It looks like it is going to rain for the entire month, so you might as well get on board with it and make the most of these next few weeks. From funky raincoats to sunshine supplements, our favourite wet weather picks will ensure you stay healthy, glam, and sustainable during this wet British summer.

Firstly, wet weather doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the outdoors

Radiant Heater, £89

This outdoor heater provides instant warmth on these long (but cold!) summer evenings and allows you to enjoy the outdoor areas of your home all year long.

Portable Smokefree BBQ, £119

Best Direct UK is also selling a portable smoke-free BBQ that heats up fast, grills meat and veggies odour-free, and is easy to clean. Enjoy great-tasting food wherever and whenever you like, rain or shine.

Wonderdry Umbrella, £9.99

And for when you have no choice but to face the rain, this Wonderdry umbrella has reverse open and fold technology that pulls the wet side in, unlike the traditional umbrella. It is the easiest and driest way to get in and out of the pouring rain. 

Pink is obviously the hottest colour around, but not everyone likes that kind of crazy hot pink – you know the one we mean, right?! But how about this lovely little rain mac parka thing from M&S. This pale pink M&S rubber-hooded raincoat is on sale right now at £39, down from £55. It’s a steal.

7′ x 5′ summerhouse, £549.99

To continue with this outdoorsy theme, Buy Sheds Direct have some great offers for sheds and summerhouses. If it is time for an upgrade or all your ‘stuff’ seems to be multiplying, they have a variety of sheds in wood, plastic or metal, for a high-quality solution. Now, a shed may be a practical choice, but have you ever thought about a summer house? Not only can they be used for storage (or to hide from your significant other!) they can be a space to decorate and relax in to watch the world go by. Especially during this dreary weather, a summer house can be a cosy space that still feels like you are outside.

We just wanna have fun (indoors!)

Botanical Print Shirt, £45

You sure don’t need the sun to brighten your day with these fun shirts from Ben Sherman. This casual shirt made with 100% cotton will keep you comfy and stylish day or night. It really is the perfect summer staple.

Origin Coffee – Resolute, £9.20

And the best antidote for the morning-after blues, Origin Coffee has created Resolute. A timeless classic, full-bodied blend, with milk choccy and caramel notes. You can drink it straight or over ice to try and at least act like it is hot this summer!

Fancy a little bit of self-care?

Veo Plastic-Free Edit

Is this extreme weather enhancing your climate anxiety? Veo is a great site for sustainable solutions. And we especially love this plastic-free edit. With reusable and zero-waste everything, you can restock your house with peace of mind.

Read more: 7 ways you can help save the oceans

The Body Shop – Bath Blend, £8

Another great, ethical brand is The Body Shop UK. For evenings in they have a delicious self-care selection brimming with bath blends, bombs and scrummy face masks good enough to eat!

If you can’t beat them, join em!

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara, £22.50

Speaking of splashes, LookFantastic has a great range of waterproof mascaras to keep you glam and dancing in the rain. A forever favourite is the Too Faced Better Than Sex Black Waterproof Mascara. I promise you – it is not budging!

lastminute.com – summer holiday deals

Or maybe you want to give up altogether and book a sunny getaway through lastminute.com. Find your perfect getaway with their summer holiday deals, and don’t forget to purchase TravelTime Travel Insurance to stay safe this summer.

A little dose of sunshine

four five Vitamin D3, £6.40

fourfive has created a Vitamin D3 vegan-friendly sunshine vitamin that is the perfect antidote to the grey skies and rainy days of this wet British summer. The capsules are fast absorbing and made with 100% natural ingredients. Packed full of bioactive ingredients, this supplement contributes to the maintenance of normal bone, teeth, and muscle function.

Ocean Bottle – Citrus Reef (500ml), £35

You still need to stay hydrated, rain or shine. Ocean Bottle brings to you this dopamine-inducing range of brightly coloured bottles to close the loop on ocean-bound plastic. Not only this, but one bottle purchased pays for 1000 ocean-bound plastic bottles to be collected before they reach the ocean.

Ruby Moon Gym to Swim, £79

This weather may not be encouraging you to get outside and exercise. But maybe this sustainable and ethical activewear will do the trick. Ruby Moon makes soft, stretchy, and super comfortable sportswear that supports female entrepreneurs. And let’s be honest, working out feels better in a matching set. It gives you something to look forward to!

Beth Pratt

Beth is one of Silver’s interns. She loves reading and studying literature. Entering her final year of university, Beth still finds time to dance, swim, and have a pint with friends. Her favourite hobby is going to coffee shops, if you can call it a hobby!

The post Everything you need for this wet British summer appeared first on Silver Magazine.

It might be raining (a lot) but it’s still summer, and that means salad, come rain or shine! But give your salad some dressing love and it will be far more than the sum of its parts. We put a shout out to some of our readers for their favourite dressings. And so here, tried and tested by our Silver readers, is a round-up of their best salad dressings.

What you put in your salad is up to you. There are a million different permutations, but for a dressing to work properly, it needs some specific components. You need an good oil, for the base. You need an acid to balance that heaviness out, like vinegar, or citrus, for example. Some kind of emulsifier will help to bind the oil and acid together, like mustard, honey, egg yolk etc. And finally, your creative aspects, the extras. Could be garlic, herbs, spices, honey, and so on.

Stick with that formula and you can’t really go wrong.

When making your dressing, don’t skimp on the oil quality. While oils make those sometimes-bland leafy greens taste better, they are also full of healthy fats which help you to better absorb the nutrition of your salad greens. Plus, oils can be beneficial to your skin and hair, act as an afternoon pick-me-up by increasing your energy levels and reduce inflammation.

A simple classic

Ingredients

Olive oil
Lemon juice
Salt
Black pepper

Did you know that olive oil is not just a flavoursome oil for salads, but one that is healthy for your heart? And if you splash out on extra virgin olive oil, that has a high level of antioxidants to keep your cells protected from damage.

