LifestyleWK47

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November 13, 2012

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LifeStyle


welcome

LifeStyle

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November 13, 2012

LifeStyle’s tips for a happy autumn

AS you settle down to read this, the fifth edition of our LifeStyle magazine, you will have noticed the dropping temperatures and shorter days as autumn strengthens its grip on the country. However, instead of mournning the loss of summer (not that we had much to miss this year), why not make sure you make the most of the changes with our timely advice. You can check out the best beauty tips of the season, with this edition focus on making the most of your sleep - which, while being the greatest free refreshment nature has to offer, can also be used to bolster your daily beauty regime. We are also offering our festive gift advice - starting with some brilliant

ideas for kids’ presents to suit all budgets. Look out for some help with mens’ and womens’ gifts in the weeks to come. Some of the funkiest and most fashionable lights displays are featured in our gadgets guide - the ideal way of combatting darker evenings. Also, we are launching our new photography competition, where your picture could become our front page, delivered through thousands of doorways across Falmouth. So send us your best shots - details on how to enter are on page 4. So, it may be colder and darker, but we are sure there is enough in these pages to put a smile back on everyone’s faces. Happy Autumn! 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: Argal Reservoir Picture by Carol Churcher This page: Trelissick from Turnaware Picture by David Barnicoat

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November 13, 2012

what’s on

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LifeStyle

Get into the Christmas spirit FAMILIES and friends won’t be able to resist getting into the Christmas spirit this winter, with two very special events at Pendennis Castle in Falmouth. Visitors can expect days out packed with all the best traditions and trimmings from the festive season, courtesy of castle custodian English Heritage. The Festive Family Fun Weekend takes place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November. Children will have the opportunity to meet Father Christmas in his grotto next to a warm cosy fire and for those who have been good this year, there will be a treat to take home! Families can take part in an exciting trail around the grounds of the Castle, get hands-on creating beautiful Christmas crafts and children will also be kept entertained by a storyteller reciting wintry tales of times gone by. There will be a selection of homemade Christmas gifts available to buy as well as locally sourced hot refreshments to get you in the Christmas mood. The festivities continue on Sunday 16 December when Pendennis Castle hosts Nadelik: A Cornish Christmas. The day will be bursting with festive activity, including the chance for visitors to try their hand at medieval dancing with a little help from Pyba, a traditional dance company, who will be dancing the day away in Tudor clothing. Carol singing will fill the Castle, courtesy of local choir the Killigrew Singers, and everyone will be able to soak up the festive spirit as English Heritage staff tell Christmas tales around a crackling wood fire. Twinkling lights and ornate decorations will set the scene for those who wish to explore the Castle further. Charlie Evans, English Heritage Events Manager for the West, said: “We have a real treat in store for our visitors this Christmas. Pendennis Castle comes alive with the lights, fires, storytelling and carol singing, producing a fantastic atmosphere that shouldn’t be missed. We can’t wait for our Christmas events to begin; what better way to bring the family together and get into the festive spirit!”

See your photo in print

n Celebrating Nadelik at Pendennis Castle The long history of Nadelik celebration has given rise to a number of distinct Cornish traditions. These include the fixing of the Christmas Bunch decoration to the ceiling around the 21 December, burning a log with a figure drawn on in chalk to symbolise the death of the old year, and the singing of Christmas folk songs – ‘carols’ – many of which are now widely popular today. What: Festive Family Fun Weekend When: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November, 10am-4pm

Where: Pendennis Castle, TR11 4LP Prices: Adults £6.50 / Concessions £5.90 / Children £3.90 / Family £16.90 / English Heritage Members Free An additional £3 charge will be made to see Father Christmas. What: Nadelik: A Cornish Christmas When: Sunday 16 December, 11am-4pm Where: Pendennis Castle, TR11 4LP Prices: Adults £6.50 / Concessions £5.90 / Children £3.90 (under 5’s go free) / Family £16.90 / English Heritage Members Free

Here in Falmouth, we are lucky to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. Whether it is the golden sands and azure blue seas on Gyllyngvase and Swanpool beaches, or the quiet subtropical gardens dotted along the Helford River, wherever you look the views are spectacular. It means we are never short of amazing photographs to print in your Life Style magazine - but now we want to give you the opportunity to see your pictures in print. Every fortnight we will print a selection of reader’s photos, with our favourite submitted picture gracing the front page of each edition. Your picture can be of any subject matter - scenery, wildlife, pets or weather, as long as it is eye-catching. It means your snapshot could be delivered to thousands of homes across the Falmouth area for all to admire. To submit a picture for consideration, simply email your photograph to paul.armstrong@packetseries.co.uk. Please make sure the photograph is of high resolution quality (a mimimum file size of 1MB).


what’s on

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Jo shines on live stage

It’s musical mayhem

THE chaotic sound of Sheelanagig’s unique blend of Balkan folk mayhem is coming to Miss Peadpod’s in Penryn. The band has been a firm fixture on the festival circuit for many years, but is equally at home at smaller music venues and even on street corners. They have developed a devoted following with their energetic and irreverent live performances, combining elements of story-telling and street theatre with intricate and irresistibly danceable music. Sheelanagig’s origins lie in the now defunct Dartington College of Arts in Devon. Two band members moved to Bristol in 2004 and were keen to collaborate with all comers in the famously diverse and creative city. After meeting three other talented and

eager musicians in the musical melting pot of Bristol, Sheelanagig began playing in every pub and club they could. An early gig review in Venue magazine described the band as “fresh and distinctive”, and noted that “what lifts them above most folk is their rhythmic variety and great imagination”. Sheelanagig are touring the UK in support of their new album Cirque Insomnia, their fourth release and the first to feature original songs alongside the band’s trademark manic instrumentalism. The group will play at Miss Peapod’s on Saturday, December 1, starting at 8pm. Tickets costing £8 are available online at wegottickets.com/misspeapods

