PL Magazine September 2015

life in plymouth and the surrounding areas

/plmagplymouth

September 2015

@plmagplymouth

cut me off a slice the mums who’ve made baking their business

CELEBRATe the sea of the best events this month

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family festivals • chic shops • cookery masterclass • SOCIAL DIARY 24/08/2015 13:53:22

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24/08/2015 11:44:38

BAMBOO collection

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24/08/2015 11:44:59

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CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2015

Events & People 6 6S ETPHTIENMGBSETOR EDVOE N T S 8 BCAUKT IMN GE OB UF FS IAN ES LSISC E 12 ATSHHELNE IEGXHT SVOL AIDCDE ?E N 14 SDAA MN CREERM’ SMNEERW PA S S I O N 16 SCAHRAANHNPE OL PS WL AI RM M E R B E RT B E D N E R 18 RO I M PA S S I O N E D A RC H I T E C T Homes & Gardens M E L LO W Y E L LO W 20 B R I G H TE R I N T E R I O R S UGH THE WINDOW 22 TF OH RO C A L F E AT U R E S 26 MI TO’ SNAOL LC HB LROACMKE& W H I T E OND POWER 28 PWAT E R F E AT U R E S 30 SHEICDRDEETNGBAERAUD ETNY 32 ACC RTASFOT FS HMOAWK I N G

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Food & Drink HEAVEN 34 A PLACE WITH SPICE MASTERCLASS 36 DUCK BREAST TASTE OF SPAIN 38 TAPAS PARTNERS YOUR BAKE ON 40 GET TV INSPIRATIONS Health & Beauty MAKER 44 MUDDER CRIMINALLY-HARD CLASS WETHERILL 46 DAVID RIO DREAMS OIL 48 ESSENTIAL COCONUT CREATIONS 50 HAIR INSPIRED BY NATURE

Fashion & Shopping CORWALL 52 MISS AT TINSIDE

BY THE RIVER 54 LATE-SUMMER STYLE PLYMOUTH MOBILITY 58 CARING SUPPLIER CHIC SHOPP ING 60 NEW ARRIVALS Family & Travel FAMILY FESTIVALS 62 WHERE TO GO PERFECTION 66 WEDDING MOUNT EDGCUMBE SCHOOL BLUES 68 COPING WITH KIDS 70 MIAMI CITY OF CULTURE Out & About THE JUNCTION 72 UP SQUEEZE SURFING 74 TREE MONKEY BU SINESS DIARY 78 SOCIAL OUT & ABOUT

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WELCOME

Sunny September

I

always love the month of September. It kicks off with my birthday and generally gets better from there, with lots of fun with family and friends. In Plymouth we are often blessed with a beautiful indian summer which makes this month even more special.

While Autumn is on its way, there is still plenty of good weather in which to indulge in our beautiful surroundings and enjoy Plymouth’s rich offering of food, culture and entertainment.

This month’s magazine will help you through the seasonal transition. We’re in Bake Off mode with a selection of cake recipes for you to try at home.

We’ve also got a fantastic interview with two Plymouth mums whose cake-making business has been winning awards.

We have also teamed up with city chef Ben Palmer to show you how to cook the perfect duck breast. And we feature spicy restaurant Heaven and its chef-to-the stars.

If you need to burn off the calories after all that food, you might be interested in the Mudder Maker class which writer Emily Smith took on. She discovered muscles she never knew existed when taking on the crazy class.

Louise Daniel has some advice on how to keep kids motivated after the return to school and we also guide you through the best ways to dress up a window.

Our fashion shoot this month was on Saltash’s striking waterfront where photographer John Allen was as clever-asever in shooting great pictures despite the Great British Summer letting us down a bit.

As usual, what has absorbed me most in this month’s edition is the people we have spoken to. From Channel-swimming mum Sarah Poplar to architect Robert Bedner and Paralympic David Wetherill, they are all truly inspirational Plymouth people.

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Clare Jardine EDITOR - PL MAGAZINE

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ON THE COVER This month we feature Miss England hopeful Briony-Mai Reynolds. Picture by John Allen

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life in plymouth and the surrounding areas

/plmagplymouth

CONNECT WITH US

@plmagplymouth

cut me off a Slice the mums who’ve made baking their business

CElEBRATE ThE sEA of the best events this month

/plmagplymouth @plmagplymouth

September 2015

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family festivals • chic shops • cookery masterclass • social diary 24/08/2015 13:53:22

Copyright © 2015. 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

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PUBLISHER Paul Burton 01752 293045 pburton@plymouthherald.co.uk EDITOR Clare Jardine 01752 293138 cjardine@plymouthherald.co.uk ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Fiona Stoddart SALES TEAM Jane Resoli 07793 165669 jresoli@dc-media.co.uk Victoria Stopporton 01752 293080 victoria.stopporton@dc-media.co.uk Jenny Short 07711537464 jshort@swmg.co.uk Jane Resoli (eating out, Out & about) 01752 293070 jresoli@swmg.co.uk PROPERTY Mike Wainwright 07879 604387 mike.wainwright@swmg.co.uk DESIGN Rob Coumbe Rachel Bray

24/08/2015 16:09:45

Events OCEAN CITY FESTIVAL

THE GRUFFALO THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH

September 7 - 27 Across Plymouth

September 15 - 19

MORRISSEY PLYMOUTH PAVILIONS September 15

Following his triumphant show at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Morrissey has added Plymouth to his UK tour. The controversial singer, who fronted iconic alternative act The Smiths, is the most distinctive pop lyricist of his era.

Direct from a smash-hit West End season is everyone’s favourite monster, but this time he’s on stage! Gruffalo is an engaging, musical show for all the family. Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the successful children’s book.

TOP

This annual festival brings a brilliant programme of events, activities and entertainment to Plymouth running throughout September.

Whether you take to the water in a kayak, get up close to the city’s incredible marine wildlife, immerse yourself in the film festival or just enjoy the sea air and some locallycaught scallops, there is something for everybody.

Things to do in September

PLYMOUTH SEAFOOD FESTIVAL September 26 - 27 The Barbican and Sutton Harbour

Plymouth, the first city in the world to be awarded with the Fish2Fork Blue City status for its commitment to sourcing sustainable fish, welcomes the fourth year of its Seafood Festival. Sponsored by Plymouth Gin, it promises to be bigger and better than ever before with entertainment, activities and fishy dishes to celebrate the city’s fantastic locally caught seafood.

FILM SCREENING: MR TURNER (12A) September 12 Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery

Grab the opportunity to catch Mr Turner, a critically-acclaimed Mike Leigh film which explores the last quarter century of the great painter JMW Turner’s life in the historic backdrop of the city’s museum.

Award-winning British actor Timothy Spall takes the lead role in this 2014 movie which was partly filmed in Kingsand, Cornwall.

PLYMOUTH LIVE MUSIC NIGHT September 4 The Piazza, Plymouth City Centre

The final night of a successful string of open-air gigs takes place this month. Celebrating local music in the heart of Plymouth, this will be the last, but not the least, as the city welcomes music from singer-songwriter Sam P, urban act Renz DMP, rock n’ roll group Jessica and the Rabbits and headliner cover band Supersonic.

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FINE FURNITURE

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Food & Drink

weet sdesire With the BBC’s Great British Bake Off back on our screens, many amateur bakers will be dreaming of turning their hobby into an award-winning business. Carly Squires met two Plymouth mums who have done just that

R

eady, steady... Great British Bake Off has returned to the TV and the co-founders of Ivybridge-based cake business Rachel Eastley and Lisa Crocker know exactly what it takes to create a winning sponge.

Cut Me Off a Slice is the creation of the two long-term friends and mothers who shared the desire to be able to do something they love that could fit around their family life.

The online-based business offers novelty, wedding and occasion cakes that the bakers promise not only look good but taste good too.

“We were both on baby number two,” 29-year-old Rachel explained. “Lisa was a hairdresser and I used to work for The Herald in advertising and we both thought what shall we do?”

Lisa, 32, added: “Rachel made a couple of cakes whilst she was pregnant and I did a couple of cake courses just to get out and about.

“We were both on maternity leave and people would always say that we should start a cake business and one day we decided that we should give it a go.”

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RACHEL AND LISA RECEIVING THEIR AWARD

“The majority of the stuff we do is at night-time, once we’ve put the kids to bed.

We work all through the night. Because of the nature of cakes, they’re baked fresh”

“I’d been offered a job back at The Herald but I would have to pay for childcare costs, I’ve got two little ones and Lisa does too so I thought what could I do at home to make a bit of money?

“We thought that we’d just make a couple of cakes a week. The first cake we did together and it took hours.

Now we couldn’t even dream of working together, there’s just too many cakes to do.

“Because we work from home it’s convenient for us as we have small children. We can provide a professional service from the comfort of our own home and we can keep our prices reasonable.”

“We’ve made skull cakes, pretty cakes, naked cakes, vintage cakes – although I’m sure we haven’t done them all yet.”

The firm friends met ten years ago and now Lisa’s children, five-year-old Amelia and three-year-old Charlie, and Rachel’s children, Oscar, four, and Olivia, three, have also become best of buddies.

“We met through the salon, Lisa and my sister worked together and I used to go in to get my hair done all of the time.” Rachel reminisced.

“I’d make Lisa curl my hair before nights out and

would say ‘come on, you know that you wanna go out!’ and she’d say ‘no, no, no’ but eventually she’d give in and now she’s stuck with me!”

“The children have picked up on our baking antics,” Lisa added.

“My daughter loves it, she makes her own cakes.

She’s quite artistic and quite often if I need to keep her entertained while I’m baking I can sit her at the table with all of my left over bits and get some pictures up on Pinterest and she’ll make cupcakes to match them.

“I’ve got some sitting on the side that she won’t let me chuck away – there’s a cow and a chicken.”

“The teachers at our children’s school are very excited because if we bake wedding tasters there’ll always be leftovers so we’ll take them into class. The teachers are excited to have our children in their class!”

Three years on from its origins and Cut Me Off a Slice keeps rising in popularity. This year the hard-working mothers won the South West Wedding Award for Wedding Cake Designer following recommendations from their clients and a final decision from a judging panel.

“We thought that the awards were a good excuse for

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Food Feature & Drink

RACHEL AND LISA WITH ONE OF THEIR WEDDING CREATIONS

an evening out,” laughed Rachel. “We’re really modest about our work and Lisa and I don’t hang out as much as we did before we had our children. There’s a really lovely photo of Lisa looking flabbergasted!”

Lisa said: “We felt the awards were good exposure but then when they called our names out we just sat there in shock. My husband had to remind us both to stand and walk up to collect our award. It felt like we were two little school girls walking up to the front of the queue.

“We work hard and we feel like we work hard and awards like that makes you feel like it’s all worth it.”

With Rachel estimating that one of her cakes recently took her at least 30 hours to create, The Great British Bake Offs hour-long episodes do not

do justice to the tens of hours that the Plymouth bakers spend folding, whisking and layering.

“The majority of the stuff that we do is at nighttime, once we’ve put the kids to bed. We work all through the night.” Rachel said, “Because of the nature of cakes, they’re baked fresh so there’s only a certain amount of preparation you can do and you need to do it through the night.”

However like many of the contestants on the hit BBC show, Lisa and Rachel are completely selftaught, and despite their successes still do not consider themselves to be “professionals”.

Rachel explained: “It’s mainly trial and not so much error – touch wood!

“One of our most challenging requests was an Alice in Wonderland cake. Alice wasn’t on there, but it was the paintbrush with half-painted

A ‘NAKED’ WEDDING CAKE

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CHEERS! A BIRTHDAY CREATION

BY CUT ME OFF A SLICE

Feature

Lisa and Rachel’s Eassy: Recipe for Busy Mum

cakes p u C t o r r a C y m m u r c S

red roses. The bass of it was a table with a tablecloth, with three different-sized tea cups and different decorations on there.

“Lisa and I came together and collaborated on it and it was one of those ones where we thought ‘oh, we’re not sure about this, is it going to work?’ and actually the end result was lovely.

“That was the first time that we had painted on a cake and because it was wonky there was also a structural element to it. That was the first time we’d really worked with structure but we seemed to master it.

“I look at some of the first cakes I made now and it does make me laugh! It is lovely to see our progression. I think initially we considered it to be baking and now a lot of the art is in the decorating and the flowers.”

Will the ladies be getting a slice of The Bake Off action themselves?

“I’ve always quite liked The Bake Off, it always amazes me how they’re so versatile.”

Lisa said, “Obviously we can make cakes but I’ve never tried to make choux pastry … but we could totally try that!

“We have actually met Mary Berry before, she opened our friend’s café and we were selling cakes there. She’s absolutely tiny, she’s really nice and she signed my book.”

Rachel nodded: “I like Paul Hollywood… he’s quite nice.”

Lisa laughs: “My mum totally fancies him.”

