West, October 4 2015 by DCMedia

04.10.15

savvy style solutions

INSIDE: + GWYNETH PALTROW

DONT MISS: + RUSTIC INTERIORS + JK ROWLING

IN EXETER

‘I love my body’ Cheryl calls for body-shaming to be banned

PLUS: + THE FACIAL

THAT FIZZES

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‘One thing you learn in the God job is, if you get three hints in a week, you do it’ Meet priest and comedian Maggy Whitehouse, p12

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GO WILD A little animal magic will inspire a whole new look

BODY CONFIDENCE Who’s on Cheryl’s side?

MINDFULNESS Take a path to inner calm

[contents[ Inside this week... 6

THE WISHLIST This week’s pick of lovely things to buy

LOVEABLE BROGUES DJ Sara Cox wears them well

JUST BETWEEN US...

Sh! We have the latest gossip!

KNOCK, KNOCK It’s comedian Maggy Whitehouse

ESTHER APSEY A mother reaching out to Africa

ON THE WILD SIDE Autumn interiors you’ll love

CELEBRATE! It’s national Champagne week

ANNE SWITHINBANK

FRENCH CONNECTION Good food, bistro style

Our garden star is apple-picking

WRAP UP Pick out your perfect winter coat

YOUR WEEK AHEAD Cassandra Nye looks into the stars

BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Great ways to feel your best this week

IT’S MUSHROOM SEASON Chef Tim Maddams goes gathering

AS SCENE ON FILM Director Peter Nicholson’s Westcountry

MAN AND BOY Phil Goodwin on the Rugby World Cup

DIVINE COMEDY

Meet the Devon vicar who is also a stand-up comedian 3

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ON THE WILD SIDE

Bring nature into your home decor this week

[ welcome [

People

Porthluney Beach

Polgooth Inn

Illustrated Living

This is a fairly new

Activity: Nordic walking. admit to being hooked. hobby for me but I must you and you can chat as It beats being in a gym I belong to a group walk and do it anywhere. called Walk Kernow.

Roundwood Quay

clotted cream. A are a special treat and we cream tea is always marvellous quirky places lucky to have some views to die for – like near me, often with on the River Fal. Halwyn Tea Rooms

Food: It has to be Rodda’s My favourite...

My Secret Westcountry

National Trust woodWalk: I never tire of the all year round. The land walks at Trelissick, Roads to Falmouth view from down Carrick of the finest in the and the open sea is one I sometimes take county and ever-changing. to the walk from there my grandchildren on in the play and climb trees Roundwood Quay to

Kerenza Aval (www. and Tony Lister applevalley.co.uk). Frankie juices and cider produce a range of apple farm in the Lynher vinegar on their organic all old Cornish varieties valley. The apples are

Tipple: Apple juice from

woods.

Pat Smith

Farm Pat Smith owns Bosinver 20 unique Cottages, a collection of in a valley award-winning cottages nearby near St Austell. She lives n, who and has four grandchildre she entertains as the adventureloving @ActionNan

south coast of

grazed with sheep, hens and the orchards are added is pure, with nothing and cows. The juice Just lovely. and no sprays used. my local pub. It dates

Pub: The Polgooth Inn isand was a count house

back to the 16th century of the mid 1800s, when in the mining heyday the largest mining comPolgooth was one of The pub is sat the heart munities in Cornwall. with visitors and of our community, popular excellent food and local locals alike. It serves live music. There’s always ales with occasional

Some people do amazing things...

a warm welcome.

- I love this quirky path at Porthcurnick little place on the coast beach near Portscatho.

Restaurant: Hidden Hut

Coastal Holiday’s many times with my camp site. I have been speccampervan. It’s in a grandchildren in the Bay. views over Gerrans tacular location with like part of the family. We are made to feel

Weekend away: Treloan

in Truro’s Lemon of my favourite shops Street Market is one for friends, as well as for buying special gifts and furnishing unusual items for decorating a It is always service with my holiday cottages. to chat, so I look forward smile and a friendly (which don’t buy anything popping in even if I doesn’t happen often!).

Shop: Illustrated Living

The Scarlet spa

Beach: Porthluney, on theCastle. For families

Cornwall, below Caerhays requirements for beach it has all the essential for building sandcasfun. There’s good sand a nicely shelving tles, rock pools to investigate, for little people to venture beach which is safe clean water for swimming. in gently and lovely

n page 16 we’ve got the wonderfully heart-warming story of Esther Apsey, a mum-of-two from east Devon who is busy sending much needed supplies to a children’s home in Uganda. Here’s one woman who is helping to make desperate people’s lives better and safer. I’m sure you’ll be impressed and inspired in equal measure by what she has achieved so far. Elsewhere in the magazine, we meet Maggy Whitehouse, the ordained priest from Dartmoor who combines life in the pulpit with her career as a (very funny) stand-up comedian. You can read

Scarlet hotel on is the ultimate in spoilCornwall’s north coast with a group of friends. ing yourself alone or is try their clifftop hot A lovely thing to do tub of warm bubtub – soaking in a wooden over the Atlantic – then bling water, gazing out room for some idle returning to the relaxation of their hammock pods. contemplation in one Bliss.

Treat: A Spa Day at The

Perfect! the Port Eliot three Festival and take my quite is friendly, safe and in my campervan. It great fan of the amazing beautiful. I’m also a a have hardly missed Kneehigh Theatre and performing in 1980. show since they started down create special magic Rogue Theatre also Camborne – both theatre in Tehidy woods near I love about Cornwall, companies tap into all free spirit. with its wildness and

Arts event: I really enjoy grandchildren there

Follow Pat on Twitter

@ActionNan www.bosinver.co.u

O 45

[

of the week @ActionNan I’m in West Magazine! Walked 15 miles #falriverwalk plenty of Nan action! Beautiful! #Cornwall

[

all about her remarkable achievements on page 12 today. On the subject of funny ladies, do read Gillian Molesworth’s column on how she whiles away the time when her daughter Sophie is having a riding lesson - as she says, two hours is too long to spend in the car, or in Delabole. It made me laugh (with apologies to Delabole)! Finally, this is our last weekend in the Western Morning News on Sunday - we’ve loved entertaining you all but it’s time for us to move to a new home. From now on you’ll find us in the Saturday edition of the Western Morning News - see you there!

[

As she says, two hours is too long to spend in the car, or in Delabole

Becky Sheaves, Editor

COVER IMAGE: The X Factor

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

MEET THE TEAM Becky Sheaves, Editor

Sarah Pitt

Kathryn Clarke-McLeod

Catherine Barnes

Phil Goodwin

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If you do one thing this week...

You should visit The Wedding Show at Westpoint Arena, Exeter, October 10-11. You’ll see 150 exhibitors and experts covering every aspect of weddings, from flowers to frocks, and cakes to karaoke. There’s live music throughout the weekend, plus fun photobooths to try. Wedding painter Charlotte Atkinson will be displaying her watercolour paintings and there’s even The Dance Shed, who choreograph first dances and wedding party routines. Don’t miss the vintage inspiration area showcasing a selection of suppliers dedicated to all things retro. A bridal fashion show runs three times daily, and you can tuck in at the Posh Nosh café and champagne bar. Every visitor gets a free copy of South West Bride magazine, plus the first 100 brides through the door will get a free goody bag. Tickets from £5, visit the website www.theweddingshow.co.uk for details.

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MacMaster birch pendant light £345 www.amara.com

Pretty Mini vase, made in north Devon £14 Dartington Crystal

the

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

Roar!

STREET STYLE STAR

Baby bodysuit with applique design by Peas and a Pod at en.dawanda.com

Megan Pinsent Megan 16, is a college student from Plymouth Sarah says: “I love Audrey Hepburn’s style because it’s vintage and classy.” Jacket: New Look Bag: Accessorize Leggings: Primark Boots: River Island

BRIGHT Paper fans £2.49 for a three pack, www. candleandcake.co.uk

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Wishlist

fave!

