Resource Magazine

Good news for foodies just across the border into Wiltshire (and for those of us who live in the Tetbury-Cirencester-Stroud triangle): the Rectory Hotel’s new gastropub venture, The Potting Shed, flings open its stylish doors this Monday 3 December. Resource insiders, who have already taste-tested the menu (we have our spies, don’t you worry) have given it an enthusiastic thumbs-up and we will be queuing up for one of the first tables available. Expect delicious, home-cooked food – handled in the Rectory’s own inimitable style – along with some very clever, very chic design touches. These guys know what they’re doing – and they do it so well. Call Cate Whittaker on 01666 577 194 to make a reservation.

Congratulations from the Resource team to Stroud Farmers’ Market for winning the 2008 title of FARMA Certified Farmers’ Market of the Year. The vibrant weekly market, organised by Clare and Kardien Gerbrands, boasts some 45 stalls every week, packing Stroud’s winding lanes and its Cornhill Market Place. The eclectic mix of constantly rotating stalls includes seasonal growers (from spring-time asparagus to Christmas trees), a Thai snack stall, the ever-popular Market Café, organic burgers and sausages cooked to order, organic vegetables and fruit, tempting cakes and locally produced wine. With visitors from all over the region visiting, we can think of no better way to while away a Saturday morning in the county. Well done again to the organisers and to the stallholders.

Pictured above: Clare Gerbrands rings the commemorative engraved bell to celebrate Stroud’s win.

If you’re short on some exquisite gifts ideas – leaving it a bit late, aren’t you? – then may we humbly suggest one of our favourite collections of beautifully-made objéts sourced from all over the world. WhippetGrey’s catalgoue of hard-to-find products, made by small family-run interests, skilled artisans and artists from places as diverse as Morocco and the Orkney Isles includes quirky toys, delicate tealights, jewellery crafted from shells, Danish tea towels, handmade tools and cute woollen animals knitted by a gang of industrious women in a village in Africa. One of our favourite pieces is this lead Italian greyhound. Crafted in Belgium, it’s cast in a mould and then finished by hand. Beautiful.

www.whippetgrey.co.uk

We love it when two of our favourite things come together in a beautiful union. Imagine how excited we are when it’s the combination of three: luxury ski chalet company Descent International, Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens and Champagne house Perrier-Jouët have combined their immeasurable forces to create the ultimate gourmet experience for skiers. Not only has Tom created an exclusive menu paired with Champagnes for guests at Descent International’s beautiful chalets, but he will also be personally cooking said menu for guests for one week only at the beginning of February. Book yourself a week’s skiing at Chesa Falcun, Tivoli Lodge, Chalet Eugenia or The Chesa Albertini in Switzerland and you’ll have the handsome devil cooking up a storm in your kitchen for you and your friends.

To snap up one of these luxurious, beautifully-designed chalets equipped with five-star amenities for the week commencing 3 February 2008 (when Tom’s in the kitchen), go to: www.descent.co.uk

If you’d like your company or product to be featured online and on the pages of Resource, then get in touch. We’re always on the look-out for beautiful, gorgeous things that we can introduce to our discerning readers in Gloucestershire. (Just so you know, Resource magazine will also be available at a select few venues across the Capital when it launches in 2008, meaning maximum exposure for your business). Our dedicated editorial sections focus on local Gloucestershire news (supporting local businesses and local business people), food and drink, property, interior design, travel (including regular features about London), motoring and arts and culture.

For editorial stories, email: lisa@resource-magazine.com
To speak to us about advertising opportunities, starting from as little as £16 per month, email: rachel@resource-magazine.com

We’re constantly on the search for interesting gifts and beautiful items for the home here at Resource. And while Gloucestershire offers some amazing purchasing opportunities, we do like to venture a little further afield when we’re after something that’s unique. Any excuse for a shopping trip! One of our favourite stores in New York is Kaas in the quirky West Village that produces beautiful glassware made using the traditional technique of decoupage. The Kaas team painstakingly collect antique and historical prints to produce a wonderful collection of trays, plates, coasters and paperweights. If you’re heading to NYC for a spot of exchange rate Christmas shopping, we guarantee you’ll come away with some stunningly different gifts from Kaas.

