03.09.16
Wall-to-wall sunshine
27
Summery decor all year round
Seasonal style inspirations
HOW TO: Forage like Bear Grylls
HE’S BACK Aidan Turner on smuggling, sex-appeal and scything - pg 16
Cover_Sept3.indd 1
30/08/2016 12:54:07
The Art of Living Hearth & Cook brings a new experience to home lovers and makers.
Expertly gathered together in our showroom in Exeter is a selection of the finest
products designed to transform homes and inspire wonderful culinary creations,
including an extensive range of beautifully designed outdoor ovens from renowned Danish stove manufacturer, Morsø. Visit our showroom now to see many of these appliances in action or browse our website for more information.
• RANGE COOKERS FROM LA CORNUE AND ESSE • MORSØ STOVES & OUTDOOR LIVING RANGE • ASHGROVE BESPOKE KITCHENS Find us in Oaktree Place, 100 yards behind Carrs Ferrari & Maserati.
Untitled-3 1
Call 01392 797679 www.hearthandcook.com 14 Oaktree Place, Manaton Close, Matford, Exeter, Devon EX2 8WA
30/08/2016 13:45:17
22
GIVE ME SUNSHINE Summy interiors, all year round
‘Ross and Demelza are not in a good place, and it doesn’t really get better for them’ Spoiler alert! Aidan Turner spills the beans, p16
28
KHAKI CRAZY Make military style your go-to trend
12
CREATIVE FRIENDSHIPS Inspirational times in Newquay
[contents[ Inside this week... 6
THE WISHLIST Our pick of the best treats this week
9
JUST BETWEEN US... Sh! We have the latest gossip!
12
CREATIVE FRIENDSHIPS Music, novels and surf in Cornwall
16
26
JUST ASK... Our fashion guru has the answers
MEET AIDAN TURNER The hero of Poldark tells us how it is
22
ETERNAL SUNSHINE Summery interiors all the year round
26
JUST ASK GRACIE Our style guru solves your problems
28
MILITARY FASHION The smart way to look cool this season
30
BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Great ways to feel your best this week
35
NASTURTIUMS, BUT NICE Bridie Nicols on garden salads with a twist
37
A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN April Marks pairs wine with seafood
42
RESTAURANT REVIEW On the hunt for bacon jam (yes, really)
46
GULLIBLE? ME? Chris McGuire tackles a winged menace
09
ALL THE GOSSIP Why Louise is worried about Strictly
34
NASTURTIUMS, BUT NICE
A garden salad with a difference
3
Contents_Sept3.indd 3
26/08/2016 16:37:36
16
POLDARK’S BACK!
Aidan Turner tells all to West
20.08.16
[ welcome [
Model life Meet beauty’s boldest belle
14
Hidden gems in your back yard
HOW TO:
detox
What will you be doing at 9pm tomorrow night?
like a celeb
A blooming great
ER SUMM ’s queen of flowers
f you’re anything like me, you’ll be on the sofa on Sunday night, agog, waiting to see how Ross and Demelza are faring in the new series of Poldark. And I know so many of my friends will be doing just the same. I’d adore the show anyway, but it is extra special to me because I know and love so many of the locations in which Poldark is filmed. And isn’t the countryside absolutely beautiful? It is enough to make us all very proud of living here, while the rest of the country feels thoroughly jealous! If you can’t wait until Sunday night, we have some heavy hints as to what is in store for viewers
Meet south Devon
I
Tweet
of the week
[
[
[
today, in the form of an in-depth interview with Ross himself. Leading man Aidan Turner spills a few of the plot beans and gives us lots of insider on-set gossip too on page 16 today. In real life, he’s also grown a rather terrifying beard - what do you think? Elsewhere in the magazine, we’ve got a lovely story of female friendship on page 12 today - with a surfing twist. Lisa Glass and her best pal Lucy Hill explain how one of them writes books and the other makes music - all inspired by the waves of Newquay. Finally, don’t forget to enter our competition this week (page 5) - you could win a luxury mini-break by the sea. Good luck!
[
I’ll be on the sofa, agog, waiting to see how Ross and Demelza are faring
@AnnaTurns
What a gorgeous @WMNWest cover girl @cwhflowers makes today! Fab pics by @stevenhaywood1 #bantham TO ADVERTISE: Contact Cathy Long: 01752 293017 or 07557 576668, clong@dc-media.co.uk
Becky Sheaves, Editor
EDITORIAL: westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk Tel: 01392 442250 Twitter @wmnwest
MEET THE TEAM Becky Sheaves, Editor
Phil Goodwin
Kathryn Clarke-McLeod
Gillian Molesworth
Cathy Long
4
EDSLETTER_1THING_SEPT3.indd 4
30/08/2016 11:56:17
If you do one thing this week... How about a cocktail in the September sunshine? The Beach at Bude boutique hotel offers a selection of classic cocktails such as Aperol spritz, passionfruit martini and margaritas, as well as twists on old favourites such as a Cornish mojito, made with cider brandy, or a signature Summerleaze Sunrise. They are best enjoyed from the expansive terrace, with uninterrupted views across Summerleaze beach. DJs play in the bar area on weekends, and early birds can make the most of happy hour, 4-6pm daily, with discounts on the cocktail menu. See www.the beachatbude.co.uk for details.
Win
One lucky reader can win an overnight stay for two at The Beach at Bude plus dinner in the hotel’s restaurant, to be taken between October 2016 and February 2017. To enter, simply tell us which beach the hotel overlooks. Send your answer, along with your full contact details, to: The Beach at Bude competition, westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk to arrive by September 16. Alternatively, you can post your entry to The Beach at Bude competition, West magazine, Queens House, Little Queen Street, Exeter EX4 3LJ. Normal terms apply, West magazine will not share your details. 5
EDSLETTER_1THING_SEPT3.indd 5
26/08/2016 16:26:39
Floral print bomber jacket £39 JD Williams
the
Retro clock £14.99
wishlist
HomeSense
West’s top picks for spending your time and money this week
fave! Coral clutch £50 Dune
HARVEST Tray £6 Sainsbury’s Home
Luggage set in light blue £415 for two pieces www.Raden.com
6
Wishlist_September3.indd 6
25/08/2016 15:48:01
Wishlist
PRETTY Cotton poplin top £149 Jigsaw
SMART Buxton blue sideboard £750 Next
Store we adore... Genoa denim stool £55.99 Harley & Lola
STORE WE ADORE: Chococo, Exeter
Newly opened in Exeter’s quaint Gandy Street (which is said to be the inspiration for JK Rowling’s Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books) this chocolate shop is certainly rather magical. It’s stocked with handmade chocolates from husband and wife team Claire Burnet
and husband Andy, who are based in Swanage, Dorset, as well as serving six different flavours of hot chocolate from chilli to orange. Also on offer are cakes and coffee - all very delicious. Chococo, Gandy Street, Exeter www.chococo.co.uk
Floral cushion £8 George Home
7
Wishlist_September3.indd 7
30/08/2016 12:03:03
talking points Gillian Molesworth
Story of my life... It’s back to school time for us all always love early September. The disorganised melee of the summer holidays is over and it’s back to routine at last. It’s school time for the children, who are now out of the house for most of the day, hopefully with their little heads being filled with to fill it with various electronic knowledge. There’s the tang of stimulations which I seem to be autumn in the air and everyone losing my power to regulate, or by has hopefully had a bit of time off making a mess somewhere which over the summer and can now reagain, I am finding increasingly group. hard to get them to clean up with I’ve got both my kids in secondany efficacy. As they get older ary school now, so for the first they get better at arguing, or testtime in more than a decade, it’s ing limits: well what happens if I goodbye to the school run. Well, really don’t do it? And I am just I say that: I’ll still be making frenot organised enough, or tough quent trips with forgotten PE kit, enough, to hold the line? homework assignments, tennis I kept telling them they should rackets and that sort of thing. do something edifying: learn to I would be suffering withdrawtouch type, or practice calligraal if it weren’t for the horses. phy, or sell home-made lemonade They’ve been quite overwhelmand earn a bob or two. ing to take on but I’m sure it’s a cyI’m sure they’ll clical punishment, provide me with a because I have no I’ve got both my useful attachment doubt that as a kids in secondary substitute for my teenager I was agschool now, motherly needs. gravating. I rememI can see why ber staying up all so, for the first girls in particuhours watching old time in more lar are drawn to black and white TV than a decade, horses: you do the shows on Nick At same things with Nite, then sleeping it’s goodbye to them as you do till 11am. I’m sure the school run with small chilI knew better than dren. any parental direcYou feed them, tives. Sorry, Mum! put blankets on them to keep them I’ve always maintained that warm, make sure their feet and January is a terrible time of year teeth are in order, cuddle them, to make resolutions. You should brush them, give them medicine make them in the spring or the when they’re poorly. Combined autumn, when you’re fresh from a with the thrill of riding and inrest and have that back-to-school teracting with such a magnificent spirit. animal, it’s a powerful combinaWhat will yours be, now that tion. you’ve got a bit of time with the I won’t be sorry to see the end kids back at school? of the summer holidays. All that You could always learn to touch time to fill. Mostly my kids seem type or practice calligraphy...
