West Magazine June 10 2017

ON 10.06.17

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WIN:

Weekend adventure ideas

A coastal hotel break worth over £500

INSIDE:

Somerset’s new botanical gin

FASHION’S FUTURE ‘I truly believe we can make a difference’

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DREAMING OF

SPRING STYLES

drakecircus.com

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“I knew that if I just answered the questions wrong I would have more friends at school… but I never did.”

Kalkidan Legesse sticks to her guns, p16

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BRIGHT IDEAS Lighting takes centre stage

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MELLOW YELLOW Summer’s must-have shade

[contents[ Inside this week...

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THE WISHLIST Our pick of the best treats this week

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JUST BETWEEN US...

Sh! We have all the latest gossip

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DRIFTWOOD DREAMS Chris Mowe’s unique creations

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FASHION CONSCIENCE

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JUICY DETAILS Could a juice cleanse restore your health?

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SEAFOOD HEAVEN Try this squid dish by Mitch Tonks

Can a boutique change the world?

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LIGHT UP, LIGHT UP Radiant glow - for the home

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JUST ASK GRACIE

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GO FOR GOLD Sip on Taste of the West winners

Our style guru solves your problems

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SUMMER SUN Why yellow is your new best friend

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BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Great ways to feel your best this week

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

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YOUR STARS THIS WEEK Cassandra Nye has your latest horoscope

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SECRET WESTCOUNTRY Where to go, what to do

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A HINT OF...NETTLE? Columnist Phil Goodwin goes wine tasting

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ADVENTURE AWAITS

A weekend with the new Ford Kuga 3

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FASHION CONSCIENCE

When fair trade is also fabulous

[ welcome [ Blue sky thinking - Westcountry style... recently heard the most delightful saying on Headspace, a meditation app: “Even on an overcast day, the blue sky is still present.” What a lovely thought, and definitely applicable to our Westcountry summers.

The rain may visit, but there is still plenty to do, see and celebrate here. Grey day browsing doesn’t get much better than at Sancho’s Dress in Exeter. This quirky store is a calm space full to the brim with ethical, fairtrade fashion. No hessian trousers in sight either - think striped staples, botanical shifts and eye-catching accessories. Prepare to be tempted

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on p16. Temptation is central to our drinks expert April Marks’ column this week too, including the hottest spot to sip gins overflowing with botanicals while listening to soulful jazz (p39).

And when the sun eventually peeks out, there’s no finer playground than ours.

I had a wonderful weekend at The St Moritz Hotel in Cornwall recently - in flip flops and short sleeves. Even the A30 roadworks en route couldn’t break my stride, thanks to Vospers who lent me a top-of-the-range Ford Kuga for the weekend (p42).

Come rain or shine, I hope you enjoy this edition, and your weekend.

[

The rain may visit but there is still plenty to do, see and celebrate here

of the week @tonyjolagoodman I trust the Hello Gorgeous headline relates to me.

Ed’s note: But of course Tony!

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

Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod

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

COVER IMAGE: Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod

MEET THE TEAM Becky Sheaves, Editor

Phil Goodwin

Kathryn Clarke-McLeod

Gillian Molesworth

Cathy Long

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If you do one thing this week...

Why not plan a mini-break in a fabulous Cornish hotel? The Headland Hotel is an iconic Victorian building perched on the coast beside Newquay’s renowned surf spot, Fistral Beach. Family-owned, the hotel has now been brought right up to date for the 21st century with luxury bedrooms and a £5 million spa.

Book for a stay this June and you’ll receive a £60 voucher for the hotel’s acclaimed Samphire restaurant what are you waiting for? For more details see www.headlandhotel.co.uk

Win

A mini-break for two with dinner at the Headland Hotel, Newquay, worth up to £540. The lucky winner will receive a two-night break in an ocean view room with dinner on the first night and breakfast both mornings, plus use of the hotel’s leisure area. Dates to be taken before the end of April 2018, excluding school holidays. To enter, tell us the name of the famous surf beach beside the Headland Hotel. Send your answer, with your name, address, email and phone number to: Headland Hotel competition, westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk to arrive by June 23. Alternatively, you can post your entry to West magazine, The Western Morning News, Queen’s House, Little Queen Street, Exeter EX4 3LJ. Normal terms apply, West will not share your details.

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GROOVY

Oven glove £15 Debenhams

Knit cushion £16 Sainsbury’s Home

the

wishlist

EAT OUT

Outdoor pizza oven £1,875 Cuckooland

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

Picnic chair £58 Amara

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Wishlist

Reed diffuser £32 Cuckooland

HOLDALL Storage basket £19 Oliver Bonas

Tapas set £85 Amara

Round mirror £399 Houseology

Wedge sandal £20 Simply Be

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talking points Gillian Molesworth

Story of my life...

To bid or not to bid, that is the question read something inspirational on Facebook that said that if the next piece of clothing that everyone bought was second hand rather than new, it would save a piece of rainforest the size of France, or patch a hole in the ozone layer, or something like that. Something inspirational, anyway. week later.

Fine, I thought. I can do that.

Here’s what I have discovered Having dropped a dress size about buying clothes on eBay: due to my equine activities over 1. The sellers don’t describe the winter, I am now busting them very well. Imagine my out the summer wardrobe, and dismay when I realised that finding once again that nothing both pairs of denim shorts were fits me. So, I need new clothes. hipsters. Literally who does that Do I want to spend my days shopflatter? What woman, however ping and trying things on? No. twiggy, doesn’t have a little abDo I want to save the rainforest/ dominal bulge? I swear hipsters ozone? Yes. The answer? eBay. were designed to make us feel inI revived my secure. The blazer, rather dormant it turns out, was account, looked a raincoat. That Do I want to up “women’s would have been size 8”, and bid useful to know. spend my days on about fifteen 2. The same size shopping? No. things right off varies dramatithe bat. Denim cally across labels.

Do I want to save shorts. Capri The capri trousers the rainforest/ pants. A white fit like a glove: ozone? Yes. lacy dress. A one pair of shorts top. A red blazer I could barely The answer? which I thought wiggle over my eBay would look smart backside, unbutwith my work toned. I am now outfits. My lowest looking at a 10. bid was £3, and my highest, £6.

3. If you buy clothes in this My phone started chiming at way, unless you are thorough at me over the next few days as I asking questions before bidding, won some and lost some. be prepared to have about a 30% The packages started arriving success rate of what fits and from all over the country. One what looks good. posted from Manchester was On the plus side, I haven’t wrapped in pink tissue paper. paid any more than £6 for any One from Hull was wrapped in of them, so even with the waste a recycling bag and sealed with they’re a good return on investelectrical tape. From Wales arment. It feels a bit like a stock rived a brown envelope with a portfolio: calculated risk. compliments slip inside. Some Am I saving the rainforest? arrived the next day, some a Not sure. But it beats Primark.

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HIGHLAND

fashion fling Attending the Met Gala last month, Jennifer Connelly opted for a thigh grazing tartan wool mini dress with a high neck and long sleeves from Louis Vuitton. Although the heavy fabric would work best during winter, you could go for a sleeveless version or opt for bare legs like Connelly when it’s warmer.

Fit and flare dress £30 Bonmarché

steal her

style

OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN

OPTION B Flirty Check pattern skater dress £28 Apricot

OPTION A Formal Tweed look shift dress £39 Apricot

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

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10.06.17

THE SKY (BAR) IS THE LIMIT What happens to professional rugby players when they retire?

Well, Josh Lewsey, who played for England – as part of the world cup winning team, no less - and the British Lions, now lives in St Agnes, Cornwall. He’s keeping busy, though, running Sky Bar, a huge travelling party marquee that pops up and creates a lot of fun. “We want to create wholesome, fun nights, themed around music, that hopefully we’re not too old to enjoy,” says Josh.

