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Cornwall Today: REGIONAL MAGAZINE/ SUPPLEMENT OF THE YEAR, NEWSPAPER AWARDS 2014.

Highly Commended - Regional Magazine/Supplement of the Year, Newspaper Awards 2013; Shortlisted - Regional Magazine/Supplement of the Year, Newspaper Awards 2012; Winner - Magazine of the Year, Press Gazette Regional Press Awards 2009; Shortlisted – Best Designed Magazine of the Year (Consumer, sales below 40,000), Magazine Design and Journalism Awards 2008.

Editor Kirstie Newton knewton@cornwalltoday.co.uk 01872 247458 Deputy Editor Viki Wilson vwilson@cornwalltoday.co.uk 01872 247548 Advertising Simon Mullinger simon.mullinger@dc-media.co.uk 07825 861927 Audience Development Manager David Pollard david.pollard@dc-media.co.uk 07827 981791 Design Ed Andrews ed@cornwalltoday.co.uk Ben Callender Managing Editor Scott Harrison Subscriptions 0117 244 5308, www.localworldsubs.co.uk/cds.aspx Proofreader Jo Barlow Head of creative services Katie Murphy Printed and bound by PCP LTD, TELFORD Published by DC Media, High Water House, City Wharf, Malpas Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 1QH. For terms and conditions regarding advertising in Local World publications: www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/ conditionsofacceptanceofadvertisements.html

Welcome F

or all the claims that 2015 boasted the hottest summer on record, you could be forgiven for thinking this did not apply to Cornwall. Summer here was a decidedly soggy affair, bar one single day in August when the entire population, visitors and locals alike, flocked to my favourite beach so I couldn’t park there. And now the leaves are turning, with no sign of an Indian summer in sight. Harrumph.

Thank goodness for the telly, which beams images of sunny Cornwall into our living rooms on a regular basis. As I write, Doc Martin has just returned to ITV1, showing Port Isaac in all its glory; while in west Penwith, the BBC is filming Poldark series two. On page 18, TV producer Maggie Fogarty offers a fascinating insight into how the right film locations can make or break a production.

And as autumn in Cornwall is a beautiful season, we might as well embrace it, whether by spotting wildlife (page 41), celebrating Allantide (page 54), cooking with seasonal squid (page 70), visiting a garden (page 100), crunching the leaves under your feet in a woodland walk (page 126), taking in a show (page 136) or getting the home nice and cosy for the darker nights (page 96). Because, before you know it, it’ll be Christmas (page 65) ….

© DC Media 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or made otherwise available on a retrieval system or submitted in any form without the express permission of the publishers. Cornwall Today is sold on the condition that it shall not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise without prior written permission of the publishers. Unsolicited material: do not send your only version of manuscripts and/or photographs/transparencies.

While every care is taken with material submitted (photographs/ transparencies/editorial) for publication, the publishers cannot be held responsible for their loss or damage. Views expressed by the writers herein do not necessarily represent those of Cornwall Today or DC Media. Availability and price of items are correct at time of going to press, but we accept no responsibility for any rejected items or unfulfilled orders.

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News views

Compiled by Kirstie Newton | www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

Identity of a lost hero A First World War grave in Padstow, previously marked as belonging to an Unknown Royal Marine, has been identified by name thanks to research by two historians.

Lance Corporal William Whitmore served as a Gunner on armed merchant ships. On July 23, 1918 he was serving aboard the SS Anna Sofie when it was torpedoed off Trevose Head. Killed and believed lost at sea, William was commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. However, determined to identify the occupant of the Padstow grave, Padstow Museum chairman John Buckingham and Sussex historian Peter Smith painstakingly gathered evidence which proved that William’s body had been washed ashore and buried in Padstow as the Unknown Royal Marine. A service to dedicate a new headstone took place on August 11 in the presence of family members, Royal Marines representatives and local dignitaries. Isobel Pope, William’s granddaughter, said: “It is wonderful we now know his true resting place.”

Unearthing St Piran’s Past

Celtic education

Skeletons unearthed during digs at St Piran’s Oratory have been dated to about 800AD. The discovery means it is likely there was another settlement at the Perranporth site, as the oratory itself dates from Norman times – between 11th and 12th centuries AD. The skeletons were excavated during recent work, and were cleaned and analysed by osteoarchaeologist Richard Mikulski. Samples from two burials, both children, were then selected for radiocarbon dating and sent to the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre.

Eileen Carter, founder member of the St Piran Trust, which cares for the oratory, said: “We are thrilled. These results are very important as they point to the existence of a place of Christian worship at this time.” PHOTO: EMILY WHITFIELD-WICKS

Poet and author Benjamin Zephaniah has called for Cornish and Welsh to be taught in schools in England.

At the recent National Eisteddfod in Wales, Dr Zephaniah said pupils should have a greater awareness of the “different cultures and languages” within Britain. “Hindi, Chinese and French are taught [in schools], so why not Welsh? And why not Cornish?

They’re part of our culture,” he said. “In England, on the whole, when we talk about multiculturalism, we tend to talk about black people, Asian people and people who have brought their cultures here. Sometimes we forget that there are local cultures which are very different to English mainstream culture and literature.”

Scilly sea channel pop-up More than 300 people on the Isles of Scilly attended the UK’s first ever sea channel pop-up event between the islands of Tresco and Bryher on the August bank holiday. Visitors and islanders from the five inhabited islands came together to celebrate the super spring tides with an extraordinary event held on a sandbar that is usually under five metres of water.

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Walkers who made the crossing were treated to live music and games, while many enjoyed fire-pit-cooked mussels and prosecco from the pop-up seafood restaurant and bar. The event was set up, hosted and packed away by teams from Tresco Island in less than two hours. The next spring tide occurs between September 28 and 30.

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news & views

1,000 miles in 60 days Congratulations to artist Caro Woods and her Connemara pony, Tommy, who rode nearly 1,000 miles in 60 days to raise funds for the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).

The plucky pair started at the holy island of Lindisfarne, off the Northumberland coast, and ended their epic journey at St Michael’s Mount in August. “I’m interested in the transformational quality of travelling through a landscape, and I wanted to create a spiritual connection between these two Holy Islands,” said Caro who, aged 60, rode a day for each year of her life. At Glastonbury, she picked up the ancient Michael and Mary pilgrimage route leading to St Michael’s Mount near Penzance. You can read about her extraordinary journey, and donate, on her blog at https:// pilgrimonhorseback.wordpress.com/

St Agnes Bellyboard Championships Hundreds of participants made their way to the spiritual home of the World Bellyboard Championships at Chapel Porth, near St Agnes, on September 6 for the 13th National Trust World Bellyboard Championships. Generations of prone wooden surfboard enthusiasts revelled in the thrill of being pushed shorewards at great speed by a breaking Atlantic wave.

“Listen to that engine purr ....”

A motorist who called the AA when she broke down was shocked when a live kitten was pulled from the bonnet. The driver was heading from Cornwall to London, and had travelled 220 miles before she stopped the car, at Staines, Surrey. She assumed a strange squeaking sound was a mechanical fault, so called the AA for roadside assistance, but the mechanic who attended was unable to find anything wrong with the vehicle, and found the 10-week-old kitten hiding in the bonnet. The tortoiseshell kitty was taken to a nearby vet and given a clean bill of health.

Conservation of Roche Rock Work is taking place at Roche Rock to conserve the medieval hermit’s chapel.

St Michael’s Chapel is a Scheduled Monument and a Grade I Listed Building, while Roche Rock sits on a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is noted for its geology. The chapel, which was licensed and built in 1409 and is currently owned by the Tregothnan Estate, was deemed by Cornwall Council’s Historic Environment Service to be at risk of collapse in places. Minor repairs, which include re-bedding some of the stonework and supporting a window arch, should ensure it will remain standing for many more years.

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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news & views

Commemorative Art Installation An art installation commemorating a demolished cave took place at Porth, near Newquay, on August bank holiday Monday, attracting hundreds of visitors.

Artist Bridgette Ashton’s sculptural project and performance, entitled the Lost Cave Requiem, was timed to coincide with the lowest spring tide of the year. The Banqueting Hall Cavern was a naturally occurring cliff cave enlarged through white marble quarrying in the 17th century. Concerts were held in the cave at exceptionally low tides from the 1890s until the 1930s, for which a harmonium was carried over the rocks to the beach. Clara Novello once sang in the cave “to an enraptured audience”. Later considered unsafe, it was dynamited in 1987. A brass band performed a re-enactment of a Banqueting Cavern recital below a commemorative arch near the entrance to the original cave site, and a newly compiled sound piece suggesting absence and loss was broadcast from inside a replica structure representing the cavern; slowed down to an almost unrecognisable degree it reflected the speed of tidal changes. www.bridgetteashton.co.uk

Here come the girls Sunday, October 11 will be a truly historic day for Truro Cathedral, when its new girl choristers join the ranks of the renowned choir to perform their first service at 10am.

Music will include Mozart’s “Credo-Messe” and a new piece specially written for the girls by former chorister Ben Comeau. As with all services, it is free to attend and all are welcome.

Nature’s Calendar autumn survey The Woodland Trust is calling for volunteers across Cornwall to track the arrival of the autumn on its Nature’s Calendar survey. Early indications suggest the season may be a little later than average, and the charity is appealing for more records. Sightings include leaf tinting, ripening of autumn fruits like blackberries, and the departure of migratory birds like swifts and swallows. In Cornwall, the trust has so far received records of leaf tinting in Truro and

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Launceston, departing swallows in Bude and ripe autumn fruit in Tintagel and Redruth. Sights can be recorded in your back garden, a local park or the nearest wood. The data will illustrate how climate change is affecting plants, trees and wildlife from one year to the next. Since Nature’s Calendar began in the year 2000, evidence has indicated that autumn fruiting has advanced by nearly three weeks on average. Visit woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods

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Postbag

Letter of the month I recently read an article about St Anthony in Meneage on the website dogfriendlycornwall.net (which you featured as website of the month in your recent issue). I LOVE this area!

I visit there once a year for a few reasons: my ancestors lived there many years ago, from around 1800 until the early 20th century. Several Tripconey families sprung up in the area, before many of them moved to the Camborne-Redruth area to work for the Basset family at Tehidy. You will find several Tripconey graves in the churchyard of St Anthony, as well as a Tripconey plaque on the wall paid for by my father. My father, who passed away recently, was too ill to travel, so I visited the area on his behalf. I still plan to do this in his memory. I always swim across the river and back again while I am there. If you look across the river, you will see Halamana Cottage with the thatched roof. This was once owned by the Tripconeys; sadly no longer. A shame, as a few years ago, it sold for a fraction over £1 million!

I am a regular reader of Cornwall Today and was pleasantly surprised to see Kirstie Newton mention Pengegon WI in her opening piece in the September edition. Like many, I joined this WI in 2008 as an incomer to get to know the locals. We meet in the Pengegon Institute, which was the former Dolcoath Mine mortuary on the eastern fringe of Camborne. This year, we celebrate our 70th birthday and still abandon our families en masse to sing Jerusalem - currently we have 31 members. However, unlike most WIs, we are very good value as we meet twice a month, on the second and fourth Wednesdays. We have a wide range of speakers and, although our membership is all aged over 60, we try to incorporate a range of topics - my favourite this year was a body artist who had us spellbound with her talented work, our last speaker was David Chapman - always popular. So, yes, we are still here and will be for some time.

Keep up the good work.

Sue Croshaw, Secretary, Pengegon WI

Dean Tripconey, Redruth. Dean would like to dedicate this letter to his father Bernard, born in 1933.

Wonderful Cornish words Adam Jacot de Boinod was a researcher for the TV series QI and is the author of The Meaning Of Tingo And Other Extraordinary Words From Around The World, published by Penguin Books.

Can you guess the correct meaning of the following words from the Cornish language and/or dialect:

‘didikoy’ a) the youngest of a litter of pigs b) a gypsy c) the last and least willing sheep to be sheared Answer: b) a gypsy (mid and east Cornwallc)

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As I was born in Fowey and left Cornwall at 18 to attend university, I was interested in the excellent article A Cornish Walk: Fowey to Menabilly, by Rebecca Bentley. I have returned to Cornwall many times since. My main comment would be that there isn’t any indication of the distance or time taken for the walk. There is a small map, but not everyone has the knowledge to map read these days. It would have been helpful to know how difficult the walk was and if it was suitable for children under 10.

Caroline Martin, Kenilworth To express your views: Send letters to: The Editor, Cornwall Today, High Water House, City Wharf, Malpas Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 1QH E-mail: knewton@cornwalltoday.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/cornwalltoday Twitter: @Cornwall_Today

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The Headland Spa: Elemis Face and Body Sensation worth £79

The Headland Spa was the first in Cornwall to gain the prestigious five-bubble rating from The Good Spa Guide. With Atlantic views, highly sought after products and unique facilities, The Headland has quickly become Cornwall’s destination spa. The Elemis Face and Body Sensation combines a sensational warm stone massage and a prescribed ‘revive and refresh’ booster facial designed to restore radiance. You will leave feeling calmed, relaxed and refreshed.

The Headland Hotel and Spa, Fistral Beach Newquay, TR7 1EW. Tel 01637 870200 spa@headlandhotel.co.uk www.headlandhotel.co.uk/spa

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The Alverton: Bespoke Surf: overnight stay surfboard with 3-course picture frame dinner and worth £50 breakfast worth £289 Bespoke Surf products are inspired by a Hidden away in the heart of Truro is the four-star multi award-winning Alverton hotel. Dating back to the 1800s, the striking architecture and beautifully styled interiors, together with a brasserie serving contemporary cuisine, make it the ideal base from which to explore Truro and beyond. Prize includes an overnight stay for two people in a suite, plus three-course dinner and breakfast. Terms and conditions apply.

love of surfing and made with the finest craftsmanship, ensuring all products are of the highest quality and made to last. The passion behind the detailed approach to every stage of production is recognised by many customers. This prize is a four-image picture frame made from a walnut body with figured sycamore and purpleheart stripes. Find more bespoke products on the website.

The Alverton, Tregolls Road, Truro, TR1 1ZQ. Tel 01872 276633 , thealverton.co.uk

E-mail info@bespokesurf.co.uk or visit www.bespokesurf.co.uk

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Charity | Clubs | Comedy | Dance | Days out | Film | Markets

what’s on in October

Compiled by Kirstie Newton

For the latest events, visit www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

MUSIC

Jazz it up in Calstock WELLBEING

Take the Cornish Coastal Challenge

Take a walk on the wild side and tackle the South West Coast Path Challenge in October. The event aims to set a new world record for the number of times the Coast Path can be covered in one month while raising funds to protect the coastline for future generations. Whether you want to tackle a short but demanding section, or take on the whole 630 miles, there’s a walk out there for all ages and levels of ability. Create your own challenge of 1 mile, 5 miles or 100 miles; or join an organised 10mile event, including Gunwalloe to Lizard Point on October 10. Register to take part: www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/events/challenge More wellbeing: page 112.

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The fourth Calstock Jazz and Blues Festival takes place from October 22 to 25. Headline acts include Empirical, dubbed “the coolest of Britain’s young jazz bands” by the Daily Mail; acclaimed singer Norma Winston, and the Mercury prize-nominated Femi Temowo Quartet. Local acts are also plentiful, including the Calstock Big Jazz Choir, Tavistock College Schools Choir, Louise Parker, Jeff Horsey and Just Friends (pictured). www.calstockjazzfestival.co.uk More music: page 138.

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Socials | Sport | Talks & lectures | Theatre | Workshops DRAMA

National Minority Cornish poet, novelist and dramatist Alan M Kent presents a new play, National Minority.

Set in the library of fictional National Trust property Rosenanan, it deals with the search for a group of extant papers/manuscripts called The Sherwood Sermons. Written by Joseph Sherwood in 1680, these remain a fascinating literary holy grail for scholars of the Cornish language; there have been rumours of their sighting over the centuries but they still remain undiscovered.

National Minority incorporates this narrative in a literary detective story that takes audiences to a new discovery of identity and change. The play is brought to the stage by Gwary Tek (Fair Play) Productions, and is directed by Jason Squibb (Reverend Odgers in the BBC adaptation of Poldark).

October 2: Lelant Village Hall; October 10: The Centre, Newlyn. To book, call 01726 879500. More drama: page 136.

LEISURE

Walk Scilly Weekend Ramblers, stargazers, wildlife lovers, sun worshippers and foragers can all enjoy specialist ambles with knowledgeable guides during the Walk Scilly Weekend from October 1 to 4. One particular highlight is Michael Morpurgo’s Bryher, a walk that heads along the rugged south-east side of Scilly’s smallest island to locations that inspired this internationally-renowned author and self-confessed Scilly addict. Discover some of the precise spots featured in Why The Whales Came and The Sleeping Sword. Other events include the Edible Seaweed Walk on St Martin’s, a Starry Skies Walk on St Mary’s, historical walks to the uninhabited islands of St Helen’s and Samson, the old favourite Tresco Abbey Garden stroll and a Scilly at Sunrise surprise. There will also be a Folk Night and the St Martin’s Film Festival. See the full programme: www.visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly

ART

The Wonderful World of Oliver Jeffers in Pool This delightful exhibition explores the beautiful and best-loved work of illustrator Oliver Jeffers, from October 3 to December 13 at Cornwall College in Pool. Children and families will be able to walk into immersive environments inspired by How To Catch A Star, Up And Down, Lost And Found and The Way Back Home. Weekdays are reserved for school visits (e-mail stephanie.clemens@keap.org.uk) with public sessions at weekends and half-term. Children £5, adults £7; book tickets at www.hallforcornwall.co.uk More art: page 55.

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Charity | Clubs | Comedy | Dance | Days out | Film | Markets HERITAGE

St Michael’s Mount

Castle and Conservation is the focus of activities at St Michael’s Mount throughout September and October. Features include a photography exhibition by Mik Allerton, opportunities to meet castle stewards (pictured), a self-guided Conservation in Action trail, and Q&A sessions with Rachel Hunt, house and collections manager at Cotehele and Garry Early, building manager with Cornish Heritage Builders. www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk More heritage: page 48.

FOOD

Fill your boots in Boscastle Boscastle Food, Art & Craft Festival returns to the village on October 3 and 4, bigger, better and more entertaining than ever.

The festival was originally created to raise funds after freak floods devastated the village in 2004. Today, it is a magnet for artisan producers, foodies, music-lovers and craftspeople. Explore the new village trail; feast upon a tantalising line-up in the Chef Theatre, including Andy Appleton, Emily Scott and Kit Davis (pictured); and enjoy music from the Boscastle Buoys and the Plymouth Military Wives’ Choir. www.boscastlefestival.co.uk More food: page 65.

HALLOWE’EN

Nocturnal haunts Looking for something suitably spooky to do for Hallowe’en? Visit the Museum of Witchcraft at Boscastle harbour, home to the world’s largest collection of witchcraft related artefacts and regalia. The museum will open late, by candlelight, on October 31 as part of the Museums at Night initiative. Children are welcome, especially if dressed as wizards and witches! www.museumofwitchcraft.com http://museumsatnight.org.uk Or take a terrifying evening tour of Pendennis Castle from October 29 to 31, and travel back to a time when gruesome goings-on were commonplace, and maybe even encounter some of the past residents who refuse to leave (families welcome, but not suitable for under fives). www.english-heritage.org.uk/Pendennis

HISTORY

Women of the sea The new autumn exhibition at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall explores the hidden histories of female seafarers.

Mermaids: Women at Sea tells the compelling stories of women who have challenged the establishment and made their mark in a male dominated world – including Mary Lang (pictured), who joined a crew on the last of the merchant sailing ships (known as windjammers) from South Australia to Cornwall in the 1930s, and Dame Ellen MacArthur, who became the fastest woman ever to circumnavigate the globe in 2005. www.nmmc.co.uk

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Socials | Sport | Talks & lectures

CORNISH

Lowender Peran Newquay is bracing itself for street parades, dancing on the seafront, live music, Cornish language, a silent disco and the opportunity to try your hand at apple and turnip carving with artist Zenna Tagney, plus storytelling like you’ve never seen before. Lowender Peran moves to the Atlantic Hotel from October 14 to 18, with a street parade and family ceili on Saturday, October 17 from 11.30am, and a free family fun day on Sunday, October 18. www.lowenderperan.co.uk More Cornish: page 53.

WILDLIFE

Apple Day A sure sign of autumn is boughs groaning with the weight of juicy apples, and the orchards of Trelissick, near Truro, is the perfect place to celebrate and learn about an array of subjects related to the pomaceous fruit. Apple weekend is full of family fun, including trails for children and the opportunity to taste this year’s fresh apple juice from the newly restored ancient apple press. Not sure what variety you have in your garden? Take some in for identification. October 3 and 4, National Trust admissions and car park charges apply.

More wildlife: page 39.

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SMALL SCREEN THE WORK OF TV AND FILM LOCATION MANAGERS IN CORNWALL Words by Maggie Fogarty

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s a large flat-bed film truck inches its way down a narrow Marazion lane, I hold my breath. There was just the tiniest gap between metal and the sharp stone walls. By contrast, the 20 or so film crew looked remarkably relaxed. Assistant location manager Matt Mirrington gives a thumbs-up when the truck finally makes it to the church hall for the filming of Rosamunde Pilcher drama Argentine Tango. “These guys know what they’re doing – they squeeze these trucks into tight places,” he says, smiling at my pained expression. They’ve been travelling to locations around Cornwall, including Truro, St Just and Mousehole, so maybe Marazion isn’t all that tricky. Still, I’m in awe of that truck driver.

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Working as a TV producer myself, I’m used to location filming for documentaries, but drama shoots are on a different scale. The Rosamunde Pilcher adaptations are famously successful on German television, with six million viewers in a peak-time Sunday night slot on the ZDF channel.

Made by production company FFP New Media, the team is a mix of German crew and local film professionals like Matt, who has been working on the dramas for the past three years.

There can be no doubt that Cornwall is what film people call a ‘hot shot’ location. This has always been the case, but it is currently going through a particularly busy time thanks to the wildly popular BBC adaptation of Poldark, which is

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currently filming for series 2, and ITV’s Doc Martin, which is due to air again from September. In April, Hollywood director Tim Burton filmed scenes for Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children – starring Samuel L Jackson, Eva Green and Chris O’Dowd – in picturesque Portholland on the Roseland peninsula; and then there is a host of one-off factual programmes and film sequences being shot in the county, including an Agatha Christie drama starring Poldark star Aidan Turner. It wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration to say that Cornwall is turning into one big film set.

Crucial to production are companies who scout out and

manage natural film sets, such as West Country Locations.

Founded in 1985, it is run by respected film and television location manager, Roger Elliott. The team works on five or six Rosamunde Pilcher films a year, which represents up to nine hours of screen time. So far, they’ve been involved in over 70 films, which means plenty of Cornish locations to source.

Which brings us to the role of ‘location manager’. It’s a title you see as the end credits roll, and it’s a vital role in the film-making process. Location managers are responsible for finding the locations for a whole production, and negotiating with land and property owners. Their work also includes contracts, legal responsibilities, sorting out parking,

“Cornwall is turning into one big film set”

MAIN IMAGE: ELEANOR TOMLINSON AS DEMELZA IN THE BBC ADAPTATION OF POLDARK BEING FILMED IN 2014 ABOVE: DAN STEVENS AND EMILY BROWNING STAR IN SUMMER IN FEBRUARY

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ABOVE: ON SET IN PORT ISAAC WITH DOC MARTIN SERIES 7. OPPOSITE PAGE: KYLE SOLLER AS FRANCIS POLDARK ON LOCATION FOR SERIES 2

damage control, cleaning and restoring.

The adage ‘location, location, location’ still applies.

Choose the right locations, and you’re on to a winner, as Poldark has proved. Make a mistake, and it can be costly both in monetary terms and production values. “The primary requirement of a location is that it works for the story,” says Roger, whose CV includes three series of Cornwall-based police series Wycliffe during the 1990s (repeated regularly on ITV3), magazine advertisements and Hugh Hudson’s 1985 film Revolution, a historical drama shot partly on Dartmoor.

Finding a stunning Cornish backdrop is one thing, but behind that come the practical aspects. Can you park six to eight multi-tonne film trucks nearby, along with catering facilities, mobile toilets, actors, make-up and costume vehicles, and around 30 cars? That’s for a relatively small film unit. Then there are negotiations with residents, discussions about road closures, removing television aerials (for period drama shots), painting out yellow lines or covering a road with dirt. Afterwards, it all has to be put back as it was.

While the upsides of Cornish locations are there for all to see - the coastlines, cliffs and beaches alongside the more moody scenes of moorlands, old mines and historic towns just like the landscape, there are ups and downs. The biggest downsides are the narrow roads, and the fact that places get more crowded in the summer months. Also there are fewer

scenic painters, special effects operators and stunt people based in the county, so these specialist services might need to be brought down at an extra cost (although for Summer In February, Cornwall-based Janet Shearer was engaged to reproduce background paintings, and many of the ‘works in progress’ being painted by Laura and Harold Knight).

Occasionally, a city location may be required. Filming in Truro means finding suitable locations with a base close by for crew and equipment. A wedding scene on the steps of The Mansion House in Truro for Rosamunde Pilcher’s Love And Thieves saw Truro City Council Chamber used as a preparation area for all the wedding guest extras, while an empty shop opposite housed crew and equipment, keeping them off the road and away from passing traffic and pedestrians. Filming the scene involved lengthy discussions with street works staff on how to run the shoot; in the end, a ‘show and go’ traffic control system was put in place during the filming period.

Truro’s Duke Street Deli featured in another Pilcher film, Happy Go Lucky, shot last year. The story centred around a young woman who was a baker, and the deli was transformed into a patisserie with a bright pink colour scheme and piles of cupcakes on display to reflect her ‘girly’ character. It was even renamed Betty’s Tea Room - it seems old-fashioned styling, with nods to the 1940s and ‘50s, are popular with viewers. “The place was completely changed

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around - I hardly recognised it myself,” laughs manager Allison Keen. The only downside was that the business had to close in August, on one of the busiest days of the year. Would she do it again? “Probably, but I’d prefer January next time!”

Then there are the weather challenges, even in the relatively benign Cornish climate. Even on a warm day in early July, the wind and the rain caused a few headaches on the Marazion shoot. Outside the church hall, actress Rebecca Immanuel’s skirt billowed in the wind, despite tiny weights sewn into the hemline to prevent a Marilyn Monroe moment.

Later, when filming moved to a scene outside the town hall, the crew faced a sudden downpour and curious crowds.

A mock hot dog stand had attracted attention, with some people mistaking it for the real thing. Incoming and outgoing traffic had to be stopped to allow Rebecca to be filmed lugging a suitcase across the road. No one seems to mind though, and the crowds are fascinated.

Juggling his mobile phone and walkie-talkie, Matt smiles at the idea that film location management is seen as a glamorous job. “Of course there’s an exciting element, but there are long hours and you don’t have much of a social life,” he elaborates. “Last winter I had to do some work in London - there is less filming in Cornwall in the winter months - and my wife was pregnant. I came back in March, and she had the baby a week later.” Matt recently moved from Truro to Camelford, and after a long day’s shoot with a 5am start, he is unlikely to get home until mid-evening.

With so many iconic Cornish settings to choose from, what

are Roger and Matt’s favourites? For Roger, who bases himself in Newquay for Cornwall work, it has to be the stunning coastline. “There is nowhere better than Porthgwarra, Carn Goose or Gwennap Head on a bright, sunny day.”

Matt, who also worked on the feature film Summer In February, cites Prussia Cove as a favourite, even though it was challenging to film due to its difficult access. Another location is special for personal reasons: “I proposed to my wife on Chapel Rock, so Mount’s Bay is another favourite.”

It could be argued that television and film location managers are the unsung heroes of Cornish tourism, with successful productions drawing even more visitors to the region. It’s estimated that around 250,000 German-speaking tourists visit Cornwall every year thanks to Rosamunde Pilcher’s books and films, while Port Isaac is a must-see location for Doc Martin fans and West Cornwall for Poldark enthusiasts. Add to that the income production teams bring to local venues, caterers, hotels and restaurants.

Just a day after the Rosmunde Pilcher shoot in Marazion, another chunk of filming took place on Folly Field, overlooking Mount’s Bay. This time it was scenes for a new BBC drama series, Undercover, and the field was transformed into an impressive sports track. A week later, local youngsters were still using the temporary field track marks to run play races. Now there’s a hidden filming extra.

Doc Martin is currently showing on ITV1, on Mondays at 9pm.

Poldark revisted - read Pete Cross’ take in Backalong, page 144.

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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brush

fame THE RISE AND RISE OF BODY PAINTING IN CORNWALL Words by Kirstie Newton

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Jenny Marquis paints Callum

Justine Darwent paints Kirstie

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have spent a good deal of time browsing the shelves of Waterstones’ Truro store, salivating over the promises contained within the covers of its many titles, or reading to a rapt toddler in the children’s section.

The idea of standing in the horror section on a Saturday morning in my underwear sounds like a nightmare with Freudian undertones I’d rather not dwell upon; such was the reality, however, on the August bank holiday, when I agreed to spend the day having my body painted to promote Body Factory 2015, an international competition taking place at the Eden Project on October 10 and 11.

Cornwall Today has supported the Body Factory body painting competition since its inception five years ago.

The first event took place in Falmouth and featured four artists; this year’s is the biggest yet, with 50 painters – from as far afield as Tenerife and Germany - converging upon the Eden Project on October 10 and 11. On the Saturday, painters will work freestyle, with a parade and public vote in the Mediterranean Biome. Sunday will see a sustainability theme, with models camouflaged to blend in with landscapes around the site.

Each year, we have to think of a novel way in which to cover the event: we’ve had a model painted as a St Piran flag, and the Cornwall Today cover reproduced on

a number of semi-clad bodies. For 2015, I felt it was time for someone to have a go at being painted from head to toe for the first time, and shown off to the public.

Someone like me. Apparently I said that last bit out loud to organiser Nic Langridge, and that’s how I found myself in Waterstones on a bank holiday weekend, wearing little more than my underwear.

The most I’d done before was having my pregnancy bump painted, by Nic. She did a beautiful job - she is a skilled artist. I was so pleased with the results, I walked through the streets of Truro in a crop top, but Truro crowds were not ready for this (one woman admitted it was so good, she thought it was a tattoo - ouch) so I covered up quickly.

Body Factory is several leagues away from the kids’ face painting you see at parties and fairs. Nic and her friends do that too, but body painting is a chance for them to let their imaginations and brushes run riot, the body as canvas. “At parties, you have three minutes per child, because they don’t keep still and you’ve got a queue to get through, so we have a limited number of designs for a quick turnaround,” says Nic. “Body painting is much more creative. You have a plan in place beforehand. Artists spend hours making props and costumes, doing research.”

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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On the streets with the Truro Specials

The models don’t wear much, which brought out my insecurities. I’ve put on a bit of weight and am not exactly toned. Did I want to be seen like this by strangers? Did they really want to see me? As such, I was not keen to be painted in public in my undies - Nic agreed to keep it backstage until I was ready - and I also played safe by booking a female photographer (sorry, chaps).

Nic’s briefing note advised shaving and moisturiser before paint day. It mentioned thongs and nipple tape (note to self - pasties in this context are not a lunch option). However, Nic made me a bikini top with playing cards: “There’s only so much nudity people want to see when they’re not expecting it,” she said, “and UK rules are stricter than in other countries – nipples are not allowed.” And she said I could wear pants as big as I liked - she’s a mate.

The theme was Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, to tie in with the 150th year of publication. I would be the Queen of Hearts, with model Callum Waight as the Mad Hatter. The tone would be dark - although not so macabre as to scare the kids on a Saturday afternoon – with a limited palette of red, black and white. Facebook messages flew back and forth as props were made and shoe sizes required.