Roz Bacchus recommends this super easy salad dressing that spruces up anything you throw together from the fridge. Measure out the ingredients judging by however much you require. First lots of olive oil, half a lemon is usually enough for the juice, and then season with salt and pepper. Put this all in a little pot with a lid and shake! Taste, add any extra you think is missing, then pour over and enjoy. You could swap out the lemon with white or red wine vinegar if you prefer.

The best creamy tahini dressing recipe

Ingredients

Tahini
Lemon juice
Garlic
Ginger
Maple syrup
Olive oil
Sea salt flakes

Sarah Olivier has the perfect recipe if you fancy a little more pizzazz. This nutty tahini dressing is a lovely healthy source of fat. Made from hulled sesame seeds, oil and salt, tahini is highly nutritious. It contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, is rich in anti-inflammatories and antioxidants, and some studies have shown it may decrease the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

A teaspoon or two of tahini goes a long way. Squeeze half a lemon over and crush your garlic. Finely grate the ginger and finish off with a splash of maple syrup and stir it all together with a fork or tiny whisk. Add a drop of cold water here or there for consistency. Season with salt and pepper if you like. Or leave it be and enjoy.

A taste of Asia

Ingredients

Soy sauce
Ginger
Orange juice
Garlic salt

Did you know that the Japanese word umami is one of the five basic tastes? As well as sweet, sour, salty, and bitter sensations. Umami is commonly considered ‘savoury’, but it is also described as ‘meaty’, ‘complex’, or even just ‘deliciousness’.

Roy Bacchus recommends these ingredients if you fancy some of that deliciousness. Just take two 2 tbsp of soy sauce, finely grate the ginger, squeeze over half a ripe orange and add a sprinkle of garlic salt. If you want to go the extra mile, you could even add 1 tbsp of sesame oil and a splash of rice vinegar.

Bringing restaurant quality to you

Ingredients

Toasted walnut oil
Apple cider vinegar
Mustard
Salt
Pepper

Hilary Stringer says that the key to the best salad dressings is the quality of the oil and vinegar. Better quality oil will be thicker in texture and much more flavourful, so it is worth spending a little extra for a more lavish tasting experience.

Her recipe is restaurant-worthy and mixes toasted walnut oil with a very good apple cider vinegar for a multitude of health benefits. Hilary recommends a touch of light mustard, salt, and pepper to finish.

Read more: Have you been thinking about how to eat more healthily?

This one packs a punch

Ingredients

Chilli oil
Lemon juice
Sea salt
Tarragon

Finally, we couldn’t miss Mandie Brame’s tarragon hit. An often-underrated herb, it has a slight anise or liquorice flavour to it. We love her recommendation of chilli oil as a spicy alternative to the humble olive, and it is balanced out with the acidity of the lemon juice. Sprinkle with sea salt and then add 2 tsp of dried tarragon (although if you have it fresh, even better). Bon appetit!

And we must finish with a shout out to Carole Preston, who recommends the dark horse that is pomegranate molasses for a little sweet and sour kick.

Beth Pratt

Beth is one of Silver’s interns. She loves reading and studying literature. Entering her final year of university, Beth still finds time to dance, swim, and have a pint with friends. Her favourite hobby is going to coffee shops, if you can call it a hobby!

The post 5 of the best salad dressings appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Whether you want a relaxing, luxury break or an adventure-packed trip we have the latest launches and best travel news, for you to enjoy this summer.

Glass-bottomed pools you make the rocking world go ‘round

nhow Milano

nhow Milano recently opened a new 750 square metre rooftop area that features an infinity glass-bottomed pool located in Milan’s Via Tortona.

The Vertigo Pool is situated alongside two round pools and a solarium. There is also a new restaurant and cocktail bar to complement the view.

Prices per night start at €160 this summer.

For more information head to nh Hotels.

Are you seeking some water wellness?

Beach on the Isle of Mull

New for 2023, Wild Hebridean Swimming Adventures presents its beginner open water development retreats at Achaban House, Fionnphort.

This summer, enjoy adventure swims in some of the world’s most idyllic seas on the Isles of Mull and Iona. There will be guided swim treks, safety courses in cold water swimming, sunrise and sunset dips and 1:1 technique coaching.

Forthcoming retreats will be from 17 to 23 July and 29 Sept to 2 October. Retreats start at £795pp and include transfers, meals, yoga, massage, pilates and coaching.

For more information head to Swim Dynamics.

Looking for the perfect day trip from London?

Mayfield Lavender, Surrey

Banstead, Surrey, is home to Mayfield Lavender for only three months out of the year. It reopened on 20 June and will close again on 20 August.

The 25-acre farm sits on an original 19th-century Victorian lavender field site. There is a tractor ride that runs throughout the day to take in all the sights and smells as well as see the bees and butterflies. It is £2.50 per person.

There is a shop and café selling a range of teas, cupcakes, oils and soaps made with the organic lavender grown there.

It is £5 entry per person. Note that you can only buy tickets when you’re there (weekdays will be less busy).

Fancy a shleepover?

Naughty Sheep

Naughty Sheep have announced their new wellness weekends starting from September 2023 that combine mindfulness and sheep in Gartmore, Stirling.

Their three-day Sheepy Sleepovers involve de-stressing with pet Herdwick sheep while exploring the surrounding hidden gems of Scotland. A three-night stay includes yoga, sound healing, meditations, confidence techniques and, of course, Dougal and Lochie the sheep.

Available from 15 September 2023. Price: £796 per night for up to three people.

For more information visit Tea With Naughty Sheep.

Relaxation with a touch of elegance and charm

Schloss Hotel Roxburghe

SCHLOSS Roxburghe recently celebrated the opening of the new Estate House located within the countryside of the Scottish Borders after an expansion that boasts an additional 58 rooms and a new restaurant and spa.