INGREDIENTS 175g light muscovado sugar 175 sunflower oil 3 large eggs 140g grated carrot 100g raisins zest of 1 large orange 175g self raising flour 1tsp bicarbonate of soda 1½- tsp mixed spice TOPPING: 6 tbsp icing sugar 1½-2 tbsp orange juice

PREPARATION Mix the sugar, oil & eggs until combined Stir in the carrots, raisins and orange zest Carefully mix the flour, bicarbonate of soda and spice.

Divide evenly between 12 muffin style cases or 24 cupcake cases Bake for approx. 20-25 mins on 160c or until when pressed gently on top the sponge bounces back up.

Leave to cool on a wire rack.

Beat the icing sugar and juice together until smooth and drizzle over the cupcakes.

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People

can ashleigh

be the Voice?

Singer-songwriter Ashleigh Sladen is keeping her fingers crossed that she could be the next big thing on BBC’s The Voice. Ashleigh speaks to Carly Squires about growing up in Paris, going music alone and Plymouth’s live music scene

A

shleigh Sladen moved to Plymouth from her home city of Paris just eleven months ago but is already attracting attention with her unique and emotive voice.

“I wanted a new adventure,” student Ashleigh explained when talking about her decision to move to Plymouth. “It is so different here compared to Paris. Plymouth might be smaller in comparison but there is a strong up-and-coming live music scene where musicians have the opportunity to play and try new material. In Paris I think the live music scene is more restricted and harder to break into.

“I’ve had a lot of support from music fans in Plymouth in various ways; they give me advice on what I can improve, general support by frequently turning up to my live gigs and they inspire me to write new material.

“I am playing gigs and open mic nights as much as I can, sometimes I’ll squeeze in two in one evening and will be running between the venues. I do it for my love of music.”

Since moving to Devon the 18-year-old has not only been welcomed by the “friendly and supportive” city music scene but could also be representing Plymouth on prime-time television.

Ashleigh was head-hunted to attend auditions in London for the hit television show The Voice after performing at Plymouth University’s Students’ Union.

“I went to London with my boyfriend Simon in June - I felt quite nervous but really excited for the auditions,” Ashleigh explained.

“I sang Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding and Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley.

“In the end, it went really well. I think the producers liked me and I’m waiting for an answer - so fingers crossed! I think it will be one of my best music experiences of this year.”

If Ashleigh makes it through this stage of the competition she will be entered into the televised blind auditions, where she will be face-toface with an all-star panel including American superstar Will-I-Am and the legendary Tom

AshleySladden_Sept15.indd 2

Jones, to fight for the opportunity of a recording contract.

“I’m a fan of the show, it’s also quite popular in France. I like the judging panel, especially Ricky Wilson from Kaiser Chiefs.”

Ashleigh enjoys writing and singing about nature, in particular the sea, and believes that her Filipino mother has been a great influence on her style.

“The general chilled atmosphere and simple lifestyle in the Philippines heavily influences the personality of my songs. The Philippines is, I think, the place that started my love for singing.

When you’re there, in every house, you expect to see a karaoke machine.

“Living in Paris has also influenced my music; it helped me gain music experience. I used to be part of an all-girl pop-rock band with my childhood best friend and her sister. It was an awesome experience.

“We signed up for this music competition called Emergenza [world’s largest festival for unsigned bands], it was really cool. We got through to the semi-finals and played quite big gigs together. Sadly after our A-Levels we knew

we couldn’t continue so we separated.

“It felt quite weird to go solo after that experience and I didn’t really play music until I moved to Plymouth after finding out about Jam House [Plymouth University’s platform for live music]. I’m really glad I discovered them and play there every Thursday.

Music and marine life aren’t Ashleigh’s only passions, art plays a big part in her life too.

With so many talents under her belt, would Ashleigh be able to make a choice between Marine Biology and pursuing music?

“I’d like to get my degree as I love marine biology but If I am given a great opportunity in music I’d definitely consider it.”

24/08/2015 12:09:57

People

Sam’s passions are

POLES APART It’s not often a pole dancer will lose the glamour, pick up some work boots and buy a piece of land – but that’s exactly what Sam Remmer has done with husband Sid. She talks to Emily Smith

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People

‘Our bank balance has suffered quite a lot as we are both self-employed and we are here almost’ every day’

P

ABOVE: SAM REMMER IN HER DANCE STUDIO. RIGHT: SAM AND SID ON THEIR WOODLAND

ole dancing has its connotations – ladies of the night, erotic dance moves and a distinctive choice of clothes – but Sam Remmer is proving that it’s much more than that. The 39-year-old fell in love with pole dancing more than ten years ago and set up her own business, Art of Dance, in 2004.

Now Sam is also exploring her second love – the environment – after she and her husband, Sid, bought an area of woodland near Trefusis Park.

“Looking after the environment has been really close to my heart since I was a child,” she says.

“My great-granddad was really interested in plants and he cultivated a lot of flowers, whereas my granddad was really interested in birds.

“When I met Sid we had this dream to try to find a plot of land to buy. We looked at moving to Portugal first because land there is in our price bracket. But this plot in Plymouth came up and it ticked all the boxes.”

The couple won the piece of land for £11,000 at an auction last year, and since then have been busy clearing the plot and planting wild flowers.

They plan to turn the almost ten-acre site into a wildlife sanctuary and build an ecolodge, where they hope to live.

“Our first year has gone really well – now we just need to focus on the ten-year management plan, but it’s all really exciting,” Sam smiles.

“Our bank balance has suffered quite a lot as we are both self-employed and we are here almost every day.”

Sam admits that setting up her own business and owning a piece of land is better than all the money in the world.

“It’s just a dream come true – it’s really amazing. You could win the lottery and have all the money you need but you still might not find that perfect piece of land. This is better than winning the Lottery,” she smiles.

Soon after the couple bought the land, the BBC filmed a short documentary.

Sam has been overwhelmed by the support of everyone involved and the tips offered by the BBC on wildlife support.

“We have had so many volunteers help us – the first day we asked for help, more than 70 people came along,” she reveals.

“We have 125 neighbours and not one of them has made a complaint. Some people make us cups of tea and there is an old lady who comes and brings us pasties.”

The future plan for the land is it to develop it into a sanctuary and a home for the couple, and Sam hopes many others will follow in their footsteps.

“We want to create a blue print for other people who want to do the same thing.

“There are a lot of green spaces in Plymouth that someone could manage – there are so many options and we want to show people it can be done.”

Although Sam hopes people will follow in her footsteps in the years to come, at present she may be best known in the city for offering

pole dancing classes at Art of Dance.

She fell in love with pole dancing after her first class in 2001 and now has the privilege to judge competitions both nationally and internationally.

“I was working full time for the NHS and I wasn’t happy with the way my career was developing and was looking for something new,” she says.

“A friend was working in London and gave up a job in a lap dancing club – and she put on a bit of weight.

“That told us that there must be something about pole dancing that keeps you fit and helps you lose weight.

“So we set up a few classes as a way to get fit and it just went from there. I just fell in love with it.

“When I first took part in a class I was surprised how much of a workout it was. It was nice to do all those beautiful spins and in the morning feel like you had run a marathon.

“I was so fascinated with the moves, I took myself to a club to watch some of the girls dancing. All the girls doing their spins were really pretty.”

Now Sam runs classes for all ages and abilities but her classes for children initially caused controversy “I did some classes with kids where I taught them the aerobic side of it all. I’m not going to teach 12-year-olds how to be sexy on a pole – it’s about being confident and improving your fitness.

“People shouldn’t form opinions without having seen one of my classes, or looked at my website.”

Sam lives by the phrase ‘no pain – no gain’ but reveals that being fit is not something she has always been a fan of.

“When I was in school I used to write letters to my PE teacher, pretending to be my dad saying I couldn’t do it!” she laughs.

It’s fair to say Sam and Sid have their work cut out and the next few years are going to involve a lot of blood, sweat and tears – but Sam is looking forward to living on a piece of land she can call her home.

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People

SARAH DURING HER CHANNEL SWIM

why I swam across

THE CHANNEL

The idea of swimming 14 hours across the English Channel isn’t one many would actually follow through. But for Sarah Poplar it was something she was destined to do. Emily Smith chatted to her back on dry land

S

etting off from a beach in Dover to spend 14 hours swimming 21 miles of treacherous waters takes some courage. But that’s exactly what mum-of-two Sarah Poplar did. After swimming for most of her life, the 39-year-old Plymouth woman fell in love with the open water seven years ago. With a move to New Zealand on the horizon, she decided she needed to take on the task before it was too late. “Seven years ago I started open water swimming and took part in wetsuit events. Then every year I would train for something longer and colder,” she explains. “I did the Torbay eight-mile swim and then from there I thought I would do the Windermere cross lake swim, which is ten and a half miles in cold water.

“Most people do Windermere two ways or a relay swim across the Channel next but because I knew I was moving to New Zealand I just thought I would jump a couple of steps. Before Sarah attempted the crossing she was told that there was only a one in six chance she would make it across.

But Sarah, a hospital doctor, wasn’t fazed because she packed her bag and was off to Dover. Sarah, who lives at Crapstone just outside

Plymouth, had to pay the pilot £2,500, she was then given a week window and was due to swim on July 23 - it wasn’t until July 30 that she eventually got into the water. She explains: “It’s quite a complicated process. There are only 13 pilots who are trained to do the Channel swim.

You book a slot which is a week-long. There might be three of four more swimmers booked in for that week. When the pilot deems it to be a safe day to swim then the slot gets offered to number one first. They will either choose to take it or pass and then it goes to number two and so on.”

The day came and the mum-of-two didn’t know if she was ready to take on the gruelling challenge; something she had been waiting for, somewhere she didn’t know, without any of her family and friends with her for 10 long days. “When it happened I had almost gone past it. I got on the boat and someone put the Vaseline on me. Then I suddenly realised ‘I’m going to have to swim to France now!’ All your training kicks in and you just keep going. Your adrenaline starts to build. You’re off but there is a long way to go. A ‘long way’ doesn’t even come close to what Sarah had to tackle – 14 hours of swimming in the dark, across stormy seas.

“My pilot had gathered a couple of crew

members together [pilot Stuart Gleeson on Sea Leopard, observer Natalie Adams, co-pilot Stuart Adams and swim support Richard Dines and Glyn Bevans] and they were on the boat cheering me on. I had never met them before but they were amazing,” “They had lots of energy and had a total focus on me. To keep that going for 14 hours was incredible. “The first three hours I was thinking about my stroke and just made sure every pull counted. “I had a horrendous sickness episode at hour four. After that I was just thinking about not being sick. Every hour you are given food. When everything came up it was just quite embarrassing really. I looked at the crew and they just looked terrified. I thought ‘this can’t be it – I have hardly left Dover.’

“There was this moment of silence which felt like it lasted forever. Then the pilot just said ‘come on then!’ and I was off again.” It was a case of keeping her stroke going for Sarah.

She was in the middle of the English Channel attempting something many others have failed to do. The shortest distance people can swim across the Channel is 21 miles which allows you to land at Cap Gris Nez. If you can’t reach the Cap then you have further to go to make land.

Unfortunately this is what happened for Sarah.

She says: “The tide had just changed and as I

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People

‘There were a couple of French men walking on the beach when I got there. I tried to remember some French but 14 hours of swimming had knocked that out of me’

started to head for the rocks and the shortest distance, my crew told me to follow the boat. I knew what that meant – I had to swim for longer.

I just got on with it and swam round to the beach on the other side.”

When you finish a triathlon, or win a crucial football match and you would expect some kind of celebration. But for Sarah it was a case of touching dry land, swimming back out to the dingy and facing a two-hour boat journey back across the route she had just completed.

“Funnily enough there were a couple of French men walking on the beach when I got there, which was weird because it was the middle of the night. I tried to remember some French but 14 hours of swimming knocked that out of me,” she laughs.

After a nap on the boat, Sarah made her way to a hotel in Dover, had a shower and went to sleep. It wasn’t until she woke up the following morning to hundreds of messages that she realised what a huge challenge she had just completed. “Back home in Plymouth all my friends, and people I didn’t know, stayed up and tracked my progress throughout the evening.

It was lovely being home again and looking at all the messages. “I know so many people who have done so many more amazing things than

SARAH POPLAR RELAXES BACK AT HOME AFTER HER SWIM ACROSS THE CHANNEL

me. There is always something longer, colder and bigger for me to do,” she smiles. “It has been an amazing sense of achievement. It just makes the world feel more accessible. You feel more connected to the world.” Sarah and her family are moving to New Zealand in September and already she has considered tackling the Cook Strait, a 16-mile swim in ice cold waters.

It’s a tough job playing mum, wife and incredible swimmer but Sarah wouldn’t change a thing. She says: “It has been tricky to balance training with work and family life. I train in the pool with the DRSA after the children have gone to bed, and outdoor sessions have been worked around the school day.

