West Magazine, January 21 2017

21.01.17

27

Mel C ‘Why I won’t reunite with the Spice Girls’

instant interiors updates

How to mix the perfect

gin & tonic

OH SO FAUX Fabulous furs made in Devon

- pg 16

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DREAMING OF

FANTASTIC SHOPPING

• Late Night Opening on Thursdays • Big Brand Names • Places To Eat • Undercover Mall with over 70 stores • 1200 parking spaces To find us type PL1 1EA into your Sat Nav or Smartphone drakecircus.com

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‘As you get older, you realise everyone is too busy worrying about themselves, not what you’re doing’ Mel C on growing up famous, p 12

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GREEN SHOOTS The new colour for spring interiors

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MARY + PAUL 4 EVER Is Bake-Off’s dream team set to reunite?

[contents[ Inside this week...

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THE WISHLIST Our pick of the best treats this week

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JUST BETWEEN US...

All the best Westcountry gossip

12

AFTER THE SPICE GIRLS We meet the marvellous Mel C

16

28

SINGING THE BLUES Why double denim is the way to go

30

BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Smart ways to feel better now

SOFTLY, SOFTLY The faux fur queen of north Devon

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GREEN SHOOTS The new colour for spring interiors

26

JUST ASK GRACIE Our style guru solves your problems

28

SINGING THE BLUES Why double denim is the way to go

30

BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Smart ways to feel your best right now

33

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

38

ALE AND HEARTY? Our beer guru on Westcountry breweries

42

MODERN FAMILY A look at parenthood, 2017 style

42

ONE MORE HOUR Chris McGuire on the joys of staying up late

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PARENTHOOD, 2017 STYLE We spot the upcoming family trends

44

SECRET WESTCOUNTRY

Where to go, what to do

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[ 27

The Good Fizz guide

DON’T MISS Rick Stein’s new taste adventure

OH SO FAUX...

Fashion fit for royalty

[ welcome [

31.12.16

INSIDE:

[

16 Simple ideas for stylish living

Here’s to making the best of January...

HOW TO STAY

TOASTY - pg 28

ne of the great compensations for cold, dark weather is the chance to cosy up in truly gorgeous winter hats, scarves and gloves. Step forward, then, Helen Moore of Witheridge in Devon, who makes luxurious accessories from faux fur so convincing that there really is no need to use the real thing ever again.

Her designs come in a fabulous range of colours, including a beautiful brick red inspired by the rich terracotta soil of Devon’s farmland. Small wonder, then, that Helen’s creations are now worn by the likes of Sophie, Countess of Wessex and yummy mummy

O

Tweet

[

of the week

TV presenter Fearne Cotton. Find out how Helen went from a stall at the Glastonbury Festival to dressing royalty on page 16 today. It’s quite a story.

We’ve also got a lovely interview today (p12) with my favourite of the Spice Girls, Mel C, who is about to go on a national tour. She tells us candidly how difficult it was to cope with extreme fame at a young age. I, for one, am super-impressed with the way Mel has gone on to carve out her own solo career in music - on her own terms. Finally, if cooking is your thing, do enter our terrific Esse cookware competition (p5) and check out our recipe of the week (p36). Have a great weekend.

[

Her creations are worn

by Fearne Cotton and the Countess of Wessex

@Excitinged No children on a #Saturday morning! #quiet #coffee and #newspapers @ WMNWest #alittleexcited

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

Becky Sheaves, Editor

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

COVER IMAGE: Helen Moore faux fur collar

MEET THE TEAM Becky Sheaves, Editor

Phil Goodwin

Kathryn Clarke-McLeod

Gillian Molesworth

Cathy Long

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If you buy one thing this week...

How about upgrading your cooker? When you combine classic country charm with a contemporary cooker, you’re bound to have an instant attraction. ESSE’s newest electric range cooker has all the latest technical innovations. There are three large ovens with easy-shut doors, precision hinge stops and dual hotplates including an innovative induction zone.

It looks great too. This 990 EL model comes in a choice of 19 enamel colours but we love this smart matt black finish. It costs £6,500, available from Exeter’s Hearth & Cook showroom on the Marsh Barton trading estate. www.hearthandcook.com

Win

Hearth & Cook has a fabulous prize to give away for one lucky reader. To win an ESSE branded apron, gloves, kettle and cookbook (worth £76 in total) tell us how many colours the ESSE 990 EL cooker comes in? Send your answer, plus your name, address, phone and email details to: Hearth & Cook competition, westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk to arrive by February 3. Alternatively, you can post your entry to: Hearth & Cook competition, West magazine, Queen’s House, Little Queen Street, Exeter, EX4 3LJ. Normal terms apply. West magazine will not share your details.

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Zaha cutout necklace £65 Oliver Bonas

true blue

the

Eichholtz Clift baskets £125 for a set of three Sweetpea & Willow

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

Stripe duvet set £39 Houseology

Canterbury sapphire crushed velvet sofa £1,099 Housing Units

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Wishlist

ANGELIC Golden wings bookends £30 Sweetpea & Willow

Linea jewellery holder £55 House of Fraser

Pure wool gloves £16.50 Cuckooland.com

Table lamp £250 Amara

SHIMMER Metallic splatter cushion £28 Oliver Bonas

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17/01/2017 13:06:42

talking points Gillian Molesworth

Story of my life...

A new string to my bow for 2017 o one of my New Year’s resolutions this year is to learn vibrato on the violin. If you’re not a musician, vibrato is what it sounds like – vibrating. It transforms a musical tone from a flat single note into one that wavers.

Singers use vibrato, which can be produced from the vocal chords. Opera singers and West carry on bowing with the other.

End stars are famous for their I have to tell you that this is not large and scopey vibrato. Some as easy as it looks. pop singers use it – though not Having spent several years in a all (not all of them can). Good youth orchestra as an adult stusingers can regulate the pace dent, I have been trying to add and range of their vibrato, so some vibrato to my repertoire. It that they can begin a note pure has not been very successful. The and gradually turn up the vibrafirst few times I tried it, either the to, which darn near melts your violin went wildly out of tune or heart. jabbed me in the chin.

Its effect is to turn a simple The trick is that some parts of musical note your hand need to into one of great stay firm and other beauty. There’s parts need to go ‘It has not been something about loose, in order that that wavering you’re not fighting very successful. that increases yourself.

The first few drama, be it The violin is not times I tried it, plaintive, loving, my first instrument: or scary. Watch I grew up playeither the violin an expert muing the piano. The went wildly out sician such as piano’s challenge Itzhak Perlman is that you have of tune or jabbed or Yo Yo Ma and to train your two me in the chin’ you will see vihands to operate inbrato used to its dependently of each greatest effect. other when playing Go on, google it. in two different clefs.

On stringed instruments, viBut at least when you hit middle brato is produced with the hand C you know you’re going to get that’s on the instrument’s neck, middle C, and you don’t have to which is usually the left hand. wiggle your hands around on it.

This hand is also holding the I am going to start with tiny note, or notes, that you’re playbaby steps: rolling the tips of ing. So here’s what you have to my fingers backwards and fordo: while maintaining the correct wards on the body of the violin. position to hold the note at the Then I can work my way onto the right pitch, you have to sort of strings. Five minutes every day, waggle your wrist backwards and minimum. Just think, I might forwards. And while you’re doing even move onto third position this with one hand, you have to soon…

S

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.

METALLIC

marvels

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley attended the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards where she took home the honour of Businesswoman of the Year.

The Tavistock-born model looked every inch the power-dresser in a metallic leopard print top from Saint Laurent’s Spring/Summer 2017 collection. It costs more than $5000 dollars to buy but you can channel Rosie’s look with these more affordable high street options.

