West Magazine June 03 2017

03.06.17

WIN: A dog-friendly escape worth £100

12

Brand new beauty heros

INSIDE: Cornwall’s comedy star

HELLO GORGEOUS The humble shirt gets a summer style makeover

- pg28

Cover_June3_ideas.indd 1

30/05/2017 14:27:31

‘I look up to see him inspecting a sliver of steak with a look that can only be described as reverence’ Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod dines out, p40

22

PATIO PERFECT Eat al fresco this summer

28

GET SHIRTY A button up for any occasion

[contents[ Inside this week...

6

THE WISHLIST Our pick of the best treats this week

9

JUST BETWEEN US...

Sh! We have all the latest gossip

12

IT’S GONNA BE JAM FIRST! Meet internet sensation Tony Goodman

16

AGAINST THE ODDS

16

VOTE FOR ME We meet this election’s wildcards

36

TASTE THE SEA Try a Mitch Tonks recipe

‘Why we had to stand for parliment’

22

PERFECT PATIOS The new hotspot for entertaining

26

JUST ASK GRACIE Our style guru solves your problems

28

GETTING SHIRTY The button-up bursts free

32

BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Great ways to feel your best this week

33

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

34

YOUR STARS THIS WEEK Cassandra Nye has your latest horoscope

44

SECRET WESTCOUNTRY Where to go, what to do

46

WHAT’S ON THE BOX Columnist Chris McGuire tunes in

40

DINNER WITH A VIEW A steak to remember in Cornwall

26

SUMMER NIGHTS

Sultry looks for sundowners 3

Contents_June 3.indd 3

30/05/2017 14:28:43

‘I look up to see him inspecting a sliver of steak with a look that can only be described as reverence’ Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod dines out, p40

22

PATIO PERFECT Eat al fresco this summer

28

GET SHIRTY A button up for any occasion

[contents[ Inside this week...

6

THE WISHLIST Our pick of the best treats this week

9

JUST BETWEEN US...

Sh! We have all the latest gossip

12

IT’S GONNA BE JAM FIRST! Meet internet sensation Tony Goodman

16

AGAINST THE ODDS

16

VOTE FOR ME We meet this election’s wildcards

36

TASTE THE SEA Try a Mitch Tonks recipe

‘Why we had to stand for parliment’

22

PERFECT PATIOS The new hotspot for entertaining

26

JUST ASK GRACIE Our style guru solves your problems

28

GETTING SHIRTY The button-up bursts free

32

BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Great ways to feel your best this week

33

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

34

YOUR STARS THIS WEEK Cassandra Nye has your latest horoscope

44

SECRET WESTCOUNTRY Where to go, what to do

46

WHAT’S ON THE BOX Columnist Chris McGuire tunes in

40

DINNER WITH A VIEW A steak to remember in Cornwall

26

SUMMER NIGHTS

Sultry looks for sundowners 3

Contents_June 3.indd 3

30/05/2017 14:29:31

44

DARTMOOR CALLING

Where to go, what to do

[ welcome [ There is always room at the top: talent will out hat happy news we had here at West just recently. Our magazine designer Kathryn Clarke-McLeod went up to London to attend the Regional Press Awards and, lo and behold, she only went and won Designer of the Year. For the second year in a row, too. This officially means she’s the best in the country, fighting off competition from all over the UK. I think you’ll agree, just by looking Kathryn’s work in West magazine today, that good design really is an art and can make a magazine so much more readable, interesting and enticing.

This week, we’ve got lots to enjoy in West. For a

W

Tweet

of the week @WMNWest

Hooray! @WMNWest designer @KathrynCMcleod triumphs at the @RegPressAwards. Officially: best in UK #weknewit

[

[

[

start, we’ve managed to track down the real-life character behind the insanely funny DonaldTrump-as-a Cornishman YouTube videos (p12).

Who could forget The Donald pledging to “build a wall between Devon and Cornwall”? Nor his insistence that “from this day forward” all scones will be eaten “Jam First”?

Also in today’s West, we meet three people who are standing for election this Thursday. What makes someone put in hours and hours of unpaid campaigning, with no guarantee of victory come June 8? We find out on page 16 today. Have a lovely weekend, whether you are Jam First - or Last!

[

Lo and behold, she only went and won Designer of the Year - again!

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: Embroidered blouse £35 Cotton Traders

MEET THE TEAM Becky Sheaves, Editor

Phil Goodwin

Kathryn Clarke-McLeod

Gillian Molesworth

Cathy Long

4

EDSLETTER_1THINGTHISWEEK_June 3.indd 4

30/05/2017 13:23:26

If you do one thing this week...

Why not plan a trip with your four-footed friend? You can now download a free dog-friendly holiday guide, called South Devon Loves Dogs. Created by three-times British Travel Award-winning Coast & Country Cottages, it includes expert advice on exploring South Devon with your dog. It also has a useful “dog directory”, featuring more than 100 eateries, attractions and businesses in the area which welcome pets. This is the perfect tool for anyone keen discover new dogfriendly places to visit. To download your guide visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk/downloads

Win!

To celebrate the launch of South Devon Loves Dogs, we are offering you the chance to win a £100 holiday voucher to put towards a break at a dog-friendly Coast & Country Cottages cottage of your choice, plus a free PawPost treat box for your dog to be left in the property ahead of your arrival. To enter, simply tell us how many times Coast & Country Cottages have won a British Travel Award.

Send your answer, together with your name, address, phone and email to: Coast & Country Cottages competition, westmag@ westernmorningnews.co.uk to arrive by June 16. Alternatively, you can post your answer to: Coast & Country Cottages competition, West magazine, Queen’s House, Little Queen Street, Exeter, EX4 3LJ. Normal terms apply. West will not share your details.

5

EDSLETTER_1THINGTHISWEEK_June 3.indd 5

30/05/2017 13:17:48

Halterneck swimsuit £76 Seaspray

SPACE SAVER Solid wood cabinet £470 Cuckooland

Wine glass £4.50 each Oliver Bonas

the

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

Bardot blouse £25 Simply Be

ZESTY

Lemon serving tray £36 Amara

6

Wishlist_June 3.indd 6

30/05/2017 10:52:59

Wishlist

RELAX

Deck chair £249 Cuckooland

Wash bag £22 Oliver Bonas

Fabric and bead necklace £35 East

fave!

Bird sculpture £9 Sainsbury’s Home

7

Wishlist_June 3.indd 7

30/05/2017 10:54:23

talking points Gillian Molesworth

Story of my life...

Exploring the cool factor and caffeine ’m feeling slightly trite.

I’m sitting in an Italiantheme high street coffee shop in Truro with my laptop and a frappucesco latte or a longini macciatto or a frangipani whuppiduppi or something like that. It’s highly caffeinated and foamy and a bit weird. I’m regretting not just getting a cup of tea. very avant garde. I remember so I had a twinge of guilt as I well the phenomenon of the first was deciding where to go. Next Starbucks café scene. Mostly it door is a traditional Cornish was people who worked from bakery selling fare like saffron home and had no office space: buns, more authentic than the screenwriters and novelists and “Loacker Cremkakao” wafers I young startup entrepreneurs in have just consumed. the days of the dot-com boom.

But what can I say – the other They were always very aware place seemed a bit too bustling of their cool factor and slightly and brightly lit, whereas this one jittery from the caffeine. felt dark and private, the sort of Looking around now, there place where you are a few people can slink into a on laptops, one corner and type, clearly having nursing your one a meeting – and I wonder what drink through a showing a presenthe connection couple of hours tation or document while you waited on his computer, is between that for your daughter so much thinner equatorial bean and her friends and thousands of to pick through times more powerand creativity? the rails at Priful than its 1990s Obviously mark. predecessors. it’s strong.

It is genuThe décor of this inely weird to restaurant is oldthink how many school Italian but “firsts” there are it’s still a place in my lifetime, as technology very aware of its cool. But what has changed the way we work. an anachronism, eh.

It was a first for me to take a Coffee houses have that computer to university – a big cachet, though, don’t they. As cubic Apple Mac. Before that, it far back as the 18th century they had been prohibitively expensive were a place for the intellectual for individuals to own computelite to gather. Some thought ers (let alone students), and we they were a breeding ground for had them in “computer rooms” anarchists and rabble rousers. where we logged in with school I wonder what the connection user accounts. is between that equatorial bean I also owned one of the first and creativity? Obviously it’s laptop computers, another first, strong. Good job I didn’t have the and it was very exciting and tea after all.

I

SHINE

bright Attending the Met Gala early last month, actress and model Emily Ratajkowski opted for a shimmering sequin maxi gown by Marc Jacobs. When it comes to eveningwear, sequin dresses are always a firm favourite and whether you’re after something long, short, tight or relaxed, the High Street has plenty of options to choose from.

Ombre sequin dress £27.50 JD Williams

steal her

style

OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN

OPTION B Meadow Sequined dress £79.99 H&M

OPTION A Midnight Long sleeve sequin dress £49 Topshop

Gillian Molesworth is a journalist and mum-of-two who grew up in the USA and moved to north Cornwall when she met her husband 8

Moley_Gossip_June 3.indd 8

30/05/2017 11:34:25

03.06.17

IS LAUREN BACK WITH THE EX? She had previously lost out in love to The Only Way Is Essex newcomer Amber Turner. But it looks like reality TV star Lauren Pope – who grew up in Torquay – may be getting back together with her ex, Dan Edgar. Lauren – who also appears on TOWIE - caused a stir recently by cuddling up to her former flame at his birthday bash, right in front of Amber.

The shock move has seen Dan accused of trying to “gain air time”, but he insists his “casual” romance

with Lauren has no agenda and he is still single.

