Plymouth Magazine July 2015

PLYMOUTH’S BIGGEST MONTHLY CIRCULATION MAGAZINE - 46,000 COPIES

plymouth magazine the

ISSUE 133 JULY 2015

Pizza the action for Lesley Looe Music Festival line up Latest property news What’s On guide WIN A FOODIE BREAK AT THE MOORLAND GARDEN HOTEL - SEE INSIDE

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MMER EVENTS

Hundreds of businesses, schools, churches and other organisations regularly donate food which provides a real lifeline for individuals and families who may have fallen on hard times.

Plymouth Foodbank is based at the Oasis Centre in Stonehouse and it was great to hear that Maria Mills, who manages the centre, was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

The recognition that Maria has received is richly deserved and she has credited the award to the committed team at the Oasis Centre and the support of the community.

You can read about Maria’s award on page 6 of this issue.

The website Trip Advisor recognises the quality of hotels, restaurants and other eateries based on reviews by customers - and many of the restaurants in the city that have been top of Trip Advisor’s chart in the past have been featured in this magazine.

We’re delighted to report on two eateries in this issue which are currently in first and second place on Trip Advisor. It may come as something of a surprise that they are not five-star restaurants run by big-name chefs - but two small cafes run by enthusiastic proprietors who are serving authentic dishes from Thailand, the Caribbean and Africa.

You can read about them on pages 15 to 17 of this issue. By all accounts the food they serve is sensational!

July and August are traditionally big months in Plymouth for major events and this year is no exception. Major attractions coming up include Plymouth Regatta, MTV Crashes Plymouth, the British Fireworks Championships and Flavour Fest.

We have details on these and many other events in our big What’s On guide which we know is one of the most popular parts of the magazine. Enjoy!

Publishers: Chris Girdler and Ian Pilkington Editor: Debbie Girdler Designers: Sven Lauch, Diana Mazuru and Naomi Girdler Photography: Roy Perring and Laura Joint Contributors: Anthony Goord; Fiona Newton; Derek Anderson; Laura Joint; Anthony Goord; Roy Perring Advertising sales: Sarah Simpson, Tendai Chetse, Dave Simpson and Magarita McKenna Distribution: Tony Hodges Finance: Karen Pilkington and Kim Craig Front cover: Kaskelot a three-masted barque and one of the largest remaining wooden ships in commission pictured moored in the Barbican. Photograph by Plymouth Magazine photographer Roy Perring.

Contacts: Editorial Tel: 01752 225623 e-mail: chris@cornerstonevision.com Advertising Tel: 01752 225623 e-mail: karen@cornerstonevision.com

The views expressed in the plymouth magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers.

Every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of all information contained in this magazine. However, the publishers do not accept any liability for any advice or information included in the magazine.

The Plymouth Magazine is distributed free to 44,000 homes across Plymouth each month, with a further 2,000 copies strategically placed in leisure and retail outlets in Plymouth, Saltash and other locations.

Published by Cornerstone Vision, 28 Old Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth PL3 4PY Tel 01752 225623 Fax 01752 673441 e-mail info@cornerstonevision.com web: www.cornerstonevision.com

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CONTENTS JULY 2015 EDITION

PIZZA THE ACTION

8

15

Lesley Bunce has travelled the world and run a whole range of businesses.

Now she is putting her energies into a new catering concept in the city

TASTY TREATS

Anthony and Rita Latimer are celebrating being voted the No 1 eatery in Plymouth by customers on the Trip Advisor website

LOFTY AMBITIONS

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Laura Joint meets Tim and Lindsay Brown who have been helping homeowners to create more space with their Access4Lofts business

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SALON SUCCESS

Beauty therapist Olwyn Friday’s business has gone from strength to strength since she opened a salon in Glenholt six years ago

WHAT’S ON

Our comprehensive What’s On section has details of all the events coming up in the Plymouth area over the next few weeks

CREATING A BUZZ

60

Derek Anderson and Fiona Newton of Plymouth Garden Centre with advice on the best plants to attract bees and butterflies to your garden

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CHARITY MATTERS

Maria puts her MBE award down to community spirit and team work

A Plymouth woman has dedicated the MBE she received in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in June to the people she works alongside, saying it's deserved recognition for what they all do for the local community.

English and Maths lessons, English for speakers of other languages, computer classes and home cooking.”

Before joining the Oasis Project, Maria worked at Sainsbury at Marsh Mills, where her final role was in the restaurant.

And for 18 years, she helped cook a church-organised lunch Maria Mills is manager at The Oasis Project in Manor on Christmas Day for up to 100 people. Now, she’s using Street, Stonehouse, and was one of the driving forces behind her cooking skills to teach people how to make healthy and bringing the Trussell Trust Food Bank to the centre seven economical meals: “Some of the young parents who come to years ago. the classes don’t have saucepans at home and have never Since Maria became project manager in 2007 the centre made pastry before. They love learning how to cook and are has grown from just three volunteers to 72. There are also amazed at how much money they can save.” five staff and Maria said: “There is no ‘i’ in team Maria, outside the Oasis Project The supported volunteering at the Project has and everything that is achieved is achieved as resulted in some big success stories, including the result of team effort.” a talented young chef who was able to The first thing Maria knew about the MBE was overcome schizophrenia to gain the confidence when a letter arrived at her house earlier this and experience to find employment, and a year: “It said ‘you’ve been nominated for an MBE, painter and decorator who is now setting up his would you be happy to accept it?’ I had to think own business after helping out at the centre. of it for all of 30 seconds! It’s quite humbling to “This is what I really love about the job,” said discover that people you are in service with Maria. “It’s about encouraging people to find think that you are worthy of recognition.” out what they can be. And it’s great, seeing Maria was nominated by Oasis project people grow.” coordinator Eunice Halliday, who herself received The decision to open the food bank at the an OBE last year. Maria's award for 'continuing centre followed a trip to a conference in London services for the people of Plymouth' also when Maria and Eunice heard a talk by Jeremy recognises the work she does for the United Ravn of the Trussell Trust: “We listened to him Reformed Church in St Levan Road, where she and we wondered if there might be a need for has been leader since 2008. a food bank in Plymouth,” said Maria. “So we But it’s for her work at the Oasis Project that came back and did some research with the help she’s best known. Since Maria was appointed the centre of student placements and the overwhelming response was has become a hub of the local community, with a busy café, ‘yes, there is a need’. education classes, an art group, free internet access and a “In the first year, 994 people used the food bank and it has Job Club. It also offers supported volunteering as a skillsgrown and grown since then. In the year between September building opportunity and a step on the employment ladder.

2013 and August last year, 7,500 people used it. It’s such a “We wanted to throw the doors open to everybody and we shame because we’d rather that there was no need for it. wanted to create an environment that was non-judgmental We’re hoping that we’re just seeing a plateau now because and protective, where everyone can feel safe,” said Maria. the numbers have been similar in the past two years whereas “People who come in say there is such a nice atmosphere. We in the years before, we were seeing double figure increases. used to get 10-12 people in the café a week; now it’s over 100 It would be nice to think that things were beginning to look a and once they come in they can find out about all the other bit better.” things that go on here.”

Maria works at the Project five days a week and much of her Maria said that involving locals has been key to the weekends are spent helping out at the church. She says she Project’s success: “We asked around to find out what people wouldn’t have it any other way: “It’s fantastic! And to be given wanted and they said ‘education’. So we have introduced an award for doing what I love doing is the icing on the cake.”

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

Advertorial

It’s best foot forward for chiropodist Rosemary - thanks to Foot Solutions Chiropodist Rosemary Reynolds turned to Foot Solutions when she suffered excruciating pain in her left foot which severely affected her walking and driving.

As a highly qualified and experienced chiropodist Rosemary visits patients in their own homes in the Torbay area - but the pain in her foot was threatening her work.

“It all started in August 2014,” said Rosemary, “when I developed a very painful and sore area in the heel of my left foot. Somewhat foolishly I carried on working, but the pain just got worse and worse.

“I have to walk and drive a lot in my job and the condition was causing me serious problems.”

Rosemary diagnosed her own problem as a condition known as plantar fasciitis - which affects around 10 per cent of the population, mainly those over 40 years old.

It is caused by an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a strong band of tissue like a ligament - that stretches from the heel to the middle foot bones. It supports the arch of the foot and also acts as a shock absorber.

“My condition had been caused by walking on lots of different surfaces and also carrying my heavy equipment

everywhere,” said Rosemary.

Rosemary had physio and foot massages to ease the pain, but the prognosis was that it would require a lot of treatment and rest for at least a year to ease the symptoms.

“This wasn’t an option and I knew that orthotic supports would probably help ease the problem and when I researched the subject I discovered that Foot Solutions in Plymouth were the experts in this area.

“I spoke to them on the phone and booked an appointment - and from the very first contact I found the Foot Solutions team to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable.”

By then Rosemary was also suffering pain in her leg and back and was finding it increasingly difficult to walk.

When Rosemary visited the Foot Solutions store in Royal Parade she was served by Kate, who carried out a full computerised assessment and recommended bespoke arch supports for Rosemary.

“She also showed me some shoes called Stretch Walkers which were certainly not the style I would normally wear. However, Kate assured me that they would help ease the pain so I tried them on. The effect was immediate and to my delight I found I could walk again without pain.”

Her bespoke arch supports arrived a couple of weeks later and Rosemary’s condition continued to improve, to the extent that she could start driving again.

Rosemary has since purchased more sets of bespoke arch supports and a number of pairs of shoes from Foot Solutions. “I have shoes for every occasion, whether it’s work or pleasure or for just around the home,” she said.

“I am now 98 per cent pain free thanks to Foot Solutions and my life is back to normal again. The pain in my back which actually started before the problem with my foot - has also gone away.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the customer service which Foot Solutions provide. The after-care is fantastic and I was able to speak to Kate on the phone whenever I needed advice or guidance.”

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WOMEN AT WORK

It’s a family thing as Lesley gets a pizza the action Lesley Bunce wanders around Plymouth city centre’s newest eatery, checking to see that everything is spick and span and that everyone is happy. The Slice A Pizza restaurant and takeaway in the Armada Shopping Centre is the latest venture in an international culinary journey that has taken her from Plymouth to Africa, America, Spain and Italy and back again.

Lesley Bunce

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

For Lesley, entering the food industry seemed the natural thing to do. Her grandfather, Frank Bunce, was a fisherman before the war and her mother, Audrey, had shops at either end of Looe Street: “My granddad was very well known – everyone knew him,” said Lesley. “It wasn’t a surprise he became a fisherman because our family lived on the Barbican. He’d land his catch and it would be sent straight up to communities on Dartmoor.

“My mother had a grocery at the top of Looe Street and an 8-bed B&B at the bottom, together with a bakery. She used the ovens to make bread for all the neighbours, but she lost everything in the blitz. You could say that I’m the third generation from my family to be helping to feed the people of Plymouth!”

Lesley was 19 when she left Plymouth at the start of her travels. She ran a number of bars and restaurants in London and abroad before settling in the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam on the east coast of Africa: “That was amazing. I had a restaurant called Smokie’s Tavern, which specialised in seafood. We did the catering for quite a lot of embassies so we hosted ambassadors and presidents. I loved it there and I still go back to Tanzania once or twice a year.”

Lesley returned home to Plymouth in 2005, and it was perfect timing: “An opportunity arose that I just couldn’t turn down. The oldest pub in Plymouth, The Minerva, came up for sale – and it’s in the middle of Looe Street. I thought ‘well, mum had a place at the top and the bottom so it’s only right that I should get a place in the middle’.

“My partner, Malkolm, was running Casey’s pub in Devonport at the time so we had two pubs on the go. I’d only been back for three weeks when mum passed away. It was quite something to be working in the street where she had such a history and I felt she was there with me.”

Lesley and Malkolm also bought the Swan Inn in Noss Mayo before leaving the pub industry for good to focus on food outlets. As well as Slice A Pizza, they also have the franchise of the Oggy Oggy Pasty shop in Armada Way. So what sparked the idea for Slice A Pizza? “Because I love pizza, always have done!” said Lesley. “But when I went to live in Florence a few years ago, just for some time out, that’s when my passion really kicked in.

“The only thing is that I don’t necessarily want a whole

WOMEN AT WORK

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Could you be a Shared Lives carer? pizza of the same type and I’ve always liked the idea that you can buy a slice of pizza. You can do that in America and Italy but there was no-one doing it here. At Slice a Pizza you can buy a single slice from a selection of up to a dozen fresh made pizzas or even create your own. Our unique selling point is that people can buy a slice of pizza for a pound.”

The restaurant opened its door in late February. There’s seating inside and in the area between the restaurant and Wilkos opposite, as well as a takeaway option. “We wanted to open it here as we want to support the regeneration of this side of town,” said Lesley.

“We’re also supporting local businesses. Il Capriccio in Frankfort Gate supplies our pizza dough fresh every day and we use as much local fresh veg on our toppings as possible.

We’re also very proud to be sponsoring Plymouth Raiders’ mascot, Foxy.”

Lesley is hoping this is just the first of many Slice A Pizzas and that one day, it will be a national chain: “My dream is for Slice A Pizza to become a franchise so that there’s one in towns and cities across the country. Our model is based on sustainability – we have a zero landfill policy so that everything is recyclable and it’s something that I think will attract like-minded entrepreneurs.”

So what’s Lesley’s favourite pizza? “It has always been goat’s cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, but I’m now acquiring a taste for our BBQ chicken and BBQ pork pizzas!”

Slice A Pizza is open seven days a week, 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm on Sundays. Check the website, Facebook page and Twitter updates for special offers. You can also catch the team at Plymouth Flavour Fest in the Piazza on 14-16 August.

••

Slice A Pizza, Armada Shopping Centre, Mayflower Street, Plymouth PL1 1LE. www.slice-a-pizza.co.uk info@slice-a-pizza.co.uk 01752 227567

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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BUSINESS MATTERS Olwyn Friday at work

Beauty of success for Olwyn as salon move pays off Beauty therapist Olwyn Friday is celebrating an amazing three years which has seen her business boom and staffing doubled since she opened her Revive Beauty salon in 2012.

Pemros 190x133_afraid of the dentist 21/01/2014 13:42 Page 1

The salon in St Anne’s Road, Glenholt, now has a team of six and Olwyn has just introduced extended opening hours to keep up with its increasing popularity.

The success justifies Olwyn’s decision to open the salon after six years of running the business from home: “It’s been absolutely incredible,” said Olwyn, who switched from nursing to retrain as a beauty therapist. “The response has been unbelievable.

“Moving here was a bit nerve-wracking at first but we’ve just been growing and growing. People comment on the friendly, non-intimidating atmosphere and that they’re made to feel at home, which is lovely.

“We changed our opening times at the start of June so that we’re now open six days a week, with an earlier opening time of 9am and on Thursdays, we’re open until 8pm. The success

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

means I’ve been able to take on more staff. There were three of us when we started and now there are six, including three who have come through our apprenticeship scheme which I am particularly pleased about.”

