Sweet scents Simon James Home has unveiled its most giftable collection yet — a range of luxury soy candles designed to fill homes with warmth, comfort, and a touch of sparkle. This year’s festive gift season celebrates indulgent scents and thoughtful gifting, with signature favourites and subtle nods to classic festive fragrances, from the nostalgic sweetness of Gingerbread to the citrus-spiced charm of Orange Biscotti and the winterfresh sparkle of Berry Sorbet. Each candle is hand-poured in Kent, vegan, and crafted from sustainable soy wax, making them both luxurious and planet-friendly. Perfect for thoughtful gifting or as wedding favours, the candles also support the environment: every order placed this season plants a tree, meaning your gift spreads joy far beyond the home. Visit simonjameshome.co.uk for more information. CONGRATULATIONS Penshurst wedding venue and country pub The Leicester Arms has been named in The Good Food Guide’s inaugural 100 Best Pubs in Britain. The accolade recognises the historic village inn for its outstanding food, quality drinks, and friendly, attentive service. The listing comes hot on the heels of the venue’s recent inclusion in The Guardian’s 30 Best UK Pubs for an Autumn Escape with Great Food. The country inn plans to build on this momentum with a packed calendar of events and experiences celebrating great food, drink, and hospitality in the heart of the Kent countryside. The Leicester Arms underwent a major refurbishment in 2024 by the Little & Large Pub Company and owners Brakspear. The renovation upgraded the space while preserving its charm and character. The pub now has 13 en-suite bedrooms, providing the luxury of a boutique hotel combined with individually designed, botanically inspired interiors that make each room unique. Manu Bhatt, founder of the Little & Large Pub Company, said: “We are proud of the team and grateful to our guests, neighbours, and suppliers for their support. Being named in The Good Food Guide and highlighted by The Guardian as a great place to stay and a food destination is a real boost to what we have set out to create here. We are excited to welcome guests for a season of long lunches, cosy dinners, and memorable celebrations.” Check out more at theleicesterarmspenshurst.co.uk Beautifully bespoke Thanet-based calligraphy artist Signed.Ami has been named a South East Regional Winner at The Wedding Industry Awards 2026 in the Stationery category. Regional winners now go through to the national final being held in Liverpool in January 2026. Ami Taylor, the calligrapher and artist behind Signed.Ami, says: “It was such a surprise to be nominated, and then to go on to win in such a huge region, which includes London, is simply amazing! I’m blown away by the votes and comments from the couples I have worked with over the last year locally. I learned calligraphy four years ago and have built the business working evenings and weekends around the demands of family life with high-supportneeds, neurodivergent children. In between weddings, I also create chalkboard signage for local businesses, paint seasonal window displays, and teach calligraphy workshops. This is only my third year creating wedding signage, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.” Visit instagram.com/signed.ami for more information. LATEST NEWS 7
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