Leopard one shoulder dress £65 Miss Selfridge

steal her

style

OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN

OPTION A Dramatic Foil print shirt £25.99 Zara

OPTION B Delight

Metallic sequin cami £69 Monsoon

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21.01.17

A DREAM TEAM While many of us said our goodbyes to the judging duo of Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood with the special Christmas editions of The Great British Bake-Off in December, the farewells may have been a bit premature.

Insiders are speculating that Mary and Paul could reunite on the American version of the show, with US TV bosses believing their chemistry is strong enough to win over transatlantic audiences.

The Sun has reported that American TV network ABC are eager to reunite Mary - who is already a judge on the US series - with Paul for the next series, as they work so well together.

Just

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

A source told the paper: “The Great American Baking Show did really well in the ratings and execs love the British accent.

They may want to get the pair back together again for their on-screen chemistry.” We say – yes please. And can you just add Mel and Sue too?

heard all the latest juicy stuff here first!

!

BABY PLANS

[[ ‘My pets help cheer me up - at home and at work’

MARTIN’S ANIMAL MAGIC We all know that having a dog can keep you cheerful, but apparently Martin Clunes is so fond of his dog Jim that he even takes the Jack Russell onto set with him. Jim, six, is often to be found in hiding within the set when Martin is filming Doc Martin in Port Isaac, north Cornwall.

Martin said recently: “Last series

of Doc Martin, when I got tired and sad towards the end, I’d take him in and he’d have his basket under the Doc’s desk.” Martin and his wife Philippa are definitely animallovers – they live on a smallholding near Beaminster in Dorset, alongside lots more animals, great and small. And Jim, of course.

FOR LOUISE Louise Redknapp could go on to do West End shows after showing how good her dancing is on Strictly Come Dancing. But the star, 42, has admitted that – more than anything – what she’d really is to have a third baby with her husband Jamie.

She recently said that she hopes her Strictly dance partner Kevin Clifton could be her good luck fertility charm: “Two of [Kevin’s] previous partners have got pregnant after the show. Bring that one on.

“Maybe he’s the good luck charm I need to get that girl I really want.”

Louise revealed her dreams of adding to her family after it was revealed former Spice Girl Geri Horner is expecting her second baby at the age of 44. She has two sons already with footballer Jamie, Charley, 11 and Beau, eight. Kevin’s former dance partners Frankie Bridge and Kelly Bright both went on to have babies after being partnered with the professional dancer in Strictly. Who’s next?

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16/01/2017 12:40:45

Saved: Annabelle Devonport rescued a seal pup from Portreath beach

Well done: Matilda and Sebastien raised ÂŁ15 for the Hoofbeats sanctuary near Yelverton

Fun: This year’s Modbury Panto was The Elves and The Shoemaker

in pictures

Home again: Tom Daley came back to Plymouth to sign copies of his new book

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talking points The best way to:

STRETCH IT OUT When you’re keen improve your core strength, flexibility and balance, these classes are the way forward…

Gently does it Located in the heart of Exeter, Lotus Loft offers a wide variety of yoga classes such as Hatha Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Pregnancy and Iyengar. There’s usually no need to book and classes cost around £6 - £7, with discounts for block booking a set of six. With experienced teachers and a fully equipped, all you need to do is wear something comfortable and turn up! www.lotus-loft.co.uk.

A HISTORY

of the

WEST in

100

objects 28: TAHITIAN MOURNER’S COSTUME From a voyage of Captain Bligh of St Tudy, 1791

Pep up Pilates FDJ Pilates in Plymouth take the original Pilates exercises and set them to music. When you’re moving to the latest hits, the result is an upbeat and fun class, costing just £5. All classes are mixed ability – so whether you’re a complete beginner or really want to challenge yourself, give it a try. As ever, Pilates aims for superb core strength, good for your back and posture. www.fdjpilates.co.uk.

Room with a view Oceanflow yoga studio in Newquay has beautiful views over Fistral beach, allowing you to really connect with nature during your yoga. As well as tackling stiffness and joint pain, yoga is good for stress, depression, anxiety and energy blockages. Unlimited monthly membership costs £60 or single classes cost from £8. There’s even a “hot studio”, set at 40C for detox yoga. www.oceanflowyoga. co.uk.

Perfectly aligned South Devon Pilates is a beautiful space in central Torquay, with maple wood floors and high celiings, plus all the special Pilates machines to help you get your body working well. Classes in machine (£15) and mat work (£7) focus on core stability strength, mobilising and stabilising the spine. The ultimate aim is for you to develop perfect whole body alignment. There’s also a special option for the over-50s on Tuesdays and Thursdays. www.southdevonpilates.co.uk.

Julien Parsons is the Senior Collections Officer, The Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter. He says: This fearsome-looking garment was worn at Tahitian funerals. It is a rare survival from the period before travellers and traders changed the Pacific Islanders’ lives for ever. It arrived in Britain via a young naval officer named Francis Godolphin Bond, who served on HMS Providence.

Bond was on board thanks to the ship’s captain, his uncle, the infamous William Bligh. Bligh’s brief childhood was spent in the small village of St Tudy, near Wadebridge in north Cornwall. He went to sea before his teens, was an able seaman by 1770 and an officer by 1776.

The promising young Cornishman was then chosen by Captain Cook for his crew on the third Pacific voyage and in 1787 he took command of HMS Bounty, when in his early 30s. Although opinions differ on the reasons for the mutiny on the Bounty, most agree that, although the captain was a talented navigator and sailor, he was a lousy leader.

Over the years, a caricatured Captain Bligh has featured in Hollywood films and TV series which give little attention to the

unsavoury purpose of his Pacific voyage – which was the same reason the Providence returned there in 1791. Bligh was taking breadfruit plants from the Pacific Islands to transplant in the West Indies as a source of cheap food for slaves on the plantations. The mourner’s costume is a spectacular reminder of a grim episode in British history.

#28

On display in Gallery 12, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter www.rammuseum.org.uk

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People

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DOING THINGS HER OWN WAY Her solo career is racing on but a lot has changed for Mel C since her Sporty Spice days. Ahead of her spring tour, she talks to Andy Welch about feeling old, writing songs and why she didn’t want to take part in a Spice Girls reunion

he trouble with once being known as Sporty Spice is that great swathes of your wardrobe and certain shops become unavailable to you.

“I can’t wear a tracksuit,” says Melanie Jayne Chisholm, aka Mel C and Sporty Spice. “I love Adidas tracksuits, they never go out of fashion, but I can’t go out in one. I can see the newspaper caption now, about me not being able to let go of my past or something...

“That ship has sailed, I’m afraid,” she announces.

Today, clothes aside - black skinny jeans, white shirt, long hair - Mel looks, well, not that different to how she did when the Spice Girls conquered the world in the mid-Nineties.

Just 25 when the band broke up the first time, she says she was “a really angry person” at the time, and was desperate to prove that there was more to her than her tomboy pop persona.

Next came her debut solo album, called Northern Star, released in 1999. It sold four million copies around the world and she has gone on to be the most successful solo singing Spice Girl, by some considerable distance.

She released her seventh solo album, called Version Of Me, last October, a project she started three years ago. Mel has also recently been on tour with Jools Holland, starred in Jesus Christ Superstar (“perfect”), and been a judge on Asia’s Got Talent (“money for old rope”). But she was missing writing, recording and performing her own songs.

“I went into the studio, and went to LA to work with different songwriters, and things took shape from there.”

She says writing with someone new is a bit like going on a first date, with both parties being very polite and on their best behaviour. It worked a charm

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with the London-born, LAbased production duo Sons of Sonix for this album, but other producers have been less successful.

Mel, who has a sevenyear-old daughter, Scarlet, has been open about her struggles with eating disorders and depression over the years. She told Contact Music about her problems with food: “I’d hammered the gym for three hours a day. It was a way of running away, not thinking. I felt like a robot. When the papers started calling me ‘Sumo Spice’, I was only a size 10. But I was so upset by all the criticism, it got worse and I went up to a size 14.”

