Latest news with #andJudy
Spectator
6 days ago
- Spectator
English? Middle class? Welcome to the Costa del Boden
It was when I saw two other women wearing the same red-and-white-striped Boden swimming costume as me that I realised what I had become. Twenty years ago, I wouldn't have been seen dead on a beach in Salcombe in a Boden swimming costume. I would have been topless on a riverbank in Provence, smoking a Gitane and reading Duras. These days, I don't have time to care, and I summon G.K. Chesterton as my guide: 'Don't ever take a fence down until you know the reason why it was put up.' I have children, a husband and dogs, and we have come – without really meaning to but by some centrifugal bourgeois force – to the Costa del Boden for our summer holiday. In short, we appear to be in favour of the fence. Where? Has yummy-mummy clothes-retailer Jonny Boden bought up part of the English coastline? Well, sort of. The Costa del Boden, otherwise known as the English middle-class coastline, pops up in more than a few places: Salcombe in Devon, Daymer Bay, Polzeath or Rock in Cornwall, Brancaster in Norfolk, and Seaview on the Isle of Wight. It is where the middle to upper classes holiday in this country. These aren't the middle classes the Telegraph writes about, now apparently priced out of their summer break by rising costs. Neither are they the net-zero middle classes who seek sustainable alternatives to overseas travel. No, these are the moneyed bourgeoisie who routinely spend at least a month of the summer on the English coast before heading to Corfu or France for a jolly in August. At any one of the yacht clubs, status is earned through routine longevity: if you have been coming for 'donkeys yahhs', so much the better. You'll also know everyone you run into – which is all any Sloane really wants; forget cultural exchange or the strange, salty nature of the Continent. All in all, robust, weather-beaten, 'Granny had a house here' boat-y top trumps is the thing. But one hardly needs to be robust to enjoy the Costa del Boden. It's all cloyingly lovely – too lovely, in fact. This isn't the risky carnival of Punch and Judy, the pier or, heaven forbid, dry sand. Far from it. At North Sands or Bantham Beach in Devon, the shoreline is jammed with labradors chasing tennis balls while mothers hare after little Ludos or Harrys togged out in – you guessed it – Boden long-sleeved swimsuits. Conversations I overheard while chasing my own little darling seemed to orbit around commuting, the merits of Bridie and Bert towels and VAT. If you fancy something to eat, you can have artisan pizza by the beach – sponsored, apparently, by Vivobarefoot-trainer tycoon Galahad Clark – or pick up a cortado from the coffee van (no cash, please, begs the sign). In Salcombe, bucket-and-spade shops have made way for an avalanche of boutiques designed to lure in the discerning middle-class female shopper; the brands With Nothing Underneath and Busby and Fox were doing a roaring trade when I stopped in for the briefest of rummages. Of course, if your children are older, the Costa del Boden is all about rummaging – or rather frisking. One friend, a regular on the Costa del Boden's Polzeath strip of coastline, tells tales of public-school teenagers – 'mainly Stowe, Radley and Marlborough, to be frank' – prowling the beach after dark 'like penguins' while their parents drink rosé until 'the police turn the floodlights on at midnight like magic nannies'. 'It's teen mecca,' another friend sighs, adding that Daymer Bay, where the Camerons have a house, is 'still sweet', but 'the teenagers just want to be where they know everyone from school'. All anyone wants, it seems, is to have a jolly good, socially cordoned-off, PLU time, whether procured with a fake ID or not. Ah, identity – that old conundrum. I got to thinking about it, as Carrie Bradshaw would have said, during my week on the Costa del Boden. I thought about how I must have appeared to others in my Boden swimming costumes and Aspiga dresses: invisible death by batik print and nautical stripe. I thought about how strong and persistent the desire to blend in is – and how brightly that desire burns in my seven-year-old daughter's eyes. But I shan't be sad. Chesterton wasn't, after all; he knew that fences were put up for a reason, and that nobody has a good time until someone is excluded. The Costa del Boden, erected to keep others out and let the right sort in, is surely the fence of which he speaks.