The new spa facility includes a heated outdoor infinity pool, indoor and outdoor areas for relaxing, a plunge pool and a fitness suite. As well as three treatment rooms and two saunas.

To book, head to Schloss Hotel Roxburghe.

An escape in the city with the girls

Wander Women Collective

The WanderWomen collective in Edinburgh, Scotland, has released a series of outdoor experiences for women this July.

Their upcoming activities include a Forest Bath & River Swim on 6 July and a Hammock Hang Out on the 28^th. Both involve a unique mix of mindfulness and adventure in and around Edinburgh to escape from the daily grind.

Forest Bath & River Swim – 6 July (price: £60; concession £48)

Hammock Hang Out – 28 July (price: £30; concession £24)

For more information visit Wander Women.

Read more: How a life-changing retreat transformed this 60-year-old’s life

Beat the cost of living with these countryside offers

The Inn Collection Group

The Inn Collection Group have re-launched their Winter Breaks offer for 2023/24 in Northumberland, Durham, Tyne & Wear and North Yorkshire.

Starting at £49.50 per person, the package offers bed and breakfast stays with dinner from 1 November to 31 March. The offer is open at 29 inns located in some of the UK’s most picturesque locations such as the Lake District and the North York Moors.

Bookings are available direct from The Inn Collection Group.

A luxurious sleep under the stars in Västerås

Best Western Plus Hotel Plaza has opened the Plaza Rooftop Hotel on a roof terrace in the middle of Västerås in

Plaza Rooftop Hotel, Sweden

collaboration with one of Sweden’s leading bed suppliers, Hästens.

The so-called “Glasdome” is 1hr 30min west of Stockholm and boasts a unique hotel experience with an extensive room service menu. Guests can choose from a variety of experiences such as the world’s highest bungee jump, a hot air balloon flight and private gin tasting at a local distillery.

Prices start at SEK 3,995 (approx. £295) and include a three-course dinner menu, welcome drink, a free minibar, entrance to Hotel Plaza’s Spa and a gym session at Skygym.

For more information visit Plaza Rooftop Hotel.

The ultimate wellness experience in the Maldives

The Nautilus, the Maldives

The Nautilus is hosting the Energy Harmony Retreat this winter in collaboration with Ananda in the Himalayas to combine ayurvedic and yogic knowledge with the timeless hospitality of the Maldives.

The five-star private island hideaway offers beach houses on Hanifaru Bay and an extensive range of facilities and spa amenities. This new retreat will explore Ayurvedic treatments and classes such as Reflexology and Kundalini Massage. There will be tailored gourmet cuisine created especially for the retreat.

Prices start at USD 33,260 for two guests for six nights and include all meals, return transfers, green tax and the programme.

For more information visit The Nautilus.

Summer’s most stylish beach club has officially opened!

Dune Beach Marbella

Bought to you by the creators of Ocean Club Marbella, Dune Beach Marbella opens this summer in El Rosario, Marbella, and offers stunning sea views, stylish décor, and gourmet Mediterranean cuisine.

Surrounded by protected sand dunes, Dune Beach Marbella combines the beach club experience with a sit-down restaurant. Expect middle eastern flatbreads, marinated tiger prawns, Kobe flank steaks and hearty salads. As well as wines, champagnes, or curated cocktails.

For more information visit Dune Beach Marbella.

A Star Is Born

Introducing Celestyal Journey, Celestyal’s long-awaited new ship following its multimillion refurbishment.

Celestyal Journey

With 280% more balcony suites, seven dining venues, eight bars, two pools and an entire deck dedicated to wellness, the Celestyal Journey offers you an opportunity to relax and adventure on the Aegean Sea.

This is the debut of its first-ever penthouse with a private terrace. As well as an updated culinary experience.

Set sail on 2 September and visit Athens, Thessaloniki, Kusadasi, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos and Milos.

For further information visit Celestyal.

Beth Pratt

Beth is one of Silver’s interns. She loves reading and studying literature. Entering her final year of university, Beth still finds time to dance, swim, and have a pint with friends. Her favourite hobby is going to coffee shops, if you can call it a hobby!

The post Travel news July – hot picks appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Illustration by Charlie Mackesy to celebrate the NHS’s 75th anniversary

The NHS is an essential part of all our lives. And it’s great to see how passionate the UK feels about protecting this beloved institution we’re so lucky to have. Particularly after the dedication and strength the staff demonstrated during the pandemic. As the service turns 75, let’s explore the many ways we can support the NHS this year.

1. Do you want to join the NHS team?

Joining the NHS as staff is one of the biggest things you can do to support it. Especially when there’s a staff shortage in many areas of the service, any new employee is a plus. With 1.3 million staff, the NHS is Europe’s biggest employer.

There are 350 careers available, so there is a job for you if you want to make a difference. But don’t fret – it doesn’t have to be a clinical role. The NHS employs electricians, administration, porters, accountants, and caterers. Take a look at more information here.

You can work for the NHS whatever your work or educational background is. And there are options to make the career move from another sector (it isn’t only open to the young, fresh graduates). The NHS has a wide range of employers, such as hospitals, emergency services, GP practices, and opticians, as well as monitoring services like NHS England.

Alternatively, there are roles in social care and public health to support people and protect their health. Learn more about careers in the NHS here.

Read more: Beat the ageism game. How to create a great CV when you’re over 50

2. Are you bloody brilliant?

Thanks to their kindness, blood donors save thousands of lives every day. But there is still an urgent need for more supplies. The NHS requires 5000 blood donations every day and 135,000 new donors every year.

Although it may seem disconcerting to some, there is always a member of staff by your side to make sure you’re all right. And, there’s usually a cheeky bicky and squash after, to up your sugars.

