A JOURNAL FOR THE DISCERNING
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A JOURNAL FOR THE DISCERNING
On the cover
Photography for Saint Sithney by JP Baudey – Faydit Photography, as featured from page 17. fayditphotography.com saintsithney.com
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Foreword
The way we perceive our surroundings can transform everything, from our understanding of self to our interpretation of societal norms. Altered perspectives invite us to explore the myriad ways in which our views can shift and evolve and can emerge through various lenses: art, literature, psychology and technology. Inspiring curiosity, playing with convention often helps us to re ect on our own perceptions; what shapes them, what challenges them and how they can transform. From artists who subvert traditional mediums, to thinkers who redefine established concepts and innovators who disrupt by embracing the unconventional, each contribution serves as a reminder that true creativity often thrives in the spaces where rules are rewritten. While photographer JP Baudey’s work is grounded in practicality, craftsmanship
We have an exceptional and loyal team here at Leven Media Group but as a fast-growth business we’re always interested in talking to outstanding individuals. If you’re a superstar of extraordinary talent then we would love to hear from you.
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and purpose 17 he is not afraid to upturn the expected. Artist Matthew Lanyon’s total dedication to the creative task in hand came to define him both as a person and an artist 28 . An unconventional approach to sustainability saw dive brand, fourth element 88 , become early adopters of initiatives that subsequently positioned the company at the forefront of a significant raise in the level of awareness of the global problem of abandoned ghost nets. Subverting convention once again, painter omi Behrens 10 , claimed no a liation with a school or set of prevailing theories. What she created was quite radical: making and following her own instincts about what she made and how. Whatever the journey of discovery, we celebrate the power of altered perspectives to illuminate new paths and redefine our understanding of the world around us.
Our contributors
Martin Holman
Hannah Tapping
Mercedes Smith
Jamie Crocker
Rosie Cattrell
Lucy Studley
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At a glance
17 TURNING THE FOCUS TO FOOD
Through the lens of JP Baudey
28 NO HOLDS BARRED
A new exhibition celebrates the life of Matthew Lanyon
41 A CLEAR VIEW OF THE FUTURE
Architectural glazing at the forefront of innovation
53 SUNNY SIDE UP
Recipes for family feasting from St. Ewe
60 LA DOLCE VITA
A taste of Italy lands on Cornish shores
66 A CELEBRATION VIA DIVERSIFICATION
A four-generation dairy farm reimagined
72 LUXURY HOMES
At the pinnacle of the Cornish market
81 A DESTINATION FOR WELLNESS
Experiences designed to energise and rest mind and body
88 TIME TO TURN THE TIDE
Taking a hands-on approach to environmental stewardship
95 DESIGNED FOR CONNECTION
Where elegant interiors marry comfort with sophistication
103 THE VALUE OF SMALL THINGS
Celebrating the career of Romi Behrens, a treasure of recent Cornish painting
115 MOMENTS OF REFLECTION
Time is one of our most precious assets. Enhancing it becomes even more crucial when it is limited
122 EVENTIDE
The last word from Katy Roberts
the focus TO FOOD Turning
WORDS BY HANNAH TAPPING | IMAGES BY JP BAUDEY
Prioritising simplicity, JP Baudey’s photography lets the subject speak for itself via a composition that showcases natural textures and lines.
Food has always been a central part of JP Baudey’s life. Growing up in South West France near Toulouse, he was surrounded by French cuisine. After finishing a baccalaureate in hospitality, his chef’s career took him all over Europe: “At that time, I had a passion for photography, but food photography wasn’t on my radar at all. I was working in 5-star hotel in Ireland and after a disappointing experience with a photographer who was taking photos of some of my dishes, I stumbled upon a recipe book by Donna Hay in Elle Australia. It was a revelation not for the recipes, but for the photography. Inspired, I rushed to the nearest camera shop, purchased my first Canon and for the next ten years, I practiced my photography skills while continuing to work as a chef.”
In 2010, JP found himself in the back of an ambulance after suffering a heart attack: “I realised I needed to shift my focus away from running kitchens and devote myself entirely to photography. Several years later, I’m living my dream, combining my love for food and photography and loving every minute of it.”
In his work as a food photographer, now based in the South West, JP has always considered himself more of an artisan than an artist: “While artists often chase abstract beauty, my approach is grounded
in practicality, craftsmanship and purpose. My focus is on creating visuals that not only look good but serve a function – whether for a menu, marketing materials or social media. I approach every project with a pragmatic mindset, ensuring the images work for the client’s needs without unnecessary complexity or ourish.
“Minimalism plays a significant role in my style. I believe that simplicity in styling allows the subject to speak for itself, emphasising the quality and authenticity of the food. There’s no need for excessive props or forced compositions. The beauty lies in the rawness and honesty of what’s being photographed. I strip away the unnecessary elements, ensuring the food remains the hero and the image is clean, functional, and ready for its purpose.
“Ultimately, my photography isn’t meant to hang in galleries; it’s meant to be used. Whether it’s showcasing a new dish on a restaurant’s website or enhancing the visual appeal of a product, the end goal is always to serve a practical function while delivering high-quality imagery. As an artisan, my focus is on creating something that works – not just looks good on its own, but serves the client’s needs in the context it was intended for.”
fayditphotography.com faydit_photography
ABOVE
For Dine Indulge; a private chef service in collaboration with Villeroy & Boch
ABOVE
Valentine’s Day macarons by Damien Wager from Edible Art in collaboration with Harvey Nichols
TOP ed berry tart for e aan Cocoa
ABOVE For Saint Sithney
ABOVE
Behind the scene of a Delice de France photoshoot
ABOVE
Dry aged-beef for Veyseys Butchers online shop
TOP From the book Cocoa by Damien Wager in collaboration with e aan Cocoa
ABOVE Winter menu at Kenton Park Estate and Vineyards
TOP Non-corporate portrait of Harry from The Gingerbread’s Preserves
ABOVE
Portraiture for Porlock Bay Oysters
No Holds BARRED
WORDS BY MERCEDES SMITH
WA new exhibition celebrates the life and art of Matthew Lanyon.
hen Matthew Lanyon died in 2016 it was unexpected, and was only weeks after the private view of an important exhibition of his work at New Craftsman Gallery St Ives. I spoke with him that opening night and he was as enigmatic and intriguing as always, a curious mix of shyness and lively intellectualism. He was already one of Cornwall’s most important artists, and the show was perhaps among his most personal, as much of the work addressed the recent loss of his mother, her legacy, and the love he felt for her. It was typical of Matthew to put so much of himself into his work, and so the archive of paintings, prints, assemblages and tapestries he left give us insight into the story of his life, from his childhood as the
son of acclaimed British Modernist Peter Lanyon, to his own experiences as a lover, husband, father and artist. Every work, in whatever medium, is defined by an exclusive visual language which explores abstraction in the context of the history and landscape of West Cornwall, where he was born and raised.
Matthew’s long association with New Craftsman Gallery continues this autumn, with the first curated exhibition of his work since 2018. Titled Matthew Lanyon: No Holds Barred, Life & Art, it celebrates the work of a man for whom distinctions between art and life were largely irrelevant. “Everything Matthew did was ‘to the next level’ and held meaning and purpose,” says his wife Judith, who is now director of his archive and producer of the recent
award-winning documentary film profiling his life. “His home and working environments were built by hand in the same breath of daily reverence and love as the artworks he made,” she says. “With his partner and baby son he built a home from an old barn. It was a long and exhausting task, and he followed it by building a Cornish hedge, about 66 metres long, along the property boundary. This became a monumental achievement in his own sense of his life’s work – just one man, a huge quantity of rocks and a wheelbarrow.”
This total dedication to the creative task in hand came to define Matthew, both as a person and an artist. “He forged his own path and tied himself in knots sometimes,” says Judith, “and he created art to express his own feelings and experiences about places, people and living creatures.” Matthew was born in 1951, one of six children, and saw his beloved Cornwall change significantly throughout the second half of the 20th century. As Judith explains, “he was wary of the pitfalls of art tourism and was bitter about mass road building in the 1980s, and indeed anything which invaded the natural peace of Cornwall. And yet, there was not an ounce of Cornish nationalism about him, even when he was making work rooted in protest. He welcomed everyone who was interested, he adapted quickly to change, and he loved science and technology, particularly tools and machines that worked.”
