PL Magazine - November 2014

P L

M a g a z i n e

| FA S H I O N | H E A LT H & B E AU T Y | FA M I LY | H O M E S & G A R D E N S | P R O P E R T Y |

NOVEMBER 2014

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Your lifestyle magazine for Plymouth & surrounding areas

Never give up MY BABY JOY AT 45

12 of the best Christmas party venues WHERE TO PARTY THIS DECEMBER

Lily LOVES LIfe THE POP QUEEN TALKS ABOUT FAMILY AND RETURNING TO THE STAGE

| M O T O R I N G | T R AV E L | F O O D & D R I N K | O U T & A B O U T | S O C I A L D I A R Y | NOVEMBER COVER.indd 1

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FANTASTIC FASHION COMING SOON

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CONTENTS

12 PEOPLE 6 MECIA SIMPSON Hollywood calling

8 KATE LEADBEATER Baby joy at 45

12 MATTHEW BOURNE Ballet supremo

16 CONNOR MCINTYRE Actor-turned-artist

HEALTH & BEAUTY 30 HAIR FLAIR Stencil creations

33 NAIL ART

18 VINTAGE OBSESSION Style throw-backs

20 MASTER CRAFTSMAN Making bespoke jewellery

22 SAM COX Exclusive bridal boutique

24 IN THE FRAME Photographic flair for fashion

26 MAKEOVER

Michelin-star shines

62 PARTY TIME Our pick of the Christmas venues

34 TURN BACK THE CLOCK

Murphy’s creations

Anti-ageing tips

66 MARSHMALLOWS 68 STIR-UP SUNDAY Time to make a wish

70 CHEFS EAT SIMPLE

36 DEAR SANTA

Their favourite snacks

The top toys for Christmas

71 HEART-WARMERS

40 LESS IS MORE

Super soups

What kids really want

40 AUTUMN LEAVES Enjoy the season

OUT & ABOUT 72 POPPY DAY Remembering the fallen

THE WATERFRONT 41 SPECIAL FEATURE

74 LILY ALLEN Singer’s UK tour

76 STRICTLY FEVER

Four lives transformed

28 CHRISTMAS JUMPERS

60 THE TREBY ARMS

Colours for autumn

FAMILY

FASHION

FOOD & DRINK

HOMES & GARDENS

The ones to buy now!

50 GLAD FOR PLAID

The dance challenge

78 SOCIAL DIARY The best events in the city

Designs to check-out

52 INDUSTRIAL INTERIORS

follow us /PLMagPlymouth @PLMagPlymouth

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

80 TOP 6 EVENTS What to do this month

Everyday products

54 BROWNSTON GALLERY The latest collections

56 BOOKS TO INSPIRE Christmas ideas

58 GARDENING TIPS What to do this month

COVER: Lily Allen PL MAGAZINE | 3 | NOVEMBER 2014

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71

Autumn’s glory is good for the soul

T

he clocks have changed and there’s the first feel of a little frost in the morning air.

Halloween has already been and gone and bonfire night is almost upon us. It’s a season when we start looking forward to Christmas and making those early preparations.

I’d like to say I’m one of those people who has Christmas all bought and wrapped up by the end of November but, like many others, I’ll probably be scurrying around the shops on Christmas Eve. To help you get a step ahead for the festivities, PL has been looking at what makes a perfect family Christmas – and whether it’s really presents that matter to children.

Studies suggest that what kids want more than anything is a relaxed break – with parents who aren’t stressed about how much money they’ve spent.

But even if you manage to spend less on gifts, you’ll still want to buy presents that matter, so we’ve also got a guide to this year’s top toys, plus some ideas on how to hold a Secret Santa with your family.

When I was growing up, I loved helping my mum make our Christmas pudding – which she always insisted had to be done on Stir-Up Sunday, which falls at the end of November.

If it really is too early for you to think about Christmas we’ve got plenty else in this month’s edition for you, including our guide to the best places to go for a kick-around in the autumn leaves.

Louise Daniel had the pleasure of a visit to the Treby Arms at Sparkwell where chef Anton Piotrowski has just been awarded the honour of a Michelin star. Louise also managed to persuade Anton to share the recipe for the famous carrot cake he made while competing on MasterChef.

Martin Freeman has met Coronation Street star turned artist Connor McIntyre as well as ballet supremo Matthew Bourne who brings his stunning version of Edward Scissorhands to the Theatre Royal this month.

We’ve got ideas for your home and garden, family activities, this month’s top events and pictures from Plymouth’s most glamorous events. So, as the nights draw in, why not curl up in a comfy chair by the fire and enjoy the latest serving of happiness that comes with PL.

06

Clare Jardine Clare Jardine – PL Magazine

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PEOPLE

Mecia goes to Hollywood PLYMOUTH-BORN MODEL MECIA SIMSON HAS GONE FROM WORKING IN A SANDWICH SHOP TO INTERNATIONAL WORK AS A MODEL. EMILY SMITH TALKS TO HER ABOUT HER PLYMOUTH ROOTS AND WINNING BRITAIN’S NEXT TOP MODEL

LEFT: MECIA APPEARING AS A GUEST JUDGE AT THE FACE OF PLYMOUTH COMPETITION BELOW: ON THE COVER OF COMPANY MAGAZINE ABOVE A MODELLING POSE FOR BRITAIN’S NEXT TOP MODEL

PL MAGAZINE | 6 | NOVEMBER 2014

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PEOPLE

“Now I’m older I really appreciate Plymouth and miss the quiet. I always wanted to travel and I always loved TV. I feel really, really lucky” - MECIA SIMSON

M

odel Mecia Simson is in Beverly Hills being filmed for the finale of the hit TV show Model Turned Superstar. It’s a long way from her days studying Travel and Tourism at City College Plymouth.

Mecia, 24, is one of 13 models battling it out for votes to win $1,000,000 and a chance to star in a Hollywood film. The Plymouth girl is competing against models worldwide including America and Russia.

Mecia says: “I’m the only English girl in the competition, and it’s all done on votes.

“I’m living in a Beverly Hills mansion and the live highlights will be available online. Sky TV are interested in airing the show in December.

“Everyone can vote all around the world; I’ll have to be on my best behaviour.”

Although it hasn’t always been a glamorous life

for Mecia – after studying at Plymstock Secondary School and Dunstone Primary School – the wannabe model moved to London when she was 19 after working in her local sandwich shop.

Mecia won the fifth series of Britain’s Next Top Model in 2009. After winning the title, she went on to appear on the cover of Company, work for Stella McCartney, clothing firms Apricot and House of Blue Eyes label and on Max Factor campaigns.

Now living the dream in America and hoping to be the winner of Andy Khawaja’s web-based competition, Mecia has not forgotten her roots and is proud to call Plymouth home.

She says: “I really miss Plymouth.

“Now I’m older I really appreciate it and miss the quiet. I always wanted to travel and I always loved TV. I feel really, really lucky.”

The 24-year-old flew out to America on October 1 to start filming for the reality TV show. People can vote daily for the model they would like to win the show.

Mecia says: “I’m just going to enjoy it, but I’m in a competition and I want to win.”

The show is going to be aired on TV in December and fans won’t find out how the Plymouth-born model fares until then.

Despite her busy modelling career, Mecia often returns to Plymouth to see her family, including her mum Letitia Moreno, who runs Incognito hair and beauty salon in Ebrington Street.

Letitia said the show could be another “great break” for her daughter.

“I’m so proud of what she has achieved already – it just shows what you can do even if you come from a small place like Plymouth.”

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PEOPLE

MY Miracle BABY KATE LEADBEATER WAITED ALMOST HALF A LIFETIME FOR HER BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL TO COME ALONG, BUT ALREADY IT’S BECOMING HARD FOR THE 45-YEAR-OLD FIRST-TIME MUM TO IMAGINE LIFE BEFORE SOPHIA, AS CATHERINE BARNES DISCOVERS

F

our-months old and utterly adorable, Sophia Nesbitt has the most beguiling of gummy smiles. Her eyelids become heavier and heavier during my chat with mum Kate over coffee. Yet just when you think she’ll surely nod off, they pop back open. It’s as though she doesn’t want to miss a single thing that her mother says or does.

And Kate feels the same. After all, it took 20 long years of trying for her to get pregnant. And finally, when all hope was almost lost, Kate gave birth to Sophia – her first child - at the age of 45.

“The second she was born, it was like she had been waiting to come. It’s been such a long journey getting here and is just the best feeling in the world,” says Kate.

“I’d imagined it a thousand times and each time was emotional, but when it actually happened, it was like this peace had come and part of my heart had been mended. For years I’d felt this sorrow, but now in the weirdest of ways I feel like she’s been with me forever.”

Sophia was born in Derriford Hospital weighing 7lb 8oz. Kate lives and runs a bootcamp fitness business in Plymouth with her third husband Mark Nesbitt, 50.

Her quest for a baby of her own started many years ago, when she married her first husband at the age of 26. In the early stages of her marriage she assumed that a baby would simply come along. But as time passed and she began to approach her thirties still childless, she began to wonder if something was amiss.

The unexplained infertility led to the marriage

breaking down. “My then husband just couldn’t comprehend how getting pregnant was that important to me,” she remembers.

“By this stage, my friends were getting married and pregnant and it made me realise my husband and I just weren’t connecting. He couldn’t deal with what was happening.”

The couple divorced and, aged 30, Kate met and married her second husband: “We instantly started trying for a baby and I did get pregnant,” she says.

“I felt so happy and remember thinking, great, perhaps there’s nothing wrong with me after all.

But I had a miscarriage at about six or seven weeks. I was heartbroken.

“Basically, there was no known cause. It would have been better to have known why, then there would have been something to address. I’d feel so angry when I heard and see how some people bring up their kids. But that’s life. There are some people who shouldn’t be parents – but that can’t make you a parent.”

Aged 35, Kate went to top London fertility expert Mohammed Taranissi, whose treatment methods and the wealth he has amassed has caused controversy among some medics, but to whom many parents owe a debt of gratitude.

In all, she was to spend £35,000 on her treatment, taking out loans and eventually selling her beauty salon to cover the costs.

The process was gruelling and intensive, involving daily trips to London for scans, blood tests and huge injections into her muscles.

On each round of IVF she conceived, but as her bump became visible, problems occurred. Her first IVF pregnancy ended in a miscarriage and then a routine scan revealed that her second boy and girl twins had died at 14 weeks.

“I’d been scanned three days before and everything was fantastic. I remember the consultant looking at the monitor and turning it away. There was no heartbeat. I just felt disbelief and had to deal with it quietly and on my own. With my husband, there was no hugging, or the comfort of talking about it. With hindsight there was no time to grieve; it was back on the fertility drugs and

within three months, I was pregnant again.

“The third IVF baby was a girl, but a scan revealed she would have had all sort of major health problems,” says Kate. “I asked the doctor at the scan, ‘What would you do?’ I’ll never forget her reply. She said, ‘I don’t think you’re going to have to make a decision’.”

Indeed, 16 weeks into her pregnancy, medics diagnosed a missed miscarriage – the baby had not developed properly and died in the womb.

Sadly the marriage ended shortly after and that’s when Kate really felt the loss of the family she yearned for.

“I don’t think I’d properly grieved for the babies until the marriage was over and by then, I felt so low. Although my family was there for me, I just felt so lonely. I remember thinking, I’m nearly 40, got no husband, no business, no children and I’d had to sell my home. I felt a complete failure.

That feeling lasted throughout the years and only now has started to get better.”

In order to give herself some breathing space, Kate booked herself onto a boot camp in Devon: “A friend of mine said it’s something you need to do. She was spot on – I loved it.

“I left there thinking, if I could do that, I can conquer the world. I decided to apply for a job with the company who ran the holidays. And that’s where I met Mark.”

Within six months, Kate had relocated permanently to Devon and to Plymouth with Mark, with whom she now runs their own fitness business.

Mark already had a grown up son, but nevertheless, he was keen for Kate to begin trying for a baby. Now aged forty and considered too old for IVF on the NHS, the couple took out a loan to fund the £5,000 cost of fertility treatment, but the pregnancy they’d hoped for didn’t happen.

“Mark was super and very pragmatic and so we tried again. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seriously questioned the morality of spending thousands on IVF when there are so many children that need homes.

“But you just want that something that other people have and can leave you feeling empty.”

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Weeks later, a scan revealed that the baby was lying breach and Kate spent her 45th birthday in hospital with medics manipulating the baby into the right position.

On April 29 she was back on the maternity ward again, this time to be induced.

Two days went by, however, with still no baby.

“Another mum went into labour, had hers and was back on the ward before I went down to the delivery suite,” smiles Kate.

Sophia finally arrived in the small hours of May 2 this year. It is a moment in time that still makes Kate’s voice break and eyes well up. “We couldn’t hear her cry, but they reassured us – it’s okay, she’s just chilled. And when they told us it was a little girl, that’s when we both cried.

“I hope that when she starts her own family that she doesn’t have to go through the same pain that I did to get her here,” adds Kate.

“But the experience makes her so precious - I wouldn’t change any of it.”

P

£

The experience has made Sophia so special - I wouldn’t change any of it - KATE LEADBEATER One family member who advised Kate never to give up was her niece, Hannah, who also urged Kate to marry Mark, shortly before she embarked on her gap year travels two years ago.

“She said, he’s the one you should have met years ago – you have to keep trying,” says Kate.

Heartbreakingly, the vibrant and lovely 21year old was killed in America in a hit and run accident, leaving the family utterly bereft. A few months later, at Christmas, Mark formally asked Kate’s dad permission to marry his daughter, but decided the time wasn’t right to propose.

“I don’t think any of our heads were in a happy place,” says Kate. “And when he did ask me, I think I actually may have been pregnant.”

Delighted by the news, Kate nevertheless felt pangs of fear that the loss of this baby could be one sadness too much for a family that still misses Hannah with all their hearts.

Yet despite worrying bleeds in the first months of her pregnancy, at 20 weeks, things settled down.

The couple married on March 1 and rounded their happy day off with a meal at a local restaurant.

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PL MAGAZINE | 10 | NOVEMBER 2014

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A SCENE FROM EDWARD SCISSORHANDS

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EDWARD SCISSORHANDS CREATES HIS BEAUTIFUL ICE SCULPTURE

Bourne to make beautiful ballet CHOREOGRAPHER MATTHEW BOURNE HAS THE WORLD AT HIS FEET BUT PLYMOUTH HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN HIS HEART, HE TELLS MARTIN FREEMAN

H

e has made some of the world’s most exciting dance shows of the last 30 years.

Time Magazine has called him “the world’s most popular living dance maker”.

Even those who can’t tell a pas de deux from a do-si-do have heard of Matthew Bourne’s works.

His all-male Swan Lake and innovative tellings of other stories such as Nutracker!, The Car Man (from the opera, Carmen) and Cinderella have all registered in the public consciousness.

He created the world’s longest-running ballet production (Swan Lake), is a five-time Olivier Award-winner, and the only British director to have won Tony Awards for both Best Choreographer and Best Director of a Musical.

In short he is a visionary choreographer and director – who first focused his artistic view in Plymouth in small-scale fashion in the early 1990s.

He and the half-dozen members of his Adventures In Motion Pictures developed some early pieces at the Barbican Theatre. They performed witty, upclose works such as Town And Country, The Percys of Fitzrovia, and The Infernal Galop at the Barbican Theatre. The Castle Street venue also saw his first makeover of classical ballet, La Sylphide, which he re-titled Highland Fling.

“I have very fond memories of the Barbican Theatre,” he says. “We always had full houses and always got a lovely response from audiences. In fact the response to The Percys of Fitzrovia gave us a false impression – the audience at the Barbican loved it but it didn’t do so well elsewhere!”

Fame and success grew. The company name

THE NUTCRACKER!

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CHOREOGRAPHER AND DIRECTOR MATTHEW BOURNE

BOURNE’S INSPIRED MALE SWANS

SWAN LAKE

changed, to New Adventures (from 2002). He has continued, though, to bring work to Plymouth and even have world premieres in the city (most recently Sleeping Beauty, 2012). Audience demands, and the need to cover the costs of large productions, mean the shows call at the Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP), which has room for 1,300

“It is always nice in the morning having that amazing view of the Hoe from my hotel room” - MATTHEW BOURNE PL MAGAZINE | 14 | NOVEMBER 2014

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compared with the 140-seat Barbican Theatre.

Other shows have started UK tours at the TRP. The latest is a revival of one of his most popular works, Edward Scissorhands.

The modern fairytale – based on the 1990 Tim Burton film – will rehearse and be perfected in Plymouth before going on the road for five months, including a five-week stint in London.

“All the elements have something new,” he says, explaining what those who are familiar with the piece will notice that is different.

“There is some new music, a couple of new sections and some new lighting, design and choreography.”

As for why the changes are being made, “when you see the audience reaction (to a new production) you make a note and you see what might be improved. But you don’t always have a chance to make those changes if a show runs for quite a long time, as with Edward Scissorhands.

“It is lovely to refresh it.”

What also pulls Matthew to Plymouth is TR2, the TRP’s production and rehearsal centre in Cattedown. “It is a massive help. Many theatres do not have that sort of space. In some, you are sometimes having to work in the bar at the theatre.

