Brillanté Magazine

May 2011 what’s on

admin — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:16:01 +0000

May onwards – Lakes Alive Summer Programme,
Various locations around South Lakeland and Cumbria. 01539 720252. www.lakesalive.org

Saturday 14th – Sunday 22nd May – Cumbria FishingFestival,
Various locations around South Lakeland and Cumbria. 015395 35630. www.gofishinglakedistrict.co.uk

Saturday 21st May – Sedbergh Gala.
07837 978626. www.sedbergh.org.uk

Saturday 28th May (Evening) – Cartmel Races.
015395 36340. www.cartmelracecourse. co.uk

Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th May – Country Fest,
CountyShowfield, Crooklands, Near Kendal. 015395 67804. www.westmorlandshow.co.uk

Sunday 29th May – Shetland Pony & Pantomime Horse Racing Festival,
Ford Park, Ulverston. 01229 585542

Monday 30th May – Cartmel Races,
015395 36340. www.cartmel-racecourse.co.uk

Monday 30th May – Sunday 5th June – 4×4 Music Festival: Composer Residency,
Various locations around the Lake District. 0845 644 2144 www.ldsm.org.uk

April 2011- what’s on

admin — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:10:06 +0000

Sunday 10th – Saturday 16th April - South Cumbria Music Festival,
Ulverston. 01229 823432. www.scmfweb.org.uk

Saturday 16th April - Damson Day,
Low Farm, Lyth Valley on A5074. 015395 68599. www.lythdamsons.org.uk

Friday 29th April – Sunday 8th May - Ulverston Walking Festival,
All around Ulverston. 01229 587726.

Saturday 30th April – Sunday 1st May – Printfest,
Coronation Hall, Ulverston. 01229 587140. www.printfest.org.uk

Saturday 30th April – Sunday 15th May – Ulverston Flag Fortnight,
Town Centre. 01229 587120. www.ulverston.net

March 2011 – what’s on

admin — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:04:02 +0000

Saturday 26th – Sun 27th March – Ambleside Daffodil & Spring Flower Show,
The Kelsick Centre, St. Mary’s Lane, Ambleside. 015394 32906. www.ambleside-show.org.uk

The full treatment From derelict basement to an ‘oasis of tranquillity’

vikkie — Thu, 26 May 2011 15:03:22 +0000

Never having to say NO has played a big part in the success of the Midland Spa, that oasis of tranquillity and calm in the seaside resort of Morecambe.
Tucked away discreetly in the basement of the magnificently restored Midland Hotel, the Spa has built up an enviable reputation for its luxurious treatments and for the service from the dedicated staff. Their dedication has helped the Spa develop a flexible approach that has attracted an ever-increasing list of happy clients.
As proprietor Jane Whatmuff says:
“We always put our customers first and that means never saying ‘No’. If they want us to open, we will and if they want to visit on a Sunday then we will open.
We pride ourselves on our flexibility and we recognise that this approach is appreciated by all the people we deal with.”
Jane has been in the beauty business for 20 years and before opening the Midland Spa was a lecturer at the Lancaster and Morecambe College. She and businessman husband Shaun came up with the idea of the Spa when they drove past the Midland during the many months of its renovations.
“I used to visit the hold hotel and remember what a wonderful place it was”, said Jane. So we thought the new Midland would be a perfect setting for our venture”. A chance meeting with an executive from Urban Splash, the developers, provided Jane with the opening she had been seeking and the rest, as they say, is history.
She explained: “Urban Splash was sold on the idea and we got together with them to find a suitable location”. And that turned out to be the basement which then was near derelict, strewn with rubbish and a far from attractive proposition.
But Jane and Shaun could see beyond the rubbish and their vision saw that old basement transformed into the haven that it is today. Today’s Spa clients know that they only have to descend the stairs to find themselves spirited away into the peace, the quiet and the wonderful tranquillity of the treatment room.
Once there, they can choose from a wide range of Clarins based treatments, designed to allow visitors to relax, replenish and revitalise themselves in the laid back and peaceful surroundings of the Spa. Jane and her team provide the support offering visitors plenty of time and plenty of space to enjoy the treatment or therapy of their choice.
Jane Whatmuff is proud of what she and her team have achieved during the three years the Spa has been open. “We always wanted to provide the location for people to escape, a perfect place to soothe away the stresses of the day and I think we have achieved that here at the Midland.”
Thanks to Jane and her team, the Midland Spa is now widely regarded as the perfect environment for people to immerse themselves in relaxing surrounds. A place where they can indulge in a little therapy and pampering whether it be a massage or one of the facial and body treatments or a special manicure or pedicure.
The Midland Spa has also become a popular venue for group visits. As Jane explains: “We have had bridal parties, hen parties, and groups of friends all wanting to enjoy each other’s company in the Spa’s relaxing surroundings. And we are pleased that many women have asked us to prepare them for their weddings. We are able to assist our beauty and relaxation therapies and we have a hairdresser on call should she be needed.”
Men are not forgotten at the Midland Spa with a range of revitalising treatments available to them as well. An added attraction is the large car park where vehicles can be left safely and nearby.
All the team have also been fully trained in all the techniques used in the Spa treatments and with the experience they have gained, they can help each whenever needed. Making up the team are Gemma, who actually manages the Spa, Jo, Marika, Julieanne, Nicky, Katie, Kirstie, and Amy.