Just

“It’s about beautiful views and upand-coming artists”. This summer, Sky Bar will be in Falmouth June 8,9 and 10; Harlyn Bay June 16-17; Torquay July 6-8 and Exeter July 21-22. Expect great food, a gin bar, DJs, cocktails, live entertainment and stunning locations. Sounds like fun to us!

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

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AROUND THE WORLD WITH JOSS

DIVORCE IS NO JOKE Hooray! Funny man Rob Brydon is bringing his stand-up comedy show to Plymouth Pavilions this September.

We can’t wait. Rob’s great fun to watch but he admitted recently his divorce from his first wife left him deeply scarred: “When I hear of contemporaries getting divorced, I’m broken-hearted,” he told The Sunday Times.

“They’ll often talk to me at the relief stage – the stage of having decided to separate.

“I’ll think, you’ve no idea. You. Have.

No. Idea.

“I wouldn’t wish divorce on anybody.”

Rob has never shied away from speaking about his love for his family. He has three older children: Katie, 22, Harry, 20, and Amy, 17, from his first marriage, and two young sons – George, five, and Tom, eight– with his second wife, TV producer Clare Holland. “I’ve got five wonderful children.”

“As they get older and start going off and doing their own thing, I find I’m happiest at big family occasions when everyone is there.” West says: Sweet!

See Rob on Wednesday September 27.

Joss Stone is travelling the world right now in a bid to play a gig in every country of the whole world. It’s quite an ambition but she has recently managed to tick Togo off her list.

She also found time to come back to Devon, where she grew up and still has her home.

She said on Twitter that she was “Excited I will be playing at @exeterpride today to help support & raise awareness for the LGBT community xxx” Now Joss, whose real name is Joscelyn Eve Stoker, is back off on her travels again – last night she played a gig in Harare, Zimbabwe, where she shared the stage with local performers on her world tour which is taking her to 196 countries.

Thamsanqa Moyo, 19 was set to sing with Joss and said beforehand that she was thrilled to have the opportunity: “For starters it is such an honour to share the stage with a world-renowned artiste and an internationallyrecognised female force, not to mention Grammy Award-winning one as well.”

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Anyone for beer? Revellers at the Fal River Festival

in pictures Nature’s fireworks: Dayle Campbell captured the recent storm over Plymouth

All dressed up: A young spectator enjoys the fun at the Victorian Festival in St Agnes Eyes front: A member of the Devon & Dorset Rifles who paraded through Exeter 10

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talking points

A HISTORY

of the

WEST in

100

objects 49: ANGLO-SAXON PENNY

The best way to:

LEARN TO SURF The Westcountry has the best surf in the country so why not make this the summer that you have a go?

Easy does it: Gwithian is a beautiful place to learn to surf and conditions are perfect for beginners. The gently sloping nature of the beach means that surf forms and breaks very slowly, giving aspiring surfers more time to get to their feet.

The Gwithian Academy of Surfing offers individual or group lessons, with a variety of courses to try out.

Lessons cost from £20. www.surfacademy.co.uk

On your feet: Croyde Surf Academy in north Devon has a “guaranteed to get you standing” approach to surf lessons. Their beginner lessons start with an assessment of your strengths and physical ability and they will adapt their coaching techniques to suit you. Their headquarters are in an eye-catching big blue bus overlooking

Croyde Bay. Lessons start at £35. www.croydesurfacademy.co.uk

Just discover: Discovery Surf School in south Devon offers lessons at both Challborough and Bigbury beaches in the South Hams. Their two-hour Beginner Surf Lesson costs £38 and provides an introduction into surfing, including important information on beach safety and basic surfing knowledge. They also offer a one-hour taster session for £20 and an all-day surf camp for kids for £60 a day in the school holidays. www.discoverysurf.com

Minted at Lydford, AD 973–5 Julien Parsons is the Senior Collections Officer, The Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter.

He says: Archaeology is often likened to detective work. The clues to solving this week’s case come from a silver coin about the size of a modern penny. On one side (obverse) there is a portrait bust of a robed figure, complete with inscription: EADGAR REX ANGLOR. The other side (reverse) bears a small cross and the words EDERED M-OT ON LYD. Let’s start with the easier bit. The obverse depicts King Edgar who, in AD 959, succeeded to the throne of ‘all England’. It was still a novel concept at the time: his uncle Athelstan was the first to claim the title in AD 927. The reverse is a bit trickier. It tells us Aethered was responsible for producing the coin – the moneyer– and it was struck (using a disc of silver, a hammer and a die) at Lydford, in west Devon.

Lydford was an Anglo-Saxon burh,

or fortified settlement. However, the precise location of its coin mint remains unknown, and most Lydford coins are not found in Lydford… or the West Country… or even Britain. Most come from Scandinavia, as the greatest challenges for Edgar during his reign were related to Vikings. Not only their raids – they attacked Lydford in AD 997 – but also the economic impact on the new kingdom of silver flowing across the North Sea in ransoms, or Danegeld, needed to buy peace.

#49

Well established: Newquay Activity Centre Surf School has been offering individual and group surf lessons on the world famous Fistral beach for more than 20 years. Small groups and experienced staff mean that it is easy to progress while you have fun.

Taster lessons for beginners cost £35 and a private one-to-one lesson costs £80. www.newquayactivitycentre.co.uk

On display in gallery 3, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter

Competition winner: Congratulations to Mrs Pat Hart of Axminster who wins a three course meal for two at Marco’s Steakhouse in Plymouth, with a bottle of wine, worth up to £100.

Ed’s note: This is Pat’s second win in West, we think you should take a Euromillions ticket Pat!

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photography: john freddy jones

People

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GettinG crafty in cornwall Sarah Pitt talks to chris Mowe about making folk art in a studio tucked away by the sea t takes a little while to persuade Chris Mowe to talk about his art.

“I call myself a maker, I don’t see it as fine art stuff,” he says, as we sit having a cup of tea surrounded by objects that he makes, which to my eyes are undeniably art. Three-dimensional art.

He creates creatures, foxes and hares, whales, sea birds and fish, out of wood that is reclaimed, found on the beach and even begged from friends.

After hours of work of crafting in his workshop near Zennor in the west of Cornwall, and painstaking applications of paint for a distressed look, they emerge to be displayed on window sills and walls, in homes and galleries.

Chris’s workshop is packed with pieces of wood and scraps of metal waiting to be turned into his next charming creation. So too is one

I

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People

corner of his garden, here overlooking the far west coast of Cornwall.

“All my life, I’ve wandered around picking things up,” says Chris, 72. “In the past, I worked as an antique dealer, so I’d be picking things up to sell. Now I make things out of what I find. If they sell, it’s a bonus.”

And sell they do - a bird sculpture costs £225 and they are proving increasingly popular. On the day I visit, Chris is welcoming visitors for Cornwall Open Studios. It is the first time he has taken part in the event, which sees art-lovers make a pilgrimage to studios across the county.

Indeed, while we are talking, a couple arrive who have made a special trip to see his work.

Cornwall Open Studios is in aid of the Cornwall Air Ambulance, fittingly, which saved Chris’s life after he suffered a sudden heart attack at home, landing in the field by his house and whisking him to hospital two years ago. “A friend of mine gave me an electric saw and that started off my revival. I started doing my woodwork again. It absolutely helped me get over my illness. It is part of the recuperation process.”

Chris has never had any formal training “apart from woodwork at school”, but he discovered a love for naïve art when he was asked to source a wooden weather vane for an American client back in his antique-dealing days. The friendlylooking wooden chickens which now decorate his shelves were inspired by these pieces.

