Volume No10
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An altered FOCUS Changing the way we look at ourselves and the world around us
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rift drift
noun 1. the act of driving something along 2. the flow or the velocity of the current of a river or ocean stream
verb 1. to become driven or carried along, as by a current of water, wind, or air 2. to move or float smoothly and effortlessly
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On the cover This bold, aerial seascape entitled Tan erine Dream, is the work of artist, Nina Brooke. Read more from page 3 . ninabrooke.co.uk
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ISSN 2632-9891 © All rights reserved. Material may not be re-produced without the permission of Engine House Media Ltd. While Drift will take every care to help readers with reports on properties and features, neither Engine House Media Ltd nor its contributors can accept any liability for reader dissatisfaction arising from editorial features, editorial or advertising featured in these pages. Engine House Media Ltd strongly advises viewing any property prior to purchasing or considerations over any financial decisions. Engine House Media reserves the right to accept or reject any article or material supplied for publication or to edit such material prior to publication. Engine House Media Ltd cannot take responsibility for loss or damage of supplied materials. The opinions expressed or advice given in the publication are the views of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of
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Engine House Media Ltd. It is suggested that further advice is taken over any actions resulting from reading any part of this magazine. Engine House Media Ltd is a multi-platform media business with a passion for everything Cornish. Visit www.enginehousemedia. co.uk to find out more. Our mission is to create READ-WATCHE PERIENCE media opportunities marrying together consumers with the fabulous businesses across Cornwall. Our publishing and marketing teams are specialists in creating print and online communications, devised to achieve a range of marketing objectives. With over 20 years of marketing, brand management and magazine experience we develop effective communications that deliver your message in a credible and creative way. We operate across all media channels, including: print, online and video.
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T E A M
Foreword Everything in nature is made up of the five basic elements; earth, water, fire, earth and space. Each are interconnected, some complementary, others, destructive. How we use and interact with these elements has a dramatic effect on our mind, body and soul and from a creative perspective, how we see the world around us. Here in Cornwall, there is no doubt that the dominant element is water. It surrounds our county on three sides and offers a work place, a play space and a safe place. Photographer, Duncan Scobie 27 uses the combination of water, with earth and space to create image-scapes that capture a moment of time in vivid perfection. Artist, Nina Brooke’s 39 association with water influences her paintings, life and travels, bringing colourful canvases of joy to life. Tia Tamblyn discovers that water, and
specifically cold water, can have incredible health benefits, sometimes providing a cure for chronic conditions where traditional medicine has failed. Ella MacLachlan’s organic skincare range is made with ingredients foraged from the sea shores of Scilly. Her own connection with the water not only feeds her products, but also her soul; a topic that mindfulness expert, Jennifer Hannibal expands upon 8 as she discusses how to develop our awareness and live life consciously. For those who prefer to look upon the water, rather than immerse themselves in it, the Budock Vean Hotel 93 offers its own form of nirvana in the shape of chic riverside comfort; and for an injection of pure on-the-water luxury and indulgence turn your gaze to Rush Yachts’ 12 new 39’ dayboat and find ocean solace in an all-together different vein.
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We invite you to continue your lifestyle voyage online. ind inspirin stories and unco er more lu ur content on nsta ram driftcornwall Join our e clusi e e ournal communit at drift cornwall co u to recei e recipes re iews and insider nowled e o some o Cornwall s most lo ed lu ur destinations drift cornwall co u Visit drift-cornwall.co.uk to read more about our writers
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C O N T E N T S
At a glance 18
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A RT F O R T H E F U T U R E Pioneering digital arts education
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F R O M E A RT H T O A I R
36
FRESH PERSPECTIVES
47
A S TA R I S B O R N
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A TO N I C O F O U R T I M E
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AN ISLAND ETHOS
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SCENTS AND SENSIBILITY
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BOLD AND BREWTIFUL
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THE FINER THINGS
85
T U R N I N G I N WA R D S
101
Photography from Duncan Scobie
102
Eye-candy for ocean lovers
124
Recipes from Nathan Outlaw
127
Seeking solace in the sea
135
Introducing Phoenix and Providence
144
Perfumes of Penhaligon’s
146
The evolution of Origin
156
Fine jewellery from Michael Spiers
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Exploring the meaning of mindfulness
C O U N T RY H O U S E C H I C A look inside the Budock Vean hotel
SAILS UNFURLED Jonathan Cunliffe on the south coast
L U X U RY H O M E S At the pinnacle of the Cornish market
C L A S S I C C RU I S I N G Step aboard the Rush 39
S A L T O F T H E E A RT H Welcome to The Driftwood Spars
T R E A S U R E D H E R I TA G E The Cornish houses of the National Trust
H O RO L O G I C A L H E I R L O O M S Luxury watches from Michael Spiers
P A RT O F T H E E V E RY D AY Exciting solutions for modern homes
C A R E AT A L L C O S T At the helm of Cornwall Hospice Care
EVENTIDE The last word, from Stephen Murdoch
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Steve Tanner DRIFT-10--PCV09--ED--St Ives School--8.00.indd 18
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Art forcolony the
DIGITAL AGE WORDS BY LUCY STUDLEY
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C R E AT E
St Ives has long been a magnet for artistic endeavour and a hub of creativity. Now the St Ives School of Painting is embracing technology to unleash this legacy, making it more accessible than ever and enriching lives in the process.
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drift through the air and come to rest on brushes, palettes and canvases. Figures such as Ben Nicholson, Francis Bacon, Patrick Heron and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham all worked here; today their paint marks still decorate some of these studio walls where important pieces of work were created.
t Ives first established a reputation as an artists’ colony in the 1880s. The unusual quality of light is often cited as part of the attraction. The historic heart of the town occupies its very own peninsula and is surrounded on three sides by water, giving it a luminosity which has lured generations of artists. On one of these lightsaturated shores – in a building with windows which perfectly frame Porthmeor Beach – the St Ives School of Painting was established over 80 years ago.
Sadly, not many people have the privilege of visiting at the moment. The global pandemic called a temporary halt to the traditional, face-toface delivery of all courses. The School was forced to close its doors to students for the first time since it was established in 1938 – not even the Second World War saw the same level of disruption. And yet, the School has found a way to overcome adversity, engaging new audiences and live streaming world-class art tuition from the Cornish coast.
This internationally respected art school still shares the beachfront site with 12 fishing boats which work out of the cellars below and 17 artist studios. It’s an atmospheric and inspiring place to visit, where motes of history
PREVIOUS Naomi Frears in her Porthmeor Studio.
A B OV E A studio with a view
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A B OV E A student on one of the courses
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TOP Alice teaching online from the studio
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A B OV E En plein air
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C R E AT E
group courses which take place over days, weeks and even months, and offer enriching lifetime learning experiences.
Under the leadership of Director Alison Sharkey, the School has rapidly diversified over the course of the last 12 months, transforming itself into a pioneer in digital arts education. “We had been taking tentative steps into the world of online learning for some time,” Alison explains. “Staff and tutors had together been exploring ways an online offering might complement the annual studio program. However, with the studios closed temporarily due to the Covid-19 pandemic, embracing digital opportunities suddenly became our central focus.”
A raft of tutors have got in front of the camera, including Gary Long, Kerry Harding, Liz Hough, Amy Albright, Tom Rickman and Hilary Jean Gibson. Live demonstrations, one-to-one feedback and a group forum are all part of the learning process. All participants can access recordings after the course has ended and feedback on content and structure is welcomed, as new courses are being added to the programme all the time. “Our aim is that students start on a journey with us, try different things, experience the whole spectrum of artistic practice. It’s an art school experience accessible to everyone,” explains Alison. “Like the School itself we’ve designed the online learning environment to be supportive, inclusive and non-judgemental – everyone is welcome and students become part of a growing community of alumni across the world.”
The charity needed to innovate quickly to engage with its community of students and deliver a much-needed dose of creative inspiration into their homes. With grant assistance from the Kickstart Grant Scheme and the Community Led Local Development Programme, both of which are funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the School invested in broadcast-quality recording equipment, studio lighting and training. The School began in earnest to deliver a professional, high quality online learning experience – and the response has been phenomenal.
Thanks to the leap of faith taken by Alison and her team, St Ives continues to live up to its reputation as a magnet for creativity – albeit virtually. Anjum Stuart, who joined several live sessions from LA, said of the experience: “Thanks so much for the amazing art webinars you have produced. They have been a lifeline of joy! You’ve given me ‘something in the diary’ and helped me from going bonkers here at home in LA. To be connected with such an amazing art school and all the talented people who post their work is fabulous and humbling.” The School now plans to make digital content
Beginning with a series of webinars in March 2020 led by the inspirational artist tutor Alice Mumford, the digital programme gathered pace with Naomi Frears – a prominent artist based in Porthmeor Studios – leading sessions attended by a growing international audience of aspiring artists. The programme has expanded rapidly and now includes everything from Sunday family painting workshops and life drawing sessions to small
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TOP The studio is a hive of activity
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A B OV E Try your hand at Experimental Oils
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C R E AT E
encounters available will be a big part of future planning for organisations like ours.”
a core part of its offering, even when lockdown ends. “The experience has totally transformed our perception of how the charity can work in the future,” reflects Alison. “From children who are missing out on chunks of their arts education, to adult carers and home schoolers craving a creative outlet, to people who aspire to become professional artists in their own right one day, we’ve been able to fulfil an important need. As a charity we’re battling adversity, but this is actually one of our proudest moments.” The demand for the online courses demonstrates the importance people place on creativity – even during difficult times. Chairman of Trustees for St Ives School of Painting, Neil Scott, agrees. “This crisis has simultaneously put a huge squeeze on the cultural sector whilst reminding us all how much we value cultural experiences,” says Neil. “Finding new ways of making creative
However, for Alison and the team of dedicated staff and tutors, getting students back through the doors and into the studios can’t come soon enough. The School has tentatively programmed face-to-face courses starting in May, but will have strict Covid safety procedures in place. “Our plan is to use one of the studios for traditional classes, and the other for live streaming a varied programme of digital content,” explains Alison. “The hope is that people who start by engaging with our digital content will aspire to come and study here at the School one day, right in the heart of picturesque and inspiring St Ives. After all, with a view like this, who wouldn’t want to!” schoolofpainting.co.uk
A B OV E Young artists having fun
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discover our world
michaelspiers.co.uk
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F O C U S
From
earth to AIR WORDS BY H A N N A H TA P P I N G
Duncan Sco ie s photo raphs e plore the unusual in the ordinar
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rowing up in west Cornwall, Duncan’s parents always encouraged him to appreciate local history and art. Trips to galleries were regular and there was always art equipment lying around for him to use. As a child, he could be found on the roof of the house taking photographs after ‘borrowing’ his dad’s camera. His love of the Cornish coastline meant the first camera he bought, from labouring work as a teenager, was a waterproof Minolta 110. Painting was also a passion, which taught Duncan to always take a deeper look at light, shade and texture. camera. Duncan is never found far from the water; surfing, snorkelling swimming, body surfing, cliff jumping – any excuse to be in the ocean. The Cornish landscape and sea have hewn him into what he has become, and for that he is grateful. While respecting the natural environement, he is also a risk taker: “so many decisions are just a simple switch in the head that needs to be flicked.”
He trained and qualified as an Osteopath straight from school, but over the last ten years has immersed himself more heavily in photography, qualifying as a pro-drone operator. Duncan loves trying to master new techniques, and in the last year has been using his drone to ‘light paint’, creating stimulating, abstract images. He is also drawn to the northern aspects of our globe undertaking photographic trips to Iceland, Norway and Finland, capturing their icy beauty on
raniteocean lm com
A B OV E Duncan Scobie
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A B OV E Icelandic homes under the lights
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TOP Icelandic geothermal plant A B OV E Cornish woods
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RIGHT Humpback whale off Land’s End
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TOP Wheal Prosper LEFT Crantock poppies
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A B OV E Newlyn on fire
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TOP Trevose A B OV E Light painting, Merry Maidens
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Fresh
PERSPECTIVES WORDS BY LOWENNA MERRITT
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C R E AT E
Nina Brooke’s bold, aerial seascapes are eye-candy for ocean lovers.
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Nina was always a keen artist, and did her first show when she was 18. “I used to paint abstract shipwrecks,” she tells me, “really textural. I had a fascination with old wood and boats, and the storytelling behind it. I then began to paint seascapes, but wanted to find my own language in this, so I flipped it on its head and went bird’s eye.”
layfully abstract, vividly colourful and bursting with energy. This is how Nina Brooke describes her eye-catching paintings, which use a bird’s eye point of view to emphasise the colourful beauty of the ocean. The beach and the sea are at the heart of every piece, and Nina experiments with perspective, colour and style, putting a unique spin on the classic seascape painting. Her stunning body of work includes collections of paintings from Sri Lanka, Montauk and Hawaii, alongside her evergrowing and evolving Cornwall collection.
Nina speaks of how being surrounded by the natural landscape provides endless inspiration for her. “Cornwall is really good for that because the energy is so dramatic.” A seafarer since childhood, Nina has grown up around the ocean and her admiration for the water stems from this. “My family always took us off sailing for every holiday; I’ve been sailing since I was two weeks old. I’ve had this respect for the ocean for a very long time… it holds us all in some way.”
Growing up in Rock, Cornwall, Nina learnt to surf in the waters of Polzeath and to paint alongside her ceramicist mother and likewise creative family. With a studio in Rock, she now lives in Trelight and travels to various surf hotspots for fresh inspiration. In school,
INSET Nina Brooke
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A B OV E Tangerine Dream
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LEFT Fisherman’s Reef
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TOP Paddle Past
RIGHT Hiriketiya Beach
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C R E AT E
Nina paints, causing every piece to capture an atmosphere and tell its own story.
Nina speaks to me from Costa Rica, on month four of what was intended as a spontaneous two-week trip. She details a typical day-in-the-life: wake up, have a coffee, go for a surf, then start work in the studio on a latest piece, before perhaps another surf in the evening. Travelling offers a stripped-back period of time where Nina can focus solely on the sea and painting, perfect for capturing the atmosphere of the environment she is immersed in. Nina’s travels also offer a new source of inspiration: “When you look at a place with fresh eyes you can see the romance of the scene and its characteristics immediately,” she tells me. “When you revisit a place again and again, you lose that piece of magic you get when you first see a place. Travelling renews your inspiration, I get a new lease of life for work.”