Flushed with success!

vikkie — Thu, 26 May 2011 15:01:24 +0000

Not content with a collection of fine shops and stores, Lancaster’s Market Gate Shopping Centre has added a new attraction – FIVE STAR LOOS!
£89,000 has been jointly spent by Market Gate Shopping Centre and Lancaster City Council on renovating the toilets and that has been rewarded with recognition in the annual Loo of the Year Awards. Market Gate has been named among a handful of others to be awarded the coveted five stars and not only that but their cleaning team has also topped the Attendant of the Year Awards! The award winning attendants are Colin Pike, Dave Walker, Dave Hughes and Peter Higgins. All are employed by Independent Cleaning Services who are contracted by Market Gate.
Not surprisingly the clean-up of the top awards has delighted Market Gate’s manager Lynn Ison, particularly since she was also the project manager when it was decided to undertake the major overhaul of the toilets at the centre in July 2009. It took six weeks to complete the work, but when it was, the old outdated loos were replaced with state of the art facilities not just for men and women, but for children and for mothers and babies as well.
At the same time new fixtures and fittings were put in, making the toilets much more user and environmentally friendly. “Nothing was left to chance”, explained Lynn. “We took the opportunity to ensure the facilities were the best we could provide. Now they are much more pleasant for the people using them. They cater for everybody including young children. Within both the ladies and the gents toilets we have included junior priority cubicles and cubicles providing support rails to assist those requiring a little more support.
We also took the opportunity to update the disabled facilities and the parent room and there is now a brightly lit, attractive area where youngsters can be changed in peace and safety. There is also a unisex toilet for parents to accompany their children and the unique private breast feeding room offers Mum comfort and safety.”
Lynn Ison also said: “Hopefully we have looked after all interests. It was a challenging project, but the frequent customer compliments makes it all worthwhile. These awards have delighted everybody involved and are a credit to the cleaning team who maintain the facilities to such a high standard.”
It has certainly delighted the mothers who have used the new facilities. One of them, Claire Walker said: “All too often mothers and young babies tend to be forgotten, but Market Gate has really taken care of us and the new room and breast feeding area are wonderful.” Claire, who runs the website www.babymaze.co.uk, says she will be holding up the Market Gate facilities as the standard all others should follow. Market Gate itself now has 32 stores, shops and businesses within the centre. It has become a byword for the variety of shopping on offer and for the 120 space customer-friendly chip coin safety’ car park. Now it has another talking point, a Five Star facility that means nobody need ever be caught short again!

Style is never out of fashion

vikkie — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:59:38 +0000

Paul Cusimano read this slogan years ago and it has stayed with him ever since. It is his personal mantra and one that is clearly underlined in the Lancaster shop he manages, Joseph+Co.

The window display oozes style and inside the shop is an oasis of stylish fashion. Displayed on two colourful floors are clothing ranges from the world’s top designers. Jeans from Armani jostle alongside Ted Baker suits and shirts which vie for attention besides Paul Smith’s trousers and wallets and Henri-Lloyd’s latest colourful line.

There is footwear from Bamboo, Front, J Shoes and Timberland and the extensive collection for women includes clothing from Very, Motel and By Jam.

Paul said: “It is important to keep an eye on trends and on fashion styles. We are not the biggest of shops but we offer a very large representation of each of the brands we do stock. People who shop with us know they are buying quality with designs from the world’s best.”
Paul has been associated with style and fashion for as long as he can remember and has worked at Joseph+Co for over 25 years. He had the best grounding from his late father Ricky, a Sicilian-born tailor who came to work in England in 1958. He initially settled in Carlisle before opening his own tailor shop on Sun Street Lancaster in 1967.

