News 20th January

CLINIQUE PARTNERS WITH DAISY DE VILLENEUVE FOR KISS IT BETTER

Clinique is delighted to continue to partner with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity for the Kiss It Better appeal - raising money to fund research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer.

To raise money in 2011, Clinique has partnered with London born illustrator, designer and writer Daisy de Villeneuve who has made a name for herself with her funky, felt-tip illustrations.

To support the Kiss It Better appeal in 2011, Daisy, working with Clinique, has produced an exclusive Limited Edition trio of illustrations which perfectly encapsulates Daisy’s vision of Kiss It Better.

The illustrations are a Limited Edition run and each set of three is signed by the artist. The Limited Edition Kiss It Better triptych of prints by Daisy de Villeneuve retails at £100.

100% of the sale of the Kiss It Better by Daisy de Villeneuve prints will go to the Kiss It Better appeal, part of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

Daisy de Villeneuve studied Fashion and Fine Art at Parsons School of Design in both New York and Paris. He Said She Said and I Told You So, her quirky books have been hugely successful. de Villeneuve has exhibited in numerous group shows worldwide including Tokyo, Athens, Zurich, New York and London as well as a major solo show. The print will be available throughout the month of February at the following outlets:
http://www.clinique.co.uk/

http://www.gosh.org/shop

Eleven Fine Art Gallery 11 Eccleston StreetLondon, SW1W 9LX
(0)20 7823 5540

KISS IT BETTER - for children with cancer

Clinique is delighted to partner for the fourth year running with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity for the KISS IT BETTER appeal - raising money to fund research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer.

KISS IT BETTER is the brainchild of Carmel Allen whose daughter Josephine was treated at the hospital for Neuroblastoma - a type of cancer. After many months spent at the hospital, and struggling to reconcile life as a Beauty Editor, Carmel decided that she wanted to help and devised the KISS IT BETTER appeal.

"The premise was really simple, Kiss it Better is something every parent says and does when their child is sick or injured. I wanted to turn Josephine's experience into something positive and to help make a difference to the lives of children with cancer everywhere" says Carmel.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children first opened its doors on Valentine's Day, 1852 and to help celebrate the hospital's birthday and raise funds for the KISS IT BETTER appeal. Clinique has again puckered up with House of Fraser throughout the month of February 2011 to help raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

This year, Clinique has created a special NEW Limited Edition Smoothie Kisses Lip Gloss Set featuring the latest lip launch from Clinique, Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour. This gorgeous limited edition set of four Vitamin C Lip Smoothie glosses, in Pink Me Up, Goodness Grapecious, Nude-tricious and Mango-thon, housed in a brightly coloured pink bag will be sold exclusively in House of Fraser stores nationwide during the month of February, with £4.00 going to the KISS IT BETER appeal (£2 from Clinique and £2 from House of Fraser).

Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour is Clinique’s first lip product to incorporate this one-of-a-kind ingredient into its formula. And, together with Vitamin C and Pomegranate – Açaí Berry helps protect against oxidative stress, which causes premature ageing. With continued use, this powerful potion can help reduce the appearance of lip lines caused by ageing, while delivering gorgeous colour.

Kiss it Better couldn’t be easier to support. There is a whole host of ways to get involved, including a fantastic range of Kiss it Better products.” Fay Ripley

A £2.00 donation will also apply to all Clinique lipstick or lipgloss sold at House of Fraser stores nationwide, throughout February 2011. (£1.00 will be donated by Clinique and £1.00 will be donated by House of Fraser)

“I am thrilled to support this amazing campaign. Kiss it Better is helping Great Ormond Street Hospital to raise funds for research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer – the biggest disease affecting children today. As a mum, I can’t imagine a more worthwhile cause.” Edith Bowman

Clinique Lipstick & Lipgloss

RRP from £13.00- £15.00

NEW Limited Edition Smoothie Kisses Lip Gloss Set RRP £22.50

Allergy Tested. 100% Fragrance Free.

