Exeter Living - Issue 302

TAKE ME

SAVE THE DATE!

EXETER PROPERTY AWARDS 21 OCTOBER

INDEPENDENTS DAY LOVING MAGDALEN ROAD

YOU COULDN’T MAKE IT UP JOSIE LAWRENCE HEADS TO EXETER

EATING OUT

SEPTEMBER FOOD FESTIVALS IN DEVON

GOING FOR GOLD JEWELLERY PICKS FROM THE LOCAL INDIES

ISSUE 302 / SEPTEMBER 2022 / FOOD FOR THOUGHT

THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS THE EXPLODING BAKERY’S TOM AND OLI AND THEIR CAKE REVOLUTION

ISSUE 302 / SEPTEMBER 2022 / £3

© SAM A HARRIS

EDITOR’S LETTER

ABOVE: The Exploding Bakery,

turn to page 11; BELOW: Gold dazzler from Erin Cox Jewellery, turn to page 44

T

his issue has its flip-flop adorned feet firmly stuck in summer but is definitely peering into autumn, with much excitement I might add.

The slew of festivals happily continues, with a boundless list of foodie ones to take your pick from: Taste East Devon Festival, Exeter Foodies Festival, and Powderham Food Festival. Flying the flag for arts and culture are: Budleigh Salterton Literature Festival, the Ocean Film Festival, and a new one for Exeter called The Story of Us – all featured in this issue.

We also welcome the theatre and comedy stars heading to our city’s venues, as we chat to whip-smart improviser Josie Lawrence ahead of The Improbable Musical in September.

Elsewhere we celebrate the amazing shops, restaurants and cafés on Magdalen Road, visit the best culinary spots in Topsham, and catch up with the guys from The Exploding Bakery, our cheerful cover stars, to find out how they are shaking up the baking world – because whether you’re feeling summery or autumny, there’s never a wrong time to sink your teeth into a nice bit of cake.

Enjoy!

HARRIET NOBLE Follow us on Twitter @ExeterLiving Instagram @exeterlivingmag

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20

Issue 302 / September 2022 COVER Tom Oxford and Oliver Coysh of The Exploding Bakery, photography by ©Sam A Harris; turn to page 11

THE BIG FEATURES

11 THE EXPLODING BAKERY The rise of one of Exeter’s

favourite cafés and bakeries

25 MAGDALEN ROAD Meet the movers and shakers

REGULARS THE ARTS

15 INTRO A beautiful ocean-themed film festival heads to Exeter 16 WHATS ON Theatre, dance, comedy, art, festivals and more 20 INTERVIEW Chatting with famed improviser and actress

Josie Lawrence

23 FESTIVAL The Story of Us launches in Exeter

FOOD & DRINK 34 35 37 38

FOOD & DRINK NEWS Culinary highlights from the city TARA SMITH visits Topsham’s top eateries INTERVIEW Taste East Devon Festival under the spotlight RESTAURANT REVIEW We drop in on a seriously joyful

© MARC BRENNER

7 SPOTLIGHT Stories to make you smile, plus seven deadly sins 42 SOCIETY A film event and a book launch party 66 LIVES A chat with our favourite visiting jazz singer

25

tapas restaurant

GETAWAYS

40 SO GOOD SO SPA A luxury spa treatment and overnight stay

SHOPPING

30 ED’S CHOICE Goodies from Magdalen Road 44 JEWELLERY As good as gold pieces from the local boutiques

HEALTH & WELLBEING

49 WALK THIS WAY Exploring Exeter’s green spaces

BUSINESS

51 EXETERWORKS News and success stories from the business world 52 JOURNEY TO THE JOB What’s it like to work for a

wellbeing charity?

in celebrating Exeter’s businesses

PROPERTY

56 PROPERTY NEWS All the latest news from the local

property sector

58 MOVING HOME Up-and-coming areas and property analysis 62 SHOWCASE A big, beautiful family home in the city

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 Tara Smith, Ralph Whitehead, Eleanor Yeo Commercial manager Paula Miller paula.miller@mediaclash.co.uk Production/Distribution Manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy Production Manager/ Production Designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@ mediaclash.co.uk Chief Executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief Executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Exeter Living MediaClash, Carriage Court, 22 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. 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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© JASMINE ALMOND

54 EXETER LIVING AWARDS 2023 How you can get involved

SPOTLIGHT Happy 60th birthday, Chris and Kate!

Arts

© EMMA SOLLEY

A-MAZE-ING

World-renowned maze artist Adrian Fisher’s latest Labyrinth has just been launched at Canonteign Falls where seven paved rings have been laid into a butterfly meadow with a backdrop of the Devon countryside. The paved rings take the visitor on a continuous journey to reach a mirror disc, Torus, by the sculptor David Harber, at its centre reflecting the Devon countryside back at you. Canonteign Falls estate owners Chris and Kate Baylis had a vision of creating a Labyrinth to represent their spiritual path of life to mark their combined 60th birthdays.

For more: www.canonteignfalls.co.uk

Football

LIONESSES INSPIRE EXETER YOUNGSTERS

Singing pro Kelly Young

Music

SING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING

A touch of the West End is coming to Exeter thanks to a local singing coach who is starting a new choir.

Kelly Young, who works as a collective with many of the West End’s best-known stars, is opening a choir for singers who love musical theatre, and want the chance to work with a professional voice coach while enjoying belting out show tunes together.

“Singing is so good for mental health, we all benefit from singing and from the social aspect of singing together,” says Kelly.

“I know what joy singing can bring and I want to enable as many people as possible to experience that joy.”

The first Musical Theatre Choir meeting will be at The Sing Space Whipton Community Hall on 21 September at 7:30pm, spaces are limited.

For more: www.thesingspace.com

The success of the English Lionesses inspired more than 70 youngsters to sign up for a girls’ only football session in Exeter.

Organisers at Exeter City Community Trust, the partner charity of Exeter City Football Club, had to increase the capacity for this year’s girls’ only event after numbers more than quadrupled for this year.

And the girls who attended the session at Exwick Sports Hub were treated to a visit by players from Exeter City Women’s team.

“Over the years we have held girls’ only sessions, but this summer, thanks to the amazing success of the Lionesses, our bookings have increased significantly!” says Jamie Vittles, chief executive of

Exeter City Community Trust.

“We’re passionate about creating opportunities for everyone to play football and have created a female football pathway at Exeter City Community Trust, which starts from age five.”

As well as its tots sessions, Exeter City Community Trust offers weekly sessions specifically for younger girls and for teenagers, alongside opportunities for talented young players at its Girls’ Development Centre which is for nine to 16-year-olds.

This leads to Exeter College, to the Women’s Development Squad and then ultimately to the Exeter City Women’s team.

For more: www.exetercct.org

Team spirit at ECCT

Football star in the making

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SPOTLIGHT

© MAT T AUSTIN

SEVEN DEADLY SINS

O

rlando was first projected into the culinary limelight by MasterChef in 1992. He was editor of the BBC Good Food magazine for six years and now writes a column for Waitrose Weekend, presents the BBC Good Food Podcast with Tom Kerridge and since 2019 he has been President of the Guild of Food Writers. His latest recipe books, Two’s Company and Two’s Company Simple, aim to reduce food waste...but what are his sins?

LUST: Who or what do you find yourself lusting after today, and why?

Ahead of his appearance at Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival on 16 September, Exeter-based food writer ORLANDO MURRIN bares his soul…

Sauce Diane (made with Heston’s Finishing Jus for Beef, from Waitrose). Sides: pommes frites (double fried in beef dripping) and buttery spinach. It’s the perfect treat for Saturday night, followed by an old movie, perhaps an MGM musical.

SLOTH: What should you be really putting your back into right now, and why?

My publisher has sent me an ‘author questionnaire’ asking me every detail of my life since I was born. They need it for publicity – it’s got to be done – but it feels like writing my own obituary.

I’m the most happily married man you will ever meet. So my obsession is a harmless one – blue flowers. I’ve made a guerrilla garden in the lane beside my house (actually the exit to Heavitree Co-op) in which only blue and white are allowed.

Someone tipped me off about a perennial blue sweet pea called Lord Anson’s Pea (Lathyrus nervosus) which I would sell my soul for.

WRATH: What/who makes you angry, and why?

GREED: What should you be cutting down on (non-food and drink!), and why?

Richard Osman (see next answer).

I have two very playful cats and if I see a cat toy, I have to buy it. They are very appreciative – for about ten minutes. I can’t bear to throw the old ones away so one day someone will have to come in and dig us out from a landslide of balls, feathers, wands and whirring devices. It’s got to stop.

GLUTTONY: What one thing could you happily eat or drink until you burst, and why?

Rump steak from Pipers Farm (cooked to 54C in the sousvide then finished in a screaming hot cast-iron pan) with

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I am married to an American and we get extremely upset about US politics. Nearer to home (just outside my front door, in fact) I am driven nuts by noisy motorbikes, with exhausts modified to let rip. The drivers – invariably male – are obviously making up for some personal deficiency, if you follow my drift.

ENVY: Who are you jealous of, and why?

PRIDE: What’s your proudest achievement?

I’ve written seven cookbooks – of which I can honestly say my latest, Two’s Company Simple, is my favourite. Recently I branched out and wrote a crime novel – with a culinary twist.

It’s something I’ve always longed to do, and it’s going to be published in early 2024. Please, please may I come back and tell Exeter Living more about it when the time comes?

For more: www.budlitfest.org.uk

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Production

THE BIG INTERVIEW

The Exploding Bakery duo: Tom Oxford and Oliver Coysh

TASTE OF SUCCESS

They’ve just published their first recipe book, and their almond brownies are now stocked in Fortnum & Mason – it’s fair to say that mates Tom Oxford and Oliver Coysh, owners of The Exploding Bakery on Queen Street, have come a long way since their school days in Totnes. So, just how did they rise to the top? Harriet Noble finds out...

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Oli, congratulations on the recipe book, Bake it, Slice It. Eat It. What was the inspiration behind creating it?

We’ve always wanted to do a book, but never knew what to base it on.

Cake is the core of our business, so we’ve just expanded on what we’ve been doing for years. Tray bakes that are not fancy patisserie, simply cake with dynamite flavours that can be made in one tin.

For your regular customers, can they expect Exploding Bakery menu favourites in the book?

Absolutely. All the usual suspects are in the book and we’ve adapted them to be more achievable using readily available ingredients.

Baking is big right now. What do you feel is your USP?

Simple recipes are the best, people are much more likely to have a stab at something they can actually make. We wanted to create a gateway for people to begin their own baking adventures, rather than say there is only one way to do a recipe, we wanted to give some creative licence and encouragement in the kitchen.

The intro on your book suggests you were keen to give baking a bit of a re-brand, tell us more...

We think the Real Bread Campaign has been a great success, but so many cakes still seem to be filled with nasty stuff so we hope to help people move away from pink fondants and fake vanilla essence. A Real Cake Campaign if you like.

Tell us about the joy you get out of baking...

Baking can really get the endorphins going, there is an element to being blind to your results, until your bake emerges from the oven and you taste it. Obviously when it goes wrong it can feel like the end of the world. But it’s worth it, for the times you strike gold; it’s a seriously good feeling.

Let’s take it back to the start. When did you both meet each other and become friends?

We went to school together in Totnes and bonded over our love of film; our passion for food came a little later when we were living together as no good twenty somethings. We’re different people in so many ways, but when it comes to food values and our sense of humour, they always align.

What first ignited your passion for baking?

In the early 2000s UK coffee shops adopted an antipodean style and independent cafés started baking some seriously good brownies and

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above: The Exploding Bakery on Queen Street; below: Some of their yummy tray bakes

THE BIG INTERVIEW banana breads, this is when Tom started making really good cakes for his mum’s café and I used to eat them all. Originally the plan was to make these cakes and sell them to other local coffee shops, but things just grew and grew using food wholesalers, supplying farm shops, delis, and restaurants too.

How does the business work between you two – who does what?

We have a strange dynamic, but it works somehow. Tom does lots of the finance, systems and paperwork, while I do a lot of the sales and marketing, having stupid creative ideas and attending networking events, as Tom is quite shy. We also found a good writing partnership for the book, where we’d edit each other’s words and bring the two styles together, getting the best of both.