One thing that had not occurred to me was laid out baldly under the title Bodily Functions. There would come a point in painting when I wouldn’t be able to go to the loo. “When your painter says it’s your last chance, make sure you go.” I was relieved (pun intended) to hear that this is more the case for serious body painting, in which pants are replaced by latex gussets.

Come the Saturday morning, I overslept and decided to skip the shower. I then agonised over whether this was inconsiderate, given that painters would be working

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Nic Langridge paints Callum

in close proximity to my armpits. It dawned on me how intimate the body painting process is.

We met painters Nic, Justine Darwent and Jenny Marquis for coffee, then set up in Waterstones’ stockroom. Nic pinned the bikini top to my bra. As I was wearing leggings, I felt much more confident about being painted from scratch in public view, where Callum was already under the brush. A 27-year-old care worker from Bodmin, he has posed for alternative portraits before, including implied nudes; he had responded to Nic’s calls for models on Facebook. “I’ve always loved body art, tattoos mainly, and I’ve always loved Alice In Wonderland,” he told me. “The books have so much potential for inspiring something visually twisted and stunning. That appealed to me a lot.”

I gazed at the spines of Stephen King novels while Justine started on my back – a detailed reproduction of an Alice illustration by Arthur Rackham, which she referred to throughout on her tablet. This took time: her fellow painters gave her some good-humoured ribbing about being slow, but it was clear that Justine was exercising great concentration and skill, drawing gasps of astonishment from passers-by.

While much thought had evidently gone into the designs, there was a lot of ad libbing on the day, with the painters turning to Google for easily identifiable Alice motifs. Hence I ended up with a white rabbit on my arm and a pink flamingo on my lower leg, and Callum with a teapot on his back. For speed, some large areas were covered with chequerboard patterns or playing cards.

Then came the accessories. Callum’s top hat was a joy – a magnificent combination of playing cards and pages, printed off and dyed with tea for an antique effect.

The transformation began at 10am, and finished

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“It was liberating - I was walking around with a more confident energy for days”

around 4pm. “Justine and I could easily spend 16 hours on a design, if only we could get a model to stand still for that long,” said Nic. The girls were absorbed in their work, so Callum and I talked to the steady stream of onlookers, pointing out details and handing out fliers. Lots of people took them and promised to attend, which was very satisfying.

Finally, we got to strike a pose - the book I’m holding, by the way, is Alys y’n Vro a Varthusyon ha Der an Gweder-Mires: Alice In Wonderland And Through The Looking Glass, translated into Cornish by Ray Edwards and Tony Hak, and winner of a Holyer an Gof award.

I requested it especially, and was delighted to see it matched our colour scheme – it was meant to be.

Then we met our public. It was Cornwall Pride, so there

was plenty of interest. Photographer Emily swooped on a group of Truro specials who were game enough to be snapped “cuffing” us. To my amazement, people were keen to be photographed with us – even kids, who I had assumed would run a mile, especially as Callum’s chest featured a giant Cheshire cat with a malevolent grin.

At home time, I removed the accessories and cleaned my face with a wet wipe, but otherwise left with full body paint under my clothes. The rest came off in the shower; although the paint was water based, the large amount of high-pigment black left me with unsightly tide marks that lasted the week. But it was worth it – it was tremendous fun. “It was really liberating,” said Callum afterwards.

“I was walking around with a different, more confident energy for days.” Anyone need a model for October?

Visit Facebook and search for BodyFactoryUK

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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homecoming h e ro CElEBRATInG THE lIFE OF FAlMOuTH SEAMAn THOMAS PEllOW Words by Jackie Butler

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he astonishing tale of long-forgotten 18th century hero Thomas Pellow is experiencing a remarkable renaissance, through the pages of a new children’s book that brings the Cornishman’s escapades back to life, three centuries on. Captured! The Incredible True Story Of Thomas Pellow, written by Craig Green and illustrated by Oliver Hurst, has united members of his modern-day family and prompted calls for a permanent memorial in his name.

At the tender age of 11, Thomas was so excited by the prospect of a maritime adventure that he ran the two miles from his home in Penryn to Falmouth Harbour. There he joined the crew of his uncle’s ship, the Francis, delivering pilchards to Genoa. When he returned to his native county some 25 years later, Thomas had lived through an unimaginable ordeal of kidnap, shipwreck, imprisonment, captive service and battlefield bravery in far-off lands and, finally, daring escape and emotional homecoming.

Around 25 Pellows, from around Cornwall and as far afield as Eastbourne, answered the call to join the book launch at The Poly in Falmouth, just yards from where their ancestor first set sail in 1715. Representing the Falmouth Pellows were three generations of the same family: grandfather William Maurice (80), father William Stephen (50), sons Benjamin William (13) and Matthew (11), and nephew Samuel George (17). Some brought along their own family trees, linking them to Thomas, as well as information about other clan

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members. Thomas’s younger brother William (Willie) is thought to have been a former landlord of the King’s Arms in Penryn. There are also rumours of Thomas’s death at the hands of a murderer two years after his return to Cornwall.

Penryn mayor Mark Snowdon was so enchanted by the story that he is now hoping to locate the exact address of Thomas’s house so a plaque can be hung in his memory. “I knew a little of the story, but I know a lot more now,” he said. “It would be great to see where Thomas lived and mark it in some way. We have lots of historical walks and talks in Penryn, and a wonderful museum, and it would be good to include Thomas in those too.”

The launch included on-stage interviews with the author and illustrator, readings and a bespoke brew labelled Pellow Pale Ale from Penryn’s Rebel Brewing Company.

Author Craig Green researched the dramatic and touching story by reading Thomas’s own very detailed accounts of being taken prisoner by fierce Barbary pirates, delivered to Morocco on the north coast of Africa, and singled out to become a slave in the court of a powerful Sultan. Thomas’s sharp intelligence allowed him to gain the respect of his master, who employed him as a translator and a troop leader.

He even married a local girl and had a child, but was always determined to return home to Cornwall, and after his wife and daughter died, he knew he had to escape or be a captive forever.

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“My main aim was creating the contrast between frightened child and fearless man” “It’s a wonderful bit of Cornish history,” says Craig. “Every time I have read Captured! to children, it’s clear there are bits that are heart-stoppingly tense. I wrote the story the way I wanted to tell it, about a boy leaving his mother and then eventually coming back home to her.

“I read Thomas’s diaries to make sure my story was as accurate as possible; they are incredibly enigmatic, ghostwritten for him when he came back to Cornwall. There was so much that I had to leave out; Thomas suffered a lot and lived on his wits. He could trust nobody.

“I think he had given up hope of ever returning. He had assumed his family was long dead, until a fortune teller told him his mother was still alive. I cannot imagine what she must have thought, seeing this big, well-built man, with suntanned skin and a beard. How quickly would you recognise your own son?”

Illustrator Oliver Hurst has recreated the essence of Thomas’s story in a series of full-colour oil paintings, as well as a clutch of pencil drawings, all completed over six months.

Strongly influenced by Romantic painters like JMW Turner and Caspar David Friedrich, as well as the Victorian Orientalists, his love of history and his strength in both land and seascapes, as well as figurative work, makes the perfect match for Craig’s soul-stirring narrative.

“It’s an astonishing story and it suited me down to the ground,” says Oliver, who embarked on painstaking research

TOP: PELLOW DESCENDANTS GATHER FOR THE BOOK LAUNCH ALONGSIDE AUTHOR CRAIG GREEN AND ILLUSTRATOR OLIVER HURST INSET: AUTHOR CRAIG GREEN

to make every period detail in Captured! as true as possible while still appealing to children. “The Falmouth Harbour scene is virtually unchanged from the present, with only a small manoeuvering of bits and pieces,” says Oliver, who now lives in Bath but made several trips back to his student home town for research - and nostalgia - purposes.

Oliver was also charged with taking Thomas from the age of 11 through to the man who returned to Cornwall in his 30s. “My main aim was creating the contrast between frightened child and fearless man - the frail young boy to the fully grown soldier. It was not an easy task, and I had to be careful to keep some features to connect them together.

Sometimes I felt like director, cameraman and continuity all in one.”

Ron Johns, of Mabecron Books and Falmouth Bookseller, commissioned the project and feels very strongly about the story and the book. “It’s the greatest true Cornish story, first written down by Thomas himself and we are thrilled to rediscover it,” he says.

Captured! The Incredible True Story Of Thomas Pellow is published by Mabecron Books priced £13.99 (hardback). www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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an insider’s guide to ...

Wadebridge A bustling mArket town strAddling the river cAmel words by Julia Buckley

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t was the only place in cornwall to make the sunday times’ best Places to live list earlier this year, and that’s no anomaly despite lacking the knock-out coastal settings of nearby towns, wadebridge constantly tops the most liveable lists.

A bustling market town straddling the river camel, its two sides connected by its historic “bridge on wool” (so called because, legend has it, it was originally built on sacks of wool), wadebridge has a burgeoning food scene, a centre stuffed with independent shops and a peaceful

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riverside location. it’s the gateway to the beaches of the camel estuary - the sands of rock, daymer bay and Polzeath lie northwards - and home to the famous camel trail cycle path; but wadebridge is equally well positioned for visits to bodmin moor and st breock downs, where cornwall’s largest prehistoric monolith squats on the summit.

A town that draws in visitors without pandering to them, and with a strong community spirit - the busy annual calendar includes a popular folk festival - wadebridge is on the up. here’s where to go.

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main image: jenna lutey

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It may be a small town, but Wadebridge has an impressive number of independent shops and businesses - over 90 at the last count. Top of the list has to be The Regal, an old school cinema that dates back to 1931 (though it was last renovated in the 1980s). As well as new releases, it has an excellent programme of live theatre, opera, ballet and concert screenings, and recently celebrated its birthday with 70p tickets! wtwcinemas.co.uk Other long-standing businesses include Artycrafts (01208 812274), which stocks everything from art supplies and picture frames to fabrics and crafting gear (though I usually visit for the resident pet dog); and neighbour the Wadebridge Bookshop, which, while small, has owners who are passionate about reading and can often order out-of-stock books for collection the following day. They have a good selection of local authors, including books by one of my schoolmates, illustrator Jago Silver. www.wadebridgebookshop.co.uk Wadebridge’s foodie focus extends to shopping, too. Relish has a great deli attached to the café, and Malcolm Barnecutt - a family business dating back to 1930 - makes some of the best pasties around. www.barnecutt.co.uk Delicia (01208 369109), a deli tucked away behind the river, concentrates on local products and makes sandwiches, soups and cakes in-house, too.

Their scones are probably the best in town. And Wadebridge Wines’ fantastic selection (they have around 800 brands) includes Camel Valley wines, and local beers and cider. www.wadebridgewines.co.uk

Coffee culture Long gone are the days when your dining options were pasties or pub grub. Café-deli Relish kicked off Wadebridge’s burgeoning coffee scene; it’s won multiple awards and still, arguably, does the best coffee in town, along with great healthy lunches like salads and quiches. www.relishwadebridge.co.uk Pretender to its throne Strong Adolfo’s, just outside town on the Atlantic Highway to Truro, is part of the new, hangar-like Hawksfield development - it does great coffee and cake, and the views from its vast windows over the surrounding countryside are magnificent. www.strongadolfos.com For dinner, my go-to is Sagor, a lovely, underrated Indian restaurant sitting plum on the historic bridge on wool. www.sagor.co.uk The 16th-century Ship Inn, just across the Camel Estuary from the centre of town, has transformed itself from bog standard pub to gastro heaven under the auspices of a former manager of Rick Stein’s Padstow restaurant. www.shipinnwadebridge.co.uk And every Monday, there’s a brilliant pop-up pizza stall: Wild Bake sets up shop outside the Pop Café, opposite Lidl. www.wildbake.co.uk Head west of town, en route to Truro, to find the Quarryman Inn, which combines great food with sea views. www.thequarryman.co.uk And five miles north of Wadebridge is the St Kew Inn, which serves some of the best Sunday roasts around in a pretty garden opposite a 15th-century church. www.stkewinn.co.uk

Independent shops

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Gateway to the Camel It’s the closest town to the sands of Rock, Daymer and Polzeath, of course, but Wadebridge isn’t just the gateway to some of North Cornwall’s most beautiful beaches; the Camel Estuary leads the other way as well. The less popular section of the Camel Trail - a 12-mile stretch running from Wadebridge, through Bodmin to Wenfordbridge - takes you through the woodland of the Camel Valley through to the rolling moorland around St Breward. The Bodmin and Wenford Railway, an old-fashioned steam train line, also starts on the Wadebridge road at Boscarne Junction. www.cornwall.gov.uk/cameltrail www.bodminrailway.co.uk

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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Wadebridge Hawksfield

Retallack Resort and Spa

Drive along the Atlantic Highway and it’s hard to miss the red CAFÉ sign at Hawksfield. Here you’ll find inspiring modern art at Circle Contemporary, homewares at Jo & Co Home, beautiful kitchens at Duchy Designs and collectable treasures from Goose Shed. The Arc offers artisan food and wine and you can enjoy home-made cakes and coffee in Strong Adolfo’s Café.

01208 816634 | www.hawksfieldcornwall.co.uk

Retallack Resort and Spa offers five star luxury self-catering lodges, sleeping from two to 12. Dine in The Green Room restaurant with MasterChef winner James Nathan in the kitchen, and have a go on the popular Flowrider or the new Wake Park. Skate and meet Santa this Christmas at Winter Wonderland from November 27, 2015.

01637 882400 | www.retallackresort.co.uk

Cornwall Rug Company

Circle Contemporary

Our company line is: ‘A feast for your eyes and a treat for your feet,’ and that’s no exaggeration. Our versatile and vibrant collection of rugs and accessories is inspiring, with a well-travelled sense of style sourced from around the globe. Vintage treasures meet contemporary designs offering original designs and a dazzling array of colour.

01208 368643 | www.cornwallrugcompany.com

Set within the dynamic Hawksfield site on the Atlantic Highway, Circle Contemporary delivers an evolving programme of curated, multi-media exhibitions by national and international artists. With a series of workshops, lectures and events that engage the local audience and beyond, Circle Contemporary presents vibrant, challenging and inspiring artworks.

01208 816899 | circlecontemporary.co.uk

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advertising feature

Wadebridge Art

Jo & Co Home

Wadebridge Art, situated on Polmorla Walk in Wadebridge, specialises in promoting local artists whose work includes paintings, drawings, ceramics, jewellery and glasswork. Wadebridge Art also stocks decorative accessories and artists’ cards, including a selection of handmade cards for special occasions or gifts.

01208 816 505 | www.wadebridgeart.co.uk

Jo & Co Home is a unique interior and lifestyle store based at Hawksfield along the Atlantic Highway. Discover a wide range of furniture, interior accessories and textiles as well as quality children’s toys, wonderful gifts and designer cards. Trusted brands include Linum, Garden Trading, JellyCat Toys, Rifle Paper Company and the exclusive bath and body range from Cowshed. 01208 895058 | www.joandcohome.com

Camel Trail Cycle Hire

Wadebridge Wines

Cycling the Camel Trail from Wadebridge to Padstow along the beautiful Camel estuary is a must-do activity, for visitors and residents alike. Camel trail cycle hire is a family-run business who have been established for over 25 years. Open all year, with free onsite parking and bikes for all abilities, they can cater for every need - just give them a call for friendly advice.

01208 814104 | www.cameltrailcyclehire

Family-owned Wadebridge Wines is central to and closely intertwined with the community. The store specialises in world class wines and spirits, hosting events and staging festivals. They also service many restaurants throughout the county with wines reflecting the culinary art in Cornwall.

Visit the shop for an authentic and eclectic experience.

01208 812692 | www.wadebridgewines.co.uk

The Olde House

Warnes Bar & Restaurant

The Olde House is a collection of 30 cottages on a 550-acre working farm in Chaple Amble near Wadebridge. New for 2015 is the re-designed Manor House, once the manor of the village, which sleeps 10. Guests can enjoy the indoor pool, tennis courts and a farm trail. Beaches at Polzeath and Rock are nearby.

01208 813219 | www.theoldehouse.co.uk

Warnes is a family-friendly, casual dining restaurant in the heart of the town. There are no tablecloths, no dress code, just good honest, locallysourced food. Menus offer mainly modern British food with a few international influences, a little nostalgia and modern twists thrown in.

Pop in for lunch, coffee, dinner or late night drinks.

01208 814332 | www.warnesbarandrestaurant.co.uk

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NEVER BEEN TO ...

Words by Sue Bradbury

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here are many childhood events that I don’t remember but, like most memories, certain experiences are still razor-sharp in my mind. One of those is travelling in a bus on a school field trip to West Cornwall. Food played a part. I can’t recall exactly what we ate on the trip but, whatever it was, it tasted far better for being eaten on an outing with my classmates.

Geography was never my favourite subject (I gave it up before O level but my eldest daughter took a degree in it – so much for genetics!). The geology that we were presumably meant to be studying pretty much eluded me but I do know that we visited Chysauster and that the rain that day was horizontal. Low cloud and strong wind made a lasting impression too.

Nearly 50 years later I resolved to return – this time in sunshine, not a bag of sweets in sight and without the finer details of rock formations clogging up my brain. There was no giggling or gossip either. Poppy, my Labrador, prefers tail wagging and rabbit chasing to furtive conversations about boys.

The quarter of a mile walk uphill from the car park surprised me and the view once I’d reached the remains of the ten houses that made up the settlement was a complete revelation. You can see for miles and there can be few better places to appreciate the magnificence of Mount’s Bay. Thought to have been built in the Roman period between the first and third centuries AD, there were eight houses in a compact group of two rows of four each, with other outlying homes to the south-west. Each of the dwellings has the same kind of basic layout: an entrance leading to an open courtyard and a number of rooms (usually three) branching off it. It’s thought that the community who lived there were

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farmers and there’s also evidence to suggest that the site was occupied during the Iron Age. Poppy and I practically had the place to ourselves while we wandered around - the only other family were happily clustered round a picnic table enjoying lunch. Maybe I missed my vocation as an archaeologist because standing in the doorways, looking out over a landscape that has changed in terms of cultivation and habitation but is still a great vantage point, I was intrigued by the lives lived there. What did they wear, how did they speak, what adventures did they have, what did they sleep on and what did they eat? At night

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they would have looked up at the same sky that we do but so much has happened since. Do their spirits still walk Chysauster’s pathways? It’s tempting to think so. Especially when the mist descends.

I’m pretty sure I’ve never been to Zennor, not even on a school bus. Famous for its mermaid, it’s a ten-minute drive from Chysauster and much smaller than I imagined. The ancient church dominates the hamlet and is a must for any visitor. According to the legend, it’s here that the chorister Matthew Trewhella was said to have been singing when a mermaid, attracted by his beautiful voice, came and listened then lured him into the sea at Pendour Cove so he’d be with her forever. A medieval bench known as the Mermaid’s Chair and carved over 500 years ago can be seen in the side chapel.

It’s a fascinating piece of craftsmanship but, as a plaque above it explains, probably more symbolic of the belief that Christ was both man and God than proof that mermaids really do exist.

Zennor is situated on the north coast and the half mile walk to Zennor Head is another must-do. The path is easy and the seascape magnificent. If Matthew Trewhella did follow his mermaid to the cove, it’s not hard to see why he might have been doubly mesmerised.

Like all my ‘never been to’ excursions, my day out in West Cornwall was a revelation. Instead of taking the easy option and visiting old haunts close by, I’d once again got off my backside and explored an unfamiliar area, within my own county.

Geography might not have appealed at school but, in its broadest sense, it certainly does now.

information ► For more information about Chysauster, visit

www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/chysauster-ancient village/ ► For more information about places to stay and things to see and do in Cornwall, visit www.wearecornwall.com

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h of the mont rap

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der’s photo Rea g OCTOBER WINNER: SURFER by James Lagdon

Photography COMPETITION

2015

C ornwall is without a doubt one of England’s most photogenic counties. If you have taken a shot of which you are especially proud, why not enter it into our competition?

To see your images in print and have the chance to win a break in Fowey, send a maximum of three photographs of Cornwall you’ve taken yourself, telling us where, why, and when you took them.

Don’t forget to include your address and telephone number.

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Every month we will publish a winner and a selection of runners-up. If your photograph is not published immediately after you’ve submitted it, don’t despair you may well be a winner in the coming months.

Due to the response, it takes some time to go through the entries and we may also hold on to images so that they reflect the relevant month. We may also use your photographs to illustrate other features in the magazine, so keep your

This an anonymous surfer is getting barrelled down at Porthleven.

SPONSORED BY THE OLD QUAY HOUSE, FOWEY eyes peeled.

Each month, the winning photographer will be awarded a £50 voucher to be spent in Q Restaurant at the Old Quay House Hotel in Fowey. You have until October 31, 2015 to enter this year’s competition; in December, we will ask readers to vote for the photo they like the best from 2015. The winner will win a night’s stay, dinner, bed and breakfast at the Old Quay House, Fowey.

T&C: as follow.

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OCtObER RunnER-uP: Rock beach by Richard Smith

I photographed my wife Jo and daughter Evie at Rock, looking across towards the Padstow side of the Camel Estuary. It was our last walk on the beach during the halfterm holiday before driving back to London.

Everything was so quiet and peaceful, and I thought the colours and the reflections of Jo and Evie summed up the mood.

2015 rules * The competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers * Digital images are preferred. These may be e-mailed to benjamin.callender@creativehubs.co.uk or submitted on disk. If digital enhancement techniques have been used, they must be declared * Entries must be supplied at a minimum file size of 1MB to meet print quality * Each entry should be clearly labelled with entrant’s name, address, telephone number and caption (eg, when, where and why the photo was taken) * Maximum three photos per entrant * Entries may also be submitted by post to: Cornwall Today, High Water House, City Wharf, Malpas Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1QH * Photographs must have been taken by the entrant * Any people in the photographs must give their permission for their portrayal in this medium * Closing date for entries: October 31, 2015

* Entries WILL NOT be returned. * All submitted entries become the property of DC Media upon receipt and we reserve the right to use entries for commercial purposes. DC Media also reserves the right to publish any entries in any form and at any time, including on our websites, free of charge. Photographs will be credited to the photographer and captioned appropriately * A winning photograph will be chosen each month, and published in that issue. The photographer will receive a £50 dining voucher at the Old Quay House in Fowey. Photographers will receive a copy of the magazine their work appears in * The winning photographs from each issue in 2015 will then be put to public vote. The winner of this vote will win dinner, bed and breakfast at the Old Quay House in Fowey * The winner will be announced in February 2016 * The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence can be entered into regarding competition entries

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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capturing

the county Photograph by David Chapman

RIVER CAMEL IN SHELL WOODS Taken on a dull October day in 2014, at Shell Woods near Blisland, using a Canon 5D Mark III with 24mm lens; 3 sec exposure with an aperture of f18; ISO 200.

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kernow king Words by Edward Rowe, photograph by Adam Gibbard

ERNOW KING • KERNOW KING •

• KERNOW KING • KERNOW KING • KERNOW KING • KERNOW KING • KERNOW KING • KERNOW KING • KERNOW KING • KERNOW

I

remember seeing the Gorsedh for the first time in Roche in the summer of 1991. I was 11, we’d recently moved from the middle of the village to the bottom of the village. Prior to that, we lived at the top of the village! I was at Poltair School in St Austell, and the summer holidays were stretching out in front of us for so long, it felt like I’d never have to go back to school.

My brother and I would spend hours out and about on our bikes around the village, clocking up enormous mileage as we did most holidays, waiting for Dad to finish work so we could all go surfing at Watergate. Our route would normally be from home after breakfast, to Nan and Grandad’s for more breakfast, then down the lanes, over to the sweet shop, to the park, to Roche Rock, to home - and back around, over and over again.

It was up at the park when I first noticed them on the cricket field, with Roche Rock in the background. I was standing on the swings, getting higher and higher, and each time I reached the peak of my swing, I could see them all in their fabulous blue robes over the tops of the trees. The bright blue robes matched the blue of the Cornish sky perfectly.

There must have been over 100 of them, maybe more. I had no idea as to who they were or what they were

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doing, but they looked so magical and interesting, and a touch mysterious too. I sat and watched them on the hedge for a while, listening to voices speaking a language I didn’t recognise, let alone understand. They moved around the field in procession and gave me a wave as they went past.

I shot down the hill on my bike back to my grandparents to tell them about the “strange people in robes talking a weird language”. To my surprise, my nan knew all about them, and she told us about the Gorsedh while feeding us (again). “What you saw was the annual Bardic ceremony, where they welcome all the new bards. They all speak in Cornish, sing Cornish songs and give the new Bards their Cornish names.”

“Cornish?” I repeated.

“Oh yes! Listen,” said my nan, and sang for the first time to us Bro Goth Agan Tasow (Old Land Of Our Fathers) in Cornish. As you can probably imagine, I was fascinated. A whole new Cornish world had just opened! I knew we were special, but this was otherworldly! She explained that it was their purpose to preserve and protect the history and culture of our ancient Celtic nation.

I’d love to say that from that moment I became fluent in Cornish, but I didn’t.

I was too wrapped up in surfing and generally being a kid. But I never forgot that day I saw the Gorsedh in Roche, and 25 years later, with a fire for all things Kernewek burning in my belly, I’m delighted to say I became a Bard in September: a huge honour for this Roche boy.

And my Bardic name? Map Tregarrek: Son of Roche.

See Kernow King at the Hall for Cornwall, Truro on October 9 and The Seven Stones Inn, St Martin’s, Isle of Scilly on October 30. www.kernowking.co.uk

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ts • wild high igh lig hl s ht

October ► Fly agaric fungi can be seen, particularly near birch or pine trees. ► If we have any stormy weather, look for goose barnacles on our beaches. ► Look out for the last of the dragonflies this month - common darters are still numerous. ► A large number of meadow pipits migrate into the county this month.

lights • high wi ild ld w

wild highlights

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wildlife

Tips and photographs by David Chapman

MAIN PHOTO: FLY AGARIC

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harvest harvest

mice

DAVID CHAPMAN TAKES A LOOK AT RESEARCH BEING DONE INTO THE DISTRIBUTION AND HABITS OF HARVEST MICE IN CORNWALL AND FINDS JUST HOW LITTLE WE STILL KNOW ABOUT ONE OF OUR MOST ENDEARING WILD MAMMALS Words and photographs by David Chapman

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his year, after a six-year absence, the Mammal Society has reinstated National Mammal Week (October 24 to November 1). I spoke to Kate Hills, honorary secretary of the society, who told me: “The aim of the week is to raise awareness of mammals and to promote ways for people to find out more about them, through a range of events either organised by local mammal groups or supported by the society. It will be a celebration of wellknown and studied mammals like the otter, to little-known and poorly recorded species such as the harvest mouse.”

The South West hosts the Mammal Society’s 2015 autumn symposium, a two-day event in Exeter, which looks into the issues around beavers in the UK. Cornwall Mammal Group holds its annual general meeting on November 1, and to encourage people to attend it has organised a special harvest mouse day led

by Dr Sarah Hodge, senior lecturer in zoology at Exeter University (Penryn Campus). The day consists of a walk around a nearby site to look for their nests and a talk by Dr Hodge, whose academic research has included studies of mongoose and meerkats as well as mammals closer to home.

As a lecturer, Sarah guides the research of bioscience students working towards both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. Over the last few years, she has consistently been able to work with students on the study of harvest mice at a location close to Argal Reservoir near Penryn. This ongoing study has already led to several discoveries which challenge some of the

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wildlife

LEFT: BY COMPARING TO THE BLACKBERRY WE CAN SEE JUST HOW TINY THE HARVEST MOUSE IS

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wildlife generally held beliefs about harvest mouse behaviour, but it wouldn’t have happened without one person’s observations.

A few years ago, Paul Laney (known to his friends as ‘Birdie’ due to his passion for birdwatching) reported finding a large number of harvest mouse nests in a field on the farm where he works, undertaking a variety of management tasks which included the creation of wildlife habitats. One winter he found an incredible number of harvest mouse nests, and reported this to the Environmental Records Centre.

“Harvest mice are very poorly recorded, rarely seen, little studied but fascinating mammals,” says Kate Hills, “and yet here in Cornwall was an unexpected opportunity to begin such a study.” The news travelled quickly among members of Cornwall Mammal Group, and soon Sarah Hodge was working with Paul Laney and her students to explore how and why so many nests had been found in this area.

The Harvest Mouse

The harvest mouse (Micromys minutus) is our smallest rodent, weighing between 4g and 6g. Its common name comes from a time when we only ever found evidence during harvest time; many decades ago, harvest mice were often numerous in arable crops, and could be seen scurrying away when these were harvested.

It’s a long time since harvest mice were seen in such numbers among crops, which is probably down to two factors: the use of chemicals which kill the understory of flowers, and the timing of the harvest, which is much earlier than it used to be and now occurs at the peak of the breeding season for this species. But the name of the species has remained, and it is quite likely that harvest mice will venture into crops and eat the odd bit of seed - although the middle of a huge arable field has become a hostile place for this tiny creature.

In order to take seed from plants such as barley and even quite thin grasses, the harvest mouse has one unique adaption: it is the only ‘old world’ mammal to have a prehensile tail. Like a monkey, it can grasp vegetation with its tail; having five points of contact and being incredibly lightweight allows it to move through grassy areas without coming down to ground level.

As our use of the landscape has changed, so the harvest mouse has exploited different habitats. There is no doubt that hedgerows and field margins offer a vital refuge for harvest mice, and we have long known that they also live in reedbeds, preferring those which aren’t too wet. They eat a wide range of food including buds, seeds and small insects, and in the autumn there is plenty of fruit.

Given the right conditions, harvest mice can show high levels of fecundity, giving rise to three litters per year between May and October, each containing six young. The youngsters born early in the year will be breeding themselves in the same year.

Each time a harvest mouse sets about raising a family, it makes a new nest, a spherical construction using only live vegetation. The mouse shreds the blades of grasses and weaves them together. These new nests give us our best chance of finding evidence that harvest mice are present in an area.

The fact that they are made from living grasses means that they are very difficult to spot during the summer, but they become much easier to find as winter approaches, and if it has been a good year in a good habitat there can be lots of nests in a relatively small area.

The nests vary in size according to their purpose.

Small nests which might be used by the adults alone are about the size of a tennis ball, but breeding nests are bigger - about 10cm across.

It has long been thought that these nests are built fairly high above the ground - the most frequently quoted statistics imply a height of between 30cm and 1m above ground level. This would imply the need for very tall, quite stout vegetation, and this is one fact which has been drawn into question by the observations made by Paul and Sarah in Cornwall.

Cornish Research

The best way to identify the presence of harvest mice is to look for their nests, which is most easily done between November and March. So over the last three years, students from Exeter University have undertaken transect surveys of land around where the initial findings took place to try to monitor the population and begin to understand the conditions under which harvest mice can thrive.

One clear fact they have found is that Cornish harvest ABOVE: REEDBEDS ARE THOUGHT TO OFFER SUITABLE HABITAT TO HARVEST MICE SO LONG AS THEY ARE NOT TOO WET

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wildlife mice have a distinct liking for cocksfoot grass, particularly where it grows in clumps. Cocksfoot is quite a stout grass, but even so, it wouldn’t enable harvest mice to make nests very high above the ground. Sarah told me: “The average height of harvest mouse nests in these fields has been measured at 28cm, which is much lower than usually stated, but we can’t be sure whether this is due to local conditions or whether this might be the case across the country. Sometimes we have found nests just a few centimetres from the ground.”

In the height of summer when grasses are at their highest, a nest which is 28cm above ground level is actually very low down in the heart of the vegetation and very difficult to find.

