West Magazine, July 16 2016

16.07.16

38

ways to nourish body & soul

How to:

holiday with kids

I found

FREEDOM in the water Meet Rosie: mermaid, model and mentor

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12/07/2016 11:38:58

The Art of Living

Hearth & Cook brings a new experience to home lovers and makers.

Expertly gathered together in our showroom in Exeter is a selection of the finest

products designed to transform homes and inspire wonderful culinary creations,

including an extensive range of beautifully designed outdoor ovens from renowned Danish stove manufacturer, Morsø. Visit our showroom now to see many of these appliances in action or browse our website for more information.

• RANGE COOKERS FROM LA CORNUE AND ESSE • MORSØ STOVES & OUTDOOR LIVING RANGE • ASHGROVE BESPOKE KITCHENS Find us in Oaktree Place, 100 yards behind Carrs Ferrari & Maserati.

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Call 01392 797679 www.hearthandcook.com 14 Oaktree Place, Manaton Close, Matford, Exeter, Devon EX2 8WA

11/07/2016 14:36:04

‘You’ll never sleep again,’ she said, with glee. ‘You’ll be so tired, you’ll forget your own name. And you won’t care.’

Chris McGuire gets unwanted advice on fatherhood, p46

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ELEGANT INTERIORS A Georgian conversion in north Devon

12 36

BY ROYAL REQUEST Meet Prince Charles’ favourite foodies

BE YOUR BEST SELF, TODAY Wellbeing advice for body and soul

[contents[ Inside this week...

6

THE WISHLIST Our pick of the best treats this week

9

JUST BETWEEN US...

Sh! We have the latest gossip!

12

BY ROYAL REQUEST Meet Prince Charles’ favourite foodies

16

30

EARN YOUR STRIPES Fashion’s best looks for high summer

WIN DESIGNER BEACH KIT Roos’ Beach treats are up for grabs

22

ELEGANT INTERIORS The transformation of a north Devon home

26

ANNE SWITHINBANK How to get roses, roses all the way

30

EARN YOUR STRIPES Fashion’s best looks for high summer

34

CULTURE VULTURE What’s on and where to go

36

BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Great ways to feel your best this week

41

LETTUCE EAT...

Tim Maddams finds new ways with salad

42

AVOID THE PANIC Take kids on holiday? Yes, you can...

46

YES, WE’RE HAVING A BABY New dad Chris McGuire gets some advice

11

SEIZE THE MOMENT Why Friday is hammock day

28

SCENT OF A WOMAN

Summer fragrances you’ll adore

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16

WIN SURF FASHION

Roo’s Beach goodies up for grabs

[ welcome [ There are just so many ways to have fun right now... f you’re in or around Exeter on Tuesday this week, then why not pop over to the Cathedral Green to check out a very special foodie event? It’s a festival of 60 hand-picked food producers from all over the South West, who have all won prestigious Taste of the West awards. Put it this way, it will be a chance to try some seriously delicious food and drink! What’s more, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will be coming along to check out the yummy treats on offer, and who can blame them? See page 12 for details.

Another person who has been having a lot of fun

I

Tweet

[

of the week

@OneVoiceTeam Enjoying a sushi class with @YOSushi in @Princesshay to launch Eats! At @Princesshay #summer #foodie #pr #eats

lately is surfer and model Rosie Corr, who lives in Cornwall and grew up in north Devon. She spends a lot of time travelling the world surfing and on model shoots, but Rosie also finds time to work with a special charity in Cornwall called Wave Hub, which helps children with social isolation problems to gain confidence through surfing.

It’s a truly great idea.

Rosie’s latest shoot, for Cornish surf brand Roo’s Beach, is really beautiful - check out page 16 today. You can also win a voucher to shop at Roo’s Beach online or in their Porth store. I think you’ll agree, the clothes (and the model) look pretty fabulous.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will be there

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

[

[ [

Becky Sheaves, Editor

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

COVER IMAGE: www.adjbrown.com

MEET THE TEAM Becky Sheaves, Editor

Phil Goodwin

Kathryn Clarke-McLeod

Gillian Molesworth

Lynne Potter

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12/07/2016 11:01:46

If you do one thing this week...

If you follow a gluten-free diet then fish and chips can be strictly off the menu, thanks to the batter.

But celebrity chef Mitch Tonks has set up a special gluten-free menu at his Rockfish restaurants in Dartmouth, Plymouth, Torquay and Brixham. He has mirrored the whole of his regular menu, so that everything is available gluten-free.

To achieve this, Mitch has invested heavily in new ranges and preparation equipment. “I believe we are the first seafood restaurant in the country to offer a regular menu and a gluten-free mirrored menu rather than just a few gluten-free options.

We are working with the Coeliac Society on the accreditation process,” he says. www.therockfish.co.uk

Win

Win! One lucky reader can win a fish and chip dinner for four at the Rockfish restaurant of their choice. To enter, simply tell us the name of a town where you will find one of Mitch’s Rockfish restaurants. Send your name and full contact details to: Fish & Chips competition, westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk to arrive by July 29. Normal terms apply, West magazine will not share your details.

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08/07/2016 15:45:03

BREKKIE Egg and salt holder £17 The Great Gift Company

PRINTS Aztec print tote £39.99 TK Maxx

the

wishlist

FLORAL Dress £45 Wallis

West’s top picks for spending your time and money this week Mixed heart confetti £2.50 Wildflower Favours

TEA TIME Floral coasters £2.99 each The Chelsea Gardener

Leather belt £55 The British Belt Company 6

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Wishlist

fave!

COSY Boho velvet chair

Poole Pottery in Dorset has a new range called Celestial. Lamp base

£249 Very

£135 Poole Pottery

Store we adore...

Men’s swimming shorts £54.95 Barbour

Oversized sunglasses

STORE ADORE: ore, Exeter s Mo ThomaWE First opened back in 1907, Thomas Moore on Fore Street in Exeter ticks all the boxes for family shopping. Not only is it the South West’s largest stockist of Lego in its wonderful toy shop downstairs but upstairs busy parents will find a truly comprehensive range of sports and school

£69.99 TK Maxx

uniforms, plus scout and guide kit and so much more. This shop was the first in Exeter to install gas lighting and it’s still most definitely ahead of the game today.

Thomas Moore outfitters and toy shop, 102-3 Fore Street Exeter, www. thomasmooretoymaster.com 7

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talking points Gillian Molesworth

Story of my life...

Welcome to the zoo he last you heard of us on the pet front, we were preparing for the arrival of a cockatiel. He is superb! Charming! A cheery little yellow presence in the corner of the room who chirps a greeting when you walk through the door. Having waited an agonising three months for a properly handreared one, Freddy (11) takes him we had nailed it, but there always out of his cage and carries him seemed to be something not quite around. He joins us at breakfast right. (sometimes he wants to eat our I had a range of specifications: breakfast) and is the highlight of it should be at least six, have done any party. If you’re considering lots of different stuff, and not be a a bird, talk to the knowledgeable thoroughbred. Well, I’m afraid all souls at the Castleford Pet Centre those went out the window when in the fabulously named village I met Duke. He is a four-yearof Coombefishacre near Newton old thoroughbred, an ex-racer, Abbot. and he is now my horse. He’s Well, since then the pet thing really, really chilled out though has got kind of – honestly, he’s a out of control. gentle, kind soul.

We have taken The theory is that Ever since I was the plunge into if you start with a little girl, I’ve horses. Ever temperament, you since I was a can teach them the made a wish on little girl, I’ve other stuff, right? I every twisted made a wish on get the feeling we’re necklace, fallen every twisted at the beginning of necklace, fallen a very long learning eyelash and eyelash, birthday curve. birthday cake, cake, first star I We’re borrowing see tonight, and a friend’s horse to that I could whatever else keep him company have a horse you wish on that for the time being.

I could have a He is called Clifhorse. I’ve been saving up for ford, or as Sophie has dubbed years. I am now 43, and I did say him, “Bargey McBargeface” to my husband that it’s one of due to a habit of carting you off those things that has a shelf life. when you’re leading him in a You don’t want to be taking up head collar. But we’re none of us riding at 65. perfect and Clifford is an angel in Anyway, the idea is that we’re many other ways. getting two equine mounts that It is a shock to the system, all I and Sophie (13) can both ride this getting up early and mucking interchangeably. And we’ve out late. Freddy has not chosen to been on a protracted and rather take part in the horse enterprise. gruelling hunt, driving from St His pet is smaller, cheaper to Ives to Paignton and all points in keep, and easier to keep clean. He between. A few times we thought might be onto something there…

T

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.