Despite the enticement of new landscapes, Nina’s home, Cornwall, always calls her back. It never fails to surprise her, with its abundance of hidden coves and everchanging scenery. “Cornwall inspires me more than Costa Rica as a place… there’s more colour in Cornwall, the colours are different. Colour palettes in each location vary and some inspire you more than others, it’s really interesting. In Cornwall there are so many different spots. You can go for a weekend to St Mawes or Sennen or Land’s End and come across a cove you’ve never been to before, and think, this is incredible.” The process of Nina’s work begins with her drone, which she flies up whenever she feels inclined and explores the coastline from above. Once she has chosen a reference photo, she experiments in the level of realism she is going to portray. “Translating photos that you take onto paint is always challenging,” she says. “You have to have a fine balance. You can play with it and depict it in so many ways.” She works with acrylic paints onto a large canvas, starting with a warm base colour and then working dark to light to build up layers of depth. “I have such a relationship with colour,” she details. “The way the yellow might
As for her favourite travel destination to work from, Nina says Sri Lanka. She details the beautiful colour of the water, the landscape abundant with boats, people, surfers, all of which create a vibrant canvas of inspiration. Hawaii is another personal favourite of hers, in particular the colourful parasols on the beach and the endless palm trees. It is the little details Nina brings out that make each piece so eye-catching – smudges of beach towels and sur oards, splashes of waves and reflections of a bold colour on the water. And such details are unique to each cove that
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A B OV E Fishsticks
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A B OV E Taking inspiration from location, Sri Lanka
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C R E AT E
going somewhere by looking through this window of work.” Art is a form of escapism, and her seascapes achieve this – they aim to transport you to the ambience of the beach, immersing the visual senses into the serenity of the scene. If this lockdown has taught us anything, it is the power of creativity and art to transport us to another reality and help us to stay positive and inspired. “I was painting oodles of palm trees in the first lockdown to feel like I was in the tropics,” Nina laughs.
complement the blue or a green works well next to an orange. I’m always looking at the colours next to each other, and how they make each other pop.” The vividity of colour is what is striking about her work, as she pulls unusual shades of orange, green and pink out of largely blue ocean scenes. “I try to exaggerate colours. It’s sometimes nice to change the colour palette all together, to make it more interesting so that it’s not like looking at a photograph... to make it more surreal in a way.” Nina often has several pieces on the go at once. “It’s sometimes good to take breaks between paintings and work on something different, get some new headspace before you go back. Knowing when it’s finished and when to stop is always the challenge.”
Nina’s next project is a local one, working with Watergate Bay Hotel. She will be creating a collection based on Watergate Bay and its surrounding beaches. The artwork will be displayed in an exhibition, before adorning the hotel walls. This demonstrates how, no matter how far Nina’s travels take her, the Cornish coast will continue to be an influence and hold a special place in her heart and in her artistic imagination.
The past year has been a turbulent and difficult one, but for many, it has also provided time to home in on artistic endeavours and explore creative hobbies which we may not have previously had time for. I ask Nina how the Covid-19 situation has impacted her work. “It has definitely made me more focused. The first lockdown was really good, I was able to be quiet with myself and my work, and I tried to encourage people to travel within my paintings. I think there is definitely a sense of wanderlust within the pieces, a sense of
Nina’s paintings evoke feelings of appreciation and admiration, not only for exotic shorelines, but also for the magic of home. They showcase the beauty and comfort that the ocean, whether near or far, can provide to us all. ninabrooke.co.uk
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MADE IN CORNWALL – FOR OVER 30 YEARS
01209 215 759 | enquiries@philipwhear.co.uk | www.philipwhear.co.uk DRIFT--05--AD--Philip Whear--1.00.indd 1
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C U I SI N E
A star is
BORN WO R D S B Y NAT H A N O U T L AW
David Loftus
Nathan Outlaw has just been recognised with a Michelin star for his new venture, Outlaw’s New Road. We celebrate with a spring menu.
Extracted from Restaurant Nathan Outlaw by Nathan Outlaw (Bloomsbury Absolute, £40)
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C U I SI N E
Starter: Lobster Vol Au Vents MAKES 15 INGREDIENTS:
For the mayonnaise:
1 live Cornish lobster, about 600g, placed in the freezer for 30 minutes before cooking
1 egg yolk
Cornish sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Juice of ½ lemon
For the pastry cases:
250ml light olive oil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons chopped fennel herb
00g plain flour, plus extra to dust 10g fine sea salt
For the garnish:
500g ice-cold butter, cut into 1cm dice 250ml ice-cold water
1 lemon, peel and pith removed, segmented and cut into small pieces
Egg wash (1 medium egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon milk)
Fennel herb (plus pollen i a aila le)
Method lobster from the freezer and place it on a board. Insert the tip of a strong, sharp knife firmly into the cross on the back of the lobster’s head. (The lobster will be killed instantly, although it may continue to move a little; this is normal). Carefully pull the lobster tail away from the head and remove the claws. Add the claws to the simmering water and cook for 3 minutes, then add the tail to the pan and cook for another 3 minutes. Immediately remove all the lobster from the pan and leave until cool enough to handle.
To make the rough puff pastry: Put the flour, salt and butter into a bowl and rub in the butter using your fingertips, until the pieces are roughly half the size. Add the water and mix to a dough. On a floured surface, roll the dough out to a neat rectangle, about 0 x 20cm. Fold the top third down, then the bottom third up over the top. Wrap in cling film and rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. Give the dough a quarter-turn, then roll out and fold as before, twice more. Wrap the pastry and rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before rolling out.
To make the mayonnaise: Whisk the egg yolk, mustard and lemon juice together in a bowl for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until it is all incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
To shape and bake the vol au vent cases: Preheat your oven to 220 C Fan 200 C Gas Mark 7. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Dust your work surface with flour and roll out the pastry to the thickness of a 1 coin. Using a . cm fluted cutter, cut out 30 discs. Place 15 of the discs on the prepared baking sheet. Using a 3.5cm plain cutter, cut a hole in the middle of the other discs. Brush the pastry rounds on the baking sheet with egg wash and top with the other pastry discs. Bake for 12 minutes until crisp and golden. Carefully transfer the pastry cases to a wire rack to cool, then gently prise out the centres. Keep in an airtight container unless using straight away.
To prepare the lobster cocktail: Using a sharp knife, cut the lobster tail in half lengthways and remove the dark intestinal thread that runs the length of the tail. Discard the shell. Crack the claws and extract the meat. Chop the claw and knuckle meat and place in a bowl. Add about 2 tablespoons of the mayonnaise and stir gently to bind the lobster. Mix in the chopped fennel herb and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and keep in the fridge, taking it out 30 minutes before serving.
To cook the lobster:
To finish and serve:
Bring a large pan of water (big enough to hold the lobster) to the boil and add plenty of salt (the water really needs to be as salty as the sea to ensure that the a our o the lo ster isn t lost durin coo in ). Lower the heat so the water is at a steady simmer. Take your
Fill the vol au vent cases with the lobster cocktail and finish with a few pieces of lemon and snippets of fennel herb, with some pollen if you happen to have some. Serve immediately.
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C U I SI N E
Main: Haddock, Broad Beans and Smoked Haddock Potatoes SERVES 4 AS A MAIN COURSE 0g unsalted butter
INGREDIENTS:
1 banana shallot, peeled and diced
haddock fillets, about 200g each, trimmed and pin-boned
1 leek, washed, trimmed and finely sliced
Light olive oil for cooking
2 celery sticks, diced
Cornish sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
For the potatoes:
2 sprigs of thyme
large new potatoes
1 bay leaf
1 0g smoked haddock fillet, skinned
0ml cider vinegar
20g Cheddar cheese, grated
100ml cider
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
200ml fish stock
For the broad bean purée:
200ml double cream
300g freshly podded young broad beans
1 large potato, peeled and cut into 1cm dice
100g full-fat cream cheese
100g freshly podded young broad beans, cooked and skinned
100g full-fat Greek-style yoghurt
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
Juice of 1 lime
For the parsley oil:
For the chowder sauce:
100g flat-leaf parsley leaves
Olive oil for cooking
300ml light rapeseed oil
Method First prepare the parsley oil:
and lime juice. Blitz for 3 minutes, then taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper if needed. Spoon into a container. Keep the pur e in the fridge, ready to reheat and serve.
If possible, do this a day ahead. Bring a pan of salted water to a simmer and have a bowl of iced water ready. Add the parsley to the simmering water and blanch for 20 seconds. Scoop out the parsley and plunge into the iced water to cool fast. Drain and squeeze out excess water. Put the parsley into a blender with the rapeseed oil and blitz for 2 minutes. Transfer to a container, cover and refrigerate for at least 3– hours, ideally overnight.
To make the chowder sauce: Heat a saucepan over a medium heat then add a drizzle of olive oil and the butter. When the butter is melted and bubbling, add the shallot, leek, celery, garlic, thyme and bay leaf. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes, to soften but not colour. Add the cider vinegar and simmer until reduced totally. Add the cider and fish stock and cook until reduced by half. Add the cream and potato and cook until the potato is tender. Remove and set aside.
For the smoked haddock new potatoes: Preheat your oven to 220 C Fan 200 C Gas Mark 7. Put the potatoes on a baking tray and bake for 1 hour. When cool enough to handle, halve the potatoes and scoop out the flesh into a bowl, keeping the skins intact. Leave to cool until barely warm. Dice the smoked haddock and add it to the potato flesh with the cheese and parsley. Mix well and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture back into the potato skins and place in a baking dish. Bake the potatoes for 30 minutes until crispy.
To cook the haddock: Preheat the grill and oil the fish and grill tray. Season the fish well with salt and pepper. Grill skin side up, without turning, for – minutes. Leave to rest on the tray. To assemble and serve:
To make the broad bean purée:
While the fish is grilling, reheat the broad bean pur e. Heat up the sauce in a pan, then add the broad beans and parsley and heat for 30 seconds. Share the sauce among warmed plates. Place 2 potato halves and a grilled haddock fillet on each plate. Add a generous spoonful of broad bean pur e and finish with a drizzle of parsley oil. Serve at once.
Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and have a bowl of ice-cold water ready. Add the broad beans to the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. Drain and plunge into the cold water to cool quickly and keep their colour. Drain well. Tip the broad beans into a food processor and add the cream cheese, yoghurt
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C U I SI N E
Dessert Straw erries lder ower Custard and Straw err Champa ne Sor et SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS: or h rou h uff as r
or h s raw
00g plain flour, plus extra to dust
00g strawberries, hulled and halved
10g fine sea salt
100g liquid glucose
2 0ml ice-cold water
100g caster sugar
200g icing sugar, to dust ld r ow r and l
a n sor
00ml champagne
00g ice-cold butter, cut into 1cm dice
or h
rr cha
or h on cus ard
ld r ow r and s raw
rr s ru
100g strawberries, hulled
300ml double cream
100ml elderflower cordial
100ml elderflower cordial
200g liquid glucose
large eggs
or h s raw
100g caster sugar
rri s
20 strawberries, hulled and halved
0ml lemon juice
Method
a large bowl. Pour on the hot cream mix, whisking as you do so, then add the lemon juice. Pour into a thermomix set at 90 C and cook on full speed for minutes. Or cook, stirring over a low heat, until the custard reaches 90 C. Immediately pour into serving dishes. Let cool slightly and then place in the fridge to set; this will take 2 hours.
To make the rough puff pastry: Put the flour, salt and butter into a bowl and rub in the butter using your fingertips, until the pieces are roughly half the size. Add the water and mix to a dough. On a floured surface, roll the dough out to a neat rectangle, about 0 x 20cm. Fold the top third down, then the bottom third up over the top. Wrap in cling film and rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. Give the dough a quarter-turn, then roll out and fold as before, twice more. Now dust your work surface with icing sugar and roll out the pastry to the thickness of a 1 coin. Dust the pastry heavily with icing sugar and roll up, like a big sausage. Wrap in cling film and chill in the freezer.
For the strawberry champagne sorbet: Put all the ingredients into a pan and bring to a simmer over a medium heat. Cook for 1 minutes. Take off the heat and blitz the mixture with a hand blender, then pass through a sieve into a jug and leave to cool. Once cooled, churn in an ice-cream machine until firm, then transfer the sorbet to a suitable container and freeze until ready to serve.
To bake the pastry:
To make the syrup:
Preheat your oven to 200 C Fan 180 C Gas Mark . Line a baking sheet with a non-stick baking mat or silicone paper. Unwrap the pastry roll and cut into slices, the thickness of a 1 coin. Lay these on the baking sheet. Freeze the rest of the pastry roll for another day. Bake the pastry discs for 8–10 minutes until crisp and golden. Carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool. Keep in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Put the strawberries, elderflower cordial and glucose into a pan, bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool, then pass the syrup through a sieve into a jug. Set aside for serving. To finish the dish: Put the fresh strawberries into a bowl, add some of the syrup and toss carefully to dress. Remove the elderflower custards from the fridge and arrange the strawberries equally on top of them. Spoon a neat scoop of strawberry sorbet on top of each pile of strawberries and finish with a puff pastry disc. Serve immediately.
To make the custard: Pour the cream and elderflower cordial into a pan and bring to the boil over a medium heat. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs and sugar together in
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A tonic of
OUR TIME W O R D S B Y T I A TA M B LY N
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IMAGES BY JOHN HERSEY
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SO U L
The emergence from a cold water, wild winter swim offers natural medication or mind od and soul
S
cold water immersion and dodging jellyfish. Yet, although I’ve never been far from the sea, it has never beckoned more. How wonderful that so many people have been drawn to this free, powerful and abundant source of natural therapy.
ocial media is awash with stories of rosy faces fresh from salty dips, especially so in the era of Covid-19 when many of us have turned to nature as a form of therapy, soaking up the exhilaration of being exposed to the elements and inspired by the natural landscape. As the world we know it has been turned on its head, with dramatic changes for many in work and home lives, the great outdoors – and wild swimming in particular – has offered great comfort for many, including me.
Cold water swimming offers a startlingly comprehensive range of physiological and psychological benefits, including: reducing stress hormones, boosting the production of serotonin and dopamine that help to improve mood and reduce depression and anxiety, lowering heart rate and blood pressure, directing circulation to the brain and vital organs which aids detoxification, boosting vitamin D as we venture outside, along with the range of benefits that arise through precious shared time with friends, social restrictions permitting.
