Exeter Living - Issue 298 by MediaClash

TAKE ME

PLAY THE FIELD

IT’S FESTIVAL TIME IN DEVON

ISSUE 298 / JUNE 2022 / ART BEAT

TAKE IT OUTSIDE

TOP AL FRESCO SPOTS IN THE CITY

ISSUE 298 / JUNE 2022 / £3

HAVING A BALL

CHATTING WITH EXETER CITY FC PLAYER JACK SPARKES

AHEAD OF THE CURVE

UNCOVERED: EXETER’S HOT NEW ARTISTS

EDITOR’S LETTER

ou can’t swing a cat in these parts without bumping into an artist. The beautiful landscape, proximity to the sea, general lovely-place-to-live vibe of Exeter attracts arty folk by the bulk and, as a consequence, there’s always a decent art exhibition going on in the city. It is one of the many impressive things about Exeter. What’s less prevalent in these parts is a thriving street art scene – but this is changing. More and more bold, imaginative and lifeaﬃrming art pieces are popping up all over the city, making the streets of Exeter that little bit brighter. Turn to page 19, where we meet the current throb of street artists grabbing our attention. For more visual wonders, turn to page 25 where we delve into the summer exhibitions hitting the city right now. And onto our front cover star: those creamy, dreamy curved shapes. On page 16 we chat to the creator, local artist Paul Spencer, who tells us that this piece of art is made from a staggering 487 layers of precisioncut paper, delicately positioned to create the illusion of 38 intersecting hemispheres. “It was very time consuming and ﬁddly” says Paul. Yeah, I bet – but look at the results. Local artists, we love you! Enjoy!

Street artist Blam at work Turn to page 19 for more

HARRIET NOBLE

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Issue 298 / June 2022 COVER 38 White Hemispheres, by artist Paul Spencer / turn to page 16 for more

REGULARS

7 SPOTLIGHT Markets, charity wins and a bit of literature 9 JP HEDGE on the return of Chief Crowfoot’s regalia to the

Siksika Nation

43 SOCIETY Were you part of the axe throwing fun? 66 LIVES Meet the local teacher turned TV presenter

THE ARTS

13 ARTS INTRO Partying in the library, no need to sssshh... 14 WHAT’S ON Theatre, comedy, music and family fun 16 MEET THE ARTIST Chatting with Paul Spencer 19 STREET ART Nikki Fairclough meets the movers and shakers in the

local street art scene

25 SUMMER ART Get your diaries out, these are the art exhbitions to visit

this summer

OUT & ABOUT

28 FESTIVALS Your summer guide to the very best ones in Devon

FOOD & DRINK 32 34 36 39

FOOD & DRINK NEWS Delicious events and a yum recipe RESTAURANT Brunching at new gaff, Little Oink CAFE CULTURE Tara explores local cafés with suntraps THE GREAT OUTDOORS Enticing al fresco dining and drinking spots

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

45 MIND, BODY & SOUL Yoga on the beach, plus sporty groups to join

EDUCATION

46 TOP OF THE CLASS A TV star returns to his old school 47 EDUCATION Single sex or co-ed? Victoria Bond opens up the debate

SPORT

49 ON THE BALL Exeter FC player Jack Sparkes spills the beans

on the team’s recent success

BUSINESS

53 EXETERWORKS News and success stories from the business world 54 JOURNEY TO THE JOB What’s it like working in the

hairdressing industry?

PROPERTY

56 PROPERTY SYMPOSIUM Reporting back from the

sustainability conference

61 SHOWCASE A vast seven-bedroomed rural abode

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 Emma Bate, JP Hedge, Nikki Fairclough, Sue McQueenie 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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SPOTLIGHT Supporting local

Fore Street Flea in full flow

HEAD TO THE MARKET

InExeter are bringing more and more fantastic markets to our city. At these vibrant events you can meet, and buy from, the very best local artists, jewellers and makers. Here’s what’s in the diary over the next few months… Word Play at Positive Light Projects, Sidwell Street 10am-3pm, 2 July A free, inclusive family event focussing on storytelling and literacy for children under 12. The event will see workshops and activities as well as stalls. The Exeter Independent, Cathedral Green 11am-4pm, 30 July The Exeter Independent Market is a curated gathering of South West stallholders, indie businesses and home-grown creatives. Treats, tipples and treasures to tempt and delight.

Regular InExeter markets… Fore Street Flea, Fore Street (10 July, 4 September 20 November) and Indoor Markets at Positive Light projects, Sidwell Street (6 August, 10 September, 1 October, 5 November). Expect a mixture of stalls from pre-loved clothing and bric-a-brac to artwork and accessories, food, drink and entertainment. www.marketsinexeter.co.uk

Literature

The victorious gang

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN RV-ONE – Rendezvous First Checkpoint – is a Community Interest Company that was founded in 2020 with the founding premise of providing social interaction as a means to boost mental health. Through physical training sessions and social meet-ups, the organisation has supported countless people in the community, including many teenagers in recent months. For more: www.facebook.com/rv.oneuk

Quay Words has announced poet – and University of Exeter alumna – Sophie Dumont as their writerin-residence at Exeter Custom House this July. The summer season theme is Maritime, Sophie will be exploring and researching Exeter’s maritime past, and contrasting how the Quay is used today. She will be digging out maps and charts from the city’s archives Poet Sophie Dumont is from Bristol but went to uni here in Exeter and taking inspiration from people still using watercraft on the river. She will be running a free Found Poetry workshop on 21 July 6pm-8pm. Participants will collect words while walking around the Quayside area to create their own poems. For more: www.exetercustomhouse.org.uk

THROUGH THE QUAY-HOLE

Charity

Twenty Devon men recently took on the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge for Exmouth mental health community group RV-ONE. The Three Peaks Challenge involved participants hiking up the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – in 24 hours. The total walking distance was 23 miles, the total ascent 3,064 metres and £13,500 has been raised so far.

The Young Market Traders Awards Regional Final, Cathedral Green 10am-4pm, 6 August Expect market traders – all under 30 – from across the South West to compete in the regional ﬁnals for the NMTF’s (National Market Traders Federation) competition. www.nmtf.co.uk

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THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN

ENTREPRENEURS’ STIMULUS: 30 JUNE STUNNING KEYNOTES

PHIL HARRISON Google, Xbox and PlayStation legend

LEVI ROOTS Dragon’s Den star, Foodie entrepreneur

PANELS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Funding • Marketing • Idealism Female entrepreneurs • Exit strategies

CONFERENCE PASSES, VIRTUAL EVENT

Experts’ choices of 30 leading entrepreneurial companies revealed

Free via site: entreconf.com

ENTRELEAGUE

Sponsors Associates and Partners

Bristol Creative Industries, The Female Edge, MediaClash, Rocketmakers, Storm Consultancy CONTENT: claudia.butler@mediaclash.co.uk

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COMMERCIAL: annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk

@Entre_Conf June 30

OPINION JP HEDGE

Ceremony preparation with members of the Siksika nation at RAMM

New beginnings The return of Chief Crowfoot’s regalia to the Siksika Nation took place recently. JP found himself in awe...

omething very special has just happened – the formal return of Chief Crowfoot’s regalia to the Siksika Nation. It was two years ago that elected members voted to return the items following an oﬃcial request. The council took some international media ﬂak for how long the process had taken overall, and even once agreed, the plague prevented the trip from happening in person. We could have just sent the items, but the Crowfoot delegation knew it was very much an in-person task. I’m so pleased they made that decision. Exeter now has a new chapter and a new friendship. That is pretty amazing given the history surrounding the items. History wasn’t actually mentioned once during the day of repatriation. Instead RAMM colleagues were given a once in a lifetime intimate glimpse into the importance of the items. Plus we were generally overwhelmed with kindness. It was 145 years ago that the Blackfoot Treaty was concluded at the Blackfoot Crossing of the Bow River in Alberta, Canada. It was one of several treaties signed between First Nations and the Crown intended to settle territorial rights and access to land. The Blackfoot Treaty was signed in September 1877 by the Canadian government and the Siksika people. Instrumental in the treaty negotiations was Chief Crowfoot of the Siksika First Nation. Crowfoot listened to the promises of land and resources made by the negotiators and weighed up the implications for his people. He

ﬁnally concluded that signing it represented the best chance for the survival of their traditional ways of life. Attending the negotiation of the Blackfoot Treaty, as a member of the police escort, was Cecil Denny. Denny was born in England and emigrated to North America, joining Canada’s North West Mounted Police in 1874. He was given a senior command in Blackfoot territory in 1876, where he met Chief Crowfoot. Unfortunately we don’t truly know the relationship between the two men, but it seems initially to have been one of mutual respect.

“Exeter now has a new chapter and a new friendship” It is around the time of the signing of the Treaty that Denny acquired a group of objects that belonged to the Chief – including his shirt, leggings, pouches, bags, weapons and tools – possibly given as a gesture of good will and to mark the end of a long process of negotiation. We don’t know. But soon after the treaty was signed, relations between the two sides deteriorated. The promises made to the Siksika were not kept. As anger and resentment grew, Denny was one of those charged with trying to renew relationships. Faced with a lethal combination of smallpox, loss of traditional hunting grounds, the

disappearance of bison and famine, Crowfoot would have been desperate to do all in his power to secure his people’s survival. In the meantime, Chief Crowfoot’s possessions travelled back to England and in 1878 they were loaned to RAMM by Denny’s sister; the group came to be known as ‘Crowfoot’s regalia’. In 1904 they were bought for £10 and we’ve held possession of them ever since. Unsurprisingly the Siksika Nation defines Crowfoot’s regalia as sacred items that belonged to a revered ancestor, and has long wished for their return. A long process finally ended with the visit this month. Having shut down the fire sensors at RAMM, a smudge ceremony took place involving the burning of sacred herbs in front of the items. I was more worried about the sprinkler system to be honest and I hadn’t bargained for being in the room at the time, let alone invited into the intimate circle to witness. It was quite extraordinary. Every single person I met knew their own history, knew their values, knew about their communities and what they wanted for the future. I took a lot away from the day. In the evening at a Civic dinner, to my complete surprise, Chief Crowfoot gave the city a complete set of items. The intricate, precious and beautiful set of clothing had taken over three years to make and were the personal possessions of Herman Yellow Old Woman who was in attendance at the dinner. At this stage I was reflected on our gifts of Roly’s fudge and a blanket. Chief gave them to us on the promise that they will never, ever, be repatriated. They are a gift, and mark a new relationship between the Siksika Nation and Exeter. Amazing. ■ 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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A LEGO® BRICK HISTORY OF EXETER

18 Jun to 11 Sep Exhibition tickets £2.50–£4.50

Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Queen Street, Exeter EX4 3RX Visit rammuseum.org.uk Call 01392 265858 email ramm@exeter.gov.uk

Open Tue-Sun, 10-5pm. Closed bank holidays

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

AWAKEN THE LIBRARY! 8 July sees the first night in the return of Library Lates, the specially curated latenight events, live from Exeter Library. The nocturnal fun sees live music, theatre, and film imaginatively shown throughout the building, showing you a side to the library you may not have seen before. The main library stage will see rap-poet and musician Samantics, a one-man machine of honesty, energy, words and noise; and Emily Magpie, a dynamic and exciting dream-pop three-piece. Elsewhere in the library, expect an interactive creative art exhibition run by Black Dog and Sweet F.A, a rebel art-collective and boutique based in Tiverton that champion positive mental health and create thought-provoking pieces of all kinds. As well as the main performers, there will be a bar and silent disco with tunes from the resident librarian DJs who’ll be spinning an alternative mix of retro hits, slow burners, dance classics and everything in between while you browse the shelves. 8 July from 7.30pm-10.30pm (doors open at 7pm); £7 / £5; Exeter Library, Castle Street, Exeter; get tickets from the library or through Eventbrite; www.librariesunlimited.org.uk

