West Magazine, November 5 2016

05.11.16

WIN!

Designer jewellery

24

Ways to love winter

COOKING:

The ultimate brownie

FEARLESS Victoria Pendleton’s new racing challenge

Cover_Nov5.indd 1

01/11/2016 13:14:01

Composite Colour Doors from £845 Fully Fitted

Super Efficient Energy Saving Windows in lots of colours

Buy TODAY with NOTHING to pay ** until 2018 Just £99 deposit!

British Made

19.9% aPr aPr representative representative 19.9% Terms & Conditions apply Call for full details.

*

Affordable Tiled Roof Conservatory

Expert help & advice for your home extension

Call FREE on 0800 09 33 449 Brunel Road, Newton Abbot TQ12 4PB

www.agswindows.co.uk

*Terms and conditions apply. Excludes building work. Based on min £2,000 order value. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. AGS Home Improvements Devon Ltd of Teign Foundry, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 4PB (8506501) act as a credit broker and not the lender, and only offers credit products from Hitachi Capital Consumer. Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in Cardiff no. 1630491. Registered office: Hitachi Capital House, Thorpe Road, Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, TW18 3HP

Ads.indd 3

01/11/2016 13:54:00

‘There’s a date in my diary in November where I will not be more than an hour away from Ems at all times.

It’s freaking me out – but in a good way.’

22

FROM GROTTY TO GORGEOUS Smart developments in Truro

09

OH, BABY!

Peter and Emily’s due date beckons

Peter Andre is expecting a baby, p9

[contents[ Inside this week...

6

THE WISHLIST Our pick of the best treats this week

9

JUST BETWEEN US...

Sh! JK Rowling tells it like it is

12

UP, UP AND AWAY Kite-surfing with champions in Devon

16

28

PRINTS CHARMING Dark florals for winter days

30

JUST SOUPER Great ways to boost your wellbeing

WHAT VICTORIA DID NEXT Riding high in the Westcountry

22

FROM GROTTY TO GORGEOUS Transforming property in Truro

26

JUST ASK GRACIE Our style guru solves your problems

28

PRINTS CHARMING Dark florals for winter chic

30

BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Great ways to feel your best this week

33

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

38

AND OUR PANEL SAYS...

The serious side of judging beer (yes, really)

42

WAX ON, WAX OFF A close shave at the beauty clinic

46

REMEMBER, REMEMBER Chris McGuire hates Nov 5. Here’s why...

44

THE BEST OF THE WEST Where to go, what to do

12

EXMOUTH’S WORLD CHAMP

Meet Steph Bridges, kite surfer

3

CONTENTS_NOV5.indd 3

01/11/2016 10:56:21

16

he West Country?

[ welcome [

A Taste of the West Country

A Taste of the West Countr

chefs and producers West award-winning to and Gloucestershire on, Dorset, Somerset way home. What better can be prepared at

y

id Jones, Chef, Worth

Taste recipes created by A collection of original ning chefs and producers of the West award-win

where beautiful lucky to live in an area st on our doorstep.” ts are to be found almo Room, Dorset

IN THE SADDLE

What Victoria did next

It’s all happening in the South West these days... hen Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton wanted to change sports and become a jump jockey, she set off for Somerset to learn how to ride. Her first race on horseback was at a small point-topoint near Exeter. Within a year, she was competing at Cheltenham.

Today, Victoria now works at a racing yard and owns two horses of her own.

Suffice to say, she’s caught the equestrian bug - and it all started right here in the Westcountry. This inspirational - and very brave - woman talks marrige, family and horses with us on page 16 today.

Another person who is putting the South West very

W

Matravers Tea & Supper

l recipes created by A collection of origina producers winning chefs and Taste of the West awardGriffen Photography by David

UK £17.99

1

Tweet

[

02/09/2016 18:20

[

[

firmly on the map right now is Steph Bridge, the world champion kite surfer who lives in Exmouth, east Devon. If you go down to Steph’s home beach on a windy day, you’re more than likely to see her, her three children and her husband in action, all performing spectacular leaps and turns on the water.

Steph’s now setting out to make Exmouth an international centre of excellence for her sport, as she explains on page 12 today. It’s a great idea and we’re right behind her (albeit on dry land!).

Finally, do enter our competition today (p5) to win beautiful bespoke designer jewellery handmade in Plymouth - good luck!

[

Victoria’s caught the equestrian bug - and it all started in the South West

of the week

@Tasteofthewest Great to see our recipe book serialised in @WMNNews @WMNWest today...

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

4

EdsLetter_Nov5.indd 4

31/10/2016 16:11:24

If you buy one thing this week...

Why not buy a beautiful winter coat from a fashion label based right here in the South West? This limited edition wool coat by internationally-acclaimed designer Anna Avramova has been specially made for her daughter Deni’s Plymouth-based clothes business ID Fashion. It costs just £229 - and this lovely picture of the coat was shot by Edwin Ho, creative director at Vogue.

Do pop along to ID Fashion to see more clothes and jewellery from this talented mother-daughter team. Find the store at 3, Royal William Yard, Plymouth or online at www.traditsia.co.uk

Win

We have a lovely handmade leather necklace and pewter earring set, worth £50, by ID Fashion to be won. To enter, tell us where ID Fashion has its store. Send your answers, together with your name, address, phone and email to: ID Fashion competition, westmag@ westernmorningnews.co.uk to arrive by November 18. Alternatively, you can post your entry to: ID Fashion competition, West magazine, Queen’s House, Little Queen Street, Exeter EX4 3LJ. Normal terms apply, West will not share your details.

5

EdsLetter_Nov5.indd 5

31/10/2016 16:14:45

Just Slate gold mezze set £45 Houseology

SPARKLE Silver cosmetic bag £7.50 Marks & Spencer

the

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

IN A SPIN Circular wool spiral rug £109 The Rug Seller

Metallic globe £16.99 HomeSense

6

Wishlist_Nov5.indd 6

31/10/2016 11:53:41

Wishlist

POW pendant £149 Edge Only

NEAT

Margot dressing table £395 Oliver Bonas

Gold champagne Saucers (pack of four) £24 Next

Store we adore...

STORE ers Jewellers SpiADORE: chaelWE Mi Michael Spiers, the luxury jeweller, has stores in Plymouth, Taunton, Exeter and Truro. This family-run business has a well-deserved reputation for exceptional quality and service.

Business mogul Lord Alan Sugar is among its loyal customers: The Apprentice star visited the Plymouth

store in person to pick up his new Rolex Daytona watch, praising the exceptional service he received on Twitter, and then later bought a Rolex Submariner from the Exeter store.

Michael Spiers stocks Patek Philippe, TAG Heuer and Breitling – and Rolex, of course. www.michaelspiers.co.uk

Potted succulents £8 Wilkinson 7

Wishlist_Nov5.indd 7

31/10/2016 11:53:07

talking points Gillian Molesworth

Story of my life...

In praise of a midcentury manual e have an ancient edition of the Manual of Horsemanship, which is still a recommended read of the Pony Club, but in a much-updated version. Don’t let the crumbly hardback cover or mildewedged pages of this mid-century gem deceive you: this old book is a fount of knowledge. I do wish it came with a glossary, however. miscanthus, and rubber matting.

For instance, it recommends In the old days there was straw, that if your horse is tired, you straw or straw. should “dismount, loosen the And didn’t they know their girth and walk the horse the last way around straw, our horsey half mile home. Alternatively, ancestors? As well as bedding remove the saddle and stap his and thatching, my mid-century back with damp burlap to restore Manual of Horsemanship also circulation.” explains how to twist straw into It took me a while to work this a “wisp” for rubbing legs and one out, but I think it’s basically drying the horse. whacking the horse with a wet It was a question of using what sack – bit like was available… and Swedish maseveryone seems to sage. Tough love. have been tougher Don’t let the Another one is in those days, “thatching”. “If crumbly hardback horses and humans. the horse is still Technology has cover or mildewwet and needs improved and oldedged pages of to be left in his fashioned straw stable, thatch thatching has been this gem deceive under his rug replaced with you: this old to allow him to expensive highdry.” I was able tech coolers. Don’t book is a fount to find out about even get me started of knowledge this one thanks on horse rugs: to a forum lightweight rugs, on Horse and heavyweight rugs, Hound: “thatching” is the pracmid-season rugs, rugs with liners tice of stuffing straw under a rug. and reflective tape, waterproof This makes a layer of insulation, sheets and netting that protects allowing the horse to dry without against flies. My horse has about soaking the rug. Then you just five, and this doesn’t appear take out the wet straw. Clever. excessive.

What I love about all the old Horses are a very expensive methods is how simple they are. business these days. Leafing Nowadays there are about 600 through our dusty Manual of products for doing everything Horsemanship however, I somein the horse world. Just take times ruminate that I would trade bedding: you can choose beit all for one old-fashioned expert tween straw (wheat, barley, or as a consultant and a few bales of oat), wood shavings, newspaper, good straw.