Scotsman
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
25 of the best photos bringing the swinging 60s back to life
But while they are painted as the cool, carefree days when the world shook off its shackles and life burst into technicolour, that's not how everyone experienced them. The cultural revolution didn't touch all corners of the UK, where many families were still experiencing great hardship and unable to afford the new fashions, sounds and technological breakthroughs the decade offered. These photos show life as it really was back then in the UK for ordinary people. They capture the excitement of the 60s, from the dance halls to the catwalk, but they also depict the practical realities of everyday life, from the supermarket aisles to the factory floor. If you were around in the 1960s, you will remember things like collecting Green Shield stamps in the shops, getting free school milk and enjoying donkey rides and Punch and Judy shows at the beach. You'll also recall the political demonstrations of the day, as women fought for equal pay, and huge crowds demanded an end to apartheid. And you'll likely remember the events which caught the public imagination, like Pickles the dog sniffing out the stolen World Cup trophy. TV rentals, the launch of Channel 2, a huge free Rolling Stones concert and the killer fog which descended are among the other evocative images in this retro photo gallery which together help capture the spirit of the 60s. What are your abiding memories of the 1960s? Let us know in the comments section. 1 . Green Shield stamps A shop assistant prepares to hand a sheet of Green Shield stamps to a customer at a newly opened supermarket in September 1960 | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive Photo Sales 2 . Let's twist again A couple doing the twist at a ballroom in January 1962 | Getty Images Photo: Peter Hall/Keystone Features Photo Sales 3 . Free milk Comprehensive school pupils queue up for their free milk | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard Photo Sales 4 . Disposable fashion English model Twiggy wearing Bagatel autumn fashions, including this plastic disposable mini-dress, in May 1966 | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive Photo Sales
Scotsman
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
25 of the best photos bringing the swinging 60s back to life
But while they are painted as the cool, carefree days when the world shook off its shackles and life burst into technicolour, that's not how everyone experienced them. The cultural revolution didn't touch all corners of the UK, where many families were still experiencing great hardship and unable to afford the new fashions, sounds and technological breakthroughs the decade offered. These photos show life as it really was back then in the UK for ordinary people. They capture the excitement of the 60s, from the dance halls to the catwalk, but they also depict the practical realities of everyday life, from the supermarket aisles to the factory floor. If you were around in the 1960s, you will remember things like collecting Green Shield stamps in the shops, getting free school milk and enjoying donkey rides and Punch and Judy shows at the beach. You'll also recall the political demonstrations of the day, as women fought for equal pay, and huge crowds demanded an end to apartheid. And you'll likely remember the events which caught the public imagination, like Pickles the dog sniffing out the stolen World Cup trophy. TV rentals, the launch of Channel 2, a huge free Rolling Stones concert and the killer fog which descended are among the other evocative images in this retro photo gallery which together help capture the spirit of the 60s. What are your abiding memories of the 1960s? Let us know in the comments section. 1 . Green Shield stamps A shop assistant prepares to hand a sheet of Green Shield stamps to a customer at a newly opened supermarket in September 1960 | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive Photo Sales 2 . Let's twist again A couple doing the twist at a ballroom in January 1962 | Getty Images Photo: Peter Hall/Keystone Features Photo Sales 3 . Free milk Comprehensive school pupils queue up for their free milk | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard Photo Sales 4 . Disposable fashion English model Twiggy wearing Bagatel autumn fashions, including this plastic disposable mini-dress, in May 1966 | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive Photo Sales
South Wales Argus
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Edward's Fun Fair at Crosskeys after Caerphilly Big Weekend
