AL FRESCO FEASTING • MAGICAL ANCIENT RELICS • HUNTING HUERS HUTS
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LATEST
SEASONAL
ART TIPPLES TRAILS AND
THANKFULNESS A LOOK AT 25 YEARS PROTECTING TAMAR VALLEY
Our World Below PLUS
Discover Cornwall Underground myCornwalltv AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2020 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 61 £3.25 t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 1 n
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
Hello and As Cornwall and the rest of the country adjusts to a new normal, summer has felt a little belated this year, but we are delighted to be able to bring this issue to you packed with plenty to see, do, discover, eat and enjoy safely in this beautiful part of the world. Whether it’s a socially distanced al fresco lunch, or a sightseeing tour of Cornwall’s most fantastic outdoor experiences, our August/September issue looks to showcase the very best of summer that can be enjoyed safely whilst supporting a wealth of local businesses and creative folk in the process. To start, we’re at the very top of Cornwall, in the borderlands of Tamar Valley, which is currently celebrating its 25th year as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From local tipples created in honour of the auspicious occasion, to a look into Tamar’s unique history and natural landscape, this valley is a beautiful meeting point for Cornwall and Devon that’s worth your time. Elsewhere, we’re delving underground into a world of Cornwall rarely seen in recent decades. Deep in an abandoned mine in West Penwith, Cornwall Underground run the county’s only underground exploration experience into an abandoned mine, where guests can see what life was really like for the brave miners in an adrenaline packed adventure unlike any other as they use ropes to traverse chasms, flooded passages and abseil down mine shafts. Read all about the experience and the fascinating story behind its creation in our Out and About section. As always, you’ll also find this issue full of the latest happenings in Cornwall’s creative communities, from upcoming art exhibitions, new releases from local artists and makers and plenty of insights into the methods behind the makers. Whether it's textiles from Mullion or mixed media from Portscatho you’re interested in, art in all its glorious forms are welcomed in our pages and you can discover a host of noteworthy folk inside along with news and events taking place across the county. We’ve tried to include something for everyone in this summer issue, whether it’s an experience in the fresh air, a new walk to enjoy with the dogs or even a local business worth paying a visit to, online or in-store, for a few summertime gifts (just because) and not to mention lots of lovely local food and drink to tickle your taste buds, from harbourside gastro pubs and al fresco style eateries to farm shops filled with contemporary produce fit for any meal. So be safe, be happy and marvel in all that Cornwall has to offer. Oll an Gwella, (All the best) Alexandra Saunders, Editor
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News A round up of all the latest happenings 10 Things To Do MyCornwall's top suggestions Dog Friendly Cornwall Roaming Around Cornwall's Ancient Relics Adore My Store The Grey Lurcher The Want List Sophie Tilson Design Hub Rozen Cornwall Underground Hunting Down Cornwall's Huer Huts 25 Years Appreciating Tamar Valley
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My Cornish World Richard Birchett Let's Speak Cornish
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Art News A round up from the creative world VIP Sutton Taylor at Yew Tree Gallery Through the Eyes of... Keran Gilmore Art Focus Plymouth Art Weekender Maker's Focus Circa 21 Artist Profile Andrea Insoll Meet The Maker Rachel Stowe Gallery Of The Month Whitewater Gallery
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Bites Dish of the Month From The Working Boat Meet the Chef Jeffrey Robinson Places to Eat Summertime Stop-offs A Farm Shop For All Weekend Away The Alverton Experience Blue River Table
EDITOR Alex Saunders alex@mycornwall.tv
CONTRIBUTORS
01209 314147
thatsmycornwall.com myCornwall magazine, Krowji, West Park, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 3AJ
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Elizabeth Dale
DESIGN Paul Blyth
| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
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myCornwall magazine welcomes contributions. We reserve the right to edit, amend, correct (or not use) anything submitted. Contributors must obtain all necessary permissions and credit all sources. All rights to works submitted are supplied for use by myCornwall and its parent company in all media (present and future). Whilst reasonable steps are taken to check the accuracy of work contained within the publication we cannot take responsibility for mistakes or the views submitted by contributors. Unsolicited contributions that fail to state they require payment or do not have a payment agreement in place will not be paid for but may be published. In order to avoid any confusion please state if you seek payment.
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Eat Out to Help Out Campaign Starts This August August marks the start of the government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ campaign, a scheme where registered restaurants can offer a 50% discount on menu items and nonalcoholic drinks on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from the 3rd August to the 31st August. There’s a maximum of a £10 discount per diner and is for eating and drinking inside the establishment.
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Businesses need to be registered to the campaign and have been doing so all across the country. The initiative can apply to pubs, restaurants, cafés and bars, but all must have signed up. For those in Cornwall eager to see which establishments are registered, a government website has been created
| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
where all you need to do is enter your postcode to see which venues are offering the discount within a two-mile radius of your postcode. Find the page at www.tax.service.gov.uk/ eat-out-to-help-out/find-a-restaurant/ l
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Supporting Cornwall’s Children and Young People Moving to New Schools children and young people on how to navigate the first weeks at their new school.
New mental health support is being made
A Transition Mission booklet is available on
available in Cornwall for young people set
the Start Now website, which is packed with
to start a new school year in September.
lots of useful information. Moving schools
Resources from Headstart Kernow, part of
can be a stressful time, let alone during the
Together for Families at Cornwall Council,
time of a worldwide pandemic, and the new
have been developed to help children and
resources are designed in hope that anyone
young people who are making the move
struggling can use them. This is a free guide
from primary to secondary or to college.
available for download, which advises
Floating Restaurant Officially Arrives in Falmouth Falmouth Harbour will be welcoming a floating restaurant into its waters this summer in the form of a 38-metre long French barge, which is set to be berthed alongside the inside wall of North Quay, part of the Custom House Quay complex. A vintage café and bistro serving breakfast, light bites, and patisserie by day, before turning into a unique fine dining, French infused set-up by night, La Peniche is an eclectic and exciting new addition to Falmouth’s foodie scene. Owned by Tony and Kate ElliottCannon, La Peniche is a dream realised and with Head Chef Luc Wallace at the helm, it’s set to be a tasty addition to experiencing Falmouth’s stunning harbour.
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Wallace is new to Cornwall but has had plenty of experience in the classical British and European culinary world, working at two of Oxford’s most renowned eatieries, The Magdalen Arms and The Kensington Arms. With a penchant for seasonal produce, La Peniche will feature a changing menu based around what is available locally and will include many foraged delights. Before mooring in Falmouth, the 1938 barge restaurant spent its early years as a WW2 gunboat before settling into a life offering dining cruises along the waterways of Burgundy. Seating up to 50 guests, La Peniche will be offering reduced capacity upon opening to enable social distancing. l
| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
“There is no sugar coating it; school will look very different when the children go back in September,” says Sally Hawken, Councillor and Portfolio Holder for Children, Health and Wellbeing. “And yet, if there’s any reason to be hopeful, it’s that all throughout lockdown, our kids have shown us how remarkably resilient and adaptive they are... we want to do our very best to provide them with everything they need when school returns. “We want to reassure the young people across Cornwall and their families, who may be feeling anxious; they are not alone.” More information can be found at www. startnowcornwall.org.uk/coronavirus/ back-to-school and www.cornwall.gov.uk/ backtoschool l
Tuk Tuks Coming to the Streets of Cornwall
A private hire licence has been granted to a business looking to operate electric tuk tuks in Newquay next year. NuBeez, a company operated by Georgia Horsley and Dr Prasad Raja Venkatesh, were granted permission from Cornwall Council for a licence to run the firm, set to hit Newquay in 2021. The plan is set to see two ZBee electric tuk tuks running in the town, which can carry up to two passengers. The private hire licence means the tuk tuks can only be used in an advanced booking situation, and NuBeez intend to keep to the central areas of Newquay, avoiding potentially dangerous B roads. The tuk tuks will also feature doors, ensuring further safety of passengers. Whilst NuBeez initially planned to set up the service this year, the pandemic has delayed the tuk tuk’s arrival until 2021. If all goes well, Georgia and Dr Prasad are hopeful about further expansion into other towns such as Padstow, St Ives and Fowey for Cornwall’s summer season. l
Penzance Set to Become More Pedestrian Friendly New plans have been revealed in Penzance to cut traffic moving throughout the town, which are set to be introduced this August.
RAISING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ECO-WARRIORS Frugi, the UK’s leading ethical and organic children’s clothing company, is proud to announce a partnership with Eco-Schools as part of their Little Clothes
There are proposals to cut through traffic from Penzance town centre and to pedestrianise Market Jew Street, as well as modifying Branwells Mill circular traffic system and reducing traffic on the Western Promenade Road, extending the 20mph zone.
BIG Change charity initiative. Each year
Committed to creating a car-free town centre and to improve cycle and pedestrian access, Penzance is already recognised as the country’s first town to gain a plastic-free status, and these new measures aim to further promote positive efforts to reduce carbon emissions and make the town a thriving place for the future.
the past 16 years to help children and
Recently, new measures in Chapel Street banned vehicles from entering Thursday to Sunday, to provide more outdoor space for cafés, bars, pubs and restaurants. It’s a decision which has led to further support for an increase in opportunities for walking, cycling and improved public transport. Due to the impact of Covid-19 and the need to maximise public safety, the new pedestrian scheme has been brought forward from September to August. l
Memories by Moonlight; Supporting Children’s Hospice South West The poignant and uplifting ceremony will feature readings from all three of the charity’s children’s hospices – Little Harbour, Charlton Farm near Bristol and Little Bridge House near Barnstaple. It will also include music, poems and a two-minute applause to celebrate loved ones whose names will appear on the screen.
Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) has had to adapt many things over the last few months including the care and support it offers to children, as well as its fundraising events which help to fund the vital support it offers to local families. The charity is inviting people to remember and celebrate the life of a loved one and raise vital funds through its new Memories by Moonlight event which will include some elements of the annual Moonlight Memory Walk, which has been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus, but with the flexibility for people to be involved however they wish. The Memories by Moonlight ceremony will be broadcast live on Facebook from CHSW’s Little Harbour Children’s Hospice in St Austell at 9pm on Saturday, September 26th, giving people the opportunity to light a candle and join together virtually for a special evening of reflection.
Everyone who registers to take part in the event, which is being sponsored by National Friendly, will get the chance to join the virtual memory ceremony. People can then choose to simply donate in memory of their loved one, or complete a walk or activity that reminds them of their loved one at a time and location that suits them and ask friends and family to make a donation towards this. Participants will receive a beautiful memory pack in the post, which will include a candle bag to decorate, memory box to personalise, along with a tea light to light on the evening and a booklet to accompany the memory ceremony. To register to join the Memories by Moonlight ceremony simply visit www.chsw. org.uk/moonlight. Registration is just £10 and a memory pack, along with details of how to access the Memory Ceremony, will be sent in the post. For more information about the event, you can also call the CHSW Fundraising Team on 01726 871800. www.twitter.com/CHSW www.facebook.com/CHSW1991 www.instagram.com/childrenshospicesw www.linkedin.com/company/2063633 l
Frugi donates 1% of turnover to charity and has so far donated £720,000 over environmental non-profit organisations. Frugi’s ambition is to help raise the next generation of eco-warriors that will change the world. Schools
programme,
The Ecothe
largest
educational programme in the world, is therefore an ideal partner. With a goal to empower young people to take environmental actions to get their school and community involved, pupils follow a Seven-Step programme that results in achieving an international EcoSchools Green Flag Certification. Frugi is donating funds to help up to 150 UK schools achieve their Green Flag status. Find out more about the Eco-Schools programme and register for free on their website: www.eco-schools.org.uk l
GOOGLE’S NEW UNDERSEA NETWORK CABLE TO HIT THE UK AT BUDE Bude is set to be part of Google’s plan to build a new undersea network cable connecting the US, the UK and Spain. The project is Google’s fourth privately owned undersea cable. Named ‘Grace Hopper’, after an American computer scientist and naval rear admiral, the site for the cable's land point in the UK will be Bude in Cornwall. The first ever transatlantic cable was built in 1858, connecting the US to Ireland by telegraph. Of course, Cornwall is no stranger to transatlantic cables, with Porthcurno having been a point for many submarine telegraph's cables, with the world’s largest telegraph station located there. The project is set to be completed by 2022. l
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A carefully curated selection of affordable gifts, cards, kitchen and homeware, alondside a selection of Cornish makers and designers. 4 High Street, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 2AB Tel: 01326 618240 Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10.30am-4.30pm
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10 THINGS TO DO DOG FRIENDLY CORNWALL OUT & ABOUT SPECIAL ADORE MY STORE THE WANT LIST DESIGN HUB CORNWALL UNDERGROUND HUNTING DOWN CORNWALL'S HUER HUTS 25 YEARS APPRECIATING TAMAR VALLEY
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Things to Do 1. SEE A SHOW AT THE MINACK THEATRE August & September Following its temporary closure, the Minack Theatre is once again open with a revised season of shows for the summer. Tickets for events are already selling out, but there are still plenty of events available for those keen for a magical night at one of Cornwall’s most spectacular venues. www.minack.com
2. DRIVE & DINE THEATRE Various dates until 16th August A series of exciting drive-in cinema events from Paul Ainsworth are set to take place at the Cornwall Showground this August. Classic cult movies and recent favourites make up a fantastic line-up, not to mention the extra delicious twist in the form of an exclusive menu curated by Chef Paul Ainsworth to be enjoyed in the comfort of your own car. Adult tickets £16, n 12 |
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child £3. Hurry, tickets are selling out fast! www.driveanddinetheatre.com/cornwall-home
3. MR PINEAPPLE'S DRIVE-IN CINEMA 25th - 27th August Having run successful drive-in cinema nights earlier this season, a final round of film nights are set for the end of August in what is set to be a festival of movies, food and music at Hendra Croft Farm. Tickets are £30 for one car spot and two adults, with additional adults to an existing car at £10. Advanced online booking only. www.mrpineapples.co.uk
4. OPEN STUDIOS CORNWALL 29th August - 6th September Following its postponement earlier this year, Open Studios Cornwall 2020 will be running at the end of August this year into early September. More than 200 artists, makers and designers will be welcoming socially distanced visitors into their
| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
studios, with appropriate safety measures in place. A range of digital content will also be available during this week-long celebration of creativity. www.openstudioscornwall.co.uk
5. SUMMER GARDEN SESSIONS: MOLLY HOCKING Friday 4th September The Alverton at Truro will be welcoming the talented vocals of Voice UK winner Molly Hocking at their closing party on the terrace for an exclusive, intimate concert. Dine al fresco and bask in the natural beauty of these stunning gardens as you enjoy the acoustic music with a cocktail in hand. Ticket only event, £22.15. www.thealverton.co.uk
6. FABLE AT CARNGLAZE CAVERNS Saturday 5th September After a sell-out 2019 concert, folk trio Fable are returning to the stunningly
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atmospheric venue of Carnglaze Caverns to perform their diverse range of traditional and contemporary music comprising a folk harp and two flutes, along with a harmony of vocals. Seats are limited to 35, so don’t delay in booking. Tickets £14, 8pm. www.carnglaze.com
7. NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM’S MONSTERS OF THE DEEP Now Showing! Explore myths, legends and monsters in this immersive exhibition from the National Maritime Museum that combines folklore with modern day science. Taking you on a journey through time, understand some of the ocean’s greatest mysteries and discover how scientists explore the deepest parts of the ocean. Set to originally open in March, this exciting exhibition was placed into hibernation following the coronavirus outbreak, but
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now as the museum prepares to reopen later in July the team are hard at work preparing this brand-new show for its reveal to the public. Find out more, including dates, tickets and opening times at www.nmmc.co.uk
8. LOOE ISLAND GUIDED WALKS Various dates until 29th September Journey to a wildlife haven for a unique guided walk and talk uncovering the magic of Looe Island. Begin the journey aboard a boat trip from Looe harbour before landing on the island, where in summertime you can spot 15 different types of butterfly. The tour lasts around three and a half hours and costs £25 per person plus a small booking fee. www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/looeisland/guided-walks
9. TREVIBBAN MILL GUIDED TOUR
At the stunning Trevibban Mill vineyard and winery near Padstow, take a one an half hour tour of the gorgeous grounds followed by a tasting of five of the Mill’s wines and cider in their beautiful south facing tasting room. Dogs welcome but must be kept on leads and limited spaces available. Book online in advance to guarantee your spot. For more information and times, visit the website. www.trevibbanmill.com
10. MAKE IT BOX BY PICK PRETTY PAINTS For those keen for a quiet summer at home, get creative with Pick Pretty Paint’s Make It Box. Featuring over 40 items to encourage making and creativity, the Make It Box can be posted or collected directly from the studio in St Ives. Cost: £18. To order, visit the website. www.pickprettypaints.com
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A walk around Pentire Headland and Fistral beach in Newquay There can be no doubt that Newquay is one of the most dog friendly spots in Cornwall. It boasts truly magnificent beaches which are dog friendly throughout the year and it has some really fabulous cafes, pubs and restaurants which welcome our four-legged friends.
