YOGA & LUNCH in the Garden
a few places left ……
Sunday 22nd June, 2025 from 11am
Second-Helpings has invited back Alex Mannering of YourYoga to hold a 90 minute session of yoga in the garden followed by a delicious home cooked lunch which includes a complimentary glass of Rose wine or Prosecco.
Join Alex on the mat at 11.15am for a wonderful calming and centring Yoga practice suitable for everybody. Beginning with Pranayama (breath work) encouraging our mind to calm and centre, followed by some gentle awakening movements flowing into classic Asana (postures) with plenty of time for relaxation at the end, finishing at approximately 12.45pm
Yoga will be followed by a relaxed buffet lunch in the garden. Canapes to start. Followed by a variety of delicious Salads, Coronation Chicken with grapes & almonds, a Thai Prawn dish and a selection of breads. Dessert and cheeses to end along with teas and coffee.
You can also bring along your own wine if you wish and no corkage will apply on this occasion.
All equipment will be provided but if you have your own mats please bring them along. Guests will also have a chance to explore the lovely gardens.
Start time 11:00am
Lunch served around 13:00
Price £40.00 per person
Ends around 15:00 hrs but absolutely no rush …. enjoy & relax!!
Call Barbara on 07719 624429 or email eat@second-helpings.co.uk if you would like to join us.
Saatchi Gallery, Flowers: Flora in Contemporary Art & Culture
Flowers have always held a special place in our culture. They’re admired for their beauty, symbolism, and their ability to skyrocket in price when someone mentions the word “wedding”, “valentines day” or “mother’s day”
They are wonders of nature.
The new exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, Flowers: Flora in Contemporary Art & Culture, features over 500 works, including paintings, sculptures, fashion (Vivienne Westwood & Mary Quant), fabrics and installations, all exploring themes of nature and beauty. The artwork is a dynamic mix – grand, vibrant floral paintings, sculptural pieces made from metal, glass, and recycled materials.
One of the standout pieces is La Fleur Morte by Rebecca Louise Law. This installation features over 100,000 dried flowers suspended in the air. Another highlight is a mixed media room filled with an extensive collection of floral album covers and film posters.
Overall, the exhibition is beautiful and thought-provoking. It’s a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours and Sloane Square is one of my favourite places to people watch, shop and eat! Its on until 5th May.
Gardens and Fine Dining
If you’ve not yet had the chance to visit Leonardslee House and Gardens near Cowfold in West Sussex, please do – its a wonderful day out!
It was my first visit and I was blown away by the stunning sculptures (which are for sale) scattered throughout the 240 acres of Grade I Listed Gardens, parkland, lawns, lakes, and woodland. The gardens are famous for the amazing displays of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, Magnolias and Bluebells – so now is the time to visit!
Its not just gardens and walks, there is a fascinating “Beyond the Dolls’ House” exhibition, a fabulous adventure playground for children, places to eat and drink, an amazing gift shop, vineyards, wine tasting events and wallabies!!
And then there was the best surprise of all!! Interlude, a Michelin Star restaurant, situated in the 19th Century Italianate style manor house.
Executive Chef Jean Delport was one of the finalists on the recent BBC Great British Menu series. He won the heat for London and the South East and cooked the fish and the main course at the 20th Anniversary banquet held at Blenheim Palace. Interlude restaurant, which showcases multi course dining experiences is definitely on my radar for the next very (very) special occasion! I just need to start saving 😊
New Pieces from Barry ….
We are truly inspired by the Saachi acclaimed artist, Barry Wilson, who kindly loans his works for us to display for our guests enjoyment. These pieces are for sale (for further information contact Barbara@second-helpings.co.uk)
Barry’s highly distinctive paintings have been exhibited in major museums and galleries worldwide with international acclaim.
RECIPE ….. nothing like a delicious Lemon Drizzle
Heat the oven to 180C (160C fan) and line a loaf tin (900gm/2lb size). In a large bowl add 175g caster sugar, 175g self-raising flour, 175g softened butter, 3 large eggs (beaten), finely grated zest of 1 lemon and 3/4 teaspoon of baking powder. Beat with an electric whisk until smooth (don’t over whisk because if you do it will sink in the middle when its cooking). Pour the cake batter into the tin and cook in the middle of the oven for around 40 minutes until its golden brown and springy to touch. When the cake is cooking make the lemon drizzle topping. Juice the lemon and mix it with 100g of granulated sugar and when the cake comes out of the oven, carefully spoon this mixture over it. Leave the cake to cool in the tin. Decorate with some edible flowers or berries and enjoy!
PLEASE SAVE THIS DATE – Saturday 28th June, 2025
OPEN GARDEN CHARITY DAY
Enjoy our annual Open Garden Charity Day with live jazz band and a delicious lunch/tea.
This event started as a MacMillan Coffee morning back in 2020 when we had to limit the amount of people we could let in at any one time, due to Covid restrictions!! It’s now grown into something quite special and, to date, we have raised over £5,000 for our two charities – MacMillan Cancer Relief and the Alzheimer’s Society – massive thanks to everyone who has helped us over the years!
It’s still a way off but if you want to be involved in any way, let us know?