Today, she is a happy, healthy woman who often competes in triathlons and knows her own mind. She parted from Scarlet’s father, property developer Thomas Stagg, after ten years in 2012 and in 2014 was reportedly in a brief relationship with the singer Matt Cardle.

“I’m obviously a more mature artist now,” says the 42-year-old with a smile.

“The people selling all the records now are a lot younger than me, and there are people who want to try to shove me in that direction. I get it, songwriters are aiming for big names and big sales so they get their cut, and they want me to be a younger version of myself.

“Musically, I think Rihanna is brilliant. Katy Perry, all those people, great, but I can’t do that.

I’ve had that career already, and I’m somewhere completely different now.

“For me, there’s an embarrassment... if that’s the right word,” the Lancashireborn star adds. “I don’t want people to think that I think I’m still a young pop star. I know I’m older. I’m not pretending I’m anything I’m not. I catch myself doing it myself though, saying ‘Put it away love!’ but that’s a terrible thing to think. We all have different stages in our lives.”

It’s all helped Mel to realise she wanted to make an album inspired by the likes of Massive Attack and Portishead, pioneers of Bristol-born triphop. “I wanted to make an electronic album, and I didn’t care about radio edits of songs, or big singles or anything like that.” Being the boss of her

‘ s you get A older, you realise everyone is too busy worrying about themselves, not what you’re doing’

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People

own label, Red Girl, means she can make those decisions.

“It has to happen quickly when you’re writing songs. Some people I have worked with for years some older, some younger - but Sons of Sonix are only 24. They were telling me how they were four when the Spice Girls came out. It’s funny, working in music. You think you’re young and you know what’s going on, but working with them, it just made me feel really old!”

She thinks it takes courage to write songs, especially if you’ve been in the public eye as she has - although it’s easier now than when she was in her 20s and 30s. Back then, she worried what everyone thought of her and only now she’s in her 40s has she realised what a waste of energy that was.

“As you get older, you realise everyone is too busy worrying about themselves, not what you’re doing. I am happy and comfortable in my surroundings,” she says.

“I had my time with the girls, and I have been written about a lot, but not in my latter years.

And most of it was b***ocks anyway. Think about your friends and the people close to you; you don’t know what’s going on with them, really going on with them behind closed doors. So why do you think you do when you read something about strangers?”

Talking of the girls, Mel earlier this year decided against rejoining Geri, Mel B and Emma (Ginger, Scary and Baby) in another iteration of a Spice Girls reunion.

“It didn’t feel right for me,” she says, calmly but firmly. “It’s delicate, but Victoria [Beckham] had said after the Olympics performance she didn’t want to do it again, and we’d all always said whatever any of us wanted to do was fine.

“We’re too old to be hard on each other like we were. We’re parents now, we’ve all got lives and partners and other things going on. They were very gracious about me not wanting to be part of it, so I am very gracious about them wanting to carry on.

“I can’t do things for other people. I know there are fans that are disappointed, or friends or family members who think I should take part, but I can’t do it for them, it’s a big commitment.

“The most important thing is that I am a mum, so I have to be here and present and on hand and happy. I have to look after her [Scarlet] properly.

“For me, going back into that environment wasn’t the way to do that.”

Mel C begins her UK tour in April. For dates and tickets, visit www.melaniec.net 15

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People

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softly, softly faux fur features high in the glam stakes these days and queen of the designers is Devon-based Helen Moore. Hers is the brand of choice for fashionistas and celebrities. sharon Goble catches up with Helen at her base near tiverton to talk family, fur and fearne Cotton...

elen Moore inherited her mother’s mink coat and promptly gave it to a cousin. To Helen’s knowledge, she hasn’t worn it either. “There’s really no need to wear real fur,” Helen tells me. “Fake looks and feels every bit as glamorous.”

So good, in fact, that Helen’s entire family now helps produce it. Well, almost everyone. “My husband, who’s an artist, has taken more of a back step as the brand has become more ‘fashion’. But my three children are all closely involved and my daughter-in-law too, so it’s a real family affair.”

The Helen Moore fashion empire is, perhaps, in an unlikely place: down a tree-lined lane in the tranquil village of Witheridge near Tiverton, a handy four minute walk from Helen’s home. In what was once a piggery, a staff of fifty now turn out a range of faux fur products, described by Helen as ‘affordable luxury’.

The business started with women’s accessories but the range now includes something for everyone, with the recent addition of items for men, children and the home. She tells me, “We broadened into children’s wear because my granddaughter desperately wanted a yellow tippet scarf, so we made her one. The children’s range is proving very popular.” And it’s easy to see why parents and doting grandparents would love the snuggly accessories for their little ones.

“Menswear was also a logical step for us to take,” she says. “There was so much on the men’s catwalks. My daughter-in-law Jess did a focus group and the men were initially a bit reluctant but when they tried things on they really liked them, particularly the waxed Trapper hats.”

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People

Women are still her core customers though.

So, I ask, do you have an ideal woman you design for? “Well, my daughter-in-law Jess, who lives in Tunbridge Wells - she and her circle of friends are very much our target yummy mummies. Fearne Cotton was photographed in one of our multicoloured vixen scarves and that was fantastic. I suppose she’s our ideal woman: hip, stylish and rock’n’roll, but also a mum who’s carried on a high-profile job since having a family. After that picture, people came to us asking for the Fearne Cotton scarf.”

The scarf Fearne wore is made up of blocks of brightly coloured fur. It was Helen’s daughter, Hester, her “right hand woman’’, who picked up on the trend for coloured fur after spotting it in New York and telling her mum they had to introduce it to the range.

“Hester graduated in design and lives in London so she has her finger on the pulse. I feel we have all bases covered with Hester in the capital, Jess in Tunbridge Wells and me in Devon, although I do go to London most weeks for meetings. It’s very easy by train from Tiverton Parkway.”

Living in Devon, Helen says, is absolutely perfect: “I couldn’t think of anything better. I have

the best of both worlds. Whenever I come back from London, I think how lucky I am to live here in the South West. The landscape is beautiful, inspirational. It doesn’t directly impact on my design choices but it certainly influences them, especially our colour palette.

“Our terracotta colour, called brick, and a gorgeous olive green we also use a lot were both inspired by natural colours here.”

Helen Moore’s Witheridge HQ is now a factory, workshop, warehouse and office space. Here, her latest venture is a wedding range of accessories. Brides can choose from a range of faux fur wraps, capes and jackets in beautiful shades of cream, dove grey, dusky pink and aubergine. They are perfect for the uncertain weather of a British wedding.

It’s fair to say that, over the years, Helen and her team have done their bit in

‘I always think how very lucky I am to live here in the South West.

The landscape is beautiful, inspirational’

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People

helping imitation fur well and truly ditch its downmarket image. Even the language used to describe the product has changed over the years - what was once labelled “fake” is now upmarket faux.

Helen agrees that perceptions have shifted as more brands have entered the luxury end of the market.

“People’s attitudes to faux fur certainly have changed, just as the quality of the fabric itself has developed. It is so much softer than it was.

“I still can’t quite believe it when I see Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, wearing our accessories or spot them on sale in top stores like Liberty of London.”

One high profile lady who hasn’t yet ventured out in the brand, at least not to Helen’s knowledge, is Theresa May. “She’s obviously really interested in fashion and has made some great

choices,” says Helen.

“Before she became Prime Minister, we sent her some clip-on pom-poms for her shoes but I’ve never seen her wear them in public.” Perhaps the super soft accessories don’t go with the image of a woman negotiating a hard Brexit. Or perhaps she’s simply padding around Number 10 with them clipped on her slippers…

Helen is pragmatic about the likely effect Brexit will have on her business. She’s proud of being a British brand, employing British workers at her own Devon factory, where she has total control over every piece of faux fur that’s designed and made with her name on it.

