Exeter Living - Issue 301

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ISSUE 301 / AUGUST 2022 / £3

TABLE TALK

DINING AT DARTS FARM’S NEW RESTAURANT

SUMMER BEAUTY TIME TO GET YOUR GLOW ON

ISSUE 301 / AUGUST 2022 / CLOUD CONTROL

PICTURES FROM OUR EXCLUSIVE EVENT AT THE IVY

HEAR HEAR

MEET EXETER NORTHCOTT’S AUDIO DESCRIBER

THE MASTERPLAN LIVEABLE EXETER KICKSTART A NEW VISION FOR THE CITY

FAIR WEATHER FRIEND

BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE MET OFFICE

© THE MET OFFICE

EDITOR’S LETTER

ABOVE: The Met Office in

Exeter, page 13; BELOW: Colourful cushions, page 40

A

s the weather continues to hit the headlines around the globe, our feature on the Met Office (page 13) could not be more fitting.

The visit to the headquarters in Exeter was a fascinating and eyeopening experience. Chatting to a meteorologist there and looking through their archive material illuminated their global outreach – and the impressive scale of their life-saving reports. Most of us probably don’t realise the full extent of their work and how they are keeping so many sectors (retail, travel, aid work, government, and many more) in the UK and abroad ticking over, be it under the radar. The team here definitely fall into the ‘unsung heroes’ category.

Elsewhere, we have a mammoth ten-page food section (kicking off on page 26), which includes our visit to the new restaurant on Darts Farm; four pages of theatre, comedy, music and art (page 20) which will see you through to autumn; and we shine a light on skin and beauty treatments and products from the local indies (page 42). Oh, and don’t miss out on possibly the most colour-popping shopping pages (page 40) we’ve ever put together. Enjoy!

HARRIET NOBLE

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Issue 301/August 2022 COVER The Met Office in Exeter.

Image credit: the Met Office

THE BIG FEATURE

13 THE MET OFFICE Behind the scenes of

this epic organisation

REGULARS

8 SPOTLIGHT Two festivals are coming our way 11 JP HEDGE is all about the LEGO 37 SOCIETY Were you at these summer parties?

66 LIVES Local writer Sarah Turner, AKA The

Unmumsy Mum, on her new book

THE ARTS

19 ARTS INTRO Dartmoor-inspired art and where to © WESTLEY HARGR AVE

find it this August

20 WHAT’S ON Four pages bursting full of theatre,

comedy, festivals, art, music and family fun

25 BOOKS Searching for summer reads?

Charlie Richards has all the top recommendations

FOOD & DRINK

26 FOOD & DRINK NEWS Top stories from the local

culinary world

27 TARA SMITH heads to Ashburton in search of

tasty delights

28 RESTAURANT We make a dash to Darts Farm’s

new restaurant 32 RECIPES Need a summery three-course menu?

The Jack in the Green has got the perfect recipes

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8 20

Issue 301/August 2022

SHOPPING

40 INTRO Colour-popping interiors 41 NEW! A beautiful new shop has opened...

SUMMER BEAUTY

42 ED’S CHOICE Keep luscious with these hair and

skin products from the local indies

45 REVIEW A freshening facial in the city

HEALTH & WELLBEING 47 HEALTH & WELLBEING NEWS

A new rewilding project has just launched

GREAT ESCAPES

48 TRAVEL Fancy a mini break with an equine twist?

BUSINESS

51 A VISION OF EXETER The full report on the

recent Liveable Exeter event

52 10 MINUTES WITH... PR professional

(and TV star!) Glen King 53 EXETER WORKS Business news and highlights 54 JOURNEY TO THE JOB What’s it like to be an audio describer?

51 60

PROPERTY

56 SENIOR LIVING A look at some of the best local

retirement properties and residential homes

60 SHOWCASE The prettiest of pretty

thatched cottages

Editor Harriet Noble harriet.noble@mediaclash.co.uk Managing Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior Art Editor Andrew Richmond Graphic Design Megan Allison Cover Design Trevor Gilham Contributors JP Hedge, Charlie Richards, 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

Baroness Floella Benjamin

Dame Sheila Hancock

Literature

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relationships with home nations.

BBC disinformation reporter, Marianna Spring, reveals the troubling stories that result from the scourge of fake news, and the MP Andrew Mitchell blows the lid off life inside Parliament in a very febrile climate.

Literary writing is represented by the multi bestselling authors Robert Harris, Elizabeth Lowry, Miranda Seymour, Lyndall Gordon and Charlotte Mendelson – this year’s Festival Book Club Read.

The wealth of local writers and notable people is celebrated with events including best sellers Graham Hurley and Unmumsy Mum’s Sarah Turner (see page 66 for more), plus novelists Nina Stibbe and Patrick Gale. Local debut novelists include Joanna Quinn, Sophie Irwin, historian Andrew Chatterton, Daily Telegraph beer writer Adrian Tierney Jones who will be tutoring a tasting, children’s writer Triona Harris, and artist Angie Seaway.

Reading events include the East Devon Writers group and the Festival’s annual Open Mic poetry evening. Riverford veg box founder Guy Singh-Watson will be chatting food miles with food writer Orlando Murrin too.

The festival will also feature two musical events, writing workshops, free storytelling sessions and a drop-in activity tent marking the Queen’s Jubilee celebrating 70 years of children’s books.

For more: www.budlitfest.org.uk

Broadcaster Simon Reeve

BBC’s Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen

© JOHNNY RING

Best-selling authors will descend on the coastal town of Budleigh Salterton this autumn for the annual literary festival.

Headlining the festival, which takes place between 14-18 September, is actress Dame Sheila Hancock;Jeremy Bowen, the BBC’s Middle East Editor; the broadcaster Simon Reeve; poet Pam Ayres; gardening expert Joe Swift and BBC Antiques Roadshow presenter Ronnie Archer-Morgan.

Baroness Floella Benjamin will be delivering the annual Susan Ward memorial talk in memory of the Festival’s founder. The leading brain surgeon Henry Marsh will share his own experiences as a patient; acclaimed behavioural scientist and author of Sway, Pragya Agarwal, explores the myth of gendering emotions; the man at the centre of the Jeremy Thorpe scandal, Norman Scott, reveals the impact it has had on his life and explorer Benedict Allen whisks us off to undiscovered places.

Current affairs are brought to the fore by journalist Martin Sixsmith and top expert Orlando Figes as they consider what makes Russia the country it is, while Sir David Haslam, the former Chair of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Council of the Royal College of General Practitioners, tackles the pressing issue of our NHS. The editor of The New Statesman Jason Cowley, and New Yorker journalist Rebecca Mead ask where England finds itself now post Brexit and with fractures in our

© WESTLEY HARGR AVE

LINE UP! LINE UP!

© MIKE POWELL

Charity

THINK PINK

THE STORY OF US This September will see a new festival launch in Exeter. The Story of Us will be a family-friendly cultural festival co-created with members of Exeter and Devon’s Caribbean, Hindu and Polish communities. Taking place at Barnfield Theatre on 11 September, the free event will celebrate the creative and cultural connections between Exeter and Devon’s communities as well as what makes them unique.

Festival attendees can meet new people and experience a wide range of fun activities and performances, including: arts and crafts sessions, Caribbean and Hindu dance workshops, dual language poetry, food tasting, live music, stand-up comedy and theatre, Mehndi (Henna) body art, photography exhibition, and Children’s storytelling.

The Story of Us was developed by the Northcott’s Encompass group, which is composed from members of Exeter and Devon’s Caribbean, Hindu and Polish communities, and realised in creative

partnership with South West-based theatre company Beyond Face.

The Encompass group formed last November to explore what they saw, what they were not seeing and what they wanted to see in Exeter and Devon’s cultural spaces. This festival embodies their aim to create, enjoy and share cultural experiences together as a wider community while celebrating and highlighting the diversity of people and heritages throughout the city and county.

“Every aspect of the festival has been dreamed up and brought into being by a wonderful group of community members,” says Nicole Redfern, community engagement producer at Exeter Northcott Theatre.

“They have worked tirelessly together to plan and deliver what promises to be a fun day with something for everyone.”

The Northcott invites people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds to this joyful, inclusive day out.

For more: www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

© R ALPH WHITEHEAD

Festival

© R ALPH WHITEHEAD

© NAOMI STOLOW

This July saw over 500 hospice supporters gathered in Exmouth for Hospiscare’s Twilight Walk raising over £40,000 for the local hospice.

After two years of participants walking a route of their choice in their own locality due to the pandemic, the sea of pink walkers received a warm welcome back to Exmouth, the home of Twilight Walk.

“It was absolutely fantastic to be able to come together with our Twilight walkers, supporters and volunteers after two years,” says hospiscare senior events fundraiser, Martin Stokke.

“The money raised will enable us to continue providing our specialist care at no cost to patients and families across Exeter, Mid and East Devon.

“We want to say a huge thank you to all the brilliant people who came out to support their local hospice and express our gratitude to our headline event sponsor, Jurassic Fibre.”

For more: www.hospiscare.co.uk/fundraise

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OPINION JP HEDGE

“I particularly love that the exhibition is especially suited to those with autism and anxiety”

Build me up JP is loving a summer of discovery (and LEGO!) at RAMM

T

he little animal explorer trolleys are back at RAMM. I get quite excited about these children’s bags on wheels as you can tell.

Some of my fondest memories of my oldest, Harry, are of dressing him up as a bumble bee and trundling through the halls of the RAMM discovering items.

I say ‘discovering’, he tended to bump into the items and take off the paintwork of the walls.

But my joy at their return isn’t actually just because of the thousands of children who will create similar memories with their parents this summer.

It is that these lovely free-to-use bags signify the return to something nearing normality at our much-loved museum.

The impact of the pandemic has been especially tough for the RAMM in all kinds of ways. It really left no corner untouched. Even Gerald the Giraffe needed restoration work

after the impact of airflow changes took its toll on him.

Now, after years in the planning, RAMM have come up with what I think is their best summer programme yet. I’m hoping it will make much-loved memories for you too.

LEGO is the cornerstone of one of the exhibitions. This city can’t seem to get enough of it. In my previous life as a newspaper editor, we used to hook up with Thomas Moore to give away a free small packet with every paper.

There was nothing else on the planet I could do to sell as many copies. Lego seems to be a universal love – like dough balls and dogs.

The exhibition at RAMM is already bringing joy to all ages.

Each miniaturised LEGO brick model explores a different point in Exeter’s history, from its origins in the days of the Roman Empire to the glorious heights of its famous woollen trade, and from the tragedy of the Second World War to its transformation into a ‘garden city’ of the near-future.

Looking into that future, council planners are looking at how we capture the voices of residents in ways that are important to

them. Playing here will have real meaning.

I particularly love that the exhibition is especially suited to those with autism and anxiety. There are lots of spin-off activities too including robot wars, eco-motor madness and brilliant bridges and thundering train sessions.

And in the other gallery next door there is an exhibition that I’m really proud of celebrating 150 years of the Chiefs.

The month-long showcase will feature an array of memorabilia spanning the 150year history of the Exeter Chiefs. Shirts, photographs, trophies, and caps will take visitors on a journey from the early days of rugby in the region, through to the recent successes at the top of European rugby.

Fans are just as important, and some of the objects on display have come from their own collections.

Despite Exeter’s amazing heritage, we aren’t often particularly good at understanding, recognising and celebrating our own culture. This one is an absolute must to see as it shows the journey Exeter Rugby Club has been on so far and what lies ahead.

Check out the special visits going on where some Chiefs will be there in person.

There’s a very special prize if you can snap a Chief pulling along an animal explorer trolley and bonus points to include the bumble bee fancy dress. ■ 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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© HARRIET NOBLE

SKY’S THE LIMIT

MET OFFICE Their reach is global, their work is essential.

It is no exaggeration to say their reports save lives. So, what’s it like to work at the Met Office in Exeter? And will we ever get 100 per cent correct weather forecasts? Harriet Noble investigates...

The Met Office HQ

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MET OFFICE

T

he Met Office isn’t featured in the list of top tourist attractions in Exeter but it should be. I visited recently and had a tour of the building and all the different departments, looked into the fascinating archives and chatted to some of the people who work there. I’m now firmly of the view that not only should a visit to the Met Office be on everyone’s to-do list, the organisation should be known as the fifth emergency service, albeit a less visible one. The work that gets done at the Met Office in Exeter (roughly two billion weather observations a day) to alert people to severe weather and keep everything ticking over is phenomenal. There is barely a sector that doesn’t rely on reports from the Met Office – the aviation industry, rail networks, energy markets, farming community, shipping industry, the list goes on.

