Exeter Living - Issue 272 by MediaClash

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ISSUE 272 / DECEMBER 2020 / Â£3

ISSUE 272 / DECEMBER 2020 / HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU

CHRISTMAS IS HERE 100 REASONS TO CHEER

FESTIVE FOOD

RECIPES TO WARM YOUR COCKLES

OH CHRISTMAS SPREE GORGEOUS LOCAL GIFTS

PRETTY AS A PICTURE

PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART FROM 2020

EDITOR’S LETTER

ABOVE: Glow at RHS Rosemoor, see page 6;

BELOW: Quickes smoked cheese, see page 11

elcome to our Christmas issue of Exeter Living! A festive issue is always a joyous one to put together for obvious reasons, everything looks so bloomin’ gorgeous at this time of year. It’s also because, despite everything, there is much to celebrate and pay homage to right now in Exeter, like our fantastic independent traders (see our Christmas gift guide on page 11) and restaurants and food producers (check out their festive recipes on page 42). Talking of food, there’s excitement ahead as super chef Michael Caines brings us his extraordinary Exmouth restaurant (page 38). We also bring you a sprinkling of optimism from our columnist JP Hedge (page 8) and some thoughtful words from Professor Morwenna Ludlow, head of theology and religion at the University of Exeter (page 68). As I write this, we are a few days away from lockdown being eased. In many ways it hasn’t felt like a ‘pause’ though. Emails are ﬂying in from Exeter businesses detailing their plans for next year: the new events, festivals, initiatives, restaurants, bars (more on all of this in the next issue); it’s encouraging to say the least. The-show-must-go-on mentality from this city is heartwarming stuﬀ. We’ll be back in three weeks’ time, in that weird sofaladen time between Christmas and New Year, bringing you more good stories from the city. For now, have a very peaceful, happy Christmas from all of us here at Exeter Living.

HARRIET NOBLE Follow us on Twitter @ExeterLiving

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Issue 272/Christmas 2020 COVER Bespoke wreath by Darling Buds, see page 11

UPFRONT

6 SPOTLIGHT Merry news from the city 8 JP HEDGE Little wins from 2020

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

11 IT’S A WRAP Gorgeous presents here we come

THE ARTS

25 INTRO Prints that pop 26 WHAT’S ON Lots of culture...and where to

see a reindeer

30 PHOTOGRAPHY Emma Solley takes us to

the ocean

32 REFLECTIONS 2020 An art exhibition with a

whole lot of heart

FOOD & DRINK

37 TAKE 5 The pair bringing a taste of Mexico

to Exeter

chef extraordinaire Michael Caines

stuff too – it’s all here

38 NEWS It’s nearly here...the Exmouth restaurant from 40 ED’S CHOICE Festive foodie bits 42 RECIPES Cocktails, winter warmers, some healthy

EDUCATION

53 HIGHLIGHTS Grants, a training centre, and one

star baker

BUSINESS

55 EXETERWORKS All the latest from the business

community, plus Northcott Theatre reveals their plans for 2021

PROPERTY

60 PROPERTY NEWS The latest showstopping bricks

and mortar in the area

62 SHOWCASE Jaw-dropping views from this

Exmouth pad

REGULARS

66 EXETER LIVES A word with Professor

Morwenna Ludlow

Editor Harriet Noble harriet.noble@mediaclash.co.uk Managing Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior Art Editor Andrew Richmond Graphic Design Megan Allison Cover Design Trevor Gilham Contributors JP Hedge, Simon Noble Advertising manager Paula Miller paula.miller@mediaclash.co.uk Production/ Distribution Manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy Production Manager Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Production Designer Gemma Scrine gemma.scrine@mediaclash.co.uk Chief Executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief Executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash. co.uk Exeter Living MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash. We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, and Exeter. We also publish foodie mag Crumbs (www.crumbsmag.com, @CrumbsMag). Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help. Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

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Festive

GO WITH THE GLOW

Beautiful reflections at RHS Rosemoor

Night-time this festive season sees RHS Rosemoor transformed as its spectacular gardens will be lit up for its annual Glow event. Visitors can see the garden transformed at night by innovative colour-changing lighting into a magical festive trail around the trees, shrubs, water features and sculptures. “We are thrilled to be able to welcome our visitors to Rosemoor for Glow this year, and we can’t wait to share the beautiful new displays we have planned,” says Helena Pettit, RHS director of gardens and shows. “Glow is a highlight of the winter months for us and our visitors, and we have worked hard to ensure that these will be fun, enchanting and safe evening trails for all the family.” Taking visitors along a new (one-way) route, Rosemoor Glow 2020 will include the winter garden, the cool garden with its rippling water rills, the long borders, through the cottage garden for the ﬁrst time and once again down to the lake with its incredible reﬂections. Expect lots of interactive sections as well as a few ‘light’ surprises along the way. The Glow evening will run on selected dates until 2 January, while Rosemoor’s annual Winter Sculpture Exhibition will be running until 31 January. Visitors should book online before visiting. For more: RHS Garden Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon; www.rhs.org.uk/Rosemoor

Colour-changing trees await you

Wild Wool will be selling their goods at the market

Christmas

DOWN TO THE MARKET

An indoor Christmas Market showcasing local traders and their festive wares is coming to Exeter. The festive market, in the Old Tony Pryce unit on the first floor of the Guildhall Shopping centre, will run until 23 December, Monday to Sunday, with late night shopping on Thursdays. As well as hosting a plethora of local traders, there will be live music and entertainment. The shopping centre will also play host to the Outdoor Alpine Christmas Market. “In both revenue and festive spirit we hope to bring just a little sprinkle of Christmas Magic back to Exeter with our market,” says marketing and customer experience manager Nikki Fairclough. “The space is large, warm and well-lit and we look forward to filling it with great Christmas cheer.” For more: www.guildhallshoppingexeter.co.uk

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Charity

GIVE A LITTLE HUB

A donation hub has been set up for the first time in Princesshay as part of its Christmas 2020 charitable initiatives. The Giving Hub will occupy a unit on Roman Walk and will be collecting specific donations to support people who are homeless or vulnerably housed this Christmas. It’ll operate until the 16 January on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday, collecting items such as winter coats, sleeping bags, boots and some other specific items. Princesshay will also host its annual Charity Christmas Tree Festival where 30 real Christmas trees will be decorated by local charities and will be on display to help raise awareness during the festive period. For more: www.princesshay.co.uk

The Giving Hub will be open until 16 January

SPOTLIGHT Ecology

GOING GREEN

The Sound Gallery wants to nurture aspiring musicians

Exeter is making headway towards achieving net zero carbon in the city. This news comes as a new transport strategy has been planned for Exeter which sets out ambitious plans to increase active travel, enhance public transport and improve air quality over the next 10 years. Positive feedback from the consultation last year has helped to inform the strategy, with the three most popular proposals being Park and Ride on all corridors, 50 per cent of trips being made by walking and cycling, and to maximise the efficiency of the existing network. For more: www.news.exeter.gov.uk Air quality is set to improve

Music

SOUNDS GOOD

The film festival will take place in February

Sound Gallery CIC in Exeter has been awarded £77,300 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help face the challenges of the pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future. This grant will help the gallery to sustain its social agenda and will help maintain its services and programmes for musicians, producers, arts organisations and film makers in these uncertain times. The gallery will also be launching three new exciting music projects: Virtual MainStage is aimed at helping musicians to continue to create new content and to ignite and sustain their careers, while SiMPTI Digital and Raptors are aimed at educating and nurturing the next generation of aspiring producers and musicians. For more: www.sound-gallery.net

Festival

FEST IS BEST

Exeter Phoenix has announced that their Two Short Nights Film Festival, originally scheduled for late 2020, will instead take place on 18 and 19 February 2021. One highlight promises to be the 48-hour film challenge, which sees teams race against the clock to plan, film, edit and submit a short film in just 48 hours. The challenge will take place from Friday 29 – 31January 2021. All of the successfully completed films will be shown in a special screening at the festival. A full programme of short films, talks and special appearances from film professionals, industry workshops and more will be announced soon, including some exciting changes to the festival’s format. For more: www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

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OPINION JP HEDGE

Little victories count

n a couple of years’ time there must be a good chance many of us will get out a seldom worn coat or pair of jeans, reach into a pocket, and find a crumpled face mask. What would be your first memory of this year? I’ve spent quite a bit of this week thinking about how we are all going to define this era and what memories are going to be brought to mind associated with the pandemic? For some, I imagine it will be an overwhelming sense of grief and loss. The pandemic has been brutal with the loss of loved ones and of livelihoods. As time has gone on I’ve realised that much of these big negatives are almost all out of my control. Where there are positives – I had to go looking. They are all little wins, but have all fallen entirely in my gift. Nearly 12 months ago now 2020 started off like any other. The usual resolutions were made in abundance. Anyone

JP looks back at a year of small but cherished ‘bucket list’ wins

who planned to ‘travel more’ will be looking back with a rye smile. Same goes for socialising, seeing more theatre or even, God forbid, dating. This year has taken us all out of the comfort zone that familiarity and business as usual provides. In that vacuum with everything ‘normal’ oﬀ the table it has personally meant no excuses for chipping away at the to-do list of doom. You know the one. It’s the list that you always think you’ll have time to do, but in fact always put on the back burner. It’s sorting the mould on the shower one. So I’ve been burning through that bucket list with gusto. It’s not my Maldives on a Jet Ski with Kyle bucket list. It’s probably even more important. So far I kept a personal pledge to learn to read music. You’ll be amused to know at 41 I am currently taking my grade one exam in drums alongside a bunch of better coordinated seven year olds. But with any excuses obliterated as normal went out the window, I had no choice. And it feels great.