W

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.

INTO THE

blue

Actress Michelle Keegan has a lot of irons in the fire these days. Since she left Coronation Street, she has starred in the BBC army drama Our Girl, as well as getting married to reality TV star Mark Wright. She’s also working with the Lipsy fashion label to design her own range of clothing - here she is showcasing a maxi dress from the collection. With the Christmas party season coming up, cobalt blue is a flattering alternative to red or black and works well in block colour with lace or cut-out detailing.

Cut-out detail maxi dress £110 Littlewoods

steal her

style

OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN

OPTION A Flirty Bardot lace dress £60 Little Mistress

OPTION B Flowing

Romilly dress £160 Phase Eight

8

MoleyGossip_Nov5.indd 8

01/11/2016 12:44:15

15.10.16

BABY IN WAITING...

Peter Andre believes his wife Emily’s baby could arrive early, he has revealed. Emily, who grew up near Taunton, is expecting her second baby in December but Peter is convinced the newborn will arrive sooner than that. “There’s a date in my diary in November where I will not be more than an hour away from Ems at all times,” says Peter, 43.

“It’s freaking me out – but in a good way.”

Emily, 27, has also admitted that she feels she could give birth early. “I had to go to hospital two weeks ago because I’m having contractions already, which makes me think this baby could come early,” she said

Just

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

recently. The couple got married in Devon at Mamhead House in 2015, a luxury wedding venue that has sadly just closed due to financial problems.

[[ ‘I’m planning on four new films, folks’

THERE’S MORE TO COME! Harry Potter author JK ROWLING has revealed she has planned scripts for at least four more of her Fantastic Beasts films.

JK, who went to university in Exeter, made the announcement to thousands of delighted fans from across the globe who came together for a special event celebrating the release of Fantastic Beasts And

Where To Find Them.

Speaking at the event in London’s Leicester Square, alongside its lead actor Eddie Redmayne, she said: “We always knew it was going to be more than one movie, and we said a trilogy as a place holder.

“But I’ve done the plotting properly and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be five movies.” Yippee!

heard all the latest juicy stuff here first!

!

SO SAD IT’S ALL OVER BBC Breakfast presenter NAGA MUNCHETTY says she is “absolutely gutted” to be the fourth celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing.

She was voted out of the competition after all four judges chose to save singer Anastacia instead of Naga in the danceoff. Following her disappointing result, she said: “Gutted, absolutely gutted, I never wanted to leave and I’ve loved it and I’m desperately sad that I’m not going to be dancing with Pasha.”

Adding that the best thing about her experience on the show was working with her “wonderful” partner, she said: “He’s amazing, he’s just wonderful and amazing and I’m so grateful for him being so patient and working so hard with me.”

Pasha Kovalev had equally warm words for his partner and said: “Thank you for being the best student I’ve ever had, so determined and so much fun all the time.” Awww, shame...

9

MoleyGossip_Nov5.indd 9

01/11/2016 12:44:37

Take a pew: Balwest Methodist Chapel near Helston held a special service for family pets

in pictures Dairy lady: Julie Prisk of Kennall Vale near Truro is making delicious cheese

True colours: The Garden House at Buckland Monachorum has a fabulous autumn display of colour this year

Fancy dress: Exeter’s Exetreme Imagination children’s festival this half term was a great success

10

WIP_History_Nov5.indd 10

01/11/2016 12:46:03

talking points A HISTORY

of the

WEST in

100

objects 17: TOTEM POLE

The best way to:

GO FOR A BIKE RIDE In search of some fun on two wheels? Here’s our pick of the best ways to cycle in the South West • Electric dreams: Cornish Cycle Tours run supported bike rides staying at pubs and guesthouses. You can even hire one of their electric bikes for some extra pedal power. They transfer your luggage and provide you with detailed maps and directions for each day. Prices start at £295 for a three day tour. For more information visit www.cornishcycletours.co.uk.

• Coast to coast: Cross the narrowest part of Cornwall (just 11 miles) along the Mineral Tramway between Portreath and Devoran along a former mining railway. Hire your bikes at Elm Farm Bike Barn at Nancekuke, with a wide range of cycles including tandems, tricycles, tag-alongs, kiddie trailers, dog trailers, child and baby seats. Helmets, toolkits, locks, maps, pumps all included.

There’s also a great café at the farm! www. facebook.com/elmfarmbikes •

Get in a spin : Raining outside?

Absolute Spin in Barnstaple specialises in indoor cycling classes, set to music and in a friendly environment. Monthly membership is £40 for unlimited classes or pay £60 for 10 sessions www.absolutespin.com • Join the club: Exe Velo Cycling Club meets at the Exe Valley Leisure Centre in Taunton at 8.30am every Sunday, with groups from improver to race training. Membership is £20 a year, the club is affiliated to The British Cycling Association. www.exevelocyclingclub.co.uk

Carved in Canada and Exeter, 1998 Julien Parsons is the Senior Collections Officer, The Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter. He says: In March 1778 Captain James Cook sailed into Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, on the North West coast of Canada. It was an encounter between two worlds: the European and that of the First Nations of the Pacific Coast. At times it proved an uneasy and unfair relationship.

Cook never made it home from this Pacific voyage, but the crew’s observations and the artefacts they acquired did. And after passing through several collections, some of the precious items were saved by a handful of museums around the world.

Exeter is lucky enough to be home to one of those museums.

Fast forward 220 years to June 1998 and a remarkable act of friendship. Senior carvers Tim Paul and Patrick Amos of the Nuu-chah-nulth people of Vancouver Island come

to Exeter to oversee the finishing touches to this magnificent totem pole at RAMM. It stands about five metres tall and is carved from red cedar shipped from Canada to Exeter. Featuring a host of creatures important to the First Nations, it is named ‘Ilchinik’ in honour of a powerful and successful whaler.The link between Exeter and Vancouver Island may seem tenuous to us: Cook’s objects could have ended up in another museum in a different city. But the artefacts that were collected at Nookta Sound, such as a whalebone club on display at RAMM, have created a lasting bond between these two distant places

#17

This totem pole is five metres high

On display in Gallery 13, RAMM, Exeter.

Big Tights Competition winner: Congratulations to Mrs E Full of Buckfastleigh who wins £100 of luxury plus-size lingerie from The Big Tights Company of Penryn. www.thebigtightscompany.co.uk

11

WIP_History_Nov5.indd 11

31/10/2016 11:55:28

‘I try to step back from being a mum with the boys when

THIS PICTURE: MATT AUSTIN

they compete at high level’

12

FEATURE1_STEPHBRIDGE_NOV5.indd 12

26/10/2016 15:25:59

People

Up, up and away...

By Chris McGuire

We meet Steph Bridge, the World No. 1 kite surfer, in action on her home beach of Exmouth, east Devon arrive at Edge Watersports’ base in Exmouth, unsure what to expect.

I’m a little bit nervous - it’s not every day you meet a World No. 1. I find Steph Bridge holding court. She’s in her element talking to customers and friends, and it’s easy to see how the former quickly join the ranks of the latter.

As she talks, Steph, 44, constantly does three things at once - answering phones, monitoring emails and organising appointments. Within minutes I can see that Steph, who spends half her time propelled by a kite, is the closest thing to a real life superhero I’ve ever met. And her family all seem to share her high-energy approach to life, too - of which, more later.

Steph’s childhood was right here in Exmouth, east Devon, and the sea featured prominently: “My father was a boat builder, my grandfather was a fisherman and my uncle was coxswain of the lifeboat. It wasn’t long before we all learned to sail well.”

Even as a kid, it seems, Steph was keen to pack her day with activities: “At three o’clock I’d finish school and I’d go on my bike down to the workshop, where I helped my father with the boats. That’s how I spent my time, earning some money towards paying for things for my boat.”

In her husband Eric, 45, Steph met a kindred spirit. “He said: ‘Why are you bothering with that sailing? It’s so slow! Come and learn windsurfing.’ We got really quite good at windsurfing.

pictureS: martin Allen

I

13

FEATURE1_STEPHBRIDGE_NOV5.indd 13

26/10/2016 15:26:28

Xxxxxx

‘Just learning anything yourself, through trial and error, is really fun’ Then we were on our honeymoon in 1997, in Maui, Hawaii and we saw this new sport and thought: ‘Oh that’s incredible – what is it?’ It was like an open canoe with a kite, going down the ocean.” The sport was a very early version of kite surfing.

The image of the Maui kite surfer didn’t leave them. Three years later, while Steph was pregnant with their first child, the couple’s love of this emerging sport began in earnest. “Back then just getting hold of a kite was really difficult so we used our windsurfing boards and attached a land kite to them.” Luckily, Steph’s never happier than learning a new skill. “Just learning anything yourself, through trial and error, is a really fun thing to do.”