He says he starts with a piece of wood, then decides what he is going to make out of it, working in his workshop every day. “I’m looking for pieces with textures and weathering,” he says.

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His son-in-law’s sawmill near Ottery St Mary in east Devon is the source of some of his materials, as are the beaches near where he lives. A recent campervan trip to Scotland, meanwhile, yielded some interesting reclaimed wood and metal oddments. Sometimes Chris uses some really old pieces, like the piece of a boat which he mounted wooden hares on. A friend who is dismantling a building has given him some old timbers dating from the 1500s, blackened by fire. Chris’s partner Sara is a craftswoman in her own right, making animal and bird figures from wool and textiles in the primitive folk art tradition. Her pieces sit on a shelf alongside Chris’s flying foxes, whales and birds.

In the early 1980s Chris invented his own range of chalk paints, called Colourman Paints to create the time-worn look he was after for his creations. That business is still thriving and is now run by his daughter Rachel. He uses the paints to this day - each of his wooden creatures is given a custom finish, often with one layer of

paint built up over another. One wooden bird looks like it has been fired from clay, a glossy green with splashes of other colours. The effect, says Chris, is achieved with layers of paint and a top coat of varnish. “I’ll often see an unusual glaze on a piece of pottery that I like and think I’d like to do that in wood,” he says.

While Chris originally hails from Staffordshire, he spent a lot of time on the road as an antiques dealer travelling the country.

He’d come to the far west of Cornwall to visit dealers in Penzance and on holiday with his family.

“When I used to come down to Cornwall, I would think how nice it would be to have a workshop looking out to sea, and to be here making things. And one day, recently, I realised it had happened ” says Chris. “I do realise how lucky I am to be living and working in this beautiful part of the world.”

Chris Mowe Folk Art, chrismowe44@gmail.com, 07552 606881 or 01736 787420

‘I used to think how nice it would be to have a

workshop in Cornwall’

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fashion with a heart fenella tobey meets the inspiring young exeter shopkeeper who is combining fair trade with covetable fashion

photography: kathryn clarke-mcleod

S

ancho’s Dress is a little independent shop tucked away on Fore Street in Exeter, selling clothes and gifts that are not only bright and beautiful, but have an impressive ethical pedi-

gree, too.

The shop (and online business) is run by a young woman called Kalkidan Legesse and was started up in 2015, just after Kalkidan had graduated from Exeter University. Inspired by her own roots in Ethiopia, where she lived until she was five, Kalkidan now sources and sells Ethiopian crafts and fashions in her shop.

"People in Ethiopia are incredibly talented," she explains. "They take such pride in their work and make beautiful hand-loomed fabrics.

I thought if I could provide a workshop using wooden looms, the ancient tradition could be brought back to life.

"In Ethiopia, the average weaver’s wage is 400 birr a month, which is only £13. I wanted to pay the workers 2000 birr a month, but I needed to make sure I had the money and a sustainable way to do it all.

"I knew the weaving industry in Ethiopia was facing huge amounts of competition from imported clothes made in factories. The hand-looming technique has been around for thousands of

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Interview

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years and I wanted to help keep it that way.

"I had to raise the money somehow, so I set up a crowd-funding campaign with a company called Kickstarter, which attracts investment to help small businesses. I needed £10,000 to get the workshop up and running but I ended up raising £12,546 in just 26 days! Word soon spread and people rallied around to donate. I was overwhelmed when I realised I had reached above and beyond what I needed. It felt wonderful."

Kalkidan's parents decided to move to England in search of a better life but she has many relatives still in Ethiopia, some of whom work with her now. The scarves they make are beautiful and sell for around £20-£25 in Kalkidan's shop. The range now extends to jewellery, clothes and gifts, sourced through fair trade from all over the world.

“The hardest part about moving here was learning all the social norms and British traditions," Kalkidan remembers. "There are just lots of little adjustments that take time. Once I learnt them, it made making friends and fitting in a lot easier.

“My parents really encouraged my academic studies and I was always a bit of a geek. I knew that if I just answered Maths questions wrong I'd have more friends at school…” Here Kalkidan pauses and with a little twinkle in her eye she

says: “But I never did. I was very committed”.

This tenacity is, no doubt, how she ended up studying at Exeter University, where the story of Sancho’s Dress began. It may surprise you to learn that the business was not inspired by Exeter’s talented lecturers, but by the chance meeting of a kindred spirit, fellow student Vidmantas Markevicius, who is of Lithuanian origin.

“We met washing plates for a catering company and, one bike ride later, we had fallen in love. He’s the best person I’ve ever met.” Kalkidan’s face glows and I can’t help beaming at her, when I ask later if she thinks the business would exist had they never met, she responds without hesitation: “No, it would never have happened without him.”

After graduating, both Kalkidan and Vidmantas were determined to do something new and different. “We became fixated on the idea of creating incomes for artisans in Ethiopia.

"We seized the opportunity of having a pop-up shop on South Street in Exeter, and just ran with it. The response was so positive we soon moved into a permanent residence, and this will be our third year here." The shop is named after Kalkidan's affectionate Ethiopian nickname - Sancho means young chubby girl.

“Fore Street in Exeter is wonderful. We are surrounded by independent shops, there is a

'I needed to raise £10,000 to get the workshop up and running but I ended up raising £12,546 in just 26 days!'

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Interview

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Interview

sense of community that you don’t find in most high streets.

"I am never too precious with Sancho’s Dress, I am learning all the time. Soon we hope to expand with two more premises and an extensive men’s collection.” Kalkidan is not ashamed to reveal how hard it was in the beginning: “I would be mentally exhausted and not know what to do, swinging between excitement and fear.

“Vidmantas was my saving grace - he was always calm and level-headed. That was in the first year, though. Now the fear is gone. Every time we meet our revenue goals or make online sales I get butterflies. It is harder to sell online, but we try to make our website as informative and helpful as possible.”

All the products sold in Sancho’s Dress are certified organic and fair trade. Items are now sourced all over the world: Ethiopia, Berlin, soon to be India, and of course Devon. When I ask Kalkidan where she would now call home, she replies: “Wanting to belong, to identify where my home was, used to motivate me, but now I feel 'home' is not defined by a location. My life is my home and it will be with me always regardless of where I am.”

After meeting Kalkidan I cannot help but feel inspired. Trying to make a change in this world can seem virtually impossible but here a small independent business is doing just that. Shoppers at Sancho's Dress can support genuinely fair trade - and buy truly beautiful things, too. www.sanchosdress.com 20

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interiors

wellbeing 21

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Bright ideas Planning to brighten up your home for summer? It takes a mere flick of the switch, says Sam Wylie-Harris f you’re thinking of getting the house ready for summer, one of the simplest style updates is to make the most of your indoor lighting.

Whether it’s playful touches with quirky lights, putting the beam back into bulbs, adding drama with a characterful chandelier or something as simple as changing a shade, the secret is to go with the flow and check out some of the current trends. After all, no-one wants their decor to be left in the shade...

“People tend to underestimate the use and importance of light during summer, as we have natural light for so much longer. Whether you’re looking to add a new look indoors or outdoors, the right choice can really enhance your surroundings,” says Chris Jordan, managing director at Christopher Wray.

“Indoors, go for fittings and shades that are lighter and airy, something that evokes warm weather and far-off destinations.

“The Floriss, with its colourful, petal-shaped folds, mimics the lush foliage outdoors, while the Planet’s fabric sphere is lined in the same way as leaves. The natural form and colour of these pendants create a softer light that works brilliantly in the twilight hours.”