HEAVY

metallics The singer Jess Glynne shimmered at Glastonbury this summer in a dazzling green trouser suit that set off her red hair beautifully. Sequins and sparkle are more commonly associated with Christmas party wear but can look terrific in evening summer sunshine, too. This green bomber jacket would work well to channel Jess’s eye-catching style, or why not add some colourful metallic shine to your wardrobe with these options we’ve tracked down?

Metallic bomber jacket £189.99 Navabi

steal her

style

OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN

OPTION A Shine Sequin top £32 Monsoon

OPTION B Shimmer Sparkly shift dress £95 Simply Be

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16.09.16

Just

IT’S TOM VS SURANNE...

TOM HIDDLESTON’S thriller The Night Manager – some of which was filmed in north Devon - and SURANNE JONES’ hit Doctor Foster will battle it out for Best New Drama at upcoming the TV Choice Awards.

Marcella and War And Peace are also on the shortlist for the prize, which will be announced at a ceremony in

London in September.

In the Best Drama category, ITV’s Downton Abbey is up against a tough trio of BBC opponents - Happy Valley, Line Of Duty and Peaky Blinders. The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing will be fighting for the Best Talent Show trophy alongside Britain’s Got Talent and The Great British Bake Off. Good luck, folks!

[[ ‘Playing Harry Potter again?

Possibly’

‘I MIGHT BE HARRY AGAIN’ DANIEL RADCLIFFE has not completely ruled out returning to the role of Harry Potter on the stage or screen in the future.

An adult Potter is currently treading the boards in London’s West End in JK Rowling’s play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, but with Jamie Parker in the title role. JK was famously here in the Westcountry when she was a student, studying languages at Exeter University.

However, Daniel, 26, is not completely closing the door on a return to the role that made him famous.

He recently told the Radio Times: “It would depend on the script. The circumstances would have to be pretty extraordinary. But then I am sure Harrison Ford said that with Han Solo and look what happened there!

“So I am saying, ‘No’ for now, but leaving room to backtrack in the future.”

Do it, Dan! You know you want to!

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

!

JUNO IS ON THE LOOKOUT JUNO TEMPLE, who grew up in Taunton, is looking for new work. The actress starred in the music business drama Vinyl alongside James Jagger (son of Sir Mick) but the show has been cancelled by HBO after just one season.

The US cable network had previously picked up Vinyl for a second season just after its February premiere episode, which was directed by Scorsese.

But HBO has now reversed its position and said in a statement on Wednesday that it was not “an easy decision” to make.

“Obviously, this was not an easy decision. We have enormous respect for the creative team and cast for their hard work and passion on this project.”

West says: Never mind Juno, we’re sure something better will come along soon.

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08/07/2016 14:55:57

Belles of the ball: The Roseland Academy Leavers’ Ball was a chance to dress up

in pictures Too cute: Pennycross School in Plymouth held a teddybears’ picnic

Parade: Sticker carnival was a lot of laughs

High jump: Chloe Reynolds won her class at Bicton Arena riding Grenadier Volo

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talking points You what?

Special days

A history

of the

WEST in Odd (but genuine) words in the English language:

1 Erinaceous like a hedgehog

2 Lamprophony loudness and clarity of voice

3 Depone to testify under oath

4 Finnimbrun a trinket or knick-knack

5 Inaniloquent pertaining to idle talk

6 Limerance scientific study into the nature of love

7 Mesonoxian pertaining to

According to www. daysoftheyear.com, these days are coming up:

1 July 16 World Snake Day 2 July 17 Peach Ice Cream Day 3 July 18 Caviar Day 4 July 19 Daiquiri Day 5 July 20 Space Exploration Day

6 July 21 Junk Food Day 7 July 22 Hammock Day 8 July 23 Gorgeous Grandma Day

9 July 24 Tell An Old Joke Day 10 July 25 Thread The Needle Day

midnight

8 Mungo one who extracts valuable things from trash

The happy list

9 Nudiustertian the day before yesterday

10 Doodle sack bagpipe

Popular The ten most covered pop songs:

1 Eleanor Rigby (The Beatles)

2 Yesterday (The Beatles) 3 Cry Me a River (Julie London)

4 And I Love Her (The Beatles)

5 Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones)

6 Imagine (John Lennon) 7 Summertime (Abbie Mitchell)

8 Blackbird (The Beatles) 9 Over The Rainbow (Judy Garland)

10 The Look of Love (Dusty Springfield)

10 things to make you smile this week 1 Chicago this week at Theatre Royal Plymouth

2 Summer plans holiday!

3 The sales so good this year 4 The Fire Child out now by Teignmouth’s SK Tremayne

5 Eats! at Princesshay fab foodie offers in Exeter

6 Politics everyone’s talking about it

100

objects 3: Alabaster figure of Ganesh Collected by Judge Phear of Exmouth Julien Parsons is the Senior Collections Officer, The Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter. He says: This brightly painted statute depicts the Hindu god Ganesh.

The trunk, big belly and multiple arms betray his identity. On first sight, Ganesh seems an odd choice for a history of the West – a white elephant indeed – but over the coming months I hope to show that the region’s riches owe much to a long history of global connections.

Ganesh arrived in Devon around 1879, along with his owner Sir John Budd Phear, who had recently retired as a high court judge in Kolkata (Calcutta) and chief justice in Sri Lanka (Ceylon).

Sir John took up residence of Marpool Hall in Exmouth. He served as a county councillor and stood unsuccessfully as an MP for Honiton, Tavistock and Tiverton.

The judge was fascinated by Indian religion and culture, even giving his daughter an Indian name. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he fought racial prejudice and was accused by some of ‘going native’.

Sir John’s enthusiasm translated into collecting and he returned to England with some wonderful pieces. The alabaster Ganesh was presented to Exeter’s museum in 1912 by his children.

Ganesh is revered for his wisdom, intellect and ability to remove obstacles, and place them in the path of others. Attributes that seem very fitting for a judge and politician such as Sir John.

#3

7 Tennis Wimbledon inspired, of course

8 Luke Friend live at Exeter Phoenix tomorrow night

On display in Gallery 3, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter www.rammuseum.org.uk

9 Nando’s new healthy menu - and it’s tasty, too!

10 Cocktails try the Singapore Sling at Coal, Exeter

Competition winners: Congratulations to Alisha Kay of Sidmouth who wins the Rosie Harbottle print Stay Wild Moon Child

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08/07/2016 15:38:34

MAIN PICTURE: TASTE OF THE WEST

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People TASTE OF THE WEST

By Royal request...

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, are coming to the South West this month to visit a special Taste of the West food festival on Exeter’s Cathedral Green. Becky Sheaves catches up with three of the award-winning food producers who will be meeting royalty on July 19

Blackacre Farm Eggs

Briony Wood, 38, runs Blackacre Farm Eggs at North Cheriton in Somerset with her husband Dan. They have three children: Beatrice, seven, Florence, four, and Dudley three.

Briony says: Before I met my husband Dan, I worked in PR, in an office job. Life is pretty different today, as you can imagine. Blackacre Farm Eggs was started by Dan’s parents Tim and Judy 37 years ago at their family farm near Wincanton. Today, we also source eggs from 12 other family farms in Devon and Somerset, all supplying us with truly free-range, top-quality hen’s eggs. Just lately, we have also branched out into duck, goose and quail eggs as well. All in all, we produce about a million eggs a week.