Could Steph have imagined she was developing a sport that would eventually gain a worldwide following? “You know what?” Steph says, with a smile. “I’m not one for looking into the future. I like to live for the now. At the time I was dealing with all the emotional rock-and-roll of learning

this ridiculous sport, which still scared me every time I put this bloody thing in the air – wondering if it was going to be safe and how it was going to go.”

It did. In the years that followed, Steph became the face of kite surfing, winning world championships (five so far) and setting a high bar for those who followed. The list of her achievements makes impressive reading. Steph is sponsored

by Volvo and currently ranked the World’s No. 1 female kite surfer.

For a short period, it even looked like kite surfing would be part of the Rio Olympics. Sadly, that didn’t happen, but hopes are high for the sport’s inclusion at Tokyo. “I like to think that if it does become an Olympic sport, I’ll be involved either as an athlete or as a coach. That would be really great because I’ve come a long way with kite surfing. I think I’ve got a lot of experience, and you’ve got to use that.”

Passing on her knowledge to the younger generation is crucial to Steph. “The whole thing about sport is it can make you really selfish – because you’re actually only interested in winning the next competition and the next bit of kit to help you go faster.

“But now, I’m hoping that all these skills I’ve learned as an individual trying to win, I can pass

14

FEATURE1_STEPHBRIDGE_NOV5.indd 14

01/11/2016 12:50:31

People on to others.”

Steph and Eric are now not the only kite surfers in the family. Their sons, Olly, Tom and Guy, have become kite surfing stars in their own right. Olly is the oldest of the three brothers and became race youth world champion in 2012, defending his title in 2013. Olly is also 2013 and 2014 men’s European Champion and lies in 1st position in the world rankings.

Tom has been European freestyle Youth Champion since 2010, won the 2013 and 2014 Youth world championships and was the junior world champion in 2015. Guy is British Kite foiling National Champion 2015. Steph’s a proud parent: “I’ve been involved in the sport at a really high level and I’m still having really special experiences which I share with the boys – being not only their coach but more of a mentor,” says Steph.

“I try to step back from being a mum with them as they compete in such a high level of competition.” It would be no surprise to see the young Bridges becoming future Olympic champions.

Steph’s also proud that (in no small part as a result of her passion) Exmouth has become the go-to kite surfing destination in the UK and she is excited about plans for a new watersports centre there. “I’m 100% positive for the town and beach

these days. Not just for kite surfers, but other water users too, to sell what Exmouth is to kite surfing, nationally and worldwide.”

Right now, Steph is currently mastering the art of kite hydrofoiling - which, to the uninitiated, is kite surfing with a large “mast” beneath the board, allowing the surfer to sail a metre or more above the water. Other recent projects include kite surfing, as a family, right around the Isle of Wight and developing a holiday home in Exmouth aimed at watersports enthusiasts, called The Beach House.

By this point in our chat I’m thoroughly exhausted. Does she never put her feet up?

“I’m not a television person. I haven’t read a book for ages.”

In truth I can’t imagine Steph sitting still for more than a couple of minutes at a time. “I always think if your body’s fit and your mind is fit, do what you can do and then you can deal with all the boring stuff later,” she says.

As I walk through Exmouth Marina, back to a life of “boring stuff”, I check the skies around me, in case Steph’s decided to fly (superhero style) to her next appointment. Suddenly I see something.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

It’s a seagull. www.edgewatersports.com

‘I always think if your body’s fit and your mind is fit, do what you can do and then you can deal with all the boring stuff later’

15

FEATURE1_STEPHBRIDGE_NOV5.indd 15

01/11/2016 12:51:00

16

VicP_Oct29.indd 16

31/10/2016 12:10:15

Interview

[

VICTORIA PENDLETON

Riding for victory

[

Double gold winning Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton swapped her bike for a horse and has already raced to glory. She tells Gabrielle Fagan how her world has changed and why horses now come first - even before children

ictoria Pendleton has always had a need for speed. The champion cyclist achieved Olympic glory racing on two wheels but these days is happiest on horseback thundering down a race course. When we speak, she tells me that nothing - not even having children - will stand in her way as she pursues her latest passion. And so much of her training has taken place right here in the Westcountry.

Eighteen months ago, the former Olympic cycling champion - who won gold and silver in the velodrome in 2012 in London - accepted an extraordinary challenge to switch saddles, train as a jockey in a year and compete in one of Britain’s most dangerous races.

“It’s seems so strange looking back, but I totally fell in love with horses and racing right from the start of training,” she explains. “Although I’d never ridden before, it was like it was meant to be, and that cycling was a stepping stone which led me to what I was meant to do next,” says the 36-year-old.

Competing on the course in the Foxhunter Chase - the amateur riders’ Gold Cup - at Cheltenham, negotiating 22 fences over three-and-a-

V

17

VicP_Oct29.indd 17

01/11/2016 12:54:24

Interview Victoria switched from cycling champion to daring jump jockey

quarter miles, was the ultimate goal set by her sponsors, online betting company, Betfair. In the run-up to the event, she endured scepticism from a chorus of doubters, including former National Hunt champion jockey, John Francome who warned, prior to the race, she was “an accident waiting to happen”.

“Lots of people feared, because of my lack of experience, I could kill or injure myself or endanger others. I understood that, because national hunt racing is very dangerous, but I was determined to prove everyone wrong, that’s just part of my character. I per-

form best when the going’s tough. I was often told as a cyclist I didn’t have the physical or mental ability to be a champion - and that just made me more stubborn and determined to succeed,” admits the nine times cycling world champion.

She was tutored by a crack team, including the legendary national hunt trainer Paul Nicholls, based in Ditcheat, Somerset. She made her debut over jumps at a pointto-point at Black Forest Lodge near Exeter, just nine months after her first ever ride on a horse. “Pushing myself physically and mentally, and aiming for perfection against the

‘Lots of people feared that I could kill or injure

myself or endanger others’

odds, is what makes me tick. Crucially, my expert training team totally believed in my ability, otherwise I’d have pulled out of the event immediately. I’d never have put my horse or other horses and riders in danger.”

Embracing her new life with a four-legged mount rather than two wheels appears to have transformed Victoria, who says she is a more relaxed, confident person now than she was as a cyclist. In her autobiography, published after she retired following the London Olympics, she revealed she self-harmed while battling the pressures of competing, and even turned to cutting herself on the night she won her first gold medal in Beijing in 2008.

“Doing this has massively changed my life, I can honestly say I’ve never been happier and don’t ever want my equestrian adventure to end,” declares Victoria, who glows with health

18

VicP_Oct29.indd 18

01/11/2016 12:55:38

Victoria now has two of her own horses and works in a racing yard

19

VicP_Oct29.indd 19

31/10/2016 12:12:04

Interview

and now owns two horses, as well as working for leading trainers, Alan and Lawney Hill, at their Oxfordshire stables.

“I’ve gone from a sport in which everything was calculated, predicted, plotted - every warmup logged in a chart with numbers - to something totally unpredictable and where there are no expectations on me and I have freedom,” she says with clear relief.

“By contrast, when you’re on the back of a 600-kilo thoroughbred horse and it’s going right, you’re together as a perfect team. Of course, there’s always a possibility that the horse doesn’t have the same idea as you and that’s quite risky and frightening, but exhilarating at the same time, but you’re training constantly to deal with that. It’s a learning curve I love.”

Victoria’s still connected to cycling - she commentated at the Rio Olympics. But she watched Team GB power to victory with no sense of envy: “I’m blissfully happy doing what I do now, looking after horses, feeding and grooming them because it brings me so much joy, because they are so gentle, intuitive and magnificent.

“And at heart I want to ride competitively again. If someone offered me a horse for racing or an opportunity to train as a showjumper, I’d accept either in a heartbeat.”

She’s supported in her equestrian dreams by her husband of three years, Scott Gardner, 40, Team GB’s cycling team sports scientist. “Scott’s my soulmate. He sees how happy horses make me and he’d never be able to deny me this but, of course, the racing worries him.

“He was invited to the Royal Box at Cheltenham on the day I raced but refused because he was so on edge and nervous. In the end, he hugged a metal flag pole near the course the entire time as he watched me on a TV screen,” she says fondly.

Currently, the couple have no plans for a family. “I’m actually not that fussed about having children. From the start I was very honest and open with Scott about the fact I’m not driven to have kids, and he’s cool with that,” she reveals.

“I thought when I retired from cycling I’d start wanting them, but the feeling didn’t come over me and, at the moment, I feel as though there’s too many adventures ahead for me to think about it. We’re leaving it up to fate.”

Victoria is now working with Activia to inspire women to become active and healthy: “Getting a balance in life is everything. There’s only one thing I regret now about my athletic career and that was not stopping to appreciate my success. I was always like, ‘What’s next? Where’s the next goal?’” she says.

“I’m not like that any more. I relish every moment and I just want to make the most of my time and enjoy myself.”