“At the peak of training, the longer six to seven hour swims had to be at the weekend and I have a very capable, very understanding husband who is thrilled with what I have achieved. I would leave before the family were up and about to make sure I was home by teatime, and accepted that I would not be able to swim as many of these as I would have planned otherwise. It has been a relatively short period of sacrifice and I hope this will teach the children that the world is accessible and to pursue their dreams however frivolous!

There’s nothing better than the sense of freedom, connection to nature, and also the risk-reward

you get from outdoor and endurance swimming.

“The joy of swimming was a gift from my mother and I hope to pass that to my girls. We can only equip and inspire our children, the rest

is down to them!” Sarah swam in memory of her dad who died last year to bowel cancer. So far she has raised more than £1,500 for Cancer Research. She is also a member of the Devon and Cornwall Wild Swimming group and thanks them for their support.

PL MAGAZINE | 17

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24/08/2015 16:31:03

People

design

driven by

Few teenagers know exactly what they want to do with the rest of their lives. But Robert Bedner always knew he wanted his own architectural practice, he tells Emily Smith

A

rchitect Robert Bedner has had a life-long interest in buildings. From stacking up blocks as a child to vowing to open his own design practice as a teenager, his love for creating beautiful constructions has never ceased. Now aged 53, Robert is still as passionate as ever about his creations. The father-of-two, who hails from Greenwich, Connecticut, is the man behind the exciting Union Corner project and Stiltskin’s SoapBox Theatre in Devonport Park.

Robert said: “When I was a kid I used to build forts and tree houses. I used

to stack the blocks right up to the ceiling and in the night you would hear them all come crashing down!”

Growing up just outside New York, Robert was lucky enough to have a privileged childhood.

When Robert turned to his parents at 15-yearsold and said he was going to travel America by bus to visit colleges they told him to “go ahead”.

He says: “I got on a Greyhound bus with a friend and started visiting schools asking them what qualifications we needed to get in. It was an adventure and we visited friends and family along the way. We went to San Francisco, down to Colorado, up to Chicago – all the time on a Greyhound bus!

“In America at the time the buses were the cheapest way to get around and were filled with all sorts of interesting characters from nuns to ex-convicts to bohemian types reading the Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance. It was a really exciting trip.”

Luckily all those bumpy rides paid off because Robert got his place at The School of Architecture at Washington University in St Louis.

It was while Robert was studying that he discovered Norwegian architect Sverre Fehn and his book The Thought of Construction. It was time to pack the bag and set sail again.

At just 23 years old, Robert decided he needed to meet Fehn. He says: “I got a job on an oil tanker that was heading to Norway and I went over and met Fehn who allowed me to work with him for a year. I had an amazing time. Fehn taught me to see things in a different way.

“I got to work on some great buildings in Oslo and went on a study trip that Fehn helped me organise hitting all the great buildings from Norway to Morocco. There are some amazing places there with the roots of architecture going back more than 1,000 years.

“There was something about Fehn’s work that excited me and I think that’s where it all started.

“He was someone who was inspiring. I worked in his office, which was in his home, and we visited and photographed all of his built projects in Oslo. He put real thought into people feeling part of nature in his buildings. That was

something I had never experienced before from a building. I thought ‘what if all buildings were created like this, it would improve the lives of people.’”

He has been living in Plymouth for the past 15 years and is currently working on two exciting projects in the city. Union Corner will bring Union Street to life and provide local businesses and residents with a creative space. The design for the building includes walls which open on to the street and can be converted to tables and chairs. Stiltskin’s SoapBox Theatre is waiting to be approved and will provide children and adults with a space to watch theatre.

A theme in all of Robert’s work is nature and his projects will provide Plymouth with two of the most inventive buildings yet seen. He says: “All my work is biophilic - meaning it connects with nature. A connection with nature can bring more meaning to people’s lives.

“It’s trying to get closer to what it feels like to be alive when a building or place makes you more aware of the sun or the sky or a breeze rustling the trees. It would be great to get to the point where my phone is ringing with people wanting me to design more community spaces or children’s facilities.”

The jump from New York to Plymouth is a big one but it’s one that has kept Robert firmly on his feet and after spells of teaching at the university and raising a child here he doesn’t feel he wants to be anywhere else.

He says: “My plan was always to run away to Cornwall with my then partner but we realised there were already about 20 architecture firms in the areas we were looking at and realised it wasn’t going to work. We started to move towards London, looked at Truro and then we got to Plymouth and things seemed to click. It wasn’t about hype here, it seemed to be a real place,” he smiles.

After working for some of the best architectural practices in the world, including Thinc Design and Viro Acconci in New York, and Chaix and Morel in Paris, Roberts architectural practice Research + Design is now innovating here in Plymouth.

18 | PL magazine

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Homes & Gardens

Mellow

YELLOW From mild and mellow to bold and bright, Gabrielle Fagan reveals the punchy touches to make rooms bellow with yellow style

Y

ellow’s the colour of sunshine, lemons, sunflowers and buttercups, and even just a small dose of its golden hues will inject rooms with light and energy.

With so many shades to choose from - think citrus bright through to champagne or buttery gold - it’s easy to liven up a space with uplifting zingy colour pop, or bring a warm glow to your space by plundering this palette.

“Yellows are shades like no other; their tones are associated with warmth, optimism and happiness and they’re able to brighten any space in an instant,” says Julie Yarwood, interior designer for Manchester-based furniture specialist, Housing Units.

“Naturally, the popularity of yellow interiors peaks in the summer - especially if we’re feeling somewhat starved of bright, sunny days - but there are ways to incorporate yellow into your decor which will work all year round.”

Pale yellows, she points out, can open up a space and are particularly effective in small rooms or those with a lack of natural light.

“Softer yellows, such as buttercup and lemon, can have a calming influence, and make for a great backdrop for dark woods and accent furniture. Deeper, golden yellows are timeless and versatile, lending themselves well to various aesthetics, both traditional and contemporary.”

So play with the power of yellow and tap into sunshine style.

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Homes & Gardens

Window

SHOPPING PL reveals simple ways to take the ‘pane’ out of dressing the most vital feature in the room

W

hether you’re blessed with good, natural daylight pouring into rooms, or lumbered with a dark space that needs brightening up, window treatments should never be overlooked.

Not only will they enhance what’s often billed as the most important feature in the room, but curtains, blinds and shutters can provide an ideal balance of light and privacy.

In need of a new outlook? Follow our guide for creating rooms with great views from the inside out...

CURTAIN CALL “It’s important your curtains reflect the outside through your home interior and this can be easily achieved with simple ideas,” says Martin Aveyard, design director at Moon. “Keeping your curtains in fresh, tonal hues, for instance, will instantly brighten your room, creating a more spacious feel, even when closed.”

Lightweight fabrics will allow for a softer, more gentle movement. Surprisingly, wool, with its natural crimp and spring, retains its shape well, creating a sleek look when hung.

“Although wool is often considered to be a winter fabric, its insulating properties mean it ventilates the home equally as well in summer, allowing a breeze to travel through,” says Martin.

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22 | PL MAGAZINE

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Homes & Gardens

STYLISH SHUTTERS “Unusual shaped windows fitted with made-to-measure plantation shutters can create fantastic features in living spaces that enjoy the sunshine flooding in,” says Mike Stephen, director at Apollo Blinds.

“Shutters are practical too, ensuring sun rooms don’t overheat.”

They’re ideal for minimalist sun rooms, loft conversions or converted garages too, delivering a clean, modern and almost European holiday home look.

Coloured shutters can really help add a pop of vibrancy to rooms, especially if the general decor is neutral. They also work well with traditional or contemporary design styles, and if you’re fitting shutters in your bathroom and require privacy without losing light, tier on tier shutters offer the perfect solution.

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Homes & Gardens BRILLIANT BLINDS

’RE DRA WE W

“Blinds make a very effective and eye-catching alternative to curtains, as well as being practical, durable and cost-effective,” says Kerry Nicholls, home decorating buyer at John Lewis. “They maximise the light that comes in through the day, and blackout blinds can help block out the early morning sunrise.”

Perfect for each season, blinds will help brighten rooms through summer, while keeping in warmth during winter. A Roman blind is a great fuss-free option for any window style, particularly if you have a bay window with a seat that makes curtains a little tricky to hang.

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THE FINAL FLOURISH “Choosing plain over patterned fabric gives scope to play with easily changeable hardware, as tastes or decor changes,” says Sue Jones, founding director at Oka. “There’s been a revival of the use of finials to give the finishing touch to a window dressing. More than just practical, finials add decorative flair, and the wide variety available means there’s the perfect match for any style.”

Tiebacks are also easy updates, and keeping these in the same pattern and colourway as your curtains will create a seamless look.

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24 | PL MAGAZINE

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Homes & Gardens

COOL OPERATOR “There’s nothing better than entertaining friends and family but a house full of guests, coupled with the heat generated from cooking, can quickly make temperatures in the kitchen unbearable,” says Kirsty Hunt from Duette. “Our blinds reflect up to 78 per cent of the sun’s heat and help to keep homes beautifully cool, making them the perfect choice for kitchen windows.”

Likewise, specialist solar control window film can help maintain a moderate and comfortable temperature. Glass can magnify heat generated by the sun, but solar control film will reflect away a percentage of the sun’s energy and prevent the steady build up of heat. Alternatively, as well as the aesthetic benefits, frosted film can also provide privacy.

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PL MAGAZINE | 25

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Homes & Gardens

BLACK To Basics Resist the siren call of the paint chart and look at life in black and white. PL makes monochrome easy

JAPANESE-INSPIRED NAYOKO FURNITURE RANGE FROM MARKS & SPENCER. 3-DOOR SIDEBOARD, £749; DINING TABLE, £549, AND DINING CHAIR, £199.

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ometimes we yearn for life to be simple and for everything to be explained in black and white.

That’s rarely realistic unfortunately, but taking a monochrome approach could be a perfect stressfree solution for decor.

No one’s more convinced of the merit and power of a classic black and white pairing than Hilary Robertson, author of Monochrome Home.

“White loves black. Black loves white. Exploring their relationship builds an interior which is timeless, flexible, practical and liberating,” she enthuses.

“By restricting the colour palette, having a colour cleanse if you like, any number of eclectic elements can easily exist happily together; inexpensive or simple things will look more sophisticated and decorating decisions are made easier.”

Choose from a ‘white-out’ or ‘back to black’ approach and transform your home.

24/08/2015 16:34:00

Homes & Gardens

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Homes & Gardens

Perk up

YOUR POND

They may be a cooling haven for the gardener and a valuable habitat for wildlife, but ponds do need some attention to thrive. Here’s PL’s advice

I

n our increasingly urban landscape, ponds not only provide a place of solace and relaxation, but also a fantastic haven for wildlife.

Yet they are not as low-maintenance as you might think, particularly in summer when it’s vital to strike and maintain a good balance to keep plants healthy and water fresh.

If you have recently installed a pond in your garden and it’s looking a bit murky or the plants have started to take over and you can’t see much surface area, it could be time to have a tidy up at the water’s edge.

There are several common weeds which can cause no end of trouble if left to spread.

For example, blanket weed, a type of algae can build up into a thick, cotton wool-like mass which will choke the pond if left unchecked.

It can easily get out of control, especially if there aren’t enough marginal and other pond plants, or if nitrogen fertiliser escapes into the pond from the surrounding area.

Blanket weed needs to be removed regularly by hand.

Alternatively, slip a bamboo cane into it and twirl it around so a big clump comes out in one go. Leave it by the side of the pond for a couple of days to give the pond creatures in it a chance to return to the water, then you can add it to the compost heap.

Another common pond pain is duckweed. It has two small leaves floating on the surface and short trailing roots. If left to its own devices, it will soon multiply, forming mats that smother the pond; skim it off regularly with a fishing net.

In the height of summer your pond will be in need of oxygen - especially if you have fish - and you may well need to top it up to replace the water that’s evaporated. If your fish are at the surface gasping for air, spray the water surface with a fine shower from the hosepipe, it helps oxygenate the water faster.

If you want to keep your water clear, it’s best to cover half the surface with enough marginal plants and water lilies, or other water plants.

You may also need to install a small underwater pump, which will aerate the water. If the plants start to look untidy, deadhead and cut them as necessary.

Water plants tend to grow rapidly in summer -

and some will need thinning out.

Canadian pondweed (Elodea canadensis), for example, is a submerged oxygenating plant that needs dragging out with a rake, while other water plants can be cut back with secateurs or shears.

Crowded leaves on water lilies may need thinning out, while excess growth from submerged oxygenating plants will also need stripping out.

Remember, when thinning out and removing plants, make sure you don’t displace any young fish in the process. :Make sure when tending your garden that you don’t use too many chemicals or fertilisers near the pond, they can kill fish and encourage algae growth.

Don’t worry if your new pond turns green - this often happens because the water is laden with minerals and nutrients.

Once a balance is reached, it should clear, but if an established pond has gone green, try using a biological treatment or chemical free barley straw pads, available from garden centres.

