ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A GIFT FROM VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
As the time for Christmas shopping approaches, make sure you give your loved one a gift that will truly make her stand out from the crowd. These iconic rings from the High Jewellery House of Van Cleef & Arpels caress over and around the fingers with luxurious gold frosted with seasonal diamonds. The love story between the founders of the House – Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels – lingers on through the beauty of today’s pieces, which are always designed to flame with an everlasting tale of romance.
Choose from the beautiful Deux Papillons, Envol, Lotus, Socrate, or Ruban rings.

And for the man in your life

Don’t forget the House’s stylish watches, a must for any man. Choose from Tourbillon Vêndome, PA49, or the wonderful Midnight in Paris.

www.vancleef-arpels.com

STUNNING CHRISTMAS PRESENT – THE LEICA M9

The world’s most iconic camera has been reborn with the arrival of the LEICA M9. Beautifully designed and hand-finished, the M9 is perfect for all fields of photography from reportage and ‘available light’ to the capture of discreet, spontaneous images. This full-frame digital camera – the smallest in the world – draws upon more than 50 years of continuous technical development of the Leica rangefinder, and now the new features of this model place it, once again, at the cutting edge of photography. With full compatibility with the complete range of Leica M lenses (at true focal length), 18 million pixel resolution and significantly improved ISO performance, this legendary camera comes in two different styles: a standard black with ‘vulkanit’ finish, and for the first time, a version in steel-grey with classic leatherette finish. £4,850 (camera body). Available from Leica Store Mayfair
www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk/ , tel 020 7629 1351.

CHOCOLATE STOCKING THRILLERS

No one’s too old to get a stocking at Christmas, especially when it’s filled with award-winning Belgian chocolate from Galler.

Visit www.gallerchocolates.co.uk and get chocolate gifts from Galler delivered straight to your door!

Treat your friends and family to a spot of chocolate chic with Galler’s sumptuous Wrapped Pralines (available in milk and dark chocolate - £4.95 online), cloaked in gold foil and presented in an elegant glossy red tube. Alternatively you can’t go wrong with a tube of Galler’s Praline House Truffles (£9.95 online) coated in cocoa.

Introduce your nearest and dearest to the mini bar, Galler’s mini bars that is, and pop a PocketBags Mini Bars Assortment (£7.95 online) in their stocking. Containing 15 miniature versions of Galler’s popular filled bars, these tasty treats are ideal for sharing or devouring whole in one guilt-free bite.

Perfect for big kids and little kids alike celebrate Christmas with these quirky chocolate Cats Tongues (£9.95 online), available in white chocolate and praline, milk chocolate and praline, dark chocolate and praline, solid dark chocolate and Mini Cats Tongues (solid milk chocolate £3.35 online) all housed in a colourful cartoon tin.

To order award winning Galler chocolate online visit www.gallerchocolates.co.uk, alternatively call 0207 351 1668 to order over the phone

or visit the Galler retail outlet at Harrods, Harvey Nichols (London) and John Lewis Food Halls (Oxford Street and Bluewater branches).

For up to the minute information from Galler you can now follow us on Twitter!

You can also follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Galler-Chocolate-UK/34079031442?v=info&ref=search

THE CHRISTMAS GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING...

BBC Magazines has a magazine for everyone this Christmas. From food to cars, history to gardening and football to science there’s a title for everyone, young or old. Get your presents all wrapped up with a subscription to any BBC Magazine titles and save up to 50%. All orders received before 15th December will have a Christmas card sent to the buyer to personalise. Order your subscription today by calling 0844 844 0390 or visit www.subscribeonline.co.uk/christmas (quote X09PRESS)

Radio Times - With its unrivalled heritage and expertise, Radio Times is the essential guide to television and radio. With recommendations from Britain's top TV writers, compelling editorial features and the best listings information available, it’s the perfect present for any telly addict this Christmas! Receive 10% discount and get 26 issues for £28.50

Lonely Planet - Lonely Planet Magazine is a glossy travel title for people with a passion for travel and new experiences. Whether you're planning your next trip or simply looking for a good read, Lonely Planet Magazine is your monthly guide to everything travel-related. Receive 30% discount and get 12 issues for £29.00