Rap-poet Samantics will be performing

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WHAT’S ON 1 June onwards

THEATRE/ DANCE 4 June

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Set in post-war 1945, enjoy a joyous and vibrant open-air production of one of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies, featuring wit, romance, confrontations, and live music. Suitable for all ages, Sun & Moon Theatre specialise in creating entertaining and accessible Shakespearean performances. Poltimore House and Grounds, Poltimore, Exeter; www.poltimore.org

6 and 7 June

DUCK VARIATIONS George and Emil sit on a park bench overlooking a lake and talk about life, death and ducks! Their spiky conversation touches on aging, power, politics, environment, philosophy, and mortality. Witty, playful, and occasionally poignant, this David Mamet play is a combative hour of character-led debate and is the first production from new local theatre company Benchmark. Part of DREAM Festival, Cygnet Theatre, Friars Gate, Exeter; www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

12 June

INTO THE WOODS JR Be careful what you wish for as Stephen Sondheim’s cockeyed fairy

tale comes to life, featuring favourite characters – Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk) – in this lyrically rich retelling of classic Brothers Grimm fables. Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

22 June

DREAM DREAM is a vibrant, fresh and innovative new full-length ballet based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Working with awardwinning instrumentalist and composer Frank Moon, Ballet Cymru have created a magical, genderbending world of fairies, lovers, and bewitching enchantment. Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

COMEDY 7 June

JACOB’S LADDER: COMEDY SHOW Flat-footed, dyslexic, self-doubting comedy graduate Jacob Hulland seeks audience for an evening of whimsical fun, stepping out on the rungs of his life. Part of DREAM Festival, Cygnet Theatre, Friars Gate, Exeter; www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

9 June

PATRICK KIELTY: BORDERLINE As a Northern Ireland native, this

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

The ballet Dream is on at Exeter Northcott Theatre

new one man stand up show delves into his homeland’s recent history to try to make sense of what Brexit’s new borders and political upheaval means for our shared identities. Bittersweet, poignant and laugh-out-loud funny. Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

The group of local community choirs, up to 100 performers, are performing as part of the Exeter Respect Festival and will showcase both new material and a few old favourites. Belmont Park, Exeter; www.bignoisechorus.co.uk

26 June

JONNY & THE BAPTISTS In their most honest and personal show yet, the duo learn to accept and engage with their grief, telling the story of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance through their trademark blend of silly, joyful songs, deadpan stand-up and riotous storytelling. Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

STEVE BUGEJA: TRIED TO START HIS OWN NICKNAME One of comedy’s most exciting rising stars, Steve Bugeja is a familiar face on TV and radio, hosting the BBC Radio 4 series Economics with Subtitles, and has made numerous appearances on TV shows such as The Russell Howard Hour. Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

MUSIC 4 June

BROTHER STRUT After a two-year break, Brother Strut make a much-anticipated return to the stage, with the addition of Jamiroquai’s guitarist Rob Harris. Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

11 June

THE EXETER BIG NOISE CHORUS CHOIRS

12 June

23 June

CHUBBY AND THE GANG The London band became one of 2021’s biggest punk breakthroughs. Releasing their second album: The Mutt’s Nuts last year, they returned with essential new EP Labour of Love earlier in 2022. The Cavern, 83-84 Queen Street, Exeter; www.exetercavern.net

FILM 5 June

OUTDOOR CINEMA AT POWDERHAM CASTLE Bring a chair or blanket, and enjoy

WHAT’S ON

ABOVE:

BELOW:

Everything, Everywhere All At Once is on at the Phoenix; Jonny & the Baptists are performing on 12 June

still life paintings that complement each other. Marine House at Beer, Fore Street, Beer, Devon; www.marinehouseatbeer.co.uk

Until 5 June

ART IN THE STUDIO Bovey Tracey Society of Artists is holding a special exhibition as part of The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. Expect a wide range of work including sketches, watercolours, pastels and oil paintings. The Studio (the old library building), Abbey Road, Bovey Tracey; @Bovey Tracey Society of Artists

Until 30 June

COLOUR FOR THE SOUL Artist Sophie creates signature ‘doodles’ inspired by the world around her and likes to create diﬀerent characters to make people smile. Many of these characters have featured in murals on children’s bedrooms walls and on the streets of Exeter. Turn to page 19 for more. Heavitree ParkLife Café, Whipton Lane, Heavitree, Exeter; www.parklifeheavitree.org.uk

Until 2 July

one of a multitude of fantastic ﬁlms in the beautiful grounds of Powderham Castle. Films showing on 5 June include Tangled, Shrek 2, Mamma Mia! and Rocketman. Powderham Castle, Exeter; www.powderham.co.uk

4-9 June

EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE When an interdimensional rupture threatens to unravel reality, the fate of the world is suddenly in the hands of a most unlikely hero: Evelyn (Yeoh), an overwhelmed Chinese-American woman who can’t seem to ﬁnish her taxes. Enjoy this hilarious and big-hearted sci-ﬁ action adventure. Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

15 June

ARTFUL CRAFT This exhibition focuses on the nature of craft, art and design in the 21st Century, addressing the labels, status and boundaries associated with craft and ﬁne art as well as the impact of new technologies such as digital design and rapid prototyping. MAKE Southwest, Riverside Mill, Bovey Tracey; www.crafts.org.uk

NT LIVE: STRAIGHT LINE CRAZY Ralph Fiennes leads the cast in David Hare’s blazing account of the most powerful man in New York, a master manipulator whose legacy changed the city forever. Broadcast live from the Bridge Theatre in London, Nicholas Hytner directs this exhilarating new play. Exeter Picture House, 51 Bartholomew Street West, Exeter; www.picturehouses.com

Until 23 July

ART

ART WEEK EXETER 2022 Art Week Exeter returns to showcase work from emerging talent, longstanding professionals and people just doing their thing! Art Work Exeter, Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street; www.artworkexeter.org.

Until 5 June

A PASSION FOR BEAUTY A new joint show exhibiting the work of Ian Parker and Neil Cox that will feature birds of nature and

FRESH! DEVON ARTIST NETWORK This exhibition brings together key works by leading Devon artists such as Karen Nicholls, Ella Slade and Martin Staniforth. Expect painting, sculpture, pottery, glass work, textile and mark making – with all pieces for sale. Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell Street, Honiton; thelmahulbert.com

6-12 June

FAMILY

18 June-11 September

BRICK BY BRICK: A LEGO® BRICK HISTORY OF EXETER Each miniaturised LEGO brick model explores a diﬀerent point in Exeter’s vibrant history, from its origins in the days of the Roman Empire to the glorious heights of its famous woollen trade. This LEGO brick story of our city will delight children of all ages. RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter; exeterramm.admit-one.eu

25 and 26 June

WATER WIPEOUT AT THE BEAR TRAIL Visitors will get to enjoy the ultimate water ﬁght with water bombs, sprinklers, slip n slide, super soakers, 30 obstacles, unlimited mud, new hot showers and indoor private changing rooms as well as a meet and greet with Boston the Bear. The Bear Trail, Westcott, Cullompton Devon; www.thebeartrail.co.uk

2 July

DUNSFORD VILLAGE SHOW Nestled in the Dartmoor National Park, about 22 minutes’ drive from Exeter, expect family-friendly entertainment including a mountain bike aerial display team, Dartmoor hawking display on horseback, bouncy castle, vintage games stalls as well as a dog and horse show. Dunsford Village Show, Dunsford, Devon; www.dunsfordshow.co.uk ■

AND WATCH OUT FOR... 30 June 2022

ENTRECONF Inspirational, practical conference for start-ups, scaleups, entrepreneurial thinkers; advisors (financial, legal, tech, management, marketing, premises and more); thinkers (academics); all interested in new ways of doing business. For more, see page 53. www.entreconf.com

21 October 2022

EXETER PROPERTY AWARDS Following a successful first year, we are once again holding the Exeter Property Awards. For more, see page 53. www.exeterpropertyawards.com

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ARTS

P PAUL SPENCER

Meet the artist behind these dreamy three-dimensional pieces 16 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Curves in all the right places: Paul’s 38 White Hemispheres

aul starts each day with a cup of peppermint tea in the garden and plans the day ahead. He’s then into the studio to continue creating his current series of works or to experiment with new ideas. Working these ideas out of his head and through his hands is what he loves to do, but life’s only recently looked this way for Paul. In 2016, he became very ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. He had to sell his house, shut down his commercial design business and move in with his parents in order to figure out how to get well again. It was whilst recuperating, that he decided that he wanted to rekindle his passion for working with sculptural form – and since 2020 he made the leap to become a full-time artist. Through lengthy – and very fiddly – work came beautiful three-dimensional pieces of artwork, notably the blue ‘wavefrom’ pieces, inspired by the calming qualities of bodies of water (he lives in Sidmouth) and dreamy hemisphere shapes – so pretty, in fact, we put them on our front cover. “I’m very much excited by fluid and spherical, sculptural forms and the shadows these forms create,” says Paul. “In my work, I’m fascinated with the challenge of transforming 2D planes into 3D objects. Some of my pieces are abstract and

above: The waveform pieces are inspired by the Sidmouth coast; right and right below: Paul’s pieces are

made from paper; it’s a lengthy and fiddly process

some are loosely based on the natural world.” For these creations, Paul uses paper and card. “I like its versatility, warmth and its availability in an almost endless array of specifications,” he says. “I start by exploring ideas through very quick pencil sketches and sometimes by making some paper models to test the practicality of my ideas. At this stage I will also explore colour combinations and their associated emotive qualities. “I then make a technical drawing of the artwork, much the same as an architect would when planning a house design. These drawings are then used to create the cutting templates for the sections that make up the artwork. Most of the cutting is done by machine for precision, speed and to save my hands – I use quite thick card stock which is incredibly hard to cut by hand. The cut sections are then labelled, before I hand assemble them to create the finished piece. “I usually have a pretty good idea of what I want the final piece to look like, though sometimes I’ll do some exploratory tests by playing with paper samples to see what happens. If I like the result I’ll then use the

tests as a basis for finished works.” Get up and close to the blue waves or the curvy hemispheres and you certainly wonder how on earth he actually makes them. The white hemisphere piece, in particular, is made from a whopping 487 layers of precisioncut paper delicately positioned to create the illusion of 38 intersecting hemispheres. “It was incredibly time-consuming and fiddly,” says Paul. “It took weeks to create and demanded zen-like levels of concentration. One slip of the hand and the piece would have been ruined.” Of course, his ability for precision has been years in the making. “At art college I wanted to be a sculptor, but didn’t think I’d be able to make any money from it, and so decided to pursue a career in 3D product/industrial design, which I have a BA Hons Degree in. I worked in Istanbul for a few years designing luxury heating products and solar panels. The requirement for precision in design for manufacturing has definitely informed the way I make art. “I have also worked in graphic design, website design and branding as well as doing some freelance photography – again all very

“One slip of the hand and the piece would have been ruined”

useful skills which I put to good use in making and promoting my art works. “I think, though, that my biggest asset is my ability to think creatively and my stubborn determination to realise what I visualise in my head. If I can see it, I WILL make it! “I really enjoy hearing people’s reactions. For example, my piece 38 White Hemispheres has been described as: bubbles, clouds, tree tops, very calming, beautiful, amazing and one person said that the piece spoke to them musically. “All my artworks are an expression of my love for the beauty of minimalist threedimensional form. Saying that, I sometimes look back at older pieces and can link the artwork to what was happening in my life at that time. I think the use of colour can be a good indicator of this, and I’m glad to say that my current series of works employs vibrant, happy and energetic colours – so I’m in a good place right now! “I really love being able to experiment and play with ideas. That light-bulb moment when you hit on a unique idea is the best feeling in the world.” n Paul’s 38 White Hemispheres piece is currently on show at the Get Lost Gallery located at Bakers Yard, Exeter. For more: www.paulspencerart.com; Instagram: paul_spencer_art

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South Gate Gallery at the heart of Exeter city displays a wide variety of art supporting artists local to the area.