28 | PL MAGAZINE

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Homes & Gardens

GARDEN IS A

wildlife haven

SANDY AND PATRICK IN THEIR GARDEN

Continuing her tour of Plymouth’s secret gardens Nicola Tapp stops off in Plympton to visit Sandy and Patrick Hicks

A

mature garden with trees, shrubs and flowers, attracts an abundance of wildlife into its midst. The Plympton plot, requires a high level of maintenance by its owners Sandy and Patrick Hicks who claim to be “very keen” gardeners, but not experts.

There are more than a dozen feeders dotted around the garden enticing gold finches, longtailed tits and greater spotted woodpecker, including a family of squirrels, and the odd mouse.

A red Canadian tree, which sheds its bark revealing a whiter colour before turning red again, takes centre stage on the lawned area of the plot which stretches back to more than 100 feet.

Acers are another prominent feature with the deeper red colours a favourite of Patrick’s.

He said: “We are keen gardeners and try to keep the garden attractive to wildlife as much as possible.

“It takes a lot of time to do the maintenance but is worth it.

“In our pond there are fish, toads, newts and frogs.

“We have around 12 to 13 feeders feeding both a variety of birds and a family of squirrels.

“I particularly like the acers, especially the reds.

“I have placed a hedgehog house in the garden and I think we have a hedgehog as we hear something moving about at night.”

As well as the lawned area, there are terraces and a patio area in this south facing garden, with pergoda’s covered in jasmine.

Masses of lavender is covered in a variety of bees, with colour also coming in the form of the billowy blooms of hydrangea, a favourite for butterflies with buddleia and grassland perennial ox eye daisy.

Now retired after working in social services for people with learning difficulties, the couple, both in their 60s, moved into their Plympton home 18 months ago, and look after dogs when their “mums and dads go on holiday”.

A perfect spot for the pair with a passion for wildlife, and a picturesque place for their guest pooches to enjoy.

30 | PL MAGAZINE

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Homes & Gardens THIS MONTH’S

gardening tips

‘We try to keep the garden attractive to wildlife as much as possible. It takes a lot of time to do the maintenance but is worth it’

Start your compost Get your compost going by buying a compost bin or building a partially enclosed and easily accessible area for a heap. It is essential to replace the goodness in soil and autumn produces quantities of garden waste that will add invaluable organic richness back into your soil next spring.

Clear garden debris Keep weeding; most perennial weeds are susceptible to weedkiller this month and systemic weedkillers will carry on working throughout the winter. Also clear any debris and diseased material from your garden.

Clean out the greenhouse Once tomatoes and other greenhouse crops are over, give the greenhouse a thorough clean to prevent pests from making a home in that lovely warm environment, ready to leap into action next spring.

Watering Should September turn into an Indian summer, remember to keep watering thoroughly once or twice a week rather than little and often. Containers and hanging baskets need watering every day.

Planting With the ideal planting conditions of autumn (warm moist soil), now is the time to plant container grown shrubs, trees, fruit bushes, perennials and bulbs. The key to successful planting is to water in well.

Tips from www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk

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Homes & Gardens

Acts of CATHERINE BETOLA’S CARPET OF DUST

T

he Acts of Making festival has, quite literally, been making its way across the UK since February; visiting the West Midlands, West Yorkshire and now Plymouth with performances, live installations and workshops celebrating contemporary craft.

Some of Britain’s most exciting artists and craftspeople will be setting up shop in various locations around Plymouth and Mount Edgcumbe from September 12 to 26 including Catherine Bertola, Keith Harrison, Owl Project, Mah Rana, Clare Twomey and Richard William Wheater. Simon Blackmore is one third of Owl Project, a collective who specialise in combining traditional crafting techniques with new technology.

When the group knew they would be taking part in Acts of Making they used a residency at Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing to create an interactive sound installation that they’ve called a Photosynthonium.

“We had an idea of sound coming out of light which we developed during the residency,” Simon says. “We put all our efforts into that and trying to make it quite playful.”

The Photosynthonium is, to all intents and purposes, a pile of wood.

But hidden within its timber depths are LEDs which emit sound and light. Visitors to the installation are invited to use ‘iLogs’ to detect the different noises the logs emit. “The iLog goes

Homes Acts of making a festiva_PLSEPT_32.indd 2

MAKING

The Acts of Making Festival lands in Plymouth this month and brings a host of skilled craftspeople with it, offering the public a unique and fresh view of their art, as Rachael Dodd discovers back to 2004 when the iPod was just getting popular,” Simon explains.

“We meant it as a comment about mass production and not really knowing what was going into the products we buy.

“It gained a bit of interest and we realised it would be very hypocritical of us to start massproducing them.”

So rather than buy one, festival attendees can sign up to make their own iLog with materials supplied by Owl Project at a workshop being held at Mount Edgcumbe’s Barrow Centre on September 19.

Visitors to the festival will also be able to witness the creation and destruction of a patterned carpet made entirely from dust painstakingly created by Catherine Bertola; a colourful procession of Vespa and Lambretta scooters travelling in a motorcade through the streets of the city for Richard William Wheater’s collaborative performance piece Tree and Scooters; 500 clay pots will be unmade in Clare Twomey’s Is it Madness. Is it Beauty installation; skate boarders will carve new stone sculptures with their boards as part of Keith Harrison’s craft project; and Mah Rana will be looking at the relationship between people and their jewellery as part of her ongoing, worldwide 14-year art project, Meanings And Attachments.

After her 2002 exhibition, Jewellery Is Life, at Fabrica Gallery in Brighton, Mah went on to expand the concept

further and developed the idea for Meanings and Attachments. She’s now travelled across the world and collected the memories associated with items of jewellery from over 1800 people.

“I’ve collected stories in so many different countries for years and the main thing that’s become clear is that jewellery has a very similar link, for all of us, to past memories,” Mah says.

“Every story is different but they all have that in common.”

Plymothians will have the opportunity to take part in Mah’s mammoth project at one of her workshops on September 12 at Plymstock Library and September 14 at Plymouth Central Library.

“People can come along to one of the two venues and bring a piece of jewellery,” she says.

24/08/2015 14:32:57

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Food & Drink

Egyptian spices are HEAVEN SENT Louise Daniel talks to Mehdi Teheri about the challenges of being a restaurateur, going on tour with Ben Howard and serving Snoop Dogg his favourite fish at Boardmasters...

M

ehdi Teheri is a familiar face around Plymouth.

An ardent Argyle fan, he’s equally passionate about his family, dishing up fresh flavours at his Exeter Street restaurant and mixing with stars at music festivals for his outside catering company Flying BED. We’re chatting over coffee in Heaven – this is a spacious bistro-style restaurant with a large, well-stocked bar, comfortable seating for 55 diners and room outside for another 100. It’s a great space and the menu is packed with British classics and Middle Eastern twists.

With the restaurant open six-days-a-week, a gaggle of functions on the go and a young family, Mehdi’s plate is full, but he still manages to pack in a handful of music festivals every summer, where he has catered to music stars including Ben Howard, Snoop Dogg and Rudimental.

He says meeting new people and being at the heart of a festival enlivens his working life even though it’s hard work.

“I love Boardmasters (Newquay’s largest music festival), you get to sleep in a tent, which isn’t comfortable, but it’s such a buzz – even though I work around 16 hours a day.”

Stars and festival crew expect full meals, and have a rider listing exactly what they want before, during and after a show.

“Last year we did poached fish and steamed rice for Snoop Dogg.

“For the last day he asked for barbecue chicken wings and three different melons cut up.

We did whole poached salmon too.

34 | PL MAGAZINE

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24/08/2015 12:21:51

LEFT: MEHDI TEHERI AND SOME OF THE FLAVOURSOME DISHES IN HIS RESTAURANT HEAVEN. PHOTOS BY JOHN ALLEN

“He arrived ten minutes late for the gig and was only there for a 45-minute set – he still had an entourage of around 32 people.

“Snoop walked past me and I served him but they don’t really want to talk, they meet so many people.”

If he’s star struck, Mehdi doesn’t show it – he’s probably working too hard – the number of people his team feeds at festivals is phenomenal.

“At Boardmasters we cooked about 11,500 meals in eight days! We were there when Ben Howard played in 2013 – that’s how we ended up on tour with him.”

Mehdi and a couple of his team stayed with the singer on his tour bus in 2013.They cooked the singer’s favourite foods, but Mehdi is discreet and won’t be drawn on whether Ben Howard’s socks are smelly or not.

“He had freshly squeezed orange first thing in the morning and pastries. As long as we didn’t do goat’s cheese or salmon he was happy – he would eat anything. The staff loved it because we were his personal chefs.

“It was comfy and fun on the bus – the funny thing was that we got a bit drunk one night and one of the chefs wanted to pick up Ben’s guitar and put a picture on Facebook.

“But I told him to not to – you have to respect the artist.”

Touring with guitar stars is quite a change from BED, the popular ‘bring your own bottle’ restaurant he used to own on Bretonside, which closed in late 2014.

Though he had planned to own multiple businesses, the strain of running the two sites proved too much.

‘It was a massive project – we took over in December 2014 and couldn’t open until the following May’ “I promised myself I would open another restaurant after five years of being at BED – and I did – but two restaurants is one too many.”

Even with BED’s closure, opening Heaven was a major undertaking – the site needed a lot of work before it was fit for diners.

“It was a massive project – we took over in December 2014 and couldn’t open until the following May. There were many trips to the tip and we had to get a skip.

“We didn’t use big contractors either – it was friends and colleagues who helped out.”

Opening a restaurant at any time can be precarious, and getting the location, menu and right pricing is essential.

Mehdi agrees that restaurateurs need to have a good “business brain” too.

“The restaurant business has changed a lot in

Plymouth since we opened BED. “Ten years ago there were probably about 250 eateries in Plymouth. Now it’s more than 500 but the population hasn’t gone up.

“I think it’s really competitive now – you can find deals everywhere. It just makes you work harder.”

He’s right. Increased choice is great news for diners but means restaurateurs like Mehdi have to work smarter and harder to be successful, it also means profit margins drop and quality has to be consistent.

Closing BED, opening Heaven and focusing on outside catering has had a positive impact on his family life.

“Now I get two days off and I can spend time with my kids.

“I can pick Scarlett up from school and Max from nursery – it’s amazing!”

He even involves his kids in festival life too.

“When we go away, the kids come with me for the first few days.

“When it’s camping for all the staff, people bring their kids.

“We all go down to the beach and they spend time with me and go home when the live event kicks in.

“That’s what I want. It’s amazing. I don’t want them to grow up and think I didn’t spend any time with them.”

Like good plates of food, life is about balance, and it sounds like Mehdi has finally found his.

“I love the buzz of meeting new people and working with the star’s riders and when I come back I appreciate the restaurant more.”

PL MAGAZINE | 35

Heaven_PLSEPT_34_35.indd 3

24/08/2015 12:22:25

Food & Drink

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36 | PL MAGAZINE

Greedy Goose_PLSEPT_36_37 .indd 2

24/08/2015 15:33:24

Food & Drink

Tip 1: Source the best duck you can from a trusted butcher.

“They know the farm the bird comes from. We get ours from ‘duck man Dan’ – they are Slaterdown ducks, which are hung for 48 hours.”

Tip 2: Trim off the excess fat and the mini fillet.

“You can use the excess in other things, so it’s never wasted.”

Tip 5: Get the pan hot – but not too hot.

“A dry, hot pan is all you need.”

Tip 6: Season both sides with a pinch of salt.

“Good meat doesn’t really need much more than that, if you’ve got good ingredients then you don’t need to mess around with them.”

Tip 7: Place the meat skin side down into

the pan.

“Place away from you, it will sizzle straight away.”

Tip 3: Pat the skin dry with kitchen towel.

“Very important – you want the skin to crisp not boil.”

Tip 4: Score the skin, but not the flesh.

“Use a very sharp knife and make criss-cross scores, it helps the fat to render more quickly.”

Tip 8: Leave the duck skin side down for around three minutes.

“You’ll see the fat start to render, lift it up, have a look and tip off the excess fat.”

Tip 9: Turn the breast over and continue

cooking for another three minutes (dependent on size) or place in a hot oven (180 degrees C) “Either works really, just make sure you use a pan which is oven proof!”

Tip 10: If the meat springs back to the

touch, it’s done.

“It’s the same principle as steak really. Get it out of the pan straight away.

“Or you could quickly baste with a five-spice and honey mixture.”

Tip 11: Rest for around ten minutes.

“Resting is very important. The meat relaxes and all the juices flow back meaning when you cut into it it’s juicy and tender.

Tip 12: Slice on an angle.

“You obviously don’t have to but it looks pretty.”

Greedy Goose_PLSEPT_36_37 .indd 3

24/08/2015 15:33:57

Food & Drink

A taste of

SPAIN

PL recommends some wines from Spain for top tapas matches

W

e all dream of a place in the sun, but if you’re not jetting off to the Costa del Sol or trendy Barcelona, a tasting flight of modern Spanish wines and a few tasty tapas

will bring you one step closer to the sunshine coast.