For example, did you know that no long-haul flight can leave the UK without a weather report from the Met? And that – perhaps one of the most important forecasts in history – the D Day landings were scheduled based on weather forecasts from the Met. The organisation works with humanitarian agencies abroad who are trying to establish a day when it will be safest to cross an ocean or fly over a space to deliver food to people caught in war zones. They also provide weather data to international charities helping people caught in droughts or floods.

Their clients include organisations in retail too – how do people who sell ice creams, sun cream or fans know how much they are going to sell in one given summer? Because of data from the Met Office.

Despite their global reach, it also remains a very personable kind of service. Anybody can ring up the Met Office and get a bespoke weather forecast. If you live in Honiton, say, and want to know if you can hang out your laundry tomorrow you can call the team and they will advise!

We spoke to a couple of people who work at the Met Office to find out more...

Meteorologist Alex Burkill

“I’m not that much of a weather nerd but I do find the statistics interesting” The green Met Office site has been managed to promote biodiversity

© THE MET OFFICE

MEETING THE METEOROLOGIST…

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With weather being so precarious and changeable, especially on this little island of ours, it is perhaps fitting that the people working there should be calm souls, which I discover to be true when I chat to mild mannered Alex Burkill, a senior operational meteorologist at The Met Office.

We’re all weather-obsessed in this country, I wonder how off-thescale consumed a meteorologist must be?

“I’m not that much of a weather nerd but I do find the statistics interesting,” he says with a smile.

“If you work here, you do find the weather interesting – our partners find it pretty annoying!”

I would have thought knowing a meteorologist would be very handy, you’ve got an on-tap weather forecast whenever you want it?

“Mmm..my mum still doesn’t trust me and my weather reports. I still give her weather warnings though.”

Alex had always had an interest in the weather (“When I was younger I did a lot of rowing so kept an eye on it”); after doing Maths at Manchester, a Masters in Meteorology at Reading, and working shortly as an engineer, he started his training to be a meteorologist at the Met – the ‘pinnacle for any meteorologist,’ he says. He’s now been there for over ten years.

One of his favourite parts of the job involves communicating the weather to journalists. When you’re watching the weather forecast on TV’s Good Morning Britain, chances are Alex will have been chatting to the weather presenter that morning, at the crack of dawn, to give them the latest up-to-date info.

For obvious reasons, it’s a job that can be stressful. “Generally speaking, there is a relaxed atmosphere here but, yes, when there’s a

© HARRIET NOBLE

© THE MET OFFICE © HARRIET NOBLE

above: There’s an artifical stream that follows the course of the orginal stream; below: The site has a wildflower meadow and two ponds as well as woodland and marshy areas

storm coming big decisions need to be made and it can be a bit tense. We’re used to it though and it’s an interesting time. It’s just important for us to us to get the message out.”

When potentially dangerous weather is predicted, the work they do becomes paramount – their reports will determine whether trains can safely run or whether people should be driving on the roads.

When the beast from the east storm happened in 2018, some of the meteorologists at the Met Office were actually sleeping in accommodation across the road rather than going home. The idea that they wouldn’t be able to get into work was unthinkable – getting those crucial reports done and sent out, round the clock had to continue.

This is why meteorologists like Alex are understandably not so keen on the misleading tabloid headlines which reduces credibility to the sector – or the ‘armchair meteorologists’ as Alex calls them.

“We do a lot of work to make sure we are always honest and accurate,” says Alex.

“It is so important for the public to understand our message. That’s why we use the percentage of probability, to say something is ‘likely’ so we can as accurate as possible – nothing that is erroneous.”

Weather click bait aside, Alex clearly loves working here. “One of the best things about working here is chatting to all the different people in the different sectors. We get together at lunch and try not to talk too much about the weather! It’s a really nice place to work.

Everyone is very supportive – we’re all working together towards the same aim.”

Before leaving him, I pose the big question: will anyone ever get the weather predictions 100 per cent right? No, is the short answer.

“As our computers get better, our forecasts will get better but weather is chaotic – it will never be perfect.”

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“My personal favourite was Storm Arwen as I am a big Lord of the Rings fan” Elizabeth Harris, programme director at the Met Office

IN-DEPTH CHAT WITH WITH ELIZABETH HARRIS Programme director at The Met Office Can you tell us about some of the less well-known ways your scientific research is helping?

Did you know the Met Office monitors Space weather 24/7?

Conditions in space can have an impact on the Earth. Matter which has left the surface of the sun can interact with the Earth’s magnetic field and interrupt radio communications and GPS, disrupt power grids, and damage satellites etc. The Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre provides critical information to the government to help build the resilience of UK infrastructure and impacted industries in the face of space weather events.

The Met Office also supports the governments overseas aid programmes. For example, working with in-country partners to help build their skills we have improved the forecasting of weather on Lake Victoria helping to reduce the high number of deaths caused by the challenging weather in that area. Equally our scientists are using data from lobster populations off the UK coast to inform climate research as lobsters are sensitive to longer term changes in their environment.

© THE MET OFFICE

How does the government use the information you provide?

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The government uses Met Office information in so many ways, it informs policy as well as provision of services across many government departments. DEFRA uses Met Office information to inform future crop research. We supply services to support UK military operations.

We use our latest climate projections (such as UKCP18) to help inform long term strategy and adaptation with regard to climate change. Our work has a huge impact on people’s lives and livelihoods.

Any breakthroughs that you are working towards now?

You may have read about our new supercomputer; we are currently working with our partner Microsoft who are delivering this. The supercomputer will be one of the most advanced in the world and

© THE MET OFFICE

MET OFFICE The HQ uses a low energy, low maintenance, low carbon emission building concept system to heat and cool the majority of the office work areas

How connected are you with the community of Exeter?

We have many links with the local community, not least, through our Education Outreach Programme and work with the University and Higher Education Colleges. This helps build awareness of what the Met Office does and encourages careers in STEM subjects. We recruit individuals locally as well as nationally and internationally, for example we have various apprenticeship opportunities with many of the successful applicants living locally.

On to storms. There seems to be a lot more with names these days…

Although stormy weather is not unusual in a UK winter, the naming of storms was only launched in 2015 and as such the period is too short to determine a trend in named storms. However, when looking at the data over the last 50 years there is no compelling upward trend in maximum wind gust speeds, but the associated storm systems seem to have brought more rain.

How do decide on the names?

The Met Office works with Met Eireann (the meteorological service in the Republic of Ireland) and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (the Dutch national weather forecasting service) on storm naming. The public are periodically asked to suggest names via social media, the three organisations then collectively agree the list for each year. My personal favourite was Storm Arwen as I am a big Lord of the Rings fan. will enable us to continue evolving our weather and climate services into the future. It will help enable earlier, more accurate warnings of severe weather, protecting people, businesses, and critical national infrastructure. It will provide the capability to take forward groundbreaking new climate change modelling, unleashing the full potential of the Met Office’s expertise in climate science and helping us build a resilient, low carbon economy, supporting the green industrial revolution across all parts of the UK and beyond.

What is the Met Office’s role in the current dialogue surrounding climate change?

The Met Office Hadley Centre is one of the world’s leading climate research centres and plays a vital role in providing relevant scientific evidence for UK government. This evidence supports climate action to help avoid the worst impacts of climate change for future generations.

As well as providing advice and guidance to the UK government we also contribute expertise into many international bodies such as the IPCC and have significant collaborations with academic partners in the UK and internationally.

The Met Office moved from Bracknell to Exeter back in 2003.

Why was Exeter deemed the best spot for your organisation?

The building in Bracknell was becoming rundown and refurbishment was not cost effective, we also, at that time, had staff located over various sites, which was not efficient. Therefore, the decision was made to move. In choosing the location, the Met Office looked at several factors such as communications, quality of life, local labour market, land prices, transport links, synergies with nearby businesses and other bodies such as the University, housing and local amenities.

What are the advantages of being based in Exeter?

We have some of the best people in their field working for us and Exeter is a great place to live and work. We are able to make good use of the proximity of the University, and Higher Education Colleges.

Can you tell us about some moments when you feel really proud to be working for the Met Office?

I joined the Met Office relatively recently and I think I feel most proud of our people and our organisation when our forecasts and warnings have given people and other organisations time to plan for poor weather. Whether that is getting the gritters out on roads, having engineers in the right places to sort out powerlines that have come down or enabled schools to give parents early notification of school closures. We can make a difference to everybody’s day-to-day lives. n For information on visiting The Met Office, head to www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/contact/open-days

HOW IT ALL BEGAN…

The Met Office was founded by Vice-Admiral Robert Fitzroy in 1854.The purpose of the Met Office was to learn more about marine climatology. This greater understanding would improve the safety of life and property at sea.

Tragedy struck when the Royal Charter ship was wrecked off the northeast coast of Anglesey, Wales in 1859. Approximately 459 lives were lost, still the highest death toll of any shipwreck on the Welsh coast. As a response to this terrible loss of life, there was much coverage in the national press and a focused attention on the need for storm warnings in coastal areas to reduce further such losses.

At the time, many people doubted the accuracy of weather reporting, but the government permitted FitzRoy to establish a Storm Warning service in early 1861.

Now known as the shipping forecast, it is thought to be the longest running national forecasting service in the world.

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THE ARTS

© STEPHEN PEART

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

HEART OF DARTMOOR

“My work is photographic and semi-abstract,” says Chagford artist Stephen Peart.

“It focuses around the theme of “beneath” and will look at that which we often can’t see on Dartmoor – tree roots, river beds and the rocks and minerals beneath the soil. I want to capture a sense of emotion within an image.”

This mesmeric image of Stephen’s, featured above, does just that – it’s an extreme close up of oxidised mineral deposits on the wall of a mine shaft near Gidleigh.

Stephen is just one of 20 contemporary artists exhibiting at this summer’s Dartmoor Collective exhibition, an event which will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend in the surroundings of Poltimore House, the Grade-II listed country house near Exeter.

The Dartmoor Collective is a community-based not-for-profit organisation that seeks to promote an appreciation and understanding of the landscape and environment of Dartmoor, by supporting the many visual artists who take inspiration from the moor.

The Dartmoor Collective Summer Exhibition; 10am-4pm, 27 and 28 August at Poltimore House, Poltimore, Exeter; www.dartmoorcollective.org

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© MARC BRENNER

WHAT’S ON 5 August onwards

THEATRE/ PERFORMANCE 10 August

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Festival Players International will be performing with an all-male company of skilled professional actors, and invite you to share in the colour, poetry, and magical mayhem.

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

30 and 31 August

BRAINIAC LIVE: REMIXED! Science’s Kings and Queens of the road arrive with their latest, wildest show mixing up fresh beats with revamped family favourites.

Watch from the safety of your seat as the Brainiacs spin up the strange and mysterious, jumping bravely back into the fresh curiosities of science and doing all of those things on stage that you’re too scared to do at home.

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

8 September

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Award-winning theatre company Calf2Cow brings you the theatrical experience of the summer with this telling of Kenneth Grahame’s

much-loved classic story.

Cygnet Theatre, Friars gate; www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

23 September

CRIMES ON A CENTRE COURT Theatre company New Old Friends have built a national reputation with their wildly inventive set pieces, twisty plots and commitment to unadulterated entertainment. This deucey summertime treat will rally the spirits and leave you wanting a second serve-ing of the volley of gags and visual delights.

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

26 September-1 October

AN IMPROBABLE MUSICAL Improbable are maestros of improvised theatre, who for three decades have created make-it-upas-you-go-along shows that have captivated audiences. Their first ever improvised musical aims to spin theatrical magic out of thin air. Starring quick-fire comic and actress Josie Lawrence, this is essential viewing for anyone who likes their theatre as live as it gets.

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

MUSIC 7 August

SUMMER MUSIC SERIES: THE

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Outdoor cinema at Northernhay Gardens

PILGRIMS’ CHORUS Around 35 singers from the Exeter Philharmonic Choir make up the Pilgrim’s Chorus and they will be walking the St Boniface Way at the beginning of August, singing as they journey. Expect a strong West Country flavour. Exeter Cathedral; www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk

26 August

JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN Known for her collaborations with the likes of Rufus Wainwright, Joan Wasser, aka Joan As Police Woman, will perform highlights from her remarkable songbook stretching right back to her classic debut, Real Life in 2006. Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street; exeterphoenix.org.uk

1 September

THE HANDSOME FAMILY The American band are known for their haunting and beautiful songs.

During a 30-year career, Brett and Rennie Sparks have created songs that transform the mundane landscape of modern life into a place of mysterious portent.

Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street; exeterphoenix.org.uk

16 September

LOST IN MUSIC Relive some of the greatest songs of all time from artists such as Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor,

Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister Sledge and Chic.