Being friends and business partners is not something everyone could do. How do you make it work for you?

top: Outdoor seating at The Exploding Bakery;

above: An Exeter favourite, the Millionaire Brownie

QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS WITH OLI (AND TOM!)

Beginner baker – what should they start with? A classic sponge is a great place to start. Our almond sponge is the first recipe in the book and it’s easy to make it your own by dressing it up with some fresh fruit or whipped cream.

Experienced baker who wants to wow someone – what should they make? Our blood orange polenta cake looks incredible. The proof is always in the pudding though, luckily it tastes amazing too.

You’re feeling a little low, what cake is going to make you feel better? Anything made with chocolate. Our Almond Brownie is my favourite. Fortnum & Mason have just started stocking this.

Best childhood memory of eating cake? My mum used to take me to Seeds Bakery in Totnes and buy me a date and apricot slice. I was still in a pram, so I was probably only three years old. Seeds still sell them today and they’re the best. You can take the hippy out of Totnes, but you can’t take Totnes out of the hippy.

Oli: most annoying habit of Tom’s? He’s too nice and never gets angry, so I have to play the part of being an asshole. I’m like the angry, stressed parent and Tom is the cool one.

Oli: best thing about Tom? Ha! It’s actually the same answer.

Tom’s calm, stress-free persona levels me out. It’s a yin and yang thing. The same philosophy applies to baking; it’s all about balance.

Tom: most annoying habit of Oli’s? Like a dog with a bone, sometimes the enthusiasm overtakes the pragmatism, so we have to rewind the fun to lay down some structure. That’s why it works so well though, and why we are able to keep pushing forward steadily, with a bit of a wildcard edge.

Tom: best thing about Oli? Definitely his creativity and energy.

Oli is a bit of a whirlwind and it can be infectious, especially when it comes to spreading a bit of much-needed humour.

“We have a strange dynamic but it works somehow”

To maintain the relationship, we try to have different lives outside of work. We do socialise together a lot though, the secret seems to be that we just revert to our teenage selves talking nonsense and forgetting about work stuff. We really do share the same vision and values, so it’s very easy to choose a direction when it comes to business decisions, it all comes back to our purpose, which is to make cakes with explodingness.

Your business began in 2011as a small bakery, and has grown to become a large café [they expanded the space on Queen Street in 2016 taking over the shop next door]. What do you think has been the key to your success?

The bakery goes against the grain, this means a lot of people don’t get what we do, but for those that do, I think they have ownership of what we are, because without this customer base, there would be no bakery.

So I guess this is a community thing.

People may know you for your amazing bakes, but what else should we be paying attention to?

Our coffee game is strong, and it keeps on getting better. The selection of sandwiches on focaccia bread are seriously lip smacking and our homemade kombucha is great too. The thing we are most passionate about but maybe don’t communicate enough, is the quality of ingredients we source. From our stoneground British flour and organic local veg to our coffee from the best roasters in the country.

What’s your experience of being an indie business in Exeter?

There is a real appetite for independent businesses in Exeter, look at Topsham Brewery; people can’t get enough of it. We’re lucky to have a broad clientele, as our price point is affordable and we’re very inclusive.

But we mainly attract adventurous types with an open mind who obviously have very, very good taste. Ha! What’s the best thing about running The Exploding Bakery?

Having fun every day. Obviously, things get stressful and stuff goes wrong, but we’ve learned to accept the next hiccup is just around the corner. We’re not working in a hospital saving lives; we’re just making cake, so it’s not that serious, which helps us concentrate on having a fun at the same time as working. It’s actually an important part of the job. n Bake It. Slice It. Eat It. by Tom Oxford & Oliver Coysh (Quadrille, £15) Photography ©Sam A Harris; The Exploding Bakery, Central Station Buildings, 1B, Queen Street, Exeter; www.explodingbakery.com

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Open 8.30am - 5pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am - 1pm Sat Also stockist for MIELE, BOSCH, HOTPOINT, LEC, ZANUSSI

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

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL

PHOTO BY WILL REDDAWAY

The Ocean Film Festival World Tour is heading back to Exeter this September with a new collection of the world’s most incredible ocean films.

This cinematic celebration of our oceans sees surfers, paddlers, divers and oceanographers who have dedicated their lives to answering the call of the ocean in the wildest corners of the planet. Witness incredible seafaring voyages, captivating footage from both above and below the surface, and the chance to dip your toes into the wonders of the big blue.

Among the films being shown is Circumnavigate, a documentary about father of three Brendon Prince,

from South Devon, who attempts to become the first person ever to stand-up paddleboard around mainland Britain – a challenge that many have tried, but none have achieved. The films joins Brendan on his gruelling journey around Britain’s spectacular and often treacherous coastline, in an attempt to break five world records and raise awareness for water safety education.

Ocean Film Festival, 7.30pm (doors open 6.45pm), 21 September, The Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter; www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

Brendan Price, Circumnavigate

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Powderham Food Festival kicks off on 1 October

WHAT’S ON 26 August onwards

THEATRE/ DANCE 30 and 31 August

BRAINIAC LIVE: REMIXED! Science’s Kings and Queens of the road arrive with their latest, wildest show mixing up fresh beats with revamped family favourites.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

8 September

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Award-winning theatre company Calf2Cow brings you the theatrical experience of the summer with this telling of Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved classic story.

Cygnet Theatre, Friars Gate; www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

16 and 17 September

DUCK VARIATIONS This philosophical comedy by American playwright David Mamet features Exeter actors Mark Cassidy (Boo-to-a-Goose) and Mark Shorto (Cygnet Associate) in a production directed by Cygnet’s artistic director Alistair Ganley. George and Emil sit on a park bench overlooking a lake and talk about life, death, and ducks!

Cygnet Theatre, Friars Gate; www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

20 September

LEWIS MAJOR PROJECTS: UNFOLDING + SATORI Internationally renowned Australian choreographer Lewis Major and his company embark on their first UK tour with two new works; this is contemporary dance 10 September with its finger firmly on the pulse of EVERY BRILLIANT THING our current zeitgeist.

Timed to coincide with World Suicide Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Prevention Day this is a powerful, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk hilarious, and poignant play where 26 September -1 October the audience is invited to help create AN IMPROBABLE MUSICAL some parts of the performance.

Improbable are maestros of Every audience is different, so every improvised theatre, who create performance is specially created for make-it-up-as-you-go-along shows that group of people. Cygnet Theatre, that captivate audiences. Their Friars Gate; www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

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first ever improvised musical aims to spin theatrical magic out of thin air. Starring quick-fire comic and actress Josie Lawrence (turn to page 20 for the full interview) this is essential viewing for anyone who likes their theatre as live as it gets.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

22 and 23 September

A COMEDY DOUBLE BILL BY STAIRCASE OPERA In their Chelsea flat, the impoverished Earl and Countess of Dunmow cook up a plan to marry off their daughter to the height of nobility. A Dinner Engagement

by Lennox Berkeley pokes fun at the difference between class and being classy.

The Telephone by Gian Carlo Menotti from 1947 is all about how being so stuck to the phone makes us miss what is right in front of us.

Cygnet Theatre, Friars Gate; www.cygnettheatre.co.uk

23 September

CRIMES ON A CENTRE COURT Expect wildly inventive set pieces, twisty plots and commitment to unadulterated entertainment. This deucey summertime treat will rally

the spirits and leave you wanting a second serve-ing of the volley of gags and visual delights.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

23 October

BLACK IS THE COLOUR OF MY VOICE Inspired by the life of Nina Simone and featuring many of her most iconic songs performed live, Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed play follows a successful jazz singer and civil rights activist as she seeks redemption after the untimely death of her father.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

MUSIC

1 September

THE HANDSOME FAMILY The American band are known for their haunting and beautiful songs.

During a 30-year career, Brett and Rennie Sparks have created songs that transform the mundane landscape of modern life into a place of mysterious portent.

Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

WHAT’S ON the rat race or everyday existence?

Well, imagine having all that but being blind too. Chris McCausland is that man – a show about life and family, with loads of other nonsense thrown in for good measure.

Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, Exeter; www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

ART

Until 4 September

17 September

THE COMEDY STORE EXETER The Comedy Store is renowned as a breeding ground for new comedy talent and remains the place to see tomorrow’s stars today.

Expect a night of laughs from the brightest names.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

1 October

PAUL FOOT: SWAN POWER The pondering, off-beat comic explores topics including murdering Santas and interfering ambulance drivers, plus Billy Zane’s valuable diamond on Titanic.

Barnfield Theatre, Barnfield Road; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

2 October

top: East 17 are performing at Exeter Foodies Festival; above: Lewis Major and his dance company will be performing at Exeter Northcott Theatre

16 September

LOST IN MUSIC Relive some of the greatest songs of all time from artists such as Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister Sledge and Chic.This show boasts a sensational live band, incredibly talented cast and stunning vocals and is sure to have you dancing in the aisles!

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

FILM

21 September

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR From big wave surfing to tiger shark conservation, this is a cinematic celebration of the planet’s oceans,

with inspirational short films from above and beneath the waves.

Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street; www.exetercornexchange.co.uk

COMEDY 10-11 September

DAWN FRENCH IS A HUGE TWAT “There have been far too many times I have made stupid mistakes or misunderstood something vital or jumped the gun in a spectacular display of twattery,” says comedian and actress Dawn French.

“I thought I might tell some of these buttock-clenching embarrassing stories to give the audience a peek behind the scenes of my work life.”

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

MAISIE ADAMS: BUZZED Fresh from Live at The Apollo, Mock The Week and The Last Leg, Best Newcomer nominee Maisie Adams is back with a new show that’s ready to take the world by storm.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

COVER VERSIONS This exhibition addresses concepts of ownership, fandom and audience, authenticity, and the economic and cultural values that site and shape them.

Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street; exeterphoenix.org.uk

Until 29 October

INGRID POLLARD IN DEVON The 2022 Turner Prize nominated artist Ingrid Pollard explores narratives of people and places across industry, labour and individual experiences, which has shaped our stories and landscapes.

Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell Street, Honiton; www.thelmahulbert.com

27-28 August

THE DARTMOOR COLLECTIVE SUMMER EXHIBITION The event will feature 20 contemporary artists working with the theme of Dartmoor.

Their works cover a broad range of mediums and styles, all underpinned by a love and understanding of the landscape of the moor.

10am-4pm, Poltimore House, Poltimore, Exeter; dartmoorcollective.org

9 September-8 October

NICK HELM: WHAT HAVE WE BECOME? Critically acclaimed and multiaward-winning comedian Nick Helm (Uncle, The Reluctant Landlord, Loaded) hits the road with his new show striving to be insightful, so honest, so legitimate that it will fix all of society’s problems and lead the way to a new plane of existence.

Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

THE PHOTOBOOK PROJECT The newly Devon-based CIC aims to give people living with dementia the power to document, share and celebrate their own lives and perspectives. The photos on display reveal moments of joy, beauty, meditation, companionship and silliness, redirecting the conversation around diagnosis away from ‘loss’ and towards the possibilities that still remain in life.

Exeter Phoenix Walkway Gallery, Gandy Street, Exeter; www.the-photobook-project.com

15 October

10-25 September

13 October

CHRIS MCCAUSLAND: SPEAKY BLINDER Do you bemoan the stresses and strains of parenthood, a busy career,

DEVON OPEN STUDIOS For two weeks every September members of the network, potters, painters, jewellery makers, wood

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WHAT’S ON workers, needle workers and creatives of every kind, open their doors and invite people in to discover their work and to chat about their processes and inspiration. Work is also on sale and it can be a perfect opportunity to purchase unique artwork direct from the maker.

Various locations in Devon; www.devonartistnetwork.co.uk

14 September

DRAWN TO IT: FIND JOY IN YOUR SKETCHBOOK! Molly Saunders is an illustrator whose practice is centered around her trusty sketchbooks. This (monthly) workshop will showcase different tips and tricks to help you learn how to treat your sketchbook as a place to get loose, have fun, document, and play. Materials will be provided but do bring along your own sketchbook/favourite materials and get stuck in.

Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street; www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

22 September – 1 December (Thursdays)

MIXED MEDIA LANDSCAPE CLASS This new class encourages budding artists to use a wide range of materials within the drawing and painting practice, exploring how to work with memory without reference to photographs or other printed material, taking a leap into new creative activities.