I
SCARLET
woman
A classic black blazer is a fashion no-brainer but what if we told you it’s time to take a bolder approach to this wardrobe staple and swap it for a bright red option just like Theresa May? The Prime Minister opted for a red twopiece suit which she wore to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. If you’re brave enough, try ditching your undershirt and style the jacket as a top. Belted jacket £69 La Redoute
steal her
style
OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN
OPTION A Smart Cropped blazer £39 Very
OPTION B Slinky Red velvet suit jacket £60 Wallis
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. 8
MoleyGossip_Sept3.indd 8
25/08/2016 16:10:54
03.09.16
Just
STARTING A FAMILY GREGG WALLACE says that children are next on the list after tying the knot with his fourth wife Anne-Marie Sterpini. MasterChef presenter Gregg, 51, married 30-year-old Anne-Marie at Hever Castle in Kent on August 6 in front of best man and fellow presenter John Torode and guests including Lisa Faulkner and his MasterChef: The Professionals co-presenters Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti. Gregg says he has finally found happiness, after meeting Anne-Marie on Twitter in 2013: “Meeting Anna has brought me what I think I’ve always been searching for - that big, warm family dynamic and there’s real strength in that.”
[ [ ‘Mary cooked me a horse meat steak thanks!’
UNUSUAL RECIPES We’d all love to be cooked for by Great British Bake Off judge MARY BERRY but it turns out she fed presenter SUE PERKINS a horse meat steak the first time they met. They worked together on TV show The Supersizers back in 2009, when Mary took part in an episode about food in the 1950s. Mary, who has a family home in Salcombe, south Devon, introduced Sue to post-war rations. Sue says: “Mary made me a horse meat and margarine steak. It was literally a Shergar steak. It wasn’t tenderised. It was a thick hip of a horse. She was out there carving it for what seemed like two days. It had a burned, gristly side and a bit of hair on it.” But doesn’t Mary - now an unbelievable 81 – look good on it?
between us Gossip, news, trend setters and more – you heard all the latest juicy stuff here first!
!
IT’S TIME TO GO DANCING! Singer LOUISE REDKNAPP is not feeling very confident about her chances on Strictly Come Dancing 2016. The former Eternal girl group member will join the 14th series of the BBC’s popular dancing show, which returns to screens this month. The 41-year-old, who is married to footballer and television pundit JAMIE REDKNAPP says she is nervous about taking on Strictly Come Dancing, despite her previous experience as a dancer. “I always think there’s different types of dancing. Dancing in Eternal in my caterpillar boots, doing a bit of running man, is not quite the tango. “Also, I’ve not been in a dance studio since I recorded [single] Naked, which was 20 years ago.” Even so, Louise, we think you might do better than your fellow contestant Ed Balls! 9
MoleyGossip_Sept3.indd 9
25/08/2016 16:11:18
With a bang: Dan Felix took this picture of the National Fireworks Competition on Plymouth Hoe
in pictures Proud: Matthew Walker from Illogan got three A stars at A Level and celebrated with his dad at Truro College
Yikes! The Eden Project dinosaurs were spotted on the loose in Fowey by photographer Emily Whitfield-Wicks Epic: There was a grand medieval joust at Pendennis Castle, Falmouth
10
WIP_HISTORY_SEPT3.indd 10
26/08/2016 16:44:56
talking points A HISTORY
of the
WEST in
100
objects The best way to:
RAID NATURE’S LARDER Make the most of the abundance of delicious wild foods nature has to offer this month by signing up to a South West foraging course. •
Fat Hen, Cornwall: Explore some of west Cornwall’s wild landscapes from seashore to farmland, discovering edible herbs, fungi, roots and berries before rustling up a delicious wild lunch in the kitchen. www.fathen.org
•
River Cottage, Devon: Unlock the secrets of Britain’s hedgerows with mushroom expert John Wright before returning to River Cottage HQ in east Devon to cook up your finds. www. rivercottage.net
•
Vale House Kitchen, Somerset: Take a foray into the fields with expert forager Adrian Boots, who will teach you how to identify safe and delicious seasonal treats while recounting stories from our ancient hunter gatherer ancestors. www. valehousekitchen.co.uk
•
Hedgerow Harvest, Wiltshire: Discover how to preserve nature’s glut of wild fruit and nuts with tempting desserts, jams, chutneys and cordials to try at home and see you through those long winter months. www.hedgerow-harvest.com • Wild Food School, Cornwall: Looking for unusual culinary twists to impress your dinner party guests? Head to the banks of the River Fowey for an inspiring day of foraging and cookery with Marcus Harrison. www. wildfoodschool.co.uk • Coastal Survival School, Dorset: Forage along the beautiful west Dorset coastline for shellfish, seaweed and so much more, run by eminent wild food expert Fraser Christian www.coastalsurvival.com
10: CHINA DISH Found in North Street, Exeter, made about 1590–1620 Julien Parsons is the Senior Collections Officer, at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter. He says: In Shakespeare’s day porcelain was a prized possession. Other pottery could not compete with its lustrous glaze and cobalt blue decoration. It was beautiful and practical too: easy to clean and didn’t smell of yesterday’s food like unglazed earthenware. The trouble was the expense of acquiring it. Before the Meissen factory in Germany finally succeeded in producing it in 1708, porcelain had to be shipped all the way from China. Cargoes of Chinese blue-and-white wares arrived in Dutch ports at the beginning of the 17th century, and the locals went crazy for them. A few decades later Johannes Vermeer depicted the interiors of merchants’ houses displaying the trappings of wealth and status: Venetian glass, Turkish rugs and china dishes feature prominently. And it was not just the Dutch, middle-class Britons also aspired to own these luxury products. Our little dish was reconstructed from pieces found in a pit at a house on Exeter’s North Street
(now under a supermarket) owned by a merchant. Judging by the contents of the rubbish, he flaunted his wealth in much the same way as Vermeer’s clients. The dish was made in the reign of the emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty and was an antique by the time it was discarded in bits. Porcelain, for all its beauty, has a major flaw if dropped from a height onto a hard surface!