Good Food – Good Food Magazine is a must have this Christmas for everyone who loves cooking and eating. Plus each month, there's an exclusive 8-page guide to all the top recipes featured on TV. Receive 15% discount and get 12 issues for £32.50

olive – If you know a foodie looking for the inside track on eating in, eating out and going places, olive is the perfect magazine. Every issue is packed with recipes for every occasion, in-the-know info on the hottest new restaurants and the low-down on new holiday destinations. Receive 35% discount and get 12 issues for £26.50

Easy Cook – Each issue of Easy Cook is packed with simple, useful recipes for family meals, short cut tricks to save you time and easy meals for the kids. Receive 25% discount and get 7 issues for £14.00

Gardeners’ World – Gardeners' World Magazine is Britain's biggest selling gardening magazine. Providing fresh ideas and trustworthy advice on all areas of gardening it’s the perfect present for any gardening fan this Christmas. Receive 25% discount and get 12 issues for £31.50

Top Gear – Top Gear magazine is the UK's straightest-talking and most entertaining car magazine, combining in-depth buying information with a mix of humour and a host of bigname writers, including the TV show's Jeremy Clarkson. Receive 25% discount and get 13 issues for £38.50

Gardens Illustrated – Gardens Illustrated aims to inspire you with an eclectic and international editorial mix of remarkable places, plants and people. This award-winning magazine is a style bible for garden designers, garden lovers and enthusiasts alike. Receive 50% discount and get 12 issues for £23.00

Homes & Antiques – If you know someone who loves antiques, interiors and beautiful objects from every era Homes & Antiques is the only magazine that can offer the inspiration to make design dreams a reality. Receive 50% discount and get 12 issues for £21.50

BBC Music Magazine – BBC Music Magazine is passionate about the world of classical music and provides an expert monthly guide to everything an enthusiast needs to know and is the perfect present of any devoted music fan this Christmas. Receive 40% discount and get 13 issues for £35.00

BBC History Magazine – BBC History Magazine aims to shed new light on the past and to help you make more sense of the world today, and is the perfect Christmas present for anyone who’s interested in the past. Receive 30% discount and get 12 issues for £30.00

BBC Wildlife Magazine – BBC Wildlife Magazine is the perfect Christmas present for anyone with a passion for wildlife who wants to understand, experience and enjoy nature more. Receive 35% discount and get 13 issues for £29.00

BBC Countryfile Magazine – Countryfile magazine is the perfect present for anyone who loves the English outdoors. Each issue celebrates rural life and offers practical advice on how to enjoy the British countryside, highlighting areas to explore and discover, while displaying the countryside’s breadth and variety. Receive 35% discount and get 13 issues for £28.50

Sky at Night Magazine – Sky at Night Magazine is the ideal read for both amateur astronomers and armchair space enthusiasts who are itching to discover more about the wonders of the Universe. It is the definitive publication for astronomers this Christmas. Receive 32% discount and get 12 issues for £24.50

Focus – A Focus magazine subscription is the perfect Christmas present for anyone with an interest in the current and future world around them. Receive 35% discount and get 13 issues for £30.00

Who Do You Think you Are? – Each issue of Who Do You Think You Are? magazine explores the stories behind the popular BBC TV series and is packed with tips to help you track down your own family history, and is the perfect Christmas gift for anyone interested in uncovering the past. Receive 30% discount and get 13 issues for £38.50

Doctor Who Adventures – Doctor Who Adventures is full of monsters and creatures, excitement, action, adventure and humour, it is a must-have Christmas present for young fans of the successful BBC series. Receive 35% discount and get 26 issues for £35.00

CBeebies Weekly – CBeebies Weekly is bursting with CBeebies friends along with puzzles, colouring, songs and makes. The magazine is based on areas of learning which support pre-school development to ensure that little learners get the best start. Receive 30% discount and get 26 issues for £36.00

Match of the Day – Match of the Day magazine is packed with star interviews, match results from the weekend and hot football gossip, plus exciting posters, quizzes and competitions. It’s the perfect present for any young footie enthusiast this Christmas. Receive 39% discount and get 26 issues for £30.00

TOP CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FROM PAPERCHASE

Here is a wonderful selection of Christmas gift ideas from Paperchase.

