16.01.16
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ways to look good at work
DON’T MISS:
+ EXTREME COMMUTING
INSIDE: + MARTIN CLUNES
+ SAVE OUR PUBS
Pony story
Why one Devon mum wrote a book for her son
s! Win 5 copie
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PLUS: + GOLDEN BEAUTY + WINTER FLOWERS 12/01/2016 14:32:39
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Pentillie Castle & Estate, St Mellion, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6QD Untitled-1 3
12/01/2016 14:09:36
‘From knobbly little underground tubers, stems of yellow, buttercup-like flowers emerge’
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WHAT A CATCH Mackerel with a twist
Anne Swithinbank on winter aconites, p26
9 44
ALL THE GOSSIP Steaming up War and Peace
FAVOURITE PLACES Secret spots in the Westcountry
[contents[ Inside this week... 6
WISHLIST Check out our fabulous shopping ideas
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JUST BETWEEN US... Sh! We have the latest gossip!
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FROM MUM WITH LOVE Why Lucy Johnson wrote a children’s book
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DARK FLOWERS How to bloom in winter
THE LONG HAUL Extreme commuters share their stories
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ROOM WITH A VIEW Clifftop glamour in Cornish interiors
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ANNE SWITHINBANK
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FEEL YOUR VERY BEST Smart ways to rise and shine
Achieving winter cheer in the garden
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BEST BEAUTY ADVICE Going for gold in 2016
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FASHION SOLUTIONS Back to work and looking good
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YOUR WEEK AHEAD Cassandra Nye looks into the stars
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BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Great ways to feel your best this week
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SAVE OUR PUBS! Darren Norbury on why we need them
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MY SECRET WESTCOUNTRY Favourite places to explore
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FROM MUM WITH LOVE
A mother’s story for her son
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‘How I won the losing battle’
ROOM WITH A VIEW
Gorgeous Cornish interiors
[ welcome [
02.01.16
New year, new me
[
[ INSIDE: GREATEST CAPES Hang loose in lovely layers
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WAYS TO WORK OUT IN STYLE
How much do you love living here?
+ TRENDING - THE TOMATO FACIAL
WIN: + A STYLISH LAMP
only ask because, on page 16 today, we meet some people who really do go the extra mile to have a home in the Westcountry. There are an astonishing number of people these days who live in the South West but think nothing of a 400 mile trip to work and back. Find out more in Claire Frances’ fascinating feature on Extreme Commuting on page 12. Now, if you’re a long-term reader of The Western Morning News, you may well remember a writer called Lucy Johnson. Back in the day, she used to be this paper’s equestrian editor and
I
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Tweet
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of the week @jillysargent @WMNWest omg @sarah Renals. Don’t you look good. Thank you for sharing your story #suchaninspiration TO ADVERTISE: Contact Lynne Potter: 01752 293027 or 07834 568283, lynne.potter@dc-media.co.uk
what she didn’t know about horses simply wasn’t worth knowing. A few years down the line, she is proud mum to a little boy called Toby and still very much immersed in the horse world from her home near Modbury in south Devon. In today’s West magazine, Lucy tells us all about how her search for a “horsey” book for Toby led her to write one of her own. You can not only find out how she did it on page 12, you can also win one of five copies of her truly wonderful children’s novel Pony Racer. It’s an inspiring story, I am sure you will agree. Have a great weekend.
They think nothing of a 400 mile trip to work and back
[
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 buy one thing this week... If your New Year resolution is to take more exercise and make more of life here in the Westcountry, these boots are just the thing you need. Made by Merrell, the sturdy but light new Capra boots are made with leather uppers and Gore-Tex. They are supremely comfortable, waterproof and tough enough to take you across the moors and cliffs with ease, thanks to their air-cushioned soles and extrastability styling. And we LOVE the colours too. They come in women’s sizes 5-11 and cost £140 from www.merrell.com
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Retreat diamond lanterns £35 and £25, Debenhams
the
wishlist West’s picks for spending your time and money this week
STREET STYLE STAR Taylor Cowell Taylor Cowell, 20, is studying for a BA in Fashion at Plymouth University. We caught her mixing flattering taupe shades with wintry blacks in a very chic style. A bright future beckons for this fashion student once she graduates, we predict. Taylor says: “I just love River Island! It bankrupts me every time I go in there.” Coat: Very Everything else: River Island
Harris tweed feather purse £30, Devon-based www.madebyhandonline.com
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Wishlist
Sweet! Charbonnel et Walker Handbag and Heels chocolate £6.50, www.festiveglories.com
RELAX Rosie for Autograph bath and body oil £15, Marks & Spencer
Metallic floral notebook £6.50, Accessorize
ON A PLATE John Rocha crackle glaze plate £25, Debenhams
Ben Di Lisi colanders £20 for the set, Debenhams
Store we adore
Jane Reeves Gallery, Padstow There’s plenty to discover in this gallery, set up earlier this year by glass artist Jane Reeves in a former fisherman’s cottage. Look out for Kirsty Elson’s charming cottages, made in south east Cornwall from driftwood picked up from local beaches, glamorous quartz and silver rings made by Anna K Baldwin and colourful ceramics created by Rachel Foxwell. Jane Reeves Gallery, 11 Lanadwell Street, Padstow, www.janereevesgallery.co.uk or call 01841 533435
Elegance Torello side table in antique gold £129, www.swooneditions.com 7
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talking points Gillian Molesworth
Story of my life... Lessons to be learned on safety in the car obile phones are back in the news – specifically, how dangerous they are when you are driving. It was pretty obvious to me that using an actual handset is dangerous – what with taking a hand off the wheel and all – but it’s come as a surprise that even hands-free conversations are risky. the driver maintained a spirited How risky? One study revealed conversation on his mobile phone. that people’s driving reactions His left arm had to work hard to were slower when they were do all that turning by itself, altalking on the (hands free) mobile though he did let the knees take phone than those of study subover a few times while he punched jects who had drank three shots the air emphatically. No one dared of vodka before stepping into the distract him further – even if we simulator. hadn’t been flattened against the I always thought that a handsback of our seats. free was more or less the same as After we’d come to a dusty talking to a passenger, but turns halt at the top, we disembarked out I was wrong. with trembling legs Opinions differ and a sense of deep as to why. One gratitude, having theory is that resolved to make up We disembarked passengers will with long-estranged with trembling stop talking or family members. legs and a sense react with you if One woman highsomething alarmtailed it behind of deep gratitude, ing happens in a bush, either to having resolved the road, while a throw up or drop to phone conversaher knees and cry. to make up with tionalist will just A huge no-no is long-estranged continue distracttexting while drivfamily members ing your attening, which appartion. Another ently compromises is that you have even more of the to concentrate harder in order cognitive function that should be to talk to someone when you’re focused on the road. Who texts interacting with voice alone, dewhile driving, I thought, then prived of other body language. remembered a teen I’d seen on The most alarming mobile the Camel Trail, serenely staring phone/driving infringement I’ve at her phone while she glided experienced was going up the along – hands free – on her bicyItalian volcano of Vesuvius. A cle. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Don’t big bus with over-inflated wheels do it, don’t let your kids do it. The stopped to pick up us tourists, and reality is that nothing we have to off we bucked over the potholes. say is that important. It can wait In between wheeling the vehicle till we’re stationary. around the hairpin bends zigzaCan anyone translate this gging up the side of the volcano, column into Italian?
M
Gillian Molesworth is a journalist and mum-of-two who grew up in the USA and moved to north Cornwall when she met her husband
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16.01.16
Just
STEAMY SCENES Andrew Davies has confessed to ‘sexing up’ War and Peace for the current hit BBC adaptation. The writer, who created THAT Mr Darcy-in-thelake scene in 1990s TV classic Pride and Prejudice, says: “Occasionally I have written one or two things that
Tolstoy forgot to write.” As Andrew explains, that includes some shocking scenes of incest between siblings Hélène and Anatole Kuragin (above). “He just didn’t actually write the scenes and I couldn’t see why. So I thought I would.”
between us Gossip, news, trend setters and more – you heard all the latest juicy stuff here first!
!
