Exeter Living - Issue 273 by MediaClash

ISSUE 273 / JANUARY 2021 / £3

A YEAR OF GIVING A SPOTLIGHT ON EXETER HEROES

TAKE ME

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN EXETER IN 2021?

OUR MONTH BY MONTH GUIDE

ISSUE 273 / JANUARY 2021 / HAPPY NEW YEAR

NEW RESTAURANT AND COCKTAIL BAR!

WELCOME TO NO.5 ON CATHEDRAL GREEN

BROTHERS IN ARMS

THE DREAM TEAM AT DARTS FARM

SPORTING GLORY

THE RAGS TO RICHES STORY OF EXETER CHIEFS

EDITOR’S LETTER

ABOVE: Exeter heroes: NHS workers, page 12; BELOW: Winter warmer recipes, page 36

ou may be a ball of excitement right now or, as is more likely, a bit frazzled and being tempted by the thought of a nap at any given moment. That’s OK, it’s that weird time after Christmas but before normality has resumed. It’s a time for looking back and looking ahead and that’s exactly what we are doing here in this issue. On page 12 we take a moment to highlight Exeter’s heroes from this past year – the NHS, the volunteers, the campaigners and the charities who’ve worked tirelessly to help others and spread kindness across the city. We also marvel at the success story that has been Exeter Chiefs (page 16) and we chat to Darts Farm director Michael Dart (page 28) about why everyone went local this year. And so on to next year. Of course, we don’t yet know exactly what 2021 will look like but Exeter has some cracking stuﬀ planned, that’s for sure. Check out our guide to 2021 (page 24) where we look at all the theatre, music, comedy and festivals coming to the city. We’ve also got some self-care goodies (page 40) and ideas for where to go for that spa, massage or yoga class to help you start the new year feeling good, both inside and out (page 43). Oh, and Exeter’s just got a new restaurant and cocktail bar on Cathedral Green called No.5. Check out our review on page 32; if you’re after a cosy place with big ﬁreplaces, trust me, you’ll want to go there. Happy New Year and here’s to a peaceful and happy 2021. #ExeterTogether

HARRIET NOBLE Follow us on Twitter @ExeterLiving

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Issue 273/January 2021 COVER Don Armand and Exeter Chiefs, by Dan Mullan/Getty Images

UPFRONT

6 SPOTLIGHT Angels, dancers and astronauts 11 JP HEDGE On changing the habits of a lifetime

THE BIG READS

12 EXETER HEROES We pay tribute 16 RUGBY Exeter Chiefs – the underdog story with a

lot of heart

28 DARTS FARM Michael Dart looks back on a very

different year at the farm

THE ARTS

22 WHAT’S ON January blues? Not with this lot going on 24 THE GUIDE TO 2021 Festivals, comedy, gigs...they’re

all coming back

FOOD & DRINK

32 RESTAURANT No.5 arrives in Cathedral Green 35 NEWS The latest foodie movers and shakers in town 36 RECIPES Winter delights from Jack in the Green

SHOPPING

39 INTRO Trip the light fantastic 40 EDITOR’S CHOICE Self-care goodies

WELLBEING

43 NEW YEAR How to start 2021 feeling zen

EDUCATION

48 TED WRAGG TRUST Past, present and future

BUSINESS

56 EXETERWORKS All the top business stories

PROPERTY

60 NEWS Winslade Park and Heavitree Pleasure ground 62 SHOWCASE Feast your eyes on this Victorian property

REGULARS

66 EXETER LIVES Exeter’s music maestro reveals all

Editor Harriet Noble harriet.noble@mediaclash.co.uk Managing Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior Art Editor Andrew Richmond Graphic Design Megan Allison Cover Design Trevor Gilham Contributors JP Hedge, Emily Traynor, Simon Noble, Sue McQueenie Advertising manager Paula Miller paula.miller@ mediaclash.co.uk Production/Distribution Manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy Production Manager Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@ mediaclash.co.uk Production Designer Gemma Scrine gemma.scrine@mediaclash.co.uk Chief Executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief Executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Exeter Living MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash. We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, and Exeter. Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help. Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

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Brendan’s sculptures have been exhibited in Exeter and Topsham

Sculpture

ANGEL DELIGHT Beautiful angels, dancing ballerinas; magnificant in size and beauty, and all captured mid-movement with a stunning Devon landscape in the background – Brendan Rawlings has been bringing a lot of joy to the area this year with his driftwood sculptures. Astonishingly, Brendan only started sculpting in January 2019 when he made a driftwood shark for his brother-in-law, and after uploading to Facebook was suddenly inundated with commissions for more pieces. He hasn’t looked back since then; his pieces – all made from reclaimed wood or drift/fall wood have attracted worldwide attention. We caught up with Brendan to find out more... What’s the inspiration for your pieces?

Body language is a really powerful form of communication and if you’re an intuitive person you can often tell how someone is feeling just by the way they are carrying themselves. With this in mind, if you get the body position of a sculpture right, it can really speak to people which is what I really want to achieve from my sculptures. All art

is subjective but I hope to inspire positive feelings in people like hope, gratitude, love, power, self confidence or comfort. They’re so beautiful, but how do you make them?

The hardest bit of driftwood sculpting is getting the big bit off of the beach. That and the unpredictability of the wood which can be rotten inside but you don’t know that until you’re half way through the project! It also takes a very long time to dry. Follow your Dreams, for example, took over a year to dry, making the piece even more special when it was finished. When I have collected a piece of wood and have an idea for it, it’s hugely frustrating having to wait that long for it to be realised. It’s like receiving a Christmas present but not being able to open it until the following year knowing that it’s what you’ve always wanted! The process of making is fairly simple. After the wood has dried I start with chainsaw work and move down the tools to grinders, multi tools and eventually chisel and sandpaper for fine details. I like to give my large sculptures a light white wash to compliment the beauty of the driftwood and find that it often enhances the grain.

With regard to size, I have reached the ceiling with driftwood due to the weight and complications of logistics. I have now hooked up with a forestry company who can provide any size timber I need. It’s not to replace but supplement the driftwood and comes from timber felled ecologically and for necessity. For more: www.zenwooddesign.co.uk

THE ANGEL OF THE SOUTH (12ft tall)

In Topsham until mid January After the success of my original crouching Your Guardian Angel sculpture I always wanted to produce a larger and equally inspiring piece which I hope to have done. It’s for anyone that’s standing on the precipice of any situation in their life wondering whether to metaphorically jump or not. This sculpture hopes to evoke power and unrivalled assurance in where one is heading, born out of action or faith. This peaceful spiritual presence brims with a silent strength and power. Not only from the wise old driftwood it is forged from but also the ancient symbolism that the Guardian Angel figure encapsulates. This sculpture should solicit positive energy, love and healing to whomever passes it by.

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SPOTLIGHT

BELIEVE (1m tall)

This handmade angel is made from a beautiful piece of Douglas Fir washed up on Budleigh Beach. Believe is about believing in yourself and your future, even if the things you desire seem far away. If you say that you can’t or you can, you’re right. Believe!

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS (1m tall)

This handmade ballerina figure encapsulates the feeling of realising a dream and the pedestal she is stood on is the invisible force that helped guide and propel her, only present when you follow your heart.

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SPOTLIGHT © LISA HELEDD JONES

Theatre

LANDING PARTY

An astronaut called Janet has been landing in primary school playgrounds across the county. At a time when so many live performances have been cancelled, Theatre Alibi – the theatre company renowned for their work with young audiences – have come up with an exciting and innovative way of reaching thousands of Devon Primary school children. Responding creatively to the many restrictions that theatre makers and schools are facing during the pandemic, writer Daniel Jamieson wrote a piece about the particular challenges. Down to Earth is a story about how Janet has had enough of being in space which sees her landing in schools in Devon. “She arrived, took her helmet oﬀ and captivated the children immediately,” says Dawn Baker, a teacher from Lampard Community School. “I on the other hand was almost overcome with emotion – there in front of me was a working actress performing for us, it was simply one of the most precious moments of this year. Theatre Alibi always brings fabulous shows to school, but this year will always stay with me. Never again will I take for granted the joy of seeing live performers do what they do best.” For more: www.theatrealibi.co.uk

Janet got a warm welcome from the kids at Clyst St Mary Primary School

The maps will help people find support in their area

Community

FOLLOW THE MAP

Knowing where to find help and support locally has never been more important. Devon based social enterprise If Everyone Cares CIC is making that help accessible and easy to find with the introduction of community maps. Back in August, with the support of Recovery Devon, they launched seven Devon area-based community maps to help build a local, easy-to-use resource for people. These community maps help pin-point local charities, community projects and resources, connect those who need help to those who provide it and help anyone experiencing isolation to find local groups so they can connect with others. Charities and community-based organisations are being invited to create a free profile to help raise awareness of how they can help those locally. “There are so many reasons why bringing this information together is both common sense and vital for people and communities,” says Jaki King, founder of aDoddle and If Everyone Cares CIC (IEC). “The maps are still in their infancy, and at present only hold limited information while more charities and organisations add their own profiles. It’s a work in progress, and they are designed to be improved as we gather and listen to feedback. Our aim is for community maps to continually react to user, community and cross-country need, connecting communities – one click at a time” For more: www.adoddle.org

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OPINION JP HEDGE

This pic keeps JP focussed on his goals

Fighting Fit Two years ago, JP decided to get fit and healthy. Here he chats quitting the booze, getting that excercise done, and prioritising ‘me time’

ith the New Year and possibility of a ‘new you’ around the corner, it’s the season of ﬁtness pledges. I’ve been there and genuinely think I could write the book on it. But for all the things I’ve tried out over the years in a bid to not look so much like Alan Carr – this is the photo that got me locked into good ﬁtness habits for good. I mean the state of it. Some people are better suited to carrot rather than stick – and a more compassionate approach. It doesn’t work so well for me. I would have eaten the carrot. In the spirit of openness and trust with you kind-hearted Exeter Living readers, I thought I’d share the image of me from back in 2018. It really keeps me focussed on my goals.

Something changed and I finally found the holy grail – a package of things that works for me. Just me. A couple of years ago I managed to get exercise locked into my daily habit. It’s locked in so well nowadays that it is now enjoyable and I don’t think about it. It’s part of life. I follow a ketogenic lifestyle of lots of good fat, medium protein and naff all carbs. It’s a personal choice that won’t be suited to everyone and not advocated to all, not even in my own family, but it suits me fine. I also managed to stop drinking alcohol. It got to the stage where almost everything in life was linked in with taking a tipple. Good times were celebrated with a drink, bad days were compensated with a drink. Pretty much everything in-between. I didn’t have a ‘problem’ but the calories alone meant I could never

“I’m taking my own personal ﬁtness journey into the services”

get into the shape I wanted. And drinking less didn’t work. I ate more. Then I read a cracking book called The Alcohol Experiment. The writer Annie Grace takes you on a daily journey of different experiments. It absolutely landed with me. By day 17 I’d heard enough. I put the book down and I haven’t touched a drop since. Lastly – I decided to stick rigidly to the notion that putting my health on the backburner and putting work, family or anything else quite frankly first, wasn’t an act of selflessness. It was in fact selfish in the long term. When a plane is going down, putting ‘my oxygen mask on first’ means you can help others. Sacrificing short term health goals wasn’t an act of love for my family, no matter how pressing the time restrictions seemed at the time. That’s stuck. Exercising and taking ‘me time’ is now something I view as a longterm gift to them. Aren’t I kind! I’ve been leading the city’s leisure services since November, when we brought them in house. This year, now our facilities aren’t burning down or collapsed under snow, we really have something amazing lined up. Councils across the country are running away from running leisure services. We are embracing them. Quite simply, in a city where quality of life and wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do, we need to. I’m taking my own personal fitness journey into the services. The barriers into wellbeing are very real. We are trying to create a something that smashes them down. We are trying to help remove everything from hating the thought of exercise to a fear of Lycra. And the amazing Live and Move is now at fully stride. It’s an up and coming social movement for both here and Cranbrook for a happier,

healthier and a more active life. We are talking real life application, in a non-preachy way, backed by practical support including their council cousins and their world-class leisure facilities waiting to open. 2021 is just going to be brilliant for getting ﬁtter if you are minded to seize the opportunity. If it’s been a while since you’ve exercised, especially under pandemic conditions, be kind to yourself. The Live and Move team point out that every extra movement you can do counts. Every single one. Raising your heart rate slightly is gold dust. Just moving a bit extra every time you can, whether that’s getting out of a chair and sitting back down, or walking faster to the next lamp post, will deliver results. Creating habits and routines are key – however small they initially seem. You don’t have to plan a triathlon; the key is to plan enjoyable exercise that makes you breathless, that you can stick to. This year will see St Sidwell Point open their doors. You are going to be stunned by the quality – all with the primary focus of creating enjoyable, fun, happy exercise and wellbeing. Riverside’s pool is on the way too. I’m still overweight, on my journey, and certainly don’t have all the answers outside what works for me. But seeing progress and milestones knocked oﬀ has been awesome. Here’s to a great year of wellbeing – and thankfully no lilos in the pool at Riverside. ■ Jon-Paul Hedge is a director at Exeter City Council where he currently looks after leisure. He is a former newspaper editor and lives in the city with his wife and two young children. www.exeter.gov.uk

