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November 2012
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Life Style
LifeStyle
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October 30, 2012
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Enjoy LifeStyle’s autumn spectacular WELCOME to the fourth edition of LifeStyle, where, with the temperatures dropping and the nights setting in, we are taking a close look at all things autumnal. Whether it is the best fashion tips for a sensational new-season look, or tips on making the most of all that autumn fruit, there is something for everyone in this edition. We have two fantastic competitions, both with great prizes to give away on page 9. Firstly, you can take to the skies for a half hour free trial flight above glorious Cornwall - taking in the Duchy’s stunning countryside and beautiful coastline from a completely different angle. The second giveaway - for a fantastic roast dinner for two - should be just
the thing to warm the heart as winter approaches. We also have our what’s on guide to events across West Cornwall, with details on how to book tickets to see Eddie Izzard at the Eden Sessions next year, and details of a great day out for all brides-to-be. Then there is the inspirational story of the calendar girls, who have defied cancer to help lead the fight back against the disease, and details of the Cornish charity Christmas cards, set to bring some festive cheer and help good causes at the same time. With the usual mix of stunning photography, gadget guides and motoring advice, now’s the time to make a brew, light the fire and settle down for a good read. Enjoy! The LifeStyle team
n Editor
Paul Armstrong Tel: 01326 213336 email: paul.armstrong@ packetseries.co.uk
n Advertising Carley Savage Tel: 01326 213302 carley.savage@ packetseries.co.uk
n Address
Lifestyle Unit 3, Falmouth Business Park, Bickland Water Road Falmouth TR11 4SZ
Rosie Pitt Tel: 01326 213322 rosie.pitt@packetseries.co.uk
Front page picture: Cannon at Pendennis Castle; Picture by English Heritage This page: Fireworks illuminate Falmouth’s waterfront; Picture by Greg Fountain
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Eddie to headline at Eden EDDIE Izzard has been announced as the first headliner for next year’s Eden Sessions as the event itself has been nominated for two categories in the prestigious 2012 UK Festival Awards. The Sessions have been nominated for the Best Small Festival Award, which celebrates events with quirky touches and a sense of community, as well as the Grass Roots Festival Award, which looks at festivals that support local communities and new music while retaining an independent spirit. The UK Festival Awards are considered the Oscars of the contemporary music festival industry. The awards cover 13 categories, ranging from The Best Major Festival Award to the Best Summer Anthem and even the Best Toilets. The public could vote for their favourite festivals to be shortlisted by going to: www.festivalawards.com/vote. Voting closed on October 31 and participants had the chance to win a variety of prizes, including tickets to all winning festivals. Once shortlisted, the winners will be chosen by a panel of industry experts and the results will be revealed at an awards ceremony in the Roundhouse, London on December 3. Martin Williams, Eden’s marketing director, said: “We work hard to create one-day festivals that appeal to a variety of musical tastes and capture the essence of the Eden Project, so we’re very proud to be nominated in not one but two categories at the UK Festival Awards.” Comedian Eddie Izzard is the first act to have been announced to perform at the 2013 Eden Sessions, on Monday, June 3. He follows in the footsteps of Bill Bailey, Al Murray and Tim Minchin, who have given blistering comedy performances in previous years. The Eden Sessions have been running since 2002. Acts such as Muse, Florence
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LifeStyle
The Scattered
Open day to showcase everything a bride needs
and the Machine, Plan B, and Blink-182 have all played at the home of the worldfamous Biomes. n To find out more about the Eden Sessions and to book tickets for the Eddie Izzard Session, go to: http://www.edenproject.com/sessions/
PLANS are well underway for the next Weddings Open Day at Falmouth’s St Michael’s Hotel & Spa, which is being held on Sunday, November 4, at 1pm. A table setting in the hotel’s function suite will be dressed as if for a wedding so that prospective brides and grooms will be able to see how the venue would look for their big day. The honeymoon suite will also be available to view, along with other rooms that can be booked for parents and friends. Also on hand will be therapists from St Michael’s Spa who will be giving bridal make up demonstrations and sample spa treatments. St Michael’s chefs will prepare a range of canapés and nibbles for tasting, accompanied by champagne. St Michael’s wedding co-ordinator, Alison Berry, has also invited a number of local weddings suppliers to take part in the open day, including Annelise Harvey who makes bespoke couture gowns, Sarah Drew, who creates individual accessories from vintage items and Life
Photographic who will be showing their portfolio of wedding photography taken in many iconic Cornish locations. Alison said: “Our first Weddings Open Day in August was such as success that we have had to arrange another. We are so excited to show how perfect a wedding at St Michael’s can be, as well as being able to showcase the best of Cornish wedding suppliers,” Other specially chosen suppliers include Floral Cottage Designs, Cake Top Characters, The Big Fat Cake Company and Inspire Hire. The open day will run between 1pm and 4pm. Entry is free but guests are encouraged to preregister at www.stmichaelshotel.co.uk/weddings where they will also be entered into a free prize draw to win dinner for two in the Flying Fish Restaurant. Anyone requiring further information should contact Sam White, head of marketing at St Michael’s Hotel & Spa on 01326 310018 or email samwhite@stmichaelshotel.co.uk.