Address book night owl, Mirabella and retro £5.75 each
Bon bon jars pink and purple £6.50 each
Coasters – reindeer, tartan, Mirabella and night owl set of 4 £5.00 each
Diary 2010 A6 leather Agenzio Stripe, Polka Dot and Mirabella £9.50 each
Diary 2010 A5 wiro – night owl, red stiletto and dog portrait £6.00 each

Frames pink botanical mirror 4x6” £8.00 3x3” £7.50
Glass cake stand pink 27cm £7.00
Glass cake stand purple 21cm £5.00 27cm £7.00
Glass cake stand lime 27cm £7.00

Hand mirror butterfly pink and silver £8.00 each
Jewellery hands pink, grapefruit, purple and silver £5.00 each
Jumbo mug tea & biscuits £6.75

Kids journals - My recipe book food friends £8.50 My friends journal £6.75 Pet journal £6.00
Laptop bag Mirabella £12.75
Leather organiser A5 stripe and floral £20.00

Pink botanical portrait album £18.75

Recipe book retro pantry £9.75 Recipe book polypro tomato in bowl £8.50 – tabbed sections for starters, fish, meat, vegetables, baking and desserts – plastic sleeves and pockets for recipes and 3 zip pockets

Secret garden leather passport cover £7.50 luggage tag £4.50 pass case £4.50

Secret garden jewellery box £12.00

Hot water bottle robin £8.00 and mini penguin hot water bottle £5.00

Penguin pals melamine trays tree large £5.75, reindeer medium £3.75 penguins small £3.00

ELEMIS BRINGS YOU BRIGHT, BOLD & BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS COLLECTIONS

Limited edition gifts in luxury presentation boxes that capture your imagination this Christmas; we have seen these and they are absolutely beautiful! (Ed)

Each including Elemis award-winning hero products, ranging from £25-£195 and carefully selected to offer the best of Elemis, with exceptional quality and value.

The most prestigious collection…
Prestige pro-collagen is the ultimate anti-ageing collection of clinically proven products includes 3 full size products plus a special 100ml jar of No. 1 best selling Pro-Collagen Marine Cream

Pro-Collagen Marine Cream,100ml
Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream, 50ml
Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules, 60 caps
Pro-Collagen Hand and Nail Cream, 20ml
Absolute Eye Serum, 15ml
Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Mask, 15ml
Pro-Collagen Eye Renewal, 5ml
RRP £195 / worth over £337 / save over £142

The secret to a beautiful body…
Spa body secrets is an indulgent collection of luxurious spa?at?home bodycare to help you relax, de-stress and unwind
Exotic Frangipani Monoi Moisture Melt, 100ml
Exotic Frangipani Monoi Bath & Shower Cream, 200ml (new)
Skin Nourishing Milk Bath, 400ml
Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow, 150g
RRP £58 / worth over £100 / save over £42

Let your skin’s radiance shine…
Perfect radiance gives your skin the care it deserves.This sensational collection will leave your skin glowing with vitality and radiance
Rehydrating Rosepetal Cleanser, 200ml
Soothing Apricot Toner, 200ml
Maximum Moisture Day Cream, 50ml
Maximum Replenish Night Cream, 20ml
RRP £45 / worth £89 / save £44

Perfection of nature and science for a radiant complexion…
Skin perfection gently peels away the years. This clinically proven tri-enzyme system for incredibly smooth, radiant and younger looking skin
Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash, 200ml
Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, 30ml
Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Night Cream, 15ml
Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask, 15ml (new)
Cleansing Mitt
RRP £55 / worth over £109 / save over £54

A well established men’s grooming range…
Total men’s grooming has 5 power-packed treatment products that deliver maximum results just for him
Time for Men Ice-Cool Foaming Shave Gel, 200ml
Time for Men Daily Moisture Boost, 50ml
Time for Men Energising Skin Scrub, 75ml
Time for Men Deep Cleanse Facial Wash, 50ml
Time for Men S.O.S. Survival Cream, 20ml
RRP £45 / worth over £90 / save over £45

Cleanse, shave and moisture booster…
An effective skincare range as simple as 1,2,3!
Time for Men Ice-Cool Foaming Shave Gel, 200ml
Time for Men Deep Cleanse Facial Wash, 50ml
Time for Men Daily Moisture Boost, 20ml
RRP £25 / worth over £34 / save over £9

For smooth, youthful hands and body
Homespa for hands contains hero anti-ageing body products including the NEW Pro-Collagen Body Serum Intensive Lift and cotton gloves for intensive moisturisation
Pro-Collagen Hand and Nail Cream, 100ml
Pro-Collagen Body Serum Intensive Lift, 50ml (new)
Gentle Rose Exfoliator,15ml
Pair of Cotton Gloves
RRP £29 / worth over £52 / save over £23