This show boasts a sensational live band, incredibly talented cast and stunning vocals and is sure to have you dancing in the aisles!

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

FILM

10-13 August

BIG SCREEN IN THE PARK The outdoor cinema returns with four nights of feel-good films in Northernhay Gardens. Filmgoers can enjoy Honey I Shrunk the Kids, The French Dispatch, No Time to Die and Back to the Future. Bring blankets or opt for the upgrade ticket which includes deckchairs and a picnic from Greendale Farm Shop.

There’ll also be a licensed bar, popcorn and a BBQ. Exeter Phoenix Outdoor Cinema, Northernhay Gardens; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

21 September

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR From big wave surfing to tiger shark conservation, this is a cinematic celebration of the planet’s oceans, with inspirational short films from above and beneath the waves.

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

© PAMEL A R AITH PHOTOGR APHY

WHAT’S ON

left: Crimes on a Centre Court comes to the Northcott on 23 September; above: An Improbable Musical will be performed from 26 September

that’s ready to take the world by storm.

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

ART

Until 4 September

COMEDY 10-11 September

DAWN FRENCH IS A HUGE TWAT “This show is so-named because unfortunately, it’s horribly accurate,” says comedian and actress Dawn French.

“There have been far too many times I have made stupid mistakes or misunderstood something vital or jumped the gun in a spectacular display of twattery. I thought I might tell some of these buttockclenching embarrassing stories to

give the audience a peek behind the scenes of my work life.”

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

17 September

THE COMEDY STORE EXETER The Comedy Store is renowned as a breeding ground for new comedy talent and remains the place to see tomorrow’s stars today.

Expect a night of laughs from the brightest names.

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

1 October

PAUL FOOT: SWAN POWER The pondering, off-beat comic explores topics including murdering Santas and interfering ambulance drivers, plus Billy Zane’s Valuable Diamond (c/o RMS Titanic).

Barnfield Theatre, Barnfield Road; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

2 October

MAISIE ADAMS: BUZZED Fresh from Live at The Apollo, Mock The Week and The Last Leg, Best Newcomer nominee Maisie Adams is back with a brand-new show

COVER VERSIONS This exhibition addresses concepts of ownership, fandom and audience, authenticity, and the economic and cultural values that site and shape them.

Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street; exeterphoenix.org.uk

Until 28 August

150 YEARS OF EXETER RUGBY CLUB: FROM LOCAL HEROES TO EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS This exhibition will feature an array of memorabilia spanning the history of the Exeter Chiefs. Shirts, photographs, trophies, and caps will take visitors on a journey from the early days of rugby in the region, through to the recent successes at

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WHAT’S ON the top of European rugby.

Some of the objects donated to the exhibition have come from fans, who have sifted through years of memorabilia to find gems to exhibit.

RAMM, Queen Street; www. rammuseum.org.uk

6 August-29 October

INGRID POLLARD IN DEVON The 2022 Turner Prize nominated artist Ingrid Pollard explores narratives of people and places across industry, labour and individual experiences, which has shaped our stories and landscapes.

Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell Street, Honiton; www.thelmahulbert.com

10-22 August

TITANIC EXHIBITION This display will feature artefacts, large-scale 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 a Titanic video game, and meet specialist historians.

Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street; www.exetercornexchange.co.uk THE DARTMOOR COLLECTIVE SUMMER EXHIBITION The event will feature 20 contemporary artists working with the theme of Dartmoor.

Their works cover a broad range of mediums and styles, all underpinned by a love and understanding of the landscape of the moor.

10am-4pm, Poltimore House, Poltimore, Exeter; dartmoorcollective.org

10-25 September

DEVON OPEN STUDIOS For two weeks every September members of the network, potters, painters, jewellery makers, wood workers, needle workers and creatives of every kind, open their doors and invite people in to discover their work and to chat about their processes and inspiration. Work is also on sale and it can be a perfect opportunity to purchase unique artwork direct from the maker.

Various locations in Devon; www.devonartistnetwork.co.uk

14 September

DRAWN TO IT: FIND JOY IN YOUR SKETCHBOOK! Molly Saunders is an illustrator

© MAT T CROCKET T

27-28 August

Maisie Adams will be performing in Exeter in October

whose practice is centered around her trusty sketchbooks. This (monthly) workshop will showcase different tips and tricks to help you learn how to treat your sketchbook as a place to get loose, have fun, document, and play. Materials will be provided but do bring along your own sketchbook/favourite materials and get stuck in.

7-9pm, Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street; exeterphoenix.org.uk

FESTIVALS 19-21 August

BEAUTIFUL DAYS This year’s line-up includes The Specials, The Dandy Warhols, Beth Orton, Billy Bragg, Fisherman’s Friends, and Seasick Steve. Festival

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founders Levellers will headline the main stage on the Sunday night to close the weekend with a hit-rich set followed by fireworks.

Beautiful Days, Escot Park, Devon; www.beautifuldays.org

25-29 August

NATURE VALLEY GONE WILD FESTIVAL Bear Grylls’s outdoorsy festival returns to Powderham Castle combining family adventure during the day and music at night. Live acts include The Darkness, The Script, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Reef, and The Ministry of Sound Orchestra.

Nature Valley Gone Wild Festival, Powderham Castle, Exeter; www.naturevalley.co.uk

FAMILY

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, and from the tragedy of the Second World War to its transformation into a ‘garden city’ of the near-future.

Filled with fun and humour, and accompanied by objects from RAMM’s collection, children’s playzones, trails and more, this LEGO® brick story of our city will delight children of all ages.

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

Throughout the summer holidays

MERAKI ART SCHOOL: SUMMER HOLIDAY PROGRAMME OF EVENTS! Fun and joyful arty classes for kids, including pottery, under-the-sea collages, and canvas painting.

Meraki Art School, Exeter; merakiartschool.co.uk

Throughout the summer holidays

THE DONKEY SANCTUARY SUMMER TRAIL Explore the trails where the whole family can meet friendly resident donkeys along the way. Younger visitors can visit the new play area; check out the maze for a game of hide and seek while you’re there.

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

Throughout the summer holidays

PAIGNTON ZOO With over 2,000 animals across 80 acres, get inspired by your favourite species, from red pandas to rhinos, giraffes to gorillas, kangaroos to a komodo dragon.

Come face to face with the lemurs in Lemur Wood and spot the community of Hamadryas baboons hanging out at Baboon Rock.

Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton; www.paigntonzoo.org.uk

OTHER 6 August

THE YOUNG TRADERS MARKET The Young Traders Awards is a campaign run by the NMTF to find the next generation of market traders and celebrating emerging talent. Young traders from across the Southwest will compete for acclaim and recognition.

10am-3:30pm, Cathedral Green, Exeter; www.inexeter.com

13 August

DEVON AIR AMBULANCE 30TH ANNIVERSARY A day of celebratory fun where you can meet the crew, see the aircraft, enjoy live music, and local trade stands and pop-up shops. There’ll also be the chance to see a live road traffic collision demo.

10am-4pm, Darts Farm, Exeter; www.daat.org

INEXETER’S LOCAL LIVING MONTH

It’s all about celebrating independent businesses this September The month of September has been dedicated to celebrating ‘Local Living’ by InExeter, the Business Improvement District for Exeter.

The idea behind Local Living Month is celebrating all that is great about Exeter, the independent businesses, buying things local to support businesses as well as being more sustainable and championing local organisations. The full event line up includes the popular Fore Street Flea in the West Quarter as well as events on Sidwell Street in Eastgate and on South Street for the Cathedral Quarter.

The finale to Local Living Month will be a Secret Party. Secret events were first launched last year and proved highly successful with the surprise and delight of participants not knowing

the details until arrival on the night. This party will include fancy dress made of recycled materials with an activity at the event themed around sustainability.

In addition to these main events, throughout the month there will be a range of activities running in the city, including the renowned Red Coat Tours ‘turning green’ with sustainable tours of the city. There will also be a special four-week art programme, where participants will be guided through how to make art with found materials. These art workshops will take place every Saturday morning in Rougemont Gardens, led by internationally acclaimed local artist Cleo Heard, of Miss*C’s Graffiti Academy. Each workshop will culminate in a community picnic in the park.

THE KEY DATES FOR LOCAL LIVING EVENTS ARE: SIDWELL JUMBLE Thursday 1 September 11am – 3pm Sidwell Street THE FORE STREET FLEA Sunday 4 September 12pm – 4pm Fore Street, Exeter SOUTH STREET SUNDAY Sunday 11 September 12pm – 4pm South Street, Exeter THE SECRET PARTY Friday 30 September Secret Location – to be added to the list for more information on this event please email info@inexeter.com For more: www.inexeter.com

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BOOKS CHARLIE RICHARDS

S Holiday reading Summer paperbacks and Young Adult fiction – shady tree here we come...

traight to it this week – and hi, holiday reading.

Paperbacks are for slipping into a tote for beach days, city parks, and for camping trips. Read under a shady tree in the garden, or in bed with the fan on.

A few we like right now…

Debut novel The Giant Dark by Sarvat Hasin is utterly gorgeous, a lyrical retelling of a Greek myth that is heartbreakingly human. Exploring fame and love, with shades of Normal People but more glorious.

In Matrix by Lauren Groff, historical fiction is somehow unfixed in time and becomes all the more timely for it. Strength, power, love, and faith are all examined through the life of one incredible woman. A new favourite literary character.

Cult US author Jamaica Kincaid has had her books reissued by Picador. In Lucy, a young girl leaves the blue skies of Antigua to work as an au pair for a wealthy American family, and begins to notice cracks in their seemingly idyllic life. Kincaid’s writing is

beautifully layered and crystal clear.

We’ve had some amazing young people in for work experience at Bookbag recently, so the following reviews for summer YA reading are from Grace and Mahazabin…

The dazzling romance of One Last Stop

by Casey McQuiston is an intriguing book as it follows August, a girl whose subway crush, Jane, has been displaced in time from the 1970s. August then decides to do all she can to help Jane. This hilarious, dreamy romance is definitely a summer must read.

Debut novel, Firekeeper’s Daughter

by Angeline Boulley is a groundbreaking thriller in which a Native American teen must discover the corruption in her community.

This utterly raw, moving and heartwrenching book follows a 18-yearold who reluctantly partakes in an investigation while also feeling like an outsider due to her heritage.

Sign up to our newsletter or follow Bookbag socials for details of our summer programme for young people including an Art of Studio Ghibli workshop, Write a Graphic Novel session, Adanko Art, and summer book group. Come and get involved!

“The Giant Dark explores fame and love, with shades of Normal People – but more glorious”

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

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FOOD & DRINK NIBBLES FROM EXETER’S FOOD SCENE

A WHOLE LATTE LOVE

HOWDY PARTNER

Hospicare, the local hospice charity for Exeter, and Mid and East Devon is asking the community to come together over a cuppa to raise vital funds for end-of-life care.

Throughout September, the charity is encouraging its supporters to release their inner bake-off champion and put coffee and cake at the forefront to support local people living with a terminal illness. Set the date and location, register for your free fundraising pack and rally together friends, family and neighbours.

For more: www.hospiscare.co.uk Cheers!

Three businesses all under one roof

Change is afoot at Queen street’s restaurant Pink Moon, with the recent announcement that they have partnered up with 4T4 Salon. Luka Chitty and Christabel Legrande have joined forces to take over part of the ground floor (where the Pink Moon restaurant was) and transform it into a hair salon.

44 Queen Street is now the ‘hub’ of all three businesses – Pink Moon, Taco Cartel and Salon 4T4.

Pink Moon Underground will continue to host DJ bottomless brunches and private parties, while the ground floor now features their new restaurant Taco Cartel (in what was the bar area of Pink Moon), plus the new Salon 4T4.

Taco Cartel is currently open Wednesday – Sunday from 10am, serving brunch, lunch and dinner.

For more: www.pinkmooncafe.co.uk

NEW COMMUNITY CAFÉ A new community café has arrived in Exeter.

Hosted by local charity Headway Devon, the café will be held on the second Saturday of every month, (the next one is on 13 August), in XCentre on Commercial Road. The café aims to provide a quiet, relaxing space where people from all walks of life can connect over coffee and cake.

Headway Devon works with individuals and families living with the consequences of brain injury and through their café they hope to develop relationships necessary to strengthen support. Funds raised will all go back into the work they do with their clients and their carers in the communities.

For more: www.headwaydevon.org.uk

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Dan Farrell-Wright with Helen McGinn

ON CLOUD WINE Just 18 months after being established, Devon-based Wickhams has been named the ‘Specialist Merchant of the Year England’ at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) Merchant Awards 2022.

Presented by Tim Atkin MW and ITV This Morning’s Helen McGinn, Wickhams was praised for its extremely impressive English wine selection.