DANCER’S BABY PLANS
WARDROBE PERKS Actress Jenny Agutter has revealed there are perks to her job, courtesy of the wardrobe department. She reveals: “Because I’m an actor, I often buy clothes when I’m working on something that’s current – you can get them at a discount.” She told The Guardian: “I got lovely clothes from working on Spooks. Then I think: “Am I that character or not?’” Nothing from your role as a nun in Call the Midwife, Jenny? Perhaps she’s trying to kick the habit.
KRISTINA RIHANOFF may have just announced her pregnancy but her fellow Strictly Come Dancing colleague ALIONA VILANI also has baby plans, West has discovered. Aliona, 31, married her husband Vincent Kavanagh a year ago and show insiders say she now plans to try for a baby, which is why she has announced she won’t be back on the show in 2016. An insider says: “Aliona loves children and is ready to have a family. As much as she loves Strictly she doesn’t want to put her plans for a baby on hold any more.” This is all despite rumours of her ‘closeness’ to Jay McGuiness during the show. Kazakhstan-born ALIONA is the only professional to win the show twice: in 2011 with McFly’s HARRY JUDD, and in 2015 with The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness. 9
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Wild horses: Exmoor ponies of the Molland herd were rounded up for the annual gathering
Glorious: The Falmouth vs Newquay rugby match was hard-fought – and very muddy
in pictures
Challenge: Callum Gathercole of Plymouth University plans to become the youngest person ever to row the Atlantic singlehanded, in memory of his dad Clive Honoured: The French government gave World War II vet Max Parker of Camborne the Legion d’Honneur for his part in the D-Day campaign 10
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talking points Spaced out
Join in!
ONE OF US Famous faces with links to the Westcountry 10 galaxies, far far away:
1. Milky Way 2. Andromeda 3. Hoag’s Object 4. Cartwheel Galaxy 5. Mayall’s Object 6. Cigar Galaxy 7. Triangulum Galaxy 8. Centaurus A 9. Messier 83 10. Tadpole Galaxy
Singalonga cinema favourites:
1. Rocky Horror Picture Show 2. The Sound of Music 3. The Blues Brothers 4. Frozen 5. Grease 6. Moulin Rouge 7. Dirty Dancing 8. Wizard of Oz 9. Mary Poppins 10. My Fair Lady
This week:
Martin Clunes The Doc Martin actor Martin Clunes lives near Beaminster in Dorset
Who? The happy list
Seriously, who were the Celebrity Big Brother housemates of 2005?
1. Bez (of the Happy Mondays) 2. Brigitte Nielson (ex-wife of Sylvester Stallone) 3. Caprice (the model) 4. Germaine Greer (Queen of Feminism) 5. Jackie Stallone (Sylvester Stallone’s mother) 6. Jeremy Edwards (of Hollyoaks and Holby City) 7. John McCririck (Channel 4 racing pundit) 8. Kenzie (of Blazin’ Squad, obviously) 9. Lisa I’Anson (DJ) 10. Jodie Marsh (glamour model)
10 things to make you smile this week 1. Riverford Organic try its new cookbook 2. Stewart Lee Hall For Cornwall, Jan 20. Funny 3. Cheap gyms still time 4. Farmers’ markets try Buckfastleigh, Jan 28 5. Wassailing Sandford, Crediton, January 23 6. Dementia-friendly visits to RAMM (Exeter museum)Jan 27 7. Valentine plans who, what – and where? 8. Beetroot great in soup 9. Sunshine to be treasured 10. Early catkins we’ve seen them!
Childhood: Son of the late Shakespearean actor Alec Clunes and cousin of 1980s Sherlock Holmes star Jeremy Brett, Martin grew up in London. Success: Martin is best known for his starring roles in Men Behaving Badly and his current role as grumpy GP Doc Martin. Bad behaviour: Martin was recommended for the role of the ultimate lad Gary Strang in Men Behaving Badly by his flatmate, comedian Harry Enfield.
Braithwaite, their daughter Emily, two cats, four dogs and several horses.
Cornwall: His home is 100 miles from Port Isaac, Cornwall – the set of fictional village Portwenn. It’s DID YOU KNOW? a drive which he says, after six Doc Martin Martin’s wife series, he “can do in his sleep”. Philippa
Braithwaite is the producer of the TV show Doc Martin
Reunion: Martin and his Men Behaving Badly co-star Caroline Quentin were recently re-united on ITV’s Doc Martin, 20 years on. Caroline said: “It was like no time had passed, it was absurd.” Westcountry: Martin lives a stone’s throw from Dorset’s Jurassic Coast on a farm with his wife Philippa
Those ears: Rumour has it that Martin’s cousin once offered to pay for Martin to have his ears pinned back. Martin said: “It flitted through my mind and I thought ‘No, I’ll be fine’.”
Dorset: In 2008 he and Philippa launched their own summer fete in Beaminster, Dorset. The Buckham Fair has, to date, raised £319,700 for local charities. Doctor: Martin’s first TV appearance was in 1983 as an alien prince in Doctor Who. By Ellie Jones
Competition winners: Congratulations to... the winners of a copy of Tremarnock by Emma Burstall • Mrs J Blackler, Totnes; Chris Austin, Newton Abbot; Tessa Brown, Kingsteignton; Ruth Clarke, Plymtree; Christine Porter, Bradninch
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People
Lucy Johnson
From Mum, with love Writer Lucy Johnson wanted to encourage her son Toby to love horses as much as she did – and to enjoy reading. Now Lucy is the proud author of a successful children’s book, all about a young boy and his ponies... or as long as I can remember, I wanted to write a book. Not just any book, a children’s book. Growing up, the two shelves in my bedroom were packed with novels of every description, from the Chronicles of Narnia to the full set of Ruby Ferguson pony novels. These latter were my favourites. I dreamed I was her character Jill, in a world of grooming, rosettes and galloping bareback across fields, jumping five-bar gates as they crossed my path. I was fascinated by the words on the page and how the author was able to describe things so that I was part of the scene, except it was all in my imagination. Even today, every time I open a book, I became immersed in the characters and the plot, and sometimes, when I pick up a real page-turner, everything else is put on hold until it is finished. And then, invariably, I feel bereft because I really miss the characters that I
F
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Lucy Johnson and her son Toby, pictured with their horse Chester
‘I wrote this book to inspire Toby to love horses - and, of
MAIN PICTURE: STEVE HAYWOOD
course, to love reading, too’
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People Lucy lives in south Devon and has ridden horses all her life
got to know and care about. I absolutely love reading and its power to invoke the feeling of total escapism is something I wanted to pass on to my son Toby. So from the moment he was born, nine years ago, I have read him stories every evening, making up plenty of my own, too, along the way. Reading is a gift, and when I speak to my friends and colleagues it always amazes me when they tell me they don’t read. People fairly well-ripened in age are proud to admit that they have only ever read one book, and their daily dose of literature is the Racing Post’s form guide. They’re missing out on a whole new world! I believe every single child should have access to books and be encouraged to read. The benefits are huge, from an increased vocabulary to the inspiration that might be drawn from a particular
story or situation. For the first few years I did everything I could to try and encourage Toby to love reading but unless we were snuggled up, and I was reading to him, Lego, Minecraft and any science docu-
‘I wrote three chapters and sent them to Michelle – and she loved it’ mentary that might be on the telly were more far more likely to gain his attention. Being as potty about horses today as I was all those years ago, I would also love for Toby to ride
competitively, and even better, to take part in pony races. Racing is in my blood and I’ve trained a few point-to-point winners here in south Devon in the past, as well as attempted to ride in some races. Toby can ride – he bumps along like a pea on a drum on my mum’s little mare Molly. But at the moment he prefers to groom the four horses we have that still tower above him but treat him with the utmost respect as he goes from one to the other, scraping off a bit of mud here and painting the odd hoof with oil there. And when he thinks I am too busy mucking out to notice what’s he’s doing, he’ll invariably have one of the horses’ heads wrapped in a huge cuddle, especially his favourite, Clover. When I was the Equestrian Editor of this newspaper – many moons ago now – I adored writing
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Lucy was inspired to write a children’s book by her own son, Toby
about the many fascinating characters that make up the equestrian world here in the South West. It was while I was working at the Western Morning News that I got to know Jimmy Frost, who rode a Grand National winner in 1989 and was still very much a local legend around these parts. He decided to write his autobiography and asked if I would ghost-write it for him. Every evening after work I’d trundle up the A38 to Buckfastleigh and we’d go through his life. It was a wonderful experience – Jimmy has an incredible memory, recounting the most hilarious tales. The book was duly published and in the process I learned a lot about the discipline required to write. Since then I’ve started endless books but never finished them, mostly because I couldn’t decide on the ending. Then a series of coincidences last year led me to meeting Michelle Charman. Michelle is immensely experienced in the publishing industry, having worked for Penguin for many years. She set up her own imprint, Forelock Books, so that she could concentrate on publishing horse and pony stories for all ages that are beautiful hardback books to be treasured, just like all my old pony books. I’d written a book about a pony called Bansha, which she rejected in such a kind and sensitive way that it didn’t put me off writing another. It actually spurred me on. And so my book Pony Racer was born, all about a young boy called Tom who is fostered into a racing family and takes on the challenge of riding a winner. The plot just jumped out at
me, so I wrote three chapters and sent them to Michelle, and she loved it – so much so that she gave me a four-month deadline to complete the whole book! This meant late nights, early mornings, and a very long weekend away holed up with my laptop and copious cups of tea supplied by my best friend Rachel, who also took Toby off my hands for a few days. I wanted to bring the pages alive with my descriptions, so that children could gain that same sense of excitement and awe that I get from horses. From the outset I also knew that any book I write had to have positive messages, and leave children feeling happy, fulfilled and inspired. I loved every single second that I wrote my book but it took focus and determination to get it done. I wouldn’t let a day pass without writing something. If I wasn’t happy with a chapter, I’d hit the delete button and start again. Naming not too many names, every character was modelled on someone I knew. There’s also a central character called Ben Steed who has a huge grin. He’s based on Devon-born super jockey Nick Scholfield. When Pony Racer was published earlier this year, Toby was still intent on computer games. But since then he too has become a bookworm, along with some of his other friends at primary school, who now take a book with them wherever they go. I am so proud of you, boys! And I am just gearing up to write my next book, too.