Sensuous bodycare and calming candle…
Exotic treats is great for thirsty skin and leaves it exotically fragranced and the candle sets the mood for relaxing bath time
Exotic Island Flower Body Balm, 125ml
Exotic Frangipani Monoi Bath & Shower Cream, 50ml (new)
Travel Candle from the Candle Trio Collection
RRP £25 / worth £31 / save £6

For spa, salons, retail stores stockists call the Elemis Customer Care Centre on: +44 (0)1278 727 830 or shop online at www.timetospa.co.uk
http://www.elemis.com

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR ALL THE FAMILY

Get into the festive spirit with some of BBC Worldwide’s top gift ideas for all the family. With a host of products available you can find the perfect gift for everyone this Christmas.

Take to the skies with the Stig-Copter. Thanks to innovative technology you won’t need the skills of the Stig to keep this in the air. With an RRP of £49.99, the Stig-Copter is available exclusively from Selfridges and makes a perfect present for anyone seeking some high-octane fun.

“Some say... his politics are terrifying, and he once punched a horse to the ground”. It can only be one man: The Stig. Enjoy some of the most iconic ‘Some say…’ phrases with the Some Say… Stig Doll, RRP £14.99.

Get your stripey scarf on for the Doctor Who: Hornets’ Nest set. The series sees Tom Baker return to the role, to deliver another epic performance in what the Observer describes as a ‘brilliantly produced story’. RRP £48.90, this five-disc set is a perfect for all sci-fi fans.

Ever wondered how to construct your family tree if five of your kids have different fathers? Then this is the book for you. The Have I Got News for You: Guide to Modern Britain answers some of life’s most topical questions, guaranteeing to put a smile on any man’s face this Christmas. Even in a global recession, it won’t break the bank with an RRP of just £9.99.

For every film fan the Radio Times Film Guide Trilogy is a must this Christmas. Save over £9* when you buy Guide to Films 2010, 100 Greatest Films: Thriller and the 100 Greatest Films: Comedy together for £32.99.

Relive England’s triumphant victory with The Ashes Series 2009 on DVD. Priced at £29.95, this three-disc set features over 11 hours of exhilarating Ashes action. A perfect accompaniment, the Cricketing Tales of the Dressing Room: The Ashes Special audiobook, RRP £12.72, will keep all men entertained this Christmas.

Open your mind and dive into a BBC magazine. Whether you’re passionate about history or have a craving for cuisine, BBC Magazines has titles to suit everyone, including Good Food, olive, Lonely Planet, Gardeners’ World and Radio Times. Subscriptions make a novel and thoughtful gift that will keep giving all year long.

Spice up someone’s Christmas with Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey, RRP £25.00. With a host of far-eastern flavours, this book serves up some authentic recipes that you won’t find in your local restaurants.

Oh… what’s occurring? James Corden and Ruth Jones make a welcome return with the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special. Share the festive fun in this witty one-hour seasonal special. With an RRP of £12.71, (Blu-ray RRP at £14.67), it makes the ideal gift for friends and any fan of the BAFTA award winning series.

Make someone’s Christmas sparkle with the Strictly Come Dancing Annual. Packed with exclusive interviews, backstage gossip and the inside scoop on all the Series 7 stars, this is set to be a firm favourite with Strictly fans. At an RRP of just £12.99, it’ll make you want to get your dancing shoes on!

Relax with Jane Austen’s Emma, beautifully read on CD by Jenny Agutter.
A literary classic with a captivating but misguided heroine, this witty comedy of manners has a timeless love story at its heart and presents a lively portrait of English life two hundred years ago, RRP £25.00.

For even more Christmas inspiration check out www.bbcshop.com and all good retailers for the full range of great gifts available.

Top Christmas gift ideas for children

Budding artists can get creative this Christmas with In the Night Garden Aquadraw. Suitable for 18 months+ with RRP of £29.99, the Aquadraw proves that you don't always have to make a mess to get creative, so will be a big hit with parents as well!

Help your pre-schooler to develop and learn this Christmas with Po’s Matching Gamefrom Tomy. This new and unique game encourages image recognition and helps develop memory skills amongst children aged 18 months and up. With an RRP of £17.99, Po’s Matching Game offers three different ways to play making it a Tubbytastic gift!

