West Magazine, August 16 2015

16.08.15

Earn your stripes Go for bold in this summer’s styles

INSIDE: + MY GARDEN

INSPIRATION

SHOWBIZ: + FROM DEVON

TO TOWIE

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INSIDE: + STAY AT KIRSTIE ALLSOPP’S + SUMMER RECIPES

WIN: + DESIGNER FURITURE

12/08/2015 17:33:17

of

5th-30th August

Join the fun every day at Drake Circus with: 5-7 Aug Face Painting 8-13 Aug Arts & Crafts 14-16 Aug Kids’ YO! Sushi Workshops 17-19 Aug Balloon Modelling 20-28 Aug Gardening Fun 29-30 Aug Circus Workshops Visit our website for further details of each event Over 70 stores | Big brand names | Places to eat

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dream shopping...

29/07/2015 15:30:12

‘Remember kids that a pasty in a bag has to have a crimp down the right-hand side’

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CRAFTY VIBE Kirstie’s homemade home

Kurt Jewson shares his favourite things, page 44

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TORQUAY GIRL Lauren Pope is one of us

QUAINT COBBLES Picturesque Clovelly

[contents[ Inside this week...

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THE WISHLIST This week’s pick of lovely things to buy

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START THEM YOUNG...

Our columnist’s son launches a business

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JUST BETWEEN US...

Sh! We have the latest gossip!

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LIFE’S A BEACH Family contentment by the sea

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TUTTI FRUITY Your fashion five a day

GARDEN ENCHANTMENT Artist Lou Tonkin at Heligan

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KIRSTIE’S HOMEMADE HOME The TV star shares her style

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TENDER BLUES

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JUICY TOMATOES Ripe for the picking

Anne Swithinbank on agapanthus

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SWEET DELIGHTS Frivolous, fruity fashion

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HOW TO WEAR THEM Earning your stripes

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YOUR WEEK AHEAD Cassandra Nye looks into the stars

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BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Great ways to feel your best this week

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ALL RIPE NOW Tim Maddams on tomatoes

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MY SECRET WESTCOUNTRY Cornish boy Kurt Jewson

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RINGING THE CHANGES

The new stripes

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CONTENTS.indd 3

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CLOVELLY

Chocolate box pretty and a definite must-see

[ welcome [ There’s a relaxed summer feel in the air...

I really love this time of year, when it seems like the whole world is on holiday, many of them right here in Devon and Cornwall. For those of us who live here, it is definitely worth following their example and heading off for a few days of relaxation in our own backyard.

In West magazine this week we have plenty to tempt you to get out and explore our region’s many gems. We take a trip to the beautiful Lost Gardens of Heligan to meet artist Lou Tonkin, who what must be one of the most enviable job titles in the world. As artist in residence at the gardens this year celebrating their 25th anniversary, she makes evoca-

Tweet

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of the week @PentillieCastle Do come and stay @WMNWest! 3 for 2 B&B on autumn/winter stays (from Sept-March) #luxurytravel

tive felt artwork from the birds and butterflies she sees every day, and her work is on sale in the Heligan shop. See our feature on page 16.

We also take a trip up to north Devon for a look around TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp’s holiday home Meadowgate (see page 22) which has a laidback seaside charm and crafty vibe, join Anne Swithinbank for a look at agapanthus, those beautiful subtropical blues which flourish in our gardens and beaches. And with tomatoes now ripe for the picking, right here, we take a few tips from Tim Maddams on making the best of them. Enjoy!

A look around Kirstie Allsopp’s holiday home, Meadowgate

Ed’s note: Yes, please!

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Becky Sheaves, Editor

COVER IMAGE: Steve Haywood

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

MEET THE TEAM Becky Sheaves, Editor

Sarah Pitt

Kathryn Clarke-McLeod

Catherine Barnes

Phil Goodwin

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If you buy one thing this week...

Win

We have a pair of these stylish Senn dining chairs from www.danetti.com, worth ÂŁ72, for one lucky West reader to win. The winner will be invited to choose the colour of their pair (same colour for both). For your chance to win, just email your name, address and phone number to westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk

by August 30. Normal terms apply.

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12/08/2015 16:29:36

Striking Sienna multicoloured chandelier earrings, £12, Accessorize stores and www. accessorize.co.uk

the

wishlist

Lush leaves Screenprinted secret garden cosmetics bag by EH! £24 www. designersmakers.com

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

STREET STYLE STAR Melanie Watson

White jeans: H&M £25 Top: H&M £5.99 Shoes: Primark £5 (in the sale) Handbag: Matalan £20 Cardigan: Primark £9.99 Necklace: M&S £15 Earrings: New Look £2.99 Melanie says: “I would say that Zara is my favourite place to shop. I like Cheryl Cole’s style but I feel she is a bit young for me to follow as a fashion role model.

Kate Moss is a good style icon as she looks amazing for her age and she always dresses nicely. I guess being around the same age as her, it is easier for me to copy her style. Also, she’s blonde, like me!”

SPOTTED BY: ABBIE BRAY AND CONNIE CHAMPAIN

Melanie, 43, is a hairdresser who lives near Truro

Soften me up Pomelo hand cream, £8.50, www. oliverbonas.com

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Wishlist

Mu m

,Iw ant on

e!

Polar bear pendant, £122, made by craftswoman Helen Noakes, from Devon-based www.madebyhandonline.com

Children’s tree house cabin bed, £1,650, cuckooland.com

Signature Collection teapot, £33, www. cordellohome.com

Store we adore

fave!

Beaux Cadeaux, Plymouth This popular Plymouth gift shop has recently reopened in a quaint whitewashed cottage in the stylish Royal William Yard. Goodies on sale include Emma Bridgewater pottery, funky bags from Disaster Designs and colourful lunchboxes from Happy Jackson, and owners Val and Richard Cass are happy to gift wrap your purchases for free.

Open every day except Monday.

Beaux Cadeaux is at Residence ONE, Royal William Yard, Plymouth, see www.beauxcadeaux.co.uk or call 01752 831748

Like a boss Burgundy T-bar sandals, £14, Primark 7

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11/08/2015 12:18:49

talking points Gillian Molesworth

Story of my life...

On starting them young in business y 10-year-old, Freddy, has recently run his numbers, and realised the discrepancy between his earning potential through his allowance, and the asking price of the goods he would like to purchase (mostly to do with Xbox or similar.)

“It will take me five years to afford the newest version,” he trying different recipes. One bewailed the other day. batch spectacularly failed when “Well, you’ll just have to earn I assumed that “dried active more money,” I told him. yeast” was the same as “easy “But how?” bake yeast”. We also juiced.

“Well, in order to earn money Freddy had decided to add freshly you have to provide either goods squeezed orange juice to his or services. That means you proproduct list. duce something that other people Step three: pricing. We comparwant to buy, or you do something ison shopped online to see what for them that they’re willing to other people charged for fresh pay for.” orange juice and artisan loaves.

“But what “Now you have could I do?” to figure out your We ran profit margin,” I through his said, handing him Around options. Extra the receipt for flour, lunchtime, a housework, yeast and oranges. garden work, “You mean I have flour-dusted washing cars – to pay for them?” he Freddy goes out all these went said. “Uuum, yeah,” with a basket out the window.

I said.

There was one Thus was on his arm to hobby he was launched a new deliver his wares willing to take to enterprise: Fred’s the next level.

Bread (and Juice).

“I want to bake Every Saturday, our bread,” he ankitchen explodes nounced. “Ok,” I said. “The first into a frenzy of baking and juicquestion is, does anyone want to ing. And around lunchtime, a buy it?” flour-dusted Freddy goes out with Business plan, step one: his basket on his arm to deliver establish market demand for a his wares. And we get a loaf to Saturday loaf. We walked to all eat at home. He’s got really into the neighbours we could reach it, even exploring reinvesting in on foot (I’m stopping short of a a better juicer. Fred’s bread is a delivery service), braving hostile hit, and long may it last. The only dogs and uncertain receptions. thing we can’t accommodate is Yes, our neighbours would buy more customers. If he got any bread. more orders I’d need a bigger Step two: product samples. We oven. And it’ll be years before his baked for the next four hours, allowance will pay for that.

M

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 Next week: Fran McElhone on life with a new baby in east Devon

TROPICAL

prints

Flame-haired T’Pau frontwoman Carol Decker rocked up to a recent charity cricket match and garden party at The Royal Hospital in Chelsea, in this tropical shirt and skinny jeans. Take a lead from the China in Your Hand singer – a classic tropical print shirt says summer, even when rain stops play. The Hawaiian print Carol’s sporting has a feminine, vintage look and this statement cotton button-through by Warehouse (£32), is virtually a match and a big hit with us.