This short walk around Pentire Headland and around Fistral beach allows you to explore some of the most spectacular scenery and stop off at some dog friendly eateries en route. Distance: 3 miles (allow one hour) Easy walk, some steep climbs. Start point: East Pentire car park: TR7 1PF Following signs to Fistral and then Pentire Headland in Newquay, head to the Pentire Headland car park to start. If you are planning to eat at Lewinnick Lodge, you can turn right at the car park entrance and follow the road and signs along the right hand side of the headland to reach Lewinnick Lodge. From the car park, walk out of it so that you have your back to Pentire Headland and walk down the path along the coast with the sea to your left. This is an off-road track which takes you down towards Fistral Beach where you can let your dog off for a run before coming back to explore the headland (wise if your dog has a lot of energy).
Continue down the path until you reach Esplanade Road. Follow this until you reach the public toilets and take the path to the left down towards the beach. Here you will find some steps down to the beach, passing SeaSpray, a lovely dog friendly café at the south end of Fistral beach. Fistral is dog friendly all year, so you can let your dog off for a run here if you feel happy doing so. Walk along the beach to the north side. Just before the Stables Café and shop complex, there is a path leading up behind the beach to your right which takes you along the back of the beach beside the golf course. Take this path, double backing on yourself and follow the path back to Esplanade Road. Retrace your steps up the off-road track up to Pentire Headland. From here, cross the car park and follow the footpaths down towards the sea in front of you. Here you get magnificent views over Crantock Beach which is on the other side of the
Gannel Estuary. Continue bearing right so the sea is on your left and follow the path around Pentire Headland. This is very popular with dog walkers as the ocean views are panoramic and always dramatic and beautiful. Take a moment to enjoy the surroundings at the tip of Pentire Headland before turning back with the sea still on your left and following the path down to Lewinnick Lodge. This is a really lovely dog friendly café, open now following lockdown and offering really well-reviewed food and wonderful views inside and out. If you parked in the council car park, just walk up the road out of Lewinnick Lodge to get back to the car park. We hope you enjoy this walk as much as we have. l For more walks and ideas of fun adventures with your dog in Cornwall visit www.dogfriendlycornwall.co.uk
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Roaming Around Cornwall's
Remnants of eras long gone, some several thousand years old, are dotted all over Cornwall. Here, we’ve listed some of the county’s best-known ancient relics for you to explore this summer.
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Men-an-Tol One of Cornwall’s most renowned ancient sites, Men-an-Tol (meaning ‘stone with a hole’) is a small selection of standing stones located in West Penwith between Morvah and Treen. Thought to be dated as far back as the Neolithic or early Bronze Age period, this site has long been considered a place of magic. From a guarding Cornish Piskie that performs miraculous cures to legends of passing newborn babies through the holed stone to bless them with good luck, Men-an-Tol is a place of folklore and Cornish legend. Lanyon Quoit Less than a mile from Men-an-Tol stands Lanyon Quoit, a dolmen said to be constructed over 4,000 years ago. Originally, Lanyon (meaning ‘cold pool’) Quoit, was much larger than the structure you can see peaking over the hedgerows from the car today, but in the 19th century the dolmen suffered during a storm and collapsed. Efforts to rebuild the site began some years later, however parts of it were broken during this process, shortening Lanyon Quoit by about five feet. Its original purpose is still debated by archaeologists, who believe it to have played a part in the Stone Age death rituals. The Merry Maidens Staying in West Penwith, you’ll also find the Merry Maidens, an ancient stone circle. Legend tells that the monoliths were once 19 young maidens, who were turned to stone for dancing on the Sabbath. The site is known in Cornish as ‘Dans Maen’, meaning ‘Stone Dance’. You can find the maidens on the B3315 road to Porthcurno, however if you don’t fancy driving that day, you can also catch a bus straight from Penzance, which stops right opposite the prehistoric landmark. Nearby, you can also see the
Pipers of Boleigh, two menhirs which are the tallest of their kind in Cornwall. Similar to the Merry Maidens, the menhirs were once two pipers, turned to stone for daring to play music on Sabbath. Dozmary Pool Cornwall is known for its homages and rumours of Arthurian folklore, and Dozmary Pool is one of them. Said to be the pool where the Lady of the Lake could be found, it is claimed that it was here King Arthur himself was granted the sword, Excalibur. The pool is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, however despite it once being known as a bottomless lake, sadly it is now but a few feet deep, often drying up entirely. You can find the pool just off the A30 near the Jamaica Inn from Bolventor. The Trippet Stones In the remote reaches of Bodmin Moor, Trippet Stones form a near-perfect stone circle. In its prime, Trippet Stones would have boasted 26 impressive standing stones, however today only eleven remain and only eight of these are still standing. Still, they make for an atmospheric sight in the windy lands of the moor. Rock Valley Labyrinths Located near St Nectan’s Glen, this region of Cornwall is steeped in ancient history and Arthurian legend and hidden in the ruins of an old mil you can find the mysterious labyrinth carvings of Rock Valley. Discovered in 1948, little is known about why or when these carvings were created, in fact there are none quite like it in southern England, but studies have suggested they date as far back as the Bronze Age. You can find the carvings on the footpath linking the South West Coast Path to the B3266, near Trevethy Village in Cornwall. l
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Falmouth’s iconic Old High Street is known for its array of independent shops each one equally unique in its own right and filled with carefully selected and curated treasures that make it impossible not to delve in and explore. One such trove is the contemporary led Grey Lurcher, a charming store that champions an ever changing selection of gorgeous homeware and gifts. t was a chance sighting of a rental sign
locally based makers The Emporium of
in the window of what would be the
Illumination, the Grey Lurcher’s stylish
Grey Lurcher on a trip to Falmouth
layout makes for an idyllic afternoon of
that Julie Oats was inspired to set
browsing. It’s a selection that Julie has
up her own store in the heart of the
prided herself on curating, “My personal
historic port town, “There are so many small,
favourites at the moment are the planters
independent shops and eateries in the High
we stock; house plants are so popular
Street. It has a different feel from the rest of
again and these are perfect for them,
Falmouth, so we took it from there!”
customers love my choice of these.
Combining influences of Cornish coast
“I’ve also recently had a delivery of
luxury with chic French inspired design, the
Durance candles; these are from Provence
Grey Lurcher offers an ever changing array of
and they smell divine. Exceptional quality
contemporary gifts, cards and homewares.
too and a great price.”
Named after the beloved family dog, the store blends together stunning local art and craft with specially sourced and curated products sourced worldwide.
Another side to the Grey Lurcher is their impressive selection of interior design products, most notably the renowned and fabulous colours of Annie Sloan Chalk
“We try to stock products that work well
Paints, ‘I was lucky that in my second year,
together,” explains Julie, “I love textures,
we were approached by Annie Sloan,”
patterns and colours. I also like luxury items
describes Julie, “she selects very specific
that don’t cost a lot and have a passion for
stockies, who either have an interior bias
interiors and homeware.”
or offer workshops.
From imported French soaps and candles
Annie Sloan had previously had a stockiest
to the gorgeous lampshades crafted by
in the High Street many years ago, so
we thought bringing the brand back to Falmouth would be a great idea.” The inclusion has allowed Julie to branch out into painted furniture and small oneoff interior pieces. During lockdown, the paints proved popular with those who were taking the time at home to catch up on some renovation and has inspired Julie to pursue her passion for interiors further as well as building the Grey Lurcher’s online presence. “We will be doing one-off flash sales on our Facebook page. Details will be on our Instagram account too, so check them out!” Following the Grey Lurcher’s reopening, the store offers hand sanitiser and a one-way system to help customers feel safe upon returning to visit as well as opening on reduced hours from 11am – 2pm Tuesday to Saturday; however this is subject to change so make sure to keep up to date via Facebook and Instagram. l 4 High Street, Falmouth, TR11 2AB T: 01326 618240
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THE WANT LIST
Sophie Tilston 1
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Sophie Tilston is a print designer with a passion for colour and pattern. Her gorgeous works emulate her surroundings and all items featured on her online shop are designed by Sophie in her Cornish seaside studio. Check out these select gems and discover more at www.sophietilston.com
1. TROPICAL NIGHT Enamel Mug, £11 • 2. MEXICAN Enamel Mug, £11 • 3. INK FISH Enamel Mug, £11 4. BOHO Cotton Tea Towel, £11 • 5. Sets of 4 Coasters, £10 per set 6. TEA TOWEL BUNDLE (1x Celest,1x Boho,1x Orange Tulip) £29.50 - Sophie Tilston 7. PEACOCK FLOWER Lampshade 30cm diameter, £37.50, TROPICAL NIGHT 20cm diameter, £27.50 8. CELESTE Set of 4 Coasters • 9. TROPICAL NIGHT Small, 20cm diameter Lampshade, £27.50
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CREATIVE & CULTURAL LIVING
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN OUR 2021 ART GUIDES PLEASE CONTACT MELANIE WINN TEL: 01209 314147 • EMAIL: MELANIE@MYCORNWALL.TV
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
Design From humble beginnings, Rozen has been creating bespoke furniture items since 1986 and holds an impressive reputation as a hub of stylishly designed and handmade fine furniture and kitchens.