So, to lay the foundations for building your own bodega, here are some vinos that have the charm and staying power to make you feel like it’s fiesta time... even though your feet haven’t left the ground and you don’t need to shake the sand from your shoes.

Codorniu Cuvee Barcelona Brut, Spain

Sendero das Meigas Godello 2009, Spain

Bodegas Muga Rioja Blanco 2014, Spain

El Patito Feo Graciano 2009, Navarra, Spain

(£10, Sainsbury’s)

(£12.99, laithwaites.co.uk)

(£11.25, bbr.com)

(Currently £6.49 from £8.99, virginwines.co.uk)

A blend of three cava grapes; macabeo, xarel.lo and parellada.

The tiny beads of bubbles have an attractive creamy texture with a delightful flowery nose and well-balanced fruit.

Enjoy any time of day with seafood, fried fish, assorted cheeses and cold meats.

Wines_PLSEPT_38.indd 2

Godello is a white grape from Galicia in north-west Spain and worth seeking out if you’re fond of a rich, fresh style with delightful honey and apricot flavours.

Delicious with scallops and crab.

With such a treasure trove of tempranillo from the country’s most prestigious wine region, white Rioja can sometimes be overlooked. Not so with this blend of 90% viura with a splash of malvasia to add a little fat and richness. Try with shrimp, serrano ham and manchego cheese.

A gentle giant that’s at its peak, it’s important to decant this wine (a carafe will do), to aerate it and leave the sediment standing at the bottom of the bottle, not your glass.

The smooth velvety flavours are rich and ripe with a twist of black pepper on the finish. Perfect with cured sausage.

Vent del Mar Garnacha Negra Syrah 2011, Terra Alta DO, Spain (£11.99, laithwaites.co.uk)

With a growing fan base, garnacha is the rich, vibrant red we all want to chew on when it’s in the hands of a talented winemaker.

A wine with a fresh, minerally character, so the violet aromas, rich raspberry and cherry fruits with ripples of cassis, have a juicy freshness to the bright berry notes.

Vina Real Rioja Crianza 2011, Spain (£11.99, cheerswinemerchants co.uk)

A Spanish gem that offers everything in the style stakes, is a rapturous raspberry pink with fresh summer fruit aromas.

This Crianza has a little bit of ageing in American and French oak, along with bottle ageing, and is drinking beautifully now.

24/08/2015 14:10:31

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Food & Drink

Get your Bake on!

The new series of the BBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Great British Bake Off is back on our screens. PL brings you a selection of favourite recipes guaranteed to inspire your inner baker

APPLE TARTE FINE (Serves 6-8) 50g unsalted butter, melted and cooled 50g caster sugar 300g home-made puff pastry (or shopbought butter puff pastry) 3 eating apples (such as Pink Lady, Jazz, Braeburn or Royal Gala) Sifted icing sugar, for dusting (optional) Preheat the oven to 180C/Fan 160C/Gas Mark 4.

METHOD Line two large baking sheets with silicone mats or baking parchment. Brush the lined sheets with a little of the melted butter, then sprinkle over half of the caster sugar. Set aside.

Divide the pastry in half. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out each piece to 2-3mm thickness.

Place the pastry bases on the buttered and sugared baking sheets. Keep the baking sheets in the fridge while you prepare the apples.

Peel and core the apples, then cut into neat 3mm slices. Remove the pastry bases from the fridge and arrange the apple slices on top, in overlapping rows, making sure that you leave a

1.5cm margin clear around the pastry rim. Brush the apples generously with melted butter, then sprinkle over the remaining caster sugar.

Bake the tart for 30-35 minutes or until the apples are cooked: there should be no resistance when you pierce them with the tip of a knife (if the apple topping has not browned enough, sprinkle with a little extra caster sugar and place under a hot grill for one to two minutes - watching closely - until the sugar caramelises and the top is nicely golden brown).

Cool completely before cutting into slices and dusting with icing sugar.

Recipe from Social Sweets by Jason Atherton, published by Absolute Press, ÂŁ25.

00 | PL MAGAZINE

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24/08/2015 15:38:00

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Food & Drink

Chocolate and Cherry Cake For the chocolate sponge 340g unsalted butter, softened 340g caster sugar 6 eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 140ml milk 225g self raising flour 85g cocoa powder 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 pinch salt For the chocolate icing 200g plain chocolate 200g double cream For the filling 4 tbsp Morello cherry jam (if you are hoping to qualify for Bake Off you should learn how to make your own) To garnish Fresh cherries, dried sour cherries and springs 85g milk chocolate, grated

Victoria Sponge

METHOD For the chocolate sponge: Preheat the oven to 180 C / Gas 4. Grease two 15cm round cake tins.

In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and the milk and mix.

In a separate bowl, sift in the flour and add the cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.

Mix well.

Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until well blended. Divide the chocolate sponge mixture evenly between the two prepared cake tins.

Bake the two sponges in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the cake is firm and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

Mary Berry is the uncontested Queen of Victoria Sponge. We can only dream of making an equally soft and delicious cake. However, this recipe from Stork has been tried and tested, many times, by PL’s bakers For the cake: 225g (8oz) Stork with Butter 225g (8oz) caster sugar 4 medium eggs 225g (8oz) self-raising flour, sieved 1 level teaspoon baking powder For the filling: 3 tablespoons jam Icing sugar to dust

Allow to cool completely before turning out onto a cooling rack.

For the chocolate ganache: In a saucepan over a low heat, combine the 200g plain chocolate and the cream and whisk until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is well blended. Remove from the heat and whisk until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Leave to cool for 2 hours until the icing is thick enough to spread.

To assemble, place one of the sponges onto a serving plate. Cover with the cherry jam.

Carefully sandwich the second layer on top and spread the chocolate icing over the top of the cake and let it drizzle artily down the sides. Decorate with the fresh cherries, grated chocolate, dried cherries and sprigs of mint for a real showstopper look. If you can’t get fresh cherries use undyed dark red glace cherries and chocolate shavings.

METHOD Pre-heat your oven to 170°C, 160°C Fan, Gas 4 Put all the sponge ingredients into a mixing bowl and beat with a wooden spoon for 2 - 3 minutes until smooth and well combined.

Divide your mixture between two greased and bottom-lined 20cm (8 inch) sandwich tins.

Pop them in the middle of your pre-heated oven and bake for 30 - 35 minutes until beautifully golden. Turn them out, remove the paper and cool on a cake rack. Spread the jam over the middle, sandwich the two pieces together and dust the top with icing sugar.

Or for something even more delicious mix your vanilla icing ingredients in a bowl until smooth and spread through the middle and over the top of your cake.

42 | PL MAGAZINE

Baking Cakes_PLSEPT_40_42.indd 4

24/08/2015 17:00:40

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{ Health & Beauty {

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mudder on the

gym floor Emily Smith discovers what could be the toughest gym class ever invented

44 | PL magazine

MudderMaker_PLSEPT_44_45.indd 2

24/08/2015 12:25:08

{ Health & Beauty {

E

xercise classes are constantly getting wackier and bolder as people look to new ways of staying fit and challenging themselves. The latest routine everyone seems to be keen to complete is the Tough Mudder.

Tough Mudder is the ultimate obstacle course – a series of exercises through mud designed to put even the strongest of athletes through their paces.

But you don’t have to head out to the field to crawl, squat and jump. Virgin Active is the first gym to offer the ‘Mudder Maker’ class – designed to prepare you for your biggest challenge yet.

The hour-long class has been designed specifically for Virgin Active and encourages people to work as a team, brace themselves for a Tough Mudder, or just use the class to work muscles that may normally get forgotten in a gym work out.

One of the instructors running the class at Derriford’s Virgin Active is Sam Quinn who makes every member work as hard as possible by playing by the ‘no negotiating’ rule – meaning no standing still – whatsoever!

He explains: “The idea is to work as hard as you can and keep moving throughout. You work as a team and encourage each other through the obstacles. You wouldn’t do a Tough Mudder on your own so we encourage people to have that team mentality.

“We really hope everyone enjoys the class because it’s quite different and a lot of fun.”

The class includes ten obstacles which

Emily gives it a go change every week. Starting off with a swamp crawl, participants are then led through tyre pulling, lunges holding a weight, a series of frog squats and even a game of ‘hot potato’ with a ball that gives you an electric shock.

It’s fair to say this isn’t your average Friday afternoon gym class.

Sam said: “There is no other gym class like this. It’s designed specifically for Virgin.

“The class is arranged so there are a variety of levels people can do. On each of the obstacles you can either do it four, six or eight times. I like to make it harder for people so I normally make them do it six or eight times.

“There are ten stations and the eliminator is the last one. If people complete the course then they take part in this, although I like to make everyone do it as a group and encourage each other.

“You are meant to do 100 press-ups but there is so much more you can do – so I normally do 50 of one thing and then something else.”

Codie Wyett is a 24-year-old hairdresser who has been attending the class since it started six weeks ago. She said: “I never go into the gym because I just find it boring.

“This class is really fun. It’s good that it mixes things up and it quite different. I like keeping fit and have been doing regular exercise since last year.

“I like that for a full 45 minutes the class really pushes you.

“I like to keep coming back even though it’s hard! It’s really good that we work as a group so people can encourage each other.”

There is no denying the class will prepare you for a Tough Mudder – but it’s more than that.

“It’s a class that makes you work as a team rather than testing only yourself. It works muscles you didn’t think you had and always ends with a huge sense of achievement.

A huge tyre, thick rope, weights full of water, swamp crawl and more torture weapons welcomed me to my first ‘mudder maker’ class.

Before I had time to think about what I was letting myself in for, instructor Sam Quinn had me running round the room to warm up.

We were split into groups as this class is all about team work and finishing the stations together. We had to do nine stations before we took part in the ‘eliminator’, a series of 100 reps.

My group started with swamp crawl. We had to complete the obstacle six times before we could go on. Station one done and I felt okay.

In fact it wasn’t until I got about half way round that my body ached and I was using muscles I don’t think have been touched for years. As we squatted over and over again while a team member ran a short distance, I couldn’t help but stop for a minute. Sam told me to keep moving.

I struggled with the lunges as the weight was so heavy I had to rest it on my head, rather than lifting it with straight arms. The same happened when we were sitting on the floor and passed water-filled weights. After completing (just!) the nine stations it was back down on the floor for 50 press ups, followed by 50 basketball jumps.

When the class came to an end I was proud I had managed to get through it. I don’t know if it’s something I would do every week but if you’re trying to shed the pounds, training for a Tough Mudder, or just want to challenge yourself - then it’s the perfect class for you.

PL MAGAZINE | 45

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24/08/2015 12:25:40

{ Health & Beauty {

Life after SUPERMAN David Wetherill may possibly be the most talked about table tennis player ever after he flew across the floor to make the shot of a lifetime at the London 2012 Paralympics. Now he prepares to head to Rio. Emily Smith met ‘superman’ himself

DAVID IN TRAINING FOR THE 2012 PARALYMPIC GAMES

David Weatherill_PLSEPT_46_47.indd 2

24/08/2015 13:25:34

{ Health & Beauty {

H

e is the man behind the most famous table tennis shot in history – a dive across the floor at the London 2012 Paralympics. Everyone waited with baited breath as David Wetherill slid across the floor, taking his crutch with him, and then gasped as the ball fell in his favour on the opposite side of the table. But David is the first to admit that everyone only ever remembers him for that shot - no-one remembers he actually lost that vital match which cost him the 2012 games.

“Being known for that shot softened the blow of losing the game. It was nice for me to show what Paralympians can achieve. I guess that shot isn’t a bad thing to be known for!” he smiles. Coined as ‘superman’ by the national papers, the 25-year-old took fame in his stride. But what makes the shot so incredible is the fact David did it all holding on to a crutch - a vital player in his daily life. However David has not once let his disability, a degenerative condition which affects the growth of his bones, stop him from achieving his goals. As the Paralympic Games in Rio loom David can only think about winning a medal and not that he has to work harder than most to achieve that. He says: “I was born with my bone disorder - I was also born with a hole in my heart and I have a pacemaker. When you’re younger things don’t sink in as much.

“I have always just gone along with the other kids and never let anything hold me back.

“My disability and sport are quite heavily linked. I like to push my body massively - I love being fit.

“I don’t consider myself as disabled. I need to try and keep sight of my own goal because I have been quite strict on myself in the past.”

DAVID WARMS UP FOR THE PARALYMPICS

Watching David in the gym or competing against world class table tennis players you would not believe that he was told by doctors he would be in a wheelchair at the age of 16. The 25-yearold has been playing table tennis since he was 12 years old and has his dad to thank for that and funnily enough a broken leg. He says: “I used to play football at school and run around with the other kids until I broke my leg. Table tennis was a sport that I could play and my dad was really into it. “The air ambulance landed on the school field and everyone thought it was so cool. I wouldn’t be here now doing this if that hadn’t have happened. “I got hooked as soon as I started to play. I think I have only had two weeks off playing since I first picked up the bat. ” Although the London Paralympic Games didn’t go in David’s favour he has high hopes for the games in Rio next year. David is busy training five days a week with his coach, Paul Whiting.