Got an event? E-mail editorial@packetseries.co.uk subject Lifestyle event

AWARD-WINNING comedian Jo Caulfield hits town this month with her brand new show “Better the Devil You Know”, inspired by a shocking conversation with an audience member. Jo explained: “Five years ago I got married in New York. At a recent gig I was talking to a woman who'd done the same thing. “She said: 'Wasn't it easy? Pay $50, get your licence, three minutes later you're done. The hardest part is when you get back to Britain and you have to fill in all the paperwork and register it here'. “I felt my blood go cold – I didn't know we had to do that! Then it hit me like a punch in the stomach – I'm not actually married to my husband!” The realisation that she is, in fact, a single woman, got Jo thinking. “If you could make all your big life choices again, would you do the same things?” Although Jo is a regular on many TV and radio panel shows, including Mock the Week and Have I Got News for You, it is on the live stage where she really shines. With her razor-sharp observations and her scandalous one-liners it is no surprise she was recently nominated as the Best Female Comic in the UK. And for all the romantics out there, there is a happy ending: “We’re going to renew our wedding vows . . . but this time I’m determined to stick to at least three of them.” Jo Caulfield’s “Better The Devil You Know” is at The Poly Theatre on Church Street, Falmouth on Saturday, November 24. Tickets, which cost £12 are available from the venue, or by calling the box office on 01326 319461.

It’s the return of the masons A MASONRY business founded in Plymouth by a Budock man more than a century ago has returned home to Cornwall. Family business Martin and Sons was started in 1909 by William Charles Martin, who was born in Budock, and served his apprenticeship in Penryn under John Gilbert Freeman. He moved to Devon to open his own company due to greater opportunity for success in the large city of Plymouth. Greatgreat grandson Robert Martin took over the running of the business in 1997, and soon added Plymouth Stone to the business, to diversify into the manufacture of natural stone worktops. As this side of the business grew, it became more obvious that a base in Cornwall was needed and Kernow Stone was started, working from the old Hot Rocks project site at Rosemanowes Quarry. Neil Carpenter, great-great-great grandson of the founder, is managing the new offshoot. With an honours degree in geology, and over eight years of managerial experience, he is looking to take Kernow Stone forward.

He said: “I’m very proud to now be the fifth generation of the family to be actively involved in the running of the business. “With a focus on using the highest quality stone and a real attention to detail we aim to provide an unrivalled level of service to our customers.” Robert added: “I’m very pleased that Neil agreed to join the family firm. “Being a local lad, he knows the area well, and brings with him a wealth of managerial experience. “In addition, through his studies, Neil has a unique insight into the products we offer, and can offer a truly unmatched level of customer service.” Kernow Stone offer a vast range of granite and quartz worktops. The company’s showroom based at Rosemanowes Quarry, Herniss, is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm and weekends by appointment. *Call Neil on 01209 862770 for more information, or visit their website www.kernowstone.co.uk

n Jo Caulfield will be bringing her one-woman show to Falmouth’s Poly Theatre

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Choir ready for Christmas MONTHS after starting their festive season rehearsals, the Pentyr Singers are ready for their hectic Christmas schedule. The choir are set to perform four concerts across the region, and are keen to see as many people attend as possible. A spokesman for the singers said: “This year, they have chosen to perform the Cantata Night of Miracles which is a beautiful piece. This will make up the first half of their programme and the second half will be a mix of traditional carols, Christmas music and more contemporary arrangements. The choir have also recently handed £750 to Cornwall Hospice Care, the result of their fundraising for this, their chosen charity for 2011” The hospice has also been named as the choir’s charity of choice for 2012, with a fundraising performance on December 5, at St Michaels Church in Helston. Other concerts will take place at St Keverne Parish Church on Wednesday, November 28, at the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints, Helston, on Wednesday, December 12, and at Mullion Methodist Church on Sunday, December 16, all starting at 7.30pm.


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November 13, 2012

reviews

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LifeStyle

Winter warmers from the cabinet FANCY a drink? Here, Sam Wylie-Harris suggests some winter cocktails to infuse the imagination. Whether you're stirring, shaking, layering or muddling, with the soaring popularity of cocktails and the trend for complex infusions, there's plenty of fun to be had by experimenting with these visual treats at home. Damson plums make delicious jellies and jams, and London-based artisan distiller Sipsmith has gone one step further and infused its barleybased vodka with damson's rich, plummy sweetness. For an elegant pour, try mixing Sipsmith Damson Vodka (£23.50, 50cl, Majestic) with some bubbles to give it an extra lift; but just remember the flavours have a sting at 28% abv. n Sipsmith Damson Royale 25ml Damson Vodka, champagne Pour the Damson vodka into a chilled champagne flute. Slowly top up with champagne and nose the rich berry flavours as they tickle the tastebuds. The flying geese on Grey Goose Original (£35, 70cl, Waitrose) signal the silky smooth clean flavours of this famous French wheat vodka, while some purists may say it's too good to mix with, "the world's best-tasting vodka" certainly complements the subtle sweetness of Toussaint Coffee Liqueur (£13.84, 50cl, www.drinkfinder.co.uk).

nChez Goose Couleur Cafe

nBombay Sapphire Golden Wonderland (serves 4-6)

35ml Grey Goose, 17.5ml Toussaint, 30ml espresso, splash of sugar cane syrup, single cream Half fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the Grey Goose, Toussaint, espresso and sugar cane syrup. Stir and strain into a chilled coupette. Slowly pour the cream over the back of a teaspoon directly into the drink and sprinkle with a light dusting of chocolate powder. Rarely drunk neat, gin lovers will agree the refreshing botanicals in versatile gins such as Bombay Sapphire (£20, 70cl, Tesco) hold the secret to old-school glamour cocktails. To help spread the love and create a delicious winter serve ahead of the party season, here's a recipe using Tuaca (£20.99, 70cl, www.thedrinkshop.com), an Italian brandy with a vanilla profile that can be used in any number of cocktails.

