West January 16, 2016

16.01.16

+ EXTREME COMMUTING

+ SAVE OUR PUBS

DON’T MISS:

ways to look good at work

18

+ WINTER FLOWERS

+ GOLDEN BEAUTY

PLUS:

+ MARTIN CLUNES

INSIDE:

CLUNES

Win 5 copies!

Pony storyWhy one Devon mum wrote a book for her son

THISONE_Cover_Jan16.indd 1 12/01/2016 14:32:39

• Exclusive Hire • Weddings • 5* Bed & Breakfast • Outdoor TheatresCorporate Events • Afternoon Teas & Lunches • Garden Open Days

What we do…

20 minutes from Plymouth, family run, stately 17th centuryB&B, beautifully restored and set within 2000 acres of

stunning gardens and grounds

A hidden treasureon your doorstep

Please contact the Castle Office on

www.pentillie.co.uk

Pentillie Castle & Estate, St Mellion, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6QDUntitled-1 3 12/01/2016 14:09:36

33

6 WISHLIST Check out our fabulous shopping ideas

9 JUST BETWEEN US... Sh! We have the latest gossip!

12 FROM MUM WITH LOVEWhy Lucy Johnson wrote a children’s book

16 THE LONG HAUL Extreme commuters share their stories

22 ROOM WITH A VIEWCli� op glamour in Cornish interiors

26 ANNE SWITHINBANKAchieving winter cheer in the garden

28 BEST BEAUTY ADVICEGoing for gold in 2016

32 FASHION SOLUTIONSBack to work and looking good

35 YOUR WEEK AHEADCassandra Nye looks into the stars

36 BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Great ways to feel your best this week

42 SAVE OUR PUBS!Darren Norbury on why we need them

44 MY SECRET WESTCOUNTRYFavourite places to explore

contents[ [Inside this week...

‘From knobbly little underground

tubers, stems of yellow, buttercup-like

� owers emerge’

Anne Swithinbank on winter aconites, p26

44 FAVOURITE PLACESSecret spots in the Westcountry

40 WHAT A CATCHMackerel with a twist

FROM MUM WITH LOVEA mother’s story for her son12

DARK FLOWERSHow to bloom in winter30

9 ALL THE GOSSIP Steaming up War and Peace

36 FEEL YOUR VERY BESTSmart ways to rise and shine

Contents_Jan16.indd 3 12/01/2016 12:49:17

4

[[ [[welcome[ [

only ask because, on page 16 today, we meet some people who really do go the extra mile to have a home in the Westcountry. There are an astonishing

number of people these days who live in the South West but think nothing of a 400 mile trip to work and back. Find out more in Claire Frances’ fascinating feature on Extreme Com-muting on page 12. Now, if you’re a long-term reader of The West-ern Morning News, you may well remember a writer called Lucy Johnson. Back in the day, she used to be this paper’s equestrian editor and

what she didn’t know about horses simply wasn’t worth knowing. A few years down the line, she is proud mum to a little boy called Toby and still very much immersed in the horse world from her

home near Modbury in south Devon. In to-day’s West magazine, Lucy tells us all about how her search for a “horsey” book for Toby led her to write one of her own. You can not only fi nd out

how she did it on page 12, you can also win one of fi ve copies of her truly wonderful children’s novel Pony Racer. It’s an inspiring story, I am sure you will agree. Have a great weekend.

EDITORIAL: [email protected]: 01392 442250 Twitter @wmnwest

@WMNWest omg @sarah Renals. Don’t you

look good. Thank you for sharing your story

#suchaninspiration

[ [They think nothing of a 400 mile trip to

work and back

Becky Sheaves, Editor

MEET THE TEAM

Becky Sheaves, Editor Sarah Pitt Kathryn Clarke-McLeod Catherine Barnes Lynne Potter

How much do you love living here?

Tweetof the week

ROOM WITH A VIEWGorgeous Cornish interiors22

COVER IMAGE: Steve Haywood

I

TO ADVERTISE: Contact Lynne Potter: 01752 293027 or 07834 568283, [email protected]

02.01.16

+ TRENDING - THE

TOMATO FACIAL

GREATEST

CAPES

Hang loose in

lovely layers

WIN:

+ A STYLISH LAMP

15WAYS TO

WORK OUT IN STYLE

INSIDE:

‘How I won the

losing battle’

New year,

new me

Cover_Jan02.indd 1

24/12/2015 14:38:37

@jillysargent

EdsLetter_Onething_Jan16.indd 4 12/01/2016 12:55:55

55

If your New Year resolution is to take more exercise and make more of life here in the Westcountry, these boots are just the thing you need. Made by Merrell, the sturdy but light new Capra boots are made with leather uppers and Gore-Tex. They are supremely comfortable, waterproof and tough enough to take you across the moors and cli� s with ease, thanks to their air-cushioned soles and extra-stability styling. And we LOVE the colours too. They come in women’s sizes 5-11 and cost £140 from www.merrell.com

If you buy one thingthis week...

EdsLetter_Onething_Jan16.indd 5 12/01/2016 12:56:20

STREETSTYLE STAR

6

the

West’s picks for spending your time and money this week

wishlist

Taylor Cowell Taylor Cowell, 20, is studying

for a BA in Fashion at Plymouth University. We caught her mixing

� attering taupe shades with wintry blacks in a very chic style. A bright

future beckons for this fashion student once she graduates, we

predict.

Taylor says: “I just love River Island! It bankrupts me every time

I go in there.”

Coat: Very

Everything else: River Island

Retreat diamond lanterns £35 and £25, Debenhams

Copper reading lamp

£129, www.4living.co.uk

Metallic

Harris tweed feather purse £30, Devon-based www.madebyhandonline.com

Wishlist_Jan16.indd 6 11/01/2016 13:28:59

Charbonnel et Walker Handbag and Heels chocolate £6.50, www.festiveglories.com

Sweet!

7

There’s plenty to discover in this gallery, set up earlier this year by glass artist Jane Reeves in a former � sherman’s cottage. Look out for Kirsty Elson’s charming cottages, made in south east Cornwall from dri� wood picked up from local beaches, glamorous quartz and silver rings made by Anna K Baldwin and colourful ceramics created by Rachel Foxwell.Jane Reeves Gallery, 11 Lanadwell Street, Padstow, www.janereevesgallery.co.uk or call 01841 533435

adoreStore weJane Reeves Gallery, Padstow

Rosie for Autograph bath and body oil £15, Marks & Spencer

RELAX

John Rocha crackle glaze plate £25, Debenhams

ON A PLATE

Wishlist

Metallic fl oral notebook £6.50, Accessorize

Torello side table in antique gold £129, www.swooneditions.com

Elegance

Ben Di Lisi colanders £20 for the set, Debenhams

Wishlist_Jan16.indd 7 11/01/2016 13:29:20

8

talking points

You have to hand it to actress Zendaya Coleman, who showed up at the pre-miere of Star Wars, The Force Awakens in this cute see-through skirt with sparkly sequins, made totally respect-able with the addition of a demure grey polo-neck. We suggest sticking with the sparkle, which works so well with grey, but making it your own with a longer length and slightly less diaphanous fabric...

SHADES OFsparkle

OPTION BOpulentSkirt £54 www.glamorous.com

OPTION AShinySilvery skirt£45 Oliver Bonas

stealherstyle

OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Grey rib £20 down from £28 Wallis

Skirt £89 Phase Eight

obile phones are back in the news – specifi -cally, how dangerous they are when you are

driving. It was pretty obvious to me that using an actual handset is dangerous – what with taking a hand off the wheel and all – but it’s come as a surprise that even hands-free conversations are risky.

How risky? One study revealed that people’s driving reactions were slower when they were talking on the (hands free) mobile phone than those of study sub-jects who had drank three shots of vodka before stepping into the simulator.

I always thought that a hands-free was more or less the same as talking to a passenger, but turns out I was wrong. Opinions differ as to why. One theory is that passengers will stop talking or react with you if something alarm-ing happens in the road, while a phone conversa-tionalist will just continue distract-ing your atten-tion. Another is that you have to concentrate harder in order to talk to someone when you’re interacting with voice alone, de-prived of other body language.

The most alarming mobile phone/driving infringement I’ve experienced was going up the Italian volcano of Vesuvius. A big bus with over-infl ated wheels stopped to pick up us tourists, and off we bucked over the potholes. In between wheeling the vehicle around the hairpin bends zigza-gging up the side of the volcano,

the driver maintained a spirited conversation on his mobile phone. His left arm had to work hard to do all that turning by itself, al-though he did let the knees take over a few times while he punched the air emphatically. No one dared distract him further – even if we hadn’t been fl attened against the back of our seats.

After we’d come to a dusty halt at the top, we disembarked

with trembling legs and a sense of deep gratitude, having resolved to make up with long-estranged family members. One woman high-tailed it behind a bush, either to throw up or drop to her knees and cry.

A huge no-no is texting while driv-ing, which appar-ently compromises even more of the

cognitive function that should be focused on the road. Who texts while driving, I thought, then remembered a teen I’d seen on the Camel Trail, serenely staring at her phone while she glided along – hands free – on her bicy-cle. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Don’t do it, don’t let your kids do it. The reality is that nothing we have to say is that important. It can wait till we’re stationary.

Can anyone translate this column into Italian?

Story of my life...

Gillian Molesworth

Lessons to be learned on safety in the car

Gillian Molesworth is a journalist and mum-of-two who grew up in the USA and moved to north Cornwall when she met her husband

M

We disembarked with trembling

legs and a sense of deep gratitude,

having resolved to make up with long-estranged

family members

Gossip_Moley_Jan16.indd 8 11/01/2016 17:19:10

9

Justbetween us!Gossip, news, trend setters and more – you

heard all the latest juicy stu here � rst!

