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Bright ideas for dark days
WRAP STARS Cornwall’s cosiest blankets
WIN:
Festive days out
HOW TO HAVE A
FAIRY TALE Christmas at Killerton House - pg 16
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‘We went for a 1940s look, so my hair is up in victory rolls, and I’m wearing lots of make-up and big, big eye-lashes’ Jessica Holroyd turns into Little Red Riding Hood, p16
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A MODERN MIRACLE Creating style in a mid Devon bungalow
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WHAT CANDICE DID NEXT Big plans for Bake Off’s Miss Brown
[contents[ Inside this week... 6
THE WISHLIST Our pick of the best treats this week
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JUST BETWEEN US... We have the latest on the Downton movie
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MEET THE WRAP STAR Making gorgeous blankets in north Cornwall
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HOW FAUX CAN YOU GO? Cosy up in winter’s favourite fabric
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SEA BASS AND EAT IT Award-winning recipes from Dorset
CHRISTMAS AT KILLERTON Win tickets to the festive celebrations
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A MODERN MIRACLE A mid-Devon bungalow gets a make-over
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JUST ASK GRACIE Our style guru solves your problems
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HOW FAUX CAN YOU GO? Furry cover-ups for cosy winter style
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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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MEET THE BREWER Life after Doom Bar for Cornwall’s beer guru
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SECRET WESTCOUNTRY Where to go, what to do
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BUT IT’S STILL ONLY NOVEMBER! Chris McGuire is not ready for You Know What
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MY WESTCOUNTRY Where to go, what to do
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EARNING HER STRIPES Meet Cornwall’s newest entrepreneur 3
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[ COURAG
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The Cornish twins on a mission against brea st cancer
COSY & CHIC
Interiors to keep you snug in style WIN:
FESTIVE FAIRY TALE
Dressing up for Christmas
[ welcome [
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Christmas cocktail sets
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Indulgent ideas to try
Let’s celebrate November! hen I read our wonderful columnist Chris McGuire’s contribution for this week’s magazine (p46), I had to smile. This week, Chris rails against Christmas coming too early. November, he argues, is just too soon for all things tinsel and bauble. He’s got a point, and he’s very funny about preferring his Christmas “in small doses”. Sadly for Chris, however, we here at West don’t entirely agree with him. And can you blame us? We’ve just been over to the National Trust stately home of Killerton, near Exeter, to see all the decorations and entertainment planned for the
W
Tweet
of the week @PhilleighWay
If you do one thing today, buy a copy of the @WMNNews and read about @KrisPoB & @CoppaFeelPeople in the @WMNWest Mag #inspirationalpeople
[
Christmas season, which opens today. This year’s theme is the Grimm’s Fairy Tales and the house and gardens look simply amazing. Find out more on page 16 today - I’m sure the beautiful pictures by top photographer Steve Haywood will make everyone more than a little bit festive. Having said that, let’s not wish November away too soon. There’s so much to love about autumn in the Westcountry, as you’ll see in today’s magazine theatre dates, music events, walks, shopping and more. But if you do feel like cosying up at home go for it. Can I just recommend a gorgeous Atlantic Blanket from Cornwall - turn to page 12 for why...
There’s so much to love about autumn in the Westcountry
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
MEET THE TEAM Becky Sheaves, Editor
Phil Goodwin
Kathryn Clarke-McLeod
Gillian Molesworth
Cathy Long
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If you buy one thing this week... It’s definitely time to order some lovely Cornish treats for your friends and family at Christmas. St. Kew is a familyrun business, based in north Cornwall, making original recipe biscuits and gift sets. This Christmas Celebration basket is packed with goodies including fudge, chocolates, chutney, tea and jam. Not to mention three of St Kew’s bestloved types of biscuits - clotted cream shortbread, stem ginger and macadamia nut dark choc chip. The perfect gift!
Offer
St Kew is offering West readers a special festive £10 discount on this Christmas Celebration gift basket, bringing its price down down from £39.99 to £29.99. To claim your discount, visit www.stkewdirect.co.uk and quote discount code WMN16 (terms apply, only one discount per reader). To buy more wonderful St Kew products, including biscuit tins, hampers, gift baskets and so much more, visit the website and check out the array of gifts available this Christmas - all are delivered to your door and utterly scrumptious! 5
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Ugandan basket £3.99 TK Maxx
the
wishlist West’s top picks for spending your time and money this week
Smart Garden Trading fireside tool set Medina coasters
£110 Houseology
£8 for a set of four Next
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Wishlist
TOO CUTE Rudolph tea light holders £10 Retreat Home
GORGEOUS Vivienne sheepskin cross-body bag £145 Amara
ROMANCE Love keys £4 George Home at Asda
ELEGANT Ceramic vase £50 Next
EDGY Square frame howlite ring £18 Oliver Bonas
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talking points Gillian Molesworth
Story of my life...
When virtue and vice rub shoulders n the hubbub of the latest round of Brexit discussions, I took a mini break to Amsterdam. It is ridiculously easy to get to: the flight from Bristol is literally 45 minutes. Have you never been? You should go. From the airport, a short train trip puts you into the stateliest station I have ever seen. Seriis famous because it’s legal to ously, it’s practically the Houses buy soft drugs there, and you can of Parliament. Enormous brick sit in coffee houses and get high. and stonework building with gold Not that we did, mind you. But we cupolas: made even more imprescould have. sive by the fact that underneath it What a place of contrasts. was once three shifting islands in In the Rijksmuseum, you’re the harbour. surrounded by the finest Dutch Amsterdam is a city of merMaster paintings in the world: chants and shipbuilders, who Rembrants and Vermeers and through the ages have been Van Goghs. Just up the road is immensely prosperous: here the Red Light District, where you was the mighty can see all sorts of Dutch East India sex-related stuff in company based, the shop windows, and the heart including, at night, Both places have of the lucrative people selling actual found themselves tulip trade. Amsex. And in and cornering a sterdam is built among it all are on money, and university students, recreational plenty of it. businessmen and market, yet it’s It’s a decorawomen, and tournot the one the tive city, with ists of every colour wonderful speaking so many townspeople flourishes on the languages. might have chosen rooflines of the I read a statistic townhouses, and that Amsterdam so many interesthas a population ing fine buildings. Also, though, of under a million people, yet it it’s a practical city. You can see welcomes more than nine million this in the ever-reinventing city tourists a year. Mind-boggling. plan, the hoists built onto the We speculated that there roofs to help people get furniture are some similarities between and heavy goods up to the top Amsterdam and Newquay. Both floors, the user-friendly maps. have found themselves cornerFor centuries, the seafaring ing a recreational market, yet Dutch had contact with lots of it’s not the one the townspeople different people from around might have chosen, had they the world. This is probably the been asked. Yet look at culture origin of Amsterdam’s culture of and vice rubbing shoulders so tolerance and multiculturalism. comfortably in Holland. Of course, nowadays Amsterdam Food for thought.
I
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.
LOVELY
in lace
In a promotional shot for her new album, Rebecca Ferguson looks stunning in a white long sleeve lace top which she has teamed with a red maxi skirt. Like chiffon and tulle, lace is an ethereal fabric that gives your look feminine flair, especially when it’s in a refreshing shade of white. Try playing up your girlie side by teaming your lace with a colourful waist-cinching skirt or patterned trousers. Fluted sleeve lace blouse £50 Very
steal her
style
OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN
OPTION A Feminine Giles Edition lace top £49 Debenhams
OPTION B Flowing
Lace long sleeve top £29 Simply B
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DOWNTON? YES PLEASE! Since Downton Abbey ended last year, rumours have been flying about a Downton feature film. LILY JAMES, otherwise known as Lady Rose Aldridge, has admitted she is “eager” to reprise her role in the period drama. Joanne Froggatt, who played Anna Bates, confirmed that the script has been written in a recent interview: “There’s a hard copy somewhere but none of us have seen it or know what’s in it. So we’ll all keep our fingers crossed that it all comes together.” Julian Fellowes, the show’s creator - who lives in Dorset - also recently expressed his
Just
between us Gossip, news, trend setters and more – you
high hopes for the film: “My lips are sealed! It’s very unlikely there won’t be a film because there is audience out there for it.” Sounds good to us.