You will work with mixed media using acrylics, pastels, charcoal and ancient materials as well as mono printing.

The School of Art and Wellbeing, Cuckoo Down Lane, Honiton; www.artandwellbeing.co.uk

FESTIVALS August Bank Holiday weekend

NATURE VALLEY GONE WILD FESTIVAL Bear Grylls’s outdoorsy festival returns to Powderham Castle combining family adventure during the day and music at night. Live acts include The Darkness, The Script, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Reef, and The Ministry of Sound Orchestra.

Nature Valley Gone Wild Festival, Powderham Castle, Exeter; www.naturevalley.co.uk

11 September

THE STORY OF US The Story of Us is a brand new festival, which celebrates the

Crowds at Exeter Foodies Festival

creative and cultural connections between Exeter and Devon’s communities as well as what makes them unique. Expect familyfriendly activities at the Barnfield Theatre, for more turn to page 23.

Barnfield theatre, Barnfield Road; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

16-18 September

EXETER FOODIES FESTIVAL The gourmet food and drink touring festival is coming to Escot Park. Expect stars of MasterChef and Great British Menu, expert bakers, chart-topping music acts and gastronomic delights from around the world. The festival kicks off with a ‘Big Friday Party Night’ – taking a nostalgia-filled trip back to the 90s, featuring performances from boybands Five and East 17, joined by a 90s DJ who’ll be spinning the best songs of the decade. Escot House, Exeter; www.foodiesfestival.com

1-2 October

POWDERHAM FOOD FESTIVAL Expect plenty of tasty treats, demos and talks, and some of the most notable traders in the South West as well as live music, children’s entertainment, face painting, goat walks, and a something called a ‘gross’ eating challenge.

Powderham Castle, Exeter; www.powderham.co.uk

FAMILY

Until 11 September

BRICK BY BRICK: A LEGO®

18 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

BRICK HISTORY OF EXETER Each miniaturised LEGO® brick model explores a different point in Exeter’s vibrant history, from its origins in the days of the Roman Empire to its transformation into a ‘garden city’ of the near-future.

Filled with fun and humour, and accompanied by objects from RAMM’s collection, children’s playzones, trails and more, this LEGO® brick story of our city will delight children of all ages.

RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter; www.exeterramm.admit-one.eu

Throughout the summer

THE DONKEY SANCTUARY SUMMER TRAIL Explore the trails where the whole family can meet friendly resident donkeys along the way. Younger visitors can visit the new play area; check out the maze for a game of hide and seek while you’re there.

Donkey Sanctuary, Slade House Farm, Sidmouth; www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

Throughout the summer

PAIGNTON ZOO With over 2,000 animals across 80 acres, get inspired by your favourite species, from red pandas to rhinos, giraffes to gorillas, kangaroos to a komodo dragon.

Come face to face with the lemurs in Lemur Wood and spot the community of Hamadryas baboons hanging out at Baboon Rock.

Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton; www.paigntonzoo.org.uk

OTHER

Various dates from 7 September - 16 November EMBROIDERY WORKSHOPS This autumn, Simply Wishes are hosting workshops throughout autumn. All embroidery workshops are £30, and include all materials and a cocktail from The Mermaid.

Maker Mart, Gandy Street; www.simplywishesuk.co.uk

17 and 18 September

ROOFTOP GARDEN AND BEEHIVE TOURS Ten years ago, the team at Princesshay created a rooftop bee-friendly garden high above the shops as a sanctuary for honeybees.

Over the last decade the space has matured and grown and the team tend weekly to the four bee hives housing over 300,000 honeybees.

This tour will start at ground level outside ‘The Hive’ on Bampfylde Lane before heading up to the rooftop to visit the garden space and see the beehives. www.eventbrite.co.uk

21 October

EXETER PROPERTY AWARDS Back for a second year, the Exeter Property Awards celebrate the bold and brilliant property companies that are shaping our city’s destiny. Nominations close on 8 September. Head to page 56 for details on how to get involved.

Exeter Property Awards, Sandy Park, Exeter; www.exeterpropertyawards.com

ARTS

JOSIE LAWRENCE Theatre and TV actress – and matchless improviser – Josie Lawrence is heading to Exeter this September to perform in An Improbable Musical, at the Northcott Theatre. Here, Josie chats happy jobs, Harry Styles, and being starstruck

By Ralph Whitehead and Harriet Noble

Hello Josie! An Improbable Musical comes to Exeter soon, what can we expect?

With An Improbable Musical we ask the audience for three things. Just three things, and then we create a musical. But it’s not just a musical because we don’t quite know where we’re going with it.

People know me as an improviser, but my main job, and the job I do the most, is a theatre actress and a television actress. And what’s lovely is, it’s a perfect way of combining what I do in the theatre with what I do on stage when I improvise, which means that it doesn’t always have to be comedic. We can go to very sad or dark places; every night is completely different. What was wonderful when we did it in Northampton, the first time we did it, is people that came to see it said, ‘Well, I knew I was going to laugh and enjoy it, but I didn’t expect to cry at that bit and I did’. I love that. I love that it can turn on a sixpence and become something completely different.

Through rehearsal have you as an ensemble become a well-oiled machine?

We’re very, very much a team now. We worked together for five weeks and at first I said to Lee Simpson [the director], ‘How could we work together for five weeks on something that’s improvised?’, and he said, ‘Because we’ve got to get to know each other’.

Every morning and every evening we would sit in a circle and just talk about things. It could be any old thing. A dream that you had the night before, or what you had for breakfast or something a bit heavier than that, you know?

We’d all stay within the circle but doing that, we got to know each other. And so what’s wonderful is we do know each other well enough in order for it to be chaotic at times and not be scared about that.

Whose Line is it Anyway was cult viewing and remains a programme that people have such fond memories of. How do you look back on your time there?

Oh, with great affection. I did the first pilot, I think, in ‘87. I remember a whole job load of us auditioning at the Donmar and Dan Patterson kept whittling us down and I did the

20 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

pilot and it was aired late night on a Friday, 10pm or 10.30pm on Channel 4 and I thought, ‘Oh, well, who’s going to watch this?’ – and then suddenly it became huge. I did nine years of it and loved it. It was mad, and very fast.

I remember meeting Mike McShane in the afternoon and in the evening standing in front of a camera with him and we were doing a duet. And I’d never met him before in my life, he’d just flown over from America. And then you’d get people like Peter Cook and Jonathan Pryce and Stephen Fry all guesting with you, just turning up – they were very happy days.

What was the filming of it like?

What’s strange is that we would film them, you do two shows a day, and then get a compilation from that as well; very little of it was edited as it was hard to edit. It was all completely improvised in front of an audience and the cameras. What was odd is I probably worked on it for two weekends at the most during the year. And then it would go on and become a series. So it was a huge part of my life but physically quite a small part of my life.

(NOT SO!) QUICK-FIRE ROUND

Favourite theatre in the UK to perform in?

Oh, that’s difficult because I’ve been lucky enough to perform in all my favourite theatres. I’ve got to say the Birmingham Rep, because it’s near my hometown and I’ve done five plays there and it’s like my family place.

The London Palladium was fantastic. The Swan in Stratford, but I think the most beautiful theatre is the Globe.

Person you’ve been most star struck in front of?

I was starstruck when I met

What’s lovely now is that they still do it over in America. And what’s great is that sometimes the American lads, plus me and Clive Anderson, still do it live. So we did the London Palladium and a few years ago we did three performances at the Royal Albert Hall and it still packs fan in. People still have great affection for Whose Line Is It Anyway? and so do I. Lastly, improv requires such energy.

How do you keep fresh, energised, and continuously brilliant?

I’ve always had that mental attitude towards my work that every night is a new fresh night, whether it’s a scripted piece or whether it’s improvised. And that’s what I like. And I’m a strange kettle of fish, really, because I can get quite nervous and anxious about doing scripted stuff but throw me on stage when I don’t know what to do and I’m fine. n An Improbable Musical runs from 27 September – 1 October at Exeter Northcott Theatre; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

Peter Cook. And I did a film, a Mike Newell film, with Miranda Richardson and Polly Walker and Alfred Molina and the person I was starstruck with was Dame Joan Plowright. I needn’t have been because she was the loveliest, most gorgeous woman ever. I adored her.

Also, I did a charity event once and I was rehearsing in this theatre, and it was called One Night Only, but with ‘night’ spelt with a ‘K’. And it had all these Dames there, Maggie Smith and Judi Dench and Helen Mirren. And I remember looking off to the side of the

stage. I was rehearsing and Helen Mirren was standing there watching me. And then when I did the actual song that night, I looked and she’d come down from the dressing room, was watching me again and gave me a hug when I came off. So that was pretty special. She’s wonderful.

The person you’d like to play you in a play/film about your life?

Tom Hardy? No, no. Who would it be? Oh, I know Harry Styles. Harry Styles play the young me and Miriam Margolyes to play the old me.

© MARC BRENNER

“Every night is different”

Josie Lawrence, An Improbable Musical

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Swati in rehearsals

Swati will be performing poetry on the day

THE STORY OF US

This September sees the launch of a new Exeter festival designed to showcase Hindu, Caribbean and Polish cultures. SWATI GOLA is a member of the steering committee and is also performing in the festival. Here she tells us more…

The Story of Us festival is taking place on 11 September, how did it all come about?

I was invited to participate in this event which is organised by Encompass group. The concept of a social event showcasing Hindu, Caribbean and Polish cultures, conceived and delivered by the communities themselves with the support of Northcott Theatre interested me.

Tell us a bit about the festival’s objective and why it is important...

What is your personal involvement in the festival?

I am a member of the steering committee.

There are a number of events including arts and craft and dance workshops, dance performances and poetry recitation. I will be reciting a poem as well as help organising different events.

“We are excited to see how they are going to creatively imbed our stories”

The aim is to platform pieces to show how diverse cultures have deeply embedded similarities despite the apparent differences. The message is that of inclusivity in diversity.

Who makes up the team of performers and organisers?

Both performers and organisers are community members who are volunteering for the event.

What skills and expertise do you bring to the table?

As a practising Hindu and Indian, I advised on food workshops, arts and craft as well as mehandi designs.

What can people expect to see that they might not have seen before locally?

The themes that we chose show the cultural aspects that are deeply embedded within, for example, the decorations have very specific patterns; similarly the workshops are designed to engage public making the event more inclusive.

The literature about the event says the festival will celebrate ‘the creative and cultural connections between Exeter and Devon’s communities as well as what makes them unique’. Can you tell us something unique about your culture that you will be celebrating in the festival?

The poems that are being recited as well as the stories being told in the craft sessions give a unique insight into the culture and experiences of the Hindu community.

What have been the joys so far, in putting the festival together?

It’s a wonderful group of people who are all very respectful, responsible as well as helpful.

We are so creative and full of amazing ideas.

There is a huge amount of different cultural offerings on the day, what are you especially looking forward to seeing?

We have worked closely with the production group ‘Beyond Face’ who have collected our stories and are going to perform on the day. We are excited to see how they are going to creatively embed our stories in their performance.

This year the festival is one day. Is there hope that it will expand over the years?

Yes, we hope that in future the event may extend to the weekend and involve other communities.

Lastly, for anyone thinking about coming to the festival – can you sum it up in three words?

Fun, learning, creativity. n

Swati Gola is a lecturer in Law in the University of Exeter who is keenly interested in equality, diversity and inclusion of cultures in society.

The Story is Us festival takes place on 11 September at Barnfield Theatre; www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

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© R ALPH WHITEHEAD

ONE TO ONE

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We chose OWAY for their incredible commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Using pure and natural ingredients in all their products, OWAY grow the ingredients for the essential oils on a biodynamic farm in the hills of Bologna.

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STREET LIFE © EMMA SOLLEY

Smith’s Wines and Spirits

T

he message we are hearing more and more is that people don’t want to buy from anonymous chains anymore.

They want to know where their products come from, and they’d also like to know the people behind the businesses, partly so they can feel part of a community.

Step forward Magdalen Road, a spot in the city where independents – especially foodie ones – flourish.

Here we meet a few of the business owners who work on this very special road...

