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ISSUE 139 JANUARY 2016
Busy Lizzy’s new venture Success brews for Lorraine Plymouth property boost What’s On guide
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KITCHENS & BEDROOMS Faraday Mill
KF Kitchens help couple to create the home of their dreams An Ivybridge couple are enjoying life in their bungalow home - thanks to the team at KF Kitchens. Retired company director Will Palmer and his wife Maureen - better known as Mo - originally moved to Ivybridge three years ago to be nearer their daughter and her family. “We couldn’t find a bungalow then and ended up buying a house,” said Will, “but when the bungalow in Woodland Road came onto the market last year we felt it was the right one for us.” However, it was anything but a dream home - more of a nightmare. Will said: “It needed a lot of work, especially the kitchen which was old-fashioned and needed complete modernisation. Ceilings were
artexed and there were artificial beams made of polystyrene. “I have fitted kitchens in the past, but there was far too much work to do on the bungalow. We knew all about KF Kitchens because they installed a new kitchen at the house we purchased in 2011. “We had no hesitation in asking KF Kitchens to carry out the work on the bungalow,” said Will. “They had done a superb job at the first house and we were totally confident about their ability to carry out all the work on the bungalow.” The work involved knocking down a wall to create an open plan kitchen and dining area, creating an opening in the wall between the kitchen and lounge, new ceilings, plastering, plumbing, decorating,
Tel: 01752 255022 www.kfkitchens.co.uk enquiries@kfkitchens.co.uk
electrical work and flooring. “KF Kitchens have a great team of professional trades people and the way they work together and co-ordinate the job takes all of the stress and pressure away,” said Will. “The whole project was overseen and project managed by Nathan and the team at KF Kitchens and we are delighted with the end result,” he added. The couple chose a contemporary style kitchen with Kashmere coloured doors and draws, matching Silestone quartz countertops and a range of NEFF appliances, including built-in oven, hob, microwave, warming drawer, washing machine and dishwasher. Attractive Karndean flooring complements the stunning new kitchen. Mo said: “We stayed in a hotel for three
weeks while the work was undertaken so that the KF Kitchens team could get on with the work. Will was on site most of the time to liaise with the various specialists and we were soon able to enjoy our magnificent new home.” Nathan Damarell of KF Kitchens said: “There was a lot of work to do, but it was all really straightforward for our team. They have all worked together for several years and Will and Mo knew them well from the the work they did at their first home in Ivybridge.” Will added: “We cannot recommend KF Kitchens highly enough. Their professionalism, quality of workmanship, attention to detail and experience is second to none.”
KF Kitchens Ltd 67 Faraday Mill Business Park, Cattedown, Plymouth PL4 0ST
Why retailers love Plymouth
SOFT FURNISHINGS, CURTAINS AND ROMAN BLINDS Made to measure and alterations
There was more good news for Plymouth when it was revealed recently that the city has been listed as one of the top retail locations in the country. Last month I highlighted the fact that work on the longawaited Drake Circus Leisure Complex is due to start later this year with the £42 million development attracting strong interest from national retail operators. Now a recent poll compiled exclusively for Property Week has ranked Plymouth as the fifth best city in the UK with the hottest mass-market retail potential. Apparently the high levels of middle-income consumers across the Plymouth catchment area means there is scope to add more mass-market retailers to the city. The opening of a number of new retail outlets in Drake Circus and other parts of the city centre is certainly an encouraging trend. Let’s hope that the West End of the city will benefit when the new coach station is finished later this year. Our first issue in 2016 has the usual mixture of local business profiles and features on dining out, property, gardening and health. One of the stories features Steve Fleming, a Bowen Technique therapist based in Plympton. I was not familiar with the Bowen Technique until reading the draft of the article and as I was suffering from lower back pain and other issues I decided to pay Steve a visit. He uses very gentle methods of hands on therapy to improve long term conditions such as back and shoulder pain and other common ailments. All I can say is that it was well worth the visit as my back pain has completely disappeared. Another fascinating feature in this issue focuses on Katie Shaw who runs a business called End to Clutter...I think I need to give her a call too! Hope you enjoy this issue. 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; Laura Joint; Kerry Cole Advertising sales: Sarah Simpson, Tendai Chetse, Dave Simpson, Korneel Verhaeghe. Amellia Beaumont Distribution: Tim Hodges, Gary Spedding and Adrian Boughton Finance: Karen Pilkington and Kim Craig Front cover: Charles Cross Church illuminated like a number of other landmarks in the city. Photo by 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 Follow us @CornerstoneVis
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CONTENTS JANUARY 2016 EDITION
8
CREATING A BUZZ
10
COFFEE CHAMPION
Plymouth is one of just eight cities across the UK chosen for an innovative new programme called Urban Buzz
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We meet Lorraine Bridden from Plymstock who runs Owens Coffee Roasters the only organic Fair Trade business of its kind in the South West
PROPERTY UPDATE
44
Darren Lawson of leading independent estate agents Mansbridge Balment with his usual insightful views on the property market
16
BUSY LIZZY
After running her Funky Poppy business on the Barbican for five years Lizzy Evans has launched ‘Make at 140 Vauxhall Street’
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
SHORT STORY
46
Steven Short launched Shortflow Plumbing and Gas Engineering in 2010 - and has seen the business grow from strength to strength
A Great Kitchen
inspires inspires Great Creativity
Let us inspire you
01752 500953 Showroom and Design Centre 38 Molesworth Rd, Millbridge, Plymouth PL1 5NA
ARMADA
ARMADA KITCHENS BATHROOMS - BEDROOMS - TILES
www.armadakitchens.com • armadakitchens@gmail.com The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
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PLYMOUTH MATTERS The Urban Buzz project was officially launched in Devonport Park. Pictured here (from left) are Gareth Harrison-Poole (Plymouth City Council), Laura Curry (Plymouth Urban Buzz - Buglife), Andrew Whitehouse (Buglife South-West manager), Jeremy Sabel (Plymouth City Council)
It’s starting to buzz in Plymouth Plymouth has been chosen as one of eight cities across the country to pioneer a new scheme to create habitats for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Urban Buzz is an ambitious new programme of activity working with local people in Plymouth to design and deliver flower rich areas pollinators. Work in Plymouth started in December led by the newly appointed project officer Laura Curry. The whole project will run over three years with each urban centre receiving 18 months of intensive support thanks to a generous grant fund from Biffa Award of over £1 million along with support from Plymouth City Council and sizeable contributions from other funders both nationally and locally. Gillian French, head of grants, Biffa Award said: "We’re really buzzing about this project to engage people with wildlife in urban areas. Pollinators are vital in any ecosystem and we’re really proud to be supporting this essential conservation work. The team at Buglife have grand plans, and we’re pleased that the Landfill Communities Fund can be used to help them achieve their ambitions." The first phase of the Urban Buzz will see project officers consulting with the residents in Plymouth on the best places for pollinators and the best places to create new flower rich areas in order to enhance the cities. This initial work will be followed by intensive seed sowing and plug planting to create lush, vibrant flower rich swards. Laura, Buglife’s Plymouth Urban Buzz officer commented:
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
“This project is the biggest scale urban based project for UK bees and will help create a template that can be repeated across the entire United Kingdom helping to secure a long term future for our vital pollinators. “Today the urban environment provides one of the mainstays for our pollinators but increased concreting over of garden and brownfield space is putting increasing strains on species survival, the Urban Buzz will help redress the balance in favour of our pollinating friends who freely contribute £600 million per annum to the UK farming industry.” Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Brian Vincent said: “We are already making a name for ourselves by being a city that looks after its pollinators. “Our wildflower meadows in the city centre were a huge success as well as our innovative bee verges and we are introducing more places for wildflowers and insects to flourish in different parts of the city. “This project will help us to keep up the work that’s good for Plymouth, good for people, good for the plants, the wildlife and the planet!”
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Urban Buzz will work with interested parties, organisations, landowners and volunteers; any organisation or individual who wishes to be involved is invited to contact Laura Curry on laura.curry@ buglife.org.uk or 07464828624
Advertorial
Chef’s recipe for pain-free feet Professional chefs inevitably spend countless hours on their feet - and over time this can take its toll.
and pain was caused by fallen arches.” John was supplied with custom made orthotic arch supports - and it has helped change his life.
One such chef is John Brocklebank who has spent most of the last 50 years on his feet for long periods, having started his career in the catering trade at the age of 16 in 1964.
“It took a couple of weeks to get used to the supports, but now I wouldn’t be without them. I have no pain in my feet and I can enjoy my golf and squash again - as well as my work, of course. I have since purchased a second set of supports so that I have them for both work and leisure,” he said.
John and his wife Brenda have run the Lantern Lodge Hotel at Hope Cove near Kingsbridge for the last 30 years - and one of John’s main roles is as head chef at the 14-bed hotel. “Over the years I have suffered more and more with my feet,” said John. “I just put it down to old age - but the pain was getting worse and worse every year, leaving me with feet that were tingling or throbbing after a busy day’s work.” His sporting hobbies of golf and squash were also becoming an increasingly painful experience. It was during a well-earned holiday two years ago that John realised that the pain was potentially threatening his work. “We had been for a long walk and I was in agony,” said John. “I decided I had to do something and went to my GP who then
John and Brenda’s daughter Laura, who works at the hotel, has also been supplied with orthotic arch supports as she was found to have fallen arches as well. “I was getting a lot of pain in my hips and the supports have definitely helped,” she said.
Chef John Brocklebank with daughter Laura referred me to a chiropodist, but this didn’t help.” Soon after John and Brenda were in Plymouth’s Royal Parade on a shopping trip and noticed the Foot Solutions store. “We went in, made an appointment and returned at a later date,” added John. “Kay, one of the Foot Solutions team, carried out what they call a ‘Foot Assessment’ which showed that my problem
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WOMEN AT WORK
Lizzy’s new café and shop is set to ‘Make’ an impact After five successful years running her Funky Poppy business on the Barbican, Lizzy Evans decided she wanted a new challenge, one that would enable her to expand and would be great fun too. The result is ‘Make at 140 Vauxhall St’, a unique café experience that brings three of Lizzy’s passions together under one roof – coffee, cake and creativity. Make at 140 Vauxhall St is a modern haberdashery, café and workshop space which is already proving a hit with people who are looking for something just a little bit different from the ordinary. Lizzy admits that opening the café and moving her popular button shop and haberdashery from The House That Jack Built in Southside Street into the spacious building previously occupied by ‘Salt’ is a big step. But she says it’s the right step, too: “It just feels like a natural progression and it means I can stock lots of lovely fabrics which you can’t always find in Plymouth,” she told Plymouth Magazine. “Although Plymouth is a vibrant city, I feel we need creative
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
spaces like this where people can come and learn and make things in a nice environment. This building is just perfect for it.” Lizzy has designed the space so that the distinct areas have a natural flow. The workshop area at the back is more private but is still very handy to the food counter and the café which fronts the building alongside the haberdashery shop. As well as fabrics, patterns and haberdashery, the shop also has lampshade kits – buy the kit and choose your fabric and make your own lampshade – and fun things to make with the children, such as pretty bow belts and button bracelets. There are also lots of gift ideas, including Lizzie’s own handcrafted and bespoke button jewellery. Lizzy’s aims for the shop are very clear: “We’re looking to sell some more unusual types of fabric,” she explained. “We've got some great new arrivals – I love the Zombie wedding and unicorn designs, I think these will be really popular. Much of the range is organic and we also have stretch fabric. It’s all very modern.” Lizzy says that one of the driving factors behind the
expansion is the movement towards people making their own clothes again: “People are coming away from the throwaway society that we’ve been for some time. Upcycling is now very popular. You get a sense of achievement knowing that you’ve made that item, and your item is completely unique.” Lizzy has taken on teachers and instructors to run the workshops in sewing, crochet, pattern reading, general crafting and dressmaking: “There are workshops for total beginners and for keen improvers,” she said. “We’re aiming for the space to become a community for crafters and creators, somewhere to come and feel comfortable to ‘Make’.” But you don’t have to be a maker or a crafter to enjoy the ambience of Make. The café is already a bustling meeting place for friends and for shoppers looking for a cuppa and a bite to eat before or after a trip into town. Lizzy has employed new staff to help: “I’m lucky to have found such great staff,” she said. “Lou Short is our café manager and chef and has designed the menu and everything in the café. And we also have a pastry chef Livvy Goss. Lou and Livvy are both amazing.” The café uses local ingredients as much as possible and the locally roasted coffee is from Modbury-based Owens. “We’ve gone for a menu that’s just right for the space we have,” said Lizzy. “We have smoothies, hot drinks, sandwiches, salads and home-made soups. But a big focus is on Livvy’s yummy cakes. I want our customers to know that when they come here they’ll get quality with everything. “The idea is that people can come in, have a coffee or a cup of tea and a chat,” she added. “And if they want to use the space to make things, then that’s great.” And to think all of this started when Lizzy became fed up at not being able to find the sort of buttons she was looking for: “I’d been away from the area and when I came back to Plymouth five years ago I didn’t know what to do. I started to upcycle some of my clothes and I discovered that you couldn’t get unusual buttons anywhere. “So that gave me an idea. Within six weeks I had a small unit in The House That Jack Built, selling buttons, and within six months I’d moved into a bigger shop in the precinct which fronted Southside Street. I was selling button jewellery and handmade button ceramics. But there came a point about 18 months or two years ago where I felt I needed to grow, to challenge myself. “When Salt closed in September I thought ‘wow, what an amazing space’. We opened here on 10 November and we’ve been really well received. I’m sure Make will develop and change as I speak to people and learn what they want in terms of workshops, timings, stock and café menu. I’m very excited by all the options ahead for me.” Make has its own free customers’ car park at the back. For all the latest information, visit the Make website or popular Facebook page.
