Exeter Living - Issue 294

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EXETER LIVING AWARDS PREVIEW INSIDE!

ISSUE 294 / MARCH 2022 / £3

ISSUE 294 / MARCH 2022 / POSITIVE THINKING

LOOK SEE!

HOW POSITIVE LIGHT PROJECTS IS MAKING CREATIVE ARTS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE IN THE CITY

THE MARINE

DELIGHTFUL DINING AT SIDMOUTH’S SEAFRONT RESTAURANT

GREEN WITH ENVY

ECO-FRIENDLY HOUSE DESIGNS TO INSPIRE

OUTSIDE, NOW!

EDUCATION SUCCESS STORIES AWAY FROM THE CLASSROOM

GOT YOU COVERED

SHOPPING GOODIES FOR RAINY DAYS

© MARK SANDERS

EDITOR’S LETTER

ABOVE: George Barron and

Brendan Barry of Positive Light Projects, see page 18; BELOW: Taj the Toucan Umbrella, from Emily Smith, see page 22

T

he best thing about being the editor of this magazine is the people you meet along the way. It’s even more special when those people are doing great, inventive things for the city.

In this issue, we chat to Brendan Barry and George Barron, co-creative directors of Positive Light Projects. They have been on a huge journey, renovating a dilapidated building on Sidwell Street and turning it into an inclusive community-led art space. This special place collaborates with so many of the city’s charities and organisations to offer a safe and fun place for people to get creative in. Turn to page 18 to read their story.

Talking of people that make Exeter that little bit better, a big hearty good luck to all our Exeter Living finalists. The sparkly, sequinny, velvety Exeter Living Awards are on 17 March, when the tightly sealed envelopes will be ripped open to reveal our 2022 winners. Turn to page 35 where you’ll find our bumper Exeter Living Awards Preview which features all the details about the big night. We. Cannot. Wait.

Enjoy! #ExeterTogether

HARRIET NOBLE Follow us on Twitter @ExeterLiving Instagram @exeterlivingmag

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Issue 294 / March 2022 COVER Image of Positive Light Projects by Mark Sanders.

AMAZING painting by Charlie Evaristo-Boyce. Looking at the painting is Robyn Laurence. Turn to page 18 for more

© EMILY APPLETON

THE BIG FEATURE

18 POSITVE LIGHT PROJECTS We chat to Brendan Barry

and George Barron about their inspiring creative hub

REGULARS

6 SPOTLIGHT A round-up of good news stories from the city 9 JP HEDGE is finding hidden green spaces in the city 66 LIVES Meet Jonathan Hirons, a man on a mission

THE ARTS

12 WHAT’S ON Theatre, music, art, family fun, and a bit

of comedy

35

26

14 ONE TO ONE New Yorker, and epic singing impersonator,

Christina Bianco lifts the lid on the play coming to Exeter this April

SHOPPING

22 EDITOR’S CHOICE Rainy day? No problemo, we’ve got

you covered

FOOD & DRINK

24 FOOD & DRINK NEWS A flurry of new openings 26 RESTAURANT We pop down to Sidmouth for lunch at

The Marine

EDUCATION

30 TOP OF THE CLASS Success stories away from the classroom

EXETER LIVING AWARDS 2022

35 PREVIEW All the inside info (and pics from our Finalists’ and

Sponsors’ reception!) ahead of the most glamorous event of the year

BUSINESS

53 EXETERWORKS New businesses and stories from the local

business world

PROPERTY

56 ARCHITECTURE Step inside this beautiful,

botanical-infused new build

62 SHOWCASE An elegant family home in Thorveton

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 Commercial manager Paula Miller paula.miller@mediaclash.co.uk Production/Distribution Manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy Production Manager/ Production Designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Chief Executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief Executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Exeter Living MediaClash, Carriage Court, 22 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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Theatre

CITY-WIDE FESTIVAL

Over 100 events will be taking place in Exeter as part of a 10-week Dream Festival. Taking place between 29 April – 2 July, the creative output includes everything from a full-blown classical concert in one of the city’s car parks to workshops on how to find your creative spark – all Events will be to celebrate a milestone happening all anniversary for Cygnet over the city Theatre. Established

by Monica Shallis and Mary G Evans, the theatre is celebrating its 40th birthday of training professional actors.

“We wanted to commemorate this special time by working with our fellow artists to put on a celebratory city-wide festival, aiming to bring the arts into the community,” says theatre manager Hannah Goodaire.

Among the other coups already secured by festival organiser Helga Beer are appearances by Hollywood actor and Cygnet Alumni Andrew Howard, seen most recently in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster Tenet, classically-trained actor and original Cygnet student Mark Carey and renowned theatre director Richard Digby-Day. For more: www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

Happy 40th Cygnet Theatre!

Highlights of The Cygnet Dream Festival include: • An entire Cygnet programme of theatre events and a tour of Twelfth Night.

• Renowned director Richard Digby Day in conversation with Northcott Theatre creative director Daniel Buckroyd.

• Chef Peter Gorton bakes a Swan cake, and cygnet cakes will be handed out to the people of Exeter in the city centre.

• Author and illustrator Tom

Exeter Half Marathon

BEEN THERE, RUN THAT

More than 500 runners took to the paths alongside the River Exe and through Riverside Valley Park recently as part of the Exeter Half Marathon.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part over the weekend, it was fantastic to see so many people enjoying their running,” says Jamie Vittles, chief executive of Exeter City Community Trust, who organise the event.

“Thanks also to all the volunteers who help by stewarding the races, or staffing the water stations, and of course, to our headline sponsors Tozers Solicitors LLP, and event partners Exeter Live Better, Stagecoach and HSBC whose support means that we can stage these events in our city and further afield.

“We’d also like to thank our charity partners, Alright Mate?, Children’s Hospice South West, Exeter Leukaemia Fund, and Julian House for their support across the weekend and the work that they do all year round for our community.”

Exeter city Community Trust organise running events throughout the year, the next race is the Granite Way 10 and 20 mile events, which take place on 19 and 20 March; the 10k River Run along the River Exe on 6 May and the Exeter Live Better Marathon, which also takes place alongside the river on 15 May. For more: www.exetercct.org

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Congratulations runners!

Daddy’s biggest fan

McLaughlin (author of The Accidental Prime Minister) talking at Exeter Central Library.

• Multi-Story Orchestra performing in a city car park.

• Jack Ryder (‘The Play What I Wrote’ with Kenneth Branagh, The Archers, Eastenders) holding question and answers sessions for the next generation of aspiring actors.

SPOTLIGHT

Charity

BIG EXETER SLEEP OUT

You can join in by sleeping in your garden

Comedy

ALL SAID AND DAWN

The Big Exeter Sleep-Out is taking place on 18 March, when Julian House will be, once again, raising vital funds and awareness for rough sleepers and vulnerable adults and encouraging anyone who is able to, to take part.

“Over the years, the Big Exeter Sleep-out has become one of the most important events of the year and holds a special place in many people’s hearts,” says senior community and events fundraiser Daffne Zamudio.

“In 2020 and 2021, most of our fundraising events were cancelled or postponed, but this year we want you to help raise vital funds that enable us to deliver life-saving services.

“For anyone who would like to take part, upon registering you can choose where you would like to sleep-out. Whether it is joining the Julian House team and others in St James Park Stadium in Exeter for the night or joining us virtually and sleep out at home in your garden, balcony or kitchen floor.”

For more: www.julianhouse.org.uk

Dawn French, the Queen of British comedy, returns to the stage this autumn with a brand new solo show, Dawn French Is A Huge Twat. She will open her UK tour with two performances at Exeter Northcott Theatre on 10 and 11 September.

“This show is so named because unfortunately, it’s horribly accurate,” says Dawn.“There have been far too many times I have made stupid mistakes or misunderstood something vital or jumped the gun in a spectacular display of twattery.

I thought I might tell some of these buttock clenching embarrassing stories to give the audience a peek behind the scenes of my work life...”