Colourful Arrows rug £144.83 www.ksl-living.fr

Glitter Swallow and star brooches £12 for the set, Accessorize

Store we adore Wadebridge Bookshop

This wonderful independent bookshop is much-loved by locals, old and young alike. There are so many gems to discover on its shelves. Look out for books by Cornish writers and writers about Cornwall, plus a great selection of the latest hot reads, including children’s books. There’s a fantastic, speedy ordering service too. Wadebridge Bookshop is at 43 Molesworth Street, Wadebridge, see www.wadebridgebookshop.co.uk or call 01208 812489

Cosy toes Sheepskin slippers £70 UGG

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talking points Gillian Molesworth

Story of my life... Discovering the freedom to roam ’ve discovered a really beautiful corner of Cornwall’s coast. My daughter has started going to a riding stable near Delabole, which is about half an hour’s drive away from home. This is a really inconvenient increment of time – not quite long enough to go home and achieve anything useful, but too long to sit in the car – or indeed, along the path for a bit and then in Delabole. turned around and came back. I So one week I dropped her off must try to bring a map and learn and headed to nearby Trebarwith a loop, I thought. Strand. I’d been there a few times, What is it about walks that but clearly had forgotten how a loop is always so much nicer. beautiful it was. You follow a cleft Why is this? I suppose it gives you in the rock down to a sheltered something different to look at on cove – dramatically different at the way home, and also a sense of low and high tide – with rolling purpose, as you’re not just retracbreakers and dark crags jutting ing your steps. skywards. The following Saturday I went I am not armed with Paul someone who White’s “Short(ish) usually takes to walks around North the coastal path Cornwall” which I usually go to the when I go to the (sad to say) has been beach. When I gathering dust on beach with sand go to the beach, the shelf. toys, wetsuits, it is usually with It steered me surfboards, a three big bags through the maze of stuffed with sand Tintagel’s Arthupicnic, loose toys, wetsuits, rian tourist traps to change and four surfboards, a a beautiful church kite, picnic, standing sentinel hundred towels loose change, an near the sea. improving novel From here I and four hundred traced a figure of towels. eight loop, referring frequently This time however I was on to the book. “Make sure you have my own and travelling light, so I rounded the headland before you mounted the cliffs, the dog rangcross the stile,” I read. ing ahead with tail wagging. It was a fine four-mile advenIt was a steep climb out of the ture. A bit of map reading, a bit valley, but what a magnificent of alarm (there was a swarm of vista unfolded before my eyes. I bees in a lane, and some bullocks think I may have literally gasped were very interested in my dog), as I gazed along the cliff’s spine, a bit of history (abandoned slate the sea stretching far to the disquarries) and plenty of magnifitance on my left and to my right, cent scenery. After, Sophie and I ridges of bracken flanked by pasboth felt we’d earned the right to ture dotted with sheep. I walked an afternoon movie – perfect.

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

FANCY

footwork

Pink brogue £59 Autograph at M&S

Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox was looking fresh and fabulous at the recent UKTV Live Season launch. She was sporting a pair of tri-tone lace ups to add a touch of fun to the classic brogue. As mum of three Sara shows, this is the shoe to add a little dress-up to a pair of skinny jeans. We love M&S’s seasonal take on the traditional brogue in dusky pink, while US label Naturalizer (stocked in branches of Barratts and House of Fraser over here) has come up with a version for those of us who love the look, but can’t live without a bit of a heel.

steal her

style

OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN

OPTION A Smart Mid-height brogue £70 Naturalizer

OPTION B Embellished Flats £79.95 Mode in Pelle

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rosiehw

04.10.15 rosiehw

Day 160/365

HOME SWEET HOME ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITELEY was back home in Devon lately, staying with her parents in their farm near Tavistock. She’s clearly delighted with the produce from their garden, judging by her Instagram pictures - and so are her constant companions, the cute little dachshunds Peggy and Dolly. Adorable!

‘The kids might find it strange that I’m being so evil’

TOTALLY WICKED! Some might say that KATIE PRICE’s whole career has been a bit of a pantomime, but this year she will genuinely be appearing in panto for the first time. Katie will be treading the boards as the Wicked Fairy in Sleeping Beauty at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking. The mother-of-five says: “I’m not sure who’s more excited about my role in panto, me or the kids! They’re going to enjoy it so much seeing me up on stage, although they might find it strange that I’m being so evil.” West says: Yep, not typecast at all!

Just

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

NOT LISA RILEY has backed CHERYL FERNANDEZ-VERSINI’s call for body-shaming to be made illegal. X Factor judge Cheryl faced criticism of her slimmer appearance from fans when the show’s auditions were filmed in July. Former Emmerdale actress Lisa has now spoken out and agrees that body-shaming is “completely and utterly wrong”. “I completely agree with Cheryl. Body shaming is completely and utterly wrong. I want to be judged because I am a good actress or a good presenter - that is all,” she told The Mirror. West says: We totally agree. You’ll never find any bodyshaming in this magazine, ever.

ASHAMED!

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Royalty: Prince Edward visited The Minack Theatre in west Cornwall

in pictures Rocking: The Brand New Heavies played at Looe Music Festival

Birthday: Richard Balson celebrated running Britain’s oldest family shop, Balson’s Butchers in Bridport. It’s 500 years old this year!

Champs: The national Surf Life Saving Championships took place on Portreath beach

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talking points Fizz!

Pout

ONE OF US Famous faces with links to the Westcountry

10 lipsticks and their names:

1 Night Romance (Edward Bess)

2 Rodeo Drive (Gerard Cosmetics) It’s national Champagne week, so why not buy a:

1 Piccolo (0.1875 litres) 2 Magnum (1.5 litres) 3 Jereboam (3 litres) 4 Rehoboam (4.5 litres) 5 Methuselah (6 litres) 6 Salmanazar (9 litres) 7 Balthazar (12 litres)

3 Valentina (Stila) 4 Speak Your Mind (Bare Minerals)

5 6 7 8 9

Hot Gossip (Mac) Pink Balloon (Paul & Joe) Immodest (Illamasqua) Fiend (Urban Decay) Helene (Joan Collins

This week:

JK Rowling Joanne (JK) Rowling studied French and Classics at Exeter University

Timeless)

10 Pimpante (Chanel)

8 Nabuchadnezzar (15 litres)

9 Solomon (18 litres) 10 Melchizedek (30 litres)

The happy list

Catchy

10 things to make you smile this week 10 famous advertising slogans:

1 Beanz Meanz Heinz 2 Just Do It (Nike) 3 Snap, Crackle & Pop (Rice Crispies)

4 My mate Marmite 5 Every little helps (Tesco) 6 One, Two, Ski (Ski yoghurt) 7 I’m lovin’ it (McDonalds) 8 Vorsprung Durch Technik (Audi) 9 Ah! Bisto 10 Go to work on an egg

1 Orchards full of apples 2 Food Festival at Powderham Castle, today

3 Rugby just so exciting 4 Kernow King Hall for Cornwall, October 9

5 Carson’s wedding yes! 6 Bowls we like Yelverton club 7 Russell Watson Theatre Royal, October 26

8 Conkers never too old 9 Strictly who are you voting for this year?

10 Tremarnock wonderful new book by Emma Burstall

Exeter: Joanne (JK) Rowling, the Joanne was fascinated by the book Harry Potter author, studied at French The Lord of the Rings, and ran up a and Classics at Exeter University. “On £50 overdue fine at the University the plus side, studying library for borrowing it French meant living in too long. Paris for a year as part DID YOU KNOW? of my course.” Writing: Rowling wrote most of the first Diagon Alley Classical influence: Harry Potter book in Joanne’s time spent a café in Edinburgh in Harry studying languages while teaching French Potter is can be seen in many of and looking after based on the her character’s names, her young daughter medieval such as Severus as a single mother. (severe, Latin) Snape It was turned down Gandy Street and Voldemort (Thief by 15 publishers in Exeter of death, French). before Bloomsbury published the book to Places: It is suspected international acclaim that the privet hedges in 1997. of Exeter’s Pennsylvania area inspired Privet Drive, where Harry Day-dreamer: Joanne was described Potter’s narrow-minded relatives, the as a “day-dreaming student” by Dursleys, live. Their surname may Professor Peter Wiseman when she come from Duryard hall of residence, was made an honorary Doctor of where Joanne lived in her first year of Letters at Exeter University in 2000. University. Net worth: In 2011 JK Rowling was Early years: Joanne was born in estimated by Forbes magazine to be Chipping Sodbury, Wiltshire in 1965 worth $1 billion (£640 million). By and then moved to the Forest of Dean 2012, though, she had dropped off near Wales. She wrote her first book at the dollar billionaire list thanks to her the age of six and called it ‘Rabbit’. charitable giving. She is said to have given away £101 million to charity in a Library fine: At Exeter University, single year. 11

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Interview

Q: What do you call

a priest who makes people cry with laughter?