[[ ‘I’ll bake for my pet pug, Dennis’
CANDICE HAS PLANS CANDICE BROWN has won The Great British Bake Off. But this could be just the start for the 31-year-old PE teacher. PR guru Mark Borkowski says she could earn “at least £1 million” now that she is Bake Off champ. And could it be that baking dog biscuits – rather than cakes - is the key to her future success? She and
her boyfriend own a bulldog called Harry and a pug called Dennis. They both appear regularly on her Twitter feed and industry insiders say Dennis in particular has potential: pugs are currently one of the trendiest breeds of dog. So is a range of Candice-approved dog biscuits in the works? It’s surely only a matter of time!
heard all the latest juicy stuff here first!
!
SHERLOCK IS ON HIS WAY BACK Everything Sherlock fans know will be “tested” as the detective thriller series returns to screens at the beginning of next year. A first trailer for the show’s fourth season has revealed that it will begin on January 1 2017. The teaser, featuring BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH as the contemporary adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, gave glimpses of upcoming scenes with the mysterious lines: “Everything they know will be tested... Everyone they know is under threat.” Benedict himself has hinted that the next series will be so dramatic fans might require a break from the show afterwards. He has revealed there could be a longer gap than normal between instalments after the forthcoming episodes. “I think there will be a lull. I don’t think it will be in a year and a half necessarily but we will wait and see and maybe it will be. “First and foremost we have got a fourth series for people to watch and understand and when they watch it they might go, ‘Oh yeah, maybe there does need to be a break now,’ because of what happens in it. No spoilers!” We can’t wait!
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Natural beauty: Sian PriceHughes, who is 14, took this lovely picture of her friend Emily in the woods at West Hill, east Devon Remembrance: Soldiers from 29 Commando marched through Plymouth to support Poppy Day
in pictures In the swing: The new toddler group at The Eden Project is proving popular
Big fish: Dan Turner and Alan Wright caught a giant tuna off Falmouth - and then let it go!
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talking points A HISTORY
of the
WEST in
100
objects The best way to:
IMPROVE YOUR COOKING Say no to yet more spag bol with some South West cookery courses, all picked by Suzanne Barr • Baking bonanza: Twinkle Little Tarr, based in Copplestone, mid Devon, offers cupcake decorating courses for adults. For £28 per person (minimum of four people) you can enjoy two or three hours of teaching. You’re free to choose your favourite flavours and experiment with designs - and your cakes will be truly spectacular as well as a lot of fun to create. Lisa can also come to your home to host a party. For more information visit www. twinklelittletarr.co.uk • The wild side: The Fat Hen, a cookery school based in Penzance and specialising in wild food, is running a Game Cookery course. This course focuses on the cooking, sourcing and preparation of wild game. If you are willing to venture into the Cornish wilderness for the sake of your dinner, this is the course for you. A unique opportunity to learn to cook dishes ranging from hare ravioli to venison carpaccio. £125, November 26 10am-4pm. www.fathen.org • Dine in style: Philleigh Way Cookery School in south Cornwall offers a Dinner Party course to teach you how to deliver beautiful and tasty plates of food for your guests. The course includes five demonstrations and three practical sessions, with all food and drink covered in the cost. A few examples include: crab filo baskets, mozzarella and basil stuffed chicken breasts and chocolate fondants. November 23, £150, and your lunch is included. www.philleighway.co.uk • Two day getaway: Ashburton Cookery School in Devon is presenting food lovers a twoday education in all things fish and seafood. Learn how to prepare fresh, local fish and cook it perfectly. Aimed at typical home cooks, the course will increase your confidence in the kitchen. Accommodation is in Ashburton Court B&B, November 26-27, £315 per person. Visit www.ashburtoncookeryschool.co.uk
19: PORTRAIT OF ABRAHAM CANN From near Crediton, born 1794, died 1864 Julien Parsons is the Senior Collections Officer, The Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter. He says: For those of a certain age, wrestling reminds us of Saturday afternoons watching Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks on TV. Wrestling was every bit as popular in the 18th and 19th centuries and one of the finest exponents is depicted in this 1850 painting of Abraham Cann, attributed to Henry Caunter. Abe Cann was a farmer’s son from Colebrooke near Crediton. He was the undisputed champion wrestler until, in 1825, a war of words broke out between Cann and Cornish rival James Polkinghorne. A grudge match was arranged for October 23 1826 at Morice Town, Plymouth. Cann seemed to be at a disadvantage: he was about six inches shorter and eight stone lighter than his opponent. But the contest was evened up by a crucial difference of technique between the contenders. Polkinghorne fought Cornish
style – he was barefoot and did not kick – whereas Cann fought Devonshire style – he was a ‘kicker’. Abe’s portrait shows him in fighting attire: short jacket, breeches and boots, which after soaking in bull’s blood and drying were as ‘hard as flint’. Devon rules allowed Cann to aim kicks at opponent’s shins. ‘Cann vs Polkinghorne’ was an illtempered affair. Both sides disputed decisions and in the end it was declared a draw. A diplomatic result, perhaps, to ensure peaceful relations across the River Tamar.
#19
On display in Gallery 20, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter www.rammuseum.org.uk
This champion wrestler was a Devon farmer’s son
Competition winner: Congratulations to Gillian Marr of Bodmin who wins an Elemis beauty gift set worth £55, with thanks to Elemis skincare, www. elemis.com
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Atlantic Blankets yellow and grey travel wrap ÂŁ54
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People
MEET THE WRAP STAR Kirstie Newton talks to Gemma Teague, to find out more about making gorgeous blankets in Cornwall s the nights draw in, the idea of snuggling up with a warm blanket in front of a roaring fire is most appealing. Make that an Atlantic Blanket and the picture is just irresistible. The company, based in north Cornwall, makes fabulous woven treats inspired by the coast: grey for the cliffs, mustard yellow for the sand and blue for the sky and sea. And it’s certainly a busy time of year for the Perranporth business, whose orders soar when the weather turns chilly. Atlantic Blankets was launched a decade ago, and quickly built up a reputation for quality woollens. In 2015, the company was taken over by Gemma Teague, in a very 21st century manner. “I’d started a family and was wondering where I could go with my own business,” Gemma recalls. “I was a self-employed marketing consultant but rather than being my own boss, it felt like I had ten bosses. Then one day, Jo Riley tweeted that she wanted to sell Atlantic Blankets. I met her in Starbucks, and before I knew it, I had bought the business. “It happened very quickly, but it was definitely the right decision.” Having purchased the brand, with its remaining stock and customer loyalty, Gemma set about moving forward, updating the website and tackling social media while working on new collections. “Although I’d bought an existing business, it really did feel like starting afresh.” Gemma and partner Alistair, an interior designer, started out by searching the Atlantic seaboard of the
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UK and Ireland and buying selectively from carefully chosen mills. “What sells well traditionally is British wool in a classic style, like a herringbone weave,” says Gemma. She then turned her attention to producing her own designs, to complement and contrast with the existing range, all showcased here in these beautiful pictures Gemma commissioned to promote her company. She now also makes extra-large blankets which will comfortably cover a king-size bed, and smaller blankets (with a price tag to match) which make popular gifts. Gemma will be selling her blankets at the Padstow Christmas Festival from December 1-4. “Last year at the festival I noticed that all my less expensive £30 stock went very quickly,” she says. “So I made more in that price range. These blankets are the same length but half the width, and are good for throwing over a sofa, at the end of a bed or wearing around your shoulders.” Her marketing experience has given her a keen eye for an opportunity: “I also noticed young girls trying the blankets on, asking if they could wear them like scarves, and I thought, why not?” You can now buy a small selection of Atlantic Blanket accessories – bobble hats, snoods, gloves - to match your favourite blanket. There are cotton-based blankets for those who don’t like wool, and a “recycled” range made using the wool leftover from the main blankets.