“At 41 I am currently taking my grade one exam in drums” 8 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Date night is back. And not with the big set pieces, the meal outs and the comfortable silences in the cinema or focus on experiences. The TV is off and we are talking – with no excuses to bail. I don’t know what I did before. I’ve mentioned previously but when freedom to exercise was restricted a strange thing happened. With horizons capped I’ve got a far more effective thing going in a dark cold garage than I had previously in my state of the art gym. And I reckon it’s locked in for life. Always saying ‘yes’ to playing with my children has always been something I thought I would do, but never did. I watched the TED talk, endorsed it in my head, and always wanted to be thought of as that kind of person. Unfortunately I lived in the real world. And now despite being stuck in the same blooming house, ring fenced time with the children has also seen a dramatic excusebusting resurgence. And this has happened despite my inability to define ‘work dad’ and ‘play dad’ without the power of a M&S suit. I’ve seen my Exeter-based parents more this year than at any time when I could have just seen them at will. Since March I’ve been the paperboy, using

it as an excuse to keep a good early morning routine on a bike and keep up contact through the letterbox. There are a whole bunch of little wins that I don’t think I’d have personally ever gotten to under a different set of circumstances. Don’t get me wrong, Kyle in the Maldives is still the dream – but I can’t tell you how good it’s been to get some of the ‘B’ list sorted. We now know that this era will be coming to an end in the not too distant future. I think I have now closed, only to open, only to shut, only to open my services for the last time. The circumstances of this year somehow gave me permission to personally do things differently. There is still time to knock off your own backburner list. You are in charge of you. Whenever I find my future face masks I hope to remember it was the year that among all the sadness we clung to the positives of a reboot that some like me perhaps needed. ■ Jon-Paul Hedge is a director at Exeter City Council where he currently looks after Tourism, Leisure and Culture across the city. He is a former newspaper editor and lives in Exeter with his wife and two young children. www.exeter.gov.uk

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

PRESENT PERFECT Not finished your Christmas shopping yet? Have no fear, part two of our all-local all-indie gift guide is here

BESPOKE NEUTRAL WREATH, POA From Darling Buds, Moorstone, Cullompton; www.darlingbudsofel.com

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BOKA WALL DECORATIONS, £17.50 From Boka, 3 High Street, Crediton; www.bokaonline.co.uk

SMALL GREY CERAMIC POT WITH WHITE HEART, £3.95 From Leaf Street, 53 Magdalen Street, Exeter; www.leafstreet.co.uk

SET OF THREE WOODEN GRAZING BOWLS, £15 From Moko, 17 Gandy Street, Exeter; www.mokoexeter.co.uk

SEA SALT & WOOD SAGE ROOM SPRAY, £12 From Sancho’s, 117 Fore Street, Exeter; www.sanchosshop.com

HOME & GARDEN MINI WISH BOTTLE WITH SEASONAL DRIED FLOWERS, £7.99 From Insideout, 1 Bampfylde Street, Exeter; www.insideouthome.co.uk

DIY WREATH-MAKING KIT, FROM £30 From Darling Buds, Moorstone, Cullompton; www.darlingbudsofel.com

PADDED VELVET EIDERDOWN, £235 From Toot Garouk, 19 Queen Street, Exeter; www.tootgarouk.co.uk

SPARKLY HEDGEHOG, £6.50 By Gisela Graham, available at Cotley Farm Christmas, Cotley House, Cotley Farm, Whimple, Exeter; www.cotleychristmas.co.uk

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WINTER AND SPICE CANDLE, £14 From Cosy Nook Candle Co; www.cosynookcandleco.co.uk

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

TABLE ROBIN, £12.50 From Boka, 3 High Street, Crediton, Devon; www.bokaonline.co.uk

TROWEL AND FORK SET, £19.99 From Greenman Garden Tools; www.greenmangardentools.com

RECYCLED CHRISTMAS CANDLES, THREE FOR £15 From The Recycled Candle Company, 16 Gandy Street, Exeter; www.therecycledcandlecompany.co.uk

BLUE JUG, POA From Studio 36, 36 Denmark Road, Exeter; www.studio36exeter.co.uk

MIRRORED TRAY TABLE WITH FOLDING LEGS, £50 From Lark, 16 Fore Street, Topsham; www.larktopsham.shop

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BANJO BEAR MOUNTED PRINT, £27.50 From Insideout, 1 Bampfylde Street, Exeter; www.insideouthome.co.uk

NINA SIMONE PRINT, HAND FINISHED WITH 23 CARAT GOLD LEAF, £250 By Nadezhda; www.nadezhda-portraitartist.com

QUEEN POSTER, GREATEST HITS, FRAMED ORIGINAL ART, £18.74 By Lissome Art Studio; www.lissomeartstudio.com

ART FOR THE HOME RUTH BADER GINSBURG PRINT, £20 By Jane Foster Designs, www.janefoster.co.uk

FRANCES COLLETT “BELIEVE” A3 PRINT, £35 From Nest Living, Topsham; www. nestliving.net

RAINING PRINT, £18 By Nikki Ashton of HeartART; www.heart-art.co.uk

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ASSORTED PAINTINGS & CARDS FROM LIESE WEBLEY, POA By Liese Webley; www.liesewebley.com

FUN AND GAMES (for kids and adults)

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

MURDER MYSTERY AT THE THEATRE GAME, £29.95 From Hyde and Seek, Unit 1, Harlequins, 1 Paul Street, Exeter; www.hydeseek.co.uk

CIRCLE TALES: ADVENTURE STORYTELLING GAME, £47 From Circle Tales; www.circletales.com MAIN STREET VILLAGE JIGSAW PUZZLE, £14.99 From Insideout, 1 Bampfylde Street, Exeter; www.insideouthome.co.uk

TRADITIONAL DOMINOES, £6.99 From House of Marbles, The Old Pottery, Bovey Tracey, Devon; www.tradeuk.houseofmarbles.com

MERMAID LONGBOARD, £140 From Jelly Coast; www.jellycoast.com

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KIDS

MONKEY DRUMS, £4.99 From House of Marbles, The Old Pottery, Pottery Road, Bovey Tracey, Devon; www.tradeuk.houseofmarbles.com

EXCLUSIVE GERALD THE GIRAFFE HARDBACK JOURNAL, £8.50 From The Shop at RAMM, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Queen Street, Exeter; www.rammuseum.org.uk

BEE SKIPPING ROPE, £6.99 From The Old Pottery, Pottery Road, Bovey Tracey, Devon; www.tradeuk.houseofmarbles.com BROWN CHILDREN’S CORDOROY DUNGARESS, £50 From Black Sparrow; available on Etsy: Blacksparrowuk

ORGANIC ROMPER UFO RED, £19.90 From Kapbula, 17 Paris Street, Exeter; www.kapbula.co.uk

NOBODINOZ HONEY SPARKS ORGANIC TIPI, £125 From Rose and Reign; www.roseandreign.co.uk

SWELLEGGANT WILLOW HORSE, £21.99 From Insideout, 1 Bampfylde Street, Exeter; www.insideouthome.co.uk

CANVAS MAGNETIC NOTICEBOARD, £35 From The Magenticic Noticeboard Company; www.magneticnoticeboardco.co.uk

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE FELT SLOTH HANGING DECORATION, £19.95 From Hyde & Seek, Unit 1, Harlequins, 1 Paul Street, Exeter; www.hydeseek.co.uk

ELEPHANT COLOUR CHANGING LED MOBILE, £25 From Toot Garouk, 19 Queen Street, Exeter; www.tootgarook.co.uk DOLLYDROP KEYRINGS, £3.50 EACH From Dollydrops Accessories; Instagram: @dollydrips_accessories

MOONIN PARTY FLASK, £18.95 From Hyde & Seek, Unit 1, Harlequins, 1 Paul Street, Exeter; www.hydeseek.co.uk NOBODINOZ MOON ORGANIC COTTON CUSHION NATURAL, £17.95 From Rose and Reign; www.roseandreign.co.uk

ICONIC GUITARIST T-SHIRT, £22 From Invisible Friends Design; www.invisiblefrienddesign.co.uk

SUPERHERO IN A SUITCASE, £25 From Nest Living, 60 Fore Street, Topsham; www.nestliving.net SOFT PANDA FAMILY, £15 From Nest Living, 60 Fore Street, Topsham; www.nestliving.net

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CLOTHES & ACCESSORIES HONEYCOMB MITTENS IN YELLOW, £29; HONEYCOMB BERET IN YELLOW, £29; From Sancho’s, 117 Fore Street, Exeter; www.sanchosshop.com

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

COLOURFUL TASSEL AND POM POM KEYRING, £3.95 Hyde & Seek, Unit 1, Harlequins, 1 Paul Street, Exeter; www.hydeseek.co.uk

ROKA ATLANTIC BANTRY BACKPACK, £49.99 From Toot Garouk, 19 Queen Street, Exeter; www.tootgarook.co.uk

GREY CLOUD ORGANIC TSHIRT, £28 From Black Sparrow, available on Etsy: Blacksparrowuk RED GLOVES, £15 From The Black Pearl, 111-113 Fore Street, Exeter; www.theblackpearl.store

SUNCO PALACE KNIT, £135 From Lorna Ruby, 17 Catherine Street, Exeter; www.lornaruby.com

CAMILLA UMBRELLA, £20.59 From Emily Smith Designs; www.emily-smith.uk

MIDNIGHT FAUX FUR BAG, £49 From Julia’s Collection, 6 Roman Walk, Princesshay, Exeter; www.juliascollection.co.uk

AGNETTE RELAXED METALLIC BOOTS, £150 From Busby & Fox, 21 Cathedral Yard, Exeter; www.busbyandfox.com

PRINTED CANVAS MAKE UP BAG, £23 From Nest Living, 60 Fore Street, Topsham; www.nestliving.net www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 19

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE CARAMEL ICHI GREEN JUMPER, £34.99 From Caramel Clothing, 17-18 The Strand, Exmouth; www. caramelclothing.co.uk

POM POM SCARF, £65 From Lauren Aston Designs; www.laurenastondesigns.com

ORNATE HEADBANDS, £12.50-£15 From Snob, 5 High Street, Budleigh Salterton; www.ilovesnob.co.uk

RED CHAIN NECKLACE, £225 By Emily Kidson, Polka Dot Gallery, 12 Martins Lane, Exeter; www. polkadotgallery.com

SKY BLUE FLIGHT BAG, £78 From Sails and Canvas, Shed 9, Topsham Quay, Topsham; www.sailsandcanvas.co.uk

ZIP POCKET, £35 From Melissa Marie Leather; www.melissamarieleather.co.uk CYCLES TSHIRT IN REFLECTIVE PRINT, £25 From Invisible Friends Design; www.invisiblefrienddesign.co.uk

BLUE DE GENES CASSANO WAISTOCAY, £169 From Je Suis Mojo, 36 Gold Street, Tiverton; www.jesuismojo.com

MOROCCAN BABOUCHE LETHER SLIPPERS, £25 From Boka, 3 High Street, Crediton; www.bokaonline.co.uk

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DARTMOOR HONEY, OATS & ALMOND SOAP, £4.50 From The Dartmoor Soap Company; www.thedartmoorsoapco.co.uk

FOLKLORE MANICURE GIFT SET, £14.95 From Hyde & Seek, Unit 1, Harlequins, 1 Paul Street, Exeter; www.hydeseek.co.uk

BATH & BODY

PALM BEIGE NAIL POLISH, £16 From Sancho’s, 117 Fore Street, Exeter; www.sanchosshop.com

SPICED RUM LIP BALM, £4.50 From Insideout, 1 Bampfylde Street, Exeter; www. insideouthome.co.uk