“I used to marvel at his ability to create beautiful suits and jackets,” said Paul. “I learned so much about the importance of not only style and quality, but also the importance of fit.”

These days, Paul is an important part of the local independent traders. He is chairman of the Lancaster City Retail Group and works hard alongside others promoting the city and the city centre shops. The group is working hard on the plans towards making Lancaster a ‘Business Improvement District.’ In effect this aims to raise the revenues to promote and improve the city centre.
“Lancaster has some great independent shops and businesses which is why we have all got together to promote not only ourselves but the city as a wonderful destination for shoppers and tourists,” said Paul.

When Paul speaks about his adopted city, he does so with a passion. That same passion is also very apparent in his work,
in the shop and in his appreciation of all things stylish. He explains: “Everything we sell has been meticulously designed and expertly made and tailored. People, who appreciate quality, know that they will get that with the items we sell.”

Paul finished by adding “we also pride ourselves with offering the highest levels of service and honest advice.”

A little help and you can have that star appeal

vikkie — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:57:59 +0000

Have you ever wondered how our film stars look so good and radiant on the red carpet? Well the answer is simple; they get a little help, a little help from beauty experts like Jo and Cass.
A visit to any of their salons will quickly reveal the beauty secrets of the stars and the treatments on offer to make you look and feel like one of them. As ever, your skin is the first to show your age.
But there are painless non-surgical facelifts that can help.
Cliff Richard is a great believer in the Caci facelift, which builds muscle inside the face, plumping skin for instant and enjoyable result. Jo and Cass are established experts in this method and in crystal microdermabrasion which helps replace dead skin cells. As a person gets older, the natural process of the skin shedding old, dead cells and replacing them with new ones slows down.
This slowing can cause dead cells to build up on the outer layer of skin, causing dullness, pore blockage and an increase in the look of wrinkles.
The crystal microdermabrasion method can be used to get rid of the excess dead skin.
In essence, the process involves blasting the outer layer of skin with crystals and then sucking the dead skin away. The result is skin that is usually smoother, more even, and younger looking.
So when you look at the flawless complexions of celebrities you can be sure that many of them will have got that look through crystal microdermabrasion sessions at their local beauty salon. The method is one perfected by the experts at Jo and Cass and they use a machine to first vacuum off the skin. This creates suction that helps stimulate lymph node drainage and helps increase blood flow to the skin. The increased blood flow helps skin to restore itself faster. After that, the machine blasts small crystals, usually aluminium oxide, sodium bicarbonate crystals, or different types of salt, onto the face. These crystals work to break up the dead skin cells that have accumulated on the surface of the skin.
Sounds complicated but it is not and in the restful surroundings of a Jo and Cass salon it can be both relaxing and beneficial. You might not make it on to the Oscars red carpet, but you will certainly feel like a star.
With spring in the air what better time is there to have a new hair style? Mostly the latest styling is down to the cut and colour. Last year it was all straight, flat hair but now the trend is towards curl, volume and movement, with rich reds and slices of colour as favoured by Cheryl Cole.
At Jo and Cass you can be assured of the best attention and the best treatment from their fully qualified stylists.
If you fancy that new look just go along and seek the help in any of the four luxurious, beautifully appointed salons.
Jo and Cass’s salons are all five star rated and all feature in the Good Salon Guide. Apart from world class cutting and colouring, the salons have Shiatsu massaging chairs and offer complimentary consultations for all clients. What’s more the Lancaster salon is a Loreal flagship salon, an award that only goes to the very best.
The salons also now feature the new CID eyelashes as favoured by Cheryl Cole, Rihanna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Megan Fox and Jaime Winstone.
There is so much on offer at Jo and Cass that the best way is to actually call in and book an appointment and take advantage of our fantastic special offer opposite. With spring upon us why not make it the time you had a new you?
Celebrity Facial Offer:
Microdermabrasion,
Caci and Keraskin Facials £30.
Quote ‘Facial Offer’ when booking.