The harvest mouse has one unique adaption, it is the only ‘old world’ mammal to have a prehensile tail

ABOVE: COCKSFOOT GRASS WAS NAMED BECAUSE ITS FLOWER RESEMBLES A COCK’S FOOT; INSET FROM TOP: DR SARAH HODGE OF EXETER UNIVERSITY SHOWS ME WHERE TO LOOK FOR HARVEST MOUSE NESTS; PAUL LANEY, OR BIRDIE, TO HIS FRIENDS; THIS IS A USED NEST WHICH HAS DRIED OUT

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wildlife Sarah and Paul are reluctant to even try looking for nests in the summer, because it will inevitably lead to disturbance and our scent and tracks through vegetation might even lead predators such as foxes to harvest mouse nest sites.

Cocksfoot doesn’t always grow in clumps, so Paul has been transplanting cocksfoot from unfavourable habitats into more favourable areas to assist the spread of harvest mice. I think he deserves a medal for this - there can be few people dedicated enough to wildlife gardening to deliberately transplant a common, unspectacular grass.

The research has shown that harvest mouse numbers are highest in land which is set aside but also that field margins, close to hedgerows, are very valuable to them. So if fields are to be planted with crops, there is no doubt that leaving uncultivated margins is extremely beneficial. This is very much in line with previous knowledge; however, this research has also shown that if conditions are good, harvest mice will breed in large numbers even in the middle of fields.

A happy accident happened a couple of years ago.“Pigs had been kept in one field, making it totally unsuitable to harvest mice, but they were moved out during the winter and the following year 60 harvest mouse nests were found there,” recalls Paul. Conditions in that field had changed from hostile to ideal in one summer. The combination of cocksfoot grasses and dock, which grew after the pigs’ occupation, seemed to provide exactly what the harvest mice needed: somewhere to make their nests and plenty of seed to eat. This episode also illustrated the ability of harvest mice to travel, find and exploit new areas of suitable land.

How they do this might well be tested in future survey work.

Observation has revealed that land which is continually grazed by livestock isn’t at all valuable to harvest mice, while land grazed on a rotational basis can be excellent. The critical feature is that grazing animals must only be allowed onto the land between December and March.

So the management of fields for harvest mice is slightly different to that for wildflower meadows, which are often cut from late summer, once the seed has set. The message for those of us who want to encourage harvest mice as well as wildflowers is to cut the fields later in the year or cut at various times through the autumn to create a mosaic.

Scrub encroachment is a problem for harvest mice. Often the first plant to invade grassland will be bracken, and this is a difficult issue to tackle. Harvest mice can’t nest in dense bracken because grasses won’t grow there, but it isn’t advisable to cut dense bracken in the middle of summer because any harvest mice which have found nest sites there will be destroyed. Paul thinks the best approach is to cut bracken regularly from spring through the summer to stop it becoming established. This will deter harvest mice from nesting there in the first place, and hopefully encourage them to find somewhere more suitable nearby.

Sarah hopes to expand her surveys over the next few years to see how widespread harvest mice are in the area around this initial location. Using techniques and insights found during this study will help her and her students to successfully identify suitable habitats and nests of harvest mice at other locations. There is no doubt that this winter, armed with much better information, I will be out looking for harvest mouse nests. If you want to learn what to look for, attend the Cornwall Mammal Group AGM to find out.

ABOVE: THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HARVEST MICE WILL EAT THE SEED OF CEREAL CROPS BUT THEY ARE NOT AS COMMON IN ARABLE FIELDS AS THEY ONCE WERE

information ► The Mammal Society’s Autumn Symposium is to be held on October 27

and 28, and is entitled Biodiversity And Ecosystem Services. This idea was catalysed by the recent reintroduction of beavers to Devon (and Scotland).

Guest speakers will include Derek Gow, Bryony Coles, Mark Elliott, Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Simon Jones and Professor Richard Brazier. ► The Mammal Society is also collecting records of all mammals seen in the UK for a UK Mammal Atlas, the first for 20 years. More details on both

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these projects at: www.mammal.org.uk

► Cornwall Mammal Group has its own excellent Cornish Mammal Atlas edited by chairman David Groves. You can buy it, and find details about their AGM/ harvest mouse day and other forthcoming events, at their website: www.cornwallmammalgroup.co.uk ► Details on how to send in records of mammals can be found on both these websites. Techniques for doing this now include a smartphone app.

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news

& dates

Compiled by Viki Wilson | www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

imporTance of

landscape

Tales of a wildlife

cameraman

Lovers of wildlife documentaries can enjoy a talk from filmmaker Ian McCarthy during the Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Discovery Day at Bodmin College on Saturday, November 7. Ian realised his vocation while watching a wildlife film on television aged nine, suddenly realising that someone must be behind the camera. Some 44 years later, he has travelled the world for 30 years filming some of the BBC’s landmark nature programmes. Series such as Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Life In The Freezer and Frozen Planet have taken him to some of the most remote wildernesses on the planet, leading to Emmy and BAFTA awards. Ian will present a talk called Where The Wild Things Are, sharing his intimate relationship with nature and how he came to live and work in Cornwall. To book a place, visit www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/discovery

Tamar

celebrated

People who live, work and have a close connection to the River Tamar are invited to share stories at an inaugural festival to celebrate the river. The My Tamar event takes place at Cotehele Quay on Saturday, October 10 from 11am to 4pm, and will showcase projects to protect the river for future generations as well as the array of produce, artists, activities and community groups based along the 60-mile stretch of water. Call 01579 372 140 or visit www.my-tamar.org

A new research project has been launched to explore the importance of Cornwall’s landscape and how people benefit from it. Conducted by Plymouth University, in conjunction with the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the study will examine how people use different types of landscape, how this influences their health, wellbeing and identity, and whether there are any barriers to people visiting these areas. The research will focus on four specific landscapes: St Anthony’s Head on the Roseland, the Camel Trail between Padstow and Wadebridge, Siblyback Lake near Liskeard and Crenver Grove near Camborne. Visitors to each site will be invited to use cameras, soundsticks and questionnaires to record their opinions.

Bumper summer for

whale watchers A national survey of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) was conducted between July 25 and August 2, with a flurry of sightings around Cornwall. Organised by the Sea Watch Foundation, volunteers recorded sightings of porpoises in Mount’s Bay and St Ives. The common dolphin was regularly spotted off West Cornwall, with Risso’s dolphins spotted off Falmouth and in Mount’s Bay. There was also a rare visitor from warmer waters – a striped dolphin swam into the Camel Estuary at Little Petherick. A small community of bottlenose dolphins ranges around the south-west peninsula, and these were seen in St Ives Bay and Newquay Bay. Minke whales were also seen off St Levan and in Mount’s Bay. Although the snapshot survey is complete, monitoring continues and members of the public are urged to report sightings on the Sea Watch Foundation website, and to start dedicated watches from their local patch. Visit www. seawatchfoundation.org.uk/become-a-sea-watch-observer/

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A

s I sit to write this month’s column it is a horrible grey, wet morning and I’m feeling a little tired. Paul and I have almost finished the main part of the harvest, the linseed isn’t ready yet and we only have a few acres of wheat left in the fields. This is the reason I’m tired, we worked on until 2am in a bid to get as much cut as we could before the next band of rain arrived. It was a worthwhile effort. We finished the last of the malting barley by 6pm, and brought the combine back from the other side of the creek via the village. Mylor can be a bit tight to get through with such a big machine, but it all went well and we were cutting again by 7pm. In all, we harvested 100 tonnes of barley and a further 100 tonnes of wheat - a good day, albeit long.

The Maris Otter made the grade for malting for St Austell Brewery, and we are awaiting the results for the Propino barley for Skinner’s Brewery.

Hopefully it will be up to standard, as we have the best part of 600 tonnes of the stuff in our shed.

Harvest is predominantly a time of clearing the crops from the fields. A time of getting straw baled and carried, hauling trailer loads of grain around and then pushing it up into big heaps in the sheds. It is also a time when “Ladybird Rescue” leaps into life. Ladybirds feed in the ripe crops, and being about the same size as a cereal grain, they often end up being harvested too. The ones I spot get scooped up with a shovel and dumped outside in the grass before they go through the cleaning and drying equipment. Black ground beetles also get rescued. Not that I’m soft or anything.

This theme seems to have transferred across to larger

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creatures. I found a young swallow, probably on its maiden flight, on the ground trying to scrabble into some brambles in a panic. It got put up on some wires close to his siblings.

A month earlier, it was a hedgehog. My pal Steve and I were zeroing (adjusting) a new telescopic sight on my rifle when I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. Thinking it was a rat, we were all ready to take aim when we realised that it was a young hedgehog. He had obviously gone solo and was no longer with mum, but had failed to remember that he was supposed to be nocturnal.

After I had showed him to Jillie, I put him in the long grass near my apple trees.

Hopefully a hungry badger won’t find him if he is that clueless.

Hedgehogs may be in decline nationally, but we do not seem to be short of them here. Apart from the youngster, there is an adult who has a regular route around our house and garden. I’ve seen him a time or two; he is quite unafraid of me and will happily sniff my hand as a curious dog or cat might.

Paul even has a hedgehog problem. He keeps his two gundogs in a kennel and run, but one of our spikey friends likes to go into the pen to raid the dog food. The dogs don’t know what to do apart from to bark at it. Not content with raids into the pen, it has been raiding the dog food bag too, leaving hedgehog poo in the process. Paul has taken to giving it its own bowl in a bid to solve the issue. The rate we are going, we will end up with the roe deer that live on the farm coming into the yard to be fed – quite the petting zoo!

Matthew and Paul Dale farm arable crops and a small beef herd at Restronguet Barton on the banks of the Fal. Visit restronguet.com or follow @Restronguet on Twitter

MATTHEW DALE

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by Cornwa ed ll r i sp

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by Cornwall

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Summer’s End Words and illustration by Dick Twinney

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To win a signed, limited edition print of Summer’s End, tick the Dick Twinney box on page 134 or e-mail competitions@cornwalltoday.co.uk

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compet

n compet it itioAll the material used in this painting, including the feather, was

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gathered from one small field corner and set up in my studio. The orb web spider also came from the same area, which was a mass of cobwebs. The older webs were covered in grass seeds and various inedible insect parts, beetle wing cases and the butterfly wing.

Although the hedgerow leaves are also losing the greens of summer, the autumn fruits, hips, haws and various berries add bright splashes of colour among the browns and golds. co

f ever a painting of mine depicted autumn and the end of summer, I would consider this one of my best. Strictly speaking, October is well into autumn, but this field corner watercolour could not have any other title.

The rich greens of the meadow’s edge have all turned various shades of brown and yellow, with the many flowering plants and grasses bearing various forms of seed heads which are attractive in their own right.

They will rely on a great many methods of distribution, some employing wind power, as in the case of the thistle family, while other seed pods have small hooks and spikes that become attached to any passing animal or clothing, especially our dogs which always have to be ‘de-burred’ after returning from these field walks.

I am especially fond of the muted colours which abound at this time of the year, the strange shapes of the dying foliage presenting an art form in its own right. I have tried to capture a sense of sadness, the end of something special.

The inclusion of the discarded buzzard’s feather and the delicate wing of the common blue butterfly all add to this evocative scene.

tition compe pe ti m

To see more of Dick’s wildlife art, or to purchase prints or paintings that have appeared here, call 01637 880606 or visit www.theartofdicktwinney.com and www.wildlifeartforcollectors.co.uk www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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Porthleven’s A PHOTOGRAPHIC THROUGH THE LENS Words by Sue Kittow

I

’m standing in front of a huge photographic mural of Porthleven harbour on a wall of the bar Out Of The Blue. With me is Alan Ziemann, project administrator of the Porthleven Historic Photographic Collection, which includes more than 5,700 images reflecting life in the village from the 1870s to the 1960s. The pictorial archive is considered so important that it was opened to the public in August by none other than transatlantic sailor Pete Goss MBE. “I came in here over two years ago for a pint, and I’d not seen this mural before,” Alan recalls. “I told the bar owner, Simon Stone, ‘This isn’t the harbour I remember - I’ve got a picture at home when it was a hive of industry with the steam crane, and the coal boats coming in’. Simon said he wouldn’t mind putting a few old photographs up; having got them up, he said, ‘I wouldn’t mind having a few more.’ And now there are photographs everywhere.”

Indeed, every wall is covered in photographs, carefully mounted and framed, arranged in different themes by Rod Stephens, who has edited and curated the exhibition. “First of all are boatbuilding, fishing, agriculture and horticulture, storms, wrecks and lifeboats, which were utilised as the

backdrop to tell Porthleven’s diverse social history,” Rod explains. “Once these initial themes were established, more social themes were interwoven, such as both world wars, football, cricket and bowls, two major fires, Saint Peterstide, macrobiologist Claude Dolman, artist AK Brander, coastguards, tenor John Treleaven and many more. The pictures are all tagged so that visitors can enjoy as much information as they wish.”

Historian Roger Hosking shows me photographs of the boats Fort Churchill and Fort York, which were built on the harbour head in 1913 for Canadian retailer Hudson’s Bay Company. “Alan’s father, Charles Ziemann, was the chief engineer who came to fit the engines, having trained with Howard Diesel in Germany, and he was on that ship to Hudson Bay,” says Roger.

Porthleven’s most famous landmark, the Institute Buildings, has been photographed many times in recent years as it weathered Atlantic storms. In archive shots, it resembles a church. “In 1884, William Bickford Smith from Trevarno built the Institute which included the town clock and a library and reading room for the fishermen to be

Above: 1926 PZ114 Energetic Lost In 1947

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educated when they weren’t at sea,” Roger explains, adding with a laugh: “After 30 years they got tired of all that and took out all the books and put in two snooker tables.”

He leads the way to the boatbuilding section, explaining how Kittos built boats in Porthleven for around a century from 1850, including about 11 steam drifters for Lowestoft. A second family, the Bowdens, also built boats here - there were two slipways, with Kittos on the left-hand side and Bowdens on the right.

“Jackie Bowden built some fantastic boats from 1860 for about 70 years, when they were eventually taken over by Pascoe and Gilbert,” says Roger. “He built beautiful Bristol Channel pilot cutters, some of which are still sailing in Swansea now, and lots of fishing boats for east coast ports like Grimsby and Lowestoft. At their peak before the war, Porthleven boatbuilders were turning out one boat a month.

They employed about 100 shipwrights, which was incredible

if you think how small the village was.”

Another photograph depicts pilchards hanging up to dry outside a cottage wall.

“They were hung from windows and doors, and you can see the villagers standing guard to scare off the gulls,” laughs Roger. My own favourite is a photograph of a 1930 regatta showing horses swimming in the harbour – apparently they used to pull the lifeboat in those days. The annual festival of Porthleven (St Peterstide) is also covered.

It’s well worth visiting this exhibition to see it all for yourself.

Roger adds: “My family’s been here for 200 years, so this is an important record of the social history of the village. There used to be a sign up saying ‘Porthleven Historic Harbour’, but sadly that’s gone, so there’s no indication that all this was going on.”

He smiles. “The core of the village was the harbour, and the core of the harbour was the fishing. All the other things were supporting industries - building, net making, blacksmiths. It would never have happened without the boats.”

Porthleven Historic Photographic Collection can be seen from midday daily at

Out of the Blue Bar | Mill Lane | Porthleven | TR13 9LQ | 01326 573881 Above and Inset: Lady Hilda Launch 22 March 1909

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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MUM AND DAD

NICK BARTLE OF WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND SHARES HIS MEMORIES OF HOME AND THE STORY OF HIS MOVE Words by Viki Wilson

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oday, Nick Bartle is membership secretary of the New Zealand Cornish Association, but he retains many fond memories of his Cornish childhood.

“I was born and brought up in St Day and went to the village primary school,” he recalls. “There was a close-knit group of kids who lived around The Green, which was little more than an area of weeds on Telegraph Street, but that was where we spent a lot of time playing.“ Feast Days in June were annual highlights, and in October there would be the annual show of produce, crafts and children’s school work.

Nick’ s father had experienced life overseas as a “home boy” in Canada. “He was sent there at 16 as part of a Salvation Army scheme that was supposed to provide Canada with a much-needed workforce, while providing the children with practical experience - in farming for the boys, and domestic service for the girls - and a home for children whose families were not in a position to care for them,” explains Nick. “In reality the system was far from its noble intentions. Many of the children were abused and misused and became slave labourers - although I

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believe he was treated well, and he did come home (many didn’t) to Cornwall. He had done many jobs, but, for all my childhood he was a butcher, delivering meat in a van in the Falmouth, Penryn and Mylor area where he was always popular with his customers.”

Nick’s mother was the daughter of a small-scale dairy farmer at Treworder Mill near Truro. His parents met and married in Truro and, as a young couple, were involved in looking after prisoners of war during the Second World War. At the end of the war, they settled in St Day where Nick’s maternal grandparents had retired.

As a child, Nick remembers travelling all over Cornwall on community coach trips which his mother organised.

“Regular destinations were St Ives, Penzance, Newquay, Padstow and Mevagissey,” he remembers. “Mum was very organised and would often get up early to bake pasties that would be wrapped to stay warm and eaten for lunch on the beach.”

After studying natural sciences at Cambridge, Nick pursued a career in accounting and finance which eventually took him to New Zealand in 1984. “My home

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WELLINGTON CITY

There are many similarities between New Zealand and Cornwall:

beautiful scenery, gorgeous beaches and friendly people

in Wellington is within walking distance of golden sands and swimming beaches, and only five miles from the parliament buildings,” he enthuses. “It doesn’t take very long to get far enough away from the city to be in deep wilderness with little sign of habitation.”

With around 130 members dotted around the country, the NZ Cornish Association is a small but select group.

Meetings generally have speakers on Cornish topics, Cornish music and Cornish food, and a national meeting is held on alternate years. “Many members were born in Cornwall, most can trace their family trees back to Cornish roots and the rest have either lived there or just love the place - understandably,” says Nick.

“There is an amazing array of links between New Zealand and Cornwall. The Cornish men and women who have come here clearly wanted to hang on to some of their heritage. Just in and around Wellington, there are lots of Cornish place names – one of the headlands at the entrance to the harbour is Pencarrow Head, and the suburb of Camborne has Truro Road, Bodmin Terrace, St Ives Drive, Trispen Place and more. There are at least two

Cornish-style engine houses in NZ.” Are there any similarities between New Zealand and Cornwall? “Yes, many: beautiful scenery, gorgeous beaches and friendly people for starters. Whenever I mention I come from Cornwall, people usually rave about how lovely it is and wonder why I ever left. Initially it was for university and work, but now that I am part of the greater Cornish diaspora, I don’t think there is any going back – at least, not permanently.”

But Nick admits there’s a great deal he misses about his homeland. “I miss the blackberries that grow in the lanes - I’ve never been able to recapture the taste. And I have yet to find a brand of clotted cream like Rodda’s, or a good commercially made pasty. But all the ingredients are here to make my own pasties and saffron cake – which I often do. Sitting out in the garden with a pasty in my hand and my eyes closed, listening to the seagulls cry, I can almost believe I’m home again. Nostalgic? Me?” For more information about the NZ Cornish Association, e-mail nzcornish@slingshot.co.nz

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heritage

reviving

liquor for that year’s batch of Wassail, a spiced Cornish cider.

Served gently warmed, there’s nothing to beat it in october when the nights are drawing in and there’s a chill in the air - other fine apple juice and cider producers and purveyors are available, but this one will always be my favourite! www. cornishorchards.co.uk Cornwall has a long and established tradition of orchards and apple traditions, and in the very west of the duchy, the time around Hallowe’en was known as allantide. this was an early Christian festival linked to a little known Cornish saint, St allan. Great “allan markets” would be held, at which it was customary to purchase large, red, polished apples known as “allan apples” to give to loved ones as tokens of good luck. Children would sleep with them under their pillows, and older girls would hope to dream of the person they might marry. St Just Feast was known by many as “old allantide” and was the most important festivity of the year until well into the 20th century. allantide divination and games were prevalent; one involved nailing together two pieces of wood in a cross formation, to be hung from the ceiling while suspending apples from the wood and lighting candles on top of the wood. the game was to catch the apples in your mouth, while avoiding bumping the structure too much, causing the hot wax to drip!

In Celtic philosophy, the celebration of Hallowe’en is actually the celebration of the ancient time of year known as Samhain. It’s believed that Samhain was the end of the Celtic year, and as with all Celtic festivals, was observed from sunset the day before. So the Christianised all Hallows Evening, or Hallowe’en as it became, is the night before Samhain. this was Celtic New year’s Eve, and while you might expect it to be an occasion for a knees-up, it was frequently a more sombre affair. Known as Nos Calan Gwaf or Winter Eve in revived Cornish, it’s the time of year

Words by Sally Bell

Nos Calan Gwaf M

y first job in Cornwall was at Cornish orchards in duloe, working on the production room floor. It was hard work - pressing, bottling, pasteurising and labelling juice and cider - but the fantastic camaraderie made the time pass quickly, and my workmates gave me a crash course in Cornish life and humour for which I will always be grateful. the best task I was given was during the first (and only) autumn I worked there. I was presented with a recipe, a box of oranges, a peeler, numerous bags of herbs and a hosepipe. I was then directed to a large heated vat, instructed to fill it with water and add the appropriate amounts of herbs and orange peel, and stir. the result, some hours later, was a steaming cauldron of amazingly scented liquid, which was to be the

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wildlife

for remembrance, and it’s a happy coincidence that Remembrance Sunday occurs not long after.

This time of the year marked the end of summer and the harvest, and the beginning of the dark, cold winter.

It’s a time of death and rebirth, when Celtic people remember loved ones who have passed away, and take time to thank the spirits of our ancestors. There are old stories of celebratory meals with places set at the table in honour of family members who had died in the preceding year. It’s a very symbolic way of showing respect and stopping for a moment to reflect, without the manufactured festivity that can be prevalent at contemporary New Year’s Eve revels.

It’s also the time when the “veils between the worlds become thin”, and it’s easy to see how that has been exaggerated and commercialised into the great confection we know as Hallowe’en today. But we should also understand that this is rooted in a very sacred and solemn tradition. As is common in their festivities, Celtic people would mark this time of year by lighting bonfires and the like to ensure the return of the sun and ward off malevolent spirits. I think we can revive aspects of these traditions in our own small ways - the (safe) lighting of candles in our homes as the day closes is a reassuring and easy way to do so, and it connects us back to the time of our ancestors.

Another excellent way to indulge in seasonal revelry is to attend Lowender Peran, Cornwall’s international festival of Celtic culture. Held at the Atlantic Hotel in Newquay from October 14 to 18, this highly-respected event is jam-packed with fabulous events, including music, dance, Cornish language, sport and even a silent disco! It’s a very inclusive atmosphere – don’t miss the family day on Sunday – and an important event on the Cornish cultural calendar. www.lowenderperan.co.uk

Kernewek hedhyw

When in Cornwall ….

Kowsva: The Cornish Place is now open at 65 West End, Redruth.

It’s a drop-in centre for those interested in Cornish language (look out for free taster sessions) and culture; a meeting place for volunteers of place and family names project Taves an Tir (Tongue Of The Land); and a shop for Cornish language/bilingual books, DVDs and gifts. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 to 1pm, http://cornish-language.org Dydh da, fatla genowgh?

Hello, how are you?

A yllowgh kewsel dhymm adro dhe Gernewek?

Can you tell me about Cornish?

Pyth yw Taves an Tir? What is Taves an Tir? Meur dhe les yw henwyn leow Kernewek.

Cornish place names are very interesting.

Pyth yw styr hanow ow thre?

What is the meaning of the name of my town?

Py lyvrow a allav prena dhe weres gans dyski Kernewek?

What books can I buy to help with learning Cornish?

Way py dydhyow usi an gwerthji ygerys?

What days is the shop open?

Myttin Dy Lun, Dy Mergher, Dy Gwener ha Dy Sadorn.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings.

My a vyn prena ro rag ow mamm.

I want to buy a present for my mother.

Eus rohow Kernewek genowgh dhe bren?

Do you have any Cornish gifts to buy?

Da yw genev an hanav na – py kost yw?

I like that mug – how much is it?

Meur ras – my a wra y gavos.

Thank you – I’ll take it.

Goodbye – thank you!

Duw genowgh – meur ras!

Hear these phrases at www.magakernow.org.uk/cornwalltoday MAGA provides a free short translation service. Call 01872 323497 or visit www.magakernow.org.uk/translation

news:

•More than 750,000 people visited August’s Interceltic festival in Lorient, Brittany. Visitors to the Cornish pavilion enjoyed performances, pasties, cream teas, beer and cider, while 3.2million TV viewers watched Cornish dancers and singers in the Nuits Interceltiques.

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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advertise your business in the uk’s best regional magazine contact 08456 060 311

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art

purpose but with a very definite

Gareth edwards is many thinGs but the best way to understand him is simply to Gaze at one of his paintinGs words by Alex Wade, photographs by Mike Newman / www.ocean-image.com

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ome artists have an uneasy, perhaps even hostile, relationship with words. they find titling their works difficult and clam up when being interviewed. no surprise, really: artists work with imagery, and it’s perfectly reasonable for them to prefer to let their marks do the talking. but Gareth edwards, a hugely respected lamorna Cove-based artist, isn’t one of them. arriving at edwards’ studio in st ives – in the famed porthmeor studios complex – one of the first things i notice is a list of words on a desk, next to some sketches. and an interesting list it is, too. “immersive atmosphere”, “poetic” and “turneresque romantic” appear, along with “Calming” and “drawing the viewer into towards contemplation”. there are many other similarly hewn words, and another notable phrase: “meaningless but not without purpose”. and when i ask edwards to explain the list, he is eloquent to a fault.

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art “Words are very important to me,” he says. “the titles of my works are very much a part of their identity, and the list is a way of coalescing thoughts and feelings about my paintings.” But if they’re meaningless, how can they have a purpose? “the works are meaningless, in the sense that so much of life is,” explains Edwards. “they won’t save the world. But in a gentle and modest way they do have a purpose. there is a definite intention: it’s to move the viewer, to create a contemplative feeling.”

Edwards’ studio has additional evidence of his love of language, from novels such as Sartre’s the Reprieve to many books of poetry. Particular favourites are John Clare, amy Clampitt, Paul Muldoon and WB yeats. It’s not difficult to conclude that their sensibilities inform his work, but it wasn’t always so: Edwards’ early life suggested a predilection for sport rather than art and literature.

Born in 1960 in London, Edwards was brought up in Hackney until his parents separated, and then by his mother in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. He attended a public school which, as he puts it, “was so sporty that if I wanted to read, I had to do it in secret – I’d have been ostracised if I’d been seen with a book in my hands”. despite this tension between the physical and cerebral, Edwards excelled at a number of sports, from football and basketball to cricket. He remains a keen cyclist, making the round trip each day from Lamorna Cove to St Ives. there’s more: albeit that he spent a lot of his childhood drawing and making things, the young Edwards was set for a career in the army until the last minute. “I went through the admission process for Sandhurst, and passed, but knew it wasn’t for me. I abandoned it in favour of sixth form college.” at college, Edwards wanted to study art, but was dissuaded by his parents. “they told me I could do art in my spare time,” he says. Instead a levels followed, and a psychology degree at Goldsmith’s College, London. two terms in, he did something radical: he joined an evangelical Christian cult. “at the time, it seemed right,” he says. “I was obsessed with finding answers, with trying to find truth and meaning. I threw myself into books, and read all manner of writers – the likes of turgenev, Spinoza and Nietzsche. and then I had an epiphany. I had to get out. I wasn’t happy. It took me two or three years to make the break.” He has been staunchly atheist ever since – though he confesses to loving church architecture and visiting churches at every opportunity. Intriguingly, a former show was also called Holy Land.

But instead of religion, culture in all its forms became

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all-encompassing, and by 1984 Edwards had graduated with a Ba Hons in art History from the University of London. then came another key moment. “the day I graduated, having read so much about art, I walked into the university’s art studio and started painting. I haven’t stopped since. It was such a relief to return to art - it felt like coming home.”

Edwards spent the next few years in London acquiring possibly one of the widest artistic educations imaginable. He worked in West End galleries as a technical assistant, worked as a van driver for an art delivery company, and taught art at both Chelsea and Clerkenwell Colleges of art. He even wrote one of Chelsea’s art courses, painting all the while.

“I was preoccupied by post-modernism at the time,” says Edwards. “I’d make fantastically odd installations, and people would say ‘How interesting’ when they saw my pieces.”

Edwards’ modest memories of this period are one thing; another is that various galleries took notice, and started giving him shows. His work then tended to pure abstraction, but a trip to Norway made for a pronounced sea-change.

“I met my wife Rachael [Reeves, herself also an artist] while working as a delivery driver,” recalls Edwards. “We met across a fridge! Straight after we had our first daughter, Kate, we went to Norway for three weeks. I read hundreds of Seamus Heaney poems. the place, the poetry, having a daughter, being with Rachael – it all made for a crucible of change.”

Since then, Edwards’ work has morphed away from intellectualism to become rooted in the senses and emotions. He was taken on by the Hart Gallery in London; three sell-out shows quickly followed. as well as a deeply poetic sensibility, landscape is crucial. Edwards’ paintings evoke the elemental, hinting at recognisable forms and places but eschewing any form of permanent anchorage. Echoing the likes of turner and twombly but with Edwards’ unique and contemporary freshness, Cornwall – where the family settled in 2000 – is an important influence: “It can’t not be, especially the area where I live. Lamorna Cove is where the land meets the sea, a meditative place of constant change.”

Hence, then, Edwards’ next show. It’s called oceanography: Part 2, and is being hosted by Lemon Street Gallery in october. It’s easy to read more into the title when Edwards admits both that his father’s departure, when he was just three, “was very significant in my life – I resent it deeply”, and

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art

that his father also once gave him a Larousse book on oceanography. “I loved the book,” he says. “I was always struck by a drawing in it of a massive tidal wave.”

But if it’s tempting to see Edwards’ latest show as a nod to his father, as ambiguous as it is profound, cod psychology doesn’t do him justice. And for all that he loves language, words don’t quite sum him up either. The best way to get a handle on the man is simply to gaze at one of his paintings. Ethereal, luminous, immersive: the work is quite beautiful, and decidedly with a purpose.

Gareth Edwards shows at Lemon Street Gallery, 13 Lemon Street, Truro, TR1 2LS from October 10 to November 7. Visit www.lemonstreetgallery.co.uk and www.garethedwardsartist.co.uk

It’s to move the viewer, to create a contemplative feeling

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inspiration MILLBROOK PRINTMAKER HELEN ROUND REFLECTS HER SURROUNDINGS IN HER HOMEWARES Words by Sarah Drew

W

inding our way up a lovely, higgledy piggledy garden path to printmaker Helen Round’s studio in Millbrook, south-east Cornwall, we’re greeted by agapanthas, montbretia and wild roses. It’s a pleasant surprise to get to the top, walk onto the decking of her modern workshop and look back at the view: a panoramic vista of fields with sheep happily grazing, the village in the near distance and pretty hedgerows in the foreground.

It’s easy to see why she’d be inspired to reproduce aspects of this impressive view in her elegantly drawn prints for lampshades, aprons, bags and cushions. Helen points at a hedge: “That’s the hedge from the Hedgerow collection,” she says. The sheep opposite featured in her Pastoral collection, and the agapanthas I’ve just brushed past formed the basis of her Garden collection. “I don’t really follow trends as such - I just draw and make what I like.”

Walking into her tidy but packed studio, where her apprentice Hayley (her son’s girlfriend) is busy cutting out fabric to be printed and sewn into her popular bread bags, it’s great to spot aspects of the view in the contemporary designs. Line drawings are printed on soft-hued 100 per cent linen, hand-dyed to Helen’s specifications in vivid seablues, soft sage greens, the kind of colours you never go off.