Printed blouse £32 Warehouse

steal her

style

OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN

OPTION A Leafy Palm print blouse £24 The Edinburgh Woollen Mill

OPTION B Floral Sleeveless blouse £20 www.apricotonline.co.uk

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16.08.15

CAROL: IT’S HARDER TO SLIM Take heart, for Countdown’s original glamazon Carol Vorderman has complained that she’s put on weight – and she can’t lose it like she used to. Carol, 54, said she’d let her walking routine slide, after she lost her smarttechnology fitness wristband and gone up half a dress size as a result.

She confessed: “I haven’t been doing my walking. For me, I’ve found in my 50s that you do put on weight much easier.”

West says: We’d still give our eye teeth for those killer curves!

Just

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

!

Sam Mendes

OFFICE BOY Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe spent an hour manning the phone lines at the New York offices of NYLON magazine – and he wasn’t very good at it! The 25-year-old actor was soon overwhelmed with requests for stamps and parcel deliveries, and had no idea how to put through any calls, telling one visitor: “You might want to come back when somebody more experienced is working here... I’m struggling with the pressure, I’m cracking already.” There’s a work placement at West with your name on it, Daniel, if you ever want to polish up your skills...

‘Spectre will be my last Bond movie’ Director Sam Mendes has revealed he may hang up his James Bond holster after the movie franchise’s next instalment, Spectre. He’s hinted the upcoming adventure, starring Daniel Craig in his fourth stint as the MI6 agent, would be his final 007 movie because

it is too “all encompassing.” Sam, who once owned a Victorian hillside fort in Tintagel with ex-wife Kate Winslet, said: “I said no to the last one and then ended up doing it, and was pilloried by all my friends. But I do think this is probably it.”

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Flying high: The Breitling Wingwalkers take to the Cornish skies at Culdrose Air Day

in pictures

Radiant: Miss Cornwall Briony-Mai Reynolds was special guest at the Tintagel Carnival Queen of Queens competition

Family affair: Twin brothers Roy (left) and Andy Stott are both crew members at Exmouth Lifeboat Station

Winning scent: Bob Mills was awarded first prize for his sweetpeas at the Ludgvan Horticultural Show

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talking points Many bees

Fruity

ONE OF US Famous faces with links to the Westcountry

10 of the UK’s many varieties of bee :

1 Common carder 2 Red tailed bumblebee 3 Tawny mining bee 4 Leaf cutter bee 5 Tree bumblebee 6 Red mason bee

10 grape alternatives for country wine:

1 Blackberry

This week:

2 Gooseberry

Lauren Pope Reality star and entrepreneur Lauren Pope was born and grew up Torquay

3 Redcurrant 4 Strawberry 5 Elderberry 6 Bilberry

7 Ivy bee

7 Damson

8 Broken belted bumblebee

8 Juniper

9 Great yellow bumblebee

9 Cherry 10 Fig

10 Blaeberry bumblebee

The happy list Which bit?

10 things to make you smile this week Where these spices come from:

1 Cloves flower bud 2 Turmeric root 3 Cinnamon bark 4 Mace the outer coating of nutmeg seeds

5 Saffron crocus stamens 6 Pepper vine fruit 7 Anise fruit ‘ovary’ 8 Allspice berries 9 Annatto seeds 10 Asafoetida rhizome

1 Beautiful Days festival 2 First blackberries in our hedgerows

3 Car boot sales in the sun 4 Open road no school traffic 5 Gardens open see www. ngs.org.uk

6 Wildflowers in a jug 7 Cheap frills knicker making at Dartmoor Made

8 Suncream smells like hols 9 Hats back in fashion 10 Smoothies nice with ice

Famous name: Lauren made her name in The Only Way is Essex, but this glamorous girl is actually a Devon girl, who attended Torquay Community College.

Loyal to her roots: Lauren makes regular visits to see family and friends in South Devon, most recently spending a few rainy days here in July. She was also spotted out and about in Plymouth.

Turning heads: Eager to pursue a music and modelling career, Lauren Champion: Lauren’s not only loyal headed for London to her birthplace, where she became but to Chigwell in a pin-up girl in Essex, where she’s DID YOU KNOW? magazines including lived for eight years.

Nuts, Zoo, FHM and “I grew up in Devon, As an unknown Loaded and a Page but fell in love 18-year old, she Three girl in The Sun. with Essex… Essex was spotted people are nice and dancing Acting: Lauren, 32, welcoming,” she alongside landed acting roles says.

Prince Harry in Sky TV series Mile at a London High and Dream Team Tomboy: Lauren, nightclub as well as film roles in who grew up with critically acclaimed two sisters, says she UK productions Rise was not a ‘girly girl’ of the Footsoldier and Clubbing to growing up.

Death.

Pop pals: Lauren hung out with Business: Lauren’s beauty brand pop idol Justin Bieber at a party Hair Rehab London sells clip-in in 2013, but later said she couldn’t natural hair extensions sported say whether the bash had been by fellow celebs including Cheryl fun or not, because she’d signed a Fernandez-Versini on X-Factor. confidentiality agreement swearing She initially sought backing for her to silence! her business on Peter Jones’ ITV programme, Tycoon in Making music: Lauren’s also a 2007, coming fourth, and now successful club DJ, travelling the backs budding entrepreneurs, world to play in countries including as a supporter of South Devon Dubai, Moscow, Chicago, Miami, Enterprise Week.

Mumbai, Shanghai and London.

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Gordie and Marilu on the beach with their children, from left, Daisy, Milo, Gina and Jasper

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Feature

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LIVING THE DREAM

By the seashore Moving to the peaceful south Devon coast after weathering a health scare, Marilu and Gordie Wren were inspired to start a new business. They tell Anna Turns about the vision behind The Devon Beach Company

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here better to meet Marilu Wren and her husband Gordie than the little café at Bantham Stores, overlooking the beautiful Burgh Island and Avon estuary.

Both passionate about being by the coast, Marilu and Gordie founded The Devon Beach Company just this year – as an outlet for all things stylish and practical for outdoor living. “We feel so happy and blessed to live here in Devon,” says Marilu. “I want to celebrate the lifestyle we have by making it accessible to other people, be that by the coast or on the moors.”

They are certainly living the dream but it hasn’t been an easy journey for them. Four and a half years ago, Gordie suffered a lifechanging spinal injury during an operation on his neck. He is now fairly active but found he could no longer run his landscaping business. “I have always been a practical countryman, so my outdoor building work was my passion and I missed it hugely,” says Gordie, 51. His injury meant the couple reassessed their priorities, downsizing from their home inland to a property by the sea near South Milton in Devon.

“It immediately felt like we had filled our lungs with air and our four children said ‘we feel like a family for the first time’. The move here bought us time and space, and made us appreciate our family and where we live all the more,” describes Marilu.

“While Gordie was lying on the sofa recovering, after being in intensive care, he and I created a massive mindmap on the wall of our skills and what we wanted to achieve,” explains Marilu, 45.

And so her children’s outdoor clothing company, Ocky Olly, was born. This year, Marilu and Gordie decided to start a second business, to run alongside the clothing company. Called The Devon Beach Company, it sells top-quality beach kit, from foolproof barbecues to outdoor cushions made from upcycled nautical flags.

Marilu and Gordie are practising what they preach, and are very

W

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Feature

Reader discount Visit The Devon Beach Company at Dartmouth Regatta 27-29 August – mention West magazine to receive 10% discount on products bought at the stand

ecologically-minded: “For me the challenge is to find quality but not at a cost to the environment or to people,” says Marilu. “Through running Ocky Olly, my passion for retail just grew and grew. I don’t mind being exhausted at the end of the day when it’s for my own business.”

She is certainly an empowering role model for her four children, Daisy, five, Milo 13, Jasper, 15, and Gina, 17, who have watched the family businesses evolve.

“We’re on a massive learning curve, so the children are seeing it warts and all, and we’re very open with them,” admits Gordie. “We want to show them how you can start from absolutely nothing and make a success.”

From fire pits to beach mats, The Devon Beach Company offers a complete Devon lifestyle: “We know that Devon is a fabulous county and people

aspire to have a holiday down here or want to take a piece of the Westcountry back home with them, wherever home might be. We just want to spread the word!” says Gordie.

Everything they sell is built to last and where possible, Britishmade. Marilu’s passion for British manufacturing stems from seeing her own father build his clothing business: “I watched how he respected the process from its grassroots, and worked with the cloth and the thread. It’s very frustrating that you can’t now always find what you want here. But I get all our printing

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done in Devon and local seamstresses make our vintage flag range.”

