February/March 2021 by myCornwall

HARDY IN CORNWALL • THE CORNISH ITALIAN • HELFORD RIVER

STRIDING INTO SPRING BEST ART OF THE SEASON

TARQUIN'S TAKE ON

2021 PLUS

Homage to the Hedge

The Magic of Kerdroya myCornwalltv

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

Hello and As we have been navigating through this latest lockdown, our February/March issue has arrived a little later than usual, but we thank all of our patient readers and collaborators for waiting it out with us. In these trying times, we’ve had to think on our feet more so than ever and making sure we can weather through this storm until better days is a priority to us. That being said, this edition of myCornwall is just as packed with plenty of Cornish loveliness as always. Celebrating the influence of ancient eras on new, modern projects, we delve into Cornwall’s latest artistic and sculptural landscape creation. Headed by the same team that produced the breathtaking Man Engine, Kerdroya is set to be a spectacular, ecological haven that takes inspiration from Cornwall’s most ancient landmarks and celebrates the power of our old, humble hedges. Our contributing writer, Elizabeth Dale, explores Cornwall’s ties with famous novelist Thomas Hardy and the imprint the county left on this historic writer. With spring in our sights, we’re excited for warmer days, blooming coastal flowers and the seasonal tastes of Cornwall that come with it. No stranger to the challenges of the past year, we catch up with Tarquin Leadbetter to discuss how leading Cornish gin brand Tarquin’s have managed Covid-19 amongst exciting new releases and new projects. From using the downtime of lockdown to devise delectable new small-batch flavours, whilst opening a brand-new gin school and Tarquin’s very own rum, Twin Fin, this craft distillery has a taste for a bright and bold future. It’s very much felt that food and drink are the simple joys we can still indulge in during this latest lockdown, so it only felt right that with our insight into a Cornish drink, we matched it with a discovery about Cornish food too, and who better to focus on than Ugo Massabo, The Cornish Italian, who is bringing his authentic and delicious famiy recipe-inspired dishes to the homes of Cornwall. From his award-winning tiramisu to his rich, bold and mouth-watering pastas, Ugo is bringing the very best of Italian cuisine and Cornish produce together. Despite the hardships lockdown and Covid-19 have brought, Cornwall’s sense of community continues. The dedicated team behind Cornwall Museums Partnership have been doing all they can to help and champion Cornwall’s heritage museums and centres, whilst offering creative outlets to families and those struggling the most during this lockdown. We also meet with Makers Cornwall, a new high-quality craft group born from the Etsy Makers Cornwall collective, who have used lockdown to create new ways of engaging with one another and form an exciting, independent platform that they hope to build on in the future. With a sense of spring hope in the air, some of our favourite galleries, artists and makers are gearing up for the new season ahead with stunning new exhibitions, releases and emerging artists on the horizon. It’s all here and plenty more, so until we can all head to our favourite haunts again, get the best of Cornwall here, with myCornwall. Oll an gwella, Alex.

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News A round up of all the latest happenings

MyCornwall's Insta-Worthy Snaps

Dog Friendly Cornwall

Museums at Home

Adore My Store The Cornish Highstreet

The Want List Cowhouse Gallery

Design Hub The Cotton Mills

Thomas Hardy's Cornwall

Kerdroya - The Landscape Labyrinth

Tasting the Future

My Cornish World Dan Dicker

Let's Speak Cornish

Art News A round up from the creative world

VIP Seaside: Photographed

Through the Eyes of... Lizzie Black

Art Focus Kurt Jackson

Maker's Focus The Celebration Goes On

Artist Profile Gemma Lessinger

Meet The Maker Makers Cornwall

Gallery Of The Month Cornwall Contemporary

Bites

Dish of the Month Paul Ainsworth x Rodda

Banoffee Pan-Cake

Meet the Chef Emily Scott

Meet The Cornish Italian

Places to Eat Delectable Deliveries

Weekend Away A Trip Down Helford River

Experience St Ives School of Painting

EDITOR Alex Saunders alex@mycornwall.tv

CONTRIBUTORS

01209 314147

thatsmycornwall.com myCornwall magazine, Krowji, West Park, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 3AJ

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Elizabeth Dale

DESIGN Paul Blyth

| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

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A New Challenge for 2021 brave individuals willing to take that leap of faith, strike out on their own and start their own business.

or going self-employed, especially now,

Back in November, Outset Cornwall reported receiving over 300 enquiries and referrals, with over 250 people joining the programme in recent months, despite the global pandemic.

can also offer the greatest opportunities,

and

One thing the ever-evolving situation did give many of us was an opportunity to reevaluate our careers and work/life balance, whether through furlough, redundancy or working longer hours to fit around childcare, home-schooling or other family responsibilities.

Kate Perkin, Programme Director at Outset, commented: “The fact we’ve seen so many enquiries and referrals proves the entrepreneurial spirit hasn’t diminished here in Cornwall. We’ve seen a real variety of ideas coming through; from people wanting to repurpose their existing skills and experience to honing their hobbies and passions into sustainable businesses. For them, Outset offers a fantastic opportunity to do all the groundwork first, building solid foundations from which to launch a new business when the time is right.”

Although returning to work or finding a new job has been the traditional route many people have taken, one of the biggest movements witnessed throughout all this has been the growing number of

2021 may not have got off to the greatest of starts, as we experience yet another national lockdown and face more uncertainty in the months ahead, and there’s no doubt that starting a business

In a year of lockdowns, restrictions and adhering to government guidelines, 2020 was certainly a year like no other.

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

seems incredibly daunting. But sometimes, the greatest challenges and having the right support behind you really can make all the difference. Funded

the

European

Regional

Development Fund, HM Government the

Outset

Foundation,

Outset

Cornwall has been helping people start their own businesses since 2009, offering a flexible, award-winning business startup programme that supports you through every step of your business journey. Whether you want to repurpose your existing skills or turn your hobby into a sustainable business, Outset offers a fantastic opportunity to do all the groundwork first, helping you build solid foundations to launch your new business from, when you’re ready. Visit

www.outset.org/cornwall

text

OUTSET to 82228 and find out how you can start turning your ideas into reality, with a little help from the Outset. l

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Krowji’s New £2 million Studio Building the Krowji vision for the last 15. Under Ross’s leadership, the organisation has grown from its beginnings as a popular campaign set up to save Truro’s old City Hall in the 1980s into Cornwall’s key creative sector support organisation with 40 staff and a turnover of £2 million a year. Phase 2 of the state-of-the-art building has been made possible by grants from the

European

Regional

Development

Fund, Arts Council England and Cornwall Council. Fourteen of the 21 new spaces have already been taken by current Krowji tenants looking to upsize, downsize or Undeterred by bad weather and lockdowns, Jewell Construction have delivered the impressive final stage of Krowji’s Percy Williams Building which has seen a further 21 studios created, linked by a bridge to the £3.7 million Phase 1 building which opened in 2015. The completion has added space for another 40 people to join the 200-strong

Krowji community of artists and creatives working on the site of Redruth’s Old Grammar School. Taking the helm is Creative Kernow’s new CEO, Dr Fiona Wotton, who joined Creative Kernow’s senior management team at Krowji six years ago and succeeds Ross Williams, who has retired after 29 years with Creative Kernow, steering and developing

Cornwall’s Early Pregnancy Loss Charity A national registered charity has launched its service at Treliske Hospital to provide support to bereaved parents during or following first or second trimester pregnancy loss. Emma Pearce, Cornwall’s Cradle Ambassador, has been working with Treliske Hospital to provide CRADLE Comfort Bags to families for both planned or emergency care. The donated reusable jute bags feature essential toiletries as well as the CRADLE ‘Dear Friend letter’, which signposts women and their partners to Cradle’s online support groups. In Cornwall, each Comfort Bag is prepared by Emma herself, who relies on donations from the public and businesses willing to help create the bags. Having officially launched at the end of April 2020, Emma has continued to keep well within government guidelines regarding social distancing. Over 15 Comfort Bags were donated on to midwives at Penrice Hospital to be couriered n 8 |

to Treliske over lockdown. Now, Emma is working harder than ever to create more bags, “I’m working hard to restock bags quicker than usual, so that all women feel supported during these tough times. The need is greater than ever to ensure that CRADLE comfort bags are provided to hospitals as pregnancy loss is tough, physically and emotionally, but even tougher during a pandemic, where women may be alone due to social distancing and restrictions.” Emma is appealing to the local community to collect and donate toiletries

for

the

comfort

bag

project. If you are interested in helping or would like to find out more you can contact Emma via her Facebook Group Facebook: Cradle Cornwall or Instagram Instagram: @cradleemma1 l For more information about CRADLE contact info@cradlecharity.org Follow CRADLE on Twitter @cradle_ charity and Facebook Cradle and Instagram cradle_charity

| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

move from small, shared spaces into selfcontained ones. There are also a number of new tenants taking up studios of various shapes and sizes. l To discover more about the Krowji journey, its work, partners and its flagship Percy Williams Building project head to www.krowji.org.uk/about/redevelopment/

Bust of Late Captain Sir Tom Moore to Feature in Cornwall Hospice Care Auction A bust of the late Captain Sir Tom Moore by west Cornwall sculptor Penny Lally, will be at the centre of an exciting online auction being held by Cornwall Hospice Care in March. A number of artists have donated 100 items to the Cornish healthcare charity, including Ken Howard OBE RA who’s given a stunning oil on canvas of St Michael’s Mount. “I was amusing myself in the first lockdown sculpting famous people’s faces when Captain Sir Tom started his walk,” explains Penny Lally. “It was meant to be as the sculpture came together really quickly and I decided to cast it in bronze resin.” Amongst Penny’s other works is a bust of Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty that’s now in Manchester Art Gallery ready for the opening of a Grayson Perry Exhibition. “I’m very proud of my work as it’s a hobby really and people are surprised when I tell them I’ve sculpted 111 faces of all sorts of people during this pandemic.” More than 100 lots are set for the auction, which will provide vital funds for the two hospices that make up Cornwall Hospice Care, which has seen many of its fundraising activities curtailed due to the pandemic. Both hospices have continued to admit patients 24/7. The auction will run from the 14th to the 21st of March and can be accessed via the following links: www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk/events/artauction2021 www.jumblebee.co.uk/chcartauction

Cornwall Council Announces Multi-Million-Pound Contracts Cornwall Council announces multimillion-pound contracts for three new workspace centres that will grow Cornwall’s economy and support the creation of jobs in three towns. Three workspaces equating to £13 million in building contract deals have been allocated for Penzance, Hayle and Liskeard, generating some much needed economic activity during their construction phase and opening new job, work placement and training opportunities for local workforces. Two of the developments focus on supporting the fast growing creative sector, with a new facility at Causewayhead in Penzance to provide 30 modern studios and workspaces for creative enterprises as well as a new workspace development at Liskeard Cattle Market, which will become part of a larger regeneration programme set to transform the town’s old cattle market site. The third scheme is set to develop an extension to the Hayle Marine Renewables Business Park, building on the successful first phase which was completed in 2015.

secondary

school

has

been

announced for Cornwall’s north coast as part of the Free School programme, offering 1,350 new secondary school places. It was a decision confirmed by Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, which saw Truro and Penwith Multi Academy’s Trust bid for the new secondary school on the north coast. The approval is part of a new Wave 14 Free School programme which will see the creation of 21 new free schools announced by the Department for Education across England, creating more than 15,500 additional school places. Cornwall’s new school’s location on the north coast (the exact location has yet to be

Gems presents the Cornwall Wildlife Trust with a donation of £5,771.55 – to

“The new workspaces will enable the creation of around 100 new jobs in sectors which are fast growing and at the core of Cornwall’s Local Industrial Strategy, ultimately increasing footfall to the town centres and supporting existing local businesses.”

to support the vital work of the Trust,

Delivery of these transformational projects will be supported by an investment of £8.7m being sought from the European Regional Development Fund and £7.7m of match-funding from Cornwall Council, as part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Programme. Each workspace will be built to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard and will minimise carbon emissions during both construction and operation. Completion of the three new workspace schemes is expected in Summer 2022 and once operational, they are projected to add more than £3.7m annually to Cornwall’s economy.

New Secondary School for North Coast Cornwall new

Leading holiday home company Cornish

Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for Culture, Economy and Planning said: “These new workspaces will bring business and jobs to three areas and this is crucial in terms of the challenges our towns are facing. This package of investment is a key part of our Economic Recovery Plan for Cornwall.

The contracts for the construction of the new workspace sites are advertised at www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk and ted.europa.eu l

CWT RECEIVES GENEROUS DONATION

confirmed) will provide education facilities to the area's more rural communities in and around St Agnes, Perranporth, Goonhavern and Cubert, creating capacity in Newquay and Truro’s secondary schools, which have seen a growing demand over the last five years. Following the announcement, Cornwall Council will now work with Truro and Penwith Academy Trust, who have been chosen to open the new Free School, to bring the project to fruition. Dr Jenny Blunden OBE, Chief Executive of the Trust, said of the news, “We are delighted to be the Trust to lead the development of a new 11 – 16 secondary school in Cornwall... We look forward to delivering outstanding teaching and learning for our students when they join us.” l

help support the protection of Cornwall’s wild spaces, in spite of challenges faced in 2020. Cornish Gems chose the Cornwall Wildlife Trust as their 2020 Gems Charity of the Year – hosting fundraising initiatives

and

encouraging

guests

who’ve been helping people enjoy nature for over 50 years. The donation from Cornish Gems, which will directly support conservation projects in Cornwall, was in part enabled thanks to Emma Fashokun – the newly appointed Guest Experience and Corporate Social Responsibility Manager - who’s passion, drive for positive change and fundraising, played a significant role in the success of this year’s Gems 2020 charity. Despite 2020 being an exceptionally challenging year, with tourism being one of the sectors hardest hit, Cornish Gems felt that now more than ever it was so important for Cornish organisations to stand together in solidarity – a ‘one and all’ approach in the face of adversity! Cornish Gems Co-founder, Julianne Shelton says: “Our team so appreciates the vital conservation work the Cornwall Wildlife Trust undertakes and we’re so thankful to our owners, suppliers, business partners and our generous guests who’ve passionately supported our

fundraising.

