take place onboard a 1939 Southern Vectis Open Top Bristol K5G Double Decker Bus. The tour costs £35 per person and includes ferry travel. Visit www.redfunnel.co.uk or call 0844 844 9988 for more information.

26th – 28th August: Waterfront Festival, Gosport, Hampshire
The will be an array of acts performing at the Waterfront Festival in Gosport, from Shawaddywaddy and New Amen Corner to Toploader. The festival is free of charge for anyone to come along and will be taking place all weekend. For more information visit www.discovergosport.co.uk .

EXPLORERS VISIT SONEVAS TO TALK ABOUT THE PLANET

Six Senses Bangkok Hub Tom Avery, Charley Boorman, Patrick Woodhead and others to host season of ‘SLOW LIFE’ dinners

Why are emperor penguins moving south? What will happen to Antarctica in 2041? How did a fossil-fueled car fly from London to Timbuktu? In what ways are the indigenous people of the planet going to be affected by climate change? 30,000 species become extinct each year, what can we humans do to reverse that?

These questions and many more will be answered by the people who know best when Six Senses’ flagship Soneva resorts – Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili in the Maldives and Soneva Kiri in Koh Kood, Thailand – hold a series of ‘Exploratory Talkers’ Tables’ with some of the world’s foremost adventurers, the Darwins and Shackletons of today.

Olly Steeds (2011 Date TBC), Neil Laughton (October), David Hempleman-Adams (November) and Charley Boorman (2011 date TBC) will be some of the explorers discussing the planet’s most pressing climate change issues whilst bringing to life their fascinating tales and photography.

Each explorer’s talk will be followed by a ‘SLOW LIFE’ gourmet dinner (the Six Senses acronym for its pioneering eco philosophy is Sustainable, Local, Organic, Wholesome, Learning, Inspiring, Fun, Experiences) featuring ingredients grown organically or caught by rod and line within a few miles of each resort.

Six Senses is a resort and spa management and development company established in 1995, which manages resorts under the brand names Soneva, Six Senses Sanctuary and Evason, plus Six Senses Spas

Six Senses SLOW LIFE positioning philosophy:
Sustainable-Local-Organic-Wholesome Learning-Inspiring-Fun-Experiences.

Soneva by Six Senses – Intelligent Luxury.
Soneva is committed to offer luxuries of the highest international standard in an environment that nurtures the indigenous feel in design, architecture and service; fusing nature with guest experiences and creating destinations unto themselves. A Soneva resort has a limited number of accommodations, all offering generous personal space.

Six Senses
Attention to detail and a focus on the reality of the destination together with modern architecture provides generous personal space and presents an uncompromised standard of luxury. Six Senses offers individual style with a unique and diverse design personality, and a strong senses of community.

For further information please contact:
Six Senses Resorts & Spas
Tel: 66 (0) 2631 9777
Fax: 66 (0) 2631 9799
www.sixsenses.com

SIX SENSES WATERMEN – SEPTEMBER 30TH – OCTOBER 4TH

Six Senses Resorts & Spas will host Six Senses Watermen, the Maldives’ first gathering of water sports icons and the world’s leading water conservationists, from September 30th to October 4th, 2011.

Watermen, from legendary surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers to divers and free divers will offer clinics to Six Senses Laamu guests while renowned musicians jam on the sandbanks. Conservationists will lead riveting dialogues and debates on the most pressing marine and drinking water issues facing our planet today while chefs keep everyone sustained with ethically sourced gourmet food, best enjoyed with biodynamic wines from Australia’s Margaret River.

http://www.sixsenses.com/home.php

Please Note: ?All information is supplied to us by the individual organizations, or agencies acting on their behalf. The views and opinions expressed by the individual companies, agencies and other contributors are theirs alone and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Hot Brands Cool Places. Inclusion in a news item does not imply endorsement by Hot Brands Cool Places. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, it may be subject to change. Please check with individual organizations for the latest information about all events, products, promotions, or news items. Recipes have not been tested by Hot Brands Cool Places. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site.