West Magazine (WMN on Sunday) February 8, 2015

08.02.15

53 New season inspirations

Why

we

love

lingerie + BABY DOLLS + LACE

BRAS & CHEEKY NUMBERS

DON’T MISS: + WIN £120

FURNITURE + DANCING WITH

FRANK SINATRA PLUS: + CELEB

GOSSIP + VALENTINE

ROMANCE

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‘I’m a mad. crazed fan’ Stella’s Ruth Jones on why she wants to work with Dawn French, p9

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INTERIORS Clever ways to cut the clutter and £120 cupboard to win

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THE LOOK OF LOVE The most romantic photos in the Westcountry

ALL THE GOSSIP Keira: ‘I’m a mistake!’

[contents[ Inside this week...

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THE WISHLIST Valentine’s Day gift inspirations

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GILLIAN MOLESWORTH Our columnist goes Valentine shopping

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JUST BETWEEN US...

Sh! We have the latest gossip!

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DANCING DOWN THE YEARS

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Tiller Girl Irene Holland, 84, on life, high kicks and Frank Sinatra

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THE LOOK OF LOVE The most romantic photographs in the South West

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WIN A CUTE £120 CUPBOARD Plus great storage ideas for your home

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ANNE SWITHINBANK

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VALENTINE’S DAY? Where to go, what to do

TREND Stripes ahoy!

On the scent of fragrant plants

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THE SLEEKEST SOLUTIONS Why oils are the new beauty must-haves

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THE LOVELIEST LINGERIE Look your best for Valentine’s Day

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STRIPES AHOY They’re nautical, but nice

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YOUR FEB 14 INSPIRATIONS Great ideas for a memorable night (or day) out with someone special

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CULTURE VULTURE Our new guide to the best of the arts

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GADGETS GALORE The gloves that think they’re a phone

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CHECK OUT:

The songstress who will capture your heart 3

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LOOK OF LOVE

The Westcountry’s most romantic photographs

[ welcome [ Fall in love with the Westcountry...

One of the things that struck me about Catherine Barnes’ wonderful interview with Irene Holland, Tiverton’s former Tiller Girl who once shared a stage with the likes of Frank Sinatra, was Irene’s remark that she still lives “a double life”. No - she’s not an undercover spy, she’s just referring to the fact that she juggles a career as a hugely revered dance teacher with her role as devoted wife (and carer) to her husband of more than 60 years, retired merchant seaman Kaye.

All I can say is wow - good for her, and what a lovely story (page 12). With Valentine’s Day coming up next weekend, so many of us these days are balancing lives of work, family and love.

If you’re keen to give your relationship longevity,

Tweet

[

of the week

we’ve got some great ideas for February 14 celebrations - and it’s not all dinners for two, either How about burlesque dancing, steam train rides or film nights (p34). And do check out our lovely gift ideas throughout the magazine, including some gorgeous (and wearable) Valentine’s lingerie, page 30.

We’ve also explored the look of love this week with our gorgeous feature on the best Westcountry wedding photographers (page 16). One of the comments that the photographers made is that the South West is the perfect place to ply their trade - there are so many gorgeous locations to use as backdrops to their stunning pictures. We really are lucky to live here.

We’ve got some great ideas for February 14 celebrations - and the occasional gift, as well

@Heatherbishbash @WMNWest @irenetiller @WMNSunday Hello lovely Irene! Will your story be online too?

Eds note: Read all about inspirational Irene on page 12 today - and yes, you can find West’s latest issues in digital format along with lots of our features at www.westernmorningnews.co.uk

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

MAIN PICTURE: GRW PHOTOGRAPHY

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[

[

[

Becky Sheaves, Editor

COVER IMAGE Marks & Spencer bra, £17.50

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...

Keep your love blooming with this rooted rose bush which can be planted out in the garden. A lovely present for Valentine’s Day, grown at a Sussex nursery and delivered planted up in a wicker basket, with some Montezuma’s chocolates thrown in.

Put this page under his nose right now. £35 plus £7, www.plants4presents.co.uk 5

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purrrfect..

Disaster Designs Daydream cat’s whiskers make up bag, £18.99, www.mollieandfred.co.uk

the

There’s still time to drop hints before Valentine’s Day with this M&S Collection top £9.50 and knickers £6

wishlist West’s top picks, chosen with Valentine’s Day in mind...

Glam Floozie by Frostfrench earrings, £15, Debenhams

Store we adore Snob: Tiverton, Budleigh Salterton & Wellington This independent boutique stocks a quirky and constantly changing range of clothes and accessories at surprisingly affordable prices. Actress Caroline Quentin is a fan and, judging by the website, so are many other women. The many glowing reviews on the website praise the friendliness of the staff, who will go to great lengths to help you put together a special outfit.

Visit www.ilovesnob.co.uk for branch details and to buy online 6

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Wishlist

Van Peterson feather earrings, £35, Debenhams

Davey Jones’ Locker...

Cornish Shipwrecks map screen print, £39, www.clareloves.co.uk

Floozie by Frostfrench mittens, £14, Debenhams

Treasure Silver and pearl Lucky Catch Charm, £45, www. linksoflondon.com

Mosaic heart by Cleo Mussi, £95, from Devon Guild, Bovey Tracey, www.crafts.org.uk

...and mine, all mine Tall dark and handsome chocolate, £2.50, www.onebrowncow.co.uk

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talking points Gillian Molesworth

Story of my life...

What’s the best way to mark Valentine’s Day? t’s coming up for Valentine’s Day. Are you doing something special – hiring a cosy cottage for the weekend, planning a meal for two? Will you make do with the token card and chocolates? Or do you refuse to observe the holiday at all?

I know a lot of people who don’t “do” Valentine’s Day, claiming box with a watermark of bloomthat it’s a saccharine Hallmark ing roses. There were some iminvention with no authenticity. pressive names in the author I have some sympathy with this list: Leo Tolstoy, Virgil, John – why should you have to feel Updike, Sigmund Freud. I did romantic on one particular day, a double take. What were these any more than you should have heavyweights going to write about the best party of your life on New anyway – surely not a standard Year’s Eve. bodice-ripper?

However, doing nothing to mark No indeed. Turns out the comthe day seems somehow worse, espilers of “Great Loves” had a very pecially if you’ve been together broad view of the topic. The slim with someone for books explore dea while – like you viant love, doomed can’t be bothered. love, love jilted and A gift shop card love that consumes Original and a few flowthe lover. John Valentine’s gifts ers don’t seem too Updike writes on much to offer. extramarital afhave their pitfalls I went through a fairs, including a too. Sometimes phase in my 20s of transaction with a you’re better off refusing to accept hooker that makes mass-market gesthe protagonist sticking to flowers tures.

Twenty aware of his morand chocolates years later, with tality. Underneath two kids and two the rosy box, Great jobs, I’m delighted Loves is pretty with any gesture – much the opposite and my husband has never forgotof a Hallmark card. ten, to his credit, and has quite a Only a few spines showed signs flair for romantic gifts. of wear, which amused me. Did One of my favourite things to the giftor know what he or she do is troll around book fairs or was getting into? Did the giftee second hand book shops, reading have some uncomfortable evethe backs, looking at the inscripnings before packing the whole set tions and amassing a big pile of off to the book sale? Was this set material to take home, for ludiof books a message sent between crously small amounts of money. parties, in one of those hard-toRecently, I picked up a box set interpret marital codes? I guess called “Great Loves”. This was original gifts have their pitfalls a handsome Penguin product, too. Sometimes, you’re better off bound together in a pink and red sticking to flowers and chocolates.

I

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

OH, Selma!

She may not have been nominated for an award, but Salma Hayek definitely made the best dressed shortlist at the Golden Globes this month. The curvaceous actress looked positively demure in a white strapless Alexander McQueen gown, that evaded wedding dress territory with the simple addition of a gunmetal belt. Coast’s Maddison Dress, £250, pulls off the same feat, and is just the ticket for a spring white tie affair (Available now; www.coaststores.com).

Coast Maddison dress £250

steal her

style

OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN OPTION A Classic Monsoon striped dress £199 On trend stripes and a flowing skirt, sigh!

OPTION B Flirty Very strapless dress £55 A sweetheart neckline and bouncy skirt make this a playful choice

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BRAND NEW!

KEIRA: My name was

Just

a mistake!

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY has admitted that her name is actually a typo caused by her mum’s bad spelling.

The Imitation Game star told Elle magazine that her dad envisaged his daughter’s name being spelled

differently, but sent her mum to register it. Oops… Keira reveals: “What were they going to do, though? Once it’s on the piece of paper, it’s on the piece of paper.

That’s me. A spelling error.”

BEAR’S WESTCOUNTRY MISSION BEAR GRYLLS will push celebrities to their limits for his new ITV show Mission Survive.

The TV adventurer - who attended last year’s Scout Jamboree at Pencarrow House, near Wadebridge - has signed up to front the new show set in Central America. At the end of every episode Bear will eliminate one person. Bear says: “I was looking for the qualities that a survivor most needs: positivity, resourcefulness, courage, determination, and a whole heap of bloody mindedness!”