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Make at 140 Vauxhall St: 140 Vauxhall Street, Bretonside, Plymouth PL4 0DF 01752 600130 www.makeat140.co.uk www.facebook.com/makeat140
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
/11
Success brews for Owens...
...thanks
What do The Greedy Goose, Rock Salt Café, Salumi, The Waterfront, Lemon Tree Bistro, The Bread & Roses, The Treasury, RumpusCosy and the café at Make all have in common? Apart from being among the most popular eateries and pubs in Plymouth, the answer is that their coffee of choice comes from award-winning Owens Coffee Roasters, owned by Plymstock couple Lorraine and Tim Bridden. Owens’ 100% organic and Fairtrade hand-roasted coffee is also served at some of the city’s biggest establishments, including City College, Plymouth University and at Plymouth City Council – including the council leader’s office. It can also be found at quality establishments across the South West as well as in retail outlets. The day-to-day running of Modbury-based Owens is managed by Lorraine, whose science background comes in handy in creating perfectly roasted beans. And, the good news for those of us who enjoy nothing better than a classy cup of coffee, is that Lorraine has a new offering for 2016 where people can learn barista skills for use at home: “I get asked so often what it takes to make a really good cup of coffee that I thought ‘why not let people come here and learn?’” Lorraine has just revamped a training room at the premises so that up to four people at a time can learn the art of being a barista. The facility is also used by her trade customers who want off-site training and Lorraine says it makes sense to throw it open to coffee enthusiasts: “We are also working on introducing other courses where people can learn about the roasting process and provenance of the beans,” she said. “A lot of people are really into their coffee so we think this will be very popular.” Plymouth-born Lorraine went to Elburton Primary and Coombe Dean Secondary before getting a degree in biological science. She and Tim previously owned their own business in tourism software but just over five years ago, they decided they wanted a new challenge: “I prefer being practical,” said Lorraine. “When I spotted this business was for sale I thought it was perfect. I like being able to see a product through from the raw green beans we import to a finished product, freshly roasted and in the bag ready to go – that gives me a great sense of satisfaction.” Owens is named after its founder, American Nancy Owen. “Nancy was living in Modbury at the time and she became so fed up at not being able to get a decent cup of coffee she set this place up!” explained Lorraine. “But just as she was ready to begin the business she had to return to the States because her mother fell ill. When we arrived here, basically all we had was a roaster and a handful of potential customers. We decided not to change the name or branding, but to crack on with getting the business up and running.”
to their roastingly good coffee! Lorraine Bridden with the Owens coffee roaster
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
Xavia Smith makes a coffee using Owen’s beans
BUSINESS MATTERS
The Owens range of eight organic roasted coffees
That was in late November 2010 and Lorraine says the last five years has been “a steep learning curve”. But she now has an ever-growing number of high quality customers, wellestablished relationships with Fairtrade coffee producers around the world and she’s developed eight distinct Owens coffees – five blended, all named after local places such as Bantham, and three single estate. Three of the range have won prestigious Taste of the West gold awards. Lorraine’s own favourite is the single estate Café Romero grown in Honduras by Jesus Romero Betata: “I’ve got to know a lot about his farm and his family, which is important I think,” said Lorraine. Lorraine is hands-on throughout the process at Owens HQ on the New Mills Industrial Estate, where she’s joined by her staff, Xavia Smith and Kezia Pedley. The premium quality raw coffee beans arrive in hessian sacks from Africa, Asia and Central America and are odourless and green until the roasting process kicks in. They’re checked and blended before “Big Bertha” – the name given to the red roaster that dominates the production room – comes into its own: “When we’re roasting we have to be completely focused on the temperature and timing. We can’t be interrupted,” said Lorraine. After the roasting, cooling and grinding comes the quality control tasting and finally, the packing and despatching. All of the coffee is hand-roasted to order in small batches so arrives with trade customers as fresh as it can possibly be. So how can we achieve a perfect brew at home? Lorraine’s top tip is to grind your own beans if possible with a burr grinder – grind only as much as you need there and then – or to buy freshly roasted coffee from a local roaster. Weigh out the coffee beans and measure the correct amount of water. Don’t guess because you’ll get the proportions wrong. The perfect ratio of coffee to water is 60g to a litre of water, which you can tweak according to taste. Use filtered water if you can and bring almost but not quite to the boil. Keep it simple by using a cafetière, a stove top moka coffee maker or a Chemex “pour over” brewer. The New Year is shaping up to be a busy time for Owens. As well as the planned training courses, Lorraine will be introducing the 9th coffee in the range and she’s also researching the health benefits of coffee which, she says, often go unheralded: “Not many people know, for example, that it has antioxidant properties.” There’s an online shop on the Owens website and more information about their coffee. Lorraine is also happy to take questions about coffee on the Owens Facebook and Twitter pages.
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Consult – Desi gn – Supply - I nstall 01752 831746 www.studioonesw.co.uk
Residence One Royal William Yard Plymouth PL1 3RP Plymouth
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Showrooms in: Pensilva
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Wadebridge
Owens Coffee Roasters New Mills Industrial Estate Modbury, PL21 0TP Tel: 0800 879 9791 www.owenscoffee.com www.facebook.com/OwensCoffee www.twitter.com/OwensCoffee
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
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FOOD MATTERS
There are three Plymouth restaurants listed in the 2016 Good Food Guide and the Lemon Tree Café & Bistro in Elburton is one of them. It’s the seveth year in a row that the bistro, opened by husband and wife Paul and Kim Eynon almost 10 years ago to the day, has been named in the prestigious guide. The Lemon Tree Café is under the headline ‘Local Gem’ in the guide, which is compiled using customer recommendations and clandestine follow-up visits from guide inspectors. It means that Paul and Kim will have double cause to celebrate in February, when they throw a 10th anniversary party to say ‘thank you’ to all their loyal regulars who, they say, are now more like friends than customers. When the Good Food Guide used the term ‘local gem’ they might also have used ‘tucked away’ or ‘hidden gem’. Yet it’s precisely their location on the outskirts of Plymouth that’s behind their success, in part at least. “Most of our customers live around Plymstock, Plympton,
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
Plenty to celebrate at the Lemon Tree Café & Bistro! Brixton, Wembury and Yealmpton,” said Paul, who’s been a chef since the late 1980s. “And Elburton has a lovely villagey feel, everyone supports each other and helps each other out.” The Lemon Tree is the hub of the community. In the past, a neighbour has offered the use of her kitchen when the café had a power cut, while Kim can often be seen dashing to shops in Elburton to deliver lunch or hot drinks because the shopkeepers are too busy to pop out. Recently, when an elderly couple who usually visit the café every week were both too poorly to leave their house, Kim and Paul took them a hot meal: “We were very worried they might go without,” said Paul. Paul was working as a chef at The Village restaurant in Southside Street on the Barbican in Plymouth when he and Kim decided they’d take the plunge and set up their own business. When the purchase of a delicatessen in the city fell through at the same time that the bistro’s premises came on the market, they knew straight away that it was for them. What they didn’t know was that they’d still be here 10 years down the line and that they’d be receiving national plaudits: “We came in with a five year plan and we’re about to celebrate our 10th year,” said Kim. “It’s been a crazy 10 years and we haven’t had a holiday in that time but we’re really happy here.” Everything in the bistro is down to Paul and Kim, from the design and décor to the staffing: “It’s just us two,” said Paul, “although our daughters Stephanie and Lauren help out when they’re about. They’ve both cooked since they were very little but they’re both working in London at the moment.” So what is it about The Lemon Tree that people like so much? Kim reckons it’s a mixture of freshly-made food cooked to order and a welcoming atmosphere: “People know what to expect when they come here and we like to think they get good service and consistent food. And they get value for money. Blackboard specials are usually under £10.” The Lemon Tree is open from 9am for breakfast, brunch and lunch and closes at 3pm. As well as traditional breakfasts, sandwiches and soups, there are also daily specials. And a visit to The Lemon Tree wouldn’t be complete without one of Paul’s delicious home-made desserts: “The sticky toffee pudding with double cream is the favourite,” said Paul, “although our grownup version of lemon syllabub with raspberry coulis and sherry is also popular.
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Save £100 “We keep the menu nice and simple because everything is made fresh and the emphasis is on quality. Because we cook to order Carrot and coriander soup and (below) we can be flexible lemon syllabub with raspberry coulis if customers let us know of any food sensitivities.” Evening dining is for booked parties of 10+ only, when customers can take over the 22-cover bistro. They can bring their own music, decorate the room with party paraphernalia and they can even supply the party cake. The bistro has a Mediterranean/Moroccan feel because Paul started off specialising in foods from that region and Paul and Kim spent some time in Greece and Gibraltar. Paul uses his skills in Mediterranean cuisine by producing a sumptuous 10-dish meze menu for the private party bookings: “This is the way I love to cook,” said Paul. “We bring out the 10 dishes over two hours.” The tapas are flexible according to what customers want but generally include a mix vegetable, meat and fish options. Diners also have a choice of beer, cider and house wines. The café uses local suppliers where possible, including free range eggs from Woodmeadow Eggs in Newton Ferrers, Owens Coffee from Modbury, Luscombe juices from Lower Dean, and Devonshire Tea. Some of the local produce is available to purchase. There’s a free car park opposite The Lemon Tree, but customers are advised that the café has no card facilities.
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Lemon Tree Café & Bistro 2, Haye Street South, Elburton Tel: 01752 481117 www.lemontreecafe.co.uk www.facebook.com/Lemon-Tree-Café-Bistro
www.cornerstonevision.com
@CornerstoneVis
The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
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WHAT’S ON The Lyric Royal Parade Plymouth Box Office 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com Until Jan 16 CINDERELLA The famous rags-to-riches story will be brought magically to life in a sumptuous production which carries the Theatre Royal Plymouth’s hallmark of quality entertainment for all ages; an abundance of comedy, stunning sets, the magical pantomime moment when Cinderella is transported to the Prince’s Ball with the help of a pumpkin, and lots of Fairy Gokmother magic! Jan 19 STEWART LEE - A ROOM WITH A STEW A new live show with fresh material in preparation for Stewart’s next BBC2 series of Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle. See it live weeks ahead of transmission. Feb 24 to Apr 2 BILLY ELLIOT - THE MUSICAL Featuring a timeless score by Elton John, sensational dance and a powerful story that has captivated millions around the
world, Billy Elliot the Musical is a funny, inspiring and spectacular theatrical experience. Apr 5 to 8 WNO: THE BARBER OF SEVILLE This is Welsh National Opera’s first new production of The Barber of Seville for nearly 30 years. It is the perfect opportunity to bask in the warmth and sunniness of this ultimate feel-good opera with a sparkling new translation by Kelley Rourke. Apr 6 to 9 WNO: THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO The Welsh National Opera’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ preserves a moment in time for audiences of all subsequent generations. With sublime music and a huge sense of fun, Figaro, perhaps more than any work of art since captures what it means to be alive. Apr 7 WNO: FIGARO GETS A DIVORCE The characters of The Marriage of Figaro are some of the best-loved in opera. For those of us who have seen the opera before, they can feel like people we know, even friends. Figaro Gets a Divorce, therefore, is a one-off reunion, a chance to catchup with these old friends.