He was also a man constantly brimming with thoughts and ideas, and a desire to share them. “He wrote to NASA once,” says Judith, “with an idea for a novel way of going into space with binder twine – and they wrote back. He called himself many things: the first poet to orbit the earth in a good mood, one small man, and most controversially perhaps, given his heritage, the King of Cornwall. He was funny as hell. He was, as all the many people who loved him know, quite extraordinary.” Matthew’s paintings, often monumental in size, “could be interpreted as maps, or trails through time and space, with all the suns rising and setting around the edges, always celebrating the sacred in both joy and loss,” writes Judith in her notes for the New Craftsman exhibition. “He was attracted in his work to the edges of things, the unexpected transformation and collapse of worlds, the threats to life posed by human vanity and the elements. [For Matthew], painting was sometimes like a rain dance or a prayer – an attempt to ward off danger.”
Matthew read widely, reaching back into antiquity and myth for inspiration beyond the painting traditions of Western art and his Cornish contemporaries. He had an appetite for Greek mythology, fascinated by the way it helped shape Western consciousness, and his paintings often bear the names of Greek goddesses and relate on a symbolic level to their surviving abduction, using magic, delivering punishments and
CREATE
being sexually irresistible, each painting re ecting personal aspects of Matthew’s life. Pasiphae and the white bull the motherless Athena, goddess of wisdom, strategy and craftsmanship and Pyrrha, tasked with re-populating the earth after the deluge brought about by eus, are all referenced in this show, as well as the timeless subject of Europa and the bull. He made 20 Europa paintings between 2001 and 2011, and this exhibition includes the very first work in that series. Alongside his art, Matthew had a delight in expressing his thoughts through language. He wrote liberally on the walls of his studio and filled books with endless, extraordinary notes. In 2005 he wrote, ‘ oor wide to a pagan wind, stories of Minoan Crete sit well in the provocative uplands where I work, and the image of the girl and the bull has been a constant for
over a decade. Men changed into animals and heroes going about changing them back again. With our precarious lives, mortals fascinate the gods inside the bull – a god. Inside the image of the bull –a girl. Inside the girl – the Minotaur. Maybe this is it. A revelation followed by a necessary concealment.’
ther works in the exhibition reference Matthew’s a nity with aboriginal art, as well as Cornwall’s link with ancient Irish and Scottish Celtic traditions. “Matthew had always had a wariness about Celtic iconography but in 2015 he began to engage with it,” says Judith, “anticipating an exhibition in Ireland, and stimulated by ominic Kelly’s storytelling in Penzance about the lster hero of Celtic myth, Cucullain.” Matthew also frequently used
ABOVE ‘Perranu’
ABOVE ‘Haymaker’
TOP ‘In the Tracks of the ellow og’ - tapestry
Christian iconography and titles in his painting. “I think this signifies his sense of belonging as an artist to the strong religious traditions of art history, but he did not follow any religion or hold any specific belief in an afterlife,” says Judith. There are two Madonna paintings in this New Craftsman exhibition, both examples of the rich diversity of Matthew’s approach to colour and form, “but he always offers a challenge to art traditions” Judith adds. “There is no suggestion of a child in his Madonna works: they may suggest instead a woman mothering her own soul or woman as an object of adoration. In life he greatly enjoyed the company of many women, for their conversation, competence, di dence and vivacity, but also, he had a fascination with women absorbed in what they were doing and able to abandon themselves.”
His only tapestry, which takes centre stage in this exhibition, is from that important exhibition of 2016 and was created in the last year of his life. It commemorates the passing of his mother and makes use of contemporary landmarks in and around St Ives and the iconography of both prehistory, and the udyard Kipling stories his mother read to him as a child. “It holds a key place in his life’s work,” writes Judith. It is perhaps one of the most touching and resonant examples of Matthew Lanyon the artist, and Matthew Lanyon the man.
See Matthew Lanyon: No Holds Barred, Life & Art from 19th October to 15th November r ft r F r
A clear view FUTURE to the
WORDS BY JAMIE CROCKER
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© Watershedd
© Barc Architects
TOP Hayle House ABOVE Stone Haven
© Woodford Architecture
© Woodford Architecture
© IQ Glass
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© Watershedd & Evie Johnstone
© Watershedd & Evie Johnstone
© Van Ellen + Sheryn
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Sunny SIDE UP
WORDS BY HANNAH TAPPING
St. Ewe, the multi-award winning, free-range egg producer has joined forces with Cornish supperclub sensation Jade, aka Naughty Nonna, to create three delicious recipes perfect for family feasting.
A Sort of Shakshuka
Inspired by her travels, across Italy, Barbados and the Middle East, Jade’s delicious kitchen table menus have become synonymous for using what’s in season as a starting reference as well as including local produce where available – hence the perfect partnership for eggs lovingly packed by the same family in Cornwall for over 40 years.
‘This dish is somewhat of a cheat on the traditional shakshuka... Instead of baking the eggs in the rich tomato sauce, you fry them separately in crispy herbs and serve up with a delicious garlic yoghurt, bread for dunking and some cheeky fridge raid pickles!’– Jade
SERVES: 4-6
INGREDIENTS:
Glug of extra virgin olive oil
2 red onions
2 green peppers
3 cloves garlic
Generous pinch Cornish sea salt
1 jar/tin of butterbeans
1 tsp smoked paprika
METHOD
Heat the oil over medium heat in a stainless steel pan. Add the onion, peppers, salt, cook until the onions are beautifully soft for around 8-10 minutes.
Reduce the heat and add the garlic, paprika, cumin and coriander seeds. Stir and let cook for about 30 seconds, you can smell the magic spices working! Then add the tomatoes and harissa paste. Simmer for 15 minutes until the sauce is thickened. Then add the butterbeans.
1 tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp coriander seeds
1 can of chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp harissa paste
6 St. Ewe Rich Yolk eggs
Fresh herbs: coriander, dill, mint & parsley
Pickles: any type of jarred pickles!
Whilst that’s bubbling away, in a frying pan, heat a large glug of oil, and when hot, add in a mix of fresh herbs; they should pop a little and start to crisp. Then crack and fry the eggs, and scatter with more herbs. Cook the eggs to your desire!
On a large platter, spoon on the hot sauce and top with fried eggs. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and sprinkle with more herbs and lots of pickles. Serve with toasted bread for scooping up that delicious sauce!
SERVES: 4-6
INGREDIENTS:
400g Greek yoghurt
1 unwaxed lemon, juice & zest
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp cornish sea salt akes
125g salted butter
Turkish Eggs
Glug of extra virgin olive oil
tsp turkish red pepper akes
6 St. Ewe eggs (fridge-cold)
2 tsp white wine vinegar
Bunch fresh dill (chopped)
METHOD
Fill a wide saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Line a plate with some kitchen roll.
Place a heatproof bowl on top of the pan, add the yoghurt, grate in the garlic and lemon zest, stir in salt and the juice of the lemon. Making sure the base of the bowl doesn’t touch the water, stir it until it gets to a nice temperature and has the consistency of lightly whipped double cream. Take the bowl off the pan.
Melt the butter gently in a small pan until it is just beginning to turn a caramel brown colour, but make sure it doesn’t catch and burn Turn the heat off, then stir in a generous glug of olive oil, followed by the fragrant red pepper akes. This will bubble and crack, filling your kitchen with a gorgeous chilli aroma!
When you are ready to poach the eggs, I would work in batches here, add white wine vinegar to the boiling water and lower the heat so the water is simmering. You don’t want much movement as this will break your eggs. Gently crack in the eggs and poach for 3 minutes until the whites are set and the yolks still runny. Transfer the eggs with your slotted spoon onto some kitchen roll to remove any excess water.
Slather the warm garlicky yoghurt onto a big platter, place the poached eggs on top, pour the fiery butter over the yoghurt, creating a chilli moat around the plate for all the dunking and scatter with plenty of dill!
Meringue Mountain
‘A one way ticket to meringue mountain please! This dessert is a serious show stopper. ri i i r i i r T RD summer berries in all their glory. I love this recipe as you use both parts of the egg, therefore no wastage!’– Jade
SERVES: 8-10
INGREDIENTS:
For the Meringue:
4 St. Ewe Rich Yolk egg whites
(save the yolks for custard)
230g caster sugar
2 tsp corn our
2 tsp white wine vinegar
For the Rich Yolk Custard:
4 St. Ewe Rich Yolk eggs
50g dark muscovado sugar
2 tbsp vanilla bean paste or maple syrup
METHOD
For the meringue:
Preheat your oven to 150°C. Line 2 large baking trays with baking paper. Crack your eggs, separating the white and yolk (save the yolks for the custard) and add your egg whites to a large mixing bowl. Weigh out 230g of sugar in a separate bowl and, using an electric whisk/ stand mixer, whisk the egg whites into stiff peaks. When they look like uffy clouds, slowly start to add spoonfuls of the sugar, one at a time, continuously whisking until you get stiff peaks. When all the sugar is incorporated, mix together in a separate small bowl the corn our and vinegar to make a paste. Mix into the meringue until incorporated.