Taking in how organised and busy the studio is, and how professional and well-rounded Helen’s collections are, it’s hard to believe her business making hand-printed

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homewares has only been going for three years. She’s friendly and funny, but you can definitely tell she’s a grafter and has worked hard over the last few years to build up beautifully designed collections and a list of over 40 stockists around the country. “I taught myself what I needed to know as I went along - marketing, accounting and so on - and just got on with it.”

Her quiet determination has obviously paid off, with Guardian style journalist Charlotte Abraham selecting her to show on her ‘Spotted’ stand at the well-respected trade show Top Drawer. She received lots of new orders at the show, and valuable contacts for new customers that propelled the business forward. Her products have also featured in Delicious and Coast magazines, with Country Homes and Interiors shortlisting her for its prestigious 2015 My Country Business award.

Helen always been a maker, and returned to education in 2002 (when her children got a bit older) to study textiles and printmaking at Cornwall College with textile artist Sue Dove.

She loved it, and went on to teach at Plymouth Museum. She’s always loved making actual things though - “I’m essentially quite a practical person” - and started making printed aprons, which proved very popular. Encouraged, she wondered what else people might need, and branched out into cushions, lampshades, tea towels, big roomy bags and lovely purses.

As her father was in the Navy, Helen grew up around Plymouth then went away to Hong Kong with her family,

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craft

returning to Cornwall at the age of 22. In fact, her new Lugger collection is designed in homage to her upbringing around boats: she was press-ganged into learning how to sail from a young age, and would happily spend time with her dad on his boat as he trained other young sailors on Plymouth Sound. She recalls Donald Paton Jones, a charismatic, eccentric padre from the Mission to Seafarers, who would sail his lugger among the merchant ships, preaching and handing out bibles in various languages. He would come up alongside her dad’s boat and hop aboard for a cup of tea and chat; Helen remembers him as an impressive, non-conformist character who loved his boat, which she has recreated wonderfully with stylish angular sails in her new design (my favourite).

Considering the thought she puts into her designs and the quality of the fabric she uses (she’s also eco-certified), her prices are very reasonable: from £12.50 for a tea towel or mug to £50 for a hand-printed cushion or lampshades.

Her popular linen bread bags (which stop bread from going mouldy as the fabric is breathable) are £19.95. As well as the trade shows in London, Helen exhibits at local fairs in Cornwall (she’ll be at the Cowslip Workshop Christmas fair in November), and stocks local shops and galleries such as the Duchy Nursery near Lostwithiel, The Sea Garden in Portscatho and The Upcycled Home at Mount Edgcumbe. And at Christmas, she opens her studios to the public - you can

be sure of a warm welcome, mulled wine and a chance to admire that view. That’s my kind of shopping.

Call Helen Round on 07762 250485 or visit www.helenround.com

Shop and make in

October

► October 3 & 4: Mid Century and Vintage fair at Bedruthan

Hotel, Mawgan Porth. A busy, stylish fair full of proper vintage and handmade gifts and clothes, with talks and workshops. Saturday, 10am to 5pm; Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

Free but pre-booking is essential: http://www.bedruthan.com/midcentury-and-vintage-fair/ ► Saturday, October 10: Make your own Christmas stocking at Love Mia, Porthleven. The shop is a treasure trove of haberdashery bits and bobs, but bring anything special you might want to include. £45 for the day, including basic threads, wadding, some fabric and accessories. 11.30am to 5pm. Call 07887388122 or go lovemiatextileartist.wordpress.com ► Sunday, October 11: Introduction to glass-fusing at Cornwall School of Art, Craft and Jewellery near Bodmin. One-day beginners’ class. Learn to make kiln-fired cabochons for use in jewellery. All materials included. 10am to 5pm.

Call 01208 264155 or visit www.csacj.co.uk

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gallery guide

OCTOBER

wave 7 Gallery Port Isaac

2015

Quay arT Contemporary art & Furniture

Padstow

new crafTsman St Ives

Gallery TrescO Tresco

Woodlane Gardens

by Laura McHugh New exhibition by Robert Wilde A show by Robert Wilde runs in the granary, with a mixed show running in the main gallery.

Robert Wilde September 11 to October 9 Art courses are available throughout the autumn and winter.

Ring the gallery for more details.

Out With The Dogs

by Duncan Palmar Inspired by the Newlyn School of Artists, Duncan creates beautiful oil paintings which capture the light and atmosphere of local coastal scenes with the diverse movements, rhythms and space of the sea. For more original paintings, as well as innovative ceramics and unique sculptures, see our wide range of work from national and local artists.

We offer variety, colour and something different in contemporary art.

Colin Orchard RBA 80th birthday exhibition October 10 to 31 In celebration of the artist’s 80th year, this new collection of work partly figurative, partly abstracted oil on board - includes landscapes of Cornwall, and vistas from Orchard’s recent travels to Suffolk, Venice and Tuscany, along with a series of ‘portraits’ of fictional women artists in studio interiors. Jewellery by Cornelius Jakob van Dop will accompany the show.

The Falmouth Art Students’ Drawing Show opens on October 16, featuring work from final year students. With mark making being the only prerequisite for drawing, the students will present a huge variety of work from their time on this three-year course. Last year’s submissions included a broad range of media from crayon, charcoal and pencil to gouache, watercolour and etchings, with exciting results. Their time spent on Tresco will help to inform the work, be it in a literal or abstract sense. The exhibition can be viewed online from October 9.

Open: 10.30am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday; closed Sunday/Monday Address: Plain Street, Trelights Port Isaac PL29 3TW Web: www.wave7gallery.co.uk

Open: Every day Address: Quay Art, 9 North Quay Padstow PL28 8AF E-mail: art@quay-art.co.uk Web: www.quay-art.co.uk

Address: 24 Fore Street, St Ives TR26 1HE E-mail: info@newcraftsmanstives.com Web: newcraftsmanstives.com

Open: Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm, Sunday 10.30am to 4pm.

Address: New Grimsby, Tresco, Isles of Scilly TR24 0QE E-mail: gallery@tresco.co.uk Web: www.gallerytresco.co.uk

Tel: 01208 880605

Tel: 01841 533534

Tel: 01736 795652

Tel: 01720 424925

alexandra dicKens Gallery St Ives

Foreshore In celebration of 20 years in St Ives, Alexandra has created a collection of new paintings reflecting the inspiration she continues to find in the landscape and light of the area which has harboured and nurtured her work. The uncompromising exuberance and energy of this work is palpable and engaging to all visitors of this intimate gallery.

Commissions always welcome Call Alexandra on 07967 144113 Open: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm Address: Back Road West, St Ives TR26 1NL E-mail: alexandradickens@btconnect.com Website: www.alexandradickens.co.uk

Tel: 01736 796288

Art Listings_October 2015 jk.indd 2

KesTle BarTOn Helston

Kestle Barton: Rural Centre for Contemporary Arts, is a restored ancient Cornish farmstead situated on the Lizard, along the two-mile circular public footpath between Frenchman’s Creek and Helford village. It is open from April to October, with beautiful gardens attached to the gallery.

Jollytown Etchings: Prints by Bryan Ingham 1968 - 1979 September 12 to October 31 Spontonality music improvisation sequence led by Tim West with Matthew Barley and Guests October 10 to 15

GriBBin Gallery

Polkerris, near Fowey

Rocks And Water

by Gordon Hunt Situated directly on the South West Coast Path, Gribbin Gallery stands just above the pretty beach of Polkerris with views across St Austell Bay. We have an eclectic blend of fine art, jewellery, pottery and crafts, many of which have a coastal flavour. Our artists include Nicholas St John Rosse, Andrew Giddens, Julia Cooper, Robin Leonard, Ness Lannen, Gordon Hunt, Kit Johns, Michael Woodman and David Stansfield.

waTerside Gallery St Mawes

Waterside Gallery overlooks the sea on the beautiful waterfront at St Mawes, and much of our artwork has the sea as its theme: Terry Bailey’s wonderful marine paintings capturing the amazing spectacle of local regattas; Janet Coles’ colourful acrylic collages; Linda Whitton’s fantastic fish paintings; the beach and harbour activity painted by Yvonne Fuller, Daisy Sims-Hillditch, James Wood; and much more.

We look forward to seeing you.

Address: Kestle Barton, Manaccan, Helston TR12 6HU Open: 10:30am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday; also bank holidays and by appointment.

E-mail: info@kestlebarton.co.uk Web: www.kestlebarton.co.uk

Open: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm Address: Village Hall, Polkerris, Par PL24 2TL Facebook: www.facebook.com/ GribbinGallery Web: www.gribbingallery.co.uk

Open: Monday to Saturday, 10.30am to 5pm; Sunday, 11am to 4.30pm.

Address: 21 Marine Parade, St Mawes Web: www.watersidegallery.co.uk

Tel: 01326 231 811

Tel: 01726 810116

Tel: 01326 270136

10/09/2015 12:36:01

october Yew Tree GallerY

nr. Morvah & Pendeen

Goose Collage by Mark Hearld Autumn Feast September 5 to October 31 This exhibition expresses the bounty of the season in paintings and collages by Mark Hearld, illustrative drawings and fabric sculptures of song birds by Emily Sutton, fishy fruits of the sea in wood carvings and box constructions by Alex Malcolmson, colourfully decorated ceramics by Robina Jack, painterly tableware by Vicki Walton in the Bloomsbury tradition, fine handcarved jewellery in gold, silver and semi-precious stones by Guy Royle, and John Maltby’s sculptures.

Open: Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am to 5pm until October 31.

Address: Keigwin, near Morvah and Pendeen, TR19 7TS On B3306 coast road to St Just.

E-mail: gilly@yewtreegallery.com Web: www.yewtreegallery.com

Tel: 01736 786425 verYan Galleries

Veryan Green

spindrifT GallerY Portscatho

Since opening in 2007, this gallery overlooking the sea has established a reputation for promoting local artists, and much of the work is exclusive to Spindrift.

Paintings, prints and cards reflecting the beaches, cliffs and countryside of the Roseland are complemented by a diverse range of ceramics, silver and semi-precious stone jewellery, sculpture, glass and decorative items for the home.

Regular exhibitors include Cynthia Greenslade, Chris Prindl, Jane Adams, Sue Gregor, Laetitia Miles, David Fry, Lucy Kemp, Carla Jennings, Jen Williams, Nicki Martin, Jason Webb and Livvy Wiegand.

St Ives

The cowhouse GallerY Perranuthnoe

Close to the Hayle Estuary Nature Reserve lies Jon Tremaine’s Wildlife Gallery and working studio, allowing visitors to take a closer look at his pen and ink illustrations.

Call in to meet him and browse the collection in a contemporary environment. Originals, prints and cards available for purchase.

Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 5.30pm.

Address: 8 The Quay, Portscatho, Truro TR2 5HF E-mail:cynthia@spindrift-gallery.co.uk Web: www.spindrift-gallery.co.uk

Open: Refer to website Address: The Old Forge, Lelant, St Ives TR27 6JG E-mail: artist@jontremaine.com Web: www.jontremaine.com

Address: Lynfield Craft Centre, Perranuthnoe, Penzance TR20 9NE Open: Daily, 10am to 5pm E-mail: info@cowhousegallery.co.uk Web: www.cowhousegallery.co.uk

Tel: 01872 580155

Tel: 07966 406474

Tel: 01736 710538

The round house & capsTan GallerY

Sennen Cove, Penzance

Open: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5.30pm.

Address: Veryan Galleries, Veryan Green, Roseland Peninsula TR2 5QQ. E-mail: info@veryangalleries.co.uk Web: www.veryangalleries.co.uk

The Golden Egg

by Colin Caffell This unique circular gallery is a showcase for Cornish creative excellence. Two floors feature an ever-changing display of paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics and jewellery. Paintings by Paul Armitage, Romi Behrens, John Piper, Mark Poprawski, Michael Praed, Michael Strang, Neil Pinkett and more. Sculpture by Philip Wakeham, Colin Caffell and Phil Booth.

Open: Daily, 10.30am to 5pm Address: Sennen Cove, Penzance TR19 7DF E-mail: roundhouse.gallery@btconnect.com Web: www.round-house.co.uk Twitter: @Capstangallery

Tel: 01872 501469

Tel: 01736 871859

Art Listings_October 2015 jk.indd 3

Jon Tremaine wildlife GallerY

gallery guide

Mad About Matisse

by Carol Chapman Situated in the picturesque village of Perranuthnoe, between Marazion and Helston, The Cowhouse Gallery is run entirely by a group of local artists and craftspeople. This independence allows them to offer a wide range of original work at very affordable prices. Paintings, sculpture, printmaking, photography, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, woodturning and leatherwork are all beautifully displayed in the bright, light art space.

Inner Harbour, Mevagissey

by Robin Leonard Now in its 40th year, the gallery is situated in the picturesque village of Veryan Green between two of its historic roundhouses, a mile from Carne beach. We have on display over 140 quality paintings by established Cornish artists along with prints, ceramics and jewellery.

The gallery is also a working studio.

2015

The TYler GallerY Mousehole

The Tyler Gallery is located in the medieval fishing village of Mousehole, and exhibits some of Cornwall’s leading contemporary artists.

Artists usually shown are Michael Praed, Anthony Frost, John Piper, Neil Pinkett, Paul Armitage, Steve Slimm, Essex Tyler, Fred Yates, Breon O’Casey, Terry Frost, Jack Pender, Mike Hindle, Gill Watkiss, Joan Gillchrest, Charles Howard, John Emmanuel, Michael Upton, Ken Howard, Bernard Evans and Ges Wilson - plus sculpture by Michael Chaikin.

Open: Open daily, all year round, 10am to 6pm. Winter hours vary.

Address: 12 Brook Street, Mousehole, near Penzance TR19 6RD E-mail: essex@essextyler.com Web: www.essextyler.com

Tel: 01736 731109

cornwall conTemporarY Penzance

Six String Zither

by Arthur Lanyon Arthur Lanyon, Totem September 23 to October 17 Don’t miss this new collection from the grandson of St Ives painter Peter Lanyon, the highly anticipated followup to his critically acclaimed 2014 solo exhibition. Exhibitions change monthly, with two floors devoted to work by gallery artists such as Daphne McClure, Neil Pinkett, Maggie Matthews, Simeon Stafford, Emma McClure, Alasdair Lindsay, Fiona Millais and Emma Dunbar. Give your e-mail address for invitations to show openings and London events.

Open: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.

Address: 1 Parade Street, Penzance TR18 4BU E-mail: sarah@cornwallcontemporary.com Web: www.cornwallcontemporary.com

Tel: 01736 874749

10/09/2015 12:36:30

art news

Compiled by Alex Wade alex@alexwade.com

£

pick of the month

Nicholas Charles Williams in Padstow

Padstow is the place to be in October and, specifically, the excellent Drang Gallery, which is hosting the first solo exhibition in almost a decade of paintings by Nicholas Charles Williams. Newquay-based Williams – a lifelong surfer – is known for his wonderful allegorical paintings, created by using local people as models. In 2001 he was awarded the Hunting Art Prize and in 2008 he was shortlisted for the Threadneedle Art Prize. Art critic William Packer says: “... Williams is one of British Art’s well-kept secrets ... even so his reputation is growing fast as both one of the most accomplished figurative artists of his generation, and one of the most unusual.

Indeed there is no one else that I can think of who places himself quite so firmly in the great tradition of early Baroque, yet with no sense of anachronism or pastiche.”

The praise is richly deserved. To see why, head to The Drang Gallery, 8-9 Drang South Quay, Padstow PL28 8BL; the show runs from September 24 to October 16.

Visit www.thedranggallery.com

£ A village green

comes to Goonhilly

brief

Charles Summers is exhibiting his work in a solo show at Stuart House in Liskeard between October 26 and October 31. “There will be a number of my latest paintings on show, which I am really excited about,” says Charles, who has been a professional artist for 40 years. “I’m very interested in nature and its importance in life.”

Charles, who has just sold one of his paintings for £7,000 to an American collector, has lived and worked in Cornwall for many years. In 2012, as a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, he was commissioned to make a Diamond Jubilee fan for Her Majesty the Queen. Charles’ studio is open to visitors and a telephone call beforehand is appreciated.

For more information contact Charles on Tel 01579 345799, e-mail: charlessummers@btconnect.com. See also www.summerscolour.co.uk

inbri

ef inb

in Liskeard

The team at Beside The Wave in Falmouth have an unusual query. One of the gallery’s most popular artists, Sarah Wimperis, has set off on a painting adventure across France. The gallery asks for personal recommendations for painterly places Sarah can visit on her travels. “Always seeking creative inspiration, Sarah is keen to hear of any hidden wonders that may have escaped her planned route, so get in touch with us and we’ll pass them on,” they say. Sounds fun to CT and if you agree, call 01326 211132 or e-mail gallery@beside-the-wave.co.uk See also www. beside-the-wave.co.uk

rief in

£ Charles Summers

There’s just time to head to The Lizard on September 25 and 26, when a temporary village green will appear on the National Nature Reserve at Goonhilly Downs.

Goonhilly Village Green will be a place for locals and visitors to learn more about Goonhilly, sharing stories and enjoying art, science, nature, walks, talks, film screenings and workshop activities. The event has been devised by Falmouth-based artists Sara Bowler and Elizabeth Masterton, and produced with Penryn-based curators Field Notes, with Lottery funding via Arts Council England. For more information, contact Lizzy Masterton on 07813 431054 and visit http://goonhillyvillagegreen.wordpress.com

The Poly, Falmouth, has opened a new contemporary craft and design shop, The Poly Guild. The Guild will be stocking a range of beautifully made work from artists and craftspeople who live locally or who studied at Falmouth University.

Work will include jewellery, ceramics, prints, glass and 3D work, exclusively available in Falmouth through the Poly Guild, making its range truly local and distinctive. Why not check it out?

For more information, contact Guild manager Henry Osman at guild@thepoly.org or communications officer Dot Peryer at dot@thepoly.org

Send your art news to Alex Wade via alex@alexwade.com 62

| Cornwall TODAy

Art News_OCT 15 jk.indd 2

10/09/2015 11:07:11

labelled

love SEE YOUR ARTWORK ON BOTTLES OF HEALEYS CLASSIC RANGE OF CYDERS Words by Sue Bradbury

compet

► To enter, artists are being asked to submit a photographic copy of an original work on the theme of ‘Iconic Cornwall’. Further information and a form to codownload mp and complete when submitting your et i entry tcan be found at www.healeyscyder.co.uk ► Paintings can be any size but should be in a square format. A cash prize of £500 will be awarded to the winner and both the painting and the copyright will belong to Healeys Cyder Farm.

The competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 who is resident in Cornwall and the deadline for entries is Monday, November 30 at 5pm. ► Photos should be in high resolution jpeg format, suitable for printing on A4 photo paper and emailed to info@healeyscyder.co.uk with ‘Artist Label Competition’ in the subject heading.

Alternatively, they can be printed onto A4 photo paper and posted to: Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm, Penhallow, Truro, TR4 9LW. Please clearly mark the envelope ‘Artist Label Competition’.

tition compe pe ti m

compet

n itio

co

n tio

Competition n io

W

ould you like to see a copy of one of your paintings on bottles of Healeys’ range of premium cyders? In conjunction with the Cornish cyder farm that welcomes 400,000 visitors a year and is currently producing around 3.5m litres of cyder annually, we are launching a competition to find a non-professional work that will be used alongside that of more established artists in the county on a new series of labels for Healeys’ Classic range.

“Our range of artists’ labels will showcase Cornwall’s art to hundreds of thousands of people who would not ordinarily see it,” said Kay Healey.

“Information about the artist will be placed on the back or neck label and further details about them will be displayed in our shop. Effectively, buying a bottle will mean buying a limited edition print of an original painting.”

n compet it itio

co

n tio

n io

Competition

A shortlist of 10 paintings will be selected by the judging panel in December and photos of these will appear in the February issue of Cornwall Today. The 10 shortlisted artists will be requested to bring the actual paintings to the Cyder Farm in December for professional photographing and displaying alongside the paintings of Paul Lewin, Melanie McDonald, Glyn Macey and Richard Pearce.

Readers will then be asked to vote for their favourite. The winner will be announced in our April issue.

tition compe pe ti m

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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food

treat Kitchen fans VISITORS TO THE PADSTOW CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL THIS YEAR CAN ENJOY A COOKERY DEMO FROM TV CHEF JAMES MARTIN

“

I

’m not quite sure what I’ll be doing, but I think it will involve me making some desserts,” says James Martin of his recently announced slot at the Padstow Food Festival.

James was quick to agree when friend and colleague Rick Stein asked him to appear at the festival, even though the visit will involve him racing down to Cornwall for his Sunday evening live cookery demonstration after appearing on Saturday Kitchen the day before.

“We’ve known each other for years,” says James. “We were both judges for the Roux Scholarship, a leading chef competition which was televised a couple of years ago, and Rick has often stood in for me on Saturday Kitchen.”

James will appear at this year’s festival along with other leading chefs including Angela Hartnett of London’s Murano, Michael Caines of two Michelin star Gidleigh Park in Devon, and award-winning chef Mitch Tonks. Festival goers can also enjoy an appearance by Rick Stein who has championed the event since it began in 2008.

Over the years James has made several friendships with leading local chefs who have appeared on the popular BBC show, including

Words by Viki Wilson

Nathan Outlaw and Paul Ainsworth.

“I’ve got to know Paul and Nathan from Saturday Kitchen mainly,” he says. “Paul did go to the top of the leaderboard for our Omelette Challenge, where top chefs have to make a simple omelette against the clock, but he was beaten after about a week.

“He and Nathan have appeared several times over the years and I have become friends with them. I was quite intrigued to come down to Cornwall and visit to find out what all the fuss was about the Cornish food scene.

“I actually visited incognito last summer and visited all the restaurants that I’d heard so much about. I travelled all around Cornwall and visited places such as Mousehole as well as Padstow.

“I have to say the food scene in the county really is fantastic and deserves its excellent reputation. Previously to that I’d mainly seen the county from above, as I flew over Cornwall a lot in the series Food Map Of Britain. It was wonderful to come down and enjoy a real food tour of the county. I’m really looking forward to returning for the Padstow Christmas Festival.”

Padstow Christmas Festival will take place from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 December 2015. For more information visit www.padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

padstow james martin jk ED.indd 1

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food

beans

PortHLEvEN CHoCoLatIEr MIKE LoNGMaN, aKa tHE CHoCoLardEr, IS MaKING EtHICaL wavES words by laura Barnes

S

ince 1688, Falmouth’s infamous deep harbour has hosted trade routes and its thriving dockyard is an important port of call for ships in need of repair.

Having climbed cacao trees in Ecuador, and hacked at sugar cane on the Galapagos Islands, I have been on a quest to discover chocolate’s hidden secrets. Last year, I went on a chocolate-making workshop upcountry, and I have to admit to feeling disappointed upon discovering that to be classed as a chocolate maker, all you have to do is melt down posh chocolate buttons. I felt a bit cheated. there are so many brands of chocolate in the UK, who are essentially just doing the same thing: melting down buttons. Each may use their own blend of flavour and add fondant or decoration, but really it seemed like an advanced version of making cornflake cakes at school.

66

However, right under our noses in Porthleven, chocolatier Mike Longman - aka Chocolarder - has been making real chocolate from scratch for three years. and in collaboration with Bristol-based independent trading company New dawn traders, he is receiving organic and fairly traded cocoa beans, delivered under old-fashioned sail into Falmouth harbour. the first beans arrived in May. “I’m really excited about the collaboration, and rekindling Falmouth’s tradition of sail routes,” he says. a tour of Mike’s factory is something quite hard to come by, since it’s small and hewn from unforgiving steel. Sacks of organic beans imported from singleorigin estates in South america double up as makeshift seats. yet to my novice eyes, it’s a wonderland, albeit a noisy one when the conching machine is in action. It smells chocolatey in a hot chocolate kind of way.

| Cornwall today

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food

I’m just in time to see the chocolate being tempered.

Mike pushes a large volume of molten chocolate around on a stainless steel work surface, and his chef whites remain entirely unscathed while I’m covered in spatters of chocolate.

The Eden Project like Chocolarder’s values so much, it now sells his chocolate bars in their gift shop. Many kids learn where chocolate really comes from at Eden, so it’s great they’re stocking one of the UK’s only small cocoa bean-to-bar producers’ wares.

Mike is wearing headphones to block out the scores of decibels produced by the conche, and can be found dancing around as he blends the best of Cornwall with cocoa beans. Mike now works with his sister Jo, who helps to package, label and handle marketing.

Aside from the range of bars he sells through various Cornish outlets and on the website, everything Mike creates is handmade from scratch. “Each bean has a specific roasting profile to ensure the right amount of earthiness and sweetness comes through,” he reveals.

These are the secrets that give his chocolate its distinctive flavour and texture.

After roasting, the beans are winnowed to remove their husks, with a machine that looks like a kind of inverted vacuum cleaner. “That’s because it is,” says Mike. “I’ve had to custom make everything around here.

It’s really hard and expensive to get equipment to make small-batch chocolate, so I had to get creative.”

Mike and his friends and family use these husks along with some cocoa powder to make a delicious, healthy hot chocolate. The hulled beans are then ground to a paste,

a process that can take up to 80 hours. After this, they’re poured into the conche machine, where they are rolled and refined for varying lengths of time - at this point, the chocolate becomes liquid.

Mike adds only 100 per cent natural sugar to the darker bars; for example,the Peruvian bar is 65 per cent cocoa and 35 per cent sugar with nothing else. Even premium quality producers add lecithin, palm oil, emulsifiers and thickeners at this stage. Chocolarder only ever adds milk to milk varieties, and cocoa butter which has been steeped with gorse to his Wild Gorse Flower bar.

Passionate about provenance, Mike also uses honey from the Lizard to make his honeycomb bar. “A lot of honeycomb is mass produced without any honey in it, but I use real honey. The bees feast on wildflowers like gorse and heather so the honey is really buzzing with the flavours of Cornish hedgerows.”

In collaboration with Penryn-based charity Cool Earth, Mike works with the Asheninka tribe in Peru, using beans sourced from ancient lands to create bars, while protecting sacred Amazon land. This is chocolate without ethical compromise. “Chocolate originates from South America, and many people are losing their land to rubber plantations. I want to help out by paying a fair price for the beans, from source.”

Cornwall is seeing a resurgence in traditional crafts, and ethical chocolate made like this will keep it on the global foodie map.

See Chocolarder’s range at www.chocolarder.com

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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Ruth Huxley

A

r of the mont ce

h

Prod u

s the days shorten, it always reminds me how, less than a generation ago, this was the time of year when many of the honeypot spots in Cornwall would be battening down the hatches and shutting up shop until the following spring. Great for those who managed to make enough over the summer to enable them to jet off somewhere warmer for the winter, but not so good for the people who lived and worked in the places that became ghost towns for half the year.

Cornwall isn’t quite a year-round destination these days – January can still be a bit bleak in many parts if you’re looking for a good choice of places to stay, eat or shop – but it is nonetheless a very different picture for at least 11 months of the year. Christmas and New Year is a new peak holiday season for many

hotels, restaurants, cafés and attractions, with a knock-on effect for Cornish food and drink producers that makes the festive season as welcome as summer sunshine.

Right now though, in that lull between the summer season ending and the Christmas buzz building, it’s a time when anyone serious about what they eat and drink can enjoy a very different Cornwall. It’s what I call the secret season. It may not be warm enough for picnics on the beach but a more tranquil, more spacious Cornwall awaits. The natural coastal and countryside larder is in its abundancy too, not just beautiful to look at and stroll along, but full of ripe pickings for the hunter gatherers among us. Twisting plump mussels from the rocks or collecting basketfuls of berries from the hedgerows is good for the soul – and free dinner.

Savvy businesses have also realised that it’s much better in the long run to build and keep an established and loyal team throughout the peaks and troughs than hire and fire people just for the busy times. Using the quieter times creatively, as an opportunity to offer something unique and special that just can’t happen when everything is running at full tilt, is the way that these places make the numbers stack up. Think feast nights, chef masterclasses, tastings and tours, special fixed price menus, guest chef appearances, or full-on intensive courses to learn a new skill and you’re on the right lines.

The great thing for those of us who live here is that this is the time many of us are a little less busy too and it’s therefore our chance to get out and about. Whether we want to discover something new on our doorstep or make it the perfect excuse for venturing into a new part of the county, there are plenty of opportunities. Let’s make the most of some of the extra special and one-off experiences that people travel from all over the world to enjoy; maybe have a go at something we haven’t done before, or simply find our new favourite place to eat or drink or new products to try. If you’re not sure where to start looking, the new online guide to all that’s good on the Cornish food and drink scene, the Great Cornish Food Finder, is there to inspire you.

Find something special at www.greatcornishfood.co.uk Ruth Huxley is the founder of Cornwall Food & Drink and editor of the Great Cornish Food Book and the Great Cornish Fish Book. www.cornwallfoodanddrink.co.uk

One of the pioneers of contemporary Cornish food, Jean Edwards set up Deli Farm Charcuterie a decade ago and hasn’t looked back. Supplying a wide range of cured meats to customers that include top restaurants and the London 2012 Olympics, the accolades just keep pouring in.

This year Deli Farm won the Best New Product Award at Royal Cornwall Show for its semi-cured cooking chorizo, and the latest honour was being crowned Champion Producer at the Great Cornish Food Awards. They wowed the judges for their trendsetting approach, creating a brand new product category for Cornwall rather than competing against other products.

onth em h t

Deli Farm Charcuterie Produce ro f

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chef’s

special Neil Haydock, executive chef of Zacry’s at Watergate Bay, offers advice on cooking squid Tel 01637 861231, www.zacrys.com Photographs by Emily Whitfield-Wicks

S

quid have a relatively short life cycle - they live for one or two years - and are very sustainable. They reach their maturity around September/October, which makes them a good ingredient for us to use right now. I love the romantic idea of the way they are caught - I went out myself when I first came down to Cornwall, and the occasion has stuck in my head. The guys took me out on a cold, fresh evening with a full moon, which is when they are most likely to come up and feed.

There are two kinds of squid: common and European. You’re more likely to see the latter around here. It’s bigger - between 20 and 50cm long, and shaped like a big ice cream cone with tentacles coming out of the bottom. It’s a great vessel for flavour, and very versatile.

There’s a common rule to follow when cooking squid (and octopus and cuttlefish): hot and fast, or low and slow. Anywhere in between gives you that rubbery texture we all know and loathe. Here, we’ve gone for hot and fast, which I love. To protect the squid in this method of cooking, you might flour it -

70

you could use cornflour, but I go for a light dusting of custard powder, which has the same effect but also gives a great colour. Don’t worry, it won’t be too sweet - just don’t use too much, and cook it quickly.

I love this kind of Asian pesto - it’s a fresh, modern interpretation of a familiar recipe. Squid is also nice braised with tomato, garlic and olives. And of course, the squid ink is great for making black pasta.

I’ve used fish supplier Matthew Stevens since my days at Fifteen Cornwall. He’s the oracle - he knows exactly what everyone is catching and where, so if I want to know what’s around, I ask him. And we challenge Westcountry Fruit Sales on a weekly basis to find us a product. They get us fresh fenugreek from India twice a week.

Zacry’s has been open for 18 months now, and we’re really pleased with how things have gone.

We always wanted to work in harmony with the other outlets here, and I think we do that. You could stay at Watergate Bay for four or five nights, and eat somewhere different every night without going anywhere else.

| CORNWALL TODAY

chefs special oct15 APPROVED ED jk.indd 2

9/9/2015 5:51:29 PM

deep-fried

Asian pesto for the pesto 100g blanched peanuts, unsalted 50g coriander 50g flat leaf parsley 50g mint 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped 1 piece of ginger, thumbnail size and finely chopped peanut or sunflower oil 1 lime fish sauce palm sugar to taste 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely diced

► Roast the peanuts in a hot oven until golden and allow to cool. ► Place the nuts, herbs, garlic and ginger into a blender and blitz to a paste. ► Add the oil until you have a pesto-like consistency.