Award-winning musical Hairspray at Theatre Royal The smash hit musical comedy Hairspray is touring the UK with a brand new production, guaranteed to have you dancing the night away! The award-winning show is being staged at the Theatre Royal from April 18 to 23.
It’s Baltimore, 1962, where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way! With an all-star cast to be announced, Hairspray is an irresistible feel-good show that will have you smiling for days – let your hair down and book now!
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For bookings and further information contact the Theatre Royal Box Office on 01752 267222 www. theatreroyal.com
Apr 13 to 16 BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET ROMEO AND JULIET Love at first dance, forbidden passions, dangerous secrets and star-crossed fate combine in an exhilarating classic ballet.
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
Apr 17 DYLAN MORAN - OFF THE HOOK This new show is Moran’s first stand up show for more than three years. Having received overwhelming reviews, Off The Hook is a hilarious glimpse into Moran’s unique take on love, politics, misery and everyday absurdities of life all delivered with poetical panache.
Drum Theatre ROYAL PARADE PLYMOUTH Box Office 01752 267222 Until Jan 16 3 LITTLE PIGS Perfect for ages two and beyond, the unswervingly energetic Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company return to Plymouth with a show chock full of puppets, music, comedy and thrills!Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company’s 3 Little Pigs follows in the footsteps of the company’s hit shows The Little Red Hen, The Enormous Turnip, The Hare and The Tortoise and Goldilocks and The Three Bears.
Theatres & Shows and The Cracks In My Skin (Manchester Royal Exchange). A Theatre Royal Plymouth production.
Castle Street, Plymouth BOX OFFICE: 01752 267131 www.barbicantheatre.co.uk Dec 9 to Jan 10 ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRY MEN This fools’ version of the legendary fable of Robin Hood is suitable for the whole family, with lightning-quick comedy, a love story like no other and incredibly historically (in)accurate characters, these men in Lincoln green will keep you on the edge of your seat with excitement and peril.
Jan 20 to 30 THE SOLID LIFE OF SUGAR WATER Jack Thorne’s The Solid Life of Sugar Water received unanimous acclaim from critics and audiences alike at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with The Times calling it “startlingly good”. Feb 6 to 27 MONSTER RAVING LOONY Monster Raving Loony is a fastpaced, hilarious and yet moving journey through the life and political exploits of Screaming Lord Sutch. Featuring a full house of ‘cameos’ of the most iconic comedians, sitcom characters and stand-ups of our time it asks if the British sense of humour can begin to uncover who we are, where we have been and where we are going next. Mar 1 to 5 KITE A lonely girl is taken to live in her grandma’s airless flat where the windows are shut tight. Her memories of seagulls and sand dunes begin to fade in the silence. One night a handmade kite comes to life and heralds the start of a wild adventure and the chance to find what it seemed was lost forever. Mar 10 to 26 THE MAN WITH THE HAMMER A powerful story about hope, desire and the danger of obsession. From the writer of The Christmas Truce (RSC 2014), Blink (Soho Theatre/ Broadway) www.cornerstonevision.com
Feb 12 and 13 SONGS FROM A SMALL TRAIN Fifty singers and musicians perform original songs of travel and journeying, celebrating both the local Tamar Valley line and the journeying of refugees travelling from the African continent, now residing in Plymouth. Feb 26 and 27 FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT Edinburgh sell out and award winning artist Bryony Kimmings heart-breaking and life affirming new show about clinical depression and men. A wickedly warming, brutally honest and heart-breaking show about the wonders and pitfalls of the human brain, being in love and what it takes to be a ‘real man’. Mar 13 IMBALANCE Fusing acrobatics, dance and circus, with choreography from internationally renowned Olivier Award nominee Jonathan Lunn, Joli Vyann present Imbalance Apr 29 WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT A true story based on Rebeccca Crookshank’s time in the Royal Air Force serving Queen and country protecting the UK Air Defence Region. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot charts her journey from basic training to the Falkland Islands. From feeling low to flying high (literally, in a Tornado F3), this is a deeply moving, hilarious and heart-warming adventure.
@CornerstoneVis
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
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WHAT’S ON in salsa, merengue, bachata, son and more.
. CASTLE STREET, PLYMOUTH 01752 242021 www.b-bar.co.uk Jan 6 and Feb 3 COMEDY NIGHT Some light relief with some of the best stand-ups on the UK circuit. Jan 7 GEOFF LAKEMAN A Cornishman who has lived on Dartmoor in Devon for 37 years, has been described as “a stalwart of the west country folk scene and the father of a virtual folk dynasty.” Jan 8 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. Jan 9, 16, 23, 30 Feb 6, 13, 20, 27 FREE CUBA PARTY Latin tunes and cocktails with our resident DJ playing the best
Jan 13, 27 Feb 10, 24 CAFE ACOUSTICA The B-Bar’s fortnightly showcase of unplugged talent, hosted by singer-songwriter Jessie Mullen. Jan 14 CALVIN THOMAS Plymouth based singersongwriter. Jan 15 ENSEMBLE BAKLAVA With a unique combination of instruments, Ensemble Baklava blends the sounds of the oud, bouzouki, concertina, bagpipes, Middle Eastern percussion, mandolin, baglama, spiked fiddle, guitar, tin whistle and voices to bring evocative, stirring and lively music and song from the Mediterranean region, both contemporary and ancient. Jan 22 METROPOLIS STRING QUARTET 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 we play a wide range of music and
The lads of Barbican Boys Dance are all set to become athletes of body and mind as they master the skill, strength and concentration to lift and throw. Members of this all-male dance group transform as they learn the power of flight moves, and develop technique, stamina and confidence under the guidance of professional dancers Becky Miles and Leroy Ward. Dance director Jules Laville said: “This Spring the boys will be faced with an incredible opportunity. They have been invited to work with innovative, national touring company 2-Faced Dance to choreograph a curtain raiser which they will then perform to open 2-Faced’s exhilarating and explosive double-bill ‘Dreaming in Code’, brought by Barbican Theatre to The House at Plymouth University on Friday March 4. After performing alongside 2-Faced Dance, the boys will immediately start gearing up for the All Boys Dance Platform, when they will perform in our professional auditorium at Barbican Theatre alongside other emerging all-male dance companies from across the South West. The evening looks to be a celebration of the talent and skill of lads from the South West. Will, who recently joined Boys Dance having never danced before, said: “I’m quite new and I like it here, I’m always excited to come. It’s great fitness and I always have a laugh” To find out more about joining this inspiring dance group and take advantage of these unique opportunities, there is a taster session from 7.30pm – 9pm on Monday January 11. Here you can meet the rest of the group and the practitioners and find out about their exciting plans for the year ahead. Boys Dance is held on Mondays from 7.30pm – 9pm at Barbican Theatre, Castle Street, Plymouth. It costs just £60 per term (under £6 per class), with bursaries available for people on certain benefits.
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To book a place on the taster, call 01752 267131 or email btpt@barbicantheatre.co.uk.
styles mostly from the swing, jazz and songs of the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and even the 60’s. Jan 28 ELISE YUILL With a powerfully emotive voice, which time and again is likened to that of Joan Baez, Devon based singer-songwriter Elise Yuill is fast becoming a recognised name in the folk world. Accompanied by an acoustic guitar, Elise sings a broad collection of songs ranging from an extensive repertoire of story-telling original material, to recognisable classic favourites from the Scottish hills to the American shores. Jan 29 HAMER & CO Everything from silky smooth to smokin’ 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.
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
MILLBAY ROAD, PLYMOUTH Box Office: 0845 146 1460 Jan 13 RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC Having performed to over a million fans since they formed over a decade ago, Rumours of Fleetwood Mac returns to the UK in late 2015 and early 2016 to launch its stunning new stage production performing in meticulous note-for-note detail all the classic hits from one of the most outstanding and enduring catalogues in the history of rock music. Jan 30 PLYMOUTH YOUTH MUSIC SERVICE CONCERT Young musicians from across Plymouth celebrate their love of music at the city’s annual youth ensembles concerts. Musicians
Theatres & Shows Did you struggle getting in & out of your loft this Christmas? &
Big break for Barbican Boys Dance from all of Plymouth Youth Music Service’s (PYMS) city-wide ensembles and some partner organisations and schools will fill Plymouth Pavilions with music with two fantastic concerts at 2pm and 6.30pm. Feb 5 FRANKIE BOYLE Frankie has written this new set not to tour, but as a response to Kendrick Lamar’s last album. After these stand-up performances the ball will very much be in Kendrick’s court. Come witness this harrowing onstage breakdown. Feb 6 I’M SORRY I HAVEN’T A CLUE BBC Radio’s multi award-winning antidote to panel games returns to the stage in 2016 with its sell out touring show. Join Barry Cryer, Miles Jupp, Tim BrookeTaylor, Jeremy Hardy and host Jack Dee for an unmissable evening of inspired nonsense. Feb 12 & 13 SARAH MILLICAN: OUTSIDER In just seven years Sarah Millican has gone from winning the Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to becoming one of the UK’s most successful and www.cornerstonevision.com
multi-award-winning comedians, who also holds the record as the highest selling female comedian in the DVD market. Her last tour, ‘Home Bird’, was seen by over 200,000 people. Feb 14 REBECCA FERGUSON Following in the footsteps of Billie Holiday and Diana Ross, singing superstar Rebecca Ferguson is back, showcasing her smoky vocals on her third album ‘Lady Sings the Blues’ and touring throughout the UK. Feb 15 MILKSHAKE! LIVE 2016 Join the Milkshake presenters and loads more of your Milkshake friends for an all singing, all dancing journey through Milkshake’s magical bookcase as they explore some of the world’s favourite fairy tales! Feb 19 KODO Twinning contemporary music and dance that are based on Japanese traditional arts, the production is directed by Tamasaburo Bando (one of the most celebrated Kabuki actors) and expresses the Japanese sensation of ‘Mystery’ defined by a dynamic taiko drumming performance. @CornerstoneVis
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WHAT’S ON Feb 20 PADDY MCGUINNESS The star of ITV’s Take Me Out will return to his performing roots, with his first stand-up comedy tour since 2011. After numerous sell out tours and best-selling DVDs, Paddy’s long awaited return to stand-up will see him perform 50 dates across the UK with another hotly anticipated show, Daddy McGuinness. Feb 25 THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS The Circus of Horrors appearances on various TV shows have turned what set out as a cult show into a household name – taking the extreme to the mainstream. its TV credits now boast The X Factor, The Slammer, Body Shockers, Fake Reaction, This Morning, The One Show and a Royal Command Performance.
venues and the tour is coming to Plymouth Pavilions on Monday 07 March 2016. Mar 8 WET WET WET Iconic British band Wet Wet Wet have announced The Big Picture Tour, reaching as far south as Plymouth and as far north as Inverness whilst covering all of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, giving fans all over the country the chance to see Wet Wet Wet play live. Mar 11 LEONA LEWIS
Mar 5 RUDIMENTAL SOLD OUT Mar 7 SHANE FILAN In the wake of releasing his hit album ‘Right Here’ in October 2015, Shane Filan has announced a major indoor UK Tour taking in some of the UK’s best loved
Following the release of her new studio album ‘I Am’, Leona
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
City date for legends UB40
announces details of her upcoming 2016 UK tour, her first UK tour in three years. Leona will embark on the 14 date tour at Liverpool’s Empire and will finish at the Plymouth Pavilions on March 11 including two nights at the London Palladium. Mar 12 PETER ANDRE Global superstar Peter Andre’s major UK arena and theatre tour includes a mammoth show at The O2 in London - and a date at the Plymouth Pavilions.