ZAO MAKEUP, ORGANIC BLUSH BROWN PINK, £21.50 From Soapdaze, 126 Fore Street, Exeter; www.soapdaze.com CEDARWOOD AND GRAPEFRUITVEGAN SOAP ON A ROPE, £8.95 From Soapdaze, 126 Fore Street, Exeter; www.soapdaze.com

FIKKERTS LAVENDER BATH ESSENCE, £15 From Je Suis Mojo, 36 Gold Street, Tiverton; www.jesuismojo.com

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE YELLOW GORSE PILLOW SPRAY SLEEP AID, £15 From Nest Living, 60 Fore Street, Topsham; www.nestliving.net

ORANGE & GRAPEFRUIT HAND BALM, £4.79 From My Zero Lifestyle, 127 Fore Street, Exeter; www.myzerolifestyle.co.uk

BON PARFUMEUR 103, £43 From Lorna Ruby, From Lorna Ruby, 17 Catherine Street, Exeter; www.lornaruby.com

SUNDAY RAIN CHARCOAL FOOT SOAK, £4.95 From Hyde & Seek, Unit 1, Harlequins, 1 Paul Street, Exeter; www.hydeseek.co.uk GERANIUM AND ROSE PETAL BATH BOMB HEART, £6.50 From Devon Soap Company; www.devonsoap.co.uk

BOTANICAL GIN FOR THE BATH SALTS, £12.50 From Leaf Street, 53 Magdalen Road, Exeter; www.leafstreet.co.uk

BAMBOO TOOTHBRUSH, £6 From Sancho’s, 117 Fore Street, Exeter; www.sanchosshop.com

MENS GROOMING VETIVER AND SANDLEWOOD LUXURIOUS GIFT SET, £22 From Toot Garouk, 19 Queen Street, Exeter; www.tootgarook.co.uk

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THE ARTS S N A P S H O T S O F E X E T E R ’ S C U LT U R A L L I F E

FINE PRINT

Local artist and surface designer Emma Ruby loves to make joyful prints featuring vibrant geometric and ﬂoral motifs. She developed her style during furlough while running a daily lockdown drawing challenge to connect with others across the globe. The result is a brand new studio and body of work including art, mugs and greeting cards. Autogaﬀ Print £25, Tulip Garden Print £26-£30, Emma Ruby Studio; available at www.emmarubystudio.bigcartel.com

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WHAT’S ON 4 December – 2 January

Say hello to the reindeers at Cotley Farm Christmas

ART Until 11 December

REFLECTIONS 2020 (ONLINE) Artists have been invited to enter 2D and 3D work that reﬂects their own experience, interpretation and observations of the impact of the pandemic. See page 32 for more. Southwest Academy; www.southwestacademy.org.uk

Until 24 December

PRESENT MAKERS 2020 (ONLINE) Celebrating the best of South West-based craft and design, this exhibition will see all manner of beautiful glass, wood, paper, textiles, prints, ceramics, furniture and jewellery. A great event to pick up your Christmas pressies. Thelma Hulbert Gallery; www.thelmahulbert.com

10 December

WORKSHOP AT LOST AND FOUND ART The pop-up art venue with the vibrant yellow fox painted on its window will be hosting a workshop whereby artist Donna Richardson will be doing paint pouring demos from 10:30 am - 4:30 pm. Alternatively, just drop in at any time

to watch the artists create work and shop for prints and original artwork. Open every day except Monday, 10am 5pm, Paternoster House, 182-184 Fore Street, Exeter; www.lostandfoundart.co.uk

11-13 December

enigmatic road movie based on the true story of Lillian Alling, who disappeared without trace in 1926 while attempting to walk home to Russia from New York. Virtual cinema, Exeter Phoenix; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

WINTER DESIGN FAIR BY CADD EVENTS Local designers from Exeter and surrounding areas will be showcasing and selling their creations; expect everything from furniture to ceramics, jewellery and painting. The Walronds, Fore Street, Cullompton; Instagram: @CADD_EVENTS

Until 20 December

FILM

MUSIC/ COMEDY/ THEATRE

Until 20 December

SYSTEM CRASHER Asking some pointed questions about the care system, this compelling drama features a ferocious lead performance from Helena Zengel, a whirlwind of dayglo pink clothing and blond hair who simply explodes oﬀ the screen. Virtual cinema, Exeter Phoenix; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

Until 20 December

LILLIAN An impressively photographed and

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BEYOND THE HORIZON The drought of 1976. Under the unforgiving sun, Gus is about to leave childhood behind. A brilliant and merciless evocation of the once-in-a-century 1976 heatwave and its consequences for one French farming family. Virtual cinema, Exeter Phoenix; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

4 and 11 December

SOUND OF THE SIRENS The westcountry folk-rock duo’s live shows combine a natural facility for connecting with their audiences and unforgettable performances with warmth, humour and, above all, real conviction. Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

6 December

NIGEL CLARK Nigel Clark, lead-singer of indie band Dodgy, will be performing songs from his ﬁrst solo album which was written and recorded this year. He’ll also be banging out classic tracks from the gold-selling Dodgy album Homegrown. Doors 7.30pm, Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

9 December-9 January

TREASURE ISLAND This festive season join awardwinning funny men Le Navet Bete (The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure, Dracula: The Bloody Truth) as they play out Robert Louis Stevenson’s legendary tale as you’ve never seen it before. Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

12 December

STEAMPUNK MASKED YULE BALL Professor Elemental will be curating an evening of music, cabaret and dance with an array of performers to entertain; expect an intimate, seated cabaret extravaganza with the theme of dress to impress. Doors 7.30pm, Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

WHAT’S ON until 8pm, as well as festive events on Saturday evenings, to ensure as many people can visit throughout the weeks. Check website for opening times and to book your slot. Cotley Farm, Whimple, Exeter; www.cotleychristmas.co.uk © RHS ROSEMOOR

Until 31 December

ABOVE: Glow at RHS Rosemoor LEFT: In our Favourite Garden by Anna Fitzgerald, at Lost and Found Art BELOW: Woodland Kiss by Louisa Currier, at Lost and Found Art

CHRISTMAS AT PRINCESSHAY This year the shopping area will have a special Exeter Chiefs trading post where you can celebrate their recent joyous successes. There will also be a Charity Christmas Tree festival on Roman Walk, a new Giving Hub and the twinkliest and magical of lights. Princesshay, 9 Catherine Street, Exeter; www.princesshay.co.uk

Until 31 December

CHRISTMAS AT POWDERHAM CASTLE Every Thursday to Sunday until 20 December the team will be hosting a pop up restaurant in their stunning

music room and libraries. There will also be carols, crafts and the chance to meet Father Christmas and his elves. Don’t miss the spectacular light trail and show too, running until New Year’s Eve (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day), where you can explore the castle grounds. Powderham Castle, Exeter: www.powderham.co.uk

Until 2 January

GLOW AT RHS ROSEMOOR Visitors can see the gardens transformed at night by innovative colour-changing lighting into a magical festive trail around the trees, shrubs, water features and sculptures. Rippling water and reﬂections on the lake with its incredible reﬂections., there will be interactive sections as well as a few ‘light’ surprises along the way. Wrap up warm and enjoy the magic. Rosemoor’s annual Winter Sculpture Exhibition will also be running until 31 January. Visitors should book online before visiting. RHS Garden Rosemoor, Torrington; www.rhs.org.uk/Rosemoor. ■

LIBRARY LIFE

EMILY MACAULAY shares the latest from Exeter Library 16 December

WILL AND THE PEOPLE Will and the People make surprisingly delicate music for such a hard-living band – as beﬁts a band that promotes a forward-thinking hybrid of rock, reggae, hip-hop, punk, folk, with storytelling that at times mirrors dirtbag greats like Denis Johnson or Raymond Carver. Through this wide embrace of music, this band stand for something greater than any single sound: a spirit of radical inclusion. Doors 7pm, Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

LITERATURE 8 December

IN CONVERSATION WITH AUTHOR JESSICA REDLAND Jessica Redland is the author of nine novels, including The Secret to Happiness, which are all set around the ﬁctional location of Whitsborough Bay. Jessica will be chatting about her newly edited book Starry Skies Over the Chocolate Pot Café. 7pm, Exeter Library, virtual event; Facebook: @ExeterLibrary

CHRISTMAS EVENTS Until 24 December

CHRISTMAS AT COTLEY FARM The farm has got a new nativity barn, undercover area for takeaway teas, coﬀees, cake, and a, drum roll please...new baby reindeer that was born earlier in the year. They’re also running late night openings on Thursdays and Fridays

Did you know that during “lockdown 2” Exeter Library continued to offer Choose and Collect services for borrowing books and DVDs etc? Did you also know that we were able to offer computer access for essential use? This time around the Government have recognised libraries as an essential service and we are pleased that this means we can continue to offer access to our stock and even more vitally, access to computers for individuals that need them for essential use such as job searches and Universal Credit work. In addition to Choose and Collect remember that our Books By Bike and Books By Post service continue through these COVID-19 times. If you live within five miles of Exeter Library you can email or phone us to order some books and we’ll deliver them to you. Thanks to a kind and generous donation from a customer we are able to offer Books By Post free of charge to those living more than five miles from our library (and not near another library). Due to the unpredictability of winter and COVID-19 we have also extended our borrowing times – so anything you borrow now is due back in ten weeks’ time. A great chance to get your hands on and plough through a bigger books perhaps (War and Peace anyone?). This also applies to DVD hire and we haven’t increased the charge – so pay for one week and borrow it for ten! We have a range of box sets and feature films. For up to date information about the services available and opening hours please visit our website www.devonlibraries.org.uk

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Meet the dentist

Exeter’s dental surgeries are open and here to help you ANDRE FARO LEITE

DAWN LOVELL

INSPIRED DENTAL CARE 01392 272385; www.inspireddentalcare.co.uk What advice would you give to somebody considering finding a dentist in current times? Look for a dentist that not only complies with current health and safety protocols but goes the extra mile in terms of measures to protect you from COVID. Why should a patient come to you? As the most awarded practice in Exeter patients can be assured they will be provided with the most contemporary approach to dentistry in a very relaxed and comfortable environment. What advice would you give to a patient looking to have dental implants? Dental implants can be life changing and provide patients with the function and aesthetics they had lost years ago. When it comes to the decision of having dental implants, patients should not try to look for a bargain but rather focus on quality and search for someone highly skilled and certified that utilises a major implant manufacturer. If you need a hip replacement, I’m sure you would like to know you are having it done by the best surgeon using the best materials; I’m not sure why you should look at dental implants differently! What do you enjoy most about being a dentist? Being able to change people’s lives by transforming their smiles, making them confident or simply get them out of pain is extremely rewarding. How would you define modern dentistry? The future of dentistry is digital, from smile design to intraoral scanning and printing but also pain-free. To sum up, a pleasant patient-driven experience using the latest digital technologies rather than the historic dreading experience.

