Exeter Living - Issue 287 by MediaClash

THAT’S THE SPIRIT

WHERE TO GO FOR COCKTAILS, FIZZ AND FUN THIS AUTUMN

ON THE MOVE THE SUPER FRIENDLY EXERCISE CLUBS IN THE CITY

CENTRE STAGE EXETER WELCOMES YET TO BE, A NEW THEATRE COMPANY

THAT’LL TEACH YOU

ALL THE LATEST FROM THE EDUCATION SECTOR

TASTY DELIGHTS

AUTUMN RECIPES FROM THE JACK IN THE GREEN

EDITOR’S LETTER

ABOVE Hot property on

page 63; BELOW Velvet pumpkin from Nest Living, see page 20 for more Autumnal gifts

ye bye sarong, so long bikini. This week has seen me pack away all my summer clothes and do the seasonal swap over, bringing out all my autumn/winter attire. It’s always a mixed bag of feelings but I do greet, and hug, my woolly jumpers and many many scarves like long-lost friends; I’m excited about wearing my faithful gold-sequinned boots once more and donning my tired but beloved cashmere ﬁngerless gloves. The change in season prompts all manner of autumn goodies in this issue, from our orangey/red-themed shopping edit on page 20, to our nocturnal feature on page 22 showcasing the best places to for a cosy glass of vino or a warming cocktail in the city; there are beautiful autumnal recipes from The Jack in the Green on page 30, and an abundance of arts and culture happening right on our doorstep on page 14. Ahead of the ﬁrst ever Exeter Property Awards on 19 November, we also reveal our Finalists on page 54 – good luck everyone! And, of course, we have our cover stars James and Natalie McCarthy from Red Panda, Exeter’s muchloved Asian street food joint. Head to page 28 where we discover the secret behind those heavenly bao buns that still haunt my dreams… Enjoy! #ExeterTogether

HARRIET NOBLE

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Issue 287 / Autumn 2021 COVER James and Natalie McCarthy of Red Panda, image by Matt Austin; see page 28 for more

REGULARS

6 SPOTLIGHT All the good stuff from the city 9 JP HEDGE is facing the fact that his kids are growing up 34 SOCIETY So many parties... 66 LIVES There’s a new theatre company in town

THE ARTS

11 ARTS INTRO For those who love dance 13 BOOKS Top-notch recommendations 14 WHAT’S ON The big cultural round-up

SHOPPING

19 SHOP INTRO Hanging beauties 20 EDITOR’S CHOICE Oh-so-pretty autumnal gifts

NIGHT-LIFE

22 NOCTURNAL ANIMALS Where to have fun in the city

when the lights do down

FOOD & DRINK

27 FOOD & DRINK NEWS A new Italian restaurant and some

apple-solutely delicious news

28 INTERVIEW We chat to the gang at Exeter’s epic Red Panda 30 RECIPES Get ready to drool

WELLBEING

40 MOVING ON UP The best exercises clubs and classes

to join

42 CHARITY Exeter City Commmunity Trust under

the spotlight

EDUCATION

46 SCHOOL REPORT News, events and success stories

BUSINESS

50 EXETERWORKS Business wins from across the city 52 EXETER LIVING WINNERS Chats with our double

whammy Exeter Living Awards winners

PROPERTY

54 EXETER PROPERTY AWARDS The Finalists

are revealed...

61 NEWS Hot new developments in the city 63 SHOWCASE Period drama vibes at this sizeable gaff

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, Sue McQueenie, Charlie Richards 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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56 SAVINGS Top tips on managing money

SPOTLIGHT Christmas

A brand new after dark Christmas illuminated trail will be bringing festive sparkle to the gardens at the National Trust’s Killerton, near Exeter, from 26 November 2021 – 2 January 2022. The magical trail will feature spectacular lighting, where visitors will journey along sparkling tunnels of light, walk under giant baubles and

beneath trees drenched in jewel-like colour – all set to a soundtrack of favourite seasonal tunes, transforming the estate’s landscaped grounds and gardens – and glimpsing Father Christmas. Toasted marshmallows, spiced winter warmer drinks and hot chocolate will be on hand to warm the cockles.

Thesp and author Celia chatted to the crowds

Children’s hero Jacqueline Wilson

Starry nights

ALL THE DETAILS...

Opening hours: from 4.30pm, last entry 8pm and closes at 10pm. The festive trail is open on selected dates Admission: advanced from adult £18, child £13, family £60 (2 adults and 2 children) Free entry for carers and children aged 2 and under Parking £8 per car. Free for National Trust members when booked in advance Website: nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton | #christmasattKillerton | #mychristmastrails Address: Killerton House, Broadclyst, Exeter

BRING ON THE FESTIVE SPARKLE

Festival

LITERARY LOVE

Sunshine, 6,500 tickets sold, and a dazzling line-up of literary guests – Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival was back with a bang in September with more than 70 visiting authors descending on the coastal town, talking to sell out audiences. Among the speakers were Darcey Bussell, Celia Imrie and Richard Dawkins, while there was a full programme of children’s activities, from free bounce and rhyme sessions, Alice in Wonderland-themed fun and a talk from Jacqueline Wilson. “Our audiences were so warm and appreciative of the speakers, and it felt like a lovely way to bring people together after the last 18 months,” says Sue Briggs, chair of the festival committee. “This is an event which is staged by the community, for the community. It was wonderful to see generations of families coming together and enjoying such a varied programme. We are so grateful to everyone who gives up their time to plan and stage this really special event and of course everyone who comes along and supports it.” For more: www.budlitfest.org.uk

PHOTO BY RICHARD HAUGHTON © SONY MUSIC

EXETER CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS MARKET Tunnel of love PHOTO BY RICHARD HAUGHTON © SONY MUSIC

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The festive market kicks off on 18 November and runs until 18 December. Expect 90 chalets selling global street food, hand-crafted gifts and decorations, all set within the grounds of Exeter Cathedral. For more: www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk

[WE ARE ONE]! We want to say a huge thank you to everyone that has supported us in our first year on Magdalen road! We couldn’t have done it without you all. We are super excited for what the next year is going to bring, and can’t wait to welcome more of you to our salon!

69 Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX2 4TA 01392 401642  fika_salon

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OPINION JP HEDGE

Nifty nerfs Harry and Mollie

Time hurries on...

can hear the thunder from the rotar blades of helicopter parenting booming overhead. It feels like those massive American military ones that took oﬀ and ﬂew over Exeter on the way to G7. For those unfamiliar with the term, helicopter parents are known to hover over their children’s lives. They overly protect their children from harm – putting down virtual layers of bubble wrap where a sticky plaster would do. Some also live vicariously through their children. I didn’t think that I’d be responsible for either of those things. But I’m writing this on the day our family are celebrating Harry’s nineth birthday and I can hear the chopper blades millimetres from my fast receding hairline. My son got up at 5.30am.

JP is grappling with the scary prospect of his kids growing up and going out into the world…

Since then we’ve been dodging Nerf bullets. So far only the dog has managed to hang onto her clean sheet to avoid the ﬁre of foam pellets. It’s a ‘count your blessings’ kind of day. The fact we could have children in the ﬁrst place, the fact that we ended up with ‘a Harry’. We have health – which can never again be underestimated, security, and live in the most stunning part of the UK. But make no mistake about it – Harry is being pulled away from this phase of our family life. The pull is not like a plughole, or the smell of a Subway takeaway as you pass. More a little change of gravity. That gravity is grabbing his hobbies, his needs, his passions, and moving them away from us. I know this because of the juxtaposition of Mollie, three. We are her absolute world. She is at a brilliant, beautiful,

“Harry’s new found independence is just the tip of the iceberg”

enchanting age with no concepts of days of the week, even night and day. Things are adorably simple and safe. Things are largely enjoyable or not, because of how her family reacts to them. Harry’s new found independence is just the tip of the iceberg of what lies ahead. And now I can see what is coming clearly, I don’t think I’m going to be that brilliant at letting go. I have loved this past phase so much. I know that one of my most important jobs as a parent is to equip and empower them so they have the most solid of foundations for what the world throws at them. I can’t ﬁght their battles. If they don’t have that solid and meaningful foundation – I’ve failed. Yet it is the same independence that is causing some deep and meaningful conversations with my long-suﬀering wife. I’m already battling the likes of YouTubers and gaming and the usual requests for virtual friends and screen time. But it isn’t just about screens. This summer we went camping as a family. Up until now – it has been the four of us as a family

against the world. For the first time, Harry’s real passion was to go off and play with others. It’s all to be expected. I just think my skill set so far has been good with practical family life. I give you Mollie exploding into tears because her toast isn’t toasty enough. Meltdowns in supermarkets over lollies. Wearing odd shoes, fights over Blue Tack – those kinds of things. If we succeed in this parenting lark, and bring up children that are so strong and confident that they really don’t need us, it’s going to be difficult for us parents to say the least. So until then, mindfulness and being grateful for every single minute is the order of the day. Every minute – good and bad. For the rest of the day I’ll try to be mindful while being shot, a lot with foam bullets. I’ll see if they can take down that helicopter overhead. ■ 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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THE ARTS S N A P S H O T S O F E X E T E R ’ S C U LT U R A L L I F E

MAKING A MOVE

Critics’ Circle Award winning company, Ballet Cymru, will be coming to Exeter on 20 November to perform a new ballet based on the eternal story of Giselle, the young girl who falls in love with the wrong person and pays a terrible price. Ballet Cymru have put their own unique stamp on this tale of love and loss, bringing relevance, poignancy and grittiness to this most romantic of ballets. Featuring a new score by acclaimed composer and harpist Catrin Finch, whose spellbinding music is interwoven with mesmerising movement by Ballet Cymru artistic director Darius James OBE and assistant artistic director Amy Doughty.

Giselle is on at 7.30pm on 20 November, £20, Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

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Looking for a place to achieve?