Most people aged between 17 and 65 can give blood. However, the NHS specifically needs 40,000 more Black donors to support the growing demand and treat sickle cell disease. If you feel like you can help and support the NHS as it turns 75, click here for more information.

Winner of the ‘Our Partners’ category for the NHS staff & volunteers FUJIFILM competition. Photo: Mary McConnell & Jenny Brodie

3. Could you volunteer locally?

NHS and CARE Volunteer Responders allow you to support the NHS, its patients, and people through social care. A dedicated app makes this work flexible – roles are advertised here if you are interested.

Other volunteer roles include companionship for patients, being a first responder, fundraising, and supporting charities. Or you could even become a hospital radio DJ! There are more details here.

4. Are you on the NHS Organ Donor Register?

If you decide to donate your organs after you die, you will save or transform the life of up to nine lives, and more by donating tissue.

You can register your decision here. But remember, it is always a good idea to discuss this with your loved ones so that they are in the know.

Winner of the ‘Our Environment’ category for the NHS staff & volunteers FUJIFILM competition. Photo: Joe Cartwright

5. What is the NHS1000 miles challenge?

To mark the 75^th birthday of the NHS, you can join the NHS1000-mile challenge and commit to walking, running, swimming, or cycling 1000 miles this year. That may sound impossible, but on average it’s only 2.74 miles per day – so let’s get those steps in.

Participants are encouraged to keep a record of their weekly miles and share their progress via Twitter every Sunday night using the hashtag #NHS1000miles.

Let’s not forget – physical activity is great for our physical and mental health. We should all aim to be active every day to improve our sleep, clear our minds, and boost our energy.

It’s free to take part in, but there is the option to get sponsored. You can set up a Just Giving page here and this spreadsheet will allow you to track your miles. To get started, try the NHS Couch to 5K or attend your local park run. Good luck!

6. Do you want to transform the health of the nation?

The health revolution that has taken place over the last 75 years would not be possible without the 230+ NHS charities located in the UK.

By volunteering and donating to NHS charities, you can support research, renovation, technologies, and the staff, who help the NHS transform the health and wellbeing of the nation. If you are interested in offering your support, learn more about it here.

7. Did you know you can get involved in research?

Research is the foundation of the NHS. And further research will play an important part in shaping the future of the NHS by discovering life-saving treatments, uncovering the secrets behind diseases, and developing the answers to the problems causing ill health today.

It is super easy for us all to get involved and help design research studies and advise what the priorities for the future should be. Get in touch here with questions you want the NHS to find the answers for, find research applications up for review, and decide what research gets funded.

To support the NHS as it turns 75, take part in a study, pop over to your GP and ask for information on trials or studies in your area. Or click here to sign up for alerts.

Photo: Nicolas Leclerq

From everyone at Silver, happy birthday NHS and thank you for everything you do. Here’s to many more years of revolutionary healthcare and outstanding kindness.

Click here for more NHS birthday events and news.

Beth Pratt

Beth is one of Silver’s interns. She loves reading and studying literature. Entering her final year of university, Beth still finds time to dance, swim, and have a pint with friends. Her favourite hobby is going to coffee shops, if you can call it a hobby!

The post 7 ways to support the NHS – things you can do appeared first on Silver Magazine.

After a life-changing retreat to Kalukanda House, Harriet Forde turned 60 and ditched her 36-year career in interior design for an exploration of food and a more holistic lifestyle. We spoke to her about the transformational journey, and about the retreat. And now we want to go too.

Do you even know who you are anymore?

The emotional fallout over the last few years has made a retreat from the fast pace and crushing pressure of the ever-growing, extremely demanding, corporate world particularly appealing. But knowing whether to alter your actual career can be difficult to figure out.

The career change is something that had been brewing for a long time

Your identity may be rooted in a working environment if you have been in one line of work for many years. Discovering who you are, without that foundation, may seem daunting and make it harder to know when to move on.

Harriet Forde is an interior and textile designer, mother of two, wife, and founder of Harriet Forde Design. Approaching 60, Harriet felt that she was ready for change. But it was her stay at Kalukanda House that truly allowed space for reflection. And gave her a clearer perspective on the way forward.

“The career change is something that had been brewing for a long time,” she says. “Staying at Kalukunda house reinforced the need to let go of the old and create space for the new.”

Harriet’s experience

Harriet Forde

While being a successful entrepreneur, Harriet has always enjoyed the moments of “me time” she has got from cooking, yoga, travelling, massage, meditation and reading. Yet it was her experience at this retreat that was the pivotal moment in her journey to her new career in food and nutrition.

She described the retreat as “perfectly put together,” and great for those who need some time out to be surrounded by like-minded creatives. Harriet explained that each activity had its benefits: “Doing yoga every day was definitely a plus for my body – I loved the stretch! The gong bath and cacao ceremony are still clearly in my mind seven months later. The massage was amazing too… I knew I needed this week of unapologetic devotion to my body.”

Harriet explained she took part in the Journey to the Heart retreat because it called to her and everything she craved. She had no nerves when embarking on this journey because she had so much faith in the people and the process. She knew one of the founders, Dee Gibson, and decided it was the right call for her.

“Dee described the programme and I felt it chime with me. I needed time out, and to be surrounded by like-minded creatives.  I have done several retreats before and so I had an idea about what works for me – this looked like it would.”

She described Dee as a good person and a top host for the retreat. Harriet recommends the experiences to all travellers, especially solo ones.

“I knew I needed this week of unapologetic devotion to my body.”

Ultimately, it is simple. The space gave her time to breathe, away from the chaos and emotional turmoil the past through years have put us through. The healing and revelations that came from Kalukanda House, and all that it has to offer and nurture, finally gave her the momentum she needed to plan her new ventures with the Slow Food movement.

Read more: The healing power of horses helped mend my heartbreak

What is Kalukanda House?