“We are absolutely delighted to win this award,” says Wickhams founder, Dan Farrell-Wright.

“We are a young business but have come out of the blocks fast and are clearly pressing the right buttons in a sector renowned for its knowledgeable and demanding audience.”

For more: www.wickhamwine.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

clockwise: Tara tucking into an ice cream at Creamo’s; open plan kitchen at Emilia; fresh italian-inspired food at Emilia; a warm welcome from Arthur at Taylors

ALL IMAGES BY TAR A SMITH

WHERE TO FIND THEM… Creamo’s, The Factory, 34 St Lawrence Lane, Ashburton; www.creamos.co.uk Emilia, 2 East Street, Ashburton; www.emiliaashburton.co.uk Arthur at Taylors, 5 North Street, Ashburton; @taylorsAshburton

AWESOME ASHBURTON Our columnist, ballet-dancing home cook, foodie and blogger TARA SMITH discovers culinary delights in the rural town of Ashburton

I

may have discovered THE hottest foodie destination in Devon and it’s only 30 minutes away from Exeter. Nestled on the edge of the moors, Ashburton has more independent eateries and cafés than any other place I have visited of late and now I can’t keep away. You will find me hunting out great eateries and stocking up on local produce most weekends now.

For amazing coffee, ice cream and pastries head to Creamo’s. Owned by husband-and-wife duo Matai and Rachael Jowitt, it’s not to be missed.

By the oodles of people eating, drinking and hanging out you get the gist of what this place is all about. Matai is a genius flavour magician when it comes to creating unique ice cream flavours that roll with the seasons. The milk used for their ice cream and coffee is from Riverford Organic Dairy and they source all of their fruit and herbs from other local businesses. Trained at The Almond Thief his laminated pastries are insanely good and their reputation among locals is legendary.

Rachael managed the Voyager coffee roastery at Buckfastleigh and makes a flat white that is unrivalled. Creamo’s is open Friday to Sunday with pastries only made and sold on Saturdays in the summer.

Emilia, owned by Clare Lattin and Tom Hill of Duck Soup in Soho and Little Duck Picklery in Dalston, opened its doors last month. This

Italian Osteria is cosy and cool. Think small plates inspired by their favourite Italian suppers and Italian wines all served from a tiny open plan kitchen to one large central table. The interior is laid-back charming with mismatched wooden furniture, vintage light fittings and jugs of wild flowers adding that homely kitchen table atmosphere. Emilia opens Thursday to Saturday for lunch and supper.

Arthur at Taylors is owned by Arthur and Phillip Cooper and is a dream come true for the owners. Arthur tells me, “My passion for food started when I was very young, and my inspiration comes from all over the world, but especially Italy and France. Simplicity is a key factor for me – the ingredients should speak for themselves. My love for people and food is the reason I do this.”

They source all of their produce locally using veg from the greengrocer in town and meat from the Dartmoor butchers nearby.

They open Friday, Saturday and Sunday serving brunch, lunch and dinner and Sundays 12.30-4pm for their popular sharing roasts. They have plans in the pipeline for cocktail nights, art shows, wine tastings and pairings as well as a oncea-year big bash for the local community to pay back all of their support since Arthur at Taylors opened a few months ago.

For more, head to Tara’s Instagram: @tarasbusykitchen

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FARM TABLE

Harriet Noble drops in for some fresh, colourful and summery dishes at the new restaurant in Darts Farm

F

inding a tomato salad that really floats your boat is no small feat in the UK. Buy your toms from a supermarket, even the spenny ones on a vine, and you can still end up with brick-hard exteriors and something akin to frozen tummy button fuzz on the inside – without a notion of flavour. As someone who is passionate about this squishy veg/fruit, this makes me sad – so much so that if I were to move to Italy, their portly tomatoes would be in the top ten reasons for the move. So, fellow tomato lovers, you’ll be thrilled to know that the tomato salad at Darts Farm, near Topsham, is an absolute flavour-bursting, juice-dribbling-down-yourchin experience.

I am here to try out Farm Table restaurant, newly opened in July. There’s been a lot going on this summer here, they’ve also just opened up a gelato café called Cow & Cacao and an Outdoor Terrace (turn over the page for more). It’s a long way from their humble beginnings as a small farm shop, yet they’ve kept the focus on growing and celebrating local produce, which is exactly what Farm Table restaurant is all about – the clue is most definitely in the title here. Most of the fruit, veg and herbs come straight from the farm and everything is sourced

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locally where possible.

First up, I really like the menu here. I’m desperate for more mainstream restaurants to do more salads – interesting, hearty and inventive ones. Currently, unless you go to a vegetarian restaurant, I think the choices are still pretty slim. I can’t be the only person who doesn’t want a heavy, artery-compromising meal at lunchtime in July? The seasonal and salad-friendly menu here, therefore, is a joy.

For starters, my pal has the crispy tenderstem broccoli which comes with ricotta, rocket pesto and pine nuts; this dish tastes a lot more exciting than your average broccoli dish – and it looks like a fabulous, bulbous bit of coral from under the sea. I have the ham hock terrine, which comes with a delicious homemade piccalilli, pink rounded shallots, with just the right notes of sweetness and vinegar.

For mains, I opt for a dish of courgette ribbons with tomatoes, basil and feta. A super simple dish with very few ingredients, yet the full flavour of the yellow, perfectly ripe tomatoes has me feeling very happy.

My pal has the beetroot risotto, which sees jumbo-sized shards of rosemary and beetroot crisps sticking out of a glossy surface of blushed beetroot. Both of our mains

RESTAURANT

“It looks like a fabulous, bulbous bit of coral from under the sea” are big on flavour, summery and fresh, the perfect lunch fare. They were also very generous portions, neither if us managed to finish in fact. Our shared note to each other, and the only thing that could have improved our dishes, would be the addition of a contrasting texture – I would have loved the crunch of something nutty in my salad.

For desserts, I have the blackcurrant tart with mascarpone, a beautiful and delicate dish; my friend has the Cow & Cacao chocolate mousse with raspberries, a divine pudding that has such a prominent taste and smell of cocoa powder that it transports me right back to my childhood and memories of my mother sifting cocoa powder and dusting over cakes. Surely that’s one of the best, most evocative, smells ever.

Salad is by no means the main star in this menu, there are loads of fish options on the menu (squid, mackerel, hake, monkfish and turbot when we visit) and plenty of meaty stuff too (plenty of steak options plus lamb cutlets and chicken) – plus there’s a large wood-fired oven, where the team create slow fermented sourdough pizza.

If you fancy visiting the Farm Table restaurant they are serving dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings and lunches on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. While we’ve still got these long, lingering summer days you could kick off the evening at their new Terrace Bar for drinks before heading inside for a meal.

Oh, and do look out for the huge cider barrels up on the balcony of the restaurant and the pipes that run underground (part of the floor has clear glass so you can see the piping). Darts Farm have their own in-house cidermaker, Barny from Sandford Orchards, making ciders in their Cidery. It’s pretty cool and kooky, but also a reminder that this is a working farm, and a major food and drink producer humming with activity. n

DINING DETAILS Farm Table, Darts Farm, Dart Farm Village, Topsham, Clyst St George, Exeter; www.dartsfarm.co.uk On the menu ‘Field, fire, ferment’ is the mantra of the menu. The mainstay dishes are steaks, fish, pizzas and salads We ate Starters: Crispy tenderstem broccoli with Westcombe ricotta, rocket pesto and pine nuts, £7.25; ham hock terrine, with homemade piccalilli and sourdough crisps, £8.25; Main courses:

Beetroot risotto, arborio rice, roasted beetroot, rosemary and beetroot crisps, £18; courgette and graceburn salad, dressed courgette ribbons with tomatoes, basil and feta style cheese, £16; Desserts: Cow & Cacao chocolate mousse with raspberries £8.50; blackcurrant tart with mascarpone, £8.50 Atmosphere Friendly and relaxed Opening hours Friday and Saturday: 12pm - 3pm | 6pm - 9pm; Sunday: 12 - 3pm; Monday - Thursday: Closed

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© MAT T AUSTIN

The new openings at Darts Farm, Cow & Cacao Cafe; below: The Terrace Bar

WHAT ELSE IS NEW AT DARTS FARM… COW & CACAO CAFÉ

This café is new this summer (replacing the old deli bar) and serves up artisan gelato. Choices on the menu at the moment include Ruby Red (cherry and mascarpone), Cappuccino (coffee and chocolate) and Salty Cow (salted caramel). It’s also an allround café serving up breakfast, brunch and lunch options. Expect everything from smoothie bowls, banana bread, wood-fired baked eggs and salmon and asparagus for breakfast; to sourdough pizzas, steaks and seasonal fish for lunch. There are also loads of inventive waffles!

THE TERRACE BAR

Also new is the Terrace Bar, open on Friday and Saturday evenings (and daytime during the week) for people to enjoy freshly made cocktails, local ciders and beers or a glass of their own Pebblebed sparkling and still wines. n For more: www.dartsfarm.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

© MAT T AUSTIN

Picnic event on 17 September

© MAT T AUSTIN

© MAT T AUSTIN

inset and left: Vineyard tours take place twice a week until 22 September

EVENTS COMING UP AT DARTS FARM A SEASONAL FEAST IN THE FARM TABLE 8 September 7pm, 3 hours, £55 Visitors will enjoy a welcome drink along with a three- course seasonal feast, celebrating ingredients from the farm and other local producers, fermented and cooked over fire and glowing charcoal embers. Each course will be perfectly paired with a delicious local tipple, handpicked by the experts from the drinks cellar.

FIELD, FIRE, FERMENT FOOD FESTIVAL 10 September 10am, six hours, free Join the team at the Farm Shop for a Field, Fire, Ferment Food Festival; where they will be joined by in-house experts and some of the incredible local artisan producers for a day of tastings, tales and demonstrations.

PICNIC AT PEBBLEBED 17 September 3pm, two hours, £40 Discover the secrets behind crafting amazing English sparkling and still wine in the beautiful East Devon countryside with a tour of the picturesque Pebblebed Vineyard and awardwinning winery.

PEBBLEBED VINEYARD TOURS Every Thursday and Saturday until 22 September, two hours, £30 Discover the secrets behind crafting amazing English sparkling and still wine in the beautiful East Devon countryside with a tour of the picturesque Pebblebed Vineyard and awardwinning winery.

Head winemaker Alex will take you around the vineyard, sharing his knowledge on the vine varieties and growing grapes, and how

these are affected by Devon’s terroir. In the winery, he will talk you through the different processes involved in making a selection of wines and of course… it wouldn’t be a vineyard tour without an opportunity to taste the wine.

WILLOW OWL MASTERCLASS 24 September, six hours, £99 It’s time to get creative, hand making your very own owl using locally sourced, sustainable and natural willow.

With local artist and sculptor Victoria Westaway on hand to help you every step of the way, this relaxed and informative workshop for all abilities.

Includes a sourdough pizza lunch with a glass of wine from the Pebblebed Vineyards, along with tea and coffee on arrival and all the materials you need for your Willow Owl.

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RECIPES FROM THE JACK IN THE GREEN CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT WITH TOASTED BRIOCHE Serves 4-6 (depending on the size of your ramekins) Made with Creedy Carver’s excellent free range chicken livers, this dish remains as popular as ever. At home, I recommend cooking these parfaits at a low temperature in a Bain-Marie as this will ensure a gentle and even cook.

A perfectly baked custard, whether it’s chicken or a sweet brûlée mix, should be set but completely smooth and creamy and ideally chilled in the fridge overnight. This recipe and its presentation have been adapted over the years and the consistency has improved considerably since the introduction of our Rational Combi Oven. This enables us to cook the parfaits to a precise core temperature of 65˚C…perfect every time!

From Craig Griffin, The Jack in the Green, Rockbeare, London Road; www.jackinthegreen.uk

4. Pass the mixture through a fine sieve. Slowly add the warm melted butter (as if you were making mayonnaise) blending continuously.

5. Pour your egg-based custard mix into ramekins (or chosen serving dishes) until they are about two thirds full. Then place them in the tray and add enough freshly boiled water so that it comes nearly two thirds of the way up your serving dish, adding the last of the hot liquid when the tray is in situ. Having placed it in the middle of your oven cover tightly with tin foil.

6. After 15-20 minutes check the parfaits by gently removing the foil and giving the dish a wobble – if it is still runny leave for a further five minutes and repeat the process until the custard mix is set firm. Leave to cool for 15-20 minutes before chilling overnight in the fridge.

7. We have taken to serving our parfaits in mini kilner jars which are great for storage and they will keep for a number of days sealed in the fridge. When ready, serve at room temperature with toasted brioche and some redcurrant jelly.