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NHS workers at Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust

HEROES of EXETER This city is full of volunteers, charities and organisations that have gone the extra mile to help the local community get through 2020. We pay tribute to a few of them… 12 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

here to start? There are so many heroes from this past year. Anyone working in the NHS or healthcare, for starters. People in the charity sector who have worked tirelessly to help communities stay strong and to support vulnerable people. There are individuals, be they campaigners, activists or volunteers, who have shown such strength and compassion. We asked people to tell us who their heroes from 2020 are. We couldn’t possibly include everyone – there are just too many – but here is a snapshot of some of the city’s heroes. “We’d like to shine a light on our brilliant, dedicated NHS staff and the fantastic work they continue to do,” says Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust. “To us, everyone – from our community and acute nurses, porters, administration and clerical support teams, doctors and housekeeping staff to name just a few – is a hero. “It’s been a challenging year, but our dedicated staff have gone above and beyond to ensure that we can continue to deliver high quality care to our patients. “We’d also like to thank the public and local businesses for their continued support throughout this crisis, which has been shown to us in a number of ways.” www.rdehospital.nhs.uk “Marcus Rashford’s campaign to prevent almost 1.7 million children from going hungry over the school holidays has rightly won many headlines this year, but I wish to pay tribute to the inspirational efforts of Exeter’s food poverty volunteers,” says Ben Bradshaw, MP for Exeter. “The Trussell Trust estimates that more than 160,000 emergency

LOCAL HEROES Maia Thomas founded the Black Lives Matter organisation in Exeter

schools a safe space for everyone. She is attending a conference in Berlin next year to speak about the movement here and is working with the council, ITV and various other organisations. Maia was nominated by Natalie Brereton who worked with her on the Devon Bakers Against Racism campaign earlier in the year. “Maia is doing incredible work across schools within the South West, holding online seminars and visiting schools” says Natalie. “She is one of the kindest, most thoughtful and powerful women I know, and she does this all whilst studying.” Instagram: @blvck.angelx; Facebook: Maia Thomas; LinkedIn: Maia Thomas Exeter College shared news of one their students. Madeleine Crow concluded her college studies early to take up a position on the NHS front line back in May of this year. Madeleine, 17, from Topsham, had already secured a job offer from Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital but decided to join them on the front line as a healthcare assistant before she was due to start in order to help in the fight against Covid. www.rdehospital.nhs.uk/ www.exe-coll.ac.uk

“The local heroes I would like to give a shout for are all those people who work alongside the NHS to deliver the adult social care which enables people to live as independently as possible in their own homes for as long as possible and to receive support in care homes when they can no longer live at home,” says Paul Giblin, director of Phonic FM. “The dedication of NHS staff has rightly been recognised during the pandemic but good health care must be accompanied by good social care and that is delivered by a dedicated workforce spanning both the public and the private sector, many of whom have gone plenty of extra miles since March.” www.devon.gov.uk

food parcels were distributed in the South West in the last year alone, with the first lockdown witnessing a 107 per cent rise in emergency supplies given to children. “These heartbreaking statistics illuminate both the scale and the importance of the job that has been quietly carried out by Exeter’s remarkable team of food poverty volunteers. Between May and September, the Exeter Hot Food Project delivered more than 3,000 hot meals to children across our city, while over two hundred volunteers have worked night and day to enable Exeter Foodbank to supply thousands of emergency food parcels since the start of the pandemic.” Though this dreadful virus may continue to keep us apart, Exeter’s army of volunteers have shown that the bonds of our wonderful community are closer than ever. www.exeter.foodbank.org.uk

“Exeter’s army of volunteers have shown that the bonds of our wonderful community are closer than ever”

Maia Thomas is an activist and public speaker who founded the Black Lives Matter organisation in Exeter in June of this year, as well as the Black Lives Matter protest in Flower Pot playing fields. She is also currently studying Politics and Sociology at the University of Exeter. Since the protest she has been working with around 50 schools across the South West delivering equality, diversity and inclusion workshops, helping head teachers on inclusive policies and making

Volunteers at Exeter City Community Trust

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LOCAL HEROES

AND SOME MORE HEROES… “The Lockdown Blues team – what an important creative project to have undertaken. The online scrapbook of contributions from the local community really helped make ‘not feeling ok’ normal – which let’s face it, is how a lot of us have felt in the face of a pandemic! It was a comfort to know I could always dip into the Lockdown Blues scrapbook and feel connected to other people at this time” Dettie Ellerby, marketing and press manager at Exeter Phoenix; www.lockdownblues.co.uk

Healthcare assistant and Exeter College alumini Madeleine Crow

“The senior staff at The University of Exeter are my hidden heroes,” says JP Hedge, director at Exeter City Council. “Make no mistake, the outbreak of Covid in September was life threatening. Behind closed doors, and without public recognition, they worked seven days a week with partners to contain it. “Their initial foresight around mass testing in getting ahead of the virus followed by their commitment to protecting the wider community, along with their students, was extraordinary. “The city owes a big debt to the way they handled the outbreak. They absolutely put the lives of others first. Most of their students did too. “To date there is still no wider community transmission and Exeter is well below the national average for the virus. That is an extraordinary result from the UoE’s senior team.” Exeter Leukaemia Fund (Elf) is a local charity providing vital services and support to people with blood cancer and their families across Devon. Elf gives patients a lifeline of practical services and emotional support that make a significant difference to their everyday lives. Linda Davey has been supported by Elf ’s transport service and would like to nominate members of the team as her heroes. “The words ‘thank you’ do not even come close to expressing how I feel about Elf ’s drivers. Everyone who has been lucky enough to use the service will know exactly what I mean,” says Linda. “I have to make weekly, sometimes daily trips to the Yarty Day Unit but it is very difficult to get there – my husband has had to give up driving and we are not on a bus route. This is where Elf stepped in. Their wonderful service has wrapped its supportive arms around me. It’s been like a reassuring comfort blanket. When you feel unwell and vulnerable, it’s really good to have the continuity of care the service gives. “David, Gary and Pete, Elf ’s drivers, are all so professional, caring and supportive. They take a genuine interest in every single client. May this great service continue.” www.elfcharity.org.uk

“Elf’s wonderful service has wrapped its supportive arms around me”

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“I would like to nominate the team at Exeter City Community Trust. When the country went into lockdown the charity lost all of its income-generating activity. They adapted and joined up with Exeter Community Wellbeing to collect and deliver thousands of pounds of shopping, medical prescriptions and food parcels to vulnerable and shielding people, which they continue to do today.” Sue McQueenie, director at McQueenie Mulholland; www.exetercct.org “Toni Hiscocks has been incredibly busy raising funds for Hospiscare in all manner of creative ways, and giving huge amounts of support including shout outs to others who have been fundraising. Like other charities Hospiscare has been impacted through not being able to run events, but Toni seems to pop up everywhere encouraging us all to keep donating to this very local, vital charity.” Sue Cade, PR specialist at In the Right Order; www.hospiceuk.org

Bags of help: Exeter Food Bank helpers

St Petrock’s is Exeter’s charity for people who are homeless based in the middle of the city and Michelle Bayton-Smith is part of the newlyformed Outreach Team at St Petrock’s. “Michelle’s team goes out into the streets every weekday morning, come rain, shine, frost or wind,” says Lucy Patrick, external communications manager for St Petrock’s. “She works with her colleagues in providing hot food, drinks, clothing and advice to people who are rough-sleeping. The work is often cold, challenging and sometimes dangerous.” www.stpetrocks.org.uk ■

RUGBY

CHAMPIONS OF EXETER The rags to riches success of Exeter Chiefs has got all the ingredients for an immense underdog story. Sports writer Robert Kitson thought so too and decided to write a book about them. Here he chats regional pride, rising through the ranks, and why everyone has fallen for this very down-to-earth team By Harriet Noble

ou’re talking to the luckiest author in the world,” says Robert Kitson. Zoom techy problems have prevented me from seeing Rob but I can hear a smile in his cheerful voice, the way you sometimes can. The stars did most certainly align for the The Guardian’s rugby union correspondent who miraculously managed to coincide the publication of his book, Exe Men: The Extraordinary Rise of Exeter Chiefs, with the team achieving the double win of the European Rugby Champion and the Premiership in October of this year. Did Rob have a crystal ball and somehow know that the book that he’d been penning for two years would suddenly be of huge national interest because it’s about THE rugby club of the moment? Well, no, not exactly. “It was a book I’d always wanted to write but the original story was that it was 10 years after they’d (the club) been promoted and 150 years, this year, that it had started as a club, so there was that hook to hang it on,” says Rob. “Clearly they were on the top end of the table. If you had to pin me down I had a good feeling that they would do something but it was beyond everyone’s expectations to win both trophies in October.” As you readers will know, the team was thrust into the centre of the nation’s sporting press this year, bringing joy to Exeter fans but also gaining legions of fans across the country. They have become a team that even someone with a very neutral interest in rugby has got behind. But Rob’s book takes us back to less promising times when the team was in quite a different place, and charts the team’s rise from the lower

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Don Armand prepares to lead out his team during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks at Sandy Park in September, 2018

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The ‘impossible’ dream comes true: Exeter Chiefs are crowned champions of Europe

echelons of rugby through to it being promoted – for the very first time – to the premiership in 2010, with the mighty Rob Baxter, director of the team, at the helm. The book blurb certainly doesn’t sugar coat the transformation saying, ‘How, exactly, did an unfashionable team from Devon emerge from obscurity to conquer the summit of English rugby?’. Through hard graft, unwavering leadership from Rob Baxter and a few laughs along the way, as it turns out. But there’s more to it than that. The sporting world is awash with underdog stories. Exeter’s story is different in that it hasn’t been some flash in the pan rise. “Exeter have sustained it, so they’ve not only had a peak and won a premiership in 2017 but they’ve improved on that and won the double season. I think I knew that from living here and covering the team that they’re amazing people; I knew it was a great story. As a West Country boy at heart there’s never been a premiership rugby club before Exeter turned up so I was very keen to tell the story.” Sporting fans have been quick to heap praise on the book. One particualry lovely quote comes from Alan Pearey, of Rugby World. “If you don’t already love Exeter, you will now,” he writes. So why has everyone fallen in love with the Exeter team? “There’s characters involved,” says Rob. “The point about it is they’ve been smart, in a sporting sense, they’ve not rampled across a million people to get there, they’ve built slowly. It seems an odd word to use in sport but ethically they’ve done it with a human touch. Rob Baxter is a great manager but he’s also interested in the people. It’s quite unusual in that it’s not a story of grasping millionaires or ruthless ambition, it’s a story of a really great establishment. Let’s not forget it has been there for 150 years, but good people took hold of it and that’s the beauty of it. It’s got the history, it’s got the sporting success but it’s also got a bit of soul.”