Each one is individual, tough and a snip at £20: “These are very popular with surfers and dog owners, as you can just throw them in the back of the car, sandy as you like.” Atlantic Blankets supplied a number of Gemma’s recycled rugs to the London Surf Film Festival in September, to give that beachside vibe to screenings. Grey is the biggest seller, says Gemma: “It goes with pretty much anything and if you change your colour scheme, it will still fit in. We use it in a variety of weaves and patterns.” That said, yellow – banana, buttercup and mustard - does well in the summertime. At the higher end of her price range are the softer wools: merino, lambswool, mohair and alpaca, the latter soft but the hard-wearing – a mustard plain-knit from the Gwythian Way collection looks just like the blanket your gran would have made, with love and care. The business’s season has been extended with picnic and beach blankets that are perfect for summer, as well as baby blankets hand-knitted by a local craftswoman. And as well as ordering online, you can now find Atlantic Blankets in a number of stores, including the gitft shops at Heligan Gardens and Trebah Gardens, the Bed-
‘Girls were tying blankets on their shoulders like
scarves - why not?’ ruthan Hotel and Herringbone gift shop in Polperro. Future plans for Gemma include blanket hire for weddings. “I’ve been to a few weddings recently where people have been asked to bring their own blankets. Someone asked if we hired them out, and I thought, ‘Maybe we should’.” Branded blankets for corporate gifts are also a possibility. But above all, the business is a true family affair. The blankets are tied with ribbon and a holed limpet shell, picked from Greenaway beach on the north Cornwall coast with the help of Gemma’s children, five-year-old Ruby and 18-month-old Jago. “For her friend’s fifth birthday, Ruby wanted to give her a blanket – in an icecream stripe. It was the perfect choice, so we did,” laughs Gemma. “I love my work, because I can be both mum and a businesswoman. I’ve got a good balance at the moment and I really enjoy it.” www.atlanticblankets.com
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People
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My, w hat a big wolf you have!
y dog, ‘In actual fact, he’s a husk the for o tw d not a wolf. We ha !’ ds en fri shoot, they’re
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Discover
Creating a fairy-tale Christmas
PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE HAYWOOD
BEHIND THE SCENES
The National Trust is staging a spectacular Christmas event this year at the Devon stately home of Killerton, near Exeter. The theme is Grimm’s Fairy Tales and Becky Sheaves went to meet the National Trust staff who have become stars of this magical and very festive winter wonderland
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Vintage vixen
look, so ‘We went for a 1940s-50s , and lls ro y tor vic my hair is up in p and e-u ak m of I’m wearing lots s’ he as e-l big, big ey
Little Red Riding Hood Red Riding Hood is played by Jessica Holroyd, who works as visitor experience officer at Killerton
Jessica says: Last year, I was at Killerton over Christmas as a volunteer, doing an internship. For last year’s shoot I was busy holding lights and helping out. I certainly didn’t dream that this year I’d be in the pictures myself. But in April I applied for a full-time post at Killerton. I got the job and I have worked all year with our team of about 20 volunteers who meet all year round to make Christmas decorations and transform the house. I’m really Miss Christmas these days. I’m playing Little Red Riding Hood, wearing a cape especially made for the shoot. We had two husky dogs lent to us to play the wolf, who belong to some of our regular visitors here. The funny thing is, I’m a bit scared of dogs - and they were rather energetic! The one called Alfie did cause me a few moments of worry. He kept leaning on me when he and I were perched on a tree stump. I was terrified I was going to fall off. For the look of the shoot, we went for a 1940s-50s atmosphere, so my hair is up in victory rolls, and I’m wearing lots of make-up and big, big eye-lashes. Our catering assistant Imelda Hirst did the make-up. It’s a real team effort. The National Trust is a charity and when people come to visit us at Christmas, it helps us work our magic throughout the year to keep looking after the estate. Not only will our visitors enjoy a fantastic festive day out, they’ll be helping us to care for Killerton in the future too. 18
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Discover
The Bad Fairy The Bad Fairy in the tale of Sleeping Beauty is played by Emma Wakeham, who works as the volunteers manager at Killerton Emma says: My real job here at Killerton is to work with all our volunteers – we have people coming here who do so much for us, from working as room guides to gardening. Ninety per cent of the Christmas decorations we have at Killerton are handmade by our volunteers. This year, they have really pushed the boat out with an amazing room transformation into the gingerbread house from Hansel and Gretel and a lovely room all decorated to tell the story of the Elves and the Shoemaker Then you follow Rapunzel’s plait – all entwined with flowers and lights – all the way upstairs for even more excitement. For my role as the bad fairy, who curses Sleeping Beauty, I wore a lace top and black basque, plus a red show-girl style skirt. Oh, and horns, of course. We did the shoot on a really nice, warm autumn day, so we didn’t get cold. It’s not real snow! But you’d think we were in a winter blizzard to look at the photos. It was such a lot of fun.
Sleeping Beauty Sleeping Beauty is played by Jade Faulkner-Lloyd, who is retail supervisor in Killerton’s gift shop Jade says: After the shoot, I was so covered in glitter it was all over my car from the drive home and I dropped it everywhere I went, like a real fairy. I thoroughly enjoyed my chance to be princess for the day. My main role was to look “less dead, and more asleep” – quite a challenge! It was a real surprise to be asked to play Sleeping Beauty, especially as I have only been working here for three months. My hair was a real feature of the picture, because it is so long. The truth is, I’ve got a bit of a phobia about hairdressers. I never go to one I just trim my hair myself. So my hair has grown all the way to the bottom of my back. In the Killerton gift shop, my manager and I are busy creating an enchanted forest to go with the overall theme of Christmas, and the effect is absolutely gorgeous. I’ve always worked in retail and it’s really good fun to work right up to Christmas Eve helping customers find the perfect gift, I really enjoy it. In the evenings, I go home and do lots of baking, which all gets parcelled up into special hampers for my friends and family. Like I said, I love Christmas! 19
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Discover The photographer Steven Haywood lives in Devon and works with the National Trust right across the South West and nationally. This is his fourth annual Christmas shoot for Killerton Steve says: The idea behind this shoot for Killerton is to give a flavour of how the house and grounds will be decorated for Christmas. The staff and volunteers from Killerton all get together and we create a photo shoot to convey what visitors can expect this year. Every year, the house has a theme for its Christmas season. Last year was The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and this year is Grimm’s Fairy tales. For Little Red Riding Hood, we aimed to go for a vintage feel, with more than a hint of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. For Sleeping Beauty, there’s a real sense of mystery. I used smoke grenades and a snow machine, plus added effects like rainbows and sparkles afterwards in post production. It’s great fun for the people who work at Killerton to get involved – not just as models but helping out in so many ways. The great thing about working with the National Trust is that the people are lovely and all have a great sense of humour. And of course the locations are just stunning - the best you could possibly hope for as a photographer.