Take big spoonfuls of the meringue mixture, and dollop onto the baking trays in glossy blobs, spaced well apart. You should get about 10 meringues. Place both trays in the oven and bake them for 1 hour. Meanwhile, macerate the fruit. Coat the berries in caster sugar, zest and juice of a lemon or orange. This will make the juices ow out and create a sticky delicious syrup too. Pour your double cream into a medium mixing bowl and whisk with electric beaters until it thickens. Allow your meringues to cool completely in the oven for at least an
2 tsp corn our
700ml whole milk
200ml double cream
A pinch of akey Cornish sea salt
To serve:
300ml double cream
450g strawberries & raspberries
30g caster sugar
1 orange or lemon, zest & juice
Rich Yolk Custard
Flakey Cornish sea salt
hour. Even better, try baking them the night before. Avoid getting excited and opening the oven early, this will help the meringue keep the shape.
For the custard:
In a large bowl, slowly whisk the egg yolks and brown sugar. nce combined add the corn our, vanilla bean paste or maple syrup, and mix together. In a small non-stick saucepan, mix the milk and cream then bring to a gentle boil. Remove from the heat and very slowly pour into the egg mixture, a little bit at a time, whisking as you pour. Take your time here to make sure the eggs don’t scramble. Now pour the mixture back into the saucepan. Whisk continuously over a low heat for 6–8 minutes until the mixture starts to thicken. Do not let it boil as this will also scramble the custard. Stir in the salt, then remove from the heat.
Grab a granny looking cake stand if you have one. Make a base with the meringues, dollop on the whipped cream, spoon on some fruit, slather on some custard, then repeat. Meringue mountain complete, top with more custard and fruit in its syrup so it’s dripping down the sides. If it’s not messy you’re doing it wrong. Grab a large spoon and watch your friends dig in!
La Dolce VITA
WORDS BY HANNAH TAPPING
On a late summer foray to Watergate Bay’s eac ut, I nd t at a taste of Italy as landed on Cornis s ores.
Ialways nd solace in e tember. ust as the tide retreats leaving ristine shores in its wa e so does the hustle and bustle of high season as a cloa of uiet calm settles on ornwall. ith the sun sitting lower in the s y, the colours of the day are muted but no less beautiful, with reflections on the water sending u auras of iridescent s ar le. ones a ear hushed as wanderers and coastal e lorers meander along the sand while those die hard roc oolers and sand castle builders, too young for the return to school, don a coastal autumn uniform of dryobe and beanie hat.
atergate ay is more than ust a stretch of sand and surf. t s become a community for the discerning, whether that be a stay at the atergate ay otel, lunch at its each ouse or dinner at the newly o ened acry s on the sea wall. he hotel sets the scene for contem orary beach holidays. t s a lace that s about the balance in life being active, getting among the elements,
eating and drin ing well, chilling out and getting cosy. ost of all, it s about having a good time. he renowned surf school and activity e erts avehunters now also has a base here, so however you want to e erience an esca e by the ocean the choice is endless.
oday is a s ecial e tember day. lue s ies and light offshore winds combine to create erfect surf conditions. etsuit clad thrill see ers dot the lines of swell, all waiting for the erfect wave. he beach is a veritable hive of activity as this wee end has seen atergate ay otel host the rst of its ind ee ish volleyball tournament, welcoming some of the best volleyball layers in the . e see would be volleyballers laying on the have a go itch, as e ert coaches deliver mini sessions to all ages and s ill levels. ith tunes laying on the dec and rofessional commentators buoying the crowd, the atmos here is electric.
ABOVE tast of taly
atergate ay has certainly ado ted a uro ean feel today, as its each ut is hosting a ta eover to celebrate the nautical ins ired ale i are, a sea salt s i ed beer that comes as a refreshing treat on a day li e today. he ornish talian is down on the sand serving talian small lates as well as ouring glasses of ice cold ale i are and ha y s ectators have bagged themselves a dec chair and are having the time of their lives as they watch the action unfold.
e ve wal ed the length of the beach and bac watching the waves and after cheering ourselves hoarse at an e citing match our thoughts turn to lunch at the each ut. he ta eover is in full flow as we are welcomed by our host. o, why s eci cally a ta eover you may as n 1 an authentic beer was born in taly by uigi oretti at only years old. ince then, the roduction rocess hasn t changed. roduced in the traditional way, with remium raw materials and a s ecial blend of ho s and ne malts, this low fermentation beer has a uni ue aroma eo le have grown to now and love. he uality of the range has been a reciated and recognised in taly and further a eld by
industry e erts from all over the world, receiving 1 international awards in the last 1 years.
he newest member of the famiglia, ale i are, is a medium bodied remium lager at . , containing talian sea salt for full flavoured refreshment. t s a beer born on the colourful coast of taly, where the sea rovides the bac dro to slow lunches and long afternoons, family gatherings and uality time s ent together. actly what we are doing today, ust on ornish shores.
randed a rons, coasters and the all im ortant um s and bar decals that contain the iconic moustached man, affo, si ing a fresh int of oretti decorate the restaurant. he story goes that uigi oretti s ne hew saw affo in a bar and instantly new he d found the embodiment of the real values of his beer in this man. eing a assionate ty e, oretti s ne hew a roached affo, as ing him for a hotogra h. affo re uested one thing in return another irra oretti. e has been on their labels ever since.
he each ut has cleverly created an talian ambience that feels li e the
CUISINE
chicest of s i bars has been trans orted to the coast. hile the sun is shining, there s a cris e tember chill in the air, but no matter as a warm welcome by our host, a cosy table erfectly ositioned to ta e advantage of the view and rugs for chilly nees mean we feel instantly at home.
ur taste buds are tem ted by delicious aromas that ervade the air as e ectant diners receive lates laden with talian ins ired dishes. e start with a rosemary focaccia, good oil and balsamic, shin and calamari arancini, and burrata with atterini tomatoes and botarga. e ve decided that the convivial atmos here, sto ed by the s irit of the divine coast invites sharing and so we sam le a taste of each, the rst mouthful e ually as delicious as the last washed down, of course with ale i are. t s a full bodied beer with notes of citrus and ine. n ltered, ha y and designed to be en oyed with food, the saline ic of talian sea salt ma es it the ideal accom animent as we savour each si , watching the action unfold on the beach below.
ilanese fagioli verdi con angrattato follow. im le ingredients, treated with care are elevated to dishes that ma e eyes widen as each mouthful trans orts us to foreign climes. o talian lunch can be savoured without concluding with a gelato scoo s of istacchio, stracciatella and cioccolato al latte disa ear all too uic ly. strong talian coffee concludes what has been the nest of lunches saluti
ince our visit, a fresh culinary cha ter has begun at atergate ay otel as hris den oins to lead the food and teams in all three of its restaurants. s a atergate ay regular himself bringing his family to he each ut after beach wal s for hefty hot chocolates hris nows ust how much this lace means to eo le.
bucatini of crab, chilli and lemon angrattato, stea tagliata served with roc et and armigiano eggiano and ollo
cited by the range of atergate ay s offering, from the laid bac eating, drin ing and sharing in he iving ace to the elegant sim licity and noc out views of acry s, he s een to ste u to the challenge. hris is set on ma ing sure that wherever eo le ull u a seat, the dishes are always under inned by seasonality, and the e erience will always leave them with a smile on their faces.
watergate ay.co.uk
DIVERSIFICATION A celebration via
© Zoe
Lovelock Photography
The Barn at Pengelly was born from a desire to diversify a four-generation dairy farm and create something that could support its descendants thereafter.
Winner of the 2023 Cornwall Tourism Award, the Barn at Pengelly sits in the heart of the rolling Cornish countryside, surrounded by lakes and wildflower fields on a working farm. It offers much more than just another wedding location. As a contemporary purpose-built venue, it has been carefully designed with openplan connected spaces, making it the perfect setting for memorable celebrations. The familyled team provides exclusive multi-day hire, featuring three licensed ceremony areas, accommodation for up to 43 guests and dedicated wedding coordination. From the moment guests drive through the gates, they are made to feel at home, creating a space where they can celebrate, relax and make unforgettable memories with loved ones over three days. We delve a little deeper to find out the raison d’être behind this forward-looking enterprise.
What was the inspiration behind Pengelly Weddings and how has the journey evolved?
We identified a gap in the market for a wedding venue that could accommodate over 150 guests with on-site accommodation in an accessible location. After years of planning and securing funding, we opened in June 2022. The response has been beyond our expectations, hosting 25 weddings in 2022 and growing to 75 weddings booked for 2025.