“The great thing about Plymouth is that technical stuff can be going on on the stage and the company can be rehearsing uninterrupted at TR2. It saves a lot of time – and it’s a beautiful setting.”

As a repeat visitor he is looking forward to bracing walks on the Hoe and Sunday lunch with the company at the Royal William Yard.

Never mind curtain up, he sounds almost excited at the prospect of curtains open – his first glimpse again of Plymouth’s natural beauty.

“It is always nice in the morning having that amazing view of the Hoe from my hotel room,” he says.

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ONE OF CONNOR’S PIECES

From Coronation Street to Plymouth TV SOAP HARD MAN CONNOR MCINTYRE HAS A NEW ROLE AS A PLYMOUTH PAINTER, MARTIN FREEMAN REPORTS

CONOR PRESENTS ONE OF HIS THOUGHT-PROVOKING ARTWORKS TO MAYFLOWER COMMUNITY ACADEMY

CONNOR AT AN EXHIBITION OF HIS WORK

PL MAGAZINE | 16 | NOVEMBER 2014

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CONNOR MCINTYRE

P

at Phelan was tough as the cobbles of Coronation Street in a six-month stint in the TV soap that ended earlier this year.

But that didn’t scare one fan who crossed the line dividing fiction from fact and jokingly confronted the Scouse villain.

“A little old lady came through a crowd of people, waved her fist in my face and said, ‘I’d like to give you one of these!’,” says Connor McIntyre, the Plymouth man behind Pat. “I said, ‘let’s have a cup of tea before you do any of that’,” he laughs.

Of course, accent aside, Liverpool-born, longterm Plymouth resident Connor, 54, isn’t anything like evil Pat. It’s called being an actor – but that’s not how most people encounter him in the city.

You’ll find him in a paint-splattered boiler suit and hard at work on a painting.

Connor is proud to describe himself as a “painter who does a bit of acting”, despite decades of screen and stage work. He has a degree in fine art from Plymouth University – he got a first – and is in the second half of a two-year master’s degree in art from the same body.

His acting, too, started in the city where he was visiting his brother, Noel, a Royal Navy man.

Connor drifted through a succession of jobs before he wandered into the Barbican Theatre one

day. “I have no idea why,” he says. “I’d never been inside a theatre in my life. It was like some sort of epiphany. It was like John Lennon seeing Chuck Berry and thinking, ‘that’s a good job’.”

Connor trained at the Barbican. Bit parts on TV in London’s Burning, The Bill and Casualty came his way before his break in ITV medical drama series A&E as nurse Terry Harker. Two contrasting series, crime drama Murder City on ITV and the BBC comedy-drama Drop Dead Gorgeous, showed his versatility.

“I’d never been inside a theatre in my life – it was like some sort of epiphany” - CONNOR MCINTYRE A heart attack 11 years ago made Connor think about slowing the pace and took him back to a conversation he’d had with Plymouth painter Robert Lenkiewicz while researching a play.

“He said to me that with painting you have to ‘make every mark a thought, every thought a clear one’,” Connor recalls. “That struck me as strange

because it’s how an actor works.”

He trained first with Louise Courtnell, a pupil of the late portraitist, and did an access course at Cornwall College, Saltash, before Plymouth University.

Connor specialises in large-scale experimental abstracts. They do sell although he acknowledges that “very few artists do more than scrape a living”.

So he is happy to boost his earnings with acting work, including the “privilege” of working on Corrie.

Connor is grateful now to be able to work flat out on his second degree and getting work ready for his final show.

He has moved from his studio at the rear of the Royal William Yard Bakery where cafe visitors would wander in – including that feisty (and funny) elderly woman.

Connor aims to continue open access in his new Alamo studio in Miller Court, Millbay, where he plans to offer mentoring to emerging artists, “including those who don’t know they are artists, if that doesn’t sound too pretentious”.

He also wants to do more to engage young minds with art. He gave a talk and one of his large-format paintings to Mayflower Community Academy in North Prospect.

But the obsessive artist who often works 12-hour, non-stop sessions won’t be following his doctor’s advice to slow down. “That is like telling me to be a bit less Connor McIntyre. This is what I do.”

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FASHION

Turning the clock back to the 1950s JO MACASKIE INDULGES IN FIFTIES-STYLE DRESSES, RELAXING TO THE SOUNDS OF JAZZ AND TAKING LIFE AT A SLOWER PACE THAN MANY, WHILE RUNNING A SERIES OF VINTAGE FAIRS. EMILY SMITH WENT TO MEET HER

F

ifties fanatic Jo Macaskie named her business, Miss Ivy Events, after her late great-grandmother. The vintage fair organiser revels in everything 1950s.

We meet in retro teashop Rumpus Cosy and Jo is dressed to impress in a Fifties-style skirt and kitten heels. I’m intrigued to know how she got the idea of running vintage events.

Jo left school at 16 to train as a hairdresser. “I hated it, really hated it,” she said. “I ended up applying for a job at H Samuel jewellers. Then I moved to F Hinds.”

Jo remained in the jewellery business for the next 23 years but seven years ago she started her own home jewellery business, christened Gemme de Joanne.

Jo said: “I went up to Birmingham, bought a load of jewellery and then came back and set up this business.

“I quite enjoyed it and a year later I opened a shop in Torquay, with the jewellery, it was just as the recession had hit.

“It was fine for about two years and then it started going downhill.”

Brought up in Canada before moving to the Orkney Islands at the age of 12, Jo’s love of things vintage has a diverse heritage.

She said: “I think there were 120 people in my whole school and five people in my class. Living on a remote island has given me the ability to be quite diverse and adaptable, so nothing fazes me now. If it doesn’t work then I try something else.”

Jo then saw the growing market for refurbished furniture and started buying items to paint at auctions.

“Three-and-a-half years ago all the shabby chic stuff was really coming in. I saw a gap in the market and decided to change direction to the

vintage,” she said. “That was when I changed my business name to Miss Ivy.” Jo was looking for ways to promote her shop when she came upon the idea of holding fairs.

“We put on a little vintage fair at The Imperial Hotel in Torquay. We had a little catwalk and about 40 stands – it was really hard to get people interested as there wasn’t a lot of traders doing ‘vintage’ then. It was a huge success, though – we had about 450 people through the door.

“There was a real buzz and everyone was like, ‘when are you doing your next one?’ And I was like, ‘ohh, okay’.

“That was in November 2011 and in March 2012 we held another fair in Torquay, by which time I was looking round the area and there was quite a big one in Exeter and I thought, ‘oh gosh, there’s nothing in Plymouth’.”

Jo now runs regular Miss Ivy Events at the Plymouth Guildhall and sees up to 2,500 people come through the doors. Traders travel from as far as Bristol and the depths of Cornwall to attend and already 20 events are booked for next year’s calendar.

For many owning the latest gadget, queuing up for the newest iPhone and pausing everything on TV because we can, is a great pleasure, but it’s different for Jo. She said: “I think for me and a lot of my customers it’s like stepping back in time. It’s about letting people step out of their lives for a day, into what people perceive as happier times, really.

“I love wearing Fifties clothes. I just love it, that’s my era and it suits my shape. It’s great for me to be able to dress up at the events and I feel really feminine.

“I don’t know what it is, life’s just got really fast hasn’t it? It’s nice to just slow it down and take it back to the values we had 40/50 years ago.”

JO MACASKIE OF MISS IVY EVENTS

RETRO GOODS FOR SALE

PL MAGAZINE | 19 | NOVEMBER 2014

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27/10/2014 11:59:26

FASHION

Bespoke jewellery to last a lifetime BECOMING A MASTER JEWELLER ISN’T THE MOST OBVIOUS CAREER CHOICE BUT ROB ROBINS LOVES CREATING BESPOKE ITEMS FOR HIS CITY CLIENTELE, LOUISE DANIEL REPORTS

F

or someone who wasn’t sure what he wanted to do when he left school, Rob Robins, master jeweller at Robins and Moore, has certainly made his mark. He started learning the family trade in the wellloved Cornwall Street store after his A-Levels and hasn’t looked back.

Rob laughs: “I was forced at gun point by the family.”

Steady-handed Rob is part of the expert team - including Ray Robins, Alan Moore and Carl Moore - who create beautiful, bespoke jewellery from the family-run store and he clearly loves the business.

“I often make jewellery and think to myself I’d like that. I don’t end up having time to make my own and probably wouldn’t get anything else done if I did.”

Making jewellery is as complicated as it sounds and there are as many processes as there

are jewellers – though technology now lends a helping hand.

Computer Aided Design (CAD) brings flat images to life and gives a representation of what a piece will look like before the real work begins.

“When you are placing diamonds or soldering you have to have a steady hand. You literally can’t afford to make mistakes at the bench. We use CAD and make a model - a rendered image - to show customers,” he said.

Rob really enjoys being a part of future generation’s legacies and is mindful of how important creating special pieces can be.

“Bespoke wedding rings are like snowflakes and are unique to each bride.”

According to Rob, the Robins and Moore ethos is simple.

“We want people to walk out of the shop with something stunning, personal and durable.

But personally I love the ‘wow’ you get from customers.”

The beauty of small independent stores like Robins and Moore is how they work with customers throughout the jewellery making process to achieve pieces which are exclusive and right for them.

“People get really involved. We don’t say ‘there’s the design and that’s it’ – it’s an ongoing collaborative process.”

That could be replacing a lost wedding ring from old photographs or reworking an heirloom into a modern, wearable piece of jewellery.

“We refer to it as a pick and mix – bring your old jewellery in and select what you want.

“People don’t understand that we can do almost anything when it comes to jewellery.

“Carl recently made an artist an 18 carat gold paint brush with real bristles – if they wanted to they could use it as a real paint brush.”

PL MAGAZINE | 20 | NOVEMBER 2014

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FASHION

ROBINS & MOORE GOLDSMITHS Craftsmen in precious metals

The very best quality, the very best price.

Guaranteed.

131 Cornwall Street & Avenue 3 City Market Plymouth Tel: 01752 229319 www.robinsmoore.co.uk PL MAGAZINE | 21 | NOVEMBER 2014 20_21_Robbins and Moore.indd 21

24/10/2014 11:14:19

SAM COX IN HER BARBICAN BOUTIQUE

Sam’s pride in bridal perfection SAM COX HAS OPENED A UNIQUE BRIDAL BOUTIQUE ON PLYMOUTH’S BARBICAN. LOUISE DANIEL MET HER TO TALK EXCLUSIVITY AND ROYAL CONNECTIONS

S

tepping into Sam Cox’s bridalwear shop on Southside Street you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d walked through the doors of one of London’s private boutiques.

It is a well-lit, warm and comforting space which speaks loudly of luxury, exclusivity and understated glamour. But brides needn’t feel intimidated by the idea of a boutique bridal shop.

Sam says: “I wanted my shop to look stunning, but I also wanted it to be comfy. When I see a lady take off her shoes and put her feet up I’m made up.”

Every woman wants to look and feel unique on her wedding day and at the heart of it all is choosing the right dress. Sam Cox makes sure her customers have the right environment to do that

with one-on-one service for every client.

The shop is spread across two floors and Sam and I relax in the upstairs space where brides can privately show off their gown to expectant family and friends while enjoying a glass of bubbly.

With her broad Yorkshire accent and positive attitude, Sam is a chatty, friendly and welcome addition to the bridal landscape in Plymouth.

But make no mistake – this is a lady with the drive to elevate bridal experiences in Plymouth by doing something out of the ordinary.

Sam says: “I knew what I wanted – I put appointments in place because I didn’t want to do something that had been done before.

“Ladies can be self-conscious when they are trying on dresses. I think the wedding day is all about the dress.”

Sam’s stocks wedding dresses made by one of the Duchess of Cambridge’s favourite daywear designers, Jenny Packham, and is the only bridal shop in the South West the international designer trusts to sell her sumptuous wedding gowns.

“I’m not playing at it. I was on a mission to get Jenny Packham in my shop for my ladies. It took me a year but I did it.”

“Jenny said, ‘don’t ever apologise for the pricing, my dresses are worth every penny’. The only downside is that everyone presumes I am too expensive but I have dresses for £1,000.”

Sam is very clear that hers is a service that every woman can enjoy, treating every blushing bride to the same service regardless of what they spend.

“It shouldn’t matter what you are spending – to that person it might as well be a million pounds and everyone should be treated the same.”

Sam’s royal connections don’t stop there – she also briefly met who would’ve been the Duchess’ mother-in-law, the late Princess Diana.

Sam explains: “I used to be a buyer for Marks & Spencer where I had the great pleasure of meeting Princess Diana. The company I worked for used to do William’s frog wellies.”

One day Sam met Diana who apologised for having red eyes. “She told me: ‘‘I’m sorry if my eyes look puffy, I’ve been to William’s carol concert and couldn’t stop crying. I’m one very proud mum’.

“On telly she looked beautiful – in person she just had that something about her.”

Sam Cox’s exclusive service is why the judges of The Herald’s City and Waterfront Awards chose her as best independent fashion retailer in October’s ceremony at the Holiday Inn.

PL MAGAZINE | 22 | NOVEMBER 2014

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A WEDDING GOWN

BY JENNY PACKHAM, INSET BELOW

The boutique is located on the Barbican, Plymouth and is blessed with an elegant and stylish interior, private dressing facilities and a wide range of bridal wear accessories for you to choose from.

My promise...

Quality goes into everything we do from your first consultation, to the personal contact we dedicate to you before your very special day. It’s my promise to you.

Packham Power

You all went above and beyond to make me feel like a princess on my special day.

Cassie x

Jenny Packham was this year named British Bridal Designer of the Year and her dresses are sought after by A-list celebrities and royalty.

Her designs are timeless, contemporary and have a signaturestyle popular with celebrities including Helen Mirren, Christina Hendricks, Kate Winslet and the Duchess of Cambridge, left.

She has one of the world’s most recognisable and successful fashion brands – so Sam Cox stocking her bridal gowns is a huge coup for the South West.

Sam said: “I am the only person who Jenny Packham has travelled for. Usually you have to go to her boutique but she shut the shop and brought the dresses to me.

“People travel from everywhere for a Jenny Packham because we are the only suppliers in the South West.”

By appointment only 52 Southside Street, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2LB

Telephone: 01752 228451 www.samcoxbridalwear.co.uk Email: samcoxbridalwear@btconnect.com

PL MAGAZINE | 23 | NOVEMBER 2014

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27/10/2014 12:30:32

PEOPLE AUTUMN AT THE GATES - MODEL: SWALLOWTAIL

SHADED ELEGANCE THE PARASOL WAS A PROP SWALLOWTAIL BROUGHT WITH HER

BEAUTY REVEALED - MODEL: SWALLOWTAIL PHOTOGRAPHED

BY ROB FOR AN AUTUMN-THEMED SHOOT

Forever autumn F ROB NANKIVELL TRAVELLED ALL OVER THE WORLD IN HIS ROYAL AIR FORCE CAREER. LOUISE DANIEL SPEAKS TO HIM ABOUT ANTARCTIC WEATHER AND FINDING HIS CREATIVE HEART HERE IN PLYMOUTH

ormer RAF engineer Rob Nankivell served his country for 15 years, visiting several scorching, sandy destinations. But it was an icy tour of The Falklands that prompted him to hang up his service boots and pursue his artistic aspirations.

As he whiled away the hours playing bass in bands and huddling up against the brutal weather, the barren, windy wastes rekindled Rob’s childhood love of photography.

“The Falklands reminded me of a windy Dartmoor.

The winters are Antarctic and harsh but the wildlife is amazing – penguins, killer whales and leopard seals.

Creatively, that tour was the turning point for me.

PL MAGAZINE | 24 | NOVEMBER 2014

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PEOPLE

ROB NANKIVELL

‘FORGOTTEN PAST’ – ONE OF THE MANY ENGINE HOUSES SCATTERED AROUND THE SOUTH WEST

DREAMER - MODEL: HARRIET ISOBEL PHOTOGRAPHED IN WOODS NEAR HARTLAND, NORTH DEVON

BRING ON THE PAIN (MODEL DANNY)

“I learned as I went, then the weather closed in and we all had to hide from the harsh environment.”

Once he retired from the service Rob began cutting his professional photography teeth at rock festivals – shooting his favourite bands.

“I see it as a busman’s holiday – being a fan of the music. It’s very challenging and tiring – you’re on your feet for 14 hours a day, running between stages, plus you only get three songs to get the shots.

“It’s a steep learning curve and you have to be on your game.

“There’s a real thrill in it - with the time constraint, lights and smoke – and we’re not allowed to use a flash. It’s the complete opposite to working in the studio.”

Operating out of his Mannamead studio, Rob also works magic with clients using skilful lighting and a keen engineering eye to get the best shots for subjects.

“I have a love of physics – lighting properly and creatively appeals to me.

“I go the classic and classy route when I do makeover shots for people.

“I’ve got a thing about the glamorous

Hollywood style. All the preparation goes in before the photograph is taken so there is the minimum photoshopping afterwards.

“I think in a cinematic way and there is a definite influence of the 1940s era – the best results come from getting it right there and then.”

But getting the best shot means helping subjects relax and feel comfortable with the camera.