And if you really want to pull the plug on dated fluorescent lighting, refreshing citrus colours are all the rage at Amara. The luxury homeware brand suggest pairing their orange and lime ac-

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Grenadilla table lamp £135 with silk lampshade £98 Oka 22

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Interiors

Twisted paper ceiling light ÂŁ120 Cuckooland 23

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Interiors

Dutchbone wooden floor lamp £109 Houseology

Luna beaded chandelier £350 Graham & Green

cessories against a white backdrop, to allow the that are intended to relax in.” colours to create a bold focal point in the room.

“If you don’t have any outside space, transWhen it comes to highlighting certain areas of form your room into a romantic summer garden the room, it’s important to consider where the with a wooden chandelier, some plants and the natural light is falling. gentle glow of candlelight,” says Lucinda WaterWhether it’s a neutral background or moody house, OKA founder. paint effects, if you want to create a brighter, Chandeliers made out of wood or beads create more open feel within the space, a relaxed holiday vibe and have the colour of the walls and use a charm of their own, but don’t of lighting is essential. be afraid to consider crystal. Cut “Introducing oversized lightglass catches the light (crystal Introducing ing is a fantastic way to add casts a soft glow) and along with oversized drama and interest to a living being a thing of beauty, it can lighting is a space,” says John Sims-Hildbrighten the darkest of rooms. itch, co-founder of Neptune.

“Lighting is a great carrier fantastic way “The atmosphere that’s created for colour. During the summer to add drama from the glow cast off a large months, inserting splashes of and interest to a pendant light can really alter vibrancy and colour either in the mood of a room. The mabases or shades is a great way living space terial and colour of the drum to update your decor to comis also an effective decorative plement the warmer weather,” accessory even when it is is says Sophie Amini, a designer at switched off.”

Pooky Lighting.

Even choosing the correct “Using lighting is less risky bulb is a simple way of altering the feel of the than doing a whole wall or a set of curtains in room, suggests Sims-Hilditch. one bright colour. It can enhance a room yet “Light has the power to create a peaceful enviallow for flexibility, and does not have to be a ronment, where it can mimic natural pools of rahuge expense. We have a beautiful range of table diance, creating a serene ambience in your own lamps in a range of materials which are an afhome. Using a lower wattage allows for a more fordable and simple way of adding colour and incalming exposure, perfect for areas of the home terest to your room without breaking the bank.”

[[

Keats pendant £78 Oka.com

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GET THE

fave!

LOOK Our pick of the boldest and most beautiful lighting choices

Kartell ceiling light £187 Amara

Floriss light £645 Christopher Wray

This bold lamp will brighten any room

Aurora table lamp £135 Pooky

Golden palm light £450 Graham & Green

Planet lights from £645 Christopher Wray

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02/06/2017 08:17:54

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...

Glitter clutch £55 House of Fraser

High is mighty Q

Do you have any tips on how to wear high-waisted jeans, and what I should be looking for when buying a pair?

PT, Yelverton

High-waisted jeans always loop back around in the fashion world, but unfortunately for most of us, they can be difficult to look good in.

The right fit is essential: To set them apart from mum jeans, you should look for a pair that accentuates your waist and hips.

Avoid light denim: Unless you’re lucky enough to have model-esque proportions stick to dark denim to help elongate your silhouette.

High-waist jeans £19.99 H&M

Show some skin: If you’re brave enough, try teaming your high-waisted denim with a crop top.

Joni jeans £36 Topshop

Office appropriate: Wearing super-high jeans with a blazer and heels will help make the trend work friendly.

High-waist slim leg jeans £24 Simply Be

Dress them up: For date night or drink with the girls, tuck in a silky, long-sleeve blouse for instant grown-up appeal.

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06/06/2017 13:30:43

Gracie’s shopping list

Fashion commitments Are there any hard and fast rules about what a guest should and shouldn’t wear to a wedding? LW, St Germans

Q

fave!

Invited to a wedding this summer and not sure what to wear? We’ve got you covered with a few fashion do’s and don’ts.

1.

A dress is always a good option Trying to find the perfect trousers, top and jacket combination can sometimes be more hassle than it’s worth. Instead, reach for your favourite statement dress, add heels, and you’re good to go.

2.

Yes, you can wear black It used to be taboo to wear black to weddings, but now a little black dress is completely acceptable.

3.

Floral maxi dress £39.99 New Look

Always take a small bag Large tote bags definitely don’t lend themselves to special occasions. Instead, go minimal and opt for a clutch bag to carry your essentials.

4.

Antler heart brooch £65 www.goldlustldn.com A gorgeous yet simple piece, this Antler Heart Brooch from Goldlust London is made from rose gold and represents strength through unconditional love.

Perfect for surprising someone special on their birthday or anniversary.

Avoid short hemlines Weddings are usually formal affairs so err on the classy side and go long.

5.

Wear comfortable shoes There’s nothing worse than spending hours in heels that you can’t walk in, so do yourself a favour and avoid uncomfortable shoes no matter how good they look.

Embellished sandals £35 Accessorize

Wild Argan Oil Shower Gel £5 The Body Shop

Miracle worker Q

What is argan oil and what is it used for? TR, St Ives

Argan oil, commonly referred to as liquid gold, is a plant oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree which is commonly found in Morocco. Full of antioxidants and vitamin E, the oil is said to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, scars, stretch marks and acne. Simply apply a small amount of pure argan oil (one or two drops) directly to your face or body, massaging gently into your skin. Argan can also do wonders for your hair. After showering, while your hair is still wet, add a few drops to your ends and scalp to condition, hydrate and moisturise.

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Moroccan Argan Oil £7.25 www.beautybay.com

Organic Argan Oil £17.50 Neal’s Yard

Silicone sleeve water bottle £7 Accessorize Complete with a silicone sleeve of pretty cut-out hearts, this screw-top water bottle is a stylish way to get your essential daily H2O hit. It’s practical too! The silicone makes it easy to hold, even during the toughest of gym workouts.

Youth To The People Age Prevention Superfood Cleanser £33 www.cultbeauty.co.uk We all know the benefits of eating and drinking our greens, so why not harness the power of these superfoods in our skincare? This nutrient-rich gel cleanser is the perfect place to start your green regime, helping to remove daily dirt and toxins to leave skin squeaky clean yet supple.and leave it feeling reinforced from root to tip.

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

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05/06/2017 13:36:48

Botanica skirt £109 Monsoon

Ruffle midi dress £50 Dorothy Perkins

fave!

Perfect for a summer wedding

Jersey vest £37.50 White Stuff

Mellow yellow rom punchy lemon to soft canary, yellow is a summer must have.

This uplifting shade dominated the spring/summer 2017 catwalks and it is guaranteed to boost your mood and put a spring in your step. We can’t get enough of the Botanica skirt from Monsoon which is softened with a touch of white and the ruffle maxi dress from Primark which is perfect for evening soirees.

F

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Fashion

Button front top £18 Bonmarché Lace dress £40 PrettyLittleThing

Ruffle maxi dress £17 Primark

Ruffle hem top £19.99 Bon Prix

Pointed flats £12 George at ASDA

Large tote bag £290 Bimba Y Lola

Pleather skirt £34.99 Bon Prix

29

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02/06/2017 15:58:08

Gifts for the world’s best Dad

Prada L'homme Eau De Toilette £68.50 The Fragrance Shop

Father’s Day is coming up on June 18. Make it one to remember with these treats from Drake Circus ather’s Day is on the way - yes, it's Sunday next week (June 18). This is your chance to tell your dad he’s the best. Here’s our choice of gifts from the 70 top stores at Drake Circus shopping centre in Plymouth. And dads, you may like to leave page this open on the kitchen table today...

F

ALL ABOARD

Put a spring in your dad's stride with a new pair of shoes. Topshop have nailed the nautical look look with this two-tone navy and tan boat shoes.