Donation during February 2011 at Clinique counters exclusively at
House of Fraser nationwide (excluding Ireland) and houseoffraser.co.uk.
Also available at Clinique.co.uk

For further information on the KISS IT BETTER appeal and ways to donate, visit www.gosh.org/kissitbetter

LIV LAUNCHES BIODYNAMIC BABY COLLECTION
LIV, the luxurious eco/organic lifestyle brand brought to you by Elysia, the distributors behind Dr. Hauschka, is pleased to announce the launch of their NEW biodynamic baby collection available from 1st January 2011. The collection uses 100% fairly traded quality biodynamic cotton, sourced and manufactured in Egypt under the strictest environmental and ethical practices, making it free from chemical finishes and pesticide content and as a result kinder to baby’s skin. This further highlights LIV’s commitment to sustainability which all begins with the next generation!
LIV understands the importance of gentle clothing for baby’s sensitive skin and that natural fibres bring warmth, helping baby’s body to grow and develop as it needs to. Biodynamic cotton is especially helpful and supportive for sensitive skin due to its natural softness, which remains after each and every wash.

The collection includes:
Sleepsuit
The key item of clothing for your baby. Layered with a long or short sleeve body and with integral feet for warm and cosy toes, this sleepsuit ensures that baby is kept snugly and protected throughout the cold winter months.

Blanket
Made from the softest 100% bio-dynamic jersey cotton on one side and cosy brushed cotton on the other, the LIV baby blankets are reversible and act as swaddling blankets to ensure baby is kept warm at all times.

Price points: £7 - £25

The new cotton baby collection draws its inspiration from Rush Farm, Elysia’s 200 acre organic / biodynamic farm in the heart of Worcestershire.
To view the whole collection please visit www.liv.co.uk

JANUARY JELLY BEAN COMPETITION!
WIN ONE OF TWO JELLY BEAN NECKLACE AND BRACELET SETS.

Forget those January Blues and enter the Molly Brown January Jelly Bean Competition instead! Two lucky readers will each WIN a Jelly Bean Bracelet and Necklace Set in either Strawberry (pink) or Blueberry (blue), worth £157!
For your chance to WIN one of these two gorgeous Jelly Bean Sets simply tell us which colour you’d like to win and which colour Jelly Bean you’d like us to design next by completing the statement below:
“Jelly Bean January – I’d most like to win a …...........coloured Jelly Bean Bracelet and Necklace Set. I’d most like to see a………………… coloured Jelly Bean Charm created.”
One entry per person. Entries can be made via email, Facebook or twitter. Winners will be announced on this webpage by the 7th February and will be contacted via their method of entry. Good luck everyone!

FORTNUM & MASON CELEBRATES DALEMAIN’S WORLD’S ORIGINAL MARMALADE AWARDS BY DEVOTING A WEEK OF EVENTS TO MARVELLOUS MARMALADE

The most delicious event on the preserve maker’s calendar is approaching, the Dalemain World’s Original Marmalade Awards, held at Dalemain Mansion, Cumbria, where top producers and home cooks around the world compete for title of The World’s Best Marmalade. With the first Seville oranges arriving in the shops, there is no better way to slough off the winter blues than to spring into action with a day of marmalade making.

To celebrate the awards Fortnum’s has been inspired to highlight one of Britain’s favourite Breakfast ingredients, with a whole week devoted to this classic conserve from Monday 14 to Saturday 19 February. From marmalade cake to marmalade glazed duck, learn the secrets to these delectable dishes.

What’s more, with the Marmalade Competition, customers can make their own magnificent marmalade, which will be judged at the Dalemain World’s Original Marmalade Awards in February 2011. The Home-made Double Gold medal winner’s marmalade recipe will be taken by Fortnum’s and made and sold at Fortnum’s during the year.

Jonathan Miller, buyer at Fortnum & Mason comments: ‘What is so wonderful about this competition is that the winner of the amateur category will have their recipe recreated by using traditional methods by Fortnum’s marmalade makers and sold at Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly in the World Marmalade Awards Gold Jars’

Fortnum’s are also sponsoring the Artisan section and we will be taking and selling the winning entry.

For more information on submitting your marmalade, download an entry form from http://www.fortnumandmason.com/events/marmalade.aspx or visit http://www.marmaladeawards.com/

Editor’s Notes:
For more info, contact: Ellie Marsh on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 020 7861 3927

Marmalade Competition
Make your own magnificent marmalade, which will be judged at the Dalemain Marmalade Festival & Awards in February 2011. The Double Gold medal winner’s marmalade will be sold at Fortnum’s during the year. There is also the opportunity to win a weekend in the captivating English countryside, with Alastair Sawday. What could be sweeter?