Win! We have three family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) to Killerton during the Christmas period to be won, each worth £29.
S ec rets of the shoot:
hoto lens for ‘I used a 70-200 2.8 telep ltiple lights, mu the shoot and used ft box and so d including an overhea dels.’ mo the backlights behind
To win, simply tell us the theme of this year’s Christmas celebration at Killerton. Send your answers, together with your name, address, email and phone number to: Killerton Christmas competition, westmag@ westernmorningnews.co.uk to arrive by Friday November 25. Alternatively, you can post your entries to Killerton Christmas competition, West magazine, Queen’s House, Little Queen Street, Exeter EX4 3LJ. Normal terms apply, West will not share your details.
Christmas at Killerton opens today (November 19). Visits to the house must be pre-booked online to avoid over-crowding. There are also many other magical events taking place at National Trust properties this Christmas, see www.nationaltrust.org.uk for details 20
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Make Morsø of your autumn.
A cosy, woodburning stove from Hearth & Cook will help you really enjoy and savour the autumn and winter months. Our collection of beautifully designed Morsø stoves will create a wonderfully warm atmosphere in any home, keeping you, your family and friends snug as the nights draw in and the temperatures drop. Visit our showroom in Exeter to see these appliances in action, or browse our website for more information.
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Interiors
‘We made our home magical’ Charlotte Dear discovers mid-century style in mid Devon, where a split-level bungalow has been transformed into a bright and stylish home hen Kevin Hollis and his wife Lisa bought this 1960s split level bungalow 12 years ago, they knew they were in for a project. With young children at the time, they were attracted to the position of the house, which is set well back from the road on the edge of Tiverton in mid-Devon. “The previous owners had bought it from new and had not really touched it since, so it was our job to transform a dated property into a home fit for 21st century living, while retaining elements of its retro roots,” explains Lisa. Back then, the frontage was a combination of stone and plastic cladding, which they replaced with a white rendered finish at one side and cedar cladding at another, with stainless steel railings giving it a contemporary look. “Inside, it was really a case of gutting and starting again!” admits Lisa. “We knocked down walls to create a sociable, open-plan living area.” Fortunately, the couple did not have to go it alone with their project, but instead called upon the expertise of their friend Steve Pattern, who has previously project managed properties for the likes of the Spice Girls in London. It was Steve’s idea to install under-floor heating in the reception rooms. “This was not the easiest of tasks as we opted for gloss tiles in the kitchen and oak and laminate flooring in the living room. The two varied hugely in thickness so achieving the same level throughout was somewhat fiddly.” remembers Lisa. In the open plan sitting room, the couple opted for a distinctly 70s style, with a retro feature wall
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Interiors and striking orange Ligne Roset sofa, “I love retro furniture and I’ve always wanted one of those. It’s as comfortable as it looks - you sit in it rather than on it,” says Lisa. Along with the under-floor heating, the room is warmed in winter by the stylish Hase gas burner, while Aurora mood lighting offers five different settings for any occasion and electric blinds control the daylight entering the room. A half partition wall separates the sitting area from the kitchen, while the dining space has been left open to both rooms, creating flow and continuity between the two. “The kitchen was designed by Bradburys in Exeter, which was where we sourced the majority of our bedroom furniture too,” says Lisa. “We really wanted to create ‘We wanted to synergy between the two transform a rooms; so our orange splash dated property back panel in the kitchen mirrors the sofa next door, while into a home fit the walnut tall units in the for 21st century kitchen match the shelving at living, while the other side of the partition wall.” retaining its retro With dark walnut wall cabiroots’ nets and a black mirrored floor, the couple chose gloss white waist-height kitchen units to brighten up the room. But one of the most intriguing features of this house is hidden away - the kickboard vacuum system. With a tap of the foot, crumbs and food scraps are sucked from the floor into a large container in the basement. “It was relatively easy to achieve and we decided to fit the other rooms with hose outlets so that you don’t have to lug a heavy vacuum cleaner through the house.” The four bedrooms all share the same crisp minimalist style as the reception rooms. For the family bathroom, Lisa and Kevin opted for Bosch fittings and under-floor heating: “It makes those early morning showers all the more bearable during the winter months!” says Kevin.
[[ Sliding patio doors connect the interior dining space to a spacious outside living area. “When it came to this space, we wanted to replicate the feel of the interior reception rooms, so we chose a garden table and chairs very similar to those found in the dining room. Our outside sofas get plenty of use during the summer months, while we use our Odeon barbecue all year round thanks to the good lighting out there.” An eightperson hot tub adds to the contemporary luxury of this house. Situated in a tucked-away location on the edge of Tiverton yet within easy walking distance of the town’s many amenities, this is a secluded yet conveniently located property. The exciting news is that it is now on the market and, given its wonderful make-over, this property would appeal to those in search of family home that has more than a dash of contemporary indulgence. 9 Norwood Road, Tiverton, is on the market with Seddons at £475,000 www.seddons.com
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GET THE
LOOK
Orla Kiely print orange cushion £40 Amara
White, dark wood and orange help channel mid-century style
Orange rind scented candle £25 Amara
Ray Ch arle s an d 25 £2 r ai Ea m es ch H ou se ol og y
1950s-style sideboard £545 Cuckooland
Mooi Cloud sofa £4,227 Houseology
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Ask Gracie... Want to look your best this week? Our styling expert Gracie Stewart of Exeter can help to you fulfil your fashion potential. All you have to do is ask...
Trench dressing Q
Classic trench £129 La Redoute
What’s the best way to style a trench coat? JA, Dorchester
Perhaps it’s the classic shape or timeless appeal but there’s something so effortlessly chic about a trench coat. Not only is it a stylish outerwear piece for transitioning from summer to winter, it also goes with just about everything in your wardrobe. Which one will you choose? A) The Classic Trench: Opt for a classic beige trench and team it with a pop of colour for a simple-but-effective look. B) The Statement Trench: Don’t be afraid of a bright trench caot. Just keep the accessories neutral and (if it’s not too cold) you could keep your legs bare. C) The White Trench: During winter try layering a white trench over your favourite leather jacket. D) The Loose-Fit Trench: A slouchy trench looks great when tightly belted over denim culottes. Add heels for sophistication.
White trench £95 Yumi Blue trench £65 JD Williams
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Eyes right Q
Maybelline Great Lash mascara £4.99 Superdrug
Can you recommend a good mascara for length and definition? SD, Newquay
The perfect mascara is a girl’s best friend, and we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to the selection on offer these days. When it comes to everyday mascara, you’re looking for a formula that’s not too heavy but then not too light and definitely with no clumps - along with a brilliant brush for lengthened, defined and evenly-coated lashes at the stroke of a wand. It’s a tall order but here are my picks for a good, everyday mascara: Benefit: They’re Real! ‘You’re looking mascara is a non-flakfor a formula ing, non-smudging forthat’s not too mula with a brush designed to lift and extend. heavy, not This really deserves its too light and place in the mascara definitely with hall of fame. Maybelline: Great Lash no clumps - plus Mascara is ideal for a brilliant brush’ everyday wear, the light formula delivers long, evenly spaced lashes and keeps them soft, not M.A.C Haute & brittle or spiky. Naughty Lash M.A.C: The Haute & Naughty Lash is a £19 M.A.C creamy, velvety, lightweight formula that sweeps up lashes and coats from root to tip. Its dual system customises your lash style for a naturally defined or powerfully dramatic look.