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Start your journey at our Open Day Tuesday 2 November 2021 admissions@exetercs.org 01392 255 298 www.exetercathedralschool.co.uk

BOOKS CHARLIE RICHARDS

I The rest is history

This month Charlie leads us towards books with history at their core, revealing tales of epic adventures, human struggles and inspiring leadership

f you’ve hung out with us at Bookbag, we hope that you’ve noticed how intentional we are in giving equal standing (and shelving) to our non-fiction writing. We are just about to launch our online shop (Bookbag.shop) and have decided on organising our non-fiction books in clusters, which may be genius, or confusing. Let us know. Of course, there are no rules to what to put on the shelves, but where fiction is easy to display – authors from A to Z – non-fiction is trickier. Categorise too strictly and you risk pigeonholing, putting books in a box, and making them harder for people to discover. This month we are signposting you towards the best history writing that might also be part philosophy, travel, social commentary, and epic adventure, giving you all those feels. First up is one of our new-out-in-paperback ‘history’ titles Black Spartacus. This is the story of Toussaint Louverture, the brilliant leader of the Haitian Revolution, whose vision, strategic and political ideas changed the world, inspiring millions to campaign for the abolition of slavery. Dotted with notes from Toussaint himself, this vivid historical biography is a unique and welcome companion to foundational texts on the Haitian Revolution, such as CLR James’ classic, The Black Jacobins, from 1938. We’ve also got (also new, in paperback), Empireland, where author Sathnam Sanghera examines the Empire and its lasting effects, and how the scale of this history has shaped our society and views in modern

Britain, despite empire being a subject that isn’t often looked at too critically. Sanghera has created a nuanced and complex look at the subject. A hot new autumn release in the memoir, or essays, or even history section, is (Queen) Bernardine Evaristo and her Manifesto On Never Giving Up. The first Black Woman to win the Booker Prize, Manifesto is her intimate and fearless account of how she did it. From a childhood ‘steeped in racism’ to discovering the arts through her local youth theatre, through relationships, to setting up Britain’s first theatre company for Black women to the writer and trailblazer she is today. One sneaky fiction recommendation before I close. From the Booker Prize shortlist I recently read The China Room by Sunjeev Sahota, a novel that is sweeping and moving in the best kind of way. Spanning generations of a family in rural Punjab, the story moves between Grandson, fleeing the UK in 1999 to save himself, and his Grandma, Mehar, as a young bride in 1929. When she moves to her husband’s compound, Mehar is filled with hope, but duty, family secrets, and the oppression she faces seek to overwhelm her. All titles are available at the shop, in person, or on our new, shiny online shop (complete with book clusters). We are also at Fore Street Flea market on the 24 and 31 October, with books, recommendations and chat.

“A hot new autumn release is (Queen) Bernardine Evaristo and her Manifesto On Never Giving Up”

Charlie Richards is the co-owner of Exeter bookshop Bookbag, 7-10, McCoy’s Arcade, Exeter; uk.bookshop.org/shop/bookbag

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Josephine is on at Exeter Northcott Theatre

WHAT’S ON 15 October onwards

THEATRE/ DANCE/ TALKS 17 October

ROMEO AND JULIET Looking solely at the title characters, this intimate, all-male adaptation immerses the audience in the intensity, angst and infatuation of a doomed relationship. Part of Exeter Fringe Festival, 7pm, Cliﬀord Room at the Barnﬁeld Theatre; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

17 October

NO SUCH THING AS A FISH The UK’s top podcast is back on the road, with its first tour since 2019. Expect a live recording of a podcast episode plus a first half stuffed to the gills with facts, comedy, and two years’ worth of pent-up nerdery that wouldn’t have worked over Zoom. 8pm, The Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter; www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

17 October

STORIES AT THE END OF THE WORLD The coming-of-age story mixes

storytelling, science, facts and botched house moves as it delves into memories of growing up, our best friends and how someone can obsess over all the terror alerts, cross-continental pandemics, climate change and erupting volcanoes that the world can throw at us. Part of Exeter Fringe Festival, 8.30pm, Cliﬀord Room at the Barnﬁeld Theatre; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

26 – 27 October

RAMBERT2 DOUBLE BILL In February 2020, 650 early career dancers attended open auditions to join the Rambert2 ensemble. Eleven were chosen for their outstanding ability and individuality. This is their on-stage debut as a company, unleashing their creative forces. 7.30pm, Exeter Northcott theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

2 November

JOSEPHINE Dancer, actor, activist, campaigner, spy and mother to the multicultural Rainbow Tribe, Josephine broke the mould and high-kicked the pieces to the kerb. With a sultry, Harlem Renaissance-inspired score, spring-

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

heeled Charleston dancing and a hatful of historical ﬁgures, Josephine blurs the real with the imagined as we follow one woman’s incredible journey from the slums of St Louis via the bright lights of Paris. 10.30am, 1.30pm, 6.30pm; Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

18 November

WOMEN WHO GAVE NO F**KS Brace yourselves for tales to make you want to rip up the rules and riot. Two teams of tale-tellers slam down stories of the super-women and unstoppably imperfect goddesses who stalk through the world’s myths and legends. 7.30pm, Cygnet Theatre, Friars’ Gate, Exeter; www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

COMEDY 18 October

NABIL ABDULRASHID Following his uncompromisingly thought-provoking performance in the ﬁnal of Britain’s Got Talent 2020, Nabil will be regaling the remarkable, chaotic and sometimes tragic (but always

hilarious) story of his life so far. One of UK comedy’s most talked about rising stars. 8pm, Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter; www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

28 October

JENNY ÉCLAIR: SIXTY (FFS!) Having hit 60 (but still a year younger than Madonna), Jenny Éclair confronts a new decade of decrepitude. Now that it takes 20 minutes of scrolling down to ﬁnd her DOB when she’s ﬁlling in forms online, should she celebrate or crawl into a hole? What will her 60s hold for this 1960s babe and is it a legal requirement to buy Nordic walking poles? 7.30pm, Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

29 October

ED BYRNE Join Ed as he takes a long hard look at himself and tries to decide if he has any traits that are worth passing on to his children. Since storming the Edinburgh Festival in 2019, this masterclass in observational comedy has been ﬁlling venues across the country. 8pm, Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter; www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

WHAT’S ON 5 November

KATHERINE RYAN Star of Netflix smash-hit series The Duchess, comedian and TV’s Katherine Ryan makes a hugely welcome return to the stage with her brand-new show. Having previously denounced partnership, Katherine has since married her first love…accidentally! Katherine will be sharing her new perspectives on life, love, and what it means to be Missus. 8pm, Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

MUSIC 23 October

top:

Jenny Éclair will be proividing the laughs at Exeter Northcott Theatre Funny guy Nabil Abdulrashid will be taking to the stage at Exeter Corn Exchange

below:

SHOWHAWK DUO The pioneers of acoustic rave, young British guitarists Mikhail Asanovic and Jake Wright have dazzled audiences worldwide with their spectacular approach to playing the guitar; whether playing old-school trance classics or modern funky house, their live show knows no boundaries. 7.30pm, The Cavern, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exetercavern.net

25 October

SCOUTING FOR GIRLS The trio will be belting out 80s classics from their new covers album Easy Cover (a puntastic title on Phil Collins’ Easy Lover), including tracks from legends such as Tears For Fears, The Waterboys, Cyndi Lauper, and Whitney Houston. 8pm, Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter; www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

27 October

HENGE This lively bunch came to Earth six years ago to spread their message of peace, love and harmony through Cosmic Dross. Hailed with ‘reinventing space-rock for the 21st century’, the band’s live shows blend science fiction, psychedelia and theatre. Converting thousands of fans at memorable performances across the UK and Europe, the band were also honoured with the accolade of Best Live Act at the 2018 Independent Festival Awards. 8pm, The Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

7 November

THE ORB The beloved 80s and 90s electronic group will be performing a real treat for Orb fans, each show will begin with an Alex Paterson interview and curated question and answer session

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WHAT’S ON is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that showcases the natural world’s most astonishing and challenging sights. On loan from the Natural History Museum in London, it features exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity and fragility of the natural world. Gallery 21, RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter; www.exeterramm.admit-one.eu

6 – 19 November

Ells Bailey will be singing at The Phoenix

as he looks back over his amazing career, using his biography Babble On An’ Ting as the reference book; followed by a set of Orb classics and rarities, as voted for by the fans. 8pm, The Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

11 November

ALISTAIR MCGOWAN – THE PIANO SHOW In the wake of his Sony album, which reached No 1 in the UK Classical Album charts, comes Alistair McGowan’s new show, combining his talents as master impressionist and comedian with his new-found talent as a classical pianist. Expect a lot of beautiful music (with the odd mistake!) and more than a sprinkling of his trademark impressions. 7.30pm, Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

21 November

ELLS BAILEY Last year saw the super-smokyvoiced, far-touring chanteuse Elles Bailey awarded Album of the Year at the UK Blues Awards and reach No.1 on the Amazon Blues Bestseller chart. 7.30pm, The Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

ART

Until 5 November

NICCI WONNACOTT CLEANING UP THE PATRIARCHY Nicci Wonnacott is an artist activist who uses her body in public space to create art, action and performance, which in turn promotes her ideology and philosophy; this photographic exhibition aims to challenge Patriarchal control and class division. The Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Until 5 November

NAOMI FREARS: MEN FALLING Working across film, painting and print, Frears’ work explores forms of everyday choreography, incorporating androgynous figures, ambiguous gestures, fictitious landscapes and disembodied dialogues. Her works juxtapose personal encounters and observations with visual material drawn from cinema, fashion, imagined gardens, and interiors. The Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Until 9 January

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR Wildlife Photographer of the Year

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AMANDA POPHAM ANNUAL EXHIBITION The internationally acclaimed earthenware sculptor will be showcasing over 60 new works, including a range of one-off signature pieces which are fun, humorous, and imbued with a touch of love. Amanda will be visiting The Steam Gallery (on Saturday 6 November (which is her birthday) from 11am to launch the new exhibition. Those interested in attending the launch, should contact the gallery. Steam Gallery, Fore Street, Beer, Seaton; www.steamgallery.co.uk

FAMILY FUN Until 31 October

THE ARTIST’S APPRENTICE TRAIL Take part in this arty trail, where young artists will colour in a masterpiece of their own as they follow in the footsteps of the great Coplestone Warre Bampfylde, designer of Hestercombe’s landscape gardens. When their masterpiece is complete, they will graduate as a master artist and even have a certificate to prove it. Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton; www.hestercombe.com

17 October

THE ZOO THAT COMES TO YOU Come and meet this eclectic group of charming yet cheeky animals, as they discuss their life experiences and the challenges they face. Expect puppetry, live music and loads of fun. Age guidance 4+. Part of Exeter Fringe Festival, 12pm, Exeter Phoenix, The Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

EXETER LITERARY FESTIVAL 5 – 7 November

The line-up includes Ann Cleeves, award-winning creator of the Shetland and Vera series; best-selling local author and blogger Sarah Turner, aka The Unmumsy Mum; historical fiction writers Karen Maitland (The Drowned City) and Jane Johnson (The Salt Road) and local historians Todd Gray and John Allan, discussing the best books on Exeter’s colourful history. Exeter resident and community volunteer Khaled Wakkaa, will be sharing his heartrending story of what it means to be a refugee; other guests include harpist and local author, Hazel Prior, whose wonderful latest novel Away with the Penguins is a Richard and Judy Book Club pick for 2021; plus BBC Correspondent Mike Thomson talking about the Secret Library in Syria. Events happening at Exeter Library and Custom House; Sarah Turner, aka The Unmumsy www.exelitfest.com Mum will be chatting

11 – 14 November

DISNEY ON ICE: FIND YOUR HERO Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and more than 50 other Disney characters set the stage for a star-studded talent extravaganza; expect modern tales and timeless classics brought to life in cutting edge skating, high-flying jumps and thrilling special effects. Exeter Westpoint Arena, Exeter; www.disneyonice.co.uk

OTHER 4 November

top: Disney on Ice is coming to Westpoint left: The Orb are performing at the Phoenix bottom: Stickman is on at Exeter Northcott Theatre