Got an event? E-mail editorial@packetseries.co.uk subject Lifestyle event
A NEW book reveals how in the summer of 1756, a two-masted brig, the Fanny Bovey, hove to in Falmouth Harbour. The Scattered by Richard Holledge tells how on board were more than 200 passengers. They were exhausted, filthy, hungry and could barely stand. The bedraggled arrivals were Acadians, a peaceable Frenchspeaking folk who had been expelled from Nova Scotia by a British governor. Britain and France were squaring up for the Seven Years War and in the battle for North America the Acadians were in the way. By the time the exiles reached Falmouth they had spent eight months locked away in ships, some with ballast removed so that they could cram in as many prisoners as possible. The Scattered tells how a hapless handful were prevented from landing in Virginia and despatched to Falmouth as well as Liverpool, Bristol and Southampton. Their prison was a large barn near Upper Kergilliack, where they succumbed to smallpox. Records report the deaths of France Grang and Jean Terrian. By December 9 a total of 63 had been stricken. Reports have it that the dead were buried in a mass grave in St Gluvias Church, Penryn. As the war progressed, the Acadians were freed from prison and allowed to lodge with families. With time, the name Acadian became corrupted. Today their descendants are known as Cajuns. The Scattered by Richard Holledge is on Amazon and Kindle.
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October 30, 2012
Night of reggae
n Left – Tregolls by Malcolm Opie n Above – An example of Liz Cleaves’ work
RCHT hosts three art exhibitions A NEW set of art exhibitions have started at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust. From now until the beginning of January, three artists – Sally Robinson, Malcolm Opie and Suzy Sharpe – will be displaying their work. A fourth artist, Liz Cleves, will be moving her exhibition from the the Royal Cornwall Hospital site to the West Cornwall Hospital in
Penzance. Malcolm Opie started painting ten years ago taking his inspiration from the impressionists and the Plein Air Painters. Malcolm, who likes to paint on location, will be displaying 12 paintings in oils, acrylics and pastels. All the proceeds from the sale of Malcolm’s pieces will go to the NACC (National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s
Disease). Joining Malcolm is Sally Robinson. Sally works from a studio in Newquay and is a founder member of the Art8 Newquay Art Festival and Newquay Art Prize. Suzy Sharpe is the third artist to display at the hospital, and works in a variety of media including painting, drawing, 3D work and printmaking. Also moving her exhibition from the Royal
Cornwall Hospital to the West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance is artist Liz Cleves. Liz took early retirement from teaching and picked up the threads of working as an artist. Her work in oils and watercolours offer a rich opportunity for the viewer to experience her take on the natural and manmade landscape.
Got an event? E-mail editorial@packetseries.co.uk subject Lifestyle event
Fairer fares now online ISLES of Scilly Travel have now launched their 2013 schedule and prices for Skybus and Scillonian III. Finding the cheapest fare for travel to the Isles of Scilly has just become even easier with the launch of the Isles of Scilly Travel Low Fare Finder on their website, www.iostravel.co.uk. The web based application provides the facility to view all tickets during the selected month of travel. The flight or sailing times are dis-
played for each day within the month along with all fares, giving people the opportunity to select the cheapest available ticket. The average prices for flights from Land’s End and Newquay have been held at the 2012 prices, which range from £70 - £80 per person each way from Land’s End and £85 - 95 per person each way from Newquay. The average price from Exeter will be lower than in 2012 due to the expected increased popularity of this
route. The one way fare from Exeter will be between £120.00 and £130.00 per person. Prices on Scillonian III will start from £75 per person return. The Isles of Scilly Steamship Company has also promised that when Scillonian III returns to service in 2013 there will be no charge for dogs. The Low Fare Finder is now available to view online at www.ios-travel.co.uk.
LEGENDARY reggae tribute band Easy Star All-Stars are headlining at Falmouth’s Princess Pavillion on Friday, November 9. Easy Star All-Stars have released four now-legendary reggae tribute Albums – Dub Side Of The Moon (Mojo's second best cover album of all time), RadioDread (which Radiohead used as their warmup music for their entire world tour), Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band and their recent, crititcally-acclaimed album Easy Stars Thrillah. Easy Stars have an incredible live repuation and tour extensively worldwide, and have performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, as well as at Bestival and many other major prestigious UK Festivals.
Christmas gifts CHRISTMAS gift ideas will be in abundance at an arts and crafts day at Devoran Village Hall next month. Between 11am and 4pm on Sunday, November 11, the hall will be filled with tables laden with arts, crafts, homemade produce, up-cycled goods and other items, including Christmas cards and eco products. Refreshments will be on sale during the day, with members of Devoran Community Association on duty in the kitchen. There will also be a raffle.