The faux fur material itself comes from the Far East and is imported through a British company.

In the wake of Brexit, Helen says she anticipates the fabric she buys in to create her designs will

‘I still can’t believe it when I see Sophie, Countess of Wessex, wearing one of our accessories’

go up in price by 18%. “It will affect us but we just have to get on with it,” she says matter-of-factly.

The company has a strong market exporting to the States and Japan. Now Helen is planning a big push into Scandinavia and Canada. In fact, the collapse of the pound following the referendum has made it a great time to expand overseas.

The business has certainly come a long way since its beginnings in the early 1980s, when Helen and her husband Stan sold his print products and her creative designs at the Glastonbury Festival. Never in her wildest dreams did Helen imagine she would have her own fashion empire and be the darling of the fashion set.

So what achievement is she most proud of, I ask. “I think employing a lot of people. I love that, although sometimes it’s a bit scary when I look at all the cars in the car park. And also my family.

“All of our children have gone off and done their own thing and then come back because they wanted to - and now help me in the business. I’m really proud of that.” www.helenmoore.com

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GOING GREEN Go green with decor this year and you’ll be bang on trend. Gabrielle Fagan reveals the freshest finds guaranteed to grow on you...

aunching into a New Year can be hard, but even little changes make a difference, and injecting a colour which breathes energy into rooms surely can’t be a bad way to start.

So bypass the gym and simply tone up your decor by embracing all shades of green. Verdant hues, from deep moss through to lush or pale, are truly having a moment. Mimicking nature’s palette, they satisfy our growing desire to blur the boundary between the outdoors and in.

It’s no coincidence that Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2017 is Greenery, a zingy yellowgreen, as Pantone’s executive director, Leatrice Eiseman, explains: “Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate and revitalise, Greenery symbolises the reconnection we seek with nature. It evokes the first days of spring, when nature’s greens revive, restore and renew.

“We feel that the fortifying attributes of this colour, Greenery, gives us a chance to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate.”

Green combines the cheerfulness of yellow and the refreshing quality of blue and so it can suit most rooms: “The smartest homes will wear green this season”, predicts Claire Hornby, creative stylist, Barker & Stonehouse.

“Green creates a fresh, uplifting mood in any room. Decorate in muted greens mixed with accessories in natural tones of mink and brown for a calming and tranquil environment. Or for a striking and contemporary contrast, opt for soft, minty greens, which work particularly well

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Green feathers mural and tropical palm leaves mural both from £19 Pixercise

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Interiors

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Interiors

Lady May sofa in Dusky Grass from £1,104 Sofa Workshop

Unilux PVC Blackout roller blinds from £21.60 Direct Blinds

with black or chocolate furniture,” she advises.

She is not the only one to love this colour right now: “I’d recommend creating a feature wall in a living room using a moss green shade, and combining that with tan leather upholstered chairs and a sofa. This combination helps conjure a gentle, informal woodland feel,” advises Kevin Royal, managing director at sofa and flooring specialist, ScS. “Freshen up a floor with a light green chenille rug, and enhance the effect further with throws and cushions in earthy browns and deep greens.

Ramp up the rural look with homeware featuring animal motifs - stags, owls or hares are set to remain popular - and as a luxury touch, add a fur throw.”

You could also think on a grand scale and use a striking foliage design green wall mural to transform a room. Pixersize has a brilliant range, from £19, including a Watercolour Tropical Palm Leaves and a Green Feathers design.

Alternatively, banish the blandness in an all-white space by painting a dramatic band of green on a wall, or making a green feature of an alcove. Designers Guild’s Strong Greens collection includes a bright green paint called Varese Leaf – you can buy a tester pot for £5 from John Lewis to give it a try.

Or you could make a statement with furniture on a green theme, such as a sofa upholstered in a lush, dusky grass-green velvet. The Lady May sofa is currently reduced and starting from £1,104 for a two-seater (usually from £1,725), at

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Sofa Workshop.

Green shoots breaking through after winter bring life to a garden landscape, and adding green ac‘It symbolises cessories will have the same the connection effect in a room. It’s also an easy we seek with and inexpensive way to reflect the trend. Bag a bargain at John nature - the first Lewis, which has a Roma throw days of spring, in Catkin green, currently reduced to £59-£69.30 from £99. when greens Treat yourself to Orla Kiely’s revive, restore Linear Stem Green Mug, £10.50, and renew’ House of Fraser, or add a quirky touch in a bathroom with Alessi’s Magic Bunny toothpick holder, £19.50, which features a yellow bunny emerging from a green top hat.

George Home is rapidly becoming a go-to desspaces where we relax, revive and replenish. tination for those who want style on a budget When times get tough, we generally wave goodand from January 14 they’re launching some bye to bling and over-dosing on opulence, and brilliant green buys. A Leaves & Birds double return to a more organic, holistic and natureduvet set costs just £11, a Geo candleholder is inspired feel in the home. £1.50, and - my favourite - a fun cactus-shaped “Sharp, fresh greens make a great contrast vase is £12. for monotone or dark, moody schemes, and Going green should help brighten your whether utilised in stripes, botanical prints or late winter moments: “Just looking out of the as a block of colour, and enhanced by accessowindow at an expanse of greenery is cheering, ries, they’ll impart a sense of restorative wellbewhich is why Pantone’s choice makes perfect ing, which is surely needed!” sense,” says Sarah Quilliam, head of product And of course, another sure-fire way to add design for blinds specialist, Hillarys. this revitalising shade to your décor is to ac“Greenery’s tangy yellow green speaks to our quire some house plants, which are also having need to switch off and disconnect, and creates a fashion moment right now.

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GET THE

LOOK

The interiors shade of the moment is gorgeous green...

Jasper Conran for Wedgwood chinoiserie tableware from £15.75 John Lewis

Orla Kiely mug £10.50 House of Fraser

Light pendant £25 Barker and Stonehouse

Cactus vase £12 George Home David Chipperfield foldable chair £140 Alessi

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Ask Gracie...

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

Albion shoes £149 Jigsaw

Male order My husband hates shopping and isn’t interested in clothes, so I often shop for him. What are the must-have items for a well dressed man? GT, Plymouth

Q

Luckily, the list of basic essentials that should constitute the wardrobe of every stylish man is not particularly long. From simple (yet high quality) shirts to perfectly cut chinos, here are a few must haves you could buy for him: 1.

Tailored shirt £18 Burton

A white button-down shirt: There’s very little that won’t go with a button-down collared shirt. Worn with a suit for a more casual look, under a round-neck jumper at the weekend or teamed with a pair of slim chinos and a statement belt, this is the most versatile item in any man’s wardrobe.

2.

A Navy-blue crewneck sweater: A cotton-mix crew neck in an adaptable shade of navy can be worn with pretty much everything.

Layer in winter, wear as a feature piece in summer.

3.

Slim chinos: A good alternative to jeans and great if he doesn’t want to wear suit trousers.

4.

Blue jeans: A good pair of jeans should be slim, but not too tight, stiff but not so stiff that he can’t bend his legs and they should also be blue, naturally.

5.

Charlie chino trousers £45 White Stuff

Tan (or brown) lace-ups: Brilliant with navy and just as good with grey, a pair of tan leather shoes works as well with denim and more traditional tailoring.

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Woolly thinking Q

What’s the best way to wash my new wool sweater? SA, Lympstone

Ecover delicate laundry liquid Wool jumpers are wardrobe essentials during £3.50 Waitrose winter but they have a bad reputation for being difficult to wash. It’s important to find a good compromise between water that is warm enough to tackle stains and cool enough to prevent damage to the delicate material.

As a general rule, wool jumpers should be washed at 30C or less. But always check the care label on the garment before washing to ensure you’re washing at a temperature that the material can happily withstand.

Place your woollens into the washing machine and add a gentle laundry detergent.