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THE EXETER DENTAL CENTRE, PART OF BUPA 01392 272350; www.exeterdentalcentre.co.uk What advice would you give to somebody considering finding a dentist in current times? Don’t hesitate to see a dentist if you have a problem. Our dental surgeries are open and we are here to help you. After the unavoidable closure of dental surgeries earlier this year, we are now seeing the detrimental effects on people’s teeth. Decay, if left untreated, can progress rapidly. Strict protocols are in place to ensure everyone is treated safely. What aspects of dentistry do you specialise in? As a general dental practitioner, my daily work can include anything from emergency care to tooth whitening. I really enjoy the art of working with modern composite and ceramic materials to recreate natural looking teeth. Why should a patient come to you? People want a dentist that listens to their concerns and that they trust. I always take time to make sure that each patient is not rushed and understands their options and individual treatment plan. What might we be surprised to learn about you? I have been lucky enough to live and work in Asia for three years, setting up a dental school in Brunei. What are the most rewarding aspects of your job? I work with an outstanding team at the Exeter Dental Centre. I love it when a nervous patient’s attitude transforms as the whole team makes them feel at ease.

Andre Faro Leite

Dawn Lovell

a dating age ncy in Devon with a heart...

We create special relationships

PI SOCIETY offers an ideal way to find your perfect match. We offer a personal and friendly service to help you fulfil your social and personal lives. We combine a professional and discreet matchmaking service with local social events. For more information please call us on 01392 241142 or visit us on line: www.pisociety.co.uk

clockwise: Emma and one of her pieces; The Light Between Oceans

A WORLD TO SEA

This past year has seen Exeter-based photographer Emma Solley capture the beauty and wilds of the South West coast, culminating in her latest exhibition Take Me To The Sea. Emma tells us moreâ&#x20AC;¦ Images by Emma Solley 30 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY

clockwise: Salted; Salt and Land; Emma putting on the finishing touches

“I found myself more drawn to the wilds than ever before” Think of this evolving collection as my love

letter to the natural world and a note of thanks for all it does to feed our souls.

Living in Devon I feel more grateful than ever to be able to escape to the wilds of

Dartmoor or the blustery North Cornish coast. I have always been drawn to the sea and the great outdoors. Clichéd but true. My work both as a photographer and contemporary artist is centred around this love of the natural world.

For the past two decades, I have worked in the creative industries. The early part of my

career was spent in broadcast TV production. During this time I produced and directed series mainly for the BBC and Channel 4, but also

for HGTV in the US. However, then came parenthood and a big old life change. So a little over 10 years ago, I returned home to Devon and life on beautiful Dartmoor. I had a dream to raise my family and open a small photography studio in the cathedral city of Exeter. Within a few years I found

myself busier than I could have imagined. The studio went from strength to strength and before I knew it my work was widely published, both as an award-winning wedding and commercial photographer. With this came the opportunity to travel for commissions and my early cloud and sea studies were centred around the glorious Caribbean and Balearic Islands, places where the tropical

storms roll in across the aqua seas. Then came 2020 and turned all of our worlds upside down. Whilst the pandemic

has halted much of my commercial work and travel, I found myself more drawn to the wilds than ever before. I opened my eyes wide to the beauty around through the seasons, right here on our doorstep. Scenery and skies that I had taken so readily for granted are now the subject of my latest body of work and I am delighted to share it with you. Our glorious British coast and countryside, through my eyes. Turns out we don’t have to jump on a plane to find the perfect escape, we just need to look a little harder. For more: www.saltandland.com; www.emmasolley.com

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ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

Mellony Taperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s piece fuses traditional and digital media

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ART

Reflections 2020 is an online exhibition run by The South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts whereby artists were asked to enter work that reflects their own experience, interpretation and observations of the pandemic...

s a sponsor of this exhibition, Exeter Living was asked to choose one piece that stood out to us. This magnificent blue, peopled, inky, echoey picture – All in This Together by Mellony Taper – is the one that jumped out. It is part of a larger body of work (‘Life, Twice Removed’), in part a response to our “new normal” world. This particular work is the fruit of an observational afternoon spent on the seafront at Torquay, on August Bank Holiday, 2020. “I layer photographs of my original oil and pastel works on paper with layers of photographic moments, in a process that is equal parts serendipity and judgement; it is very deliberately a far cry from a slick, Photoshop aesthetic,” says Mellony. “For me, this is a way to fuse traditional and digital media, in an alchemical process, to create something greater than the sum of its parts. I think of these works as palimpsests – layer upon layer, fusing time, place and memory, constantly overwritten, partially obliterated and written again. “The experience of 2020 gave new and greater levels of significance and meaning to these central ideas of transience, placememory and the ways in which we are now seeing and experiencing the world.”

“It’s a process that is equal parts serendipity and judgement”

Turn over the page for more highlights from the Reflections 2020 exhibition: www.southwestacademy. org.uk; for more on Mellony Taper: www.mellonytaper.com

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ART MORE FROM REFLECTIONS 2020...

Rambling Collection: Golden Feathers by Carole Bury

Through Salted Grey October Skies by Ray Balkwill

Musical Bubbles by Sue Luxton

Legion by Yana Trevail

Cocoon by Nicola Coe 34 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Searching by Nigel Moores

FOOD & DRINK

Freshly made Mexican street food delivered to your door

When did you open the business? We started our street food business in Febuary 2019 and quickly made it into quite a few small and medium-sized music festivals, markets and food festivals, mostly around the South West.

Service with a smile: Tom and Anna

TAKE 5 What do you do in 2020 if

your business normally takes place at festivals and markets? Adapt and go for it – which is just what Anna and Tom Blew, owners of Mexican street food business That’s Nacho Burrito!, did. They’re still serving up their very colourful burritos and nachos but now oﬀer food deliveries and ready-to-collect dishes from their kitchen near Polsloe Bridge train station. We caught up with the pair to ﬁnd out more…

And then 2020 happened... This year was supposed to be our bigger second year of events and we had so many booked in. But very quickly all the events we had planned were cancelled or postponed for 2020. Instead we adapted and set up at a glamping campsite for the summer and did a few smaller markets close to home which were still on. And then in October we found a commercial kitchen unit to share with another business so we decided to set up for deliveries and collections in Exeter. We have only been open a week but it is fun already and a totally different challenge! How would you describe your food? We bring tasty festival flavours to your home. We are more at home in a field than a city centre having served food at big music festivals and street food markets for the past couple of years. But we have now turned our street food skills into making top food for everyone to enjoy at home. Our food is filling, tasty and wholesome with something for everyone. The versatile nature of Mexican cuisine means that our burritos, burrito bowls, nachos, quesadillas and loaded fries can be customised easily with the toppings or fillings you like and easily made gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian or vegan without a compromise in taste.

Tempt us with something from the menu… Our bestsellers are pulled chicken and chorizo burrito, beef chilli loaded nachos, BBQ pulled pork burrito, BBQ pulled jackfruit burrito (can be vegan with dairyfree cheese) and Mexican spiced halloumi burrito. What else have you been up to this year? Earlier in the year we spent three weeks walking the North coast of the South West coast path from Minehead to Lands End, camping each night and carrying our own gear as we didn’t know what else to do with work not on! It was an amazing experience though and deﬁnitely a good use of our rare time oﬀ. Any highlights since you started the business? We got a shout out from KT Tunstall at Tunes on the Sands Festival in Dartmouth last year as her drummer said our burritos were amazing. Lastly, how can get our hands on your food? Deliveries and collections can be ordered in advance from our website and paid for online so that all transactions are contactless. We deliver and collect Thursday and Friday 5-9pm and Saturday and Sunday 12-9pm. That’s Nacho Burrito!, Unit 1A Hamlin Lane, Exeter, EX1 2RY; www. thatsnacho burrito.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK NIBBLES FROM EXETER’S FOOD SCENE

The returning chef Liam Finnegan

The new seaside restaurant opens in March 2021

Chef Michael Caines promises a place of fun

THE BIG REVEAL It’s been in development for a while now but chef Michael Caines has just given us a glimpse into what his new foodie spot, Mickeys Beach Bar and Restaurant at the Exmouth seafront regeneration project, will look like. The restaurant is set to open in March of next year and will offer sweeping views across the coastline, setting the tone for a super chilled out dining and drinking experience. ‘Mickeys has been in development for five years and I am so excited to see the building finally come to life,” says Michael. “The interior space, designed with Design Command, is fun, vibrant and in tune with its surrounds and has the most remarkable views across the bay of Lyme. Mickeys will be a place to celebrate, to unwind, to pop in for a takeaway or stay late into the night, underpinned by warm hospitality and excellent food. It is a space

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for the local community and beyond, above all it’s a place of fun. I’m incredibly excited to be able to share more over the coming months as we approach the opening.” What else do we know? Well, they will be a bar on the ground floor, complete with seascape décor and a resident weekend DJ. Upstairs, the restaurant will offer a glasshouse and outdoor terraces alongside neighbouring Café Patisserie Glacerie set to serve artisan pastries and ice-creams. It’ll also be a family and dog friendly space, with foods to eat in or takeaway and, crucially, the team have promised ample space outside so that guests can sip their cocktail while enjoying the magnificent views and sunsets. For more: www.mickeybeach.co.uk; and for more on the Exmouth seafront regeneration project, see page 61

FOOD & DRINK

BACK FOR GOOD Michael Caines has also just appointed Liam Finnegan as group executive chef for his Michael Caines Collection, the collection of restaurants that comprises of country house hotel and restaurant Lympstone Manor, The Cove at Maenporth, and the two new projects in Porthleven and Exmouth. With a working relationship spanning 14 years, Liam’s had an eight-year stint as head chef at The Castle Hotel in Taunton and prior to that under Michael’s tutelage at Gidleigh Park. “Coming back to work for Michael and with the team is very exciting,” says Liam. “I have great memories from my formative years at Gidleigh Park – 14 years ago! It’s a testament to the company to see so many familiar faces still working for Michael. I have been watching the brand grow from afar with admiration and I’m really excited with the appointment. I can’t wait to start building relationships with the team and customers alike and ultimately cook some fantastic food.” For more: www.michaelcaines.com

A glimpse of the new restaurant

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CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, £16 You’ll ﬁnd notes of nutmeg, cloves, candied orange, raisins, ginger and muscovado sugar. Nice on its own, or lovely served with a ginger ale (spiced orange ginger ale in particular). By Rosemullion Distiller, www.rosemulliondistillery.com; also available at Darts Farm, Topsham; www.dartsfarm.co.uk