Marilu’s eyes light up when she starts talking about how she lovingly recycles nautical flags once used on merchant and naval ships around the world. “I get this warm fuzzy feeling from looking at my washing line when I wash and dry the flags I have sourced from eBay. It may sound ridiculous but these flags each tell a story – they just float my boat!” she laughs.

Indeed, the Devon Beach Company logo incorporates the nautical flags for the letters D, B and C. And each bespoke cushion or framed flag they sell represents a piece of that seafaring Devon lifestyle to Marilu. “I forgive little marks on the fabric because it shows personality and provenance. I love the colours, the fabric and the meaning of the flag signals – some mean ‘I have a doctor on board’ or ‘I need a pilot’ or ‘I have a diver down’. Each one represents something unique and I get so excited if I come across a really rare one.” The couple’s vision is to print their own flags and make personalised bean bags, windbreaks and cushions so people can tell their own stories with letters representing their initials or special meanings.

Marilu and Gordie are currently considering setting up a retail unit on the outskirts of the yachting town of Salcombe. But first they plan to buy a camper van and, says Marilu, “totally DBC-it up” as a pop-up shop for festivals and beach events. They want to encourage more

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‘I don’t mind being exhausted at the end of the day when it is my own business’

A Devon Beach Company firepit in action

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Marilu makes cushions out of recycled nautical flags

people to understand their ethos: “We want to enable people to learn how to use our kit, make interesting recipes on a barbecue and light the fire pit in the middle of winter, because sometimes we all need a little confidence boost when leaving our comfort zone,” explains Gordie.

“Our firepit is 1.4 m across, so it is a big beast – it is the largest one available in this country,” he continues. “I’m also really passionate about the beach trolleys we sell, which fold flat. With four children, we take so much stuff to the beach so I started off taking a wheelbarrow – not the easiest thing to fit in the car boot. Beach trolleys are the ideal solution and we’re now offering them to hire out from places such as Bantham Stores and the Salcombe Harbour Hotel.”

The basis to their business is sharing what they love, and both Gordie and Marilu agree that living by the coast is a very special lifestyle.

“I find the sea spiritual,” says Gordie. “If I am troubled in any way, shape or form I come down here to the Bantham estuary, or stand at Hatch Bridge on the Avon and just look at the water. It fills my soul, it makes me whole to be outside, whatever the weather.”

Visit www.devonbeachcompany.com or call 01538 312700

Maritime flags inspire Marilu and, above, the family by the sea

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ART AND CRAFT

Enchanted acres Lou Tonkin has a job in a million as artist in residence at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Here she shares her inspiration

By Sarah Pitt

ou Tonkin can’t deny that she loves her job. For the past 18 months, the mum of three has spent her working days as artist in residence at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, just a mile and a half from her home in Gorran Haven, beside the sea in south Cornwall.

An illustrator by training, Lou spends each day creating felt pictures inspired by the butterflies and birds she sketches in the world famous gardens.

And this year is an exciting time to be at Heligan, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary of being “found” and transformed from bramble-choked to blooming, with its walled vegetable garden, melon yards and packed flower borders.

Lou was initially invited to create feltwork inspired by the garden’s abundant wildlife in the summerhouse in the plant area at Heligan, where visitors stop to watch her work. People loved her work, and from this came the invitation to become artist in residence on a more permanent basis.

“It has been really successful,” says Lou. “I have free run of the garden so I wander about every morning and gain new inspiration. No two days are the same, it changes all the time. There

L

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are lots of butterflies in the gardens, and they are a particular passion of mine. I saw a Comma this morning and it was just so exciting I was jumping for joy.”

The Comma – so-called because of the commashaped markings on the underside of its wings – is a relatively rare sighting, hence the excitement, but many butterflies are common in these idyllic gardens and they’ve all found their way into Lou’s work. “We get a lot of things like Red Admirals and Peacocks,” she says. “It is wonderful to see them fluttering about. My butterfly brooches are a bestseller in the shop at Heligan.”

Lou, 37, was already a regular visitor to the gardens before becoming artist in residence.

And in taking up this role, she has got to know just about every square inch.

“There are beautiful hidden corners in the garden, I certainly have favourite spots,” she says. “I am there most days, and it is always different.”

Lou’s creative process starts with sketching and taking photographs in the garden, which she then uses to inspire her felt wool pictures. These are created by transforming raw clouds of wool into felt, as she works on the picture, using a special needle-felting tool. “It has little hooks and scales on it, and as you move it about, it meshes the wool together, turning it into felt,” she explains.

Her raw materials are clouds of fluffy wool from Heligan’s 30-strong flock of Devon and

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‘There are beautiful hidden corners in the garden. I’m there most days and it is always different’

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images: pia Schiele

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Lou sketching in the gardens, right, and working in the summerhouse at Helgigan, facing page.

Above, some of her printworks

Cornwall long wool sheep, along with dyed British wool from a traditional mill in Yorkshire.

The wool from the Heligan sheep is available for visitors to buy by the bag for their own project, also being spun into garden twine by the Natural Fibre Company at Cornwall’s own and only woollen mill in Launceston.

Lou is also a printmaker, and her woodcuts often depict birds she sees in the gardens.

During the summer months, Lou works in a shepherd’s hut in the gardens, which has a special atmosphere all of its own. It was here that she welcomed some special visitors a few weeks ago, when Charles and Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visited Heligan. Prince Charles is Patron of the Campaign for Wool, which is trying to boost the profile of wool around the world.

“It was so exciting to meet them,” says Lou, who presented the royal couple with one of her felt pictures of swallows flying across the melon yard at Heligan. “They asked me some questions about my work and I showed them the shepherd’s hut. They thought it was absolutely perfect.”

Lou grew up in St Just in the far west of Cornwall, surrounded by artists.

Lou grew up in St Just in the far west of Cornwall, surrounded by artists. “Mary Stork lived in the village and Kurt Jackson would come into the local pub. It wasn’t until I left home that I realised it wasn’t normal for everyone to be artists,” she says. She studied illustration at Falmouth College of Art, having her first Ned, now 12, in her final year. “Nothing can quite prepare you for your first baby, I didn’t finish the degree although I have my HND, but I’d rather have a Ned than a degree!” she says.

She and her partner travelled extensively with their three children, Ned, Billy, and Rosie, to such far-flung destinations as Malaysia It when they settled on a smallholding in the New Forest, though, that Lou really got into her stride with her art. They kept sheep, and she started using their wool to mend holes in their jumpers with motifs of the birds and butterflies, using a tech-

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nique of felting the wool.“I don’t like waste, and it was a way of using what we had,” she says.

“Felt making has got a name for being used to make rather lumpy bags, but you can actually make something much finer and much more contemporary with it. My butterflies, for instance, are very detailed and very true to life.”

“I like the freedom that using wool and other textiles gives you,” she says. “It feels a little bit magical when you work with them because you can’t be controlled about it.”

Her felt pictures capture the spirit of creatures she sees in the garden, like wren which shared a few minutes with her in a quiet corner just the other day Birds and butterflies are her favourite subjects. “I particularly like the colours and tones of birds,” she says.

Working at Heligan has been a special privilege, she says. She has been involved in the commemorations of the First World War, remembering the gardeners who went off to war leaving their names scored in the walls of the potting shed. A wildflower poppy meadow acts as a living memorial to them. “It feels like an enchanted garden,” says Lou. “It has a very special quality about it and the layers of history interacting with the working, present day estate makes it such an inspiring place to be an artist. There’s always another story to tell.”

“It feels like an enchanted garden,” says Lou. has a very special quality about it and the layers of history interacting with the working, present day estate makes it such an inspiring place to be an artist. There’s always another story to tell.”

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On location Ever since Meadowgate was transformed by TV’s Kirstie Allsopp in her Homemade Home series, holidaymakers have been queuing up to stay. Sarah Pitt takes a peep inside

t is fair to say that Kirstie Allsopp has completely transformed Meadowgate, the lovely house in a north Devon valley which the TV presenter and her partner, property developer Ben Andersen, rescued from dereliction.

The house is in secluded valley leading down to the sea near the village of Welcombe, between Hartland Point in north Devon and Bude, just over the border in Cornwall. When Kirstie found it, it had been lying empty for more than 40 years, but the woman best-known for helping others find their dream property on TV’s Location Location Location was instantly smitten.

“It had smashed windows, the garden was overgrown and had really been left to rack and ruin,” says Beth Wilmont, Kirstie’s PA. “She and her partner Ben Andersen, who is a property developer, bought it together with Ben’s business partner as a project to renovate and run as a holiday home.”