You may like to use a mesh laundry bag to protect the wool from the drum. Set the washing machine to the hand wash Woolite hand and cycle, or wool cycle. machine wash £3 Your machine will Sainsbury’s automatically wash at cooler temperatures and will spin much more slowly to reduce Persil laundry the risk of damage to liquid silk and the material – yep, it’s wool £3.50 Tesco as easy as that!

Clinique Even Better Eyes dark circle corrector £31 Boots

Afraid of the dark Q

Gracie’s shopping list

El Camino travel bracelet (from £8.49 for the engraved steps and £21.99 for the bracelet cord) www.elcaminobracelets. com Are you a bit of a globe-trotter? El Camino is a travel bracelet, designed in Wadebridge, Cornwall, to help capture travel experiences, and remind the wearer of those all-important moments they have encountered across the globe.

C0ollect beads to keep track of the places you have visited and remind you of the people you have met along the way.

Allies Of Skin 1A AllDay Mask £68 www. cultbeauty.co.uk Taking the concept of a mask – a concentrated treatment to give skin an instant boost – this leave-on daily hydrator re-energises and revitalises all day long.

How do I get rid of dark circles under my eyes?

HJ, Porthtowan

While you can’t totally prevent dark undereye circles, you can minimise them. First, get enough sleep. Also, put down the champagne.

Too much alcohol (and salt) will dehydrate you, Charlotte Tilbury making your eyes puffy, which in turn makes Mini Miracle eye your circles look worse. Try hydrating, gentle wand £29 House of cleansers instead of drying ones that can irritate Fraser the delicate skin around the area. Lastly, make sure the skin around your eyes is moist when you go to bed. A good daily eye cream should have plumping ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. You should apply eye cream at night and then again Mario Badescu in the morning under hyaluronic eye cream your concealer. Yes, £15 www.beautybay.com you’ll probably still need concealer.

Silke London hair ties £21 www.silkelondon.com Now you can tie your hair back without breaking (or tearing) your delicate strands. These elasticated bands are covered with pure, ruched silk that secure your bun or ponytail without the risk of kinks or damage.

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

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Mario Badescu Hyaluronic

17/01/2017 13:17:58

Singing the blues ashion rules are meant to be broken, and lately that includes wearing “double denim” - that’s denim on denim. As a general rule of thumb, lighter shades of denim draw attention to the body parts they cover, while darker washes create a slimming effect. You may find that dark denim jeans and a lighter denim top or jacket is the most flattering way to go. We love this denim shirt dress from Oliver Bonas, while George at Asda’s £14 denim skirt is surely the bargain of the moment!

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Culottes £55 Oliver Bonas

Shirt £14, skirt £14 both George at ASDA

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Fashion

Cold shoulder top £20 Apricot

Radial dress £119 Barbour

Patch pocket mini skirt £10 Matalan

Sh irt dres s £5 5 Ol iver Bo na s

fave!

Embroidered shirt dress £38 Very

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Wellbeing

the boost

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

Hug it out Today is National Hugging Day, 24 hours dedicated to embracing the ones we love. Studies show that a quick cuddle can work wonders for both our close relationships and our personal wellbeing. As well as increasing bonding, our muscles relax, tension is released, our mood is elevated and our heart rate decreases. Hugging can even help boost our immune system, balance our nervous system and relieve pain through a release of endorphins. So what are you waiting for?

Sugar alert One in 10 adults in Cornwall now has diabetes, a quarter of whom are unaware that they have it. It is also feared up to 28,000 people in the county also have a high level of sugar in their blood, putting them at risk of the disease. Fortunately, Cornwall has been selected to be included in the National Diabetes Prevention Programme, which will help those at risk make crucial lifestyle changes to reverse this alarming trend. For information and simple tips to improve your lifestyle, visit www.england.nhs.uk

A NEW START Struggling to shift those festive pounds? It could be time for a Yeotox. This award-winning 5-day programme is run by Yeotown, an idyllic rural getaway in the rolling north Devon hills. Focussing on what you can eat rather than deprivation, the programme is designed to boost energy and emotional wellbeing through coastal hiking, mindfulness, cookery lessons, deep tissue massage and much more.

Prices start from £1,870 – more details at www. yeotown.com 30

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The latest for your health Searching for a new health drink? Forget goji berries, green tea and ginseng; 2017 is all about charcoal juice. You may possibly have already sampled charcoal and sesame biscuits with your Christmas cheese, but if it’s glowing skin, improved digestion, better breath and an instant hangover cure you’re after, it’s time to start drinking the stuff. Buy Botanic Lab juices at www.botanic-lab. co.uk ( a three-day programme starts at £50) or collect ingredients at Holland and Barrett stores to make your own.

Forever fit Fitness should not be limited to the youngsters in our communities - it’s important that we stay active and energetic at every age, to help maintain a healthy, happy lifestyle. This is exactly why Forever Fitness has been launched in Holsworthy, Devon. If you live in the area and are over the age of 60, skip along to the Scout Hut every Monday from 2pm-3.15pm with your £3 entry fee to get fit with friends.

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

@WMNWest or email westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 31

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Wellbeing

More than just a hangover Could an additive allergy be causing that headache? had a bit of a session will attest, it’s entirely possible to display symptoms of it without being allergic.

While many of us suffer tummy upsets, headaches and skin flushes after too many drinks, GP Dennis Price says: Hangovers for some, these may be are an inevitable punishment if signs of an underlying you overdo it with the vino but ‘We’d all intolerance to wine and sometimes unpleasant side-effects the grapes involved in from a glass or two are down to sometimes like to the production (though something a bit more unusual. blame our sickly the jury is still out on We’d all sometimes like to blame morning-afterwhether skin flushing our sickly morning-after-theis indicative of an alnight-before state on a “wine althe-night-before lergy). lergy”, but for a small number of state on a wine Those with the allergy people, an allergy to wine is a real may suffer cramps and (and inconvenient) truth. allergy, but it can difficulty breathing Unlike a sensitivity or intolerance, be the truth’ when they drink ceran allergy is when the immune tain wines - though they system reacts to a normally harmmay drink others and less substance. not have any reactions.

In this case, that normally harmIt’s bad news for fans of less, though tasty, substance is red, as researchers have found that those with wine. Fortunately, a true allergy to wine is the allergy tend to suffer more when they drink extremely rare, though as anyone who has ever I used to love a glass of wine but these days I find it leaves me feeling really ill – much worse than a hangover. Is there anything I can do? MC, Wadebridge

Q

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it as opposed to white wines or roses.

Rarely is the reaction caused by alcohol. More often it is the chemicals used in the wine-making process - that’s the sulphites and histamines – to keep bacteria at bay and stop the plonk from going sour which are the culprits (though, again, it is very rare to be allergic to sulphites).

If you suffer from this allergy, you may also have a similar reaction to certain products that contain sulphites, like dried fruits, cider and pickled food.

And while it is very uncommon, the national charity Allergy UK reports that some people with asthma, urticaria and rhinitis might also be more prone to allergies to alcohol than others.

If you think you might be sensitive to wine, look out for those made using less of the preservative sulphites and histamines.

Bear in mind, though, that white wines and roses generally have higher levels of sulphites - as do some light-bodied reds - while reds tend to have higher levels of histamine. www.allergyuk.org

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Food

SMALL BITES

Our pick of what’s on in the Westcountry food world right now Ginger goodness Luscombe’s Hot Ginger Beer is made near Buckfastleigh, in south Devon, with milled fresh root ginger and Sicilian lemons.

The award-winning organic drink goes well with chicken, pork or dishes with a sweet glaze or marinade. All of Luscombe’s drinks are made from the finest ingredients. Hot Ginger Beer is organic - and there’s a less spicy Cool Ginger version if you prefer.