Season with lime, fish sauce and palm sugar to taste. ► Finally mix, through the diced chilli.

for the squid 1kg fresh squid, cleaned 2 litres oil for deep frying 100g custard powder 5g chilli powder pinch of star anise powder pinch of dried thyme sea salt

► Heat the oil to 180ºC in a fryer or large pan. ► Combine the custard powder, spices, thyme and salt together. ► Open up the squid tubes and lightly score the inside with a knife and cut into bite-sized pieces. ► Toss the tentacles in the spice mix and shake off any excess. ► Deep fry for around 30 seconds and place onto a tray containing kitchen paper to drain any excess oil. ► Repeat the process with the squid tubes. ► Place the pesto onto the plates and top with the squid and serve immediately. tip: We use custard powder as it gives a light crust that cooks in the short time needed to cook squid perfectly. The golden colour comes from the milk powder in the custard. www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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food news enjoy

AUTUMN FOOD FESTIVALS

Compiled by Viki Wilson | www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

GRANNY KNOWS

best

Congratulations to Julie McFeat of St Austell Brewery, who recently achieved the prestigious title of beer sommelier with the Beer Academy. There are fewer than 100 beer sommeliers worldwide, and only 17 are women.

For her final exam, Julie had to carry out a blind tasting of 15 different beers and identify the style of each one. “I never used to like beer, because I didn’t like fizzy drinks," she says. "But cask ales aren’t fizzy, so I tried one and my fascination grew from there.” Julie, who is thought to be the first grandmother to achieve the accolade, is now part of the brewery’s tasting panel, making sure each brew attains the brewery’s exacting standards before it is distributed and sold. www.staustellbrewery.co.uk Autumn is a great time to enjoy the bounty produced in our fine county. If you're reading this in September, there's still time to take in the Great Cornish Food Festival (formerly Cornwall Food and Drink) from September 25 to 27 at Lemon Quay, Truro. Celebrated seafood chef and staunch festival supporter, Nathan Outlaw from North Cornwall, will headline a packed timetable of masterclasses, cooking challenges and the obligatory tantalising tasting.

Over 60 exhibitors, including Trewithen Dairy’s delicious dairy produce, Sharp’s Brewery’s award-winning beers and more than 30 food experts will be taking part. A must for all enthusiastic food-lovers!

In North Cornwall, Boscastle Food, Art & Craft Festival returns on October 3 and 4, bigger and better than ever, including new village trails and demos from 12 of Cornwall's best chefs. www.boscastlefestival.co.uk Then Falmouth Oyster Festival takes over Events Square from October 8 to 11. A cookery masterclass from Michelinstarred chef Chris Eden will open this four-day event, which celebrates Falmouth’s oyster industry. The festival is packed with cookery demonstrations by leading local chefs, and there are plenty of oysters, seafood, wine and local ale to sample, along with children’s shell painting, entertainment in the form of sea shanties, a town parade, live music, an oyster shucking competition and Falmouth Working Boat race. www.falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk Finally, Truro Street Food Fest is scheduled for Friday, October 16. The event includes a pop-up street food night market on Truro Piazza and a licensed bar selling local products, plus live music from some amazingly talented Cornish people. Doors will be open at 3pm till 11pm and entry is free all night.

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autumn

LUNCHES AT FIFTEEN

Fifteen Cornwall’s seasonal promotional lunches are making a comeback, with the return of the three-course Cornish Harvest set lunch from the end of September. This includes three courses of locally produced food with a flavour of Italy, for £24 per person.

With a menu that changes daily depending on what is delivered to the kitchen door by the restaurant’s suppliers, there will always be something new and excitingly different to choose from each day. Favourite dishes for this time of year include: Toscano salami, squash, pumpkin seeds and crispy sage for starters; or main courses of wood-fired Cornish chicken with a hearty Italian chickpea stew and nduja dressing; or a crispy fillet of salted hake, lentils, purple sprouting broccoli, rosemary and anchovy.

For pudding, popular autumnal choices include vanilla panna cotta with plums and shortbread or Fifteen Cornwall’s signature rhubarb and cinnamon cake with toffee sauce.

The Harvest lunches run from September 28 to October 16, 2015.

Available Monday to Friday lunchtimes only. Call 01637 861000, option 1 or visit www.fifteencornwall.co.uk

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October CORNISH TENANT FARMERS WIN

national awards

Two Cornish farms have won a National Trust Fine Farm Produce Award at a ceremony held at Vintage Salt on Selfridge's rooftop in London recently. Paul and Charlotte Parfitt of Chyvarloe Farm near Gunwalloe (pictured) won an award for their sirloin steak and diced Boer goat, while their neighbours on the Lizard peninsula, first-time entrants Neville and Rona Amiss

AWARDS FOR TRURO

farmers' market Three regular stallholders at Truro Farmers' Market are celebrating after receiving stars in The Great Taste Awards 2015.

Primrose Herd, breeders and finishers of traditional breed pigs, has been awarded stars for three products - Dry Cured Smoked Back Bacon, Dry Cured Smoked Streaky Bacon and Large Black Belly Pork. Spirits of Cornwall, a producer of flavoured liqueurs, launched in 2014, also came away with a star for its Blackcurrant Liqueur. Several local cheeses all available via The Cornish Smokehouse were also singled out. Proprietor Nigel Ekins is the proud stockist of Keltic Gold and Cornish Crumbly (both from Whalesborough Cheese) as well as St Endellion and Cornish Brie (from Arla Foods' Trevarrian Creamery). Each of these products came away with a star in The Great Taste Awards, which are organised by the Guild of Fine Food.

The market operates every Wednesday and Saturday on Lemon Quay in the centre of Truro. www.trurofarmersmarket.co.uk @ TruroFarmersMkt

of Tregullas Farm won an award for their Lleyn Cross hogget lamb. Products not only have to excel in the obligatory taste test, but entrants also have to pass a checklist of environmental standards to guarantee the quality and origin of ingredients alongside high standards of production. For further details, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/finefarmproduceawards

SEAFOOD

inspiration

Launched in April, the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide is enjoying growing support. Its Business Supporter scheme has seen 37 local companies sign up to its ‘Buy Cornish’ directory, ranging from independent fishermen and fish merchants to large businesses like Fifteen Cornwall and several St Austell Brewery pubs. The team has been out in force at local festivals, introducing thousands to Cornish seafood; meet them at Falmouth Oyster Festival this month, and visit www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk

new venue

FOR NORTH COAST WINE Bude store North Coast Wine has relocated to Lansdown Road, where an extensive range of wines, spirits and ales is now available alongside deli products, gift hampers and glassware. The new shop has also been granted an on-premises licence, so visitors can enjoy a glass of wine, G&T or cocktail when they buy wine to take home.

Pay a small corkage fee and stay for wine and local sliced meats, or pop in for a quick glass before dinner. Tel 01288 354304.

Congratulations

to three Cornish chefs who have made it through to the semi-finals of the prestigious South West Chef of the Year contest. Dale McIntosh, chef patron of Merchants Manor in Falmouth, joins Phil Thomas and Craig Tuxworth, head chef and sous chef respectively at Rosewarne Manor in Hayle, in the professional class, and will cook on October 3 at Exeter College, hoping for a place in the final on October 29. www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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SARAH STANLEY RESCUED AN UNUSUAL WAGON FROM A FIELD TO CREATE A LUXURIOUS WILD WEST THEMED BOLTHOLE NEAR NEWQUAY Words and portrait photograph by Alexandra Pratt, interior photographs by uniquehomestays.com

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arah Stanley recalls how she first discovered Sundance down a farm track. “The owner had hand-built it himself, but never used it. The thought of it sat desolate not being used was heartbreaking, and I just had to make him an offer,” she says. That offer was accepted and, after a year and a half of planning, design and hard work, that little wagon is now extended and finished to create a luxurious and quirky little bolthole, complete with double bedroom, spacious bathroom and a chic kitchen/living area reminiscent of a Wild West saloon.

Sarah has travelled the world, including 12 years living in Australia, but when she returned to her home county of Cornwall, an advert looking for hosts for overseas students planted the seed of an idea which later blossomed into her holiday letting company, Unique Homestays. Yet the project to restore the wagon has been a very personal one for Sarah.

“What sparked my imagination for this project were memories of building camps and dens along with my brother and sister on our farm as children,” she explains.

“We would spend days running wild in the outdoors, gathering salvaged items and pieces of nature to create masterpiece shelters which would make play dens all summer long.”

Before Sarah could get on with the fun parts of the build, however, she had to get the wagon - which at 24ft by 8ft is about twice the size of a traditional shepherds’ hut - back to its new home in fields near her cottage. “It had to be craned into place, but during the first part of the transfer, along Cornish lanes, the roof got ripped off. I couldn’t believe it,” she remembers.

Once on site, the wagon needed to be turned into a liveable space, and Sarah is lucky that her partner, Andy Davey, is a builder. With the help of their architect, Peter Wonnacott, they extended the original wagon with a sumptuous bedroom, a bathroom with double shower and even a little utility room, all of which is on stilts, as the original wagon stands high on wheels. Sarah and Andy also installed electricity and oil-fired central heating (because even Wild West cowboys need a little cosiness). The walls are authentic-looking tongue and groove and the flooring is robust macrocarpa planking.

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A big part of the design process for Sarah was inventing design features to accentuate the wagon’s charms, or accommodate its challenges. “It is unique,” says Sarah, who had a metal screen fabricated for the double rainfall shower and suspended it on wires from the ceiling. She also chose agricultural mechanisms for the internal sliding doors (which need minimal space), and used scaffolding poles as heavy duty curtain rails.

If you think there’s an agricultural theme emerging, you would be right. “I find myself drawn to rustic tin sheds and natural materials, which could be put down as much to my farm life childhood as to positive association with places I’ve stayed when travelling in Third World countries,” says Sarah. The exterior of the wagon is clad in new galvanised metal cladding, which Sarah then covered with old rusty sheets for maximum authenticity.

Even the oil tank is disguised to match.

Sarah also loves recycled and vintage pieces, most of which she finds in reclamation yards and house auctions. “I do love interiors,” she muses. “I’ve been known to idle away many an hour at a local reclamation yard looking for a perfect piece I didn’t know I needed.” As a result, Sundance is filled with beautiful restored and hand-crafted items, like the roll-top bath with claw feet that was restored by a specialist, a vintage iron bedstead and period radiators to keep the superinsulated space warm.

“I reuse and recycle pre-loved furniture wherever I can,” says Sarah. “Going to reclamation yards and second-hand shops is time-consuming, but sourcing is worth it, because it’s all personally chosen and it gives character. I like the imperfections in pieces that tell a story of their past.”

Sarah’s love of all things agricultural and reclaimed plus the inspiration of the wagon itself led to the idea of giving Sundance a Wild West theme. Sarah worked on the interiors with designer Jess Clark: “Once we started with it, we were away.” The western theme continues throughout, with a saddle and wagon wheel looking entirely at home. There is also a lasso light and numerous other little touches, such as the selection of classic western DVDs waiting for an evening in by the logburning stove.

Outside, the landscaping is designed to suggest the open

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“I loved the simplicity, there’s a lovely feel about it which is, I think, why lots of people come to Cornwall”

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prairie, with ornamental grasses merging into the gentle hills just 10 minutes from popular Watergate Bay. “One of my favourite things about Sundance is its position,” says Sarah. “It makes a great base from which to explore the delights of the Cornish outdoors. One thing I encourage all of our guests to do is embrace the Wild West theme and take to horseback!”

Despite Sundance being very close to Sarah’s own cottage, she camped out there during the project. “I loved the simplicity, there’s a lovely feel about it which is, I think, why lots of people come to Cornwall.” And

this personal project is now firmly part of the family, too.

“We’ll use it for a hog roast for my eldest child’s 21st birthday, later this year.”

What started as a rustic little wagon left in a field has become a luxurious, if bohemian, bolthole for the romantics among us. Sarah is rightly proud of the transformation and the innovative design inspired by this humble abode. “I love the idea of a rusty shed, where you open the door and say ‘Wow! I didn’t expect that!’” www.uniquehomestays.com

“I love the idea of a rusty shed, where you open the door and say ‘Wow! I didn’t expect that!’”

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Coastal Interiors H O L I DAY H OME

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or most holiday property owners, the close of October half-term week signals the time to take a wellearned break from the weekly flurry of changeovers and guests. The flip-side of this welcome respite is that it’s also the time to assess the impact another season of joyous holidaymakers has made on the carpets, furniture and furnishings.

For Lucie Howard, creative director of the HomeShed store and coastal interior design service Metamorphosis by Design,

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the renovation period between October and Easter is the busiest time of year. “Our in-house interior design service is more than a traditional design consultancy in that we really understand the importance of creating a coastal holiday retreat that captures the essence of the Cornish lifestyle,” Lucie explains. “We appreciate our clients’ needs, because we have first-hand experience of letting a holiday home and we know all the pitfalls.”

She adds: “For several years, we had a home in St Tropez

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advertising feature in the south of France. We let it during the summer and spent two months a year there outside peak season. Despite using management and cleaning companies, our supposed holiday was always spent running around the local DIY and furniture stores, looking for replacement furnishings and fittings. The other key issue was that while we were fully booked for July and August, initially we struggled to fill the rest of the season.”

Before moving into interior design, Lucie ran a London marketing and PR agency for prestige designer brands. “I worked with over 30 leading designers including Burberry, Jasper Conran and Versace - promoting these brands, designing press launch events and art directing photo shoots, so I fully understand the concept of creating an aspirational lifestyle,” she continues.

“Ultimately, when any of us are choosing a venue for our summer holiday, we are all attracted by stunning interiors and spectacular views - it’s about capturing that ‘I want to be there right now and not at home doing the ironing moment’ in the imagination of your prospective guest. Naturally, the more attractive the property, the more holiday bookings will be generated, and the happier your guests will be in their surroundings.”

Where Metamorphosis by Design differs from other design companies is that it provides a full interior design service, plus an American realtor style (estate agent) service, which dresses your holiday home and directs the photo shoots of the property to ensure that it looks at its most enticing to appeal to buyers.

“In real terms, what Cornish property owners are selling is a holiday lifestyle,” says Lucie. “Put simply, my remit is to renovate and design the interiors of coastal holiday lets on

behalf of clients in order to increase the potential revenue from their lettings. We tried and tested this successfully with our website images of the villa in France, and instantly saw an upturn in bookings, especially in the difficult low season periods.

For example, the table dressed for dinner in the photo shown here is the same table as the smaller inset image. Which table looks more inviting to you, and which would you rather be seated at?”

The mission of Metamorphosis

by Design is to transform Cornish homes into coastal lifestyle properties on a minimal budget.

“Coastal is easily my favourite style. I love clean lines, raw unfinished wood and a relaxed style of living - I’m talking about coastal chic, not nautical chintz,” she emphasises. “The budget has to be sensible in rental properties, as accidents happen and items will inevitably get damaged during the season. Furniture and accessories need to be cost-effective and attractive, yet robust.”

To achieve the coastal look in the bedroom pictured here, Lucie changed the feature wallpaper for a white sun-bleached wood effect paper, which is complemented by the whitewashed wood bedside lamps. All are available from HomeShed. Metamorphosis by Design provides a turnkey solution from interior design conception to furniture order, delivery and installation - the team even take away empty boxes and fit light bulbs, batteries and extension leads. What’s more, if you live outside Cornwall, they will e-mail you a photo of your holiday home with everything installed and complete.

For further information and for a complimentary design consultation, contact Lucie on 07497 765286 or visit www.metamorphosisbydesign.co.uk

HomeShed | Kernick Road, Penryn, Falmouth TR10 9DD | 01326 377485 | designteam@home-shed.co.uk | www.home-shed.co.uk TOP IMAGE: COASTAL STYLE FURNITURE AT HOMESHED MIDDLE IMAGE: SUNBLEACHED WOOD EFFECT WALLPAPER £32.95, WHITEWASHED WOOD BEDSIDE LAMPS £59.95 EACH. BLUE STRIPED BED THROW AND PILLOW SHAM SET £39.95.

BOTTOM IMAGE: BEFORE AND AFTER IMAGES OF THE SAME DINING TABLE - WHICH TABLE WOULD YOU RATHER BE SEATED AT? CREATE THE HOLIDAY LIFESTYLE AMBIENCE AND MAXIMISE YOUR LETTINGS WITH A METAMORPHOSIS BY DESIGN MAKEOVER.

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home

CEMENTING A CONTEMPORARY DESIGN TREND IN THE UK Words by Rebecca Bentley, photographs by Anna Petersson

A

nna Petersson hails from Sweden, a country at the forefront of contemporary design and style, so it’s little wonder that when she met Sebastian Bartlett, a trained builder and stonemason among many other trades, the pair combined creative forces to bring something cutting edge to Cornwall.

Today they have two small children, and a bespoke furniture company, Bconcrete, launched a couple of years ago to make worktops, tables and a wide range of home accessories from concrete and recycled materials. Their polished concrete surfaces give their products a clean, minimalist look that’s at the height of Scandi style, and thanks to the likes of Anna and Sebastian, it’s gradually rising to fame in the UK. Anna says: “With Sweden being very forward with material and ideas, polished concrete has been used there for at least 10 years. We have a house in Sweden but moved back to

Newquay (where we met) three years ago and since the trend still hadn’t hit the UK we decided to start Bconcrete. Items that are made in Cornwall are special to us as crafters and manufacturers in Cornwall, and we really take pride in what we do.”

Sebastian says: “Polished concrete furniture or worktops are pieces that will last you a lifetime, making them extremely sustainable – unlike most materials, the more wear they get the better they look. We also use recycled materials in our mixes, such as glass, building waste and shells, and often use reclaimed wood and metal or upcycled vintage furniture for our table bases, so they’re completely one-off pieces. It’s great to make something that’s both beautiful and sustainable from things that would otherwise go to waste.”

Keeping on top of the latest trends with concrete design, Anna and Sebastian also add colour pigments to their product range with their concrete wine glasses coming in pink, green, blue, yellow and plum as well as the traditional concrete grey.

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home

These colours can be subtle or bold depending on a client’s preference, and can also be used to inject a boost of colour to bespoke concrete surfaces.

While Sebastian keeps himself busy crafting the worktops, Anna who originally worked as a bookkeeper, now takes charge of marketing the business and creating the home accessories range. She says: “I make wineglasses, bowls, candle holders, signs and leaves out of concrete mixed with wood or glass. This has proven very popular and I also sell them in various outlets around Newquay.

I’m inspired by nature and the Cornish coast, which I’ve incorporated into the new range with lovely seaside colours using hemp and shells to create a down-to-earth look.”

Unlike wood, concrete surfaces don’t rot or darken and aren’t affected by water in the same way, making them a practical alternative in kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms and pretty much any usable surface. Sebastian says: “After we reinforce and pour the worktops, we can make them look like

glass – so they’re very smooth and shiny. Sealing and waxing our surfaces makes them feel like granite, but of course they’re far more affordable and the possibilities are endless in terms of what you can create.”

The couple are currently working on a new range of lightweight tables and different designs with the aim of growing the business and contributing to the county’s economy along the way. Sebastian says: “We would love for people to know a bit more about the material and the multiple ways it can be used to create a stylish, practical interior - it’s no longer just a building material but a means to live more effectively and economically.”

From Christmas onwards, Anna will be parading Bconcrete at fairs and events up and down the country to showcase the versatility and durability of their material of choice. Once confirmed, the venues and dates will be shared on their social media and more information is available on the Bconcrete website at www.bconcrete.co.uk

“With Sweden being very forward with material and ideas, polished concrete has been used there for at least 10 years”

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advertising feature

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meet the tea m

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repare for the winter months with a visit to Kernow Fires. Established in 1983, the company has a fireplace showroom and biomass centre in Wadebridge, a second fireplace showroom in Redruth and now employs over 20 staff. Kernow Fires offers a comprehensive survey and installation package to suit all homes and budgets, from the cosy cottage to the bespoke ultra-modern.

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CloCkwise: Hayley Carter, Mark Casling, siMon BreCkon and roB gillHaM

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advertising feature

Simon Breckon

Rob Gillham

What is your role at Kernow Fires?

Business development and management of over 20 staff and two shops – otherwise known as steering the ship!

What is your role at Kernow Fires?

I have a background in roofing and interior decorating. With my HETAS qualifications, I now lead a team of installers and use my interior skills to ensure a perfect finish.

owner

What do you most enjoy about your job?

Working with a skilled and happy workforce is key to my enjoyment of the business. Many of the team do various training schemes and exams as part of their role development, and I enjoy helping them and discussing ideas and concepts.

What are your favourite things to do in Cornwall at the weekend?

Cycling. I’m currently in training for our London-to-Paris cycle ride for Cornwall Air Ambulance. Along with two team mates, I’ll cover 295 miles over five days - we start the first leg of the journey at 6.30am from the London Eye on September 11, so I’ll either be en route or finished and achy while you’re reading this. So far, we’ve raised almost £7,000; you can still donate at www.justgiving.co.uk/Three-men-on-Bikes

installation team leader

What do you most enjoy about your job?

I really enjoy travelling around Cornwall and meeting new people.

Do you have any tips for visitors to the area?

Swim between the red and yellow flags.

What are your favourite things to do in Cornwall at the weekend?

Surfing and walking the dog with my girlfriend - our favourite beach is Pendower.

What are you looking forward to about winter in Cornwall?

Empty line ups! (Surfing talk....)

Top tip for visitors: Wrap up and take a barbecue to the beach. You can’t beat a Cornish beach at any time of year.

What’s your favourite fire?

Hwam 3110 - I like the contemporary finish and the ease of use.

What are you looking forward to about winter in Cornwall?

Cold, crisp mornings – and lighting the fire, of course.

Mark Casling

What’s your favourite fire?

I love the Stuv range, because you can personalise each stove making it your own. Both Ross, our installation manager, and I enjoy working with customers to create bespoke fireplaces, and Stuv enables you to be really creative.

Hayley Carter office administrator

What do you most enjoy about your job?

Everything! It’s like an extended family for me. I’m really excited about everyone being back at work and the season getting off to a good start.

What are your favourite things to do in Cornwall at the weekend?

As a working mum, my priority is enjoying time with my daughter and family. This includes going to Crealy, walking the dog and enjoying the fresh air!

Do you have any tips for visitors to the area?

Take a walk up Rough Tor with a picnic and enjoy the views.

installation team leader What is your role at Kernow Fires?

I lead the installation team specialising mainly in freestanding and twin wall installations.

Your top tip for visitors: If you have a dog or children, go to Lanhydrock – there’s a nice walk down by the river.

What are your favourite things to do in Cornwall at the weekend?

Walking the dog. We walk for miles - we love the beach, but we also enjoy going up to the moors, especially when it snows.

What are you looking forward to about winter in Cornwall?

Lighting my own fire at home after a long walk on the beach.

What’s your favourite fire?

Scan 83. I really like the self-closing door - so much so, I have one at home.

Tel 01208 812527, www.kernowfires.co.uk

What’s your favourite fire?

The Stuv 30in – it’s my dream fire.

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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homes gardens TUSCAN

Compiled by Kirstie Newton | www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

nights

Bring the ambience of a balmy Tuscan evening to your back garden or terrace with these simple yet stunning candles from St Eval. With the larger wick, these candles can only be burnt outside, so put on a jumper and dine al fresco.

Choose from three scents: freshly picked lemons and crushed thyme, a blend of ozonic and citrus scents, or insect repellent citronella. Burning time 90 hours. www.stevalcandlecompany.co.uk

battle OF BRITAIN

POLICE CELLS

for rent

Visitors to St Ives can now stay in the town’s former police cells. Interior designer Kerry Knight, who trades as Beatengreen, has overhauled Sergeant’s Retreat, part of a Victorian building which used to be the police station, and the section which housed the custody cells. The house was constructed in 1890 following the amalgamation of the former St Ives Borough Police into the Cornwall Constabulary; it has now been converted into three properties, which for part of the year are let by St Ives holiday specialists The Cottage Boutique. Kerry’s brief from owners Chris and Jo Russell was to produce a bright, cosy and interesting interior for guests to enjoy.

Sergeant’s Retreat now has a modern Scandinavian feel.

“I enjoy looking into the history of a building in order to emphasise the period features, juxtaposing these with contemporary design statements and throwing in eclectic touches too,” says Kerry. This included creating an outside shower with bars at the window instead of glass, and lines etched into the walls as if counting down the days until freedom!

To let Sergeant’s Retreat, visit www.cornwall-cottage-boutique.co.uk Contact Kerry Knight on 07796 030232 or visit www.beatengreen.co.uk

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Richard Budge, head of parks and gardens at Truro City Council, seeded part of Trafalgar roundabout in red poppies over which two quarter-size Spitfires are flying. The soil was nourished using leaf mulch gathered in conjunction with Climate Vision as part of a flood defence project in Lostwithiel, Par and St Blazey.

crafty QUILTS Look out for Coast and Country Crafts and Quilts, a delightful shop tucked away in Cornish Garden Nurseries at Barras Moor, Perranarworthal. It might be hidden, but it’s still Cornwall and Devon’s largest specialist needlecraft shop and workshop, grown by owner Sally from her kitchen table. As well as serving the local market, the shop sends fabric and accessories to customers all over the world and provides tutored workshops for beginners through to experienced crafters.

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autumnal &interiors When it comes to creating and renovating our homes Cornwall has a superb array of ...

talented designers, craftsmen, artisans and suppliers

transform your kitchen without buying a new one Dream Doors in Truro town centre specialise in made-to-measure doors and makeovers for your existing kitchen cabinets. This cuts time, cost, and waste and helps you to avoid a lot of hassle and mess.

Sometimes you don’t even need to empty the cupboards beforehand.

The team also supply whole kitchens (including worktops, sinks and appliances) with high quality doors and cabinets, all made in the UK, and there are discounts for senior citizens.

You can check the company reputation for workmanship and service on Checkatrade.com and visit the showroom at 12 Frances Street, Truro, TR1 3DN.

dream doors contact details: 01872 240650 or visit www.dreamdoors.co.uk

elegant flooring There’s something strikingly elegant about a solid or engineered hardwood floor - the natural ambience it creates, the feel underfoot, and the individuality it represents. Throughout history, natural environments have been enjoyed as a source of inspiration, and Woodstock finds inspiration for its extensive range of hardwood flooring in one of the most spectacular: the forest.

Each floor is available in a variety of widths up to 350mm wide, and in a vast array of exceptional surface finishes and colours, from traditional through to modern and contemporary. The company strives to source timber only from suppliers and importers with a responsible purchasing policy. Wherever possible, FSC or PEFC certified flooring products are offered.

The sales team will discuss the client’s exact needs, and give advice with regards to fitting and site work.

Woodstock also offers a full installation service, with a team of specialist floor fitters.

Woodstock Hardwood Flooring contact details: 01326 370020 or visit www.wood-stock.co.uk

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feel just right this autumn If you have night storage heating, but would prefer to have the warmth you want whenever you choose, it could be time to switch to efficient German ELKAtherm heating.

Because they’re powered by electricity, ELKAtherm radiators can be installed quickly and they don’t need to charge overnight, so they give instant warmth, controllable to within 0.5 degrees Celsius.

While you can choose traditional wall controls you can also use our simple Heatapp on your smartphone, tablet or computer. It lets you pre-warm your home before you arrive, cancel your heating if your plans change or adjust the temperature without leaving the sofa. Heatapp can help you save money, too, by making it easy to see where and when you’re spending money on your heating, avoid waste, and set different times and temperatures for individual rooms.

The system has a sleek, modern design, with a choice of 60 sizes and 192 colours – not to mention a 25-year guarantee.

south west heating solutions contact details: 01209 714600 or visit www.southwestheatingsolutions.co.uk *Mention Cornwall Today when you call, and receive a free Kindle Fire HD tablet with every purchase from South West Heating before November – perfect for your new Heatapp control.

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warming cornwall Many people are unaware that an average living room space only requires as little as 3 kilowatts (kW) to heat it. This is especially true in today’s well-insulated homes, many of which have central heating; the fire is often used just for additional heating. So capacity is a determining factor when choosing a gas or woodfired stove. Too high, and you will use the fire sparingly or burn at too low a degree, resulting in poor combustion, blackened glass

and high emissions, and no opportunity to enjoy the lovely flame effect of a good gas fire. Calculating the capacity needed to heat the space you have in mind is very easy; ask for help at the Fireplace and Stove Centre in Redruth.

the fire place & stove centre 01209 612717 or visit www.thefireplacestovecentre.co.uk

heart of stone A natural stone surface brings a timeless appeal to any home and speaks volumes about the age of the material and the skill of the craftsman.

Duke Stone are experienced stonemasons and specialise in the design and manufacture of natural stone products for your home and garden.

The team have extensive expertise in the manufacture and supply of kitchen worktops, vanity countertops, fireplaces and hearths and can also assist with stonework and features for your garden.

Each commission is handcrafted to suit the individual customer. Whether you want traditional granite, slate or a sleek quartz surface, the staff will work hard to source the right material and to support you at each stage of your project .

Durable and beautiful, natural stone enhances any space to create an individual, timeless, understated style.

duke stone of cornwall ltd 01326 241111 or visit www.dukestoneofcornwall.co.uk

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shades of grey Anyone who has failed to notice the rise of grey in the interior colour palette has probably been living in a cave for the last five years. The grey scheme is now confidently holding its own and is an undeniably smart way to decorate coming into the cooler months. Endlessly accessible, you can’t go wrong just layering different shades of this modern classic, bringing the detail in with different textures. You’ll spot some gorgeous chunky knits to really help you cosy in this season.

a blush of coral

As well as the trend for layering grey on grey, we have seen a number of different accents used to bring a punch of colour to the scheme. This season, as the leaves begin to turn to autumn hues, we see a blush of coral coming through in the new collections.

getting artistic

Be inspired by beautiful prints being taken directly from works in watercolour or acrylic.

cotton mills

contact details: Cotton Mills, Peoples Palace, Pydar Street, Truro TR1 2AX 01872 278545 www.cotton-mills.co.uk

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9/10/2015 12:46:49 PM

green news

Compiled by Viki Wilson | www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

hedgehog FRIENDLY With our mild winters, this is the time of year when juvenile hedgehogs make an appearance in our gardens in Cornwall.

We can help them to survive by making our gardens a little more hedgehog friendly.

► Leave piles of leaf litter and logs around the garden. These ► ► ►

►

make good nests and also provide homes for the slugs and beetles that hedgehogs like to eat.

Leave out foods including: minced meat, tinned dog or cat food (not fish-based) or chopped boiled eggs. Leave a saucer of water, not milk which causes diarrhoea.

Cover drains and place bricks at the side of ponds to give hedgehogs an easy route out.

Check for hedgehogs before you strim an area or light a bonfire, or fork over a compost heap. Remove netting when not in use. Avoid using slug pellets and use beer traps or ground up shells instead.

For more information visit www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk

BUYING

local FOOD

Councillor Edwina Hannaford of East Looe is portfolio holder for the environment, heritage and planning at Cornwall Council, and one of 10 local personalities taking part in a five-month project to lower their carbon footprints.

Here she reveals her tips on meeting the challenge to buy local seasonal produce for at least two meals each week: “We are lucky in that Philip Warrens has a butchery counter at Oughs in Liskeard. There, I quizzed the assistant as to where the meats came from, as I spotted an Exeter postcode on one pack. He assured me this was where the processing and distribution operation took place, and that the animals from which the meat came had indeed lived in Cornwall. He was extremely helpful, but it did get me thinking about how much of what we purchase actually comes from where we think.”Cllr Hannaford adds these tips for those wishing to buy local produce: •Challenge shopkeepers on traceability and their food knowledge.