Tickets are available now at: www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

You can be part of the consultation about public arts in Exeter

© TREVOR LEIGHTON

PUBLIC OPINION

Art Work Exeter are creating the new Public Art strategy for the city. They would love to hear your experiences and views and where you think the future lies for new permanent and temporary works. There is an online survey which takes about 20 minutes to complete (unless you really have a lot to say!) and will be open for contributions until the 30 April.

For more: artworkexeter.org.uk

The perfect Dawn

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

Contact Paula 07563 529772

OPINION JP HEDGE

“It’s around 12 miles of lush green space, woodland or suburbs that connects the city”

Green light JP reports on exciting plans that will make it easier for the people of Exeter to access the hidden green spaces in and around the city

D

id you know that Exeter has nearly 250 hectares of green space? That’s enough to fit six Vatican cities.

Even to residents, a lot is hidden in plain sight, in best kept secret territory.

The spaces include parks, playing fields, woodlands, lots of allotments and several green areas adopted by the community.

An extra 144 hectares has also been put into the amazing care of Devon Wildlife Trust to make sure it is maintained and preserved for future generations.

Then there’s spaces managed by the likes of the University of Exeter, Forestry Commission and Environment Agency.

Despite the stats on paper you’d have to hug trees for a living to fully comprehend what the scale of what the city actually has.

When you are stuck in traffic on one of Exeter’s Roman roads going slower than a

chariot, it’s hard to think of the city not being congested and concrete.

Early in the pandemic when we were allowed to exercise for an hour (remember that?) I spent a lot of time exploring routes I wouldn’t normally do. In other words, I got lost.

As I could only go out for an hour, and I get bored very easily, I had to try all the different routes from my doorstep.

The result is an understanding that I just didn’t have before, neither through working in the council or living and knowing the city. It’s the same impact you get if you join a free Red Coat tour, an amazing level of understanding about a city you thought you knew.

I actually did this in London when I was a young country bumpkin intimidated by the size and scale of the capital.

I spent time on foot walking aimlessly, but with a purpose of getting a better understanding and confidence of where

things are and what the city is truly like.

Judging by social media reaction alone, the majority of residents love green spaces and nature. There is nothing our communications team can write about that gets a fraction of the traction of wild flowers being planted all over.

Now there are some really exciting plans coming together to make it easier to connect with those spaces.

I am working with the Live and Move team at the council who are smashing down barriers that get in the way of people exercising a bit more in order to live better.

One of the exciting things coming to fruition this year will be a new way to discover Exeter’s Green Circle. If you are unfamiliar, it’s around 12 miles of lush green space, woodland or suburbs that connects the city.

We are going to be using some pretty amazing technology to help people connect better.

With any luck I can see that this will be the year people get to know the Green Circle better, the amazing flora and fauna, the impact on seasons and the best places to exercise. The really exciting bit will be the chance for communities to take ownership, and even to expand the circle themselves.

There are some works in progress on the route. Not all sign posts are in place, for instance. But if you fancy having a go at even a small section, I’d highly recommend it.

To find out more about the Green Circle walks, Red Coat Walks, or several easy-tofollow self walking guides, search Exeter Green Circle and download the map.

It’s honestly hidden joy in plain sight. ■ 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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WHAT’S ON 11 March onwards

THEATRE/ SHOWS 15-16 March

40 YEARS OF PHOENIX DANCE Phoenix Dance Theatre are delighted to launch an exciting programme to celebrate their milestone 40th birthday, bringing together an eclectic range of work from across the company’s illustrious history.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

25-26 March

FOOTPRINTS This production has been created in collaboration between a team of professional artists and students from University of Exeter’s Drama Department. It explores the climate crisis and how we, as individuals, affect the world around us.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

29 March-1 April

SPLENDOUR In the opulent drawing room of the Presidential Palace, Kathryn, a British photojournalist, awaits the

return of the dictator. Outside, the city is seized by revolution and rebels have taken over. Kathryn is here to take the dictator’s portrait but he is late...very late.

Cygnet Theatre, Friars’ Gate, Exeter; www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

4-9 April

THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE With humour, heart and countless powerhouse ballads, all performed live on stage, featuring music from Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, Billie Holliday and many more, this life-affirming production will rouse even the weariest of souls. ‘The girl of a thousand voices’ Christina Bianco stars as LV, turn to page 14 for the full interview.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

COMEDY 18 March

RACHEL PARRIS: ALL CHANGE PLEASE Join the viral sensation as she performs stand-up and songs about sudden love, the highs and lows of relationships, family, weddings,

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

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

kids, going viral, going mental, and the baffling state of play in society right now.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

19 March

AL MURRAY: GIG FOR VICTORY Steeped in the deep and ancient bar room wisdom of countless lock ins, Al Murray – in his much-loved Pub Landlord persona – is there to show the way. Wherever you are, he will, within sensible travel limits and theatre booking policy, come, offering people thirsty for common sense a full pint of the good stuff.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

25 March

NISH KUMAR: YOUR POWER, YOUR CONTROL One of the Guardian’s Top Fifty Comedians of the 21st Century brings us a new show where he is taking stock of his life and his gigs – looking back at the, now infamous, moment someone threw a bread roll at him.

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

MUSIC 12 March

ESO PHILHARMONIC CHOIR: SPRING CONCERT The Exeter Philharmonic Choir is celebrating its 175th Anniversary this season. Expect the worldrenowned London Mozart Players, performing Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem.

Exeter Cathedral; www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk

17 March

TANGERINE DREAM The cult electronic music group have remained on the cutting edge of experimental music since their groundbreaking record Phaedra, released in 1974, reached gold status in the UK. Since then there have been more than 100 studio albums, over 60 film scores and no less than seven Grammy nominations. Not to be missed.

Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

29 March

OCEAN VALLEY Australia’s beloved psychedelicsurf-rockers Ocean Alley have sold out international tours

©FOTEINI CHRISTOFILOPOULOU

Phoenix Dance Theatre will be performing at Exeter Northcott Theatre

WHAT’S ON

shop. Things to look forward to this season include free entry for mums on Mother’s Day, an Easter holiday children’s egg trail (with prizes) and plenty more activities to keep the whole family entertained.

Canonteign Falls, near Chudleigh; www.canonteignfalls.co.uk

clockwise from top left: Ocean Valley will be making noise, local band Pattern Pusher will be proving the tunes, and Tangerine Dream will be smashing out the hits; all playing at Exeter Phoenix

and major festival appearances including Reading and Leeds, plus more than 400 million catalogue streams worldwide.

Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

1 April

PATTERN PUSHER Exeter’s very own retro-pop threepiece band are back on a mission to uplift and inspire with feel-good music.Their crusade of happiness has earned them a loyal fan base, and continued support from BBC and Comedy Central.

Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

ART

Until 29 May

IN PLAIN SIGHT: TRANSATLANTIC SLAVERY AND DEVON This exhibition explores the museum’s and Devon’s links with centuries of trading enslaved African people across the Atlantic.

The exhibition investigates aspects of the transatlantic slave trade that are all around us, but for some remain ‘hidden in plain sight’.

Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Queen Street, Exeter; www.exeterramm.admit-one.eu

22-26 March

LIFE: LIGHT AND SOUND EXPERIENCE This spectacular son-et-lumiere will transform the majestic interior space of Exeter Cathedral, taking you on a walking journey through earth, sea and sky with installations of light and sound art celebrating the beauty of the earth.

Exeter Cathedral, Exeter; www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk

FAMILY

16 March onwards

CANONTEIGN FALLS The beauty spot opens for the season; visitors can enjoy the waterfalls, lakes, adventure playgrounds, pretty café and gift

OTHER THE MAGICIAN’S APPRENTICE BY SALLY POMME CLAYTON Storyteller and writer Sally Pomme Clayton explores the secret world of the magician, mixing fact with fiction, fragments of myth with antique jokes. Casting a shimmer of stories, she shifts from humour to horror, romance to rumour, searching for real magic.

Exeter Custom House, 46 The Quay; www.exetercustomhouse.org.uk DO OR DIE OPEN MIC This open mike night takes place on the second Thursday of every month. Anyone is welcome to co-create a night of ephemeral art – including poetry, music, storytelling, and the occasional interpretive dance. Anything but comedy (not that you can’t be funny).The Hall Exeter, Stepcote Hill, Exeter; www.thehallexeter.org

30 March

HERSTORY FESTIVAL Poets, activists, librarians, curators and communities will come to explore the unfinished

AND WATCH OUT FOR...