“ I’m a mad crazed fan.. “ Gavin and Stacey star RUTH JONES has said that she’d love to work with the Westcountry’s own Dawn French. Ruth, who penned and stars in hit sitcom Stella (look out for the new series on Sky 1 from February 6) says: “I’m a mad, crazed fan”.

between us!

Gossip, news, trend setters and more - you

heard all the latest juicy news here first!

SMUG middle class or eco HEROES ?

KIRSTIE ALLSOPP – who spends her weekends in her home in East Devon – has found her social media war on litter-bugs has turned into a one-sided Twitter spat with journalist Kathryn Hughes, who writes in the Guardian: “Twitter-shaming those who drop rubbish is simply more smug middle-class morality dressed up as ‘common sense’” Broadcaster Alice Arnold (aka Mrs Clare Balding) who once threw a bottle back into the car window it was chucked out of – has waded in to Kirstie’s defence.

West says: Yep - we’re firmly on Kirstie’s side.

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Groovin’: Sir John Hunt College in Plymouth held a dance festival for primary kids

in pictures Devon rose: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley from Tavistock has launched her new perfume, Rosie

Fate: Octogenarians John Humphreys and Judith Law of Budleigh Salterton have married after meeting on an internet dating site

Remember them: There’s a special memorial exhibition to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on now in Plymouth

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talking points Love food

Romance

ONE OF US

But darling, I never stopped loving you: ten Mills and Boon Valentine themed titles

Famous faces who live here in the Westcountry

1 The Boss’s Valentine 2 Her Valentine Blind Date 3 Her Valentine Fantasy 4 My Cowboy Valentine

This week:

5 Valentine’s Fortune

Kate Bush

6 Tycoon’s Valentine Vendetta 7 The Executive’s Valentine Seduction Food of love: 10 ingredients said to have aphrodisiac qualities

8 Once Upon A Valentine

1 Asparagus

9 Be My Valentine, Vampire

2 Avocados

10 Her Valentine Sheriff

3 Oysters

Kate Bush, 56, has lived in South Devon since 2004

4 Chilli peppers 5 Honey 6 Bananas

The happy list Early years: Kate Bush grew up in Bexleyheath, Kent into a musical family. Her mother was from Waterford in Ireland and the whole family was into folk music.

7 Chocolate 8 Watermelon 9 Garlic 10 Pomegranate

Letter heads 10 things to make you smile this week 1 Winter salads grate that healthy beetroot and carrot!

2 Baked oatmeal porridge that you bake, with blueberries 10 sporting greats to have featured on British stamps

1 Andy Murray 2 Bill Shankly 3 Bradley Wiggins 4 Billy Wright 5 Peter Wilson 6 Sir Chris Hoy 7 Ben Ainslie 8 Mo Farah 9 Bobby Moore 10 Victoria Pendleton

3 Paul Weller coming to Plymouth Pavilions March 5

4 Half term it’s time for family 5 Big pink clouds after sud-

Discovery: Her parents showed a tape of Kate’s music to David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, who was impressed and helped her to get a recording contract with EMI Records at the age of 16.

Shy: Kate came to Devon in search of privacy, choosing a house set in 17 acres on the cliffs near East Portlemouth, where she campaigned to have DID YOU KNOW? a footpath closed that ran near her home.

Kate’s 2005 album Aerial was inspired by moving to Devon

Hits: Kate’s first single, Wuthering Heights was released in 1978 and went to Number One . She was the first female to top the charts with a song she’d written herself.

den showers

6 Planting trees get them in before March

7 Last of the sales amazing bargains to be had

8 Star ruby grapefruit like

Success: Kate has had 25 top 40 singles, won an Ivor Novello songwriting award, three Grammy nominations.

She was awarded the CBE by The Queen in 2013. In total, she has sold 10 million albums.

eating a jewel

9 Dog walks on the beach 10 Spring flowers out now

kept secret for five years until her friend Peter Gabriel inadvertently let it slip in an interview.

Secret: In 1998, Kate’s son Albert, known as Bertie, was born. His father is Kate’s guitarist and husband Danny McIntosh. News of Bertie’s birth was

Comeback: Kate had only ever performed one live tour, in 1979, until last year when she appeared in a 22-night run at the Hammersmith Apollo, London.

The show sold out completely in 15 minutes.

Fans: Kate was overwhelmed by the reaction to her 2014 live shows, saying: “I just never imagined it would be possible to connect with an audience on such a powerful and intimate level; to feel such, well quite frankly, love.”

Landslip: In September last year Kate’s clifftop home was in the news after a landslip caused a rash of punning headlines: Worrying Heights, Slipping Down That Hill and Grief Cliff being among the best (or worst). Ironically, the slip did lead to the footpath (see above) being closed.

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Interview

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IRENE HOLLAND

Tales of a Tiller girl Bideford’s Irene Holland was a professional dancer by the age of 13, sharing a stage with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Today - at an astonishing 84 years old - she is still dancing every day

[

By Catherine Barnes

T

PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE HAYWOOD

“

his picture sums up exactly how we girls feel about Irene,” says Jess, 16, as Irene Holland’s dance school protégées express their delight over a group shot of her with her pupils.

Everyone, it seems, adores 84-year old Irene Holland at the Willow Tree School of Dance and Performing Arts, which she established in Bideford more than 60 years ago. To them, it comes as no surprise that their teacher has become something of a media star just lately, following the hit publication of her memoir, Tales of a Tiller Girl.

For her part, Irene, who still has the beaming smile and irresistible spirit that saw her become a star dancer in her teens, is faintly bemused by the stir her book has created: “I couldn’t understand why anyone would be interested; I mean, why me?” she says.

Set during the Second World War and the austerity years that followed, Irene’s book charts a showbusiness life that began when, aged just 13, she won a place at the Italia Conti Academy and became Irene Starr. She picked the surname from a comic, after being refused admission to the hallowed performing arts school as plain Irene Bott.

Later, she joined the Tiller Girls, one of the most popular dance troupes of the twentieth century, and took to the stage at the London Palladium with some of the biggest names in showbusiness. “Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye, Lena Horne Ella Fitzgerald, they were all there, and they were all very nice to me,” she says. So how did it all begin?

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Interview Much loved: Irene and some of her dance school pupils

Irene tells me she was brought up with her brother by her widowed mother in attic space “grudgingly” spared by grandparents. They’d disapproved of her liberal-thinking musician father.

Then, in her early teens, Irene experienced a level of independence and adventure almost unimaginable today. She travelled all over the country, appearing in various stage shows. Aged just 13, she and her teenage friends were left to make their own way to the theatres and their digs.

“Can you imagine it now?” she says. “In King’s Lynn, we knocked on one door and said were dancers from the theatre, and this was our lodgings. Well, it was an America soldiers’ house of ill repute! We were moved the next day.”

Shortly after Irene became a Tiller Girl, the dancers became part of the London Palladium’s legendary American Season line-up. It was a seriously starry place to be. “Another girl and I got

the job of getting Frank Sinatra’s autograph for all of us girls – he was such a big, big name at the time and so much better looking in real life. His eyes really were this amazing bright dark blue and he was ever so sweet to us.”

Irene retired from the stage aged 22, when she married husband Kaye, then a merchant seaman.

They moved with the first of their seven children (all but one of whom have gone on to professional stage careers) to the Westcountry. Irene admits she initially found it hard to settle in.

“I tried to get involved in the local amateur

[

dramatics groups, but they didn’t want to know me - I don’t know why,” she explains.

“I’m very social and always want people to come in and get involved, but the opposite happened to me. But eventually, when people found out I’d performed at the London Palladium, they came knocking on my door, asking, can you teach my Mary to dance?

Although I said I’d never taught before, I had a go. My school got bigger and bigger and now it’s enormous!

I’ve always liked people and I’m completely potty about children.”

The enthusiasm is reciprocated: “Irene’s not

[

‘Frank Sinatra was so much better-looking in real life, with amazing dark blue eyes’

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at all authoritarian, she just connects with the kids,” explains Vicki Baker, who’s mum to Emily, nine and Holly, 12.

“Though I might shout ‘that was rubbish, do it again for Gawd’s sake’,” volunteers Irene, who still has a South London chirp in her voice.

“She’s an absolute inspiration to us all - you literally couldn’t meet a more lovely person. She’s like a mum to us,” says Louisa Everett, 15.

Around 250 pupils now attend dance and drama classes at The Willow Tree and most of its 10 strong team of staff, along with myriad volunteers, are Irene’s former pupils. It’s not just the youngsters but the mums, too, who adore Irene.

Unsurprisingly, there’s no shortage of helpers (“I just waft in and out now,” laughs Irene) and there’s a genuinely warm and inviting sense of friendship, with no hint of the push or proprietorship that can make some dance schools a daunting prospect for the new-to-it-all mum.

“It really is like family here,” adds Vicki.

While she can still execute a Tiller Girl’s trademark high kick, everyone keeps a protective eye on Irene, who confides that she still has a number of unfulfilled ambitions.

“I’d love to do the lighting on our shows, but I’m not allowed up the ladders,” she says ruefully.

“Also, I’ll never be able to do it now, but I’d like to fly a helicopter. And I’d like to ride a motorbike, like my dad did, only with my ballet shoes flying behind me, like Isadora Duncan’s scarf.”