The salon recently launched an online booking service and a new-look website was due to be unveiled just as this edition of the Plymouth Magazine was going to press. And, with new concepts and products being introduced all the time in the beauty industry, Olwyn says she and her team are being kept busier than ever this summer: “The key is to keep on top of everything that’s happening and to pick what’s right for our clientele so that we are offering the best of what’s out there.”

Among the new arrivals is the Spa Find range, which uses natural salt crystals from the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea. The salts contain 21 beneficial minerals and Olwyn says they’re going down a treat with clients: “Because the minerals are absorbed into the blood stream, they effect change from within. People tell us that they can see and feel a noticeable difference in their skin.”

With the holiday season upon us, customers are also looking for some natural assistance when it comes to boosting their tans: “Salt brushing is really popular at the moment,” explained Olwyn. “It’s exfoliating and hydrating and if you do it before going into the sun, it makes your tan last longer. It’s great before and after a holiday and cranberry salt brushing is also anti-aging.”

When the Plymouth Magazine visited Olwyn, the Revive Beauty team were preparing for a busy weekend of weddings and proms. The salon offers a range of packages for these special occasions – including coming to you on your big day.

“Brides and bridesmaids can come here for their spray tans and nail treatment a day or two before the wedding and then on the day itself we can come to the venue to do their makeup,” said Olwyn.

Olwyn at her team at Revive Beauty

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Visit the Revive Beauty website for information and special offers, which can also be found on the Facebook page.

Permanent offers include a 10% discount for customers booking three treatments together and a 15% discount for over-60s on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

••

Revive Beauty 1, St Anne’s Road, Glenholt, Plymouth PL6 7LW www.revivebeauty.net 01752 787327 revivebeauty.info@gmail.com www.facebook.com/ glenholt.plymouth

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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PLYMOUTH MATTERS

Plymouth pair head for Special Olympics in Los Angeles Steven Dodd in training on the Tamar at Saltash

Two athletes from Plymouth are jetting off to Los Angeles in July to represent Great Britain in the Special Olympics.

Steven with one of his sponsored T-shirts

club and they have seen it grow dramatically in the past three years - and achieve significant success.

Maureen said: “We are absolutely delighted that Steven and Steven Dodd from Crownhill will be competing in sprint Elizabeth have been selected to represent Great Britain. We kayaking events - even though he only took up the sport wish them the very best of luck.” two years ago - while 23-year-old Elizabeth Haywood from The club started with less than a dozen members and now St Jude’s will be taking part in badminton doubles and mixed more than 60 regularly attend sessions every week. doubles events.

Members of the club have achieved medal-winning success Steven, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, and Elizabeth who in a range of sports at regional and national level and Steven has Down’s Syndrome, will be part of a 115-strong team and Elizabeth’s selection has come as the icing on the cake. representing GB in the Special Olympics World Summer The Special Olympics Movement is the ‘third arm’ of the Games which open on July 25 and continue until Olympics organisation, along with the Olympics August 2. and Paralympics, and is dedicated to enhancing The 2015 Games will feature competitions in the lives of those with an Intellectual disability aquatics, gymnastics, track and field, basketball, through training and competition in numerous football and many other summer sports involving sporting disciplines, in both summer and winter 7,000 athletes from over 170 countries with sports. intellectual disabilities.

Steven has been trained for the last two years The athletes will compete in 28 sports - 21 of

by Brian Day, founder of the Tamar Canoeing which are Olympic type sports. There will be an Association. He is now an official kayaking coach expected 500,000 spectators and around 30,000 for Team GB. volunteers at the event.

Brian said: “Steven will have to compete Elizabeth is a relative newcomer to badminton against competitors who are a lot younger than too, having started to play just three years ago. him, but he has already achieved Gold Medals Her natural ability and co-ordination was in National Time Trials in the UK and has been spotted by a badminton coach who encouraged training really hard for the Special Olympics.” her to take up the sport.

Steven’s interest in kayaking was sparked Elizabeth’s mum Elaine said: “She has always by his love of films featuring Special Forces enjoyed bat and ball games and we are absolutely personnel, who often use kayaks in cloak-andthrilled that she has been chosen to represent GB.” Steven Dodd in action on the dagger missions.

The pair will be given a VIP civic send-off when Tamar and (below) with coach His first big challenge was a 24 hour sponsored they leave Plymouth by train on July 20 and will Brian Day kayaking marathon on the Tamar to attend a garden party at the American raise funds for Hope Baptist Church.

Embassy in London before flying out of Steven has come up with an Heathrow. innovative way of raising funds towards Steven and Elizabeth are both the cost of travelling to Los Angeles. members of the Special Olympics He has organised T-shirts featuring a Plymouth and District club which meets photo of him training and sold them to every Wednesday at the YMCA in friends and other contacts not only in Honicknowle Lane. the UK, but also all around the world.

Steven and Elizabeth’s selection is a He even wrote to the Queen on major achievement for the Plymouth behalf of himself and Elizabeth - and Special Olympics club - which was only received a reply wishing them every formed in 2011. success in their endeavours. He has Alan and Maureen Stockdale from also contacted NASA and the MI5 to Plymstock were the founders of the persuade them to buy T-shirts!

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

Advertorial

Putting a smile on the faces of Plymouth Plymouth’s Armada Dental Practice and Beautiful Smiles Denture Clinic have joined forces to put a smile on people’s faces in Plymouth.

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Armada Dental Practice

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Nick offers a free 45 minute initial consultation during which he explains all options available and an estimate of costs involved.

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Beautiful Smiles Denture Clinic 14 Greenbank Avenue, Plymouth 01752 662986 www.replacementdentures.co.uk

FOOD MATTERS

Sydney Guest House

Are you looking for a home from home for relatives and friends over the summer? l Lyn Dew welcomes you to her family oriented and user friendly guest house which has been recently refurbished. l Minutes away from the train station and the town centre.

l Rooms in her beautiful Victorian property are very spacious and have full facilities. l Healthy Continental Breakfast served with fresh farm eggs. l Tariffs starting at £50 per person

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01752 266541

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

Recipe of the month Sponsored by Riverford Organic

Plum glazed pork steaks with pak choi and jasmine rice Preparation and cooking time 25 minutes. Serves 2 Equipment needed: saucepan, one with a lid; small bowl or cup; frying pan, kitchen paper These pork steaks are so quick to cook; glazing them with a little plum and rice vinegar seasoning adds an extra flavour that marries well with the stir fried pak choi and aromatic rice.

Star anise is a pretty spice to use. It imparts an aniseed flavour. √√ 150g jasmine rice √√ 4 star anise √√ 2 pak choi 1 red chilli √√ 25g ginger √√ 1 garlic clove √√ 1 tablespoon plum spread – Meridian sugar-free √√ 1 teaspoon brown rice vinegar √√ 4 x thin boneless pork steaks 300g √√ oil for frying e.g, sunflower* √√ 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon soy sauce Put the rice in a saucepan. Add the star anise and a good pinch of salt. Cover with 500ml water. Bring to the boil, cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 10 mins. Meanwhile, wash the pak choi. Cut into quarters, through the core to hold them together. Wash and slice the chilli into thin rounds. Peel the ginger and finely grate. Peel and finely chop, grate or crush 1 garlic clove. Mix the plum spread and rice vinegar in a small bowl or cup. Use your fingers to thinly spread the mixture over both sides of the pork. Once the rice has boiled for 10 mins, remove it from the heat, keep it covered and leave to stand for five mins. After five mins, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a frying pan.

When hot, add the pork and fry for 2 mins on each side. It might smell like it’s burning a little; it’s the plum spread caramelising slightly and this is what you want. When you turn it you should have some colour on the pork. Remove the pork to a plate once cooked. Wipe out the pan with some kitchen paper. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in the same pan. Add the pak choi, chilli, ginger and garlic.

Stir-fry for 1 min. Add a splash (approx. 3 tbsp) water. Cook for 1 min. Add the sesame oil and soy. Take off the heat.

Remove the star anise from the rice. Serve the rice with the pork, drizzled with any meaty juices from the plate, and the pak choi.

••

For more information and recipes contact Liz Ede at www.riverford.co.uk/sacrewell

FOOD MATTERS

Exotic tastes tops with city diners Plymouth boasts some big name chefs and top class restaurants - but according to the website Trip Advisor the city's top two eateries might raise some eyebrows.

the intriguing name of Boon-Tang-Dha. The Afro Caribbean Pot is run by Rita and Anthony Latimer (pictured above) and can only serve around a dozen customers at a time who sit at stools around the tiny diner.

Anthony has a Jamaican heritage while Rita hails from Ghana and they met just over 10 years ago while both of them were working together in the same kitchen in the West African country.

• continued on next page

At the time of going to press the No 1 spot on Trip Advisor was occupied by the Afro Caribbean Pot - a small eatery based in the City Market in Plymouth's West End. Meanwhile the No 2 position was filled by a Thai cafe and takeaway in Exeter Street with

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01752 771529 The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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FOOD MATTERS • continued on next page They have both cooked traditional Caribbean and African dishes from an early age and have used their cooking skills to great effect since moving to the West Country in 2007.

The couple live in Millbrook on the Rame Peninsula and have run a takeaway in the village since 2011, as well as an outside catering business for weddings, parties and other functions.

The outlet in the City Market had previously operated as the Chilli Shack prior to Anthony and Rita taking it over in December 2013.

"We had looked at it several times before," said Anthony, "and when it suddenly became available we signed the papers and literally moved in the next day."

Since opening, the Afro Caribbean Pot has built up a loyal customer base, many of whom take the opportunity to enjoy lunch there.

Rita said: "We create fresh, fragrant and exotic dishes with

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

the aim of serving mouthwatering food.

"We pride ourselves on producing dishes to suit each customer's taste - and the first question we always ask is 'how hot do you like it?'.

They have quickly established a reputation for the quality of the traditional Caribbean and African dishes. The menu features an extensive range of meat, fish and vegetarian curries and stews with favourites including jerk chicken, Ghanaian stew and Jamaican fish and sweet potato curry.

Side dishes include egg fried rice, jollof rice and rice and peas with nibbles such as fried plantain, yam chips and yam balls also on the menu. Prices start from as little as £5.30. The eatery is open from 9.30am to 5pm Mondays to Saturdays.

It is so busy at lunchtime that customers are arriving as early as 11.30am to avoid disappointment.

Anthony said: "It's been a lot of hard work, but it makes it all worthwhile when you find yourselves at No 1 on Trip Advisor.

"We have had some fantastic reviews and we're delighted that our food is so popular."

What customers say: “Great place to go for a bite to eat on your lunch. Great selection of food, and very friendly staff. The jerk chicken is awesome” “Excellent market authentic eatery lovely fresh tasty food prepared in front of you by pleasant smiley people. Great value well worth trying.”

“There is only one bad thing about this place and that is that I spend so much money here now! Food is amazing, service is great without a doubt my favourite place to eat in the city. I find it amazing that even though they have no competition in the city they still keep their standards to the highest..If you haven’t eaten here I strongly recommend you try it.”

••

Afro-Caribbean Pot, Plymouth City Market Tel 07939 995510 www.afro-caribbeanpot.co.uk

FOOD MATTERS Boon-Tong-Dha is run by the delightful Thai proprietor Pointidha who is known more familiarly as 'Boot.'

She has worked at a number of Thai eateries since coming to Plymouth around 12 years ago and always wanted to open her own Thai cafe and takeaway.

When the opportunity arose to take over a former cafe in Exeter Street, her husband Steve Wright encouraged her to take the plunge.

"We completely refurbished the premises," said Steve, "with a completely new kitchen and eating area. We opened towards the end of September 2014 and the business has been growing steadily ever since.

"It's extremely Thai Green chicken curry is a big favourite at popular as a Boon-Tong-Dha takeaway, but we also have a small dining area which is attracting more and more eat-in customers, particularly in the evenings."

The unusual name was recommended by Thai monks who Boot consulted when she decided that she wanted to start her own business.

Steve explained: "The monks chose the name and said that Boot's business would prosper by using it. The name comes from her father and mother and also the family surname. She runs the eatery in the style of a traditional Thai cafe - which is something she always wanted to do.

"She has built the business through sheer hard work and deserves all the success that she has achieved," he added.

Boot prepares every dish fresh to order and is delighted with her position on Trip Advisor. She said: "I didn't know anything about Trip Advisor until some customers told me that I was getting excellent reviews. I am so pleased that people like my food so much."

The extensive Thai menu offers an extensive selection of starters and soups as well as stir fried Pointidha - busy in the kitchen dishes, Thai green, red and yellow curries and the ever-popular Pad Thai. The menu is very competitively priced with curries starting at £4.50, noodle dishes from £5.30 and stir fried choices from £4.20.

The eatery is open from 12 noon to 11pm seven days a week, with a takeaway service from 5pm onwards. A delivery service is available, subject to a surcharge.

What customers say: “Discovered this little gem through Trip Advisor. We went in for lunch on a Saturday. The food is absolutely delicious and the owner was so nice and friendly. We will definitely be going back for more awesome food and hospitality oh, and not forgetting great value.”

“Fresh food with a great quality and really tasty! If you are not sure about Thai food try this, you can choose how spicy do you want it and it is just awesome!. Service great and you can even see the kitchen from the lounge! We are going back soon or even ordering takeaway! Amazing prices.. what else can you ask for?

••

Boon-Thong-Dha, 186 Exeter Street, Plymouth Tel 01752 221500.

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WHAT’S ON The Lyric Royal Parade Plymouth Box Office 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com Until July 4 DIRTY DANCING Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story on Stage is an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensationally sexy dancing. Seen by millions across the globe, this worldwide smash-hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.

July 7- July 18 THE BODYGUARD The award-winning musical based on the blockbuster film, is heading to Theatre Royal starring Alexandra Burke as Rachel Marron.

Direct from its smash-hit West End run, the show is coming to Theatre Royal Plymouth for two weeks only! Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker.

Each expects to be in charge – what they don’t expect is to fall in love.

July 23 - 25 U.DANCE 2015 Taking place in the South West region for the very first time, Youth Dance England in partnership with Plymouth Dance present U.Dance 2015, the national festival that celebrates and showcases the very best youth dance work from across the country. A unique opportunity to champion the quality and vibrancy of young people’s dance and choreography, during the festival the young people will work with nationally renowned artists to help inspire them to develop their own dance skills and introduce them to new creative ideas.

July 25 DANCE PLYMOUTH DANCE Dance PLYMOUTH Dance will be a celebration of local youth dance in the Lyric.

July 28 - Aug 15 SHREK Based on the award-winning DreamWorks animation film, Shrek the Musical is a must-see show for all the family. Join our unlikely hero and his loyal steed Donkey as they embark on a quest to rescue the beautiful (if slightly

temperamental) Princess Fiona from a fire breathing, love-sick dragon. Add the diminutive Lord Farquaad, a gang of fairytale misfits, and a biscuit with attitude, and you’ve got the biggest, brightest musical comedy around!