“Building a relationship is the most important thing to get the best from a subject – there has to be chemistry.

“It’s interacting with people that I love – it’s cheesy but I love the ‘wow’ from the client.”

PL MAGAZINE | 25 | NOVEMBER 2014

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24/10/2014 10:45:07

SPONSORED FEATURE

COUTURE LALA BY JUICY COUTURE, THE PERFUME SHOP

PANDORA

PINK SODA PARKA, BANK £70

At the Circus

COAT £89, TOP £29.50, DRESS £45, BAG £29.50, SHOES £25, ALL M&S

PARTY SEASON IS FAST APPROACHING, SO FOR AN UBER-COOL FESTIVE LOOK, YOU NEED TO PUT DRAKE CIRCUS ON YOUR RADAR – THE SOUTH-WEST’S ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR PARTY LOOKS AND STYLISH OUTERWEAR

P

lymouth’s glamorous shopping centre has everything under one roof.

Popular stores Pandora and Monsoon have both recently expanded, offering more choice and new collections. Drake Circus has added a host of new brands set to make Christmas shopping sparkle this year.

Recently the Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Theo Paphitis brought his Boux Avenue lingerie store to Drake Circus. There is also a new Jack Wills pop-up store opening this month which will be offering their stunning winter collection.

For food, try a tasty snack from the new Mr Pretzels stand or go retro in the fabulous new Ed’s Easy Diner, offering classic American-style food in a fun setting. For little finishing touches, sparkle with a facial or glam up your mani at local beauty salon Satori which will be open in time for Christmas and smell divine with a little help from The Perfume Shop. Fresh faced and smelling gorgeous, make sure you stand out from the crowd with a statement accessory this winter and pop into Pandora and the revamped Monsoon store which is now home to Accessorize to find your perfect party accompaniment.

As ever, exciting new winter collections are hitting the shelves of Marks & Spencer, Next, Topshop, Sole Trader, Bank and FatFace.

FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT WWW.DRAKECIRCUS.COM OR FOLLOW @DRAKECIRCUSPLYM

GIFT CARD

JOULES WELLIES, SOLE TRADER £39.99

Looking for the perfect gift? Drake Circus also offers super easy, ‘no brainer’ gift buying - the ultimate Gift Card.

Whether it’s a friend or a relative, deciding what someone would like can be hard. Spending money on gifts that end up left in a drawer is waste of money. Drake Circus now has a Gift Card that can be used at most of their 70 top brand stores. Just decide how much you want to spend and then let the recipient have the fun of choosing something they REALLY want. No stress for you. Lots of enjoyment for them!

PL MAGAZINE | 26 |OCTOBER 2014

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FASHION

SPONSORED FEATURE

DIAMONFIRE, FIGURE OF EIGHT ROSE PENDANT, £165, DRAKES TEMPORARY STORE

FEI LIU BUTTERFLY RING IN PINK, £170, DRAKES TEMPORARY STORE

GEORGIO ARMANI CLASSIC WATCH £199, DRAKES TEMPORARY STORE

Our Christmas wishlist THINKING OF GIVING GORGEOUS JEWELLERY FOR CHRISTMAS? HERE’S PL’S PICK OF THE SEASON’S HOTTEST GIFTS. BUY THEM NOW TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL WRAPPED UP FOR THE ONE YOU LOVE THIS CHRISTMAS

DESIRE PLATINUM AND 0.18CT DIAMOND FOUR CLAW TWIST ENGAGEMENT RING, FROM £995, DRAKES TEMPORARY STORE

VINTAGE LACE EARRINGS STERLING SILVER & CUBIC ZIRCONIA £90, PANDORA

LINKS OF LONDON ROUND SILVER BRACELET, £85, DRAKES TEMPORARY STORE

SILVER MOMENTS BRACELET £55, CHARMS STARTING FROM £35, PANDORA

COSMIC PENDANT STERLING SILVER & CUBIC ZIRCONIA £125, PANDORA

MICHAEL KORS DARCI ROSE GOLD LADIES BRACELET WATCH £209, DRAKES TEMPORARY STORE

COSMIC BAND STERLING SILVER & CUBIC ZIRCONIA £115, PANDORA

PL MAGAZINE | 27 | OCTOBER 2014

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28/10/2014 08:56:02

Yes, we are Loving Life!

THESE FOUR PLYMOTHIANS TOOK ON AN EIGHT-WEEK CHALLENGE TO GET FITTER, HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER. THE RESULTS ARE OBVIOUS IN THESE FANTASTIC PICTURES

F

or some people finding time to exercise, knowing when and what to eat and having good mental wellbeing is a real challenge.

This group of Plymouth volunteers, from all walks of life, decided to take on the eight-week I Love Life challenge to see what small changes they could make to reap big rewards.

These four people have juggled family, work commitments and much more to take part in the programme and have achieved outstanding results so PL decided to treat them to a make-over.

Mum of two, Jenny South loved being in front of the camera in our PL shoot.

She said: “I’m a photographer by trade and therefore don’t have a lot of photos with me and my boys – one because I’m always taking the photos and two because I don’t like photos being taken of me.”

The four fantastic I Love Life volunteers have inspired many others in Plymouth to hop off the sofa and out into the open.

Their dedication to the programme was inspiring and PL offers them the best of luck for the future.

PICTURED ARE JENNY SOUTH, KAYLEIGH WILKS, RICKY TOWNSEND AND HELEN SOUTH CLOTHES - NEXT, DRAKE CIRCUS HAIR AND MAKE-UP - STARS, CITY COLLEGE, KELLY ROWE AND TAMSIN BRYANT LOCATION - RESIDENCE ONE, ROYAL WILLIAM YARD

PHOTOS - PENNY CROSS PL MAGAZINE | 28 | NOVEMBER 2014

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I Love Life is a year-long campaign aimed at making the people of Plymouth healthier and happier by taking small steps to change their lifestyles. It’s run by The Herald in partnership with Plymouth City Council in association with Plymouth Community Homes, Livewell (Plymouth Community Healthcare) and the University of St Mark and St John The I Love Life volunteers: Helen West, Kayleigh Wilks, Jenny South ad Ricky Townsend PL MAGAZINE | 29 | NOVEMBER 2014

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24/10/2014 12:29:16

FASHION

jumpers for joy IT’S THE PARTY SEASON’S MUST-HAVE FASHION PURCHASE. LISA HAYNES REVEALS WHY EVERYONE NEEDS TO INVEST IN A CHRISTMAS JUMPER

I

t was love at first sight.

I remember the date well: September 2011, and it was London Fashion Week... While street snappers were taking pictures of stylish catwalk attendees in Prada coats and Louboutin boots, I was ogling, erm, a Christmas jumper. Premature, yes.

Unjustified, no.

Expertly worn by super-stylist Caroline Sieber, it was fluffy, it was starry, and it featured polar bears.

After a two-month wait, I finally tracked down ‘the’ festive jumper of my dreams in Topshop and let out an embarrassing victory whoop in the middle of the busy flagship store. Christmas had come early!

Two years on and I’m still in love with it, partly because I can only really wear it for a couple of months of the year, so it still has the novelty factor. It makes me smile and it makes other people smile, which are the essential ingredients for a festive woolly.

I’m not sure exactly when the Christmas jumper became so cool, but it has. It’s not quantifiable like a catwalk trend, but every winter, the fad for novelty knits just keeps snowballing.

Even high-end designers are jumping on the sleigh bandwagon. Last year saw the likes of Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson and Burberry customise incredible one-off knits for a charity auction to highlight Save the Children’s annual Christmas Jumper Day. This year’s takes place on Friday, December 12 and I, for one, can’t wait. Visit jumpers.savethechildren.org.uk for more information.

For something less exclusive, just about every high street store has rails of Noel novelty sweaters featuring festive slogans, reindeer, snowmen, penguins and Christmas puds.

This year, they’re all singing, all dancing... You’ll find jumpers that light up like Blackpool illuminations at the touch of a button, there are sweaters that sing you a Christmas carol on demand, and then there are 3D numbers with squeezable red Rudolph noses or swinging metallic presents on trees.

My style tip? To embrace this tinsel-season trend completely. Fashion sense should go clean out of the frosty window. In fact, leave it at the wreath-laden door.

When it comes to Christmas jumpers, the sillier the better.

KISS ME JUMPER, GEORGE AT ASDA, £16

REINDEER JUMPER M&CO, £39

KISSING ROBINS, GEORGE AT ASDA, £14

BAA HUMBUG CHRISTMAS JUMPER, GET THE LABEL.COM, £19.99

GIRL’S ROBIN JUMPER, M&CO, £15

PL MAGAZINE | 30 | NOVEMBER 2014

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C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Christmas Jumper Day!

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24/10/2014 11:44:31

FASHION

HAIR: LAYLA SMITH PICTURES: JOHN ALLEN PL MAGAZINE | 32 | NOVEMBER 2014

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Adding flair to hair PL DISCOVERS THE VERY LATEST TREND FOR HAIR

T

hese stunning images give a glimpse of what’s hot off the catwalk for hair for autumn/winter 2014.

Stencils are the latest gadget being utilised by top stylists to give hair a new twist.

Fashionistas can step out in style with a multicolour display of lightning bolts, hearts, floral designs or even garlands atop their crowning glory.

Layla Smith at Experience Utopia on Mayflower Street shows PL Magazine how stencils can invigorate an up do and add colour to your curls.

Layla said: “London salon Taylor Taylor designed this wash-out glamorous look.

“I was inspired by their images but created my own designs. I use henna stencils and hair chalk mixed with hair products – it lasts for a night on the tiles.”

The look is instant and can be temporary or semi-permanent – stylists use hair chalk, stencilled designs and sprays to add colour, style and depth to any style.

PL MAGAZINE | 33 | NOVEMBER 2014

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24/10/2014 10:26:07

6 UM, £3 G SER OM) IN M ERT FIR LUNIQUE.C E INEXP ALIE V (WWW.FE CAUD

JURLIQUE NUTRI-DEFINE MULTI-CORRECTING DAY CREAM, £72 (WWW.JURLIQUE.CO.UK) MAGIC MOISTURISERS “Well-hydrated skin is plumped and resilient, which diminishes the appearance of surface flaws but, more importantly, hydration is critical to maintain a strong, healthy skin barrier and minimise the effects of photo ageing [changes to skin caused by sun damage],” says Barbara Hayes, vice president at PhotoMedex.

“Moisturisers should always be applied after serums and before sunscreens, sealing in the concentrated effects of treatment products and protecting moisture levels.”

AURELIA PROBIOTIC SKINCARE REVITALISE & GLOW SERUM, £47 (WWW.UK.SPACENK.COM)

SERIOUS SERUMS “Serums provide an opportunity to deliver concentrated and fast-absorbing treatments,” says Dr Genesky. “Consumers should look for products that are well-validated by clinical studies on the parameters that are most important to them, whether that be wrinkles, smoothness, firmness or anything else.”

Usually thinner in consistency than a face cream, an anti-ageing serum should be applied to the face and neck morning and night, after cleansing but before moisturising, so that the active ingredients can penetrate where they’re needed most.

What should be on an ideal ingredient list? “Look for serums containing peptides that will aid natural collagen and hyaluronic acid production, which is important for deep hydration,” advises Claire Vero, founder of Aurelia Probiotic Skincare.

CAUDALIE VINEXPERT FIRMING SERUM, £36 (WWW. FEELUNIQUE. COM)

anti-aging products you will love

HELIOCARE GEL CREAM COLOUR LIGHT SPF 50, £23.95 (WWW.FACETHEFU TURE.C

O.UK)

A

smooth, wrinkle-free complexion is top of everyone’s wish list when it comes to skincare, but with so many products out there promising miracle results, it can be hard to know where to start.

It helps to understand what causes ageing to begin with.

“Both intrinsic [chronological] and extrinsic [environmental] ageing impact our appearance, including what we eat, drink and inhale,” says Dr Geoff Genesky, head of research and innovation at Kiehl’s Laboratory.

“Though it is difficult to quantify what

SUPER SUNSCREENS While it’s difficult to determine which has a greater effect on ageing - internal or external factors, experts agree on one thing: up to 90 per cent of extrinsic ageing is caused by sun exposure. “UVA and UVB rays penetrate and attack the skin, causing damage to collagen and elastin, which are the very building blocks of our skin’s structure,” explains Abi Cleeve, managing director of Ultrasun. That’s why wearing sunblock year-round is so important.

B. NOURISHED DAY CREAM SPF25, £14.99, SUPERDRUG (WWW.SUPERDRUG.COM)

portion of our ageing comes from these two distinct pathways.”

That means smoking, alcohol, sugar, pollution and the sun are all culprits.

And while it’s difficult to control all of these factors – and, of course, the ageing process can’t be stopped completely – there are three key steps you can take to mitigate the effects, and they involve using a serum, moisturiser and sun block.

Skincare pros talk us through some of the superstar products that really should be in every anti-ageing arsenal...

ULTRASUN SPF 30 ANTI-AGEIN G VERY SENSITI FACIAL SUN CR VE EAM, £20, (WW W.JOHNLEWIS. COM)

M SPF 15, TECT CREA OLIGO PRO M) O IN .C N O IN M N ANNE SE NNESEMO 2 (WWW.A APPROX. £6

THE CLOCKS MAY HAVE GONE BACK FOR WINTER, BUT CAN YOU REALLY TURN BACK TIME WITH YOUR SKINCARE REGIME? PL TALKS ANTI-AGEING WITH THE EXPERTS

PL MAGAZINE | 34 | SEPTEMBER 2014

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51 Houndiscombe Road, Mutley, Plymouth, PL4 6EX

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PL MAGAZINE | 35 | SEPTEMBER 2014

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28/10/2014 09:06:22

PHOTO: SHAUGH PRIOR BY JOHN ALLEN

All the leaves are brown...

WHAT BETTER FREE AUTUMN FUN IS THERE THAN GOING FOR A FAMILY KICK-AROUND IN THE FALLEN LEAVES. PL SUGGESTS THE TOP PLACES IN AND AROUND PLYMOUTH TO ENJOY THE GOLDEN GLORY OF THE SEASON

S

ome of our happiest memories of childhood are of playing in the carpet of leaves which falls every Autumn. In Plymouth there’s no shortage of places to enjoy this natural phenomenon with your family.

refreshments in the café or go to the play area if you get tired of foliage.

PLYMBRIDGE Plymbridge not only offers miles of trees, it also has endless paths to explore, a river, streams and cycle trails. With dogs, children, on bikes or on foot, you are guaranteed hours of free fun in this wildlife haven.

SALTRAM ESTATE

It’s hard to beat the extensive grounds of Saltram as a place to enjoy the changing seasons. And in Autumn it’s better than ever. It’s free to walk or cycle around the many paths on the estate and refreshments are available at the tearoom.

THE GARDEN HOUSE, BUCKLAND MONACHORUM The Garden House has an acer glade which provides a fiery display of colour at this time of year. With its picturesque, rustic bridge and burning shades of red and yellow the glade makes you feel like you’ve stepped into New England in the Fall. There’s extensive gardens to explore and a cosy tearoom where you can warm up with tea and scones.

LEAVES PROVIDE FREE FAMILY FUN

MOUNT EDGCUMBE This wonderful expanse of countryside by the sea in South East Cornwall is a paradise for children of all ages. Explore the grounds to find the best leaves while admiring a view of the Sound. Visitors from Plymouth can take the Mount Edgcumbe ferry from Stonehouse.

DEVONPORT PARK Restored to its former glory, this green haven in the middle of Plymouth provides the perfect setting for kicking up leaves. You can enjoy

CENTRAL PARK Plymouth is lucky to have Central Park as a green lung in the heart of the city. It provides endless opportunities for family walks and enough leaves for the kick-around of your life.

SHAUGH PRIOR Dewerstone Wood is located within the Dartmoor National Park and close to the village of Shaugh Prior.

It’s a Site of Special Scientific Interest and important for its landscape and wildlife as well as for its archaeology and industrial heritage. It looks stunning in its Autumn glory.

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FASHION

Nails Inc Alexa Cashmere Polish, £15 (www.nailsinc.com)

TRIED AND TESTED

Pointing a fInger at this season’s hot looks TAKE YOUR CUE FROM THE CATWALKS WITH THIS SEASON’S NAIL TRENDS. PL SHOWS YOU HOW TO POLISH UP YOUR AUTUMN LOOK

I

t’s not just the covetable coats and beautiful boots that are under scrutiny on the autumn/winter catwalks – the models’ manicures are as sought after as the clothes.

So bagging a bottle of nail polish is an easy – and affordable – way to tap into the styles of the moment.

From designer shades to arty acrylics, these are the talon trends to try now...

SHINE ON With fun, furry textures and lashings of glitter, an upbeat mood pulsed through the AW14 collections.

The most fabulous footwear of the season was seen at Saint Laurent, where models stomped down the runway in glittery go-go boots. Give your fingertips the same treatment, with a reflective silver glitter polish. Apply two or three coats for maximum impact.

If full-on glitterball nails are a bit much, try a copper or antique gold sparkle varnish, and layer over a darker base colour to tone down the razzle-dazzle.