New Artworks At The Gallery

Bespoke Picture Framers & Fine Art Sales 64 South Street, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1EE | 01392 435800 |

f

admin@southgategallery.co.uk | www.southgategallery.co.uk

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

ARTS Local arist Blam working on one of his creations. His art can be found on South Street, in Exeter, and around Tiverton

STREET

SPIRIT Nikki Fairclough meets the local artists who are bringing their bold and brilliant visions to the streets of Exeter www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 19

T ARTS

he Exeter street art scene is gaining momentum with people starting to appreciate and value the beautiful murals popping up. Artists from all over the South West are also starting to take note, asking for wall space and, although there is a little red tape to navigate in gaining permissions, with a bit of perseverance, it is actually easier than one would think. As a passionate art supporter and advocate for the high street, I took a look into some of our old and new street artists to understand where they find their inspiration, what they think of the Exeter street art scene and what we can do to encourage further colouring of walls...

Bossing the photorealism street art scene is artist Blam, real name Stuart. His huge-scale faces are strikingly realistic and full of emotion. Hailing from Tiverton, where most of his big murals can be seen, he has started to do more in Exeter, predominantly along the river and train bridges in St Thomas. “I like to add as much detail as I can using spray paint if I am painting large walls,” says Stuart. “The end result is a photorealistic style of graffiti art. I mainly work in monochrome colours to make my work stand out. I like to think people get an impactful experience when they first see it. People are very positive about it, and I often get comments from passersby. I want to do bigger and more public walls so that people can appreciate it. “Sometimes you think you’re going to get grief because people may not understand the type of art, but it’s breaking down barriers and showing there is a skill involved. If you give people time and space, they can do something worthwhile.” Instagram: Insta_blam1

SCOTTY GILLESPIE

Hailing from Manchester originally, and with a degree in Illustration from Plymouth University, Scotty now lives here in Exeter where he creates his Scotty Gillespie in front of his poptastic art at Exeter Phoenix signature art with black lines and bold block colours, finding inspiration from artist Keith Haring. “I have three elements which inspire me and form the inspiration for my subject matter,” says Scotty. “The past: my life and my love for nostalgia and the items I grew up with. Video games, toys, all those items which meant something to us at a certain stage in our lives. The present: my surroundings, the city, my studio and the overgrown garden I can see through the door full of caterpillars, flowers and my dog who features strongly in my art (a Pug cross terrier called Harrison). “Finally, humour: so much can be successfully communicated with humour and it makes my art relatable and human. Manchester; although he says a huge part of his heart will always “Street art often struggles in towns steeped in history because the belong to his native city, Exeter is very much his beloved home. priority is focused on historical sites and the preservation of it. But the Scotty’s works can be seen on the side of The Phoenix, off of Gandy two can easily co-exist and actually street art can complement a city’s Street, and he has a new piece off Sidwell Street commissioned by heritage. It would be great to see more in Exeter.” InExeter and in support of CoLab and the great work they do to help Scotty speaks humbly about his roots and is inspired by his tackle the issues homeless people face. experiences as a child growing up in a working class area of Instagram: scotty.gillespie

“Street art often struggles in towns steeped in history because the priortiy is on historical sites...but the two can co-exist”

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BLAM

This colourful LP Edits Elvis piece can be seen in the Guildhall carpark

LP EDITS

Lewis of LP Edit’s energy is contagious. He has a star-studded following and sells out every time he has an art drop. His street art also attracts press and footfall to wherever it can be found, a tool he uses to impact businesses positively. One of his most well-known pieces is the Nightingale NHS Hospital mural which brought joy to so many frontline workers during Covid. Part of what makes his art so popular is the subject matter which he draws from edits of iconic and memorable figures, objects and movies and his bold use of colour.

‘I never know what colours I’ll use and in what order – it’s the art of making a beautiful mess” he says. “I like to take the seriousness out of art pop, put a little mischievousness back into it.” Lewis is also a big advocate for street art and hopes to get more of his art on the street. “I would love to have more of my work and the work of others on the gable end of boring brick walls dotted around the city, much like Bristol and parts of London etc. If done right it has massive potential for tourism, gives the eye of the beholder a sense of thought and

mindfulness which otherwise may never had happened be it a blank brick wall. Sometimes people will travel for miles around to see a particular mural, it triggers the imagination of old and the young.” Although Lewis’s originals are hard to get your hands on (and if you get a chance, snap them up – they are bound to be investment pieces) his art can be found in Guildhall carpark (top deck), on the side of the Bowling Green pub and in Get Lost Gallery where he has some large format pieces exhibited. Instagram: lpeditsuk

ARTS Steve is a very familiar face in the street art scene in Exeter; his paste ups of birds and other creatures started popping up during lockdown and are a great example of a coherent and joined up look that brings all ages into the street art fold. Easy to spot, his likeable and colourful characters take the viewer on a full walk around the city – some you can easily spot in random places, others are barely visible. Steve is also prone to do an occasional mural like the one on Wellington Road near Pinces Gardens. “This piece means a great deal to me, it is titled Coming Together amongst the Chaos,” says Steve. “The wings of the birds symbolise the ocean and the release I get from surfing and being by the sea. By painting these in the streets I am attempting to share this escape feeling I get with passersby. The pigeon heads at the bottom symbolise the chaos of day-today life and the birds are facing each other with the ‘Wave Wings’ forming a heart shape to symbolise love winning over the chaos.” He feels Exeter is riding a wave of new street art at the moment. “I believe street art and painting on walls is extremely important to the city. It is a way for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience art on a daily basis with out having to visit galleries or museums. A city can be a lonely place and different forms of street art can offer an escape and hope to passers by. It also brightens up the streets giving off positive vibes.”

STEVE MCCRACKEN

above: Steve McCracken working on his mural on Wellington Road; below: Steve’s birds

are all over the city; left: Sophie’s lovely doodles are all over Heavitree

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New on the scene and making an impact to the residents of Heavitree is Sophie Blinstrub, AKA Sophie Doodles, who is known for her sea life and bright doodle paste ups. “I started painting rainbows more during lockdown as a feeling of hope and unity,” she says. “All my artwork means so much to me as it truly comes from the heart. I started painting sea creatures as I was missing the sea so much during lockdown. “I love the Exeter street art scene but feel there needs to be more. The mural on the high street by Vhilis is stunning. Then we have work on the bridge across Queen Street and also by the library. Steve McCracken’s birds are just so wonderful to see, they bring such joy across the city. “I am obsessed with using the power of art to make people smile through my artwork,” adds Sophie. “In the last few years we have had so much thrown at us. I leave painted stones around as I go as little keep sakes for the people who find them.” Find Sophie’s art at Heavitree Park Life Café and on most street corners in Heavitree. Instagram: Sophiedoodles247

SOPHIE DOODLES

ALICE MARY

Alice, a Bristolian artist, has become quite a predominant feature of our city in the last year with her huge mural in Corry Walk at the Guildhall Shopping Centre and the countless markets she has popped up at doing community art. Her style is light-hearted with a very human feel; her characters and colours are very recognisable. Corry Walk is Alice’s ‘Ode to the City’, inspired by observations and people she has met along the way. “This piece means community and being proud of what Exeter and the Guildhall has to offer. This piece speaks not only of community through the piece but also to me as an artist. I spent six weeks painting this piece and met many kind and wonderful people who made the long, cold painting days a lot more enjoyable. The painting itself portrays Maia Thomas and Steve McCracken, two people who have utilised their skills to bring the community a sense of joy and this was only echoed by every passerby.” For Alice, street art and painting brings joy, culture and a point of interest to a wall. It can tell a story, make a statement or just make a boring space a lot more magical and interesting. What makes Alice so unique in the street art scene is her use of painting technique for the whole space. Many other artists make use spray paint because of it’s quick coverage. “Not many street artists use just paintbrushes as this is a really slow method, however it gives me the time to cultivate a piece more meaningfully. I get to spend time within the community I’m painting in for longer. It allows me to get to know communities better, build relationships with the people around me and I love meeting new people!” n Instagram: Alicemaryartuk

Nikki Fairclough works in marketing for the Guildhall Shopping Centre and as an InExeter Board member. She is an advocate for art and placemaking in Exeter and has ambitious plans to create spaces that families and communities can engage in. Insta: NikkiExeter

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ARTS

BRIGHT IDEAS OUR SUMMER GUIDE TO ART IN AND AROUND EXETER

Part of the Patternicity exhibition at Exeter Phoenix

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Runs until 26 June

“I want to create a space fuelled by the enormous creative talent within Exeter”

Patternicity is an exhibition of painting, textile, video and sculpture by a diverse group of contemporary artists whose works explore the nature of patterns in their historical, national and gendered dimensions. By operating at the intersections of the formal vocabularies employed by art and craft the exhibited works open up questions about identity, order and chaos, the nature of visual algorithms, and re-engineering genres. Join the curators of Patternicity on 25 June for a Q&A event where the artists will be discussing the themes of the exhibition. Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk THREADS THROUGH CREATION AT EXETER CATHEDRAL

Runs from 8 June until 24 July

This exhibition sees a spectacular sequence of twelve huge textile panels which retell the creation story from the book of Genesis. It is one of the largest textile projects made by a single artist, and has taken artist Jacqui Parkinson nearly three years to complete. Open during the Cathedral Opening Hours, Exeter Cathedral, Exeter; www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk

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IN SEARCH OF A NEW WORLD AT DEVON SCULPTURE PARK

Runs from 18 June until December

Robert Marshall’s art shows works which are deliberately big, bright and bold and offer different pathways into possible worlds. They ask the viewer to reconsider how individuals impact the environment; and to cease being passive, blinkered watchers of deleterious effects of environmental damage and become active negotiators and protagonists to force change through our own personal choices – to look inside/out and outside/in and encourage the viewer to not settle for one utopian vision but contemplate the many possible outcomes and journeys through a series of revolving doors. Devon Sculpture Park, Mamhead Park South, Devon Sculpture Park, Exeter; www.devonsculpturepark.org INGRID POLLARD IN DEVON AT THELMA HULBERT GALLERY

Runs from 6 August until 29 October

This exhibition brings new work by the 2022 Turner Prize nominated artist Ingrid Pollard – the leading artist and photographer – and is a response to the histories of Devon and the South West. Through her photographic

PATTERNICITY AT EXETER PHOENIX

ARTS top: Photography by Ingrid Pollard;

middle: Two Vermilions by Patrick Heron,

part of the Funded with Thanks exhibition;

bottom: Colourful exhibits at Patternicity

research and practice into nature, Pollard explores narratives of people and places across industry, labour and individual experiences, which has shaped our stories and landscapes. Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Elmfield House, Dowell Street, Devon; www.thelmahulbert.com MEETING THE OCEAN AT VANDLYS GALLERI

Runs from 11 June until 30 July

Vandlys Galleri is a contemporary art gallery and exhibition space on the quayside that opened its doors in April 2021. Its mission is to represent established and emerging artists, currently promoting painters and printmakers, alongside studio ceramic and glass, sculpture, and unique pieces. “I want to create a space fuelled by the enormous creative talent within Exeter and the wider southwest,” says Karen Gimlinge, artist and gallery owner. “Vandlys, meaning water and light, draws on my Danish heritage; it reflects a long obsession with the possibilities of these elements within my own practice.” This summer the gallery is hosting an exhibition that will see a fantastic mix of artists from the South West; expect fine art and ceramics inspired by local coastlines. Vandlys Galleri, Piazza Terracina, The Quay; www.vandlysgalleri.co.uk FUNDED WITH THANKS AT RAMM

Runs until 17 July

Some of RAMM’s most important and well-loved works will be on display, including J.M.W. Turner’s Buckfastleigh Abbey and William Frith’s The Fair Toxophilites in this special exhibition which showcases the quality and diversity of Exeter’s Fine Art Collection, which is in large part thanks to the generosity and foresight of these supporters, past and present. The changing tastes and priorities of collectors and benefactors can be tracked through this display; scenes of historical and classical subjects were especially popular among the museum’s Victorian supporters, while some more recent acquisitions have focused on modern and contemporary art inspired by the Devon landscape. RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter; www.exeterramm.admit-one.eu n

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FESTIVALS Little rockers at Nature Valley Gone Wild Festival

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THE FEST IS YET TO COME Grab your wellies and sequinned jackets – festival season is upon us

he variety of festivals on our doorstep continues to mushroom, and it’s ours for the taking. Whether you’re into music, literature, community gatherings, environmental issues or artsy crafty stuff, there is a local festival just for you...

