West February 13, 2016

13.02.16

WIN:

Fashion that will

blow you

+ DAYS OUT & SHOPPING TRIPS

away Style through the centuries with The National Trust • Royal frocks • Sixties skirts • Victorian velvet

DON’T MISS:

pg16

+ BEAUTY + WELLBEING + GARDENS

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G R E E N

T R E E

C O U RT

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We also offer respite care and daycare packages. Please contact us for details.

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‘Note to self: remember not to leave the walking stick in the pub’’ Darren Norbury is labelled an older beer drinker, page 40

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COLOUR CLASS Go for gold and dusky pink

30 16

SITTING PRETTY Our pick of romantic undies

VIBRANT SHADES Fabulous fashion down the ages

[contents[ Inside this week...

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SWEET THINGS Ideas for last minute Valentine’s gifts

9

JUST BETWEEN US...

Sh! We have the latest gossip!

12

PASTA’S FIRST LADY Meet fabulous Anna Del Conte

16

42

GREAT ESCAPE A weekend in Babbacombe

TO DYE FOR Colourful costumes at Killerton

22

CHOOSING YOUR HUES The latest interiors trends

26

ANNE SWITHINBANK

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BEST FOOT FORWARD Looking great over 50

Delicate plants that thrive in the shade

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BEAUTY WITH ABBIE BRAY How to be a Valentine’s belle

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LOVELY LINGERIE We have something for everyone

34

CULTURE VULTURE What’s on and where to go

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BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Great ways to feel your best this week

41

RHUBARB, RHUBARB Tim Maddams loves the early pink stuff

46

FUNNY MAN Chris McGuire takes up cycling

44

FOODIE HAUNTS

A Newlyn local shares her tips

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Love stories

Day, of true love this Valentine’s To celebrate the power al couples who have found realwe meet three inspiration here in the Westcountry life romance right

Jacky and Tristan our thoughts very February, heart-shaped turn to all things above and and romantic. But froth of cards, beyond the mere (lovely though chocs and roses receive) here we celebrate they are to give and of true love to overcome the enduring power us. Meet life may throw at all the hurdles that to celhave so very much three couples who Day... ebrate this Valentine’s

E

PERFECT PASTA

Meet the woman who taught Nigella

[ welcome [

People VALENTINE’S DAY

when they made lived a world apart husband Tristan, 37, home country, Jacky Nichols, 32, and they met up in Jacky’s site. Four years ago, gave up his job in friends on a social media Tristan, who works in public relations, months Mexico, and within married and live in Plymouth They are now happily Devon to be with her.

flew off close family and we quiet ceremony with is the most amazing, to Fiji for our honeymoon. came to an end after with When his TV contract go back to good-looking guy all these a dilemma, did we in a past life for a year we were in We decided best know what I’ve done back to Plymouth? for him; he’s the Mexico or come his Spanrewards. I’d do anything more advanced than world. my English was a job in thing ever. He’s my the webback here, and I have ten years ago when and ish, so now we’re picOur story began of living in England the place to be. Tristan’s IT. I’d always dreamed it my home. site MySpace was interestnow, Tristan’s made I thought, that looks different from ture popped up and Living here is very he said he had far away from ing. In his profile, being and Mexico as me, Februhardest part, the same birthday family has been the my first count on Trisary 17, so that prompted ‘I thought I’d but I know I can a friendship, me and I love email. It was just tan. He’s here for we planned to never get marmay seem imbut then, in 2012, his family, too. It holiday in you meet the meet up for a ten-day ried. I wasn’t the possible, but when Carmen. del Playa suddenly find Mexico’s right person, you type. After I met friends that I used to joke with anything is possible. an EnglishTristan, though, one day I’d marry I thought as we man although, really, I was a different Tristan says: As soon I wasn’t was immediI’d never get married. met on holiday it person’ I met Tristan, something the type. After ately obvious that person on. Jacky was though, I was a different magical was going any doubt. I beautiful and never had quite simply the most myself. I’m so wasn’t didn’t recognise I had ever seen. It person myself.

‘I love lucky, I’m still pinching amo’ – Spanish for Tristan reuntil she wrote ‘te my feelto Ten days after that I realised that he flew back to Mexico you’ – in the sand back to the UK turned to Plymouth, wanted ew fl He I quick. so returned.

It was so, ings for her were in Mexico. meet my parents. in love with left my right arm and said, “I’m so feeling that I had just someto reassure my dad parents and weeks later. It was was living with my I flew back out two moon and your daughter”. I so he and I I love her... to the Mexican family, thing I had to do. but ours we’re a traditional Tristan has their own story bedrooms for a year. back. Every couple it up. slept in separate in San think we’re making as a news anchorman so magical, people is very then landed a job a We got married there, Diego, California.

Spring is in the air...

Jacky says: My husband I don’t a huge heart and

[[

13

here are primroses in the hedges and daffodils in a jug on the kitchen table. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day the time when we humans head out for dinner a deux and (according to legend) songbirds pair up to build nests and raise chicks. In short, it is time to bring our winter hibernation to an end and get out more.

With this in mind, how about a day trip to the National Trust’s beautiful manor house at Killerton, east Devon? Opening today - and running all summer - is a fabulous fashion exhibition there which is well worth a visit.

West magazine was allowed backstage at the profes-

T

[

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Tweet

of the week @tristan_nicholls Aww... we do have a lovely love story #Valentine @wmnwest

sional photo shoot to celebrate the exhibition, so do read all about it and check out photographer Steve Haywood’s gorgeous pictures on page 16 today.

We’ve even got some family National Trust entry passes to be won, too.

Elsewhere, I love the feature Sarah Pitt has written about meeting the Nigella-inspiring Italian food writer Anna Del Conte in Dorset (p12). Anna is 90 years old and certainly has a lifetime of wisdom to impart. And if all this spurs you on to buy new clothes or eat some great Italian food in Jamie’s Italian in Exeter, check out our Princesshay gift card competition on page 5 with £50 spending money up for grabs - good luck!

The fabulous fashion exhibition is well worth a visit

TO ADVERTISE: Contact Lynne Potter: 01752 293027 or 07834 568283, lynne.potter@dc-media.co.uk

[

[

[

Becky Sheaves, Editor

COVER IMAGE: Steve Haywood

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

MEET THE TEAM Becky Sheaves, Editor

Sarah Pitt

Kathryn Clarke-McLeod

Catherine Barnes

Lynne Potter

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If you do one thing this week...

Head for Princesshay Shopping Centre in Exeter with your loved one to find the perfect Valentine’s gift for each other, and perhaps enjoy a romantic meal for two.

Jamie’s Italian and Carluccio’s are just two places where café society is alive and well in the shopping centre in the heart of the city. Or you could linger over a glass of wine and tapas at the lovely Chandos Deli.

Win

We have a £50 Princesshay gift voucher win, to spend in the shopping centre’s 70 shops and eateries. To enter, email your contact details with the answer to the question below to Princesshay competition, westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk

by February 27. Normal terms apply, West will not share your details. Q: In which city is Princesshay Shopping Centre?

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HANDY Fish coin purse £5 www.tch.net.

Charlotte pressed glass vase £19.50 Marks and Spencer

the

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

I love you cupcake £8 www.biscuiteers. com

STREET STYLE STAR

Shoes: Dune £55 Skirt: Jigsaw £30 Scarf: Jigsaw £29 Bag: Longchamp £55

WORDS AND PICTURE: ELLIE JONES AND SOPHIE WHITING

Judie Henburow Judie is a councillor and lives in the village of Kenton in Devon. She tells us she’s not an avid follower of fashion. Instead, she believes in “doing your own thing and not being dictated to” – well, it certainly works for her.

fave!

Elegant Earrings £17 Monsoon

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Wishlist

Glamour Century 24-piece cutlery set £180 Living by Christiane at House of Fraser

Red heart purse by Gmalou £19 DaWanda. com

Tweet!

Hand enamelled limited edition bird earrings £9.95 www.acornandwill.co.uk

Hammered leaf necklace £30 Accessorize

STORE WE ADORE:

Rockpool Trading This little shop on Plymouth’s Barbican is crammed with crafty things from all over the South West. We particularly love the stylish oilcloth bags designed by My Sister Mabel in Devon. Jewellery, ceramic signs, handmade cushions and quirky

candles, it is all here. Owners Helen and Brendan have taken the trouble to source unusual things you won’t see elsewhere.

Rockpool Trading, 10 Southside Street, Plymouth PL1 2LA, www. rockpooltrading.co.uk

Dickins and Jones striped wellies £30 House of Fraser 7

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talking points Gillian Molesworth

Story of my life...

Dreaming of those Lottery millions few of us from the office pooled some cash to enter the Euromillions lottery. We didn’t win, alas. Actually, we won about £30 with which we bought more lottery tickets, and then we didn’t win. I should have stuck to what I learned in Vegas: if you win, keep half of the winnings, and only gamble (ie lose) the other half. once said.

The amounts you could win “Yeah, but then you’d look like are truly staggering, aren’t they? a jerk driving around,” I said. £30 million? I was trying to get “Everyone would stare at you my head around that. £1 milwhen you were trying to parallel lion makes you rich. £30 million park. Car jackers would tag you. It makes you like, a small country would be a nightmare.” in Africa.