27 October

HALF TERM WORKSHOP: CODE RED ANIMATION This animation workshop will see your little ones (seven +) make a rotoscoping animation. For those not in the know, this means using live action footage skills to create a smooth and true to life reel. 11am-3pm, Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Elmfield House, Dowell Street, Honiton; www.thelmahulbert.com

28 and 29 October

THE DONG WITH A LUMINOUS NOSE Edward is a bit of an oddball. A shy and troubled boy, he is always watching the horizon, waiting for something to happen. Then one day “the Jumblies” arrive, and his life is turned upside down… then shaken about a bit. Dancing chairs, a troublesome telephone and a swarm of shape-shifters all play their part in this tale of a lonely boy who has difficulty facing up to the facts. Various times, Cygnet Theatre, Friars’ Gate, Exeter; www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

30 and 31 October

STICK MAN What starts off as a morning jog becomes quite the misadventure for Stick Man: a dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him, and he even ends up on a fire! How will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree? Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s play features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves. Various times, Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

MICHAELMAS FAIR AT POWDERHAM CASTLE Expect stalls inside the castle and in the courtyard selling a wide array of jewellery, homeware, gifts, arts and crafts, clothing etc. Great event to start your Christmas shopping. Event sponsors Bearnes Hampton and Littlewood will also be giving free verbal valuations on the day on your antiques, collectables and silver. 10am-3pm, Powderham Castle, Exeter; www.powderham.co.uk

12 and 13 November

ARTISAN CRAFT FAIR A brand-new Artisan Craft Fair has been launched in Exeter, with the aim of providing an outlet for top-quality craftspeople and artists. The fair will see over 40 stands with woodwork, ceramics, jewellery, glasswork leatherwork, textiles, photography and more. Friday, 3pm-7pm; Saturday 10am-4pm; Alphington Village Hall; www.artisancraftfair.co.uk n

19 November

EXETER PROPERTY AWARDS AT SANDY PARK! This is the first ever Exeter Property Awards and it’s set to be a huge celebratory event. From residential to commercial, from lettings to new builds, from civic buildings to bold re-imaginings, the awards will celebrate the whole spectrum of property businesses in the region. The Exeter Property Awards kick off at 12pm with drinks and socialising, followed by a sit-down lunch and the awards, ending at around 4pm. You can book your ticket here; www.exeterpropertyawards.com

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SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

LET’S HANG

These ceramic jellyfish air plants are designed and created by maker (and co-owner of Insideout Home) Nicky Edmunds. Each piece is hand-pinched before being bisque-fired, then individually illustrated and dipped in a turquoise glaze. They are then fired and hand-strung creating bright and beautiful hanging pots. The ceramic pots and plant are bought together and are really simple to maintain, requiring virtually no watering – just soak once a month in rain water or if you place in the bathroom the steam will be enough for them to flourish. Genius, eh? Jellyfish Air Plant, £15.99 from Insideout Home, 1 Bampfylde Lane, Princesshay, Exeter; www.insideouthome.co.uk

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RED GEO CERAMIC MUG, £7.99 This glazed stoneware mug will make tea-time a jolly aﬀair, plus it’s dishwasher safe. Happy slurping. From Insideout, 1 Bampfylde Lane, Princesshay, Exeter; www.insideouthome.co.uk

AUTUMN COLLECTION BOX, £18 Get ready to lick your lips. These limited edition handmade chocolates include: toﬀee apple, chilli tickle caramel, tangerine dream, spiced pumpkin, black garlic caramel, spiced rum gem and conkered coﬀee. From Chococo, 22 Gandy Street, Exeter; www.chococo.co.uk

AUTUMN DAYS

Cosy up with these orangey-red gifts from the local indies

GEO HOOP EARRINGS, £15 Handmade in Devon using repurposed leather, these earrings are created from oﬀcuts from the fashion and shoe industry. Cool, colourful and friendly to the planet. From Tula and the Whale, @tula.and.the.whale or available at Makermart, 11a Gandy Street, Exeter; www.makermart-exeter.com

ROSE AND OUD CANDLE, £50 This three-wick candle combines the sweet ﬂoral fragrances of rose and jasmine with the richness of smoky, Arabian Oud and burns for between 60 – 80 hours. From The Recycled Candle Company, 16 Gandy Street, Exeter; www.therecycledcandlecompany.co.uk

MOROCCAN BABOUCHE LEATHER SLIPPERS (LADIES), £28 Handmade by leather artisans in Morocco, these best-selling mules are a stylish yet comfy fashion accessory, great for wearing around the home. They also come with a drawstring bag making the slippers the perfect gift. From Boka, 3 High Street, Crediton, Devon; www.bokaonline.co.uk

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HANDMADE VELVET PUMPKINS, £15 These sumptuous velvet pumpkins come in a range of autumnal tones; buy a few and position in corners, mantelpieces, window ledges for a colourful display. From Nest Living, 60 Fore Street, Topsham; www.nestliving.net

EDITOR’S CHOICE ORANGE CLOCHE WOOL HAT, £30 This soft-to-touch 20s style hat has serious House of Eliot vibes, which we’re loving. If you’ve got a choppy bob, this one’s for you. From The Real McCoy, 21 McCoys Arcade, Fore Street, Exeter; www.therealmccoy.co.uk

BUNNY TAILS, £8 These pretty orange bunny tails make a lovely statement in any home. Pop them in a bud vase or with other dried materials. They come in white, natural, pink, purple, or you can opt for their ‘ﬁzz mix’, a mix of pink, orange and purple together. From Darling Buds, www.darlingbudsofel.com

LARGE TERRACOTTA COLOURED CERAMIC JUG BY QUAIL, £35 This one will add deﬁnitely add a ‘colour pop’ factor in your home. Use to pour beverages or for storing spaghetti. From Toot Garouk, 19 Queen Street, Exeter; info@tootgarook.co.uk

POPPY SHIRT DRESS IN TOFFEE BROWN, £74.95 Nail autumn chic with this organic corduroy dress; slip over leggings or skinnies and you’re good to go. From Sancho’s, 117 Fore Street, Exeter; www.sanchosshop.com

MARSEILLES PATCHOULI FRENCH SOAP, £3.75 This beautifully scented retro-style soap is made from natural essences and will look a dream in an antique soap dish. From Eclectique, Cellar 23, The Quay, Exeter; www.eclectique.co.uk

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NIGHT-TIME FUN IN THE CITY Where are the best places in Exeter to go for beautiful cocktails, fizz on a Friday, after-work drinks, a glass of wine and a big wedge of cheese? Harriet Noble goes bar hopping across the city…

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GOING OUT

This Thyme for Harvest cocktail is available at The Ivy

e all have our regular drinking holes but it’s always a good idea to look up once in a while and see what’s around. Lots as it happens. The next few months sees gorgeous arrays of cocktails being shaken and stirred, warming wines being poured, ghouly Halloween fun galore and decadence on the dancefloor. Glamorous bars and velvet sofas await your presence…

FRIDAY NIGHT FIZZ AT THE JACK IN THE GREEN

Catch up with friends and start your weekend with fun and fizz at one of East Devon’s best-loved pubs. Order any bottle of Champagne or Prosecco and the Jack’s talented chefs will serve a delicious plate of complimentary canapés to your table. The selection changes each week…. next up we hear there’s braised oxtail, nori wrapped salmon and a cheeky duck terrine with orange and raisin. You’re welcome to stay on for dinner in the restaurant and they’re now open all day on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday – hoorah! Friday Night Fizz is from 5pm – 6.30pm. No need to book and there’s plenty of parking on-site. The Jack in the Green, Rockbeare, Near Exeter; www.jackinthegreen.uk.com

WEEKEND FUN AT THE MERMAID

The new bar on Gandy Street will have DJs every weekend starting from the end of October. Some nights it’ll be chilled, other times it will be a dance-your-socks-off kind of vibe. Expect a new batch of tasty cocktails on the menu too. The Mermaid, 11b Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

“Order any bottle of Champagne and the chefs will bring you a plate of canapés to your table”

Underground fun at The Mermaid

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This Foraged Boulevardier is being served at The Ivy

PERFECTLY PROSECCO AT NO 5

The cocktail bar at No 5 is a really cosy yet glamorous choice for an evening beverage. Located in Cathedral Green, the interiors boast Great Gatsby vibes with a roaring fire, chandeliers and Art Deco glassware. This autumn they are hosting Friday fizz evenings – if you buy one bottle of Prosecco you can get another one for free. We’re there. No 5, Cathedral Green, Exeter; www.no5-exeter.co.uk

QUIRKY COCKTAILS AT THE MONKEY SUIT

MUSIC AND DANCING AT PINK MOON

This laid-back but busy cocktail bar has got a loyal following and is currently serving up serving some absolute show stoppers – look out for the bubble blue with a citrus smoke infused bubble on top ready to pop. The team will be putting on a Halloween Nightmare on Sidwell Street Night on 30 and 31 October; and going forward every Monday and Tuesday there will be two-for-one on selected cocktails between 5– 8pm. The Monkey Suite, 161 Sidwell Street, Exeter; www.themonkeysuit.co.uk

The Californian-style restaurant, café and bar always has a jam-packed diary of events. Coming up is Friday Night Feels on 29 October when diners in the restaurant will be treated to music from Yazzy (described as “half lioness, half songbird”). On 30 October, the team will be hosting their Pink Moon goes Dark Halloween event, with a live DJ, creepy cocktails, dancing and shots. Their events are always popular and sell-out quickly so make haste with getting a ticket. Pink Moon, 44 Queen Street, Exeter; www.pinkmooncafe.co.uk

AFTER-WORK DRINKS AT RENDEZVOUS

COCKTAIL BEAUTIES AT THE IVY

The bar and restaurant turned 15 years this year and remains a much-loved spot for relaxing with a glass of wine after a long day at work. This autumn the team have stocked up on some new wines to enjoy including a new Portuguese red which the owners tell us is “old, juicy and spicy”, while their white wine of the month is a new Italian Falanghina, “full of green fruit, citrusy notes, really aromatic and so moreish.” Rendezvous, 38-40 Southernhay E, Exeter; www.winebar10.co.uk

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The glamorous bar and restaurant has got the prettiest autumn-themed cocktails this year. Favourites include Smashing Pumpkin, featuring sweet and smoky whisky, pumpkin purée, lemon juice, and topped with ginger ale. The limited-edition menu also includes Foraged Boulevardier, complete with Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, apple infused Mancino cherry Vermouth, and Aperol. n The Ivy, 65-67 High Street, Exeter; www.theivyexeter.com

GOING OUT Vino heaven at Pullo

NEW TO FORE STREET… OLD FAVOURITES PULLO

“The idea is to create a space where you can grab a glass and nibble before heading out”