Can you describe your signature style and what sets Pengelly Weddings apart from other wedding venues?
Pengelly Weddings offers exclusive use of the venue, allowing couples complete flexibility to make the space their own, so each wedding looks and feels different. We are one of few purpose-built venues, with couples’ and suppliers’ requirements in mind.
© I Do Film and Photos
© Clare Kinchin
Photography
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The locations for photography are endless
© Indigo Wild Studios
© I Do Film and Photos
© I Do Film and Photos
© Noah Werth
Our combination of rustic charm and modern amenities – paired with sustainable practices – sets us apart. We are familyled, and our signature style is defined by attention to detail, personalised service, and seamless transitions throughout the day, whether indoors or outdoors.
How do you ensure that each wedding you host reflects the couple’s story?
We believe every couple’s wedding should be unique, so we provide them with exclusive use of the venue to bring their vision to life. Our recent investments in new styling package offerings have made it easier for couples to customise their day without needing multiple suppliers and buying items they will only use once. We also use an online portal where couples can collaborate with us on everything from day plans to styling ideas, ensuring every detail aligns with their story.
What are some of the most memorable weddings you’ve planned and what made them stand out?
To us, every wedding is memorable; we have hosted military and black-tie weddings with black and gold themes, festival-style weddings with sunset guitar sessions and relaxed dress codes focused around sunflowers. We have hosted weddings for brides who are terminally ill – a wedding is also a celebration of life. Each one is so unique and we love being able to play a special role in creating memories that will last a lifetime.
What trends are you currently seeing in the wedding industry, and how do you incorporate them into your planning?
There has been a big shift to weekday weddings recently, especially with couples being more budget-focused. To maximise this opportunity, we launched a new lower-priced Tuesday wedding package, which has resulted in most of our Tuesdays in Summer 2025 being fully booked, which is unusual.
Themed weddings are also becoming popular, and we absolutely loved coordinating a Harry Potter-themed wedding recently.
How do you handle unexpected challenges or last-minute changes during the wedding planning process?
There are many things you can plan for a wedding, but the weather is not one of them! Most of our couples fall in love with our outdoor space, but no matter the season, the weather can choose not to accommodate.
We will always plan for the outdoors in the summer, if that’s what the couple wants, and our team is on hand to quickly adapt the indoor space for the ceremony, incorporating elements of the couple’s original design. The couples are always amazed at how we can seamlessly pivot without sacrificing their vision. This flexibility and dedication are what set us apart, and we’ve found that couples greatly appreciate our hands-on approach.
Can you share a success story where you exceeded a couple’s expectations on their big day?
Earlier this year, we launched an initiative to recognise unsung heroes among us –collaborating with suppliers to offer a free wedding package.
After an overwhelming response and voting process, we selected a deserving local couple who had been through so much. A mother to four children, Grace’s two eldest are disabled and sadly, when she was pregnant with her son, she suffered a placental abruption, losing him and just under four litres of blood, almost dying herself. Her partner suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2020 so he is limited in his ability to work.
They couldn’t afford the expense of getting married, so being able to make a difference in this couple’s life means more than words can describe. Many of the nominations we received touched us deeply, so we also gave four additional couples a free wedding with us, from those who had recently lost family members to those suffering from terminal cancer.
What advice do you have for couples who are just beginning to plan their wedding?
Our advice for couples just starting to plan their wedding is to set a clear budget from the start. You can use our online budget tool on our website to help with this, making sure you stay organised and on track from the start.
It’s also important to stay stress-free, this can be alleviated by getting professional advice. When you book with us, you’ll have a dedicated wedding coordinator to guide you every step of the way, offering expert advice on all things wedding-related.
Lastly, dedicate time to the elements that matter most to you as a couple. We believe in creating weddings that are as unique as the couple themselves. Your day, your way! You won’t see two weddings the same here at The Barn at Pengelly.
How has the rise of social media influenced your approach to wedding planning and designing?
Social media has become an incredible tool for us to showcase our venue and we’ve adapted by offering a virtual tour on our new website for couples who find us online. We also use platforms like Instagram and TikTok to share real-life wedding stories at Pengelly, inspiring future couples. We’ve noticed many couples come to us with Pinterest boards or Instagram images for inspiration, and we’re always up to date with current trends to help them create something special.
What plans or projects can we expect to see from Pengelly Weddings in the coming years?
We’re always innovating to stay ahead of trends and ensure Pengelly remains a sought-after venue. Recently, we expanded our accommodation with two new holiday cottages and three shepherd huts and introduced event offerings for private functions, conferences and wakes.
Looking ahead, we have some exciting developments in the pipeline that we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we promise they’ll impress. With big plans on the horizon, we’re committed to continually enhancing our offerings, ensuring every couple’s experience is not just exceptional, but truly unforgettable. Keep an eye on us –there’s much more to come!
pengellyweddings.com
© Wild Tide Love
© Rabbit House
Studio
Photography
ABOVE Lakeside rendezvous
© I Do Film and Photos
A home for those who seek the d al ene ts o oth the coast and co ntryside.
Discover this stunning five-bedroom detached farmhouse, set within expansive grounds and ust a mile from both awgan Porth and Porthcothan ay on the north ornwall coast. Immaculately presented after recent updates including new windows, roof and carpets this home boasts extremely flexible living spaces, including an internal one-bedroom annexe and within the grounds is a separate one-bedroom cottage, making it perfect house for extended family, guests, as well as residential or holiday letting. With parking for multiple cars, including a double garage, this property offers practicality and charm.
Located in the pictures ue hamlet of ngollan, it en oys easy access to renowned beaches and the vibrant town of Padstow, ust six miles away. ere you can indulge in the culinary delights of nearby eateries, including Rick tein’s establishments and the acclaimed Pig otel.
BEACH Above the
For those seeking a wonderful place to reside, this property may be just what you’re looking for.
Overlooking the golden Sands of Mawgan Porth, Beach View rests in a prime coastal position. Boasting beach views and a far-reaching ocean vista beyond, this home has 2,550 square feet of meticulously decorated living space. With four genuine double bedrooms and two modern bathrooms, it’s designed for comfort and style. The expansive plot stretches over 0.31 acres, offering plenty of outdoor space, complemented by a detached garage with an o ce above and ample driveway parking.
With planning permission in place for a sustainable, architect-designed four- or five-bedroom replacement dwelling, the plot has potential for future development if deemed necessary. Currently, a thriving holiday let, it would also serve as the perfect family home, balancing luxury and opportunity in a sought-after location.
BEACH VIEW Guide price: £2.3M
JACKIE STANLEY 01841 532555
sales@jackie-stanley.co.uk
jackie-stanley.co.uk
RESIDENCE A grand
Hornacott Manor is a historic Georgian home set in over twelve acres in Boyton, Cornwall.
Once home to 19th-century inventor
Goldsworthy Gurney, this south-facing residence features numerous period details, such as marble fireplaces, cast iron radiators, original oak floors and elabole slate flooring. The manor retains its historical charm while offering modern amenities, including a bespoke kitchen with halon units and a Redfyre Range oven. The ground floor includes three reception rooms, utility and boot rooms and a drying room with a olar i oost system. pstairs, five bedrooms have four en-suite bathrooms, with the principal suite featuring a private terrace.
Outside, a self-contained two-bedroom cottage provides additional accommodation. The property includes two ponds, woodland, paddocks, a large walled garden with vegetable patches and 65 solar panels paired with Victron nergy battery storage for e cient energy use.
Hornacott Manor combines historical elegance with modern e ciency in a uiet setting.
HORNACOTT MANOR
Guide price: £1.6M
JACKSON-STOPS 01872 261160
cornwall@jackson-stops.co.uk
jackson-stops.co.uk
ELEGANCE Edwardian
Torquil House is a substantial and attractive seven-bedroom property, within easy reach of the north Cornwall coast.
The ultimate Cornish coastal abode, Torquil House is located within a long stone’s throw of the Camel Estuary and Daymer Bay’s golden sands. This elegant seven-bedroom Edwardian property combines latter-day elegance with modern-day facilities.
urrounded by a private garden filled with mature trees, plants and shrubs, it offers glimpses of Brea Hill and the tidal waters of the estuary, encouraging you to linger that little bit longer.
Inside, there are graceful spaces such as a light-filled entrance hall, a spacious open-plan kitchen/dining area, and a generous sitting room with an open fire and garden access. The house also features a snug with a log burner, six bathrooms and ample bedrooms. Currently a successful holiday let with Latitude 50, Torquil House is perfect for family living or as a tranquil holiday haven.