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Brave girls big night out PRODUCTION team-members from Channel 4’s “Embarrassing Bodies” were so inspired by the Calendar Girls who braved live TV to raise the profile of breast screening – they came to Cornwall to launch the latest fabulous “Made for Life” charity calendar. Back in May three of the twelve women featured in the 2012 calendar – all of whom either have had breast cancer or are under-going treatment – took part in an “Embarrassing Bodies - Live from the Clinic” episode to provide an interactive lesson in how to check your breasts. Now, hot off the press in time for the sell-out Made for Life Ball which itself raised more than £10,500 for the charity, comes their 2013 calendar of stunning images of women from all over Cornwall who have shared personal journeys of what cancer has meant to them. “It was a humbling experience that these women – our friends – really wanted to take part in a live TV programme to help other people where they bared their souls and much else besides,” says Amanda Barlow who founded the Made for Life charity through her Cornish organic skincare company Spiezia Organics. “In fact we felt so humbled that I took part in the programme too! The whole thing had an overwhelming and positive response and it’s wonderful that it was all so worth-while and that the TV crew wanted to be part of our calendar launch and fund-raising ball.” The Made for Life Foundation (registered charity number 1138846) organises one-day support programmes - often for women referred by Cornwall’s Mermaid Centre or the Macmillan cancer charity – which include spa treatments (using prod-
ucts by Spiezia Organics), yoga, meditation, coaching, art therapy, dance and exercise programmes. These events, which take place all over the county, are sponsored by organisations with links to the health and wellbeing sector including Calcot Manor, Budock Vean Hotel on Cornwall’s Helford River and the luxury Sail Lofts apartments in St Ives. “Made for Life has given us the chance to meet wonderful, inspiring people, to make friends and to share our stories – so we don’t need to feel alone with what we’re going through,” says Wendy Everhard, January Calendar Girl 2012. “We support each other in a close and safe environment and we have a lot of fun – and we certainly build each other’s confidence. “It was great knowing that what we were doing on live TV was helpful to other people - but I don’t think I’d have had the courage to do it without this brilliant group of friends behind me.” Two members of the Embarrassing Bodies production crew joined 230 people in the sellout Made for Life Ball for a Champagne Reception sponsored by St Austell Brewery and a choir of the RNAS Culdrose Military Wives who sang guests through to dinner. The Made for Life 2013 calendar, with photographs by Mark Walker of Face Photography, costs £7.50 and is on sale through the Spiezia Organics website from 1st October www.spieziaorganics.com – which also has full details of the Made for Life Foundation. The 2012 calendar raised over £5,000 to support “Made for Life” events and all proceeds from the latest calendar and Ball go to the same good cause.
Album reviews Muse - The 2nd Law When you're one of the top rock bands on the planet, what do you do when it's time to make a sixth album? Letting the bass player sing and write a couple of numbers, while stretching to new directions which don't alienate your existing (massive) fan base is exactly what Muse have done with this new platter. While the crashing prog metal of the opener, Supremacy, is business as usual, the band unexpectedly funk it up with Panic Station and go Queenlike on Explorers. Bassist Chris Wolstenholme does a fine job on his two songs, Save Me and Liquid State, contrasting well with frontman Matt Bellamy. The stridency of the Olympics single Survival fits in with the overall tone when heard in this context, rather than in isolation. With a title referring to the second law of thermodynamics, Muse show why they rule the world. Rating: 9/10 (Review by Steve Grantham)
Tame Impala - Lonerism
n Above - Kelly Stevens, from Penryn, who is Miss November n Below - Jane Tarrant, who is Miss May
Hailing from Perth, Australia, psychedelic rockers Tame Impala have scaled new heights with Lonerism, their follow-up to 2010's critically acclaimed debut Innerspeaker. Lead vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Kevin Parker, along with Dominic Simper, Nick Allbrook, Jay Watson and Julien Barbagallo have made one of the finest albums of 2012. The scale of its vision and soundscapes are simply breathtaking. Opener Be Above It sets the tone, its psychedelic vibe and Parker's dreamy vocals making for a heady concoction immediately drawing the listener in, and it gets better and better. The musicianship throughout is immaculate, the songs demanding total attention, most notably on the brilliant Endors Toi, Apocalypse Dreams and Elephant. This second album, which is an absolute triumph from start to finish, will deservedly garner even more attention. Rating: 10/10 (Review by Kim Mayo)
Ellie Goulding - Halcyon
n Above: The 2013 Made for Life Calendar n Right: The calendar girls gather at the ball
Since winning the BBC Sound of 2010 poll, Ellie Goulding has become a darling of the music world and even performed at Kate and William's royal wedding. With the success of debut album Lights, which gained overwhelming praise for its combination of airy indie folk and electro pop, comes the burden of expectation. The 25-year-old has said this album would be darker than her first, which is evident in opener Don't Say A Word, combining haunting vocals with a dark beat and effects vaguely reminiscent of trip hop. Goulding's vocals echo in the style of Florence on My Blood, but Only You and the title track are aggressive breakup songs. Fans may find this hard to swallow, while others will love to wallow in its haunting vocals and dark, sweeping instrumentals. It's worth a listen to find out which side you're on. Rating: 7/10 (Review by Weng Yu)
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October 30, 2012
Mine’s a pint . . . or just a half The taps were pouring and the beer was flowing as Falmouth Beer Festival welcomed ale fans to the Princess Pavilion. The event, which ran from Friday, October 26, to Sunday, October28, was hosted by CAMRA Kernow, the Cornwall branch of the Campaign for Real Ale. With many different styles of beer to choose from there was something to suit everyone's taste, whether
they were beer beginners or real ale aficionados. And this year organisers said that the line-up was without doubt one the best and most exciting seen to date, with some “really cracking ales including a considerable number of rarely found and new brews to savour”. The festival has grown over the years to become the single largest event of its kind in the county. While the
final tally is not in yet, organisers say that more than 242 casks were emptied, totalling 16, 456 pints. Festival organiser Gerry Wills said: “It was not a total sell out this year, mainly I think due to a bus strike and the rail interruption. A number of people did not travel because the journey to Falmouth was more difficult. “All in all it was a great event and I am really content with what we achieved.”