INDEPENDENT

SPIRIT MEET THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS OF MAGDALEN ROAD

By Harriet Noble

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 25

STREET LIFE IAIN SMITH, owner of Smith’s Wines and Spirits

47 Magdalen Road; www.iswine.co.uk Iain sells an assortment of wine and other booze and also hosts private supper clubs.

I spent 20 years behind the decks playing very groovy house music in nightclubs around Europe plus running two club nights in

Bristol and Exeter and then running my own cocktail bar and nightclub before discovering the joy of aged white Burgundy. I gave it all up to join Majestic where I worked for four years learning the trade. After two and a half years of patient searching I finally found my first shop on Magdalen Road and the rest is utter joy!

I chose Magdalen Road because if its independent nature. It’s a street full of diverse businesses all run by individuals who are truly passionate about not only their products but also the service they give their customers. Secondly, the strength of the local community – rare and wonderful!

I’ve tasted everything in my shop and for every product that makes it on to my shelves at least 30 are disregarded. Most of what I sell comes from small, family-owned wineries.

With my supper clubs there’s no choice – what I cook is what you get. I’m not a trained chef, I just like good, honest food so it’s certainly more farmhouse than fine dining. There is only one table and it’s yours for the evening. The wines are spectacular and a fraction of the price of a bar or restaurant. I put a £5 corkage on the shelf price!

left: Vino expert Iain Smith; above: Fika hair salon (top picture) and Lucie Crump (centre) and her Fika Salon team

LUCIE CRUMP, owner of Fika Salon

69 Magdalen Road; www.fikasalon.co.uk Lucie set up her ethical and sustainable hair salon in October 2020. She always wanted her business to be on Magdalen Road and waited three years for the right property.

I knew this was the place I wanted to be a part of. I love coming to

work every day, and watching my little idea become a reality.

Every single business in the street is wonderful. For our first

© EMMA SOLLEY

birthday we invited all the businesses for a drink at the salon and we were so overwhelmed with how many people turned up. It’s so wonderful being part of such a caring community.

We all use the businesses on Magdalen road: beautiful cards and gifts from Maker Maker and Leaf Street, pension and accounting advise from Fowlers, amazing dinner from Stage, drinks at the Mount Radford, peanut butter from Magdalen Cheese shop, lunch from The Common Beaver and The Sandwiched Inn, fresh fruit and veg from Dan, the Grocer on the Green, all essential needs and more from Nourish.

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ONE FOR THE DIARY! The Magdalen Road Christmas Fair takes place on the 3 December from 2-6pm. The street will be filled with stalls selling a huge range of festive products, as well as food and drink, entertainment and live music.

St Leonards Neighbourhood Association; www.slna.org.uk

originally from various parts of Spain and Latin America hence the work ethics and relaxed vibe of Calvo Loco.

BEN WATSON, co-owner of Ben’s Farm Shop

57 Magdalen Road; www.bensfarmshop.co.uk Ben’s Farm Shop started with Ben selling sausages at the Totnes market almost 40 years ago. Since then, the business now own a number of farm shops in Devon – the most recent is the Magdalen Road one which opened in 2017.

We’d been looking to open a retail shop in Exeter, following the success

of our shop on Totnes High Street when the Magdalen Road opportunity came up. We had customers driving out to our above: Adrian and Meribel Kerley and the team at Calvo Loco; below: Ben Watson of Ben’s Farm Shop Staverton shop to do their shopping on a regular basis so we thought; why not take the food to the people? A farm shop in the city.

ADRIAN KERLEY, AKA “Kerley” owner of Calvo Loco 25 Magdalen Road: @calvolocotapasbar We started out processing the farm’s pork, and the butchery is still at the heart of the business, so it’s great to keep the traditional Calvo Loco Tapas bar serves up Spanish tapas food and drinks.

Calvo Loco means “crazy baldy” in Spanish and was a term butchery counter open, as well as highlight all the local produce like our of endearment given to Kerley by his Cuban chums when he veg which is either organic or no-spray. It’s a lovely, friendly shop where lived out there. Head to page 38 for our restaurant review.

Myself and my wife, Maribel Kerley, own the business. I am English and originally from

Birmingham but have lived in Exeter for over 16 years with my wife. Maribel is originally from Cuba in Havana which is where I met her, working as a waitress in a cocktail bar, our signature tune...

We both worked in Spain in hospitality and this is where our love of Spanish food began, for many years I was bringing in Spanish products and supplying local businesses with them and when this property became available we decided to take the jump and open a Tapas Bar. This has been a continuous learning curve over the past four years and I feel we have achieved more than what we set out to do.

Our food is primarily from the Cadiz region of Spain and generally Andalusia which is where

we worked and travel to regularly bringing back goodies and different ideas every time. As for our staff, they are from different regions but all

“I love coming to work every day” www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 27

STREET LIFE our staff know many of our customers by name. We think it’s a nice little food shop.

Everyone is welcome, but it’s the local St Leonards residents that are the core of the business. We’re extremely lucky to have a

customer base who are as passionate about food and supporting our local farmers and producers as we are.

Our business has grown on creating and sustaining meaningful relationships with local farmers and suppliers. It’s a great feeling to

be a connector between some of the region’s best food producers and our customers; to know that in some small way we are helping to keep the Devon food economy thriving, as well as promoting best practices in farming around animal welfare, soil health and biodiversity.

DANIEL TAYLOR, owner of The Grocer on the Green 36b Magdalen Road: @thegroceronthegreen Dan has been running The Grocer On The Green since November 2015 (five years in the Magdalen shop) and sells locally sourced fresh fruit and veg, eggs, jams and chutneys.

I deliver to everywhere within the Exeter area including various

businesses and caterers and event organisers. Even a yearly apricot order for a local glamping business that makes their own apricot jam for their guests (“Hannah Apricot” as she is saved on my phone!). Also some of my fellow Magdalen road businesses drop by when they might need a top up (Bon Goût and Stage) and I also drop off a weekly fruit order to the lovely folks in the InExeter office too!

Since I reopened over a year ago, I am finding more and more people are looking for something different to the standard “big boy” supermarket offering: something tastier, fresher, will last longer and not wrapped up in dreaded plastic.

The biggest challenge was the week leading up to (and including) 21 March 2020 when Covid came. I have simply lost count of the huge volume of help and support. From a couple of customers first being there at the start of Covid who got in touch with St Leonards

church about me running my Covid delivery option from there to other businesses offering help assistance and other space to use.

The best thing about running Grocer on the Green is the people!

Getting the opportunity to discuss politics with some of Exeter’s ward councillors while they shop, and the local business community and the happy friendly faces of Exeter’s incredible indie scene!

I love Nourish for our pasta and grains, and my boys are huge fans of their vegan fizzies.

RACHEL HICKS, co-owner of Magdalen Cheese & Provisions

71 Magdalen Road; www.magdalencheese.co.uk Husband-and-wife-team Jacob Howe and Rachel Hicks opened up their cheese shop in October 2021 (the same month as having a baby!) sourcing and selling cheeses and accompaniments.

We’re coming on for a year at our new shop. It’s been wonderful

building a loyal customer base and meeting so many lovely people that truly make us believe in what we’re trying to do. But what a year to open a speciality food shop! With everyone’s financial situations being stretched, we have felt the strain from both ends of the chain. It’s been tough and at times disheartening but the positive feedback we receive and the new customers we find every week keep us going.

I was the manager of a cheese shop in London for several years

so understood the ins and outs of running a shop. But running a business? That’s a whole new trip. We have two kids, but nothing makes you immediately feel like an adult more than using accounting software and applying for planning permissions from the council. We’ve had to learn a lot, very quickly but luckily have a really great team behind us and lots of people we can turn to for help.

The big things matter as much as the little things. Whether it’s Sarah at Nourish donating an emergency splash of milk so I could make a cuppa, a reassuring chat with the folks at The Common Beaver or Dan at Grocer on the Green concocting schemes to help keep us all in business. Our neighbouring businesses have been a lifeline.

We will have a roster of cheesemaker pop-ups on Saturdays over the next few months. If you come by the shop on a Saturday, you’ll

get to taste some cheese (as usual) but with the added bonus of meeting the lovely and talented people that make it! Keep an eye on Instagram for updates.

above: Dan Taylor, The Grocer on the Green;

top right: Cheese, meats and nibbles at Magdalen Cheese & Provisions

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“Our neighbouring businesses have been a lifeline”

SARAH MARTIN, owner of Nourish

67 Magdalen Road; www.nourishzerowaste.com Sarah sells packaging-free provisions such as food store essentials, cleaning products, bathroom products – you bring your own containers and then fill them up with the produce.

It is so encouraging that people are changing the way they shop to be more eco-friendly. Nourish has diverted 180,000 pieces of

plastic from circulation since opening which is phenomenal!

Our trade is slowly but steadily increasing. This unsusually hot summer has re-engaged the public and media in climate change issues.

And with the improved cycle networks we are getting a lot more of our customers on pushbikes. I would say 85 per cent of our custom is shoppers on foot of bike, which is fantastic.

Customers who have slipped into the habit of online grocery deliveries from supermarkets during Covid are now coming back.

We are now getting customers returning saying, “We haven’t been here for ages.”

I have my hair cut at eco-friendly Fika, lunch from The Common Beaver, the Sandwiched Inn or Bon Goût. I love the fresh fruit and veg from Dan in The Grocer on the Green – I think we are about even in our spending with each other! I learned how to play the ukulele in Maker Maker, and I love a rummage in the preloved clothing in the basement of Leaf Street!

left: Sarah Martin, Nourish; above: The florist section at Leaf Street

EMMA HAYLER, owner of Leaf Street

53 Magdalen Road; www.leafstreet.co.uk The gift and homeware store has been going for over 17 years.

A visit there can see you pick up anything from sunflowers to a wedding outfit, earrings to a birthday card.

Everyone on Magdalen Road is independent so we all champion each other’s businesses to keep people shopping here The best thing about running my shop is that I am doing something I am not only passionate about but that I love. Magdalen Road is an absolute gem of a street, a collective of independent traders offering excellent service and quality products. n

MORE PLACES TO EAT ON MAGDALEN ROAD...

STAGE Bold and imaginative dishes (also winner of best restaurant at The Exeter Living Awards in 2021). A tasting menu of a four-course lunch and six-course dinner is served from Wednesday to Saturday.

31 Magdalen Road; www.stagerestaurant.co.uk THE SANDWICHED INN Sandwiches, baguettes and wraps, artisan coffee, pastries, tray bakes and cakes. Perfect for lunch on the go.

36 Magdalen Road; @thesandwichedinn LITTLE OINK This eaterie is is a breakfast, bistro and cocktail bar from restaurateur Robin Rea, owner of the Rusty Pig in Ottery, which opened in spring of this year. Breakfast includes Rusty Pig favourite ‘Pigout’ - a full English that features Robin’s homemade black pudding, sausages and bacon. Other choices include baked eggs and devilled kidneys, with a signature vodka-based Bloody Oinker on offer too. Check out the funky interiors too.

28 Magdalen Road; @littleoinkexeter

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ECO-FRIENDLY BATHROOM BITS: KELPIE SHAMPOO BAR, £7.50 This pH-balanced Kelpie shampoo bar is made with gentle and biodegradable surfactants that will clean your hair without irritating your scalp – and it’ll last you a good couple of months. It’s handmade in Exeter by chemist Sophia Tapper, who creates traditional soaps, seaweed infused face oil, and shampoo all inspired by her love of the sea.

From Nourish, 67 Magdalen Road, Exeter; www.nourishzerowaste.com

MAGNIFICENT MAGDALEN ROAD

SELECTION OF MEATS, POA As well as the traditional butchery, Ben’s Farm Shop offer smoked, cured and dried selection of meats for antipasti such as their port cured ham (100g/ £3.60), traditional salami (180g/£5) and Devon air dried beef (100g/£3.85) – all of which are made in their Farm Shop Kitchen in Staverton.

From Ben’s Farm Shop, 57 Magdalen Road, Exeter; www.bensfarmshop.co.uk

What goodies can you pick up there?

We go for a wander…

PRESSIES, FLOWERS AND PRE-LOVED CLOTHES, POA Leaf Street is the place to buy gifts on Magdalen Road – expect a pretty display of homeware, clothes, jewellery and accessories.

Pictured here is a pretty star jar (£13.95) and a zinc pot holder (£20). There’s also a florist within the shop, and don’t forget to go downstairs for the pre-loved clothes floor – think labels like Boden and Hobbs.