Life’s a divine comedy for stand-up comedian Maggy Whitehouse, who dreams up her jokes at home on Dartmoor and also happens to be an ordained priest

By Catherine Barnes

hat do you call a three-times married priest who makes people cry with laughter as stand-up comedian? Well, you might describe champion jammaker Maggy Whitehouse as a revelation. “I’ve got to be by the South Zeal Carnival by 6pm. I’m entering my marmalade,” she says when we meet, with one eye on the clock. “Check out the certificates on the wall. It’s ridiculous what makes you happy, isn’t it?” So far, so Vicar of Dibley. Her business cards are printed with a catchy offer - ‘Get out of Hell free’, and her jokes at the final of a national stand up-comedy competition in London last week sounds like Geraldine Granger’s idea of Heaven. But that’s not all: Maggy is actually a Catholic priest – ordained under Independent Catholic movement or Ascension Alliance, which broke from the orthodox church at the turn of the last century. “It’s still part of what’s known as the Apostolic Catholic Church, which goes straight back to the Apostle St Peter,” explains Maggy, who lives in Whiddon Down on Dartmoor with third husband Lion, 62, a publisher, along with beagles Biggle Wiggle and Thunderfeet. Whether you’re of faith or not, there’s been a pattern to Maggy’s life that make you wonder quite whose plan she’s been working to. Raised in the Church of England, she turned away from religion when her first husband, Henry, an atheist, was dying. “We were married for one year and 16 days,” she says. “The hospital chaplain told me that Henry couldn’t go to

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photography: Steve Haywood

A: Maggy Whitehouse

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Interview

Heaven as he didn’t believe in Jesus Christ. Yet he was a better person than I’d ever been.” Maggy maintained a sense of spirituality, however, training with a faith healer who provided comfort to the dying: “If you’ve been through a lot of pain,” she says, “you want to help people to not go through that.” Her second husband was a Jewish mystic, who inspired her to dig deeper still into the origins of faith. By the time she was ‘discovered’ by Independent Catholic bishop the Right Reverend David Goddard, who eventually convinced her to take up the cloth, she’d become what she describes as “a spiritual paramedic of sorts”, administering funerals, naming ceremonies and other rites to people of many different faiths who were seeking peace or reconciliation. She was finally ordained a priest of her church, known as The Flower of Carmel, in 2008, when she was living in Birmingham. And it was the way she told ‘em in the pulpit that led to her comedy debut, six years ago. “One week, three people came up to me individually and all said I should do stand-up,” she says. “And one thing you learn in the God job is if you get three hints in a week, you do it. I went to see if there were any classes nearby and, to my horror, there was one only half a mile away.” She took it as a sign and afterwards began securing gigs: “My bishop was thrilled, and said,

[

the angel of mirth stands closest to God. If you can make people laugh, then you’re doing your job, you’re lifting hearts.” Maggy’s career had begun in an entirely different field of communication back in the 1970s, as a television and radio producer, presenter and journalist. “I met lots of rock stars and even dated chef Keith Floyd for six months,” she says. “I did all the cookery when his friends came round, because he didn’t do puddings.” Less than savoury though, were the unsolicited encounters with some high-profile celebrities of the time. “One married celebrity tried to put my face in his crotch. When I complained, I got an official warning from my boss for insulting a guest,” she says. “Rolf Harris and Jimmy Savile were creepy. I can actually show you what Rolf used to do, if you’d like,” she offers with a wicked gleam in her eye. Permission granted, she does. Let’s put it this way: If a man hugged you in the manner she describes, you’d definitely be worried. “But that was the 70s,” shrugs Maggy. “A lot of women who were around then would tell you stories like that, but we’re not going to sue, because we’re over it.” Needless to say, these experiences provided a rich vein of material for her first stand up show – the Maggy Whitehouse Experience – at the Edinburgh Fringe. But her deep-rooted faith is also key to her comedy and she delights in confounding the prejudice of any holier-than-thou in the house. “People usually trot out the line that ‘a man that lies with a man is an abomination’, but there are many other abominations in the Old Testament,” explains Maggy, who likes to put her audience to the test. “Wearing mixed fibres, markings on body... Then there’s anyone who has had sex with both a mother and a daughter. There’s usually always one in the audience, even in Devon. I usually have a prize in my handbag.” Last week, she was one of ten finalists out of an initial 300 contestants to appear at the Benefit Cosmetics’ Funny Women Awards, with the comedy crown going this year to fellow competitor Desiree Burch. “I had such a good time and Desiree was stunningly good,” says Maggy. “I didn’t pray to win, just to do the best I possibly could. Although I did say, if you know any funnier jokes for me, I’ll take them.” Maggy’s also doing some double hander gigs, now, called Rev.Elation, in which she appears with Mark Townsend, the independent Anglican vicar and comedy magician, who performed Jade Jagger’s marriage to Adrian Fillary. Of course,

‘One thing you learn in the God job, is if you get three hints in a week, you do it’

[

Funny folk from the Westcountry

Josh Widdicombe Craig Campbell: This hugely charasmatic Canadian funnyman’s lived in Devon for 15 years and has made TV appearances on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Russell Howard’s Good News. Morwenna Banks Flushing-born sketch show star Morwenna first found fame on TV’s Absolutely. She also wrote the screenplay for new comedy weepie I Miss You Already, starring Drew Barrymore and Toni Collette. Josh Widdicombe: One of stand-up’s biggest names, the Dartmoor born and bred comedian (pictured) is currently touring the UK and is also set to star in his own BBC3 sitcom, Josh, in November. Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders: One of the nation’s best-loved comedy duos, Dawn went to school in Plymouth and has a home in Cornwall. Jennifer and comedian husband Adrian Edmondson brought their family up in Chagford, Devon. Their Comic Strip costar Peter Richardson lives in Devon too, where he’s recently been filming.

one big question still remains. Which wins TV gold, The Vicar of Dibley or Father Ted? “Actually, I like Rev,” curveballs Maggy. “But I think being a real-life vicar out-funnies all of them.” For details of Maggy’s forthcoming gigs, visit www.maggywhitehouse.com

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portraits: grw photography

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People

[

ESTHER APSEY

‘ I had to do something’

[

With the refugee crisis mounting, one Devon woman is doing her best to help people in desperate need, in their home country in Africa

By Kara Green

“

t’s about being a catalyst for change,” says Devon mum Esther Apsey. Amid scenes of desperation as the the refugee crisis escalates, Esther is trying to help people where they need it - in their home country. She is busy drumming up support for a project to donate supplies for a children’s centre in Uganda. Esther, 41, from Woodbury in east Devon, was so moved by the plight of abandoned babies and children in a town called Kisoro, that she set up a project called Ugandabox. Since May she has sent more than 150 kilos of urgently-needed clothing, medical supplies, blankets and toys, all donated by Westcountry families. “You can achieve a lot, and it doesn’t have to be huge,” she says. “I have been really moved by the massive generosity. Everyone has been so thoughtful. I can’t really put it into words how I feel. But this really isn’t about me. It’s about helping these children and if I can, I will. Before this, I was feeling a bit stuck in quite a suburban life. I needed to do something. I thought, what can I do?” Esther’s aunt and uncle, Sue and Mike Hughes, a GP, help to run Potters Village in Kisoro, a home for children up to the age of 12.

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Esther’s aunt, Sue Hughes, helps to run the children’s centre

The children’s home, below, offers a safe home to children in Uganda up to the age of 12

Abandoned children receive the toys from the Westcountry

Uganda is ranked “high” on the World Health Organisation list for malnutrition. According to the crisis centre, more than 30% of children in the country under the age of five suffer from stunted growth due to the lack of food. “My aunt came back with stories about all the children turning up to get help. More and more children are coming down from the hills because they have heard we can help them.” Indeed, a couple of weeks ago, her aunt Sue emailed Esther with an update - the home has taken in a one-year-old boy who had been abandoned and was found crawling along the path in the dark and rain. “The other story that really hit me was the newborn baby found in a plastic bag, with the placenta still attached,” says Esther. “My uncle and aunt were really worried about him for a while but it looks like he’ll pull through. “There was also a baby born in the summer to a mother with epilepsy. She can’t look after her child because of her condition. It’s so treatable in this country but in Uganda they don’t have the medicine, they’re so rural. My Aunty Sue said they have to make hard choices with the resources they have. She’s up all night with babies, and some don’t make it, there are a lot of maternal

deaths, too.” Esther has always felt a connection with Africa. She herself visited Kisoro 20 years ago, and she was involved with the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia before she had her two children, Lizzie, four, and one-year-old Pippa. Her husband, John, is a consultant at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. “I plan to go back to Kisoro when my children are older. If I hadn’t been before I would be naive about going but I know what it’s like. If England is painted in watercolour, then Africa is in oils. A lot of stuff goes on out there,” she says. Africa’s reputation for corruption is no secret and for Esther it is important that help reaches the people that need it. When possible, she posts photos on social media of children in the centre wearing the donated clothes. West Hill pre-school near Ottery St Mary recently donated a box of t-shirts and Esther was delighted to show the children a photograph of the African children wearing the clothes. Her first shipment cost £900 to send and, as she explains, the whole process has been a steep learning curve. “I had boxes in Customs for two and a half weeks. I now have fourteen email addresses for different people in Ugandan customs! I had to contact them for various reasons. They wanted to know what was in the boxes and gave

‘This really isn’t about me. It’s about helping these

children - if I can, I will’