Mr Wills said it was great to see the event so well supported by young people who are “becoming more selective in what they drink”, adding that CAMRA Kernow picked up now fewer than 36 new members during the event. Our reporters were at the festival and their pictures, reproduced here, give a flavour of the festival’s happy atmosphtere.
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Ocean Bowl
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competitions
WIN! Half hour trial flight WOULD you like to view Cornwall’s spectacular coastline and countryside from a different angle? If so, Fly Cornwall could be the answer. Founded in 2011, the company has one goal – to get as many people flying as possible. “We want everyone who has ever dreamed of flying to realise that they can do it.’ explains director Ellie O’Toole. “Most people think flying is very difficult or very expensive, and we aim to show that it is far more accessible than people think.’ Operating from a choice of locations including Newquay and Land’s End airports, Fly Cornwall offers everything from a half hour trial lesson to full Pilot’s Licence (PPL) courses. In terms of Pilot’s Licence courses, Fly Cornwall offers both the EASA PPL and the NPPL. “The NPPL, or National Private Pilot’s Licence, was designed to encourage more people to fly,” says Ellie. “There are lots of people who would be unable to pass the vigorous medical for a full PPL, maybe due to a previous medical condition or maybe just getting older! Because of that, they think they can’t fly. “But the NPPL only requires a similar medical standard to that of a professional HGV driver. It’s a slightly more restricted licence in some ways, e.g. the number of passengers you can carry, and you can’t add any ratings to it. “But it’s been great for encouraging more people to follow their dreams and take to the skies.” Fly Cornwall can be contacted on 07946 733000 or info@flycornwall.org. Their website, with full details of courses and prices, can be found at www.flycornwall.org and you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter. To win a free half hour trial flight with Fly Cornwall, simply answer the following question. In what year was Fly Cornwall founded? A/ 2009 B/ 2010 C/ 2011 Answers by email to carley.savage@packetseries.co.uk Usual Newsquest rules apply. Visit thepacket.co.uk for details
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October 30 2012
Top roast at The Townhouse WITH the temperature starting to drop and the nights drawing in, what better way to spend an evening or a Sunday afternoon than at the Townhouse with an open fire, comfy sofas, and a glass or two of something interesting? Talented chef, David Reid offers a choice of weekly changing top quality local meat, roasted to perfection and served with a wide range of roasted root veggies, cauliflower cheese, potatoes, homemade Yorkshires and proper gravy. They charge £9 for adults and £5 for children. Sunday roast is served from 12pm ‘til 4pm so there’s plenty of time to work up an appetite with a brisk autumnal walk beforehand. If there are more than six in your group, please call ahead so they can make sure there's a table ready for you. The bar serves breakfast every weekday from 7.30am until 10.30am and a late brunch at the weekend, so if you can’t make lunch on Sunday, pop in for breakfast, coffee or a drink anytime it is open from breakfast till midnight every day. The Falmouth Townhouse can be found at Grove Place, and has its own website at www.falmouthtownhouse.co.uk. You can contact the bar on 01326 312009. To win a Sunday roast for two people, including pudding and one standard drink each, simply answer the following question. What is the name of the Falmouth Townhouse’s talented chef? Email your answers to rosie.pitt@packetseries.co.uk Usual Newsquest rules apply. Visit thepacket.co.uk for details Voucher valid until 31/12/12.
n The winners of the last edition’s competitions were Susan Davies who won a bowling session for four at Ocean Bowl, and Carol Scarr, who won herself a free MOT test at Express Tyres. Congratulations to you both.
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LifeStyle views
n A swan glides gracefully across Devoran Creek Picture by Stephen Ivall
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n Misty morning on Penryn River Picture by Jonathan Millar
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October 2012
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fashion
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October 30, 2012
A splash of Gothic colour LISA HAYNES looks at how to work this autumn’s moody blooms
BANISH those visions of florals being light, bright and angelic. This season's blooms have an altogether earthier appearance. Usually a trend that goes hand-inhand with spring/summer, floral fever has been cultivated for winter into something dramatically darker and more seductive. Look no further than the original goth girl, Twilight's Kristen Stewart, who recently stepped on to the red carpet in a devilish black lace dress scattered with petal embellishments. But you don't have to be a total vamp to work this season's florals. From glamorous to cutesy, there's a hotbed of styles for everyone. Time to bloom in winter's new flower arrangement. Dark bouquet Give pretty pastels an autumn break and think moody blacks, navies and greys. The classic winter floral print is defined by its dark base. The prints can still be bright and bold but the contrasting backdrop makes them even more powerful. Monochrome flower print combos work well too. Pack a punch with a dazzlingly colourful flower display, which can either be random, repetitive or even a single bold stem. For extra drama, look to long maxi dresses. Avoid super-floaty (too summery) and stay on-trend with sleeker, body-skimming styles. Bright blooms For some, the contrast of mixing hothouse blooms with gothic black is like chalk and cheese. Bridge the gap with the array of jewel-bright offerings. The floral prints will still have a dark edge but, set
against rich tones like sapphire, emerald or ruby, they're easier on the eye. Blue and purple are popular backdrops this season for carrying off a floral print. Keep the fabric matte if you want more of a daytime look, and glossy if you're seeking some evening glamour. Glam arrangement Florals aren't just about print, print, print. This season they come in the form of embellished sequin petals, intricate embroidered blooms and even metallic brocade. Forget daylight hours, this variety of floral was made for after dark. Adding different textures to the mix adds an air of the ornate - perfect for party season. Sexy, luxe dresses are the obvious pieces with which to experiment with floral fabrics and finishes. For something dramatically different, try one of this season's matching twopiece brocade suits for a twist. Opt for glossy black and gold for this season's most opulent of looks. Pretty petals If this season's florals feel too heavy and over-dramatic, keep your look light and leafy through your print. Instead of overwhelming bouquets, try cute buds on daintier prints. Your ensemble will be especially youthful and feminine if you choose rose pink or cornflower blue petals, but don't ditch that dark background. Your silhouette is all-important too. Instead of severe shifts, try voluminous skater skirts or retro tea dresses that reveal your shape. Prettify the whole look with a dainty pair of heels in a colour combination picked out from your print.