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aving held their current workshop and office at Ruan Minor near Helston for the past 20 years, a wealth of talented craftspeople have helped Rozen
to become an established part of Cornwall’s production industry and pride themselves on their start to finish processes. Here, they showcase just one of their many gorgeous products... Beautifully designed and combining comfort with craftsmanship, Rozen’s range of dining tables and chairs are classics that are not only beautifully tactile but easy on the eye. Chairs can be made in any wood from oak and maple to ash and walnut. Bespoke chairs can be upholstered in a customer's fabric of choice if desired, allowing individuality for customers looking for something unique to them. Tables can be designed as fixed tops or extending and can be shaped to rectangular, oval, elliptical, round or square designs, with solid tops or veneered with inlays and resting on either four legs or pedestals. Perfect as a statement dining piece for family dinners, the Rozen dining range allows for full customisation to suit customer style and needs alongside a high-quality finish. With the added bonus of a showroom at their workshop, a range of Rozen’s furniture and kitchens is on display. Appointments are available seven days a week. l www.rozenfurniture.com T: 01326 290100 t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 23 n
From wheelhouses perched on clifftops to ruins of stamps in wooded valleys, the remnants of Cornwall’s mining heritage make for some spectacular scenes. However, it’s not just the county’s surface world that holds lasting memories of a once prosperous and industrial era
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
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nderground, a labyrinth of work resides in the tunnels that were delved and dug deep into by Cornish miners for centuries, and way out in West Cornwall, a team of underground pioneers have created a ground-breaking Cornish experience that truly shows the extent of Cornwall’s fascinating underground world. Cornwall Underground; the clue is in the name. Officially launched in 2019, this totally unique and innovative adventure project allows an insight into the world of Cornish mining rarely seen – a world below the surface. Founded by Matt George and Ben Sumpter, Cornwall Underground was the culmination of two friends’ passion for outdoor adventuring, a fascination for Cornwall’s mining culture and a thrill for adrenaline. Now, as the only underground mine exploration team in Cornwall and the South West, Matt and his talented team are showing eager adventure seekers a totally new side to Cornwall. This wasn’t Matt’s first business in creating something exciting for adventure seekers that took advantage of Cornwall’s geography. In 2013, Matt founded Kernow Coasteering, which was born from his innate love of coasteering and rock climbing. Coasteering and rock climbing across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Matt’s drive to explore Cornwall further, and deeper, led to the possibility of tours in Cornwall’s abandoned mines. “Cornwall is home to more mines than any other part of the UK,” Matt explains, “it seemed only natural to get into mine exploration, although I appreciate that exploring abandoned mines isn’t an obvious choice for many people! For me, it
was just making the most of what Cornwall has to offer.” Naturally, research and site location were key. Mines in Cornwall can be found all over the county, but few are safe to enter, and many have suffered the tests of time over their decades of abandonment. For Cornwall Underground, the St Just mining district was an immediate standout, a region of mines that have long been a peak of interest and preservation. The area is part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, and boasts notable wheelhouses such as Botallack, Levant and Geevor. It was also an area that was close to Matt’s heart, “Of all the mining districts in Cornwall, the area around St Just is arguably the most iconic,” Matt says. “It already hosts some of Cornwall’s most well-known mining attractions. Growing up in Sennen, I’ve always had a strong affinity with west Cornwall and its heritage. It’s exciting to be able to share that history, first-hand, with what we’re doing.” With a location in mind, next came the arduous task of researching the realm of underground exploration and working out methods that would make their experiences safe. However, being the first experience of its kind in Cornwall it was a step into the unknown for Matt and Ben, who travelled extensively across the country to meet with professionals who could help make Cornwall Underground a reality, “It was literally years from having the initial idea to actually making it a reality,” Matt describes. “With no one else in the south of England offering what we do, there were no obvious examples that we could model ourselves on. This meant we had to travel the length and breadth of the UK, meeting and learning from experts
in the field. It was a long and steep learning curve, but we couldn’t have done it without the people we met along the way.” A large part of the learning process was led by Ben, one of Cornwall’s foremost mine historians and archaeologists, whose knowledge was imperative in getting Cornwall Underground up and running. Both passionate mine explorers, Ben and Matt have spent hundreds of hours exploring mines all over Cornwall as well as learning about as many as possible. It’s a level of knowledge, experience and ultimately an appetite for discovering as much as possible about Cornwall’s mining heritage that not only has proven vital for the business but also enables Matt and his team to inspire their visitors and give them an authentic insight into this vital part of Cornwall’s historic tapestry. “Growing up here, it was impossible not to be aware of Cornwall’s mining heritage,” Matt says, “My stepdad even worked at Geevor for a time, back in the 80s. As I got older, I was curious about Cornwall’s mines and ended up befriending some of the local explorers, it went from there really...” The experiences offered are available in two levels, so visitors can choose which adventure they think is suitable for them. To Matt and his team, it isn’t just about seeing the unbelievable work undertaken in these mines, it’s also about getting the most out of the unique landscape below. Caving suits, helmets, head torches and harnesses are all part of the package before adventurers step into the mines and navigate their way through. There’s walking, scrambling, and crawling, all in spaces once used by miners. However as things get more challenging explorers CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE
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will need to use more advanced caving techniques such as abseiling and using ropes to safely cross chasms and shafts, all under the skilled and watchful guidance of Matt and his team. “Every step of the way, you get to see the world that the miners created,” describes Matt, “We always remind people that every space they see was once solid rock until the miners excavated it. None of the underground voids we visit are natural. As we go, we tell the story of Cornish mining, how the mines actually worked and what purpose the passages, chasms and various shafts served. Being so old, there’s not much left in terms of artefacts, but we use our passion about Cornwall’s mining history to bring these places back to life for our guests.” A centrepiece for the Underground Adventurer, Cornwall Underground’s more advanced experience, features a huge chasm once known to miners as a ‘stope’, where miners would excavate a tin bearing vein or lode. “It’s very narrow,” Matt explains, “and unbelievably high. We have to make our way up and down this feature and the only way is via a feature we built that we can spacewalk. It’s a series of metal pegs and ladder rungs that snake their way across the walls of the stope. All the while, you are attached to a fixed line for safety. We call it the spacewalk because you can’t see the top or the bottom of the chasm when you’re on it. You’re traversing the very bowels of the mine with just space beneath your feet.” Of course, for those who are keen to experience a real Cornish mine underground, but avoid some of the more challenging obstacles, Matt recommends n 26 |
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the Underground Explorer, a trip which takes guests into a small, very ancient mine, “It’s mostly walking, with the option to take on a few short sections of crawling, and even try some entry-level abseiling. None of the obstacles are mandatory and we’re never too far from daylight if someone decides they’ve had enough. It’s proven to be a really popular option, but for anyone who completes this trip, we strongly recommend that they experience the more challenging Underground Adventurer. “We understand that, for some, going underground is a simple ‘no’, and that’s OK! But I think people assume that going into a mine will be a bit like a potholing experience, where you have to force yourself through ever-narrowing spaces. The mines were made by men, for men to move around in, so whilst there are some sections of stooping or crawling, they are short lived. In general, there’s plenty of room to move around freely.” Lately, it’s been unusual circumstances for the Cornwall Underground team due to the coronavirus pandemic, but following government guidelines, they are now able to start running trips again. Their governing body, the British Caving Association, have also give the green light for underground trips to start up again. As expected, some small changes have been made to allow social distancing, and trips are taking place in smaller group sizes for the time being. “We’re just glad we’re able to run again and we hope everyone stays safe moving forward,” says Matt. “As long as everyone remains sensible, we hope that Cornwall can at least get a little bit of a tourist season during the next couple of months. It’s only our second year operating, so we’re looking forward to showing more guests around our underground venues.
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We've just finished a new feature on the Underground Adventurer that we’re pretty excited to share with people.” A one-of-a-kind experience, Cornwall Underground have given a new lease of life to an integral part of Cornish history that today is rarely seen. The hard work, knowledge and dedication shown to this abandoned world below the surface, is certainly a testament to Matt, Ben and their committed crew. Not only does it breathe new life into this once ancient industrial lifestyle, it also that offers participants an exciting, educational and innovative look into the impossibly difficult work of the Old Men, “There’s no other way to imagine the life of Cornish miners of old, other than seeing it for yourself,” Matt adds. “Even the miners still alive today, who enjoyed the world of mechanised mining, had a very different experience from the ‘Old Men’, which is what miners refer to as the previous generations of miners. It’s completely baffling what they achieved underground. The amount of rock they moved, the vast chasms they created and worked in, not to mention the sheer danger of it all. They must have been very hard men and undoubtedly lived a very hard life. What’s really amazing too is that it was all done purely by candlelight, it was very dangerous work and accidents were commonplace. As much as I love exploring mines for fun, I’m always grateful that I wasn’t a Cornish miner!” l If you would like to explore the underground world of a Cornish miner for yourself, visit www.cornwallunderground.co.uk or email info@cornwallunderground.co.uk you can also call Matt on 07734343954 and Ben on 07596174479.
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Flowertime @ The Big Pink Tree
Penpol Terrace, Hayle TR27 4BP
Tel: 01736 757006 www.wesendflowers.co.uk
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
Elizabeth Dale takes a look back at the pilchard’s legacy, its place in our Cornish society and the important role of the Cornish huer.
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n years gone by the month of July traditionally marked the beginning of the pilchard season. From then on all eyes were on the sea and all hopes rested on whether the shoals would arrive and what catches would be made. For centuries this industry was the mainstay of almost all of Cornwall’s fishing communities. A vital part of the economy these little fish were not only essential to the health and well-being of rural communities but part of our cultural history too. The pilchards are come, and hevva is heard, And the town from top to bottom is stirred. Anxious faces are hurrying in every direction, To take a fine shoal they have no objection. Traditional Cornish Poem, Author Unknown The earliest record of seining for pilchards in Cornwall comes from Gorran Haven in 1271, but we can be certain that Cornish men have been catching these fish for as long as they have been coming to our waters. There is a saying that ‘a Cornishman’s national pride is in his pilchards’ and in the 17th Century the chief export from towns such as Penzance was this little silver fish. Pressed, salted and packed into huge barrels known as hogsheads, ships carried Cornish pilchards to markets across the Mediterranean. The enormity of this trade is demonstrated by records showing the
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huge quantities of pilchards leaving Cornish harbours. Between 1614 and 1617 around 2,000 hogsheads left the Penzance harbour alone, and just one hogshead held around 450kg (1,000Ib) of fish. The greatest recorded number of pilchards ever caught by one boat was 5,600 hogsheads or 16,500,000 fish in St Ives in just one day in 1868. In a region where most men were once involved in one of three industries - mining, farming or fishing – the pilchard was more than just an important source of food, it was an obsession. During a funeral in Crantock in 1835 the mourners happened to hear the huer’s cry go up in the middle of the service. Without hesitation everyone rushed away to their boats leaving the poor parson and his sexton to finish the burial as best they could alone. This anecdote might seem strange, even heartless, to us today but it goes some way to illustrate just how vital the pilchard season was to the wealth and well-being of Cornish communities in the 19th Century. And central to that industry and its success was the huer. On first impressions the huer’s lot may have seemed a relatively easy one. After all, his job was to simply watch for shoals of pilchards from a vantage point on the coast and let the fishermen know if he saw anything. But this was a role that involved a huge amount of skill and carried a great deal of responsibility. Huers had to have patience and years of experience as well as keen eyesight! The livelihood and welfare of the entire community rested on his ability to spot the passing shoals in time. When his signal was given, sometimes a shout of
| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
‘Hevva, Hevva‘, sometimes a blast on a trumpet, the whole village would drop whatever it was that they were doing and head for the harbour to launch the fleet. Once the boats were in the water it was the huer’s job, from his high viewpoint, to guide them to the shoal of fish and let them know when to shoot their nets. They would use a series of agreed upon signals, a kind of semaphore, to instruct the boats and get them into position. Some used flags or waved bunches of yellow gorse, others had horns or trumpets to blow or even huge tin megaphones to shout into! Huers could be relatively well paid and, depending on their arrangement with the harbour, some even received a percentage of the catch on top of their wages. However, the burden of responsibility also carried with it the extra weight of superstition as the huer and his luck, or lack of it, could often be held responsible for a poor fishing season. Communities not only relied on the income that the sale of the pilchards afforded but it was also often their main source of food. A poor season could be disastrous. In the 19th Century, after a successful pilchard season, it was customary for each seining company to hold a celebratory dinner for all its employees. Apparently the traditional toast of the evening was a somewhat tonguein-cheek suggestion of the Cornish fishermen’s hopes for the coming year and the healing powers of the pilchard: Here’s a health to the Pope, And may he repent,
And lengthen by six months, The term of Lent. For it’s always declared Betwixt the two poles, There’s nothing like pilchards For the saving of souls! At one time there were lookouts for the huers, of one form or another, all around the coast. Some were just simple raised platforms to give the men a better view and others, like the iconic white hut at Newquay and the Baulking House at Carbis Bay near St Ives, are much more substantial buildings. The word ‘huer’ is thought to come from the French meaning ‘to shout’. But they were also sometimes known as ‘balkers’, possibly from the English word ‘bawl’; hence their huts, like the one above Carbis Bay, were referred to as balking houses. They also lent their name to a number of headlands where they once stood – Bawken Head in Porthgwarra, The Balk in St Ives and Tor Balk at Kynance Cove.
lit a beacon there to guide shipping into the port and it was later converted as a lookout for pilchards. Huer’s huts were often two storeys to give the watchmen extra height enabling them to see further out to sea. The roomy area inside, which has a high arched ceiling and fireplace, was needed for storing the various paraphernalia required by the huer to signal to the boats, such as the trumpets, flags and ‘bushes’ (the bunches of gorse). Today the Newquay huer’s hut as well as the Balking House at St Ives make lovely places to visit, just for the views if nothing else. From their vantage points looking out to sea, as the huer once did, little has changed and it is easy to imagine the whole frenetic scene of a hundred years ago - the flashing shoal of purply-silver fish, the crowds of excited villagers, the flurry of boats in the water and the huer shouting, flags waving against the blue sky. What a sight it once would have been! l
The historic Huer’s Hut at Newquay, situated high up on Towan Head above the town, is an unmissable sight in the summer sunshine with its bright white walls. This small building is a rare survivor from the golden age of pilchard fishing. It was thought to have originally been built at some time in the 15th Century and probably served as an early lighthouse. Legend has it that the hut was the home of a hermit who
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
APPRECIATING TAMAR VALLEY This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Tamar Valley’s status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Here, we take a look at this border striding breadth of enchanting landscape including a local distillery and brewery that has spent this spring and summer crafting an extra special homage to this historical place.
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ith its picturesque rivers including the 61 mile long River Tamar, striking sloping banks, gorges, rich wildlife and woodland greenery, the Tamar Valley has, throughout the ages, been a constant allure for mankind. Striding the border between Cornwall and Devon, calls for the region, that’s made up of Tamar, Tavy and Lynher, to be designated as an AONB site had been sounding since the early 1960’s, but it wasn’t until 1995 that the valley finally received the protective status. A unique archaeological make-up of rich minerals and metals once saw the Tamar Valley as a prominent hotspot for the Cornwall and west Devon mining industry, and mines have been discovered that date as far back as the Bronze Age. For thousands of years, mankind has been extracting the buried treasure of the Tamar, which once included Europe’s largest mine for copper extraction, the Devon Great Consols. When the copper lode began to run out in the late 19th Century, mine owners began to produce arsenic to satisfy a demand for pesticide in American cotton crops. Today, huge slag heaps of arsenic are still present in the valley, most reclaimed by the surrounding heath but still fenced off and well away from the valley’s plentiful walking cycle and horse riding trails that meander throughout the land. The abundance of Tamar Valley’s mining prominence saw it listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. However, it’s not just the Tamar Valley’s geological and industrial prowess that make it such a notable landscape and today
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its abandoned mines serve a much different role. As one of the UK’S rarest mammals, there are just 5,000 horseshoe bats left in the country, their populations largely restricted to the south west of England and south Wales. Named after their strangely shaped noses, it was discovered in the early 2000's that a number of horseshoe bat females had made an old mining shaft their summertime home for breeding. The greater horseshoe bat requires two homes, a cool winter hibernation site and a warm summer site. Since the discovery of the mining shaft breeding grounds at Tamar, where females go in summertime, the AONB have been working hard to keep the colony’s numbers up, which includes protecting the valley’s natural habitats such as hedgerows and woodlands. The Tamar Valley is also a prominent site for birdwatchers, with its numerous rivers, small lakes, mud flats and an estuary, birds of all shapes and sizes congregate throughout the Tamar across the seasons, making it a popular destination. The Borderland The Tamar’s reputation as the border between Devon and Cornwall has seen its fair share of strife over the last millennium. Its earliest status as a border realm between the two counties occurred sometime around 936, when the current King of England and former King of the Anglo-Saxons, Athelstan declared it as such from the east bank of the River Tamar. During the 11th Century, several villages north of Launceston were transferred to Devon and it wasn’t until 1966 that the county boundary was restored to the Tamar and these villages transferred back to Cornwall.