Win
WIN A COPY! We have five copies of Pony Racer, to win, each worth £9.99. Email Pony Racer competition, westmag@westernmorningnews. co.uk with your contact details and the answer to this question by January 29. What is the name of the boy hero of Pony Racer?
Buy Pony Racer (£9.99) from Forelock Books www.forelock-books.co.uk 15
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People Extreme commuters
Going the extra miles
The South West offers a wonderful way of life – but just how far would you go to remain here when work takes you further afield? We speak to three of the Westcountry’s extreme commuters, to find out why – and how – they do it Words by: Claire Frances
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Jon Plane Jon Plane, 37, commutes from Plymouth to London for his job in TV production Jon says: I was born and raised in the South West and I love everything about it. Within ten minutes of leaving my home I can hit the beach, the moors, the woods and lakes. But, as a freelance dubbing mixer, I mix the sound for television. So for work I simply have to travel to where the TV studios are. That means London, or occasionally Bristol. Commuting to London is by far the hardest part of my work because I am away from my wife, Laura. She has breast cancer, so obviously I want to be with her as much as I can. Due to her illness, she has been unable to work, which means I have to be away from her just to pay the bills. I
‘When the train cruises past Dawlish and I see the sea then start to really feel like I’m home again.’ am lucky in my work, though, as I can take big chunks of time off, so we go on nice holidays together. I commute weekly. I generally go up on a Sunday night and come home on a Friday night. If I left on a Monday morning I’d have another night at home, but the peak-rate train fares mean my trip would cost £126 one way. It’s just not feasible. I stay with friends in east London, and come home at weekends.
When I’m working I only really get the Saturday as a full day at home and then I have Sunday, but only until around teatime. If it were not for the finances, I would take any job back in Plymouth, just to be home more. But I do enjoy my job so I feel very grateful to be able to do it in the first place. When I am home, I love taking our dogs out for long walks with Laura. I also jump in the sea at any given opportunity because it washes away what I think of as “all the sins and dirt of the city”. I heard that phrase in a film once and it always plays in my head when I dunk my head under the water. The South West is so much more laidback than the blinkered rat race that is London. Plymouth is friendlier than London, which feels very anonymous at times. Working in London all the time, I get the feeling that the South West gets written off by a lot of folks. When I wake up on a Sunday, I have a slight sinking feeling. I know that evening I’ll be packing up and heading off again. I’ll often make a dash outdoors, to breathe in as much fresh air as possible. I’ll then go home to start the ritual of counting out five sets of everything. The commute itself is not that bad - I do all my accounting and paperwork on the train, followed by watching a couple of episodes of a TV series. By then I should be arriving in Paddington to get a tube across London to the East. On a Friday morning, I take my luggage, complete with dirty washing, to work so I can make a mad dash to get on the 19.03, which will arrive back in Plymouth for around 22.30. I then get a taxi home and collapse into bed. If I am really unlucky, it’ll be the overnight sleeper train on Friday or a train home on Saturday morning, which I hate as it gives me no time at all at home. I am exhausted most of the time but London is where 99% of my work is, so I do it out of necessity really. But it’s all worth it for the Saturday. Oh, how I love my Saturdays. I get to spend the whole day with Laura and our dogs Betty and Doris. We will take them out for a long walk, then spend the afternoon or evening with friends or family. It’s my favourite part of the week. It always amazes me how different the train trip up and down makes me feel. Once I am on that homeward train I am a happy man. Especially when the train cruises past Dawlish. I see the sea and start to feel like I’m really home again. Then Sunday always comes back around too soon and I start the whole process over again. Right now, I am building a studio in my basement. If I could work at home more, I really would have the best of both worlds. That is my main aim at the moment, along with winning the lottery. That would definitely help, too.
Jon Plane Age: 37 Lives: Plymouth Works: As a freelance dubbing mixer, central London Commute (return): 474 miles Journey: Weekly, by car or train Stays: With friends in east London 17
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People
Camilla Joyce Age:............................. 30 Lives: . ........................ Winkleigh, north Devon Works: . ...................... As an actress, comedian and singer, most recently in Birmingham Commute (return): ... 346 miles Journey: .................... By car Stays: ......................... Travels there and back in a day
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‘As I drive back to the South West, I feel a sense of contentment. For me, home is where the heart is’
Camilla Joyce Actress Camilla Joyce, 30, commutes all over the country for work, from her home in Winkleigh in north Devon Camilla says: I trained in acting at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, but I find the South West very inspiring – it’s a great place to write, create and people-watch. There are lots of actors, comedians and writers this side of the country such as Dawn French, Bill Bailey and Jennifer Saunders. I commute to wherever the work is and will often travel to Bristol, Bournemouth, the Midlands, Wales and London. I generally drive but sometimes I take the train or coach. It’s very different. Most places I commute to are loud and smoggy. When I’m commuting I usually get up around 4am. I try to go to bed early but in reality I tend to get about three hours’ sleep as a lot of the acting work and auditions are very short notice. So I have to learn lines quickly and prep my clothes, too. It’s all very exciting. I get out of bed while it’s still dark and get into the car, often when it is frosty and cold. As I leave the South West I enjoy the countryside views as the sun comes up. I sing in the car, run lines and do vocal warm-ups as I get close to my destination. The buzz of a big city is invigorating and I enjoy the contrast with the quietness of home in the South West. Quite often I bump into friends at auditions that I know from drama school or previous acting
jobs. I’ve discovered they are doing similar work to me, yet with a higher cost of living and without the beauty of the South West to create a nice work-life balance. My day usually lasts around 18 hours. I feel really thrilled when I drive through the various county borders and I often do a little jig when I see the Devon county sign. I know I am nearer to home and to my family. As I draw closer, I feel a sense of peace and contentment that you can only get from the Westcountry. For me, home is where the heart is. I’ve lived in the South West for around 16 years now. I moved here in my early teens from Essex with my parents, older sister and younger brother. When I was a teenager, Mum and I would go on lovely long coastal walks together. Sometimes we’d walk up to 30 miles a day in the summer, paddling our feet in the water and putting the world to rights. It was a magical time. I still love walks on the beach whatever the weather. Likewise, there’s nothing like blowing away the cobwebs on a gorgeous Westcountry beach. When it’s summer you feel like you’re abroad, with crisp, clear blue seas, rolling countryside and gorgeous little villages. There is so much history and culture here, and places to explore. I do get tired, but I love my family, the Westcountry and my acting work. When you are passionate about what you do, it feels effortless. Plus, the cost of housing in London is far steeper than the cost of commuting. And the quality of life here is priceless. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Even when I settle down and have my own family, I will find a way to make it work. 19
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People ‘Then it’s a taxi ride to the hotel, right beside Westminster Bridge. It’s so different from home’
Steve Wilson Age: ............................ 41 Lives: ......................... Milton Abbot, west Devon Works: ....................... As gadgets and gifts presenter for ITV’s This Morning, central London Commute (return): .. 478 miles Journey: ................... By car to Exeter, then train to Paddington Stays: ......................... In a hotel, central London