HILLSIDE CARAMELISED FIG CHUTNEY, £4.67 This thick and glossy chutney is cooked down for hours with whole ﬁg quarters, orange zest and port. From Quickes Farm, Newton St. Cyres, Exeter; www.quickes.co.uk

FESTIVE FOOD

All the trimmings to make sure you have the most delicious Christmas, courtesy of Exeter’s top food producers

JAM AND MARMALADE TASTER BOX, £7.50 Can’t decide what jam to go for? The team will pick six diﬀerent jams for you. Breakfast need never be samey again. From The Tiny Marmalade Co; www.thetinymarmalade.com

HANDMADE CHRISTMAS PUDDING, £13.95 Time, patience and the best ingredients. That’s the mantra at Figgy’s, where the team make these award-winning delicious puddings by hand in their bakery near Exeter. From Figgy’s; www.ﬁggys.co.uk; Also available at Greendale Farm Shop; www.greendale.com

ADAMUS GIN GIFT SET, £64 Handcrafted in Portugal, it has notes of lavender, honeysuckle and grapefruit, with a gently herbal twist. From Mercado, Topsham; www.mercadotopsham.co.uk

COVE DAMSON LIQUEUR 50CL, £33 Tastes fabulous on its own and is divine in a glass of Champagne. From Devon Cove, www.devoncove.co.uk

SELECTION BOX: VEGAN CAKES, £19 Choose from sweet treat selection boxes, home-made artisan breads, breadsticks, and cakes; they’ll also deliver to your door. For more: www.naturallybread.com

CLASSIC CHOCOLATE BISCUIT CAKE WREATH, £35 Who says wreaths can’t be edible? Decorated with cranberries, apricots and dates, this treat is made from Madagascar dark chocolate, rich biscuit and dried cherries and raisins. From Chococo, 22 Gandy Street. Exeter; www.chococo.co.uk 40 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE BAKER’S KNIFE, £26.95 Strong and eﬃcient, this classic serrated knife is designed for the toughest and crunchiest of crusts. From Piper’s farm; www.pipersfarm.com

RIVER EXE CAFE “COFFEE LOVERS HAMPER”, £38 Fresh ground coffee and a rose gold measuring spoon that doubles up as a clip to keep your coffee fresh, and an eco reusable coffee cup. From River Exe café; www.riverexecafe.com

OAK SMOKED CLOTHBOUND CHEDDAR, £4.75 Smoked using oak chips from trees grown on the Quicke’s estate for a sensuously smoky, buttery ﬂavour. From Quickes Farm, Newton St. Cyres, Exeter; www.quickes.co.uk

RED PANDA CRISPY CHILLI TOPPING, £5.25 Essential store cupboard produce; goes with everything. From Red Panda, 29 Gandy Street, Exeter; www.redpandago.com

THE GRANDAD BOX, £55.00 Perfect for anyone who loves to sit by the ﬁre, enjoying a dram of whisky. Slippers optional. From Darts Farm, Topsham; www.dartsfarm.co.uk

BOLLHAYER CHAMPAGNE CIDER, £14.40 Bone dry and with a profusion of bubbles, it provides an excellent alternative to the usual Christmas ﬁzz. From The Flying Pickle Deli Café, 40 Gold Street,Tiverton; www.ﬂyingpickledeli.co.uk.

SPEYSIDE WHISKY BARREL AGED PORTER AND HEAVEN HILL BOURBON, £19.99 EACH The whisky has an almost jam-like sweetness that is complemented by a hint of vanilla, while the bourbon is described as having a smooth, silky mouthfeel and a refreshing dry ﬁnish. From Salcombe Brewery; www.salcombebrewery.com

BBQ HOT SMOKING KIT, £30 You’ve got a fire pit, right? Then BBQ’s are officially an all-year-round activity. In this kit, you’ll find wood smoking chips in oak, cherry and beech, a spicy BBQ rub, and a 24-page recipe booklet filled with delicious barbeque ideas to inspire you on your hot smoking adventure. From Hot Smoked; www.hotsmoked.co.uk

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COCKTAIL HOUR MISTINI (USING SEAMIST LIQUID GARNISH) FROM SALCOMBE GIN This oh so elegant cocktail combines the citrus-led flavours of multi-award winning Start Point Gin with a saline note from this should-be-in-a-Poirotepisode seamist liquid garnish spray. Coastal air meets classic Martini. Ingredients 50ml Salcombe Gin Start Point 20ml Belsazar Dry Vermouth 10ml Bodegas Tradición Fino Sherry 4 sprays of Seamist liquid garnish Red grapefruit peel

Method • Chill a Martini glass with ice and leave to one side. • Place the Start Point, Dry Vermouth and Fino Sherry in a mixing glass. Fill with ice and stir gently with a bar spoon for 15 seconds. • Remove the ice from the Martini glass and use a julep strainer to strain the liquid into the glass. • Add 4 sprays of Seamist over the top of the glass and garnish with red grapefruit peel. From Salcombe Gin, The Boathouse, 28 Island St, Salcombe; wwwsalcombegin.com

RECIPE

TERROIR FROM SALCOMBE GIN This beauty has been developed to complement the flavours and aromas of the world’s finest sweet wines, with notes of apricots, acacia honey, crème brûlée and candied orange peel. Sweet poetry. Ingredients 50ml Salcombe Gin Voyager Series Phantom developed with chef Château Climens and finished in French oak casks 30ml Lyme Bay Apricot Brandy Liqueur 20ml acacia honey and apricot syrup 10ml clarified fresh lemon juice 5ml peach grenadine syrup* 2 dashes orange bitters Sliced apricot to garnish (if not in season, you can use a flamed orange peel) Pectinex Ultra SP-L

Method • Chill a coupe or Martini glass with ice and place to one side. • Add all the ingredients into a mixing glass. Fill with ice and stir gently for 20 seconds. • Discard the ice from the chilled glass. • Strain the cocktail through a julep strainer into the chilled glass. • Garnish with a slice of apricot , if available. • To make acacia honey and apricot syrup, heat 250ml acacia honey and 10 sliced, dried apricots in a saucepan until the honey becomes thin and runny, then stir in 250ml water. • Remove from the heat, rest in the fridge for 2 hours and strain before using. • To make peach grenadine syrup* bring 2 parts pomegranate juice to a boil and add 2 parts white sugar, simmer and stir until

the sugar is dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool and add the syrup from a can of peaches in syrup at a 2:1 ratio of grenadine to peach syrup. • To make clarified lemon juice, add 2 drops of Pectinex Ultra SP-L to 250 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice in a round container. • Leave for a few hours and then skim any solids from the surface, before straining through a fine mesh into a bottle.

From Salcombe Gin, The Boathouse, 28 Island St, Salcombe; wwwsalcombegin.com

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RECIPE IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE FROM DOCTOR INKS CURIOSITIES Get shakin’ with these festive beauties from the merry elves down at Doctor Inks curiosities. Ingredients 30ml mincemeat infused Cognac* 20ml Amaretto 50ml half & half 10ml cinnamon sugar syrup** Method • Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake for 10-15 seconds until the drink is icy cold. • Strain into a chilled Martini glass and garnish with grated white chocolate and ground cinnamon.

Mincemeat Infused Cognac 1 bottle of Cognac 1 jar of mincemeat Combine the cognac and mincemeat into a non-reactive container and let sit for at least a week, tasting every few days till the desired flavour has been achieved, strain out the solids and bottle. Cinnamon Sugar Syrup 250g caster sugar 250g water 3-4 broken cinnamon sticks Add all the ingredients to a pan and stir over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved, remove from the heat cover the pan and let sit overnight to infuse, strain out the cinnamon bark and pour into a sterilised bottle. From Doctor Inks Curiosities, Customs House, 43 The Quay, Exeter, www.doctorinks.com

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MULLED NEGRONI FROM DOCTOR INKS CURIOSITIES Ingredients 250ml Gin 250ml Campari 250ml Martini Rosso Zest and juice of 2 clementines Zest of 1 lime

Zest of 1 lemon 1 cinnamon stick 4 cloves 2 bay leaves 2 star anise 100g sugar 150ml water

Method • Combine all ingredients into a pan and stir over a low heat for 10-20 mins until the liquid is aromatic and the taste is not too overpowering of the spices. • Remove from the heat and pour through a sieve to remove spices and zests and pour into a sterilised bottle. • When ready to serve, measure out how many cups you wish to serve into a pan and heat to a desired drinking temperature, serve in a heatproof glass garnished with an orange zest. From Doctor Inks Curiosities, Customs House, 43 The Quay, Exeter, www.doctorinks.com

WINTER WARMERS PROPER FISH PIE FROM THE PIG Serves 4

“Fish pie is a dish that never disappoints. Everyone has their own version, but we reckon ours is the best. The sauce has a bit of a kick and the topping has a good crunch. Use whatever fish looks freshest – and tastiest – that day.” Robin Hutson, Founder of The Pigs

peeled, boiled until soft and mashed Salt and freshly ground white pepper 1 tablespoon milk 15g (½oz) fresh white Breadcrumbs 10g (¼oz) grated Parmesan

Ingredients 500ml (18fl oz) fish stock 100ml (3½fl oz) white wine 500g (1lb 2oz) seasonal fresh fish fillets, cut into 3cm (1½ inch) cubes 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for the sauce 50g (1¾oz) butter 50g (1¾oz) flour 180ml (6fl oz) double cream 2 teaspoons English mustard 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon anchovy essence Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method • In a large pan, bring the fish stock and white wine to a simmer before placing the fish in the pan to poach gently in the liquid for 2 minutes. • Drain in a colander over a bowl, as you’ll need the cooking liquid later. Leave fish to cool. • To make the sauce, melt the butter in a thickbottomed pan over a low heat, then stir in the flour. Gradually add the drained stock and wine mixture, stirring well until it has all been added. Bring to the boil and then turn down and simmer gently for 30 minutes. • Add the double cream and continue to simmer for 10 minutes or so, until the sauce has a thick consistency that coats the back of a wooden spoon. Stir in the mustard, Worcestershire sauce and anchovy essence, season with salt and