Lucky enough to live in Cornwall, we have seascapes aplenty as well as rivers and lakes to dip our toes (and more) into for that chilly hit of happy hormones. Growing up on the west coast of Scotland did, in hindsight, offer a useful apprenticeship in the joys of
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A B OV E Tom Shilton, immersed in a sea pool
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TOP Tom Shilton of Mr Shilton’s Barber Shop
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MIDDLE Rosalind Southward, yoga teacher and runner
A B OV E David Collins, The Salty Sage life coach
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SO U L
However, outlining the benefits of wild swimming doesn’t address a reality of this activity which, let’s face it, puts many off, especially during winter: it’s absolutely freezing (or perhaps not actually below zero unless you’re north of Cornwall), almost painfully cold at times as you immerse yourself into the ocean or river, and in so doing become acutely aware of each and every body part. So what, then, makes cold water swimming so enjoyable For me it’s more than just knowing the potential benefits. Despite every nerve ending in the body sending a warning signal to the brain: “too cold, turn back”, we continue to head seaward, whether inching in gradually or with an icy launch. In that moment there’s an opportunity to push past those uncomfortable feelings and be truly present, feel the body come alive. The ability to overcome the cold is exhilarating, and there’s a moment of surprise that you have kept going – immersed – then begin to acclimatise. After an initial grimace or operatic warble comes laughter, joy and connection with those you are swimming alongside.
longer as her confidence grew. Katie recounts: “my journey with ill health spanned over a year but it was daily sea swimming, a wonderful outdoor swimming community and underwater photography that magically brought all that I once was back to me.” Katie swims from Battery Rocks in Penzance at dawn each day, which during winter means submerging into extremely cold, black water. I asked Katie about swimming through the seasons, and whether her routine changes during winter. “I front-crawl swim in the sea all year round. In winter I swim with other people to be safe and as it’s dark first thing, we have waterproof lights and tow floats, it’s an incredible experience! We swim for about 1 minutes, but in summer we will often be in the water for up to an hour, swimming a few miles. I swim with a lovely group of friends that has really grown over the years.”
I swim in open water once or twice a week during winter; these are much-needed moments when they come around. But, as the era of social restrictions and disruption to ‘normal’ life looks set to continue, I wanted to talk with someone for whom cold water swimming is a daily ritual, someone who has committed to the practice over the course of years and can speak of the power of the ocean to support our wellbeing.
How, I ask, does daily sea swimming contribute to her wellbeing “It can be a coping mechanism or a cure for things you’d never dreamt of it helping” replies Katie. “I’ve personally seen it help to heal grief, manage anxiety, low self-esteem and depression. I’ve witnessed it build resilience along with physical and emotional strength, and provide people with comfort, consistency and a sense of belonging.”
Katie Maggs began sea swimming from her home in Penzance five years ago following a burnout breakdown during which she experienced anxiety, fatigue and a feeling of total overload. Reconnecting with her childhood love for the ocean, Katie began swimming every morning, initially a short swim but gradually going further and for
TOP Katie Maggs
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For Katie, the ocean’s healing power lies in the close connection to nature that is offered through wild swimming. “It is the unexplored hidden depths of the sea, its everchanging moods that draw me to it. Daily swimming brought about a newfound respect for the sea and its vast range of marine life that I encounter. I always wear my wide lens goggles as I want to spot wildlife and marvel at the magic land that lies in wait below. “I see such a range of wildlife at dawn when it’s so peaceful and quiet. Each day there’s an array of seabirds such as shags, the odd cormorant and guillemot, terns, sandpipers, curlews, and far out you can often see gannets diving. A heron feeds in the shallows of the rockpools most days. I see a lot of common grey seals which come up on the rocks in pup season. The list is endless really. I’ve watched
dolphins and minke whales, as they tend to take the same routes following the fishing boats early in the morning. My favourite are the wonderful varieties of jellyfish, over the years I’ve photographed crystal jellies, compass, stalked, blue, moon, comb and barrels.” Katie’s proximity to sea life has led her to undertake Marine Mammal Medic Training with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, so she is on call to attend to stranded whales, porpoises, seals and dolphins around the Cornish coast. She is also a member of the Mount’s Bay Marine Group, working to protect and conserve the local marine environment. For Katie this has been a natural extension of her deepening relationship with the ocean, and a chance to give something back.
A B OV E Wild swimming has been life-changing for Katie
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A B OV E Katie, swimming from Battery Rocks
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Katie’s top tips for safe winter swimming: llow our od time to acclimatise especiall i ou are new to wild swimmin cold water shock can otherwise create a panic-like reaction which can restrict reathin In the depths of winter when the water is cold, don t sta in or too lon to minutes ma imum n est in a wetsuit i ou wish to sta in or lon er Don t swim too ar rom shore remem er ou still ha e to ma e the return ourne Chec tides and the suita ilit o the area or swimmin
Tell a riend or amil mem er where ou re oin and chec in with them afterwards Swim with someone else, especially when new to wild swimmin Bring plenty of warm layers to change into afterwards includin ase la ers close to the skin and warm socks, gloves and hat et dr and dressed uic l out o the wind rin a as with a warm drin ou ha e chan ed
or after
Katie also features in a short, BAFTA-nominated film made by Jonathan J Scott that highlights her recovery from anxiety, myaclonic seizures and stress-related burnout through daily dawn swimming in the sea – a link to which can be found on her website tonicofthesea co u
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I was curious to know whether Katie’s own swimming practice had changed during the past year as a consequence of Covid-19. “It was humbling to be able to visit a natural place that was very familiar to me at a time when the world fell quiet. The increase in wildlife as a consequence of less human disturbance was painfully obvious and absolutely remarkable. We saw the return of basking sharks in Mount’s Bay and choughs nesting – both a first in years. Sea birds also arrived at the seafront in their masses.” I asked Katie whether she has noticed a change in the level of interest and engagement in wild swimming over the past year. She replies: “It’s so much busier this year where I swim at Battery Rocks, which is fantastic to see! It is encouraging that so many people are taking it up, utilising the outdoors and giving it a try.”
There is no ‘right’ way to swim in open water – you can wear a wetsuit or a bikini, dip your head under or wear a hat, stay in for two minutes or twenty, swim in the ocean, river, a lake (or even take a cold shower in the morning - my ritual on days when I can’t swim) – yet still experience the same elation, energy and uplift.
I had to ask – Katie’s favourite wild swimming spot “There are so many wonderful places to swim in and around Cornwall, beautiful beaches, incredibly deep hidden tidal pools, but I think Battery Rocks will always be my favourite due to my long-term relationship with it. At dawn it’s like the Serengeti of Penzance! Swimming straight from the rocks into deep water surrounded by so much wildlife with the sun slowly rising over St Michael’s Mount – what more could a girl ask for ”
Hearing Katie’s story has made me reflect upon my own journey with wild swimming. I love to walk and run in the great outdoors, but this is somehow different – hard hitting, immediate, immensely powerful. Perhaps as we swim in cold, wintry water we become at one with nature in a unique and vulnerable way, as we strip back the physical and emotional cocoon of our daily lives and give ourselves up to a moment of presence and vitality. I have been truly inspired by Katie’s journey, I’m determined to commit to more regular open water swims and to tune in to the wildlife that surrounds me. Dawn tomorrow You’ll find me in the sea.
Right now, late winter, as many of us struggle to keep our heads above water in the face of ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, should we seek solace in the sea For me one of the most joyful elements of wild swimming is its inclusiveness, a rare activity that cuts across all ages, genders and abilities, one that can be enjoyed in varying ways by everyone from toddlers right the way through (my mother in her late seventies can still regularly be found submerged in the ocean or a local river).
tiatam l n com ohnherse studio com tonicofthesea co u
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arco2.co.uk
addsc.co.uk
S U S TA I N A B L E A R C H I T EC T U R E SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION
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An island ETHOS WO R D S B Y H A N N A H TA P P I N G
amed after two shipwrec s on Scill hoeni and ro idence s incare adopts a inder more natural approach to nourishment
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TOP Cutting kelp on St Martin’s
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A B OV E Products to nourish the body and soul
11/02/2021 15:50
SU STA I N
In conversation with owner, Ella – an advocate of slow and mindful living – with a Scilly story to tell. Please tell us a little about yourself and how you found yourself on Scilly? Having finished my law degree and spent some time travelling, I was at home in Devon with my parents feeling very jet lagged and wondering what to do next with my life… I saw a seasonal job advertised on Gumtree for a position on a flower farm on St Martin’s for six months. With a view to saving money for my next trip, I thought I’d get in touch and see if they were still looking for anyone. This was in the early hours of the morning and by 9am I had the job! I arrived on St Martin’s in January 2009. Despite it being deepest winter and pretty wild over here, I quickly fell in love with the beautiful place, the pace of life and of course, I should mention the island baker Barney, my now husband!
You currently live on St Martin’s, is this your favourite island? Despite being a small archipelago, all of the islands have their own unique beauty and character. But yes, St Martin’s is of course my favourite! St Martin’s is renowned for being the island with the most beautiful sandy beaches. We also have great friends on the island; it is a very creative and inclusive community.
What is it like to live on Scilly and bring up a young family there? Island living is dictated by the seasons, from the busy tourist period at the height of summer, to the very quiet, short winter days. The tides and weather dictate whether you can boat to the other islands and when and whether the freight boat can arrive. As the natural elements are beyond control, you learn to live in sync with nature, slowing down and going with the flow. Starting a family has rooted me to these special islands even more. My children are constantly sandy, muddy or wet and have such freedom and access to nature that I think they’d be too feral to adapt to mainland life! Being part of a small community, they are used to talking to people of all ages and it is a very nurturing environment for them to grow up in.
What was the inspiration for creating Phoenix and Providence? I don’t have a career background in skincare, but it has always been a passion of mine. I used to spend all of my pocket money in Boots and a lot of time pouring over the beauty pages of magazines. Since having children, I became a lot more aware of using natural products in our home and so started experimenting with making my own skincare products.
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SUSTA I N
When my children were very small, swimming became my place to find some head space, to tune into myself and immerse myself in nature. I began to wonder how I could bottle the feeling. After giving this idea some serious thought, I knew I wanted to make natural products that not only nourished the skin, but also encouraged a moment of self-connection, much like swimming does. Each product has a ‘ritual for use’ breathing exercise you can follow. I truly believe that a few minutes focused on your breath can make a big difference to how you feel in your day. As well as being a readily available and nutrient-rich ingredient, using seaweed also links to the islands’ heritage of kelp burning. Kelp was burned on the islands from around 1680 to the last recorded kelp burning in 1835. The ash from this was then used in glass and soap making. Phoenix and Providence are the name of two shipwrecks sunk on the Isles of Scilly – hoeni in 1680 when the kelp burning began and ro idence in 1833 as the
kelp burning ended. Providence means the protective care of nature as a spiritual power and Phoenix represents the rising from the ashes, quite literally in this case. How did you learn to make the products? I studied for a diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation. This was a great introduction into how to formulate natural products and how to consider which ingredients to use. It also gave me a very useful understanding of the legal requirements and testing for products to be sale ready. How do you harvest the kelp? I harvest the seaweed at low tide from St Martin’s flats which is a few hundred metres from my home. I am very conscious of foraging for seaweed in an ecologically friendly manner, so I use scissors to cut the seaweed, ensuring it can grow back. The variety I harvest is Bladderwrack as it grows plentifully and is the variety used most commonly in the beauty industry. Once I have a wheelbarrow full, I take it home
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W O O D F O R D ARCHITECTURE
INTERIOR DESIGN
We have established a reputation for highly refined design, understanding our clients needs and surpassing our clients expectations. We are proud to have built up a portfolio of some of the finest houses in the West Country. Please contact us at our studios to discuss your project. Princes House, Princes Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2ES Tel: 01872 248924 15 North Street, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7QH Tel: 01364 654888 www.woodfordarchitecture.com
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SU STA I N
oils selected for the body oil are lighter and quickly absorbed by the skin. All ingredients used are organic and from sustainable sources. For the products with a fragrance, I have created individual essential oil blends that are designed to refresh and calm the mind, much like a walk along the beach.
and give it a rinse before laying it out on my purpose-built racks to dry. How are the resulting oils, balms and salts created? Once the seaweed has dried it is either ground to be added to the bath salt mixture or infused in organic, cold-pressed oils. The infusion process takes a full month. The seaweed is then drained, leaving behind a beautiful nutrient rich oil.
understand that you have a passion or wild swimming... When I am in the water I am completely in the moment. I am focussed on how my body feels, how I am moving and what I can see. When I am swimming my controlled breathing is an instant way to calm my parasympathetic nervous system, meaning that whatever has happened in the day washes away. I love being immersed in nature and supported by the sea; you get a real sense of perspective of the world. My favourite place to swim has to be at Little Bay on St Martin’s. Even on the greyest day the sea is always a beautiful colour. There is a plethora of wildlife to keep me company, both above and below the water. It is one of the most peaceful places you will ever find, unless my children are there!
hat are the benefits o using sea eed in skincare? As well has being very hydrating, seaweed is full of vitamins and minerals that are amazing for the skin. It is high in Vitamin C and amino acids that help skin tone and texture, while it’s anti-inflammatory properties from naturally occurring zinc and magnesium, help soothe skin. o do you select the other ingredients I wanted to create a curated collection of skincare and each product is made with carefully selected ingredients depending on its purpose. For example, the addition of sea buckthorn to the Soothe Hand and Body Balm is used for its healing qualities, while the
phoenixandprovidence.co.uk
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B I J O U X
Scents and
SENSIBILITY F
Ladies
ounded by the late Cornish barber and perfumer, William H Penhaligon, each bottle of perfume from Penhaligon’s is still made and bottled in England. The perfumes have been “entertaining English nostrils since 1870” and are far more than a simple scent. The combination of the beautiful bottle design, with their signature toppers, and the exquisite smells that emanate from within make every drop a transportation to the sublime.
T H E F AV O U R I T E ( 1 0 0 M L - £ 1 4 4 ) Waiting won’t do for this lady. She knows exactly what goes on behind Palace doors, and her golden mimosa sways society’s opinion. Her majestic scent of iris and musk greets with a darling smile as she begins to emerge on a sandalwood stage.