20

VicP_Oct29.indd 20

01/11/2016 12:56:15

22

interiors

28

trends

36

44

recipe

enjoy 21

INTRO_Nov5.indd 21

01/11/2016 11:01:59

22

Interiors_Nov5.indd 22

26/10/2016 16:10:14

Interiors

Thinking outside the box A row of grotty garages in Truro has been cleverly transformed into this beautiful contemporary home

by Kirstie Newton isit The Mews in Truro’s Redannick district, and it is hard to imagine that just a few years ago, this tiny plot was home to dilapidated garages, full of old junk and disused vehicles. In their place, you will find sleek and minimalist studio apartments which have won awards for ingenious use of space on a brownfield site that had been considered too small for development.

The eight garages had been built in the 1960s but the door openings were little more than six feet wide. “While you could still get a modern car in, you would have to exit via a sun roof !” laughs Jerry Harper of Trelyon Estate Ltd, who first saw the potential for creating homes here.

In latter years, the garages were rented for storage but abandoned cars and clutter made the area an eyesore. “Cornwall Council’s case officer accepted this brownfield site could be developed to provide modest and interesting homes close to the city,” says Jerry. “It is a testament to the architect that we managed this broadly within the original footprints and yet provided small but useful outside spaces and, importantly, parking.”

The task of transforming the site fell to architect Christian Simmons, of CASA Studio in St Ives. “I wanted to bring some life and colour onto the site, so I thought the juxtaposition of timber

V

23

Interiors_Nov5.indd 23

26/10/2016 16:10:31

Interiors

cladding would work perfectly against the industrial-looking mid-century retaining wall that runs the length of the site,” says Christian.

“However, once construction began, it became clear that the garages were not suitable for conversion due to their poor structural stability, so we built the dwellings from new timber frame structures, clad with larch. The end result is, as all architecture should be, a response to the conditions imposed upon us by the site and its surroundings.”

‘You might start High energy efficiency was with two people, achieved with sustainable materials. The roofs use recycled then, as the bicycle tyres, while the external family grows, decking is made with reclaimed slate from Redruth and railway your house can sleepers found in an old dairy expand too, as barn in Devon. Inside the two you bolt extra homes (one with one-bedroom, the other with two), a heat rebits on’ covery system gathers heat from one part of the house, to mix it with fresh air and redistribute clean, warm air around the property.

The interior design is streamlined to maximise the limited space. The open-plan living areas have floors of polished concrete, which is easy to clean and has heat-storing properties.

From the moment the first house was put on the market with Stratton Creber at Christmas 2015, for £150,000, it saw unprecedented interest including appearing nationally in The Independent’s weekly property feature. The lucky buyer was property investor Rick Channon, whose eclectic portfolio also includes an old rectory, a clifftop holiday home and a choc-

[[

The dilapidated garages in central Truro have been transformed into homes

olate-box cob cottage. “I buy with my heart rather than my head, and I grabbed this one because I loved it,” he said. It’s now rented to tenant Kerri Moore who says: “I love opening the doors, even on a rainy day. It’s so peaceful and calm here.”

The building also drew the attention of the Cornish Buildings Group, which gave it a commendation in its 2016 annual awards. “A dozen articulate architectural experts crammed into a home designed for two one spring Sunday morning. They loved the nod to the brutalist retaining wall, the use of larch cladding and contemporary finishes,” says Jerry.

The modular design of these two homes is now being used for other projects, including a £1 million build in Newquay and another in Carbis Bay. “It’s a scheme by which you can grow the house,” explains the joint developer Daniel Lees, of Green Level Construction, who has kept the second house on the plot for his own use.

“You might start with two people, then as the family grows, your house can expand too, as you bolt bits on. It gives more opportunity to put your own mark on your home.”

24

Interiors_Nov5.indd 24

01/11/2016 12:58:10

GET THE

LOOK

Sleek lines and cool colours give mid-century style a chic twist Industrial yellow ceiling pendant £169.95 Cuckooland

Cool Water emulsion £10 for 2.5 litres Wilko

Side table £549 Houseology

Eames-style chair £35.99 MY Furniture

1958 three-seater sofa in flax £1095 Oliver Bonas

25

Interiors_Nov5.indd 25

26/10/2016 16:11:25

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...

Shaping slip, £39.50 Marks & Spencer

Getting in shape I’ve never worn shapewear before but I know many woman who have and they love it. Do you think it helps and is it worth the money? JC, Redruth

Q

If you’ve got a big event coming up and you want a little something extra to help you look and feel your best, there’s no harm in using high-tech fabrics and design to give yourself a helping hand and a super-sleek silhouette.

While shapewear isn’t a requirement for dressing well, if you’re feeling not as toned as you’d like, a good bodysuit or pair of control pants can help boost your confidence. There’s just one problem with this genre of wondergarments: shapewear has got so popular that it now comes in a seemingly endless array of styles and fabrics. So here are a few tips on how to decide which will work best for your body and your wardrobe.

1.

Magisculpt hi-waist thigh shaper £30 Marisota

2.

Stick to your size. Women sometimes try to go down a size for extra firmness but that only causes bulges and discomfort, and it can make you look bigger.

Choose medium constriction for smooth lines, strong constriction for total figure transformation. If there’s no performance level listed on the tag, check out the

Shaping knickers £30 Marks & Spencer

3.

clothing label. The higher the nylon content, the more a garment will alter your shape.

Choose a full bodysuit for all-over shaping.

The bodysuit is popular because it creates a head-to-toe streamlined shape, saving you the trouble of finding separate top and bottom pieces that work together.

26

Gracie_Nov5.indd 26

31/10/2016 12:19:27

Gracie’s shopping list

How to nail it Trim nails: As nails begin to grow, keep them trimmed short. Don’t be in a hurry to let your natural nail gain length. Instead, make overall nail health and thickness your goal.

Acrylic nails are almost like wearing Strengthening products: Many nail a pair of amazing shoes - in a halfcare base coats have strengthening size too small. They may look good and stimulating properties. Find a while they’re on but, once you take base coat that will help strengthen them off, you will most definitely the nail bed and apply every three pay the price. Symptoms often indays if needed. clude nail brittleness, splitting, and Avoid colour: The thinness, all of which makes giving less exposure to them up that much harder. During chemicals the the four months that it usually takes better for your for your own nails to regrow, here nails as they are some steps you can take to keep L’Occitane rebuild their them on track.

Shea Nail strength. If you Cuticle oil: Cuticle oil should be & Cuticle must wear nail applied every few days. The essenNourish- polish, try altertial vitamins in these oils will help ing Oil £12 nating one week Nails Inc. promote healthy nail growth.

L’Occitane on, one week off.

Superfood Repair Oil £15 Debenhams I’ve recently had acrylic nails removed and now my natural nails are weak and constantly breaking, is there anything I can do to help strengthen them again? AS, Totnes

Q

Valley of the Dolls Ukiah blouse £42 JOY

Kate Spade For Minnie Mouse coin purse £78 www.katespade.co.uk Boasting those iconic ears and an unmistakable red bow, this minnie coin purse is the perfect place to stash your spare change.

Davines Oi Shampoo £16 www.cultbeauty. co.uk Davines Oi Shampoo will leave your tresses feeling noticeably softer, shiny and full-bodied. It’s blended with roucou oil from Brazil to prevent hair ageing and has nourishing antioxidant qualities. It also feels lightweight and calms frizz.

Ribbed roll neck £17.99 New Look Full length coat £120 River Island

Candy colours Pastel shades seem to be everywhere at the moment, is it a trend that’s going to stick around during

Q the colder months? DJ, Porlock

Although baby blue and dusty pink might clash with the autumnal season, there is no better way to lighten your mood and your wardrobe than with these delicate hues. When it comes to styling pastels, I love pairing these sugary shades with suede or leather in autumn. The easiest way to get in on the trend is to do so with a pretty pastel wool coat. Wear one with matching pale tones for a sweet look or toughen it up in leather skinny jeans.

Chantecaille Protect the Lions eye palette £75 Harrods Created to support a lion conservation group in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, this eyeshadow palette is inspired by the African landscape, with four blendable shades, each embossed with the striking silhouette of a lion’s head.

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

27

Gracie_Nov5.indd 27

01/11/2016 12:59:23

Pretty as a posy lorals don’t always have to be girly and bright - and they don’t have to be worn exclusively in the spring and summer, either.

Sumptuous winter florals are one of this season’s hottest trends and are a great way to give your wardrobe a lift. As the temperature plummets, look for dark and moody florals. You’ll find them in a dark colour palette or embroidered on luxurious jacquard fabrics, giving these otherwise sweet prints a dash of drama.

F

Floral print knitted dress £75 Long Tall Sally

28

FASHION_NOV5.indd 28

01/11/2016 13:01:27

Fashion Bomber jacket £14 George at Asda

fave!