200ml Bombay Sapphire, 50ml Tuaca liqueur, 200ml ginger beer, 200ml cranberry juice, 1 lime cut into wedges Fill a large jug with cubed ice, then squeeze in the lime wedges. Pour in the Bombay Sapphire, Tuaca and cranberry juice and give it a stir. Top off with ginger beer and stir gently in an uplifting motion for a final time. Garnish with a large mint sprig. Pour into small tumbler glasses filled with ice and a mint sprig. n Liquid news Asda has revolutionised its mid-tier wine range. Having romped home with an impressive 152 awards for its winning wines in the last year alone, Asda is re-launching its own-label wine with a range called Asda Wine Selection. The collection is made up of more then 80 new and existing wines with easy-to-understand tasting notes on wine labels to help bring clarity to the range. Split into an entry-level and mid-priced tier with different label designs to distinguish the two, Christmas has come early for tipplers who sometimes feel intimidated by the wine aisle. The collection will be phased in from now until the end of November.

Books: What’s new? App of the week The Bone Bed by Patricia Cornwell is published in hardback by Little, Brown, priced £18.99. Available now.

WITH more than 30 books to her name, US author Patricia Cornwell has no need to prove that she's one of the top crime thriller writers around, yet she continues to keep up her game with her 20th Kay Scarpetta novel, The Bone Bed. Chief medical examiner Scarpetta finds herself torn between a court case, for which she has been called as a defence witness, and the urgent analysis of a woman's body found tangled underwater with a leatherback turtle. These become the least of Scarpetta's worries after she receives an email featuring horrific video footage, which somehow is connected to the case of a missing palaeontologist in Canada. Readers familiar with Cornwell will realise that her modus operandi is to build up the story gradually over the chapters, leaving readers on tenterhooks, before its climactic crescendo. Rating: 7/10 (Review by Shereen Low) A Question Of Identity by Susan Hill is published in hardback by Chatto & Windus, priced £16.99. Available now.

From the casual reader to the serious historian, the Explore Shakespeare apps from Cambridge University Press offer a wealth of information to experience, explore and examine some of the world's greatest literature. These amazing apps allow you to read, listen and interact with the characters and text. Macbeth and Romeo And Juliet are the first releases. The apps cost £9.99 for each play at the iTunes store.

DETECTIVE Chief Superintendent Simon Serrailler is back on the bookshelves in Susan Hill's seventh instalment of the Serrailler crime series. The small cathedral town of Lafferton is once again rocked by another spate of murders. The targets of these horrific crimes are old women, which takes us back to Alan Keys - a suspect who 10 years ago was charged and tried for several murders in Yorkshire but acquitted on the grounds

of insufficient evidence. Enquiries suggest that this person has simply vanished. Meanwhile, we also get an insight into Serrailler's family, with his father's behaviour taking a turn for the worse, and his sister, Cat Deerbon, fighting to stop the closure of the local hospice. A lot of pages are dedicated to the personal lives of Cat and Simon which, unfortunately, leaves little room for what could have been an intriguing murder mystery. Rating: 6/10 (Review by Nilima Marshall)

NYPD Red by James Patterson is published in hardback by Century, priced £18.99. Available now. BEST-SELLING author James Patterson returns with the addictive police thriller NYPD Red. Tinseltown's glittering elite have travelled en masse to New York for the Hollywood on Hudson film festival. Everywhere you look, there are wealthy producers, talented directors and fans mixing with the paparazzi, hoping for a glimpse of someone famous. NYC is a town of glamour and celebrity, with the best of the best - a special task force codenamed NYPD Red keeping the A-listers safe. Detective Zach Jordan is paired with new partner Detective Kylie MacDonald. Lovers from way back when, they have to pull together as industry-savvy serial killer The Chameleon starts targeting the rich and famous. Can the duo put their past behind them before the killer reaches his final explosive scene? Rating: 7/10 (Review by Rachel Howdle)

Album reviews The Unthanks - Diversions Vol. 3 - Songs From The Shipyards This Northumberland folk ensemble have enjoyed plenty of plaudits in recent years but the soundtrack to a short film, entitled Songs From The Shipyards, is unbelievably poignant and beautifully played throughout. Lamenting the decimation of the British shipbuilding industry, this mix of originals and covers, opening with the gorgeous instrumental The Romantic Tees, gels remarkably well and takes the quintet to a new level. The highlight of a quite stunning set is the cover of Elvis Costello's unbearably sad Shipbuilding, which would send a shiver down the spine of even the most cynical listener, although Black Trade, Monkey Dung Men and Only Remembered are equally mesmerising. Splendid stuff. Rating: 9/10

Kosheen - Independence Echoes of Black Cherry-era Goldfrapp run through this fourth release from Bristol trip-hop trio Kosheen like the writing through a stick of rock. The style is given a more energetic, danceable bent by the group, who do more than enough to keep it sounding fresh and new by introducing a heavier breakbeat edge in tracks such as Dependency. This is entirely in keeping with the outfit's ethos - even the name Kosheen is a contraction of the Japanese words for old and new. Independence boasts strong and assured rhythms and beats courtesy of producers Markee Substance and Darren Decoder, as well as powerful vocals from singer-songwriter Sian Evans. The album is of a high quality throughout, but stand-out tracks Get A New One and Bella Donna lift it from good to great. Rating: 8/10