“For me the London games were the biggest disappoint of my career so far, as well as being the highlight,” he admits.

“All of the training I did when I was younger went towards that. The London Paralympics revolutionised disabled sport and what the standard of it was. You gained a lot of respect as an athlete.“The Paralympics in Rio is a massive opportunity for me.” A medal in Rio is now the goal for David but he admits that he isn’t as fit as he once was and his disability is getting worse.

He says: “The amount of time that I can push my training has decreased a lot. I used to train 9-10 hours a day four times a week. I can’t do that now. I’m finding the right balance between training for quality rather than the sake of it. It’s always making sure the level of my table tennis doesn’t suffer.

“At the back of my mind I am always thinking about when my peak is going to be. Maybe Rio will be the last time I compete in the Paralympics.

‘I don’t consider myself disabled. I need to try and keep site of my own goal because I have been quite strict on myself in the past’ “If I don’t win a medal at Rio then I might think about what I want to do. I never knew what I wanted to do when I was growing up.”

Not only does David have some of the world’s best table tennis skills he also has a degree in biological chemistry behind him, which he completed at Sheffield University.

“I have a good degree and I could have a good job by now - that’s the biggest sacrifice you make,” he says, “I did my degree because I was interested in my disability and the physical side of everything.”

Living with a disability can’t be an easy task but David has never let it stop him working hard and pushing his body. Deciding to stay away from a wheelchair, David is more comfortable flying across a court with his crutch at his side.

“When I am playing table tennis or in the gym I can let go of so much steam. I feel amazing if I have a really hard work-out. I get a massive buzz from it,” he smiles.

“Things aren’t so bad and I always just live for the moment. Things are always going to stress me out but my disability never does that. It’s more the conscious thing and what other people think of me. “I’m living the dream doing what I love doing on a daily basis.”

DAVID PLAYING PING! IN PLYMOUTH CITY CENTRE. HE IS IN PREPARATION FOR THE PARALYMPICS IN RIO NEXT YEAR

PL MAGAZINE | 47

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{ Health & Beauty {

PLUNDER

THE BEAUTY BOUNTY Coconuts are the new superfoods of the health and beauty works. PL rounds up a lovely bunch of tropical treats, packed with tropical goodness

Y

ou don’t have to be stranded on a desert island to take full advantage of coconuts. They’ve fast become one of the most popular ingredients in beauty, buoyed by endorsements from supermodels like Gisele and Miranda Kerr, who swear by the tropical treasure’s benefits. Whether enjoyed as food or used on the skin or hair, coconut has multifunctional beauty perks, according to Alex Thompson, nutritionist at Holland & Barrett. “The small molecular structure of coconut oil allows for easy absorption,” Thompson says. “This makes it an ideal ointment for the relief of dry skin, or conditioning hair, but equally it can be eaten on salads or used as cooking oil.” From skincare to scents, coconut fever is in full force.

Tempted to get involved? Get cracking and shell out on some of these top picks...

The raw beauty

Enjoy Coconut In Its Purest Form (Other Than Straight Out Of The Shell), With Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, £9 (Nealsyardremedies.Com). Raw, Unrefined And Unbleached, Warm Between Your Palms And Apply Directly To Skin For Instant Nourishment.

The hair tonic

Post-holiday hair needs some TLC. Treat dry, damaged ends to The Body Shop’s Rainforest Coconut Hair Oil, £7 (thebodyshop.co.uk), which can be used to massage your scalp pre-wash, or left on as an overnight treatment.

The summer scent

Re-live the scent of your vacation in less exotic places, with The Library of Fragrance’s Fresh Coconut, £15 (thelibraryoffragrance.com). The cologne has that just-picked-off-thebeach freshness. Just try not to eat it...

The recovery masque

The coconut nut

First there were carrots, then cucumbers, tomatoes, blueberries and grapefruit, but current flavour of the month is the Yes To Coconut range, with items from £5.99 (Boots.com). Think head-to-toe coconut oil hydration, with lotions and potions to relieve dry skin and restore damaged hair.

Say goodbye to post-beach bad hair days with Superdrug’s Coconut Water & Coconut Oil Masque, currently reduced to £2.66 from £3.99 (Superdrug. com). Substitute your conditioner and leave this to work for two-three minutes before rinsing. To up the intensity, wrap hair up in a warm towel and wait for 10 minutes.

48 | PL MAGAZINE

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at Milton Abbot is set in stunning grounds in the heart of the Tamar Valley, with its own shell grotto and the longest flower border in the UK. Jewellery designer Joanna Bury used her handmade pieces to style the shoot and images were shot by photographer Chris Conway.

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50 | PL MAGAZINE

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Fashion is fickle but surfy cool never goes out of style. PL caught up with Briony-Mai Reynolds, the stunning but unassuming teen who won Miss Cornwall to show off Animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new summer range

Miss Cornwall .indd 2

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A

Fashion

crack-shot in the paint ball arena and a talented online gamer, Miss Cornwall Briony-May Reynolds showed her softer side at our summer shoot at Plymouth Lido.

Gorgeous summer prints, light cotton fabrics, denim and big hats are what summer is about. The Miss England hopeful loves the laid back look which is complimented perfectly by one of Plymouth’s most iconic summer spots.

But Briony-May hasn’t spent the whole summer relaxing by the pool. As well as working at Plymouth’s Delta Force paintball centre, she has been busy raising money for charity. Her efforts for Beauty With a Purpose, which helps disadvantaged children across the world, have even included going on a ghost hunt at one of the Plymouth area’s creepiest locations. Miss Reynolds said she thought “raising money by going into a haunted location” was a “unique idea”. “Watching [ghost hunts] on television, you have ideas and criticisms that someone might have thrown something or that they are actually fiddling with the equipment, so to be standing with everyone and know that no-one is touching anything and the machines are going off it is quite an adrenaline-filled and scary moment but also quite intriguing,” she said. But the beauty competition winner, who works in Plymouth, wasn’t put off having a second go, saying: “I’d definitely do it again.” According to her online donations page, Miss Reynolds has raised £700 of her £1,000 fundraising target.

Hair and make up- Steph Davis @ Experience Utopia

Miss Cornwall .indd 3

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Fashion

Indian

SUMMER eptember might mark the closing days of summer but it doesn’t mean you should dial down your style. It’s the month for lunch alfresco, evening cocktails in the sun and wonderful weddings. You don’t want to out shine the bride, but you can still be chic and stylish. PL took a look at this year’s key trends for the best dressed wedding guests. Saltash boutique Little Black Dress suggests lace, floaty fabrics and duster jackets combined with sparkling statement jewellery and shiny handbags are key to fashion heaven this season.

Location: Just Be, Saltash Hair and make-up: Maiya’s Hair and Beauty Flowers: The Flowery, Saltash Clothes: Little Black Dress, Saltash Model: Bethany Atalya Photographer: John Allen Shoot stylist: Louise Daniel

Saltash Fashion_PLSEPT_54_55 .indd 2

BLACK AND WHITE TROUSERS: £34.99, WHITE SHORT SLEEVED SHIRT: £29.99, ROSE DUSTER JACKET: £45, CORAL HANDBAG: £35, RED STATEMENT NECKLACE: £15, SHOES: MODEL’S OWN

24/08/2015 13:56:06

Fashion BLUE/WHITE FLORAL JUMPSUIT: WAS £49.99, NOW £19.99, SILVER CHOKER: £35, WHITE SKINNY BELT: £3

BLACKMULTI COLOURED MAXI DRESS: WAS £140 NOW £60, PINK FASCINATOR: £12; PINK CLUTCH: £15, RED/ PINK SKINNY CRYSTAL BANGLES: £12 EACH

SILK AND LACE TUNIC DRESS: £39.99, BEADED CLUTCH: £15, PINK BANGLE SET: £7

Saltash Fashion_PLSEPT_54_55 .indd 3

OFF WHITE LACE DRESS: £49.99 NOW £29.99, LARGE CRYSTAL PINK/RED/ GOLD BANGLES: £20 EACH

24/08/2015 13:56:47

Fashion OFF THE SHOULDER SPOTTY DRESS: WAS £35 NOW £10, SHOES: MODEL’S OWN, GOLD BANGLE SET: £7, BLACK AND RED FASCINATOR: £20

Saltash Fashion second spread_PLSEPT_57.indd 2

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Fashion

SILK AND LACE TUNIC DRESS: £39.99, BEADED CLUTCH: £15, PINK BANGLE SET: £7

PL MAGAZINE | 57

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Shopping

IMPROVING

Lives

Plymouth Mobility Centre is racing ahead with plans to include more specialist services on its Drake Mill Business Park site and it’s due to the drive and determination of forward-thinking owner Ian Bellamy says Louise Daniel

E

ntrepreneur Ian Bellamy is very hands on with his business. As we speak, he is making new space in his roomy Estover site for specialist services to make life easier for his clients. Ian has worked on improving people’s lives for some years. He cut his teeth as a self-employed specialist bathroom fitter.

“I’ve always been self-employed. I was fitting wet rooms and level access shower rooms and the majority of my customers were disabled,” he said.

“I saw the equipment they had in their homes and looked into all the other fixtures and fittings they might need.”

Ian quickly realised the difficulty for customers who needed specialist, bespoke equipment and the kernel of an idea became reality very quickly, Ian says: “I found people had to travel (and still have to travel) some distance for the right equipment and within six weeks found a site and began trading at his first site in Launceston.

Sister site Plymouth Motability Centre opened in February and has proved invaluable for people who need equipment to enhance the quality of their lives – from motability scooters and wheel chairs to stair lifts and bespoke home adaptions.

“We are craftspeople. People struggle to find places to which will make bespoke products to fit anything.

“We do a full assessment on each customer.

It’s not just a matter of looking at a scooter and off you go, we give people full training before they leave our showroom.

“The show room is big enough so people can try everything before they buy it, including

‘I’ve always said I sell things you need, not necessarily things you want’

stair lifts, car adaptions, hand controls, pedal transfers, boot hoists and scooter hoists.”

It’s reassuring to know these professionals have every aspect of making living easier for the less able bodied under one roof and they are fully accredited.

This includes membership of the BHTA (British Healthcare trades Association – the UK’s oldest and largest health care association) supplying equipment to Devon County Council and Cornwall NHS Trust and being part of the Motability Accrediation Scheme, meaning people can get a scooter or wheel chair through the motability scheme at Plymouth Motability Centre.

Ian’s team of experts help with every aspect of altering your home to make it work for you, he says: “We do home adaptions too – stair case modifications, home handrails and bespoke products.

“Any vehicle or product you can buy off the shelf, we will design and manufacture to suit our clients.”

The dedicated team of engineers include Ian, Paul, Fred, Barry and Brendan who are fully trained stairlift installers, vehicle adaption installers and between them, have many years’ experience maintaining and repairing mobility equipment.

Apart from the overwhelmingly positive response from customers and their repeat business, helping people to live more able lives is at the heart of what motivates Ian and his team.

And with plans in place to bring a wraparound service including occupational health, physiotherapy and chiropody in store as well as new staff, the future is bright for clients and Plymouth Mobility Centre.

“I like the fact we are helping people and making their life easier.”

PL MAGAZINE | 58

Plymouth Mobility_PLSEPT_58.indd 1

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VAL CASS IN THE NEW STORE

We can shop UNTIL WE DROP Plymouth’s shopping offering is becoming increasingly sophisticated and chic. New stores continue to open bringing trendy chains and nice independents to the city. PL has been window shopping at some of the newest stores

Beaux Cadeaux A popular gift shop has reopened in Plymouth’s Royal William Yard. Set up at Frankfort Gate by Val and Richard Cass back in 2006, Beaux Cadeaux thrived for more than seven years.

However by the end of 2013 a sustained drop in footfall meant the shop would not remain viable in that location. A year after the shop closed, it has reopened with a fresh new look at the Royal William Yard’s Residence ONE.Marie Hewitt, director of Residence ONE, says the arrival of Beaux Cadeaux at the Grade II listed building has caused “a real buzz”. The stock familiar to regular customers is all there -– Emma Bridgewater, Sass Belle, Disaster Designs and Bombay Duck – and Val is already looking forward to how she can expand the range in the shop.

New Shops_PLSEPT_60_61 .indd 2

THE EXTERIOR OF THE NEW BEAUX CADEAUX AT RESIDENCE ONE

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Shopping Cath Kidston Cath Kidston brings a burst of colour to every home with her quintessentially British take on retro home and lifestyle products.

The good news is you can now dress head to toe in the fashion designers iconic modern chintz and fabulously flowery designs. The new Cath Kidston store for Plymouth has opened at Drake Circus. Cath Kidston launched her range of unique designs at her first store in Holland Park, London in 1993. And now you can get your fill of Kidston loveliness in Drake Circus Shopping Centre a pop-up shop which will be in place until mid January.