Wine lovers of Exeter will be familiar with Pullo, the cheese and wine tasting shop. It used to be on Paris Street but owners Mirjam Nymalm and Alex Fitton decided to moved premises and have now set up shop on Fore Street. It’s still a wine, cider and cheese shop but now the opening hours stretch into the evening so people can swing by, perch on a bar stool and enjoy a drink or two. “We moved to Fore street as we wanted a more permanent home for the shop and also for the thriving indie scene/vibe,”says Alex. “The idea is to create a space where you can grab a glass and nibble before heading out for dinner or home or somewhere to relax with a glass post dinner for some cheese and drinks. “Drinks wise we will have a number of bottles open by the glass as well as by the bottle option. Food wise we will have a limited number changing seasonal snacks and nibbles alongside cheese plates and toasties. We are looking forward to working with some of our lovely local regenerative farmers for some great little plates. “The aim is to have a series of events running each month with cider and wine tastings, ‘meet the maker’ tastings and hopefully some pop up food takeovers much like our last place.” Pullo, 137 Fore Street, Exeter; www.pullo.shop

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

Contact Paula 07563 529772

FOOD & DRINK NIBBLES FROM EXETER’S FOOD SCENE

FIRST LOOK INSIDE… LUCIANO’S

Princesshay has just welcomed Luciano’s, a brand-new Italian restaurant. The eaterie is run by Luciano Marco Pierre White, son of famed chef Marco Pierre White, and is his second restaurant (his first opening was in Dorchester in October of last year). Visitors can expect bright interiors with bold orangey furnishings, Marilyn Monroe prints and a spacious bar area. Luciano’s offers a menu packed full of classic Italian dishes including Maria Rosa’s meatballs, named after Luciano’s Grandmother, plus other enticing dishes such as the Sophia Loren Gnocchi alla Gorgonzola and Willie’s Cacao Tiramisu. The restaurant is open seven days a week. www.lucianos-restaurant.co.uk above: Pop Art adorns the walls; right: European al fresco vibes

AWESOME TO THE CORE

above: Barny Butterfield, chief cider

maker Sandford Orchards; right: Sandford Orchard Apples

Local cider maker Sandford Orchards has announced that it is working with scientists from Bristol University to identify and preserve ancient apple varieties in their beautiful historic orchards in mid Devon. This research involves punching a small hole in leaves from individual trees, which then allows the team to collect samples for DNA testing, while geographically tagging the particular tree. The fingerprinting of thousands of cider trees will then help to identify and map the nation’s traditional cider apple varieties ensuring that they are preserved for future generations, ensuring diversity in the stock and securing many more centuries of cider enjoyment. “We are keenly awaiting the results of this research but whatever Professor Edwards and his team uncover the outcome can only be positive for the environment and for cider-lovers,” says Barney Butterfield, chief cider maker at Sandford Orchards. www.sandfordorchards.co.uk

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RESTAURANT

RED PANDA

f you happen to be strolling along Exeter’s Gandy Street at lunch time you will see a line forming. Hungry people on their lunch break, looking rather excited because they are there to have their fix: a boa bun from Red Panda. I found myself in this situation recently when, after a night of a few beverages, I must confess, I had one of their soft steamed bao buns with pork belly, served with radish and carrot pickle, cucumber, coriander leaves, peanuts and crispy chilli. I sat outside and sank my teeth into it with gusto. It was just about the most delicious thing I’d ever tasted. There’s something about that soft cloud-like bun with its warming fillings and contrast of tastes and textures that just hits the spot. I wolfed it down and went back in for another one. This time I opted for the chicken satay which was equally scrumptious; its sweet creamy sauce giving me all the feels. To be honest, I was tempted to go back in for a third it was that good. Red Panda have nailed that thing that local businesses dream of achieving – becoming a locals’ favourite. Here we chat to co-owner James to find out how they do it... What inspired you to start the business?

We used to love to cook for birthdays, friends, anything

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Husband-and-wife team James and Natalie McCarthy have created one of the treasures of the city, selling to-die-for Asian street food that is a proper locals’ favourite/ obsession. So what is their secret to making dishes that cause such a rave-up in your mouth? Harriet Noble investigates… really – because we missed ‘our food’ – and when people ate it they were always just so wowed. So one day, when our youngest had already gone to secondary school, a small shop became available in Lyme at the same time we had exactly the amount of capital to buy into the lease...as they say ‘God has another plan’ and it was all too serendipitous. Natalie started her shop and within a few months I saw the potential to be able to quit a laptop and email life by looking for a site. Again, perfect location, perfect street in Exeter and that was that...time to hand in my notice. How would you describe your food in a nutshell?

It’s a selection of some classic Asian street foods made healthy and local. No deep frying at all. It is meat light. Probably 95 per cent of our ingredients are vegan, it is only the piece of chicken and pork that are not. It is all local. We don’t believe in flying veg around the world, it is wrong. We look instead at veg and fruit here and ask ourselves – if this was growing in Vietnam, what would they do with it. What inspires the dishes on your menu?

These are our favourite foods. It’s what we eat at home – they are a mix of Natalie’s Filipino-Hokkien heritage and my favourites from my work of travelling round South East Asia.

“When we close, the staff almost dance because they know it’s their turn to create their own lunch”

Can you tell us a bit about the team…

Natalie finds the ideas and then I cook them or adapt them. It’s really a wife-and-husband team. Natalie is the better one for finding the best methods of cooking and getting the most out of the food and I have a better natural way of turning that into a dish we can produce every day tasting the same. Ultimately people come back weekly because they want to eat the same food – on the whole – and so you need to be able to replicate this every day. It sounds boring but it isn’t, it’s actually extremely challenging. There are no shortcuts – satay sauce take about five hours to make, it can’t be done quicker or you would be able to tell. In terms of the serving staff, these are some of the hardest workers you will find in hospitality – handmaking and customising hundreds of lunches each week in a very short space of time. Doing it again and again, perfectly and under the view of the customers...it’s very tough. Why we do it – it’s because we buy into the food – this is where we begin and end as a shop; it’s all about the integrity of the food. When we close, some of the staff almost dance because they know it’s now their turn to create their own lunches. What is the most popular dish on your menu?

Without doubt either the Pork Bao or the Teriyaki Bao. The pork is the classic Chinese original bao (although we don’t use the mustard greens) cooked using a traditional mid-Chinese recipe. Teriyaki tofu is loved by all for its sweet and salty ginger mix up that just works really well with the steamed bun. You do takeaway too, was this introduced during Covid or have you always done this?

It used to be 50-50 but Covid led us to introduce pre-order which we have continued to do and many customers really like this. I wish we had more seats but the largely takeaway business is one that works from an economic point of view. Anything exciting in the pipeline that you’d like to share with us?

We’re talking to Uber about delivery and hiring a manager so we can open in the evenings. Both very much in the pipeline. Plus a sit-down restaurant in Lyme could be fun.

Anything quirky and interesting about the Red Panda team…

We’re really old! Far too old to be starting something like this, probably both of our third or fourth careers...blimey not sure what else...we always say that everyone who works at Panda is a bit wonky...in a nice way...but you’ve got to be mad to work in such an intense compressed lunch session when you don’t even get tips (why is that?!). I want to eat your food every day, is it difficult to make a bao? Should I give it a go?!

They are becoming more available and they are not hard. The best advice I can give is to find a set of contrasts in the things you put inside – sweet and salty/ crunchy and soft/ warm and cold; it’s a combination of all of these that make your tongue dance when you bite into a bao. Give it a go.... BLT in a bao is awesome, and so is nutella! n

DINING DETAILS Red Panda, 29 Gandy Street, Exeter (also one at 7A Broad St, Lyme Regis); www.redpandago.com Opening times Currently 11am-2.30pm; Wed-Sat Food Bao buns with either chicken, pork or tofu; bao salad; super salad bowls with either chicken, pork or tofu; vegan or chicken curry Drinks Soft drinks available Set up Takeaway food – either pre-order or just turn up Service Friendly and informal

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RECIPES

AUTUMN TREATS CURRIED PARSNIP AND APPLE SOUP By Che Katz, Chef de Partie at The Jack in the Green in Rockbeare; www.jackinthegreen.uk.com Serves 4 Ingredients 1 medium onion 1 large garlic clove 1 knob of ginger Few sprigs of thyme 1 bay leaf 75g unsalted butter 1 tablespoon curry powder 1 glass of white wine 1 litre of stock 4 large parsnips 1 large cooking apple 300ml pouring cream 50g crème fraiche

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Method Thinly slice the onion and garlic and finely chop the ginger. Sweat the onion, garlic, ginger, thyme and bay leaf in a pan with some butter on a medium heat for 5-10 minutes. Add the curry powder and wine and then reduce. Next add in the stock and simmer for 5-10 minutes on a low heat.

Peel, core and roughly chop the apple into small pieces. Meanwhile peel the parsnips, taking out any large cores and chop into roughly 1cm chunks. Add them both to your soup base and continue to simmer until the parsnips are soft, then add the cream and crème fraiche and stir. Once cooked, blend the ingredients together and pass through a fine sieve. Return to a clean pan, taste for seasoning. Serve with fresh coriander.

CREEDY CARVER DUCK BREAST WITH FONDANT POTATO AND POACHED PEAR By Craig Griffin, head chef at The Jack in the Green in Rockbeare; www.jackinthegreen.uk.com Serves 4 Components 4 duck breast Fondant potato Poached pear Poached Pear 3 pears 3 cardamom pods Pinch of pink peppercorns Pinch of coriander seeds 1 cinnamon stick 850ml water 400g sugar First make a stock syrup by adding everything except the pears into a pan and bring to the boil, once boiled reduce to a simmer.

Meanwhile peel the pears and with a melon baller scoop out the core. Place the pears into the stock syrup and simmer for 20-25 minutes whilst preparing the fondant potato. Fondant Potato 4 Koffmann potatoes or Maris Piper 150g unsalted butter 75ml chicken stock 2 cloves of garlic 2 thyme sprigs Cut the potatoes with a 2.5cm wide x 2cm deep cutter or cut into squares to a similar size.

In a saucepan heat the butter and a splash of oil. Once the butter is foaming add the potatoes, garlic and thyme. Cook for 5 minutes on each side. Add the stock and place in the oven on 160˚C and cook until soft, flipping every 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, remove from the pan and keep warm. Duck Breast Score the skin of the duck by making shallow cuts and seasoning both sides of the breast with a generous amount of salt and pepper. Heat some good quality vegetable oil in a heavy duty heatproof pan until very hot. Add the duck breast

skin side down and cook until brown and crispy – this should take about 4-5 minutes. Turn the breast over without piercing the meat and cook for a further 4-5 minutes, depending on how pink you like your duck. Remove from the heat and allow to rest for 5-6 minutes before slicing. Once rested, slice the duck either into slices or larger pieces as I do in the picture and serve with a sauce of your choice. Using a slotted spoon to drain some of the liquid, remove your poached pear from the syrup and place it on the plate with the fondant potato, tuck in and enjoy!

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LOIN OF VENISON WITH BUTTERNUT AND SAGE PURÉE, BOULANGÈRE POTATO AND WILD MUSHROOMS By Craig Griffin, head chef at The Jack in the Green in Rockbeare; www.jackinthegreen.uk.com Serves 4 Components 500g venison loin Boulangère potato Butternut and sage purée Wild mushrooms

To serve Rub the venison in vegetable oil and season generously with black pepper and sea salt. Get a heavy duty pan hot and sear the venison on all sides – this should take about 2 minutes.