Huey And The New Yorkers - Say It To My Face After carving out a new niche as a radio DJ, former Fun Lovin' Criminals frontman Huey Morgan is back recording in his own right with an impressive set more varied than one might expect. The old Fun Lovin' swagger is still in evidence, particularly on Let My People Go and The Way It Was Before, but Morgan's tender side shows itself on Fall Into Me and even the anti-love song Shaniqua. He even adds a fine entry to the pantheon of downbeat Christmas songs with Christmas By The Side Of The Road, about a soldier unable to get home for the festivities, and his own "self-indulgent Pink Floyd song" The White Guard. Rating: 7/10


gifts

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Gorgeous gift ideas for kids this Christmas With Christmas just around the corner, Claire Spreadbury looks at gift ideas sure to capture the imagination of tots and youngsters;

n Matchbox marvel

n Read all about it

The teeniest, tiniest wooden dolly comes complete with five outfit changes and accessories, all tidily kept in her very own matchbox. It's bound to be a hit with all little girls. Matchbox Dress Up Dolly, £14.95, dotcomgiftshop (www.dotcomgiftshop.com)

Richard Curtis, of Four Weddings And A Funeral and Notting Hill fame, has written a beautiful book for children this Christmas. The Empty Stocking is a charming and heart-warming tale about a naughty little girl who turns out good, and every child will adore it. The Empty Stocking by Richard Curtis, Penguin, £6.99, available from all good book shops

n Walking in a winter wonderland This classic wooden push along is perfect for babies who want to toddle. Not only can it help them learn to walk, but they can also build big towers with the pretty blocks. Classic Wooden Push Along With Blocks, £65, Silver Cross (www.silvercross.co.uk)

n All ears

n Festive footwear

Splashing out on anything containing the word 'Ugg' is bound to bring a smile to all teenage girls. These snugly ear muffs will help keep the cold out, too. UGG Australia Ear Muffs, £74.99, Rubber Sole (020 3026 9854; www.rubbersole.co.uk)

It might be wellie weather, but these Birkenstocks emblazoned with Mickey Mouse cartoon strips are utterly adorable. Birki's Mickey Mouse Children's Shoes (size 28-32), £49.95, Birkenstock (www.birkenstock.co.uk and stores nationwide)

n The wheels on the bus This beautiful, big red bus (with driver) is bound to be a hit with small boys and girls this Christmas, and its wooden design will please parents too. London Sight Seeing Wooden Bus With Driver, £40, Museum Of London (www.museumoflondonshop.co.uk) n Gadget gorgeous If you're fed up with sharing your iPad with the smaller people of the house, buy them their own! Leap Frog's LeapPad is amazingly educational as well as being great fun. LeadPad2, £89.99, Toys R Us (www.toysrus.co.uk and stores nationwide)

n Speed machine n Pretty in pink Very few girls (or mummies, for that matter) will be able to resist this fabulous tutu. Turn Christmas into a dance-fest this year! Angel's Face Blooming Lovely Tutu (available in ages 1-8 years), £50, Skin & Bliss (www.skinandbliss.com)

Tricky teenage boys looking to be the coolest kid on the block will thank you for the street cred that comes with riding Razor's Electric E300 scooter around. Even One Direction's Zayn owns one of these, and with speeds of up to 15mph, it's bound to be a hit. Razor E300, £229.99, Argos (www.argos.co.uk and stores nationwide)

* All prices are correct at the time of going to press


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competitions

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November 13, 2012

WIN! Organic home brew kit

IN THESE times of economic uncertainty and diminishing natural resources, selfsustainability just got one step closer for the people of Cornwall. Kernow Grow & Brew was conceived in the back of a polytunnel in late 2010 to meet the needs of the growing self-sustainability revolution. Do you want to grow your own super foods, or brew your favourite tonics, but don't have the acres of land or enough hours in the day? One step further than “make do and mend”, “grow and brew” is about setting yourself up to create your own gourmet food and drink from home. Kernow Grow & Brew is open at Unit 11D on the Kernick Road Industrial Estate, Penryn, opposite UniPart Automotive. Why not visit their boutique store, which, with its Astroturf floor, leather sofa's, and a counter made of recycled wood makes for a shopping experience you won’t forget in a hurry. In the Grow Lab they have the world’s hottest chilli peppers growing and usually a keg or two of brew bubbling away. The store is also the home of allponics and alltonics.Allponics systems are advanced natural growing solutions designed to help you create the perfect environment for your plants - from the humid tropical environment needed for

Musa acuminate Colla (Dwarf Cavendish banana) to the arid mountain like conditions required for the world’s hottest chilli's to flourish. These allponics systems work by recreating a perfect natural environment including nutrients, lighting and humidity. They deliver superior yields and taste and of course, you have the satisfaction of growing your own. No Food Miles or systemic pesticides here! These systems are in use at the Eden Project, where they are researching the use of waste material as a media to grow crops for disaster relief purposes, and at the Amundsen Scott Antarctic research station, as featured on the BBC’s Frozen Planet. Kernow Grow & Brew owner Tom Jordan said: “For me, it’s about empowering people to grow and brew their own gourmet produce. No matter what space, or in fact what skills they have available. “I hope my customers, whether beginner, hobbyist or professional, find the shop welcoming, friendly and informative, a place to learn and shop.” Mr Jordan and his team are strong advocates of washing down your home grown produce with a glass or two of your favourite home-brewed tipple. That’s why Kernow Grow and Brew is also the home

of “alltonics” - they offer the traditional beer, wine, and cider kits as well as everything needed to turn your home grown, or foraged produce, into recession-busting beverages. For less than a pound a pint and in as little as 6 weeks they joys of alltonics can be experienced by all. Opening hours are: Monday – Wed and Friday 10am6pmThursday Late Night Shopping 10am-8pm Saturday 11am-4pm Out of hours by appointment. For more information follow @kernowgrow on Twitter, search for Kernow Grow on Facebook or go to www.kernowgrow.co.uk. *You can win a Choice of Lager, Cider or Bitter Kit worth £29.99 including 500g sugar, steriliser solution, 10 litre bucket plus lid, air lock and bung and a simple siphon by answering the following question. How long does it take for your brew to be ready to drink? Answers by email to c a r l e y . s a v a g e @ p a c k e t s e r i e s . c o . u k . Usual Newsquest rules apply, visit thepacket.co.uk for details.