The polka-dot, little dog motif and modern take on vintage fabrics are known the world over and sold in more than 130 national outlets including a flagship store next to Fortnum and Mason. The floral prints and patterns are nostalgic, evocative and magical.

Go on, you know you want to...

HAMPSTEAD ROSE DRESS £65

WINTER ROSE BACKPACK £45 A BRIDE MODELS A WTOO GOWN, WHICH ARE PRICED FROM £750

Tiger Stores Tiger Stores, now open at Drake Circus, has been dubbed the the deluxe Danish pound store. But the shop is more of a variety store with a difference which aims to give IKEA’s home essentials a run for their money. The quirky store offers items for all the family from rainbow coloured toys stationary and kit for hobbyists and kitchens essentials. Even better the bulk of the Danish-designed products selling for £5 or less and none more than £15.

PICNIC BASKET, £15, TIGER STORES

Peppermint Bridal A new bridal lounge is to open at The Royal William Yard. Peppermint Bridal is set to open in the Guardhouse carrying designs from leading dress designers, including Wtoo by Watters.

Peppermint Bridal will be the only Devon stockist of Wtoo gowns and during the opening weekend there will be a trunk show where brides will be able to try a full Wtoo collection.

APPLE SLICER, £1, TIGER STORES PL MAGAZINE | 61

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24/08/2015 13:49:12

{ Family {

FAMILY

Festivals Is it a great idea to go to a festival with your children? Nicky Williams wasn’t sure but put her doubts to the test at Camp Bestival

I

t was with a certain amount of trepidation that my partner and I set off with our two children for a weekend of camping at Camp Bestival at Lulworth in Dorset.

My previous experience of festivals is of big events like Glastonbury or V, which are not particularly billed as being that family friendly.

However, having been assured there would be sufficient to entertain the kids we set off on a Thursday night determined to have a good time.

Camp Bestival offers several options for families; you can purchase day tickets or camp over the entire weekend.

For those, like me who are less than experienced campers, you can arrange to have a tent already erected for you, complete with airbeds and any other equipment you might need for your stay.

Choosing the glamping option, Thursday night found us in our very own tipi, complete with mattresses, duvets and coffee table.

Friday morning we were awoken by the sound of distant drumming. A quick wash later, we followed the sound, making our way through the sea of tents to the fields where all the action was taking place. The campsites are a good walk away from the main stages so it’s definitely worth packing a bag with everything you will need for the entire day. Many parents with young children use trolleys to transport the little ones, these can be hired on site and there is even a stand where you can ‘pimp your trolley’.

The first thing you notice is everyone seems to be in fancy dress, and I'm not just talking about the children. In fact if you’re a middle-aged man, you will be seen as the odd one out if you are not sporting a funny wig, hat or pretending to be some sort of animal. For those who forgot to pack a costume, there are a multitude of opportunities to get dressed up; you can cover yourself in sequins, grab some wings, slap on false eyelashes and strutt your stuff on the specially erected cat walk.

Camp Bestival is about entertaining the whole

family and they have definitely grasped the fact that if the youngest members of the family are happy the adults invariably are too. Mr Tumble and The Cat in the Hat entertained on the Castle Stage whilst in the Kids’ Garden there is a whole feast of delights to keep children amused.

Teenagers could join the Alex Rider Spy Camp or the wacky experiments in the science tent.

The whole family enjoyed the amazing acrobatics of the insect circus.

My youngest was particularly entranced by The Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie, attempting to reschedule our entire day so she could watch them perform, ‘one last time’.

Thankfully respite was on hand in the form of the Guardian Literary Institute tent where tired parents could relax in comfortable armchairs and listen to interviews and talks on a variety of subjects from How to Bird Watch with Bill Oddie to the ‘Exploding Plastic Inevitable Music Quiz’ with John Harris. One of my favourite moments was spent sitting in that tent listening to the Jungle Book, being read over the three nights by

62 | PL MAGAZINE

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{ Family {

'Having decided to go for the glamping option; Thursday night found us installed in our very own tipi, complete with foam mattresses, duvets and a coffee table!'

Michaela Strachan, Dick & Dom and Sara Cox. If a comfy chair and bedtime story was not enough for you; you could take relaxation to another level by heading to the hideaway.

There you could indulge in a restorative massage or bathe under the sky in luxurious wood fired hot tubs aboard a double decker bus, just the thing after three days of camping in a dusty field.

Food is the other area where you can indulge, from Thai to pizza, there is something to suit everyone.

Even the fussiest of kids are catered for. My favourite meal was courtesy of Zoeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ghana Supper Club a sit down feast of mouth-watering food from Ghana, complete with entertainment.

By the end of that meal everyone was off their seat and dancing.

Of course Camp Bestival is a music festival and the line-up did not disappoint with big names like the Kaiser Chiefs and Underworld performing as well as established acts like the Buzzcocks and Alison Moyet.

PL MAGAZINE | 61

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{ Family {

FIVE OTHER FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVALS CHAGSTOCK, DARTMOOR, July/August: This local festival not only has great music but also a dedicated camping area for families.

There is also a children’s play area in the main arena which includes bouncy castle/slide, Face Painting, various workshops a village green feature and alternative therapy tent.

BOOM TOWN, HAMPSHIRE, August: BoomTown say their aim is to make the festival a playground for everyone. The main part of the fair is suitable for families but children also have their own KidzTown area, where little ones can let loose and explore a whole host of activities, workshops and music.

GLASTONBURY, SOMERSET, June: Don’t be put off taking children to the largest greenfield festival. The deciated Kidzfield is

Taking Kids To Festivals PLSEPT_62_64 .indd 4

in itself the the largest free Festival for Kidz in Europe. If your children are a bit older, even teenagers, they will love you forever for taking them to Glasto.

LARMER TREE, SALISBURY, July: Set in the beautiful Victorian gardens of the Larmer Tree are in the heart of the Cranborne Chase, home to stunning views and roaming peacocks. The site is easily accessible for families using buggies and provides a host of children’s entertainment.

BEAUTIFUL DAYS, NEAR EXETER, August: Beautiful Days is the Levellers' family music festival which takes place at Escot Park. It has six stages, site art, a huge children’s area, comedy, theatre and family camping. It’s an all-round winner and not far to travel.

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sweet dreams ARE MADE OF THIS Every bride dreams of the perfect venue for her special day and with more than 500 years of history, Mount Edgcumbe House is one of the most beautiful venues the South West has to offer, Emily Smith reports

T

his is a venue that dreams are made of.

Set in 865 acres of stunning landscape in Cornwall, Mount Edgcumbe estate boasts seven acres of formal gardens, ten miles of coastline and more historic buildings and follies than you could ever need as a backdrop for your photographs.

What ever you require for your wedding day, Mount Edgcumbe has it all. There are three licensed rooms for civil ceremonies, accommodating between two and 120 guests, plus the outdoor option of the elegant Summer House overlooking the delightful Earl’s Garden.

There isn’t much more a newlywed couple could

WEDDINGS IN THE BEAUTIFUIL SURROUNDINGS OF MOUNT EDGCUMBE want. The historic Orangery overlooking the Italian Garden can also seat up to 120 guests for a sumptuous reception before dancing the night away in this delightful setting.

The second option is combining the old and the new. A state-of-the- art marquee nestled in the exclusive Earl’s Garden which gives you the modern comfort of a reinforced glass structure with the private gardens for your guests to enjoy throughout the evening.

With the added bonus of Mount Edgcumbe’s experienced wedding co-ordinator, your wedding day at this very flexible venue will truly be a day to remember. There are plenty of options for

every couple to choose exactly what works for themselves - no hassle needed.

The estate is currently running a special offer including venue hire for up to 120 guests for a civil ceremony and up to 150 guests in their luxury marquee for £4,000. Also included in the package is free parking, confetti, transport from the Cremyll Ferry for your guests and a bridal dressing room for use on the day.

There is nothing not to love.

For more information contact Mount Edgcumbe House on 01752 822 236 or email:edgcumbeweddings@plymouth.gov.uk

66 | PL MAGAZINE

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have to? do we

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably a relief the summer holidays are over and children are back to regular routines. But after a laid back summer, kids of all ages can be prone to the post-holiday blues. Louise Daniel has some ideas to help parents dealing with de-motivated kids

68 | PL magazine

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S

ix weeks of school holidays always sounds fabulous, but in practise it can leave everyone a little frazzled.

According to Teaching Times more than half of UK parents find the summer “exhausting”. And just as the family has adjusted to a change in routine, it’s back to school.

Quite aside from adult gripes - dashing for school uniform, new shoes and a haircut, before the new term begins – kids returning to the classroom are prone to post holiday lethargy and moodiness.

A new year with revised timetable, new classmates and teachers is daunting enough but a summer spent out of school often results in heightened emotions and sullen behaviour.

But don’t take it personally; they’ll adjust with a little coaxing.

Be patient

Some children’s behaviour becomes unduly babyish or unruly when they return to school.

Show tolerance, understanding and offer cuddles (even if they reject them). If you have real concerns, speak to your child’s head-ofyear to discuss coping strategies

Establish a routine

Kids thrive on routine so everything from

KidsBackToSchool_PLSEPT_68_69.indd 3

{ Family {

‘The right food can keep your child’s body and mind healthy and ready to learn’ bedtimes to homework needs structure.

Encourage your child to pack their school bag, get their uniform ready and even make their own lunch the night before school. Yes, it’s harder to do with older children but put your foot down about homework and mealtimes – they’ll thank you for it later (honestly!)

Food & exercise

Make sure kids have a proper breakfast before they set out for school. Evidence shows children who eat properly before school perform better throughout the day. The right food can keep your child’s body and mind healthy and ready to learn. Try not to cave in to slobbing around at weekends, schedule some time for fresh air

Sleep

Children need plenty of sleep and although

there is no magic number, research suggests that healthy sleep patterns promote all round well-being including better performance at school. That means switching the internet and X-box off at a reasonable hour – yes, you need nerves of steel for that particular battle!

Tidy up

A clean and tidy space in which to do homework is important and sometimes difficult to achieve – you could incentivise or do a deal; one hour of homework equals one hour of social media, for example. Don’t be tempted to let kids do homework in front of the television, it’s distracting and they’ll ultimately take longer to do it. Show interest and encourage them to complete their work on time

Take time for fun

Make sure it’s not all work, work, work – everyone needs time to play, relax, recharge and even be bored sometimes. Give them time to kick back and forget about school.

Listen

You don’t have to be in their back pocket and put undue pressure on kids, just be aware of what they are doing and give them the support they need when they need it. We all have busy lives, but to make sure you keep lines of communication open.

24/08/2015 12:28:27

Travel

MUSCLES, MURALS AND

manatees in Miami

B

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Miami beach. Roger Crow shares his tips on how best to enjoy America’s Art Deco seaside city

oom! Boom! Boom! Hold on!” yells Captain Matt, the engine of his boat roaring like an unleashed animal.

My heart’s racing as we bounce from wave to wave, the familiar Floridian skyline a backdrop to my sun-kissed adventure.

I knew I should have worn a suit jacket, sleeves rolled up like some Eighties TV detective.

It’s too hot for that, but crashing through the surf near Gloria Estefan’s house on the aptly named celeb-filled Star Island, it’s hard for any former 1980s teen not to imagine themselves as a Miami Vice crime-buster.

While Jan Hammer’s title theme plays on my mental jukebox, Ocean Force Adventures’ skipper guides our RIB over the next wave.

I soon discover the truth behind Miami Beach, instead of the Hollywood fantasy fed to me. It’s a story more fascinating than 100 scriptwriters could imagine - one for each of its glorious years.

2015 marks the centenary of Miami Beach, and with a number of special events taking place, it’s the ideal time to plan a visit. Throw Thomas Cook’s new direct flight from Manchester into the equation, and it’s ‘happy days’ for a northerner like me!

I find no shortage of glorious attractions on my

travels around town, including the 2,000 stars of Everglades Alligator Farm, and the more amiable aquatic life at Miami Seaquarium.

Some marine parks can be amateurish or corporate, but both of these have a big heart. I never tire of watching rays, dolphins and rescued manatees.

I’ll admit I’m a little unlucky with the weather and there are downpours (one of which creates a superb rainbow over Miami Beach), but there’s no shortage of indoor attractions to distract travellers.

I head downtown to PAMM (Perez Art Museum Miami) to absorb some of the paintings and sculptures instead of raindrops; a veggie burger at resident waterfront eatery Verde is an added bonus.

My mental battery charges like a phone plugged into the mains.

As glorious as PAMM is, I soon lose my heart to another attraction: the jaw-dropping Wynwood Walls and arts district turns me into a kid on Christmas morning.

This neighbourhood, filled with murals, galleries, hipster breweries and cool bars, is hugely rewarding.

Given the chilled party atmosphere, I wonder how safe the region is.