17 March 2022

23 March

24 March

fight for women’s rights. Expect live performance, installations, workshops and discussions.

Exeter Library, Castle Street; tickets available at: www.poetinthecity.co.uk n

EXETER LIVING AWARDS We cannot wait to invite hundreds of you back to our extra-glam red-carpet extravaganza.

For more, see page 35. www.exeterlivingawards.co.uk

29 April 2022

PROPERTY SYMPOSIUM: SUSTAINABILITY A new arm of our annual Exeter Property Awards, this is an online conference full of dynamic, powerful insights about property and sustainability.

For more, see page 53. www.exeterpropertyawards.com

30 June 2022

ENTRECONF Inspirational, practical conference for entrepreneurs and advisors.

For more, see page 53. www.exeterlivingawards.co.uk

21 October 2022

EXETER PROPERTY AWARDS Following a successful first year, we are once again holding the Exeter Property Awards. www.exeterpropertyawards.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 13

Christina Bianco first rocketed to fame doing impressions of singing legends like Édith Piaf, Britney Spears, Julie Andrews and Celine Dion (if you haven’t see her appearance on The Ellen Show, watch it now and be blown away!). Since then, her videos have racked up over 25 million views on YouTube and she has carved out a career acting and singing in theatre and TV productions around the globe. Christina will be taking on the role of LV in the The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, which is on at Exeter Northcott Theatre from 4-9 April Interview by Harriet Noble 14 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

© WILLIAM ERNST

Christina hails from New York but is now living in the UK

ONE TO ONE Greetings! You’re coming to Exeter to perform in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. For those of us who’ve seen the film, is the theatre production similar?

There’s a lot more humour in the play, which I think is essential to the storytelling. One of the reasons the play reaches so many people is that it beautifully depicts the constant balance of light and dark in everyday life. You can’t have comedy without tragedy and vice versa.

So much of the dialogue in the play, that’s not in the film, colours these characters in a way that showcases that symmetry in a way we can all relate to.

What was the big appeal of this role for you?

Although I’m fairly outgoing and LV is incredibly quiet, I have a lot in common with her. I was raised listening to many different genres of music. My parents say I had a natural ear for mimicry and sometimes would sing along, taking on the tone and style of the artist that was playing. As an only child, I’d also often entertain myself for hours singing along to full albums and acting out all the roles in various musicals. And I think it’s clear that I’ve always had a love of the great classic divas like Judy Garland, Édith Piaf and Shirley Bassey, etc. I completely understand LV escaping into her own musical world and inadvertently mastering impressions of the artists she obsesses over.

How difficult is it for you to get LV’S northern accent?

It’s daunting! Especially doing a northern accent for northerners!

There’s an assumption that if you’re good at impressions, you’ll be good at accents – but I can’t afford to think that way. The playwright Jim Cartwright is from Lancashire and set the show there, so I worked with a dialect coach before rehearsals began. Now, I’m rehearsing alongside Shobna and Akshay who are from Manchester and Ian who’s from York, so I know I have some good ears making sure I’m staying on track. So far, so good!

You are known as ‘the girl of a thousand voices’ – which impressions make you feel empowered and strong?

Powerful and emotional vocalists who go out of their way to connect with an audience, like Judy Garland and Shirley Bassey.

Kristin sees me backstage, rushes toward me, grabs me by the shoulder and says “Hey! Why didn’t you do me? Next time, you do me and you show all these people what we’ve got!”. That’s absolutely the dream response. For someone to know that you’re celebrating them! That you’re doing the impression with love and respect. Sure, some have to be more exaggerated than others but they should all come from that same place of admiration.

When your singing impressions on YouTube went viral, what was the impact on your life?

I wouldn’t say that it changed my life as much as it kicked my career into a higher gear. Suddenly, all of the doors I’d been banging on were opening up and some new ones were opening too. Most importantly, it gave me many more opportunities to showcase the work I’d already been doing. I’d been creating, writing, singing and acting before those viral videos, but it took that ‘overnight’ popularity for people to finally start paying attention.

You’re from New York but have moved to the UK. Is this just while you do the tour or is it a long-term thing?

I’m officially a British resident! I live in London with my husband Billy and our 12-year-old dog, Jeff Vader. (Yes, his name was inspired by the Eddie Izzard bit). My visa is for a few years so we’ll see how it goes and perhaps we’ll stay even longer. So far, we’re loving our new life here in England.

“I’d been creating, writing, singing and acting before those viral videos, but it took that ‘overnight’ popularity for people to finally start paying attention”

Which ones are the hardest to crack?

Singers whose voices are the least similar to my own, like Liza Minnelli. Her voice has a lot of grit to it and her vibrato is a lot slower than mine.

You know England pretty well having worked here before. Anything that is still baffling you about this country?

I simply cannot remember to tap out at the train station. I should be used to it by now but I’m just too set in my New York ways! I’m optimistic I’ll get the hang of it now that I live here though.

We have to ask, have you made it down to Exeter yet?

This will be my first time visiting Exeter!

I’m very excited to learn more of the city’s history and see the city walls, the Cathedral, stroll along the Quay.

Your bio says you like the films of Benedict Cumberbatch and also decorating cakes… have you met him since being on our shores and have you got into The Great British Bake Off yet?!

Are there any that you feel are closest to you in terms of voice and personality?

Celine Dion’s vocal timbre, vibrato speed and range are quite similar to my own. As far as personality, it’s got to be Bette Midler. I’ve always tried to emulate her dynamic performance style, balancing comedy and drama with song choices covering many genres.

Sadly, I’ve not met him yet. Let’s invite him to see the show in Exeter, shall we? I know he enjoys impressions! In all seriousness, I’ve been lucky to meet many actors I admire over the years – even, as it would happen, most of the cast of Sherlock! But I’ll just have to wait a little longer to meet Mr Cumberbatch.

As for Bake Off, I’m a massive fan! During lockdown, I re-watched many episodes and was inspired to take on some crazy baking projects of my own. I think they turned out alright considering I’m completely untrained, but I doubt Paul Hollywood would give me a handshake.

Do you ever get any nice feedback from the singers you do impressions of?

Lastly, if someone was going to make a film about your life, who would you want to play you?

Meeting Kristin Chenoweth is my favourite story. We have a lot of mutual friends and over the years, she’d tweeted and posted about me, so I knew she was an admirer of my impressions. I finally met her when we both performed at the same gala. The producers of the event asked me to do a big impression mash-up but thought it might be best not to do my Kristin impression, in case it rubbed anyone the wrong way. So I didn’t include her impression in my set. Afterward,

Tom Holland. I mean, what can’t he do? n

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is on at Exeter Northcott Theatre from 4 – 9 April; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

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BRIGHT LIGHTS IN THE CITY

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ARTS

It’s been quite the journey for Brendan Barry and George Barron. They renovated a damp and dilapidated building on Sidwell Street with one clear ambition: to turn it into a creative hub that puts the local community front and centre. A place where everyone is welcome.

Harriet Noble went for a visit...

T

Images by Mark Sanders

MAIN IMAGE: George Barron and Brendan Barry outside Positive Light Projects; INSET: Lino print works

hey say it takes a village to raise a child.

Perhaps it takes a city – like Exeter – to build a space like Positive Light Projects.

The community-led arts venue was set up through crowd-funding with over 400 people, mostly local, contributing over £35,000. There was an army of volunteers who helped scrub floors, paint walls and generally make tea for the team ahead of its launch last year. There’s also been the community of Sidwell Street, the cafés and shops who’ve supported this endeavour; and, crucially, the many local organisations and charities who continue to collaborate with this creative hub.

But, and it’s a huge, flashing-neon-light kind of but, it also takes passionate and determined individuals at the helm to get such a thing off the ground and then successfully run it.