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“The thing about Exeter fans is they’re not flashy” Humour too, by the sounds of it. Tales of high jinks on long bus journeys feature in the book, and underpin the idea that it was actually useful to the team’s performance. Rob says that Carl Rimmer, former prop forward for the team, told him that what they discovered was that the more they won the more fun they had. Rob agrees. “The good thing about rugby is that it’s got people with a good sense of humour and Exeter Chiefs is a club with with a great sense of humour.” If Exeter Chiefs have gained a reputation for being a decent bunch with airs and graces, it’s also an identity that is clearly matched by their local fanbase. “The thing about Exeter fans is they’re not flashy,” says Rob. “They’re not interested in turning up in particular gear. You can’t generalise too much but they quite like a pasty, they quite like a pint; I don’t think they’d mind being called traditional rugby fans. But as the team have become more successful there’s also definitely a new breed of Exeter fan who’s going, ‘Wow! We’ve got a successful side here!’ They don’t maybe know all the players and their inside leg measurements but they like being associated with the idea of what the chiefs represent.” And as for the fans nationwide? “People weren’t really aware of them outside the South West and suddenly they got promoted. “The way they played, not only were they winning games people thought they shouldn’t win, but they were doing it in a style in which

RUGBY THE BIG BURNING QUESTIONS…

What is Rob Baxter’s winning formula? “I’ve asked Rob this, and in the end he would say it comes down to trusting your own instincts, so if it looks like a pig, sounds like a pig, it probably is a pig! If you see a player and you think he’s good, maybe he’s not your first choice of player but if he’s training really hard, you pick him.” There is talk of Rob Baxter becoming England Captain. What say you? “It wouldn’t be before 2023, thereafter it would be a case of the RFU coming to Rob. It wouldn’t be him crawling to them. Rob is wise enough to know there’s a difference between club coaching and coaching on an international level; it’s a different type of job in many ways. Would I put any money on it? It wouldn’t surprise me at some point but it might be a few years down the track.” Which players deserve a bit more attention nationally? “Brothers Joe and Sam Simmonds. England won’t pick them at the moment, for a variety of reasons, but I’d have thought if Exeter keep going, the case for those two playing will be quite substantial. Recognition is coming. A few younger players are coming up, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Exeter’s bright young things coming through.” What does the future hold for the team? “If they keep on playing like they have been, I can see them winning more trophies, whether it goes on for another decade who knows.” Lastly, pitch the book to a non-rugby fan… “It’s an incredible tale of rags to riches set in a part of the world often bypassed when it comes to success and great publicity. My wife is not keen on rugby at all but I wrote it in mind for people who perhaps don’t know much about rugby. It’s less about the rugby and more about the people who made it happen. I hope people enjoy it. I am hugely grateful to the entire Baxter family, Tony Rowe and dozens of coaches and players, past and present, for being kind enough to support the project from the outset and for being so generous with their time. It's their story, not mine, and I really hope I have done suitable justice to their remarkable efforts.”

people thought, this is fantastic to watch. I don’t think many sides have set out to say: right, not only are we going to play well here, we’re going to enjoy it. One of Rob’s things is that enjoying it makes us play better rugby and the proof is in the pudding.” Matched with the success of this year’s wins is, of course, a bitter sweetness that it has happened during the pandemic. “Lockdown matches were a very strange experience, being there with no crowds was really odd. “My heart goes out to the people who should have been there – the players’ families and the fans. Imagine what Exeter would have been like; it would have been incredible.” Talking of those pandemic matches, Rob recalls the double wins back in October. “The first one in Bristol was incredible, the last few seconds were agonising. They fought their way out, the confusion over the time keeping, it was just impossible drama. The second one in Twickenham, the weather was atrocious. My laptop was filling up with water. In the end, I had to tap the story from the inside. I was very lucky to be there… if I wanted glamour I would have gone into a different profession!” As a local to Exeter you must have been jumping up and down in joy, I ask? “I’m a professional journalist so I have to be objective for my job,” says Rob. “That said, when they won the European cup and you’ve got a book coming out in the same month, let’s just say that was a warm feeling!” I bet. We chat about the future of rugby and Exeter Chiefs. Rugby fans and players obviously can’t wait to get back in the stadium, and for Exeter fans there will be lots to celebrate. “Crowds will be coming back and people will be able to see the trophies,” says Rob. “Hopefully this will give everyone a boost. I know Rob Baxter has felt very deeply that the fans haven’t been able to be there so when they do come back, they can say this wasn’t just about the players – this was a collective thing; I think that will be quite a powerful thing.” n

Olly Woodburn soars over the line to score a remarkable try against Bath at Sandy Park in March 2020

Robert Kitson is the rugby union correspondent for he Guardian. His book Exe Men: The Extraordinary Rise of Exeter Chiefs is out now and is published by Polaris Publishing; www.polarispublishing.com

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WHAT’S ON 28 December onwards

Always check COVID-19 restrictions and instructions with venues before your visit

John Paul Evans: In the Sweet Bye and Bye is on at RAMM

ART

Until 17 January

LOCAL ART SHOW: DOUBLE PRINT ELEPHANT PRINT WORKSHOP The theme for the 2020 competition was ‘RAMM and its collections’ and the winner was the Double Elephant Print Workshop, the organisation that not only produces art and holds exhibitions but provides resources, tuition and support to local artists. They will have their work on display. RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter; www.rammuseum.org.uk

Until 7 Feb

HUHTAMAKI WAB: GONG PERFORMANCE Devon-based artist Huhtamaki Wab works across painting, sculpture, video and performance. This sculptural and performative installation presents a series of gongs, which will be played by the artist at various stages throughout the exhibition. These will sit amongst new paintings and fabric banner works. Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www. exeterphoenix.org.uk

Until 21 February

ANITA CORBIN: 100 FIRST WOMEN PORTRAITS One hundred powerful images by renowned photographer Anita Corbin celebrate the achievements of British women over the past century. They feature a cross section of the pioneering women who have changed British society for ever. RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter; www.rammuseum.org.uk

19 January – 2 March (various dates within this period)

ART AFTER 1950 A series of Art History talks led by John Francis. Topics up for discussion are art in advertising, landscape tradition, expressionism, the art of protest, photography and time, and a round table discussion about Karikis film with wine tasting. Book via Eventbrite; Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Elmfield House, Dowell Street, Honiton; www.thelmahulbert.com

22 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

THEATRE/ COMEDY

comedy rants. Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street,Exeter; www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

THE WIZARD OF OZ Exeter’s favourite double-act, Matt Finegan and Daniel Page, will return as Glinda and the Wicked Witch, alongside a top notch West End professional cast. Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter; www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

30 January

Until 3 January

Until 9 January

TREASURE ISLAND Join award-winning funny men Le Navet Bete as they play out Robert Louise Stevenson’s legendary tale as you’ve never seen it before. Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthoctt.co.uk

24 January

MARK STEEL AND FRIENDS The comedian, broadcaster, newspaper columnist and author is best known for his critically acclaimed BBC Radio 4 show Mark Steel’s in Town and appearing on shows like the The News Quiz. He’ll be bringing the laughs with his topical

DR JOHN COOPER CLARK The renowned people’s poet’s latest show is a mix of classic verse, extraordinary new material, hilarious ponderings on modern life, good honest gags, riffs and chat – a chance to witness a living legend at the top of this game. Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter; www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

FILM

Until 7 February

JOHN PAUL EVANS: IN THE SWEET BYE AND BYE This film, presented as a slide dissolve, is a poignant reminder of what is lost and what is yet to be lost. The artist’s feelings of nostalgia and grief are intertwined with a sense of peace as John Paul remembers the people closest to him. RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter; www.rammuseum.org.uk

WHAT’S ON

Until 30 January

above: RHS Garden Rosemoor will be all a-glow left: Bellatrix is one of the women portraits at RAMM

FESTIVE SPECIAL RIVER CRUISE Hop aboard for a warming River Exe cruise with an informative live commentary from the skipper, detailing the history, beauty and wildlife of the Exe Estuary and surrounding areas. Homemade mulled wine and a mince pie will be provided. Stuart Line Cruises, Exmouth Marina, Exmouth Exeter; www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk

24 January

SIR RANULPH FIENNES: AN EVENING WITH THE WORLD’S GREATEST LIVING EXPLORER Hear about all of the recordbreaking projects which saw Sir Ranulph receive the Guinness Book of Records accolade as greatest living adventurer, while suffering frostbite and risking life and limb in some of the most ambitious private expeditions ever undertaken. Exmouth Pavilion & Gardens, The Esplanade, Exmouth; www.ranulphfiennes.co.uk n

LIBRARY LIFE 16 January – 6 March

MIKHAIL KARIKIS: CHILDREN OF UNQUIET This film was created with a group of 45 children living in Devil’s Valley in Tuscany, a volcanic landscape and home to the world’s first geothermal power station. In this film, children take over the empty spaces, recreating the noises of both the natural and man-made landscape. Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Elmfield House, Dowell Street, Honiton; www.thelmahulbert.com

MUSIC

22 – 23 January

SOUND OF THE SIRENS The West Country folk-duo’s live shows combine a natural facility for connecting with their audiences and unforgettable performances with warmth, humour and real conviction. Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www. exeterphoenix.org.uk

30 January

THE SIMMERTONES The Simmertones have established themselves as one of the UK’s leading authentic ska and reggae bands. These South West musicians regularly get festivals jumping with their exciting and infectious sound. Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www. exeterphoenix.org.uk

OTHER EVENTS

Until 2 January

GLOW AT RHS ROSEMOOR Visitors can see the gardens transformed at night by innovative colour-changing lighting into a magical festive trail around the trees, water features and sculptures. Expect rippling water and reflections on the lake, interactive sections as well as a few ‘light’ surprises along the way. Wrap up warm and enjoy the magic. RHS Garden Rosemoor, Torrington; www.rhs.org.uk/Rosemoor.

EMILY MACAULAY shares the latest from Exeter Library We don’t yet know what 2021 will bring, how long our daily lives will be so significantly impacted upon by COVID restrictions. But we do know that your local library will be there regardless. Cliched as it sounds, a New Year often brings a period of reflection and a desire to try new things. Will you be the next Great British Bake Off contestant? (We have a range of brand-new cookery books available for 10-week loan.) Will you be the next Joe Wicks inspiring movement across a nation? (We’ve got books and DVDs about trying new activities and getting active.) Will you make 2021 the year you focus on your mental wellbeing? (We have collections of books called “mood busting” and “shelf help” which are available to support you find what works for you.) And of course much more...whatever you desire to explore...the library can open the door. Also, it’s worth watching our social media throughout January too as @devonlibraries will be sharing an A-Z of wellbeing. The posts will promote some of our services as well as those of other organisations doing fab things in the city and beyond. Do get involved. (Note Libraries will be open on Thursday 31 December and then closed again until Sunday 2 January 2021). www.exeter.ac.uk

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2021 HERE WE COME

Exeter is definitely making up for last year, with 2021 set to be packed full of comedy, theatre, festivals and gigs galore. Hoorah for that! Here is our whistle-stop month by month guide to events happening near you 24 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Reginald D Hunter will be bringing the laughs

DIARY

JANUARY

The RAMM’S Local Art Show competition was won by art group Double Elephant Print Workshop. This delayed exhibition will showcase their work for all to see and will run until 17 January. Elsewhere at the museum, celebrated West Country artist Brian Rice’s exhibition showing 60 years of his paintings and prints kicks off on 24 January. Oh, and Exeter Northcott’s Treasure Island is on until 9 January too.

FEBRUARY

The Two Short Nights Film Festival, run by Exeter Phoenix, returns (18 -19 February). See newly released, cutting-edge short films, including films from the the 48-hour-film challenge. For the green-fingered among you, St Bridget Nurseries will be hosting a Primrose Festival (exact date tbc) to celebrate the wonderful varieties of primula. Your chance to get inspired and pick up some bloomers.

MARCH

Exeter Northcott Theatre has announced that three new productions will be made and presented in Devon in 2021. The first to open is The Honey Man (11-20 March), an absorbing tale about an unlikely relationship between an ageing West Indian recluse and a fiery 16-year-old heir to a country manor house. Written by Tyrone Huggins, it will be directed by Devon-based director Alix Harris. The theatre will also be welcoming Rob Beckett (20 March) and Come What May, The Ultimate Tribute to Moulin Rouge (21 March).

Expect razor sharp wit from from Sindhu Vee

APRIL David Baddiel will be taking the trolls to task

“Affable Madness frontman Suggs will be chatting about his life”

Exeter Corn Exchange is hosting great music and chat gigs in the spring. On 10 April the acerbic, not-for-everyone Jimmy Carr will be firing out his one-liners, while affable Madness frontman Suggs will be chatting about his life and journey in music on 11 April. The Simon and Garfunkel Story comes to Exeter Corn Exchange on 12 April. With a backdrop of projected photos and original film footage, a full life band will perform the greatest hits telling the story of the folky duo. Exeter Northcott Theatre will also be hosting The Gruffalo’s Child (15-17 April), Jenny Eclair (17 April), and Stricly’s Giovannie Pernice (18 April).

MAY

It’s a chock-a-block month of comedy at Exeter Corn Exchange. On 2 May, Britain’s Got Talent favourite Lee Ridley (aka Lost Voice Guy) will be providing the laughs, comedy tour de force Reginald D. Hunter will taking to the stage on 12 May, while Sindhu Vee: Alphabet will be delivering her razor sharp material on 21 May. Elsewhere, May sees Cygnet Theatre kickstarting their 40th Anniversary Season (it will run through to July) which will offer theatre, comedy, music and workshops and ‘In conversation with...’ and Q&A events; and David Baddiel will be at Exeter Norchcott Theatre on 1 May taking on the dreaded internet trolls.