Our little dish was reconstructed from pieces found in a pit at a house in Exeter (now under a supermarket)
#10
On display: Gallery 3, The Royal Albert Museum, Exeter www.rammuseum.org.uk Competition winners: Congratulations to Janet Brown of Exeter who wins two organic wool pillows from Naturalmat worth £55 each, thanks to the Cornish Bed Company
11
WIP_HISTORY_SEPT3.indd 11
26/08/2016 16:45:32
A very creative Friendship Teenage friends Lisa Glass, the surf novel author from Newquay, and singer Lucy Hill, reflect on the importance of childhood friendship and on the remarkable creative careers they have both followed over the years since they first met isa Glass, author of surf novels Blue, Air and Ride, says: Lucy and I grew up on the same street in Plymouth. I remember Lucy’s mother practising ballet and autumn afternoons with Lucy picking blackberries and feeding horses in the field behind her house. I also have a vivid memory of a snowy winter’s day and Lucy’s family and mine going to sledge down a hill in a
L
12
Feature1_Sept3.indd 12
26/08/2016 16:16:59
People
PHOTOGRAPHY: JOHN ISSAC
Lisa, left, and Lucy on the beach at Newquay
13
Feature1_Sept3.indd 13
30/08/2016 12:04:13
People
nearby park. My grandmother was very fond of Lucy and I know she’d be delighted that Lucy has done so tremendously well in her music career and that we’re back in touch after years apart. When Lucy told me that she’d been travelling the world working as a singer-songwriter, I felt very proud of her. At home, I listened to her music with my family and we were all blown away by her talent. Like mine, Lucy’s career has been hugely influenced by the world of surfing. Lucy’s music evolved within the surf community in New Zealand, whereas my young adult novels are inspired by Newquay’s surf scene. I’ve always been intrigued by surfing and as a teenager I enjoyed visiting Newquay and watching the surfers of Fistral Beach, even though I found them a bit intimidating. They seemed effortlessly stylish and graceful with their cool boards, perfect balance and impeccable hair, while I stomped awkwardly along Newquay’s crowded beaches, sweating in Dr. Martens boots and black clothes on the hottest day of the year. I worried that if I tried surfing I’d make a fool of myself and end up knocking out a tooth or breaking my nose. I thought that if you hadn’t
learnt to surf in childhood, you’d missed your chance. But I had a hankering to try stand-up surfing that never went away. In 2002 I moved to Newquay and, about a year after having my first child, I rented a foam surfboard at Fistral Beach and had my first surf lesson. I had so much fun catching waves that I kicked myself afterwards for waiting so long to try it. I had a brilliant summer of surfing, yoga, and beach parties and started writing Blue, which turned out to be Book One of my beach trilogy, followed by Air and, most recently, Ride. Blue got me a three-book publishing deal but it was actually the fifth novel I’d written. This accounted for around five years of my life during which I struggled financially and very nearly gave up writing altogether. At the heart of my books is female friendship, and I’m so pleased to have rekindled my friendship with Lucy. Seeing her perform recently at my book launch on Lusty Glaze Beach in Newquay was a high moment that I will always remember. As my friends, family and colleagues listened to Lucy’s wonderful music, it felt as if we’d both come a long way, on journeys that may never have happened if not for surfing. Lisa’s latest book, Ride, is published by Quercus (£7.99) @TheSeaSection Instagram @LisaGlassAuthor
‘Seeing her perform recently at my book launch on the beach was a high moment that I will always remember’
Thank you to Whiskers in Newquay for hosting Lisa and Lucy www.whiskersnewquay.co.uk 14
Feature1_Sept3.indd 14
26/08/2016 16:18:02
ucy Hill, the singer known as Little Lapin, says: I bumped into Lisa six months ago quite by accident at the boating lake in Newquay. I instantly remembered her long beautiful hair and warm disposition. The last time I’d seen Lisa, we were at a friend’s barbecue in our old neighbourhood of Plymouth around 16 years ago but it seemed as if no time had passed. I am sure it’s because she has found her bliss - she is a successful writer, has a lovely family and lives by the sea. Her mum Alicia was also there at the boating lake and couldn’t stop smiling. She used to help out at my primary school, and it was lovely to catch up with her again. Throughout my childhood, my mum would often take me to visit Lisa’s grandmother. She lived nearby and taught me how to crochet, which must have taken a huge amount of patience. I also remember enjoying being at her house because she let me dunk biscuits in my tea. As we said our parting words at the lake, Alicia mentioned that Lisa recently had three novels published and I was very proud to hear this. It’s always good to meet other writers, be it of songs (like me) or novels. I had no idea of my old friend’s achievements, which is unfortunately what happens when you lose touch. For six years I lived on the other side of the world in New Zealand, where I started my own writing career as a singer-songwriter. I was only intending to be in New Zealand for three weeks but ended up staying there for so
L
much longer. I lived in a surf town on the north island and for two years I worked at a surf school, teaching beginner surf lessons and hiring out surfboards from the beach. While I was there, I started to get serious about my music and played at open mic nights and this led to me forming a band for a couple of years. I went solo in 2012 and haven’t looked back since. As an independent and unsigned artist, I was very proud when my debut album was voted by Unsigned & Independent Magazine as Best International Album of 2015. In July of this year, I released my new album Holding Out For The Kicks, which was recorded in London. I’ve already finished recording my third album and plan on releasing this next year. Through music I’ve been able to connect with some amazing people, including Lisa. Recently, she invited me to perform at her book launch party at Lusty Glaze Beach in Newquay and it was an honour to play for her and her guests. I was also very proud when Little Lapin was mentioned in her recent book Ride as the main character’s favourite local act. It’s interesting that Lisa’s young adult trilogy of novels is centred around surfing and beach culture, which is where I am also inspired. I’m so pleased for Lisa that her novel Blue is being adapted to the big screen. Exciting times ahead. www.littlelapinmusic.com
‘I was very proud when Little Lapin was mentioned in her book as the main character’s favourite music act’
15
Feature1_Sept3.indd 15
26/08/2016 16:18:33
Back in the saddle He set hearts aflutter with ‘that’ topless scything scene, but as the second series of BBC One’s Poldark approaches, Aidan Turner tells Gemma Dunn why looking buff is a crucial part of the drama... hen Aidan Turner put in another compelling performance in BBC One’s chilling TV adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic And Then Were None late last year, the Irish actor did little to quash the ‘Bond’ rumour mill. But while he’s keeping strictly schtum on the soap opera of who will play 007, he will gladly talk about the impressive body of work that has, in the last year, catapulted him to new heights. “It’s the Poldark effect,” 33-year-old Aidan teases, flashing a grin. “Somebody did say that to me on the red carpet once. They said, ‘So you Poldark’d And Then There Were None?’ I said, ‘What do you mean?’ And they said, ‘You Poldark’d! You smashed it first time’.” The revamp of the legendary 1970s show, based on novelist Winston Graham’s acclaimed sweeping saga set in 18th-century Cornwall, saw Aidan take centre stage as brooding hero Ross Poldark. Audiences for series one, back in 2015, peaked at 9.4 million across TV and iPlayer, and the show scooped the Radio Times Audience Award at this year’s Baftas. Tomorrow evening, the eagerly-awaited second series will start at 9pm on BBC One, and there is much to look forward to, Aidan explains when we
W
16
AidenTurner_Spetember3.indd 16
30/08/2016 12:06:49
17
AidenTurner_Spetember3.indd 17
26/08/2016 14:47:51
Interview
meet “It’s so strange - Poldark’s success didn’t feel that odd at first,” he says, admitting he “buried his head” during the pandemonium that ensued. “It does now, Jesus,” he adds. “We did really well on the show, and this is going to sound awful - but I didn’t expect any different. I was like, ‘Oh yeah, course it wasn’t going to sink, we weren’t going to fail it’. That would have been shocking. “But looking back now, how lucky are we that we found an audience? You can go out on Sunday night at 9pm and have no one watch it. We just struck a chord. It was the right place, right time.”