Founder, Dee Gibson

Sri Lanka is a well-known hotspot for beautiful beaches to relax and unwind on, which can make it a rather busy destination. However, if you travel south to the sandy coast of Weligama, you will uncover many hidden gems, such as the shallow coral reefs, the prized Taprobane Island, and Kalukanda House.

The designers have created decadent rooms to “nourish your heart and soul.” The handcrafted beds, fluffy pillows, organic toiletries, and deluxe power showers emphasise the importance of rest and rejuvenation while supporting local craftspeople. Every morning you can open the hand-carved shutters to reveal a jungle garden bursting with song and endemic wildlife.

The yoga shala and pool are great areas to uplift your spirit through exercise, conversation, or daydreaming, set against blue sky and palm trees or candle-lit dusk. The landscape is a slice of paradise, watched over by an ancient (some may say magical!) Bodhi Tree. It is a safe space in which to lose yourself, and a place where you ultimately find a deeper sense of who you want to become.

Relaxing at the pool at Kalukanda House

What happens at the retreat?

They apply a personally tailored program to dedicate your day to individual healing and guided wellness practices. You will be part of an intimate group of six to eight women. This will help you to find comfort, strength, and security during uncertain times. As you take part in consultations with wellness practitioners and engage in yoga, meditation, and body treatments, the aim is to listen to your inner silence to unlock your highest potential and find a new grounding for the new challenges ahead of you.

“It is a safe space in which to lose yourself, and a place where you ultimately find a deeper sense of who you want to become.”

You will spend your mornings engaging in yoga, meditation, and breathwork, followed by breakfast. Afterwards, they encourage you to converse, journal, and reflect with the others. You then have some downtime to explore the village via the abundance of tuk-tuks, or surf and scuba with trained professionals. Then it is time for lunch, freshly prepared by the on-site chef using locally sourced ingredients.

Your afternoons are spent having a massage or ayurvedic consultation, followed by a gong bath, cacoa ceremony, or reiki. Then there is time for more meditation and finally dinner, drinks, and snacks. It truly is the most luxurious dip into experimental travel.

Yoga at Kalukanda House

How have things changed for Harriet?

In the spirit of taking each day as it comes, Harriet’s new plan is ever-evolving. Which, at the age of 60, she is delighted about. After taking a deep dive into herself and reconnecting her head with her heart, Harriet realised she needed a complete break from her old career in interior design to give space for the new.

“I have continued experimenting in my own kitchen with food, fermentation, and foraging. I have completed a short writing course with producing copy in mind. As well as this, I have joined the Slow Food movement and looked into a variety of NGO organisations in the UK to do with sustainability and food education to see what chimes with me.”

And, inspired by the vast array of delicious meals she enjoyed in Sri Lanka, Harriet has joined the ZOE nutrition programme. This has allowed her to better understand how what she eats, affects her body. Which will maintain the wellbeing she gained from her time at Kalukanda House.

Harriet’s essentials for the trip of a lifetime

We will leave it up to you to pack the basics. But here are a few extras you may not think of:

• Noise cancelling headphones for the plane journey
• An inspiring book
• An idea for a piece of jewellery to be made in Galle
• A set of very open senses – “the smells, tastes, and sounds of Sri Lanka need to be soaked up.”

Kalukanda House at night

If you are looking to make a positive social impact, here are some more details…

Journey to the Heart December 2023

Register here: stay@kalukandahouse.com

Special inaugural retreat only price of $412 (per person)

Private room – $520 (per person)

Twin room – $260 (per person)

Note: $50 per guest is donated to a local charity empowering women and girls

Beth Pratt

Beth is one of Silver’s interns. She loves reading and studying literature. Entering her final year of university, Beth still finds time to dance, swim, and have a pint with friends. Her favourite hobby is going to coffee shops, if you can call it a hobby!

The post How a life-changing retreat transformed this 60-year-old’s life appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Chapter 13: We Can Be Heroes

December 1, 1989. World AIDS Day. An unmarked white van is slowly snaking its way through Parliament Square towards Westminster Bridge. The driver is an ex-military man named Alan. Packed in the back are a dozen men and women, none of us from a military background, all of us personally embattled in one way or another.

…we padlock the chain to either side of the bridge, before handcuffing ourselves to it and tossing the keys into the Thames

Halfway across the bridge, the van suddenly stops. The rear doors fly open and we jump out, carrying a thick iron chain. Dodging the traffic, we padlock the chain to either side of the bridge, before handcuffing ourselves to it and tossing the keys into the Thames below. Some of us are holding bunches of flowers, the kind you might place on a loved one’s grave. We link arms as a show of solidarity and begin our protest. ‘Act up! Fight back! Fight AIDS!’

I joined ACT UP shortly after my friend Vaughan told me he was HIV+. By the time I was chaining myself to Westminster Bridge some ten months later, it had completely taken over my life. ACT UP stood for AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power. There was no formal structure or hierarchy, but rather a variety of subgroups dedicated to direct action, fundraising, media liaison, outreach and so on.

I volunteered to be part of the action group. Not everyone could afford to get arrested. Some had family to think about or jobs to protect. But everyone was equally welcome. Archive photographs from the time tend to show angry gay men in black leather biker jackets. There were certainly a fair few of those, myself included. But there were also a lot of women involved in ACT UP London – Stacy Baker, Ché Feenie, Emma Hindley, Jo Mackie and Maureen Oliver, to name just a few.

At that very first meeting I met a beautiful young biker boy called Spud Jones, who quickly became one of my closest friends. As I soon discovered, activism can be a powerful bonding agent. Spud was the singer in a band called Tongue Man, who released punky, noisy, unapologetically gay records with titles like Joys Of A Meatmaster. He was never destined to appear on Top Of The Pops.