EXETER RESPECT FESTIVAL 11-12 June This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first 1997 Respect Festival in Exeter, aimed to bring communities together to celebrate its differences and commonalities and this year’s theme is environmental justice. Expect outdoor processions and activities, for all ages, plus a wealth of stalls, providing everything from global food to fine clothing and handmade crafts, as well as music and dance performances. The festival once more will be alcohol free. Exeter Respect Festival, Belmont Park, www.respect.org CRAFT FESTIVAL BOVEY TRACEY 17-19 June Over 200 designer maker businesses will exhibit, with live craft demonstrations and activities for visitors to join in on. Special guests include Keith Brymer-Jones, TV judge and potter for a master class and live audiences. Jim Parkyn, Aardman Animation ambassador and clay model maker, will also host family workshops across the weekend. CRAFT Festival Bovey Tracey, Mill Marsh Park, Bovey Tracey, Devon; www.craftfestival.co.uk

SIDESHORE FESTIVAL 18 June Sideshore, Exmouth’s Watersports Centre, is hosting their first community festival this June to raise money for local charity, Vitamin Sea Project. Visitors to the event will be able to browse a selection of local, environmentally friendly businesses, from homeware, to beauty, clothing, and craft items. In addition, a series of free silent cinema screenings will be available to enjoy, including Sir David Attenborough’s A Life on our Planet, and Cal Major’s Vitamin Sea, both inspiring environmental films. Live music, carnival games and entertainment will be provided by local artists and a selection of food and drink will be available. Sideshore, located at Queen’s Drive, in Exmouth; www.sideshore.co.uk

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A PERFECT DAY FESTIVAL 3 July This new single-day outdoor live music event takes place at Powderham Castle and sees multi Brit- and Grammy-award-winner David Gray, celebrating 20 years since the release of his formative album White Ladder; he’ll be performing the full album along with a selection of his greatest hits. Also performing are James Morrison, Tom Odell, Gabrielle, The Shires and local folk sisters Wildwood Kin. A Perfect Day, Powderham Castle, Exeter; www.powderham.co.uk EXETER CRAFT FESTIVAL 5-7 July Expect a huge array of work from West Country craftspeople and artists on Exeter’s Cathedral Green. Browse and buy work from the textile makers, fibre artists, semi-precious stone jewellers, paper crafters and metal workers and soak up the summer fête atmosphere. Exeter Craft Festival, Cathedral Green, Exeter; www.exetercraftfestival.co.uk. BUDLEIGH MUSIC FESTIVAL 8-16 July The week-long programme of live music sees an impressive bill of talent from the classical world with headline performances from world renowned lyric soprano Danielle De Niese, rising star Jeneba KannehMason, and internationally acclaimed violinist Ning Feng. Making a welcome return to this year’s festival is the interactive sensory experience, Colourscape – a large walk-through labyrinth of colour, light, and music which will be held on The Green in Budleigh Salterton on the weekend of the 9 and 10 July. Budleigh Music Festival, concerts take place at St Peter’s Church in Budleigh Salterton; www.budleighmusicfestival.co.uk

“It’s the most fun you can have with 5,000 people with a great rock band in a field in Devon in the entire world” 30 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

top: The Nature Valley Gone Wild Festival main stage; above: David Gray will be belting out his hits at

A Perfect Day

FUNK UP THE FARM FESTIVAL 15-16 July Funk Up The Farm is a multi-genre over 18’s two-day festival set on a picturesque farm in Kentisbury in North Devon. Expect a plethora of DJs and live acts including the most outrageous church service phenomenon that is Oh My God It’s The Church and Bristol’s famous Rogue circus. This is the perfect event for those who like their festivals intimate – this is a small festival for only 450 people – and the ticket price starts at as little as £55 and just £10 for camping. There’ll be fab street food, Exeter’s own Doctor Inks team are doing the bar, plus there’ll be fire pits and fire performers! Funk up the Farm Festival, Wrights Farm, Kentisbury, North Devon; www.loftlivesessions.com CHAGSTOCK FESTIVAL 22-23 July “The most fun you can have with 5,000 people with a great rock band in a field in Devon in the entire world” – so said the The Boomtown Rats of this much-loved festival. For a smallish festival, it punches well above its weight with the line up; this year’s headline acts include Kula Shaker, Ash, Ferocious dog and Exeter’s very own trio Pattern Pusher. Expect panoramic views of Dartmoor too. Chagford Festival, near Whiddon Down, Chagford; www.chagstock.info.

FESTIVALS

above: Billy Bragg will be at Beautiful Days; below: The Darkness are headline acts at

Gone Wild Festival; right: Sophie Ellis-Bexter will be performing at Powderham Castle

BUDLEIGH SALTERTON LITERARY FESTIVAL 14-18 September The bookie festival will be welcoming an exciting and diverse mix of authors and speakers from all corners of the literary world, with workshops for writers and crafters, and family events, which are this year being offered at heavily subsidised prices to allow as many families to attend as possible. Look out for the announcements of the line up due to be announced in July. Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, venues all over Budleigh Salterton; www.budlitfest.org.uk WILDERLAND 19 October Hosted by wildlife television presenter, filmmaker, and field biologist Dan O’Neill, Wilderland is the UK’s first touring wildlife film festival, sharing with audiences the very best natural history films by world class filmmakers across the globe. These ground-breaking independent films will offer audiences unparalleled insight into some of the world’s most incredible stories from our natural world; a must-see for lovers of wildlife, film, travel, conservation, and adventure. n Exeter Northcott Theatre, Exeter; www.wilderlandfestival.com

BEAUTIFUL DAYS 19-21 August Devon’s annual Beautiful Days festival returns with a line up that includes legendary acts The Specials, The Dandy Warhols, Beth Orton, Billy Bragg, Fisherman’s Friends, Seasick Steve, and Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club. Festival founders Levellers will headline the main stage on the Sunday night to close the weekend with a hit-rich set followed by the traditional firework spectacular. The festival also has a walkabout theatre, amazing site art, a children’s area and this year, the Sunday theme is peace and love. Beautiful Days, Escot Park, Devon; www.beautifuldays.org NATURE VALLEY GONE WILD FESTIVAL 25-29 August Created in collaboration with Bear Grylls, the outdoorsy familyfriendly festival combines adventures during the day with live music at night. Activities available include coasteering, climbing, zombie paintball, UV mini golf, stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, tree climbing, yoga, science workshops, skateboarding and a junior jungle family rave! There’ll be inspiring talks too, from the likes of legendary explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and TV’s shepherdess Amanda Owen, plus the man himself, Bear Grylls. Live acts in the evening include The Darkness, The Script, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Reef, Ella Eyre and returning crowd favourites The Ministry of Sound Orchestra. Nature Valley Gone Wild Festival, Powderham Castle, Exeter; www.naturevalley.co.uk DEVON AIR AMBULANCE 2022 DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL 11 September Teams, friends, community groups and colleagues will be coming together for the popular fundraiser on Exeter Quay. The day-long, fierce-yet-friendly dragon boat competition will raise essential funds for the local lifesaving charity. Dragon Boat Festival, Exeter Quay; www.daat.org

AND FURTHER AFIELD…

The Daily Mail Chalke Valley History Festival 20-26 June This Wiltshire festival, a two-hour drive from Exeter, is one for the history buffs amongst you. The festival will feature over 150 fascinating talks from novelists, historians and academics. “Our 2022 programme is looking like our strongest and most varied yet,” says festival director Jane Pleydell-Bouverie. “We have some really fabulous talks lined up, including Dan Snow talking about his epic journey to Antarctica to find the Endurance, Ian Hislop discussing Spike Milligan’s War Against Hitler and the BBC, and Lea Ypi explaining what it was like to grow up in communist Albania. And we are also thrilled that both Chris Patten and Sebastian Faulks, always popular with the crowds, will be returning.” The Daily Mail Chalke Valley History Festival, Church Bottom, Broad Chalke, Salisbury, Wiltshire; www.cvhf.org.uk

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FOOD & DRINK NIBBLES FROM EXETER’S FOOD SCENE

Xxxxx

Exeter café Sacred Grounds is opening its doors for candlelit dining every Friday and Saturday night from now until September. Inspired by the café’s popular ‘Provenance’ Supper Club events (a monthly dining event with a six-course tasting menu) the Sacred Grounds team have decided to open up the arcade for atmospheric evenings with a relaxed and calming vibe. The menu has been inspired by the delicious umami, sweet and sharp flavours of Asian cuisine, and has been designed as a series of plantbased small plates, paired with natural wines from neighbouring wine shop Pullo as well as a curated cocktail list. “Enjoy the atmosphere as the sun goes down with a cocktail in hand, under

SACRED NIGHTS

the glass atrium roof with a selection of delectable flavours or cosy-up by the open kitchen and watch your dishes being freshly prepared by the friendly team,” says Sacred Grounds owner Hayley Maker. Prior booking is necessary. Sacred Grounds, Mccoys Arcade, Fore Street, Exeter; www.sacredgrounds.co

Cheers, Oz!

THE GRAPE AND THE GOOD Oz Clarke OBE, one of the world’s leading wine experts, is coming to Exeter this June for the Wickhams’ English Wine Extravaganza. Oz will be joined at the Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel on 18 June, 12pm 5pm, by a selection of England’s top wine producers and industry experts including Susy Atkins. The event will celebrate the extraordinary rise, breadth and calibre of English wine, with the opportunity to taste over 60 wines and spirits from the country’s top winemakers and distilleries, while Oz will guide guests through the English wine scene and how it has evolved over the past 40 years. The event will also see ‘The Judgement

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of Exeter’ with Pip Vanham, a blind tasting competition with French, Old World wine, judged against English newest New World wine. Which wines will win between English sparkling wine and French Champagne? Will the experts be able to tell the difference? ‘The Judgement of Exeter’ is a fun take on renowned wine expert, merchant and ‘champion’ of French wine, Stephen Spurrier’s 1976 competition between New World Californian wine and Old World French wine. Other highlights will see drinks columnist Susy Atkins taking visitors on a journey of Devon wine discovery through her ‘Devon Superstars’ workshop. For more: www.wickhamwine.co.uk

RECIPE

GREEK YOGHURT PARFAIT WITH STRAWBERRIES AND HONEYCOMB

he best way to fully appreciate seasonality is to grow some strawberries yourself – a single hanging basket in a sunny spot or a planter on the patio is all you need. A good local pick your own farm will come a very close second. The honeycomb element here is basically caramel flavoured candy (if you like Crunchie bars then you will love this recipe). Please don’t be put off by the boiling sugar, I promise you it will be worth it and remember half the fun of cooking at home is in the experimenting. Remember to exercise extreme caution when working with hot sugar, especially around young children.”