Caerphilly Big Weekend was hosted at (and in support of) Bedwas RFC with two days of free entertainment, tokened rides and attractions, and plenty of food and drink from the food court and the clubhouse. There was plenty of free parking when we arrived at Caerphilly Big Weekend early on Saturday (July 5) afternoon. It was busy, despite scattered showers on the day, and my son ran immediately to the Clown Inflatable. Clown Inflatable at Caerphilly Big Weekend 2025 (Image: NQ) He was allowed 10 minutes to blow off steam, with all the little ones having a blast, and it gave my friend and I the opportunity to indulge in Nutella and strawberry crepes from the food court – delicious and a much-needed energy boost for our shenanigans! We didn't have to wonder what to do next for lunch – a showing of Punch and Judy was announced and families flocked to the show booth to enjoy the traditional puppet show. Children were transfixed by Mr Punch and his slapstick and even the adults chortled at parts (it was such a success my son insisted on watching a second showing later that day!) The Fun Fair operated on a token basis and there was truly something for everyone! My son loved the monster trucks ride, opting for a Spider-Man vehicle, and ran straight to the Frozen teacup on the next ride! We had a laugh in the funhouse (including the mirror maze) and enjoyed the runaway train rollercoaster – but the dodgems were my personal favourite, with people of all ages crashing and bashing in the bright bumper cars. Some delicious food on offer at the fair (Image: NQ) Edward Danter's Fun Fair is versatile – along with rides for youngsters there's plenty for thrill-seekers including Oxygen, Venom and Superbowl. A casino offered arcade amusements – although we didn't win a Minecraft teddy on the prize claw, my son enjoyed the Hook a Duck and earned a brand-new sword and shield! Enjoy all the fun of the fair (Image: NQ) A bit of rain didn't dampen our spirits. It briefly quite heavy, but people took refuge in the clubhouse which had a warm, welcoming atmosphere and well-stocked bar. I'm alcohol free but treated my son to some crisps from the clubhouse (plus a hot dog from the food court while I enjoyed a mocha). This was a brilliant day – my son left with stories to tell, toys to play with, and the distinctive mouth stains of a dummy lollipop!
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
James Martin's eye-watering fortune and how he 'nearly missed out on mortgage'
James Martin has become a household name thanks to his cooking shows and restaurants, but he has opened up about his money worries after 'taking a risk' with his first venue James Martin has candidly revealed his financial challenges after taking a gamble by venturing into the restaurant business. The TV chef, 53, reflected on his journey with "complete faith" in each establishment since launching his culinary career at the Hotel du Vin in 1994. The acclaimed chef maintains that the key to making a restaurant successful is sheer "hard graft", although he acknowledges the inevitable element of "risk" in opening a new venue. In an interview with The Times, James shared: "Ever since I opened my first place at the Hotel du Vin in 1994 I have gone in with complete faith in myself and the people I'm working with. Making it work is not about money, it's about belief and it's about hard, hard graft. "Yes, you're taking a risk, but you take that risk knowing that you will win. If I had any doubts at all, I wouldn't be doing this job." Despite the initial hardships, James credits the triumph of his first restaurant with enabling him to take his first steps onto the property ladder. He recounted his struggle to secure a mortgage, having accumulated enough for a deposit yet lacking sufficient years of accounts, reports Yorkshire Live. He continued: "They wanted three or four years of accounts. I finally went into the Bristol and West Building Society on the high street. Luckily, the lady I spoke to had seen me on telly and thought I had 'longevity'. I walked out of there with £150,000 to play with." James disclosed that he initially purchased a modest three-bedroom flat across from the local estate agent. This humble beginning is a stark contrast to the plush seven-bedroom Hampshire residence he occupies today, complete with a sprawling 1.5-acre garden and a greenhouse. The property is equipped with a swanky outdoor kitchen featuring a massive wood-fired pizza oven, an island and striking green industrial-style lamps. Notably, James Martin's Saturday Morning is produced on a dedicated set constructed within his premises. James has been a staple on our TV screens since his debut on Ready Steady Cook back in the 1990s. He launched his own food series, James Martin: Yorkshire's Finest, in 1996. His career progressed as he co-hosted BBC Food's Stately Suppers with Alistair Appleton and made contributions to the Richard and Judy show. In 2006, James took the helm at BBC's Saturday Kitchen. He stayed with the programme until 2016 and kicked off Saturday Morning the following year. Just last month, James revealed his plans to take a summer hiatus. He commented: "That is also for the series. Me and the crew are heading off on sunny holidays. Different climates." While James soaks up the sun on holiday, his show continues to grace screens every Saturday morning at 9.30am on ITV One.