Co-creative directors Brendan Barry and George Barron are these two individuals and I met with them both to talk about the journey they’ve been on. Both artists – Brendan is a photographer, George an illustrator and printmaker – have years of experience as educators, teaching and running workshops; and it is their aligned enthusiasm for making creativity accessible to all that made them ideal working partners, and good buddies.

If you’ve not been to Positive Light Projects before, you’ll certainly know the building. The former Peacocks store was empty for five-odd years before Brendan and George took it over in 2019 and gave it the mother of all renovations. The space was damp and dilapidated – you can see pictures charting the journey from back then to its current state in the gallery space – and through a lot of hard graft they renovated it to become what is now: a non-commercial hub that hosts a multitude of creative activities.

The main gallery and workshop area is huge, about a million miles away from the hushed silence and pristine decor of a traditional art gallery. Instead, this is an ever-evolving, fluid space with partition walls that can be moved about on the gallery floor to temporarily split up the

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 19

FANCY GETTING INVOLVED? You can support the organisation by becoming a Positive Lights Patron. There are also opportunities to volunteer or run paid workshops.

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

above: Brendan in the gallery space; below: A Pelican Projects workshop in progress;

inset: Lino-print works

© MOMENTS TO MEDIA

room as and when needs be. This open-planned structure is the hub of the building, where the workshops, classes, photo shoots, regular meetups take place. Brendan tells me that when they got the keys to the place and were thinking about how the gallery should take shape they thought about splitting it all up into different rooms.

“We decided against it though,” he says. “There are plenty of gallery spaces in Exeter that are like that and we never want to compete, only complement what other art spaces are doing.” They did have initial worries about noise travelling though, but Brendan actually says some of his happiest moments here are when he sees all the different activities happening at the same time, a photo shoot happening in one corner, a workshop taking place in another. The shared physical space represents what they believe about their organisation as a whole – that it should be for everyone, and that good stuff happens when everyone can co-exist.

So, what exactly goes on there? Well, lots. They host all manner of workshops, and there’s anything from drawing and photography to more unusual fare (the Embroider your favourite Lyrics workshop is calling out to me!). You can book in as an individual, but they also run classes for organisations and charities, and are home to a variety of local artists.

But it’s the structure of the business – totally without hierarchy – that makes it stand out. They have turned the whole concept of an art space, usually led by the artist, on its head and made it community-led, as a matter of principle.

As Brendan explains, “Many exhibition spaces give opportunities to artists, by giving them an exhibition so they can show off their work.

Not so with Positive Light Projects. We get artists asking if they can run

ARTS on this page: Portrait exhibitions

and other displayed works

“You need to build relationships with people. Ask questions.” an exhibition here and we say, ‘No, but you can run a workshop’”.

So, the artists run the workshops and people in the local community get to attend the workshops. The majority of exhibitions here feature art created from local people who have attended the workshops, or from their network of emerging artists. How cool is that?

In turn, local artists are supported too. They can become studio holders, taking on a studio space on the top floor of the building.

Having their own studio allows them to create and is it affordable because the artists, in return, provide workshops. It is a circular, sustainable structure where both the community and the emerging artists win.

It’s fair to say, the project has not been without its challenges. The not-for-profit organisation relies on two things to stay afloat: hiring out their large gallery space to local organisations, and getting funding through grants. The latter is especially tricky at the moment with demand particularly high since Covid. That said, they remain buoyant, optimistic, forward-thinking and busy, with plans afoot for a sensory room and dark room.

“One challenge that is ongoing and one that we actually see as a positive is working towards being inclusive,’ says Brendan.

“We want this space to be as welcoming as possible, but that’s not always easy. It’s not enough to open your doors and say ‘this workshop is for everyone’. There are barriers.

You need to build relationships with people. Ask questions.”

George nods, adding, “We’re learning all the time.”

What is clear is their passion for what they have created here, especially the ongoing relationships they have made with local groups like their resident group The Pelican Project. The Pelicans are a group of artists and creatives with complex learning needs based in Exeter. As part of their collaboration with the group, they hosted a project whereby each Pelican had a portrait taken by Brendan, and while everyone sat for their photos, George worked with the group to make letterpress names using wheelchairs as printing presses, with printmaking materials provided by Double Elephant Print Workshop. They then brought these results together to create a series of screenprints on paper, and each Pelican printed their own t-shirts with their portraits on too. They then held an exhibition to showcase the work.

“This relationship with Pelican is something we’re so so proud of ” says George.

“The people from Pelican talk about this place like it’s home, they know they can drop in for a cup of tea anytime.”

Other collaborations include their work with Exeter Homeless Partnership, Recovery Devon, Exeter Library, Resilient Women, Colab, and Sidwell’s Street Community Centre.

At a time when the impact of Covid has been so damaging to people’s mental health, this multitude of creative activity is nurturing people and doing that important think, cue hackney phrase – making a difference.

Not that George or Brendan would ever make that boast themselves.

“On the night of the launch, Brendan and I were charging around, doing last minute things, but we were also worried that no one would turn up,” says George.

“And then, to our surprise, there was actually this huge queue. We, for the first time, took a step back and surveyed the room – seeing people showing their families their projects and paintings, the place absolutely buzzing – and we thought ‘wow!’. n Positive Light Projects, 184-187 Sidwell Street; www.positivelightprojects.com

Workshops coming up this spring at Positive Light Projects...

19 MARCH

•M acrame plant hanger including hutch plant half day workshop with Joey

31 MARCH

•D evelop film in coffee with Raff

7 APRIL

19 AND 20 MARCH

•P apier-mâché sculpture making weekend with Laura

• L earn to crochet Granny squares with Joey • Cyanotype with Raff

20 MARCH

9 APRIL

•C reate an applique wall banner with Lottie

24 MARCH

•P inhole camera making day with Brendan • Drawing day with Laura

•E mbroider your favourite lyrics with Joey • Experimental still life drawing with Laura

14 APRIL

•M ake spring felt decorations with Joey • Monoprinting with George

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LETTERPRESS CARD, £3.50 The only time inspirational quotes are acceptable are if they are from this icon.

Dolly speaks, we listen.

From Toot Garouk, 19 Queen Street, Exeter; www.ootgarook.co.uk TAJ UMBRELLA, £35.99 Taj the Toucan will be tickling your curiosities with a fun and colourful canopy, rain or shine. Also has a handy push-button for automatic open.

From Emily Smith Designs; www.emily-smith.uk

RAINING CHAMPION

Keep cosy and dry with these rain-inspired gifts, all from Exeter’s indies

RECYCLED BACKPACK IN GREY, £54.95 Whether you’re heading to the gym or stomping about on Dartmoor, this waterproof backpack, made of 69 per cent recycled PET bottles, will keep your stuff safe and dry.

From Hyde and Seek, Unit 1, Harlequins, 1 Paul Street, Exeter; www.hydeseek.co.uk

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

WATERPROOF EARFLAP HAT UNIVERSE, £8.50 The littles ones will love these bold hats. Available for age range of six months – seven years.

From Kapbula, 17 Paris Street, Exeter; www.kapbula.co.uk

PATAGONIA REVERSIBLE BIVY DOWN VEST, £180 On one side, this jacket offers a smooth shell made from recycled nylon with a PU coating and durable water repellent finish; flip it over and wear the plush and cosy pile fleece lining on the outside. Changeable weather, changeable jacket.

From Always in Colour, Unit 1, City Arcade, Fore Street, Exeter; www.alwaysincolour.com

ED’S CHOICE ALL ARE WELCOME HERE JIGSAW PUZZLE, £14.99 The all-time best rainy-day activity.

So joyful, this one.

From Insideout, 1 Bampfylde Street, Exeter; www.insideouthome.co.uk

RAINKISS PINK PANTHER PONCHO, £65 Ever wondered why ponchos couldn’t be more, well, sexy? Voilà! We’re almost willing it to rain, well so we can splash through the streets of Exeter wearing this.

From Lorna Ruby, 17 Catherine Street, Exeter; www.lornaruby.com

MOONBEAM RAINDROP 2, £2,250 This hand-signed original wall sculpture by Alex Echo oozes with paint in such a way that it does not appear solid but, instead, drips down the wall like a living work of art. We love.