Send your marmalade to Dalemain by 6 February, for judging on 12 and 13 February. Full entry and despatch details may be found at www.fortnumandmason.com/events/marmalade2011.aspx

Professionals
Fortnum & Mason is sponsoring the Artisan Producers Marmalade, with a selection of the winning marmalades for this category being sold on Fortnum’s shelves at 181 Piccadilly. Other categories include the Bed and Breakfast Marmalade, for anyone running a B&B who makes their own marmalade.

Amateurs
Home cooks are not forgotten. There are eleven categories: Seville Orange Marmalade; Any Citrus; Military Marmalade, for home cooks with family in the Armed Forces ; A Family Affair made by children and grown ups; Dark Chunky Marmalade; Merry Marmalade, Marmalade with alcohol; Man-Made Marmalade, for brave chaps; and Clergy Marmalade, for ministers, rabbis, monks and anyone working with a religious group, International Marmalade from anywhere in the world, and finally Inventive Marmalade.

Entry forms and details are available from
http://www.fortnumandmason.com/events/marmalade.aspx Or visit http://www.marmaladeawards.com/

Marmalade Week Demonstrations at Fortnum & Mason
For more information, go to: http://www.fortnumandmason.com/client/fortnums/downloads/springevents.pdf

DKNY, The Fragrance TAKES BACK NEW YORK with a Re-Energized Sexy Spirit and Fresh Eau de Toilette

I wanted to be the person who bottled the energy of New York City.”- Donna Karan -

Introduced in 1999, DKNY Original quickly became a worldwide fascination. Its ability to capture and bottle the energy of New York City has captivated people around the globe. After 10 years this iconic scent consistently ranks among the top-sellers in the International community. To celebrate this success Donna Karan gave the existing men’s and women’s fragrance a renewed packaging style -- and created a new sexy EDT for women. Everything about DKNY, the fashions and its signature scents, uniquely reflect the city that inspires it. The classic scent for women centres on accords taken from the streets of New York: Energizing, Intoxicating and Sensual.

Whereas the scent for men is built on Energizing, Refreshing and Naked accords. Together they sizzle! Now the energy is even sexier. A new advertising campaign featuring real-life gorgeous couple, Anja Rubik and Sasha Knezevic – the perfect follow up to the debut real-life couple Esther Canadas and Mark Vanderloo. Literally stopping NYC traffic to photograph, DKNY’s bold new images for print and television this couple exudes sex appeal. The heartbeat of the city beats loudly with the couple in a sinful embrace against a sea of taxicabs and a horizon of skyscrapers. You can feel the streets pulsate around them. It’s electric.

To heighten the excitement, DKNY introduces DKNY Women Energizing Eau de Toilette – the essence of the original fragrance, with a fresh exuberant twist. Lighter than the original, it feels like New York City on a sun-filled day. The top notes are a refreshing blend of citruses, chilled vodka and tomato leaves; the heart is a wet blend of water lilies, green coral orchids and yellow daffodils. And the sensual finish is a blend of white birch and tulip tree wool. It feels as modern and timeless as New York City itself.

To distinguish it from the original, the new DKNY Women Energizing Eau de Toilette comes in a clear crystal bottle and white carton while still maintaining the iconic skyscraper bottle. It’s all fast, fun and energetic – underscored with a touch of urban romance – just like the DKNY brand, the fashions and its newly reinvigorated signature scent.

DKNY Original EDT 30ml RRP £24 / €39
DKNY Original EDT 50ml RRP £32 / €52
DKNY Original EDT 100ml RRP £46 / €72

Available nationwide from the 1st February 2011
STOCKISTS: 0870 034 2566

CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY WITH TENPILATES

If you’re looking to do something a little different this Valentine’s Day, TenPilates, the leaders in Dynamic Pilates, are offering you and a friend the chance to give yourselves a little love. For one day only, enjoy your usual pilates regime, but share the experience and bring a single friend along with you for free.

The latest development in Pilates, TenPilates offers one of the mosteffective body sculpting workouts available anywhere, and is designed for anyone who wants to see as well as feel the benefits, fast. The Notting Hill, Chiswick and Mayfair studios employ only the most highly qualified and experienced trainers, offering a dynamic full-body workout that provides cardiovascular conditioning benefits. slims figures and builds lean, toned muscles.

To book you and your friend in for your Valentine’s Day class visit the website www.tenpilates.com

VALENTINE’S DAY AT MANGO TREE

This year, why not treat your loved one to a delicious three course meal at Mango Tree. The restaurant is offering a special Valentine’s Day three course menu which promises to make a memorable night of fine dining and romance in London.