JUNE

Exeter Respect Festival is the city’s annual celebration of diversity. Having had to host their festival online this year, 2021 will see them celebrating back in Belmont Park on 5-6 June. The theme will be environmental justice; expect much music, dance and joy.

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JULY

Bear Grylls will be bringing adventure to Powderham Castle

Remember gigs? Powderdam Castle is hosting some tiptop ones in the summer. First up is their Let’s Rock gig on 3 July. This is your chance to unashamedly get lost in nostalgia as you’ll be entertained by pop icons including Adam Ant, Wet Wet Wet, ABC, Kim Wilde, Tony Hadley, T’Pau and more. Singer and all-round good chap Olly Murs will be singing at the Castle on 8 July with special guests from The Feeling, while everyone’s favourite crooner Michael Bublé will be lulling audiences on 9 July. The Devon County Show – normally scheduled for May but this year happening on 3-4 July – will also be back with a bang. “Our fans missed out on 2020 so we’re going to pull everything out of the bag to make the show happen in 2021 along with as many of the trimmings to mark a great milestone in our history – the 125th Show,” says show manager, Sam Mackenzie. For the foodies out there, The Source Trade Show will be making a return to Westpoint on 8-9 July. Talks, exhibitions and, yes, lots of food and drink handouts.

Sitcom star Katherine Ryan will be at The Great Hall

AUGUST

Gone Wild Festival with Bear Grylls comes to Powderham Castle (26-29 August) for the ﬁrst time for a weekend of fun outdoorsy adventure. Guests include boxing champion Nicola Adams, adventurerers Steve Backshall, the Turner Twins, Ness Knight, plus music from Razorlight and Kaiser Chiefs. Powderham Castle will also play host to Comedy in The Park where the funny bones people entertaining the crowds will include: John Bishop, Katherine Ryan, James Acaster, Rob Beckett, Jason Manford, Judi Love, Paul Chowdhry, Russel Kane and Dara Ó Briain.

SEPTEMBER

University of Exeter alumni Will Young will be speaking on the evolution of pop, gay rights and wellbeing in his spoken word show at Exeter Corn Exchange on 8 September. Also at the Corn Exchange will be Buddhist monk, meditation teacher Gelong Thubten. He teaches to medical students and has lectured at Oxford University, works with the United Nations and will be talking about mindful meditation on 19 September.

“Everyone’s favourite crooner Michael Bublé will be lulling audiences”

26 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

DIARY Outdoorsy Turner twins will be at the Gone Wild Festival

Boxing champion Nicola Adams will be at the castle

OCTOBER

The University of Exeter Great Hall is hosting some absolute belters in October. Pop and rock sensation Belinda Carlisle will be performing her singalong classics like Heaven is a Place on Earth and Summer Rain on 21 October, while Rufus Wainwright will be singing his tender tunes on 23 October.

NOVEMBER

Famed performer and peerless political campaigner for over 35 years, Billy Bragg will be performing a special live show at University of Exeter’s Great Hall on 11 November. Also at the Great Hall (on 5 November) will be TV’s funny lady Katherine Ryan.

DECEMBER

Exeter Christmas Market, the chalets, and lots of magic. ■

YOU HAVE BEEN READING www.exeterramm.admit-one.eu www.exeterpheonix.co.uk www.stbridgetnurseries.co.uk www.exetercornexchange.co.uk www.exeter-respect.org www.exeternorthcott.co.uk www.powderham.co.uk www.devoncountyshow.co.uk www.thesourcetradeshow.co.uk

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DOWN ON THE FARM â&#x20AC;&#x153;It feels like people have reconnected with their roots and realised how important our local food community is.â&#x20AC;? Michael Dart, director of Darts Farm, talks positive outcomes of this year, connecting with the community and exciting plans for the family business By Harriet Noble Photos by Matt Austin

Top of the crops: Michael Dart

28 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

INTERVIEW

opsham-based Darts Farm has come a long way since its origins as a small pick fresh farm shop 50 years ago. These days it’s a full day out destination where you can visit an alpaca, pick up a few things in the deli, butchers or florist, get your hair done and then have lunch in the restaurant. But it’s still a working farm through and through, offering people freshly grown food straight from the land – and run by brothers Michael, James and Paul Dart. We caught up with Darts Farm director Michael to find out what 2020 has been like for the family business and what they’ve got planned for the year ahead.

As director, what falls under your role?

Having driven the creation of Darts, my role is to help keep it constantly moving on and developing as a vibrant, exciting shopping experience. My brother Jim (James) drives the operations and Paul oversees the farm. It really is a whole family effort. Did you always want to work on a farm?

Having spent a very enjoyable time at Harper Adams Agricultural College, I had to return home to the family business as no one else would employ me! The business started out as a farm shop in the 70s. What was the vision?

Dad [Ronald Dart] pioneered selling farm produce direct to consumers Darts Farm brothers: James, Michael and Paul

and then I had the vision of creating the unique shopping and lifestyle experience that it is today – it was a place where at its heart was local food and drink, from the farm and other world class, local, artisan producers. It’s a place where people can come and spend the whole day. It’s about the home and the great outdoors; about the body and mind. What are you most proud of having achieved at Darts Farm?

A fantastic team of passionate co-workers.

What’s been the trickiest part of your job?

Lockdown! What a year…

Ah, yes. There’s been a real resurgence in people visiting local farm shops during Covid…

Yes, people are definitely appreciating and prioritising homelife – it’s brilliant to see. Our customers are reconnecting with nature and taking a real interest in where and how the food they consume is produced.

How has the Darts Farm business model had to change during the past year?

Well, it’s been rather crazy and we have had to adapt very quickly in an ever-changing environment. For me though, there are two key diversifications that stand out. We started up an online, national delivery retail service which went live within a week and we launched The Shack, our new outdoor takeaway eatery. Both have been a great success and have changed our overall business model.

“We started an online, national delivery service which went live within a week”

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above: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a team effort at Darts Farm; left: Cattle chilling out in the fields

INTERVIEW How has the farming industry been impacted by Covid?

Farming, food production and nature have been some of the only industries that haven’t been massively affected by Covid. Cows still have to be milked; fresh produce is still growing in the field. The only thing that I would say has changed is people’s perception of it all. It feels like people have reconnected with their roots and realised how important our local food community is. Not only does it supply integral jobs and income for the local community, but it really does taste so much better. Small batch, handcrafted, fresh ingredients – you can’t beat it. What have been the positives during this tricky year?

Our team has become even stronger – it really has been the best team building exercise ever. In what ways has Darts Farm reached out to the local community during this time?

We have supported our community in many different ways, but two things that stand out for me are… Looking after the over 70s and vulnerable. Pre lockdown, the over 70s and the vulnerable were advised to self-isolate and stay at home. With home delivery slots nearly impossible to get, we acted immediately to look after them and launched our free shopping and home delivery service in the local area. Within 24 hours, our phones and emails were going crazy! It was an incredible feeling, listening to the overwhelming emotions of the people that we were helping. They were obviously scared but the relief and thanks you could hear in their voices was incredible – we were able to support so many in their time of need. Food Bank – there is always a bit of banter about where the great ideas come from, obviously I think that they are always mine, but this one really was! I wanted to be able to send a little treat to families in need at Easter – Exeter Foodbank had a surge of demand after many had lost their jobs and were struggling. The generosity of our suppliers and customers was overwhelming. We exceeded all expectations and within a few days managed to raise nearly £2,500. As a result, we were able to send an ‘Easter Tuck Box’ to many more families that we could have ever imagined, so thank you to everyone that helped make that happen. More recently, we have also made the first delivery of our Christmas treat boxes. With 20 already delivered, we have plenty more to go. This year was meant to see the launch of your cider innovation centre...

Well, lockdown was an opportunity to do some major refurbishments and the project grew and grew. You’ll be able to enjoy home grown and locally reared meat, cooked on charcoal fired ovens; fresh sourdough pizzas cooked in a beautiful woodfired oven; artisan charcuterie and farmhouse cheese tasting platters; unique ciders and beers and world class wine and spirits. As well as the fresh, locally caught, grilled fish from the Fish Shed that we are already famous for! Oh and we will also have a bean to bar chocolatier along with our own ice cream! Exciting things to come… Darts Farm is such a beautiful spot. Do you have a favourite place where you like to sit and enjoy a view?

At the top of the hill looking over the river towards Turf Locks. It was my mum and dad’s favourite spot too. When we visit Darts Farm what should we make a beeline for?

“Farming has been one of the only industries that hasn’t been been massively impacted by Covid”

Everything! There are so many amazing things to discover. All I would say is make sure you set enough time aside so that you can really come and enjoy your experience. n

For more: Darts Farm, Dart Farm Village, Topsham, Clyst St George; Exeter www.dartsfarm.co.uk

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NO. 5

Steeped in history but embracing the modern is Exeter’s latest restaurant and cocktail bar, Harriet Noble investigates

“A new outdoor space to sip cocktails, bang in the middle of the city? I think Exeter people will be up for that”

RESTAURANT

opposite: The restaurant looks out onto the Cathedral;

above: The historical arch; right: Dining domes in the garden

’ve always had a soft spot for this building on Cathedral Green, where the restaurant Ask was until it shut earlier this year. When I as at uni in the city, my parents would come down to see me and this is where they’d take me out for a meal. The historical building with its wooden beams and views overlooking the Cathedral made it the ultimate treat; a welcome break from cheese on toast in my rather cold, damp houseshare. Turns out, I didn’t know the half of it though. The building in question, unbeknownst to me, also had a big secret garden out the back and a huge upstairs space. I know this now because I’ve just visited it again in its new life as No.5, Exeter’s latest restaurant and cocktail bar. The owners are locals Linda and Charles Horner (they own No.3 in Topsham and Crocketts Gin Bar in Gandy Street) and they’ve transformed this Grade I listed building, breathing new life into the bones of it – and adding the must-have décor furnishing of the moment, dining domes. I say transform, it’s not lost any of its soul thank heavens. It’s more that they’ve unearthed and restored all the period features and added some of their own style. There’s a charming festive feel to it when I visit. Big fireplaces with hanging stockings, candles lit, leather armchairs and some old-school Christmassy music on in the background; imagine a Great Gatsby-esque vibe paired with a big dollop of warmth and cosiness. Upstairs on the first floor of No.5 is the cocktail lounge, which has a beautifully restored bar and lots of lovely décor

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RESTAURANT © PAUL FOSTER OF TEMPO MEDIA

WHOLE LOTTA HISTORY

No.5 can trace its origins back to the Annellars College. Annellars were minor clergy who performed the daily masses for the wealthy. The college was constructed in 1528 and actually stretched from 1-5 Cathedral close. The present structure dates back to 1729 but the owners believe the history of the building pre-dates this as they discovered a dated wooden lintel etched with the date 1415 over an original fireplace. The building has had many owners including a barrister, tailor and habit maker, an antique dealer, and a lace maker who made Honiton lace for Queen Victoria.

DINING DETAILS No. 5, 5 Cathedral Close, Exeter, EX1 1EZ; www.no5-exeter.co.uk Opening times Open seven days a week, from 9am - 11pm Drinks Great selection of local drinks such as Exeter gin, Salcombe gin and Devon red beer Food Inventive menu, also a vegan menu Service/atmosphere Friendly, relaxed with a touch of class

above: Pretty pieces abound like the vintage

chandelier; below: The cosy cocktail lounge

details; you won’t miss the giant clam shell filled to the brim with ice or the vintage chandelier up above. Here is where I sink into my armchair, am delivered a brightly coloured cocktail and gaze out at a very cold, crisp Exeter sky and spot the garden below. This is their next project – to get that secret garden up and running and open to the good people of Exeter. A new outdoor space to sip cocktails, bang in the middle of the city? I think Exeter people will be up for that. Downstairs is split into the two restaurant areas, like before, with the showstopper views out towards the Cathedral at the front and a botanical-themed restaurant at the back. Here I have a beef cheek with cauliflower purée, crispy cauliflower, kale and shallots. It’s the sort of dish that has all the elements of a traditional roast but has been given a few twists to elevate it so it looks and tastes contemporary and inventive. The veg is cooked in delightful crispy balls, and the heads of crunchy kale come coated in a heady sprinkling of salt. The beef cheeks are pink and tender as you like and are hastily mopped up with the creamy purée. It’s a fantastic roast that pairs the old with the new, much like this restaurant in fact. And for those interested in trying the place out, you can pretty much come here at any time of the day or night to drink or eat. The team here are keen for the place to be accessible and open to all so you can drop in for a cocktail, come for breakfast, and have afternoon tea as well as the mainstay lunch or supper options. The team here are all local too, including head chef Sam Billson who grew up in rural Devon, attended Exeter College, was an apprentice for Michael Caines and was most recently the head chef at Sandy Park, home of the Exeter Chiefs. What’s more, the owners are also opening a new pizza restaurant and bar in Fore Street, called 93 (they love a number, don’t they?). More fantastic stuff to look forward to in 2021 . n

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FOOD & DRINK NIBBLES FROM EXETER’S FOOD SCENE

DELIVER THE GOODS

Time to up your hot beverages game, there are some new tea makers in Devon and they are hell bent on making the perfect cuppa for those who like a delicious blend that also scores highly on the ethical front. Exmoor Tea, headed up by co-founders Rachel and Kenny McDonald, has made six supreme blends to take you through the day with the biodegradable pyramids in eye-catching cubes designed to reflect the shifting colours of the Exmoor landscape. The company is totally committed to ethical and environmentally responsible production right through from the growers it works with to its sustainable recyclable packaging and the plastic-free, fully compostable tea pyramids (made from cornstarch). In recognition of the couple’s appreciation for their Exmoor home, they have pledged to support the Exmoor National Park by donating 5p from the sale of each retail pack to CareMoor.