LUNA (100ML - £144) The Moon Goddess’ bath is as soothing as it is seductive, much like her eau de toilette. It shines with orange, jasmine, soft rose and fir balsam. Relax. Sink in. Surrender has never felt so sweet.
penhaligons.com
EMPRESSA (100ML - £178) The Empressa leaves an impression. Her eau de parfum is laced with peach, vanilla and shimmering blood orange, as bright and stirring as the dawn. Her smile? Warm, lustrous, and unforgettable.
T H E C OV E T E D D U C H E S S RO S E (75ML - £204) Rose’s coy eau de parfum conceals something more sensual – a hint of musky wood. Alas, the Duke is off gallivanting while his sweet young bride aches with desire. Won’t someone (anyone) release her?
E A RT E M I S I A (100ML - £144) The goddess of the hunt arches her bow, and the forest quivers in anticipation. Lush nectarine, jasmine and violet swim above caramel and creamy vanilla. An eau de parfum sung like a hymn on the skin.
BLUEBELL (100ML - £100) If you go down to the woods today... a fragrant carpet of bluebells awaits. Breathe deep. Citrus, hyacinth, clove. An eau de toilette reminiscent of childhood escapades in the fresh, dewy spring.
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B I J O U X
Gentlemen HALFETI (100ML - £178) So this is love. An intoxicating, mysterious fragrance: vigorous grapefruit, Levantine spice and rose tangle in the moonlight. But what’s that upon the riverbank? Could it be the fabled black rose?
T H E T R AG E DY O F L O R D G E O RG E ( 7 5 M L - £ 2 0 4 ) Do come in, I’m sure we’ve met before... Noble patriarch, paragon of masculine elegance, Lord George welcomes with a scent of shaving soap and warming rum. But what secrets hide behind tradition?
MUCH ADO ABOUT THE DUKE(75ML - £204) The handsome young Duke’s peppery rose fragrance sets hearts aflutter – but not the ones you might think. His wife, the most coveted girl in London, seems not to interest him at all. Fancy that.
BLENHEIM BOUQUET (100ML - £110) What-ho! As dry and fresh as the best gin – or the best of British humour. Lemon, black pepper and pine. This eau de toilette was first created for the Duke of Marlborough, and by jove it shows.
T H E I N I M I TA B L E W I L L I A M PENHALIGON (100ML - £204) I say, Mr Penhaligon himself! He enters in a vetiver haze – warm, fresh and earthy. With a scent this good, there’s no wonder he’s the only trusted perfumer of High Society’s ladies and gents.
E N DY M I O N (100ML - £110) Classical elegance befitting of Zeus’s most handsome son. A sparkle of bergamot dances off suede, coffee and geranium. An eau de cologne for the ages. Who can resist a man such as this?
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Interior Design | Furniture | Homewares | Kitchens | Flooring | Window Dressings
INTERIORS
Everything Home Bringing the finest in European design, right here to Cornwall. Interior Showrooms: Hayle & Wadebridge www.iroka.com
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Bold and
BREWTIFUL WORDS BY LUKE CADDEL
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SUSTA I N
The evolution of Origin; one of the UK’s lon est standin specialit coffee roasters
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support their farm and mill partners directly, giving drinkers full traceability of the coffee in their cup. Wherever possible, they visit the farmers or mill representatives each year – in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Colombia, Brazil – ask questions of and listen to the farmers, to the workers, and to their families. Origin’s partners are committed to environmentally and socially sustainable practices and their coffee program is one of the cornerstones of their B Corp Certification which they received in 2020; the result of a pledge to continue using social and environmental practices as a force for good.
he origin of Origin began over 15 years ago when, in 2004, speciality coffee was a fledgling concept in the UK. The story starts with Tom Sobey, who remains as Origin’s owneroperator. Tom had always been involved in the industry, working for his father’s coffee business growing up. During a trip to Australia in the early noughties, he experienced progressive coffee culture first-hand and so the idea for Origin was born. Now, with a large team of coffee professionals, a worldclass coffee program, six coffee shops and an everevolving product range, Origin sits proudly at the forefront of the speciality coffee industry.
In Tom’s words: “The stories behind each cup stretch across continents and through generations of expertise. It’s our responsibility to share those stories with the drinker. As a Certified B Corporation, we adhere to a gold standard of sustainability.
Origin’s approach to coffee sourcing is through direct trade; a philosophy and ethical practice true to speciality coffee. Through their direct trade practice, they are able to
INSET Tom Sobey, practising the art of cupping
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Sam Firth
TOP Where taste and texture combine
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A B OV E Brewing methods range from the modern to the traditional
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Gary Handley
Jon Attenborough Jon Attenborough Jon Attenborough
TOP LEFT & MIDDLE Coffee sourcing, Columbia
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TOP RIGHT Freda Yuan, Head of Coffee at Origin
A B OV E Left, Loring roasters Right, Scoresby Street
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SU STA I N
Jon Attenborough
It is the only certification that measures a company’s entire social and environmental performance. The B Impact Assessment evaluates how a company’s operations and business model impact their workers, community, environment, and customers. It interrogates everything from supply chains and input materials to charitable giving and employee benefits.” Origin’s B Corp certification is an important validation of who they are and what they do. It also validates their customers’ choice in selecting them to be their coffee partner. “It gives the assurance that when we say we behave sustainably, we do. And they can champion this on to their customers,” adds Tom. Education runs deep at Origin. It ensures a great brew for the customer and that the end cup of coffee does justice to everything that’s come before it. Great training also means empowered baristas, great service and longer-term staff. The education team are all Speciality Coffee Association SCA accredited professionals and offer the full SCA Coffee Diploma with modules in Barista Skills, Brewing and Sensory Skills. Courses are taught from training labs in London and Cornwall, as well as on-site to wholesale customers nationwide.
and ethically-sourced speciality alongside delicious food.
coffee,
The latest shop, Scoresby Street opened in 2019 as a London hub for their operations. It’s tucked away beneath the distinct railway arches and is a stone’s throw from Southwark Station. The interior is designed by former Product Designer of the Year and longstanding partner, Anna Hart. It has a raw, industrial influence which is combined with layered materials – from distressed timber to exquisite Terrazo tiles. This is paired with warm finishes including earth-toned ceramics, which create an inviting space that feels relaxed and intimate.
In order to brew great coffee, wholesale customers need their machinery to run smoothly. In response to this, Origin has a nationwide network of La Marzocco-trained technicians, alongside workshops in London and Cornwall. The team are on-hand for services and callouts to ensure against downtime, meaning their customers can brew all day, every day. As well as supplying coffee to caf s, restaurants and brew houses across the UK, Origin have six coffee shops of their own in Cornwall and London, including two locations at The British Library. These spaces all embrace beautiful interior design and revolutionary technical equipment, to showcase expertly-roasted
The impressive interior houses various furnishings, including handmade wooden stools by Falmouth-based designer, Felix McCormack. Using a single board of Olive Ash sourced from Tregothnan Estate in Cornwall, Felix wanted to achieve “an elegant, and minimal silhouette” with the two-toned pattern in the grain. This attention to detail throughout the entire design process is reflected in so many aspects of Origin’s shops, showcasing work by so many talented designers and makers across all locations.
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Rhona McDade
TOP The new roastery taking shape
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A B OV E The interior concept for the roastery
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SU STA I N
Front of house will feature a coffee shop and ten dispensers from ero Waste Dispensers in Belgium, which visitors can use to sample and purchase the freshest roast of the entire roster of mainstay, feature, decaf, and rare special edition coffees.
Although Origin is a UK-wide business, its heart still very much lies in Helston, Cornwall, which has been home to their roastery operations since 2011. Many of the Origin team live in the local area and have a fondness for the town’s unique character. As the company has grown, and with the aim to give back to the team and the wider community, a brand new roastery is under construction in the nearby fishing town of Porthleven – home to Origin’s first coffee shop. The town attracts global attention for its food and drink scene and annual food festival. It also boasts a beautiful beach and popular footpaths, whilst the infamous winter storms provide spectacular views over the harbour.
The interior has been designed by Megan Sadler, who previously worked on the refurbishment of the Charlotte Road shop’s seating area, creating a raw and industrial feel, with low-fi materials, steel racking and CNC units for the technical rooms and kitchen. Within the customer-facing areas you will be able to catch glimpses of the process and machinery through a vast window wall, with the bar and bespoke furniture reflecting this craftsmanship and detail.
The new roastery will have a contemporary workspace, coffee shop, training facility, and an external area that will host a series of events and pop-ups for all to enjoy at the weekend. In addition to organised events, there will also be a range of training on offer – from professional courses teaching barista skills and sensory analysis to enthusiast courses for improved latte art and home brewing. This wonderful space is the result of over 1 years of experience, which started with a central ethos to source exceptional coffee through a sustainable, triple bottom line approach.
The lighting is from Skinflint, Europe’s leading vintage industrial lighting site, who also happen to be neighbours to Origin’s Penryn shop, The Warehouse. Skinflint scours locations across the world to source and restore unique and historic vintage lights. Manufactured in the era from 1920 to 1970, and originally utilised in a wide variety of industrial environments, these lighting fixtures provide a welcome synergy in the customer-facing shop, to the more industrial roastery operations in the neighbouring warehouse.
Powered by a perfect blend of passion, precision, curiosity and caffeine, the new roastery is where knowledge and instinct will unite. A relentless pursuit of quality dominates each aspect of Origin’s approach and they understand the importance of maintaining and highlighting this when roasting. It will feature state-of-the-art production and quality control facilities. It will also allow the continuation of Origin’s work with Loring Smart Roast to constantly monitor the controlled atmosphere and consistent roasting capabilities, whilst saving up to 80 fuel and reducing greenhouse gases in every roast, compared to conventional roasters.
The new roastery will be so much more than just a building though; it will bring together many elements, from designers, makers, roasters and baristas and will act as a communal hub, not only for Origin’s dedicated team but also for Cornwall’s wider coffee community. We’re looking forward to waking up and smelling the coffee very soon! ori incoffee co u me an sadler com
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B I J O U X
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3. 4.
The finer
THINGS T
here is a piece of fine jewellery for every occasion, and that can be as formal, or informal, as you like. Such pieces can work with your favourite summer wardrobe as well as they can with your most regal gown. Some items have a personal story or sentimental value, and are only worn occasionally. Others commemorate occasions or achievements, and so we carry them with us, wherever we go. Whatever your reason for wearing, here are just a few of the gorgeous items available from Michael Spiers.
5.
michaelspiers.co.uk Prices may vary according to model and size.
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18CT YELLOW GOLD DIAMOND NECKLACE - 1, 00
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18CT WHITE GOLD DIAMOND EARRINGS - 1,2 0
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18CT YELLOW GOLD DIAMOND EARRINGS - 1,2 0
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18CT WHITE GOLD DIAMOND NECKLACE - 2, 9
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18CT YELLOW GOLD DIAMOND S TA R E A R R I N G S - 1 , 1 9
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18CT WHITE GOLD DIAMOND D RO P E A R R I N G S - 2 , 0
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18CT YELLOW GOLD DIAMOND RING - 2,99
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18CT WHITE GOLD DIAMOND RING - 2,99
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10. 18CT WHITE GOLD DIAMOND S TA R E A R R I N G S - 1 , 1 9
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UNIQUE / INSPIRED / CURATED / COASTAL
Forever Cornwall is looking for more unique coastal retreats for its Luxury Collection. For a personal conversation please contact abby@forevercornwall.co.uk / 01326 567838.
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Turning
INWARDS WORDS BY
JENNIFER HANNIBAL
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IMAGES BY JOHN HERSEY
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SO U L
Taking charge of mental wellness by exploring a new relationship to ourselves.
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and multitasking it’s not surprising we are living in a mental health crisis, not to mention how the current social restrictions have added weight. Mindfulness-based meditation is a formal training of attention that can enable us to switch from the busyness-ofdoing mode into the nourishment-of-being mode appropriately, rather than being stuck in frantic mode having to rely on sleeping apps, alcohol, drugs or medication.
hat’s your impulse when you hear the word mindfulness? Do you recoil a little or perhaps your ears prick up with interest? The ‘m’ word sure has some buzz about it; every man and his dog leaping on the bandwagon to prey on the poor word and suck it dry of any integrity it once had. Caught in the crossfire between me and myself, my mind, like a puppy, has run off with the ball and is so far out of sight that recall isn’t even an option. My only ammunition a whistle attached to my keys; I blow with hope that she [said puppy] chooses to listen. She doesn’t the first few times, but with some practice she starts to come back. Over time, it gets easier and easier and soon she comes with just the sound of my keys being pulled from my sandy pocket.
Have you ever been driving your car and all of a sudden, snap, you wake up from some dream land where you still managed to safely drive your car with no recollection of how? Welcome to autopilot. I’m not here to demonise our finely evolved autopilot that permits us to function magnificently as humans however, I am here to tell it to back off! Our incredible physiology is so intelligent that it allows us to fully function without having to be aware of all of our processes at once. How do you regulate your blood pressure? The oxygen in your blood? Your heart beat? The answer is, you don’t. The body does it for you, amongst so many other wonderful things.
Throw the mind a ball and it will happily run off with purpose but, when the time comes to relinquish the ball, it’s not quite so willing. Our attention, like the puppy, must be trained; we cannot expect a puppy to know how to behave. In a world that rewards distraction
INSET Jennifer Hannibal
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A B OV E Bringing mindful attention to ordinary activity
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Present moment awareness is an elusive little minx that quite often slips us by if we don’t actively pay it any attention. We get present moment brownie points by retrieving our attention from either worrying about the future or dwelling in the past. Where is your mind now? Is it reading this article? Or half thinking about lunch or work? Being fully in the moment isn’t something that comes naturally, not to most anyway, and so certainly is not easy.
However, sometimes our autopilot can get a little greedy and start messing with our mental processes; queue anxiety, insomnia, depression and the like. So, how do we take the power back from our modern world, AI-type brains and keep autopilot in check? You guessed it; the ‘m’ word. Let’s start by fighting back at a world based in instant gratification by strengthening our focus. The puppy mind loves to get wrapped up in chasing our thoughts off into the distance, but have you ever spent time watching this happen? A common misconception of meditation is to ‘empty our minds’, when actually in mindfulness-based meditation, we spend time acknowledging where the mind has gone and choosing not to get involved. So, mind wandering is actually a part of the meditation. This is the golden moment where we can strengthen our focus by choosing to escort the mind back to the body and the breath which reside in the present moment.