Michael and the team committed to buildings of quality and style

vikkie — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:56:06 +0000

Around the leafy lanes and the affluent suburbs of Cheshire, M H Stainton Ltd is one of the most eagerly sought after building companies, renowned far and wide for the quality of their various residential developments.
These are much in evidence in and around the Alderley Edge, Wilmslow and Mottram areas where many of the luxurious Stainton homes are located. But whilst the company has won plaudits and awards for the work in Cheshire they are actually based in Lancaster from where founder Michael Stainton directs his operations.
He has built up his reputation over three decades during which time he has become synonymous with luxury and quality craftsmanship. He has achieved this by surrounding himself with a loyal team of dedicated and skilled workers. Their aim always has been to achieve excellence.
As Michael, himself, explains: “I am fortunate that the people working with me share my commitment and enthusiasm for the work we do. That is why we have been able to build some wonderful homes.”
These homes have become some of the most admired properties in Cheshire, not only by local people but by the building profession itself. Such is that admiration that Michael and his team have won 13 ‘Build Quality’ awards at local and national levels as well as the much coveted award for building the ‘Best One Off Developments in the County”.
Nearer home that stamp of quality can be seen at The Parks in Bare Village, another of Stainton’s award winning developments. The former children’s home is now a much sought after gated community right at the heart of village life. And the company is soon about to embark on another major development nearby when work starts on converting the old Elms Hotel into 48 luxurious apartments.
The newly named Elms Hall will have a mixture of one and two bed roomed apartments in an elegant new Georgian inspired building. The development has provoked considerable interest with half of the apartments already spoken for.
Michael Stainton says: “My bespoke housing team prides itself on having the ability and the skills to create homes that people actually want. If somebody wants a truly personalised property we can design and then build to those requirements.
We are really offering a ‘tailor made’ home development service.”
It also means that the bespoke homes team can take care of every aspect of the build from start to finish. That often means finding a plot and designing the outside and inside of the property including the landscaping.
The Stainton Bespoke Homes team is always on the lookout for new development opportunities, particularly where individuals might have a plot but need help in building the property.
“With land being such a precious commodity, people want to ensure they get everything right and this is where we can help them”, said Michael.
Michael Stainton is Lancaster born and bred and served his apprenticeship in the building trade. As a young man he had his own team of bricklayers before deciding to take the plunge and launch his own company. He has had plenty of family support because wife Gail is company secretary and an important member of the management team. The company headquarters is in Queen Street, Lancaster, above a showroom featuring an array of stylish bathroom settings and stunning bathroom tiles.
The showroom is in a way a mirror to the Stainton group of companies. Everywhere you can see style and quality which are the key ingredients to Michael Stainton’s approach to business.
Now Michael and Gail Stainton are looking forward to the future and particularly to developments like Elms Hall which will help showcase the wonderful work of a building company committed to delivering quality and style.
20a Queen Street, Lancaster LA1 1RX
Tel: 01524 842729 www.mhstainton.co.uk

Rob uncovers a flavour of Italy & a taste for Good Italian Wine

vikkie — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:47:09 +0000

Rob Bagot fell in love with all things Italian when he was studying in Sicily as part of his language degree course. And he readily admits that people watching and drinking fine wines were integral to the lifestyle enjoyed during his young student days.
It was a lifestyle that seems to have paid off because he has now opened his own wine shop Buon Vino – his own little taste of Italy – tucked away behind The Shambles in the bustling North Yorkshire town of Settle. And it is from this shop that Rob runs his website GoodItalianWine.com.
As the name suggests wines from Italy are the central attraction and there can be no doubting Rob’s great affection for his subject. His descriptions clearly illustrate his love of the wines for example he describes how lively a Garganega can be when the primary fruit flavours are retained in the wine making. “The nose and palate burst with citrus and green fruits with a delicate element of blossom and a short but fresh almond finish”, are his tempting words.
Rob explains: “Italian wines are a favourite of mine because that is what I drank as a student. I was always amazed by the variety of tastes and the fact that they are so reasonably priced. That is important if you are living the impecunious life of a student, but just as important is that quality never seems to be sacrificed”.
The time Rob spent away from his studies in the cafes and bars was not wasted. He obtained his degree, now is fluent in Italian and French and has become an acknowledged expert on European wines, particularly, of course, those from his beloved Italy.
He has been trading successfully online for over two years as Good Italian Wine, supplying fine wines from artisan producers across the whole of Italy. Needless to say Rob has had great fun seeking these out.
As he explains: “Usually we source them from small family businesses, a lot of them organic with a real passion for producing quality distinctive wines. They survive because they care about their wines and they want people to enjoy their hard work and to savour individual, charismatic wines that have a tale to tell as to where they have come from.
“Our aim is to find the best and most exciting of Italy’s wines and get them to our customers at a competitive price. We also aim to continue our search for the smaller producers in the lesser known areas, those who respect tradition, the land and are deeply attached to their vines. Quite simply we are looking for farmers, not businessmen. It is only in these producers that the real character of Italian wine can be found with all its flavour, complexity and sense of place. You will rarely find these wines in the supermarkets or the national off licences”.
Many of the wines, though, will be found in Buon Vino and Rob is usually on hand to help anyone seeking a taste of Italy and a taste of the wines. The shop was opened in November 2009 and Settle was chosen because Rob had lived in the area ever since his wife Pam got a job at the nearby Giggleswick School.
The opening was the fulfilment of an ambition although Rob does admit it took some time before he arrived at his ideal career. After leaving university he worked at several jobs before ending up at Majestic Wines in Wilmslow. Spending around 10 hours a day on the retail floor meant he learned a lot about the wine trade and made him realise that he wanted to work for himself.
And so the idea of Buon Vino was born. The shop reflects everything about the Italian culture and way of life. The welcome is warm and as Rob makes clear: “I feel very lucky to be now doing this for my job and I hope to be able to bring some of the Italian experience to my customers through these fabulous and unique wines.”
To share Rob’s Italian experience contact him on 01729 823885 or via GoodItalianWine.com or visit Buon Vino, The Market Place, Settle, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, BD24 9EJ.