Award-winning restaurant Mango Tree is located in the heart of Belgravia. The spacious feng-shui designed venue has a minimalist decor coupled with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The menu offers authentic Thai cuisine of the highest caliber, using the finest ingredients sourced from the best suppliers both locally and abroad.

Mango Tree has devised an aphrodisiac menu which will kick-off with a selection of mouth-watering starters including Hug Me More, a mix of pomegranate, avocado, sweetcorn and kidney beans topped with lemon cream in Betal nut leave, or Bag of Love, a chicken, water chestnut, onion and carrot dish wrapped with tofu skin.

Mains will include a selection of dishes such as On the Beach, a grilled lobster tail with chu chi cream sauce or Swimming With Honey, a grilled chicken green curry with aubergine and other delectable fare will be on offer.

Finally, to finish off your romantic meal, Mango Tree has created a stunning desert for its diners: Poached Pear served with Clotted Cream which will satisfy any romantic’s pallet. And for vegetarians, Mango Tree has also devised a special menu too.

The Valentine’s menu costs £59 per person. Every lady will receive a special gift, hand-selected from Thailand, so head to Mango Tree this Valentine’s Day to win your way into someone's heart!

The Mango Tree
46 Grosvenor Place
London SW1X 7EQ
020 7823 1888
http://www.mangotree.org.uk/

VALENTINE’S NIGHT OF ROMANCE AT THE COMPLEAT ANGLER, MARLOW
CANDLELIT DINNER, B&B FROM £260 FOR TWO

Whisk your loved one away for a Valentine’s night of romance at the stylish Macdonald Compleat Angler beside the Thames at Marlow, Buckinghamshire. With its stunning river views, candlelit dining rooms and four-poster bedrooms and suites, this incredibly romantic hotel is sure to set the mood for love.

The special Valentine’s dinner B&B package starts from £260 for two including a delicious four-course dinner designed to excite more than the palette. You can choose to dine in either Bowaters or Aubergine, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant and successor to the Michelin-starred Aubergine in London’s Chelsea. A glass of champagne each and a rose for your partner are also included and, whichever restaurant you choose, you can also join the hotel’s resident pianist in the cocktail bar for drinks before dinner.

To book call the Macdonald Compleat Angler on 0844 879 9128 or visit website http://www.MacdonaldHotels.co.uk/CompleatAngler

CHAMPNEYS WRITERS WEEKEND
Tring, 11-12 March 2011

We are offering budding writers the chance to spend a relaxing weekend with Sophie King, best-selling author of five novels published by Hodder & Stoughton, including the School Run.
Around 80% of us believe we have a book in us waiting to be written. If this sounds familiar, what would happen if you actually decided to write your book? A great opportunity to explore writing and publishing, Sophie will lead guests through the process of writing a novel and short story.
Learn what it takes to gain the interest of a publishing house or agent, work out your page-turning plot, create convincing characters, learn to write dynamic dialogue – you’ll be surprised by how confident you feel about pursuing your project!

Included in this break…

Arrival 11am
Up to 20 different relaxation and fitness classes per day
A Thalassotherapy Pool Session
Complimentary Robe Hire
Dinner, breakfast & lunch
Unlimited use of spa facilities
2 x Writers Workshops with Sophie King
Depart 4pm

Prices start from £230 per person.

ENJOY A ROMANTIC RETREAT AT THE NEW ELLINGTON

The New Ellington introduces decadent Valentine’s Day Menu

Nestled in the heart of Leeds’ financial district, the stylishly chic, New Ellington is the ideal bolthole for a romantic meal for two this Valentine’s Day, whilst the hotel’s art-deco inspired restaurant provides the perfect intimate setting for guests to enjoy the locally-sourced menu.

Commencing with a glass of chilled Champagne on arrival, The New Ellington’s three-course Valentine’s Day dinner starts with a choice of culinary delights, such as Pan-Fried Scallops with Smoked Bacon Crème Caramel and Asparagus Soup with Yellison Farm Goats Cheese, followed by mouthwatering main courses, such as Yorkshire Beef Wellington with Truffle Mash or Pan Fried Sea Bass with sumptuous red wine risotto.

A range of sweet treats, such as strawberry and mango lasagne with strawberry sherbet ice cream and pear and liquorice piano with blackcurrant parfait provide the perfect ending to The New Ellington’s Valentine’s Day supper.