Aug 18 - Sept 5 JERSEY BOYS Jersey Boys tells the true life story of four boys from the wrong side of the tracks who wrote their own songs, invented their own unique sound, and sold 175 million records worldwide. Featuring hit after legendary hit including Beggin’, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Oh What a Night, Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Bye Bye Baby, Big Girls Don’t Cry and many more, Jersey Boys is a story full of heart, humour and ‘sheer musical razzmatazz’ you simply will never forget.

Sept 7 - 12 ANNIE Annie, the world’s favourite family musical, comes to Plymouth for eight performances only, starring Craig Revel Horwood, the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing judge, as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan! Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find

Multi award-winning smash hit ‘Billy Elliot the Musical’ will open its first ever UK and Ireland tour at the Theatre Royal Plymouth next year.

The musical will play from February 24 to April 2 and tickets are already on sale.

Following Plymouth, the tour will continue to play until May 2017 with details of further venues to be announced.

Producer Eric Fellner said today: “All of us at Billy Elliot the Musical are delighted to be bringing the show on tour across the UK and Ireland for the first time.

“It has taken us 10 years to put this truly British show on the road in the UK and to be opening the tour at the Theatre Royal Plymouth is her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warlocks.

Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search…

Sept 23 - 25 RAMBERT Love, desire and betrayal are the

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a real privilege for us. We look forward to our time in Plymouth and hope that audiences in the South West will take this inspiring production to their hearts.”

Set in a northern mining town, against the background of the miners’ strike, Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes ingredients of the shocking true story which inspired Picasso’s masterpiece, The Three Dancers.

Now Rambert springs Picasso’s painting from the canvas to the stage, bringing his vivid Cubist imagery to life. Did Veldman’s The 3 Dancers, with orchestral music

by Elena Kats-Chernin, forms the centrepiece of Rambert’s programme. The evening is packed with thought-provoking drama, sumptuous live music and world-class dancing. It is Britain’s national dance company at its most captivating.

Drum Theatre ROYAL PARADE PLYMOUTH Box Office 01752 267222 Jul 2 - Jul 4 MENDED This year the Theatre Royal People’s Company brings Tolstoy’s short story, What Men Live By, to life. In this modern retelling, when a young mute woman is found abandoned on moorland, lines are drawn between a cynical community looking for a scapegoat and an ageing recluse given a miraculous last chance to cure his loneliness.

July 8 - 11 PLAYHOUSE Playhouse gives primary school teachers the chance to direct a specially commissioned play by one of the country’s leading playwrights, with professional support from the Theatre Royal Plymouth. The plays engage with social, ethical and moral issues www.cornerstonevision.com

Theatres & Shows

his life forever.

Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Billy Elliot the Musical has now been seen by over 10 million people across five continents and is the recipient of over 80 awards internationally, including ten Tony Awards and five Olivier Awards.

••

Tickets can be booked online at www.theatreroyal. com or by calling the Box Office on 01752 267222.

that challenge and inspire young casts, raising the confidence and creativity of teachers and young people alike. See story on page 21.

July 14 - 18 A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS A deeply moving story of faith, loyalty and palace intrigue, pitting Sir Thomas More against Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell.

In a battle between conscience and supreme authority, can silence ever speak loudest of all?

Complementing the BBV TV series Wolf Hall and its portrayal of Thomas Cromwell, Robert Bolt’s famous play will make you think again about Cromwell and More, questioning how reputations can be shaped and re-shaped.

July 23 - 25 U DANCE 2015 Twenty eight youth dance groups from all over the country have been selected to take part in this year’s U.DANCE 2015 youth dance festival taking place in Plymouth, marking the first time this prestigious national festival has taken place in the South West of England. U.DANCE 2015 is presented in partnership with Plymouth Dance and generously supported by Arts Council England, The City of London Corporation, D’Oyly Carte Foundation and Garfield Weston Foundation. The groups were selected from a total of more than 240 youth dance groups from every part of England who applied to take part in U.DANCE 2015. This is the greatest number of applicants that U.DANCE has ever seen - ten more than last year - and this will be built upon in years to come. This growth is @CornerstoneVis

a reflection of the popularity of dance among younger people in England, but also a direct result of the festival’s special focus this year on supporting dancers with disability. Over the three days, U.DANCE 2015 will be presenting the work of five inclusive dance groups (those groups made up of disabled and non-disabled dancers) from across the length

and breadth of England, including TINeke from Durham in the North East, and Wheelfever from Plymouth. For the past four months, over 1500 young people have been competing, by taking part in 18 county and regional dance events, in the hope of being among the lucky few to participate in the national festival in Plymouth. The young

All now bookable through...

01752 364186 The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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WHAT’S ON people will perform at Theatre Royal and take part in classes and workshops in the studios and The House, Plymouth University, National Marine Aquarium in partnership with The Barbican Theatre and Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Aug 19 - 22 IMMUNE It’s an ordinary day in an ordinary school and they are ordinary kids.

A bully, a crush, a fight behind the bike sheds, preparations for the showcase and double chemistry - which everybody hates! Today a chemical reaction will change them forever. Today when the bell rings, there’s no going home.

Castle Street, Plymouth BOX OFFICE: 01752 267131 www.barbicantheatre.co.uk Various dates May 30 - Jul 26 THE SPICE BOX A vision of Plymouth as you’ve never seen it before. Set within the walls of The Elizabethan House, one of Plymouth’s oldest buildings, The Spice Box will take you on a journey from the magnitude of global exploration

Theatres & Shows

Primary pupils in Playhouse Nine local primary schools will take part in Playhouse, a Theatre Royal Plymouth Schools Project in July.

The four day festival from July 8 to July 11 at The Drum, gives primary school teachers a chance to direct a play by one of the country’s leading playwrights whilst also having professional support from the Theatre Royal.

The plays are specifically written for children by the directors encouraging children to get involved with the theatre.

Alongside this, it also gives children aged nine and 10 years old an opportunity to engage with important social, ethical and moral issues that may arise within everyday life. Ultimately, this encourages interactive learning back in the classroom and also aims to raise confidence and creativity of both young people and the teachers alike.

Fran King, education producer at Theatre Royal said: “Playhouse offers the unique opportunity in giving primary schools the chance to produce a play that has been especially written for children to perform by

to the intimacy of the family kitchen. Immerse yourself in the sounds, smells and tastes of the past and discover how the past

established, and often leading, playwrights.

“This year we also have two companies, made up of federated schools, where the children are taking responsibility for designing, marketing and stage managing their shows, as well as forming the cast.

“Theatre Royal supports the entire theatre making process by making sure that the teachers and children work with theatre staff at every step of the rehearsal and production process. The festival this year will be really exciting as young people will take on roles both on and off stage, and make the project truly their own.”

Plymouth primary schools taking part are Beechwood, Oakwood, Stoke Damerel, Stuart Road, Weston Mill, College Road, Prince Rock and Boringdon. Sir Robert Geffery’s School in Saltash are also taking part.

••

Tickets are priced at £5.70 and are available from the Box Office on 01752 267222 or online at www. theatreroyal.com

is really the present. Barbican Theatre will transport you on a journey through time – cut up, split up, squared and spiced!

July 5 KEITH JAMES After more than a decade of continued and dedicated study of much admired poets and songwriters Keith is releasing what can only be described as an amazing landmark original album entitled ‘Always’. These 10 original songs (apart from Hiring Fair by Ralph McTell), meticulously written and arranged, have come together slowly over the past 10 years or so and have matured with a strong sense of both personal and collective awareness, a tone that has been caught through older eyes; surreal, sub-textural and three dimensional, showing anger and disturbance, humour, resolve, vision and compelling sadness.

July 23 - 25 CYCLONE THEATRE Two brothers. One urn. No clue.

When Michael Doherty dies, his estranged sons are obliged to take his ashes back home to Ireland. The only stipulations: leave immediately, only use the money in the envelope and show their old man a good time on the way. It’s going to be a bumpy ride but sometimes it’s not the destination that’s important, it’s the journey.

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

July 30 - Aug 2 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE A fizzy and fiery version of Shakespeare’s much loved tale.

For full details see panel on next page.

Aug 14 - 15 THE MIDNIGHT FLOWER PRESS Enter the dark, dangerous world where knowing your place is the most important thing. The Midnight Flower Press follows the journey of a heroic group of young people who use a secret printing press to fight against the injustice around them during the Industrial Revolution. Join the quest for freedom and truth, but don’t trust anyone…

Aug 28 - 29 THE BACHELOR GIRLS London 1919: a group of teenage girls are forced to rethink their future after the calamity of World War I. There are almost two million more women than men in Britain and our protagonists must now forge their way in a country that is rapidly changing beyond recognition.

Follow their journey in a fight for independence; a fight for happiness and a fight for friendship. The Bachelor Girls is a touching exploration of life about the forgotten women in post-war Britain.

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Latin tunes and cocktails with our resident DJ playing the best in salsa, merengue, bachata, son and more.

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CASTLE STREET, PLYMOUTH 01752 242021 www.b-bar.co.uk July 1, Aug 5 COMEDY NIGHT Some light relief with the best stand-ups on the UK circuit.

July 2 ANDY QUICK The entertaining and personable frontman of popular local band Land of the Giants performs a session of solo material. ‘Warm, bluesy and brimming with soul’ BBC Introducing.

July 3, Aug 7 HAMER & CO Everything from silky smooth to smoking’ hot jazz music!

Rich Hamer, Frank Hamer and some fabulous Special Guests unite to form this sublime band, seamlessly combining swing, blues, latin and bebop.

July 4, 11, 18, 25, Aug 1, 9, 15, 22, 29 FREE CUBA PARTY

A unique gallery, selling jewellery, glass, ceramics and other gift items; all hand made in the UK; all exclusive to Plymouth and now available to buy online at www.nicolahurst.co.uk Nicola makes jewellery on the premises. Commissions and repairs undertaken.

Regular exhibitions showcasing new jewellers visit Nicola's shop today!

July 5 KEITH JAMES After more than a decade of continued and dedicated study of much admired poets and songwriters, Keith is releasing what can only be described as an amazing landmark original album entitled ‘Always’. Much has been drawn from those he has admired throughout his life either consciously or otherwise, along with kaleidoscope of colour from today’s set of paradoxical assimilations we call reality.

Expect an amazing concert!

July 8, 22, Aug 12, 26 CAFE ACOUSTICA B-bar’s fortnightly showcase of unplugged talent, hosted by singer-songwriter Jessie Mullen.

July 10 OUT TO GRASS Out to Grass are six experienced musicians who play a fresh and innovative fusion of bluegrass, country, soul and popular song delivered with an energy you wouldn’t expect from a band a third their age! Their legendary live performances showcase

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

superb musicianship combined with a great sense of fun.

and songs of the 30s, 40s, 50s and even the 60s.

July 15, Aug 19 HAUNT THE WOODS Haunt the Woods are a folk band from the Shires of Devon and Cornwall who effortlessly blend classic folk-rock with a more modern and unique sound.

Superb songwriting is elucidated by thoughtful harmonies and spot-on guitar licks. With special guest musicians in support.

July 23 THEO BARD Inspired songwriter, avid oneman-band busker, and live music obsessive, Theo is to be found in all the most beautiful, unusual and intimate music spots in his own London Town; singing his own uplifting songs, expertly fingerpicking on guitar, while striking out bold beats with his feet!

July 16 ALEX HART Alex Hart is a 23 year old singer/ songwriter from Devon. She released her first album ‘On This Day’ in 2014 and has just finished her UK tour with her band. Alex performs all over the country with Taylor guitar and her west country - country sound and is picking up rave reviews across the country with regular air play from Radio 2 and national BBC radio shows.

Alex now lives in Plymouth and is currently writing her second album to be released this year.

July 17 METROPOLIS SWING QUARTET Based in Plymouth, MSQ is a quartet of musicians who share a passion for swing and jazz and the great American song-book writers. From Gershwin and Porter to Goodman and Ellington to Nat King Cole and Sinatra, they play a wide range of music and styles mostly from the swing, jazz

July 24 ANNIKA SKOOGH TRIO This dynamic jazz trio, featuring the distinctive and soulful vocals of Annika Skoogh, the superb Matt Carter on keys and Al Swinger on bass, will be playing standards you know and love plus some unexpected songs. Expect to hear effortless improvisation, tight rhythms delivered with passion and high energy.

July 30 THOMAS FORD Electrifying blues talent in the form of this harp-playing, hard blues singing solo performer.

July 31 DEMALEBYSSE DeMalebysses are a traditional folk band that first started out as a solo idea and which has blossomed into something a lot bigger. Now a live performing band, quickly moving into the folk circles and have been described as being a firm part of the third

Theatres & Shows

Midsummer Night’s Dream - indoors and outdoors!

A fizzy and fiery version of Shakespeare’s much-loved tale ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is being performed indoors and outdoors this summer.

Barbican Theatre presents a unique, accessible and extraordinarily visual version of Shakespeare’s classic for all the family. A production for anyone who’s been in love, is in love or plans to be in love sometime in the future. Go along and feel the madness, dream the dream, laugh at Bottom and don’t be wary of the words. Anything is possible.

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ will be performed indoors in Barbican Theatre’s intimate auditorium from Thursday July 30 to Sunday August 2 at 2.30pm & 7.30pm. Seats are available on stage, entwining the audience with this magical story of love, beauty and mischief.

Shakespeare lovers can also watch this vibrant performance from Residence ONE’s beautiful Secret Garden at Royal William Yard, from Wednesday August 5 to Sunday August 9 at 7.30pm.

Residence ONE will be serving delicious gourmet burgers, summertime cocktails and fizz from 5pm.

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is produced by Barbican Theatre and directed by Mark Laville. This exciting and accessible summer show uses the extraordinary skills of local professional actors.

• The outdoor performances are subject to weather conditions. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

Should weather conditions not permit this performance to take place outdoors, it will instead take place at Barbican Theatre - all bookers will be advised of any change of venue with as much advance notice as possible.

••

Tickets are £11 for concessions, £13 for full price or £42 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 under 16s).

Book tickets on the Barbican Theatre’s website at www.barbicantheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01752 267131.

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WHAT’S ON Buckfast Abbey Shedding new light on the greatest story ever told

wave of folk. With 40 plus songs destined to be laid down over the next few months, the band are currently almost half way through recording the new album, which they are hoping will be ready for release in the summer of 2015.

Aug 20 RHYME WARP WITH MAMA TOKUS Hosted by the inimitable Mama Tokus and bringing you an excellent array of talent, we think every one of these will bring a unique experience not to be missed. Mama will be performing her own funky and funny compositions as well as selecting a few of the best poets and writers to perform at each Rhymewarp event.