Mini tote bag £28 Very

Jacquard print platform heels £32 Dorothy Perkins

Print dress £48 Dorothy Perkins

Joanna flared dress £89 People Tree

Long sleeved maxi dress £65 Very

Wide strap cami top £12 Matalan

Black and orange sheer top £14 George at ASDA

Embroidered floral boots £82 Topshop 29

FASHION_NOV5.indd 29

26/10/2016 16:55:19

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

Just souper!

On a chilly autumnal day there are few better, more delicious, ways to warm up from the inside out than by tucking into a bowl of steaming hot soup. Low in calories but high in nutrients, not only is this hearty comfort food packed full of wholesome vegetables but its high water content also makes us feel fuller than the same ingredients in solid form, making soup a great choice for anyone looking to shed unwanted pounds.

Spa saver Cold weather and central heating can leave our skin, nails and hair feeling and looking dry and damaged. Fortunately, The Mount Somerset Hotel and Spa near Taunton has an autumn spa offer that will leave you feeling hydrated and winter-proofed. Spend three hours relaxing and rejuvenating in the Elan Spa’s hydrotherapy bath, sauna and steam room, plus a 55-minute treatment of your choice, all for only £55, until December 19. www.themountsomersethotelandspa.com

HELP AT HAND? Around one in seven of us suffer from migraines but it is often a very long and difficult process to determine what your personal triggers are. A recent study published in the journal mSystems suggests that migraines could be caused by a difference in gut bacteria, making sufferers more sensitive to nitrate-rich foods including processed meats, leafy vegetables and some wines. Could this mean an end to your darkened-room days? It might be worth considering.

30

Boost_Nov5.indd 30

26/10/2016 15:55:12

Good-for-you get aways Fancy a fun and indulgent weekend getaway that isn’t going to see you gain weight? Bude’s Revitalise Fitness retreats combine high-quality personal training with a luxury weekend away by the coast. Once you’ve worked up a sweat with a woodland workout or beach blast, enjoy 5* accommodation, deliciously nutritious meals, your own private hot tub and a complimentary massage. Prices start at £399, www.revitalisefitnessretreat.co.uk

Jump to it This November, Barnstaple trampoline park Air Extreme is hosting a 12hour Jumpathon. Taking place from 7pm to 7am on Friday November 18, this is a test of physical and mental endurance in a bid to raise as much money for Children in Need as possible. If you and a group of friends have a real spring in your step and feel up to the challenge, email bookings@airextreme.co.uk for more information.

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

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

Boost_Nov5.indd 31

26/10/2016 15:50:45

Wellbeing

Happy tummy?

Our expert has the secret of good digestion an urgency to go to the loo, and uncomfortable and painful cramps. Alongside this, you may experience weight loss, bloating and blood in your faeces.

Gastroenteritis also causes Dr Ayesha Akbar, consultant short-lived diarrhoea but gastroenterologist, says: food allergies and intolerancDehydration Numerous factors are linked es, including coeliac disease to constipation, including and lactose intolerance, and and electrolyte stress, anxiety and depresbile salt malabsorption can imbalances can sion, side-effects of medicaresult in diarrhoea over the tion, lack of exercise, not longer term. stop digestion drinking enough fluids and a Cramps, bloating and wind and cause your change in routine. can be a sign of IBS, IBD, a body to hold on Constipation usually occurs food intolerance or food alwhen waste remains in the lergy, or a general infection. to excess water intestines for too long. This By keeping hydrated and causes it to ferment, producdrinking plenty of water, you ing wind, as well as making can potentially reduce these your tummy feel hard and problems. This is because painful. dehydration and electrolyte In addition, if you aren’t getting enough sleep, imbalances can stop digestion and cause your your body releases the stress hormone cortisol, body to hold on to excess water. Also, if you eat which can also lead to constipation and bloating. too fast, you inhale air which can cause bloatDiarrhoea is extremely common if you suffer ing and result in excess gas, so slow down at with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), often mealtimes. occurring soon after eating. In addition, IBD [inYou should never ignore any continuing or flammatory bowel disease] conditions - Crohn’s persistent stomach problems, so you should also disease and ulcerative colitis - normally trigger get checked over by your GP, just in case.

I seem to have constant tummy trouble these days and lots of discomfort. I’m wondering if I’m eating the wrong foods? NB, Polperro

Q

[[

Could these foods cause you problems?

There are numerous foods that can cause bloating, says Dr Ayesha Akbar. However, certain key foods include: • Fruits, including apples and watermelons. You may suffer

from ‘fructose malabsorption’ and find you bloat after eating them. Apples aren’t as bad if they’ve been cooked.

• Although garlic is a great antibacterial, it contains bloat-producing fructans.

• Beans contain alpha-galactosidase sugars which can cause gas, and broccoli can cause bloating as it belongs to cruciferous vegetable family.

• Fizzy drinks, due to the high amounts of carbon dioxide they contain.

• Lentils are very high in fibre that can cause wind. Soak lentils well.

• Some sweeteners, such as sorbitol,

mannitol and xylitol.

32

WB_FOODIE_NOV5.indd 32

31/10/2016 16:39:22

Food

SMALL BITES

Our pick of what’s on in the Westcountry food world right now

Kids eat well Cornwall’s Eden Project has topped a new league table ranking the health of food served to children and families in the UK’s visitor attractions.

The Soil Association’s Out to Lunch survey employed a team of “secret diner” parents, who gave Eden glowing reports for its food.

Attractions were judged for the health and trustoworthiness of their food.

Andrew Holden of the Eden Project says: “Good food is at the heart of the Eden Project experience. We make sure that meals are freshly prepared and that our ingredients are responsibly sourced, fairly traded, organic, local and seasonal.”

A new village pub The relaunched Carew Arms in the village of Antony, near Torpoint, has a new autumn menu, including a weekday set lunch menu for just £12. The restored pub’s landlord is Tremayne Carew Pole, whose family built nearby stately home Antony House, now owned by the National Trust.

Tremayne says: “It’s been great to see the pub filled with guests once again, enjoying the wonderful atmosphere. The new set lunch menu will offer excellent value for lunchtime visitors.”

Seasonal additions to the autumn menu include tagliatelle with venison, red wine and peppercorn ragu and steamed rhubarb and orange pudding.

Champions once more Jean and Martin Edwards of Deli Farm Charcuterie at Delabole in Cornwall, say they are “absolutely delighted” to win Champion product in the Cured Meat section of the 2016 Taste of the West Awards.

The prize went to Cornish Coppa, their version of the traditional Italian cured meat. “In the 2006 Taste of the West awards, just four months after we started up our business, our Cornish Coppa was awarded Best New Product and the following year not only did it win its section but it was awarded overall Champion product,” says Jean.

“Two years ago we entered it for the first time in the national Great Taste Awards and it achieved a three-star Gold, the highest possible award. So we thought it was about time we entered it in the Taste of the West awards again!”

Buy online at www.delifarmcharcuterie.co.uk

Your guide to good food The latest edition of The Trencherman’s Guide will be launched this week. The guide, now in its 24th year, showcases the finest places to eat in the region. Rick Stein, the Padstow-based celebrity chef, describes the guide as: “a completely reliable recommendation” and the Telegraph’s restaurant critic Zoe Williams says: “See The Trencherman’s Guide as your trusty satnav: utterly accurate and bang up-to-date.” Copies cost £7.99 from www. trenchermans-guide.com

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

WB_FOODIE_NOV5.indd 33

31/10/2016 16:22:33

Bake

Heathcliff brownies Emma says: Like the romantic hero of Wuthering Heights, these gluten-free brownies are dark and brooding.

They’re flavoured with orange and just sweet enough, with lots of body and bite.

Ingredients

Method:

175g butter, plus extra, melted, for brushing 400g dark chocolate, chopped 1 tsp espresso coffee powder or granules, dissolved in 1–2 tsp hot water Finely grated zest of 1 orange 1 tsp orange oil 4 eggs 100g ground almonds 125g milk chocolate, chopped 150g muscovado sugar 85g almonds, toasted and chopped Pinch of salt 2 drops of vanilla extract For the topping: 250g dark chocolate, cut into chunks 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp orange oil

1.

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. Pop the parchment into the tin and brush it and the tin with melted butter.

2.

Melt the butter with 200g of the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water, stirring until smooth (or in a microwave). Stir in the coffee. Allow the mixture to cool slightly and then stir in the orange zest and orange oil.

3.

Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl, then add the ground almonds, milk chocolate chunks and the remaining 200g of dark chocolate, the sugar, chopped almonds, salt and vanilla.

Finally, pour in the melted butter-and-chocolate mixture. Using an electric mixer, beat at medium speed until creamy and thickened, but don’t overmix as too much air will cause the brownie to crumble when baked.

4.

Spoon the mixture into the tin and bake for 25–28 minutes. Take care not to overbake.