For more: www.exmoortea.co.uk

Rachel, Kenny and their gorgeous pooch

Save some for us

Cuppa coming right up

BOTH PHOTOS © FAYDIT PHOTOGR APHY

MORE TEA?

If cooking this Christmas has all got a bit too much for you, you’re in luck. A new online takeaway service and app called Easy Eats has arrived in Exeter. Residents of Cranbrook, Pinhoe and Whipton will be the first to try out this new foodie venture, which will see choices ranging from pizzas and kebabs to wok fried noodles, sticky ribs to a whole vegan section packed with fresh, plant-based ingredients. “Our ethos here at Easy Eats is pretty simple – to provide residents of Exeter with quality, South West produce that is transformed into fresh, tasty homemade comfort food, delivered with a smile, and ordered via a simple, convenient and reliable food ordering app,” says owner Tom. “What also makes us different and where we are really upping the food delivery game is with our specially modified vans with a built-in oven and chiller on board, ensuring our food is delivered hot and the drinks stay chilled. With a whole menu packed with different cuisines, there’ll be no more squabbles over which takeaway to order. It quite simply is diverse dining delivered!” For more: easy-eats.uk

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RECIPE CAULIFLOWER CHEESE SOUP FROM JACK IN THE GREEN SERVES 4-6 “Most soups are very simple and this is no exception. The flavours here work extremely well together and can be tweaked to include blue cheese, candied walnuts or crispy fried capers. We often serve this as a complimentary appetiser in the restaurant and our guests love it. Needless to say, the better the cheese, the better the flavour. I am a firm believer that a good cook should have respect for their ingredients and I can think of no better way to utilise any unused cauliflower than this wonderfully decadent soup. I often find myself with half opened packets of Parmesan and Mascarpone and indeed the odds and ends of Cheddar – this is a great way to use up those leftovers. You need not be too rigid with this recipe.” Craig Griffin, head chef at Jack in the Green, London Road, Exeter; www.jackinthegreen.uk.com

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Ingredients 1 cauliflower broken into even sized pieces/ florets (approx 700g) 1 litre of fresh chicken stock A glug of good olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped 100g unsalted butter, diced 200ml double cream Salt and pepper 150g grated Cheddar 50g Mascarpone and/or 50g grated Parmesan Method 1. Heat the oil and butter in a large pan over a moderate heat. Add the onion, garlic, a good pinch of salt and sweat for 5-10 minutes without colour.

2. Add the cauliflower florets to the pan with the stock, bring to the boil and simmer until the cauliflower is just cooked (about 5-10 minutes). Add the double cream, grated Cheddar and Mascarpone/Parmesan (if using), stir well and gently return to the boil. 3. Carefully pour the soup into a blender (be sure not to overfill) and blend until smooth. Pass though a fine sieve and reheat as necessary. 4. It is at this point that your soup can really be elevated with some simple tweaks by adjusting the seasoning and the thickness. (If the soup is too thick you may need to add more liquid, however if it seems a little thin then add less stock). It really depends if you’re after a thick, warming and more substantial lunchtime treat or as we often use it, as a lighter pre-dinner appetiser.

CRÈME BRÛLÉE FROM JACK IN THE GREEN MAKES 6 RAMEKINS “Probably one of the most popular desserts in our history! The combination of the hard crack and caramel flavour with the silky semi-set custard beneath is one of the all time greats. I know that most restaurants will offer brûlées and will have an opinion about how best to serve them – well this is ours. Remember to use only the freshest free-range eggs and good quality vanilla – we use Tahitian vanilla pods if you can get them. They should be soft, pliable and glorious to smell. To fully recreate this classic you will need to invest in a kitchen blowtorch. These are cheap, readily available and well worth the investment.” Craig Griffin, head chef at Jack in the Green, London Road, Exeter; www.jackinthegreen.uk.com Ingredients 8 large free range egg yolks 150g caster sugar 90ml milk 900ml double cream 1 vanilla pod, split and seeds removed

Method 1. Put the milk, cream, the vanilla pod and its seeds together into a saucepan and bring gently to the boil over a low heat. Beat the eggs and sugar together until pale and thick. Pour the hot cream over your egg mix whisking continuously. Be careful, it is hot and may splash. 2. Be sure to whisk well, don’t dither about at this point or you will end up with very expensive sweet scrambled eggs. Pour through a ﬁne sieve and allow to cool completely. You could even make the mix up to this point the night before. It needs to be given time to settle. 3. Pre-heat your oven to 100°C. When you are ready to cook, skim any froth from the surface. Divide your mix into six equal sized ramekins and place onto a deep-sided baking tray. Pour freshly boiled water into the baking tray, enough to come two-thirds up the sides of the ramekins. 4. Bake in the oven for 90 minutes or until just set. To test, remove a ramekin from the water and shake the centre. If it appears to be runny place back in the oven and check at 5-10 minute intervals until ready.

5. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the water bath (Bain-Marie). Many people believe that this is the correct consistency and temperature for a brûlée to be eaten. However I prefer them chilled overnight which gives you a firmer texture. 6. The golden brown caramelised topping is done at the last moment. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of caster sugar evenly over the top. Wave the blowtorch over the sugar starting at the edge farthest away, working towards you until the sugar has all caramelised. Remember the sugar will be super hot and can give you a very nasty burn. 7. Your finished glaze should be between 1-2mm thick, completely caramelised and hard as glass. Variations • You could use any sized ramekin dish you like. Try using a large shallow one for a higher proportion of crunchy brûlée to rich cream. Demerara sugar may give you a crunchier topping but won’t stay that way for long. You could caramelise some thinly sliced banana over a rum flavoured brûlée. • Try sautéing some rhubarb and vanilla sugar until caramelised and bake under your custard for a delicious infusion or soak some sultanas or raisins in Calvados and add to your custard for an alternative base.

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Discover something different at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum’s award-winning museum shop. Or shop online at shop.rammuseum.org.uk All purchases support the museum

SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

LIGHT AS A FEATHER

These Nordic landscape-inspired hanging pendants are the perfect pieces to add a bit of texture and character to your interiors. Made from all natural grey goose feathers, the lampshades give a soft, warm light that will set the tone for making your bedroom the haven you want it to be. Umage Eos Large Light Grey Pendant with Rosette Suspension From Amos Lighting, ÂŁ238, 2 Bridford Road, Marsh Marton, Exeter; www.amoslighting.co.uk

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YOGA VODKA MUG, £11.50 Two poses, one mug; both impressive in their own way. From Insideout, 1 Bampfylde Street, Exeter; www.insideouthome.co.uk

FOR THE HEALTH OF IT

ANITA ACTIVE DELTA PAD SPORTS BRA, £59, AND SPORTS BRIEF, £27 You’ll get maximum support from this sports bra while the undies have an airy dynamic mesh to keep all your bits comfy and fresh. From De Bora of Exeter, 34 South Street, Exeter; www.deboraofexeter.co.uk

ORGANIC LAVENDAR EYE PILLOW, £14 These eye masks are ﬁlled with linseed and lavender to create a weighted eye pillow that soothes and calms the senses. Traditionally used in yoga nidra, they are great for bedtime to aid sleep or for when you want to take ﬁve minutes out for a bit of relaxation. From Nest Living, 60 Fore Street Topsham; www.nestliving.net

Whether you’re a gym bunny, keen yogi, or anyone in need of a long soak in a bubble bath, indulge in these self-care goodies this January

PICK ME UP YOGA PUZZLE, £12.95 This beautifully illustrated jigsaw is perfect for providing a mindful getaway for adults or kids. Once completed you can adopt the yogi poses yourself. From Hyde and Seek, Unit 1, Harlequins, 1 Paul Street, Exeter; www.hydeseek.co.uk

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BATH-TIME INDULGENCE HAMPER, £40 Each product in this hamper is full of naturally soothing oils and ingredients to help you unwind. Light the candle and run that bath immediately. From Darts Farm, Dart Farm Village, Topsham, Clyst St George, Exeter; www.dartsfarm.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE

PERSONALISED SPORTS DUFFLE, £40 Made from recycled spinnaker sailcloth and lined with white sailcloth these cheerful bags are great to take to the gym. From Sails and Canvas; www.sailsandcanvas.co.uk BOO CHI KOMBUCHA: TURMERIC TO BRIGHTEN, £32 FOR 12 BOTTLES Infused scents of turmeric, ginger, orange and a touch of black pepper, this drink is bursting with antioxidants that will give your body the post-Christmas boost it needs. From Boo Chi Kombucha; www.boochi.co.uk TRANQUIL ISLE RELAXING BODY & MASSAGE OIL, £40 This multi-tasker oil contains a blend of camomile, lavender, cedarwood and vetivert and helps dull, dry skin. From Lola’s Apothercary; www.olasapothecary.com

HILLY WOMEN’S SUPREME ANKLET, £13 These super soft socks come with cushioning for optimum comfort when you’re working out. From Runners Need, Unit 2 Bishops Retail park, Sidmouth Road, Exeter; www.runnersneed.com

GIRLFRIEND PALOMA SPORTS BRA IN MIDNIGHT, £35; GIRLFRIEND COMPRESSIVE HIGH RISE LEGGINGS IN MIDNIGHT, £62 This ethically made recycled bra is made for medium-impact activity, the compressive fabric supports your bust and with its longer length it works as a crop top too. Each pair of leggings diverts 25 bottles from landﬁlls, meaning that you can look fabulous and help the Earth at the same time. From Sancho’s, 117 Fore Street, Exeter; www.sanchosshop.com

ECO WOLF YOGA MAT, SATIN BLACK, £50 This yoga matt has been designed to enhance your grip so that the more you sweat, the more grip you get. No chance of your downward dog being ruined now. From Luna Wolf, The Dutch Barn, Dawlish Road, Exeter; www.lunaandwolf.co.uk

ROSE AND OUD PILLAR CANDLES, FROM £15 TO £24 These 100 per cent recycled candles have a warming aroma to set the tone for your spa scent-sation. And relax…. From The Recycled Candle Company, 16 Gandy Street, Exeter; www.therecycledcandlecompany.co.uk

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WELLBEING Open doors at Topsham’s Revitalize

…AND RELAX January is the time to be kind to yourself. Whether you’re craving a luxurious massage, spa treatment or fancy a bit of yoga, these are the local places that will pick you up and get you feeling revitalised and ready to start 2021... By Harriet Noble www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 43

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Classes include ballet fitness, power yoga and aerial yogaâ&#x20AC;?