Steve Wilson TV presenter and author, Steve Wilson, 41, lives in west Devon with his family but regularly commutes to work in London Steve says: I was 11 years old when I moved with my family to Townlake, a little hamlet near Tavistock in west Devon. I now live nearby in Milton Abbot with my wife, Lucy, and our daughters, Daisy, eight, and Holly, six. Lucy is from Tintagel in north Cornwall. She and I both had wonderful childhoods and we hope to give our children the same. Lucy and I firmly believe that, if you can, time is the most important thing you can give to your children and each other. We eat breakfast and evening meals as a family each day that we are together. In the summer, there is nothing we like more than heading off all together in our yellow and black VW campervan called “Bee-Dub”. I present for ITV’s This Morning daytime programme, as a gadget reviewer. To be ready for work, I keep a bag part-packed with toiletries, laptop etc, plus a rucksack with a London A-Z, my TV earpiece and other handy items. The drive to work is often a bit of a game. You
get to know the times when the recycling lorry will hold you up at a certain place, or when the level crossing will be down at others. I also have a brilliant back route on the old A30 from Tedburn St Mary to Exeter St David’s station. Then I have to find a parking space. I have a mental list of my favourite parking spots in different car parks. I always leave way more time than needed for my journey but I still have days when bad traffic means I’ve only just made my train. Once on the train, I plug my phone into the under-seat socket that I never realised was there until about a year ago, and read up on the list of products that the researchers and I have agreed on. Then I’ll write notes on each one. By the time I’m finished, I’ll be near Paddington. Then it’s a taxi ride to the hotel, which is right beside Westminster Bridge. It’s so different from home. Here in Devon we live in a small village where we can walk the kids to school and the view from our cottage is of fields and trees. We have lovely neighbours with children the same ages as ours, and all our gardens back onto each other – so there is often a roaming group of kids who feel able to be free and adventurous. Plus us grown-ups get together for wine, campfires and guitar sessions, so we reap
the benefits too. As well as my TV work, Lucy and I write children’s books together and gain so much inspiration from the area where we live - wildflower meadows in the summer and beautiful bare trees in the winter. We base much of what our book characters, Horace & Hattie Hedgehog, do on our daily lives, watching our children play in the countryside. Travelling can be exhausting at times, especially as when I reach London I research and check all the products I am showing the next day until at least midnight. However, I am under no illusions - it is much harder for Lucy to be the one back home in Devon, working on our books and products and also coping with the kids on her own. After a (hopefully) successful live TV item, I’ll head back to Paddington for the journey home. This is normally tinged with a lovely sense of escape and excitement that I am returning home. My trip away is normally just over 24 hours, so I can just about get home in time to meet Lucy and our girls at school at the end of the afternoon. Not very long ago, though, I fell asleep on the return journey and woke up in Newton Abbot, having completely missed Exeter St David’s station. I now set an alarm every time I travel by train!
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Interiors
REAL HOMES
A room with a view A 1960s Cornish house in a tricky cliff-side location has been transformed into the perfect pad for entertaining – and nominated for six awards. Alexandra Pratt takes a look around t is not hard to see why the new be honest with the owners - the house didn’t work owners fell in love with this house for their lifestyle.” by the sea. The view from the cliff Elaine credits this honesty with securing the edge on the south coast of Cornwall contract to breathe new life into the property. stretches westwards towards Looe and east along She immediately set about a major room reconsand-fringed coves. The views, even on a stormy figuration. She enlarged the ensuite bathrooms day, are on a par with any billionaire’s pad in and created clever walk-through dressing spaces some exotic locale. behind oversized headboards on the beds, as well And today, the interiors are equally as beautias installing new wooden sliding doors and floorful and striking as the views, thanks to the design to-ceiling windows to maximise the views and let nous of Elaine Skinner, of Corin the sunlight. nish design firm Camellia InteriThe key area of work, however, ors, to whom the owners turned was the kitchen. Originally, this for help. It wasn’t the easiest of was sited three doors down from ‘They wanted projects, Elaine admits. the sitting room. Elaine realised a fun home, “The logistics were a nightthis was the central issue with mare,” she says. She had to orthe ‘flow’ of the house. ideal for hosting ganise deliveries of everything “We only removed one wall, yet large parties from huge new windows to a we created a real wow factor and completely new kitchen down let in much more light,” she says. of friends and some of the narrowest lanes in The new open-plan kitchen is making the most the Westcountry. And before now in the centre of the house, of the views and she could even start work on imwith two walls of glass and a provements, some seriously unstaircase on the third. There is a setting’ fortunate previous alterations bank of storage, containing the to the house had to be removed. ovens against one wall and two Elaine’s clients’ requirements kitchen islands. One, which is were simple, she explains. “They wanted a fun L-shaped, contains the sink and dishwasher, and home, ideal for hosting large parties of friends the other, a rectangular island, houses the hob and family in a house making the most of the and offers a tempting place for sitting and chatviews and setting.” ting. In this sociable space, the kitchen works However, as the five-bedroomed property is perfectly for her clients. built into the side of the cliff, there was little The worktops are constructed from light, room for manoeuvre. It is accessed from the sparkly quartz made by Silestone, which is nonstreet level on the top floor, and Elaine was then porous and therefore resistant to staining and faced with an existing layout consisting of long, scratching. The cabinets are a subtle mix of powdark corridors with lots of doors off them, which der-coated grey, wood grain and dark wenge, an blocked both the views and the light. unusual dark wood. “It just didn’t work,” says Elaine. “You couldn’t “The range of cabinets gives the impression see the view unless you opened the doors. I had to they’ve been added over time, rather than all
I
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Interiors
The house in south east Cornwall has been completely remodelled from top to toe
brand new,” says Elaine. Indeed, wenge has been used throughout the house, particularly for the internal doors, which like many features within the redesign, were made specially. They are complemented by sleek contemporary furniture, much of it Italian. Part of the challenge for Elaine has been designing around the unusual shapes and structures within each room. Every quirky corner has been used as well as possible. “This enables the overall design to work and gives the house a fluidity it lacked,” she says. As well as the central kitchen and living space, which has direct access onto one of the three spacious balconies, there is a games room as an entertaining space, containing a bar, with wine storage, a pinball machine and a football table. This means there is plenty to do if the Cornish weather takes a typically damp turn. Colour is central to the whole design and its
use is striking and original. Wallpapers with geometric patterns, deep blues and gold sheens form a rhythm throughout the house. “Sunsets, grey rocks, the sea… it’s repeated as you go from left to right on each level of the house,” explains Elaine. These are the colours that sing in perfect harmony in the views on the other side of those huge windows. With the house now completed, the owners
have already spent many happy times in their new holiday home, where it is possible to hear the waves crashing on the beach below from every room. With this project such a success, Elaine and the team at Camellia are already hard at work on phase two of the commission, to create a private beach house for her clients further down the cliff from the main home. It comes as little surprise to learn that Camellia Interiors has garnered no fewer than six nominations for their work in the prestigious International Design and Architecture Awards. Find out more about Camellia Interiors at www.camelliainteriors.co.uk or call 01637 854304
STYLE TIP:Reflect a maritime location with the
colours of sunsets, rocks and the sea - try gold, greys and deep blues in your decor
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GET THE
LOOK
Add contemporary glamour with metallics and luxe fabrics Vita small Silvia copper lightshade £49 www. dowsingandreynolds.com
Silk cushion £46 www. in-spaces.com
Silver-tipped sheepskin rug £60 www.oliverbonas.com
Hand-thrown teapot £90 Devon-based www.madebyhandonline.com
Calvin armchair in maize £349 www.swooneditions.com
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Gardens
ANNE SWITHINBANK
