02.04.16
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Fun days out to enjoy
Fresh fashion New twists on classic looks
WIN: + SHEPHERD’S HUT STAY
INSIDE: + DUNCAN JAMES
+ FESTIVAL
TICKETS
+ GIN FROM CORNWALL
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29/03/2016 14:48:40
‘I’ll go back to Sidmouth for the day, have lunch on the seafront and have a walk down memory lane’ Boy band star Duncan James from Blue is heading back to his home town, p12
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INTERIORS INSPIRATION Meet the design guru from Plymouth
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WAKE UP HAPPY Expert advice for a good night’s sleep
SECRET PLACES An insider’s guide to the South West
[contents[ Inside this week... 5
WIN A SHEPHERD’S HUT STAY Enter our fabulous competition
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JUST BETWEEN US... Sh! We have the latest gossip!
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OUT OF THE BLUE Duncan James on life after the boy band
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POLDARK COUNTRY Follow in Demelza’s footsteps
MEET THE FOODIES Westcountry food producers out on show
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THE DESIGN GURU Interiors expert Cathryn Bishop
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ANNE SWITHINBANK How to plant now for heavenly scent
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BEAUTY WITH ABBIE BRAY The hottest trends, made simple
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JEAN GENIUS Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod on today’s denim
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CULTURE VULTURE What’s on and where to go
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BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Great ways to feel your best this week
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TIRED ALL THE TIME? Our expert has the answers
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MIND YOUR LANGUAGE Phil Goodwin goes to Brizzle, sorry Bristol
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SWEET ENOUGH? Tim Maddams on cooking with sugar
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BEYOND THE BOY BAND
Duncan James on his new career
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FESTIVAL FUN
The Westcountry foodies
[ welcome [ Spring is a time of new beginnings... nd today we have fascinating stories from people who have taken that brave step to reinvent and refresh their lives. I loved hearing the stories of the Westcountry food producers who will be plying their delicious wares at the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink later this month (page 16). Interestingly, all of them had branched out from their original career paths to launch their own foodie businesses, and are doing really well, too. Going from life as a chartered accountant to becoming a gin distiller is a big leap - as is the move from fire-fighter to wild food forager. It cer-
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tainly is food for thought. Elsewhere, we also meet Devon’s own Duncan James, who tells our star celebrity reporter Dawn Ellis all about his new life performing as a star of West End musical theatre. It’s quite a change from his time as a boy band heart-throb, back when he was one-quarter of the hugely successful group Blue. Duncan grew up in Sidmouth, east Devon. He’s told Dawn he will be taking a trip back to his home town when he heads back to Devon this month to star in his new show Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, in Torquay. Read all about his new life on page 12 today and have a lovely weekend.
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It’s quite a change from his time as a boy band heart-throb
of the week
@BoringdonHall
@WMNWest thank you West for featuring Easter Themed Afternoon Teas at Boringdon Hall!
TO ADVERTISE: Contact Lynne Potter: 01752 293027 or 07834 568283, lynne.potter@dc-media.co.uk
Becky Sheaves, Editor
COVER IMAGE: xxxx
EDITORIAL: westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk Tel: 01392 442250 Twitter @wmnwest
MEET THE TEAM Becky Sheaves, Editor
Sarah Pitt
Kathryn Clarke-McLeod
Catherine Barnes
Lynne Potter
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If you do one thing this week... Escape modern life and take off to stay in a shepherd’s hut in gloriously peaceful Devon countryside near Okehampton. Jacob’s Hut has been lovingly furnished and fitted out by owners Josephine and Gordon Jacob, complete with cosy woodburner. Enjoy watching wildlife, including kingfishers on the lake, or just gaze at the stars sitting around a campfire. See www. jacobshut.co.uk for details.
Win
We have a night’s stay for two, with continental breakfast, at Jacob’s Hut, near Lewdown, to win, worth £80. Just tell us the names of the owners. Send your answer, marked Jacob’s Hut, with your name, address and phone number, to westmag@ westernmorningnews.co.uk by April 15. Normal terms apply. West magazine will not share your details.
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Girl’s denim braid corsage hat £10 Monsoon
As the clocks go forward for spring, snap up this Koziol Pip wall clock £29.90 www.redcandy.co.uk
wishlist
Shades
Twiggy sunglasses £119 Cornwall’s www. roosbeach.co.uk
Our top picks of the things you’ll love this week
fave! STREET STYLE STAR
Wendy Back Black and white offthe-shoulder dress
We spotted Wendy, 51, a preschool assistant, out shopping at Drake Circus in Plymouth the other day. We were a little nervous about this new trend for sleeveless coats – but Wendy shows us how to make them work.
£110 Debenhams
Sleeveless coat: Karen Millen Top: Wallis Jeans: Marks & Spencer Bag: Beau Boutique, Yelverton
Sparkle Debut silver scallop sequin clutch £22 Send your stylish snaps of you or a friend looking fab to westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk
Debenhams
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Wishlist
Surf style Billabong tie-dye shirt £43 Cornwall’s www. annscottage.com
Handmade lamp £139 www.annajacobs.london
Pretty Semi-precious teardrop earrings £8 Accessorize
Elbert cushion £12 www.made.com
Store we adore... Teresa Green’s SHOP, Exeter
Called simply SHOP, this new emporium in Exeter’s Fore Street showcases the wares of textile designer Teresa Green, who works from a converted barn in the village of Ide, just outside the city. Teresa’s talents include illustration and screen printing and her passion for sourcing and collecting inspires her work. We just love the bright pink flamingos on the purses, bags and mugs in the window.
Baa! Woolly sheep dishcloth £3 www. berryred.co.uk
Teresa Green’s SHOP is at 137, Fore Street, Exeter and is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, www.teresagreen.co.uk and 01392 277190 7
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talking points Gillian Molesworth
Story of my life... The joy of showbiz comes to Cornwall e have just said goodbye to two of our children. James drove them to the coach at 6.15 this morning. They joined some other children looking bleary, clutching their backpacks and wheelie bags. He stood and waved as the coach pulled out and retreated down the road. We spent the rest of the the animals in the Lion King. morning wandering around the Soloists stepped into the spotlight house, feeling rather aimless and to do walk-on numbers: some of despondent. Our kids (our other them the kids you would expect, ones that is) kept repeating: “It’s others coaxed in from the wings. not fair! Why did they have to The amazing thing is that this leave?” troupe has done the same thing in OK, so they weren’t our real some even more challenging enchildren. They were members vironments: prisons, the former of the Young Americans theatre Soviet Bloc and a European troupe, who recently descended school where a teacher’s strike on Wadebridge School like a had created community tension. storm. For The programme three days they was created in coached over 150 the 1960s with a children in theawonderfully 1960s Soloists stepped tre skills, from aim: “to promote into the spotlight stage movement understanding to do walk-on to singing. Then through youth and they put on a promusic”. It’s like a numbers: some of duction. Yes, with singing, dancing them the kids you all 150 children. Peace Corps. would expect, I have never Seriously, don’t seen our school cringe. We were others coaxed in hall so energised. channeling idealism from the wings The first half of in that hall, I’m not the show was kidding. And the just the troupe of founder, Milton about 40 Young Americans, doing C. Anderson knew what he was a Broadway-style revue that was talking about. He worked with a gallop through genres: choral greats such as Gene Kelly, Bing singing, musicals, swing, hip hop, Crosby, Judy Garland, and Julie and a moving pastiche of British Andrews. Here’s the best part: patriotic songs. With their infecthey’re looking for more venues. tious talent and enthusiasm supIf your kids enjoy theatre and ported by top-drawer sound and want to make the memory of a lighting, it was properly dazzling. lifetime, talk to your headteacher. In the second half, the numAnd put yourself down to host bers were designed so that all the them, they are utterly charmschoolkids could to join in. They ing. A word of warning though: performed a medley of movie all the lights seem a bit dimmer songs, they danced, they became when they leave. Sniff.
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Gillian Molesworth is a journalist and mum-of-two who grew up in the USA and moved to north Cornwall when she met her husband
PASTELS
& prints
Jacket £75 Marks & Spencer
Ashley James is making quite the name for herself in the fashion world, and we’re definitely smitten. Hitting the red carpet for the Grimsby premiere in London recently, Ashley was a vision of colour and her relaxed, wearable outfit made a refreshing change from the usual red carpet ball gowns. The model/presenter opted for a bright graphic-print shirt dress paired with a blue leather jacket. Her dress - which features a polka dot and toy gun print - is by Jeremy Scott and costs £270. Alternatively you’ll find flirty printed dresses all over the shops right now, not to mention pretty coloured jackets, too.