Method 1. Pre-heat your oven to 110˚C and have a deep-sided roasting tray at the ready. Finely slice the shallots and garlic and place into a medium sized pan with the olive oil, thyme and bay leaf. Cook on a low heat for five minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Add the Port, Madeira and Brandy and then reduce until barely any liquid is left.

Set aside to cool.

3. Place the livers, foie gras, seasonings and the reduction (minus the bay leaf) in a liquidiser and blend for a minute. Then add the eggs and blend for a further minute. (Be sure that all the ingredients are of a similar temperature when combining or the mix may split and become grainy).

© WELL SEASONED PR

Ingredients 100g fresh chicken livers (room temperature) 55g foie gras (room temperature) 200g warm melted butter 3 eggs 50g shallots 10g garlic 1 bay leaf Sprig of thyme 5g salt 3g pink salt or table salt 2g pepper 3g sugar 50ml Port 25g Brandy 50ml Madeira A little olive oil

RECIPE LEMON SOLE VERONIQUE Serves 2

Hugely popular at the Jack, this lemon sole dish has become a menu staple and is our version of a classic. It may sound obvious but for your end product to taste great it is imperative that you begin with wonderfully fresh fish and preferably from a day boat (so called because it is at sea for only a day thus ensuring the freshest fish). Look for bright and clear eyes, rich red gills and a healthy slime – fresh fish smells only of the sea. If buying whole lemon soles ask your fishmonger to remove the head, skin both sides and trim the fins and tail so you end up with an oval shape and importantly something still resembling its original form. These are simply fabulous plainly grilled with brown butter, capers, shrimps and some finely chopped dill. With so much of the work done beforehand and taking only minutes to finish, this is a great dinner party dish.

From Craig Griffin, The Jack in the Green, Rockbeare, London Road; www.jackinthegreen.uk

Method for your fish 1. First peel the grapes by blanching them in rapidly boiling water for 30 seconds.

Immediately refresh in iced water. The skins should now slip off and be easy to peel.

Following the natural line, divide each lemon sole fillet in half lengthways and remove the cartilage. Refrigerate until needed.

2. When ready to cook, season the fish on both sides with a pinch of salt and a few twists of freshly ground white pepper. Heat a non-stick frying pan then add a drizzle of olive oil and a knob of butter.

3. Place the fillets in the pan and cook over a medium-high heat for two minutes before turning and cooking for a further one or two minutes (depending on the thickness). Remove from the heat and finish by squeezing a little lemon juice over the fillets once cooked.

4. (If you are low in confidence when cooking fish or have little faith in your non-stick frying pan then you can simply grill your fillets of sole).

Method for your sauce 1. (This can be made ahead of time and reheated when required). Heat a heavy-based pan over a medium heat. Sweat off the finely chopped onion and garlic in a drizzle of olive oil and a knob of butter without colour for one minute before adding 90ml of sweet white wine. Reduce the volume by half and then add 250ml of fish stock.

2. Continue to reduce the fish stock by approximately half. Finish by adding 100ml of double cream and bring to the boil. Pass the remaining liquid through a sieve. If necessary, reduce the remaining liquid to a sauce-like consistency then emulsify with a hand blender or whisk until light and frothy. Finally add a squeeze of lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.

Method for your vegetables Blanch the peas, broad beans and asparagus in a pan of salted boiling water for two minutes. Then immediately immerse in iced water to stop the cooking process. Set aside the vegetables until needed. The broad beans (once cooled) can now be popped out of their jackets. Other seasonal alternatives would work just as well.

To plate 1. When ready to plate, drop the blanched vegetables along with the samphire back into a pan of boiling salted water. Reheat for one minute until al dente. Then toss in a little salted butter and sprinkle around the fish along with the grapes.

2. Re-heat the required amount of sauce, whisk in the finely chopped tarragon and spoon over and around. Edible flowers can be added to the dish, not only for the presentation but also the fresh summery flavours that they can add.

© WELL SEASONED PR

Ingredients Olive oil Unsalted butter 2 large lemon sole, filleted and skinned (450g-500g fish minimum) per person 50g white seedless grapes 50g samphire, stalks removed 50g fresh peas 50g broad beans 4 spears of English asparagus

Ingredients for your Sauce A drizzle of olive oil A knob of butter ½ an onion, finely chopped 1 clove of garlic, peeled and finely chopped 3 sprigs of fresh tarragon, removed from the stalk and finely chopped 90ml glass of sweet white wine 100ml double cream 250ml fish stock 1 lemon

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© WELL SEASONED PR

RECIPE

CRÈME BRÛLÉE Makes 6 Ramekins

Probably one of the most popular desserts in our history! The combination of the hard crack and caramel flavour with the silky semi-set custard beneath is one of the all time greats. I know that most restaurants will offer brûlées and will have an opinion about how best to serve them – well this is ours.

Remember to use only the freshest free-range eggs and good quality vanilla – we use Tahitian vanilla pods if you can get them. They should be soft, pliable and glorious to smell. To fully recreate this classic you will need to invest in a kitchen blowtorch. These are cheap, readily available and well worth the investment.

From Craig Griffin, The Jack in the Green, Rockbeare, London Road; www.jackinthegreen.uk Ingredients 8 x large free range egg yolks 150g caster sugar 90ml milk 900ml double cream 1 vanilla pod, split and seeds removed

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Method 1. Put the milk, cream, the vanilla pod and its seeds together into a saucepan and bring gently to the boil over a low heat. Beat the eggs and sugar together until pale and thick. Pour the hot cream over your egg mix whisking continuously.

Be careful, it is hot and may splash.

2. Be sure to whisk well, don’t dither about at this point or you will end up with very expensive sweet scrambled eggs. Pour through a fine sieve and allow to cool completely. You could even make the mix up to this point the night before. It needs to be given time to settle.

3. Pre-heat your oven to 100°C. When you are ready to cook, skim any froth from the surface. Divide your mix into six equal-sized ramekins and place onto a deep-sided baking tray. Pour freshly boiled water into the baking tray, enough to come two-thirds up the sides of the ramekins.

4. Bake in the oven for 90 minutes or until just set. To test, remove a ramekin from the water and shake the centre. If it appears to be runny place back in the oven and check at 5-10 minute intervals until ready.

5. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the water bath (Bain-Marie). Many people believe that this is the correct consistency and temperature for a brûlée to be eaten. However I prefer them chilled overnight which gives you a firmer texture.

6. The golden brown caramelised topping is done at the last moment. Sprinkle one tablespoon of caster sugar evenly over the top.

Wave the blowtorch over the sugar starting at the edge farthest away, working towards you until the sugar has all caramelised. Remember the sugar will be super hot and can give you a very nasty burn.

7. Your finished glaze should be between 1-2mm thick, completely caramelised and hard as glass.

Variations: You could use any sized ramekin dish you like. Try using a large shallow one for a higher proportion of crunchy brûlée to rich cream.

Demerara sugar may give you a crunchier topping but won’t stay that way for long. You could caramelise some thinly sliced banana over a rum flavoured brûlée.

Try sautéing some rhubarb and vanilla sugar until caramelised and bake under your custard for a delicious infusion or soak some sultanas or raisins in Calvados and add to your custard for an alternative base.

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EXETER LIVING MAGAZINE AT THE IVY

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Fiona Spear, Sarah Bailey and Richard Remington

We held a very special Sponsors’ Dinner at The Ivy Exeter in July. We invited our Exeter Living Awards and Exeter Property Awards sponsors, as well as some of our fantastic clients, friends and senior business luminaries to join us for networking tipples and a wonderful meal. www.theivyexeter.com Ann Hunter, Kerry England and Tim Hamilton The Ivy Exeter

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Lisa Marshall, Dan Smith and Hannah Roskell

Harriet Noble and Fiona Spear

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SOCIETY

Dave, Elliot Butterfield, Barny Butterfield and Andy Rowe

Amanda Still, Lucy Miller, and Helen Lee

GRAND OPENING AT DARTS FARM

Maxine and Nigel Mallinson Felix Jones and Charlie Page

Topsham-based Darts Farm recently held a launch party to showcase their three new ventures: The Farm Table restaurant, the Terrace Bar and Cow & Cacao Café. Guests enjoyed drinks on the Terrace Bar while looking out over the Exe Estuary before heading down to The Farm Table and Cow & Cacao for tasters, live music and some drinks from the cellar! www.dartsfarm.co.uk Mary Quicke, Jenny Chapman, and Raissa Van Dijk

Photos by Jo Cunningham

George Dart, Colombe Bouzereau, Alex Mills, and Michael Dart

Gorgeous gang, drinks in hands Mrs Street, Rob Street, Karen Chugg and Tim Chugg

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Jack Dart, Paul Dart, Phil David, Andy Stokes, Dave Collingwood and Alastair David

SOCIETY SOCIETY

Guest speaker, Ingrid Wolpert

SHINE A LIGHT

Exeter-based networking group Six Degrees recently held an event at Harry’s restaurant which saw guest speaker Ingrid Wolpert share her story of how she transitioned from being a busy mum of three and former therapist to becoming a coach, all whilst moving across the country in the middle of a pandemic.

She used her story to illustrate common blocks she sees in women who are holding themselves back from creating the life they truly want and gave pointers on how to overcome them.

For news on more Six Degrees events, turn to page 53. www.sixdegrees-exeter.co.uk Photos by Rosie Parsons Photography

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SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

FUN HOUSE

The colour-popping sweetie-inspired home furnishings trend continues to flourish and we love it. Bold stripes of turquoise, pink, yellow, green and lavender can all be found in this vibrant ‘Yippie Yippie Yeah’ quilt, the front of which is made from a super soft velvet while the back is a calming beige tone in cotton with quilting effect followed through from the front.

And which cushions are you going to go for? They come in a selection of colours and sizes – you can pepper your home with a few or go the full maximalist look and put the lot into one joyful Love Hearts-themed room.

Yippie Yippie Yeah Quilt by Rice, £99; cushions by Rice, £25-60; all available at bøde Living, Alexandria Trading Estate, Alexandria Road, Sidmouth; www.bode-living.com

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SHOPPING

NEW SHOP!

ALL PHOTOS © @GIRLBEHINDTHELENS

FELINE GOOD

A new shop has opened in Budleigh Salterton selling feline- and dog-inspired greeting cards, prints, and accessories.

Niaski was formed in 2015 by Nia Gould, who started out hand-making tote bags and greetings cards from her home studio in Devon. Since then, she has created a business combining the art of some well-renowned artists and popular culture icons and adding a little animal-themed twist along the way (check out her cards with Pablo Pugasso and Salvador Catli on them!). Her newly opened shop incorporates these pieces alongside a whole host of other animaltastic products.

In setting up Niaski, Nia says, “Ultimately our goal is to create, collaborate and source super unique homewares and pet accessories that will bring you, your pets and the homes you share lots of joy.”

Niaski, 32 Fore Street, Budleigh Salterton, Devon; www.niaski.com

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HEALTH AND BEAUTY VOUCHERS FROM AESTHETICA MEDICAL SPA, POA Aesthetica Medical Spa offer a host of beauty treatments. Hot stone massages (£55) begin with placing warm, oiled basalt stones on multiple acupressure points around your body, and even tiny ones between your toes. Alternatively, go for the antioxidant force field facial (£75), packed with 30 per cent vitamin C. The orange aroma flavour brightens your complexion.

From Aesthetica Medical Spa, Castle Street, Exeter; www.aesthetica-medicalspa.co.uk

HAND AND NAIL CREAM, £6 A citrus-scented luxury hand cream that keeps skin smooth and nourished with 10 per cent shea butter, olive fruit oil and cocoa butter. It smells good too – the fresh fragrance contains vetiver essential oil, with notes of bergamot, lemon and mandarin.

From Toot Garouk, 19 Queen Street, Exeter; www.tootgarook.co.uk REVE SOLID MOISTURISER, £5 This solid lotion bar makes a wonderful alternative to a liquid moisturiser.The Rěve beauty range contains sweet clementine essential oil to calm and soothe.

From My Zero Lifestyle, 127 Fore Street, Exeter; www.myzerolifestyle.co.uk

THE SUMMER BEAUTY EDIT

Get shining locks and glowing skin with this assortment of products from the local indies

SAGE SMUDGE STICK IN YELLOW FLORAL, £5.95 These sticks are a wonderful way to cleanse a new or existing space with good vibes.

Made from white sage with dried yellow petals, they are designed to help purify your space and bring calm and blessings to your life.

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

FOOT AND CALLUS PEEL, £8 This dual layered bootie removes dead skin using over 16 botanical and fruit extracts.