16.01.16

KRISTINA RIHANOFF may have just announced her pregnancy but her fellow Strictly Come Dancing colleague ALIONA VILANI also has baby plans, West has discovered. Aliona, 31, married her husband Vincent Kavanagh a year ago and show insiders say she now plans to try for a baby, which is why she has announced she won’t be back on the show in 2016. An insider says: “Aliona loves children and is ready to have a family. As much as she loves Strictly she doesn’t want to put her plans for a baby on hold any more.” This is all despite rumours of her ‘closeness’ to Jay McGuiness during the show. Kazakhstan-born ALIONA is the only professional to win the show twice: in 2011 with McFly’s HARRY JUDD, and in 2015 with The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness.

Andrew Davies has confessed to ‘sexing up’ War and Peace for the cur-rent hit BBC adaptation. The writer, who created THAT Mr Darcy-in-the-lake scene in 1990s TV classic Pride and Prejudice, says: “Occasionally I have written one or two things that

Tolstoy forgot to write.”As Andrew explains, that includes some shocking scenes of incest between siblings Hélène and Anatole Kuragin (above). “He just didn’t actu-ally write the scenes and I couldn’t see why. So I thought I would.”

Actress Jenny Agutter has revealed there are perks to her job, courtesy of the wardrobe department. She reveals: “Because I’m an actor, I o¢ en buy clothes when

I’m working on something that’s current – you can get them at a discount.”She told The Guardian: “I got lovely clothes from working on Spooks. Then I think:

“Am I that character or not?’” Nothing from your role as a nun in Call the Midwife, Jenny? Perhaps she’s trying to kick the habit.

STEAMY SCENES

WARDROBE PERKS

DANCER’S BABY

PLANS

Gossip_Moley_Jan16.indd 9 11/01/2016 17:20:07

10

in pictures

Honoured: The French government gave World War II vet Max Parker of Camborne the Legion d’Honneur for his part in the D-Day campaign

Challenge: Callum

Gathercole of Plymouth

University plans to become

the youngest person ever to

row the Atlantic singlehanded, in

memory of his dad Clive

Glorious: The Falmouth vs Newquay rugby match was hard-fought – and very muddy

Wild horses: Exmoor ponies of the Molland

herd were rounded up for the annual gathering

WIP_LISTS_Jan16.indd 10 11/01/2016 13:26:20

11

talking pointsJoin in!

Singalonga cinema favourites:

1. Rocky Horror Picture Show

2. The Sound of Music3. The Blues Brothers4. Frozen5. Grease6. Moulin Rouge7. Dirty Dancing8. Wizard of Oz9. Mary Poppins10. My Fair Lady

Childhood: Son of the late Shakespearean actor Alec Clunes and cousin of 1980s Sherlock Holmes star Jeremy Brett, Martin grew up in London.

Success: Martin is best known for his starring roles in Men Behaving Badly and his current role as grumpy GP Doc Martin.

Bad behaviour: Martin was recommended for the role of the ultimate lad Gary Strang in Men Behaving Badly by his � atmate, comedian Harry En� eld.

Reunion: Martin and his Men Behaving Badly co-star Caroline Quentin were recently re-united on ITV’s Doc Martin, 20 years on. Caroline said: “It was like no time had passed, it was absurd.”

Westcountry: Martin lives a stone’s throw from Dorset’s Jurassic Coast on a farm with his wife Philippa

Braithwaite, their daughter Emily, two cats, four dogs and several horses.

Cornwall: His home is 100 miles from Port Isaac, Cornwall – the set of � ctional village Portwenn. It’s a drive which he says, a� er six Doc Martin series, he “can do in his sleep”.

Those ears: Rumour has it that Martin’s cousin once o� ered to pay for Martin to have his ears pinned back. Martin said: “It � itted through my mind and I thought ‘No, I’ll be � ne’.”

Dorset: In 2008 he and Philippa launched their own summer fete in Beaminster, Dorset. The Buckham Fair has, to date, raised £319,700 for local charities.

Doctor: Martin’s � rst TV appearance was in 1983 as an alien prince in Doctor Who. By Ellie Jones

DID YOU KNOW?

Martin’s wife Philippa

Braithwaite is the producer

of the TV show Doc Martin

This week:

Famous faces with links to the Westcountry

ONE OF US

The Doc Martin actor Martin Clunes lives near Beaminster in Dorset

Martin Clunes

The happy list

10 things to make you smile this week1. Riverford Organic try its

new cookbook

2. Stewart Lee Hall For Cornwall, Jan 20. Funny

3. Cheap gyms still time

4. Farmers’ markets try Buckfastleigh, Jan 28

5. Wassailing Sandford, Crediton, January 23

6. Dementia-friendly visits to RAMM (Exeter museum)Jan 27

7. Valentine plans who, what – and where?

8. Beetroot great in soup

9. Sunshine to be treasured

10. Early catkins we’ve seen them!

Seriously, who were the Celebrity Big Brother housemates of 2005?

1. Bez (of the Happy Mondays)

2. Brigitte Nielson (ex-wife of Sylvester Stallone)

3. Caprice (the model)

4. Germaine Greer (Queen of Feminism)

5. Jackie Stallone (Sylvester Stallone’s mother)

6. Jeremy Edwards (of Hollyoaks and Holby City)

7. John McCririck (Channel 4 racing pundit)

8. Kenzie (of Blazin’ Squad, obviously)

9. Lisa I’Anson (DJ)

10. Jodie Marsh (glamour model)

Competition winners:Congratulations to... the winners of a copy of Tremarnock by Emma Burstall• Mrs J Blackler, Totnes; Chris Austin, Newton Abbot; Tessa Brown, Kingsteignton; Ruth

Clarke, Plymtree; Christine Porter, Bradninch

10 galaxies, far far away:

1. Milky Way

2. Andromeda

3. Hoag’s Object

4. Cartwheel Galaxy

5. Mayall’s Object

6. Cigar Galaxy

7. Triangulum Galaxy

8. Centaurus A

9. Messier 83

10. Tadpole Galaxy

Spaced out

Who?

WIP_LISTS_Jan16.indd 11 11/01/2016 13:26:43

1212

Writer Lucy Johnson wanted to encourage her son Toby to love horses as much as she did – and to enjoy reading. Now Lucy is the proud author of a successful children’s book, all

about a young boy and his ponies...

People

or as long as I can remember, I wanted to write a book. Not just any book, a children’s book. Growing up, the two shelves in my bedroom were packed with

novels of every description, from the Chron-icles of Narnia to the full set of Ruby Fergu-son pony novels.

These latter were my favourites. I dreamed I was her character Jill, in a world of groom-ing, rosettes and galloping bareback across fields, jumping five-bar gates as they crossed my path.

I was fascinated by the words on the page and how the author was able to describe things so that I was part of the scene, except it was all in my imagination. Even today, every time I open a book, I became im-mersed in the characters and the plot, and sometimes, when I pick up a real page-turn-er, everything else is put on hold until it is finished. And then, invariably, I feel bereft because I really miss the characters that I

F

From Mum,with love

Lucy JohNsoN

LucyJohnson_Jan16.indd 12 11/01/2016 13:19:19

1313

‘I wrote this book to inspire

Toby to love horses - and, of

course, to love reading, too’

Lucy Johnson and her son Toby, pictured with

their horse Chester

MA

IN P

ICT

UR

E: S

TE

VE

HA

YW

OO

D


14

People

got to know and care about. I absolutely love reading and its power to

invoke the feeling of total escapism is something I wanted to pass on to my son Toby. So from the moment he was born, nine years ago, I have read him stories every evening, making up plenty of my own, too, along the way.

Reading is a gift, and when I speak to my friends and colleagues it always amazes me when they tell me they don’t read. People fairly well-ripened in age are proud to admit that they have only ever read one book, and their daily dose of literature is the Racing Post’s form guide. They’re missing out on a whole new world!

I believe every single child should have access to books and be encouraged to read. The benefi ts are huge, from an increased vocabulary to the in-spiration that might be drawn from a particular

story or situation.For the fi rst few years I did everything I could

to try and encourage Toby to love reading but unless we were snuggled up, and I was reading to him, Lego, Minecraft and any science docu-

mentary that might be on the telly were more far more likely to gain his attention.

Being as potty about horses today as I was all those years ago, I would also love for Toby to ride

competitively, and even better, to take part in pony races. Racing is in my blood and I’ve trained a few point-to-point winners here in south Devon in the past, as well as attempted to ride in some races.

Toby can ride – he bumps along like a pea on a drum on my mum’s little mare Molly. But at the moment he prefers to groom the four horses we

have that still tower above him but treat him with the utmost respect as he goes from one to the other, scraping off a bit of mud here and painting the odd hoof with oil there. And when

he thinks I am too busy mucking out to notice what’s he’s doing, he’ll invariably have one of the horses’ heads wrapped in a huge cuddle, especial-ly his favourite, Clover.

When I was the Equestrian Editor of this news-paper – many moons ago now – I adored writing

‘I wrote three chapters and

sent them to Michelle – and

she loved it’

Lucy lives in south Devon and has ridden horses all her life


about the many fascinating characters that make up the equestrian world here in the South West.

It was while I was working at the Western Morning News that I got to know Jimmy Frost, who rode a Grand National winner in 1989 and was still very much a local legend around these parts. He decided to write his autobiography and asked if I would ghost-write it for him.

Every evening after work I’d trundle up the A38 to Buckfastleigh and we’d go through his life. It was a wonderful experience – Jimmy has an incredible memory, recounting the most hi-larious tales. The book was duly published and in the process I learned a lot about the discipline required to write.

Since then I’ve started endless books but never fi nished them, mostly because I couldn’t decide on the ending. Then a series of coincidences last year led me to meeting Michelle Charman. Michelle is immensely experienced in the pub-lishing industry, having worked for Penguin for many years. She set up her own imprint, Fore-lock Books, so that she could concentrate on pub-lishing horse and pony stories for all ages that are beautiful hardback books to be treasured, just like all my old pony books.

