PL Magazine February 2015 by DCMedia

P L

M a g a z i n e

FEBRUARY 2015

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FOOD FOR THE HEART THE BEST PLACES TO WINE AND DINE YOUR VALENTINE

Say Yes! THE MOST ROMANTIC PROPOSALS REVEALED

Your lifestyle magazine for Plymouth & surrounding areas

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CONTENTS

78 PEOPLE

FAMILY

TRAVEL

5 ROMANTIC PROPOSALS

36 EDUCATION 2015

70 HOT SPOTS

A guide to the changes

The places to go in 2015

Popping the question in style

38 TODDLER TIME

10 KATHERINE JENKINS

Little ones are good for you

Singing sensation

40 TEEN ANGST

14 THE MAD HATTER

Leading them into adulthood

Crafty creative

16 PETER DAVEY Photographer

FASHION 18 MODERN ROMANCE A contemporary date

22 LINGERIE TO LOVE Pick of the products

24 ROBINS & MOORE Bespoke jewellery

26 LET YOUR LOVE SHINE Gifts that sparkle

28 VALENTINE’S GIFTS Presents with heart

HEALTH & BEAUTY 30 BEAUTY BOOSTERS Reawaken your skin

32 CELEBRITY DIETS Do they really work?

34 TRI-OBSESSION The ultimate challenge

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OUT & ABOUT 72 SEATON After the storms

WEDDINGS 42-49 SPECIAL FEATURE

73 JASON MRAZ More than a pretty face

74 DRAKE’S LEAT

HOMES & GARDENS

Marvel on the moor

52 2015 TRENDS

Our most romantic locations

New looks for your home

54 GORGEOUS BEDS Our pick of the top models

56 BEAUTIFUL BED LINEN Dress your bed

58 BIRDWATCH The visitors to your garden

76 THE VIEW 78 MARTIN FREEMAN A gent’s guide to love

79 SOCIAL DIARY Out and about in Plymouth

80 TOP 6 EVENTS What to do this month Out and about in Plymouth

60 GARDENING TIPS What to do this month

FOOD & DRINK 62 TIGERMILK Cocktails with passion

64 THE FOOD OF LOVE Recipes for your Valentine

68 APHRODISIACS Food for thought

69 ROMANTIC VENUES PUBLISHER: Paul Burton 01752 293045 ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Fiona Stoddart THE HERALD: 01752 293000 For more contact details see page 82

Where to take your Valentine

27/01/2015 09:42:18

Modern romance

elcome to our special love edition of PL Magazine. With St Valentine’s Day falling neatly in the middle of the month, our thoughts turn to love, romance and even proposals of marriage. So this month’s lead feature takes a look at some of those who went the extra mile when looking for a location to pop the question. From the top of a Dartmoor tor to writing a message in the sand and creating a flash mob in the city centre, there is no limit to the imagination of some of our city’s true romantics. For this month’s fashion shoot we were spoilt for choice for stunning locations but it didn’t take long to narrow it down to Plymouth Hoe. The incredible view from Rhodes@TheDome is enough to make the hardest heart melt. We’ve also lined up our other most romantic locations in the city, the best restaurants for your Valentine’s dinner and the perfect locations to host your wedding ceremony. Top that with our guides to Valentine’s gifts, jewellery, beds and bedding and our Love edition is almost complete. But the icing on the wedding cake has to be Martin Freeman’s fantastic interview with singing sensation Katherine Jenkins. Beautiful, talented Katherine is newly married and talks about her love for life and music and her hopes for the future. Food, as ever, features strongly in this edition of PL and we have a full guide to recipes to win your Valentine’s heart. We have a cheeky feature on aphrodisiacs and we visit Plymouth’s coolest cocktail bar Tigermilk. So read on because I guarantee there is something in this edition to bring out the romantic in everyone!

Clare Jardine

Clare Jardine – PL Magazine

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PEOPLE

EMILY SMITH MEETS SOME OF THE COUPLES PREPARING TO TIE THE KNOT IN THE WAKE OF INCREDIBLY ROMANTIC PROPOSALS

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Alysia and Scott The subtle and quiet proposal isn’t always the one that works. City shop manager Alysia Gimblett was sitting outside Americano in the centre of Plymouth when a busker asked if he could sing to her. She agreed and he fired up his guitar for a version of Marry You by Bruno Mars. As the song continued more and more musicians and singers turned up and joined in until Alysia was being serenaded by an entire choir and band.

lymouth is surrounded by romantic locations so there’s no lack of beautiful places in which to pop the question. Whether you want the backdrop of Plymouth Sound or the old cobbled streets of The Barbican, perhaps even the rolling hills of Dartmoor – there really is somewhere for everyone. But getting it right could be make or break for a future bride and groom so it’s vital to ask “will you?” in style. It seems plenty of people in Plymouth know how to do just that.

! happy

The last to arrive was Alysia’s partner, Scott, who dropped to one knee and offered her a ring. “I was walking through town one day and saw this busker, I thought he was pretty good and he said he’d love to help. “We have got a few musical friends, I thought it would be cool if they could get involved, too,” Scott says. Scott spent three months planning the big moment. He said: “It was really full-on; getting commitments from people, setting up rehearsals, visiting the location, finding out how best to do it.”

Russ and Jade Romantic Russ Martin proposed to his future wife, 22-year-old Jade Macrae-Tod, after leading her from their home to the top of a Tor close to Moorhaven, near Ivybridge. Jade returned home from a day with friends to hear the couple’s song - David Gray’s This Year’s Love - playing. There were roses and lanterns scattered around their home. She admits that as she started the walk she knew something was going on. “I walked

through the door at about 5.30pm and saw the candles and heard our song playing in the background. “I had to follow about 30 lanterns up to the moor. My first reaction was ‘Oh my God, he’s going to make me walk to the top of that Tor.’ It was quite sweet.” The couple are now planning their big day and have Pentillie Castle booked for the celebrations in December.

We’re engaged!

PL MAGAZINE | 6 | FEBRUARY 2015

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THE LOVE EDITION

Sara and Dominic Builder Dominic Smith discovered that proposing in a huge way was bound to end in a yes when he wrote ‘Will you marry me baby girl?’ in huge letters on a beach near Plymouth. Dominic’s dad and brother were also in on the act and sneaked out to write the words in the sand while the tide was out. “She saw the message and commented on how nice it was that someone had made the effort to propose with a message in the sand,”

Dominic said. “Sara initially did not think it was for her. But I got her to turn around and I went down on one knee to propose. “She was really shocked. Each letter was at least ten feet high. You could see it from a long way out and all along the cliff-top walk. “Most of the family on both sides were in on the secret. Thankfully it worked.”

Can’t believe it!

Dan andRia Planning a proposal which ties in with your future partner’s favourite animal takes great time and precision to perfect, as one Plymouth man was to find out.

to say wrap up warm, we’re going for a romantic walk.

Dan Gillings proposed to his future wife Ria after copying the ritual of a penguin Ria’s favourite animal.

“When we got to the beach he said: ‘Let’s skim stones’. Then he picked up the one with the ring in and said ‘look at this one.’

He said: “Ria is a big fan of penguins and penguins give their soulmate a pebble after spending ages trying to find exactly the right one. I went online and found a crystal which I put the ring in and put it back together.”

“When I picked it up it was upside down and the ring started rolling down the beach. It was dark, too, so I didn’t really know what was going on. It was so sweet, though, and he put so much thought into it. It was perfect.”

Not only was this a huge romantic gesture but it also took place on Christmas Day, even the rain and the diminishing light couldn’t dampen Ria’s spirits.

fect r e p s It wa

“I think that was the first day Dan has ever used the word romantic,” she laughs.

Ria is expecting her first baby in April and will be getting married in May next year, the day of their seven-year anniversary.

Ria said: “We weren’t living together at the time and Dan texted me on Christmas Day

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PEOPLE

The nation’s singing sweetheart SUPERSTAR KATHERINE JENKINS TELLS MARTIN FREEMAN ABOUT A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO BALANCING WORK AND MARRIED LIFE, AHEAD OF HER PLYMOUTH DATE

londe, beautiful, talented, rich and, unfortunately, taken. Classical-crossover singer Katherine Jenkins broke as many male hearts as she has smashed entertainment industry records when she married American artist and actor-director Andrew Levitas last year. There has been talk of a family to come. But for now she is focused on juggling work with married life. “It has been hectic for the last two or three months,” the 34-year-old Welsh star says, sounding a little jaded. Katherine’s fans in Devon and Cornwall will be the beneficiaries, though. She reaches Plymouth Pavilions on February 20 on the Home Sweet Home tour, the same title as her new album, and laced with irony given that schedule. “I’ve only managed to get back home to Wales two or three times recently, with all the travelling I’ve been doing. “We both have to fit things around our work.” Katherine and Andrew managed to keep their relationship out of the limelight for months, and the expected media circus wasn’t as expected when they wed at Hampton Court Palace in September. The paparazzi and the gossip columnists were focused on the nuptials of George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin at the same time in Italy. Katherine is understandably cautious talking about her private life. She revealed in a BBC Wales documentary that she nearly left the

music business after a bad press. The tone of the attention she received after the break-up in 2011 with former fiancé, the television presenter Gethin Jones, was particularly hurtful, she told viewers. A couple of weeks after the split she had to go on tour with a programme that included the usual songs of love and heartbreak, while trying to cope with her inner turmoil. “Meanwhile everybody else is under the impression it was my decision, my ambition, I wanted to take over the world. “It was so far from the truth.” Now she is relishing the focus on her voice and her songs. “The main thing is the singing,” she told PL magazine. “The Home Sweet Home Tour and album are a theme, a reflection, going back to the early albums. “When I was writing the programme I asked fans on Twitter what they wanted to hear and they came up with things like Hallelujah, Angel and the Godfather (theme) and some classical stuff from the other albums. “That is what I love about the show: the connection with the audience. Everybody is incredibly supportive. “I can have a little bit of a banter with the audience and if there is a special occasion I might make a dedication. “I used to get nervous about that sort of thing. After I sang at Wembley early in my career in front of 74,000 people, that cured me of nerves.” Katherine comes across just as warm and relaxed off stage, with no hint of the diva. There is an ordinariness about her, the air of somebody who, despite being pitched into the limelight in her early 20s (when she sang at Westminster Cathedral in honour of Pope John Paul II’s silver jubilee) has always had a life elsewhere. PL MAGAZINE | 10 | FEBRUARY 2015

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PEOPLE

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PEOPLE

Once attention came Katherine’s way, her voice and looks always seemed to certain to sustain her through a crossover career. The mezzo-soprano trained at the Royal Academy of Music, then taught singing and worked as a model. When fame arrived, it was meteoric. Debut album Premiere made her the fastest-selling mezzo-soprano ever and six of her seven LPs reached number one in the UK classical charts between 2004 and 2008, with total sales above four million. She became the first British classical-crossover artist to have two number one albums in the same year and is the first female artist to win two consecutive Classical Brits. Katherine earned the inevitable forces’ sweetheart tag after several concerts for British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and showed her versatility coming second in the US TV show Dancing with the Stars, in 2012. The flow of work shows no sign of decreasing, so perhaps one solution to the dilemma of balancing the job and married life would be to collaborate on a project with her husband. “I would love to do that and I am sure we will do at some time,” she says, brightly. “We are both very creative people. We would love that opportunity.” Katherine is at Plymouth Pavilions on Feburary 20.

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when bits and bobs become art FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS, LIFE FOR ONE PLYMOUTH ARTIST HAS BEEN A BIT OF A ROLLERCOASTER. EMILY SMITH MEETS SHERON KING AT HER BEAUTIFUL HOME AND STUDIO ON THE EDGE OF THE MOORS

ars of buttons and boxes full of material decorate Sheron King’s home from where she runs the Mad Hatters Studio. Creativity has always been at the heart of Sheron’s life but after a difficult time at home, she decided to go wild and launch her own business. Mad Hatters was an idea born a little over a year ago. Sheron had never run her own business - but after a difficult time and finding herself a single parent, she launched right into it. The mum-oftwo is running the business part-time while also working as a supportive living worker and for a craft company to help “pay the bills”. On the outskirts of the Newnham Estate surrounded by the moors and a short distance from the city centre, Sheron offers weekend craft workshops, hen parties, children’s birthday parties and master classes with renowned artists. Recycling and upcycling is a key theme running throughout all of Sheron’s creations - to the point that she even saves the off-cuts from her sewing machine. She said: “When I think back I have always been a collector and doing an MA makes you think why you do what you do. I see potential in lots of things and, while I might not do anything with them, I don’t like to throw things away. “I go to charity shops sometimes for a bit of therapy, otherwise I could end up working 24 hours and never doing anything fun.” Sheron was encouraged to take on a graduate degree by career advisors when she came to a point in her life where she wanted to turn a new leaf. “When you go through difficult things in life, it makes you want to try something new. I went on to do my degree in 3D design at Plymouth University. Then someone suggested doing a masters – I never thought I could.” Sheron completed her MA in Contemporary Design in 2013. But it was after an inspirational

SOME OF SHERON’S INTRICATE PIECES

visit to Cowslip in Launceston that she decided she could do something similar in her own home. “I’ve always been creative but it wasn’t until I did textiles when my children were younger, that I released this is what makes me buzz. As time went on I become more interested in caring for the environment and making a bit of a statement. “It’s become more of a passion thing,” she said. Sheron’s creations include bottle tops made into brooches, earrings beautifully crafted with old scraps of material and some vintage paper found in a skip is the centrepiece for angels and flowers. On the high end of the market she designs jewellery made from an unusual combination of textiles and individually handmade ceramic beads. These are exhibited through galleries and open studio events. Sheron is also a member of the Drawn to the Valley group of artists. She said: “My work is centred around objects

or things that I collect – like buttons - I find them really fascinating. They could so easily be discarded but I save them and use them, re-celebrate them or reinvent them in a different way.” Sheron also creates ceramics from her studio - a skill she learnt whilst studying for her masters. “I hadn’t worked on ceramics before. It’s not really upcycling or recycling but my thing is when I fire, I only fire from green – I don’t do multiple firings so that’s my way of saving energy.” The mum-of-two admits her home is eccentric. Her kitchen cupboards are bright pink and bunting decorates the hallway. But through all of her work, Sheron remains conscious of the environment and saving every little piece of material she can. Sheron said: “I was chatting with my son and we were going over names and Mad Hatters was one of the names that I thought kind of reflected

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SHERON KING

my quirky, eclectic style. “But it’s nothing to do with hats – although I probably could teach people how to make felt hats or something.” Sheron hopes that one day Mad Hatters will be her full-time job but for the minute she believes what she offers is filling a gap in the market. She hopes the children’s parties will kick off this year and is constantly collecting for new projects. She said: “I have loads of old embroidery pieces and some of them are quite damaged, What I would really like to do is bring pieces together and layer them up and make a beautiful piece from them. “I have loads of ideas but it’s just finding the time to do it. “So when my business is making an absolute fortune I can find some time to do it – in my dreams!”

‘I thought Mad Hatters refLected my quirky, eclectic style but it’s nothing to do with hats’ - SHERON KING

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PEOPLE

365 days of the year PETER DAVEY, ARTS CO-ORDINATOR AT PCQ ARTS, TOOK PHOTOS OF PLYMOUTH EVERY DAY FOR A YEAR. RACHAEL DODD SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

aking a photo every day in the same city might sound easy but Peter Davey quickly discovered there was a huge drawback to his project. “It dawned on me that I couldn’t leave the city for a year! I couldn’t even leave for a day without rushing back. It was interesting because it forced me to be in one place with one subject and create something from it.” Restricting yourself to encourage creativity is a theme that runs strongly through what Peter is calling the 365 Project. When it comes to photography Peter says less is more: “I wanted to create a project that would be interesting and make me more disciplined in my field of work. Going out and taking 20 photos a day won’t develop you. If you really limit yourself and choose one particular image that day it helps you develop your art form.” Peter had a few rules to maintain the disciplined nature of his project: “It had to be based in Plymouth. It didn’t matter what type of technology I used or whether it was portrait or landscape as long as it was in the city. “The other rule was that the photo had to be taken while I was going out and about. That in itself was quite difficult because sometimes nothing really catches the eye. I’m always looking for an image; I’m quite a visual person. “I had moments when I had no idea what I was going to shoot that day but I learnt to allow that organic process to happen. “I never went out specifically to take a photograph – everything you see is where I was.” Peter’s project combines many different kinds of camera to show how accessible photography can be: “I’ve used everything from SLR to pocket cameras to mobile phones. The whole point was not to be hung up on the technology side of it - a good quarter of the photos are taken from a mobile phone.