From Castle Fine Art Gallery, 18 Cathedral Yard, Exeter; www.castlefineart.com

AQUAPAC WATERPROOF PHONE CASE, £23.40 100 per cent waterproof, as well as protecting from dust, corrosion, sand and mud; lifesaver for the outdoorsy types.

From Taunton Leisure, 110 Fore Street, Exeter; www.tauntonleisure.com

PUDDLE, COLOURFUL SHORT WELLIES, £45 Easy to pop on and off, plenty of grip, and properly joyful.

Get splashing!

From Moshulu; www.moshulu.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK H E R E W E TA K E A L O O K AT T H R E E N E W O P E N I N G S I N E X E T E R …

SOY GOOD

A new restaurant has recently opened on Exeter Quay. Wabi-Sabi Bay offers Asian/ fusion dishes based on popular street foods and classic main dishes from a variety of southeast Asian countries, alongside a collection of cool cocktails and beers.

The restaurant décor is an Instagrammer’s paradise, and sees a profusion of pink and white cherry blossom, rattan lampshades and colourful parasols and lanterns hanging from the ceiling.

As for the name, Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese concept that means to find beauty and serenity in objects that are simple, imperfect, and impermanent – perfectly imperfect.

This is the second restaurant for WabiSabi; they successfully opened a restaurant in Paignton during lockdown and hand delivered food to people.

For more: www.wabisabibay.co.uk

The riverside restaurant has eyecatching interiors

© @MY.HEAVEN.IS.IN.DEVON

Expect lots of fresh fish on the menu

THAT’S THE SPIRIT On 28 March a new drinking hole is landing in Exeter.

The Cocktail Club is coming to 23 Gandy Street (where John Gandy’s was) and will offer an extensive menu of colourful and unusual cocktails. There will be a big emphasis on parties and events, with packages such as cocktail masterclasses and birthday bonanzas.

For more: www.londoncocktailclub.co.uk

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

FRIENDLY SAMPHIRE Exmouth has recently welcomed a new restaurant. Samphire 21 is located at the The Manor Hotel, on The Beacon. Leading the team is chef Peter Mundy, whose culinary CV includes Peter Mundy Catering Services and cheffing at The Ginger Peanut in Bampton.

Peter’s menu will focus on high quality meat from local farms and the freshest seafood.

The current dinner menu features lobster and samphire risotto, and five spiced confit belly pork; their Sunday lunch offering includes classics such as rump of beef and fillet of brill.

For more: www.samphire21.co.uk

RESTAURANT

THE MARINE

After a bracing walk along Sidmouth seafront, Harriet Noble takes refuge inside The Marine restaurant

O

n a recent Baltic and blustery Saturday, my friend and I journey down to Sidmouth and defiantly stomp along Sidmouth seafront.

Despite the temperatures, we are not alone. Sidmouth residents, their dogs, and day-trippers like ourselves, are layered up to the nines, scarves flapping wildly in the air. The sea is black, dramatic, and whips and crashes against the seafront. It is bracing to say the least.

The relief of entering The Marine is immense, especially as it is decked out in my all-time favourite colour: sage green. As it turns out, my pal and I are even wearing sage green jumpers on that day; you can barely see us we’re so well camouflaged here.

Even if you haven’t been to this restaurant before, you’ll know it if you’ve ever been to Sidmouth. On a seafront of ice cream-coloured buildings, this is the green one that stands out. It’s recently been taken over by the team who own On the Waterfront, the popular restaurant on Exeter Quay famed for its pizzas.

Inside The Marine the wooden floors, leather chairs

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

and orange glow of the hanging lights all create a stylish contemporary dining space. It’s a very pretty restaurant with cosy Bistro vibes, appreciated all the more as we are sat right by the window looking out at those angry waves and feeling supremely happy to be on this side of the window with a big glass of Merlot.

The menu is nicely succinct, with nibbles (choice of three), tapas sharing plates (choice of six) and mains (choice of four) and a separate pizza menu (choice of seven). The options may be straightforward – it’s basically fish, burgers or pizza here – but every dish, as we discover, has been thoughtfully put together.

We opt for a tapas sharing plate for starters, a Welsh rarebit with black cheese served on rustic ciabatta. The black cheese, we’re reliably informed, is a charcoaled cheese hailing from Somerset, and has a smoky, mellow flavour; we happlily mop it up with the thick gloopy balsamic glaze.

For mains I have The Truffle Shuffle Burger, a chargrilled beef burger, which comes with sautéed wild mushroom, garlic spinach, Stilton, and a truffle mayo; all served in a soft bun with lettuce, slaw and fries. I’ve had a

“This is no ordinary burger”

million burgers in my time but this is no ordinary burger; there are heady, punchy flavours making a beeline for my taste buds here like the salty tang of the Stilton and the earthy richness of the truffle mayo.

What I also really like about this dish is that it’s not one of those heavy-handed jumbo-sized burgers that will leave you unable to move. There’s nothing wrong with those and there’s a time and place for it, often, let’s be honest, on a hazy hangover day but this is a polished affair that adds a stack more flavour than your average burger.

My buddy has the grilled fillets of plaice served with new potatoes, samphire and lemon and herb butter. He is thrilled that the samphire, usually demoted to one or two tired-looking pieces, is in full flourish on this plate; in fact, such is the quantity of it, he says it is nearly but not quite, the star of the dish.

On the Saturday when we visit, the restaurant is buzzing. There are parents with their kids, couples and friends; all ages are here and it’s not hard to see why. The broad appeal of the compact menu is a winner, as is the way every dish is given an imaginative up grade.

The number of fantastic places you can visit within half an hour of Exeter is one of the biggest selling points of living in these parts. Put The Marine in Sidmouth on your to-do list. n

DINING DETAILS The Marine, The Esplanade, Sidmouth; www.marinesidmouth.com Opening times Open seven days a week serving food and drink Mains Burgers, pizza and fish, sharing tapas plates; vegan and vegetarian options, and a kids menu Desserts Lemon tart with raspberry, vegan chocolate brownie, a warm cookie dough Prices Tapas plates start at £6.25, pizzas at £12.50, mains at £13, desserts at £6.25 Drinks Extensive wine and cocktails, plus local beers Service/atmosphere Friendly, cosy and relaxed Anything else? Check out their Instagram page @marinesidmouth for news about their upcoming events

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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

What’s going on outside the classroom? Here’s a look at some of the latest education success stories from around the city

COMMUNITY MATTERS

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” says Donna Lewis, head of careers at The Maynard School, in Exeter.

The pandemic put a pause on some of the volunteering activities, but the school – and its pupils – were adamant to keep things going and are thrilled to be back doing face-to-face interactions with local communities.

Recently, they’ve welcomed back guests from Bluebird Care who regularly visit the Junior School where the younger students are hosts and read books, play games and even share music together.

“We know that helping others is vital to our own wellbeing and the students are always at the centre of a large number of volunteering initiatives,” says Donna.

Elsewhere, the school sponsors Exeter Chiefs Women’s Team, and this collaboration will see their first ever rugby team, trained by the professionals, competing at Rosslyn Park later this year.

For more: www.maynard.co.uk

Users of the app will encounter the city’s corn mills and a climb up the blood-soaked Butcher Row

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

above: Children at The Maynards School spending time with guests from Bluebird Care; left: In it together, students at The Maynard School

STEP BACK IN TIME

The audio trails are led from Exeter residents of the 16th Century

A colourful cast of characters are bringing Exeter’s history to life thanks to a new app.

The Hidden Exeter app allows people to navigate through the city using period and modern maps, exploring key landmarks and giving fascinating information about the lives and times of ordinary men and women linked to Exeter’s historic landmarks.

The app is a result of work led by Professor Fabrizio Nevola from the University of Exeter, who works to develop smartphone apps to help bring Europe’s history to life using GPS-triggered city audio tours which recreate the urban streets of the past.

The Hidden Exeter app is free and is available from AppStore and GooglePlay. It can also be found in the “maps” app on Apple phones.