Aug 21 HOT CLUB OF STONEHOUSE Hot Club of Storehouse bring the gypsy jazz of 1930s Paris ball musettes to present day Blighty - sultry, insouciant and swinging, their authentic Hot Club sound is uniquely anointed with the balmy and incomparable vocals of the divine Miss Becky Brine.

Aug 7, 8, 12 and 15 MICHAEL MCINTYRE Michael McIntyre returns with his hotly anticipated brand new stand-up show Happy & Glorious.

Now a complete sell out.

Sept 20 G4 G4 set an exciting trend by bringing classical music to British reality TV screens for the first time in 2004 with their performance of Nessun Dorma.

However, it was with their cover of Bohemian Rhapsody that became their signature tune, storming the charts in 2005. Experience G4’s trademark sound: expect to hear the tunes that helped make them famous, alongside some fresh takes on music of more recent years. It’s sure to be an evening to live long in the memory: not to be missed!

Aug 22 SNOOKER LEGENDS The world’s most popular snooker player, Ronnie O’Sullivan is headed to the Pavilions to take on the people’s champion Jimmy White. It’s The Rocket vs The Whirlwind. The previous Legends Events have been fantastically attended, the first visit to the Pavlions of ‘The Rocket’ is sure to make this a sell out so get in early!

Sept 25 SQUEEZE Squeeze, the enduring British pop act whose songs have tenderly and wittily chronicled life and love stretching across four decades, are to play an extensive UK tour in the autumn - their first, as a band, for three years. Support on the tour will come from poet and punk godfather Dr John Cooper Clarke, the bard of Salford.

Aug 29 TREE FU TOM A spellbinding new show starring the world’s smallest superhero, direct from the smash hit CBeebies series. The world of Treetopolis comes to the stage as you’re invited to do Tree Fu and help Tom save the day! This brand new show, packed with adventure, fun, music and participation, sees Tom take to the stage in his first nationwide tour - be part of the magic.

Sept 26 FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS There’s no gang leader, no choirmaster and no holds barred in the singing of The Fisherman’s Friends. And fisherman’s friends they truly are - each and every member of this unique group are or have been fishermen, lifeboatmen and coastguards (as well as builders, artisans, hoteliers and shop keepers) in Port Isaac. Be prepared to have your ears blown clean off…

MILLBAY ROAD, PLYMOUTH Box Office: 0845 146 1460

Following last year’s lively adaptation of ‘Godspell’ from Unleashed Theatre Company, this thought provoking and beautifully written piece comes as quite a contrast.

Based on St John’s gospel, it follows a group of refugees fleeing from Eastern Europe in the late 1930s at the start of the outbreak of war who, as they travel, tell the ‘greatest story’ on earth.

Into the Light runs from 7th-12th September in the open air at Buckfast Abbey. The shows start at 7:45pm and tickets are on sale from July and will be available from the Abbey book shop and Abbey gift shops.

£11 Under 18’s £9 Adults

www.buckfast.org.uk

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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Will Young back on the road ...and heads to city

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On the road for the first time in four years, Will Young brings The Love Revolution Tour to Plymouth Pavilions on November 1.

The tour announcement came as Will’s new album ‘85% Proof’ went straight to the top of the official UK album chart.

‘85% Proof’ is the sixth album from the multi-million selling Brit Award winning singer-songwriter and represents his most accomplished work to date.

The record is an eclectic, hugely confident and startlingly human record which Clash described as ‘The most deliciously instinctive and relentlessly endearing pop music you’ll hear this year. A masterclass in delivering a mature pop record’ ‘85% Proof’ follows up Will’s No 1 album ‘Echoes’ released in 2011 which has sold over half a million copies. In the intervening years Will moved back to theatre staring as The Emcee in Cabaret (for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award); presented an ITV documentary on surrealist artist Magritte; filtered his passion for politics via blogs for the likes of Huffington Post; wrote a best-selling biography and fronted a campaign for Stonewall. He also started teaching and mentoring other singer-songwriters.

••

Tickets are on sale now via www. plymouthpavilions.com or by calling the Box Office on 0845 146 1460.

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WHAT’S ON

Music

Music July 1 JOEL MUNDAY & PETER CLARKE St Andrew’s Royal Parade Munday on violin and Clarke on piano, admission free, lunch available. 1.10pm 01752 661414 July 1 PLYMOUTH CLARION CHOIR Plymstock United Reformed Church Held in the day room, for the Good Companions July 4 PLYMOUTH CLARION CHOIR CENTENARY CONCERT Elburton Methodist Church Contact Jean Davies 01752 404239 July 5 PLYMOUTH PHILHARMONIC CHOIR The Guildhall, Royal Parade Conductor Christopher Fletcher.

• continued on page 28

Richard Leach’s 7 Stars of Jazz

Jazz on a summer’s evening Plymouth Jazz Club presents ‘Jazz on a Summer’s Evening’ in the Great Barn at Buckland Abbey in July.

Following last year’s highly successful inaugural event Plymouth Jazz Club returns to the National Trust property near Yelverton on Saturday July 18.

Buckland Abbey was formerly a medieval abbey and later became home to Sir Francis Drake. Built by Cistercian monks some 700 years ago in a lovely setting of meadow and woodland, the magnificent Great Barn will provide the venue for an evening of hot jazz music. Two Jazz bands will play music for listening and dancing from 6pm to 11pm, Also available, will be a hog roast, bar, hot and cold drinks, National Trust pasties, cakes and a raffle.

The early evening music will be provided by John Maddocks’ Jazzmen, a highly regarded traditional jazz band well known for its drive and the inclusion of some seldom heard tunes in the repertoire.

The band continues to be popular for all kinds of functions throughout the UK including most of the major jazz venues and John Maddock’s Jazzmen festivals, providing a great variety of toe-tapping music for listening and dancing.

Later on, returning by popular request, Richard Leach’s 7 Stars of Jazz features some of the most experienced jazz musicians across the country. With an eclectic mix of Chicago, Swing and Dixieland plus a hint of Vaudeville, the band doesn’t just play jazz, it involves and entertains the audience, creating a wonderful atmosphere and getting people dancing!

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

Tickets are now on sale and numbers are strictly limited. For tickets and details of this or other Plymouth Jazz Club events, please contact Mavis Humphreys on 01752 721179. Tickets can also be obtained when visiting Buckland Abbey.

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WHAT’S ON

Music

July 18 TAMAR CONCERT CHOIR Pilgrim United Reform Church, St Levan Road Concert of music for a summer evening. 7.30pm. Tickets £5 available at the door. Proceeds in aid of the neo-natal unit at Derriford Hospital.

Handel: Israel in Egypt. This piece of music is full of drama featuring Moses parting the Red Sea, plgues of frogs and insects, rivers of blood, hail storms and terror galore. Tickets 01822 853791.

July 18 PLYMOUTH PHOENIX CHORALE St Peter’s Church, Wyndham Square ‘An English Country Garden’ theme using folks songs and Vaughan Williams. Further information from 07971 169335

July 5 PLYMOUTH JAZZ CLUB Royal British Legion Club, Crownhill Jazz company featuring Terry Sloggett. Details 01752 721179 www.plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk

July 18 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT CHORAL FOUNDATION Plymouth Methodist Central Hall Musical director Marcus Alleyne.

Tickets 01752 365580

July 8 MUSIC FOR BRASS St Andrew’s Royal Parade Admission free; lunch available.

1.10pm 01752 661414

July 18 PLYMOUTH JAZZ CLUB Buckland Abbey ‘Jazz on a Summer’s Evening’ See panel on page 26.

July 15 SAM CHAPPLE ON PIANO St Andrew’s Royal Parade Admission free; lunch available.

1.10pm 01752 661414

July 22 CHRISTINE LEWIS ON ORGAN St Andrew’s Royal Parade Admission free; lunch available.

1.10pm 01752 661414

Carlton Big Band’s tr Carlton Big Band are playing a tribute to one of their former musicians in a special event at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel on July 31.

Their performance will be a tribute to Tony Evans who was at one time lead trombone in the band before his life was cut short when he died of pancreatic cancer.

As a fitting tribute to Tony his colleagues will be playing in his honour and all proceeds will go to Pancreatic Cancer UK, which is getting closer to finding a cure each day with more funding.

Carlton Big band will be playing swing, jazz, classic pop and latin charts to dance to or just listen to the exciting Big Band sound that Tony would have appreciated. Tickets available £7 in advance or £8 on the door from the Duke of Cornwall Hotel.

The event runs from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. For more information visit www.carltonbigband.co.uk July 26 and Aug 30 FESTIVAL OF MUSIC, FLOWERS AND FOOD Devonport Park Bandstand Live music and good local food stalls and a variety of activities.

July event features music from Brunel Ladies Harmony Chorus and the legendary Geoff Lakeman with his jazz trio. Admission free - see www.friendsofdevonportpark.com for details or phone 318087. Also see the Friends of Devonport Park on Facebook.

NOTARFBAD winning The Lord Mildmay Memorial Handicap Steeple Chase (Listed Race).

Admission Prices: Course £12 Paddock £18 Children 16 and under go free together with Students with a valid photo ID For bookings telephone 01626 353235 or go to www.newtonabbotracing.com

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

July 29 DAVID CROCKER ON ORGAN St Andrew’s Royal Parade Admission free; lunch available.

1.10pm 01752 661414 July 31 THE CARLTON BIG BAND Duke of Cornwall Hotel Tribute to Tony Evans. See panel.

Aug 2 PLYMOUTH JAZZ CLUB Royal British Legion Club, Crownhill

Friday 3 July Sunday 19 July Monday 27 July Wednesday 12 August Saturday 22 August Tuesday 1 September (Twilight) Friday 18 September Monday 28 September Friday 9 October

Music

ribute to Tony Evans

Carlton Big Band

John Hallam and John Wurr with the Craig Milverton Trio. Details 01752 721179 www.plymouth-jazzclub.org.uk Aug 5 ELAINE KEITH-HILL ON FLUTE AND SAX St. Andrew’s Royal Parade Admission free; lunch available.

1.10pm 01752 661414 Aug 12 JASON SMART ON ORGAN

www.cornerstonevision.com

St. Andrew’s Royal Parade Admission free; lunch available.

1.10pm 01752 661414 Aug 16 PLYMOUTH JAZZ CLUB Riverboat Shuffle Cruise Up the beautiful River Tamar to the traditional jazz music of the Tamar Jazz Band led by banjoist Malcolm Hurrell. Advance booking required, call 01752 721179 or visit www.plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk

@CornerstoneVis

The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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WHAT’S ON

Top comedy in the TV’s Vikki Stone and Paul McCaffrey top and tail an amazing night of comedy when Plymouth Comedy Club stage their popular summer shows in July.

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The events take place at Plymouth Albion’s Brickfields ground on Friday July 17 and Derriford Health & Leisure Centre on Saturday July 18.

In addition to Vikki and Paul, the line-up also include Peter Brush and resident MC Chris Brooker. Tickets are £10 (plus £1 booking fee) in advance from www.PlymouthComedyClub. co.uk.

Headline act Vikki Stone is set to tear through the club like a tornado of mirth and music.

Many comedy fans may already be familiar with the work of Ms Stone as her hilarious musical tributes to Philip Schofield and Brian Cox have been huge viral hits.

Vikki has toured the length and breadth of the UK with her Billy Kirkwood solo show, wowing audiences and bringing the house down on a nightly basis. Painfully funny with the poise and performance power of a west end diva, Vikki will leave you breathless yet begging for more.

Fun for all the family Always held on the last Sunday of July - Totnes Show is a really fun experience and an essential diary date for the whole family.

After wowing the crowds at last year’s show the Sheep Show is back with Edu-tainment at its best! Meet the stars of the sheep world in a unique static live stage show. Kiwi-style presenters both amuse and educate the crowd, shear a sheep and even get sheep to don their dancing shoes!

Visit Berry Farm at Berry Pomeroy on Sunday July 26 to discover Totnes Show - everything that is South Hams with a huge variety of trade stands, quality crafts, lifestyle, food demonstrations and a host of live entertainment.

A superb platform for local music, the Totnes Show Music

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

Major Events

e city Support is provided by the returning Billy Kirkwood, the most requested act in the history of Plymouth Comedy Club.

Since his first appearance in the summer of 2013 there’s been a constant stream of requests to bring back the fiery phenomenon of funny from north of Hadrian’s Wall.

This rare excursion to the Vikki Stone South West will no doubt once again see a dynamic performance that will rip the roof off. The night will also feature the understated brilliance of Peter Brush and the ongoing presence of resident MC Chris Brooker.

Tickets are available from the venues or online from PlymouthComedyClub.co.uk. Follow @PlymComedyClub on Twitter and like their page on Facebook for the latest news, photos, videos, competitions and more.

CRAFT FAYRE AT

SHERWELL UNITED CHURCH NORTH HILL, PLYMOUTH 15TH August 2015 10.00 a.m - 4.0pm Tables £5.00 contact Heather 07730445922 Or Just come and browse the variety of stalls Have Tea and Coffee or a Light Lunch

Free Admission

at the Totnes Show Stage is an eclectic mix of local bands to suit a variety of musical tastes.

Show cattle, sheep, poultry and rabbits from across the region compete for glory at the one day show renowned for the huge variety of equestrian classes including showing, jumping, open driving and side saddle.

Historic and vintage vehicles, alpacas, llamas, pet’s corner, dog show and falconry are among the host of interesting things to see and do.

Enjoy fiercely fought and wonderfully entertaining all-action lamb shearing competitions which can also be viewed on a plasma screen and catch the dog and duck display in the main ring.

Watch professional chefs in the Food Hall - then taste the results - food and drink from West Country producers and suppliers with excellent produce from a variety of local sources and South Devon Farms.

••

Visit www.totnesshow.com for latest information and discounted tickets.

www.cornerstonevision.com

@CornerstoneVis

The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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WHAT’S ON

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Jools Holland and The Proclaimers heading for Looe Music Festival Jools Holland is bringing rhythm to Looe … later in the year.

01752 862676

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

The presenter of BBC 2’s flagship music show ‘Later...’ Jools will bring his unique boogie woogie piano driven spectacular to south east Cornwall this September.

Joining Jools on stage will be his full rhythm and blues orchestra including drummer Gilson Lavis, and guest singers Ruby Turner and Louise Marshall.

The former member of Squeeze has worked with almost everyone of merit in the music industry including Sting, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, George Harrison, David Gilmore, Bono and Tom Jones.

The TV show “Later … with Jools Holland” was launched in 1992, and is now in its 46th series and has been responsible for breaking some of the UK brightest new talent.

Holland is also a BBC Radio 2 presenter, and his presence at the south east Cornwall event strengthens the festival’s developing relationship with BBC TV and radio. The not-forprofit event, which is staged on Looe beach at the end of September each year, attracts thousands of visitors to the town, and this year hosts a BBC Introducing Stage.