Don’t get me wrong, having Seriously, you could get into wads of cash to sling around Mark Zuckerberg territory there would be fun. And I would like to – he’s pledged to give away 99% make a difference to the world. of his Facebook stock over the But what cause do you choose? course of his lifeAbandoned dogs? time, in order to Cancer research? “make humanity Cancer research for better” or someabandoned dogs?

But what thing.

I would do one of cause would Because you’d two things. My first you choose? have to give vision is of a really loads of it away, kickass library in Abandoned wouldn’t you? our local town, with dogs? Cancer There’s no way a soft play/read research? Cancer you could use all floor for small chilthat money. Or at dren, a hangout and research for least, not in a way listen to music place abandoned dogs? that wouldn’t for teens, and a big make everyone living room where secretly hate you. older people could My kids ask me questions like sit and read the newspaper or play this all the time: “if you had all backgammon. And an art gallery. the money in the world, what car The second is of a Roman-style would you buy?” and the answer complex consisting of a huge is: “I would buy a horse box and gymnasium where you could something to tow it.” That would watch athletes training, and a sort make me really happy, because I of pillared area where you could love horses. As for the car, I like lounge and discuss philosophy. my car. It’s a very serviceable Probably it would also have a café.

Renault. I know where all the And food stalls so you could do the buttons are. It has a space for my shopping – I think they had those. handbag, the kids and the dog.

Zuckerberg, are you reading Life is good. this? There’s some good stuff “I’d get a Lamborghini,” Freddy here.

A

BLUE IS THE

colour

The awards season is now in full swing, giving us the opportunity to check out the gowns and jewels of the rich and famous.

Dame Helen Mirren was looking relaxed and gorgeous at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, in her royal blue ensemble from Alberta Ferretti. Take a leaf out of her book with block-colour blue and you too will look the part – especially if you team it up with silver accessories as she has done.

Dress £45 JD Williams

steal her

style

OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN

OPTION A Long OPTION B Lacey

Maxi dress £30 Evans

Dress £119 Jacques Vert

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 8

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13.02.16

DANI’S BABY

Just

NEW ICTS STR She’s the child star that many of our own kids have grown up with, in the title role of long-running (and oft repeated) CBBC series Tracy Beaker. But now actress and Strictly Come Dancing star Dani Harmer has announced she’s expecting her first baby.

The 26-year old (yes, really!) revealed she’s due to give birth this summer

between us Gossip, news, trend setters and more – you

and that she and boyfriend Simon Brough are “over the moon”.

She said: “I absolutely can’t wait. I’m also really nervous. But I guess I just have to take each day as it comes. I’ve always wanted to be a mum.”

heard all the latest juicy stuff here first!

!

[[ ‘Yes, I will be all alone on Valentine’s Day’

Coldplay in Exeter

‘IT’S LIKE A HOMECOMING’ Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has said that’s he’s looking forward to the band headlining Radio 1’s Big Weekend at Powderham Castle near Exeter in May. There’s been huge excitement in the city and wider Westcountry since the event was announced and it seems like Chris, who was born in the city, feels the same: “I lived the first few years of my life less than 500 yards from where we’ll be performing, so this couldn’t be more of a homecoming for me,” he says.

IS NANCY SINGLE AGAIN? Spare a thought for glamorous Nancy Dell’Olio this Valentine’s Day. The lawyer-turned-entrepreneur, 54, who was the second housemate to be evicted from this year’s Celebrity Big Brother house, has revealed: “There is no one special in my life now.”

Or is there? Nancy, who became a household name in 2001 through her relationship with football’s Sven

Goran-Eriksson says she now tries to keep her personal life as private as possible and to “keep people guessing”.

“I think I have been a few times deeply in love. Love would be terrible if it was always the same when we are 15 or 20 or 30 or 40. Love has to change because we want different emotions and love at different times and different moments.”

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Full bloom: The magnolias at Trewidden Garden are out early this year, says head gardener Richard Morton

in pictures Beautiful: Ellie Taylor, 17, from Plymouth is competing to be Miss England

Picket: Workers at Ainscough Crane Hire at Plymouth docks went on strike over plans for zero hours contracts

Neverland: Helston Community College have staged a production of Peter Pan – meet the flamingoes!

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talking points Love stories

Mwah!

ONE OF US Famous faces with links to the Westcountry

Mills and Boon bodice rippers :

1 His Shock Valentine’s Proposal

10 vampy shades:

1 Maneater (Illamasqua)

2 A Valentine for the Veterinarian

2 Ruby Woo (MAC)

3 The Doctor’s Valentine Dare

4 Pillar Box (Barry M)

4 Fortune’s Perfect Valentine 5 A Date with her Valentine Doc

This week:

John Nettles

3 Pirate (Chanel) 5 Cherry Lush (Tom Ford)

The Bergerac and Midsomer Murders star was born in Cornwall and lives in north Devon

6 Red Siren (Body Shop) 7 Chilli (Max Factor) 8 Red-y to Wear (Clinique)

6 Lone Star Valentine

9 Rouge Buzz (Bourjois)

7 Her Valentine Sheriff

10 999 (Dior)

8 Jackson Hole Valentine 9 The Prodigal Valentine 10 Always Valentine’s Day

The happy list

Food of love

10 things to make you smile this week 10 ancient aphrodisiacs:

1 Green oats 2 Ginger 3 Avocado 4 Fenugreek 5 Sea cucumbers 6 Birds nest soup 7 Pepper 8 Black beans 9 Vanilla 10 Eels

1 January it’s over!

2 Radio 1’s Big Weekend coming to Exeter

3 Fresh brewed coffee heaven scent

4 Lighter mornings Carpe Diem

5 Dark chocolate guilt-free 6 Gin just because 7 Hugs promotes oxytocin, which makes you happy

8 The weekend it’s happen-

Early days: John Nettles, now 72, was born in St Austell, Cornwall. His birth mother was a young Irish nurse working in England during the Second World War. Family: John was adopted at birth by carpenter Eric Nettles and his wife Elsie. He attended St Austell Grammar School and then the University of Southampton, where he started acting in his spare time.

Marriage: John and his first wife, Joyce, have a daughter Emma (born 1970) and divorced in 1979. He married his second wife, Cathryn Sealey, in 1995.

DID YOU KNOW?

Honours: John was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2010. He has an honorary doctorate at the University of Plymouth and is patron of Devon charity The Mare and Foal Sanctuary.

John owns a pet donkey called Hector

Career: In 1981, he won the role that made him a household name, that of Jim Bergerac in the Jersey-set crime drama Bergerac. The show ran for 87 episodes: “We used the same plot over and over again but that didn’t seem to matter!”

Murder: In 1995, he took on the role of another policeman, Tom Barnaby, in Midsomer Murders. The show ran for 81 episodes, until 2011.

Fans: He is a reluctant heart-throb: “A lady from Norway used to send me long letters about what she wanted to do to me and it’d make my eyes water!

It’s very sad, and my wife Cathy got hugely annoyed.”

Devon: He and Cathy live on a 20-acre farm in north Devon, with horses, a dog, three cats, chickens, two geese and “assorted wild things that have taken refuge with us”.

ing, right now

9 The cold side of the pillow midnight bliss 10 Running #thisgirlcan

Competition winners: Congratulations to the winner of the Gustav table lamp from Amos Lighting •

Anna Jones, Sheepwash near Beaworthy

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Interview

the

PASTA queen

Nigella Lawson says veteran foodie Anna Del Conte is ‘the best writer on Italian food there is’. We find out more on a visit to her Dorset home

By Sarah Pitt

nna Del Conte is making me tea in a silver teapot as we sit watching the light fade over the Dorset countryside from her kitchen window. I feel honoured, doubly so in fact, as this legendary doyenne of the food world cuts slices of a polenta cake, dusted with icing sugar, which she has made especially for me. “You are allowed to throw it away if you don’t like it!” she says.

If you haven’t heard of Anna, you should have. After all, Nigella Lawson credits Anna with inspir-

A

ing her love of Italian food. “Anyone who cooks should have Anna’s books,” Nigella has said. “I’m telling you, she’s the best writer on Italian food there is.”

Anna counts Nigella as a friend: “She is a lovely person, really a very nice girl, whom I respect enormously,” she says. And Nigella’s own success has sent a new generation back to Anna’s books (she has written 12). Her iconic volume, Portrait of Pasta, was first published in 1976 and has just been reissued. The new version contains 40 fresh recipes and beguiling illustrations of the many and varied pasta types now found on supermarket shelves in this country.

Back to the polenta cake. We both

take a mouthful. It tastes like a particularly nutty soda bread. “Mmm,” says Anna. “It is rather dense, and not sweet enough. I am sorry, you come here and see me and I give you revolting food!” Jumping up, she roots around in a biscuit tin, producing some delicious biscotti, layered with almonds. And between crunchy mouthfuls, we chat about her life.

Despite living in Britain for nearly 60 years, Anna’s Italian accent is still discernable. Her chic style, too, is an indicator that she is not of these shores. Now 90, she grew up in Milan before the Second World War, in an elegant apartment filled with paintings and treasures.

A Sunday morning outing with her

parents would typically involve a stroll to a city market to buy a lump of truffle. Her family were well-off, rather than rich, she says, but they had a cook and life was “civilised”.