Just make sure you know his shoe size before you head down to the store!

SWEET FEET

Socks needn't be a boring option - and, you know what, dads always need socks. This year, why not buy these perky, colourful numbers from Joules. Their Drake Circus store is packed with colourful, well-made treats.

Pop in for the socks and while you're there why not see if they have some of their famous Crown Joules boxers - another Father's Day favourite.

SO HIP

A funky hip flask from Paperchase could be just the ticket if your dad enjoys a day out at the rugby, or long walks on the coastal path. Paperchase also stock lots of other of great gifts for dads, including writing paper, watches and pens.

It's also a must-visit store to find him the perfect card.

[[ This is your chance to tell your dad he’s the best by spoiling him with thoughtful cards and presents

JUST IN CASE

A phone case is always a welcome gift. It's a great way to give your father something practical that will remind him of you every day. We like this tasteful number from M&S, but Next, Carphone Warehouse, Apple and Tiger also have stylish and useful versions.

THE COOL FACTOR

one from Superdry. Superdry also have a great range of high-performance jackets, shoes, shorts and sunglasses. Definitely a store to drop into if your dad likes to keep up with the latest trends.

Does your dad have a young and fun dress sense?

If so, he'll love a bright T-shirt like this orange

FRESH SCENTS

You can't go wrong with aftershave for Father’s Day. So make sure you pop into The Fragrance Shop to buy your dad the latest scent on offer. We’re big fans of this Prada Homme De Toilette but anything from Chanel, Gucci or Hugo Boss is also sure to please.

HOLDALL HEAVEN

Dads and sports bags are a match made in gift heaven. We like this sporty, casual one from Next, but check out Cotswolds Outdoor, FatFace, M&S, Primark, Joules and White Stuff for other brilliant bag bargains.

T-Shirt £22.99 Superdry

SUCH A CARD!

And finally, if you're still struggling to decide what to get your dad, why not buy him a Drake Circus Gift card which he can use to buy his own present from most of the 70 stores at Drake Circus? There. Father’s Day sorted.

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Shop

fave!

Hip flask £10 Paperchase

Holdall £65 Next

Boat shoes £55 Topman

Phone case £19.50 Marks & Spencer

Stripey socks £17.99 for a set of three Joules

All items available at Drake Circus shopping centre, Plymouth, @drakecircusplym www.drakecircus.com 31

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06/06/2017 13:22:11

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

More sleep, more friends Missing out on sleep can harm your social life as well as your looks, researchers say. According to psychologists, a serious lack of sleep can make people less optimistic, less sociable, less sympathetic towards others and therefore less appealing to be around. For most of us, a ninehour kip is a luxury reserved for the time-rich, but next time you do have the option of an early night, don’t be tempted to choose that box-set marathon instead – your friends might thank you .

What a rush!

Prepare yourselves and your washing machines for the Rowcroft Colour Rush. Taking place tomorrow, Sunday June 11, this fantastic 5k will see the streets of Teignmouth transform into a blaze of colour as walkers, runners and even dancers make their way around the route while being showered with powder paint at three stations, all in aid of Rowcroft, a charity that supports people living with life-limiting illnesses. Find out how you can get involved at www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk

TIME TO DETOX Time to improve your diet? Join Jane Parker, professional chef and nutritional therapist, at her retreat near Wadebridge to discover how simple lifestyle changes can have monumental impacts on your wellbeing. Together with juice cleanse breaks, Jane runs paleo yoga retreats designed to detox your digestive system while encouraging a sensible approach to food. Twoday retreats start from £385 per person and take place throughout the year. www.janeparkernutrition.co.uk 32

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Mantras and mocktails Find your inner calm before indulging in a glass of something deliciously nutritious as you join Donna McCheyne for a yoga and mocktail evening at Salcombe Harbour Hotel. The class, which takes place from 6-8.30pm on Thursday June 15, adopts a seasonal twist and reflects the vitality and joy of summer while encouraging you to spread goodwill, love and creativity before sipping a mouth-watering mocktail overlooking the harbour. Tickets cost ÂŁ15 at www.simplysoulful.co.uk

Think pink Today marks the beginning of Bike Week 2017 and tomorrow, Sunday June 11, Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis OBE is encouraging women up and down the country to turn Britain pink by taking part in the Pink Ribbon Tour. Hoping to raise plenty of money for Breast Cancer Care Denise, who is an Ambassador for the charity, is asking everyone to join the movement, whether in London or your local community. Find out how to organise your own cycling event at www.breastcancercare.org.uk

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

@WMNWest or email westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 33

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06/06/2017 13:34:27

Wellbeing

Take the time to talk

Why you need an honest conversation before your wedding My fiancé and I are planning our wedding. We years is also a long time to get used to living have been together for nearly ten years and with each other, putting up with things you we thought it was about time, don’t like, whether they’re as we want to start a family soon and big or small, until it gets I wanted to be married before we did increasingly hard to walk Some couples that. But I want a really meaningful away if you’re not really day to start our new lives, whereas he happy. Some couples in in this situation and his mates just sit around laughing this situation go ahead go ahead with about what they’re going to do for the with a marriage hoping stag night. I don’t want to keep going that it will all somehow a marriage on about it because I used to love feel better afterwards. hoping that it his sense of fun, but I’m beginning When it doesn’t, the disapwill all somehow to wonder if he’s ever going to take pointment is magnified anything seriously. I’m actually thinkand a very distressing and feel better ing about postponing the wedding. expensive divorce follows. afterwards Do you think that’s going too far? AD, So it’s absolutely not Paignton going too far to make sure this is what you want! Tell Relationship counsellor Tricia him you’re thinking about postponing the wedMoore says: You have, like most ding and you really want to talk about it. His couples, already spent a long surprise should prompt the long honest convertime together before getting sation you both deserve. married, so you’d think you’d Make sure you discuss the folllowing: be pretty sure by now. But ten • Your hopes and fears for the future

Q

[[

• •

What you really feel for each other What you expect from each other as husband and wife • How you want to live your lives once you are married • The things you disagree on and how much it matters • How you resolve conflict and whether you want to do things differently.

Some organisations, like Marriage Care, run courses for couples preparing for marriage, which most find helpful, giving an opportunity to discuss all these areas, by yourselves or with other couples.

You will certainly feel closer after this conversation and will know a lot more about what you both want from life and each other; whether together or apart. If you both realise this is what you want, the vows you make on your wedding day will feel so much more meaningful and loving. Good luck.

Tricia Moore is a counsellor for the national charity Marriage Care, based in Plymouth www.marriagecare.org.uk

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06/06/2017 13:35:22

Food

SMALL BITES

Our pick of what’s on in the Westcountry food world right now Luxury food and Cornish living The Rock Oyster Festival is one of the leading artisan food festivals in Cornwall. There is a fantastic range of family entertainment as well as some of the best local producers showcasing delights from shellfish to steaks and everything in between. So, even if you aren’t a confirmed oyster lover, you can give them a go or opt for something else equally delicious. The festival also includes cookery demos from local chefs and there’s the hotlyanticipated oyster shucking (shell opening) competition. Live music ranges from gypsy folk to reggae and to get that longed-for Cornish laid back feel, there’s plenty of camping space on site. Friday 7 and Saturday 8 July, Roskear Farm near Wadebridge, North Cornwall. Tickets from £10. www.rockoysterfestival.co.uk

It’s getting hot in here RHS Red Hot Chilli Grower by Kay Maguire (£10) is your complete guide to planting, picking and preserving chillies. The book is packed with photos and illustrations and has plenty of facts about different types of chillies and their flavour and heat level. There are sections covering how to grow your own chillies, including feeding, watering, overwintering and tips on preventing and treating pest and disease damage. It also covers how to use and preserve your chillies, including drying, smoking an some recipe ideas. www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk

A tasty homecoming Head Chef Adam Banks has returned to Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall in Watergate Bay following six years cheffing in Australia and at Falmouth’s popular Star and Garter. Adam left his senior sous chef role of five years at Fifteen Cornwall in 2011 to move to Australia where he headed up a Melbourne based restaurant. The chef returned to Cornwall in 2015 and played a key role in shaping the Star and Garter menu. He’s now looking forward to working closely with Cornwall’s best producers and evolving the famous Fifteen Cornwall menu.