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People

Esther Apsey sends vital supplies to Uganda from her home in Devon

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28/09/2015 16:12:00

People

Esther and daughters Pippa and Lizzie pack toys and clothes for children in Uganda me lots of different tax codes. It was unbelievably complicated.” But these days Esther is not sitting back feeling content with having ‘done her bit’. Supplies are piling up in her garage and she estimates there are another 500 kilos ready to ship over. She also plans to help Potters Village set up a new kitchen to help provide wholesome meals. “My Aunty Sue is trying to develop more of an independent, sustainable way of life for the children. The soil is fertile but there is no education about a balanced diet. She’s trying to get sweet potatoes to grow.” Sue and her husband Mike have told Esther that they are incredibly grateful for everything that has been done to help them so far. Right now they are in desperate need of waterproof ponchos, especially as they are heading into Uganda’s rainy season. Next on Esther’s to-do list is a fund-raising evening she has organised on Saturday 10 October, with live music from a funk band and a threecourse meal by pop-up chefs The Pickle Shack. As she says, it’s a way of helping while having fun at the same time. “Our lives are so different, we can buy what we want but in Uganda people don’t have anything. But we have all got hearts, and this event is about everybody enjoying themselves. Let’s celebrate the fact that we are able to reach out and help.” Ugandabox fundraiser, October 10, Froginwell Estate near Westpoint, Exeter, £35 for a meal with live music. For tickets: ugandabox@yahoo.co.uk. Donate: www.justgiving.com/ugandabox 20

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28/09/2015 16:13:38

interiors

eat out

fashion

drink 21

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Relaxed prairie spirit from www.very.co.uk includes a brushed cotton check duvet set, from £15, antlers wall plaque, £49, and a set of two antique-style trunks, £99. Opposite: highland cow head £75 Debenhams

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Interiors This season’s decor is all about bringing the great outdoors inside. Gabrielle Fagan tracks down the trend’s key looks

A walk on the wild side

lay-it-safe decorators may aland breathtaking wilderness of the Arctic ready be hunkering down for Circle,” says Fiona Lambert, vice president of autumn in that time-honoured brand design and development at George Home, way - piling on old and familiar cosy which is rapidly gaining a reputation for slick onthrows and cushions - but the adventurtrend ranges and is embracing both looks. ous should explore décor’s wild side this season. “We see ‘Hibernate’ as a softer, more tranquil counThere’s a new rugged and real ‘wilderness’ look try look, capturing autumn and narrating its colour sweeping into style, which is either changes through a subtle print and evocative of Wild West plains and colour palette, and enhanced by key cowboy ranches or, for the more woodland characters and iconic intrepid, conjuring the dramatic images of forests and falling leaves Arctic tundra. for photographic wall prints.” ‘Mixing motifs But don’t fret if your wanderlust Whichever way you journey - far sourced from only extends to taking a short trip to and wide or closer to home – it is the natural the countryside. A traditional rustic nature that’s ruling in rooms. woodland theme, with a style landIt’s your choice whether you seek world, the feel scape teeming with creatures great refuge with nothing more threatenis textural and and small, is still featuring strongly ing than squirrels and those ubiquiin collections. tous stags, or bravely strike out and tactile’ “Warm and cosy in essence, shelter with bears and wolves. ‘Tundra’ takes its influence from the If you want your décor to be indistinctive timeless native traditions spired by a traditional country land-

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Interiors scape, then why not take to the Highlands with hunting-lodge style tartan touches and stags heads, or opt for whimsy with quirky animal motifs. “Combining a sense of adventure and escapism, rooms with this decor reflect a love of the outdoors and a back-to-basics approach to rustic living,” says Andrew Tanner, head of home design at Sainsbury’s. “Mixing motifs sourced from the natural world, heavy plaids and Argyll knits, the feel is textural and tactile. Wood and leather finishes and a warm colour palette add to the authentic, aged feel, while enamel and ceramic pieces help create a crisp, contemporary version of country style.”

ABOVE: 3D texture cushion £16, Ram’s head £18, Tapestry bear cushion £10, and cable knit cushion £12, George Home asdadirect.com

Add a woodland vibe with this Linea pheasant feather framed pair of prints £50 House of Fraser

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Interiors

GET THE

LOOK

Be at home on the range with some wilderness style Navajo cushion £14 Sainsbury’s

Two-tier antler chandelier £895 Alexander & Pearl

Gisela Graham replica reindeer head £60 tch.net All Good Things cushion £8, squirrel cushion £8, stag head £8, George Home, asdadirect. com

Seek Adventure wall art £12 Sainsbury’s

Sheep cushion £14 Next

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28/09/2015 13:25:24

Gardens

ANNE SWITHINBANK

Bearing fruit Devon’s Anne Swithinbank, panellist on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, is celebrating this season’s bumper apple harvest his surely must be the year of the apple. I’ve never seen our trees more laden. There were hardly any last year, with nothing on my ‘Bramley’s Seedling’ and only the summer-pruned cordons setting well. They generally crop better because they live in the sheltered and sunnier kitchen garden up by the house. Regular pruning and fruit thinning is easy to carry out on these trained forms and they tend to carry an even crop every year. A good set depends on ideal conditions for pollinating insects and no sudden cold snaps while the pollen tubes are trying to grow down from the grains that land on the stigma of a flower, to the ovary. This delicate process enables the male gamete to travel down to join with the female one and create a seed. After months of chomping on mainly supermarket fruit I can’t wait for the first home-grown These are our apples to ripen in late August, ‘keepers’ to which, in our tiny orchard, is see us to the always ‘Merton Worcester’. These are soon joined by the large, juicy other side of and refreshing fruits of ‘James Christmas. Grieve’. Dual purpose, they make I won’t buy a mild-flavoured cooker as well. Eventually the ‘Bramleys’ are apples now ready, ‘Fiesta’ and ‘Red Windsor’ until February (my favourite) ripen up and finally ‘Crispin’ and now the ‘Ashmead’s Kernel’ join in. The latter was added a couple of years ago and has set one fruit. The last two, plus ‘Bramley’ are our ‘keepers’, to tempting than the Italian-grown ‘Gala’ sitting in see us to the other side of Christmas. I won’t buy her fruit bowl. The UK climate is just right for apples now until next February. apples, as we have few temperature extremes and On a visit to Worthing to stay with our daughplenty of natural rainfall, enabling them to deter, I took a bag of five different varieties, all more velop slowly and steadily, creating fine flavours.

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My husband John and I took a day off, travelled up to London and found ourselves in Bermondsey. I love making connections and, of course, this is where Richard Cox ran the Black Eagle Brewery until 1820, back when this area was full

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of trades involving hops, leather and wool. Fortunately for apple lovers, Cox retired to Colnbrook near Slough, took an interest in fruit and planted pips from a cross between ‘Blenheim Orange’ and ‘Ribston Pippin’. Two of the resulting seedlings came good and in 1836 grafting material was given to a local nursery who had trees of ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’ and ‘Cox’s Pomona’ for sale by 1840. They remained almost unknown until included in the catalogue of a bigger nursery in 1850 and ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’ soon became popular. I remember my grandpa telling me you could tell a Cox by shaking the apple and hearing the pips rattle but I’m not sure how true this is. Unfortunately for us in the South West, ‘Cox’ is generally a bad choice because our mild, moist climate encourages the diseases of scab and canker, to which it is prone. There are plenty of apples we can grow and you could do a lot worse

than go back to the ‘Cox’ parents. Local varieties are an obvious choice but it pays to taste the fruit first. There are plenty of apples with beguiling names but they might not please your children, or could even be bitter little cider apples. Thornhayes Nursery near Cullompton (01884 266746 www.thornhayes-nursery. co.uk) has apples on display throughout October and there’s a special apple event today at RHS Rosemoor (01805 626800). For Cornish varieties with odd names like ‘Snell’s Glass Apple’ (a cooker) try Endsleigh Gardens Nurseries (01822 870235 www.endsleighgardens.com). I asked Adrian Steele from the nursery to name a couple of local eaters he enjoys and he came up with ‘Pear Apple’ which apparently taste pear-like as you bite into it, then changes to apple and ‘Cornish Aromatic’. If the timing is right, you can try fruits from nursery stock trees before you buy.

Question time with Anne West reader queries answered by Anne Swithinbank I’ve been keeping a peony in a large pot on a roof terrace for six or seven years and although the plant does well with plenty of leaves, it has never flowered. It’s the sort that dies back every winter.

A common cause of not flowering is when the crown of the peony is buried too deeply in the ground or in this case, the pot. Autumn is a good time to move them, so take it out, tickle a little of the old compost away from the roots and repot into good compost (50:50 John Innes no 2 and a soilless mixed with a little extra grit added). If you need to use the same pot, you can prune some of the roots back to fit it in. Make sure the crown is at the surface. An open, sunny position suits peonies and of course the plant will need regular watering. Give the plant a high potash liquid feed in spring and a slow release fertilizer suitable for herbaceous perennials the following spring.