All our five varieties of egg – hen’s, duck, quail, goose and organic – won Taste of the West

Gold awards this year, which was a wonderful try, which is perfect for me as a mum of three. I result for us and has led to us being chosen to visit classes and schools also come on trips to us take part in this special food to look around the farm. I love fair on the Cathedral Green in explaining to kids how their Exeter. It will be great fun to food is produced – it’s magical meet the public on the day - and to see them learning all about ‘It will be great royalty too of course! farming. fun to meet the It’s so nerve-wracking enOur company supports our public at the festering a judging process. With suppliers, small family farms eggs, all you can do to ensure here in the South West. Dan and tival and show they do well is make absoI think that is so important. If off our eggs - and lutely certain they have been we don’t back these traditional produced properly. You can’t farms, they won’t be here in the to meet royalty adjust the recipe or add more future. And Dan and I really too, of course!’ salt. The only way to produce want to be able to hand this great eggs is to look after your business on to the next generabirds really well. tion - not just of our family, but As well as managing the the families of all our egg supbusiness, an important part of my role is reach- pliers. Farming is a way of life to be treasured. ing out to children in schools in the Westcounwww.blackacrefarmeggs.com

[[

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The Cornish Ketchup Company Kris Fleming, 41, lives near Mevagissey and runs Cornish Ketchup with business partner Chris Gordon. Kris is married to Joanna and they have three children, Archie, 11, Amelia, nine and Poppy, five.

Kris says: It’s a great honour to be chosen to represent Westcountry food producers at the Food On The Green event on July 19 this month. My business partner Chris Gordon and I have been making Cornish Ketchup for three years now. Winning a Taste of the West Gold award and meeting Prince Charles is really exciting – we are really looking forward to it.

Chris and I were friends first, then got chatting and the idea of making a really good tomato ketchup took off. We wanted to make something that would match well with the upcoming trend for gourmet burgers and street food. The usual mass-produced ketchups deliver a brute-force hit of sweet and sour. A decent burger deserves better, to my mind.

We get tomatoes from a fantastic place in Cornwall called People and Gardens, run with the Eden Project. It offers people with mental disabilities and mental health problems the chance to work in a market garden, and produces fabulous vegetables. It’s heart-warming.

At our stall, we’ll be selling our ketchups at £3.50 a bottle – they usually retail at between £3.50 to £4.50. Our four flavours are Original Tomato, Smoky, Red Pepper and Chilli.

We devised the recipes ourselves, in our kitchen at home, then found a manufacturer to produce them for us in Cornwall.

We sold around 10,000 bottles of ketchup last year and we’re already thinking of new recipes for this one, such as a Middle Eastern inspired harissa ketchup we’re working on with Heligan Gardens, great for eating with flat breads and lamb. Chris and I already both ran businesses when we launched Cornish Ketchup – Chris runs a café in Mevagissey and I have an interiors store in Truro. To get this new venture off the ground, we took part in a crowd-funding drive hosted by The Eden Project – they have really helped us a lot. All we need now is for Prince Charles to try some of our ketchup – I’m sure he’d love it! www.cornishketchup.co.uk 14

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People

Baboo Gelato Ice Cream Annie Sanbury, 48, and her husband Sam live in Dorset and launched their new ice-cream company this year, called Baboo Gelato. They have four children: Ivan, 16, Nikolai, 11, Tintin, ten and Katya, seven.

name we gave to my Russian grandmother, short for babushka. I trained in Bologna to make proper Italian gelato ice-cream. It has brighter, clearer flavours because of its lower fat content.

We then imported all the special kit we needed and our range now has 12 permanent flavours – nothing too wacky, just great ice cream made with real ingredients such as raspberry, salted ‘We only caramel and mint choc chip. We Annie says: My husband Sam and I also make sorbets and occasionused to live in Singapore and Hong launched the al special recipes too. We won a Kong, thanks to Sam’s career in fibusiness in Taste of the West Gold for our nance. Then we decided to make a lemon sorbet and Highly Comcomplete change, come back to the March this year, mended for our double chocoUK and try a completely different so this will be late ice cream, pretty good for lifestyle. our first food our first year!

We bought a house near Bridport For the Food on the Green that had the remnants of a market festival. We can’t event, we have a Piaggio Ape garden – the place was overrun wait’ ice-cream van which is very with raspberries, blackcurrants cute. We only launched the and gooseberries, all growing like business in March, so it is early weeds. I thought that there must be days for us and this will be our something we could do with them. first food festival. I’m hoping everyone will try our And so the idea of an ice-cream business was born. ice-cream and like it. www.baboogelato.com I called it Baboo Gelato because “Baboo” was the

[[

The Food on The Green event is being staged by Taste of the West all day on Tuesday July 19 on Cathedral Green, Exeter. Entry is free and Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will visit. www.tasteofthewest.co.uk 15

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Rosie wears Le Specs Savanna Slate sunglasses, ÂŁ45 Roos Beach

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Bronzed idol

PHOTOGRAPHY: WWW.ADJBROWN.COM

Interview

Rosie Corr combines working for a children’s surf charity in Cornwall with modelling beach fashion.

She tells us how she juggles her busy career - and still finds time to surf...

By Gracie Stewart

urfing isn’t all about bikinis and crystal clear water, but Rosie Corr can certainly make it look that way, as these pictures attest.

The reality for many genuine Westcountry surfers - Rosie included - can be somewhat different. They are far more likely to paddle out in a wetsuit when the water is grey and there’s rain falling from the sky. But that hasn’t stopped Rosie from pursuing her passion.

Rosie, now 24, moved from Oxford to Croyde in north Devon at the age of ten. “I joined Croyde Surf Life Saving Club, which was so much fun, as my friends did it too. It was also great for fitness and safety awareness in the sea.

“As kids my friends and I would get so amped checking the surf as the school bus came round the headland into Croyde. We’d regularly meet

S

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Interview

Chevron Haze fringed beach towel £34.50 Roos Beach

up and walk to the beach for an after school surf” she remembers.

For Rosie, surfing is a family affair. Her sister Flora, brother Zak and boyfriend Brogan all regularly compete in surfing competitions while her mum, Sally Lawton, works for Surfing GB. “It makes me burst with pride watching my sister surf waves with so much power and style,” she says.

“Flora and I spent three weeks together in Sumatra recently. I had so much fun surfing tropical waters with her. I also love surfing with Zak. I always find it funny watching him thinking he’s my younger brother because he’s so grown up now, It’s just awesome watching him move his big longboards around,” she says.

As a teenager, Rosie dabbled in surf competitions too: “But competing stressed me out and took the fun out of surfing for me. I hated the idea that people were judging me. I also know that I am not as good as my sister and the girls she competes with, so now I just surf for fun, for myself,” she explains.

While Rosie might not have turned pro, that hasn’t stopped her from making a career out of

surfing. As mid Cornwall’s project coordinator for The Wave Project, Rosie’s day job is to organise and run six-week surf therapy courses for socially isolated children, who are struggling with the consequences of physical disabilities or emotional issues.

“Once the children complete one of the courses, I then invite them to join The Wave Project surf club, which I also run.

“The aim of these sessions is to build on the children’s confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing,” she says.

Croyde will always be Rosie’s favourite place to surf because it’s home. “I’ve had some of my best surfs there and I always see a friendly face in the lineup,” she says. “I am so glad my family made the move from Oxford to Croyde as it meant that surfing could be a big part of my life. It is good for you in so many ways, physically and mentally, and it’s a great way to make friends,” she adds. Since moving west to Cornwall, Rosie has also grown fond of surfing at Gwithian while internationally she favours Ireland, Australia (“especially Crescent Head”) and Sumatra.

In this day and age it’s not uncommon for female surfers to cross over into the mainstream

‘I am so glad my family made the move to Devon.

It meant that surfing is a big part of my life. It is good for you, in so many ways’

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Interview

Win! We have three beautiful Roo’s Beach fringed towels to win (pictured on page 18), each worth £34.50. To be in with a chance, simply tell us in which Cornish village Roo’s Beach is based. Send us your answer, plus your name and full contact details to: Roo’s Beach Competition, westmag@ westernmorningnews.co.uk to arrive

by July 29. Normal terms apply, West magazine will not share your details.

media. From movies to magazines, female surfers are usually the ones catching the majority of attention – something Rosie can attest to. “I first got scouted by the agency Models 1 when I was 14, during a surfing competition at Watergate Bay. I was then scouted a year later in Newquay and another year on I was scouted by Elite at a surf competition in Woolacombe. This all eventually made me think maybe I should give this modelling thing a go!”

Rosie has now modelled for brands including Finisterre, Gul and Saltrock plus both Surfgirl and Wed magazines. However, her latest project, shooting a collection for the Cornish surf fashion shop Roo’s Beach, based in Porth near Newquay, has been one of her favourites. “While I was away on my travels this winter I had a message from the owner, Roo, asking if I would be interested in modelling for their lookbook. Of course I said yes.