For the topping 50g (1¾oz) butter 4 large floury potatoes (we use Maris Piper),

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freshly ground black pepper if necessary. Leave to cool for about 15 minutes. • Gently fold the cooked fish and the parsley into the sauce – you want the fish to remain in large chunks if possible. Spoon into 4 individual pie dishes or 1 large one, leaving around 3cm (1½ inches) at the top of the dish. Leave to set for about 30 minutes, so that the mash doesn’t sink when piped on top. • Mix the butter into the mashed potato, season with a little salt and freshly ground white pepper and add a little milk so that the mixture is soft enough to pipe. Using a piping bag, pipe the potato over the pies or, for a more rustic variation, just dollop it all on top. Both can be very satisfying! • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), Gas Mark 4 and bake for 30 minutes, then scatter on the breadcrumbs and cheese, and bake for a further 15 minutes until golden. The Pig-At Combe, Gittisham, Honiton; www.thepighotel.com

RECIPE PORK AND CIDER PIE FROM THE PIG Serves 4 “Yeah, baby! Who doesn’t love a good pie, with lots of gravy and a few greens? We switch our pies regularly at The Pig; in fact sometimes the fillings change day by day, as it all depends on what we get from the local suppliers. Here are a few of our favourite pie variations that never disappoint, kicking off with the Jagger and Richards of the pie world – a classic combo that will rock your taste buds for years to come.” Robin Hutson, Founder of The Pigs Ingredients 500g (1lb 2oz) diced pork 2 celery sticks, peeled and diced 2 large onions, peeled and diced 3 leeks, slit, washed and sliced 3 carrots, peeled and diced 4 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped 2 thyme sprigs 2 rosemary sprigs 500ml (18fl oz) local cider 1 litre (13⁄4 pints) chicken stock 100g (3½oz) butter

100g (31⁄2oz) flour Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons wholegrain mustard Pie pastry – use your favourite pastry recipe, or get some ready-made out of the freezer Egg wash Method • Preheat the oven to 140°C (275°F), Gas Mark • You will need an ovenproof casserole dish with a lid, to braise the meat. All the veg should be diced. The pieces don’t have to be exactly equal but it helps if they are chopped to roughly the same size so they’ll cook evenly. Season the pork and seal in a large ovenproof dish until golden brown. Add the flour and cook for 2 minutes, then deglaze with the cider. We use New Forest Cider but you can use any good locally produced cider you can find. Add the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. • Add all the diced veg, garlic and mustard. Cover with a lid – if you don’t have one, use

a double layer of foil. Cook in the oven for 3 hours, until the pork is tender, then spoon into pie dishes. Leave about 1cm (1⁄2 inch) from the top of the dish. With a pastry brush, coat the rim of the dish with a beaten egg to help it stick. • Roll out the pie pastry to 1⁄2 cm (1⁄4 inch) thickness and cut it out so it’s around 1cm (1⁄2 inch) larger than the dish itself. Gently lift and cover the pie mixture, pressing down onto the egg. • For a small pie the filling would be around 180g (6oz). Once the pie lid is on, make a small hole in the middle to let the steam out. Then return to the oven for 25 minutes at 180°C (350°F), Gas Mark 4, until the pastry is golden brown and cooked. • Serve with boiled new potatoes and braised cabbage. The Pig-At Combe, Gittisham, Honiton; www.thepighotel.com

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RECIPE MY NAN’S RICE PUDDING FROM THE PIG Serves 4 “The thing I remember about Nan’s delicious rice pud was that it always came with globules of butter rising to the caramelized surface. The best part was the slightly burnt bits around the edge – I used to love scraping them oﬀ the dish when I was a boy. Still do, actually. I reckon most chefs these days use far too much cream and sugar so it gets too rich and sickly. Nan would have just used the ‘top of the milk’ and only a little bit of sugar. I’ve lost count over many years of how many times I’ve rejected various pastry chefs’ oﬀerings, as they weren’t a patch on Nan’s. But now, through a bit of trial and error and a little input from my mum, we have come up with this recipe, which is pretty close to Nan’s. There’s absolutely nothing more comforting than rice pudding straight from the oven. And leave the burnt bits for me...” Robin Hutson, Founder of The Pigs

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Ingredients 750ml (11/3pints) whole milk 150ml (1⁄4 pint) double cream 100g (31⁄2 oz) pudding rice, rinsed 60g (21⁄4 oz) sugar 1 vanilla pod, seeds only Nutmeg, grated A little melted butter and demerara sugar to ﬁnish and, to ﬁnish, your favourite jam Method • Place the rice in a sieve and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. • Add the rice to a heavy-based saucepan along with the milk, cream, sugar, nutmeg and vanilla pod seeds. Slowly bring to the boil. Stir regularly (you can keep the vanilla pod in a jar with caster sugar to use in other recipes). • Reduce the heat and simmer until the rice has softened but is still ‘al dente’.

• Pour into an ovenproof dish, spread the rice evenly and bake at 200°C (400°F), Gas Mark 6, for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and rotate, to get an even colour, then bake for a further 10 minutes. • Drizzle over a little melted butter and return to the oven. Bake at 180°C (350°F), Gas Mark 4, for 7 minutes. Lightly sprinkle with a very small amount of demerara all over. • Spoon into bowls and add jam or fruit compote.

The Pig recipes are all taken from Tales and Recipes from the Kitchen Garden and Beyond; www.thepighotel.com

GLAZED SALTED CARAMEL TART RECIPE FROM THE ODDFELLOWS This recipe comes from chef Mark Kersey of The Oddfellows and is one of his absolute favourites. “It’s luxurious and smooth and is a real spirit lifter... something to make us smile,” says Mark. Ingredients SWEET PASTRY 235g of plain flour, sifted 90g of icing sugar, sifted 30g of ground almonds Pinch of salt 120g of chilled unsalted butter, cubed 1 large egg SALTED CARAMEL FILLING 280g of caster sugar 50ml of Madeira 1 litre of double cream, at room temperature pinch of salt 70g of light muscovado sugar 15 large egg yolks TO SERVE Good quality vanilla ice cream or clotted cream Method • For the sweet pastry, mix together the flour, icing sugar, ground almonds and salt before adding into an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the chilled butter and turn the mixer onto a medium speed. Combine the dry ingredients with the butter

until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. While the paddle is still running, add the eggs and allow the pastry to just come together. • Transfer the pastry from the mixing bowl onto a lightly floured work surface and knead lightly for 15-20 seconds to bring together until smooth. Pat down to a thickness of 5cm and wrap in cling film. Allow to rest in fridge for a minimum of 3 hours or ideally overnight. • For the salted caramel filling, place the caster sugar in a heavy-based pan and place over a high heat. Once the sugar starts to melt, swirl the pan to keep the sugar moving as it caramelises. Stir gently with a wooden spoon if needed. As soon as the caramel achieves a rich hazelnut-bronze colour, add the Madeira and allow it to boil away vigorously. The caramel may spit, so make sure you stand away from the pan. Slowly pour in the cream and whisk briefly to combine, then add the salt and briefly whisk again. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. • Lightly beat the muscovado sugar with the egg yolks in a bowl, then add the caramel cream and whisk to combine. • Pass through a fine sieve into a bowl and set aside to rest for 10 minutes. Skim off any bubbles from the surface, then set aside in the fridge to chill. • Roll out the pastry on a cool work surface to a thickness of 3mm as round as possible. Dust the pastry sparingly with flour as you go to prevent it from sticking to the surface. Place the rolling pin at one edge of the pastry round and loosely roll up the pastry around the pin. Carefully unroll it over the tart ring, set on a flat baking tray.

• Carefully manoeuvre the pastry into the tart ring to line it, trying to avoid tearing it. Ensure the pastry is tucked right into the corners of the ring. If it tears, either push it back together again or patch it up with excess pastry and some egg wash. Allow the excess pastry to hang over the rim of the ring. Prepare 2 large sheets of cling film, big enough to hold the baking beans and overlap the tart edge. • Line the pastry case with the stuck together cling film, then fill with baking beans. Place in an oven preheated to 160°C and bake for 20 minutes, or until the rim of the pastry case is golden. Remove from the oven and lift out the cling film with the baking beans. Return the tart case to the oven, bake for a further 5–10 minutes or until the base is a pale golden brown. Remove from the oven. Leave to cool. • Fill the tart case with the caramel mix and return the tart to the oven. • Reduce the heat to 110°C/and bake for 40 minutes – or until the filling is just set when the tart is gently moved to and fro. • Remove the tart from the oven and set aside to cool. While it is still warm, trim off any excess pastry using a small serrated knife. Leave to cool completely. • To assemble the final dish, use a large, sharp serrated knife, cut he tart into 8 portions. • Wipe the knife between cuts to ensure a polished finish. • Dust each portion generously with caster sugar and use a blowtorch to caramelise the surface. Enjoy. The Oddfellows, 60 New N Road, Exeter; www.theoddfellowsbar.co.uk

RECIPE

HEALTH KICK BUTTERNUT SQUASH, GINGER, TURMERIC KOMBUCHA SOUP FROM BOO CHI KOMBUCHA Devon-based Boo Chi Organic Kombucha specialise in, you guessed it, kombucha. Not tried it yet? It’s a fermented tea known for its health benefits; namely it delivers good bacteria, vitamins and enzymes to improve gut health. Kombucha can also be tossed into recipes to spruce a dish up; here are two from the team at Boo Chi Organic Kombucha. Ingredients Large butternut squash

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1 large Onion 1 piece of fresh ginger 2 cloves of garlic 1 bottle tumeric Boo Chi Kombucha 1 vegetable stock cube Turmeric powder Method • Cut butternut squash in half and place in the oven with some olive oil and black pepper for about 35 mins until roasted and golden brown.

• Fry onion and garlic. • Scoop out squash and place all of the ingredients in the blender (we used a vitamix). • Add a sprinkle of turmeric powder. • And blend until of a soup consistency. • Heat in pan and serve with a sprinkle of turmeric on top.