n Above left; Monsoon Titiana embroidered floral tunic, above right, Kitty Rosebud printed blazer and trousers
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Cards for charity
SPREAD some festive cheer twice this year by sending charity Christmas cards. Cards For Good Causes sets up at Falmouth Methodist Church on The Moor each year, selling greeting cards in support of a range of charities. At least 75p from every pound spent goes to charity, meaning not only should the card raise a smile from its recipient but will also benefit good works around the country. The seasonal shop will be open every day of the week, except Sundays, between 10am and 4pm until Friday, December 7. Member charities are Action for Children, Age UK, Alzheimer's Society, Arthritis Research UK, Barnardo's, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Diabetes UK, Epilepsy Action, Hft, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, Macmillan Cancer Support, Mencap, Mind, Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Autistic Society, NSPCC, Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Save the Children, Self Unlimited, SSAFA Forces Help, Stroke Association and the National Deaf Children's Society. In addition to supporting the member charities, each year cards are also sold on behalf of a number of “guest� national and local charities.
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October 2012
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Fun at family pub THE BOSLOWICK Inn in Prislow Lane is situated approximately 1.5 miles from the town centre nestled in the Boslowick residential area of Falmouth. It is a lovely Tudor fronted house dating back to the 1700’s and has a history of being owned by packet ship skippers and lawyers. The present house was built at the turn of the last century and retained many of the features from the previous building mainly the oak panelling all around the ground floor. For the last five years Stephen and Susan Perry have been the licensees of the Boslowick Inn. They are both locals from Penryn with Susan having strong links with Mylor. Previously they ran the Fishermans Arms in the picturesque village of Golant near Fowey. They have two sons and two lovely Labradors Blue and Louie. They both enjoy the close links with home and after spending 30 years in the Royal Air Force its nice to be back home. Sue looks after the kitchen with her team of London Trained (Harrods) chef Nigel, their new apprentice chef jJosh, alongside Julie and her team of friendly waiting staff. The food is homemade and ingredients sourced locally. Sunday Carvery is very popular and booking is essential. The Perry’s realise that Falmouth has many excellent restaurants so do not want to compete with them instead provide a good value menu consisting of homemade food with some delicious daily specials specially designed to cover most tastes. Nigel the chef is keen to get a curry buffet started weekly as well as a regular steak and grill night, so watch out for those. Christmas menus are available and bookings are coming in for December already. During the winter the kitchen closes after the Carvery on Sunday and reopens Tuesday for lunch. Once Easter comes its back to 7 days a week. The pub has regular entertainment with the
n The Boslowick Inn - a family run pub ever popular karaoke most Thursdays’ and live music and karaoke on Sunday afternoons from 5pm. Quiz nights are on the agenda and the” Bozzie” is hosting a quiz for the Cornish Pirates supporters club on Friday, November 9 to help raise funds for prop Alan Paver’s testimonial year. So, if you haven’t paid a visit to this lovely old pub for a while, come along and enjoy a pint and a yarn with some of the crazy characters that make the atmosphere warm and inviting. Steve and Sue would like to take this opportunity to wish all their friends family and of course their lovely customers health and happiness for the festive season. Happy Christmas.