Strike a pose: Revitalise runs a plethora of yoga classes

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WELLBEING REVITALIZE STUDIOS

In a nutshell: The Topsham studio provides all manner of relaxing and energising movement classes for those keen to get their body moving in a friendly atmosphere. Take one of their classes and stay on for a cuppa at their onsite café. What you can do there: Classes include power yoga, yin yoga, gentle yoga, aerial yoga, tot yoga, pilates, barre, ballet fitness and kids acro dance. “We have something for everyone, whether you are just getting back to fitness or just starting out on your yoga journey – we welcome beginners wherever you are starting from,” says director of Revitalise, Katie Harrison. “We also have classes for the seasoned yogi and those looking to burn calories and keep fit.” Revitalize Studios, Abbey Rooms, White Street, Topsham; www.revitalizestudios.com

BOVEY CASTLE

In a nutshell: Set in 275 acres on Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle is a hotel with a restaurant, spa and even their own deer park. It’s all about luxury, but with a relaxed vibe. What you can do there: There are loads of spa treatments, including the inner beauty vegan facial to get your skin glowing post-Christmas, or you can opt for the aromatherapy full body inner calm treatment. If you’re feeling a bit more active you can book a tour around the deer park where you can learn about the fallow deer and experience their daily feeding, or try your luck with the archery range and clay pigeon shooting. There’s also cider and sloe gin making.

above: The epic Bovey Castle; left: Grab a massage at Bovey Castle; below left: A picture of serenity at Exeter Golf and Country club

Anything new? Yes, they’ve just started running carriage rides to

North Bovey. “Enjoy a nostalgic trip down memory lane to the picturesque village of North Bovey on our Shire horse and covered carriage tour,” says general manager, Claire Randall. “Take in the stunning Dartmoor scenery, local history and stop off for a drink at the local followed by an exciting river crossing before returning back to the castle in style.” Bovey Castle, Dartmoor National Park, North Bovey, Newton Abbot; www.boveycastle.com

WEAR PARK SPA AT EXETER GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

In a nutshell: Located in the Georgian manor house, Wear Park Spa offers beauty treatments, such as nails, waxing, lash lifts and eyebrows through to Elemis massage and facials. Guests often stay for an afternoon tea or lunch at the onsite restaurant. What kind of treatments can I have? “January is always the month for facials,” says spa manager Amber Austin. “The cold weather, central heating and festive tipples is a recipe for dull skin. Elemis facials are targeted to individual skin types, with products tailored to combat specific concerns.” Exeter Golf and Country Club, Topsham Road, Exeter; www.exetergcc.co.uk

HAVEN SPA

In a nutshell: Exeter-based spa where you can enjoy a thermal experience which includes a sauna, aroma-room, jacuzzi, foot spas, heated loungers, experience showers and the atmospheric relaxation. What kind of treatments can I have? The team here provide a hydromassage therapy, a rejuvenating massage experience which aims to provide temporary relief of minor aches and pains, reduces the level of stress and anxiety and increases circulation. Anything new? In January, they are opening a Himalayan salt room, allowing you to relax while the anti- inflammatory properties of salt therapy work wonders on your immune system and general health. www.thehavenspa.co.uk

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The Himalayan salt room at The Haven is beckoning

THE PIG- AT COMBE

In a nutshell: You’ll know the restaurant and hotel but do you know that tucked away within the kitchen gardens of the Elizabethan manor, are the cosy potting shed treatment rooms where you can have a bespoke treatment? What kind of treatments can I have? The treatment menu includes hot stone massages using hot volcanic stones, holistic facials, a mum-to -be massage, and a rose upper body treatment which includes a warm exfoliation on the back, the perfect post-Christmas and New Year recovery aid. “Each treatment is designed to relieve aches and pains and soothe a busy mind as standard but with our treatments at The Pig, each and every one is tailored to the individual needs of the guest by our highly skilled therapists,” says Gillian Eaton, head therapist at the potting sheds at The Pig- at Combe. Anything else? If you want to make a day of it, and why wouldn’t you, we’d suggest staying for lunch in their panelled dining room taking in their famous 25 mile menu, and enjoy a meander in their walled kitchen gardens. n The Pig-at Combe, Gittisham, Honiton; www.thepighotel.com

Rural chic dining at The Pig

Cosy cute potting sheds at The Pig

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WELLBEING

WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES

When it comes to wellbeing, get stretching, get outdoors and give yourself a bit of love By Emily Traynor I’m not sure about the concept of a ‘new year, new you’. I can’t get my head around it. There’s no such thing as a ‘new’ you, you’re just – you. And, if you’ll trust me, you is a pretty good person to be. Let’s not pretend that everything we’ve been through over 2020 can simply be wiped off with a resolution or two and a bit of positive attitude or willpower. It’s been hammered home to us this year that wellbeing is one of the most important considerations in our lives. Utterly paramount. With that in mind, how can we move through this turning of the year, this cold, dark snap on the way to the spring of 2021, in a way that improves our wellbeing? We’ve already established that we are not a chalk sketch on slate, to be wiped clean at will and re-drawn. And anyway, this version is fine to be going on with, thank you. If we’re serious about improving our wellbeing, this new year or any day of our lives, we have to look at where we find ourselves right now. This isn’t easy. It’s a task to be carried out with honesty, kindness and a whole dollop of understanding for the ginormous muck spreader that just chugged through all our lives. In this season of compassion and

togetherness, how about checking in with yourself to see how you can give you a bit of love and goodwill. Wellbeing takes many forms. In my communications role for Live and Move, I work closely with wellbeing Exeter, who talk about the five ways to wellbeing. These are brilliant prompts, however the routes we all know deep down can improve our lives are often in the easier-said-than-done category. If I may humbly offer a few simple, practical tips that I’ve found to be magical? They’re not original, but remain pivotal: • Hydrate – drink water or something healthy every time you remember • Stretch – especially the bits that are sore, just be gentle! • Breathe deeply – for a minute or two when you wake up, when you go to bed, and a few times in between • Get outdoors – I could write for hours on this. In a nutshell, going out for a quiet walk in nature every day has the power to transform lives. If we remember that we aren’t trying to be a totally new person (let’s have a bit of love and respect for the people we already are – it wasn’t easy for us to get here!) and that we only need to start where we find ourselves now and make little changes, then increasing our wellbeing can be a simple and even enjoyable ‘next step’. Sometimes we need a bit of support on that ‘next step’. In the past I’ve needed a doctor, a counsellor, a mentor or just a day out with a friend. The main things I needed over 2020

were a heavy duty stress management tool (I started Qi Gong classes on zoom – it took all my courage to leave ‘video on’ the first time) and a healthier diet, partly brought to me by WhatsApp lessons with my big brother. I’m fortunate to be in good health and have strong relationships with family and friends. It’s not so for everyone. But there are many great resources, people and groups literally on your doorstep (or on your laptop, if you’re zooming). The first step, a small step, towards greater wellbeing is to start looking and asking around for what interests you. Reaching out to others is valuable. In some way, everything I’ve ever achieved has been partly down to my own efforts, of which I’m not ashamed to say I’m proud, but partly also to others – people who gave me the seed of a new way to grow, or nourished or propped me up as I did. Perhaps that’s why, across cultures, at this time of year and others, we find the same theme of family, community, togetherness and love. If there are any angels around us this festive season, I’m not sure I believe they are the harp playing, iridescent winged kind. I reckon they come in the form of our neighbours, and sometimes of our better selves. The people around me, however long or fleetingly, for however trivial or grave a moment, have been my saviours. We are angels for each other and I have faith in us.

Emily Traynor is communications manager for Live and Move at Exeter City Council; www.liveandmove.co.uk

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Kids at Exwick Heights Primary School are jumping for joy

SKY’S THE LIMIT All smiles at St Luke’s Cof E School

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The Ted Wragg Trust has helped thousands of young people in Exeter dream big. Sue McQueenie takes us back to where it all began

EDUCATION

f you have children at a school in Exeter, then there’s a high likelihood that you will have heard of the Ted Wragg Trust. With responsibility for 11 schools and more than 7,500 children across Devon, the trust is focused on raising aspirations of our young people and all in the name of the great Professor Ted Wragg. But who was he, and why was he so important to Exeter? Professor Ted Wragg was director of the Graduate School of Education at the University of Exeter from 1978 to 1994. Hugely accomplished and extremely well liked, during his lifetime he wrote an estimated 800 academic articles and 50 books and was a regular columnist in the Guardian and Times Educational Supplement. He officially retired in 2003 but remained extremely active as a writer, researcher, teacher, broadcaster and adviser. He still taught students and mentored academic staff. Ted Wragg died in 2005, his obituary in the Guardian gives an indication as to how highly regarded he was, it states: ‘The outpouring of grief which flowed through the education world yesterday reflected his cherished status. No one had quite the same ability to make teachers laugh, or feel better about themselves; he was everyone’s favourite after-dinner speaker or compère, the natural choice to be the founding chair of the judging panel of the national teaching awards. He was also an exemplary broadcaster and journalist.’ He was a major innovator in education and teaching. His PGCE course in Educational Studies, first developed in the 1970s and 1980s, were widely copied in other universities. During his time at the University of Exeter, he regularly taught in local primary and secondary schools. Today the trust reflects Professor Wragg’s values around the importance of education and how it can transform young people’s futures. From beginning as a one school trust eight years ago, today the Ted Wragg Trust has grown to a multi academy trust, overseeing

“The aim of raising life aspirations of all young people is at the heart of everything we do”

It’s aprons on at Isca Academy

a total of nine schools across Exeter and Cranbrook, which include Exwick Heights Primary, Cranbrook Educational Campus, Whipton Barton Federation, Isca, St James, St Luke’s and Westexe, as well as Marine Academy and Marine Academy Primary in Plymouth. “Now in our eighth year, the Ted Wragg Trust continues to go from strength to strength,” says Moira Marder, chief executive officer of the Ted Wragg Trust. “The aim of raising the life aspirations of all young people, enabling them to become fulfilled, life-ready, confident and motivated individuals is at the heart of everything we do. “We are privileged to be able to name our trust after the great Ted Wragg who believed passionately that education plays a key role in social mobility and the power of local schools working together to be the very best they can be. It is these beliefs that our trust was founded on. I feel extremely privileged to be the chief executive officer of this values-driven, childcentred trust, working alongside wonderful staff and governors whose incredible hard work and dedication have been fundamental to the success of our trust to date.” Being a member of the trust offers collaborative working across the schools and departments at senior leadership level, within subject areas and functional operations, facilitating opportunities to share information, strengthen links and relationships, supporting those newer to role – benefiting from the experience of others. It also supports staff recruitment, as well as the rapid development

and implementation of blended learning, the introduction of a common curriculum and common coaching and assessment. The most recent Exeter school to join the trust is St Luke’s Church of England School, which joined in February. Headteacher Kealey Sherwood said the school had benefited enormously from being part of the trust. “Since joining the Ted Wragg Trust as an official partner in February 2020, St Luke’s Church of England School has gone from strength to strength,” adds Kealey. “The trust have been instrumental in our work around teaching and learning, curriculum, literacy and homework; helping us to develop our provision and ensure our students experience high quality delivery in every aspect of their school life. It has been an absolute pleasure to join a trust that shares the same values as we do as a school and is committed to improving the life chances of every student. We feel incredibly proud to now be part of such an inspirational organisation who are committed to helping us ensure every St Luke’s student can live their life to the full.” “The future for the Ted Wragg Trust community of schools is incredibly exciting,” adds Moira. “They continue to drive standards up in every area as they relentlessly seek to challenge and improve on all areas of pedagogical and operational practice.’

www.tedwraggtrust.co.uk

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2020

PROSERVICES AG E N C I E S / B US I N E SS SE R V I C E S / FI N A N C E / L AW / PR O PE R T Y

BACK TO BUSINESS MEET THE PROFESSIONALS MAKING THE CITY BUZZ

eet the shining stars of Exeter’s professional services community, from directors to financial experts who help your wealth grow, and a myriad other professions in between. Work hard, play hard, so the mantra goes. But how do you make sure all your hard work pays off so you can buy the house of your dreams, send your children to the school of your choice and still enjoy the finer things in life? Talk to an expert, of course, and here we have a cross section of the city’s professionals, who can help you reap the rewards of your labour.

50 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ADVERTISING FEATURE

OLD MILL

Simon Cole, Chartered Financial Planner & Board member Tell us a little about your business

Old Mill is an integrated Financial Planning and Accountancy business. As a business we started out in Shepton Mallet back in the 1920’s and as we stand today Old Mill was formed following a buyout in 2006 and the practice has more than doubled in size since then. What areas do you specialise in?

THE FAMILY LAW COMPANY Stephen Sowden, Director

Tell us a little about your business

We’re the largest specialist family law firm in the region. Our team of 40 lawyers and chartered executives has combined expertise covering all areas of family law. What achievement as a firm are you most proud of?

Our focus on the health and well-being of staff – I’d say we’ve been ahead of the game on this. Our well-being team devises innovative ways to provide support, from ‘tea and talk’ to sharing mental health stories in our well-being newsletter and vicarious trauma training. Everyone knows there is someone they can talk to if they are struggling, and that they will receive the help they need. Having this focus is a fantastic asset especially during the pandemic. How has Covid-19 affected your business?