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When exploring the river and its surrounding sites, the are many bridges and crossing links that connect the two counties, including Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s world-renowned Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash. The oldest bridge of the River Tamar is Horsebridge, built in 1437. Cheers to 25! It’s easy to see why this unique stretch of Cornish and Devon countryside was so deserving of its AONB status 25 years ago. Since its designation, a national level of protection has helped conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Tamar Valley. Since 2011, Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has been responsible for the direct funding of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in a tripartite agreement alongside Natural England and the National Association for AONBs and work closely with Cornwall and Devon County Councils to keep Tamar safe and thriving. Many small businesses have embraced Tamar’s natural majesty and from food and drink to art and craft, the Tamar has become an alluring place for creativity. One such business which has decided to honour the 25th anniversary of the Tamar Valley’s AONB status in a uniquely special way is Bere Brewery, a craft brewery located in Tamar Valley near Tavistock. In celebration of appreciating 25 years of Tamar Valley, the team at the brewery have created two new drinks that pay homage to their homeland. The first up is a new light and hoppy blonde ale, titled ‘Ale ONB’ (Ale of Outstanding Natural Beauty). Named by
Ben Dancer, the Planning Officer for the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site and Tamar Valley AONB, the ale is produced using 100% Tamar Valley hops, grown on the brewery’s Bere Alston site. Elizabeth Rickeard, a member of the Bere Brewery team, has relished in being able to create a new beer for such an auspicious occasion. “Creating a new beer is always such fun, like a great big cookery-come-chemistry experiment, with all the different malt, hop and yeast flavours to choose from to marry together to try and create something perfectly balanced with layer upon layer of lovely flavours... We are so lucky to be able to grow hops and to brew in one of the most beautiful places in all of England, so to have been asked to produce a new beer to celebrate the Tamar Valley’s 25th anniversary was a real honour.” Having launched towards the end of June, ‘Ale ONB’ is on sale at Bere Brewery while stocks last, so get in quick if you’re keen to taste this bright, sparkling and refreshing summertime beer for yourself. Bere Brewery are not the only local drinks producers to pay homage to the Tamar Valley’s AONB anniversary. In Launceston, Cornwall, Monarch Liqueurs have long been inspired by the Tamar Valley in their spirits and as such are the creators of the award-winning Tamar Tipple range, comprising rum, gin, vodka and whiskey liqueuers. Headed by Cliff and Elizabeth L’Estrange West, the duo are passionate when it comes to capturing the essence of the valley and have been busy combining all the fruits of the Tamar Valley’s rich hedgerows to produce a delicious new gin liqueur.
“We couldn’t think of a more appropriate flavour than the humble blackberry,” explains Elizabeth, “This small, hedgerow gem that everyone recognises appears each autumn, come rain or shine. After much trial and error and many tasting sessions, Cliff decided another dimension was needed; the addition of elderflower. The result is a rich, slightly sharp blackberry with a hint of elderflower in the background that lingers on the palate.” With taste checks completed, there was one thing left for the new liqueur and that was a name. A competition was held with the prize being a bottle of the new gin for the person who came up with the winning name for the new drink. At the end of June, after 58 suggestions, it was Ann Snell of Liskeard’s suggestion – Tamara. Elizabeth and Cliff loved the name for its reference to the tale of the Legend of Tamara. In the story, Tamara, a beautiful earth nymph born to two earth spirits in a deep cave, longs to be part of the world above. As she grows, Tamara begins to explore the land and falls in love with the sunshine of the surface world. Amidst all her explorations, much to the frustration of her parents, Tamara’s favourite place to visit was the moors. Residing amongst the moors were giants, who were hated and feared by Tamara’s parents, but Tamara did not fear them. Two giants, brothers Tavy and Tawrage, spotted Tamara amongst the moors and soon became besotted by her. When Tamara’s father discovered her association with the giants, so wrathful was his anger he demanded Tamara return underground, but she refused. In his rage, Tamara’s father cursed her, transforming her into a river.
Heartbroken, Tavy ran to his father who in turn transformed the young giant into a river himself, so that he might always run alongside Tamara. When Tawrage heard of his brother’s fate, he ran to an enchanter and also demanded to be turned into a river so as not to leave Tamara to Tavy. However, in his desperation to catch his brother up, Tavy took a wrong turning and was forced to run away from Tamara. Today, the three rivers flow through the valley, from the moors and towards the sea, their names Taw, Tavy and Tamar. Tamara, the new gin liqueur available from Monarch Liqueurs, is now available from Homeleigh Garden Centre in Launceston and Bude, Roots & Vines in Tavistock and online via the Monarch Liqueur website. Both drinks will also be available at The Tamar Valley Centre. Whether it’s a taste of Tamar you’ll be enjoying this summer, or a walk through its enchanting woodlands and alongside its mythical rivers, it’s clear that this spectacular slice of the South West was given its AONB declaration for reasons that are just as prominent today. Here’s to another 25 years protecting this thriving slice of iconic countryside. l For more information about the Tamar Valley AONB you can visit www.tamarvalley.org.uk and if you’re interested in purchasing your own bottle of Tamara you can visit www.monarchliqueurs.co.uk or for ‘Ale ONB’ www.berebrewery.co.uk For the full story of the Legend of Tamara and more tales from East Cornwall, visit www.mazedtales.org.
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
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Firstly, tell us a little bit about yourself and your connection to Cornwall… I am 44 years old and Cornish born and bred, I'm from Mullion on the Lizard and now live in Gweek with my wife Sarah, young son Henry and my two dogs Monty and Myah. I am a published and award-winning photographer, and more recently I presented a short film for BBC Winterwatch. I have actively been increasing my YouTube channel vlogs during the coronavirus situation, in hope of bringing some light relief to those that cannot get out and enjoy nature; I've featured on BBC Radio and TV talking about this specifically. I regularly contribute to magazines on wildlife and conservation and I was shortlisted last year in the British Photography Awards (BPA). Also, I have just had one of my badger images chosen for the front cover of the Spring edition of BBC Wildlife Magazine. I've also been a winner and contributor to calendars, books, magazines and more.
me and got me hooked on Nature was my first sighting of a barn owl quartering in a beautiful hay meadow at sunset hunting for its favoured prey the short-tailed field vole, this image and moment has lasted over the years and is permanently ingrained in my mind, truly special and is still so today. I think over the years Nature has suffered quite dramatically with human intervention, I hope to show through my photography just how fragile this has become and maybe make a difference and implement change.
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You’ve worked closely with Cornwall Wildlife Trust and many other wildlife and environmental organisations, what are you keen to highlight in these collaborations? Working as a Volunteer for Natural England and the National Trust and providing images and written work for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust has enabled me to get a unique view of the amazing Keen to promote and highlight wildlife work they carry out in our beautiful in Cornwall and further afield, I regularly county. What is evident is how they contribute to Natural England and the all work differently but come together Natural Lizard website and also help run effectively and efficiently to achieve the Instagram takeovers for the Cornwall common goal to protect and safeguard Wildlife Trust. many sensitive sites, creating a robust I’ve spent the last 22 years in the UK Military and healthy ecosystem in Cornwall. as a survival specialist. I like to adapt my skills What do you aim to teach your as a pathfinder to allow me to track, stalk followers and readers about the and photograph wildlife in all environments. natural world? I hope that through my experiences and What inspired your passion for pictures I highlight all the great benefits nature and wildlife photography, the natural world has to offer, in terms was there a specific moment? I think the moment that truly captivated of its healing properties with mental
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& physical health and help people to reconnect with Nature. My belief in the welfare of the subject of Nature photography is paramount.
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What have you learnt about Cornwall’s wildlife and what do you love most about it? The Lizard Peninsula, being the most southerly part of mainland Britain, is an amazing place. The combination of the mild maritime climate and the complex and unique geology has produced an area with a distinctive and unique character. Some of the habitats and species only occur here on the Lizard, and others are extremely rare nationally and have global significance. The Lizard also supports such a varied amount of migratory species of birds and two of the best times are during spring and autumn migrations - you never know what’s going to turn up! That's how special this place is as it always throws up some surprises.
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When you’re not trekking across the county looking for wildlife to capture, what do you do to relax? I think family time is so important so spending time with my wife, son and dogs visiting National Trust properties and just life in the outdoors is very special. I am a keen amateur gardener and enjoy spending time in our two acre orchard, wood and formal garden - and is a great way to relax listening to nature all around me. I like classical music, cheese and red wine and having a good time with family and friends. I enjoy trail running and keeping fit where possible. l
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GWREN N KERNEWE Kynth yw meurgerys rag y dekter gwyls, y kevir lies kesweythyow istoric hag ikonek a-derdro an arvor Kernow, y’ga mysk heb mar ‘Golva an Golyador’ yn Tewyn Plustri. An ankarji sempel ha splann ma a warias rol arbennik rag an kemeneth pyskessa drefen an lu skath-roos dhe vos kevarwodhys alena war tu ha’n hes hern y’n pleg mor a-woles. Dhe benn meur a’n skeul, drehevys o an dinasow bras Arghantel ha Polhawn rag gwitha erbynn Napoleon y’n soth-est a Gernow. Nebes byghanna mes gans porpos breselek maga ta, kevys yw ‘kistyow-pellenik’, gwrys a gestevyn garow hag uvel, a-ugh lies trethow a Gernow le may withens i erbynn omsettyans dres an Nessa Bresel Norvys. Although it is loved for its wild beauty, you find many iconic and historic structures all around the Cornish coast, amongst them, of course, the Huer’s Hut in Newquay! This simple, splendid hermitage played a special role for the fishing community because it was from here that the seine fleet was directed toward the pilchard shoals in the bay below. At the grander end of the scale, the great forts of Tregantle and Polhawn were built to guard against Napoleon in the south-east of Cornwall. Somewhat smaller but with a military purpose as well, ‘pill boxes’ made of crude,humble concrete, are found above many of Cornwall’s beaches where they guarded against invasion during the Second World War.
tekter beauty gwyls wild kesweyth structure arvor coast Golva an Golyador Huer’s Hut ankarji hermitage pyskessa fishing / to fish alena from there hes shoal hern pilchards pleg mor bay garow rough a-woles below breselek military kist-pellenik pillbox uvel humble Hedhyw, yma Kernow tre dhe bennsodhva an Fondyans Golarvor Kenedhlek, selys yn ironek yn kres an wlas dhe Lyskerrys. Kevys yw kwarter a wolvaow an kowethyans ryb agan morlannow kernewek ni, nebes anedha mar vyghan yth yw res dhe sevel yn-mes rag treylya mappa! Bodhogyon FGK a brof lagasow ha skovornow a-ugh an mor nesarvorel, ow korwolyas
For general enquiries: maureen.pierce@kesva.org For enquiries about publications: roger.courtenay@kesva.org For enquiries about examinations: tony.hak@kesva.org
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
NI KEWSEL EK
Let's Speak Cornish
kanolyow radyo ha koslowes pan yw an gweladewder drog. A-dhyworth Kastel Botorel bys dhe’n Lysardh, golyadoryon arnowydh yns i, a weres sawya bewnansow yn le a jassya pysk. Today, Cornwall is home to the headquarters of the National Coastwatch Institution, ironically based inland at Liskeard. Around a quarter of the organisation’s look-outs are found next to our Cornish shores, some of them so small that you have to stand outside to turn a map over! NCI volunteers provide eyes and ears over the inshore sea, monitoring radio channels and listening out when visibility is poor. From Boscastle to the Lizard, these are the modern day watchmen (huers) who help to save lives rather than chasing fish.
ironek ironic kres middle gwlas Kingdom, land kwarter quarter hanter half tri-kwarter three-quarters morlann shore nesarvorel inshore lagasow eyes skovornow ears dewlagas eyes (pair of...) diwskovarn ears (pair of...)
bodhogyon volunteers golyadoryon watchmen gweladewder visibility chassya to chase Fondyans Gol-arvor Kenedhlek (FGK) www.nci.org.uk
National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) www.nci.org.uk
“Pyth a wruss’ta gul an penn-seythen ma?
“What did you do this weekend?” “My a’n spenas y’n wolva dhe Gilgoodh Ust. Bodhek ov!”
“I spent it in the look-out on Cape Cornwall. I’m a volunteer!” “A-barth Duw, yn oll an glaw ha niwl na?!”
“Fer God’s sake! In all that rain and fog!” “Gwir. Ha travyth dhe dhybri rag kroust marnas pasti korrek.”
“True. And nothing to eat fer croust except a giant pasty.” “Ty a wra gul neb tra dhe woheles dasgrondya dha gonsveyn, a ny wre’ta?!”
“You’ll do anything to avoid re-laying your paving slabs, won’t you?!” “Ty a’m aswonn, sos, ty a’m aswonn.”
“ You d’knaw me, pard, you d’knaw me”.