For more: www.exeter.ac.uk

© GRW PHOTOGR APHY

FESTIVAL WIN above:

Techy wizadry at the Esports Festival; top right: Give it a stir!

Catering students at Exeter College

The hair pros: Tyler Gray and Mary Pugsley

The first every Tech South West Esports Festival took place recently at the new Digital and Data Centre at Exeter College.

Esports, a term used to describe competitive video gaming, is one of the world’s fastest-growing industries and the courses delivered there are for students who wish to develop their skills in the business and management of esports, alongside coding, software development and data analytics training.

The festival featured teams from across the region competing in a Rocket League and included the Exeter Chiefs rugby team and the Met Office “It was a brilliant festival and a great way for tech companies to see the facilities and expertise we now offer in this arena,” says Rob Bosworth, deputy CEO of Exeter College.

“Esports is rapidly developing as one of the biggest participation sports on the planet. We are seeing this as a real change-agent for diversity and inclusivity with our students and the wider community. I hope next year’s event will be even bigger and attract even more entries from all aspects of the corporate sector which will help us raise the importance of nurturing digital skills in the South West.”

Elsewhere at Exeter College, catering students from @thirty-four restaurant were paid a visit by chefs from the Rick Stein Restaurants, including Stephane Delourme and former student Andrew Sullivan. This was in support of a charity takeover evening to support the college’s charity of the year, Cancer Research UK and over £1500 was raised.

For more: www.exe-coll.ac.uk

“Have I got something on my nose?”

CUTTING IT FINE

Exeter-based Hair@theAcademy have announced that 20-year-old tutor, Tyler Gray has been awarded the academy’s first-ever ‘Ambassador of Excellence’ accolade in recognition of his outstanding achievements and inspiration to help others achieve their goals.

Established in 2004 by Mary Pugsley MBE Hair@ theAcademy offers a unique training programme that delivers hairdressing, barbering, customer service, and Math’s and English to support young adults with complex needs, including learners who are vulnerably housed, in the care system and from all kinds of backgrounds or circumstances, towards completion of work-ready qualifications. The 52-week provision with an ethos of education to employment, achieves a 95 per cent success of getting learners into paid employment. “The Hair@theAcademy is unique and we are so lucky to have this amazing and specialised training programme in the heart of Exeter,” says Tyler.

For more: Hair@academy

TIME TO PLAY!

Local theatre company Boo to a Goose specialise in creating magical pop-up storytelling theatre with puppets, music and lots of audience participation.

Their interactive and multi-sensory performances are aimed at Early Years and children up to ten.

This spring will see them perform Shipwreck Sam, a play about friendship,

manners and female empowerment across venues across Devon. Upcoming dates and venues include: 14 April Pinhoe Library 19 April Budleigh Salterton Library 20 April St Thomas Library, Exeter 21 April Exmouth Library 31 May Cygnet Theatre For more: www.bootoagoosetheatre.co.uk

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EXETER LIVING AWARDS 2022

© SIMON TUT T Y

SPECIAL PREVIEW SECTION

Get ready to celebrate the best of the city at the Exeter Living Awards on 17 March at The Great Hall. In this special preview, we meet the judges and take a sneak peek at what to expect on the night www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 35

© SIMON TUT T Y

EXETER LIVING AWARDS

WELCOME TO EXETER’S MOST EXCITING NIGHT OF THE YEAR Get ready to meet the next Exeter Living Award winners in March

A

s dazzling celebrations go, you’d be hard pushed to find another local event with more glamour than the Exeter Living Awards.

Each year a torrent of companies nominate; and each year the drumbeat of expectation crescendos to Awards night itself when hundreds upon hundreds of Exeter folk step onto the red carpet at the University of Exeter’s Great Hall, full of excitement.

The starry night will have everything from laughter to tears to boisterous celebration, music, glitz, and jubilation. At its core, there’ll be plenty of heart, too. This event is all about celebrating the wonderful people of Exeter and every year the businesses support each other with much whooping and cheers; it’s fantastic.

Our host for the night is local sporting legend and rugby referee Sara Cox who’ll be giving us the behind-the-scenes goss on working at the Olympics as she hands out the Awards.

Oh, and there’ll be the Aftershow Party at Pink Moon. Maybe don’t schedule too many meetings on Friday 18 March.

Thank you to everyone who has supported

this year’s Awards: the sponsors, the judges and in particularly, our nominees. As ever, we were blown away by the entrepreneurial drive, bold creativity and sheer tenacity of Exeter’s organisations. After the tumultuous few years we’ve all had, we can’t wait to welcome you, in all your finery, to the most hotly anticipated Awards ceremony in the city.

For more: www.exeterlivingawards.co.uk

OUR SPONSORS

PLATINUM SPONSOR Marsh Commercial is an expert consultant in insurance, risk management and employee benefits.

CATEGORY SPONSORS Acorn Property Group, Crumbs, EntreConf, Exeter Living, Exeter Property Awards, Exeter Science Park, Guildhall Shopping Centre, Powderham Food

NEW! IT’S THE SUSTAINABILITY AWARD We are thrilled to be introducing the Sustainability Award this year. This Award will be given to a local company or organisation which has been demonstrably thoughtful about its approach to sustainability, whether that be its supply chain, transport, products, services, or energy. So who’s going to win the very first one...?

Festival, Princesshay, Regus, Warwick Event Services, and Yellowtail Financial Planning.

OTHER SPONSORS Feature: Pink Moon and Triangle Networks.

Silvers: Bishop Fleming, Bluegrass, Bluebird Care, Clockwise, The Exeter, Exeter Works, Full Fibre,The Ivy, Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel, NewZapp, Nexus, SetSquared Exeter and Smart.

GET INVOLVED The Awards are on course to sell out once more. For remaining tickets and tables, please check on the site. To sponsor Exeter’s most prestigious business event, please contact: harriette.dixon@mediaclash.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 37

AWARD WINNING EVENT BAR COMPANY 07855 379 708

|

events@barnova.co.uk @barnovaevents

EXETER LIVING AWARDS

THE JUDGES WILL DECIDE…

Every year there’s a fresh panel of impeccably impartial and independent judges for the Exeter Living Awards. It’s a diverse and knowledgeable group from a wide variety of sectors and sizes of business. They and they alone will decide our winners…

CHANTELLE ZNIDERIC, personal stylist

CAMERON HODDER MIH, managing director, Dirty Martini

Cameron is the managing director of Dirty Martini, a creative marketing agency based in Exeter.

He launched the company in 2018 and since then he’s been on a mission to build a forward-thinking, creative agency that puts people at the heart of everything it does.

Cameron has grown the company organically into a recognised digital agency with a team of eight.

Chantelle is an experienced award-winning personal stylist who provides exceptional styling, shopping, and corporate branding services to highprofile clients, politicians, and celebrities. Her raison d’être is to inspire her clients to love the clothes they wear and to recognise the need for sustainability in fashion.

CHARLOTTE MCGREGOR, partner, Wollens

Charlotte McGregor is a partner at Wollens Solicitors with over 15 years’ experience in property.

Based in their Exeter office, Charlotte’s specialism is in estate administration with a focus on high value and complex estates, acting for clients across the UK. Charlotte is also a director of the Exeter Chamber, enabling her to support, champion and engage with the local business community.

LAURA SEAWARD, senior manager, Bishop Fleming

CHRIS EVANS, director of regional engagement, University of Exeter

Chris is director of regional engagement within the innovation, impact and business department of the University of Exeter. She is also responsible for the University’s regional strategy across Exeter and the wider South West Peninsula. Chris is also responsible for running student entrepreneurship activities, business support and the innovation facilities at Exeter Innovation Centre and the Science Park Centre.

Laura was listed in the 35 Devon business people under 35 to watch in 2018 and was treasurer for Exeter Chamber of Commerce for four years until 2021.

She is a champion for local businesses and lives in the city with her husband and two children. Laura is also a chartered accountant working closely with businesses throughout the South West.

TOM BEDFORD, associate director, Savills Exeter

NIKKI FAIRCLOUGH, marketing and customer experience manager, Guildhall Shopping Centre

Nikki is the marketing and customer experience manager at the Guildhall Shopping Centre and Board Member for InExeter. She is passionate about indie businesses in her city, with a focus on community engagement and creating spaces for the public to enjoy.