Never

than

during the adversities of 2020, have we appreciated the joy of being surrounded by Cornwall’s beautiful natural landscape. We feel it’s our responsibility both as a Cornish tourism business and as local people to help protect and preserve Cornwall’s wildlife, on land and at sea, for ourselves and future generations.” In total, since the initiative began in 2018, Cornish Gems has raised over £14,000 for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, the Cornwall Air Ambulance and the RNLI. It is with great excitement that Cornish Gems names Surfer’s Against Sewage as their Gems 2021 Charity of the Year. For more information about Cornish Gems or to support the Gems 2021 Charity of the Year fundraising, please visit www.cornishgems.com l

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

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MYCORNWALL'S INSTA-WORTHY SNAPS DOG FRIENDLY CORNWALL OUT & ABOUT SPECIAL ADORE MY STORE THE WANT LIST DESIGN HUB THOMAS HARDY'S CORNWALL KERDROYA - THE LANDSCAPE LABYRINTH TASTING THE FUTURE

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Insta-Worthy Snaps FOR THE MOMENTS OVER 2020 THAT WE COULD EXPLORE AND APPRECIATE CORNWALL FOR ALL ITS BEAUTY, HERE’S SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR POSTS LIKED BY OUR INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS. FOR MORE SHOTS OF CORNWALL THROUGH OUR EYES, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US @MYCORNWALL n 12 |

| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

1. Winter Sun at Porthtowan 2. Springtime on the St Agnes Coast Path 3. Lone dune walks at Porthkidney 4. Springtime Thrift (Sea Pinks), North Cornwall 5. A quiet harbour morning, St Ives 6. A different view of The Minack Theatre, Porthcurno 7. St Anthony Head Lighthouse, The Roseland Peninsula 8. Glorious morning in the harbour, Porthleven 9. Clear autumn days at Godrevy 10. New Year Snow Day, Carn Marth

4 5 6 7

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We are allowed to walk our dogs during lockdown, and here in Cornwall, even if we are remaining local to our homes, we are often spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful walks.

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But it’s been a long winter lockdown, so we here at Dog Friendly Cornwall talked to some of Cornwall’s best known and loved dog trainers to get some great tips and training ideas to help keep you and your best friend entertained and to help to prepare for the world opening up again… Many of these trainers are running fantastic online training sessions and have some resources on their social media pages and websites, so do look them up to find out more! “I’m running lots of fun classes and workshops over lockdown, all online which work really well because the dogs and pups can learn without distractions.” says Ruth Collett of Ruth’s Pet Behaviour Services based in Falmouth. “Most dogs find it tricky to learn skills in a class with other dogs around so teaching puppies and dogs in the comfort of their own home works brilliantly.” Tip 1: Try some sniffer dog training Andy McCarthy runs Hotdogs K9 dog training near Wadebridge. The company are experienced UK Sniffer Dogs and Mantrailing UK Instructors. “There are lots of benefits of teaching your dog Scent work,” says Andy. “It is a fun way to give your dog a mental workout as well as extra physical stimulation. Scent work also builds your dog’s confidence and improves focus around distractions. It is a way of giving your dog a job to do and it can strengthen the bond between you and your dog. Most of all, Scent work is a fun and rewarding activity for both of you.” Andy has this game you can try with your dog. Hide And Seek Hide and seek is a simple but fun game that teaches your dog a few important lessons. They'll learn to use their nose to find you. They'll also develop a stronger bond and will be more likely to come when called, even if they can't see you. You will do all of the hiding while your dog seeks. You can teach this with treats, though your dog will probably also enjoy the thrill of finding you. You can play the

same game in the garden or in safe areas while out for a walk. When your dog is sniffing and not watching you, crouch down in long grass or hide behind a tree and call them. Remember to be very excited when they find you. You can reward your dog with high value treats or their favourite toy to build a stronger desire for the game. For more tips and information visit: www.facebook.com/hotdogsk9 Tip 2: Enjoy mindful time with your dog Laura Dobb runs ‘Dog Sense’, Cornwall and the SW Peninsula’s first dedicated indoor canine enrichment facility, based in Penzance. “Dog enrichment is about making sure that as well as having their basic needs met, such as food, drink, sleep, regular walks and positive social contact, we make sure our dog gets additional important things in their life which will make them happier. These include things like play, freedom of movement, choices and chewing opportunities. In lockdown in particular, dog owners may be interested in learning ways to calm down their dogs with slow, sniffy walks and other techniques instead of feeling like they have to run three miles to make up for a dog with a lot of energy after being ‘cooped’ up at home.” As well as running Dog Sense, Laura is also known as Lala Human Dog Coach and founded the Slow Dog Movement C.I.C. which aims to inspire and educate dog owners to slow down and simply enjoy being with their dogs as well as providing them with positive experiences. “Enrichment, slow walking, calm social activities, and many other ideas are part of it,” explains Laura “But this does not mean that dogs can’t have fun and run about or engage in fast play. It’s all about doing calm activities too and providing dogs with choices in many elements of their life.” Forest bathing with your dog “One way to slow down and give your dog a more enriching walk, and enjoy the benefits of nature and a more mindful, stress-relieving walk yourself is to try forest

bathing on a woodland walk with your dog. Forest bathing with your dog is more than a slow walk. It is a meandering, or ‘sauntering’ walk. This is a term that was used by the American Essayist, Henry David Thoreau,” says Laura. “A woodland journey where you leave your worries and dog commands behind. Use your five senses with your nose, mouth, eyes, ears, and sense of touch. Go barefoot when you can. When your dog ‘invites’ you to wade in the stream, consider and, if possible, accept. When you stop and touch a mossy stump, let your dog use her footpads or nose to sense that velvety texture too. Listen to the wind, bird song and nearby stream. Find a spot where you can sit quietly and let your dog explore safety and just sit quietly and tune in to the natural environment.” You can find out more about Dog Sense and the Slow Dog Movement at: www.slowdogmovement.org/ facebook.com/groups/slowdogmovement/ Tip 3: Remember, lockdown will end eventually! “My top tip would be to use this opportunity to practice training your dog to settle quietly on their own in preparation for owners returning to work and school,’ says Ruth Collett of Ruth’s Pet Behaviour Services. “Leaving them in their crate, the kitchen or wherever you plan to leave them when you return to work is very important so they build a positive association with being on their own, with something enjoyable to do. Give them a kong or puzzle feeder with chicken or sausage and veg as well as some of their normal food and this will motivate them to be happy for a while without their humans. If they cannot cope in another room while owners are in the home, they will find it extremely difficult to cope when owners have left the house, so now is a good time to work on this.” Find out more: facebook.com/ruthspetbehaviour l

Image credit: LLE Photography

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The pandemic may have forced museums to close their doors, but this year Cornwall Museums Partnership and their partner museums have taken collections beyond the walls of the building to support their communities remotely through creativity. By partnering with local foodbanks, Cornwall’s museums have provided hundreds of activity packs alongside vital food parcels to families in need throughout this difficult time.

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

Cornwall Museums Partnership (CMP) is a charity formed in 2015 to provide leadership for Cornish museums; to support them, represent them and give them a voice. Driven by a mission to create positive social change with museums, CMP’s investment programme supports museums to make a positive difference to people’s lives. Some of their most vital work this year has been delivering creative supplies to local food banks to encourage family togetherness and combat the negative mental health effects of the pandemic. Emmie Kell, CEO, said: “There is a growing body of evidence that museums contribute to improved health and well-being. At CMP we are passionate about the role of creativity in society. And museums, with their fascinating and diverse collections, can be a rich source of creative inspiration, helping to feed people’s imaginations and enhancing well-being.” With community outreach projects put on hold, staff and volunteers have gone above and beyond to encourage community wellbeing by sharing their collections online, offering live-streamed crafting sessions and producing digital learning tools. However, unfortunately not everyone has the materials at home to get creative or can afford to buy them. To tackle this issue, in the summer of 2020 Celine Elliott, Engagement Lead at CMP, worked alongside artist Felicity Tattersall to develop a Zero Miles Culture project. Three hundred activity packs, made with art supplies from Truro Arts, were delivered to food banks in Penzance, St Austell and north Cornwall to be distributed to local families. “The challenge of reaching those most in need is never simple;” said Celine, “food banks across Cornwall have been doing this for many years, so working in partnership to connect communities with creativity was an obvious route throughout the lockdown. Museums collect things, so the artist Felicity Tattersall asked people to draw anything

they’d collected and to draw what they could see from their windows.” In the run-up to Christmas, Penlee House Gallery & Museum (owned and operated by Penzance Council) replicated the success of this initiative by teaming up with Penzance Food Bank. A tireless team of volunteers led by Zoe Burkett, Education and Outreach Officer,

boxed

100

activity

packs

containing free art materials including paint, colouring pencils, paper and an activity book full of ideas for getting creative at home. These boxes, delivered alongside vital Christmas food parcels by The Food Bank, offered hours of fun to children who had been faced with limited access to social events for many months. “Getting creative is great for well-being” said Zoe, “and we hope that these boxes help our local community during this difficult time.” Sharon Jones, from The Food Bank in Penzance, commented “These unexpected items are a real bonus to people who are having a hard time just trying to feed their families. They are a symbol of people caring." Other museums across Cornwall, including Bodmin Keep, Wheal Martyn and Falmouth Art Gallery have also produced art packs for local residents; and CMP has supported WILD Young Parents and Carefree Cornwall to send creative resources to young people throughout lockdown. The charity continues to champion the crucial support and resources museums bring to their communities. To discover more about their impact and the home learning activities still available from the museums, visit the CMP website and blog. l www.cornwallmuseumspartnership.org.uk/ www.cornwallmuseumspartnership.org.uk/ museums-at-home-supporting-foodbanksand-families-with-activity-packs-in-2020/

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

THE CORNISH

HIGHSTREET

A brand-new online shop with a penchant for sustainability, The Cornish Highstreet is the latest virtual start-up looking to support small, independent Cornish businesses and make local shopping easier than ever.

aving launched in November 2020 by Holly Power-Brown, The Cornish Highstreet is a new, online store that’s set to support local and sustainable. From the smallest of small businesses to emerging brands, The Cornish Highstreet features everything from handmade soaps to eco-friendly accessories, homeware and extra special pantry goodies. “I set up this business because I love shopping locally,” explains Holly, “and supporting small businesses…I’m aware that it can get expensive with multiple postal charges and 2020 has been a year of uncertainty for small businesses, so I wanted to do something to support them whilst also making it easier to shop for amazing, locally made products.” Sustainability and locality are key points for the store, with everything featured made to a high standard here in Cornwall. Many of the products are made using sustainable resources and processes and parcel notes are printed by a

local company on recycled card, whilst packaging is also from a local supplier. The Reduce, Reuse, Recycle mantra plays an integral role in how The Cornish Highstreet functions as a business and as a result the products selected to feature on the sight follow a similar ethos. Since its launch, The Cornish Highstreet have

been

regularly

adding

new

businesses and are still on the lookout for new local and small business owners who are keen to sell their wares online. With the goal to provide a wide variety of products to their audience, The Cornish Highstreet is open to all creators, be it homeware and lifestyle products, giftware, health and beauty or even Cornish treats to fill the cupboards with. MOTHER’S DAY IDEAS FROM THE CORNISH HIGHSTREET Keen

get

mum

something

local

and lovingly created from The Cornish Highstreet?

Here’s

recommendations!

our

myCornwall

Pink Clay and Rosehip Luxury Face SpaMask £8 An eco-friendly, all-natural pink clay mask by Essential Creams, Pink Clay from France and Rosehip powder is blended together in Essential Creams’ Cornwall based workshop to create a natural face mask with anti-inflammatory and beneficial properties. It comes in a glass bottle with a cork lid. Grey and White Moon Phase Wall Hanging £14.99 Designed and made in Cornwall by Rustic Rose, these beautiful wall hangings are made from jesmonite and individually created and finished, meaning each one is one of a kind. Cornish Coastal Candles from £4.50 Handmade and poured from 100% soy wax, Cornish Coastal Candles are vegan friendly and cruelty free and come in a range of glorious smells that can burn for approximately 15 hours! Discover scents such as Gin & Tonic, Pixie Dust, Parma Violent and Minerals & Sea Kelp. l

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THE WANT LIST

Cowhouse Gallery 1

Run by a collective of artists and craftspeople in west Cornwall, the Cowhouse Gallery has long been an integral part of Perranuthnoe’s artistic community. A mixture of alternative, expressive, abstract and landscape art sit beside stunning sculptural and ceramic works. With a new website currently in the making, soon followers and collectors of the Cowhouse work will be able to browse and buy work online, so be sure to keep up to date for all the latest information. The Cowhouse Gallery, Lynfield Craft Centre, Perranuthnoe, Cornwall, TR20 9NE www.cowhousegallery.co.uk • Facebook: Cowhouse Gallery 1. Deep Tangled Waters by Jean Foulds. 58cm square including floating frame £320 2. Fairy Toadstool Wishing Pot. Velvet lined trinket pot by Candice Scorey £68 3. Land's End Shags by Lee Stevenson. Etching £60 unframed 4. Odette. Polished concrete, by Carol Chapman. £150 5. River Fal, near Trelissick, by Paul Young. Image size 30 x 40 cm framed £75.00 6. Sea inspired silk Velvet Wrap by Rachel Stowe £210 7. Silver and gemstone stacking rings by Chloe Williams. £26-£42 8. Spalted Beech Bowl by Dave Jones £38 9. Waiting For The Tide by Linda Craig £175

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

Everhot - The Electric Range since 1979 Pure craftmanship and a great cooker

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

Design As the season of spring cleaning and sprucing is soon upon us, the search is on for the latest designs and trends that can swiftly transform our interior spaces. An independent interior design house, Cotton Mills have been creating and making designs for curtains, blinds, shutters and upholstery collections for over thirty years. Founded by Ali Cary, the Cotton Mills team boasts a talented array of creative individuals, who all contribute to creating beautiful designs in their local workshop. With an enormous selection of fabrics, this passionate, design led interiors establishment are providing leading, high quality products to the homes of Cornwall and beyond. Here, we take a look at what’s in store this season... FEATURED PRODUCTS Designer Guild Anshu in Dusk with a Midnight border A new fabric from Designers Guild shown here in these eye-catching curtains, this textile features a hammered texture with a satin finish and are available in 45 colours, 13 of which are available in wide widths. With prices starting from £26 per metre, this fabric is luxurious without the luxury price tag, Romo Camansi Sarouk Collection in Nectar and Wild Rose This fabulous new range from Romo titled Sarouk, seen in full bloom in these bright and stylish designs, are perfect for Cornwall’s aesthetic with their vibrant colours and subtle palm tree design. Get a holiday home feel alongside a high-quality cotton that’s second to none.