A destination WELLNESS for
WORDS BY JAMIE CROCKER
We uncover a singular location that has captured a selection of experiences designed to energise and reset your mind and body.
Just a short distance from the wide crescent of Gyllyngvase Beach, St Michaels Resort is a place that not only offers luxurious accommodation and fine dining but extends a warm welcome to those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. For 2025, they have expanded their Wellness reaks, a series of transformative activities designed to inspire and uplift.
Whether it’s reconnecting with nature through wild swimming, finding balance with yoga, pushing limits with paddleboarding, or grounding the self through breathwork, t ichaels Wellness reaks will have something to offer every guest or visitor.
ully embracing its proximity to the sea, St Michaels is an ideal setting for open-water swimming. In , the Wild wimming Retreat will be led by alim Ahmed, founder of wimlab and a master of the art. alim’s approach to swimming goes beyond conventional teaching. For him, swimming is more than a sport it’s a performance art that combines body alignment, flexibility, and a deeper connection with the water. At wimlab, we think differently, says
PREVIOUS
Preparing to head out
alim. We help you connect with the water, enabling you to move through it e ciently and gracefully. During the weekend retreat, we focus on the latest techniques in stroke development whilst emphasising the importance of how your body interacts with the water itself.
Guests participating in this retreat will not only gain skills for life, but they’ll also experience the liberating effects of wild swimming in one of the most beautiful coastal areas in the . alim’s aim is to help swimmers of all levels leave the retreat with the physical skills and confidence to continue their journey long after the weekend ends, whether they choose to swim for competition or pure pleasure.
ne of the most anticipated experiences for at t ichaels is the Wim of ethod, hosted by at Paterson. A Level Wim of ethod Instructor who specialises in mindfulness, meditation and breathwork, at brings a wealth of experience to her sessions. at’s background as a Rapid Transformational Therapist and linical ypnotherapist
Walking to a re uvenating experience
ABOVE onnecting with the sea
ensures that her retreats go far beyond traditional wellness approaches, touching on deeper layers of mental and emotional healing.
The Wim of ethod is a pathway to re-establishing harmony between mind and body, at explains. y engaging with breathwork and cold exposure, we can unlock the deep intelligence that resides within all of us.
tudents will be guided through breathwork, mindfulness and cold exposure exercises, all designed to bring the body into a natural state of balance. These techni ues not only offer health benefits like improved immunity and mental clarity but also help to alleviate stress, anxiety and other ailments. er classes are known for being transformative, with her students often leaving feeling more centred and empowered to face life’s challenges.
almouth, rendon shares. This area is without doubt one of the best locations for P in ritain.
The sheltered waters of almouth ay, along with the elford and al estuaries, provide perfect conditions for paddleboarding, no matter the weather. rendon’s classes are designed for both beginners and more advanced paddlers, focusing on the fundamentals of paddleboarding while also providing opportunities for exploration. is knowledge of the ’s coastal geography ensures that guests will get to explore hidden coves and secret inlets, adding an element of adventure to their wellness retreat.
For those looking for an active, outdoor adventure, St Michaels Resort is pleased to offer tand- p Paddleboarding P courses led by rendon Prince. As the first person to P around the entire coast of mainland Britain and a world record holder for the longest-ever ourney by paddleboard, rendon brings a wealth of experience and passion to his sessions. I’ve seen every beach our island has to offer, but there’s something special about
o retreat experience would be complete without yoga. ere, enthusiasts will find their perfect opportunity, thanks to two highly experienced and passionate instructors, ex and Ruth. ach brings a uni ue approach to yoga, ensuring that every participant can find the right path that aligns with their needs and abilities.
ex, who trained in haramsala, offers a multi-style yoga practice that incorporates mindfulness techniques, making her sessions suitable for all levels. haring the practice of yoga in such a beautiful location is a dream come true, ex says. We aim to help unify the body and mind, allowing guests to leave feeling deeply restored.
Get
Ruth, a seasoned instructor with over 27 years of teaching experience, specialises in restorative yoga practices, including Yoga Nidra, a deeply meditative form of this ancient practice. Ruth also leads classes focusing on Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs, a specialised 12-week course aimed at addressing chronic pain issues. Both instructors share a common goal: to help guests unwind, reset and return to their daily lives with a renewed sense of energy and peace.
Beyond the transformative wellness experiences, St Michaels Resort ensures that guests are pampered from the moment they arrive. The resort offers a wide range of rooms, from cosy classics to luxurious kings full of space and light. Each one is designed with comfort in mind, offering the perfect environment to unwind after a day of activities. Guests can indulge in spa treatments at the resort’s world-class wellness centre, which features a hydrothermal pool and a Cornish sea salt steam room, along with a bespoke range of treatments that incorporate locally sourced ingredients.
that celebrates the flavours of ornwall. Whether it’s freshly caught seafood or seasonal vegetables from local farms, guests will find a menu that complements their wellness journey. For those participating in wellness retreats, the chefs work closely with instructors to create meal plans that nourish the body while remaining delicious and satisfying.
St Michaels Resort offers more than ust a wonderful stay on the Cornish coast – it provides an opportunity for guests to embark on a holistic personal journey of self-knowledge and regeneration. Whether through the exhilarating experience of wild swimming, the calm and centring practice of yoga, or the thrill of paddleboarding, there is a retreat for every type of guest or visitor. Combined with the resort’s exceptional accommodations and dining, the Wellness Breaks at St Michaels promise to leave guests refreshed, restored and ready to take on the world.
Dining at St Michaels is an opportunity to sample some of the finest food this part of the world has to offer. The resort’s restaurant emphasises fresh, local and sustainable ingredients, offering a menu
Whether you’re looking to escape the stresses of modern life or push your limits, St Michaels embraces activities that will fulfil your wish to pursue these desires.
stmichaelsresort.com/wellness-breaks
WORDS BY HANNAH TAPPING
Time to TIDE turn the
As Cornish dive brand fourth element launches the new Pelagic dive watch, we discuss the importance of taking a hands-on approach to environmental stewardship.
Fourth Element’s desire for a sustainable future, embodied by its OceanPositive initiative, has not only reshaped the way its products are made but has in uenced a broader conversation on corporate and environmental responsibility. For the directors of fourth element, Paul Strike and Jim Standing, the narrative has always centred around the environment and in particular, as one would expect as a dive brand, the ocean. As fourth element celebrates the launch of its first dive watch, the Pelagic, the conversation on sustainability and how it permeates the brand’s ethos remains as pertinent now as it was at the company’s inception.
Setting up fourth element in reaction to a lack of effective technical dive gear on the market, Paul and Jim initially explored the use of recycled materials for their products in the early 2000s. As is often the case with those at the forefront of innovation, technological limitations prevented them from fully integrating these materials at the time, and it wasn’t until 2014 that the tide turned, as Paul explains:.
“We became aware that there were groups of divers around the world voluntarily clearing nylon fishing net – basically what we know as ghost gear – from wrecks and reefs, in an effort to improve the safety of the area for both divers and marine life.”
“It was a moment of revelation,” continues Jim, “here were all of these guys pulling ghost gear out of the ocean to prevent reefs from being scoured or wildlife being trapped. While the simple act of this removal is totally laudable in itself, when you tack on the fact that there’s an organisation behind this, taking some of that netting, recycling it and turning it into usable yarn called Econyl®, then the story becomes even more exciting. We knew we had to try to use this yarn and be a part of this whole idea.”
Pertinently, this was all happening at a time when fourth element were developing a new swimwear range. “We found that the yarn being produced from this rescued ghost gear was of a high enough grade to use in our swimwear collection.
With 70% of the fabric being recycled, this was the answer we had been looking for,” says Paul, and so fourth element’s OceanPositive range was born from a truly circular story: waste net removed by divers to be recycled into yarn, to be worn by those very men and women who had brought it up from the wrecks and reefs. As early adopters of this material, fourth element became part of a young charitable organisation, the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI). “The amount of ghost gear stuck on the bottom of the ocean is colossal,” explains Paul. “There’s always a focus on single-use plastic, however by weight, lost fishing gear contains ten times the amount of plastic of a bottle due to its density. These ghost nets trap marine life from crustaceans right the way through to marine mammals, and pretty much everything in between.”
Attending the second AGM for GGGI in London, Paul found there was great energy and excitement with an ambition aimed not just to remove this plastic from the oceans, but to prevent it from going in in the first place. “The GGI wasn’t a fund as such, it was a group of people asking how do we tackle this problem? How do we support people with an ambition to remove these nets? And then also, it was doing much more at a higher level, by trying to lobby governments to sign up to some sort of restrictions or legislation that would control fisheries and make them accountable for losing nets. As a direct result of the work done by GGGI, gear marking was introduced, a process where the boat registration is woven into the filaments of the net, making fishermen ultimately accountable.”