“I love the clothes at Roo’s Beach, there are so many wild and wacky prints in bright and girly colours. As a team we shot tonnes of gorgeous looks, in loads of pretty locations. It was a super busy three days but I loved every moment. It was great getting to shoot summery clothes in such a beautiful and warm climate,” she says.

Of course with modelling comes the pressure of staying in shape. Luckily for Rosie her love of surfing keeps her active. “I surf, swim and run the surf therapy sessions for The Wave Project.

I occasionally go for a short run but I’m pretty terrible at it. I’m also really enjoying yoga at the moment. I go to classes held by Karen Calder in Portreath or Pool, which I can usually fit in around my work,” she explains.

Looking ahead, Rosie wants to carry on making a positive change in children’s lives while also continuing to model. “I find my job with The Wave Hub incredibly rewarding and I want to build on that. It would also be great to model over the next few years as I enjoy meeting new people and wearing the beautiful clothes. In between all of this, I want to make the most of living in Cornwall and discover even more stunning places and yummy cafes,” she finishes. And keep surfing, of course. www.roosbeach.co.uk

‘I also run a children’s surf club. The aim is to build up their confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing through surfing’

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OPEN DAY

Sat 23rdJuly, 9-5pm

To celebrate the recent refit of the Bristol showroom, Bathroom Village is holding an open day with

special offers, refreshments and prizes to be won!

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

MY

K

Bathroom Village Bristol, Unit 4, South Bristol Trade Park, Winterstoke Road, Bristol, BS3 2LD For more information: bathroomvillage.com/bristol 0117 911 3454 bristol@bathroomvillage.com

Retailer of the Year Awarded by

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The house in north Devon was completely remodelled

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Interiors

A family haven This Georgian property needed a huge amount of work but the end result was well worth the effort, discovers Charlotte Dear

hen Philip and Pam Flower bought The Downes as a holiday home two years ago, they knew exactly how they wanted to spend their time there: “Our grandchildren range from 18 months to seven years of age, and they just absolutely love spending time down in Devon” says Philip.

When the couple bought the Georgian house, however, the north Devon property had not been touched since the 1950s. They had their work cut out to transform it into a From start home that their family, along to finish it with many other paying holidaymakers, could enjoy. took four “It was antiquated to say the months, with least, decorated in a 1950s to 1960s 20 people style,” Philip remembers. “It had been split into two properties, so working on it the previous owner lived in one at one stage half and rented out the other. It was the old situation where you’d have lots of bedrooms and just one bathroom that people would tiptoe across the landing to get to.

The central heating system dated back to the 1930s.”

Having spent many happy family holidays in the South West, the couple were inspired to transform the property. They employed architect Jonathan Rhind, who specialises in listed properties in both Devon and Cornwall, to mastermind the work.

“Together, we set about turning the two properties back into one, ripping out the plumbing and wiring, putting in five bathrooms and redecorating from top to bottom. From start to finish

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Interiors it took four months, with 20 people working on it at one stage, led by the architect and overseen by myself.

“J. E. Stacey Building Contractors sent a team of workmen in, while Clean Earth, a renewable heat and green energy firm, installed a biomass system and completely re-plumbed the house.”

Philip and Pam also ripped out the two kitchens and set about creating one new, sociable room that would better suit a contemporary family lifestyle. “We used a company called Kitchen Fit, based in Bideford, who sourced, designed and fitted the units, which were then topped with granite by another local company - we’ve tried to stay local as much as possible.”

‘The pool came Guests who rent the property, which sleeps 12-14, can from Germany as sample a taste of the good a pre-fabricated life during their stay by unit. They told us making use of the beautiful kitchen garden, stocked to dig the hole and with vegetables and herbs, it arrived on an and they are also encouraged to cut flowers from the enormous truck’ many beds.

Two 1930s claw-foot style baths were reclaimed and re-enamelled, while the rest of the bathrooms have been kitted out with Bath Empire taps and showers.

“We kept the original slate flagstone flooring in the boot room, hall and library, along with the Victorian tiling in the downstairs loo,” says Philip.

“Once we had finished decorating the house, using Little Green paint throughout, we set about furnishing the large reception rooms. We predominantly used Loaf (www.loaf.com) for the beds, sofas and tables. We bought Ian Mankin curtains, plus a few objects such as chandeliers from antiques fairs.”

The influence of Philip and Pam’s artistic family can be found displayed in almost every room. Philip and Pam’s artist daughter, Sally,

[[ painted many of the pictures hanging on the walls. A picture of a bluebell wood, which hung in the Royal Academy summer exhibition in the 1960s, was painted by Philip’s mother.

The Downes is surrounded by five acres of gardens and grounds, and has a party barn kitted out with table tennis and football tables. There is also an outdoor swimming pool in the walled garden. “The pool came from Germany as a prefabricated unit. They told us to dig the hole and it arrived on an enormous truck. They put it in and it worked, which was very exciting! It’s the Mercedes of swimming pools and the children love it,” says Philip.

“Our family spends most half terms and holidays here and we let the house out through Perfect Stays the rest of the time. I love projects but have been told this is my last - I’m 72 so it’s time I slowed down a bit and just enjoyed life!”

Stays at The Downes cost from £2,300 a week, see www.perfectstays.co.uk

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11/07/2016 12:30:06

Gardens

ANNE SWITHINBANK

Roses all the way Devon’s Anne Swithinbank, panellist on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, on the queen of summer flowers ur son has just finished studying for his degree in Environmental Science at Plymouth University and so we went to celebrate the end of his three year stint. Staying in a house that had rented by students for two years solid was quite an experience and, for us, being able to walk into a city centre was also a novelty. We dined out at the Blues Bar and Grill on the Barbican Waterfront, then moved on to the Coffee Shack on the Hoe. Best though, was visiting Mount Edgcumbe at Torpoint the following day.

This landscaped park totalling 865 acres was created by the Edgcumbe family in the eighteenth century and is now a fabulous, free recreation ground for the city, jointly owned by Cornwall County Council and Plymouth City Council.

There is an admission charge to view the house and Earl’s Garden (see www.mountedgcumbe. gov.uk for details) but once there, you can find plenty to see and do at no cost at all.

The sun shone We crossed the Tamar on the Cremyll ferry and headed intermittently straight for the gardens of the and, as the area lower park near the orangery, arranged around slightly dilapiwas enclosed, dated but strangely romantic scent from rose listed garden buildings. One petals mixed houses a late eighteenth century, marble-lined plunge bath, and hung in reminding me how these engagthe air ing features were all the rage in grand country estates of the time. There are Italian, French, English and New Zealand gardens packed full of beautiful and exotic plants but my favourite was the rose garden. The sun shone intermittently and as the area was enclosed, scent from rose petals mixed and hung in the air.

On the whole, this summer’s showery weather seems to have suited roses. The blooms of some

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varieties tend to ball and rot after rain and it pays to note these and avoid them, if we are locked into a cycle of rainy summers. This is especially true of some old roses, whose habit is to flower only once in high summer. If it rains on their parade, all we have is a memory of mouldy petals to carry on into another year. Repeat-flowering roses seem to have relished regular drinks of rain and look strong, with fresh growth and new buds setting.

My favourite at Mount Edgcumbe was ‘The Generous Gardener’, one of the ‘English Roses’ bred by David Austin. In one of his books, a caption describes this as “perfectly illustrating the Old Rose charm of an English Rose” and it does just that. Shrubby plants stand well in the border and cupped flowers of delicate blush pink crowded with petals emit a rich, sweet fragrance.

I have deep pink ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ and one of her parents, the Portland ‘Compte de Chambord’ at home (both deliciously fragrant) and they’d definitely benefit from a pale pink companion.

Best of all, you can choose whether to grow ‘The Generous Gardener’ as a large shrub to 1.2m/4ft or so, or a climber to 3.6m/12ft. It is very disease

resistant and was named to mark the 75th Anniversary of the National Gardens Scheme.

My son’s favourite was ‘Lady Emma Hamilton’, whose blooms are chalice shaped and a rich apricot-orange flushed with yellow outside. The strong fragrance is rich and peachy. I explained that we already have ‘Pat Austin’ in the garden, whose flower shape and colour (though slightly more coppery) are similar.

A final favourite was ‘Empress Josephine’.