But another member of ACT UP often did. Jimmy Somerville had been part of the soundtrack to my life from Smalltown Boy through to his recent hit, Don’t Leave Me This Way, the Communards’ cover of a disco classic, interpreted by many as a tribute to those recently lost to AIDS. His new solo single Read My Lips (Enough Is Enough) was a protest song calling for increased funding to tackle the pandemic.

The aim wasn’t simply to vent our anger but to raise awareness of the issues affecting people living with HIV and AIDS

ACT UP was committed to ‘non-violent direct action’, sometimes referred to as ‘civil disobedience’ – otherwise known as breaking the law. The aim wasn’t simply to vent our anger but to raise awareness of the issues affecting people living with HIV and AIDS, be they welfare cuts, discrimination in the workplace, homophobic reporting in the press, or the failure of prisons and other services to provide free condoms and needle exchanges to help stop the spread of the virus.

Demonstrations were referred to as ‘zaps’ and tended to be rather theatrical in nature. For example, ACT UP New York famously staged an enormous ‘die-in’ at St Patrick’s Cathedral and stormed the offices of politicians and drug companies, covering desks and computers with fake blood. ACT UP Paris lowered a giant pink condom over the Egyptian obelisk in the city centre.

ACT UP London. Photo: Gordon Rainsford

It’s fair to say that ACT UP London never reached such dizzy heights. Our first zap involved catapulting condoms over the walls of Pentonville Prison. When it became clear that rubbers wrapped in foil didn’t have the density required to scale prison walls, we inflated the condoms and tried to float them over instead. We also chained ourselves to the gates of Downing Street on the day the Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Major, was due to deliver the budget. As his car approached, a group of us leaped out and handcuffed ourselves to the gates, blocking his path. My photo appeared in one of the gay free sheets under the headline ‘Not budging on budget day’. Five people were arrested and referred to as ‘the ACT UP five’.

Another time, we invaded the offices of the Daily Mail, cunningly disguised as motorcycle couriers. The target of our protest was columnist George Gale, who peddled the kind of victim-blaming AIDS commentary typical of the period. I was sporting rather a luxurious quiff at the time and questioned whether a motorcycle helmet was really necessary as it might flatten my hair. My friend Emma rolled her eyes and reminded me that this was no time for vanity. Photographs taken inside the Daily Mail offices show Emma, Jimmy, me and others handcuffed to some railings while a security guard looks on perplexed. My hair looks suitably disarrayed but disappointingly lacking in volume.

But mainly we blocked traffic. As my fellow activist and soon-to-be boyfriend William often said, our battle cry could have been ‘ACT UP London, lie down!’ Joking aside, this was one way to guarantee media coverage. If all else failed, at least we’d make the traffic news.

So when the government announced benefit cuts to people living with HIV, AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses and chronic conditions, we staged a die-in next to the Cenotaph on Whitehall. A dozen of us lay across the road, clinging on to a large banner and chanting, ‘Living with AIDS, dying for money!’ I was one of the first to be dragged away by the police, who didn’t arrest me but simply dumped me on the pavement. I picked myself up and tried to re-join the protest, only people were packed so tightly together there was no room for me to squeeze in. I had to outrun the police and approach the demo from a different angle, lying back down in the road but facing the opposite way to everyone else.

The moment was captured by photographer Gordon Rainsford and remains one of my favourite ACT UP photos. I might look a right poser, but it’s a pose with purpose. My ‘Action = Life’ T-shirt is clearly visible. The look on my face is one of grim determination.

ACT UP die-in, London. Photo: Gordon Rainsford

Interview: Paul Burston

Author Paul Burston. Photo: Krystyna FitzGerald-Morris

Paul Burston wasn’t always the iconic voice of LGBTQ+ London that he is today. He grew up in a working-class community in a small town in South Wales – the product of an unhappy marriage and a broken home, a queer kid who was bullied from an early age, and a survivor of childhood abuse.

At 19, he moved to London and came out, hoping for a happier life, only to watch in horror as his new-found community was decimated by AIDS, fearing that he might be next. He survived.

Driven by grief and a powerful sense of survivor’s guilt, Paul joined ACT UP and became an AIDS activist. He was arrested, prosecuted, and developed coping strategies that would only increase his suffering and fuel his euphoria.

Read more: Polari, Britain’s secret gay language and its influence today

Having been born well after the AIDS pandemic and not having a great deal of knowledge about the times, we asked our youngest team members here, Ellie Mongey and Beth Pratt, to read up on this, put their heads together, and craft some questions for Paul…

Q: How did you feel when you were prosecuted and arrested for standing up for something you felt so passionately about? 

P: “This was when I was charged following a protest with ACT UP. I was often arrested on demos, but this was the one time I was prosecuted, and the case went to court. I won’t pretend I wasn’t scared. But I also knew that I was right to protest against such bigotry and injustice, and I had the support of those closest to me – my fellow activists, including my cousin and flatmate Elaine.

“I also knew that I hadn’t actually broken the law on this occasion, certainly not at the time of my arrest. I was standing on the pavement, being interviewed by a reporter from the BBC! So I went into the courtroom putting on a brave face and hoping for the best. When I was found not guilty, it felt like a huge triumph. I left court feeling like a hero.”

Q: At what point in your life have you felt most liberated?

P: “I’ve felt liberated in different ways at different times. Coming out for the first time was hugely liberating. Joining ACT UP and finding an outlet for my grief and fears about AIDS was liberating. Recovering from drug and alcohol abuse was liberating. For me, liberation is all about being true to yourself. I’ve been true to myself in different ways at different times. But I think I’m the most authentic version of myself right now.”

Q: Looking back at your life so far, what has been your biggest achievement?

P: “Refusing to take ‘no’ for an answer. I’ve always been very driven and bloody minded when I felt it necessary. So whether it was demonstrating as an AIDS activist, writing magazine columns, newspaper articles and novels featuring gay characters, or creating a literary salon and book prize for other LGBTQ+ writers, it all feels like part of the same thing. It’s all about trying to make the world a better, more diverse and inclusive place.”