Boulangère Potato 750g désirée potatoes 1 small onion 1 sprig of thyme 40g unsalted butter 200ml chicken stock

Reduce the heat to low and gently fry, turning regularly for 6-8 minutes or until cooked to your liking. Transfer the venison to a board and wrap loosely in a piece of foil. Leave to rest for 5 minutes.

Method Finely chop the onions and cook in 25g of butter until golden brown. Add the thyme and season. Wash and peel the potatoes, then slice into thin and even rounds using a mandolin. Preheat the oven to 180˚C. Use a third of the potatoes to make an even, neat layer in the bottom of a baking dish. Season then cover with half of the onion mix. Repeat this process again then add the chicken stock. Finish with a neat layer of potatoes and brush with the remaining softened butter. Bake in the oven until golden and cooked through (based on a baking dish 35cm x 35cm). You can either cook for an extra 5 minutes and turn out to serve or you can allow to cool completely, turn out onto a chopping board, portion and fry to reheat. Butternut and Sage Purée 1 large butternut squash 75g unsalted butter 1 clove of garlic 4 sprigs of sage Method Peel and roughly chop the butternut squash and place into a roasting tray. Strip and add the leaves of the sage and then season the tray. Cube the butter and then roast at 160˚C for 15-20 minutes or until soft, stirring halfway through. Blend the mix together and pass through a fine sieve. If the mixture is too thick, let it down with a little bit of water and melted butter.

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Whilw the venison is cooking prepare your wild mushrooms by removing the stalk and cutting to your desired size. I like to use a variety of sizes as it adds interest to the dish but it’s all down to personal preference. Fry off the mushrooms in a little bit of butter, oil and seasoning. For added flavour you could add a crushed clove of garlic. Use as much or as little artistry as you wish to plate the dish, you can use the picture for reference of how I would plate it, but it will taste delicious however it looks!

RECIPES

PAIN D’ÉPICES By Sophie Kennard, sous chef at The Jack in the Green in Rockbeare; www.jackinthegreen.uk.com Serves 4 Ingredients 350g honey 40g soft dark sugar 125g plain flour 125g rye flour 1 tablespoon mixed spice 1 tsp star anise 20g baking powder 2 medium eggs 100g whole milk 20g unsalted butter for greasing the tin

Method Preheat the oven to 180˚C. Gently heat the honey in a pan with the sugar, stirring until the sugar melts and then remove from the heat.

In a separate bowl beat together the eggs and milk, and then stir in the honey and sugar mixture. Stir this into the dry ingredients to form a batter.

Combine the plain flour, rye flour, mixed spice, star anise and baking powder in a bowl.

Melt the butter in a small pan and use to brush the inside of a 25cm long tin.

Fill the tin with the batter, transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes until the top is dark brown and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

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SEEN! ACROSS E XE TER, ONE S H I N D I G AT A T I M E

Boxing champion Nicola Adams

You can never have too much tie-dye Mel C aka Sporty Space

Mid air antics

Kaiser Chiefs rocking out Skye Edwards of Morcheeba

GONE WILD

Over 6,000 people enjoyed a weekend of live music, outdoor activities and adventure at the Nature Valley Gone Wild Festival recently. Aside from the glorious weather, highlights of the festival included Melanie C’s ﬁrst live performance of her soon to be released new album, Bear Grylls and Nicola Adams leading a world-record breaking outdoor workout, the Red Devils arriving by parachute and even an engagement. The event was the very ﬁrst Gone Wild Festival, and it supported the Royal Marines Charity with 10 per cent of all proceeds going directly to support serving and former Royal Marines and their families. www.gonewildfestival.com The festival host himself, Bear Grylls

Photos by Upright Media

The big stage

Not a bad spot for a bit of yoga

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Deep in conversation

Tina aka the Ottery Samosa Lady and Sue Stoneman

Good times Jazz hands aplenty with the Taste East Devon founder members

Darts Farm team

TASTE EAST DEVON

Pints with pals

Award-winning venues, producers, chefs and restaurants joined forces to celebrate the incredible food and drink on oﬀer across East Devon’s stunning coast and countryside at the recent Taste East Devon Festival. The nine-day food and drink festival kicked oﬀ with a launch event where founder members got together at Darts Farm for a drink or two, with guests including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Michael Caines MBE, the team from Darts Farm, THE PIG-at Combe, River Cottage, Deer Park Country House, East Devon AONB, Mazzard Farm, Jack in the Green, Otter Brewery, Lympstone Manor and the Donkey Sanctuary. www.tasteeastdevon.co.uk Michael Caines MBE and Michael Dart Geri Panteva

Photos by Nick Hook

Mark Godfrey

Sue Stoneman and Marcus Bawdon

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Nicky Chatterjee and owner of Canonteign Falls Kate Baylis

Bethan of Little Devon Magazine plus guest

Artist in residence and runners up graduates from the Plymouth College of Art. L-R: Charlotte Robinson, Martine Mcpherson, Helen Skidmore and Philip Battley

Andy Cameron and Judi Burnett Helen Skidmore in the lush grounds of Canonteing Falls

START OF THE ART

Artist in residence Helen Skidmore

Canonteign Falls celebrated its fourth Artist in Residence exhibition recently. The onsite café has been turned into an exhibition space showcasing work by Artist in Residence winner Helen Skidmore, and four shortlisted graduates, artists Charlotte Robinson, Martine Macpherson, Philip Battley and Nicola Westlake. The art exhibition offers a commercial launch pad to emerging artists from the Plymouth College of Art. “The residency is designed to offer a commercial launchpad to final-year students, within a nurturing and supportive environment,” says Amy Greenman, marketing director at Canonteign Falls. www.canonteignfalls.co.uk Photos by Emma Solley

Canonteign Falls event director Lianne Bell and marketing director Amy Greenman

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Catering by Amie Beamish

SOCIETY

Gal pal party goers

Magic hands of the DJ Big smiles

Make some noise

Let’s do this!

PARTY IN THE CASTLE

Night-time fun at the Castle

Exeter Castle recently hosted the outdoor music event Party in the Castle, which saw a plethora of music acts belting out the tunes including headline act Rudimental. Guests included sponsor Olivier Meylan as well as Exeter Chiefs rugby players Jack Nowell , Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dave Ewers and Henry Slade, plus racing driver Jem Hepworth and DJ Nathan Dawe, with food from Pink Moon. www.www.exetercastle.uk Photos by Bradley Avron

Mellow in yellow DJ Nathan Dawe

Hanging out backstage

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Rachel & Stevie of Topsham Museum, Mark of Co Cars & Co Bikes and nutritionist Sarah Mansell

Sue Perry of Moor & Peace, Kevin of Coraline Skincare and Matt of Matt Leigh Gardens

Rachel of Lord Nelson Inn

Kate of Topsham Cakes and Brendan of Zen Wood Design

Adam of Pig & Pallet, Paul of Love Topsham and Christian of Pig & Pallet

TOPSHAM TOGETHER

Darren of Lord The Nelson Inn

Love Topsham staged its ﬁrst networking event for its 100-plus business supporters. Held courtesy of Rachel and Darren – who run The Lord Nelson Inn – the event attracted local creatives, restaurant and shop owners, consultants and wellbeing professionals. It was Topsham’s ﬁrst opportunity to salute the business community and its successful recovery from the pandemic. www.visittopsham.com Doug of The Day That and Jo of Flymultimedia

Photos by Love Topsham

Rodney of Rodney Spiller Wealth Management, proofreader Marcus Parry, Karen of Taylored Body, Cath of Topsham Homeopathic Practice and Catherine Roguski Psychotherapist

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SOCIETY

Freya Bateman, Sam and Fiona Bateman

Jette, Anne, Pam and Pita

Harley, Sarah and Wayne Hatcliff @The Pizza Box

Moghill Family and Friends Sarah and Ian Sloman

THE BIG REVEAL

New weddings and events venue Valleyside Barn, based in Bickleigh, oﬃcially launched with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a local food and drinks fair attended by around 300 people including Sue Griggs, the Mayor of Tiverton. The transformation of the old timber outbuilding to a rustic, substantial barn has taken around two years. “It has been a labour of love but the transformation is incredible,” says Matt Wright, partner of Valleyside Barn & Escapes. “It was great to see the barn in use and so many people enjoying the event in the sunshine.” www.valleysidebarn.co.uk Max West-Kill, Paul West, Lisa Kill, James West-Kill and Amber West-Kill

Photos by John Deprieelle

Cider cheers

Vikky Anderson and Caitlyn Yendle

Emmie Curtis and Louise Woodman

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HEALTH & WELLBEING B R I N G I N G YO U A L L T H E G O O D S T U FF F O R T H E M I N D, B O DY A N D S O U L

On the spot: Freemoovement classes take place in different locations around the city

MOVING ON UP Keen to get fitter and healthier but not sure where to start? Exeter’s new programme, Live and Move, is aiming to get us all moving more in our day-to-day lives (for free) with an assortment of classes and clubs across the city. Eleanor Yeo reports…

ive and Move is one of 12 Sport England ‘local delivery pilot’ projects in the UK and has a team working across Exeter and Cranbrook to explore ways of encouraging everybody to move more, regardless of age or circumstance. There’s good news. This isn’t about embarking upon a marathon training mission or cycling from coast to coast. Think more along the lines of walking the kids to school or taking the stairs instead of the lift at work.

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“Statistics show that we move less than generations before us,” says James Bogue, programme lead at Live and Move. “That said, Exeter was recently voted one of the healthiest cities in the UK, so we are very well placed here to turn this around and to feel better in the process.” If you’re one of the many people who do want to move more but are not sure where to start, it’s often a good idea to start close to home, in your own community. Here are an assortment of free exercise options in the city.

FREEMOOVEMENT If you walk through one of the city’s parks, the chances are that you might have come across a Freemoovement exercise class. One of our favourite groups, Freemoovement is an hourlong free exercise class taking place outdoors in six different locations each week. Paul Mouland who started the group four years ago says the group attracts people from 18 – 90 and really is for everybody, regardless of their fitness level. “I started Freemoovment when I realised that cost was one of the biggest barriers for

HEALTH & WELLBEING

people who want to get fitter. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people coming back again and again, and genuinely improving their level of physical fitness and mental health, as well as make friends in the process. The aim is simply to empower and upskill communities to move and to have fun.” Freemoovement also delivers volunteer training, social bike rides, family school holiday activities and First Aid for mental health training. TENNIS FOR FREE Maybe watching the brilliant Emma Raducanu inspired you to pick up a racket for the first time, or perhaps you played tennis as a child but feel a bit rusty now – you might be interested to know about Tennis for Free sessions at Heavitree Pleasure Ground and Cowick Barton Playing Fields. These sessions take place weekly and are a fantastic introduction to tennis for all ages. WALKING If jumping around in your local park or tennis court isn’t your thing how about meeting others for a walk? Stepping Out is an Exeter-based group which organises walks aimed at those recovering from illness, injury, or a period of inactivity. Walks take place in various locations each week, last from 30 – 90 minutes, and cater for varying levels of physical ability and fitness, so there really is something for everybody. Exeter’s Green Circle route is another fabulous option on the doorstep and the perfect opportunity to catch up with a friend for a walk. This 12-mile route (which doesn’t all need to be done at once!) takes in the five valley parks within the boundaries of the city.