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motoring
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First drive: Volkswagen Up Black IT would be quite easy to imagine that the life of a motoring journalist revolves around laughably powerful supercars with 20 cylinders that run on Bambi tears - conspicuous consumption in other words. And while there may be a grain of truth in it (apart from the Bambi tears) what excites more than a 300mph manhood compensator is a genuine, real-world car that moves the game forward. Largely because it's the kind of car that both of us could potentially afford. And when it's a small car like the Up, then all of us could probably afford it. The Up is Volkswagen's replacement for the Fox, which was certainly small on the outside and big on the inside but compared to some rivals was a little short of charm. No such problem with the Up however. It is deliciously compact, slotting under the mental barrier of 3.5 metres in length and yet it in no way looks flimsy or delicate: this is a small car with a genuine toughness about it. The Up Black is one of a series of models in the range that brings with it its own style - personalisation helping with that all-important charm factor so there are black body-coloured bumpers, black
detailing on the wheel covers But the result is a car that starts to win you over from the first time you clap eyes on it, a small car with a personality but not one that has been manufactured by slapping a load of coloured plastic on it. The charm offensive continues on the inside. A cheap small car may look great from the outside but the cabin is the one area where its true colours being to show. But don't expect such compromises in the Up. Plonk yourself down in the driver's seat and you'll be sitting in a well-shaped, comfortable chair looking out over the smart instruments and the minimalist but attractive dashboard. All the controls are grouped into the centre of the dash, but the quality is there: the Up Black has a gloss black finish across the width of the car and the buttons themselves are illuminated and feel good to touch. The Up never makes you feel like you have to put up with it just because it is inexpensive. Perhaps more crucially the Up is also remarkably space efficient. From the front seats you will simply never doubt that you are at least sat in a normallysized supermini. Head and legroom are all very
generous, and width is not a problem either. And you can actually fit human beings in the back seats too; the Up sensibly chooses to be biased in favour of rear passengers over boot space. Even then there is 251 litres on offer, expandable up to 951 when you leave the back-seaters at home. All this would be effectively pointless if the Up didn't function out on the road, but the Up is much more grown up than that. For starters there is a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit up front, and while it is small in capacity it is big on heart and character. The lower output 59bhp version is happier in the city rather than out of it, but the 74bhp version has useful extra pep and handles higher speed roads with more conviction. Either way the three-cylinder layout results in a delightful thrum and a happiness to rev that suits the Up's youthful appeal. The gearbox is super-slick and easy to use and the pedals all have that oiled efficiency you expect from a Volkswagen. And it drives like a bigger car too. It feels grown up; the steering, although electrically assisted, isn't overly light and responds with accuracy. The ride is surprisingly grown up too, something which is a
challenge for smaller cars but you won't spend your time wincing as the Up covers pockmarked urban rat runs. It knows how to have fun too, tracking through bends with confidence and with the underlying security of ESP on most models. The Up has been a mammoth undertaking for Volkswagen but the hard work clearly shows. This is a thoroughly modern city car - calling it that unfairly suggests that's all it is good for. It is cheap in all the right places - namely in your wallet, and feels expensive everywhere else. Living with a small car was never so easy. Facts at a glance: Model: Volkswagen up! Black, ÂŁ11,305 on the road Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 74bhp Transmission: 5-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels Performance: Top speed 107mph, 0-62mph in 13.2 seconds Fuel economy: 60.1mpg CO2 rating: 108g/km
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October 30, 2012
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Must have gadgets for fun and safe ride
FOLLOWING Bradley Wiggins' success in the Olympics and the Tour de France, the nation’s interest in cycling has received a huge boost, writes Peter Jenkinson Cycling is fun, helps you fight the flab and can be faster than other modes of transport – what is there not to like about it? Despite the weather taking a turn for the worse, don't get off your bike. If you want something to keep you entertained on your ride, or equipment that will help you stay safe on the cycle paths over the coming months, take a look at these six gadgets.
Illuminate Me - Cateye SL110 £19.99 from www.evanscycles.com
There is no way we are going to let you on the open road with no lights on your bike. So for almost £20, this front and back set will help ensure that you are seen at all times – totally necessary. Easy to fit, bright and hard-wearing, there is really no excuse.
Spinning Around - Bike SpokeLit - £7.99 from www.firebox.com
Stick one of these on your spokes and as you pedal it will produce a light show that is certain to get you noticed. These multi-coloured hues work in tandem with your regular lights and, as you pedal, will blur into a solid ring of light. Plus it is waterproof and shockproof.
Safe Cable - Alarmio Personal Cable Lock - £14.95 at www.red5.co.uk
This motion-sensitive alarm cable is a must for anyone with a cycle of worth. It features a 100-decibel alarm as well as two motion-sensi-
tivity settings, so if anyone tries to tamper with your bike, it's sure to let others know. The added four-number combination lock makes it almost impossible for anyone to pilfer your transport, or any other bit of gear attached it to.
Mobile Music - Cycle Speaker £39.95 from www.red5.co.uk
n Foot Form Reflective Socks
n Spinning Around Bike SpokeLit
Of course you want music on the move, but how best to deliver it into your earholes is a tricky business. This cycle speaker is powered by lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, so the tunes keep on playing. It also has a FM radio and micro SD card. Designed to look like a drinks bottle, it should fit most holders.
Foot Form - Reflective Socks £14.99 from www.firebox.com
Head-slappingly simple, these socks come with a reflective patch to increase your visibility as you cycle. No one will know you have them on until you pull up your trouser leg, so they're ideal for commuters who cycle to and from work in the dark, plus they'll complement your high-vis jacket.
n Mobile Music Cycle Speaker
n Alarmio personal cable lock
Whistle Along - Denon AHW150 - £149.99 www.amazon.co.uk
Listening to music while working out can enhance your performance by at least 20 per cent. These top-end earphones have a sevenhour rechargeable battery and integrated controls and microphones for on-the-go use. If that's not enough, the fact that the Denon Exercise Freak headphones are also lightweight, sweatproof and come with wireless connectivity should help lead you to the buy button.