The house represented a major structural

I

project, with pictures of the now-transformed kitchen showing little more than shell. But undaunted, Kirstie and Ben worked with a trusted local builder and got busy sourcing fixtures like fireplaces from reclamation yards. And after the major structural work had been done – installing windows, fixing the roof, and plastering the walls – Kirstie set about creating the interior.

The project was followed by millions of viewers on the Channel 4 programme Kirstie’s Homemade Home.

The house is a showcase for Kirstie’s style, with comfort a priority and vintage finds and hand-crafted items used to give it its individuality. As she explains in her book which accompanied the TV series, “Meadowgate allowed me to share the things I love about British style

[

through my passion for handmade things and my love of second-hand furniture that can be found in markets, auctions and reclamation yards and salvage shops up and down the country. It was my way of tempting people to try a different approach to interior decoration.”

In the spacious kitchen – the heart of the home – Kirstie has installed a cream Aga. There is a massive kitchen table, too, for the gatherings who stay in the house and a substantial dresser which displays Kirstie’s collection of ceramics, on a blue and white theme, which go rather well with her bright blue fridge.

Exposed wooden floors in the bedroom give a traditional feel, with bed furnished with ViSpring mattresses (a Westcountry company) and

‘It was my way of tempting people to try a different approach’

[

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Interiors

STYLE TIP: Use faux fur throws lined with

velvet as curtains, to get that cosy, luxurious feel ski-chalet feel

Clockwise from top: the main bedroom features a rolltop bath; an elegant antique desk fits with the Georgian architecture of the house; and the sitting room has a cosy feel

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Interiors

Little touches like vintage perfume bottles, collected china and an antique quilt add a special something to Kirstie’s interior design for Meadowgate

padded headboards covered in floral fabrics. The to worry about moving twin beds in the guest room, meanwhile, feature things or touching things. pretty sprigged floral eiderdowns. The bed in an“It is a great house other of the bedrooms features a striking tradifor crowd. I went down tional quilt. with my family to stay, The claw-footed bath in the master bedroom 19 people over Christwas sourced from one of Kirstie’s favourite recmas, and it was amazing lamation yards (she particularly loves Fountain for that. Kirstie and Ben Antiques in Honiton, near her always go other Devon home at Broadhemdown for bury) while the main bathroom Au g u s t was modelled on the Art Deco Bank Holi‘Kirstie and Ben interior of the Burgh Island day and they always have a lot of always go down Hotel off the coast of south friends and kids staying.”

Devon.

The house is also rented out for the August Adding to the traditional feel through holiday company ClasBank Holiday are antique brass lamps and sic Cottages, who took it onto pictures with a maritime flatheir books shortly after the proand have a lot of vour. A luxe touch, meanwhile, gramme featured on TV. friends and kids is provided in beside the claw“It gets a lot of interest and a staying’ footed bath in the main bedlot of repeat bookings,” says Beth. room by a pure white fur rug.

“There are a group of quilters who “The house has a really discome every year to stay. I think tinctive feel,” says Beth Wilmot. people are quite inspired by being “It is very eclectic and full of there, particularly if they are avid things. I think one thing Kirstie really wanted crafters. The house is very representative of was people not to feel like they were in someKirstie’s style and what she’s about.” where too precious, to come and use the house Meadowgate at Welcombe in north Devon is as their own and feel at home there, not to have available to rent from www.classic.co.uk

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Shopping

GET THE

LOOK

Pair blue and white china with luxurious fur and cheerful florals

Genoa cream fur throw £155, www. sweetpeaandwillow. com

Handmade porcelain cup and saucer £51, from Devon-based www. madebyhandonline. com

Florentine wildflower bin £75, www. musthavebins.com

Heath faux fur throw £299, www. lizardorchid.com

Cath Kidston garden ditsy 16-piece cutlery set £45, www. daisypark.co.uk

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Gardens

ANNE SWITHINBANK

Tender blues Devon’s Anne Swithinbank, panellist on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, on why sensitive agapanthus are worth it his year, some of my Agapanthus ‘Silver Mist’ made long green flower buds rather than short rounded ones, so I knew something was up.

It appears they have decided to go for the top knot look and produced a two-tier arrangement of flowers known as a ‘pagoda’, as opposed to ‘hen and chickens’ when an extra umbel is thrown out from the side of the stem. Identical plants kept in pots on the patio and under glass where they have been regularly watered have normal rounded umbels, so I guess the throwing out of extra umbels could be a sign of drought.

Also known as African lilies or lilies of the Nile, agapanthus grow really well in the south west, especially towards Penzance and the Isles of Scilly where they often naturalise themselves.

This is where we expect to see the more spectacular but also more tender evergreen types with massive, sky blue flower heads. Underground, they produce a mass of thick fleshy roots and above, strappy leaves joined usually in July and August by flower heads on long but strong stems.

I guess early explorers to South Africa would have found them pretty difficult to miss and agapanthus found their Versatile way into Europe in the 17th century and were blooming at and durable, Hampton Court by 1692. There agapanthus are are about ten species, with the a great August showier evergreen kinds native to coastal areas and deciduous plant for giving kinds from moist meadowland your plot a in inner, mountainous regions.

These species have been used to subtropical look create numerous hybrids with the deciduous kinds being generally hardier and more suited

T

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to growing outdoors in chillier gardens than the more tender evergreen ones. The likes of showy evergreen A.praecox subsp.orientalis and hybrids like ‘White Heaven’ are scene-stealers but if you want to use agapanthus for massed effect as part of an herbaceous, prairie style planting then the hardier hybrids with smaller, sometimes pendent umbels are probably a better choice.

In our east Devon garden we need to choose carefully, as we often experience cold winters and my clay soil can be waterlogged during the winter. It is more often bad drainage rather than cold which sees off agapanthus. Although I’ve tried a few different varieties over the years, the one that suits us best is ‘Silver Mist’. This is deciduous outdoors but will keep its leaves in an unheated greenhouse. I like it because it reaches a substantial 1m/3ft tall in bloom and the pale silvery mauve-blue flower heads are a good 15cm/6in across.

Occasionally, I am asked why an agapanthus won’t flower, either in a pot, or in the soil. “I’ve been told they should be kept pot bound,” is the usual comment and while there is some truth in this, the pot ought really to be a large one, at least

45cm/18in across the top and preferably more.

Even then, the fleshy roots eventually make such a thick mass that water and nutrients can no longer be properly taken up. If flowering starts to falter, the plant will need to be divided into several sections. This is best carried out in spring, though I’ve successfully divided plants directly after flowering and you may need an old kitchen knife to start proceedings. Don’t worry if roots are cut, they will sort themselves out. If I’m dealing with an untested cultivar, I usually pot one section back into a container, then try the others out in the garden to see how hardy they are.

A large chunk should begin flowering the next summer but smaller plants may take a couple of years to bulk up. Failure to bloom after this probably means they are not hardy enough for your plot and are being knocked back every winter by excessive cold and wet.

My potted plants are brought into an unheated greenhouse for winter but an alternative is to insulate container sides with hessian or bubble wrap. Versatile and durable, agapanthus are a great August plant for giving your plot a subtropical look.

Question time with Anne West reader queries answered by Anne Swithinbank

Q

When my son goes back to university, he will have access to a small garden and wants to grow some food. What would you suggest?

I wonder what the state of the soil is in this small garden? If the students have never grown crops before, you don’t want them put off by having to contend with depleted or compacted ground.

If they are ambitious, your best gift might be a delivery of municipal compost to spread over soil that has been cleared and forked over. They could sow some Swiss chard, land cress, rocket, winter lettuce and spring cabbage in modules now to plant out. Autumn onion sets can go in during September, broad bean ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ seeds in November and pea ‘Meteor’ seeds in early December. Or plant up some containers with perennial herbs like sage, thymes, rosemary and marjoram and sow in spring.

Q

I have some lilies budding up in my garden but I’ve read that they are poisonous to cats and several cats visit on a regular basis.

Should I be worried?

Lilies are poisonous to cats and this is a concern because even if the cats are unlikely to chew the stems and leaves, pollen might be shed on their coats which could affect them when they try to groom it off. The problem is more severe in small gardens where cats are using all the areas and knocking the stems. A fiddly but worthwhile solution could be to nip off the anthers before they open, thereby removing most of the hazard.

The flowers might not quite so handsome without anthers but you’d have an easy conscience.

Incidentally, there are some pollen free lily varieties (try Suttons, www.suttons.co.uk).

There will be less risk of staining your clothes whilst weeding amongst them, too.

This week’s gardening tips Anne’s advice for your garden

• Prune the long whippy stems of wisteria back to five or six leaves.