Then the war came, and Anna and her family had to flee the city and the bombs of the Allies for the Italian countryside of Emilia-Romagna, occupied by the Germans.

The rustic food was good: “they had everything, vegetables, chicken, grapes, oil and eggs” but danger was everywhere. Anna, who cycled miles to school each day, ended up in prison several times, albeit briefly.

Once, Germans searched her house, where Anna’s older brother and several others were in hiding. And on another occasion she was machine

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photography: matt austin

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gunned by a plane overhead. Luckily, the bullets missed.

“The whole war was difficult, but we got on with the process of surviving – being able to get to school, being able to get home again, that was what it was about,” says Anna today. “The thing is, though, I didn’t really have any teenage years, all those years were wiped out for me.

There were no boys, all the men were away fighting. There were the Germans, but we didn’t mix. Those girls that did suffered terribly after the war.”

It’s all quite fascinating and, my interest primed by reading Anna’s autobiography Risotto with Nettles, I am bursting with questions. I’m actually here, though, to talk about her new

book, Anna Del Conte on Pasta, the reissue of Anna’s Portrait of Pasta, which launched her illustrious career as a food writer back when pasta to the British still meant ravioli in tins.

Anna has lived in Britain since she arrived in the UK in 1947 as an au pair. She met her husband here and stayed, saying that our food culture has altered “beyond recognition” since her first book was published nearly 40 years ago.

“The food here couldn’t change for the worse, so it has, thank God, changed for the better! When my book originally came out there was nothing – just spaghetti hoops!”

There was also, Anna found to her horror, no unsalted butter, a staple in Italy. Nor could you buy olive oil to cook with. “Olive oil was at the pharmacy still, for ear-ache.”

But, with rationing continuing into the 1950s, she used her more adventurous Italian tastes to her advantage, buying offal which was not rationed. She also used horsemeat in her polpette (meat balls), although she didn’t tell that to her English guests.

Cooking for her family, she dipped into both cultures.

“I made English cottage pie, but if I did roast chicken very often I’d do it the Italian way, start off with vegetables, carrots, celery and onions then sprinkle it

with wine,” she says. did have cameo roles on others’ proAnd her two sons and daughter grammes, including those featuring grew up bilingual in food. “I remem- Nigella Lawson and Nigel Slater. ber my sons loved fish fingers,” she She thinks there is “a bit too much” says. “And they loved Bird’s Cus- food and cooking on TV now, but she tard more than mine. But they’d loves Delia Smith. come home from school with their “Delia has been wonderful, abfriends and make huge helpings of solutely,” she says. “She really was spaghetti for everyone because the the first one who taught the English food at school how to cook in was so disgusta sensible way.” ing.”

She is less glowAnna, then ing about Eliza‘Thank God the food living in London, beth David, the could find dried woman credited here has changed pasta from her with bringing for the better.

When native land in the magic of the my book originally the shops run Mediterranean

by Italian immifood to the Britcame out there grants in Soho. ish. “I met her, was nothing – just But it was not but I didn’t like widely available her,” she says. “I spaghetti hoops!’ in the UK when took my hat off Anna embarked to the way she upon her first wrote though.” book, Portrait of Anna wrote Pasta, in the early 1970s. her autobiography RiThe suggestion to write sotto with Nettles after it came from the publishher husband Oliver Waley er father of a girl she was died in 2007, when she was coaching for her A level Italian. “It obviously still grieving. The book was just a vague idea at that point attracted media attention because and, in fact, it took a long time, Anna mentioned an affair she’d had we didn’t have the internet then! I early in her marriage, which her went to do research in the library husband never knew about. and talked to people. I started from “I don’t want to talk about it,” she scratch. My husband Oliver did a says. “It was my mistake to put it lot of the editing, he was my first in the book.” There is a pause. She editor.” regrets, she says, that her husband Anna has never had her own TV missed the second flowering of her cookery show. She did trials for TV writing career. three times but found she was not a “I’m sorry, because he died before natural in front of the cameras.“I I did a lot of things, and before I was froze,” she says. Nevertheless, she on Desert Island Discs,” she says. “I

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Interview

really did enjoy that.” She was also, in 2010, given a major award by the Italian government: “I’m nearly a Dame in Italy,” she explains.

To this day, Anna loves good food but she’s no food snob (albeit a bit dismayed that spaghetti hoops are still on sale in Tesco). She shops in both Lidl and Waitrose in Shaftesbury, Dorset, where she lives next door to her daughter and grandchildren. “Lidl is good, and there are a lot of Italian ingredients there, because the Germans like Italian food.”

Anna’s book was the first to introduce the British to the possibilities of pasta.

She hopes her book will be rediscovered by a new time-poor generation. “It is very versatile, pasta,” she says. “Not all sauces are quick to make, but a lot of sauces only take as long to prepare as the pasta does to boil.” Wise words, indeed, from a woman who knows.

Anna Del Conte on Pasta is published by Pavilion, price £20

At the age of 90, Anna Del Conte cooks pasta at her Dorset home 15

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photography: Steve Haywood

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People

NATIONAL TRUST FASHION SHOW

A blast of colour Every year, the National Trust stages a major fashion exhibition at Killerton, near Exeter. As well as the show itself, the Trust has a tradition of creating striking photography to accompany and publicise the show. Here, West magazine goes behind the scenes at the photo shoot for the 2016 fashion exhibition, which opens today

By Becky Sheaves

very year, the National Trust stages a major fashion exhibition at Killerton, near Exeter, based on the vast costume collection that has been stored at the house since the 1970s.

“At Killerton, we have 10,000 items of clothing, so there is no way we can have them all on show at any one time.

Our annual exhibition is all about displaying a selection of what we have, in an intriguing and creative way,” says Shelley Tobin, the Trust’s costume curator.

“This year, the show is all about colour and how it has influenced the way we dress over the centuries.”

To publicise the show, National Trust photographer Steve Haywood, who lives in Devon, has set up an enticing series of images based on the show’s title: Fashion To Dye For. The results, showcased here, are a striking reminder of how crucial colour has been to sartorial trends over the centuries. As well as costumes, the show also includes work by Exeter College’s

E

Fashion and Textiles students.

The show opens this weekend and will encompass every shade of the rainbow, as well as monochrome black and white. Among the highlights is a crimson dress, believed to have been made for Princess Margaret in the 1950s. “I’ve been in touch with Kensington Palace to try and authenticate the claim that it was her dress,” says Shelley. “They are pretty certain it was made for her on a trip to Hong Kong in 1955. But what we really need is a picture of her wearing it – you never know! In terms of the colour, what is interesting is how regal a shade of red it is, the dark crimson of royal robes.”

The Killerton costume collection has clothes dating from 1700 to 1975 and was originally the collection of rich heiress Paulise de Bush.

“When she died in 1975, she left instructions to ‘see the collection found a good home’ and so it was given to the National Trust,” explains Shelley.

“An annual fashion and costume exhibition has been held at Killerton ever since.”

The Fashion To Dye For show opens today (February 13) at Killerton, Broadclyst, near Exeter, and runs until October 30. Visit www.nationaltrust.org 17

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The outfits: Shelley Tobin is the National Trust costume curator, based at Killerton “We have chosen all sorts of outfits from throughout the centuries to represent the theme of the fashion exhibition at Killerton.

In fact, there were very few of the pieces that we could use for the photoshoot to publicise the show, because they are too rare and delicate.

“The purple and orange silk dress (see previous page) is in fact a modern replica costume, which is why we could take it outdoors for the shoot. It represents the fashion in the 18th century for very strong colours, but used on quite plain textiles. There was not too much pattern back then, but very bold colour choices that we really wouldn’t put together today. You often get maroon and yellow together or orange and purple, as we see here.

“A scarlet guardsman’s tunic (see above) would have been dyed with madder, a natural dye that has been used for thousands of years. Linen dyed with madder was found in the Egyptian pyramids.

“This little turquoise 1960s dress (see right) has been handmade to a pattern. Even as recently as the 60s and 70s, it was very much the norm for women to make their own clothes at home. The 1960s saw much bolder use of colours, such as this pretty turquoise.

“To see the really rare outfits, however, you’ll have to visit the show itself at Killerton.”

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Balancing act: Jazz O’Neill, 19, works in retail at the All Saints fashion store in Exeter. She studied Fashion at college and is on the company’s internship programme to train as a fashion designer.

“Luckily, I did a lot of competitive gymnastics from the age of three to 13, so I was able to balance on the fence post – for quite a long time, too. Those pictures are not Photoshopped!

“I loved this little 1960s blue dress, it was so sweet as it was handmade. I made dresses and handbags myself when I was at school and also when studying Fashion and Textiles at Exeter College, so I think the handmade trend is coming back. I love fashion and I am hoping to move to London towards the end of this year to further my career as a fashion designer and stylist.

“I have had a preview of the exhibition and really loved it, especially the exhibits from Exeter College students. They were so innovative and I knew a lot of the people who had created them. Recently, I went to London to intern in the All Saints HQ, predicting trends and working on designs for their Autumn/Winter 201617 collection. I find fashion absolutely fascinating, and really good fun.”

Green goddess: Also modelling for the shoot is Tilly Barnes, 18, from Tavistock.

Tilly is on her gap year before going to Birmingham University to study Archaeology and Anthropology.