Strange though it may seem for a woman

Irene in her teens

One of Irene’s pupils

with a lifelong passion for her art, Irene’s never danced the night away on the tiles.

“I’ve never ever been interested in night club dancing, never,” she reveals. “My husband took me out dancing just the once after we were married. We got on the floor and I couldn’t move. He said, why aren’t you dancing? And I said, I can’t!

I’m a lousy ballroom dancer, although I like watching Strictly. But with my kind of dance, you can be anything you like.”

As a young dancer, she had her eyes opened in all manner of ways, but took everything in her stride, she explains. “Our dresser in Scarbor-

ough was one of the loveliest men I ever met,” she remembers. “He’d come in and say, can I borrow your tights to stuff in my bra? We’d just look on it as entirely normal. Theatre is very accepting.”

Open-minded, but no pushover, Irene inherited a well-developed social conscience from her parents and brother. She made a stand against apartheid in her teens, when she turned down the opportunity to dance in South Africa.

Today, Irene cares for her husband Kaye, who is nearly 86 and not as mobile as he used to be. “Theatre’s a very closed world, you live in a bubble. When we were working, people would come and see us, but when we were off duty, they were working.

“The costumes we had were beautiful, specially made to measure for us. But you never got out of the door with any of it on – the makeup came off and I caught the Tube home. It was living a double life, two different worlds - and I’m still doing it today.”

Tales of a Tiller Girl by Irene Holland with Heather Bishop is published by Harper Element in paperback (£7.99) and eBook.

Find Irene’s dance school at www.willowtreedancecentre.com 15

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People

WEDDINGS

In celebration of

romance

By Becky Sheaves

ove is in the air and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. And when it comes to capturing the essence of a tender moment, the Westcountry is blessed with some truly gifted wedding photographers. So today, with all things romantic in mind, we are celebrating our pick of the best of the West’s wedding pictures, not to mention finding out how they make their photography just so gorgeous.

Take Exeter-based Zac Gibson, for example, who shot this beautiful image in August last year, on the south Devon farm where this pair of newly-weds live and work.

“They had the wedding at home, which was really special,” Zac remembers. “After the ceremony the couple, called Lucy and Sam, walked across the fields they know so well. It was obvious they were just so happy together.”

And shooting wedding pictures in the South West is a joy, says another of the region’s top photographers, Gareth Williams (see some of his work on page 21) who explains: “The coast is fabulous and there are so many beautiful places inland as well. This has got to be the best place in the country to get married.” Have a look through our selection and see if you agree!

L

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MAIN PICTURE: ZAC GIBSON

Zac says: This shot is very natural and Lucy and Sam are so oblivious to the camera Gear: I used a wide angle lens to create a slightly off-centre composition Why I love this shot: They look so at home, as they’re on their own farm

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People

Zac Gibson ‘I’m looking for a natural, relaxed picture’ “It’s a real privilege to be part of someone’s wedding,” says Exeter-based Zac Gibson, who covers 30-40 weddings a year in the Westcountry. “I aim to take a sort of relaxed reportage style of photograph, capturing the moment without being too staged or formal.”

Zac took this beautiful shot of the parents of the bride, right, in Exeter last summer. “I like the way that the two of them look so happy to see their daughter getting married. You can really tell they are thoroughly enjoying themselves,” he says. “This was a moment that I just snapped, and I was really pleased to have captured it.”

Another instant that caught Zac’s eye is this shot, above, when the couple’s toddler joined in the ceremony. “These two were getting married near the coast in north Cornwall. It was such a beautiful wedding. Every one is different and this was made unique by the outdoor ceremony. Afterwards we took the couple down to the sea for some more really stunning shots.”

This shot, below right, is another of Zac’s favourites, he explains: “I visit before the wedding and seek out some nice locations. This field is gorgeous and we were blessed with fantastic weather. I stayed well back so that the camera wasn’t too intrusive and captured the moment when the two of them had their first time alone together as a married couple.” See more of Zac

fave!

Gibson’s work at www.zgphotography.co.uk

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Rosie Anderson ‘It’s all about capturing the emotion’ “I travel all over the South West to do my wedding photography,” says Rosie Anderson. “I studied fine art photography at Glasgow School of Art but west Devon is where I grew up and now that I’m married myself, it is where I want to be.”

This photograph, right, is from a garden wedding in Dorset, Rosie explains: “It was very simple, very chic and there was a lovely golden light on the day which gave the pictures a really special glow. I think you can see how much Rosemary and Ed really love each other. I shot it on a n old-school film camera, rather than digital, as I love the way it handles the light. I always take a film camera along, as it like the way it makes me slow down and compose the shot very

carefully.”

This picture, above, came from a small wedding in a barn in north Devon, Rosie remembers: “It was a rainy day, so the confetti was thrown indoors in the barn where the wedding was being held. There were just 20 or so guests, very intimate, very emotional. This is shot just after the couple had actually exchanged their vows - if you look closely, you can tell groom had been crying during the ceremony!”

See more of Rosie Anderson’s work at www.rosieanderson.co.uk

Rosie says: I love the retro feel of the dress and the wallpaper in this Woolacombe hotel Gear: It’s shot in colour on a digital camera, and I turned it black and white afterwards Why I love this shot: I half drew the curtains and the natural light created this lovely effect

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People

Gareth Williams ‘It’s always such a special day’ Gareth Williams remembers taking this picture, above, vividly. “It was in the moments just after the ceremony, which was a church wedding on the coast in south Devon. The couple came down onto the beach and, because the groom was in his uniform, it had that really romantic Officer and a Gentleman feel to it.

“I try to make sure the couple really enjoy their shoot, so that it doesn’t take hours and dominate the day. We just quietly slip away for half an hour or so. They can have some time together and let the fact that they have just got married sink in.

“In this wedding, the groom’s grandmother had flown over from South Africa for the ceremony, but had fallen ill and was in hospital.

So after this picture was taken, we all went off to Derriford Hospital and saw her there, and I took some wedding pictures on the ward, too!”

Gareth loves outdoorsy shots, such as this lovely picture, left. “This couple are called Tim and Anya and they got married near Kingsbridge in south Devon. I couldn’t have found a more perfect setting. They live in Madrid - Anya’s Spanish - but they wanted a Westcountry wedding and this shot could only be taken in an English meadow.”

Gareth is always on the lookout for fleeting, more intimate moments, too, he explains.

“This picture, right, was taken at a lovely wedding near Port Isaac in Cornwall. The bride’s sister was giving a speech and it just reduced Gemma, the bride, to tears. That’s what I hope to capture - the tears, the smiles and the joy of the whole day.”

See more of Gareth Williams’ work at www.grwphotography.co.uk

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Gareth says: Everyone always loves this picture of the bride in tears during the speeches at her wedding Gear: To focus in on the bride herself, I made sure the rest of the shot faded away around her Why I love this shot: It just sums up all the emotion of the day, and could never be faked or staged in any way

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Clear out that clutter Clutter messes with relationships as well as homes, according to a new survey. Clear that junk – and restore domestic harmony – with some simple storage solutions, suggests Gabrielle Fagan ffairs might shatter relationships but household clutter, it seems, comes a pretty close second. Not to mention the havoc it can wreak on the look of your home, too.

On average, 32 rows a year are caused by couples’ bickering over rooms cluttered with each

A

other’s possessions, according to research by Big Yellow Self Storage, which also reveals that one in 10 couples actually split up over the issue.

And apparently moving in together can bring the issue to a head. The survey revealed that couples reluctantly throw away around £240 worth of possessions they’d rather keep in the first year of living together, with men ditching sports equipment and women dumping things

they’d kept for their sentimental value.

Clever storage can help you out here, because then you don’t have to throw as much away. And a room by room audit can help you work out the best way to achieve this.

Cluttered halls are a pretty good clue that the rest of the house isn’t well organised, so tackle this area first. It will also make a good first impression on visitors, especially key if they’re potential house-buyers. A neat hall can also add to your own peace of mind when you push open the front door after a long day at work.

Alison Cork, founder of online interiors company Alison At Home, recommends putting a

Orianna ottoman £299 www. livingitup.co.uk

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Interiors

trunk in the hallway to absorb all the detritus from children returning home from school.

“Nothing’s guaranteed to put me in a bad mood more than opening the front door of my house to be greeted by a tangle of school bags, boots and discarded coats left by my sons,” she says. “A large trunk’s proved the ideal hiding place. They just have to lift the lid and drop, and it makes a useful seat.”

Storage can often combine beauty and usefulness, she adds. For instance, if space is an issue in your bedroom, you could ditch bulky wardrobes in favour of displaying clothes on rails and a dressmaker’s dummy, advises Alison. “It’s easy to see outfits at a glance, and clothes add colour and character to a room,” she says.

And it can pay to think laterally, she says, as cheap metal loo-roll holders can work well to display jewellery. She also suggests putting beauty products on a tray which can then be lifted up to clean the shelf underneath.

When it comes to the living room, plenty of shelving is the answer. “Gone are the days of storing items behind closed doors, as the trend for open shelving is quickly becoming a favourite. This style makes spaces feel more homely,” says Claire Hornby, creative stylist at Barker & Stonehouse.