Sharing an insight into their relationship, Dan revealed: “We get on well and I really do like her…

Lauren is gorgeous.” But then he quickly added: “It’s really casual and I’m definitely single.”

However, Dan went on to tease that things could progress between the pair while they are on a break from filming for TOWIE. We shall see!

Just

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

!

CUTE ENOUGH TO EAT

OH HAPPY DAY! We’re so excited to hear that the musical Sister Act will be showing at Plymouth’s Theatre Royal this summer.

And playing the part made famous in the movie by Whoopi Goldberg is none other than X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke. The story follows lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier who is relocated after witnessing a murder for her own protection – as a nun in a run-down convent.

Deloris takes on the identity of Sister Mary Clarence, and proceeds to upend

the quiet lives of the resident sisters, complete with lots of singing and dancing. It will be a lot of fun, we’re sure –especially as it’s being directed by none other than Craig Revel-Horwood, the waspish judge from Strictly Come Dancing. Craig says: “It’s an amazing company. They can all act, sing, dance and play instruments, and they do so right in front of you. There’s razzmatazz, but also a simple story about the triumph of the human spirit.” We can’t wait! It’s on from July 3-15, see you there.

Dawn French has been making us laugh again. The veteran comedian, who grew up in Plymouth and now lives in Fowey, spotted a post on Twitter of a tiny little white dog. “If I belonged to you, what would you name me?” asked Land of Cuteness. To which, Dawn swiftly replied with a succinct one-word answer: “Lunch”.

Dawn has also been busy in her role as Falmouth University’s Chancellor, attending the Fashion students’ graduation fashion show at the campus and saying on Twitter: “Fantastic grad fashion show @ FalmouthUni #fashionandtextileinstitute”.

She has also been spotted at Fresh Air Studios in Plymouth, recording what’s been described as a “Cornwall Related app” with Cornwall-based Kneehigh Theatre – sounds intriguing… We’re so lucky Dawn has moved home and is really getting stuck in to supporting local ventures – thanks Dawn!

9

Moley_Gossip_June 3.indd 9

30/05/2017 11:35:16

Lighting up the sky: Fireworks during the Aspall Polo on the Beach event at Watergate Bay

in pictures Angel: 6-year-old Nadine was one of the angels at Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan festival 2017 in Truro

Going for gold: Xander Harris, from Plymouth, is heading for the Paralympics when he is 16

What rain? Making the best of the weather at the Altitude Festival in Blackborough, North Devon 10

WIP_HISTORY_June 3.indd 10

30/05/2017 12:35:01

talking points A HISTORY

of the

WEST in

100

objects 48: BUDDHA

The best way to:

SEE A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN Now is the time to see the best of the South West’s privately-owned gardens at their finest, thanks to the National Gardens Scheme. And often there’s the chance to enjoy a home-made tea and cake as well.

Elizabethan glory: Mary Newman’s Garden is a delightful cottage garden in Saltash, reputedly the home of Sir Francis Drake’s first wife. The garden is laid out in authentic Elizabethan style, showcasing the plants and herbs vital to a household of the period, and has the feeling of being a very secret garden which is a shelter from the humdrum of the busy world we live in. You can also buy plants and enjoy a cream tea. Open Sunday June 11 and Sunday July 9 (12 - 4pm) through the National Gardens Society. Admission by donation.

Acres of fun: Hole Farm near Bideford in north Devon has three acres of lovely gardens with a waterfall, ponds, vegetable and bog garden – not to mention stunning lavender borders.

There are also peaceful walks through flower-studded grassland and water meadows on the River Torridge, home to a range of wildlife and some handsome Devon Red Ruby cattle.

When you’ve worked up an appetite you can enjoy some afternoon tea in the converted barn. Open on Sunday June 11, Sunday July 16 (2 - 6pm).

Admission £4, children free.

Manor from heaven: Chideock Manor near Bridport in west Dorset has nearly seven acres of formal and informal gardens. Highlights include lime and crab apple walks, herbaceous borders, colourful rose and clematis arches, a fernery and a nuttery. There’s

also a walled vegetable garden, an orchard with woodland and lakeside walks, and homemade teas. It is open on Saturday June 10 and Sunday June 11 from 2 - 5pm. Admission £6 children free.

Valley nice: Carminowe Valley Garden near Gunwalloe in west Cornwall overlooks a beautiful valley towards Loe Pool. This abundant garden combines native oak woodland, babbling brook and a large natural pond with more formal areas. There’s also a wildflower meadow, orchard, nectar beds and kitchen garden with lots of roses at this time of year – and cream teas. Open Saturday June 17 and Sunday June 18, 1.30 - 4.30pm.

Admission £5, children free.

From Myanmar to Exeter, late 18th or early 19th century Julien Parsons is the Senior Collections Officer, The Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter.

He says: Situated on Cathedral Close, the Devon & Exeter Institution opened in 1813 with the aim of promoting science, literature and art in the city and county. Although it never had a public museum, the Institution collected natural science specimens, antiquities and artefacts from around the world, including this large figure inscribed: ‘Sitting Budh or Buddha. A Burmese Idol’. After RAMM opened in 1868, the Buddha was among a clutch of treasures transferred from the D&E Institution to the museum.

A number of the Institution’s leading figures settled in Devon following colonial or military service abroad, and this was the case with the Buddha’s donor, Captain George Truscott. He presented the Buddha soon after the end of the First AngloBurmese War in 1826: a bloody conflict fought over trading rights to north-eastern India. Although the British forces claimed victory, it proved a major setback for the East India Company, for whom Truscott served.

There is no information on when or where Truscott acquired the figure, and so, the Buddha is dated on the basis of its style. It’s carved from wood, preserved in lacquer and decorated with gold leaf over deep maroon. He sits cross-legged in the lotus posture – the soles of his feet on his lap. The elongated fingers and earlobes, and expressive eyebrows give the figure an air of grace and elegance befitting the enlightened one.

#48

On display in gallery 12, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter

Competition winner: Congratulations to Anita Doonan of Ivybridge who wins a family ticket for two adults and two children worth £50 to the Royal William Yard Festival.

11

WIP_HISTORY_June 3.indd 11

30/05/2017 12:35:20

PHOTOGRAPHY: JOHN FREDDY JONES

Tony Goodman of Fowey has become an unlikely internet sensation

12

CAKEYTEA_June 3.indd 12

30/05/2017 08:17:40

Interview

“

“

From this day forward it’s gonna be only

Jam First!

Chris McGuire meets Tony Goodman, the Fowey restaurateur turned internet comedian, who has achieved the impossible and made Donald Trump actually seem funny...

utside the Capitol Building, a jubilant Donald Trump looks across the crowd gathered for his inauguration. The President-elect parts his lips, yet, when he speaks, the voice heard is not what we’ve grown to expect. By some strange witchcraft, Trump talks with a broad Cornish accent: “From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land,” says Donald, sounding more Jethro than jet-set. “From this day forward, it’s gonna be only Jam First! JAM FIRST!” The crowd goes wild, as does the internet.

What’s going on? In truth, there’s no witchcraft here. What we’re watching on YouTube is the actual American President, but cleverly re-voiced by Cornish joker Tony Goodman, 43.

Owner of The Globe restaurant in Fowey, Tony (also the man behind the internet sensation Poldark - Proper Version) is having fun again, this time with his Cornish Donald Trump. It’s this

O

unique style of humour that’s made Tony an unlikely but indisputable online star.

As our chat begins, I ask Tony (who grew up in Par) about his career. He mishears “Have you always been in hospitality?” as “Have you always been a personality?” If I’m honest, his question is much better than mine. Tony’s a larger-thanlife fellow, with an infectious sense of humour that clearly feeds his online antics.

“I’d love to say that it was a carefully orchestrated marketing plan from day one,” he says, of

his social media fame: “but it wasn’t.” It seems nothing more than boredom led the father of three to create Poldark - Proper Version, the YouTube series that made his name: “My son (Jonah, 14) had his mate round and they’d taken over the front room to watch this film that I thought was utterly crap.”

“So, I went out the kitchen with my laptop. I watched this clip of Poldark and thought: ‘Oh, I’ll have some fun with that’.

I just recorded it and stuck it out there as the ‘proper version of Poldark’. It got two to three thousand hits and I thought: ‘Hello, we’re onto something here’.”

‘I was lying in bed and

thought about his speech:

America first... Jam first!’

13

CAKEYTEA_June 3.indd 13

30/05/2017 13:27:42

Tony was correct, he was indeed onto something. His parodies garnered millions of online views: “I did the one where Francis Drake, the bloke from Plymouth, is in his (Poldark’s) kitchen. It’s still the funniest one I’ve ever written: ‘You’ve got a bloke from DEVON in your kitchen!’

That went viral, straight to 100,000 in one weekend. I thought: ‘Bloody Hell!’ Every time I did it, the figures were going up and up. They were huge.”

When the history of Poldark - Proper Version is written (the phenomenon began back in 2015), it’ll surely be best remembered for introducing us to Cakey Tea. No, Cakey Tea isn’t the novelty act on this year’s X Factor, it’s a meal. “We never had a cooked meal in the evenings,” says Tony, proudly. “That was unheard of in our house. Every evening was some form of Cakey Tea, whether it was a bit of saffron cake or a scone. That was all I had for the first 16 years of my life. Cakey Tea every day.”

It seems Goodman and his chef were discussing what to feature in the next parody Poldark episode, when Cakey Tea came up. The rest (in

Tony’s mind at least) is gastronomic history – he’s even planning to put a blue plaque in the very spot in his restaurant where the momentous conversation took place. “That’s when it got all surreal. Episode Four, it was. That was the one where Ross gets into bed with Demelza. It wrote itself. It was just so obvious what was happening.