I’d written a book about a pony called Bansha, which she rejected in such a kind and sensitive way that it didn’t put me off writing another. It actually spurred me on.

And so my book Pony Racer was born, all about a young boy called Tom who is fostered into a racing family and takes on the challenge of riding a winner. The plot just jumped out at

me, so I wrote three chapters and sent them to Michelle, and she loved it – so much so that she gave me a four-month deadline to complete the whole book! This meant late nights, early morn-ings, and a very long weekend away holed up with my laptop and copious cups of tea supplied by my best friend Rachel, who also took Toby off my hands for a few days.

I wanted to bring the pages alive with my de-scriptions, so that children could gain that same sense of excitement and awe that I get from horses. From the outset I also knew that any book I write had to have positive messages, and leave children feeling happy, fulfi lled and inspired.

I loved every single second that I wrote my book but it took focus and determination to get it done. I wouldn’t let a day pass without writing something. If I wasn’t happy with a chapter, I’d hit the delete button and start again.

Naming not too many names, every character was modelled on someone I knew. There’s also a central character called Ben Steed who has a huge grin. He’s based on Devon-born super jockey Nick Scholfi eld.

When Pony Racer was published earlier this year, Toby was still intent on computer games. But since then he too has become a bookworm, along with some of his other friends at primary school, who now take a book with them wherever they go. I am so proud of you, boys! And I am just gearing up to write my next book, too.

Buy Pony Racer (£9.99) from Forelock Books www.forelock-books.co.uk

15

We have � ve copies of Pony Racer, to win, each worth £9.99. Email Pony Racer competition, [email protected] with your contact details and the answer to this question by January 29. What is the name of the boy hero of Pony Racer?

WIN A COPY!

Win

Lucy was inspired to write a children’s book

by her own son, Toby


16

People

Words by: Claire Frances

Going the extra miles

The South West offers a wonderful way of life – but just how far would you go to remain here when work takes you further

afield? We speak to three of the Westcountry’s extreme commuters, to find out why – and how – they do it

ExTrEmE commuTErS

ExtremeCommunters_Jan16.indd 16 12/01/2016 10:11:11

17

Jon Plane, 37, commutes from Plymouth to London for his job in TV production

Jon says: I was born and raised in the South West and I love everything about it. Within ten min-utes of leaving my home I can hit the beach, the moors, the woods and lakes. But, as a freelance dubbing mixer, I mix the sound for television. So for work I simply have to travel to where the TV studios are. That means London, or occasionally Bristol.

Commuting to London is by far the hardest part of my work because I am away from my wife, Laura. She has breast cancer, so obviously I want to be with her as much as I can. Due to her ill-ness, she has been unable to work, which means I have to be away from her just to pay the bills. I

am lucky in my work, though, as I can take big chunks of time off, so we go on nice holidays to-gether.

I commute weekly. I generally go up on a Sunday night and come home on a Friday night. If I left on a Monday morning I’d have another night at home, but the peak-rate train fares mean my trip would cost £126 one way. It’s just not feasible. I stay with friends in east London, and come home at weekends.

When I’m working I only really get the Satur-day as a full day at home and then I have Sunday, but only until around teatime. If it were not for the fi nances, I would take any job back in Ply-mouth, just to be home more. But I do enjoy my job so I feel very grateful to be able to do it in the fi rst place.

When I am home, I love taking our dogs out for long walks with Laura. I also jump in the sea at any given opportunity because it washes away what I think of as “all the sins and dirt of the city”. I heard that phrase in a fi lm once and it always plays in my head when I dunk my head under the water.

The South West is so much more laidback than the blinkered rat race that is London. Plymouth is friendlier than London, which feels very anon-ymous at times. Working in London all the time, I get the feeling that the South West gets written off by a lot of folks.

When I wake up on a Sunday, I have a slight sinking feeling. I know that evening I’ll be pack-ing up and heading off again. I’ll often make a dash outdoors, to breathe in as much fresh air as possible.

I’ll then go home to start the ritual of counting out fi ve sets of everything. The commute itself is not that bad - I do all my accounting and paper-work on the train, followed by watching a couple of episodes of a TV series. By then I should be ar-riving in Paddington to get a tube across London to the East.

On a Friday morning, I take my luggage, com-plete with dirty washing, to work so I can make a mad dash to get on the 19.03, which will arrive back in Plymouth for around 22.30. I then get a taxi home and collapse into bed. If I am really unlucky, it’ll be the overnight sleeper train on Friday or a train home on Saturday morning, which I hate as it gives me no time at all at home. I am exhausted most of the time but London is where 99% of my work is, so I do it out of neces-sity really.

But it’s all worth it for the Saturday. Oh, how I love my Saturdays. I get to spend the whole day with Laura and our dogs Betty and Doris. We will take them out for a long walk, then spend the af-ternoon or evening with friends or family. It’s my favourite part of the week.

It always amazes me how different the train trip up and down makes me feel. Once I am on that homeward train I am a happy man. Especial-ly when the train cruises past Dawlish. I see the sea and start to feel like I’m really home again. Then Sunday always comes back around too soon and I start the whole process over again.

Right now, I am building a studio in my base-ment. If I could work at home more, I really would have the best of both worlds. That is my main aim at the moment, along with winning the lottery. That would defi nitely help, too.

‘When the train cruises past Dawlish

and I see the sea then start to really

feel like I’m home again.’

Jon Plane

Jon PlaneAge: 37Lives: PlymouthWorks: As a freelance dubbing mixer, cen-tral LondonCommute (return): 474 milesJourney: Weekly, by car or trainStays: With friends in east London


18

People

Camilla JoyceAge:..............................30Lives:.............................Winkleigh,.north.

DevonWorks:............................As.an.actress,.come-

dian.and.singer,.most.recently.in.Birming-ham

Commute.(return):.....346.milesJourney:.......................By.carStays:.............................Travels.there.and.

back.in.a.day


19

‘As I drive back to the South West, I

feel a sense of contentment. For me,

home is where the heart is’

Actress Camilla Joyce, 30, commutes all over the country for work, from her home in Winkleigh in north Devon

Camilla says: I trained in acting at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, but I fi nd the South West very inspiring – it’s a great place to write, create and people-watch. There are lots of actors, comedians and writers this side of the country such as Dawn French, Bill Bailey and Jennifer Saunders.

I commute to wherever the work is and will often travel to Bristol, Bournemouth, the Mid-lands, Wales and London. I generally drive but sometimes I take the train or coach. It’s very dif-ferent. Most places I commute to are loud and smoggy.

When I’m commuting I usually get up around 4am. I try to go to bed early but in reality I tend to get about three hours’ sleep as a lot of the acting work and auditions are very short notice. So I have to learn lines quickly and prep my clothes, too. It’s all very exciting.

I get out of bed while it’s still dark and get into the car, often when it is frosty and cold. As I leave the South West I enjoy the countryside views as the sun comes up. I sing in the car, run lines and do vocal warm-ups as I get close to my destina-tion. The buzz of a big city is invigorating and I enjoy the contrast with the quietness of home in the South West.

Quite often I bump into friends at auditions that I know from drama school or previous acting

jobs. I’ve discovered they are doing similar work to me, yet with a higher cost of living and with-out the beauty of the South West to create a nice work-life balance.

My day usually lasts around 18 hours. I feel really thrilled when I drive through the various county borders and I often do a little jig when I see the Devon county sign. I know I am nearer to home and to my family. As I draw closer, I feel a sense of peace and contentment that you can only get from the Westcountry. For me, home is where the heart is.

I’ve lived in the South West for around 16 years now. I moved here in my early teens from Essex with my parents, older sister and younger broth-er. When I was a teenager, Mum and I would go on lovely long coastal walks together. Sometimes we’d walk up to 30 miles a day in the summer, paddling our feet in the water and putting the world to rights. It was a magical time. I still love walks on the beach whatever the weather.

Likewise, there’s nothing like blowing away the cobwebs on a gorgeous Westcountry beach. When it’s summer you feel like you’re abroad, with crisp, clear blue seas, rolling countryside and gorgeous little villages. There is so much history and culture here, and places to explore.

I do get tired, but I love my family, the West-country and my acting work. When you are passionate about what you do, it feels effort-less. Plus, the cost of housing in London is far steeper than the cost of commuting. And the quality of life here is priceless. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Even when I settle down and have my own family, I will fi nd a way to make it work.

Camilla Joyce


20

People

TV presenter and author, Steve Wilson, 41, lives in west Devon with his family but regularly commutes to work in London

Steve says: I was 11 years old when I moved with my family to Townlake, a little hamlet near Tavis-tock in west Devon. I now live nearby in Milton Abbot with my wife, Lucy, and our daughters, Daisy, eight, and Holly, six. Lucy is from Tintagel in north Cornwall. She and I both had wonderful childhoods and we hope to give our children the same.

Lucy and I fi rmly believe that, if you can, time is the most important thing you can give to your children and each other. We eat breakfast and evening meals as a family each day that we are together. In the summer, there is nothing we like more than heading off all together in our yellow and black VW campervan called “Bee-Dub”.

I present for ITV’s This Morning daytime pro-gramme, as a gadget reviewer. To be ready for work, I keep a bag part-packed with toiletries, laptop etc, plus a rucksack with a London A-Z, my TV earpiece and other handy items.

The drive to work is often a bit of a game. You

get to know the times when the recycling lorry will hold you up at a certain place, or when the level crossing will be down at others. I also have a brilliant back route on the old A30 from Tedburn St Mary to Exeter St David’s station.

Then I have to fi nd a parking space. I have a mental list of my favourite parking spots in dif-ferent car parks. I always leave way more time than needed for my journey but I still have days when bad traffi c means I’ve only just made my train.