[[
Benefit They’re Real! Mascara £19.50 Boots
What’s in a name? Q
Why is monogramming such a big trend at the moment? MY, Paignton
Everyone these days is a brand. All over social media, you can show the world who you are, what you like and what you stand for. And one thing that brands love more than anything is a logo, which might help explain why monogramming is having its moment in the spotlight. So whether splashed across the back of a bomber jacket or embossed subtly on a leather handbag, it’s time to stamp your initials on everything.
Black wallet £68 www. thedailyedited. com
Black iPhone 6 case £30 www. thedailyedited. com
Gracie’s shopping list UMA Absolute anti ageing eye oil, £65, www. cultbeauty.co.uk This nourishing Ayurvedic formula harnesses the power of Eastern medicine to deliver lasting moisture and rejuvenate the delicate skin around the eyes. Frankincense and sandalwood essential oils prevent signs of ageing, while rich rose essential oil deeply hydrates the skin, leaving it soft and supple.
Burberry Light Glow in Earthy Blush No. 07 £29 Burberry If you’re looking for the ultimate “I went on holiday two weeks ago” rather than “I went on a sun-bed yesterday” bronzer, then look no further than the Burberry Earthy Blush No. 07. Apply all over the face with a powder brush for a subtle healthy glow.
Linen wrap-front trousers, £110, Jigsaw Made from Italian linen, these trousers are a modern update on a classic silhouette. A relaxed fit through the leg, they have a wrap front and a cropped, wide leg, and the barelythere features, including ticket and slant pockets, leave a polished finish. Wear with chunky knits and loafers.
Got a style or beauty question? Email Gracie Stewart at westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk with the subject Ask Gracie
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Faux fur stole £8 Matalan
Oh so faux... dd a touch of vintage glamour to your outerwear wardrobe this winter with faux fur. Not only is this cosy trend super-stylish but faux fur these days is as convincing as the real thing, without the stigma. Give the look a modern twist by investing in bold colours or intricate patterns, which will add some much-needed oomph to your winter wardrobe. From accessories to coats, there are plenty of options to choose from - after all there’s nothing better than to wrap up warm in on a cold winter’s day.
A
Faux fur backpack £145 The Great Gift Company
Bethany fur coat £199 Hobbs
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Fashion
Light brown faux fur coat £54 New Look
Trapper hat £60 The Great Gift Company
Leopard coat £179 House of Fraser
Bib a coa t £18 9 Ho use of Fra ser
Gilet £60 Lipsy
fave! Sadie patchwork scarf £98 Jigsaw 29
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Wellbeing
the boost
Life just got better. Our wellness guru Charlotte Dear has handpicked the latest health secrets and expert advice to help you be your best self, everyday
RUN FOR IT Fill your lungs with fresh Devon air tomorrow (Sunday November 20) by taking part in the Combe Crawler. Starting and finishing at the Ilfracombe Academy, the 8.5-mile long run takes you across country, down valleys and up hills towards Combe Martin before returning via Watermouth and Hele. The race starts at 11am and registration is £16 on the day with a t-shirt awarded to all finishers. www. facebook.com/groups/ilfrunclub
FESTIVE FUN On Sunday December 4 it’s time to don your beards and hats and practice your best hoho-hos for the 2016 Santa Run to raise funds for Exeter Age UK, Exeter Deaf Academy and Children’s Hospice South West. Starting at Exeter’s Quay, the 5k race is open to Santas over the age of 13. Santa’s little helpers of all ages are invited to join the 1.5-mile fun run. You can register (from £9) at www.exetercityfitc.co.uk
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BEAT THE WINTER BLUES When it comes to our general wellbeing, this is the time of year when things can start to go downhill. Grey days, chilly weather and a quieter social calendar can make us feel a little down in the dumps. Scattering your home with brightly coloured flowers and cushions, ignoring those cold-weather chocolate cravings and cracking a smile even when you don’t feel too cheerful can all achieve a muchneeded winter wellbeing boost.
Skip to fitness
With so much going on all around us, especially during this frantic time of year, it is wise to pause and reflect on the here and now. Mindfulness Cornwall has an eight-week Stress Reduction Course based in Newlyn, starting January 24 (£200), to find peace in your present rather than worrying about your past and future. www. mindfulnesscornwall.co.uk What’s coming up? Tweet us your wellbeing diary dates
Busy schedule standing in the way of your perfect body? Fortunately for you there are plenty of time hacks to keep you fit and trim during the festive season. Swap four wheels for two and commute by bike, swap coffee dates for power walking powwows, pop a skipping rope in your handbag for those spare minutes at lunch and really put your back into the housework to make those windows, floors and sweat beads sparkle!
@WMNWest or email westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 31
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Wellbeing
Is it time to love your liver? Swap that glass of red for a superfood juice, says our expert Q
My doctor has warned me I might be at risk of developing liver disease. What can I do to prevent this? TP, Newton Abbot
Andrew Langford, British Liver Trust chief executive, says: You probably love your family, your home, and maybe even your job and the way you look. But do you love your liver? It’s possibly not something you’ve even thought about before - but given that fighting infection and turning food into energy are just two of more than 500 functions performed by this amazing organ, maybe it’s time to start. This is certainly what we at the British Liver Trust are hoping to encourage, with our Love Your Liver campaign. More than two million people in the UK have liver disease, and 16,000 die from it each year. Liver disease, and deaths from it, have increased by 400% in just over 30 years, probably due to increased alcohol intake and obesity. But contrary to popular opinion, it’s not just alcoholics that have liver damage - people who drink over the recommended alcohol limits (which isn’t actually that difficult), the obese, and those who’ve caught viral hepatitis are all at risk of cirrhosis, where the liver doesn’t function properly due to long-term damage.
The majority of us are underestimating how no such thing as safe or healthy drinking. The much we’re drinking and, on top of that, there’s British Liver Trust recommends not exceeding the increasing burden of obesity in the UK. the recommended 14 units of alcohol a week, Those two reasons are certainly what’s fuelling with at least two booze-free days a week to give the liver disease epidemic at the moment. the liver chance to recover. After the skin, the liver is the Obesity-related liver disease is largest organ in the body and increasing, too. The liver just it performs 500-plus functions can’t deal with the amount of fat ‘The majority of include fighting infection, and calories going through it. controlling levels of fat in the People who have - or may have us underestimate blood and destroying drugs and - liver damage should maintain how much we’re toxins. When you see how many a healthy weight, eat a balanced functions the liver’s got, you rediet, and take at least half an drinking and, on alise why it’s such a vital organ, hour’s exercise a day. top of that, there’s and why you’d die without it. It’s not really until your liver the increasing There are more than 100 types starts to fail that you get any of liver disease, and while ofsigns, often quite late in your burden of obesity ficial figures suggest one in disease. But if you catch it early in the UK’ five people are at risk of liver enough and reverse the causes, damage, I believe this is an unthat will have a benefit - so you derestimate, and the true figlose weight if the cause is obesure’s nearer to one in three. ity, or if you’re drinking too Yet as much as 95% of liver disease is preventmuch, you stop. If you know what the risks are, able - alcohol and obesity can both be tackled by you can make some educated choices. lifestyle changes. If you only have “a couple of For more information and to assess glasses of wine” regularly, how big is your glass? how healthy your liver is, visit www. We need to be more careful with alcohol - there’s loveyourliver.org.uk
[[
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Food
SMALL BITES Our pick of what’s on in the Westcountry food world right now
Skandi snacks Earlier this month, the Scandinavian-inspired casual-dining cafe KuPP opened its first store outside of London in Exeter’s new Queen St dining quarter. It’s a real coup for the city (and the Westcountry) to have KuPP here and we can;t wait to try it. Set over two floors, the 6,000 sq ft cafe offers a menu of Scandinavian-inspired ingredients, using cooking techniques such as pickling, curing and smoking. The cafe also offers customers the ‘fika’ experience – it’s the Skandi version of a coffee break with coffee and cake or a light snack. Knitted jumpers strictly optional, of course.