Got some foodie news? Let us know on westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 35

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02/06/2017 17:25:44

Enjoy

Your stars

by Cassandra Nye This week’s sign:

Happy birthday to...

Prince Phillip

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 10, 1921 Prince Philip was born in Corfu, Greece and joined the Royal Navy in 1939, age 18.

Shortly thereafter he began writing to his 13-year-old third cousin Princess Elizabeth, now the Queen. After the Second World War King George VI granted him permission to marry Elizabeth. Before they announced their engagement he became a naturalised British subject and adopted his maternal grandparents surname – Mountbatten. Prince Philip has announced that after his 96th birthday he will retire from public duties - we’ll miss you Phil!

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Working closely with others widens your social net. This is not unexpected and may even have been the aim. However, how this affects your mood can come as a surprise. Really, you have spent far too long waiting to get into this situation. Next time, be a bit less shy. Hopefully, by this weekend, you will be bouncing along just fine. Continue to build that confidence!

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Lovely love seems to come and go and some of your friends may appear moody.

Have you considered that they could be confused? Make time to listen to their worries and concerns and all becomes clear. Be with your favourite people at the weekend when the chance of an adventure beckons. Holiday plans are likely to change over the next few weeks.

LEO (July 23 - August 23) That frantic social life could see you feeling a bit depleted this week! A few quieter days are the answer, even if you risk losing out on a fun time! Someone who will pamper and sympathise with you seems an attractive idea.

Who would that be now? Those who come from the past bring good news but be sure to check the facts.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) This weekend is a time for you to really kick back and relax. An activity that you enjoyed as a child once more appeals.

Showing someone how to join in brings hilarious moments. Any serious communications are best done before the weekend so that they are not on your mind. Although you may consider this a light-hearted and quiet week, memories are being made.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Brisk relationships, especially at work, soften this week. So, is it the time to ask for that promotion or rise? Combining

work with pleasure will give a fair idea of that.

Offering a helping hand when someone is away can put you in the right place at the right time.

Just be flexible.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Feeling a bit apprehensive about meeting someone from the past? Maybe having someone with you will ease the atmosphere.

An invitation to a new place or activity does not get you excited. However, you could meet someone special. To find out what someone wants from you, put yourself in their shoes.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) An open-hearted approach seems best with a friend. It may be the only way that they can relax and talk. Getting you both out and into a new place can be refreshing and liberating.

You are really being asked to be terribly grown up and wise this week. Although this comes naturally to you, think of the best way to approach a tricky subject.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) You are being given the chance to relax at the weekend so don’t fill it with work or worries! Indeed, if you insist in doing so a partner could rebel! Remember that keeping promises in a relationship is essential. This is a great time to plan something together and get a good bargain.

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Watch out for confusion over cash, espe-

cially if you haven’t been reading the small print.

Although you feel lucky, make any gamble small and fun rather than big and worrying. Try to make time for that quiet and loving chat with your partner. Confidence is built this week.

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) Creativity is never far from your mind.

Indeed, this week could see you bouncing around ideas that you never thought could be there! So, surprising yourself seems to be a habit these days. Could that be because of growing confidence in your talents? Attention is yours but, if it involves money, be sure of a good deal for yourself.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Someone with influence is showing an interest in you. That filters through to a proposition in the future. Don’t worry about that now though. Just be at your best, especially at work. A surprise proposition from someone close excites and intrigues. How long have they been waiting to broach the subject?

Ask questions, of course, but try not to appear suspicious.

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06/06/2017 13:38:05

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06/06/2017 14:02:39

Cook

mitch tonks:

Grilled squid with olive oil, garlic, chilli and parsley Mitch says: It’s hard to beat some local south coast squid dipped in milk then flour and deep fried until crisp and golden - but cooked over a hot fire as we do at the Seahorse it is also absolutely wonderful. It maintains its incredible sweetness which is delicious with the aromatic taste of charcoal. So try this one on the BBQ if you can!

Serves: 2 as a starter

You will need:

Method:

Fishmonger preparation – Ask your fishmonger to clean the squid and remove the gut and taking off the skin and membrane.

1.

Heat the grill or barbecue to maximum.

2.

First make the dressing by putting some olive oil in a pan and adding the garlic, chilli and salt, turn up the heat and allow the garlic to flavour the oil. Continue to cook gently and as soon as the garlic starts to brown, remove from the heat.

3.

When your coals are nice and white and the grill bars are nice and hot, brush the squid with olive oil and salt, not forgetting the tentacles. Place on the grill and cook for 5 -6 minutes either side.

2 squid weighing about 150 g each 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 dried bird’s eye chilli Juice of one lemon Salt Pinch of cumin Small handful of parsley, finely chopped Olive oil

4.

You will get nice golden marks from the grill. Serve the squid on a plate, putting the tentacles at the bottom, just as if you were putting it back together.

Taste the dressing and spoon over the squid.

FISH by Mitch Tonks, Pavilion, photography Chris Terry. Eat out at Mitch’s Seahorse and Rockfish restaurants: www.mitchtonks.co.uk 38

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Drink

Happy h ur with drinks expert April Marks

April says: Today is World Gin Day! It’s not often I’m lost for words but on a recent visit to Somerset’s newest distillery I was literally left speechless.

I had been invited to visit Newton House Distillery in Yeovil which I’d hoped had some connection to the beautiful historic Jacobean Manor of the same name – it was!

Home to Robin and Jane Cannon the Manor House is breathtaking but hasn’t always looked as immaculate, it has taken several years of graft to re-invigorate both the house and gardens.

After taking a tour around a gin distillery in southern England the couple were immediately inspired to start their own distillery which is housed in the old dairy within their grounds.

They’ve chosen to use 60 litre copper stills for their production keeping it as a small batch operation. It was important for them to create a recipe that included botanicals they can grow in their own magical walled garden.

The surroundings of the gin’s conception are so stunning that there is immense pressure for the gin to also wow – and it does. True to its category

The recipe includes

botanicals grown in

their own walled garden

Gin and jazz at Newton House Three of the rooms at Newton House are dedicated to events, tastefully and colourfully decorated with an art deco influence.

There is The Newton House Gin Bar, The Wine Counter and the PeaCOCKTAILBar where the walls are furnished with Grade I listed tapestries which were originally hung in the master bedroom of the house.

To experience the opulence of the house, its gin and live jazz you can purchase tickets for July 7 or 8 by visiting their website www.newtonhousegin.co.uk

the gin is very juniper forward followed by fragrant bright orange peel and mint, a blast of spice and pepper then a complex citrus finish.

True to their word I was shown the gardens where they are growing lemons, oranges and peaches in a greenhouse plus blueberries and mint in the raised beds. Some exotic botanicals are shipped in but Newton House is absolutely at the heart of the gin.

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

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK Newton House Gin Clearly my product of the week has to be Newton House Gin. With its beautiful bottle that was sourced from France, the label design really matches the elegance of the gin.

Serve with premium Fever Tree tonic, a wedge of lime and a bruised sprig of mint.