Keep your little angels entertained all year round with BBC Magazines children’s titles. For a wonderful Christmas gift why not try a subscription to Match of the Day, Doctor Who Adventures or CBeebies Weekly. Save up to 30% on subscriptions to children’s magazines this Christmas at www.bbcmagazines.com

Guaranteeing smiles all-round from little ones this season, BBC Worldwide’s children’s DVDs make an ideal gift. Children will get a real ‘tweet’ with Muffin and friends in ‘3rd & Bird: A Very Squooky Christmas!’. Other popular titles include ‘In the Night Garden: What Fun!’ and the ever so super ‘Charlie and Lola: Everything is different and not the same’. These charming titles have an RRP of £12.71 each.

Ideal for younger children, VTech’s In the Night Garden Sing & Slide Nursery Book makes a magical first Christmas gift. Suitable for children six months and above, this book enters the enchanting world of In the Night Garden, developing listening skills and stimulating visual awareness. With four easy-clean pages, an RRP of around £16.99, this book will be loved by parents too.

Bursting with adventures, songs and whistling galore, the 3rd & Bird! Muffin Express and other stories audiobook is perfect to keep your little ones entertained this Christmas. With an RRP of £5.87 it makes an ideal stocking filler for Santa’s sack.

For even more inspiration check out www.bbcshop.com and all good retailers for the full range of great gifts available.

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GADGET FOR THE GUY WHO HAS EVERYTHING

- - Limited numbers of this year’s most stylish devices available exclusively on Orange - -
What do you buy the gadget fan who has everything? A James Bond style mobile Watch Phone of course.

Limited numbers of the Orange watch phone are being made available to those who register their interest online at www.orange.co.uk/watchphone.

Guaranteed to turn heads on the high street and the perfect gift for any style icon this Christmas, the Watch Phone has been hailed as this year’s style must-have. Priced at £500 on Orange pay-as-you-go, it oozes class and tech wizardry, and will make the perfect accessory to any sharp suit. The totally handmade timepiece is designed with aspiring 007s in mind and features eight different watch faces – one to suit your every mood or occasion.

If a new smartphone is on the wish list, check out the latest must-have devices for a range of budgets at www.orange.co.uk. The newly-launched Motorola DEXT streams your conversations, friends, pictures, emails and messages right onto the homescreen of your phone, whilst the Toshiba TG01 packs the world’s largest widescreen handset for a portable cinematic experience. Both are available exclusively to Orange this Christmas.

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FROM BOOTS

Yves Saint Laurent elle Gift Set, £37
A vibrantly feminine, audacious fragrance that blends dazzling floral and woody notes such as peony, pink berries and patchouli. A great girlie gift for fragrance lovers.

Ruby & Millie Make It Up Collection £25
Effortlessly stylish, Ruby & Millie combines their very latest products and accessories to make irresistible gifts. The Make It Up Collection contains a cosmetic purse, square card compact with 3 eye colours, 3 lip colours and double ended applicator, lip gloss and brow liner.

No7 Travel Collection, £40
A great hold all for all your beauty Travel Essentials. This handy case contains mini body essentials, eye mask for snoozing on the plane, jewellery wrap, laundry bags, cosmetic purse and luggage tag.

Ted Baker Especially For Brew, £12
Contains Explore body spray, hair gel and a wipe-clean mug so you can make sure your tea order doesn't get forgotten

Botanics Essentials Kit, £25
includes facewash, shave gel and a mini intensive moisturiser - all for normal/dry skin, plus antiperspirant deoderant, hair and body wash, refreshing eye gel, razor and an organic cotton flannel.

Star Trek Travel Set, £15
is ready for lift-off with a passport holder, luggage tag and suitcase strap.

www.Boots.com

EMBROIDERED SILK GIFT VOUCHERS

This Christmas A Suit That Fits.com are making their gift vouchers out of silk.

Gift Vouchers are a cracking gift at Christmas but now they have an added sparkle as this year they are made out of silk. Gift givers can now buy their loved ones credit to spend on individually hand tailored garments at A Suit That Fits.com, by giving them a personalised and embroidered silk gift voucher for Christmas.

Present buyers can choose the amount they would like to put on the voucher; with our individually hand tailored suits starting at just £150 A Suit That Fits.com can cater for almost any budget*.(* Minimum amount put for embroidered handkerchiefs is £50.)