Make a night of it!
Couples can enjoy an overnight stay from £99 based on two sharing, including breakfast the following day.

Valentine’s Day meal from £49.50 per person, includes glass of bubbly and three-course dinner.

For more information, visit www.bespokehotels.com/ellingtonleeds and to book phone+44 (0) 113 204 2150 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

PEYTON AND BYRNE LAUNCHES RESTAURANT AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS OFFERING A NEW DINING OPTION FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY EVENINGS IN THE WEST END

This week, Oliver Peyton’s restaurant group, Peyton and Byrne, launched a stunning restaurant and bar at the Royal Academy of Arts. The 120-seater restaurant, which has been designed by Design Research Studio under the direction of Tom Dixon, will operate seven days a week with late opening on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The all-day Restaurant at the Royal Academy of Arts will offer anyone out in the West End at the weekend a fantastic new dining option and providing a perfect complement to the Royal Academy of Arts’ programme of Friday evening events. Oliver Peyton has worked closely with head chef Andrea Zuccolo to design a menu that makes full use of prime British ingredients, perfectly in keeping with the context of the restaurant. As well as starters, mains and desserts, a selection of small plates and terrines will be available, giving diners the flexibility to enjoy a full two or three course meal, order tapas-style or drop by for a quick but delicious bite. Over 20 wines will be available by the glass, and a very British afternoon tea will also be served.

Tom Dixon has worked closely with Oliver Peyton and the Royal Academy of Arts to design the interior. The decor will feature an impressive glass installation housing sculptures from the Royal Academy of Arts permanent collection that have not been in the public view, and selected to complement the design of the restaurant. A striking bar made from handmade brick and lava stone from Mount Etna will occupy the full length of one wall and will also serve as a counter at which guests can have a quick lunch, tea or a glass of wine.

Oliver Peyton, chairman of Peyton and Byrne comments: “The Royal Academy of Arts is one of London’s oldest and best regarded cultural sites. It is a unique place and to work with living artists is an extraordinary opportunity, which brings a new dimension to what we do. We look forward to bringing high quality British food to all visitors, whether they choose to have a cup of tea and a cake or join us for a three-course dinner.”
Secretary and Chief Executive, Charles Saumarez Smith of the Royal Academy of Arts, adds: “In bringing together the best of British dining with Peyton & Byrne, and the best of British design with Tom Dixon, we will ensure every aspect of a visit to the Royal Academy is memorable.”

THE WORLD'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION IS NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES!
A global search for the most inspirational and provocative nature photography has begun. Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year is calling on photographers of all ages to enter images that reveal the natural world as it has never been seen before.

Jean Dominique-Mallet, Chief Executive Office at Veolia Environmental Services said: “This is the third year that Veolia Environnement has sponsored this prestigious competition as we believe it embodies our own values together with our on-going commitment to corporate responsibility and sustainable development. The competition also highlights the importance of protecting the environment, conserving natural resources and the very real need to educate and inspire people of all ages.”

The 2011 competition opened on 12 January and closes on 18 March 2011, and images can be entered online at http://www.nhm.ac.uk/wildphoto

Now in its 47th year, the competition is an international leader in the visual representation of the natural world, stimulating engagement with its diversity and beauty while engendering a sense of awe, wonderment and respect.

This spring, a select team of industry-renowned judges will spend weeks in a darkened room, carefully scrutinising tens of thousands of entries. Their challenge: to whittle down to the very best of the best.

For the seventh year running, Mark Carwardine will chair the judging panel to ensure consistency, quality and excellence is maintained. Mark said, ‘This is the most prestigious competition of its kind. A beautiful and technically strong image is not enough: the key to winning and standing out from the crowd is originality and creativity. Last year’s competition received more than 31,000 entries, but only 118 of the strongest images made the grade. The judges will be looking for something they haven’t seen before, a fresh and exciting way of portraying life on Earth.’

The competition offers photographers a chance to win a share of the £24,500 prize fund. As well as the much-coveted title of Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the adult winner is awarded £10,000, while special award winners receive £1,000 and category winners £500 each. The overall winner of the Veolia Environnement Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year title receives £500 and a day’s masterclass with a leading light from the photographic world, while category winners receive £250. Winning images are featured in a hardback commemorative portfolio book, which is translated into key languages including Finnish and German, as well as a special supplement to the November issue of BBC Wildlife Magazine.