Key features Whilst the hammered feature of the Anshu design creates movement and texture, it’s wide variety of colours matched by affordable pricing makes this fabric a versatile edition to any room and style. For Romo’s Sarouk range, patterns are presented in a timeless and subtle design, with a simple colour scheme that makes them easy to live with. With a fabulous purpose-built showroom in Truro ready and waiting for when restrictions allow visitors once more, in the meantime Cotton Mills are on hand to chat with you via phone and email over your ideas. From creating storyboards to suit your colour schemes at no charge to discussing design options over Face Time, you can still achieve fresh, exciting new looks to welcome in the new season this year. l Open Monday to Friday 9am – 5.30pm Saturday 9am – 4pm Cotton Mills, 1 Infirmary Hill, Truro, TR1 2JB T: 01872 278545 E: mail@cotton-mills.co.uk www.cotton-mills.co.uk

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Cornwall In recent weeks the Dorset History Centre has managed to raise some £50,000 to acquire a privately owned collection of 46 documents that have not been available to the public for more than a hundred years. The collection of books, letters, personal correspondence and poems all once belonged to or were written by Thomas Hardy; and the excitement surrounding the discovery, nearly a century after the poet’s death, demonstrates his continued ability to move and enliven us.

@ Annie Spratt

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

When I set out for Lyonnesse, A hundred miles away, The rime was on the spray, And starlight lit my lonesomeness When I set out for Lyonnesse A hundred miles away... Cornwall has always been a source of inspiration for artists and writers but for Thomas Hardy it was the loss of his wife in 1912 that brought nostalgic memories of his time on the north coast flooding back. The resulting series of poems, as well as being an atmospheric exploration of the Cornish landscape, is also a touching glimpse into the couple’s early courtship. Thomas Hardy had worked at an architectural firm since leaving school at 16 and had shown particular promise in the art of church restoration. In 1870 when he was 30 years old he was sent to survey St. Juliot Church near Boscastle. It was to be a life changing visit. Hardy was just finding recognition as a writer and was about to publish his second book, Desperate Remedies, but although he had already formed a number of romantic attachments as yet none of them had been serious. Here in Cornwall he was to fall head over heels in love for the first time. On the day that Hardy arrived at St Juliot Church Emma Lavinia Gifford was there to greet him. Emma had been born in Plymouth in 1840 but had come to live in Cornwall in 1860. When she met Hardy she was living with her sister Helen, who had married the vicar of Boscastle, Rev. Caddell Holder. It was Holder who had raised the funds to have the little church renovated. Emma was a well-educated governess but she was also strikingly beautiful with bright blue eyes and a mass of auburn hair. Hardy was smitten. He wrote in his diary that he would like nothing more than to “walk the world” with her. And walking was what they did, the quiet lanes and wild clifftops of Cornwall’s north coast were the romantic setting for their growing affection.

There was a stunted handpost just on the crest, Only a few feet high: She was tired, and we stopped in the twilight-time for her rest, At the crossways close thereby. She leant back, being so weary, against its stem, CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 25 n

And laid her arms on its own, Each open palm stretched out to each end of them, Her sad face sideways thrown. Her white-clothed form at this dim-lit cease of day Made her look as one crucified In my gaze at her from the midst of the dusty way, And hurriedly 'Don't,' I cried. I do not think she heard. Loosing thence she said, As she stepped forth ready to go, 'I am rested now.-Something strange came into my head; I wish I had not leant so!' And wordless we moved onward down from the hill In the west cloud's murked obscure, And looking back we could see the handpost still In the solitude of the moor... NEAR LANIVET, 1872 Emma, who was a bit of a tomboy and fearless on a horse, took Hardy on long rambles through the countryside. On one occasion they were so caught up with each n 26 |

other that they stayed too long at Tintagel Castle and found themselves locked in. They had to attract the attention of people in the cove below by waving their handkerchiefs so that they could be let out. These bright early days of their relationship were what Hardy returned to in his poetry after Emma’s death, producing what is considered some of his finest work. Hardy and Emma courted for the next four years, spending as much time together as possible whenever his work brought him to Cornwall. Emma wrote: “My architect came two or three times a year... I rode my pretty mare Fanny and he walked by my side, and I showed him more of the neighbourhood. The cliffs, along the roads and through the scattered hamlets, sometimes gazing down at the small solemn shores below, where seals lived... often we walked to Boscastle down Valency Valley... Sometimes we drove to Tintagel and Trebarwith Strand where the donkeys were employed carrying seaweed for the farmers; Strangles Beach, also Bossiney, Bude and other places along the coast. Lovely drives they were...“ Emma inspired much of Hardy’s early writing too, his third novel, A Pair of Blue Eyes,

| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

published while they were still courting, is almost certainly autobiographical. The book’s heroine, Elfride Swancourt, is seemingly based on her. Elfride is the daughter of the Rector of Endelstow, a remote parish in Cornwall inspired by Boscastle and St Juliot. The character is also blue-eyed and high-spirited, if a little naive. In the novel she becomes entangled with two men, the young architect, Stephen Smith (we can assume this is Hardy) and Henry Knight and is forced to choose between them. This entanglement is also true to life, when Emma and Hardy first met she was expected to marry another man – a curate’s son, William Serjeant who lived in St Clether. One of Hardy’s early poems The Face at the Casement written in 1871 describes the couple paying William Serjeant a final visit. He was too unwell to see them and unbeknownst to Emma as the pair rode away together in the pony and trap Hardy saw a face at the vicarage window. It was William watching them leave. At that moment, in an act that later haunted him, Hardy vindictively put his arm around Emma’s waist so that William would see that he had truly lost her. The young man died soon after their visit.

The pale face vanished quick, As if blasted, from the casement, And my shame and self-abasement Began their prick. Long long years has he lain In thy garth, O sad Saint Cleather: What tears there, bared to weather, Will cleanse that stain! Love is long-suffering, brave, Sweet, prompt, precious as a jewel; But jealousy is cruel, Cruel as the grave! THE FACE AT THE CASEMENT Hardy and Emma married in 1874, the same year that Far from the Madding Crowd was published, and settled in London. With Emma’s encouragement Hardy gave up his job as an architect to write full-time. But it was in those first few months of what would be their 38 year marriage that the cracks began to show. Emma’s new life in London, as the wife of a successful novelist, was not quite as she had envisaged. In Cornwall, she had been free to walk for miles in the country lanes or ride her horse on the cliff tops with the wind in her hair, now she felt constrained. After her death this is how Hardy remembered the

woman he fell in love with in his poems The Phantom Horsewoman and in Beeny Cliff.

O the opal and the sapphire of that wandering western sea, And the woman riding high above with bright hair flapping free – The woman whom I loved so, and who loyally loved me. BEENY CLIFF, 1913 The couple never had children and Emma may have begun to suffer from bouts of depression. She became reclusive, often locking herself away in the attic of their home for days on end. Hardy, unsure how to comfort his wife, began to have affairs with other women. By the time Emma passed away in 1912 the couple had been estranged for a number of years, but her sudden death shook Hardy. He found himself reminiscing about the beginning of their relationship and their courtship in Cornwall. It was this surge of melancholy nostalgia that produced these sentimental sometimes regret-filled poems. Hardy also returned to Cornwall in the spring of 1913 to place a memorial for Emma in St Juliot Church. The woman he had fallen in love with, lost to him through

years of unhappy marriage, was now gone forever, but for Hardy their love affair was intrinsically linked to the place they had met – Cornwall.

Why go to Saint Juliot? What’s Juliot to me? Some strange necromancy But charmed me to fancy That much of my life claims the spot as its key. Yes, I have dreamed of that place in the West, And a maiden abiding Thereat as in hiding; Fair-eyed and white shouldered, broadbrowed and brown-tressed... A DREAM OR NO – FEBRUARY 1913 Whatever their later difficulties, perhaps for us as well as for Hardy, it is kinder to think of them in the warm summer-glow of the early years of their relationship. She the beautiful and daring horsewoman and he the love-struck writer. When Hardy died in 1928 his ashes were buried in Westminster Abbey but his heart was interned with Emma in her grave in the Stinsford Churchyard. l

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@ Gemma Wearing

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

THE LANDSCAPE LABYRINTH HONOURING THE HUMBLE HEDGE It feels completely fitting that Kerdroya resides on Bodmin Moor, a place that has long captured the imagination and inspiration of archaeologists, artists, scientists, folk lore enthusiasts and walkers alike. Where shadows and spirits of ancient eras still linger in their forgotten forms; a perfect spot to celebrate the unsung beauty of Cornwall’s most overlooked relic of all. One that still weaves across the county today – the Cornish hedge.

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@ Hana Backland

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

ne might wonder how much can be said about a hedge, but in Cornwall, a rich and important heritage rests within these man-made margins. With some having been dated back to around 4,000 years old, these weather worn, coastal corroded and bush battered borders consist of hefty stone, earth and quite often a flourish of wild flower. Today, they are regarded as rich ecosystems for plant and animal life and there are plenty of Cornish folk out there dedicated to protecting, preserving and praising the power of these humble hedges.

Cornwall’s ancient, natural and man-made structures. Built with traditional Cornish hedging with a 56m metre diameter, the Cornish Landscape Labyrinth will feature artisan stonework that celebrates the distinct styles of hedging and will commemorate the 12 sections of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which saluted its 60th anniversary in 2020. Amidst the build and ongoing difficulties caused by Covid-19, this year will see the real hedging work begin, which will require people of all ages and abilities to come together to bring Kerdroya truly to life.

Now, there is Kerdroya, a living, breathing artistic construction that takes inspiration from the Cornish hedge, designed to last for thousands of years. The labyrinth structure, set to be the largest of its kind in the world, is based on the mysterious symbols found at Rocky Valley. Devised by the same team that created the famous Man Engine, Golden Tree, Kerdroya’s creation began in 2020, in a disused car park by Colliford Lake.

Pioneering the project is Will Coleman, Director of Golden Tree, who has been a driving force behind Kerdroya’s creation process, “This isn’t a quick project,” Will explains, “and it will be well into 2021 before hedging proper begins. But, when you are building something to last 4,000 years, everything is better off done ‘dreckly’.”

Just north of Tintagel, a segment of Cornwall is known for its historic and mythical sites. The Rocky Valley Labyrinths can be found carved onto the surface of an exposed rock face of dark shale. It’s no surprise that these peculiar lines have been the subject of debate and mystery for centuries. Little certainty surrounds the origins of the carvings, some believe them to date as far back as the Early Bronze Age, whilst others believe they date more towards the Celtic Age, also known as the Iron Age. There are even rumours that they’re not that old at all; however the design of the carvings does correlate to the style of mazes that were popular during the medieval period. Discovered in 1948 by SJ Madge, the Rocky Valley Labyrinths were brought to archaeologists’ attention in 1954, and from then on one thing has been certain – that from stories of local witches to signs of the tree of life, mythology from all eras surrounds these symbols. Taking inspiration from the elusive carvings, Kerdroya looks to emulate the spiritual connections that lie between

At the heart of the labyrinth is a 10-metre circular space that opens out to breathtaking views across the moorland and lake. Here, a newly commissioned art installation funded by an Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant will feature, created by local father and son duo the Thrussells, who won the commission to create an artwork that deepens the response to the Cornish landscape. Less about being a tourist attraction and more about being a homage to what it means to live in Cornwall, the site is a tribute to heritage of all aspects and how this can be brought into today’s modern world. In creating its spectacular Cornish hedge, the site will be welcoming the Outdoor University of Cornish Hedging as an extensive training programme supported by the Guild of Cornish Hedgers, funded by Cornwall Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It’s designed to pass on the ancient craft of hedging to the next generation and to continue to educate people on the importance Cornish hedges offer for local wildlife. Overall, at least 62 apprentice Cornish hedgers will be part of the skilled team contrasting the labyrinth.

“We’re asking one and all to join us to create Kerdroya,” says Will, “a living testament to culture, habitat and skill. Not only can you be part of the largest classical labyrinth in the world, but you will also be part of a project that will support tens of thousands of species of insects and pollinators, plus 600 types of flowering plants.” Currently, Cornish hedges are not protected under hedgerow regulations, and with the alarming decrease in pollinators over recent years, the need for micro-ecological hotspots such as Cornish hedges is now more valued than ever before. More than just a bank of a field, these geological structures are havens for insect and wildlife populations. However, out of the 48,000km of Cornish hedge in existence, they are currently being lost at a rate of 100km per year. As beautiful as it is meaningful, Kerdroya is a permanent monument which offers the opportunity to champion the true beauty of Cornwall and to remind both residents and visitors the necessity to keep local wildlife and natural areas safe for the future. Emma Browning, Partnership Manager of Cornwall AONB, sees Kerdroya as a cultural achievement to last for generations, as she explains here, “We are thrilled with the Hedge Pledge initiative created by Golden Tree, giving everyone an incredible opportunity to get involved in an iconic piece of heritage. The Cornish Hedge is an important cultural feature and wildlife habitat throughout Cornwall and within the Cornwall AONB. We are delighted to see Kerdroya transform from concept, to hedge restoration, to Labyrinth, celebrating the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s Diamond Jubilee.” Whilst we may have to wait a little bit longer before we can see and experience the magic of Kerdroya in the flesh, this latest piece of heritage to join Cornwall’s rich tapestry certainly isn’t planning on going anywhere anytime soon. l To discover more you can visit www.goldentree.org.uk/projects/kerdroya as well as www.kerdroya.co.uk

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

New flavours, a new gin school, a new rum and a new hand sanitiser, world renowned spirit and household name Tarquin’s entered its eighth year with a few unexpected challenges. But from the days when founder and creator, Tarquin Leadbetter, was selling the first 300 bottles from the boot of his car, to becoming the 2nd largest independent distillery in the UK, this past year has allowed Tarquin’s to take stock of all they have achieved and all they have to come in an exciting future. t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 33 n

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

n the summer of 2013, 25-year-old Tarquin Leadbetter was selling bottles of his newly crafted homemade gin out of the boot of his car. Having graduated with a degree in Economics and Politics in 2009, Tarquin decided a life amongst big investment banks and large corporations wasn’t a life for him. Instead, he longed to return to the West Country, for a life by the sea. Inspired by the craft distilling whisky boom in the United States, and with his grandfather having once been a brewer, Tarquin was eager to undertake a new challenge that would offer creativity and the chance to be his own boss. As a result, Tarquin’s Gin began to take shape. It was, of course, humble beginnings, as Tarquin started out teaching himself to distill gin on a tiny copper pot still on his kitchen cooker at home in 2012. Several hundred batches later and he upscaled to an old cow shed outside of Padstow, with himself, his sister and his parents making up a small team. Today, Tarquin’s is the 2nd largest independent distillery in the UK, listed as the 29th fastest growing company in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 in 2019. Now with a team of 40, the leading craft distillery had doubled in size every year for the subsequent five years of its initial start-up, with no outside investment and on a shoestring budget. Very quickly, the Tarquin’s brand had become a prominent name in the UK’s spirit community,

recognised by countless awards, including Best Gin in the World for their Sea Dog Navy Strength Gin in 2017. Entering into 2020, Tarquin’s eighth year making gin, and it was full steam ahead, but lockdown and Covid-19 quickly scuppered the distillery’s initial plans. The closure of the hospitality industry saw over 50% of the business’s outlet supply cease. Overnight, Tarquin’s had to drastically change how it worked, “It has been a bit of a roller-coaster, as it has been for everyone,” says founder Tarquin Leadbetter, “it’s been challenging for myself personally and for us as a distillery."

of quiet that lockdown afforded as well as striving to carry on with their exciting projects they had planned for that year, the biggest perhaps being the launch of their brand-new Gin School & Shop in Padstow and their very first rum, Twin Fin. Opening in July 2020, Tarquin’s Gin School & Shop welcomed over 20,000 visitors over the course of the summer and early autumn. Just a few miles from the distillery HQ, the school offers hands-on experiences, from Tarquin’s Tasters to making your very own custom-made and individually flavoured gin for you to take home, complete with

“Pre-Covid, a large portion of our business was supplying bars and restaurants, so we’ve had to adapt. But also, at the same time, do what we can to support the world around us and our Tarquin’s community.”