MAIN PICTURE: MATT AUSTIN
The French connection Over the years, French cuisine has defined how many of us think of good food. But far away from the restaurants of Paris, it is the rustic food of France that is perhaps the most flavourful. Classic dishes range from bouillabaisse (fisherman’s fish stew), onion soup, ratatouille, skate with black butter, as well as beef daube. You can find out more at a one-day French Rustic Cookery workshop with expert chef Tim Harris, who will teach you how to create some of these tasty dishes using local Westcountry and seasonal ingredients. This hands-on fun event is being held on November 27 at the beautiful Occombe Farm Cookery School in Paignton. Tickets are £75 per person and can be purchased online at www.countryside-trust.org.uk.
Marshmallows and more Back in 1927, the first published recipe for “some mores” appeared in a publication called Tramping And Trailing With The Girl Scouts by Loretta Scott Crew. These days, the quintessentially American treats are known as “s’mores” and consist of toasted marshmallow sandwiched between crackers with a piece of chocolate. The Naked Marshmallow Co has a S’mores kit with gourmet marshmallows, Graham crackers, Hershey’s chocolate bars, a non-toxic gel burner and skewers. There’s even a step-by-step instruction guide! It’s a fun Christmas present, £20, www.nakedmarshmallow.co.uk
Got some foodie news? Let us know on westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 33
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Bake
Snowy Hills lemon and ginger slices Emma says: Make this into a special gluten-free dessert by serving it warm, with ice cream on the side.
Ingredients
Method:
For the polenta shortbread base 125g butter, softened and cubed, plus extra, melted, for brushing. 140g polenta 125g brown vanilla sugar 100g ground almonds 70g ground hazelnuts 40g almonds, toasted and chopped 1 egg 1 tsp ground ginger
1.
For the lemon topping: 2 eggs 125g ground almonds 140g brown vanilla sugar 1 tsp gluten-free baking powder 85g polenta 4 tbsp good-quality lemon curd Grated zest of 2 unwaxed lemons 1 tbsp lemon juice 2 tsp lemon oil 140g butter, melted Light brown sugar, for sprinkling
2.
To make the polenta base, preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Cut a rectangle of baking parchment to line the bottom of a 30 x 23 x 4 cm baking tin. Brush it and the tin liberally with melted butter before popping in the parchment. Put the butter, polenta, sugar, hazelnuts, ground almonds, chopped almonds, ginger and egg into a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until the mixture forms a soft but fairly grainy dough.
3.
Press the mixture into the baking tin with your hands and smooth down with the back of a large spoon, making sure it is evenly spread.
4.
Bake for 20 minutes, until golden and quite firm to the touch. Leave in the tin to cool completely.
5.
To make the topping, preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Crack the eggs into a
large mixing bowl. Add the almonds, sugar, baking powder, polenta and 1 tbsp of the lemon curd. 6.
Mix the lemon zest, juice and oil with the melted butter and then add it to the egg-andalmond mixture. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed until smooth.
7.
Spread the remaining 3 tbsp lemon curd evenly over the polenta base. Spoon the cake mixture on top of the curd, spreading it evenly and being careful not to mix it with the curd. Bake for 25 minutes, until golden brown and the surface springs back when pressed with your fingertips.
8.
Leave in the tin to cool completely. Sprinkle the top of the cake with brown sugar, then slide it out of the tin and cut into pieces.
Emma Goss-Custard runs Honeybuns in Sherborne, Dorset. Honeybuns Gluten-Free Baking by Emma Goss-Custard is published by Pavilion, £14.99 34
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Cook
Sea bass with sizzled ginger Recipe: Jackie Spendlow of Sladers Yard Café inWest Bay, Bridport Jackie says: Fish is my favourite ingredient - sustainable, of course. We like to give our customers a genuine coastal treat.
Season the sea bass fillets with salt and pepper and slash the skin three times. Add one tablespoon of oil to the frying pan and once hot, fry the fish skin side down for five minutes, or until the skin is crisp. Turn and cook for another 30 seconds to a minute.
Splash the fish with a little soy sauce and spoon over the ginger, chilli and spring onion mixture. Serve on a bed of baby leaves with slices of lime. This book pairs Taste of the West from across award-winni Cornwall, Devon, Dorse create origin ng chefs and al t, Somerset producers to get a genuin recipes that can be and Glouc prepared estershire e Taste of at home. to the West What better Country? way
“We are so luc ingredients ky to live in an area wh are to be fou ere nd almost on beautiful David Jone our doorste s, Chef, Wor th Matrave p.” rs Tea
A Taste West Couofnthe tr
y
A collection of original of the West recipes create award-winni ng chefs and d by Taste producers
2.
3.
ntry
Heat three tablespoons of oil and gently fry the ginger, garlic and chilli until golden. Remove from the pan, toss in the spring onions and set aside.
the West Cou
Method: 1.
A Taste of
Ingredients: 8 sea bass fillets, skin on and scaled 4 tbsp sunflower oil Large knob of ginger, peeled and shredded into matchsticks 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 4 fat, fresh red chillis, deseeded and thinly shredded 12-16 spring onions, shredded lengthways 4 tsp soy sauce Baby leaf salad Lime to serve
& Supper Roo m, Dorset
UK £17.99
TOTW2016
A collection of original Taste of the recipes crea West awa ted by rd-winnin g chefs and producers Photography by David Griff en
This recipe comes from the new A Taste of the West Country cookbook, now available on Amazon (We Make Magazines, £17.99) 36
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Case.indd
1
1
02/09/201
6 18:20
11/11/2016 11:12:47
Drink
Happy h ur with drinks expert April Marks
April says: Thursday saw the official release of 2016 Beaujolais Nouveau. This early-release wine was once THE wine to be drunk in November, back when wine merchants raced against
That’s clever!
grape, these red wines are light and fruity. However, its variable quality from year to year meant that we Brits lost interest many years ago in favour of the Italian equivalent, Novello, which is made using the same method of anaerobic fermentation (known as carbonic maceration) where maximum fruit flavours are extracted from the grapes without the tannin from the skins. The Italians work with many varieties for this method, the Teroldego variety lends itself well to this style and is consistently good year after year. Locally, Sharpham Estate near Totnes has been making an early-release white wine for the past 17 years. They hand-harvest their Madeleine An-
This wine is picked,
each other around the world to get the wines to market after they were released on the third Thursday of November. Restaurants would celebrate with Beaujolais Nouveau themed evenings. This unique style of wine is still produced in the bottle and released literally weeks after harvest – but is it any good? Produced from the Gamay
fermented and bottled,
all in just five weeks
The Phoenix in Chudleigh, Devon, has an impressive selection of craft spirits, and they’ve just added a gin that turns from blue to pink when you add tonic! Sharish Blue Magic Gin from Portugal is made with blue pea flowers, which give its electric blue colour and magic powers. It’s also smooth and easy to drink - try it!
gevine grapes which are fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel, bottled and released all within five weeks – astonishing! This year’s release is fabulously fruity but light and zesty as you expect an English wine to be. Released this week, Sharpham only produced 1,000 bottles of this wine - so grab yours soon. April Marks is co-founder of Regency Wines Ltd Exeter @regencywinesuk
Come Wine With Me The Cottage Inn in Lynton, north Devon, is a friendly pub that is also home to an authentic Thai restaurant. Its head chef will be cooking up a storm on Friday November 25 - a six course dinner with cuisine from Thailand, China, Vietnam and Japan will be matched with wines from wine expert Jorik Driesen who is also hosting a Q&A session. All this for just £35 per person! To book call 01598 753496.