I mean he sniffed her neck and it smelt of Cakey Tea. All of a sudden he’d found a sexual fetish that carried on throughout the series.” At least, it did in Tony’s version.

Indeed, it would seem that Tony’s world has been over-run with Cakey Tea: “It’s taken on its own life now,” he says.

“People are convinced that it must be in the real Poldark show.” It may not surprise you to learn that Tony’s restaurant has become a place of pilgrimage for those seeking out a Cakey Tea fix, £15 for two. “A Cakey Tea, in The Globe, is a scone with jam and cream on it. Jam first.

That’s the proper Cornish way, unlike in Devon where the cream goes on first.

“We make our own individual yeast cake, saffron cake and then thunder and lightning - which is golden syrup and clotted cream on a split,

‘That one went viral,

straight to 100,000

views in one weekend’

which is a Cornish bread roll.” You can even buy a ‘I love Cakey Tea’ mug from Tony, should the mood take you - he has sold more than 500 mugs.

Tony’s prodigious creativity didn’t stop with Ross Poldark and his (alleged) cake fetish. The next target for the Fowey joker was a man in very high office indeed. “I was lying in bed, and Donald Trump’s speech of ‘America First’ came into my head. I woke up and I thought: ‘America First, America First... Jam First.’ And then I went downstairs and scribbled down his entire inauguration speech.”

The Jam First slogan, of course, refers to the famous rivalry between Cornwall and Devon over how a cream tea should be prepared. It was just the beginning for Tony’s unique version of the American President. Soon a video, where a very Cornish Trump proposes to build a wall between Devon and Cornwall, proved a massive hit.

“Who’s gonna pay for the wall?” Tony’s Cornish Trump declares. “Devon” is the response from the rapturous crowd. “Doing the Mexicans and the Devon bit was just a natural progression,” says Tony proudly.

The Cornish Trump clips were an instant hit “Next thing I had five million hits on Facebook,” says Tony. Collectively, the Poldark: Proper Version clips are believed to have received around two million views. So there’s no doubt Tony’s videos have given him a huge online following which is now spilling over into the traditional

14

CAKEYTEA_June 3.indd 14

30/05/2017 13:31:56

Interview

media – he was recently in the Daily Mail, who loved him. So what’s next for Tony? He admits that he finds the scale of his previous successes are something of a burden: “I don’t want to get known for just Cakey Tea. But the minute I do a video and it doesn’t mention Cakey Tea, I get emails saying ‘You’re not going to stop doing Cakey Tea, are you?’

“You almost become like one of those comedians that’s known for a catchphrase, and if you don’t do your catchphrase, people don’t find you funny.”

You will, I’m sure, be pleased to hear that Tony is not letting such worries, or the protests of his long-suffering partner Erica, 47, stem his output.

“I’ve toyed with idea of doing a Poldark where real people get dressed up in fancy dress – but it’s still me doing all the voices.” Internet gold, I’m sure, awaits.

Yet, it’s a recent discovery in his bedroom that promises to facilitate what could be Tony’s most exciting future project: “I found a ginger wig under my bed that I had for a stag do in Dublin.

I thought if I dye that blonde, it’ll look a lot like Trump’s hair. I’m considering doing my own presidential address as Cornish Donald Trump.”

I’m sure these gems, and whatever else Tony’s feverish imagination can come up with, will be landing on your social media stream very soon, accompanied, no doubt, with the chance to buy an official Cornish Donald Trump wig.

15

CAKEYTEA_June 3.indd 15

30/05/2017 08:19:06

People

16

VOTEFORME_JUNE3.indd 16

30/05/2017 11:13:52

AGAINST THE ODDS Three election candidates tell Becky Sheaves why they just felt they had to stand for Parliament Caroline Voaden Caroline Voaden, 48, lives in Totnes with her husband Stuart, a director of Carpenter Oak, and her daughters Ellie 17 and Laura 15. She is standing for the Liberal Democrats in South West Devon.

Caroline says: As I sat in my car with a burst tyre on Dartmoor, in the pouring rain, trying to race to the printers to collect 20,000 leaflets, I did wonder what on earth I am doing.

Friends have questioned my sanity.

Six weeks of delivering leaflets, knocking on doors, talking to complete strangers and planning a campaign late into the night... It isn’t what most people would choose to do with their time when there is no financial reward!

So why am I standing for parliament in a seat where the Conservative MP Gary Streeter has a majority of 20,109?

The reason is quite simple. I stayed up all night on June 23 last year and my heart broke as the results of the EU referendum came in. I couldn’t quite believe David Dimbleby when he said the words “We’re out”.

I’d been talking a lot about the referendum at work, a knitting and craft shop called Social Fabric in Totnes. Asking our customers where

they stood on the issue and reinforcing how important it was that they voted. But politically Totnes is a bubble, and I met few “leavers”, so I naively thought we had it in the bag.

On June 24 the future looked very different.

I decided that it’s not enough to moan to friends and family or rant on Facebook in an echo chamber where everyone feels the same anyway. This issue is so fundamentally important for our children, our grandchildren and for generations after that, that I knew I had to do something. So I joined the only party that has been unashamedly and consistently pro-European and internationalist in its agenda – the Liberal Democrats.

I had always voted Lib Dem but now it was time to put my money (and my shoe leather) where my mouth was and try and put the brakes on what could be the biggest catastrophe we’ve seen for generations if Theresa May has her way takes the “hard Brexit” approach. She doesn’t have to do it that way – we could use a Norwegian-type model instead.

The thought of Mrs May being able to pursue these negotiations with a thumping great majority in the House of Commons fills me with dread. Who is going to hold

It isn’t what most people would choose to do with their time when there is no financial reward

17

VOTEFORME_JUNE3.indd 17

30/05/2017 13:38:09

her to account?

To me it is lunacy to spend billions to untangle ourselves from 45 years of integration and then take years forging new trade deals and legislation to cover all the same ground. We can’t afford to lose foreign investors in our economy or the thousands of EU nurses who keep the NHS going.

So, a year later, here I am… the party asked me to stand in South West Devon and I jumped at the chance. Despite how it may sound, campaigning really is great fun. Meeting new people every day, debating the issues, being “allowed” to talk politics ad nauseum (my teenage daughters are less keen to engage with this day after day!)

Up until now I’ve had “real jobs” and life experience outside politics that would be incredibly valuable if I were elected here. I have lived in six European countries, speak several languages and I understand the importance of international cooperation – I spent years as a journalist covering the Balkan war and its aftermath. I have run my own business her in the South West for five years. I know about the pressures on those who run businesses.

My first husband died from cancer and I was widowed young, at the age of 34, mum to a new baby and toddler – so I have experienced our NHS at its absolute finest, and I fear for its future.

I ran a national support group for young widows and widowers in the years that followed.

I want us to live in a society that cares – where the conversation is more about “us” than about “me”. Where hard work and success are rewarded but where we are open to others, accepting of our differences, and where we have hope for our future, not fear. That’s why I’m standing.

18

VOTEFORME_JUNE3.indd 18

30/05/2017 13:38:35

People

Claire Wright Claire Wright, 42, is standing as an independent candidate in East Devon. She is a Devon country councillor and freelance PR consultant, based in Ottery St Mary. She has a daughter, Katie, 13 and Claire stood in the 2015 election in the same constituency, where she polled 13,100 votes against the Tory winner, Hugo Swire.

Claire says: When the snap election was announced this summer, I had an initial moment of “oh no”. I’d come second last time to the Conservative MP Hugo Swire and I was hoping to fight the next one – now I had only seven weeks to get a campaign together. But within five minutes, that feeling had changed to one of excitement.

Over the next couple of days, I put out feelers to my supporters from the 2015 election to see if they would want me to stand again. I knew I couldn’t do it alone – you need so much help and support to fight an election. Honestly, I was overwhelmed.

I now have 600 people signed up to help with leafleting and canvassing, plus a core team of ten people who are wonderful at getting so much done. It’s hectic but so rewarding – I have to keep reminding everyone to eat, and sleep.

Since the last election, my husband Dave and I have separated and we are just getting divorced.

But we are still friends and he has a Claire Wright placard up outside his house – in fact, he signed my nomination papers for me this time round. He and my daughter Katie are right behind me.

People ask why I don’t join a party but I’m a free spirit – my slogan is Free To Speak, Free To Act. Party politics seems like a power struggle a lot of the time. I’ve written my own manifesto, how many election candidates can say that?

My main concerns are health – I’ve fought to keep east Devon hospitals open – and education. I’m standing in what is traditionally a safe Tory seat but I think I’ve got the present incumbent worried! I also campaign strongly on environmental issues.

Of course, Brexit is the major challenge for the next Parliament. I voted Remain and my approach would be to have a second meaningful vote on any Brexit deal before it goes ahead.

I think a hard Brexit, without trade deals with the EU, would be a disaster. Just think how it would hit Devon farmers if we had trade deals with countries with lower welfare and food safety standards to us and the EU. The last thing we want is to be importing lots of lowerwelfare, lower-safety food from places like America and India.

I was disappointed not to win in 2015. In the last week of that campaign the mood on the doorstep changed. People were worried about letting a Labour/Scottish National Party alliance in to power and ending up with Nicola Sturgeon running the country. This time feels much more positive. My odds to win with William Hill at 9/2 - watch this space!

‘I now have 600 people signed up to help me with leafleting and canvassing, It’s completely hectic but so rewarding’

19

VOTEFORME_JUNE3.indd 19

30/05/2017 13:41:09

People

Joe Levy Joe Levy, 22, is standing for the Green Party in Exeter. He works as a student information officer at Exeter University and lives in a shared house in Exeter with three housemates.