These will be further reduced in winter to just two buds on this year’s stems, so they are tight to short spurs. This helps keep them under control and helps them flower well.

• R hododendrons, camellias and witch hazels all set their flower buds around now, which they will carry with them all winter.

Make sure they are not suffering

from drought, especially if growing in containers.

Give them a good water with soft water or rainwater if possible and then mulch over the roots.

• Pumpkins and winter squash may need their shoots guiding into position and away from paths.

Limit fruits to two or three per plant if a largefruiting variety.

Keep watered and remove any mildewed leaves.

Pinch back greenhouse tomatoes when they reach the roof, nip out side shoots and give them a tomato fertilizer every fortnight or so.

Lemon

Send your questions to Anne at westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk

trees are hungry feeders and also need soft water or rainwater. Use a special citrus fertilizer and feed weekly. Watch out for sticky leaves and scale insects.

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Beauty

Tried

& tested

We present the best beauty cheats and treats, all trialled by West magazine’s Catherine Barnes, with help from daughter Tilly, 18

TOUCH UP Cushion compacts, already big news in the Far East, are now making waves here. The compacts contain a foundation soaked sponge which you press and apply with a puff, as you would a powder, for light daytime coverage on the go. This Pur Air Perfection CC Cushion Foundation (£27) has just landed at www.marksandspencer.com

In the bag Initially available online, Bubble T has now launched in Superdrug.and this fruity bath brand smells great and is lots of fun. We love these T-Bags – £5.99 for a pack of 10 – which you infuse in your bath for a soothing soak.

BEE GOODNESS Bee Good’s travel-sized two in one cleanser contains British wildflower honey, as well as sea kale oil. Apply to dry skin, then dampen the muslin (included when you buy), wipe off and moisturise. £4.95 for at www.beegood. co.uk and Waitrose

Nail art Turn your nails into a canvas with a silver undercoat, then choose from eight semitransparent colours you can blend while wet to create abstract print effects. OPI ColorPaints Trios (£34.10) comes with a nail art brush to create your mani-masterpieces. www.opiuk.com

SPECIAL SCENT Bronnley has created this Savage Flower eau de parfum to celebrate its 130th birthday. But don’t hang around– just 130 bottles (£65) are available, exclusively through www.fortnumandmason.com

fave!

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the review Sun savvy

Pocket-sized and facefriendly? Lisa Haynes puts three SPF minis to the test Piz Buin Ultra Light Dry Touch Face Fluid SPF15 or 30 £12 for 50ml (Boots)

Cherry nice

I loved the accurate dispenser on this skinny tube – ideal for throwing in my handbag. The super-lightweight formula absorbs instantly, making it 5 perfect for quickly applying 5 over or under make-up.

Scrub and cleanse with this white rice and cherry blossom shower mate (£10).

Find it at uk.rituals.com

hello again Be quick! Aldi’s incredible value skin heroes are back in store today, for a limited period. Serum £3.99 ,wrinkle smoother £4.99

Nivea Sun Protect & Bronze Face Cream SPF30 or 50 £6.50 for 50ml (Boots)

This dinky tube fits nicely in your palm. I tried the SPF50 and the creamy consistency is pretty thick, so required some rubbing in, but you’re rewarded with a fresh, holiday 4 fragrance and non5 greasy finish.

Vichy Ideal Soleil Velvety Cream SPF50

£14.50 for 50ml (Boots) Best suited for dry skin, this high SPF hydrates like a moisturiser but doesn’t leave a sticky finish. I’m usually quite sensitive to face SPFs (eye water4 ing/redness) but didn’t have any 5 problems with this.

Want a review? Send your request to westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 29

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Josie pear print dress £59 Oliver Bonas

Cute Fruit armer days call for a touch of fun and frivolity when it comes to getting dressed.

Our advice? Pick an outfit adorned with your favourite fruit. The trick, as with any bold print, is to partner fruity fabrics with plain accessories. We just love this pineapple print skirt and top, partnered with bright yellow heels, from Very.

A fruit motif also lends itself to swimwear. The melon slices on this curvaceous swimsuit from Liz McClarnon look positively edible.

W

Top £25 skirt £35 www.very.co.uk

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Fashion

Eye masks £3 each Tiger Stores

Cherry blossom bra £29 and knickers £25 Liz McClarnon at www.fashionworld.co.uk

Charlotte cherry print dress £89 www.studio8shop.com

Wedge heel espadrilles £15 www.very.co.uk

Banana vest top £32.50 White Stuff

Lemon shorts £4 Primark Trollied Dolly pineapple dress £55 www.rockmyvintage.co.uk Melon swimsuit £32 Liz McClarnon at www.fashionworld.co.uk

Lacoste pumps £29.99 www.getthelabel.com

Sandals £12 Matalan Watermelon clutch £18 JD Williams 31

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Trend

Dress, Karen Millen, Princesshay, £160 Shoes, Karen Millen, Princesshay, £145 Bag, Karen Millen, Princesshay, £99

MAIN PHOTO HAIR: CHARLOTTE AT SAKS, MAKEUP: ESTEE LAUDER, DEBENHAMS (BOTH PRINCESSHAY) PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE HAYWOOD STILL-LIFE PHOTOGRAPHS: PR SHOTS

HOW TO WEAR IT:

Bold stripes

Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod on ringing the changes with stripes on’t worry. I’m not going to bang on about their timelessness and how well they go with a good pair of jeans. I fully trust that the average reader is well versed in the classic nature and charm of the stripe. Perhaps to the point where you’re sick of stripes and can’t even look at your nautical tee?

The joy of this season's variety is that they have crossed the border into brand new territory. Think structured dresses, top to bottom in the form of a suit and even guest appearances on the rims of our sunnies.

This season’s stripe is also thicker and bolder than previous incarnations. It’s Beetlejuice meets Balenciaga, in a good way. It is the fear of looking like an eighties ghoul that holds many of us back from taking the plunge with this trend.

But there are some key pieces This season's worth grabbing while it is hot, per stripe is thicker se.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and bolder, stole the show at a pre-Oscar bash Beetlejuice in Beverly Hills, wearing a strapless Chanel jumpsuit. Choose meets vertical stripes to really elongate And most importantly, they make Balanciaga, in a your torso and a wide leg to make you look thin. good way your pins look like those of a Another way to have fun with thoroughbred. the ever-present line is to look If you’re sporting a summer for items that put a fresh spin on holiday tan choose a short dress things. Try a skirt that mixes diflike this Karen Millen beauty to show off your ferent width stripes or an on-trend shirt dress. If treacle-coloured limbs. Or if, like me, you didn’t jeans and a striped top have become a style staple get a summer holiday this year, buy this dress to for you, just update things a little by incorporatcheer you up, and pale legs be damned. Stripes ing a wider line and a soft draping fabric, instantthat run at different angles to each other are also ly more riviera than retro. big news this season, and echo the trend for all Just as denim on denim is now acceptable, so things geometric that is having a real moment in is stripe on stripe. Here's where you need to box everything from homeware to stationery design. clever to avoid Beetlejuice flashbacks. The key

D

lies in pairing stripes from two different families.

Think chunky horizontal on the bottom with slim vertical on top. A pencil skirt emblazoned with wide stripes looks very fashion forward paired with a blouse with matchstick lines. Still too much of a nightmare for you? Good news: you can be right on trend if your black work shirt has just a single striped sleeve, or perhaps the collar or cuffs are lined with monochrome bands.

Even nail art has jumped on the bandwagon.

Think white nails with black tips, or vice versa.

All fashion in these pictures is from Princesshay Shopping Centre, Exeter, www.princesshay.co.uk

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NEW LOOK monochrome stripe skater midi skirt £19.99

GET THE

NEXT stripe pencil skirt £28

look CREW multi stripe scarf £20

HOBBS Brooke sweater £69

MISS SELFRIDGE monochrome striped pencil dress £45

NEW LOOK black stripe longline shirt dress £24.99 33

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Shop

The edit Your straight line to style: feline flair and circus kicks

+

Poodle tee £38 People Tree

+

Wide-legged jeans £24.99 New Look

Bag £149 www.radley.co.uk

+

Just a Ride long-sleeved tee £33 winkinbitsy.etsy.com

+

Vintage style £35 Simply Be

Kit cat T-shirt £19.50 www.oliverbonas.com

Vero Moda slim ankle pants £14.99 www.getthelabel.com

Iris cat shoes £250 www.mychatelles.com

+

+

Pendant £85 boticca.com

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Stars

Your stars

by Cassandra Nye This week’s sign:

Happy birthday to...