Celebrate Burns Night It’s Burns Night next weekend and if you are looking for a fun way to join the celebrations, Glazebrook Hotel in South Brent is the place to be. Its Burns Night party on Saturday January 28 will feature all the fun Scottish traditions, including piping in the haggis.

MasterChef winner Anton Piotrowski is creating the ambitious menu and an ambassador from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society will help with pairing whiskies with the menu, as well as offering guests an afternoon whisky tasting. Tickets £70 per person including a whisky or wine flight - call 01364 73322 or visit www. glazebrookhouse.com.

Ella’s in Exeter

Cornish crisps

Ella Mills is the creator of the food blog Deliciously Ella, which has taken the cookery world by storm since its launch in 2013.

Two cookbooks down the line, she is now a household name and her “clean-eating” trends have become increasingly mainstream. On Tuesday January 31 you can spend an evening with Ella as she talks about her latest cook book, Deliciously Ella with Friends. The Barnfield Theatre, Exeter, tickets £25 to include a copy of her new book, visit www. barnfieldtheatre.org.uk for details.

A new crisp has hit the shelves - and it is Cornish pasty flavoured. Made by the Great British Crisp Company, the irresistible flavour pays homage to Cornwall’s iconic snack. Created in collaboration with Cornwall’s Warrens Bakery, and available in Warrens stores, the crisps cost 75p for a 40g packet and £2.19 for 150g.

Got some foodie news? Let us know on westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 33

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Nike trainers £70 Schuh

Scuba runners £54.99 Superdry

The finest trainers

If you want to nail a sports-luxe look, it’s all about the footwear . Good trainers are not only good for your feet, they can give any outfit that sporty edge. In these cute pink ones from Nike at Schuh or these rugged cross-trainers from Superdry, you’ll move from gym to the weekend’s social events with ease.

Try Footasylum at Drake Circus, too, for the latest foot fashions.

2017the year of

athleisure...

If your New Year health and fitness resolutions are wavering, why not pop into Drake Circus shopping centre in Plymouth and jumpstart them again with the biggest trend in fashion right now - the ‘athleisure’ look. The sports casual look is bang on trend this season - in and out of the gym!

Bounce B Gone sports bra £30 Cotswold

Work it out...

Great gym gear doubles as comfy lounge wear too this season. Try JD Sports or Mountain Warehouse for snuggly zip-ups, New Look for stylish sweats and Marks & Spencer for their new range of supermodel Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley inspired gym wear. Cotswold also stocks some good running vests and tops. We also like this fab silver swimsuit from River Island that is in store next month.

Cropped hooded sweater £14.99 New Look

Silver swimsuit in store February 2017 River Island

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Shop Coat £79.99 Superdry

Water bottle £3.50 Primark

Take it outside…

Even if you don’t (ever) make it to the gym, you can still look like that’s where you’re going, with this supercool puffer jacket and parachute trousers from Superdry. Perfect for wintry day walks or (if you’re really lucky) the ski slopes.

Sporty kit

Looking for sports accessories that won’t break the bank - but might help when you break a sweat? Primark, Boots and River Island all have a great range from skipping ropes to water bottles and neat sports bags. Or check out Holland and Barrett for the latest sports nutrition products.

Skipping rope £2.50 Primark

Running top £24.99 Mountain Warehouse Snow pants £149.99 Superdry

* Drake Circus Wellness Week starts on Monday January 23: It features ideas to help you stay fit and healthy. The week includes free interactive public events in the main atrium of the Plymouth shopping centre with community partners such as the NHS, Plymouth Argyle and The University of St Mark and St John. www.drakecircus.com or follow Drake Circus on Facebook and Twitter @drakecircusplym 35

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Cook

Pumpkin Pilaf with Almonds

Carol’s top tip: Younger members of the family may not appreciate the fiery taste or heat of the chillies added at the end of this recipe. Serve them first, then add the chillies for mature tastes to keep everyone happy.

Recipe: Carol Bowen Ball, author of Esse’s The Four Seasons Cookbook Carol says: This is a good basic recipe using quick or easy-cook basmati rice. For meat eaters I often add cooked chicken and chorizo and for vegetarians crumbled feta, grilled halloumi cheese or extra roasted vegetables.

Ingredients:

Method:

2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp butter 1 onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced 1 tbsp cumin seeds 1 tbsp fennel seeds 1 tsp black onion seeds 400g quick or easy-cook basmati rice 400g diced pumpkin or squash 800ml hot vegetable stock Salt and freshly ground black pepper 125g thick Greek yogurt 100g radishes, sliced 100g roasted almonds, crushed Small bunch fresh mint and coriander, coarsely chopped 1 chilli, seeded and finely sliced

1.

Heat the oil and butter in a large,

heavy-based pan (with tight-fitting lid).

Add the onion, garlic, cumin, fennel and black onions seeds and cook for 3 minutes.

2.

Add the rice and cook for 2 minutes.

Add the pumpkin and stock. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, add salt and pepper to taste, cover and cook, without stirring, for 10 minutes, or until all the stock has been absorbed. (If you’re using regular rice then this may take up to 20-25 minutes cooking time). At this point add any

meat or vegetarian extras, remove from the heat, re-cover and leave to stand for 5 minutes to finish cooking.

3.

Remove the lid and give the pilaf a gentle stir. Top with the yogurt, scatter with the radishes and almonds then sprinkle with the mint, coriander and chilli to serve.

The Rangemoors Hearth & Cook showroom at Marsh Barton, Exeter, supplies the full range of Esse stoves: www.hearthandcook.com 36

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Drink

Happy h ur with drinks expert April Marks

April says: My page this week comes to you from the city that never sleeps - New York. One thing that hasn’t disappointed on this trip is just how seriously New Yo r k ers take gin. There is an extensive selection in every bar in Manhattan, also pleasing to see is our very own Plymouth Gin in almost every bar.

After some thorough research, I also made my way to the Gin Parlour in the Intercontinental Hotel on 48th Street, where they boast a 100 strong gin list with no fewer than 10 tonics to choose from. Heaven.

I asked the bar tender to select a fairly aromatic gin for me to try and, interestingly, his first few suggestions were all European gins I’m already acquainted with. I politely declined each one in turn - I’m sure at this stage he was finding the process fairly tedious but, like a true professional, he didn’t let it show. Then, bingo! He showed me the Anchor Junipero from San Francisco, a craft gin created in 1996 with a whopping 49.3% abv.

As the name suggests, juniper is really prominent in this gin and there are also lovely layers of citrus peels and fragrant herbs.

I did however have gin envy when I tried the gin

They boast a 100

strong gin list with ten

tonics to choose from

my husband opted for. Called Brooklyn Gin, it was made from American corn spirit, freshly-cut citrus peels and juniper berries that have been hand-cracked to release the oils.

This gin really hits the spot. Vibrant and refreshing, it was a beautiful combination of both lime and orange peels, then giving way to floral notes.

Both gins were mixed with Q Tonic which is also, coincidentally, made in Brooklyn. It is clean and crisp with a lovely touch of sweetness from agave nectar. Like every other G&T we’d been served in Manhattan, the bar tenders pour the gin by hand giving you more than one of our double measures. Then tonic is added to top up the narrow glass, making for a very strong beverage – happy days!

April Marks is co-founder of Regency Wines Ltd Exeter @regencywinesuk

Product of the week This week I have selected one of my favourite American gins. Aviation Gin is based on the fuller-bodied Dutch style of gin, made with rye neutral grain spirit and what the makers describe as a “botanical democracy’” of juniper, cardamom, coriander, lavender, anise, sarsaparilla and orange peel. Spicy and oily in feel, floral notes and the strongest juniper flavour you’ll ever experience – it is perfect for a dry martini.

Aviation gin is available at Tabac Bar in Exeter, Exeter Northcott Theatre and Tea on the Green in Exeter’s Cathedral Close.