Originally hailing from South Africa, Nikki has been in the UK for 17 years and loves it.

A former professional rugby player, Tom has since successfully transitioned into a career in residential property. Tom now works for Savills, a global real estate services provider, and specialises in the sale of country homes and townhouses throughout Devon and West Somerset.

Having grown up in mid Devon and now living in the Exe Valley, he knows just how good Devon really is.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 39

Finding fair solutions to family problems is our speciality.

We are a firm of forward-thinking and progressive Divorce and Family Law Solicitors who are dedicated to making a difference to our client’s situations.

We are excited to be shortlisted for an Exeter Living Award in this year’s awards! familylawandmediation.co.uk Tel: 01392 248113 | Email: clientservices@familylawandmediation.co.uk

EXETER LIVING AWARDS FI N A L IS T S A N D SP O NSO R S R EC E P T I O N Dulcie Sanders and Sophia Gyger

Amy Vann Glenn Weeks, Josh Butler and Bob Irwin

Harriet Patchett and Phoebe Aubury

FINALISTS COUNTDOWN

Ahead of the highly anticipated Exeter Living Awards ceremony, the Exeter Living Awards Sponsors’ and Finalists’ Reception took place recently at Pink Moon.

Greg Ingham, co-owner of MediaClash, Exeter Living’s publisher, gave a warm, welcoming and congratulatory speech to all the finalists, while guests enjoyed fizz and nibbles.

The Exeter Living Awards takes place on 17 March at the Great Hall, University of Exeter.

Kamila Lukawska and Luke Facey

Photos by Emily Appleton of Appleton Event Photography;@Appletoneventphotography Verity Studley-Wootton Doug Newman and Jane Newman

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

Daffne Aguilar

Pamela Harrison and Emily Harrison

Mimi Cassidy and Mark Cassidy

Sarah-Jane Tyas-Peterson and Josh Stunell

John Hammond, Kirsty Hammond and Ellie Hattrell Kevin Troy

Stephine Murdoch and Diane Whiter

Joel Teague Tim Lloyd and Michael Harrison-Hastings

Rosie Russell

Nathan Hoare and Abby Millar

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 45

bringing the bar to you...

Drink • Eat • Play A family friendly, independent coffee shop in the heart of Ottery

Born in 2020, Copperwood Hospitality fathers to Copperwood Cocktails, No.29 Gin & Cyprium Rum. With an eye for perfection and local produce, we strive to bring you a drinking experience like no other!

Delighted finalists of Exeter Living Awards 2022. x @thecoffeebank_ottery

b@thecoffeebankottery

www.copperwoodcocktails.co.uk | 07841573981

AWARDS 2021 Sadie Restorick and Simon Scott-Nelson

ALL PHOTOS BY SIMON TUT T Y

Ana Natalio, Ricardo Sousa, Sara Queiroz, Catarina Batista and Neil Perry

© JOHN DEPRIELLE

Eating, drinking and being merry at The Great Hall

HIT REWIND

Josh Stunell, Hannah Chapman and Sarah-Jane Tyas-Peterson The Otter Financial Services team

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

The Exeter Livings Awards 2021 was a joyous affair. Last year’s event at the University of Exeter’s Great Hall was an epic celebration of success against all the odds. It was a night for those businesses who had thrived despite the pandemic and organisations who had held the city up throughout it. It was a moment for the community to reunite after so much enforced separation around a singular love for our city. We can’t wait to do it all again on 17 March.

Harriet Noble, Emily Smith plus guest

Mary Pugsley and Glen King

© JOHN DEPRIELLE

Showbiz kisses

Mushtaq Jaigirdar, Dennis Hall, Akiko Otomo and Christian Olesen

Alan Collyer, Ella Arnold, Joseph Knowles and Simon Girling

The Griffin Chartered Accountants team

© JOHN DEPRIELLE

Congrats to The Outdoors Group!

Kingsley Clarke, David Richardson, Victoria Hatfield and Ian McFadzen

John Cuggy, Martyn McKenna, Jamie Butt, Nick Randall, Bob Irwin, Ella Webber, Stuart Hogben, Josh Butler and Ajoy Chundee Lisa Hogg and Adam Garratt

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 49

Bring joy to someone’s life after a brain injury.

Support Headway Devon with a donation today.

Visit www.headwaydevon.org.uk/donate You can also support us by helping yourself.

Need a grade II listed building for your meeting? Need an umbrella DBS service?

Get in touch today:

01392 211822

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Open 8.30am - 5pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am - 1pm Sat Also stockist for MIELE, BOSCH, HOTPOINT, LEC, ZANUSSI

SUSTAINABILITY 29 APRIL - 9am-1pm

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE, VITAL TOPICS THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND KEYNOTES Exclusive research insights

Jennet Siebrits, CBRE: head of research

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Content, panel & sponsorship opportunities available

Lucian Cook, Savills: head of residential research

Brought to you by the makers of your city Property Awards BATH PROPERTY AWARDS

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Please email annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk to find out more on how you can get involved

THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN

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Join as a partner.

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@Entre_Conf June 30

It’s the city’s business

A new indoor bouldering centre has just opened in North Marsh Barton Trading Estate. The Climbing Hangar offers climbing sessions and aims to provide a fun and supportive experience, appealing to everyone regardless of age, ability or fitness. The team will host sessions for kids, stag and hen groups, one-to-one coaching, corporate groups, women rock classes, plus there’ll be competitions and events. The site also includes a coffee shop and a full equipped gym.

For more: www.theclimbinghangar.com

ON BOARD Current board director Steve Gates

NEW

TO EXETER

© @TCHE XETER

YOU ROCK

© @TCHE XETER

EXETERWORKS

Hanging out with the women rock class

has recently been appointed to join Tim Wadsworth as joint vice chair of Exeter Chamber.

Steve Gates is the managing director of Taking Care, part of AXA Health and is an experienced senior business leader with extensive understanding of the private health, insurance, and financial services markets.

“There’s nothing I enjoy more than rolling up my sleeves and getting stuck into new initiatives and driving business success,” says Steve Gates Steve. “Exeter’s business network is one I’m proud to be part of. We’re driven, passionate and continue to look at new ways to insight change for the good of our regional economy.”

For more: www.exeterchamber.co.uk

PROPERTY SYMPOSIUM

Our all-new event, Property Symposium: Sustainability, will launch on 29 April 2022.

A new arm of our annual Exeter Property Awards, the symposium will be a conference full of dynamic, powerful insights about property and sustainability.

The expert speakers will cover: • Bespoke research on both residential and commercial • Keynotes on the built environment and longerterm responsibility • Panel sessions • Networking opportunities To discuss commercial opportunities, please talk with annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk The Property Symposium online event will run from 9am – 1pm on 29 April. To register, visit www.exeterpropertyawards. co.uk/property-symposium

ENTRECONF Owen Richards joins Altum Media’s co-founders Nathan Hoare and Abby Millar

CONNECTING UP

Altum Media recently announced a new partnership with Owen Richards, Founder of Air Marketing and Roots To Market. The Exeter marketing agency welcomes Owen as a non-executive director to help fast track the business’s ambitious growth plans.

“From our first coffee together it was clear that Owen understood us and shared similar values,” says Abby, co-founder at Altum Media.

“He’ll bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our business and we’re confident that together we will create a better, more sustainable company for our team and for our clients. We’re excited for the next year ahead.”

For more: www.altummedia.co.uk

Returning on 30 June is the dynamic virtual event for entrepreneurs, EntreConf.

After last year’s success, we are running EntreConf to help entrepreneurs with practical advice – financial, legal, marketing, management – and to broker valuable new relationships.

To increase our reach and make the greatest impact, EntreConf will once again be run as a virtual event, with a number of networking dinners in the spring and autumn. We seek to bring together some of the most exciting companies of this time who will be among the most valuable businesses in the future.

Content and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Email: annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk for more.