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Mar 19 SING-A LONG-A FROZEN Introduced by a live host who will guide you through this interactive screening by showing you how to use your free prop bag, warm up your singing voices and teach you some dance moves with the help of the Singalonga Princesses.
Mar 19 SING-A LONG-A GREASE You’d better shape up to sing along to the great movie musical - the sing along screening of the classic film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John is brought to you by the producers of Sing-aLong-a Sound of Music. Mar 21 JOE BONAMASSA As Joe approaches his 27th year as a professional musician, he continues to blaze a remarkably versatile artistic trail, and amass an authentic, innovative and soulful body of work.
Reggae pop legends UB40 are one of the world’s best-selling music artists, having sold over 70 million records. Now UB40’s three founding members – Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue – are making a triumphant return to UK shores having wowed audiences stateside with a massive North American tour. Their hit singles include Food for Thought, Red Red Wine and their hit versions of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Mar 24 COLLABRO Fresh from the success of their debut No.1 album and less than a year after winning Britain’s Got Talent, Collabro will return
with the spellbinding ‘Act Two’. The band will tour the length and breadth of the country playing venues including London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall. Mar 28 to 29 THE WIZARD OF OZ Join in the fun as Enchanted Entertainment present this amazing Easter pantomime version of L. Frank Baum’s much-loved fairy tale. Packed with great songs, brilliant dance routines and plenty of laughter for all the family!
Theatres & Shows
Falling in Love. and Sonny and Cher’s I Got You Babe‚ Both of these topped the UK Singles charts. UB40 have been nominated for four Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album four times. In 2008, Ali Campbell decided to leave the band after 30 years. The band are still going strong however, now with Ali’s brother Duncan on vocals. Proving they are still a worldwide tour de force, Britain’s biggest reggae band of all time will be satisfying demand for
more UK shows. The Spring 2016 UK tour starts at the Newcastle City Hall in April, taking in Manchester Apollo, London’s O2 Arena, Birmingham Barclaycard Arena, Brighton Centre, Cardiff Motorpoint Arena and finishing at the Plymouth Pavilions on May 5.
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For tickets and further information visit www. plymouthpavilions. com or call 0845 146 1460
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
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WHAT’S ON
Dani Harmer and Bobby Davro star in spectacular Easter panto
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Theatres & Shows
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Plymouth Pavilions for an amazing Easter pantomime version of The Wizard of Oz, with an all-star cast including Tracy Beaker star Dani Harmer as Dorothy and comedy legend Bobby Davro as Scarecrow. Britain’s Got Talent’s Andrew Fleming appears as the Tin Man in the show which is on Monday March 28 and Tuesday March 29. There are performances at 3pm and 7pm on Monday and 1pm and 4.30pm on Tuesday. Join Kansas farm-girl Dorothy and her pet dog Toto on this magical adventure suitable for all ages. Watch in amazement as they are picked up by a tornado and carried off to the magical Land of Oz. With help from their new friends the Munchkins, they travel to the Emerald City where the great Wizard of Oz lives. On their way they meet a Scarecrow who needs a brain, a Tin Man who wants a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who desperately needs courage. Will the wonderful Wizard of Oz be able to help them before the Wicked Witch of the West captures them in her dungeon??!! Join in the fun over the rainbow as Enchanted Entertainment present a wonderful Easter pantomime version of L. Frank Baum’s much-loved fairy tale .
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For tickets or more information visit www. plymouthpavilions.com or call the Box Office on 0845 146 1460
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LASTS ABOUT 90 MINUTES. BOOKING ESSENTIAL AS THERE ARE LIMITED PLACES REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE FROM 9:30AM PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY This seminar will show you how you can protect your home and your cash assets to be passed on at a later date to your children or other beneficiaries, and how Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and a variety of Trusts can be used to not only protect your assets but remove the need for Probate in the future making things simpler and less costly for your beneficiaries.
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WHAT’S ON
Music Dec 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY Plymouth Jazz Club with ‘Enjoy Yourself’ Jazz Band. Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill. Tickets £15, including buffet, visitors very welcome. Full details 01752 721179
Gilead Foundations is a Therapeutic Community offering a residential rehabilitation programme If you, or someone you know would like more information about Gilead or would like to make an application, please contact:
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Support us in Improving Plymouth’s Iconic Waterfront Upcoming Waterfront Events
March 17
April 24 - 2 May May 14 & 15 June 25 - 26
July 29 - 1 Aug August 16-17
September 24-25
St Patrick’s Day at Kitty O’Hanlons The Transat Plymouth Pirates Weekend Armed Forces Weekend Sutton Harbour Classic Boat Rally Firework Championships Plymouth Seafood Festival
And monthly produce markets at Royal William Yard
Find out more on www.waterfrontbid.co.uk
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
Jan 15 APPALOOSAS The Old Chapel, Calstock Appaloosas, a three piece band from Dartmoor performing music from the Appalachian region of the eastern USA. Jan 17 PLYMOUTH JAZZ CLUB Royal British Legion Club Crownhill City Steam Jazz Band from Exeter. Details 01752 721179 or www. plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk Jan 19 PLYMOUTH CLARION CHOIR SOCIAL Crownhill Methodist Church Hall, Plymouth Jan 21 BOURNEMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Plymouth Guildhall Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conductor Frank Zielhorst, with Jean-Guihen Queyras - cello. Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin; Haydn: Cello Concerto in C; Beethoven: Symphony no. 2 Tickets: £19, £17 from Theatre Royal Box Office, tel: 01752 267222 Jan 21 BOURNEMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Plymouth Guildhall Conductor Frank Zielhorst, with Jean-Guihen Queyras - cello. Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin; Haydn: Cello Concerto in C; Beethoven: Symphony no. 2. Tickets: £19, £17 from Theatre Royal Box Office, tel: 01752 267222 Jan 22 CLIVE JENKINS - MY MUSICAL DISASTERS St Werburgh’s Church, Wembury Clive Jenkins with stories of things going wrong interspersed with CDs of music going right. Tickets £7
The Savannah Jazz Band Jan 22 BOB FOX - WARHORSE SONGMAN The Old Chapel, Calstock Tickets £14 advance, £15 door, £1 reduction for Friends of Calstock Arts, £6 under 18s, from 01726 879500 and from Levines in Calstock Jan 24 DEVON BAROQUE The Great Hall, Dartington Devon Baroque directed from the violin by Persephone Gibbs. Musiciens sans Frontières; works by Arcangelo Corelli, JeanBaptiste Lully, Henry Purcell and Georg Muffat. Tickets £17 (£5 students and under 18s) from Dartington Box Office 01803 847070 Jan 29 PLYMOUTH AREA POLICE CHOIR St Jude’s Church, Plymouth For details contact Bob Sheldrake 01752 406995. Feb 6 UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRA WORKSHOP The University of Plymouth Sherwell Centre Sibelius: Kullervo. Informal performance at 4pm. For further information and an application form – orchestra player or singer – contact Rupert Bond on rupert. bond@plymouth.ac.uk or by telephone on 07900 842454. Feb 6 WILDWOOD KIN The Old Chapel, Calstock Indie/Americana trio from Exeter.
Music
appearing at Plymouth Jazz Club on February 21 Tickets £10 advance, £11 door, £6 under 18s. Feb 7 PLYMOUTH JAZZ CLUB Royal British Legion Club Crownhill Maggie Reeday with the Craig Milverton Trio Details 01752 721179 or www. plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk Feb 12 PLYMOUTH AREA POLICE CHOIR Janeva Court, Saltash For details contact Bob Sheldrake, 01752 406995 Feb 17 MY MUSICAL JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE Duke of Cornwall Hotel Jeanie Moore MVO. Words and Music from 1931 to 2016. Tickets £10 from the Duke of Cornwall Hotel 01752 275850 Feb 21 PLYMOUTH JAZZ CLUB Royal British Legion Club Crownhill. Featuring The Savannah Jazz Band Details 01752 721179 or www. plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk Feb 26 to 28 PENINSULA ARTS CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FESTIVAL Various venues The theme of the 2016 edition of the Peninsula Arts Contemporary Music Festival is Frontiers: Expanding Musical Imagination. It will showcase extraordinary new technologies and www.cornerstonevision.com
approaches to composition and performance that are pushing the boundaries of music and promoting widening participation in the art of creating music. The Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR) at Plymouth University is developing extraordinary musical instruments controlled by brain signals, biological interactive computers and technology to enable audiences to actively influence musical compositions and performances. With music representing the energy of dark matter and biological organisms, to audio-visual performances exploring the electrical activity of the nervous system and computer-generated narratives, this year’s festival will be a truly guided tour at the frontiers of musical imagination. Details at www.plymouth.ac.uk/whats-on/ peninsula-arts-contemporarymusic-festival-2016 or call 01752 585058 Feb 27 TEN TORS ORCHESTRA The House, Plymouth University Simon Ible conductor, with Pierre-Emmanuel Largeron, violin. Eduardo Reck Miranda: Shockwaves – concertino for solo violin, percussion, electronics and chamber orchestra; Linas Baltas: New Commission premiere; Federico Visi: Kineslimina (2015); David Everson: Dreamscape premiere Tickets: £12, £10 Friends of Peninsula Arts & Ten Tors Orchestra, free students & children, from Peninsula Arts 01752 585050 Email: peninsulaarts@plymouth.ac.uk @CornerstoneVis
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
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WHAT’S ON
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The city has been chosen to host one of just four 10k Snowflake Runs across the UK this winter. The National Trust’s Saltram Estate in Plympton is set to be transformed into a winter wonderland when the event takes place for the first time in Plymouth on the February 21. The Plymouth Cancer Research UK Snowflake Run is part of the Winter Run Series. It encourages people to keep running throughout the winter by taking on a 10k, whilst raising money for the charity’s research to help beat 200 types of cancer. For those looking to get fitter in 2016, the Snowflake Run is the perfect New Year challenge. Taking on the event could also provide seasoned runners with the motivation to banish the winter blues and keep training during the cold weather. The Snowflake Run’s special wintry features include falling snow and hugs from friendly ‘polar bears’ on the finish line, providing an added incentive to conquer the cold for Cancer Research UK. Ruth Chamings, Cancer Research UK event manager, said: “We’re so excited to be hosting the Snowflake Run in Plymouth and hope to see an avalanche of support for this unique new event. “Every hour, around three people in the South West are
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a cold front against arity Snowflake Run diagnosed with cancer, so we need as many people as possible to sign up. “Now that the clocks have gone back, it’s all too tempting to put the exercise regime on ice and hibernate until spring, but we know the city’s got what it takes to give cancer the big chill. “Those who brave the elements for Cancer Research UK can bask in the warm glow of knowing they’re raising vital funds for research, which is helping to save the lives of more men, women and children in Plymouth and across the UK.” Organisers hope around 1,300 people will enter the Plymouth Snowflake Run and raise around £120,000 for vital research. Cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress. But more funds and more supporters are needed to help beat cancer sooner. Ruth continued: “We’ve got cancer on the run. More people are surviving than ever before. But one in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives. And that’s why we urgently need as many people as possible to sign up now for the Plymouth Snowflake Run. “Our aim is that one day everyone will beat cancer. The more research we fund, the sooner that day will come.”