Joe says: I’m 22, my housemates are a Deliveroo cyclist, a funk singer/carer and a post-grad student – and then there’s me, a student information officer. We share a house in St Thomas, Exeter and I think our household really represents life in your early 20s these days.

I’m idealistic but I also try to be practical. I want to change the world - but in the meantime I want to do what I can to make life better for everyone. This is not just something I stand up and do at election time, it’s in the way I live my life every day.

On Sundays, I help out with a free food stall called Exeter Food Fight in the St Thomas area of Exeter. We cook curries, stews, all sorts of food – basically what I’d like to eat myself. Other people bake cakes and bring drinks. Every week we give out about 20-30 meals. One woman came to us last week who hadn’t eaten for three days. It’s not for me not to judge people for the reasons they are going hungry.

I grew up in west London and you could say I had a pretty sheltered upbringing. But now I see

that there is a lot of poverty and people living really difficult lives. I just want to help. I’m also a youth worker volunteer in the St Thomas area, as we lost our youth centre due to cuts a couple of years ago.

I’ve stood for the Green Party three times already in local elections over the past couple of years and am very proud that I’ve built up the Green vote – in a recent byelection I beat the UKIP candidate and in the county council election I doubled the Green vote. Having said that, I know there is a long, long way to go.

We Greens are in this for the long haul. We are trying to change hearts and minds, and that takes time. But look at the impact Caroline Lucas has had in Parliament as the sole Green Party MP. It’s about getting our ideas heard.

When I was 15, I started a Facebook campaign to prevent palm oil farming damaging the habitats for orang-utans. My campaign had 6,000 people signed up and we joined with many others to persuade Nestle to stop using palm oil in its prod-

ucts. It was such a success and it was the beginning of me realising I could make a difference.

Of course, the environment is a key part of Green Party concerns. Global warming is so serious and such an immediate threat to the world, yet it just doesn’t feature in mainstream party politics. We are on the verge of a major world crisis and we must get carbon emissions down. It’s so important and yet it is being ignored. All the science says that we will be facing irreversible consequences from climate change within decades, not generations. It is up to us to take action now.

Right now, I am busy leafleting and going to hustings to speak. We in the Green Party did offer Labour a deal – we would not fight Exeter if they didn’t fight the Isle of Wight, where we have a very strong chance of winning. But they didn’t want to talk to us. In any case, I believe that no vote is a wasted vote.

You can’t just vote for the winning party. You need to stand up for what you truly believe is the best thing to do.

‘I want to change the world - but in the meantime I want to do what I can to make life better for everyone’

20

VOTEFORME_JUNE3.indd 20

30/05/2017 11:15:08

30

wellness

22

interiors

36

28

food

fashion 21

Intro_June 3.indd 21

30/05/2017 08:34:52

Taranto sofa set £1,150 Next 22

Interiors_June 3.indd 22

30/05/2017 08:26:28

Interiors

Perfect patios Summer’s on its way and the patio is the hotspot for relaxing and entertaining. Gabrielle Fagan reveals how to power up this versatile space and create the ideal outdoor room t’s official - summer’s here and it’s time to hit the great outdoors and turn your patio into a chic space for lounging and al fresco meals.

It’s never been easier to create an outdoor room with the great range of affordable, welldesigned furniture available. Going that extra mile and setting the scene means you will have a really personal, stylish retreat.

One thing you could try is to go wild outdoors and embrace the jungle trend, says Caroline Harvey, furniture buyer at Wyevale Garden Centres. “With so many stunning pots and unusual plants to choose from these days, you could make a beautiful statement with foliage such as ferns and palms that would totally suit this look. Revamp plain, traditional terracotta pots by painting them in rich, tropical green shades.

“Why not make a statement with a canopy in your outdoor space? A simple piece of fabric, dyed in a colour that suits your space, will create an intimate atmosphere.”

This year, outdoor furniture is all about casual dining and modular sets, so your setting can be versatile and suit different occasions, from dining to lounging, says Caroline: “Accessories are key to this trend so choose plenty of cushions, paired with beautiful lanterns, candles and soft lighting to make this space as comfortable and cosy as possible.”

You could evoke a sultry colonial look in a conservatory or covered terrace with a glamorous double hammock - Graham & Green (grahamandgreen.co.uk) have a lovely one for £115. Ramp up that steamy atmosphere with a green Jalli parasol, £195, from Raj Tent Club (rajtentclub.com), and an outdoor light, a Seletti monkey lamp, £250, from The Glow Company (glow.co.uk).

I

23

Interiors_June 3.indd 23

30/05/2017 08:26:45

Interiors Garden sofa £110, table £99, side table £79, watermelon inflatable £23, John Lewis

Atlanta dining set £1,299, cushions £9.99, copper lanterns £16.99 Wyevale Garden Centres

Linger over dinner at an Andreas eucalyptus wood dining table, £390 (currently reduced online to £273) on a pair of dining chairs with laser cut back detail, £300, all from Debenhams (debenhams.com).

Alternatively, you could throw away caution and let rip with colour to add va-va-voom to an outdoor space that’s perfect for entertaining after the sun’s gone down. “Brighten your outdoor space with Fifties silhouettes in hothouse hues,” advises Nicola Gidlow, buyer for outdoor living, John Lewis.

“Practical pieces for al fresco entertaining sit happily with a selection of quirky accessories in this light-hearted look. A tropical palette and a mix of bold prints will complete the pic‘Accessories ture.”

Next has an all-weather are key to rattan Taranto set, £1,150, with this trend so a three-seat sofa, two armchairs choose plenty of and a coffee table - all the ingredients for easy living and cushions, paired £39 (oka.com). lounging outdoors. Next’s white with beautiful Capture a Caribbean vibe by plant pots and stands are also painting a garden wall bright particularly attractive: a set of lanterns, candles pink or deep blue and furnishtwo floor-standing lightweight and soft lighting’ ing with colourful pieces and acmetal planters costs £64, and cessories. Next’s Andaman blue there’s also a wall-mounted hanging chair, £350, could be all planter for £20 (next.co.uk). that’s needed for a statement And if gardening’s not your splash of colour (next.co.uk). thing, there has never been a better time to fake Clashing colours are really cool right now and it! OKA’s great selection of faux plants includes Lagoon has a garden bench in vibrant orange an artificial oregano plant, complete with urn,

[[

Crochet double hammock £115, jungle wall chart £79 jungle cushion £30, Graham & Green

that would look great in a Caribbean-style setting, £545 (vivalagoon.com). Wyevale Garden Centre has a faux woven rattan Atlanta sixseater dining set, £1,299, would be perfect for that relaxed island-style look (wyevalegardencentres. co.uk). Sainsbury’s has a range of punchy pink outdoor accessories, including cushions from £10 and a Lily candle, £16 which would be ideal finishing touches (sainsburys.co.uk).

Now all you need is a sunny day - and a long, cool drink. Enjoy!

24

Interiors_June 3.indd 24

30/05/2017 08:27:24

GET THE

LOOK

Make the most of your outside space with some cool patio picks

Outdoor cube light-up tables £190 each Limelace

fave!

These striking tables are a guaranteed talking point

Catania corner unit and middle unit £179 each, outdoor ottoman £129 Made.com

Chair £350 Next

Oxyo garden bench £545 Lagoon

Set four safari melamine dinner plates £17.50 Marks & Spencer

25

Interiors_June 3.indd 25

30/05/2017 08:27:57

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...

Smooth it over I have these little white lumps around my Q eyes and I was wondering if you know what they could be and how to get rid of them?

LP, Hayle

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant £41.75 John Lewis

Milia or milk spots as they are more commonly known are tiny white cysts that generally appear on the face, around the eyes, cheeks and nose. They are filled with a substance called keratin, which is a naturally occurring skin protein. Every day your skin rejuvenates itself by shedding dead skin cells and replacing them with new ones. However, if your skin has trouble shedding all of the dead skin cells, they build up and get stuck under the skin causing the tiny white spots. To help treat and prevent milia you can: • Exfoliate: Regular exfoliation is the most effective way to get rid of milia and to help stop it from returning.

• Avoid thick, oily products: These can make it easier for dead skin cells to get stuck and prevent them from being properly sloughed off.

Aesop Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste £35 www.aesop.com

• Keep makeup light: Again, thick makeup can make dead skin cells become trapped so it is best to avoid thick layers of makeup and always remove makeup thoroughly before bed.

La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Scrub £10 Boots

26

Gracie_June 3.indd 26

30/05/2017 12:00:03

Shard necklace £28 Oliver Bonas

Revive your little black dress or stole will have you looking every inch the fashionista.

I’ve had the same little black dress in my wardrobe for the last few years and it’s always a go-to party option but I’m looking for some new ways to style it. Do you have any advice? LM, Plymouth

Q

The little black dress (LBD) is a fashion staple and every well-dressed woman will have at least one in her wardrobe. Regardless of how many outings it’s had, these styling tricks will help make sure your LBD looks brand new, each and every time you wear it.

1.

Statement accessories: Adding bold, futuristic accessories to your outfit will give it a modern and fresh vibe.

2.

Patterned tights: If it’s not warm enough to go bare legged add a pair of creative tights to your look.

3.

Animal print: Black and animal prints are a match made in heaven so try adding a pair of leopard heels or a zebra clutch.

4.

Faux fur: If you’re heading out for a night on the town a little black dress and a faux fur jacket

5.

Embellished collars: You can give an old dress a whole new lease of life just by adding an embellished detachable collar.

Fur trim coat £80 Glamorous

Gracie’s shopping list Miles of Smiles Toothy Tabs £5.95 Lush Who says toothpaste needs to be a paste at all? These greattasting solid toothpaste alternatives don’t require synthetic preservatives, are lightweight, travelfriendly, and come in recyclable packaging.