It’s little wonder, then, that the prime-time epic is back for a second instalment this autumn, with a third already promised for 2017. Discussing the ease of falling back into character, Dublin-born Turner - also known for his work on The Hobbit trilogy of feature films - quips: “That’s what you’re looking for every time, isn’t it? Especially when the first series has been a hit. It’s nice to walk back in and go, ‘We did something right’.” When we meet, the playful star is in high spirits, having been on a fun photo shoot with his Poldark co-stars. He is dressed down in a casual grey tee, skinny jeans and trainers, with his long dark locks scraped up in a ‘man bun’ and sport-
‘Looking back, we were so lucky. It was the right
place and the right time’
18
AidenTurner_Spetember3.indd 18
26/08/2016 14:48:15
Aidan with his Poldark co-stars, Eleanor Tomlinson (left) and Heida Reed
19
AidenTurner_Spetember3.indd 19
26/08/2016 14:48:35
Interview
ing a spectacular new beard, looking every inch the leading man. Engaging and funny, he’s excited about what he describes as this next “more tempestuous” leg of the Poldark journey - which recently hit the headlines for (allegedly) toning down a rape scene, in order to keep Poldark’s heroism intact. Last season ended on a cliffhanger, after Ross was caught stealing the contents of a shipwreck and inciting a riot, both crimes punishable by death. So is our hero’s luck about to run out? “Ross and Demelza [Aidan’s on-screen wife, played by Eleanor Tomlinson] are not in a great place when we start off, and it doesn’t really get better,” reveals Aidan of the troubled couple. What is more, let’s not forget that the couple also lost their daughter Julia to ‘putrid throat’ at the end of last series. “Ross is living under this veil of, ‘Everything is going to be fine’. He has one line where he says something like, ‘Why would they lock me up? I’m too busy, I have too much to do’ - and he fully believes that. He just doesn’t grasp the situation he is in and the consequences of it.” The dark storylines haven’t stopped fans flocking to Cornwall, in a bid to catch a glimpse of the
cast and crew in action during the filming on location. “There were a lot [of fans],” Aidan recalls, chuckling. “We were expecting it because people were talking about security in Charlestown, and we were like, ‘What are you talking about - security?’ But we needed eight people. “Yet people are lovely and so kind and generous,” he quickly adds. “They’re showing their support, and I totally respect that and appreciate it.” And, thanks at least in part to Aidan’s iconic topless scything scene in the first season, he has a whole legion more fans watching his every on-screen move. Indeed, the scything scene was named as the public’s top TV moment of 2015 by Radio Times. “I see where you’re going,” he says coyly, puffing his cheeks out at the question of any more semi-clad scenes in this new series. “Who says I am going topless this year?” Well, if the trailer’s anything to go by then yes, the Aidan Turner chest certainly will be getting another airing. “I just do what’s there. If it’s in the books and it makes sense. The funny thing was, I am con-
‘Ross and Demelza are
not in a good place - and it
doesn’t really get better’
vinced it was my idea,” Aidan adds. “It was just really hot, and I was like, ‘Why is he wearing a shirt for this? It’s ridiculous, who would do that?’ “So we played the scene and we just got on with it; I had no idea what it was going to turn into...” Aidan has to work hard to keep in shape for playing Ross, he says. “I need to or I won’t fit the costumes. Literally, I can’t put on a pound,” he insists, sighing. “Seven months of that is boring. It’s not fun - there are no pasties and loads of press-ups. I hate it but it’s got to be done. “Physically, I want [the character] to look a certain way. Considering the diet he was on and how physical he is - he’s down the mines a lot, he’s on his horse and he’s a farmer - it makes no sense to look any other way.” Yet while there’s no denying Poldark has accelerated his career (“The interest is there”), the indemand talent confesses it’s difficult finding time to scour scripts amid exhausting shoots. “Not to be the whinging actor,” he muses, before pausing and adding: “What’s the plural of a group of actors? A whinge. [The actor] Jimmy Nesbitt told me that!” Laughing, he finishes our interview with a confession. “Last year I fitted some work in and burnt myself out a bit, and this year I’ve chosen not to. Next year, we’ll see... It’s a good time to be me.” It certainly is. And to be Ross Poldark, too, of course. Poldark returns to BBC One at 9pm on Sunday, September 4
20
AidenTurner_Spetember3.indd 20
30/08/2016 12:09:45
22
interiors
34
recipe
40
events
44
explore 21
Intro_Sept3.indd 21
30/08/2016 10:49:16
Eternal sunshine Autumn may be just around the corner but interiors expert Will Taylor believes in blue sky thinking all year round, as Becky Sheaves discovers
sk Will Taylor to describe his home decor and his answer is unhesitating: sea-inspired style with a touch of sunshine. “I’m often at my happiest by the ocean with salty, windswept hair, barefoot, with sand between my toes, and nothing to crowd my mind beyond the endless roll call of blue hues,” the designer says. “I like to use these dreamy experiences and blue pool tones to inform the decor of my own interior space.” Will has a new book out - the beautifully illustrated Dream Decor: Styling a Cool, Creative and Comfortable Home, Wherever You Live. The book opens the door to beautiful spaces throughout the world, as well as Will’s own home, where brilliant white walls are the perfect backdrop for cheerful splashes of colour provided by collections of framed prints. Not to mention an array of vivid accessories, from lamps to vases, almost all in his favourite colours of blue and white. “Combining these shades in varying degrees of intensity is often a winner for decor, whatever shade of blue you choose for your keynote - whether it’s deep and cocooning indigo or refreshing sky blue,” he says. “Also, when I’m working on a scheme, I always try to bring a touch of sunshine to each room
A
22
Interiors_Sept3.indd 22
26/08/2016 14:40:16
Interiors
23
Interiors_Sept3.indd 23
30/08/2016 12:23:38
Interiors
with an injection of yellow. The scheme for my home office is based on the colours of a rowing boat I saw in a small fishing village, with its weathered yellow and blue panels. Just sitting in there transports me to that idyllic spot.” Colour is Will’s passion and he describes himself as a “gentleman hooked on hue.” His hugely successful interiors blog, Bright.Bazaar, which he founded seven years ago, is recognised as a must-visit site for those wanting to learn how to live in a more technicolour world. “I believe, no matter where you live, you can create a cool, creative and comfortable space ‘No matter to call your own. To me, a wellwhere you live, decorated home is a collection you can create of personal dividends gathered from one’s experiences and ada cool, creative ventures while travelling, or and comfortable simply gleaned from day-to-day personal surroundings,” says space to call your Will. His book includes easy-toown’ follow guides to achieving a host of chic looks, from Hollywood chic and Italian rustic, to petite Parisienne and Scandi comfort. “I’ve lost count of the number of times a newto-me place, or seeing a routine experience in a new light, has resulted in an urge to bottle up one of those many sensory feelings to bring back home so I can interpret them into my decor. It’s lovely to experiment and have fun with interiors and colour.” If you’re looking to make colour the central element of your scheme, there are two main routes to choose from, advises Will. “Either create an all-over colour statement, such as wallpaper or paint across all walls, or introduce a lone splash which stands out in a neutral space. Achieve that with a vibrant bedspread draped over white bed-
[[ ding, or maybe an oversized piece of art.” “In my home’s open-plan living and dining area, I’ve used yellow and dusty pink as accent colours to inject hue into a monochromatic base palette - there’s one black feature wall and the rest are white. “Translating the seductive colours and textures of the Mediterranean into your home is simple,” says Will. “Sit vivid shades of azure blue against fresh whites and accent the palette with shots of hot pink, inspired by bougainvillea. “The key ingredients are white-washed walls, weathered wood, terracotta, a burst of yellow, earthenware and painted shutters. A peppering of organic elements - a bowl of citrus fruits and vase of cut blooms, for example, is a perfect finishing touch.” For even more authenticity, he advises introducing textural interest by juxtaposing rough stone walls with cool, tiled floors and soft linen upholstery. Give this a try and you’ll be enjoying the summertime all year round. Dream Decor by Will Taylor (Jacqui Small, £25). All pictures shown are from the book
24
Interiors_Sept3.indd 24
26/08/2016 14:41:09
GET THE
LOOK
Take a leaf out of Will Taylor’s new book for Mediterranean style home decor all year round
Will Taylor’s new book, Dream Decor £19.99 Jacqui Small
Shutters in dark blue from £168 The Shutter Store
Japanese Festival cushions £45 each Postcards Home
Mediterranean mosaic tiles £31 a square metre Topps Tiles
Large pudding sofa in cobalt vintage linen £1,545 Loaf
25
Interiors_Sept3.indd 25
26/08/2016 14:41:36
Ask Gracie...
Want to look your best this week? Our styling expert Gracie Stewart of Exeter can help you fulfil your fashion potential in every possible way. All you have to do is ask...
Laundry law Q
Laundry bag £18 Sainsbury’s Home
Do you really have to wash new clothes before you wear them? GM, Bideford
I personally always wash new clothes before I wear them, particularly garments that are worn in direct contact with the skin, and there are three very good reasons why. One is to wash out extra dye that can be transferred to your skin or other garments. Secondly (and sorry about this!) it’s possible to transfer lice, scabies, bacteria and fungus from person to person when clothes are tried on in the shop. Dressing rooms can become breeding grounds for everything from viruses to athlete’s foot. Lastly, to remove chemical finishes that manufacturers put on clothes to enhance colour or texture. The finishes won’t bother everyone, but if you have sensitive skin you can develop a rash especially in constant contact areas like armpits, collars, cuffs and trouser waists and thighs.
RJR John Rocha laundry bag £60 Debenhams
Striped laundry bag £7 Tiger
26
Gracie_Sept3.indd 26
30/08/2016 12:21:41
Gracie’s shopping list Date night dress codes Are there any rules about what I should and shouldn’t wear on a first date? NB, Newquay
Q
Not all fashion statements should be made on a first date. Yes, those stilettos make your legs look a mile long but if you can’t walk from the car to the restaurant in them, they are no good. You want to be able to strut your stuff, so it’s a good idea to wear shoes you know you can wear comfortably for at least a few hours. Leave your oversized tote at
home, too. As much as we love big bags because they can fit anything and everything, a smaller version is a much more ladylike for a date. Above all, avoid wearing anything too short or cut too low. You don’t want to be fussing with your top or tugging at the back of your skirt all night. Find a blouse or a dress that makes you feel sexy without making you feel uncomfortable. If you insist on wearing a revealing top, bring a sweater just in case you find yourself feeling too exposed.
Michelle Keegan high neck skater dress £50 Lipsy
V front slingbacks £49.50 Marks & Spencer
Zip-top nylon pouch, £125, Burberry This durable pouch was inspired by the fabric of the Burberry trench coat and can be used as a makeup bag or clutch.