“I have never done any modelling before, and it was very good fun, not at all what I was expecting. I didn’t even wear a real dress, just a length of fabric pinned into place and was surrounded by coloured smoke grenades! The whole experience did make me think, as I almost always wear black in real life. But I was given some vouchers for Christmas that I haven’t spent yet.

I will try to experiment with wearing more colour. It’s my New Year resolution.”

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People

The photographer: Steven Haywood is a freelance photographer who works closely with the National Trust, both in the South West and nationally.

He lives in south Devon with his wife and daughter.

“I often work on photography for the National Trust and it is always a lot of fun and very creative. This set of pictures was inspired by a play on words. The show is called Fashion to Dye For, so we bounced some ideas around and thought about guns and shooting. The cannons we used were Killerton’s own, the guns were replicas that we hired.

“To make the smoke grenades, I took children’s party poppers, opened them up, removed the streamers and replaced them with food dye. It’s probably not to be recommended but was very effective.

“A shoot like this, done outdoors, is at the mercy of the elements and we had some challenges with the wind blowing the smoke all over the place. It was shot at the end of October last year. I wanted a sunny blue sky so we waited for a nice day but to counteract the sun’s shadows on people’s faces, I used a very big light – 135mm across, with a grid on it to diffuse and soften the light.”

Win tickets!

Family National Trust day passes to be won We have two family day passes for The National Trust to be won, worth at least £29 each (depending which property you visit) offering entry to any National Trust property for two adults and two children.To win, send your name address and contact details, together with the answer to the question below, to: National Trust competition, westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk to arrive by February 26 2016. Normal terms apply, West will not share your details. Q: Where is the Fashion To Dye For fashion show taking place?

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THE ANTI CORROSION HARDWARE

09/02/2016 11:26:58

REAL HOMES

True colours Think you’re naturally drawn to certain shades? You’re probably being swayed by the power of paint. Gabrielle Fagan brushes up on the key colours for interiors in 2016 re you yearning to feel sun-bronzed in these ly versatile and can act almost like a neutral, and works chilly times, considering flirting with a little beautifully with many colours in the spectrum. It’s natupink, or maybe dreaming of serene blue skies? rally evolved from our last year’s colour of the year, Copper You may be surprised to learn that you’re Blush, and is perfectly in tune for the continuing desire to probably not simply longing for spring – you’re succumbing use metallics to add glamour to our interiors.” to the power of paint.

Cherished Gold can be in unifying force in a room, rather The colour for 2016, according to Dulux, is Cherished than an overwhelming one, if used sparingly. Pair it with Gold, while the paint wizards at Pantone have chosen blush- cool neutrals, warm browns or even a gutsy chocolate and ing Rose Quartz and Serenity, a soft blue. light wood for a sophisticated, contemAll three shades are tipped to make their porary look. Alternatively, it will act as a mark on our decor this year. grounding force with sharp citrus shades or They have already strongly influenced chalky pastel hues, like duck egg.

Go more candy the colour palette of the new 2016 home Consider a painting a feature wall in and sugary ranges, which means there’s no problem Cherished Gold, which could harmonise sweet if you picking up on whichever colour appeals. with a mouth-watering brown, such as Rum I’ll guarantee it won’t be long before you’ll Caramel, or a greeny Atlas Blue. Both availwant girly decor, be thinking you can’t live without one, or able in matt emulsion, from £24.49 for 2.5 while pure maybe two, of these fashionable shades. litres, Dulux. pale pink will Cherished Gold is a rich ochre gold Metallic finishes, especially golds, are feashade which moves away from the in-yourturing strongly in tile collections, and Topps provide a classic face ‘bling’ of metallics and instead has an Tiles has one with a particularly appropribackdrop earthy, burnished quality, which sits well ate, glossy finish, Diamante Ocre, which is in a period or contemporary setting. £43 per square metre. If you simply want to “Gold, and tones of gold, are being used experiment with the shade, start with a few everywhere in the design world,” says Rebecca Williamson, accessories to test your enthusiasm for it. senior colour design and content manager at Dulux.

For a softer look, the gentle rose tone of Rose Quartz is “It’s a recurring colour and it’s featuring strongly in calming and easy to interpret. Go more candy and sugary graphic design, as well as in architecture, fashion, beauty sweet if you want girly decor, while pure pale pink will proand interior decoration. We feel Cherished Gold is extremevide a classic backdrop.

A

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Interiors

Bloomsbury sofa covered in Harbour fabric in Wedgewood, £899; Florine coffee table from £349; Florine lamp table from £229; all harveysfurniture.co.uk

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Interiors Get a glow with these Diamante Ochre tiles £43 a square metre, www. toppstiles.co.uk

Bailey velvet maxi sofa in dusky pink, £1,499, dfs.co.uk

“There’s no easier way to add colour to your interiors than to inject it with comforting pastel tones. Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Rose Quartz, is a perfect example,” says Samantha Parish, who is the interior design manager at Hypnos Beds.

“This soothing shade adds a soft, feminine and welcoming touch to an interior scheme. While pastel-based shades are renowned for their mood-enhancing and lifting qualities, be careful not to pair them with too many colours in one room, as this can make a setting feel too busy and jumbled.

“Instead, pick it as a dominant colour and complement with smaller doses of a secondary, harmonising shade, to create a grown-up, sophisticated look.”

Rose Quartz pairs well with rich browns, greens, purples, and yellows but for an on-trend interpretation, match it with a calming shade of light grey. Enhance it with soft metallics, rose gold or copper, and wood accessories.

Just looking up at an expanse of pale blue sky is uplifting, and Pantone’s cool Serenity is a safe bet for those who want to create a fresh, airy, tranquil room. You don’t even have to stick to painting walls; Burbidge Kitchens offer their Langton kitchen painted in Serenity by Pantone, which starts at £12,000.

“Serenity is an almost ethereal shade and its calming influence is said to create feelings of ‘respite and relaxation, even in turbulent times’

Gold can add dash to a muted decor in small doses, as with these gold parrot bookends, £42, miafleur.com

so frankly, who could ask for more?” says Mike Stephen, who works as design director at Apollo Blinds.

“Whether utilised in stripes, a coastal scheme, floral patterns, or as a block of colour across home accessories or even an entire room, this peaceful blue imparts a sense of order and peace.

Blue is still strongly featuring in interiors and this would work well contrasting with a deep indigo or a bright cerulean.”

STYLE TIP: Pair rose pink with rich browns,

greens, purples and yellows – or match it with a calming shade of light grey

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Copper cork and ceramic vase £62 quinceliving.co.uk

Luxury Retreat towel stack in dusk, half price ranging from £9-£31, sheridanaustralia.co.uk

Dusky pink cushion with gold spots, £24.04 rigbyandmac.com

Glaston £95 loaf.com

Matador sofa from £1,495 upholstered in rose quartz, contentbyterenceconran.com

November Gorse emulsion £36 for two litres, Paint by Conran 25

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Gardens

ANNE SWITHINBANK

In the shade Devon’s Anne Swithinbank, panellist on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, is getting some natural inspiration for the shady areas of her garden et ground has meant down to a stream or river along less gardening but the valley floor. There is usually a more time for plan- well-defined understorey of smallning so I’ve been er trees and shrubs (hazel, holly, thinking of ways to introduce better elder) but in winter, little growing summer colour to the shadier parts on the ground other than ferns and of our garden. Most shade tolerant maybe patches of snowdrops. Soon, plants originate from woodlands a succession of daffodils, wood and, as well as having evolved to sorrel, wood anemone, bluebells cope with low light, they have other and stitchwort will follow. specific needs. In many ways these Most woodland dwellers are plants are rather spring flowerdelicate and turn ing, to make use up their toes when of sunlight filterMost woodland faced with the ing through bare compacted soil, branches. They’ll dwellers are wind tunnels and grow, flower and spring flowering, weed competition seed before the tree to make use sometimes found canopy closes over, in the shadier many dying back of the sunlight parts of gardens. to bulbs, corms or filtering through As ever, the tubers well able to best way to undertolerate summer bare branches stand the needs of droughts while plants is to visit trees are in full leaf. their wild relaObviously, there tives in the UK, so are degrees of a walk in the woods is on the cards. shade and where trees have fallen You’ll have local favourites , I’m or coppicing carried out, light sure, but try consulting www.woodenters and there’s a sudden explolandtrust.org.uk to discover more. sion of foxgloves and willow herb.

Even in winter, this is a revealing Wood edges and river banks offer experience and easy to relate back a mix of sun and shade similar to to the garden. The immediate im- that experienced in gardens. pression is silence, then drips and Imagine the roots of woodland bird song as you step onto soft, leafplants pushing out into all that mould rich soil. Despite the leafless moist yet well-drained, soil, fed canopy, a wood feels sheltered and over the years by annual layers of ground is generally sloping, often fibrous leaf mould. Undisturbed,

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this provides the ideal environment for the mycorrhizal fungi whose mycelium or fungal strands grow in or around plant roots. Sugars are taken from the plant in exchange for extending the root system for an improved uptake of water and nutrients. This is a far cry from our gardens, where in new plots soil can be poor and compacted with no body to it. Even ‘well-cultivated’ soil is regularly disturbed and a poor home for these symbiotic, beneficial fungi. If your soil is workable, I’d opt for planting straight into it with minimal fuss, then mulching with lots of well rotted compost. Products containing mycorrhizal fungi can be added to roots at planting time to help them establish.