All That Jazz Professional Nail Lacquer in Standing O, £9.98 (www.allthatjazzuk.com)

ART ATTACK The teams of technicians backstage at London Fashion Week create some incredibly intricate manicures, and while not all are DIY-friendly, there are some nail art looks you can try at home.

Manicurist Ami Streets explains how she got the models at Felder Felder catwalk-ready: “We opted for a chic, glossy nude, Sweet Blush, for groomed sophistication, then added a dusky heather half moon of Blend from Orly’s AW14 nail collection.”

Ombre manicures (using a gradient effect) are best left to the professionals, but you can cheat your way to a smoky nail effect with press-on acrylics, and no one will be any the wiser.

Orly Nail Polish in Blend, £10.50 (www.graftonsbeauty.co.uk)

CATWALK COLOURS Great news – your favourite scarlet varnish is very much in vogue this season, as red ruled the runways at the AW14 fashion weeks. But why not expand your colour palette and take inspiration from some of the stand-out shows?

Dolce & Gabbana’s luxe fairy-tale fantasy collection was a major hit with the fashion pack. Give your hands a hint of that gilt-edged glamour with a brushed gold polish.

Ever on-trend, Burberry has handily launched a set of six nail colours to coincide with its autumn/winter collection, which saw trench coats and floaty dresses daubed with abstract floral motifs. Our favourite? Oxblood – a deep, moody maroon.

Burberry Nail Polish in Oxblood, £15 (www.burberry.com)

Our guinea pigs pucker up for some autumnappropriate plum lip colours: Topshop Lips in The Damned, £8 (www.topshop.com) We’re already converts to the dark lips trend, so we loved this deep violet shade in the tube.

It wasn’t actually as dark on the lips; the pinkypurple colour left a moist sheen, more like a lip stain, so we didn’t need any gloss on top.

3/5 Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres in 41 Brun Cuir, £23.50-25, Debenhams (www.debenhams.com) This lip gloss was easy to apply, gliding onto the lips leaving a matte but moist sheen. We don’t usually wear dark shades, but this was a nice subtle raspberry that didn’t make us look too Gothic, and we even got some compliments. It also stayed on for ages, even after a drink.

3/5 Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Plum, £18 (www.clinique.co.uk) With just one coat, this lipstick gave a dense, rich layer of yummy plummy colour. Even though it’s matte in texture, it didn’t dry out the lips and was long-lasting too; the colour stayed put all night.

4/5 BUY IT NOW Give your evening eye make-up look a luxe update with the new shadow-liner hybrid from Bobbi Brown. Smudge a layer of Long Wear Gel Sparkle Shadow And Liner onto your lids for a shimmering smoky-eye feel, or apply a precise line of the pearlescent formula with a brush. Available in six shades, £20 each, exclusively at House of Fraser (www. houseoffraser.co.uk).

BEAUTY BULLETIN HAIRCUT COPY Could it BE any more iconic? ‘The Rachel’ Jennifer Aniston’s Friends-era hair cut - has been voted the most influential of all time, just as the sitcom celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Bottle-blonde Marilyn Monroe came second in the survey from haircare brand Amway, with singer Amy Winehouse in third.

HIS AND HAIRS Meanwhile, another survey has revealed the hairstyles men prefer on women, with the ‘bedhead/messy’ look coming top (31 per cent), followed by ‘long and preened’ (15 per cent), with ‘vintage styles’ (12 per cent) in third. The blokes, quizzed by www.vouchercloud.com, said they liked the messy look because it’s less high-maintenance. If only they knew how long those tousled tresses took to perfect...

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FAMILY

Dear Santa...

• Boomer – The most techonologically-advanced robot dinosaur sees him chase, chomp, guard and roar! RRP £89.99

WRITTEN THEIR YOUR CHILDREN MIGHT NOT HAVE BUT HERE’S A LETTERS TO FATHER CHRISTMAS YET, BRING...

SNEAK PREVIEW OF WHAT HE MIGHT

• LEGO City Arctic Base Camp – Head out into the wilds and set up this hightech LEGO city base camp to explore the secrets of the ice. RRP £67.99

• Anna’s Frozen Adventure Sleigh Set – Disney’s blockbuster Frozen tells how fearless optimist Anna sets off on an epic journey to find her sister Elsa, when the kingdom of Arendelle is trapped in an eternal winter. With a snowman named Olaf by her side, Anna battles the elements in a race to save the kingdom. RRP £49.99

T

his year’s list of the top Christmas gifts is a mixed sack of toys inspired by technology, traditional arts and crafts, and blockbuster spin-offs that feature high on the list of favourites for Christmas 2014. the by inspired Toys blockbuster Disney animation

• Loom Bands – Bands are the latest must have accessory where youngsters have fun turning colourful elastic bands into friendship bracelets, pendants and rings. Upwards from £1. Twister set RRP £12.99

• Doc McStuffins Get Better Talking Doc Mobile Clinic – Everything a young one needs for on-the-go care. RRP £57.99

Frozen look set to appear alongside old favourites like LEGO and this year’s big craze, Loom Bands.

With a helping hand from the elves at Smyths Toys Superstores, we’ve compiled our Top Ten list of ‘most wanted’ for Christmas 2014.

• Razor Crazy Cart – The most talked-about electric ride-on with some people calling it a ‘real-life Mario Kart’.

RRP £399.99

• My Friend Cayla – Cayla syncs to a smart device via Bluetooth and is assisted by Google’s speech-to-text technology. Cayla will recognise your child’s question, search the internet for the answer then ‘speak’ the answers back. Don’t worry, she uses SafeSearch techonology to block any unsuitable feedback.

RRP £59.99

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FAMILY

Christmas isn’t about the cost CHILDREN MAY BE BUSY WRITING LETTERS TO SANTA BUT THE LAST THING THEY WANT IS TO SEE THEIR PARENTS MISERABLE BECAUSE OF THE COST OF CHRISTMAS, SAYS CLAIRE SPREADBURY

C

hristmas used to be the most magical time of year.

In my house, many moons ago, the Izzy Wizzy tree would arrive on December 1, involving a family trip to the woods to find just the right sort of branch.

My mum would set it in plaster of Paris in a nice sturdy plant pot and spray the whole thing silver. Every night of Advent, before bed, we had to squeeze our eyes shut and whisper ‘Izzy Wizzy, let’s get busy’, which was the Izzy Wizzy fairies’ cue to get a present on the tree. Just something small, all wrapped up and hung off one of the branches.

Then on Christmas Eve, we got to open all 24 presents, which my mother swore was a complete saviour when it came to getting us to bed the night before Christmas Day. In the run up to December 25, my brother and I would hunt for hidden presents, never actually wanting to find them.

And we never really did, except one year when he pulled back an old tartan blanket to reveal the most enormous Scalectrix box two small pairs of eyes had ever seen. There were decorations galore, sweet treats and mounds

of delicious food. Every single second of Christmas was so exciting, I could almost spontaneously combust at any given moment.

We didn’t have a lot of money, though we did always seem to get spoilt at Christmas. But it was more about being spoilt by everything during the whole festive season, rather than massive presents that cost the earth.

Today though, it seems children are worrying about money, rather than whether Santa Claus actually exists. Since the recession kicked in and high street and heating prices went up, families have found it tough to cope.

Us included.

Many parents are being forced to make cutbacks again this Christmas.

But worryingly, according to a survey by Vouchercodes.co.uk, one in eight children admit they’ve heard their parents arguing about money. And more than a third of 11 to 16-yearolds regularly worry about how much cash their family has, and avoid asking for Christmas treats because they’re concerned about the extra pressure they’ll be putting on already stressed mums and dads.

So if you’re snapping because money is tight, try to make sure the kids aren’t around.

Think back to your own childhood – I’m sure it wasn’t filled with a nauseating number of lavish gifts – the season just felt special.

Get little ones involved with the decorating and baking, and on the big day itself, glug back some mulled wine and let yourself relax and enjoy the day. What’s the worst that can happen? Dinner might be late (isn’t it always? It’s tradition!), the lounge might be a mess (who cares?), but giving your time to your family and chilling out with the clan will make for a much more memorable Christmas Day than stressing out and maxing the credit card so everyone is inundated with presents they probably don’t really need.

It’s more about being spoilt by everything during the whole festive season, rather than massive presents that cost the earth According to the same survey, two in five children believe family time is more precious than presents.

And do you know what? They’re right.

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FAMILY

WHO CAN YOU TALK TO ABOUT DIVORCE AND FINANCES? Contact your local law firm Wolferstans, the accredited experts and specialists in divorce and financial matters.

IT’S TIME TO WRITE TO SECRET SANTA

W

Contact Janet Toms, Client Co-ordinator on 01752 292215 or email jtoms@wolferstans.com

ant to save some money and have less stress this Christmas? A family Secret Santa could be the answer to your problems. But put out the idea to your nearest and dearest now – before those organized family members start doing their shopping!

Secret Santa – the concept of dropping names in a hat and b u y i n g a small gift for the person you pull out – has been popular in offices for years. But now the concept is starting to take off with families too.

You might want to include just the adults in your family – or you could put everyone’s names in Santa’s hat and save yourselves a fortune in both time and money.

If you have a big family with many presents to buy, a Secret Santa can not only save money but mean that more time can be spent on a meaningful present rather than a last minute box of chocolates or a cheap toy.

Deciding who’s going to organize the Secret Santa is the first, slightly tricky step to getting this on the way. You could have a family vote or see if someone steps forward to volunteer (you know you want to!)

There are some great websites like www. secretsantaelf.co.uk where you just enter all the names and email addresses of participants and no one knows who is giving to who.

You also need to have an initial discussion about the cost and quality of the presents. Do you want them to be meaningful or something that’s purely fun? Giving presents is always a lot more satisfying than receiving them, but a day of family fun and games is also something to be treasured, especially if it’s held after the main event.

Perhaps you could organise a meal at a local restaurant or take it in turns with other family members to be the Secret Santa host.

Wolferstans your local legal Family experts, here for you when you need us.

www.wolferstans.com

St Budeaux Foundation Junior (Aided) School red r thei ut abo stic usia enth school, where children are l. ntia pote full r thei h reac learning and aspire to ily cent Why choose us? We are a happy, fam

e children We would like to invite all prospectiv on of and parents to join us for an afterno on information and refreshments

Tuesday 11th November at 3.30pm Come and see!

Priestley Avenue, Plymouth , Devon, PL5 2DW

01752 365217 www.stbfs.co.uk

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PLYMOUTH’S HISTORIC BARBICAN AND SUTTON HARBOUR

PLYMOUTH’S HISTORIC BARBICAN AND SUTTON HARBOUR

waterfront is S awash with fascinating stories

o why is it Britain’s Ocean City? It’s a place of green and blue with more than 40 per cent of its land mass laid to parkland and trees, surrounded on three sides by water and Dartmoor to the North. It is a location steeped in globally significant maritime history and host to the largest Naval Port in Europe; a city of marine excellence with a raft of leading education, engineering and science providers; a world-first Blue City, with the majority of restaurants serving seafood from sustainable sources, and a key destination offering a wealth of culture, events and unique experiences to residents and visitors alike.

Visit the Waterfront areas and you’re sure to enjoy a great experience no matter what the weather or time of year.

Whether it’s dazzling views you seek, a new dining or shopping experience you’re keen to enjoy or just want to learn some history, Plymouth’s Waterfront destinations offer something for everyone.

Each part of the Waterfront has a different story to tell.

The historic Barbican and Sutton Harbour are the heart of the city’s heritage with the oldest buildings and the greatest number of historical stories. It’s also a place where an eclectic cuisine mix of Italian, Greek, Turkish, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Himalayan, Mexican and British restaurants may all be found.

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PLYMOUTH’S HISTORIC BARBICAN AND SUTTON HARBOUR

A vibrant place of cobbled streets, narrow lanes and more than 200 listed buildings, many of them Tudor and Jacobean, offer a wide range of cosmopolitan boutique shops, galleries, pubs, cafes and restaurants set amid picturesque scenery.

Southside Street is home to the world-famous Plymouth Gin Distillery, the building dating from the early 1400s and a former monastery inhabited

by Black Friar Monks. Antique stores, galleries, boutique shops and cafes thrive on Southside Street, a draw to the thousands of coach tour visitors that pass through the Barbican every year.

Dartington-based Art 2 Frame/GLASS!! gallery has recently moved into the street, while Kaya Art Gallery and Armada Gallery, just two examples of what’s on offer, sell original paintings by a range of local artists, including Robert Lenkiewicz.

Specialist store Ppurple offers a gorgeous collection of jewellery and handmade handbags and The House That Jack Built is a warren of small, arts and crafts stores that offer something that little bit different.

With so much food for every taste on offer, it’s easy to find something special. Quay 33 Cafe & Restaurant is a perfect example of good local homemade fresh food

served up in the relaxed quayside atmosphere, while the Barbican Kitchen, established by Chris and James Tanner, takes full advantage of the superb larder available in the West Country and children under-five eat free.

The most well-preserved example of Elizabethan construction with its narrow, cobbled

southside street is home to the world-famous plymouth gin distiilery, the building dating from the early 1400S lane and overhanging buildings dating from 1599 is New Street. The Elizabethan House museum offers an experience of life more than 400 years ago and the Elizabethan Garden provides a tranquil haven for visitors and locals alike.

Galleries, cafes and restaurants may be found tucked away here and along the narrow lanes that link New Street with Southside Street, including historian Chris Robinson’s Plymouth Prints, the

Elizabethan themed Tudor Rose Tea Rooms and Sue Wills’ Art Gallery.

Tucked away at the end of New Street, through the archway and past the Old Tuck Shop sweet shop, a collection of curio shops and antique stores thrive providing unusual gifts and collectables.

A pretty, central courtyard provides a welcoming place to sit and rest for a while and, close by, seek out Fred Astaire’s shoes or Charlie Chaplin’s suit and bowler hat...

On the other side of Southside Street the Barbican Parade provides a wide open space, ringed by pubs, shops and historic warehouses.

The Old Custom House is a former merchants’ house built in 1586, currently host to The Book Cupboard second-hand book emporium.

The New Custom House dominates the Parade with its grand 1820 façade, while numerous warehouses provide a stunning backdrop to a parasol-lined quayside of pubs and restaurants with a broad range of food and drink on offer.

Here the famous Cap’n Jaspers is a muchloved attraction, offering hot dogs and burgers including the not-to-be missed Jasperizer.

It’s here that The Barbican meets Sutton Harbour, as the marina and fishing boats merge with the Elizabethan landscape.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 ...

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PLYMOUTH’S HISTORIC BARBICAN AND SUTTON HARBOUR

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43

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alk around the harbour and enjoy the Heritage Trail, a one-mile circular walk forming part of the South West Coast Path. History here dates back as far as 700AD when it is believed Anglo Saxon settlers made it their home naming it Sutton, or ‘South Farm’. Over the centuries Sutton Harbour has provided shelter and wealth, it’s here that the captured galleons of the Spanish Armada were moored in 1588 and it’s the place where England’s first hard porcelain, Plymouth Porcelain, was made at The China House in 1768.

During the walk around the harbour, stunning views across the working marina and fish market, where trawlers bring in their daily catches, provide a little-known experience of the historic beginning of Plymouth. An eclectic mix, modern, luxury apartments fringe the harbour and offices of Foot Anstey and Bishop Fleming dominate Salt Quay House with Jewsons builders' merchants sited nearby. Restaurants including the multiaward-winning Dolphin House Brazzerie, the Mezze Grill and Quay Cafe provide a warm welcome with majestic harbour views.

To the south east of the harbour lies the iconic National Marine Aquarium, the UK’s largest aquarium and home to more than 4,000 fish, one of Plymouth’s key visitor attractions. Outside the aquarium entrance is Rockfish, TV chef Mitch Tonks’ largest restaurant which sits across the harbour entrance from West Pier, the location of the commemorative Mayflower Steps archway,

a memorial to the sailing of the Pilgrims from Plymouth in search of the New World in 1620.

The Barbican Wharves are close by offering a popular water taxi link to Mount Batten, the Royal William Yard, Cawsand and Cremyll, the site of a former victualing yard. More than 600,000 people emigrated from the Wharves to Canada, Australia and New Zealand around the 1830s.

Here the Mayflower Bar, Duttons and Boathouse Cafe offer a range of different eating experiences with spectacular views of Queen Anne’s Battery Marina and Cattewater entrance to the River Plym, while the Soundlets Gallery offers more arts and crafts for unique gift ideas.

Continuing the walk around the Heritage Trail completes the circle back onto Southside Street.

Up to the left Lambhay Hill offers more historical buildings and elevated views of the city, while Castle Street is home to The Barbican Theatre, a dynamic arts and performance space for young people nestled in the heart of the historic quayside.

The beautiful Island House, currently home to Pilgrim’s Langage Ice Cream, is thought to be one of the buildings where the Pilgrim Fathers slept during their short stay in Plymouth and features the list of the Pilgrims’ names on its external wall.

Opposite the Glassblowing House restaurant and Edinburgh Woollen Mill store are located in the former fish market building.