What’s more, our beautiful silk gift vouchers are even personalised with both the name of the giver and lucky receiver onto them for that bespoke touch, in beautiful calligraphy embroidery. The gift vouchers come perfectly gift wrapped by the team at A Suit That Fits.com in a pearlescent black box, silver tissue and red ribbon and delivered straight to your door via a courier free of charge.

The lucky recipients of the embroidered gift voucher this Christmas, can redeem it in branch or online at A Suit That Fits.com on great value individually hand tailored garments. At A Suit That Fits.com we’ll individually hand tailor the recipient’s suit to perfectly fit their body contours and their personal style, with the thousands of fabrics, styles and attributes to choose from.

With three London branches and TailorStops in 13 cities nationwide, and with our suits starting from £150, hand tailoring has never been so available.

All of our individually hand tailored garments are made-to-measure, so they are perfectly fitted to each individual customer. We take 18 measurements; everything from the neck to the ankle and all that’s in between. So, no matter what shape the customer is, we assure a suit that fits. We also have a fit guarantee system so we will do as many alterations as needed to give our customers a suit that fits like a glove.

To find out more about out Embroidered Gift Vouchers please visit www.aSuitThatFits.com or call 020 3006 7999.

SHOWSTOPPING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FROM O2

O2 EXCLUSIVE SONY JALOU
Small. Exquisite. Mysterious. The hidden gem that is the Sony Ericsson Jalou is a showstopper of a Christmas present. Like the gems that inspired its look, the Jalou packs real value into its compact size. It has a 3.2 Megapixel camera, MP3 player and A-GPS. It flips open to reveal a stylish design on the inside too and comes with a hidden screen.

Compact and no taller than a lipstick, it fits into the palm of your hand, back pocket, or handbag without any trouble. The glossy diamond shaped casing is deep amethyst, adding some sparkle to your mobile phone. And it doesn't disappoint when you take a look inside. Flip open the phone and you will find a slick black finish with diamond shaped silver buttons. A must have Christmas present for any stylish lady!

Available exclusively from O2 on Pay As You Go for £78.29.

O2 JOGGLER
The O2 Joggler is a digital radio, digital photo frame, family calendar and weather and news device all in one! And it has just been given a low new price Christmas....down to £99 from £149.

It’s a great family gift that is sure to get any family organised for 2010....it
· Allows you to listen to your favourite radio station. Powered by Pure, the internet radio includes around 100 stations.

· Adds events and appointments to your interactive family calendar.... and sends text reminders to everyone in your family

· Lets you watch videos, listen to music, and look at photos**

· Keeps you up-to-date with news and sports headlines

· Delivers weather reports and traffic updates to you

www.o2.co.uk/shop

GIVE THE GIFT OF COOKING - NEW COOKERY SCHOOL OPENS AT ASHBURTON, SOUTH DEVON


A new, ultra-modern cookery school is opening its doors this autumn on the edge of Dartmoor, South Devon when the Ashburton Cookery School moves to newly built, custom-designed premises.

Three new state-of-the art teaching kitchens, superbly equipped with the latest Siemens appliances, will enable the school to increase the choice of courses on offer and expand the number of student places to meet an ever increasing demand to learn new cookery skills. Students are taught fundamental cookery techniques that can be applied when cooking at home, entertaining family and friends or working in a professional kitchen.

Building a brand new cookery school has allowed the school to distil years of expertise in cookery training to create a fantastic facility built around the needs of the student. Everything is designed to maximise the quality and enjoyment of the training.

Over 40 Cookery Courses
With courses running seven days a week in up to four kitchens (three new and one in the former building), the school offers over forty different hands-on courses split into five levels of ability and one to twenty days in length. Most are designed for the enthusiastic home-cook, but there are also courses for those with no cookery skills whatsoever. Several students have started on a beginners’ weekend and worked their way up to an advanced course, cooking at a fine dining level.

Among the more popular are the one and two day Express Dinner Parties, which teach the art of quick, effective entertaining, and Gentlemen’s Relish – a two-day course intended for men to build-up their confidence and skills in the kitchen so that they really enjoy cooking for guests and themselves. Others include breadmaking, canapés, desserts, fish and seafood, game, knife skills and modern vegetarian; there are also courses inspired by a country’s cuisine such as Italian, French and Thai.