Boo Chi Kombucha; www.boochi.co.uk

BOOJITO (OUR TAKE ON THE MOJITO) FROM BOO CHI KOMBUCHA Ingredients 50ml white rum Fresh lime Fresh mint Fresh Mint Boo Chi Kombucha Crushed Ice Â Recipe: Put all the ingredients into a glass and stir. From Boo Chi Kombucha; www.boochi.co.uk

Reach the best in the west Affluent, active and influential and just a call away

Contact Paula 07563 529772

EDUCATION H I G H L I G H T S F R O M E X E T E R ’ S E D U C AT I O N S E C T O R

Sir Steve Smith

The uni scholarships will start in 2021

BE A GOOD SUPPORT A new scholarship scheme set-up in honour of former vice-chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith, targeting applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds, will support six students to attend the University of Exeter each year. More than £1 million has been raised which will support one scholar in each of the University’s six colleges at any one time, each receiving an award of £6,000 per year for the duration of their studies. The donations have funded a permanent

endowment, which means the scholarships will be available in perpetuity for maximum impact. Sir Steve was the first member of his family to attend university, and the scholarships will target talented students from backgrounds similar to his own to achieve their potential at Exeter and far into the future. “I have always believed that education has the power to transform lives and throughout my time at Exeter, was passionate about It’s a warm welcome at the newly opened centre

WHERE THERE’S A SKILL… Exeter College is celebrating the opening of their new Future Skills Centre. Devon County Council purchased the building that was formerly the Flybe Training Academy, and Exeter College has agreed to enter into a long lease of the building to offer training and education opportunities from the building. Devon County Council has invested almost £4million in to the project while the College has also secured a £1million grant from the Government’s Getting Building Fund to enhance, transform and equip

the Future Skills Centre to be a nationally significant hub for training and education. The news is particularly welcome as many adults are now looking to retrain for a new career or upskill in their current roles. “One of the most exciting elements of this collaboration is the long term benefits this will have for the region in helping to ensure Devon retains a highly-skilled, local workforce that continues to thrive in challenging times,” says Exeter College principal and chief executive John Laramy. For more: www.exe-coll.ac.uk

supporting widening participation schemes and programmes,” says Sir Steve smith. “I was delighted to make a founding donation to this fund myself and am so grateful to everyone who has joined me in making a difference to all these future students. I cannot thank you enough.” The first Sir Steve Smith Scholars will start in September 2021. For more: www.exeter.ac.uk

STAR BAKER

Inspired by Marcus Rashford’s work to support FareShare, Exeter School’s fourth former Joe McFadyen decided he wanted to help out too. Joe drew up a menu to offer to friends and family in return for the cost of the food plus a donation to FareShare. Joe was fortunate to receive lots of Joe’s lasagne orders and spent two days cooking more than 60 individual portions of meat or veggie lasagne, macaroni cheese with bacon or cauliflower, brownie and apple and pear crumble and delivering them in person. Joe’s initial target was £50 but thanks to generous donations from everyone who ate his food and others who heard about what he was doing and wanted to support him, he has raised £200. For more: www.exeterschool.org.uk

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Planning ahead

Carolyn Matravers of OLD MILL tells us more about making plans with elderly parents.

t may feel difficult or awkward to broach the subject of declining health with your parents. GETSET is a six-step process that can help you structure the conversation and provide you and your parents with clarity and peace of mind for the way ahead should you need to step in and manage their finances. 1. Getting their ducks in a row Find out from your parents exactly what assets are where, including bank accounts, investments, savings and pensions as well as material assets of worth. If your parents own property gather all the information relating to that property in one place, for example the deeds, insurance documents etc. 2. Estate planning Old Mill recommend having a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for both financial affairs and health and welfare. An LPA allows someone, while they still have full mental capacity, to nominate a trusted friend or relative to make decisions on

their behalf in cases of lost capacity. If you are made an attorney, make sure you understand what your responsibilities will be, and that the documentation is set up correctly with a solicitor. Check that your parents have a will in place and that it reflects their current wishes. Find out if the executors of your parents’ wills are alive, willing to act and understand their responsibilities. 3. Timeline Work through a timeline and document any gifts your parents have made, to whom and when. This will help when it comes to managing the tax aspects of your parents’ estate. 4. Simplifying their assets Could your parents rationalise the number of bank and savings accounts they have? Be mindful of the protection levels offered per financial institution through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Make sure investments are held in an easily

accessible and understandable structure in line with your parents’ attitude to investment risk and that they are structured so that they can be adaptable if your parents’ needs change. 5. Establishing a relationship with a trusted adviser Working with a SOLLA accredited (Society of Later Life Advisers) financial planner who is able to coordinate matters can really help. Bringing relevant professionals in when appropriate and engaging with you and the wider family can make dealing with any matters that come up easier to deal with. 6. Talk to your parents Make sure you understand what their wishes are should the need for care arise. And, however difficult it may be, find out what your parents’ wishes are regarding their funerals. n Contact Carolyn Matravers on 07825 620028 or email carolyn.matravers@om.uk

It’s the city’s business

EXETERWORKS Annabel McCabe and Mandy Swift, co-founders of Collaborate South West

Standing together

usiness leaders from Exeter joined forces recently for a live business summit on how businesses can power through the pandemic. Key to the discussions was how collaboration has played a key role in supporting organisations throughout this time The ‘Business Summit Live: Collaborating through Adversity’ was hosted by Exeter-based Collaborate South West and was a chance for leaders from the likes of Exeter Science Park, Stephens Scown solicitors and Exeter City

BUSINESS CLUB

Futures to set out learnings from the challenges of 2020 and how working together can drive opportunity in the months ahead. “The mix of expertise on the panel ensured fantastic insights for businesses to help them consider how they can embrace collaborative working both within and between organisations,” says Mandy Swift, Collaborate South West co-founder. “It has been an incredibly tough year for so many but there have also been positives. The level of collaboration in so many different areas

of business has without doubt been one of those positives. We had a fantastic audience and are now rolling out the event into a series over the coming months.” Collaborate South West, which launched earlier this year, also revealed the initial findings of how business leaders and organisations are using collaboration to adapt their offering, adopt new technologies, deliver services and reach new customers in uncertain times. The full survey report will be published later this year.

For more: www.collaboratesw.co.uk

Virtual one hour sessions, all free to attend Search Exeter Living on LinkedIn for upcoming dates and registration If you would like to get involved, please email events@mediaclash.co.uk

EXETERWORKS It’s a team effort at Nettl Energy Hair: the super salon

MOVERS, SHAKERS ETC

ANIMAL MAGIC Exeter company Nettl recently crossed the £10,000 mark from sales of their masks. In normal times, the company helps businesses promote themselves with print, signage, web and exhibitions but the team changed tack when the pandemic took over. “We do some really cool fabric exhibition stands, but back at the start of the first lockdown, demand for exhibition stands dropped massively due to cancelled events,” says studio manager Tom Dobson.

GET FORTY

“Our ink on fabric production quickly changed from producing huge exhibition displays and adapted to create designs for face masks. We set up a website called AniMasks to sell animal-themed face masks to the public.” Nettl donate all materials and manufacturing time for every mask ordered, so 100 per cent of the proceeds go to NHS Charities Together.

For more: www.nettl.com

Would you like to take part in the celebrations?

Cygnet Theatre will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2021 with a special season of work running from May to July and they are seeking professional companies who would like to take part in the season by bringing a show, concert, or event. The piece of work or the group would need to have some connection with Cygnet, but that can be as creative a connection as you like. The theatre company are planning to use multiple spaces in the city as well as its own theatre. They are also inviting submissions from local community groups who would like to take part in their community and charity days during the season. For more: www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

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Energy Hair, the salon at Darts Farm, has just been presented with the Design Salon Award for their outstanding salon refurbishment. A virtual awards ceremony was hosted to ensure finalists could still be congratulated and celebrate their much-deserved success. “After expanding last year we have never looked back and feel so privileged that our lovely salon has not only been enjoyed by our fantastic clients, but recognised by experts we hold in such high regard,” says salon owner, Nathan Plumridge.

For more: www.energyhair.com

Devon-based Peplows Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers has appointed professional marketer Tina Calvert as a new equity director. Tina, a chartered marketer and member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, has been with the firm for over 20 years. “Clients increasingly require support that goes far beyond the core remit of accountancy,” says Debbie Franklin, director of tax at Peplows. “More than ever, we need people with the ability to identify, anticipate and understand clients’ needs and the communication and change skills to ensure these are met. This is where the skills of a marketer can add great value.”

For more: www.peplows.co.uk

Local company Northcott Beaton Insurance Brokers is celebrating 30 years of trading. “We still get as much of a buzz now as we did all those years ago when we secure any new business and every time we renew a clients Insurance,” says commercial director Kieran Northcott. For more: www.northcottbeaton.co.uk

All smiles from the Exeter Northcott Theatre

EXETER LIVING AWARDS 2020

The world was a different place when Exeter Northcott Theatre scooped the ARTS prize at our awards earlier this year. While the theatre closed its doors to live performances, work very much continued behind the scenes. Artistic director Daniel Buckroyd reveals the ups, the downs, and the big changes to come... ARTS WINNER How did it feel to win an Exeter Living award? 2019 was a year of huge change at the Northcott, with a largely new team pulling together to really put the theatre on Exeter’s cultural map again, so winning the award felt like a fantastic acknowledgement of that. How did you celebrate? With some of the delicious Tarquin’s Gin that we also left with! Where do you keep your award? It sits in pride of place at our box office so that all our audiences can

see it, although sadly there haven’t been so many people through the door since March! Why do you think Exeter Northcott won? Would have loved to be a fly on the wall for that discussion! But what I hope the award recognised was the quality of our programme, including shows such as Beauty & the Beast and Bang Bang; the quality of our customer service, and how we strive to make every visit to the theatre a special one; and the way we’ve been reaching out to groups and communities who maybe haven’t felt the theatre was for them before. Theatres have been particularly hard hit during covid. How has it been for the Northcott?

It certainly has been a tough few months for the arts, but with our main way of reaching audiences (and our primary source of income) removed at a single stroke, we’ve been forced to draw on the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of our whole team as we’ve looked for new ways to connect with the young people, communities and artists we’re here to serve. So, as we (hopefully) emerge from lockdown, we’re as likely to be thinking about reaching audiences online and opportunities for people to unleash their own creativity, as what the next show’s going to be on our stage. Have there been any positives? It’s rare in life that one gets a chance to really question the fundamentals and reset, but that’s what covid has

meant for the arts; I think there’s a real opportunity, as theatres recover from lockdown, to ensure that they build back better, more responsive to the communities they serve, more relevant to more people. What can we look forward to this Christmas at Exeter Northcott? We are thrilled to be hosting Devon’s favourite funnymen, Le Navet Bete, with their hit show Treasure Island, for socially distanced performances right through December and into the new year. And judging by the advance bookings (even in the face of the second national lockdown) our audiences are determined to get out and have a laugh with their families/bubbles this Christmas.