This is a true old rose, belonging to the Gallica group, and it only flowers in midsummer. To my nose the loosely arranged, pink flowers emitted an impressive, sweet scent but accounts in books will describe it as anything from disappointing to strong. Maybe warmth, time of day and age of flower are all relevant here. I like the resonance of the name, as the Empress Josephine, though better known for being Napoleon’s wife, filled her garden at Malmaison with an impressive and at the time, unsurpassed collection of 250 kinds of roses. She also built an orangery to house 300 pineapple plants and kept a veritable zoo of exotic creatures. Quite a woman, quite a garden.

Question time with Anne West reader queries answered by Anne Swithinbank

Q

For the past few years, our apple has behaved poorly and suffered die-back with bare, dead wood at the tips. How can I bring it back to productivity?

The same fungal disease that causes brown, rotting apples is responsible for blossom wilt.

The rotting fruits touch and infect branches, the disease overwinters on both and releases spores in spring, causing blossom to wilt. The damage travels back into healthy tissue and shows as brown, shrivelled leaves against otherwise healthy greenery. Eventually, all you see is bare twigs sticking out of an otherwise healthy-looking tree. The solution is to remove and dispose of rotten fruit and prune out and burn infected tissue. There could also be issues with pollination, so check at blossom time to make sure there is another apple variety flowering at the same time nearby.

Q

Can you recommend some top performing flowering herbaceous perennials for my new border on heavy clay soil?

I’ll give you five. Herbaceous peonies love to grow on clay and are so beautiful, they are must-have’s for June. I used to think delphiniums were difficult until I could offer them an improved clay soil and there can be few showier perennials for July.

Campanula lactiflora ‘Loddon Anna’ is another classic, reaching 1.5m/5ft tall and definitely in need of supporting from early on. Astrantias will thrive, so try pale pink ‘Buckland’ or dark red ‘Abbey Road’. Finally, the loosestrife Lysimachia clethroides is easy, resilient and sends up 90cm/3ft tall spires of long-lasting white flowers. I don’t stake mine and appreciate the fact that neither rabbits or deer eat it.

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

• If you haven’t already, weed under repeat flowering roses, give them some more rose fertilizer while the ground is moist and spread a mulch of soil conditioner (well rotted garden compost or manure) over their roots. Snap off dead flower heads but leave those of varieties that bloom only in summer, because many of these go on to set attractive hips.

• Look for house plants in need of potting on. Various ferns, dracaena and begonia are likely candidates.

Make sure they have moist roots

and choose a pot just large enough to fit your fingers between the interior sides and old rootball.

• Work around the whole garden rooting out brambles before they prosper and propagate themselves. It is amazing how many twine between shrubs in the backs of borders.

• Tend containers by dead-heading, trimming back dominating plants, replacing any dead plants and giving a general purpose liquid feed. Or for flowering bedding plants, a high potash feed.

Plant

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

winter hardy brassicas such as spring cauliflower, winter cabbage, purple sprouting broccoli and kale, setting them on average at generous 60cm/2ft spacings. If you haven’t grown your own, scour garden centres for decent offerings.

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Beauty

Holiday Marks and Spencer Island Sunset 95ml £16 The bottle is just as appealing as the fragrance. The scent of mandarin and warm ginger makes you feel like you are on a beach.

Abbie’s

Luxury Armani Prive Rose Alexandrie (House of Fraser £105) This is a luxurious treat that is worth every penny. The fragrance is light, warm and has a floral scent of Italian mandarin and neroli.

Must-have Paco Robanne Olympea (The Fragrance Shop, 30ml £40) This fragrance is definitely going to be my must have for the summer, I love the vanilla scent, it smells amazing and it lasts on the skin.

Scent of summer Fresh advice on picking your perfume, from beauty expert Abbie Bray of Newton Abbot It has come to that time of year where I find myself looking for a new perfume, and the question is do I risk trying something new or do I stick to one of my signature ones? Choosing a fragrance is hard when you are buying it for yourself, let alone when you are trying to choose one for a gift. There are just too many brands on the high street to choose from and, once you start smelling one they all start to smell the same. Sound familiar?

Fragrance is a truly personal thing which is why it can sometimes be confusing. What you need to ask yourself is, do you like sweet and fruity, fresh and light, or woody and warm? This will definitely help narrow down your options. In the summer months a lot of us tend to prefer wearing a lighter fragrance - I know I do. Here are some of the latest scents popular on the high street. A top tip is that by moisturising your skin before you spritz a perfume, will make it last longer on the skin.

Fruity CK One Eau de Toilette (Debenhams 100ml £37.50) This unisex scent is perfect for him and for her. It is natural, fresh and contemporary, with a mix of pineapple and papaya.

Cute Jean Paul Gaultier Eau Fraiche Betty Boop (Boots 100ml £67) A mix of jasmine, orange blossom and vanilla, this is a gorgeously feminine fragrance.

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Different stripes e all know about the classic horizontal matelot stripe. Every wardrobe should have a Breton-striped top or two - they are a sartorial staple.

But there is so much more to stripes than blue and white lines, especially this summer. Right now, stripy prints can be vertical, diagonal, wavy or even patterned - the choice is yours.

And don’t they look great? We really love this tie-dye maxi dress with on-trend festival tassles from Monsoon, and this Hispanic-inspired skirt from JOY is gorgeous too - smart enough for an office but equally at home paired with a t-shirt and flip-flops for more casual dressing. So however you wear them this summer, you’ll be sure to earn your stripes.

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Fashion

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Trend Have you got a fashion question or a trend you’d like to see tackled? @KathrynCMcleod

HOW TO WEAR IT:

MAIN PHOTO HAIR: ADAM AT SAKS, EXETER MAKE-UP: CLARINS, DEBENHAMS (BOTH PRINCESSHAY) PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE HAYWOOD

Smart shorts Got a board meeting coming up? Wear shorts says Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod

Smart shorts, River Island, Princesshay, were £25, now £12

an a single pair of shorts traverse the wardrobe chasm between weekday and weekend appropriate White cami, attire? I believe the right pair can River Island, and I’m not alone in that sentiment.

Princesshay, £14 Los Angeles stylist to the stars Hayley Atkin agrees, saying we should just treat them like a Fringed jacket, pair of trousers: “Like a polished piece as opRiver Island, posed to something you would wear on the weekPrincesshay, end.” So, how do ensure you look more Polished was £65.00, than Pretty Woman? now £30.00 Apparently a good question to ask yourself when holding up a pair is: “If I were wearing Suede courts, these and called into a last-minute meeting Reiss, Princesshay, with the big-wigs of the firm, would I be totally were £140, comfortable?” now £65 I can attest to the fact that there is nothing worse than being caught in a formal situation in your most relaxed cut-offs. I was once on a photography stint with the Portuguese tourist board. I understood the day’s brief to be a tour of the best beaches in the region, and a lot of scrabbling over rocks to get photographs. I I can attest to dressed appropriately. the fact that Halfway through my shoot at there is nothing the second beach my rep turned to me and said, “Oh by the way, worse than after this you’re having lunch being caught with the mayor.” Sorry, what? in a formal I managed to calm down to a surprises. Five courses and three mild panic, telling myself that it wines surrounded by people in suits situation in your would surely be a quick casual and impeccable shift dresses will most relaxed beachside bite. Unfortunately teach you to be prepared. cut-offs for me, the mayor had a taste for These black lace-trimmed beauties the finer things in life and I had from River Island (above) are a great to slink into an elegant seafood example of perfect fabric, length and restaurant that was all softly clinking china, pairing for a working ensemble. hushed tones and shiny glass in battered, thighLook for special detailing when choosing your revealing shorts. I’ve never been so glad to see pair of city shorts. The trim on these makes them extra-large real linen napkins, one of which was a little bit more special and the neat split gives promptly spread over my lap and legs. them a bit of personality.

I now have soft, light black harem trousers Style your shorts with dressy separates. This tucked away in my camera bag for future patterned tailored blazer is chic workwear at its

C

best, and its presence leaves no doubt that you mean business.

On your feet, pointed courts, always. They lengthen the leg and you don’t need a high heel to be considered formal. Beware donning too towering a stiletto though, with that much leg on show it best to go for flat or a modest elevation.

That’s that, all that’s left to do now is for you to go forth and find your own perfect pair. You might bump into me there. The sales are in full swing.

In the words of Pretty Woman’s Vivian herself, “I have to go shopping now.”