For enquiries about the language correspondence course: kernewekdrelyther@hotmail.co.uk For more Cornish Language visit: www.kesva.org
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The Customs House Gallery Porthleven
˜
˜
Sarah Eddy
Cornwall Land and Seascapes
Original Oil Paintings, Prints, Calendars and Greeting Cards
Studio
F3 Princes House, Princes Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2ES
www.saraheddyart.com Tel: 07507174025 • Email: info@saraheddyart.com
VANQUISHED ~ JACK DAVIS
an exhibition of original oil paintings by Jack
Davis
SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST TO MONDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
OPEN DAILY 10.30AM TO 5PM W: WWW.CORNWALL-ART.CO.UK T: 01326 569365 E: HELLO@THECUSTOMSHOUSEGALLERY.CO.UK
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
@ The Upstairs Gallery, Circa 21
42 47 50 52 54 56 58 60
ART NEWS ART VIP THROUGH THE EYES OF... ART FOCUS MAKER'S FOCUS ARTIST PROFILE MEET THE MAKER GALLERY OF THE MONTH
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RETURN OF THE ORANGE O: OPEN STUDIOS CORNWALL REBOOTS THIS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER If ever there was a time for creative escapism, that time is now. Between Saturday 29th August and Sunday 6th September, more than 250 artists, designers and makers will share their studio spaces, their stories and omnipresent originality in a safe and socially distanced celebration of artistic practice for Open Studios Cornwall 2020. From Marazion to St Minver, St Ives to Saltash and Penzance to Penwithick, in leafy villages, seaside settlements and wooded valleys, painters, printmakers and potters, textile designers, sculptors and illustrators will guide you between granite gateposts, down gravelled driveways and along ancient footpaths – and to the Open Studios Cornwall website, enhanced with video tours and additional digital content – to discover, discuss and purchase their work. l For all the latest information about the artists, their work, which of them are opening their studios and who is exhibiting virtually, visit openstudioscornwall.co.uk
COVER ARTIST – ALASDAIR LINDSAY This issue’s cover comes from the incredibly talented Alasdair Lindsay. Born in Cheshire in 1975, Alasdair came to Cornwall in 1996 to study at Falmouth College of Art and has remained ever since. His paintings are based on what he sees every day and he studies these places regularly, sometimes sketching on site, although he usually paints from memory and through experimentation. His studio work is down to decisions based on instinct rather than theory, and his aerial views of Cornwall and London have become highly collectable. The hardback book ‘Shorelines’ about Alasdair, was published in 2017 to coincide with his solo exhibition at the Cornwall Contemporary gallery based in Penzance, where he has exhibited his work as one of their leading resident artists for over a decade. His paintings are in collections worldwide and he has won various prestigious art prizes including the Hunting Art Prize and the Singer Freidlander Sunday Times Watercolour Competition at Mall Galleries in London. The gorgeous painting featured as our cover is ‘Morning Sun, Jubilee Pool’ and is part of Cornwall Contemporary’s Summer Exhibition, which include a number of Alasdair’s paintings on display. l www.cornwallcontemporary.com
NEWLYN AND EXCHANGE GALLERIES REOPEN The teams behind Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange are delighted to announce that both venues will reopen from Saturday 8th August, showing Go On Being So at Newlyn Art Gallery, and Hippo Campus: Where We Learn and The Young People’s Art Prize at The Exchange. Dedicated staff and volunteers at both venues have put in place social distancing and safety measures to ensure that visitors have an enjoyable time, and look forward to welcoming people back. See their website for full details of exhibitions in the galleries as well as online events. l Newlyn Art Gallery, New Road, Newlyn, Penzance, TR18 5PZ. The Exchange, Princes Street, Penzance, TR18 2NL. Wed-Sat, 10am-5pm. W: www.newlynartgallery.co.uk T: 01736 363715 n 42 |
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
TRELISSICK GALLERY Summer Exhibition 2020
Trelissick Gallery to reopen on the 1st August with a Members’ mixed exhibition. This exhibition will run until 20th September. Please be aware that to visit Trelissick you must book ahead at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trelissick/whats-on We will be open daily from 10am-4.30pm
www.cornwallcrafts.co.uk
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THE CORNWALL SCHOOLS ART COLLECTION AT FALMOUTH ART GALLERY (19TH SEPTEMBER - 14TH NOVEMBER 2020) A new exhibition at the Falmouth Art Gallery will showcase a selection of artworks originally acquired for use in Cornwall’s public schools, featuring locally and internationally renowned artists such as Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Terry Frost, Rose Hilton, John Milne and many more. With an interest in enriching the arts in education, the collection covers painting, drawing, collage, print, sculpture, textiles and ceramics. There is an incredibly diverse range of mediums and styles to inspire and ignite curiosity in younger generations growing up in the area. The collection began back in the early 1960’s, following an anonymous donation to Cornwall Council in 1961, with a note attached reading “To help primary school funds”. Whilst the collection includes many artists from all areas of Cornwall and further afield, there are also some key figures with links to the Falmouth area, giving a peek at an uncovered slice of local art history. l www.falmouthartgallery.com
REBECCA JEWELL AT THE CUSTOMS HOUSE, PORTHLEVEN This September, the gorgeously delicate and intricate botanical themed works of painter Rebecca Jewell will be showcased in an exhibition at The Customs House Gallery in Porthleven. Residing in Mawgan, Rebecca moved to Cornwall over a decade ago with husband and fellow artist, Simon Jewell. Her eye-catching works primarily focus on flowers, and working from photographs, Rebecca carefully captures the light, tenderness and complexity of each botanical creation in her works. Her latest exhibition at The Customs House Gallery will run from Saturday 19th September to Monday 28th September. The gallery is currently open from 10.30am – 5pm seven days a week, however do visit their website www.cornwall-art.co.uk for more information. l
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
KURT JACKSON: A PREHISTORIC CORNWALL Kurt Jackson’s latest exhibition sees the renowned artist explore relics of a prehistoric Cornwall and celebrate the county’s extraordinary abundance of ancient monuments with a series of new paintings. With these monuments playing such an integral part of Cornish landscape and culture, Kurt was keen to capture this side of Cornish heritage in his own, unique style, as he explains here, "These are extraordinary places to visit, to draw and to paint. As the eye, the hand, or the feet follow the features, the mind also wanders, trying to find meaning and explanation. “Now the destination of residents, tourists, walkers, neo-pagans and archaeologists, they have been reappraised and are seen as part of a whole complex of prehistoric monuments; valuable in their own right, but representative of a wide cultural past and a link to the distant pre-Christian history. Fundamentally, they are architecturally, archaeologically and aesthetically beautiful...” This exhibition is presented in partnership with The Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership. Kurt Jackson: A Prehistoric Cornwall: opens on August 29th At the Jackson Foundation Gallery. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm. Art, Music, Activism, Kurt Jackson, Glastonbury and Greenpeace is still on show until the 15th August. l
A stunning gallery located at the heart of the timeless Trelowarren Estate, run by a co-operative of exciting and diverse professional artists all sharing an enthusiasm for living and working on the Lizard Peninsula. Seascapes to abstracts, printmaking, crafts and cards with various media to suit all tastes. We look forward to welcoming our visitors now from Wednesday to Sunday. Please continue to view our work online also. STABLEYARD GALLERY, TRELOWARREN ESTATE, MAWGAN-IN-MENEAGE, HELSTON, CORNWALL TR12 6AF OPEN WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY, 11AM-3PM
TEL: 01326 221778 | WWW.LIZARDART.CO.UK FACEBOOK: THESTABLEYARDGALLERY INSTAGRAM: LIZARDARTGALLERY
ART HOUSE GALLERY Always on the lookout for new talent, Art House Gallery features a diverse mix of mediums, blending representational and abstract styles. The exhibition evolves all season with fresh and dynamic work. Their collection includes more than 20 of the most respected artists working in Cornwall today. Open times: mostly 11:30am-4:30pm Private views are available
Art House Gallery, Island Square, St Ives, TR26 1NT T: 01736 794423 M: 07512 978 730 E: thearthouses@hotmail.com t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 45 n
Improve your skills and meet like-minded people with pottery classes and workshops in Redruth, Cornwall. These sessions are a great way to further explore the world of pottery.
everything and those who just want a few fun hours making a mug, plate or bowl.
I have three types of weekly workshops; on the wheel, for those who want nothing more than to learn to throw and are focused solely on that; general, for those who want to try
My studio has a relaxed and happy atmosphere, under 18s only Saturday morning. Regular workshops 10am-12noon and 1pm-3pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
G10 Percy Williams Building, Krowji, West Park, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 3AJ Text: 07855 102 598 Email: susywardg10@yahoo.com www.susywardceramics.com
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
VIP
A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE
SUTTON TAYLOR AT YEW TREE GALLERY
‘Seeing the Light’ exhibition - 6th September - 30th October The gallery will sparkle with light this autumn as SUTTON TAYLOR’s magnificent lustrous ceramics fill the space, their colours ever changing as the sunlight moves around the room. Unique among contemporary ceramicists, Sutton has followed his own path from the early 1970's (when he first exhibited at Yew Tree Gallery, located then in Derbyshire.) Tackling most challenging techniques and with the touch of an alchemist, he creates lustrous pots that seem to defy the limitations of the kiln. An ancient practice, dating from the 9th Century in Mesopotamia, lustreware requires gold, silver and copper to give the metallic sheen to the glazes ~ a temperamental and exacting process! The iridescence and rich hues arise through the layering of coloured stains with the precious metals, then heating to critical temperatures through multiple firings as the metals volatise at difference degrees. Constantly experimenting, making his own glazes to produce one-off colours, throwing ever more challenging shapes, Sutton continues to surprise and delight with the variety of pattern and colour in his work. Living at the land’s edge in West Penwith, Sutton finds inspiration through the light’s dance on moorland and sea. His ceramics are represented in numerous public collections internationally. Delicate hued oil paintings by MICHAEL SHEPPARD are a perfect counterpart to Sutton’s collection in ‘Seeing the Light’.
Yew Tree Gallery, Keigwin, Morvah TR19 7TS www.yewtreegallery.com gilly@yewtreegallery.com 01736 7896425 t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 47 n
CREATIVE & CULTURAL LIVING BACK ROAD ARTWORKS Situated in the Downalong area of St Ives is a unique large gallery and working studio space displaying original work by seven local artists: Jenny Frey - John Greig - Kathryn Loveluck - Karen Taffinder - Sally MacCabe - Sharon McSwiney - Susan Barraclough Paintings, sculpture, metalwork and jewellery unique to St Ives often inspired by Cornish surroundings. Meet the artists who create and run the gallery. Open daily throughout the year Back Road East, St Ives, TR26 1NW T: 01736 791571
COWHOUSE GALLERY
THE CUSTOMS HOUSE GALLERY
ANDREW BARROWMAN An exhibition of original oil paintings by plein air artist Andrew Barrowman will take place at the gallery and on our website from Saturday 8th to Monday 17th August. The gallery is run by a group of local artists and craftspeople and offers a wide range of original arts and crafts at very affordable prices. A stroll away is Perranuthnoe Cove with breathtaking coastal walks looking towards St Michael’s Mount in one direction and to Prussia Cove the other. Lynfield Craft Centre, Perranuthnoe TR20 9NE T: 01736 710538 • www.cowhousegallery.co.uk
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The gallery on Porthleven’s harbourside is now open seven days a week from 10.30am to 5pm. Commercial Road, Porthleven TR13 9JD. T: 01326 569365 www.cornwall-art.co.uk
EMILY NIXON
INSPIRE MAKERS
Hand crafted fine jewellery with a distinctive sea-worn, irregular character. Sculptural designs in gold, platinum and silver are meticulously set by hand with a natural palette of ocean inspired sapphires and brilliant white diamonds.
T: 01736 887599 • E: emily@emilynixon.com • W: www.emilynixon.com
Located towards the top of Falmouth High Street, Inspire Makers is a new creative space showcasing the talent of Cornish craftspeople. There is a wide range of contemporary work from both well-known and emerging makers, across jewellery, ceramics, textiles, wall art, stationery, and homewares. There is also a dedicated workshop space which will offer classes to inspire people to take up making themselves. On hold for the moment, we hope to start the programme later in the year. Opening Times: Tues to Sat 10am-5pm Inspire Makers, 5 High Street, Falmouth, TR11 2AB • T: 01326 531176 E: create@inspiremakers.com • W: www.inspiremakers.com A @inspire_makers • G inspiremakers
JACKSON FOUNDATION
JULIA MILLS
Specialising in precious, everyday, wedding, engagement and bespoke commissions. Please email to view the collection by video call or to book an appointment at Emily’s studio in Hayle.
Art. Music. Activism. - Kurt Jackson, Glastonbury Festival and Greenpeace. Until August 15th. Glastonbury Festival Artist-inResidence Kurt Jackson shares paintings of some of the worlds most famous musical acts in this show raising money for Greenpeace. Kurt Jackson: A Prehistoric Cornwall. Opens August 29th. This show celebrates the extraordinary range of ancient monuments in Cornwall with a new series of paintings. Ancient monuments are an integral part of the Cornish landscape and its culture. In association with The Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm. North Row, St Just, TR19 7LB. www.jacksonfoundationgallery.com
From intricate decorative pieces to large panels and wall hangings, Julia’s bright and contemporary glassworks capture the colour and light of Cornwall in all its glory. With her workshop on-site, Julia regularly takes on commissions. Her new workshop is at 5 The Beehive, Bread Street, Penzance. Please call or email to make an appointment. T: 07875279751 E: juliamillsgallery@gmail.com www.juliamillsgallery.co.uk
SHARON MCSWINEY Sharon creates a unique and distinctive range of metalwork & jewellery inspired by the sea. Working in copper and brass she handcrafts decorative wall pieces featuring seaweed & sea creatures. Local beach combing providing endless inspiration for limpet & seaweed jewellery. Crafted in St Ives into silver pieces which evoke Cornwall. Soft verdigris finishes & colouration making each creation a one-off. Unit 7, The Drill Hall, Chapel Street, St Ives TR26 2LR T: 01736 448293 info@sharonmcswiney.co.uk www.sharonmcswiney.co.uk
If you would like to advertise in our Art Directory please contact Melanie Winn: Tel: 01209 314147 Email: melanie@mycornwall.tv t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 49 n
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
THROUGH THE EYES OF...