The brownie is ready when the edges are slightly crusty and the middle is still soft, but with a firmish ‘skin’. Allow to cool for one hour.

5.

For the topping, melt 150g of chocolate with the olive oil and orange oil in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water, stirring until smooth (or in a microwave). Spread this over the brownie.

Scatter the remaining 100g of chocolate over the top and leave to set for two hours. Cut into pieces.

6.

Delicious served slightly chilled and cut into thin slices, but equally good warmed through and served with clotted cream and/ or ice cream, they are the ultimate in sinful puddings.

Emma Goss-Custard runs Honeybuns in Sherborne, Dorset. Honeybuns Gluten-Free Baking by Emma Goss-Custard is published by Pavilion, £14.99 34

Honeybuns_Nov5.indd 34

31/10/2016 12:33:30

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.

FINE STOVES & COOKERS Call 01392 797679 ● www.hearthandcook.com Find us 100 yards behind Carrs Ferrari & Maserati.

14 Oaktree Place, Matford, Exeter, Devon EX2 8WA

RANGE COOKERS FROM LA CORNUE AND ESSE • MORSØ STOVES & OUTDOOR LIVING RANGE • ASHGROVE BESPOKE KITCHENS

Ads.indd 6

01/11/2016 13:57:04

Cook

Jerusalem Artichoke Risotto Recipe: David Jenkins, chef/owner of Rock Salt restaurant, Plymouth David says: Being a chef means long and unsociable hours but there’s nothing better than the buzz of working with great local ingredients to create the perfect dish that people appreciate.

Ingredients:

Method:

200g Sharpham Cremet (an artisan goats’ cheese from south Devon, enriched with cream) 60g yellow chanterelle mushrooms 150g Jerusalem artichokes, peeled and diced 700ml vegetable stock 50g butter 150g arborio risotto rice 2 shallots, finely diced 50g parmesan cheese, finely grated 30g candied walnuts, chopped 15g fresh black truffle

1.

A Taste of the

hefs and producers to d Gloucestershire way me. What better

West Country

Tea & Supper Worth Matravers

created by Taste original recipes and producers A collection of ning chefs of the West award-win

e beautiful ive in an area wher doorstep.” on our e found almost Room, Dorset

A Taste of the West Country

2.

Start by part-cooking the risotto. Warm 350ml of vegetable stock in a pan. In a separate heavy-based pan warm 25g of butter until melted, add the shallots and allow them to sweat for two to three minutes until soft.

Add the arborio rice to the shallots and cook for a minute, stirring. Add a ladle of stock and reduce the heat to a bare simmer, stirring continuously until the stock has been absorbed. Continue adding stock until it has all been incorporated. The rice should still be al dente.Tip the rice onto a tray, cover and leave to cool.

3.

Warm the remaining 350ml of stock. Cut the Cremet into eight thin slices and set aside.

4.

In a large, heavy-based saucepan, melt the remaining 25g butter and saute the

artichokes for three minutes. Add the chanterelles and a pinch of salt and cook until softened.

5.

Add the precooked rice to the pan with the vegetables, stirring in a ladle of hot stock.

Cook, stirring until the stock has been absorbed by the rice. Continue the process until nearly all the stock has been added or the rice is very nearly cooked, it should be just a little al dente.

6.

Add the grated parmesan, taste the risotto and season if required. Add a little stock or butter if it seems dry or lacking in richness.

7.

Divide the risotto into four shallow bowls.

Place two slices of Cremet on each bowl.

Warm briefly under a pre-heated grill and garnish with candied walnuts and grated black truffle.

This recipe comes from the new A Taste of the West Country cookbook, now available on Amazon (We Make Magazines, £17.99) created by original recipes ers A collection of g chefs and produc award-winnin David Griffen Photography by

Taste of the West

1

36 02/09/2016

TOW_HAPPYHOUR.indd 36

18:20

31/10/2016 12:29:12

Drink

Happy h ur with drinks expert April Marks

April says: It’s that time of year.

The nights have a definite chill in the air, darkness falls early now, the clocks have changed and I find myself reaching for richer, fuller bodied wines. This would normally mean a stonking red, but white wines can also fulfil that need, especially when they come from the Alsace region of eastern France.

I first fell in love with the province of Alsace a decade ago although I’ve adored its wines ever since I can remember. Visiting Alsace is almost like stepping into a Disney studio, as its cobbled streets and quaint timber-

framed buildings lend a real charm to the region.

Having been occupied

Pinot Gris from

by the Germans at times over the years, Alsace suffers from a slight identity crisis and you can spot the German influence in their wine. The distinctive flute d’Alsace wine bottles are tall and slender like those used in Germany and some of the same grapes are grown here too. But the top vineyard areas in Alsace are classified in the French manner as Grands Cru,

Alsace is rich, tropical

with a hint of spice

An early taste of Christmas On Friday November 11 The Dartmoor Lodge in Ashburton is putting on a five course festive feast with seven wines to match.

The evening’s host is wine expert Lauren Hodgkins, who will be talking us through each of the wines. Just to whet your appetite, she will be matching the nutmeg-roasted turkey with Te Mara Pinot Noir from Central Otago in New Zealand and Irene Moralas Cabernet Carmenere from Chile. Mmmm! Book your place on 01364 652232.

where the best soils are found, and the grapes grown there result in high levels of ripeness and richness.

Muscat, Riesling and Gewurztraminer are a few of the varieties grown in Alsace but my favourite variety here is Pinot Gris, also known as Pinot Grigio when grown in Italy.

Pinot Gris from Alsace, though, is a world apart from its Italian counterpart, with rich texture, tropical fruit flavours and a touch of spice. If you haven’t yet discovered Alsace wines, you have a treat in store this winter.

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

WINE OF THE WEEK Turkheim Grand Cru Brand Pinot Gris 2011, Alsace France The Grand Cru vineyard of Brand takes its name from the German word for ‘fire’. The vineyard has high levels of sunshine due to its southerly aspect, resulting in ripe, rich wines with flavours of white flowers and freshly baked apricot tart. A lovely mouthwatering lime acidity gives this wine a beautiful balance.

37

TOW_HAPPYHOUR.indd 37

31/10/2016 12:29:40

Drink Beer of the week Revelation, by Dark Star Brewing Co, is one of a number of new cans to be found in Wetherspoon chiller cabinets.

It’s a robust pale ale at 5.7% ABV, beautifully golden, with a particularly piney aroma, lemon pith fruit notes on the palate and nice balancing biscuit malt. A hint of sourness makes the finish memorable.

Darren Norbury

talks beer nce again, I’ve had my judging hat There was another class win for Penzance on, this time at the Falmouth Beer with Crowlas Bitter, in the bitter class, and Festival. I sat back afterwards and a runner-up spot with Mild in the mild class, looked at the fruits of our blind while Skinner’s, of Truro, had a particularly judging with a satisfied smile: we good showing with a speciality class win for made a good job of this.

Hops ‘n’ Hunny, best bitter win for Cornish Falmouth is one of the country’s biggest beer Knocker, speciality second place for GTA and festivals, which is great news if a stout bronze for Penny Come you’re a visiting drinker but a Quick. challenge if you’re judging all Congratulations to Simon It was in perfect the beers. Eight tables of testTreen, of the eponymous condition, with ers make their way through Treen’s Brewery, based in Pona succession of unidentified sanooth, for a silver in the best citrus lemon notes beers, brought out in cryptibitter class with Cuckoo, on the that danced on cally numbered milk bottles, beer’s first appearance at a fesMarks are awarded for clarity, tival. the tongue, robust aroma, taste and condition. A There was gold for Driftwood hoppy bitterness top table of judges then comSpars Brewery, from St Agnes, and a lovely juicy pletes the process by tasting in the golden ales class with category winners against each Lou’s Brew (named after Drifty malt backbone other. landlady Louise Treseder), and Hats off, then, to our favoura silver for last year’s champion ite, the champion beer, Yakima brewer, Rebel, of Penryn, for Valley, an India Pale Ale from newly-launched Oyster Stout.

Bristol-based Arbor Ales. This was in perfect Sharp’s grabbed a silver in the bitter class for condition, with citrus lemon notes that danced its lovely session bitter Coaster. on the tongue, robust hoppy bitterness and a If you’ve never been a beer judge and the lovely juicy malt backbone. Much too easy opportunity comes along, take it. Despite the drinking for its 7% ABV. friendly teasing of my friends (ooh, tough job, What was pleasing, too, was that there was a but someone’s got to do it, I suppose) it’s not strong showing for Cornish beers, led by Penthe walk in the park you think it is. zance Brewing Company’s Scilly Stout (also We took it seriously, gave each beer proper 7% ABV), which I’ve lauded before here for its consideration and, as I said, I think made a sublime depth of roast malt, chocolatey, coffee, pretty good job of it. There’s no right answer, lactose flavours (and once again I will declare it’s down to personal taste, but with the right my interest that it’s produced at my local, The cross-section of judges, as we had in Falmouth, Star Inn, just outside Penzance). Scilly Stout you’ll get a fair result. was runner-up champion beer and champion Cornish beer, as well as being top-rated stout, Darren Norbury is editor of beertoday.co.uk of course. @beertoday

O

NO TROUBLE AT T’MILL The Watermill Inn, Lelant, between Hayle and St Ives, holds its annual autumn beer festival next weekend (November 11 and 12). Expect a good selection of seasonal brews and some good food to help it go down. Bus and train stops are close by.