Some of my apples have maggots inside them. What are they doing there and how can I get rid of them?

Coddling moths hatch in May and June, mate and lay eggs near developing fruits. Tiny caterpillars bore in and feed inside the fruits for four weeks, often causing premature ripening and early drop. The caterpillars bore out again and overwinter as non-feeding caterpillars in leaf litter or in bark fissures, to pupate the following spring. You can apply a nematodebased bio-control now to trunk, branches and soil to control caterpillars. Hang pheromone traps in May, which give off the same attracting hormone as females to attract the males, meaning fewer eggs are laid. You can wrap corrugated cardboard around tree trunks to trap caterpillars and scrape up leaf litter.

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

• Start lifting pruning by about half and potting tender plants such as fuchsia, pelargonium, marguerites and heliotropes ready to keep frost free for next year. Take off dead leaves and stand in porch or greenhouse so they don’t quite touch each other. Ventilate well. • Plant out garlic, choosing cultivars suitable for the job and setting individual cloves 15cm/6in apart in rows 30cm/12in apart with the tips just under

the surface. If soil becomes wet in winter, plant on ridges. • Tomatoes will continue to ripen for a long time under glass but if you need their bed space, cut the vines and hang or drape them upside down, where they will still ripen. • Autumn can bring windy weather, so check tall brassicas like Brussels sprouts and purple sprouting broccoli and stake them if necessary. Don’t let movement cause gaps around their stems on clay soils.

On windy sites

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

Do trim back roses, buddleias, lavateras and other gangly shrubs by about half now. A further, more thorough, pruning should be carried out in late winter/early spring.

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28/09/2015 17:30:27

Beauty

Tried

& tested

We present the beauty treats and cheats of the week, picked by West magazine’s Catherine Barnes, with help from daughter Tilly, 18

GOOD STUFF You glow girl: Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Balance Me’s Radiance Face Oil with yarrow (£30) is a great light alternative to a night cream. balanceme.co.uk

EYES WIDE OPEN Fibre lash mascaras can add some serious length and volume: Find this one, £11.50, by Autograph at M&S

FELINE GOOD

It’s happening! Aldi’s latest amazing beauty products hit the shelves today and they are made with CAVIAR! The range includes a day cream and intensive treatments, including a peel-off mask and costs from just £6.99. They’re going to disappear like hot blinis.

The chisel tip on this liquid eyeliner (£16) creates feline flicks with flair. www.ciatelondon.com

ALDI ALERT

IN THE PINK Perricone MD’s No Blush Blush (£29) will give you a natural, just-beenfor- a-wintry-walk glow. Apply just a touch with your fingertips, et voila! www.perriconemd.co.uk 28

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the review This week we try:

Oxygen Facial Becky Sheaves puts the Image Skincare Red Carpet Facial, with oxygen peel, to the test pparently, before the latest Miss World competition, all competitors were given a Red Carpet Facial using products from the USA-based skincare firm Image. Hey, if it’s good enough for Miss dead Venezuala, it’s good enough for me. So off I cells, promoting collagen synwent to the new Revitalise-Rejuvenate clinic thesis and deep hydration. that has just opened in Exeter’s SouthernThe next step was the application of the hay to try one out for myself. Oxygenation Masque, which was the part I’ve had facials before during which I where you definitely wouldn’t drop off to dropped off to sleep. And might even have sleep! The effervescent bubbling action felt woken myself up with a jump, by snoring. amazing as the healing oxygen fizzed away, There’s no danger of that with this one, busy at work on my complexion. though – it’s an invigorating pick-me-up for Step four was the application of Image’s the skin using high-tech Stem Cell Enhancer. This products, and at times booster serum is designed my skin was actually to get high doses of stem fizzing - in a good way. The effervescent cells, vitamin C and botaniImage Skincare can cals into the deeper layers bubbling action only be dispensed of the skin. felt amazing by an authorised Finally, Pradnya applied aesthetic practitioner as the healing a lovely tinted moisturiser, as it is cosmeceutical, ie which made me feel less oxygen fizzed the products go deeper naked as I walked back away, busy at than over-the-counter through Exeter. I was also products, right down to work on my sent away with a pack of the deep skin layer. Image products, including complexion Step one was Image’s the Stem Cell Enhancer Gel to Milk Cleanser, serum and some more of explained my therapist, that gorgeous tinted moisDr Pradnya Apte. She’s turiser, to use at home. a qualified dentist who My skin was slightly pink immediately has moved into medical aesthetics and afterwards but this soon settled down, even now runs her own clinic – let’s just say, she though I’m prone to having dry, tight skin. knows her stuff. The cleanser went on as a As for the results, I looked so much better thick gel, then turned into warm hydrating that my husband and kids genuinely milk which gently cleansed my skin without noticed the difference when I got home. And stripping it. It was massaged in to my face when I looked in the mirror, I had a really and neck for about five minutes, before pleasant surprise – I’ve had an open pore on being removed with a warm compress. my face which has bothered me for quite Pradnya said that my skin was already looksome time. But – as if by magic – this fabuing brighter. lous facial had completely erased it. The second step was an Enzymatic Facial The Red Carpet oxygen facial, £85, Peel, with fruit enzymes to dissolve dead Revitalise-Rejuvenate, Exeter skin cells. This sweet-smelling gel was mas01392 426285 saged in to penetrate the skin and gently lift

BERRY NICE Revamped and deliciously berry scented, Clarins’ JoliRouge lipsticks (£19.50) not only moisturise, but have hours of staying power. www.clarins.com

HAIR TODAY Apply Sachajuan Cleansing Cream (£28) to wet hair, then rinse, for a between-shampoos cleanse that conditions and shines. Find it at www.spacenk.com

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www.revitalise-rejuvenate.co.uk

Want a review? Send your request to westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk 29

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28/09/2015 12:23:26

Fashion

Faux fur skinny scarf £10 George at Asda

Suede jacket £79.99 Zara

Gloves £45 Dune

Leopard print coat £199 Biba at House of Fraser

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Coat £75 Next

Harewood cape £299 Hobbs

Limited edition trim coat £95 Marks & spencer

Wrap stars t’s likely to be your biggest splurge of the season, so wouldn’t it be great to have lots of time to thoroughly peruse all the options before deciding on a winning winter coat? Sadly, when it comes to this particular fashion feat, time isn’t on your side, because the outerwear collections are dropping at a rate of knots, with the most popular pieces flying through the checkouts. They won’t be back in stock either, so if you want to be toasty AND on-trend when winter eventually rolls around, these are the coats, wraps and jackets to nab now...

Coat £179 Biba at House of Fraser

Scarf £38 Phase Eight

Suede tassel coat £375 East 31

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Trend

HOW TO WEAR IT:

MAIN PHOTO HAIR: CHARLOTTE AT SAKS, EXETER MAKEUP: CLARINS, DEBENHAMS (BOTH PRINCESSHAY) PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE HAYWOOD STILL-LIFE PHOTOGRAPHS: PR SHOTS

AW15 reds Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod brings you the ultimate whose-hue guide hris de Burgh fans rejoice, red is the colour of the season. The top fashion houses honed in on the hue for their AW15 shows, often embracing it in head to toe ensembles that included pantsuits and sleeved maxi dresses. For everyday versatility, nothing beats a classic red shift. Timeless, flattering and memorable, it is a piece worth investing in. Any sound investment requires a spot of research, though. Red isn’t just red. There are so many incarnations of this shade, from cranberry to the hottest chilli, and it is vitally important that you choose the one best suited to your skin tone. Most makeup and style consultants agree that there are three camps that we can all fall into. Cool (blue undertones), warm With so many (yellow undertones) or neutral (no dominant undertone). incarnations It’s all very reminiscent of of the hue women in shoulder pads and it is vitally silk scarves bouncing about and enthusing about ‘Getting important that their colours done’ but there is you choose one no denying the whole thing is in fact a bit of a science. best suited to Luckily there is no need to your skin tone make a colour reading appointment with Barbara/Wanda/ insert Eighties name in here. Here are a few quick tricks that should tell you all you need to know before you strike out, visa Those who shine in bright white are often ‘cools’ card in hand. while ivory suits the warm among us. It’s not very glam, but check your veins. Turn Once you have worked it out, it is easy as your arm upside down in natural light and cherry pie. You simply shop in your colour catassess the colour of the visible veins. Blue or egories. Cools will look best in reds with a blue purple veins mean you are a ‘cool’ and yellow/ undertone, such as berry and crimson while green veins make you a warm. Bluey-green? warms should look for a bit of an orange tint Then you’re a neutral, and the good news is you such as cinnamon or ruby. can wear whatever shade you want. The beauty of a good red frock is that you Another quick test is to check if you look can afford to pare everything else back, put it healthier in a white t-shirt, or an off-white one. on, and still look wonderfully put together. As