From Leaf Street, 53 Magdalen Road; www.leafstreet.co.uk JAYNE’S JAMS AND CHUTNEYS, POA Dan at The Grocer on the Green stocks a fab selection of jams and chutneys from local grower Jayne. On the shelves at the moment are strawberry and white currant jam, crab apple and chilli jelly, chilli ketchup and Chinese spiced plum ketchup.

From The Grocer on the Green, 36b Magdalen Road, Exeter; @thegroceronthegreen

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ED’S CHOICE CHEESE AND SO MUCH MORE, POA One of the favourites down at Magdalen Cheese & Provisions right now is Berkswell Cheese (£5.59/ 100g). It’s a hard sheep’s cheese made with raw milk, is salty and sweet, and is happy at home on a cheeseboard, or as part of a summer salad with tomatoes and finely sliced red onion. While you’re there, you can pick a whole picnic ensemble, including a refreshing sparkling cider Smith Hayne Cider (£11).

From Magdalen Cheese & Provisions, 71 Magdalen Road, Exeter; www.magdalencheese.co.uk

PAPILLON RUBY GIN, £36 This is a fresh, zesty gin with a lingering juniper finish, named for the Ruby Tiger Moth. One per cent from every bottle is donated to Butterfly Conservation.

From Smith’s Wine Shop and Spirits, 47 Magdalen Road, Exeter; www.iswine.co.uk

NURTURING DROPS, £34 One of Fika’s most popular products, these drops nourish and seal dehydrated and damaged hair and protect from heat and external agents including pollution.

From Fika Salon, 69 Magdalen Road, Exeter; www.fikasalon.co.uk

LINDBERG SUNGLASSES, POA Beautiful bespoke sunglasses made by LINDBERG. From S Chatterjee Opticians, 33 Magdalen Road, Exeter; www.contactlensesandspectacles.co.uk

HAMPERS FROM BON GOÛT, PRICES START AT £45 Bon Goût offers a bespoke hamper service whereby customers can choose their own items which they will then gift wrap. Local products they use include West Country cheese, wine and biscuits, South Devon Chilli farm chocolate and jams, local preserves, honey and chutney and locally roasted coffee. Check out their Devon Chocolate Hampers and Gourmet Parisian Hampers.

From Bon Goût, 45 Magdalen Road, Exeter; www.bongoutdeli.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK NIBBLES FROM EXETER’S FOOD SCENE

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS A 16th Century pub in the East Devon village of Clyst Hydon is starting its latest chapter with the appointment of two new chefs.

Head chef Dan Kavanagh, 31, joins The Five Bells Inn after nearly two decades in catering that has included stints at the River Exe Café, ABode Exeter under Michael Caines and most recently at The Galley restaurant in Topsham. A former winner of ‘Young Professional’ South West Chef of the Year, he is joined by sous chef and longterm colleague, Amber Brice, 22.

“What an opportunity,” says Dan. “The Five Bells is an established

and highly rated destination food pub and I can’t wait to get stuck in. I’m all about sustainable cooking, plating food naturally and highlighting the flavour of each component. My cooking has a strong emphasis on utilising every part of the ingredient to avoid any unnecessary waste.

“In the short term, expect some small tweaks to the menu but nothing too radical – there’s a good reputation already in place so my immediate focus is on getting to know the pub’s suppliers and really delighting our customers this summer.”

For more: www.fivebells.uk.com

Chef David Smith, Hourglass pub

Exeter’s Hourglass pub has announced David Smith as its new head chef.

After working in some of Devon’s hotels he moved onto various restaurants across New Zealand and Australia. He now returns to the South West after spending seven years cooking in London.

“I have very fond memories of the Hourglass, being a customer myself when living in Exeter,” says David.

“It’s a real honour to take the helm at such a loved pub, known for its top-class food offering. People travel to the pub for its amazing food and we’re here to make sure they return time and time again.”

The pub in Melbourne Street dates back to 1848 and was saved from closure by The Exeter Brewery after it did not reopen following the pandemic.

For more: www.hourglassexeter.co.uk

© WELL SEASONED PR

YES CHEF!

Dynamic duo at The Five Bells Inn: Dan Kavanagh and Amber Price

A TASTE OF HONEY

Bee-autiful honey

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Exeter-based business Oxygen House has been named among the top food and drink producers globally this year, picking up a highly prized 2-star Great Taste award for its Oxygen House Honey which was dubbed “refreshing, juicy, fruity and floral”.

“For us it has never been about harvesting honey, but instead nurturing a colony of honeybees, which quickly grew into three colonies, and focusing on supporting local biodiversity in central Exeter,” says Lisa Marshall, head of marketing for Oxygen House.

“We are so proud to be adding the iconic black and gold Great Taste logo to our honey, as its testament to the hard work of our local beekeeper, and it just goes to show that even in the city centre you can support local wildlife.”

For more: www.oxygenhouse.com

WHISKY GALORE

Devon-based and family-owned Dartmoor Whisky Distillery has also been named by industry experts as among the top food and drink producers globally this year, picking up 3 highly-prized Great Taste awards; a 2-star for their American Oak Ex-Bourbon Cask Single Malt and two 1-stars for their Ex-Oloroso Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky and Ex-Bordeaux Red Wine Cask Single Malt Whisky in the 2022 awards.

For more: www.dartmoorwhiskydistillery.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

ALL IMAGES BY TAR A SMITH

TOTALLY TOPSHAM

Our columnist, ballet-dancing home cook, foodie and blogger TARA SMITH discovers culinary delights in Topsham

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opsham is one of my favourite places to visit locally, be it a mooch along the River Exe via The Goat Walk or a charity shop crawl. One thing that makes Topsham such a special place is its abundance of independent businesses; there must be more cafés per capita than anywhere else I know. On top of the fabulous cafés there is a goldmine of little foodie shops.

A shining example of this is Mercado. Founded

by Sara Felix in August 2019 this lovely little boutique food shop and deli specialises in Portuguese delicacies as well as being Topsham’s port of call for zero-waste shopping. They have a great selection of dried goods like pasta, rice, herbs and spices that can be decanted into your own containers to take away. A great initiative for those wanting to cut down on wastage.

On top of that you can pick up some great Portuguese wines and spirits to have alongside your deli goods from the chiller. Perfect on a late summer evening watching the sun go down.

Mercado has an old world feel about it with the inspiration for the décor coming from early 20th Century traditional grocery shops. A must when visiting this charming town.

Sara also happens to be the owner of one of my favourite cafés in town too, Sara’s Petite Cuisine.

The café opened its doors in 2017 and from that very first weekend of opening I have been a regular.

The décor is dreamy and the bakes and cakes are picture perfect. They offer a wide selection of

gluten-free and vegan options, and open seven days a week offering delicious lunches alongside their magnificent array of sweet treats. On Sunday they serve up delicious brunches to hungry locals and those from further afield.

My second port of call for caffeine and cake is Circle. Husband-and-wife duo David and Fay Clement opened their café just over a year ago and it has been a regular stop off for me ever since being right next to the studio I teach in.

Fay’s CV is impressive and her coffee industry career has spanned 12 years to date. She started at Boston Tea Party, Bristol where she worked her way up through the business before managing Exeter’s favourite, The Exploding Bakery. The next logical step was to open her own establishment and with the help of her husband, they’ve made Circle the success it is today. I don’t think I have ever walked past and not seen every chair filled. I enjoy sitting on the benches outside watching the world go by with an iced coffee, my summer caffeinated beverage of choice.

Circle is more than your average coffee shop I should add. They have turned part of the café into a gallery of wonderful local art which you can peruse whilst drinking your coffee and then purchase afterwards. Fay and David hope that these small artisans can grow their businesses alongside their own and create a circular economy in Devon, hence their name.

“There is a goldmine of little foodie shops”

clockwise: Mercado’s pretty shop front, outdoor seating in front of Circle; and an oh-so pretty cake at Sara’s Petit Cuisine

WHERE TO FIND THEM… Mercado, 96 Fore Street, Topsham; www.mercadotopsham.co.uk

Sara’s Petit Cuisine, 80 Fore Street, Topsham; www.saraspetitecuisine.co.uk Circle, 37 Fore Street, Topsham; www.circletopsham.com

For more, head to Tara’s Instagram: @tarasbusykitchen www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 35

FOOD & DRINK What is Taste East Devon and why was it set up?

Taste East Devon was born from a chat over coffee. Ruud Jansen Venneboer (owner of Mazzard Farm and founder of East Devon Excellence) said, ‘I’ve had this idea, what do you think?’ – and the collaboration he described was right up my street. He had a vision of an exciting collaboration between our forward-thinking producers, growers and hospitality venues. We agreed it was high time we all put on a show to shout about what makes East Devon such a delicious place. The idea grew organically and echoed our way of living, a desire to get together and enjoy the excellent locally produced ales, cider, food, wine with friends and music.

© NICK HOOK

What does Taste East Devon do differently?

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

FIONA MOORES

Taste East Devon Festival takes place between 3-18 September, showcasing the region’s renowned producers, chefs, restaurants and venues in an impressive series of events. Fiona Moores, one of the festival organisers and regional operations director at THE PIG, tells us what we can expect...

The boat that rocks: The East Devon Festival team

We wanted to shake up the traditional food festival model and open our doors so guests can see where the magic really happens.

We offer guests hands-on food adventures so they can see what it’s like to make beer, the process of flour milling, and seaweed harvesting. Through ticketed events and parties it’s an opportunity to guide guests through tasting experiences on the farm or vineyard.

What drives you to get involved?

I thrive off the energy around the table with fellow organisers – it’s a real meeting of minds. The alignment between us all feels like a natural fit for my own beliefs and what THE PIG champions. We all have deep roots in local, seasonal produce and growing things, yet can learn so much from each other.

It’s a joy witnessing the enthusiasm in the group – from specialists in farming, creating a product or service delivery.

© NICK HOOK

Who’s Taste East Devon for?

It’s inclusive. We want the festival to appeal to families and so offer value-for-money events, free events, as well as some that are a little more upscale as well. Given where we are with the world on the back of a pandemic, there’s an appetite to go out and enjoy each other – but with the recession knocking on the door, it’s important to have a line-up of events that suit every pocket.

What was your fondest moment of Taste East Devon last year?

Ottery St Mary Food & Families Festival was terrific, I enjoyed Dough Bros pizza, The Samosa Lady’s incredible samosas, and churros. I also loved the event at THE PIG at Combe – I remember standing there, soaking up the palpable atmosphere. It was chilled and the sun shone, but the event also had a sunny disposition.

Live music, chatting over beers and plenty of food stalls – it was heavenly.

“It was high time to shout about what makes East Devon such a delicious place ” Which events are unmissable this year?

This year we’ve extended the festival by a week to allow for a diverse, jam-packed itinerary of events. Adventurers will love Coastal Foraging with EbbTides Seaweed (12 and 13 Sep). For an unforgettable theatrical lunch cooked over embers, book the East Devon Lunch at High Grange (16 Sep) – Luke Vandore-Mackay is famed for his knowledge of fire and smoke cookery. For the finest seafood, don’t miss the Salutation Seafood Supper (6 -17 Sep) for a five-seafood course menu with a glass of fizz on arrival.

Any exciting plans for the future?

With such high-calibre food and drink leaders in the area, our aim is to throw more educational events.

We’re also keeping a close eye on what’s going on in other parts of the country. We’re all bursting with ideas but perhaps inviting new members to the steering group will offer fresh perspective too. Watch this space!

Wrapping up the Taste East Devon Festival is the THE PIG-at Combe’s Summer Party on19 September; www.tasteeastdevon.co.uk

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CALVO LOCO Buzzy, friendly, and with oodles of atmosphere, this tapas restaurant is one of the most vibrant foodie spots in the city

By Harriet Noble

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make my way to Calvo Loco on a Friday night, it’s only a 20 minute walk from my house but we are mid heatwave and for some inexplicable reason I am dressed in a long-sleeved black dress. By the time I get to the tapas joint on Magdalen Road I am perspiration central and end-of-the-week fatigue is setting in.

One look through the window of Calvo Loco and I am not convinced this is a place where I am going to cool down; it is absolutely jammers and looks, well, a bit squashed.