Among my favourite spring flowers are Mediterranean Cyclamen coum, out now. These perky, hardy cyclamen are brilliant for dry shade quite close to the trunks of trees. Ours are colonising soil just under the skirts of a clipped beech. The lungwort Pulmonaria ‘Diana Claire’ is another treasure for dry shade, as the silvery leaves shine out. Dicentra spectabilis, the bleeding heart, sends up arching stems of pink and white blooms but needs a moist soil. There is a white form and they die back during summer.

For the more difficult summer months, I’d like to try some campanulas in areas of light shade

and moist soil. C.takesimana makes sturdy 60cm/2ft tall plants with large, drooping bellshaped flowers of white or pink. More graceful at 1m/3ft tall, C.latifolia will probably need some support. Another often overlooked summer plant for a similar position is the willow gentian (Gentiana asclepiadea). This grows to 60cm/2ft, with cascading stems bearing blue or white flowers, so ideal for a moist bank or slope. As with all experiments, I’ll try a few plants first to see how they get on and whether the rabbits and deer find them tasty.

Those that take off and thrive will then be propagated and added to, making impress i v e drifts.

Question time with Anne

Anne’s advice for your garden

• Sow peas into a container under glass for early pickings. I used a 35cm/14in wide pot, fixed five twiggy beech sticks 1.5m/5ft high around the edge, tied in over the top to make a wigwam and sowed a tall pea 5cm/2in apart in and around the supports. Despite a frost under unheated glass, they’re already germinating.

• Buy tender plug plants cheaply,

West reader queries answered by Anne Swithinbank To benefit from instant height, I planted some tall, narrow cypresses into containers for my small town garden. They are now leaning slightly and some of the foliage has gone brown. How can I rescue them?

Last year, I planted a summer flowering jasmine to climb an obelisk. It grew a bit but is now a mass of stems, some green but others brown and dead-looking. Is it dead and how do I look after it?

We sometimes ask a lot of our plants. I suspect they might have been planted too deeply, so look to see how much extra compost was piled on top of the original rootballs and up the trunk.

You might need to carefully lift and reposition the plants but wait until spring. Some plants, such as clematis and roses can be buried a bit deeper, others like conifers and rhododendrons take exception to this. As they are tall, they are likely to have been rocked by the wind, tearing new roots. Maybe they could be secured to something while pushing roots into the compost.

Conifers benefit from mycorrhizal associations as described above, even in pots. A sprinkle of Rootgrow over the roots when you reposition them would help.

This would be Jasminum officinale which, unlike the indoor Jasminum polyanthum, is usually deciduous and better able to withstand frost. It is also, like winter jasmine, rather prone to dieback hence the brown stems. As long as there is plenty of green stem, there is nothing to fear and come spring, you can prune the dead away and your plant will burst back into growth. Providing it receives plenty of sunshine and warmth, your jasmine will scent the whole garden.

Q

This week’s gardening tips

keep on a cool, bright windowsill or under glass and take cuttings of their shoots so you have three or four for the price of one. Fuchsias verbenas and argyranthemums (margueurites) are ideal.

• Sow calabrese into a wide pot.

When germinated, transplant one per 9cm/3.5in pot to grow on and plant out for an early crop.

Q

Sow antirrhinums as the tiny seeds need a long growing season. Scatter thinly and evenly onto a tray of moist seed compost, cover with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite, keep in a warm propagating case until germinated, then space seedlings 2.5cm/1in apart, grid fashion in a seed tray

Shop

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

Those still panicking over Valentine’s presents for gardeners could do worse than choose seed packets promising plants with love in their name. There is love-in-a-mist (nigella), cupid’s dart (Catananche caerulea), forget-me-not (myosotis) and heartsease pansy (Viola tricolor).

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Beauty

[[ You can never go wrong with a smoky eye and a bold red lip

Kiss kiss Color Studio pure matt lipstick in Heart Throb (www.colorstudiopro.com, £8.50) The matt look for lips is hot right now. This lipstick is one of the best I’ve tried, with plenty of pigment for a long-lasting pout. Mwah!

Eau yes!

Benefit Maybe Baby Perfume (Boots, £19.50) Complete your look with a spritz of this soft and sultry fragrance. Redolent of white blossoms and a rush of sultry musk, it’s eau so irresistible.

In the pink Clarins Iridescent Silver Pink eye shadow (Debenhams, £19) The smoothing effect of a cream shadow, but with a powder finish. I love it!

Abbie’s

Beauty box Expert advice from beauty guru Abbie Bray of Newton Abbot

On the lash YSL Shocking Mascara in black (John Lewis, £25) This mascara is blacker than black and it gives the effect of false lashes without the fuss.

Happy Valentine’s Day! I can’t believe it is the middle of February already. So if you are going out somewhere wonderful tomorrow night, here’s my advice on looking gorgeous on a romantic night out. You can never go wrong with a smoky eye and a bold red or pink lip; whether you are staying in to have a romantic meal for two or painting the town red with the girls, there is a something to suit everyone.

This week my favourite product is this Clarins Iridescent silver pink eye shadow. It is great to wear as a subtle wash of colour or you can create a gorgeous smoky eye look by layering the colour.

Don’t let the shimmer put you off, it is suitable for any age. There is also a shade of pink or red lipstick to suit any tone of skin – warmer tones tend to suit a more olive skin tone whereas blue (cooler) tones of red suit a fairer skin.

Perfect Clarins Light Perfecting Base (Debenhams, £18) A moisturising primer for kissable lips, enriched with acacia micropearls.

Eyes right Ciate Chisel eyeliner in black (www. ciatelondon. com, £16) Go for a sexy, smoky eye look – this liner is really easy to apply.

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Wed

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13 - 21 February

Half Term Family Fun at RHS Garden Rosemoor Join us for The Secret Life of Insects with family walks, workshops and

even an Ugly Bug Ball! Activities vary daily, please see website for details. rhs.org.uk/rosemoor

Reg. Charity No. 222879/SC038262

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09/02/2016 11:26:09

Body £65 www.lascana.

Detail knickers £12 at River Island

Mylene Klass scroll embroidery body £35 Littlewoods

Loveable! ow! Doesn’t mum-of-two Myleene Klass look lovely in this lingerie? Valentine’s Day is the ideal excuse to treat yourself to some extra-special undies (or receive them as a gift!). If you’re slim and athletic like Myleene, then there are lots of bras now with clever and confidence-boosting pad-

W

ding, while slim girls who don’t need support can wear wispy fabrics and go overboard with the frills.

Curvy ladies can accentuate a larger bust – and make a feature of your waist – in a bra that creates amazing cleavage. Look out, too, for straps and clasps that add tantalising detail, as well as support.

B by Ted Baker bra £25, briefs £10.50 Debenhams

Petite Fleur side bow briefs £14 www.lascana.co.uk

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Fashion

Bra £26, briefs £12 Boux Avenue

Chemise £35 Boux Avenue

Ashley Graham bra £50.90 navabi.co.uk

ww.lascana.co.uk Bracelet £39 www.cadenzza.co.uk

Reger by Janet Reger Bra £26, suspenders £22, briefs £15 Debenhams

Bra and knickers set £12 George at Asda

Pink lace body was £23 now £6.90 Calando at www. zalando.co.uk Rio knickers £6 M&S 31

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Trend

HOW TO WEAR IT:

Slacks MAIN PHOTO HAIR: LILY AT SAKS, EXETER MAKE-UP: CLARINS, DEBENHAMS (BOTH PRINCESSHAY) PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE HAYWOOD ASSISTED BY ELLIE JONES & SOPHIE WHITING

Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod finds a pair of trousers that earn their keep t’s embarrassing confession time.

When I like a pair of trousers I can wear them up to three times a week.

I get to the point where I find it hard to believe I ever left the house in anything else. This is how I felt when I got a pair of high-waisted black jeans from Topshop recently. I realised I had a problem when my best friend Kerry casually remarked ‘Those welded on?’ when I arrived for a coffee date. Brutal, but necessary. An intervention in the truest sense of the word.

Most problems can be solved with a bit of shopping and, luckily, this one was no exception. I’ll admit, I was tempted to strike out in search of a similar style but the aim was to add depth to my weekday scene. A fresh approach was needed.

It only took the swiftest of flips through my favourite fashion weeklies to see the answer lay in slacks. They’re definitely my favourite kind of solution too, elegant and simple.

They’re One magazine even went so far definitely my as to declare 2016 ‘the year of the pant’. favourite kind The hype is justified. Popping of fashion on a good pair of this season’s trousers gives you that rare feelsolution too, ing of looking incredibly fashelegant and ion-forward, but also like you simple. didn’t try, at all. A heady combination, usually the domain of style royalty.

A good pair can be worn in a multitude of ways. They marry well with a collared blouse. Think cuffs rolled up to your elbow. comfortable piece of knitwear but I sometimes White, striped or even covered in a cute pattern feel a bit on the casual side when I wear one with like dots or wee bicycles, but not too crisp, and skinny jeans to the office. Throwing the knit on always tucked in. If the fabric is soft enough a half over these slacks was a great workaround. The tuck will do (This is where you artfully tuck in tailoring means you still get taken seriously and just the front of the shirt leaving the rest hanging the juxtaposition with the softness of the jumper out). I’m a sucker for throwing a soft knit over the provides interest. top of this and letting collar and cuffs protrude.

