West Magazine, 10 December 2016 by DCMedia

10.12.16

Christmas shortcuts youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love

WIN:

Festive hamper of treats

HOW TO: Bake the ultimate mince pie

OUR ESSENTIAL

GIFT GUIDE - pg 16

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‘You always got soap in your stocking and it always smelled nice. But why you’d want to take it on a sleigh ride was beyond me’ Carol singing confusion for Gillian Molesworth, p8

SECRET ESCAPES Making the most of the Westcountry

OUT AND ABOUT

What’s on and where to go

[contents[ Inside this week... 6

THE WISHLIST Our pick of the best treats this week

ALL THE GOSSIP Pets on set in Call The Midwife

MAKING SANTA WELCOME Quick ways to create a festive home

STEAL HER STYLE How to channel the Duchess this winter

MAKING THE MOVE Transforming a Newquay bungalow

THE GREAT WEST GIFT GUIDE Shopping starts here, folks!

THE MIRACLE HOME From boring to beautiful in Newquay

JUST ASK GRACIE Our style guru solves your problems

JUMPERS FOR JOY Reindeer, snowflakes, holly, the works...

BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Great ways to feel your best this week

SMALL BITES What’s hot in the South West foodie world

MARVELLOUS MINCE PIES The foolproof recipe they can’t resist

A GIN MADE FROM CIDER? Yes really, says drinks guru April Marks

BANNING THE BOOK Phil Goodwin’s son, aged six, fights back

DECK THE HALLS Quick and easy ways to get festive

TINSEL AND TIPPLES Our expert shares her festive favourites

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DECK THE HALLS

Make your own decorations

[ welcome [ It’s a time to give as well as to receive here is nothing better than giving someone a gift they truly do appreciate, is there? But if you’re stumped as to what to choose, then help is at hand. We’ve got a superb five-page gift guide in the magazine this week (page 16) compiled by our shopping expert Gracie Stewart. From kid’s bikes to luxury luggage, she’s done the hard work for you - and she’s even picked out some cute items for tiny amounts of money, ideal for those of us on a budget or trying to fulfil those tricky Secret Santa criteria for the work party. Another smart lady who knows what’s what when it comes to making Christmas manageable is the star

of the week

@hearthandcook On such a crisp autumnal day why not have a go at making this delish @ ESSE1854 soup! Find this lovely recipe in @WMNWest

[

EDITORIAL: westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk Tel: 01392 442250 Twitter @wmnwest

florist Sarah Pepper from Devon (who once made the flower arrangements for Stephen Spielberg’s private jet, but that’s another story). Sarah knows we may not have hours to spend on decorations this December but she can help you make your home look absolutely gorgeous (p12) - literally in minutes. We also hear from entrepreneurial Helen Bowker (p44) of Cotley Farm in east Devon. Every year she transforms her farm into a winter wonderland of Christmas trees, holly wreaths - and real live reindeer. It’s a Christmas business that has made their family farm sustainable for the future and is a gorgeous day out, too. Have a good weekend!

We’ve got a superb festive gift guide in this week’s magazine

TO ADVERTISE: Contact Cathy Long: 01752 293017 or 07557 576668, clong@dc-media.co.uk

[

[ [

Becky Sheaves, Editor

COVER IMAGE: Christmas with the National Trust at Saltram, by Steve Haywood

MEET THE TEAM Becky Sheaves, Editor

Phil Goodwin

Kathryn Clarke-McLeod

Gillian Molesworth

Cathy Long

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If you buy one thing this week...

Win

If you’re looking for a seriously lovely gift for foodie friends or family, then how about a hamper from the awardwinning Hillside Foods. Based in the village of Kenn, near Exeter, this award-winning business specialises in all things cheeseboard and produces the best pickles, chutneys and cheese biscuits you’re ever likely to try. This delicious hamper showcases some of their top products, teamed up with some wonderful Westcountry Cheddar and a couple of top-notch Devon beers. It’s £45 with free next day delivery, order online at www.hillsidefoods.co.uk or call 01392 833630.

We have a Hillside Foods hamper to win, worth £45. To enter, simply tell us where Hillside Foods are based. Send your answer, together with your name, address, email and phone number to: Hillside Foods competition, westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk, to arrive by December 17. Alternatively, you can post your entry to Hillside Foods competition, West magazine, Queen’s House, Little Queen Street, Exeter EX4 3LJ. Normal terms apply, West magazine will not share your details. 5

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LED wooden NOEL light £8 George Home

Amelia cosmetic bag £10 Oliver Bonas

the

wishlist West’s top picks for spending your time and money this week

PRETTY Almonds print blouse in coral £20 Apricot

Stag coathook £18 Sweetpea & Willow

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Wishlist

Mini elephant decoration £5 EAST

CHEERS! Gold champagne flutes £10 for a set of four Wilkinson

SHINY Side table in antique copper finish £125 Cuckooland

Tote bag £28 Very

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talking points Gillian Molesworth

Story of my life... Learning the words by heart. Sort of. ne of my earliest memories of Christmas parties is standing in our Colorado sitting room, feeling very special and slightly uncomfortable in my party dress, singing Jingle Bells along to the piano. I remember puzzling over the words. “Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse soap and sleigh.” ever made it this far into We Three I knew you always got soap in Kings?: “Myrrh is mine, its bitter your Christmas stocking and that perfume / Breathes a life of gathit always smelled nice. But why ering doom / Sorrowing, sighing, you’d want to take it on a sleigh bleeding, dying / Sealed in a stone ride was beyond me. cold tomb.” Boy, bet that guy was I have a friend who genuinea gas at parties. ly believed that the carol said: I prefer the spoof: “We three “While shepherds washed their kings of Orient are / One in a taxi, socks by night”, and another who one in a car. / One on a scooter, thought it was “Goodwill henceblowing a hooter, smoking a fat forth from heaven to men: be gin cigar. Oooooo, star of wonder, star and never cease.” “Drink gin, of light / Set your brother’s pants fine, but why does alight / He’ll go it say be gin?” she screaming through asked me once. the ceiling / That’s You always got (Apparently she the star you’ll see followed a song tonight.” soap in your sheet in which I put that on Facestocking and it the word was hybook once. A friend always smelled phenated across replied: “Smoking two lines.) a cigar while riding nice. But why “Good tidings a scooter doesn’t you’d want to take sound very wise to we bring to you and your king” me.” it on a sleigh ride is a common misWhat happened was beyond me conception – it’s to the other spoof kin, of course, carols of the season? but the lyrics are They always play so “ye olde” that king makes perthe same Christmas anthems fect sense. on the radio now. When was the Slightly off the Christmas last time you heard classics like track but I had another childhood Grandma Got Run Over By a friend who thought that “LMNO” Reindeer? “Grandma got run over was one letter of the alphabet, by a reindeer / Coming back from perhaps spelled “elemeno”. You our place Christmas Eve / There’s know, H, I, J, K, elemeno, P. It fits those of you who say there is no with the song. Santa / But as for me and GrandEven if you don’t mis-hear pa, we believe.” them, Christmas carols are rich Good times. Good luck in in the weird and wonderful, esChristmas party week y’all. Dress pecially as you get into the later pretty. And have fun in the soap verses. For instance, have you and sleigh. Noel!

Gillian Molesworth is a journalist and mum-of-two who grew up in the USA and moved to north Cornwall when she met her husband.