Local stockists; Regency Wines Exeter, The New Inn in Roborough, Five Dials in Horton Somerset 39

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Drink Beer of the week For an imported lager by a global giant brewer, Preseason Lager, from Goose Island, is utterly delightful. It is amber in colour, crisp and refreshing, with a rye note to its malt, while the hops offer orange pith and a hint of stone fruit. A very good beer, although I’ll be honest: it would never be a purchase ahead of a good independent brew.

Darren Norbury

talks beer have in mind to write a book enticontest. Folks, these are great beers, in a wide tled ‘100 Beers You Really Ought to range of styles. Well worth seeking out.

Try Without Paying Any Heed to South Hams Brewery impressed with Lifeboat Thoughts of Your Mortality’. Not 1 and Cloch Point, two of a limited edition series a snappy title, I grant you, but my of beers matured in whisky casks, while Southheartfelt response to the proliferation of ‘things bourne Ales, from Dorset, under Brewster Jenyou must try / do before you die’-style books. nifer Tingay, is a new name to me, but worthy Books, news, the wider web – of further investigation if her publishing these days is domisession red ale Sunbather is anynated by lists. thing to go by.

Hang on, though, there are It may be a changing world, in It’s ideal for that always exceptions, and the list of terms of beer as much as any‘take a bottle to winners in the Taste of the West thing else these days, but the ‘old competition is an exception I’m stagers’ still have it. Gold, then, the beach for a happy to make. Declaration of for the likes of St Austell’s Proper barbecue’ market interest. I was one of the judges.

Job and Big Job, Salisbury’s Hop – crisp, clean, and But none of us judged everyBack Brewery, with its delicious thing, and I deliberately avoided Entire Stout (a personal long-time delivering good beers with which I was too fafavourite) and lemon-grass noted hop notes miliar. So it’s not necessarily my Taiphoon, Hanlon’s, of Exeter, fault that either a beer didn’t get Yellow Hammer and Port Stout, the award its brewer thought it and Exeter Brewery’s session deserved, or that another brewer bitter Avocet. is going to say: “How on earth did they mark that The judging, back in April, was a long, hard so high?” day, and the deliberation quite intense at times.

Some of the highlights, then, include a gold for It’s not a blind judging because there are marks Keltek Brewery’s new entry to the bottled lager for product design, label information and the market, Swifties, which is a totally new direction like. But I reckon we did a decent job and hopefor the Redruth firm. Hats off: it’s ideal for that fully those Taste of the West gold, silver and ‘take a bottle to the beach for a barbecue’ market highly commended logos on these West Country – crisp, clean, and delivering good hop notes in a products will encourage newcomers and visitors balanced golden brew. to try more of our wonderful brews.

Crossed Anchors Brewing, of Exmouth, achieved the rare feat of taking gold with all four Darren Norbury is editor of beertoday.co.uk of its entries in the first year it has entered the @beertoday

I

[[

TRIO OF FESTIVALS There’s a choice of great beer festivals next weekend, including: the Completely Celtic festival at the Merrymoor Inn, Mawgan Porth; the Occombe Beer Festival, at Occombe Farm, Paignton, in aid of Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust; and the annual beer festival at the Watermill, Lelant, between Hayle and St Ives.

Off the rails

We’re halfway through the South West Real Ale Trail, which is being run this weekend by Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) members at the West Somerset Railway, Minehead.

The event, which runs today and tomorrow, features pop-up bars along the track, with beers from West Country brewers.

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culture vulture Our pick of the most interesting and exciting things to see and do right now in the South West The next generation of talented dancers Ballet Central is heading to Exeter’s Northcott Theatre for its debut visit under the guidance of its new artistic director Christopher Marney. Comprised of final year students from the Central School of Ballet, the annual graduate tours have been a professional springboard for hundreds of dancers for more than 30 years. This family-friendly show is ideal for dance enthusiasts as well as those new to ballet. It is a wonderful opportunity to see the company’s young and dynamic dancers on the cusp of their professional careers, as they showcase newly-commissioned works and celebrated masterpieces.

Thursday 29 June, 7.30pm, tickets from £12.50. www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

Big cats and cupcakes

Live music at Eden With its magical Biomes backdrop, the Eden Project is a truly unique venue to see some of amazing live music this summer. Coming up in the renowned Eden Sessions are some wonderful opportunities to see top names in a beautiful setting. On June 23 there’s Blondie (wow!), and then the legendary Van Morrison will play on July 1. Bryan Adams will be at Eden on July 6 and Foals are playing on July 11. We think you’ll agree, it’s an impressive line up! www.edensessions.com

Join Newquay Zoo for an after-hours guided tour of their carnivores section including lynx and lions not to mention rare Indian fishing cats. You’ll enjoy a rare chance to meet experienced keepers and experts in big cat conservation while also enjoying cupcakes, a special presentation and Q&A session with the keepers. Wednesday June 14, 6.30pm – 8.30pm, £15. www.newquayzoo.org.uk

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06/06/2017 14:12:00

photography: kathryn clarke-mcleod

A coastal companion Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod spends a weekend with the new Ford Kuga and discovers an impressive blend of style and substance aybe it’s because I recently bought a compendium of fairy tales for my goddaughter, but when we take the new Ford Kuga Titanium for a weekend of luxury adventure in Cornwall, I can’t help but liken the experience to some of the classic tales.

Overall, driving the Kuga is a series of Goldilocks moments, because everything about this second generation version feels ‘just right’. Critics of the original Kuga bemoaned that it wasn’t very practical, and some weren’t satisfied with the driving experience. This version is proof that part of Ford’s domination of the automotive market is its ability to listen to the consumer, and then deliver beyond their expectations.

The result is healthy-sized and luxurious SUV, and the 2L version definitely has shades of the big bad wolf when you put your foot down.

It has substance to back up this swagger, with

M

design that goes beyond practical into the realm of downright intuitive. The in-car connectivity is impressive. When I plug my iPhone into one of the USB ports, I instantly have access to my essential applications using the CarPlay interface, including my music library, podcasts and

It takes us paddleboarding,

under the centre armrest (perfect for phones, purses and snacks). Dual climate control means that my permanently warm companion Zane can have cool air blowing in his direction, while I stay toasty at an even 20 degrees just centimetres away.

The driver’s seat seems infinitely customisable thanks to a 10-way power operated adjustment system. I manage to move the seat up, forwards and adjust the angle all with the swiftest touch of a button. I’m especially grateful for the lumbar support which keeps my posture satisfyingly supported for the two hour trip down the A30.

The practicality extends to the boot space. We’ve folded one rear seat down and have comfortably accommodated two surfboards, three travel bags, a selection of wetsuits as well as a professional sized camera backpack with a plethora of accessories. All with no compromise to the passenger side legroom.

The theme of no-compromise extends to the

to cliff edges to watch the sun

set, and down into hidden coves phonebook. When messages ping I am given the option to have them read aloud and even reply, all with simple voice commands. There is space for two large coffees in the centre console, as well as an extra deep storage compartment

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06/06/2017 13:42:54

Living

driving experience. When we head off A roads into the Cornish lanes (no match for the built in navigation system) I have a definite ‘princess and the pea’ moment. I can’t feel a single bump, the ride is beyond smooth. The 6-speed automatic gearbox is lightning-fast and seamless. I can’t resist shifting it into manual mode for a few kilometres, and I slide through the gears using the controls adjacent to the steering wheel. This is the best of both worlds, sporty punchy gear changes with the option to slip into automatic and cruise the coast checking for surf spots when the mood strikes.