Rampant Rattler Healeys, famous for its Rattler, is expanding its Cornish Cyder Farm, near Truro, by 25 per cent to cope with increased demand.

Supermarket listings have contributed to the growth and there will also be more jobs available.

[[

38

BEER_NOV5.indd 38

01/11/2016 13:02:52

C I T S A T S E C FAN I R P STER

A M 0 E 0 G 8 N £ O RA AVE UP T S

Nexus 110

Professional Plus 90

Classic 110 deluxe

• 4 Colour Options • Dual Fuel/Induction Fuel Options

• 4 Colour Options • Dual Fuel/Induction Fuel Options

• 6 Colour Options • 3 Fuel Options

Beacon Price (from) £2010.99

Beacon Price (from) £1460.99

Beacon Price (from) £1873.99

E E R F

ATION R T S N O M E D

DAY

R E B O T C O H T 9 SATURDAY 2 Focusing on

Induction ho

UP TO AN

EXTRA

£150 DISCOUNTS

b

multifunc cooking, and

on the day on Rangemaster, Falcon and Mercury range cookers

tion oven co

oking!

BOOK NOW LIMITED SPACES!

To book a place for AM or PM sessions please call: 01752 787600 or email: marketing@beaconelectrical.co.uk

FREE DELIVERY*

www.beaconelectrical.co.uk

263 Beacon Park Road, Plymouth, PL2 3JP

01752 787600

15 Stuart Road, Pennycomequick 01752 222003 • Plymstock 01752 492122 • Totnes 01803 863448 • Kingsbridge 01548 853116

Ads.indd 4

01/11/2016 13:55:14

culture vulture Our pick of the most interesting and exciting things to see and do right now in the South West

Christmas shopping made simple How about doing your festive gift shopping and doing good at the same time? The fund-raising Macmillan Christmas Fair returns to the Eden Project this month.

The organisers hope to match, if not exceed, the £55,000 raised last year to help Cornwall’s cancer patients. On the November 16-17, the Eden Kitchen will offer a wonderful selection of Christmas gifts and decorations. Tickets start from £15 and include admission into the Eden Project, plus delicious food and a drink. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.cornwallmacmillanchristmasfair.co.uk.

An evening with Adam Adam Henson, perhaps the best-known farmer in the UK, is heading to the Exeter Northcott Theatre this week. Adam is a presenter of the BBC’s Countryfile and has also just published an autobiographical book, Like Farmer, Like Son. The book tells the story of how his father, Joe Henson, opened the rare breed attraction, the Cotswold Farm Park, which Adam now runs. Join Adam as he shares stories about his farming life, his TV career, and the everyday running of the Costwold Farm Park, together with his thoughts on British agriculture in general.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Friday November 11, tickets £22 www. exeternorthcott.co.uk

Winter wonderland The beautiful Edwardian Quad at Hannahs at Seale Hayne, near Newton Abbot, is being transformed into a Winter Wonderland with a skating rink, a giant 50 foot snowman (who is also a bouncy castle), pop-up gift and food stalls. There will be musical Christmas light shows and even regular snow showers. From November 18, visit www. winterwonderland.org.uk.

40

Culture_Vulture_Nov05.indd 40

31/10/2016 12:40:16

Affordability

W I T H A S H G ROV E K I T C H E N S Our kitchens are surprisingly affordable. We are one of only a handful of kitchen manufacturers in the South West who supply our kitchens direct to our customers’, so we can keep a close eye on costs and work to our customers’ budgets. Call us to arrange a free, no-obligation home visit with one of our designers, or see our website for more examples of our work.

SHOWROOMS: 3 MARSH LANE, CREDITON, EX17 1ES. ALSO IN STORE AT HEARTH & COOK, 14 OAK TREE PLACE, MATFORD, EXETER, EX2 8WA.

Ads.indd 5

ASHGROVE Telephone 01363 773533 • www.ashgrovekitchens.co.uk 01/11/2016 13:55:42

PHOTOS: DAVID TAYLOR

Wax on, wax off...

Middle-aged man in Lycra Chris McGuire went the extra mile to shave a few seconds off his cycling times - but did it work?

“ R

eady?” asked Lisa, cheerily.

“Ready,” I replied.

In fact, I was having second thoughts, but it was a bit late to call it off now. And so the first layer of warm wax is applied to my leg.

I’m one of that ever-growing group of unfit men who’ve turned to cycling in an attempt to gain control over their wayward waistlines.

“I don’t look silly do I?” I asked my girlfriend, the first time I squeezed into cycling kit. Her reply was brutally honest.

“You’re standing there head to toe in Lycra so tight I can tell what you had for lunch. And you’re asking me if you look silly?”

A friend once described me as a "metrosexual". Apparently, us metrosexuals take more care of themselves than most blokes. I don’t know that I do, though. I wash, frequently, but I hardly ever comb my hair. I think wearing Lycra on a daily basis confirmed it for him.

“You’ll be shaving your legs next,” said my friend.

What is it with leg hair and cyclists? Really?

Some say losing it makes them more aerodynamic. Maybe that rings true for the professionals but for us mere mortals I can’t see it would

42

SCOOP_Nov05.indd 42

31/10/2016 12:46:38

People

actually help. “Helps with grazes when you fall off your bike, you don’t get in-growing hairs,” said someone else. But the only people I’ve known to get in-growing hairs are women who shave their legs.

To be blunt, I think these are just excuses. To me, cyclists have smooth legs because they think it looks good and… well… because all the other cyclists do it. As a newbie I was faced with a dilemma. What to do about the hairy legs? I wasn’t keen on shaving. What about waxing? I floated the idea with some male cyclists. “There’s no way anyone is coming near me with a wax strip!” cried one. “Only girls wax,” said another, dressed head to toe in breathtakingly tight pink Lycra. Yet, I wasn’t sure.

Finally, I decided I’d bite the bullet. As a metrosexual wearer of Lycra, surely it wasn’t that much of a jump heading to a salon to have my legs done? I made a tentative approach to Just Waxing UK, in Exeter.

“You won’t be the first cyclist here. I look after a few,” said Lisa, waxer-in-chief. “I’m a keen cyclist myself.”

There’s no denying I was nervous on the day of the great wax. “You’re definitely a cyclist then,” said Lisa, when I arrived in my cycling kit. Turns out most people don’t wear Lycra to have their legs done. Who knew?

“Waxing isn’t just for women,” Lisa continued, “we get a lot of men in here, and not just cyclists.” Really?

As Lisa and her colleague Emma cleansed and massaged my legs, I lay back on the bed and the waxing started. I know I’m not supposed to say

What was the etiquette of being waxed? Do

you make small talk? this, but I actually enjoyed the experience. I felt incredibly pampered. Did it hurt? No. Could I tell it was being done? Yes. There was definitely a slight, temporary, stinging-sensation. Seriously, if you howl in pain during a leg wax, your pain threshold must be incredibly low.

Before I’d arrived, my biggest concern was the social etiquette of being waxed. Do you make small talk, like you do at the barbers? Thankfully, Lisa and Emma put me at my ease and the chit chat was of a suitably masculine nature for me not to feel too ridiculous. Before I knew it, I had one distinctly smooth calf.

Soon the second calf matched the first and I boasted two very smooth lower legs. They were definitely much smoother than my previous attempt at shaving. Suddenly I understood why cyclists make the excuses. My legs looked good.

I had the sudden urge to show them off. But I wasn’t done yet.

Next came the thighs. A more treacherous territory, dealt with expertly by the ladies.

“How high do you want to go?” they asked.

A good question.

“Should we just do to the bikini line?”

I gasped. I rarely wear bikinis so it seemed unnecessary.

“Another few inches?” I suggested, “but not

bikini line. This time.”

They were happy to oblige. My thighs were soon smooth. OK, this area stung a little more, but nothing traumatic. Next came the back of my legs and we were done.

My legs felt smooth - very smooth. So smooth that when they brushed them together they felt quite alien. As I left the shop I realised my legs were also much colder, sans hair.

I briefly considered returning to tights for my next ride – then remembered that would defeat the object.

Did my riding get any better in the days that followed the waxing? No. My speed stayed at a pretty constant ‘slow’ and my technique was abysmal as ever. Did I care? Not one jot. Sat outside my local café, showing off my new shiny pins I looked cool. Or, at least, that’s what I thought.