Clutch bag £25 Debenhams
The lowdown on facial fillers Q
What’s the difference between Botox and fillers? HA, Dulverton
Botox is made from the botulinum neurotoxin, which blocks the action of nerves on muscles and its primary objective is to treat and prevent facial wrinkles. Like Botox, facial fillers are used to prevent or eliminate signs of ageing in the face. However, the main difference
between the two is that Botox reduces the activity of muscles in the face that cause wrinkles. Facial fillers fill the trouble areas with collagen, which helps to stimulate collagen growth in the face as well as plumping and lifting the skin. The most important things to consider when choosing between the two is what kind of wrinkles you want to get rid of. Botox is the better choice for
Sheer Color cheek tint, £19.50, BobbiBrown.co.uk This lightweight formula creates a subtle, natural-looking flush of colour and is packaged in a swivel-up stick for easy application. Available in three pretty colours, there’s something for everyone.
dynamic wrinkles, which occur when the face is in motion or making an expression, often on the forehead and around the eyebrows. Facial fillers are ideal for wrinkles which are visible even when your face is relaxed and making no expression. These areas benefit from the fullness that fillers give them. I personally recommend Dr Ros Debenham of Exeter’s Radiance MediSpa.
Black Rose embroidered skinny jeans, £29.99, New Look Add these embroidered jeans to your denim wardrobe for an instant lift to your daytime style.
Warehouse midi dress £65 John Lewis Let fluid lines do the talking in this dress from Warehouse. Cut to an oversized shape with a beautiful floral print, it’s ideal for special occasions.
Got a style or beauty question? Email Gracie Stewart at westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk with the subject Ask Gracie
27
Gracie_Sept3.indd 27
25/08/2016 16:04:13
Belted tunic £32 JD Williams
Leather patch pocket military jacket £259 Mint Velvet
Utility dress £55 White Stuff
Military mini £35 Wallis
Military precision Khaki jacket £65 Debenhams
ilitary inspired design is big news this autumn, with bold piping, brass buttons, exaggerated shoulders and cropped silhouettes all to be found on the catwalk and high street. Whether you go for an updated take on the classic army jacket or opt for a naval-inspired buttoned skirt, consider these pieces part of your new season’s uniform.
M
28
Fashion_Sept3.indd 28
25/08/2016 16:23:48
Fashion Kelly military shirt £39 Solange suede skirt £119 Monsoon
Military style jacket £39.99 New Look
Military badge cap £9.99 New Look
Soft denim blouse £35 JD Williams 29
Fashion_Sept3.indd 29
25/08/2016 16:26:21
Wellbeing
the boost
Life just got better. Our wellness guru Charlotte Dear has handpicked the latest health secrets and expert advice to help you be your best self, everyday
BERRY NICE A sure sign of autumn approaching is a hedgerow lined with beautifully plump blackberries. So before the birds polish them off completely, waste no time in stepping out in the countryside armed with punnets, gardening gloves and maybe even a box to stand on to reach the sweetest fruits right at the top. Packed with vitamin C, you’ll find inspiring blackberry-themed recipes at www.rivercottage.net
Neat feet After a summer of flip-flop walks and barefoot rockpooling your feet are bound to be crying out for a little TLC. This is the perfect opportunity to head to The Treatment Loft at Darts Farm, Topsham in east Devon. Ask for their relaxing sensory foot treatment with warm oils and nourishing masks to leave your toes feeling rejuvenated and ready to go. www.thetreatmentloft.com
Just yummy Tantalise your taste buds this month at the Eden Project’s Festival of Food taking place from September 9-11. With a host of celebrity chefs demonstrating delicious recipes to try at home, this is bound to inspire even the most modest of cooks to start producing more fresh and tasty meals at home. Once you’ve picked up some new tricks, browse the many stalls where local producers will be showcasing their produce, including Riverford Organic and Haywood Farm www.edenproject.com
30
Boost_Sept3.indd 30
25/08/2016 16:17:25
Good for you This month, the Soil Association is inviting you to Organic Your September. By looking for the logo on food packaging, you are not only helping to protect our vital wildlife but you’re also reducing your own exposure to pesticides and chemicals. For irresistible organic recipes, special offers and ways you can take part, visit www.soilassociation.org and search #OrganicSeptember on Twitter.
When it comes to beauty products, there is much to be said for creams and oils that are as natural as possible. Luxury skincare company Just Bee Pure produces naturally nourishing butters, balms, creams and washes, all using Somerset beeswax with scents inspired by our beautiful Westcountry meadows, woods and moorlands www.justbeepure.co.uk What’s coming up? Tweet us your wellbeing diary dates
@WMNWest or email westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 31
Boost_Sept3.indd 31
25/08/2016 16:17:55
Wellbeing
Joint action Could special exercises help you avoid the need for knee surgery?
lems, who are trying to avoid knee surgery. Over the past ten years, I have noticed the trend for knee surgeons more frequently to refer patients for physiotherapy exercise therapy, rather than Steven Berkman, physiotherapist, says: As Baz surgery, in the first instance. Luhrmann told us in his 1999 song, Sunscreen: Accurate diagnosis is key. Certain meniscal “Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when tears can block the normal movement of the they’re gone.” Two million people around the knee joint and can cause further damage to the world have surgery called knee arthoscopy joint if not dealt with properly. Some of these every year, to heal damage to the crescentcases will require surgery to prevent further shaped cartilage that cushdamage or future deterioraions the knee joint known as tion of the knee joint. But the meniscal tears vast majority of my patients But according to researchers want to avoid surgery if they The vast majority in Norway, exercise might be can get as good an outcome, of my patients just as good at healing these or better, through exercise. want to avoid injuries as surgery. They Knee pain or injury causes looked at 140 people whose the knee muscles to switch surgery if they average age was 50, one half off from working fully. These can get as good of whom had arthroscopic muscles should be supportsurgery for degenerative meing and protecting the knee an outcome, or niscal tears and half who had joint. Getting the muscles better, through exercise sessions for three surrounding the knee joint exercise months, followed by simple switched back on and firing daily exercises at home. correctly is key to successAfter two years, the research ful recovery, as is regaining team at Martina Hansens full flexibility in the knee Hospital found that kneejoint and muscles. Try these related quality of life for both groups was the exercises (see panel) but be aware they should same - and concluded that exercise therapy be comfortable - if they are not, seek guidance should be given to middle-aged people suffering from a physiotherapist. with meniscal tears. Steven Berkman is a chartered physiotherapist and I work with many patients who have knee probdirector of Boost Physio (www.boostphysio.com)
Q
I’ve got sore knees but want to avoid surgery - is there anything I can do to ease the pain? I’m in my 50s. JS, Honiton
[[
Knee exercises to try: Cycling: Strengthens the quadriceps and hamstring muscles that support the knee joint, without placing too much pressure on the load-bearing surface of the cartilage. A good way to improve flexibility in the knee. Inner range quadriceps: Sitting on the side of the bed with your affected leg straight out along the bed, make the knee as straight as possible, pushing the back of your knee down into the bed - you should be able to raise your heel of your foot off the bed while keeping the back of your knee down on the bed. Hold for five seconds, 20 times. Repeat as above, with the addition of turning your foot and knee outwards slightly to engage the vastus medialis (part of the quadricep muscle of the thigh). Sit to stand: Sit on a chair with knees and hips aligned, squeeze a small ball between the knees with about 50% of your maximum power, to engage the muscles on the inside of the knees and thighs. Maintaining the squeeze, stand up and slowly sit down in a controlled manner, sharing weight equally between both knees. Do two sets of 10.
32
WB_FOODIE_SEPT3.indd 32
26/08/2016 12:02:52
Enjoy
SMALL BITES Our pick of what’s on in the Westcountry food world right now
Organic and delicious Made using meat from grassfed animals reared on their farm near Okehampton on the edge of Dartmoor, Eversfield Organic is launching a new range of organic charcuterie, called Roam & Relish. The 12 organic charcuterie products include pastrami, salt beef and smoked ham. It’s all available from Ocado and independent delis, as well as direct from www.eversfieldorganic. co.uk, priced from £3.85 a pack.
Festival fun at Hugh’s place This September Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall’s River Cottage is holding its first ever familyfriendly festival with music from local bands as well as talent from further afield. There will also be a spectacular horse and falconry show, percussion workshops and foraging adventures. The food should be superb, with the River Cottage kitchen in charge of the catering and an exclusive festival feast in the farmhouse itself. The festival takes place from September 16-19 at River Cottage HQ near Axminster, and weekend tickets cost £60, visit www.rivercottage.net for details.