Traditionally meditators are thought of as sitting for hours on end in what seems like torturous positions, but, more progressively now, you can choose to meditate in whatever position is right for you. In modern times, we are now sitting on evidence-based tools and techniques that are universal in application to allow everyone access to cultivating awareness; no religion required. The liberation of the present moment is available to all, as mindfulness has no interest in what faith you follow but only wishes to convert you to contentedness. The breath and the body always reside in the present moment and so are used as an anchor for our wandering minds to seek refuge from our imaginary concerns. No gods, deity, charms or chants; a form of self-care that can be blended with any tradition and flow alongside our ambitions, keeping us steady. As we spend more time in the present it starts to become apparent that the present moment is all we truly have, and that life is just an accumulation of these moments. If we do our best in this moment, perhaps all the other moments will take care of themselves. What is mindfulness? Perhaps the question should be: where is mindfulness? It can be found in any ordinary activity.
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SO U L
Being mindful doesn’t have to be some grand picturesque gesture of sitting cross-legged under a peach tree but instead, whatever activity you choose to bring your mindful attention to. Washing the dishes, drinking a cup of tea, brushing your teeth. Be fully present with the physical sensations in your body, use all of your senses to track the activity you are doing as it shows up in the body; wash the dishes to actually wash the dishes, rather than thinking about dessert or what’s on Netflix. Bringing our mindful attention to any ordinary activity brings it to life again. We wake up from the autopilot of our wandering mind and become engrossed in what we are actually doing in the present. Not only do we start to find pleasure in simplicity but also develop a grander understanding of our inner nature. We notice more, feel more and in turn understand ourselves more; leading to an authentic baseline from which we can choose how to proceed. Mindfulness makes choice a conscious activity, whether that is choosing our breakfast or our life partner. From choice comes freedom and from freedom comes potential; your infinite potential to slip into your most authentic skin, which is ready and waiting to be embraced.
in the knowledge that it is only temporary, it too will pass. Mindfulness teaches us a way of lessening our craving for pleasant things and our aversion to unpleasant things. It teaches us to become comfortable with the uncomfortable. To be able to consciously ride the waves of our lives, through the peaks and the troughs.
Don’t take my word for it though! Try it for yourself, then try it again, and again and again. Play with it, don’t take it too seriously. Laugh at yourself, cry with yourself, whatever you’re feeling, know that there is no right or wrong way to feel; it’s all part of being gloriously human. Mindfulness gives us a technique to develop an awareness that can help us to hold all the weather of our lives; to acknowledge the pain, fear, worry, joy, hope, gratitude, and whatever else you may be feeling in this moment, and then rest
So, what is mindfulness, you ask? Mindfulness is not a spiritual practice but instead an invitation to fall awake to life, moment by moment; a practical approach to living life consciously. Jen teaches Mental Hygiene privately and corporately. Follow Jen @mentalhygiene.jen or enquire through mentalhygiene.co.uk. mentalhygiene.co.uk
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BESPOKE CURTAINS AND BLINDS HANDMADE IN CORNWALL CURTAINS, BLINDS, SHUTTERS, UPHOLSTERY, CUSHIONS, HEADBOARDS, CARPETS & PAINTS. INTERIOR DESIGN, MEASURING & FITTING SERVICE. mail@cotton-mills.co.uk www.cotton-mills.co.uk
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Country house
HOTEL CHIC
WO R D S B Y H A N N A H TA P P I N G
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R E T R E AT
A riverside haven in a busy world, where authentic quality makes for the sweetest of dreams.
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this year’s visitors have been restricted to the squirrels, hawks and deer that can be seen meandering the hotel’s grounds; it’s set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so there’s plenty of meandering for them to do!
The hotel has been privately owned by the Barlow family since 1987 and under the watchful eye of Martin Barlow since 2000. June 2020 would have been Martin’s 20th anniversary of taking the reins from his mother and father, and this family approach is nothing new to Budock Vean, which has been independently run as a hotel for just shy of 90 years. Covid restrictions mean that celebrations have had to be placed on pause for now, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t appreciate the beauty and authenticity of the hotel from afar, ready for when stays can resume. The lockdowns have seen the grounds, maintenance and reception teams remain on site, keeping things ticking over whilst we wait for a re-opening date to be announced. Thus far,
Budock Vean is rooted in history, a subject recently studied by a History MA student in conjunction with nearby Falmouth University. Extracted from the research we learn that: “Budock Vean has operated as a successful country house hotel since 1933 when it was first opened by Eddie Pilgrim and Harry B. Parkinson after an extensive renovation. With its sprawling grass and woodland views, its unique position beside the Helford River, and its peaceful seclusion from urban life, Budock Vean has long been an admired beauty spot. Budock Vean Hotel, first appeared in The Sphere’s register of British Hotels in October 1933. The new hotel was eagerly anticipated, with hopes that its golf and tennis facilities would attract tourists to Falmouth, and that its development would make the district more accessible.”
eautifully tucked away in private grounds covering some 65 acres of golf course, parkland and sub-tropical gardens leading down to a private foreshore on the Helford River, Budock Vean is a family-run, four-star, country house hotel with friendly, high quality service at its heart.
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TOP The hotel’s riverside location is exquisite
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A B OV E One of the self-catering holiday homes
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R E T R E AT
Your arrival will take you down a picture perfect, private, tree-lined drive, which gently delivers you to the front of the building with its soft stonework, slate and wonderful planting. Enter into the main hall and you get the first sense that the hotel seamlessly blends the old with the new. The décor and furniture are modern yet delightfully comfy and welcoming, decorated with pieces and paintings from local artists capturing the spirit of the area. A short stroll through the gardens and past the various wildlife ponds takes you to the hotel’s foreshore on the Helford River. You’ll see the outside changing rooms from the 1950s, reminiscent of days gone by and a wonderful suntrap. At high tide there are fish to be seen as well as the odd seal and often kayakers paddling quietly by. A partnership with local company, Koru Kayaking, offers the chance to explore the river directly from the hotel by kayak or you might opt for a more leisurely trip out on the water aboard the hotel’s river boat, the Hannah Molly. Exploring the coves, secret beaches and creeks including Frenchman’s Creek the inspiration, of course, for Daphne Du Maurier’s novel of the same name, makes for a day on the water like no other.
“After opening, Budock ean hotel was awarded AA, RAC, Hotel and Restaurant Association, Wine and Food Society recommendations, and received praise in the press. In 193 , Harry Parkinson moved back to London leaving Eddie Pilgrim to further develop the hotel, adding extra bedrooms and private suites. It was during this time, in May 1936, that esteemed writer Virginia Woolf stayed at the hotel whilst on holiday.” With such an illustrious history and clientele, the hotel has always exuded authentic quality. There is a genuine mix of modern, yet traditional, service that is seamlessly blended with a family feel, putting guests at ease. Everyone is made to feel welcome and comfortable. In spite of its grandeur, unrivalled location and luxury interiors there are no airs and graces here. Budock Vean’s ethos is to make all who visit feel wonderfully at home and relaxed; which is what you want, whether you’re on a holiday, staying a few days or just escaping for a day.
As well as messing about on the river, the hotel is home to a 15m indoor pool complete with a huge log fire and one of the most impressive ceilings going. An outdoor hot tub overlooks the top of the gardens and the terrace, a perfect spot for lunch or drinks. There are two outdoor tennis courts, a full-size snooker room and, of course, the golf course; a lush, nine-hole, 18 tee parkland course designed by five-times Open winner James Braid. The hotel’s Natural Health Spa offers a warm welcome and treatments using Elemis
INSET Treat yourself to a long lie-in with a room service breakfast
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A B OV E Wherever you are in the hotel you will find luxury at every turn
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R E T R E AT
travelling solo for work, looking for a place for a team to hunker down and work together or searching for somewhere to stay after working locally, Budock Vean is ‘just the job’ as they say in these parts. Its very location inspires creative thinking and winding down in equal measure.
products, what better way to relax than with a secluded, get-away-from-it-all kind of escape. At Budock Vean you can while away your days without ever having to leave the hotel grounds. If you’re staying a while, then there are 55 bedrooms to choose from, in addition to four traditional self-catering properties and three, new build holiday homes, with plans to build more. The bespoke, architect-designed holiday homes offer the best of both worlds; as an investment and a bolthole to escape to. The hotel takes care of housekeeping, bookings and marketing on behalf of the owners so you are assured the same quality and welcome whatever accommodation you select. Over recent years, there has been huge investment in the refurbishment of the hotel, the most recent of which being the restaurant which was totally transformed in February 2020, just before the first lockdown.
As with any business venue – which feels a somewhat incongruous word to describe this workplace wonderland, as it’s far less a venue, and more a sanctuary – meeting rooms are essential. Budock Vean has three, each with built-in presentation and meeting technology. There are also a range of breakout spaces and lounges, with the option to use meeting rooms as business suites, plenty of free parking and a helipad. Whatever your reason for visiting Budock Vean, there is no doubt that you’ll be in safe hands. The fact that it has been family-run for over 30 years means that you’ll always get the very best when it comes to service, setting and style
It’s not just holidays that Budock Vean caters for. The hotel also offers a place to make business a pleasure. Whether you’re
budockvean.co.uk
LEFT The perfect setting for your wedding in Cornwall
A B OV E A signature room in the Old Wing
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We are the cornish experts
Britannia Lanes of Cornwall have a dedicated team to assist you in planning and moving your personal effects from one home to another. We have a wealth of experience.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me at mark.lane@britannialanes.co.uk or by calling my team on 01872 560147. We are here to help. Video Surveys Available
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C O M M E N T
Sails unfurled
BY JONATHAN CUNLIFFE
rime propert a ent Jonathan Cunliffe contemplates wh the south coast is a must or an sailin enthusiast see in to relocate to the Duch
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he south Cornish coast is one of the best playgrounds in the UK for the keen sailor. Indeed, I have been fortunate to sail (in my younger racing days!) in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, but when the weather is on our side, there is nowhere better than Cornwall, particularly Falmouth Bay, or indeed St Austell Bay. Fowey is the narrowest estuary, but has deep water up to Goland, two active sailing clubs, and immediate access to St Austell Bay, with the ‘Cornish Alps’ in the background! Falmouth Harbour is the third largest natural harbour in the world, and this means that when it’s rough out in the bay, the Carrick Roads will instead provide safe, enjoyable sailing in most conditions, with good width between the eastern shore of the Roseland peninsula and the western bank of the Trefusis Estate. In addition to the yacht marinas, there are several active sailing clubs, with an excellent youth scene at St Mawes, a striking new contemporary clubhouse now under construction for Flushing Sailing Club, and the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club with its listed club house opposite. Across the bay to the west is the beautiful Helford estuary, untouched by shipping or industry and a haven for wildlife and messing
about in boats. Frenchman’s Creek – made famous by Daphne Du Maurier in her book of the same name – is just one of several wooded creeks leading into the river. Not to be confused, Helford Village is the cluster of cottages (along with a thatched pub) on the south side of the river, while Helford Passage (along with another pub!) is on the north side. In all there are two sailing clubs, and always lots of activity on the water throughout the summer. When I was growing up, The Solent was considered the centre of UK yachting, but things have changed. Now, Falmouth constantly steals the limelight, with Tall Ship Races, Round the World records, J-Class regattas, and of course, the regular launchings at Pendennis – one of the world’s leading builders of super and mega yachts. Not only that, Rustler Yachts and Cockwells – both prestigious boatbuilders – have each forged their reputations on the very banks of the river Fal. So yes, the south Cornish coast is now recognised as a yachting ‘Mecca’ by many, and given the natural environment and easy tides, I suppose it should come as no surprise, particularly to those of us who have always ranked it as our favourite place to sail on the planet. onathancunliffe co u
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P RO P E RT Y
SPLENDID living
This private and handsome home with distinct Victorian character is located at the end of The Avenue – one of Truro’s most desirable addresses.
A
sweeping driveway and wellestablished gardens make a very attractive backdrop, and an even better first impression, especially given the spacious double garage that has planning permission for the creation of additional accommodation. Through the entrance and into the hallway and the fabulous staircase immediately takes centre stage, leading up to the first floor with its four good-sized bedrooms. Go up another level and a further two bedrooms can be found, served by a large, well-appointed bathroom. The living space features a generous sitting room with a lovely bay window and fireplace, a separate sun room, and even a snug, which would make the perfect home office. The kitchen is nicely appointed too, with a central peninsula and traditional Aga making it at once practical and social. Add to all of this its proximity to the city and all of the amenities it has to offer, and Lynn Allen becomes a home that, for those seeking to strike the perfect balance between city and sea, really needs to be seen. LYNN ALLEN OFFERS OVER: £1.1M ROHRS & ROWE 01872 306360 info@rohrsandrowe.co.uk
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P RO P E RT Y
GEORGIAN elegance
This grand period residence lies close to Truro in the heart of the Cornish countryside.
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revella sits in around 14 acres of gardens, with approximately nine bedrooms in the main residence, plus a further two-bedroom guest cottage. Ideally situated roughly halfway between the dramatic cliffs and long sandy beaches of the north coast, and the sheltered estuaries and wooded creeks of the south, despite its private rural setting, Trevella is the perfect residence for anyone needing regular access to London between times spent exploring the beauty of Cornwall.
The house is accessed by an impressive winding drive, which teases you with glimpses of the home as you approach. When you arrive, you’re met with its classic Georgian façade. Perfect proportions and elegant windows define the exterior, making first impressions of this home truly outstanding. Cross the threshold and the porch leads through to an entrance hall, with parquet flooring and an open fireplace. Next is the central reception hall, which leads off to the main family living and reception rooms. A large sitting room with an open fireplace and woodburner welcomes anybody seeking a moment’s quiet reflection, offering lovely views over the lawns to the woodland beyond.
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P RO P E RT Y
Behind the dining room is the fabulous family kitchen and breakfast room. This has been the subject of a sympathetic extension into the rear courtyard, allowing plenty of space for both cooking and entertaining. Shaker style cabinetry, stone worktops and engineered flooring make this space a delight to spend time in, with floor-to-ceiling windows at the rear flooding the room with light. There are a total of nine bedrooms across the first and second floors. Two separate staircases lead from the first to the second, where there is also further living and storage space, whilst a third staircase descends to the ground floor entrance hall. Outside, as well as a range of outbuildings including a traditional stone barn – currently used for garaging, storage and a workshop – you’ll also find The Garden Cottage. Completely and stylishly renovated in 2017, this two-bedroom guesthouse now offers a large open-plan kitchen and sitting room, with two-en-suite bedrooms. All of this nestles in 14 gorgeous acres of gardens, bluebell wood, herbaceous borders and paddocks, with extensive views over the neighbouring countryside. Especially spectacular in the spring, this is a wonderful place to be throughout the year, and the perfect opportunity for a family looking to relocate to rural Cornwall whilst retaining easy travel links with the rest of the UK.