I went for a black pair, aiming for maximum Sharp dressing with a soft side. versatility. But there a multitude of options availTalking of soft, this Reiss knit I’m wearing was able from pastels to print. I love the idea of an eclike a soft cloud of warmth. I love a beautiful but lectic print with a simple white vest and strappy

I

Shoes, Next, Princesshay, £30 Trousers, Reiss, Princesshay, £120 Knitwear, Reiss, Princesshay, £130 Hat, Reiss, Princesshay, £60

sandals in the summer, and even an olive green pair would look great with a grey jumper and ballet flats on a casual weekend get-together. My advice, start with a pair in good old basic black and, if you find they have transformed your wardrobe, then diversify.

I’m going to wear these at least four times this week. That reminds me, I must cancel lunch with Kerry. Totally unrelated of course.

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

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Jacquard trousers £36 NEXT

GET THE

look Wide-legged trousers £140 KAREN MILLEN

fave!

Green slacks £40 TOPSHOP

Ankle strap heels £150 REISS

Tassel bag £29 MISS SELFRIDGE

Printed trousers £40 RIVER ISLAND

Blue slacks £40 RIVER ISLAND

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09/02/2016 13:26:03

culture vulture MAIN PICTURE: RHS ROSEMOOR

Our guide to what’s on in the South West by woman-in-theknow Sarah Pitt

Mini safari Explore the world of all things that scuttle and creep at the gardens at RHS Rosemoor in north Devon this half-term week.

Adults and children are invited to see the world of insects up close to discover their secrets. You can also wander under giant willow spiders that make you feel like a tiny fly and even dress up and take part in an Ugly Bug Ball The fun starts today (February 13) with ‘secret life of insects’ guided walks at 11.30am and 2.30pm. And on Friday, February 19,, kids can learn to make a Bug House to give insects somewhere to shelter.

Normal garden admission applies, £11 for adults, £5.50 for children or family ticket (two adults, two children) £28.25. Find out more at www.rhs.org.uk

Laughter

Double life One man show I Am Not Myself These Days is by turns brutal, funny and heartbreaking, a gripping tale of self-discovery set amidst the hedonistic excesses of 1990s New York. Adapted for the stage from Josh KilmerPurcell’s New York Times bestseller, this is a darkly humorous autobiographical story. It tells of a young New Yorker’s unconventional journey to self-acceptance while living a daring dual life as an advertising art director by day, glitter-dripping drag queen by night. Starring Tom Stuart, in his own adaptation, this Edinburgh Fringe Festival hit is at Exeter’s Bike Shed Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 22 and 23.

Tickets are £10 (£8 concessions) from www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk or call 01392 434169. Performances start at 7.30pm.

One of the rising stars of the national comedy scene is making a rare trip west to appear at The Mill Comedy Club in Penzance. Welsh funny man Dan Mitchell will headline the stand-up comedy event at the venue on Friday (February 19).

Described by TV veteran Bob Mortimer as “a joy to watch”, Dan has starred in many shows on the box, including Show Me The Funny. And he’s even been funny on Welsh language TV, on the S4C show Gig-L. He is joined at The Mill by three of the best up-andcoming acts in the South West.

Tickets £3 on the door for 8pm start, see www. themillpenzance.co.uk

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Enjoy

Your stars

by Cassandra Nye This week’s sign:

Happy birthday to...

Aquarians typically fall into two camps: the shy and sensitive types and the effervescent exhibitionists, but both are strong-willed in their own way. But that doesn’t mean stubborn: one endearing characteristic is the willingness of Aquarians to listen to others and admit to being wrong. Even when you stick to your own opinion, you’re so considerate of other people’s views that you’re a great friend to share time and conversation with, Aquarius!

Simon Pegg born February 14, 1970 Gloucestershire-born Simon studied theatre, film and television at Bristol University. Brit films Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz (costarring his best friend, Nick Frost) first made his name and Simon has gone on to star in Hollywood hits including Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol and Star Trek. Simon married music industry publicist Maureen in 2005 and their six-year-old daughter Matilda’s godfather is Devon-born Coldplay singer Chris Martin.

Simon is godfather to Chris and Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter Apple.

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Something you once thought could provide an income has the chance to become a satisfying hobby instead. Be with your friends at the weekend to avoid a flat period. Indeed, you need to organise your own fun this week! Waiting for others to get moving can be frustrating. Give them the knowledge they need to do it though and you all get ahead.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) Are you feeling a little put upon? Well, don’t let it concern you. Practise, this week, saying ‘no’. Contrary to what you may think, you will still be as popular. Indeed, doing so can make a romantic interest even more interested.

Feel like spreading your wings? Doing something different? Well, let someone else organise it for a change.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) This is a powerful week when you will feel strong and attractive. Indeed, your charm positively shines through. When embarking on a new plan, have alternatives and be flexible. Changes in your romantic life can be unsettling, but you know they make sense.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Although it is a busy time, you should feel able to tackle anything that comes along. Realising that you have back-up gives extra confidence. In both a loving and sensuous week, personal satisfaction seems that much closer. An ‘over the top’ reaction from someone around the time of Valentine’s still makes you smile.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Move forward with ambitions and don’t be coy about showing your talents.

Although you may be quite prepared to go it alone, there are those who are willing and

eager to back you up. Be optimistic about finances and get your house in order.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Jump at any opportunity that helps move plans forward. This can be a very progressive week in all areas.

Finances are highlighted, but be sure to seek out the best deal. It is out there! This week can be as romantic as you care to make it.

LEO (July 23 - August 23) Being at your charming best pays dividends when it comes to romance and cooperation with others. Someone from the past is setting their sights on you and maybe this time it will work out better.

Still, take a practical approach rather than a rose-tinted one.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Keeping up with the latest technical moves can seriously benefit your working life right now. Break down any mental barriers and be prepared to be amazed! You look good, feel good and a bit of romance would certainly do you good. Let optimistic Jupiter guide you towards a more spontaneous and romantic weekend.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Information coming your way through others this week really gets you think-

ing. Your personal charm is at a peak as this period begins. Some of you who have a serious relationship already will feel like making a proposal. I don’t want to take the shine off, but work out finances first!

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) A change in plans as the week begins is just a blip. Family matters are fun and give you a better understanding of those who are close to you. A chance meeting or conversation at work leads to quite a radical idea (for you). If this touches on a holiday with someone rather different, so much the better!

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) A certain kind of detachment from your daily life is pushing you in the direction of a more social approach. Have you been working too hard or giving up leisure time for others? With Mars on your doorstep, be prepared to open the door to new and exciting people.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) A certain lack of energy this week gives you the chance to catch up on paperwork. Finances can be tightened up and work plans made more efficient. Giving a bit more attention to your love life is essential and will be fun. Cash flow may be a bit of a problem right now, but dealing with this can be an intellectual challenge.

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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

Show some love Children’s charity the Rainbow Trust supports more than 1,900 families caring for a child with a life threatening or terminal illness, giving them emotional support and much-needed breaks.

This Valentine’s Day, the charity is asking us to have a heart and make a £5 donation – just what you might spend on a box of chocolates – so it can support more children and families. Visit www. rainbowtrust.org.uk/donate

Healthy snacks Popular US fruit and nut snack bar range KIND launched in the UK in October. Each bar has an average 40% less sugar per 100g than similar snack bar products. All are glutenfree (many are dairy-free too), high in fibre and contain no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives. A great late-afternoon or pre-workout boost. Find them at Tesco, £1.29 each.

TIME FOR YOU Want to cleanse your mind and overhaul your fitness regime at the same time?

Breath Health and Fitness Centre in Truro offers classes that promise to be gentle on beginners and relaxing for fitness fanatics, too. Make time for you by taking one of their specialised classes in Back Yoga, Hot Yoga or pilates. A glutton for punishment? Book a 1-2-1 session with one of their personal trainers. Get a full class list on their website: www.breathehq.co.uk

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EAT WELL, THINK MORE CLEARLY Did you know our brain is an energy hog that consumes 20% of all the energy we put into our body? There is no single best diet or food.

It’s about including a wide variety of fresh, unprocessed foods, vegetables and fruits, lean protein (including three portions of oily fish a week), seeds, nuts and wholegrains.

Water is essential. Even 1% dehydration is associated with fuzzy thinking, so keep fluid intake up with six to eight glasses a day.

If heart disease runs in your family, knowing about it could help save your life, says the British Heart Foundation. You can also find out more about your ‘heart age’ by filling in an online questionnaire which assesses your heart age compared to your real age on the NHS choices website, www.nhs.uk

Brace!

LOVE...

t ently shared a swee Andrea McLean rec th wi g sin po lf rse he picture on Twitter of Fin, with both of her 14-year-old son s. them in teeth brace ter explained: en es pr n me Wo e The Loos s supposed to have “I’ve had braces. I wa nager. I had acne, tee a s them when I wa ing to add braces. a perm, I was not go ,I just had them done “My 14 year old son ht ug tho I d an , ve bra was saying you’re so te because you you’re such a hypocri never did it.”