“Exposed display works especially well if you

[[ ‘Nothing puts me in a bad mood more than opening the front door to be greeted by a tangle of coats and boots’

want to highlight striking collections as a focal point, and it has the added advantage that you will quickly notice if surfaces are becoming overcrowded.”

Glass bookcases and shelves are a popular choice, particularly for modern spaces that demand a sleek, streamlined aesthetic, she suggests, and there is no need, either, to stick to straight lines for the shelving.

“Shelving designs are moving away from conventional straight-lined surfaces towards curved shapes,” she says. “A smart mix of glass and integrated lighting on shelving is a strong trend, while reclaimed woods and metal finishes are still a favoured choice.”

Coffee tables are like magnets for clutter, but they can also have hideaway areas of storage within them, useful for tidying up.

Elsewhere, kitchens can also suffer from clutter and often contain a proliferating amount of gadgets, so every inch of space needs to be used to maximum effect. “We seem to cram more and

Plate rack £95 www. alisonathome.com

Road crew trunk £323 www. hampshirefurniture. co.uk 23

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Interiors

All furniture www.heals.co.uk

more in our kitchens nowadays, as people space,” says Sarah Holey from bathroom generally have more crockery thanks to the specialists Laufen. “Think about how you advent of dishwashers, and that coupled use the bathroom and which areas attract with the growth of hi-tech gadgets, from the most mess, so that you specifically target coffee makers to juicers, means storage is those with suitable cupboards, then the key,” says Tony McCarthy from kitchen space will work on a practical level.” specialists Crown Imperial.

Wall-hung storage and freestanding pieces “If you’re planning a kitchen, make a list of can make a bathroom feel bigger by exposall the items you need to store and always ing more floor, suggests Sarah. “Modular allow for more space than furniture allows for even you think you need. Tall greater flexibility and can larder storage, slim cupbe mixed and matched to ‘Make clearing boards to fill an awkward suit storage requirements. space between a wall and Make clearing away easy away easy with the units, and deep pan with a good sized laundry a good sized drawers can solve a lot of basket with a lid, and a netlaundry basket problems.” ting bag for children’s toys.”

He also suggests that As well as making your and a netting drawer dividers ensure home look more attractive, bag for children’s contents don’t descend the benefits of controlling into chaos. “Baskets your clutter will be felt in toys’ in cupboards and wallyour relationships, too, mounted racks also work says psychologist Anjula well.”

Mutanda.“Living with Bathrooms pictured in someone can feel a bit like glossy magazines always seem to have acres being invaded by someone else’s belongings, of room and stunning views, but the reality and this can result in subconscious ‘space for most of us is probably that they’re the guarding’ where you use your possessions to smallest room in the house, and overflowing mark out your territory,” she says. “Try to with toiletries and towels. negotiate as much as possible on what stays “This space should be calm and relaxing, and goes, and be prepared to compromise. but a common mistake is to incorporate Once you can find ways to accommodate storage solutions which make a room feel each other’s possessions, then your relationmore cramped, rather than enhancing ship will be more harmonious.”

[[

£99 www.aplaceforeverything.co.uk 24

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Shopping

SMALL STORAGE

SOLUTIONS

Smart trunks, clever shelves and retro boxes: our pick of practical and good-looking ways to store your stuff

Idyll Home storage boxes, £39.95 the pair, from www. notonthehighstreet. com

Marche storage basket, £45, www. loaf.com

Metal storage trunks, £89 each, Idyll Home

Seletti Suburbia wall storage unit, £269, www.valeinteriorssurrey.co.uk

Wooden storage crates, set of three, £85, www. vincentandbarn. co.uk

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Gardens

ANNE SWITHINBANK

Planning for scent Devon’s Anne Swithinbank, panellist on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, is on the scent of the sweetest garden perfumes ur Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ has opened its buds, clustered at shoot tips on a small, rounded evergreen shrub. Although this daphne can be tricky to grow (and its cousin Daphne bohlua even more so), it emits one of the sweetest scents in the garden. Its fourpetalled flowers measure only a couple of centimetres across yet their fragrance travels right across the garden on a still day. Sweet, yet not cloying, citrusy with hints of lilac: you can’t get enough of it.

Daphnes are worth humouring and we’ve planted ours in a slightly raised, north-facing border. This means it won’t suffer waterlogging in winter or baking during summer and has settled well. To be honest, we don’t visit the front garden on a daily basis because our house only has one main door, at the back. Now the shrub is large enough, stealing the odd snippet for a posy vase is allowed, so I enjoy the perfume all day in my office. I’ve added Daphne ‘Pink Fragrance’ which prefers a sunny position and flowers from spring to autumn.

Scent in the garden is important to me and myhusband John and I make sure there is plenty of it, all year round. Winter is easy, because you have the viburnums, mahonias, winter flowering honeysuckles, witch hazels, daphnes, honeyscented edgeworthia and of course, Christmas box. The latter, Sarcococca confusa, is set under the windows of our downstairs loo on purpose, as a natural air freshener when the windows are open. The problem is, scents are complicated and open to interpretation. My late mother, who was incapable of detecting the perfume of freesias hated our Christmas box because to her, it smelt like horse pee. We used to get a lot of complaints. With the sweet part of its scent edited out, all she could smell were nasty undertones.

Jasmine is another one whose sweetness is some-

O

times marred by something slightly foetid lying beneath.

Some flowers lose their sweet scents as they die and go over, leaving stale smells in their place and I would definitely put hyacinths in that category.

All the joys of Narcissus and hyacinths are still a promise, their shoots and buds forming but not yet out in my greenhouse. Now’s the time to go looking for lily bulbs, to plant or pot for summer. My favourite is ‘African Queen’, whose rich apricot, trumpet-shaped

‘All the joys of Narcissus and hyacinths are still a promise, their buds forming but not yet out in my greenhouse’

flowers look great in our porch.

Some lilies are overpowering and others have no perfume at all, so check before you buy.

Stick some corms of fragrant, white-flowered Gladiolus callianthus in next month, for late summer and early autumn.

In spring, plant scented pinks and then enjoy wallflowers, lilac, bearded iris and roses. Iris don’t pump out their sweet shop aroma (all pineapple chunks and cola drops), so grow the taller ones, so you don’t have to bend far to insert your nose between their petals. Pineapple broom (Cytisus battandieri) is unmiss-

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

able too, for the fruity aroma of yellow, pea-like flowers held in candle-like racemes. This large shrub works best trained against a sunny wall or fence. For a unique summer scent from tubs and urns, heliotrope is known as cherry pie because heads of purple flowers smell distinctly cherry-like. These are like small shrubs, and easily kept from year to year in a frost free place.

Out in the garden, the olfactory treats roll on through summer, when mock orange fills the air. The tall classic double-flowered Philadelphus ‘Virginal’ can reach 3m/10ft or more but

there are plenty of smaller kinds. Old favourite P.‘Belle Etoile’ produces purple-blotched flowers and reaches a spreading 1.2m/4ft, while double P.‘Manteau d’Hermine’ and single P.microphyllus should stay below 1m/3ft. I can’t wait for my new P.maculatus ‘Mexican Jewel’ to bloom. Described as exceptionally fragrant, it should have white flowers with red centres. Finally, Japanese honeysuckle will take you nicely through to autumn.

Just beware its rampant growth - but its small flowers against evergreen leaves will pump out sweet scents over a long period.

• Prune shrubs which flower in late summer and do better if cut hard back now.

Buddleja, lavatera, caryopteris and Hydrangea paniculata are examples. This keeps plants stockier and flower quality higher.

•B uy some cheap rooted trailing fuchsia cuttings, grow them on a bit, then take cuttings of their

shoots so you have three plants to fill a hanging basket. Fuchias like begonia and mimulus will flower well in a shady spot.

• Plant new raspberry canes in well drained soil (or on ridges if you don’t have any). Leave 45cm/18in between plants and 1.8m/6ft between rows of posts and horizontal wires.

Question time with Anne West reader queries answered by Anne Swithinbank

Q

I’d like to take advantage of my new but unheated greenhouse for early tomatoes but is it too early to sow now?

My unheated greenhouse is supplied with electricity, so I can plug in a heated propagating case which, early in the year, benefits from the brightness of glass. I’ll sometimes start sowing toms as early as January, especially if I want the beefseak ones which tend to need a long growing season.

This year I sowed at the start of February. The seedlings germinate best at a temperature of around 21 C/70 F. From then on, it is a balancing act. I sow seeds thinly, so the seedlings aren’t too close, then transplant to individual 9cm/3.5in pots. They stay in the case initially but I’ll stand them out on warm days. On cold nights, they pop back in until they grow too large and then they have to be ferried back to the house – a job I often carry out in my pyjamas!

Some of my so-called evergreens have let me down in our cold garden. They pick up again in spring but tend to go sparse, with brown spots in winter. What can I plant for toughness and reliability for winter leaf colour?