Floral shirt dress £49 Look Again
steal her
style
OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN
OPTION B Sweet Jacket £69 JD Williams Red print dress £59 JD Williams
OPTION A Sassy Print shirt dress £32 BHS Leather jacket £649 Barbour
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02.04.16
Just
‘YES, I’M A BABY BOOMER!’ Hooray! Alison’s Steadman is back on our TV screens for another series of BBC sitcom Boomers. And the 69-year-old says she’s delighted her generation is realistically reflected in the programme. “It’s great there are shows, not just Boomers, where actors our age are playing leads,” says the actress, who admits that she feared work drying up
when she hit 40. “Everything then was written for 25 -35-year-olds or younger still. But that’s now changed and there’s more respect for older actors,” she says. “There’s more work, without a doubt. As I’ve been going around, I’ve met quite a few ladies of my age or older, and they’ll say, ‘Oh, we saw that Bloomers’. But they thoroughly enjoyed it and it’s nice to see something about their age group.”
[ [ ‘Come on then and sing with me. You can do it!’
DREAMS COME TRUE How many kinds of awesome is Adele? At a recent concert in Manchester, she spotted 12-year-old fan Emily Tammam waving a banner reading: “It’s my dream to sing with Adele”. And the singer made her dream come true. Emily, who has autism and ADHD, as well as the connective tissue disorder EhlersDanlos syndrome, was invited on stage to sing with her idol - and belted out Someone Like You. Adele encouraged the crowd to cheer as Emily launched into the song, before joining her to sing the chorus. Emily’s dad, Ray, later said: “Adele was very nice to do that, she clearly didn’t have to do it. Emily said she wants to show people that have disabilities or mental issues they can still do mainstream things.” Now that’s star quality.
between us Gossip, news, trend setters and more – you heard all the latest juicy stuff here first!
!
NO HECKLING,
PLEASE! Laurence Fox – aka Mr Billie Piper – has apologised for swearing at a heckler while performing in a play recently. The actor said an audience member at London’s Park Theatre had become “so loud and so impossible to deal with” that he could not continue without reacting. During the live performance of The Patriotic Traitor, Laurence scolded the man in the front row in no uncertain terms. Speaking later on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, he said: “Can I just start by apologising to the other 199 people in the theatre for my use of language. It was a very emotional part of the play and I was very upset about it, and then upset about how I’d behaved.” Laurence will be in the Westcountry playing his own self-penned songs at the Looe Music Festival in September. No heckling, please!
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Run! Bude under-11s tried hard against Newquay
in pictures Well done: Halle Lester from Exeter has read 100 books
Beach clean: Allie Scott and Mick Stallworthy have been tidying up Sennen Cove
Makeover: Make-up artist Jennifer Lenard transformed her model Grace Dixon at the Salon Cornwall show, Truro College
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talking points Sign language
Goodbye
ONE OF US Famous faces with links to the Westcountry
Western + Eastern = your primal zodiac sign
1 Aquarius + Rat Meerkat 2 Aries + Snake = Praying Mantis
3 Cancer + Rat = Seahorse 4 Leo + Dragon = Orca 5 Libra + Dragon = Porcupine
6 Pisces + Rooster = Ocelot 7 Sagittarius + Monkey = Roadrunner
8 Capricorn + Pig = Spider 9 Virgo + Sheep = Flamingo 10 Scorpio + Ox = Platypus
10 extinct dog breeds
The happy list
Grazing
10 things to make you smile this week 10 kinds of lawn seed from around the world:
1 Bahia grass 2 Chewings fescue 3 Buffalo grass 4 Carpet grass 5 Bluegrass 6 Zoysia grass 7 Rye grass 8 Centipede grass 9 Brown top bent 10 Strong creeping red fescue
This week:
1 Turnspit dog 2 St. John’s water dog 3 Cordoba fighting dog 4 English white terrier 5 Tweed water spaniel 6 Chien-gris 7 Tahltan bear dog 8 Russian tracker 9 Cumberland sheepdog 10 Molossus
1 Victoria Pendleton wow! 2 Light evenings to enjoy 3 Open gardens time to invest in an NGS yellow book
4 Gig races World Champs on Scilly, April 29-May 3
5 Wild garlic with chicken 6 Bat trails at the Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, April 14
7 Exeter Cathedral open evening, Tuesday April 19
8 Shakespeare 400 years 9 Tregothnan open for just one weekend, April 16-17
10 Pedicures it’s almost sandal time
Laurence LlewelynBowen Designer and media personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, 52, has a cottage in Port Isaac, Cornwall
TV: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen found fame in the 1990s on TV’s Changing Rooms, a hugely popular DIY show. Cornwall: Laurence and his wife Jackie bought a cottage in Port Isaac in the early 1990s. “Wadebridge is our local throbbing metropolis. I remember when all you could buy was a bridle, wellington boots and a ball of string. Now you can get Lulu Guinness handbags.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Laurence and his wife Jackie met when they were both 19 years old
Lifestyle: Laurence and his family have strong links with north Cornwall. “We picnic on Port Gaverne beach - we take a big fish kettle, make a fire pit and mix whatever the fishermen have landed with white wine and onions and eat with our fingers - primeval but fantastic.” Style: He is as famous for his
extravagant dress sense as for his lavish interiors style but said recently that he was giving up frilly shirts: “When you hit 50, flamboyance comes from within, I’ve decided.” Tears: On TV’s Changing Rooms, many home owners hated the transformations he performed on their décor.
Today: Laurence is still working as a designer, and is often to be seen in the Far East on TV shows and events, as well as creating his own ranges of wallpapers and homeware in the UK Marriage: Laurence and his wife Jackie met as students. “She was just absolutely exquisite and naughty and posh and had the most amazing skin,” he says. “We have completely and utterly grown up together.”
Competition winners: Congratulations go to the winners of our reader competitions. The winner of the Woodwarm Firegem 5kW stove is Chris Rogers, Brixham. A £50 Princesshay shopping centre voucher goes to Veronica Steer, Bodmin.
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Interview
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DUNCAN JAMES
Beyond the boy band
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Sidmouth’s pop superstar, Duncan James from Blue, is reinventing himself with a fabulous new show, set to play in Torquay this month
By Dawn Ellis
oyband chart topper Duncan James from Blue spent his childhood growing up in the Westcountry, and is about to return to his roots this spring. Duncan, 37, tells me he is “really looking forward” to taking part in the show Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, at the Princess Theatre, Torquay this month.
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He grew up as an only child, first in Dorset and then Devon, and was raised by his mother and grandparents, because his father abandoned his mother before he was born. The former Sidmouth College student has always loved theatre, he explains, playing Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at school, aged 15. He also played Dr Watson in Sherlock Holmes for Sidmouth Youth Theatre. “When I’m in Torquay, I’ll go back to Sidmouth for the day, have lunch on the seafront and have a walk down memory lane,” he says. Certainly, a lot has changed in his life since growing up in
the seaside town in east Devon. Duncan became one of the UK’s biggest chart stars as a quarter of band Blue in the early 2000s and has since enjoyed a career treading the boards in London’s West End. Blue sold more than 15 million records around the globe, topping the charts with songs such as All Rise and Sorry Seems to be The Hardest Word. At their peak, they worked with music legends including Stevie Wonder and Elton John. The group announced they’d be taking a break in 2004 and embarked on solo projects, with Duncan releasing a duet with Torquay’s poperat-
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Duncan will soon be treading the boards in Torquay this spring
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Interview
Duncan, left, plays the lead role in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Duncan in his boy band days, at the peak of Blue’s success
ic singer Keedie Babb and carving out an acting career in theatre, starring in the West End show Chicago as Billy Flynn and as Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde. As a band, Blue has reunited a few times over the years, including a shot at representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest, coming in at 11th place. The Blue boys also starred in the TV show The Big Reunion. Right now, however, with Duncan wearing his acting hat again, plans for Blue are still on the horizon, he explains. “It’s hard to do two things at once. But we have got a tour coming up with Blue at the end of this year, all over Australia and Asia.” But for now he’s having the time of his life playing Tick in Priscilla - a heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship. Not to mention the words type-casting, but could it be a case of life imitating art for Duncan? There are many similarities between his life and that of his drag queen character Tick. Duncan came out as gay four years ago and says he is now “very open and feels comfortable” talking about his sexuality. Things have very much changed for
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but now she loves the show. “Priscilla is one of the best shows out there. You’ll come away with the biggest smile on your face,” says Duncan. It certainly sounds like a lot of fun. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, from April 11-16
Duncan, who has a daughter named Tianie Finn, born in 2005 when he was with his then girlfriend Claire Grainger. Duncan then described himself as bisexual in 2009 but now says he identifies himself as gay. In Priscilla, his character is asked to return to his roots as a drag queen, despite having a young son. “It was such a challenging role and I can relate to the part, being a gay man with a child,” he says. “They wanted me to play that part because of the similarities between myself and Tick. Not that I’m a drag queen but I have a daughter and I’m a gay Dad. “I thought I just want to push myself and it’s a great opportunity. It’s such a great part.” It took him a while to adapt to the make-up, heels and outlandish costumes in the show. “I doubted myself to start with. I’d not worn heels, let alone danced in them,” he says. “I thought, how am I going to get myself into these little
dresses and make myself look feminine? Actually, the reviews have been great.” Meanwhile, Duncan has been hitting the gym regularly. “I’m going to be 40 in a couple years’ time and I want to look after myself,” he says. “Being fit is a stress relief for me. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed. I want to continue to be physically fit and healthy. I do live a healthy lifestyle apart from the odd cocktail or glass of wine. We all have our vices, don’t we?” When not working, he’s a doting dad to 11 year old Tianie Finn, who is thriving in the ballet world. “She is exceptional,” he says proudly. “She did summer school at the Royal Ballet last year and did very well. This year she’s just auditioned for White Lodge Royal Ballet School. I’m so excited and just want to support her.” He admits his daughter was “a little freaked” initially by his costumes and lipstick in Priscilla
‘I thought, I just want to push myself and it’s
a great opportunity’
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The annual Festival of South West Food and Drink takes place in Exeter this month. Here, Becky Sheaves meets three of the Westcountry food pioneers plying their wares at the show
Meet the foodies
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People BEEFING IT UP Vaughan Denny, 45, set up Privateer Jerky last October in Braunton, north Devon. He will be selling his Texas-style smoked meat jerky at Exeter’s food festival (April 21-23). It’s a new departure for Vaughan and his wife, Shannon, who moved to north Devon a year ago after deciding to leave London and completely change their lifestyle Vaughan says: This will be my first visit to the Exeter Food Festival and I’m really looking forward to it. I source great local beef from my butcher Robert Withecombe in Barnstaple, then marinade it in a mix of soy sauce, black treacle, garlic and spices. Next, I smoke it over local charcoal and applewood from Exmoor. The end result is absolutely delicious. In Texas, where I studied some years back, it’s on sale everywhere. A couple of years ago, I was working in London in an office job but thought I’d have a go at making jerky at home, just for fun. It went well and before long lots of friends were asking me to make them some. I thought – this could be a business. It was about the same time that my wife Shannon and I were thinking seriously of leaving our home in Waterloo, in the centre of London. We took up surfing as a hobby about 12 years ago and both had become completely hooked on it. We spent more and more of our spare time in north Devon and less and less time at home in London.