Ke r a n G i l m o r e A St Ives native through and through, it’s no surprise professional painter Keran Gilmore has spent her life in the realm of art. From capturing her iconic hometown to creating stunning light play in her coastal land and seascape pieces, Keran’s knowledge and love of her hometown is impossible to miss in her works. Firstly, tell us about your chosen location and why it inspires you? My chosen location has to be my beautiful hometown of St.Ives. How can anyone not be inspired here? Every nook and cranny of the town itself is ingrained in me; they all lead to a view to be captured. I know where every alleyway leads, every shortcut through the town to avoid the crowds. But in every journey around St.Ives, you walk slap bang into inspiration - it exposes new opportunities for me to capture my town in a different light, a different day, it’s always new, even though I know it so very well. It’s like putting on an old, comfy jumper. When painting your location, is there anything that really catches your eye that you enjoy focusing on? I am always drawn towards a dramatic landscape, from the colours nature throws or an interesting composition. The ocean has a powerful calling to me coming from a family of St.Ives fisherfolk. I am only ever comfortable in close proximity of the ocean. The light changing and skipping over the water is hypnotic and can absorb me for hours. Describe the sounds and sights you experience in your location Seagulls, you can never escape the sounds of the birds here. I love the sound of them and find them rather comforting. I guess it is because I have heard them from the day one. I can also say I have never been robbed by a seagull, so I guess I am very aware of them and their ways. When painting on the cliffs surrounding St.Ives, the sound of the ocean dominates the
environment, it’s a very powerful, primitive sound. It certainly gets rid of any cobwebs my head is holding onto, a Plein Air session on the cliffs is like a ‘Spring Clean’ for the mind. Wherever I perch to paint I am fascinated by the little stories of the people in my landscapes. I wonder what they are up to, why are they where they are and how do they perceive my hometown. Sometimes I even talk to them whilst I am painting them, although I know they cannot hear me (hopefully). What colours do you like to use when painting your location? I use what colours nature presents to me at that moment in time. Personally, I like a limited palette of darker hues, Payne’s grey has to be one of my favourite colours. The season of spring is my favourite time to be out in the environment, to see everything budding anew. The colours of deep winter really inspire me to paint, this is ‘My Cornwall’, weather-beaten, wild and windy with few people out braving the elements. The amazing greens the ocean gives us when a mean February sky bears down, threatening an imminent storm. This is my artist’s caffeine rush! If practicing “en plein air”, what do you think about and what are your thought processes when painting this way? En plein air is like a spark, it ignites something in my soul that connects me to my sense of place. I don’t think I have a thought process when painting, it’s more of a compulsion, I just have to do it. It is an all encompassing and very grounding experience, I feel I have offloaded
something. I think everyone should try it. Don’t be precious about what you are doing just, let it out. What challenges do you face when conveying your location onto canvas? The enormity of the scene. When you sit in a spot and look at a view, it’s so very, very big and you are so very, very small. Getting that sense of space onto the canvas, that moment in time down onto the canvas, that’s challenging. I am still constantly battling weather and how to make my rucksack as light as possible. It’s difficult carrying a heavy load to some locations, I am still working on this. Finally, what do you love most about your location? Cornwall and St.Ives in particular run deep in my veins. It is the only place I can truly ‘exhale’. It beats with my heart and I never take my hometown for granted. I have travelled all over the world and I am always elated to get back home. I am up at 5am most mornings and the sunrises, skies and vistas here still take my breath away. Nature is the most awesome artist ever, I just try to capture a small glimpse of what we are given for free, every day. All you must do is look and it is there. l You can discover more about Keran and view her paintings in the flesh, at the Art House Gallery on Island Road in St Ives. Art House Gallery 1 Island Road, St Ives, TR26 1NT T: 01736 794423 www.thearthouses.com G Art House Gallery, St. Ives
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ART FOCUS
This September, Plymouth will be celebrating all things art in a weekend of socially distanced exhibitions, events and community-based activities that will make up the eclectic and exciting Plymouth Art Weekender. In the face of adversity following this year’s events, creativity has come from those behind the Plymouth Art Weekender programme as the festival is set to take place across a selection of venues through Britain’s ‘Ocean City’. From exhibitions designed to promote discussion and thought to projects that allow expressionism to run wild, this year’s Weekender will be making the most of the challenges its creative participants have faced over recent months. Having run for six years, Plymouth Art Weekender was granted a vital lifeline this year from Arts Council England in the form of an emergency Covid-19 grant, to ensure the event's survival and sustainability for the future and to continue championing the grassroots determination. As a result, the 2020 Weekender will feature an array of Covid related commissions popping up across the city from some exciting names, however not all artworks will be linked to the pandemic. Founded in 2015 by Visual Arts Plymouth CIC, the Plymouth Art Weekender was created in response to a growing appetite in the city for more n 52 |
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ambitious, artistic activity. What started off as an experiment to bring all types of artists together to collaborate and create, soon expanded into a three-day event that takes place across the entire city at various venues, making for an immersive experience. Despite the Covid-19 crisis, the Weekender team were determined to make the event work for the ‘new normal’ and allow the city’s artistic community to come together and showcase their work to the public. Lucy Stella Rollins, part of the Flock South West, coordinators of Plymouth Art Weekender, believes the event is more important than ever this year, “Despite everything that has happened this year, we are determined to make the threeday event a celebration and to offer a moment for the artistic community to come together again, in what has been an undoubtedly challenging year. In fact, it feels more important than ever to give artists a platform right now to express themselves and to open up connections through the medium of art. “Whilst many in the creative and events sectors grapple with the challenge of
| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
converting or pivoting their events to accommodate complex social distancing requirements - or in the worst cases, cancelling entirely - our advantage lies in the fact that we are geographically spread out across the city in a modular fashion. Working closely with participants, the Weekender is diversified across different organisations and venues so we are lower risk than events that are located in one single facility or vicinity and cannot manage social distancing. Plenty of the works can be enjoyed in the fresh air too.” Announcements are now starting to roll out, with some fantastically ambitious artists showcasing their works this year, as well as plenty of exhibitions, workshops and innovative activities taking place citywide. Lucy adds, “Expect everything from subtle interventions to public performative moments in this year’s showcase of the city’s creative talent!” l Plymouth Art Weekender will be running from Friday 25th – Sunday 27th September. For more information, head to www.plymouthartweekender.com
t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 53 n
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
MAKER'S FOCUS
A Beautiful Room at The Upstairs Gallery, Circa 21 This summer, Penzance’s Circa 21 will be bringing a stunning array of work from a variety of artists to their gorgeous studio space, The Upstairs Gallery, for a locally championed project titled ‘Beautiful Room’. A selection of Newlyn based potters and local artists will be taking over the atmospheric space of Circa 21’s Upstairs Gallery. Themed around an elemental coastal design, a ‘Beautiful Room’ has been curated by Circa 21 owner Esme Burton and features a selection of furniture and textiles to add a fresh, breezy vibe to this enchanting summer exhibition. One of the ‘Beautiful Room’ featuring creatives is Czech born Lucie Sivicka, a Penzance based potter with a studio in Newlyn. After visiting her partner's parents in Penzance for the past decade, the family including their son decided to make Penzance their home. Since the age of 18, Lucie has been a potter, studying at the Ceramic Art School in Bechyne from the age of 14. For Lucie, a move to Penzance not only meant being closer to family, but also closer to Cornwall’s unique art communities. “When I used to come here on holiday, I felt the artistic vibration everywhere. I have travelled a lot around the world, but I have never seen as many
galleries in such a small area as Cornwall, it really is a very special place.” With a passion to tell a story in each of her ceramic pieces, Lucie is constantly inspired by the strong community of outdoor swimmers seen across Penzance and Newlyn’s coastline, the regular visiting seals to the harbour and even the family cat. “When I walk to our studio in Newlyn along the seafront, almost every day throughout the year, I see outdoor swimmers in the bay,” Lucie explains. “They always seem to be enjoying themselves and I’m amazed at how brave and strong these swimmers must be, especially when they are swimming in the winter. I love swimming, but only in the summer." “I love to illustrate stories such as these into my mugs and bring happiness to myself and those who will use my ceramics and appreciate them.” Close to Lucie’s ceramic circle are fellow talented Newlyn potters Dan Hides and Lincoln Kirby-Bell, with whom Lucie shares a studio. Occasionally, Lucie will work
for Dan in his gallery, where she enjoys throwing and seeing the gallery’s friendly customers. When she’s not busy with her ceramics, Lucie is also renowned for her stained glass creations and her works can be found in the world famous Zatec Brewery in Czech and Zatec’s top hotel, as well as Czech’s two most recent presidents. Lucie Sivicka, Dan Hide and Lincoln Kirby-Bell will be coming together to showcase their works in Circa 21’s 'Beautiful Room' project alongside a selection of local artists including Tanya McBride, Stephanie Croydon, James Eddy, Tara Leaver, Theresa Shaw and Andrew Wilkey. Keep up to date with the gallery and all the Circa 21 happenings via their social media and brand-new website. l www.circa21.co.uk
G Circa21 A circa21pz Circa 21 21 Market Jew Street Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 2HR
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ARTIST PROFILE
Describing herself as an avid collector of ‘things’, artist and creator Andrea Insoll takes a predominantly fluid approach when it comes to her artwork. From using treasures found on her doorstep to encouraging her own sense of freedom, Andrea is a testimony to unrestrained creation. Raised in an artistic family, Andrea Insoll
restricted to just one medium or just one
was encouraged from an early age to
discipline. I have always been told I have
explore her creative side. Her father
a butterfly mind and I guess it’s true.”
was a graphic designer, her mother
A collector of all things quirky and
a printmaker, and at aged 16 Andrea
eyecatching, Andrea has spent years
herself sought out to become an artist
combing through the beaches of her
in her own right. For five years in total,
local area for treasures she can use in
Andrea studied at art schools in graphics,
her works and takes inspiration from her
photography, textiles and surface design.
surrounding environment. In 2019, Andrea
In 1984, she returned to Cornwall and met
started the Trash or Treasure exhibition
future husband, Chris Insoll who then was
at the Hidden Hut in Portcurnick which
in the midst of founding and establishing
showcases a collection of collages
the Portscatho Society of Artists and
and works created from Andrea’s
opening the New Gallery Portscatho.
beachcombing. Not only does it offer
Whilst Andrea continued to make
beach debris and plastic pollution a new
art alongside helping with the gallery,
lease of life, but for Andrea it’s a strong
she undertook the complex art of china
reminder of the problems taking place on
painting, painstakingly decorating glazed
our coastlines, as she explains here: “My
porcelain objects.
sense of excitement and anticipation at
“I was originally making silk cushions and
what I might find has never diminished
textiles but then I started studying china
but it is now tempered by a sense of
painting, and after many years doing so,
horror at the ever-increasing volume of
and having completed several large dinner
‘treasure’ washed up on our shores and
service commissions, I needed a break.”
the untold damage this is doing to the
Andrea returned to the earlier work she had explored as a young student, experimenting with acrylics, shapes, textures, colours and mark making.
marine environment". “I love the natural world, both the one we see and the hidden microscopic world.” Unafraid to challenge herself, or
Returning to these processes was a
experiment wherever possible, Andrea
natural transition for Andrea and one
divides her mediums between two
she felt totally comfortable in doing.
studios, one for paintings and one for her
“Working in mixed media is second
3D works, “My starting points with each
nature to me, I can’t imagine being
piece are many and various. From setting
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
up a still life scene to taking a blank canvas to one covered in colour and pattern. If I’m stuck for inspiration, I take a variety of different sized canvases, paper and card and I just play with colours and mark making until inspiration comes, which thankfully it always does. “I love the freedom to explore my feelings and ideas creatively, the most challenging thing is self-discipline; to just get on with it. I endeavour to spend time in my studios every day, even if it’s just listening to the radio or rearranging my stuff.” As an artists of all forms, much can be taken from Andrea’s willingness to let go and create work simply for the sheer joy of creating, and with a permanent showing at The New Gallery in Portscatho, she has the enviable position of being able to show her work “… However uncommercial it is,” she says. l You can find more about Andrea Insoll’s work via the New Gallery Portscatho’s website www.thenewgalleryportscatho.co.uk The New Gallery, Portscatho, Cornwall, TR2 5HW T: 01872 580719 Opening times Thursday – Saturday 10am – 12.30pm, 2pm – 5pm.
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MEET THE MAKER
rachelstowe Having ran her own textile business for over 20 years, Rachel Stowe is something of a local expert when it comes to working in the complex realm of textiles. From hand painted and printed silk and velvet pieces to screen printing, dyeing and even matching jewellery sets, Rachel cleverly uses a wealth of complex techniques to craft stunningly elegant pieces that pay homage to the colours and patterns of nature. No stranger to working in a variety of processes, Rachel Stowe is on somewhat of a crusade to explore as many fabric and textile skills as possible. Devore, screen printing, dyeing, sometimes a combination of processes has made Rachel a wellestablished figure in her field and a proud member of the Cornwall Crafts Association, where her gorgeous works hang in the association’s Trelissick Gallery. “I have always been drawn to colour, pattern and textures. At school I knew that’s what I wanted to do, I remember producing work based on inspirational artists such as Wassily Kandinsky and Gustav Klimt. I was blown away by the use of colour and how I could add depth into my work by painting and simple block printing onto silk, adding wadding in between the fabric and stitching on top of the fabric. For me, it was a state of relaxation and I never wanted it to end, my passion for textiles began from there.” Having studied fashion and textiles at Hereford Art College before gaining an MA in Textiles and various qualifications in City & Guilds teacher training courses including a PGCE, Rachel moved to Cornwall in 2015 after attending a cousin's wedding in October the previous year. It was a sudden move, but one she felt would be an exciting and rejuvenating step for her family. “It was a spur of the moment decision. My husband had suffered a head injury many years ago, leaving him in a state of spontaneous decision making. When he suddenly suggested it, I found myself agreeing instantly! We moved to Mullion in the January and never looked back, it is such a beautiful, relaxing and inspirational part of the world. The move allowed me to keep the children in a thriving local school n 58 |
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and at the same time enable me to be on hand to work in my studio close to home and assist my husband when needed, it was a win-win situation.” Having begun her own business as a textile designer in 1997, Rachel found an abundance of inspiration on her new doorstep. Working primarily in silk and velvet, Rachel uses various techniques to achieve her desired vision, such as Devore. This is a process of etching using mildly acidic etching to draw a design on the fabric, allowing the maker to print onto a cloth and then burn the pile away to show a textured relief on the fabric. Rachel explains here, “I begin by designing and then cutting out a paper stencil which is then placed onto the blank white silk velvet cloth. I mix up a batch of paste and then screenprint onto the cloth, and once this is dry I use a heat press to burn out the pile where the fibres fall away from the cloth which have been previously printed. The cloth is then dyed in a boiler or hand painted. At this stage the cloth can be steamed to fix the colours, or I might apply further prints. When the cloth is finished, hemmed and complete the results speak for themselves - mesmerizing, subtle and stunning luxurious fabric made into scarves and wraps suitable for that special occasion.” Patient and precise, Rachel often starts her pieces by creating mood boards, filled with sketches, excerpts from magazines and books, fabric samples and anything that captures her eye she thinks will help her achieve an overall look. Her ability to spot pattern and texture in everyday life helped her to create a recent piece made in honour of Trelissick House’s 125th Anniversary of the National Trust, which she gained by walking the
| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
grounds, taking photos and sketching anything that caught her eye, “I am constantly looking to further develop my skills,” Rachel describes, “I always want to produce the best piece of work I possibly can and so these first stages of research are vital.” Well adept in her work with fabric, the last several years have seen Rachel challenge herself in a new avenue of making, “Over the last few years I have been developing my skills by working with a reactive textile dye that I mix with a sea-based thickener; this enables me to print onto plastic, metal and synthetic fabrics such as polyester nylon. Further exploration with this process resulted in me producing lightweight and subtle bespoke jewellery which is a similar process to textiles, as I print, dye and screenprint aluminium and steam fix the colours combining this with sterling silver, textured handmade jewellery.” “I feel inspired by everything around me and see pattern in everything from pavement slabs to rocks and seaweed and not forgetting the textures on a simple leaf.” l You can see a collection of Rachel’s printed textiles and jewellery exhibited at the Cornwall Craft Association’s Trelissick Gallery, which will reopen on the 1st August with their Summer Exhibition 2020. Please be aware that visitors to Trelissick will need to pre-book on the National Trust Trelissick website. www.cornwallcrafts.co.uk www.rachelstowe.com Opening hours Daily from 10am-5.30pm until October.