New face in Zennor
Happy bees in Exeter The top of a shopping centre is not the most obvious place to find beehives but Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter has introduced an apiary to its roof garden and the bees are breeding well. Bee keeper, Jason Wallis says: “We are really pleased with how the rearing programme is going so far. It really is a great result.” There is a viewing panel for visitors and school parties to see into the hives and the honey is sold in Exeter’s Chandos Deli, with proceeds to charity. For details and to visit, see www.princesshay.co.uk
Chef Max Wilson has returned to Cornwall to become head chef at The Gurnard’s Head in Zennor. He’s successfully led the team at the gastro-pub’s sister establishment, The Felin Fach Griffin, in Wales for the past 18 months but the lure of Cornwall has always been strong, he says. He previously cooked at the New Yard restaurant on the Trelowarren estate near Falmouth and was head chef at the St Martin’s Hotel in the Isles of Scilly. Edmund Inkin, joint owner of The Gurnard’s Head, says: “Max is an exceptionally talented and driven head chef whose heart is in Cornwall.” www.thegurnardshead.co.uk
Got some foodie news? Let us know on westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 33
WB_FOODIE_SEPT3.indd 33
26/08/2016 12:03:16
PHOTOGRAPHY: MATT AUSTIN
Wellbeing
Naturally Bridie’s
Nasturtium Salad and Homemade Nasturtium Pesto Bridie says: It is better to use baby nasturtium leaves as they have a sweeter taste to them. Their pungent flavours are supported by lots of mineral salts including iron and phosphates - they also are a good source of iodine, which is needed to support our thyroid hormones.
You will need:
Method:
3 handfuls nasturtium leaves 1 yellow sweet pepper 6-8 baby tomatoes 10 green beans ½ pomegranate ¼ cup pine nuts Handful spinach Handful basil leaves ¼ cup cashew nuts ¼ cup pistachio nuts 6 sun-dried tomatoes 3 tbsp olive oil
1.
Pick the baby nasturtium leaves fresh from your garden and wash before using. Place two handfuls of them into a medium bowl.
2.
Slice the pepper and the tomatoes and sprinkle around the salad
3.
Cut up the green beans into halves or thirds and evenly spread throughout the salad.
4.
De-seed half of the pomegranate, throw in, along with the pine nuts over the top, creating a colourful salad ready to be served – with the pesto if you wish.
5.
To make the pesto, blend a handful of nasturtium leaves with the spinach, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, cashews, pistachios and
@naturally_bridie
olive oil into a paste which is still slightly chunky. 6.
Pour out into a sealable jar or container and place in the fridge until ready to use. The pesto will last about a week in the fridge, however, you can freeze it for 3-4 months.
7.
Spread the pesto on your favourite cracker, drizzle on this salad, use as a base or mix into any pasta dish, the choice is yours!
Bridie Nicol runs nutrition advice business Naturally Bridie in east Devon www.naturallybridie.co.uk 34
Bridie_Sept3.indd 34
26/08/2016 11:34:32
tique u o b r u Visit o in walk style c l Clini a t n e D g lowin l o f e for th ents treatm Dental Group
Straightening from £900 Whitening from £200 Affordable dentistry check-up £20 DEVON TEETH STRAIGHTENING Teeth Straightening, Whitening & Hygiene Clinic “Preserving Beauty, Discovering Your Natural Smile”
Finance available, T&C’S Apply. Visit our website for more information www.devonteethstraightening.co.uk or call 01392 433955
WE ARE NOW OFFERING AFFORDABLE DENTISTRY AT THE CLINIC
Gastro Pub & INN Open daily for lunch and dinner Reservations are recommended Wine, real-ales, premium draft lagers and ciders En-suite accommodation
Now Open for Memberships Be part of the South West’s Destination Spa North hill lauNcestoN corNwall Pl15 7PG
#Yourwellnessnaturally
01566 786916 racehorseiNN.co.uk
Gaia Spa, Boringdon Hill, Colebrook, Plymouth, PL7 4DP www.gaiaboringdon.co.uk / 01752 344455 ©LW
Untitled-3 4
30/08/2016 14:02:32
Cook
Roast Rump of Beef with Garlic and Thyme Recipe: Carol Bowen Ball, author of Esse’s The Four Seasons Cookbook
Ingredients
Method:
4 cloves garlic, chopped 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves 2 shallots, peeled and sliced 3 tbsp olive oil Salt and freshly-ground black pepper 850g British beef top rump roast 700g sliced butternut squash
1.
Mix the garlic, thyme, shallots, olive oil and seasoning (to taste) in
a dish. Add the beef, cover and chill for 1.5-2 hours or overnight, turning twice.
2.
Place the golden syrup, black treacle, butter, sugar, stem ginger, ground ginger and cinnamon in a pan and warm until the butter and sugar have melted.
3.
Preheat the oven to 200 0C/Fan 180 0C/Esse Dial Guide HOT.
4.
Remove the beef from the marinade. Add
SERVES 4-6
the squash to the leftover marinade and coat. Heat a roasting tin on the hob over a high heat and brown the beef quickly on all sides. Transfer to the oven and roast according to how you like your beef cooked (see roasting guidelines, below) Cook for the calculated time, adding the squash for the last 30 minutes (this may mean that the squash is cooked from the beginning for a rare piece of beef). 5.
Cover with foil and rest for 10 minutes before carving.
ROASTING GUIDELINES: Allow 20 minutes per 500g for rare beef, 25 minutes per 500g for medium beef and 30 minutes per 500g for well done beef. The Rangemoors Hearth & Cook showroom in Marsh Barton, Exeter supplies the full range of Esse cookers: www.hearthandcook.com 36
RecipeHappyHour_Sept3indd.indd 36
26/08/2016 11:55:36
Drink
Happy h ur with drinks expert April Marks
One of the greatest pleasures in life is a good glass of wine. This wonderful experience can be enhanced to new levels when wine is matched with the perfect food. A favourite of mine is pairing shellfish with a zingy refreshing white, lots of acidity, and that fine balance between plenty of flavour yet not so much it overpowers the molluscs. An old school favourite would be Muscadet from the Loire Valley - lean, clean with searing acidity. Although if you like your wines a little fleshier, then go for a Picpoul de Pinet from the Languedoc, which will have a touch of
minerality and more fruit. If this floats your boat then The Exmouth Mussel Festival on Saturday September 24 will be right up your estuary. The day will be packed with cooking demonstrations, mackerel smoking, lobster pot making, live music, water sports, and a sand sculpture competition on the beach. This all takes place at Exmouth beach and gardens opposite the Pavilion. Crossed Anchors Brewery will be there, with a beer brewed especially for the occasion, plus don’t forget to check out the pop up wine and gin bar, offering the perfect match with mussels.
September Morning Cocktail
Pair shellfish and
zingy refreshing whites with lots of acidity
Join the club Exeter has a new Gin Club, meeting the first Tuesday of the month at The Fat Pig pub. This is an opportunity to discover and taste new and exciting gins. The club is currently inviting members. Interested? Call Jane on 01392 437217
A fruity, light cocktail, ideal for this time of year (although you may want to wait until the afternoon). You will need; Large brandy snifter Shaker 60ml light rum 20ml freshly squeezed lime 2 tsp grenadine 1 egg white Shake all the ingredients together firmly in the shaker and pour carefully into the brandy snifter.
WINE OF THE WEEK Domaine de Montredon Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc, France Yes, this week my choice of wine has to be a Picpoul. Crisp, clean and simply perfect with mussels or oysters, with a delicate nose of exotic fruit and white flowers, remarkably fresh acidity and just a hint of saltiness on the finish. You can try this at Poopdeck, Brixham’s seafood restaurant in south Devon. 37
RecipeHappyHour_Sept3indd.indd 37
26/08/2016 11:56:07
Drink Beer of the week You’ve heard of black IPA? Prepare to make more space in your beer styles handbook and welcome stout IPA, or double black IPA. Add to the list Verdant Brewing Co’s Uto (9.5%). It’s stout but hopped by a heavy handed lupulin addict. It should be a discord, like a cat strolling on piano keys; instead, it’s a symphony of wellbalanced rich dark malts and pungent, resinous hops.