WINE OF THE WEEK Sharpham Estate Early Release 2016 A mere 1,000 bottles of this locally-grown and estate-bottled white wine have been made at the Sharpham Estate on the River Dart in south Devon. At only 11.5% abv this makes a lovely lunch time tipple.
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Drink
Beer of the week Sharp’s 6 Vintage Blend is a combination of six year’s worth of Sharp’s special brews, produced under the Connoisseur’s Choice branding. This is where a line is blurred between a highquality beer and an after-dinner liqueur. Rich, smooth, and with a surprising amount of hop character. “A velvet smoking jacket of a beer,” says fellow beer writer Adrian Tierney-Jones.
Darren Norbury
talks beer hoa, where did my life go? I had So, what to expect at Harbour? “Stuart’s here that feeling as the West Briton, Corto oversee the next stage of our growth,” says nishman and Cornish Guardian’s Eddie. He’ll be producing staples such as Harnew website, Cornwall Live, went bour’s well-known IPA and Pilsner, but working online recently. One of the promotional videos, on new projects, too. Stuart will be doing two showed various of my former colleagues, still month-long projects studying a certain beer, working on the papers, in a fast-forward flickthen coming up with a new beer in that style. through of portraits. It rather reminded me A little less hectic, then, than one of his former of that moment you’re supposed to have just projects – 52 beers in 52 weeks. This brought us before death. Hopefully, I’ve brews such as Imperial Rauch a few more beers to try before Tripel and the exquisitely named then. Turbo Yeast Unspeakable AbhorAnother blast from the past, rence from Beyond the Ninth Stuart brought then, when I drive up to HarLevel of Hades. Quite. It’s great us brews such bour Brewing Company, near to see Stuart back in Cornwall as Turbo Yeast Bodmin, to meet their new again, enjoying that unofficial rihead brewer. Owner Eddie valry with fellow brewing genius Unspeakable Lofthouse, who asked me to do Roger Ryman, over at St Austell. Abhorrence a press release (full disclosure!) The two will probably claim from Beyond hadn’t briefed me beforehand there never was any rivalry. Us so I was taken aback to park the drinkers beg to differ. the Ninth Level car and see, waving at me from One of the first thing Stuart noof Hades. Quite. the office door, Stuart Howe, ticed was the quality of the Harformer Sharp’s head brewer, bour spring water, very similar to latterly of Butcombe Brewery that of European lager-brewing and Lost & Grounded brewers. capital Pilsen, in the Czech ReIt’s not unreasonable to say that Stuart is republic. “That’s one of my ambitions here, to make garded as a brewing genius. A former All-Party a brilliant Cornish lager,” said Stuart. So, will he Parliamentary Beer Group brewer of the year, enjoy his new surroundings? He says: “I’ve a lot he made his mark at Sharp’s and, latterly, as of experience of breweries and this place is very parent company Molson Coors as head of innowell run. The brewing team are good guys – the vation and craft brewing, leaving the legacy of sexiest brewing team in Cornwall!” the Connoisseur’s Choice range. This includes the like of Quadrupel Ale, Honey Spice Tripel Darren Norbury is editor of beertoday.co.uk and my personal favourite, Dubbel Coffee Stout. @beertoday
W
OPENING IN PLYMOUTH The former Classic Cookers store on Plymouth’s Exeter Road is set to be a new bottled beer shop. Vessel Beer Shop aims to be open in December. Follow their progress at facebook.com/ VesselPlymouth/
See you at St Austell
This time next week I’ll be marvelling once again at the range of beers in offer at St Austell Brewery’s charity Celtic Beer Festival (November 26). If you’re planning on going, get there early as there’s always a big – albeit efficiently served – queue.
[[
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15/11/2016 14:49:50
culture vulture Our pick of the most interesting and exciting things to see and do right now in the South West
Marvellous music A spectacular night of celebratory music by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is set to include a newly commissioned fanfare, written especially for the University of Exeter by renowned composer Stephen Montague. Hear it at a one-off concert in the University’s Great Hall, alongside popular and uplifting classics from some of the world’s best-loved composers. With special lighting and a volley of confetti cannons, this concert is guaranteed to captivate and delight. Friday November 25, Exeter University, tickets from £25.50, www.exeternorthcott.co.uk
Magical lanterns
Off to the races These Clydesdale heavy horses, called Tom Parker, Solo, Big Al and Frankie Doodle, have been out on Dartmoor training in readiness for the spectacular annual Clydesdale race at Exeter Racecourse. The race takes place tomorrow, on Sunday, November 20 when the course celebrates Devon Day, all in aid of the county’s air ambulance. This picture is by the expert Dartmoor photographer Malcolm Snelgrove. Entry to see the races at Devon Day starts from £10, with a prize for the best decorated welly boots! www.exeter.thejockeyclub.co.uk
Enjoy the magic of Trengwainton’s walled gardens near Penzance, all lit up with candles and fairy lights. Father Christmas will be in his grotto (£2.50 per child, timed tickets will be issued on the night) and choirs and music groups will entertain. The hog roast, hot stews and mulled wine for sale will keep out the chill and children can decorate their own jam jar festive lantern. It’s the perfect way to start your family’s Christmas season. Friday December 2, from 5.30pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ trengwainton-garden.