Q: Was it difficult to be so vulnerable and honest with your readers? Did that make the writing process tricky at all?

P: “Not really. I’ve always been very open, certainly since I came out when I was 19. As the years have gone by I’ve become more comfortable in my own skin, so deciding to write a memoir wasn’t that daunting. And there wouldn’t have been any point in writing it if I wasn’t completely honest. They say that honesty sets you free. Writing the book was certainly freeing, even when I was writing about mistakes I’ve made and moments I’m not proud of. There are many things I wish I’d done differently. I certainly have regrets. But they all led me to where I am now, so I try not to dwell on them too much.”

Q: Your work and life are so intertwined your work is your life, and your life is in your work. How do you rest, heal, and take a break from it all?

P: “With great difficulty! Ha ha! I live in my head a lot, so physical exercise helps. I enjoy working out, walking, swimming, and getting lost in a good book. Reading has always been a great source of escapism and sustenance for me. Books have saved me on so many occasions. I’m thankful that my mother always encouraged me to read. It’s been one of the greatest pleasures of my life.”

Q: Do you think more people should be sober?

P: “I think it depends on the person. I know lots of people who enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or can drink socially without it ever becoming a problem. Sadly I’m not one of those people. I can’t drink responsibly. I would drink to excess. So for me personally, sobriety makes more sense. But I wouldn’t judge anyone for drinking. It’s only if the drink becomes a problem that they might want to step back and think about it.”

Q: Do you agree that the best years of your life come later in life?

P: “I agree with what David Bowie said about ageing – it’s the process by which you become the person you were always meant to be. That’s assuming you have the luxury of ageing. So many people I knew didn’t have that luxury. So I’m very grateful that I do.”

ACT UP members in Australia. Photo: Gordon Rainsford

Q: Would you say that it is the resilience of community that gives you hope and inspiration during dark times?

P: “Absolutely. I’ve always taken inspiration from those around me, whether it’s people I’ve known personally, like Derek Jarman, or those I’ve only read about or seen from a distance. Community is hugely important to me. It’s what the author Armistead Maupin calls ‘logical family’ – which can include those you’re related to and those you’ve chosen. I can relate to that. My logical family means the world to me.”

We Can Be Heroes is available from Queer Lit for £8.29

Beth Pratt

Beth is one of Silver’s interns. She loves reading and studying literature. Entering her final year of university, Beth still finds time to dance, swim, and have a pint with friends. Her favourite hobby is going to coffee shops, if you can call it a hobby!

The post We Can Be Heroes: excerpt and interview with author, Paul Burston appeared first on Silver Magazine.

English wine isn’t just delicious, it’s an ethical choice too. It has a low carbon footprint due to its on-site vine-to-bottle method. And many vineyards focus on small-batch, sustainable harvests. They also compost, avoid herbicides, encourage healthy biodiversity, and focus on renewable energy.

While some may think of us English folk more as wine drinkers than makers, in the last 20 years English wine production has become an exciting new force. While climate change remains a very real anxiety, the rising temperatures have meant that we’ve had many more locally produced bottles to drown our sorrows with.

Grape ripening issues have become a thing of the past and the warmer, sunnier climate has opened a door to English red wine production. The limestone-chalk soil and warm climate of the South East mirror the ideal environment for bubbly famously found in Champagne. Because the prices for land in England are much lower, English producers can excel with their consumer-friendly prices. With the number of vines planted growing each year, let me take you through our top picks.

Red

Made from the skin, seeds, and stems of black grapes to achieve its rich red-purple colour, red wine arguably accrues the highest praise. Higher in bitter tannins than any other, it is recommended served at room temperature and as we say at Silver, the older the better.

Black Ewe Pinot Noir Precoce Vintage 2018

Black Ewe Pinot Noir Precoce Vintage 2018, £45

The unpredictable climate of the South West means that each wine has a character of its own. The beautiful fields of Trevibban Mill in Cornwall have cultivated a pinot noir with aromas of cherries, figs, prunes, and vanilla. The company has been highly celebrated not just for achieving such a full palate but for their sustainable approach. With earthy hints of dark chocolate, pepper, and tobacco, this English wine pairs nicely with beef, lamb, or gruyere.

• Vegan
• On-site production
• Small batch

Giffords Hall St Edmundsbury 2021, £15.50

Giffords Hall St Edmundsbury 2021

Suffolk’s Giffords Hall has produced a Pinot Noir with a lick of Rondo resulting in a colourful fusion of peppery cherry and ripe plummy notes. With hints of blackcurrant, vanilla and cedarwood spice, the softness on the palate is extremely appealing.

• Mixed blend
• Best-selling

White

For me, there is nothing better than a crisp, cold glass of white wine. Ranging from dry to sweet with fruity and floral aromas, white wine is made from both white and black grapes fermented without the skins to achieve its signature pure, naked colour.

Oastbrook Estate Vineyard Pinot Blanc 2022, £21

Oastbrook Estate Vineyard Pinot Blanc 2022

Awarded a gold medal at the IEWA 2023 for their Pinot Blanc, Oastbrook Estate presents a mouth-watering palate of apple, pear, and honeysuckle with a hint of white peach and nectarine; the perfect partner for fish or chicken on the BBQ this summer.

• Sustainable
• Organic

JoJo’s Bacchus Seyval Blanc Blend, £20

JoJo’s Bacchus Seyval Blanc Blend

JoJo’s vineyard is situated on the chalky slopes of the Chiltern Hills, Oxfordshire. Their first wine, a Bacchus-Seyval blend, is a  vibrant and expressive white wine that was released at the end of September 2022. With elegant notes of quince, apple blossom and white peach, the light white wine is fantastic with seafood, chicken or garden veg.