Darren Norbury
talks beer east. Where would we be without it? We can’t see it, yet it’s all around. “It’s in the air,” as Kate Bush said in 1985. Oh to have been there on that historic day thousands of year ago when they discovered that liquid could be magically turned into something that made you very happy and would eventually cause you to fall over. Yeast very cleverly manages to take in sugars and excrete alcohol, while also making more yeast – an endless cycle! It’s like divine intervention, hence its name “Godisgood” during the days before yeast science was understood. Yeast was front of mind when I paid a visit to Verdant Brewing Company’s new brewhouse on the Tregonniggie Industrial Estate, Falmouth, recently. It was a hot summer afternoon and I could easily have been at a new-wave London brewery, such as Beavertown, such was the vibe. It was a real family occasion, with children and dogs running around, and a table tennis table set up. But the focus was, of course, on the beer. Verdant’s thing is American-style keg beers, and they’ve enjoyed great success with beers like
Y
THE FINNISH LINE Heard of Sahti beer? It’s a traditional Finnish style of rye beer and Totnes Brewing Co has come up with one of its own with juniper also in the recipe. Sounds delicious – I always think juniper is a great flavour in beer.
tropical fruit-noted pale ale Headband and juicy some one-off brews. IPA Bloom. But it was New England Pale which Flavours that yeast impart during the fermenwas intriguing me because of the yeast story tation process can vary hugely. Some are desirabehind it. While many brewers in the UK use a ble, some, like the cabbagey or butterscotch notes standard strain, such as Nottingham Ale Yeast from dimethyl sulphide and diacetyl respectivefor instance, Verdant experiments with more unly, not so. But a range of fruit flavours – such as usual strains, trying two in difapple, strawberry or banana – ferent brews of the same recipe, can manifest themselves, as can to compare and contrast. cough medicine hints, which I Yeast very While the yeasts Verdant are find sometimes pleasant in aged, cleverly manages using will arrive at their brewdarker beers. ery in packaging, up in SomYeast makes brewers into as to take in sugars erset, the Wild Beer Company much chemists as chefs, and and excrete harnesses the wild yeast that is various individuals’ expertise alcohol, while all around us. As a consequence, with these micro-organisms can their beers can have funky, make or break a good brew. For also making more sour, farmyard notes that wild instance, Guillermo Alvarez, yeast – an endless yeast delivers. Wild yeast, by its brewer at Electric Bear in Bath, nature, can’t be harnessed, so came to brewing via a yeast specycle! the beers have infinite variety. cialism, having worked in the lab At the other end of the specat St Austell at one time. His spetrum, St Austell Brewery mainciality is shining through in the tains and propagates its own strain of yeast, Electric Bear brews – well worth checking out. which is meticulously looked after to maintain Darren Norbury is editor of beertoday.co.uk consistency. Special yeast is used, however, in @beertoday
[[
FULL STEAM AHEAD Real ale and steam engines on the track. If that’s your sort of thing, then you need to get down to the Bodmin and Wenford Railway next weekend (September 9-11) for the Steam and Ale garden. You’ll find a range of beers on the platform.
38
Beer_Sept3.indd 38
26/08/2016 11:50:23
New This Autumn! Dorma Rose Toile Duvet set | Save 70%
THE W H AT ’ S O N F L AV E L BOX OFFICE 01803 839530 WWW.THEFLAVEL.ORG.UK THE FLAVEL FLAVEL PLACE DARTMOUTH DEVON TQ6 9ND
An intricate rose pattern printed with natural flowing floral motifs in creams and natural earthy tones 100% cotton 200 thread count. Set comprises duvet cover & pillowcase(s) RRP Our Price Single £100.00 £30.00 Double £130.00 £39.00 King £155.00 £46.50 Super King £180.00 £54.00 Bedspread 200x200 £250.00 £75.00 Cushion £40.00 £12.00
Padstow Bed Linen Set Save £5.00
Wild Poppies Bed Linen Set
Reversible Set comprises duvet cover & pillowcase(s) 60% Cotton 40% Polyester, for easy care, fully machine washable.
Reversible Set comprises duvet cover & pillowcase(s) 60% Cotton 40% Polyester, for easy care, fully machine washable. Our Price: single £12.99 | double £19.99 king £23.99
single double king
rrP £18.00 rrP £25.00 rrP £30.00
Our Price: £12.00 Our Price £20.00 Our Price £25.00
Robin Stripe & Noel Check, Brushed Cotton Duvet sets Save 50% Luxury 135gsm brushed cotton, perfect for the colder nights single double king
rrP £50.00 rrP £70.00 rrP £90.00
Our Price: £25.00 Our Price £35.00 Our Price £45.00
www.lawsonshop.co.uk Plymouth - tavistock - totnes - i vybridge
Untitled-3 3
©LW
30/08/2016 14:03:02
Enjoy
culture vulture Our guide to what’s on in the South West by woman-in-theknow Gracie Stewart Life on an ocean wave The International Ocean Film Festival showcases the world’s best films filmed above and below the surface of the sea. This extraordinary collection of short films documents the beauty and power of the ocean. Subjects covered include diving, kayaking, wild swimming, surfing - perfect viewing for any of us Westcountry folk who live for the sea’s salt spray. Catch the films at a special screening on Friday September 9, 7.30pm at the Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter, Devon. Tickets £13.50, call 01392 665938 or visit ww.oceanfilmfestival.co.uk.
Celebrating the Cornish lifestyle
Wild food, wild walk On Sunday September 11, wild food forager Emma Gunn invites you to join her on a wild food walk around The Lost Gardens of Heligan near Mevagissey in south east Cornwall. You’ll set out on a mini adventure to explore hedgerows, fields and ancient woodland borders, identifying the vast array of wild food growing in these different habitats along the way. Whether you are an experienced forager or a complete beginner, a food-lover or nature enthusiast, there will be something for everyone to enjoy (and eat!). Tickets £20, phone 01726 845100 to book
After the huge success of the first Cornwall Home and Lifestyle Show Interiors Market last year, this event is returning to Lemon Quay, Truro. The event hosts some of Cornwall’s best designers and suppliers. Stalls will include fine furniture, art, ceramics, soft furnishings and more. There are many unique items and a great variety of homewares for you to browse and take home. The event takes place on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 September. Visit www. cornwallhomeshow.co.uk to find out more.
40
Culture_Vulture_Sept3.indd 40
30/08/2016 11:40:06
of
SUMMER
CELEBRATIONS
dream shopping...
Untitled-3 2
30/08/2016 13:54:57
EATING OUT
I'll have the bacon jam, please On a boys' night out, Chris McGuire tries out a Devon deli/restaurant with a difference here are moments in life you never forget, like the first time you hear a classic song. I vividly remember listening to Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis at a friend’s house, when I should’ve been at college studying Shakespeare. Other vivid memories include my first time on a plane (I’m not a good flyer) and my first kiss (mind your own business). This week, I added a new memory to this canon of pivotal moments: the first time I ate bacon jam. That’s right, BACON JAM. It happened at The Pig and Pallet in Topsham, east Devon, and life hasn’t been the same since. I’d heard good things about this restaurant/ deli specialising in barbecued meats, so I booked a table. My partner and I decided that bringing our son – a small baby who loves to scream – wouldn’t be the fairest thing for other diners, so my next door neighbour joined me for a boys’ night out. We were to be cavemen – we both have beards, after all – enjoying a feast of meat. The restaurant has a very rustic feel. As the title hints, the interior is largely made from wooden pallets artfully engineered into distressed furniture. There was a time, before losing a large amount of weight, when I would
T
distress furniture just by sitting on it. The décor has a sense of humour, meat cleavers smashed into doors work as impromptu handles and luminous pigs give each table a candle-lit effect. Long communal benches foster an atmosphere of merriment, both welcoming and quite old fashioned, that hits you on arrival. Fellow diners were both men and women, from children to pensioners – far from the cavemen shovelling food down their necks that I’d expected. Our waitress bubbled with an enthusiasm that was infectious. She recommended one of the house specialities, a Tomahawk steak (£60). We flirted with the idea of sharing 30 ounces of prime rib meat, until we saw one arrive at an adjacent table. It was like something out of The Flintstones. So much for being cavemen, there was no way we could even contemplate eating that much. We went for something smaller, an idea which didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of our waitress. It was clear that, although the portions were large (very large), this wasn’t a Man vs. Food challenge. The food was too good for that. Far too good. Relieved we weren’t expected to grunt and wear over-sized bibs, my neighbour and I discussed his plans for a new conservatory as we ate a Sharing Meat Platter (£11) and BBQ’d Chicken Wings
42
Scoop_Sept3.indd 42
26/08/2016 11:24:12
Enjoy
with Bacon Jam (£7). That was when it happened. Bacon jam entered our lives. Both sweet and savoury, jammy and bacon-y. It was truly delicious. Paired with smoky chicken wings it was amazing. Paired with the meat platter it was amazing. Eaten on its own (with a spoon) it was amazing too. All the meat served at The Pig and Pallet is all made in house, sausages, pastrami, bacon, chorizo, terrines… did I mention the bacon jam? The meat is sourced from a small number of farms, and their own pigs, something the founders are rightly proud of. All this deliciousness was washed down with local drinks, Blueberry Bros’ Heaven’s Gate cider (£3.50) for my co-diner and Powderkeg’s Cut Loose for me (£3.50) which married perfectly with the smokiness of the food. As the main course arrived I experienced both joy and sadness. Joy at the vast array of meats in the Smoked BBQ Meat Platter (£25), sadness that I didn’t know where I was going to put it all. Soon we fell silent, working our way through pork ribs, smoked beef and the best pulled pork I’ve ever tasted. The Pig and Pallet caters for vegetarians too. Their Herbivore burger featuring smoked halloumi was, I was assured, delicious, while the falafel burger is co-owner Steve Williams’ favourite thing on the menu. When the dessert menu was introduced I waved a piece of white kitchen towel in surrender – each table gets a roll in lieu of napkins. There were desserts that looked suitably tasty, but how anyone ever has the room to eat them is totally beyond me. To sum up, The Pig and Pallet’s ambience was fun and service great but it was the food that blew me away. The portions may have been big, but the tastes were even bigger. I’ll be back to The Pig and Pallet soon, if only to convince the chef to give me a large jar of bacon jam. The Pig and Pallet, Unit 10 Topsham Quay, EX3 0JB, Topsham. Devon.