XXX

PETER’S IMAGES SHOW VARIOUS PEOPLE AND PLACES AROUND PLYMOUTH

“There are a couple of pictures I hate but it’s part of the process. As a whole body of work I’ll never be satisfied with it but I think that’s an artistic thing. I’m never totally happy with my work and I don’t think you can be. It helps develop you as an artist.” Most artists would stop at this point and display their work for public consumption but Peter’s not done yet. The images will be handed over to a trio of talented Plymouth artists. Photographer and filmmaker Jonathan Broks will be adding a sound palette to accompany the images which he’ll then be turning into a film with the help of Dom Marcellus-Temple and his wife and fellow artist Gabi Marcellus-Temple, who is providing

a narrative formed out of the comments people have left about Peter’s photos on social media. The idea of letting other people form an opinion on his work without any outside influences was important to Peter and he refused to reply to any comments he received to make sure people made up their own minds. “People can be led instead of forming their own thoughts,” said Peter. “I think that’s a big part of our culture, to be told how to think, and it’s more interesting if people think for themselves. You want an emotional response whether it’s hate or love it’s still a reaction.” The exhibition will be ready by next summer with plans to take it to Europe as well as being displayed in Plymouth.

PL MAGAZINE | 16 | FEBRUARY 2015

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A SELECTION OF PETER’S IMAGES THROUGH THE YEAR Summertime Blues - Teresa Pemberton

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FASHION

H WATTS FLORIST, ORESTON CELEBRATION BALLOONS FOR HER: WALLIS, DRAKE SHOPPING CENTRE FOR HIM: HAWKES, MAYFLOWER STREET HAIR: LISE NIELSEN AND DANIEL CRADDOCK AT UTOPIA MAKE UP: STEPH DAVIS AT UTOPIA MODELS: DEMI ALGATE AND TREVE STEVENS SHOOT STYLIST: LOUISE DANIEL PHOTOGRAPHER: JOHN ALLEN LOCATION: RHODES@DOME COCKTAILS BY AIDEN BRINKHURST PL MAGAZINE | 18 | FEBRUARY 2015

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A modern romance

ith spring just around the corner, there is nowhere better to spend a romantic St Valentine’s weekend than on Plymouth Hoe. Our photoshoot, in and around Rhodes@Dome, features contemporary styles

which set the tone for the season ahead. Forget about St Valentine’s date clichés - relax into cosy knits and bold stripes; combine clean lines with dazzling statement jewellery; cuddle up on windy walks and revel in romantic meetings.

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Best buys!

Best buy s!

THE LOVE EDITION

1. GWENETH PLU NGE BRA PINK AND MAUVE 32C - 36E, £30 W ITH BRIEF 6 - 16, £16, BOUX AVENUE 2. HENRIETTA BANDEAU 32B - 34E, £30 WITH SHOR T 6 - 16, £16, BOUX AVENUE 3. TAMARA LACE POWDER BLUE AND IVORY 32B - 34F, £30 WITH THONG 6 - 16, £14, BOUX AVEN UE

Lingerie to love LOOK AND FEEL FABULOUS WITH PL’S PICK OF THE MOST GORGEOUS UNDIES ON SALE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

4. PRESENCE CAMI AND KNICKERS SET, £20, DEBENHAMS

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5. COPPER TAN TEDDY, £59, MARKS & SPENCER 6. BASQUE, REGAR BY JANET REGAR, DEBENHAMS, £55 PL MAGAZINE | 22 | FEBRUARY 2015

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DRAKE CIRCUS, PLYMOUTH

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

1.ROB ROBINS AT WORK IN THE STUDIO 2. THE SECOND AND THIRD STAGE OF A CAD-DESIGNED RING SHOWING THE GREEN WAX RING WHICH GOES ON TO MAKE THE CASTING 3. A CAD-DESIGNED RING

The gift of love to last a lifetime LOVE IS IN THE AIR THIS MONTH BUT FINDING A UNIQUE GIFT TO ENSURE YOU STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD IS NO MEAN FEAT

orget chocolates and flowers, if you really want to shine this Valentine’s Day remember it’s jewels that are a girl’s best friend. Creating the ‘wow’ factor you get with a bespoke piece of jewellery is the ethos behind Robins & Moore Goldsmiths in Plymouth’s Independent Quarter. From ‘upcycling’ family heirlooms and giving them a new lease of life, to handcrafting one-off pieces that ooze style and sophistication, it’s all in a day’s work for the family-run firm. Launched in 1988 by Ray Robins and Alan Moore, the company is run with their respective sons, Rob and Carl, bringing 80 years of experience under one roof. Rob said: “We are a family business and very hands on. You’ll usually find at least one of us behind the counter so customers can speak to the organ-grinder!” In addition to traditional handmade

jewellery, Robins & Moore has embraced cutting-edge technology to enhance the design process and cut costs. CAD (Computer Aided Design) enables customers to see their jewels in 3D and make changes before it becomes a reality. Rob said: “With CAD we don’t have to outsource the manufacturing work any more so what used to take weeks now takes just days, and also cuts costs. “Once we’ve made a piece the mould is forgotten so it’s totally unique. That brings in the personal touch. “We’re a business that is moving with the times but still not forgetting where everything started with traditional handmade jewellery.” Repairing or ‘upcycling’ sentimental jewellery is another great idea for Valentine’s Day. “We can bring jewellery back to life,” said Carl. “We can create handmade items from old jewellery that can mean the world, but without

spending a fortune. Customers may have their own gold which a relative gave to them and it’s my job is to create a new gem. “For a customer to trust us with jewellery that once belonged to their late mother or grandmother, is a big thing. We take care of every piece of jewellery and we make sure it is done to their satisfaction. It could be the only thing they have left of them and could be worth so much more to them sentimentally than the actual weight value. We’ve had people crying with pleasure because something has been given a new lease of life.” Rob added: “At the end of the day we are transforming jewellery into something very special that is going to last forever and can be passed down to future generations.” YOU CAN FIND ROBINS & MOORE AT 131 CORNWALL STREET AND AVENUE 3, CITY MARKET.

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Beautifully bespoke jewellery As individual as you are

ROBINS & MOORE GOLDSMITHS Est.1989

Lifetime Guarantee 131 Cornwall Street & Avenue 3 City Market Plymouth Tel: 01752 229319

www.robinsmoore.co.uk

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FASHION

Rose gold and diamond pendant and chain £1,750, MICHAEL SPIERS

18ct white gold 1.08ct giamond cluster ring £3950, WRAY & CO Le Vian 14ct gold diamond & ceylon sapphire cluster ring, £650, ERNEST JONES

Let your love shine NOTHING SAYS I LOVE YOU QUITE LIKE A PIECE OF BEAUTIFUL JEWELLERY. HERE’S PL’S PICK OF THE MOST IRRESISTIBLE ITEMS AVAILABLE IN PLYMOUTH THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

Diamond solitaire ring, £695, MICHAEL SPIERS

“Valentine’s Day is a very special day on the calendar for couples whether engaged, married or just dating. It gives the opportunity to express the love they feel towards their partner – something they probably don’t do enough of throughout the year!”

- ADAM SPIERS, THE COMPANY DIRECTOR OF MICHAEL SPIERS JEWELLERS

Ruby and diamond pendant and chain £1,750, MICHAEL SPIERS

Emerald cut diamond solitaire from £795, MICHAEL SPIERS

Blue topaz and diamond ring £1,150, MICHAEL SPIERS

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THE LOVE EDITION Mastercut platinum & 0.28ct diamond fancy shoulder ring, £1,995, DRAKES

Drakes 9ct white gold, 0.40ct diamond heart pendant with chain, £795, DRAKES

‘ I love the moment when you see a gentleman staring nervously into our window at the display of sparkling engagement rings. There’s so much anticipation and I just love hearing about their proposal plans. It certainly is a time of year when ‘love is in the air’!

- ELAINE BAILEY, DRAKES

Clogau Eternal Love earrings, £270, DRAKES

Silver cubic zircon pendant, £50, ROBINS AND MOORE

Desire 18ct white gold, 0.16ct diamond 4 claw Ring, £850, DRAKES

Silver with 18ct gold drop earrings, £118, VICTORIA SEWART,

8ct tanzanite & diamond Ring £5300, ROBINS AND MOORE

Neil Lane 14ct white gold 1.15ct diamond cluster ring, £3299, ERNEST JONES PL MAGAZINE | 27 | FEBRUARY 2015

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Red satin hearts confetti, £3, Paperchase

Heart art, £12, Marks & Spencer

Cushion, £10, Sainsbury’s Home

Straight from the heart VALENTINE’S DAY USUALLY MEANS CHOCOLATE AND FLOWERS BUT THERE’S ALL MANNER OF IRRESISTIBLE GIFTS AVAILABLE FOR ROMANTICS

Love Heart Sweet Tree, From £16.95, cuckooland.com

Straight From the Heart, chocolates, £47, Hotel Chocolat

British Heart Foundation Radley Tote Bag. £10. Available from all Radley stores and radley.co.uk from February 1 (15% of the sale price will be donated to the BHF)

Silver-plated Champagne love flutes, £64.95, cukooland.com

Set of two pillow cases, from £16.99 www. lovepillowcases.co.uk

By Sainsbury’s Picnic Hamper, £10, Sainsbury’s Home Dusting stencils, Marks & Spencer, £6 PL MAGAZINE | 28 | FEBRUARY 2015

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Heart felt mat, £9.50 and heart felt coasters, £5, both set of 4, Marks & Spencer

HEARTSWELL CARDIAC SUPPORT GROUP If you or any members of your family have a heart related problem and feel that you would like to meet others going through similar issues to you why not join our support group? DROP IN FOR A CHAT

Meetings are held on The frst Tuesday of every month 6:00pm - 7:30pm at The Lounge, Derriford Health & Leisure Centre, Derriford Road, Plymouth PL6 8DH Free parking available in car park C at the Leisure Centre

EVERYONE WELCOME!

For more information, call Rachel Rainbird on 01752 315929 Monday - Thursday

©LW

Heart design tea towels, set of 3, Marks & Spencer, £15

The group is formed to give patients, partners, family members support and strength to move forward together, rather than on your own. There will be a varied programme of speakers throughout the year.

www.heartswell.org.uk

♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥♥♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

♥♥

it es Vis vic st er Fir ff S O

♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

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♥ Hair • Barbering • Beauty • Nails

♥

Valentine’s Pamper Packages Gift Vouchers Blue Beards Revenge Gifts & Products

♥

Bless this home art print, The Wise House, £20

1 Elizabeth Court, Whimple Street, Plymouth, PL1 2DH 01752 202122 GHQ Salon & Barber Shop

@GHQsalon ©LW

PL MAGAZINE | 29 | FEBRUARY 2015

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

BODY BOOSTERS If you’re looking for a foolproof way to reset your body clock, an ice cold predawn shower will more than do the trick. Not keen? Don’t blame you. Just as effective, but less violently bracing, a zesty shower gel will awaken your senses with the power of scent, rather than a sudden drop in body temperature. From the makers of L’Occitane, Le Couvent de Minimes is a range of similarly Francophilic bath and body products. The delightfully named Botanical Cologne Of The Morning and awakening Shower Dew duo are

LE COUVENT DE MINIMES BOTANICAL RECIPE OF THE MORNING SHOWER DEW AND BOTANICAL COLOGNE OF THE MORNING

scented with basil, orange and lemon the combination’s deliciously refreshing and comforting at the same time. Elemis Revitalise Me Shower Gel follows a fruit and herb-infused recipe, too, packed with thyme, lime and mandarin essential oils. :: Le Couvent de Minimes Botanical Recipe Of The Morning Shower Dew, £7, and Botanical Cologne Of The Morning, £19 (www.boots.com) :: Elemis Revitalise Me Shower Gel, £18 (www.debenhams.com)

GIVE YOUR BEAUTY REGIME A VALENTINE’S PICK-UP ELEMIS REVITALISE ME SHOWER GEL

IN LIKE A LION, OUT LIKE A LAMB...FEBRUARY IS A MONTH WHICH STARTS HARSH AD COLD BUT ALSO HERALDS THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING. SO HERE’S PL’S PRESCRIPTION FOR YOUR SKIN’S POSTWINTER REJUVENATION

EYE-OPENERS Often a barometer for how well you’ve slept, eyes not only reveal tiredness to the outside world, they’re the place you feel it most, so it makes sense to focus your revitalising efforts on your peepers. A cooling make-up remover, like Ioma’s gel formula, instantly freshens the eye area. Follow with an intensive eye cream that goes to work on puffiness and dark circles. Aveda’s new Botanical Kinetics range uses soothing liquorice root extract and Brazilian Cupuacu Butter to deeply hydrate. The final step to complete your eye-opening transformation is an eyebrow pencil, but not just for its brow-defining properties. Pur Minerals Wake Up Brow features the genius addition of a pale pink eye pencil at the other end, to be applied on the waterline, counteracting redness and making you look bright-eyed, even when you feel anything but. :: Ioma Fresh Gel Eye Makeup Remover, £20 (www.boots.com) :: Aveda Botanical Kinetics Energizing Eye Creme, £28 (www.aveda.co.uk) :: Pur Minerals Wake Up Brow, £14 (available late January; www.marksandspencer. com)

NANOKERATIN SYSTEM RE-VITALISE MASK

HAIR RAISERS

IOMA FRESH GEL EYE MAKEUP REMOVER AVEDA BOTANICAL KINETICS ENERGIZING EYE CREME

PUR MINERALS WAKE UP BROW

It’s not just your complexion that can look and feel ravaged by tiredness; lacklustre locks are par for the course,too. So when you’re doing your weekly face mask, give your tresses some TLC as well. Heavy-duty in every sense of the word, Nanokeratin System Re-Vitalise Mask comes in a hefty tub and contains pure keratin and castor oil to provide ultra-conditioning effects. Three minutes is all you need to feel the benefits. Phyto’s Phytopolleine Botanical Scalp Stimulant goes to the root cause of limp hair, delivering refreshing essential oils where they’re needed most. Apply bit by bit across your scalp, massage in and leave for 20 minutes before shampooing out. If split-ends are a problem, coat the ends of your hair in a moisturising mask at the same time. :: Nanokeratin System Re-Vitalise Mask, £57.29 (store.toniandguy.com) :: Phyto Phytopolleine Botanical Scalp Stimulant, £24.50 (LookFantastic.com)

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SKIN SAVIOURS

BRYT BOOST SERUM

Unless you’re jetting off to the slopes or on a mid-winter escape somewhere south of the equator, you’re currently smack bang in the middle of the worst time of the year complexion-wise, when our sundeprived skin is crying out for help. Confront this winter war with a pair of rejuvenating heroes. A once-a-week deep cleanse mask is essential, to promote cell regeneration under the surface. Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask is a traditional clay formula, featuring astringent extracts and moisturising oils. Before you moisturise, massage in a few drops of energising serum. Lulu’s Time Bomb Complexion Cocktail includes vitamin B12 to help improve circulation, while Bryt Boost Serum is a super-hydrating oil that’s best left to soak in overnight - think of it like a phone charger for your face. :: Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask, £19.50 (www.trilogyproducts.com) :: Lulu’s Time Bomb 2 Piece Refresh Recharge & Moisturise Collection, £35 (www.qvcuk.com) :: Bryt Boost Serum, £20, (www. brytskincare.co.uk)

51 Houndiscombe Road, Mutley, Plymouth, PL4 6EX

Looking for a Valentine... Smile!