Kaas, 117 Perry Street,
New York City
Tel: +1 212 366 0322
www.kaas.com 

The Resource team boasts some excellent down-hillers. Others, however, prefer the pre- and aprés-ski bits best of all. One thing that we do all agree on, however, is that when heading for the peaks, technically-advanced kit that keeps you toasty and looks the part is a necessity. There’s nothing worse than numb fingers when you’re stuck up a mountain – ski gloves and mittens need to protect, be tough, supple and water-resistant. Alexandra Bennet has been designing gloves for over a decade, and her collection of ski gloves – borne out of her passion for on-the-piste activities – are not only beautiful to look at, but a pleasure to wear. Alexski gloves and mittens are made from the highest grade of English waterproofed kid leather, with an inner Goretex glove and a lining of super-warm possum fur, meaning that not only will you be fully-protected against even the most extreme of elements, but you’ll also cut a dashing figure as you hit the slopes. Available in men’s (in black and chestnut) and women’s sizes (in black, chestnut, pink, powder blue, olive green, red and navy), we’re particularly partial to the sumptuous chestnut brown pair and this statement-making red pair.

Available from: www.alexski.com

Lucia van der Post is, arguably, the grande dame of all things luxe. Founding Editor of the FT’s glistening How To Spend It supplement, she’s been guiding the monied for over two decades on where to splash their cash. Also a published author, der Post’s latest tome, Things I Wish My Mother Had Told Me, is the perfect gift for budding fashionistas this Christmas. She’ll be, appropriately, doing lunch at Calcot Manor on Monday 3 December, sharing advice on the most useful of tidbits, from how to organise your wardrobe and juggling motherhood and a career, to being the perfect hostess – perfect timing for the festive season. To make a reservation, call Deborah Whitfield: 01666 890 391.
For fans of Burgundy, the hotel’s A Tour With Latour night on Thursday 13 December is a must. Director of Louis Latour Limited, Tony Schendel, will be in attendance for this very special wine dinner, which includes a three-course meal and all wines. Again, call Deborah for tickets.

Calcot Manor, Near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8YJ
www.calcotmanor.co.uk

Traditional, long-standing British companies are having to re-brand and get with it to survive in the cut-throat, claws-out world of fashion. Successful transitions from fusty to fashionista include Pringle, Burberry and Belstaff. Even Barbour have made the move out of the closet of the landed gentry and onto the backs of some of the world’s most stylish celebs. With the brand now boasting its very own ‘Wax Factor’ (their phrase, not ours), the traditional outdoors-y range has been given a thoroughly modern edge – without scaring off the old ladies and shooting brigade. As well as their classic designs, the 100-plus year-old company has introduced a new contemporary collection for men and women, utilising their iconic detailing and fabrics in 21st century fashion statements. A new concession boasting pieces from their contemporary and classic collections is due to open this week at Dobbies World in Cirencester, which includes a rainbow-like display of Hunter wellies. Must-have pieces for fashionistas wanting to muck about in the country!

www.barbour.co.uk

Next on our Cotswolds hit-list is The Rectory hotel in Crudwell, near Malmesbury. Another addition to the area’s already-impressive catalogue of boutique and lifestyle hotels, The Rectory is a luxurious, designer hotel hewn from a period property set in three acres of beautifully manicured gardens, which includes an outdoor pool. Jonathan and Julian, the owners of the beautiful 12-room hotel, also own The Rectory Kitchen & Cellar, a deli-cum-bistro in Cirencester (a much welcome addition to the town’s below-par food scene) and are about to open a gastropub just across the road from the hotel. Called The Potting Shed, it’s due to open towards the end of this month. Whichever of the pair’s establishments you visit, expect a warm and friendly welcome, exquisite food and some beautiful, clean, modern design.

The Rectory, Crudwell, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 9EP
Tel: 01666 577 194
www.therectoryhotel.com