WINTER

pastels

The Duchess of Cambridge looked as chic as ever wrapped up in a £990 pale blue wool-blend Paddington coat from Somerset label Mulberry. She wore it to The Nelson Trust Women’s Centre in Gloucestershire as part of her work on addiction and mental health. Underneath she teamed a black roll-neck with a £375 tweed skirt from Dolce & Gabbana. She finished off her look by accessorising with a black suede clutch and her hair styled into her usual polished blowdry. Perfect! Wool coat £75 Debenhams

steal her

style

OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN

OPTION A Soft Double-face oval coat £259 Jigsaw

OPTION B Smart

Maison de Nimes blue coat £159 House of Fraser

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03.12.16

BEARING A GRUDGE? Helen Mirren has apparently never forgiven Michael Parkinson for the offcolour things he said to her way back in 1975. The clash between the two occurred when, in a TV interview, he introduced her to the audience as the “sex queen” of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He then told her that she was “in quotes, a serious actress” before asking her if her “equipment” undermined her credibility. A shocked Helen asked him: “Serious actresses can’t have big bosoms, is that what you mean?” Speaking about the interview, Helen recently told the Telegraph: “That’s the first talk show

Just

I’d ever done. I was terrified. I watched it and I actually thought, b***** hell! Parky, now 81, still insists he is unrepentant: “I mean, we didn’t like each other. We have not done much since to repair the damage, but that sometimes happens in life.” When asked recently if he’d be keen to make amends with Dame Helen, Michael Parkinson said: “I don’t want to. Nor does she.” We don’t blame her!

[[ ‘My dog Charlie loves to appear on TV’

HELEN’S PET IS A STAR We can’t wait for Call The Midwife’s Christmas special on Christmas Day. It’s such fun to watch. And apparently, making it is pretty good fun too, because several of the cast bring their dogs to work. Helen George, who plays Trixie, has a rescued Jack Russell called Charlie: “Loads of the cast bring their dogs to work,” she says. “Charlie has even made it into the odd episode. He loves attention on set and gets quite starry. He hangs out in my

trailer and jumps on the laps of guest stars when he can. “Lynda Bassett, who plays Nurse Phyllis Crane, has a beautiful Romanian rescue dog called Dusty and Judy Parfitt’s poodle is called Freddie.” Helen found Charlie hiding under a car, covered in fleas. “He’d been living on old takeaways. I’d encourage anyone to get a rescue dog. They’re eternally grateful. It’s as if they know what you’ve done for them.”

between us Gossip, news, trend setters and more – you heard all the latest juicy stuff here first!

NO WEDDING BELLS, THANKS! Kirstie Allsopp’s fans have long been bemused by the failure of her boyfriend of 12 years, Ben Andersen, to propose to the wholesome TV presenter. The pair have a grand home in east Devon, near Honiton, plus a holiday house that Kirstie rents out in north Devon Now Kirstie says she’s the one who doesn’t want to tie the knot. “Ben has been married previously and so initially it was he who was reluctant to do it,” Kirstie, 45, recently said. “And then I was reluctant to get married because I just think: ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ There does seem to be a gripping fascination with the fact I’m not married to Ben,” says Kirstie. “But how many people aren’t married nowadays? Something like 50 per cent of children are born out of wedlock. I’ve always said the same thing: there is every likelihood that one day we’ll get married, if only for practical reasons. But we’re very happy as we are. “It’s the only unconventional thing in my otherwise very conventional life.” Property magnate Ben, 54, is said to have built up a fortune worth £20 million and the pair have two sons together. 9

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High jump: Cirry Curtis, 13, celebrated the opening of Porthlevenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new skate park

Brrr! The Eden Projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sleep Out night in aid of the homeless raised lots of money

Crafty ladies: Peggy and Hazel have been knitting for Christmas at Delabole church

in pictures

Spectacular: The lights were switched on in Exeter

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talking points A HISTORY

of the

WEST in

100

objects 22: A GIANT’S SHOES Taunton, about 1829

The best way to:

SEE SANTA CLAUS Father Christmas has swapped the North Pole for the South West, so Suzanne Barrett takes a peek into his December diary. Have YOU been good? • With the zebras: He may be more used to reindeers but Father Christmas will be mixing with zebras, lions and monkeys when he drops into Newquay Zoo. Meet Santa in his grotto - plus his penguin friend Pickle - today and tomorrow (December 10-11), £4.95 per child. For details see www. newquayzoo.org.uk.

• Elves at work: Father Christmas and his elves are setting up camp at the Eden Project in south east Cornwall. Inside his cosy tent you’ll get to see behind the scenes, including the elves’ bunk beds, pigeonholes full of children’s letters and all the stockings laid out ready for the big day. £6 per child, book ahead on www.edenproject.com. •

•

In the cavern: Join Santa and his magical friends this year at Kents Cavern, Torquay, and take part in an amazing Christmas adventure. Your ticket includes an hour-long show, a visit with Santa, Christmas presents, mulled wine (for grownups) and mince pies. Children £3.50, www. kents-cavern.co.uk. Crafty Christmas: There is a magical grotto at the Milky Way Adventure Park in north Devon where crafty children can also make their own personalised baubles and Christmas cards. Children will also receive a free gift. Entry from £5, www. themilkyway.co.uk.

Julien Parsons is the Senior Collections Officer, The Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter. He says: The tale of Joseph Sewell is a sad one. His enormous black, leather shoes serve as a poignant reminder of the cruelty of the past, as well as its humanity. Joseph was an illegitimate child, born in Lincolnshire in 1805, who grew at a remarkable rate. In the cruel language of the day, he was exhibited as a ‘fat boy’ aged just 14 years old. When fully grown, he stood a towering seven feet four inches (223 cm) tall and weighed 37 stone (235 kg). Dubbed the ‘Lincolnshire Giant’, he made ends meet by touring Wales and the West to be exhibited as a curiosity at fairs. In 1826 Joseph was left blinded by a sudden illness when in Swansea. It was only the generosity of the good folk of Taunton that rescued him from a life in the workhouse. Next time he toured it was with his own caravan, accompanied by a Mr Broomsgrove and a dwarf named

Farnham. However, in July 1829 tragedy struck once more, again in Swansea. After fits that shook the caravan so violently that the wheels had to be secured, poor Joseph passed away, aged 24. Fearful that collectors would want his corpse, Joseph had planned for his own demise. He was returned to Taunton for burial at the church of St Mary Magdalene: the faithful Farnham acted as chief mourner.

#22 The owner of these shoes was seven feet and four inches tall

On display in The Gathering Gallery, Museum of Somerset, Taunton www.museumofsomerset.org.uk

Rocktails competition winners: Congratulations to Angela Burrett of Yelverton, Mrs J Jackson of Woolsery and Ian Murrain of Dobwalls who win gift sets of Rocktails frozen cocktail mixes worth £16.99 www.rocktails.co.uk

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Interview

FESTIVE FloralS Fancy making your own decorations this year? Florist Sarah Pepper from east Devon shares her crafty ideas with Gracie Stewart here’s nothing quite like a beautiful Christmas wreath of fresh flowers and seasonal foliage to make your home look and feel really festive. Florist Sarah Pepper has been designing and creating event flowers and teaching for more than 20 years. Based in Broadclyst, east Devon, she spreads the joy that is “having fun with flowers” far and wide. This year she’s worked from Oxford down to Helston and will teach more than 500 people how to make their Christmas wreaths at workshops with National Trust, Powderham Castle, The Royal Horticultural Society and more. By following Sarah’s step-by-step guides you’ll be able to enjoy hasslefree, long-lasting decorations that are a pleasure to make. You can also improvise and adapt the designs and materials used to suit your colour palette and room size. So turn up your favourite Christmas carols, pour yourself a home made sloe gin and get ready to indulge your creative side.