Once on the train, I plug my phone into the under-seat socket that I never realised was there until about a year ago, and read up on the list of products that the researchers and I have agreed on. Then I’ll write notes on each one. By the time I’m fi nished, I’ll be near Paddington.

Then it’s a taxi ride to the hotel, which is right beside Westminster Bridge. It’s so differ-ent from home. Here in Devon we live in a small village where we can walk the kids to school and the view from our cottage is of fi elds and trees. We have lovely neighbours with children the same ages as ours, and all our gardens back onto each other – so there is often a roaming group of kids who feel able to be free and ad-venturous. Plus us grown-ups get together for wine, campfi res and guitar sessions, so we reap

the benefi ts too.As well as my TV work, Lucy and I write chil-

dren’s books together and gain so much inspi-ration from the area where we live - wildfl ower meadows in the summer and beautiful bare trees in the winter. We base much of what our book characters, Horace & Hattie Hedgehog, do on our daily lives, watching our children play in the countryside.

Travelling can be exhausting at times, especial-ly as when I reach London I research and check all the products I am showing the next day until at least midnight. However, I am under no illu-sions - it is much harder for Lucy to be the one back home in Devon, working on our books and products and also coping with the kids on her own.

After a (hopefully) successful live TV item, I’ll head back to Paddington for the journey home. This is normally tinged with a lovely sense of escape and excitement that I am returning home. My trip away is normally just over 24 hours, so I can just about get home in time to meet Lucy and our girls at school at the end of the afternoon. Not very long ago, though, I fell asleep on the return journey and woke up in Newton Abbot, having completely missed Exeter St David’s station. I now set an alarm every time I travel by train!

Steve Wilson

‘Then it’s a taxi ride to the hotel,

right beside Westminster Bridge. It’s

so di� erent from home’

Steve WilsonAge: ............................ 41Lives: ......................... Milton Abbot, west

DevonWorks: ....................... As gadgets and gifts

presenter for ITV’s This Morning, cen-tral London

Commute (return): .. 478 milesJourney: ................... By car to Exeter, then

train to PaddingtonStays: ......................... In a hotel, central

London

Steve Wilson


21

interiors22 fashion 30

food40 explore44

Intro_Jan16.indd 21 12/01/2016 13:01:15

22

Interiors_Jan16.indd 22 11/01/2016 15:44:16

REAL HOMES

t is not hard to see why the new owners fell in love with this house by the sea. The view from the cliff edge on the south coast of Cornwall

stretches westwards towards Looe and east along sand-fringed coves. The views, even on a stormy day, are on a par with any billionaire’s pad in some exotic locale.

And today, the interiors are equally as beauti-ful and striking as the views, thanks to the design nous of Elaine Skinner, of Cor-nish design fi rm Camellia Interi-ors, to whom the owners turned for help. It wasn’t the easiest of projects, Elaine admits.

“The logistics were a night-mare,” she says. She had to or-ganise deliveries of everything from huge new windows to a completely new kitchen down some of the narrowest lanes in the Westcountry. And before she could even start work on im-provements, some seriously un-fortunate previous alterations to the house had to be removed.

Elaine’s clients’ requirements were simple, she explains. “They wanted a fun home, ideal for hosting large parties of friends and family in a house making the most of the views and setting.”

However, as the fi ve-bedroomed property is built into the side of the cliff, there was little room for manoeuvre. It is accessed from the street level on the top fl oor, and Elaine was then faced with an existing layout consisting of long, dark corridors with lots of doors off them, which blocked both the views and the light.

“It just didn’t work,” says Elaine. “You couldn’t see the view unless you opened the doors. I had to

be honest with the owners - the house didn’t work for their lifestyle.”

Elaine credits this honesty with securing the contract to breathe new life into the property. She immediately set about a major room recon-fi guration. She enlarged the ensuite bathrooms and created clever walk-through dressing spaces behind oversized headboards on the beds, as well as installing new wooden sliding doors and fl oor-to-ceiling windows to maximise the views and let

in the sunlight.The key area of work, however,

was the kitchen. Originally, this was sited three doors down from the sitting room. Elaine realised this was the central issue with the ‘fl ow’ of the house.

“We only removed one wall, yet we created a real wow factor and let in much more light,” she says.

The new open-plan kitchen is now in the centre of the house, with two walls of glass and a staircase on the third. There is a bank of storage, containing the ovens against one wall and two kitchen islands. One, which is

L-shaped, contains the sink and dishwasher, and the other, a rectangular island, houses the hob and offers a tempting place for sitting and chat-ting. In this sociable space, the kitchen works perfectly for her clients.

The worktops are constructed from light, sparkly quartz made by Silestone, which is non-porous and therefore resistant to staining and scratching. The cabinets are a subtle mix of pow-der-coated grey, wood grain and dark wenge, an unusual dark wood.

“The range of cabinets gives the impression they’ve been added over time, rather than all

I

23

Interiors

A room with a view

A 1960s Cornish house in a tricky cli� -side location has been transformed into the perfect pad for entertaining – and nominated

for six awards. Alexandra Pratt takes a look around

‘They wanted a fun home,

ideal for hosting large parties

of friends and making the most of the views and

setting’ [[Interiors_Jan16.indd 23 11/01/2016 15:44:32

24

Interiors

brand new,” says Elaine. Indeed, wenge has been used throughout the house, particularly for the internal doors, which like many features within the redesign, were made specially. They are com-plemented by sleek contemporary furniture, much of it Italian.

Part of the challenge for Elaine has been de-signing around the unusual shapes and struc-tures within each room. Every quirky corner has been used as well as possible. “This enables the overall design to work and gives the house a fl u-idity it lacked,” she says.

As well as the central kitchen and living space, which has direct access onto one of the three spacious balconies, there is a games room as an entertaining space, containing a bar, with wine storage, a pinball machine and a football table. This means there is plenty to do if the Cornish weather takes a typically damp turn.

Colour is central to the whole design and its

Re� ect a maritime location with the colours of sunsets, rocks and the sea - try gold, greys and deep blues in your decor

STYLE TIP:

use is striking and original. Wallpapers with geo-metric patterns, deep blues and gold sheens form a rhythm throughout the house.

“Sunsets, grey rocks, the sea… it’s repeated as you go from left to right on each level of the house,” explains Elaine. These are the colours that sing in perfect harmony in the views on the other side of those huge windows.

With the house now completed, the owners

have already spent many happy times in their new holiday home, where it is possible to hear the waves crashing on the beach below from every room.

With this project such a success, Elaine and the team at Camellia are already hard at work on phase two of the commission, to create a private beach house for her clients further down the cliff from the main home. It comes as little surprise to learn that Camellia Interiors has garnered no fewer than six nominations for their work in the prestigious International Design and Architec-ture Awards.

Find out more about Camellia Interiors at www.ca-melliainteriors.co.uk or call 01637 854304

The house in south east Cornwall has been completely remodelled from top to toe


25

GET THELOOK

Silver-tipped sheepskin rug £60 www.oliverbonas.com

Add contemporary glamour with metallics and luxe fabrics

Calvin armchair in maize £349 www.swooneditions.com

Vita small Silvia copper lightshade £49 www.

dowsingandreynolds.com

Hand-thrown teapot£90 Devon-based www.madebyhandonline.comSilk cushion £46 www.

in-spaces.com


For early colour, winter aconites

make little pools of sunshine

in the wintry landscape, owering

bravely [[26

ANNE SWITHINBANK

Earlycolour

Gardens

Devon’s Anne Swithinbank, panellist on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, is in search of ways to brighten up her garden during January and February

illing a garden with early fl owers is easy. Designate space between trees and shrubs, condition the soil with plenty of well-rotted organic matter,

plant up with Helleborus x hybridus and masses of snowdrops and for years to come, spring will arrive early in the New Year. Snowdrops are cool but many of us forget about the cheery winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) for making pools of sunshine in the wintry landscape.

From knobbly little underground tubers, stems of yellow, buttercup like fl owers emerge, each bloom set off by a collar of green leaves. These push up to 10cm/4in or so and work themselves into fi ne clumps. Like snowdrops they often crop up on hedge banks, along woodland pathways and in churchyards, making welcome patches of colour but they are not British natives. Early records suggest they were introduced to gardens in 1596, from where they had escaped and made ‘wild’ colonies by 1838. Originally, they are from the Balkans, Italy and Southern France.

Winter aconites might be woodland dwellers but they like sunshine and need to be planted where growth and fl owering concludes before leaves expand on deciduous trees and shrubs, or in a spot reached by warm, wintry sunshine. Here, they will fl ower bravely, each bloom supplied by a ring of nectaries to attract bees for pollination. As such, they provide a valu-able early food source for queen bumble bees lured from hiber-nation by a burst of sunshine. Their attention results in a good set of seed, ripening while the seed pods are still green. To col-

F

Gardening_Jan16.indd 26 11/01/2016 13:43:20

I read about covering seeds with vermiculite because this lets in light. Which is best, vermiculite or compost?

When heated, mineral vermiculite turns into a light, inert substance useful as an addition to composts. It does admit light and warms up easily. It is ideal for covering seeds which require light as well as moisture for germination. However it does move around a bit on the surface, so you have to be careful to water with a very light spray, or from the bottom. I’m a great believer in ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. In other words, if you scatter or sieve compost to cover your seeds thinly and they germinate well, perhaps experiment with vermiculite but don’t switch until you are confident with it. On the other hand, if you have problems with seeds rotting or the compost compacting at the surface, vermiculite could be the answer.

27

How do you grow peanuts from seed?