Simply crush the tabs in your mouth and brush as normal with your toothbrush.

Animal print heels £65 Dune

More naked than neutral?

Do you have any tips on how to wear nude

Q coloured clothing? TM, Boscastle

Split sleeve blazer £49 Topshop

Nude is one of the trickiest shades to pull off because it has the ability to instantly wash you out and even worse, make it look like you’re naked. To make sure you don’t get any odd looks as you wander down the High Street follow these simple rules.

Pick a shade that suits your skin tone: Camel coloured hues look great on fair skin while rosy shades are best suited for olive skin tones.

Try a loose silhouette: If you’re new to nude avoid figure-hugging clothes and opt for looser styles instead.

Wrap dress £12.99 H&M

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream £100 www.cultbeauty.co.uk Four years in the making, Charlotte Tilbury refers to her Magic Night Cream as “an anti-ageing, youth-boosting wonder cream-elixir”. Eight youth-boosting ingredients work to improve elasticity and firm skin. Simply massage this overnight facial into your skin and wake up with a film star glow.

Show some skin: A good way to show some contrast between your actual skin tone and your outfit is by showing some real skin.

Nude sandals £20 Simply Be

Stick to one item: A head-to-toe nude look is always a winner but if you’re in doubt, stick to either a nude top or nude bottoms, not both.

Add colour: If you’re still debating whether your look is more naked than neutral try adding a pop of colour with a bright jacket.

Kayleigh round sunglasses £12 Accessorize With their retro top bar and slender goldtone metal frame, these shades are a must have for sun-drenched days at the beach.

Celebrity fans of the round frame trend include Beyonce and Victoria Beckham.

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

27

Gracie_June 3.indd 27

30/05/2017 13:48:34

Silk shirt £149 East

Getting shirty he humble shirt is no longer just for the office. Whether you opt for a long or short sleeve version, silk or linen, there are plenty of ways to incorporate the trend into your summer wardrobe. If you’re a girly girl who usually thinks shirts are too masculine, look no further than the daisy shirt from Dorothy Perkins which will add a fun and feminine touch to any outfit. If you’re brave enough, try teaming a denim shirt like this ruffled one from Simply Be with jeans or denim shorts for a laidback weekend look.

T

Floral shirt £14 George at ASDA

Tie-front shirt £69.50 Oliver Bonas

28

Fashion_June 3.indd 28

30/05/2017 11:17:05

Fashion

Frill shirt £26 Simply Be

Daisy shirt £38 Dorothy Perkins

fave!

This fun daisy print will brighten up your office wardrobe

Silk shirt £79 East

Patchwork shirt £45 Debenhams Vacation shirt £55 Oliver Bonas

Ruffle denim shirt £35 Simply Be

29

Fashion_June 3.indd 29

30/05/2017 11:17:39

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

Ready, set, go!

Up for a last-minute challenge?

Tomorrow Sunday June 4, the Killerton Estate is hosting its first ever duathlon, created by the team behind the Bicton XC Duathlon. The standard race starts at 8.30am and includes a 10k run followed by a 40k cycle and further 5k run, whereas the sprint race starts 10 minutes later and is half the distance. Enter today from £26. You can do it! www.killertonduathlon.com

One-stop shop Out and about in Truro or Penzance this weekend? Pop into Archie Browns, a health food shop and café offering everything from natural body care products to organic household items. Once you have finished browsing the shelves, sample the mouth-watering menu of locally sourced fresh delights such as beetroot and quinoa burgers and toasted banana, almond and cocoa bread. For equally as delicious recipes plus top tips on tackling hay fever and other allergies visit the website. www.archiebrowns.co.uk

AT THE SOURCE Anxiety affects us all in different ways and it’s important to recognise the symptoms so that we can tackle them accordingly. Among the unique physical symptoms listed by Anxiety UK are chest pain and heart palpitations, limb and muscle pain, headaches, blurred vision, spots and acne, difficulty sleeping, dizziness and unhelpful thoughts caused by a feeling of panic. If any of these sound familiar, it’s important to address the root cause rather than the symptom.

30

Boost_June 3.indd 30

30/05/2017 11:40:04

Know your seaweed!

Discover the healing power of the ocean at Clovelly Seaweed Festival on Sunday June 4 from 10am to 5pm. Held in aid of the North Devon Hospice, this Devon day event is a celebration of the immense health and nutritional benefits of this marine algae and will see quay kitchens and stalls offering a range of tempting products as well as seaweed arts and crafts. Throughout the day there will be “know your seaweed” talks, workshops, live music and even seaweed foot spas. Tickets cost £7.25 for adults and £4.40 for children aged seven to 16. www.clovelly.co.uk

With a paddle Whoever said workouts and cocktails were mutually exclusive had clearly never attended a SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) social.

On various dates throughout the summer, Simply Soulful invites you to take part in a low-impact full-body SUP workout as you explore the stunning coastline and secluded creeks of Salcombe and Kingsbridge at sunset before taking to the Island Street Bar and Grill for a cocktail or two. Tickets cost just £10 per person and you must bring your own board and wetsuit. www.simplysoulful.co.uk

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

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

Boost_June 3.indd 31

30/05/2017 11:40:28

Wellbeing

The road less travelled Could regular walking be the key to a healthier life?

1. Walk to work or school Did you know the average Brit spends a whopping £1,000 a year on transport? You can easily cut these costs by walking to work, or walking your kids to school. If you can’t walk the whole way, you can always skip a bus stop or park your You will save car further away to add 20 minutes of walking to a significant your journey. This will amount on fares save a significant amount and fuel, and it on fares and fuel, and make you feel healthier at will make you the same time.

My GP has advised me to take more exercise but I’m pretty unfit and not at all sporty. The gym really doesn’t appeal – have you got any suggestions? PM, Redruth

Q

[[

Joe Irvin, chief executive of Living Streets, says: Walking is one of the easiest (not to mention cheapest) ways of keeping physically active, and taking the scenic route is always more rewarding than sitting on a stuffy bus. But sometimes, it can also be easy for things to get in the way of taking a stroll. feel healthier at A survey by Living Streets last the same time 2. Two birds with one stone year found more than half (54%) Incorporate daily chores of Brits admit they’re reluctant into a lunchtime walk or to make a 20-minute journey on weekend wander. Find foot. Finding time can be a barout where the nearest post office, supermarket rier but one simple way to overcome this is to or bank is and take a stroll during your break weave walking into your daily routine - make to run your errands. You’ll feel energized and it part of your commute or lunch break and stress-free knowing you’re on top of those nagtap into the endless benefits a regular stroll ging jobs, and also add 20 minutes of walking can bring. to your day. Fresh air is also a real mood-boostHere are my five simple ways to work 20 miner, so you’ll have more afternoon energy. utes of walking into your day.

3. Take a mindful meander When a hectic week at work is getting you down, walking is the perfect way to zone out and rid yourself of any negative thoughts. Take time for yourself with a 20-minute stroll and absorb all the sights, smells and sounds of your surroundings. Some fresh air and a change of scenery will help lower your stress levels.

4. Plan a walking adventure Walking is a great way to spend quality time with your loved ones. Instead of sitting indoors or going to the cinema this weekend, why not plan a walking adventure? It’s fun, free and hugely beneficial for everyone’s health and wellbeing.

5. Have lunch al fresco, not al desko As the weather improves, take an al fresco lunch break. Invite your colleagues to join you, pack up a picnic rug and lots of nibbles, and then get walking to find the perfect spot. Some fresh air and a change of scenery will boost your ability to focus and productivity.

For more information and ideas to get moving visit www.livingstreets.org.uk/nwm

32

WB_Foodie_June 3.indd 32

30/05/2017 08:23:22

Food

SMALL BITES

Our pick of what’s on in the Westcountry food world right now A new frontier in expedition food Handmade in Dorset, Firepot by Outdoorfood has been three years in the making and offers a range of lightweight and nutritious dehydrated meals (from £6.50) for the outdoor enthusiast. Their recipes have been developed over months of tweaking, experimenting with flavour combinations and trying out different ingredients to maximise nutrition, not just taste. There is no freeze-drying involved, no preservatives, and no ingredients you won’t recognise. All you have to do is add water. www.outdoorfood.com

Water with a purpose The Venus Company has decided to scrap plastic water bottles from their menus, replacing them with the new go-to alternative taking the UK by storm, CanO Water (£1.90). Committed to protecting the world’s oceans and determined to set the bar high on sustainability, the launch means that all of their cafe and takeaway sites across Devon and Cornwall (Blackpool Sands, East Portlemouth, Bigbury on Sea, Tolcarne, Watergate Bay and their only inland café at The Shops at Dartington) will no longer sell water in plastic bottles. With approximately 8 million tonnes of plastic ending up in the ocean each year, CanO Water offers a highly recyclable alternative.

Go mild!

The South Devon Chilli Farm is lowering the heat with their new Cool Jalapeno Salsa (£2.90). It’s so mild you can scoop up plenty with each chip you dip. As well as using it as a dip, they suggest trying it as a pasta sauce, a pizza topping, with cheese and crackers or even with eggs. www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk

Indian delights Vegetarian and vegan cookery is a way of life for the majority of Indian people and on this full day cooking course you will learn how to make authentic Indian dishes with tutors Jasmine Sharma and Ben Martin of Mahamasala Spice Company. They will share their skills and experience, teaching you how to prepare delicious vegan and vegetarian curries alongside traditional side dishes and breads. Friday June 16, £145, Philleigh Way Cookery School.