Leos are natural leaders who have a tendency to be vocal in their opinions. Although this can come across as bossy, they are often right and generally act with the best of intentions. Beneath their dynamic persona lies a generous, loving, sensitive nature that they do not share easily with others.

Tori Amos born August 22, 1963 North Carolina born Cornflake Girl singer Tori Amos now lives with husband Mark Hawley and daughter Tash in a farmhouse near Bude.

The multi-million selling musician says she switches to ‘wife and mother mode’ when in Cornwall. Her fans connect deeply with her songs, and she says: “I get my information by listening to people’s stories.” Fiery Leos born on this day can be no-messing honest (to the point of bluntness!) and are more than a match for any obstacles they encounter.

LEO (July 23 - August 23) Something, or someone, you have waited a long time for is finally here.

Sometimes it is hard to believe your luck, even though most of it is down to your own efforts. Venus, the bringer of harmony, is cavorting through your life and telling you to enjoy every minute! Don’t be sidetracked by negative people or unimportant niggles. Set your path for love and fun and stay on it.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) This is a time when memories are made.

Get out the camera and invite your friends round. As food and drink play a large part this week, overindulging for more than a day or two could set you back. Being in a good mood means you are more than likely to say ‘yes’ to a business scheme. Give yourself time to sleep on it.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Flattery comes from all sides this week and you revel in it, even if you realise it is a case of ‘cupboard love’! Whatever others want from you, however, you may well enjoy going along with it. A friendship that starts off in a flippant manner could end up being something much more. Sometimes you just need to let things unfold with time.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Dynamic moments at work could see you speaking your mind and upsetting someone. Be sure you really know what is going on before you say your piece. Someone close can be annoying, but avoid using a hammer to smash a grape.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) It’s a great when you can forge closer links with family. Perhaps sometimes you feel unappreciated, but that is

unlikely to be true. When others get busy they do tend to take loved ones for granted. Wonder how someone really feels about you? Ask them.

You should start to see the results of work done in the past. Perhaps it is even something you had forgotten about.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) An open mind, especially when it comes to meeting new people, brings refreshing results. Sometimes it is hard not to mix up the past with the future, especially with certain experiences. However, things change.

Realising this should allay any anxiety.

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Are you looking for a partner or thinking of changing your current arrangement with one? Think it through this week, but next week would be better for action.

This week there are fun things to do, especially if there are young relatives around.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) Picking and choosing what you do, and who with, makes this an enjoyable week.

Getting out of a rut is not easy, especially if others rely on you, however it can be done. With a bit of determination, and help from friends, you will achieve this week.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) This is a week to indulge yourself. Do

the things that please you. This is likely to tie in with having fun with younger members of the family or friends. Just beware that a warm fuzzy feeling midweek could see you tempted in the wrong direction.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Romance seems to follow you everywhere this week. Someone with an eye to spoiling you wants to spend, spend, spend! Will they want something in return?

This begins a three-week period when you will be at your most attractive. Will you choose for the moment or the longer term?

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) The influence that you have over others is very strong at the moment. Tempted as you may be to take advantage of this, be guided by your conscience. Something that you look forward to at the weekend could cause disappointment, but an offer midweek? Well, that’s different! Be flexible and accommodating.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Flattery will get you everywhere this week. Someone you are trying to impress, or make up with, will be especially tempted to give in to your whims. Considering further education in the autumn? Sign up early to avoid disappointment.

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Wellbeing

the boost

Life just got better. We’ve handpicked the latest wellness trends, best-body secrets and expert advice to help you be your best self, everyday

Crazy game

Garden fun Muck in and get fit with Hannahs at Seale-Hayne near Newton Abbot from 10am on the second Saturday of every month. As well as helping to keep this charity’s gardens productive and improving your skills, there’s a free lunch for volunteers. So dig deep, burn it and earn it and make a few new friends along the way. Good for body and soul, families welcome, email emma.tame@ discoverhannahs.org for more details.

Registration has opened for a crazy swim/run challenge taking place in St Austell on October 10 which is called the Hokey Cokey. Why? Because competitors will be getting in-out, in-out of the water in a course that covers 8km of beach and coast path running and nearly 4km of sea swimming. Up for it? It costs £25 to take part and you can find out more at madhattersportsevents.co.uk.

PREFER TO BE INSIDE? Time was when growing mustard and cress in yoghurt pots equated to indoor summer holiday fun, but £25 will buy you an origami kit from the Science Museum’s online shop (not pictured).

It folds into a mini-greenhouse for grow organic seeds into healthy and delicious sprouts. It uses an algae-based gel as a growing medium, which means you won’t have to water.

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MightyPine Not only do they conjure up visions of tropical islands and pina coladas, these fruits are considered nutrition powerhouses. A cup of cubed fresh pineapple contains 80 calories and provides you with 40% of your daily vitamin C requirement. Choose fresh not tinned though, as the tinned variety contains 9.5 grams more sugar per cup.

BROW KIT IS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE While no-one’s mourning the demise of the Scouse Brow, fuller, thicker brows are still very much in. Actress Emma Watson’s are pretty much perfection – which is bad news if over-plucking has left you with pencil thin lines that barely register your surprise. So hooray for Brow Perfect synthetic extensions, which not only fill in the gaps, but can create an entirely new brow. A number of Devon and Cornwall salons offer them - find your nearest at www.lashperfect.co.uk. The price depends on the length of treatment time and starts at £25 for 30 minutes, with the results lasting between a week and 14 days.

Before

After

PARADISE... WITH A CATCH Superdrug is offering free holiday stays at an Ibiza villa, but there’s a catch.

Or a don’t catch, more accurately. It’s ‘Condom-inium’ is covered from ceiling to floor in safe sex messages, to highlight the importance of sexual health.

Would you fancy it?

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

@WMNWest or email westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 37

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Wellbeing

As sweet as Are ‘good’ sugars a myth?

I’m trying to cut back and keep an eye out for ‘hidden’ sugar on food labels. I wondered if fructose is a healthier option to switch to?

Q

Weight loss expert Dr Sally Norton says: With the health risks of sugar at the forefront of our minds, you can be sure that there will be even more attempts to mislead us by less scrupulous food manufacturers who try to make us think that some sugars are healthier than others!

Phrases like ‘sweetened with honey’, ‘contains natural fruit juice’ or other similar claims can have us believing their products are sweetened with something better than simple everyday sugar. Except they aren’t. Honey is almost 100% sugar, so is fruit juice, and any minor nutritional benefits they may provide could be better obtained from other foods – without the tooth-rotting potential or empty calories!

But while there is no ‘good’ sugar, there is increasing evidence for naming and shaming a ‘bad’ sugar. Fructose, in the increasing quantities we are consuming, is implicated in the obesity epidemic… and further research has backed up this view.

Fructose wasn’t always regarded as a ‘bad’ sugar. Found in fruit, it guided our cave-

dwelling ancestors to great sources of fibre and seems that, calorie for calorie, fructose may vitamins. In fact, the fibre it came packaged be producing greater amounts of the sort of with helped reduce any adverse effects the small fat associated with Type 2 diabetes and other quantities of fructose may have had. obesity related diseases too.

Now, though, it is often Another study, this time industrially processed from with humans, has shown using fruit, removing the good fibre, brain scans that fructose then added to fizzy drinks and doesn’t produce the same Calorie for calofactory made cakes and biscuits warm, fuzzy feeling glucose – in such large quantities that does. Furthermore, it doesn’t rie, fructose may fructose reportedly accounts for make you feel as full – which be producing 10-23% of calorie intake in the may have you looking for greater amounts US. I’m sure it isn’t that much more calories to satisfy your different in the UK. hunger, cravings or to act as of the fat associA piece of recent research an emotional crutch. ated with Type 2 (conducted on mice, admittedly) Ditching sugar as far as diabetes has produced some worrying possible is a good plan – after findings. Two groups of mice all it provides nothing but were fed identical diets – apart empty calories and tooth from one thing. One group was decay! But, if you do fancy a fed 18% of their calories from bit of the sweet stuff, choose fructose… to mirror the intake carefully. Evidence is accruing of the average American male adolescent! that fizzy drinks and fructose are best left well The other half were given a different form alone… unless, of course, the fructose comes of sugar, glucose. Over the 2½ month period, packaged in the way that nature originally despite eating the same number of calories, intended! the fructose mice gained more weight and deposited more fatty tissue in the liver and Bristol -based consultant surgeon Dr Sally Norton is a elsewhere. They were also less active – which specialist in keyhole surgery and is the founder of online may have contributed to the weight gain. It weight loss programme www.vavista.com

[[

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Eat

ally mac’s

Avocado and Asparagus Hummus Ally says: This extra-green recipe for hummus gets most of its colour from one of my favourite ingredients – asparagus! I made this for friends who were visiting as an appetizer and served it with crackers and raw veggies. You will need significantly less oil for this hummus since avocado adds so much creaminess on its own.