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

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Spiritual harmony The Flavel in Dartmouth is offering an opportunity to meet genuine Tibetan monks and try out the unique traditions of Buddhist monastic art. These include sand mandala making - ‘painting’ with coloured grains of ground marble - the printing of prayer flags, sculpture and much more. The monks come from

Tashi Lhunpo, one of the most important monasteries in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, now re-established in exile in India.

The workshop takes place at 2pm, Friday July 29, at The Flavel in Dartmouth, tickets £6, www.theflavel. org.uk 01364 645530.

culture vulture Our guide to the very best don’t-miss events to enjoy in the South West right now

Foraging feast If you’d like a night out with a difference, try a Forager’s Feast with local expert and chef, David Beazley taking place in the restaurant of Buckfast Abbey Conference Centre.

David will be serving up a delicious four-course menu with a selection of wine to match each dish. All food served will be locally foraged - David

regularly cooks with ingredients such as clams, crabs, mussels, watercress, St George mushrooms, samphire, blueberries and strawberries. Mmm! The Forager’s Feast costs £25 per person (excluding wine) and takes place on Saturday July 23 at 7pm.

To book call 01364 645530.

TURN BACK TIME The Theatre Royal Plymouth has a very special night coming up on Sunday July 24. That’ll Be The Day performs more than 200 shows a year to capacity audiences across the UK, featuring music from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, plus lots of comedy and fun. Trevor Payne,

who first created the show 30 years ago, still directs, produces and stars in the production today, with fresh material every year. The night will raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Tickets £16.50 - £27.50, visit www. theatreroyal.com or call 01752 267222.

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Enjoy

Your stars

by Cassandra Nye This week’s sign:

Happy birthday to...

Deeply intuitive and sentimental, Cancer can be one of the most challenging Zodiac signs to get to know.

Cancerians care deeply about family and home and are very attached to the people who surround them.

Their ruling planet is the moon, which can create fleeting emotional patterns that the sensitive Cancer cannot control, especially when a child. They can be temperamental but one of their greatest strengths is persistent determination.

Gareth Bale Born July 16 1989 We all love Gareth Bale now, thanks to his heroic efforts on behalf of Wales in the Euros.

This Sunday the Cardiff-born winger turns 27.

In 2013 he transferred from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid for £85 million, making him the most expensive footballer in the world. Gareth has also been playing for Wales since he was just 16, making mum Debbie and dad Frank very proud. He lives with his partner Emma Rhys-Jones, his school sweetheart and their daughters Alba Violet, three and new baby Nava Valentina, born this March.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Doing things that make you smile needs to be a priority now. That’s not so hard, is it? Yet somehow you feel guilty about enjoying yourself so much.

Please don’t. What has happened in the past should stay there. Why are you not deserving of a good time? Getting the family around for a meal this weekend reminds you of what really pleases your soul.

LEO (July 23 - August 23) Give your creative side a boost by doing something artistic this week.

Back-tracking to early music experiences takes you on a journey. An invitation sees you making a special effort on the dress front. Does a loved one need a boost? A short but dynamic trip fits the bill.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) With romance banging on your door, you are not in for a peaceful week! Be open to a lovely long-term relationship? What you could possibly lose by allowing for the possibility. An invitation to a family get-together may not initially appeal, but think again.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Working best with a partner, you would not seek to be alone. Even so, that could happen this weekend if you do not get organised. Allow for invitations! If you seek then you should find exactly what you need. It is all down to you.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) There are certainly some mysteries for you to solve this week! Some folk in your circle are behaving rather strangely.

Hard to tell why unless you have a chat with them. Please do that and be pleasantly sur-

prised. A visit to the theatre or cinema provides the answer to a long-running puzzle.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) You love to love and you love to laugh.

Combine these two every day this week! Finding a new place to enjoy good company is easy. Discussion around where our country goes next draws certain parallels with your own life at the moment. Could the answers be the same?

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Feeling like getting your hands dirty this week? Bringing out your creative side could mean some DIY at home this weekend. Younger members of the family appreciate your input and find out more about you in the process. Do not hesitate to do something fun and out of character.

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Knowing how much you love your gadgets, I would not spoil your fun by suggesting that you ditch them. Be careful not to ignore a loved one. Some recent disagreements need to be put to bed. Some things cannot be changed, at least not yet.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) In a week when your spiritual side comes

out, be prepared to change your mind more than once. Something rouses your curiosity, but stick to the facts as known and hold on to your cash! Now, about that trip... Travel with your loved one is at last bringing the kind of results that you hoped for.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Your adventurous side is showing itself.

With high energy and boredom creeping in you are looking ‘out there.’ In this feisty mood it is pretty much impossible to stop you. Avoid being argumentative with loved ones.

Throwing yourself into romance is certainly one way of using up some of that super energy.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Highly tuned senses bring a special buzz to this week. Everything that you taste, hear and smell seems full of potential. A musical moment brings someone exciting into your sphere. Will you make the effort needed for real contact?

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) You want to be in good and exciting company this week. To this end, you will travel far if necessary. Music is more important than ever and leads to new places and even romance. More than happy to play some physical games, take note of who is showing an interest.

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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, everyday

SPLASH OUT There are fewer more peaceful places to clear the mind than on the open water, and the North Devon coastline is home to an abundance of sea life and spectacular scenery. With a range of courses and expeditions to cater for all abilities, Sea Kayaking South West offers you the opportunity to escape the traffic and head off on a journey of self – or seal – discovery. www.seakayakingsouthwest. co.uk

HEALTHY ON THE INSIDE

HOMEGROWN If you’re after ethical, locally made beauty products, look no further than Aromatika. Developed by Devon’s Lisa Hosking, this business making reed diffusers, face moisturisers, body butters and clay masks now has two popular stores in Totnes and Exeter city and a further three set to hit the region over the next three months www.aromatika. myshopify.com

If you hadn’t already heard, fermented foods are in.

Packed with nutrients to help digestive health, immune function and general wellbeing, foods like sauerkraut and kimchi pickles present a tasty and even medicinal method of preserving seasonal British produce. To learn the basics and pick up some delicious recipes, join Katie Venner with a class at Tracebridge Fermenteria in Wellington, Somerset, www.tracebridgefermenteria.co.uk

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JUST TAKE A

MINUTE OR TWO...

Ever wish you could take two minutes out of your busy, stressful day to just stop the clock and gather your thoughts? With the Stop, Breathe & Think app, you can steal a mindful moment whenever and wherever you like. Simply tell the app how you’re feeling and it will suggest a variety of easy meditation practices to help you on your way www.stopbreathethink.org

SEA LIFE Next week marks National Marine Week, an excellent excuse to head to your nearest coastline and discover the healing power of nature. With a whole host of family friendly events taking place throughout the week from rock pool rambles to seashore safaris, head to www.wildlifetrusts.org to find out how you can get involved.

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

Cook well, eat well As more of us pay closer attention to our diets and the way our bodies respond to different foods, now is the time to learn from the experts. With short courses in health-promoting cooking classes and self-development at the Holistic Cooking School in Totnes, discover how a new approach to food and nutrients could mean a new approach to life www.holistic-cooking.co.uk

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

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Eat

Warm Jersey Royal Salad with Seared Mackerel Recipe: Carol Bowen Ball, author of Esse’s The Four Seasons Cookbook

Ingredients

Method:

450g Jersey Royal potatoes, scrubbed 2 spring onions, finely chopped 2 tbsp snipped chives 3 tbsp mayonnaise Salt and freshly ground black pepper Olive oil 4 fillets fresh mackerel Lemon wedges, to serve

1.

Place the Jersey Royals in a pan of salted water, bring to the boil and simmer until the potatoes are cooked, about 15-25 minutes (depending upon size). Drain and cut any large potatoes into bite- sized pieces.

2.

Add the spring onions, chives, mayonnaise and salt and pepper to taste and gently fold together. Keep warm while cooking the mackerel.

3.

Serves: 4

Lightly smear a frying pan with olive oil and heat until hot. Add the mackerel fillets,

skin-side down, reduce the heat to a gentle sizzle and cook until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes. Flip over, season to taste and cook for a further minute or until the fish is cooked. Remove from the heat and allow to rest for 2 minutes.

4.

To serve, place a portion of the warmed potato salad in the centre of 4 plates. Top each with a mackerel fillet. Serve at once with wedges of lemon to squeeze over the fish.