There was an immediate impact on our ability to meet clients and attend court hearings – everything went online. Fortunately, we had the tech in place, and we were already set up for home-working so this change wasn’t as difficult as it might have been. There have been benefits; court hearings run more efficiently and there’s less travel – I used to travel to the courts in Plymouth twice a week. Before the pandemic I’d never been a huge fan of technology, but now I’ve embraced it.

Individuals - we believe that a well-managed, individually tailored financial plan sits at the heart of helping our clients to effectively manage their wealth and achieve their financial objectives. Our Wealth Management service combines financial planning and investment management with specialist tax, trust and pension advice. To support elderly clients, we have three Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) accredited Chartered Financial Planners in our team. Businesses - Alongside the standard accountancy services of compliance, bookkeeping, payroll, VAT returns and tax planning we provide specialist advice throughout the lifecycle of a business specifically for Food and Drink, Rural and Agricultural, Property and Construction or Owner Managed Businesses. For example, our Food and Drink experts look after restaurants, catering, farm shops, artisan producers, craft breweries and more. They can advise on topics such as: funding sources, financial planning for a new food & drink venture, Research & Development (R&D) tax claims, buying new premises and expanding internationally. Work/life balance – how do you get it right for you and your staff?

This year has meant we have all had to adapt and change our work routines in light of COVID-19. 2020 has seen us introduce much more flexibility for our teams which, for many, has improved their ability to achieve better work/life balance in a way that works for them. With winter upon us, all staff now have the flexibility to flex their working day so that they can take more time out during daylight if they want to. Did you know…

We set up our own Old Mill Fund last year for our charitable giving which directly benefits communities across the regions where our four offices are based: Devon (through the Devon Community Foundation), Somerset (through the Somerset Community Foundation), and Wiltshire (through the Wiltshire Community Foundation). Twice a year we make grants across the three regions to good causes run by the unsung heroes of the communities we work in. For more: Leeward House, Fitzroy Road, Exeter Business Park, Exeter, EX1 3LJ; simon.cole@om.uk; 01392 214635; www.om.uk

Did you know…

After Legal Exec Jill Read-Brown won a national award, her office was decorated with balloons and party poppers. It set off the fire alarms and two fire engines turned up which was slightly embarrassing! For more: Balliol House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter EX1 1NP; stephen.sowden@thefamilylawco.com; 01392 457156; www.thefamilylawco.co.uk

“BEFORE THE PANDEMIC I’D NEVER BEEN A HUGE FAN OF TECHNOLOGY, BUT NOW I’VE EMBRACED IT.” www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 51

ADVERTISING FEATURE

WBW SOLICITORS

Sarah Witheridge, Head of Property Services Tell us a little about your business

WBW Solicitors is a large South West based law firm, offering a full range of legal services to individuals and businesses, both locally and nationally. We put our customers at the very centre of how we do business and offer tailor-made solutions for the best possible results. We have nine offices in the South West - Newton Abbot, Exeter, Bovey Tracey, Exmouth, Honiton, Launceston, Paignton, Torquay and Sidmouth. Work/life balance – how do you get it right for you and your staff?

VICKERY HOLMAN

Mark Pellow, Managing Director Tell us a little about your business

Vickery Holman works across the property sector, with teams of specialists based throughout the South West covering Cornwall to Bristol. We help our clients make the most of their property assets with a full range of services for landlords, owners, tenants and investors. We have been in business for over 30 years and our ethos is to provide a costefficient service without compromising on the quality of our service. Our consultants provide services as diverse as business rates advice, valuations, dispute resolution, property management, building surveys, and buying or leasing commercial or leisure premises. What sets you apart from others in your sector?

We are proud that we are employee-owned, so the success of the business is owned and shared by all the employees. In addition, we have a strong culture of recruiting graduates and supporting them through their professional development. Our staff retention rates are extremely high, which speaks for itself. We are unusual in our sector in two ways; the range of services we can offer is much wider than most property consultants and also our extensive local knowledge of the South West makes a big difference to the quality of the support we give our clients.

At WBW, we believe in building an open culture that is flexible and built on trust. We like to think that this approach has allowed everyone at WBW to be able to adapt to the recent challenging times in a way that both works for the individual and for the firm, whilst ensuring that we continue to deliver the quality service that our clients expect. This flexible business model enables us to work where possible around any challenges that we might face – this could be supervising home schooling when school bubbles need to be at home, the need to self-isolate whilst awaiting test results or if in a vulnerable group or if childcare arrangements quickly change. How has Covid-19 affected your business?

The need to be able to adapt working practices quickly has been critical. The ability to work from home effectively and efficiently is and will no doubt remain a key part of our working framework. Our excellent IT systems and case management platforms allowed us to work remotely right from the start of the pandemic. We really are proud of how quickly everyone at WBW has embraced new ways of working without comprising service levels for our clients and how they remain flexible. We have not been able to welcome clients into our offices as we usually would, so we have had to change the way we interact with our clients as their needs dictate. Did you know…

WBW have one of the largest property teams in the South West, with property experts in all of their nine offices. For more: 3rd Floor, The Forum, Barnfield Road, Exeter EX1 1QR; sarahwitheridge@wbw.co.uk; 01392 274126; www.wbw.co.uk

What predictions do you have for the sector in 2021?

2021 is going to bring many changes! We expect that town centre retail will continue to struggle, while industrial will remain strong and offices will see a blended office/home working workplace. The leisure and housing market should do well in 2021, especially in the Exeter area. Did you know…

We can trace our roots back to 1848! For more: Balliol House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter, Devon EX1 1NP; exeter@vickeryholman.com; 01392 203010; www.vickeryholman.com

“OUR EXTENSIVE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE SOUTH WEST MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE TO THE QUALITY OF THE SUPPORT WE GIVE OUR CLIENTS.” www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 53

Reach the best in the west Affluent, active and influential and just a call away

Contact Paula 07563 529772

It’s the city’s business

EXETERWORKS Heads up!

Lucie did tutorials during lockdown

Magdalen Road recently welcomed new business Fika Salon to its thriving community. We caught up with owner Lucie Stoneman to find out more… What made you decide to start your own salon? Opening a salon has long been a dream of mine and I’m beyond excited to share Fika with everyone. I began hairdressing back in 2008 and since then I’ve worked for some great local salons in Exeter, Budleigh and Topsham. During this time, I met some incredible people, and I couldn’t have done this without their mentoring, guidance and support. Premises on Magdalen Road don’t come available too often, but it was definitely worth the wait! The Magdalen Road community is fantastic. In turn, I hope I’ve created a space where clients can take a moment to slow down and appreciate the good things in life. Tell us more about the salon... We create the perfect look for every client in an ethical and sustainable way. This starts by providing a bespoke service to all our clients, but we’re also passionate about reducing our impact on the environment, so we’ve changed a few things. We source our electricity from renewable sources, only use biodegradable capes and reusable gloves, and source sundries (refill coffee, tea, milk, eco cleaning products etc) from our wonderful zero-waste neighbours, Nourish.

BUSINESS CLUB

However, perhaps our proudest achievement is to be collaborating with OWAY for all our hair products. We chose OWAY for their incredible commitment to ethical and sustainable practices and are delighted to be working with them. Any exciting plans for 2021? Yes, this is just the beginning! We have loved every second of the adventure so far but starting a business in a pandemic hasn’t been easy. With vaccinations in sight, we can’t wait to expand the Fika team in 2021. A real positive to come from 2020 was that, during the first lockdown, I posted regular hair tutorials on social media. These became increasingly popular week-by-week (perhaps as people went longer without a haircut). We’ve had numerous requests to run these tutorials in person, so I will offer styling workshops next year.

For more: Fika Salon, 69 Magdalen Road, Exeter; www.fikasalon.co.uk

Virtual one hour sessions, all free to attend Search Exeter Living on LinkedIn for upcoming dates and registration If you would like to get involved, please email events@mediaclash.co.uk

EXETERWORKS

JOINING THE TEAM Fun down on the farm

RURAL CAMPAIGN Rural insurer NFU Mutual is supporting the next generation of rural business leaders as it joins Devon Young Farmers Clubs for a new awareness campaign. As part of its three-year sponsorship of Devon YFC, NFU Mutual is helping to recognise the crucial role young people will play in the future of the South West’s rural economy. It aims to nurture their expertise and experience, helping them to grow in all areas of their lives. Ahead of the YFC’s 100th anniversary next year, the ‘We Grow Futures’ campaign is being launched to help empower members and

encourage more young people to be a part of Devon YFC’s work. Building confidence, upping skills and expanding networks were the key benefits they discussed, while others highlighted how the campaign has helped their mental health. “Being part of Devon YFC offers so much more than the chance to socialise with likeminded people, which is what many people may associate us with,” says Matt Darke, Devon YFC county chairman. “It also gives youngsters the opportunity to grow, in every sense of the word.”

A man with a plan: Andrew Welch

For more: www.nfumutual.co.uk

Literature Works has announced two new charity Trustees, Suresh Ariaratnam and Paul Bradley-Cong, who will both join the Board in January 2021. The regional literature development agency put out an open call for expressions of interest in joining the charity board, particularly from people with business skills and from under-represented groups. Suresh Ariaratnam established the literary agency Sprung Sultan in 2008, a boutique agency that represents BAME authors, including Ted Hughes award-winning writer Jay Bernard, TS Eliot Prize-winner Roger Robinson and Jhalak Prize winner Johny Pitts. He has a background as both an arts editor, journalist and bookseller. Paul Bradley-Cong is the founder and director of Out on the Page, a UK-wide LGBTQ writer development project funded by Arts Council England. He is also a published author. He has 20 years’ experience of working in the social action charity sector. For more: www.literatureworks.org.uk/ www.exetercustomhouse.org.uk

Suresh Ariaratnam

Paul Bradley-Cong

DOUBLE TAKE

Raymond James, the wealth management practice based on the eastern flank of Exeter, has announced the appointment of Andrew Welch, a chartered financial planner. Born and bred in Sidmouth, Andrew joins the team having been part of Exeter’s professional community for the last 14 years, collaborating with a wide range of local firms to provide financial support and expertise. In his new role, he will provide clients with full financial planning services, which includes cashflow planning and a strong investment proposition. ‘’East Devon is my home and I have always loved working in this beautiful part of the world,” says Andrew. “The opportunity to build a new business with the amazing team at Raymond James, Exeter is a very exciting venture. Obviously we are living in unprecedented times but being a chartered financial planner allows me to help local people and businesses navigate their way through the financial challenges we all face.” For more: www.raymondjames.uk.com

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Happy chappy Lex Thornely

EXETER LIVING AWARDS 2020

BLUE GOOSE COFFEE scooped the FOOD/DRINK PRODUCER prize at our awards earlier this year. Here, co-owner Lex Thornely chats lockdown panic buyers, sustainability in business and heavenly cups of decaf FOOD/DRINK PRODUCER WINNER SPONSORED BY

How did it feel to win an Exeter Living award? It was fantastic just to be recognised as a leading Exeter business, let alone to win the Food/Drink category. It was even more special in that it was the ﬁrst ‘company’ award we’ve won. How did you celebrate? I’m afraid I’m a little old to go out and party too hard but needless to

say, it was a lovely feeling, and makes the hard work more enjoyable. Why do you think Blue Goose Coffee won? I like to think it’s because of our approach to business that puts people and planet before proﬁts, and no token gestures or greenwash either. From the plastic free glue we use to secure our boxes, to our charity donations, let alone our compostable products, we are literally incorporating sustainability and fairness into our whole supply chain and across our products and packaging. We’ve always wanted Blue Goose Coﬀee to be proof that small businesses really are at the

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heart of creating positive change, and luckily our whole ethos is a hit with our customers in a new age where sustainability and fairness are recognised by consumers more and more. How did the business come about? A particularly sobering consequence of capsule machines and their growth is the sheer volume of capsules being using and discarded on a daily basis by the UK and global population, with a predicted 52 billion non-recyclable plastic coﬀee pods being produced globally by the end of this year. Sorry for the depressing picture, but with sales of pod machines only growing, I hope

you can see from the above exactly why Nick and I set about creating an alternative capsule option for those who love the convenience of their coffee pod machine but wanting to reduce their plastic, aluminium and carbon footprint. At the same time enjoy speciality grade coffee of course…it’s a win for everyone from our coffee grower through to the end consumer and the planet. How has the business grown since it launched? We’ve always been a direct-toconsumer business but have focused on growing our customer base among hospitality and retail customers too. Many companies

EXETERWORKS

Blue Goose Coffee founders: Lex Thornely (left) Nick Ratsey (right)

approach things the other way around, going into retailers and the multiples first but the D2C approach allowed us to refine our offerings and coffees to then push into retail. I’m very proud to say that it worked and we launched with doorstep delivery company Milk & More in April 2019 during the early part of lockdown which has been fantastic for us ever since so we’re super lucky. How has this year been for you? Lockdown was fantastic for us as everyone wanted coffee at home, so the panic buying – while not pleasant or ideal – did have its benefits for us. Since then our launch with Milk & More took Blue Goose into homes across the country and sales have continued nicely as people adopt capsules

machines in a quest to recreate that barista quality coffee they were so used to but couldn’t buy due to lockdown. Blue Goose pods are therefore the perfect tasty and eco remedy for anyone working from home needing a bit of a coffee treat to get them through the day! Have you had to change your business model because of Covid? If so, how? While end consumer purchasing was up, our hospitality sales in the UK and abroad obviously suffered, but as things ease we’re still discussing partnerships and we’re also about to export to multiple countries in Asia so we’ve re-focused and pushed on, I’m glad to say.