Dry and dead skin exfoliates away leaving baby soft feet.

From Revive Beauty and Hair Design, 136 High Street, Crediton; www.revivebeautyandhairdesign.co.uk

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OWAY PRODUCTS, POA OWAY products, stocked at Fika Salon, grow the ingredients for their essential oils on a biodynamic farm in the hills of Bologna.Their range includes glossy nectar to restructure your locks and glamshine cloud to add shine.

From Fika Salon, 69 Magdalen Road, Exeter; www.fikasalon.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE ZAO, VEGAN AND ORGANIC MAKEUP, POA Zao use natural formulas with active organic ingredients to create a range of makeup suitable for even the most sensitive skin. Most of their products are plastic free and refillable.

From Soap Daze, 126 Fore Street, Exeter; www.soapdaze.com

DAMAGE REMEDY™ DAILY HAIR REPAIR, £27.50 98 per cent naturally derived leave-in treatment for damaged hair that instantly repairs the look of hair and helps protect from heat styling. This treatment detangles and helps protect from breakage.

From Meraki Lifestyle Salon & Spa, 75 Queen Street, Exeter; www.merakisalonspa.co.uk

ROSE & GERANIUM MINI FACIAL KIT, £24.95 This kit is designed for people with maturing skin and contains a rose facial moisturiser, geranium cleanser and rose toner.

From Apothespa Exeter, 4 Cathedral Close, Exeter; www.apothespa.co.uk HELLO SUNSHINE ENERGISING BODY OIL, £18 Brighten your day with this energising, zesty body oil, full of active organic ingredients for healthy and vibrant skin.

Citrus sweet notes lemongrass and marjoram essential oils awaken the senses, kick-starting circulation and purifying the skin. Sunshine in a bottle!

From Sanchos, 117 Fore Street, Exeter; www.sanchosshop.com

THE MAX WRINKLE SMOOTHER, £80.50 Smooth things over with the serum that combines a wrinklefighting peptide, high-tech lifting polymer and plant stem cell technology to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

From Skin Southwest, Sommerville House, 30 Southernhay East, Exeter; www.skinsouthwest.co.uk

DEVON SEA SALT SOAP, £4.75 A gentle exfoliating soap made with local sea salt.

From Dartmoor Soap Company; www.thedartmoorsoapco.co.uk

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WE ARE FEATURING MOVING HOME IN OUR NEXT EDITION Offering all beauty, holistic & hair treatments, as well as laser hair removal, semi permanent make up and aesthetics with Rachael Redstone.

Book online, or get in touch.

136 High Street, Crediton EX17 3DU

01363 775884

www.revivebeautyandhairdesign.co.uk

DO YOU OFFER SPECIALIST SERVICES FOR MOVING HOME? We have the perfect marketing opportunity for you in our next edition out on the 26th August – deadline 12th August.

To find out how best to benefit from marketing your business please call Paula Miller on 07563 529772 or email paula.miller@mediaclash.co.uk

HEALTH & BEAUTY

left: Top floor (the new bit) of Skin Southwest; below: Harriet Noble, post facial

SKIN DEEP A visit to Skin Southwest is just the boost Harriet Noble needed

I

read recently somewhere that Gwyneth Paltrow, reportedly, likes getting skin tweakments and treatments because it then allows her to wear very little make up. I’d never thought about it in this way – that opting for needles in your skin can actually free you of pounding your face with layers of foundation, blusher etc; that it’s not about being dolled up and red-carpet ready – but about looking as natural as possible.

I’m very low maintenance (read lazy) on the grooming side of things but, like many others, have upped my game in recent years and get my nails and hair done fairly regularly.

I’m not alone here, the growing skin and beauty industry shows no signs of abating – so much so that Skin Southwest, which I recently visited, has had to expand to keep up with the demand. The clinic in Southernhay

East headed up by Dr Pradnya and her aestheticians has now taken over the third floor as well as the second.

There’s an extensive list of treatments here, anything from botox to collagen stimulators to laser hair removal. I’m just here for a signature facial which Charlotte, the friendly aesthetician, tells me is a good one to start with if you’re thinking about dipping your toe into the world of skin care.

The 40-minute treatment involves a few different stages of products being massaged into my skin; sometimes it’s a bit tingly but it’s never painful, mostly it’s relaxing. The ingredients going on my skin combine vitamin C, hydroxy acids and enzymes and they smell fresh and summery.

These ingredients are meant to help speed up cellular renewal and act as an antioxidant, exfoliator, hydrator, and to help purify the skin and diminish any redness-prone skin

“These ingredients speed up cellular renewal”

The literature on the Skin Southwest website says ‘noticeable results in just one session’. I don’t for one minute think that the results will be noticeable but I do hope the experience will be a nice treat and that I’ll feel good just knowing that my face has been hydrated with lots of botanical ingredients. But jaded me was proved wrong – Charlotte takes a pic of me straight after the facial and I am extremely glowy! I’m delighted with the outcome and stride out and about in Exeter with not a scrap of make up on, feeling like I’ve just emerged from underneath a waterfall. Gwyneth may be on to something. n

THE DETAILS

Skin Southwest, 30 Southernhay East, Exeter; www.skinsouthwest.co.uk Treatment: I had a Signature Facial, which lasted approximately 40 minutes Cost: £90

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

Embercombe eco centre is based in Higher Ashton

EMBERCOMBE DATES FOR THE DIARY

25 August, 2pm-5pm WILDFLOWER SEED HARVEST AND FORAGING BERRIES A gentle experience in the meadows harvesting wildflower seeds to take away as well as taking advantage of any early bounty from the hedgerows.

Use the seeds to start your own wildflower area.

3 September, 10am-5pm REWILDING DAY The team will be building a giant bug hotel for Embercombe, making hedgehog tunnels and more.

NEW REWILDING PROJECT LAUNCHES A rewilding estate and eco retreat centre just south of Exeter has recently been awarded some Lottery funding to reconnect isolated individuals and rural families to nature and help alleviate the strain the pandemic has placed on our community’s mental health, incomes and relationships.

Embercombe is based in Higher Ashton and through this project they aim to create new opportunities for people to be in the fresh air and connect with various nature spaces such as woodlands and meadows, and take part in positive, social, regenerative activities that will give a renewed sense of purpose and wellbeing.

The year-long project is also aimed at building connections with like-minded people and learning practical skills that may inspire new hobbies such as gardening, planting and wildlifespotting. Furthermore, it aims to help further protect and rewild local land in the Devon area as part of Embercombe’s rewilding efforts, and help to re-establish healthy, naturally functioning ecosystems to reduce carbon dioxide, improve biodiversity and support wildlife.

The project will include a series of community rewilding days as well as various weekday sessions to learn skills.

For more: www.embercombe.org

23-24 September OVERNIGHT CAMP OUT Rewild your soul with a camp out under the stars.

Have you ever slept outside without a tent?

The team will provide a safe space to enjoy the exhilaration of being in the wild.

1 October, 9am-5pm REWILDING DAY A walk across the Devon Wildland to view the local area through wildlife’s eyes. The aspiration is for a joined-up landscape for wildlife to thrive and this walk will help to do this by identifying where manmade barriers stand in the way of wildlife.

24 October, 10am-12.30pm MAGICAL MYCELIUM Learn about the evolutionary ecology of fungi and how it came to underpin all life on earth. Explore the woods to find mushrooms and fungi present. Learn about the wood-wide web and the essential role this has in our future.

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ON THE HOOF

Fancy a mini break with a difference? Ten miles outside of Bath, and just under two hours from Exeter, Lydia Tewkesbury’s heart goes giddy up as she tries her hand at horse therapy at Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa 48 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Roberta provided a dramatic demonstration with stallion Moses

GREAT ESCAPES

I

Equine Connect is a therapeutic experience using horses

The stables are on Lucknam’s 500 acre site

am not a horse girl. There was always a part of me that wanted to be – I had the plastic ponies with matted synthetic manes dotted about the floor of my childhood bedroom, but I never progressed to the real thing. In time my affinity for horses has dwindled even further, and it’s been years since I’ve been near them – even plastic – so I was quite nervous about Equine Connect, the holistic, experiential therapeutic horse experience at Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa. But, with an exceptional meal in The Brasserie behind me – the hand rolled linguine with wild garlic pesto, juicy spring vegetables and earthy shavings of Spendwood cheese is exquisite; a massage in the spa followed by a dip in the hot tub in the sunshine; and a luxurious night in one of Lucknam’s elegant grand master suites, complete with open fireplace, sitting area and four poster bed – I was as relaxed as I could be.

A form of therapy, Equine connect isn’t horse riding – a relief for me – but a bond-building exercise between horse and human that is soothing for the horse (they’re prey animals, so they like to know who their friends are) and builds a sense of confidence in its human participants by throwing them completely outside of their comfort zone.

We gathered at the stables ensconced in Lucknam Park’s idyllic 500-acre grounds to meet equestrian team, Dawn Cameron, Stacey King, Lucy Fox and Roberta Cameron. From the sides of a circular pen we watched Roberta march from the stables followed by maybe the biggest horse I have ever seen, stallion Moses – and let him loose, swinging a rope to get him cantering circles around her as she urged him on. She kept him moving, pushed him to change directions (which she did by running, at a safe distance, into his path) as he bucked and protested, not letting up for a moment or betraying a hint of stress until the (really, very big) horse relented and trotted up to her like a small dog, ready and waiting for its next command. It was like magic.

Then Stacey turned to the group and asked who wanted to try it first.

This trick was what we were now going to perform.

I approached my horse, aptly named Tricky – Moses, thankfully, is not for beginners – as he was led into the pen, my heart hammering.

Unfortunate, because it turns out Equine Connect is all about being assertive; using your body language, taking a broad stance, swinging your arms, your rope, taking big, deliberate steps – the name of the game is to convey a sense of strength and control. Horses, Stacey explained, are empathetic, and they pick up on the emotional cues of the person. So depending on the horse, if you’re not confident, they won’t be either – or they’ll use your timidity to walk all over you.

I was scared. But, faced with Tricky the horse and my fellow equine

connectors watching, there was nothing for it but to take a deep breath and dive in.

Pretty quickly I shook off the initial embarrassment of the strangeness of the situation and the audience witnessing it, and something clicked into place: there was no way I would be leaving the ring without Tricky as my own personal shadow.

During the Equine Connect experience there are various cues you have to look out for that the horse is responding to what you’re putting down – small physical changes like an ear quirked in your direction – ‘that means you’ve got their attention!’ Stacey said – the dip of their head, tense jaws giving way to a relaxed gait and submissive signals.

And once you get that submissive signal, you have to stop everything you’re doing, turn your back, and leave them to come to you. After pushing hard (running in front of a horse to make it change direction every couple minutes is no joke), searching for signs that it was working – what I wanted was almost mine, now I had to surrender and trust it to come to me.

After a moment, I felt Tricky’s hot breath on the back of my neck. I walked in a little circle and he followed, nose at my shoulder.

I was completely, and unexpectedly, exhilarated and emotional. After stepping into the unknown, in front of the group whose eyes I could still feel on me, the moment I felt Tricky’s hot nose snuffling into my hair gave me a feeling of achievement so powerful, it took me by surprise.

My stay at Lucknam was full of gorgeous comforts – the massage, the luxurious hotel room, the bubbling hot tub, and oh my, the most excellent flourless chocolate cake. However it is the thing that took me out of comfort zone that will stay with me the most. Discovering that such an achievement with Tricky was a result of both trusting others and of pushing myself – this was something even more valuable to leave with. n

“Equine Connect isn’t horse riding but a bond-building exercise between horse and human”

DETAILS Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN12 8AZ; Tel: 01225 742777; www.lucknampark.co.uk From Exeter 1 hours, 55 minutes (103 miles) from Exeter city centre by car Price Equine Connect, £195 per person per session with a two-person minimum Experience required None! I hadn’t been near a horse in years and if you’re feeling especially nervous one of the equestrian team will step inside the school with you

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It’s the city’s business

EXETERWORKS Maia Thomas and Karime Hassan

SPEAKERS ON THE NIGHT

Karime Hassan, Cllr Phil Bialyk, David Hawes, Maia Thomas, Rob Hilton, Ian Collinson and Cllr Emma Morse

This is our city

Ian Collinson Director of city development, Exeter City Council Karime Hassan Chief executive, Exeter City Council Maia Thomas Equality activist, auditor & international speaker David Hawes Owner/ urban designer at DUHD Rob Hilton Director/ architect at Hilton Barnfield Architects

An event to explore a vision of Exeter in the future – and the way the city’s community can help shape it – recently took place at the RAMM

W

hat could our city look like in the future? How can communities be built up and improved? These were just some of the talking points at a recent event entitled ‘This is our City’. Organised

by Liveable Exeter – the programme responsible for delivering Exeter’s vision of being a carbon neutral city whilst delivering the Exeter Plan, including 12,000 new homes on brownfield sites – the event was hosted to coincide with the Brick

by Brick exhibition at the museum which uses Lego models to capture the city’s past and also show how an Exeter neighbourhood could look in the future.