•Finding seasonal produce is not as easy as you think, unless you have a farm shop on your doorstep. You might have to pay a little more and go out of your way, but the quality is superior and the buying experience definitely much more pleasurable.

•Try a locally-sourced food box - mine comes from Keveral Farm.

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY

makeover

As temperatures drop, now is a good time to make sure your home is as energy efficient as possible, to ensure you keep warm and save money. Cornish social enterprise Community Energy Plus (CEP) offer help and advice to householders on improving energy efficiency and fuel poverty: ► Check your thermostat. Reducing your temperature by just 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10%, an average saving of around £60 per year. Your hot water tank thermostat should be set at 60°C/140°F. ► Keep out the draughts. You can buy or make your own draught excluders, use special insulation tape around windows and simply close the curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping from windows. Brushes can be fitted along the bottom of doors or on letterboxes. ► If you don’t have double glazing, secondary glazing can be an affordable alternative. You can opt for temporary film, acrylic plastic or there are options for period homes. ► Loft insulation, cavity wall insulation (for homes built after 1920) or solid wall insulation (for older homes) can stop up to a third of energy escaping from your home. CEP can tell you what insulation offers are available in Cornwall.

For advice and guides visit www.cep.org.uk

| CORNWALL TODAY

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The Stove and Biomass Specialists for Cornwall

Visit Our New Showroom For Expert Advice Unit 4, Water-Ma-Trout Industrial Estate Helston TR13 0LW

www.wendronstoves.com

Traditional and Contemporary Stoves and Biomass Boilers

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9/3/2015 6:14:32 PM

gardens

values

AT AN ORCHARD IN THE HEART OF NEWQUAY, PEOPLE CAN LEARN TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH NATURE Interview by Liz Norbury, photographs by Charles Francis

A wildflower bed on the approach to the windbreak path

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gardens

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ordered by hundreds of houses, a busy sports centre and one of Cornwall’s largest schools, newlyplanted Newquay Community Orchard is destined to become a green oasis for the town’s residents for generations to come.

More than 500 species of flora and fauna are living and thriving on the seven-acre site – yet this was an empty field only two years ago, when it was donated by the Duchy of Cornwall to community interest company Urban Biodiversity.

Eight hundred trees are now in place, including 15 heritage apple varieties sourced from different locations around Cornwall and planted using traditional orchard spacing to allow wildlife habitats to flourish. An espalier fence curving through the centre of the site promises a spectacular display of blossom in future years.

But the first task of the Urban Biodiversity team was to create a windbreak. “This is an ideal site for an orchard – south-facing and gently sloping – but we do have to put with the wind,” says managing director Luke Berkeley. “So we planted a willow, poplar, and hazel copse. They are fastgrowing species, and will also eventually be used for biofuel on the site.”

The orchard is designed to develop as a facility for the whole community of Newquay, and will include communal growing land with areas for schools and mental health service users,

plus a woodland and forest garden. “The community growing space is something I’m really excited about,” says Luke. “It’s a Victorian-style cob-walled kitchen garden of about one and a half acres, and there’s space for 150 people – more than if it was individual allotments. We weren’t going to grow anything this year, as it’s our first year, but some of our volunteers were keen to start propagating their own stuff.” One grower delighted fellow volunteers by serving soup made from her first crop of beetroots, carrots and onions.

Also planned is a community building with a café and indoor classrooms, where local people can learn to grow and cook organic produce; and three amphitheatres of different sizes, offering scope for a wide range of events and activities.

A den built by students from neighbouring Newquay Tretherras School using recycled garden waste will form the basis for the first amphitheatre. The teenagers have also planted trees and dug a pond.

Education was part of the project mix from the start, and so was promoting health and wellbeing. “The positive effect of green spaces on mental health is well-known,” says Luke.

“We’re doing research with Exeter University and Newquay Health Centre about ‘social prescriptions’ for people with anxiety and social isolation – alternative therapies to antibiotics.”

The community orchard’s roots run deep. “It came about from a feeling of helplessness,” is how Luke describes it.

Sunflowers surround the entrance hut

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gardens When he was studying ecology at university, the message from his lecturers was that the planet and its inhabitants faced a bleak future. “What I was taught was that we are doomed. You can get depressed – or you go out and do something. The best way of doing something that I could see was by trying to change people’s opinions about how they live their day-to-day lives: getting them to be more environmentally focussed and more community focussed. The more people work together in harmony, the better things are going to be.”

He saw the Duchy of Cornwall land as a place where these ideas could be put into practice. “This site hasn’t been used for 30 years, apart from by dog-walkers. Newquay is rapidly expanding, which highlights the importance of open space, and I could see there was an opportunity here to show how an urban site can be used to provide a multifunctional space for the community. The Duchy has been incredibly supportive. Prince Charles has been to visit the site, and he loved it.”

No doubt the prince approved the project’s emphasis on recycled materials, sustainable building methods and permaculture techniques such as hugelkultur. “You dig a trench with hard and soft wood, and layer it up with garden waste,” explains Luke. “It’s effectively a raised bed. The layers break down at different times to produce nutrients. It’s the same process that

happens with Cornish hedges, only with green waste.”

Between now and next spring, another 800 trees are due to be planted in the orchard and woodland, and work will begin on the wall of the community growing space, using slate donated by Delabole Quarry. It will be finished in cob, and lime-rendered.

The greatest challenge the project faces is ongoing funding. “We have had success with Crowdfunder and some other funding bids, and we’re hoping it will get easier as our reputation grows,” Luke says. “Our board and staff have many areas of expertise, and we do a lot of outreach consultancy, so we’re not reliant on one income stream.

We’re really proud of what we’ve done so far, and so much of that is down to the community. We’ve had phenomenal backing from everyone, and there have been more than 100 volunteers on site.”

This is just the start of a project which will not only be embedded in the Newquay soil, but has the potential to flourish further afield. “We’ve been approached by other organisations, interested in what we’re doing, and we do want to take on more sites in time,” says Luke. “We see Newquay Community Orchard as a blueprint.“ To find out more, visit www.newquayorchard.co.uk and www.facebook.com/newquayorchard

The Den,

created by local school children

Luke Berkeley

standing in the medium sized amphitheatre

A sponsored apple tree in the orchard

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Part of the volunteer growing space

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garden

Tremenheere

sculpture ONE OF CORNWALL’S NEWEST GARDENS BLOOMS, INSPIRING ARTWORKS

IS ALREADY RENOWNED FOR ITS EXOTIC AND SPECTACULAR VIEWS

Interview by Liz Norbury, photographs by Charles Francis

It is three years since Tremenheere opened to the public. How has the garden evolved since then?

Neil Armstrong, owner: There has always been a contrast between the hot, sunny slopes overlooking Mount’s Bay, and the cool, shady valley. The planting in the valley has matured a lot, and become much more luxuriant. There are big tree ferns, large-leaved rhododendrons and Chinese and Vietnamese schefflera. We also have New Zealand conifers, and Juania australis, a very rare palm – it’s normally difficult to grow, but it finds the Cornish climate perfect. And when a beech tree fell down in this area of the garden, it created a sunny glade there.

With greater maturity, there is more wildlife coming into the garden. A large number of oak trees are now going in, because they’re very wildlife-friendly.

The garden is also well known as a showcase for contemporary sculpture. Can you describe some of the latest additions to the collection?

The Restless Temple is very striking, particularly at night. It’s the brainchild of Penny Saunders from the theatre company Forkbeard Fantasy, and is a kinetic sculpture with 14 uplit columns, with downlit pendulums underneath. This enables the columns to move in the wind, which challenges our preconceptions – it’s disconcerting to see a temple moving.

It’s an extraordinary, majestic work, accessible to all sorts of people: kids love it, and adults are fascinated by it as a feat of

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| CORNWALL TODAY

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engineering. It will be here for at least two years. There are also two big, powerful pieces, Howling Beast 1 and Crouching Beast 2, by Lynn Chadwick, a very highly respected sculptor. The idea is to have certain sculptures going away and others arriving, so that the garden is never over-cluttered. But there are also new permanent works. Mat Chivers’ Hybrid is a cloud form on one side, and the other side is computer-generated and angular.

And near the highest point in the garden, the artist Richard Long has injected a line of tall grasses into the landscape. It encourages visitors to stop and take in the vista of trees and south-facing slopes, and the wider view of the sea.

And then there are the long-established works, like Skyspace ….

Skyspace, or Tewlwolow Kernow, is a tunnel leading to a chamber lit by a simple solar panel, which has an open view to the sky. The name means ‘Cornwall at dusk’, which is when it is designed to be seen. This summer, we’ve been inviting people to have a meal here and then go into Skyspace as the sky grows dark. Skyspace is very popular with children – there are always lots of little feet climbing on the seat which goes all round the chamber.

We’ve also had an unexpected visitor: a buzzard which flew in through the open space in the ceiling. It was quite startled!

ABOVE: Black Mound by David Nash; Neil Armstrong at the Tremenheere Café

9/10/2015 10:46:17 AM

Crouching Beast

by Lynn Chadwick

Untitled by Kishio Suga

Restless Temple

by Penny Saunders

Minotaur by Tim Shaw RA

What are your current projects?

The new mid terrace is a very warm, sunny area, and has sedums, restios, proteas and South African heathers. There is also a new bit of the garden above Skyspace, which was just a field of brambles and bracken. It’s being planted with South African bulbs and New Zealand grasses, and will have a different feel from anywhere else in the garden – an atmosphere of big skies and prairie planting. We have a new nursery and restaurant, and we’re planning to build a new art gallery, due to open in the spring, a simple multi-function space which can be used for gatherings and talks.

A garden inspired by industrial history which won a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show this year now has a permanent home at Tremenheere. How did this come about?

The garden was designed by Darren Hawkes, who lives in Fowey. He was visiting Tremenheere, and really liked what he saw. His garden used a series of wooden platforms and 41,000 pieces of slate, and he asked me if I was interested in having it here. It will be a quiet sitting area by the pond at the edge of the garden – we hope to have a jetty going across the pond to access it. I like the idea that it was designed by a Cornwall-

garden of the month sponsored by

based designer, and is now back in Cornwall. It will be finished in time for our National Garden Scheme open day in October.

What else is happening on that day?

There will be a Rare and Wonderful Plant Fair, where visitors can buy exotic species from different nurseries. We’re one of the last gardens in Britain to open for the NGS this year. A lot of Cornish gardens are open in the spring, so we thought we would go for the autumn, and take our chances with the weather. If it’s misty, the garden will look magical.

You must be very satisfied with the enthusiastic response of visitors to Tremenheere?

Our visitors are up by 25 per cent this year. We’ve always had very positive feedback, despite contemporary art not being everyone’s cup of tea. This is an all-season garden, subtropical and evergreen. There’s quite a wow factor from the palm trees, restios and proteas; people don’t expect to see them thriving outdoors in England. The spirit of Tremenheere is one of all pervading calm. It is a bonus that it also happens to be beautiful and interesting, and have stunning views.

Tremenheere is just east of Gulval, near Penzance.

For details about the garden’s NGS open day on October 4, call 01736 448089 or visit www.ngs.org.uk.

www.ngs.org.uk www.cornwallgardensociety.org.uk

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moving story

A CHILDREN’S AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR IS CELEBRATING HER MOVE TO CORNWALL WITH AN EXCITING NEW PROJECT Words by Liz Norbury, photographs by Charles Francis www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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moving story

F

rom his clifftop nest, a little bird called Chuff Chuff watches his father set off for work, and dreams that one day, he too will be an engine driver.

So begins an enchanting tale by Jani Tully Chaplin, who was inspired to create Chuff Chuff – who is, of course, a chough – just a week after she came to live on the fringes of Bodmin Moor. “I wanted to write a children’s book based in Cornwall, and I knew it would be about a Cornish chough, as it is the ‘national bird’. The story just came to me in a day. It’s set in the glory days of Cornish tin mining, which were also the early days of the railway, and all that’s woven into the story in a fun way, so children can learn about how things were done in the past.”

Chuff Chuff – the title of the book as well as the name of the bird – follows the success of Jani’s Manor House Stories, which feature a cast of animals who live and work in a stately home. The first three books have gained an enthusiastic following – “I’ve now done 103 book signings, from Cumbria to St Michael’s Mount,” she says – and another nine are awaiting publication.

Readers are attracted not just by the stories, featuring such engaging characters as Sarah Sparrow the Scullery Maid – star of the first book – but also

by Jani’s delightful illustrations.

Art was one of Jani’s passions during her schooldays in Devon; the other was riding. But at the age of just 15, she found herself on an entirely unexpected career path. “I was so horsey that I was never out of jodhpurs,” she recalls.

“Although my mother was pleased that I wasn’t hanging around street corners in Torquay, she eventually decided to take me to a local modelling school. The other girls were all terribly made up and had bleached hair and high heels. I sat in a corner in my jeans and no make-up, looking sulky.

“But when a photographer chose two girls to photograph, one of them was me – and within a month, I had a job modelling in London. I had to wait for a year, because Mummy wouldn’t let me go. So I went to finishing school, and then I started going in for beauty contests: if you’re Miss Torbay, people want you for fashion shows.”

When Jani wasn’t on the catwalk, she was on horseback.

“My beautiful Palomino, Adonis, was bought as a twoyear-old colt and trained by me,” she says proudly. “I represented Devon at the National Dressage Championships when I was 17.”

Sailing was not among her accomplishments – “I used to get sick on the Dartmouth Ferry” – but her new husband Jeremy Chaplin proved to be an excellent captain when they sailed to Cyprus after their wedding in 1980. They lived there for two years on their catamaran, returning to Devon for the birth of their son Rory. It was when Rory was a baby that Jani picked up her paintbrush for the first time since her schooldays.

“I sat in the garden every day with Rory in his pram, and a pheasant used to come up and drink from a spring. I said to Jeremy: ‘He looks like a gamekeeper. I can imagine him with plus fours and a gun’. Jeremy said: ‘You should do it as a painting’. So I did. He became Philip Pheasant the Gamekeeper.” It was the first of a series of country sports

104

designs which went on to appear on everything from Royal Doulton mugs to cushions, and led to commissions for cards for Scottish castles, including Glamis, the Queen Mother’s childhood home. For 13 years, Jani also designed Christmas card designs for the RNLI, featuring a loveable puffin lifeboatman.

One day, when Rory and his sister Miranda were small, Jani visited neighbours in Devon who lived in a crumbling manor house. “I said I could imagine it being run by birds and animals. They said: ‘That would make a lovely story’. So in the car on the way home – a 10-minute journey – I wrote the first Manor House story in my head.”

Encouraged by her children’s enthusiasm for the story, Jani went on to write more. Twenty-five years later, she discovered the stories in a suitcase, and after a chance meeting with a publisher, she was soon spending 12 hours a day at her easel.

“He wanted 12 illustrated books I did 500 illustrations altogether”

| CORNWALL TODAY

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moving story Julian Fellowes, creator of Downtown Abbey, agreed to write the foreword for the series, describing it as “a wonderful and detailed world in miniature”. The first book also received the royal seal of approval. “I sent Sarah Sparrow the Scullery Maid to Prince Charles when he became a grandfather,” says Jani. “He wrote me a lovely letter saying how kind it was for me to think of him.”

Jani donates some of the proceeds from each book to a different wildlife or children’s charity. Her plan is for the RSPB’s Cornwall Chough Project to benefit from the sales of Chuff Chuff. She has decided to self-publish, and is now looking for Cornish companies interested in sponsoring the book.

Her connection with Cornwall goes back to childhood, when her parents had a holiday home at Treyarnon Bay. “We learned to surf on wooden boards. Then Jeremy and I brought our children here when they were little. After Miranda was married last September, we realised we could live wherever we wanted, and I wanted Cornwall.”

By May this year, Jani, Jeremy and their spaniel, Dash, had moved into a 16th century cottage in St Breward.

“It popped up on the internet, and I couldn’t wait to come and see it,” she says. “It looked like something out of a children’s book.”

Jani can be contacted via www.janitullychaplin.co.uk For more information about Jani’s books, visit www.themanorhousestories.co.uk www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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house to let ...

WELCOMING FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS

By Julianne Shelton of Cornish Gems

A

utumn is a fantastic time to enjoy Cornwall’s coast and country landscape. Alongside acres of fields and woodland, the South West Coast Path stretches all the way around the peninsula, offering spectacular coastal views. And what better way to enjoy all this than with your four-legged friend?

As the summer comes to a close, many beaches in Cornwall become dog-friendly 24/7. If you are happy for guests to bring their dogs to your property, October is an excellent time to promote this, as dog owners will be able to enjoy all the attractions of the surrounding area, while avoiding the extra stress of arranging a dog sitter or kennels.

It is really simple to make some small changes to a property in order to cater for dogs, from laying hard flooring in communal areas to adding an outside tap for

muddy paws. If your property is in a particularly good area for dog walking – perhaps near a dog-friendly beach or at the edge of woodland - ensure you promote that as an added feature which will appeal to this target market.

Around half of Cornish Gems’ properties are dog-friendly, and we have found being flexible with this option has benefited our owners greatly – increasing their potential audience and revenue, particularly out of season.

Julianne Shelton is managing co-director of luxury holiday lettings specialist Cornish Gems, Cornwall’s fully managed letting solution.

If you have any questions for Julianne, e-mail cornwalltoday@cornishgems.com

For Q&A advice on how to manage your holiday let, visit the news desk at www.cornishgems.com

advertise your business in the uk’s best regional magazine contact 08456 060 311

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business

IN SEARCH OF

serenity IF MONEY IS THE ONLY THING HOLDING YOU BACK FROM LIVING OUT LONG-HELD DREAMS IT COULD BE TIME TO RETHINK YOUR FINANCIAL PLANNING

W

hen it comes to financial planning many of us simply don’t know where to start. “All too often, the financial planning process gets bogged down with facts and figures, with financial advisers imparting as much knowledge as possible, and following a text book approach designed decades ago,” says Jeremy Squibb of Serenity Financial Planning. “Somewhere along the line, we seem to have lost sight of the fact that the client is the most important person in the whole process, and it is vital to find out what really matters to them.

“While it may be ego boosting to talk in jargon about ‘Client Value Propositions’, qualifications and statistics, from a client’s point of view, wouldn’t it be nice if someone would just listen to what they have to say?”

Jeremy, who is based in Helston, has been fully trained

by The Kinder Institute, attaining the Registered Life Planner designation. “A major part of the training focuses around having the ability to listen to, and appreciate what our clients are saying and meaning,” says Jeremy. “There is nothing more empowering for a client than to be listened to and understood, having plans tailored around the things they really value in their lives, rather than their adviser following a predetermined approach or checklist.

“By the same token, what could be worse than an adviser trying to find quick common ground, ‘building rapport’ or any of the other horrid sales tactics of the past?”

What Jeremy and his fellow Serenity advisers are finding is that there is a growing group of consumers who want far more than to be sold to – they want to be understood and listened to. In addition to this, by helping to remove the financial concerns which often stem from personal worries or regrets, these consumers can go on to fulfil long-left ambitions, find their true calling or make key life decisions with much more confidence.

“Key to our approach is to present the client with three scenarios – each scenario provokes a call to action be it fulfilling long-buried dreams, a sense of urgency in life, and finally helping them to avoid regret. Contemplating and investigating each of these, can help us to make the right financial decisions for now as well as for the future, and it often helps us to change our lives for the better in other ways.”

Serenity’s focus, therefore, is on establishing the important values and goals in a client’s life and planning finances around that. Of course, not all our dreams are possible. For example, a dream to buy your own tropical island may be out of the question for most of us. But what Jeremy and his colleagues do, is to explore why you want the island, what needs it would fulfil and help you towards meeting those needs in other, practically achievable ways.

If investing for your future is important, the company have a clear and well thought out investment ethos and can help you to build your assets for the future. But, because the company are independent advisers, who take their fee from the client rather than the investment companies they work with, their advice may be that you don’t invest. They may advise for example, to spend a lump sum on a long-awaited holiday or in another way that will make your life happier and more fulfilling.

“One of my clients just wanted the ‘magic number’ - the salary he needed to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in a new job if he moved to a new area,” says Jeremy. “Rather than a monetary discussion, we looked at the qualities of a new lifestyle that were important to him and his family, such as their new surroundings. Consequently we established that his redundancy payment gave him the time, freedom and confidence to stand back, make the right decisions for the family, and ultimately set up a very successful business, enabling him to enjoy a truly fulfilling and happy life. For the client, this is a far better outcome than just investing that lump sum in the pursuit of more money.”

Jeremy’s advice before starting any financial planning process. Ask yourself: 1. If you had all the money you could need, how would you live your life differently?

2. If you knew you had five years to live, what would you do differently now?

3. If you had just one day left, what regrets would you have?

For more information, contact Jeremy on 01326 352312 or at jeremy@serenityfp.com or visit www.serenityfp.com

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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10/09/2015 11:39:05

holiday cottages

CLIMATE AND CULTURE Words by Mary Harlow, operations manager at Classic Cottages

A

few rays of sunlight break through the early morning cloud cover, sending sparkles across the rippling waters of the River Fowey, waters that headed towards their final seaside destination after a long trickle from the moorland of Bodmin.

At a sheltered spot in Golant, only halfway down the moorto-sea journey, Beth West and Chloe White shake off the sleepiness and push their skinny little rowing boat nose first into the cold, clear wet stuff and climb aboard. The first few pulls on the oars stretch out tired muscles before the training kicks in and they’re striding out across the river like pros.

It’s a magical scene, sitting on the bank in the sunshine, watching the girls glide through the water almost effortlessly, surrounded by the lush wooded landscape that borders the water’s edge. The silence is deafening, but for the lapping shore, slapping oars and occasional birdsong, the perfect place to get away from everyday life and relax.

Of course, the English weather does not always delight, and as they get closer to the sea, the girls are completely at the mercy of the elements of wind and tide. They have spent many a ‘horrible outing’ on the river in gale force winds – but the effort has paid off as, despite the torrential rain and waves, they’ve filled their trophy cabinet substantially.

Chloe and Beth are two up-and-coming stars of the West Country rowing scene. Debs Kingsley-Tubbs, Classic Cottages’

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South Cornwall property manager, came across them while investigating the winding roads around Fowey, and reported back to HQ with a plea to sponsor them. Classic gladly supplied new kit and blades, and the pair has been winning competitions in the name of Classic and regaling with tales of water-logged adventures ever since.

The Classic team believes in the value of community support, a passion for where we live, and celebrating the people and places that make Cornwall one of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations. This ideal has been carried through in the 2016 brochure, which features a few select local companies from each region that epitomise the ethos of ‘We Love Where We Live’, bringing priceless local knowledge to a much wider and appreciative audience.

Fowey is one example of a quiet coastal town that has much going on when you scratch beneath the surface. Its streets are filled with quaint Cornish cottages to cosy up in, the waterside dotted with fine places to call your home for a week, as you set to exploring what makes this place tick. Or you could just sit on the banks and soak up the atmosphere.

Classic Cottages has been holiday cottages specialists for the West Country since 1977, finding homes that make great holidays. www.classic.co.uk

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advertising feature

BUY A

bolthole WHY CORNWALL IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO INVEST IN A PIED-A-TERRE Words by Lisa Lloyd

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I

f you already live in Cornwall, why buy a second home here? You might be surprised to hear that an increasing number of people are doing just that, purchasing caravan holiday homes at resorts around the Duchy - some of which, like Peter Bull Holiday Resorts, are open all year round.

Ian Smith, joint managing director at Peter Bull Holiday Resorts, explains: “We’ve seen record numbers of owners buying preloved, elite caravans and lodges at our resorts in Cornwall, from within Cornwall itself. A third of our owners are from Cornwall and a third from Devon.

“Buyers want to spend more time here, while enjoying the fun of being on a holiday resort, with activities and things to do close by. Buyers are also starting to take on one or more holiday homes as an investment, to sublet and benefit from the popularity of the county as a holiday destination to earn money back.

With all this in mind, here are five reasons why we think Cornwall is the perfect place to buy a bolthole:

| CORNWALL TODAY

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advertising feature

The coastline and beaches Incredible during the summer, haunting and stunning during the winter, the coastline and more than 400 beaches are enough to tempt anyone to buy a second home here. At the moment, we love Widemouth Bay near Bude and the famous Watergate Bay on the North Coast.

The peace and tranquillity Even at the height of summer, and especially out of season, turn slightly off the main road, stroll along the coast early in the day or ride through hidden country lanes, and you will find peace and quiet. Welcoming calm into your life has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety.

The beauty and heritage Breathtaking scenery, idyllic beaches, picturesque harbour towns, rolling green countryside and mysterious, romantic locations (such as St Agnes near Newquay) steeped in folklore inspire us endlessly.

A coastal bolthole gives you an extra base to explore from and makes life all the more exciting.

The endless adventure Ever get bored? With a second place to head to, you won’t! Walk along the coast at sunset, spot a seal at Newquay or St Ives harbour, explore the cliff tops, see great live music in unusual venues and get in or on the water; adventure is all around us.

The people power We think there’s a totally unrivalled sense of community in Cornwall, and we love welcoming our friends and family down to visit. Having a second home here makes it easy to host your extended family, visitors and friends to our fair county.

Peter Bull Holiday Resorts owns Newquay View Resort, Bude Holiday Resort and Widemouth Fields and has been recently authorised by the FCA to act as credit brokers. www.peterbullresorts.co.uk

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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wellbeing

Swing Out West WILD AnD SpOnTAneOuS, OR COOL AnD SOpHISTICATeD, LInDy IS unDenIABLy Fun Words by Fi Read, photographs by Bruce Hobbs

I

t’s a Thursday night, and I’m at a beginners Lindy Hop class in Falmouth. Held in the basement bar of 5 Degrees West, Lindy Hop (or Lindy) is a partner dance which originated in Harlem in the 1920s and ‘30s, but has since proved popular around the world. Similar in style to jiving, with tap-influenced fancy footwork, it’s amazing to watch and I’ve always wanted to try it. Thanks to four Lindy lovers who share a passion for this effervescent genre, now I can.

Sam and Kat met Dani and Regan at a Company B gig during Falmouth Week 2014, where the seed was sown to combine swing forces. A venue was found, the word put out and rock-step triple-steps beating a rhythm on the

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floorboards by October.

Sharing the teaching in pairs on alternate weeks, students reap the benefits of learning from four different dancers with unique styles.

Sam had tried salsa, but found it too prescribed and formal. “With Lindy Hop there are no hard and fast rules and you can be quite creative,” she says. Adds Kat: “It’s naturally inventive; people who see it for the first time are really intrigued.”

It’s also versatile, as this quirky style fits all kinds of music: jazz, blues, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll. According to Sam, Cornwall’s live music scene has really helped it grow. More than just a dance school, the Swing Out West team want to build a community, and dancing to live bands is integral to that. Learn the basic steps in lessons, then consolidate them upstairs with the Great Western Jazz Company straight after the sessions. There are also monthly tea dance socials, where cake and Lindy share centre stage.

Lindy’s popularity has undoubtedly benefited from the resurgence in vintage fashion, which has led to events where everyone dresses up while dancing to 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s music. There’s an element of fun, and it really doesn’t matter if you make mistakes. “It’s all about trying to make your partner laugh, and we always find new ways to do it,” says Regan.

It’s good for all ages, and especially for singletons like me, as everyone swaps partners. There’s no exclusivity and you get to dance with lots of different people.

Relaxed and friendly, at only £4 per lesson, it’s cheap too.

Classes always start with a warm up.

Tonight it’s a bit of strolling, then a side-stepkick-clap to the left and right, followed by a box-step to the infectious sounds of Rhythm Is A-Jumping. Our challenge: to learn the Charleston in three variations - standard, slide through and travelling. As with all the Lindy moves, the foundation is the ‘rockstep’ – a step back then forward again, with the emphasis on transferring your weight, not just leaning back.

There’s a distinctive 8-count pattern with the Charleston sequence, which takes a while to get my head round, but once mastered, the foot changes and syncopated rhythm stick for good. Adding to the basic step, the slide/shuffle variation feels a tad easier, while the karate-kick-turn on the

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travelling one to change direction is a gas.

The leader in your pair (usually the man, but not exclusively) indicates what’s happening, or about to happen, through the pressure and position of their hand on the follower’s back.

As a newbie it can still be difficult to work out if that nudge was intentional, and if so, what you’re meant to be doing next.

Sam and Kat create a routine linking the different ‘Charlestons’ together, then we get to go it alone. To facilitate the ‘leading’, the follower needs a good connection with their left arm against their partner’s arm, but if all else fails, the leader can always shout out what move’s coming next. It’s like dodgems at times, trying to avoid bumping into other couples, and equally exhilarating. I’m soon peeling off layers of clothing and building up a sweat. No time to catch your breath though, as we rotate partners again.

The hour whizzes by and it’s time for the improvers to take to the floor, this class focusing on the 6-beat triple-step and passbys. Remember: have a real bounce to your step, keep your knees soft and your weight down into the floor, not on your toes. On the Spotify playlist is Swinging All Day. I could certainly watch the teachers all day, twirling and spinning in a constant flow of hypnotic motion.

“You try to get that feeling that the music is in your body,” says Regan. “Yes, it’s the steps and the footwork, but it’s more the feeling ...” “… of danger,” chips in Dani. “The fast music, it could all fall apart, everything is really exciting.”

Regan agrees: “As the follower, you never quite know what they’re going to do as it’s all improvised. Instead of great conversations with words, you’re having them with dancing.”

Regan and Dani first met and got chatting in Madrid through dancing. “As a foreigner it’s helped me to land here in a new country, to make connections, sharing a passion,” says Dani.

“It’s such a big part of our lives, so it’s amazing to be doing this in Cornwall,” adds Regan. “It feels really special. People really love it. Everybody should try it!” I’ll second that.

Swing Out West runs Thursday evening classes, organises tea dances and promotes live music events. Find them on Facebook or visit http://swingoutwest.com/

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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meet st

t the thera e e

eet the the rap st m i i p

the therapist he et t me

therapi st

m

the walled

Trelowarren, Mawgan, Helston TR12 6AF 01326 221224 | www.trelowarren.com

Erin Martin SPA MANAGER

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T

relowarren is a beautiful, historical estate that is privately owned by the Vyvyan family. Its tranquil, peaceful atmosphere makes it the perfect setting for a relaxation spa. Enjoy a dip in our outdoor, heated ozone pool, munch on a meal or cream tea in the New Yard restaurant, browse around the gallery or go for a woodland walk, taking in historical features and beautiful views along the way.

I manage the day-to-day running of the spa, making sure we provide a relaxing atmosphere and five-star treatments to all our clients. We offer a range of treatments, to guests from our self-catering cottages, and to the local community.

Providing relaxation is the part of my job that I love the most. I feel very passionate about helping people to wind down and quieten their minds during our treatments, as I feel that we all need to make time for ourselves to relax. We all lead such busy, stressful lives, and I love to see how chilled out our customers are after a visit to the spa.

I qualified as a beauty therapist in 1998, and worked in various spas before deciding to try something different, making a career change into financial services. Later on, I did some training in Reiki healing, which revived my passion for offering treatments and relaxation to others, and I joined the Trelowarren spa in February 2014.

Reiki is an alternative treatment in which the therapist channels energy to the client through the hands, helping the body to maintain its balance. It’s a very gentle treatment, and regular sessions can

help clients to sleep better, reduce stress, relieve pain and feel more balanced emotionally and physically.

It’s great to see people becoming more open to the complementary therapies as they can have great results. I now offer Reiki sessions at Trelowarren.