The twenty-day Ashburton Cookery Diploma is an intensive training course for those wishing to launch a career in catering or start their own business. It is highly regarded in the catering industry and past graduates can be found working in Michelin starred restaurants, appearing on television’s Masterchef, or running successful catering companies and bistro’s.

Headed by Chef Director Darrin Hosegrove, Ashburton Cookery School’s chef tutors are qualified lecturers with extensive experience of working in the catering industry. They inspire students to cook with imagination, passion and enjoyment.

The school also prides itself in using only the best quality ingredients and promotes the use of food and drink that has been produced in a way that is organic, sustainable, environmentally sensitive or ethical, and is supportive of local businesses.

Location and Accommodation
The Cookery School is located in the small Georgian town of Ashburton with its many antique shops and cafes to explore and enjoy. This is one of the most beautiful parts of the West Country with Dartmoor’s open expanses and the rolling countryside and sandy beaches of Devon’s glorious South Hams within easy reach. The new building is a few minutes’ drive from the A38, equidistant between Exeter and Plymouth, while the nearest train station with a direct service to London Paddington and Birmingham New Street is at Newton Abbot (about 15-20 minutes by car).

Accommodation is available on a B&B basis in the school’s own 17th century building in Ashburton’s East Street. Alternatively there is a choice of quality B&Bs and guesthouses in the town and surrounding area.

Tariff and Further Information
Cookery courses are priced from £149 per person for one day; this includes a personal workstation with all necessary utensils and ingredients, an apron, course folder with notes and recipes to take home, morning tea/coffee and lunch with a glass of wine, partly comprising the dishes made during the day. Those on courses lasting two days or more may also have supper.

Courses run from 9.30am and finish at either 4 or 6pm with a break for lunch. B&B is from £59 per person (all prices quoted are 2009 subject to increase for 2010).

Gift vouchers, valid for nine months, can be purchased for one, two or five day courses, or be used towards the cost of a more expensive course, while fine-quality cookery equipment and specialist foods are also available via the school’s Cookery Store.

For a brochure or to book a cookery course contact the Ashburton Cookery School on telephone 01364 652784 or visit www.ashburtoncookeryschool.co.uk.

LYNX CHRISTMAS - GIFTS ON A BUDGET

Lynx Manwash Set - Scrub away sins this Christmas with the ultimate piece of grooming gadgetry – the Lynx Manwasher – a soft loofah on one side and hard exfoliating pad on the other it’s guaranteed to get guys scrubbed up and ready to bag the ultimate girl. The skin smoothing set also includes Lynx Vice body spray and Lynx Boost shower gel making sure guys are prepared for whatever the party season throws at them. RRP £6.99

Lynx Recover Morning After Set - Party loving guys will love this innovative gift, which includes a colour changing alarm clock. With a series of cheeky one liners from a sexy Lynx Minx it’ll get them out of bed and ready for action. What’s more, Recover shower gel and body spray will revive guys from the night before, ensuring they are set for the day ahead. £11.99

Lynx Mini Traveller - Mini Africa body spray, Instinct anti-perspirant, Instinct shower gel and Fever shower gel in a mini washbag. RRP £5.50

LUXURY TREATS FROM BRONNLEY THIS CHRISTMAS

Bronnley, makers of the finest British soaps and toiletries, have created a stunning collection of classic gifts to pamper and indulge in this Christmas. These luxurious assortments of soaps and fragrances are beautifully presented, offering the perfect gift solution for the festive season.

Bronnley’s Christmas Luxury soap will add a decorative and festive feel to any bathroom. This beautiful triple-milled soap has a deliciously Christmas scent of apple and cinnamon and contains almond oil and shea butter to nourish and soften the skin. The delightfully fragrant Christmas Bauble is a decorative choice for any Christmas tree. With the choice of two traditional British snow scenes, these pretty decorations contain fragrant soaps enriched with natural Sweet Almond Oil.

Bronnley’s classic Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) Collection offers beautiful gifts to both give and receive. Enlighten the senses with the Fragrance Gift Set; a beautifully fragrant gift containing a moisturising soap enriched with Shea Butter to soften the skin and a lovely Eau Fraiche body spray with the choice of two delightful aromas; rose and hibiscus.