Activites for all the family

“Exeter was recently voted one of the healthiest cities in the UK”

FITNESS FOR OVER 55S If you’re keen to escape city life, you could do worse than head to Haldon Forest Park. Here you’ll find activities on offer from Active Devon, including specialist fitness groups for the over 55s, including Pilates, Nordic walking and cycling, all taking place within the stunning 3,500-acre forest site with views across Exeter. If anything is going to inspire you to get outside, it’s being here! Among those keen to inspire people to take part in some of the free activities in Exeter is Edward Shaw, one of four Community physical activity organisers for Wellbeing Exeter. Edward is based at Exeter City Community Trust, the partner charity to Exeter City Football Club, which also runs exercise and wellbeing classes for all ages. “Post-lockdown life feels busier than ever, and I think we can all appreciate how hard it is to find the opportunity to move more,” says Edward. “But some of these examples prove that, as well as just moving a bit more in our everyday life, there are also many organised activities out there that don’t cost a penny and can help us on our way.” Live and Move are on a quest to find people from all walks of life to share their moves this autumn, in the hope that it might inspire others – as well as pass on some practical tips! Whether you take part in one of the activities listed here, or do your own thing (roller skating, dancing in the kitchen, or leaving the car at home for the school run are just a few examples), get involved by following Live and Move on social media and #ShareYourMoves to help inspire others to feel great. For details of all the activities and classes mentioned here, go to: liveandmove.co.uk/move-for-free

Smiley bunch: Group bike rides in Exeter

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GAME CHANGER

Exeter City Community Trust has come a long way since it started offering holiday clubs to youngsters 30 years ago, it’s now one of the city’s most prolific health and wellbeing organisations. Harriet Noble and Sue McQueenie report Photos by PPAUK

ou don’t have to be mad about the beautiful game and, in particular, Exeter City Football Club (although why would you not) to be aware of Exeter City Community Trust; chances are, if you’ve been to community events in the city, you’ve probably attended one of theirs. The partner charity of Exeter City Football Club began its work some 30 years ago offering summer holiday clubs to youngsters in the city, something it still does to this day. For rising stars dreaming of a career in football, they also run the Futsal Academy at Exeter College, for anyone aged between16 and 19. In fact, during a recent game against

Forest Green Rovers, there were six members of the squad who had come through the Academy, including 16-year-old goalkeeper, Harry Lee who was on the bench. Over the decades the trust has ramped up its programmes and services and now delivers a huge range of health, wellbeing and educational activities to people of all ages. For example, did you know that it provides football sessions and a housing support programme for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness? That it runs a female football pathway organisation supporting girls and women play football, right through to the women’s team? The organisation also helps young people who are at risk of dropping out of school; and runs sporting memories groups for older

“They help young people who are at risk of dropping out of school”

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Exeter City Goalie Harry Lee

SPORT

EXETER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB... DID YOU KNOW?

• Exeter City Football Club is one of just three supporter-owned clubs in the football league • Recent star players have included Ollie Watkins and Ethan Amapdu who were selected for the England and Wales squads, respectively • The club’s youngest player to grace the pitch in recent years was Ben Chrisene, who made his debut aged 15 years, on August 13, 2019. Ben, now 17, moved to to Aston Villa in August 2020 • The Exeter City Supporters’ Trust was formed in the year 2000 and has held the majority shareholding of the club since 2003 • The five-times FIFA World Cup winners Brazil played their first ever game against Exeter City in 1914. The game was played in Rio as City made their way back home from a tour of Argentina • The Thatchers Big Bank is the largest standing terrace in the EFL • Exeter City were formed as St Sidwell’s United in 1901, later becoming Exeter City in 1904 • The club’s nickname, The Grecians, comes from the name adopted by the locals of St Sidwell’s due to their location outside the old City walls • The club’s current manager, Matt Taylor, is a former captain and player of the year having played for the club between 2007 and 2011 • The current chairman of the club board is the grandson of former Exeter City, Bolton, and England goalkeeper, Dick Pym

below: Our own, the poem written about Exeter City

Football Club, written by Rob Casey, the bard of Exeter

left: Junior fan and his furry friend above: Sam Nombe in action

generations who may have early stages of dementia or be lonely. More recently it adapted its services to support people affected by the pandemic, starting a programme to help reduce the isolation which had been caused by lockdown. Representatives from the charity were recently invited to meet the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall during their visit to the South West in recognition of its pandemic work. “As the partner charity of a supporterowned club, we are delivering our services right in the heart of our community,” says Jamie Vittles, chief executive of Exeter City Community Trust. “Over the years our programmes have developed as we aim to meet the needs of local people. During the pandemic we adapted our services to support the community. Through Exeter Community Wellbeing, we collected and delivered shopping and prescriptions to

hundreds of people across the city who were vulnerable or isolating. “We also developed services to support people who were isolated, including pen pal schemes linking generations together, virtual groups and we grew a bank of volunteers who made weekly phone calls to isolated people.” Through the charity’s partnership work, in April 2021 it co-ordinated the delivery of more £50,000 of food and other supplies (funded by Devon County Council) to more than 550 vulnerable families across the city, drawing on huge goodwill from local businesses and volunteers. It continues to support families at risk with food parcels every holiday. What’s coming up?

The charity runs events all year round. Ones in the diary for the next few months include the Exeter Marathon on 7 November and the Santa Run on 5 December. n For more: www.exetercct.org

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EDUCATION H I G H L I G H T S F R O M E X E T E R ’ S E D U C AT I O N S E C T O R

left: University of Exeter Business School; middle: Dr Muna Abdi; bottom: Katie Donovan-Adekanmbi

BLACK HISTORY MONTH Black History Month at the University of Exeter Business School sees a full programme of events followed by Q&As from leading Black historians and cultural figures. Earlier this month, what it means to be Black and British was the focus of a wide-ranging talk by the historian and broadcaster Professor David Olusoga OBE. Looking ahead, on Wednesday 20 October at 1pm, Dr Muna Abdi will be looking at why it is important to create inclusive culture and inclusive language in a session entitled “From Allyship to Solidarity: moving towards an Inclusive Culture and Language”. Dr Abdi, who has over 10 years’ experience in education, research and community engagement and is the founder and director of MA Education Consultancy CIC, will talk about the concepts of privilege and allyship and why there is a need to move beyond this towards solidarity. The programme will culminate on Wednesday 27 October at 1pm with a talk by Katie Donovan-

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Adekanmbi, an inclusion and cohesion specialist whose work focuses on embedding the values of diversity, inclusion, cohesion and equality into businesses through a bespoke learning and development programme. Black History Month at the University of Exeter Business School also sees the University of Exeter’s African and Caribbean Society stage a social media ‘takeover’, with students leading Q&As and posting their own content on the Business School’s Twitter and Instagram accounts, as well as weekly profiles of society members throughout the month. “Here at the University of Exeter Business School, we are committed to a truly embedded inclusive culture that runs through everything we do and represents the diverse community we are and continue to build,” says Oli Young, chief diversity officer at the University of Exeter Business School and curator of its Black History Month programme. For more: www.exeter.ac.uk

EDUCATION

LEAD THE WAY Queen Elizabeth’s School, the co-ed secondary school in Crediton, has announced the launch of its new Sixth Form Leadership Team. The team will be working across the school as mentors, facilitators, advocates and organisers in a number of areas including mental health, diversity and equality, events and extra-curricular activities. Their objectives are to ensure greater student investment and participation in day-to-day school operations, decisions and culture. “I’m really looking forward to working with our new Student Leadership Team this year,” says head of sixth form Vicky Evans. “Each one of them is so keen and eager to get involved with school life, talking to students from across all year groups and listening to how they can support and offer advice. They are passionate about promoting our core QE values and have already begun to offer drop-in support sessions to students who might be struggling as we return to school.” For more: www.qe.devon.sch.uk

David Hill will be imparting his winning swimming expertise

Group pic: The newly appointed leadership team at QE

WATER WELCOME Exeter School has welcomed Paralympian David Hill to coach competitive swimming squads this year. David is a two-time Paralympian in Swimming and Triathlon, World and European Medallist, British Champion and was TeamGB’s youngest athlete at the Athens 2004 Paralympics and Top 10 Finisher in the Rio de Janerio 2016 Paralympic Games. “I’m really passionate to provide world class coaching to local young people to support their aspirations and strive to their full potential, an ethos I know Exeter School share,” says David. Head of Aquatics Gary Robb said David would be leading on the competitive squad, focusing on sprint work and the technical aspects, such as starts, turns and relay skills. “This will really help fine tune the team for a more competitive edge as we return to full training and a full calendar of events,” says Gary. For more: www.exeterschool.org.uk

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EDUCATION

GUEST OF HONOUR Children’s author Sir Michael Morpurgo was the guest of honour at the official opening of Monkerton Community Primary School in September, where guests were given a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities. Sir Michael delighted the children by reading his book Owl or Pussycat? about being six years old himself. “It’s such an honour to be at the beginning of a school,” says Michael. “It’s as if we’re all sitting down and writing the first sentence of the first chapter. The lives that begin here are going to be massively enriched, not by the football pitch, not even the wonderful buildings (though they’ll help) but by the teachers and parents – these are the people who take our children by the hand and lead them, help them to think for themselves, be themselves, find their voices. This is a place where dreams and memories are made. I wish all the children who come here the happiest of times, and when they walk out of these doors, that they leave with the memories.” Monkerton Community Primary School opened in September 2020 but it was in September of 2021 that saw all the years together in the brand new school buildings. For more: mcps.education

Children’s author Michael Morpurgo was there to inspire the children

Guests were given a tour of the facilities

Bindu Arjoon is the new chair

CONGRATULATIONS!