Supported by the Arts Council of England and the Coastal Communities Fund amongst others, Looe Music Festival is now in its fifth year and has established a reputation for delivering respected musicians, world-class performers and a superb weekend of live music.

Johnny Marr Other headliners for 2015 include The Proclaimers, Buzzcocks, and Bad Manners who will perform on Friday night, and on Sunday night Mad Dog Mcrea, Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Johnny Marr who will close the show.

Over the course of the weekend 90 bands will perform across five stages. Tickets are now on sale for the three-day event priced at £85 for adults and £24 for under 18’s (under 5’s free) and gives access to all stages for the duration of the festival.

Looe Music Festival previous line-ups have included The

Major Events

Jools Holland and The Proclaimers headlining at Looe Music Festival in September

Classic Car Show & Country Fayre

Sunday 2nd August 11am-5pm

Military vehicles, Classic and American cars and kit cars on display PLUS Gift and Craft Stalls, Refreshments and lots of entertainment A fun day out for all the family

Stranglers, Levellers, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Squeeze, Chas & Dave, Reef, the Brand New Heavies, Roy Wood, The Selecter, Hayseed Dixie and many other names that you’d expect to see in your CD collection. Don’t miss this year’s extravaganza.

••

Check www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk for more events Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park Tel: 01752 822236 www.facebook.com/mtedgcumbe

Buy tickets now at www.looemusic.co.uk

www.cornerstonevision.com

@CornerstoneVis

The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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WHAT’S ON Major Events

Little Mix in MTV Crashes line-up MTV has announced that the hottest girl group in pop music, Little Mix, will be crashing Plymouth this summer.

Jesy, Perrie, Jade and Leigh-Anne will be joined by Irish rockers Kodaline for Day One of MTV Crashes Plymouth on Wednesday July 22.

American electro house superstar Steve Aoki will also be coming to the Hoe to play an exclusive South West show as a very special guest act on the Day Two (Club MTV) line-up on Thursday July 23. He’ll be joined by Oliver Heldens and Deorro, two more electronic dance music heavyweights.

Heldens arrives off the back of his huge number one single ‘Gecko’ featuring Becky Hill, whilst Deorro is known for his collaborations with Hardwell, Diplo, and most currently Chris Brown on big track ‘Five More Hours’.

Little Mix, who were crowned winners of The X Factor in 2011, are now one the world’s biggest girl groups. They have secured two UK number ones with ‘Cannonball’ and ‘Wings’ and six UK top 10s, including smash hits ‘DNA’, ‘Move’, ‘Word Up’ and ’Salute’.

The girls have clocked up over half a billion YouTube and Vevo views worldwide. They’ve also become one of our greatest exports, with massive tours in the US, Australia and Japan.

They recently revealed their latest track ‘Black Magic’ set for release on Friday July 10.

Leigh-Anne from Little Mix said: “We cannot wait to get out there and crash Plymouth with MTV! We love performing and we’ve got some new tracks that we can’t wait to show everyone. It’s going to be such a great day, especially out there on the beautiful Plymouth Hoe. Let’s get crashin’!’’

Kodaline made their debut with ‘A Perfect World’ in 2013, selling over 250,000 copies in the UK alone and topping the charts at number three. The band spent nine weeks at number one, and for much of the past year they have been recording the follow up ‘Coming Up for Air’ which debuted in the Top Five in the UK Album Chart and included radio hits ‘Honest’ and ‘The One’.

The band have just completed a sell-out US, UK and European tour and release their new single ‘Ready’ on Sunday July 5.

Steve of Kodaline said: “We are so happy to be announced for MTV Crashes Plymouth with Tinie Tempah! This is a really

Major Events Various dates LEAGUE 2 FOOTBALL Aug 10 Argyle v Gillingham (cup) Aug 15 Argyle v Portsmouth Aug 18 Argyle v Carlisle Aug 29 Argyle v Newport NATIONAL LEAGUE RUGBY Sep 5 Albion v Richmond Sep 12 Albion v Rosslyn Park Sept 26 Albion v Fylde PREMIER LEAGUE SPEEDWAY Jul 11 Devils v Somerset (cup) Jul 17 Devils v Workington Jul 25 Devils v Edinburgh Aug 1 Devils v Somerset Aug 21 Devils v Rye House Aug 28 Devils v Newcastle

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July 3 THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE DON GIOVANNI The Piazza Over 24 hours, a reckless seducer wreaks havoc in several lives - including, ultimately, his own. Mozart’s tuneful opera brings to life the legendary lover, and this exciting production dazzles as it uses the very latest in stage technology and set design to tell his story. Dynamic videos projections - including the names of Giovanni’s past conquests written one by one on stage - take you inside the seducer’s mind as never before.

With a host of wonderful arias and dramatic ensembles, you are guaranteed a thrilling evening of music and drama screened live and free from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

Little Mix - heading to Plymouth

exciting year for us with the release of our second album and a great summer of festivals ahead! MTV Plymouth, let’s do it!”

Last but by no means least, Grammy-nominated electronic dance maestro Steve Aoki will jet over to the Hoe to amp guests up for day two of the festivities. The crowd-surfing, cake-throwing king of the electronic dance world is one of the most recognisable names in music and his shows are famed for being a spectacle like no other.

Little Mix and Kodaline join Tinie Tempah as part of MTV Crashes Plymouth Day One, while Steve Aoki and Deorro join Oliver Heldens, DJ Fresh, Route 94 and David Zowie on the second day, the Club MTV line-up.

MTV Crashes Plymouth is organised by MTV in collaboration with Plymouth City Council. It will be broadcast on MTV’s flagship UK music TV channels, showcasing Britain’s Ocean City and some electric live performances in over 35 countries.

To get your hands on the last remaining tickets for Day Two visit www.seetickets.com. Day One is already sold out.

Stay up-to-date on the Visit Plymouth website, follow @ MTVPlymouth on Twitter or see the What’s On Plymouth Facebook page.

July 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY - JULY 4TH Guildhall, Armada Way A fabulous July 4th 2015 celebration is being planned in Plymouth, England. There will be an American style BBQ and bar provided by Treasury Catering, live swing and modern performances from Michael Campari and Jessica & the Rabbits, swing dance performances and lessons from Mad About Swing, an Uncle Sam stilt walker, children’s face painting, balloon artist, magician, three female pilgrims and DJ/MC Davy Cupcakes.

July 5, Aug 2 GOOD FOOD MARKET The Green, Royal William Yard The market showcases some of the best local food and drink in the South West. Taking place on the Green at Royal William

Yard, and taking place on the first Sunday of every month, the Good Food Market has been a huge success. With over 30 stall holders, from Devon and Cornwall in attendance, including River Cottage, Thom Hunt from Channel 4’s Three Hungry Boys and Cornish Orchards, many stalls often sell out of produce. If visitors want to explore more great food, in lovely surroundings, they can also retire to River Cottage Canteen & Deli, Seco Lounge, Prezzo or the Royal Willam Bakery for lunch.

July 17 to 19 PLYMOUTH REGATTA For competitors, sailing in the Port of Plymouth is hard to beat.

The more sheltered conditions inside Plymouth Sound soon give way to the open sea but still with minimal tidal influences, making the waters off Plymouth perfect for close, competitive racings. 2015 is

WHAT’S ON

Major Events promising even more than before both afloat and ashore – three national championships are being staged within the regatta and the shore side activities in the marquee will be bigger and better than last year, definitely not to be missed.

July 19 COSPLAY Central Park Visitors are encouraged to dress up as their favourite character from a video, game, book or TV series. There will be activities for children with face painters, bouncy castles, pony rides and mum and dad can wander around the market stalls with gifts, crafts, arts and local produce. When you feel peckish, choose from any of the delicious take away options available will vary throughout the year, but will range from hog roasts, local pasties, gourmet burgers, falafel and much more.

There will be different themes each month with sessions from local bands, brass bands, school groups, choirs, singers, dancers and cultural activities. Bring your chairs or rugs and enjoy this gorgeous, pet friendly park for a fantastic family day out. Mind you don’t bump into Darth Vader!

The worldfamous RAF Red Arrows will be adding to the excitement of the British Fireworks Championships in August

July 22 - 23 MTV ‘CRASHES’ PLYMOUTH MTV Crashes Plymouth returns this summer and will once again take place on the world famous Plymouth Hoe. This spectacular live music event, which has been extended to two nights in 2015, is organised by MTV in collaboration with Plymouth City Council. Both events will feature a number of headline music acts, including Little Mix, Tinie Tempah, Jess Glynne

Ocean City Festival returns in September September sees the return of the Ocean City Festival which will celebrate everything that makes Plymouth Britain’s Ocean City.

The festival runs from September 7 to 27 with a brilliant programme of events, activities and entertainment which will offer something for everyone.

The programme of events culminates in the Plymouth Seafood Festival in the The Barbican and Sutton Harbour on September 26 and 27.

Whether you take to the water for some snorkelling and get up close to incredible marine wildlife, learn about Plymouth’s fascinating maritime history, watch a film at the open air cinema, or just enjoy the sea air and some locally caught scallops, visitors are bound to be impressed.

The Ocean City Festival is sponsored by Ocean BMW and Babcock.

For more details visit www.oceancityfestival.co.uk

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

Major Events

Jul 31 PLYMOUTH LIVE MUSIC NIGHT The Piazza Live Music Night on the Piazza in the City Centre. With four local bands taking to the stage each night with a bar and food available this show promises to be a fantastic night out to enjoy some live music. This month features Chay Snowdon, Alex Hart, Propellor and Joker.

Aug 14 - 16 FLAVOUR FEST 2015 Plymouth City Centre, The Piazza Smell the delicious aromas in Plymouth City Centre as Flavour Fest, the South West’s largest free food and drink festival returns to Plymouth this August.

and Kodaline. The second day of Crashes will be just as impressive as the first - think incredible club-like energy, like we saw during Example’s performance last year, but on an

even bigger scale! American electro house superstar Steve Aoki will be a very special guest act on the Day Two (Club MTV) line-up on Thursday July 23.

Aug 18 - 19 BRITISH FIREWORKS CHAMPIONSHIP The Hoe The world famous British Firework Championships is set to return to Plymouth for its 19th showdown in August 2015. Visitors from all over the world can see the skies light up over Plymouth’s spectacular waterfront. The Royal Air Force’s world-famous aerobatics team, The Red Arrows, will take to the skies for an exciting, heartpounding air display this summer,

as well as the Twister Aerobatics display team will be wowing crowds with their electrifying pyrotechnic display on the first night of the championships.

Aug 23 CULTURE FEST Central Park August is all about celebrating the culture of all the people who live in this gorgeous city and county. It’s all about cultural music, food, dance. crafts and fun from around the world. It is hoped that many stalls will have cookery demonstrations and food sampling going on for you to try and buy, as well as hog roasts, local pasties, paella, falafel and much more. There will be activities for children with face painters, dancers, bouncy castles and pony rides allowing mum and dad to wander around the market stalls or take part in some Flamenco! The bandstand will feature different themes from various countries highlighting music, dance and skills from different countries, with Japan, Portugal, Hungary, Italy, Iran, Spain, the Caribbean and more being represented.

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T. 01752 840963 E. sales@jigsawinteriorsolutions.co.uk The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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WHAT’S ON

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

THE IMAGINATION STATION ‘Imagination Station’ Every Wednesday during term-time between 10.30am and 12 noon After an enjoyable 10 years, the Imaginator sessions are taking a break in 2015 - but the Museum’s Imagination Station will be available for all rising fives and their adults to enjoy. This is a self directed activity so there is no need to book. Just come and have fun meeting other rising fives to share activities and play together. The Imagination Station will appear in different galleries so ask at the Welcome Desk when you arrive to find out where it is.

FAMILY EVENTS Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts: The Many Adventures of Enid Blyton Until Sept 5: Immerse yourself in the world of Enid Blyton - one of the best-selling writers for children of all time. ‘Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts’ will showcase a unique collection of Blyton’s original manuscripts and illustrations as well as her personal diaries and typewriter.

Explore the Malory Towers Common Room, adventure with The Famous Five, discover Toyland with Noddy and escape to The Magic Faraway Tree with Silky and Moonface. The City Museum and Art Gallery will be running a number of fun, family-friendly activities throughout the summer of 2015 in connection with this exhibition – for children young and old! This is an exhibition from Seven Stories, National Centre for Children’s Books. Supported by Arts Council England, Newcastle City Council, Hodder Children’s Books, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Enid Blyton Fund, Egmont, Harper Collins and Macmillan.

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EVENTS AT PLYMOUTH CITY MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, DRAKE CIRCUS

July 11 FILM: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY This Oscar-Winning film based on the classic Jane Austen novel, features Plympton’s Saltram House as Norland Park, Paignton’s Compton Castle as Combe Magna as well as St Mary’s Church in Berry Pomeroy near Totnes. Free, but booking advised.

WILD ABOUT PLYMOUTH Big Bug Hunt July 11: Ford Park Cemetery from 11am to 1pm. Join the team to search for beetles, crickets, butterflies, spiders and a slow worm or two! Admission is free and there is no need to book.

Jurassic Lark Aug 28: Chat to the dino experts, learn more about these amazing extinct creatures,

Noddy and Friends Storytime is presented at the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery on July 22 and 29

enjoy some arts and crafts activities and look at fossils too.

Free to drop in.

July 16 - 18 SELF-DIRECTED FUN: COLOURING JOSHUA Sir Joshua Reynolds was born on the July 16 1723. To mark what would have been his birthday, the museum will have colouring sheets, an activity trail and a special information sheet available in our foyer. Free to drop in.

JULY 22, 29 Noddy and Friends Storytime Bring your little ones into the Enid Blyton exhibition for stories from Toyland featuring popular characters Noddy and Big Ears!

Staff from the Library Service will meet you at Noddy’s Car in the gallery. This session is suitable for rising fives. Free, but booking advised.

July 23 MALORY TOWERS ADVENTURES School’s out! Join in at the Malory Towers common room for an adventurous themed reading group for older children. This session, run by the Library Service, is suitable for children aged 7 to 12 years old. Free, but booking advised.

July 30 FAMOUS FIVE ADVENTURES Take part in a seaside adventure with Enid Blyton’s Famous Five characters with a story, games and a quiz. This session, run by the Library Service, is suitable for children aged 7 to 12 years old.

Free, but booking advised.

Family Events family trails! £2.50 per child, booking advised.

Aug 19 BILLY RUFFIANS Drop in, get ‘ship shape’ and design your own boat based on the Museum’s wonderful painting of Napoleon on board HMS Bellerophon, which was often called the ‘Billy Ruffian’! Free to drop in.

Aug 20 BLYTON BADGES Make your own badge featuring your favourite character, name or quote from the stories of Enid Blyton. £1 per badge, booking advised.

Aug 1 BLYTON-A-THON READING RECORD Are you ready for a record breaking challenge? Then join in to put Plymouth on the reading map!