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

WB_Foodie_June 3.indd 33

30/05/2017 08:23:56

Enjoy

Your stars

by Cassandra Nye This week’s sign:

Happy birthday to...

Angelina Jolie

Expressive and quick-witted, Gemini represents the twins - two different personalities in one. And you will never be sure which one you will meet. Geminis are sociable, communicative and ready for fun but then there is that tendency suddenly to get serious, thoughtful and restless. Clever and intellectual, they can also be tense and unfocused.

Born June 4, 1975

As one of the most-watched women in the world, Angelina Jolie is a name that needs little introduction. The actress, filmmaker, philanthropist and humanitarian is celebrating her 42nd birthday tomorrow, June 4, and no doubt her six children will make sure it’s a day to remember. Gemini Angelina has recieved an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. She is an advocate for women’s rights, conservation, education and has worked with the United Nations on behalf of refugees.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Make the time to have any heart to heart chats, especially if they are overdue. Help others to see the good things in life rather than dwelling on the difficulties. Keep your social life running along as there are some interesting people on the horizon. Sparkling and shining at the weekend sees you meet up with someone who resembles, in many ways, a long-lost love. How will you respond?

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Slowly, slowly gets you there this week.

Pamper yourself. Go for walks and enjoy the beach or countryside. Laughter and an optimistic attitude draw people to you. Be with friends who make the days glow and the evenings glitter. Spending time with someone from work helps with your career. Do what you really enjoy whenever you are able.

LEO (July 23 - August 23) Exploring the possibilities in all areas of your life is both stimulating and eyeopening this week. Accept any invitations you have time for (you will be busy). Unwilling to accept second best, this week your love of the better things in life shines through. Are you helping a friend to move house or creating fresh ideas for your own home?

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Winning friends and influencing people is what this week is all about. Love is hot and fast and a new love could really bring you to the boil! Current partnerships sizzle in a new way as your imagination goes into overdrive. The full moon at the weekend heralds a time of big demands and big money.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Use your charm and charisma to the full to gain an advantage socially.

Feeling ambitious? Some of those social

connections prove a boon! Those who no longer add anything to your life could see a change in your attitude to them. Moving on is exciting and scary in equal measure but when it is time you have no doubts.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Support is all around you, especially when others see that your success is to their advantage! The Full moon at the weekend is asking you to keep an eye on finances. Even if things look good now, big expenses may be ahead.

Tempting as it may be to make your romantic intentions known to someone you admire, the best time is nearer the end of the month.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Throw yourself right into the middle of what is going on both at work and at home.

In a lucky and busy time your talents really show. Who do you want to impress? Don’t be shy.

The planets are lined up to give your love life a big boost, Sagittarius! Make the most of a crazy and wonderful feeling.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) The chance for personal growth is high and you really do need to make the most of this period. Travel brings both new ideas and new friends. Being distracted by romance is fine.

You are allowed to enjoy yourself ! Indeed, such is the atmosphere that proposals of various kinds are sure to be forthcoming. All aboard the love train!

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Both travel and new people allow you to show off your talents. Treat everyone as your best friend and you will get a brighter response, especially at work. Seek out people who are stimulating and will get you going on new experiences.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) When explaining your ideas to others, try to stay practical. Keep any fantastical thoughts for romance, not for work.

Bringing your social life into work or vice versa can be a good move. Colleagues who are not busy at the weekend can be impressed and courted (in a business way) to great effect.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) A burst of energy this week makes it a great time to find answers to anything.

However, be diplomatic where loved ones are concerned. There are some sensitive souls around. Planning a romantic interlude at the weekend? The Full moon brings luck with both love and finances.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) In a great week for socialising with friends, business matters can be very frustrating. Getting organised at work is best to keep things running smoothly. Do you feel that love is just around the corner? The blessings of Venus fall upon you at the weekend.

34

Stars_June 3.indd 34

30/05/2017 08:12:31

DISCOVER THE DESTINATION ON YOUR DOORSTEP Fly with Skybus to the Isles of Scilly from Exeter, Newquay and Land’s End.

MAKE YOUR ESCAPE Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk or call 01736 334220 #flyscilly

Ads_May 6.indd 2

30/05/2017 13:47:04

Cook

mitch tonks:

Crisp fried slip soles with tartare sauce Mitch says: Dover soles are one of the most sought after fish at the morning’s auction.

It is always sold first and its price is usually determined by the foreign markets as there is huge demand in Spain, Holland and France. Prime sole is about 450g. Meanwhile slipsoles weigh around 250g and when they are skinned and their fins and heads trimmed with scissors you are left with a small lozenge of wonderfully sweet fish that is easily eaten by cutting centrally down the back and just sliding the fillets off the bone.

Serves: 4

You will need: Fishmonger preparation – Fish skinned on both sides with the head removed and the fins and tail trimmed completely 8 slip soles about 250g /9 oz each 2 beaten eggs 150g/5oz flour A couple of handfuls of really fine breadcrumbs Enough vegetable oil for deep frying

Method: For the tartare sauce: 2 egg yolks 1 tsp Dijon mustard Splash of white wine vinegar 300ml/½ pt vegetable oil Squeeze of lemon 1 shallot very finely chopped 1 tbsp finely chopped tarragon 2 gherkins finely chopped 2 tbsp finely chopped capers Salt and pepper

1.

2.

First make the tartare sauce. Whisk together the egg yolks, mustard and vinegar and whilst whisking pour in the oil in a steady stream until you have a thick creamy mayonnaise. Taste and season and add a squeeze of lemon. Then stir in the shallot, tarragon, gherkins and capers. The sauce should be quite piquant and chunky and have the consistency of very thick double cream.

Prepare the soles for deep frying by having in front of you a bowl of the egg yolks, a plate for the flour and a plate for the breadcrumbs. First dip the fish in flour making sure it is well coated, then into egg and lastly in breadcrumbs making sure the fish have a nice even coating. Heat your oil to about 180ºc and gently place the fish into the oil 2

at a time. If you try to do too many at once the temperature of the oil will fall and your fish will not be crisp. After 4-5 minutes the fish should be a lovely golden colour, remove and drain on kitchen paper.

3.

When all the fish are cooked place 2 fish side by side on each plate, place a tablespoon of tartare sauce to the side.

Be sure to pop a wedge of lemon onto each plate as fish cooked in this way is delicious with its juice.

4.

I would eat nothing more than a salad of the season with this magnificent dish.

FISH by Mitch Tonks, Pavilion, photography Chris Terry. Eat out at Mitch’s Seahorse and Rockfish restaurants: www.mitchtonks.co.uk 36

Recipe_HappyHour_June 3.indd 36

30/05/2017 08:20:55

Drink

Happy h ur with drinks expert April Marks

April says: This week I find myself returning to southern Rhône. Rather than the obligatory visit to Châteaneuf-du-Pape I explored the lesser known villages of S e g uret, Gigondas and Cairanne, the latter being the most recent village in the south to be elevated to the status of Cru. On arriving at Domaine Boutinot we were greeted by the distinctive scent of the Garrique (wild flowers and herbs) and a beautifully chilled glass of Les Cerisiers Cotes Du Rhone Rosé – not a bad start to the trip!

It did however get even better from here, the

following morning we took a hike through Boutinot’s vineyards in Cairanne, the hilly terrain gave us quite a hunger so we were intrigued when we were getting close to lunch time and our stroll through the vineyards became a trek into the woods.

An opening revealed a large picnic table and a cave in the bank, inside the cave we discovered two oversized cool bags which had been hidden for us, they were full to the brim with baguettes, cheeses, charcuterie and of course wine! At this point we were approximately 200 metres above sea level and the

They were full to the brim with baguettes, cheeses

charcuterie and of course wine!

famous ‘Mistral’ wind which is great for tempering the climate and keeping pests away from the vines was not so helpful when trying to keep lunch on the table, but memorable all the same.

This was followed by an afternoon in the winery blending Syrah with Grenache and barrel aged Grenache, each of us selecting our perfect mix, I went with a cheeky selection of 20% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 60% oaked Grenache.

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

World gin day!

As if we need an excuse to celebrate the exquisite pleasures of gin ….

Next Saturday 10th June is the official day to celebrate. Why not head over to The New Inn in Roborough who are hosting their own GinFest?

The fun starts at midday, they have thought of everything gin related from gin cocktails to cooking with gin. There will also be a meet the distiller session at 2pm with the guys from Wrecking Coast gin in Tintagel. If that’s not enough to tempt you there is also live music including Big Al and the Wild Strawberries.

Product of the week Boutinot ‘Les Coteaux Schisteux’, Séguret Côtes du Rhône Villages A delicious blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah with 24 months spent in oak barrels giving the wine a beautiful vanilla character, complimenting the pungent, exotic spice, red berry fruit and black pepper.

37

Recipe_HappyHour_June 3.indd 37

30/05/2017 08:21:27

Drink

Darren Norbury

talks beer Beer of the week I’ve been enjoying Firebrand Brewing Co’s Rye PA (5% ABV) at Beer & Bird, a new craft beer bar and chicken restaurant in the heart of St Ives. As you’d expect, rye in the grist gives a bready backbone to this pale ale, with lemon pith bitterness to balance. Easy drinking and very tasty.

EXE MARKS THE SPOT Exe Valley Brewery will be open for beers and tours on the last Saturday of the month this summer. The events, at Land Farm, Silverton, will run from noon until 6pm, with beer, cider and soft drinks available.