The RHS Assorted Luxury Soap Gift Set packaged in a stylish festive green and gold gift box this beautiful gift contains three triple milled moisturising soaps. The RHS Gardeners Hand Duo Gift Set makes a perfect gift, presented in a convenient caddy. The set contains an exfoliating hand wash and moisturising hand conditioner both enriched with natural Olive Butter to moisturise and hydrate hard working hands. Last but not least is the RHS Gardeners Soap Collection Gift. Beautifully presented with a natural soapstone soap dish, these exfoliating and moisturising soap bars contain natural Loofah and Shea Butter, guaranteeing silky soft skin all year round.

Bronnley has also created a stunningly traditional range of classic gifts. The Bronnley Classics Luxury Soap Gift Sets offers a collection of beautifully fragranced triple milled soaps, enriched with natural Sweet Almond Oil to nourish and soften the skin.

In addition The Bronnley Floral Collection includes a variety of fragrant soaps, moisturisers and body creams that are perfect for loved ones this Christmas. The Floral Bath and Body Gift Set contains a luxuriously moisturising bath foam and body lotion, a fragrant triple-milled soap, and a convenient purse size eau de toilette – everything you need to feel beautiful this Christmas!

Also included in this classic collection is the Hand and Nail Gift Set, which combines a beautiful triple milled soap with a luxurious hand and nail cream enriched with vitamin E to soften, moisturise and protect hands and nails.

The Citrus Spa Luxury Travel Set will make the perfect gift for anyone travelling this Christmas. The set contains a soft white body puff, polishing body scrub, bath and shower gel and a zesty fruit shaped soap, enriched with natural citrus extracts to invigorate skin and give it a fresh fruity scent.

Bronnley Christmas Gift Sets are available from leading department stores and independent chemists nationwide, call 01280 702291 for stockists. To purchase the standard product range on-line, visit the website at www.bronnley.co.uk.

Christmas has never smelt so fantastic, thanks to Bronnley!

GREEN & BLACK’S INDULGENT CHRISTMAS RANGE

Green & Black’s delicious range of indulgent, new-look and eye-catching gifts for Christmas are available from all major stockists, department stores, quality health food stores and online at www.greenandblacksdirect.com/

Green & Black’s seasonal gifting range:
· The Seasonal Edition Miniatures Bar Collection, available in a 12 bar box (£4.99) and new 18 bar pack (£6.99), the collection includes a selection of the most popular flavours from the 100g bar range - these include Dark, Milk, Cherry, Almond, Butterscotch and Ginger.
· Mint Squares (£3.49), new, individually wrapped squares of dark chocolate infused with peppermint oil, presented in a sophisticated gift box.
· Dark, Milk and White Chocolate Squares (£4.99), 45 individually wrapped squares of Green & Black’s dark 70%, milk and white chocolate squares, presented in a sophisticated gift box
· The Assortment (£8.99), twenty bespoke organic dark, milk and white chocolates, each carefully crafted from the finest ingredients to deliver a complementary collection of centres and flavours. Includes soft creamy fudges, cherry and orange flavours, rich nut centres and traditional flavours such as Turkish delight

Online shop – www.greenandblacks.com/

· Wine and dark chocolate gift collection (£30) - Green & Black's organic collection of Dark chocolate bars with organic Merlot wine. Bonterra's Merlot is barrel-aged in French oak which accentuates layers of toasty oak-spice, vanilla, chocolate and rich cherry flavours, leading to a soft, yet complex, velvety finish. Beautifully complemented by our intensely flavoured, Dark chocolate bars tied with ribbons and presented in a desirable gift box

· Ultimate Christmas Chocolate Lovers Collection (£65) – The ultimate chocoholic’s gift! This beautifully presented gift box features an indulgent collection of Green & Black’s intense organic chocolate. The collection includes: The Miniature Collection, Assortment, Chocolate Squares (Dark, Milk & White), After Dinner Mint Chocolate squares, 15 x 100g Bars: Creamy Milk, Caramel, Dark with Espresso, Dark 70%, Milk, White, Maya Gold, Dark 85%, Dark with Cherry, Dark with Mint, Dark with Ginger, Dark with Hazelnut & Currant, Milk with Butterscotch, Milk with Almond, Milk with Raisin & Hazelnuts. Plus, Hot Chocolate Jar, 5 x 35g Bars; Dark 70%, Milk, White, Maya, Butterscotch, 3 x 15g Dark Bars and 3 x 15g Milk Bars)

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