Buy some unroasted ‘monkey nut’ peanuts in their shells and carefully remove the shell while keeping the peanuts (seeds) inside their brown coats. Sow four nuts into some good compost (I’d use 50:50 John Innes no 2 and multipurpose with a little extra grit) in a 10cm/4in pot and stand on a warm windowsill. Bury them by their own size with compost. Water when the surface dries slightly and they will germinate. Eventually, plants bloom and their stems bend down to ‘plant’ the flowers and developing nuts in the compost. They are fascinating because the nuts look as though they grow from the roots - but they don’t!

Q

Question time with AnneWest reader queries answered by Anne Swithinbank

Send your questions to Anne at [email protected]

This week’s gardening tipsAnne’s advice for your garden

Q

• In a heated propagating case under glass, make sowings of tomatoes, aubergines and peppers. Sow a few seeds of each into 9cm/3.5in pots, for early toms and to raise a good crop of aubergines. I’ll make more sowings into spring.

• When lifting snowdrops and aconites to divide clumps, make sure you dig really deep as you’ll be surprised how far down in the ground the bulbs are growing.

• Lay new paths.

I like a mix of different sizes of slabs interspersed with lines of shingle and paving bricks. Leave planting pockets for pinks, thyme and aubrieta so you end up with a variable, ‘living’ pathway.

• Give flowering houseplants a high potash feed, foliage ones a general purpose feed and orchids a dose of orchid fertilizer to keep them all growing strongly. Leave dormant ones alone. Remember, never feed bone dry or waterlogged plants.

Under glassbut not in a propagating case, sow calabrese, spinach, parsley, broad bean and summer cabbage. Cover with propagating case lids to keep mice off and they’ll germinate in their own time, making stronger seedings.

lect this, you need to gather the pods before the seeds scatter and sow it fresh, when it will ger-minate readily. I’ve heard that a better method is to wait until a clump has ripe pods and then run a strimmer over the top to scatter seed around. As long as the soil is not disturbed, this will then germinate plentifully on its own.

I haven’t a single winter aconite in my garden and the best way to start is to obtain plants ‘in the green’. This applies to snowdrops as well. Keen snowdrop growers will tell you that the very best time to lift and move them is when the bulbs are properly dormant, just before they return to growth towards the end of summer. The trouble is, most of us ordinary mortals are not thinking about our plants then. Dry bulbs obtained in the autumn are not as successful and the next best method is either during or after flowering.

I have lifted, divided and replanted many clumps at this time and found they have all taken well. It is best to get on with the job straight away, so the bulbs are hardly out of the soil for a few minutes before being replanted. Should there be a delay, either ‘heel’ them into soil, ‘plant’ them temporarily into a larger pot of compost or at

least cover them with polythene to prevent the wind from drying their roots out. Winter aco-nites are treated similarly, though larger tubers may need to be snapped apart. If, like me, you don’t have any, now is the time to invite ourselves around to friends who have, or buy a few pots of growing plants from the garden centre.

The downside of growing winter aconites is that they don’t die gracefully, so it is best to sur-round them with plants like pulmonaria, epime-dium and wood anemone whose fresh growth will gradually smother their fading leaves and stems. Because of their early performance, they are exceptionally good at colonising difficult dry areas under the shade canopy of trees like syca-more and should take in any humus-rich, well-draining soil, even on chalk.

Don’t miss the open days at Little Cumbre in Exeter, a lovely one acre garden opened under the National Gardens Scheme (February 6-7 and 13-14, 12-3.30pm (www.ngs.org,uk). There you will see snowdrops, hellebores and cyclamen but they have no winter aconites either. Check the website, though, as due to an early season, the garden may add some more dates.

Gardening_Jan16.indd 27 11/01/2016 13:43:37

The Body Shop Colour Crush eyeshadow in Gorgeous Gold £7A pearlescent gold shadow - layer it up for either a subtle or more daring look, it’s up to you.

Layers

28

BeautyBeauty

Expert advice from beauty guru Abbie Bray of Newton Abbot

BeautyBox

Abbie’s

[‘I’m

predicting that gold will be the year’s beauty go-to

shade’

Let’s go for gold in 2016. I’m predicting that this will be the year’s beauty go-to shade, with a wash of gilded shimmer replacing last year’s coppery tones. Metallics have never been bigger in beauty and it doesn’t need to be summer for you to

get away with wearing them. For me, I love this look and I wear a dash of gold all year round, especially on my eyes. I find a wash of gold shimmer makes my green eyes stand out. Try putting gold eye shadow in the inner corners of your eyes, it really helps brighten them up. Some of you may shy away from gold highlighters, but there is no need. Try blending a golden highlighter on your cheekbones to enhance your whole face. Just remember, a little gilding goes a long way!

Mavala nail varnish in Spice (Marvala £4.75)Don’t forget your nails! This glittery nail varnish looks great to wear alone or you can even try putting it on top of a nude or a dark nail to add a touch of sparkle. Always remember to add a clear top coat to prevent chipping.

Spritz

Golden glamour

Foiled again!

My Burberry perfume 30ml (Debenhams £45) No beauty look is complete without a spritz of perfume. This one is like liquid gold, a gorgeous, light, fresh and � oral scent.

MAC Faerie Whispers foiled shadow in Fairyland (MAC £16)This eyeshadow is fab. Dampen your brush with water to

intensify the colour, perfect for a night-time look.

Nails Inc Snowglobe Nail Varnish (Nails Inc £7.50)

Shimmer

Beauty_Jan16.indd 28 11/01/2016 13:37:50

How to get an Idea off the ground

Starting a part time business

Writing a business plan

Creating a marketing strategy topromote your business

Establishing your brand

Managing your finances - we havesome excellent tips

Expanding your business

A directory of useful organisations tohelp you get your business offthe ground

TOPICS WE WILL COVER:

WOMEN IN BUSINESSWORKSHOPFebruary 25th 2016

Business SchoolforWOMEN

BE INSPIRED

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSCREATE YOURDREAM BUSINESSWITHVANESSA HAZELDINE-FISHER25th February 2016 – Book NOW![*Limited spaces available*] - £14528th April 2016 - £145

BE MOTIVATED…

SUPERFOODSFOR SUPERMUMS!NUTRITIONWORKSHOPWITHELIZABETH BRAY3rd March 2016 - £125

FLORAL DESIGN COURSEFLOWERMASTERCLASSWITH SARAH PEPPER12th March 2016 - £125

BE ILLUMINATED…

INTERIOR DESIGNUSING COLOURWITH CONFIDENCEWITHKATEYKORZENIETZ5th May 2016 - £125

CHARLOTTE MEWS STUDIOS 4&5 CHARLOTTE MEWS, PAVILION PLACE, EXETER, DEVON EX2 4HAEmail [email protected] Tel 01392 909930

CHARLOTTEMEWS STUDIOS

Call 01392 909930 or visit www.charlottemews.comTo receive 25% DISCOUNT when ordering quote promotional code WEST

www.charlottemews.com

A unique creative space in the heart of Exeter

We have sourced some very talentedprofessionals to host our series of courses and

workshops at Charlotte Mews.We’ve created a place that is a little different, aspace with a touch of glamour, where women

can get together to be inspired to develop theirlifestyles and take on new challenges.

WORKSHOPS FOR YOU TO ENJOYWe all need to take time out from our normal

routine to think about creating a new chapter inour lives. We need to plan our year ahead and

challenge ourselves to learn something different.We have a wide range of courses and workshops

to give you the kick start in a new direction.We look forward to welcoming you!

CHARLOTTE•

MEW

S • S T UD

I OS•

Untitled-1 1 12/01/2016 14:12:28

30

ime was, fl oral prints were strictly for summertime. They’d appear when the clocks went forward, in pastel bright shades to be worn with

sandals and a tan. Not so this year, however. Winter botanicals are defi nitely a look right now and can work really well to add a dash of lively style to your Jan/Feb outfi ts.

We particularly like this pretty skirt by ethical fashion brand People Tree (fi nd it online at www.peopletree.co.uk). It is perfect for a casual pub lunch on a Sunday with a relaxed knit or could easily smarten itself up for the offi ce with a shirt and jacket.

Winter fl orals are all about impact, so it’s usu-ally wise to wear just the one piece, paired up with more self-effacing items. You can go for major drama with this fl oral jacket from New Look, or just dip a toe in the trend with this duffel-style bag from Look Again. Either way, we think you’ll look blooming gorgeous.

Dark� owers

Floral skirt £65 People Tree

HeelsHeels£35 Debenhams£35 Debenhams

T

Fashion_Jan16.indd 30 11/01/2016 13:45:02

31

Fashion

Silk chiffon kimono £139 Pretty Eccentric

Skirt £21 Glamorous

Faux fur bag£52 Look Again

Dress £65 M&CoOrnate oriental coat

£94 Look Again

Ring £10 Debenhams£10 Debenhams

Bra £25 Lascana

Bomber jacket £29.95 New Look

J by Jasper Conranswimsuit £42 Debenhams

Fashion_Jan16.indd 31 11/01/2016 13:45:29

32

+

Grey shift dress £65 Oliver Bonas

Suede wedges £75 Dune

Linea striped jacket £99 House of Fraser

Red shift dress £40 BHS

Sequinned jacket £85 Wallis

The editYour straight line to style: This week we’re back to work and looking good

Cropped jacket £75 Glamorous

+

Textured wedges £65 Moda in Pelle

+ + +

+

Suedette shift dress £39.50 M&Co

Shop

Platform wedges £20 Very

GRID.indd 32 11/01/2016 17:06:53

www.michaelspiers.co.uk

82 Lemon Street, Truro · 52 - 54 Cornwall Street, Plymouth · 22 Cathedral Yard, Exeter · 16 North Street, Taunton

THE SOUTH WEST’S LEADING RETAILER OF FINE JEWELLERY AND WATCHES, INCLUDING:

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook

MICHAEL SPIERST R U R O P L Y M O U T H E X E T E R T A U N T O N

MS

Untitled-1 7 12/01/2016 14:28:37

34

culturevulture

Our unmissable guide to what’s on in the Westcountry

by arts expert Sarah Pitt

The art of interiors

Upli� ing classical music to chase away the winter blues will be played by the Bourne-mouth Symphony Orchestra at Plymouth’s Guildhall on January 21. The varied programme includes Ravel’s Tombeau de Couperin, a 20th century view on the French Baroque tradi-tion, and Beethoven’s life-a� rming and joyful

Second Symphony. The orchestra is joined by French cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras performing Haydn’s much-loved Cello Concerto, one of the favourite pieces in the cello repertoire. Frank Zielhorst is the conductor. Tickets are £19 (£15 concessions) from the Theatre Royal box o� ce on 01752 267222

Coastal momentsThe Cornish coast in all its moods is depicted by � ve artists in an exhibition at the Porthminster Gallery in St Ives which opens on Satur-day, February 13. It will fea-ture painters such as Andrew Bird, whose abstract work is pictured here. Look out too

for painters Alex Morton and Martyn Perryman, alongside ceramicists Clare Conrad and Barry Stedman. The free exhi-bition runs at the gallery from February 13 to March 12.