Those at the event were asked to take part in a new ground-breaking interactive planning research tool, aimed at understanding how residents in the city want Exeter to change.

Participating via a smartphone, delegates were asked questions about the importance of different features within their community, from the river, shops, community facilities, and green

spaces. Those behind the tool, urban designer David Hawes and architect Rob Hilton, say that this is a completely new way of looking at the planning system.

“The planning system is traditionally quite poor when it comes to public engagement which made us start thinking about how we could do it in a different way,” said David.

“We wanted to try to create a way that people can make the process their own. We want to use this method and others to equip people to say, ‘this is our city’.

Visitors to the exhibition also heard from Exeter-based equality, diversity and inclusion consultant and auditor Maia Thomas who was keen to stress that those in marginalised groups must be heard from and included throughout the process of any development.

“It’s so important to hear from a range of voices in our community,” said Maia.

“Taking the time to identify and co-design with those whose voices are seldom heard only further enriches the information we have about

our communities and allows us to work with and support our entire community.

“Therefore, the youth, individuals with disabilities, people from a range of backgrounds in poor health and those living in poverty are only a few examples of who we need to hear from throughout. The needs of our entire community must be supported. I believe this is key to creating a place where we can all say, ‘this is our city.’

Speakers on the night continued to stress that collaboration would be the key to the city’s success.

“A child born today should, by the time they are an adult, live in a city that is inclusive, healthy, and sustainable,’ says Karime Hassan, chief executive of Exeter City Council, “No single institution can do this on its own, and we know that we must collaborate to meet those challenges.”

Liveable Exeter plan to talk to as many people as possible.

Find out more about Liveable Exeter’s vision and how you can get involved in the Exeter Plan at liveableexeter.co.uk

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EXETERWORKS “TWO PRODUCERS ROCKED UP AT MY HOME AND THOUGHT I’D ADD ENERGY TO THE GROUP - I WAS IN! ”

10 MINUTES WITH...

Glen King

PR extraordinaire Glen King has a unique connection to Exeter Living, her appearance in this magazine culminated in her appearing on one of the biggest TV shows in the country. Things didn’t quite go according to plan though...

Hi Glen! How long have you been doing PR and what do you love about it?

I was lucky to be actively involved in the exciting and historical launch of The National Lottery in 1994; based at Rydon Lane in Exeter. As deputy regional centre manager for eight years, I paid out all the major lottery winners across the region and drank champagne every day and organised many charity events, something I’ve continued to do with my own company. I was trained as a media spokesperson for Camelot and the media loved meeting ‘The Lottery Lady’ as I was known. I have a lot to thank Camelot for as I set up my PR consultancy in 2005 and never looked back! I work with a diverse portfolio of sectors and clients with a specialist knowledge of the construction industry – I still get a thrill when I see a press release published, knowing that my client is getting the positive media coverage they deserve.

What qualities do you think make a top PR person?

You need to be adaptable, passionate

and respect the press. I take the time to get to know the editors individually; their preferred style of writing and wordcount, number of photographs etc. and develop close-working relationships. When I gain coverage for a client, I like to think of PR as a ‘Personal Recommendation’ for their business.

and broadcast in November. It was a tough and exhausting week, and yes, they really do film each night consecutively and in addition you’re on camera for the menu reveal each morning at locations around the city.

You each get a personal chauffeur picking you up from home at 4.30pm

Ok, we can resist no longer, please tell us about your special connection to Exeter Living…

A massive fan of Come Dine With Me, I was excited they were looking for contestants in Exeter. Sadly, they told me they’d already selected four candidates, then I got the phone call – they’d seen my full-page profile in Exeter Living as a PR consultant and former media spokesperson for Camelot and wanted to interview me. Two producers rocked up at my home and felt I would add energy to the group – I was in!

Wow, cool! Tell us everything about filming Come Dine With Me and spare no details...

Filming took place in early March 2013

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

Glen and her Come Dine With Me pals

and arrive home around 2am!

Steven, Estelle, Richard, and Sarah were my co-contestants and we got on brilliantly and kept in touch.

There were no nasty tactics, and the scoring was fair. I decided to relate my three-course dinner to my surname so created a menu of: Smoked mackerel pate with King prawns – main course was: Bejewelled crown of lamb and the dessert a Royal Delight with a splash of champagne!

I live in a three-storey townhouse and my host day was in the middle of the week. Preparations went well with no mishaps, so the TV crew wanted more drama and made a last-minute decision in the evening to move my guests from my kitchen/diner to the lounge, situated on the 2nd floor. They trapped me in the corner of the room so I couldn’t get out, meaning after serving the starter I wasn’t allowed back in my kitchen to check on things.

The smoke alarm kicked-off because the carrots on the hob were burning and the oven was faulty, so the lamb was so raw even a good vet couldn’t have brought it back to life.

It all went horribly wrong – but made great TV! I came spectacularly last, and Estelle was the worthy winner…

For more: www.gkpr.co.uk

TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK

Property professionals, take note: the nominations for the Exeter Property Awards are now open. Whether you work in residential or commercial, lettings to new builds, or are part of a team helping to create civic buildings in the city – anyone can enter, it’s entirely free and you can choose to nominate your company in any category you think is relevant.

The Exeter Property Awards will be held at Sandy Park on Friday 21 October, with the finalists being announced on 13 September. New to the list of categories this year are Co-working Spaces, Rising Star and Sustainability.

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 information.

For more: www.exeterpropertyawards.com

University of Exeter Business School; inset: Ciara Eastell

The latest from Exeter Chamber

Exeter Chamber and University of Exeter Business School have formed a new partnership to build a closer relationship between the business community and the University. This newly formed partnership will see the two organisations collaborate and support SMEs in Exeter, offering programmes and courses for employers to help them grow their businesses.

On 15 September from 8.30- 10am, businesses can attend a special event at the University of Exeter Business School on Streatham Campus to explore opportunities on offer to support their business growth. Businesses will hear more about the new Help to Grow programme, which will be launching in Exeter in early 2023, including how to sign up for the programme.

Hosted by Richard Marsh, CEO of Exeter Chamber and Ciara Eastell, professor of practice at Exeter Business School, attendees will hear from Rachael Johnstone, director of degree apprenticeships at University of Exeter Business School plus guest speakers including Russ Wakeham of Two Drifters Distillery, James Woollam of David

BUSINESS EVENTS DIARY 10 August

Six Degrees: cycle and picnic in collaboration with Co Bikes Join the group for a fun, guided cycle around the city with Helen Scholes, marketing manager of the electric bike brand.

Afterwards, enjoy a picnic and chat with Helen to hear more about the brand.

For more: www.sixdegress-exeter.co.uk

7 September

Six Degrees: Breakfast at No.5 Join the female-only club for a networking breakfast in the private dining room at No.5 overlooking the Cathedral. Hosted from 8am until 10am.

For more: www.sixdegress-exeter.co.uk

and Charles Ltd and Lisa Vanstone of One Voice Media who will share their experiences of working with the Business School.

For more: www.exeterchamber.co.uk

MOVERS AND SHAKERS AMAZING GRACE

Grace Bradley from The Family Law Company was recently named the Family Law Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year at the national Legal Aid Awards.

Senior associate solicitor Grace was recognised for her work representing legal aid clients in the UK and abroad. Most of her cases involve issues including domestic violence and international elements such as immigration. Grace utilises her linguistic skills to represent clients with little or no English who have an uphill struggle to access justice. www.thefamilylawco.co.uk

Newbies at Ian Walker Family Law: Emma Perkins, Joseph Mullis and Lucy Roberts

THE D WORD

As divorce enquiries continue to rise, partly due to the introduction of the new no-fault divorce which was announced at the beginning of April, Ian Walker Family Law and Mediation Solicitors have welcomed five new members of staff to their Exeter office in Pynes Hill. www.familylawandmediation.co.uk

HEAD TO THE TOP Symeon Brown, Grace Bradley, Helena Kennedy QC

Matford Brook Academy, part of the Ted Wragg Trust, has announced that Emily Simpson-Horne has been appointed as the first ever headteacher

The new head: Emily Simpson-Horne

of the brand new school being built on the edge of Exeter within the Haldon Reach development.

Emily is an experienced headteacher and school leader in the South West after moving from working in education in the Midlands. Having worked with schools across the country to innovate community led, ‘cradle to career’ models for education, Emily is keen to develop Matford Brook as a model for all-through schools across the country. www.tedwraggtrust.co.uk

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JOURNEY TO THE JOB

Harriet Godfrey

24-year-old Harriet Godfrey is an audio describer at Exeter Northcott Theatre. Here she tells us about the joys of the job and the thrill of being part of live performances What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always had my heart set on being a musical theatre performer and had such specifically defined goals from a very young age. From about the age of ten I knew I was going to drama school, that no other path would be right and I had to succeed, no questions or deviating from that route. But I eventually learnt that dreams can change, and after achieving my goal of getting into drama school at 18, I dropped out after 12 weeks.

Allowing myself to break free from the expectations of myself and others was so freeing and I could not be more grateful to my past self for giving me the opportunity to explore new things and grow!

You’re now an audio describer. What does that involve?

In short, it involves describing a performance (I have only ventured

into the world of theatre but any art with a visual element should have audio description) for people who are blind, partially sighted or have needs which would benefit from audio description. The more involved answer is that it includes watching a show (ideally live and a video recording), taking loads of notes, doing loads of research around the show, writing a script for live description and writing a set of introductory notes that lay out the characters and set before the performance begins. I deliver the description live during the performance so that my audience experience things exactly as the rest of the audience do.

What did you do before this?

Before, I worked front of house at the Exeter Northcott on and off in between uni. I was there for five years, interacting with staff from every department and learning lots about the different roles within a theatre. A

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colleague of mine actually directed me towards the opportunity to train as an audio describer, and I am so glad he did!

it’s much more efficient to describe something in fewer words when you’re trying to speak around the actors’ dialogue.

What are the skills and experience that you need?

Skills in writing are a must as you create your own script to read alongside the performance. Quick note-taking, a clear speaking voice and good time management are also important – sometimes there isn’t a lot of time to put a script together, plus, especially with new shows, things can change constantly so you have to keep re-watching and re-wording things! Knowledge of theatre and experience working in a theatre is also very useful.

And what do you like about it?

I love being able to combine my two passions of writing and performing, as when you’re reading the live description, it really does feel like you’re giving a performance. I love tuning in to the tone of the piece and reflecting that in my vocal delivery.

It’s exciting because it feels like you’re part of the show, and to a large extent you are – you’re giving someone or a group of people whose needs aren’t typically met the opportunity to experience theatre without having a compromised encounter.

What are the challenges of the job?

I found it challenging to condense my writing. You have to be so specific with the verbs you choose when describing characters actions and

What are the differences between describing a ballet, opera or play?

In a play its easier to identify the pauses, the moments when you can speak in between the actors’ dialogue

© MAT T DAWSON

EXETERWORKS

or during scene transitions. In a ballet or other dance piece, you may think you have loads of time as there is no dialogue. But no one wants to listen to you talk non-stop for two hours!

And the music is such an important part of dance, it helps to tell the story and create atmosphere through the melody. You have to give space for the music, almost like the music is a character with a voice itself, and identify the most appropriate moments to speak. With operas and musicals, there is a lot of singing, so sometimes you have to be extremely quick with your description which can be tricky as there is often a lot going on visually and so its impossible to describe everything. You have to identify what is most important to the narrative and what will communicate the scene best.

Are audio describers a new thing?

They’re not a new thing but I think there is a massive lack of awareness of the need for audio description.

People may not know it’s even an option for them. I think it’s great that theatres are working towards being more inclusive but I also think we’re just at the beginning. Even for the most mainstream West End shows it isn’t easy to find out information on accessible performances and you’d

be surprised how few there actually are each year. It doesn’t give people many options when booking their tickets when dates for accessible performances are so limited.

There still needs to be more audio describers but ultimately this comes from more funding for accessibility in the arts to train describers in the first place.

Why is your job so important?

Everyone deserves to experience theatre. Theatre is storytelling and storytelling is one of the oldest forms of human connection, it’s how we relate to each other and understand each other emotionally and creatively. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience that sense of connection as it’s so important for people’s wellbeing.

I feel proud to be involved in work that helps theatre to be more accessible and inclusive of everyone.