Eventually, last June, we made the break. Shannon is a copy-writer and journalist and I worked in tech sales but we were both definitely looking for a life that was far more about the sea than the screen. I’ve called my business Privateer Jerky, in a nod to this food’s piratical origins – jerky was first invented in the Caribbean in the 1700s. I now make jerky in four different flavours, ranging from mild to very hot. I sell it in local markets, food festivals and some independent stores, as well as online. It’s going really well so far. I’m absolutely flat out making lots of jerky right now for the Exeter festival. I sold out at the Barnstaple Food Festival last October two hours before the one-day event ended, which was great in one way – but really frustrating in another! Privateer Jerky costs £4 a pack, visit www. privateerjerky.com for details
Vaughan Denny makes spiced beef jerky in north Devon
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Foraging for fun Rik Pedrik, 41, lives in Bideford and runs Big Bellys, making savoury tarts with foraged and unusual ingredients. Rik will be selling her tarts at Exeter’s food festival (April 21-23) with a focus on wild game, such as venison, pheasant and wild boar Rik says: I’ve had all sorts of jobs in my life – I used to be a fire-fighter and I’ve also worked as a graphic designer and in backing young horses. It’s quite a portfolio. Running Big Bellys crept up on me, really, and it has been far more of a success than I could possibly have anticipated. I’ll be taking 2,200 of my little hand-sized savoury tarts to the Exeter Festival this year, selling them for £2 each or three for £5. Every day after the festival I will dash all the way home to north Devon to bake some more for the next day. It’s a pretty busy weekend. I’m very interested in foraging and wild food, and some of my recipes can strike people as a
bit “out there”. I have a wonderful game butcher who is sourcing me wild boar, venison and pheasant for my festival tarts. I pair them up with lots of foraged greens, such as wild garlic, dandelions and nettles. I’m going to be making pheasant and wild sea buckthorn tarts this time. My other favourite combinations include Cornish curds and nettle pesto, herring and baby beetroot and smoked mackerel with rose petal wine. Often, people will start off with one of my more conservative tarts. Then, when they realise I can be trusted with my flavours, they will try something more adventurous. You can freeze the tarts and many people at festivals buy a bagful, as I don’t supply shops. I only sell them fresh at food fairs and events.
The business started when my friend Suzy Hart and I decided to set up a catering company a few years ago. We cater for food events such as weddings and parties. Suzy also runs her own very well-established fudge business, called Suzy Sweet Tooth. One day, she was heading to a food festival and she just went right ahead and booked me a stand. “I don’t care what you sell at it, you’re coming along,” she told me. So I made a whole lot of tarts and, lo and behold, they sold out. Ever since, I have attended lots of food festivals and my tarts have proved really popular. I don’t want this business to grow so big that I need to take on staff and expand. It’s a small business, just for me, and that suits me perfectly. For details, contact 2bigbellys@gmail.com
‘I’m going to be making pheasant and wild sea buckthorn tarts for the Exeter food festival’
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People
IN HIGH SPIRITS Athene Lippiett, 32, works in her family business making gin and pastis in north Cornwall. The business is called Tarquin’s Gin, named after her brother Tarquin Leadbetter, 28. Athene is the co-founder of the business and her role is accountancy and finance, while her brother Tarquin is the distiller who creates the drinks. Athene says: My brother Tarquin and I grew up in Devon and started off in serious office jobs in London – Tarquin was working as an economist, I was a chartered accountant. All that changed in 2013, when we launched Tarquin’s Gin together, based in a farm building on the outskirts of Wadebridge. We have three beautiful hand-beaten copper stills, which we
Athene Lippiett and her family make gin and pastis in north Cornwall
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People
Tarquin Leadbetter distils gin using natural botanical flavourings
Win tickets
2 x £50 VIP passes to win We have two £50 VIP three-day passes to the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink to win. To enter, send your answer and contact details to: Festival competition, westmag@ westernmorningnews.co.uk by April 8. Normal terms apply. Q: On what dates is the 2016 Festival of South West Food and Drink taking place? For more details visit www. exeterfoodanddrink festival.co.uk
bought from Portugal and Italy. Like boats, the stills are female and all must have names. One of ours is called Tamara, the goddess of the River Tamar, another is Senara, the Cornish saint. Then we have bought a third one from Italy. She is called Ferrara, which is basically a play on Italian words. We think she is the Ferrari of stills! Our business started small and we still seal and label each bottle by hand. We forage for the Cornish gorse flowers which give our gin its special floral flavour and each bottle is stamped and signed individually. Tarquin’s the distiller – he is the one who chooses the recipes. To make gin, you take a base spirit and then flavour it by steeping all sorts of botanicals and then distilling it overnight. We also make pastis, which is a spirit that goes really well with seafood. It’s similar recipe to our gin but with the emphasis on aniseed, rather than the juniper which is the dominant flavour of gin. We’re also making a new product now, a very strong Navy gin which is 57% proof.
Nowadays, we have a full-time staff member, Marc Ramage, who drives our sales, as well as a salesman based up in London. Other than that, everything is done by our family. Our parents Iain and Anne, are fantastic and do so much, from sealing the bottles to manning stalls at food fairs and festivals. At Exeter’s food festival, we’ll be selling our spirits at a special low festival price, £27 a 70cl bottle. We’ll be giving free tastings, either to sip neat or with some tonic, so people can find out more about our products. We are also giving a talk at the festival on “The Brilliant Botanicals”. Everyone in the South West has really got behind Tarquin’s Gin and supported us. I’m thrilled with the way mixologists have used Tarquin’s gin and pastis in their cocktail recipes. When we won a Gold in the International Wine and Spirit awards in 2014, that really helped raise our profile. But there is nothing quite like going to a food festival and meeting your customers face-to-face. Visit www.southwesterndistillery.com for details
‘We forage for the Cornish gorse flowers which give our gin its special floral flavour’
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C’est magnifique!
Hearth & Cook brings a new experience to home lovers and makers. Expertly gathered
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Meet the style guru Does Cathryn Bishop have the best job ever - being given an almost endless budget to pick, buy and arrange furniture in multi-million pound homes? Emily Smith meets the founder of the design business Cornish Interiors
arol Smillie may no longer be on our TV screens, clicking her fingers and changing rooms, but Cathryn Bishop is Plymouth’s very own answer to the lady who can work decor miracles. “I got into interior design when it really boomed in 1999. Changing Rooms was on the TV and at that point all I wanted to do was be Carol Smillie. That was my life goal.” she laughs. As the founder of interior design company Cornish Interiors, Cathryn has designed for the likes of Plymouth restaurant The Glassblowing House, the boutique hotel St Elizabeth’s House
C
in Plympton and the luxury apartments in Dean Clarke House, Exeter. The 36-year-old also undertakes work for private homes. Often these that are yet to be built and set to be worth many millions of pounds. It is Cathryn’s job to make sure the owners love their homes, once they are finished. “I love it when I have just started a project and I can do anything with the place. It’s just a blank shell. That’s really exciting,” she says. Cathryn and her small team, a full-time apprentice and three part-time members of staff, take over the architects’ plans, drawing in sofas, cabinets and light fittings.