So fellas, would I recommend you go for smooth legs? If you’re doing it for increased performance or any of the other excuses, then I’d just stay hairy.

But if, like me, you’re considering it because that’s what cyclists do, then go for it. Waxing is my recommendation, far less traumatic than shaving. Trust me. Even if I didn't have the nerve to get my bikini line done.

With thanks to Lisa and Emma at Just Waxing UK, Exeter.

43

SCOOP_Nov05.indd 43

31/10/2016 12:47:13

My Secret Westcountry

Mothecombe beach

Chris Tanner Chris Tanner is chef and coowner (alongside his brother James) of Barbican Kitchen in Plymouth and The Catch in Looe. Chris lives in Plymouth with partner Becky Ann and her daughter Chloe, 14. He has two children Olivia, 15, and Isabelle, 12, with his ex-wife.

Boardmasters

My favourite: Walk: My favourite walk is along the coastal path at Wembury. The scenery is stunning, and it is a place where you can really see the seasons changing. It is a great place to switch off and enjoy what’s around you - but take wellies in the winter.

Watergate Bay Hotel

Place to eat: Barbican Kitchen (of course!).

Our trade is demanding, and requires lots of attention, which means lot of hours are spent working. On a rare day off, it’s good to experience

Camel Valley Brut your own food in your own restaurant. We have a fantastic team, with some having been with us for more than ten years. We encourage creativity, so on the odd occasion, I act as their guinea pig for a night, especially when it comes to new recipe development.

Weekend escape: When time allows, I love Watergate Bay. It doesn’t happen very often, so it makes it even more special – it is just a great place to chill out. Obviously, I wish I could get more weekends off but duty calls with the businesses.

44

MSW_nov05.indd 44

31/10/2016 16:58:15

People

Wembury beach

Flavourfest

Festival: FlavourFest,

in Plymouth, is a fantastic advert for the region. My brother James and I have been involved since day one. We see lots of familiar faces there, and it has been fantastic to see it grow and evolve over the years. It is a chance for producers to showcase the stunning food and drink we have on our doorstep in the Westcountry. I have made it to Boardmasters in Newquay a couple of times.

Another up and coming festival is Looe music festival - that’s becoming a monster.

Beach: One of

my favourite beaches is Mothecombe. James and I filmed a couple of cooking TV items there a while back, and I love the tranquillity of it. I also know the local short cuts to get there, which always helps during the holiday season.

Shop: I have known the team at Michael Spiers in Plymouth for nearly 20 years now and they were also one of the first customers we had when we opened our first Plymouth restaurant, Tanners, back in 1999. It is a well-established, Westcountry family business that shares similar values to ours - they pride themselves on first class service.

Westcountry icon: For me, it’s Dawn French. She has such a talent and I’ve always liked her wit. She has to be one of the nation’s treasures. I have always admired her work and the way she can diversify in such different roles.

She is a genius - I love her.

Pub: A difficult one, as I don’t get a lot of time!.

James and I also run a pub ourselves, The Kentish Hare, which I love - but that is in Kent! I usually try and stay local in Plymouth, as it’s normally after service by the time I can get out. On

The Barbican Kitchen

the Barbican, it’s the Dolphin (introduced to me by the Michael Spiers team) - or the Hyde Park pub, as it’s close to home.

Food: I love scallops, turbot, monkfish, and one of my favourite cuts of meat is cote du boeuf (a double-cut rib eye). We buy our meat from the legends at Philip Warren & Sons, in Cornwall.

Their attention to detail is impeccable, along with their product knowledge, which is second to none. We even courier their meat to our pub in Kent - it really is that good!

Drink: I’ve always been a fan of

Camel Valley Brut and St Austell’s Korev lager. We are spoilt,

as our Barbican Kitchen restaurant is housed in the Plymouth Gin Distillery, and the cocktail bar there is stunning. One of the most amazing wines I was fortunate enough to try was Chateau Talbot 1954, when I worked in New York for the Roux Brothers at a hotel called The Point, in upstate New York. I will never forget it.

Special treat: Has to be a holiday. Particularly as these are quite rare! We are so lucky to have everything we do here on our own doorstep in the Westcountry and I like to try and explore as much of it as I can, when the time permits. www.barbicankitchen.com 45

MSW_nov05.indd 45

31/10/2016 16:58:38

My life

Chris Mcguire

Expect fireworks Remember, remember? Oh, yes: Chris McGuire definitely does...

“ Y

ou’re just grumpy.” around? “Hey you lot?” is the cry up and down “No I’m not,” I said, in a distinctly the country. “Fancy spending an evening burngrumpy manner. He was always my ing anything you can lay your hands on?” favourite of the Seven Dwarves.

Wood? Brilliant. Bits of furniture? Great, espe“You are!” my friend insisted. cially if it’s heavily varnished or glue-filled I paused for a moment, in a frame of mind that chipboard. Paper! Recycling is so last many might consider: ‘sulky’. year! Let’s burn them all! In fact, let’s “I just don’t see why they have buy stuff, just to be to make such a racket!” burn it! But what “It’s traditional.” happened to limitFancy spending an “So was dunking witches! That ing CO2 emissions? evening burning doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.”

Who cares! Every stuff? Bits of My friend muttered someNov 6 I wake up thing under his breath but it feeling as though furniture? Great, was drowned out by fireworks.

I just smoked 200 especially if it’s Yes, this week, I learned I’m cigarettes. And heavily varnished. pretty much alone in hating Guy this is somehow Fawkes Night. I’ll explain why a family-friendly Recycling is so I don’t like the November 5 celevent. last year!

3. The food. ebrations: Why has 1. The noise.

Guy Fawkes Why are some people only happy Night become an opif they’re doing an activity that everyone else portunity to peddle must – like it or not – be passively involved in? the worst food ever?

The logic behind fireworks seems to be: “I like Cinder toffee, who loud bangs, so I’ve decided that we are all going really thinks burnt to listen to them. Me, my neighbours, the ocsugar is tasty? It’s like cupants of passing airplanes and nearby planeating loft insulation – ets”. It is the human equivalent of dogs peeing assuming you haven’t against lampposts - marking territory, plain and already burnt it (not simple. You’re basically saying: “The elderly, that I suggest you do owners of terrified pets, those who want to sleep either). Then there’s the and anyone who just doesn’t fancy having their perennial toffee apple. I’m fillings rattled by nearby explosions are just... sure they’ve removed more boring.” teeth than the entire NHS 2. The environment. dental service. And don’t get We spend the rest of the year sorting through me started about hotpot. Why is recycling, rinsing out washing-up liquid bottles, a load of offal, served in a manner offsetting our carbon footprints and attempting that only has its temperature and to shop locally and sustainably. So why does all container type to recommend it, conthat go out the window when November 5 comes

[[

sidered to be a good thing? It’s totally beyond me.

“You should start a group,” said my mate, on hearing my argument.

“What type of group?” I ask.

“A club for grumpy killjoys.”

It’s not that bad an idea. If anyone’s interested I’ll let you know when I’m holding the first meeting. I can’t do tonight though, I’ll be down at the local fireworks display.

Chris McGuire is a writer who recently moved to the Westcountry. Don’t get him started about Pancake Day @ McGuireski

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

Chris_M_Nov5.indd 46

01/11/2016 13:04:33

Oaklands Park Quality Holiday Homes nr looe, cornwall

THANK YOU FOR 10 YEARS OF FIFTEEN CORNWALL

Peaceful & Picturesque Park Ideal location for Coast & Countryside...

New and Pre-Owned Holiday Homes available to view!

call us now (01503) 262640 e mail us info@oaklands-park.co.uk or visit ou r website www.oaklands-park.co.uk SPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE |

Ads.indd 1

escape, relax & enjoy...

Join us for lunch this Winter Two courses £26 • Three courses £32 and as a thank you from us enjoy a complimentary additional course from our full lunch menu Use AWTHANKYOU2016 when booking Can be redeemed Monday - Saturday 31 October - 17 December 2016 ON THE BEACH, WATERGATE BAY, TR8 4AA, CORNWALL • 01637 861000 WWW.FIFTEENCORNWALL.CO.UK

01/11/2016 13:56:24

AUTUMN COLOURS M S

MICHAEL SPIERS T R U R O

P L Y M O U T H

E X E T E R

T A U N T O N

www.michaelspiers.co.uk 82 LEMON STREET, TRURO · 52 - 54 CORNWALL STREET, PLYMOUTH · 22 CATHEDRAL YARD, EXETER · 16 NORTH STREET, TAUNTON THE SOUTH WEST’S LEADING RETAILER OF FINE JEWELLERY AND WATCHES, INCLUDING:

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

Untitled-1 2 M_Spiers_West_Mag_Nov_2016.indd 1

01/11/2016 11:08:31 01/11/2016 10:12