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Exeter College has announced the appointment of Bindu Arjoon as the College’s new chair of the corporation. This change comes as David Allen OBE retires from his eight-year tenure with the College, having served the board of governors since 2013. Ms Arjoon, deputy chief executive of Exeter City Council, is a long-standing member of the board, having served for eight years. She has previously held the position of vice chair of the board and is currently also chair of the Quality and Standards Committee. “I look forward to the College continuing to work with local employers, public sector partners and schools to ensuring that we achieve our mission statement which is to shape futures by delivering world class education for our city and region,” says Bindu. For more: www.exe-coll.ac.uk

It’s the city’s business

EXETERWORKS The winning display

The latest from Exeter Chamber

CHEERS TO THAT! “Lockdown certainly left Exeter’s business community craving face to face meet-ups. No amount of Zoom calls could take the place of connecting over a coffee, a glass of wine and of course some serious snacks. This summer Exeter Chamber heard us all facepalming at the thought of another Zoom and whipped up a cool 32 face to face events. Exeter’s business community were there like greyhounds out of the cage. Lattes, espressos and pastries kept the guests happy at 20 Coffee in the City events. No mediocre coffee in sight either, the team at the Chamber tapped up the very best coffee shops in the city to host, and they hosted their Biscoffs off. For those of us needing to kick back after a day in the office or at the kitchen table, a further 12 Reignite the City evening events got the wine flowing and canapés circulating. Now that’s how you do business. If you’re reading this and kicking yourself for missing out, kick no more. Thirsty Thursday is on its way! Held on the first Thursday of the month at venues across the city, this is the place to head for a drink after work (remember those?). The first Thirsty Thursday will be on 4 November from 5pm at The Stand Off. For the morning people, Coffee in the City meet-ups will be held every other Wednesday morning in some of the best coffee houses in the city.” Yvan Williams, board director of Exeter Chamber team; www.exeterchamber.co.uk Hoorah! The socials continue

Best of the bunch

ocal floristry school The British Academy of Floral Art, based in Dunchideock, are celebrating after one of their tutors recently won Gold Medal and ‘Best in Show’ for her category at Chelsea Flower Show. Master florist Amanda Randell-Cox’s masterpiece this year stood as a celebration of 21 years spent at Hotel Endsleigh; gathering flowers from their beautiful gardens and arranging them in the front hall to greet guests. Amanda was excited to get stuck into sustainability and made her design entirely out of environmentally-friendly materials and used British grown flowers. For more: www.academyoffloralart.com

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EXETERWORKS

MOVERS AND SHAKERS ETC WATER WIN

Exmouth-based Stuart Line Cruises recently won Best Inland and River Cruise Operator in the UK at the British Coach Tourism Awards. “This award is a great credit to all of the eﬀorts made by our team in what has been a very challenging time and we are so proud of each one of them for keeping positive and continuing to oﬀer the same excellent service that our reputation is based on,” says joint business owner Philippa Stuart. For more: www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk

DOUBLE WIN

Ian Walker, the company founder of Ian Walker Family Law and Mediation Solicitors, has won the Leader of the Year Award at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award with Kim Stradling, leading child law expert at the same ﬁrm picking up the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year. “I am overjoyed that we have

been recognised in two categories at the DASLS Awards, this is an incredible achievement for the team and celebrates the amazing work we have been doing,” says Ian. “In the last 18 months our practice has grown signiﬁcantly, despite the challenges of the pandemic. We have expanded by building a team of outstanding lawyers and by being progressive and forward thinking in how we practice.” For more: www.familylawandmediation.co.uk

When two becomes one

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The Family Law Company has celebrated its 30th anniversary as a family law ﬁrm. The company was founded in Exeter by Norman Hartnell in October 1991. The past year has seen the company appoint four additional shareholders plus a new director to spearhead expansion into Cornwall. For more: www.thefamilylawco.co.uk

THERE’S BEEN A MERGER

The award-winning Exmouth cruise

BUSINESS CLUB

Local businesses Gilbert Stephens Solicitors has recently merged with Veitch Penny Solicitors. Both firms have been established for many years providing practical and effective legal services. Veitch Penny’s Crediton office has been home to a legal practice since the late 1800s and Gilbert Stephens can also trace its history back to the late 1800s. In 1938 they moved to its current offices at 17 Southernhay East. Gilbert Stephens will now employ over 130 people across its eight offices in Exeter, Crediton, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary and Okehampton. “We are delighted to be welcoming Veitch Penny

Solicitors to our team and it’s good to see the transition going smoothly despite all of the challenges of the past 12 months,” says Terry Bastyan, managing partner at Gilbert Stephens. “The ﬁrms have a very similar ethos and there will be advantages for clients who will be able to access a wider range of advice and resources.” The merged ﬁrm will retain the name of Gilbert Stephens LLP and Veitch Penny will continue to be known as Veitch Penny but as part of Gilbert Stephens LLP. The Veitch Penny branches in Exeter and Crediton will remain open. For more: www.gilbertstephens.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

CoLab’s Amandy Kilroy and Fiona Carden with their award

EXETER LIVING AWARDS 2021 COLAB EXETER won two awards at our recent Exeter Living Awards ceremony, scooping both the Civic and Platinum Award. We chat to CEO Amanda Kilroy and deputy CEO Fiona Carden to find out more about how the work they do is impacting the local community… CIVIC WINNER PLATINUM WINNER

OLAB EXETER is a pretty phenomenal organisation. Their goal is to improve lives, supporting people with complex life situations and multiple disadvantages, such as mental illhealth, homelessness, domestic and sexual violence and abuse, substance misuse, (re)offending and poverty, with a focus on recovery, belonging, rehabilitation and wellbeing. No easy feat. No surprise then that they won two awards at our recent Exeter Living Awards ceremony, picking up the Civic and Platinum Award.

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Congratulations Amanda and Fiona! How did it feel to win?

It was a little bit overwhelming but a huge endorsement of all the hard work of all the people working in CoLab who held the fort over the past 18 months, who have been adaptable, creative, courageous and stepped up when really needed. The words of the judges were particularly special and moving, we were able to share these with colleagues and give a clear sense of the thank you that was in effect at the heart of these awards.

How did you celebrate?

Being amongst friends and colleagues at the event was a very good place to start the celebration. For example, our colleagues at St Petrock’s were also winners and we were able to share the success in the moment and most importantly compare silver trousers and gold shoes – which I add has nothing to do with being too old to wear heels! Under strict instructions from our colleagues to ‘get stuff on social’ we did quite a few tweets and the team shared them widely across other platforms – which we hope emphasised that this was for us a

EXETERWORKS

community and not just CoLab. We hope this enabled people to share in the emotion virtually. Since the evening we have shared the feedback from the judges far and wide and put up a poster alongside the trophies in the kitchen (the heart of CoLab) for everyone to see. We are also exploring ways to celebrate later in the year (we haven’t had the champagne yet!) with our friends and colleagues and crucially the visitors to CoLab that have been supported. Does your organisation have a mantra?

Our mission is to work together to resource and mobilise effective and innovative support that builds capacity for positive change in the lives of people, their communities, and our city as a whole. The CoLab ethos is rooted in promoting social justice and providing a space for everyone to realise their full potential. This could also be summed up in our daily mantra – ‘Speak it into being’ and keeping the focus and energy on what we CAN do rather than what we can’t. Fundamentally our work is all about people and about

relationships – focus on those and you can’t go wrong (and strong tea!). How have the needs of people grown and changed during Covid?

There is growing evidence of increasing inequalities (locally and nationally) and already stretched services are trying to navigate the problems that emerge when those in most need face greater and greater disadvantage. What we have seen is increased isolation, fear, disconnection and ‘closed doors’ resulting in lack of access to basic necessities, facilities or support. While there are many complex reasons for this, what we have also seen is that the community response has been outstanding – coming from many different parts of the city – generous and compassionate people simply asking ‘what can I do?’. What are the challenges in what you do?

The challenges of the recent months shone a light on inequalities but has also highlighted the great things that can be achieved when people truly collaborate. Some

“THE COMMUNITY RESPONSE HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING” of the challenge that lies ahead is to continue to enable that collaboration and not to return to ‘old ways’ – off competition and working in silos. CoLab will continue to be an open door, to remain a constant, staying open and keeping people safe. We know that funding in the social purpose sector will be a challenge – but we will keep true to our mantra to focus on what we can do rather than what we can’t. Why do you think you won the awards?

We think that the judges wanted to recognised the value of the social purpose sector, many of whom are part of the citywide CoLab community, of recognising all of those people and agencies. We hope it reflects the fact that we have a lot of really strong,

positive relationships across sectors including businesses like John Lewis, the Police and faith community and this award is recognising the role we play in bringing people together as well as the community themselves. What’s happening over the next 12 months for you?

A key part of that will be our new Doing What Matters Most National Lottery funded three-year project. This will focus on three main areas: gender matters – transforming outcomes for women in crisis and recovery; learning matters – improving opportunities for people to learn and transform; and mental health matters – improving the community response to mental illness. What is the best thing about working at CoLab?

The sense of community, shared endeavour, broad skillset and ‘can do’ people who go out of the way to help one another. The community spirit shared by our wonderful volunteers and citywide partners. The building is also a special place to work and we insist on quality coffee at all times. And the best thing about the team?

The team has stuck together over, in some cases, more than a decade, seeing huge changes and challenges. The strong core values, friendship, mutual respect, courage and care for each other are the bedrock of an incredible team of people. They are all just brilliant people who you would want alongside you. The team includes our trustees – a team of dedicated, inspirational people who support us through their individual skills and as a collective in their support enable us to be innovative, creative and bold.

What are you most proud of?

Seeing people genuinely change their lives, find their purpose and do something meaningful. Seeing people increasingly leading lives they have reason to value (and we keep plants alive!).

For more: www.colabexeter.org.uk

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MONEY TALKS With a little help from Exeter’s experts, here’s our guide to managing money later on in life By Imogen Davidson-Smith Chatting to your parents is key

Financial advisor Carolyn Matravers

anaging your own accounts can be complex at the best of times. Baffling jargon and an avalanche of varying saving schemes certainly don’t help. And if you’re of a certain generation – or perhaps your mum or dad is – you may not be comfortable doing everything online. Here we chat to two people who can cut through the intricacies of financial matters and help you or a loved one with planning your savings so you can get with the important job of enjoying life. Carolyn Matravers chartered financial planner and SOLLA (Society of Later Life Advisers), accredited adviser at Old Mill Accountants and Financial Planners, Exeter; www.om.uk What are the common worries that older or more vulnerable people have about their finances?

Many older people are of the “make do and mend” generation. They live very carefully and often frugally in the belief that they could run out of money. As a result, some really struggle to change the habits of a lifetime and feel that

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they must continue to save diligently for that rainy day rather than using their accumulated wealth to enhance their quality of life. So how do you combat these worries?

Cashflow planning can be powerful and really help to demonstrate visually to clients that they have sufficient capital for their needs and that they can afford to spend some money on that car, a new kitchen, or the holiday they really want. I take a lot of time demonstrating the impact of care costs. I always talk about how being forewarned is forearmed in a care situation. A lot of financial management is now done online or on apps which some people might not be comfortable with. Are there ways round this?

While online access and apps might not suit some older people, it can prove invaluable for an appointed attorney (friend or family member) who lives away and wishes to support at a distance. It’s essential for professional attorneys too in order to minimise ongoing costs to the client. I always sit with my clients and help them with telephone access so that they don’t feel totally alienated. The other day I visited a client in a care home and helped her to renew her television licence, notify

MONEY

THE LOW-DOWN ON WILLS…

Naomi Hoare, solicitor at Tozens, law firm with offices in Exeter, Newton Abbot and Teignmouth; www.tozers.co.uk What key points in life should I think about writing or updating my Will? It’s a good idea to regularly review your Will, but it’s especially important when your circumstances change, for example if you get married. Getting married will automatically cancel any existing Will, so it’s very important to review it then. However, getting divorced, cohabiting, having a child (or grandchild) or coming into an inheritance (among others) would also be life events which should trigger a review. Who should I appoint as executors and guardians? These can be friends or family or a professional like a solicitor. They are the people responsible for collecting in assets, settling liabilities and distributing your estate as set out in your Will. Guardians should also be considered if you have children under the age of 18. I want to pass a set amount of money to a charity, friend or family member… You should think about whether you have cash available to pay this, or whether items will need to be sold to pay the legacy. Can your estate afford the legacy? This is an important consideration as legacies take precedence over residuary gifts to beneficiaries. If the estate is short of funds to meet liabilities or expenses your residuary beneficiaries may lose out to those receiving set amounts.

her home insurer that her property was now empty and request a new bank card and pin. I was simply there to frame the discussions and step in with clarification where needed, but it really empowered my client that she could do these things with help – she felt as if she had achieved a lot. It was a good feeling.