Early colour Devon’s Anne Swithinbank, panellist on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, is in search of ways to brighten up her garden during January and February illing a garden with early flowers is easy. Designate space between trees and shrubs, condition the soil with plenty of well-rotted organic matter, plant up with Helleborus x hybridus and masses of snowdrops and for years to come, spring will arrive early in the New Year. Snowdrops are cool but many of us forget about the cheery winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) for making pools of sunshine in the wintry landscape. From knobbly little underground tubers, stems of yellow, buttercup like flowers emerge, each bloom set off by a collar of green leaves. These push up to 10cm/4in or so and work themselves into fine clumps. Like snowdrops they often crop up on hedge banks, along woodland pathways and in churchyards, making welcome patches of colour but they are not British natives. Early records suggest they were introduced to gardens in 1596, from where they had escaped and made ‘wild’ colonies by 1838. Originally, they are from the Balkans, Italy and Southern France. Winter aconites might be woodland dwellers but they like sunshine and need to be planted where growth and flowering concludes before leaves expand on deciduous trees and shrubs, For early colour, or in a spot reached by warm, wintry sunshine. Here, they winter aconites will flower bravely, each bloom make little pools supplied by a ring of nectaries of sunshine to attract bees for pollination. As such, they provide a valuin the wintry able early food source for queen landscape, bumble bees lured from hibernation by a burst of sunshine. flowering Their attention results in a good bravely set of seed, ripening while the seed pods are still green. To col-
F
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lect this, you need to gather the pods before the seeds scatter and sow it fresh, when it will germinate readily. I’ve heard that a better method is to wait until a clump has ripe pods and then run a strimmer over the top to scatter seed around. As long as the soil is not disturbed, this will then germinate plentifully on its own. I haven’t a single winter aconite in my garden and the best way to start is to obtain plants ‘in the green’. This applies to snowdrops as well. Keen snowdrop growers will tell you that the very best time to lift and move them is when the bulbs are properly dormant, just before they return to growth towards the end of summer. The trouble is, most of us ordinary mortals are not thinking about our plants then. Dry bulbs obtained in the autumn are not as successful and the next best method is either during or after flowering. I have lifted, divided and replanted many clumps at this time and found they have all taken well. It is best to get on with the job straight away, so the bulbs are hardly out of the soil for a few minutes before being replanted. Should there be a delay, either ‘heel’ them into soil, ‘plant’ them temporarily into a larger pot of compost or at
least cover them with polythene to prevent the wind from drying their roots out. Winter aconites are treated similarly, though larger tubers may need to be snapped apart. If, like me, you don’t have any, now is the time to invite ourselves around to friends who have, or buy a few pots of growing plants from the garden centre. The downside of growing winter aconites is that they don’t die gracefully, so it is best to surround them with plants like pulmonaria, epimedium and wood anemone whose fresh growth will gradually smother their fading leaves and stems. Because of their early performance, they are exceptionally good at colonising difficult dry areas under the shade canopy of trees like sycamore and should take in any humus-rich, welldraining soil, even on chalk. Don’t miss the open days at Little Cumbre in Exeter, a lovely one acre garden opened under the National Gardens Scheme (February 6-7 and 13-14, 12-3.30pm (www.ngs.org,uk). There you will see snowdrops, hellebores and cyclamen but they have no winter aconites either. Check the website, though, as due to an early season, the garden may add some more dates.
Question time with Anne West reader queries answered by Anne Swithinbank
Q
I read about covering seeds with vermiculite because this lets in light. Which is best, vermiculite or compost?
When heated, mineral vermiculite turns into a light, inert substance useful as an addition to composts. It does admit light and warms up easily. It is ideal for covering seeds which require light as well as moisture for germination. However it does move around a bit on the surface, so you have to be careful to water with a very light spray, or from the bottom. I’m a great believer in ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. In other words, if you scatter or sieve compost to cover your seeds thinly and they germinate well, perhaps experiment with vermiculite but don’t switch until you are confident with it. On the other hand, if you have problems with seeds rotting or the compost compacting at the surface, vermiculite could be the answer.
Q
How do you grow peanuts from seed?
Buy some unroasted ‘monkey nut’ peanuts in their shells and carefully remove the shell while keeping the peanuts (seeds) inside their brown coats. Sow four nuts into some good compost (I’d use 50:50 John Innes no 2 and multipurpose with a little extra grit) in a 10cm/4in pot and stand on a warm windowsill. Bury them by their own size with compost. Water when the surface dries slightly and they will germinate. Eventually, plants bloom and their stems bend down to ‘plant’ the flowers and developing nuts in the compost. They are fascinating because the nuts look as though they grow from the roots - but they don’t!
This week’s gardening tips Anne’s advice for your garden
• In a heated propagating case under glass, make sowings of tomatoes, aubergines and peppers. Sow a few seeds of each into 9cm/3.5in pots, for early toms and to raise a good crop of aubergines. I’ll make more sowings into spring. • When lifting snowdrops and aconites to divide clumps, make sure you dig really deep as you’ll be surprised how far down in the ground the bulbs are growing. • Lay new paths.
I like a mix of different sizes of slabs interspersed with lines of shingle and paving bricks. Leave planting pockets for pinks, thyme and aubrieta so you end up with a variable, ‘living’ pathway. • Give flowering houseplants a high potash feed, foliage ones a general purpose feed and orchids a dose of orchid fertilizer to keep them all growing strongly. Leave dormant ones alone. Remember, never feed bone dry or waterlogged plants.
Under glass
Send your questions to Anne at westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk
but not in a propagating case, sow calabrese, spinach, parsley, broad bean and summer cabbage. Cover with propagating case lids to keep mice off and they’ll germinate in their own time, making stronger seedings. 27
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Beauty
[
‘I’m predicting that gold will be the year’s beauty go-to shade’
Foiled again!
Abbie’s
Layers The Body Shop Colour Crush eyeshadow in Gorgeous Gold £7 A pearlescent gold shadow - layer it up for either a subtle or more daring look, it’s up to you.
Shimmer Nails Inc Snowglobe Nail Varnish (Nails Inc £7.50)
MAC Faerie Whispers foiled shadow in Fairyland (MAC £16) This eyeshadow is fab. Dampen your brush with water to intensify the colour, perfect for a night-time look.
Beauty Box
Expert advice from beauty guru Abbie Bray of Newton Abbot Let’s go for gold in 2016. I’m predicting that this will be the year’s beauty go-to shade, with a wash of gilded shimmer replacing last year’s coppery tones. Metallics have never been bigger in beauty and it doesn’t need to be summer for you to get away with wearing them. For me, I love this look and I wear a dash of gold all year round, especially on my eyes. I find a wash of gold shimmer makes my green eyes stand out. Try putting gold eye shadow in the inner corners of your eyes, it really helps brighten them up. Some of you may shy away from gold highlighters, but there is no need. Try blending a golden highlighter on your cheekbones to enhance your whole face. Just remember, a little gilding goes a long way!
Golden glamour Mavala nail varnish in Spice (Marvala £4.75) Don’t forget your nails! This glittery nail varnish looks great to wear alone or you can even try putting it on top of a nude or a dark nail to add a touch of sparkle. Always remember to add a clear top coat to prevent chipping.
Spritz My Burberry perfume 30ml (Debenhams £45) No beauty look is complete without a spritz of perfume. This one is like liquid gold, a gorgeous, light, fresh and floral scent.
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Dark flowers ime was, floral prints were strictly for summertime. They’d appear when the clocks went forward, in pastel bright shades to be worn with sandals and a tan. Not so this year, however. Winter botanicals are definitely a look right now and can work really well to add a dash of lively style to your Jan/Feb outfits. We particularly like this pretty skirt by ethical fashion brand People Tree (find it online at www. peopletree.co.uk). It is perfect for a casual pub lunch on a Sunday with a relaxed knit or could easily smarten itself up for the office with a shirt and jacket. Winter florals are all about impact, so it’s usually wise to wear just the one piece, paired up with more self-effacing items. You can go for major drama with this floral jacket from New Look, or just dip a toe in the trend with this duffel-style bag from Look Again. Either way, we think you’ll look blooming gorgeous.