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GALLERY OF THE MONTH
Whitewater Gallery, Polzeath Words by Mercedes Smith
Take a walk into the heart of Polzeath, and amongst its pretty surf shops and sea view eateries you will find one of Cornwall’s most beautiful and inspiring art galleries. Whitewater Gallery, established in 2010, is owned by husband and wife team Nick and Suki Wapshott. Its brightly lit, spacious interior is filled with paintings and art objects by Cornwall’s leading artists and makers, as well as selected artists from across the UK. As residents of the village, and artists themselves, Nick and Suki share a passion for the coastal beauty of Polzeath and its spectacular surroundings, and have dedicated the last 10 years to exhibiting high quality work inspired by this uniquely beautiful area. Their journey from artists to gallerists, though, was unexpected, but undoubtedly meant to be. “When we first moved to Polzeath from our previous home in Northamptonshire, I was working as a surf photographer and Suki was selling her paintings through various galleries” says Nick. “We came here because Polzeath is the most beautiful place, a place we had visited for many years, and it is also the perfect inspiration for both mine and Suki’s artwork.” When Suki was planning an exhibition at Polzeath’s Tubestation Café one Christmas, she and Nick asked local business people Jamie and Rhowen Yoki, owners of The Waterfront Restaurant and the Fusion Boutique, if they could advertise the event in an empty shop front they owned next door. Jamie and Rhowen, however, had a better idea. “The shop was empty, so they suggested we take it on for six weeks. We opened our pop-up studio, the Winter Gallery, just four days later, and by the following year we had done so well that we took on the lease full-time. We were n 60 |
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so well supported by local artists and clients, that we went on to develop and establish Whitewater Gallery." In 2019, Nick and Suki expanded the gallery to include an even larger space next door, building a walkway to join the two display areas, and creating an onsite studio for Suki, where she can be found painting in the company of the couple’s two elegant deerhounds, Freddie and Daisy. “The new space is dedicated to original art and has allowed us to bring in a host of extraordinary new artists” says Nick “as well as enabling us to create flexible and ever changing exhibition space. There is so much talent here in Cornwall, and we wanted to create the perfect setting to support their work and to inspire collectors.” A particular highlight of the gallery is its dedicated ‘Featured Artist’ space, which presents a new solo exhibition each month. This year’s Featured Artists have so far included much-loved scene painter Simeon Stafford, and dazzling new Cornish talent Luke Knight, winner of Europe’s prestigious 2019 Barcelona International Gallery Award. “We are thrilled to have the space now to exhibit both established artists and rising talent at Whitewater” says Suki, “providing a marvelous mix of artwork." This August the gallery is celebrating the return of visitors with a mixed exhibition of work from painters Ian Hargreaves, Luke Knight, Ness Lannen, Simeon Stafford, Peter Turnbull , Rob Walker and Suki Wapshott herself, who’s semi abstracted landscapes are a favourite amongst collectors
| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
of contemporary north Cornish art. Complementing this new work will be bronze sculptures by Chris Buck, silver and ceramics from award-winning artist Rachael Osborne, exquisite glass by Jenny Ayrton, and pottery by Hugh West, including his inspirational new 'Moon Jars'. Visitors to Whitewater can expect a warm and Covid safe welcome this summer, thanks to hand sanitisers on entry and a new one way route for exploring the gallery. In addition, visitors can book a half hour parking slot at the gallery, and clients who want an even safer gallery experience can arrange a private viewing, bookable through the gallery’s website. “We take our staff and client safety seriously” says Nick, “and we will be making sure visitors feel relaxed and unhurried in the gallery. These are such uncertain times for everyone, but we are optimistic that the great art, great food, great surfing and great scenery here in north Cornwall will bring back our wonderful summer visitors as always.” l Whitewater Gallery, The Parade, Polzeath, Cornwall PL27 6SR. T: 01208 869301 E: art@whitewatergallery.co.uk W: whitewatergallery.co.uk TOP LEFT TO RIGHT Sorrento Looking towards Naples, Ian Hargreaves A Single Patch of Ground, Peter Turnbull BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT Afterlight, Luke Knight Warm Sands Polzeath, Rob Walker Porthilly, Suki Wapshott
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CREATIVE & CULTURAL LIVING
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN OUR 2021 ART GUIDES PLEASE CONTACT MELANIE WINN
TEL: 01209 314147 • EMAIL: MELANIE@MYCORNWALL.TV n 62 |
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
64 BITES 66 DISH OF THE MONTH 68 MEET THE CHEF 70 PLACES TO EAT 76 A FARM SHOP FOR ALL 80 WEEKEND AWAY 82 EXPERIENCE
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bites
Pandemic Inspires Baker to Set up Shop in Porthleven mind off the situation,” she explains, “so I decided to spend lockdown developing the business, creating new recipes and drive it to where I always wanted it to go.” When the opportunity arose to take over a shop just off Porthleven’s Fore Street, she took it. With her cupcakes and bakes already proving popular at events, Bethany’s first weekend trading saw phenomenal success, selling out on both days. Now, the new base at Chapel Terrance not only offers the perfect stopoff for locals and visitors to pick up a sweet
From Cornish cream tea cupcakes to
to work two jobs full-time with a dream
Cornish sea salted caramel billionaire
to turn her bakery into a full-time career.
brownies,
Bethany
However, when the pandemic hit, Bethany
Harrington has been providing sweet treats
lost both her jobs. Throwing herself into
to her local community of Porthleven and
developing the business, Bethany took
beyond since 2017. Whilst travelling across
Truly Cornish Cupcakes and Bakes to an
Truly Cornish Cupcakes and Bakes is
the county to foodie events and shows with
exciting new level, “I had to do something
currently open every Saturday 9am-5pm
her pop-up business, Bethany continued
to keep myself occupied and take my
and Sunday 10am-4pm. l
talented
baker
Cold Coffee Success with New Origin Product Cold coffee lovers pay attention, as Origin Coffee has you covered this summer. Presenting their brand new Cold Brew Bag-In-Box, Origin’s direct trade San Fermin coffee from Columbia boasts a deliciously smooth and balanced cold coffee. Its versatility means that it’s perfect drunk black, with a touch of milk or alternative milk, or as a base for a coffee themed cocktail (yes, Espresso Martini here we come). The Cold Brew Bag-In-Box comes in a 31 bag-in-box, with a handy pouring spout and provides 20 servings of 150ml, perfect for those al fresco summertime morning breakfasts and brunches. l £22 for 31, available at www.origincoffee.co.uk n 64 |
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| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
treat, it will also allow Bethany to offer a bespoke service to supply cupcakes, bakes and cakes for events, weddings, corporate clients and wholesale customers.
Electric-Powered Wine Deliveries Keeping Cornish Town Afloat From a wholesale merchant with a small retail shop, during lockdown Scarlet Wines became a wine delivery service supported 100% by private customers who received welcome
packages
safely
their
to
doors.
delivered Despite
lockdown restrictions easing and hospitality businesses reopening, Scarlet Wines will continue to Residents of St Ives and visitors to the town will be able to enjoy uninterrupted and sustainable wine deliveries direct to their doors this summer, courtesy of Scarlet Wines’ fully electric transport service. Owner Jon Keast has invested in an electric bike which can carry about 60 bottles at a time, for deliveries in town, and an electric van for transporting wine further afield. As a result, Scarlet Wines is now thought to be the only wine merchant in the South West with a fully electric transport system. This comes at an important time for St Ives as the town has recently brought in new measures to ease congestion and enable social distancing in the narrow streets by banning cars and other vehicles from 11am – 4pm every day, but the e-cargo bike can still continue to operate. Like many other small businesses, Scarlet Wines has diversified rapidly over the last few months.
operate customer home deliveries indefinitely. Jon, who is an active campaigner on climate change, saw the Covid-19 crisis as an opportunity to embrace electric transport in preparation for a greener postlockdown world. Coupled with a portfolio increasingly dominated by organic and biodynamic wines – many of which are also vegan – Scarlet Wines has become one of the UK’s greenest wine merchants in recent months. “We need to think more carefully about all kinds of consumption,” says Jon, “and that includes wine. As a wine merchant it’s my job to create a portfolio with a green conscience, and to deliver that wine with as little environmental impact as possible. l Find out more and download the current wine list for delivery at www.scarlet-wines.co.uk
Flambee Fridays with Bien Manger
Newly opened home kitchen in Penryn Bien Manger Cornwall is offering far from the average delivery with their freshly home cooked rustic
Flambee
selection,
sides
and desserts to get the tastebuds singing! French born Vincent, Bien
Manger creator, having found himself out of work due to Covid-19 felt there was a space in the Falmouth and Penryn foodie scene to offer something a little different. Vincent says "The Flambee, which originates from the Alsace region in eastern France, is perfect for sharing with family and friends.” Open for delivery or collection in the Penryn and Falmouth area, from 5pm to 9pm every Friday go check them out on Facebook @ bienmangercornwall and Instagram at @bienmangercornwall. Bon appetit! l
Driftwood Spars Launch New Craft Beer Range
Iconic microbrewery Driftwood Spars have welcomed in the summer season on a positive note by launching a brand-new range of contemporary craft beers, handmade in small batches at their brewery site in St Agnes. Cove is a selection of canned and kegged craft beers, designed to satisfy a modern palate with zesty pale ales, silky smooth milk stouts, funky saisons and an upcoming IPA set to create a range of future classics infused with Cornish twists. From Beacon Pale Ale, inspired by hazy summer days on St Agnes’ Beacon, to Seaberry Saison, a Cornish take on a Belgian classic with rustic, fruity farmhouse flavours and Midnight Skinny Dipper, a smooth, rich milk stout set for release in autumn, the new range combines Cornish flavours and processes with worldwide influences from a variety of crafts breweries. With artwork designed by local Cornish artist Jago Silver, these refreshing and stylish beers are an exciting development for Driftwood. The Cove range will also be certified gluten free and wherever possible, vegan too. The first beer in the new series, the Beacon Pale Ale, is available in the brewery shop website and local bottle shops including Red Elephant Beer Cellar in Truro. l www.driftwoodsparsbrewery.com t @myCornwall_ | G myCornwalltv | w www.thatsmycornwall.com 65 n
f o h s i D h t n o the M
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This issue’s Dish of the Month comes from the talented foodies at The Greenbank’s Working Boat kitchen. A dog-friendly gastro pub with panoramic views across Falmouth harbour. Moor up on their private pontoons and soak in the ambience whilst tucking into some seriously tasty food cooked with flair and flavour. CHOSEN DISH Granny Alice’s fish pie.
DRINK RECOMMENDATION Harbour Brewing Company is one of the many fantastic breweries in Cornwall. With a passion for combining the fresh spring water in Cornwall with the best raw ingredients and hops, Harbour have a whole range of ales and beers. Our favourite from the Cornish craft beer range is Ellensberg, for its great balance of fruity meets bitter. An all-round great beer throughout the year.
WHY THIS DISH? With the water literally a stone’s throw from our quayside pub, seafood features heavily on our menu. Our chefs are experts in rustling up Cornish crab doorstep sandwiches, salt and pepper squid, surf ‘n’ turf burgers, butterfly king prawns, and our famous fritto misto perfect for summer lunches spent grazing in the sunshine. Passed down the Cornish generations, Granny Alice’s hearty fish pie is a total crowd-pleaser. From a seafaring family, Granny Alice Hodges was in fact grandma to our Executive Chef Nick. She became a cook for an affluent Falmouth family and was encouraged to create her own recipes. Living to the ripe old age of 96, even in her later years she continued to regale her grandsons with fond memories of her time at the stove.
KEY INGREDIENTS… TO MAKE IT AT HOME!
• 200g salmon diced • 100g smoked salmon • Pint of milk • 30g parsley • 2 kilos potatoes Method • Pre-heat your oven to 180C • Melt the butter in a pan, add the leek and sweat off the liquid • Add flour to the mix bit by bit until the flour is binded to the butter • Then, add the milk little by little and stir to create a liquid • Hand whisk the liquid until the flour has been cooked out • Add the diced fish and then take off the heat • When the mixture has cooled down, add the parsley and cooked boiled eggs • Season with salt and pepper to taste • Fill your pie dishes half way • Peel and dice the potatoes before putting them in a pot of boiling water • Boil the potatoes in a pan until soft • Using a masher, mash the potatoes until they produce a smooth consistency • Pipe the mashed potato on top of the pie filling • Add grated cheese on top • Bake in the oven for 45 minutes or until the mash turns golden brown
DESSERT RECOMMENDATION Our chocolate brownie – featuring berries, white chocolate and raspberry ice cream and clotted cream – is a must try!
Serves four
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THIS DISH?
Ingredients • 125g butter • 1 leek finely chopped • Flour • 4 boiled eggs • 500g white diced fish
Chunky white fish and salmon in a creamy sauce, topped with buttery mashed potatoes. It is a wholesome and hearty favourite, perfect for big family gatherings with plenty of local brews.
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MEET THE CHEF
n o s n i b o R y e r Jeff NEW YARD RESTAURANT
TRELOWARREN ESTATE, HELSTON TR12 6AF WWW.NEWYARDRESTAURANT.CO.UK T: 01326 221595
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Hi Jeff, thanks for being our Meet the Chef! Please tell us your name and a little bit about life at New Yard Restaurant. No worries, thanks for having me! I'm Jeffrey Robinson, co-owner with my wife Caroline of The New Yard Restaurant and The Pantry. I run the kitchen side of things and Caroline does everything else. As you can expect life has changed drastically, but we are still here, pockets a little emptier, but trading with all the staff we closed with. The rebuild is well underway, with the walled garden looking to re-open in Spring 2021. I don't think I have ever enjoyed cooking or creating more than I am now. It feels like we have all had the chance to reset and remember what we actually want our restaurants to be and as we rebuild, we have a very firm idea of what that is.
Tell us about your menu, what were you thinking when you devised it and what are your key focuses? We change the entire menu every single time we open, all five courses. The meal you are eating that evening will never be served again. There is a certain romance
of fish or some meat with enough skill that you don’t need 15 things on a plate. Some of the components have taken us many days to create and the dishes are designed to impress but if something doesn’t need to be there, it isn’t. Food is about textures and flavour profiles and we make sure each dish has it all.
What rules do you live by in your kitchen? I am a very firm believer in the old school. You will not find a sous vide machine in the kitchen, we use pans, coals and butter. If you can’t make a recipe without the thermomix, then you can’t use the thermomix. All head chefs have a responsibility to their team to help them improve, whether that’s by allowing them to grow themselves by creating ideas and making the odd mistake or by teaching them new skills and techniques yourself. When I say the old school, I don’t mean the rock n roll, alcohol enhanced 18-hour days. I cannot be more opposed to this, I don’t even allow swearing in the kitchen, if my team aren't enjoying their work then I am doing something wrong.
to that which I love, it is a bespoke evening our guests are experiencing all together. What was delivered to us that day and what we managed to do with it. I am lucky to have a very strong team and I see our restaurant as a collaborative place where the entire team can be responsible for what the guests enjoy. So, it is not my menu per se, but ours.
How would you describe your cooking style? My cooking style is all about being confident and enjoying your craft. I think as you get older you stop putting so much effort into trying to fit as many different techniques on to a plate and instead start showing that you do indeed know what you are doing and how to cook a piece
You will not find a sous vide machine in the kitchen, we use pans, coals and butter. What can visitors to New Yard expect from your food? You can expect to experience something new. Not many places offer a ‘no menu’ experience. We love it and by taking away the choices we have taken away all of the worry of ‘did I order the right thing’. You can sit there, enjoy your company and
allow us to serve you some great food and drink, which is what going out is all about, enjoying time with friends and family. If you were dining with us you would arrive at 18:30, if the sun is beating then we will sit outside and if Cornwall is being... Cornwall, then we will sit inside. The menu we think we are making we place online a week or so before to help you choose what suits your palette more, it may vary a little depending on what comes in, but we usually get it pretty close. We offer 5 courses which range from £40 to £50 which also includes a welcome drink. It is great and I feel we have created the restaurant we always wanted and I can't wait to see it grow and where it takes us especially with the re-introduction of our own walled garden farm next door in 2021 where you will be able to take a tour before supper or even enjoy lunch.