Beer festival returns

The beer festival is returning to the Dock Inn, Penzance. The event, from June 23-25, will tie in with the town’s Mazey celebrations and include more than 20 beers from Cornwall and around the country.

here was a time, wasn’t there, when to follow the Americans. Most of the small seemingly all young boys wanted to breweries in the US have carved out success by grow up to be engine drivers. Now staying local and being a brewpub, or at the very you’d be forgiven for thinking they least having a taproom that opens at regular – and the girls, too – all harboured times. Go back two centuries and this was the ambitions to be brewers. So many breweries model in the UK, with many brewhouses behind around, yet where does all that beer go? pubs, beer being served from the cellar via jugs.

I’ve been looking through the What Pub? Even with industrial estate sites, breweries are website lately, part of the CAMRA empire, as part finding that the addition of a taproom is a vital of a research project. The site lists pretty much money-making operation. On a Friday afternoon all the pubs in the UK and which beers they serve. you’ll find me at Coastal Brewery where there are And what’s noticeable is how few breweries are generally three house-brewed beers available, actually mentioned. Here in and this works too at venues such the West Country, for instance, as Totnes Brewing Co (in town) a typical entry for a free house and Stannary Brewing Co (bit might be two pump of, say, out of town). Some even have From a tourism Tribute and Otter, and two guest their own proper pubs, such as point of view, a pumps from a brewery like Cornish Crown, in Penzance, and taste of the region O’Hanlons or Tintagel.

The Beer Engine, at Newton St Those last two might not be Cyres, near Exeter, not forgetting to take home regional sized, but they’re pretty Helston’s famous Blue Anchor. or order online big breweries and they’re being Local beer for local people work well for our ‘considered’ as guest beers. increases choice, cuts down So what about those smaller transport costs and has the reputation as breweries who are surviving additional benefit of making producers very well thank you? In many our wonderful West Country an cases, the difference between even more attractive proposition success and failure lies with: a for the tourist foodie or beer taproom. aficionado. The other big player Think about it. You can make great beer, but in small brewers’ fortunes is packaging, and we if you can’t sell it it’s a useless achievement. are seeing bottled and canned beer growth like With much of the pub stock chain- or regional never before. Again, from a tourism point of brewery-owned, it’s a difficult market to crack, view, a taste of the region to take home or order and if even freehouses are going with reliable, online work well for brewers and our reputation decent-sized breweries, what chance does a as producers. Small is beautiful. newcomer have?

Darren Norbury is editor of beertoday.co.uk As in so many fields, we are now starting @beertoday

T

[[

38

USE THIS_Beer_Culturevulture_June 3.indd 38

30/05/2017 08:31:58

Enjoy

culture vulture Our pick of the most interesting and exciting things to see and do right now in the South West A line-up of outdoor performances This summer, the lawns of Bedruthan will be transformed into an immersive clifftop theatre, complete with a well-stocked bar, street food stalls and a line-up of lively performances. The season will commence on Thursday June 22 with a performance of The Third Policeman by the Miracle Theatre Company and will be followed by Illyria Theatre, who will perform their award-winning adaptation of the timeless Hans Christian Andersen story The Emperor’s New Clothes on the 2nd and 15th of August.

Tickets from £12, Bedruthan Hotel and Spa, Mawgan Porth.

Awe inspiring installations

The best in British craft Set in idyllic surroundings on the edge of Dartmoor, The Contemporary Craft Festival is brimming with opportunities to meet and buy work directly from nearly 200 of your favourite or newly-found makers. The aim of the fair is to showcase the very best in British craft and create a new, sustainable and strong marketplace for contemporary pieces while bringing greater prosperity to the town of Bovey Tracey.

Friday June 9 – Sunday June 11, £9, Mill Marsh Park, Bovey Tracey. www.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk

Renowned sculptor Andrew Logan is set to open an exhibition of contemporary art titled The Art of Reflection at the National Trust’s Buckland Abbey in Devon. The exhibition interprets the history and spirit of the abbey in 18 Logan sculptures, placed in 13 selected locations throughout the house and gardens, including in the Great Barn, Kitchen Garden and the historic Cart Pond. A major attraction will be Andrew Logan’s new jewel and painted glass portrait of Sir Francis Drake, Buckland’s most celebrated owner. Saturday July 1 – February 2018. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland 39

USE THIS_Beer_Culturevulture_June 3.indd 39

30/05/2017 08:32:31

In good taste Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod discovers an oasis of style and a sensational seasonal menu at Fistral Beach Hotel’s Dune Restaurant igh ceilings, swathes of soft gauzy white material draped to the floor and luxurious chandeliers all combine to set the scene for a coastal dining experience that is far from typical. Boyfriend Zane and I have just arrived at Fistral Beach Hotel’s Dune Restaurant for an elegant evening meal. We both agree that it is lovely to have a chance to dress up while visiting this iconic beach in Newquay, which is normally associated with a much more relaxed aesthetic.

Our window table has a sea view and the soft lighting and shining glassware add to the romantic atmosphere. A quick perusal of the menu tells me we are in for a treat. It is awash with seasonal produce and seems to be a veritable tapestry of flavours. Our very patient waitress has to visit us no less than three times before we have managed to make up our minds on our food. On her second visit we manage to settle on a bottle of wine, Urmeneta Merlot (£19.50).

It proves to be the catalyst for our decision making and we settle in, happily sipping while

H

we talk about our plans for the next day. These mostly involve the beach, given that the hotel where we will be staying the night is a mere stone’s throw from world class surf.

Our starters arrive, each one presented with beautiful attention to detail. They’re the perfect portion size, just large enough to take the edge off our hunger.

Zane has opted for the Indonesian spiced crab cake with c u r r i e d c a u l i fl owe r (£7.50) and I’ve gone for the venison and black pudding scotch egg with celeriac remoulade (£7.50). The crabcake is full of strong warm flavours with a lovely crisp batter.

Comforting and moreish. My scotch egg is fun to eat, made up of about five very lovely sharp and savoury bites.

Our mains arrive and Zane’s eyes widen at the size of his feast. He has treated himself to the 8oz fillet (£24). A stack of extra chunky handcut chips lie next to what looks like a contender for steak of the year. A bowl housing a tower of onion rings is placed nearby, and I snaffle one while Zane is admiring his plate. Satisfying crunch followed by a full sweetness - delicious.

My pan-roasted cod loin with chorizo, mussels and white wine (£18) gets me excited just looking at it. Smoky, spicy chorizo, briny mussels and fresh cod all vie for my fork’s attention when I dive in.

My first mouthful is a combination of all three and it really is heavenly.

Meanwhile all has gone suspiciously quiet at Zane’s end of the table. I look up to see him inspecting a sliver of steak with a look that can only be described as reverence. “You know,” he says. “I think this could be the best steak I have

‘You know...I think this

could be the best steak

I have ever eaten’

40

Fistral_Beach_Hotel_restaurant_review.indd 40

30/05/2017 11:06:09

Enjoy How they scored...

Food



Atmosphere



Service



Price

Dinner for two with wine was £76.50

ever eaten.” He was raised in South Africa, and is the son of a restaurateur – so this is not a comment to be taken lightly. I’m impressed.

The chips are the very definition of man-food.

Oversized golden rectangles that seem made for dipping. In our case it was peppercorn sauce, punchy, full bodied and incredibly more-ish.

The semingly impossible-to-finish pile of chips steadily dissappears in its presence.

The service is of as high a standard as the food. Simultaneously friendly and discreet, we find that there is always someone on hand when we need them but we never feel them hovering nearby. Our plates are cleared away and a dessert menu offered, but we simply can’t eat another mouthful. We both bemoan this as we browse the menu. The selection looks inspired.

“There’s only one thing for it,” says Zane as we head back up to our room. “We’ll have to eat there again tomorrow night.” I suspect his motivations are more steak-based then ice-cream inspired.

But, after a meal like that, I don’t argue. Table for two please. www.fistralbeachhotel.co.uk 41

Fistral_Beach_Hotel_restaurant_review.indd 41

30/05/2017 11:06:39

The bus stops here Natalie Millar-Partridge discovers a Canadian school bus that has been transformed into a quirky Dorset retreat n 2015, whilst travelling across Alberta, Canada, Tom McConnell made the decision to buy an old school bus, with a view to making it his home for the remainder of his trip. “I took nearly every penny I earned fighting wildfires that summer and invested it into stripping out and converting the bus into a tiny home in Calgary, over the course of six months,” he reminisces.

Fast forward to 2017 the bus has a new home in Dorset. Now dubbed 'Bus ‘n’ Breakfast' it offers a charming addition to the modern ‘glamping’ experience, with everything from the design to the execution being carried out by Tom and his wife Ella.

“We wanted the bus to feel cosy, yet fresh - a chance to be warm and comfortable, with the sense of being immersed in nature. It was also important that the interior reflected the journey the bus has taken,” says Tom. As the bus was originally designed to home Tom during his time working in Canada throughout a -22 degree winter, this influenced many of

I

the decisions during the renovation process.

“Once back in the UK, we were able to lighten up the décor, for a more 'outside in' feeling to the space. The log burner is a rare Canadian model and creates a great ambience whilst dispersing a lot of heat,” Tom says of the burner that saw him complete a five-hour drive to Vancouver to

The end result is a hideaway that seems to capture the essense of laid-back living collect.

“When we got back to England I was able to renovate the kitchen properly too. After living in the bus while overseas, I had a much better understanding of what was needed,” says Tom.

The decor vision - an interior that reflected their journey in the Canadian Rockies - proved a lot of fun to execute.

“All of the pictures and ornaments were collected from our travels across Canada. We collected the pebbles for the pebble floor in the bathroom from a river in Kelowna and picked up the toilet from a boat yard in Vancouver Island,” says Tom. “We also tried to reuse existing features from the bus wherever possible, for example the mirror in the bathroom was the original rear view mirror and the clothes rail, the original hand rail. The bathroom sink was an Ebay find for £20 and the taps I made myself from copper piping.