Before Treatment LULU’S TIME BOMB 2 PIECE REFRESH RECHARGE & MOISTURISE COLLECTION

One Week Later BUY IT NOW Chances are you’ve already tried Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream - one pot of the algae-infused moisturiser sells every 10 seconds in the UK. Now, to celebrate Elemis’ 25th anniversary, the hero cream has had a luxe makeover. The special Silver Edition, £99, comes with a pretty compact mirror, and proceeds will fund a £15,000 donation to support gynaecological cancer research.

CALL now for a FREE CONSULTATION, or book a 1 hour exam for £112 to fast track your treatment planning

www.johnmooredental.co.uk T: 01752 222625 E: info@mooredental.com

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN MARINE CREAM

PL MAGAZINE | 31 | FEBRUARY 2015

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

CAMERON DIAZ

VICTORIA BECKHAM

GWYNETH PALTROW

I’ll have what she’s having WITH THE PLETHORA OF WEIGHT LOSS BOOKS OUT THIS MONTH, JOURNALIST AND SERIAL SLIMMER REBECCA HARRINGTON TELLS HANNAH STEPHENSON ABOUT THE CELEBRITY DIETS SHE HAS FOLLOWED - AND WHY SO MANY OF THEM LEFT HER GAGGING

ookshelves are now groaning under lost back on again immediately afterwards. the weight of new diet books, as a raft Now, she has rustled up I’ll Have What She’s of celebrities offer advice on how to Having, a witty, tongue-in-cheek book which minimise those curves and reach so- charts her experiences of the weird and wonderful called physical perfection. celebrity diets she has followed and the effects Liz Earle’s telling us to juice, Davina McCall’s they had on her - a mix of fainting spells, spots banishing sugar, while TV presenter Anna and potential salmonella. Richardson uses psychology to help us master our “When you Google celebrities, you muffin tops, all in new books. get celebrity diets at the top of Every year, we gorge on advice the page. Almost everyone from the rich and famous, famous provides an from Gwyneth Paltrow and eating plan, so it Cameron Diaz to Victoria was an easy one to Beckham and Miranda follow,” says the Kerr, as to how we journalist and can achieve their author. enviable physiques. “I think Serial dieter, New that Gwyneth Yorker Rebecca Paltrow’s diet Harrington has tried is a really good them all, from the one, if you’re weird concoctions a millionaire, Elizabeth Taylor would because all the REBECCA HARRINGTON consume to retain her ingredients cost so hourglass figure, to the ‘sea much, but a lot of the vegetables’ Madonna existed on older celebrities followed and the ‘salt water flush’ she used to regimes that were really gross. channel her inner Beyonce. In many cases, dieting is just making Today, Harrington, 29, is the same size she has normal food disgusting.” been for a while - she won’t reveal her weight or She cites the late Hollywood star Elizabeth her dress size - but she stresses that with every Taylor, who would take a potentially delicious celebrity diet she’s tried, she put any weight she fillet steak and place it on a piece of bread

‘I think that Gwyneth Paltrow’s diet is a really good one, if you’re a millionaire, because all the ingredients cost so much’ -

slathered with peanut butter. Harrington tried it but couldn’t eat the concoction, despite being starving hungry. “The steak’s juices mix with the peanut butter in an unappealing, oily way. I have three bites then throw the rest out,” she recalls. Legendary Thirties actress Greta Garbo dieted throughout her life, loved fad diets and was a great follower of self-styled ‘doctor of natural science’ Gayelord Hauser, nutritionist to the stars. Harrington found her regime strange, to say the least. “Some publications even speculated that the two were having an affair based around their shared love of disgusting food,” Harrington observes. She tried to follow Hauser’s principals - he believed that if you fuel your body with ‘wonder foods’, such as brewer’s yeast, wheat germ and molasses, you would live to be 100. But finding edible yeast in the shops was difficult, although she found some in a health food store which she could sprinkle on cereal. “Dinner was terrible, based on Hauser’s meal for Garbo the first night he met her - a veggie burger consisting of wild rice and chopped hazelnuts, mixed with an egg and fried in soybean oil, plus a dessert of broiled grapefruit with molasses in the centre.” Harrington recalls that the veggie burger tasted predominantly of eggs, the hazelnuts were an unpleasant surprise and the grapefruit dessert tasted medicinal.

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REBECCA HARRINGTON

GIVE YOUR SKIN A BEETOX PL DISCOVERS A NATURAL PRODUCT TO REJEUVENATE YOUR SKIN

She says she gained wait on Cameron Diaz’s diet, because it was more about bodybuilding than shedding pounds, but that on Beyonce’s diet, she lost about 10lbs in 10 days. “The problem is, you have to exercise for two hours a day, and I just couldn’t fit that in and sustain it,” she recalls. She followed Beyonce’s ‘Master Cleanse’, which involved consuming only lemonade made out of cayenne pepper, lemons and grade-B maple syrup nine times a day. No food allowed. “You also have to consume something called the ‘salt water flush’ [salt water that you drink while looking at yourself in the mirror], which is supposed to help your digestive tract.” Among the worst of the diets was that adopted by Marilyn Monroe, Harrington reflects. “That diet made you feel so bad because it was almost all cream. She was clearly a drug addict. She ate raw eggs for breakfast every day. I thought I might get salmonella. Then, after a meal she’d have hot fudge sundaes.” In contrast, Victoria Beckham’s ‘Five Hands’ diet - where you eat only five handfuls of food a day and then declare yourself full - was a lesson in abstinence. She started the first day with two eggs - small ones, as they had to fit into her palm. “I realise how little a palm actually holds,” she notes. “I do not have the self-control of Victoria. I didn’t have a fruit plate instead of a cake for my

birthday, like she did in 2012.” Learning from one of Beckham’s autobiographies that she wears fake nails, Harrington considered following suit. “In my most desperate moment on the Five Hands diet, I considered getting very long fake nails like Howard Hughes, just so my hand would be slightly longer and therefore able to accommodate more food. And then I remembered that this is really the palm diet. Nails don’t matter. And I sobbed on the street.” In fact, she admits: “I wanted to die by the end of that diet. I felt constantly hungry.” So what is her overall verdict? Are celebrity diets best avoided all together? “In some ways, the best thing you can do is to approach these diets moderately - take a hybrid approach to them,” she says. “I definitely pay more attention to what I put in my mouth, but dieting is so regimented, it’s sad. Yet there’s this odd hopefulness to it,” she adds. She says that on most of the diets, she did lose weight, but gained it back almost immediately after eating a slice of pizza. “I think the main thing I realised is how terribly hard it is to be an ‘ideal’ woman at any time in history,” Harrington concludes with a sigh. I’LL HAVE WHAT SHE’S HAVING BY REBECCA HARRINGTON IS PUBLISHED BY VIRAGO, PRICED £8.99. AVAILABLE NOW

Winter weather can play havoc with our complexion so why not start the New Year with a skin care detox - and go natural? While honey has been recognised for its healing qualities for centuries, Manuka Honey has taken the beauty industry by storm for its unique antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The Honey Collection is a range of luxurious natural beauty creams, which blend Active UMF Manuka Honey with plant extracts, and has been approved by BioGro as meeting internationally recognised standards. Sold by Devon-based family firm The Honey Doctor, the range includes everything for headto-toe skin care from exfoliants and moisturisers to hand creams and lip balms – all 100 per cent natural and not tested on animals. One of the latest creams in the collection is Natural Beetox, containing the hottest natural antiageing product - bee venom. Described as nature’s answer to botox, bee venom is the hive of beauty gossip with celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow, Kylie Minogue and Kate Middleton among its fans. The cream, which can create a natural tingling sensation on application, combined with the powerful active ingredients of UMF 12+ Manuka Honey, helps to smooth, soften and tighten the skin. The Honey Doctor has joined forces with PL Magazine to help one lucky reader kick-start their natural beauty regime by giving away a Natural Beetox, worth £29.94. All you have to do is answer the following question: What is the name of the natural product described as ‘nature’s answer to botox’? Answer: a) candle wax, b) honeycomb c) bee venom. SEND YOUR ANSWERS BY MARCH 1, 2015 TO PL MAGAZINE, STUDIO 5-11, MILBAY ROAD, PLYMOUTH PL1 3LF USUAL COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. FOR FULL DETAILS SEE WWW.PLYMOUTHHERALD.CO.UK/HOUSERULES Natural Beetox, containing bee venom, the latest beauty craze among celebrities as nature’s answer to botox

PL MAGAZINE | 33 | FEBRUARY 2015

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The ultimate fitness challenge A TRIATHLON IS A RACE LIKE NO OTHER. EMILY SMITH MEETS THREE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE CHALLENGE OF THE GRUELLING SWIM, CYCLE AND RUN

eorge Prewett is a 29-year-old dadof-one from Plymouth who has taken part in three triathlons and has qualified to compete in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii this year. The Ironman is a test of pure strength and determination, putting people through their paces to complete the 140-mile race. George said: “I started running races about four years ago and got really into that – but it got a bit monotonous. “I was a lifeguard for four years so I knew I was good at swimming. “My dad had an old racing bike and said I could use that, so I just went for it and started training for triathlons.”

The triathlon-mad dockyard worker who completed his 20th in Ironman Wales last year is preparing for his huge challenge overseas in the next few months. George said: “I train every day now. I swim on a Monday, run on a Tuesday, then swim again on Wednesday and get on the bike on Thursday - then I repeat the routine. “Cycling is real high intensity on your body so the swimming days are my rest days. “In the Ironman Wales I had to do a sea swim of 2.4 miles, a 112-mile bike ride and then finish by running a marathon (26.2 miles). It took me ten hours. I was really happy with my result – it was the third Ironman I’ve taken on.” Preparing for a triathlon and getting through it is a real test mentally and physically. You have to be fit, healthy and have a good state of mind to cross the finish line. Exercising for ten hours is not something many of us would even attempt. So how do the athletes make sure they cross the finish line? “You do the swim first, as soon as you hit the bike you start eating. I eat for about three and a half hours - things like jam and honey sandwiches,” said George. “Two hours before you run you start eating things in liquid form this means you don’t get a stitch when you start running - it seems to work for me.”

en Holder is 44 and has just taken on Europe’s oldest triathlon in the Netherlands and gained a qualifying time for the European Long Distance Triathlon Championships this year in Weymouth. The Plymouth City Council employee loves setting himself the personal challenge of competing a triathlon. He says: “I find individual sports the most rewarding, you have direction to complete the challenge.” Training for a triathlon is no mean feat, you have to dedicate hours and make sure you head out whatever the weather. Running a marathon is one thing but swimming beforehand and jumping on a bike, is a whole new ball game altogether.

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TRIATHLON DISTANCES To accommodate all different skill levels, there are several different distances for triathlon races. Sprint distances vary from race to race, but the other distances are consistent with the lengths shown below

Ken says: “The long-distance triathlons involve so much training. My family are so supportive, they let me have space and time to myself. It’s hard juggling so much around - a full-time job and family. I train between 16-20 hours a week which has a big impact on my life. I swim before work and cycle and run when I get home. “I started running in my twenties and bike racing as an amateur, I was never a brilliant swimmer but took on my first triathlon in my late twenties - nothing too serious though. Three years ago I started going out training and really mastered the swimming aspect of a triathlon, then I set myself a 10-month training programme. “When you complete a long-distance triathlon you feel phenomenal - it’s a huge relief for all the pain that you have suffered through the marathon. I share the moment with my son and he crosses the finish line with me.” Thinking of trying it for yourself? The Plymouth Triathlon Club has coaches who offer advice to triathlon beginners. It can be an expensive sport to buy all the equipment, so don’t rush in and buy all the gear without training a few times beforehand. Decide what race you want to take part in - the Olympic, Half-Ironman or an Ironman - perhaps best to give a smaller one a go before you jump in to a full Ironman (not for the fainthearted). It’s a challenge many wouldn’t even dream of doing but for some, it’s the gruelling nature of it that they find so addictive.

elen Ralph is 54 and competes in a a number of triathlons every year. This is a huge achievement for the mum-of-two who had open heart surgery five years ago. Helen is a sports enthusiast, she exercises every day and loves being outdoors but although she suffered a huge health scare, she hasn’t let that hold her back. Helen said: “I joined the Tamar Trotters running club in Saltash and in 2005 I tried an Aquathlon – that was a swim and run event locally. I did that for maybe about two or three years and then decided in 2008 to try a triathlon. “After my surgery my heart surgeon said I should go back to sport. I think it was six

Name

Swim

Bike

Run

Sprint

0.5mi (750m)

12.4mi (20km)

3.1mi (5km)

Olympic / 5150

0.93mi (1.5km)

24.8mi (40km)

6.2mi (10km)

ITU Long

1.86mi (3km)

49.6mi (80km)

12.4mi (20km)

Half / 70.3

1.2mi (1.9km)

56mi (90km)

13.1mi (21.09km)

Full

2.4mi (3.8km)

112mi (180km)

26.2mi (42.195km)

weeks after that I went back in the gym which was seriously scary, because, in my head, there were doubts. “As things went on – I would go on the bike for ten minutes, I walked on the treadmill, and then gradually I sort of built up to my first run outside and then my first swim three months after that – I did my first triathlon five months later.” Since then Helen hasn’t stopped and plans to do at least four triathlons this year, as well as the London Marathon. “I do enter events so there is a goal to my training, I do enjoy all of it. I tend to struggle with the cycling but I see events as a celebration, all the training I have done has paid off and when I finish I really celebrate everything that I did to get there.”

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FAMILY

Education is more diverse than ever EDUCATION PLAYS A HUGELY IMPORTANT PART IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. SAM BLACKLEDGE SPOKE TO SOME OF THOSE ON THE FRONT LINE OF PLYMOUTH’S EDUCATION SYSTEM

ducation is no longer all about chalk on blackboards, dusty textbooks and classrooms full of bored kids. Plymouth has undertaken a huge push in recent years to boost practical skills through apprenticeships and on-the-job training. Phil Davies, principal of City College Plymouth, says the Plymouth Growth Board and Employment and Skills Board have helped to identify a number of priorities in this area, with a particular focus on ‘stem skills’ – science, mathematics, technology and engineering – to give teenagers the practical means to succeed in the world of work. “sixteen-year-olds have never had so much choice,” Mr Davies says. “One of the things we have seen in Plymouth over the last couple of years is a real alternative to schools opening up, with City College, UTC, the free school, the new studio school at the University of St Mark and St John. “We have got a really excellent range of vocational options available for 16-year-olds to compliment the traditional A-level offer. “Equally now we have got some fantastic citywide apprenticeship opportunities. People are realising they can earn and learn at the same time, and it offers them realistic career opportunities.” Mr Davies says there are several areas which city education leaders must focus on over the coming years. “We have clearly got to improve on the number of young people who are leaving school with good GCSE results,” he says. “We need to make sure we have got a good proportion of adults with the appropriate qualifications, and I think we have got to make some major inroads into the number of young

‘I am very optimistic. I think we will see raised standards’

people who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training). “The next 10 PETE NASH years is going to be critical. Apprenticeships are going to come to the fore, and that will help to ensure that we are providing young people with core skills and really driving entrepreneurship and innovation.” A-levels and GCSEs are set for another major overhaul in 2015. An elite new GCSE grade for the most outstanding students will be awarded only to the top one in five candidates who currently get A and A*, with the old A* to G system replaced with a new ‘1 to 9’ scale, 9 being the top grade. Ofqual says some current qualifications – like AS and A-levels in human biology and applied business – will be withdrawn to make way for new ones. Tristan Price, who is a teacher at Tor Bridge High in Estover, says staff across the city are attempting to come to terms with the impending changes.

“My general view is that schools are working desperately hard to deliver the standards of education that Plymouth needs,” Mr Price says. “Schools work together through ‘teach meets’ to share ideas, and I don’t know a teacher in Plymouth that doesn’t do at least a 55-hour week. “Like the rest of the country, teachers in Plymouth have to spend valuable time getting to grips with government policies, which may turn out to have some merits, but it takes away from time spent preparing and improving lessons.” Pete Nash, CEO of the Plymouth Association of Primary Heads, says the city’s unique identity and demographic brings its own challenges to education. “There are issues around attendance, underachievement and deprivation,” he says. “There are huge sociological barriers we need to overcome which were identified by the Fairness Commission. “We have got a Government, through Ofsted and the DfE, which is constantly raising the bar in terms of expectations and standards.” Mr Nash says the key issues for primary schools surround reading and writing and increasing class sizes, but he believes the city is well-equipped to cope.

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FAMILY

Children really are good for you ALTHOUGH RAISING A TODDLER IS HARD WORK, IT COULD BE BOOSTING YOUR HEALTH. LISA SALMON LOOKS AT THE HIDDEN HEALTH BENEFITS OF CARING FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

espairing parents trying to persuade their fussy toddlers to eat fruit and vegetables should try to look on the bright side their own diet and lifestyle may well be improving as a result. Research has found that three in five UK parents have transformed their own mealtime habits for the better in order to set a good example for their toddler. And it seems that the primary motivation for more than half of the parents was the fear that their unhealthy eating habits would rub off on their child. In addition, parenthood has prompted many mums and dads to change their lifestyle habits; 37 per cent of parents questioned by Growing Up Milk claim to have cut down on alcohol, and nearly a fifth say they eat less junk food. Almost one in 10 have completely given up smoking and even drinking alcohol. GP and registered nutritional therapist Dr Sarah Brewer points out that becoming a parent makes many mums and dads change their health choices.

“Having a child is great motivation when it comes to re-examining your values, priorities and lifestyle,” she says. “From both a personal and professional perspective, I’m aware that many parents decide to either stop or cut back on potentially harmful activities.” She says parents often become acutely aware of the effect their own unhealthy habits can have on their children’s health: smoking before, during and after pregnancy has a profound effect on child health, increasing the risk of sudden infant death, asthma and childhood cancer, she points out, while poor diet before, during and after pregnancy can have consequences for children’s long-term health. “Nutrition within the womb can even predict future risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke,” explains Dr Brewer, author of Planning A Baby - A Complete Guide To PreConceptual Care. Almost one in four mums and dads have cut down on takeaways and ready meals, according to the poll of 1,000 parents of children aged one

to three, while almost a third are now more likely to whip up fresh homemade meals than before having a toddler. Similarly, almost three in 10 are now more conscious of what they eat - more than two in five eat more fruit and vegetables and 22 per cent sit down to more salads. A quarter say they’re also more aware of the vitamin and nutrient content in food since having a child. “Healthy habits such as regular exercise are best promoted by example, so eating fruit and vegetables, walking or cycling rather than taking the car, and respect for alcohol can be instilled at an early age,” adds Dr Brewer. Almost four in five parents say that setting their toddler up with good nutritional habits is very important to them, and the survey found that mums spend 45 minutes a day preparing dinners for their toddlers. Nutritionist and mum Amanda Hamilton adds: “There’s sometimes a perception that parents of toddlers subsist on constant snacking

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interspersed with coffee shop stops. I’m delighted this survey reveals that there’s actually a much more positive dietary impact. It’s good to see that mums and dads are taking note of their child’s dietary needs, and it’s also encouraging that, as a result, their own diet is improving too.” Along with eating habits, during the first three years, parents also turn their attention to table manners, with almost a third (32 per cent) practising better table manners at mealtimes. Since having a toddler, almost a quarter of parents claim they’re more likely to eat their meals at the dinner table, and more than one in 10 have ditched TV dinners altogether. Tamsin Kelly, editor of the parenting website Parentdish.co.uk, agrees it’s no surprise that parents of toddlers have a healthier lifestyle and eat at the table more often, pointing out that when you’re a parent of a toddler, you need to plan food ahead in a way that perhaps you didn’t pre-children. “This lifestyle change is fuelled by a combination of wanting to set an example to toddlers who are sucking up information and eager to imitate their parents - eating balanced meals, enjoying fruit and veg, sitting down at the table together - and determination to be healthy and long-lived so we can enjoy our children for as long as possible.”

Are you looking for good quality Home Care in Plymouth? Are you not happy with your current care provider? Caremark can help you with care at home to maintain your independence and enjoy the life you want to lead. Please call us to arrange a free, no obligation assessment of your care needs.

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FAMILY

How to lead your teens into adulthood BRINGING CHILDREN UP ISN’T EASY - WHATEVER THEIR AGE. LISA SALMON SPEAKS TO ‘TEENOLOGIST’ SARAH NEWTON ABOUT HOW DEALING WITH TEENAGERS IS JUST AS HARD AS LOOKING AFTER A NEWBORN, BUT FOR VERY DIFFERENT REASONS

t’s hard looking after a new baby but many parents believe it just gets tougher as they get older. Research has found that more than half of parents find looking after a teenager harder than a newborn, and 60 per cent worry more about their teenager than they did when the child was a baby. The survey of 1,000 parents by the National Citizen Service (NCS), suggests part of what makes parenting a teenager so hard is the stark contrast between a baby’s dependence on them and a teen’s independence. Indeed, 58 per cent of the parents questioned admitted they were worried their teenagers’ future was out of their hands, and 45 per cent felt they had no influence over their teen’s decisions. Teenage parenting expert Sarah Newton, a mother of two teenage girls, suggests that when children are young the hard part is physically always having to be there, but when they’re teenagers, while parents don’t always have to be

physically present any more, their children need support, which can be mentally exhausting. “They don’t need you around so much, but mentally they become more difficult,” she says. “You worry about them more - have they done their homework, how will they do in their GCSEs, what university will they go to? It’s the amount of head space they take up which is different.” Newton, who has written books about teenagers and coaches them, points out that with younger children there are milestones that parents can measure their children’s development against, but as kids get older, there’s nothing to measure them by, except perhaps exam results, which are far from the whole picture. “Parents don’t tend to talk about the challenges they’re facing with teenagers, because they feel like they’re failing, but there’s nobody to guide you and tell you your child’s fine.” Newton suggests that while parents teach younger children, and manage pre-teens, they need to lead teenagers.

“Parents panic and they try to micro-manage their child instead of leading them. “Ask questions rather than giving them advice - it’s a really subtle shift, and very difficult to do.” Such a shift can include parents letting their children make mistakes, and Newton says she even had to let her daughter fail a maths exam for her to figure out that she needed to try harder. “It’s difficult,” she says. “Many parents are stepping in and doing too much for their teenagers, and they’re not resilient enough. But it’s very hard to get the right balance. “Parents and teenagers need to understand that failure and making mistakes is part of life.” More than a third of parents questioned in the NCS survey admitted they’ve wrapped their teenager in cotton wool, possibly in an attempt to protect them from making mistakes and failure. But Newton suggests that rather than stepping in to deal with situations teens get themselves into, parents should ask them what they want to do. “I think we’re not very good at trusting.” she

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says. “A lot of the things we hear about young people are so bad, and we’re led to believe our teenagers are going to do something bad, yet all the evidence shows that’s not true at all.” The NCS research showed that 52 per cent of parents think their teenager is growing up too fast. However, Newton says evidence shows today’s teens are having sex later, not drinking as much or taking as many drugs as previous generations. “I don’t think they are growing up any faster than in previous generations, it’s just something we’re led to believe,” she says. “Research shows that 70 per cent of teenagers listen to their parents, and certainly with the teenagers I work with, it’s actually more than that. Parents are hugely influential on their children. They’re listening when you think they’re not, and what we say and think is massively important to them, particularly when it comes to the opportunities they take.” NATIONAL CITIZEN SERVICE (NCS) IS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME, PARTRESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE FOR 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS WHICH TAKES PLACE THREE TIMES A YEAR IN SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. VISIT WWW. NCSYES.CO.UK

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THE LOVE EDITION

WEDDING FEATURE - VENUES

THE MOORLAND GARDEN HOTEL, NEAR YELVERTON The Moorland Garden Hotel lives up to its name with nine acres of gardens, an emerald green lawn, wildflower meadow and the wilds of Dartmoor complete with neighbouring ponies on its doorstep – offering the perfect romantic backdrop. Their beautiful, locally-made Rose Arbour within the gardens provides a dreamy, al fresco spot to say ‘I do’. The stunning Crystal Room, with chandeliers, ornate mirrors and sumptuous fabrics aplenty, is a unique setting for a wedding breakfast, complimented by award-winning food, and a friendly, helpful team. As a regional finalist for Best Countryside Wedding Venue in the 2015 Wedding Industry Awards, the Moorland Garden Hotel offers an idyllic setting to celebrate a wedding day in style.

Set the scene for your perfect day A ROMANTIC PROPOSAL SPARKS THE NEED FOR A TRULY PERFECTWEDDING VENUE. PL PICKS SOME OF THE DREAMIEST LOCATIONS TO CELEBRATE YOUR BIG DAY BORINGDON HALL HOTEL, PLYMPTON The landscaped grounds and parkland surrounding Boringdon Hall are a stunning backdrop to your wedding day. But this fascinating historic location doesn’t depend on good weather as the interior of the Elizabethan manor house is stunning and spacious. Boringdon Hall Hotel is close to churches in Plympton and Plymouth but is also licensed for those who want to hold the entire ceremony in one location. The Parker suite is a unique combination - with high arched ceiling, beautiful windows and exposed beams it still remains intimate and beautiful. Alternatively the ceremony can be held in a gazebo in the grounds.

BUCKLAND TOUTSAINTS HOTEL, KINGSBRIDGE The beautifully-formed period manor house Buckland Tout-Saints is set in four and a half acres of lavishly-planted and lovingly-kept grounds. The manor sits amidst chocolate-box South Hams countryside, providing the picture-

perfect backdrop to a wedding day. It’s easily one of the most beautiful venues to celebrate a wedding, be it basking on the terraces in the Devon summer sunshine or relaxing before a blazing fire in the winter. From the most intimate and informal gathering to the most lavish, the Buckland Tout-Saints wedding team can weave their magic to create a fairy tale setting.

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WEDDING FEATURE - VENUES

THE LOVE EDITION

EVER AFTER: A DARTMOOR WEDDING, GRENOFEN Ever After: A Dartmoor Wedding is tucked away down a meandering lane, in the heart of a hidden woodland valley festooned with ferns and wild flowers. It’s bordered by Dartmoor National Park, so this intimate idyll feels light years away from urban life, but in reality it’s only just outside of Tavistock and close to Plymouth. Founder Nicola said: “An Ever After wedding ensures a stylish, contemporary and completely personal twist and we’re certainly finding that our eco-luxe venue is delighting even the most discerning of wedding parties. “I’m a qualified wedding planner, obviously know the venue intimately and am here all the time to help couples plan their most extraordinary day. Ceremonies take place in the oak-framed barn and guests are free to roam the surrounding valley, terraces, deck and lawns for the most personal of receptions.”

PENTILLIE CASTLE, NEAR SALTASH No romantic venue list would be complete without Pentillie Castle - a picturesque, private estate on the Cornish banks of the River Tamar. A happy couple, who married at Pentillie in 2014, said: “From

the moment we came down the drive, Pentillie blew us away and it meant making the decision to choose our wedding venue very easy. “The ceremony in the bathing hut on the banks of the river was our favourite part of the day – it was so very memorable for a number of reasons, but probably

because there is nowhere like it. “All in all, we could not recommend Pentillie highly enough,” the couple continued, “from the unique setting, the attention to detail, the fact that Pentillie was ours exclusively from the moment we arrived, and they even managed to arrange perfect weather!”

DEVONPORT GUILDHALL, PLYMOUTH Devonport Guildhall offers wedding

KITLEY HOUSE, YEALMPTON Since becoming a hotel in 1996, awardwinning Kitley House has been one of the favourite wedding locations for couples in the Plymouth area. Set in 600 acres of unspoilt pasture and woodland, the hotel is wonderful location for the most important day of your life. It’s a stunning, versatile venue and celebrations can be held in the house or in a marquee in the beautiful, formal gardens. Thanks to a secluded location and intimate surroundings, Kitley is the ideal for larger and smaller wedding parties. The hotel is also licensed to conduct both Civil Ceremonies and Civil Partnerships, with the team on hand to help with every ascpect of your big day. Weddings are exclusive - meaning the entire hotel and grounds are yours for the entire day.

romance in spades. Aside from its impressive exterior, inside there’s more to admire; beautiful high ceilings, period features and an irresistible sense of space and light in the hall and ceremony rooms. In addition to the stunning Main Hall, the Guildhall’s front steps are the perfect place for photos - set against the Grade I listed building’s majestic regency architecture. And if the happy couple are seeking a secluded spot for themselves amidst the celebrations, then Devonport Column just next door provides that, too. They can organise a table for two with champagne and strawberries at the top of the column – 124 feet above street level with far-reaching views over the city, sound and moors – to drink in the first moments of wedded bliss.

THE HORN OF PLENTY, GULWORTHY Between Tavistock and Gunnislake lies the charming Georgian hotel The Horn of Plenty. Over the years the hotel has earned a reputation for superb cuisine (two AA rosettes), outstanding service, elegant surroundings and show-stopping views overlooking the Tamar Valley. This beautiful country house hotel is home to one of the South West’s top restaurants. They host a number of chefs’ weddings each year and are widely regarded as the region’s best wedding venue for foodies. PL MAGAZINE | 43 | FEBRUARY 2015

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WEDDINGS AT KITLEY

Complete Wedding Packages from only ÂŁ3995 Thanks to its secluded location and intimate surroundings Kitley is the ideal setting for such a special occasion. We are licensed to conduct both Civil Ceremonies and Civil Partnerships and our lovely setting is perfect for the most memorable of days. All of our weddings have exclusive use, making the entire hotel and grounds yours for the whole day!

01752 881555 info@kitleyhousehotel.com www.kitleyhousehotel.com Kitley House Hotel, Yealmpton, Nr Plymouth, Devon PL8 2NW

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WEDDING FEATURE

THE LOVE EDITION

WEDDING KISS

CLARE’S LITTLE GREEN VAN

A COUNTRY WEDDING

ONE OF CLARE’S WEDDING ALBUMS

Photographer and dreamer MOTHER, PHOTOGRAPHER, OWNER OF TWO BUSINESSES, DREAMER... CLARE KINCHIN TELLS EMILY SMITH WHY SHE JUST CAN’T SAY NO

efore Clare Kinchin was a photographer she was an air stewardess for Virgin Atlantic. Before that she went travelling and came back to the UK with no money. Now the owner of two businesses, she is settled in her Plymouth home. Clare left school at 16 and went to work in the airport, she saved money and decided to make a round-the-world trip. She says: “I came back because I ran out of money and it was really depressing – I hated it.” It was while she was away that she started taking photos and fell in love with her camera. But it wasn’t time to start a career in photography yet. She then worked for Virgin Atlantic for two years.

“While I was working for Virgin I would take these lovely pictures and I would show people on the trip and they would say ‘you really should do this’ and I thought ‘well, yeah I do this anyway – why shouldn’t I?’” It was back to college for Clare so she could study photography. After finishing her studies, she then moved back to the Westcountry and started working for a friend of a friend. “I started working for Janine Hall Photography. We just clicked and I became a 50/50 partner and we went from there really. It was really good fun. “We found the wedding business so fickle, though. When digital came in – everyone could take pictures.

“So we hit the London scene and that’s how we got all these stars’ weddings.” As I talk to Clare over a cup of tea at her beautiful wooden kitchen table I can tell she’s constantly thinking ‘what’s next?’. It was this personality trait that made her buy the beautifully vintage little, green van. She says: “I’ve always liked classic vehicles. I saw a van on the Barbican and I just got chatting to the guy who owns it and he said ‘oh, my friend’s selling one.’ I was like ‘oh right’. “He was in Ashburton and I was given his number. So literally that afternoon I drove to Ashburton and bought the van and drove it back’.” The Little Green Van took over and Clare left

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WEDDING FEATURE FLOWER GIRL

THE LOVE EDITION ON THE BEACH

A CANDID SHOT OF THE BRIDE AND BRIDESMAIDS

CLARE KINCHIN

Janine Hall and concentrated on her new venture. The Little Green Van can be anything from an icecream shop, coffee shop or gourmet curry house. “We do fetes, festivals, weddings, parties that type of thing. Lots of people hire it out for weddings, we do lots of ice cream, with sprinkles and things. It always looks really cute, it’s got bunting and deckchairs. “I can’t say no – that’s the problem. If someone says ‘can you cook curry?’, then I reply, ‘of course I can cook curry’. “My motto is: the answer is always yes – I just have to think about it.” Clare’s love for photography and photographing beautiful things took over and she had to set up her own business Clare Kinchin Photography in September last year. She predominately shoots weddings but she isn’t just another wedding photographer, she is a friend, a helping hand and an artist. The photographs are stunning and her final products even more so. Clare goes that extra mile and collects material -

fabric swatch from the dress, wedding invitations, speeches made in church, added buttons from the groom’s suit and sand from a beach wedding - and much more, to remind brides of every detail that made their special day. Clare likes to stand out. “I do go to wedding fairs and my stand is very different. I’ve got a little star and it’s all very vintage. I just try and look different to everyone else because everyone merges into one another else.” She explains what it’s like being tasked with the job of capturing someone’s special day. “Some people are easier than others to shoot. Some blink a lot but that’s why digital is amazing because you’re just firing all the time. I might shoot 2,500 images at a wedding. You would never be able to do that on film. “You just have to work with people, if they feel comfortable with you then they will be more relaxed. I don’t get people looking into the camera that often. “I’m an emotional wreck every Saturday – weddings are lovely.”

Clare’s eye for detail has meant that she has photographed Lord and Lady Chichester, lady Eliza’s wedding and Manchester City FC captain, Vincent Kompany. Although the down-to-earth Westcountry lass isn’t bothered by fame. “I wouldn’t say no to a celebrity wedding again in the future but a wedding is a wedding, it doesn’t matter who it is; perhaps the rocks a bit bigger and the dress is more expensive, but my weddings in Devon and Cornwall are just as beautiful and I get to come home at the end of my day to my lovely daughters Mia and Phoebe.” Although Clare knows exactly how to capture someone else in a photo, she herself hates being in front of the camera. “I feel really self-conscious. I’m just not used to it – if there are any photos to be taken then I take them – family events, friends. “I love snaps of me and my children. “The only two photographs of me I like were taken by a girl I met in India – I didn’t know she was taking them, she snapped them from afar.”

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WEDDING FEATURE - FLOWERS

Floral delight should last more than a day THE TRADITIONAL BOUQUET TOSS SHOULDN’T BE THE END OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS, SAYS LOUISE DANIEL

early a quarter of a million romantic Britons still opt to take the leap and wed each year, with the South West the most loved-up region in the UK according to the Office of National Statistics. Vintage, shabby chic, traditional, contemporary – whatever your style on the big day, glorious garlands and fabulous flower arrangements bring a burst of colour and vibrancy to any venue. The customary bridal bouquet is centuries old – with herbs like rosemary, garlic and chives originally used to bring luck and fresh fragrances to ceremonies. In Tudor times, brides dipped marigolds in rose water and ate them to stir up a lusty appetite. The demure Victorians popularised blooms with meaning, in particular the wedding rose symbolising true love. To them, the bouquet toss provided a talisman, protecting the lucky recipient from evil spirits and favouring them with the possibility of being next in line for nuptials. Fresh flowers put a hefty dent in every budget and unlike the dress or sparklers, have a very short shelf life - so what can you do with your leftover blooms?

After divvying up amongst family, brighten someone’s day with your lovely lilies. Check out local hospices and nursing homes or drop a bunch off to elderly people in your area. If you plan on throwing your bouquet, task the florist with making a ‘dummy’ from less expensive flowers and preserve the real thing. String up the full bouquet in a cool dry place (a cupboard or wardrobe is ideal) upside down. Pressed blooms don’t hold their shape but are easier to store. Layer in tissue or newspaper individually, then place between the heaviest books you can find. Once dry, mount in your wedding album or frame them – you could even laminate. Fill a box with dry sand and place the flowers on top, gently pour sand over until completely covered. Seal the container and leave in a dry place for around a week. Remember, as the sand dries the blooms will be weighted so don’t forget about them. Make pot pourri by drying the petals. Place in a bowl or muslin bag tied with ribbon after adding a couple of drops of your favourite scented oil – or place in a sealed jar for a longer life.

THE LOVE EDITION

CASE STUDY: SALLY EDGCUMBE Fancy-fingered florist Sally Edgcumbe has been guiding brides to the best blooms for more than 30 years. Now owner of H Watts Florist in Oreston, her hardworking team of eight ensures that beautiful bouquets and stunning centrepieces are the brides’ dreams realised. As one of the longest-running floristry businesses in the city, Sally was proud to keep the name when she took over in November 2013. “Generations of families have used this business over the years – it has been around since 1952. We have members of staff who have worked here for more than 30 years. Our experience combined is probably near 100 years.” Fashions may come and go but romance never goes out of style. Sally recalls one occasion when a groom’s romantic gesture was particularly short notice. “We got a call from a groom who said his bride to be didn’t have flowers and he thought she should. He stopped off to see us on his way to the church – so romantic.” Each wedding takes around seven hours to complete, with bouquets taking up around an hour of that time depending on how complex they are. Each design is unique; Sally even offers an individualised service. “We can be booked out for the full day – we can transport the flowers to a different location. There is an additional charge but it works out if you factor in doubling up on flowers for the church and then the reception.”

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THE LOVE EDITION

WEDDING FEATURE 1.

PL CAN’T TELL YOU WHAT YOUR DREAM WEDDING DRESS WILL LOOK LIKE BUT WE CAN SHOW YOU WHAT OTHER BRIDES ARE GETTING EXCITED ABOUT THIS YEAR. RACHAEL DODD ASKED PLYMOUTH’S BRIDAL BOUTIQUES TO PICK OUT THE DRESSES BRIDES ARE FALLING FOR - MAYBE YOUR DREAM GOWN WILL BE ONE OF THEM

ith a lump in your throat you look at the one you’ve been dreaming of all this time. Your whole family think you look wonderful together and you’re so happy you could cry. No, it’s not your husband-to-be – it’s your wedding dress. Searching through endless rails of gowns, one dress in particular will speak to a woman more than any other. It has that certain something that makes a dress dreamy and the hairs on the neck stand up. Amy Bellamy and Amanda Kirk from Amica Bridal Boutique have seen hundreds of brides find their ‘one’ with them, they say: “We find many brides get an overwhelming feeling of excitement – we see anything from huge smiles and giggles, to tears of happiness. It’s so lovely to be part of this experience.” The ladies from Amica picked out two of their dresses that are guaranteed to make you swoon: “Gowns that flatter in all the right places are exactly what Amica Bridal Boutique brides get really excited about. “The Robyn gown by Ronald Joyce ticks every box – a princess dress, that’s not too full,

accentuates the waist with its diamante belt detail, and gives brides a sophisticated elegance with the shadow neckline and delicate lace detail. This gown also has a detachable train, which gives the dress added perfection.” Small details in diamante retain sparkle and catch the light subtly without allowing a gown to look overdone. No woman dreams of walking down the aisle resembling a giant disco ball. Amy and Amanda say: “Brides are also getting very excited about subtle colour in their bridal gowns. We’re seeing many going for light gold, champagne and blush gowns. “Our designers are offering more dresses in colour in addition to ivory and white. Rylee by Ronald Joyce looks beautiful in light gold with ivory lace appliqué detail and diamante waist detail. The Wedding Company loves fitting brides for their big day and believe that there should be a good choice for women whatever their shape or

size, they said: “We pride ourselves on having exquisite designers such as Pronovias, Sophia Tolli, Charlotte Balbier and Hollywood Dreams and have a range of dresses to fit all shapes and work with everyone’s budget.” The choice is dazzling and gone are the days when a bride was faced with just two colours for her wedding dress. With an increasing focus on unique weddings that match a couple’s personality, a bride could find her dream dress in all the colours of the rainbow if she really wants. Colin’s Bridal have been helping make wedding days special in Devon and Cornwall for more than 35 years. They chose two gorgeous Mori Lee dresses that are sure to be love at first sight for some bridesto-be. The stunning high neckline Mori Lee gown (number 1901) gives that vintage look without being dated. With its stunning lace high neck and low back it really has the wow factor. This dress

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WEDDING FEATURE

THE LOVE EDITION 3.

also comes with a detachable crystal belt to add some subtle detail to the dress. High neck lines began seeing a rise in popularity after Kate Middleton opted for a Grace Kelly style wedding gown in 2011. It adds a certain understated glamour to any gown and enhances the neck - particularly in lace. Off-the-shoulder gowns and collars are also proving popular in 2015. The beautiful Mori Lee gown (number 5103) has a pleated chiffon front to really highlight the waist whilst also featuring stunning lace straps and a full lace button-up back, to give that vintage twist to a modern dress. Colin’s Bridal pride themselves on giving a personal one-to one service with their bridal bookings to help brides find the dress. Te Amo also chose two jaw-dropping dresses that will have you yearning to walk down the aisle. The stunning Siri gown is from the 2015

KittyChen Couture Collection. This champagne shade dress is the epitome of sophistication with a touch of old Hollywood glamour. It also features a pretty scoop neck, daring low back and draped, sparkling spaghetti straps. Te Amo Brides’ second choice also has a touch of Hollywood about it, named after legendary actress Bette Davis from the Jade Daniels 2015 Collection. This beautiful gown has an ultra-feminine illusion neckline and back and delicate embroidery. For an extra sparkle the bodice and skirt are adorned with sequins and the hem has a scalloped edge. Dreamy doesn’t even begin to cover it. Owner Tina Johnson says she loves helping brides find their perfect dress: “A wedding day is going to be one of the most important events of someone’s life and we understand the pressure many brides feel they’re under. “We really do care about brides and their special day.”

AMICA BRIDAL 1. ‘ROBYN’ BY RONALD JOYCE. AVAILABLE IN CHAMPAGNE, WHITE OR IVORY. COMES WITH A DETACHABLE TRAIN. 2. ‘VALENCIA’ BY VICTORIA JANE COLIN’S BRIDAL 3. MORI LEE GOWN (NUMBER 1901), COLIN’S BRIDAL 5. MORI LEE GOWN (NUMBER 5103), COLIN’S BRIDAL TE AMO 4. BETTE DAVIS FROM THE JADE DANIELS 2015 COLLECTION, TE AMO BRIDES WEDDING COMPANY 6. OREL BY PRONOVIAS 7. ETTA BY CHARLOTTE BALBIER, THE DRESS IS A TWO-PIECE, A PLAIN MIKADO DRESS WITH LACE JACKET OVER THE TOP

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HOMES & GARDENS BUTTERFLY BEDDING COLLECTION BY MATTHEW WILLIAMSON AT DEBENHAMS

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Fall in love with your home again A NEW YEAR MEANS NEW LOOKS FOR ROOMS. PL REVEALS 2015’S TRENDS TO TRANSFORM HOMES

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MONOCHROME PRINT BED LINEN COLLECTION, BY SAINSBURYS HOME

omes - just like relationships - suffer over time from familiarity, and once that early passion for decor and DIY has faded, rooms can end up sad, pale shadows of their formerly glowing, super-smart selves. Who wants an interior that, while it may be as cosy as a pair of slippers, doesn’t pack a punch in style terms and says nothing about your taste now? To stay fresh and appealing, it’s good to shake things up every now and then and - timing is all - this year’s trends have just burst onto the scene with plenty to inspire. Lovers of all things neutral should look away now - colour, especially exotic, rich pink, is taking centre stage, sweeping away blandness with clashing shades and zingy hues. If that’s too adventurous, there’s a charming botanical look featuring blooms, birds, and bees, or you could see things simply in black and white and embrace sophisticated, sleek monochrome. Classic coastal’s taken on board elements of global style, and the smart way to interpret this chic combined look is with leather chairs and chunky chests, and fashionable copper accessories - so that it’s solid, swaggering and has almost a gentleman’s club or captain’s cabin feel. Plump for whichever appeals, or take an element from each trend, and you could breathe new life into jaded schemes and fall in love all over again with your home...

GEO CERAMIC TABLE LAMP, £35, NEXT

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HOMES & GARDENS

TIANA DRESSING TABLE, £799, MARKS & SPENCER

CONSOLE TABLE; HAVANA POM POM CUSHION; LUCIA TABLE LAMP, LUNA RUG, FEARNE COTTON FOR VERY LIVING

PAPILIO 111079 WALLPAPER, FOLIO VELVET FABRICS ON CHAIRS, HARLEQUIN

BUTTIFLY HOME BY MATHEW WILLIAMSON WEDDING BLANKET, £120, DEBENHAMS

BETHANY ARMCHAIR IN CONTE VELVET, MARKS & SPENCER

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HOMES & GARDENS

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3. HEALTHCARE DIVAN, £199.99, THE BIG PINE AND OAK 4. OXFORD DIVAN, £399, DEVON FURNITURE COMPANY 5. MARSEILLES KINGSIZE BED (SHOWN IN BLACK) £189, LARRY SPEARE 6. THE BIG SLEEP – TRADITIONAL CAST IRON BED FRAME – FROM £850 7. DARTMOOR POCKET COMFORT (FAIRWAY’S OWN EXCLUSIVE POCKET SPRUNG RANGE AND THE CUSTOMER CAN CHOOSE NUMBER OF DRAWS, BASE COLOUR AND MATTRESS TENSION) FROM £699 TO £1,299, FAIRWAY FURNITURE PL MAGAZINE | 54 | FEBRUARY 2015

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Sweet dreams are made of this REFRESH YOUR BOUDOIR IN TIME FOR SPRING AND SNOOZE IN LUXURY AND STYLE. SAM WYLIE-HARRIS REVEALS THE TRENDS TO BED DOWN WITH IN 2015

ith spring around the corner designers are launching their latest bed linen collections, so there couldn’t be a better time to give your bedroom a little bit of love and attention. After all, it’s the most intimate room in the house, where we go to unwind and relax and, if we’re lucky enough, where we spend a third of our lives sleeping. A haven of tranquility with plenty of scope for personal touches, simple pleasures such as soft cotton sheets, a boudoir cushion and a throw can evoke a feeling of wellbeing, enhance your space, and be an open invitation to come to bed. “‘For a fresh, elegant look for spring bedrooms, white or champagne tones are timeless, romantic and naturally calming, making the perfect antidote to a busy day,” says Julie Hall, head of design at Bedeck. “As in fashion, the addition of stylish accessories can give the bedroom personality, while layering the bed will create the complete effect.” Indeed, scattering softly-coloured decorative cushions and a beautiful throw at the bottom of the bed for a neutral but textured look, adds interest without overwhelming the scheme. And if you can’t resist decorative details for a more luxurious feel, delicate lace borders, embroidery, seersucker, or a subtle floral pattern in a muted colour palette are right on trend for 2015. “The most important thing about your bedroom is that it reflects your personal style and taste; it has to be a place that you want to be. Whether you share or have the room all to yourself, make it your favourite place to relax,” advises Molly Freshwater, Secret Linen Store founder. Classic, timeless designs, combined with the highest attention to detail, seem to be the ideal way to create a tranquil feel to your sleeping space

and work the ‘boutique hotel’ look without feeling like a guest under your own roof. And in keeping with the mode for a subtle palette, bestsellers are still white, cream and pale grey - but, according to Liam Butler, brand director at Achica, there’s a definite trend for colour. As a result, Achica’s buying team have developed a range - which will be available late spring - featuring hot pinks and cobalt blues that can be layered into white and pale grey. “Coloured bed linen is an easy way to update a neutral scheme and add personality,” says Butler. “Our customers are also more savvy when it comes to quality. The Achica 1000 thread count linen range is by far the bestseller within the current collection, and we’ll be focusing on expanding our highest quality ranges for 2015.”

The height of luxury and Rolls-Royce of bed linen sets, 1000 thread count is the highest quality yarn and will sustain more wear and tear than lower, say between 200 and 600, threads. As Paul Deckland, decorative bed linens buyer at John Lewis, points out: “Thread count is the number of yarns packed into every square inch of fabric. The higher the thread count, the softer the bed linen - think crisp and sumptuous hotel sheets. “High-quality Egyptian cotton bedding is an ideal option,” advises Deckland. “It’s supremely soft and also exceptionally hard-wearing, thanks to the longer threads of the Egyptian cotton plant which are stronger and more durable than other cottons, so your sheeting will last for years to come, wash after wash.” Other designers, such as Dorma, have also

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4. ALEXA, FROM THE KYLIE AT HOME COLLECTION, FEATURES PILLOWCASES, FROM £18; DOUBLE QUILT COVERS, FROM £85; SILVER SEQUINNED RUNNER, £80. SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION

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introduced a higher quality thread count to their luxury bedding collections to help meet customer demand. “This season, we have gone one step further with our most luxurious bed linen to date, a true 100 thread count, which complements our indulgent Pyrenean goose down duvet and pillows, and our goose feather and down topper, for the most extravagant night’s sleep,” says Sarah Williamson, Dorma design and brand development manager. “A beautiful white bedroom, layered with elegant neutrals is always a trend statement,” adds Williamson. “In addition, we are seeing more soft greys and gorgeous large scale florals emerging, with flashes of hot pink as a spring/ summer 2015 trend.”

3. RIMINI COLLECTION DOUBLE DUVET SET (INCLUDING HOUSEWIFE PILLOW SET), FROM £50, PART OF THE HELENA SPRINGFIELD WHITE COLLECTION, AVAILABLE LATE JANUARY (WWW.BEDECK.COM). CUSHIONS, FROM £25; THROWS, FROM £50, ALSO PART OF THE HELENA SPRINGFIELD WHITE COLLECTION, AVAILABLE LATE JANUARY (WWW.BEDECK.COM) 4. AND A SELECTION OF SATIN AND SQUINNED PILLOWS COMPLETE THE LOOK, AVAILABLE EARLY FEBRUARY (WWW. HOUSEOFFRASER.CO.UK) 5. FINLAY THROWS IN WHITE AND SOFT GREY, £140 EACH; EMILIE DOUBLE DUVET COVER, FROM £155 (WWW. THEWHITECOMPANY.COM)

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HOMES & GARDENS GOLDFINCHES

Help to feather some nests THE RSPB’S BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH HAS REVEALED WHICH BREEDS ARE WEATHERING THE CHANGES IN OUR UK CLIMATE. PL LOOKS AT THE WAYS YOU CAN HELP THEM

lmost half a million people took part in last year’s Big Garden Birdwatch – recording the birds they saw over the two days and revealing some interesting changes among our most popular garden birds. Some species which benefit from a bit of extra help are creeping up the rankings. Blue tits emerged in their highest position since Big Garden Birdwatch began, at number two. The previous occupiers of the second spot, blackbirds, dropped to number four. Goldfinches climbed another place since the previous year and reached number seven while the robin dropped back to number 10. And there was a new entrant to the top 20 - for the first time ever the great spotted woodpecker squeezed in at number 20. As well as asking the public to record their findings - with the help of identification pictures available on the RSPB website www.rspb.org.uk the organisation is also asking people to do their bit to protect our birds through the winter. They can do this by topping up their bird

feeders and providing fresh water and shelter for wildlife in their gardens during the frosty weather. The nature charity says there are three key things that birds will need over the winter: food, unfrozen water and shelter. 1. In chilly weather, birds will appreciate a variety of food, but fatty food will be especially helpful. For example, fat balls, or homemade bird cakes made with lard and packed with seeds, fruit or dried mealworms are great treats to put out in your garden. Kitchen scraps will work well, and a recipe for successfully feeding birds over winter might include chopped fat from unsalted meat, cheese, dried fruit and pastry. 2. Unfrozen water for drinking and bathing may be hard for birds to find when there’s been a frost, but with a simple trick you can help to keep a patch of water ice-free. Float a small ball, such as a ping-pong ball, on the surface of the water. Even the lightest breeze will keep it moving and stop an area of the water freezing.

3. Provide shelter by planting dense hedges such as privet or hawthorn, or allowing ivy or holly to grow. These all provide great cover for birds to roost in. Nestboxes can also be good roosting sites. Roofs are also a popular spot for birds trying to keep warm. If birds are getting into a hole in your roof and you need to get the hole fixed, consider putting up a nestbox to replace the gap. Find out more about giving nature a home in your garden here: rspb.org.uk/homes RSPB wildlife advisor Richard James says: “People can make a real difference to garden birds and improve their chances of surviving the winter. “Birds don’t need much and by providing a supply of food, a patch of unfrozen water and somewhere to shelter from the elements, you will be rewarded with great views of wildlife in your back garden. “While birds need fatty foods, you shouldn’t put out fat from a roasting tin, such as turkey fat from Christmas, as this runny fat can coat birds’ feathers, making it difficult for them to move or fly.” THE RESULTS OF THIS YEAR’S BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH WILL BE PUBLISHED AT RSPB.ORG.UK/BIRDWATCH

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HOMES & GARDENS

february gardening tips SNOWDROPS

and wildlife ing, with bulbs appearing s of the approaching spr oors this sign ind are do re to the nty nth ple mo his res increase. There’s atu per tem and in, it’s ls aga leve t life waking up as ligh the garden comes to son ahead. Outdoors, as sea . the ges for e hed par en pre rgre to eve month a, as well as climbers, such as Wisteri time to prune shrubs and

nth

HELLEBORE

ERYSIUM

Top jobs to do this mo

In the borders

been battered by the Many gardens will have and s ble eta veg and it a chance to reassess fru is 1. Check stored winter weather, this y produce to uld mo or ing old favourites d duc age tro dam rein any remove borders. Try h cold winters as t. wit res l avoid spoiling the better equipped to dea plants. der t ten y Chi . htl now slig le alternatives to 2. Seed potatoes are availab m ) by placing the y fail in freezing them (allow shoots to form Olive and bay trees ma ce. pla ee t-fr fros l, plant standard coo t, d in a ligh conditions, so instea ore bef ns the evergreens law M, on AG g er’ win silv gro ick rt Elaeagnus ‘Qu 3. Moss will sta it ing kill ’ AGM or rt Tol sta to e van Ilex aquifolium ‘JC the grass, so now is the tim M. AG ’ lian enl te. ‘Gw Viburnum tinus with ferrous sulpha nt bare-rooted pla to nce cha lacy purple or yellowlast r you 4. It’s In exposed gardens, try rme sum of es can the ucus nigra) instead raspberries. Prune leaved elderberr y (Samb g, and ntin pla r afte n nt shrubby lilac 10i to Pla es s. typ ple fruiting of Japanese ma und gro to n dow es ieti Erysimum ‘Bowles’s autumn-fruiting var Syringa x laciniata or rosemary. of d level. Mauve’ AGM instea age foli ted tor dis w sho ennials allow you to 5. Hellebores may Dormant shrubs and per growth t tar p-s sto of ult res the re. Trees with eyewhich is assess the need for structu res. New shoots ches and maples, bir caused by lower temperatu as catching bark, such lly. ma nor w gro should now are beautiful all year. ers are regularly 6. Check outdoor contain sion, plant those to se sheltered by If flowers are your pas watered, particularly tho al colour. son give a succession of sea house porches or eaves. the garden should may have been Measuring and drawing 7. Netting over brassicas from inside the to n den ntio gar atte the d w nee vie clarify plans; weakened by snow and les. ang house and from different deter ravenous birds. so s rop wd sno und aro replacing damaged, 8. Clear leaves from Consider moving or ing. erg em shrubs. ers ced flow pla ir ly the bad see you can overgrown or - it’s nth mo s thi es box ting 9. Put up bird nes start looking for a the last chance before tits suitable residence. ouse or 10. Ventilate your glassh to help prevent s day d conservatory on mil fungal problems.

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PL MAGAZINE | 61 | FEBRUARY 2015

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DYNAMIC DUO: BRACES AND QUALITY BOOZE

Tigermilk – The tiger with a quiet roar FORGET ABOUT WATERY CONCOCTIONS AND SACCHARINE SWILL – CLASSIC COCKTAILS ARE A DRINKS JOURNEY NOT A WELL-OILED DESTINATION. LOUISE DANIEL TALKS TO ERIC CHAN AND MARK SMALLEY FROM TIGERMILK – THE CITY’S NEWEST COCKTAIL BAR CAUSING A QUIET STIR UNDERNEATH THE DUKE OF CORNWALL

s you head down small stone steps and through the slightly obscured door with a small brass plate, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were entering a clandestine world. It’s not far from the truth. Tigermilk is a modern-day speakeasy, based on the hidden drinks dens of 1920s America and every bit as exciting. With an eclectic mix of reproduction furniture, candles and muted shades, this space has a cocoon-like embrace – the décor is as refreshing as the cocktails, which are the best I’ve tried this side of Bristol. Tigermilk is well thought out and an antidote to generic high-street watering holes. It harks back to more glamourous times when customer service meant attention to detail and knowing clientele by name. But Eric Chan and Mark Smalley don’t just want customers - for them it’s about building

clientele who share their philosophy. Mark says: “This isn’t drinking as a means to an end; we want people who are looking for an experience. We are both stubborn and very focused on what we did and didn’t want here.” If what Eric and Mark wanted was an exclusive, exciting destination bar then they have succeeded. You won’t find blaring music or tottering teens here; this is a space quietly confident in its own skin. Eric agrees: “We always work towards creating a better scene in the city - there’s a lot of potential in Plymouth. We know you have to cultivate a culture.” There’s reassuring attention to detail here – from mismatched lead crystal glasses, historic newspapers and local art work to bowler hats, braces and authentic cocktail recipes. This is an independent cocktail bar with the freedom to break away from the ordinary, offering a welcome alternative to city centre bedlam. Eric agrees that unconventional, exceptional venues are important for customer choice and the

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Indulge in the fnest fresh Fish and Chips from the heart of Devon.

ECLECTIC STYLE AND UNIQUE CHIC

cultural growth of the city. He says: “It takes time for a city to realise that independent businesses and top-quality service should be recognised.” Cocktail creation is partly science – aside from the law of thermodynamics which informs their recipe for perfectly square ice cubes - the boys use a flask (usually seen in a science lab) to get measures on the nose. It’s not stinginess; it ensures the completed drink is perfectly balanced. It’s not all science of course, there’s theatre and eccentric flourishes - forget tiki bars in Tom Cruise’s 80s film Cocktail, think classic Rick’s Bar in Casablanca. Cocktails for all the showmanship are only as good as their ingredients Mark says: “We are particular about who we work with – we use brands which aren’t market leaders but are companies that take more pride in what they do and are more sustainable.” You don’t get brightly lit, well-oiled revellers here; it’s all about ambiance, measured drinking and an atmosphere which whispers rather than bellows. Tigermilk taps into the rich seam of people who enjoy a night out but want exclusivity, relaxed socialising and cultured chic. This is an event space which makes an occasion of a night out. Mark agrees: “We are making an experience, something giving people a reason to come out, rather than just going out to get drunk.” My expertly mixed Manhattan comes in lead crystal, unusual, particularly when used to generic glass wear - it matches the eclectic tone of the bar perfectly. Mark is clearly proud of what they have achieved here, he says: “We like to mismatch things – the idea is that people have a different experience and see something new every time they come in – whether that is new furniture or artwork - it keeps the senses active.” Some people find the idea of a never-changing local comforting, but in Tigermilk it’s refreshing to seek out little differences and feel that care has gone into creating the environment you’re socialising in. As Mark makes me a traditional fogcutter the smells, sights and sounds are reminiscent of something I can’t quite put my finger on – it’s new whilst evocative…but of what? I don’t quite know but the combination of the low lighting, sparkling glasses, the clink of ice in a glass and the glug of spirits is wonderful.

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27/01/2015 15:28:03

FOOD & DRINK

Rib-eye steak with basil hollandaise A big slab of meat that’s good for sharing – what’s not to like?

SINCE EARLY TIMES THE SHARING OF FOOD HAS BEEN PART OF THE COURTSHIP RITUAL. ON ST VALENTINE’S DAY THE WHOLE PROCESS GETS A LOT MORE SERIOUS. HERE’S PL’S PICK OF RECIPES TO OPEN THE WAY TO YOUR SWEETHEART’S HEART

Gordon Ramsay via BBC good food | Serves 2 Ingredients

Method

1 thick cut ribeye steak, about 600g

1. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Put the steak

4 tbsp extravirgin olive oil 4 garlic cloves, left in their skins handful thyme sprigs 1 bay leaf For the basil hollandaise 100ml white wine vinegar small bunch basil, stalks roughly chopped 1 bay leaf few peppercorns 2 egg yolks 250g unsalted butter, melted and skimmed to give about 200ml (See ‘Know how’ below) squeeze lemon juice

A perfect Valetine’s meal!

Prep time:

25 mins

Cook time:

20 mins

on a plate and rub with 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil and plenty of black pepper and flaky sea salt. Leave to marinate at room temperature for about 10 mins. Heat a heavy-based ovenproof frying pan until searingly hot. 2. Add the meat to the pan, with oil from the plate,

the garlic cloves, thyme and bay leaf. Sear the steak for 3 mins on the first side until well browned, basting with the oil and herbs as it cooks. Carefully tip off the oil, add another 2 tbsp, then sear the second side of the steak in the same way. Quickly brown around the edges, then slide the pan into the oven and roast for 15 mins, turning over halfway through. 3. Take the steak from the pan and sit it on a rack

over a roasting tin. Tip the oil, herbs and garlic from the pan over the steak, then leave to rest for 15-20 mins. Leave the steak uncovered – covering with foil will make the steak steam and lose its crisp crust. 4. Meanwhile, start the hollandaise. Put a medium

pan of water on to boil. Put the vinegar, basil stalks, bay leaf and spices into a small pan. Boil down to about 3 tbsp, then strain. Put the egg yolks into a large, deep bowl, add 1 tbsp cold water and 1 tbsp of the vinegar reduction, then whisk briefly until light and frothy. 5. Put the bowl over, but not touching, the simmering

water, then whisk to a light, airy foam. Now gradually add the butter, little by little, whisking all the time to make a silky yellow sauce. Prevent the sauce overheating by lifting the bowl on and off the pan, adding a splash more water if it starts to get too thick. The sauce can be kept warm for up to 30 mins by sitting the bowl in a bath of just-warm water. If it gets too hot, the sauce will split. Just before serving, finely chop the basil and stir into the sauce with the lemon juice and seasoning to taste.

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THE LOVE EDITION

Chilli chicken one-pot Ingredients 2 large onions, halved and sliced 2 tbsp olive oil 265g chorizo ring, peeled and thickly sliced 4 red peppers, deseeded and cut into large chunks 2 x 400g/14oz can chopped tomatoes 2 chicken stock cubes ½-1 tsp dried chilli flakes 2 tsp dried oregano

Prepare ahead of time and reheat when you’re ready – serve with garlic bread (if you dare) and a salad. Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: Around an hour Serves 8 (reheats well) Method 1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Fry

the onions in the oil for 5 mins until they become soft and start to colour. Add the chorizo and fry for a few mins more. Stir in the peppers, then pour in the tomatoes, followed by a can of water, the stock cubes, chilli and oregano. 2. Arrange the chicken thighs on top of

3 x 410g/14oz cans red kidney beans, drained

the sauce, pushing them under the liquid. Bring to a simmer, cover, then cook in the oven for 40 mins. Add the beans, stir, then cook for 20 mins more. You can make this up to 2 days ahead and keep chilled.

To serve

3. To serve, reheat on the top of the stove

16 boneless skinless chicken thighs

15g pack coriander, chopped 2-3 avocados, skinned and sliced good squeeze lime juice

or in the oven at 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 for 1 hr 10 mins until piping hot. Stir in most of the coriander, toss the rest with the avocado, lime and a little salt, then pile this on top. Serve with mash, garlic bread or a green salad tossed with olives, cherry tomatoes and finely sliced red onion.

One-pan salmon with roast asparagus Quick and easy, leaving more time for romance. The asparagus and salmon have aphrodisiac qualities, too Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: Around an hour Serves 2 Gordon Ramsay via BBC good food Ingredients

Method

400g new potatoes, halved if large

1. 1.Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/

2 handfuls cherry tomatoes

gas 7. Tip the potatoes and 1 tbsp of olive oil into an ovenproof dish, then roast the potatoes for 20 mins until starting to brown. Toss the asparagus in with the potatoes, then return to the oven for 15 mins.

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2. Throw in the cherry tomatoes

2 tbsp olive oil 8 asparagus spears, trimmed and halved

2 salmon fillets, about 140g/5oz each handful basil leaves

and vinegar and nestle the salmon amongst the vegetables. Drizzle with the remaining oil and return to the oven for a final 10-15 mins until the salmon is cooked. Scatter over the basil leaves and serve everything scooped straight from the dish.

PL PLMAGAZINE MAGAZINE||65 65||DECEMBER FEBRUARY 2015 2014

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FOOD & DRINK

Rose syllabub and sugared strawberries Ingredients

Stunning and simple

125ml rosé wine

Prep time: 15 mins Serves 6

50g golden caster sugar

Method

finely grated zest and juice 1 lime, plus extra lime zest to decorate 284ml carton double cream For the sugared strawberries 700g strawberries 3 tbsp golden caster sugar ½ bottle rosé wine (375ml)

1. For the syllabub, put the wine, sugar,

lime zest and juice in a bowl and chill for 1 hr.

2. About 45 mins before serving, halve

any big strawberries and keep the smaller ones whole. Scatter them in a bowl and sprinkle over the sugar. Let them sit for 30 mins to release their flavoursome juices. Pour over the wine and leave for 10-15 mins.

3. Half-whip the cream for the syllabub,

then gradually pour in the chilled wine mix, continuing to beat as you go, until you have a softly whipped, creamy mixture that holds its shape enough to be spoonable. Serve the strawberries and their boozy juice in bowls topped with a spoonful of syllabub, and scatter over a little lime zest.

GORDON RAMSAY’S GOOEY CHOCOLATE CAKE

Greedy Goose’s Chocolate Fondant by chef Ben Palmer Ingredients 100g dark chocolate, 100g unsalted butter (plus a little extra for the moulds),

without ‘It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day right it get you en Wh some chocolate. the from te cola cho s ooze ert this dess wcentre. Add fresh raspberries, stra e if thre all (or m berries or clotted crea t!)’ gan ava extr a extr ing you’re feel Method

2 whole eggs,

soft powder. a coco with Dust melted butter to coat. at the 2. Refrigerate for 5 minutes and repe fondant the that re ensu to more once ess proc side. won’t stick. Put to one

2 egg yolks

3. Beat the eggs and sugar until fluffy

100g sieved flour, 100g caster sugar,

cocoa powder Prep time: 15

mins

Cook time: 10

mins

Serves 4

1. Brush an oven-proof ramekin with

, while

her. melting the butter and chocolate toget tly, mix it 4. Once the chocolate has cooled sligh in the fold then ure, mixt r with the egg and suga at bake & lds mou your into n Spoo ly. flour gent 180℃ for 10 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream. PL MAGAZINE | 66 | FEBRUARY 2015

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Gordon Ramsay’s gooey chocolate cake Ingredients For the cake 120g dark chocolate, 70% cocoa solids 5 eggs, separated 200g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 220g caster sugar 90g plain flour, sifted, plus extra for dusting For the filling 284ml pot double cream 200g pot half-fat crème fraîche 2 limes or 1 lemon, grated zest only For the ganache icing 150g dark chocolate 142ml pot double cream 25g grated chocolate, to serve about 100g chocolate shaved into curls, to serve Prep time: 15

mins

Cook time: 45

mins

Serves: 6-8

people

Courtesy of Good Food Magazine

Oozing and unctuous – cake doesn’t get any more indulgent than this. Method 1. Grease and bottom-line a 24cm spring form cake

tin. Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas. Melt 120g chocolate in a bowl. Cool for 5 mins, then beat in egg yolks. In a bowl, beat the butter and 100g sugar until soft and creamy. Mix in the melted chocolate and yolks. 2. Whisk the egg whites to firm peaks then beat

in remaining 120g sugar in three batches and continue whisking until stiff. Beat a third of the meringue into the chocolate mix. Then, gently fold in alternate spoonfuls of the flour and remaining meringue. 3. Spoon into the tin, level and bake 40-45 mins

until the top forms a light crust. Test the centre with a metal skewer, it should come out clean. Remove, cool 10 mins, before turning out of the tin. When cooled, cut in half carefully as it is fragile, with a large serrated knife. 4. To make the filling: in a bowl beat the double

cream until thickened, but not stiff. Then mix in the crème fraîche and the zest. 5. Spread one half of the cake with all the zesty

Chocolate and banana French toast Ingredients 1 ripe banana 75g milk chocolate, chopped

cream and sandwich together with the other half. Place on a rack with a large plate beneath.

4 slices crusty white bread from a round loaf

6. To make the ganache icing: break up the chocolate

3 medium eggs

into a pan and add the double cream. Melt over the lowest heat and stir until smooth, then cool until the consistency of thick pouring cream. Pour over the cake. 7. Let excess icing run onto the plate and spoon

it back over to fill any gaps. Spread the icing evenly on the top and around the sides using the back of a spoon or a palette knife. While the icing sets sprinkle the grated chocolate on top and around the sides. 8. Make the curls: You will need a large block of

chocolate. Ensure the chocolate is at warm room temperature and placed on a worktop. Gordon used a sharp knife to make the curls, but it’s easier to draw a swivel vegetable peeler down the side of a thick block of chocolate. 9. Place a large ring cutter (about 10cm) in the

centre of the cake and fill with the chocolate curls. Carefully remove the ring and let the curls cascade gently out. Serve at room temperature. If chilled ahead the cake should be allowed to come to room temperature before serving.

1 tbsp double cream 1 tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp vanilla extract 25g unsalted butter ground cinnamon, to serve icing sugar or extra maple syrup, to serve (optional) Prep time:

10 mins

Cook time:

8 mins

Fancy creating a sweet treat for a beloved’s breakfast? Try this delicious recipe for the ultimate breakfast in bed. Serves 2 Method 1. Slice the banana into a small

bowl and mash using a fork. Add the chopped chocolate and mix to combine. 2. Lay 2 slices of bread on the work

surface. Divide the chocolate and banana mixture between them, spreading it almost to the edges. Top each with a second slice of bread and press together to make a sandwich. 3. In a shallow dish, whisk together the

eggs, double cream, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Melt the butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Lay one sandwich into the egg mixture to coat one side, then carefully flip it over so that both sides of the sandwich are soaked in the egg. Lower the sandwich into the hot frying pan and cook for about 1 min on each side, until golden brown and the chocolate has started to melt. Repeat with the second sandwich. Cut the sandwiches in half to serve and sprinkle with a little ground cinnamon and either icing sugar or extra maple syrup if you’re feeling super-indulgent.

PL MAGAZINE | 67 | FEBRUARY 2015

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THE LOVE EDITION

FIGS

FOOD AND LOVE ARE INEXTRICABLY LINKED. LOUISE DANIEL LOOKS AT SOME OF NATURE’S APHRODISIACS

Figs are great for all round health but pack a punch when it comes to turning up the heat. Part of the mulberry family, this pulpy fruit is heart shaped and full of nutrients which boost the sex drive.

hen you are planning a special love feast for your heart’s desire, it’s as well to use some ingredients infused with aphrodisiac qualities. Some foods are psychologically seductive – the shape, texture and the way they feel in the moutn. Others trigger inner reactions which set the mood for a night of romance.

OYSTERS

STRAWBERRIES Their large number of tiny seeds and heart shape made them an ancient fertility symbol. Art and literature followed suit, portraying the strawberry as a symbol of sensuality and earthly desire. Packed with more vitamin C than any other berry, they also contain potassium, folic acid and iron and fibre which are excellent for boosting a lacklustre libido.

Scientists have proven what Casanova already knew – that oysters are the food of love. Researchers have found that they are rich in rare amino acids which trigger increased sex drive. All you need to do is down 50 in one sitting (like the famous 19th century lover did) and you will be in fine fettle for a fling.

CHOCOLATE Aztecs saw the link between the cocoa bean and sexual desire. Today there is suggestion that chocolate’s aphrodisiac properties are limited but some scientists attribute the tryptophan (a serotonin building block) and phenylethylamine (an amphetamine related stimulant) as the reasons chocolate is the lover’s favourite.

AVOCADO The shape was enough for the Aztecs to name it the ahuacuatl or ‘testicle tree’ – as the fruit tends to hang in pairs. Catholic priests in Spain found the fruit so sexual they forbade it. It is rich in folic acid, vitamin B6 and potassium – great for boosting the immune system.

HONEY This is the original super food – aside from being a natural antiseptic – honey boosts testosterone production in men and estrogen production in women. Research has shown that a 3 ounce dose increased nitric oxide (the chemical released during arousal) production and increased stamina and overall energy.

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Heaven Go to Heaven for a Valentine’s date and experience an excellent atmosphere and special three-course menu for just £20 per person. Scrummy starters are made from the best fresh produce and expertly turned into exciting dishes with fresh flavours like spiced pumpkin soup with wasabi cream and sage crisp or trio of scallop, avocado and pea puree, pancetta and pea shoot. Mains are served with seasonal vegetables – you could be tucking in to rib eye steak, Cajun chicken, monkfish or pork belly. Round off your meal with a delicious sweet treat or savoury cheese board. Heaven, 162 Exeter Street, Plymouth. Book a table on 01752 223232.

Venues for the perfect date PLANNING A ROMANTIC MEAL FOR FEBRUARY 14? HERE’S PL’S PICK OF THE PLACES TO TAKE YOUR DATE

Tiki Bar and Grill

Revolution

Bread and Roses

Tiki Bar and Grill has a lot going on. From their homemade chilli and burgers to the fabulous vegetarian and vegan options (including a delicious all-day breakfast) everything is created using locally-sourced ingredients. The Drake Circus-based bar is also a hub for live entertainment and music. From burlesque to DJ nights, cultural and art shows to live music spanning the genres – there is always something special happening at Tiki Bar and Grill. Licenced and open until late, checout Tiki on facebook www.facebook.com/TikiBarPlymouth for the latest listings or give them a call on 01752 226305.

Situated on the corner of Derry’s Cross, the freshly renovated Revolution is not only famous for its cocktails, its newly-launched kitchen menu is making a name for itself, too. This is real food for the soul! Slow-cooked brisket, tasty stonebaked pizzas with thick crusts for pulling and dipping in smokey sauce, chicken wings, meatballs with blueberry ketchup, fresh crab cakes, steak with chorizo ketchup and a range of salads. But what really stands out on the menu are the burgers. Leave your food morals at the door, because Revolution has gone big! The Hell Fire Fizz Bomb comes with a popping candy sauce and the Smokin’ Bacon burger is topped with Wotsits. Weird but it works! To book your table call 01752 666138.

Bread and Roses on Ebringdon Street is a contemporary space with oodles of charm, a great atmosphere, café food throughout the week and top-notch Jamaican cuisine every weekend. It serves a wide range of quality local real ales and has fridges full of global beers, organic wines and ethical top-shelf spirits. It’s a community-run, arts hub where local artists take the opportunity to showcase their latest works and people can meet the artists in residence. Bread and Roses is a fun inclusive space where art, music, food and culture combine for a vibrant night out. Check it out at www.facebook.com/ TheBreadandRoses or call 01752 659861.

PL MAGAZINE | 69 | FEBRUARY 2015

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TRAVEL

A HAVANA STREET

GO NOW: CUBA

The 2015 travel hot list PLANNING YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY OR LONG WEEKEND BREAK? HERE’S PL’S PICK OF THE PLACES TO VISIT THIS YEAR

EXOTIC CITY BREAK: SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE AT NIGHT

Once a small fishing port with just 1,000 inhabitants, Singapore has become a thriving metropolis and one of the busiest stopover cities for flight routes. But there’s plenty of reasons to stick around in the sovereign city state, which was once a British trading post, and

It’s one of the last few countries in the world where you won’t find a McDonald’s or a Starbucks, but all that could change now diplomatic relations between America and Cuba have thawed, with Barack Obama promising relaxed travel regulations to the Caribbean island. If you want to savour Cuba’s time warp appeal, with classic 50s cars zipping through billboard-free, crumbling colonial streets, travel now before it all changes.

next year a number of celebrations will be held to mark 50 years since independence. The new National Gallery Singapore is set to attract art lovers, while sports fan will be interested in the Southeast Asian Games (June 5-16).

PL MAGAZINE | 70 | FEBRUARY 2015

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SEE ELEPHANTS ON A SAFARI IN ZIMBABWE

BEST FOR SAFARI: ZIMBABWE With peace having returned to this South African country in recent years, it looks set to regain its status as one of the best safari destinations in Africa. Guides train rigorously for at least seven years before qualifying, longer than in any other country, and parks are,

at least for now, wonderfully free of crowds. Visit Hwange - a park almost the size of Switzerland, take in the views from Cecil Rhodes’ grave at Matopos Hills, or head even further off the beaten track to Chilo Gorge Lodge whose owner, Clive Stockil, was presented an award for conservation work by Prince William.

A BEACH IN SRI LANKA

A HIKER ON THE SOUTH WEST COASTAL PATH, DORSET

BEST FOR BEACH: SRI LANKA

SCENIC CHOICE: DORSET With our appetite for period dramas never waning, the big screen adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Far From The Madding Crowd (set for release in May 2015) is bound

to spark interest in Dorset, where much of the film was shot. Tread lead star Carey Mulligan’s path through rural countryside, Saxon villages and the UNESCO-protected Jurassic coastline.

A decade since this Indian Ocean island was hit by a tsunami, its fortunes are on the up. The reopening of The Queen of Jaffna rail service, running from capital city Colombo to northern province Jaffna, will provide access to an area once troubled by unrest during the country’s civil war. Now the peaceful region offers idyllic beaches and a colourful insight into Tamil life.

PL MAGAZINE | 71 | FEBRUARY 2015

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TIC KE T

OUT & ABOUT

Café back from the brink A VIEW OF SEATON BEACH

STORMS WHICH RIPPED THROUGH THE SOUTH WEST LEFT A TRAIL OF DEVASTATION IN THEIR WAKE. WORST-HIT WAS THE POPULAR BEACH CAFÉ AT SEATON IN SOUTH EAST CORNWALL. A YEAR ON IT’S BACK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL. SAM BLACKLEDGE REPORTS

plintered wood, shattered glass, mountains of sand and water flowing in through every possible entrance: the wreckage of the Seaton Beach Cafe in south-east Cornwall will live long in the memory of all who witnessed it, and even longer for those who dealt with the fallout. On January 4 the picturesque cafe, situated right on the shoreline just metres from high tide, was left in tatters as a violent storm crashed in from the Atlantic Ocean. No sooner had the clean-up operation kicked into gear than it happened again. Amateur video footage from early February showed huge amounts of water cascading through the village, reducing the weakened wooden cafe to a pile of soggy kindling. Nine months on, owner Nicki Barry reflects on the experience with three simple words: “What a nightmare.” “I think at the time it was almost like being in a war zone,” she says. “You just put one foot in front of the other and do all you can to get back to some sort of normality.” The cafe closed for more than six months

while staff, neighbours and volunteers dried themselves off and began the painstaking process of rebuilding. It finally re-opened in June to great relief and is looking better than ever – but Nicki says the hard work is far from over. “We are still dealing with insurance companies and loss adjusters and that sort of thing,” she says. “People don’t realise the amount of work that goes into tying up all the bits of paper that they need, that’s almost a full-time job in itself. We are hopefully nearing the end of that process.” Nicki runs the cafe with her two daughters, and despite the lengthy closure they decided to retain all their staff rather than laying anybody off. “There were a few dark moments, but they all changed their job descriptions from making teas and coffees to digging out sand, painting and decorating and getting the place back to how it is now,” she says. “In some ways that has been quite empowering for all the staff because of all the effort they have put in, they are really NICKI BARRY proud of it. Customers have been coming in and saying how wonderful it is, and it was all their work.” Nicki’s thoughts are already turning to the coming winter, but she says there is nothing she can do except cross her fingers and hope it does not happen again. “Even last time we put all the flood defences and strategies in place, but it was so severe that nothing was going to stop it,”

‘At the time it was almost like being in a war zone’ -

she says. “We are just in a vulnerable location. We have put in a couple of extra walls and extra storm boards and re-designed the outside so if it does come over the wall the water will flow back through the car park into the river. “We are still in talks with the council regarding the sea defence wall and what we can put in place along the front there. Beforehand there was a 15ft drop down to the river but now we are level, so we will just have to wait and see what happens with that.” The cafe has long been a popular tourist trap, particularly during the summer holidays, but its greatest strength as a seafront attraction has also proved to be its Achilles heel. “I was insured this time but next year nobody will touch me for flood and water damage,” Nicki said. “When everything is accounted for we will be looking at a quarter of a million pounds to put it all back together, which is a lot of money. “We have to ensure that should it happen again we are ready, because we won’t have the backup of insurance to bail us out.”