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DogwooD anD Holly Heart SaraH SayS: This rustic and chic design is a great decoration for your front door or garden gate but it can also be used to spread the cheer inside your home. The base can be reused over and over again and I often twine battery-operated lights over previous yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bare twig frame for an instant quick-fix decoration. you will neeD: 6 lengths of fresh dogwood (approximately 4ft long) 3 plastic cable ties A quarter of a block of wet florist foam Waterproof florist tape A selection of hardy foliage including two long tendrils of ivy A wired ribbon bow (see page 15) 3 pinecones MetHoD: 1. Make two equal bunches of your stems and cross the bottom stems over and secure with a cable tie. 2. Bend the top of the right hand stems down and hold over the cable tie, repeat with the left hand side and then secure the tips using another cable tie. 3. Secure the mid-section of stems with the final cable tie. 4. Tape your soaked block of foam onto the heart frame, then push the cut stem of both ivy tendrils into the foam and wrap the ivy around the heart frame. 5. Push the stems of foliage and berries into the foam until very little foam is visible. 6. Add a wired bow, pinecones and walnuts to finish. 13

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Mantelpiece Decorations Transform your mantelpiece into a focal point with this festive design You will neeD: A selection of hardy foliage A length of plastic bin bag 8 gilded pinecones 3 metres of red ribbon 3 metres of gold ribbon 3 blocks of wet florist’s foam A roll of waterproof florist tape 3 plastic trays Scissors Secateurs MethoD: 1. Cover the mantelpiece with a layer of plastic to protect the surface. 2. Tape the thoroughly soaked florist foam into the containers and place them onto the mantel (one in the centre the other two equally positioned). 3. Add a piece of foliage at either end for the length and one in the central block for the overall height then work from the outside in towards the centre. 4. Once you’ve added all your foliage, add clusters of pinecones, walnuts, berries and some bows. top tips: Sarah says: I usually make this arrangement about a week before Christmas and keep it well watered. I then add some fresh red roses and half cut limes on Christmas Eve for a luxurious and extravagant feel. • If the fire is going to be lit, don’t have trailing pieces hanging down over the edge of the mantel as these will get too hot and dry out which could lead to them catching fire. • Always add the foliage from the back of the blocks so that some of the weight is leaning backwards. This will stop the arrangement from falling off the mantel if the foam dries out. 14

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Interview QUICK FIX TABLE DECORATION SARAH SAYS: This stylish table decoration gives a cheery pop of colour and pretty light but it takes mere moments to make and it’s a great one to do with the kids. YOU WILL NEED: A cylinder vase (this allows heat from the candle to escape safely) Water Conifer foliage Berries (holly or cranberries) A floating candle

BEAUTIFUL BOWS The super-quick way to make an easy Christmas tree decoration

METHOD: 1. Fill the vase with water (about three quarters full to allow room for the candle later). Trim some pieces of conifer and slide them around the inside of the vase. 2. Add a handful of berries to the water. 3. Pop your candle on top and hey presto, you’re done. For more Christmas decoration ideas or to attend one of Sarah’s workshops, visit her website www.sarahpepper.co.uk.

YOU WILL NEED: Ribbon Coloured reel wire METHOD: 1. Take a metre of ribbon and fold the ribbon to make a half figure of eight. 2. Twist wire around the centre and you are ready to use your bow. TOP TIP: If you cut all the ribbon to the same size before you get started then all your bows will look identical. You should use 1 metre for a large bow and half a metre for a medium bow.

STAR ANISE HANGERS This is a botanical decoration with a super-spicy scent, ideal for hanging on the Christmas tree. YOU WILL NEED: Whole star anise Coloured reel wire Glitter glue METHOD: 1. Cut a long length of reel wire. 2. Starting at the end of the wire, twist it around the centre of the star anise to secure it to the wire. 3. Leave a small gap in the wire then add another star anise and repeat this until you have three on the wire. 4. Form a hook at the top of the wire to secure it onto your Christmas tree. 5. Add a small dot of glitter glue into the centre of each star anise so that it catches the light. 15

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Gift guide 1 2

SEASONAL

gift guide

There’s nothing quite like seeing someone’s face light up when they open a present that they really, really want. Let our Christmas gift guide help you choose this year... 5

1. Durrow Weekend Bag, £349, Dubarry of Ireland 2. GoPro Karma Drone, £719.99, www.gopro.com 3. Aeroccino 4 Milk Frother, £60, Nespresso 4. Haig Club Whisky, £40.95, www.thewhiskyexchange.com 5. Men’s Travel Essentials gift set, £26, L’Occitane

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Gift guide

8 9

6. Marc Jacobs Decadence Eau de Parfum gift set, £75, Debenhams 7. Frends Layla headphones, £139.95, John Lewis 8. Loek Multi Tube Necklace, £28, Oliver Bonas 9. ghd Platinum hair stylers, £165, John Lewis 10. Monkey 47 Gin, £36.45, www.thewhiskyexchange.com 11. Gaia Awakening body cream, £38, www.gaia-spa.co.uk 12. Dorman Brown handbag, £70, Dune 17

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Gift guide 14 13

13. Nail Art Pens, £11 for a pack of five, John Lewis 14. Carrera Cosmos Kids Bike, £200, Halfords 15. Children’s Pony Print Lunch Bag, £12, Cath Kidston 16. LEGO Star Wars Rogue One 75156 Krennic’s Imperial Shuttle, £79.99, John Lewis 17. Vtech Kidizoom Selfie Cam, £49.99, Mothercare 18. Wooden kitchen £60 Wilkinson

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Gift guide

19. Peppa Pig Kitchen Playset, £10, House of Fraser 20. Joules Floral Anorak, £59.95, John Lewis 21. Plum Space Zone II Set: 8ft Trampoline and Accessory Pack, £179.99, John Lewis 22. Little Mix Wishmaker 100ml Eau de Parfum, £36.95, Boots 23. Marching soldier wind-up toy £1.95 Dotcomgiftshop

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Gift guide

24 23

26 23. Table tennis set, £9.95, Dotcomgiftshop 24. That’s The Spirit hip flask, £10, Paperchase 25. Copper star tealight holder, £5, Wilkinson 26. Leaf print bottle vases, £10 set of three, Wilkinson 27. Star of Wonder Midnight Poppy & Saffron Diffuser, £19.50, Marks & Spencer 28. We Hate Meetings Notebook, £2, Tiger

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Make Morsø of your Christmas. A cosy, woodburning stove from Hearth & Cook will help you really enjoy and savour the festive season. Our collection of beautifully designed Morsø stoves will create a wonderfully warm atmosphere in any home, keeping you, your family and friends snug as the nights draw in and the temperatures drop. Visit our showroom in Exeter to see these appliances in action, or browse our website for more information.

FINE STOVES & COOKERS Call 01392 797679 ● www.hearthandcook.com Find us 100 yards behind Carrs Ferrari. 14 Oaktree Place, Matford, Exeter, Devon EX2 8WA

RANGE COOKERS FROM LA CORNUE AND ESSE • MORSØ STOVES & OUTDOOR LIVING RANGE • ASHGROVE BESPOKE KITCHENS

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Interiors

A very modern miracle When an interior designer bought an ordinary Newquay bungalow, it was time for a major transformation, discovers Charlotte Dear laine Skinner vividly remembers buying this 1960s dormer bungalow in Newquay, knowing it had the potential to be a wonderful family home: “We bought it for the location. My husband wanted a house on this particular road so we jumped on the first one to hit the market,” recalls interior designer Elaine. It was six years ago that she took on the project of transforming the property into a family home for herself, her husband and their children. “The ugliness of the house bothered me, so we clad it in cedar shingles, which really changed the look of the property. To capitalise on the location, we installed glass doors all around the house. They are a nightmare to lock up at night but worth it for those stunning sea views.” Originally four small rooms, the main living accommodation was knocked through to form one open space that is perfect for contemporary family life. “We just wanted to embrace the view, so having a large open space took precedence. With three cats, two dogs and a heap of mud and sand entering the house on a daily basis, we had to be practical, so we opted for a Karndean floor for durability. “The units are a mixture of plain matt and driftwood effect. We wanted them to be neat yet not too unified. The central island is very functional and the perfect place to store my 200 recipe