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To enter the Cancer Research UK Plymouth Snowflake Run visit www.snowflakeseries.co.uk
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WHAT’S ON
Major Events
Major Events Various dates LEAGUE 2 FOOTBALL Jan 12 Argyle v Northampton Jan 16 Argyle v Stevenage Jan 30 Argyle v Wycombe Feb 13 Argyle v Mansfield Feb 27 Argyle v Notts County NATIONAL LEAGUE RUGBY Jan 9 Albion v Hull Ionians Jan 23 Albion v Coventry Feb 6 Albion v Blaydon Feb 20 Albion v Henley BRITISH LEAGUE BASKETBALL Jan 10 Raiders v Leeds Force Jan 24 Raiders v Leicester Jan 31 Raiders v Bristol Feb 7 Raiders v Leeds Force Feb 21 Raiders v Cheshire Until Jan 3 PLYMOUTH SNOW GLOBE Plymouth City Centre, Armada Way Gardens. Head to Armada Way Gardens, step inside the giant snow globe and create your own Christmas scene. Have your picture taken and
Plymouth Albion in action against Nottingham in their Championship days Photo courtesy of Plymouth Albion
remember this moment forever - you could even create your own Christmas card with the picture! Until Jan 4 NUTCRACKER TRAIL Plymouth City Centre, Armada Way. Santa has been busy touring Plymouth getting lots of toys for all the boys and
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
girls this Christmas. On his travels he has left behind 20 Nutcrackers who have been told to find out what presents children are asking for. Jan 22 BENEFIT EVENT: PLYMOUTH HOMES FOR VETERANS Crownhill Fort Fundraiser event at the beautiful venue of Crownhill Fort - Main Magazine to benefit local homeless charity: Plymouth Homes for Veterans. Tickets are £10 / person to include buffet dinner (catering and bar provided by Orange Chilli), entertainment from The Tamar Concert Choir and The Plymouth Mayflower Chorus. Until Jan 31 PLYMOUTH WINTER ICE RINK Plymouth City Centre, Armada Way. Get your skates on and wrap up warm as the winter ice rink provides an authentic Christmas experience. Feb 6 to Jun 18 WAR GAMES Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery Explore the fascinating relationship between conflict and children’s play, with this major touring exhibition from the V&A Museum of Childhood which gives an insight into the way toys have been influenced by warfare from the 1800s to the present day. With toys and games including Risk, G.I. Joe, classic toy soldiers and action figures, as well as photographs and archive records, ‘War Games’ represents different sides of conflicts from
around the world. As Plymouth marks the 75th anniversary of the Blitz, this thought-provoking exhibition reveals the sometimes surprising links between play and wider attitudes towards warfare, and delves into the secret history of toys as propaganda and espionage. Admission free. Feb 21 SNOWFLAKE WINTER RUN The Cancer Research UK Plymouth Snowflake Run challenges people to keep running through the winter by taking on a 10km run, while raising vital funds to help beat cancer sooner. A great challenge to fundraise for Cancer Research UK. Experience the Snow Zones, Polar Bear Hugs, Show you’ve got what it takes to conquer the cold, A great reason to keep running all year, electronic chip timing system with results texted to mobile phones after completing the race.See feature on centre pages. Apr 2 PLYMOUTH SCALE MODEL SHOW Plymouth Guildhall An annual show, hosted by three local model clubs from 10am to 4pm. Numerous clubs from around the South West (and beyond) will be displaying their talents in scale model making. Various traders will also be there selling models, paints, tools and much more. Supporting Devon Air Ambulance. For further details please contact Ian Chanter at ian.chanter@ blueyonder.co.uk or 01752 212676
WHAT’S ON EVENTS AT PLYMOUTH CITY MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, DRAKE CIRCUS 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. Jan 16 FILM SCREENING: GERHARD RICHTER: PAINTING Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery See Corrina Belz’s 2011 documentary about artist Gerhard Richter. Feb 6 to Jun 18 WAR GAMES Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery Explore the fascinating relationship between conflict and children’s play, with this major
touring exhibition from the V&A Museum of Childhood which gives an insight into the way toys have been influenced by warfare from the 1800s to the present day. Jan 23 COOL LABS Plymouth University A quiz with a difference and a chance to see inside one of the labs at the University. Adults £2. Children £1. Under 3s go free. Advance booking essential by 10 January via the Museum Welcome Desk or 01752 304774. Feb 6 NATIONAL STORYTELLING WEEK 2016: HISTORY HUNTERS Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery 11am to 12pm and 2pm to 3pm Uncover history as young actors from the Barbican Theatre/ Company B take you on a guided tour of the heroes that have shaped the past and present. In this production you will get to travel the world, interact with objects and meet the greats! Join us as we hunt for long lost stories and help our magic map come to life. Suitable for 4-10 year olds and their adults. £1.50 per person. Booking advised.
Feb 13, 19, 20 PICK UP AND GO Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery 10am to 5pm. Enjoy some fun self-directed activities connected to our collections and exhibitions. Just pick them up from the Colouring Station Table in our foyer and off you go! Free. Drop-in. Donations welcome.
Feb 16 COLOUR AND COLLAGE Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery 10.30am to 1pm (last entries at 12.30pm) Use the arts and crafts materials to colour and collage your own creations inspired by the thousands of objects in our collections and exhibitions. Free. Drop-in. Donations welcome.
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Feb 18 BEAUTIFUL BOXES Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery 10.15am to 12.15pm and 2pm to 4pm Join the guest artist to make beautiful Chinese boxes featuring designs based on the costumes and patterns in the museum’s ‘China Connection’ and ‘Bringing the World to Plymouth’ galleries. £2.50 per child. Booking advised. Saltram House Plympton 01752 333500 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram Until Jan 3 FAMILY FESTIVE TRAIL Get into the Christmas spirit with the family festive trail around the House and Garden.
Feb 17 UGLY BUG BALL Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery 10.30am to 12pm and 2pm to 3.30pm Make insect masks, see specimens from the Museum stores and dance like a bug! Free. No need to book. Donations welcome.
Jan 4 to 31 A WALK AMONGST THE SNOWDROPS As the snowdrops frame the pathways take some time for yourself and enjoy a brisk winter walk. Return in February to plant a snow drop with our garden team. Jan 4 to Feb 12 SALTRAM IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT See Saltram in a different light as we illuminate our grandest rooms and discover what goes on behind the scenes with our conservation
in action team and a family friendly trail. Feb 21 SNOWFLAKE WINTER RUN The Cancer Research UK Plymouth Snowflake Run challenges people to keep running through the winter by taking on a 10km run, while raising vital funds to help beat cancer sooner.A great challenge to fundraise for Cancer Research UK. Experience the Snow Zones, Polar Bear Hugs, Show you’ve got what it takes to conquer the cold, A great reason to keep running all year, Electronic chip timing system with results texted to mobile phones after completing the race. Mar 6 MOTHER’S DAY POSIES Treat Mum to a day out at Saltram. Show her how much you care by making her a beautiful posie with freshly cut flowers from Saltram’s garden. Buckland Abbey Yelverton 01822 853607 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bucklandabbey Jan 2 & 3 WINTER WALKABOUT You’ve eaten all of the turkey and scoffed all the sprouts, now
Family Events it’s time to discover the great outdoors as Buckland’s estate is open-to-all every single day between Sunday 27 December 2015 - Sunday 3 January 2016. Jan 2 WASSAIL! Help wake up the apple trees to ensure a bumper crop in the autumn. Don’t forget to bring your noisey instruments to help scare away the evil spirits Mount Edgcumbe Cremyll 01752 822236 www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk Mar 20 CHILDREN’S EASTER EGG HUNT Organised by the Friends of Mount Edgcumbe. For details visit the website or call 01752 822236. Cotehele Calstock 01579 351346 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele Feb 16 to 18 HALF TERM FUN: BUSHCRAFT FOR KIDS Build a shelter, light a controlled fire and learn survival skills in the wild. This activity is run by Jack at Serious Outdoor Skills - read about jack: www. seriousoutdoorskills.co.uk. Admission charges apply.
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
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WHAT’S ON
Exhibitions and Other Events
Contemporary art with a prehistoric feel at Plymouth Arts Centre Plymouth Arts Centre in Looe Street is hosting The First Humans between January and April - an exhibition which looks at contemporary art with a prehistoric feel. Often incorporating synthetic colours and materials and a sci-fi look, many of the artworks are spoof or tonguein-cheek. An installation by Andy Harper has an ancient, tribal quality, and Caroline Achaintre’s wall hanging evokes primitive cave-dwelling. There are primeval landscape ceramics by Salvatore Arancio, and ape-man meets 2001: A Space Odyssey in a papier-maché boulder by Jack Strange. Vidya Gastaldon’s watercolours mix stories of evolution and creationism, while in a film by Ben Rivers, a man tells how humans and fire first came into being. This exhibition identifies and questions a trend among artists to evoke the very distant past. Could dramatic new archaeological findings explain it? Is society suffering an
identity crisis? Do we wish we could start again? Visitors will be invited to supply answers to these questions. The First Humans is curated by Angela Kingston and organised by the Pump House Gallery in collaboration with Plymouth Arts Centre. The exhibition opens on January 15 and runs until April 2. There is a preview on Thursday January 14 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm with an introduction by Angela Kingston and Andy Harper at 7pm.
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For more information visit www.plymouthartscentre. org. Plymouth Arts Centre is open from Tuesday – Saturday, 1pm – 8.30pm. The gallery is free to visit. Part of this exhibition is on the first floor and accessible only by stairs
Exhibitions at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery Until Jan 16 ARTIST ROOMS: GERHARD RICHTER This exhibition will examine the breadth and depth of the practice of Gerhard Richter, recognised as one of the world’s most significant living artists, through a carefully chosen selection of paintings and prints. The works that will be on display are taken from Artist Rooms, an inspirational collection of modern and contemporary art acquired for the nation by Tate and The National Galleries of Scotland through the generosity of Anthony D’Offay with additional support from funders, including the Art Fund.
The Threefold Law, 2012 by Andy Harper. Oil paint on plywood. Courtesy of the artist.
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Until Jan 16 FIJI: OCEAN CONNECTIONS This newly-developed world cultures exhibition will explore the surprising connections between Plymouth and Polynesia. Over a hundred artefacts from the Pacific island of Fiji have travelled to the Museum since the late 1800s. The exhibition will display a selection of these, including barkcloths, weapons, shells and jewellery. As well as highlighting aspects of island life, ‘Fiji: Ocean Connections’ will show the complexity and beauty of Western Polynesian art and culture, investigating how oceans connect Plymouth with the Pacific.
Feb 6 to June 18 WAR GAMES Explore the fascinating relationship between conflict and children’s play, with this major touring exhibition from the V&A Museum of Childhood. Until August 27 2016 IN THE FRAME: PLYMOUTH’S PORTRAITS REVEALED Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery This popular exhibition delves more deeply into the portraits collection and presents new research into some of its characters. ‘In the Frame’ features the newest acquistion - an early self-portrait by Plympton-born 18th century artist Sir Joshua Reynolds. The exhibition also includes paintings of other artists, maritime greats such as Hawkins and Raleigh, important local faces such as William Cookworthy and families like the Eliots of St Germans. Until August 27 THE INFLUENCE OF ITALY Discover what attracted a young Joshua Reynolds to Italy in 1750 and the lasting influence his ‘Grand Tour’ had on his life and art and explore the sketchbook he took with him on his travels. The exhibition will be closed from 25 December to 1 January inclusive for Christmas/New Year.
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PLYMOUTH MATTERS
‘Shouting with one voice’ is the key to success says Plymouth Waterfront manager Sarah Sarah Gibson
Is there a waterfront anywhere in the UK to match Plymouth’s? Call us biased, but if there is, then we’ve yet to see it. With its miles of coastline taking in marinas, historic harbours, iconic landmarks, and, of course, The Hoe, Plymouth’s waterfront is the jewel in the city’s crown. Yet for the hundreds of businesses that trade in the waterfront ‘quarter’, natural beauty alone can’t guarantee the area’s year-round prosperity. Investment – inward and self-generated – great ideas and crowd-pleasing events are vital, along with clever marketing. But how do you bring all these businesses together to form an action plan? And how can their voice be heard when it comes to the big decisions that affect the waterfront? In March 2012, businesses voted by a
majority for the creation of the Plymouth Waterfront Business Improvement District (BID) covering the 3.3 miles from Admiral’s Hard in Stonehouse to Queen Anne’s Battery. A not-for-profit PLC, the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, was set up to deliver the enhancements over a fiveyear period, with local businesses on the Advisory Board. At the helm of the partnership from Day 1 has been Waterfront Manager, Sarah Gibson. Sarah previously worked in community engagement at Plymouth University and has a background in project management and marketing. But wasn’t the task of working with over 600 different businesses of all shapes and sizes a daunting prospect? “It’s about connecting. That’s the beauty of the Waterfront BID,” said Sarah, “everyone working together to make things happen.