T
Heels £35 Debenhams
Floral skirt £65 People Tree
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Fashion
Silk chiffon kimono £139 Pretty Eccentric
Ornate oriental coat £94 Look Again
Ring £10 Debenhams
D re ss £6 5
M&Co
J by Jasper Conran swimsuit £42 Debenhams
Skirt £21 Glamorous
Bra £25 Lascana
Faux fur bag £52 Look Again Bomber jacket £29.95 New Look 31
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Shop
The edit Your straight line to style: This week we’re back to work and looking good
+
Cropped jacket £75 Glamorous
+
Linea striped jacket £99 House of Fraser
+
Sequinned jacket £85 Wallis
+
Red shift dress £40 BHS
Suedette shift dress £39.50 M&Co
Suede wedges £75 Dune
Platform wedges £20 Very
Textured wedges £65 Moda in Pelle
Grey shift dress £65 Oliver Bonas
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M S
MICHAEL SPIERS T R U R O
P L Y M O U T H
E X E T E R
T A U N T O N
www.michaelspiers.co.uk 82 Lemon Street, Truro
· 52 - 54 Cornwall Street, Plymouth · 22 Cathedral Yard, Exeter ·
16 North Street, Taunton
THE SOUTH WEST’S LEADING RETAILER OF FINE JEWELLERY AND WATCHES, INCLUDING:
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook Untitled-1 7
12/01/2016 14:28:37
culture vulture Our unmissable guide to what’s on in the Westcountry by arts expert Sarah Pitt
The art of interiors The thoughtful art of interior styling is revealed in an exhibition opening today at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen in Bovey Tracey. Line Up is the work of stylist and author Sania Pell, who makes an art of displaying ceramics, jewellery and decorative objects. Predominantly black and white, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and include and enamel and copper plates by award-winning designer Astrid Keller, whose work has featured in London’s prestigious Saatchi gallery. Line Up is at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey from today until Sunday, March 6. The free exhibition is open daily from 10am-5.30pm
Classics in concert
Coastal moments Uplifting classical music to chase away the winter blues will be played by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at Plymouth’s Guildhall on January 21. The varied programme includes Ravel’s Tombeau de Couperin, a 20th century view on the French Baroque tradition, and Beethoven’s life-affirming and joyful
Second Symphony. The orchestra is joined by French cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras performing Haydn’s much-loved Cello Concerto, one of the favourite pieces in the cello repertoire. Frank Zielhorst is the conductor. Tickets are £19 (£15 concessions) from the Theatre Royal box office on 01752 267222
The Cornish coast in all its moods is depicted by five artists in an exhibition at the Porthminster Gallery in St Ives which opens on Saturday, February 13. It will feature painters such as Andrew Bird, whose abstract work is pictured here. Look out too
for painters Alex Morton and Martyn Perryman, alongside ceramicists Clare Conrad and Barry Stedman. The free exhibition runs at the gallery from February 13 to March 12. See www.porthminstergallery.co.uk for details
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Enjoy
Your stars by Cassandra Nye
Happy birthday to...
Emma Bunton
This week’s sign: If you were born between about January 17 and January 23, you were born on the cusp of Capricorn and Aquarius. These cuspers are prone to leading unusual lives, balancing the two different sides of their personalities. They tend to be reserved yet social, securitycraving but independent, and traditional yet offbeat. Things are never dull with them around!
born January 21, 1976 No, we can hardly believe it either: Emma Bunton - aka Baby Spice - turns 40 on Thursday. Now an established Heart radio presenter, the youngest Spice Girl is mum to sons, Beau, eight, and Tate four, with her long-term partner Jade Jones. It’s no surprise that Emma has reinvented herself chatting on the radio, as Capricorn-Aquarius cuspers love to talk and entertain, and they especially enjoy stimulating conversations about all manner of strange topics. But Baby Spice may be back singing soon - bandmate Mel B has hinted at a further reunion to mark the group’s 20th anniversary later this year. Say You’ll Be There, Emma!
AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) A surprise midweek revelation stops you in your tracks. Not all that keen on people who change their minds, are you? This one you have to deal with. Still it is better to know the facts now rather than later. Keeping a secret is hard at the moment as there are times when you feel alone. However, that won’t last for long!
PISCES (February 20 - March 20) You are not easily impressed even though you want to be. Seeing the practical side of any situation is one of your strengths. A rather small offer at work does not seem very important. Even so, you are capable of building on it. Be less modest and start to show what you can do.
ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Life is a melting pot at the moment. Influences and ideas come from all sides. This can cause confusion and make it hard to make clear decisions. Be practical and ask yourself who has your best interests at heart and who may be expressing a personal angle. Don’t be pushed into anything. Time is on your side.
TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Just had some good news? If it involves money, use it wisely. The chance to make a good and lasting impression on someone in authority, perhaps at work, should not be missed. Of course, it may mean taking on some extra responsibility or using some of your time out. Someone moving into your sphere can confuse your social life.
GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Evenings are still full of exciting moments, although these do not always bode well for your working life. A few late nights are fine as long as you continue to pay
attention to details. Midweek there are financial questions to be answered and you could be asked to help out a friend.
CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Given a recent meeting with a potential partner, you may seek advice. Get this from someone who has known you for some time and will give an honest opinion. There is, in this case, no need to jump in with both feet even if being pushed by the hand of passion.
LEO (July 23 - August 23) Something that you have been working on for some time now shows signs of movement. You still need to have patience though. Tying up any loose ends financially and having a plan B are essential. Keep passions in check when decisions need making. Sometimes it seems attractive to run away and hide in a commune.
VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Have you ever had one of those dreams where you are running but can’t seem to get anywhere? At times this week seems very similar. It may help to tell you that by the weekend your luck will change. In the meantime, make the most of those midweek encounters. One of them has an interesting story to tell!
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) An intensely romantic time takes your
mind from tedious work projects. That won’t impress the boss, so be discreet! Speak your mind even if that sometimes comes with a kindness factor. You hate to upset anyone, but if there is something that has to be said...
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) In a busy week, you are in big demand from family and friends. Could this be because of promises or suggestions that you made over the holiday? Someone calls in a favour, which may be financial. Help if you can, but not at the expense of your own bank balance. Staying solvent now is especially important.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) A mingling of music, art and new friends runs through this week. It sounds good and may well take you into unknown territory. Relax and be willing to listen and learn. You may not see the point of some newfound knowledge at the moment, but you will!
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) So you want to give yourself a treat this week? Short on cash? Surely there is someone who owes you? Is it time to call in that loan or favour? Luck and love will go hand in hand if you will only get out and look around. Any tiredness deserves to be checked up on. How can you party if you are not up to par? 35
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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
PEP UP YOUR BATH TIME Whether you’re going great guns with a new exercise routine or simply in need of a January lift, this Fortifying Green Bath Potion (£27.50) by MOA is a treat. Fragrant ingredients include fennel, peppermint, fir and birch to soothe body and mind. It leaves skin feeling silky, too.
Tap in to Nature’s air fresheners ZUMBA! The Only Way Is Essex stars Debbie Douglas and Lydia Bright have become ambassadors for Universal Pictures’ new fitness DVD, Zumba. The mum and daughter team say Zumba is suitable for all ages and the DVD is a great way to try the dance exercise before stepping out further afield, “allowing you to see if you really like it before joining a class at the local church hall,” says Debbie. Zumba classes are great fun, but a bit of sneaky practice could up your game - no hiding at the back!
A leafy houseplant is a great natural air cleanser, according to Haskins Garden Centres. Areca palms reduce airborne toxins and do double-duty as a great air humidifier for dry, air-conditioned offices. Beloved by the Victorians, the Boston fern is also considered one of the most efficient air purifiers and, says Haskins, works especially well in removing formaldehyde, which is found in some glues and furniture.
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11/01/2016 13:33:32
Got the Monday blues? More than half of us admit getting up during winter is a ‘struggle’, according to research by Twinings English Breakfast tea. And Monday mornings are the hardest (well, obviously!). Women find it slightly more of a challenge than men, apparently, blaming the cold weather and darkness for making getting up a chore - at least till their other half’s put the kettle on...