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Interiors

books!” A Heal’s dining table and retro chairs from Elaine’s company, Camelia Interiors, is sited beneath Tom Dixon copper lights. The sitting room overlooks Crantock beach and the furniture here is all original Parker Knoll 1960s classics, including mustard velour swivel armchairs and a deepbuttoned leather sofa. “We wanted the furniture to act ‘We wanted the as a little nod to the period of the house without being too 1960s furniture retro or uncomfortable,” says to act as a little Elaine. nod to the She has chosen colours that reflect the water and vibrant period of the sunsets of the north Cornish house without coast here, with a mix of teals and ochres. The other sitting being too retro or room - at the back of the house uncomfortable’ - has been painted in a deep red to form a cosy and snug which is fun.” cinema room for the children. Towards the rear of the house “My favourite room, is a cosy bedroom with apex roof, though, has to be the study,” says Elaine. “It has where Elaine’s son currently sleeps. “Because been featured in the Telegraph because it is so he plays a lot of sports, we built everything in to unique. We used Zoffany toiles de jouy wallpaper maximise the space and create as much storage and large sliding doors, it’s absolutely beautiful as possible. Again, we’ve wallpapered this room and very personal. I did go over the top in there too. Wallpaper is a fantastic insulator and sound and it’s not going to be to everybody’s taste - but absorber – hotels use it for this reason and it’s it’s fun and I love it.” also the perfect choice for families with children. Elaine cleverly used the space she had to give A lot of people are still very frightened of wallpaevery bedroom its own bathroom. In the master per, but it’s moved on leaps and bounds in recent bedroom the walls are lined with wallpaper years and it takes a beating much better than any again from Zoffany (www.zoffany.com) with painted wall.” huge windows on three walls and separate dressAt the rear of the house there is a bedroom, ing and shower rooms. “You look left down the utility room, wet room and the cinema room, Gannel estuary and right out to Crantock beach. which could all work together as a self-contained As with most of the rooms in the house it’s not an annexe with private access through the rear obvious shape; some people might not like that garden. This bedroom has been decorated in a but for us it’s a little bit quirky and irregular, serene coastal style with dusky grey tongue-and-

[[

groove panelling. “My eldest son has decided that it’s his now for when he comes back from university, but it could easily be reworked as a ground floor kitchen, lounge and bedroom for guests, lodgers or elderly relatives.” Outside, the garden has been landscaped to position the view at centre stage. “We put glazed panels all around the garden. We are high on the headland and the wind is strong even in summer so we created retreat areas from whichever direction the wind is blowing.” A walled area beyond houses a protected kitchen garden, while a prewired electric system is ready for a hot tub. “For us this has been a real lifestyle house,” says Elaine. “In the summer at high tide you can catch the little ferry across to Crantock beach or walk onto Pentire headland and step down onto Fistral Beach. What could be better?” 10 Riverside Crescent is on the market with Jackson-Stops & Staff at £875,000

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GET THE

LOOK

Go back to the 1960s in comfort with these modernist touches Barbara chair in bronze £557 Sweat Pea & Willow

Cookhouse wall clock £70 Newgate Clocks

Chesterfield sofa £1,695 Furniture Village Faux fur throw £249 Houseology

Sarah Fennell cushion £110 The Maker Place

1958 footstool £345 Oliver Bonas

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Ask Gracie...

Want to look your best this week? Our styling expert Gracie Stewart of Exeter can help you fulfil your fashion potential in every possible way. All you have to do is ask...

On the plus side... Q Q

Geometric 3/4 sleeve wrap dress £45 Wallis

What do you think are the best dress styles for us plus-size women? DS, Colyton

Searching for the perfect dress to flatter a full-figured body type is enough stress to put any of us in a fashion rut. But sometimes it’s as simple as knowing what styles work for you. When you have a fuller figure, you want to pay attention to fit and make sure the dress compliments your curves rather than giving them a bulky look. A-line silhouettes: A-line dresses are universally flattering. They fit at the hips then get wider towards the hem. If an A-line skirt fits your waist, but is tight across the hips, then it’s too small. You’ll be uncomfortable, and everyone’s eyes will be drawn to the fabric pulling across your hips. If you have this problem, get an A-line dress that fits your hips and have the waist taken in. Shift dress: Shift dresses are perfect for women who are a bit more bottom heavy and smaller on the top. The straight silhouette will skim over the body rather than hug it, so if you’re looking to stay away from a bodycon style, then shift dresses are definitely your go-to. Wrap dress: No matter what asset you want to accentuate, a wrap dress is a must-have in your wardrobe. The semifitted style softly follows your curves and shows off your waistline for a flattering affect. But always remember: avoid anything too loose or too fitted, choose a fabric that drapes well and always look for lower necklines.

Colour block shift dress £35 M&Co

V-Neck Milano knit dress £49 La Redoute

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05/12/2016 14:02:56

Gracie’s shopping list

Fake it to make it Q

Are there are any rules for fake tanning during winter? KJ, North Tawton

A tan isn’t just for the summer months because, let’s face it, who doesn’t want a little golden glow despite the grey skies and bleak weather? The key to a perfect winter tan is to look as natural as possible. Unless you’ve been on a tropical getaway, a Bahamas-style bronze in the depths of winter will look a little bizarre. I recommend a moisturising daily tan like the Bondi Sands everyday gradual tanning milk, which gives your skin a healthy-looking yet natural glow. Another rule of thumb for self-tanning perfection is to exfoliate first, and this is even more important during winter when your skin is dry. In the cooler months, it also pays to use a hard-working buffing mitt to ensure your skin is cleansed and exfoliated to perfection.

Bondi Sands everyday gradual tanning milk £11.99 Superdrug

Ameliorate skin smoothing body mitt £12.50 Marks & Spencer

St. Ives invigorating apricot body scrub £5.49 Boots

Ballet belle Julien Macdonald long sleeve bodysuit £38 Debenhams

Art House kimono wrap top £55 Oliver Bonas

Tulle skirt £59 Miss Selfridge

At the age of 36, what’s the best way for me to pull off the ballerina trend? GF, Penryn

Ballet is back, and the good news is you don’t even need to know how to pirouette to pull it off. A mixture of tulle, blush tones, and wrap tops should be the staple of your wardrobe this season. Wrap tops: Highlight your slimmest point with a wrap top. These tops are super-flattering and can be paired with almost anything. Tutu skirts: During the day a plain tee works well with a tulle skirt as it helps give it a low-key vibe. Or, try teaming it with a leather jacket to help toughen up the look and stop you from looking like a little girl in a party outfit. Leotards: In this case, leotards and body suits go hand in hand. Try teaming yours with jeans, trousers or pencil skirts for a grown-up approach.

Bed Of Nails acupuncture mat, £50, www.cultbeauty.co.uk Acupuncture is used for a whole range of benefits, from tackling insomnia and easing stress to alleviating arthritic aches and reducing the appearance of cellulite, chronic neck and back pain. It can even have a positive impact on your complexion. If you’re a believer, try this full-body mat covered with tiny spikes for at-home treatment. Lanolips 101 Fruities ointment, £16 for two, www. netaporter.com These strawberry and peach flavoured tubes are made with pure lanolin that mimics your skin’s natural oils. Intensely hydrating, they soothe everything from chapped lips and broken cuticles to eczema and psoriasis.

Diptyque Un Encens Etoile scented candle, £48, www.harrods.com Part of the label’s holiday collection, Diptyque’s ‘Un Encens Étoile’ candle is packaged in a gilded royal-blue glass vessel. The e fragrance blends spicy notes of cloves with the sweetness of vanilla. Cosy!