Dress, Lk Bennett, Princesshay, £195 Necklace, Next, Princesshay, £14 Shoes, LK Bennett, Princesshay, £225 Bag, LK Bennett, Princesshay, £225

Coco Chanel once said: ‘Dress shabbily and they remember the dress, dress impeccably and they remember the woman’. This LK Bennett stunner wasn’t the thriftiest of options, but it’s certainly the definition of impeccable. And if that will, in turn, aid in making me memorable, then I’d call that a fabulous return on investment. All fashion in these pictures is from Princesshay Shopping Centre, Exeter, www.princesshay.co.uk

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NEW LOOK Laser cut layered Bardot dress £19.99

MISS SELFRIDGE Sleeveless rollneck jumper £30

GET THE

look DEBENHAMS Red Herring dress £55

NEXT twill jacket £50

DEBENHAMS Principles coat £95

NEXT Wrap skirt £40 CREW CLOTHING Breta brogue shoe £95

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30/09/2015 14:45:40

Fashion

The edit Your straight line to style: This week, pleated skirts and smart shirts

£22 BHS

£35 M&S

£25 Look Again

£49.50 Twiggy for M&S

£39.50 Lands’ End

£45 Oliver Bonas

£69.95 Moda in Pelle

£65 Dune

£29.95 New Look

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29/09/2015 17:12:40

Stars

Your stars by Cassandra Nye This week’s sign:

Happy birthday to...

Intuitive Librans are great relationship builders. They have a knack for finding others in life who possess the strengths they lack, and as a result, form successful partnerships in work, love and leisure. Typical Librans are ideas people and often boast a natural flair for the arts. They also tend to be the peacemakers in relationships, even if this means masking their own feelings for the sake of harmony.

Kate Winslet born October 5, 1975 Brought up in Reading in Berkshire, Kate’s big film break was in Sense and Sensibility – partly filmed in Devon on the Flete estate and at Saltram House. She’s gone on to star in scores of Hollywood films including epic romance Titanic, with Leonardo DiCaprio. Now married to businessman Ned Rocknroll, she’s been married twice before, to film directors Jim Threapleton and Sam Mendes, and she has three children. Librans such as Kate have adventurous spirits and thrive on being surrounded by other people.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Are you looking to improve or develop a relationship? With your mind sharp, this is a great week to make a start. Get out of your emotional rut by going and doing something different with your partner. Those who are single could now meet someone to become close to. The advice is the same, though: get out and land yourself in a new place.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Dreams are bringing you inspiration and a certain yearning. Take control and shape them into a more practical picture. Mystery and intrigue send shivers down your spine. Meeting with others who are new to your experience really opens your mind and heart. Certainly the attraction of the unknown has never been stronger.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Plan properly and you can now start to take the steps to make your dreams a reality. When someone makes promises, realise it is their intention to fulfil them if possible. That may leave a big question mark over their involvement, of course. A financial blip could leave you feeling low. Stay cool and calm until you know the facts.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Getting into the groove is not the same as getting into a rut. What do you have to do to be free to move forward? Someone wants your love. How long will they wait? Your cash is under threat if you let anyone take advantage of you. Be wary of promises and sob stories.

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Get moving in all areas of your life this week. Change something at home, in your work, with your relationships and mainly in your attitude. Don’t force any

issues but do keep moving forward. Money and romance run alongside each other. Guard your cash, but be generous with your love.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) Sometimes we can all be our own worst enemy. How often have we found ourselves saying or doing something just to make a point? Don’t waste your time with petty matters this week. There is a chance to improve a current relationship that should not be missed. Cash flow problems should clear in the next week.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) As much as you may feel like ‘going it alone’ this week, there is more sense in letting someone help you. There is much to do and missing out on just a few details could be a problem. As you approach the weekend, you are inspired. Listen to someone who knows you well. You may not like their ideas but their reasoning speaks to your soul. TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) It is great having a busy life and being in demand. Even so, the chances are that lately you have been doing too much. Have a good look now at your overall health and be more realistic. Take on what you need to, rather than what others want you to. There is a big difference, believe me!

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Having got through a lot of work and

organisation recently, you could now be feeling a little flat. Gather your thoughts and energy and look for your next project. Don’t rush into anything but do a bit of research. Someone with experience will likely save you a lot of time and money.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Someone or something is blocking your time and imagination and needs sorting out. An open and honest discussion may be long overdue as, until the air is cleared, it will be hard to make progress. With a bit of compromise, the weekend could bring the solution. Maybe use some of that charm?

LEO (July 23 - August 23) Gathering your thoughts and making sense of them is not always easy. At the moment there is some confusion about what you really want. While that is spinning around in your head it is hard to concentrate. Every word gives the chance of a misunderstanding, so take care. A discussion about money at the weekend could involve the welfare of a loved one.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Perfection is not what you are looking for this week. What you are looking for are simple solutions to many small problems. With high energy and the willingness to work hard, you are a real asset. Just make sure partners are pulling their weight. 35

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29/09/2015 17:13:47

Wellbeing

the boost

Life just got better. We’ve handpicked the latest wellness trends, best-body secrets and expert advice to help you be your best self, everyday

SHE SHOULD COCO ALLERGY ALERT: Once the central heating goes on, so does the laundry over the radiator, but if you’re prone to allergies then stop! Steaming clothes can increase humidity and also send mould spores into the air that you breathe. Find out more about how manage year-round allergies at: www.haymax.biz

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow’s among the celebrity fans of coconut water, which can be a good source of potassium if you don’t get enough in your regular diet. Unlike the milk, which comes from ripe coconut flesh, the water is tapped from green coconuts - a 250ml glass of the low-fat juice contains around 45 calories.

SPECIAL K Are you getting your Vitamin K? If you eat a healthy diet you probably are: this nutrient’s important for helping blood to clot and helping your body to heal. It’s found in leafy greens, cereal and vegetable oils. So, say Yes to cabbage! 36

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A-peeling Use a vegetable peeler to get more goodness into your salad bowl. Dietitian Sophie Claessens suggests dashing off strips of raw carrot, yellow or green courgette cucumber and apple as a quick and easy way to posh up a simple bagged salad, or add vitamins to a pasta dish. Find more of her tips at www.vavista.com

Be mindful

Keep calm by becoming mindful - this updated version of Buddhist meditation can help manage depression, anxiety, stress and pain. An eight-week mindfulness course is set to begin at Sharpham Trust in Torquay on October 24. Find out more at www.sharphamtrust.org

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

HOW TO EAT WELL Is it an eating disorder? Orthorexia’s not been formally diagnosed as a health condition, but it’s said those in its grip are obsessed with eating ‘clean’ to the point that their entire life can revolve around their ‘healthy’ eating routines. Nutritionist Zoe Harcombe says that every case should be taken in context, as many of us avoid or eat more of certain foods for health reasons. She says: “In my view: giving up anything bad is good and giving up anything good is bad. And that’s it!”

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

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Wellbeing

I’ve always been obsessive about cleaning my teeth, but they’re still quite yellow - although I must have spent a small fortune on toothpastes that promise a dazzling white smile. Is it silly to worry about this, if I’m lucky to be virtually filling free? I’ve thought about bleaching, but is it safe? And can I do it at home with a kit?

A brighter smile Is it safe to bleach?

as it’s a procedure that should only be done if Dr Ann Cummins, the founder and co-owner of your teeth and gums are healthy. Abbey Mead Dental Practice and Implant Centre They may look fine, but there’s no way for inin Tavistock, says: I know exactly how you feel! stance, of a beautician who carries out this sort As a dentist, I always feel my of treatment knowing. Nor will teeth are under the scrutiny of you be any wiser if you simply my patients - and prospective go it alone at home with a kit ones. So while your teeth may bought online and there’s a risk It’s vital to be perfectly healthy – and only of permanent damage in the your dentist can tell you this - I hands of someone who won’t be undergo a can understand why you may able to help, if something goes proper clinical feel self-conscious. wrong. Healthy teeth vary in colour Whitening toothpastes sold examination dramatically. Not everyone has over the counter can only before you naturally pearly white teeth and remove surface staining and undergo teeth as we age, they become more will not alter the actual colour yellow in appearance. of the tooth tissue. Some may whitening We’d all prefer our smiles to be quite abrasive on the tooth be bright ones, though. Toothenamel. Long term use could whitening is now commonly result in a yellower appearance carried out by dentists and is a as the second layer of the tooth, safe and straightforward procedure under expert the yellow dentine, shows through the thinned care. But it’s vital to undergo a proper clinical exenamel. amination before you undergo teeth whitening, Tooth whitening really is the business of den-

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tists - after all, you wouldn’t get a filling at the hairdressers. It really is unwise to take shortcuts for the sake of your pocket: expect to save up around £360 for an expert treatment that will promise results in safe hands. Whitening won’t remove the surface of your teeth or change their shape. It is often a better option than alternatives such as veneers because it doesn’t involve permanently altering the tooth’s structure and is easy to look after. The process can be carried out in the surgery or, after your consultation, your dentist may give you a kit and instructions on how to use it at home. The home kit involves specially made trays molded to fit over your teeth, which are carefully loaded with a controlled concentration of carbamide peroxide whitening gel. You’ll find your teeth may be sensitive for a short time during treatment but this is normal and soon fades away after. Usually, treatments are completed within a couple of weeks, so it’s quite a fast option and the results are guaranteed to make you smile. www.abbeymeaddentalpractice.co.uk

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29/09/2015 16:48:31

Eat

ally macâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Matcha Green Tea Porridge Ally says: I love starting the morning with a big bowl of porridge, and my matcha chia porridge will have you raring and ready to seize the day ahead. Matcha is high in antioxidants and made by using shade-grown tea leaves.