As a result of being involved at an early stage with these initiatives, fourth element found itself at the forefront of a significant raise in
the level of awareness. They named the new swimwear range they had been developing ‘OceanPositive’ and found themselves as leaders within the diving industry on the subject. “As a result,” explains Paul, “other global dive organisations including PADI, followed our lead. Without wanting to blow our trumpet too much, we were pretty instrumental in widening awareness of the issue, including encouraging major fabric producing mills to integrate Econyl® yarn, not only into our own fabrics, but for the broader industry as well.”
“Since the swimwear, which really started it all,” adds Paul, “our mission has become to think about how we can make each and every product with recycled or more sustainable materials. This mission isn’t only for our new products, we also look retrospectively at items that we have already made, questioning whether we can innovate around the environmental aspect as well as performance? Nearly all of our thermal gear now contains recycled polyester nylon; one of our wetsuits has recycled nylon in there and this is extending as far as our hardware, with the introduction of our Rec Fins whose blades are made from recycled post-consumer plastic waste. They still give great diving performance, but with much lower impact on the environment.”
Fourth Element’s story goes far beyond diving gear. As sole directors, Paul and Jim shoulder their corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship with pride and have clearly used the power of business to effect real change. An example of which was Mission 2020, the company’s goal to eliminate single-use plastic packaging from fourth element by 2020. “While we didn’t fully meet the deadline,” says Jim, “the progress we did make was significant. I don’t feel that we failed.
SUSTAIN
We might not have got there by the end of 2020, but we were very close.” The lessons learned from this challenge reveal a fundamental truth: setting ambitious goals, even if not fully met, teaches valuable lessons about what’s possible and what’s di cult. In this case, changing product packaging wasn’t just a question of will – it was a battle against deeply ingrained production processes. “We had to deal with manufacturing processes that were so automated that you couldn’t just switch out a plastic bag for a new sustainable material,” Paul explains.
By early 2021, the company had reached around 90% of its target, a feat they view as a massive achievement. Again, efforts spurred broader industry adoption, with many of their manufacturing partners now using more sustainable materials as a direct result. “If we hadn’t mentioned it, they may well have just carried on using plastic bags,” re ects Jim. “Mission 2020 inspired 125 other companies to commit to sustainability goals. From dive shops providing reusable water bottles to global competitors pledging to reduce plastic use, the movement gained significant traction. The little decisions we made have had big ripples. In many ways, the success of Mission 2020 was less about the company’s individual achievements and more about changing the industry’s attitude toward sustainability.”
From waterproof materials that avoid harmful chemicals to reducing air miles for transportation, the company now scrutinises every step in their supply chain to find ways to minimise environmental impact. They’ve also reduced air freight in favour of shipping by sea, acknowledging that while air freight may be faster, it’s significantly more damaging to the planet. The new Pelagic dive watch is a case
in point. Packaged using only recycled materials recycled PET and FSC certified paper and card, this watch aligns with the company’s OceanPositive mission to use recycled and recyclable materials wherever possible and to build products to last. Named after the vast reaches of the open ocean, the Pelagic combines exceptional craftsmanship with high-specification engineering and is water resistant to 500m. Designed in the UK and hand-built in Switzerland the Pelagic ensures exacting timekeeping with an automatic mechanism, powered by a Swiss-made precision selfwinding movement. It’s a watch suitable for the most extreme environments on Planet Earth, and was designed for durability and longevity, reducing the need for frequent replacements and so helping to minimise waste. The Pelagic is a watch to be passed down as an heirloom piece, further extending its lifespan and so reducing consumption, an element of sustainability that is often overlooked.
This environmental focus has also played a large role in maintaining customer loyalty. Paul and Jim conclude. “There’s a small but growing cohort of people who make the decision to buy our products, not just because of their technical excellence, but also due to our environmental standpoint. In the end, fourth element’s journey toward sustainability isn’t about perfection – it’s about progress. Nothing we do is going to make a big difference to the world alone, but it makes a big difference to us.”
T r ri i designed Swiss-made Pelagic dive watch and to order one of these limited edition timepieces i i rift r i rift r i fourthelement.com
The new Pelagic dive watch; an iconic symbol of a product designed with longevity in mind
Interior Design by Millard & Flo
Photography by John Hersey Studio Beautiful timber buildings
Designed CONNECTION for
WORDS BY HANNAH TAPPING
Exploring the emotional appeal of open spaces, where elegant interiors marry comfort with sophistication.
In conversation with interiors expert Frances Healy, we investigate the art of furnishing an open-concept space that is at once free flowing but also contains areas cleverly demarcated for their various functions. For Frances, the most important thing to consider from the outset is creating different zones with an area: “This may require making divisions such as a stepped area or a low dividing bookcase. You want to feel that you are enjoying the whole area, but also that you don’t feel ‘lost’ if you are in the space on your own or just as a couple. It’s also important that every area feels comfortable and welcoming.”
Achieving such zones is an art in itself, as the different functional areas – living, dining, kitchen – need to flow together but still maintain distinct identities. “Usually, the floor is the same throughout the space, as is often the case with the wall colour, so this immediately gives continuity. A harmonious scheme that runs through the whole space, will keep it together,” explains Frances, “while separating the different areas is really achieved by the choice of finishing products.”
We take one of Frances’ projects, Thurlestone in Devon, as an example. As a family owned second home, this property is used mostly during school holidays, but also increasingly more for long weekends in between The site was home to an old 1970s bungalow which was knocked down and replaced with a new, contemporary five-bedroom house. “The owners, working professionals with three teenage children, wanted the interior style of their new home to re ect their love of the outdoors and the Devon coastline. In contrast to their London home, the mood board was very much beach chic with a nod to the ocean. The brief was to create a space that was comfortable, practical and cosy where family and guests felt relaxed.”
In contrast, a recent project in Rock, which had been converted from an old boat shed about 10 years ago, was in need of an interior refresh; the brief was to create a space that could be enjoyed all year round in the ever-changing Cornish weather! “The clients here love enjoying being on the water, so for their interiors scheme they wanted to pick up on all the colours that you see from the sitting room window – combining shades of blues from the
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Creating a connection at Thurlestone
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The art of ‘zoning’ at Thurlestone
estuary, with greens from the surrounding hills, fields and trees as well as some autumn accents.
Ensuring a cohesive colour palette and style throughout the space comes from an informed choice of colour palette choice as Frances explains: “The surroundings and style of house help to create the colour palette, and often I have a feel of what I think will work best in individual properties, but ultimately, I design for my clients. So, I ask very early on, if they have a preference of a favourite colour, style or finish. Although both of these houses are in different counties and styled years apart from each other, they share a lot of similarities.”
Both properties have expansive open-plan living spaces and I’m curious as to how Frances began the design process for each: “Both properties were initially designed by architects, who are often lovers of large, open-plan spaces, but don’t necessarily always consider just how you are going to furnish them, so that they work on a practical level, but also feel warm, comfortable and relaxed. It was a case of listening to the clients’ requirements and then designing layouts to suit their brief. Both kitchens, were elevated with a ‘bar stool’ area for chatting with friends, sending a quick email or
grabbing a sandwich. They also both wanted a larger separate and adaptable dining area to sit 12 to 14 people, a space to watch television and, by contrast, a relaxed seating dominated only by the view itself which had been maximised from a reverse living layout.”
Balancing such functionality and aesthetic, especially in terms of the kitchen area, is something that Frances worked on in detail. “It’s really important to plan the kitchen very carefully. In an open space, you need to address such issues as cooking smells, dishwasher noise and rubbish disposal especially if the kitchen is on the first oor plus whether the host is happy to have guests watching every move they make In the Thurlestone house, we created a high bar area with a return to really put up a barrier between the kitchen and the rest of the space, which gave the owner privacy and space to work. This wasn’t possible in the ock house as the kitchen already existed, but we did improve the ventilation and lighting over the island. It’s also important to have different circuits of lighting particularly in the kitchen area as you need both task and mood lighting.