FIT KIT We may be full of good intentions, but the UK spends over £2 billion on unused fitness gear, from rowing machines to smoothie makers, that simply gather dust, according to a gym group. It says Plymothians are among the UK’s top five city culprits shelling out for sports equipment that is quickly consigned to becoming makeshift clothes horses. Kate Toland of Fitness First, which commissioned the report, said: “We were shocked at some of the figures that came back – we found that while over half of the nation said they have attempted to implement a healthy diet and fitness routine at home, a quarter said the novelty wore off after just one week.”
Cheer up! Think positive! Gloomy thoughts can create a downward spiral, but research suggests that trying hard to find and focus on positives can break the cycle. Dr Sally Norton says: “If you persevere with looking for the good, instead of the bad, it will become a habit. Your brain can change! In the same way that we can train our brains to appreciate healthy food, we can train ourselves to have a more positive outlook on life.”
A helping hand Want help getting your weight in check for 2016? Nuffield Health is hosting free ‘Meet our Experts’ weight management events at its Plymouth gym on Tuesday this week (January 19). You can access expert tips on portion control, diet, professional support and exercise. Henrietta McGourty of Nuffield Health says: “At the beginning of each year, we see so many people who set themselves up for a fall, trying to lose weight too quickly. I encourage them to do it for the right reasons, in a way that will create long-term healthier lifestyle habits.” Visit www.nuffieldhealth.com for details.
What’s coming up? Tweet us your wellbeing diary dates
@WMNWest or email westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 37
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Wellbeing
Re-think your routine Should skincare after the age of 40 mean a new start? I am approaching the age of 40 and, although I have always looked after my skin, I wonder if I need to change my routine. Any advice would be appreciated! GF, Newton Abbot
Q
Medical aesthetician Dr Pradnya Apte says: Hitting 40 can be a shock to the system for your skin. It’s around now that tell-tale signs of sun damage can begin to appear, uneven pigmentation and broken capillaries being common concerns. Fine wrinkles and open pores begin to appear, as collagen and elastin in the skin begin to deteriorate. Late nights and stress take a more obvious toll, particularly in the mornings. You may start to notice reduced fullness in your face – particularly beneath the eyes and in the cheeks – leaving skin with less support so that it appears to sag a little. Any changes in weight, particularly weight loss, tend to have an ageing effect on the face. But if you have begun to notice these signs don’t fret, it’s never too late to repair the damage. Signs of ageing around the eyes are often a skincare priority for women in their 40s. It’s
for this reason that the non-surgical eyelift has Restylane Skinboosters are small measured become so popular – especially among those who microinjections of HA-based dermal fillers don’t want more invasive treatments. A combideposited into the deeper parts of the skin. A nation of both botulinum toxin (Botox) injeccourse of three achieves a smoother, hydrated tions and dermal fillers, the procedure works skin. The results are very natural. to lift drooping brows and ‘fill in’ the hollow Since the turnover of surface skin cells, known troughs that appear beneath as keratinocytes, slows down as the eyes. we approach our 40s, treatments For women in their 40s who that encourage the turnover of Signs of ageing have begun to notice a loss of these cells can restore a more volume in their face – particuyouthful bloom. Chemical peels, around the larly around the cheeks and medical needling or skin boosters eyes are often a mouth – dermal fillers can be from the dermal filler ranges will skincare priority very effective. Most dermal fillhelp with this. It is also time to ers are made from sterile gels consider using skincare products in your 40s. It’s that contain hyaluronic acid with active ingredients to combat never too late (HA) – a natural sugar found in the ageing process. And, lastly, the skin which binds to water I always recommend a moisturto repair the molecules in order to help iser with a SPF 30, to prevent the damage plump it. Filling in lost fullness damage that causes the skin to while smoothing out lines and age in the first place. wrinkles, dermal fillers work with the skin as a replacement for the collagen Dr Pradnya Apte runs the Revitalise-Rejuvenate lost through age. Done carefully, the desired efmediclinic in Exeter’s Southernhay. Call 01392 fects can be natural and with more youthfulness 426285 or visit www.revitalise-rejuvenate.co.uk to added to the face. make an appointment.
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Eat
Cornish mackerel with baby beets Will says: ‘I like to pair the land with the sea in a lot of the dishes in our restaurant’
Recipe by Adam Vasey, head chef, No.4 Peterville, St Agnes
Made using Trewithen Dairy yoghurt
Ingredients 2 large mackerel, gutted and filleted 4 tbsp Trewithen Dairy natural yoghurt 6 raw baby beetroot 100g watercress 2 banana shallots 100ml red wine vinegar 100ml red wine 70g caster sugar 1 egg, beaten 2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs Vegetable oil for frying Sea salt
Method: 1.
For the crispy shallots, peel and cut them into fine rings. Put the red wine vinegar, red wine and sugar into a pan. Bring to the boil until the sugar dissolves, then add the shallot rings. Take off the heat and leave for 2-3 hours to infuse.
2.
Drain the shallots and coat in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Just before serving, fry until golden, drain on kitchen roll and sprinkle with sea salt.
3.
Boil the beets for 8-10 minutes until a knife can pass through them easily. Drain, peel and cut into halves.
4.
Oil a hot pan, then fry the mackerel fillets skin side down until the skin turns crispy and golden. Take the pan off the heat and turn the fish over. Leave to cook for one minute.
5.
Serve with a swirl of yoghurt and dress with the watercress leaves.
This recipe comes from A Taste of the West Country (£16.99) by the food producers’ cooperative, Taste of the West, with photography by David Griffen To order your copy, designed by Jeff Cooper of We Make Magazines, see www.tasteofthewest.co.uk or call 01404 822012 40
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Eat
Ingredient of the Week
Parsley
with Tim Maddams used them as a pesto dressing for pasta. Soup, though, for me is the favourite. I love parsley soup and make it by the same method I would use for almost any green soup. I begin by peeling and slicing a couple of spuds and a few going to eat? cloves of garlic. These get sweatWhen I was training as a chef ed down in butter, along with the many moons ago, parsley was chopped and washed stalks of a used in just two ways: firstly, as large bunch of parsley (I usually Its earthy, a pretty green garnish (either use flat-leaf, but curly will work aromatic flavour a sprig or a sprinkle of the just fine). makes parsley chopped leaf) and secondly as a Once the potatoes begin to flavour enhancer, added to freshsoften, I season well with salt ideal to pep up en and deepen flavour in stocks and pepper, then just cover the a winter salad and sauces hot and cold. potatoes with fresh veg stock, Yet I’ve found many more uses chicken stock if you have it, or or toss through for both curly and flat leaved va(better still) a good white fish braised lentils rieties of parsley over the years, stock. Simmer until the potaeverything from soups and toes are cooked and then add salads to stews. Its earthy and arthe parsley leaves and cook for omatic flavour makes it ideal to a further minute or two. Finally, pep up a winter salad or to toss through braised blend the soup in a jug blender for a minute – lentils. The stalks themselves work very well in don’t try this with a stick blender, as it needs to place of celery in many recipes and I have even be properly smooth.
I
’ve been thinking a lot about herbs recently. I know… I need to get out more. But seriously though, how often do you really think about the real properties of what you are
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Reverse garnish If you’re trying out my parsley soup recipe, why not turn tables and garnish it with ingredients more commonly seen sprinkled with herbs. Try a little flaked white fish or maybe some steamed mussels or clams. For a good hearty lunch option, add an egg or two to a pan of the soup. Top it with garlic buttered bread and bake in a hot oven for five minutes, until the eggs are set and the bread is toasted. @TimGreenSauce
Tim Maddams is a Devon chef and author of Game: River Cottage Handbook no. 15 (Bloomsbury £14.99) 41
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11/01/2016 15:36:56
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12/01/2016 14:54:02
Drink
MAKE A DATE Slightly beyond our borders, but definitely worth the travel, is next month’s Tewkesbury Beer Festival, which runs from February 4-6 in Gloucestershire. This is good beer country and the event, with 80 ales, ciders and perries, will focus on robust winter brews.
Beer of the week As we’re still in post-Christmas recovery, perhaps something characterful but not too poky this week. I’ve decided to go for Exmoor Wild Cat. Malty and warming, it almost verges on porter territory, were it not for that lowish ABV of 4.4%. Find a nice fireside.