This dish needs nothing more than a simple baby leaf salad accompaniment. Consider leaves of watercress, corn salad, rocket, chard or spinach tossed in a citrusy lemon dressing.

The Rangemoors Hearth & Cook showroom in Marsh Barton, Exeter supplies the full range of Esse cookers: www.hearthandcook.com 38

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Drink Beer of the week I had a bottle of Sharp’s 6 Vintage Blend, from 2013, in my cupboard, and brought it out at the end of a long, busy day. It’s a blend of five Connoisseurs range beers, aged at the brewery, and rich and complex, almost like fine wine. Rich, boozy dried fruit, date sweetness, herbal and spicy notes, with a hint of wood in the aroma.

HOMEBREW CONTEST Thornbridge Brewery has teamed up with Waitrose again for a home brew competition. The winning recipe will be recreated at the Thornbridge brewery and the beer sold in bottles in selected Waitrose stores. The deadline for entries is August 30 – visit www.gbhomebrew.co.uk for details.

Darren Norbury

talks beer ack in the day, when I was suba decision to re-badge one of his brewery’s core editing the West Briton, the Old beers – presumably Endless IPA – as 3.8% ABV Ale House, in Truro, was probably Shipwrecked, for the Ship Inn, Porthleven. He where I spent most of my drinking wondered if it would dilute the Black Rock brand, time. I was invariably propping up but said: “In the end, I decided that this business the bar with one of my newspaper’s advertising is all about relationships, and if rebadging one sales people, who had a nice line in gags. The tale of our beers helps to build a strong and lasting of the Pope visiting St Breward is relationship with a strategically instantly recalled (if you buy me important customer, than that can a pint, I’ll tell you). only be a good thing.”

It is a true Among the beers on offer back There is another way, of course, then was a brew from Skinner’s and that is to have your own beer collaboration, called Kiddlywink, 4.2%, and created, which is the route chef/ with chef available nowhere else. Or was it? owner Emily Scott has gone down It turned out that it was a blend at her St Tudy Inn, in north Cornand brewster of two beers – Betty Stogs and wall. She collaborated with brewsmeticulously Knocker, I think –and although ter Caron Archer at Padstow creating the Kiddly was, indeed, exclusive to Brewing Company to create St the Ale House, if you went to, say, Tudy Ale, a copper-coloured sesrecipe that is the Alexandra, in Penzance, near sion bitter with light citrus notes, right for the pub the rugby ground, the same beer which I enjoyed recently at the would be on sale, this time as Piinn’s wonderful bar. And it was and its drinkers rates Pride. a true collaboration, with chef This is no trade secret I’ve unand brewster meticulously creatcovered. Breweries have been blending beers for ing the recipe that was right for the pub and its ages and the practice is still alive and well, aldrinkers. though Skinner’s no longer offers that particualr Caron says: “Creating St Tudy Ale has been blend. And what’s more, I’ve never heard anyvery much a collaborative process. We chatted body complain about breweries doing it. to Emily about what she was hoping to create This came to mind when I was reading the and chose a selection of hops we thought might newsletter of the Black Rock Brewery, based in work well, and the final decision was made when Falmouth. In it, owner Jack Williams explains Emily came to the brewery.”

B

This is why pubs can be such a joy to visit. You never know what you might find. A pint of the unusual, perhaps?

Darren Norbury is editor of beertoday.co.uk @beertoday

State of the cask industry South Devon-based beer writer and sommelier Sophie Atherton has been named as the new author of the Cask Report, the annual publication gauging the state of the cask beer industry. Her first report is out on September 21, at the start of this year’s Cask Ale Week.

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Eat

Ingredient of the Week

Lettuce

with Tim Maddams s always happens in midsummer, you get the dressing right. we have hit the lettuce glut and we But there is more to lettuce than salad. I can are struggling to eat enough salad highly recommend chargrilling the more firm to keep these pleasant little plants hearted varieties such as Little Gem or Romaine from bolting. Short of resorting and serving with an anchovy dressing and some to lettuce smoothies we are chopped egg. A lettuce sandgoing to struggle - and already wich is a thing of great joy, I am being offered more by my especially if backed up with mother-in-law. Even though a little goat’s cheese and my labradors will eat almost fresh-picked mint leaves.

Chopped lettuce anything, they turn up their You can braise lettuces in wilted in little noses at lettuce. the oven with a little butter Now, I love a salad as much and plenty of seasoning. garlic butter as the next salad loving foodie Some fresh thyme and a and dressed type bloke but the trick at this little sharp balsamic vinover pasta wins time of year is to make the egar adds depth to this tasty salad the meal, not the accomside dish. Chopped lettuce a smile at the paniment. Rather than opting wilted in little garlic butter dinner table for a salad on the side, incorand dressed over pasta wins porate your other ingredients a smile at the dinner table into the salad bowl. Trust me, too, as does lettuce as a last you will eat more this way and minute addition to a stir fry. trick others into doing the You can give chilled letsame. Pigeon breasts, smoked tuce soup a whirl too if the mackerel, roasted beetroot, warm sausages and fancy takes you. You get the gist, look past the more all find their way into my salads at this time salad bowl and you will find help to eat all that of year and it’s surprising what works so long as greenery before the slugs do.

A

[[

Lettuce risotto I really like a nice lettuce and pea barley risotto. Slice an onion and plenty of garlic and cook in a little rapeseed oil or butter until soft.

Add chopped thyme and veg or chicken stock, along with some soaked pearl barley. Simmer till the barley is tender, adding stock as needed.

Season, add peas and cook until they properly soften, then add as much chopped lettuce as you dare and a small amount of butter.

Actually it’s a large amount but it sounds better if you say small amount. Serve with a squeeze of lemon and grated hard cheese. @TimGreenSauce

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

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11/07/2016 11:22:19

Happy holidays?

Taking the kids on holiday doesn’t always spell relaxation and down-time for parents - but a bit of prep and planning can ensure everybody has a good time. Lisa Salmon gets some expert advice on family travel plans t’s nearly time for many Westcountry families to head off on summer holiday.

But for a lot of parents, a summer break brings the same childcare and child entertainment responsibilities they have at home - and that doesn’t make for holiday relaxation.

However, plan your holiday well and take the right equipment and toys, and the whole family can have a great holiday, promise travel and parenting experts.

Here are their top tips for happy holidays with the kids...

I

Travelling with young children Debi Green, founder of babygoes2.com, suggests: • Take a holiday pack for toddlers of small activity items to dish out during your journey and the holiday itself. This could include a colouring book and crayons, puzzles, small toys like finger puppets, a picture or story book, and a scrapbook to put their memories form the trip in.

• Introduce a fixed and regular quiet time when young children always come out of the sun and concentrate on an activity from their holiday pack, and possibly have a nap. Make a communal ‘holiday chill area’ in the shade, using lilos, towels, and pillows.

• Take children on a short treasure hunt and make a seaside or countryside sculpture from what they’ve collected.

• Take a few simple wrapped toys or games and create a lucky dip for mid-holiday excitement.

• If staying in a villa, pack a small paddling pool - fun for babies and tiny tots, and easy to monitor from your sun lounger.

• Organise a mini pool Olympics, which can be as simple as jumping in the pool, swimming to a 42

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Enjoy Great places to holiday with kids this summer

1 Farm fun in Devon

Sherrill Farm near Tavistock has 13 converted farm buildings, ranging from a farmhouse sleeping 22 to three one-bed cottages, plus hot tubs and an indoor swimming pool.

Price: August weeks from £410-£3,560 Contact: www.sherrillfarmcottages. co.uk

rubber ring and picking up something from the pool floor, all timed.

• Encourage slightly older children to compile a holiday diary or scrapbook, or an online photo album.

Cater for success Catherine Cooper (www.catherinecooper.net), author of Travelling With Children A Parent’s Guide (Need 2 Know, £9.99), suggests: Families with young children should opt for selfcatering accommodation if possible.

“You can prepare meals when you want, put them down for a nap when you want and sit outside and have a glass of wine while they sleep,” she points out.

Cooper also believes kids’ clubs are a “godsend”, although she advises parents ask questions such as: What’s the children-to-adult ratio? What are the opening times? And how are the age groups split?