You will need (makes two cupsful): 1 bunch asparagus 2 tbsp avocado oil/extra virgin olive oil 1 lemon 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt 1 can chickpeas 2 garlic cloves 1/2 an avocado A dusting of paprika

Method: Preheat the oven to 200C.

Let the asparagus cool for 10 minutes.

Clean your asparagus spears and trim off the tough white ends.

Place your roasted asparagus and chickpeas in your blender, together with 1 tbsp avocado oil/ extra virgin oil, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan sea salt and 2 garlic cloves.

Blend them for 30 seconds.

Snap your spears in half and toss them with 1 tbsp of avocado oil or extra virgin oil, the juice of half a lemon, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan sea salt.

Place your asparagus spears in a roasting pan, and pop them in your pre-heated oven for 10 minutes.

@AKitchenStories @allyskitchenstories

While the asparagus is roasting, drain and rinse your chickpeas.

Add the avocado and juice from the other half a lemon and continue processing your mixture until smooth. Then place it in the fridge and chill it for an hour.

Your delicious dip is now ready to serve! You could use it as a dip to accompany strips of raw vegetables.

Natural food expert Ally Mac lives and cooks in South Devon. Ally specialises in devising good-for-you recipes that are easy to prepare at home. She also sells several of her own delicious healthy products online at www.allyskitchenstories.co.uk 39

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12/08/2015 14:09:36

Eat

Ingredient of the Week

Tomatoes with Tim Maddams

omatoes have been the victim of such horrendous abuse in the name of cheap year-round blandness. Of all the sacrifices at the altar of convenience, there can be few as bad as that meted out to the tomato. Out of season supermarket tomatoes are, quite frankly, the stuff of nightmares. The adjectives woody, green, sour, acidic, hard and tasteless were never more aptly strung together but to describe them.

We blindly go on consuming them, time and time again, in the name of convenience. But would our winter salads really be any less satisfactory without this out-of-season hard, woody tomato chunks? Are those ‘vine ripened’ ones any more than marginally better? What’s the environmental impact? What, indeed, is the cost to our souls?

Ok, I may be taking this a bit far, but I see the tomato as a symbol of all that is wrong with our attitude to food, in a global, non-seasonal way.

Right now, in greenhouses, polytunnels, conservatories and on patios and roof gardens all around the region, people’s efforts are beginning to bear fruit. A tomato is hard to grow well. It’s

T

a very hungry plant, but if you care at all about organics you can’t simply pour on nitrogen and phosphates to ‘magically’ make them grow better. They are at their extreme northern range in this country too, making them susceptible to blight and other climate-related problems.

But, nonetheless a locally-grown tomato is a wonderful thing. Home-grown tomatoes taste amazing, fruity with sweetness balanced by acidity and an awesome depth of flavour.

If you don’t feel up to growing your own, make the effort to seek out a local grower.

Trill Farm near Axminster grows superb ones and Fivepenny Farm, also near me just into Dorset, does an amazing job, too, as, I hear, does Buttervilla in Cornwall.

It’s not just fresh tomatoes that are good though. If you want year-round tomatoes, go for the tins! Good quality tinned tomatoes are good enough to eat straight from the can, made from deep red, properly ripe tomatoes with a thick juice. A good tin of tomatoes is a great start to many simple dishes. Buy the best ones you can find and just use fewer of them is my advice.

Ripe for the picking Proper, ripe tomatoes are brilliant eaten at room temperature, simply seasoned and drizzled with oil and maybe some herbs. I love tomatoes and cherries together with basil and thyme with roasted pigeon. If you do grow your own, chutneys, pickles and ketchups are a great way to preserve your glut but I opt to roast them and make my own passata which I freeze for later use and guard jealously.

@TimGreenSauce

Tim Maddams is a Devon chef and writer who often appears on the River Cottage TV series 40

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12/08/2015 15:12:28

Drink Beer of the week Despite optimistic forecasts, this summer hasn’t exactly been a scorcher. Nevertheless, now’s a great time of year to enjoy Westcountry classic Funky Monkey (4% ABV), from the Milk Street Brewery in Frome,a copper-coloured session bitter with citrus notes balanced with toffee malt.

Darren Norbury

talks beer t’s a Saturday afternoon and I’m pouring beers at Cornwall Specialist Beer in Redruth, where (declaration of interest) I have a base. Nothing unusual there, except today I have a particularly selective group of drinkers in.

The Cornwall CAMRA tasting panel are in town, and they are going through the Coastal Brewery range (Coastal is next door to, and owner of, the Cornwall Specialist Beer shop and bar).

After some good-natured banter directed at my pouring skills (I’m a journalist, for goodness sake, not a trained bar steward) it’s on with the business in hand. If you pick up a copy of the CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide (the 2016 edition is due out soon) you’ll see in the brewery listing at the back, tasting notes for various brewers’ beers. The inclusion of a tipped pint glass symbol means the notes have been supplied by one of the organisation’s tasting panels based around the country.

Cornwall’s tasting panel is particularly active, led by the dedicated Steve Barber, who as well as leading tasting sessions and having, obviously, a

I

Message in a bottle Butcombe Brewery is enjoying huge success with its bottled beers, experiencing growth almost three times the national average and on sale in nearly every Westcountry community. “The demand is driven by the big increase in profile of quality ale in pubs as well as supermarkets and off licences,” said the brewery’s Martin Holland.

very well-honed palate, compiles scores based It’s not all work and no play, though, as a tasting on cards that panel members fill in during pub panel member will tell you. There’s a lot of beers visits all over Cornwall. These scores are also to score and a lot of trips to venues where one added to CAMRA’s National might not normally think of Beer Scoring Scheme, which is going, as well as the satisfaction contributory in deciding Good of knowing that you could be Beer Guide pub entries. helping a local beer negotiate After some Now, you or I might sip a beer the process to being judged and have our own scoring Champion Beer of Britain. good-natured system. “Oooh, this one’s a Fortunately, the Coastal beers banter directed nine out of ten” or “Hmm, just went down pretty well, and at my pouring a one out of five I think (and the panel seemed to develop a where’s the nearest pot plant?)” particular penchant for dark skills it is on with The tasting panel fill in very and multi-layered Erosion (7.5% the business in thorough report cards which ABV), which does mature nicely hand grade elements of the look, in the bottle. aroma, taste and aftertaste of a If you would like to know more beer, one to five in terms of hop about tasting panels in the notes, malt flavours, sweetness, Westcountry, Steve Barber is astringency and the like. If also the regional co-ordinator the beer’s, say, a porter, does it fit the CAMRA for CAMRA. Email tastingpanelchair@ guidelines for a porter – is it true to style? cornwallcamra.org.uk

[[

TRUSTY BREW St Austell Brewery has launched a new beer in collaboration with the National Trust. The Gribbin, an English pale ale at 4.3% ABV, is supporting the Trust’s work in protecting the South West Coast Path, and also commemorates the brewery’s gift of Gribbin Head, Cornwall to the nation 50 years ago.

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12/08/2015 15:13:01

Enjoy

A WEEKEND IN...

Clovelly hocolate box pretty Clovelly’s like a living heritage museum. The working fishing village been owned by just three families in the past 800 years, with the estate currently in the hands of the Hon. John Rous. There are plenty of places to stay, but no weekenders’ homes here, with the village’s tenants all working locally.

C

Getting here: Admission charges apply if you’re over seven years old and help maintain the village. It costs £6.95 for adults and there’s also the option of a £20 season ticket if you fall in love with the place.

Where to stay:

Charles Dickens stayed at the New Inn Hotel in 1860, fictionalising it as ‘Steepways’ in one of his magazine stories and

IMAGE: ELLIE JARVIS

Yarn bombing fun

Car-free Clovelly

it’s also famous for its afternoon cream teas. A seafood also in plentiful supply. Look out for its one night B&B stay here costs £61.60 per person.

Devon cheeseboard (£4.25 per person).

Other B&Bs are also great value: pretty Donkey Shoe Cottage Explore: Clovelly’s a beautiful offers B&B from £30 per person, stopping-off point on the South while at Higher Clovelly’s West Coast Path and the cliff East Dyke Farm, famed for its top walks are spectacular. There This working breakfasts, you can book a twin are lots of beautiful side streets fishing village room from £60. and alleys to dive down on the has been owned steep cobbled walk down to the Eat: The Red Lion on the Quay harbour. It’s a virtually car-free by just three serves amazing fresh-caught zone – villagers still pull their families in the seafood in its restaurant and supplies up and down the road also proudly offers a selection of on sleds – although in summer past 800 years Devon-grown wines, all priced months you can book a return at a very reasonable £15 a bottle. trip up the hill by Land Rover.