See www.porthminstergal-lery.co.uk for details

Classics in concert

The thoughtful art of interior styling is revealed in an exhibition opening today at the Devon Guild of Cra� smen in Bovey Tracey. Line Up is the work of stylist and author Sania Pell, who makes an art of displaying ceramics, jewellery and decorative objects. Predominantly black and white, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and in-clude and enamel and copper plates by award-winning designer Astrid Keller, whose work has featured in London’s prestigious Saatchi gallery. Line Up is at the Devon Guild of Cra� smen, Bovey Tracey from today until Sunday, March 6. The free exhibition is open daily from 10am-5.30pm

CultureVulture_Stars_Jan16.indd 34 11/01/2016 13:35:10

35

Enjoy

Your starsby Cassandra Nye

PISCES (February 20 - March 20)You are not easily impressed even though you want to be. Seeing the practical side

of any situation is one of your strengths. A rather small offer at work does not seem very important. Even so, you are capable of building on it. Be less modest and start to show what you can do.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20)Life is a melting pot at the moment. In-fl uences and ideas come from all sides. This can cause confusion and make it

hard to make clear decisions. Be practical and ask yourself who has your best interests at heart and who may be expressing a personal angle. Don’t be pushed into anything. Time is on your side.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21)Just had some good news? If it involves money, use it wisely. The chance to

make a good and lasting impression on someone in authority, perhaps at work, should not be missed. Of course, it may mean taking on some extra responsibility or using some of your time out. Someone moving into your sphere can confuse your social life.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21)Evenings are still full of exciting moments, although these do not always

bode well for your working life. A few late nights are fi ne as long as you continue to pay

attention to details. Midweek there are fi nancial questions to be answered and you could be asked to help out a friend.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22)Given a recent meeting with a poten-tial partner, you may seek advice. Get

this from someone who has known you for some time and will give an honest opinion. There is, in this case, no need to jump in with both feet even if being pushed by the hand of passion.

LEO (July 23 - August 23)Something that you have been work-ing on for some time now shows signs

of movement. You still need to have patience though. Tying up any loose ends financially and having a plan B are essential. Keep passions in check when decisions need making. Sometimes it seems attractive to run away and hide in a commune.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Have you ever had one of those dreams

where you are running but can’t seem to get anywhere? At times this week seems very similar. It may help to tell you that by the week-end your luck will change. In the meantime, make the most of those midweek encounters. One of them has an interesting story to tell!

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)An intensely romantic time takes your

mind from tedious work projects. That won’t impress the boss, so be discreet! Speak your mind even if that sometimes comes with a kindness factor. You hate to upset anyone, but if there is something that has to be said...

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)In a busy week, you are in big demand from family and friends. Could this be

because of promises or suggestions that you made over the holiday? Someone calls in a favour, which may be fi nancial. Help if you can, but not at the expense of your own bank balance. Staying solvent now is especially important.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21)A mingling of music, art and new friends runs through this week. It

sounds good and may well take you into unknown territory. Relax and be willing to listen and learn. You may not see the point of some newfound knowledge at the moment, but you will!

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20)So you want to give yourself a treat this week? Short on cash? Surely there is

someone who owes you? Is it time to call in that loan or favour? Luck and love will go hand in hand if you will only get out and look around. Any tiredness deserves to be checked up on. How can you party if you are not up to par?

Emma BuntonThis week’s sign:

Happy birthday to...

If you were born between about January 17 and Janu-ary 23, you were born on the cusp of Capricorn and Aquarius. These cuspers are prone to leading unusual lives, balancing the two di� erent sides of their person-alities. They tend to be reserved yet social, security-craving but independent, and traditional yet o� eat.Things are never dull with them around!

born January 21, 1976No, we can hardly believe it either: Emma Bunton - aka Baby Spice - turns 40 on Thurs-day. Now an established Heart radio presenter, the youngest Spice Girl is mum to sons, Beau, eight, and Tate four, with her long-term partner Jade Jones. It’s no surprise that Emma has reinvented herself chatting on the radio, as Capricorn-Aquarius cuspers love to talk and entertain, and they especially enjoy stimulat-ing conversations about all manner of strange topics. But Baby Spice may be back singing soon - bandmate Mel B has hinted at a further reunion to mark the group’s 20th anniversary later this year. Say You’ll Be There, Emma!

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19)A surprise midweek revelation stops you in your tracks. Not all that keen on

people who change their minds, are you? This one you have to deal with. Still it is better to know the facts now rather than later. Keep-ing a secret is hard at the moment as there are times when you feel alone. However, that won’t last for long!

CultureVulture_Stars_Jan16.indd 35 12/01/2016 13:15:49

36

Whether you’re going great guns with a new exercise routine or simply in need of a January li� , this Fortifying Green Bath Potion (£27.50) by

MOA is a treat. Fragrant ingredients include fennel, peppermint, � r and birch to soothe body and mind.

It leaves skin feeling silky, too.

PEP UP YOUR BATH TIME

Wellbeing

the boost

Life just got better. We’ve handpicked the latest wellness trends,

best-body secrets and expert advice to help you be your

best self, everyday

A leafy houseplant is a great natural air cleanser, according to Haskins Garden Centres. Areca palms reduce airborne toxins and do double-duty as a great air humidi er for dry, air-conditioned o ces. Beloved by the Victorians, the Boston fern is also considered one of the most e cient air puri ers and, says Haskins, works especially well in removing formaldehyde, which is found in some glues and furniture.

ZUMBA!The Only Way Is Essex stars Debbie Douglas and Lydia Bright have become ambassadors for Universal Pictures’ new � tness DVD, Zumba. The mum and daughter team say Zumba is suitable for all ages and the DVD is a great way to try the dance exercise before stepping out further a� eld, “allowing you to see if you really like it before joining a class at the local church hall,” says Debbie. Zumba classes are great fun, but a bit of sneaky practice could up your game - no hiding at the back!

Tap in to Nature’sair fresheners

Wellbeing_Jan16.indd 36 11/01/2016 13:33:32

37

What’s coming up? Tweet us your wellbeing diary dates @WMNWest or email [email protected]

FIT KITWe may be full of good intentions, but the UK spends over £2 billion on unused � tness gear, from rowing machines to smoothie makers, that simply gather dust, according to a gym group. It says Plymothians are among the UK’s top � ve city culprits shelling out for sports equipment that is quickly consigned to becoming makeshi clothes horses. Kate Toland of Fitness First, which commissioned the report, said: “We were shocked at some of the � gures that came back – we found that while over half of the nation said they have attempted to implement a healthy diet and � tness routine at home, a quarter said the novelty wore o� a er just one week.”

Cheer up!Think positive! Gloomy thoughts can create a downward spiral, but research suggests that trying hard to � nd and focus on positives can break the cycle. Dr Sally Norton says: “If you persevere with looking for the good, instead of the bad, it will become a habit. Your brain can change! In the same way that we can train our brains to appreciate healthy food, we can train ourselves to have a more positive outlook on life.”

Got the Monday blues?More than half of us admit getting up during winter is a ‘struggle’, according to research by Twinings English Breakfast tea. And Monday mornings are the hardest (well, obviously!). Women � nd it slightly more of a challenge than men, apparently, blaming the cold weather and darkness for making getting up a chore - at least till their other half’s put the kettle on...

Want help getting your weight in check for 2016? Nu� eld Health is hosting free ‘Meet our Experts’ weight management events at its Plymouth gym

on Tuesday this week (January 19). You can access expert tips on portion control, diet, professional

support and exercise. Henrietta McGourty of Nu� eld Health says: “At the beginning of each year, we see so many people who set themselves up for a fall, trying to lose weight too quickly. I encourage

them to do it for the right reasons, in a way that will create long-term healthier lifestyle habits.”

Visit www.nu� eldhealth.com for details.

A helping hand

Wellbeing_Jan16.indd 37 11/01/2016 13:33:50

Wellbeing

I am approaching the age of 40 and, although I have always looked a� er my skin,

I wonder if I need to change my rou-tine. Any advice would be appreci-ated! GF, Newton Abbot

Medical aesthetician Dr Pradnya Apte says: Hitting 40 can be a shock to the system for your skin. It’s around now that tell-tale signs of sun damage can begin to appear, uneven pigmentation and broken capillaries being common concerns.

Fine wrinkles and open pores begin to appear, as collagen and elastin in the skin begin to deteriorate. Late nights and stress take a more obvious toll, particularly in the mornings. You may start to notice reduced fullness in your face – particularly beneath the eyes and in the cheeks – leaving skin with less support so that it appears to sag a little. Any changes in weight, particularly weight loss, tend to have an ageing effect on the face. But if you have begun to notice these signs don’t fret, it’s never too late to repair the damage.