Q

Miserable-looking evergreens blighted by cold are a depressing sight, when you want to see handsome, shiny foliage. Most of the culprits are really only hardy to -5 C/23 F which is not really tough enough for a chilly garden. Frozen soils and cold winds can take their toll. One of our best evergreens is Aucuba japonica ‘Goldstrike’, a particularly good spotted laurel. The small, soft-leaved Yucca filamentosa ‘Golden Sword’ comes a close second. Hollies, bay, dwarf pines and Euonymus japonicus and its cultivars also do well.

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

Prune blueberries in pots. Take old stems out or back to a side shoot, to encourage growth.

Start hardy annuals such as clarkia, calendula, larkspur and cornflower under glass by sowing a few seeds per module.

Correction House plant aficionados may have noticed a glitch at the end of my column here on 1st Feb 2015, where two plants became muddled together. My favourites at home include a Medinilla Magnifica and also an enormous Swiss cheese plant that has been in our family for 50 years, whose botanical name is, of course, Monstera deliciosa.

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Beauty

Tried

& tested

We present the beauty treats and cheats of the week, recommended by West magazine’s Catherine Barnes, with help from daughter Tilly, 17.

Pucker up...

These chic little handbag balms are perfect for keeping your lips in full kissing order £5.50 each at www.tch.net

Indulge yourself

in style This sweet fruit and jasmine scented eau de parfum was created by French perfumers in Grasse for M&S. Tendre Chérie £15.00 www.marksandspencer.com

There’s no place like foam: Laura Mercier’s Ambre Vanille Honey Bath is a sweet Valentine’s treat £32 www.houseoffraser.co.uk

RAINBOW!

Why choose just one shade when each of these lippies costs just a pound? Your makeup bag’s quids in at - yep - Poundland!

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the review Three of the best:

Oils

Shine...

Hydrate your lips with a touch of colour: these Me Shine On tinted natural salves contain organic shea, mango and cocoa butters £12 each from www. balanceme.co.uk

One of the biggest recent beauty trends, the next generation of oils has arrived. Katie Wright checks out the slickest new products

No weigh!

Argan oil has emerged in recent years as a megaselling hair repair phenomenon. Now Wella’s SP Luxe Oil adds jojoba and almond to the mix, resulting in a nourishing treatment that won’t weigh your locks down. Wella SP Luxe Oil,

LIKE VELVET We love Body Shop’s new poppy range: these Cheek and Lip Velvets not only multi-task, but are softly pretty, pretty, pretty! £12 www.thebodyshop.com

£8.95 (TerencePaulonline.com)

IT’S GRAPE! Reap the anti-ageing benefits of plant oils by massaging a few drops into your face twice a day after cleansing, before your usual moisturiser. Raise a toast to Caudalie’s newest timedefying serum, which shares some of its active ingredients with those used in winemaking. Three patented grapederived components are spliced with a quintet of rich oils, including grapeseed and sandalwood, to deliver anti-ageing and smoothing effects.

[[ A treat that performs a minor miracle - it moisturises like a lip balm but gives a glossy finish

Caudalie Premier Cru The Elixir, £49 (www.caudalie.com)

Class This moisturisingYves Saint Laurent lippy is available in eight mangoscented shades (we love Cherry Ma Cherie) Volupte Tint-in-Oil £23.50 www.yslbeauty. co.uk

Pout...

These new pout-enhancers feel more like a gloss than an oil. A thick gel infused with hazelnut and mirabelle oils, Clarins’ latest lip treat moisturises like a balm but gives a glossy finish. Choose Raspberry for a hint of punchy pink. Instant Light Lip Comfort

Oil, £18 (www.clarins.co.uk) Want a review? Send your request to westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 29

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Fashion Debenhams Janet Reger bustier £45

Primark bra £9

Tu at Sainsbury’s baby doll £12

Debenhams T by Ted Baker baby doll £28

New Look floral longline bra £14.99 briefs £4.99

New Look bra £9.99 high waisted briefs £5.99 Next lace body £18

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Flirty!

Look your best for Valentine’s ebruary 14 is just around the corner and, as if by magic, the shops are full of fancy underwear. Not all of it, we have to admit, is particularly appealing to the folk who actually wear it. However, there are a lot of springlike styles which actually look lovely on, yet are also comfortable, flattering and - yes - a little bit on the flirty side. We do love lingerie, just not all lingerie.

But how about this pretty slip from T by Ted Baker, on sale now at Debenhams? Or this floral bra-andbrief set from Evans? What’s more, this model is by no means stick thin (Evans sizes do go up to a 32, after all) and see how great she looks. So - whether you’re off on a hot date this Valentine’s or just cosying up with the electric blanket and The Archers, here’s our pick of the best of the new season’s lingerie.

F

Debenhams T by Ted Baker playsuit £30

Evans bra £26 briefs £12 31

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Trend Corn yellow mac, Joules, Princesshay, £99.95 Striped jersey top, Joules, Princesshay, £24.95

HOW TO WEAR IT:

Stripes

Jeans, Next, Princesshay, £22 Kitty leather double zip tote, LK Bennett, Princesshay, £225

MAIN PHOTO HAIR: ADAM AT SAKS, EXETER MAKEUP: CLARINS, DEBENHAMS (BOTH PRINCESSHAY) PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE HAYWOOD STILL-LIFE PHOTOGRAPHS: PR SHOTS

Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod on the seasonal staying power of stripes hen is a trend not a trend? When it involves stripes. They’ve been around forever.

However, that fact didn’t stop the fashion powerhouses from putting them centre stage for the new SS15 season.

Chanel, Dries van Noten and even Balmain sent these lovely lines down the runway in their latest shows.

And luckily, you don’t need to be an oil baroness to look a million dollars in this look. In fact, there are endless incarnations of the stylish stripe. My favourite? I am head over heels for pairing stripes with bright yellow. I first saw the look on a website called Pinterest (www.pinterest.com, they say it is like fantasy football for women so I suggest making sure the kids are fed before logging on). There I spotted a model who had matched a striped top with a vivid yellow tulip shape mini skirt. I longed to try this combo, but the plummeting numbers on my weather app had other ideas. The itch still needed scratching, and there’s no way Everyone, yes it could wait for spring, so I set off in search of a bit of sunshine everyone, can to add to my wardrobe. wear horizontal I didn’t have to look far.

Joules in Princesshay delivered stripes: there beyond my wildest dreams with are just a few this yellow mac with a cheerful nautical stripe lining. Never one parameters to shy away from bold interpretations, I added a white jersey For play dates in the park, pair top that alternated neon pink denim shorts with a striped vest, or stripes with more sedate navy even a tailored tee with a pan collar blue. Never before have I so longed for grey skies for a preppy look. Or wear dark denim ankle and showers. And lucky for me, they haven’t grazers and a classic striped long sleeve with this been in short supply. I have even parked further season’s must-have, the pointy flat, for a poloaway from the office to prolong my smug walk in. worthy outfit a la Kate Middleton.

Make that doubly smug, because I’m dryer than What about the other five days of the week? dry (my coat is made from mariner-grade waterEveryone, yes everyone, can wear horizontal proof fabric) and I am bang on trend. stripes: there are just a few parameters. Look There’s more good news. When things warm for panelled dresses, so that the stripes don’t up, stripes will only get hotter. On the weekend line up exactly or, even better, look for dresses they can elevate you to off-duty model status, that marry oversized stripes with narrower verand wearing them to work is a perennially chic sions. These will create optical illusions that will choice. give even the most critical eye no chance to find

W

a lump or bump. Pear shapes should embrace pleated A lines, as the pleats create shadows and angles that are immensely flattering. Been in the gym all winter? Get your pins out with a striped mini. They look fantastic with wedges and vests, and will separate you from the herd on a colder day with over the knee boots and a black roll neck jumper.

Sigh, when I think of the workwear options, I almost forget about my new coat and start longing for warmer weather again. But wait! It’s Blighty, I’m sure to have my cake and eat it too.

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

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NEXT stripe pencil skirt £28

fave!

Note: the mix of wide and narrow stripes means this skirt is ultra flattering for everyone!

HOBBS Brooke sweater £69

NEW LOOK Black stripe longline shirt dress £24.99

GET THE

look This will see you through the seasons

LK BENNET Florisa suede point toe court shoes £160

STREET STYLE HERO Sophie Scott, Exeter Assistant Manager, Animal

CREW CLOTHING Multi stripe scarf £20

Coat - Billabong Jeans - Topshop Boots - Animal Bag - Primark Sophie says: I do a lot of surfing, and I also mountain bike and snowboard. This means I tend to choose surfwear for my everyday looks, as it reflects my lifestyle.

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Events

The Valentine’s hotlist: If you’re looking for something romantic, yet just a little bit different, to add some romance to February 14, then here are some great ideas to try

Jive!

The dress-code’s strictly 1950s at the Junkyard Jive’s Valentine’s Razzle at Heartlands, the stunning World Heritage Site at Pool. Can’t dance?