Win a hand-made gift set Cornwall’s leading organic skincare company, Spiezia Organics have launched their range of Christmas gifts stocking fillers at £9.95 to luxury gifts at £59.95. All gifts sets are available with a 20% discount – see our special Lifestyle offer. Alongside Spiezia Organics’ own beautiful hand-made products, the first in the UK to gain 100% organic certification, other local suppliers and producers have collaborated with Spiezia to provide a variety of Cornish gift sets ideal for Christmas – the perfect British branded gift. For a chance to win a Spiezia gift set please answer the following question: Who was the first organic skincare company in the UK to gain 100% organic certification? Email your answers to rosie.pitt@packetseries.co.uk Usual Newsquest rules apply. Visit thepacket.co.uk for details.

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LifeStyle views

n The container vessel Santa Giuliana assisted by the tug Ankorva prepares to leave her lay-up berth off Tolverene, River Fal to go back into service Picture by David Barnicoat

LifeStyle Send your pictures for publication to: editorial@packetseries.co.uk


LifeStyle

LifeStyle views

n Looking north towards King Harry Ferry and the laid-up ships. In the foreground is the mussel farm Picture by David Barnicoat

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Send your pictures for publication to: editorial@packetseries.co.uk


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fashion

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November 13, 2012

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Quality streetwear with the colour purple floaty dress and a pair of winter boots." The truly colour-shy can experiment with accessories for a subtle flash of colour. Add accents of purple with scarves, gloves, shoes, handbag or bold jewellery.

COLOUR phobics should run for their lives – because purple is the new black this season. The rich shade dominated the international runways, quite literally, as some designers even demonstrated their allegiance to the colour by creating purple catwalks. “Purple is making a welcome return to our wardrobes,” said Veronique Henderson, Colour Me Beautiful’s creative director. “With a colour palette that ranges from damson and aubergine, to lavender and amethyst through to deep plum, there really is a shade that everyone can wear.” Purple doesn’t have to scream Quality Street wrapper, it’s all about finding the right shade, texture and style for you. Here’s how to pull off purple with aplomb.

Indigo opulence Give your LBD a break for a dose of pure purple glamour. Go to town with statement jewel-like tones like amethyst, indigo and violet. Create a lasting impression by wearing the shade top-to-toe and add embellishment and bling for a modern-day regal look. “The romantics amongst us will love details whether that’s beading, fringing or lace,” said Henderson. “This season, look out for purple dresses with lace overlay and heritage-inspired looks a la Lady Mary of Downton Abbey.” For a glam separate, you can’t go wrong with a purple peplum top or skirt. The combination of punchy colour and extreme flared hem will create drama as well as figure flattery. Try pairing a deep purple with this season’s opulent brocade finishes – purple and metallics are a match made in heaven for party season.

Daytime damson While purple is perfectly suited to eveningwear, this new “It” colour can work for daylight hours too. For city chic, choose a powerful shade to make an entrance into the office with tailoring. Go for a matchy-matchy skirt or trouser suit if you dare. For a softer look, plump for a textured fabric like tweed. You can also tone the colour down a notch by wearing a white shirt under a purple top or short-sleeved shift dress. Henderson suggests: "If you are feeling creative, combine textures and patterns. “Team a chunky purple knit with a

Pick your purple n Apricot purple asymmetric peplum dress, £27 (www.apricotonline.co.uk)

Although fashion has favoured the famous Cadbury colour this season, the key to parading purple in style is opting for the right tone. Veronique Henderson offers her purple tips:

n Holly Willoughby for Very shirt dress, £38 (www.very.co.uk)

n If you have a light colouring, like Uma Thurman or Meryl Streep, periwinkle shades, violet, lavender and bluebell will look amazing. Keep to lighter purple shades and if you want to wear with other colours also mix with light tones. n If you have a deep colouring, like Penelope Cruz or Halle Berry, then damson, fig, aubergine, royal purple and plum are the shades to opt for as they have a greater depth. n If you have a warm colouring, like Christina Hendricks or Tyra Banks with their golden skin tones and auburn hair, stick with the purest purple and mix these with warm tones like oatmeal, lime or amber. n If you have a clear colouring, like the Duchess of Cambridge with her dark hair and bright green eyes, you'll sparkle in classic purple and bright periwinkle. Aim to wear your purple in stark contrast with other colours. n If you have blue eyes and/or steely hair such as Dame Judy Dench or Jamie Lee Curtis, then cool shades of purple are a great wardrobe staple for you. Think bright periwinkle, violet, lavender, plum, cassis and amethyst. n If you have a soft and muted look a la Kim Cattrall and Scarlett Johansson with light brown or highlighted hair and soft blue or green eyes, then you need purples that have a softer approach such as soft violet, amethyst, damson, mulberry and lavender. Wear as a blended look, which will also make you look taller and slimmer.