It is so packed (“it’s always like this on a Friday,” says co-owner Adrian AKA “Kerley” smiling) that my late booking means I am somewhat wedged in at the back between the loo and the bar.

However, as I sip my ice-cold pint of Spanish beer, pressing it in turn against my cheek, forehead and decolletage, it takes less than two minutes for me to

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banish my sweaty, negative thoughts and realise that this might be one of my favourite restaurants in the city.

For such a small restaurant (I counted seven tables), the buzz of this place is intoxicating, the good-mood vibes infectious. Staff whizz by carrying trays of wine, fish, green peppers and sweet churros; the clatter of joyful chatter resounds around the room and there is no surface here not covered by brightly-coloured art and paraphernalia from its homeland of Spain – be it posters of famous bull fighters, or pericón (fans). This place is fun.

While I peruse the menu, my dining chum arrives.

“Why didn’t I wear my shorts?” he bellows, borderline hysteria audible in his voice. He’s wearing black skinny jeans.

“Let’s get you a beer, Simon, you’ll be ok” I say, gently patting his damp shoulder.

A couple of drinks later, and body temperatures reduced we are happily tucking into six platefuls of

RESTAURANT © CALVOLOCOTAPAS

“The buzz of this place is intoxicating” Spanish food heaven. The menu features a lot of the classic dishes you’d expect from a tapas restaurant with small plates of hot meat, seafood and vegetables plus a choice of cured meats, cheese, nibbles and sharing platters.

I opt for jamon bellota (beautiful thinly-sliced salty jamon), albondigas (pork and meatballs in a rich tomato sauce), and berejena frita (fried strips of aubergine in tempura batter with a molasses dressing).

Simon goes for the croqettas, patatas bravas (potatoes with a spicy sauce and aioli dressing), and chorizo which comes in a cider sauce. They’re all really comforting, tasty and hearty dishes; perfect sharing food. I’ve always found croqettas a bit bland and dry but these are a revelation to me: deeply flavoursome ham with a richly warming sauce and crispy couting – this is probably my favourite of the tapas plates. We wash all this down with a nice bottle of house red.

Husband-and-wife-team Adrian and Maribel Kerley have created a life-affirming restaurant here, with summer-holiday vibes and a cheerful hustle-and-bustle atmosphere. It feels very at home with the eclective offering of indies on Magdalen Road. If you’ve not been down there yet, do so immediately. A night of fun awaits. ■

DINING DETAILS Calvo Loco Tapas Bar, 25 Magdalen Road, Exeter; @calvolocotapasbar On the menu Spanish style tapas bar serving small plates of meat, fish and vegetables, cured meats and cheeses (sourced from Spain), Spanish wines, sherries, beers and ciders. For dessert, churros and a chocolate dipping sauce We had Six dishes between two: jamon bellota (£8.50), albondigas (£5.50), berejena frita (£5.50), croqettas (£5.50), patatas bravas (£5.50) and chorizo (£6.50) Atmosphere Vibrant, friendly and fun Opening hours Wednesday and Thursdays, 4.30pm onwards; Fridays and Saturdays, 12.30pm onwards; kitchen closes at approx 9.30pm

www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 39

PHOTO BY SIMON CALL AGHAN PHOTOGR APHY

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Meander through the warming water corridor and experience the powerful swan-neck massage fountains

WRITTEN IN THE SPAS

PHOTO BY TOM DAVIES, @TOMAESH

Fancy a relaxing getaway?

Lisa Evans experiences the full array at voco St David’s Cardiff: a spa day, heavenly treatments, a threecourse meal and a luxe overnight stay left: voco’s iconic ship’s sail architecture

40 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

hings that are good for the soul: total relaxation, full-body pampering, delicious food, and four strong margaritas in a row. I experienced a full day of this luxurious combination yesterday at voco St David’s Cardiff hotel.

It’s now the morning after; there’s a warm glow running through me (that’s probably the tequila), a satisfied smile is smudged across my face and my fingers are at half speed while typing this. I am content, I am chilled – no easy state to reach as a constantly wound-up mum to a chaotic preschooler.

Upon arriving at the hotel with my lucky plus-one (the husband), we were shown through to the treatment area for massages; my choice was the hot stone variety, and his was deep tissue. I wanted to swap – mainly because I was worried he’d landed the better treatment – but before I had a chance to weigh up both options, our respective masseuses whisked us away (into separate rooms thank god; I’m not one for the awkward romance of a couple’s massage).

The hot stones were, in fact, piping hot – not gently warmed as I’d expected. It’s a shock when they first touch you – I just know my back must have turned a Pantone-worthy shade of pink – but the therapist moved swiftly across the skin; you get used to it and the heat fades pretty quickly. When they did start to reach an ordinary, more soothing temperature, I actually found myself looking forward to them being reheated, ready to glide over and scorch the next section of my body – a heavenly ‘hurts so good’ feeling, and a far more pleasant way to ‘feel the burn’ than when my PT demands back-to-back Bulgarian split squats.

My masseuse worked my body like she was Paul Hollywood preparing focaccia, stretching out the knots in my back, neck, and legs, and kneading deep into the muscle layer with those smooth pebbles

GETAWAYS until my body felt unrecognisably relaxed and supple.

Upon drifting out of the treatment room in a doughy daze and into the softly lit relaxation lounge, cucumber-infused water in hand, I spotted the husband lounging in one of the armchairs in his dressing gown, looking rather smug. I casually enquired about his treatment – eager to compare and to check if I’d won. “Probably the best of my life,” he said, hands behind his head, chest inflated. “She used her elbows the entire time and put her full weight on me.” That sounds like my paradise; I do love a kindly man-handling once in a while. I couldn’t complain though, I was in too blissful a state for that; but I did manage an eye-roll and a tut.

We then took our yawning bodies to the spa, a luxurious playground complete with an invigorating 15m pool, bubbling water beds, a hot tub, a hydrotherapy pool, a dry-heat sauna, a warming water corridor, massaging swan-neck fountains, and a gym – the latter I respectfully ignored in the name of respite.

After being thoroughly steamed, baked and simmered until suitably prune-like, we were glad we didn’t have to think about shuttling home; our spacious king bedroom awaited upstairs. And what a view to be greeted with when opening that third-floor door; sunlight coruscated on the surface of the water in the Bay surrounding us, panoramic views of which were offered through the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.

We headed straight onto the balcony, gazing out over the boat-studded expanse where millions of moving sparkles danced.

“I do love a kindly manhandling once in a while” A suite at voco, featuring some of the best panoramic scenes in Cardiff

Although weary, it was so inviting we decided to pop back downstairs and into the heart of the Bay for an hour. Mermaid Quay – packed with bustling restaurants, bars, businesses, pop-up street food stalls and entertainment hubs – while tempting, wasn’t the vibe we needed; instead, we took a 30-second stroll from the hotel to the Wetlands Reserve on its doorstep and immersed into the calm of nature.

Come evening, it was time for a faultless three-course meal at voco’s restaurant, The Admiral. Crab cakes and cured salmon to start; pea and mint ravioli, and garlic and herb Welsh lamb for mains; and dessert was just-like-grandma-used-to-make Bara brith bread and butter pudding, and honeyed Welsh cake cheesecake, all washed down with plenty of ice-cold Olmeca Blanco cocktails while taking in more of those luscious waterside views.

If you’re craving a reset as much as I was, you should give voco St David’s a try too. Braggart plus-ones optional. n www.stdavids.vocohotels.com

THE DETAILS

THE LOCATION: voco St David’s Cardiff, a landmark luxury five-star hotel, with iconic ship’s sail architecture, sits right on the water’s edge in Cardiff Bay, on Havannah Street.

TRAVEL FROM EXETER: Approx two hours and 30 minutes from Exeter by car or train.

THE PRICE: An overnight stay, with breakfast and use of the spa facilities included, starts at £109.

OUR TREATMENTS: Ishga Hot Stone Massage, 50 minutes, from £85; Ishga Deep Tissue Massage, 50 minutes, from £85.

DINNER: Starters £7 – £18.95, mains £10 – £38.50, desserts £7 – £18.50.

INSIDER TIP: The hotel has partnerships with Cardiff Distillery, Cardiff International White Water and OVO Bikes to enjoy. You can book packages featuring gin experiences, paddleboarding sessions, rafting adventures, or electric bike hire.

WHAT ELSE: Four-legged friends are most welcome.

Step through the doors and this is what you’re greeted with

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SEEN! ACROSS E XE TER, ONE S H I N D I G AT A T I M E

THE EXETER CINEMA HERITAGE PROJECT A series of short documentary films have been made to capture some of the memories of the older cinema going audience, and these films were recently premiered at Exeter Phoenix’s very own cinema, Studio 74.

Eleven short films were shown, each covering a different aspect of Exeter’s cinema history, from Saturday Morning Picture clubs to the closing of the ABC Cinema. Among the audience were many of the film’s participants, and their friends and

42 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

family, who all came to celebrate the launch of the films.

The series was put together by The Exeter Cinema Heritage Project which aims to document the physical and cultural changes to the landscape of Exeter through recording stories of its residents and their earliest memories of visiting the cinema in Exeter.

The collection of films can be seen on www.cinemaheritage.org.uk Photos by Rhodri Cooper

SOCIETY

Rosie Bekhradnia

The writer herself, Steph Taylor (pen name Claire le Day)

Peter Falkner and chums

BOUND TO HAPPEN

On the 26 July at The Salutation in Topsham, Claire le Day (aka Steph Taylor) launched The Diary of a Teenage Dirtbag: an honest and exposing account of growing up during the late 90s and early 00s.

Claire regaled her guests with a reading from the book who revelled in her cringeworthy past. www.claireleday.co.uk Photos by Harry Hook

Lily Neal and Simon Davey

Hannah Waite and Ted Waite

Steph Taylor and James Taylor

Bubbles and books

Captivated audience

Monica Boyce and Rosie Boland

Tasty morsels

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HEART HOOP EARRINGS, £14 These cool, cutsey and sustainable earrings are made from repurposed leather cut-offs.

From Tula and the Whale; www.folksy.com

GOLD CHAIN WITH PENDANT, POA A simple, yet classic design; a perfect everyday piece.

From RHS Rosemoor, Torrington; www.rhs.org.uk

YELLOW GOLD DIAMOND AND EMERALD FROG BROOCH, £1,995 This hoppy fellow is made from18ct yellow gold and is sure to brighten up any outfit.

From Mortimer’s Jewellers, 87 Queen Street, Exeter; www.mortimersjewellers.co.uk

GUCCI G-TIMELESS SLIM BEE LADIES WATCH, £1,210 Part of the Gucci G-Timeless collection, this watch is un-beelievably gorgeous.

From Michael Spiers, 22 Cathedral Yard, Exeter; www.michaelspiers.co.uk

GOING FOR GOLD

A handful of lustrous gold jewellery from Exeter’s boutiques

CELESTE STARRE QUEEN OF HEARTS RING AQUAMARINE, £120 A chunky ring design with a heart-shaped blue stone that Ringo would be proud of.

From Lorna Ruby, 17 Catherine Street, Exeter; www.lornaruby.com

ANCHOR CHAIN BRACELET, £27 With a retro feel, this T-bar secured bracelet is made from eco-friendly stainless steel and coated in a waterproof gold colour, so you can wear this out at sea, in the shower, or on not-so-dry land without fear of fading.

From Sancho’s, 117 Fore Street, Exeter; www.sanchosshop.com

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GOLDIE RESIN EARRINGS, £24 Rock those glistening gold flecks.

From Busby & Fox, 21 Cathedral Yard, Exeter; www.busbyandfox.com

JEWELLERY HOT PINK SEQUIN EARRINGS, £30 These glam statement earrings feature a line of curvaceous gold-plating, while the hot ball of pink sequins at the top is great for a flash of colour.

From Boka, 3 High Street, Crediton; www.bokaonline.co.uk

ROSE GOLD LAYER NECLACE, £23.50 This pendant on a wire features one layer of shiny rose gold-plated metal amidst five layers of matt rose gold plated lengths. Chunky, unique – we love.

From Mantis, 28 Gandy Street, Exeter; www.mantishomedirect.co.uk

ROSE GOLD MIXED METALS BRACELET, £13.95 This bracelet is adorned with a heart charm, and is perfect for stacking.

