NEWS
TOP LOCAL DESIGNERS AND ARTISTS REDESIGN TUNBRIDGE WELLS SALON
WHITSTABLE CONSERVATIONIST“ SHE WHO HELPS” RECEIVES MBE FROM THE PALACE
A leading hair salon in Tunbridge Wells has celebrated its 14th birthday with a private-members club-style refit using top local designers and artists.
The talented team hired by award-winning colourist Leigh Roberts, whose in-demand salon has won a dedicated following of local and top London clients since opening its doors in 2002, included interior designer Justine Hodgson- Barker of Tunbridge Wells-based Barkerdesign.
The impressive makeover has transformed the salon’ s original understated look typical of many hair salons with minimalistic white-washed walls and sleek lines into an emporium of decadence and style reminiscent of the private members’ clubs in London’ s Shoreditch and Soho.
With black smoked mirrors, original 1930’ s lamps, a bespoke metal-dipped reception desk, bottle-green tiling and the most“ rock and roll toilet you’ ll ever see”, the salon also includes especially commissioned paintings by up-and-coming Tunbridge Wells artist Beth Fraser to grace the walls.
Designer Justine explained:“ The salon is not just a place to come and have your hair done but a great place to hang out, somewhere inspiring with a great atmosphere and interesting one-off pieces. When you first walk in you might think it ' s a really cool bar or hotel which just happens to offer you a great salon experience too.”
Wildlife and community expert Dr Cheryl Mvula has received an MBE for her services to responsible tourism, wildlife conservation and community development in Africa at Buckingham Palace in March.
Dr Mvula from Whitstable, known as Naretisho(“ She Who Helps”) in the Maasai community where she works in Kenya, has helped end over 35 years of exploitation of one of the world’ s most iconic tribes. Her pioneering work with the Maasai, recognised with global responsible tourism awards for the skill and sensitivity with which she approaches working in very traditional communities, has not been without challenges. Despite death threats, this all round feisty woman doesn’ t take no for an answer when it comes to facilitating good practice in tourism and speaking out for the poor.
Over the years, Cheryl has worked in partnership with a number of impressive NGOs such as the Born
Free Foundation, the Travel Foundation, the Federation of Tour Operators, the Kenya Association of Tour Operators and the Mara Conservancy. She is also founder of a poverty reduction charity, The High Five Club, through which Cheryl and her Zambian husband Manny tirelessly offer their time and resources to impoverished rural communities living in wildlife areas of Africa, providing an empowering hand up rather than a demeaning handout approach to development.
Cheryl also helped set up and run the world’ s most successful primate release project, the Born Freesupported Zambia Primate Project, which to date has rescued over 600 primates from the illegal bush meat and pet trades in Zambia, successfully rehabilitating these primates and returning them to the wild in Kafue National Park.
Cheryl received her investiture at Buckingham Palace on 24th March.
LE CREUSET SPRING / SUMMER 2017 COLLECTION REVEALED
Bringing to life the vibrant hues of aromatic spices and herbs, the Colours of Spice range showcases a selection of Le Creuset cookware classics, with a spice-inspired twist, and new additions to the Le Creuset cuisines of the world collection.
Capturing the rich and flavoursome style of Eastern cooking, the Colours of Spice range incorporates a kaleidoscope of colours inspired by some favourite herbs and spices from rosemary green to ginger and tumeric. The collection features Signature Cast Iron, Stoneware and Mills in four main campaign colours – Rosemary, Volcanic, Satin Black and Almond – as well as contemporary 3-ply Stainless Steel and Toughened Non-Stick products to meet all cooking needs. Available at Le Creuset, Bluewater.
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