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November 13, 2012

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November 13, 2012

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advertising feature

LifeStyle

Salon open once more

n Sophie, Gloria and Kelly-Anne at Timeless Beauty AFTER losing their premises for six months following a devastating fire, many business owners would have thrown in the towel. Happily, Gloria Gilbert of Timeless Beauty is made of sterner stuff, and her salon is now up and running again in the grounds of the Falmouth Beach Hotel. Gloria said: “It has been a strange time, and difficult as well, but you have to remember, things could have been so much worse. “No one was killed in the fire; no one was injured. We all have to keep it in perspective. “It is lovely to be back up and running though, and we want to

let everyone know we are here and are open again.” The salon is in its original home in the hotel’s leisure club, and can be accessed from Gyllyngvase Hill. It is open all day Monday to Saturday, and appointments can be made for Sunday, or during the evening by arrangement. Gloria said: “One of the best things for me is that we still have the same team as we did before the fire. “Kelly-Anne, my stylist, stayed with me throughout the time the hotel was closed down, working from home and by visiting clients. “She has been so loyal, she has

been with me since she was 16, she trained with me, and I am so glad she has stayed. “Sophie is also back with us, she does beauty treatments and massage, and does a wonderful job as well.” The salon offers special mother and daughter events and caters for groups and individuals. Top professional products including Matrix and Dermalogica are used by the salon, and are also on sale for clients to take home. *To make a booking at the salon, call 01326 310504.

Jewel in the town A REAL family business is thriving in Falmouth town centre. The Jewellery Workshop, based on Church Street, was taken over by Lisa Pagin and her daughter Willow in December last year. The business, which had been under the same ownership for 27 years previously, was already successful, and Lisa said making sure things did not change dramatically for their customers was a priority at first. She said: “Everything has gone brilliantly. When we bought the shop from Pete and Terri we decided we wanted to change very little, as it was already a successful business. “They had been here for 27 years and had built a very loyal customer base and we wanted to make sure we could build on that. “They have also been really supportive – we could not have bought a business from a nicer couple. “If we ever need advice they are always on the end of the phone and they pop in as well, it has been lovely.” The shop is being run by Lisa, and her daughter Willow, 17, who will take over the business when Lisa steps down in the future, with the shop’s name changing to Willow’s Jewellery Workshop to reflect the plans. They are joined by Ian Thomas, and jeweller Barry Rowe, whose award-winning work is the secret of the business’ success according to Lisa. She said: “One of the biggest advantages we have here is having Barry working in the shop, who is an award winning jeweller. “He works with the customers to create bespoke jewellery, and will customise rings and other pieces, it is a unique service.

n Ian, Willow, Lisa and Barry outside the Jewellery Workshop on Church Street “On top of that we offer repairs on site, as well as a watch battery changing service, and of course our wide range of gold and silver jewellery.” Taking over the business was a decision without regrets for Lisa. She added: “We love it here in Falmouth, we moved to Cornwall six years ago after falling in love with the area on childhood holidays, and it is a fantastic place to live. “My six-year-old son Max was born here and it is all he has known, it is such a great place to bring up children. “Running the shop is such a nice job, I love meeting everyone who comes in. “We even had one man propose to his girlfriend in here, it was fantastic to be part of such a special moment.”


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motoring

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First drive: Range Rover Autobiography CAST your mind back to 2002 and the introduction of what has become a long-lived, high-tech luxury SUV to rival not just other 4x4s but also offerings from the luxury saloon market: the third-generation Range Rover. A decade later and there's a new one promising to raise the premium 4x4 to new heights. Admit it, we all know that the arrival of a new Range Rover is guaranteed to put rivals in the shade. The question is by how much. From a visual inspection alone the answer is “considerable”. The car’s sleek profile is striking. Unlike engineering, assessing design is a subjective activity, so here’s a solid number to consider: 450. That’s 450 kilograms, as in the amount of weight saved thanks to the use of lightweight materials and clever thinking from the engineers. Don’t forget, such a saving has a positive affect on fuel economy, emissions and handling. At almost five metres in length it’s a good thing the car’s been to WeightWatchers. It remains an imposing machine but now it’s a fraction lower than its predecessor. This is small change compared to the car’s generous wheelbase - 42mm greater than before - which has increased rear legroom. Anyone who thinks a

Range Rover can’t compete with a Mercedes SClass really needs to take a back seat. Along with the car’s plush, yet modern, new interior, complete with tastefully appointed materials and minimalist switchgear, the visual overhaul is complete. What you can’t see is the work that’s gone on under the car’s lighter skin to achieve new levels of on-road refinement and stability plus considerable improvements to the off-road experience. Central to the car’s performance is a height adjustable suspension system boasting enhanced amounts of wheel travel. Opt for the Dynamic Response feature and the car will attempt to further minimise pitch and roll – the sworn enemies of high-sided 4x4s. It gets more interesting when venturing off-road, as the car’s refreshed Terrain Response system can now detect the terrain you’re driving on and adjust the throttle, suspension, transmission accordingly. With a Range Rover it’s a given that its powertrain will boast the best technology, and this model is no different. The standard 50-50 torque split is accompanied by a low range transfer gearbox that can be switched even when on the move, while a locking centre

differential is there to save you when the going is particularly tricky. Rejigging the car’s ventilation system has led to a considerable increase in its wading depth to 900mm. Power comes from a trio of engines all connected to an eight-speed auto gearbox. First up is the 510 horsepower supercharged petrol V8 motor. With this realistically destined for oil rich nations, the six and eight-cylinder diesels make more sense. Boasting 258 and 339 horsepower respectively, these engines offer smooth yet willing performance – especially the latter. That a six-cylinder motor is even offered in such a car is proof that the weight loss programme has been successful. Of course, the V8 diesel delivers a feeling of invincibility that you can’t get anywhere else. And it sure helps when you’re towing. Whisper it, though, because the V6 diesel variant is no slouch. It can cruise and haul the car uphill with surprising vigour, and all with the minimum of noise. For many this might be the sleeper hit of the range. When considering the overall ownership experience, the usual long and tempting list of creature comforts are present, from a business class-like two-seat rear layout to powerful audio