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Interiors
Trevenek, Mawgan Porth, one of Cathryn’s interiors
Cathryn will then spend lots of time talking over the choice of furniture with her clients. “I imagine myself in each room of the house when I first see the plans,” she explains. “I go into a lot of detail, even at that early stage. It might mean some things need to be moved around on the architects’ plans. “I have an extensive list of suppliers that I work with. Some stuff I can’t get locally but I try to source from the South West as much as I can. “When the client finally sees the house it can be the most exciting – and terrifying – part of the whole project.” But although Cathryn has huge sums of
money to spend on her client’s homes, she insists it doesn’t need to cost a fortune to transform a room – maybe she is Carol Smillie, after all. “Even changing the cushions on a sofa will make a huge difference to the way a room looks,” she explains. “Scatter cushions are really easy and look great. “People are starting to realise how important the space around them is. You spend a lot of time in your home so why shouldn’t it be a lovely place to be? “Doing something as simple as taking everything out of a room, deciding on which items you love and putting them back in will transform it.”
Catherine grew up in St Kew, Cornwall and studied in Falmouth. She says that many of her designs are influenced by the coast and she has fallen “madly in love” with the Royal William Yard in Plymouth, the former naval buildings overlooking the river Tamar and Plymouth Sound. “I love being by the coast and from my office I can see the sea. In fact, I can just about see Cornwall,” she says. “I work on a lot of coastal properties and the sea inspires my designs a lot. I couldn’t see myself living inland now. “I love Plymouth – it’s a great city and there is such a nice feel to it. There are so many creative people living here and that is only going to grow. 23
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Interiors
One of Cathryn’s interiors - the tearoom at Buckland Abbey, west Devon
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It’s massively up-and-coming and a great place to be.” Career highlights for Cathryn so far include designing a beachside home ‘When the client at Mawgan Porth, north Cornwall finally sees their and a lakeside lodge in Windermere, Cumbria. But she admits her dream house it can be location would be one that is, for her, the most exciting closer to home. – and terrifying – “I would absolutely love to get inside the Napoleonic barracks on Drake’s part of the whole Island in Plymouth Sound,” she says. project’ “I have also just had a tour of the derelict Palace Theatre in Plymouth and I would also love to help restore that to its former glory.” Cathryn confesses that her husband would rather eat in than go out because she “can’t help but look at every fine detail of a restaurant’s decor”. She also admits that she can’t get enough of social media platforms Instagram and Pinterest. And her favourite TV show? “I love watching things on TV like The Great Interior Design Challenge. I watch it every week.” “I love all those sorts of shows. Those shows are great but there is a huge difference between what they are doing and what I do. I have a lot longer than three days and a lot more than £1,000 to spend! “I’m always looking on Instagram or taking photos of things I have seen and making mental notes. I’m always looking for new ideas. My husband is fed up of suggesting we go out for dinner because I’m constantly looking around. He always says ‘shall we stay in instead?’ “Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest make decor a lot more accessible. You have professionals and amateurs using the same platforms and that has never happened before. “My favourite project is always the next one, though.” she smiles. Watch this space. Find out more at www.cornishinteriors.co.uk
Cathryn designed interiors for luxury apartments Dean Clarke House in Exeter
Scan 68 woodburning stove £1,900 jotuluk.com
CATHRYN’S TOP TIPS Take out everything in the
room that isn’t needed – look around your home and see if items would look better in different rooms. It’s good to look at a room with a fresh pair of eyes.
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GET THE
LOOK
Cool and contemporary ideas for today’s interior inspirations Colours Chateau ceiling light £47 B&Q and www.diy.com
Antiqued glass chest of drawers £646 www. sweetpeaandwillow. com
Duke turquoise cocktail chair £229 www. swooneditions. com
Lulworth mirror £265 www. chandeliersandmirrors. co.uk
Wading bird cushion £42.50 www.clareloves.co.uk
Hot pink chaise longue with bolster £280 www.vintagevibe.co.uk
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Gardens
ANNE SWITHINBANK
Heaven scent Devon’s Anne Swithinbank, panellist on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, is planning ahead for a fragrant summer in her garden his is the weekend of the Cornwall Spring Flower Show in the grounds of Boconnoc House near Lostwithiel. There will be competition entries to admire, plenty of shopping opportunities and the chance to enjoy an informative talk or two. What a beautiful location for Cornish gardeners to meet and mingle. Thinking about the show reminded me to check up on a small plant I bought there last year. The name Zaluzianskya ovata might be nearly unpronounceable but belongs to an attractive evergreen perennial native to South Africa and usually classified as an alpine. Red buds on stout stalks poke out from the plant like small clubs, opening to starry white flowers. By day, they close but open wide in the evening to emit a strong, sweet fragrance. A bowl of these on the patio or in the seclusion of an open porch will scent the air for some distance. Having over-wintered the plant in an unheated greenhouse (they are slightly tender), I’ll shortly be taking cuttings of the shoot tips for a larger colony To be sure of summer scents, start planning
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now. Some are secretive, like that of iris and Unless you know the rose, descriptions of perchocolate cosmos, so you need to seek them out fume are not to be trusted and there is a strong arand virtually push your nose gument for buying a well-grown right into their flowers. I’m plant, in flower. Even then, you thinking more of blooms whose really need sun on the petals to I’m thinking of scent is pumped so liberally warm and volatilize the scentinto the air, everyone is looking releasing oils. Potted roses can blooms whose around to find the source. be planted at any time as long scent is pumped Some will come from the as they are watered during so liberally into main, backbone planting of droughts. And don’t forget honyour garden and ours, about eysuckles and jasmines to keep the air, everyone to bloom, is the chocolate vine the scent flowing. is looking (Akebia quinata). We’ve allowed Cornwall Spring Flower around to find it (the white chocolate variety) Show, Boconnoc House to twine its way into a large ViApril 2-3 www. the source burnum farreri (itself scented cornwallgardensociety.org. from autumn to late winter) and uk can soon expect clouds of spicy vanilla from the cream and maroon flowers. After this comes the sharp but sweet honey of evergreen Azara lanceolata growing against a north facing wall, then wisteria in May. Hanging racemes of mauve, pea-like flowers fill the front garden with a delicious scent. I must sow sweet rocket for next year. Roses take over in June but which deliver the richest perfume? In my garden, pink-flowered ‘Gertrude Jekyll’, white ‘Mme Hardy’ (both shrub roses) and red-flowered climber ‘Etoile d’Hollande’ have the best scents.
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Question time with Anne West reader queries answered by Anne Swithinbank I took cuttings of lemon-scented pelargoniums late last summer. They’ve overwintered in the greenhouse with five still in the same pot but are very lanky. I’m not sure what to do next?
Q
Last year’s rooted cuttings are ready to grow now and need to be potted up separately into fresh compost. When the roots are neither dry or sopping wet, knock these pelars out of their pot by upturning it and tapping the rim against a hard surface. Gently tease the roots apart from each other and give each its own 9cm/3.5in pot of good compost mixed 4 parts to 1 with sharp sand or potting grit. Water in, then stand the pots on greenhouse staging or a bright windowsill. After a week, nip out the growing tips to make the young plants branch out. moved or planted in spring.
Q
Rather than buying plastic labels which tend to get lost in my garden, I’d like to experiment with different materials for labelling. What do you suggest?
My parents were great ones for cutting labels out of yoghurt pots and we’ve always saved wooden lollipop sticks. For a number of different potato varieties last year, I bought some chunky plastic pegs possibly meant for tents (from a pound shop) and tied plastic labels (with holes already in them) to their tops so I could see them amongst the foliage. Wooden clothes pegs are brilliant and can take on a second life when they are too old for clothes. Extend them upwards by pegging them on to lengths of bamboo cane. I have seen smooth stones or slates used as labels but they’d have to be pretty large not to get lost in our plot.
Send your questions to Anne at westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk
This week’s gardening tips Anne’s advice for your garden
• Sow French beans, whether dwarf or climbing, into modules or 5cm/2in apart in wide, shallow pots. Plant them as deep as their own size, with the scar in the middle pointing downwards. • Sow sun flowers, setting one seed per module or pot to grow on under glass. Wait a little longer and they can be sown direct to the soil. We need to see weed seedlings first, to make sure the soil is warm enough for germination. • Sow seeds of climbers grown as annuals like
canary creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum), Spanish flag (Ipomoea lobata), ornamental gourds and cup and saucer vine (Cobaea scandens). They’ll be planted out after the last frosts to cover fences and fill obelisks. • Buy some heattreated onion sets to start in modules or plant out when soils have warmed up more. The treatment destroys the flower embryo to prevent ‘bolting’ or running to seed. Space 8cm/3in apart in rows 25cm10in apart.