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Drink Beer of the week If you like hops as much as me – and I like them a lot – Bloom IPA (6.5%) from Verdant Brewing Co, in Falmouth, will give you a very pure fix. Resinous hops, tropical fruit notes, light sponge- cakelike malt in the background. Now firmly a go-to American style IPA for me.

Darren Norbury

talks beer SPECIAL MEASURES FOR PUBS CAMRA is pressing on with a bid to give pubs their own planning regulations. At the moment, the buildings are subject to the same rules and other buildings, but CAMRA wants to see a system where owners would have to seek planning consent before converting or demolishing a local.

Where’s the Knocker?

There’s been just the one problem with the rebrand of Cornish Knocker last year, brewery owner Steve Skinner of Truro tells the Brewers Journal magazine. He has an outdated Knocker tattoo about his person (he doesn’t say where) which everyone finds hilarious, he says.

pparently, we are now living in a to anyone thinking of setting up in the brewery “post-truth” world, and it’s easy to business - or perhaps a successful homebrewer see the evidence for this view. Forlooking to make the leap onto the pro stage. tunately, no-one has told the guys The Cloudwater end-of-year round-up had what at Verdant or Cloudwater breweries could be a game-changing sting in its tail. Although yet, as they have blogged their thoughts recently it’s a Manchester brewery, I mention owner Paul with remarkable honesty.

Jones’ missive as it includes news of the decision Let’s start local. I was at the official opening to stop production of cask beer and concentrate on of the new Verdant Brewing back in August, enkeg and packaged brews. The reason? It’s all about joying the vibe of their new edge-of-Falmouth price. “Where we can just about tolerate today’s industrial unit with its abunmarket pricing for our keg and botdance of space and impressive, tled beer (in light of Brexit’s devalshiny vessels. Verdant have had uating effect on the pound), we see Like many brewa great year and have really little sense in continuing to accept eries, though, put themselves on the British the labour of racking, handling, brewing map. You’re far more and collecting casks whilst we 2016 was a tale likely to find their beers on bars make insufficient margin.” Cloudof struggles, setin Bristol and London than in water’s a very influential craft backs and (very Cornwall but really the best brewer in the UK, famous for its place to drink their beer locally series of double IPA variants with common in the is their taproom bar at the brewdifferent hops and range of yeasts. industry, this) ery – give it a go!

But it’s also a business, and if Paul Like many breweries, though, wants to turn his first profit in his poor cashflow 2016 was also a tale of struggles, third year, cask has to go. setbacks and (very common in This has, understandably, set the industry, this) poor cashoff sparks in the beer world, but flow. The three partners in the does this signal an important shift business admit to naivety in setting up a fundin the beer market, or just that one, still relatively ing package, disappointment at having to cancel small player, miles away from us at that, is happy an order for important kit, then, when solicitors to go off at a tangent? It would be terrible if this and accountants had become involved, the realitrend signalled the end of cask beer, and I really sation that they had actually given away more of can’t see this coming, but one certain effect is the business than they intended to. that it’s not going to make your pint any cheaper At the end of their blog – well worth reading as other brewers review their pricing options. at tinyurl.com/hfbgt96 – there’s a list entitled Darren Norbury is editor of beertoday.co.uk What Have We Learnt that will prove invaluable @beertoday

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Beautiful Designs, Exclusive Prices

tuesday 17th january 10 days only

01822 612203

8A Paddons Row, Tavistock, PL19 0HF

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17/01/2017 14:19:18

culture vulture Our guide to what’s on in the South West by woman-in-theknow Gracie Stewart Inspired by Bowie From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads is Adrian Berry’s tender, tentative play painting the incomparable music legend David Bowie as a sort of patron saint of outcasts, as seen through the eyes of troubled teenage super-fan Martin. This Bowie-inspired show is taking place on January 16 at Teignmouth Pavilions (tickets £12), Dorchester Arts on January 27 and Bridport Arts Centre on January 28. www.fromibiza.net.

Good night

Blame the Kardashians!

Following an acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe run, comedian Shazia Mirza is at Exeter Corn Exchange on Wednesday February 1 with a performance of her show The Kardashians Made Me Do It. The show is inspired by three girls who left Bethnal Green to join ISIS and an unrelated radio piece Shazia contributed to the BBC which subsequently received a record number of complaints. The show tells of the confusion caused as Shazia looks into the clash of politically-correct liberalism versus the sinister intrusion of ISIS into the lives of young British Asian women. Tickets £16, www.exetercornexchange.co.uk.

Whether you’re a walker, first-time runner, experienced off-roader or a family looking for some adventure, head to Trelissick near Truro on Saturday January 28 for a fun night-time trail running event. You’ll be able to choose from the Explorer route (1-3km) or the Adventurer route (6-9km).

The runs are traffic-free on paths and trails and you can choose to walk if you like.

Prices from £6.95, book at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ features/trelissick-nightrun.

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Modern family What's next for family life in 2017? From going 'free-range' to putting trackers on kids, a trends experts tells Lisa Salmon about the predictions for mums and dads in the year ahead rom children being seen and not heard, to controlled crying and the naughty step, parenting trends come and go.

But what might 2017 hold for childrearing? Joanna Feeley, chief executive of the 'lifestyle futures' agency Trend Bible, works with global parenting brands to predict change years in advance. Here are the trends she predicts will feature in family life during the coming 12 months...

F

GOODBYE BAD COFFEE

Joanna Feeley says parents are fed up with drinking bad coffee in soulless soft play areas, and in 2017 will seek spaces which accommodate the needs of both the parent and child.

"Soft play areas might seem really great fun to children, but parents don't see why they

should tolerate bad coffee and stale muffins," she points out.

Parents also have higher expectations of what their children eat in these play areas, she adds, and as a result, many more 'play cafes' will pop up throughout the UK, and established cultural venues, like galleries and museums, will switch their menus to provide better quality food for parents and children.

FREE-RANGE PARENTING

Free-range parenting is about fostering exploration and an adventurous spirit, with mistakes seen as an important part of the learning process.

"Young parents seek to relate to their children on a peer level, and provide them with choice, freedom of expression and valuable experiences," says Joanna. "They're willing to take risks to

equip their children with the life skills needed to make independent, intelligent decisions."

PLASTIC NOT FANTASTIC

Issues around sustainability, and reports of harmful chemicals surrounding plastic, means modern parents are concerned about the use of plastic in the baby and children's markets, says Joanna, who predicts that with safety at the front of parents' minds, this will be a growing concern in 2017.

TRACKING DEVICES

Parents will increasingly use devices and smartphone technology to track children, too.

Joanna says: "Monitoring children was viewed with suspicion by most people until recently, but parents are desperate to afford their kids the opportunity to explore the world beyond their

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Family back garden. The safest and least intrusive way to do this is to get them to wear a monitoring device."

PRESS PAUSE

Being able to take a step back from it all, breathe and appreciate right now will be a key focus, says Joanna, and a lesson parents are desperate to teach their children. Expect to see more mindfulness and yoga classes for children in schools.

While parents are aware technology will play a huge role in their children's future careers, Joanna stresses: "It's a challenge trying to balance this with an ability to switch off and take control."

FLUID LIVING

Mobile and on-demand technology's created a huge shift in routines, leading to multi-screening in the same room. Families can sit together in one room while on independent screens, and these behaviours can have a considerable impact on family life.

"We've seen an increase in the popularity of open-plan living, to the extent that the whole

family now lives, eats and socialises in one space," observes Joanna. "Families are only just starting to explore the challenges of living this way, and brands are starting to devise solutions to allow us to control light and acoustics when we may have several activities happening at one time, from cooking, to working on a laptop, to watching a movie."