MAKE THE MOST OF THE WATERFRONT THIS FESTIVE SEASON: Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 27, 6pm, Barbican Parade. Come along as we mark Thanksgiving, enjoy the atmosphere of our open air Christmas Carol Service on the cobbles, see the Barbican and Sutton Harbour Christmas lights switch on and meet Santa, a festive family treat!

Christmas Market - Sunday, December 7, 10am 3pm, Royal William Yard, a festive market of more than 50 food, arts and crafts stalls.

Gallery late-night opening - The Barbican, shops open until 8pm on Wednesdays in December Follow The Mayflower Trail –-from November 27, start at the Christmas Tree on the Barbican Parade to learn more about The Pilgrim Fathers and where they stayed in The Barbican Follow The Darwin Trail - from November 27, start at the Christmas Tree on the green at Royal William Yard, Stonehouse. Learn more about Darwin's stay in Plymouth before his voyage to The Galapagos Islands aboard The Beagle.

Follow both trails and enter the competition to win big prizes – see visitplymouth.co.uk for more details and an entry form or pick up a form at the Tourist Information Centre on Southside Street.

A place of history and a destination of choice Around the Barbican and Sutton Harbour you walk in the footsteps of many inspirational pioneering greats, including Darwin, Drake, Scott and Cook, on the greatest concentration of cobbled streets in the UK outside London. It’s in this place you can feel the spirit of the past and enjoy the experience of the present.

Make sure a visit to the historic harbour is on your Christmas list this year.

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Diverse jewellery from over 50 British Designers If you can’t visit the Gallery then you can browse our new online shop and subscribe to our newsletter to get 10% off your frst order!

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Glass!!

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61-62 Notte Street Plymouth PL1 2AG info@barbicansteakhouse.com Fused Glass panels made on premises

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A comprehensive range of dress making fabrics Large range of haberdashery Advice given on all aspects of dressmaking h Barbican Fabrics, 15 the Parade, The Barbican, Plymouth, PL1 2JW

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Any An table of 8 or more that book their A Xmas Party Monday - Wednesday will X Xm get Buy One Get One FREE on our house oous usse wine (excludes Xmas Eve).

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ChRistmas

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PLYMOUTH’S HISTORIC BARBICAN AND SUTTON HARBOUR

Places to eat on the Barbican WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A LIGHT BITE OR A HEARTY MEAL, THE BARBICAN IS CHOCK-FULL OF GREAT PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK To get you started, here are ten great places the area has to offer:

8. Delicious offerings from head chef Stephane Beneteau make THE GLASSBLOWING HOUSE a superb place to dine out. Overlooking Sutton Harbour, the food is fresh, local and reasonably priced. Early risers can take advantage of the excellent breakfast and brunch menu, while those taking in lunch or dinner are sure to find something to tickle their tastebuds.

1. THE BLUES BAR AND GRILL is renowned for its great steaks and burgers, as well as a superb selection of drinks. And if you’re lucky enough to be there on one of the live music nights there is a superb line-up, with regular artists including blues duo Vince Lee and Al Wallis, and singer/ songwriter Russell Sinclair.

3. There are two excellent options for anyone wanting a tasty noodles dish. The Thai noodles at the B-BAR are among the best in the city, with live music acts performing during the week. Meanwhile, The Noodle Lounge is located in The House That Jack Built, where the chefs cook in an open kitchen and the quality of the food is matched by the friendly atmosphere. If you’re unsure what to order, the staff are happy to provide their own recommendations.

2. Located within the Gin Distillery, BARBICAN KITCHEN is the brainchild of the Tanner brothers, Chris and James. Using fresh, local produce the restaurant serves up superb dishes from succulent steak to perfect pasta. Also, don’t forget to test out the excellent cocktails in the adjoining Refectory Bar.

6. Overlooking Sutton Harbour and next door to the National Marine Aquarium is ROCKFISH, Mitch Tonks’ fresh and funky seafood shack by the sea. Sample traditional fish and chips or tuck in to the famous Barbican Platter, a fillet of each of the day’s Plymouth fish fried in batter, in breadcrumb or grilled.

4. THE DOLPHIN HOUSE BRAZZERIE is a family-owned-and-run business situated in Sutton Harbour. Its homemade selection of food is extremely popular, leading to the Brazzerie scooping the runners-up gong in the Fine Dining category at The Herald’s City and Waterfront Awards, as well as top prize in the Best Bistro section at the Devon Food and Drink Awards.

5. Situated by the Mayflower Steps, THE BOATHOUSE CAFE provides a top seafood experience for diners. The award-winning restaurant’s speciality is sustainable fish and shellfish, all caught aboard its own boat, The Southern Star.

You can’t get much fresher than that!

7. SHIRLEY VALENTINE’S TAVERNA is located in New Street and gives a taste of some of the best cuisine Greece, Turkey and the Mediterranean has to offer.

Amanda Percival and her husband provide a plate-smashingly good time for diners while they enjoy homemade traditional recipes.

9. HIMALAYAN SPICE is an authentic Nepalese and Indian restaurant which can be found on New Street. Whether sitting down or taking away, the food is of a high standard. From the outside it looks like a Shakespearian house but once through the doors it’s cosy and welcoming – perfect for a group gathering or a romantic meal for two.

10. Our list wouldn’t be complete without a fish and chips restaurant/takeaway, and the award-winning HARBOURSIDE is arguably the best on the Barbican. It has just been named regional winner at the National Fish and Chip Awards, which certainly means a lot considering its stiff competition. Fresh seafood and chunky chips make it easy to see why the Harbourside is such a firm favourite.

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PLYMOUTH’S HISTORIC BARBICAN AND SUTTON HARBOUR

things to do on the barbican CHRISTMAS IS NEARLY UPON US AND THE BARBICAN PROVIDES A VARIETY OF PRE-FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS THIS MONTH Whether shopping, dining, partying or enjoying a family day out, the city’s Waterfront has something for everyone.

Here are 10 events this month you won’t want to miss: 1. BONFIRE NIGHT kicks off the month on Wednesday, November 5. The 2013 firework display attracted thousands of people to The Hoe, and this year’s explosive offering by Surrey-based company, Pyrovision, is sure to have the crowd gasping with delight yet again.

2. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY on November 9 features a service at the Naval War Memorial on The Hoe to remember those who lost their lives in both World Wars and in all conflicts. Don’t forget to don your poppies for the event which starts at 10.30am.

3. A SPECIAL ‘ILLUMINATE’ EVENT is expected to attract thousands of people to The Hoe on Thursday, November 20, when the countdown to the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower officially begins. Plymouth has strong links with its USA counterpart, Massachussetts, which will hold a similar occasion the following day to commemorate the Pilgrims’ famous crossing back in 1620.

4. CHRISTMAS OUTLETS. It can be hard finding that perfect Christmas gift for a loved one, but the Barbican features a range of retail outlets which can help you do just that. From antiques to sweets and clothes to flowers, together with some superb art shops, there truly is something for everyone.

5. PLYMOUTH LIGHTS. Plymouth will be officially lit up for Christmas on Thursday, November 13, when the lights are turned on across the Barbican and waterfront, as well as the city centre. The festivities start at 6pm.

6. If lugging all those shopping bags around gets too much, why not pop in to PLYMOUTH GIN DISTILLERY for a tour of the historic building and a taste of one of the city’s most famous exports. With its Refectory Cocktail Lounge adjoining the Barbican Kitchen restaurant, it offers a perfect winter warmer.

7. Staying with the Mayflower celebrations, and despite THANKSGIVING being considered an American tradition, Plymouth will join in the festivities on Thursday, November 27, with an event on the Barbican which culminates in the switching-on of the Christmas lights.

8. SMEATON’S TOWER will be illuminated from top to bottom on Friday, November 28, as part of a special ‘Light Fantastic’ celebration to commemorate the 100 years since the amalgamation of the Three Towns of Plymouth, Devonport and East Stonehouse. The event starts at 6.30pm.

9. Party season is upon us, and what better venue for a Christmas do than the NATIONAL MARINE AQUARIUM? Spaces are still available on Friday, November 28, when you will be able to experience an underwater world while you eat, drink and dance the night away with the assistance of a resident DJ. 10. If partying isn’t your thing and you’re just looking for a meal or light bite, the Barbican has a range of RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND TAKEAWAYS to cater for your every need. Sit down for a three-course dinner, or tuck in to fish and chips while dangling your legs over the harbour. The choice is yours.

PL MAGAZINE | 48 | NOVEMBER 2014

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PLYMOUTH’S HISTORIC BARBICAN AND SUTTON HARBOUR

WALL PIECE FOX, £30, 45 SOUTHSIDE SILVER RED DOUBLE CHERRY NECKLACE £94, VICTORIA SEWART

GLASSWORKS, 2014 CHRISTMAS RANGE FOR SALE IN KAYA GALLERY

‘NIGHT ON THE BAA’BICAN’ AVAILABLE IN OUR BARBICAN STORE OR AT WWW.ROWBURY.CO.UK

things to buy GREAT BUYS FROM THE BARBICAN'S WEALTH OF SHOPS

SMALL CLOCKS £50 AND LARGE CLOCKS £99- ART 2 FRAME

SAM COX BRIDAL SHOP, WITH WIDE RANGE OF DRESSES

Wooden Keepsake Box £14.00 - £44.00

PARADE ANTIQUES: FINE 29” AMBER NECKLACE, £450

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Whatnot Wood Craft The House That Jack Built 10-11 Southside Street, Plymouth, PL1 2LA 07545 777606 www.whatnotwoodcraft.co.uk

9CT GOLD, OPAL AND RUBY BUTTERFLY BROOCH, £245

THE HELEN BUTTON NECKLACE IS A HANDMADE BUTTON NECKLACE AT £22, FUNKY POPPY

WOODEN KEEPSAKE BOX, £14 -£44: WHATNOT WOODCRAFT

HANDBAGS, SEE IN STORE FOR PRICES, PPURPLE

NEW BOOK FROM CHRIS ROBINSON £16.95

WIDE RANGE OF FABRIC FROM BARBICAN FABRICS, SEE IN STORE FOR PRICES

PL MAGAZINE | 49 | NOVEMBER 2014

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STAG DUVET COVER SET FROM £20 TO £37, LITTLEWOODS

ORKNEY CHECK CHENILLE CUSHION, £12, VERY

EDINBURGH TARTAN WALLPAPER MURAL, £79, DIGETEX HOME

Declare you’re mad for plaid TARTAN UP YOUR HOME FOR AUTUMN. PL CHECKS OUT OUR PASSION FOR PLAID AND THE BEST WAYS TO CREATE A HIGHLAND FLING BLUE CHECK MUG, £6, HOUSE OF FRASER

Scotland has been making its mark in the headlines lately – and there’s a tartan army on the march in our homes, too.

Interior designers are determinedly wooing us over to Highland decor style, with its characteristic plaids, those classic patterns with their criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours...

MORAY CHECK CUDDLER SOFA, £1,598, DFS

FOXFORD OCCASIONAL ARMCHAIR, IN CHATSWORTH TARTAN, £695, ALISON AT HOME.

GEORGE HOME 16 PIECE CHECK CUTLERY SET, £6, GEORGE HOME

PL MAGAZINE | 50 | NOVEMBER 2014

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24/10/2014 10:33:09

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BICYCLEHOMES & BOOKENDS, £38 99, JOANNAWOOD. CO.UK

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FOB WALL CLOCK, £35, MARKSANDSPENCER.COM

TED BAKER AUDIO FINISTERRE RADIO, £199, TEDBAKER.COM

CHANDELIERS, £195, HEALS. CO.UK

Industrial action in your own home PL ROUNDS UP THE TOOLS OF THE TRADE FOR HARD-WEARING STYLE

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ontemporary, cool and a little bit edgy, the industrial trend can be defined in many ways.

But it’s the strong lines, raw finishes and metallic tones, designed to mirror the urban architecture, that’s inspired interior designers to create modern living schemes that are slick and hard to resist.

Functional and fuss-free, but with a nod to heritage, it’s a clean look that has traditionally been seen as a masculine one.

However, women have also demonstrated an equal love for industrial style in recent years, and while it lends itself well to bachelor pads, it can also be channelled by anybody hankering after a touch of

functional loft-style living.

This applies to family homes too, because the good news is, despite bare and exposed being a key characteristic, this look can still bring warmth and comfort – without the need for expensive curtains and cushions. And best of all, it’s a great excuse to declutter.

THE MALTBY, £2,530, SOFA.COM

COPPER-EFFECT METAL JUG, £14, LAURAASHLEY.COM

PL MAGAZINE | 52 | NOVEMBER 2014

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DAVEY LIGHTING SCHOOL CEILING LIGHT, £405; TOLIX H STOOL, RAW STEEL £199; TOLIX A56 ARMCHAIR, RAW STEEL, £225; CALIA EIGHTSEATER TABLE, £550, JOHN LEWIS

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PL MAGAZINE | 53 | NOVEMBER 2014

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INSPIRED BY T THE LANDSCAPE

EMILY SMITH DISCOVERS THE BROWNSTON GALLERY AT MODBURY WHICH IS DEVOTED TO THE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE OF DEVON AND CORNWALL he South West is a haven for artists and art lovers alike. The everchanging light and wonderfully diverse landscape – from the wild moors to the spectacular coastline – provide inspiration and create a stimulating environment for many artists seeking to develop and nurture their talent. The Brownston Gallery at Modbury works hard to seek out the best artists and to showcase their work. Here they introduce three of the artists who are influenced in very different ways by living here in the South West.

TO SEE MORE WORK VISIT WWW.THEBROWNSTONGALLERY.CO.UK

COMING HOME BY CHARLIE O’SULLIVAN

HEATHER BANK AT WARRENHEAD BY PETER DOLBEAR

CHARLIE O’SULLIVAN

PETER DOLBEAR

Charlie O’Sullivan lives and works in Bigbury, right on the Devon coast, by one of the best beaches in the world. And when she needs to escape, the beach is where she heads to sort out her thoughts so that she can return to the studio to paint. Although you might think that living by the sea would make Charlie a seascape artist, that hasn’t happened. Charlie’s work is unique and each piece is like a conversation, a place that is full of memories, a house here, a dog there, with shapes and figures drawn from the landscape of Charlie’s life and travels.

Peter Dolbear lives in the heart of Dartmoor where he observes and interprets the sights and beauty all around him. His watercolour paintings capture the vibrant colours, lighting and atmosphere of the open moorland which has become such an important part of his life. He works exclusively outdoors, painting throughout the year, whatever the weather; paint has been known to freeze on the paper or be washed off in the rain as he works. Peter prefers to use watercolour as his medium as he believes it offers spontaneity, atmosphere and spirit of time and place in his paintings.

PL MAGAZINE | 54 | NOVEMBER 2014

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HOMES & GARDENS

CADGWITH COVE, ABOVE, AND PHEASANT’S EYES, BELOW, BY TERESA PEMBERTON

Anna with Shawl

ROBERT LENKIE WICZ 8th - 22nd November TERESA PEMBERTON Teresa Pemberton lives in Torpoint on the edge of the Tamar estuary which is one of the places she most loves to paint. She also has lily ponds in her garden which are another favourite subject and feature in many of her paintings, as well as the inspiration she draws from her visits to the Isles of Scilly, St Ives and the coast of Cornwall. Teresa’s work is rooted in the nature of landscape and reflects her observations as she explores, with sketchbook in hand, the boundaries of estuary, field and shore. Her work is full of colour, texture and marks which are impressionist and abstract in style, creating huge vast atmospheric landscapes as well as small vibrant still-life pictures.

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PL MAGAZINE | 55 | NOVEMBER 2014

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HOMES & GARDENS

Turn over a new leaf WITH AUTUMN COMES BOOKS, LOTS OF THEM. CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHIES, NEW NOVELS FROM TOP-NOTCH AUTHORS AND, BEST OF ALL, A PLETHORA OF GARDENING BOOKS. PL LEAFS THROUGH SOME OF THIS SEASON’S CROP

T

his year is no exception, so if you’re short on inspiration as to what to do with your green space, just step into a book shop or a well-stocked garden centre to check out the new titles which you can buy now or put on your Christmas

CULTIVATING GARDEN STYLE BY ROCHELLE GREAYER (TIMBER PRESS, £25) Whether your style is Enchanted Bohemian, Playful Pop, or somewhere in between, this book will help you identify your look, pick furniture and accessories, and create a space that feels definitively yours. Featuring the latest trends and state-of-the-art products, it’s for gardeners who want to make their outdoor spaces exciting and innovative.

list.There’s everything from creating a new style to month-by-month guides on what you should be doing at any particular time and how to do it. Best of all are the pictures to inspire your inner gardener.

Here are a few of the best...

THE ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSE GARDEN

BY GEORGE PLUMPTRE (FRANCES LINCOLN, £25)

This beautiful book could happily grace any coffee table with its wonderful pictures of English country house gardens of the 21st century. From the famed gardens of Hidcote, Sissinghurst and Great Dixter to the most dynamic modern creations from Piet Oudolf, Tom Stuart-Smith and Dan Pearson, the author treads a fascinating path through time across 25 of the most charismatic gardens, to show both the history of the landscapes and the idylls of contemporary designers.