TREVELLA MANOR Guide price: £2.5M JONATHAN CUNLIFFE 01326 617447 office@jonathancunliffe.co.uk
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P RO P E RT Y
Seaside
CONTEMPORARY A selection of fabulous apartments, right at the ocean’s edge.
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ith holiday homes almost completely booked up for 2021, and news that Cornwall is hosting the G7 summit, staycations in Cornwall have soared. John Bray & Partners are selling these turn-key three-bedroom apartments right on the beach front in new Polzeath that could provide the perfect solution for your holiday dilemma, with guaranteed holiday letting income when you're not using them. There are currently six available, boasting high spec builds, contemporary interiors and bi-fold doors allowing you to make the most of the incredible sea views. There is also the added benefit of having a cli op bar and kitchen right on your doorstep! The Atlantic Polzeath, on the ground floor, offers food and drink from the Harbour Brewing Company, with indoor and outdoor dining options, including a large, twotier terrace – perfect for watching the sun set. If you’re hoping to capitalise on Cornwall’s growing staycation market, these wonderful first and second floor apartments – just moments from the famed sand and surf of Pozleath – need seeing to be believed. ATLANTIC HOUSE APARTMENTS Guide price: £895,000 – £1.1M JOHN BRAY & PARTNERS 01208 862801 sales@johnbrayllp.co.uk www.johnbraysales.co.uk
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P RO P E RT Y
GORGEOUS country residence
A clever conversion of a former cluster of barns with far-reaching countryside views, all on the edge of the stunning Roseland peninsula.
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hurchtown Farm comprises a gorgeous main residence and two beautiful one-bedroom cottages, all in an exceptionally private setting with astonishing views of the countryside. Sat on the edge of the pretty village of St Ewe, Churchtown Farm Barn creates a wonderful first impression from the moment you pull up to the broad parking area. The countryside vista is enough to take your breath away, especially on a spring morning as the mist gradually dissipates and reveals the rolling patchwork of fields around you. This feeling of awe only continues as you step inside, its accommodation immediately apparent as both charming and versatile. The kitchen – perfectly positioned at the heart of the main house – opens seamlessly into the dining area, offering a brilliantly social space with ample room for budding chefs to manoeuvre. Perfect for entertaining, with a gorgeous four-oven Aga, this space envelopes you in a feeling of farmhouse warmth, especially during the winter. There is also access from the kitchen/diner to the sunny courtyard, perfect for hosting barbeques in the summer. Another real feature of the main residence is the stunning sitting room, its high vaulted ceiling and exposed trusses continuing that ‘house in the country’ vibe. There are a total of four bedrooms, three of which can be found on the ground floor, along with the family bathroom. The master
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bedroom is on the first floor; currently set out with a dressing room and en-suite shower room, this suite could easily be reconfigured to offer two bedrooms, depending on your needs. It even has its own balcony, allowing moments of quiet reflection as you soak up your surroundings. Outside, set out in the courtyard to the rear, you’ll find two gorgeous onebedroom cottages. Named ‘Daisy’ and ‘Ermintrude’, both are exceptionally well finished, with stylish interiors and clever configurations that ensure privacy from the main residence. Daisy benefits from an additional, separate garden room, which would make an ideal office space for anyone working from home. Ermintrude, meanwhile, has a very clever layout that includes a loft room, used occasionally as a child’s bedroom. This, of course, represents a potentially useful stream of additional income, but for a growing family, this would also suit a dependant relative in need of their own space. However you choose to utilise these two gorgeous cottages, when you bring the entire ensemble together at Churchtown Farm, the result is quite simply staggering. Not only is there ample space and a wonderful sense of privacy with unbeatable rural views, the property is also within easy reach of everything Cornwall has to offer, including the stunning and highly coveted Roseland peninsula. CHURCHTOWN FARM BARN OFFERS OVER: £1.1M ROHRS & ROWE 01872 306360 info@rohrsandrowe.co.uk
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Daisy Cottage
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P RO P E RT Y
On the
WATER For anybody with sailing interests at heart, thanks to its spectacular waterside position, this is arguably one o almouths nest homes
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ight, spacious and arranged over three floors, the accommodation here spans approximately seven bedrooms, including a self-contained two-bedroom apartment. An attractive open-plan living space on the second floor, with serene views across the water, makes spending time at home a genuine pleasure. The same can be said for the charming enclosed Mediterranean style courtyard garden, and when the weather’s inclement, a delightful heated indoor swimming pool makes light work of those otherwise dull rainy afternoons. For those craving time on the water, Britons Slip comes with its own ‘L’ shaped pontoon – a reminder of its maritime history that dates back to the 17th century. With interior space that well surpasses what you might expect from the outside, this ‘toes in the water’ home is a dream for those with a need to be by the sea. uite literally on the harbour’s edge, with some of the UK’s finest sailing waters on its doorstep, opportunities such as this rarely find their way to Cornwall’s open market. BRITONS SLIP GUIDE PRICE: £3.5M JONATHAN CUNLIFFE 01326 617447 office@jonathancunliffe.co.uk
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P RO P E RT Y
PERIOD charm
aila le or the rst time in ears is this charmin and imposin ei ht edroom period home
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estled in eight acres of its own grounds, which include stables, garaging, tennis courts and gorgeous mature gardens, and being just a short drive away from some of Cornwall’s most renowned hotspots, Trevellan enjoys the best of coast and country. Well proportioned, with many original features throughout, the accommodation is set out across two floors. The bedrooms are all found on the first floor and are all of generous sizes, including the fabulous master bedroom with its en-suite bathroom. Downstairs, the current layout includes a sitting room/snug, leading into a large dining room, as well as a kitchen, scullery and walk-in pantry. There is also a bar room, complete with an electric fire, and an inviting conservatory with views over the gardens – perfect for anybody who enjoys quiet, contemplative moments to themselves. Adjacent to this quiet space is the living room, with French doors opening out onto the beautiful gardens. Whilst the accommodation retains great integrity, Trevellan does represent a significant opportunity for refurbishment, and with so much room to play with and so many options when it comes to layouts on both floors, one can only imagine the difference that a little modernisation could make.
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P RO P E RT Y
The property is accessed via a long, sweeping drive. The grounds extend to approximately eight acres, and with a mix of mature gardens and meadows, plus a tennis court, useful garaging space and stores, again, there are endless possibilities for how a family might utilise the space here. Trevellan sits on the edge of St Teath, a charming Cornish village that retains a strong sense of local community, with a village shop, post office, primary school, butchers, a café and a pub. Wadebridge – the ever popular market town on the banks of the Camel Estuary – is just eight miles away, providing a wider range of leisure and shopping amenities. The wider north Cornwall area, as a whole, is a mecca for anybody seeking to lead the dream Cornish lifestyle. Here, an abundance of nationally acclaimed (and celebrity owned) restaurants, renowned sailing waters, superb watersports facilities, and ruggedly beautiful coastline combine to form a lifestyle that, after almost a year of lockdowns and restrictions on our lives, most of us can’t help but dream about.
TREVELLAN O.I.E.O £995,000 JOHN BRAY & PARTNERS 01208 862801 sales@johnbrayllp.co.uk www.johnbraysales.co.uk
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P RO P E RT Y
BEST OF
both worlds A stunning brand-new home on the edge of Cornwall’s cathedral city, Truro.
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hile this gorgeous new home is called ‘Acorn Lodge’, that word really belies the scale of the accommodation it has to offer. In fact, the house is extremely spacious, extending to just over 231 square metres, and from the inside out, it has been beautifully designed. Outside, natural materials are incorporated including stone, slate and timber, and on the inside, these are matched by delightfully contemporary interiors – understated and neutral, allowing you to easily put your own mark on the living spaces. All rooms are well proportioned, with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the living space with light. The large kitchen, walk-in larder and utility room that branches off it, provides plenty of room for anybody who likes to really engage their culinary skills. Surrounded by countryside atop the Kenwyn alley, the spires of Truro cathedral can be seen in the distance. With a sense of seclusion from the madding crowd, but with easy access to the amenities of Cornwall’s capital, the lifestyle on offer at Acorn Lodge is one that the recent pandemic has left many of us yearning for. ACORN LODGE Guide price: £995,000 PHILIP MARTIN 01872 242244 Sales@philip-martin.co.uk
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I N SPI R AT I O N
Coastal ENVY
Many of us dream of owning our own ‘lock up and leave’ property by the sea, one to which we can retreat whenever the mood strikes. Knowing that your holiday home is there, waiting for you to arrive and relax, is a real comfort, especially as our everyday lifestyles become increasingly hectic. And, as you might expect, what a lot of people tend to look for in such properties is close proximity to the coast. Apartment 3 at Bredon Court is a fine example – just moments from the waters of the north Cornish coast, within easy reach of one of Cornwall’s top seaside destinations. Surrounded by low maintenance gardens, with access via Newquay Golf Course to the sands of Fistral beach below, Bredon Court is a popular development among those hoping to reap the rewards of all the lifestyle benefits available in one of Cornwall’s most popular destinations. Within mere minutes of the water, the pace of life in Newquay is at once laid back and exciting. Trendy bars and cafés line the streets, as do a plethora of independent and high-street stores, and with easy travel links to Cornwall’s cathedral city, Truro, as well as Cornwall Airport Newquay offering connections to London and wider Europe, it’s the perfect destination for those who need to travel, but also wish to have almost immediate access to the coast when they decide it’s time for a break.
Included in this fabulous property, which is available through David Ball Luxury Collection for offers in excess of 2 ,000, is allocated parking in the securely-gated car park, a lockable storage unit, and access to the gorgeous but low-maintenance gardens that surround the development. Inside, there are three double bedrooms of coastal accommodation, with unobstructed views across the golf course and the ocean beyond. A private balcony from the master suite is the perfect spot to unwind after the day’s adventures – or for those seeking a moment’s quiet reflection – and with a generous kitchen that opens out into an even more spacious living/dining room, there’s plenty of space for everybody to spread out after a day spent outdoors. From the living room, French doors open out onto another balcony, which is perfect for evenings spent entertaining, or perhaps for a romantic cocktail as the sun goes down. However you choose to utilise your space – be it as a place to unwind after a day spent shopping, surfing, or sunbathing on the beach, or a sanctuary in which to escape the madding crowd – Apartment 43 epitomises the ‘lock up and leave’ dream that so many of us share. davidball-luxury.co.uk
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NAU T I C A L
Classic
CRUISING Developed using environmentallyfriendly technologies, processes, and materials the Rush 39 combines green credentials without compromise.
N
ew to the superyacht tender/day boat market, the team at Rush Yachts has developed the breathtaking Rush 39, drawing on experience from building and refitting some of the most well-known superyachts in the world. The drive behind this newly-launched Cornish business was a desire to be a part of the advancement of the marine industry’s green accreditation and future sustainability. With a shift in people’s conscious efforts to reduce their environmental impact whilst still enjoying the luxuries of owning their own boat, the Rush 39 offers a unique and sustainable package to those currently available within the superyacht tender and day boat range. Exploiting the full exterior beam of the boat, there is a spacious exterior whilst internally, the natural shape of the Rush 39 gives an unrivalled volume for its overall size. Natural light floods in through the large hull windows and skylights, offering ocean views on all sides. The latest Volvo Penta IPS engine, with integrated generators gives an operating fuel reduction of up to 25% and also charges a 20kw battery bank so you can enjoy sitting at anchor or staying overnight without the need to run a diesel engine. Natural fibre, bio resins, recycled core materials and sustainable timber are used in the hull and deck construction, creating the ultimate, green cruiser of the future.
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bespoke stone design + supply
LARGEST RANGE OF NATURAL STONE, SINTERED STONE & QUARTZ IN THE SOUTH WEST
Kitchen Worktops | Sinks & Bathrooms | Sills & Hearths | Flooring Rural Workshops, Higher Bochym, Cury Cross Lanes, Helston, Cornwall TR12 7AZ
APPOINTMENTS ONLY
01326 241111 sales@dukestoneofcornwall.co.uk dukestoneofcornwall.co.uk
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of Salt the
EARTH WORDS BY LUCY STUDLEY
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QU E N C H
Welcome to The Driftwood Spars a landmar pu and rewer on the ru ed north Cornish coast
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t Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes, land and sea meet in dramatic fashion. Mine ruins top the noble, precipitous cliffs, and winter storms regularly send waves crashing up the slipway. In the summer months the cove becomes a busy with beach-goers, queues for the ice cream parlour and apr s surf sun-downers. Throughout the year intrepid walkers come to conquer this stretch of coast path, and are surprised and delighted to find they have descended into a nationally renowned enclave of beer appreciation. For Trevaunance is home to The Driftwood Spars and a piece of hallowed ground on the rugged north Cornish coast dedicated to the craft and enjoyment of beer. A large independent freehouse with 1 bedrooms, the pub has weathered many a
storm in its long history. Its name derives from the huge spars which support the roof, which were salvaged from shipwrecks in the 1 0s. It had been a tin mining warehouse, a chandlery, a sail loft and a fish cellar at various periods, before being converted to a hotel and bar in the early 1900s. In the year 2000 a brewery was established just across the road, and a symbiotic relationship flourished in the cove. There can be few pubs with such an enviable set-up. Louise Treseder, Landlady of The Driftwood Spars, can stroll across the road from her beloved pub and check on the latest brews alongside Head Brewer, Mike Mason. Once sure of her order for the week, barrels of freshly brewed, smallbatch beer are rolled over to the pub’s cellar ready for racking and serving to appreciative customers in a few days. All the while you can hear the waves and taste the salt on the air; a
INSET The quality of the food matches that of the beer
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TOP The Driftwood Spars
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A B OV E Trevaunance Cove
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QU E N C H
“It’s a bit of a clich , but during tough times you really discover who your friends are,” says Mike. “And luckily for us we’re surrounded by them here in St Agnes. The community came together to support each other and to prop up local businesses, and because of that we survived.”
sense of place, heritage and community seeps into every delicious drop. It all started with a remarkable chap called Pete, but more on that later… After a torrid 18 months for pubs and breweries, Mike and Louise are thankful to be where they are; bruised and battered but still standing and full of ambition and cautious optimism for the future. Louise would never admit it, but she has been praised far and wide for the way she navigated the pub through the pandemic. “The safety of our staff and the wider community was our first consideration throughout it all,” she explains humbly. “It simply had to be that way. The pub is the heart of the village for our regulars, so if there was a precaution we could take to protect them, we took it.”