My favourite spa treatment has to be the Spiezia Relax and Rejuvenate facial. It begins with some gentle leg stretching to relax the spine, followed by a lovely slow cleanse and lots of gentle, rhythmical Ayurvedic massage. This uplifting facial helps to prevent and reduce tension, facial wrinkles and age spots, improving the complexion by stimulating the circulation and releasing toxins from the facial area.

Afterwards, the skin has a lovely glow.

I love living in Cornwall. At weekends, I visit the local beaches with my dogs, and meander around craft shops and galleries. We have a wonderful mix of artisan work in Cornwall and I’m sure a lot of it is inspired by our picturesque scenery and villages. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Providing relaxation

is the part of my job that I love the most

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9/10/2015 3:31:21 PM

spa review s

pa

w • spa vie re

view • spa re

iew • sp rev a

Channel your RElAx AND REFuEl AT THE CluB HoTEl

AND SpA

Words by Zena O’Rourke

O

ne of the many joys of living in north Cornwall is the proximity of both Newquay and Exeter airports – both less than an hour’s drive away offering a number of flight options and relatively stress-free travel. So it was that at 6pm on a Friday evening, we found ourselves letting our hair down with a post-work cocktail in the bar of the upmarket Club Hotel and Spa, a five-star luxury boutique hotel in the heart of St Helier. We had to remind ourselves that less than two hours ago, we were at Exeter airport to catch the 50-minute flight to Jersey, which was basking in late-afternoon sunshine.

The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey sits in the Bay of St Malo, 19 miles from the French coast. In the short ride to the hotel, the island’s French influence and history were apparent in street names, architecture and fortifications dotted along the coast.

The Club Hotel and Spa is situated in St Helier’s business district, and features the island’s highest rated restaurant – the Michelin-starred Bohemia. From the entrance lobby, it lives up to its reputation; the fragrance of the gorgeous-smelling oils and scents used in the spa had drifted into the reception area where we were met by

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attentive staff. Within minutes we were relaxing in our deluxe room, ahead of a Sundowner in the bar and the taster menu in the Bohemia. The latter did not disappoint; chef Steve Smith gained his Michelin star aged just 24, and his skill and artistry were clearly demonstrated as we tucked into course after course of exquisitely inspired dishes.

The next morning after (a very light) breakfast we headed out into St Helier, where it was a pleasure just to walk through the attractive streets and enjoy the seemingly slower and relaxed pace of life as we watched the world go by over the rim of a coffee cup. Back at the hotel and suitably attired in our bathrobes, we headed to the Club Spa, which is rightly regarded as one of the hotel’s key features.

Here you can enjoy indoor and outdoor pools and five treatment rooms.

Alongside the indoor saltwater pool is the thermal suite which includes a salt cabin, herbal steam room and experience shower as well as a relaxation area. There are three single treatment rooms, and a twin treatment room perfect for couples or friends. My partner and I opted for a massage in the twin room, which was beautifully lit and relaxing; afterwards, we confessed our

biggest fear was the embarrassment of falling asleep and snoring.

The spa offers a wide range of treatments, including Darphin, Decleor and the Ayurvedic Shankara treatments.

There is also a dedicated area for manicures and pedicures. The warm, relaxed, sensory atmosphere left us totally relaxed, and it took some effort to leave this fabulous oasis of calm.

However, there were more delights in store as, armed with the weekend papers, we headed to the Bohemia Bar to sample the hotel’s famed afternoon tea. The relaxed mix of residents and non-residents added to the experience as we tucked into a bounteous selection of three-bite finger sandwiches, and delicately delicious cakes and fancies all eased down with bottomless pots of loose leaf tea.

After another blissful night’s sleep, we headed off for a walk along the esplanade which was a brilliant way to blow away the cobwebs and guilt from the indulgence of the previous 24 hours. Then it was back to the airport for the short hop back to the mainland – relaxed, refreshed and vowing to return to this island gem. www.theclubjersey.com

| CORnwall ToDAy

9/10/2015 12:28:35 PM

petitio m o

blues

competition petition c com

THE FALMOUTH HOTEL We’re giving away a Girls’ Great Escape Getaway for 4.

Enjoy some quality time with your girlfriends and indulge in a back, neck and shoulder massage or Celtic head

massage, followed by a light lunch served in our lounge bar. You will also have full use of the gymnasium, indoor heated pool, hot tub and sauna.

For details of how to enter, see page 142 - competition code FALMOUTH HOTEL SPA Terms and Conditions: Prize value £45pp, total £180. Prize as advertised; no cash alternative. Valid from mid-October 2015 to March 31, 2016 (excluding Christmas, New Year, Valentine’s Day and Easter). Winner must be over 18, and must sign up to Richardson Hotels’ database to receive details of spa, leisure, food and beverage. Data will be for the use of Richardson Hotels only.

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re er

ader off re

reader offer

Reader Offer

reader offer

deals’ you e. tay

banish

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petition com

The Spa @ The Falmouth Hotel uses only the very best products designed by one of the world’s top beauty houses: Elemis, quality products designed with the individual in mind. Your skin, body and wellness lie at the heart of Elemis.

Our hands-on therapists will prescribe the best treatment and sublimely sensory products to transform your skin, offering an experience you can luxuriate in. Banish those winter blues with one of the following two pamper packages:

1. A hot stone, full body massage for just £49 per person (normally £70 for 60 minutes); 2. A hot stone back, neck and shoulder massage for just £28 per person (normally £40 for 30 minutes).

Why not treat yourself and stay overnight with our winter spa deal? Add bed and breakfast between November and February and pay just £37.50 per person per night Sunday to Thursday, or £47.50 per person per night Friday and Saturday.

Terms and conditions: Offer only in conjunction with the spa hot stone massage. Based on standard inland twin or double, two sharing. Subject to availability. New bookings only and not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid, November 1 2015 to February 29 2016 (excluding Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day).

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9/10/2015 4:08:07 PM

fashion

slip

autumn ENJOY THE TRANSITIONAL PHASE OF EARLY AUTUMN Words by Roo Cross of Roo’s Beach

A

utumn is always slightly tricky here in the South West, as if we’re lucky we get an Indian summer which can last well into October. We could really do with a belated blast of heat this year, as it has been a rather fresh, damp summer with only glimpses of warmth. I for one have a wardrobe full of brightly patterned strappy tops, little sundresses and floaty kaftans that haven’t had their full quota of outings yet.

Before we know it, the kids are back to school and the roads are free flowing again, so at last we have an opportunity to indulge in some much-needed retail therapy. With an air of anticipation, I venture out to see what I have been missing all these weeks and what delicious new items of clothing I can slip into my wardrobe to ease my way into September.

It always alarms me how quickly all the shops are transformed into full-blown autumn – bikinis, sandals and bright, summery prints are replaced with darker hues, knitwear, boots and faux fur. I’m the first person to embrace a new season, but I do feel there should be more of a transitional phase. This is where I feel we Cornwall dwellers are different from our city friends upcountry.

We are just not ready to move on so dramatically on September 7 and don socks, boots

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| CORNWALL TODAY

LEFT: PONCHO

BY BECKSÖNDERGAARD £99

9/10/2015 12:01:21 PM

and jumpers for the next eight months! We cherish the calm, quiet sense of localness September brings; evenings are still long and often sunny and warm, and the beaches are clearer.

So what does autumn 2015 look like? I love looking at the trend reports in all the glossy magazines while lying on a sun lounger and trying to imagine my winter wardrobe, and these are currently detailing an emphasis on folk, disco, 1980s revival, lace and modern military amongst others.

Expect to see William Morris-like floral prints, long dresses with pussy bows, silver lame in figure-hugging polo necks, thigh-high boots, New Romantic high-necked shirts and lots of khaki green! We’re building up a rail of autumn clothes at the shop and the palette of soft, dusty pink, denim blue, pale grey and a hint of floral fills me with anticipation and excitement for the season ahead.

Autumn down here is all about transitional knitwear and layers Knitwear is still one of the most versatile categories of clothing and never more so as the evenings get cooler and the days get shorter. I have a wardrobe full of open-knitted jumpers and cardigans in an array of textures and colours.

My son always remarks upon how totally useless they are as they have no warmth to them: “Another warm layer, Mum,” he jokes sarcastically. But during September and October, they are perfect as they provide just the right level of cosiness, colour and versatility without feeling as though I have given into winter just yet.

Think a fabulous brightly-coloured crochet kimono, or a soft, pale grey slouchy jumper which can be thrown over a pair of pale denim jeans of an evening, yet still feels light and feminine and reminds us of summer. A sleeveless jumper adds a layer of warmth and texture to a summer dress, a long cardigan worn over a summer camisole with denim takes it from the beach to a mid-September lunch date with friends.

Another key trend for autumn is the rise of the poncho, which once again is really suited to Cornish living as it has an element of the free-thinking bohemian, reminiscent of wideopen spaces and campfires. It’s the perfect transitional piece, as you can just throw it over whatever you’re wearing; it’s an excellent layering garment and will add an air of casual chic.

Even more importantly, were there any cattle needing to be herded, you would instantly look the part! I have seen them everywhere from the high street to the catwalk, and we have a couple coming into Roo’s Beach from Becksöndergaard.

You’ll certainly see me in one in and around Newquay.

Happy wrapping up, everyone - before we know it we’ll be talking about Christmas!

Need a hand developing your own signature style?

Visit Roo’s Beach in Porth, or online at www.roosbeach.co.uk

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wellbeing news

Compiled by Kirstie Newton | www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

ATLANTIC COAST

GET YOUR

glow on

Sign up for Cornwall’s brightest charity fun runs. Run in high-vis clothing, head torches and glow sticks at Flambards and Boconnoc this month. Cornwall Hospice Care hosts its first Night Of Neon at Flambards Theme Park in Helston on Saturday, October 10, featuring neon paint zones, foam, music and fun for ages 12 and over. Prices are £20 for adults and £15 for children; proceeds will help to fund nursing teams at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice in St Austell and St Julia’s Hospice in Hayle. www.runneon.co.uk And on October 17, Glow in the Park returns to the Boconnoc estate - a 5km fun run open to anyone aged 8 and over, in aid of charitable causes include Penhaligon’s Friends, Get Seen For Unseen, Cornwall Air Ambulance and Marie Curie Cancer Care. www.glowinthepark.co.uk

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challenge

There’s still time to register for the Atlantic Coast Challenge, which celebrates its 10th birthday from October 2 to 4.

With three marathons in three days, runners will take on 78.6 miles of stunning coastline from Padstow to Land’s End. The course follows the South West Coast Path; steep climbs and descents test concentration as well as strength, and each day brings its own individual challenges and famous landmarks. There’s a sting in the tail on day three from St Ives to Land’s End where the wild, rugged path becomes very challenging. Organisers Votwo describe the event as “a format that is challenging but achievable by most”. Individual fee for three days £160 (single days £60 each), teams £240.

Sign up before October 1 at www.votwo.co.uk

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9/8/2015 3:35:49 PM

leisure

escape ...

quirky Let ConstanCe take the strain on your Camping hoLiday Words by Kirstie Newton

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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escape

A

few years ago, I interviewed a caravan and motorhome specialist dealer about the appeal of each. He explained, in simple terms, how caravan owners tended to belong to a club, and pitched and unhitched for a week in one place, enjoying sightseeing unencumbered by their accommodation; while campervan owners enjoyed the variety of a night here, a night there, and the freedom of moving on whenever the mood took them. I was pretty sure which category I fell into, and had long dreamed of giving campervanning a go.

When I was offered the chance to put a van through its paces, how could I resist?

The invitation came from Quirky Campers, a Bristol-based company run by Lindsay and David.

Owners of a campervan conversion themselves, they connect customers with a growing number of classy campers around the South West (and London). “Most owners have their vans parked up for 49 weeks of the year,” says Lindsay. “We got so many compliments whenever we took ours out, we decided to have a go at sharing her. Not only is it a cheaper way for customers to enjoy a campervan holiday, but it also makes ownership more affordable.”

New to the Quirky Campers stable is Constance, a converted Mercedes Sprinter owned

by Steph and Tom of Illogan, near Redruth. A former pharmaceutical delivery van, from the outside she looks every inch your standard long wheelbase “white van”.

Slide the door open, however, and prepare to be surprised.

The spacious interior has been beautifully clad with timber, with the help of tree surgeon friend Chris Kite. A seating area and table convert into a king size bed. All soft furnishings – some with an appropriate atlas theme - have been lovingly sewn by Steph. There’s a sink and dresser

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laden with classy camping crockery, a gas stove and even believe it or not - a woodburner whose chimney pokes out of the roof. For children, there’s a super-strong hammock which hangs in the driver’s cab. And there are some interesting games to play, stashed in the useful overhead shelves.

Steph and Tom hired from Quirky Campers last year, and were subsequently inspired to invest in their own van.

They’ve since travelled extensively in Constance, including a trip to Ireland and the Scottish Highlands which provided an opportunity to try out the woodburner. “It was extremely warm,” laughs Steph, who has already received an enquiry about hiring the van long-term over the winter months.

Quirky Campers holds fast to ethical principles, donating 10 per cent of profits to the charity Practical Action; customers are also invited to make a contribution to the climate change prevention, adaptation and mitigation work that Practical Action is doing with vulnerable communities, as an optional extra on the booking form. Eco cleaning products such as washing-up liquid are provided with the van.

You can take Constance pretty much anywhere - festivals and pets are permitted, as long as the van is returned in the state you found her. Bedding and camping furniture are provided for a fee, as is delivery of Constance, which could be useful if, for example, you are travelling down to Cornwall by train for the trip.

As we were in Truro, it was easy enough for us to pick Constance up from her home, then take her back to ours and strip our own beds - that was my job, while His Nibs took great pride in showing our curious neighbours

| CORNWALL TODAY

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escape

her impressive interior. We were heading up the A39, to Bude (where we passed a multitude of appealing sites) and beyond, to Ilfracombe and Minehead. For four nights, we revelled in Constance’s company and cosiness at a variety of sites. The first, Stowford, was big and organised, with a swimming pool, restaurants and onsite family entertainment. It was a gentle introduction to campervanning - the washrooms were immaculate, and we knew we had everything we needed close by - but it’s not the place to go if you’re looking for a child-free wilderness.

In Minehead, we enjoyed the Red Arrows a few hours before they were due to appear at Falmouth Week, and brewed a smug cup of tea (complete with old-style whistling kettle) in the festival car park. Our next site was a glorified layby - clean and comfortable, but basic. Our friends were staying up the road on lush Exmoor, so in the morning we decided to up sticks and join them, tasting in the process that freedom and spontaneity we’d hoped for

from our campervanning experience.

Constance is a big girl, and needs care when driving - a wider turning circle and height restrictions apply (avoid multi-storey car parks). The main bed was bigger than our own at home, and the hammock was a huge hit with our five-year-old daughter - while a faff to put up, it was worth it for a good night’s sleep.

Electric hook-up is due next year, and will be a bonus for charging up gadgets. The interior lights and water pump work off an auxiliary battery which recharges when driving.

After four days, we were quite besotted. It would seem most people are: “We’ve had a lot of repeat bookings, to the extent that we need to get our own holidays booked or we’ll miss out,” laughs Steph. We’re checking our own diaries too, as we’ve been well and truly converted - just like Constance herself.

For availability, visit www.quirkycampers.co.uk

Slide the door open, however, and prepare to be

surprised

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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9/10/2015 10:24:42 AM

walk

A CORNISH WALK

A WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF KATHERINE MANSFIELD, TAKEN FROM A NEW BOOK by Sue Kittow

K

atherine Mansfield Beauchamp Murry was born in New Zealand on October 14, 1888, a prominent writer of short fiction who wrote under the pen name Katherine Mansfield. At 19, she left for Britain, where she befriended modernist writers DH Lawrence and Virginia Woolf. Her best known stories include The Garden Party, The Daughters Of The Late Colonel and The Fly.

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9/10/2015 12:33:38 PM

walk

Mansfield had many lovers, of both sexes, who had varying influences on her writing. John Middleton Murry was the editor of a magazine called Rhythm, to whom Mansfield submitted a short story. They began a turbulent relationship which led to their marriage, but Mansfield left him twice, at the same time as battling ill health.

Mansfield contracted extrapulmonary tuberculosis during the First World War, and would die aged just 34. Her illness made it impossible for her to return to New Zealand, but she spent significant periods of time in Cornwall, and came to Looe in 1918 in the hope of regaining her deteriorating health.

There she joined her friend, American painter Anne Estelle Rice, who painted a now famous portrait of her in a red dress, about which Mansfield wrote: ‘A. came early and began the great painting — me in that red, brick

red frock with flowers everywhere. It’s awfully interesting, even now. I painted her in my way as she painted me in hers: her eyes … little blue flowers plucked this morning.’

But by October that year, she had been advised to go to a sanatorium as she could no longer spend winters in London. In October 1922, she entered Gurdjieff’s Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man at Avon near Fontainebleau, seeking both a physical cure and spiritual enlightenment that would aid her recovery. She continued to write prolifically, and seemed to find peace there, but died of a haemorrhage and is buried in the nearby cemetery.

One sunny morning, Mr B, MollieDog and I took the A387 to Looe and drove past the large car park in West Looe to park by a sign indicating Kilminorth Woods. You could arrive by rail on the Liskeard to Looe branchline, which was originally

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walk built to transport granite and copper ore; walk over the river bridge and through the main car park as above.

We walked uphill from the car park, towards Kilminorth Woods. Before the gate was a sign to Watergate where we turned left by a bench and followed an incredibly steep path up through the woods. Sun dappled the oak leaves and turned the young holly leaves white in the sunshine.

Ignoring left and right detours, we reached a bench and striped waymark sign. Past here, we came to a gap in the bank, turned left and walked alongside it. This brought us to a stile and into a field which we walked diagonally across to reach two gates. We took the right hand one by a very muddy gateway and stopped to look back. We were very high up here, and the views are stunning: over miles of fields and woods, leading into the urban sprawl of Looe and its harbour, then further out to Whitsand Bay and Rame Head.

There were sheep in the fields here, so please put dogs on leads. We climbed even higher through the second field; the wind whipped up, making my nose run. As we walked, we gazed over miles of farmland, hardly a house in sight, then down into the dense woodland.

Coming to another gateway with a waymark sign pointing to the right, we headed downhill, looking out over a beautifully built circular stone wall enclosing sheep, surrounded by miles and miles of woodland. Reaching a wire fence, we walked on the righthand side to reach a very rough track so deeply muddy, it was tough wading through even in wellingtons.

With some measure of relief, we came to a five-barred gate and a metalled road, and turned right. Walking past a farm, and Kilminorth Cottages - a recently refurbished barn complex - we headed down the hill in the lazy sunshine into a steep wooded valley with a stream gushing at the bottom.

The peace of the woods settled round us.

After a while we came to a bridleway sign on our right, indicating Looe 1½ miles, so we entered Kilminorth Woods where the clouds parted to reveal a sky of a clear Wedgwood blue. As we walked, we noticed star-shaped moss, which enveloped the tree roots in emerald green rugs.

Beech, oak and holly trees abounded here, with tree trunks covered in lichen and ivy. “You can tell where north is,” said Mr B. “That’s where the moss grows.”

Further along we came across the Giant’s Hedge and a carved sign saying: “Jack the Giant, having nothing to do, built a hedge from Lerryn to Looe.” This hedge was once over nine miles long and probably dates from the

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sixth century. It consists of a stone-based earth bank that was originally flanked by a ditch and topped by a hedge or fence. There are some well-preserved sections which appear to pre-date the woodland. Now colonised by mature trees, ferns and mosses, it’s a valuable habitat for wildlife.

Coming to a sign indicating Watergate, we could have taken this route which would have led to sewage works and then along a riverside path. We opted for the higher route - “Bridleway, Looe 1¼” - and returned through the woods; looking back, the shoreside path looked very beautiful.

Apparently bluebells are abundant in spring, Heading down a very steep path towards the water level to the West Looe river, we took the higher road which we thought would be less muddy. The wooded valley is almost vertical in its incline here, with tree trunks strangled by knotted ivy, and on the opposite bank we could see sunlit fields. These woods are home to many bats which roost in the trees, holes and crevices, especially in the summer, and the woodlands provide vital feeding grounds.

These bats also roost in house roofs in Looe, often following regular flight paths.

Finally we arrived back at the gates to the woods, the lower path clearly visible below us, which would also have made an interesting route – and for boat lovers such as us, we would have been nearer the water. We headed back to the car park with a blackbird singing loudly in the woods above us. We would certainly do this walk again – in warmer weather.

Tired and hungry, we headed for the Hannafore Point Hotel, where Katherine Mansfield stayed when she first came to Looe. It was then called the Headland Hotel, and commands a fabulous view out over Looe Bay. As we sat, reading the papers with our drinks and munching crisps and peanuts, it was easy to imagine Katherine Mansfield sitting in the same spot, admiring the same view - albeit without the snacks.

Walks In The Footsteps Of Cornish Writers by Sue Kittow is published by Sigma Press at £8.99, and features 20 walks inspired by authors including AL Rowse, DH Lawrence, Patrick Gale, Virginia Woolf and Derek Tangye. www.sigmapress.co.uk

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advertising feature “Seeing the Business Centre grow this quickly in just a few months is truly fantastic news and I’m really proud to be part of the West End Motors success story”

Meet

BUSINESS CENTRE MANAGER JAMES HOLDER

the Dealer WEST END MOTORS NISSAN BUSINESS CENTRE GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

I

n January this year, local Nissan dealership West End Motors in Bodmin was awarded the prestigious Business and Fleet Centre status from Nissan after delivering a superior service for new car buyers in Cornwall. And just a few months after joining the programme, the Launceston Road dealership has surpassed all expectations and continues to grow its business customer base at an impressive pace.

West End Motors Nissan joined just 63 business centres across the UK from a total of 220 Nissan dealerships. This title means the popular motor trader is able to offer a huge range of deals and services for business users, fleet and consumers across the South West.

Trading for over 54 years, West End Motors is a name synonymous with the small Cornish market

town of Bodmin and recently expanded into a purposebuilt 1.3 acre site on the outskirts of the town near ASDA. Its large multi-franchise showroom had offered the latest new and used Nissans for over five years at a plush, state-of-the-art dealership, and becoming a business centre for Cornwall in 2015 was a natural progression for the family-run company.

Specialising in contract hire, light commercial vehicles and electric vehicles for small or large business users, West End Motors has collated some of the best offers from the Nissan marque and can pass huge savings onto Cornish businesses. Stepping into the role of business centre manager is fleet and electric vehicle (EV) specialist James Holder. James has worked as a sales executive with West End Motors since 2008 after joining the company from

the motorcycle industry. In 2012, James progressed to electric vehicle specialist and has been instrumental in the introduction of the world’s bestselling EV, the Nissan LEAF, into Cornwall. Around that time, he also began to specialise in light commercials so becoming a business and fleet centre manager was an obvious next step for him.

“Seeing the business centre grow this quickly in just a few months is truly fantastic news, and I’m really proud to be part of the West End Motors success story,” says James.

“It’s been a really exciting time for the business, and we have been able to negotiate some fantastic deals across the Nissan range which is comparable to those offered across the UK. This has enabled us to grow at a rate much faster than expected, which means a lot to me as I’ve nurtured the project since

the beginning. We are seeing more and more customers get in touch to see how we can help their business or fleet and we have been able to offer some fantastic cost effective solutions from the Nissan range.”

West End Motors Nissan Business Centre is able to offer a huge range of Nissan models from the 100 per cent electric Nissan LEAF to the robust builder favourite, the Nissan Cabstar. But the Business and Fleet Centre is not just suitable for large business users. “The great thing about the Nissan range is that we truly do have a vehicle to meet everyone’s needs” says James. “For example, company car drivers may require a small city car such as the Micra, or the popular crossover Nissan Qashqai and we can ensure the vehicle fits their business as well as their pocket.”

WEST END MOTORS’ BUSINESS CENTRE is now open at the Launceston Road dealership and is open seven days a week.

For more information on how they can help your business or fleet needs, contact JAMES on 01208 261111.

You can also e-mail him on jh@westendmotorsbodmin.co.uk or visit www.westend-nissan.co.uk

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9/10/2015 11:31:17 AM

Cornish KYNANCE COVE FAMILY FUN IN A FORD S-MAX Words by Kirstie Newton, photographs by Viki Wilson

D

espite being a three-person family, I have long hankered after a seven-seater car. At weekends, we often go out for scenic drives (usually with CT in mind), and invariably take the grandparents along. But trying to get a pair of grown-up bottoms in the back next to a child seat is always a task, and the two end up jostling and squabbling like teenagers. When my friend, Sally, offered to pick me up from Bodmin Parkway station for a trip to Lanhydrock, with three children of her own in tow, I salivated indecently over her people carrier. So I was thrilled to test-drive the

Ford S-Max The Ford Galaxy and its more sporty-looking S-Max sibling have been mainstays of the large people-carrier market in Britain for more than a decade, so maybe it’s no surprise the company has not tinkered too much with the winning formula for the latest model.

The new S-Max looks similar to its predecessor but is all-new from the ground up. It’s a comfortable, spacious seven-seater full of practical touches and decent equipment levels.

Our test model was a mid-range 2.0 litre with a six-speed gearbox, controlled with a well-placed and positive gearlever.

Plus points include a sensible and intuitive dashboard layout, direct steering and a smooth ride. The dials are presented in an attractive electronic display, although personally I still like good,

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“Blue skies, white sands, azure waters sparkling with the reflection of the sunlight” spacious Ford S-Max over the bank holiday.

It seemed only right to do something family orientated and, the day being absolutely fabulous (in a marked change to the summer weather as a whole), we decided to head down to the Lizard, starting with Kynance Cove. It was several years since our last visit, and I won’t be leaving it so long until the next. Having parked in the National Trust car park (free to members), we took our beach bag and struck off down the steep path towards the beach. The view clean took my breath away: blue skies, white sands, azure waters sparkling with the reflection of the sunlight – had it been a picture

old-fashioned gauges. Equipment on our model included lane departure warnings, cruise control, sat nav, heated seats and automatic lights and wipers.

The seats are comfortable and spacious, and the middle row of seats recline. The rearmost seats are easily folded away and are suitable for adults as well as children.

Also available with all-wheel-drive and with a panoramic roof, the S-Max makes a superb family tourer.

The S-Max starts at £24,545. The highest official combined fuel economy figure is 56.5mpg for the 2.0 Duratorq which also returns emissions of 129 g/km of CO, depending on the model.

Car supplied by Vospers Truro. Tel 01872 226212, www.vospers.com

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postcard, you might have thought it was the Med. Reality bit, however – although sunny, it wasn’t actually terribly warm. Not that this deterred my daughter, who had stripped off before you could say Jack Robinson and was happily frolicking in the many freezing sea pools. Do five-yearolds feel the cold? Apparently not.

There are many reasons to love this part of the Lizard. It is surrounded by heathland which is home to some of the rarest flora and fauna in the UK. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the red legs or hear the call of Cornwall’s native chough.

Look down at your feet, and see the familiar greens and reds of serpentine, which is unique to the Lizard peninsula.

Once thought to be the root of a volcano, it’s now known to be part of the Earth’s mantle, bulldozed by an advancing continent, onto the newly evolving Cornish mainland millions of years ago. When Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited in 1846, they were enchanted by the unusual characteristics of serpentine, and their royal patronage spawned an industry of architectural and decorative stone working that continues in a lesser form to this day – see the shops at nearby Lizard village.

There’s a very popular café here, serving Ann’s pasties and other food between Easter and November (weather dependent in colder months), and has sustainable toilets.

The beach is an explorer’s paradise, with lots of nooks and crannies; however, it’s worth checking tide times, especially at spring high water, when the beach is completely covered. We didn’t have long ourselves, and were soon scooping up our belongings and moving further up the sands. There, it was

considerably breezier, and our newspaper blew clean away, to much hilarity (on Daughter’s part at least).

We took this as our cue to move on, and headed to Lizard village for an ice cream and a gentle stroll. The most southerly point is about 15 minutes’ walk from here. Then it was time to head back, taking a scenic route across Goonhilly Downs, past the famous Earth Station, and back to Helston.

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sailing

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he only remaining example of a Flying 30 yacht has been restored in south-east Cornwall and put back into service. Following a three-year restoration programme by Cremyll Keelboats in south-east Cornwall, the Huff of Arklow was relaunched in June, and received the Regional Flagship of the Year Pennant for her extensive programme of events and regattas this year. Over the summer, she sailed from Plymouth to Scilly, across the Channel to France, down the Cornish coast and across the Irish Sea. Huff was one of eight Flying 30s designed by Uffa Fox - and the only one to be built - in 1951 in County Wicklow, Ireland. Originally built for former RAF pilot Douglas Heard, Huff was designed as a scaled-up version of his successful Flying Fifteen, with space to sleep a crew of six. She was the first offshore yacht to feature a fin and skeg, the first ever masthead rig sloop and the first ocean going yacht designed to plane.

Following an arson attack in the 1970s, it was said that Huff would never sail again, but a new owner bought and restored her for use as a charter yacht.

However, after many years of being underused and improperly maintained, she was bought by EISCA

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(Eyemouth International Sailing Craft Association), and restoration began in August 2012 at Mashfords Boatyard in Cremyll with the help of a £40,000 Heritage Lottery Fund Grant. Alongside the talented team led by Dominic Bridgman, three apprentices from Falmouth Marine School worked on the restoration project to gain the necessary practical experience for their NVQ 2&3 in boat building.

Huff’s hull has been refastened with 8,000 copper nails and roves, a new mast step has replaced the old one, while new metal floors and knees have given the boat back her original hull strength.

She has a whole new fresh and light interior, and has regained her original waterline length by fitting a new hydraulic system; her engine has been moved to the saloon to balance her trim, and her performance and manoeuvrability have been enhanced.

Her cruising speed is now 8 knots – not quite up to the 20 she achieved decades ago, but fast enough to make it an exhilarating experience for anyone who sails her. Cremyll Keelboats offers sailing trips and day sails, departing from Plymouth - Huff sleeps five, and for day sailing can take seven passengers.

See the full list of sailings at www.huffofarklow.org

| CORNWALL TODAY

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extra sailing

The world’s toughest row

On December 15, two men from north Cornwall will set off on a 3,000-mile unsupported race in aid of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW). Hamish Stewart and Neil Blackerby, aka the Atlantic Buoys, will row from San Sebastian in La Gomera, one of the Canary Islands, to Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour, Antigua. They are competing in the Talisker Whisky Challenge, dubbed the world’s toughest row - more people have been into space or climbed Everest than have rowed across the Atlantic.

Both from Port Isaac, Hamish and Neil are experienced gig rowers but

usually keep the coast in sight! They and their 24ft rowing boat, Deja Blue, will face the vast expanse of the ocean known by Second World War sailors as “the cruel sea”. Huge Atlantic swells, strong winds, massive container ships and dunnage (an old naval term for things washed off ships) that could sink Deja Blue all add to the risks.

Deja Blue weighs around one tonne, and will be steered by footplate and hand lines, with a rudder for back-up.

No outside assistance is permitted throughout the race, meaning each team has to carry all necessary food, cooking gas, medical kit, and safety

equipment for the entire crossing.

The Buoys are aiming to raise £45,000 for CHSW. “It is a challenge we have wanted to do for many years,” says Neil. “We will be rowing two hours on and two off using two oars, 24 hours a day for up to 70 days, and are likely to lose up to 20 per cent of our body weight,” says Neil.