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I love being part of partnerships and the great thing about being in on something at the outset is that it means you can help to shape events.” In the last four years Sarah has been able to put lots of ticks in boxes. Of the 42 projects drawn up, over 80% have been delivered, including some events that have quickly become part of the Plymouth calendar. She even knows the project numbers is and revealed that ‘Project 36’ is about to hit the water: “In February we’re launching the Plymouth Water Service. “For the first time, we’re bringing together all the water taxis and they’ll have a page on the Visit Plymouth website. It means people can visit one website page and organise a day on the water that can take them from the Barbican to the Royal William Yard, then to the Cremyll Ferry and
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back on the Cawsand Ferry. The routes will be colour-coded and the information will be easy to follow. “Harbour cruises will also be part of the Plymouth Water Service and these may include Hoe stops, depending on the weather. This is a great idea that came from the boat operators themselves and together we’ve made it happen.” Sarah is clearly passionate about Plymouth and its business community. She also admits to being “gregarious,” which is just as well because much of her time is spent meeting and talking to local businesses. Each of the 627 businesses contributes a 1.5% levy on top of their business rates to fund the improvements and Sarah said: “We are investing every single pound of that levy to achieve maximum return.” The businesses cover the whole spectrum, from hotels, venues and education establishments to pubs, restaurants and shops. They range from the National Marine Aquarium, Brittany Ferries, the Duke of Cornwall Hotel and Plymouth Pavilions, to the scores of small, artisan businesses and independent restaurants that are behind much of the waterfront’s vibrant feel. “We’re very lucky to have so many great businesses here,” said Sarah. “And all the landowners play their part too.” She added: “We set the Waterfront BID up with the aspiration to raise Plymouth’s profile, increase footfall and create jobs within the visitor economy. As part of that vision we’ve delivered some large scale events
such as the Plymouth Seafood Festival, Pirates Weekend and the Thanksgiving celebrations. We support other events including Christmas at the Barbican, the Sutton Harbour Classic Boat Rally and the Barbican International Blues and Jazz Festival. “We’ve attracted the prestigious yacht races, La Route de Princes, the Rolex Fastnet and La Solitaire du Figaro. And Sutton Harbour is hosting the 2016 Transat in May.” Plymouth biggest events such as the
Photo: Trevor Burrows
Fireworks Championships and the MTV concerts on the Hoe are led by the city council and tourism organisations but Sarah’s team works closely with them. So what can people expect next? In the short term, there will be further enhancements to the Waterfront area with ongoing work on keeping it clean, more new public toilets and the lighting-up of landmarks being further rolled out. An evening and night-time economy co-ordinator has also just been appointed to work with local businesses, the police, street pastors and the council’s Safer
Plymouth team to make the environment as welcoming as possible. The role includes looking at ways of making the Barbican area a better visitor experience on Bank Holiday Sundays. Sarah is hopeful that businesses will back the BID’s second five-year term, which would run from 2017 to 2022, taking in Mayflower 400 in 2020: “We’ve started – but more still needs to be done. Five years is actually a long term and needs do change during that period of time. There are different projects that should be addressed.” But she says they’ve shown what can be achieved by working in partnership: “We have one team. We shout with one voice so it’s a unified promotion for Plymouth. Attracting visitors is a tough market but Plymouth is doing well. The events are part of that. The footfall numbers are impressive – an estimated 100,000 people for the fireworks, over 15,000 for the Pirates weekend, over 12,000 for the Plymouth Seafood Festival and 3,000 for the monthly market at the Royal William Yard. She says much more will be possible for Plymouth’s waterfront in the next five years if the city succeeds in its bid for a share of the Government’s £90 million coastal communities funding: “There are exciting times ahead. Plymouth deserves a place on the international stage. We have an amazing maritime history and glorious coastal views. The waterfront has a unique offering – and right in the heart of that are our high quality local businesses.” Visit www.waterfrontbid.co.uk
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TRAVEL MATTERS
Travellers head west to avoid trouble spots 2015 was certainly a year of highs and lows for companies in the travel industry due to the impact of events worldwide – and our business has been no exception. Right up until the end of June we were on course for our best-ever year, which I hope you will agree is quite an achievement for a company that will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2016. From July onwards, however, trading became much more difficult as we faced the inevitable challenges in the wake of By Travel the atrocities in Tunisia. Expert Subsequent attacks in Sharm El Sheikh later in the year followed by Paris have Anthony Goord compounded the difficulties faced by the industry as travellers think very carefully about where they choose to travel to and how they book their holidays. Historic events such as the ash cloud produced by the Icelandic volcano and the 9/11 attacks in America have already highlighted the advantages of booking a package holiday as opposed to flights and accommodation separately. These latest terrorist incidents in Sharm and Paris have simply reinforced once again how booking a package offers travellers significantly more protection should they been unfortunate enough to be stranded overseas for whatever reason. We all witnessed the TV reports showing hundreds of passengers stranded in Sharm El Sheikh Airport unaware of when or how they would eventually get home and wondering where they would stay in the mean time.
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Most of these passengers had booked flights and accommodation separately, effectively packaging their own holiday. This idea may have been appealing at the time of booking due to savings on the overall cost although these can often be only marginal. Booking a complete package with a tour operator can be slightly more expensive but packages usually include transfers and tour operators have to cover the costs of special bonding to protect passengers in such events, insurance and liabilities to cover clients for their holiday duration. Therefore, when flights to and from Sharm El Sheikh Airport were grounded, all passengers who had booked package holidays with tour operators were allowed to remain in their hotels at the tour operators’ expense while those who had booked independently were left to their own devices with limited assistance and expenses to cover. Although many travellers are simply looking for the cheapest option at the booking stage, this latest situation in Egypt demonstrates how paying slightly more for a fully bonded package holiday can save you considerably more in the long run should you be affected by unforeseen circumstances. I am aware that many people booking online can be confused about exactly what constitutes a package holiday and what doesn’t. Quite simply, a package holiday is being offered when the provider quotes a total price for all elements of the holiday, i.e., flights, accommodation in addition to perhaps transfers and/or car hire. It is not a package when the costs of the flights and accommodation are quoted separately. This is known in the industry as a 'split screen' where a total cost will be given but clearly the two or more elements of the holiday will be separated on the quote. When booking a package online, it is also essential to ensure that you are supplied with an ATOL (Air Travel Organisers Licence) certificate as this is clear evidence that the holiday package you have booked is bonded and protected by the ATOL scheme. The details on your ATOL certificate will clearly state which elements of your holiday are covered, exactly who is covered (travellers names) and the name of the organisation responsible for covering you. If you book a holiday and don’t receive this ATOL certificate, enquire immediately as you may not have the protection you expected! The choice and popularity of destinations has inevitably seen real change in recent months with the current mood of travellers being represented by the phrase 'Go West'. For 2016, bookings for the USA, Canada and the Caribbean are significantly up on last year with
Florida and California currently proving to be the most popular. A very favourable exchange rate is also helping to entice holidaymakers to North America and we have witnessed particular interest and increased bookings to the Canadian Rockies with journeys on the famous 'Rocky Mountaineer' and cruises to Alaska being favoured options. I will cover touring holidays in more detail in next month’s article but I would briefly mention that tours are also increasing in popularity with some very competitive deals to be had. A choice of impressive touring itineraries to South Africa, India, Vietnam, Peru and China are available with selected tour operators for under £2,000 per person, fully escorted. Forecasted demand for cruising holidays is once again on the increase for 2016 with more ships sailing directly from Southampton than ever before. If booking a cruise for the first time, I would suggest being cautious and doing your research as different cruise lines do offer varying standards of service and a very different ambiance. If you are looking at cruising during the school holidays and your chosen ship is not 'Adult Only' remember that there could be as many as 1,000 children on board the larger capacity ships. Of course, I love my children very much but, to be honest, I am not as keen on everybody else’s especially at a certain age! If you feel the same way or expect anything else in particular from your cruise, check with your travel agent's cruise expert who will guide you through the range of operators, ships and individual itineraries in as much details as you need. There are always plenty of deals available on cruise holidays so be sure to also enquire about any special offers. If you are concerned about which cabin you will be allocated, ask if there are any 'guaranteed' cabin grades available – this will guarantee you a minimum cabin standard but your actual cabin number will be allocated to you by the operator closer to your departure date. If you are able to be flexible and book this type of deal, substantial savings can often be made.
The demand for holidays to certain European destinations has obviously changed considerably for next year with Tunisia and Egypt much less desirable due to the ongoing concerns. Turkey is also suffering in popularity with bookings down on 2015 presumably due to it’s location and association with troubled areas. Many holidaymakers have reverted to the more traditional summer sun resorts in the Spanish mainland, Canary Islands and Balearic islands. Spain’s revival is not only due to the current perceptions and concerns about other destinations but also due to a very favourable exchange rate (for Brits) with the Euro at the moment making the cost of drinks and eating out very reasonable indeed. I would warn people though there is a limited amount of capacity in the Spanish resorts and the feeling is that these places, along with the Greek islands, will become fully booked relatively early on for the peak season school holidays. If you particularly need to take your holiday in August, I would strongly suggest booking early as choices will be limited for late bookers especially to Spain, Portugal, Italy and their islands. Booking well in advance is certainly not a disadvantage these days – not only should you secure exactly what you are looking for but we tend to find that, unlike years ago, there are now very rarely any late offer holidays available during the peak season school holidays. If you know exactly what you want from your holiday in 2016, take Fred Pontin's advice in his famous 1970s phrase and “book early!” Happy holidays! www.cornerstonevision.com
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
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HEALTH MATTERS
Releasing the body to heal itself with the Bowen Technique
One of the most compelling characteristics that makes us human is our curiosity. It is the basis of our scientific exploration into both the vast unknown, sending missions to far flung galaxies, and the tiny, as new discoveries about how the human body works are often throwing up as many questions as answers. One such new development is the theory that our soft tissues are all interconnected - a system much like the nervous or skeletal system. Traditionally soft tissue was just what was cut through for surgeons to operate on our important organs, and therefore has not until recently being studied in its own right. However new studies are in place to learn more about this connecting tissue, known as the fascia or myofascia, which holds the skeleton in tension, much like a very complicated system of rubber bands. Skeletons do not stand upright on their own. This leads to a theory that if there is a shortening for example in the interconnected tissue in one part of the body, it is very likely to pull muscles and bones out of place in another part. Therefore the part that feels the pain may be better effected by treating the shortening of tissue rather than manipulating the area of pain itself. The Bowen Technique, which was developed by Australian Tom Bowen in the 1950s is a proponent of this theory. It seeks to work alongside existing medical practitioners to show why its very gentle methods of hands on therapy can improve long term conditions such as back and shoulder pain, IBS, menstrual and menopausal pain - just some examples of proven successes the treatment has had. Steve Fleming who runs a Bowen practice at the Ridgeway Clinic in Plympton is himself a beneficiary of the technique.
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
Steve Fleming
“I was very sporty in my early years,” Steve explained, “but suffered from what many labelled as weak ankles and was always having treatment of one form or another. As I became older I also developed chronic fatigue and stress, working in a job I had grown to hate, and was signed off long term sick. "Having tried most things, fairly desperate to return to health, and with not much to lose, I began a course of fascial release technique with a Bowen therapist and was overwhelmed by the dramatic improvement to both my immediate areas of pain, such as my ankles and my general well being and energy levels.” So convinced by his own experience, Steve trained as a therapist in 2011 with the European College of Bowen Studies, and has been developing his professional understanding ever since, documenting the courses he has attended on his website. He has studied diagnostic techniques used in all forms of medicine whereby he listens carefully to what his patient is saying, and what history of injuries, traumas and illness they may have had, as well as looking carefully at their stance and posture, before he even begins the treatment. Refreshingly honest and practical, Steve
recommends that only two inexpensive hourly sessions of treatment will enable someone to ascertain if it is right for them, and the Bowen website states that most conditions heal themselves in three to four sessions. The hands on treatment is applied through clothing – no need to undress – and can be done with the patient either lying down or sitting. Importantly it is applied with very gentle pressure, with no manipulation or hard force used – very encouraging for patients who are experiencing severe pain already. The experience is gentle, subtle and relaxing and believed to allow the body to reset and repair itself. Steve says he has seen significant, positive change in 80 per cent of cases, with many people being able to reduce medication or stop altogether. He is also very careful to insist that patients work alongside their medical practitioners, and he has recently completed his own training on being able to identify signs that a patient is suffering from a more serious underlying condition than just the presenting symptoms. He said that the Bowen technique can also provide treatment for hayfever sufferers. "It's a good idea to have three treatments, starting about six weeks before symptoms begin, which will vary depending on the allergen responsible. I begin seeing regular clients returning for treatment from February onwards." said Steve. He added that the procedures combine the jaw work, lymphatic drainage of the muscles on either side of the neck and some gentle moves to unlock the sinuses. "It is believed this treatment helps release blockages so that your body is not reacting to the pollens that usually torment you. Steve himself has a treatment every couple of months or so which he believes helps his own body cope better with the wear and tear of everyday life.