• Handcrafted
• Sustainable
• Small batch

Rosé

Made with black grapes fermented for less time and perfect with light bites and nibbles, rosé is a crowd magnet. Its pink, blush colour leaves a dry taste in the mouth with notes of berries, citrus or tropical fruits.

Winbirri Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé 2021

Winbirri Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé 2021, £19

The team at Winbirri Vineyard in Norfolk have expertly crafted a Pinot Noir Rosé with aromas of cherries, strawberries, and cream. Perfect as an aperitif or with fresh seafood, passion is at the heart of this wine. Its quaffable nature tastes as good as it sounds.

• Vegan
• World-class

Gusbourne Estate English Rosé, £25

Gusbourne Estate English Rosé

Similarly, the Gusbourne Estate spread across Kent and West Sussex, boasts a leading collection of Burgundian grapes that thrive in the unique microclimate of the South East. They produce smaller volumes of intensely flavourful fruit that have cultivated an English rosè that is zesty and juicy. The raspberry and redcurrant notes are finished with hints of blossom and ginger for a decadent English summer.

• Hand-picked
• Sustainable

Sparkling

Dunesforde Blanc de Noir 2018, £35

Dunesforde Blanc de Noir 2018

The southeast may be the English wine hub, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look further afield for top-notch vino. The 2018 Dunesforde Blanc de Noir is a charismatic sparkler that won gold at the IEWA. With a vibrant fruit purity of red apple and cranberry, it leaves a youthful yet modern expression. Some may say the weather isn’t ideal, but as one of the most northerly vineyards, Dunesforde has bought the vineyards of Tuscany to Yorkshire proving there isn’t a shortage of homemade booze up north.

• Supports local communities
• Environmentally friendly
• Limited reserve

There is an abundance of excellent bubbly in Britain. Sussex-based Ridgeview’s Blanc de Blancs 2018 edition or Fox & Fox’s Blanc de Noirs are among the many of our award-winning wines. But it was important to me to travel a little closer to home for this next one.

Pebblebed Sparkling Rosé, £29

Pebblebed Sparkling Rosé

From what started as a local community project to 22 acres today, Pebblebed Vineyards in Devon is a thriving wine-growing region. Its unique terroir and warmer summers help the grapes to gently ripen and produce wonderfully fresh aromas. Their Pebblebed Sparkling Rosé is crafted using the Champagne method for delicate red berry and rose petal flavours. Balanced with a fresh acidity, it has the wonderful fresh aromas that make English wine so special.

• Supports local communities
• Mixed blend
• Sustainable

Dessert

Sweet in taste, dessert wines pair perfectly with cheesecakes, vanilla or chocolate puddings, crème brulee – you name it! Perfect for when you never want your meal to end…

Hattingley Valley Entice Dessert Wine 2022, £25

Hattingley Valley Entice Dessert Wine 2022

As well as boasting a range of award-winning sparkling wines, the Hampshire-based Hattingley Valley entice you with an elegant dessert wine that has intense aromas of peach and elderflower. Its crisp acidity balances perfectly with the natural sweetness to give a pure, lasting honeyed finish.

• Vegan
• Individually tested
• Sustainable

Fortified

Made with grapes using the fermentation process, fortified wines have spirits added to them to increase its alcohol content – sounds like a recipe for a party to us. They were originally developed before the days of refrigeration to preserve wine on long journeys.

Sacred English Amber Vermouth, £19.95

Sacred English Amber Vermouth

My favourite is vermouth because it is flavoured with herbs and spices. You can get either dry (white) or sweet (red) vermouth that ranges from dry and floral to sweet and spiced. While vermouth usually originates from Italy or France, the Sacred English Amber Vermouth produced in Highgate, London was crowned the world’s best vermouth in 2019. With delicate floral and sweet orange notes, it is best served on the rocks or in a classic spritz.

• Handmade
• Organic botanicals

Non-alcoholic

L.A Brewery Sparkling English Blush, £10

Ok bear with me – we all know that alcohol-free wine is generally disgusting, right? But finally, there are some great AF options

L.A Brewery Sparkling English Blush

available for those who like a tipple without the topple. L.A Brewery in Suffolk brings you a sparkling English blush that finally offers a chance for your mind and body to reset. Inspired by summer sunshine, it combines seasonal florals with a hint of rhubarb for a crisp kombucha that is delicately dry with a floral fizz for everyone to enjoy.

• Transparent list of ingredients
• No hangover – say no more

Jukes London Tasting Box, £41

Or if you are looking for something more on the still side, look no further than Jukes, London. Their organic apple cider vinegar-based drinks are made with all-natural ingredients. You can enjoy a taste of their full range with The Tasting Box. It is an ultimate

Jukes London Tasting Box

sensory experience that includes two white, two red and one rosé that take you from citrus and herbal to deep and spicy to dry and refreshing.

• Vegan
• Low calories
• Planet-friendly

Read more: 6 of the best alcohol free spirits around

Selecting great wine

At the end of the day, if you don’t really know wine but you want a great glass of something, here are three things to look out for:

Reflect on the flavours you enjoy

Turn to the back of the bottle and consider the flavours YOU enjoy – do they match?

The more details the better

Is there information on the region, valley and grapes listed on the back?

Don’t let price dictate your choice

Discounts can often be a great opportunity to find a good deal in wine. They don’t mean the wine is of a lower quality or won’t taste great. Sometimes a bottle may be on sale because it is not in season or has been sitting in the store’s inventory for a while. In that case, consider the flavours and occasion, then allow price to be a secondary consideration.

Beth Pratt

Beth is one of Silver’s interns. She loves reading and studying literature. Entering her final year of university, Beth still finds time to dance, swim, and have a pint with friends. Her favourite hobby is going to coffee shops, if you can call it a hobby!

The post English wines that should be on your radar appeared first on Silver Magazine.