All commended and winning images are then showcased in an international exhibition that debuts at London’s Natural History Museum in October, before touring venues around the world. By the time that the exhibition has completed its annual tour, more then two-and-a-half million people will have been inspired by this unique body of work, ensuring contributing photographers become internationally recognised and household names.

Whether you are a professional or an amateur photographer, the key to competing successfully in this prestigious photographic event is to represent the natural world in increasingly imaginative and compelling ways. Here are some top tips for each of the competition’s categories and awards:

Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Categories

· Animals in Their Environment: Pictures need to conjure up a sense of place, whether magical or memorable. The animal is a part of it, but not necessarily the largest component.
· Behaviour: Birds, Behaviour: Mammals, Behaviour: All Other Animals: Just looking or sitting isn’t enough. Behaviour must be fascinating or unexpected.
· Underwater World: Seventy per cent of the planet is under water so the scope here is huge and includes life in freshwater as well as at sea.
· Animal Portraits: This is the competition’s most popular category so it’s essential to be original. Lastyear’s winning portrait of a polar bear had no face…
· In Praise of Plants and Fungi: There is plenty of potential for range and creativity in this category. The challenge is to create a picture that will make the viewer marvel.
· Urban Wildlife: Remember the potential for a winning shot in this category is all around you. The key is to recognise the extraordinary in the ordinary.
· Nature in Black and White: Let the light and shade, texture and tone do the work, whether using conventional or digital dark-room techniques. Composition is absolutely all important.
· Creative Visions of Nature: This category releases you from any need to be figurative, so keep your creative senses alert and look for new ways of seeing. A picture should reveal more to the viewer the longer they look at it.
· Wild Places: Images must inspire a sense of wonder. They should make the viewer want to be there.

Special awards

· Wildlife Photojournalist of the Year Award:A good story can be topical, hard-hitting or evocative. You just have to look at the last year’s winners to see how diverse and memorable a winning picture story can be.
· One Earth Award: Most images entered rely on the shock factor, but what about man’s positive efforts to restore the planet? Keep in mind that pictures must carry a message.
· Gerald Durrell Award for Endangered Wildlife: Photographers must be of a species from the 2010 IUCN list, which includes 18,351 threatened species. Judges would like to see more than just the obvious contenders featured and helped through photographic excellence.
· Eric Hosking Award: If you are 27 or under, this is your chance to show off your very best work. Last year an image from this portfolio won the photographer the overall title of Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the grand prize in the competition.

Twenty-five year old Hungarian photographer Bence Máté, overall winner of the 2010 Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year, said: ‘Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year is a competition that photographers worldwide aspire to win. It provides a fantastic platform for up-and-coming photographers to showcase their work. Being presented with this prestigious award in the iconic surroundings of the Natural History Museum and in front of photographers whose work I’ve always admired was one of the proudest moments of my career.’

Máté also achieved acclaim as the winner of the Veolia Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2002. Open to young photographers, this competition seeks to encourage, identify and nurture breaking talent in three separate categories: 10 Years and Under, 11–14 Years and 15–17 Years.

Mark Carwardine said, ‘In recent years, young photographers have given adults a run for their money – so much so that it’s often impossible to look at a winning image and guess the age of the person who took it’.

Fergus Gill, winner of Veolia Environnement Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 and 2010, said: ‘Ever since I started taking photographs I’ve dreamt of winning the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. I first entered the competition when I was nine years old with some photographs of birds taken in my back garden. Getting recognition for my photography when I won the 11–14 Years category in 2004 was huge for me, and was one of the things that made me really decide to pursue nature photography. Having followed the competition from a young age, I eagerly anticipate October every year, excited to see the results. Seeing such great photographs inspired me to try and improve my own photography in the hope that one day I’d see my work showcased alongside them. Winning the young competition two years in a row was both completely unexpected and a phenomenal feeling. It’s an honour to have my photographs displayed alongside those of many of the world’s best photographers who have inspired me through their work.’

For further details about the competition, categories and rules, please visit http://www.nhm.ac.uk/wildphoto

FEBRUARY HALF TERM FAMILY FUN IN SOUTH EAST ENGLAND

With just five weeks until February Half Term, it’s time to start thinking about ways to keep the family entertained, without breaking the bank. There are plenty of activities and events planned across South East England to keep them all out of mischief, from Army Commando courses at Beaulieu to Racing Days at Ascot.