You will need:

Method:

(serves 1 bowl)

Soak the oats in almond milk in a pan for 10 minutes. Turn on the heat (on low) and simmer the porridge. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want your porridge to seize up on a high heat.

150ml homemade almond milk 1 tsp. matcha (I use Tea Pigs matcha powder) 30g oats Sprinkle of goji berries, chia seeds, coconut and blueberries

Add your tsp. of matcha green tea and keep stirring for approximately 4-5 minutes. You want a nice gloopy consistency (the type that Goldilocks would love!) Take your pan off the heat and pour into a bowl, dress your green porridge with berries, seeds and gojis. What a beautiful start to the day!

@allyskitchenstories

@AKitchenStories

Natural food expert Ally Mac lives and cooks in South Devon. Ally specialises in devising good-for-you recipes that are easy to prepare at home. She also sells several of her own delicious healthy products online at www.allyskitchenstories.co.uk 39

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30/09/2015 15:45:36

Eat

Ingredient of the Week

Mushrooms with Tim Maddams

or me, October means one thing there are some deadly ones, too, so proceed and one thing only. Mushrooms. with extreme caution if you go gathering. John Not the boring character-less Wright’s brilliant River Cottage Mushroom diminutive white lumps seen all Handbook is a masterpiece, but the best thing year in the shops, and none of your to do is book a guided course with someone who ‘exotic’ nonsense either. The knows their stuff. If you decide mushrooms I have spent the not to pick your own, you need a last few weeks getting excited good relationship with the local about are wild - and a little green grocer or better still, a Ceps, harder to come by. I have been forager. hedgehogs, and picking the early species such Wild mushrooms are a pleasure as chanterelle since late July, to cook with. Try not to obsess over cauliflowers all but they are just a teaser for cleaning them; you’re better off have individual the abundance and variety that with the odd pine needle in your traits in both the bursts from the ground at this risotto. Do it quickly and they will time of year. store well in the fridge for a week kitchen and wild Ceps, hedgehogs, cauliflowers or so in a Tupperware lined with habitats and more, all have individual kitchen paper. Keep it simple with traits in both the kitchen and the cookery. Omelettes, pizzas, their wild habitats, too. I always risottos, mushrooms on toast, think of winter chanterelle as a and mushroom pasta allow you to camouflage mushroom, that can appear when explore the often new and always tasty flavours you stare at a patch of damp forest floor. unhindered. For all the edible and tasty mushrooms around @TimGreenSauce

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Wild mushrooms and garlic on toast Toast a slice of bread and keep warm. Heat a frying pan to a moderate heat and meanwhile cut your bigger mushrooms into pieces. Add a little oil to the pan and fry your mushrooms; you want a little colour. Once they’re tender, chuck in a generous knob of butter and a chopped garlic clove. Cook for another minute, then take off the heat, squeeze a little lemon over and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Put it on the toast and gobble greedily.

Tim Maddams is a Devon chef and author of Game: River Cottage Handbook no. 15 (Bloomsbury £14.99) 40

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29/09/2015 16:52:43

Drink

Beer of the week When you’re a Southampton supporter you need a decent beer when watching the match to make the experience worth while. Cornish Pale Ale from St Austell Brewery is one of the newer brews to grace the excellent M&S beer line-up and at 4.4% ABV is a perfect session sup. Cornish malts provide a biscuit backdrop to a mix of Fuggles, Celeia and Willamette hops that give a fruity, slightly grassy bitterness.

Best of Cornish cider Lostwithiel Cider Festival is now a firm date on the Cornish quaffers’ calendar, taking place this year on Saturday, October 17. Held in the town community centre, the event will feature more than 40 draft ciders and juices, plus apple pressing and the presentations from an amateur cider-making competition.

Darren Norbury

talks beer etherspoons – force for good or their own twists to such a classic. bad on the British pub scene? It’s There are three South West contributions to one of those companies that tends the festival, all hailing from Somerset. Butcombe to polarise opinBrewery is offering Chinook APA ion, but I find that (4.2% ABV), an American pale it does more things well than ale with a floral aroma, citrus otherwise. It does sell cheaply, on the palate and a dry finish. It does sell which can’t be a good deal for Cotleigh Redfire (4.8% ABV) is a smaller brewers, but can be a copper-coloured bitter with rich, cheaply, but can very good shop window for a spicy molasses on the tongue and be a very good growing brewer. hints of chocolate. And Exmoor Every October, it holds a very Ales, celebrating its 35th annishop window fine beer festival with two key versary this year, is presenting for a growing points of interest: beers brewed Gold Export (5.5% ABV), a highbrewer exclusively for the festival by er-strength version of Exmoor foreign brewers, and specials Gold which featured in Wethercreated by British brewers. spoons’ first beer festival back in For this event, the foreign 1990. Expect intense hops, juicy brewers make their own recipe malt and vanilla notes. beers at UK breweries and there have been Here’s the rub. Most Wetherspoons only have some terrific creations. Top of the shop this ten or a dozen handpumps, some with permatime, in terms of strength, is Red Racer IPA, nent regulars on them. So it’s pot luck which of made by Central City Brewery’s Gary Lohin. the festive 50 will be on when you pop in to your Central City is based in British Columbia. Red local, but don’t let that put you off. The full beer Racer is very much along the lines of a British menu is online at tinyurl.com/plarckm. IPA, but an overseas brewer will generally add @beertoday

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RUGBY WORLD CUP BOOST The British Beer and Pub Association reckons the Rugby World Cup could result in an extra 25 million pints of beer being sold during the tournament. The total impact on turnover for pubs across the country, just on beer, is expected to be around £86m. 41

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28/09/2015 16:49:10

Eat/Drink Restaurant review

Bistrot Pierre By Liz Parks

here’s something about dining out in a French restaurant that feels a bit special. And Plymouth’s Le Bistrot Pierre is certainly in a special location. Situated in the city’s trendy Royal William Yard the restaurant is next to the yard’s green, which looks picture perfect on a summer’s evening. I met a friend for a long over due catch up there over a bite to eat. I’d eaten at Le Bistrot Pierre once before when I’d been impressed at how the kitchen and waiting staff had handled a large number of orders at a busy Christmas function. My friend had been less impressed by her previous outing to Le Bistrot Pierre so we were curious as to whose experience would prove to be borne out by our second trip. I arrived first and sipped a welcome sparkling water in the restaurant’s bar area. It was a pleasant experience to sit and watch people come and go in the Royal William Yard, which now boasts a host of eateries offering everything from Italian to Asian and Mexican food. When my friend arrived we were quickly shown to our table by the friendly and efficient staff. Le Bistrot Pierre looks and feels like a typical French restaurant. The chain has been going now for 21 years and I’m sure that if you went into any of their outlets there would be striking similarities between them, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing and whoever designs the restaurants clearly knows what they are doing. The restaurant manages to accommodate a good number of covers but doesn’t feel crowded. While catching up over some more sparkling water, we had a look at the menu and the specials board, which offered a good choice of food. My friend and I are both Francophiles thanks to time spent in France while at university so we enjoyed swapping stories about our respective years abroad in an appropriate environment. Le Bistrot Pierre offers dishes that are French in style but the menu is clearly designed to be accessible and so the food is fairly mainstream. In a way this feels like a bit of a missed opportunity to be bold and take some culinary risks but, having said that, it does mean that Le Bistrot Pierre is somewhere which offers something for everyone. We started with the salade de crabe (crab salad to those who don’t speak French) which was tasty and arrived quickly, which I think is an often under-rated aspect of eating out.