n Whistle Along Deno AH-W150
n Illuminate Me Cateye
Recipes; Hollywood glamour in the kitchen FOR AROUND seven million of us, there's a gaping hole on Tuesday nights now the latest series of The Great British Bake Off has come to an end, writes Diana Pilkington. But it's not just those glorious gingerbread structures and plaited loaves that will be missed. With his twinkly eyes, authoritative voice and enviable skills in the kitchen, judge Paul Hollywood has become a housewives' favourite, and has just released a new book, How to Bake. Test your own bread-making skills with these three recipes from Hollywood... Soda bread (Makes 1 loaf) 500g plain white flour, plus extra for dusting 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 tsp salt 400ml buttermilk Heat your oven to 200C and line a baking tray with baking parchment or silicone paper. Put all the dry ingredients into a large bowl and mix well, then stir in the buttermilk to form a sticky dough. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it quickly into a ball. Flatten the ball a little with your hand. Put the dough on the baking tray. Mark it into quarters, cutting deeply through the bread, almost but not quite through to the base. Dust with a little flour. Bake for 30 minutes or until the loaf is cooked through - it should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the base. Leave it to cool on a wire rack.
Soda bread is best eaten within a day of baking. It also freezes well. Pumpkin seed sticks with poppy seeds (Makes 10) 100g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting 200g strong wholemeal bread flour 200g malted bread flour 10g salt 10g instant yeast 30g unsalted butter, softened 340ml cool water 150g pumpkin seeds 50g poppy seeds Put the flours into the bowl of a mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the salt to one side of the bowl and the yeast to the other. Add the butter and three-quarters of the water and begin mixing on a slow speed. As the dough starts to come together, slowly add the remaining water. Mix for another 2 minutes on a slow speed, then 5 minutes on a medium speed. Add the pumpkin seeds and mix for a further 3 minutes. Tip the dough into a lightly oiled large bowl, cover with a tea towel and leave until at least doubled in size - at least 1 hour. Line two baking trays with baking parchment or silicone paper. Scatter the poppy seeds on a large board. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and fold it in on itself repeatedly until all the air is knocked out and the dough is smooth. Divide the dough into 10 pieces. Roll each piece out to a slim stick, about 30cm long.
Brush with water and roll in the poppy seeds, then lay the dough sticks on the prepared baking trays, spacing them apart. Put each tray inside a clean plastic bag and leave to prove for 1 hour, or until the dough is at least doubled in size and springs back quickly if you prod it lightly with your finger. Meanwhile, heat your oven to 220C. Bake the dough sticks for 1520 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Leave to cool on a rack. Cranberry and stilton bread (Makes 1 loaf) 500g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting 10g salt 10g instant yeast 30g unsalted butter, softened 320ml cool water 100g dried cranberries 150g Stilton, crumbled Tip the flour into a large mixing bowl and add the salt to one side of the bowl and the yeast to the other. Add the butter and threequarters of the water and turn the mixture round with your fingers. Continue to add the remaining water, a little at a time, until you've picked up all the flour from the sides of the bowl. You may not need to add all the water, or you may need to add a little more you want dough that is soft, but not soggy. Use the mixture to clean the inside of the bowl and keep going until the mixture forms a rough dough. Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and begin to
knead. Keep kneading for 5-10 minutes. Work through the initial wet stage until the dough starts to form a soft, smooth skin. When your dough feels smooth and silky, put it into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a tea towel and leave to rise until at least doubled in size - at least 1 hour, but it's fine to leave it for 2 or even 3 hours. Line a baking tray with baking parchment or silicone paper. Tip your dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Without knocking it back, flatten it out with your hands, then roll out using a rolling pin into a rectangle, about 35 x 25cm. Turn the dough 90 degrees if necessary, so you have a long edge facing you. Sprinkle the cranberries and Stilton on top as evenly as you can. Roll the dough up from the closest edge into a sausage. Press along the seam to seal it. Coil the sausage into a spiral and put it on the prepared baking tray. Put the tray inside a clean plastic bag and leave to prove for 1 hour, or until the dough is at least doubled in size and springs back quickly if you prod it lightly with your finger. Meanwhile, heat your oven to 220C and put a roasting tray in the bottom to heat up. When the dough is risen and feels light to the touch, fill the roasting tray with hot water and put the bread in the middle of the oven. Bake for 30 minutes or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the base. Cool on a wire rack.
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October 30, 2012 Call: 01326 213333
LifeStyle
LifeStyle
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Moor at heart of town THE Moor in Falmouth may have begun its life as a marshland where snipe and wild fowl were shot, but it soon grew to become the heart of the town centre. It still houses the municipal buildings, home to the town council and the prestigious Falmouth Art Gallery, and many of the most important buildings
in the town were once situated within its precincts. The indoor market stood on the square until 1930, when it was demolished to make way for the Post Office, while the town’s magistrates’ courts were held there until the 1970s. Nowadays, it is a thriving home for many independent shops, cafes and
businesses, and remains the transport hub for the town centre, with buses and taxis dropping off and picking up at all times. With its weekly farmers’ market and regular events throughout the town’s festival programme, The Moor remains central to Falmouth’s appeal.