Then learn how to! There’s a half-hour beginners’ session, before the evening’s two live bands and DJ kick off in earnest. Tickets cost £18 when you book in advance. Fun! Dress to impress: Rock a Silly Old Sea Dog vintage style frock, handmade in Newquay

www.sillyoldseadog.com www.crbo.co.uk

Junkyard Jive Presents

Valentines Razzle Sat 14th February 7.00-2.00am

heartlands

Marvellous mini-break

The gorgeous St Moritz Hotel at Trebetherick on the North Cornwall coast is devoting the whole of February to romance and there’s chilled champagne in your room on arrival when you stay during its Month of Love! One or two night retreats start from £239 per couple and also includes dinner on one night, breakfast, homemade chocolate truffles and Luxe Love treats, plus (if you can bear to leave your room) pairs of Rockfish wellingtons to don and explore the coast - which you get to keep!

fave!

www.stmoritzhotel.co.uk

Commit in a cave

Carnglaze Caverns’ magical underground fountain could be a romantic place to propose on February 14 and costs just £6 to visit the attraction and grounds at St Neot near Liskeard. One happy couple will actually be making their marriage vows there in an hour-long ceremony from 1.30pm. How romantic is that?

www.carnglaze.com

Put a ring on it!

Celebrating Music and , Dance from the 1950 s

B-movie ll Rock ‘n’Ro

Secret Cabaret

Complimentary Beginners

Jive class Decor By Cornwall Boogie Woogie Red River CafE dinner bookings available

34

Ticketing £18 Door £20 , Strictly limited numbers Dress code 1950 s

Make your own gold, silver, or platinum wedding rings at the Mid Cornwall School of Jewellery’s day-long workshops in Bickleigh, Devon.

You’ll have exclusive use of a studio and expert tutor on hand. The school also offers make-your own wedding tiara courses. Prices start from £450 per couple, depending your choice of precious metal.

www.make-your-own-wedding-rings.com

Miss Peapod’s Cafe in Penryn has a romantic comedy film night, with three course men, on February 14

A-pea Valentine’s

Miss Peapod’s Kitchen and bar in Penryn is serving up a delicious three- course Valentine’s menu on Feb 14, accompanied by a film screening of Palestinian-Israeli love story musical, West Bank Story, all for £20 a head. Unattached? “It’s a comedy, so is suitable for friends and couples who want to go out in groups,” says the café’s owner, Alice.

www.misspeapod.co.uk

Love to laugh?

Find out how intrepid princesses and wily brides save the day - and their marriages - in Love Is, a kaleidoscope of funny tales at the Exeter Phoenix Voodoo Lounge on Valentine’s night. This

Heartlands Cornwall TR15 3QY Tickets available from CRBO

f Search Junkyard Jive Valentinesevents.indd 34

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Have your very own Brief Encounter...

... on the South Devon Railway!

Blissed-out luxe

Bed of Roses

www.tresanton.com

www.highbullen.co.uk

Olga Polizzi’s stunning Hotel Tresanton in St Mawes is the perfect retreat for a second honeymoon, or spoiling someone you love. A two night stay in a sea-view room on Valentine’s weekend costs from £650 and includes pink champagne, room service breakfast and a candlelit dinner.

Put a ring on it? The hotel also has a wedding license and is close by the picturesque church of St Just in Roseland.

By Candlelight

Hazelwood House in Loddiswell near Kingsbridge is a popular wedding venue and its log fire, live music and five-course candlelit meal at £35 per person is an irresistibly cosy treat on Valentine’s evening. On Sunday 15, enjoy Eggs Benedict at this lovely hotel and bistro’s regular jazz piano Sunday brunches. Booking advised.

www.hazelwoodhouse.com

The High Bullen Hotel Golf and Country Club in Umberleigh is putting champagne on ice for guests who book its special £299 Valentines break.

The overnight stay also includes five course dinner, chocolate dipped fruit and a Temple Spa gift. Hint, hint: You can also organise a hand-tied bouquet of roses, rose petals sprinkled on your bed and even a vintage car tour of Exmoor, by arrangement.

Burlesque Beauties

Like burlesque or want to give it a try? The Rainbow International Hotel in Torquay is holding a special Valentine’s Burlesque Weekend from 13-15 February with food, candlelit burlesque dancing shows, discos, live singers and complimentary Buck’s Fizz and roses. The stay costs £119 for three nights, or just £99 for two.

www.rainbow-hotel.co.uk

The Hotel Tresanton has a Valentine’s stay with pink champagne and candlelit dinner

feel-good show promises free marriage guidance – as well as a very good reason for singletons to be content with their lot!

Tickets £6, more details at: www.exeterphoenix. org.uk

Romantic Journey

“I do love you, so very much. I love you with all my heart and soul.” Re-enact your own version of Brief Encounter with a romantic steam railway ride along the picturesque River Dart valley between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. Stroll the beautiful grounds of the Buckfast Abbey – where you can also indulge in the most amazing treacle tart. The way to a man’s heart….

www.southdevonrailway.co.uk

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Discover

culture vulture Our superb new guide to the arts scene in the South West by culture expert Sarah Pitt Essence of Ireland With St Patrick’s Day on March 17, this is the time to indulge in this all-singing, all-dancing celebration of Irish culture with plenty of colour, sequins and rousing tunes. Essence of Ireland tells a story of love, joy and heartache based on the mass emigration from Ireland to America. There’s a local dimension, too, with the Essence of Ireland cast joined by pupils from the Jason Thomas Performing Arts dance studio in Truro. Hall for Cornwall, Truro, March 6, www.hallforcornwall.co.uk

Amelia Curran

I Believe In Unicorns, Theatre Alibi A show by Theatre Alibi is always a treat for the senses, as this small theatre company uses its imagination in spades to pack a punch well above its weight.

With a worldwide reputation for theatrical fabulousness, the Exeter-based company’s latest project is a collaboration on home turf, with an adaption of north Devon celebrated author Michael Morpurgo’s I Believe in Unicorns.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, February 12-15, www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

Amelia Curran hails from Newfoundland, the island that’s the first part of Canada you come to as you cross the Atlantic. With its ghosts of shipwrecks, and the full force of the ocean battering its coastline, Newfoundland is an apt starting place for a singer-songwriter with a poetic way with words.

With a great voice and canny fingerwork on the guitar, Amelia has a following in acoustic music circles on both sides of the Atlantic, and her proudest moment was winning one of Canada’s foremost music accolades, the Juno Awards, for her album Hunter Hunter.

She is currently on tour in the UK to promote her latest album They Promised You Mercy, and heads our way after playing at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow. Playing at the Blue Walnut Café, a venue made for this kind of mellow music, she’ll be treating her audience to some of the tracks from her latest album, her most accomplished to date.

The Blue Walnut Café, Torquay, February 13, www.bluewalnuttorquay.co.uk

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04/02/2015 14:32:01

PHOTO: AMY SAMPSON

Tanya Brittain

Adrenaline Quarry

My Secret Westcountry Tanya Brittain Tanya Brittain organises the Looe Music Festival, the award-winning event which rocks the Cornish coast between 19 and 21 September. She lives in Looe with her family. Tanya is also a talented musician, playing accordion and keyboards in a folk group called The Changing Room

My favourite...

Walk: Always stunning, whatever the weather, is the walk along the coastal path between Looe and Polperro. The trick is to set off early, arrive at The Blue Peter in Polperro for a spot of lunch and then catch a boat back to across to Looe. You need to check the tide times first though because it’s a long walk back to Looe on a full stomach.

Pub:

You really can’t beat a pub that offers good food and live music… so my top picks would be The Blue Peter in Polperro, The Roseland Inn in Philleigh, and The Rod & Line at Tideford. It’s not strictly a pub but I’m also quite partial to a freshly shaken Chilli Martini at Zute Lounge in Looe too.

Beach:

Portwrinkle Beach at the westerly end of Whitsand Bay has to be my favourite spot. It’s the ideal place for a family day on the beach, with a BBQ, swimming, kayaking and lots of ball games being played. It’s difficult to get to, but also well worth the effort when you are there.

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04/02/2015 11:30:02

People Looe Festival

yourself off a cliff at Adrenalin Quarry near It’s hard not to mention Looe Music Liskeard – why not!? It’s downhill from there Festival here as it’s such a magical event. Over and then usually; I head into the water for a the last four years it’s grown so much thanks spot of coasteering followed by a picnic. I love to the support of a great team and community. swimming in Cornish quarries, rivers, lakes The event sprawls across and in the sea. It’s exhilarating. the beach, harbourside and throughout our pretty CorTreat: Taking a morning out at nish town and last September Serenity By The Sea in Pelynt, we hosted 90 bands including South East Cornwall is a real You can’t beat a Frank Turner, Squeeze and treat. After a pedicure, facial and pub that offers The Brand New Heavies. The back massage, the world is my headliners play on the main oyster. Look out… good food and stage right on the beach and live music, like festivalgoers can dance holes in the sand. What’s not to The Blue Peter love?

Cube Studio

Event:

[[

Portwrinkle Beach

in Polperro

Venue:

Looe has a brand new community building called The Quayside Centre.

As the name suggests, it’s on the quayside overlooking the harbour at West Looe Square. The building has a semi-open air design with sailcloth sides for when the weather isn’t so good. It’s a fantastic venue for live music, social events and community activities. Cube Recording in Truro would be my favourite place to record because it’s so well equipped, has lovely facilities and provides a relaxed environment.