and multimedia options plus the usual heated, cooled and massaging seats. Factor in the inclusion of intelligent safety systems – radar cruise control, blind spot warnings and cameras to help you park - and it’s clear that you'll want for little. Bigger and better yet lighter on its feet, this fourth generation Range Rover demonstrates that you can have it all: luxury SUV attributes plus saloon-like agility and sensible running costs. The car’s sleek profile positions it aesthetically above the chunky, flabby and bloated opposition. It’s also a car capable of cosseting occupants and taking the most challenging terrain in its stride. That said, it’s equally home on Tarmac, making it a peerless all rounder that rivals will struggle to emulate. Facts at a glance: Model: Range Rover Autobiography SDV8, from £94,695. Range from £71,295 to £98,395. Engine: 4.4-litre diesel unit developing 339bhp Transmission: eight-speed automatic transmission as standard, driving all four wheels. Performance: Maximum speed 135mph, 0-62mph 6.9 seconds. Economy: 32.5mpg. CO2 Rating: 229g/km.


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gadgets/recipies

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Shed some colour to beat autumn gloom

WITH the skies darkening earlier and earlier at this time of year, why not take some inspiration and brighten up your indoor environment for the winter months. Here are some fixtures that will add a splash of colour to your rooms.

Shape-shifter - Tetris Mood Lamp - £29.99 from www.menkind.co.uk

Lights Fantastic - Dual Laser Projector - £59.95 from www.red5.co.uk

Silly Money - Giant Lava Lamp - £3,380 at www.firebox.com Looking for something with the wow factor? Then this is for you. Standing at 2m tall, this updated retro classic is made by Mathmos, the creator of the original lamps, and the techies there will create a bespoke base and cap for your new custom-built tube. But you may have to wait until your lucky numbers come up before heading towards the “buy” button.

Replace boring lamp or overhead light fittings with one of these multi-colour bulbs. With a remote control included, you can choose from four

Smartphone System - Philips Hue Starter Pack - £179 from Apple stores nationwide Connect these to your existing sockets and, with the assistance of an app on your smartphone, you can control almost every aspect of your illuminating devices from a tap on the screen. From adjusting the various hues that it produces, to dimming the display and setting timers, these bulbs can also be set to gradually simulate sunshine – handy if you want to wake up gradually on these dark mornings.

The eight-bit block-building game has been with us since the 1980s and those of us who wasted more time than we care to mention on this Russian import can now reminisce in a relaxed fashion. Connect one of the blocks to the plug and, as each one of the others is placed on top, they will each light up using the very latest in lamp technology.

Moody Hues - LED Colourchanging Bulb - £24.95 from www.red5.co.uk

separate lighting effects, from party strobe to plain illuminate, and then from one of the 16 colour combinations available to exactly match your mood.

n Moody Hues bulbs

n Lights fantastic

n Giant lava lamp

This is a serious bit of kit. Despite its diminutive form, the dual lasers combine red and green hues to create an exciting light display. It comes with multiple speed settings as well as a sound-response mode, and it can be attached to the ceiling or the supplied tripod.

Take Away - Portable 256 Colour Uplighter - £24.99 from www.firebox.com You can scroll through an array of 256 colours on this palm-sized, USB-charged device. Via the touch-sensitive scroller, you can opt to stick with one hue or set it to go through the entire palette. It’s ideal for brightening up your day wherever you go.

n Smartphone lighting

system

n Tetris mood lamp

n Take Away uplighter

Spice up your life with Madhur’s curries

AS COLD, dark nights set in, many of us will soon be reaching for a saucepan and whipping up a curry, writes Diana Pilkington. And who better to show us how to cook the ultimate in comfort food than Madhur Jaffrey, the authority on Indian cuisine? The 79-year-old is making a welcome return to front her first cookery show on British television for 17 years, travelling around the UK meeting Asian communities and tasting their food. A book, Madhur Jaffrey’s Curry Nation, will accompany the series. Here are some of Jaffrey’s dishes for you to try at home.

Goan prawn curry (Serves 6-8) 2tsp olive or sunflower oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1tsp finely chopped garlic 1tsp ground cumin 2tsp chilli powder 1½tsp ground coriander 2 x 400ml cans coconut milk, well shaken 2tsp tamarind concentrate 3 small chicken stock cubes 4tsp caster sugar, or to taste 750g raw king prawns, peeled and de-veined 2 hot green chillies, sliced lengthways Pour the oil into a large non-stick pan or wok, about 25cm in diameter, and set it over a medium heat. Put in the onion and brown for about five minutes. Add the garlic and fry for a further three minutes, then tip in the cumin, chilli powder, coriander and half a teaspoon of salt. Reduce the heat and mix well for

one minute. Pour in the coconut milk and spoon in the tamarind concentrate, then crumble in the stock cubes and add the sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Reduce the sauce until it is thick. Mix in the prawns and chillies and cook for two to three minutes until the prawns are just opaque and cooked through, then serve.