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

your hands this Valentine’s day: this nourishing cocoa and shea butter cream (£12.95 www. annabeljames. co.uk) is gorgeously rose and geranium scented. What a treat.

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

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Wellbeing

How to look fabulous at 50 What are the best ways to care for your skin in a new decade?

I am a woman in my fifties and would like to know what I can do to keep looking healthy and glowing, like the celebrities of my age seem to do! DS, Axminster

Q

Medical aesthetician Dr Pradnya Apte says: There are plenty of celebrities out there of your age that look amazing. Just look at Michelle Pfeiffer or Elle Macpherson, for example. Maintaining a youthful glow is more of a challenge now, with your oestrogen levels declining as menopause is imminent, thinning and drying your skin – but there are plenty of solutions that will help.

First up, diet and physical activity are vitally important to women in their 50s and can contribute to a wonderful overall sense of wellbeing and appearance. Your metabolism slows down naturally as you age and, if left alone, lean muscle can turn into fat. There is an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease but include some unsaturated fat in your diet, to keep your skin supple.

There is a huge range of skincare products to choose from, but I recommend cream or lotion cleansers that do not strip the skin of their natu-

ral oils. Also try serums that penetrate down to lines, folds and restore facial volume. There are the dermis to work more effectively. It is very a lot of products out there so do choose a qualiimportant to use a moisturiser with at least SPF fied aesthetic practitioner and aim for subtle and 30 to prevent further damage to the skin’s DNA, natural results. which causes ageing. Retinoids (Vitamin A forLaser and Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatments mulations) in skincare work by are great for reducing areas of resurfacing the skin, increasing pigmentation, removal of supercellular renewal and improving ficial wrinkles and tightening elasticity. Formulations that the skin. Non surgical facelifts ‘Vitamin C is are deemed “cosmoceutical” in (also known as One Stitch face strength also cause mild shedlifts) offer immediate results for good for collagen ding of the skin, which is great those that do not want to have production and for improving the skin’s appearsurgery. Silhouette Soft is a onereducing redness. ance. In my clinic, I stock Image stitch procedure that I carry out Skincare, a cosmoceutical range in my clinic – threads lift the soft Glycolic acid will that delivers key ingredients to tissues in the jowl area. It only help brighten and the deeper parts of the skin. takes an hour and the results hydrate the skin’ Other effective ingredients in are fantastic, lasting about 12 skincare include glycolic acid, to months until the threads break resurface, brighten and hydrate down naturally. the skin, and Vitamin C is good for collagen production and reDr Pradnya Apte runs the Revitalducing redness in the skin. ise-Rejuvenate medi-clinic in Exeter. For information You could consider non-surgical cosmetic on Silhouette Soft and Image Skincare contact info@ procedures. Injectables like dermal fillers and revitalise-rejuvenate.co.uk or visit www.revitalisebotulinum toxin injections (botox) help correct rejuvenate.co.uk

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the furnishers

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Tip: The use of a tall headboard in contrasting fabric to the divan base, ensuresthe bed is the focal point of the room and adds an extra touch of sumptuous glamour.

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Hayle 4 Fore Street, Copperhouse, TR27 4DY - 01736 755 700 hayle@julianfoye.co.uk 09/02/2016 11:25:07

Drink

Beer of the week

Darren Norbury

As the presentation was made to Cornish Crown Brewery for its win in the speciality class in last autumn’s Falmouth Beer Festival, I had to remind myself what a fine beer Red IPA (6% ABV) is. Hopped with Nelson Sauvin and Cascade for good bitterness, there’s a nice red tinge to the beer and a note of fresh red apple.

talks beer nline retailer EeBria’s research case. Trying new beers is my thing. But even about the drinking habits of older so, I can see a point in, say, 15 or 20 years where people almost passed me by, until I old-fashioned brown bitter as we know it may be realised that, by their measure, I am, seriously hard to find among the jungle of keg at the grand old age of 51, an Older Person. What IPAs, canned imperial stouts, and bottled British a cheek. I admit that I am more saisons. inclined to walk back to the And I think that would be a pub rather than run after a bus real shame. But perhaps the I’m late for, and that my idea of twist in the tale could be a future My experience adrenaline sport is to request a revival of historic recipes. Perof drinking in a beer glass without a handle, but haps the acquisitive nature of even so. Older. Pah. AB-InBev will have reached its pub with new The point, however, is this. peak by then, with the global and old style Apparently, us grey, baldy geegiant buying up every interestbeers is that, zers aren’t as wedded to olding, high-alpha hop crop growfashioned beer styles as the ing. And the small brewers will well, you can hipster youngsters think. Black be left with Fuggles and Goldteach old dogs IPAs, double IPAs and sour beers ings and they’ll think: we could new tricks are grabbing our imagination, make an old-fashioned bitter. To to the cost of, presumably, trad enjoy as Leicester City march to brown bitter. My experience of their 20th consecutive Premier drinking in a pub where new League championship, manager and old styles are both present is that, well, you Jose Mourinho announcing his retirement after can teach old dogs new tricks. all those glory years in charge.

You can steer traditional bitter drinkers into Until that happens, I’m happy on my voyage of hoppier porters and fruity milds; you can even discovery, quaffing Sorachi Ace single-hop pale get lifelong lager drinkers trying zesty pale ales ales and delighting in cacao nib-infused double and ditching the Stella forever. It’s a Damascene porters. But, note to self: remember not to leave moment (oh, and they save quite a bit of money that walking stick in the pub. over the course of a year, too).

Darren Norbury is editor of beertoday.co.uk I am, of course, in oh so many ways, a special @beertoday

O

STAYING IN ST IVES Despite rumours to the contrary, Cornwall CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) is keeping its spring beer festival in St Ives this year. There had been talk of a move to Penzance, but the team have opted to stay at the St Ives Guildhall venue.

Shipshape and Bristol fashion

Butcombe Brewery is to sponsor this year’s Bristol Beer Festival, at Brunel’s Old Station, Temple Meads, from March 10-12. The festival will feature more than 140 real ales, as well as ciders and perries.

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Eat

Ingredient of the Week

Rhubarb

with Tim Maddams ow, I don’t want to drag out the you cook it (see panel) you have a whole gamut same old cliches and bang you over of options. Serve it up warm with ice cream or the head with them. We know by yoghurt, churn it into ice cream, or make it into now that rhubarb is a vegetable, not a sorbet or frozen parfait. a fruit, and we are equally aware I like to drain off the cooking liquid and shake that the early stuff is forced in this over ice with equal parts of darkened sheds in Yorkshire to gin and dry vermouth to make produce the delicate, pink stems a very tasty rhubarb martini. and crunchy freshness we are all The fruit itself often ends up in I drain off the so familiar with at this time of a lightly-spiced brownie mix, liquid, shake it year. baked until just about set enough I have, at times, actually treatto cut. Serve it as a pud with a over ice with gin ed it as a vegetable, chopping cocktail and you’ll be sure to imand vermouth it finely, adding finely chopped press your guests. and have myself onion and thyme and dressing Cooked rhubarb makes an exthe whole thing in rapeseed oil cellent addition to trifle too. and a tasty rhubarb to garnish cured mackerel and a rhubarb mille-feuille is well martini bass. But most often when I see worth the effort. the new rhubarb I am thinking Whatever you decide to do with about pudding. I know, that’s terit, please don’t overcook rhubarb ribly uncool, but this is where to a watery colourless sludge, rhubarb excels. These tender stems are so fresh unless it is that hard stuff from the garden that and firm they can simply be dipped into sugar, needs the extra cooking time to bring out its sherbet dib-dab style, and eaten raw. But once sweetness and flavour.

N

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Rhubarb, rhubarb I think the very best way to deal with this wonderful chap is to dress lengths of rhubarb in a little honey, add a little black pepper and place the whole thing in a ceramic baking dish.

Cover with a tight fitting lid and place into a warm BUT NOT HOT oven, say around 80C for around 40 mins, until it’s softened but has still got some bite and sharpness to it. @TimGreenSauce

Tim Maddams is a Devon chef and author of Game: River Cottage Handbook no. 15 (Bloomsbury £14.99) 41

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Enjoy

The Cary Arms

A WEEKEND IN...

Babbacombe nown for having some of the most picturesque views in the country, make sure you get the window seat when travelling to the beautiful village of Babbacombe, near Torquay.

There are plenty of hidden treasures in and around this village. So whether you’re after a cream tea or just hiking down to the beach, there’s something for everyone here this Valentine’s Day.

K

Stay:

The Babbacombe Downs guest house offers guests a stress-free holiday from the minute they arrive. Rooms start from £75 per night and on offer are numerous extras to make your stay memorable. Make your loved one feel extra special this Valentine’s Day with their handmade chocolates and a selection of wine in your room.The Cary Arms offers stunning beach views and prices start from £195 per room with

breakfast included. Situated on the beach itself, Do: Babbacombe is the place for coastal this hotel has won several awards including walks. From Walls Hill you can take a route to the 2014 Bronze Visit Devon Babbacombe beach where you Accommodation award and its might get a glimpse of seals food earned it a Gold Award from and dolphins that often visit.