Eaten on its own, with a spoon, the bacon jam was amazing
How they scored... Food Atmosphere Service Price
A meal for two (without dessert) was £57
43
Scoop_Sept3.indd 43
26/08/2016 11:25:55
MAIN PICTURE: MARY NEALE
Garrow Tor, Bodmin moor
My favourite:
My Secret Westcountry Chris Knight Chris Knight is curator and PR manager at St Austell Brewery, Cornwall. He grew up in Cornwall and lives in St Austell with his wife Chrissie and their children Callum, ten, and twins Merryn and Mathilde, eight.
Walk: Discovering the nooks and crannies of Cornwall is my favourite pastime and one of the walks that best represents Cornwall for me starts just by the De Lank waterworks up on Bodmin Moor. It starts on open moorland, cuts through a small swathe of trees, crosses a river, takes in an Iron Age village, a hidden cottage retreat, the heights of Garrow Tor, a medieval pound and some of the most breathtaking views of Brown Willy en route. I’m sure you can glimpse the sea in the distance as well, which completes the story of my fantastic homeland. Place to eat: With three small children, get-
possible in my family and one weekend a year we treat ourselves to the Dartmoor Folk Festival up in South Zeal. Usually the second weekend in August, the weather is never guaranteed but it’s a small festival of fun and music with plenty for the children to get involved in and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
View: Without the doubt the view from the top of Helman Tor across Cornwall in any direction you choose. Roche Rock to the west reminds me of my childhood, finding all the different ways of getting to the top without using the ladder. I think 36 was the last count – of course it was all properly risk assessed in advance!
ting out at all is a bonus, but just across the road from where we live is our favourite eating place – the New Taj. Bring your own bottle(s) and enjoy some of the finest Indian cuisine in Cornwall. Relaxed atmosphere, really friendly staff and we’re only two minutes from home if we get a call from the babysitter. Which means we can sort out any issues and still be back for the main course.
Pub: A tale of two Rashleighs – the Charlestown version is our local – a fabulous pub run by good friends with fine food and ale. The Polkerris Rashleigh Arms comes into its own on summer and winter evenings – a beautifully unspoilt location for watching sunsets and stormy skies.
Weekend escape: We all love camping and
Food: I wish I could offer up something exotic
getting out into the countryside as much as
here but I’m a traditionalist at heart. I always
44
MSW_Sept3.indd 44
26/08/2016 11:29:56
People
Roche Rock
Bodmin moor
The Rashleigh Arms, Charlestown
peruse the menu with enthusiasm but, much to the amusement of my fellow diners, always come back to ham, egg and chips! That said, I always sample the cheesy chips in any new establishment and I’m planning a blog comparing the best and worst across the county – watch this space!
Drink: Working at the brewery it’s impossible to choose a favourite drink because there are new flavours of ale coming out every week and they all taste great! Tribute is always a winner and a shandy option is a treat after sporting activities. For winter evenings Mena Dhu stout goes down beautifully and on special occasions I might even wash it down with a glass or two of Irish whiskey – all consumed very responsibly, of course.
Secret place: Having grown up in Cornwall there are still many special secret places I know of around St Austell, but right now the best one has to be our back garden. You wouldn’t know it existed from the front of the house but it is home to regular, nail-biting world cup finals, exciting European trampoline championships, ruthless and bloody tree-house assaults, free-range rabbits…and the occasional barbecue or two. 45
MSW_Sept3.indd 45
26/08/2016 11:30:39
My life
Chris Mcguire
Gullible? Me? This week, Chris McGuire has a close encounter of a feathered kind he black eyes looked at me, unblinksequel I felt sorry for the shark. I’ve never felt ing. There was something dead sorry for a seagull. about them or at least they revealed I’ve had two run-ins with this most malign of nothing of what their owner was creatures this week. The first encounter inthinking. I might have been staring volved a pasty. My pasty. I was minding my at lumps of coal. own business, on a bench eating a hot savoury, “Don’t you…” I began. when I suddenly found myself face to face But before “…dare!” could leave my lips, with a seagull. The bird squawked in the head jerked forward and a razor-like beak a sinister fashion and pecked in the snapped. The seagull triumphantly tilted its head direction of my face. With ninjain my direction, then, work done, it beat its wings like reflexes I lifted my hands to and took off – the purloined ice cream cone in its protect my features, making sure mouth. Leaving me with nothing but the increasI didn’t drop the pasty – I’m no ingly shrill cries of the toddler amateur when whose treat had been so cruelly it comes to eating stolen. Yes, this week I learned the things. But it With ninja-like that there are very few things on was the second reflexes I lifted this planet I dislike more than attack, from my my hands to seagulls. left, that got As a child, Jaws was one of me. I’d been protect my those films I hid behind the ambushed – features, making sofa to watch. I’d dare myself to Jurassic snatch glimpses of the scary (and P a r k sure I didn’t drop simultaneously ridiculous) monraptor the pasty. I’m no ster shark. Yet, as the increasingstyle. amateur ly leaden sequels piled up – like S t a rkaraoke versions of the original tled, I – one thing began to grate with me. Was the villain of the piece actually evil? dropped my precious Surely the shark just did what came naturally? pasty. They flew off Even if ‘what came naturally’ included eating with their spoils. As I unsuspecting swimmers. I concluded that no said, they’re evil. Pure animal, including sharks, is evil. They just occaand simple. sionally do antisocial things like eat people when As we know with they’re hungry. horror films, there’s I reached this conclusion long before I lived by always a sequel. Just the sea. Yet since my move west, I’ve discovered when I thought it was safe there is an exception to every rule: in this case to head back outside, I had it’s the seagull. Seagulls aren’t like other ania second encounter of the mals. They are malignant, plotting, conniving, bird kind. I was out with some nasty creatures. Seagulls are a thumping headfriends and their young daughache in bird form, serving no purpose other than ter when the aforementioned ice causing chaos – which they love. By the 2nd Jaws cream theft occurred. Truly despi-
T
[[
cable. The shark would never have stooped so low as to steal a cornet. You’ll be glad to know I’ve come up with a plan to defeat the winged menace. My latest Dragon’s Den idea: The Seagull Pasty. I can’t claim it’ll be tasty, but I’d eat one every day if it means defeating this menace. Oh yes, the birds may have won the battles just lately but with the Seagull Pasty I’m sure to win the war. Chris McGuire is a writer who recently moved to the Westcountry. Never come between him and a pasty @McGuireski
NEXT WEEK: Phil Goodwin on love, life and parenthood in the South West 46
ChrisM_Sept3.indd 46
26/08/2016 14:35:46
Untitled-3 5
30/08/2016 14:01:04
ESCAPE TO THE
DRIF T WO O D S PARS
T H E B R E W E RY, PUB AND B&B BY THE SE A
WE H AV E I T A L L ! A wonderful restaurant and even our own micro brewery! A seafood takeaway, the pub which hosts a range of live music, wedding and conference facilities. WONDERFUL SEA FRONT LOCATION IN THE HEART OF ST AGNES.
W W W. D R I F T W O O D S PA R S . C O . U K Trevaunance Cove, Saint Agnes, TR5 0RT For reservations and bookings call:
01872 552428
Untitled-3 6
30/08/2016 14:00:36