Word is you’ve got a book coming out soon, can you tell us about it? The rumours are true! I think perhaps Caroline needed to get me to do something in lockdown so demanded I start writing and around the same time I had a wonderful message from Elaine at Studio 1850. After a long conversation which ended in me having my usual spontaneous rant about food provenance, we started a 2-month project in creating a book together. I have reworked the restaurant’s recipes for home cooking. They are wonderful recipes and the book is made from recycled materials, handmade and beautiful. Elaine and Adam (Sargent) have done an amazing job to bring the food to life. It will be out this August and I can’t thank them enough for what they have done.
Finally, what is your guilty food pleasure? Bombay mix... but this is only because I have stopped buying blue cheese and the wine bottles are all empty. l
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TEL: 07980 943391 C U R I O S P I R I T S C O M PA N Y. C O. U K curiospiritscompany n 70 |
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CurioSpirits
@CurioSpirits
On those days spent road tripping across the county, adventure seeking and sun chasing, these roadside stop-offs are packed with delicious Cornish treats perfect for a quick on-the-go snack.
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Wadebridge, A39 This popular Atlantic Highway stop-off is known for its innovative menus, hearty portions, delectable cakes and sweet treats and mouth-watering breakfasts and lunches. There’s outdoor seating, social distancing and lots of takeaway options if you’re busy to get back out on the road. www.strongadolfos.com
Hayle, Penpol Terrace Road just off the A30 In a small hut just outside of the Old Foundry Chapel off the main road through Hayle, Feed and Fed can be found serving up incredible lunches and snacks to hungry buyers. Expect full, flavoursome, freshly made bagels, delectable bakes, coffee and special lunches ideal for eating on the go in the car. Check them out on Instagram for the latest feeds including their special feast nights if you’re keen to return for more! Instagram: feed.and.fed
South of Bude, A39 With plenty of spacious, outdoor seating and a dog friendly garden all overlooking a small lake and Wildlife Centre, Weir Bistro serves a fantastic array of food, from classics to Weir specials, with breakfast menus, day menus and evening menus. Pop in for a hearty breakfast before a day of exploring, a light lunch to keep you going or a rewarding dinner after a day of countryside and coastal hiking. www.weir-restaurant-bude.co.uk
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Truro, in between the A30 and A390 If you’re keen to stock up on Cornish goodies for a day, or even a few days, on the road, then a wide range of locally made produce can be found at the Great Cornish Food Store. With a café on site for freshly brewed coffee and take out, you’ll also find a deli counter of goodies and plenty of Cornish treats to take with you. www.greatcornishfood.co.uk
St Just, B3306 The latest parlour of the famous Moomaid hub to open, Moomaid On The Square opened in St Just at the beginning of July and for those touring through West Penwith soaking in the likes of Botallack, Sennen and Land’s End, popping into here for a takeaway treat in the form of their sumptuous ice creams is a good way to break up the journey and cool off. www.moomaidofzennor.com
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The Roseland, A3078 When travelling around the breathtaking realm that is the Roseland Peninsula, on the way to the effortlessly stylish St Mawes, you’ll find the Da Bara Bakery happily resting roadside, filled with their infamous cinnamon buns alongside plenty of other tasty baked goods including exceptional breakfasts and lunches, coffee, tea and freshly baked Da Bara bread. www.dabara.co.uk
Near Looe, B3253 Offering takeaway Monday to Thursday 12pm – 9pm the Coddy Shack pride themselves on good food cooked to perfection. Using locally sourced products and sustainable fish, from crispy battered cod to local mussels, this is the perfect taste of the sea for those on their way home from a day at the beach. www.coddyshack.com
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Near Perranarworthal, A39 A bistro and tearoom set amongst the gorgeous grounds of the Cornish Garden Nurseries, the Olive Grove’s food is home cooked, locally sourced and organic wherever possible. Hearty breakfasts and luscious lunches, or a slice of homemade cake, this is a good place to sit in, relax and take a few moments to enjoy your meal before heading off again. www.theolivegrovebistro.co.uk
Lizard Point, near A3083 If you’ve decided to follow the road to Cornwall’s southerly Lizard Peninsula, you’ll find a host of eateries and stop-offs. However nothing beats a real taste of Cornwall and Lizard’s own Ann’s Pasties proudly reside just nearby to served your lunchtime craving. Grab your favourites and head off to a scenic cove to rest a while from your day’s journeying with a pasty in hand. www.annspasties.co.uk
Near Bodmin, A389 With takeaway, delivery and eat in menus and options available, the Lanivet Inn have worked hard to make their welcoming, local pub safe and accessible for as many as possible. Freshly, locally sourced food served at reasonable prices, not to mention great tasting, have made this pub a firm favourite amongst the locals for years and they continue to do so. If you’re eager to take some time to soak up the atmosphere, the pub has been arranged to accommodate social distancing, as well as having a large beer garden on site. www.lanivetinn.co.uk
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A FARM SHOP Whether it’s an early morning beach barbecue, an afternoon tea with friends or an al fresco dinner in the garden, seasonality, traditional foodie values and contemporary creations come together under the eco-structed roof of Etherington’s Farm Shop. Located just off the A30 near Scorrier, this is a farm shop perfect for filling up the pantry with local, artisan produce.
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et in a picturesque building just east of the North Cliffs and Porthtowan, Etherington’s boasts a gorgeous eco building farm shop housed with some of the best produce Cornwall has to offer. Since 1954, the Brian Etherington Meat Company have been supplying Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly with local, high-quality meat from locally reared, rare breed and well cared for animals. As well as offering meats, Etherington’s is also renowned as an accomplished butchery school, training everyone from apprentice chefs, young farmers, smallholders and young butchers. In 2012, following the success of the butchery school, Etherington’s opened their now awardwinning farm shop, bakery and academy. Over 50 local people work at the site, including Paul Rose, the Etherington’s Farm Shop manager, “The farm shop came about after we wanted a facility to train new butchers. We completed an analysis of our current butchers and at that time, the average age in our butchery was 54. We realised we needed young blood to sustain the business and keep traditional butcher skills alive. Today we successfully run the academy alongside the shop.”
by butcher Scott Buzza, our budding Etherington’s TV presenter; he can get 20,000 hits on his legendary videos!” There’s also the infamous Etherington Pasty from the site's bakery, of which they crimp and bake nearly 1,000 a day; it’s something of a hidden gem in Cornwall and the county’s “best kept secret. That’s all I’m going to say on the matter,” adds Paul. “Other favourites of the shop include Stacey’s Tray Bakes, the office loves them and so do the customers. Tarquin's Gin seems to be the holiday-maker’s favourite, with our barbecue packs a close second.” Responsible for selecting and curating the local produce available at the farm shop, Paul has a knack for picking the very best and creating a fantastic array of products that champion locality. Always on the lookout for the next trend, Paul also keeps a keen eye on seasonality when it comes to fruit and vegetables. The door is always open to anyone who has something unique to sell at an affordable price and Paul and the team are always keen to try new things.
With an ethos to sell anything local and unique at an affordable price, Etherington’s has amassed a following of returning locals and visitors, but it was the locals who truly benefited from the farm shop during the Covid-19 lockdown. Throughout the several months that people remained indoors and stayed as safe as possible, Etherington’s made sure they were on hand to provide to their community and beyond. “At the height of the pandemic, the Farm Shop and Bakery staff served the local community. Wholesale had to
“Any new products or promotions are fantastically
described
on
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adapt and change too, it lost 90% of its customer base overnight, so alongside the Farm Shop we worked together to launch meat boxes and essentials, all delivered free at affordable prices. After a website revamp thanks to Matt Collins of Ampersand Industries and our young designer Holly Hill from Bodmin College along with Colin Kettle our Sales Manager, 2000 meat boxes flew out the door during the three months of lockdown. It was a magnificent team effort from everyone. The office staff, on more than one occasion, were brought to tears taking calls from distressed members of the public, who had been told to stay at home, yet the supermarkets had let them down and they could not get a food order. We’ve been truly humbled by the comments we received from the general public as we made ourselves Covid-19 safe. In the shop we changed from call and collect to slowly allowing people back inside. We also saw an increase in the number of new customers who had found the shop and as the restrictions have relaxed, we have held on to customers who have changed their habits and used local shops rather than crowded supermarkets. n 78 |
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delicatessen is ready and waiting with its range of tempting treats, including a selection of fantastic local cheeses. Sourced directly from local producers and farmers, Paul and the Etherington’s team work hard to make sure their supply chains are short and totally traceable, “We have our regular local gins, Cornish Sea Salt, Kernow Chocolate, Rattler and Roddas Clotted Cream, local vegetables and potatoes and meat from Tregullow Ruby Red supplied to us by Mr. Williams of Scorrier Woods nearby.” “A big thank you to everyone who has Paramount was, and still is, our staff’s safety. Once we had established the safety of the site, the majority of staff who were
supported us over the last seven years and especially in the last three months for their continued support!”
not shielding or had underlying conditions
You can find Etherington’s Farm Shop at
that
working,
Wheal Rose, Scorrir, just off the A30 at
wanted to carry on and do something for
Blackwater and on the way to Porthtowan
the community.”
Beach, and don’t forget to check out their
prevented
them
from
With the shop now open to the public
availability online. l
once again, with safety measures in
Etheringtons, Wheal Rose, Scorrier,
place to ensure customers and staff feel
Redruth, Cornwall, TR16 5DF
comfortable, now is an ideal time to pay a visit. The Barbecue Meat Boxes are ready for those golden (and grey) Cornish summer afternoons and the in-store
| Volume 2 Issue 61 | August - September 2020
T: 01209 899203 www.etherington-meats.co.uk Open Monday to Saturday 8.30am-5pm
Visit Our Award Winning Farm Shop At Etherington’s we pride ourselves on providing the best possible customer service while stocking products from local farmers and wholesalers. Our Butchery department uses only the finest quality meats from local farms and uphold the highest standard in the work they carry out on the animals to provide the best produce possible. As well as our meat, our fresh fruits and vegetables are locally sourced and delivered daily, showcasing the best produce for that season. We offer plenty of services in our shop from bespoke hampers, custom meat products and a loyalty card scheme
which rewards our customers for supporting us throughout the year. Our Farm shop has been awarded The Taste of the West Gold award every year since 2016 for maintaining the high standard of quality products and customer care. Every day our Bakery team make hundreds of fresh pasties ranging in different sizes and sausage rolls coming in different flavours offering something for everyone. These can all be purchased freshly baked instore or ordered frozen to be sent by courier for your convenience.
Etherington’s Farm Shop, Wheal Rose, Scorrier, Redruth, Cornwall TR16 5DF
Tel: 01209 899 203 | etherington-meats.co.uk
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WEEKEND AWAY
Despite being within walking distance of Truro City centre, The Alverton manages to remain a hidden haven full of character, luxury and romance. Previously a convent, the architecturally impressive manor offers 51 fully equipped bedrooms along with its own bell tower, arched mullioned windows, ivy clad walls and curved archways all amongst a stunning landscaped garden. For a real escapist retreat after a day exploring Cornwall, The Alverton is idyllically situated.
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entral to Cornwall, The Alverton is perfect for those keen to delve into all sides of the county, from the picturesque South East to the rugged and wild North Coast, or a short drive on the A30 down to the hotspots of West Penwith. Truro itself is a city alive with independent shops, quirky eateries, atmospheric bars and pubs and some stunning galleries. Of course, with such a central location allowing easy exploration across all parts of Cornwall, lazy evenings and winding down is guaranteed at The Alverton. A rich history lies behind the Alverton Manor, which was once owned by William Tweedy in the early to mid 19th Century, an avid gardener with 13 children and President of the Royal Horticultural Society for Cornwall. When Tweedy passed away, the manor became partly owned by The Bank of Cornwall, however when the bank collapsed following the decline of the county’s prosperous tin mining industry,
Mrs Jane Tweedy, William’s widow, sold the manor for £6,200 to a Mr. Pascoe, who built what is today known as The Library in the building. In 1883, the manor was sold again, this time to The Order of Epiphany, a religious group made of five Anglican nuns from London, led by Bishop George Wilkinson. The order grew rapidly, and the nuns were sent all around Cornwall to help local clerics, offering crucial aid with the treatment of tuberculosis as well as building a chapel on site (The Great Hall) and the courtyard building. Over the decades, the order diminished and eventually the Alverton became too large for the Sisters, and it was sold in 1984 and transformed into a grand country house hotel.
ingredients, the restaurant overlooks the
Finally, in 2012, it was purchased by a Cornish hotel group and given its Alverton name. Restored to its former glory, The Alverton went on to achieve a FourStar Silver rating, with two AA Rosette awards for its restaurant. Utilising the finest locally foraged, fished and farmed
SUMMER. The deal includes breakfast and
site's gardens, suntrap terrace and ancient trees. The Courtyard, completed in 2016, is a complex comprising of 15 individually designed furnishings,
bedrooms
with
bespoke
complete
with
gorgeous
original features which have been lovingly restored throughout the building, paying homage to its illustrious past. Offering unrivalled hospitality and luxury, The Alverton is delighted to present a fantastic treat for guests keen to book for September. All rooms will be priced at £120 for two people, including their suites. This extra special rate can only be booked over the phone along with the quote can be used for multiple nights. l Call 01872 276633 to book today www.thealverton.co.uk The Alverton, Tregolls Road, Truro, TR1 1ZQ
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BLUE RIVER TABLE A new Cornish business in their second season of trading, Tethra is a beautifully restored ex Cornish fishing boat run by Jess and Charlotte, who offer exclusive alfresco dining experiences whilst exploring the beautiful Fal Estuary and Carrick Roads. Due to Covid-19, Tethra is taking households and social bubbles only, meaning you can relax in true style and soak in the surroundings with loved ones and friends whilst enjoying either breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. Seated around a chestnut banquet table, meander along the Cornish creeks and rivers as this gorgeous table is covered with a feast of local produce and sharing platters all freshly prepared onboard.
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Exploring the Carrick Roads for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, a breath-taking stretch of waterway where the likes of Flushing, Mylor, Feock, St Mawes and Falmouth reside along its impressive stretch, guests will be able to watch a host of yachts enjoying the sheltered conditions as well as sites such as St Mawes Castle and St Antony Lighthouse. Dinner see’s the Tethra take more to the Fal River as the day winds down, for an intimate venue perfectly suited to the dusky settings.
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Breakfast Cruise 8.30am – 10.30am Lunch Cruise 12pm – 3pm Afternoon Tea Cruise 1pm – 3pm Dinner Cruise 6pm – 9pm l To find out more, including costs and menus, visit www.bluerivertable.co.uk T: 01326 352011 E: info@bluerivertable.co.uk
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Everhot - The Electric Range since 1979 Pure craftmanship and a great cooker
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