From Leaf Street, 53 Magdalen Road, Exeter; www.leafstreet.co.uk

AMBER FRILL EARRINGS, £20 Eye-catching and lightweight earrings

by Dansk of Denmark.

From Toot Garouk, 19 Queen Street, Exeter; www.tootgarook.co.uk

SNAKE SINGLE EAR CUFF, £26.99 Coiling around your upper ear, this small snake ear cuff features dazzling green eyes that catch the light as you move.

From Insideout, 25 Merrivale View Road, Yelverton; www.insideouthome.co.uk

GOLD SHELL BRACELET, £322 Sophie Harley’s pieces are inspired by ancient forms and implements, philosophy and story-telling.

From Polka Dot Gallery; 12 Martins Lane, Exeter; www.polkadotgallery.com

DIAMOND RING IN YELLOW GOLD, £6,958 This spectacularly sparkly white diamond is accentuated by the 18ct yellow gold setting. Flanked either side with four diamonds, this ring would make a hell-yeah engagement ring.

From Erin Cox, 56 Fore Street, Topsham; www.erincox.co.uk

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SPONSORED CONTENT

SHINE ON

TOPSHAM JEWELLERS welcomes a new workshop to its premises where it'll offer bespoke commissions and repair services. Owner Louise Wraith tells us more...

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opsham Jewellers has long been a popular and reliable business in the heart of this wonderful community.

For many years I have admired this business and recommended visitors and customers to explore it as an alternative to my own jewellery shop in Exeter.

I am Louise Wraith and I have been happily settled and busy in the Silver Lion Jewellers for 30 years, working there for 11, before I bought it from the founder and my boss back in 2013 when she retired. So now it is with great delight and honour that I have been fortunate enough to take on the Topsham Jewellers as well, from the founder, Wendy Foote on her retirement in October 2021.

This fine establishment will continue to go from strength to strength with the same trustworthy staff and fabulous variety of stock. In addition to this ongoing trade, I will be bringing experience, skills and new services to Topsham. I am building a workshop and will be able to repair jewellery

on the premises and make commissions and alter jewellery to your heart’s desire.

My intention is to maintain both businesses whilst bringing Topsham Jewellers into the 21st Century, with the latest technology and established expertise. I am very excited to be part of this lovely community and have enjoyed working with my new inherited employees very much and love creating the window displays, even winning the much coveted “Light Up Topsham” window display at Christmas. There’s a lot going on and I look forward to continuing this respected business and noble trade building it carefully to reach its full potential. n

63 Fore Street, Topsham, Exeter, Devon. EX3 0HL. Email: topshamjewellers@icloud.com or topshamjewellersltd@gmail.com Tel: 01392 873180

SPONSORED CONTENT

THE NINE YEAR WAIT FOR BABY OLIVIA

Having waited nine years for their IVF baby to arrive, Sky News editor Emily Deeker and husband, BBC Points West’s Will Glennon, are urging other couples with fertility issues to be patient and keep trying if they can.

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fter welcoming baby Olivia into the world on 10 December 2021, Emily posted on Instagram ‘Nothing worth having comes easy,’ together with a touching tribute to the team at BCRM, who worked so hard to enable her and Will to have a baby of their own: ‘Thank you, Bristol Centre For Reproductive Medicine, from the bottom of our hearts.’

“Will and I fell into the huge group of people who have ‘unexplained’ fertility issues,” explained Emily.

“We had 11 rounds of IVF, and a lot of exploratory procedures in between.

“Olivia was our next-to-last chance. We had 12 frozen embryos available to us, and she was number 11, so on paper she was not the strongest embryo.

“Will and I both had Covid in January 2021, just before we were due for an embryo transfer. The virus knocked us for six, and we had to delay treatment until the end of March.

“And then, finally, there was the positive pregnancy test.

“Let’s be honest - you don’t want to be going to a fertility clinic in the first place but if you have to go to one you want to have faith in them, and we did have faith in ours.

“It says a huge amount about the team at BCRM that we decided to stay with them throughout our entire IVF journey, all nine years of it.

“We trusted and believed in them. Their research is second-to-none – look at Valentine Akande’s work - and we had faith in their knowledge, their reputation and the amazing care they gave us throughout.

“To us, Valentine is peerless, and we owe him so much.

“And it was genuinely freeing to walk into the nurse’s room and have a good cry if I wanted to, while she held my hand. I know they were doing their job, but it always felt so much more personal and human than that.”

BCRM www.fertilitybristol.com is the longest established fertility clinic in Bristol, helping people from throughout the South West and Wales with fertility treatment for both private and NHS patients. The clinic is involved in innovative research and has one of the best success rates with IVF and other fertility treatments in the UK. n www.mediaclash.co.uk I EXETER LIVING I 47

HERE FOR YOU DURING THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS Volunteer Visiting

Carers’ Support

Information and Advice

The next few months are going to be hard for all of us...

As we head into winter, many older people in Exeter will have to decide whether they heat or eat. Age UK Exeter’s Information and Advice service will help numerous older members of our community, delivering Benefit entitlement checks to ensure they are not missing out on any financial support.

By sharing information on the Government’s cost-of-living support and any schemes which could provide additional support, we hope to offer some reassurance during this uncertain time. We are also working with a third-party energy specialist who can offer free, impartial advice including a LEAP home visit, if eligible.

Fundraisers

Home Support

WHAT WE NEED: Volunteers We have many regular and ad-hoc voluntary opportunities available. Join our wonderful team who take time out of their lives to help older people make the most out of theirs by becoming a: • Social Group Volunteer • Dementia Support Volunteer • Volunteer Visitor • Fundraising Volunteer • Information and Advice Volunteer Fundraisers Help to raise much-needed funds to further our work would be amazing. Additionally, any businesses who are interested in sponsoring our worthwhile projects would be immensely appreciated.

For information and advice please do call us on 01392 455614, Monday to Thursday, 10:30AM to 3PM

01392 202092 | www.ageuk.org.uk/exeter |

HEALTH & WELLBEING B R I N G I N G YO U A L L T H E G O O D S T U FF F O R T H E M I N D, B O DY A N D S O U L

OUR WALK – IN NUMBERS 13,660 number of steps 6.2 miles 1 coffee stop 1 lunch stop 1 heron spotted

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE Work ‘away days’ don’t have to be an excruciating experience – Eleanor Yeo and her colleagues from McQueenie Mulholland opted for a hearty walk (plus an essential pub stop) along Exeter’s Green Circle...

The team ‘away day’. So often, the prospect of spending time out of the office, getting to know each other in a different setting is guaranteed to bring fear into the faces of colleagues.

Before Covid, these twice-annual events would (as we assume was the case with many businesses), generally consist of great food in one of Exeter’s many establishments, followed by wine and plenty of banter. Always fun, often tipsy, and usually with amusing (occasionally embarrassing) anecdotes to share for years to come.

Lots of Exeter’s businesses haven’t returned to the office full-time and with this hybrid model of working now becoming the norm for so many of us, it’s a good opportunity to consider how we choose to socialise (and spend time away from screens) with our colleagues.

So, a summer away day gave the perfect opportunity for our Exeter-based business to discover some of Exeter’s Green Circle – a 12-

mile circular walk around the city which takes in five valley parks.

It’s possible to start and stop anywhere along this route (you certainly don’t have to do the whole lot at once). We decided to meet at Wonford Community Centre and began our route around Ludwell Valley Park. This beautiful area has it all – flat, open parkland, hilly countryside, and a bubbling brook – and is situated adjacent to Burnthouse Lane and behind Lidl. Not for the first time, we found ourselves uttering amazement at the proximity of open countryside to the city centre.

Photographs don’t do justice to the peace and quiet that exists, often with stunning views across the city.

After a good hour’s walk, tummies started to rumble (this is a work away day after all) and we headed in the direction of our next valley park, Riverside. This is easily accessible from Ludwell (a quick cross of the Topsham Road) and from there, it’s a flat footpath along the

river’s edge. Cyclists, dog walkers, children’s football matches – it was all going on but with lots of space for everybody.

A saunter along the flat footpath for lunch at the Double Locks provided us with the perfect opportunity to sit down. It’s always a pleasure to see fellow pub goers arrive by kayak, paddle board or bike and after a hearty lunch, the team took a slightly different route back to our starting point.

While this walk only took in two of the valley parks, colleagues are already planning the next in early autumn – some want to do the whole 12 miles in one day, while the rest of us will join them for part of it.

It’s worth downloading the free ‘Go Jauntly’ app to see what others have done on the Exeter Green Circle and recommended routes.

Paths were all clearly marked, and our fairly limited experience tells us that you can’t go too far wrong – most paths seemed to end up roughly where we wanted them to!

That said, if walking solo doesn’t appeal, there are four Wellbeing Exeter community physical activity organisers across Exeter who regularly organise walks in their area.

Find out who yours is by going to: www.liveandmove.co.uk/say-hi-to-the-cpaos

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It’s the city’s business

EXETERWORKS Three Chamber Meets sessions are planned for 2022; INSET: Misty Nickells of Griffin Chartered Accountants and Richard Marsh of Exeter Chamber

© STEVEN HAY WOOD

ROOM TO WORK

A new coworking space on the edge of Woodbury, near Exeter, has recently opened.

The Yard is situated in a semi-rural setting which comes with free parking, easy keyless access, permanent or flexible desks available, 24 hours CCTV and has been set up to cater for all working patterns.

For more: www.theyard-coworking.co.uk

The latest from Exeter Chamber On 27 September, the Chamber will host its Chamber Meets session with Keri Denton, head of economy, enterprise, and skills at Devon County Council, at Exeter Library from 9am-10.30am.

Members will benefit from advanced access to information to aid strategic decision making for their own businesses and to hear about forthcoming opportunities.

On 21 October, the Chamber welcomes Ben Bradshaw, Exeter’s MP, and his successor, Steve Race, to its Chamber Meets session at The Terrace Exeter (the Guildhall) – an opportune event to find out how Exeter’s new MP will shape and support the city.

The last in the series of Chamber Meets events for 2022 will see Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, take the floor on 4 November – a date for your diary, with more details coming soon.

In other news, Exeter Chamber has recently welcomed chartered accountancy firm Griffin Chartered Accountants (Griffin) as its new Growth Partner.

As a Growth Partner the two organisations will work together to enhance the connection between business and finance in the city, sharing new and progressive ideas to help Exeter continue to drive business success.

“With many businesses and individuals feeling the financial burden, now more than ever, the business community needs help, support, and guidance to navigate their way through,” says Richard Marsh, CEO of Exeter Chamber.

“We look forward to facilitating conversations between our members and our new Growth Partner to continue making Exeter the best place for business in our region.”

For more: www.exeterchamber.co.uk

The new offices are set up for flexible working hours

SKILLING UP The Heart of the South West LEP has recently been awarded £2million in funding for new programmes which will provide digital skills and business support to the area.

The Digital Skills Programme will: work with secondary school pupils to increase the overall number taking GCSE Computer Science and the proportion of female pupils opting to take GCSE Computer Science; provide specific digital training for the key sectors of advanced engineering, clean growth, healthcare, tourism and agriculture; work with the leaders of micro businesses and SME’s to support the take up and use of digital within their business. Roughly 150 SME’s are expected to benefit from this through a mix of workshops and one-to-one support provided to 12-14 business leaders every three months.

For more: www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk

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EXETERWORKS JOURNEY TO THE JOB

Amanda Kohn

Amanda recently became health and wellbeing contracts manager at Westbank, the local charity that works to empower and improve the health of communities and individuals across Devon. Here, Amanda talks about following her career passions and her love of swimming, rugby and wine What did you want to be when you grew up?

I had my sights set on being an international athlete.

What were your favourite and least favourite subjects at school?

My favourite subject was History and my least favourite was Latin.

When you left school, what was the big dream?

To be a farmer’s wife!

What was your first job?

My first proper grown-up job was working in marketing for Hertz Car Rental.

Did you go to uni or college?

Yes, University College Cardiff.

What led to working at the charity Westbank?

I had an early career in financial services in Bristol followed by 12 years working in the drinks industry, both in retail and wholesale distribution throughout the South West.

I then just woke up one day and realised that I needed to change my working life and invest in retraining as a wellbeing and exercise professional.