Serves 6 GREEK YOGHURT PARFAIT Ingredients 375g Total Greek yoghurt 100ml double cream 50g caster sugar MERINGUE: 150g caster sugar 3 egg whites 250g of West Country strawberries Method 1. Pour the cream, 50g sugar and yoghurt into a large bowl, mix well until just soft peaks form. 2. Make a meringue by whisking the egg whites in an electric stand mixer with the whisk attachment until stiff. Then gradually whisk in the 150g sugar until you have a smooth and glossy meringue. Fold the meringue mixture into the yoghurt until evenly mixed. Spoon into individual moulds (such as darioles or ramekins) and freeze (for at least a few hours) until needed.

HONEYCOMB Ingredients 100g golden syrup 200g caster sugar 15g bicarbonate of soda Method 1. Place the caster sugar and golden syrup into a large heavy based saucepan, heat slowly and stir continuously until the sugar has dissolved. 2. Turn up the heat and cook until it reaches 150°C (a sugar/jam thermometer is ideal for this). Remove from the heat. 3. Add the bicarbonate of soda and mix very briefly. Then gently but quickly pour into a lined baking sheet being careful not to knock any air out of the honeycomb. Leave to harden and chill for 10-15 minutes before use.

Tips Because the parfaits can be made and frozen in advance they are ideal for entertaining. Any leftover honeycomb can be dipped in chocolate for homemade crunchies and crushed over ice cream or folded through mousses. To serve dip the moulds into hot water for a few seconds then turn out onto your serving plates. Decorate with fresh strawberries and chunks of honeycomb. Sit the crunchy tuille onto the top and decorate with fresh Devon honeycomb straight from the hive. Recipe from Craig Griffin, head chef at The Jack in the Green, Rockbeare, Near Exeter; www.jackinthegreen.uk.com

HONEY NUT TUILLE These will need to be made up to 8 hours in advance and stored in an airtight container. Ingredients 50g butter, softened 50g clear honey 100g caster sugar 50g strong flour 25g poppy seeds 25g sesame seeds Method 1. In an electric stand mixer with paddle attachment soften the butter to toothpaste consistency and then simply combine all ingredients together until a smooth paste is reached. 2. Pre-heat the oven to 160°C. Place a ball of tuille mix no bigger than a 5 pence piece onto a sheet of non-stick baking parchment and flatten completely with a damp finger. Leave plenty of room between tuilles as they will spread during cooking. Bake for 6 minutes or until golden brown all over. Leave to harden and crisp.

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LITTLE OINK

Brunch by day, dinner by night, Emma Bate visits Exeter’s new bistro hang-out spot

ily Allen was spot on when she serenaded us all with her genius LDN: ‘Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why, would I wanna be anywhere else?’. Unbeknown to Ms Allen at the time, her lyrics would have a universal resonance to any sunny day activity; everything is better when the sun’s out. Indeed, last Friday morning I found myself channelling my inner Lily as I strolled into Exeter’s new Little Oink café ready to brunch away the morning with a bestie. With the glorious sun shining down on us as we approached, and soon with a cappuccino in hand, life was good. Situated on the cosmopolitan Magdalen Road, Little Oink is an all-day brunch hangout by day, and a vibey cocktail bar by night. Co-owned by Robin Rea and Harry Thorne, it’s also the younger sibling to the Rusty Pig feasting house located in nearby Ottery St Mary. Focusing on a small yet perfected menu, Little Oink offer their brunch specialities from 9am-2pm, with light snacks in the afternoon, and then dinner commences at 6pm, lasting until 8.30pm. Just like the ethos of the Rusty

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Pig, Little Oink focuses on using locally sourced and fresh ingredients in order to deliver quality food for its local residents. Sitting in the bright and airy conservatory room, it’s hard not to admire the retro and chic interior decoration, which instils the surroundings with a stylish yet relaxed ambience. With music playing overhead (despite it being possibly a little too rave-like for 11am in the morning), and staff attentive and amiable, the Little Oink experience began with a bang. In fact, staff there were so considerate to their guests, they explicitly warned me to mind the burning skillet my baked eggs came in. “It’s hot, hotter than the sun some may say,” I was cautioned. In haste to eat, as I always am being a foodie (piggie), I foolishly touched the skillet and burnt myself. “Stupid is as stupid does”, Forest Gump’s mother once said, and my goodness was she spot on. Served my piggy habits right. Nevertheless, my baked eggs were delicious. Cooked together with chorizo, spinach and garlic, garnished with chives and accompanied with a side of toast, flipping ‘eck this was a tasty dish. The flavour may have been slightly

RESTAURANT

DINING DETAILS Little Oink, 29 Magdalen Road, Exeter; www.littleoink.co.uk In a nutshell An all-day brunch hangout by day, and a cocktail bar/ restaurant by night! Food Serving brunch classics all the way from your traditional eggs on toast, to Little Oink’s unique full English, The Pig Out (which includes goose-fat potatoes and crackling!). Any breakfast lover’s dream. © EMMA BATE

overwhelmed by the spice level of the meal, but perhaps this would not have been such an issue had I been an adult and had an adequate spice tolerance. #GrowUp. Opting for a classic, my friend ordered poached eggs on toast. Verging on the more minimal side of portioning, it could have done with a tad more toast (you need more than one slice to mop up all those delicious juices) and perhaps a twist on the seasoning to make it stand out more. However, do not let this put you off Little Oink: the brunch menu is far more extensive than these two meals, with the speciality Turkish eggs having been spotlighted as deserving special attention. And so we return to the million dollar question: should the sun be in the sky, would I want to be anywhere else other than the Little Oink café? In other words, if Lily Allen held a gun to my head and demanded an answer, I’d say...well, ‘I’d be hard pushed to go anywhere else’. So, whip out your sunnies, take a spring morning’s stroll down Magdalen Road and treat yourself to some baked eggs. Just don’t touch the skillet… n

“Flipping ‘eck this was a tasty dish”

Opening hours Open all-day Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning. Brunch served 9am-2pm, and dinner 6-9pm. Atmosphere Cosy and chilled in the day, with somewhat more of an evening buzz as dusk approaches and the bar opens. Anything else? Houses a beautifully bright and airy conservatory room upstairs.

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CAFÉS

STEP OUTSIDE

Beautiful cafés with outdoor seating? Tara Smith knows the best places in Exeter to visit... Photos by Tara Smith

must share with you some of my favourite spots in the city with great outdoor seating now the weather is improving, although in a way I am loath to. I love that they are my little secrets but it’s my job to impart my local knowledge with you, so here goes. If you head right up to the very top of Pennsylvania Road to the cities outer limit you will find The Secret Garden. A family-run outdoor café with everything made and served by mother and daughter duo Julia and Jess from their converted vintage horse box. Daughter Jess is vegan so there is always a selection of vegan treats, both sweet and savoury, on the menu. Julia tells me they

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wouldn’t have it any other way. On top of the vegan offering, they cater for those who are gluten free too. The menu is small but covers everything you would want or need when out enjoying one of the scenic walks in the area – cheese toasties made with my favourite St Sidwell’s Bakery sourdough being a highlight, as well as salad bowls, wraps and a wonderful array of cakes and ice creams, all made locally. The Secret Garden opens Saturday and Sunday only from 11am – 4pm so plan your visit carefully. Luckily for me it’s just around the corner so I don’t have to fight the hill and visit most weekends when I am in town. I love pottering over there for coffee and cake on a Sunday afternoon to relax and

top:

Pretty spot: The Secret Garden; above: Scrummy cakes from The Secret Garden

recharge before the new week begins. Over the summer months they are hoping to offer a few regular activities such as face painting and crafternoons. Take note though, they are quite restricted on parking; they encourage patrons to park in Duryard car park or, alternatively, take one of the scenic walks nearby as a family. They have picnic blankets to borrow when it gets busy to allow families space to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings whilst the children can take advantage of the play house or grab a chalk board to get creative. Second on my list is Grow Coffee House. Situated on South Street, it is the perfect spot to savour a coffee or light bite in their spacious decked area which just so happens to be a great sun trap. Bright murals, plush soft furnishings and potted plants create a laid back atmosphere in this city centre café. Grow is the sort of place you could hang out in for hours eating locally made cakes, from the wonderful Exploding Bakery amongst others, and drinking locally roasted coffee from Littlestone Coffee. It’s also a fab spot for remote working for those that want a change of scenery from home. Both inside and outside are dog-friendly and every Wednesday morning they have Waggy Wednesdays where dog owners who bring their furry friends along get a 10 per cent discount off their bill. Their opening hours are Monday – Saturday from 9am – 5pm, and Sunday from 10am – 4pm. In the pipeline is the welcome return of their LifeLIVE evenings in partnership with their sister company and neighbours Life Guitars. The evenings spill out onto the street with live music, street food, coffee, cocktails and an allaround good vibe. A date isn’t set in stone as I write but it’s on the cards so watch this space. Caffe Espresso on Castle Street has been a long-standing favourite of mine for as long as I remember. Phil Parkinson, the proud owner, took it over in 2000 and I used to work in the area many moons ago and would go daily for lunch and a break from the hustle and bustle of my desk. The staff are always lovely. They

clockwise from top left: Grow Coffee House, its colourful mural and cakes; Parisian Caffe Espresso and a perfect coffee

welcome you by name if you are a regular and can even tell you what you want to order before you know yourself ! The café come bistro offers great value breakfasts, brunches and lunches as well as offering a vast selection of homemade cakes and bakes. They are fully licensed too so if you fancy elevating your lunch with a glass of wine or a beer then this is a great spot. Inside is pretty cosy in terms of space but they have plenty of outdoor seating with views up towards Exeter Castle where you can sit back with a coffee or indulge off their menu. For breakfast they make their own muesli and fruit compot and they bake a fresh batch of muffins everyday. For brunch or lunch their is always a Croque Monsieur (which makes every sense to me because Caffe Espresso does feel very French in my opinion), Shakshuka or Spanish Beans. As the summer kicks in they will introduce their special salads again such as the Indonesian classic Gado-Gado or Chicken Caesar. I love that I can sit with my lunch and a glass of something chilled watching the world go by imagining I am sitting outside a café in Paris. Their opening hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 9am – 3pm.

CAFÉ DETAILS

The Secret Garden, Hilltop Riding School, Pennsylvania Road, Exeter; Facebook: @secretgardenexe Grow Coffee House, 70 South Street, Exeter; www.growcoffeehouse.co.uk Caffe Espresso, 12 Castle Street, Exeter; Facebook: @CaffeEspressoExeterDevon

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RENDEZVOUS WINE BAR

Award winning wine bar and restaurant in the heart of the city satisfying wine-lovers, foodies, and bon-viveurs alike since 2006. With delicious daily menus of local, seasonal produce, and extensive wine lists with suggestions for every palate, a warm welcome awaits.

Soak up the summer sun with a glass of wine or a bite to eat in the alfresco paradise of our lovely walled gardens and escape the real world for a while!