Simply bring any Enid Blyton title to any library, or the Museum and Art Gallery to read. The Museum will count the number of children simultaneously reading an Enid Blyton title across the city and attempt to set a record. Please arrive by 10.30am! This session, run by the Library Service, is suitable for children aged 5 to 12 years old. Free to drop in.

Aug 5 DRAWING JOSHUA Join in and study the early Joshua Reynolds portrait then draw, colour and collage your own version and learn more about him.

Free to drop in.

Aug 6 CREATIVE STENCIL MAKING Make your own stencils and patterns with traditional and unusual materials, taking inspiration from the ‘Acts of Making’ Festival and Catherine Bertola’s carpet of dust. £2.50 per child, booking advised.

Aug 12 CONTEMPORARY CREATIONS From the ordinary to the extraordinary! Make your own creations inspired by the works in the Plymouth Contemporary Open at the Peninsula Arts Gallery.

There’ll be images to help you - or you can visit it just across the road from the museum. Free to drop in.

Aug 13 DRESS TO IMPRESS Make paper clothes for paper versions of Plymouth’s ‘famous five’: Captain Scott, George Bignell, Gertrude Benham, Joshua Reynolds and Sir Francis Drake the characters from the illustrated www.cornerstonevision.com

Aug 26 CREATIVE FLAG MAKING Design your own colourful flags inspired by the ‘Acts of Making’ Festival and Richard William Wheater’s ‘Flags and Scooters’. £2.50 per child, booking advised.

Aug 27 EGYPTIAN GODS Be inspired by one of the world’s most ancient civilisations and make your own Egyptian God. £2.50 per child, booking advised.

Saltram House Plympton 01752 333500 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram July 1, 4, 8 BEGINNER’S RUNNING GROUP A fun and social running group for all abilities. A welcoming group to help you get fit by having fun. A great start to the morning with a fun group to go with. Bring a drink and wear trainers suitable for running. Bring clothing suited to the weather.

July 4 BIG BEACH PICNIC With beach games, sandpits and deckchairs in the Garden, help celebrate the coastline.

From July 4 OUR BEST CHINA See ‘Our Best China’ on display and learn just how ladies of the house took tea and marvel at this colourful collection.

July 5, Aug 15 PEDAL POWER SOCIAL CYCLE RIDE A Sunday morning social cycle ride for all the family. Led by a qualified instructor who will take you on a journey through Saltram and the Plym Valley. Each ride will take a different route through these wonderful National Trust properties. Free ride for all taking part. Wear suitable shoes for cycling and comfortable clothes. @CornerstoneVis

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WHAT’S ON

July 8, Aug 12 5K SUMMER SERIES Join Armada Athletics for their 5K annual summer series. Second Wednesday each month for a 5K jaunt around Saltram Park. It’s open to everyone aged 11 and over.

Bring suitable and comfortable clothing for running and some warm clothes to put on after.

Aug 23 - 24 CLIMB A BUCKLAND ABBEY TREE See Buckland Abbey from a different angle as ‘The Great Big Tree Climbing Company’ invite you to climb one of the estate’s trees for an experience which can’t be found on the ground.

July 10, 31 SCANDAL AND ROMANCE A playful evening event bringing the Parker family’s past scandals and romantic associations to life with actors and narration. Scandal and Romance explores more of the aristocratic stories and nuances as Georgian characters are brought to life with bespoke costumes and dialogue. The house will be candlelit. Booking essential.

July 12, Aug 16 SKY RIDE LOCAL Jump on your bike and discover Saltram on two wheels. Ride through woodland and along riverside paths and experience the magic of Saltram. Wear comfy shoes to ride in and bring your helmet and bike.

July 25 - 26 SALTRAM SUMMER GARDEN PARTY CRAFT & FOOD FAIR The Garden comes alive with local craft and food stalls as well as demonstrations, talks, garden games amongst a garden party atmosphere. Come along and browse the annual summer Garden Party held in the House and Garden at Saltram. They’ll be a showcasing of a wide range of the best in local crafts and food.

July 25 - 5 Sept SALTRAM SUMMER TRAIL Need something to do in the summer holidays? Why not spend the day at Saltram hunting down the summer trail in the park?

Discover areas of Saltram and find the markers to win a prize. Trail sheets can be bought from the welcome centre.

July 29, Aug 5, 12, 19, 26 GAME ON! Enjoy some family fun activities every Wednesday during the summer holidays. Try your hand at different sports and games including tennis, archery, cricket, croquet, golf and more.

Aug 1 THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE Illyria visit the Saltram grounds again this summer for their wonderfully entertaining, open air adaptation of Disney’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Probably Disney’s best-known film featuring

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Family Events Aug 6 - 9 OUTDOOR THEATRE: THE LONE PINE CLUB Watch National Theatre Company ‘Pentabus’ perform a daring tale of adversity and adventure in the grounds of Buckland Abbey in an adaptation of the well-loved Pine Books by Malcolm Saville.

Aug 29 - 31 STEP BACK INTO THE MIDDLE AGES Discover what life was like during the Middle Ages as the Medieval Free Company set up camp outside our Great Britain.

Mount Edgcumbe Cremyll 01752 822236 www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk Illyria, the outdoor theatre company, are presenting the Sorcerer’s Apprentice at Saltram on August 1

it’s most popular creation, Mickey Mouse! Illyria stages the traditional tale with one hell of a lot of water and magical illusions designed by Paul Daniels.

Every weekend in August SUMMER WEEKENDS SORTED Different activities every weekend including a Teddy Bears tea party, ceramic painting, costumed fashion shows, and 50 things activities.Weekly, Thursdays Breeze - Ladies Only Cycling Free weekly led cycle ride for women. Great for socialising, getting back on your bike and meeting new people. Led by a qualified ride leader. Please bring your bike, helmet, suitable shoes and comfortable clothing for riding.

Weekly, Fridays BEGINNER RUNNING GROUP A fun and social running group for all abilities. A welcoming group to help you get fit by having fun. Join the Friday Jog Oners for a free fun morning run around Saltram Park.

A great start to the morning with a fun group to go with.

Weekly, Fridays GARDEN DISCOVERY TOURS These tours will unearth the origins of Saltram’s plants and trees from around the world.

Saltram has Victorian botanists and plant hunters to thank for some of the remarkable specimens found in the garden. During one of the garden’s most colourful times of year, the gardeners invite you to join them on a tour of

The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

discovery highlighting some of the fascinating and worldly plants.

Buckland Abbey Yelverton 01822 853607 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey July 1, 15, Aug 5, 19 IN-DEPTH TOUR Join one of the knowledgable Room Guides as they take you on an in-depth tour of Buckland Abbey.

July 21 COSTUME WALK ABOUT Meet costumed characters from years past in and around the Abbey. See the mistresses prepare and cook the master’s dinner between 1-2pm.

July 19 RESONET Join the Resonet Choir as they perform Elizabethan choral classics within the Great Barn July 24 THE WURZELS - AN EVENING OF SCRUMPY AND WESTERN Grab a cider, bring along your harvesters and put on your best west country accents as The Wurzels are coming to perform inside Buckland Abbey’s Great Barn.

July 30 TUDOR ARCHER Meet the historic Tudor archer and see his display of bows and arrows outside the tithe barn. You may even get to have a go!

Aug 2 CLASSIC CAR SHOW You are invited to bring your pride and joy vehicles along and there will be a number of trophies up for grabs with a a certificate of attendance for all exhibitors.

Classic, American and kit cars will be on show along with military vehicles. The Earl of Mount Edgcumbe will formally open the event at 11am, but it’s recommends that competitors arrive as early as possible. Judging will commence at 1pm, and alongside the car show there will be a number of stalls, caterers and entertainment.

Aug 30 and 31 MOUNT EDGCUMBE AT WAR WEEKEND ‘From Vikings to Vietnam and beyond’. Join the Cornwall Military Vehicle Trust for their 12th Annual Rally here at Mount Edgcumbe.

Admission free (parking charges apply in the car parks).

Sept 5 and 6 SEALED KNOT WEEKEND oin members of the Sealed Knot Society and see what the life and times of an ordinary Civil War soldier and their families was really like. Experience the sights, sounds and smells(!) of a soldiers camp from the mid-17th century.

Demonstrations of pike, muskets and artillery as well as encounter the activities of the soldier’s base camp where women and children would typically be preparing food and refreshments for their troops.

The event is free in the lower park (car parking charges apply).

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WHAT’S ON Until Sept 26 FALLEN EMPEROR: NAPOLEON IN PLYMOUTH SOUND IN 1815 In the summer of 1915, for nine dramatic days, HMS Bellerophon was anchored in Plymouth Sound with the self-styled French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte on board. Napoleon had been defeated at Waterloo and surrendered himself into the care of the Royal Navy. The lengthy and costly Napoleonic Wars were over - but what to do with Napoleon now? The exhibition is entered on the popular painting from the collections by Jules Girardet and will explore the differing perceptions of Napoleon on his journey to Plymouth.

Admission free.

Until Aug 29 MYSTERY, MAGIC & MIDNIGHT FEASTS: THE MANY ADVENTURES OF ENID BLYTON Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery. Immerse yourself in the world of Enid Blyton - one of the best-selling writers for children of all time. ‘Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts’ will showcase a unique collection of Blyton’s original manuscripts and illustrations as well as her personal diaries and typewriter.

See panel above.

Enid Blyton’s work celebrated The first major exhibition celebrating the life and work of one of Britain’s best known children’s authors has opened at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery.

Born in 1897, Enid Blyton was the bestselling English language author of the 20th century and remains one of the most popular writers of all time. Her first book was published in 1922 and her work has been in print ever since.

The ‘Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts’ exhibition, which is touring the UK, explores Blyton’s creative imagination and the events that shaped her life and storytelling. Created

by Seven Stories, the national centre for children’s books, it brings to life the worlds of the Famous Five and Secret Seven, Malory Towers, Magic Faraway Tree and Noddy’s Toyland in a fun and interactive way for youngsters as well as grown-ups.

Exhibits – many of which are on public display for the first time – include original hand corrected typescripts from Five Have Plenty of Fun (1954) and Last Term at Malory Towers (1951) to Look Out, Secret Seven (1962) and Cheer Up, Little Noddy (1960).

Personal and nature diaries spanning the 1920s, 1930s and 1960s, family photographs and her famous typewriter are also included.

Kate Edwards, chief executive of Seven Stories said: “It’s impossible to celebrate Britain’s literary heritage for children without including our most successful author, Enid Blyton. She was a prolific writer with a

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

lively imagination and a remarkable gift for connecting with children. She was a master of plot, pace, suspense and the moral tale.”

Deputy Council Leader Peter Smith said: “In a career that spanned five decades, Enid Blyton wrote more than 700 books and some 4,500 short stories. Although some of her work has attracted controversy, she remains one of the most popular writers of all time and her contribution to children’s literature is beyond doubt.

“When we became aware this exhibition was going on a national tour we were really keen for the Museum and Art Gallery to be one of the venues – especially over the summer break when lots of families visit. I’m sure they’re going to have a great time.”

‘Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts’ is also providing the inspiration for a number of fun, family-friendly activities over the summer holidays, many of which are being delivered in partnership with the Council’s library service.

The exhibition will be on display until Saturday 29 August and opening hours will be 10am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 5pm on Saturdays. Admission is free. For more information visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/ museumblyton or call 01752 304774.

July 7 - Aug 7 SIGNPOST 4 - THE UNCONSCIOUS DIALOGUE Peninsula Arts Gallery, Roland Levinsky Building, Plymouth University. The concept originated seven years ago from Devonport ‘A’ Level Art students desire to curate their own art exhibition; a fitting climax to two years of study. The title Signpost is a testament to current contemporary art and the work of each student and artist. Whether painting figures or a portrait, a panoramic vista or rock on a beach, a personal possession or a still life, Signpost 4 - The Unconscious Dialogue reveals the artist’s intense need to observe, explore and investigate our space and our time. Figurative or non-figurative, the artworks are true observations of humanity, environment and the material world. Each artist gains motivation from how they look, see, think and create.

July 11 - 29 Aug PLYMOUTH CONTEMPORARY OPEN Peninsula Arts Gallery, Roland Levinsky Building, Plymouth University. This major new partnership between Peninsula Arts and Plymouth City Museum

Festival of contemporary craft in September Plymouth City Council, Plymouth College of Art and Mount Edgcumbe are joining forces to bring a national festival of contemporary craft to Plymouth this autumn.

‘Acts of Making’ is a twoweek festival produced by the Crafts Council that celebrates contemporary craft through performances, and Art Gallery showcases new, up and coming creative talent alongside nationally and internationally significant artists.

All the works on display explore the relationship between history and the very latest innovations and understanding within contemporary art practice. You can also nominate your favourite artist to win this year’s Audience Prize.

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live installations and workshops.

Supported by Arts Council England and Plymouth Culture, it will run from September 12 to 26 putting craft in unexpected spaces and allowing the public to interact and collaborate with six internationally exhibited artists.

Visitors will be able to witness the creation of a patterned carpet made entirely from dust (‘Unfurling Splendour’ by Catherine Bertola) and create their own music via logs and wooden horns (‘Photosynthonium’ by Owl Project).

They will also get the chance to watch a procession of Vespa and Lambretta scooters (‘Tree and Scooters’ by Richard William Wheater) and become part of an ongoing project exploring our relationship with jewellery (‘Meanings and Attachments’ by Mah Rana).

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500 unfired ceramic pots (‘Is It Madness. Is It Beauty.’

by Clare Twomey) as well as skateboarders sculpting stone benches with their boards (‘Tombstone (let’s get over this)’ by Keith Harrison).

The performances and installations will be located across the City Museum and Art Gallery, Plymouth College of Art and Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park.

Public events and workshops will also take place in locations such as the Central Library, Plymstock Library, PRIME Skate Park, the Hoe and the Waterfront.

Deputy Council Leader Peter Smith said: “The festival is part of a number of high profile events that will be taking place in the area this autumn including exhibitions, conferences and an Arts Weekender.”

The full programme for Acts of Making will be confirmed soon at www. craftscouncil.org.uk/ what-we-do/acts-ofmaking. @CornerstoneVis

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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PROPERTY MATTERS

Darren back in business after horrific ski-ing accident Estate agent Darren Lawson has shared his knowledge of the Plymouth housing market with readers of this magazine for several years, with regular updates, forecasts and advice.

His regular market review has been missing this year because - as many readers may be aware - Darren suffered serious head injuries just before Christmas after a horrific ski-ing accident left him in a coma.

Darren's life hung in the balance in the hours following the accident as he received emergency treatment at the same hospital where Michael Schumacher was taken after a similar ski-ing accident in 2013.

Darren, who is managing director of leading city estate agents Mansbridge Balment, was airlifted back to Plymouth and after initial treatment at Derriford began a long period of rehabilitation and recovery at Mount Gould.