Signs of ageing around the eyes are often a skincare priority for women in their 40s. It’s

Qfor this reason that the non-surgical eyelift has become so popular – especially among those who don’t want more invasive treatments. A combi-nation of both botulinum toxin (Botox) injec-tions and dermal fi llers, the procedure works to lift drooping brows and ‘fi ll in’ the hollow troughs that appear beneath the eyes.

For women in their 40s who have begun to notice a loss of volume in their face – particu-larly around the cheeks and mouth – dermal fi llers can be very effective. Most dermal fi ll-ers are made from sterile gels that contain hyaluronic acid (HA) – a natural sugar found in the skin which binds to water molecules in order to help plump it. Filling in lost fullness while smoothing out lines and wrinkles, dermal fi llers work with the skin as a replacement for the collagen lost through age. Done carefully, the desired ef-fects can be natural and with more youthfulness added to the face.

38

Re-think your routineShould skincare a� er the age of 40 mean a new start?

Restylane Skinboosters are small measured microinjections of HA-based dermal fi llers deposited into the deeper parts of the skin. A course of three achieves a smoother, hydrated skin. The results are very natural.

Since the turnover of surface skin cells, known as keratinocytes, slows down as we approach our 40s, treatments that encourage the turnover of these cells can restore a more youthful bloom. Chemical peels, medical needling or skin boosters from the dermal fi ller ranges will help with this. It is also time to consider using skincare products with active ingredients to combat the ageing process. And, lastly, I always recommend a moistur-iser with a SPF 30, to prevent the damage that causes the skin to age in the fi rst place.

Dr Pradnya Apte runs the Revitalise-Rejuvenate mediclinic in Exeter’s Southernhay. Call 01392 426285 or visit www.revitalise-rejuvenate.co.uk to make an appointment.

Signs of ageing around the

eyes are o� en a skincare priority in your 40s. It’s

never too late to repair the

damage [[Wellbeing_Jan16.indd 38 11/01/2016 13:23:43

Buy today with NOTHING to pay for6 months & then a fantastic rate of5.9% APR Representative

MARINETHE ANTI CBritish Made

Credit is subject to application and status. terms and conditions apply.aGs home improvements devon Ltd act as a credit broker and not the lender.

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. AGS Home Improvements Devon Ltd, Teign Foundry, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 4PB (company number8506501) act as a credit broker and not the lender, and only offers credit products from Hitachi Capital Consumer. Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC is authorised and regulated by theFinancial Conduct Authority. Registered in Cardiff no. 1630491. Registered office: Hitachi Capital House, Thorpe Road, Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, TW18 3HP.

MARINEMARINETHE ANTI CORROSION HARDWARE

Say YES to AGSWindowsDoors & Conservatories 45%

OFFUPTO

selectedwindows& doors

save

Call Free 0800 0933449www.agswindows.co.uk

Revitalise Rejuvenate Mediclinic, Sommerville House,30 Southernhay East,Exeter EX1 1NS01392 426 285 | www.revitalise-rejuvenate.co.uk | [email protected]

Silhouette Soft is a revolutionary procedure that uses threads andcones to gently lift and tighten lower contours of the face. Immediateresults. Results last approx 12 months. Minimal downtime post procedure.

Revitalise rejuvenate MediClinic is one of the few clinics in the South West thatoffer this amazing treatment.

Valid until 31.1.16 only.

Prices depends on length and number of threads used.Full prices start £1500. Promotional prices starts at £750.

ONE STITChFACELIFTONE STITChFACELIFT

Promotion

al

offerQuot

e

‘ West magazi

ne’

when booking

Consultation

for

50% disCount.

MEN bEforE fACE MEN AfTEr fACE

MEN bEforE

ProfILE

MEN AfTEr

ProfILE WoMEN bEforE WoMEN AfTEr

©LW

Untitled-1 5 12/01/2016 14:26:11

40

Eat

Method:

This recipe comes from A Taste of the West Country (£16.99) by the food producers’ cooperative, Taste of the West, with photography by David GriffenTo order your copy, designed by Jeff Cooper of We Make Magazines, see www.tasteofthewest.co.uk or call 01404 822012

1. Forthecrispyshallots,peelandcutthemintofinerings.Puttheredwinevinegar,redwineandsugarintoapan.Bringtotheboiluntilthesugardissolves,thenaddtheshal-lotrings.Takeoff theheatandleavefor2-3hourstoinfuse.

2. Draintheshallotsandcoatinflour,thenegg,thenbreadcrumbs.Justbeforeserving,fryuntilgolden,drainonkitchenrollandsprinklewithseasalt.

3. Boilthebeetsfor8-10minutesuntilaknifecanpassthroughthemeasily.Drain,peelandcutintohalves.

Ingredients2largemackerel,guttedandfilleted4tbspTrewithenDairynaturalyoghurt6rawbabybeetroot100gwatercress2bananashallots100mlredwinevinegar100mlredwine70gcastersugar1egg,beaten2tbsppankobreadcrumbsVegetableoilforfryingSeasalt

Cornish mackerel with baby beets

Recipe by Adam Vasey, head chef, No.4 Peterville, St Agnes

4. Oilahotpan,thenfrythemackerelfilletsskinsidedownuntiltheskinturnscrispyandgolden.Takethepanoff theheatandturnthefishover.Leavetocookforoneminute.

5. Servewithaswirlof yoghurtanddresswiththewatercressleaves.

Will says: ‘I like to pair the land with the sea in a lot of the dishes in our restaurant’

Made using Trewithen Dairy yoghurt

Tim_Jan16.indd 40 11/01/2016 15:36:14

41

Tim Maddams is a Devon chef and author of Game: River Cottage Handbook no. 15 (Bloomsbury £14.99)

’ve been thinking a lot about herbs recently. I know… I need to get out more. But seriously though, how often do you really think about the real properties of what you are

going to eat? When I was training as a chef

many moons ago, parsley was used in just two ways: fi rstly, as a pretty green garnish (either a sprig or a sprinkle of the chopped leaf) and secondly as a fl avour enhancer, added to fresh-en and deepen fl avour in stocks and sauces hot and cold.

Yet I’ve found many more uses for both curly and fl at leaved va-rieties of parsley over the years, everything from soups and salads to stews. Its earthy and ar-omatic fl avour makes it ideal to pep up a winter salad or to toss through braised lentils. The stalks themselves work very well in place of celery in many recipes and I have even

used them as a pesto dressing for pasta.Soup, though, for me is the favourite. I love

parsley soup and make it by the same method I would use for almost any green soup. I begin by peeling and slicing a couple of spuds and a few

cloves of garlic. These get sweat-ed down in butter, along with the chopped and washed stalks of a large bunch of parsley (I usually use fl at-leaf, but curly will work just fi ne).

Once the potatoes begin to soften, I season well with salt and pepper, then just cover the potatoes with fresh veg stock, chicken stock if you have it, or (better still) a good white fi sh stock. Simmer until the pota-toes are cooked and then add the parsley leaves and cook for a further minute or two. Finally,

blend the soup in a jug blender for a minute – don’t try this with a stick blender, as it needs to be properly smooth.

IReverse garnish If you’re trying out my parsley soup recipe, why not turn tables and garnish it with ingredients more commonly seen sprinkled with herbs. Try a little fl aked white fi sh or maybe some steamed mussels or clams.

For a good hearty lunch option, add an egg or two to a pan of the soup. Top it with garlic buttered bread and bake in a hot oven for fi ve minutes, until the eggs are set and the bread is toasted.

@TimGreenSauce

Ingredient of the Week

Parsleywith Tim Maddams

Its earthy, aromatic � avour

makes parsley ideal to pep up a winter salad

or toss through braised lentils [[

Eat

Tim_Jan16.indd 41 11/01/2016 15:36:56

Stressless® anniversary edition

The Back CentreErme CourtLeonards RoadIvybridgeDevon PL21 0SZt: 01752 893414Open: Mon-Sat, 9:00am-5:00pm

www.backcentre.co.uk

*Terms & Conditions apply: Opal Medium £999, RRP £1289. Large £1099, RRP £1469. Available only in Batick Cream & Natural, Batick Brown & Brown, Batick Mole & Teak. While stocks last.Main image features the Opal Large recliner and footstool in Batick Brown.

The � rst Stressless® recliner was produced in 1971. To mark the 45th anniversary of our iconic recliners we are o� ering this special limited edition model – the Stressless® Opal. Stressless® Opal is inspired by the � ords surrounding our factory in picturesque Norway. Available while stocks last with immediate delivery in 3 beautiful leather colours.

£999Limited EditionOpal Recliners

MSave £290*

THISONE_ADS_Jan16.indd 6 12/01/2016 14:54:02

43

Drink

Slightly beyond our borders, but de� nitely worth the travel,

is next month’s Tewkesbury Beer Festival, which runs from

February 4-6 in Gloucestershire. This is good beer country and the event, with 80 ales, ciders

and perries, will focus on robust winter brews.

the quiet oneGood friends and fellow beer bloggers Boak and Bailey managed to get an interview with one of the Westcountry’s quiet men of brewing, Peter Elvin of the Penzance Brewing Company, Crowlas. From the Merchant Navy to a successful freehouse via Cotleigh Brewery, it’s at http://tinyurl.com/zwm� q9

MAKE A DATE

Darren Norbury

talks beerow would you feel if your favourite pub, your beloved local, closed one day, never to open again and became instead a convenience store or ex-

press supermarket selling cut-price booze?Well, you may say, that’s not

likely, is it? My pub’s been here years and years. It’s well sup-ported, irreplaceable. Unfortu-nately, it could happen all too easily, and while there haven’t been so many instances in the Westcountry yet, that doesn’t mean the danger is not present.