Got a style or beauty question? Email Gracie Stewart at westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk with the subject Ask Gracie

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05/12/2016 14:07:38

Festive and fun!

es, it’s that time of year, folks. The Christmas jumper has become something of a December wardrobe staple, and they are a lot of fun. You’ll be glad to hear we’ve found lots of designs that will look suitably jolly but are, in themselves, lovely designs. We think this holly jumper from the House of Fraser is cute (and subtle) enough to wear all winter long, and so is the Skandi-inspired leaping reindeer sweater from M&Co. But if you want to go fully festive, there are plenty of options out there that will look cute with a pair of jeans. Either way, you’ll be jumping for joy this December.

Fluffy jumper £14 George at ASDA

Reindeer jumper £29 M&Co

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Fashion

Holly jumper £49 House of Fraser

Merry Christmas jumper £14 George at Asda Reindeer jumper £24.99 TK Maxx

Christmas pudding jumper £12 George at Asda

Jingle Bells jumper £16 George at Asda Bauble jumper £25 Very

Rudolph jumper £15 Matalan

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05/12/2016 14:13:20

Rainbow purse £5 Accessorize

Something she’ll love

For ladies who have everything, tempt their senses. Give the gift of sweet dreams with this silky playsuit from Boux Avenue - and we love the scent of this Fresh Winter Pine Candle from White Stuff. Or why not treat her to this selection of delicious chocolates from Hotel Chocolat? Accessorize is packed with great festive gift ideas – we love this sparkly purse but be sure to check out their glorious scarf collection, too.

Selection box £12.50 Hotel Chocolat

GET THEM THE GIFT THEY REALLY WANT

Scented candle £9.95 White Stuff

this Christmas Heading off to do your Christmas shopping? With more than 70 stores under one roof and convenient late-night shopping, Drake Circus shopping centre in Plymouth is sure to make your Christmas present buying easy... plus many of the stores are offering Click & Collect to make shopping extra-easy. Or you could just give a Drake Circus gift card!

What a joy!

Beauty fans will appreciate this relaxing Joy to the World gift set from Lush, just £9.95, containing a Dream Cream body lotion and Snowcastle soap - gift wrapped and ready to go.

Tabitha playsuit £35 Boux Avenue

For more perfect Christmas style pop into www.drakecircus.com

@drakecircusplym

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Shop For the man in your life Try Marks & Spencer for this wonderfully retro record player so he can rediscover his vinyl collection, £70. Also this gorgeous Le Male essence de parfum by Jean-Paul Gaultier (£48, The Fragrance Shop) is a seriously good option.

Happy kids

Kids are easy to buy for at Drake Circus: pop into The Entertainer for toys, find cute clothes at Primark (we love the Harry Potter slippers. £5) and don’t forget JD Sports and H&M for quirky gifts. And this cat necklace from Paperchase, £5, is purrfect! Children will love Drake Circus’s Christmas grotto. You can book your slot with Santa at www.drakecircus.com or find him in the atrium of Drake Circus.

Jewels

Looking for fun?

If you are looking for jolly stocking fillers then pay a visit to Tiger, where for just £3 you can get a cool virtual reality headset that will keep the kids entertained until Christmas lunch is served.

Look no further than Fraser Hart, Ernest Jones, The Blue Wing Gallery and Drakes Jewellers for a great selection of watches and jewellery. This Michael Kors mini Darci watch from Drakes Jewellers is at the top of our Christmas list.

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05/12/2016 15:35:59

Wellbeing

the boost

Life just got better. Our wellness guru Charlotte Dear has handpicked the latest health secrets and expert advice to help you be your best self, every day

On your bike If you can ride a bike, then you’re able to enjoy a day of fresh air and exercise, with the added benefit of it being easier on the knees than running or walking. Why not try a gentle introduction to off-road cycling in Cornwall, at the National Trust’s Lanhydrock bike trails near Bodmin? There’s cycle hire, marked trails for all abilities and a terrific cafe. In Devon, Haldon Forest near Exeter has a good range of marked trails, a great cafe and hire facilities, plus there’s even a BMX track with jumps, if you’re feeling brave!

Making friends Sadly, thousands of people spend Christmas alone and, while we can’t help every single one, there are ways we can significantly improve the festive season for our lonely neighbours. The Be a Friend Today campaign has lots of ideas on how to bake cakes, make simple decorations or even sing a carol or two and pay a welcome, wellbeing-boosting visit to isolated members of your community www.beafriendtoday.org.uk

A NICE DAY OUT As part of its Living Each Season dementiafriendly programme, Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum is hosting a gallery tour on Thursday December 15 from 10.30am12.30pm. Led by specially-trained staff, this enjoyable and fulfilling event is for people with dementia and their carers. The event includes refreshments at the start and an illustrated information sheet to take home. The first session is free and - even better - funds are available for futher sessions and travel costs can be paid for within an hour of Exeter. www.rammuseum.org.uk 32

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Eat well for a good night At this time of year we need to be our best, most sparkly selves but this isn’t easy without a good night’s sleep. Experts suggest boosting your sleep hormone melatonin, with certain foods and drinks including a glass of pure coconut water before bed, a bowl of cherries, magnesium-rich pumpkin seeds and a supper of wholegrain bread and hummus.

Beautiful Transport loved ones to fragrant and flowering summer meadows this Christmas with Devon-based holistic bath and beauty brand, Lola’s Apothecary. Produced in Lola’s own farm kitchen near Chumleigh, her selection of wellness teas, candles and bath oils, milks and salts contain botanical extracts and naturally active ingredients. We love the award-winning and luxurious Queen of Roses bath milk (£48). www.lolasapothecary.com

What’s coming up? Tweet us your wellbeing diary dates

@WMNWest or email westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 33

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Wellbeing

The baby blues Feeling overwhelmed? Our expert has the answers right support means many women can successfully work through their breastfeeding issues, but often such support isn’t forthcoming. As a result, they end up feeling awful about the whole thing. Sarah McMullen, head of knowlAround one in 10 women ‘It’s hard for edge at the National Childbirth experiences mental health women to Trust, says: After nine months problems during pregnancy of expectation, finally having or after the birth, and more recognise a new bundle of joy is far than half (51%) of new mums whether what from plain sailing for many said they weren’t emotionally new mums. Exhausted and prepared for the impact of they’re feeling is not at their best physically, parenthood. a normal part of new research shows more It’s hard for women to rechaving a baby’ than two in three (68%) UK ognise whether what they’re mothers have experienced feeling is a normal part of some form of negative feeling having a baby, or whether in the first month after the they need to talk to somebody arrival of their new baby. about it. Nearly half said they felt One of the messages we lonely, while 41% believed they’d lost their idenreally want to get across is that if these feelings tity, and 20% said they felt “abandoned”. start to interfere with daily life, it’s really imWe know isolation is a real problem for many portant that nerw mothers talk to somebody - be new mums - they’ve left work and might not be that a friend or family member, a health visitor able to see their friends, and they’re stuck in or their GP. the house in those early weeks. It’s such a huge A lot of mums don’t dare admit that they’re adjustment going from a vibrant work and/or struggling. They may feel terrible, but they think social life to suddenly being at home on your own they’re failing as a mother, and they don’t want and having a new baby to look after. to be open because they’re worried their baby’s While most women - 80% - want to breastfeed, going to be taken away. So they don’t access the many struggle for reasons including pain, infechelp they need until they reach crisis point. tion, and perceived poor milk production. The I advise new mums to go to antenatal groups My daughter has just had her first baby and, although she loves him to bits, she doesn’t seem at all happy in herself. What can I do to support her? NB, Sidmouth

[[

to meet other women at the same stage, and talk about the challenges they’re facing. For women who are really struggling and may have mental health issues, turning up to some groups can be really daunting - they think all the other mums look like they’re coping beautifully. It can be a real challenge. A lot of women expect to get back to feeling how they did before pregnancy quite quickly, and feel bad they don’t. They compare themselves to other women they see, perhaps not realising how many of those women might be feeling exactly like they are inside, and finding new motherhood really challenging. Perhaps if people were a bit more open about the challenges, mothers could stop feeling like they’re the only ones who feel that way. My advice is that your daughter should make sure she gets as much help as possible, generally from family and friends, which is where you can help! The research found more than a third of new mums (34%) said they appreciated their friends and family popping over to see how they were doing. Encourage your daughter to be realistic about what to expect in this period, which we call the adjustment and investment period. It’s very challenging and can seem all-consuming, but encourage her to be open about how she is finding it and remember - there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. New mothers can get support by ringing the NCT helpline on 0300 330 0700.