“There are some ‘sketchy’ areas,” explains

‘I find no shortage of glorious attractions on my travels around town’ Amanda, one of Urban Spirit Art Crawl’s guides, her red cowboy boots and whip-smart attitude summing up the spirit of the region.

All global neighbourhoods have their good blocks and bad blocks, but I feel more at home here than many nightlife spots on home turf.

Leaving the edgy urban art gallery, we go next door to a micro brewery and geek chic bar, J. Wakefield Brewery, decorated with Marvel and Star Wars ephemera. My inner 10 year old has never been so happy.

Miami is my favourite new cocktail of a holiday, blending the best of Florida’s laidback charm with a fiery Cuban spirit.

Given the wealth of options on offer, it’s hard not to enthuse about this jewel in America’s crown.

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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: A TYPICAL SOUTHBEACH SCENE; THE BILTMORE HOTEL; AN INSTALLATION IN THE WYNWOOD ART DISTRICT; A COASTGUARD LOOKOUT; HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL

Travel Where to stay

Some might recognise The Biltmore hotel from Will Smith’s first Bad Boys movie. It’s visually stunning and boasts the Fontana restaurant and courtyard, perfect for those al fresco breakfasts and dinners. The pool is definitely worth a dip, but best of all, the property is wonderfully quiet - great if you want a lie in after a long night of partying.

Rooms costs from £150 per night.

Visit www.biltmorehotel.com

Where to eat

If you want to cram as much into a dining odyssey as possible, then Miami Culinary Tours (www.miamiculinarytours.com) offers a great South Beach roving food experience.

You can have a spicy empanada starter in one part of town, sample a plantain and pork dish at Larios (Gloria Estefan’s eatery), soak up that classic Art Deco architecture, and try the gelato for dessert a few blocks away, all for an affordable price (£38 per person). :: The Meat Market is a high end restaurant and bar, on the fashionable main shopping street of Lincoln Road. The steak and sides are excellent - as is the wine - while the cool, sophisticated ambience makes it ideal for

Travel_PLSEPT_70_71.indd 3

that special occasion or final night in town, as long as you dress to impress.

Visit www.meatmarketmiami.com

Where to shop

The Miami Design District (www. miamidesigndistrict.net) is the home of upmarket shops and galleries - the region’s equivalent to Rodeo Drive. But if you prefer bargains, head to either Bayside Marketplace (www.baysidemarketplace.com) or Dolphin Mall (www.shopdolphinmall.com), boasting a mix of familiar stores. Bayside earns extra points for its relaxed waterside location.

Where to be weirded out

If you love quirky attractions, then check out Coral Castle (www.coralcastle.com), a wonderfully unusual collection of limestone sculptures built over a period of 28 years by an eccentric Latvian who believed he’d been cured of tuberculosis with the help of magnetic currents. Truly bizarre.

Travel facts

Roger Crow was a guest of Thomas Cook Airlines (www.thomascookairlines.com) who offer flights from Manchester to Miami from £399 in economy.

24/08/2015 17:46:22

Out & About

Freshly

SQUEEZED

I

n 1973, Squeeze front man Chris Difford claims he stole 50p from his mother’s purse to place an advert for a guitarist in a sweet shop window in Deptford.

That moment led to the birth of Squeeze, one of the most recognisable acts of the definitive New Wave era which inspired teenagers in their bedrooms across Britain to sing chart hits Cool for Cats and Up The Junction into their duty-size bottles of hairspray.

Fast-forward 42 years and despite a few changes in the band’s line-up, the awardwinning Squeeze aren’t ready to say Goodbye Girl just yet. Plymouth is the opening night of an extensive 22-date UK tour to promote their latest album From The Cradle to the Grave, which is set to be released in October.

“It’s like eating a bag of sweets, it’s great fun,” 60-year-old Chris smiles. “I think that being out on the road is lovely.”

“I’m nervous in some respects because it’s a new show and Plymouth is our first of the tour.

We’re using full production and those gigs are always nerve wracking.

“Everybody will be tense, on-edge and there will be people throwing doughnuts around in the dressing room, so basically we’ll be having a bit of a laugh!

“Glenn’s [Squeeze guitarist] got a great poster of The Beatles sitting on Plymouth Hoe on his wall, so as we’ve been making the album we’ve been looking at that poster thinking that’s where

Before their performance at Plymouth Pavilions this month, Carly Squires sat down with Squeeze founder and songwriter Chris Difford we’re going to be on the first date of our tour.

I’d love to go on The Hoe and re-create the photograph, that’d be great fun.”

‘From The Cradle to the Grave’ is Squeeze’s first collection of new tracks since Domino, released in 1998. The album will provide a soundtrack to the forthcoming British sitcom of the same name, starring Peter Kay and Lucy Speed, which explores the life of the band’s old friend and recognised journalist Danny Baker who grew up in Deptford.

The release also sees the return of the group’s iconic writing duo, Chris and guitarist Glenn Tilbrook, who have been likened to the genius of Paul McCartney and John Lennon.

“It’s been really good, it’s been a great six months, I can’t believe it’s taken that long but it’s just flown by and here we are with the album. It was a great honour to be asked - I’m pinching myself because it’s such a fantastic show,” says Chris. “We don’t feel pressure when we write, it’s ready when it’s ready. It’s not like a cake that you put in the oven and you leave for two hours – it takes it’s time and it has got to feel right.

“The album is strongly influenced by the characters and the script. It’s always nice to reminisce about Deptford. ”And reminisce Squeeze has. Chris acknowledges that the upcoming shows will “be a real look at our career,” showcasing “both the hits and the songs that got away”. Chris is also currently working on a biography which will be released next year.

“It’s been quite deep and quite rewarding – I still haven’t finished it but I like it. “Looking back,

life in the band at the start was enormously cool but I didn’t know it at the time. It was a great energy and I don’t really know what happened because it happened so quickly. At the time we were making album after album in quick succession and touring constantly. It was energy that you could only have at that age in your life.

“I think that the longevity of the band is just not being Duran Duran really! It’s being Squeeze and being true to your own music and your own skills. If you don’t try and trip yourself up then you can keep going – I’m very aware of what my limitations are and if I work within that framework then I’m a happy camper.”

Squeeze have recently released a track from their nostalgic album called Happy Days, which has been played on BBC Radio 2 and received positive feedback from fans. Despite continuing to make a mark on the music industry over the course of forty years, Chris is happiest looking to the past. “I’m happy with my feet in the past, I live in 70s and 80s. I’m not a great music technologist and I’m not that fussed about it really,” Chris says: “The music industry has changed beyond recognition, because it’s now all about downloading and streaming on YouTube, record collectors are few and far between these days.

“It’s just a different industry and technology has stolen individualism but it has also brought a new generation into narration which is great.”

Squeeze, Plymouth Pavilions, Friday, September 25.

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Out & About

THE MONKEY BUSINESS OF

tree surfing Flying through the air and swinging into rope nets - it certainly seems to be the best way to enjoy the Tamar Valley this summer. Emily Smith swapped the office for the great outdoors and did her best primate impression

T

ree surfing is much more than swinging around above ground. It’s a test of strength and courage but also so much fun.

The tree wobbles as I stand on a small wooden platform meters from the ground. I look down, close my eyes, take a deep breath and go for it. It seems there is no way out other than to fly through the trees.

I’m not scared of heights but there is still something quite daunting about looking out across a wooden walkway and knowing there is no other way down.

The harness keeps you safe but doesn’t make you feel restricted, allowing you to feel free at the tops of the trees.

But it’s not just me who has given tree surfing a go. It seems everyone is keen to try their best primate impressions and people of all ages are queuing to swing through the trees at Tamar Trails, in the Tamar Valley, near Tavistock.

The tree surfing courses are a series of ropes, zip wires, ladders, walkways and jumps. There is also a junior ropes course for children as young as four.

Behind everything happening at the Tamar Trails are Kate Blake and Paul Turner who launched the business with Canoe Tamar 12 years ago. Both love the great outdoors and Paul was previously a Royal Marine, whereas Kate worked as a psychologist with the Probation Service.

The dynamic duo have wholly designed and handbuilt the new junior ropes course at the site and are to thank for allowing children to be free in the trees.

Kate says: “Paul has got all the practical skills from being in the Marines and could offer loads to the building of the course. Every single bolt you see on the course I personally tightened myself!”

Sign up to take part in one of the courses and you

‘It’s a physical challenge that gives you a mental lift

74 | PL MAGAZINE

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will be left to your own devices. Instructors are on hand to help but people taking part have free-rein to attach their own clips and manoeuvre their way around the course.

This element of the course makes you feel part of a game show and it was quick and easy to do.

Kate and Paul employ local students throughout the year to help them run the site.

Tom Keane has just finished his A-Levels and has the best job of checking the ropes and helping people around.

He says: “I love being up in the trees and helping people. I have always been into outdoor activities so it’s a great job for me. It’s great because it gives you a bit of adrenaline but nothing too over the top.

“There is so much to do here and we let people get on with it unless they need help.

There is always an instructor around. We get to go on the ropes every morning to check everything is safe. If it’s quiet we can have a go too!”

The Trails, which also offer extensive cycling

and walking tracks, are located in a stunning site deep in the Tamar Valley and once up in the trees it’s easy to stop for a moment and take in the stunning views. As well as being an exhilarating ride, there is plenty of time for some peace and quiet metres high.

For Kate it’s a dream come true to run her own business and work outdoors.

“I worked in mental health for more than 12 years but have always had a passion for how the outdoors can have an effect on people,” she explains.

“Paul and I decided we wanted to set up a business together and set up Canoe Tamar and it’s just grown from there.

“People are having life changing experiences here. They come here and are challenged. They are overcoming fears.

“We wanted to make sure everyone who comes to the trails has a fantastic experience.

“It has always been my dream and has been about my own lifestyle.”

The junior ropes course at the site is great fun for both children and their parents and the

smaller of two zip wires offer a final thrilling ride.

The course is a perfect mixture of walkways which are easy to tackle and jumps that need some extra courage.

At one point I saw the only way out was down which had me pause for breath but the support of Kate had me down in no time.

But Kate reveals she’s not a huge fan herself.

“My friends would call me a thrill seeker but I hate jumping off things!

“That sense of jumping off high things terrifies me,” she laughs.

“It’s a physical challenge that gives you a mental lift.

“It reminds you when things are hard and you do them, how much you can achieve as a person.”

Tree surfing is much more than swinging around above ground.

“It’s a test of strength and courage but also so much fun.

“Coming down from the course and reminding yourself what you have just completed can only leave you with a smile.

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£30 £37

£Ch2ild8

10/09/15

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per person

Great Dorset Steam Fair 76

Loch Lomond

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Social Diary

Plymouth Gin exhibition opening Invited guests attended the opening of an exhibition to celebrate Plymouth Gin

From Plymouth to the world â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the voyage of Plymouth gin from birth to legend - is now open to visitors at the City Museum and Gallery.

Tamar Trotters Summer ball

Members of the Tamar Trotters running club attended their summer ball at China Fleet Country Club 78 | PL MAGAZINE

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Social Diary

Model at the Fringe

A Plymouth model has been turning heads at one of the social events of the year. Caitlin Butchart was asked to model a spectacular outfit hand-crafted by an award-winning designer. Caitlin was featured on the front page of The Telegraph modelling the dress which takes 10 minutes to put on and even features china tea cups.

Envy celebrates its 15th birthday

One of Plymouthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading hairdressing businesses celebrated 15 years of success with a party â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and said happy birthday to all its staff too Envy, owned by Tracie Gunningham, has three salons across the city, and was also toasting 13 years at its Broadway location in Plymstock. The business took 22 members of its team for a vintage-themed high tea to mark the double anniversary. Envy also has branches at Royal William Yard and in Fore Street, Plympton St Maurice.

PHOTO: EMMA BARROW

PL MAGAZINE | 79

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Social Diary

British Firework Championship

Guests gathered at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club to watch the British Fireworks Championships.

The two-night spectacle is one of Plymouthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social events of the year with people gathering at venues all along the waterfront.

Raf Harrowbeer 1940S Day Visitors enjoyed 1940s entertainment in the sunshine at an RAF Harrowbeer World War Two event near Yelverton.

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24/08/2015 14:02:37

Social Diary

Breakwater Swim

The weather couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been better for the brave swimmers who took to the water for the annual Breakwater Swim. Claiming first place in the event, which raises money for The Chestnut Appeal, was talented open water swimmer Reece Worth.

A huge, supportive crowd cheered loudly as each swimmer clambered back onto dry land on Tinside Beach

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24/08/2015 16:55:34

Next month

Next Month Features

FLAMING GLORY

The Garden House in Autumn

Wellbeing

POWER BOUNCE

Fitness on the rebound

Food and drink TRICKS & TREATS Fun recipes for Halloween

Fashion

SEASONAL STYLE

The Autumn/Winter trends

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THAILAND

Time-out in paradise

Beauty

TIRED AND TESTED The all-time bestsellers

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