“In fact, lighting, whether natural or electric, is hugely important in any scheme. ften open-plan living spaces have large
windows on one or two elevations to bring the outside in, but all this glass can seem dark and re ective at night so needs careful consideration as you can end up with dark corners which also need lighting well. Both houses are right on the water – Thurlestone with open sea views and ock with estuary views – so it was really important to incorporate these into the scheme. When you enter a large room, with large windows, the view turns into a massive painting filling one wall – you can’t ignore that ”
In terms of creating those all-important zones, Frances created ‘walls’ with the clever use of furniture: “In both properties, I added a low bookcase which is open on one side to store books, ornaments and games etc, but is at on the other side, which enabled us to sit a sofa up against it. Both then had table lamps wired into the top of the bookcase to create a screen, add height and, of course, light to both sides. We also had to consider tra c ow and movement within the design. How close was the dining area to the kitchen How do you access the outside from the various zones without walking muddy feet and dogs all over a brand-new rug All of these points needed to be carefully thought through ”
Frances’ next consideration is how the furniture will fit within the overall style. “99 of the time, I will start any room that I design with a furniture layout, but this is even more important in an open plan space, so you can see exactly where each zone is going to be, what will fit where, what gives you the best ow through the space while also making the most of the
outside views. This space planning then also dictates the electrical layout and different circuits required which is crucial to the final scheme working in harmony. Scale is also hugely important and I find that generally bigger is better, even more so in an open-plan scheme. You really don’t want lots of small pieces of furniture looking lost in a large space – less, larger items, is definitely more I find that there simply isn’t the choice of scale available from high street stores, which is why I often end up designing my own bespoke pieces to suit each individual project. I work with some amazing craftspeople, right here in the South West and would always recommend spending that little bit extra on something that is both practical and beautiful.”
When it comes to the soft furnishings, Frances’ love of combining pattern, colour and texture always informs the style: “I do think you need curtains even in an open plan space, as lots of large windows can be very dark at night and they also help with the acoustics which can be a little echoey in open-plan spaces. For me, rugs are crucial as they stop furniture from looking like it’s ‘ oating’ and they also help to define the zones. I also always encourage clients to bring personal items with them from their main home, as these are the details that make a house a home. Photographs, books, ornaments and artwork all really help to finish a space and make it unique to the owner.”
franceshealyinteriors.co.uk
The value SMALL THINGS of
WORDS BY MARTIN HOLMAN
The publication of a richly illustrated book celebrates the career of Romi Behrens, a treasure of recent Cornish painting.
Every art form has its talented independent practitioners. They claim no a liation with a school or set of prevailing theories. What they do is quite radical: they enjoy making and follow their own instincts about what they make and how. Romi ehrens was an example. he was a painter who learned by looking, and the world around her was her favourite sub ect matter.
That curiosity brought her ob ects and places, flowers and faces to feature in her work. veryday details like the view through a window, a shopfront, a vase of flowers or a ceramic decoration were not ordinary for her; they possessed pictorial possibilities. ascinated by how these forms and facts about her surroundings also constituted
line, colour, volume, she represented in oil paint on canvas or board her part of ornwall and places abroad she visited as her distinct personality perceived it.
Imbued with a sense of fun and natural good humour, she could be impulsive, bold and forthright. The daughter of a clergyman, she was expelled from school for talking back, no doubt on a matter that tested her sense of natural justice. er mother was an organist and music was important to Behrens, a preference reinforced later by the family she married into. These characteristics are felt in the way she made her paintings and drawings. er brushstrokes have a direct, unaffected uality and every part of the surfaces she painted feels animated. o
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Terracotta Pot and Pineapple’ detail , x cm, c. , oil on board
Romi ehrens, c. . Photograph by Roger lack
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‘One of the First, Penzance’, x cm, c. , oil on board
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‘ Pot and iddle reys ’, x cm, c. , oil on board
wonder Van Gogh’s restless, emotive and frequently joyous images interested her. None of that, however, was at the expense of subtlety, which possibly comes across best in her many still-life paintings of flowers.
ecause of these features and their different resonances, representation was never a matter of topographical precision. During a career of almost 60 years, she evolved a distinct style. Her concept of a picture allowed for idiosyncrasies in drawing. They came about partly through shortcomings in her own technique. But the arrangement of space and the slantedness of streetscapes also came about because she did not see the world in terms of exactness, straight lines and faithful copying.
The exceptions appear in her earliest images. In about 1961, she tackled the arrangement of West Penwith rooftops and buildings in a painting titled ‘One of the First’. The name was probably acquired later, perhaps once she was being asked to exhibit more. The title is the most whimsical and imprecise feature of the piece. By contrast, the composition has the seriousness of a classroom exercise. She creates an almost abstract grouping of geometric shapes, horizontals and verticals. The strength and buoyancy of the picture lie in the modulated tones of brown, grey and white.
By 1971, her handling had relaxed and colour had blossomed. By then, the spirited diversion from traditional pictorial logic had established itself. That is when she painted ‘Market Jew Street, Penzance’. The verticals, horizontals and gradients of architecture still offered a graphic framework. But they have acquired a more sinuous, vital quality.
Street scenes allowed her to insert text. Shopfronts capture a name and communicate a presence that resonate with traces of human activity. Her pleasure in reproducing the design of words in packaging is apparent in ‘Panettone with Doves’ from about 2001. The surface is exuberant with colour and drawing. This portrait of a product is set at a slight angle to the edge of the board, a detail that contributes to the verve of the entire piece, importing a sensation of the Mediterranean south.
The description “self-taught” attaches itself to this artist. That designation may not be entirely accurate. Although born in London in 1939, part of her secondary education had taken place in Penzance. She began art classes at the town’s art school in 1960, the year after the young ehrens had married a local gentleman farmer, Michael TunstallBehrens, and the couple had settled at his family property at Prussia ove. owever,
‘ Ferenc Ferenc Rados III’, 50.5 x 61cm, mid-1980s, oil on board
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‘Chapel near Redruth (Four Lanes)’, 42 x 61 cm, c.1974, oil on board
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‘ Half Jar and Stattice’, 61 x 61 cm, c.1991, oil on board
she was by no means a conventionally trained painter. Instead, she was an artist by conviction and worked hard to discover for herself the art form’s technical potential. “I am a painter, she a rmed in a handwritten note, “and I paint every day.”
The artistic environment of west Cornwall when Behrens began painting still laid claim to national and international attention. After all, only recently had ark Rothko, doyen of New York’s all-conquering abstract expressionist movement, accepted an invitation from Peter Lanyon to visit St Ives. There Rothko met like-minded artists, including Alan Davie, Paul Feiler and Terry Frost. The art that his British counterparts were producing was in its own way quite as important as that coming out of ew ork. The lack of commercialism in their lives as artists appealed to the prominent American whose own experiences were the opposite.
at ristol’s prestigious Arnolfini in . But generally she kept apart from that scene, forming her own friendships among artists. These were based on mutual respect. In the 1980s, she became a close friend of Patrick Heron, one of Britain’s most significant postwar painters who lived in Zennor. He respected her as a fellow artist. His experience of space, light and colour fuelled vibrant abstract images, in part inspired by his gardens and surroundings. And, after all, she was already busy enough. By the mid-1960s there were three children to raise, and the sheep farm, dairy and cottages for rent to manage alongside her husband.
Nonetheless, the couple enjoyed a cultural life, going to the cinema and, of course, being part of the festival that Peter’s brother Hilary established on the family property and which continues to host the world-class seminar for classical musicians.
Behrens would have known about these artists as St Ives is not far from Prussia Cove. She was a member of the Newlyn Society of Artists from 1962 and sent work to the Royal Academy’s annual summer exhibition. Later, curators sought her out for solo shows, especially after her exhibition
A regular feature for its participants was to be portrayed by the artist. Hundreds exist of the leading string players and pianists who studied and performed at the venue and its satellite concerts. er vibrant handling of her subjects seems to echo the intense yet joyous ambience of their music making. Behrens continued painting these fellow
‘ Toucan with Pale Anemones’, 61 x 61 cm, 2007, oil on canvas
ABOVE ‘ White Jug,’ 61 x 61 cm, 1995-99, oil on board
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‘Fruit Bowl with Black Grapes’, 61 x 61 cm, 1971, oil on board
‘ The Dream’, 28 x 30 cm, c.1985, oil on board
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‘Panettone with Doves (Turino)’, 61 x 76 cm, c.2001, oil on board
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‘ Market Jew Street, Penzance’, 30 x 45 cm, c. 1971, oil on board
artists until shortly before her death in 2019. And, of course, she visited exhibitions, sometimes in London when the trip was possible. In 1968, she saw the Matisse show that opened the then new Hayward Gallery. “I was bowled over and never quite recovered,” she recalled. “Stayed all day.”