n Above - The Moor in the days of horses and carts n Left - Crowds gather on The Moor for the Olympic Torch parade this year n Below - A bus on The Moor in the 1960s
October 30, 2012
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October 30, 2012
Call: 01326 213333
Gardening
LifeStyle
Berried treasures for colour and food n By HANNAH STEPHENSON
GARDENERS should be continuing to refill their birdfeeders and baths during the cooler months, when the our feathered friends really need them, but it is worth looking at some nutritious berries to plant in borders as well. Indeed, with some plants, such as pernettya and snowberry, the berries are the main attraction as their flowers are small and insignificant. Don't just think of red when you consider adding a shrub with berries to your garden. Their colours range from white to black and most colours in between. As they contain the reproductive part of the plant, berries are perfect for increasing your stock of plants. The birds have a habit of helping with propagation, by spreading seeds all over the garden. There are quite a few trees which will provide them with food throughout the autumn and winter months. The rowan tree, mountain ash and whitebeam, which all belong to the genus Sorbus, carry abundant crops of berries from autumn onwards and provide some fantastic autumn leaf colour as well. The golden-berried rowan, Sorbus “Joseph Rock”, provides both colour for gardeners and food for blackbirds with its abundant berry crop. For the best of both worlds, plant a Sorbus sargentiana, which has pinnate leaves which turn brilliant red in autumn, large sticky red buds in winter and huge clusters of white flowers, followed by bright red berries for the birds. Another good garden stalwart that provides masses of fruit is the herringbone cotoneaster, with its dense tapestry of branches and small, glossy leaves also providing good nesting sites for small birds and homes to many of the insects on which they feed. It is a compact, deciduous species bearing pinkish white flowers followed by bright red berries and reaches a maximum height of around 1.5m (5ft) and is particularly suitable for training against a sunny wall. If you prefer orange berries, go for the semievergreen C. simonsii, which grows a little taller and produces a new set of leaves in mid-autumn which may last until spring.
Ivy berries, which usually ripen later in the winter when food is scarce, are extremely valuable to birds, while crab apples are also appreciated in winter. When considering your food supply for the birds, remember that fruiting wall shrubs including pyracantha and flowering quince will need to be pruned after flowering each year to keep them close to the wall. You may lose a few young berries, but the rest will ripen better and the shrub will look neater if it doesn't outgrow its space. Hedgehog rose (Rosa rugosa) is another stalwart for wildlife, as the red hips which appear in autumn provide much-needed food for birds. And it is a great survivor, withstanding neglect and harsh treatment and coming back year after year. Derived from the Japanese rose, it has upright, thorny stems and repeat-flowers, producing fragrant magenta or white blooms with a centre of yellow stamens, followed by large, tomato-like hips. Hedgehog roses will grow in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Every three to four years, cut out one or two old shoots to the ground in winter. If the shape is becoming untidy, wayward shoots can be shortened at any time.
Of course, no berry-rich garden should be without at least two varieties of holly, as they need a male and a female to pollinate. An abundant crop of scarlet or yellow autumn berries should appear as long as a male form of holly is planted near to every three to five female plants. Often persisting through most of the winter, the fruits provide vital cold-weather food for many types of songbird, while deciduous forms with persistent bright red fruits include “Sparkleberry” and Ilex verticillata “Winter Red”, with its dark green, toothed foliage. Birds aren't interested in all berries, which is just as well, because if you only plant their favourites, you may have little colour left by Christmas. So plant some specimens which the birds will leave alone, such as Skimmia, Aucuba and the guelder rose (Viburnum opulus), which tend to be their least favourites.
Good enough to eat. Tidying the asparagus bed
Tasty asparagus spears harvested from April to June may seem many moons away now, but if you want a better crop for next year, it is time to tidy up the bed and it should only take a few minutes. The asparagus ferns turn yellow as they die down and need to be cut off at ground level to make space for next year's crop. Also remove weeds from the bed as asparagus does not like competition, and mulch the soil generously with well-rotted organic matter. Anyone growing asparagus will understand how much space it needs. It is a shallow-rooted perennial crop which doesn't like disturbance and occupies the ground full-time, and it takes a couple of years to settle in. But despite the fact that you cannot pick much for the first three years, once established it will not often let
you down. If you do get thin spears, it is generally down to weak plants that have been harvested too early, cut too heavily in previous years or not fed sufficiently.
Three ways to save space through design
1. Used raised beds, which maximise planting area. Their retaining walls can double as built-in seating. 2. Incorporate storage alongside or underneath a built-in barbecue. 3. Design overhead beams, covered in climbers, to frame a potting bench that doubles as a tool store.
Jobs for this week
n Rake and scarify lawns to remove thatch, moss and other debris. n Finish picking ripened marrows and bring them in for winter storage. n Pick off yellowing leaves of Brussels sprouts and harvest them when large enough. n Collect plant supports and canes to store for the winter months. n Fork over the soil between plants in established borders to loosen the surface. Remove weeds, then spread on a layer of well-rotted compost. n Cut down marginal plants as their foliage dies back for the winter. n Continue to order fruit trees, bushes, roses and shrubs to plant out over winter. n Bring pots of tender bulbs including canna lilies and eucomis into the greenhouse for the winter. n Prune out fruited stems from “Morello” and other varieties of cherries. n Plant tulips, setting them up to 15-20cm (6-8in) deep, where you want them to naturalise. n Plant out spring bedding including wallflowers, forget-me-nots and primulas for spring flower displays. n Lift dahlia tubers as soon as the leaves have been blackened by frost, clean off the soil, cut back stems and leave to drain before storing them in boxes of compost.
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November 2012
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