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DREAMING OF
GORGEOUS
GIFTS
drakecircus.com
Ads_Nov19.indd 1
15/11/2016 15:46:34
Making light work Sue Cade meets Exeter-based lighting specialist David Amos, a man on a mission to invigorate lighting in your home
“ L
ighting used to be the last thing people thought about when moving house or building their home. Not so very long ago a new light was a rarity, with the average person buying one every 20 years or so. But we’ve literally ‘seen the light’ - and lighting is now taken seriously as an integral part of the interior design process,” says David Amos, as he shows me around his exciting new showroom in Devon. Lighting is the Amos family business - David began working for his father’s lighting company when he was just 17. “I started in the store room learning from the bottom up, and by the time the decision was taken to sell the family business, I was in a strong position to set up on my own,” he remembers. Amos Lighting, David's own company, started trading in 2000 with the aim, he says, of “introducing modernity and creativity to lighting in the South West, showing people how to transform their living space with careful attention to detail using simple, well considered lighting principles.” When his first showroom opened in Exeter, it had an immediate impact, with a mix of retail sales and design ideas for domestic and com-
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People
David Amos and his wife Nicola work together
mercial properties. “I’ve been fortunate to work for customers in the most stunning of locations, such as on the River Dart, the north Cornish coast and high on Dartmoor, as well as designing lighting for beautiful town houses and apartments.” Among the well-known names on the Amos customer list are War Horse author Michael Morpurgo, Formula One champ Nigel Mansell, Deborah Meaden of Dragon's Den, Kevin McCloud from Grand Designs. Kevin paid David the ultimate comppliment in one of his books, saying he was "worth his weight in tungsten". The steady growth of the business has resulted in the opening of the firm's second showroom, in the village of Topsham on the east side of Exeter. Amos Lighting & Home is right opposite shoppers’ paradise, Darts Farm and, while the Exeter store at Marsh Barton remains the centre for design and project work, this new showroom provides a range of accessible, on-trend lighting that hits the mark for what David refers to as "affordable spectacular". “The word designer is often associated with expensive – but that’s not necessarily the case,” he explains. “Sure, we love to show off beautiful
high-end lights that are alluring but we have plenty of striking choices that represent great value for money.” Ranges include Foscarini, Flos, Tom Dixon, Catellani and Smith and Vita. And in addition to lighting, the new showroom also stocks an exciting range of soft furnishings, from designers such as Cattelan Italia and Content by Conran, offering bold colours and striking designs with affordable price points. “I believe we are distinctive because we don’t simply sell lights – we understand, implicitly, the value of creative lighting and its ability to transform a living space and, ultimately, provide long lasting satisfaction,” says David. David has some easily-achievable tips up his sleeve for customers looking to refresh the lighting in their home. “If you light an entire room from one light source, the atmosphere can be flat and uninteresting. "It’s important to consider layering your lighting, placing lights at different heights in a room; lamps, using wall lights and possibly a ceiling pendant, all with individual controls so you can reflect your mood or time of day. "Concealing light is a good technique as it creates interesting effects rather than just light for
'The word designer does not necessarily have
to mean expensive'
light's sake - you could try lighting a bookcase in a niche or placing a light in the floor to highlight a textured finish.” This family business engenders loyalty, not only in customers but staff too. David is ably supported in his endeavours by wife, Nicola, who he met through the business. “Her father was a consulting engineer who I worked with regularly. Little did I know he was going to send his daughter in to see me to buy a light for her new apartment. The rest, of course, is history.” Nicola is, officially, the company’s marketing and human resources manager but she and David work closely together: “We make a great team - I supply the design and creativity and Nicola, quite rightly, brings me down to earth!” he says. Amos Lighting Lighting and Home, Dart Business Park, Topsham, Exeter www. amoslighting.co.uk 43
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My Secret Westcountry Michael Cox Michael Cox, 70, is director of Michael Spiers Jewellers. He lives in Derriford, Plymouth with his wife Vivienne and they have a son, Jonathan, aged 27.
Newton Ferrers
Walk: My wife and I enjoy the beautiful coastal walk from Noss Mayo in the South Hams. The four mile walk takes you through sheltered woodland and out to the rugged coastline, back into the chocolate box village of Noss Mayo for lunch at the Ship Inn. Place to eat: For fine French cuisine it has to be Chloe’s Restaurant in Princess Street, Plymouth, especially when our grown-up son Jonathan is visiting us in Plymouth. He thoroughly enjoys Didier Franchet’s escargots and having long conversations in French with him. For business lunches, the authentic Italian food served at the Positano, Mayflower Street, is definitely a hit with me and our clients alike.
St Michael’s Mount
Weekend escape: The Salcombe Harbour Hotel is an outstanding hotel with amazing views across the estuary to East Portlemouth. I recently spent a weekend there to celebrate a big birthday, together with the renewing of my wedding vows, secretly organised by my wife, Vivienne. A truly memorable event with family and friends.
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People
Salcombe Harbour Hotel
Rick Stein
British Firework Championships
Noss Mayo
Event: The British Firework Championships, which are held annually on Plymouth Hoe. A superbly-organised event by Plymouth City Council. It is sometimes coupled with the Rolex Fastnet Yacht Race, which gives us a great opportunity to entertain many of our clients.
Chloe’s Restaurant
Westcountry icon: It has to be Sir Ranulph Fiennes. He is this country’s most famous living explorer and also a very good client of mine over many years. It’s always an honour to serve him, a true gentleman and legend.
Burgh Island, then having a quick Plymouth Gin and tonic in the Pilchard Inn.
Pub: The Ship Inn at Noss Mayo, for great regional food and beers, and great service. However, you need to keep an eye on the tides when parking at the mouth of the estuary!
Shop: Herring Shoes in Kingsbridge.
Food: Fish and chips from Rick Steins, on the
Beach: I love walking on Bigbury beach to
This is an independent, family-run business started in 1966, producing hand-made top quality shoes which are extremely well designed and incredibly comfortable to wear. It is a very similar business to our own company, Michael Spiers, we also pride ourselves on the quality of our hand-made diamond and gem stone jewellery.
View: Plymouth Sound never disappoints. I especially enjoy it on a Sunday when I meet up for early morning coffee with friends, looking across Plymouth Sound to Drake’s Island. There’s no greater place to be!
quayside at Padstow. It has to be done!
Secret place: St Michael’s Mount, Penzance, where I proposed to my wife. Drink: A pint of Tribute (or two) with my son Jonathan. It’s an excellent Cornish beer produced by St. Austell Brewery. On other occasions, Plymouth Gin and tonic.
Special treat: A day’s clay pigeon shooting at Newnham Park, with the owner, David Cobbald - followed by a leisurely lunch. 45
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My life
Chris Mcguire
Bah, humbug! Chris McGuire is channelling his inner Scrooge this November
“ G
ot all your Christmas shopping done yet?” asked an acquaintance, who, by barring my way, had forced me into an unwanted small talk situa-
limited to the inside of my head. It’s not just the music. Everyone seems to be getting in on the festive act. Why must every item of food or drink be branded with a Santa tion. Claus and declared “Christmassy”? I don’t “No, not yet,” I replied, as cheerily as I could, want a jolly yuletide bacon bap. What hoping this would end the interexactly is so jolly action. about it? Am I to be“I have,” he replied, smugly. lieve there are elves “You’d better get a move on! around the back, The festive Time’s racing on…” frying cured pork season, to me, I’m not one to shout. I’m really products? not, I pride myself on my easy Then there are is like broccoli, going demeanour. But, for some the Christmas chick flicks and reason, this premature yuletide parties. It’s never the music of Enya: bragging pushed me to my limit – too early for it may have been something to do one of them, is acceptable in with being a sleep deprived new it? A group of (very) small doses dad. Suddenly, I heard louder friends and I than normal words leaving my were out for mouth: “IT’S STILL NOVEMa quiet pint BER!” I bellowed. in late SepThe smug look left his face, replaced by one tember when we were that seemed to say: “I won’t be stopping to talk disturbed by the to him again” (every cloud…). Yes, this week, I sound of crackers learned that my desire to keep Christmas in Deand Noddy Holder cember, is by no means universal. warbling about how They’re all at it, across the Westcountry, deckmuch fun they were ing the halls and tinkering with tinsel. Doesn’t having. It was an office anyone know it’s still November? Don’t get me Christmas party, held wrong, I like Christmas as much as the next curin September: to beat mudgeon, but does it have to begin so early? The the rush. Someone acfestive season, to me, is like broccoli, chick flicks tually said that it was “a and the music of Enya: acceptable in (very) small shame there’s no snow doses. outside”. Snow? It was still Seasonal music has been playing in shops for summer! weeks now, I’ve heard Paul McCartney’s WonNow, I’m the first to apprederful Christmastime so often that I’m worried ciate that everyone else may not the ex-Beatle has given me festive tinnitus. I have share my views. I am, no doubt, to keep asking people: “Can you hear the music in the minority. I just don’t see why too?” just to be sure the sleigh bell jingling isn’t people can’t understand that if you
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do something day in, day out, it ceases to be special. I don’t, as the song says, “wish it could be Christmas everyday”. Once a year is enough for me. In the meantime, let’s celebrate November, a great month overflowing with autumnal beauty. It’s about time we saved poor old November from being overshadowed by its big brash brother December. Chris McGuire is a writer who recently moved to the Westcountry. He doesn’t care if you don’t send him a Christmas card @McGuireski
NEXT WEEK: Phil Goodwin on love, life and parenthood in the South West 46
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