That impact filtered into her work. The delight in colour and line is evident in Toucan with Pale Anemones’ . The slight diagonal that divides the background creates a coloured tabletop area and an offwhite space above. The serpentine curve of stems seems to dance between both. Meanwhile, the toucan ornament looks on, a solid form with body and beak.
ne of her favourite props, she often included it in paintings. er son, Peter, recalled how she came by the object. “Going up the arcade steps in PZ,” she said, “I found a woman outside her unk shop in floods of tears. I asked her what was wrong? ‘Bank Manager.’ What can we do? ‘Buy something.’ From the very back of the shop the toucan
winked at me and squawked, ‘Get me out of here.’ So for £30 I did, in a paper bag… When Patrick Heron saw it and asked how much, he said add at least a couple of noughts. Well, he has certainly paid for himself!” Her account seems to encapsulate the effusive personality that this treasure of recent ornish painting effusively transferred to her paintings.
A handsome and beautifully designed book about the artist has recently been published. Romi Behrens: A Painting Life (Sansom & Company, ISBN 978-1-915670-16-8, £30) charts her life and career with a perceptive essay about her evolution as an artist by Rachel Rose Smith alongside reminiscences by friends, including Alice Mumford, Sue Norrington, Roz Quillan Chandler and eremy e rice. o e all colo r images of works survey every aspect of her working life.
All images © The Estate of Romi Behrens. romibehrens.art
ABOVE ‘ Penzance Houses’ 30 x 53 cm, 1960, oil on board
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Moments REFLECTION of
WORDS BY JAMIE CROCKER
Time is one of our most precious assets. Enhancing it becomes even more crucial when it is limited.
Cornwall Hospice Care is a 24/7 Cornish healthcare charity that provides compassionate, specialised end-of-life care for patients, their families and carers. They offer in-patient care at ount dgcumbe and t ulia’s ospices, Lymphoedema clinics, community support hubs and bereavement services. This is a free provision, thanks to the local ornish community, who generously support the essential work they perform in a variety of ways.
aking time matter for patients is essential. At their two hospices, they have time to help people fulfil their wishes, from a special meal to a visit from their pet or a party with friends. We asked three members of their Ward Teams to share their stories of how they made a day matter for a patient. Their recollections, sometimes simple, sometimes bi arre, are a
heart-warming and very human testimony to the compassion that motivates all of the staff at ornwall ospice are and how they help bring a little bit of light into people’s lives.
arah, a senior staff nurse at t ulia’s Hospice in Hayle, emphasises the importance of small, meaningful experiences for patients. he offers her thoughts. or me, although we do some ama ing, big events that mark significant moments in people’s lives, it’s often the little things that stand out the most. At t ulia’s, all of our rooms open out onto the garden, and each room is private, so every patient has a view of the outside. There’s something so important about that connection to nature especially when many of our patients have spent time in hospital, often without access to the outdoors at all.
ount dgcumbe
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The beautiful fairy sculpture at t ulia’s
“Our garden is really special, thanks to our incredible team of volunteers. This year, despite all the rain, they’ve managed to make it look stunning. The greenery, the flowers, the flecks of colour it matters so much. It’s more than ust a view it’s a reminder of life beyond these walls, a touch of normality.
“We also have bird tables, and it’s heartwarming to see how much oy they bring. amilies often bring in nuts and seeds, spending a small fortune to keep the birds well-fed. Watching them come and go makes a difference in the lives of our patients. We even get a few cheeky squirrels sneaking in to pinch some of the food. It’s just another little piece of life, reminding everyone of the world outside the hospice.
Lucy, a staff nurse at ount dgecombe Hospice, recounts her story, “I’ve been working here for the past months, and it’s a role I truly cherish. One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had was making a real difference for one of our patients. This particular gentleman was an avid and competitive card player, and what he wanted most was to have one last poker night with his friends. e couldn’t host it at home, so we stepped in to make it happen.
“Speaking of nature and animals, we’re incredibly fortunate to have Paradise Park right around the corner. They’ve been wonderfully generous, offering great discounts for our patients and their families. I remember one patient in particular who wanted to have one last day out with their entire family everyone from grandparents down to little kids. Paradise Park made that happen, giving them a day full of laughter, love and togetherness. It was a truly special day for them, and being able to facilitate that kind of experience is one of the most incredible parts of what we do here.
“He invited eight of his closest friends, and even went as far as ordering a custom glass trophy with the words ount dgcumbe ospice Poker Winner 2024’ engraved on it. We took care of the rest. ur chef whipped up a small buffet ust some sandwiches and snacks. His friends arrived in the evening, bringing a few extra beverages for the occasion. We set up the patient lounge with everything they needed and made sure he was comfortably settled in his chair.
The evening was magical. The room was filled with laughter as the friends played, and we poked our heads in a few times to check on them but mostly let them enjoy their night. It was wonderful to see how much fun they were having. And the best part e won. It meant the world to him to win that trophy. y the end of the game, he was exhausted but happy. e went to bed soon after, sleeping soundly through
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The Fontana Tranquillity Garden at ount dgcumbe ospice
TOP Claire
the night. It was such a beautiful moment, and I’m so grateful we could make that goal a reality for him. It’s moments like these that make this ob so rewarding.
Claire is one of the nurses at St Julia’s Hospice. This is a recollection of an event she remembers fondly. “We had this patient, a very young girl, who had been a dedicated volunteer at a local donkey sanctuary. er biggest wish was to have a donkey visit the hospice for a day. When I first heard that, I thought, ow are we going to make that happen ’ ut, of course, we arranged for the donkey to come on a onday. Then, over the weekend, we got a phone call could the donkey come in that day instead It was a bit tricky because we don’t have senior staff on the weekends. ut we thought, why not Let’s make it happen. o, we said yes.
It made the young girl’s day. ut what was even more ama ing was how it brought everyone together. Patients who rarely left their rooms came out to see the donkey. They were all petting it, feeding it ginger nuts which is what donkeys love. amilies who had never really interacted before were suddenly chatting, bonding over this sweet animal. It was such a beautiful day the sun was shining, and even staff from t ichael’s came over to see what all the excitement was about.
At some point, we thought, why not bring the donkey into the patients’ rooms? I remember worrying a bit what if the
donkey had an accident in one of the rooms What would the housekeepers say ut thankfully, nothing like that happened. We brought the donkey to visit patients in their rooms, and the oy it spread was ust incredible. People were thrilled, and it became the talk of the hospice for days. Some patients even phoned their relatives in the evening to say they’d seen a donkey. One relative called, uite concerned, saying, y loved one says they saw a donkey today that can’t be right, can it ’ ut, of course, it was.
I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place. It was such an emotional experience, especially for the young girl. he knew the donkey well from her volunteering, and seeing her so happy was incredibly moving for all of us, including her family. We took loads of photos, and it’s a day I’ll never forget. There was something extra special about it maybe because it felt a bit mischievous, knowing we weren’t supposed to bring the donkey in. “Donkey day is one of those memories that will stay with me forever.
These are ust three examples of how the staff and volunteers make such a positive impact on the lives of those people who have limited time and the lengths they are prepared to go to achieve this. They are a credit to ornwall ospice are and themselves.
cornwallhospicecare.co.uk
Eventide
WORDS BY KATY ROBERTS
Ihave finished a cycle around the coast of ritain all , miles of it Why, might you ask I wanted to do something to raise awareness and start a conversation about suicide and mental health as I lost my dad to suicide when I was . I’m now, and it’s taken me a really long time to be able to talk about it. uicide is the biggest killer of people under the age of and the biggest killer of men under the age of . I wanted to do something to help others and reduce this statistic this was the only way I knew how.
Riding in support of ornwall ind a local charity, port in ind a charity helping people to get into sport and Papyrus a charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide, my aim was to raise awareness of a topic that is very important to me. ometimes people can lose hope if they don’t know what help is out there and they may feel very alone. There is a current mental health crisis with really long waiting lists within the . If I can help to encourage people to get outdoors, get moving and oin a community, these can hopefully be small steps people can
take if they are waiting for, or would prefer not to take, medication.
I asked people to oin me along the way, to hop on a bike and if they didn’t have a bike, then to oin me for a dip as I got in the sea almost every day. I wanted it to be a safe space for people to talk, so they could be open if they had lost someone to suicide, were dealing with their own mental health struggles or simply wanted to spend time outside in nature. I had around people oin me on the ride during which I had some of the most profound and beautiful conversations.
For anyone struggling, Papyrus has a con dential s pport service, HOPELINE247, or children and yo ng people nder the age of 35 who are e periencing tho ghts o s icide or or anyone concerned that a yo ng person co ld e thin ing a o t s icide. ta ed y trained pro essionals this ser ice o ers practical ad ice and s pport. mail pat papyr s .org call or te t .
saddletosea.co. saddletosea
Katy Roberts
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