GARDENERS’ WORLD: THE VEG GROWERS ALMANAC: MONTH BY MONTH PLANNING AND PLANTING BY MARTYN COX (BBC BOOKS, £9.99) With sage advice from old Gardeners’ World hands, coupled with tips on the best varieties to grow and timely advice on how best to look after your plot, this attractive collection blends practical advice with evocative writing and fascinating facts. Illustrated with charming drawings.

THE GARDENER’S YEAR (DORLING KINDERSLEY, £20) You never have to wonder what you should be doing in the garden month-by-month because this practical, easy-to-use book will give you all the information you need. Packed with timely tips and advice, it’s full of planting ideas, reminders and how-tos for every season and area of the garden, including beds, borders and patios, and features an at-a-glance calendar showing each month’s jobs, including sowing, planting, watering, feeding, pruning and harvesting, plus illustrated step-bysteps of key techniques flag up handy gardening tips that can make all the difference.

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SARAH RAVEN’S CUTTING GARDEN JOURNAL (FRANCES LINCOLN, £14.99) An ideal Christmas present for those who like to keep tabs on what’s coming up in their garden when. This month-by-month journal of her first book, The Cutting Edge, is reborn with space to make notes of jobs to do, what’s in flower and other snippets of information you might need to note down. It features flowers of the month, along with advice on how to sow, grow and cut, establishing helpful monthly checklists. Beautifully presented in hardback, it’s not too bulky and ideal as a point of reference.

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THE WRITER’S GARDEN BY JACKIE BENNETT (FRANCES LINCOLN, £25) This glorious tome for gardeners, history buffs and enthusiastic readers alike reveals some of the lesser-known facts about famous authors and their fascination with gardens. Charles Dickens was a keen gardener and loved scarlet pelargoniums, while Roald Dahl loved orchids. Featuring landscapes ranging from Virginia Woolf’s rural Sussex idyll to Beatrix Potter’s hill-top farm in the Lake District, Bennett examines how the poet, writer or novelist derive a creative spirit from their gardens.

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HOMES HOMES && GARDENS GARDENS

november gardening tips F

to Royal Horticultural Society ollow these tips from the ile the Wh . nth mo s thi den gar make the most of your re’s still plenty to do. growing season is over the

The Lawn re they block out Rake fallen leaves off lawns befo s. gras the light and moisture from peratures tem Grass will continue to grow in remains ther wea the if so above 5°C (41°F), the lawn with a trim to y ssar nece be may it mild m higher than in mower. Ensure the cut is 3-5m On average, this ss. stre turf ent prev to summer 4cm (1.5in). nd arou of means a cutting height annual weeds any Mowing will help to deal with sown earlier in s lawn new in up that have sprung the autumn. lawn care in You can still carry out autumn tion and top aera , November, i.e. scarification erlogged. wat t isn’ soil the as dressing as long ance next orm This will improve the lawn’s perf very wet , ther wea ty fros in year. Don’t do this w. sno or weather ty mornings. It Avoid walking on lawns on fros leads to brown n can damage the grass and ofte ks. mar d footprint-shape s at this time of Toadstools often appear on lawn damage but are e littl very do rally gene y year. The present. Most are dren best removed if small chil i. fung ytic oph sapr are harmless can lead to Some fungi such as fairy rings nutrients to the and er wat of lity labi avai reduced ur of affected colo in nge grass, resulting in a cha help deter the can e anc nten mai n Law s. lawn area s. lem prob al occurrence of such fung waterlogging as Watch your lawn for signs of may be able to You ter. wet the weather gets ance – either nten mai e som with this remedy g autumn, win follo the now, next spring, or . ther wea the to g accordin

XXX

Now is the last chance could try to plant out winter bedding. You is, Primula, Viola wallflowers, forget-me-nots, Bell ng bedding plants, (winter pansies) and other spri ground, or pots planting them into well- prepared t. of suitable compos

Flowers Sowing and planting

in pots this month.

Lily bulbs can still be planted de next spring to insi ght They can either be brou or left outside lay, disp y earl an into ‘force’ them . mer to flower naturally in sum Some tulips persist Plant tulip bulbs this month. well and are less orm perf year to year, some every year. aced repl and , ding bed as treated

Cutting back, pruning and

dividing

aceous Continue to cut down faded herb compost heap. the to e thes add and ls nnia pere (except for Penstemons are best left as-is when they can deadheading) until the spring, s they can carry area mild In her. be cut back furt mn and early autu on flowering well into the late to protect help will s stem d winter. The old fade g over the crowns chin Mul . cold from ns crow the in colder areas will also help. s can be cut Ornamental grasses and bamboo up. d back and tidie divide overgrown It is still a good time to lift and ls. nnia pere us aceo herb clumps of tuberous bedding Lift and store dahlias, cannas and first frosts. begonias that have been hit by the

Pest and disease watch

black spot on Watch out for downy mildew and winter pansies. for signs of Check chrysanthemums regularly white rust. n rots Look out for crown rot and brow ls, especially nnia pere n dow died on ) inia (sclerot soil. ed rain rly-d poo if you are on a clay or winter in over will Be aware that many diseases rust and inum irrh Ant ris. deb t the soil, or on plan ia, rotin scle as Delphinium black blotch, as well they n whe ts plan fect re-in will lay dormant and come up the following year.

PL MAGAZINE | 58 | NOVEMBER 2014

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PL MAGAZINE | 59 | NOVEMBER 2014

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FOOD & DRINK

Anton’s seeing more than Michelin stars ANTON PIOTROWSKI HAS JUST BECOME THE FIRST PLYMOUTH CHEF TO GAIN A MICHELIN STAR IN 40 YEARS. LOUISE DANIEL INVESTIGATES THE SECRET OF HIS SUCCESS.

C

hef Anton Piotrowski has been triumphant where bigger-names have failed, bringing home a Michelin star the acclaimed hallmark - to his “village boozer” The Treby Arms in Sparkwell.

This is the Plymouth lad who created unforgettable carrot cake on MasterChef and wowed the UK’s 30 top chefs. I’m wondering whether the prized Michelin star has made him more celebrity and less chef.

Any notions of snooty chefs evaporate as Anton shakes my hand. He is warm, cheeky, blunt and fiercely passionate about what he does. There’s the deep belly-laughing humour and he’s a great conversationalist – the sort of person you could imagine having a pint with.

So is a Michelin star all it’s cracked up to be?

Anton laughs: “I cried like a baby. The Michelin star is a dream for any chef. Any chef who says they don’t want a Michelin star is lying.

“We all want it – it’s the goal. But it’s not the be all and end all of life.

“If I didn’t get one this year or next year, I would still be happy going to work every day and doing 18 hours because I love my job.”

Anton was in Germany cooking for troops returning from Afghanistan with wife Clare, when the news broke. For the first time The Michelin Guide used social media to notify lucky chefs of their accolades this year. As yet the couple haven’t had word about what it means to get a star.

“I don’t know what happens when you get a star.

I just got a tweet.”

That Michelin is using new technologies bodes well for diners. The historic guide has entered the 21st century and now reviews restaurants that are more affordable – even awarding ‘Bib Gourmand’ status to restaurants on their way to stardom.

Anton welcomes the shift: “The perception of

Michelin has always been high-end, expensive places.

“We do two courses for £14.95 – that’s not expensive, it’s just people’s perception - Michelin have been changing that over the last five years.”

Though a Michelin star is undeniably ‘cool’, and he has been on the media treadmill since the award, fame doesn’t seem to mean much to Anton.

He believes there’s no mystery to keeping people coming back to a restaurant or watering hole.

“It doesn’t matter what your wage packet is – people just want a really good time in a good atmosphere.”

“It’s like going to a football match and saying you want to lose – you want to win every time and that’s exactly the same with a service.”

Anton is a team player so it’s no surprise he ended up in a profession where you see work colleagues more than family, friends and sunlight.

“I see more of the boys than any of my friends.

I’ve missed weddings, funerals, my best friend’s 30th – I sacrifice everything for my job.

If it was teamwork that appealed to the budding chef, it was precision, drive and determination that moved him on. He learned very quickly, leaving scrubbing pots and pans behind at 14 to tackle vital food preparation work while studying at City College Plymouth.

“I was the one who always made sure my baton carrots were exactly the same.

“People picked up that I had a talent –

everything I did was the best I could do.”

Doing his best meant putting it all on the line in 2011 and working long hours to bring The Treby Arms back to life.

Anton laughs: “I started this place with £50 in the bank.”

But the risk paid off – or rather Anton and Clare’s singular vision, hard work and dedication to local produce and happy customers made The Treby Arms a success.

“It’s just hard work at the end of the day – if you muck up you’re probably going to be called a prat for doing it.”

So, is he a perfectionist? Anton’s laugh rumbles: “Not in home life just in work. The wife says, ‘How come you can work in the kitchen by yourself and keep everything immaculate and then you come down to the house and it’s like a pigsty?’”

Far from being an aloof celebrity type, Anton mixes with customers and knows the locals at the pub – shaking hands, saying hello and having the occasional pint.

Despite opening The Springer Spaniel in Launceston, headed up by friend and former Treby Arms chef Ali Fraser, Anton seems relaxed.

“I get to go on holiday and feed myself – I’ve got a lovely family, an amazing kitchen team and beer on tap whenever I want it.

“What more could I want?”

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ANTON’S LOCAL PICKS “Over the next four or five years there are a lot of Plymouth restaurants that will be pushing on our steps for a Michelin star.

“We are going to be a hub for the dining experience.”

Mike Palmer at The Two Bridges Hotel, Princetown “A great menu and great place to eat.”

John Hooker at the Cornish Arms, Tavistock “Interesting food, he’s doing it right.”

Dave Jenkins at Rocksalt, Stonehouse “Dave is one of the best things that has ever happened to Plymouth’s food scene.”

Dave Morgan at Quay 33, The Barbican “He’s trying new things and he’s a young chef who is learning. It’s a lovely thing to see.”

Ben Palmer at Glazebrook House, South Brent “That is where I would want to stay if I was visiting Devon.”

Didier Franchet at Chloes, Plymouth “They do French classical cuisine. If that was in London they would probably get a star.

ANTON’S carrot cake Ingredients Cake 150g plain flour 1 tsp allspice 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp cinnamon 150g caster sugar 250g grated carrot 50g walnuts 50g pecan nuts 150g rapeseed oil 2x medium eggs 1 x vanilla pod

Method 1 Pre-heat oven to 180c.

2 Sieve flour, allspice, bicarbonate of soda,

baking powder, and cinnamon together.

3 Add the grated carrot, sugar and nuts.

4 In a bowl mix together eggs, rapeseed oil and

vanilla pod to make a batter.

5 Add all the ingredients together.

6 Butter the moulds, fill and bake in oven at

180C for 19 mins.

7 In a small saucepan, caramelise the white

chocolate until golden brown.

8 Add sieved cocoa powder and flour, to make

the soil.

A GUIDE TO THE STAR SYSTEM One star - Very good cooking in its category Two stars - Excellent cooking, worth a detour Three stars - Exceptional cuisine, worthy of a special journey

Soil 165g white chocolate 45g cocoa powder 38g plain flour Frosting 350g cream cheese 175g icing sugar Juice and zest of 1 x orange Decoration 8 x baby carrots with top 25g popping candy

9 Place on a tray to dry.

10 Whisk the cream cheese, orange juice & zest

and icing sugar until smooth.

Note: any citrus fruit can be used: lime, lemon or orange.

11 Cut the carrot cake in half and place the

bottom half into the terracotta plant pots.

12 Top with the cream cheese and popping

candy.

13 Place the top half of the carrot cake on top

and repeat the process.

14 Top with chocolate soil and a peeled baby

carrot.

For booking and more information visit www.trebyarms.co.uk PL MAGAZINE | 61 | NOVEMBER 2014

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RIVER COTTAGE

THE DOCK

The best Christmas ever...

STILL DECIDING WHERE TO GO FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS NIGHT OUT OR OFFICE PARTY? HERE’S PL’S PICK OF THE TOP VENUES FOR FESTIVE FUN IN PLYMOUTH

ROCKFISH THE ELFORDLEIGH HOTEL

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River Cottage

The Dock

Rockfish

Enjoy the best seasonal, local, organic and wild food with the River Cottage Canteen Christmas party menu.

Enjoy the special menu, available for groups of six or more people at lunch or dinner from December 1 to December 22, with two courses plus coffee for £21 or three courses plus coffee for £27.

Book a Christmas party for more than six guests and the organiser receives a £30 voucher which can be redeemed from January 5 to February 6 in the Plymouth Canteen (excludes Deli produce).

To book your party or for any other enquiries please email plymouthchristmas@ rivercottage.net or call 01752 252702.

Based at King Point Marina, Millbay, The Dock is the newest addition to the Plymouth food map.

Whether out for a relaxed cocktail or two, a Christmas get-together with colleagues or festive dinner with friends and family, The Dock is a truly-memorable must-visit restaurant.

With plenty of delicious menu choices and a fantastic location, The Dock has Christmas celebrations all wrapped up.

For more information on Christmas at The Dock visit www.thedockplymouth.co.uk or contact their team on 01752 253555 or info@thedockplymouth.co.uk.

There’s a special Christmas menu at Rockfish from December 1 to January 10.

The Elfordleigh Hotel

Boringdon Park

Koishii

Let the experienced Boringdon Park events team take the strain this Christmas.

How about something different for a festive family meal or work Christmas party?

Christmas Party nights are only £29.95 per person (including a delicious three course meal with a magician and disco) and delicious three course lunches are £18.50 per person.

Or why not spoil the cook on Christmas Day and enjoy a fabulous Christmas Day lunch for £54.95 per person?

Boringdon Park for your function ensures a high level of personal service from start to finish. Call 01752 339113 for further information or visit www.boringdonpark. co.uk.

Koishii is the Japanese restaurant in the heart of Plymouth delivering a range of hot and cold authentic Japanese food.

There is signature sunken tatami seating and an innovative sunken sushi bar, open kitchen, fresh sushi and an array of Japanese and fusion creations.

Drop in for full meal, a small sushi or both.

Don’t end the night early – stay and enjoy the latest karaoke equipment and songs.

Call now to reserve a table on 01752 222868 or visit koishiiplymouth.webs.com

Relax and saviour the unique atmosphere at the Elfordleigh - the hotel set in 100 acres of picturesque scenery, with an 18 hole parkland golf course, gym and spa facilities.

Savour a three course seasonal menu from £18.25 per person or dance the night away at one of the festive party nights including a three course dinner, disco and late bar until 1am. Or why not gift an experience this Christmas and book a treatment in the Oasis Spa? Enjoy a swim, take advantage of the sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi and relax. Call 01752 336428 to find out more or check out www.elfordleigh.co.uk.

Of course there are fish and chips on the menu, but why not tuck into a Christmas Rockfish roll with turkey, sausage meat, sage, spicy cranberry sauce on a soft brioche roll?

There are also special Christmas desserts.

Enjoy two courses of fabulous festive food for £20 and three courses for £25.

For groups of eight plus, party organisers receive a £20 voucher to spend at Rockfish in January.

Call 01752 255974 to check out seasonal menus or book online at www.therockfish. co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK KOISHII

BORINGDON PARK

MOORLAND GARDEN

THE MISSION

ZUZIMO

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Moorland Garden Enjoy relaxed festive style, delightful ambience and delicious food from an awardwinning chef at the Moorland Garden Hotel.

Throughout December there are festive afternoon teas, lunches and dinners and on selected dates ‘Crystal Christmas Party Nights’.

For Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, the hotel has created special seasonal menus.

Or why not celebrate the New Year with panache at a Retro Vegas New Year’s Eve ball celebrating Las Vegas’ golden age of style.

For more information contact the events team on 01822 852245 or events@ moorlandgardenhotel.co.uk

FESTIVE LUNCH, DINNER & PARTY MENU

Winter root vegetable soup or smoked salmon Venison, juniper and red wine terrine or honeydew melon & orange terrine Roast topside of Devon beef or roasted turkey breast or steamed pollock or Christmas nut roast Irish cream & double chocolate cheesecake or traditional Christmas pudding or elderflower, redcurrant and pear jelly & ice cream or West Country cheese plate Tea or coffee and mince pies Festive lunches throughout December - three courses, coffee, crackers and novelties, £20 £22.95 per person. Dinners £22.95 per person.

Zuzimo

Kitley House Hotel

Relax with fresh and local homemade dishes cooked in styles from around the world.

Enjoy a glass of wine or soft drink and sample tapas dishes for as little as £3.95 each.

Diners can enjoy a two-course express lunch in the elegant 70-seater restaurant for just £9.95 from Monday to Friday.

Or how about tapas Tuesday which offers a choice of three tapas and a glass of wine for £10 or six tapas and a bottle of wine for £30?

Christmas lunches are available at £20 per person and Christmas dinner is just £25 per person. For information about party nights call 01752 651300 or email info@ zuzimo.co.uk

Get Christmas off to a sparkling start at Kitley House Hotel where there’s something for everyone.

From fun-packed Christmas party nights (from only £29.95 per person including a cocktail on arrival) to four-course Christmas lunches at £17.95 per person (available from Monday, December 1).

Invite family and friends, enjoy great food, a fantastic festive atmosphere and the warmest of welcomes.