Unwrap mail order veg plants as soon as they arrive. They might be soft from a warm nursery, so pot them up and think hard about what they need. Upright plants might need propping up with small sticks and thin, pale plants may need to be covered with fleece to protect them from harsh sun and drying out until they toughen up. 27
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Beauty
Nail it Petal
OPI Nail Lacquer in Hello Hawaii Ya? (£10) This fun and fresh colour is like having a tropical island at your fingertips. I find if I’m careful it really can last for weeks, too.
The Body Shop Colour Crush Nail Colours in Oh Petal (£5) I love this pastel pink varnish, perfect for your fingers and your toes, too.
[ [ Beauty ‘For me, nothing shouts spring/summer more than pastel’s sugary shades’
Abbie’s
Blush
Benefit Posietint lip and cheek stain (Boots, £24.50) This hard-working product adds a touch of pink on both your cheeks and lips.
Cheeky Lancome Blusher in Brun Roche (House of Fraser, £28) A hint of peach on the cheeks gives a gorgeous glow. This one is silky, shine-free and radiant.
box
Expert advice from beauty guru Abbie Bray of Newton Abbot April has arrived and I feel like spring is finally here at last. It is great to see that our evenings are finally getting lighter and signs of summer are on the way. This week I am looking at pastel colours because, for me, nothing shouts spring/summer more than these sugary shades. Matching your nails, lips and cheeks has been considered old fashioned recently. However there is nothing wrong with matching things up now and again - I definitely do!. Pastel colours do suit all tones of skin and ages, so don’t panic, there is something out there for you. Do check out the new Lancome Juicy Shakers, they really are amazing. For me, I have a golden skin tone, so coral and peach tones tend to suit me better. If you have a fair complexion, then look out for pale pink shades, such as the new Benefit Posietint, which you can use on both cheeks and lips.
Pout New Cid i-pout lipstick in dusk (£17) Pale pastel pinks are on trend this spring, so why not give this one a go?
Juicy Lancome Juicy Shaker in Meli Melon (£18) This hot new product is an update on Lancome’s hugely successful Juicy Tubes. It’s fruity, glossy and utterly gorgeous.
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Shop
The edit Your straight line to style: soft greys meet pretty pinks
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Knit top £49 Look Again
Barrel hitch skirt £55 Seasalt Cornwall
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Nude rim sunglasses £15 Marks & Spencer
+
Rosanna top £32.50 White Stuff
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Layered top £60 Laura Ashley
Carla skirt £49 Monsoon
Chino skirt £39.95 White Stuff
Pink lense shades £49 LeSpecs
Oversized sunglasses £131 Michael Kors
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Diva bushed metal bangles £8.50 Miss Selfridge
Jackets and jeans t’s really rather tricky to know what to wear right now. We want to look forward to summer style but the fact of the matter is, the weather is rather chilly. Step forward, then, the biker jacket - or its slightly more substantial cousin, the bomber. Both are ideal for the current changeable spring weather and are bang on trend, too. Finishing, as they do, just on the hip, means they are flattering and slimming. So which to choose? We love this blue suede bomber from La Redoute, pictured. And we’re also huge fans of Twiggy’s version for M&S. Team them with ballet flats, white or blue jeans and a cross-body bag and you’ll be good to go.
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Bar-front earrings £2 Primark
Laser cut shoulder bag £12 F&F at Tesco
Suede bomber jacket £175 www. laredoute.co.uk
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Fashion
Navy cotton bomber jacket £49 www.laredoute.co.uk
Denim jacket £85 www.laredoute. co.uk
Bird print blouse £35 Autograph and Marks & Spencer
Tan and lace bag £9.99 www.deichmann.com Alexus wine bomber jacket £25 www.prettylittlething.com
Knitted jacket £69 Twiggy at Marks & Spencer
Button front midi skirt £22.99 New Look
Blue Sole Diva lace up pumps £52 www.simplybe.co.uk 31
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Trend
Have you got a fashion question or a trend you’d like to see tackled? @KathrynCMcleod
HOW TO WEAR IT:
Ripped denim MAIN PHOTO HAIR: ADAM AT SAKS, EXETER MAKEUP: CLARINS, DEBENHAMS (BOTH PRINCESSHAY) PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE HAYWOOD
Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod was torn, but is now a fan ong have I resisted the though. If I could, I would give lure of the artfully torn whoever invented bodyshaping jean. I’ve been unsure technology a Nobel Prize. Keep an of their longevity, and eye out for jeans that promise to lift, I don’t like the idea of tighten and keep their shape all day. buying something as important as They are your best friend. denim in a style that risks becoming Remember, the positioning of yesterday’s news overnight. the tear and distressed area is Another factor holding me back crucial. Any mark or deviation on from the changing rooms is that the material will draw the eye. For ripped denim recently seems to example lines and faded areas on have been embraced by everyone the thigh will emphasise that area, under the age so if they’re not your of 20. Luckily favourite spot, confine though, the trend the rips to the knee. They interpret has also received To dress them up for plenty of celebrity the office, pop on pointy well to formal endorsement from toe flats or heels and a occasions. more mature stars, tailored white shirt. A like Amal Clooney well-cut black jumper, (Heavens, in and Diane Kruger, sparkly earrings and 2004 Britney who have been strappy heels work a seen wearing it treat for cocktail parties. Spears even wore everywhere from For an everyday look a a pair to her own airport arrivals to la Diane Kruger, throw more sophisticated on a relaxed striped wedding!) soirees. Which shirt, classic trench, means there is no slick black boots and an shortage of ageoversized black handbag. appropriate inspiration. Everyone talks about the LBD as So, it would seem these battered an evergreen option for nights out. beauties are fair play and it is time I Well, I might just start championing jumped on the bandwagon. the distressed denim instead. It If you’re ready to join me, keep the interprets well to formal events following in mind. (heavens, in 2004 Britney Spears even Forget the label. Don’t get hung up wore a pair to her own wedding), and on style, size and brand. Designers there is something equally gorgeous all define bootcut, boyfriend and about a pair of ripped jeans with a skinny in different ways. The same dark sweater for a night in. goes for their sizes. Most of us need Versatility like this is a real treat. to keep in mind that we can range So is longevity. And let it be noted as much as three sizes within our that Britney’s jeans outlasted her wardrobe. So when you are headed marriage. to the changing room, arm yourself with several options and don’t look All fashion on this page is from at the size when trying them on. Princesshay Shopping Centre, Exeter, There is one label worth reading www.princesshay.co.uk
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T-shirt, River Island, Princesshay, £22 Jeans, River Island, Princesshay, £42 Shoes, River Island, Princesshay, £40 Bag, River Island, Princesshay, £36
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fave!
HOUSE OF FRASER Levi’s boyfriend jeans £75
GET THE
look
NEW LOOK Boyfriend fit jeans £24.99
RIVER ISLAND Sunglasses £50
EAST Striped top £35
OFFICE Red heels £55
MONSOON Primrose block heel £45
MISS SELFRIDGE Snaffle shoulder bag £29
NEW LOOK Straight leg jeans £24.99 33
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culture vulture Our guide to what’s on in the South West by woman-in-theknow Sarah Pitt Opera Welsh National Opera’s spring season, Figaro Forever, follows the fortunes of one of opera’s most famous and much-loved characters, the wily Figaro. In Plymouth this week, the company will perform Rossini’s comic feel-good opera The Barber of Seville, and Mozart’s divine The Marriage of Figaro, pictured. There is also a brand new opera, Figaro Gets a Divorce, all sung in English. Figaro Gets a Divorce by composer Elena Langer with a libretto by WNO’s Artistic Director David Pountney, is an affectionate sequel; bringing
together the final chapter of the Figaro story. As ever, this top class opera company promises a feast for the eyes as well as the ears, with fantastic costumes to match the wonderful vocals. Tickets £12 – £51, from www. theatreroyal.com or 01752 267222.
Art on the cliffs As the days get longer, why not sign up for an al fresco painting course in the far west of Cornwall? The Newlyn Art School offers tutoring with the likes of landscape artists Neil Pinkett, Jason Walker and Amanda Hoskin, to name just a few. There are still spaces available for courses in June and July at the school, which was founded in 2011 to continue the proud Newlyn tradition of nurturing artistic talent. Work by its illustrious roll call of tutors – all of whom are working artists – is currently on sale until April 9 at the nearby Newlyn Art Gallery, with proceeds split between the artist, the gallery and the art school. See www.newlynartschool.co.uk/gallery
Classical There’s a rare opportunity to hear the award-winning Dutch cellist Quirine Viersen play live in the South West soon. She is appearing with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in the Great Hall at Exeter University on April 21. The repertoire includes Sibelius’ Second Symphony, a work that is full of passion. Also on the bill is Walton’s Cello Concerto, a reflective piece evoking spring in the English countryside. There is also the chance to hear the rousing overture to the Wagner opera Tannhauser. Fire and Ice, Quirine Viersen with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, at the Great Hall, Exeter University, April 21. Tickets £38-£14, www.exeternorthcott.co.uk
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Enjoy
Your stars by Cassandra Nye This week’s sign:
Happy birthday to...
