An Essex Wedding - November/December 2023 (Issue 113)

JACKSON’S SOUTHENDON-SEA DEBUT Following its block-busting preview night at The London Palladium earlier this year, Symphonic Jackson brings the iconic hits of Michael and his brothers, enhanced by a live orchestra, to Cliffs Pavillion Southend-On-Sea, on Saturday 1st June 2024. For one night only, West end stars, Haydon Eshun, Cleopatra Madonna Higgins and David Julien are reunited to celebrate the legendary music of Michael Jackson! Together with the National Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, their incredible vocal talents will bring the music of Michael and Jackson 5 to life like never before. Experience hit after hit as Jackson classics are given a symphonic twist, and the world’s most iconic music is reimagined in this thriller of a show. CHEERS TO GARDEN GIN! Luxury property, Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate situated in the picturesque Essex countryside has announced the launch of its own bespoke Down Hall Garden Gin, in partnership with local and sustainable distillery, Essex Spirits Co. Infused with delightful citrus and floral notes, the carefully crafted spirit is a local take on classic London dry-style gin and has been delicately blended with five different botanicals, foraged from the hotel’s impressive kitchen garden and across the 110-acres of grounds that surround the property. Hedge trimmed bay leaves, wild mint, homegrown lemon verbena, handpicked rosemary and nasturtium leaves all come together with timeless juniper berries, coriander seeds and Angelica root to create a lasting flavour and an intensely smooth modern gin. Essex Spirits Co. is Chelmsford’s first operating distillery which was born in lockdown and opened in 2020. They have a zerowaste sustainability ethos and use cutting-edge modern distillation methods to get the most out of the ingredients. Down Hall’s decision to partner with them reflects the hotel’s eco-friendly reputation and its commitment to ensuring that sustainability and locality is at the heart of its operations. Down Hall Garden Gin (40% ABV) will be available to try at the hotel’s Fox Bar, Terrace and Garden Room Restaurant and to purchase by the bottle (£45). HOBBYCRAFT OPENS AT LAKESIDE Hobbycraft recently celebrated the opening of its new store at Lakeside Retail Park in West Thurrock with a host of crafting activities, product offers and goody bags for the first 100 customers who walked through the doors. The new Hobbycraft store offers customers the retailers’ extensive range of crafting products from art, baking, home craft, papercraft, knitting, sewing, kids’ crafts and model making to accessories for weddings, celebrations and much more. Store Manager, Gina Ford, comments: “Our amazing store is packed with crafting materials to suit all ages and abilities, and beginners through to experienced crafters are all welcome to pop into the store and chat to our creative colleagues. They’re always happy to share their knowledge, tips and tricks.” 10

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