A charity golf day will take place at Trevose Golf Club on October 25. For further information on this, and how to support the Buoys, call Neil or Hamish on 07908 861539 or 07772 530429. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter: Atlantic Buoys2015.

round-the-world manned Falmouth round-the-world skipper Huw Fernie (left) is leading the Visit Seattle team in the Clipper 2015 Race. Huw, 31, will head up a team of international novice sailors during the 11-month, 40,000-mile circumnavigation, which left London on August 30 and will return on July 30, 2016. Its global race destinations include Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Sydney, Da Nang (Vietnam), Qingdao (China), Seattle, New York, Derry (UK) and Den Helder (Holland).

across-the-pond unmanned

A pioneering project has been launched to design, build and sail the world’s first fullsized, fully autonomous unmanned ship across the Atlantic. The Mayflower Autonomous Research Ship, codenamed MARS, is being developed by a partnership of Plymouth University, autonomous craft specialists MSubs, and yacht designers Shuttleworth Design.

It is expected to take two-and-a-half years to build, and its planned voyage in 2020 will mark the 400th anniversary of the original Mayflower sailings from Plymouth to the North American continent.

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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Isabel Ashdown FIndIng PeACe At treyArnon BAy Words by Sue Kittow

“

I

grew up a few streets from the shoreline in West Sussex, and I think the salt air gets into your blood,” says Isabel Ashdown, whose latest novel, Flight, came out in May. “I feel that kinship with Cornwall, so I can understand why it’s had so much effect on so many writers: there’s a peace about it and I chose it for a woman who was in search of peace.”

We’re sitting outside Pinky Murphy’s cafe in Fowey, where Isabel is promoting the book - her fourth novel.

“I write very privately,” she says. “ I didn’t tell anyone I wanted to write a novel until I’d pretty much finished

it. It’s all the fear and uncertainty that are wrapped up in it until you’re out there.”

Isabel had a career at the Body Shop for many years but gave it up to do a degree in english and Creative Writing. “As soon as I started the Creative Writing module, I knew I’d found my place,” she says. “towards the end of the degree I won the Mail on Sunday novel competition with some extracts of glasshopper, and then finding an agent and publisher became a much easier path than it would have been otherwise.” She smiles, absently patting Molliedog as she talks. “glasshopper was published in 2009 so it all happened very quickly.”

For Isabel, a sense of place is hugely important. “Until I’ve got an idea of where the story lives, I can’t get going with it. Flight is a good example - when I came here two

years ago for a family holiday, I’d started to write the novel but wasn’t ready to make strides with it. I knew it would be about a woman who leaves her family, and I knew it was going to be about disappearance, and I knew that woman would be found again - but I didn’t know where she would run to.”

She sips her latte and continues. “on arriving for a family holiday, we went down to treyarnon Bay. It was a beautiful evening after a long, hot, sweaty journey, and we walked down to look at the sunset and I had that moment of epiphany where I felt, ‘oh yes, this is where she runs to.’ the moment where I know where a story happens, it breathes life into it. And then I have to come back again and breathe the air and walk the paths.” She looks out at the bustling streets of Fowey and smiles. “I think it’s very hard to write about somewhere until you walk those streets. When the characters have a landscape to ground them into, that’s when they start to talk properly.”

Unlike many authors - and advice given to would-be writers - Isabel doesn’t plot her books. “And I’m such an organised person,” she laughs. “By nature, when you have those psychometric tests, I’m off the scale

as a planner, so it goes absolutely against the grain for me. But I learnt very early on in my writing that if I try and plot it kills all creativity.” Which must make the creative process very unsettling. She nods: “When I first get going, it’s like stepping off the edge of a cliff and hoping that you’ll have a lucky landing somewhere. But the only way I can find out about my characters is through writing it and seeing where that leads me.”

Flight tells the story of a young mother with a young child, who wins the lottery. But rather than telling her husband, she quietly packs her bags and disappears for two decades, when a journalist outs her in a piece celebrating the 20th anniversary of the lottery. “that’s the point where the story starts - the moment of discovery - because her family are all alerted and start to go on that quest to find her and to find answers,” Isabel explains. “Why did she do it? Her best friend Laura is the other part of the trio, and Laura’s been left behind by someone who’s as close as a sister. We’re all affected by loss or grief in very different ways and the passing of time colours it very differently.”

Like many readers, getting lost in a good book is one of life’s special pleasures, and one that I found in Flight.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did - especially the Cornish setting.

Flight by Isabel Ashdown is published by Myriad Editions, May 2015. £7.99

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Reviewed by Rebecca Bentley

bookshelf

Alf & Mabel

ditor’s

e

The Mammals Of Cornwall and The Isles Of Scilly

e

choic

Edited by David Groves The Environmental Records Centre, £13.50 From deer to foxes, bats and even minke whales, there are a wealth of fascinating mammals in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This guide is written by local experts, illustrated by local photographers and produced by the Cornwall Mammal Group in collaboration with the Environmental Records Centre and other local organisations. It is the first comprehensive guide to Cornwall’s mammals.

It features detailed descriptions and full-colour photographs of 56 species of mammal found in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and comes with up-to-date maps, local stories and interesting facts about each species. Order a copy via www.cornwallmammalgroup.co.uk

Terry Lander Lyvit Publishing, £9.99 This is the latest novel from Helstonbased author Terry Lander, who has been writing poetry, fiction and screenplays since 2005 when he set up his own publishing company, Lyvit Publishing. Alf & Mabel is an endearing tale that delves into the life of an old man who wakes to find his wife has died in the night. Not wanting to let her go, he takes her body into woods where he fondly recalls the life they shared together. Although a seemingly sombre tale, the book has moments of humour as it is a journey through their lives, and is also the tale of the family unit coming together when necessary, dealing with a crisis by being there for each other.

The Winds Call No Man Sir Jonathan Ball FootSteps Press, £8.99 The Winds Call No Man Sir is the autobiography of architect and cofounder of the Eden Project, Jonathan Bala. He writes of his Cornish childhood in post-war Bude where he grew up, later returning after a studying in London. As a prequel to his Eden Project story, the memoir opens a window on to an unhurried world that has long since vanished, describing the philosophy of the Cornish people he knew and the influences that shaped and prepared him for a life of creativity that demanded determination and courage.

Pasco’s Boatyard: 250 Years Of Boat Building In Cornwall Peter W. Bodle Fonthill Media, £14.99 Written by local engineer, designer and inventor, Peter W Bodle, this book provides a superb pictorial history of Pasco’s iconic boatyard in St Just in Roseland overlooking the Carrick Roads where the age old tradition of boatbuilding has thrived for hundreds of years. The book is superbly illustrated with many rare and previously unpublished photographs, the book explores the changes that the boatyard has seen since it was first established 150 years ago and the continuation of traditional skills that live on.

events *Don’t miss the North Cornwall Book Festival, taking place within the tiny parish of St Endellion from October 23 to 25. Speakers include Philip Marsden, Miranda Seymour and festival chairman Patrick Gale. There’s also an increased selection of activities for younger readers. www.endelienta.org.uk/whats-on-book-festival.html

*Best-selling author and TV presenter Judy Finnigan appears with husband Richard Madeley at the 2015 Plymouth International Book Festival, which takes place from October 15 to 22 on the Plymouth University campus and at venues around the city. The couple, who have a home at Talland Bay near Polperro, will discuss Judy’s latest novel, I Do Not Sleep. www.plymouthinternationalbookfestival.com

To order any of the books reviewed, delivered direct to your door with free p&p, call the Cornwall Today Bookshop on 0843 0600033 or sendToday your cheque Cornwall 108 (made payable to Cornwall Today Bookshop) to Cornwall Today Bookshop, PO Box 60, Helston, TR13 0QD

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9/9/2015 5:46:04 PM

theatre

DAVID MYNNE BRINGS BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA TO LIFE IN HIS ONE-MAN SHOW Words by Rebecca Bentley, images by Steve Tanner

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theatre

“an emotional

journey that bends from the

”

O

ne man perched on a small stage lit by two dingy lamps hardly sounds like a recipe for an evening of riveting entertainment. But where Penwith-based actor David Mynne is concerned, that’s exactly what you’ll get, against all the odds. His character-filled storytelling, complete with comedy and his own voiced sound effects, have been mesmerising audiences since David founded Rabbit Theatre in 2012; having debuted with his highly acclaimed retelling of Dickens’s Great Expectations, this autumn he regales us with Bram Stoker’s gothic classic, Dracula.

The pared-back setting of his work emphasises David’s ability to capture the spirit of every character, simply with his voice and the help of a few props and physical gestures to aid the audience. “I always admired people who could hold a stage on their own, including singers and stand-up comics,” he says. “I thought it would be great to be able to do a one-man show like that.”

Following a 30-year career in theatre that began when he co-founded Kneehigh alongside Mike Shepherd in 1980, and a sideline in graphic design, David felt it was about time to do what he’d always dreamt of. He launched a one-man show retelling great works of classic literature within a condensed 75-minute format.

“Three years ago, when design work was slow and I’d stopped doing big tours, I knew there was no better time to do it,” he recalls. “My wife and I are huge Dickens fans, and after watching the BBC’s adaptation of Great Expectations - with Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham - I said right there and then that I’d do it. I set up Rabbit Theatre, and created my first show with director Simon

Harvey and writer Andrew McPherson.”

Produced on a shoestring with props that fit neatly into the boot of his car, David’s Great Expectations was a sell-out success. Dracula was put together in much the same way, with dolls for puppets and lamps from B&Q; but again, he has managed to capture the chill of the tale and the multiple voices with ease.

“I like to draw people into the story, so much so that they forget about the time and place - they’re completely sucked in,” he reveals. “Simon has whittled Dracula down to 15 pages, and what we’ve managed to create together is a form of storytelling that’s really original. It’s just me - with no set to speak of – painting a landscape through my voice and physical attributes that the audience soon associate with each character. As a teenager, I studied the 1931 film starring Bela Lugosi and have based my own version of Dracula on the way he speaks, the inflection in his voice that makes the character so bloodcurdling.”

But this isn’t just one man telling a tale - it comes with added extras. “I like to take the audience on an emotional journey that bends from the grim to the comedic. People love to see me get into trouble now and then too, such as picking up the wrong the prop - the show doesn’t take itself too seriously.”

David will be touring Dracula across the country from October to April 2016. See him at The Acorn in Penzance on Saturday, November 21 and Wadebridge Town Hall on Friday, December 4. You can find out more about him and Rabbit Theatre at www.mynne.com and www.rabbittheatre.com

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a different AN ALTERNATIVE, BUT RESPECTFUL, TAKE ON CHRIST’S CHILDHOOD PREMIERES AT TRURO CATHEDRAL THIS MONTH Words by Kirstie Newton, illustration by Keith Sparrow

I

n early 2014, Truro composer Russell Pascoe spoke to Cornwall Today about his forthcoming Secular Requiem, which combined music with texts compiled (and written) by Professor Anthony Pinching. The piece was performed in Truro Cathedral to a packed house and to great acclaim. It was the beginning of a lasting professional collaboration and personal friendship, the fruits of which can be heard again this month when A Different Child premieres at the cathedral, uniting the St Mary’s Singers with professional soloists and around 200 children from a variety of Cornwall choirs.

The two men were introduced by a stroke of fortune. “I’d been asked by the Three Spires Singers to sponsor the Secular Requiem concert financially, and thought I should meet Russell first and find out exactly what I’d be signing up for,” says Tony, a clinical immunologist who has worked in the field of AIDS and chronic

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diseases, and at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry at the Royal Cornwall Hospital. “We had a fascinating conversation about many things, including music, and the texts he had in mind for this piece. As it happened, I’d been reading a lot of poetry about death at the time, and started filling his inbox with helpful suggestions – Donne, Stevenson, Tagore.

In the end, partly out of despair I think, he said, ‘You do the words, I’ll do the music.’”

It was a meeting of minds. “I’d always wanted a collaborator - thank God I met Tony,” says Russell. “You can’t thank God for a secular requiem,” points out Tony, who describes himself as “a practising agnostic”, while Russell claims to be “an atheist fascinated by religion”.

Next, Tony had hoped to complete a song cycle he had already begun. However, he worked simultaneously on the libretto for A Different Child. “Russell begged me to send it to him, so I did so on Christmas Eve, on condition he didn’t open it until the song cycle was finished.” Like a child with a gift-wrapped present, Russell could not wait, and the song cycle was placed on the backburner for a year. “I’m a softie,” sighs Tony.

A Different Child is a much

| CORNWALL TODAY

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music Tony explains: “She understands how children tell tales, bigger work, and its subject matter – Christ’s childhood and how they are affected by what is said. Her message - is equally challenging. Content has been drawn not is that these things might not have happened, but it is from the canonical gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke how people felt when faced with someone different at and John - but from the Apocryphal Infancy Gospels that time, when the Church itself was going through of Thomas and James. First written down in the its own childhood. In that sense, she echoes the early second century, these were widely known before the female leaders.”

Reformation, when the Church decided for various Their partnership brings to mind, for me at least, that reasons to focus on the four we use today. of Sirs Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, whose own Russell is an aficionado of the work of medieval work on the subject – Jesus Christ Superstar – comes painters. “I’d longed for years to write a cantata about to the Hall For Cornwall from October 27 to 31. Russell Jesus’s childhood, based on material that I knew about and Tony take the comparison better than I expect: “I as an art lover, but which didn’t make it into the perfomed that at Richard Lander,” Russell admits. “Like canonical gospels,” he explains. us, I think they felt the need to inject some drama into Online, he shows me Giotto’s Nativity, a 14th century the story.” And A Different Child does float across fresco in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, Italy; it depicts genres: “Russell doesn’t the Virgin in the cave get jazz, but one tale with two midwives, who about a compassionate doubted the Virgin birth robber came out as a but do not appear in blues number, which the canonical gospels; was absolutely right,” and the ox and the ass, says Tony. “I felt filthy which Russell describes afterwards, though,” as “an apocryphal adds Russell, wryly. embellishment”, adding “It’s a good working caustically: “They look relationship,” says Tony. good on Christmas “There’s a lot of toing cards.” Some accounts and froing – Russell have Jesus born in might say something is a cave rather than a unsettable, or too poetic stable: “I find it harder at and imposes itself on Christmas services now,” the music. He tends to says Tony. “I want to ask, work between 11pm ‘Are you sure?’” and 3am, when most Some stories portray civilised people are in Jesus as, to steal a phrase from the Pythons, “I find it harder at Christmas services now - bed, so we have an understanding that if “a very naughty boy”. A I want to ask, he sends me a message painting from the 1920s during that time, I won’t

by Max Ernst depicts reply straight away. He the Virgin Mary with the does ring me during boy Jesus over her knee, the day, saying, ‘I need about to be spanked. more drama, or two more stanzas, NOW.” Russell adds: Other subjects covered include Mary’s childhood, and “Tony’s great to work with, because he will do it.” how she came to be betrothed to the widower Joseph.

Their next work is already in progress, although Discovering these previously unknown gospels was you will have to be patient – with a working title of “revelatory and fascinating” for Tony. “I very quickly Remembrance, it will be performed at the cathedral in became of a view that it didn’t matter whether the 2018, to coincide with the centenary of the end of the stories were true or not,” he says. “These are the Great War, and to reflect on all wars past and present. stories people told during the short time that Jesus was around, which tell us about the impact he had as a A Different Child will be performed at Truro Cathedral on person, and paint a much richer picture.”

Saturday, October 17. Jesus Christ Superstar comes to the It was important to find a way to present the tales Hall For Cornwall from October 27 to 31. To book tickets for that wasn’t in opposition to the official canon, hence either production, visit www.hallforcornwall.co.uk a contralto acting as an interlinking “mother figure”.

‘Are you sure he was born in a stable?’”

Left Inset: Tony and Russell Above: Giotto’s Nativity courtesy of the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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October

entertainment extra

Fogle explores Minack

Cscape: TASTE the latest offering from Cornish dance company Cscape is inspired by the tapestries of Grayson Perry. taStE explores what we mean by taste and class in a delicious romp of a show with humour, irreverence and playfulness at its heart. It asks: what’s behind our choices? What defines our identity? do we really fall into “social tribes” and if so, how far up the social ladder is our tribe? Can we climb higher? the work sees Cscape collaborate with other Cornwall luminaries: theatre director Simon Harvey (o-region, Kneehigh) and writer Murray Lachlan young.

October 4: Grampound Community Hall; October 13: Helford Theatre, Truro College; October 15: Liskeard School and Community College; October 24: St Ives Guildhall. Booking: 01726 879500.

tV adventurer Ben Fogle explores the call of the wild in his first solo UK theatre tour. Having run a marathon across the Sahara, rowed across the atlantic ocean and reached the South Pole on foot, he visits the safer confines of the Minack. Wednesday, October 7.

To book tickets, call 01736 810181.

Truro Three Arts the truro three arts 2015/16 season kicks off on Friday, october 16 with the Fitzwilliam String Quartet at Mylor theatre, truro College. this distinguished quartet performs a diverse range of music from the late 17th century to the present day, on both historical and modern instruments. a Russian evening beckons, with works by tchaikovsky, Borodin and Shostakovich.

Tickets £17 from 07599 257833 or from Hall for Cornwall on 01872 262466. This is the first concert in a series of six; visit www.truro3arts.co.uk

Scary Little Girls the Scary Little Girls revisit their all-female adaptation of dracula at Sterts theatre, Liskeard. Using steampunk design to tap into the Victorian fascination with science and gender, dracula: the Kisses is an entertaining romp that explores sexuality, religious values, politics and feminism.

October 2 and 3. Call 01579 362382, www.scarylittlegirls.co.uk

Ready Steady Girls

Ingleheart Singers the Ingleheart Singers is a contemporary a cappella community choir, led by Claire Ingleheart. on october 10 at St andrew’s Church, Redruth, around 50 singers will perform a programme drawn from an extensive repertoire including Cornish,

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old English, folk, Italian, even Georgian and Croatian, with Levow an Bys from Penzance as guest choir. the Ingleheart Singers meet on term-time Mondays from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at troon County Primary School; new members are welcome. Call Claire on 07791 945770 or e-mail ingleheart@hotmail.com

Mari Wilson, best known for her beehive hairdo and 1980s pop hits including Just What I always Wanted, celebrates female singers in her new show Ready Steady Girls. Having played the title role in the UK tour of dusty – the Musical, you can expect songs by la Springfield to feature alongside classics by Petula, Cilla and many others. Saturday, October 24 at St Austell Community and Arts Theatre. www.crbo.co.uk

| Cornwall today

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Cornish

Set by Ostomachion

cryptic crossword

THIS MONTH’S WINNER WILL RECEIVE THE WINDS CALL NO MAN SIR BY JONATHAN BALL Rearrange the highlighted letters to get this month’s answer. CLUE: Impressive entrance to local village (9). The correct answer and winner for August’s crossword will be announced in the December issue. See page 142 for entry form.

DOWN 1.

2.

3.

4.

6.

7.

8.

11.

14.

17.

19.

21.

22.

25.

Fellow the Spanish follow to place of worship (6) Girl in time becomes nothing special (7) Believed almost couldn’t take any more caring (10) Redeployed sand in a defensive move initially for hill fort (6,2,5) Tend towards looking healthy (4) Suggest composing work in conventional language (7) Beginner may spit, unfortunately, if suffering from it (8) Swaps plan to swindle in graveyards (7,6) Left hospital with permit to see local fishing village (10) Perhaps, enter with archdeacon briefly community near Helston (8) Prevent public school difficulties for toff (7) Bold talk of warrior almost joining a party (7) Meets up with admirer finally near Truro (2,4) Give up to higher ranked player, reportedly (4)

ACROSS 1.

5.

9.

10.

12.

13.

15.

16.

18.

20.

23.

24.

26.

27.

28.

29.

Talk angrily about bird found neat Newquay (8) Mistake to drink from round the rim (4,2) Very good at removing fish head (3) Watch a blue one, or possibly little green ones, from here (11) Preacher girl joins crazy Nigel on the street (10) Bird said to be smelling bad (4) Chap almost has the girl (6) Infrared scan initially contains several similar but different things (7) Pick up boomerang (7) Manages to survive thanks to free pass, reportedly (4,2) Precise article omitted local village (4) Not nice when countries of the world give poor person final meal (10) Can lesson in editing prove difficult to follow? (11) Twosome can’t begin to identify tune (3) Badly decayed bridge near Saltash (6) Who entered into a bargain, in general? (2,1,5)

AUGUST’S SOLUTION (ABOVE) The August 2015 Cornwall Today crossword winner is M WILLIS FROM TRURO ANSWER: BREAGE

www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

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mpetition

n co

pe com titio

co

entry form

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Competition

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HOW TO ENTER:

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BY POST: Please tick the boxes beneath the competitions you would like to enter in this issue of Cornwall Today. Post the form to Cornwall Today October Competitions, High Water House, City Wharf, Malpas Road, Truro TR1 1QH. ONLINE: Alternatively, enter online at www.cornwalltoday.co.uk

DICK TWINNEY

117 WIN SPA TREATMENTS FOR 4 PEOPLE AT THE FALMOUTH HOTEL 143

WIN A 2-NIGHT BREAK AT THE CARNMARTH HOTEL, NEWQUAY

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E-MAIL: E-mail the names of the competitions you would like to enter writing October Competitions in the subject line and the competition codes and your name, address and phone number in the body of the e-mail - to: competitions@cornwalltoday.co.uk PLEASE NOTE: If a different e-mail address or website is given with the competition prize details, please follow those instructions only.

Deadline: Midnight, October 31, 2015 unless otherwise stated.

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WIN ONE OF 10 TIN DVDS

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CROSSWORD: THE WIND CALLS NO MAN SIR BY JONATHAN BALL PLEASE ENTER THE ANSWER HERE:

WIN £100 OF EKO VOUCHERS

Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CornwallToday or follow us on Twitter @Cornwall_Today to see our online ‘pop-up’ competitions.

AUGUST 2015

WINNERS: DICK TWINNEY PRINT ‘STONECHAT AND HEATHERS’: M GRAHAM, BODMIN WIN A SHORT BREAK AND A SEA SAFARI IN NEWQUAY: R SMITH, REDBOURN, HERTS WIN A SHORT BREAK AT HENDRA HOLIDAY PARK NEWQUAY: S DAVIES, MANCHESTER WIN DINNER FOR 2 AT AMELIES, PORTHLEVEN: P GREGORY, STOURBRIDGE, WEST MIDLANDS CROSSWORD (BREAGE): M WILLIS, TRURO

YOUR DETAILS Mrs / Ms / Miss / Mr Initials

Surname

Yes No

Address

Postcode E-mail address

Do you subscribe to Cornwall Today?

Tel no.

Local World may wish to use your information for marketing purposes. If you do not wish for this to happen, please tick here For details of third party datashare, please see terms and conditions below.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1. No employees of DC Media or any company associated with a particular competition, promotion, or game or any member of their close family may enter. 2. Unless otherwise specified, all entries must be made using the entry form(s) printed in Cornwall Today. No photocopies will be accepted. 3. Prizes are as stated and no alternatives cash or otherwise are available. 4. All entries must be received by the closing date as published in Cornwall Today. 5. DC Media accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury caused by any prizes won. 6. Publicity may be given to any competition winners and / or entrants and their names and / or photographs printed in Cornwall Today. 7. The determination and decision of the Editor on all matters will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. The Editor reserves the right in absolute discretion to disqualify any entry competitors, or nominee, add to, or write any rules, or to cancel the whole or part of any competition, game or promotion at any stage without prior notification. 8. In the event of more than one correct entry being received, the Editor’s decision on a tiebreaker questions will decide the winner(s) of any competition, game or promotion. 9. Where Cornwall Today offers prizes on behalf of an associated company these prizes are provided in their entirety by these associated companies. Cornwall Today cannot be held responsible for any failure to provide prizes as specified and all enquiries in reference to such prizes will be referred to the associated companies. 10. Entrants must be aged 18 years or over. Proof of eligibility must be provided on request. Written parental/guardian consent is required where a promotion states that participants may be under the age of 18. 11. Any closing date for entries and / or rules of play which are published as part of any competition, promotion or game form part of the rules for entry of that competition, promotion or game. 12. Winners will be notified within 28 days of the closing date. 13. No purchase/payment is required unless stated. 14. Copies of competition entry forms and tokens are available (if applicable) from the DC Media, High Water House, City Wharf, Malpas Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1QH on day of publication only. 15. Additional rules and restrictions may apply for different types of competitions or reader offers. Please see individual competitions and readers offers published in Cornwall Today. TEXT VOTING: Standard Local World rules apply; visit www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/houserules Texts will cost 25p plus your standard network SMS rate. Please obtain bill payer’s permission before entering. By entering using SMS you are agreeing to receive occasional SMS messages informing you of promotions, offers and services. You will not be charged for receiving these and may opt out by texting STOP to the originating number. Please contact 0800 0141 178 if you encounter any entering problems. Entries after the closing date may still be charged.

DATA SHARING: By responding, you agree that Local World, Daily Mail & General Trust plc group (DMGT) and the competition provider may offer you products and services by post, email, SMS and telephone. See our privacy policy and terms and conditions at www.thisiscornwall.co.uk for details. Local World would also like to allow selected third parties to contact you - if you object to receiving third party communications please tick here [ ].

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cut out and send • cut out and send • cut out and send • cut out and send • cut out and send • cut out and send • cut out and send • cut out and send • cut out and send • cut out and send • cut out and send • cut out and send • cut out and send

October

Competition

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To feature your business on this page, please contact simon.mullinger@dc-media.co.uk

October

competitions

WIN A STAY AT THE CARNMARTH HOTEL, FISTRAL BEACH, NEWQUAY October in Cornwall can be a beautiful time, with wide empty beaches and autumn sunshine. Set upon Newquay’s Headland, the Carnmarth Hotel is a contemporary seaside hotel that offers sweeping ocean views and delicious food. Unwind in the Carnmarth’s C View Bar and restaurant, overlooking a golf course and the Atlantic Ocean. Relax in a snug seaside room and refuel in the morning with a Cornish breakfast before heading out to enjoy the vast coastline, which is perfect for clifftop walking. You might visit the local harbour and town or embark on some ocean adventures, enjoy a stroll across Fistral beach or just sit and watch the world go by …. www.carnmarth.com This month, you could be in with the chance to win a two-night stay at the Carnmarth Hotel, Newquay. T&C: Offer valid from October 1, 2015 until October 1, 2016. 2-night stay in a standard double room. Subject to availability. No cash alternative. Travel costs not included. Break must be taken at the time stated and is non-transferable.

COMPETITION CODE: CARNMARTH HOTEL

WIN £100 OF VOUCHERS FROM EARTH KIND ORIGINALS Since founding Earth Kind Originals (EKO) from her parent’s garage in 2009, Helen Davies from St Just has grown the business into an award-winning ethical label, selling direct to consumers online and through independent retailers throughout the UK. It is also worn as uniform in some of the best luxury spa retreats in Europe. “The natural environment not only inspires our style, but also gives us time to escape the office and celebrate living along these beautiful Cornish shores,” says Helen. “We aspire to promote a well-balanced lifestyle and feel-good factor in everything we do, and we hope our brand reflects this.”

The 2015 Autumn Winter range combines timeless base layers and sculptural dresses and tunics in a selection of sustainable feel-good fabrics. These include Tencel, made from eucalyptus tree bark, and organically certified cotton jersey. This season’s colours are drawn from the vibrant bloom of yellow gorse and the deep blue of the ocean, set against a wild landscape of granite grey. Visit earthkindoriginals.co.uk This month, you could win a £100 voucher to spend on the new EKO A/W 2015 range.

T&C: No cash alternative. Cannot be used with any other offer.

COMPETITION CODE: EARTH KIND ORIGINALS

WIN A COPY OF TIN: THE DVD This month sees the highly anticipated DVD release of Tin, Miracle Theatre’s feature film of love, greed and opera in a Cornish mining town. Produced entirely in Cornwall, TIN sold out at Cornish cinemas earlier this year, and stars Jenny Agutter and Redruth-born opera star, Benjamin Luxon. The film is set in West Cornwall, 1885 and tells the story of an opera company arriving to perform in a tin mining town. The mine is about to close, but when it yields unexpected new treasures, melodrama starts to spill over into everyday life, reputations crumble and any notion of fair play is abandoned. To watch the trailer and find out about screenings near you, visit www.tinmovie.com To celebrate its nationwide DVD release, Cornwall Today has 10 copies of TIN (worth £12 each) to giveaway.

COMPETITION CODE: TIN

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back along WITH PETE CROSS POLDARK REVISITED - A FEW MORE MUSINGS ON CORNWALL’S FAVOURITE SUBJECT ….

O

h, come on, let’s talk about Poldark again. You know you want to. Filming for series two is underway, and in the meantime series one has been lapped up in America, so like many people, I’ve recently found myself re-watching the first series. A few more things have struck me, which I’d like to share with the group.

Firstly, that scything scene. Ross attacked that hay like a man possessed. Much has been made of Aidan Turner’s frantic, incompetent technique. It’s true – I have a friend who does a lot of scything, and he gets the job done with a delightfully slow and easy motion.

But wait a minute – let’s not be too hasty. Ross had just seen his friend Jim sentenced to two years in jail (and, effectively, death).

He was hopping mad, and his scything suffered. He was seething, and he took it out on his scything (of course, Ross’s seething scything notwithstanding, we’re all well aware that this was the director’s best opportunity to show off Aidan’s sweaty gym abs.

And those abs get bums on seats).

No, I’m more troubled by Ross’s permastubble. He must shave at least every couple of days, because he’s always got a day or two’s worth of beard. But I’m fairly confident that rufty-tufty 18th century mercenary types like him would have been unacquainted with the grooming products so familiar to today’s metrosexual male. So why is he never seen clean shaven? You’d think he might have had a wash and brush up for the posh ball in Truro but no, he rocks up as always, all stubbly, looking like he’s been dragged through a very sexy hedge backwards.

This will probably, one day, date this production, just as the 1975-77 version now looks ‘of its time’ due

to, among other things, Robin Ellis’s plausibly-eighteenthcentury-yet-incongruously-seventies-looking hair. In another forty years’ time when they remake it again (and they probably will), I’m fairly certain that Ross won’t have designer stubble and a well-oiled bob.

Another disconcerting thing: no matter how much of a hurry our eponymous hero is in to get from Nampara to Trenwith, or Truro to home, why does he always choose a route that is, by definition, extremely circuitous? You don’t take the coast path if you’re in a hurry, Ross! Or when travelling inland! Of course, it all looks fantastic, and the Visit Cornwall team must have been licking their lips, but I tell you, it ent right.

OK, just one more observation for now. There’s a small snag with casting such a young and gorgeous actor as Ross Poldark: Ross is 23 at the beginning of the first book. If they continue to make one TV series covering two books per year, then in five years’ time as book 12 draws to a close, Aidan Turner will be playing Ross pushing 60. Aidan Turner isn’t going to look like a man pushing 60 anytime soon. Maybe they could phase Robin Ellis back in. Except they’ve gone and made him evil Reverend Halse.

It seems an eternity ago that we were agonising over whether the new Poldark would measure up against the books/original series. A mere 18 months ago, the founder of the Poldark Appreciation Society was quoted saying of the recently cast Aidan Turner “… a more masculine actor would have stood a better chance. A lamb to the slaughter comes to mind”. I’m quite sure Mr Turner didn’t lose too much sleep over such a misguided comment then, and the only thing worrying him now is probably whether to become the next James Bond or just settle for life as an ordinary Hollywood A-lister.

The fact is that this Poldark rebirth is brilliant, and, in my opinion, more true to the books than the first TV adaptation (which I loved) ever was. There will always be a handful of pedants freeze-framing a scene to point at a distant burglar alarm and scoff, but the fact is, practically all of us are won over.

Which brings me to my biggest concern: how on earth are we going to get through the next six months or so waiting for series two?

The anthology of Pete’s Backalong columns, Notes from a Cornish Shed, is out now as a paperback and eBook.

Facebook: Pete Cross Backalong | www.petecross.co.uk

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