Those born under the sign of Aries are independent spirits and born leaders. They love to follow a dream and have the charisma to inspire others and sweep them along with them. They are more than happy to take a gamble on a wild idea which captures their imagination. although if a scheme does not pay off quickly they are likely to get bored and move on. As friends, they are generous and caring but they do expect to get their own way most of the time.
Nigel Farage Born April 3, 1964 Chairman of the UK Independence Party, the MEP Nigel Farage turns 52 tomorrow. At school, Nigel took careers advice from visiting England Test cricketer John Dewes, “who must have spotted that I was quite ballsy, probably good on a platform, unafraid of the limelight, a bit noisy and good at selling things” and went to work in the City as a commodities trader before taking to politics. Aries is the youngest sign in the Zodiac and are childlike in their energy and optimism. However, they also can be impatient, impetuous, vain, proud and egoistic. Surely not!
ARIES (March 21 - April 20) You feel a wonderful pulse of energy this week. Using it may seem tricky. Really, all you need is the incentive to get started. Putting effort into a new attitude can be as simple as doing something for someone else. Changes you want for yourself follow swiftly. Being honest, however, may not win you thanks - it is just something you are.
TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Feeling settled doesn’t have to mean no longer being energised. If there are no immediate tasks to hand, consider what you can do for others. This week you begin to realise many personal problems are self-generated. This is true for others also.
GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) With a head buzzing with ideas, it would be a shame if they all fell by the wayside. The thing is, you may not be feeling all that ambitious at the moment. Working your socks off through to midweek will see the New Moon bringing flashes of inspiration.
CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Although your energy is high, there are only so many hours in the day. Being in a creative phase means spending at least some time with your own thoughts and ideas. Be organised up to midweek and you’ll have the chance to do your own thing thereafter. Save socialising for the weekend, but make plans so that a loved one doesn’t feel neglected.
LEO (July 23 - August 23) With many plans afoot, it can be frustrating when things slow down. Even
so, you can spend some time this week considering your options. There are many fresh paths you could explore. Who is it you most wish to please? Of course, it could be yourself.
VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) There is no need to seek the advice of others this week. A strong sense of right, and a deeper knowledge of your own needs, appears. From here it is a springboard for the future. Seems a bit deep? Not really. Just get moving and do it!
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) This is your time and you should not allow anyone to steal it. Creative thoughts are there for a reason and that reason is progress. There are no flashes of genius here, just a gradual realisation that you are special. Have you always known that, deep down?
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) It is such a quiet week that there is a temptation to get things moving at any cost. Mistake! Put out feelers by all means, but don’t push. Romance may not be your priority at the moment but a partner could help get rid of some of that excess energy!
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) You have so much more inside of you
than you are currently sharing. Some talents you do not realise you have, others you suppress for fear of failure. Making a big effort now and sustaining it can lead to great things.
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Keeping an eye on the end result is necessary, of course. However, it is through making mistakes and learning that you will reach your goal. This week offers the chance to consider increasing your knowledge in a certain area. Maybe it doesn’t seem relevant now, but it will later.
AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Relax a little this week and stop trying to get everything done at once. Channel your energy into getting small matters settled and helping others. It is frustrating that others seem unresponsive and do not heed your calls to get things moving. However, over-thinking it won’t help.
PISCES (February 20 - March 20) You may know where you are going and feel quite excited about it, but the fact others don’t respond might seem strange. They could be dealing with changes and frustrations of their own. You know that grand idea of yours? Well, thinking it through to the end will help speed things up when the time comes. 35
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Wellbeing
the boost
Life just got better. We’ve handpicked the latest wellness trends, best-body secrets and expert advice to help you be your best self, everyday
Tea time! Green tea is loaded with beneficial antioxidants and minerals which support the immune system. TOWIE and I’m a Celebrity star Ferne McCann is among the fans of EatCleanTea. Apparently its powdered leaf Matcha drink contains the nutritional equivalent of drinking 10 cups of regular green tea. A 30-day supply costs £17.95. www.eatcleantea.com
KEEPING IT REAL... Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley has said she “will not apologise” for her body, in response to criticism on social media that she was too thin. The 23-year-old actress replied, defending her figure, saying: “Real women are all shapes and sizes, all ethnicities, all levels of brave. “I am a ‘real woman’ like every other woman in this world.” She added: “Remember that expression, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Kindness isn’t going to cure the world of all its awfulness but it’s a good place to begin.”
How to energise A new survey has revealed that the top ten foods we think give us energy are coffee, chocolate, tea, fruit, nuts, energy drinks, dark chocolate, sandwiches, sweets and oaty snacks. But in fact, we could be we’re getting our energy boosts from the wrong sources, and munching on the wrong types of food to get us through the day. Tilda Basmati rice, which conducted the research has developed a Be At Your Best guide to help us understand how food can affect energy levels and inspire healthy lifestyle choices. Find out more at www.tilda.com
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Living in the moment We hear a lot about it these days, but what exactly is mindfulness? According to Professor Mark Williams, former director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, it means knowing directly what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment. He says: “It’s about allowing ourselves to see the present moment clearly. When we do that, it can positively change the way we see ourselves and our lives.” Wise words.
Best foot forward Put a spring in your step and join Walk Scilly festival week, which begins next Saturday. This year’s programme features a choice of 27 guided walks, from rambles across all five inhabited islands to seashore safaris and a Mediterranean stroll through the world-famous, sub-tropical Tresco Abbey Garden. Find out more and book at: www.visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly
Magic costumes? Swimming’s one of the best form of exercises for fitness and getting shape. But would you believe that simply donning a cossie could help combat cellulite, too? Maison Lejaby’s flattering new Allure swimwear (from £109 for a one-piece) range is made from a fabric containing active minerals said to increase elasticity of the skin, which it says helps reduce the appearance of cellulite. It adds its magic swimwear will withstand many washes. Look out, too, for the label’s Deese line, which offers support swimmers in cup sizes B to G. www.maisonlejaby.com
What’s coming up? Tweet us your wellbeing diary dates
Heartfelt advice Masterchef host John Torode is spearheading a campaign to encourage us to eat more fish for a healthy heart, after losing his own mum to heart disease when she was just 31. He says: “We should think about the longterm effects of what we eat, then maybe we can live pain-free.” When comes to keeping his
heart and lungs healthy, the 50year old foodie says he spends as much time outdoors as he can, particularly on his bike, adding: “As I get to my autumn years, I have to not put on too much weight and cycling helps with that.” Find out more about his campaign at: www.fishisthedish.co.uk
@WMNWest or email westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 37
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Wellbeing
Tired all the time? Our expert’s advice on how to wake up happy I’m constantly feeling tired, even though I try and get at least one early night a week. I always used to take a good book to bed but, these days, I tend to wind down by catching up with news and gossip on my laptop. Could this be why I’m feeling so ‘wired’? SD, Redruth
Q
Nutritionist Cassandra Barns says: Modern technology means we have information and stimulation available to us 24 hours a day, and we can easily become hooked on this. Many of us check social media, look at emails, watch online videos or catch up on a TV show when we’re lying in bed. This constant stimulation can have dire consequences for our sleep though, because we don’t allow our brain to switch off or become truly quiet. This doesn’t only affect how long we’re asleep for, but also the quality of our sleep. What’s more, the blue light from our devices such as smartphones and tablets actually suppresses melatonin, the hormone that makes us feel sleepy. Without enough quality sleep, our cognitive function, including memory, reasoning and
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thinking etc, can slow down. As cause our cortisol levels to go a result, we may become more up. forgetful, clumsier, or simply So how we can reduce the feeling less on the ball. constant stimulation and noise According to research, UK we have around us? Many Having adults now spend an average people find meditation of some chronically of eight hours and 41 minutes kind effective, but for those who a day on media devices, comdon’t, simply putting away your high cortisol pared to eight hours and 21 electronic devices and allowing levels has been minutes asleep. your mind to be quiet for a time Modern lifestyles may also can help. found to have a affect our brain function, by In the hour or two before bed, damaging effect increasing our levels of stress turn off your devices (including on wellbeing hormones such as cortisol. the TV) or put them in another Having chronically high corroom. Instead, read, listen to retisol levels has been found to laxing music, or just talk – this have a damaging effect on wellcan help to encourage better being. sleep Our cortisol levels can be high not only in We may also benefit from additional nutrients situations of crisis, such as meeting an urgent to help our brain function better and cope with deadline, but also in situations that we may not all this extra stress. Eating whole foods that are perceive as stressful, such as sitting in traffic on rich in B vitamins, omega-3 fats, zinc and antioxithe way to work, or watching a worrying item on dants help to fuel and protect our brain. the news. Even a stimulation overload of enjoyable Cassandra Barns is an ambassador for health food things such as social media apps and TV can supplement specialist www.reviveactive.com
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29/03/2016 14:24:33
Eat
Ingredient of the Week
Sugar
with Tim Maddams don’t want to take you on an overly granulated sugar. It takes longer to dissolve and long and complex scientific jouris quite hard. It will work in most cases so long as ney but it’s helpful to understand you adjust your method of cookery accordingly. that sugar is extracted from sugar Refined caster sugar is ideal for baking cakes cane (or sugar beet) to produce raw and almost all other uses where a fine texture sugar. This is then further reis required. It’s good for some fined to remove the molasses and icings, as the small crystals disother bits and bobs. At this point solve very quickly. Even so, I Demerara sugar it becomes refined sugar, so you can’t bear the stuff. Unrefined is amazing see, even unrefined sugar (or raw caster sugar is also good for in stews and sugar, if you prefer) is still refined. baking but more coarse than the It has to be, in some way, to get it more traditional refined caster curries that call out of the plant. sugar. This is a processed as I for additional Most of us start with refined like my sugar to get. sweetening. I granulated sugar: the standard Demerara sugar is the claswhite sugar that is good for all sic brown hard sugar, named like it for making sorts of sweetening and lots of after the place where they first biscuits with baking methods. This is also probrefined it. The refined version is added crunch ably the only sugar that’s really often coated in molasses to add any good for making caramels and flavour. The unrefined version is boiled sweets. It is also good for much more robust and reluctant jams. to dissolve, but it is amazing in stews and curries Unrefined granulated sugar is not, as you that call for additional sweetening. I like it for might think, the ideal substitute for refined making biscuits with added crunch.