The strength of feeling towards the brewery and pub became apparent when they set up a crowdfunding campaign to purchase a Pilot Brew Kit – a system which will allow Mike, Louise and Tim to experiment with and release micro-batches of meticulously handmade beers. Within 72 hours the target of 2,800 was exceeded, an investment which Mike says has helped secure the future of the brewery, allowing for greater adaptability and also reducing waste. “We were overwhelmed at the generosity prompted by the campaign,” he enthuses. “I think people can see that we’re genuinely passionate about what we do, and that putting sustainability and community at the heart of business is what’s needed right now.” Mike has also launched a fundraising initiative in collaboration with Fathoms Free. The brewery is donating a percentage of all profits from its Cove range of beers to
For Mike too, giving back to the community who sought out the brewery’s beer during successive lockdowns was essential. He set up an initiative where one day every month he and his colleague Tim help local people with jobs and projects, offering to do food shops for the elderly and vulnerable, give public spaces a bit of love, and running errands for struggling home schooling parents.
TOP Mike Mason, Head Brewer
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TOP You’re always assured of a warm ‘Driftwood’ welcome
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A B OV E Landlady, Louise Treseder
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the certified charity, which actively cleans the ocean around the Cornish peninsula. Fathoms Free undertake dives from their fast-response specialist vessel to recover ghost fishing gear; abandoned nets, pots, angling equipment and other plastic causes severe damage to the marine environment and the death of countless seabirds, seals, dolphins and other sea life. Each purchase of the eye-catching beers – there are four in the Cove range – will help generate funds to purchase a remotely operated vehicle RO and fund retrieval dives. Mike explains: “As a keen surfer I am only too aware of the problem of marine litter and wanted to find a way of contributing. The scale of the challenge is scary, but the determination of organisations like Fathoms Free is inspiring.” The rough seas along the rugged north coast often throw up discarded nets and other detritus; Louise is a keen sea swimmer and often collects this ‘ghost gear’ on her daily beach excursions at Trevaunance and is a keen advocate of the fundraising initiative. Helping to clean up the coastline is an apt partnership for the Cove range, which celebrates St Agnes in all its glory. Stunning coastal scenery, historic locations, local ingredients, folkloric tales and community spirit have been Mike and Louise’s inspiration for the contemporary canned range, which has caught the attention of beer enthusiasts across the UK. Combining local ingredients like seaberries, ‘New World Style’ hops now being grown in England, and the finest British malts, the tight-knit brewery team have created something a little bit different for beer-lovers while celebrating their Cornish roots.
summer days on St Agnes Beacon where, from a soft carpet of sea thrift, you can see 30 miles out to sea. This was closely followed by Seaberry, a reinvention of a classic Saison which incorporated sea buckthorn, or seaberry, which grows in abundance on the coast near the brewery. Then came Midnight Skinny Dipper, a smooth, rich milk stout inspired by local myths and legends of latenight shenanigans in the moonlit cove (this is the only non-vegan beer produced by the brewery, the rest are entirely free of animal products . Finally, Stippy Stappy is a hopforward IPA which is named after the muchloved row of cottages in St Agnes, which once housed the captains of ships berthed down at Trevaunance Cove. As with all beers from The Driftwood Spars Brewery, those in the Cove range are tested gluten free – something which was made possible thanks to Founding Brewer Pete Martin who sadly passed away last year at the age of just 7. Pete started working alongside Louise in 2007; his independent, pioneering spirit is the cornerstone of the brewery and lives on today. He discovered a way of making all his beers gluten free without stripping out any of their character – in this as in so many other aspects of brewing, he exemplified the care and attention to detail of a master craftsman. It’s extremely touching to hear Mike and Louise talk about Pete and how they hope to emulate his achievements, securing the future of the brewery he dedicated so much of himself to. At Trevaunance Cove a sense of place, community and heritage meets innovation, experimentation and optimism – and neither winter storms nor Covid will stop them.
The first beer to be released was Beacon, a light and bright pale ale inspired by hazy
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Cornwall’s National Trust houses merge the magic of the past with the wonder of the present, through their fascinating histories and blooming gardens.
Trelissick is a regal manor house which looks out onto woodland gardens and maritime views of the Fal estuary. Situated in Feock, near Truro, the Grade II listed house is set on its own peninsula and stands proudly atop a rolling hill. The house is atmospheric and enticing, with a diverse history which is still being uncovered. In fact, it is described as a house of secrets. Trelissick’s history is
a fascinating tale of prosperity, collapse and change, being remodelled by each of its five owners. The journey of discovery began when National Trust volunteer Mike came across an old tin box full of unlabelled keys. This began the unlocking of history, and to this day the various keys are being tried on the many doors and cupboards of Trelissick house. Discovered by chance was Trelissick’s ‘lost room’, a room which is completely sealed off from the rest of the house and can only be accessed through the floorboards of an under-stairs cupboard. The house also features a secret tunnel, and mysteries such as these only add to the building’s exciting aura. The surrounding gardens offer equal potential for exploration. Visitors can wander through the meandering paths of the garden, enjoying the exotic plants and herbaceous borders which are bursting with scents and colours. There is also a variety of woodland walks across the parkland with stupendous views down the estuary towards Falmouth town. Complete with a renowned art gallery, second-hand bookshop and cosy Crofter’s caf , Trelissick is abundant in features which make it a Cornish gem. ©National Trust Images/James Dobson
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or 125 years, the National Trust has worked to preserve heritage, nature and wildlife so that it can be enjoyed by everybody. In Cornwall, that means taking care of the selection of magnificent houses and gardens which are dotted across the county. Cornwall is rich in history, and this is best explored through the beautiful buildings which once housed many of its most iconic families. Each house tells stories of the past, and these stories are kept alive through the continued use and upkeep of the buildings and surrounding areas. The gardens burst with life and new plants blossom with the seasons, and many of the original features of each estate continue to be used, keeping the essence of the houses alive.
PREVIOUS Fireplace and linenfold panelling in the Dining Room at Godolphin
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LEFT The entrance front and orangery at Trelissick
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Another Cornish building full of intrigue is Helston’s Godolphin House. A Grade I listed Tudor-Stuart mansion, the estate is complete with early formal gardens which date from the 1500s and Elizabethan stables from the 1600s. The house is hugely atmospheric, with stylistic features from the mid 17th century and fascinating archaeology. Some features even date back to the Bronze Age. Like Trelissick, Godolphin House harbours many tales from the past – local folklore suggests that the rockstrewn hilltops of Godolphin and Tregonning were the work of warring giants that stood on top of the hills and threw rocks at each other. The gardens are of equal historic importance – they were built in the 16th century by Sir Francis Godolphin, and much of his original layout remains, making them a site of national heritage. The garden offers a conservation area for butterflies alongside the first native bee haven on a National Trust site, situated in the Paddock. It also harbours carefully selected plants that benefit bees, butterflies and other pollinators, creating a buzz of wildlife which can be enjoyed on the many walking routes throughout the grounds. A similarly remarkable Tudor marvel with Medieval roots, Cotehele house is situated in the parish of Calstock in the east of Cornwall. Perched high above the River Tamar, the manor house boasts a working mill, an expansive estate and a rambling garden with views of the valley. The house is one of the least altered Tudor houses in the country, and is decorated with tapestries, arms, armour, brass and old oak furniture. Little of the interior has changed since it was built by the Cornish Edgcumbe family in 1458. The estate, spanning 1,300 acres, includes woodland and fields, industrial ruins, an original dovecote and working farm buildings, making it a bustling preservation of the life it has harboured for hundreds of years. Its
magnificent gardens include formally planted terraces, a Medieval stewpond and two orchards, bursting with apples and cherries. Full of fascinating nooks and crannies, Trerice house in Newlyn East is a unique Elizabethan manor on a small scale. Like Cotehele, it preserves the atmosphere of its original time. It has many special elements to it which maintain a sense of intrigue – its collection of historical gems includes wooden skittles, a 300-year-old longcase clock and original antique furniture. Its striking architecture makes it a marvel to behold. The Great Hall window is a major original feature which never fails to impress. The 567 panes include pieces of glass from the 16th-century to the 19th century, which shimmer in the sunlight. Notable for its scale and individual details, including graffiti where names have been scratched into glass, the window would have been a grand statement of wealth when first built. The house has a regal history, with good marriages and positions at the Royal Court helping its original owners, the Arundell family, to prosper and build Trerice in 1572. This sense of importance remains, with the atmosphere of the house being that of great splendour. The small knot garden helps to maintain this aura, with its precise and decorative planting bursting with scents of lavender and roses. This can be looked upon from the Great Chamber windows and is a delight of colour all year round. The fifth of Cornwall’s great National Trust houses, Lanhydrock stands out as a magnificent late ictorian country house with a picturesque wooded estate and garden. Situated by Treffry in Bodmin, Lanhydrock embodies the very best of what inland Cornwall has to offer, with its rugged history and green landscapes. Although it is quintessentially ictorian in its style and design, it only appears so due to a complete redecoration in the 1880s,
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TOP Godolphin House, once the home of Queen Anne’s Lord High Treasurer, Sidney Godolphin
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A B OV E The entrance tower at Cotehele
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A B OV E The east front at Trerice
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TOP Looking towards the plasterwork overmantle, in the Morning Room at Lanhydrock
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A B OV E The Long Gallery at Lanhydrock
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following a fire which destroyed large amounts of the building and sadly ended the lives of its original occupants. Its history continued to be turbulent – despite several happy years as the home of Thomas and Mary Charles from the restoration and onwards, it was affected again by WW1. Having no immediate heirs, the property and its surrounding land was gifted to the National Trust by the 7th iscount Cliften in 1953. The great house has been maintained ever since, with its ictorian architecture preserved. There is an abundance of rooms to explore, from kitchens, nurseries and servants’ quarters to a grand dining room and elegant bedrooms. isitors can soak up the ambience of a wealthy and marvellous ictorian home, play the Steinway piano in the Long Gallery and explore the extensive museum and bookshop.
Stepping outdoors, there are over 900 acres of grounds surrounding Lanhydrock House. The vast space contains walking and cycling trails, ancient woodlands, fields of livestock and even a hidden ictorian swimming pool. Full of tales of the past, Lanhydrock is a wonder to explore. The National Trust prides itself on preserving and honouring beautiful spaces so that they can be enjoyed by all. Their Cornish houses are sanctuaries of tranquillity, which are to be explored and treasured. To quote Octavia Hill, co-founder of the National Trust: “We all want quiet. We all want beauty... We all need space.” And within these magnificent houses, that is exactly what can be found. nationaltrust.org.uk
A B OV E The gatehouse and house beyond at Lanhydrock
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Unable to resist the call home, Owen Skinner is now leading the way in Cornwall for homeowners seeking the ultimate in modernisation.
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t’s fair to say that in the modern era we are all, in many ways, reliant on technology. It permeates our lives in ways we no longer even think about, from the cars we drive to work to the kettles we boil when we get there. Technology is defined as “the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes” – Ev Williams, co-founder of Twitter – but as technology has improved, in comparatively few short years, the technological products that infuse our everyday lives have become incredibly sophisticated and are constantly getting better at the jobs they’re designed to do. They are easier to use, too. I can remember my dad forever struggling to get to grips with his Nokia handset. He now owns a smartphone, regularly sends me photographs, and on rainy days, can be found on his accompanying iPad watching ‘how-to’ videos on YouTube! The point, is that the products you might broadly categorise as ‘tech’ are now far more accessible than they were even ten years ago,
and are becoming increasingly more so by the day. For some, including Owen Skinner – owner and Director of Intelligent Installations – the evolution of technology is a constant source of fascination. “It all started with PA systems – sound equipment that would get used for parties,” Owen tells me, as he fondly recalls his college years. “I went on to complete a HND in Sound Engineering & Multimedia Integration from Plymouth University,” he continues, “with the aim to work in recording studios as a recording engineer.” His early experiences in this role taught Owen a great deal about the process of recording and mixing all genres of music, using the world’s best analogue and digital equipment. But despite the joys of pursuing his interests in London, his Cornish home was calling. Owen moved with his family from Barbados to Cornwall when he was just four years old, and as he tells me, he remarks on how nicely the ‘island life’ fits with the Cornish ethos.
LEFT Media room
INSET How does ‘tech’ fit into your lifestyle
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“I have always loved it here,” he continues. “When I decided to come back from London, I retrained as an Electrical Engineer, while at the same time working for a very accomplished Smart Home company.” Owen worked installing high-end equipment that turned properties into wonderfully easy-touse homes, making technology disappear whilst at the same time, creating dwellings that were easier to use than a normal house. “These Smart Homes had full lighting and heating systems, movie and music servers with speakers in most rooms, mirror televisions, plaster-in speakers, cinema rooms, door access and CCTV systems. It was all easy to use as they all worked from just one app,” which Owen explains could be accessed from a phone, or from in-wall iPads or touch screens, as well as hand-held remotes. Things began slowly for the company we now know as Intelligent Installations. “Once I’d finished my Electrical Engineering qualifications, I focused on the commercial and domestic electrical market, but customers always asked me for solutions as they knew
my background.” This inspired his decision to offer clients a complete electrical, audio-visual and ‘smart home’ solution, which he says “greatly simplifies projects for them, whilst giving me a broader client reach.” In short, everybody is a winner! Owen brings to Cornwall a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of his field. This, he explains, is the combined result of his time spent in London, as well as his wider travels and work around the world. “It really gave me an insight into what products are available,” and, he reveals, “a slight head start in what is possible when it comes to technology.” This is an important point, and as Owen himself says, perhaps the best service he offers is “the ability to find a solution to fit any customer’s needs, be that electrical, audio, smart home, or IT and WiFi.” Drawing on experience and skills gained whilst working as an in-house Recording Engineer at Olympic Studios, London, and now specialising in ‘smart home’ technology here in the Duchy, I’m interested to find out how Owen thinks
A B OV E Solutions to actually enhance your home
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A B OV E A clever home entertainment solution
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TOP Reap the rewards of a complete ‘smart home’ system
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Onto what inspires Owen individually and he simply says: “Problem solving.” This is the main thread to what he has always done, and as he puts it: “Smart home solutions are the ultimate in problem solving, as you bring multiple technical disciplines together to solve larger and more varied problems. This is always the inspiration, and when you can marry that with solutions that enhance a space artistically, whether that’s with lighting design or product choices, then it is a really satisfying process.”