Goan pork vindaloo with potatoes (Serves 4) 2tsp mustard seeds 1tsp cumin seeds 2tsp coriander seeds 3 cloves 1 medium onion, roughly chopped 5 garlic cloves, chopped 2½cm root ginger, peeled and chopped 2tsp cider vinegar ¾-1tsp chilli powder, depending on taste 2tsp paprika ½tsp turmeric 560g boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2.5cm chunks 3tbsp olive or sunflower oil 340g waxy red potatoes, peeled and cut the same size as the pork ½tsp caster sugar Put half the mustard seeds and all the cumin seeds, coriander seeds and cloves in a lean coffee grinder or spice grinder and grind as finely as possible. Tip this spice mixture into a blender with the onion, garlic, ginger, vinegar, chilli powder, paprika and three tablespoons of water. Blend until smooth.

n Madhur Jaffrey, whose new book, Madhur Jaffrey’s Curry Nation, hits the shelves this month

Rub one teaspoon of salt, all the turmeric, half a teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and two tablespoons of your spice paste all over the pork. Put in a plastic food bag, seal and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or longer if desired. Pour the oil into a large, heavybased, non-stick, lidded pan and set

it over a medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the remaining mustard seeds. As soon as they pop, which will be in a matter of seconds, put in the remaining spice paste. Stir and fry for five to six minutes, or until the paste is lightly browned. Put in the pork with its marinade and stir for a minute. Cover and reduce the heat to medium. Let the

meat cook for about ten minutes, lifting the lid now and then to stir; it should become lightly browned. Pour in 750ml of water and add the potatoes, half a teaspoon of salt and the sugar. Stir and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low and cook very gently for 50-60 minutes or until the meat is tender, then serve.


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November 13, 2012

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gardening

LifeStyle

Gardening guru’s hidden secrets revealed GARDENING guru Alan Titchmarsh gives readers a tour of his own private plot in his horticultural memoir, My Secret Garden, plus tips of the month with our gardening guru Hannah Stephenson. His old back garden at Barleywood was shared with millions of viewers every week when he was the frontman on BBC Gardeners' World - but it's taken ten years for Alan Titchmarsh to finally reveal his current garden to fans. A decade after moving a stone's throw from Barleywood to his current Hampshire home, a large Georgian farmhouse set in four acres, he finally feels ready to let the public see how he has transformed the garden, through the pages of his new book, My Secret Garden. "It's difficult when you've done a garden like this to keep it to yourself," Titchmarsh reflects. "I didn't want to open it up and have the pressure of folk coming in but people kept saying, 'Do you bother with your garden now it's not on the telly?' Well, this is proof that I do." Years of hard labour have gone into achieving his private paradise, which features a mass of decorative borders, a wildflower meadow, a hornbeam avenue and a wildlife pond, and these days he just has two people to help him.

BBC Books, priced ÂŁ25. Available now. Best of the bunch Pyracantha (firethorn) Evergreen foliage, dainty white flowers and bright autumn berries make this spiny shrubs a must-have in any garden, particularly if you want to help feed the birds. From late spring to midsummer, flat clusters of small open flowers appear, followed by berries in vivid shades of orange, scarlet and golden yellow, which can persist through the winter. Pyracanthas are spreading or upright in habit so you can grow them as free-standing shrubs, hedging or trained against a wall or fence in a fan or espalier shape. They like fertile, well-drained

Between them, they also maintain the 35 acres of meadow and woodland which Titchmarsh retained after selling Barleywood, which he turned into a nature reserve. "I'll never let the TV cameras into my private garden," he says now. "I would never go to Alison (his wife) and say, 'Look, can we just do one programme?' because we made the decision not to. I'm blissfully happy being there on my own with the family." It's amazing that he can fit any gardening into his hectic

work schedule of TV presenting and writing. "I have to," he shrugs. "If I don't go out there and potter several times a week, I get ratty. There's quite a bit of mowing to do but I like the therapy of mowing. "When I grew up my mum and dad had a tiny back garden up in Yorkshire and then when I first got married and lived in Berkshire we had a 15ft by 40ft strip behind the house. So I know how lucky I am in having more space." *My Secret Garden by Alan Titchmarsh is published by

trained plants should be pruned in midsummer, two or three buds from the base, while hedges can also be trimmed in midsummer. Good varieties include P. 'Soleil d'Or', an upright variety with yellow berries, and P. 'Orange Glow', which produces deep orange berries. Good enough to eat Celeriac Anyone who hasn't tried a delicious celeriac, garlic and potato mash as an accompaniment to any winter-warming dish, from sausages to roast meats, is missing a real treat. Celeriac is a knobbly winter root which can be harvested

n Celeriac

n Pyracantha

soil in full sun or partial shade and will tolerate north-facing walls. Prune free-standing shrubs in late winter or early spring by removing shoots that spoil the shape. The sideshoots of wall-

until March. The flesh - crispy when raw, silky smooth when cooked has a delicate taste which suggests the flavours of celery with a slight nuttiness. Sow the seed indoors in late March in trays of compost, not earlier as the plants tend to run to seed. Transplant into seed trays when two true leaves have developed and grow on at 55F

until mid-April, when they can be placed in a cold frame to harden off, ready to be planted out in May. Plant out in a prepared bed spacing the plants 12in apart with 15in between the rows. Mulch with well-rotted manure or compost to retain moisture and ensure that they are kept well watered, or they will run to seed. In early autumn, draw soil up around the stems to blanch them. Lift towards the end of autumn and store in boxes of moist peat in a frost-free place to be used as needed during the winter. In most areas you can cover the roots with straw and lift as required until early spring. What to do this week n Remove decaying or dead branches of established trees, to prepare for winter winds. n Protect newly planted evergreens with a temporary windbreak until they are established. n Group containers over the winter for protection, wrapping up vulnerable pots and plants. n Rotate your cropping plan on the vegetable plot to reduce any build-up of pest or disease and to create the right levels of food in the ground for various crops. n Use shears to cut back clumps of mint to near-ground level and apply a top dressing of leaf mould or compost. n Prune wisteria to increase flowering next year.


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