For more: www.entreconf.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 53

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INNER SPACE

You don’t need acres of land and a huge plot to create a beautiful botanical-infused home that feels spacious and light. Clever architectural design and a bit of imagination will get you there...

Images by Brown Hill Photography

ARCHITECTURE The double-height living space is the hub of the home

C

reating the feeling of light, space and nature – with privacy – is no small feat, especially when the property in question sits on a small, tight site with neighbours on all sides. This was the task for Stuart Bayley, co-director at Living Space Architects and the person responsible for designing this house. He was given the brief to create a compact family home on a small suburban site in Ide. The owners, who would build it themselves, wanted fluidity between the inside and outside.

“Our client is a landscape architect who wanted the garden to be integrated into the house so the house feels part of the garden,” says Stuart.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 57

ARCHITECTURE

“You can see the different levels and different spaces all from one viewpoint” In response to this, the architectural team designed the house so that it is positioned centrally in the plot creating small terraces and gardens on each side which are sunny and warm at different times of the day.

For the inside, Stuart got busy generating ways he could maximise the available space and light.

He eliminated all enclosed landings or corridors to create an open plan design which allows light to enter from three sides and creates an increased sense of space.

Of course, the eye-catching ‘wow’ moment in this property, and Stuart’s favourite room, is the double-height living space with mezzanine bedrooms which allows circulation to the bedrooms overlooking the space.

“The double-height living space is very exciting as you can see the different levels and different spaces all from the one viewpoint,” says Stuart.

“The house is split-level on four different landing heights, which helps to separate a fairly simple external form into a fascinating internal space.”

There was restrictive planning permission regarding the roof, which eliminated the opportunity for a traditions roof form. As a solution, they created a folded origami roof shape which creates the ceiling for the principal double-height space of the living room and creates an ever-hanging series of views through the open plan spaces and from the mezzanine space above.

Sustainability was central to the design too.

“The property is a timber framed and highly insulated with a natural ventilation system to help provide fresh air – essential when creating a modern air-light home,” adds Stuart.

In keeping with the energy and vibe of this house, the owners chose warming, sun-drenched terracotta colours for the outside walls and in some of the rooms inside. The result? A home where you feel you’re in sunnier climes, always on holiday. n Living Space Architects; www.livingspacearchitects.com

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

above left: The garden space, visible through the huge glass doors of the living space; above right: Wooden panelling on the house was used to blend in with nature; below: The perfect reading spot

clockwise: The double-height living space; view from the staircase; outside view with wooded fences and plants that create privacy

PROPERTY

BRIENSTOWN HOUSE Take a peek inside this bright and beautiful family home in Thorverton

By Imogen Davidson-Smith 62 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

I

t’s a rare thing when you can describe a house as being both elegant and cosy, but this Grade-II listed property in the heart of Thorveton ticks both of those boxes, big style.

There are immense rooms with suitably high ceilings, shutters and open fires but also smaller, kookier rooms which are just as inviting.

You can imagine hosting big family Christmas parties here, but also feeling supremely happy sat in front of the fire with nothing but a book for company.

The ground floor features a sitting room with French doors which leads you out to a pretty terrace and the gardens beyond. Elsewhere, there is the living room, a study with an open fireplace, and a formal dining room with a very sweet window seat. The kitchen – probably our favourite room – is a particularly

delightful space with beams and a bright pillar-boxred Aga. Completing the ground floor is a utility room and cloakroom.

Upstairs sees five superbly presented double bedrooms, four of which have fitted storage, including the en suite principal bedroom. Bedroom three also has the benefit of an en suite shower room, while a stylish family bathroom with a roll-top bathtub and a separate shower services the other bedrooms. Much of the first floor has the benefit of wonderful countryside views.

The second floor has extensive loft storage and a 44ft room with timber eaves and skylights, currently used as a sixth bedroom/study/playroom but highly adaptable for a number of uses.

Unfamiliar with Thorveton? The pretty village has a thriving community with an annual art festival, country fair, cricket club, church, village shop, post office, farm shop, village primary school, pre-school, village hall and two pubs. Who’s up for starting the next chapter of their life here?

HOUSE NUMBERS Where Thorveton, 6.5 miles from Exeter Nearest train station Newton St. Cyres Station, 3.5 miles away Bedrooms

5/6

Bathrooms

3

Outside Nearly half an acre of garden (0.44 acres), plus a double and single garden Guide price

£1,150,000

For more: Stutt & Parker, 24 Southernhay W, Exeter; www.struttandparker.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 63

EXETER LIVES

“I have never had a moment where I thought ‘why me?’” speech is pretty good but I have lapses when words escape me.

I can write emails etc. but it is often slow and tiring. I can read a newspaper but I cannot read out loud – in the past I often gave talks and spoke in public.

© JONATHAN HIRONS

Why do you think the condition is not well known?

JONATHAN HIRONS In 2019, local filmmaker Jonathan Hirons experienced a bleed on his brain which caused Aphasia, a condition which meant he could barely read, write or speak. Through lengthy rehabilitation, he has re-built his life and is now working on a documentary to shine a light on this ‘hidden’ disability…

Hello Jonathan. Thank you for sharing your incredible story with us. Could you tell us a bit about Aphasia and how it changed your life?

Aphasia is a disorder of language and communication caused by damage to the brain. In my case, I had a bleed in my brain in 2019 while I was at work in London.

Other sufferers may have severe head injury, brain tumour, or another neurological problem such as dementia.

When my stroke occurred, I lost my ability to read and write and my speech was impaired.

My working life stopped on the

day it happened.

My speech was poor and I could barely read or write, although my comprehension was mostly unimpaired. I couldn’t remember the name of the road I lived on, but could speak the postcode without hesitation. I couldn’t read and sometimes had trouble understanding what was being said to me. I could, however, sign my name! Over time with the help of my wife and speech therapists, I regained some reading and writing but it is unlikely I will fully return to pre-stroke time.

Now, three years on, my

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

Well, there used to be a sort of national Aphasia charity across the UK, but I think partly because Aphasia is such a difficult thing for people to understand, people didn’t donate to it. Maybe that is why it never gets recognition. Whereas with Parkinson’s, for example, though there are fewer people with Parkinson’s than there are with Aphasia, everyone seems to know about it. Also, for many, it is a hidden disability. In my case, because I can hold a conversation most people don’t realise I have a problem but under the surface it’s a lot different.

You are making a documentary about Aphasia called On the tip of my tongue. What can we expect?

The film sets out to show that Aphasia is a hidden disability and that there is a lack of support once the initial rehabilitation is over. Recovery from strokes and head injuries vary considerably.

There are two other key characters in the body of the story that follows a 25-year-old woman who had a stroke at 22 and had to learn to walk again, and a 35-year-old man who was hit by a cyclist while leaving a cricket match in London. He is left with severe brain damage.

The story charts how Aphasia can create numerous qualityof-life problems because communication is a necessary part of everyday life.

While they carry the brunt of lasting problems, carers are often overlooked. The story looks at the problems from their side as well.

Do you have any words of support for anyone that has the condition?

Get as much help as possible: friends and family; speech therapists; join a charity that helps other sufferers; keep positive.

Tell us about your career in filmmaking…

I have been interested in film since I was 11 when I borrowed my uncle’s 8mm cine camera.

Although I have had other jobs, I have always had the filmmaking ‘bug’. Latterly, I have always incorporated filmmaking into my work. I have made a lot of short films for EU funded projects around small businesses and education, alongside my own projects including a fiction short called Cast Adrift.

Where is home for you?

Seaton. Coming from North London and moving down here seven years ago, the pace of life is different to say the least! The idea of being five minutes from the beach still is a marvel.

What are your favourite local places?

The wetlands area is a great place and on my doorstep. My wife and I favour Le Pisani in Seaton which was been a great addition to the town. It is family-run and they are always welcoming – food is good too.

Lastly, have you learnt anything about yourself from the journey you’ve been on?

I have never had a moment where I thought ‘why me?’. Adapt and move on. I have met a lot of people along the way that I probably would not have come across and that’s been great.n For more information about Jonathan’s documentary, head to: www.tipofmytonguefilm.com

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