Day out:

A good day out starts with throwing

Tickets for this year’s Looe Music Festival on September 18-20 are already on sale at: www.looemusic.co.uk 39

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04/02/2015 11:30:23

Eating out

The Winking Prawn Olivier Vergnault visits a cafe on the beach in south Devon for his wife’s birthday... in January here should we go for a Sunday birthday lunch? With the excellent restaurants, bars and cafes in the Westcountry there is almost too much choice these days. I launched an NHS-style consultation with The Boss - it was her birthday after all. A selection of countryside gastro pubs in and around Torbay was offered as part of the said marital consultation process.

Only to be duly ignored, of course.

It would have to be The Winking Prawn which overlooks North Sands in Salcombe. A place which we had never visited before. But a shack on the beach? Not only that, but a shack on the beach specialising in seafood, to which I am allergic? It sounded like fun.

But hey. One couldn’t say too much as it was her birthday treat and not mine. Not really a consulI grumbled. I tation after all. do that a lot. A So we took to the road through vitation to explore. The perfect the beautiful sun-dappled rainrock pooling playground for us glorified beach glistening South Hams countryand our twins. But soon other hut. A cafe. Not side, skirting round Kingsbridge things were grumbling – our and down into posh and yachty tummies. Time for lunch in the even a bona Salcombe. beach hut café. And yet… fide restaurant But I grumbled. I do that a lot.

What a lovely experience. Not A glorified beach hut. A café. only was The Winking Prawn Not even a bona fide restaurant. quirky and fun but the food was But first, I was happy to walk off great, the beer and drinks were the worst of my grumbles on the local and the cookies awesome. I sandy beach below, its expanse being there for all had many misguided misgivings about the place. I to enjoy on this sunny January morning. The tide didn’t really want to have a salad or a sandwich for was out, the rocks sharp and towering like an inlunch. I wished at first we had chosen a ‘proper’

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restaurant for this birthday treat.

But it turns out The Winking Prawn IS a proper restaurant. During the day it offers light lunches to locals and day trippers like us, but in the evenings it serves serious fine dining. Lunches are much simpler but no less appealing, and the portions will leave you wondering whether you really need a slice of Banoffy Bocker glory or one of the biggest chocolate cookies I have ever seen.

The restaurant is indeed a glorified beach shack but that’s the whole point. It is airy and light and the venetian blinds let in the glorious sunshine, thus basking the 25 or so shabby-chic tables in holiday light. It has a wonderful summery feel –

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4 of the best Sea view restaurants North Sands Beach, Salcombe

1 Bonaparte Restaurant at the Berry Head Hotel, Brixham

Set in a superb waterside position enjoying spectacular views of the English Riviera this restaurant is surrounded by six acres of grounds in the Berry Head Country Park, yet only a short walk from the fishing port of Brixham.

Dish of the day: Tenderloin of pork with piquant bacon & apple Sauce Price: two course menu £21.

Contact: 01803 853225

2 Cormorant Restaurant, Fowey

even in the middle of January.

And the place was packed. The courtyard style tables and chairs on the terrace, painted marine blue, were almost all taken up by families and couples, dog walkers and locals, all out to enjoy a pint of ale and a bucket of chips.

I felt as though I was on holiday. The Winking Prawn overlooks North Sands, borders a nature reserve, and offers an unbelievable view over the bay. And what a view. It is stunning. If only it were called the Winking Shrimp, I thought. For when slurred through a haze of alcohol, the name could easily become the Shrinking Wimp. Then I realised it said prawn on the sign not shrimp… never mind.

My wife Lisa chose a grilled mackerel fillet salad with beetroot and salted cucumber (£8.45) which she said was lovely, while our twins each went for a tuna sandwich (£2.75 each) watered down with some locally produced Heron Valley apple juice (£2.55 each). I had a brown baguette with Sharpham brie, bacon and fig chutney. It was lovely. As a Frenchman, can I say that only the Brits could marry such a mad combination of flavours. But it worked beautifully.

We also shared two portions of Winking Prawn chips which arrived in mini champagne buckets, with the condiments making their appearance on the table in a genuine sand castle bucket. I felt like rolling up my trousers, reaching for the sunglasses and unfurling a beach towel.

Lisa opted for a large glass of tempranillo rosé (£5.50) while I decided to stay local and go with a pint of Shingle Bay ale from the nearby Quercus

brewery (£4.15). Very nice beer indeed.

The meal was great and would amply have sufficed but one has always had a sweet tooth. You have to have a biscuit with your coffee anyway, was my excuse. The kids don’t drink coffee but they were happy to bag themselves an identical gingerbread man biscuit each while I made the executive decision to go for the aforementioned chocolate chip cookies lying temptingly in a basket on the counter. My wife described them as the perfect combination of crunchiness on the outside and chocolate gooeyness on the inside.

There is a morality tale to this birthday lunch.

As with books and their covers, don’t trust a beachside restaurant by the shabbiness of its exterior. It is Salcombe, after all.

The Winking Prawn, North Sands, Salcombe, 01548 842326 www.winkingprawn.co.uk

How they scored...

Food



Atmosphere

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Service



Price

Lunch for four including alcoholic drinks was £48.90

With glorious views across the River Fowey, The Cormorant has helpful staff and serves a good selection of well-made European-style food.

Dish of the day: Assiette of Cornish pork Price: Two course meal for £26.

Contact: 01726 833426

3 Fifteen Cornwall, Watergate Bay

Jamie Oliver’s coastal venture sits right on the beach amid whirling seagulls and crashing waves. It serves modern Italian-style dishes prepared using local produce.

Dish of the day: Turbot with a brodo of mussels and aubergine polpette.

Price: Mains around £19.

Contact: 01637 861000

4 Porthminster Beach Café, St Ives

Pure white sand, a pale turquoise sea and the extraordinarily intense light of St Ives draw comparison with the Caribbean – albeit a few degrees cooler. The food is very good, too.

Dish of the day: Porthminster monkfish curry.

Price: Lunch mains around £11.

Contact: 01736 795352

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04/02/2015 12:19:09

Ingredient of the Week

Eggs

with Tim Maddams or the first time in many years we to have around. But in our busy lives a hen that are, sadly, chicken-less. This is not doesn’t lay is an extravagance and so we have down to a visit from Fantastic Mr re-homed them with a friend who is not so conFox nor, indeed, (as I have heard recerned with the cost-effectiveness of their comported locally), the attentions of the pany. This leaves a gaping hole in the kitchen, common buzzard. It’s also not though, as home-grown eggs because of the chickens dying of are the best there are. My longold age or any other such hapterm plan is to buy some dualpenstance. No, Mrs M and I have purpose birds, keep them for a deliberately removed chickens few eggs in the summer, then I am relying from our lives after six years slaughter them in the autumn on that most of hen-keeping, as a conscious for our own chicken meat. That move to make our home produce plan, though, will require the brilliant of more cost effective. renting of some ground. So, for enterprises, Chickens are cheap (excuse the time being, we are relying the pun) and, in fact, rescue on that most brilliant of enterthe farm gate hens are often free. But the prises, the farm gate honesty honesty box trouble with hens is that they box. I am very happy to report have so much character. So, that the farm gate experiment after a few years of reasonable is going rather well. So far we egg production they dwindle on have tried two different local the egg count - but because of farms, one of which I am feelour now well-developed affection for them they ing a little guilty about as I was 10p short – but I become pets. pass all the time. I will drop in the egg-stra very There is nothing wrong with keeping hens as soon, I promise. pets. Far from it, they are wonderful creatures @TimGreenSauce

F

[[

Eggs Eggs are useful for all sorts of cookery. In fact they are the cornerstone of so many dishes it’s hard to imagine working without them. But what I love about eggs more than anything else is a lightly fried, perfectly poached or brilliantly boiled egg, served up with home-made toast and some salt.

The flavour of a just-warm egg yolk is one of nature’s treats. The only problem is that the taste of a great egg will forever spoil you for the not-really-that-great ones.

My farm gate honesty box eggs that I have bought recently have been excellent: gloriously rich and glossy yolks with nice clean shells even in this weather. They are a great way of supporting local farmers and avoiding the supermarket egg situation at the same time, so why not give them a go?

Tim Maddams is a Devon chef and writer who often appears on the River Cottage TV series 42

THISONE_Tim_Beer_Feb8.indd 42

04/02/2015 11:54:30

Drink

Otter: worth a try With the Six Nations in full swing, Otter Brewery has rebranded its pumpclips for the tournament. The brewery is a main sponsor of Exeter Chiefs, and with the team’s Jack Nowell in the national squad, there’s extra reason to back England. Look out for mascot Derek the Otter, a regular at Chiefs games.

Darren Norbury

talks beer Beer of the week The beer I enjoyed most during my session in the Beer Cellar was Beavertown Gamma Ray (5.4% ABV). In craft beer circles, this is something of a modern classic, produced in London by Logan Plant, son of Robert Plant (of Led Zeppelin fame). It seems much like an American IPA, but it’s classed as a pale ale. Big, resinous, piney hop flavours dominate, although there is balancing malt on the palate. Mine was on keg, but it’s very popular in cans.