I
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Sugar selection Coconut palm sugar is made from the nectar of the coconut palm. The organic version is amazing. I challenge you to find a more tasty sugar. Try it sprinkled on freshly made popcorn - heaven. Date sugar, made from dried dates, is a tricky sugar to use, reluctant to dissolve but very tasty. Give it a go and see where it takes you. It’s great in fruit pies, particularly pear.
@TimGreenSauce
Tim Maddams is a Devon chef and author of Game: River Cottage Handbook no. 15 (Bloomsbury £14.99) 40
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Drink NATIONAL AWARD St Austell’s Samuel Jones bar and restaurant, on Exeter Quay, has been named best new site at The Publican Award 2016. The venue was praised for its wide range of craft and new world beers, and menu featuring locally sourced food.
Beer of the week
Darren Norbury
talks beer ast week, I looked at how two wellthere’s self-interest, though. Eddie says he was established breweries were adapting tempted into canning by the idea of being able to to the modern craft beer world. This take some of his beer to enjoy on a North Cornweek, I thought I would look at the wall beach. fortunes of two newer players. Down west, it’s a new world for St Ives Brewery Hard to believe that Harbour Brewing Compaowner, Marco Amura, too. Although he has been ny, on the outskirts of Bodmin, is just four years in business for about the same amount of time as old, but during that time it has Eddie, he has, up until now, had grown dramatically, with beer his beers contract brewed. Now, finding its way to bars across he is the proud owner of a new the country, and cans and botten-barrel brewery high up in Eddie says he tles on the shelves of major suSt Ives, with glorious views over was tempted permarkets. Thus the need for a the town and harbour. There is into canning so brewery upgrade, from ten to 30 a café, too, and gift shop, where barrels, with extra fermentation beers and local food can be puras to have a beer vessels being added, too. chased. to enjoy on a Original partner Rhys Powell For now, he wants to perfect left last year to go travelling his recipes for favourites such north Cornwall and now Eddie Lofthouse leads as Boilers and Knill by Mouth beach a keen brewing team producing on the new kit, with a brewer all styles, from Pilsner to porter. taken on for the job. He will also He points out that the new brewbe preparing soon for his annual ery, installed earlier this year, beer festival in St Ives Guildhall has two mash tuns, which offers this August. the ability to do back-to-back brews – essential Being new kids on the block hasn’t held either when you’re a brewery in demand. of these breweries back. If anything, in fact, it Like many breweries now, Harbour works may have helped them, with beer bars particuacross all formats: cask, keg, bottle, can. Some larly keen in brews from new, quality producers. styles suit particular formats and such versatilAround the country, Cornish origin has a certain ity can be a real boost to business. Sometimes, cachet for beer enthusiasts which it certainly
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Here’s a tip: if you see anything from the Great Heck Brewery in Yorkshire on your travels, try it. I’ve never had one I didn’t really enjoy. Blonde, for instance, has a spicy hop character, slightly nutty, a little buttery. Nicely sessionable at 4.3% ABV. Look out, too, for Treasure IPA and Mosaic Gold.
Fund-raising brew
Poppy Otter, an Otter Brewery limited edition beer, sold exclusively through Punch pubs, has raised more than £2,500 for the Royal British Legion. The charity received 5p from every pint sold, with Punch making an additional contribution to the final total.
wouldn’t have had 25 years ago. Footnote: I mentioned that word ‘craft’ in the introductory paragraph. Business analyst Mintel has found, surprise, surprise, few Brits know what the word means in a beer context. Most, though, defined such brews as having high quality ingredients and a unique flavour. No, we’re still none the wiser, are we? Darren Norbury is editor of beertoday.co.uk @beertoday 41
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24/03/2016 16:47:59
Enjoy A WEEKEND IN
Poldark Country f you live west of the Tamar, you may have been lucky enough to glimpse the stars of TV’s Poldark filming their eagerly-anticipated second series over the past few months. The success of Series One prompted fans in their thousands to discover more about this part of the world, according to tourism organisation VisitCornwall. So aren’t we the lucky ones, to have so many of these stunning locations right on our doorstep? Perfect for a weekend away with the man or woman of your own dreams. Our advice? Escape to Poldark Country in the wonderful spring sunshine, before the new series airs and the crowds descend.
I
Eat: At
the 17th century Driftwood Spars pub, which brews its own beer by the sea in St Agnes. The stunning clifftops at St Agnes Head double as Poldark’s Nampara Valley in the TV show. On the menu: try a kilo of Cornish mussels cooked in home-brewed ale and cream and served with bread and seaweed butter (£13.50). You can also spend the night and enjoy a hearty breakfast here, from £86 for two.
Stay: At National Trust clifftop holiday let Doyden Castle. The idyllic castellated Port Quin folly is perfect for two and featured as Dr Dwight Enys’ home in the 1970s TV adaptation of Poldark. From £435 for a two night stay, you can also pre-order a breakfast hamper (£35) ready
for your arrival. To book visit www.nationaltrustholidays.org.uk.
Visit: The Shipwreck and Heritage Centre by the sea at Charlestown near St Austell (£5.95 adults, children under 10 free). Charlestown’s historic quay has featured in Poldark. The quay is also home to a shipyard, now owned by a TV and film production company. Its wonderful old sailing ship Phoenix has been used in films including Ridley Scott’s 1492 Conquest of Paradise. www.shipwreckcharlestown.com Discover: Church Cove at Gunwalloe on The Lizard, once the haunt of smugglers and the location for the night-time ship wrecking scenes in Poldark. The 500-year-old Halzephron Inn is steeped in smuggling history and serves wonderful food made with locally-sourced ingredients. Try its Cornish white crab meat, baked in a thermidor sauce, served with vegetables and new potatoes. (£14.95). Staying the night? The inn has cosy B&B rooms, (£95 per night, for two people sharing). Idle away an afternoon: Admire the beautiful turquoise water at Porthgwarra, a former fishing cove and setting for Ross Poldark’s naked swim in the forthcoming second
series. If the water’s too chilly, it’s a perfect spot for rock-pooling. Enjoy tea and a traditional saffron bun or pasty at the tiny Porthgwarra Cove Cafe. It stayed open late when Poldark was filming and kept the cast and crew well fed. Or head to stunning Porthcothan, near Padstow, which features as Nampara Cove in many stunning scenes in Poldark.
Gallop (or trot): Explore wild and beautiful Bodmin Moor like Demelza and Ross do, on horseback. Hallagenna Riding (www.hallagenna.co.uk) runs treks for all abilities, costing from £20 per person and suitable for ages five and up. They set off from St Breward, near the cottage used for exterior shots of Ross and Demelza’s moorland home.
Explore: The surface workings and ruins of the clifftop Levant Mine near St Just. It is now looked after by the National Trust and features as Tresidder’s Rolling Mill in the TV show. Visit www.nationaltrust.org. uk for details of an easy one mile walk around the works, which form part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. Look out, too, for Wheal Owles nearby, which doubles as Poldark’s Wheal Leisure.