“It’s so important to talk to your parents, even if it’s awkward”

What advice can you give to someone who has elderly parents and is worried that their mum/dad is struggling to manage their finances…

What are your general top tips for managing finances?

I would refer them to GETSET, our six-step process that details the six main things you need to do if you are concerned that your parents are struggling • Get their ducks in a row – find out exactly what assets they have and where • Estate planning – make sure they have a Will in place that reflects their current wishes and put a Lasting Power of attorney in place for both financial affairs and health and welfare • Title and timeline – make sure you know where the deeds are for any properties they own and details of any lifetime gifts • Simplify their assets – look at consolidating accounts and structuring assets in a way that is easy to understand and manage • Establish a relationship with a trusted adviser – talk to them about meeting with a SOLLA accredited adviser who can talk through things in plain English • Talk to your parents and family, even if it’s awkward and you have never discussed money before; it will make everything easier in the long run.

Keep a notebook or a record of spending. You only have to do this for a couple of months to really engage with how much you are spending and on what. A dear client of mine went through a period of overspending and we were continually drawing down from her investments to top her up. She wasn’t spending loads, but more than her income could sustain, and she didn’t want to keep drawing down on her investments. This was more than 10 years ago when she was 82 years old. I prepared a sheet for her to complete on a monthly basis to keep track and it became a real focus for her – she really embraced the opportunity to regain control of her finances. She started having her hair cut every five weeks as opposed to every four weeks, she started eating her cooked meals at the day centre at lunchtime (which were subsidised) and having a lighter supper in the evening – these little changes all started to add up and make a real difference to her financial situation. She became empowered by this canny way of thinking and really enjoyed demonstrating how savvy she was being. For the relatives of an elderly person, how can they best support that person?

Pluck up the courage to broach the difficult conversations now – don’t leave it. You need to be able to join the dots in an emergency situation and know who to call, who has a key to the property, who will feed the cat, who knows about finances and is able to coordinate conversations with health professionals. What if the elderly person does not have children, where else can they find people to support them?

The most important thing is to find and engage with a trusted professional who will be able to coordinate things and support them when the time comes (a point of contact that can liaise with other professionals and friends/attorneys). I have several clients who have made the conscious decision to engage my services with a view to the future. We have spent the past few years building up a relationship and getting to know one another but also talking about the “what ifs”. n

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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

WORKING IT

A new commercial development offering offices to rent and industrial units for sale has recently opened in Okehampton. It is the first of two planned high-spec multi-unit buildings, developed by the Okehampton Skills and Sports Trust charity in conjunction with Okehampton College governors and managers as well as numerous local businesses. One of the key objectives of the site is to provide appropriate business training, NVQs of a light industrial nature, organisation of work placements and apprenticeships and mentoring of young people and fledgling businesses. The building houses over 16 light industrial units and 36 separate offices of varying sizes. The design of the building is focused on generating networking and sees a large glass atrium, providing a breakout and networking space with admin support. For more: www.stevensestateagents.com www.theexpertsinproperty.co.uk This will be the first of two multi-unit buildings

The new development site offers breakout networking spaces

TOP TICKET IN TOWN

The big day is nearly here. On Friday 19 November, at Sandy Park, we’ll be hosting the first ever Exeter Property Awards when we’ll be celebrating every aspect of the Exeter property scene and handing out awards to the property companies that have excelled in the last year, whether they offer residential or commercial spaces, lettings or new builds, civic buildings or bold re-imaginings. A huge hearty congratulations to our Exeter Property Awards Finalists, see page 54 for the full list, who’ll be in the running for winning an award. Join us! The event kicks off at 12pm and ends around 4pm; guests will be treated to a big lunch followed by the awards. It promises to be a sociable event with loads of opportunities for networking and catching up with friends; tickets are now available at www.exeterpropertyawards.com We thank our Sponsors so far on board for 2021, led from the front by our headline sponsor Close Brothers Property Finance plus category sponsors Avalon Planning & Heritage, Halsall Construction, International Tiles & Bathrooms, Original Style, Vickery Holman, Willmott Dixon, Exeter Living and feature sponsors Redrow Homes, Triangle Networks and YBS Commercial Mortgages. To discuss how Sponsorship might benefit your business, Exeter’s property please talk to harriette.dixon@mediaclash.co.uk or companies will paula.miller@mediaclash.co.uk; be celebrated www.exeterpropertyawards.com

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PROPERTY

PLYMTREE MANOR Rural living is at its most elegant in this Grade-II listed seven-bedroomed property By Imogen Davidson-Smith

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PROPERTY

ou’ll enter through the gated pillars onto a long carriage drive which passes through copse land, onto formal lawns and there you’ll glimpse the first view of the house. This is Plymtree Manor, a Grade II listed seven-bedroomed beauty possessing architectural symmetry, rooms of epic proportions, including an extensive wine cellar, all sitting in 8.6 acres of lush green surroundings. The entrance immediately opens up with its wide staircase and central hall. At the front of the house the east-facing morning room, drawing room and dining room form a trio of fine interconnecting reception rooms. The fireplaces and ceiling cornices remain and the enfilade arrangement, along with glazed doors from the drawing room onto the garden, make these rooms ideal for entertaining. Complementing these rooms is the family kitchen/ breakfast room which overlooks the rear garden and neighbours the scullery and utility room. The first floor provides four bedrooms, one dressing room and three bathrooms and, in addition, the second floor has two further bedrooms and a central room which would be an ideal playroom. The garden floor has a variety of rooms including workshop, boot room, butler’s pantry and store rooms facing west with doors and window opening onto the rear garden. While on a slightly lower level, along the eastern elevation there is a large vaulted cellar, a ready racked wine room and a boiler room

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all with flagstones. At the southern end of the house a two-storey wing is presently arranged as three offices and a bathroom on the ground floor and a one-bedroom staff flat (unused) on the garden floor. There is scope to use this accommodation within the main house. Alternatively create a three-bedroom self-contained wing using both the ground and garden floor accommodation. Outside, there are is a range of outbuildings including the coach house and stables (which provides garaging for two cars), three loose boxes and a tack room within the stables, a detached former garage and a greenhouse. For the green-fingered among you, wild flower gardens run alongside mown lawns and clipped hedges; scented roses grow in a walled garden; there’s a central pond in a hidden gravel garden and beyond the formal gardens are the orchard and paddock which provide a delightful backdrop.

HOUSE NUMBERS Where? Plymtree, near Cullompton 13.2 miles from central Exeter Nearest station Feniton, 3.2 miles away Square footage Over 10,500 sq ft Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Outside Numerous outbuildings including stables and a garage, plus 8.6 acres of land Guide price £3,000,000 For more: Strutt & Parker, Exeter, 24 Southernhay West, Exeter; www.struttandparker.com

EXETER LIVES

“There was a lightbulb moment when I realised, ding, this is what I want to do” Tell us a bit about your experience working in theatre…

CHARLIE WHITWORTH

Exeter has a new theatre company in its midst. Yet to Be is set to showcase amazing local talent and kicks off with its first performance at this year’s Exeter Fringe Festival. We chat to co-founder Charlie Whitworth to find out more… Whereabouts do you live in Exeter and how long have you lived in the area?

I live in St Thomas. I moved back to Exeter in 2017 and my whole life, ever since I was a kid, has involved me coming back to Exeter after leaving for a bit. Congratulations on your new theatre company, Yet to Be. Tell us in a nutshell what it’s all about…

Marina O’Shea and I worked together on The Geneva Convention of Human F**ks back in 2019 at the first Exeter Fringe Festival. We really enjoyed working together so this summer Yet To Be was born. We want to make work that gives South West artists

opportunities and to tell the stories that matter to us. You studied Drama at the University of Exeter, what was your student experience like?

Excellent. When I started my degree I didn’t actually know what I wanted to do. I didn’t have designs on being an actor. But the Drama degree at Exeter lets you look at performance in so many different ways it didn’t take long before I was exposed to writing for performance and dramaturgy. There was a lightbulb moment when I realised, ding, this is what I want to do. It also gave me the opportunity to co-found the theatre society Theatre With Teeth which I believe is still going so that’s a nice kind of legacy.

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I’ve been working in and around theatre for about 12 years now, since I finished an MA in Writing for Performance at Goldsmiths. With my other theatre company Eager Spark (once called Write By Numbers), we put on shows in village halls, libraries, empty shops and theatre spaces from everywhere to Scarborough to villages in Dartmoor. I’ve had some shows I’m proud of like Beneath the Albion Sky and Regeneration which Devon audiences might remember. What is the ambition with this theatre company?

The big ambition is to create engaging and entertaining work that reaches a lot of people. I hope we get to a point where we are big enough that we can start dictating ticket prices too. I worry that theatre is getting to a price point where it really can only be afforded by the middle classes and up. What pieces of theatre can we look forward to from Yet to Be?

Well, after The Geneva Convention of Human F**ks and Stories at the End of the World have their debuts at Exeter Fringe Festival on the 15 and 17 October, we will look to see where those shows go next. Anyone reading this who works in a venue, do get in touch! Marina and I are also planning our first show that we will co-write and co-create together from scratch. The working title of that is Free Will and Other Myths… What do you make of the local theatre scene?

Jack Dean is a really talented theatre maker and Scratchworks Theatre Company never disappoint. La Neve Bete go from strength to strength. Documental

have a great track record of making important work too. Theatre has been hit hard by Covid. What does the theatre world need to flourish now?

First and foremost audiences. If you want to support the arts go and see as much as you can afford, because theatre makers are struggling right now and will continue to do so for a while. Arts funding is tight and is overly competitive to get. So we need audiences… Who are some of your favourite playwrights?

Phillip Ridley, Lucy Prebble, debbie tucker green, Jez Butterworth, Howard Barker, Mike Bartlett, Timberlake Wertenbaker, Caryl Churchill… I could go on... Name a play you wish you’d written…

Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth. It is my favourite play of all time. Name a play that made you laugh and/or cry…

Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. By Alice Birch. Made me both laugh and cry. Phenomenal piece of writing and incredibly important. Where do you like to eat/drink/ play in Exeter?

I like to eat at any new independent restaurant I’m yet to try. I love to drink at Doctor Inks Curiosities on the Quay; I’m a sucker for cocktails. I like to play just about anywhere that my little boy decides is a play area. Someone is writing a play about your life. Who should play you?

Marina O’Shea. Anyone who sees The Geneva Convention of Human F**ks will tell you she plays a great man. n Yet to Be; www.yettobe.org

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