Tarquin’s classic wax label seal.

Putting their skills and knowledge to good use during the first lockdown, Tarquin’s swapped the gin for gel as they distributed free bottles of Tarquin’s own hand sanitiser to almost 3,000 retailers across the South West as well as to local NHS, Cornwall and Devon Police and local food banks. When it came to helping their retail outlets, Tarquin’s extended credit terms and scrapped minimum order quantities to allow even the smallest of their customers to bounce back from Covid once allowed.

policy, that’s a Bring Your Own Botanical!

Ever one to take advantage of silver linings, Tarquin chose to embrace the moment

“We got off to a great start [eventually],” describes Tarquin, “we’ve had some amazing sessions with people creating all types of cool gins and we have a BYOB From home-grown herbs to foraged fruit to wild coastal flowers, the overall aim was to recreate the time I had when first making gin on my kitchen stove, playing with flavours, enjoying the process and sharing it with friends.” Next came Tarquin’s first launch into the world of rum with the arrival of Twin Fin, a golden spiced rum infused with a secret recipe including orange and vanilla, designed to blend together the very best of Cornwall and CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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the Caribbean. Rich, smooth and swimming

our ultra-small-batch special gin releases…

with aromatic spice notes followed by a

and to bring a little bit of Cornish sunshine

smoky finish, this bold flavoured rum has

to people across the globe.”

been met with rave reviews and has quickly become a firm favourite amongst eager rum enthusiasts, “I’ve always loved rum and have wanted to make one for a long time,” Tarquin explains, “it was simply a question of finding the right ingredients and using my experience making gin in a creative way to try something new. I’m really happy with how well it has been received and we’re currently looking into a couple of new, unique Twin Fin expressions for release before the summer, so watch this space!”

Like so many, the challenges of Covid-19 have

undoubtedly

thrown

many

unexpected hurdles down Tarquin’s way, but they are challenges that have been met with determination and positivity from this resourceful craft distillery, which Tarquin still finds himself surprised by since his first strong ethos of creativity and love for the local, natural environment, comes an undeniable love for the local community, which when looking back, Tarquin has always felt supported by. “Gin is a pure

his team also crafted together two more

expression of flavour, and the creativity to

exciting releases in the gin world with

craft something entirely unique is what I

Tarquin’s Cornish Sunshine Blood Orange

love! But even better than that, it’s being

Gin and the most recent Tarquin’s Hibiscus

able to share it with friends."

and Lemon Gin hitting the online shop and outlets in a splash of vibrancy. In Tarquin’s own words, his latest Hibiscus and Lemon Gin is a celebration of the return of English Spring, where Cornwall’s wildflowers take centre stage, and the buzz of excitement hangs in the atmosphere as the county begins to awaken from its winter sleep. “Lockdown actually gave me the time

If I could say anything to my young self, it would be to stick to my guns and trust in the products and the local Cornish community. I was incredibly proud of what I created in 2013 and it was fantastic that everyone else thought so too... We wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of local bars, restaurants and shops.

to get back to our roots as a progressive

“I feel very optimistic about 2021, I cannot

distillery looking to innovate, experiment

wait until pubs and restaurants are back

and take risks. Freeing up the time to distil

open. We’ve got plans for some more

new gins,” he says. “We’ve launched a

limited-edition gins, two new Twin Fin Rum

series of ‘Thirsty Thursdays’ online to share

expressions and something very top secret!”

Check out all the latest releases and special editions at Tarquin’s online store at www.tarquinsgin.com

days experimenting. Behind the business’s

From his downtime over 2020, Tarquin and

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With a taste of the future on their tongues, Tarquin, his dedicated team and the distillery’s four uniquely tuned copper pots are ready and raring to continue taking on each new challenge in their stride and to continue delivering outstandingly delicious gin, and rum, to the people of Cornwall. l

| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

Using Tarquin’s latest Hibiscus and Lemon Gin, why not try a simply delicious Cornish Confiture cocktail, bringing together the summertime fruits of strawberry and lemon: • 50ml Tarquin’s Hibiscus and Lemon Gin • 25ml lemon juice • Teaspoon of strawberry jam • Shake all your ingredients over ice and strain into a jam jar filled with ice cubes. • Garnish with a whole strawberry • For an extra twist, top with Sparkling Brut Rosé

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L My

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MY CO

SH WOR L D

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

Meet Dan Dicker, CEO and founder of Circular & Co an eco-conscious homeware and lifestyle brand that looks to make the most of our resources. Creating products that champion recyclability and longevity, this innovative design company are putting the planet first.

Hi Dan! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your connection to Cornwall? Nearly 18 years ago I was designing for landlocked Dyson near Swindon and spending most weekends travelling to the coast to enjoy windsurfing and surfing. There are only so many hours on the M5 before you have to question your priorities! I loved working at Dyson and if they had a Cornwall Coastal Division, I’d still be with them, but they selfishly didn’t, so I selfishly left!

Tell us a bit about Circular & Co and what is involved in the brand? To be very honest we started Circular & Co to make a living and to make a difference. Hand on heart, as long as the first objective was just about covered, our main energy and enthusiasm has always been built around the latter. We passionately believe after nearly 18 years at the core face of Circular Design we all have real opportunity to right some of the global wrongs by adopting a Circular ethos, lifestyle and mindset.

What inspired you to start Circular & Co? Completely and utterly the draw of Cornwall. 18 years ago, if as a product designer, you wanted to live in this wonderful playground, then you had to start your own business to enable it. A company only then moves forward by having several challenges in front of them, and we are lucky enough to have had lots! The resilience that we’ve built over time provides us with the motivation to keep pushing the brand and industry forwards.

Choose – is it made from recycled materials Challenge – longevity, is it designed to last as long as possible Check – can it be easily recycled at the end of its long life We all have a choice despite what is in front of us. If it isn’t matching up to your circular checklist then scroll on to the next page, there is always a next page. You have that power!

Tell us about some of your bestselling products and the process What do you love about your work behind them? and what do you find challenging? Virtually all our best-selling products The fact we produce products that try to have come from material innovation, do more, they are built to specifically tackle where we’ve managed to find a way of some of our big environmental problems. recycling problematic materials back into By designing products from waste a new product. Our Circular Cup made materials, you create sustainable highfrom single-use paper cups has been value demand for once worthless objects very popular, especially in the UK where that we would have previously classed as you see lots of people out about with litter. Everything has value and nothing has them. We are massively proud that the a single purpose. The biggest personal product has become a beacon, especially challenge is I ironically now find is the time within industry and academia, for Circular to go windsurfing or surfing! Design. Every cup sold is another person becoming aware of how valuable waste What ideas and advice would you can be and if treated as such, can become give to people who want to invest tomorrow’s product. more in the circular generation? At the current rate of mass consumption, we When you’re not busy, what do you will soon start to run out of key resources so like to do to relax in Cornwall? if we want the next iPhone in 30 years-time Windsurf and surf! My family and I love the we need to act now and get more from diversity of Cornwall, one day it’s the rugged what we already have. north coast and all its high-octane sports, 1. Reduce – we are all guilting of carefree the next you are lounging in a hammock consumption, take stock and constantly ask made from old fishing nets overlooking a yourself ‘Do I really need that?’ And if the tranquil Carrick Roads. To top it off the very answer is yes then it is on to step 2: next day you can be hiking in the middle of Bodmin Moor trying to outstare a pony! 2. Is that product circular? We have a simple three-step checklist we always follow: Thank you so much Dan! l

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GWREN NI KEWSEL KERNEWEK

Let's Speak Cornish

Ha ni a dhalleth an vledhen nowydh, yth omgevyn arta yn-dann naw alhwedh niver tri. Gras dhe deknologieth, ni a bes dhe gestava gans agan teylu ha kowetha dre Zoom, po neb omrians haval. Rag lies ahanan a res yw rag oberi a-dhyworth tre po dhe dhyski Kernewek, rag ensempel! Nans yw bledhen, yth esa hwarvosow warlinen a’n par ma ow pos usys genen hwath mes lemmyn tamm skwithus re beu ni dhe glewes “Hou, heb son os ta!” arta hag arta. As we start the new year, we find ourselves again in lockdown number three. Thanks to technology, of course, we continue to get in touch with our family and friends through Zoom, or some similar app. For many of us, it is essential for working from home or to learn Cornish, for example. A year ago, we were still getting used to events like this but now we have become a little bored of hearing “Hey, you’re on mute!” over and over.

dalleth to start omkavos to find oneself teknologieth technology gestava gans to get in touch with haval similar, alike oberi a-dhyworth tre to work from home hwarvos event bos usys gans to be used to skwithus boring arta again Ytho, rag keworra challenj byghan dhe les dh’agas bewnans warlinen, prag na assayewgh dhe gomendya temmik a Gernewek ynno? Martesen, y hallser dannvon yn mes rol negys diwyethek rag an nessa kuntelles kessedhek a’n hel treveglos? Prag na skrifewgh agas titel yn Kernewek war an skrin dhe’n metyans konsel pluw, yn arbennik an kador, an skrifenyas ha’n alhwedhor? Kyns pell, hwi a vydh ow synsi an dra gowal yn Kernewek – nyns eus edhom a dhiharesow! So to add a little interesting challenge to your life online, why not try to introduce a little bit of Cornish into it? Perhaps you could send out a bilingual agenda to the next village hall committee meeting? Why not write your title on screen in Cornish at the parish council meeting, especially the chair, the secretary and the treasurer? Before long you will be holding the entire thing in Cornish – no need for apologies!

For general enquiries: maureen.pierce@kesva.org For enquiries about publications: roger.courtenay@kesva.org For enquiries about examinations: tony.hak@kesva.org For enquiries about the language correspondence course: kernewekdrelyther@hotmail.co.uk For more Cornish Language visit: www.kesva.org n 40 |

| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

challenj dhe les komendya kessedhek rol negys diwyethek synsi metyans kowal skrifenyas diharesow edhom

a challenge of interest to introduce committee agenda bilingual to hold meeting entire secretary apologies need

Nebes lavarennow kuntelles warlinen Some online meeting phrases My yw Kador omma! I am the Chair here! Ny’th eus awtorita vyth oll omma Jackie Weaver! You have no authority here at all Jackie Weaver! Heb son os ta! You’re on mute! Fatell wrav vy settya an skrin rag gwel virva? How do I set the screen to gallery view? A yll nebonan profya kemeryans an gwayans na? Can somebody propose acceptance to that motion? Omdhisoodhys re wrug Mabel ytho yma edhom a esel nowydh yn skon! Mabel has resigned so we need a new member quickly! Pris rag votyans yw, mar pleg! Sevewgh agas leuv. It’s time to vote please! Raise your hands. Rag! For! Erbynn! Against!

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ART NEWS VIP THROUGH THE EYES OF... ART FOCUS MAKER'S FOCUS ARTIST PROFILE MEET THE MAKER GALLERY OF THE MONTH

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SHOP ONLINE FROM THE POLY GUILD A contemporary craft and design shop in the heart of Falmouth, The Poly Guild is now online! The Poly is a charity which, since 1833, has existed to promote the arts, history and science for Falmouth and Cornwall. Championing the work of our local makers and craftspeople through The Guild is just one of the ways we do this. The Guild would like to thank everyone who has made a purchase online during their current closure and kept alive an income stream for their artists. Looking ahead to brighter days in 2021, and looking forward to promoting new work, handmade with love and originality, from existing and new Poly Guild artists. The team at The Poly Guild hope to see you soon! l www.thepolyguild.org

COVER ARTIST: HOLLY ASTLE Holly is an illustrator based in Falmouth, a place that truly captured her heart since moving there from rural Gloucestershire for her degree in illustration, which she graduated from in 2020 before transferring to freelance work. Her illustrations are primarily digital based, although she is also inspired by the printmaking practices of lino and screen print, the textures and layer processes transferring across into her digital work. She is greatly influenced by her local surroundings of the coast and love of the natural world. To find inspiration Holly may be found walking the coast path whist looking at fungi, fauna and other wildlife. She aims to capture an essence of Cornwall in her work, trying to evoke a true representation of coastal areas and the wildlife found there. Holly’s client work has involved working with several local Cornish companies, including In Falmouth magazine and Forever Cornwall Cottages. Recently she has worked on a wildlife book out later this year. She also has a small online shop which she stocks regularly with illustrated prints. l To find more of Holly’s work you can visit her website hollyastle.co.uk or check out her instagram @hollyastle

NEW FEATURED ARTIST SERIES AT WHITEWATER GALLERY

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Following their successful Featured Artist series of last year, Whitewater Gallery opens this year’s new series from 1st April, with paintings by artist Luke Knight. Luke’s coastal paintings, which are inspired by Cornwall’s beautiful north coast, have won him a prestigious European gallery award, and selection for the 2020 Royal Society of Marine Artists exhibition in London. Other featured artists for 2021 will include Simeon Stafford, Suki Wapshott, Virginia Ray, and potter Hugh West, whose exhibition celebrates his 50th year in ceramics. Since the opening of its newly extended gallery in 2019, Whitewater has positioned itself as one of the foremost destinations for collectors of contemporary art, exhibiting work by the best regional and national painters, sculptors, photographers, printmakers and potters. During lockdown, clients can make use of the gallery’s high resolution Virtual 3D Tour of the exhibition space. See Luke Knight - Featured Artist from 1st to 29th April at Whitewater Gallery, The Parade, Polzeath, PL27 6SR, or take a virtual tour of the gallery at whitewatergallery.co.uk l

Sadly, the Gallery is closed until further notice but please look at our beautiful website where all of our members have their own page.

www.cornwallcrafts.co.uk

SEASCAPE ARTIST FOCUSING ON AERIAL VIEWS OF THE CORNISH COASTLINE www.gemmalessinger.com @gemmalessingerart

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ARTISTRY AT HOME WITH PENLEE HOUSE Whilst Penlee House Gallery & Museum remains closed due to Covid-19, the gallery’s creative team have launched a series of projects which people of all ages can take part in at home. From Arty Afternoons to a range of special activities for Under 5’s, the gallery takes inspiration from its rich archive of renowned works from iconic and historic figures to add influence to their family-friendly creative challenges. l Visit www.penleehouse.org.uk/learning-from-home to discover more.