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29/09/2015 13:11:21

4 of the best French restaurants

1 Chloes, Plymouth

This small but perfectly formed restaurant offers Modern French cuisine with a collection of old favourites and interesting twists on traditional themes. Dish of the day: Smoked Haddock Casolette: Flaked haddock poached in milk and blended with a light mashed potato, topped with grated Emmental cheese Prices: Mains between £9.50 and £22.50 Contact: 01752 201523

2 Frou Frou, Tiverton

In today’s time-poor society, good food and good company are best appreciated if you’re not fading away with hunger while those around you tuck in. Anyway, enough of my lack of prandial patience… For our main we both ordered the salade de steak au Roquefort (steak salad with blue cheese and chips – though the French version sounds much more glamorous). I was really looking forward to trying this as I think that simple, well done food is hard to beat. Like the starter, we weren’t kept waiting long for the main, which looked appetising and well presented. We both eagerly tucked in with the steak, the salad and the chips making a tasty, straightforward meal. I tried hard to get a flavour of the Roquefort but drew a blank. Initially, I put this

down to my taste buds being defective but, when my friend also found no trace of the cheese, we queried it with our waitress who checked with the kitchen who had forgotten to add it when the food was being prepared. A dish of the cheese was soon brought to the table and, once sprinkled onto our meals, this added a bit of flavour that had been missing from the main. Le Bistrot Pierre offers a good selection of desserts but we decided not to indulge so we rounded off what was an enjoyable meal in very pleasant surroundings with some good conversation and a good cup of coffee before heading home. A bientot. Bistrot Pierre, New Cooperage, Royal William Yard, Plymouth PL1 3RP. 01752 262318

With decor evoking 1920s Paris, this bistro’s mouthwatering blackboard menu changes daily- and you can try two lunch courses from it, for just £10. Its cocktail bar boasts an amazing selection of gins- over 50 varieties! Dish of the day: Oven baked asparagus & artichoke racelette with potato gratin. Prices: Evening mains from £12.95 Contact: 01884 250544

3 Côte Brasserie, Exeter

Part of a national chain, Côte is a modern interpretation of Parisian bistros of Paris. It serves authentic brasserie dishes with a modern twist, using high quality produce. Dish of the day: Breton fish stew – traditional stew of sea bass, mussels, clams, prawns and squid with tomato, white wine and chilli Prices: Mains about £13 Contact: 01392 433 406

4 Les Saveurs, Exmouth

How they scored... Food

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Atmosphere



Service



Price

Lunch for two was £68

Offering a classic French style of cookery from chef Olivier GuyardMulkerrin, Les Saveurs has won many awards. The menu features locally picked, caught or sourced produce which an emphasis on seasonality. Dish of the day: Roasted lamb rump with a Dijon mustard and herb crust Prices: Mains between £18 and £25 Contact: 01395 269459

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30/09/2015 15:49:36

Bantham Beach

My favourite...

My Secret Westcountry Peter Nicholson Director Peter Nicholson is behind new film thriller Dartmoor Killing. He grew up in Dartington and currently divides his time between London, (where he lives with wife Jane and son Adam, 17), and Devon, where his mother still lives. He has further Westcountry movie projects in the pipeline.

Places: I grew up walking on Dartmoor, swimming the rivers and climbing the Tors, so I know the light and what an incredible cinematic stage it can be. Dartmoor is really the fifth character in my film. The sense of place and identity trigger deeply buried memories within the lead character, Becky. I also love the coast and the rolling green hills of south and north Devon… and places in Cornwall like the Lizard. I would like to film there too… I also really like Plymouth. It is gritty and real and diverse… I’m planning a sci-fi TV drama there, with its natural links to the sea.

View: Well, it would have to be Dartmoor where there are too many to name, but I have to plug Sharp Tor from the film! I also love the view towards Kings Tor and Tavistock as the sun sets… and also the view out to sea that you get from the road between Yelverton and Tavistock. A gem in the low late autumn sunshine.

Beach: I have several favourites, but I’ll plump for Bantham for the sand, although my son

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29/09/2015 13:28:27

People

Tamar Bridge

Treby Arms

Plymouth

did step on a weaver fish there a while ago and we had to stick his foot in a bucket of very hot water! Well, the lifeguard did! I’m also very fond of Soar Mill Cove.

Pub: I have to mention The Cott Inn in Dartington as I have been going there longer than I can remember and in the last few years the food has also become really good. I also really like The Tower Inn in Slapton. Their fish and chips is my favourite.

Arts festival: When I was a teenager I used to work at the Dartington Summer School of Music and it’s still going. I’ve also been really impressed with William Jenkins and Ben Hancock set up Plymouth Film Festival. It’s nice to be associated with that early on and I can only see their success growing.

Restaurant: The Treby Arms in Sparkwell. It’s wonderful.

Food: I love fresh Westcountry fish and shellfish with a good white wine. Who doesn’t?! Tipple: I’m not sure if

I should say that we used to go to get our rough cider from Hills, a small scale producer near Landscape, when I was at school! You need summer and sunshine, I think, to appreciate cider. New Lion Brewery did the bar at our open air premiere screenings of A Dartmoor Killing at Newbridge and their beer is excellent.

Music at Dartington

Way to relax: I’m not very good at relaxing, but I do watch football every so often. I was taken to see Plymouth Argyle by neighbours when I was about seven so they have been my team down here. (I was also taken to see Arsenal by my uncle, so they became my London team). I’m increasingly back down here and this shift in the centre of gravity is only going to get stronger in the next few years as Jane and I develop and hopefully produce further film projects.

Look out for Dartmoor Killing in cinemas now, across the Westcountry. dartmoorkilling.co.uk 45

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29/09/2015 13:30:25

My life

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man and boy

Rugby fever

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Phil Goodwin, father of James, five, on the World Cup

ugby has come to our fair Devon city in all its ugly, savage glory. Exeter: host city for the 2015 World Cup – it sounded so cool proclaimed on the billboards. As citizens, living far from the Chiefs’ home at Sandy Park out by the M5, we thought we could bask in our new-found status without actually having anything to do with the competition. Then somebody had the smart idea to stick a 5,000 capacity fan-zone in Northenhay Gardens, slap bang in the city centre. The timing turned out to be pure genius too, kicking off the spectacular at the same time as a few thousand students descended on the university for Fresher’s Week. A heady mix indeed. You can imagine: drunken teenage girls and boys wandering the streets, faces painted with the emblematic Tudor rose, singing Swing

Low Sweet Chariot. The first Saturday night went with a bang, followed by residents jammed the phone lines with complaints about a noisy live band playing at the site. We didn’t hit the phones, but the event went down like a lead balloon with my wife, as she struggles to write up her phD thesis. She is not a fan of rugby, or football either for that matter. If pushed she would probably confess an interest in ice-dancing, not a sport which attracts a great deal of rowdiness I would imagine (though who knows what passions the Bolero stirs up among the faithful). As for the boy, he loved the bass drum which echoed around our normally sedate neighbourhood. He was busy shaking his body the beat rather than going to sleep. Much has been said about the divisive nature of Rugby Union – and the suffix is important. In my home town of St Helens on the opening fixture of the world cup, fans were gathering to watch Saints versus Wigan, under league rules. The ‘amateur’ game, as it was for so long, has long been characterised as the plaything of posh boys, the preserve of public

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school Hugos and Henrys. To those of us who grew up making the pilgrimage to football stadiums built hotchpotch among the tenement blocks and terraced streets of northern cities, rugby union remains an alien world. As a lover of the round game, I watch the whole thing with curiosity and bewilderment. I note with interest that supporters inside the stadiums are free to guzzle pints of beer. In full view of the cameras. This privilege is still denied us football fans, who are still forced to neck our pints out of view of the pitch, a throwback to the bad old days of the 1980s. The reason of course, as supporters love to remind us: rugby is a hooligans’ game played by gentlemen, unlike its polar opposite, football, where fans remain segregated along tribal lines. But I feel no hostility towards the ‘egg chasers’. When the players start throwing the ball around it can be exciting to watch, though you have to admit that the melee, that pile of bodies from which the ball eventually emerges, remains baffling in the extreme. Seems they need a video committee to sort out that mess. But what I am fascinated by are the heavyweight clashes between nations, like New Zealand and South Africa. And of course nothing is sweeter than a victory for the perennial underdogs over the old enemy. Like the Welsh boys from the valleys striking a blow into the very heart of the English middle classes – a last gasp victory at Twickenham. Who could fail to be moved by that? You can’t really blame them for belting out Bread of Heaven at the top of their voices after that. Though it would be nice if they kept it down a bit around here.

He loved the bass drum which echoed around our sedate neighbourhood

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29/09/2015 16:35:08

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30/09/2015 15:47:41

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