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PROPERTY MATTERS Before
How to turn your home into a clu It’s January, and you know what that means … it’s the time of the year when the ‘R’ word makes its annual appearance. But how many of us start off the New Year with all the best intentions, only to see our resolutions end up in a crumpled heap in the bin? Whether it’s a shortage of will-power or simply a lack of time, the New Year resolution ‘to do’ list can still be there, untouched, this time next year.
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
Among the items on your list might be a good old clear-out. But where on earth do you start? One person who knows how to tackle it is professional declutterer, Katie Shaw. Katie set up her business, End to Clutter, 10 years ago and is the only member of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers UK (APDO) in the Plymouth area. Katie, who lives in Devonport, has some great tips for readers who’d love to clear some space in their homes. The first thing to do, she says, is to start on those things that hold the least amount of sentiment: “Decluttering is the process of removing any items from your home that you no longer love, use or need,” said Katie. “Choose bite-size changes and be realistic. Take it one area at a time. Go through your belongings one pile, shelf, cupboard or room at a time. “Set time aside to tackle it. Put it in your diary, otherwise you’re more likely to put it off or not do it at all. Limit the time to 30 to 60 minutes per decluttering session so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. “And, very importantly, have a ‘do it now!’ attitude. You’ll see a real difference after only a few sessions of doing this. And once you’ve made a start you can make things easier for yourself by getting into good habits. “Hang your coat up as soon as you get in; store away your clothes at the end of the day; put things away when you’ve finished using them. These little changes will help you to keep on top of the new storage systems you create after decluttering, when you’ll find that you have more room to store things as you won’t have all that stuff to get in the way.” Katie advises people to think about how they want their homes to be and then consider what needs to be done to achieve that vision: “If you declutter a room it suddenly opens up Katie options to Shaw move pieces around and create the look that you want because now there is room to put that piece of furniture
utter-free zone there. “Decluttering gives you a calm and organised environment to live in. Plus it means you can actually find things when you need them.” It’s amazing to learn just how much time we spend searching for items we can’t find – and it can cause all sorts of domestic arguments. According to one survey carried out by a home insurance firm, four in 10 couples argue about lost items and another study calculated that on average, we spend 153 days searching for stuff during our lifetimes. “Imagine not having to search for the keys every morning!” said Katie. “It reduces stress and means you’re more likely to be on time.” Katie admits hers is an unusual job but says being a professional declutterer enables her to use the skills she learned when she got a degree in contemporary furniture design: “I realised that I wanted to work with people in using my skills in design and spatial awareness. I enjoy working alongside people to help them create what they want in their homes. “It isn’t a case of storming into people’s homes and throwing things out. That absolutely isn’t what decluttering is at all. Those items might be treasures. When you’re working in other people’s homes, you have to be gentle and work with them at their pace. For example, I can show a client all of their black shirts and I can ask ‘do you need all of these black shirts?’ It’s about guiding. You stop seeing things in your own home so it’s bringing in a fresh pair of eyes.” Katie advises people to choose a declutterer who is a member of APDO: “We are governed by a set of rules, we’re registered with trade waste, we abide by data protection and client confidentiality and we have all the necessary insurance.” Katie offers a service for people who are trying to sell their homes and she also helps people with hoarding issues. Visit Katie’s website and Facebook page for more information and her blog for regular tips. Or call her to book a free initial consultation.
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
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ART MATTERS
Allie Couch (right) pictured with (from left) Dan Bell, Chloe Burke, Andrew Larkin, Joanna Baker, Ben Doney and Rob Ham
Faith and creativity Christians in Art and Design is a new society at Plymouth College of Art started in September by Allie Couch and Andrew Larkin.
Art Matters with Kerry Cole
The group is for creative students in Plymouth to meet together on a weekly basis with the aim of exploring what it means to be a Christian creative, encourage one another in their talents, and help equip the students to face the challenges of the art world. While the group is known as the Christian Union of Plymouth College of Art, students who are rediscovering their faith, or have no faith, are welcome to have fellowship and join in the activities. Their weekly meetings range from bible studies and guest speakers, to sharing their current work with each other, to socials such as film and
pizza nights. I popped along to meet them and see the diversity of art forms they produce between themselves and ask how their faith effects their work. Allie Couch is a third year graphic design student. She told me: "I have discovered how I can use my faith and love for design to impact, connect and help people. I focus on communication for positive change, and hope to explore branding and interactive design in the near future after graduation.’ Andrew Larkin works for the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF) as a staff worker helping to train and equip Christian Unions to give every student on campus the opportunity to hear and respond to the good news of
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
Jesus Christ. While I was at their meeting Andrew and Allie disappeared for a while and then returned laden with pizza! While they were away I asked the other students about themselves and their work. Joanna Baker is a first year illustration student. She particularly likes creating believable characters and thinking up stories for them. She told me: "I’m keen to use my work to help people - particularly young people - in their Christian faith, whether that's through illustrated Bible stories or any other means." Chloe Burke is a second year contemporary craft student specialising in ceramics. I asked her how her faith affects her work. She said: "I’m passionate about the outdoors and God’s creation. I love to study colours and natural material in the landscape creating colour palettes for my ceramic collection." Rob Ham is a first year illustrator. He said: "I love stories. I think stories can affect people really powerfully, either for good or for bad, and so as well as trying to live out my faith in the studio day-to-day, I try to create work which tells truthful stories that help people to think about the world in a clearer way." It was a pleasure meeting these students and seeing their work. Please check the links below to see some of it for yourself.
••
For more information please contact Allie Couch: alliecouch@hotmail.co.uk or Andrew Larkinat alarkin@uccf.org.uk www.facebook.com/CADPlymouth/ www.twitter.com/CADPlymouth To view some of the students work visit: Chloe: Instagram - Whinblossom Allie: facebook.com/ AllieCouchPhotographyandDesign Rob: Instagram- cracklingham
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PROPERTY MATTERS
Mansbridge Balment managing director Darren Lawson presents the latest MAD (Making a Difference) award to Natalia Rozario, who works at the city centre branch. The awards recognise outstanding service above and beyond the call of duty
Chancellor’s surprise boost for Plymouth property market Plymouth's property market has been given a muchneeded boost - thanks to Chancellor George Osborne's decision to increase Stamp Duty on 'buy to let' properties and second home purchases. That's the view of the team at one of Plymouth's leading independent estate agents. Darren Lawson, managing director of Mansbridge Balment, said that while the Stamp Duty hike will hit buy to let investors, it will be good news for other homebuyers including first time buyers. "Buy to let investors have definitely made it more difficult for other potential buyers who have been outmuscled in the market. This in turn has reduced the numbers of properties coming onto the market and led to a fall in the levels of home ownership in Plymouth," said Darren. "This is also due in part to their tendency to retain the properties they buy, preventing them from coming back onto the housing market. "In recent years the Plymouth housing market has been woefully short of suitable properties, which helped to fuel a sharp price growth. It has been hard enough for first time buyers to get near the property ladder, let alone take a step on the first rungs and the property price rises over the last two years have only served to hinder further progress. "Thanks to the Chancellor's decision to raise Stamp Duty
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
rates for buy to let investors and second home owners from April 2016, owning a home will once again start to become a viable proposition for many first time buyers - particularly with the support of the flourishing Help to Buy scheme. "More choice in the marketplace also means more options for existing homeowners keen to take their next step up the housing ladder, which will in turn lead to their homes being placed for sale." He added that the changes in the buy to let sector would inevitably impact heavily on landlords and letting agencies - and many critics have already warned it could sound the death knell of the buy to let sector. "But I have little sympathy with the many letting firms of limited industry experience that have sprung up on the back of the buy to let boom. "At Mansbridge Balment we have a highly experienced sales team focussed entirely on customer service and helping people to buy and sell their homes. We are not distracted by trying to combine sales with lettings services. "With a major shift from renting to buying on the cards, homeowners don't need a jack of all trades - just a master of one." Darren said that Masnbridge Balment had enjoyed another successful year, achieving a similar number of sales as the previous year.
"It shows that once again we have consolidated our position as the estate agent of choice for buyers and sellers alike in Plymouth and why we continue to sell more properties in the city than any of our rivals. "It has a lot to do with our heritage and our commitment to the highest standards of customer service which has once again paid dividends. We continue to climb the rankings on allAgents.co.uk, the UK's largest customer review website for the property industry. "To consistently hold a top 50 place out of more than 14,000 UK estate agents for our service levels is a fantastic achievement." Chris Mervyn, manager of Mansbridge Balment's city centre branch in Mutley said: "Levels of home ownership in Plymouth peaked 10 years ago and have been in decline ever since. "Renting has become more and more predominant, partly because of the shortage of affordable properties and the past difficulties in securing a mortgage. For many young couples it is also a more popular option than buying as it offers less risk. "With mortgage products becoming increasingly attractive and lenders more relaxed, it is now proving easier to secure finance for a property purchase. "The Government's decision to forge ahead with plans to build 400,000 new homes across the country and other incentives for first time buyers should all help to lead to more choice." Darren said that overall property prices in Plymouth had risen by between three and five per cent during 2015 and anticipated a similar picture in the year ahead. "If anything prices may soften a little during the course of the year, but we are clearly settling into a more settled market. "The days of boom and bust are thankfully a thing of the past."
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For further information visit www. mansbridgebalment.co.uk or call 01752 229292
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Mental Health Funding Mental health problems come in many different forms. Evidence suggests that the life expectancy of people with mental health issues remains 20 years lower than that of the general population, but we can improve this by ensuring that vulnerable people have access to free support and services. Wolferstans is delighted that the government has increased funding for mental health in 2014/15 to £11.7 billion as sadly it is an oftenoverlooked area. Fortunately, mental health services in this country have also been given a boost with the advent of a campaign to further increase the funding in England, which has received high-profile celebrity backing. The aim is to make sure that the subject is
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tackled as seriously as physical illness. Mental health is a huge issue across the country which needs to be prioritised in order to make sure all patients receive the care they need, when they need it, seven days a week. One of our specialist Clinical Negligence solicitors at Wolferstans brought a claim under the Fatal Accident Act 1976 on behalf of the family of a man who sadly took his own life, leaving his family and friends devastated. The 37-year old had a long history of depression and anxiety, and on several occasions pleaded for help from healthcare specialists. After he attempted suicide he was admitted to a psychiatric ward for assessment. He was later allowed to discharge himself after being told by staff that there was no further need to detain him, and despite assurances to his family that the man would receive community
support, this help didn’t materialise. Soon afterwards he took his own life, having received no follow-up community care. The work we did with and for the family helped them to move on and to gain the answers they needed. Wolferstans’ Clinical Negligence specialists sensitively and successfully deal with a number of mental health claims each year for young people and adults who have been unable to access life-saving or necessary, fundamental protective care. If you have a claim you would like to discuss or are unhappy with your existing solicitors and would like to have a free initial discussion without any obligation then please contact Jade Wilkes on 01752 292248 or email her at jwilkes@wolferstans.com.