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Food

SMALL BITES

Our pick of what’s on in the Westcountry food world right now Strawberry, fig and rosewater salad This delicious recipe would work well as a breakfast fruit salad on Christmas Day. You can find rosewater in most supermarkets and it’s worth the effort to get it as it really makes the dish. More recipes can be found at www.berryworld.com. Ingredients: • 100g caster sugar • 100ml water • 1 tsp rosewater • 500g strawberries • 4 figs • 200ml of greek yoghurt

A rather different sort of Cornish pasty... Love Christmas? Love pasties? Then you’ll be delighted to know that Cornwall-based Warrens Bakery is making a mince pie pasty. It is hand-made using rough puff pastry and filled with specially selected mincemeat and - even better - a vanilla custard! It’s also crimped by hand, then glazed and topped with cinnamon and sugar for extra crunch. The mince pie pasty is on sale at Warrens Bakery’s 50 stores across the South West and you can buy online for home delivery at www.warrensbakery.co.uk.

1. First, make the syrup by combining the sugar and water. Bring it to the boil and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Then take off the heat and add the rosewater. Cool completely. 2.Next, take the strawberries and hull them, leave them whole and arrange on a platter or large plate. 3. Quarter the figs and arrange on top. Finally, sprinkle over the rosewater syrup. Serve with the Greek yoghurt on the side.

This will make them laugh!

Gingerbread fun for kids

Brussels sprouts are the Christmas vegetable we love to hate. But what if they were really made from chocolate? Each brussels sprout from Quirky Gift Library is made from solid chocolate, then rolled in more white chocolate with a touch of green food colouring to give them their sprout-like appearance. New for Christmas, this year the humble chocolate brussels sprout has had a makeover and now comes in three delicious flavours - classic milk chocolate, milk chocolate with orange and dark chocolate with peppermint. £9.95 per box and available on www.notonthehighstreet.com.

Decorate your own edible gingerbread house in a fun family workshop led by foodie legend Lori Reich. Lori will provide you with a gingerbread house, delicious decorations and ideas to help you assemble and decorate your own house to take home. You’ll need a couple of pairs of hands to complete your house, so be sure to take the kids. Sunday December 11, 10.30am - 1pm or 2-4.30pm at Occombe Farm Cookery School, Paignton. It’s £22.50 for up to three people (working on one house), book online at www. countryside-trust.org.uk

Got some foodie news? Let us know on westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 35

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Enjoy

Your stars by Cassandra Nye Happy birthday to...

This week’s sign:

Miranda Hart

Curious and energetic, Sagittarius is the keenest traveller of all the zodiac signs. Sagittarians are extrovert, optimistic and enthusiastic, and love change. Their enthusiasm has no bounds and they possess a great sense of humour and an intense curiosity. Freedom is their greatest treasure, so that they can freely travel and explore different cultures and philosophies. Because of their honesty, Sagittarians can be impatient and tactless and might need to learn to express themselves in a tolerant and socially acceptable way.

Born December 14 1972 Funny lady Miranda Hart turns 44 next Wednesday. The comedian and actress was born in Torquay, where her father was stationed with the Royal Navy, and then grew up in Hampshire before returning west to university in Bristol. We’re heartbroken Miranda says she is “too busy” to be in Call The Midwife this Christmas - but we can’t wait to see what she will be up to in the coming year. As a Sagittarian, she is known for her fearlessness - and love of life.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) A sudden light-hearted attitude arrives as the week begins. Keep this going by making a point of being with happy and positive people. An invitation at the weekend makes you realise just how loved you are. How could you have ever forgotten this? Office party or get-together? Beware whingeing colleagues. Best to avoid them altogether, especially if they have been drinking.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) As much as you are trying to get into the party spirit, there seems so much still to do. Getting the timing right is important, of course. Even so, couldn’t you take just one evening off to relax?

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) In a strange and slightly unsettling week it is great to enjoy the challenge of the unknown. A party or get-together at work can be both fun and embarrassing as someone tells you of their feelings for you. Don’t gossip.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) Some days you feel like being sociable and on others you feel like hiding in the cupboard! You are not alone. Many find this time of the year overwhelming. So much to do and think about and then it is also busy at work? Take a deep breath and look for the simplest solutions.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Sometimes you feel as though you are dancing in the sun and then dancing in the dark. Yes, this week things seem pretty black and white. However, as long as you keep on dancing all will go well. All things festive may be on your mind.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Is there the feeling of an anticlimax even when you haven’t had the climax yet? Being in a rut is not your ‘thing’ but, somehow, you seem to be there. Decide this weekend that you are going to rejoin the merrymakers and get into the holiday spirit.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Get to grips with anything that is unfinished as quickly as possible. Try not to panic if it all seems too much. Make sure that others are pulling their weight. A loved one is only too keen to understand and help. Let them in.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) So, everyone wants a bit of you over the holiday. It may not be possible to please them all. Why not arrange a get-together of your own and invite everyone? It does not have to be expensive if you ask everyone to bring some food and drink.

LEO (July 23 - August 23) It can be hard not to accept every offer that comes your way this week. It is important that you stay strong and are not tempted to double book. There is always

the possibility of making alternative arrangements for the New Year. Spend quality time with your partner to work out shopping.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Will you ever get through all the things you need to do before the holiday arrives? Yes, you will, if you are determined to be organised. See lists as your friend and let them help you. One thing at a time is best. Look for bargain presents before the weekend when everyone else is.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Being pulled this way and that? Can’t make up your mind what you want to do when the holiday arrives? Why not do something entirely different that will please you? Getting presents organised early and delivered leaves you as free as a bird and twice as chirpy. A more relaxed state of mind is good for you.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Unusually for you, it seems that it is easy to irritate you at the moment. If something is not quite right, think hard about what it is. It is a strange week, when your spirit is up one minute and down another. Get involved in helping someone organise an event for a distraction.

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Cook

PINK LADY APPLE AND MINCE PIES Recipe: Carol Bowen Ball, author of Esseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Four Seasons Cookbook Carol says: Shop bought mince pies rarely taste as good as home made!

Ingredients: 50g cold butter, diced 50g lard or solid vegetable oil, diced 175g plain flour 2 tbsp icing sugar 1 egg yolk 4 tbsp cold water Filling: 200g mincemeat 1 Pink Lady apple, cored and finely chopped 25g dried cranberries icing sugar, to dust

Carolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top tip Baked mince pies will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days. Ideally warm in the oven for 5-8 minutes before serving.

Method: 1.

Preheat the oven if necessary to 200 C/ Fan 180 C/Esse Dial Guide HOT. (Aim for the dial reading to be in the middle of HOT).

Put the butter and lard (or solid vegetable oil) into a food processor along with the flour, icing sugar, egg yolk and water and pulse until the mixture binds together. Alternatively, use your fingertips to rub the butter and lard lightly through the flour and icing sugar, until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, then add the egg yolk and sufficient water to bind together.

3 .

Turn the pastry onto a lightly floured surface, knead to a ball then roll out and stamp out 12 circles with a 7cm cutter. Line a bun tin with these and chill for 30 minutes. Reserve the pastry trimmings.