Ridiculously drinkable.

do like beer festivals, and I en- bearded (of course) barman was knowledgeable joyed my time at Exeter CAMRA’s and jovial. I’ve known other beer writers to be a winter beer fest (see last week’s bit disappointed that the Beer Cellar isn’t more column). But I am more at home like the Rake, but I couldn’t fault my experience leaning against a bar, engaged in in terms of its informal atmosphere, friendliness conversation, glass in hand. And, more usu- and, of course, beer. ally these days, mobile phone in Next stop, then, before home, hand, tapping a beer report into the bar of the Great Western a geeky website like Untappd.

Hotel, on the concourse just outYes, I’m sorry about that. But side St David’s railway station.

I was, I think, the it’s what I do.

I was now one of the youngest oldest person Anyway, after the festival I drinkers and the beer was cask there but I got into walked to my train in the comrather than craft keg, with some pany of local CAMRA member more conservative choices, too. an easy chat with Drew via two excellent hosAnd yet, I loved the place just as a fellow geek and telries. They could not have much as the Beer Cellar. Again, been more different, and they good atmosphere and service, enjoyed a couple epitomise the way drinking has and my pint of Exeter Brewery of great beers changed in the past few years.

Avocet (3.9% ABV) was super – The Beer Cellar, in Southlight, well balanced but with a gate Street, styles itself as a city good clean hop flourish. centre craft beer bar. I was, I Yes, as CAMRA acknowledges, think, the oldest person there, but I got into an we are losing traditional pubs and bars like the easy chat with a fellow geek at the bar and enGreat Western, but there are a good number of joyed a couple of great beers, including Firenew-style bars like Beer Cellar coming on tap, brand Brewing Co’s delicious American hopped too. While I appreciate that not everyone shares Graffiti IPA (5.2% ABV). my broad tastes, in terms of both venues and It reminded a little of the famous Rake bar in beers, isn’t it great that the choice is there?

London’s Southwark, a beer spotter’s paradise, Darren Norbury runs the expert website with a choice of cask, keg and bottled beers. A www.beertoday.co.uk @beertoday

I

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SAVE OUR PUBS The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is urging MPs to support a clause in the new Infrastructure Bill which would require planning permission for the change of use of a pub. Some 29 pubs a week are closing and a planning loophole means change of use consent isn’t required to turn a pub into, say, a convenience store.

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04/02/2015 11:55:09

Living

8.15am London

Electric dreams

Electric sportscar maker Tesla claims that the expansion of its electric car charging network - including a new charging station at Sainsbury’s in Exeter’s Pinhoe - means Europe has now been opened up for electric car drivers. Matt Joy attempts to drive from London to Amsterdam to test the theory... here are quite a few electric cars Any car that doesn’t suck in London traffic on sale now, but few like the Tesla. is impressive, and the Model S is particular The Model S and its derivatives good at the slow stuff. Firstly, when you’re are as fast, if not faster, than rival stationary (which is a lot of the time) there’s luxury cars and zero noise because there’s have a range far in excess of no engine idling away, which any battery-only rival; over makes for surprisingly restful 300 miles between charges, travel. Secondly, the electric There’s zero is the claim. Tesla has also motors deliver absurdly rapid noise because been expanding its network and linear acceleration, so there is no engine of ‘Superchargers’ - dedicatgetting away from the herd ed charging stations that can at the lights is a near-silent idling away, pump out over 400V to give a rollercoaster of joy. which makes full charge in 30 minutes. So 12pm, Calais: We’re off on for surprisingly here we go... the other side and into nice 8.15am, Tesla store, clear roads. The Model S restful travel Westfield Shepherd’s uses its rapid acceleration Bush: The row of Tesla to great effect and we’re Supercharger bays are an munching through the miles. impressive sight. They look like a high-tech At speed, there’s a little more wind and road reinterpretation of an old-fashioned petrol noise but this is more obvious because of a pump, complete with soft-glow illumination. complete absence of grumble from the engine.

Upstairs in the Tesla store it feels like a highIt’s an ideal cruiser, with the odd squirt of end boutique. With coffee on-board my two acceleration to leave the slower stuff behind. pals and I are off to the Chunnel.

3.20pm, Ghent: More traffic means plenty of

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12pm, Calais

horrible stop-start fuss, but the Tesla takes it in its stride. It also means we have more time to play with the innumerable options in the menu system. I figure out how to raise the suspension, open the sunroof to exactly 19% and other unusual tweaks. I then pull up at another Supercharger station and the car is juiced up for my final leg in 25 minutes.

6pm, Amsterdam: I reach Amsterdam in fine fettle and with over 100 miles of range still in hand. Even travelling with three of us, there’s been plenty of space for all of us and our kit, and the regular charging stops haven’t felt like an intrusion; if anything they promote safer driving and discourage over-long periods behind the wheel.

Tesla is expanding its Supercharger network in the UK and Europe. Besides Sainsbury’s Exeter, there’s already a Supercharger at Darts Farm in Topsham. I’d say Tesla appears tantalisingly close to delivering an electric car that’s more desirable than conventional alternatives - and with a charging network to match. They do cost £50,800, though... visit www.teslamotors.com for details.

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04/02/2015 12:04:04

gadget notebook HI TECH: Blue-tooth

08 February 2015

Our pick of Bluetooth tech gizmos

Wrist wear Synch this watch up with your smartphone or tablet and have it organise your information.

It also displays messages and even gives weather updates.

Asus ZENwatch - £199.99 from currys.co.uk

3.20pm Ghent

Listen up 6pm, Amsterdam

These over-the-ear numbers are rechargeable and do away with unsightly cables while retaining clarity Beats by Dr Dre Wireless Bluetooth Headphones - £199.95 from currys.co.uk

Talk to the hand Take calls in a slightly comedic way whilst keeping your digits toasty: a microphone and speaker are embedded into the finger and thumb of these mitts.

Bluetooth Handset Gloves - £42.95 from roobix.co.uk

Take note Half Etch-a-Sketch, half notepad, this battery powered LCD tablet allows you to mark the screen with a stylus, then you can save and transfer your jottings to your smart device.

Boogie Board Sync - £99.99 from thefowndry.com

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04/02/2015 12:04:40

My life

[

man and boy

Rubbing shoulders

[

Phil Goodwin, father of James, four, meets David Cameron here is a scene in the 1979 film Apocalypse Now where the character Jay “Chef” Hicks takes an impromptu trip into the jungle to collect mangos - only to end up running for his life after confronting a tiger.

Freaked out by this close call, he tells the crew, including the young Laurence Fishburne: “Never get out of the boat.” Captain Willard, played by Martin Sheen, concurs: “Absolutely goddamn right.”

The point? Chef was foolish and almost blew it – he sure as hell won’t repeat the mistake. A recent experience in my day job as news reporter (covering yet another visit to the South West by the Prime Minister) got me thinking along these lines.

Back in the summer I wrote a sketch about returning to work from holiday only to be summoned by the Prime Minister’s Press Office to attend a junket in Exeter. A misunderstanding of the running order put me in a tricky position and almost left me without any answer to my main interview question. Last week, David Cameron was back in the city – this time at the Exeter Science Park. And once more I came within a whisker of disaster.

As I said before, these encounters with the general manager of GB PLC are fraught affairs, which start early, run late and end up with you being chivvied along at high speed by the PM’s entourage of guards, minders and spin doctors. This time, it was a construction site, so first we all had to don wellies, hard hats, gloves, glasses and hi-vis jackets.

Feeling suitably idiotic among real workers, we are then corralled into a tin hut and fed tea and biscuits while we await the inevitably late arrival of the man himself. He steps out of the limo, gets into the same safety garb and walks the site, chatting to workmen while we follow behind, cameras clicking nineteen to the dozen. The Downing Street flunkies often like

T

[

to add spice to the event, I find, by first promising us hacks an audience and then suggesting it may not happen, thereby threatening to destroy your entire morning. It is always the same story – they are running late and may not have time for a media ‘huddle’. This is a gathering which sadly fails to live up to its description – there is no arm linking, no spirit-rousing banter, no Steven Gerrard screaming ‘We go again!’. Just a couple of questions, or maybe one.

So this time I am assured by the aide – a creature physically connected to a Blackberry phone, two hands clicking away like a praying mantis – that there will be time for two questions. However, she asks if I can wait for a few minutes inside a second hut, which turns out to be the canteen. She will get me when it is time. So there I waited. Yes, you spotted it.

This was my almost fatal mistake. For it seems such people operate on goldfish recall. I chatted with the construction site lads on their tea break, who told me what they would have said to Mr Cameron had they not wanted to keep their jobs, and dutifully waited.

And after about five minutes, another flunky bursts in and breathlessly demands to know if I was from the Exeter Express and Echo.

I explain: no, The Western Morning News. She says: ‘Hurry up, quick, the PM is leaving’, then rather irritatingly informs me ‘We lost you’.

I sprinted in wellies towards the Prime Minister, glacially cool in suit and overcoat

[

The first woman seemed to have forgotten me, despite me being the only reporter with an agreed interview. I sprint around the corner, in wellies, to find the PM in suit and overcoat, glacially cool as ever, and ready to jump in the car. He shook my hand, heard me out and responded, but the lesson was clear: Never get in the portakabin, and never let the PM out of your sight. Absolutely goddamn right.

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04/02/2015 11:51:12

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Untitled-1 3

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