Darren Norbury
talks beer ow would you feel if your favourite adhere to when creating new convenience stores. pub, your beloved local, closed one Among the key points the Co-Op has agreed to – day, never to open again and became and there’s quite a comprehensive list – is to deinstead a convenience store or exvelop pub sites using the planning process rather press supermarket selling cut-price booze? than relying on permitted development rights. Well, you may say, that’s not They will also develop land adlikely, is it? My pub’s been here jacent to an existing pub in a way years and years. It’s well supthat enhances the viability of ported, irreplaceable. Unfortuboth businesses. I’d rather have a nately, it could happen all too Pubs will still continue to close new bar selling easily, and while there haven’t this year, although hopefully been so many instances in the the rate will fall from the curtop-quality Westcountry yet, that doesn’t rent 29 a week regularly quoted beer, than an mean the danger is not present. by CAMRA. However, specialunsustainable Which is why it’s heartening ist bars are opening, micropubs that the campaign to get pubs are spreading across the country pub limping on listed as assets of community and more breweries have their and falling into value (ACVs) has got off to such own bars. I don’t know about terminal decline a good start. Once a pub is listed you, but I’d rather have a new as an ACV, it makes change bar selling top-quality beer, than of use much more difficult to an unsustainable pub limping on obtain for either the property and falling into terminal decline. owner or a prospective purchaser. Previously, British beer is booming, it’s high quality and change of use could often be achieved easily gaining a wider audience, and it may be that its through permitted development rights and the new audience enjoys a modern bar as much as a first that many heard about it was when the pub beamed-ceiling pub. There’s plenty of room for doors shut and the workmen arrived. both. One more thing: has the Campaign for Real The Co-Op has now become the first shop Ale morphed into a campaign to protect pubs? owner to join forces with the Campaign for But that’s a discussion for another day… Real Ale (CAMRA) – a key proponent of the Darren Norbury is editor of beertoday.co.uk ACV system – to come up with guidelines it will @beertoday
H
the quiet one
Good friends and fellow beer bloggers Boak and Bailey managed to get an interview with one of the Westcountry’s quiet men of brewing, Peter Elvin of the Penzance Brewing Company, Crowlas. From the Merchant Navy to a successful freehouse via Cotleigh Brewery, it’s at http:// tinyurl.com/zwmfbq9
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11/01/2016 13:47:26
The beach from Rock to Daymer Bay
LostFest
My Secret Westcountry
Emily Whitfield-Wicks Bodmin-based freelance photographer Emily WhitfieldWicks has worked in photojournalism for 14 years and undertakes many of her Westcountry assignments with her trusty companion, Zennor the husky. Missions further afield include a trip to Nepal in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake there in 2015
My favourite... Walk: My favourite part of the Cornish coastline is between Tintagel and Boscastle. People say that Rocky Valley is ‘fey’, a fairy land, and it certainly has a magical awe-inspiring feel to it. It’s like nature’s cathedral with cliffs towering above you on either side. On towards Boscastle is Lady’s Window, a massive rock with a natural arched window-frame. When eventually arriving at Boscastle, a well-earned pint calls at the cosy Cobweb Inn! Beach: I love walking along the clean sandy beach from Rock to Daymer Bay, which stretches for over a mile when the tide is out. When the tide is in, you can go up onto the footpaths that cut across the sand dunes and hillside. Just
beyond Daymer Bay is the rocky area of Greenaway. As a child, I spent many a Sunday afternoon playing in a large rockpool at Greenaway with my family. My dog Zennor runs around the spacious beach in joyful glee. Every Christmas you will find a decorated Christmas tree along the way. I have yet to discover who puts it there but it’s always a treat for passers-by.
Festival: My favourite local festival, which takes place in May, is the LOSTFEST in Lostiwithiel, one of Cornwall’s great quirky events which I try to go to every year. The local musicians are fantastic and the dancing through the streets and the medieval battle reenactments are great fun. Activity: Apart from daily dog walks and
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People
MAIN PICTURE: EMILY WHITFIELD-WICKS
Cornish Orchards cider
Emily and her dog Zennor love biking
longer walks with friends, my most recent activity is what I call husky biking. Zennor’s a Siberian husky and basically we go mountain biking together. She absolutely loves it and runs alongside my bike. We do anything from five to 15 miles depending on the terrain. The other activities I love to do when given the chance are scuba diving (I’m a BSAC sports diver) and kayaking on rivers or the sea.
Tipple: I love red wine, and
as a vegan, I’m glad that, these days, winemakers are getting better at putting the vegetarian/vegan sign on the back label, as some wines are finished with animal products. And on a hot sunny day, after
Rocky Valley
The Rock Inn
a long walk, a nice cold Cornish Orchards pear cider goes down well.
of Bodmin, The Golden Temple has a very friendly service and serves lovely Indian food.
Pub: I have two favourite pubs in my home
Relaxation: Art has been a life-long passion
town of Bodmin, The Garland Ox and The Hole in the Wall (which has a lovely log fire). They both have a nice friendly atmosphere.
and when I’m painting I think I’m most relaxed. I studied Art before studying Photography, so when I’m not taking pictures or walking the dog or doing the trillion other things there are to do, I paint. My retirement plan when I’m no longer able to carry around heavy camera gear is to be a full-time artist! Another thing I love to do is sing and have a strum on the guitar and recently I have been given a ukulele, a birthday present from my sister. Occasionally I go to Nanstallan Folk Club which is great fun.
Restaurant: The Rock Inn in Rock is dog friendly and has a wonderful balcony looking over the Camel estuary. It’s very friendly and the food is great. I have sat there on warm summer evenings sipping on wine with friends watching the beautiful glow of a soft red sunset reflected on the water. Back in my local town Find out more at www.emilyww.co.uk
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My life
man and boy
Brotherly love Phil Goodwin, father of James, five, on the joys of a family reunion
I
[
be regarded as a pub bore on the subject. Iambic pentameter, anyone? Another time, perhaps. To my knowledge, big brother has never tended towards the verse, though he used to tread the boards once upon a time. So imagine my shock when he tells me he is reading poetry, has got himself a book and has even memorised a poem, namely that one on daffodils by William Wordsworth. Apparently, his character type is in some way unsuited to remembering lines of verse but still, he persevered and learned it by heart. “Go on then,” I said, and off he went: “I wandered lonely as a cloud…” It was beautiful. I was truly amazed. He also dropped in a gem that my old English teacher’s dad, who taught him, was an associate of none other than William Butler Yeats. That makes me two handshakes away from an Irish poetry god. Even better. So there we were, having a right old chinwag about poetry over our meal. I couldn’t believe how he had found this calling at the same time as I was poring over texts. What a coincidence. So I asked him what he thought, after considering some of the
George Orwell didn’t call his all-seeing totalitarian leader Big Brother for nothing
greats. You know, what he made of poetry, the form, free verse and all the rest of it. “A load of rubbish,” he told me. He hated it. And here was I thinking we were going to agree, for once.
[
picture: Steve Haywood
recently went back up north for a few days, mostly to catch up with an old mate who was over from Japan with his daughter. He owns an English school out in Osaka so doesn’t get back that often. We had a few laughs – me the boy, my pal Tony and his daughter Irie. We went to Chester Zoo, shopped in Manchester, stayed over at another mate’s place in Clitheroe for a belly full of craft ale and shared a big pan of Scouse. Magic. On the way to Lancashire I usually stop off at my elder brother’s place, near Gloucester, and this year was no exception. Now, anyone with an elder brother will tell you what they can be like. George Orwell didn’t call his all-seeing totalitarian leader Big Brother for nothing. Let’s be kind and say they are older, therefore wiser, and often have more valuable life experience than you, the whippersnapper. Don’t get me wrong, we have a perfectly normal sibling relationship. However, we are far from alike. John likes rugby, I like football; he loves France, I love Spain. You get the idea. The list goes on. He will freely admit this. In fact, he will quote chapter and verse of the Myers Briggs psychological character-typing to explain how I am the chalk to his big cheese. This difference was proved true yet again on this visit, providing much amusement. For the past three months I have been studying poetry as part of my Masters degree in Creative Writing at Exeter University. It has been quite an eye-opener studying theory and craft around poetics. To the extent that I can probably now
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