Meanwhile, mix the mincemeat with the apple and cranberries and spoon into the pastry cases. Stamp out 12 stars from the pastry trimmings and place one on top of each pastry case.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden. Serve warm or cold dusted with icing sugar.

The Rangemoors Hearth & Cook showroom at Marsh Barton, Exeter, supplies the full range of Esse stoves: www.hearthandcook.com 38

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05/12/2016 15:45:06

Drink

Happy h ur with drinks expert April Marks

April says: I recently had the pleasure of tasting Somerset’s newest gin creation, Thatchers Orchard Cut Apple Gin. Most of us know and love Thatchers for their famous cider, which the family has been producing for more than 100 years. When I asked fourth generation cider-maker Martin Thatcher why he decided to diversify, he explained it was initially a bit of fun, but then they made a small first batch of 50 bottles which sold out in one day. This, of course, spurred him on to continue with the project, albeit still in very small batches of one hundred bottles per distillation. Orchard Cut is a very unusual gin crafted with

Thatchers cider made from Katy apples as well as fresh apples alongside interesting botanicals such as lavender from Axbridge (just down the road from Thatchers), macadamia nut, coriander, citrus fruit and buttercup. It has a very spirity nose with obvious floral aromas and a powerful palate that evolves from apples to spice then finally the lavender shines through. The label is incredible, a sliver of wood (representing the cut in the tree) that wraps around the bottle – so tactile I just can’t stop running my fingers over the beautiful finish. I recommend you try this with a premium tonic, a sprig of lavender and a slice of apple. April Marks is co-founder of Regency Wines Ltd Exeter @regencywinesuk

Product of the week Thatchers Orchard Cut Apple Gin Retailing for £33.99 this can be purchased at Thatchers Cider Shop at Myrtle Farm, The Wineshop in Winscombe Somerset and Regency Wines in Exeter.

Their very first

batch of 50 bottles all

sold out in one day

Thatcher’s Haze Cocktail 25 ml Thatchers Orchard Cut apple gin Thatchers Haze cider Garnish: mint, cucumber and red apple Pour the gin over ice, top up with Thatchers Haze and garnish with a sprig of mint, a slice of cucumber and a slice of red apple.

Mulled Cider I love walking into a pub and smelling the sweet aromas of mulled cider! My favourite is Cornish Orchard’s Wassail and here are a few outlets where it’s available: The Anchor Inn, Sidmouth, east Devon Ridgeway Country Hotel near Axminster The Prince of Wales in Stoke Sub Hamden, Somerset The Thatched Inn in Abbotsham, north Devon The Swan in Lympstone, east Devon

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Drink Beer of the week It’s always nice to be able to look at a glass of beer, run a finger down the gently moist side of the glass and say “Hello, old friend.” Such it was with Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter (4%), hailing from Lewes, in Sussex, which I spotted at the recent Watermill, Lelant, festival. It’s delightfully old-fashioned, with a taste of fresh, English hedgerow hops and gentle malt bitterness. Definitely a true exemplar of the style.

Darren Norbury

talks beer TRIBUTE TO ST AUSTELL It’s already been well commented upon, but I need to add my congratulations to the St Austell team on their Western Morning News South West business of the year award. Thoroughly deserved for innovation in small-batch brewing alone, let alone growing the core business in tandem. Looking forward to many more happy years supping with this great family firm.

Brewed the obscure way Thomas Hardy Ale. Remember that? Legendarily made by Dorset brewer Eldridge Pope, it is now owned by the Vecchiato Brothers, and some of the latest vintage has been matured in cognac barrels, rather than the usual sherry casks. Only a limited number of these bottles are being sold. I’ll let you know if I manage to track one down…

years. It is a country where, of course, plenty of wine is still drunk, and where the wine and food culture is particularly big. But beer and food matching is catching on there, as it is here, and they are confident their market off.” will grow. The first was part of the hugely successful St There’s a mountain to climb when it comes Austell Small Batch series of brews, similar to to beer sales, though, as 97% of the Italian Proper Job, with zesty Sorrenmarket is dominated by big to lemons actually used in the brewers’ brands. Worldbrewing process. wide, however, independThe second was a collaboraent brewers are graduThe Italians tion between Driftwood Spars ally eating into the mass brewing maestro Pete Martin market, as is witnessed by spent a day (based in the iconic pub in St the fact that the big global with Pete at Agnes, north Cornwall) and players are starting to buy the Driftwood three visiting Italian brewers smaller successful craft from the Antica Contea Birribreweries. In this country, Spars, creating a ficio, based in Gorizia, northMeantime and Camden luscious coffee eastern Italy. The Italians spent Town, both in London, stout, available a day with Pete at the St Agnes have become part of worldbrewhouse, creating a luscious wide concerns - not to the any time now coffee stout which should be detriment of their prodavailable any time now. ucts, so far anyway. It was great to catch up with The Italian visitors these guys when they paid a spent some time at Penvisit to my local, to tour the Penzance Brewzance Brewing Co, clearly fascinated by the ing Company Brewhouse, hosted by owner and brewing process there, and enjoyed some of brewer Pete Elvin. All brewers love having a the beer in the bar at the attached Star pub nose around other people’s kit, and this trio were before returning to the Driftwood Spars no exception. As a one-man operation Pete runs where their own Superbia best bitter was a very tight brewery on a small footprint, but the on tap, having been delivered by courier. It’s visitors were impressed with the quality of the always great to welcome visitors down here – beer. They explained that in Italy craft beer is especially when they bring beer! still very much in its infancy, although there has Darren Norbury is editor of beertoday. been a proliferation of start-ups in the past few co.uk @beertoday

ou wait years for a beer called Italian Job to come along, then two appear in one year. As Michael Caine will probably never say: “They’re only ‘sposed to blow your b***y tastebuds

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culture vulture Our pick of the most interesting and exciting things to see and do right now in the South West Get those gifts in now! Camborne Produce Market is getting ready for Christmas and has lots of festive goodies on sale - from holly wreaths and wooden decorations to Christmas cakes and bakes. Pop along to pick up a handmade gift, browse the food stalls and enjoy a warming drink. 9am - 2pm, Friday December 16, Commercial Square, Camborne.

Sail with Santa

Digging deep for wildlife The Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth in east Devon is welcoming volunteers to its Wildlife Gardening Volunteer Day on Wednesday December 14 from 10am till 4pm. Each month the sanctuary runs wildlife and conservation volunteer days, which include outdoor practical tasks such as gardening, woodland management, hedge planting, willow weaving and the building of bug hotels. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded people, share and learn skills, and have fun. The Donkey Sanctuary’s volunteer days are free events, but booking is essential. Gloves, tools and hot drinks will be provided. Food is available to purchase from the Hayloft Restaurant or volunteers can bring a packed lunch. For further information and to book a place please contact Ruth on 01395 573162 or ruth.angell@thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

Join the team aboard the Pride of Exmouth for a boat trip full of Christmas magic and entertainment for the whole family. The calm waters of the beautiful River Exe are the perfect destination for some fun aboard a covered and heated vessel. Lasting an hour, the Christmas boat trip is a magical adventure with face painting, balloon modelling, magic, music, children’s snacks, mulled wine and mince pies. With numerous sailings from Exmouth taking place from today until Sunday December 18, be sure to book your spot online at www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk. Tickets are £10 per person.

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05/12/2016 16:01:15

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR AT

DRIFTWOOD SPARS

THE BREWERY, PUB AND B&B BY THE SEA

WE HAVE IT ALL! Every Friday before Christmas is Turkey Friday £19.95 for 3 Courses Perfect for small businesses or a family & friends ‘get together’! Come celebrate New Year in style with us Our New Year’s Eve Party is Heaven & Hell Fancy dress Got a ‘beer lover’ at home? Then purchase award winning beer via www.driftwoodsparsbrewery.co.uk Why not treat your loved ones to a Gift Voucher for the Pub or the B&B this Christmas?