She adds: “You probably won’t want to send them off for the whole week, but a few mornings or afternoons here and there will give you the time to relax, and them the time to make new friends and often try out some amazing activities.”

Make time for teens Green warns that when it comes to holidaying with teenagers, it’s “slightly more tricky, since boredom looms a little larger on their horizon”.

• If possible, choose a holiday with an element of independence - perhaps they can walk to a nearby shop or the beach on their own.

• Give them their own space, perhaps a den or an area around the pool for chilling.

• Plan to fend off boredom - days with a good mix of chilling and active periods work well.

Grown-ups matter too!

Parents have to make time for themselves too - it is everyone’s holiday after all. Green suggests that you: • Remove obvious hazards that will thwart relaxation; choose gated pools for non-swimmers, enclosed gardens, no high balconies or outside staircases.

• Consider holidaying with friends or family so you can take turns to supervise, and so the children have playmates.

• Hire a babysitter or nanny for a few hours as often as you can afford it. Green explains: “Children are relaxed because parents are still on site, but parents can relax because the nanny is taking the responsibility of monitoring.”

• Some resorts offer a ‘babe watch’ service, where they’ll briefly look after babies and toddlers in a shady area on the beach while parents have a stroll/swim.

• Choose sun loungers close to the children’s pool or beach so you can be easily watch the kids from a comfortable position, and also choose a room where you can relax outside while babies and younger children nap.

And finally, be realistic...

“Holidays with children are not the same as romantic couples getaways or trips with friends,” warns Mumsnet editor Kate Williams.

“The best way to truly enjoy holidays with young children is to be realistic about what’s likely to make them reasonably content.

“For all but the most adventurous, this probably involves food your children will eat, a temperate climate, comfortable sleeping arrangements, a reasonable travelling distance and plenty of outdoorsy possibilities - in the hope that an early night for them means a couple of hours off for you. Good luck!”

2 Swallows and Amazons

Creek Cottage is by the beautiful Helford River in south Cornwall and sleeps six, with three bathrooms.

Close to Frenchman’s Creek and some fab pubs, perfect for a beach and sailing holiday. Still available from August 19 with Helpful Holidays.

Price: £1,186 for a week in August Contact: www.helpfulholidays.co.uk

3 Relaxed glamping

Beautful Cuckoo Down Farm near Sidmouth offers glamping in 30 acres of pretty farmland. A speciality is family-friendly stays in yurts and safari tents, with pony rides, chickens, goats, lambs and more.

Price: From £650 a week in August, plus short breaks over August Bank Holiday weekend from £355 Contact: www.cuckoodownfarm. co.uk

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12/07/2016 11:14:43

Bossington Beach

My Secret Westcountry Joe Heley Gardener and tree surgeon Joe Heley runs Secret Orchard Cider, based at Nettlecombe Court in Exmoor National Park. He lives in Dunster with his partner Molly and their two children, Cassius, six, and Dulcie, two.

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08/07/2016 14:18:57

People

Holifair Family Festival in Gweek, west Cornwall

Gloucester Old Spots

The Tarka Trail

My favourite…

Walk: Hurlestone Point at Bossington Beach.

There are great views along the west Somerset coast, and some good spots for climbing too.

Beach: Although it’s not exactly a classic sandy beach, Dunster Beach is like a home from home for my family in the summer. The rows of beach chalets built in the 1930s (one of which my mother-in-law owns) are a haven for carefree days. Lots of birds can be seen by the lakes here, including kingfishers and egrets, and there are several rope swings that my kids love to go on.

Festival: Holifair Family Festival near Gweek in August is brilliant. It’s a really relaxed family festival which attracts an alternative crowd with storytelling, theatre and crafts plus food and dancing, of course. They don’t really make festivals like this much any more.

Activity:

Our whole family has new bikes, and we’ve been having a great time riding them everywhere, including the Tarka Trail in North

Devon and back and forth between Minehead and Dunster. I also love wild swimming and climbing.

Food: Up at our orchard we give our used apple pomace (the pressed pulp remains) to a chap called Steve who feeds it to his traditional Gloucester Old Spot pigs. The bacon from his pigs is the best ever!

Tipple: This would have to be cider, perhaps followed by a cider brandy or two later. My business partner Todd and I hand-harvest fruit from our own and other local orchards for our cider and we think that, when done properly, cider is a truly artisan product with great Westcountryprovenance.

Pub: Pebbles Tavern in Watchet. CAMRA named this the Somerset Cider Pub of the Year and it’s a traditional tavern with a great atmosphere and live music throughout the week. Ben the landlord always gets me a pint whenever I make a delivery…

Restaurant:

This is a tough choice but Reeves

in Dunster is great for a treat.

Way to relax: I love playing my guitar and going along to the Blazing Stump folk club at the Butchers Arms in Carhampton.

Weekend away:

We love to go camping at Cloud Farm campsite near Lynton in the Doone Valley. It’s tucked away by the river, in a beautiful spot surrounded by heather. It’s very rustic and relaxed and you can have a fire. Perfect.

Shop:

The Big Cheese in Porlock stocks over 100 cheeses, mainly from the Westcountry. The deli is perfect for picking up things like charcuterie and preserves, and they also serve coffee and light lunches.

Treat:

A weekend away with the family, probably camping, with my guitar. A few long walks followed by big feeds, and a few nicely chilled ciders. of course. www.secretorchardcider.com 45

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08/07/2016 14:19:40

My life

Chris Mcguire

Baby talk Chris McGuire and his girlfriend are starting a family - any advice?

“

ou’ll never sleep again,” she said, with glee. “You’ll be so tired, you’ll forget your own name. And you won’t care.”

I gave my best approximation of a smile. The sides of my mouth certainly shifted away from each other, but it wasn’t very convincing.

“OK,” she continued, “that’ll be £7.34. Would you like your receipt?”

“No.” “Thanks for shopping with us. Hope you enjoy the next six years of living hell.”

My partner and I stumbled out of the supermarket, shaking our heads. You see, this week I’ve learned that going anywhere in the Westcountry with my heavily pregnant other half means I’ll be given vast amounts of unwanted baby advice.

Neither my partner or I are idiots. At least, she isn’t. But there’s something about us that makes complete strangers want to dive in our direction and state the massively obvious. A man almost caused a traffic accident this week, charging across a busy road in order share his unsolicited thoughts with us: “You’re having a baby…” he cried.

I was amazed by the Sherlock Holmes style deduction on display here. I am not a small person and I fear my girlfriend’s baby bump reflects my larger than life genes.

“We are,” I said, trying to lead my partner in the opposite direction.

“Cry a lot… babies.”

“They do.”

“You’ll be up to your ears in poo…”

He seemed to be enjoying this. Far more than we were.

“Well, good to chat,” I tried, once again guiding my partner away from this fascinating fellow.

“And your house will stink of sick!”

At this we walked away. I’ll be honest, I usually expect priests to be more considerate.

Y

In fact, I expect more from everyone. Parentsto-be are, in my experience, quite stressed out – especially if it’s their first child. Why on earth do people feel the need to wind us up?

This week, however, did offer one pleasing and surprising moment. I was out cycling, as I often am these days (I do hope to win the coveted ‘Westcountry man most consistently in Lycra’ award) when I saw a figure I half-recognised. There they were, at the side of the cycle path, with what was clearly a nasty puncture. But who was this person? I wracked my brains. It was only when he turned in my direction that I recognised the priest from before. I stopped my bike.

“Hello Father. You have a puncture, I see.”

He was clearly stressed, covered in oil and fiddling with an inner-tube that refused to inflate.

“Oh,” I continued.

“Punctures aren’t much fun.”

“No,” he replied, gruffly. “They’re not.”

“I mean,” I went on, “you get stuck for ages, get covered in horrible oil and end up taking all the skin off your fingers trying to get the tyre off.”

“Yeah.”

“No fun at all,” I repeated.

I stood there watching in silence for a moment.

“You don’t happen to know anything useful about tyres do you?” the priest asked.

“Sorry,” I said, “nothing. Except

they’re horrible.”

With that I took my leave and rode off. For all I know he’s still there.

Yes, this week I learned that unwanted advice is very stressful. Unless you’re the one dishing it out.

Chris McGuire is a writer who recently moved to the Westcountry. He believes unsolicited advice is like a bidet: popular with a small minority but completely unnecessary for most. @McGuireski

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

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08/07/2016 15:31:25

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