To book a party night or Christmas lunch please contact reception on 01752 881555 or email info@kitleyhousehotel.com

The Mission Hidden behind Plymouth law courts, The Mission has a warm, cosy atmosphere, beautiful food and a winning central location for festive celebrations.

Indulge in a charming and intimate dining experience with delicous nonpretentious menus at one of the city’s most popular Christmas party venues.

This charming restaurant is serving Christmas dinners from November 28 until December 16, with prices starting from £22 per person for three courses.

For more information on menus visit www. themissionplymouth.com, alternatively call the team on 01752 229955.

PARTY NIGHTS & DISCO MENY

Roast celeriac Soup (V) or red pepper and plum tomato tian (V) or wild game terrine or smoked mackerel parfait Roast turkey breast with sage and onion fritters, goose fat potatoes and Christmas vegetables or grilled Sea Bass or quinoa pilaf (V) or loin of pork Vanilla panna cotta or seriously chocolate Hob Knob mousse gateaux or Christmas pudding parcels or trio of ice cream Friday, December 5, Friday, December 12 and Friday, December 19.

Four-course seasonal menu with coffee and disco, £29.95 per person.

Includes cocktail on arrival.

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FOOD & DRINK

murphy’s on cloud nine A FORMER JOURNALIST HAS FOUND SUCCESS AND SATISFACTION WITH HER BUSINESS MAKING DELICATELY-FLAVOURED MARSHMALLOWS

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ournalist Murphy Williams, 45, quit Fleet Street ten years ago for Cornwall life with musician Louis Eliot, 46, in a farmhouse on his family’s Port Eliot estate at St Germans. The couple have two children, daughter Silver, 11 and son Jesse, eight. Cloud Nine began in their kitchen 18 months ago and expanded to take over half of the house, before moving into a converted outhouse of its very own.

Murphy says: “Cloud Nine was a completely spurof-the-moment thing, which began when I stumbled across an American craft website and a recipe for honey and lavender marshmallows. I’d no idea you could make them yourself. They were delicious.

“I love the connotations of marshmallows,

experimenting and the family kitchen became quite sticky. We’ve now got lovely shiny stainless steel surfaces and utensils – much easier to wash.

“I make many of the ingredients, like the lemon curd, from scratch, although I do source the crystallised violets now. After painting hundreds of petals with sugar last spring, I decided there had to be a more economical way!

“When our friends Lil and Jo Lanyon opened the Long Gallery tearoom in St Germans, I asked if they’d be up for selling my marshmallows and giving out samples, all prettily packaged up. On the first day, they sold seven packets – I couldn’t believe it – I was thrilled and started thinking I could make more and more.

about offering them around. Sophie Dahl, Pearl and Daisy Lowe, Rhys Ifans and Suggs are among old friends from my London days.

“I sent some off to Selfridges, and they not only ordered some but placed them on offer for a month – they were the first thing you saw when you walked in the food hall. Last Christmas, things went crazy and Cloud Nine gradually took over the kitchen, the playroom, conservatory and front staircase. There are always three or four people I can call on when things get busy and on a hectic week, we can make up to 400 bags.

“There’s nothing more satisfying for me than converting a marshmallow snob, as I was, to the possibilities of these fabulous sweets.”

“There’s nothing more satisfying for me than converting a marshmallow snob, as I was, to the possibilities of these fabulous sweets” - MURPHY WILLIAMS the association with deep winter and also their high summer feel. Since the business began, I’ve discovered that demand for marshmallows really is seasonal – we went crazy at Christmas, busy again at Valentine’s and Mother’s Day and during the summer, we’ve been selling masses for weddings.

“I began by going out and buying a candy thermometer and Kitchen Aid mixer, which is all you really need. I spent the first couple of months

“I got a graphic designer friend to create the labels, all pop brights and elegant and I built my own website. I took samples to parties and a lot of high profile people enjoyed them.

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FOOD & DRINK

New Years Eve Wednesday 31st December

MURPHY WILLIAMS AT WORK IN HER KITCHEN IN ST GERMANS

Dust off those glad rags, put those dancing shoes on and join us for a delicious four course dinner and dancing all night including the countdown of the New Year. £55 per person includes a glass of prosecco to toast in the New Year and our resident DJ playing until 1.00am

New Continental Christmas Day 2014 Come and enjoy Christmas Day lunch with the New Continental Hotel. Our chefs have created a delicious menu using the very best, local ingredients, starting with some tasty canapés followed by a beautiful selection of starters, main courses and desserts. £58.00 per person. Children 3-11 years £25 per child

Christmas Dinner & Disco Party Nights Friday 5th December, Friday 12th December & Friday 19th December Three course meal with disco until 1.00am.

Complimentary accommodation for the Christmas Party organiser with bookings over 20.

Sunday – Thursday £27.00 per person, Friday – Saturday £30.

Accommodation available from £35.00 pps

Millbay Road, Plymouth, PL1 3LD Telephone: 01752 276783 www.newcontinental.co.uk

©LW

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FOOD & DRINK

Stir up a family tradition PART OF THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS IS THE PREPARATION. SO WHY NOT MAKE YOUR OWN PUDDING AND CAKE, SAYS CLARE JARDINE

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t might only be November but the traditional time for making Christmas puddings and cakes is almost upon us.

If you have a hankering for a homemade Christmas, as many of us do, you need to make a note that November 23 is Stir-up Sunday – and time to make your Christmas pudding.

Stir-up Sunday is actually the last Sunday before Advent when it’s traditional for the whole family to gather in the kitchen to pummel the mixture while making a wish.

I have happy memories of Stir-Up Sunday in my family home – and it’s one which I like to maintain.

My mum would have her three little girls eagerly stirring before throwing silver sixpences into the fruity, spicy and a little-bit-boozy pudding mix. Our eyes would have to be closed because each coin also paid for one Christmas wish.

The smell of the pudding steaming is one which fills the house with the promise of an exciting Christmas to come. Once steamed, the pudding is stored so it is nicely mature before being re-heated and set aflame with brandy on Christmas day.

While Stir-up Sunday really only applies to Christmas pudding, I also follow my mother’s advice that it “makes sense” to make the Christmas cake on the same day. Your kitchen is already covered in flour and raisins and the cake also needs several weeks for the flavours to develop. The marzipan and icing can be added at a later date.

I’m no expert baker and I have a full-time job, but I do manage to find the time to turn out a half decent cake and pud most years. So here’s my favourite recipes for Christmas pudding and cake.

The pudding is not a family recipe as I don’t like the dark, dense mixtures favoured by my mum and granny. It’s a lighter, less intense mixture which seems to me more palatable after a heavy turkey lunch. The cake recipe is from Delia Smith, and is one my whole family swears by.

CHRISTMAS PUDDING Ingredients 115g/4oz/1/2 cup butter, plus extra for greasing.

225g/8oz/1 heaped cup of soft dark brown sugar 50g/2oz/1/2 cup selfraising flour 5ml/1 teaspoon mixed spice.

1.5 ml/1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg.

2.5ml/ ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon.

2 eggs 115g/4oz/2 cups fresh white breadcrumbs.

175g/6oz/1 cup sultanas 175g/6oz/1 cup raisins 115g/4oz/1/2 cup currants 25g/1oz/3 tablespoons mixed candied peel, chopped finely 25g/1oz/1/4 cup chopped almonds 1 small cooking apple, peeled, cored and coarsely grated Finely grate rind of 1 orange or lemon juice of 1 orange or lemon, made up to 150ml/1/4 pint/2/3 cup with brandy, rum or sherry.

SERVES: 8

Method

1. Cut a disc of greaseproof paper to fit the base of the basin and butter the disc and basin.

2. Whisk the butter and sugar together until soft.

Beat in the flour, spices and eggs. Stir in the remaining ingredients thoroughly.

3. Turn the mixture into the basin and level the top.

Cover with another disc of buttered greaseproof paper.

4. Make a pleat across the centre of a large piece of greaseproof paper, folding in both directions, and cover the basin with it, tying it in place with string under the rim. Cut off the excess paper.

5. Pleat a piece of foil in the same way and cover the basin with it, tucking it around the bowl neatly. Tie another piece of string around the basin and across the top, as a handle.

6. Place the basin in a steamer over a pan of simmering water. Steam for 6 hours if a large pudding, 2 hours for individual puddings. Alternatively, put the basin into a large pan and pour round enough boiling water to come halfway up the basin and cover the pan with a tight fitting lid. Check the water is simmering and top it up with boiling water as it evaporates.

When the pudding has cooked, leave to cool. Remove the foil and greaseproof paper. Wipe the basin clean and replace the greaseproof paper and foil with clean pieces, ready for reheating.

Cook’s tip

Steam a large pudding for two hours before serving; smaller, individual puddings need only 1 hour. Turn onto a plate and leave to stand for 5 minutes before removing the pudding basin. Serve with brandy or rum butter, whisky sauce or custard.

I t can be made up to a month before Christmas and stored in a cool, dry place.

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rock salt cafe & brasserie

CHRISTMAS cake Ingredients For the pre-soaking: 450g currants 175g sultanas 175g raisins 50g chopped glacé cherries 50g mixed chopped candied peel 100ml brandy For the cake: 225g plain flour ½ teaspoon salt ¼ level teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated ½ level teaspoon ground mixed spice 225g dark brown soft sugar 4 large eggs 1 dessertspoon black treacle 225g spreadable butter 50g chopped almonds (skin on) zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange

Method

You should get the pre-soaking ingredients ready the night before you make the cake. Put all the fruits in a bowl and mix them with the brandy, cover with a cloth and leave them to soak for a minimum of 12 hours.

When you’re ready to cook the cake, pre-heat the oven to 140°C, gas mark 1.

Now all you do is sift the flour, salt and spices into a very large roomy mixing bowl then add the sugar, eggs, treacle (warm it a little first to make it easier) and butter and beat with an electric hand whisk until everything is smooth and fluffy.

Now gradually fold in the pre-soaked fruit mixture, chopped nuts and finally the grated lemon and orange zests.

Next, using a large kitchen spoon, transfer the cake mixture into the prepared tin, spread it out evenly with the back of the spoon and, if you don’t intend to decorate the cake with marzipan and icing, lightly drop the blanched almonds in circles over the surface.

Finally take a double square of baking parchment with a 50p-sized hole in the centre (for extra protection during the cooking) and place this not on top of the mixture itself but on the rim of the brown paper.

Bake the cake on the lowest shelf of the oven for 4 hours until it feels springy in the centre when lightly touched.

Sometimes it can take 30–45 minutes longer than this, but in any case don’t look at it for 4 hours.

Cool the cake for 30 minutes in the tin, then remove it to a wire rack to finish cooling.

When it’s cold, ‘feed’ it by making small holes in the top and bottom with a cocktail stick and spooning in a couple of tablespoons of Armagnac or brandy, then wrap it in parchment-lined foil and store in an airtight tin.

You can now ‘feed’ it at odd intervals until you need to ice or eat it.

New Dining Room and Function Room Now Open.

Phone now for bookings.

Plymouth’s most exciting brasserie.

31 Stonehouse Street, PL1 3PE 01752 225522 info@rocksaltcafe.co.uk • www.rocksaltcafe.co.uk @rocksaltcafeuk ©LW

Bengal Nights CHOICE OF 6 SET BENGALI PLATTERS 5 COURSES ON A PLATTER VEGETARIAN OPTION AVAILABLE (Call for more information) King Prawn Dishes add £2.95

20% Off Takeaways over £15 Sunday- Thursdays Only

Nibana

2014 Winner

Indian Restaurant & Takeaway

9 Morshead Road, Crownhill 01752 787001 | www.nibana.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

Chefs eat simple AFTER HOURS IN THE KITCHEN CHEFS WANT SIMPLE, TASTY AND EASY TO PREPARE FOOD. LOUISE DANIEL TALKS TO TOP CHEFS ABOUT THE UNFUSSY FAVOURITES THEY LIKE TO COOK AT HOME

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ooking a family meal after the working day can be unappetising but spare a thought for hard working chefs. They typically rack up around 18 hours a day in hot, cramped conditions.

It’s all in a day’s work for kitchen crews to whip up fabulous food fare and create mouthwatering dishes for hungry hoards.

MITCH TONKS - ROCKFISH EGGS ARE GREAT “I like strong Asian flavours and I cook pasta when I’m not eating fish in the restaurant. I’ve always got a few treats from the Asian supermarket. You can get sweet soy sauce lots of delicious things.

If I’m hungry I take a couple of eggs, some chopped prawns (warm them in the pan) thrown the eggs in – loads of chilli, lots of fresh coriander and a little ginger if I’ve got it. Eggs are great – they’re the perfect food.”

Sampling dishes is all part of delivering the best eating experience but that’s hardly a square meal.

When peeling off their whites at the end of a long shift, chefs don’t want to cook elaborate food, they want something simple, tasty and easy to prepare.

Here four of Plymouth’s top chefs reveal the tasty snacks they enjoy when they get home.

ANTON PIOTROWSKI – THE TREBY ARMS

JOE DRAPER – RIVER COTTAGE CANTEEN

BACON BUTTIES ALL THE WAY

FRIDGE-RAIDING PIZZA

“All chefs eat simple. I like to get some really good white bread toasted, loads of good local butter, streaky bacon and HP sauce.

You can’t beat that combination with a big mug of tea and TV. “Cook streaky bacon under the grill until it’s just crispy – only cook it one side that way you avoid it going hard.”

“I love pizza and normally do a fridge clearout for the toppings.

“I roast off leftover root veg, throw in any odd bits of ham and normally have a bit of mozzarella in the fridge.

“Often I just make a simple white sauce instead of tomato, it’s a favourite of mine.

“It’s quick and easy to throw a simple dough together in the morning before work and a tomatoey garlic sauce can really make it.

“I usually have the odd corner of cheddar or the last bits of blue cheese to throw on.

Fridge raid pizzas are fun and you get a different combination every time.”

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Spiced pumpkin soup Ingredients 1 tbsp sunflower oil 3 shallots, chopped 3 cloves garlic, crushed 5cm piece ginger, grated 2 tsp Bart Medium Curry Powder 750g pumpkin or squash flesh, cubed 400g can essential Waitrose Reduced Fat Coconut Milk 400ml vegetable stock 50g pumpkin seeds

Method

1 Heat the oil in a large saucepan and cook the shallots for 3–4 minutes or until beginning to soften, but not brown.

2 Add the garlic, ginger and curry powder and cook for a further minute. Add the cubed pumpkin flesh, coconut milk and stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook gently for 10–12 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender.

3 Meanwhile, heat a frying pan over a medium heat and add the pumpkin seeds.

Stir continuously for 1–2 minutes, until warm, watching closely as they are easy to burn. Leave to cool.

4 Allow the soup to cool in the saucepan for a few minutes, then blend until smooth. Ladle into bowls and serve sprinkled with the toasted pumpkin seeds.

Cook’s tip Try swapping the pumpkin seeds for desiccated coconut — toast in the frying pan the same way.

HAM AND EGGS HITS THE SPOT Bruce says: “I love simple scrambled eggs from local Blackacre Farm with sliced smoky Castellano ham running through it and a sprinkle of fresh chives on my own toasted homemade granary bread.”

Bruce recommends always using a pan, not the microwave, and cooking the eggs slowly. “For best results always use the freshest eggs and add a bit of crème fraiche at the end of the cooking process to make it lovely and rich and creamy.”

Winter warmers

BRUCE COLE – MOORLAND GARDEN HOTEL

CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL OF WINTER WITH ONE OF THESE DELICIOUS SOUP RECIPES

Recipe from River Cottage Light and Easy by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Creamy roasted tomato soup Ingredients 1.2kg tomatoes (the riper the better) 4-5 garlic cloves, chopped 3tbsp rapeseed or sunflower oil 75g cashew nuts, plus a few extra, to finish (optional) 200ml light vegetable stock or water A pinch of sugar (optional) Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4.

Cut the tomatoes in half and put them in a large roasting tray (they should fit fairly snugly). Scatter over the chopped garlic, trickle over the oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 25 minutes, then scatter the cashews over the tomatoes. Return to the oven for a further 20 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and pulpy and perhaps a little charred in places.

Scrape the tomatoes, cashews and all the garlicky pan juices into a blender. Add the stock or water and blitz to a puree. Pass this through a sieve, which will remove any pips, or stubborn bits of tomato skin.

When you’re ready to serve, reheat gently. You can add a little water if the soup seems very thick or the flavour is too intense. Season with more salt and pepper if needed, and add a pinch of sugar if you think the tomatoey acidity needs tempering slightly.

Ladle into warmed bowls and finish with a swirl of extra virgin oil, plus a few chopped cashews and a dusting of paprika if you like, and a generous sprinkling of pepper.

Recipe from River Cottage Light and Easy by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

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THE FIELD OF ‘POPPIES’ AT THE TOWER OF LONDON

Field of remembrance AMIDST THE EXCITEMENT OF BURNING BONFIRES AND HOT COCOA ON COLD, CRISP MORNINGS WE SHOULDN’T FORGET NOVEMBER’S GREATEST TRADITION, REMEMBRANCE DAY. RACHAEL DODD FINDS OUT HOW PLYMOUTH IS PLAYING ITS PART

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n November 11 1918, a signature put an end to the greatest conflict the world had ever known. On the stroke of 11am, after four years of attrition, the dissolution of four empires and an unfathomable 16 million dead, the Great War was over.