All of the fabrics were sourced locally in Dorset from Duck & Weave fabrics and my mum helped with the sewing.”

It was always important to the couple to emphasise the space by bringing as much light into the bus as possible.

“The white keeps the space fresh and allows the unique features to stand out. When creating a home in a bus, it's important to make decisions

42

Scoop_bus n stay_June 3.indd 42

30/05/2017 13:54:04

Enjoy

based on creating a feeling of space wherever possible,” he explains. The large-leafed plants were sourced from No Guts, No Glory, Exeter and add to a sense of bringing the outdoors in.

Much of the initial work to the bus was done using hand tools, leaving lots of less-than-perfect details, adding to the authenticity.

Original features have been kept where possible, such as the driver’s hub that is still intact.

“We love that people's first impression of the bus is the old school drivers seat and huge steering wheel, we often see photos of guests sitting up there, which is great,” Tom enthuses.

The initial stages of renovation to Bus ‘n’ Breakfast took Tom around two months to complete; this included gutting the bus, planning the layout, all of the foundational work such as laying floors and cladding the walls - made out of 10cm waxed and treated pine planks, insulation and building the bed and kitchen.” The second stage took Tom another couple of months and was mainly spent on re-design and improvements including the oak worktops that were cut to shape, sourced from Homebase.

“The majority of the building materials came from a hardware store in Canada called Rona.

However, we tried to source as much as possible from recycling stores. We wanted to keep our use of new materials to a minimum, so often materials would not necessarily match throughout. It's this mismatch of materials that gives the bus the genuine, homemade feel that we so love,” he enthuses.

“We spent three years living in Melbourne with bright colours and light rooms, followed by time in Canada with white snow and cosy fires we wanted to bring some of both experiences to the bus, and we think it has worked nicely.

The end result is a hideaway that seems to capture the very essence of laid back living, with a simple backdrop, a clean aesthetic and all the comfort required to truly relax.

For further information on Bus ‘n’ Breakfast visit: http://www.busnbreakfast.com 43

Scoop_bus n stay_June 3.indd 43

30/05/2017 13:54:26

The view from Bench Tor, Dartmoor

My Secret Westcountry Malcolm Snelgrove Equestrian and outdoor lifestyle photographer Malcolm Snelgrove is an ambassador for Visit Dartmoor.

He lives near Hatherleigh with his wife Juliette, dogs Buzz and Harry, Crombie the coloured cob and Star, a Welsh section D pony.

My favourite:

Bovey Castle, North Bovey

Walk: I love all 368 square miles that Dartmoor has to offer. The walking is extraordinary, from vast and precipitous outcrops of granite that make up the numerous tors, to the extensive expanse of mires that are criss-crossed by pony and sheep paths. There’s forestry to explore and ancient clapper bridges, stone crosses and Bronze Age remains to discover. Dartmoor’s vast expanse never fails to inspire me and with folklore and myths shrouding each place in mystery, it’s a place that never disappoints.

I also love the Two Bridges Hotel where the delicious crayfish sandwiches washed down with an ice-cold drink or a cup of tea are perfect lunchtime fare.

Place to eat:

View:

The Forest Inn at Hexworthy has recently re-opened and it’s a great central location on Dartmoor. The food is fantastic and it is the perfect place to stop for lunch if you are out and about on the moors. It’s on the way round from Dartmeet, to Coombestone Tor and Bench Tor, and is a regular route for my photography workshops which is great for our lunch breaks.

Weekend escape:

Bovey Castle ticks all the boxes for Juliette and I. It’s in a great location, the food is wonderful, and there are fabulous outdoor activities there too. We’ve been there a couple of times, even though it is so close to home, as it is a great escape.

Bench Tor looks out across the Dart Valley and has one of the most stunning views for the landscape photographer. It is also easily accessible for walkers and riders.

Pub: We really enjoy the Duke of York at Iddesleigh where they serve traditional beer. My dad Richard is a true Cockney having been born

within the sounds of London’s Bow Bells. He loves a good pint of light and bitter and enjoys a local beer or a bottle of the pale ale there too.

They also do good pub food. It’s where Michael Morpurgo gained inspiration for the film War Horse when he chatted to World War I veteran Wilfred Ellis beside the fire more than 30 years ago. It’s a lovely village with an old church and its just 20 minutes from where we live.

Food: You can’t beat a good pasty and my local pasty stop is the Lydford Farm Shop. They are made with puff pasty so they are nice and flaky with big chunks of vegetables. They sell loads of really great local produce there too.

We are so lucky in Devon to be blessed with such great food and other favourites are a Devon Ruby Red steak and locally shot venison. A Salcombe crab sandwich is also a must if we are in South Devon.

44

MSW_June 3.indd 44

30/05/2017 08:36:01

People

The Needle at Dewerstone Rocks

Drink:

I love luscombe drinks and the whole range is lovely especially the elderflower and ginger beer. I buy caseloads directly from them and it would be a sad day if I couldn’t go to the fridge for an ice-cold glass of luscombe.

Secret place:

Sitting on top of the Needle or Ravens at Dewerstone Rocks and looking up the valley or straight down if you’re not scared of heights is quite special. I’ve actually had meetings there as it’s refreshing and even though it’s a reasonably busy area for walkers and rock climbers, not many go onto the Needle or Ravens. It has the most stunning views, and its very peaceful. You can sit there and while away the hours watching all the wildlife.

Photography workshops are available on Dartmoor with Malcolm. Visit www.malcolmsnelgrove.com for details.

Two Bridges Hotel

Luscombe drinks 45

MSW_June 3.indd 45

30/05/2017 14:24:09

My life

CHRIS MCGUIRE

What’s on the box?

Chris McGuire tunes into auctions, aspiring chefs and interviews he expert pulls the kind of face only the show where two (highly paid) experts travel a mother could love. the nation in, vastly expensive, classic (gas-guz“Interesting,” he says, which, to zling) cars to sell junk at auction in the laudable be honest, is stretching it a bit. “This hope of raising £7.34 for charity. Genius. is a very good example of its type.”

2) If you want to be famous, get ‘an issue’. SeThe woman nods in a manner riously, anyone with the desire reminiscent of a puppy hoping to to sit on one of the myriad of fed. “We thought that. A very good daytime sofas (selling their This week, I’ve example.” latest book/DVD/show) needs watched more “Bet she didn’t,” I mutter, beto have had ‘a struggle’. Sadly, it than my fair tween spoonfuls of cornflakes. seems all the best struggles “So,” she says, tentatively. “What have already been taken, share of daytime do you think it’s worth?” so the rubbish ones are TV. And the The expert pulls that face again. now getting an airing: worrying thing is…

After a long constipated pause, he “Obviously, as everyspeaks. one knows, it’s been I’ve really quite “At auction, I’d say £3 to £5.” hard for me this last enjoyed it The woman’s face crumples, year, with my addicdreams of holidays in Barbados tion to bubble-wrap,” fade. announces some “That’s nice,” she says, in a barely audible complete non-entity. “At one stage,” whisper. “OK, I’d like to take my can opener to their bottom lip quivers, “I was auction.” popping over 1000 bubbles before “Great! How do you think you’ll spend the breakfast.” Cue sympathetic nodmoney?” ding and the ‘If you’ve been “On a new can opener!” I shout. affected by the need to pop Sam, my 11 month-old son, giggles. This may bubble wrap…’ helpline info. be approval of my wit, or perhaps he’s just re3) Cooking is the national moved a sock? obsession. Words like ‘platYes, this week, I’ve watched more than my fair ing’ and ‘texture’ have share of daytime TV. And the worrying thing is… (somehow) crept into my I’ve really quite enjoyed it. vocabulary. “I need to think I’m a SAHD – Stay At Home Dad (for the unharder about plating and initiated). I look after my son, Sam, three days ensure I get a range of texof the week. Yet, the phrase ‘Stay At Home’ is a tures…” sobs a grandmother, bit misleading, as we try to get out and about – I spooning alphabetti spaghetti don’t like being stuck inside. This week, however, into a bowl, as a Michelin– due to illness and whatnot (mainly illness), I’ve starred chef breathes down her found myself housebound watching a lot of dayneck. Everyone, it seems, wants time TV. So what have I learned? to ‘take their food to the next level’ 1) Everyone else on the planet seems on the (apparently placing your SPAM fritverge of attending an auction. Where would dayter into a lift doesn’t count). I’ve just time TV be without auctions? “Better!” I hear watched someone serve ‘deconstructed you cry. Any advances on better? My favourite is toast’, it was just bread, butter and jam.

T

[[

Sam and I cried with laughter, although that might have been the sock again.

I’ve got to say, if you’ve got time during the day, I’d recommend you switch on your telly – it’s strangely cathartic; like chewing gum for the eyes.

Who knows, sometime soon, you might see a new show about a SAHD who’s given a vast amount of money to spend on anything he fancies (mainly chocolate and beer)! Assuming the commissioners get my pitch, that is.

Chris McGuire is a writer and new dad. If he you seem him walking quickly, he’s probably off to an auction. @McGuireski

NEXT WEEK: Phil Goodwin on love, life and parenting in the Westcountry 46

ChrisM_June 3.indd 46

30/05/2017 08:37:52

LIVE THE

town this e m 53 Likes o h y m in un’s shining s e h T h it m s matt ve #LymeBay li n o v e d @ afternoon!

17 MINUTES

AGO

Get instant access to breaking news and sport, all the latest local entertainment, property, motors and business now...

Ads_May 6.indd 3

devonlive.com 30/05/2017 13:43:59

DREAMING OF

SPRING STYLES

drakecircus.com

Ads_May 6.indd 1

30/05/2017 13:41:09