NEWLYN ART GALLERY & THE EXCHANGE RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS GRANT Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange are among three Cornwall organisations to benefit from £30 million in grants to arts organisations across the UK from the Garfield Weston Foundation. Having received a total of £128,544 from the Garfield Weston Foundation, both galleries were recognised for their adaptive efforts to remain connected to audiences across the world by not only offering and producing work online but creating immersive and interactive opportunities for audiences to take part in be it in person or online. Philippa Charles, Director of the Garfield Weston Foundation said of the grant: “Our Trustees were impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit shown across the arts in response to Covid-19 and it was a privilege to hear what organisations had been doing to not only survive but also to reinvent the way they reach audiences...”. “We all want and need our cultural sector to thrive and, if anything, our time away from the arts has shown just how important they are to us – bringing much needed pleasure and enrichment to our lives. Arts organisations are desperate to reopen and get back to what they do best, and we hope that this new funding will help many of them do exactly that.” The Weston Culture Grant will help the team at Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange to reconfigure the entrance at The Exchange and repurpose two currently under-used adjoining spaces to create a single large, digitally equipped art space that is safely accessible to participating audiences from school and community groups to workshop participants. They will also be able to create a hard-working and flexible technical resource: cameras, editing software, light/sound, etc. for the team and community partners, to create a rich and interactive online programme that complements what’s happening ingallery, but also offers potential for new stand-alone digital work. We will also expand our offline and remote programming that will reach out to isolated audiences and communities, and those not able to access the digital world. Having tried out a new, popular and Covid-safe pop-up Garden Café at Newlyn Art Gallery during the summer of 2020, and a new shipping container exhibition space to show video work, the gallery aims to make the garden a more usable space year-round, making the gallery more visitor-friendly and freeing up gallery space for more art. James Green, Director of Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange said: “We are thrilled with this investment. It’s a credit to the whole team here - trustees, volunteers and staff, for their commitment to supporting our communities during this most difficult of years. This award is truly transformational.” The other organisations in Cornwall to receive a Weston Culture Grant are Kneehigh Theatre and National Maritime Museum Cornwall. l

MUSIC FOR THOSE WHO LISTEN New Craftsman Gallery opens its 2021 exhibition schedule with a collection of new work by sculptor and painter Rebecca Polyblank, which celebrates the detail and beauty of nature, and all the precious sights and sounds that can delight our senses if we would only take the time to notice them. Rebecca lives and works in a remote setting on the edge of Bodmin Moor, and her studio looks out across the ancient landscape of Carne Down. Throughout the seasons she is immersed in nature’s changing colours, the flowering and fading of plant life, and the coming and going of familiar birds, animals and insects. All of nature and Rebecca’s encounters with Cornwall’s wild creatures are brought together on paper through her delicate use of line and a palette of shimmering colour, and in her sculptures she brings out the unique character of each carefully observed hares, owls and moor pony. l See Rebecca Polyblank, Music for Those Who Listen from 6th to 27th March at New Craftsman Gallery, 24 Fore St, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1HE. www.newcraftsmanstives.com

CUSTOMS HOUSE GALLERY LOOKS TO WELCOME SPRING IN STYLE Every year the Customs House Gallery are known for their immersive exhibitions and focus shows that set the stage for some of the region's most revered artists. From local artists showcasing their take on the glorious south coast, to exhibitions championing the latest in contemporary art and craft from across the county, this integral member of Porthleven’s art community is looking to return in style this spring. Kicking off in May, and with Covid-19 restrictions depending, the likes of Phil Ward, Roger Curtin, David Gray, Rebecca Jewell, Jack Davis, Simon Jewell and Andrew Barrowman will be holding solo exhibitions at the Customs House Gallery until October. It’ll be a chance for both artist and gallery to show off their latest works, which have often sold out in previous exhibitions, including 2020. However, for those eager to get a glimpse of what’s available now, the Customs House Gallery website is fully stocked with work available to browse and buy online, with the Own Art Scheme allowing for easy payment options. To find out more details about the upcoming season exhibitions, visit www.cornwall-art.co.uk/customs-house-exhibitions

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The Customs House Gallery Harbourside - Porthleven

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

Martin Parr, New Brighton, England, from The Last Resort, 1983–85

VIP A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE

SEASIDE: PHOTOGRAPHED 3RD APRIL* – 12TH JUNE 2021

Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange in Penzance Seaside: Photographed is a major exhibition that looks at the relationship between photography and the British seaside from the 1850s to the present. Images of the beach, hotel life, the holiday camp, dressing up and dressing down, wild waves and coastlines all combine to create a rich picture of British resorts. As well as featuring the work of respected photographers including Jane Bown, Henri Cartier Bresson, Vanley Burke, Anna Fox, Susan Hiller, Paul Nash, Martin Parr, and Ingrid Pollard, the curators have included rich and often unknown work from across photography’s history, including Raymond Lawson’s remarkable chronicle of family life in Whitstable. This image is from The Last Resort, a series of 40 photographs taken in Brighton, in Wallasey on the Wirral peninsula, Merseyside in the mid-1980s by Martin Parr. Parr is a British documentary photographer, photojournalist and photobook collector. He is known for his photographic projects that take an intimate, satirical and anthropological look at aspects of modern life. The exhibition includes several works from The Last Resort series. Curated by Val Williams and Karen Shepherdson, Seaside: Photographed is a touring exhibition organised by Turner Contemporary. The exhibition was presented at Turner Contemporary in summer 2019, touring to three other UK venues in 2020/21, each with their own unique connection to the seaside. Showing with support from Arts Council England’s Strategic Touring Fund. Seaside: Photographed can be seen at both Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange in Penzance, 3 April* – 12 June 2021.

See newlynartgallery.co.uk for more details. *At the time of going to press, the gallery was unable to confirm an opening date. Please see the gallery’s website for up to-date information. t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 47 n

CREATIVE & CULTURAL LIVING

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN OUR 2021 ART GUIDES PLEASE CONTACT MELANIE WINN

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

If you would like to advertise in our Art Directory please contact Melanie Winn: Tel: 01209 314147 Email: melanie@mycornwall.tv CREATIVE & CULTURAL LIVING COWHOUSE GALLERY

INSPIRE MAKERS

Lynfield Craft Centre, Perranuthnoe TR20 9NE T: 01736 710538 • www.cowhousegallery.co.uk

Located towards the top of Falmouth High Street, Inspire Makers is a creative space showcasing the talent of over 40 Cornish craftspeople. There is a wide range of contemporary work from both well-known and emerging makers, across jewellery, ceramics, textiles, painting & prints, stationery, and homewares. There is also a dedicated workshop space which will offer classes to inspire people to take up making themselves. On hold for the moment, we hope to start the programme later in the year. Opening Times: Tues to Sat 10am-5pm Inspire Makers, 5 High Street, Falmouth, TR11 2AB • T: 01326 531176 E: create@inspiremakers.com • W: www.inspiremakers.com A @inspire_makers • G inspiremakers

JACKSON FOUNDATION

MARTIN JOHN FOWLER

The gallery is run by a group of local artists and craftspeople and offers a wide range of original arts and crafts at very affordable prices. A stroll away is Perranuthnoe Cove with breathtaking coastal walks looking towards St Michael’s Mount in one direction and to Prussia Cove the other.

Kurt Jackson – Wheat: From Plough to Plate From March 20th. For many years the building that houses the Jackson Foundation was part of Warrens Bakery. It was here that their lorries were serviced, repaired and maintained. In this exhibition, Kurt Jackson traces the journey of a staple crop wheat - from ‘field to fork’ in media spanning paint, sculpture, poetry and film. Please check website for opening times. North Row, St Just, TR19 7LB www.jacksonfoundationgallery.com

Martin John Fowler is a professional working artist based in South Yorkshire with strong connections to Cornwall. Displaying in several local galleries, Martin’s work looks to capture Cornwall’s rugged and wild coastal areas, often en plein air when possible, and as a result has had his work exhibition both nationally and internationally in solo and mixed exhibitions. www.martinjohnfowler.com

SHARON MCSWINEY

Sharon creates a unique & distinctive range of metalwork & jewellery inspired by the sea. Working in copper & brass she handcrafts decorative wall pieces featuring seaweed & sea creatures. Local beach combing providing endless inspiration for limpet & seaweed jewellery. Crafted in St Ives into silver pieces which evoke Cornwall. Soft verdigris finishes & colouration making each creation a one-off.

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THROUGH THE EYES OF...

Lizzie Black A landscape artist based in west Cornwall, Lizzie Black’s methods focus deeply on the practice of en plein air as she strives to capture the light, colour, tide and time in some of Cornwall’s most captivating and scenic locations. Absorbing each place in her own, unique style, Lizzie looks to project the experience and essence of a place onto canvas. Firstly, tell us about one of your chosen locations to paint and why it inspires you... Portloe on the Roseland Peninsula. I love Portloe as a place and plein air location. There is so much to paint and enjoy in this pretty little harbour and village. Beyond the cove there are some of the most unspoilt and impressive stretches of the Cornish coast path. It is always peaceful and quiet even in the height of summer.

it has the sun and light for most of the day. Out of season the steep cliffs and hills that surround Portloe envelope the cove in deep shadows. It is therefore very dramatic to paint with its deep tones and contrasting light. I enjoy painting the cool shadows and bright white-washed cottages that rise out of the valley. I have a quiet and earthy artist's palette but love to add dashes of color that draw the eye in.

When painting your location, is there anything that really catches your eye that you enjoy focusing on? From the village you quickly rise to the surrounding steep paths that wrap around the coziness of the cove giving you a multitude of views and wonderful options to paint from. The sea is a magical turquoise colour that invites passers-by in for a dip, occasionally myself. There are also a few colourful fishing boats with their buoys that catch the light like jewels amongst dark shadows. The contrasts between these details and the vastness of the cliffs is a joy.

When painting/practicing ‘en plein air’, what do you think about and what are your processes when painting this way? When I arrive in a painting location I have to figure out where to go and obviously am drawn to sheltered spots in the sun or sometimes out of the sun and out of the wind. I often struggle between this and getting the best painting views and personal comfort. I mostly opt for the best view and endure the discomfort. Always arrive prepared for any weather: woolly hats, sunhats, sun cream, scarves, gloves, raincoats, whatever I can carry. Once set up I spend a little time soaking up the view and choosing a frame. When I paint plein air I am totally absorbed in the activity. I concentrate wholly on looking, observing, making colours and describing shape and form with brushstrokes. I sometimes review how things are progressing and ask myself. What do I want to achieve? What do I want to say? I wait for a magic moment with the light half way through the work and attempt to capture that in my final piece. This might be when a boat appears on the horizon or when the sun has created a pattern of shadows that is particularly interesting or when the sea has risen to a certain level.

Describe the sounds, smells and feelings you experience in your location... It always feels lucky to be able to spend the day in Portloe and I feel fortunate to have the resources and time to spend my days painting and visiting such beautiful places. I have to pinch myself sometimes that this is my work! I would happily paint plein air everyday. It is a real passion for me to paint directly from my subject. It feels far away from everything, which is very nice especially at the moment. What colours do you like to use when painting your location? Portloe faces South and in the summer

What challenges do you face when conveying your location onto canvas? I sometimes have a plan of what I will paint and where I will go. However it is always surprising how I don’t always follow this up. This is one of the delights of plein air painting. It is full of unexpected surprises and sometimes misfortunes. You have to be prepared to fail and from the errors you grow and learn. In my home of Mousehole I am familiar with the layout of the village, the weather, the light and the cycle of life. By revisiting Portloe, I have a growing awareness of the rhythms of the days and seasons in a similar manner. Portloe is unique and beautiful. Finally, what do you love most about your location? The best thing about Portloe is that it never fails to charm you. It also has a very nice restaurant and after picking up a croissant from Da Bara Bakery you can break off mid morning and enjoy a nice coffee from The Lugger on the bench at the top of the slipway. Fuel for creativity! l You can discover more of Lizzie Black’s work in the charming space of The New Gallery at Portscatho and online at www.thenewgalleryportscatho.co.uk The New Gallery Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5HW T: 01872 580719 Email: chrisinsoll@gmail.com Opening times Thursday to Saturday, 10am – 12.30pm, 2 – 5pm The gallery is also open by appointment which you can call or email to arrange.