You can also eat a la carte at the New Inn’s Hamlyn restaurant, Creature comforts: Donkeys with a two-course meal costing £25 and fresh used to carry the day’s catch to the top of town.

[[

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Maritime jollities down by the harbour

Pretty cottages

Now, you can meet them at the old stables and children can enjoy a traditional donkey ride in the paddock by the visitor centre. Or get up close and personal with birds of prey at Owl Magic.

Do: Get crafty – artisan makers in Clovelly’s studios offer silk scarf-making, pottery, sewing and soap making workshops and have lovely things to buy, too. The village was ‘yarnbombed’ in July – so look out for natty knits in the most unexpected places!

Donkeys are part of life here

The village from the sea

At sea:

Potter Clive Pearson also skippers a boat, offering trips to and from Lundy Island where you can swim with seals, as well as charter trips for diving and fishing. You can also watch the lifeboat crew go through their manoeuvres on Wednesdays.

Diary dates:

Clovelly hosts a number of events throughout the year, including its first ever Seaweed Festival which took place in June.

Its Maritime Festival is a riot of family fun in July – go dressed as a pirate, mermaid, salty sea dog or fish wife! There’s also the annual Lobster and Crab Feast takes place this year on September 6, while the ‘harvest’ of shoals of ‘Silver Darlings’ which have sustained the village for centuries, is marked by the Clovelly Herring Festival on November 15.

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12/08/2015 13:58:54

Sailing on the Helford river

My Secret Westcountry

My favourite...

Walk: I’m more of an ‘ambler’ than a ‘walker’ to be honest. I’m the one at the back of the group holding everyone up. Why do people walk so fast? It’s exhausting! I tend to like my walking on the flat and away from cliff edges.

The Penrose Estate (near Porthleven) is good.

The kids can take their bikes, the dog can come too and there’s now a little cafe, The Stables, half way for sustenance when I’m flagging!

Kurt Jewson Kurt Jewson co-founded organic children’s and nursing mums’ clothing label Frugi with his wife, Lucy. The couple have two sons, Tom, 11, and Sam, nine and live in Helston, where their business is also based.

Beach: I wake most mornings at dawn, grab my board, fire up the camper van and go hunting on the beautiful, deserted Cornish beaches for the perfect wave with my trusty Jack Russell, Jake. Well some of that’s true. I do have a Jack Russell. Every beach in Cornwall is beautiful in its own way, but if you really held me to it then I’d have to say Praa Sands in winter.

Kurt and his famiy

Festival: Being a Porthleven boy who grew up around boats and fishing, then I’d have to say that the Porthleven Food Festival is a good day out. I used to walk to Helston for Flora Day, when I was younger. However, being sick by the big wheel generator after drinking too much coke and eating landfill’s worth of candyfloss no longer grabs me as the ideal day out.

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People

Nauti But Ice cafe

Pasty heaven

The Blue Anchor

Praa Sands

Trago in Falmouth

Activity: I’m quite partial to a paddle around the Helford in our little dinghy, with the kids in kayaks, and then heading off up to Tremayne Quay for a beer and a barbecue with friends.

The kids can do a spot of crabbing while I ‘entertain’ them with stories of fishing in my youth, and how summers lasted longer and life was so much better in my day.

Porthleven Food Festival

Pub: Tricky to narrow down, as there are so many fantastic pubs in the Westcountry, and I intend to visit them all in research for this question… so I’ll get back to you dreckly.

Food: Now, I do have a bit of an interest in a pasty. Mainly large steak pasties, in a bag. Remember kids that a pasty in a bag has to have the crimp on the right hand side. An old friend of mine would remove his, and turn it around if the crimp was on the left. Also a pasty in a bag is grand, but put it on a plate and somehow you must have ketchup. Don’t ask me why. Try it.

Restaurant: I love a pasty and chips, on a

Tipple: Now this is even easier than the food

a liking for ‘a lovely lie-in’ as I’ve gotten older. Preferably on the Scillies, in a nice self catering cottage, with a view of the sea and the promise of some sausages and a coffee at sometime before noon.

question. Easy. It’s a lovely pint of Spingo from the Blue Anchor in Helston. Not that I’m a big drinker. I never have more than five or six without being taken home… or being asked to leave.

plate, sitting down with half a pint of Rattler cider (and ketchup). Therefore most of my favourite restaurants have a sideline business of being a pub, too. The Sand Bar in Praa Sands is quite fab on a summers evening, looking out on the real surfers and middle-aged men in wetsuits playing in the waves.

Way to relax: You know, I have developed

Weekend away: My wife and I went to The Scarlet Hotel at Mawgan Porth, for her… errr, 39th-and-a-bit birthday a few years ago and it was great! We also did a bit of horse riding in the day, which saw me galloping majestically across the golden sands and in the waves at Watergate bay atop my trusty steed. Ish.

Shop: I’m partial to a bit of

anything from

Trago in Falmouth.

Treat: A great treat for me would be to have a gorgeous Cornish cream tea (cream on top of course), sitting, waspless, at Nauti But Ice cafe in Porthleven, watching the world go by with my family. www.welovefrugi.com 45

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My life

[ L

NEW IN TOWN

I’m not a cider drinker Chris McGuire on moving to the Westcountry from London

ife’s different in the Westcountry.

My girlfriend and I moved west last year. It was a familiar story, after over a decade of living and working in London we needed a

break.

The Tube was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Our daily underground commute became a horrible game of human Tetris, played amongst strangers with questionable standards of personal hygiene. The Westcountry offered a beacon of hope. We followed it and began a new life, free from the stresses and strains of London. Yes, life is different here, but in ways I hadn’t entirely expected. In fact I think it might be useful for newcomers to be given a handbook, or be enrolled into night classes, on what to expect: a how-to guide on becoming a bona fide ‘cider drinker’.

The first lesson new arrivals must learn is to forget any ideas of privacy. It doesn’t exist here.

Everybody knows everyone else’s business, or is in the process of finding it out. My first clue to this came on the day after we moved. I was eating breakfast, surrounded by yet to be unpacked boxes, when something made me jump:

[

a face at the window. An elderly lady pressed her nose up against the glass and peered in at me. As a new arrival from London, I couldn’t help feel this was a little bit strange. But then, I wasn’t versed in the ways of the west.

“Can I help?” I asked, when I stepped outside.

The lady beamed and shook her head.

“No dear, just checking,” came her reply.

With that, she returned to peering through the window. I decided to leave her to it. Clearly, around these parts, this was considered completely normal.

Barely an hour later there was a knock on the door. I partly expected it to be the old lady, wanting to come inside for a better view. Instead I was greeted by a sight I’d never seen before: a smiling postman. To be fair, nobody smiles in London. Smilers are treated with a great deal of suspicion, they’re assumed to be either unhinged, potential muggers or, even worse, tourists. But here I was facing a smiling postman, who (even stranger) didn’t have any post for me.

“How much did you pay for it then?” he asked, looking over my shoulder into the house.

I was a little taken aback. In London, you don’t discuss money. Yet it seemed people do things differently in the Westcountry. I told him

No one smiles in London.

Smilers are treated with a great deal of suspicion

[

[

how much we paid, to the penny. I still don’t know why, I think I was dazzled by his smile.

I soon learned this lack of privacy is not a one-way street. Perfect strangers seem to want to tell me the most intimate details of their lives. I’ve heard all about affairs and intrigues, feuds and fungal infections from people I only happened to be standing next to in a queue. I’m worried this startling honesty might be infectious.

“What did you tell him that for?” my girlfriend asked, as we left our local butcher’s shop.

A good question. For some reason, as the butcher wrapped our bacon, I‘d spontaneously told him about the time I hired a suit for a very posh do. Sadly I’d been given the wrong trousers, they were huge, which meant I had to keep my hands in my pockets to stop them from falling down. Predictably, after a drink or two, I’d forgotten about my predicament and inadvertently displayed my, far from posh, boxer shorts to the assembled dignitaries. Not the type of story most would willingly share. I promised her I wouldn’t tell the story to anyone else. A promise I’ve kept.

Until now.

Perhaps I too will be a cider drinker one day?

Chris McGuire is a writer who lives in Devon with his partner, but you probably heard that on the grapevine already. Phil Goodwin is away.

46

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11/08/2015 17:04:18

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