“WE’VE ALWAYS WANTED BLUE GOOSE COFFEE TO BE PROOF THAT SMALL BUSINESSES REALLY ARE AT THE HEART OF CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE”

Anything exciting planned for 2021? We have literally just launched our brand new range of Whole Bean & Ground coffees in compostable bags so are super excited that the Blue Goose is spreading its wings into mainstream coffee, while maintaining its eco focus and approach of course. We’ve searched high and low for our compostable pouches that can be home composted or put in the council food collection bins. Especially as they replace those horrible aluminium-lined-plastic pouches so commonly used by the coffee industry that are entirely un-recyclable so just get burnt in incinerators or sent to landfill. They’re horrible, nasty things so we’re proud to be the first to market with the most eco friendly coffee bags and pouches in the industry. Any special flavoured coffee products of yours that we should try? In addition to our current whole bean and ground coffees, we’re about to launch a brand new Organic Mountain Water Decaffeinated coffee from Mexico, adding to our current best selling Swiss Water Decaf from Peru. While historically decaf has not had a good name, it’s a world apart

from the instant decafs that gave it that reputation. New techniques are transforming the world of decaf coffee, so much so we’d argue that you wouldn’t know it’s a decaf ! This is only good news as a reported 80 per cent of decaffeinated coffees on the market undergo a decaffeination process that uses the same chemicals found in paint stripper would you believe. It’s crazy that we consume things that have been through such a process, plus it only increases the man-made chemicals that are produced, used and discarded in the name of coffee. Whereas processes like mountain water and Swiss Water use only spring water, temperature and time to decaffeinate the beans and create delicious tasting coffee without the caffeine kick or chemical trail. You’re enjoying the perfect cup of coffee. What is the coffee and where are you? It has to be an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe from a flask while walking on Dartmoor. Two experiences that are worlds apart in geographical terms and yet so perfectly matched!

For more: www.bluegoose.coffee

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PROPERTY P L A C E S T O L I V E , W O R K A N D P L AY

Offices, apartments, gyms and swimming pools are all planned

GREEN LIGHT FOR WINSLADE PARK It’s full steam ahead for the development of business, residential and leisure facilities at Winslade Park in Clyst St Mary, Exeter after East Devon District Council’s planning committee gave an overwhelming majority result for resolution to grant planning permission. The site is being developed by Burrington Estates whose vision is to create a vibrant wellness community whilst retaining its historic character. “We are excited to move ahead with this unique proposition which we believe will be a project for the region to be proud of,” says Burrington Estates Group managing director, Mark Edworthy. “Winslade Park will deliver lasting benefits not only for businesses and the local economy through the creation of much-needed employment opportunities, but for the neighbouring community too.

Nature walks and trail runs will be created

The South West has always had an edge for those wanting a better work/life balance, and Winslade Park provides the perfect lifestyle choice.” Where it’s at now... The Grade II listed Winslade Manor is already fully let with its 13 offices providing modern, flexible workspace for around 70 people, with businesses set to move in once refurbishment works are complete in early 2021. Of the remaining office space on the site, including Winslade House and Brook House, 50 percent has now been pre-let. What are the plans for the future? Health and wellbeing is set to be a key focal point of Winslade Park. Additions to the complex will include Tom Johnson’s Number 6 personal coaching studio, a new health club including a gym, swimming pool and spa; plus, a

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restaurant, bar and café. There will also be further residential developments, with a mix of houses and apartments set in two areas of the parkland. Regarding outdoor space, the 86-acre parkland is to be enhanced with the creation of nature walks and trail runs, while the existing sports pitches, tennis courts and cricket pavilion will be reinstated and improved for public use, including the local primary school. Burrington Estates is providing new showers, changing rooms and drying facilities to encourage those who can to cycle or walk to work. Through these facilities

and onsite services, Winslade Park is set to generate around 2,000 sustainable employment opportunities. “The development of Winslade Park is being handled with great sensitivity and respect for its heritage,” co-founder Paul Scantlebury explained. “It has been dubbed a ‘hidden gem’ concealed from view for far too long. We are pleased to breathe new life into this superb asset for the region and deliver on its potential as an idyllic location for office workers, homeowners and the wider community.” For more: www.winsladepark.com

PROPERTY

Building work starts this January

PARK LIFE

A community garden will be created; below: Plans for what the hub will look like

Work is due to start this January on a new state of the art community facility in the heart of Heavitree Pleasure Ground. The new £800k Park Life Heavitree Café and Hub will cater for up to 50 internal covers selling locally and sustainably sourced food and drink with a hireable hall space in the other half of the building to accommodate local groups and activities. Outside space will feature additional seating and a community garden. The vision for this project has been a decade in the making, with a small team of passionate volunteers from charity Park Life Heavitree giving their time to deliver this community facility. The café and hub project is a central part of Park Life Heavitree’s overall aim to bring people together from all walks of life, reduce social isolation, create community cohesion, and to help people to lead healthy and active lifestyles – centred around the local green space. “So many people have given their time over many years to get to this point and we now can’t wait

to see the building work commence and the plans come to life,” says Ben Hunt, Park Life Heavitree founder, trustee and building team lead. “We hope this will be an exciting and welcoming space for local people next year and some positive news to share at the end of a challenging 2020!” “Park Life Heavitree act as a community glue, looking for ways to connect with and help others whether through their events, meals for those in need or delivering prescriptions during lockdown,” adds Exeter city councillor for Heavitree, Olwen Foggin. “This new facility in the park will be an incredible community space and I’m certain well used and loved for many years to come. Well done Park Life!” Funding to build this facility came via local fundraising and successful community grant applications. Local firm Devon Contractors Ltd have been appointed to build the café and hub with a completion date in late summer 2021 and official launch in early autumn 2021. For more: parklifeheavitree.org.uk

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OAKHURST Nestled in Devon countryside lies this Victorian treasure. Take a peek inside... By Simon Noble

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PROPERTY

n any other year the first week of December would be the point where we would start to see Christmas trees peering out of sitting room curtains up and down the land. I don’t know what your locality looked like, near me everything seemed to start a few weeks early. It is understandable with the year that we have all had that everyone wanted to get to the point where they could look forward to something sooner. All this brings me to Oakhurst, a Victorian treasure of a property in Lustleigh that overlooks Dartmoor National Park; and not a bad place to spend one’s Christmas I’d imagine. The thriving village has a strong community with a well-regarded pub, village shop/stores, tea rooms and church. The property is a wonderful detached family home situated in an elevated position with magnificent views over the village and the surrounding rolling countryside. It offers spacious and versatile accommodation over four floors and has, in the past, been used as both a large family house and more recently for multi-generational living.

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PROPERTY

The house is set within its own private gardens which are split into two sections with the old orchard garden, which is to the side and rear of the property, and the front garden which has a large elevated sun terrace and level lawn with vegetable patch. The beating heart of the property is the kitchencum-dining room, mixing tiled and wooden flooring, a wood burning stove and the most homely of all kitchen appliances, a huge aga. The rooms wait expectantly for family and social gatherings (when they are allowed!). And gatherings this house surely can accommodate; with seven spacious bedrooms split over three floors and three bathrooms, this house was built to be peopled. As you walk around the house you can begin to picture next Christmas here: you smell the feast in the aga, hear the chink of glasses in the dining room, hear the excited chatter emanating from all quarters of the house and there in the window of the sitting room, peering out of the curtains overlooking the stunning scenery that falls away from the house is a wondrous Christmas tree, resplendent in an abundance of fairy lights. n

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HOUSE NUMBERS Bedrooms 7 Bathrooms 3 Outside Large garden split into two sections,

elevated sun terrace, vegetable patch Guide price

ÂŁ725,000

For more: Stags, Exeter, 21 Southernhay West, Exeter; www.stags.co.uk

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EXETER LIVES

“Exeter has such a rich vein of music and talent at its heart” and overwhelming at times and does involve much hard work and commitment. And the most difficult?

It has always been a challenge to run the studio and engage with clients whilst pursuing a career as a recording and performing artist at the same time. The current climate will make it even more challenging for us as a studio, and as musicians, to create and perform new music due to the devastating effect of the pandemic especially on the creative industries. Any memorable stories?

GRICE PETERS

As studio manager at Exeter’s Sound Gallery Studios, GRICE is at the heart of the local music scene. We caught up with him to chat famous pop stars, his obsession with birdsong and why Exeter really is the place to be You’re from London originally. How did you find yourself in Exeter?

I journeyed to the South West to visit my brother who was living in Exeter at the time and although only intending to stay a few days, I stayed 25 years....I got distracted by many things! For anyone that doesn’t know, what goes on at Sound Gallery Studios?

Music and magic! Sound Gallery is an artist-led professional recording studio in the cultural heart of the city. I set up the studio to support a wide community of artists and musicians to enable them to create and release high-quality new works and to nurture new and existing talent. SG was set up as a social enterprise and has a strong social agenda at its heart, something that the team and myself have developed over the past 12 years.

What does your job involve?

As studio manager I liaise with clients, develop the organisation and build contacts within the industry. Though I am still involved in some recording sessions with my head engineer, I now predominantly produce artists and run a record label. I also devise music projects to support musicians and aspiring young artists. My goal has always been to adopt a ‘Robin Hood’ approach (working with the established and supporting the unknown and fragile). What is the best thing about your job?

It is a job that I created from my passion for music so it is an extension of what I have always loved – creating, performing and recording music, running events and projects – there is never a dull moment. Having said this, it can be completely absorbing

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We have been graced by the presence of many artists, actors and celebrity chefs including such jewels as Joss Stone, Gordon Ramsay, Steve Cradock, sonic pioneer Richard Barbieri (who co-produced and played on my album Alexandrine) but also a few great souls that are no longer with us such as the comedy genius Rik Mayall and the late great Neil Innes of The Rutles. One morning, the virtuoso sax player Raphael Ravenscroft (Pink Floyd, Marvin Gaye, Baker Street) walked into the studio and challenged us to create a new but authentic version of ‘Love Theme’ from the cult film Blade Runner as he had played sax on the original with Vangelis. We did so.... Raphael became a close friend and we worked closely on my first solo album Propeller and many other creative projects. What are you working on at the moment?

I am obsessing over birdsong currently and am bringing in to land my ‘one thousand birds symphony’, recorded, arranged and produced during lockdown. This is an extension of my latest release One Thousand Birds (2019). I have also started work on my fourth solo album scheduled for a 2021/22 release. Any community projects on the go at the moment?

Sound Gallery Studios have

secured a grant (Culture Recovery Fund) towards developing new initiatives to support musicians whose livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic. These challenging and exciting projects will enable musicians to record, film and stream new material to help them sustain their careers and will offer training opportunities in association with our music industry partners. Any silver linings from 2020?

I was asked to work on a film soundtrack. I also co-wrote some tracks providing vocals and lyrics for an Italian artist for his forthcoming album during this period. The birds and their songs have been a real positive force of nature during these dark times. I have recorded countless dawn choruses and archived their individual songs, their voices have been sublime and strong through the enforced quiet of lockdown. What can you tell us about the local music scene?

The South West and Exeter specifically seems to have such a rich vein of music and talent at its heart and it always has. I have watched it evolve and I have been part of an ever widening circle of creatives and musicians that have performed and developed over the years, some who come from humble local beginnings and have gone on to great things; I feel there is much more to come. What Exeter band should we be listening to?

Veil Cassini – one of the finest bands that we worked with, who slipped through the net. Power, passion and innovation. Times are uncertain at the moment, what do you know for certain?

That the birds will sing.... n

Sound Gallery Studios, Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.sound-gallery.net