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ART FOCUS

Kurt Jackson

Wheat: From Plough to Plate The Jackson Foundation Gallery’s spring exhibition will see renowned landscape artist Kurt Jackson capture the journey of our food in a stunning take on the agricultural world in Wheat: From Plough to Plate. In an ever-evolving quest to capture mankind’s connection to the natural world, Jackson has often depicted our associations with various elements of the environment through his work. Wheat: From Plough to Plate, describes the transitions shown from the humble beginnings of a summer crop and wide expanses of rich fields to the bread and jam of a morning and the daily offers of a bakery. Kurt offers a captivating take on the harmonising of the agricultural and the natural. For many years, the Jackson Foundation Gallery was a building that made up part of the Warrens Bakery, where lorries and other vehicles were serviced, repaired and maintained. Other areas offered storage for cake mix and other baking elements, n 52 |

which were ferried up the road to the bakery. Taking inspiration from the building’s history, Kurt looked to explore and investigate the immense work that goes into creating the average loaf of bread and began to notice on his travels the many fields dedicated to wheat crops. Captivated by the colours and processes behind the industry, Kurt was soon taking to the land. An artist unafraid to immerse himself in his subject matter, Jackson can often be found in unforgiving and rugged landscapes to achieve the perfect angle and his willingness to submit himself to the laws of nature are reflected heavily in his works, both poetically, sculpturally and artistically. As a result, Wheat is somewhat of an ode to the world of agriculture, a

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sonnet illustrating the journey of our food, bringing together original artwork, sculpture and poetry all from the creative hands of Kurt Jackson. Throughout this exhibition, The Upstairs Gallery area of The Jackson Foundation will be featuring an exhibition from renowned explorer and photographer Robin Hanbury-Tension, President and CoFounder of Survival International, a human rights organisation formed in 1969 that campaigns for the rights of indigenous, tribal and uncontacted peoples. l Discover more about the exhibition, dates and opening times at www.jacksonfoundationgallery.com

All images © Kurt Jackson

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MAKER'S FOCUS

The Celebration Goes On: Cornwall Crafts Association Commemorates 125 Years Of The National Trust

Last year, the Cornwall Crafts Association was invited by The National Trust at Trelissick to take part in their celebrations to honour 125 years of The National Trust. This major exhibition, featuring 40 pieces of spectacular work from the CCA’s members, took place in Trelissick House. The exhibition launched in March 2020, but soon after lockdown and national restrictions, the show has since only been seen by a small number of people as Trelissick House remained closed for the season. Now, it has been announced that once restrictions are eased on this latest lockdown, the CCA’s ‘Celebrating 125 Years of The National Trust’ will be

relocated into the upstairs gallery of Trelissick, offering a fantastic opportunity for future visitors and members alike, as the exquisite works created finally get to be appreciated in full. The exhibition features uniquely personal art from the members of the association as they explore the significance of the special and historic places the National Trust cares for. The resulting exhibition is a broad, beautiful array of various mediums, from jewellery, prints and sculptural pieces to

textiles, ceramics and metalwork. In the meantime, the talented members of the Cornwall Crafts Association are available on the CCA website, where visitors can browse works and discover more about each member on their own page. l Trlissick Gallery, Trelissick, Feock, Cornwall, TR3 6QL T: 01872 864514 www.cornwallcrafts.co.uk

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ARTIST PROFILE

GEMMA LESSINGER

If there is one artist who is inspired by the ocean, it’s Gemma Lessinger. Having rediscovered her passion for painting during 2020, Gemma’s love for the everchanging shoreline has now seen her take on a new role as one of Cornwall’s fastest emerging artists. In what has been a time full of uncertainty and gloom, Gemma’s bright, textured and bold works inspired by the Cornish seas have been a welcomed sight. Ten years ago, Gemma moved to Newquay with her husband and whilst immediately mesmerised by the surrounding ocean, it wasn’t until last year during the first lockdown of the pandemic that she found herself returning to her love of painting. “I studied Art & Design at college in Berkshire,” Gemma explains, “and then decided to focus on Fashion Design for my degree... Somewhere along the way of building a career in buying and production, I forgot that I could paint.” In Gemma’s own words, the busyness of life took over and it wasn’t until being forced into lockdown that Gemma found herself with time on her hands. With the urge to bring her love of the sea into her home, she began to paint, “Once I started, I remembered how much I loved to do it and couldn’t stop,” says Gemma, “I began painting wave crests, remembering the crashing waves on my nearby shorelines. Then I decided to change my perspective and painted an aerial view of the shoreline. I love the bird's eye view of shorelines and decided n 56 |

I wanted to focus on that. Whilst working on each painting I realised I loved texture, and began building it with thick layers of acrylic, then adding sea salt and sand to the paint to get really deep textures. “I think about the type of wave that breaks in a particular place too,” she adds, “whether it’s an infamous surf spot or a calmer, flatter location.” Capturing the rugged nature of Cornwall’s cliff edges juxtaposed with clean stretches of sand and dunes are a big element in Gemma’s work where her texture building processes require a balance of delicacy and fluidity. Photographs and images taken by Gemma with her drone allow her to gain aerial reference for her pieces. Full of depth, texture and movement, Gemma’s paintings are a statement of brilliant blues, frothy whites and sweeping sands that bring the life of the sea straight to the canvas. l To discover more about Gemma and her work visit www.gemmalessinger.com

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A NEW ART COLLECTIVE CHAMPIONING THE CORNISH SEA Recently, Gemma has taken her love for Cornwall’s artistic communities to a new level, having launched a new, femalelead art collective that brings together fellow creatives and lovers of the ocean. Hyli Creatives are a small group of ocean-inspired artists and makers and with Hyli being the Cornish word for ‘saltwater’ the group have one goal – to celebrate the magnificent aquatic world that surrounds Cornwall each in their own distinctive style. “We all have our own businesses and unique styles, but we want to help one another and inspire other women to discover their creativity,” Gemma explains. “We are planning lots of group projects and events, ways that we can share and highlight our individual styles but also combine them to create some really unique work.” Meet the members and find out about their upcoming events via Instagram @hylicreatives

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MEET THE MAKER

Born during 2020’s lockdown with the goal to provide support and community to Cornwall’s crafters, from their previous role as Etsy ambassadors and event organisers, Makers Cornwall is a new, independent group that has big plans for the future. Many will have seen, and even purchased, the high-quality creations from many of the Makers Cornwall members before, normally at their sparkly, festive modern Christmas fairs. For several years, the Etsy Made Local Cornwall Christmas Fair was a highlight event of the festive season and in the winter of 2019, the group saw their biggest turnout ever at their new venue on Penryn Campus, with over 5,000 visitors gracing the hall to browse the stalls. A bursary from Etsy enabled the events to take place over the course of a weekend and come 2020, exciting plans were in place for bigger, bolder events, but with lockdown and Covid-19 changing the future of events, the group knew that they would need to adapt to the ‘new normal’. Over the course of the lockdowns, the group have been supporting each other and collaborating through their makers group on Facebook. Navigating together through technological and logistical challenges, creative ideas and advice was soon flowing to help one another in keeping their businesses going, as well as offering a safe, supportive place to keep spirits going and offer isolated, struggling makers and artists ways to maintain a positive mental attitude. Soon, weekend craft fairs were streaming online and makers were setting up stalls in their kitchens, studios and bedrooms to show to virtual audiences. n 58 |

Sarah Drew, one of the Makers Cornwall organisers, started the craft fairs in her garden during the first lockdown and was blown away by how popular and effective they were, “I think people were really bored, stuck in at home and missing social, creative events. The benefit of doing the Facebook lives, were that they were interactive, people could ask you questions immediately, ask to see things closer, or just chat and be daft.” Sarah asked if other makers and artists wanted to join her to do group shows and soon found they worked really well for other people too, some selling thousands of pounds worth of handmade items. Alison Bick, illustrator and Makers Cornwall organiser, points out another benefit of doing the online live shows, “Our customers get a chance to get to know us better, and we get to know them too. I think the live shows mean people realise we’re real people, making these things we sell by hand. After the shows, the interactions I’ve had with my customers have been so much more friendly, and relaxed, it’s so lovely.” Entering into a new year, and another lockdown, the group spent February taking part in an Instagram challenge organised by Sally Atkins from The Sunny Cupboard, “We’re so amazed and pleased at how popular it’s been,” Sally explains, “with hundreds of people joining in from all over the UK including

| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

the Scottish Highlands, and as far away as Iceland and the US. I think it’s definitely tapped into a desire for makers and artists to connect with people, appreciate where they live and use positivity to keep going and help each other.” With time on their hands to reflect how they wanted their group to evolve, Alison and Sarah made the decision to drop the Etsy umbrella from their group, officially becoming Makers Cornwall, where all makers and artists in Cornwall can apply for their shows, irrespective of where they sell their wares. Opening up their platform, a new website has now been set up to work as a permanent director of local makers, which in time will one day support events once they are allowed to take place in the real world again. Aiming for it to be the go-to site to find quality, contemporary craft and design products made in Cornwall, that will share the creative on-goings to a bigger audience, Sarah hopes to encourage further collaborations and community efforts across the county, “We always want our events to give back to the community” she describes, “so with the lockdown online craft fairs each maker has donated a third of their ‘stall’ fee to help homeless and vulnerable people in Cornwall via Daisy Duke’s CIC in St Austell.” l To discover more, visit www.makerscornwall.co.uk

The Sunny Cupboard www.thesunnycupboard.co.uk

Natalie Toms - Wildlife Artist www.natalietoms.com

Sarah Drew Jewellery www.sarahdrew.com

Jane Marks

Melody Ryder Designs www.melodyryder.com

Rachel Stowe www.rachelstowe.com

Alison Bick Designs www.alisonbick.co.uk

Rebecca Spikings www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RebeccaSpikings

Erranim www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Erranim

Roberta Hopkins www.robertahopkinsjewellery.co.uk/

The Sage Hen thesagehen.co.uk

Lowenna Designs www.lowennadesigns.com

Lucy & Ben Silver Sapling www.silversapling.co.uk/

Spellbound by the Sea Spellboundbythesea.Etsy.com

Emporium of Illumination www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ EmporiumIllumination

Pam Nature of Paper www.thenatureofpaper.com

Mrs Marvellous www.mrsmarvellous.co.uk Laura Drayson www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ LauraDraysonSilver

Esme Burton Jewellery at Circa 21 www.circa21.co.uk/jewellery Sable Cloud Jewellery www.sablecloudjewellery.co.uk Julia Crimmen Ceramics www.juliacrimmenceramics.co.uk Kernowspa www.kernowspa.co.uk

MJHS contemporary mjhscontemporary.wixsite.com/mjhs Amy Cooper Ceramics www.amycooperceramics.co.uk

Dark Star Designs www.darkstardesigns.co.uk Gullz r Loud www.gullzrloud.co.uk

Rosie Marks Jewellery Maker

Lucy Joines Ceramics linktr.ee/lucyjoinesceramics

Windsweptgirlie www.windsweptgirlie.co.uk

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GALLERY OF THE MONTH

cornwall contemporary Since 2006, Cornwall Contemporary has held a prominent place in Penzance’s artistic community, and whilst it may be welcoming its 15th year in unusual circumstances, this renowned gallery is still providing leading, contemporary art worldwide from its West Cornwall hub. Residing at the top of Penzance town’s iconic Chapel Street, well-established gallery Cornwall Contemporary has been leading the way for the town’s artistic development since its opening 15 years ago. Opened by Sarah BrittainMansbridge, Cornwall Contemporary has long been bringing the paintings and sculptural work of Cornish artists to audiences from global locations. “2020 was indeed a very strange and unprecedented year,” explains Gallery Director, Sarah Brittain-Mansbridge, “but we have been delighted to still be in regular touch with our artists and customers and have actually been fortunate to sell and ship out many paintings in this time. I’ve sent work out to Singapore, USA, Germany, and in fact n 60 |

I have just finished wrapping a painting that is due to be sent to Australia. Our paintings have certainly done more travelling than we have this past year!” A large, spacious gallery comprising of three floors, a typical year sees the gallery holding a wide variety of exhibitions, focus shows and capsule collections. It’s a space that often captures the attention of visitors alone, with gorgeous views from the top floor window and plenty of space for tranquil viewing. “When I was looking for a gallery space to buy all those years ago, I didn’t want a white box,” says Sarah, “I wanted something with character and people always respond really well to it.” Despite the challenges over the last year, the gallery has still been striving

| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

to offer unique, captivating art whilst helping the wider community. In place of busy preview nights and bustling days with eager art explorers, collectors and enthusiasts gracing Cornwall Contemporary’s walls, Sarah instead welcomed thousands of visitors online for a host of specially curated exhibitions, “Working from home was certainly a different experience, but I really wanted to continue to support all my artists and of course, like everybody in the country, I felt a huge amount of gratitude towards the NHS and all our key workers, so I decided to stage an online charity exhibition, where a percentage of sales were donated to NHS charities. “I was completely blown away by the amount of encouragement from our

customers who wanted to support our artists and the NHS. In the end we raised over £4000 for the charity which was wonderful.” The gallery’s reputation over the last fifteen years has grown into one that champions some of Cornwall’s leading contemporary artists on a national level, with a broad variety of mediums ranging from landscape and still life to abstract and portraiture. In 2019, Sarah was selected as a trade ambassador by the Department for Trade, which saw Cornwall Contemporary reach international recognition amongst the creative industry, “We are proud to have become known for showing exciting, quality, unique works of art,” describes Sarah. “The gallery has built its reputation on representing nationally and internationally known artists mainly based in Cornwall, but I do also show work by artists from further afield. “Kristin Vestgard, who has a solo exhibition of her exquisite portraits with us this year, actually lives in Norway, but studied at Falmouth College of Art.” The first solo exhibition of Cornwall Contemporary’s 2021 season is ‘Water’, featuring the works of Neil Pinkett, set to open from the end of March. “Neil has produced some stunning paintings of the sea, rivers and canals around Cornwall, painted from clifftops, beaches and also his boat,” she explains.

“We are excited and hopeful that we will be able to open our doors to the public again for that exhibition, and we can’t wait to see everyone and to share these very special paintings. After that opening show, we have a number of mixed shows lined up for 2021, with exciting solo exhibitions from Kristin, Alasdair Lindsay, David Mankin and Paul Lewin.” Sarah prides herself on her close relationships with her artists, many of whom have been members of Cornwall Contemporary since the very beginning and have transformed from exciting emerging artists into well-established figures that customers retain a key interest in long after their paintings have reached forever homes. There’s also a rich selection of high-quality makers present too, with ceramicists, sculptors and jewellers also displaying their work throughout the year. This year, Sarah has also introduced a few new elements for the gallery, “This year, in addition to featuring our painters on our website and filming more 3D virtual tours of the exhibitions, we are busy behind the scenes working on adding a special section to our website which showcases work by our makers, so watch this space.” It was Penzance’s community that drew Sarah to open a gallery there, and since then Cornwall Contemporary has been an integral member of the town’s creative

infrastructure. Today, Sarah is still delighted to call Penzance home, “I chose to open a gallery in Penzance all those years ago as I wanted to be in a thriving town with an all-year-round population, rather than have a huge influx of tourist visitors in summer, and then quieter winter months. Penzance hasn’t disappointed and I especially love being near Chapel Street, which has a wonderful and eclectic selection of independent lifestyle shops, and of course there’s the wonderful Jubilee Pool.” With a hopeful outlook on the year ahead, Cornwall Contemporary is looking to bring just as much culture and artistic creation to the community as always and led by a dedicated team, will be honouring its 15th year in style, “I am hugely grateful and thankful to do the job that I do,” describes Sarah, “I love working with artists who are my friends and I have a fantastic gallery team behind me in Maggie, Jess and Emma.” l To find out more about the gallery, including virtual tours, exhibitions and more, visit www.cornwallcontemporary.com Cornwall Contemporary 1 Parade Street, Penzance, TR18 4BU T: 01736 874749 Opening Times (Please check in advance due to national lockdowns and restrictions): Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

64 BITES 66 DISH OF THE MONTH 68 MEET THE CHEF 71 MEET THE CORNISH ITALIAN 76 PLACES TO EAT 80 WEEKEND AWAY 82 EXPERIENCE

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bites

Water Bottle ReFill Stations to Be Set Up

A community project has received funding from Cornwall Council that will see water bottle refill stations installed across Cornwall.