Open Monday - Saturday 12pm until 11pm, Lunch 12-2pm Dinner 6-9pm 38-40 Southernhay East, Exeter, EX1 1PE Tel: 01392 270222 • www.rendezvouswinebar.co.uk

AL FRESCO

OUT IN THE OPEN

Cheers to eating and drinking outside again! Here’s a handful of the best places to go locally By Harriet Noble

Mickey’s Beach Bar and Restaurant is perfectly situated on Exmouth beach

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MOJITO BEACH BAR AT PRINCESSHAY The popular beach bar has returned to Princesshay Square for the summer and we, and our flip-flops, are ready for it. Complete with real sand, thatched umbrellas, cocktails and mocktails, palm trees, live music and table tennis, visitors can get the summer hols vibe in the heart of the city. New for this year is the addition of a click and collect takeaway food service in partnership with participating restaurants within Princesshay including Coal Kitchen, Lucianos, Margoux, Meat 59, Nandos, Slim Chicken, Wagamama and YO! Sushi. Simply scan the QR code on each table at the beach bar, place your food order with one of the nearby restaurants and wait to be notified when its ready. Meanwhile you can sit back and relax in one of the beach booths or deckchairs. Princesshay’s Mojito Beach Bar will be open 10am – 10pm every day to make the most of summer evenings with live music on selected Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 3pm – 8pm. www.princesshay.co.uk/beachbar

or a coveted minuscule portion of the year, it is warm enough to eat outside and it is sublime. In recent years, thankfully, we’ve got a whole lot better at it too – more and more cafés and restaurants have opened up their outdoor spaces and provide heaters and blankets for those less than balmy nights; the timeframe is now not quite so minuscule. In and around Exeter, we are spoilt for choice for al fresco destinations; there are cocktails at sunset, big bowls of fish by the quay, and hidden gems bang in the city. Here are a few places to whet your appetite…

above: Mojito Bear Bar at Princesshay; below left: The terrace at Mickey’s Beach Bar and Restaurant

MICKEY’S BEACH BAR AND RESTAURANT This cool Exmouth waterfront venue from Michael Caines brings you food, wine and cocktails – with the bonus of outdoor seating looking out over the beach towards stunning sunsets. This place is great by day and also by night, you can head there for a family get-together, dinner date, casual cocktails or a nibble and tipple. For those who like to get into the groove to work off their evening meal, Mickey’s host specialist DJ nights on Friday and Saturday nights, where talented music moguls rock the decks from 5pm – midnight and bring some toe-tappingly good tunes to the building. With

“Those who dine outside are able to boogy along” their outdoor sound system in place, those who dine outside or on the terrace are able to boogy along too. Mickey’s Beach Bar and Restaurant, Sideshore, Exmouth; www.mickeysbeach.co.uk RENDEZVOUZ The pretty hidden gem of a garden at Exeter’s wine bar and restaurant is a hard one to beat. Enjoy the blooming flowers and leafy greenery by day, and the festoon lighting around the garden walls in the evening. The team will be doing a wine tasting flight for English Wine Week, 18 – 26 June, whereby people can drop in and do a self-led tasting of English wines from a flight of five local wines. Rendezvous, 38-40 Southernhay E, Exeter; www.winebar10.co.uk NO. 5 Nestled in Cathedral Close, No.5 has no less than three outdoor areas for you to soak up the sun. The cathedral view space gives unbeatable views of Exeter Cathedral; for something more intimate there’s the courtyard area under the gazebo, complete with heaters to keep you toasty; finally the garden space, with outdoor bar, is the perfect place to have a cocktail or two underneath the stars. If drinking turns to eating, check out their garden menu which includes saltwater mussels, Méchoui spiced aubergine and pink peppercorn steaks. No.5, Cathedral Close, Exeter; ww,no5-exeter.co.uk

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AL FRESCO

ROCKFISH EXETER The seafood restaurant from Mitch Tonks is a fantastic spot to be on a summer’s day. You’ll be sitting on the quayside here, taking in the buzz and diving into plates of fresh seafood. There’s a log burner too for when it’s chilly. Try their fisherman’s coffee as you watch the world go by. Rockfish, 9 Piazza Terracina, Haven Road, Exeter; www.therockfish.co.uk

above: Leafy Rendevous garden; left: Cosy beach booths at Princesshay; below: The terrace at Winslade Park

WINSLADE MANOR Jut five-odd miles outside of Exeter, in Clyst St Mary, sits the grand Winslade Manor. The beautiful property has a sizeable terrace overlooking the secluded parkland and is a fantastic alfresco drinking and dining spot. Chef director Matt Mason and his team provide dining experiences to suit – from their new Lounges and Lawn menu that features tapas-inspired small plates and brunch dishes, to larger plated favourites and locally sourced daily fish specials, as well as offering woodfired pizzas cooked directly on to the terrace – all washed down by the extensive cocktail, wine and drinks menu. The terrace also boasts two covered and heated Pergolas, making the perfect space for private family parties or relaxed business networking where you can soak up the surrounding views. Winslade Manor, Manor Drive, Clyst St Mary; www.winslademanor.com

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

Amberina Askew and Lauren Gavin

Lottie Stanley, InExeter

Gaz Evans, Feature Film

Lauren Aston, Lauren Aston Designs Sophie Weeks, Devon Interiors

Emily Davis, Boom Battle Bar

THE BIG BOOM THEORY

Darcie, Tempo Media Zenon, Tempo Media

Boom Battle Bar and Escape Hunt opened with a huge bang, hosting a fantastic night of axe throwing, shuﬄe board, and great cocktails and food. Exeter folk had a good knees up, enjoying the fun but competitive socialising in this Guildhall shopping centre venue, which is ﬁlled to the brim with awesome activities for all age groups. Boom Battle Bar, Unit 24 and 28, Guildhall Shopping Centre, Exeter; www.boombattlebar.com Photos by Tempo Media

Belinda Biggs and Jess Rose

Lewis, LP Edits and Ben Bowden

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CONNECT WITH PARTNERS, GENERATE BUSINESS, CELEBRATE SUCCESS

Scan here to get your ticket to the launch

Launch event June 8, from 8am

Talk with us about sponsorship: • Connect with leading Exeter property businesses, across all sectors • Benefit from a multiple channel marketing campaign, reaching thousands • Stand out amongst your peers at this prestigious, unique event For details: harriette.dixon@mediaclash.co.uk

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EXETER PROPERTY AWARDS | 21 OCTOBER 2022 | SANDY PARK

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PILOT PROJECT SUCCESS

YOGA AT THE BEACH, SIDESHORE EXMOUTH Every Monday, 7.30am and 9.30am Get the week off to a beautiful start with a Vinyasa yoga class on Exmouth beach. Teaching the classes is Sadie Tonks, whose career in yoga has taken her from London to Bali. Now based in Devon, she runs yoga retreats,Wild Thing, and teaches locally at Luna & Wolf and Revitalise. “I’m incredibly excited to be bringing yoga to the beach,” says Sadie. “It’s very much about inspiring people to stay wild; there’s nothing like yoga outside looking out to the ocean.” Classes are suitable for all levels and after the class the group head to Hangtime for a coffee or go for a dip in the ocean. £10 a class or £40 for a 5 class pack; www.sadietonksyoga.com

A new pilot programme aimed at supporting the wellbeing of more than 1,000 students at an Exeter school has achieved success in the first term of its delivery. Live and Move, the Exeter City Council initiative funded by Sport England, is working with St James School to offer enrichment activities to its students every Wednesday after school. The school has seen a take up of more than 90 per cent of the 45 different activities on offer, which range from golf and yoga to creative writing and ultimate frisbee. “We have seen some incredible results for our students through the enrichment activities,” says Steve Brown, assistant head at St James. “We’re very grateful to our staff for all their hard work in helping to put this on and for the dedicated support from Live and Move to help us set up the sessions and keep us focussed on what we wanted to achieve. “In the future we would like to develop the programme further and promote the projects in the local community, helping us to strengthen our local links and create more opportunities for school and community working.” www.liveandmove.co.uk

MOVING ON UP Inclusive Exeter has recently launched their summer season of free sports and wellbeing activities, creating opportunities for people across the city to be active in their daily lives and increase overall wellbeing. Run by members of the various ethnic minority community groups and associations, the activities aim to reach people from those communities for whom access to sports facilities and group activities can be limited or present certain

social or language barriers. Activities include park walks from Wonford and St Thomas; Volleyball, held at the Riverside centre every week and led by members of Exeter’s Afghan community; Zumba classes, run by Filipino Association, every weekend at Newtown Community Hall; and women’s yoga sessions, held at The Mint Methodist Centre, each week. All activities are free and open to anyone. Head to Inclusive Exeter on Facebook or liveandmove.co.uk

Badminton is also one of the group activities

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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

BACK TO SCHOOL

Tom spent time chatting with the students

Tom Brittney, star of ITV’s hit period crime drama Grantchester, recently returned to Colyton Grammar School – where he was a student – to see its new drama studio and to give an acting masterclass to Year 10 and Year 12 students. While he was there, Tom spoke to a group of students at lunch answering plenty of questions, which included describing storytelling as his favourite part of the job. He also reflected that he always used to do a backflip on the front lawn of school – he clearly wanted to entertain people from an early age! “It was an absolute pleasure to get the chance to return to my old school, and to pass on some of what I’ve learnt over the years to the younger generation,” says Tom. “It was also great to see how much Colyton is putting behind its drama courses, and how passionate and inspired the students are!” Founded in 1546, Colyton Grammar School is celebrating its 475th anniversary this year, delayed by last year’s pandemic restrictions. The school will be holding a special 475th anniversary festival on 2 July between 1-5pm. Everyone is welcome, entry is free, and there will be food stalls, an art exhibition, music and sport – including use of the school’s tennis courts and a number of cricket matches. For more: www.colytongrammar.com

SKILLING UP

Devon County Council and Cornwall Council have been awarded £1.8 million funding from the Department for Education’s National Skills Fund to run a third year of Skills Bootcamps. The bootcamps will run from July 2022 until March 2023, with learners supported to secure employment after their training has been completed. The bootcamps offer free training in a range of digital and technical skills, including cyber, IT, web development, data science, welding and engineering. This year’s bootcamps will also include skills bootcamps for green and construction job roles, alongside opportunities for those looking to move into healthcare, orofessional services and creative industry. For more: www.train4tomorrow.org.uk

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DOUBLE VISION The Ted Wragg Trust has welcomed two new members to its Board of Trustees. James Frampton, from Exeter, and Plymouthbased Lady Teresa Gardner join the local academy trust, which now counts fourteen schools under its leadershop, including one from Crediton; nine from Exeter and Cranbrook; Welcome James and a new all-through school, Matford Brook and Teresa Academy, which is being built on the edge of Exeter and is due to open in September 2023. “We are thrilled to welcome Teresa and James who between them bring a wide range of experience from Teresa’s impressive career within education leadership and James’ as a partner in the private wealth team at Michelmores LLP and specialising in trusts and estate planning,” says Andy Mulcock, Chair of trustees. For more: www.tedwraggtrust.co.uk

There are compelling arguments for both single and co-ed schools

SCHOOL GUIDE VICTORIA BOND

Let’s talk about (single) sex

Are single or co-ed schools best?

f there’s one debate in education that can knock the state vs private debate off its educational perch, it’s the pros and cons of single sex schools. Do all-boys schools breed hypermasculine behaviour? Are all-girls schools really the key to acing every single GCSE? Only 6 per cent of schools in England are now single sex after the great ‘go comp’ shift of the 1970s but a high percentage of parents struggle when faced with the choice. Many of us get caught between two negative perceptions. The first is that a mixed education is hampered by distractions of the opposite sex. The second is that single sex schools are not reflective of the modern working world. The decision isn’t helped by the fact there are passionate advocates armed with compelling arguments in both camps. Fans of single sex schools say they offer a more focused teaching style (e.g. shorter lessons for boys), less preconceptions about gender typical subjects (girls are 2.5 times more likely to study Physics A

level in an all-girls school) and exam results are better. Team co-ed claims that mixed schools do more to nurture emotional and social development; oﬀer a softer culture more conducive to learning; and the daily interaction between boys and girls levels out some of the less desirable aspects of both. But what does the data say on the issue of pink or blue? It’s no coincidence that the case for single sex schools usually resurfaces at the same time as exam results. Headlines claim girls have outperformed boys – again – and all-boys and all-girls schools dominate the league tables. However, many are highly academically selective and if we factor in prior attainment, there’s often very little in it. Yes, there is evidence that girls are quicker out of the attainment blocks: in 2019 (the last oﬃcial data before exams were cancelled), girls outperformed boys at age 11 in