Before

THE CAFÉ AFTER THE STORM HIT

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TIC KE T

OUT & ABOUT

Much more than a pretty face HE GAINED THOUSANDS OF FANS WHEN HE SANG ‘I’M YOURS’ AND HAS GIRLS ALL OF A FLURRY WITH HIS GOOD LOOKS AND AMERICAN CHARM - EMILY SMITH SPEAKS TO JASON MRAZ

ason Mraz hit the UK charts in 2002 with his studio album Waiting For My Rocket To Come and has since gained thousands of fans with hits The Remedy, I’m Yours and I Won’t Give Up. But alongside his musical talents he isn’t shy of sharing an opinion, or two, and is a huge LGBT supporter, even going as far as saying: “Coming out is the coolest thing anyone can do.” The pop sensation first came to prominence on the San Diego coffee house scene in 2000. His hit I’m Yours peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 in America - giving him his first top ten single. The track then stayed in the Hot 100 for the next 76 weeks. Since then he has won two Grammy Awards and received two additional nominations, and has also won two Teen Choice Awards, a People’s Choice Award and the Hal David Songwriters Hall of Fame Award. But unlike most popstars who surround themselves in riches and live a celebrity lifestyle, Jason lives a rather modest life. He is health-conscious and says his vegan diet has influenced his music. However he does make sure his audience are in mind when he’s writing songs. He says: “Right at the end I ask, ‘Can any human get on board with this? Can anyone, from any nation, any demographic, can they as a human being feel the humanity in this song?’ “I try not to make it about me specifically and keep in mind that it really is about what we as humans are feeling and going through.” Mraz is a social activist and in 2012, he was featured as the first-ever straight man on the cover of Instinct magazine

in recognition of his efforts in support of LGBT rights. The pop singer has also established the Jason Mraz Foundation. The singer released his latest album Yes last year and is busy touring around the country with his all-female band Raining Jane. He describes his latest album as “a group effort”, for which he collaborated with Raining Jane. He says: “We’ve been working together for about seven years now and every year we get together for what we call ‘ladies’ weekend’ where we do anywhere from five to seven days of writing and recording — with no agenda — and we each emerge with songs to use in our own projects. “But about a year ago we said, ‘Let’s just focus on our songs for a second and see if there’s a record here.’ So we did, and when we presented it, both our management and our label said yes within 24 hours – that’s kind of how we came up with the title of the album, Yes!” Jason is many things a hardworking popstar, a huge advocate of change, a farmer, a pretty face - one thing is for sure he’s not ready to give anything up yet. WHERE AND WHEN: WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4 AT PLYMOUTH PAVILIONS PL MAGAZINE | 73 | FEBRUARY 2015

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TIC KE T

OUT & ABOUT

THE LEAT RUNS ACROSS DARTMOOR

DRAKE’S PLACE IS THE LEAT’S FINAL DESTINATION PART OF DRAKE’S LEAT

A modern marvel trapped by time RACHAEL DODD PONDERS ON THE WATERWAY WHICH TOOK PLYMOUTH FROM A FISHING VILLAGE TO A CITY

rake’s Leat was a modern marvel of its time. One of the first public water supplies in the country, it was carved into the granite across the Dartmoor landscape and spanned nearly 18 miles. The land has changed and grown in the 400 years since the leat’s construction and large sections have been lost, but it’s still possible to trace the path of Drake’s most overlooked success. Dartmoor is cross-hatched with ancient waterways but only Drake’s Leat bears such a famous name. Sir Francis Drake was instrumental in the leat’s construction, walking it through parliament and chairing committees to approve it. Although the leat would pave the way to a better life for Plymouthians, Drake’s motives weren’t entirely selfless. History remembers him as the courageous explorer and racketeer but the leat and its planning process are a prime example of Drake’s business cunning. In 1581 Drake was Mayor of Plymouth. The leat had been in the pipeline for 20 years but, during his time in office, Drake made it a consideration for the Corporation of Plymouth. A Water Bill for Plymouth was submitted to parliament in 1584. It stated that the leat

would provide a supply of water for naval and merchant shipping, provide water for fire-fighting in Plymouth, scour silt from Sutton Harbour and irrigate the land on Dartmoor. By this time Drake was no longer Mayor and he was able to become Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee - in other words he could approve his own Water Bill. Drake proposed a small additional clause allowing mills to be built and operated on the banks of the leat and the Bill was passed. It became very obvious when the leat was up and running that its original purpose was a cover for

“The leat and its planning process are a prime example of Drake’s business cunning” Drake’s real aims. The leat wouldn’t flow to the Navy yard for another 50 years, it avoided built-up areas so proved useless for firefighters, it never flowed to Sutton Harbour and taking water from it was made illegal so irrigating the land was impossible. Conveniently, this left only one purpose for the water now flowing into Plymouth – Drake’s mills now had a direct water source. The leat took just over four months to construct, and on April 24 1591, the new supply of water first

flowed to Plymouth. Legend has it that Drake rode a white horse down the channel to Plymouth with the flowing water following behind him. Although Drake’s Leat was built for self-serving reasons it paved the way for Plymouth to evolve and expand. Industrialisation, the rise of the Dockyard and improvements in sanitation would all follow as a result of Drake’s enterprise. The recently renovated Drake’s Place gardens and reservoir is the largest surviving reminder of the water way that proved so important for Plymouth. The site of the modern-day reservoir is where Drake chose to build his flour mills. In the late 19th Century, long after Drake’s mills had been demolished, the site was converted into a reservoir to cater to Plymouth’s growing population. The construction of Burrator Reservoir in 1891 spelt the end for the leat and parts were lost when the valley was flooded. But, you can follow sections of the channel along the Drake’s Trail cycle path from Yelverton to Clearbrook. Take the path from St Paul’s Church car park heading in the direction of Plymouth – you’ll follow a tree-lined, tranquil path with what remains of the leat on your left. The path goes all the way to Clearbrook and the leat connects sporadically along the way. In some places the leat is no more than a shallow ditch, in others the rock-lined channel, two feet deep and six feet wide, is still clearly visible. It’s strange to think that, without this now inconspicuous trench, Plymouth might still be a small fishing village.

PL MAGAZINE | 74 | FEBRUARY 2015

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OTTOMAN BASE & MEMORY SPRUNG MATTRESS

We stock a selection of Metal, wood & Fabric Bedsteads that will compliment any room. Available in all sizes and all in the sale.

Get an extra big discount when you purchase the Cavendish 4ft 6” Ottoman base along with the memory 4ft 6” mattress.

Was £199

NOW ONLY £99

ANOTHER 10%

On tHat MattRESS

EXTRA LaRGE DIScOUnt

Was £1,398 Now Only £698 8

NOW ONLY £549 Also available in 3ft at £479 and 5ft at £649

EXTRA 4 DRaWERS PLUS HEaDbOaRD abSOLUtLEY FREE *On tHIS MODEL

ORTHOPAEDIC DIVAN SET ALL THIS IN 4FT 6” for

£299

Other colours available.

Headboard not included 4’6” ELEGANCE 5500 POCkET SPRUNG DIVAN

PARMA BED

EXTRA aLL In StOcK REaDY FOR IMMEDIatE DELIVERY

Extra large discount when you buy the 4' 6" Parma bedstead with the 4ft 6” Prince mattress

IN STOCk NOW Was £798 NOW ONLY £399

NOW ONLY £299

EXTRA DELIVERED FREE DELIVERED qUICk DELIVERED & ASSEMBLED

Comes to you today and this weekend at a staggering low price of £1199. This great quality pocket sprung divan ofers the best in comfort and support. And its in our best ever sale.

COME VISIT US TODAY!

Was £2399

NOW ONLY £1199

Delivered to the room of your requirement, NOT your front door! or!

* DELIVERY on all orders over £399

ü Massive stocks ü Great customer service ü Open 7 Days a Week

32 Valley Road, Plympton PL7 1RF | 01752 344437 74_75_Drakes Leat.indd 75

©LW

FREE LOCAL

ü Express Delivery ü Huge selection ü Large FREE car park

www.justbedsplymouth.co.uk | LIKE US on 27/01/2015 17:47:19

PLYMOUTH IS A BEAUTIFUL CITY IN AMAZING SURROUNDINGS. BUT WHICH PLACES ARE THE MOST LIKELY TO INSPIRE OUR INNER ROMANTIC? PL ASKED SOME CITY FOLK FOR THEIR FAVOURITE LOCATIONS

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THIS IMAGE: BURRATOR – CHOSEN BY PLYMOUTH POET MIKE SULLIVAN 1. THE CHEESEWRING, BODMIN MOOR – CHOSEN BY CLARE JARDINE, PL MAGAZINE 2. BURGH ISLAND – CHOSEN BY CHARLES ELDER, PLYMOUTH AUTHOR 3. PLYMOUTH HOE AT SUNSET – CHOSEN BY PAUL BURTON, EDITOR PL MAGAZINE 4. THE FOLLY AT MOUNT EDGCUMBE – CHOSEN BY NICKY WILLIAMS, FOUNDER OF FAWCETT PLYMOUTH

4. PL MAGAZINE | 77 | FEBRUARY 2015

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THE LOVE EDITION

A gentleman’s guide to love MARTIN FREEMAN TAKES A MANLY LOOK AT ST VALENTINE’S DAY

ere’s a quick February quiz for you: which three words are guaranteed to panic a man? “I love you”? Close, but no cigar. “It’s Valentine’s Day”? Congratulations: you get the gift-wrapped, limited edition, February 14, hand-rolled Havana. The first time a man hears the former of those two, chances are he is in a similar starry-eyed state to his lover, so can cope. By contrast the annual approach of Valentine’s Day is likely to cause anxiety bordering on a clinical disorder.

What to do? Where to go? What to buy? Those red roses are how much? The answers are, in order, something romantic, somewhere romantic, something romantic and considerably more than you are prepared to pay. In fact, the last part of the fourth question will probably be your response to what you are told once you have decided on the previous three, and learned the cost. On February 14 the price of anything pink or heart-shaped is exorbitant. It’s a Valentine’s Day massacre, especially as this year the lovers’ celebration falls on a Saturday, when the awkward, once-a-year romantics face competition from the every-weekend going-outers. What is needed is the equivalent of the special bargain-hunting day recently imported from America that cuts the cost of Christmas – Pink Friday, anybody? As to what is romantic, that’s a matter of taste and choice. Don’t search for clues from history as nothing is known about Valentine (the patron saint not

only of love and marriage but, strangely, epilepsy). You could look to more stereotypically romantic nations. In the northern Italian province of Padua, the traditional gift to a lover is the Valentine’s key, an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart. In the town of Roquemaure in south-east France, the locals dress up as nuns and priests and kiss each other (and visitors, too, if you are tempted to go). Ah, the French, whose fame as romantics is surpassed only by their notoriety as the most enigmatic people on the planet. One Valentine’s Day I was among a group of workmates discussing their plans for the evening. The only one who volunteered no information was Eric, from the land of camembert and Sunday closing. So I asked him straight what he had arranged. “Nothing,” he said. There was a swift intake of break all around. Eric paused for dramatic effect, then smiled. “When you are French, my friend, every day is Valentine’s Day.” Au revoir, et Je t’aime.

PL MAGAZINE | 78 | FEBRUARY 2015

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SOCIAL DIARY

s Clark aham Robert of Franci Stuart Cowen and Gr rris Ltd. Ka of n Wa De lly Sa with Perri De Wan and

Terr y Robert, Rich and Doreen Ro ard Robert, Vicky Robert bert of Robert Flooring.

Launch of The Herald 2015 Family Busine ss Guide: Many of Plymouthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

top family firms enjoy ed a glitzy yet informative evening as The Herald launch ed its 2015 Family Business Guide. The packed 24-page pull-out came free insi de The Herald and is still available online . Featuring 18 of Plymo uthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading family enterprises, the supplement was also packed with informa tion and advice courtesy of Sutton Ha rbour-based accou ntants Francis Clark, which partnered wit h The Herald to pro duce the guide.

David Rowe, Valerie Rowe, Kara Northam, Paul Rowe of Applied Automation UK Ltd along with David Armstrong of Francis Clark

sign itects and De Crayon Arch of s kin y At er el y, and Dani icholls Upholst Andrea Galle lls of Dave N d Chris Nicho an n w Da ith w est speaker Giles Hutchings, Gu w Sewell dre An and rke Cla Bill

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Richard Wright, Jemima Fox and Stuart Budgen of Francis Clark Jake and Jude Whitford of

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, Craig Ford an ordon McCaw

mon Pyne

Francis Clark

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TIC KE T

OUT & ABOUT

TOP

EVENTS NOT TO MISS THIS MONTH IN PLYMOUTH

FEBRUARY 1

FEBRUARY 2

RWY Food Market

Rockets and Rascals cycle

2001 A Space Odyssey

The Royal William Yard Good Food market returns after a Christmas break and visitors can expect an abundance of delicious local produce. The market is located in a beautiful historic setting and the yard comes alive with stalls full of food and drink, from the finest South West suppliers. It’s open between 10am and 3pm and is free to attend. If visitors want to try even more delicious produce then the yard is home to plenty more - you can also retire to River Cottage Canteen & Deli, Seco Lounge, Prezzo or The Royal William Bakery for lunch.

The bicycle emporium is back and will be kicking off this month with their first cycle ride of the new year. Circus of Dirt will take place at Newnham Park and is suitable for mountain bikers. The energetic cycle will blow away any cobwebs you may have and get you feeling fit and fresh. The bike ride is aimed at the more experienced rider but there is a cafe on site and plenty of action to keep spectators entertained.

The sci-fi classic 2001 A Space Odyssey will launch the science fiction season in the city with a newly re-mastered version of director Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece. Some people say it’s one of the most influential science fiction film ever made, others not so sure - but go along and decide for yourself. Travel from the dawn of time and beyond with this ambitious film, featuring memorable scene after scene. A film experience only fully realised and appreciated on the big screen. Also featuring a short trailer of the Goonhilly rocket launch from the SWFTA archives. Jill Craigie Cinema, Plymouth University, 7pm.

FEBRUARY 9

FEBRUARY 17 - 21

Kaiser Chiefs

Mice On Skates

MTV Crashes favourites the Kaiser Chiefs will be returning once more to Plymouth to wow crowds at the Pavilions. The summer event saw thousands of people turn out to listen to favourites such as I Predict A Riot and Ruby. They will be returning to do it all over again. Their number one album Education, Education, Education & War, which was released last year, has already gained huge recognition and their set will not disappoint. Supporting them will be inventive duo Public Service Broadcasting who take old radio sounds and make electro based songs.

This family friendly theatre production will have everyone in fits of laughter and is a beautiful story about friendship and adventure. There are plenty of songs to keep your children entertained and singing on the way home in the car, and the production features puppets created by puppet maestro Marc Parrett. Mice On Skates is adapted from the original story by Sylvia Hunt and is a lively, fastpaced and inventive piece of theatre. Catch it while you can at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

FEBRUARY - ONWARDS

In the Frame: Plymouth Portraits Revealed A new and exciting exhibition that delves more deeply into Plymouth’s portrait collection and presents new research into some of the characters that are new or rarely seen, will be at Plymouth City Museum for the duration of the year. In the Frame features an early self-portrait by Plympton-born 18th century artist, Sir Joshua Reynolds, as well as self-portraits by James Northcote and Edward Opie. Important local faces and families will also feature – from William Cookworthy, the founder of the Plymouth Porcelain factory, to MPs and Mayors of Plymouth past, to the last town crier of Devonport. Free admission.

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