North Coast Brewery Raises Money for Ocean Clean Up from, funds will be generated toward Fathoms Free, with hopes of raising enough money to acquiure a remotely operated vehicle which will be able to scour sea beds, harbours and remote parts of the coastline to recover ghost fishing gear, abandoned nets, pots, angling equipment and other plastics which are causing countless damages to the marine environment and its sea life. The funds will also go towards retrieval dives to recover yet more plastic debris. Head brewer Mike Mason approached North Coast based brewery Driftwood Spars is thinking eco-consciously after a new initiative to support those keep our oceans clean. The St Agnes brewery is now donating a percentage off profits from its Cove range of craft beers to Fathoms Free, a certified charity which is actively removing plastic and ghost fishing gear from the ocean around the Cornish peninsular. Each purchase of the small-batch, crafted beers, of which there are four to choose

the charity personally after their work was featured on the BBC 2 documentary ‘Cornwall

with

Simon

Reeve’.

The

microbrewery’s Cove range was inspired by Cornwall’s wild and rugged landscapes and will now have a positive impact in contributing to the ocean clean-up efforts taking place around the county. l You can purchase the Cove range online at

www.driftwoodsparsbrewery.com

as well as independent bottle shops in Cornwall.

Cornish Roast Delivered to Your Door Acclaimed Falmouth eatery, Star & Garter, have made their decadent take on a Sunday Roast available for delivery countrywide. Featuring the finest Cornish produce, the Star & Garter Roast Box boasts Phillip Warren’s 30-day aged moorland beef sirloin, roasted seasonal vegetables, the ultimate cauliflower cheese plus extra special horseradish and thyme Yorkshire puddings. Finished off with a scrumptious dessert of dark chocolate mousse cheese with smoked almond praline, this innovative gastro pub is taking lockdown Sundays to a delicious new level.

doors and preparation time is just 30 minutes. Nationwide deliveries take place by courier and orders must be placed by 3pm on Wednesdays ahead of the approaching week. Extras can be added to boxes, including a selection of Verdant beers, hand mixed cocktails and a curated collection of wines. l Order yours at www.starandgarterfalmouth. co.uk/athomeshop and keep up to date with future product releases via social media @starandgartercornwall

At £45, the box feeds two generously and includes a simple flow chart to ensure that every element is timed to perfection. Locals in Falmouth, Penryn and St Agnes will get their boxes delivered to their n 64 |

| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

Our Only World is set to receive £67,500 to manufacture and install water bottle refill stations at 15 locations throughout the county, including Saltash, Looe, Fowey and Par. The stations will help to reduce single-use plastics. l

A New Look for Cornish Plant-Based Ice Cream

Coconuts Organic, the Cornish based ice cream makers, have announced a total rebrand and name change to Cecily’s ahead of a major new product development drive for the spring and summer season this year. A plant-based ice cream company, the rebrand looks to champion their Cornish heritage and put founding member Cecily into the forefront of the brand’s identity. Renowned for its creamy texture and knock-out flavours, Cecily’s have sold 250,000 scoops worth in the last year and boast an impressive seven Great Taste Awards. The ice cream achieved TV fame when it was praised on Dragons' Den by Peter Jones as being one of the best free-from ice creams he’d ever tasted. “It was always really important for me to make an ice cream that was just as close to traditional, home-made dairy ice cream as it could be, but with plant-based ingredients. Cecily’s is a totally natural ice cream made in small batches, with ingredients you can buy in your local health food shop,” explained Cecily. “We love living here in Cornwall, and very much see it as the spiritual home of ice cream. We’re proud to be taking Cornish ice cream into the 21st Century by using sustainable, plant-based ingredients combined with the expertise of generations of Cornish ice cream makers to produce the creamiest non-dairy ice cream around.” Coconuts Organic was founded in 2015 by Cecily Mills, a BBC Dragons' Den winner and former senior manager for M&S. Adopting a plant-based diet herself, Cecily set out on a mission to replicate the luxurious taste of dairy ice cream, but in a natural, vegan-friendly version. Following a move back to her native Cornwall, and alongside having two daughters, Cecily set about making her passion for ice cream her full-time career. Cecily’s is available in a range of different flavours such as Mint Choc, Chocolate Orange Swirl, Double Caramel, Creamy Coconut, Pure Chocolate, Pure Caramel, and Rum ’n Raisin. 2021 is set to be a landmark year for the business as Cecily’s are primed to release a variety of delicious new flavours that will take the plant-based ice cream landscape into exciting new territories. Cecily’s is available online, Ocado, M&S, and other independent retailers. RRP from £4.50. l

Argal Farm Shop

Love Local Argal Farm Shop is family-run and located just outside of Falmouth near Argal Reservoir. We offer all the essentials, as well as those Cornish treats that you can’t resist to add to your basket. Providing fresh and as local produce as possible is our mission. We love supporting and showcasing all the wonderful Cornish suppliers. Contact us for daily/weekly orders for particular items or to have a box put together for you to collect the next day. Or just pop in - we are open 7 days a week. Argal Farm Shop, Argal, Falmouth TR11 5PE T: 01326 372737

G @ArgalFarmShop A argal_farm_shop

Trudgian Farm Shop

Trudgian Farm Shop located in the heart of Probus is a family run business that prides itself on producing and supplying excellent quality local food. They sell their own reared lamb, beef and pork and chickens and bacon are sourced from local producers. There is a wide variety of Westcountry cheeses and home grown vegetables when available. The shop is open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 5pm and on Saturday 9am to 4pm. For more information contact Sarah: Trudgian Farm Shop, 1 Church Terrace, Probus, Truro TR2 4JN T: 01726 883946 E: trudgianfarm@aol.com www.trudgianfarm.co.uk

Un-Rap

Falmouth’s zero waste shop is open during lockdown, offering refills of your own containers to reduce plastic and waste. They are refilling for you, to ensure social distancing and minimising high touch points. They offer refills of all dried foods, oils, cleaning products and they hold a wide range of eco-friendly household and lifestyle goods. They can also deliver to your door free of charge in the surrounding town and villages, or you can request a click & collect package to be collected from the shop. Simply download the Order Form from their website and email them an order. Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 9.30-5.00 1 Webber Hill, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 2TE T: 07847 355 580 E: info@un-rap.co.uk www.un-rap.co.uk G unrapfalmouthuk A un__rap

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In this issue's Dish of the Month we feature a very special Paul Ainsworth x Rodda’s collaboration, where pancakes take on a whole new dimension in Paul’s Layered Rodda’s Clotted Cream and Banoffee Pan-Cake. Sheets of pancakes separated with fresh Rodda’s Clotted Cream and gooey caramelised bananas, drizzled with decadent butterscotch sauce, crunchy pecans and finished off with a topping of chocolate sauce. The perfect treat for an Afternoon Tea, or simply because you want to... here’s how to make it! TO MAKE THE PANCAKES (AMERICAN-STYLE): • 400g plain flour • 2 large eggs • 4 tbsp caster sugar • 350 ml milk • 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 2 tsp cream of tartar • 2 tbsp salted butter, melted, plus extra for frying Method: 1. Sieve the flour into a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Whisk together the eggs, sugar and half the milk until smooth then pour into the flour and whisk to a smooth paste. Gradually whisk in the remaining milk until smooth 2. Whisk in the bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar then fold in the 2 tbsp of melted butter 3. Heat a little butter in a frying pan over a medium heat and add enough batter to cover the base of the pan. When the bubbles start to appear on the surface of the batter, flip the pancake and cook for a further minute until golden 4. Transfer to a wire rack and repeat the process using all the batter. Leave the pancakes to cool to room temperature

TO MAKE THE CARAMELISED BANANAS: • 5 large bananas • 200g caster sugar • 100g unsalted butter • 50 ml dark rum Method 1. In a large pan add your sugar and start to melt over a medium heat until the sugar starts to turn a dark golden colour 2. Turn the heat very low and add the butter and stir to incorporate, making sure you are very careful as the sugar is extremely hot! 3. Add the rum and mix well increasing the heat, to make a n 66 |

butterscotch caramel 4. Remove the skins from the bananas and add them to the butterscotch caramel and turn them so they are coated all over. Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool until they are at room temperature

TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE SAUCE • 120g caster sugar • 120g water • 50g cocoa powder • 125g double cream • 1 pinch Cornish sea salt Method 1. Bring the water and sugar to the boil in a small saucepan then add the cream and cocoa powder and whisk well 2. Over a medium heat cook the sauce for two minutes whisking occasionally. Remove from the heat and add the salt 3. Leave to cool to room temperature

TO MAKE YOUR LAYERED PAN-CAKE: 1. Remove the bananas from the butterscotch and slice evenly 2. Spread an even layer of Rodda’s Clotted Cream on each pancake on one side, leaving one pancake plain for the top of the cake 3. Place the banana slices onto the clotted cream and drizzle over the butterscotch sauce 4. Sprinkle each pancake with chopped pecan nuts and popping candy 5. Now build the cake by stacking each finished pancake on top of each other, you can go as high as you like! Make sure you use the plain pancake last, so you have a flat top 6. Finish the cake by pouring the chocolate sauce over the top and serve as a centrepiece to an afternoon tea party. To serve, cut a slice and enjoy!

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MEET THE CHEF

Emily Scott WWW.EMILYSCOTTFOOD.COM

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

Rising star chef Emily Scott has been putting her mark on Cornwall’s culinary culture. With her new, debut cookbook set for release in May and a new restaurant on the very near horizon, discover the simple pleasures, executed to perfection, from this seasonally inspired chef. Hi Emily, thanks for being our Meet the Chef! Please tell us a little bit about yourself and what you’ve been up to I am passionate about food and it is in my kitchen where I feel most at home. I love nothing more than delighting others through food, bringing friends and family together around the table.

Tell us about your food, what are you passionate about when it comes to different cuisines? I am often asked how I cook; I like to use a few ingredients and let them shine. Less really is more on my plate. Life has not been easy during this uncertain times, and I hope everyone is kinder and more appreciative. Perhaps a slower, gentler way of living has enabled us all to become more connected in real life together. Enjoying our days in a whole new way. I love each season as it unfolds. A time for so many wonderful ingredients to fill our kitchen with and be inspired to cook. Enjoy the ordinary. Celebrate the day with a cup of tea and a piece of cake, hot buttered crumpets, strawberries in June, picking blackberries in Autumn, all the simple pleasures of life.

How would you describe your own food and how has this style developed? I think cooking for people is one of the most loving of all human skills. My cooking has

one brings its own excitement, evokes different memories and brings different produce into my kitchen.

reflection of myself and how I think and feel.

Tell us about some of the highlights of your cooking career

What I love about cooking is how creative it

I have been recognised by Michelin. I was

is and how much joy it brings to others.

listed in Code Hospitality top 100 women

changed over the years and is now a true

which was very humbling and also listed in the Top 50 gastropub. Appearing on the

My debut cookbook is being published by Hardie Grant on 27th May which is totally exciting, and definitely a highlight of my career.

Great British Menu has been exhilarating. My debut cookbook is being published by Hardie Grant on 27th May which is totally exciting, and definitely a highlight of my career.

What ingredients couldn’t you live without Herbs inspire me and are essential to cook with, I love their scent, fragrance, colour, diversity and natural beauty, also an essential good olive oil, lemons, Cornish sea salt and parmesan.

Finally, what is your guilty food pleasure? Hot buttered toast with peanut butter and a mug of tea. l

What rules do you live by in your kitchen?

I am opening my new restaurant Emily

I cook with the ebb and the flow of the

Scott Food at Watergate Bay this Spring

seasons going naturally with what nature

and I can be found at St Tudy Inn, my

has to offer at its best. I know where I

inland restaurant with rooms.

am then, there is something grounding and reassuring about each changing season. I could not tell you which season is my favourite but the promise of each

For news, recipes and more head to www.emilyscottfood.com Photography by Beth Druce

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We Look forward to welcoming you back when it is safe to do so

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN OUR 2021 FOOD GUIDE PLEASE CONTACT JENI SMITH

TEL: 01209 314147 • EMAIL: JENI.MYCORNWALL@GMAIL.COM

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

Meet Ugo Massabo, a 29-year-old Italian cook who has been bringing authentic Italian flavours and dishes into the homes of Cornwall since 2018. From his signature family recipe and award-winning take on tiramisu to his latest delivery of freshly cooked Italian dishes across the county, we find out all you need to know about The Cornish Italian. t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 71 n

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| Volume 2 Issue 64 | February - March 2021

TiramisUGO also comes in Vegan, Chocolate and Cornish Rum flavours, something Ugo is close guarded about when it comes to the secret recipes involved.

go’s career was not always intertwined with food, in fact before Ugo discovered his passion for cooking, he was heavily involved in the theatrical arts. Born and raised in Garbagnate Milanese, just north of Milan, Ugo and his family moved to Imperia when he was 10, a coastal city in the Liguria region and the birthplace of his father. A classic guitar player, Ugo spent his adolescence attending concerts and recitals, meeting musicians, artists and creative performers. Then, in June 2005, Ugo’s father passed away and to commemorate him, Ugo organised and held a sell-out music show in his honour. From there Ugo’s career in theatre began, and with the support of his family, he produced five successful shows including performances at Teatro Nuovo of Milan and Teatro Stabile of Brescia. In 2014, after obtaining a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Marketing and Management for the Performing Arts, Ugo moved to the UK from his native Italy, settling originally in London and working for the likes of The Courtyard Theatre, the Royal Opera House and the Phoenix Dance Theatre. His final role in theatre came in 2016, which saw Ugo move to Cornwall as assistant to the Director of Hall for Cornwall. However, when the Hall for Cornwall closed for major refurbishment in 2018, Ugo found himself made redundant.