The first Poppy Day (also known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day) took place three years later. Although we tend to view Poppy Day as a British tradition it was actually created by an American teacher, Miss Moina Belle Michael, who was inspired by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields: In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

Hundreds of poppies had begun to grow over the trench lines of Europe and the poppy became a symbol for the fallen.

One hundred years after the start of World War One, the people’s pledge to remember the casualties of war is still going strong. This year’s national commemorations feature Plymouth on a far grander scale than ever before.

This year’s Poppy Day will see the last ceramic poppy installed at the spectacular display, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red. The installation at the Tower of London is currently wowing visitors to the capital and it’s all thanks to the skills, expertise and passion of staff at the Theatre Royal

Plymouth workshops at TR2. Her Majesty’s Tower of London commissioned a Plymouth team to build the steel structures which form an integral part of the display.

The elements of the commission include ‘The Wave’, a steel construction engulfing the bridge at the tower with a cascading wave of poppies; ‘The Weeping Window’, a steel construction of poppies cascading from a window on the top floor of the Tower which gives the effect of the window ‘crying’ poppies; and ‘Over The Top’, a construction of poppies over the top of the wall of the tower into the moat, seeming as if poppies are gushing out from within the tower.

Even the Queen has commented on how impressive the display is and Prince William called it “spectacular”.

Theatre Royal Plymouth first became involved in the project in May when the team at TR2 were shown the designs for the installation and investigated ways of turning the designs into fullscale constructions.

The steel construction was completed by the team at TR2 earlier this year and then transported secretly by truck. All the poppies were carefully covered to ensure they weren’t spotted before the big reveal at the Tower.

Brendan Cusack, workshop manager at Theatre Royal Plymouth, oversaw the installation of the structures at the tower: “This has been an incredibly rewarding project to work on, although putting the structures in place at the Tower of

London wasn’t an easy task.”

The installation has grown over the summer as each new poppy was “planted”. The moat is now filled with some 888,246 ceramic poppies – each flower representing a British or Colonial military fatality during the war.

ALL THE POPPIES WILL BE SOLD OFF AND THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS THE BRITISH LEGION CONFEDERATION OF SERVICE CHARITIES

THE QUEEN WALKS THROUGH THE POPPY INSTALLATION AT THE TOWER OF LONDON (ABOVE)

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PLYMOUTH

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loopy for lily LILY ALLEN STANDS APART FROM OTHER POP STARS – SHE’S AN OPEN BOOK THAT DOESN’T HOLD BACK, AS EMILY SMITH DISCOVERS PL MAGAZINE | 74 | NOVEMBER 2014

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Over the years Lily has made headlines for being outspoken and singing about subjects other popstars wouldn’t go near, but this is what has made her such a huge star.

“My songs need to have integrity or there is no point in doing it. I just sit down and start writing,” she said.

“You’re either an artist and you want to express yourself or you’re fame hungry and want to sing and have your photo taken all the time.”

Lily has had a rocky past but is now happily married to Sam Cooper and has two young girls.

“Before I was married, my songs were directed at significant others. Now I couldn’t be happier, so it’s opened me up to write about more general stuff.

“There are a couple of songs to Sam on the new album Sheezus, including one about coming to terms with becoming sexual again after having babies.

But mainly they’re funnier and happier – less

TIC KE T

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ily Allen became famous for being the singer who wore dresses with trainers and huge dayglo earrings, singing songs about her rebellious brother, Alfie.

Now, the pop star has sold more than 2.6 million copies worldwide of her first album, which brought with it a nomination at the Grammy Awards, BRIT Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.

Daughter of Keith Allen, the Welsh-born actor and writer, and award-winning film producer, Alison Owen, it was only ever going to be fame for Lily.

Lily, who headlined at Glastonbury this summer, has been attending Michael Eavis’ world-famous festival since she was a newborn baby.

Lily said: “Glastonbury has always been a huge part of my life – from being there as a child with my dad, to my wilder days in the 2000s, to this year when I was back on the Pyramid stage, and taking my husband and own daughters along.”

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lethargic, less teenage.”

Lily has had huge hits including Smile, LDN and Alfie but her latest album Sheezus, released in May this year, has a different feel to it after a four-year break.

Although the album was not hugely acclaimed by critics, Lily knew what she was doing and made it into the singles chart.

The lead single Hard Out Here entered the UK Singles Chart at number nine and Air Balloon was released as the second single from the album, peaking at number seven in the charts.

LILY ALLEN IS AT PLYMOUTH PAVILIONS ON NOVEMBER 29.

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THE STRICTLY JUDGES

Strictly Devonian AS THE COUNTRY GOES MAD FOR STRICTLY COME DANCING, RACHAEL DODD TALKS TO DEVON-BORN CELEBRITY CONTESTANT TIM WONNACOTT, WHILE EMILY SMITH EXPLORES THE OPTIONS FOR WOULD-BE DANCERS HERE IN PLYMOUTH

A

n antiques expert, auctioneer and presenter, Tim Wonnacott has become one of the most recognisable faces on daytime TV. He’s won the hearts of viewers with his trademark bow tie and flamboyant personality. And he won over a whole new fanbase with his appearances as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.

Tim currently lives in Sussex but was born in South Devon and says the county is very much in the blood.

“I was born and brought up in Devon and I regard myself proudly as a Devonian, even though I don’t live there anymore.

“Both my parents were from Devon. My father passed away five years ago but when he first became ill I travelled from Sussex to the West

Country on a monthly basis.

“I do miss him, of course, and I also miss those trips – driving through the Devon countryside.

“We put on a few Bargain Hunt shows in Exeter at Westpoint and I’ve been to Plymouth many times.

“As a boy I remember my father kept a boat at Newton Ferrers and we sailed in and out of Plymouth on a regular basis.

“The South Devon and Cornish coast was my playground as a young boy and a young man.

“Unfortunately I only have time for flying visits now but I still have very fond memories.”

Tim fitted his training for Strictly Coming Dancing around the busy filming schedule for Bargain Hunt, which sees teams go in search of antiques which they can re-sell for a profit at auction.

“I regard myself proudly as a Devonian even though I don’t live there anymore” - TIM WONNACOTT

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TIM WONNACOTT APPEARING ON STRICTLY

Duncan and Louise Duncan and Louise Anderson have full-time jobs by day but by night they pop on their dancing shoes and go mad about swing.

During a year out in Australia the married couple learnt to swing dance now teach weekly swing classes in Plymouth.

By day Duncan is a primary school teacher at Bickleigh Down and Louise is a Learning Services Centre Manager at Hemsley Fraser. The couple started dancing with Plymouth Jive Club in 2003 before moving to Australia, where they were introduced to swing.

Duncan said: “When you dance modern jive you wear heels and it’s all pretty – like you see on Strictly – but with swing they all wear flats and it’s bit more earthy.”

On returning to the UK in 2007, Duncan and Louise were keen to continue with swing dancing and decided to set up their own local classes.

Has Strictly Come Dancing got your feet twitching and your heart yearning for the dance floor?

Tim said while he loved the dancing, the training for Strictly had been demanding.

He said: “I’ve got pain in muscles I didn’t know I owned!

“They call it training and it really does up your fitness considerably.

“I’m not a dancer and I never have been but I do really enjoy the routines.”

Tim was paired with professional dancer Natalie Lowe and the pair got along famously: “Natalie is a very good teacher and very patient.”

One of Tim’s chief reasons for joining the hit show was so that he could dance with his wife Helen.

“I think my wife was rather impressed with my waltz but we haven’t tried any complicated steps just yet.

“The way I look at it, I’ve got the rest of my life to dance with my wife.”

When we caught up with Tim, he was preparing for the Pasodoble. But it wasn’t a performance which impressed the judges and he was voted off after the “dread dance-off”.

Tim said: “I thought the Pasodoble was a large portion of pudding until I had to learn it.

“But after learning about it I do understand the concept now.

“It’s really rather lovely, but then I’ve thought that about all the dances – the cha-cha, the waltz and the Charleston.”

Tim’s legion of fans were disappointed to see him leave the show but know he’ll be back on their screens with their daily dose of Bargain Hunt.

There’s plenty of options to learn everything from ballroom to Latin and swing here in Plymouth.

Mad About Swing duo Duncan and Louise Anderson offer Lindy Hopper dance classes for beginners through to experienced dancers.

Lindy Hop is a type of swing dance and is a vernacular dance, meaning it can be developed and improved.

Duncan and Louise run their weekly classes at St Matthias Church Hall on North Hill so I went along to try it for myself.

I love a good dance – in a club, a muddy field, or even in my own house, but a lesson was a whole new ball game.

The good thing about these classes is that you don’t need to worry about turning up alone – throughout the evening you will dance with a number of other people and each one is as friendly as the next.

We begin by learning a ‘simple’ move where I swung and stepped with my partner. We just about cracked it before I was moved on to the next person. I think I danced with about four different people until it was time to learn another move.

Although I’m sure dancing with many people will make you a better mover, it’s actually quite frustrating to be just about cracking it and then being told to move on.

Throughout the hourlong class, Duncan taught everyone three moves – we then had plenty of time to try and form these into a swing sequence.

There wasn’t a single sequin in sight at this dance class but I almost felt like I was any one of the Strictly Come Dancing professionals swirling around the church hall.

Dance Matrix are another dance

group offering enthusiasts the chance to take to the floor and show off what they’ve got.

The professional dancers offer the people of Plymouth the chance to have a go at ballroom, salsa, tango, belly dancing, Zumba and even pole dancing. The classes take place in a variety of locations so it’s best to check their website for more details.

Puttin’ On The Ritz are qualified dance teachers who teach beginners and intermediate ballroom and latin and hold regular social dances. The classes take place every Wednesday and Sunday between 7.30pm9.30pm at Newnham Industrial Estate Plympton.

WITH PICTURE OF EMILY DOING SWING DANCING

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SOCIAL DIARY

Staff from Maiya’s on the Barbican which won Best

Hair Salon

White, Keith and Rita iers of Michael Sp

Ben Parkin, Rachel Cox and Adam Crawford

The Herald’s City & Waterfront Awards The Herald’s City & Waterfront Awards were a glittering celebration of Plymouth’s best shops, hotels, visitor attractions and other businesses.

The event, held in partnership with the City Centre Company and the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, saw guests enjoy a gala night at the Holiday Inn on the Hoe culminating in the presentation of the coveted awards.

Chris Kemp of Brittany Ferries and The Herald’s Fiona Stoddart

d Louise Jackson k, Nicola Hague an Tracy McCormac

Emma Know les, Paul New combe, Noa David Wils on, Sue Can mi Huxham, n and Nigel Eadie

Karen Ruff, Claire Chinnock, Hayley Deacon, Michael Wood, Raj Srinivasan, Simon Rowe and Gavin Hobbs

Gemma Mulcahy

and Emma Coop

er

The Best B None Awa ar rds The crea

m of Plymouth ’s pubs and cl honoured at ubs were the Best Bar N one Awards.

Members of Pl ymouth’s City Safe scheme, recognises th which e highest stand ards in the city and night time ’s evening economy, ga thered on Tues October 12, day, at The Holiday In n, out whether th ey had won an on the Hoe to find award.

The team from Oceana

m Varsity

The team fro

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es

Sandra and Lee Jon

Louise Orchard, Aja

Jeremiah’s Journey Ba ll A Moulin Rougethe

med ball raised more than £15,0 for a Plymouth-b 00 ased charity wh ich supports bere children and yo aved ungsters facing the death of a lov More than 200 gu ed one. ests attended the Jeremiah’s Journ ball hosted by Th ey e Duke of Cornw all hotel on Satur evening. Among day the special gues ts was the charity patron, Bianca, ’s Lady Eliot, whos e family has been supported by Je remiah’s Journey in the past.

The evening inc luded a number of fundraising ev including a silent ents auction, balloon tombola and tab raffle, as well as le live music from Rh ythm Machine.

y Sharm and Mervy

n Orchard

, Joanne Anning, : Leila Nottage, Kim Higham The Jeremiah’s Journey team Nuttall-Worsley, ah Sar t, Ellio ca Bian Lacey, Lady Jeremiah the bear, Rachel nda Reason Laura Goodchild and Ama

Hannah Carnegie, Alastair Carnegie (MD of Total Energy Solutions) and Kathr yn Carne gie

Othello Total Energy Solutions and sts Bishop Fleming invited gue to enjoy Frantic Assembly’s production of Othello at the .

Lyric, Theatre Royal Plymouth Bill Martin (editor, WMN), Alastair Carne gie (Total Energy Solutions MD), Sue and Dave Young

Matt and Melissa Rose

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Tony Mallett, Vanessa Wa lker, Chris Jenkins of Plymouth Tamar Science Park, Nina Sarlaka of City College, Guy Walker of Nas h & Co

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EVENTS NOT TO MISS THIS MONTH IN PLYMOUTH

NOVEMBER 9

NOVEMBER 15

Bonfire Night

Remembrance Sunday

Remember, remember the 5th of November… and celebrate it in style on Plymouth Hoe! This annual event has become a mainstay of the Plymouth calendar. Entertainment begins at 4pm with fairground rides to get your adrenalin going plus food and drink stalls to keep you refreshed. At 7.30pm the giant bonfire will be lit, complete with an effigy of Guy Fawkes. The evening ends with a bang when a spectacular display of fireworks goes off at 8pm.

Every year a crowd of thousands gathers on the Hoe to pay tribute to the fallen service men and women of all conflicts. The ceremony is attended by dignitaries, veterans and members of the public alike on the nearest Sunday to Armistice Day - marking the end of World War One hostilities at 11 am in 1918.

Wreaths will be laid at the foot of Plymouth’s memorials and there will be a minute silence at 11am.

Jon Richardson, Plymouth Pavilions

NOVEMBER 20

NOVEMBER 17-22

NOVEMBER 5

Illuminate The countdown to the 400th Anniversary of the Mayflower’s famous voyage begins here. A single candle will be lit at 6pm on the Mayflower Steps before a procession makes its way to the Hoe where a further 1,000 candles will be lit.

Our American cousins in Plymouth Massachusetts will mirror the ceremony with their own event on November 21.

The Full Monty, The Lyric at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth In 1997, a British film about six jobless Sheffield steelworkers with nothing to lose, took the world by storm. Now, they’re back and this time they really have to go The Full Monty …live on stage.

Simon Beaufoy, the Oscar-winning writer of the film, has gone all the way with this hilarious and heartfelt adaptation that’s getting standing ovations every night.

Following on from his hit tour Funny Magnet in 2012, Jon Richardson returns this year for his new show, Nidiot. Uniquely self-deprecating and full of charming foibles, Richardson has made a career out of his perfectionist tendencies, anxiety and misanthropy. But, is it time for a change?

Richardson has made a name for himself as team captain on the TV show 8 Out Of 10 Cats.

NOVEMBER 28

Marcus Brigstocke, Ivybridge Watermark Marcus Brigstocke returns for his new show Je M’accuse – I Am Marcus. The star of radio and TV has been a podium dancer, oil rig worker, food addict, musical theatre enthusiast, posh, eco-hypocrite, ex-goth, muppet fan, award winning comedian and chief beverages operator at the Little Chef.

PL MAGAZINE | 80 | NOVEMBER 2014

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People SHINE LIKE A DIAMOND THIS CHRISTMAS: Sparkling style for the party season

family GIVING FOR GOOD: PL’s alternative present guide

homes & gardens DECK THE HALLS: Natural decorations to crown your home 48

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Property Mike Wainwright 07879 604387 mike.wainwright@swmg.co.uk Motors Adele Taylor 07730019004 ataylor@swmg.co.uk Eating Out, Out & About Jane Resoli 07793 165669 jresoli@swmg.co.uk

EDITORIAL: Publisher: Paul Burton 01752 293045 pburton@plymouthherald.co.uk Editorial: Clare Jardine 01752 293138 cjardine@plymouthherald.co.uk DESIGN: Design: Jessica Daykin Copyright © 2014 The Herald Views expressed by writers herein do not necessarily represent those of PL Magazine or The Herald. Availability and price of items have been checked at time of going to press, but we accept no responsibility for any rejected items or unfulfilled orders.

Printed by Precision Colour Printing Ltd. PL Magazine is part of The Herald, Studio 5-11, Millbay Road, Plymouth PL1 3LF

01752 293070 PL MAGAZINE | 82 | NOVEMBER 2014

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PLYMOUTH LOVESCHRISTMAS Christmas Lights Switch-On Thursday 13 November Top of Cornwall Street, outside Drake Circus From 4pm

Join Chico, R&B band Damage and other special guests as the Christmas lights get switched on in Plymouth’s City Centre.

Entertainment from 4pm, countdown from approx. 6pm.

Lantern Parade Thursday 13 November Starts at the Guildhall From 6.40pm Plymouth’s festival of lights will see a dazzling lantern parade pass through the city. For route details about this hugely anticipated event visit www.visitplymouth.co.uk.

visitplymouth.co.uk

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