Cornwall compares to the rest of the UK. Is the smart-home industry growing here Does it have far to catch up “I think that whilst the uptake is not as high as in places like Cheshire, London or the Home Counties,” he tells me, “Cornwall has some very accomplished smart homes that, at least technically, are on-par. “Where Cornwall differs is the general understanding of what a ‘smart home’ actually is, and how it is accomplished.” This, according to Owen, is not just on the client side of things, but in fact also that of the other trades, including architects and property developers. “One of the main aspects of what we do at Intelligent Installations is educating all stakeholders in what is possible, and where we fit as a trade in the process. Once the stakeholders know what is possible, then their imagination usually takes over, and it’s then that the really interesting solutions appear!” Onto the day-to-day and Owen shares with his team of experts a passion, as he puts it, “for enhancing the user experience”. Whether it’s for a home or a business, Owen aims to install products that are unique to the industry, making the finished result not only easy to use but a joy that becomes the centrepiece of most properties. “Our ethos,” he explains, “is that each system should be simple and fun for everybody to use.”
So, why do clients choose Intelligent Installations over other companies offering a similar stamp of services In short, it’s because Owen’s range of services is often much wider-reaching. “We can be found installing and maintaining electrical wiring for homes, hotels and commercial businesses, including Industrial 3-Phase work and electric vehicle charging points. We also install intruder alarms and CCTV systems for a variety of properties.” But it goes further than that. In order to fully reap the rewards of a complete ‘smart home’ system, Owen explains that there is an intrinsic need for commercial grade IT and WiFi systems too, which is why he also offers this to anyone who needs it. “This is often a starting point for new customers struggling with WiFi issues, particularly in large, new-build houses. “The advantage to using us, is that we can offer it all from one place, which saves time and money, whilst giving a better solution with nothing left out.” But with technology constantly evolving, it’s important for anybody considering smart home systems to think about the long-term benefit, too. “I always try to get people to think of it as if you are enabling your home to accomplish goals you haven’t even considered yet,” says Owen. “Nobody would build a house without
A B OV E At Tremenheere Art Gallery, WiFi, lighting, CCTV and audio can all be controlled from one screen!
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water pipes or electrical cables, so why would you leave out the necessary design and cabling needed for a modern smart home With the correct cables, the possibilities are open for the clients both now, and in the future. The most important thing you can do, particularly if you’re building from the ground up, is to get the infrastructure into the building at an early stage, so that it will continue to cater to your ongoing needs.” One specific system that is a big plus for Owen, is lighting control, which makes recalling a complex set of lighting levels a simple press of one button. “This is something that is essential in business, and really helps set the mood at home. With light ‘keypads’ as opposed to ‘switches’,” he explains, “it makes it possible to have less wall clutter, whilst at the same time making the system easier to use.” Another of the main benefits is the easy-to-use audio and visual equipment that’s now available. Gone are the days of having to wield five remote controls just to watch a movie; having one remote with a beautiful colour touch screen to use is surely preferable! Plus, Owen says, “it really gives it the ‘wow’ factor, whilst allowing everyone in the family to easily use it.”
in’ on their property from anywhere in the world, not only to ensure their guests are happy, but to ensure that the heating is on and that all the systems are working as they should be. Not only that; a fully functional smart home is sure to tempt more bookings throughout the year, from families keen to stay in the very best contemporary accommodation. Led by Owen, the entire crew at Intelligent Installations are clearly passionate about what they do, with expertise and a portfolio of services that’s unrivalled here in the Duchy. The flipside of that, however, is that finding a work-life balance can be tricky, and Owen tells me: “That has always been a failing of mine! That said, being a surfer means I always try to get in the sea as often as work allows. I also have a young family, so that makes sure I get out and about on walks, beach days and exploring all the ancient ruins we have around us.” “Enjoy life as it was meant to be enjoyed,” is something of a mantra for Owen, and in the modern age, with a world of technology at our fingertips promising to enhance and simplify our lives, it’s one that’s never been easier to live up to.
For holiday home owners, there is the added benefit of peace of mind – the ability to ‘check LEFT A kitchen becomes a theatre
intelligentinstallations.co.uk A B OV E Another fine example
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e ectin on aul rinsle s fteen ears at the helm o Cornwall ospice Care
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ornwall Hospice Care is the only adult hospice care provider in the county. Its 20 beds across St Julia’s Hospice and Mount Edgcumbe Hospice offer vital end of life care to patients throughout Cornwall, as well as support for their families. As a charity, fundraising income is imperative to keep the hospices open and running. Continuing to operate and provide an essential service in a pandemic has brought with it many challenges, not least having to postpone 40th anniversary celebrations that were due to take place in 2020. Chief Executive, Paul Brinsley, has been steering Cornwall Hospice Care through these stormy waters and took time out to talk to me about the tribulations and triumphs that the last year has held. How did your association with Cornwall Hospice Care begin? After leaving university my main career really was at the Automobile Association where I was Head of Legal Services and then Manager of Consumer Legal Services at head office in Hampshire. After a few years, I decided I would like to do something different and took up a second career in the
voluntary sector. I became Chief Executive of Age Concern Cornwall and then first Director of a hospice in Preston, Lancashire which is where I learned about hospices and palliative care and the unique value that they provide to patients and their families. A job in Cornwall came up and as I happened to be from Cornwall and count it as my home I applied for it and was fortunate enough to be appointed. That was in 2005, so 15 years ago now. I understand that the two hospices were originally separate entities? When I arrived, they were two completely separate charities but they had been working together for a while as there was a plan in place for them to merge and create a single entity for hospice care for Cornwall. Part of my taking up the job was being asked to undertake the amalgamation, which was quite a substantial task to take on. It was interesting, because at the time there was some resistance in the local community that perhaps their beloved hospice and its identity could be in some way diminished by creating a new single charity. I had to spend some time in public meetings reassuring people
LEFT Paul Brinsley, Chief Executive, Cornwall Hopsice Care
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that it was absolutely in the best interest of patients and families across Cornwall to have the benefit of one organisation looking out for them. So, we went from seven separate corporations into three which was an excellent achievement in itself and gave savings just from doing that. The route to success in creating Cornwall Hospice Care was absolutely in keeping the two different identities of St Julia’s and Mount Edgcumbe and I’ve always been keen that this is preserved in perpetuity. I think that helped reassure the public: knowing that they wouldn’t be losing any sense of their local association. For me, it wasn’t just about having hospices that served the communities of St Austell and Hayle, it was about the whole of Cornwall being able to access palliative care. Both hospices offer the same care and service and the fact that they remain very much part of the local community while offering care to the wider county, is a strength; it’s important that people feel close to their local hospice. Sadly, it’s financially impossible to provide any additional locations across Cornwall and so
St Julia’s and Mount Edgcumbe remain the only two hospices for adult care in Cornwall. It’s so important that people get the right support for end of life care. Our hospices provide complex pain management and psychological support for so many patients. Not everyone at end of life needs a hospice, but my mission is to ensure this level of care is there for those who do. 2020 was planned as a year of anniversary celebrations, how has the pandemic affected this It was sad that we were not able to celebrate the charity’s 40th anniversary as planned. Interestingly, in terms of the clinical care it is very much business as usual and we’ve kept all of our 20 beds open. We have been able to work closely with our colleagues in the NHS and the local health care communities to support them. We’ve continued to take patients from the hospital and the community which has been very helpful to our partners when they’ve been under pressure. That has absolutely carried on. Our staff have been fantastic and really stepped up to ensure that this has happened.
TOP Paul, opening the new charity shop in Hayle
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For non-clinical staff, it’s been a different story. At times we have had over 100 staff on furlough. I really feel for those staff who have had to do that. It’s absolutely not want they want to be doing – they want to be running their shops or out fundraising and not being able to do so has been frustrating and soul destroying. Our 0th anniversary year was going to be a huge year of big events and we have had to cancel every one. It just wasn’t practical or safe to do so and as a responsible health care charity we want to be at the forefront of ensuring that we are doing everything we can do to support and adhere to restrictions. Have you been able to do any fundraising? We did have some virtual events, which have gone very well – Your Marathon, Your Pace was really successful; I took part in it myself and it made sure I got out of the house every day as well as reminding people we’re here. And of course we’ve also had Terry’s Bed Appeal which has proved to be very successful. The quarter of a millionpound appeal has only 20,000 left to raise.
I have to be honest and say what has saved us is the work we’ve done with Government and local MPs to secure support funding. It was a national initiative and Hospice UK, which is our membership body, helped to negotiate on our behalf. Last year we were generating 12 ,000 a week from all self-generated income, which means while we’ve not been able to raise money we’ve lost close to £1.6 million – that’s a lot, and not all has been covered. But, we’re a well-structured charity with reserves so we’ve been able to draw on those to support the work and keep going. It’s vital that we get back to fundraising for the future and the new financial year. Although we had to postpone the anniversary, we look forward to marking it when we can. Ironically, 2019/2020 saw our shops have their best ever year, raising over a 1million net for the charity. I was all set on congratulating them with a suitable celebration but that has all had to be put on hold as well. However, we mustn’t lose sight of this as it was an incredible achievement.
A B OV E The clinical team have been working throughout the pandemic
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A B OV E The vital work of the clinical, fundraising and retail teams ensures the longevity of Cornwall Hospice Care
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MIDDLE The beautiful garden at Mount Edgcumbe left and Paul volunteering at the charity’s Holmbush shop right
TOP RIGHT St Julia’s Hospice under a dramatic Cornish sky
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D I A LO G U E
ave you had to offer care in a different ay during the pandemic? The hardest thing has been having to restrict visitors; normally we would welcome families in to spend time with their loved ones and that’s a very important part of the provision – often at the weekends the hospices would be really full with families visiting but we’ve had to restrict that right down. It’s very sad not being able to offer the same kind of environment for families. A bit of reassurance and human contact is what is needed and that’s been a sad loss for both staff and patients.
trustees, who live both in and out of county, would normally have their individual roles – perhaps on an income generation committee or a clinical committee – and would only go to certain meetings. As we now meet remotely, we can all easily come together and we’ve had full attendance in meetings; you could say that the governance has improved because of this. Trustees, executives and management have become more aware of what’s going on across the board and are able to feel the pulse of the organisation as we go through this crisis. This is something we are interested in capturing and keeping.
Our clinical senior management team have been outstanding in ensuring that they have had all the PPE they needed and everything on that side has gone very smoothly. The staff have worked really hard not only on the wards but also in their private lives to keep themselves safe. That has been a big message from myself and the management team and it’s been to their credit. Self-imposed restrictions have been pretty relentless. We are currently part of the vaccination programme and that gives us hope.
It’s not just our trustees that have been affected. Working from home has raised the profile of the culture of presenteeism. Our front line staff – doctors, nurses, health care assistants, caterers, housekeepers etc – they absolutely have to be in the hospices. But we have other roles that can be done from home and I’ve been talking to a lot to our staff about presenteeism; the presumption that if you’re not visible, you’re not working. That is certainly not the case and we need to move away from that. Our aim is to support those who can and want to work from home in the future. It might be a blend, and I’m very openminded about that. uality of life is important and that’s a part of the hospice ethos as well as living in Cornwall and it’s important not to lose sight of that.
Are there learnings you will take forward rom this di cult time I believe the future of our fundraising will be a blended programme to include virtual events but combined with those large, massparticipation events that people really miss. We will take the experience we have had from operating under Covid restrictions to achieve a balance between the two. There have also been learnings when it comes to our governance. We have a very active Board of Trustees who are very caring and passionate about their roles. We normally meet face to face but we’ve embraced technology and now we meet actually more regularly via video link. What’s been interesting is that
How would you sum up? What’s been most important for me, has been to work towards the hospices being sustainable for another 0 years and that’s the key goal for me. I’m not at retirement yet, but when I am I want to leave the charity in a successful and a financially stable condition so that we can carry on caring for patients for as long as we’re needed. cornwallhospicecare co u
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C O M M E N T
Eventide
BY STEPHEN MURDOCH
C
ornwall Air Ambulance has come a long way since its inception as the rst air ambulance service in the UK in 1987. As technology has progressed, so has the helicopter you see ying overhea ut while the helicopter plays a crucial part in elivering the crew to an incident as quickly as possible, it is the enhance level of care that the team provi e that truly makes the ifference between life and death.
Remaining at the forefront of pre hospital emergency medicine re uires innovation an it is important not to stan still For the rst time ever, the crew of the air ambulance are carrying bloo on boar the helicopter, giving the critical care team the option to start emergency blood transfusions before a patient even reaches the hospital. ithin ust three ays of this new service being launche , year ol ac was involve in a serious roa tra c collision sustaining multiple in uries The air ambulance crew ew to this inci ent a er ar using the new helicopter s ight ision technology to n that ac ha lost a lot of bloo an that his in uries were life threatening
on the roa si e before being airli e to Derrifor ospital where he was treate by the Major Trauma Team and spent 11 days in a coma Despite his signi cant internal in uries, along with bro en bones in his face, arms an legs, ac is now bac home in o min an recovering well from the incident. The intro uction of the service, which starte on December 1, is a collaboration with the loo Transfusion ervice at Royal Cornwall ospital Trust, South Western Ambulance ervice an Cornwall loo i es The pro ect has been fun e by the enry Surtees Foundation, which included a new motorbi e for the Cornwall loo i e charity, to support the elivery of bloo from RC T to the airbase in Newquay. y teaming up with RC T an Cornwall loo i es, we have signi cantly enhance the level of service that our parame ic an octors can provi e to our patients This new innovation is only ma e possible by the generosity of the public, who eep us ying ublic onations save lives, ust li e ac s Stephen Murdoch is Chief Operating Officer at Cornwall Air Ambulance.
Than s to this latest innovation, ac became the rst patient to receive a bloo transfusion
cornwallairambulancetrust.org cornwallbloodbikes.org
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