Nearly six months later Darren has surprised medical teams with the speed of his recovery and is now back home with his family and has also begun the process of getting back to work.

He is currently visiting Mansbridge Balment's city office in Mutley one morning a week to check on the latest progress of the business.

Even from his hospital bed Darren took an active part in the business, holding a number of meetings with his management team and staying in touch with staff via e-mail and social media updates.

Within hours of Darren’s fall on December 16 during a pre-Christmas holiday with his sons, Sam and Cameron, Mansbridge Balment’s Facebook page was inundated with thoughts and good wishes - with many more people making a personal visit to both offices to convey their thoughts and send cards.

Even people who had never actually met Darren but were aware of his association with Mansbridge Balment took the time to send their support to him and his family, as well as his colleagues.

"I had a ludicrous number of visitors while I was in hospital

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

and it was particularly humbling to know how many people were concerned enough about my situation to make the effort to call or visit the office to check on my progress," said Darren.

Darren paid tribute to the medical staff at the Plymouth Neurological Rehab unit, Mount Gould, as well has his close family members, friends and colleagues for the part each and every one of them has played in his recovery process since the fall just before Christmas.

And he reserved particular praise for his wife Debbie for her ‘constant love and support’.

“Her strength, courage and determination throughout the challenges I have faced have quite simply been above and beyond what one might expect or even deserve. I cannot thank her enough,” said Darren.

“I cannot speak highly enough of the staff at Mount Gould either and what they have done both physically and mentally to prepare me for returning home. When I arrived there, I was unable to do anything for myself, but I have managed to walk again and cycle on an exercise bike.”

Darren praised the team at Mansbridge Balment for their tireless work, which had been justly rewarded with a record first quarter for the business.

He also singled out members of the senior management team Ben Dreher, Kevin Buckingham and Chris Mervyn for successfully navigating the company through what he called ‘challenging and unprecedented times’.

A fanatical Manchester United supporter, Darren received a letter from his hero Ryan Giggs and a signed gift from another team legend Bryan Robson while he as undergoing hospital treatment.

Darren said: "It is a tribute to the professionalism and expertise of the whole team at Mansbridge Balment that the business has continued to prosper and succeed - despite the managing director being absent from the business for months on end.

"All the hard work we have put in over the last few years developing our culture and business strategy has clearly paid off. It will be some time before I am well enough to

return to the office on a more regular basis, but I am still able to encourage and instruct the team via e-mail and telephone calls.

"My role now is more of a figurehead and motivator while I continue with my recovery."

Plymouth city office director Ben Dreher, also a close friend of Darren, said the response from the public had been simply incredible and had given everyone at Mansbridge Balment a real boost.

“I know I speak for everyone here at Mansbridge Balment when I say, thank you for all your kind words that made such a difference at a very difficult time for us all,” said Ben. “Seeing Darren back in his natural environment in the office has given everyone a real lift, both here in the Plymouth City office and our Plymouth North branch. We have missed his presence greatly and it is wonderful to see how well he is progressing.”

Darren said that his main priority at the moment is concentrating on his ongoing rehabilitation. "My time at the moment is dominated by therapy sessions four times a week with my physio and occupational therapist."

Darren's head injury initially left him unable to walk and the specialists were unsure if he would ever be able to walk again. He has lost much of the use of his left arm and his left leg is also affected.

"They didn't know how determined I was and the incredible support I have had from my family, work colleagues and so many friends. There is almost as much good as bad has come out of it all. I will never be able to fully repay my debt of gratitude to so many people.

"My focus now is to ensure that I fulfil the potential for rehabilitation and I know I have a trusted team at Mansbridge Balment that gives me the freedom to do that," he added.

Despite all the trauma of the accident and his hospitalisation Darren has kept in touch with the state of the housing market in Plymouth.

"It's great to be able to share my thoughts on the market again with the readers of the Plymouth Magazine," he said.

"Last year was a record year for Mansbridge Balment in

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terms of property sales and we are seeing the same picture again this year.

"Although we have sold more properties this year, there has been a higher number of abortive sales, which is frustrating for all concerned. I'm not sure whether it was due to the uncertainty around the outcome of the election or other factors.

"It's a pity we don't have the same system in England as there is in Scotland which prevents this sort of thing happening. It's far too easy for people to withdraw from a sale.

"There's no doubt that the election did cause some hesitancy in the middle to top end of the market. I have been an estate agent during six General Election campaigns and in the past they didn't rally impact on the housing market.

"I am not politically minded, but there was so much disparity between the manifestos of the main parties that it caused some homeowners to hesitate. The Conservative manifesto contained several important pledges relating to property which as not been the case for many years."

Darren said that the Stamp Duty reforms which were introduced in December last year had stimulated sales of properties in the £250,000 to £300,000 price bracket.

"Prior to the Stamp Duty change it was very difficult to achieve sales in this price range because of the big jump in duty payable over the £250,000 mark. Thankfully that has all changed."

Changes in pension legislation were also fuelling a sharp rise in the investment property market in the Plymouth area.

"We have been inundated with enquiries from people keen to use capital built up in their pension pots to invest in property, particularly in the buy-to-let sector," said Darren. Investment property purchases were up by 30 per cent in the first few months of the year," he added.

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

/45

PROPERTY MATTERS

Don’t step up to a bigger home, step up to your easyaccess loft!

Don’t step up to a bigger home, step up to your easyaccess loft!

Ever look around your home and think “mmm, we could do with a bit more space?” Or are you about to have a tidy-up but you don’t want to throw everything out? The answer could be to make more use of the space you’ve already got literally under your own roof.

For many home-owners the loft is an under-utilised area because it’s difficult and dangerous to reach. Plymouthbased loft ladder installer, Access4Lofts – whose slogan is ‘loft space needn’t be lost space’ – can change all that in less than a day.

The family business is owned by Tim and Lindsay Brown, who are this year celebrating the firm’s 10th anniversary.

Much of the work is carried out for growing families – as Lindsay says, “with kids comes clutter, as we know ourselves!” – and for retired people looking for the newest and safest access available.

Tim says that with space at such a premium, it makes sense to make the most of your loft: “Installing a loft ladder is quick and affordable. It’s less expensive than a garden shed and it

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

means you don’t have to move everything out of the house.”

Access4Lofts provides a free survey and quote service so you can find out what is achievable with your loft area. For the full works, customers can get a retractable 3-section ladder, a new hatch, a floating floor over the loft insulation, and lighting.

Tim believes that homeowners might want to consider an upgrade as in many homes, the loft hatch and ladder are out of date compared to what’s on offer now: “The new ladders are spring-assisted and lighter so they’re much easier to use,” he said. “The ladders can also come with a safety handrail and there is an option of wide-tread wooden steps. There’s really no need for anyone to be struggling in and out of the loft any more.

“We can also improve the hatches. Some of the ones in older houses are small so there is scope for them to be enlarged. And we can add boarding around the hatch with makes access even safer. The hatch can be uPVC-coated or wood, either standard size or made-to-measure. The boarding is safe to walk on and sturdy enough to hold heavy items – but it is not a loft conversion, which requires planning permission,” he added.

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Freeing up a room currently clogged with clutter can save a lot of trouble – and expense, as Tim explained: “Some people looking for more space move to a bigger home but this needn’t be necessary. People are surprised by the amount of space a loft can create. We can put the boarding into the eaves to maximise the space and we can also include shelving.”

Access4Lofts has the Trading Standards Buy with Confidence certificate and boasts five stars on the organisation’s website. The firm is also in the ‘Which?’ list of Trusted Traders. For added confidence, Access4Lofts has full public liability insurance and all ladders come with a five year guarantee. Lindsay said: “We’ve got hundreds of testimonials and lots of lovely feedback on our website and Facebook page. We take pride in what we do and that’s reflected in what our customers say.”

Tim added: “I’ve been in thousands of lofts and I’ve lost count of how many people apologise for the state of their attic. I’ve seen it all before and always tell them not to worry, but I thought that compiling a Top 10 Tips to help get a tidy, organised loft space would be useful. It’s free to download from our website.”

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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PROPERTY MATTERS

Oven technology sparks a kitchen revolution

State-of-the-art oven technology is leading to a revolution in kitchens across the country.

According to Nathan Damarell of leading Plymouth-based independent kitchen and bedroom company KF Kitchens, customers are choosing sophisticated ovens, hobs and microwaves with features that were unheard of just a few years ago.

The trend is set to continue following further advances in the design and functionality of built-in ovens which have recently been unveiled by leading appliance manufacturer Neff.

As a Neff Master Partner, the team at KF Kitchens is excited about the new range of single and double ovens which embrace a range of innovative features.

"Neff ovens have always been at the leading edge of technology, but the new range launched earlier this year represents a major step forward," said Nathan.

"Cooking and baking has never been more popular and Neff ovens have definitely been designed by cooks for cooks with this in mind."

Features on the new range include the popular slide and hide oven doors, telescopic rails, self-cleaning, CircoTherm simultaneous cooking on multiple levels, innovative steam assistance and a full touch screen colour display. The new range is now produced in a stylish black and stainless steel finishes.

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

The new touch screen display enables the user to simply scroll through a wide range of cooking functions with ease all at the touch of a button on a full colour display.

Derinda Damarell said: "With the new Neff ovens complicated navigation is a thing of the past. Instead you have an intuitive display right at your finger tips giving you more time to focus and enjoy your cooking.

"A range of pre-programmed options for roasting, baking and grilling are also included in the new controls, which takes all the guesswork out of cooking," she added.

Nathan said: "The new range was launched a few months ago and we have been testing the appliances ourselves and learning more about the new features so that we can fully explain the benefits of the new technology to our customers."

KF Kitchens have invested in a number of new displays at their Faraday Mill showroom to coincide with the launch of the new Neff range.

Four new displays have been introduced with fullyfunctioning appliances and a range of finishes, sinks, worktops and flooring.

"It's important for customers to be able to visualise how a kitchen looks - complete with appliances - and how it functions. We spend a lot of time with them to ensure that we provide the best and most effective solution," said Nathan.

KF Kitchens boasts one of the largest kitchen showrooms in the region with over 40,000 square feet of space and more

than 25 kitchens on display.

The new displays feature quartz and granite worktops, painted oak and gloss finishes in a range of colours and the latest Karndean Loose Lay flooring.

With kitchen gadgets also proving increasingly popular, one of the displays features the Quooker boiling water tap - which provides hot, cold and

constant boiling water from one tap.

"There's no doubt that technology like the Quooker boiling water tap and the latest induction hobs are especially popular with the man in the house," said Nathan.

"As far as colour trends are concerned we have found that soft greys such as cashmere are extremely popular these days, so we have featured these in our displays so that customers can see for themselves how they look," said Nathan.

"But we are not limited to any particular colour. All are kitchens are bespoke and designed individually for each customer so we can literally provide finished units to match any colour which the customer requires."

Customer service has been at the forefront of the KF Kitchens ethos since Nathan, Derinda and Simon Rice set up the business in 2008. It is reflected in the fact that the company has been approved by Trading Standards Buy With Confidence scheme.

"We believe it is important for customers to know how much their dream kitchen is likely to cost at the earliest opportunity and we can provide a broad outline of the figure involved within an hour of an initial meeting.

"We don't believe customers should have to wait for weeks and weeks for an estimate, only to be deflated or disappointed when the supplier eventually provides them with a figure.

"We prefer to dedicate most of our time to customers who have made a decision to buy their kitchen from us, based on our detailed estimate and computer generated designs.

"Unlike a lot of other kitchen companies we don't have sales - the price customers pay is the same all year round and it is always the best price available. We don't offer any fancy incentives or discount gimmicks," he added.

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

/49

TRAVEL MATTERS

Avoiding holiday car hire chaos Hiring a car has always been a reasonably straightforward process in this country or even abroad.

However, the DVLA have recently decided to abolish the paper counterpart of UK driving licences generating some uncertainly in the national press over how this will affect the car rental process as historically, this counterpart would have contained the details of any driving offences or endorsements.

I will try and clarify how the changes will affect car hire procedures in an attempt to clear up any confusion and prevent any complications for people when collecting a hire car.

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

UK car collection – all UK residents hiring a car within the UK will be required to supply a one-off DVLA code when collecting their vehicle.

Overseas car collection – whilst the majority of overseas car rental companies have indicated that a DVLA code will not be required, some have confirmed that they will be asking UK citizens to present a one-off pass code when collecting their vehicle abroad.

I would therefore encourage

By Travel anyone who has planned, or is even considering car hire during their Expert holiday abroad, to contact their travel Anthony Goord agent or car hire company before departure to confirm whether the pass code is needed.

How to obtain a DVLA code – you will need to access the DVLA website on www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence and follow the links. The prompts will ask you to input your driving licence number, national insurance number and your post code.

Once these details have registered, you should click the green ‘view now’ button to display your DVLA code. These codes will only be valid for 72 hours so it is essential that you complete this task within 72 hours of hiring your car.

DVLA codes are also provided for one time use only so you will need to repeat this process on each separate occasion that you hire a vehicle.

If you plan to hire a car overseas and start the hire period part way through your holiday or even arrange the hire during your holiday, it is important to bear in mind that you will need internet access whilst away to generate your pass code.

It will be worthwhile checking that this is possible before you leave as the car hire company may refuse your rental request without the pass code.

Many travellers continue to question whether they should book their holiday through a travel agent or directly with a tour operator online. Being an independent travel agent, I am obviously bound to encourage people to do the former but in all honesty, let me try and clarify the reasons why.

Firstly, when booking with an ABTA bonded travel agent, you know that you are dealing with a reputable and financially stable company who will protect your money in the event of any problems by only making your travel plans with an ATOL protected tour operator.

Secondly, an independent travel agent will offer you a wider choice of holidays from a greater selection of tour

operators, many of whom are independent themselves. This is because independents are not linked to and incentivised by certain operators and are therefore not required to steer customers towards particular brands.

A travel agent can also supply invaluable face-to-face advice from experienced and knowledgeable staff who have visited many destinations and sampled the products that they are selling. It seems that this personal service is becoming somewhat elusive in the travel industry and yet is still desired by many holidaymakers.

Finally, by leaving all the arrangements to a travel agent, many people avoid the hassle and stress that can occur with administering the booking and dealing with the tour operator in the event of any changes or problems.

You will usually have one main point of contact within the agency who will deal with everything on your behalf from start to finish. This element of the service travel agents provide is particularly relevant to those organising unusual holidays that would benefit from some travel industry knowledge and expertise.

I can speak from experience about the challenge of putting together complicated itineraries and the stress of organising weddings or honeymoons abroad. It is worth questioning why you would take on that challenge when a travel agent could do it for you.

Although you may not be too surprised to hear me trumpeting the benefits of booking through a travel agent, you may well be aware that certain tour operators have tried to bypass them in recent years and sell directly to the public.