19th: BetFair Ascot Chase Day (Ascot, Berkshire)
Betfair Ascot Chase Day is the best-established Jump Race at Ascot, which is celebrating its 300th Birthday this year, so it’s the perfect excuse to take the family to enjoy the colours, sights and sounds of Ascot racing. Prices start from £17 per adult and children under 17 are admitted free. http://www.ascot.co.uk.

19th – 26th: Open Week at Isle of Wight Steam Rail (Isle of Wight)
Learn all about the history of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, with a photographic display dating back to 1971. This display runs alongside the special Half Term Open Week and costs £10 per child and £14.50 per adult, http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk. ‘Super-Saver’ fares to the Isle of Wight start from just £35.50 for a car and four people with Wightlink http://www.wightlink.co.uk.

19th – 26th: Gullivers Farm & Dinosaur Park (Milton Keynes)
Gullivers Farm and Dinosaur Park is an ideal place to keep the kids amused, boasting three different areas: Farmer Gully’s Animals, Farmer Gully’s Crops and the Farm Yard. Learn all about the workings of a real farm, with hands on activities, special workshops and a cookery school in the Farm House Kitchen. There is also the chance to become a dinosaur detective, digging for fossils with Ranger Gully! Entry costs from £6.45 per person. http://www.amazing-mk.co.uk.

19th – 26th: Family Days at Longridge Activity Centre (Marlow, Buckinghamshire)
Longridge Activity Centre will be holding ‘Family Activity Days’ throughout February Half Term, perfect for all fit families, who like to be out and about. Costs vary depending on the activity with choices including adventure trails, canoeing and climbing. The centre will also be offering two free days for people to try an Olympic sport, either rowing or marathon kayaking during Half Term. http://www.VisitThames.co.uk.

19th – 26th: Family Break at Four Pillars Hotels (Oxfordshire)
If you fancy a break away from it all, some clean country air or just the chance to treat the whole family, Four Pillars Hotels offers six different properties around Oxfordshire. Enjoy crisp winter walks in Tortworth Court’s stunning arboretum, enjoy the lakeside views at Cotswolds Water Park or explore the dreaming spires of Oxford from one of the four properties surrounding the city. Prices start from just £35 per person, per night and kids stay and eat for free! http://www.four-winter.co.uk.

19th – 27th: Suckers Week, Blue Reef Aquarium (Portsmouth, Hampshire)
In celebration of the octopus, join Blue Reef Aquarium for ‘Suckers Week’. Discover how these fascinating creatures have adapted to survive in our oceans and enjoy close encounters with members of the cephalopod family from the giant Pacific octopus to the prehistoric nautilus. Entry starts at £7.40 per child and £9.40 per adult.
http://www.VisitPortsmouth.co.uk.

21st – 25th: Army Commandos at Beaulieu (Hampshire)
Get kitted out in army camouflage and have a taste of life in the modern Army on the ‘Army Commando Day’. Courtesy of soldiers from the Marchwood base, 17 Port & Maritime Regiment, young recruits can join real soldiers on a patrol exercise - the perfect way to wear them out. Prices start from £8.75 per child, £16.50 per adult and under five year olds go free. http://www.beaulieu.co.uk.

22nd: How to Turn your Teacher Purple, Roald Dahl Museum (Great Missenden Buckinghamshire)
Meet the utterly mad poet and guitarist James Carter, who will be performing poems galore from his brand new science-poetry anthology ‘How to turn your teacher purple’. Children can also get involved in a range of craft activities taking place throughout the day. Entry costs from £4 per child and £6 per adult. www.roalddahlmuseum.org

23rd: Gosport Gallery (Gosport, Hampshire)
Become photographers just like the famous Lawrence family! Dress up, then take and edit digital photographs in Victorian, 1950s or 1970s styles. Also have the chance to design your own frame for your pictures to take home and display with pride. Entry costs just £1 per person. http://www.discovergosport.co.uk

25th – 26th: Topsy-Turvy Tales at Painshill Park (Cobham, Surrey)
The forest of Painshill is coming to life with storytellers’ topsy-turvy tales of curious creatures and magical madness. Wear fancy dress and bring along a toy forest creature for the creative workshop, where they’ll be making a topsy-turvy magical animal shadow puppet. This is an indoor activity and is suitable for children up to 10 years; no advance booking is required although numbers are limited per session. http://www.painshill.co.uk.

For more information on visiting South East England, including places to stay from B&Bs to luxury hotels, please see: http://www.visitsoutheastengland.com or http://www.funfamilydaysout.com.

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