What advice would you give someone wanting to go into your profession?

See as much theatre as possible so that you develop a thorough understanding of different theatrical genres. It’s also good to listen to as much audio description as possible, and listen to different forms – TV shows, films, theatre –

“EVERYONE DESERVES TO EXPERIENCE THEATRE” it’s all really useful to see how other describers work, what you think is effective and what doesn’t work so well.

What’s life like working at the Northcott?

I love the team at the Northcott. I have friends there that I have made over the years and its always a joy to see them if I’m in doing a show. I love the days that have a slightly chaotic energy about them, when it’s busy and buzzing and everyone is working together to make the show a success.

What are the thrills of working in theatre?

The live aspect of it is my favourite thing. The adrenaline rush you get just before the show begins is incomparable to anything else, it’s the final moment where you think to yourself, ‘Ok, I’m doing this live, there’s no backing out’. Theatre invites you to dive straight in, to not let fear get in your way and just do it no matter what. There’s a possibility that anything could happen during a

live show. Mistakes happen, performers perform slightly differently from one show to the other, and that’s all really exciting. Every single performance is slightly different, every audience gets a slightly different experience, and as an audio describer you get to be a part of that as your description has to match exactly what is going on in that moment. It’s both scary and fun knowing you may quickly have to adapt a description off the top of your head if an actor decides to change their actions in the moment!

What does the future hold for you?

I’m 24 now, so I think for the next few years at least I’m keen to keep an open mind and explore whatever theatre or writing-related opportunities may come my way! I definitely want to carry on audio describing and building up a more substantial repertoire of shows.

I love writing plays and have a few stashed away ready to be produced at some point. I would love to be on stage again myself but I think I’m still figuring out how I want to do that. It’s hard to think what I want to be doing ten years from now as I had such a strict plan for myself growing up that just didn’t align with who I became so who knows! But it will be something creative.

For more: www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

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LIVING IT UP BBQs on the terrace, trips to the pub, bright and breezy interiors and mod cons to boot.

Retirement properties and residential homes have come on a long way in the last decade.

We take a peek inside a few of the local ones…

T

he choice and quality of properties for retired people is most definitely on the up.

Tired-looking and uninspired living quarters have been replaced with contemporary, sunny spaces. The biggest change has been the focus on wellbeing. Social interaction is now key to the everyday goings on in residential homes, with a huge array of activities and hobbies for people to get stuck into. Here, we take a look at some of the local options…

RETIREMENT PROPERTIES FOR SALE POWYS HOUSE Sidmouth

In a nutshell: A recently refurbished twobedroom apartment (for anyone aged over 55) with views over the town to Salcombe Hill and to the sea.

It’s all in the detail: Powys House sits amongst large communal grounds within

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walking distance of the town centre, seafront and local bus services.

Inside the apartment, the living space includes a modern kitchen with microwave, hob and freezer; both the bedrooms have fitted wardrobes, drawer units and a shower room.

This will be a cosy one in the winter top: Powys House in Sidmouth; above: Parkfield Road in Topsham – heating comes via electric panel heaters and night storage heaters and the pretty communal gardens and is packed with windows are double glazed. There is a house fittings and fixtures to make life a bit easier manager’s office and a lift to the upper floors; (including waist-high electric sockets, rocker Powys House also has a residents lounge along switches that gently illuminate at night and with laundry facilities, greenhouse and guest wide easy-open doors). suites for visitors.

There is a large lounge, complete with small library, which may be used at any time Guide price: £275,000 and is ideal for meeting for afternoon tea For more: www.harrisonlavers.com or entertaining guests. An en suite visitors’ bedroom is available for owners’ friends and PARKFIELD ROAD relatives who may require accommodation.

Topsham Owners need to be aged 55 or over and an In a nutshell: A two-bedroom apartment on-site manager is available during office hours. perched on the banks of the River Exe Estuary.

It’s all in the detail: Located on the first floor Guide Price: £365,000 of the main building, this apartment sits within For more: www.wilkinsongrant.co.uk

SENIOR LIVING

clockwise: Private sitting room at Alexander House; The Firs residential Home; a resident enjoying a drink on the terrace at The Firs

RESIDENTIAL HOMES ALEXANDER HOUSE Exeter

In a nutshell: Alexander House is a brandnew purpose-built care home on Pinhoe Road, built to accommodate up to 67 residents. It’s due to open in late this summer and caters for residential, nursing, dementia and respite care.

It’s all in the detail: All the bedrooms are en suite and have Wi-fi, TV, call system; facilities at the care home include a hair and nail salon, cinema room, arts and crafts rooms, library, café, private dining room, and rooftop terrace.

Outside, the gardens include extensive landscaped gardens, plenty of seating areas and regular events hosted outside will include the gardening club and BBQs. What about the social stuff?

“The choice of activities we offer is endless and can be anything from gentle chair exercises, singing, arts and crafts, gardening, quizs, visiting entertainers, pet therapy, coffee mornings, knit and natter, flower arranging, the Gentlemen’s club as well as trips into the local community to include garden centres, local attractions, and meals out,” says Fiona Radford, of Care Concern Group.

“Nothing is off limits and we work hard to ensure that our residents lead fun and enriched lives.”

For more: www.alexanderhousecare.com

THE FIRS

Budleigh Salterton In a nutshell: The Firs is a residential care home nestled within 1.5 acres of garden within walking distance of Budleigh Salterton.

It’s all in the detail: There are 38 private and spacious bedrooms with en suite facilities, and the home has undertaken a recent refurbishment to improve the spaces for people living with dementia.

The grounds include a herb garden which residents can help out with, and the gardens have regular wildlife visitors, including Bambi

the deer, and a courtyard which is used for meals and drinks in the summer; residents often go out on trips to the nearby beach.

What about the social stuff?

“We have a wonderful wellbeing and activities team who are devoted to providing a stimulating and diverse activities timetable for the residents,” says Nicola Shayler, registered manager at The Firs.

“These include arts and crafts, gardening, animal therapy, musical entertainment (with plenty of dancing!), skittles and singalongs, as well as one-to-one sessions with those who are less agile. We do regular outings to local areas of interest including the beach, local cafés and the local pubs. We pride ourselves on supporting and

empowering our residents to be part of their local community and we ensure residents take part as much as possible in various projects from knitting blankets for the Neonatal ward at the RD&E hospital to visits from a local school for ‘the Firs’ Generation Exchange’.

For the home’s more significant celebrations such as for Easter, Christmas and national celebrations such as the Jubilee where we held our own Street Party, we like to invite the local community to enable our residents to stay connected. Anyone who visits the Firs comments on our incredible family atmosphere and the staff have been nicknamed ‘The Firs Angels’ by the residents’ families and friends.

“We pride ourselves on supporting and empowering our residents”

For more: www.bucklandcare.co.uk

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THE COURT

This Grade-II listed thatched cottage lies amidst miles of beautiful, unbroken Devon countryside yet is just 11 miles from the centre of Exeter. We go for a wander…

By Imogen Davidson-Smith

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I

PROPERTY

t is difficult to resist the charm of this pale pink 15th Century thatched cottage.

Nestled in the hamlet of Neopardy, between Yeoford and Crediton, and surrounded by rolling Devon hills, it is the perfect home for someone who wants a sizeable period property with cosy nooks, exposed beams, lots of fireplaces, and pretty grounds (1.29 acres) – plus you can be in Exeter’s John Lewis in 30 minutes.

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PROPERTY

Sitting so close to the northern border of the Dartmoor National Park, the views from The Court are exceptional. Inside, the interiors are not particularly contemporary – this property has been in the current family’s ownership since 1967, so hasn’t been on the market for over half a century – what you’ve got here is a place that has clearly been loved and lived in. That said, some of the quaint décor is now, as the cyclical world of fashion reminds us, back in vogue such as the oh-so pretty cottagecore wallpaper.

The ground floor features a kitchen, two dining rooms and a snug, a reception hall, utility room and a loo. Upstairs on the first floor, are all six bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The rooms are all varied in size – some, like the drawing room and the kitchen, span the whole width of the house; they also have thick cob walls that keep the house cool in summer.

There’s plenty more charm outside. As well as the immaculate south-facing garden there’s a substantial orchard and wildflower meadow to the north, a private driveway which leads off the public lane beside which a “GR” (King George VI) emblazoned post-box is set in the wall, a working well alongside the driveway, and a greenhouse and a gate leading out onto Summers Lane.

Within the garden there is The Big Barn that is

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currently used as a workshop and garage and has a well-maintained corrugated iron roof. The Little Barn is thatched, of single-storey construction and is also listed Grade-II in its own right.

The village of Yeoford is a mile away and has a church, village hall, gastro pub – The Duck – and primary school. Three miles away is the market town of Crediton which offers a leisure centre, two supermarkets, a large GP surgery, and an awardwinning farmers’ market.

If this is ticking all your boxes, we suggest you hop to it. n

HOUSE NUMBERS Where? Neopardy, near Crediton Bedrooms

6

Bathrooms

2

Total floor area 3278 sq.ft (excluding outbuildings) Outside Double garage, outbuildings, 1.29 acres of land Guide price £995,000 For more Knight Frank Exeter, 19 Southernhay East, Exeter; www.knightfrank.co.uk

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EXETER LIVES

©ROSIE PARSONS PHOTOGR APHY

“I kept imagining what life would look like for a person who would inherit someone else’s children ”

SARAH TURNER

The Sunday Times bestselling author of The Unmumsy Mum has just released her debut novel, Stepping Up. Here, the Exeter local and mum of three chats top parenting advice, tackling fiction, and her go-to places in Exeter Sarah started writing The Unmumsy Mum, the warts and all parenting blog, in 2013 after becoming disillusioned with the other parenting literature she had read online. Tapping into something mums could relate to – bestselling author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher said, “she says the things we’re all too scared to say” – the blog gained her a legion of fans and the blog turned into a bestselling book.

Now, Sarah has turned her talent for writing honest and funny accounts on parenting into fiction, with her debut novel about Beth, a woman drifting through life with no responsibilities until a family tragedy forces her to become guardian to her teenage niece and toddler nephew...

Congratulations on your novel, Stepping Up. What was the inspiration for writing it?

The initial spark of an idea came from a (rather bleak!) conversation in the school playground about will writing and more specifically guardianship, should the unthinkable happen. I kept imagining what life would look like for a person who would effectively inherit somebody else’s children under tragic circumstances and that became the basis of my first draft.

Your fans love the honesty and humour of your parenting blog – can we expect more of the same in the novel?

There is a definite similarity between the tone of my novel and that of my blog. Though it tackles a difficult topic, Stepping Up has

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humour at its core and I hope it’s an uplifting as well as poignant read.

What was the experience of writing a novel compared to your blog?

Going from non-fiction to fiction was, in all honesty, a very steep learning curve and without doubt one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever had. This did of course make it even more rewarding when I finally held the finished book in my hands.

Where do you write and what is your routine?

I generally work out of The Generator co-working space on the quay two or three days a week and I also write at home, once the kids are in bed. Being selfemployed, I try to stick to a vague structure to get the most out of my week but as any parent knows, it’s never long before someone is off school with a bug or for the holidays.

What are your pearls of wisdom on parenting?

The best piece of parenting advice I think I’ve ever been given, and one that always seemed to go down well when sharing the earliest blog posts, was to lower the expectations you have of yourself as a parent. New parents often try to do too much, on little to no sleep, and if you cut yourself some slack and try to do just a little bit less, everyone is a bit more relaxed.

Your kids are a bit older now, does the parenting get any easier? Or it just a case of new problems replacing old ones?

I think every stage of parenting brings with it different challenges but for me personally, the intensity of the baby and toddler stage is unrivalled. I know the

teenage years will bring with them a new adventure (insert nervous laugh) but I am finding the boys’ current ages (10, 7 and 4) to be really lovely.

You live in Exeter, what places do you like to visit with your kids?

We live in St Thomas and spend a lot of time at the quay, or exploring the Green Circle walks.

We also like to mooch around in town, particularly when the Fore Street Flea market is on.

What do your kids love about Exeter?

They love living close to their friends with access to great parks and plenty of stuff to do. Their dad and I grew up in a small town and we’re always reminding them how lucky they are to have so much going on, on their doorstep.

What’s next for you professionally?

I am currently working on my second novel, the first draft of which I am due to hand in later this year. The paperback for Stepping Up will come out early next year and after that, I really don’t know …

If someone made a film about your life, who would play you?

I don’t think my life would be anywhere near interesting enough to warrant a film but if I could choose anyone to play me, it would be Claire Danes. n Sarah will be appearing at Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival which runs from 14–18 September; www.budlitfest.org.uk For more: www. theunmumsymum.co.uk