TOUCHY-FEELY

The use of digital devices is starving society of tactile stimulation, says Joanna and, as parents turn to smartphones for convenience or entertainment, screen time replaces time spent cuddling. Touch is vital to a child's development and wellbeing, and for 2017, Joanna predicts messages encouraging parents to cherish the closeness they have with their children will be key, as well as 'huggable' products that promote the sense of touch.

BE BORED

Because smart devices offer constant stimulation, children are forgetting how to be bored, says Joanna. But this downtime is essential for creative and emotional development, and she predicts parents will increasingly encourage children to have unscheduled, unsupervised playtime away from smart devices.

MODERN FAMILY PORTRAIT

Joanna points out that, ironically, mothers who work more hours today spend more time with their children than stay-at-home mothers did in the 1960s.

In 1965, mothers spent an average 36 minutes per day actively engaged in teaching and playing with their kids, yet by 1998, that time had increased to 129 minutes.

But she says multi-tasking can make modern parents feel pressed for time, especially when both parents work long hours while juggling family commitments.

"Along with the convenience of new technology has come an increase in anxiety, as we're becoming connected and contactable 24/7," she says.

"Parents feel stressed, rushed and have little quality time with their families, and we think these parenting trends paint a portrait of modern family life." Let's hope there is still time just to enjoy parenthood while it lasts!

Jo an na Fe ele y

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The Bike Shed Theatre in Exeter

Marie’s designs

Swanpool beach

My Secret Westcountry Marie Lawley Marie Lawley, 33, lives in Exeter and is the graphic designer at Devon-based family business Pirongs, who make bespoke life planners and wedding planners in Newton Abbot. Marie’s designs are featured on the covers of Pirongs planners, the inside pages and additional stickers.

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People Budock Vean Hotel

Fingle Bridge

The Helford estuary

My favourite: Walk: I went to art college in Falmouth and then spent a further four years there, when it became home. This is where a lot of my favourite places are - and walks I enjoy always involve a cafe.

My favourite starts at Gyllingvase, Falmouth, where I love the Gylly Beach Café. A stroll along the coast to Swanpool beach is great for a short evening walk - you can see the massive ships on the horizon coming into the harbour. For a longer walk you can go onwards to Maenporth beach and continuing on through the village of Durgan and Trebah, ending at The Ferryboat on the Helford Passage. I love this walk because you get to see all the lovely little beaches along the way.

Place to eat:

The Magdalen Road Bakery in Exeter is rustic and real, with bread and cakes straight from the ovens. My favourite Saturday activity would be to walk to Magdalen Road and have a latte and one of their pain au raisins, which are to die for.

Weekend escape: Now I’m living in Devon, a weekend escape would probably be to anywhere in Cornwall. I have recently been to Treveague Farm Campsite at Gorran near Mevagissey, where there are sea views and a lovely Secret

Garden Restaurant. It is a great base from which to explore The Roseland.

Festival or event: The Globe Inn in Chagford is a lovely intimate pub with fairy lights, a nice atmosphere and it hosts great monthly gypsy jazz jam nights.

Beach: Swanpool beach in Falmouth is understated yet has a cafe and cute beach huts. The sea always looks lovely and blue, especially as you drive past it in the early morning or evening.

Shop: Darts Farm in Topsham near Exeter has all the beautiful things I would want to fill my house with, perfect for finding gifts. And they sell the best banoffee pie.

serves pizzas until 3am?! The Old Firehouse in Exeter is always a good place to end a night in a cosy candle lit atmospheric with long sociable tables.

Special treat: A special treat would be to go somewhere for an afternoon tea and a pamper day, a favourite is Budock Vean Hotel on the Helford River near Falmouth. With their outdoor loungers and hot tub it is the perfect place to catch up with girlfriends.

Drink:

I am a big fan of Luscombe’s Strawberry crush, made near Buckfastleigh in south Devon.

Westcountry icon: It’s great to have lots of

leigh Salterton in east Devon, looking over the beach huts eating fish and chips, and being able to see across to the cliffs along the jurassic coast.

artists and designers in the Westcountry. Someone I admire is Lucy Turner, a furniture and surface designer based in Penryn, who transforms furniture into beautiful retro pieces with laser-cut Formica.

Pub: The Bike Shed Theatre in Exeter is a lovely

Secret place: Fingle

View: I love sitting high up on a bench at Bud-

hidden gem where I have enjoyed playing Jenga and drinking tea, and also dancing and drinking cocktails. They have themed music nights where I can exercise my latest hobby - swing dancing.

Food:

What’s better than somewhere that

Bridge on the south of Dartmoor is a lovely place that feels hidden because you are surrounded by trees and a massive hill. You are enclosed in a beautiful place with the river Teign next to you. I have had many many picnics there throughout my life, so it feels comfortingly familiar.

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My life

Chris MCguire

One more hour Chris Mcguire is staying up late, whether he wants to - or not...

“

ust go to bed.” wasn’t picky. I’ve paddled in the shallow end of “Don’t want to,” I muttered. the televisual pool, consuming such delights as “You look like you’ll fall asleep Storage Hunters: “I don’t know what’s under standing up.” that tarp,” the stars burble, “but I’ve got a feeling We exchanged a look that started it’s a Maserati”. It’s never a Maserati. They’d be with mutual frustration and ended lucky if it was a 1988 Sierra, with resigned tiredness. which isn’t quite the same “OK, do what you like. I’m not thing.

Even when I’m your mother.”

I also took pleasure on the verge of The speaker was correct. She in Ice Road Truckexhaustion, I was, and is, my partner: the mother ers, with its central of Sam, our baby son. theme of “it’s still need a little It was 9.00pm, Sam was finally hard to drive on me time. A gift asleep and she too was heading to ice”. Who knew? to me, from bed. This meant I was on the cusp These days, of what I call My Hour. I was deterthough, I’m more me – with no mined to take it, to luxuriate in it… of a box-setter – excuses even if it killed me. Yes, this week, which sounds I’ve discovered that I’m stubborn. like some Even when I’m on the verge of exkind of anhaustion, I still need a little me time. A gift to me, gular dog. For the uninitiated, from me – with no excuses. that means I watch entire My Hour is the time at the end of the day when series, often consuming I take on a completely new persona - as a mindseveral episodes at a less consumer of television. Good television, bad time, back to back. I’ve television and indifferent television are all welgorged on Mad Men come during these 60 minutes. It’s my hour and (main message: they I’ll watch rubbish if I want to. smoked a lot in the My Hour is surrounded by ritual. First I put past, didn’t they?). on the dishwasher. It starts with a satisfying Genius. I’ve overclick-and-whoosh combination. Next, I check the done it with House of doors are locked. I’m determined that if we are Cards, learning that to be burgled, said miscreant must tackle our politicians aren’t all… antique windows. They are seriously old. I half well… “nice”. Such a expect to see Lovejoy inspecting them each time I revelation. open the curtains.

Currently I’m boxFinally I fill a small bowl with a savoury snack. setting Westworld, which I am a Wotsits man at heart and perhaps a glass is essentially Jurassic Park of something cold and Teutonic. I’m talking with fewer dinosaurs and about beer. I then flop onto the couch and My more nudity – although, of Hour begins. course, dinosaurs didn’t wear I’ve flitted around in my TV viewing habits. At clothes. first I’d watch whatever was on: Newsnight, CeSo that’s My Hour spent sipping lebrity Big Brother, I wasn’t picky. I mean I really beer, crunching Wotsits and watch-

J

[[

ing trash TV. Glorious. At least, it’s supposed to be. You see, since Sam was born, I’m yet to complete an hour or anything close to it. I usually nod off after 15 minutes.

I will complete ‘My Hour’ - I’m certain of that. One day.

Probably.

Yes 2017 is all about setting myself achievable goals.

Chris Mcguire is a writer and new dad. Don’t call him during his hour, he’ll just ignore you – probably because he’s asleep. @Mcguireski

NEXT WEEK: Phil Goodwin on love, life and parenthood in the South West 46

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