During that time, he’d met his now wife, Laura, and the prospect of continuing to follow his career in theatre would mean either returning to London or moving out of Cornwall. With a potentially new and uncertain future ahead of him, Ugo found himself looking to his heritage and family traditions. Leaving behind the theatre world for good, Ugo began handmaking authentic tiramisu, using a mixture of local Cornish and authentic Italian ingredients, crafted into glass jars. A family recipe created by Ugo’s father, the dessert had long been a part of his personal history and culinary world, “I needed stability after losing my job and found myself going back to my origins,” Ugo explains, “to the tiramisu I used to make with my dad before going skiing...We used to make it with my dad as a regenerator after a long day on the slopes or to enjoy after a long walk. So, TiramisUGO was born, a small family business, which makes the very best tiramisu using the best ingredients from Italy and Cornwall, the rest is history...” An award-winning product, TiramisUGO scooped up a Gold Taste of the West in last year’s 2020 awards, as well as a One Star Great Taste award. As passionate about nature and staying eco-conscious as he is about creating a delicious product, Ugo champions fresh, local produce, from the St Ewe eggs to the Italian mascarpone cheese. As well as the

classic signature flavour, TiramisUGO also comes in Vegan, Chocolate and Cornish Rum flavours, something Ugo is close guarded about when it comes to the secret recipes involved. “Our Vegan Tiramisu is made with six ingredients like our original, plus a hint of Cornish rum from Rosemullion Distillery. No coconut milk, no cashew nuts, no air miles, the secret stays with us I’m afraid!” With a gluten free range too, it’s no surprise that this classic dessert swiftly found itself a new fan base in the home of Cornwall and beyond. So much so, that in 2018 TiramisUGO was selected to be an official judge for the Tiramisu World Cup in Treviso of that year, a nod to its impressive reputation as a genuine Italian pudding. “Since starting, TiramisUGO was growing steadily,” says Ugo, “we were selling directly to farm shops, delis, cafés, theatres and garden centres. Then, Covid-19 hit and all our events of the year were cancelled, whilst lockdown restrictions forced our usual outlets to close. That’s when family values saved us once again as I decided to offer customers the opportunity to order genuine, Italian ready meals, delivered directly to their door at no extra cost. I called on my heritage and my love for cooking to develop The Cornish Italian CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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I am now on a mission: to create a real Italian brand like it was made for the Italian market, but in Cornwall. A business born in Italy. Made in Cornwall.

Meal Deal’, high-end Italian deli boxes to go which include breadsticks, delicious homemade pasta dishes and of course, our iconic tiramisu to finish it off.” Delivering across Cornwall on set days from their base in Truro, The Cornish Italian offers a menu of sumptuous, mouth-watering pasta dishes, from the classic pasta al pesto to filled ravioli’s and saucy gnocchi. Gluten free and vegan options are available and it’s all made fresh by Ugo and his small team in their kitchen. From the unpredictable challenge of Covid-19, The Cornish Italian was a welcomed adaptation, a takeaway for lovers of Italian cooking at its most authentic, using Cornish produce we know and love. Locally reared beef from Etheringtons meets with Italian basil and tomatoes from Italy for Ugo’s flavourful Bolognese, “I love simple recipes, gnocchi with a fresh tomato sauce and extra virgin olive oil and reshly made tagliatelle al ragu alla Bolognese are among my favourite dishes. My mum likes to think her Bolognese is the best. It actually is, but don’t tell her that! For me, my four cheese sauce is the best of the best, we love experimenting with fresh pasta recipes and combinations, but also we are huge fans of high-end patisserie recipes which we have started to introduce with our TiramisUGO and Rosemullion Cornish Rum. n 74 |

DELIVERY SCHEDULE

ahead, with a new website on the horizon, Ugo also has plans to ship his dishes

Meal Deals from £10 Including Delivery

nationwide in boxes insulated with wool

Monday – Closed

from this spring, reaching more homes

Tuesday – Truro, Newquay, Padstow, Wadebridge, and Bodmin

retaining his values of community and

Wednesday – Truro, Penzance, Hayle, St Ives and Helston

come first, it’s where we belong. We will

than ever before beyond Cornwall, whilst sustainability, “Our community will always still deliver locally, and we are also making a huge improvement on production

Thursday – Redruth, Camborne and Hayle

processes and sustainability with a mission to become a B Corp in the near future.”

Friday – Truro St Austell, Lostwithiel and Tregony

Food-wise, Ugo continues to champion his ethos of simple, outstanding produce,

Saturday – Truro, Tregony and Falmouth

setting his sights on an upcoming

Sunday – Closed

Focaccia) and a very special TiramisUGO

Focaccia al Rosmarino side (Rosemary Gelato for the summer, set for release in

“Italian food needs to be simple but full of flavour. We’re very lucky that in Cornwall there is a combination of outstanding ingredients

and

amazing

people

passionate about their food that allows us to ensure quality at all times.

June this year. In his own words, Ugo Massabo looks to bring a ‘touch of La Dolce Vita to Cornish shores’ and it can certainly be said that this Cornish Italian’s passion for cooking and evidently delectable results are certainly

“I am now on a mission: to create a real

making life sweeter in Cornwall. l

Italian brand like it was made for the Italian market, but in Cornwall. A business born

To order your very own Cornish Italian

in Italy. Made in Cornwall.”

meal, visit www.mytiramisugo.com

Despite the challenges of Covid-19, Ugo

Keep up to date with the delicious goings

has taken it on in his stride and from

on via social media:

the difficulties faced, new and exciting

A @tiramisu.ugo G @tiramisugoofficial

avenues have been discovered. Looking

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Delectable Deliveries

Having spent a large majority of these winter months indoors, our cupboards, recipe books and imaginations have just about been stretched to the limit in search for new ideas to spice up mealtimes. So, to help, we’ve rounded up 10 of Cornwall’s delicious foodie deliveries that will save you raiding the cupboards for inspiration.

Flour Power Pizza Parlour

As lockdown continues for many of us, Flour Power Pizza Parlour have been doing deliveries across West Cornwall from Tuesday to Friday, with set areas for each day. Professional Pizzaioli’s Simon and Rebecca trained in Italy to perfect the art of pizza making and over the last several years have been typically seen parked up in kitted out, colourful van across Cornwall. During lockdown, they’ve been delivering their delicious slow-risen, multigrain dough pizzas straight to doors, alongside their decadently popular brownies and tiffin bakes for an extra treat. Using traditional Italian flavours incorporating Cornish ingredients, Flour Power is a myCornwall favourite! To find out what days they deliver to your area and to see their exciting menu check out their website. www.flourpowerpizzaparlour.co.uk

The Cornish Italian

Keen to get authentic Italian dishes as well as an award-winning tiramisu delivered to your door? Read all about Ugo Massabo, the Truro based Italian who is serving up his authentic family recipes to Cornwall, in our Taste section!

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C Food

A small business based in the fishing village of Portscatho on the Roseland Peninsula, C Food specialises in creating delicious home cooked meals for delivery that feature locally sourced ingredients, from ultra-local seafood caught in the bay to meat from the fields. Even C Food’s vegetables from their own patch are frequently featured. Their menu changes frequently to reflect what’s available and seasonal, but from dishes such as ‘sausage and bean stew’ and ‘courgette dahl’ to ‘lemon polenta cake’ for pudding, it’s sure to be delicious. Order online with ease at www.cfoodcornwall.co.uk

Bien Manger

Based in Penryn, Bien Manger offers rustic, continental dishes that feature locally sourced and freshly cooked ingredients. Headed by French chef Vincent, Bien Manger’s sumptuous menu features classical and modern French cooking starter to dessert, delivered to homes throughout Penryn and Falmouth. Check them out on Facebook @bienmangercornwall

Dinner Party Delivery

Designed to be affordable, comforting and simply delicious, Dinner Party Delivery works with local suppliers to provide ‘ready to go’ food to Cornish homes. From Afternoon Tea, Brownie Boxes and Curry Clubs to Three-Course Dinner Menus, Artisan Mac & Cheese and special occasion menus, all packaging used is kerbside recyclable and sustainable. www.dinnerpartydelivery.co.uk

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Good Grazey

For lovers of snacking, cheese platters and all that antipasti goodness, Good Grazey is delivering delicious cheeseboard boxes to the tip top of Cornwall. Lucky residents of the Rame Peninsula, St Germans, Saltash, Cawsand, Kingsand as well as Plymouth and Torpoint can indulge in these beautifully packed boxes that are a cheeseboard lover’s dream. To find out more, including prices, delivery terms and box sizes follow them on Instagram @goodgrazey

Source Kitchen

For the people of St Ives, it was a delight when TV show Rick Stein’s Cornwall featured a relatively new local restaurant. Led by the season and inspired by artisan, local producers, Source offers an exciting menu of seafood, vegetarian and meat dishes that bring small and large plates together. During the current lockdown, Source Kitchen are offering ‘Source Kitchen at Home’, for delivery or collection in the St Ives area. Find out more at www.sourcekitchen.co.uk

Kern of Kernow

The brilliant bundt baking team of Kern of Kernow have been spending lockdown supplying their delicious and picture perfect treats to Cornish homes in the Newquay area and beyond. Whilst typically Kern can be found parked up in iconic French van Beyonce, as lockdown continues eager bundt fans can get a direct delivery of these tasty treats. With their next delivery details set for release in March, keep up to day via their Instagram @kernofkernow. You can also discover more at www.kernofkernow.co.uk

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Fee’s Food Kitchen

Based in North Cornwall, Fee’s Food Kitchen offers meals delivered to doors that use the very best local ingredients and suppliers. Passionate about home grown and homemade, the small family-run team behind Fee’s Food, led by Fee Turner, grow and make a wide variety of products, from sauces, dips and pates to edible flowers for their canape trays. In their own words, there’s no shortcuts or comprises, just delicious, wholesome, unfussy food that celebrates natural and organic produce. Online, you can find a range of frozen meals and sides to suit all preferences and tastes. Classic cooking sits alongside contemporary flavours, but all champion rich, authentic cooking. www.feesfood.co.uk

Cornwall Good Seafood Guide

The Cornwall Good Seafood Guide have put together a fantastic list of local fishermen across Cornwall who are selling directly to the public, many even delivering to homes. Now is a vital time to support our local fishermen, as well as a healthy and sustainable choice when it comes to finding fresh, locally caught seafood and fish. Check out the full extensive list online at www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/ cornish-fishing

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WEEKEND AWAY

A TRIP DOWN HELFORD RIVER Whilst we’re all anxiously waiting for the time when we can travel safely once again, a brief moment of escapism can be found delving into the histories and highlights of some of our favourite Cornish haunts. Here, we take a look at some of the Helford River’s most idyllic hotspots.

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he unspoilt magic of the Helford River is no secret to the people of Cornwall. This bustling estuary of deep-set valleys and rich waters offers a sense of peace even on the brightest of summer days, and with 50 miles worth of secluded coves this small slice of Cornwall has a lot to offer. With its placid waters and sheltered scenery, it’s no surprise that Helford River is popular with wild swimming and a favourite local haunt for a dip has to be Grebe Beach. There’s a wild and quiet atmosphere about Grebe, with its surrounding woodland and trees set into the steep banks. It’s also a popular place for families and the ideal spot for an outdoor picnic or post-wild swim breakfast. Next to Grebe beach is the hamlet of Durgan and as well as the mirage of wading birds and picture perfect cottages, you’ll also find Glendurgan Gardens. During its opening season, this stunning valley garden is bursting with exotic flora and fauna, with olive groves, apple orchards, cherry orchards and the impressive 190 year old Tulip Tree, known proudly as the Grandfather of Glendurgan’s notable tree collection. Also on the river’s northern banks is the small village of Helford Passage. Boasting a small, perfectly formed beach, a cluster

of cottages and the renowned riverside pub The Ferry Boat Inn, where you can get a taste of everything from freshly caught seafood to locally crafted spirits, Helford Passage is the perfect pit stop on the north side for those wanting a day of riverside relaxation. It's gradually gaining a reputation as a hive of pioneering produce when it comes to the local tipple, with award-winning gin Monterey from Helford River Distillery scooping up Gold at the 2020 International Wine and Spirit Competition and Mainbrace, a delicious seafaring inspired rum launched at the Ferry Boat in 2019, which has since gone on to win Silver in the Gold Rum Super Premium category at the Rum & Cachaca Masters competition and Bronze at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition of 2020. Of course, sampling the local delicacies is just part of what’s on offer here. There’s also paddle boarding, river boating and kayaking opportunities, giving avid explorers the chance to delve deeper into the river’s hidden gems through the river’s charming creeks, some more famous than others.

smugglers, since then Helford’s notoriety

Across the river, Helford Village resides on the south banks of the river. Renowned for its picturesque cottages and thatched roof pub, the Shipwrights, traditional village life is well kept in this small knit community. Once a port popular with

with friends over dinner and drinks or a

has transformed into an inspirational haunt for artists and authors alike. The village offers an opportune circular walk around the iconic Frenchman’s Creek, the beautiful setting featured in Daphne Du Maurier’s novel of the same name. In more recent years, the creek became the subject of contemporary landscape painter Kurt Jackson’s work, culminating in his exhibition titled Frenchman’s Creek, held at the Jackson Foundation Gallery in St Just. There are plenty more walks, some a little quieter than others, so be sure to do a little research. If you’re keen to experience Helford River at its most peaceful and if the trip involves adventure on both sides, then the Helford Ferry is ready and waiting to carry passengers across seven days a week throughout April to October. It’s a service that’s said to have been running since the Middle Ages, providing a vital connection between the river’s communities. Whether it’s a day spent with the family watching the sail boats go by, an evening morning walk to soak in the sounds and sights of nature, serenity can be found in every creek and cove amongst this river, a small but sublimely rich member of Cornwall’s many waterways. l

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VIRTUAL ART CLASSES FROM THE ST IVES SCHOOL OF PAINTING The world-renowned St Ives School of Painting has been streaming live art tuition classes to wide acclaim as those stuck in worldwide lockdowns have made the most of the creative outlet. Introduced last year when the pandemic meant the iconic art school could no longer hold traditional face to face classes, the online courses have proven to be incredibly popular with eager art enthusiasts who have enjoyed learning and practicing with the likes of expert tutors such as Alice Mumford, Kerry Harding and Gary Long holding classes specialising in various art mediums. There’s a wide range available to suit all abilities, ages and preferences. For example, there’s the newly launched Sunday family painting workshop, priced from just £10, as well as a two-hour life drawing session at £12. All participants can access recording after the course has ended and feedback on content and structure is welcomed. With an 80 year legacy under its belt, the St Ives School of Painting has shown fierce resilience in the challenging circumstances as it adapts and diversifies to reach new and wider audiences. Until a time when members, students and artists can be welcomed back into the historic studios once more, this creative alternative is proving a popular hit amongst its varied participants. l To find a class to suit you or try your hand a life drawing and more, visit www.schoolofpainting.co.uk/courses n 82 |

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February/March 2021

Articles inside

Weekend Away A Trip Down Helford River

Experience St Ives School of Painting

Meet The Cornish Italian

Meet the Chef Emily Scott

Gallery Of The Month Cornwall Contemporary

Artist Profile Gemma Lessinger

Art Focus Kurt Jackson

Through the Eyes of... Lizzie Black

Kerdroya - The Landscape Labyrinth

Tasting the Future

My Cornish World Dan Dicker

MyCornwall's Insta-Worthy Snaps