Which is why it’s heartening that the campaign to get pubs listed as assets of community value (ACVs) has got off to such a good start. Once a pub is listed as an ACV, it makes change of use much more diffi cult to obtain for either the property owner or a prospective purchaser. Previously, change of use could often be achieved easily through permitted development rights and the fi rst that many heard about it was when the pub doors shut and the workmen arrived.

The Co-Op has now become the fi rst shop owner to join forces with the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) – a key proponent of the ACV system – to come up with guidelines it will

adhere to when creating new convenience stores. Among the key points the Co-Op has agreed to – and there’s quite a comprehensive list – is to de-velop pub sites using the planning process rather than relying on permitted development rights.

They will also develop land ad-jacent to an existing pub in a way that enhances the viability of both businesses.

Pubs will still continue to close this year, although hopefully the rate will fall from the cur-rent 29 a week regularly quoted by CAMRA. However, special-ist bars are opening, micropubs are spreading across the country and more breweries have their own bars. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have a new bar selling top-quality beer, than an unsustainable pub limping on and falling into terminal decline.

British beer is booming, it’s high quality and gaining a wider audience, and it may be that its new audience enjoys a modern bar as much as a beamed-ceiling pub. There’s plenty of room for both. One more thing: has the Campaign for Real Ale morphed into a campaign to protect pubs? But that’s a discussion for another day…

Darren Norbury is editor of beertoday.co.uk @beertoday

H

As we’re still in post-Christmas recovery, perhaps something characterful but not too poky

this week. I’ve decided to go for Exmoor Wild Cat. Malty and warming, it almost verges on

porter territory, were it not for that lowish ABV of 4.4%. Find a

nice � reside.

Beer of the week

[[I’d rather have a new bar selling

top-quality beer, than an

unsustainable pub limping on and falling into

terminal decline

Beer_Jan16.indd 43 11/01/2016 13:47:26

44

My Secret Westcountry

Emily Whit eld-Wicks

44

beyond Daymer Bay is the rocky area of Greena-way. As a child, I spent many a Sunday after-noon playing in a large rockpool at Greenaway with my family. My dog Zennor runs around the spacious beach in joyful glee. Every Christmas you will fi nd a decorated Christmas tree along the way. I have yet to discover who puts it there but it’s always a treat for passers-by.

Festival: My favourite local festival, which takes place in May, is the LOSTFEST in Losti-withiel, one of Cornwall’s great quirky events which I try to go to every year. The local musi-cians are fantastic and the dancing through the streets and the medieval battle reenactments are great fun.

Activity: Apart from daily dog walks and

Bodmin-based freelance photographer Emily Whit� eld-Wicks has worked in photojournalism for 14 years and undertakes many of her Westcountry assignments with her trusty companion, Zennor the husky. Missions further a� eld include a trip to Nepal in the a� ermath of the devastating earthquake there in 2015

My favourite...

Walk: My favourite part of the Cornish coast-line is between Tintagel and Boscastle. People say that Rocky Valley is ‘fey’, a fairy land, and it certainly has a magical awe-inspiring feel to it. It’s like nature’s cathedral with cliffs towering above you on either side. On towards Boscastle is Lady’s Window, a massive rock with a natural arched window-frame. When eventually arriv-ing at Boscastle, a well-earned pint calls at the cosy Cobweb Inn!

Beach: I love walking along the clean sandy beach from Rock to Daymer Bay, which stretch-es for over a mile when the tide is out. When the tide is in, you can go up onto the footpaths that cut across the sand dunes and hillside. Just

LostFest

The beach from Rock to Daymer Bay

MSW_Jan16.indd 44 11/01/2016 13:51:51

45

People

Find out more at www.emilyww.co.uk

4545

of Bodmin, The Golden Temple has a very friendly service and serves lovely Indian food.

Relaxation: Art has been a life-long passion and when I’m painting I think I’m most relaxed. I studied Art before studying Photography, so when I’m not taking pictures or walking the dog or doing the trillion other things there are to do, I paint. My retirement plan when I’m no longer able to carry around heavy camera gear is to be a full-time artist! Another thing I love to do is sing and have a strum on the guitar and recently I have been given a ukulele, a birthday present from my sister. Occasionally I go to Nanstallan Folk Club which is great fun.

Cornish Orchards cider

longer walks with friends, my most recent activity is what I call husky biking. Zennor’s a Siberian husky and basically we go mountain biking together. She absolutely loves it and runs alongside my bike. We do anything from fi ve to 15 miles depending on the terrain. The other activities I love to do when given the chance are scuba diving (I’m a BSAC sports diver) and kayaking on rivers or the sea.

Tipple: I love red wine, and as a vegan, I’m glad that, these days, winemakers are getting better at putting the vegetarian/vegan sign on the back label, as some wines are fi nished with animal products. And on a hot sunny day, after

a long walk, a nice cold Cornish Orchards pear cider goes down well.

Pub: I have two favourite pubs in my home town of Bodmin, The Garland Ox and The Hole in the Wall (which has a lovely log fi re). They both have a nice friendly atmosphere.

Restaurant: The Rock Inn in Rock is dog friendly and has a wonderful balcony look-ing over the Camel estuary. It’s very friendly and the food is great. I have sat there on warm summer evenings sipping on wine with friends watching the beautiful glow of a soft red sunset refl ected on the water. Back in my local town

Rocky Valley

Emily and her dog Zennor love biking

The Rock Inn

MA

IN P

ICT

UR

E: E

MIL

Y W

HIT

FIE

LD

-WIC

KS

MSW_Jan16.indd 45 11/01/2016 13:52:19

pic

tu

re

: St

ev

e H

ay

wo

od

46

man and boy

brotherlylove

my life

recently went back up north for a few days, mostly to catch up with an old mate who was over from Japan with his daughter. He owns an English school out in Osaka so

doesn’t get back that often. We had a few laughs – me the boy, my pal Tony and his daughter Irie. We went to Chester Zoo, shopped in Manchester, stayed over at another mate’s place in Clit-heroe for a belly full of craft ale and shared a big pan of Scouse. Magic.

On the way to Lancashire I usually stop off at my elder brother’s place, near Gloucester, and this year was no exception.

Now, anyone with an elder brother will tell you what they can be like. George Orwell didn’t call his all-seeing totalitarian leader Big Brother for nothing. Let’s be kind and say they are older, therefore wiser, and often have more valuable life experience than you, the whipper-snapper.

Don’t get me wrong, we have a perfectly normal sibling relationship. However, we are far from alike. John likes rugby, I like football; he loves France, I love Spain. You get the idea. The list goes on. He will freely admit this. In fact, he will quote chapter and verse of the Myers Briggs psychological character-typing to explain how I am the chalk to his big cheese.

This difference was proved true yet again on this visit, providing much amusement. For the past three months I have been studying poetry as part of my Masters degree in Creative Writ-ing at Exeter University. It has been quite an eye-opener studying theory and craft around poetics. To the extent that I can probably now

be regarded as a pub bore on the subject. Iambic pentameter, anyone? Another time, perhaps.

To my knowledge, big brother has never tended towards the verse, though he used to tread the boards once upon a time. So imagine my shock when he tells me he is reading poetry,

has got himself a book and has even memo-rised a poem, namely that one on daffodils by William Words-worth. Apparently, his character type is in some way unsuited to remember-

ing lines of verse but still, he persevered and learned it by heart.

“Go on then,” I said, and off he went: “I wandered lonely as a cloud…” It was beautiful. I was truly amazed.

He also dropped in a gem that my old English teach-er’s dad, who taught him, was an associate of none other than William Butler Yeats. That makes me two handshakes away from an Irish poetry god. Even better.

So there we were, having a right old chinwag about poetry over our meal. I couldn’t believe how he had found this calling at the same time as I was poring over texts. What a coin-cidence. So I asked him what he thought, after considering some of the

greats. You know, what he made of poetry, the form, free verse and all the rest of it.

“A load of rubbish,” he told me. He hated it. And here was I thinking we were going to agree, for once.

George Orwell didn’t call his all-seeing totalitarian leader

Big Brother for nothing[ [I

Phil Goodwin, father of James, five, on the joys of a family reunion

ManandBoy_Jan16.indd 46 11/01/2016 13:49:18

LIVE THE ISLAND LIFE ON SCILLY

It’s that first glimpse of pristine white sands. The bracing hit of sea air. Flowers you’ve never seen before. Shellfish fresh from the sea. Island hopping

by day and tapping your feet to folk songs by night. When we connect you to the Isles of Scilly, you’ll connect with the rhythm of island life.

#TRAVELLOCAL

Fly to Scilly in an hour or less from Exeter, Newquay and Land’s End airports. You can also sail to Scilly from Penzance on the Scillonian III passenger ferry.

WWW.ISLESOFSCILLY-TRAVEL.CO.UK • CALL 01736 334220

Untitled-1 2 12/01/2016 14:24:32

St Austell8 Manfi eld Way, Holmbush, PL25 3HQ - 01726 70711

[email protected]

WadebridgeBridgend, PL27 6DA

01208 [email protected]

Hayle4 Fore Street, Copperhouse, TR27 4DY - 01736 755 700

[email protected]

Truro Tregolls Road,

TR1 1SB, 01872 222226 [email protected]

www.julianfoye.co.uk

W I N T E R S A L Ethe furnishers

SALE! Hypnos 5ft for 4ft 6” price SALE! Bedroom Furniture SALE! FREE DRAWERS

ALL THE BIGGEST BRANDS TO ORDER AT SALE PRICES - Ercol, G Plan, Stressless, Duresta, Parker Knoll

Price Match

Promise

Quality and Style

FREE LOCAL DELIVERY AND SETTING UP

Visit our inspirational, designer led showrooms for service you will remember for the home you love

Untitled-1 4 12/01/2016 14:02:30

Date post:	25-Jul-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	dcmedia
View:	222 times
Download:	4 times

West January 16, 2016

Documents