However, this trend is changing. During the past 18 months in particular, many tour operators have realized the true value of travel agents and many have experienced a ‘change of heart’ about how they sell their holidays as a result.

A classic example is the well-known Saga Holidays brand which, until the beginning of this year, have always been a strictly direct sell company. They have been followed by some other familiar names such as Titan Tours, Mercury

We

Direct (now simply known as Mercury), Travelsphere, Great Rail Journeys and Newmarket Holidays, who had previously offered mainly readers holidays in local newspapers.

All of these operators and more have reached the conclusion that travel agents can sell their holidays and process their bookings as well as they can but also offer a personal service to complement their product at the same time.

It is important for me to emphasise that the prices are the same whether you book an identical holiday through a travel agent or directly with a tour operator.

So it therefore makes complete sense to book through a travel agent and benefit from expert advice, personal service, guaranteed security and completely avoid the time consuming booking process yourself! Happy Holidays

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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FAMILY MATTERS

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Crumble is such an easy pudding to prepare and you can make whichever variation you fancy according to which fruits are in season.

My personal favourite is strawberry and rhubarb but today at nursery the children have enjoyed apple crumble. We have a fantastic cook, Jayne, who makes all her food from scratch: proper home cooking that the children love, especially her puddings!

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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Then rub together the flour and margarine and stir in the brown sugar. You can vary the topping by adding some oats or perhaps cinnamon if it is an apple crumble. It is always nice to top it off with some brown sugar too.

Children love to help with this because they can get their fingers sticky!! They really enjoy the textures of flour and margarine and will quite happily prepare the topping for this pudding for you.

If they are old enough they can help you prepare the fruit too – even better, why not take them to a pick your own fruit farm to collect the fruit in the first place?

When you are ready, pour the topping mixture over the fruit and cook in an oven at Gas Mark 5 / 190˚ C for 30 minutes.

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CHARITY MATTERS

St Luke’s Hospice volunteers receive Royal recognition St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth recognised with Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2015.

Volunteers who give thousands of hours service each year to Plymouth’s St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. Volunteers have always been at the very heart of St Luke’s since the hospice opened in 1982, willing to contribute a few hours of their precious time to give invaluable support to others who facing the daunting reality of a terminal illness.

St Luke’s currently has 1,194 volunteers assisting in a variety of roles; from helping to provide care for patients and their families, to generating the £4million that is required each year to keep the hospice operational. A total of 997 volunteers work across the 35 charity shops in Devon and Cornwall alone.

The award will be presented to St Luke’s later in the summer by the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Mr David Fursdon.

In the build up to receiving the award, Chairman of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, Stuart Elford recently attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace hosted by Her Majesty The Queen and met other winners of this year’s award.

St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth chairman, Stuart Elford said: “St Luke’s would be unable to operate without the dedication and support of all its volunteers, who selflessly give their time in a number of roles across the organisation.

“With more than 1000 volunteers it wouldn’t be possible to individually recognise each and every one of them. However, being presented the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is a huge honour that reflects the significant contribution made by them all that allows St Luke’s to deliver exceptional care to people suffering from life limiting illnesses and their families, wherever they may be. Accepting this prestigious award on behalf of each and every volunteer also serves as a thank you to the community which holds St Luke’s dear to its heart.”

Chief executive at St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, Sally Taylor

Volunteers from a Santander branch visit St Luke’s distribution site

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

said: “The St Luke’s team is incredibly proud of its volunteers and are delighted that they have been honoured with this award. We were able to demonstrate a diverse range of contributions from our volunteers and some innovative programmes of recruitment, training and support.

“We are particularly proud of our ‘volunteering in partnership’ project and the national toolkit we developed based on our learning. The project saw 120 volunteers, both young and old, supporting patients in a number of health and social care settings. The aim was to promote dignity in care and the volunteers are able to do the little things that make a difference for older people and those at end of life.”

St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth is one of 187 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of awards handed out to groups has increased by over 60% from 2014, due to an increase in high quality applications, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to tackle community challenges.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities. The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on 2 June – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE said: “I warmly congratulate all of the inspirational voluntary groups who have been rewarded for their community work with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

“The judging panel for this year’s awards were struck by the quality and breadth of all the successful groups.

The thousands of volunteers who give up spare time to help others in their community and to help solve problems demonstrate the best of democracy in action.”

Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson, said: “I would like

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PLYMOUTH MATTERS

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

Mayflower model moves to a new home - on the back of a lorry!

Professional ship model maker Dave Scoble helping with the de-rig

A model of the Mayflower built by Devonport Dockyard apprentices in 1969-70 will take centre stage at the newly revamped Mayflower Museum on Plymouth’s Barbican.

The model, which has been on display in the Council House for the last 45 years, was originally built to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower and was presented to the Lord Mayor in 1970.

Its new home on the first floor of the Mayflower Museum means it will take pride of place, overlooking the Mayflower Steps, when the museum is re-opened next month – and during the city’s Mayflower 2020 celebrations.

A team of second year apprentices took nine months to build the model, under the guidance of their training staff, starting in July 1969. They also built the plinth on which the model rests, along with a decorative railing and carved wooden plaque bearing the City of Plymouth crest. It was repainted by a DML apprentice in 1989.

The complete model weighs three hundredweight (24 stones) and all its running rigging (the rudder and other working parts) can be operated. It includes: • four decks, laid as true decks, in yellow pine • 332 blocks made by hand from English elm • four masts, a bowsprit and six yards made from Columbian pine • 10 lathe-turned cannons fitted Naval personnel move on period carriages • six handmade sails, totalling 64 the Mayflower out of the Council House square feet in area • rigging made from 360 fathoms of sewing twine The model has been carefully de-rigged and transferred to the museum by lorry and crane, with the help of Royal Navy personnel working on behalf of the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre (DNHC) and professional ship model maker Dave Scoble, who will help to re-assemble the model in its new home. They were overseen by Leading Seaman Holly Somers

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from the DNHC and staff from the Council’s arts and heritage service.

Deputy Council Leader Peter Smith said: “The Mayflower Museum will be a very fitting home for this beautiful piece of craftsmanship, especially in the run-up to the 400th anniversary celebrations. There’s no better place to showcase this intricately detailed replica model than overlooking the steps from which the original ship set sail.”

Warrant Officer Ray Crockett, Naval Base liaison officer, said: “We are really pleased to be helping with the Mayflower model’s move, particularly as it was built by apprentices from the dockyard. The Devonport Naval Heritage Centre and Naval Base are working closely with the Council on a number of projects as we move towards 2020, Nicki Thomas, registrar including the forthcoming History for Plymouth City Centre and Mayflower 400. We are Museum and Art Gallery passionate about supporting the preparing the model for city in these ventures and helping to its move present the city in the most positive way we can and both nationally and internationally.”

Visitors will be able to view the model when the Mayflower Museum, based on the upper floor of Plymouth’s Tourist Information Centre, re-opens next month. Its refurbishment of the Mayflower Museum has been made possible by a £35,000 grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Designed to ‘start visitors on a journey of discovery’, the revamp aims to create a more exciting and engaging visitor experience and better celebrate the story of Plymouth’s role in the Pilgrims’ epic journey to the New World.

It will also give visitors the chance to learn more about this important moment in Plymouth’s shared history with America in the run-up to and during the Mayflower 400 anniversary celebrations in 2020.

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Further details will be available in due course from the Sunnybanks Homes website www. sunnybankshomes.co.uk or by contacting the agents Mansbridge & Balment. The first option to purchase will be to those who have registered their expression of interest who will receive fuller details in advance of a formal launch of the development.

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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ART MATTERS

Artist Michael Hill and the colours of the coast At a time of instant recognition, where what’s new is always what we are directed to look at, it’s easy to overlook anyone or anything that has become established. It’s happened all the time in music where the latest sales are seen as more important than a good back catalogue, writes Roy Perring.

o N A nl ove m y l az on on

It can happen in art as well, very often galleries are keen to promote new talent to the extent of overlooking established artists and their work.

I think one such artist is Michael Hill. His work has been around for over four decades.

Working originally in watercolour and more recently acrylic, it is true to say he’s an ‘artist’s artist.’

Having studied graphic design at Plymouth College of Art and Design, Michael originally worked at illustration. He undertook work for magazines and local businesses, but his love has always been landscapes.

Early subjects were quite local including the Barbican, Mount Edgcumbe Park and Saltram.

Michael’s commissions include works for the late Lord Foot, HMS.Raleigh and Sutton Harbour.

He was also commissioned by Plymouth Ground Work Trust to paint a picture for presentation to Her Majesty the Queen when she visited the Royal William Yard many years ago.

When I caught up with Michael he confirmed that he still focusses on landscapes particularly coastal images although his choice of subjects much more broad. At present he is

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

working mainly in acrylic which he says gives him much more freedom particularly with the looser more impressionistic style he currently uses than his early works. He is currently working on a painting of West Hoe. Michael has become an established name in the city and is President of the Plymouth Watercolour Society. He is also a member of the prestigious Plymouth Society of Artists, which you can join by invitation only. First set up by lecturers in art the standards are high.

Michael has been preparing paintings for inclusion in their current exhibition which runs until July 25 at the Artmill Gallery in Hyde Park. The exhibition shows again at St Ives’ Penwith Gallery in September.

The Artmill Gallery is Michael’s main outlet in the city although Artist Michael Hill and two of his local you’ll find his work landscapes...Royal William Yard and Kingsand in some other galleries.

In addition to Artmill, Michael has had ‘one man shows’ at the Barbican Theatre and Barbican Gallery in Plymouth.

Elsewhere he’s exhibited in London, Totnes and Wadebridge to name just a few. In London he was at the Mall Galleries with the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour.

Michael thinks that when it comes to selling art, high standards are very important particularly at a time when gallery space is at a premium.

Michael’s work has always been accessible and attractive to most people, the sort of painting that people enjoy having on their walls. For that reason you’ll find his work in hundreds of homes throughout the city and beyond.

September will see art classes resuming at venues around the city. Michael leads two courses both on Mondays. He can be found at Art Frame Solutions at Faraday Mill Trade Park, Cattewater Road in the mornings and at the Tothill Community Centre in the afternoons.

Michael also leads occasional workshops at various clubs including Salcombe. Call Michael on 666501 for details.

ART MATTERS

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GARDENING MATTERS WITH PLYMOUTH GARDEN CENTRE

Creating a big buzz in the garden

By Fiona Newton and Derek Anderson of Plymouth Garden Centre Over the last few years more and more customers have been asking about plants which attract wildlife into the garden - particularly bees.

This is something we are passionate about at the garden centre and strive to get a wide range of wildlife friendly plants, whether it’s for bees, birds, butterflies or moths, or the holy grail of plants, one that will attract them all!

Our pollinating insects are on the decline and if they get wiped out totally, it will be an environmental disaster. Our flowers won’t be able to reproduce, so they will start to die out, but more importantly our food crops won’t get pollinated and therefore will not produce food for us to eat.

Gardens make up around a million acres of green space in the UK and provide vital sources of food and green corridors for wildlife. If we all work together and introduce some diversity and wildlife friendly plants into our gardens, it will help in restoring the balance of nature and ultimately increase the bee population.

Many people think that in order for their gardens to be wildlife friendly that it has to be unruly, messy and natural, but it doesn’t.

With the right plants and a few are simple measures we can make our gardens a haven for wildlife and still keep manicured lawns and well-structured borders.

Many people think that by planting flowers in their gardens means they will attract a lot of bees and butterflies, but it’s

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

not that simple. It’s about choosing nectar rich plants.

Many of our common and favourite plants have been cultivated for years and years to produce bigger and brighter and more exuberant flowers. Over time it has meant they have little or no nectar left to feed the insects, or that they are crammed so full of petals that it becomes impossible for bees and butterflies to access the nectar.

They main culprits are our beloved bedding plants.

Begonias, Geraniums, Busy Lizzies and Lobelia produce vivid and stunning blooms and perform reliably well for such a long period of time, that it comes and no surprise that they are the nation's favourite.

But they have little to offer wildlife. I’m not saying it’s time to ditch them completely, but perhaps mix it up a little. Use them to add splashes of colour amongst wildlife friendly plants instead of using them solely en masse.

There are a vast number of bedding plants that are nectar rich which can be used alongside or instead of Geraniums, Begonias, Busy Lizzies and Lobelia.

The open flat flowers are perfect for bees and butterflies to land on and have easy access to the nectar. These include daisy like flowers such as Zinnias, Cosmos, Calendula, Gazania, Osteospermums, Bidens and French Marigolds.

Other great annuals to use are those with trumpet flowers such as Mimulus and those with lipped flowers such as Antirrinhums. A great annual to plant for evening scent and for attracting moths as well as bees is Nicotianna.

These will all flower well in baskets, pots and in the garden from April until October or November. Regular feeding and deadheading will keep them performing and looking good.

Planting perennial plants that come back year after year is an easy and surefire way to attract pollinating insects into the garden.

The majority are easy to look after and require very little maintenance once they have established.

When you first plant herbaceous perennials, water and feed them well in their first year and after that they will need feeding in the spring and deadheading when required.

Excellent, easy to grow, attractive and long flowering varieties are Asters, Salvias, Agapanthus, Kniphofia, Geums, Lupins, Gaillardias, Rudbeckias, Digitalis, Echinaceas, Monardas, Verbenas, Knautias, Veronicas, Achilleas, Sedums, Erysimums and Gauras.

These will provide the garden with reliable colour from May until October and return each year.

Many of these are flowering profusely in the garden centre now and are covered with bees daily. It’s an enjoyable sight to witness.

There are a few key points to consider when planting for wildlife. First and foremost it is important to plant in drifts or blocks.

Plant clumps of three or five or drifts three or five, rather

Time to stop working in your garden and start enjoying it!

With people’s lives getting busier by the minute, anything that cuts down on a few jobs in the garden has got to be worth considering.

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than individually or dotted sporadically throughout the garden.

This means that bees will have less distance to travel between plants and use up less energy trying to find more nectar. Bees can quite often die from exhaustion.

Plant a mixture of different types of plants and flower shapes to attract different types of bees and butterflies. This will encourage diversity.

Plant for the whole year rather than just the summer season.

Ensure there is something in flower in the garden all year round, so there is food available constantly.

If it’s a mild winter, bees can still be actively looking for nectar when food is scarce.

Place piles of logs behind the shed or at the base of trees and shrubs for them to hibernate in, alternatively hang bug hotels in trees, on fences, walls or in shrubs.

These make perfect little habitats for bees and other insects to over winter in.

Encouraging wildlife in the garden can help bring in beneficial wildlife that will help reduce the workload in the garden.

Ladybirds and small birds such as tits and finches will help eat aphids and caterpillars and frogs toads and hedgehogs do an excellent job of eating slugs and snails.

Having wildlife in the garden helps to reduce pests and diseases, but more importantly, it brings the garden to life and makes it worthwhile and rewarding.

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The Plymouth Magazine July 2015

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