Purely unique

vikkie — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:44:50 +0000

brillanté visits Purely Bathrooms Limited and finds out how the business has developed due to their unique and very special service
When Kevin and Dora Dewhurst first started Purely Bathrooms, they quickly identified that a priority was to deliver the highest quality of service. So it was little surprising that they just as quickly established a reputation for their stylish designs.
Their business is based in Ellwood Hall on Lancaster’s busy Slyne Road and a visit to their showrooms quickly reveals the passion Kevin and Dora have for their job. Inside the former Church Hall has been transformed into a magnificent display of bathroom layouts and designs and inside the office is the very latest in computer aided design equipment.
It all adds up to a well thought out concept in which the customer can find a product to suit every taste and budgets, as well as a personal service that is very hard to beat. As Kevin points out: “We are pleased that we do have a good reputation, but this has to be earned every day. We are committed to customer service and that means providing the right levels of advice, help and after sales service support”.
Purely Bathrooms has been very much a labour of love for Kevin and Dora. Together they researched to find the best products at the most attractive prices. They wanted to seek out the best bathroom equipment and the best lines to suit all ambitions and pockets.
They also decided that their 2,500 sq ft showroom had to be both stylish and elegant, displaying equipment in attractive lay-outs and displays. And visitors to their showroom are quickly impressed by what has been achieved. There is something for everyone whether it is free standing baths, cast iron baths, air and water systems, shower enclosures or wet room solutions.
Customers will also find the fullest range of taps and showers, tiles, radiators, bathroom accessories and bathroom furniture. They will also have either Kevin or Dora on hand to show them around.
But from the start, Kevin and Dora recognised that displaying attractive bathrooms was only the start. Once people have made the decision to install a new bathroom they need guidance, not just in making the choice of equipment, but also in the best lay-outs for that equipment as well as the reassurance that it will be put in by experts.
And that is why Kevin and Dora work alongside experienced fitters and craftsmen which means that anyone seeking their help will get a bathroom designed to their own personal specification and fitted by a caring and knowledgeable team. “Essentially our bathrooms are unique to a particular customer”, said Kevin.
He added: “Once we have established their needs, helped them choose their bathroom and designed the layout we will be with them for the rest of the project. We keep a check on every step of the installation so that it is completed on time and to the highest possible standard”.
Between them, Kevin and Dora have been involved in the bathroom business for more than 16 years and now their business is becoming even more of a family business with daughter Carli joining them. But she has chosen to specialise in another field – kitchens and with the help of dad is building up an enviable reputation for quality service after they took over a kitchen supply firm that had leased the ground floor at Ellwood Hall.
As with the bathroom side of the business, Kevin decided that research was needed and he and Carli visited and studied some of the best kitchen supplying businesses in Europe. They eventually decided on a firm in Germany and after visiting the factory have become major customers.
Kevin explained: “We recognised that the Germans are renowned for the quality of the build and for the innovative use of space. Their equipment is beautifully crafted and the fact that it is, fits into our ambitions to only supply what is best for our customers.”
So Purely Bathrooms also has an interest in kitchens, but that is not all. They are also able to supply and install bedroom furniture and there is a fine display of this in the showrooms.
Kevin said: “We have grown slowly but surely into a sort of one stop shop where people can come along, browse and seek our help before deciding on changes to their home.”
Kevin and Dora Dewhurst have come a long way since they first set up their business. They have every reason to be proud of their achievements and they are looking to the future with both optimism and confidence. You can share in that future by visiting their showrooms or by contacting either of them on
01524 846454 or by visiting www.purelybathrooms.co.uk.