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A WONDERFUL SEA FRONT LOCATION IN THE HEART OF ST AGNES Untitled-1 7

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My Secret Westcountry Helen Bowker Helen Bowker, 54, runs Cotley Farm in Whimple, east Devon together with her husband Lester. They have three grown-up children - Sam, Jenny and Anna – and as well as farming a dairy herd, sheep and a cider orchard they run a popular Christmas farm shop, complete with real live reindeer.

Cotley Farm Shop

My favourite: Walk : I love living so close to the east Devon coast and my favourite walk is from Budleigh Salterton along the coast path and then back down into the picturesque village of Otterton. The views across the river are stunning, with all the pine trees there, and you then come up to amazing sea view, from the red cliffs of Sidmouth merging right round to the limestone of the Jurassic coast. Otterton Mill is a great place for a coffee break, followed by an easy saunter back along the River Otter.

Michael Morpurgo

Branscombe Beach

Place to eat: Being busy farmers, Lester and I don’t get the chance to eat out a lot but when our children are home there is a tiny restaurant on the seafront at Sidmouth called The Pea Green Boat which is a favourite of ours. They have a fantastic original menu with a Mediterranean feel - and what better to be able to walk out and watch the waves on the beach when you finish?

Weekend escape: Again, as farmers, our weekends away are few and far between! However, Lester and I always have a weekend with just the two of us in January as a sort of set-up for the year. One of our favourite places was The Budock Vean Hotel near Falmouth, where you can walk down through beautiful gardens to the Helford River and then join the South West Coast Path.

Festival or event: I love Honiton Show. It’s a one-day agricultural show and great place to catch up with acquaintances whom you

haven’t seen since last year and it’s also a great showcase for farming and the countryside. I especially like to see all the cattle and sheep preened up for the occasion and also having a good look round the Young Farmers tent seeing who has won the prizes in the multitude of competitions.

Beach: I’m very loyal to our local area so I have to say Branscombe. I’m not a great fan of sand and the pebble beach is so long here that you can soon have your own space away from the crowds to perfect skimming stones on the

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People

Cider-maker Barny Butterfield

The view across the River Otter at Budleigh Salterton

The Budock Vean hotel

and I am very lucky to be able to see it every morning when I wake up. It’s something our visitors at Christmas comment on a lot so I’ve even made a small tea room this year for our Christmas shop with a huge window looking out over the valley.

Westcountry icon: My Westcountry icon is Michael Morpurgo. When the children were small I read a lot of his books with them and I fell in love with his writing. He has also set up a fantastic charity called Farms for City Children which aims to expand the horizons of children from towns and cities by offering them a magical week in the countryside living and working together on one of their farms. I’ve always been very fortunate to live in the country and I think giving children the opportunity to have space and be outside, especially these days is a great gift. We try to do the same in a small way at Christmas by welcoming the public onto our farm to see our animals - especially our reindeer! Pub: As I mentioned before our lifestyle means we don’t go out a lot but when we do I love the big sofas and armchairs at The Jack in the Green in Rockbeare. Paul, the owner, is always a charming host and the food is excellent, too. Food: I love puddings and Georgie Porgie’s Honiton Show

Christmas puddings from Budleigh Salterton are wonderful. I am stocking his new Chocolate and Baileys pudding in the Christmas shop this year and am expecting them to fly out.

Drink: Devon Mist cider from Sandford Orwater. It’s at the end of a long winding road so you feel like you’re really getting away from it all.

Shop: I know I shouldn’t say this but I love the Christmas shop we have at Cotley Farm. We have moved into a beautiful wooden building this year and it’s very Christmassy! I start getting it ready in early November and the thrill of opening the boxes to find all the things I ordered months ago really gets me in the mood for Christmas. We only open for the month of December, so I make it extra special

for the festive period so it’s full of delicious local festive foods, drinks and decorations. At weekends we provide free mulled wine and mince pies which, together with the smell of fir and freshly cut home-grown Christmas trees, evokes a very traditional atmosphere. I love the contact it gives us with our local community, just like a personal Christmas card.

View: There are so many lovely views in Devon but my personal favourite is from our farm. There is something very special living somewhere with a fantastic panoramic view

chards at Crediton is my favourite . We grow cider apples on the farm and send them to the cider maker there, Barny Butterfield, who weaves his magic to make easy drinking cider that tastes full of fruit.

Special treat: I love it when our children, come home for the weekend. Sam’s a vet, Anna’s at medical school and Jenny works for a Christian charity. We all sit round having a good chinwag over a roast meal with our own home-reared beef, followed by silly games. And at Christmas it’s even better! 45

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my life

[

man and boy

ban the book!

[

Phil Goodwin and James, six, struggle with reading ensorship is nothing new. History is littered with book bans and mass burnings. Even pop music has felt the power of populist rage. Anyone shocked at the rise of extremism in the United States need only look to the crazy torching of Beatles albums back in 1966 – when John Lennon (rightly) remarked that the Fab Four were “bigger than Jesus” – to realise that the recent hysteria is really old hat. ‘Twas ever thus, as my dear old uncle Arthur used to say. Common sense says you shouldn’t clamp down on creativity and freedom of expression, but some people just love to stamp out stuff they don’t like. But, while these literary clampdowns are a recurring feature, they have never held truck in our house. Well, not until now. My young son is a keen reader, though only truly enthusiastic when he has the right book in his mitts. His school is pretty good at fostering a love for words and just the other day we were invited to a presentation of their latest innovation: an accelerated reader programme with graded books, online quizzes and so on. The head teacher stressed the importance of understanding the material, urging us to get involved, to get to know what our little ones are choosing and to talk to them about the stories. So, that night we came back from the library with Gelert The Brave, the tale of a Welsh lord and his favourite hunting hound. Stirring, stuff, I thought. This should grab a young lad’s attention. I was in for a shock. It all started well, with the dashing lord tearing around the countryside on horseback with his beloved dog Gelert – a wolfhound

– matching him stride for stride. James badly wants a dog and is already tuned into that man/ beast relationship. He is reading intently, clearly gripped. Then one day, the lord leaves ever-dependable

[

‘What did you think?’ The lip was trembling. ‘Horrible,’ he snapped. ‘Just horrible’

[

Gelert at home to guard his infant son while the men go out on the hunt. And we soon find out why. A fearsome wolf enters the castle intent on devouring his lordship’s offspring. Of course, the brave dog defends the child and sees off the beast but he’s badly injured and blooded in the encounter. So far so good, I thought. Then as Gelert recovers amid the aftermath of battle – blankets strewn, the cradle overturned – his lord and master returns. And here is where it all starts to go wrong. You have probably already guessed. The lord is horrified by the sight of the bloodied hound but rather than seek out his darling son, he flies into a rage and, blinded by fury, plunges his sword “deep into Gelert’s body” (it really says this) and kills him on the spot. Moments later, a tiny cry from the pile of bedding reveals what we already knew: that this faithful animal was no villain. Cue much lordly weeping, deep regret and the building of a tomb. The lad looked at me in disgust. His eyes had that “on the edge” look. Okay, I thought. Maybe we can talk it through. “What did you think?” I asked, gingerly following the school protocol. The lip was trembling. We have been here before with The Lion King. “Horrible,” he snapped back. “Just horrible.” I mumbled about how the lord had learned a lesson about his temper but it was useless. Gelert had not deserved that fate. Why would anyone write something like that! And then James surprised me. He snatched the book and threw it to the floor, sprang from the sofa and stamped on it. It survived – not that he cared. I don’t approve of violent attacks on artistic expression but, to be honest, I thought it was well deserved.

NEXT WEEK: Chris McGuire on starting a new life - with a new baby - in the Westcountry 46

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