SATs exams by 8 per cent. But look at results for 18 year olds in the same year and girls achieved 25.5 per cent A* or A grades at A level, compared to 25.4 per cent for boys. It’s the classroom equivalent of ‘there’s nothing to see here, folks, move on’. So how do we decide which is best? There may be a clue in the rise of so-called Diamond schools, which are on the up across the UK and education experts say oﬀer the best of both worlds. These schools educate boys and girls together in the early years, separately at 11-16 when the hormones are raging and there are key exams to pass, then together again from 16-18, the sixth form, when they are preparing pupils for university and the big wide world. It’s no coincidence that many single sex schools have co-ed sixth forms for the same reason. Ultimately, however, in a

“Only 6 per cent of schools in England are now single sex”

post-pandemic era when we are all putting a greater emphasis on pupil wellbeing, my advice would be to look at the bigger picture and decide if you like the feel and focus of the school – regardless of type. Are the kids nice? Will your son and daughter ﬁnd their tribe? Matthew Way, head of Stonar School, a co-ed school in Wiltshire, agrees, “I’m not sure that single sex vs co-ed is a useful question when choosing a school for your child. Arguments on both sides of the debate focus on what limits a young person’s agency and development. It’s much more important to ﬁnd a school where the ethos and culture allows your child to be themselves.” Victoria Bond is founder and CEO of School Guide, an easy-to-use website that helps parents discover exam results, catchment maps and parent reviews for all their local schools. For more: www.schoolguide.co.uk

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SPORT

BRIGHT SPARKES

Exeter City FC’s recent promotion to League One gave the team – and the city – an almighty boost. Sue McQueenie sat down with 21-year-old player Jack Sparkes to find out more about the incredible journey they’ve been on…

Jack Sparkes joined Exeter City Academy when he was nine

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f you live in Exeter you can’t fail to have noticed that our brilliant football team has done particularly well this season… The roar from St James Park could be heard right across the city when captain Matt Jay – who has been with the club since he was nine – scored the winning goal against Barrow that secured Exeter City’s automatic promotion to League One. Sighs of relief were equally audible from fans, who had dreaded the club ending up in the playoffs… again. And there were rightly celebrations, as the club secured its place in the higher league after 10 years in League Two, with thousands of people welcoming the players as they took part in a bus parade down to the High Street to be welcomed with a civic reception at the historic Guildhall. We caught up with one of the team members in that parade, Jack Sparkes, who joined the Exeter City Academy at just nine years old, to find out a bit more about life as a professional footballer with Exeter City. Jack, now 21, credits his Exmouth School PE teachers for influencing his pathway to becoming a footballer, and those same PE teachers can still be found on the Big Bank on a Saturday afternoon, cheering on ‘their Jack’. “They just looked after me in a way,” Jack says. “I had Ian Taylor, who was really good to

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Exeter FC team in full celebration after beating Barrow

me, Stuart Lowe and Ben Findel-Hawkins, my head of year who just helped me out a lot in terms of being a contact with Exeter. I went to a few day training sessions and they helped me with getting out of school a little bit, but they were also people to talk to, especially as they’ve had careers in sport. They were all a massive help and people I could go to if I needed a little bit of support or advice.”

“My dad has followed me all over the country for the last 10 years and he comes to every home game” And the whirlwind of the last few weeks is still sinking in. “In my short career that I’ve had, this is by far the best moment, the happiest moment ever,” he continues. “The Barrow game is obviously a big standout – the feeling when Matt scored that goal and the final whistle went, I don’t think you’ll ever be able to replicate it. Especially for a lot of the lads, being our first promotion, being with some of the lads I’ve grown up with, it’s special. I’ve just been down to town to get my shirt and medal framed. I can’t describe it, it’s just brilliant.

“I’ve come up through the academy with Dan Green from under-nines, and then obviously Matt Taylor when he was under-23s coach – just to be able to do it with everyone you know, it’s just absolutely brilliant.” For Jack it was particularly pleasing, having spent time on the sidelines after injuring first his knee and later his shoulder. City fans point to the game against Harrogate as a big turning point for the club, and it was a game where Jack played a crucial role, scoring a miraculous 95th minute goal, securing a 4-3 win for Exeter, having gone 3-1 down in the first half. “That game definitely gave us more confidence going forward and we showed we could win games. Thankfully we went on a winning run after that. It was a nice goal I suppose. I’d actually done it a couple of times the week before in training and we watched it back, so when I scored I felt like ‘oh yeah I’ve done this before’. That was a point where we had a really good run and as the season went on, we knew we had a really good chance. “My dad has followed me all over the country for the last 10 years and he comes to every home game. To see his face when I scored against Harrogate; he was so proud, and I think he even had a tear in his eye. Just to be able to repay him is amazing, and I know a couple of my old teachers are season ticket holders, it’s just really great to see everyone smiling because of me and what the team have achieved.” As well as the support of his dad, Jack also

SPORT

has his girlfriend Abbie backing him. “Abbie is brilliant. She comes to all the games she can, but she works on a Saturday, so she always tries to book time off. She was able to be at the Barrow game, so she was really pleased, and it’s great to have her next to me in everything I do.” The couple make the most of their Sundays together during the football season, going for walks or out to eat locally to where they live in Newton Abbot. Jack also enjoys a game of snooker, to relax and wind down after training and when he’s in Exeter he’s on the look out for nice places to eat and drink. “I just like to walk round the city and have a wander, grab some food” says Jack. “I always enjoy going down the Quay – it has some really nice restaurants and bars.” And he and his teammates can often be found out and about in Exeter after a game, the Terrace and Timepiece being popular haunts. The success of the football club is also a success for the city of Exeter. Exeter City Council leader Cllr Phil Bialyk, says, “We have some big clubs to play next year, and I feel that

I am speaking for everybody when I say that I wish the club all the very best in League One next season. “It really was fantastic to see the promotion celebrations and the bus parade in the city centre. It was uplifting and there’s a great feeling for the club – it is in a great place and really moving forward. I thoroughly enjoyed the night, as did thousands of fans who gathered to congratulate the players, and I couldn’t be more pleased for the club and its supporters.” Things at the supporter-owned club are going from strength to strength, with record

gate numbers at the end of the season and visits from bigger teams, bringing more people to the city, next season. Work has also started on new £3million training facilities at the Cliff Hill Training Ground just outside Exeter, and, despite the impact of Covid, they’ve just won a gold award for the way they engage families and young fans at St James Park – one of only 12 clubs across the English Football Leagues to receive the accolade. “This season has surpassed our greatest hopes,” says Nick Hawker, chair of the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust. “We have a fantastic manager in Matt Taylor, an incredible team on the pitch and an equally incredible team of staff and volunteers who have all contributed to this success. “As a supporter-owned club, we believe the club’s success is the city’s success and are grateful to everyone who has backed us and believed in us. Bring on next season in League One!” www.exetercityfc.co.uk

above: Ecstatic crowds at the bus parade through the city; top: Captain Matt Jay and Jack Sparkes celebrating

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It’s the city’s business

EXETERWORKS Make haste! Nominations open on 8 June

ON YOUR MARKS…

Levi Roots

EXETER PROPERTY AWARDS: AT-AGLANCE

What: Prestigious awards in celebration of the best of Exeter property and property companies. Why: Because this is a stunning, vibrant sector that deserves to be celebrated. How: Companies enter via www.exeterpropertyawards. co.uk. Check out the top tips on the website. Independent judges then decide. Format: Lunchtime event, afternoon awards. Begins from 12pm, ends around 4pm. Tickets: Available soon When: Friday 21 October 2022 Where: Sandy Park, Exeter Sponsors: Close Brothers Property Finance, Halsall Construction, Hydrock, Hampshire Trust Bank, 247 Property Auctions, Triangle Networks, South West Business Finance, Stonewood. © @HARRIETAVN

Phil Harrison

The second Exeter Property Awards are taking place on 21 October and nominations will open on 8 June. There will be a breakfast launch reception at Hotel du Vin, at 8am on 8 June for anyone who would like to learn more about the awards. The awards are free to enter and can be won by any company that fits the criteria. Simply put, if you’re in the area and have had a strong performance in any of the following categories, then you can win. The categories are: Architecture, Civic Development, Commercial Development, Consultancy, Contractor, Developer, Employer, Financial, Green Initiative, Interior Designer, Property Agent, Residential Development, One to Watch, Suppliers and Services, Transformations. Head to www.exeterpropertyawards.com for all the awards information

The latest from Exeter Chamber

What the treasures exhibition might look like at Exeter Cathedral

THANKS A LATTE FROM EXETER CHAMBER

Two keynote speakers have been announced for EntreConf, the conference for entrepreneurs returning on 30 June. And tickets are now on sale. EntreConf aims to provide inspiration and practical advice for entrepreneurs, linking them with advisers. New speakers are Levi Roots, food entrepreneur, reggae name, media player and Dragon’s Den success story. Also videogames guru Phil Harrison, VP and general manager for Google running its games activities; he formerly led Xbox games development for Microsoft; and prior to that was president of Sony’s PlayStation games studios worldwide. Sponsors to date at this virtual event are Burges Salmon, Lombard Odier and the University of Bath. For more: Entreconf.com

BIG NAMES FOR ENTRECONF

HAVING FUND

Exeter Cathedral has been awarded a £4.3 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project will reimagine the space at Exeter Cathedral, particularly focusing on the East End of the building, the Pearson Building and a new Cloister Gallery. The money raised by National Lottery players will see a new interpretation of the building which will enhance the visitor experience and offer greater accessibility for visitors. For more: www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk

“I can’t quite believe it, but we’ve been hosting our Coffee in the City for a whole year! Where have the last 12 months gone? Our early morning networking events have fast become a favourite amongst Exeter Chamber members and it’s not hard to see why. The free coffee helps I’m sure, but for me, it’s the quality of attendees and the marvellous venues what make it. Our networkers come from a variety of businesses, which I find inspiring, it’s refreshing to find out what’s happening in other realms of business, and it gives us the chance to share what’s happening in our sectors with others. It’s also an excuse to have a good old catch up and natter. To celebrate what has been a fabulous and successful year of coffee events, we’re hosting a special celebratory event at Coal Kitchen in Princesshay on15 June from 8.30am – 9.30am. Come along and enjoy your usual coffee and we’ll throw in some delicious pastries as an extra treat. It’ll be a chance to meet some of the Chamber board directors and catch up with fellow board members.” Yvan Williams, Chamber board director; www.exeterchamber.co.uk

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JOURNEY TO THE JOB

Tyler Gray 21-year-old Tyler is a manager and assessor at Hair at the Academy, the training salon in Exeter which supports young people from all walks of life Photos by Matt Round Hello Tyler! What did you want to be when you were little? When I was young, I always dreamt of working in mental health and helping people. You’re a manager and assessor. What’s a typical day for you? A day at Hair at the Academy, well, firstly it is the most rewarding and enriching role I have ever been in. I predominantly support learners as they go through the process of enrolling at the academy and supporting learners in any way possible to attend and gain work ready qualifications. These learners are often disengaged from education, in the care system, suffering with mental health issues or learning disabilities. I am privileged to be able to support the learners into the salon and work closely with the learners to be able to gain a qualification. We take

every learner as an individual and use a scaffolding to support learners back into education, I work closely with our attendance and wellbeing officer and counsellor who offer support to enable learners to succeed. You started at the Hair At The Academy aged 15, what led you there? I was referred to the academy by virtual school due to me not being able to attend a mainstream profession because of my mental health issues. Can you tell us a little bit about what it was like for you when you started? The first few sessions at the salon were incredibly challenging and my anxiety made it impossible to even be able to walk through the door of the salon. Mary Pugsley and her team came out to sit with me and chat and made me feel comfortable enough to finally go