Shop: Check out the shops in Truro, the city which hosted the star-studded premiere of the latest TV adaptation at its iconic 1930s Plaza Cinema last March. Actress Eleanor Tomlinson, who plays Demelza, has designed a Poldark-inspired jute bag for Cornish fashion shop Seasalt (find it on Duke Street). They cost £5 and 50p from each one sold will support charity the Seamen’s Mission. Buy Eleanor’s new Poldark bag in Truro
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The Driftwood Spars in St Agnes
Ros s Pold ark in acti on
Wheal Owles, Lelant
Porthgwarra
Bodmin Moor
Church Cove, Gunwalloe 43
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Laydilay eggs
My Secret Westcountry Sally Lugg Sally Lugg gave up her job as a bank manager after discovering a talent for rearing pigs. Alongside her husband Bill and their children Rachael, Abbi and Josh, she now manages the Primrose Herd of traditional breeds of pig at her family farm on the edge of Redruth in Cornwall. The award-winning pork now features on the menu of many top restaurants. Sally was recently named Best Woman in Farming at The Cornwall Farm Business Awards.
My Favourite: View: The coast road from St Ives to St Just is a favourite destination for a Sunday afternoon drive, where I stop off at Portheras Cove and enjoy a stroll down along the quiet stretch of sand there. Now we have our young labrador Bruno, the big sandy beach at Marazion is somewhere else I visit whenever I can.
Festival: I go to lots of festivals and events to sell our pork but one real highlight in the calendar is the Porthleven Food and Music Festival, which this year is a two-day event on April 16-17. It’s great to catch up with fellow producers and friends in the farming community who know where to find us that weekend. It’s also a good opportunity for us to catch up with many of the great chefs in Cornwall, with whom we work closely. Porthleven Festival
Activity: Since our boat was sold (due to lack of time!) the main activity we enjoy together as
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People
Marazion beach
Luscombe drinks Porthleven festival Dartmouth
a family is rugby. Supporting our son Josh, who plays in the back row for Redruth U17’s, takes up almost every Sunday in the season. We also enjoy travelling to Exeter to watch the Chiefs whenever we can, or Redruth’s first team when they have a home match.
Food: This is a tough one as there is so much fantastic food and drink produced in the Westcountry. However as a real treat I tuck into Rodda’s clotted cream with meringues from Mandy and Andy Johnson’s Laydilay Organic Eggs, which are based on Dartmoor. Their macaroons are also amazing.
Tipple: St Clements sparkling lemon and orange from Luscombe Drinks in Devon is a firm family favourite. I make sure our fridge is amply stocked with this and other great Westcountry food and drink. Pub: The Trefusis Arms in Redruth is my top tip for a proper local pub with a warm and wel-
coming atmosphere. I have known the landlords Doug, Jenny and Sheila for almost 30 years and they have become great friends.
Exeter Chiefs rugby
Restaurant: It’s impossible to choose from the selection of great restaurants available to us lucky people in the Westcountry. We supply many of the top chefs in the region with pork, so I know how high standards are these days. However, my usual destination for a Saturday evening meal is Becks at Carbis Bay. The steaks are the best around and the welcome you receive is second to none. It’s a place many of my friends also head for, so I always have a chat with someone we know.
Way to relax: I don’t get the opportunity to do this very often but every couple of weeks Marie and her team at Calmante Salon at Tolgus, Redruth, enable me to relax for an hour or so. Shop: Shopping for anything other than essentials is a rare treat as I am always so busy.
However two great places to go and browse are Dartmouth or St Ives. Both towns offer quirky, independent shops which you see nowhere else.
Treat: The ultimate treat for me would be to spend a week in the sun doing very little. Running a family farming business is demanding – everything from animal husbandry and making our sausages, to attending farmers markets and delivering to restaurants – so holidays are a rare occurrence these days. I’m still glad I changed careers, though. It’s really rewarding working together as a family and I am very proud of what we’ve achieved. www.primroseherd.co.uk 45
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My life
man and boy
Bright lights Phil Goodwin’s son James, six, has a weekend away
C
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nivore or pack of roaming wolves. Strangely, the alien landscape was not so dissimilar to the familiar streets of Exeter and Plymouth. It was just bigger, with a lot more going on. I am a city boy by nature, if not necessarily upbringing. Of course, I love the countryside but for me nothing quite matches the atmosphere of a Madrid, Paris or London. I don’t put Bristol on a par with these global urban spaces but it was buzzing just the same. I met a mate in a cocktail bar on Saturday, which was once frequented by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who made speeches there against slavery. On Sunday morning we ate breakfast to the tinkling accompaniment of jazz piano, in the luxury of the Bristol Hotel. Later we hit the awesome city science museum, At-Bristol, and its superb 3D planetarium. James absolutely loved the place. We could hardly drag him away. To a blow-in like me, Bristol felt like the true regional capital. I definitely sensed that our home city of Exeter was further down the line, a nice, quiet university town in the sticks. I know this will irritate many in the peninsula, not least in Cornwall, where I spent seven years and where the lad was born (will this qualify him for a passport one day, I wonder?) but it is all the same region to me. It feels like things change somewhere on the M4, as you head towards Swindon. Young James, on the other hand, is still very confused about countries, cities and, indeed, languages. As we rumbled down the gorge underneath the Clifton suspension bridge he turned to me and asked: ‘Do they speak English in Bristol?’ ‘Let’s find out,’ I told him.
He turned to me and asked:‘Do they speak English in Bristol?’ ‘Let’s find out,’ I told him
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NEXT WEEK: Chris McGuire on starting his new life in the South West
main picture: Steve Haywood
an there be another country in the world as small as England but containing quite so many regional identities? My dear wife, a Russian, is continually astounded by the diversity in our island nation. Not to mention puzzled by the dizzying range of impenetrable accents. It was the celebrated Irish dramatist George Bernard Shaw who remarked that it is “impossible for an Englishman to open his mouth without making some other Englishman hate or despise him”. Strong words, I think, but we understand the sentiment. City and regional pride easily trump feelings of national belonging for most of us, I would argue. P e r s o n a l l y, in football team terms, I would put Liverpool FC before the England team. And I feel myself more a northerner and a Celt than a Brit. But where does this leave me in the South West, a region of which I am fond but do not belong? I mention this as we recently spent a weekend in Bristol. “I am going to the regional capital,” I told a mate in Devon, tongue lodged firmly in my cheek. Naturally, he was having none of it. Bristol is nothing to do with the Westcountry… might as well be London, was his take. I mused over this as we crossed the endless desert that separates Devon from Brizzle; the dusty track, bedevilled by wild beasts, known as the M5. To my complete shock it only took an hour or so to get there and we made the journey without a dodging a single toothy car-
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29/03/2016 10:44:40 11:58:12 29/03/2016
Adjusting your heating from your phone sounds great – but what’s it really like? We asked three Westcountry homeowners about their experiences switching from night storage heaters to ELKAtherm® electric radiators with HeatApp controls. If you’re struggling with night storage heaters –guessing the temperature and trying to make the heat last all day – simply having instant, reliable warmth,whenever you want, must sound wonderful. So being able to adjust that heating using your tablet or mobile phone might seem like science fiction. Cornwall-based South West Heatinghas already installed ELKAtherm® electric radiators, with HeatApp controls, in hundreds of Westcountry homes. The benefits are obvious:set the temperature and timing in every room, for a warm, cosy home without running up energy bills while you’re out. Pre-warm the house before you get home, and turn the heating up or down without even leaving your sofa. All the warmth you want, and save money at the same time. But does the system deliver? We asked three South West homeowners to share their experiences.
“It’s a pleasure to be here” Jenny Wakelin from St Ives had struggled with night
storage heating for fifteen years before switching to ELKAtherm® heating in 2013. She is impressed by the performance of the new radiators. “The night storage heaters were incredibly inefficient – the house was cold,” Jenny recalls. “Now we have a very even ambient temperature throughout the house. It’s a pleasure to be here.” But what about the iPhone controls – are they easy to use?
“When I’m coming back on the train I can turn the heating on and make it any temperature I like, so it’s lovely when I come in. I set the time once on each room and it just works. It works from my phone and from my iPad; there’s no ugly panels on the walls.It’s perfect.” “The house is toasty” Zoe Abbotts, fromRedruth, says switching to ELKAtherm®
“It’s a bit of a no-brainer, really. When my son came to visit I could sit at home and switch on the heating in the morning so the house was nice and warm when they got up – result:‘Thanks mum!’
heating has made a real difference – and not just to the
“It’s been a revelation, really. How it’s transformed this house is amazing.”
to constantly think about having wood for the fire, or the
“It just works” InTavistock, Louisa Chanter is similarly impressed. “I like being able to use it from my phone, because I travel quite a lot,” she explains.
temperature of her home. She explains: “It’s made my life less stressful. I don’t have storage heaters not working and the house being cold when I come in from work. “It’s all there on my app – I can turn the heating on an hour before I leave work, and the house is toasty.”
You can hear Jenny, Zoe and Louisa’s stories in full, online: just search YouTube for “South West Heating” If you’d like heating information and advice, call 01209 714600, visit southwestheatingsolutions.co.uk, or write to us at ‘Freepost SOUTH WEST HEATING SOLUTIONS’ ©LW
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