Wolferstans your local legal medical negligence experts, here for you when you need us
The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
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BUSINESS MATTERS
Outstanding customer service brings big business growth for Steven Short
Steven Short (far right) pictured with members of his team. Inset recent kitchen and bathroom installations
Successful businesses invariably enjoy healthy growth because of personal recommendations from satisfied customers - and that's certainly true for Steven Short's enterprises. When Steven launched Shortflow Plumbing and Gas Engineering in 2010 his aim was to ensure that all his customers were completely satisfied with his work. "Customer loyalty goes both ways," said Steven, "if you are loyal to your customers, they are more likely to remain loyal to you." It's a business philosophy that has seen Steven's fledging enterprise enjoy continued growth and success. It has been so successful that Steven has launched two sister companies - Dream Bathrooms in 2014 and Dream Kitchens South West in 2015. Steven said: "It has all come about through customer demand. Through the boiler installations, central heating work, servicing and general plumbing jobs I found more and more customers asking me if I could undertake other projects for them. "With all my plumbing experience moving into bathroom installations was a natural progression. And as the scope of the work has increased requests for kitchen installations started to come from existing customers and from personal recommendations." While plumbing and gas engineering work remains at the core of Steven's growing business activities, bathroom and kitchen
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
installations have seen significant growth in the last two years. He arranges all the design aspects and then project manages the installations, working with a team of skilled craftsmen and fitters. "We prefer to organise supply of all the necessary materials as it avoids possible issues during the installation. But if the customer prefers to source the material that is OK with us. "We provide professional bathroom and kitchen installation for an affordable cost, completed to the highest standards. This covers everything from the drawing board through to the final completed project. "We aim to be responsive and go the extra mile for customers, no matter how small the job is." It's a refreshing approach which is paying dividends for Steven. "We recently fitted a new gas cooker for a customer in Plymstock after she had been let down by a couple of other suppliers and she was so pleased with what we did that she recommended us to a friend who wanted a new bathroom. "That led to further recommendations and we ended up installing three bathrooms and two kitchens simply because we had done such a good job installing a gas cooker. It's really encouraging when this happens and I must say I do get a tremendous amount of enjoyment from my work. Steven's story is a great example of how dedication to customer service has proved such a success for the former dockyard apprentice. Steven, 31, completed a four year marine engineering
apprenticeship, but was one of the victims of redundancy as work at the dockyard slowed down. Unable to find a secure job he decided to train as a gas engineer and plumber - and has never looked back. "It's all down to having so many loyal customers and I would like to thank them for their ongoing support and wish them best wishes for the year ahead."
••
To contact Steven Short call 01752 242897 or visit www.shortflow.co.uk or www.dreambathroomsltid. co.uk and www.dreamkitchensltd.co.uk
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A couple from Staddiscombe who had a bathroom installed by Dream Bathrooms have described them as ‘the dream team.’ Jean Arrowsmith and her husband Frank, who are both in their 80s, were finding it increasingly difficult to use their bath. When Frank was admitted to hospital, Jean decided it was time for a new bathroom. “Dream Bathrooms were recommended by a friend of ours and I was able to see the quality of their work. “They installed a completely new bathroom with a walk in shower while my husband was in hospital, so that when he came home everything was in place. “I can't speak highly enough of the team and the quality of their work. They re literally the dream team and I would recommend them to anybody.”
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
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GARDENING MATTERS
Getting set in the garden 10 New Year resolutions By Fiona Newton of Plymouth Garden Centre
So here we are again, another brand new year – hasn’t it come around fast! Seems to come quicker and quicker every year. Let’s hope this year is kind and generous to us weather wise and we get plenty of sunshine and warmth to bask in allowing us to complete those jobs that we put off doing last year when the weather was miserable. Keeping the garden looking good and keeping up on top of all the jobs that need doing is a tough, but rewarding, job and even the best gardeners can let some jobs slide, so let’s start this year with 10 resolutions that are simple, easy to do and require little effort, but will reward you with amazing results. • Prepare the lawn early. Put down feed, weed and moss killer early in the season. Aerate it, for good drainage and healthy roots and rake up any moss that has grown throughout winter. Fix bare patches with a spring sowing of grass seed. • Save yourself some money by growing some of your bedding from seed this year. Many perennials can also be grown from seed and produce flowers in their first year if sown early enough. If you don’t have a greenhouse, grow your plants in propagators on a sunny window sill. It’s easier than you think and very rewarding.
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The Plymouth Magazine January 2016
Planting for wildlife particularly bees - is becoming increasingly commonplace in local gardens
• Plant summer flowering bulbs in early spring for an outstanding display of colour later in the year. Doing this requires very little effort, simply dig a hole and plant the bulb, water it and you will be rewarded with a bounty of flowers. It’s also a much more cost effective way of plugging the gaps in your borders and filling your pots with an abundance of colour. Bulbs are about a third of the price of the plants. • Start a small fruit or veg plot. No matter what size of plot you’ve got or how limited you are on space, just give a small part of it over to growing something to eat. Even if it’s just a few herbs in a trough or a pot of strawberries, growing them yourself will be rewarding and far tastier than anything you can buy in the supermarket, plus you can’t get any fresher than from your own garden. • Start a compost heap or get a compost bin. Turn that neglected part of the garden that you never use into a productive and invaluable part of the garden. Making your own compost is easy. Collect all your garden waste, including grass clippings, weeds, plant trimmings, branches and twigs, cardboard and some kitchen waste, mix it together, turn it once a month or so and 12 months later you will have lovely fresh compost. • Install a water butt or several. Most of us are on a water meter and using it to water the garden is costly. Using water butts to collect rain water will reduce your water bills. Also rain water is much more beneficial to plants than tap water. The chemicals added to purify water such as chlorine, can be harsh on some of our garden plants. • Plant at least half a dozen plants purely for the benefit of wildlife in your garden, particularly for bees. Don’t fret about ruining your perfectly manicured borders with scruffy wildflowers. There are plenty of cultivated plants that are both desirable to us and to the bees. • For perfect containers and hanging baskets, make an early start. For the best results and a prolonged display, plant them up in early to mid-April. Plant your containers so that they look full instantly. Feed them fortnightly with a general purpose feed such as Miracle Gro or Phostrogen, keep them well watered and dead head them regularly and you will have a wonderful display all season long.
With Plymouth Garden Centre
n with your for 2016
beautiful flowers and comes year after year is very appealing, and it’s easy to see why. The popularity of herbaceous perennials is increasing year on year and with new and exciting plants being released by plant breeders every year, it is a trend that is going to continue to grow. Like herbaceous perennials, it is easy to see the appeal of evergreen plants. They are reliable, hardy plants that stay looking good all year round. They are also for the most part relatively easy to grow, low maintenance and can grow in pots of in the ground. More and more people come to us looking for plants that are evergreen as the permanent, backbone structures of their gardens. They like the fact that the garden still has plenty of life in the winter as well as summer and the most common question we get asked is ‘Is this Evergreen?’, so I feel the popularity of them is going to grow and grow. Happy New Year - Fiona Newton
nd c a l en ti cia k es er t a m m der Do om un c s k or w
To everything there is a season...
...and, when it comes to your garden, winter holds more potential than you might think. We’re here to help you prune, plant bulbs, tidy up your borders and generally whip your garden into shape. Come spring, you’ll reap the rewards.
• Tackle slugs early. If you set your beer traps and put down organic slug pellets in February when the slugs and snails start to come out of hibernation, you will kill off the first generation before they breed and start to lay eggs. This will vastly reduce the amount of slugs and snails you will have in your garden. Getting them early will also help to protect tender spring shoots and newly planted plants from damage. • Plant something for scent. This is something I feel strongly about which has been out of fashion for a while and is due a revival. I’m not suggesting that we should rip out our gardens and replant them with only scented plants, I’m suggesting that when making your next plant purchase, consider adding something to the garden with a bit of scent, you as you wander through, you catch subtle drifts of scent that is pleasing and not overwhelming. There are plenty of plants to choose from that are both beautiful and have an intoxicating fragrance, so why not have the best of both worlds.
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Experience WITH CHRIS COLE
Latest gardening trends
Gardening trends that were popular last year, that I predict will be even more popular this year are planting for wildlife, grow your own, herbaceous perennials and evergreen plants. Year on year as we become more conscious as a society about the environment and the impact we have on it, more and more people are becoming interested in turning their gardens into havens for wildlife. This is great because gardening and wildlife go hand in hand. Having more wildlife in the garden will save us time and jobs as it will encourage predatory wildlife into the garden to eat all the pests that attack and eat our cherished plants. They provide a free pest control service and limit the need to use harmful chemicals in the garden. Having a garden filled with wildlife gives it a purpose and brings it to life. More and more people are growing their own fruit and vegetables. As budgets become tighter, the desire to become self-sufficient increases. Growing your own produce is significantly cheaper than buying it, it is super fresh, the taste is far superior to shop bought, and it hasn’t been pumped full of preservatives. It is fairly simple to grow the basics, so get growing and see for yourself! The thought of a plant that flowers all season long, has www.cornerstonevision.com
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WIN AN OVERNIGHT STAY AT THE NEW CONTINENTAL HOTEL
The New Continental Hotel is thrilled to offer you three chances to win a FREE overnight stay including Breakfast – simply answer the question below and return the entry coupon! With a fantastic location steeped in historic and Victorian elegance this award winning, family run hotel will captivate you from the moment you arrive. Just a short stroll from the beautifully enchanting waterfront and a few minute’s walk from the city centre, the New Continental Hotel is the ideal place to explore Plymouth; Britain’s Ocean City. The hotel offers a range of unique finishing touches too, including Steve’s Brasserie. Steve’s Brasserie caters handsomely to diners on the go, offering a good value pre-theatre menu that should see you fully sated and safely in your seats before curtain call, irons up or show time! There is so much to admire even before dinner arrives: with an open kitchen and local art hanging on the walls. As for the cuisine, this Brasserie, sat inside the 150 year old, Grade II listed building is the perfect fusion of old meeting new. The perfect spot to contemplate your night of culture and look forward to the treats that await you, both on and off the stage!
New Continental Hotel: Always open! Steve’s Brasserie: Monday – Sunday 5.30pm – 10pm Club Continental: Monday – Friday 7am – 9pm Saturday & Sunday 8am – 8pm
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Pre-theatre dinners or those wishing to simply enjoy an evening of fine food and great company, can expect well-judged dishes, made by chefs who have a passion for their art and come with an impressive array of experience. Even the noise is enticing – gently lilting chatter, the sound of the kitchen in full swing, whilst the waiters are impeccably smart and attentive. This added to a menu that houses a thoughtful wine selection, by the glass or bottle is the perfect start to what will be a sensational evening in Plymouth. With great service, and food to match, your meal in Steve’s can play centre stage. The New Continental Hotel also has two gyms, a sauna, steam room and an indoor heated swimming pool within Club Continental, the hotels leisure complex. Here you can work out or relax and simply enjoy your time within your home away from home. When every detail must be perfect, you can count on our friendly staff, great facilities and central location to have the perfect stay in Plymouth.
What can you find hanging on the walls in Steve’s Brasserie? Entry Coupon
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Please send your completed entry coupon to the New Continental Hotel, The Plymouth Magazine, 28 Old Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth PL3 4PY by the closing date of 31.01.16. Please put your name below with contact details.
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What can you find hanging on the walls in Steve’s Brasserie? Name: Address: Postcode:
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Sandalwood
The Complete Service for your Wood Floor Deep clean and recoat service to extend the life of your flooring
Virtual dust free sanding and sealing Colouring and staining
A midlife maintenance service to freshen up previously treated, waxed or varnished flooring. Floor care maintenance kits available
Repairs
Domestic & Commercial
Hardwood Flooring Installation
D Replacement Floorboards D Joist Repairs D ‘Bouncing Floors’ stablised D Gap filling of old pine floors to reduce annoying draughts D Sub floor insulation
Engineered
Parquet
Supply and Fit Service only
Solid
For all your Wood Floor Solutions
01752 556667 www.woodfloorsolutions.com
Save upto 45% off windows
Make an entrance
‘A’ rated glass, secure, durable & beautiful
Keep the weather out and the heat in
All our windows are designed to perfectly complement your home, inside and out. Not only will our windows add value and style to your home, they are custom made at our local manufacturing site to save energy, add security and minimise sound pollution.
Modern Composite doors are a combination of great looks and high performance, with strength, low maintenance and probably, most important of all, superb energy efficiency.
Choose from a wide range of colours, finishes and designs – guaranteed for 10 years.
With more colour and style choices then ever before, let us help you enhance your home’s welcome.
GreAt deAl S on our doo r rAn Ge
Call 0800 083 77 77 for your FREE quote or visit www.launa.co.uk
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MARINESPEC
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British Made
THE ANTI CORROSION HARDWARE