Taste of the West in 2015. It is pet For more information on the We’re very friendly, for those who want bring Babbacombe coastal walk visit excited about their furry friends on holiday. www.southwestcoastpath.org. uk. Babbacombe Theatre hosts the upcoming Eat: Perfect for a lunchtime a wide variety of performances. performance rest, Angels Tea Rooms offers a We’re very excited about the variety of tea, sandwiches and upcoming performance by Lulu

by Lulu at the scones. Served on fine bone china here this April 15, see www. theatre here this and made with local ingredients, babbacombe-theatre.com for spring this is a must for tea lovers. With details. outdoor and indoor seating, this enticing restaurant has Ride high: Babbacombe Cliff lovely views – just the thing for Railway is a unique funicular Valentine dates. It gets busy, though, so do book railway that opened in 1926 and runs up and down ahead on 01803 324477 the cliff to the beach. It’s a fun experience and

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Angels Tea Room

Boutique 98

also a good way of skipping the rather strenuous walk down to the sea. It’s £2.20 return for adults and is set to reopen for the summer season this February, see www.babbacombecliffrailway. co.uk for details.

Shop: If you have a big event to plan for, Boutique 98 offers formal wear for all occasions. The shop is a family-run business located in the heart of Babbacombe and the staff, Nicola, Samantha and Emma are on hand to help you find the right outfit. Just up from this wonderful shop is Best Wishes, which has a good selection of cards and gifts and is well worth a visit.

Don’t miss: The Babbacombe Model Village is absolutely charming – four acres of exquisitely crafted miniature scenes plus a café and gift shop. It’s £9.50 for an adult visit, see www. babbacombemodelvillage.co.uk for details.

Babbacombe Cliff Railway

Make a date: Calendar

events here include an Armed Forces Day parade on June 11 2016, in partnership with Babbacombe Festival. Tony “Show Me the Way to Amarillo” Christie will be singing at Babbacombe Theatre in October 2016.

Babbacombe Model Village

Words: Sophie Whiting

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08/02/2016 14:15:28

My Secret Westcountry

Philps pasties

Jess Golding Jess Golding is the manager of Penzance’s Business Improvement District, which promotes the town under the banner Love Penzance. She lives in Newlyn with husband Phil and children Logan (20), Merry ( 19) and Feock (15) and dogs Foster and Ronald My favourite...

Walk: You know when you live in the right place when you get to enjoy a walk where you live, I can walk from blue sea to rolling green hill and then the woods, all minutes from my home. Newlyn is just a 15 minute walk to Penzance. I’m a power walker, my children when they were little used to have to jog next to me to keep up. Or it’s slap wellies on, clip up the lurchers and we’re off out the back door to the fields or the front door for the harbour. I’ve lived in Newlyn since I was 18 and the view of the harbour, St Michael’s Mount, Penzance and beyond is just breathtaking. Life unfolds in front of your very eyes.

Beach: When it comes to giving information about beaches and which are my favourite spots, you run the risk of being told off by your friends for giving away top secret information, so I’ll

Pub grub at The Dock Inn

just tell you about Sennen beach. We as a family have spent hours and days there.

You stroll through the woods and then out onto moonscape size boulders that you can dive from, into the sea.

Arts venue/festival: My all-time favourite place (outside of west Cornwall where I live) is Glastonbury Festival.

My heart fills with incredible joy when the tickets site tells us we have been successful. The house erupts with cheers of jubilation. I have visited the festival for many years with the children, my best friends and their family. Packing is a military operation… teabags (check), headache tablets (check), permanent marker for writing telephone numbers on children’s tummies (check)…

Sarah Shaw of The Cornish Hen

Food: We grew up on Philps pasties, made in Hayle – my mum would buy one and cut it in half, bag and all – so it would be wrong for me not to talk about their delicious pastry and how the gravy sits. Now though, my tastes have changed and fresh lemon sole straight from one of the boats here in Newlyn can’t be bettered. Luckily, I know a fisherman or two.

Tipple: I’m a tea maid, always have been… well, until I discovered cider. Yes I know it harks back to being 13 and that was the only drink you could stand, as lager just tasted bitter, and bitter...well don’t get me started. So a lovely cider goes down a treat.

Pub: Penzance has some great pubs

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People

Sennen beach

rage, I find a wander to The Promenade in Penzance sorts me out. I love walking among some of the most delightful Georgian and Victorian architecture on Morrab Place and Morrab Road and then strolling down the hill towards the sea.

Shop: Have you ever been in a shop that not

Buy lovely things at Make Industries

and some brilliant landlords. The Dock Inn based near the harbour, is a wonderful pub to while away the hours, with great conversation, and I’m sure this is where the gentlemen who are “just taking the dog out for his walk” head to really. Then you have The Crown Inn on Bread Street, with a microbrewery serving their own ales, which are highly recommended. I love the board games stacked high on the shelves in the snug room behind the bar. A hundred yards down the road, The Lamp and Whistle is a glorious celebration of all thing alcoholic, with some real specialist tipples.

Restaurant: The Cornish Hen in Penzance is a delicious deli and cafe on the corner of Market Place. You can eat tasty treats here and watch the world go by here. Fast forward to the evening though and I would skip my way gleefully to eat at Senara’s at Penwith College, which is very much worth checking out, the students are great. I also like The Bay restaurant.

On an early summer’s evening that killer view is as good as anywhere in the world, and I’m just a short meander across the prom from my home.

Way to relax: When I’m feeling in a ball of

only takes you rattling back to your childhood, but also makes you want to purchase a giant Dalek? Steckfensters on Penzance’s Chapel Street is the sort of shop that you hear people shouting, “OH MY GOSH, I used to have one of these.” And Make Industries is a supermarket of wonderful crafts and produce, all made in Cornwall and presented in such a way you could blow a month’s wages in minutes. The range of independent stores and businesses in Penzance never fails to astound me.

Treat: My nails! I pop over to St Ives once a month to a salon called Beautopia to get them done. From the salon, the views are to die for when looking over the pretty little harbour, and I get to have a good old natter about life in general. Beauty therapist Claire Bidgoode has been in my life for six years now, and I have never missed an appointment.

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My life

What a week

All the gear, no idea Chris McGuire attempts to get fit, with mixed results... big part of my move to the WestCyclists do shave their legs. But was it a look country was an attempt to get fit.

I could pull off ? Would I get cold legs? What Yes, I was that naïve. I actually would my girlfriend say? All of this swirled came to the land of the carvery, the inside my head as I pushed my bike the few hunpasty and clotted cream fudge ice cream to lose dred yards home. After several hours, I decided weight. To this end, I’ve thrown my lot in with if I were to be a Proper Cyclist, whizzing around the cyclists. Yet, what I learned this week is that, the lanes of our beautiful Westcountry, I had to even with the best of intentions, there are some go the whole hog. things you just can’t fake.

I mentioned this to my girlfriend, casuIt all began with a bike ride – of sorts. I was ally, in passing.

‘Lycra’d’ (is that a word?) to the max and seated, “All the best cyclists do it, like with my bike, outside the café at the end of my Froome and Wiggins.” street. This was my traditional pre-ride coffee, “But they’re the best cyclists which admittedly was usually longer than the in the world. You’re not even the ride itself. I knew my attire best cyclist on this made it clear the Christmas street.” pounds had not yet shifted but She had a point.

‘My traditional I comforted myself this state Eventually, howof affairs would soon pass. ever, it was settled pre-bike ride Probably. that I should do coffee is, I was just thinking how what I liked. much like Chris Froome I Yet I’m not admittedly, looked, when someone I knew really used to usually longer arrived on a bike. It was my doing new than the bike Nemesis, a very athletic local things. cyclist. “You look wrecked,” he I have ride itself’ said. “Long ride?” habits “Yeah, just done 50 miles,” I enjoy, I lied. food “Not bad. You’ll be a proper I like cyclist one day.” to eat, I took umbrage at this. “What do you mean? programmes I like to ‘Proper Cyclist’.” I did a small gesture that watch, a side of the bed translated as: “I’ve got all the gear.”

I like to sleep on. On “Proper cyclists shave their legs,” was his reflection, it was a bit reply. late in life to learn how to We both looked from my furry calves to his shave my legs. smooth pins.

What happened next “Oh.” wasn’t for the faint hearted.

With that, he gave a smirk and was on his way.

Oh the horror, the horror!

I didn’t go on my ride that day. After all I The hair was gone but so were wasn’t a Proper Cyclist. And as my Nemesis chunks of my skin. would be spreading the word I’d done 50 miles Next day, with smooth legs on there seemed no need. Instead I had another display, I pushed my bike down to latte and pondered. He was right, Proper the same café and waited. I knew my

A

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Nemesis was bound to pass sooner or later. It didn’t take long.

“I see that you’ve taken the plunge,” he said.

“Yes,” I replied. “I’m a Proper Cyclist now.”

“Nah. Proper Cyclists ride their bikes, they don’t just push them to the café and back.”

He had a point. I didn’t go for a ride that day – I’d gone off the idea.

What I learned this week is there are some things you just can’t fake. I promise I’ll be out on my bike for an actual ride next week. Unless it’s cold, obviously, because my poor legs would freeze.

Chris McGuire is a writer who recently moved to the Westcountry.

His hobbies include thinking about bike rides and putting antiseptic cream onto his shaving cuts. @McGuireski

NEXT WEEK: Phil Goodwin on love, life and being a dad to a dinosaur-mad five year old 46

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