We arrive at the elegant St Moritz Hotel and spy a single parking directly opposite the reception. Not even the thought of having to parallel park in front of Cornwall’s most refined crowd can threaten to break my stride, thanks to the Active Park Assist feature. I had seen the technology in action on television, but nothing prepares you for the experience of having a car intelligently steer itself into a tricky spot. I ap-

proached the space slowly while using the indicator, once the space is detected the car chimes, and all that is left to do is shift into reverse, take your hands off the wheel and accelerate gently while preparing to brake. The Kuga delivered a perfect parking not only on that occasion, but every time I tried it. Once on a crowded beach at Polzeath, another on a narrow street at Newquay, and finally on the bustling forecourt of Vospers Ford, Marsh Barton.

I hand the car back to Vospers a little sandier and saltier - the 4WD made beach explorations a breeze. It took us paddleboarding, up high to cliff edges to watch the sun set and down into hidden coves to explore rock pools. Returning it was difficult. Take it from me, if you’re on the hunt for a SUV that will enhance an already full and active life – the new Kuga could be your happily ever after.

To find out more or to book a test drive please contact Vospers. Find your local Vospers Ford dealership online at Vospers.com

New Ford Kuga Titanium Colour:

Magentic (metallic paint option)

Vital Stats: 180 Brake Horsepower 2.0 TDCi Diesel Automatic Premium Sony Navigation Active Park Assist Power Tailgate

Price:

New Kuga from £21,895 New Kuga Titanium £31,530

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05/06/2017 14:10:12

The Alverton Hotel

Simon George

Truro Cathedral

My Secret Westcountry Simon George Simon George is head chef at The Alverton Hotel in Truro.

Originally from Wales, he has lived in Cornwall for nine years. When he is not in the kitchen, he likes to spend his time exploring Cornwall’s beaches and countryside with his daughter and fiancÊe.

Hellebores in bloom at Bosvigo Gardens

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06/06/2017 13:48:18

People

Perranporth beach

Great Cornish Food Festival in Truro

My favourite: View: If you stand at the top of Morlaix Avenue in Truro, near the football club, you can look down on the city and the view is breathtaking.

The Cathedral towers over the other buildings and if you catch it in the right light it almost glimmers in the sun. I drive past this view every day and I never tire of it.

Walk: There’s a great walk that brings together everything I love about Cornwall – great views, beautiful countryside and real ale! Take a bus from Truro to Tresillian and kick-start the walk with a pint in The Wheel Inn. Then take the path along the river to The Heron Inn where you can stop for a swift half before heading back to Truro.

You walk through St Clements which is a really pretty village, and there’s always lots to see along the river, especially if it’s high tide.

Place to eat: I ate in Browns in Bristol recently - the variety on the menu, the standard of cook-

ing and the service were all exceptional. I like to try new places to eat so I know we’re competing with the best, and it’s always nice to be cooked for! I haven’t made it to St Tudy Inn yet but it is firmly on my list.

Festival: It has to be the Great Cornish Food Festival. It’s held on Lemon Quay every September, just down the road from the hotel. It brings together some of the county’s best producers and makers - I’m really passionate about fresh, local ingredients so it’s always great to see what’s new and meet the people behind it all.

Weekend escape:

I love Bath. The architecture is incredible. There’s nothing better than sitting in the heated rooftop pool at Thermae Bath Spa and looking out across the city. There’s also so much to do and lots to explore.

Food: We have a lamb dish on the menu and it’s one of my favourite dishes. It’s roasted lamb rack and braised shoulder with buttered greens, garlic

roasted potatoes, goats cheese and a redcurrant jus to cut through the deep rich flavours. I could eat it all day long!

Tipple: After a busy service it has to be a JD and Coke. I also like local real ale, and am a big fan of Skinner’s Brewery’s Lushingtons Pale Ale. Activity: Hitting the coast path has to be one of the best ways to spend my time off. Big lungfuls of fresh sea air, stunning views and the sound of the crashing waves - it’s great. I have a little girl too so I like taking her on coastal adventures.

One of our closest beaches is Perranporth so we will often head there for a long walk on my days off.

Secret Place: It has to be Bosvigo Gardens - it even calls itself Cornwall’s Best kept secret. Found on the outskirts of Truro it only opens Thursday to Saturday from March to September and it’s well worth a visit. www.thealverton.co.uk 45

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02/06/2017 13:43:44

my life

[

man and boy

a hint of ... nettle?

[

Phil Goodwin, dad of James, seven, tries his hand at wine tasting had planned to vent my anger at the recent craze among kids for fidget spinners, a fad which appears to have rendered temporarily insane the entire cohort of my son’s school. Then I calmed down.

Who needs another angry man venting at the modern world. Anyway, in the meantime, a bigger issue arose. I am, it seems, no Oz Clarke. In fact I may be oenologically handicapped, one of those pitiable individuals for whom a true love of wine will always remain an elusive, distant, impossible dream. The reason? I have no nose. Let me explain how I came to learn of this sorry condition.

Last week I sat in a private room in Exeter’s swanky Hotel du Vin at a table laden with the very best of South West viniculture. Facing me, the hotel manager, Guillaume Lesage, a cultured and knowledgeable Frenchman; to my right, the hotel’s new sommelier, Richard Coulson, a globetrotting expert who used to run the list at Gildleigh Park when Michael Caines was in charge of the Michelin-starred operation. For context, I am from St Helens, in Merseyside, famous for pies, rugby league and Pilkington’s float glass.

Along the wall is a series of ice buckets on stands chilling to perfection a selection of mostly sparkling wines from Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.

The hotel chain, which took over the old Magdalen Chapter near the city’s crown court, is supporting the region’s star produce as well as sponsoring the UK wine awards at which our wines are expected to do well. I have been invited to sample about a dozen of these and to spread the word.

To the uninitiated, this sounds like a good gig; to those with proper jobs, it would probably rank as a pretty good Monday afternoon. There is, however, one piece of kit to which I

I

have not yet referred: a large silver bucket. Not only have I have never tasted wine before, nor have I ever used a spittoon.

Richard expertly guides me through the

[

Guillaume suggested I close my eyes, use my imagination. I did all this. At one point I thought I had it

[

correct way to take the first exploratory sniff before swirling the wine it around in the glass before inhaling more deeply of its aromas. I absolutely got the how the blending of grapes and the secondary fermentation, méthode Champenoise, created the lovely stream of fine bubbles and the fine mousse which rushed up the glass.

Unfortunately, what I didn’t get was wild strawberry. Nor, with the Classic Cuvée, did I get the vanilla, peach and skimmed milk; worse, I missed the warm pastry and green apples of the next bottle. Nettles? I couldn’t grasp it. Cut grass? Nope. To be honest, each time I heard an evocative term I thought I could sense the bouquet but I suspect this was the power of suggestion. There was plenty of citrus and zinginess and zest and the wines tasted amazing but where Richard divined the presence of quince I am ashamed to say I only got, well, wine.

I sniffed and supped and swirled and drew air bubbles through glass after glass, dutifully spitting the mouthfuls into the silver receptacle. It was a big disappointment. Guillaume suggested I close my eyes, use my imagination. I did all this.

At one point I thought I had it. Exitedly, I burbled something about a rocky sensation, maybe slate? It seemed random among the fruits and wild flowers on offer from my companions. ‘Something mineral?’ Guillaume probed. I couldn’t put my finger, or maybe my tongue, on it. They told me not to worry, these things take practice. There are even kits with standard essences to help. I left enriched, enlightened but slightly downcast.

Then I remembered I had a trip planned the Basque Country and this cheered me up.

It was only the beginning of my education.

Surely, somewhere out there, on Spanish soil perhaps, I would produce from a wine glass, an image of some kind. One day, I would find my nose.

NEXT WEEK: Chris McGuire on becoming a new dad and moving to the Westcountry 46

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02/06/2017 14:26:45

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