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in. After attending the course for three months my mental health improved massively, and my confidence grew. For the first time I felt there was truly something to fight for. There were some low points, but I was always made to feel supported by the tutors and that I could do it! When I got my Level Two Diploma and qualified in hairdressing and barbering, I was so excited. I am proud to say that I now also have my assessor qualifications too. You’ve spoken about your mental health and the struggles that you’ve had – how has the Hair At The Academy helped you? They have supported me by providing a mentally healthy environment to learn in, and by showing empathy and by giving time in the teaching model provided. It has been a unique

learning journey which ensures you never feel as if you’re falling behind others. It gives you an opportunity to take charge of your qualification and learning experience. Your incredible journey shows that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to education – everyone’s journey is different. Do you have any advice or support for anyone that is struggling at school? It’s not always easy to find a place in a mainstream environment. I strongly believe that if you have a tutor that shows support and empathy it really helps. I think my advice to young people would be: always speak up if you are struggling and fight for the support you deserve. Any words of wisdom for anyone wanting to start a career in hairdressing? Remember that it’s not as easy as

EXETERWORKS Tyler Gray demonstrating barbering with a HATA Student

stereotypically believed, but is truly an art form, so stick with it as it will all be worth it in the long run. The hair and beauty industry in the UK is massive and there is definitely money to be made in this profession, and an opportunity to go self-employed and offer mobile hairdressing in people’s homes. What qualities do you think a person needs to be a good hairdresser? Being a good listener and showing empathy. Clients often discuss issues that have arisen in their life, and it takes a kind and caring individual to really take time to listen to them and be mindful. Can you paint a picture of the good, the bad and everything in between! The hairdressing and beauty industry is a great profession. I believe that listening to clients about their lives,

whether it’s good or bad, is rewarding as it gives them an opportunity to open up and talk to someone. I would also say that in the hairdressing industry there is always room for

“CLIENTS OFTEN DISCUSS ISSUES THAT HAVE ARISEN IN THEIR LIFE, AND IT TAKES A KIND AND CARING INDIVIDUAL TO REALLY TAKE TIME TO LISTEN TO THEM”

improvement, creativity, and new talent. It’s a very practical job that involves lots of organisational skills to ensure you organise your busy day and client bookings. What have been the biggest challenges in your career? Cutting a bald patch on a client’s head and having to attempt to blend this out! Professionally, what have been the things you are most proud of? Winning ‘Against the Odds’ in The Collective Pride Awards, launched by mental health campaigner and barber Tom Chapman. And it was a double celebration as Mary Pugsley MBE, owner of Hair at the Academy, also won the category for ‘Excellent Educator’.

And personally? Supporting young people that have had the most difficult start in life, to help them achieve their dreams and then watching them turn into professional young adults. When you’re not working, what do you like to get up to? In my spare time I currently work in a supported living environment supporting adults with additional needs and complex mental health needs. I find it really rewarding. What is the most surprising thing about you? I’m allergic to most hairdressing products – bleach, colour, perm solution!

For more: Hair at the Academy, Cornerstone, 10 Kimberley Road, Exeter; www.hairattheacademy.co.uk

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Thank you to our keynote speakers Lucian Cook and Jennet Siebrits for their brilliant insights. Thank you also to all of our Sponsors: to Action Net Zero, Futureground, GA Energy and Interaction.

TOP ROW: Basil

Demeroutis (FORE Partnership), Bianca Laura Latini (Buro Happold), Cerys Williams (Sero Homes), Chad Griffiths (Principality), Chris Ambrose (Coutts); MIDDLE ROW: Helen Rumford (GA Energy), Lucinda Mitchell, First Base (Soapworks), Mike Borne (Interaction), Nick Fairham (BDP), Nick Hodges, (Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios); BOTTOM ROW: Nick James (Futureground), Pam Barbato (Action Net Zero), Pepper Barney (BiBO), Sam Goss (Barefoot Architects), Simon Peacock (JLL)

SP E CI A L RE PO R T SUSTAINABILITY AND PROPERTY

Property Symposium The recent conference saw property experts and professionals explore the rapidly-rising importance of sustainability

hat sort of a world do we wish to create in terms of sustainability in property? How does legislation and changing customer concerns aﬀect property – both for commercial and residential? And what are some best practice examples to stimulate and inspire us? All these questions were up for vigorous debate during the recent Property Symposium event, hosted by Greg Ingham, chief executive of MediaClash, our magazine’s publisher. The conference featured keynotes, panel discussions and networking sessions and had a stellar cast of contributors, from regional operators to some of the world’s biggest real estate companies. Here are insights from the discussions…

INSIGHTS FROM LUCIAN COOK, HEADS OF SAVILLS’ RESIDENTIAL RESEARCH TEAM Lucian reported on the scale of the sustainability challenge for the residential property sector and discussed how hitting net zero might be achieved. “There has been a signiﬁcant reduction in carbon emissions since the mid to late 2000s, but residential is

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Lucian Cook

the outlier,” said Lucian. His analysis showed that in the UK residential is responsible for 68.1million tonnes of carbon emissions each year, a sizeable 20 per cent of the total percentage of carbon emissions. Improvements have been made, with new properties being brought to the market but there is still a major legacy problem with older houses, specifically because 86 per cent of older households use gas as their heat source. How can this situation be changed? “There is a three-pronged approach. You need to tackle energy usage, decarbonising heating sources (getting away from the gas boiler), and improving energy efficiency. “We need to increase the investment of energy efficiency in our homes by 700 per cent. “It’s important to note, there is no single solution to this. Looking at every individual measure – the most

recommended improvements range from simple, low-cost interventions for pre-war property houses like insulating hot water cylinders (£23) to more expensive changes like having bigger solid wall insulation (£9000).” “If you were to implement all these suggestions from the EPC across the nation it would come to a staggering £330bn.” In terms of policy changes that may be implemented, Lucian outlined a number of options: increasing energy taxes for energy is highly political and looks like an unlikely choice for now, grants and green ﬁnances can only go so far given the ﬁnancial challenges, and mandatory EPC standards at point of sale are probably too draconian a choice for the government. One option that looked probable, concluded Lucian, is a phasing out of the gas boiler, through various means.

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LIVE PANEL SESSION ON FINANCE: SUSTAINABILITY IMPLICATIONS with Basil Demeroutis (FORE Partnership), Cerys Williams (Sero Homes), Chad Griffiths (Principality) and Chris Ambrose (Coutts) The live panel session looked at the impact of sustainability on property financing: how can property developers and financial lenders ‘afford’ looming sustainable costs on new buildings? Cerys Williams touched on the positive impact that increased EPC ratings are having on property prices. Her research showed that if a property had increased by two EPC bands, this resulted in an increase in the house value by 12 per cent, while an increase in three EPC bands meant an increase of over 19 per cent. All good news for the property developers and a great incentive for them to build green. But what about for the individual? How can they afford to buy green properties? The panellists discussed that with rapid raising costs of energy bills in the UK, the cost of living sustainably was looking more appealing to the general public. Basil reported that in New York new laws have come into play whereby landlords are being taxed if they don’t improve the energy performance of their building. “We can’t continue to buy and consume carbon with impunity,” said Basil. “Things like the introduction of carbon tax in the US are to be applauded.” Chris reported that Coutts currently has an “encouragement rather than punishment” relationship with their clients; instead of introducing taxes they have chosen to offer schemes like green mortgages and free rebate so that people can understand the financial benefits of being green. Chad added that at Principality they also offered similar projects to encourage clients to go green; through their green development scheme – whereby they lend more and reduce their fees – they help clients with increased sustainability-related fees. LIVE PANEL SESSION ON RETROFITTING: LEGISLATION, RESPONSIBILITIES with Helen Rumford (GA Energy), Sam Goss (Barefoot Architects) and Simon Peacock (JLL) This session focused on the impact of legislation on property, specifically around retrofitting and recasting older properties for future realities.

The panel discussed the complexities and uncertainties surrounding sustainability – and how, while there is enthusiasm from many quarters, not everything is in place to make the changes that need to be made. “Sustainable design necessitates things which look different,” said Sam. “They might need different materials which aren’t necessarily in keeping with the surrounding context. There is a hesitation for property developers and planners to accept that. This disruptive change to the retro fit world is not being kept up with by planning legislation – we’re seeing a wave that’s ahead of the government curve. It is causing us issues.” So, if there are changes that need to be made with legislation, what should they be? “A comprehensive retro fit strategy which is all encompassing” said Sam. “The government should make rules that EPC ratings on houses should have a bare minimum of A or B to make a sale.” Simon added that one of the issues facing the retro fit work is the sheer volume of work that needs to be done set against the shortage of contractors available at the moment. Within the context of the government’s aim for buildings to have an A, B or C rating by 2030, he cited that 86 per cent of offices in Bristol would have to be given an uplift the next eight years. “There’s a lot of work to be done,” he concluded. Helen added that because of this shortage of contractors, it is important for businesses to start thinking about how they might need to renovate their office building now so that we’re not all trying to do it at the same time. INSIGHTS FROM JENNET SIEBRITS, HEAD OF UK RESEARCH AT CBRE Jennet reported on the sustainable issues for commercial real estate, identifying trends, analysing the market, and providing insight and ideas.

Jennet Siebrits

She reported that rocketing energy prices have been a key factor in making companies sit up and look to make changes in how they manage their properties in a more sustainable way. The UK target is to reduce greenhouse gas from by 68 per cent by 2030, from its 2019 levels, and to achieve net zero by 2050. Currently around 40 per cent of CO2 emissions come from building environments – within that number commercial accounts for 20 per cent, residential 70. In keeping with the Paris agreement, Jennet said that commercial property has to reduce CO2 between 2022 and 2050 by a staggering 94 per cent. The main sustainability issues surrounding commercial issues are a need for a deep and wider strategic coverage of sustainable issues, tightening regulation, a need to better understand the ‘green premium’, and understanding what the right path to net zero is. She added that there’s an even more immediate issue than sustainability for many commercial property landlords and tenants: occupancy post-pandemic and WFH. FT reported recently that return has stalled, at maybe as low as 25 per cent, definitely well below prepandemic levels. LIVE PANEL SESSION ON VISIONARIES: THE NEW BUILT ENVIRONMENT with Mike Borne (Interaction), Nick Fairham (BDP), Nick Hodges (Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios) and Pepper Barney (BiBO Studio) The session began with the panel discussing how they encourage clients to get on board when it comes to creating a green property. Nick said that it’s about taking clients on a journey with you. He explained that with sustainability, it’s not just about materials and carbon, it’s about the bigger picture – how sustainability impacts health and wellbeing and issues around bio diversity. By looking at the context, you can tap into what the clients’ ambitions might be.

“WE’RE SEEING A WAVE THAT’S AHEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT CURVE”

LOOK OUT FOR THE PROPERTY AWARDS 2022! The Property Awards are all returning to Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter later this year. 21 October Exeter Property Awards; www.exeterpropertyawards.com 4 November Bath Property Awards; www.bathpropertyawards.co.uk 18 November Cardiff Property Awards; www.cardiffpropertyawards.co.uk 25 November Bristol Property Awards; www.bristolpropertyawards.co.uk

Pepper chatted about the emphasis on regulations points. She said that with the retro fit movement, and thinking about how to decarbonise properties in general, they’re addressing the minutiae of the existing housing stock – in short, how this is affecting individuals and their budgets. Nick Fairham finished by adding that while sustainability has its challenges it also drives innovation and creativity. “It allows us to explore new ideas,” he said. LIVE EXPERT PANEL SESSION SUMMARISING TODAY’S EVENT with Bianca Laura Latini (Buro Happold), Jennet Siebrits (CBRE), Nick James (Futureground) and Pam Barbato (Action Net Zero) The panel discussed some of the themes raised during the property symposium. “The key reflection for me is thinking about the scale and pace of change that is needed – from an industry that’s arguably not good at change,” said Nick James. “There are lots of positive things we can be doing , we’re not ‘shopping’ for technical fixes, it’s more than that. It’s a systemic change that is needed which will present both challenges and opportunity.” Fancy watching the whole Property Symposium? Search for “Property Symposium” on YouTube. For more news on our events, head to www.mediaclash.co.uk

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