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EXETERWORKS Northcott Theatre will be hosting Treasure Island this Christmas

And what about next year? Well, we’re certainly planning to get our live performance programme back up and running through the spring, including producing a number of shows ourselves, which we’ll be announcing very soon. But we are expecting to be working with social distancing for quite some time, so I don’t anticipate things will get completely back to ‘normal’ until the autumn. What we will have on offer though is a wide range of new ways to get creative and get involved in the life of the theatre – we’ve just relaunched our website and it’s packed with opportunities. And we’re also working on a big development we hope to announce in the next few months, that

will see us playing a bigger role within the city centre in future (he said mysteriously)! Have your objectives as a theatre been reinforced by experience of the last few months? For me, one of the most sobering revelations of the last few months has been the way existing inequalities within society have been laid bare and amplified by covid, and the realisation that we all have a part to play in changing that. As a theatre we’ve always been focused on making what we do accessible to as wide an audience as possible, but moving forward I think we’re going to be much bolder in how we

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go about trying to really make that mean something. Can we expect to see different sorts of theatre coming to the forefront now? At the moment theatre-makers are adapting to the challenges of lockdown and social distancing by creating smaller, more strippedback live work, and ever more ambitious online experiences that seek to go beyond the NT Live streaming experience and achieve an immediacy in the virtual, and I expect that both of these approaches will weave themselves into the new theatre that emerges after covid. What connections with the community are you working on right now? We were already supporting a range of communities before covid, but as part of our response to lockdown, we’ve just launched a new call-out for communities who are interested

in working with artists to help them tell their story or make some noise about a change they want to make happen, so I hope that over the coming months we’ll find ourselves working with an even more diverse range of groups – I’d encourage anyone interested to drop us a line, particularly if you think your community’s voice hasn’t been heard loudly enough in the city before. What do you love most about Exeter? It’s a place where history and cutting edge technology exist cheek by jowl, and where big ideas are never more than a short walk away. Lastly, what have you learned about Exeter and its people during this pandemic? That, when push comes to shove, they pull together to get through! For more: www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

PROPERTY P L A C E S T O L I V E , W O R K A N D P L AY

A sensory garden is planned

The village will have 124 apartments

VILLAGE LIFE

ACTIVE AGENT Estate Agents Strutt & Parker have appointed Gareth Witcombe as Head of Land & New Homes for the South West. Gareth is an experienced agent, having been in the industry for over 18 years and worked across the South West region for many years. “The new homes market across the region remains active and the lead up to Christmas is an excellent time to plan a launch on any new or existing development,” says Gareth. “It has been an encouraging start in this role securing a sale on a new build house just outside of Exeter and securing ﬁve new listings in Somerset.” For more: www.struttandparker.com

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Ambitious plans to create a stateof-the-art care village on land adjoining Buckfast Abbey have been unanimously approved by Dartmoor National Park Authority’s planners. The eco-friendly village will be for people of all ages and will include swimming and hydrotherapy pools which will be open to the public, plus a new community hall. There will also be craft workshops, a sensory garden, a restaurant, bar, hairdressing salon and cinema. Accommodation will see around 124 supported apartments, a 60-bed nursing home and a 32-bed specialist dementia unit. The complex, which has been designed by KWL Architects, is thought to generate up to 170 jobs. “We are thrilled that the scheme The village will have strong links with the community

has been passed,” says Buckfast Abbey’s ﬁnance manager, Jonathan Deacon. “We would like to thank the design team and the planning oﬃcials involved for all their support. “It’s important to stress that this will not be a retirement village – it’s to provide accommodation and support to people of all ages. This may include someone in their 20s who has a degenerative disease but wants to continue a normal life for as long as possible with appropriate help. We aim to create a rich and stimulating environment, with our gardens and communal areas, workshops, day trips and a range of craft and educational activities. We are also hoping to supply outreach and domiciliary care to the surrounding area.” For more: www.buckfast.org.uk

PROPERTY

What the watersports centre will look like when it’s completed

WATER LOT OF PROGRESS

Set to cement the region as the go-to place for water sports enthusiasts is the new watersports centre Sideshore, in Exmouth. The family-run Edge Watersports will be teaching, training and encouraging people to get involved in kitesurfing, beach kiteflying and paddleboarding. Also on site is the Hangtime Café for that essential cuppa and slice of cake when you’ve just emeged from the sea. The sports centre is open now with the whole project due to be finished in early 2021. SIDESHORE AT A GLANCE…

• The centre has been built by property development company Grenadier and sustainability has been a core focus. • Tenants include four times world champion kitesurfer Steph Bridge, and celebrity chef Michael Caines. It’s also anticipated Steph Bridge and two of her three sons will qualify for the next Olympics, meaning Sideshore will become a world-renowned watersports destination in the UK. • Twice as many solar panels were installed than the recommended coverage to generate as much renewable energy as possible. In total, 74,849kWh of energy is expected to be generated, resulting in a reduction of 44,909 kg of CO2 emissions each year. • EV Charge points have been installed, as have bike racks to encourage greener modes of transport. • All tenant have signed “green leases’’ to ensure there is a ban on all single-use plastics. For more: www.grenadierestates.co.uk

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MARLEY HOUSE Spectacular town and coastal views await you at this luxury property By Simon Noble 62 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

PROPERTY

hat does your home mean to you? For some it is the reward for lots of hard work, be that during the working day or over time, money saved, mortgage guaranteed, owning your own bricks and mortar around you. For others it is a fabulous canvas on which to hang chandeliers, introduce mood lighting, infiltrate with sequins and polka dots. For others it is a sanctuary from all the noise that the world is currently providing. For some it is all of the above. One thing is for sure – in 2020 our home has had to be much more. It has had to be our ally during operation – stay put! It has had to entertain us, occasionally hold us and ultimately protect us. Marley House is a property that would do all these things and then some. Sat on the original site of a former Victorian marble mansion and built by the High Sheriff of Devon, it is part of Exmouth’s history. Set in two and a quarter acres and located on the outskirts of Woodbury Common and Exmouth, the property is truly a delight to behold. You can feel history engulf you, from the gateway that welcomes you, to the original Victorian wall, steps and archway that have been lovingly restored. The house

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PROPERTY

is surrounded by a beautifully maintained garden with manicured lawns upon which you could while away a sunny day; and beautiful woodland there to remind you of the changing of the seasons. There is a two-bedroom annexe suitable for additional accommodation for guests or even as somewhere to banish children if they are misbehaving. As you walk around the house you can relish the breathtaking views over the town and southern coastline from the balcony, terrace or garden. When one ventures inside you are immediately struck by how well laid out and spacious the design of the house is. The spectacular reception space is divided into no less than six reception rooms, facing in a south-westerly direction with ample light supplied by roof lanterns in the rooms to the front and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The rooms include: sun room with adjacent study, dining room, drawing room with feature fireplace and wood burner, kitchen, summer kitchen and a further reception linking to the hall. In addition, the ground floor provides an en suite bedroom, suitable also as a games/cinema room or home office/work space, entrance hall and vestibule, utility and cloakroom. Upstairs you have the option of choosing from five double bedrooms. The master bedroom faces south westerly and comes with a decked terrace so if you are an early riser you can take your bowl of granola and cup of coffee and look to the east and see the sun rise. Failing that, in the evening you can take a well-earned drink and bid the sun adieu. Living here will give you the sense, whilst you look at the eternal horizon that touches the English Channel, that everything is going to be okay. n

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HOUSE NUMBERS

Where Exmouth, 12 miles from central Exeter

Bedrooms 7

ÂŁ1,850,000 Price

Bathrooms 5

For more: Wilkinson Grant, The Old City Library, 1 Castle Street, Exeter; www.wilkinsongrant.co.uk

Outside

Over 2.25 acres of gardens

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EXETER LIVES

“We rarely hear about the students quietly getting on with things” teachers we’re finding that quite a lot of students are saying that their classes on campus are the highlight of their week – that keeps us on our toes! What do you love most about your job?

PROFESSOR MORWENNA LUDLOW Morwenna is head of Theology and Religion at the University of Exeter and an honorary canon theologian at Exeter Cathedral What did you want to be when you were little?

When I was really tiny I wanted to run a doll’s hospital! A little later, I decided I wanted to be a teacher. I still have my old Ladybird books with crayon marks in them where I have ‘marked’ my dolls’ work! What bits of Christian History and Theology get you excited?

I study the very early history of the church. I’m fascinated by how that world seems so different and yet every now and again something familiar shines through. I sometimes think that studying this period of history is like looking into a rather cloudy mirror: you can just about see something recognisable, but it’s not easy to make out – and that makes you look more carefully. What has life been like at the university this term?

It’s been a huge challenge for both

students and staff, but I work with a wonderful team who are doing everything they can to keep our department a rich, lively and supportive place to study theology and religion. We can’t make things ‘normal’, but the situation has challenged us to reflect on what’s really important and for the people I work with, that is community, compassion and a commitment to seeking the truth. We don’t all agree what that truth is, but we do agree it’s important to seek it! How have your students coped during this time?

I think each one of them will have their own story to tell. One of the frustrations of the last few weeks is that news stories about ‘students’ have inevitably generalised what are enormously varied experiences and responses. We rarely hear about the students quietly getting on with things, even though that may be a lot of effort for them. As

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Watching people discover new ideas and letting myself discover them too. It’s most obvious when teaching new undergraduates, but it’s a privilege to work somewhere where we also teach post-grads and do the kind of research which challenges each of us to keep rethinking what we know. And the challenges?

Time! I’ve reconciled myself to the idea that I will never read all the books I want to read, but there is always one more email waiting, always one more student query to answer, always one more plan for next year to think about. And as Head of Department I spend a lot of time looking at financial spreadsheets, which is not what I expected when I started a career in theology. What does being a Canon Theologian entail?

It differs from person to person! I try to be a bridge between academia and the church. There’s quite a lot of suspicion about theology in some Christian circles (although not in our Cathedral!); on the other hand, we professional theologians are often bad at explaining what we do. In fact, I think that anyone who thinks about God is a theologian – the word means someone who thinks or talks about God – and I’ve learned so much about God from people who have no formal theological training at all. But I’ve also seen how exciting it is when that kind of spiritual wisdom discovers what it can do with academic theology: fireworks!

What was it like getting back in the cathedral for the first time after lockdown?

A feeling of peace and of coming home. I love that sense of this huge, ancient, beautiful building set aside for people to encounter God. It’s not that you can only find God in cathedrals – it’s that we’ve chosen to set aside this space specially. It’s so important not to lose that. You’ve got a free hour in Exeter – where do you go?

The river. Whether I’m cycling or walking it’s my good place where I can unwind. I love the way you don’t have to go far to see the horizon open up and have these wonderful views of river, sky and the green hills. And from some of the buildings on campus you can see the sea! What is the most surprising thing about you?

Well, I’m quite shy, so I think most people think I’m pretty quiet when they first meet me. And then after a while the inner chatter-box is released. It can be a bit of a shock. Who or what makes you laugh?

My husband is the supreme master of the bad pun and my daughters are catching up fast. And they all tease me terribly – which usually makes me laugh. Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Well the person I’d like is Kristin Scott Thomas (although possibly not in her recent Mrs Danversfrom-Rebecca incarnation). Times are uncertain at the moment, what do you know for sure?

That I am loved. n

For more: www.humanities.exeter.ac.uk; www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk