Exeter Living - Issue 299

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A-Z GUIDE ISSUE 299 / LATE JUNE 2022 / £3

INSIDE!

ISSUE 299 / LATE JUNE 2022 / WE ❤ EXETER INDIES

ETERNAL SUMMER INDEPENDENT SPIRIT A SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL BUSINESSES

DINING WITH THE EXE

WE VISIT EXETER’S NEWEST RESTAURANT

FUN AND GAMES

FAMILY DAYS OUT THIS SUMMER

EXETER PROPERTY AWARDS 2022 NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

A PENNSYLVANIA PROPERTY TO FALL IN LOVE WITH

EDITOR’S LETTER

ABOVE Boudicca Woodland from

One Mile Bakery, see page 12; BELOW Seashell earrings from the shop at RAMM, see page 22

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ave you tried a jumbo-sized Slovakian chimney cake from Twisters Café?

Picked up a pretzel roll from Exeter’s tiniest shop, or enjoyed Italian coffee from Sundays, the new café on Quayside? This issue sees us doff our hats to the amazing independents in Exeter in our bumper A – Z guide (page 12). We chat to the owners of the aromatic, booky, cool, dog-friendly, eco-friendly (you get the picture!) business owners that are part of the city’s bursting entrepreneurial landscape.

Elsewhere, with summer in full swing we look at fun family days out (page 35), showcase the perfect beach outfit and accessories (all sourced from the local indies, naturally) and try out the new local restaurants, The Cheeky Vegan and Exe (page 43 onwards).

We also announce that the nominations of our Exeter Property Awards 2022 are now open (page 59). Exeter is teeming with stunning property – just like this dreamy house on our front cover – so if you work in the sector and have had exciting, recent success stories, do get your nomination in to us and tell us all about it!

For more exciting news, drum roll please…the next issue is our 300th issue. We are so excited to be putting this one together – it promises to be a huge, dazzling love letter to the city, celebrating everything that makes Exeter the only place we’d want to live in.

Stay tuned...

HARRIET NOBLE

Follow us on Twitter @ExeterLiving Instagram @exeterlivingmag

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Issue 299 / Late June 2022 COVER 1 Rosebarn Avenue, see page 61 for more

REGULARS

7 SPOTLIGHT Stories to make you smile 9 JP HEDGE Talks building on the momentum of the Jubilee 48 SOCIETY So many parties – can you spot yourself at any of these?

66 LIVES Chatting to a much-loved local busker

THE BIG FEATURE

12 A-Z INDIES A spotlight on some of our fave local shops, cafés

and restaurants

SHOPPING

22 EDITOR’S CHOICE Beach wardrobe, tick

THE ARTS

25 ARTS INTRO Exeter Chiefs and their big birthday exhibition 26 WHAT’S ON Festivals, music and family fun 29 BOOKS Charlie Richards has all the top recommendations

61

OUT & ABOUT

32 DEVON COUNTY SHOW Chatting with a South Devons farmer 35 FAMILY DAYS OUT Summer holidays sorted

FOOD & DRINK

41 FOOD & DRINK NEWS Culinary highlights 43 TARA SMITH tucks into the latest vegan opening 44 RESTAURANT We visit Exeter’s newest restaurant

EDUCATION

55 EDUCATION Victoria Bond has top advice for keeping the grey

cells ticking over during the summer break

BUSINESS

56 EXETERWORKS News and success stories from the business world 57 JOURNEY TO THE JOB A career in law untold

PROPERTY

59 PROPERTY NEWS The nominations for the Exeter Property

Awards are now open!

61 SHOWCASE A beaut of a house

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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 Charlie Richards, JP Hedge, Tara Smith 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 The Story of Us festival is new this year

Festivals

FESTIVAL FEVER

© EMILY APPLETON

Work is under way for a new cultural festival in Exeter, which is set to take place on 11 September.

The Story of Us will celebrate Devon’s Polish, Hindu and Caribbean communities and will feature a day of arts and crafts workshops, storytelling, music, poetry, dance workshops, stand-up comedy, photo and art exhibitions at Barnfield Theatre.

The festival is being devised and delivered by the Northcott’s Encompass group, in partnership with Exeter Northcott Theatre and Beyond Face Theatre Company.

For more: www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

Sport

HAVING A BALL

A group of Exeter schoolboys had the experience of a lifetime as they set foot on the hallowed Wembley turf for the Utilita Kids Cup Final recently.

The Utilita Kids Cup is a national tournament for junior footballers which offers children the opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium.

The Exeter team were Team spirit at Wembley there after reaching the final in regional heats, having been supported by coaches from Exeter City Community Trust with training sessions over the season.

Although Stoke Hill under-12s – representing Exeter City – were beaten it was nonetheless an incredible afternoon for the young boys.

“Despite the result not going our way on the day, the boys positivity and professional attitude was outstanding throughout,” says Callum Shipton, Exeter City Community Trust club community coach.

“Having the privilege to be backstage at one of the biggest and best stadiums in world football is something that myself, the team, and all involved will never forget.”

For more: www.exetercct.org

Visitors will be able to explore the ship in 3D via a video game

Exhibition

TITANIC EXHIBITION More than 100 years after the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the North Atlantic, a selection of carefully curated artefacts are set to go on display at Exeter’s Corn Exchange.

The display runs from 10 – 22 August and will feature remains, largescale imagery and audio that bring the story of the Titanic to life. Visitors can take a look at these objects up-close and in detail, try on a life vest, explore the ship in 3D via an upcoming Titanic video game, and meet both experts and artists.

“As a local resident, I can’t wait to open the exhibition to members of the public from Exeter,” says curator Tom Rudderham, from White Star Heritage.

“The Titanic has become a huge part of our cultural heritage, so to have items from the ship on display in the city centre is a real honour.

The tragic tale of the ship has captivated people for generations, and we hope this exhibition will bring the Titanic to life for visitors of all ages.”

For more: www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

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OPINION JP HEDGE

“Younger people were more likely to take part in a community event than any other age group”

Joy and jubilation The recent Jubilee in Exeter showed the desire for neighbours to come together. This community spirit should be nurtured, says JP

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vents to mark the Queen’s Jubilee have been rated among the best ever put on in the city. Several departments across Exeter City Council came together to deliver an exceptional day of fun in the sun in the city centre. There was also a huge amount of brilliant bijou community and neighbourhood gatherings organised by residents.

Full disclosure, I was taking part in a longstanding sleep deprivation family camping experiment in Cornwall on the Thursday of the bank holiday bonanza. But the informal and formal feedback together with some weighty statistics show we might have touched on something pretty special.

In the high street thousands of people lined the streets for tea, scones or something stronger to celebrate a lifetime of service by Her Majesty.

The Queen was the reason for the season but I really think there may be more to it.

And there is some interesting data to back up the hypothesis.

Last year Together.org set up a movement around a Thank You Day. The idea was to create a moment in the calendar where everyone has an excuse to get together with their neighbours and community. In 2021 it also gave the opportunity to try to embed the amazing community spirit that had been felt throughout the first lockdowns and say ‘thanks’ to everyone from all walks of life who had helped others.

We have annual days for just about everything in this country, including pancakes.

In the face of rising division, polarisation and loneliness, the idea was that there should be a politically free safe space for people to get to know their neighbours face to face. Just last week there was a survey to show one in four of our young people are lonely.

Some two million people took part in community activities in 2021.

This year, based on ICM polling data, nearly 17 million people participated in

Jubilee celebrations in their communities. And eight million of those attended a Thank You Day event – making it the biggest community event the country has ever seen.

Of course the number one reason for people getting together this time around was the Queen’s dedication to service.

But fundamentally there is also a need for connecting with each other in person again.

We lost it in the pandemic – and I think there is hope and momentum to get it back.

And really exciting for the future was the polling that showed that younger people were more likely to take part in a community event than any other age group.

Every ward in Exeter has community builders and connectors to help residents in all aspects of life. We have a brilliant team in the Lord Mayor’s office, Arts and Events, and also Visit Exeter.

We have a lot of tools to help anyone who would like to make connecting with their neighbours an annual event.

I’m looking forward to having discussions around the art of the possible moving forward.

If you have some ideas around reconnection then please do drop me a line. ■

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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SPONSORED CONTENT

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE BILL OPTICIANS celebrate fifty years of eye care excellence...

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n May 1972 Peter and Lesley Bill purchased a small opticians practice in Newton Abbot from the town’s retiring optometrist Cecil Forde.

Over the next three decades they built up an amazingly loyal patient base and by the end of 1999 the practice was bursting at the seams! They decided there were only two options, either retire from optics or find larger premises – luckily for Newton Abbot they choose the latter. Their two sons, James and Charles, who had also qualified as opticians, joined the family firm and they opened the state-of-the-art practice that we find them in today.

After practicing as optometrists for nearly forty years Peter and Lesley eventually retired and now the business is managed by their sons. Over the last ten years James and Charles have overseen an expansion

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programme, as such Bill Opticians now boasts seven practices across Devon and an eye hospital in Marsh Barton where vast numbers of cataract operations, as well as many other types of ocular surgery, are now conducted for both private and NHS patients. This facility is open to those requiring complex surgery but also runs regular optometry clinics for those wanting spectacles and contact lenses.

With a clean and modern showroom, and free parking directly outside the clinic, a trip to Bill Opticians at The Medical Eye Clinic is a joy in comparison to fighting your way in to the centre of town to visit a regular high-street store.

Since the business launched back in 1972 it is estimated that Bill Opticians must have tested more than a million eyes – experience is certainly not something lacking in this optical family. Over the years they have invested huge sums in modern high-tech ophthalmic equipment and their practices now routinely use some of the most advanced diagnostic equipment available to the modern optometrist. They run plenty of specialist clinics which many high-street opticians tend not to get involved with, such as colorimetry to help children with dyslexia and reading difficulties. They also fit specialist contact lenses which correct your vision whilst being worn overnight as you sleep, leaving you free from glasses or contact lenses for the day ahead. The team also provide services which can help children manage the severity of a child’s short-sightedness. They also supply varifocals which can be tailor-made for each

and every individual so that one’s head posture, chosen frame, prescription, vocational needs are all taken in to account, this is all in the pursuit of providing exceptional visual performance with the spectacles they supply.

The past few years have taken their toll on many businesses and of course the optical industry has also had its casualties. Many independent opticians have closed their doors whilst others have had no option but to sell out to national chains. It is not uncommon for these chains to keep the trading name of these independent opticians, so it is not always easy to know how local your local opticians practice is! There is no such ambiguity with Bill Opticians. They have built a fantastic reputation by putting the needs of their patients first and always aiming for the highest standards of eye care excellence. It is comforting to know that this local success is still owned and managed by the family who started it fifty years ago. ■

For more information: www.billopticians.co.uk Dawlish | Exeter | Honiton Newton Abbot | Tiverton Teignmouth | Totnes

Boudicaa Woodland from One Mile Bakery

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A-Z OF INDIES

THE A-Z GUIDE TO INDIES IN EXETER New ones, quirky ones, little ones, underground and workingfrom-home ones – here is a sprinkling of local businesses making their mark in the city

By Harriet Noble

© ALE X JENKINS PHOTOGR APHY

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AROMATIC The smell of chocolate is a gorgeous, arresting thing. Stopping us, literally, in our tracks are the homemade brownies from Cake or Death, on Bartholomew Street West. The shop only opened in Exeter last year but already has a cult following in the city. Katie Cross, the founder, upsticked from trendy Dalston to Exeter last year and has got a winning formula with her handmade gooey, vegan mouthfuls (which you can also get delivered to your door) and hot pink interiors.

More gorgeous smelly places?

Big Bakes Bakery on Queen Street is also a total dream for the nostrils, other agree – there’s usually a queue outside so get there early doors to experience their colourful bakes. For a totally different kind of yummy smell, head to eco-friendly Soap Daze on Fore Street, for fresh summery notes we love the lemon and lime, and ginger and mandarin soaps. www.cakeordeath.co.uk; www.bigbakesbakery.co.uk; www.soapdaze.com

Cake or Death is just off Fore Street

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BOOKY Bookbag, Exeter’s much loved independent bookshop sells a range of fiction and non-fiction with a strong local and global feel, and houses sections on race, feminism, books for children and young adults. Nestled in the Real McCoy arcade it’s a cosy spot where people can drop in and find out what’s hot in the literary world from owner Charlie Richards (check out her book column on page 29 for her latest recommendations). Charlie and the team regularly host literary events with an eclectic array of writers – check out their Instagram page to find out all the latest. www.bookbag.shop

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COOL A contentious and hotly debated category but we’d put forward Tabac, the small but good-looking bar on Queen Street, Topsham Brewery on Exeter’s Quayside, and Pura Vida, the café on Well Street. There’s a fantastic selection of spirits and beers at Tabac and Topsham Brewery, and colourful, surfy decor at Pura Vida. Spot Exeter’s very own mild-mannered brand of hipsters in all three. @TABAC Taphouse; @topshambrewery; @puravida_exeter

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DOG-FRIENDLY The Daisy Café in Heavitree welcomes dogs with open arms and even gives friendly pooches a sausage. Mango’s and On the Waterfront down by the Quayside also happily welcome pooches and their owners. www.thedaisycafe.co.uk; www.cafemangos.co.uk; www.waterfrontexeter.co.uk

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ECO-FRIENDLY Nourish is a fantastic local success story. Owner Sarah Martin now has three nourish stores – Topsham, Exeter and Ashburton – and has won every award going for her packaging-free zero waste stores where you can buy food and other provisions without any of the plastic. We also love Zero on Fore Street, with their health, beauty and household range, including beautiful hammocks.

For pre-loved clothes and accessories, St Petrock’s Place on Paris Street is a treasure trove. www.nourishzerowaste.com; www.myzerolifestyle.co.uk; www.stpetrocks.org.uk

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above: Katie Cross from Cake or Death; below: Trendy hangout cafe Pura Vida

FAMILY-RUN Working with family – it’s either your idea of heaven or hell.

Among those who’ve taken it in their stride are couple Rachel Howe and Jacob Hicks who opened up Cheese & Provisions shop (on Magdalen Road) last October, in the same month as having a baby.

They’re big into supporting and highlighting British makers, giving traditional products a place on the modern table, and have all the cheese, biscuits, pickles, preserves, and jams a cheese lover could ask for.

More? So so many but we love skincare shop Coraline Skincare in Topsham, run by husband-and-wife team Kevin and Liz Troy, who named the shop after their daughter, Coraline.

A-Z OF INDIES

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Waxing lyrical about Richard Hills-Ingyon

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GREEK Souvlaki and Gyros on Biddle Street serve straight up honest Greek food from Thursday to Sunday evenings. Sit out in the sweet little terrace and get stuck into a tender bit of lamb and tzatziki. @greekfoodinexeter

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HOME There’s been a huge increase in recent years of people setting up businesses from home. One such is Boudicca Woodland who started One Mile Bakery in 2018. She bakes and hand delivers bread, along with seasonal soups and preserves, to anyone living in a one-mile radius from her home in St Thomas.

“My background is theatre, festivals and street arts,”says Boudicca.

“I was looking to balance work with a young family so wrote a list of everything I enjoyed doing and baking featured quite heavily.

“My mother used to regularly make seeded wholemeal loaves which I used to help knead as a child. There is nothing better than bread still slightly warm from the oven!

“The idea behind the bakery is to share a world of great bread, soups and preserves so that, over a month or more, you get to enjoy an exciting range of food. You get quality guaranteed, but also an element of surprise and discovery with each delivery to your door.”

The business works via a subscription service and the weekly deliveries brings something different, so a subscription offers a chance to sample a wide range of artisan breads, seasonal soups and preserves – all handmade at home, and delivered to the customer in person.

“I also host baking classes at home where I bake my bread for delivery customers. In classes, I like to show people what amazing baking you can achieve at home in a normal domestic kitchen. The classes include an Introduction to Baking, Introduction to Sourdough, Italian Baking Day, Breads of the World, and a Devon Baking Day. I also have a half day taster session that is suitable for people aged 8+ with adults.” www.onemilebakery.com

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JOYOUS Glorious Art House Café on Fore Street. The Frida Kahlo colour scheme and walled garden never fail to lift the spirits. www.thegloriousarthouse.com KID-FRIENDLY Topsham-based store Squid & The Kid sells children’s clothes and toys, and runs weekly playgroups every Friday morning.

In Exeter’s Paris Street, popular café spot Kids Hub Coffee has a play

© ALE X JENKINS PHOTOGR APHY

And for the long-timers, there is Tammy Falloon and her mother Janet Flinn of local garden centre St Bridget’s Nursery. Their family have been growing plants in Exeter since 1925. Amazing! www.magdalencheese.co.uk; www.coralineskincare.com; www.stbridget.uk

INSPIRING Many companies give to charity but some go the extra mile and actually incorporate giving back into their business model. The Recycled Candle Company on Gandy Street – who make and sell beautiful candles from donated old candles – give 10 per cent of sales from their rainbow striped PRIDE heart candles to LGBTQI+ charities, while 10 per cent of sales from their Home Sweet Home pillar candles goes to the charity Missing People.

Clothing and homestore store Sanchos, on Fore Street, put ethics at the forefront of their business stocking products that are both sustainable and come from a system of fair production. You can view their carefully selected products online by sets of values – vegan gifting, black owned brands, zero waste brands, a pay it forward system – making it easy to be a responsible shopper. www.therecycledcandlecompany.co.uk; www.sanchosshop.com

Baking goddess Boudicca

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A-Z OF INDIES

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NEW! New to Exeter is Sundays, a café based on Exeter’s Quayside and run by George Vallance. George and the gang (a close-knit group of mates, plus girlfriend and mum and dad on busier days) serve up premium coffee roasted from the Dolomite Mountains, with a menu of toasted bagels, sourdough flatbreads and the team favourite – toasted vegan chocolate and banana bread served with espresso butter or yoghurt honey and blueberries.

Step inside the café and you’ll find a minimalist summery vibe with surfboards and t-shirts for sale.

“The dream of the cafe was to provide a place whereby people can enjoy delicious coffee, food and hangout with friendly staff,’ says George.

“It was always my dream to somehow combine my two favourite things – coffee and surfing. I was set on providing a place that the surf community in Exeter could have a place to pick up supplies and grab a drink or a bite to eat.”

“We now also host yoga every week and have lots more exciting plans coming soon such as introducing live music, cinema nights and pizza and wine nights.”

The business is not the first of George’s entrepreneurial achievements.

“Running a café had always been my dream, I spent the majority of my teenage years working in various coffee shops and in 2019 I opened up a pop-up coffee business called 8.30’s by the university.

This involved attaching a coffee machine to the back of my bicycle which I cycled up to Exeter University to sell to the students on their way to 8.30am lectures.

I had such a fun year doing this and it was a great introduction to having my own business.” @sundays_exeter

George Vallance at the new Quayside coffee hub

area for kids and, more recently, has opened up a quieter ‘living room’ space upstairs which can be booked (for free) for parent and baby groups, and special needs and homeschooling sessions. Sensory classes are scheduled to start in September. www.squidandthekid.com; www.kidshubcoffee.co.uk

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MAGDALEN ROAD The haven of indies on Magdalen Road make this a much loved spot in the city, especially for Exeter foodies who can enjoy locally sourced nourishment from The Grocer on the Green, Smith’s wine & Spirits, Bon Gout, Stage and Ben’s Farm Shop.

Happily not fitting into any neat genre is quirky shop Maker Maker, set up by husband and wife team and all-round creatives types Rupert and Anita. They have created a pretty unique set up which sells everything from ukuleles to socks, fabrics to antique furniture.

An Exeter gem. @thegroceronthegreen; www.iswine.co.uk; www.bongoutdeli.co.uk; www. stagerestaurant.co.uk; www.bensfarmshop.co.uk; www.makermaker.co.uk

“It was my dream to combine my two favourite things coffee and surfing” 16 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

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OPULENT For big style opulence, dazzling jewellery is hard to beat. For those looking to treat themselves or woo a lover, check out the rocks at Mortimers, Michael Spiers, and Erin Cox (who’s recently moved to Topsham) for a mixture of classic and adventurous. If your budget’s a little tighter but you’re still keen to bewitch, opt for delicious chocolates from chocolatier Truffle Hounds on Fore Street. Expect edible works of art. www.mortimersjewellers.co.uk; www.michaelspiers.co.uk; www.erincox.co.uk; @trufflehoundsexeter

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PINK Pinky décor hues of the dreamy Californian type can be found in Veg Box, the lovely vegan café on the Quayside. Other pinky spots in the city include Pink Moon on Queen Street. The bar and restaurant has recently introduced Wellness Mondays – think yoga, pilates and even life coaching sessions. @vegbox_cafe; www.pinkmooncafe.co.uk

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QUIRKY It’s got to be Helen of Troy, the newish boutique on Cathedral Green. The amazing historical building houses a kitsch array of clothes, accessories and homeware. You can pick up anything from pot plants to nipple tassels here. www.helenoftroyboutique.com

Oh-so pretty Hyde & Seek; INSET: Maker Mart manager Jenny Curtis and Beth Butler, The Mermaid manager

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LIFE-SAVING Ok, not literally but when you have a 15-minute window in your lunch break and you need to run into town and buy a birthday present for your best friend/ mum/ brother the following can be guaranteed to save the day: Hyde & Seek and Toot Garouk, both on Queen Street, Maker Mart on Gandy Street and Boka in Crediton. You’ll likely come out with an armful of items for yourself but that’s half the fun. www.hydeseek.co.uk; www.tootgarook.co.uk; www.makermart-exeter.com; www.bokaonline.co.uk

A-Z OF INDIES

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ROMANTIC Circa on Northernhay Place. This tucked away restaurant oozes French bistro ambience with its dark, candlelit interiors and beautiful, inventive food.

Intimate, stylish, eye-gazing inducing. Top-of-thepops date venue. www.circadevon.co.uk

“I never wake up and think I don’t want to go to work”

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SLOVAKIAN Twisters Café on Sidwell Street has got a fantastic, eye-popping and delicious USP. Slovakian mother and daughter team, Denisa and Adriana Farkasova, make and sell freshly baked chimney cakes. Not tried these epic sweet treats before? Popular in Slovakia, imagine a huge chimney-shaped pastry which tastes a bit like a churro. The chimney-shaped pastry separates to reveal one long twisty (hence the name of the café) strip of pastry. You choose your coating (golden glaze, cinnamon, coconut, almond, oreo biscuts, hazelnuts) and a filling (nutella, lutus biscoff, apple jam and real caramel) and then get stuck in. @TwisterscafeLTD

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Chimney cakes, you’ve got to try one

TINY “Devon Larder is quite possibly the smallest shop in Exeter!” says owner Joanna Gilderthorp.

She’s not wrong. The larder-sized spot on Queen Street is a proper locals’ local where returning customers come to grab their coffee, lunchtime sandwich, salad, jacket potato or flapjack. Flying off the larder shelves at the moment, Jo informs us, are the pretzel rolls which come with four different fillings.

“The customers that queue are aware how small the shop is and that I work alone but at a fast pace, as I’m also aware that dinner breaks are precious and customers don’t want to be waiting for too long,” says Joanna.

“I have to be very organised! Some customers also prebook their lunch so I am able to make it up during the quieter times.

Producing fresh, great quality food is what makes the business successful.

“I have a lot of returning customers, sometimes they stop for a chat other times they have to dash.

“The customers are by far the best thing about Devon Larder, I love chatting to them, I never wake up and think I don’t want to go Joanna and her small to work.” but much loved shop @DevonLarder

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VEGAN/VEGETARIAN The Real McCoy’s Sacred Grounds has elevated the normal café offering with its high-end, delish and pretty plates of plant-based food. Elsewhere, dive into yummy vegan pizzas from The Flat, and hearty bowls of goodness from Herbies.

Also, check out new eaterie The Cheeky Vegan, just by the Cathedral, for yummy vegan ‘junk’ food including burgers, pancakes and milkshakes (see the full review on page 43). www.sacredgrounds.co; www.theflatexeter; www.herbiesrestaurant.co.uk; thecheekyveganexeter

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WILD For all things green and leafy, head to Hutch Houseplants at The Depot for a mammoth selection of houseplants, or No Guts No Glory on Fore Street, which also does picture framing.

This year saw homeware and accessories store Leaf Street, on Magdalen Road, extend its offering by adding a florist to its shop.

“I always wanted to have a florist and this year I thought I would go for it so my little pipe dream has now come true,” says owner Emma Hayler.

“It’s transformed the shop and given me a new drive, we’re now seeing new customers into Leaf Street.”

Leaf Street will be at the Cathedral Craft Fair at the end of July. www.hutchhouseplants.co.uk; www.ngng.co.uk; www.leafstreet.co.uk

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Leaf Street has got more leafy

XANTHIC AND YELLOW Frocks in Swing Time, the bright sunshine-coloured shop sells all manner of vintage clothes. Look out for the Great Gatsby dresses, twirly 50s dresses and cutesy playsuits. www.frocksinswingtime.com

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ZEN-LIKE For a bit of tranquility in the city, head to the Guildhall Shopping Centre’s Haven Spa where they’ve got a sauna, aroma-room, jacuzzi, foot spas, heated loungers and experience showers, along with all manner of massage treatments. ■ www.thehavenspa.co.uk

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© RHONDRI COOPER

UNDERGROUND The Cavern is Exeter’s number one subterranean hotspot, serving up sweaty messy fun since 1991. If you’re an Exonian of a certain age there’s a good chance you’ll have seen Coldplay and Muse here before they made it to the big time. They still pioneer new, exciting bands from near and afar – and if you still ache for songs from your youth check out their indie nights (there’s one on 16 July) where you can sing along and shuffle about to all the Blur, Pixies, and Libertines tunes.

Other underground fun can be found in The Mermaid on Gandy Street. This sunken, tallceilinged bar with its jumbo-sized plants, colourful wall art is a fab addition to the drinking scene in Exeter. www.exetercavern.net; @themermaidexeter

Going underground at The Mermaid

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

Exeter Living team 01225 475800

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

A unique g ift & homeware store supporting some of the best in Great British Brands.

3 High St, Crediton, Devon, EX17 3AE • 01363 899509 • www.bokaonline.co.uk Open: Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm, Saturday 10am - 3pm •

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ED’S CHOICE SEQUIN BEACH BASKET, £59.95 Bring a touch of St Tropez to your wardrobe with this woven raffia sequin beach basket.

From Snob, 5 High Street, Budleigh Salterton; www.ilovesnob.co.uk

POWDER SUNGLASSES, £38 Chunky and bold, we love these 1950s sunnies.

From Boka, 3 High Street, Crediton; www.bokaonline.co.uk

TIS THE SEA-SUN Heading to the beach?

Hereʼs your wardrobe sorted, courtesy of the local indies...

SUMMER TREASURES STUD EARRINGS, £27.50 Beautiful laser-cut wooden earrings, designed by Materia Rica.

From the Shop at RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter; www.shop.rammuseum.org.uk

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

NUMPH NUSARAH SKIRT, £50 A pretty, carefree skirt in a floral print. Style with a simple white tee and sandals.

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

STEPPING UP, £14.99 From the Exeter-based bestselling author of The Unmumsy Mum, comes a debut novel about Beth whose life gets turned upside down when she unexpectedly becomes guardian to her teenage niece. Beach book sorted.

Available from Bookbag, McCoys Arcade, Exeter; bookbag.shop

CANCUN LUXURY CORAL HAMMAM TOWEL, £26 Lightweight but super absorbent, this hammam towel is made from 100 per cent cotton and has a fringed hem.

From Toot Garouk, 19 Queen Street, Exeter; www.tootgarook.co.uk

GRAMICCI SHELL PACKABLE SHORTS, £80 Step into these handsome terra cotta and ash olive shorts, perfect in and out of the water.

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

GOLD SHELL BRACELET, £24 Handmade and ethically sourced, this spe-shell accessory will complete your free and easy beachy look.

From Helen of Troy, 8 Cathedral Close, Exeter; www.helenoftroyboutique.com

MATT SLIDES, £38 Made from recycled PVC with a bubblegum scent, these bright, comfy slides are a great sustainable choice that will keep your toes looking great (and smelling sweet) all summer long.

From Busy & Fox, 21 Cathedral Yard, Exeter; www.busbyandfox.com

PANTYS ABSORBENT TRIANGLE SWIMSUIT IN BLACK, £60 This absorbent swimsuit is perfect for enjoying the sun, sea and water and can be worn when you’re on your menstrual cycle due to its absorbent built in layer. Genius.

From Sancho’s, 117 Fore Street, Exeter; www.sanchosshop.com

BOHO YELLOW WOVEN OUTDOOR RUG, £34.95 Taking a picnic to the beach? Avoid grainy sand-filled sandwiches with this super boho, waterproof rug.

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

SARONG, £87 Bright and beautiful sarong – perfect for strolls along the beach.

From De Bora of Exeter, 34 South Street; www.deboraofexeter.co.uk

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300

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• Special features • Event

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THE ARTS S N A P S H O T S O F E X E T E R ’ S C U LT U R A L L I F E

CLOCKWISE: Trophies, images, and artefacts from the past 150 years

GIVE IT A TRY

A month-long exhibition celebrating Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club is taking place at Royal Albert Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) this summer. The showcase will feature an array of memorabilia spanning the 150-year history of the Exeter Chiefs. Shirts, photographs, trophies and caps will take visitors on a journey starting back in 1872.

Some of the objects donated to the exhibition have come from fans, who have sifted through years of memorabilia to find gems to display, illustrating the club’s history from the early days of rugby in the region through to the recent successes at the very top of European rugby.

“A huge amount of work has gone into creating what we believe is a fantastic, historical journey through the years of our great club,” says Rugby Club chief executive and chairman Tony Rowe OBE. “Some of the artefacts that have been unearthed are extraordinary, yet detail how the club was formed and how it has developed over the many years.”

There will also be a programme of events at the museum to complement the exhibition, including craft activities for kids, meet the players opportunities.

150 years of Exeter Rugby Club: From local heroes to European champions runs from 29 July to 28 August 2022. RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter; rammuseum.org.uk

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Funk up the Farm Festival

WHAT’S ON 24 June onwards

THEATRE/ PERFORMANCE 25 June

I, AMDRAM: HANNAH MAXWELL From four generations of leading ladies comes one queer Londoner, sharing a story of return and reconciliation, with her hometown, cultural inheritance and secret love of musical theatre.

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

29 June – 2 July

TWELFTH NIGHT Shakespeare’s tale of twins lost at sea is brought to life in a Cygnet theatre homegrown production.

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

COMEDY 26 June

STEVE BUGEJA: TRIED TO START HIS OWN NICKNAME 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

31 July

MARK WATSON Spiritual enquiry meets highoctane observational comedy as the Taskmaster survivor attempts to cram a couple of years of pathological overthinking into an evening of stand-up.

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

MUSIC 29 June

MARTIN CARTHY For more than 50 years Martin has been one of folk music’s greatest innovators.

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

2 July

TRANSGLOBAL UNDERGROUND Famed for their flamboyant live shows featuring fantastic costumes, belly dancing, and hypnotic percussion, audiences get drawn into an ever more dramatic and exciting performance.

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

6 July

BRIDGE JAZZ CLUB This popular, monthly jazz club is hosted by saxophonist Pete Canter with a guest rhythm section and

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

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

sitters in. Sit back and enjoy the jam session.

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

25 July

AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL BUBLÉ The sharply-dressed charismatic crooner will be performing a selection of his greatest hits. Get ready to swoon.

Powderham Castle, Exeter; www.powderham.co.uk

26 July

TEARS FOR FEARS The 80s favourites will be belting out all the hits from their back catalogue.

Powderham Castle, Exeter; www.powderham.co.uk

EXHIBITIONS Until 26 June

PATTERNICITY This exhibition of painting, textile, video and sculpture comes from a diverse group of contemporary artists whose works explore the nature of patterns in their historical, national and gendered dimensions.

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

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 the streets of Exeter.

Heavitree ParkLife Café, Whipton Lane, Heavitree, Exeter; www.parklifeheavitree.org.uk

Until 2 July

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

Until 17 July

FUNDED WITH THANKS Some of RAMM’s most important and well-loved works will be on display, including J.M.W. Turner’s Buckfastleigh Abbey in this special exhibition which showcases the quality and diversity of Exeter’s Fine Art Collection.

RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter; www.exeterramm.admit-one.eu

WHAT’S ON 8 – 16 July

BUDLEIGH MUSIC FESTIVAL The week-long programme of live music sees talent from the classical world descend on the town. 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.

Budliegh Music Festival, St Peter’s Church in Budleigh Salterton; www.budleighmusicfestival.co.uk

© DOM MOORE

15 – 16 July

top:

Budleigh Music Festival’s Colourscape; Patternicity exhibiton, at Exeter Phoenix

above:

Until 23 July

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; www.thelmahulbert.com

Until 24 July

THREADS THROUGH CREATION 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, ever and has taken artist Jacqui Parkinson nearly three years.

Open during the Cathedral OpeningHours, Exeter Cathedral, Exeter; www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk

15 – 22 July

BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT On display will be a private collection of beautiful gowns, drawings and memorabilia by the late Sir Norman Hartnell KCVO –

the dress designer to The Queen.

Kennaway House, Sidmouth; www.kennawayhouse.org.uk

10 – 22 August

TITANIC EXHIBITION This two-week display is set to fill the Corn Exchange with artefacts, large-scale imagery and audio that bring the story of the Titanic to life.

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

FESTIVALS 3 July

A PERFECT DAY FESTIVAL David Gray, returns to the stage to perform the White Ladder album.

James Morrison, Tom Odell, Gabrielle, The Shires also perform.

Powderham Castle, Exeter; www.powderham.co.uk

5 – 7 July

EXETER CRAFT FESTIVAL Browse and buy work from the textile makers, fibre artists, semiprecious stone jewellers, paper crafters and metal workers and soak up the summer fête atmosphere.

Exeter Craft Festival, Cathedral Green, Exeter; www.exetercraftfestival.co.uk.

FUNK UP THE FARM FESTIVAL, NORTH DEVON This multi-genre over 18’s two-day micro-festival set on a picturesque farm in Kentisbury will feature a plethora of DJs and live acts including the most outrageous church service phenomenon that is Oh My God It’s The Church. This is the perfect event for those who like their festivals intimate – it’s a small festival for only 450 people.

Funk up the Farm Festival, Wrights Farm, Kentisbury, North Devon; www.loftlivesessions.com

Scheffler’s bestselling sequel, Freckle Productions bring the creative team behind Zog, Emma Kilbey and Joe Stilgoe, back together for this truly modern take on the classic fairy tale.

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

2 July

WORD PLAY An inclusive family event focussing on storytelling and literacy for children under 12. Expect workshops, activities and stalls.

Positive Light Projects, Sidwell Street; www.inexeter.com

2 July

DUNSFORD VILLAGE SHOW Nestled in the Dartmoor National Park, about a 22 minute 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

5 July

THE GREENHOUSE DOUBLE BILL: SELICH & THE DRAGON’S TAIL A double bill of performances for children: expect contemporary storytelling, mixing up myth, science and observation.

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

FAMILY

OTHER

DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE Grab your compass and join the intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

SIDWELLA DAY CELEBRATION Community event which will see talks on local history, folklore, food and memories. Visitors can enjoy cream teas, a BBQ and folk music.

St Sidwell’s Community Centre,Sidwell Street, Exeter; www.devonvoice.org

Until 26 June

Until 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. For more, turn to page 34.

RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter; www.exeterramm.admit-one.eu

1 – 3 July

ZOG AND THE FLYING DOCTORS Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel

30 July

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 56. 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 59. www.exeterpropertyawards.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 27

faradaystoves@gmail.com www.faradaystoves.co.uk

The Devon Shutter Company Ltd British Made Shutters Since 2007 info@devonshutters.co.uk www.devonshutters.co.uk

BOOKS CHARLIE RICHARDS

© KILL A FR AMEZ

A Summer reading Charlie is celebrating book launches, festivals, Independent Book Week, author events and the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Read on for her top suggestions…

t the time of writing, it’s Independent Bookshop Week and a beautiful celebration of indy bookshops and the community and cultural hubs that they are. This IBW we’ve co-hosted a festival with Africa Writes – Exeter with free author talks, poetry, discussion and a kid’s workshop that took place across Bookbag, Exeter Phoenix and Exeter Central Library.

Authors included Nikki May, Karla Neblett, Irenosen Okojie, and more. We had a livein-the-bookshop Instagram takeover with Bloomsbury debut author and Devon local Sophie Pavelle (more on her new book Forget Me Not below) and hosted novelist Sheena Patel (ditto) who will be Big. We’ve also published a small zine featuring writing about independent bookshops, and we’re celebrating being open (properly, not including lockdowns) for just over a year. Please come by and shop!

What should you be reading this week?

I’m A Fan is a book we are tipping for greatness and not just because we held an event with author Sheena Patel, and she is funny, smart and humbly awesome. The narrator (and the singular voice throughout the book) is obsessed with the man she wants to be with, and even more obsessed with the other women in his life in real life, on social media, and in the blurred headspace between the two. As our narrator struggles to cope with rejection, obsession, anger and love, her destructive ways, thoughts, and actions are both unbearable to witness and weirdly relatable. With stunning writing, bleakness, and humour, this book is a critique of our social media and status-obsessed culture. Like an endless scroll, it’s highly addictive and will have you squirming with pleasure.

The Observer cited Sheena Patel as one of their top 10 debut novelists of 2022, and we have signed copies here at the bookshop.

We recently hosted a launch for Forget Me Not, where Devonian Sophie Pavelle takes a low-carbon journey around Britain in search of ten animals and habitats threatened by climate change. From Bodmin Moor to the Orkney Isles, Sophie travels by paddleboard, bus, train and bike, and rather than a negative take on the future, uses her joyful enthusiasm and humour to bring forgotten native species to our attention. Writing about the Grey Long Eared Bat, Dung Beetles, Atlantic Salmon and the Bilberry Bumblebee (amongst others) Forget Me Not is full of natural history and environmental science facts and positive stories about projects that are making a difference.

Sophie really makes us care about the wildlife she talks about. Signed copies are also available from Bookbag.

Announced just recently was The Women’s Prize for Fiction. I like The Women’s Prize because it’s a super readable list, just great stories. If you haven’t read the shortlist, it’s always worth it, and I am still working my way through (too-many-books-to-read stress).

From the list, I love Sorrow and Bliss and The Great Circle. Sorrow and Bliss – a love/ hate thing like how I feel about Sally Rooney books, (love the story and yet hate the chief protagonist) and The Great Circle because it’s an epic adventure. The winner this year was Ruth Ozeki’s The Book of Form & Emptiness, which is about a boy who hears voices and jazz and climate change, but is also about loneliness, people and their attachment to things, and connection...

“This book will have you squirming with pleasure”

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

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 29

Schedules Available Now

JOHN TUCKER

The South Devons farmer from West Prawle Farm, Salcombe, is entering his South Devons into the South Devons National Show at Devon County Show (30 June – 2nd July). Here, John tells us about preparing for the big day, beating (hopefully!) Cornish competitors and his love for the big, gentle cattle

John and his udderly gorgeous South Devons

Hi John! Firstly, tell us what’s special about the breed South Devons…

South Devons are the largest of the breeds of beef cattle native to the UK. They are incredibly docile and have great maternal traits. They’re big and beautiful.

How long have you been breeding them?

Our herd was founded in 2012, and more than anything I have loved seeing the progress we’ve made over the last 10 years. We started with 20 cows of mixed quality, but now keep 120 breeding females of a much more consistent quality. This time of year is always particularly special, seeing all the cows with their young calves out in the grass, and the exciting prospect of what they may become.

What will the judges be looking for in the competition at DCS?

They will be judging on a combination of: structural correctness, beef confirmation, and breed characteristics. They like to see a light

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

medium red colour, with a curly coat and a broad head with large forward-facing ears. It is also essential that the cattle can walk well on a halter and behave themselves in front of the judges.

How have you prepared your cattle for the competition?

What do you reckon your chances are?

In this year’s show we have four cattle entered, three of which are in the yearling classes. We hope they will do well in their classes, but it would be pretty extraordinary for an animal of that age to take home the breed championship.

Our fourth entry is our senior bull, Providence Dr Octopus, who won Interbreed Local Champion last year, so fingers crossed he will be the Supreme Champion of the show this year!

There is also a new trophy this year, which looks like a bull’s head. It’s modelled on Torr Down Marvel 3 – which happens to be Dr Octopus’ dad! So that would be a great one to win.

“Before the show they are treated to a shampoo and blow dry”

We start by selecting the strongest cattle for each class and then start the challenge of halter breaking them, which is much easier with a South Devon than with most other breeds due to their quiet nature but some can still be quite headstrong! Once they walk well, we then start training them to stand and strike their best pose. They also get a bit of extra grub to make sure they are in their best condition on show day. They are well and truly pampered – before the show they are treated to a shampoo and blow dry to make sure their coat is shining.

DEVON COUNTY SHOW What does it mean for you to be competing?

DEVON COUNTY SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

It’s great to have the South Devons National Show back again after two years. We’ve always loved to watch but this will be our first time competing! Having it at Devon County Show – the home of South Devons – should mean a lot of strong cattle turn up. It should be a real spectacle.

The Devon County Show celebrates the very best of rural life in the South West and visitors can expect the usual livestock competitions, food and drink stalls (including live cookery demonstrations), and plenty of crafts and shopping opportunities.

Some of the events that couldn’t happen last year are back for 2022 – things to look out for include the Cavies (guinea pigs) who will be competing in a best in show!

What are the challenges?

The biggest challenge to date has been trying to beat the Cornish breeders in competition, they have a lot of strong cattle and some dedicated showmen. But maybe this is our year!

And for the kids…

Do you get nervous before a competition?

Not really, all the breeders are good friends and everyone goes to enjoy themselves. We have had a lot of support in previous shows rom our fellow exhibitors as we are very much novices when it comes to showing! The only nerve-wracking thing is hoping our cattle behave themselves!

What do you like about the Devon County Show?

It is great to get the opportunity to share our work with the general public and to see people take an interest in British agriculture. Every year the show has something for everyone, with prize pigs, goats, ducks, dogs – what’s not to love?

It’a baa-rilliant day out

When you’re not working with your South Devons, what do you like to get up to?

Read about South Devons, talk about South Devons, take my children out to see the South Devons – I’m a bit obsessed. But sometimes I take an afternoon off to play cricket for the mighty East Prawle! n For more: www.devoncountyshow.co.uk

Children can immerse themselves in a wide range of sensory experiences to fuel their interest in farming and nature including flowerpot making, seed planting, apple pressing, egg hatching, and flour grinding. They can also witness tree-felling by lumberjacks, try their hand at feeding calves and witness the display of scarecrow creations made by children from around Devon.

The food area has plenty to attract children with an array of ice creams, churros and cinnamon-sprinkled donuts as well as a funfair with Helter Skelter ride and dodgems.

Making friends at DCS

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FAMILY DAYS OUT

FUN AND

GAMES

Playing rugby with Exeter Chiefs, paddleboard lessons from a world champion, building an epic LEGO® masterpiece, or learning super hero skills – we’ve got the kids’ summer holidays sorted Edge Watersports in Exmouth

By Harriet Noble www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 35

FAMILY DAYS OUT

F

illing in those long summer days can be a daunting task for any parent. We’re lucky in these parts, we’ve got endless amazing beaches and countryside for the kids to play around in. For those days when you want to simply turn up and not worry about plotting activities yourself, here are a handful of family-friendly outings on offer this summer, with plenty of indoor options too.

above: Edge Watersports offer activities for all ages;

below: Immerse yourself in nature at Canonteign Falls

Events happening throughout the summer The Exmouth-based watersports centre offers a whole range of lessons and watersports activities for all ages.

“We have been teaching youngsters for over 30 years and we are passionate about getting the next generation into watersports,” says owner and kitesurfing champion Steph Bridge.

“We will be running an extensive range of watersports lessons and camps for kids/ youths over the next few months. Gain strength, knowledge and confidence with our youth paddleboard lessons, or check into one of our multi-sports camps that explore some of the amazing watersports Exmouth has to offer (including the ever popular ‘mega sup!’). These give kids the opportunity to learn a new skill and meet new friends.

“We are also proud to be running the Edge Youth Training Scheme, which is a series of courses to get youngsters into kitesurfing and wingsurfing. The Edge Youth Academy sees some of the best young talent coming through in the field and is a super supportive and nurturing environment to progress in. If your kids are not quite big enough yet for watersports, the team have some fun beach toys, trainer kites, tiny wetsuits and mini bodyboards for a fun introduction to the water.”

If it’s not a scorcher of a day, fret not, they have hot showers on site, underfloor heating, and a café next door so you can be warm, dry and sipping a hot chocolate moments after your paddleboarding session.

Edge Watersports, Sideshore, Exmouth; www.edgewatersports.com

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© EMMA SOLLEY

EDGE WATERSPORTS

CANONTEIGN FALLS

Events happening throughout the summer The natural attraction in the heart of Devon famed for its waterfalls (highest in Dartmoor National Park, in fact) has two dedicated adventure playgrounds, one for younger children, with swings, slides, wooden play galleon and trampolines, and a mini assault course and zip wire for older children.

The trail to the waterfalls is rocky and challenging but wonderful fun for children to count their way up the 90 original Victorian steps to the Fern Garden where they can track down Terence the life size T-Rex and spot the fairy residents and little fairy doors.

This summer they also have a special trail above: Lots to gaze at in the RAMM; below: Motorcycle displays at Honiton Show taking children on a route of exploration around the estate with a prize at the end.

“Also look out for Belle the Shetland pony, who has become a THE BEAR TRAIL AND BEAR TOWN friendly face at Canonteign Falls this year. She is visiting us for three Events happening throughout the summer petting days over the summer to deliver honey and bees wax soap to the If the prospect of getting extremely muddy fills you and your brood shop,” says Amy Greenman, CEO at Canonteign Falls. with joy, The Bear Trail is just the ticket.

“She loves children and is very happy to meet and greet our visitors Located between Exeter and Cullompton, The Bear Trail is a muddy both old and young! Also look out for our live music dates.” adventure trail, full of fun obstacles and this summer sees a new large Anything else? Yes! Deer, kingfishers and bats can all be spotted undercover seating area and hot showers so you can clean off before in the grounds. you jump in the car. 25 and 26 Canonteign Falls, Exeter; www.canonteignfalls.co.uk June sees the trail turned into the South West’s biggest water fight when it stages Water Wipe Out and the popular Colour Bomb event returns on 10 and 11 September.

Next door at Bear Town, youngsters aged seven and under can experience interactive play with role play experiences.

There are two events coming up: Princess School on 3 July where guests will join Elsa and Belle and learn a host of princess skills and Super Hero School on 21 August, where Batman and Wonder Woman will be on hand to teach super hero skills. Bear Town will also be holding a special teddy bear’s picnic day on 17 August to raise money for its chosen charity for the year, Sense.

The Bear Trail and Bear Town, Westcott, Cullompton; www.thebeartrail.co.uk; www.beartown.co.uk

“Batman and Wonder Woman will be on hand to teach super hero skills”

HONITON SHOW

4 August Expect a fantastic celebration of rural life at the Honiton Show. The team here will be hosting dog shows, Shetland pony performances, and a sheepdog display. New this year is the Devon & Somerset Pony Club, a demonstration competition which will see children racing their ponies through bending poles, leaping off their ponies and vaulting back on.

The heart of the show is the livestock and horse classes including the majestic heavy horses, private driving competitions and a huge variety of differing sheep breeds and dairy and beef cattle.

For motor enthusiasts, there’ll be 100 vintage tractors and in excess of 50 classic cars – plus the Bolddog Lings FMX Stunt Team – Honda’s official and the UK’s number one motorcycle display team – who will be incorporating breathtaking tricks flying 35ft in the air!

Plus, there’ll be Viperaerobatics, a phenomenal flying display in a beautiful and iconic Pitts 2SB Biplane.

Honition Show, Honiton; www.honitonshow.co.uk

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FAMILY DAYS OUT

above: Get lost in Lego; right: Meraki Chloe Farrant with artist Steve McCracken

RAMM

Events happening throughout the summer RAMM is hosting an exhibition called Brick by Brick: A LEGO® Brick History of Exeter ( runs until 11 September) which will take you on a time travelling adventure, journeying from the deepest recesses of Devon’s prehistoric past to Exeter’s dreams of a greener future…all lovingly recreated in LEGO® bricks. Throughout the summer holidays, younger children will be able to enjoy fun play sessions designing dinosaurs, creating catapults, building bridges and more. Or they can join the Robot Wars junior league where they’ll get to build an amazing LEGO® brick robot to unleash into the battle arena. Older children and teens can join the senior league.

On Tuesdays in the school holidays, visitors can book to see Brick by Brick before opening time (9-10am) for a more relaxed session suited to those with autism, anxiety and associated conditions.

As David Beckham will testify, LEGO® isn’t just for kids, and RAMM will be hosting a special evening opening just for adults on 21 July.

For the rugby nuts amongst you, on 12 and 26 August players from Exeter Chiefs will be putting kids and grown-ups alike through their paces with our ‘Av a Go’ drop-in sessions.

RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter; rammuseum.org.uk Events happening throughout the summer RHS Rosemoor has a packed events diary for the summer months. The Great Garden Adventure runs from 23 July to 4 September and will see immersive theatre for kids and adults every Monday to Friday.

Next up, Exmoor Zoo are bringing a friendly array of insects, creatures, bugs and owls to RHS on 5, 12 and 19 August.

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© HALL A R AGI

RHS ROSEMOOR

FAMILY DAYS OUT

AND A HANDFUL MORE… MERAKI ART SCHOOL

xxxxxxx

Chloe Farrant and Carrie Sibbald run their art school for people aged four to16 with a passion for art and craft and this summer they have a packed holiday programme. Amongst the offerings will be painting workshops with local street artist Steven McCracken, plus classes where your little one will make a garden fairy in clay, a canvas painting of pink flamingos, fun pottery, and an under-the-sea themed collage.

1st floor ,Guildhall Shopping Centre; www.merakiartschool.co.uk

ST SIDWELL’S POINT

Along with the usual offering of gym, swim, group exercise classes, sports and spa, this summer holidays there will be an enhanced programme of events aimed at young people, including special teen gym sessions.

St Sidwell’s Point, Paris Street, Exeter; www.exeterleisure.com

FOOTBALL HOLIDAY CLUBS

Exeter City Community Trust are running football holiday clubs this summer – as well as all the usual skills, drills and football fun, the kids will get visits from Exeter City players (and any youngsters who show potential can be recommended to the Exeter City Academy).

The sessions take place at Exwick Sports Hub, and are perfect for anyone aged from five to 14. This year they’re also staging the Train with the Players day (date tbc) when Junior Grecian members spend the day playing football alongside members of Exeter’s first team squad. www.exetercct.org

THE DONKEY SANCTUARY

The Sidmouth-based sanctuary has miles of trails and walkways, where the whole family can meet friendly resident donkeys along the way, from the gentle giant Poitou donkeys, charismatic adoption donkeys to the cute miniature donkeys.

Younger visitors can visit the new play area; do check out the maze for a game of hide and seek while you’re there.

The Donkey Sanctuary Slade House Farm, Sidmouth; www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

above: Meet new friends at the Donkey Sanctuary;

inset: Football holiday clubs at Exeter City Community Trust

Vintage Weekend on 30 and 31 July will see vintage vehicles including tractors, bikes, caravans and cars for adult and teenagers.

There’ll also be a Punch and Judy show outside, a ride on steam trains, oversized vintage games and an old fashioned fête.

Rosemoor Flower Show between 19 – 21 August will feature circus skills, crafts and face painting.

The team here will also be hosting an array of educational activities throughout the summer including welly walks, pond dipping, and toddler Tuesdays. n RHS Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon; www.rhs.org.uk

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

CONNECT WITH PARTNERS, GENERATE BUSINESS, CELEBRATE SUCCESS

Scan here for more

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 or paula.miller@mediaclash.co.uk

Nominations open on the site Headline Sponsor

Initial Sponsors:

EXETER PROPERTY AWARDS | 21 OCTOBER 2022 | SANDY PARK

FOOD & DRINK NIBBLES FROM EXETER’S FOOD SCENE

FEST IS BEST! Nourish Festival makes a welcome return

to the streets of Bovey Tracey this year. The festival celebrates the very best of South West food and drink, music and crafts and will take place on 10 September.

Visitors can expect international cuisine including Thai noodles, vegan kebabs, woodfired Italian pizza, Caribbean feasts, Spanish delicacies plus loads to try and buy including artisan cheeses, cakes, gin, wine, cordials, liqueurs, cider, handmade chocolates, pies and even speciality mushrooms.

This year Nourish Music enters the field of vocal music for the first time with awardwinning choir Tenebrae, and jazz vocalist Sara Dowling both performing.

Handmade products by makers from across the region will also be available to buy, and there’ll be artsy activities to get involved in.

For more: www.nourishfestival.org

Indulge in the most Devonian of traditions

SCONE BE A GOOD ONE Cream Teas for Cancer, Southernhay Green 7 July, 12-15pm

Cream Teas for Cancer returns to Exeter, giving people the chance to tuck into a scrummy scone and a cuppa with friends and family on 7 July – and raise money for local charity FORCE (Friends of the Oncology and Radiotherapy Centre, Exeter) at the same time.

The Cream teas can be purchased online in advance and will be delivered on the day – and for just £5, those supporting Cream Teas for Cancer will receive two scones from Ryders Bakery, West Country clotted cream from Rodda’s Creamery, a pot of jam from Waterhouse Fayre and a brew from Miles Tea and Coffee Merchants. Once supporters have received their cream teas, they are invited to join in the celebration with other supporters on the green in Southernhay.

FORCE will be delivering the Cream Tea bundles throughout the day on 7 July in the Exeter, Honiton, Tiverton and Okehampton areas.

For more: forcecancercharity.co.uk

SIP, SIP, HOORAH! A Devon-based online business, which was only

top: The festival takes place on the streets of Bovey

Tracey; above: Giant bakes will be there for the taking

set up 18 months ago to sell quality wines, has been shortlisted for two awards in an international competition. Wickhams, which is based in Newton Abbot, has been shortlisted for the International Wine Challenge (IWC) Merchant Awards UK 2022, in the ‘Online Retailer of the Year’ and ‘Specialist Merchant of the Year England’ categories. The awards celebrate the most successful small and large businesses, delivering outstanding service to wine consumers across the UK. “We are delighted to know that, as a young business, we are pressing all the right buttons,” says Wickhams founder, Dan Farrell-Wright.

“I set up Wickhams late in 2020 specifically to sell the kind of wines I like to drink myself. We’re passionate about knowing the story behind the wines we sell, more than 25 per cent of the wines listed on our website are from England, the majority of which are from Devon, Cornwall and Dorset.”

For more: www.wickhamwine.co.uk

Wickhams founder, Dan Farrell-Wright

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 41

FOOD & DRINK

Feeling fruity: strawberry pancakes

© TAR A SMITH

© TAR A SMITH

Happily situated just by the Cathedral

TARA SMITH Our columnist, ballet-dancing home cook, foodie and blogger TARA SMITH has a passion for all things independent and local

for the first time.

The Cheeky Vegan is Exeter’s hottest vegan eatery and I have to say it couldn’t be in a better or prettier spot. The doors open out onto the historical Cathedral Yard. Exeter has one of the most beautiful Cathedrals in my humble opinion and I can’t think of anything better than eating some of the best vegan fast food in town while sipping on a whipped creamtopped milkshake with that as a backdrop.

The Cheeky Vegan opened in May and has been full to bursting ever since; with good reason. This self proclaimed “junk food bar and coffee shop” will see you through every meal of the day and is open from 10.30am - 7pm Wednesday to Saturday, and 10.30am 5.30pm on Sundays.

Emma Bates, The Cheeky Vegan owner told me that, “Coming from Ireland, where veganism was never really a thing until the last few years, it was quite difficult to find yummy vegan food.

“I moved over from Ireland to Devon in 2020 to help my girlfriend run her own business in Dartmouth, a milkshake and dessert bar, and although not being a vegan business, I helped

create a damn good vegan menu which she still serves today. Helping her is where my love for milkshakes and pancake stacks stems from, thus being a staple on our menu – which seems to be a favourite that our customers really enjoy.”

It would seem I am not the only person who is raving about the pancakes! May I recommend the fresh strawberry and melted chocolate but if you want an almost savoury spin then try the pancakes with either vegan ‘Junk’ food delights

© TAR A SMITH

H

ands up who else gets excited when new things open up in Exeter? After the difficulties in hospitality over the past couple of years it fills my heart with joy witnessing new independent businesses open their doors

fried chicken or crispy vegan and maple syrup.

Are you drooling yet? The Cheeky Vegan do everything you would expect from a fast food joint. Burgers, hot dogs, amazing sides and shakes but all with a vegan twist. Let me tell you, you won’t miss the meat. The flavours will speak for themselves. I ate the BBQ chicken burger and savoured every bite. The brioche style bun was soft, the iceburg lettuce gave the crunch and the pickles, cheese and sauce added that salty/vinegar vibe that you so want in a burger. The “chicken” was succulent and as someone who doesn’t eat meat and hasn’t in a long time I would say it’s a blimmin’ good substitute.

There is so much more on offer at The Cheeky Vegan other than cool instagrammable interiors. Emma wants to create a space where someone who is vegan can bring their non vegan friends and family – somewhere where anyone can enjoy the food.

I visited for a late lunch on Sunday afternoon and was only just lucky enough to get a table so be warned. This place is and will continue to be popular so be prepared to wait. To be honest when the food is that good and the views are that amazing I can think of worse situations to be in!

The Cheeky Vegan Exeter, 1 Cathedral Yard, Exeter; Instagram @thecheekyveganexeter For more, head to Tara’s Instagram: @tarasbusykitchen www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 43

EXE

Looking for a ‘special occasion’ place to eat?

Exe, Exeter’s newest restaurant, is just the ticket

By Harriet Noble

I

already feel a bit misty-eyed about this restaurant review, for the simple reason that it is my first al fresco supper of the year. I feel ridiculously happy to be wearing opentoed shoes, sunglasses and a strappy top.

Admittedly, we have the outdoor heater on for the last 30 minutes of our meal but, for the most part, it is a balmy summer’s evening, and I am grinning like an idiot.

We are in the outdoor decking area at Exe, Exeter’s newest restaurant. It’s a really sizeable restaurant (it’s where the old Margoux used to be) and the new décor is fun and bold with a dash of bling – think raspberry-, and mustard-coloured chairs, on-trend drop lighting, giant yellow swirly paintings and a curious gold wall hanging outside with ribbons that move and catch the light when the wind blows. The statement décor pieces and central bar area suggest you could just come here for a few cocktails but we are eating that night and, desperate to bask in the sunshine, head out to the covered garden where I kick off the evening with a beautiful floweradorned rhubarb G&T. I have warned my dining buddy for the evening that I’ll be asking him for his thoughts on his meal, wanting

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

lots of lovely adjectives. He starts off with the confit duck, which comes with tender asparagus, carrot purée and an orange and cumin dressing.

I get my notepad out, eagerly awaiting his reaction.

“Mmmm,” he says. I roll my eyes. Helpful.

I push for more, impatiently. “Crispy, well-seasoned. A nice surprise,” he summarises, succinctly.

I opt for the crispy pork belly, thick slabs of the most tender meat encased in a gooey, sticky and delicious plum and hoisin sauce – the splattering of shredded spring onions providing the sharp ying to the sweet yang of the sauce.

Onto the mains, and my friend has the Dartmoor venison fillet which comes with fondant potatoes, rainbow chard and a rich Sharpham pinot noir and blackberry sauce. “Beautiful texture, love that jus,” he says, nodding happily in agreement with himself.

I have the herb breaded chicken stuffed with Cornish wild garlic Yarg cheese, wild mushrooms, crispy pancetta and pea risotto. The chicken is lovely and moist, the cheese and risotto make for a really creamy concoction.

It’s a surprisingly rich dish – beautiful but I couldn’t have dropped and done five burpees afterwards.

Full and happy but cooing over the dessert menu, we

RESTAURANT

“Thick slabs of the most tender meat come encased in a gooey, sticky sauce” opt to share a ginger sticky toffee pudding with Devon clotted cream. Sticky toffee pudding is in my top five best desserts of all time and this one does not disappoint.

It is scrumptious.

The price bracket – and quality – put this restaurant into ‘treat’ territory I think (my main course here is £18 and my pal’s venison fillet is £25) but for that you get food which is up there with the very best of Exeter’s restaurants. Owners Chris O’Carroll and Luke Collings source produce from around Devon and Cornwall – you’ll find Devon Lobster, Brixham monkfish, Cornish gins, Devon Rums all on the menu – and care about maintaining ethical standards such as high welfare, low plastic, and working with low-waste producers. So, when the food tastes this good and is sourced locally and responsibly then, I think most of us would agree, we should be paying a few extra quid for it.

And for all that the interiors are a bit on the poptastic side, sitting outside in the spacious and cushioned outdoor area there is a peaceful, almost rural, vibe to this restaurant which I really like. The upside of being tucked away on 14 Mary Arches Street is that you feel like you’ve left the hustle and bustle of the city and entered a more zen-like part of the city. I hope people make the effort to walk those extra two minutes to come down here. My friend, having finished his meal, all of a sudden becomes a chatty Cathy, has epiphany after epiphany on this restaurant and can’t stop the words tumbling out of his mouth. He, finally, concludes with, “This place is exactly what Exeter needs.” n

DINING DETAILS EXE Restaurant, 14 Mary Arches Street, Exeter; exerestaurant.co.uk In a nutshell: Fine dining restaurant and cocktail bar that also does Sunday lunches Food Fish/ seafood feature heavily on the menu, but lots of meat, veg and vegan choices too Opening hours Wednesday and Thursday: 4pm – 10pm, Friday and Saturday: 4pm – midnight, Sunday: 12 – 6pm Food service hours Wednesday to Saturday: 6pm – 9pm, Sunday: 12pm – 5pm Atmosphere Fun and friendly

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

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

Steve Whalley and Janet Wang

Helen Laughharne and Jill Jones

Roger Wilkinson, James Miles, and Michael Tilston

Gill Vosper, Dana Mulligan and Rachael Whitson

EXETER LIVING SUMMER RECEPTION

Exeter Living recently held their summer reception, where friends and colleagues came together to enjoy cocktails and nibbles at Queen Street’s Pink Moon. Harriet Noble thanked everyone for their continuous support and announced an abundance of Exeter Living events to look forward to, plus the bumper 300th issue (the next issue!) coming out on 15 July. www.mediaclash.co.uk Lesley Anderson and Rachel Hone

Photos by Emily Appleton

Caz Potten, John Harvey and Harriette Dixon

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

Ann Hunter, Nikki Fairclough and Faye Williams

Paula Blake-Pead, John Lewis and Andi Davies

SOCIETY

Tamsin Scott and Katie Moudry

Julian Tagg and Sue McQueenie

Tom Williams, Nikki Greeneleaf, Philip Bird and David Treharne

Jenni Craig, Philp Whateley and Alison Whateley

Lisa Vanstone, Sharon Foxwell and Rachael Miles Andrew Rose-Price and Fiona Rose-Price

Angela Robinson, Glen King and Amy Helm Faye Jennings-Mosquera and Sarah Heath

Luke Facey

Nabeel Malik

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

Andre Le Hunte Youe, Mike Lister, and Sophie Weeks

James Miles and Charlie Hurt

Jeannie Cain, Niki Cunningham, and Scott Gray

Anna Parker, Peter Keech, and Jill Lammonby

EXETER PROPERTY AWARDS LAUNCH EVENT

The Exeter Property Awards are back for a second year!

The launch party for this year was held at Hotel du Vin where local property professionals came together for a coffee, croissant and some friendly chat. MediaClash’s business development manager, Harriette Dixon, made a speech to welcome everyone and to announce that the nominations for this year’s awards are now officially open!

The Exeter Property Awards will be held at Sandy Park on 21 October, you can read more about it on page 59. www.exeterpropertyawards.com Jules Phillips and Lucy Becerra

Photos by Jon Hare; @thejonhare

Kai Marshall Pinnell

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

Harriette Dixon

Jill Jones and Andrew Ellis

SOCIETY

Fergus Thompson, Matt Thornton, Lisa Williams, James Miles and Michelle Miles

Ama Williams and Emma Dudley Hammatt

Josh Butler and Bob Irwin

EXETER CHAMBER SUMMER BASH

Exeter Chamber celebrated the start of summer in style at Exeter Castle on 10 June. Over 300 guests attended the city business party, enjoying enjoyed a live band, and delicious food and drinks.

The Summer Bash is a first for the Chamber and is set to return next year. www.exeterchamber.co.uk Photos by Steven Haywood

Helen Heggadon and Karen Williams

Gina Mitchell, Helen Manning and Karen Craddock

Lottie Stanley, Nikki Fairclough, Stuart Crewes and Sophie Weeks Phil Smyth

Say cheese! It’s the Exeter Chamber Board Directors

The famous five

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 51

SPONSORED CONTENT

Why work in legal aid?

Although a career in legal aid is challenging due to the red tape surrounding a client’s eligibility, it is extremely important for the UK - and Exeter - that we have a new generation of legal aid lawyers coming through.

Why? Gemma Sparks explains...

Some of the most vulnerable people in our society are eligible for legal aid funding, which enables them to access legal services. Without legal aid services, someone who doesn’t have the money to pay for representation or have someone professional give them a voice would be denied the right of access to justice. And this is a basic human right.

Legal aid lawyers are passionate lawyers – we do our jobs because we care. We do it with love. Often we are so intent on helping these clients that we are more focused on their wellbeing than our own. It’s not an easy career choice. In fact, there is currently a high level of burnout; far too many good lawyers are leaving this critical area of law.

At the same time, there are not enough junior lawyers choosing a career in legal aid.

Perhaps this is because legal aid isn’t being talked about as being a vital resource.

Law students may be made aware of the existence of legal aid, but there is no in-depth debate about how important it is – and little discussion about the option of legal aid as a potential career, one which provides a huge amount of job satisfaction.

There is a real risk that the current generation may be the last of the legal aid lawyers. This would be a huge mistake and a massive loss to the legal profession.

No part of the country is immune to having vulnerable people within the community.

Indeed, Exeter has its fair share, people who are suffering from domestic abuse, who can’t get access to their own children, who may be faced with a forced marriage – and these are just a few examples. Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough legal aid lawyers to go around.

So what can be done?

A YouGov survey from June 2021 suggested that Generation Z are purpose-led: 49 per cent say they will work for a purpose-driven company for a 20 per cent lower salary on average. So it would make sense to highlight the chance for a career in legal aid that would actually make a difference.

Supporting clients who would not otherwise be able to access legal advice is so satisfying.

At The Family Law Company we champion legal aid every day. We encourage our legal aid lawyers by investing in training,

The Family Law Company specialist lawyers supporting families through the realities of life T: 01392 421 777 E: enquiries@thefamilylawco.com www.thefamilylawco.co.uk

wellbeing and career progression, as part of our long-term strategy to make legal aid as rewarding as any job in the city.

Because while a career in legal aid is tough - and isn’t for everyone - for those who feel driven to support the vulnerable in our society and the legal principle of ‘justice for all’ there is no better opportunity for job satisfaction.

Our company was founded in 1994 to help the vulnerable and we are certainly not about to turn our backs on them now.

SOCIETY

Jennifer Nimmo, Jo Holdom and Cathryn Frost

David Abrahams, Lisa Vanstone, and Richard Marsh Oliver Watts and Hannah Overton

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

One Voice Media celebrated their first anniversary under new ownership recently in the secluded gardens of Barnfield Crescent.

Staff, clients, partners, suppliers, and friends of the city’s PR agency joined together to raise a glass to Lisa Vanstone and to celebrate the first of many milestones for the agency’s new owner.

“We wanted to say a big thank you to everyone we’ve worked with over the last year; clients, creative partners , collaborators and friends,” says Lisa.

“We are so grateful to all of our clients, old and new, and pleased to be able to work with brilliant people who give us the opportunity to produce our best work. I’m incredibly proud of my team, and what we’ve achieved in the last year. I’m very much looking forward to the year ahead and many more to come.” www.onevoicemedia.co.uk Ciara Eastell and Sarah Abrahams,

Photos by Steven Haywood

Warwick Gatland, Darren Brewe, Ben Overton, Claire Coetzee and Marcus Macevoy

Ciara Szyman, Charlotte Loder, Ann-Cathrin Reissmann, Rob Henley and Ringo Chan Dave Black, Sam Bearder and Don Rufus

CELEBRATING SOUTH WEST

Jason Langley, Roger Evans and Bailey Hooper

The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (SW) held their annual black-tie awards dinner at Sandy Park, Exeter, recently celebrating innovative and pioneering transportation projects in the South West. 150 guests enjoyed a threecourse dinner and a charity raffle which raised over £2000 for the charity PROPS. www.ciht.org.uk Photos by gkpr

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

School may be out for summer but a little holiday learning can be beneficial long term

SCHOOL GUIDE VICTORIA BOND

Swots it all about?

I

Should the school summer holidays be about switching off or swotting up?

have a vivid memory from my childhood of seeing a ‘Back to School’ sign in the window of Woolworths on the first day of the summer holidays. Surely new pencil cases have no place in the ice cream o’clock hours of July.

Not according to the National Literacy Trust who say the impact of the big six-week brain slowdown can be ‘huge’. It is especially important to combat summer learning loss post-Covid, say experts, when the last thing catch up plans need is the chance to put their feet up and slap on the Factor 50. A major study in the US recently found that pupils can lose up to 34 per cent of the

previous year’s learning gains in the holidays, and students who lose ground in one summer are twice as likely to also lose ground in subsequent summers.

So far, so summer killjoy.

I have to caveat the study by saying holidays in the States are much longer than ours. It’s not unusual for pupils to break up in June and go back in September. But due to our linear examination system, British kids can feel under more academic pressure, and it’s no

wonder parents’ Facebook feeds are already full of adverts for bootcamps with FOMO-sounding names like Uplevel Academy and Summer Success. The heat is very much on.

Recently the former head of Ofsted, Sir Michael Wilshaw, threw his weight behind proposals to cut the school summer holidays.

Many teachers say the ‘feast or famine’ approach is unhelpful and also out of sync with modern working parents’ schedules. There should be shorter terms with

“Pupils can lose up to 34 per cent of the previous year’s learning gains in the holidays”

THREE TIPS TO TACKLE SUMMER LEARNING LOSS

1

Don’t fear using tech for good. iPads and mobile phones have become the modern bogeyman but 15 minutes a day swiping through a maths app like Doodle Maths or parlezing a bit of Français on Babel via Audible is a brilliant way to keep young minds engaged.

2

Research shows children who read daily outside school are five times more likely to read above the expected level for their age. Even at GCSE and A level, extracurricular reading is shown to impact on speed of processing and general concentration levels. Try and use the routine-free days to set up a new habit and stealthily introduce that reading-beforebed slot.

3

Use the longer days to timetable some kind of PE. A recent study that sampled 400 British school children found that kids can lose up to 80 per cent of the physical fitness they build up over the busy school year during time off. Think about rewarding (aka bribing) a set amount of time moving each day which will keep their grey matter boosted with feel-good, think-good endorphins too.

more frequent breaks to keep kids’ brains topped up. By the time those of you with pre-schoolers are preparing for A levels, I can’t help thinking the six-week break will seem as outdated as using an abacus to extract a square root.

For now, should you help your child swot up or switch off? Just as I advise parents choosing between two schools to go with their gut (sorry not sorry for the lack of science), I’d heed logic here. If you have a child entering Y6, Y11 or Y13 with serious concerns about a particular subject; then yes, use the summer to do some ‘proper’ work. It’s a sprint; not a marathon.

For the rest, I’d look at ways to keep things ticking over without feeling like there’s an Ofsted inspection looming. Something is always better than nothing. Light and shade. Bikinis in August with an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny bit of September thrown in.

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

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 55

It’s the city’s business

EXETERWORKS Phil Harrison

NEW

© TEMPO MEDIA

BUSINESS!

Bold in Blue: Sam and Jamie will be working on South West developments

Levi Roots

BEING CIVIL Civil engineers Sam Fairclough and Jamie Purdue have combined their skill set to establish a new civil engineering company in Exeter called Civil Studio.

With 40 years combined experience in civil engineering, this new team specialises in hydraulic design, sustainable drainage systems, flood risk assessments, detailed highway designs,

CURIOUS ALICE Exeter’s BID has a newly hired marketing and communications manager, Alice Evans, to champion the work that InExeter do.

Alice will be engaging with local businesses on InExeter programmes, services and events across the city and getting involved with marketing their activities to the wider business community, partners and city stakeholders.

For more: www.inexeter.com

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

strategic planning, site modelling and cut and fill.

Sam and Jamie have a passion for sustainable and strategic design and experience of developments in residential, commercial and educational sectors and hope to grow their business further by focusing on the South West and all the developments and initiatives going on.

For more: www.civil.studio

Alice will work with Visit Exeter to help raise the profile of Exeter

BIG NAMES FOR ENTRECONF 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

EXETERWORKS

“HISTORICALLY I DON’T THINK THE LEGAL PROFESSION HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY ACCESSIBLE, BUT THINGS ARE CHANGING” practical work on the job. We currently employ 12 legal apprentices and are recruiting for more.

What have been the biggest challenges in your career?

Juggling different roles at home and at work, but I think that is a challenge in any profession!

JOURNEY TO THE JOB

Catherine Mathews

What have been the things you are most proud of?

I’m really proud to be a partner and to be on the board, influencing the direction we take as a business. I’m also hugely proud of the fact that my firm was the first large law firm to become employee owned, and of the emphasis we place on giving back.

Everyone in the firm is permitted to take volunteering leave and we support our local communities and charities.

What do you need to make it as a partner in a law firm?

Catherine – board member, partner and deputy head at the Exeter office of law firm Stephens Scown – tells us about her own career pathway What did you want to be when you were little?

I was interested in becoming an architect. That plan changed when I found out how long it took!

What subjects did you love at school?

English literature and art were my favourite subjects, but I enjoyed geography and history. Pretty much everything really apart from PE, which wasn’t much fun back in those days!

You studied Law at Exeter University, what made you opt for this course and this uni?

I’m from Cornwall, and Exeter was an ideal location as I could still go home for the weekend, but there was also Dartmoor and the lovely South Devon coastline to explore. Exeter as a city was very appealing and offered a new experience for me having grown up in a very rural area.

What then inspired you to follow a career in law?

My older sister studied law and trained as a solicitor. She let me do some work experience with her, so I had the opportunity to see the law in practice and the essential work that lawyers do for their clients.

And after uni?

I took a year out after I did my law degree. Many of my friends moved to London but I knew I wanted to stay in the South West and I wanted to see what other opportunities were available. During this time, I gained some really useful experience, including working for an insurance company and a bank, but eventually realised that I wanted to go back to law.

You then started as a trainee and went on to become a partner. How difficult was it to reach this point?

Yes, it was always my goal to become a partner. As with any goal, I had to work hard to achieve it, but I was well supported by the partners who trained me and I’m very grateful to them for the mentoring they gave me along the way.

What advice would you give to someone starting a career in law?

Get as much work experience as you can to help you decide if it is the career for you. There are lots of different legal career paths and different areas of law to choose from.

What qualities do you think a

person needs to work in law?

Good communication skills are absolutely key. If you have an analytical mind and enjoy problem solving, that also helps.

Give us an insight into your daily working life...

I’m a commercial litigator, so each day is different, but usually involves meetings with clients and colleagues, and drafting documents.

Lots of cases settle out of court but there are still court hearings to prepare for and attend.

Is it true that lawyers have a photographic memory?!

Advances in technology mean that a photographic memory isn’t a requirement any more, you just need to know where to find the information!

How inclusive do you think the current sector is?

Historically I don’t think the legal profession has been particularly accessible, but things are changing and there are now more ways to enter the profession. It is possible to take an apprenticeship route to becoming a solicitor, with academic learning taking place alongside

When you’re not working, what do you like to get up to?

As my job involves sitting down looking at screens for most of the day, I try to go running and walking outside as much as possible. I also enjoy paddleboarding, but only in the summer! I love rock music and I’m looking forward to going to some live gigs later this year.

What is the most surprising thing about you?

Definitely not a surprise to anyone who knows me, but I love food and wine! I helped a friend plant a vineyard (Castlewood Vineyard, near Axminster) and I’ve really enjoyed going to the festival there and sampling the sparkling wine.

When it comes to eating out, Harry’s Restaurant in Exeter has a special place in my heart as I’ve been going there since I was a student and it’s now one of my daughter’s favourite restaurants.

For more: www.stephens-scown.co.uk

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

WE HAVE LIFT OFF!

Digging for victory

BY GEORGE!

Exeter Science Park has marked the official opening of its £5million George Parker Bidder building, built to net zero carbon standards, with a ceremonial tree planting.

“After completing the George Parker Bidder building earlier this year, we’re pleased to mark its official opening and celebrate Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee by dedicating a tree as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy,” says Dr Sally Basker, CEO of Exeter Science Park.

“Not only will this help offset some of the carbon generated during construction, but sitting at the gateway to the Park, helps to provide a vibrant and welcoming place to work or visit.”

The 14,000 square foot centre – named after the Moretonhampsteadborn civil engineer and mathematical prodigy – provides office and laboratory space for maturing science, technology, engineering, maths and medical (STEMM) businesses.

For more: www.exetersciencepark.co.uk

Professionals from Exeter’s property sector will be coming together once more for the Exeter Property Awards, at Sandy Park on Friday 21 October – and the nominations are now open!

Whether you work in residential or commercial, lettings or new builds, civic buildings or anything in between, this is your chance to tell us about the amazing work that you do.

It’s entirely free to enter and you can choose to nominate your company in any category you think is relevant.

The categories are: Winner of Winners, Architect, Civic Development, Commercial Development, Consultancy, Contractor, Developer, Employer, Financial, Interior Designer, Property Agent, Residential Development, One to Watch, Suppliers and Services, Sustainability, Transformation.

Sponsorship opportunities are available now, get in touch with Harriette Dixon (Harriette.dixon@ mediaclash.co.uk) or Paula Miller (paula.miller@ mediaclash.co.uk).

For more: www.exeterpropertyawards.com

EXETER PROPERTY AWARDS KEY DATES NOW: Nominations open 13 September: Grand Reveal 21 September: Finalists’ & Sponsors’ Reception 21 October: Exeter Property Awards 2022

WORK BEGINS…

The first turf was cut recently in a ceremony to mark the start of the construction of new £2.9million training facilities for Exeter City Football Club.

The new building, which will be sited at the Cliff Hill Training Ground on the Sidmouth Road, is being constructed off-site using modern modular construction techniques, and will then be transported and erected at the training ground.

The new structure will replace the existing dilapidated building, which was constructed in 1974 and was always intended to be a temporary building.

The development is expected to be completed by the end of December 2022.

For more: www.exetercityfc.co.uk The new two-storey facility will include new and larger fitness suite facilities

The nominations are now open

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PROPERTY

1 ROSEBARN AVENUE

Hot-to-trot Pennsylvania property seeks gregarious owner. Shrinking violets need not apply

By Imogen Davidson-Smith www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 61

N

umber 1 Rosebarn Avenue is a house that begs for lavish summer parties to be thrown in it.

Showstopper area number one is the back of the house where the full height double doors essentially mean that when all opened, the house becomes three-sided – the fourth side is blown wide open to the garden And because the property has an open-planned, free-flow style to it, there is a perfect line of sight from ground floor rooms like the kitchen, dining room and sitting room out into the magnificent views of the garden and beyond.

Out of the house and down the steps and you’re onto the spacious terrace and then onto the garden; what the owners have managed to design out here is no small feat.

The back garden features a formal part that is Italian in feel, with the calmness of the central canal water feature guided by natural stone laid paths and box hedging topiary. On both sides of the canal are two stone set edged lawns which benefit from an underground watering system.

There’s an outdoor kitchen with Portuguese built-in BBQ , a lounge set perfect for early evening drinks and a dining area surrounded by the heavenly scent of roses and pretty white flowers of trailing Jasmine.

This space is also designed to host a jacuzzi with plumbing and electric provided. A Wisteria-covered wrought iron swinging bench, which

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

converts into a double bed, we kid you not, is carefully positioned to catch the last rays of sunset. Stone steps lead down into an informal part of the garden with a stream, white and pink arching roses that grow over a gazebo, positioned as a focal point, and another seating area at the far corner.

Green-fingered bods, take note: stocked over the years from The Chelsea Flower Show, there is a wide variety of planting, from ornamental cherry trees, magnolias, rhododendrons, acer trees and roses.

PROPERTY

Back inside and round the front, the entrance hall greets you with the fresh look of speckled Italian terrazzo porcelain tiles that draws the eye up to the striking bespoke LED illuminated staircase with glass frameless balustrade. Triple-height wall panels in oak wood slats are complemented by full-height grey mirror hiding concealed entry to the utility room.

The spacious and light-filled kitchen is organised around an impressive ‘floating’ island. Supported by tempered glass, illuminated underneath, it is a true piece of art and sets the tone for this calm and contemporary space. An expanse of bronze mirrored splashback above the Corian worktop of yet another line of ‘floating’ kitchen units reflects the garden’s greenery.

A separate preparatory kitchen with access to the boot room through another concealed door is cleverly designed with practicalities of everyday kitchen use in mind. An elegant, spacious dining room and a cosy lounge both continue to the sun room. The entire ground floor is laid on porcelain tile, for ease of maintenance, with children and pets in mind and the whole house is serviced by zoned underfloor heating.

Storage includes concealed coats/shoe cupboards with internal LED strip lighting and beautifully illuminated cloakroom with glass glazed Callacata wall tiles.

Upstairs to the first floor are three bedrooms, the main bedroom featuring a freestanding Victoria & Albert bath, a luxury en suite in

glass glazed tiles with chromotherapy light shower head, demista mirror cabinet, bronze coloured bathroom taps and accessories.

All the rooms on this floor benefit from plenty of light provided by full height tilt and Juliet balconies open to expansive view over the city of Exeter and Haldon Hills beyond.

Up onto the second floor you’ll find the remaining bedrooms and showstopper feature number two – a double en suite bedroom that plays host to a built-in steam room with heated loungers, changing lights and a double shower head benefiting from natural ventilation and free-standing stone resin double bath – your very own spa room.

This modern family home and garden is dripping in cool design features and boasts a unique and laidback style. Slip into a glitzy summer kaftan, pop on a pair of giant sunglasses, grab a tipple of your choice and sashay through the house and out onto one of those sun loungers. n

HOUSE NUMBERS Where?

1 Rosebarn Avenue, Pennsylvania, Exeter Inside

3,451 sq ft

Bedrooms

5

Bathrooms

4

Outside Entrance via electric double gated driveway and pedestrian gate with intercom entry system Guide price £1,850,000 For more Savills Exeter, Sterling Court, 17 Dix’s Fld, Exeter; www.savills.co.uk

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EXETER LIVES

“I’m really like a homegrown Dame Edna who wants to be Danny La Rue with the rapier wit of Lily Savage” You always look amazing, how would you describe your style and who are your style icons?

EVELYN WINIFRED SQUEEZLY

Putting a smile on many an Exeter shopper’s face is Chris Pope, AKA EVELYN WINIFRED SQUEEZLY, who can be seen performing lively tunes outside M&S at the weekends...

Hello! You are a regular on the busking scene in Exeter, how would you describe your music offering?

I suppose it’s a large serving of vintage 50s Elvis, Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry – though I do a few from the 60s and 70s, and dead-on midday I usually have a forty minute disco portion, mainly sang in the style of Elvis.

What are your favourite crowd-pleaser tunes?

Now or Never, Wooden Heart, Bossa Nova Baby, the Elvis version of

Promised Land by Chuck Berry, Tulane by Chuck Berry, definitely Dancing Queen by ABBA and Speedy Gonzalez.

What kind of vibe or atmosphere are you trying to create with your busking style?

Atmosphere, that’s a good question. I love being entertained and I’m a bit of a clown so I thinking if I can raise a smile and send folks on their way with a good tune in their heart, that’s a blessing.

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

I’m really like a homegrown Dame Edna who wants to be Danny La Rue with the rapier wit of Lily Savage – though I am a bit on the cuddly side so can’t really compare myself to the Ru mother.

I do love drag and my favourites are Ella Vaday, Courtney Act and I am blown away by Plastique Tiara.

Your chosen spot to perform is on Exeter’s High Street, under the covering outside M&S…

The M&S thing runs very deep. I looked after my Mum with dementia for around seven years, she adored M&S. Me and my Dad’s clothes were always brought at M&S. Also, busking there it shelters you if there’s a spot of inclement weather, it’s like an acoustic chamber.

Can we see you perform anywhere else locally?

Performing wise my first instrument is percussion and I am the drummer in The Salvation Army Exeter Temple Silver band so I’m at Friars Walk every Sunday morning.

I also play in a country band with the Lonesome Saddles.

When you’re not busking in Exeter, what do you like to get up to?

Well, I love drawing; I’m a caricature artist, portrait painter and keen guitar player but I’m a far better drummer than I am a guitarist so am constantly in Mansons, Project Music, Sidwell Street’s Music Room or Teign Music, in Teignmouth.

What’s the most surprising thing about you?

I completed all three Ten Tors distances, and taught percussion helping several students obtain their grade eight and helping them pass the entrance exam for percussion institute. I also taught drums to Dominic Wood from Dick and Dom in the very late 80s and early 90s.

Lastly, who would play you in a film about you?

Hmmmn...first choice, Gene Wilder.

I’m also torn between Ed Sheeran and Rupert Grint... but the actress who played Hayley Cropper [ Julie Hesmondhalgh] in classic Corrie would be as good as anyone... what’s her Elvis impression like, I wonder? n For more, head to Instagram: @chrispope76