Not so much an epiphany, more a reinvention to follow a lifetime passion. That change of direction led me to Westbank.

What does your role at Westbank entail?

I’ve recently taken on a new role of

health and wellbeing contracts manager. Having worked almost exclusively on a diabetes prevention project since arriving at Westbank, I have gained huge experience in managing and developing a health intervention programme across Devon.

What’s your biggest goal with this job?

My role has grown organically, and I now concentrate with the support of the Westbank team on looking at where we can add value to the local health economy, ensuring that we, as an organisation, can evidence the benefits and learning from any programme we deliver and work with integrity with our commissioners.

For anyone that doesn’t know, what kind of health and wellbeing services does Westbank provide?

We deliver a wide range of services to individuals and communities across Devon – high-quality, nonjudgemental, accessible services that help people to lead happier, healthier lives and maintain their independence for longer.

Who are the services for? Can anyone use them?

Yes! We provide services for people from two to 102 and beyond. One of the things that’s unique about Westbank is that we offer services for people of all ages.

“I WOKE UP ONE DAY AND REALISED THAT I NEEDED TO CHANGE MY WORKING LIFE” 52 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Have you seen an increase in the demand for your services because of Covid?

I have seen a change in the needs of our service users. Covid exposed some gaps within existing services and increased the demands on our organisation. We have evolved our service delivery to meet these greater social needs as well as people’s health needs. As we emerge out of the worst of Covid, there is a greater demand on the third sector to plug those holes and better understand the changing needs within our local communities to ensure we deliver what is needed.

What are the skills and experience that you need to work in your profession?

Third-sector professionals need to be empathetic and creative.

Networking, project management and a thirst for learning are skills worth developing as they can enhance the services you want to deliver.

What are the challenges of the job?

The main challenge is to ensure you don’t just get caught up in an idea: test for viability and understand the reach and impact. Is there a clear rationale for a project? Can you deliver it well and does it meet the needs of your community? What are the outcomes?

And what do you love about it?

Having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of local communities and working as part of a great team. We all support each other and have fun too!

What advice would you give someone wanting to start a

career in the wellbeing sector?

Be passionate about what you do and make sure your beliefs and passions align with the organisation you work for. Integrity is so important in this sector. Always keep in mind the person you are going to impact.

Any more career ambitions bubbling up?

I just want to carry on doing more of what I’m doing at Westbank and learn how we can continue to improve and excel at what we deliver.

What are you most proud of, both professionally and personally?

Professionally, I am very proud of our diabetes prevention programme.

We have supported nearly 2,000 people across Devon to improve their health outcomes. On a personal level, of course, my children. As a teenager, I represented Wales Junior Swimming as a freestyle swimmer for three years competing at British Swimming Events and Cardiff University in the British University meets.

Lastly, what would surprise us about you?

I love open water – diving, coldwater swimming on Dartmoor and in the sea at Budleigh or Exmouth.

Having spent some years in the wine trade, I enjoy wine tasting and visiting vineyards. History is also a passion and I love reading historical biographies. Being a native of Llanelli in West Wales, Rugby is in my blood, and I enjoy watching the internationals in Cardiff. I also really enjoy Love Island.

For more: www.westbank.org.uk

© SHARON GOBLE

Amanda Kohn, wellbeing professional and keen swimmer

EXETER LIVING AWARDS © NICK MATTHEWS

EXETERWORKS

Last year’s big winners: bthechange team: Josephine Olszelwski, Josh Stunell, Sarah Jane Tyas-Peterson and Hannah Chapman

Exeter Living Awards 2023 Plans are already underway for the big shindig, which takes place on 9 March of next year. Here are some of the different ways you can get involved...

How to get involved...

• If you’re a company thinking of nominating your business, join our mailing list – head to the Exeter Property Awards website – for updates. Businesses can nominate themselves in one or more of the 20 categories and the winners are chosen by a panel of independent and impartial judges.

• Consider being a sponsor for one of the awards.

Our sponsors reap the benefits of powerful marketing and exposure in the build-up to the Awards.

They also benefit from attending our shoulder event – the Finalists’ and Sponsors’ Reception.

Sponsorship opportunities are now available.

To find out more, please contact Harriette Dixon at Harriette. dixon@mediaclash.co.uk or Paula Miller at paula. miller@mediaclash.co.uk For more: www.exeterlivingawards.co.uk

“IN KEEPING WITH TRADITION, THEY’LL BE GLITZ AND GLAMOUR”

54 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

© EMILY APPLETON

T

he Exeter Living Awards are the annual business highlight of the city, and work has already begun on next year’s ceremony which takes place on 9 March at The Great Hall, University of Exeter.

In keeping with tradition, there’ll be glitz, glamour, music and 500 people coming together for a huge celebration of the top businesses in Exeter. From charities to cafés, property companies to creative start-ups, this is the night where Exeter’s movers and shakers come together for an uplifting evening of joy.

Pete’s Dragons winners from the 2022 awards: Alison Jordan and Tegan Rogers

PROPERTY ALL PICTURES IN THIS STORY © ALICE DEUCHAR

The former pub dates back to 1540

Grenadier, happy winners from last year’s awards

GET NOMINATING! This autumn sees the return of the Exeter Property Awards, and property professionals in and around Exeter have until 8 September to nominate their business for an award.

Whether you work in residential or commercial, lettings to new builds, or are part of a team helping to create civic buildings in the city – anyone can enter, it’s entirely free and you can choose to nominate your company in any category you think is relevant.

The Exeter Property Awards will be held at Sandy Park on 21 October. New to the list of categories this year are Coworking Spaces, Rising Star and Sustainability.

Sponsorship opportunities are available now, get in touch with Harriette Dixon (Harriette.dixon@ mediaclash.co.uk) or Paula Miller (paula.miller@ mediaclash.co.uk) for more information.

For more: www.exeterpropertyawards.com

RURAL REFURB

KEY DATES

NOW: Nominations open 13 September: Grand Reveal of the Finalists 21 September: Finalists’ & Sponsors’ Reception 21 October: Exeter Property Awards 2022

2021 winners, Positive Light Projects

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© NICK MAT THEWS

© NICK MAT THEWS

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

A local thatched pub that had been derelict for several years has undergone a half a million pound facelift and reopened as place to stay for groups of friends and families.

The historic Leaping Trout, formerly known as The Trout Inn, a Grade-II listed building located in the Exe Valley at Bickleigh, Tiverton, has been transformed into a private house with 12 bedrooms most with en suites, a huge farmhouse kitchen, vintage-style cinema, private bar, eating terrace, gardens, cosy seating areas and an array of extras like vintage pub games and a pool table.

The pub, which dates back to 1540, was purchased by business partners Brian Lord and Michael Mourant in 2020. It had been closed for two years and was in a huge state of disrepair.

“It’s been a huge project, but very rewarding and we’re delighted with the result,” says Brian.

“The building was built as workers cottages. Since then it has been expanded, but it still retains cob walls and a reef thatched roof, old casement windows, inglenook fireplaces with bread ovens and chambered cross beams.”

Project manager and interior designer Alice Deuchar, who was in charge of the entire renovation adds, “I’ve had about £500,000 to transform the building, and we’ve kept to within the budget to create rooms that are timeless and rustic offering incredible spaces to relax and switch off or to spend time with friends.

“We found the cinema seats online too – everything is vintage and upcycled and it really adds to the romance of the building and gives visitors a sense of intrigue and history with a strong nod to the building’s original as an inn.”

For more: www.theleapingtrout.co.uk

above: Property in Exton, one of the sought-after regions ; below: Property expert Roger Wilkinson

HOME SWEET HOME Looking to move house but not sure where in East Devon to drop the pin? We ask Roger Wilkinson, owner of property agents and acquisition specialists Wilkinson Grant, for his predictions on local up-and-coming areas...

58 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

The property market went into a bit of a frenzy during Covid, is it starting to calm down a bit?

Yes, a frenzy fuelled by a Stamp duty Holiday and lifestyle change that saw a massive increase in out-of-area buyers competing with local home movers helped to push up prices.

It has calmed down a bit but with demand still outstripping supply, we are still seeing a lot of competition for property – particularly in the more favoured locations.

What can you tell us about property prices in the region?

Since the first Covid lockdown ended, we have seen year-on-year house price growth in this region of 10 per cent, with properties in some addresses rising by over 25 per cent in the last two and a half years.

However, without being alarmist (indeed, we are very optimistic that with Exeter now firmly established as one of the top cities in the UK to live and work the local property market will remain resilient to national trends over the next 12 months) we do need to be mindful of the cost of living crisis, significantly increasing energy costs (both of which will bring energyefficient housing increasingly to the fore),

MOVING HOME

above and right: A property in Pennsylvania, a popular spot in Exeter

withdrawal of mortgage products and rising inflation – all of which will inevitably all contribute to a fall in confidence from many home buyers / would-be home movers.

However, the demand for residential property here in this region will continue, albeit with investor landlords replacing many first-time buyers, many of whom, sadly, for the foreseeable immediate future, will be excluded from home ownership until we see a return to some kind of balance between earnings and house prices.

Fortunately, with Exeter now firmly on the map and the fact that – despite what some might see as frightening recent house price growth – there are more affluent home buyers looking to live here and investors will settle for lower yields in return for what they see as a ‘safer bet’ than other cities in the UK. We will also see a consolidation of housing stock where households seek to move to

more suitable properties – downsizing, upsizing to more efficient, affordable and manageable properties.

No crystal ball but with inflation set to reach 11-13per cent, it is reasonable to factor a modest house price growth of around 2-5 per cent in the coming 12 months – much will depend on what happens in the autumn as the spectre of the impacts of the cost of living crisis becomes a reality and how the government responds.

“Perhaps, surprisingly, Exeter’s quayside offers great value for money”

What local areas would you recommend people buy properties in now?

Demand is likely to continue to outstrip supply over the coming years and the most favoured addresses may well buck the trend in terms of any slow-down in house price growth.

The recognised locations of St Leonards, Pennsylvania and Topsham along with the Exe Estuary villages of Lympstone and Exton

Rose Removals Removals and storage company serving Exeter, Devon and the UK. www.roseremovals.co.uk

Tozers Law firm with an affordable houses sector; offices in Exeter, Newton Abbot and Teignmouth. www.tozers.co.uk Rundle Walker Solicitors firm with a residential conveyancing and property section; offices in Exeter. www.rundlewalker.com

In terms of what you get for your buck, what areas do you think offer the most in terms of quality of life, community, and facilities?

We’re very fortunate in that all of the above feature highly throughout the region – that’s why so many people want to live here.

But there’s no doubt that you get more for your money in some locations than others.

Heavitree has been described as one of the best villages in the UK and the west side of the River Exe has always offered great value for money.

What areas locally do you think are perhaps underrated?

Exeter is blessed with an abundance of protected Valley Parks and properties close by don’t always fetch the kind of premium they should. Perhaps, surprisingly, Exeter’s quayside offers great value for money. Away from the centre, Pinhoe and Alphington still have a village feel and look out for Exmouth in general as it climbs the value ladder What areas would you recommend for first time buyers, families and retired people?

MOVING HOME? HERE ARE SOME OF THE LOCAL SPECIALISTS WHO CAN HELP...

Wilkinson Grant Property agents and acquisition specialists with offices in Exeter. www.wilkinsongrant.co.uk

and the favoured addresses of Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton will always be sought after.

WBW Solicitors and chartered financial planning firm; offices in Exeter. www.wbw.co.uk Burrington Estates Real estate developer based in Winslade House near Exeter. www.burringtonestates.com

Those who can make it onto the property ladder and have the time and inclination, should look out for opportunities to add value by improving older housing stock.

Alternatively, others will benefit from the efficiencies of a newly-built house of flat – of which there will be plenty to choose from over the next few years – most ideally situated for both first time buyers and for retirement living.

For families, schools are often the priority and again, we have plenty with good Ofsted ratings both in and around the Exeter and East Devon area. n

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faradaystoves@gmail.com www.faradaystoves.co.uk

BARTHOLOMEW TERRACE Step inside this elegant and characterful Grade-II listed townhouse in Exeter

By Imogen Davidson-Smith 62 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

PROPERTY

B

artholomew Terrace is a fantastic spot to be in the city.

It’s a tucked-away and quiet terrace of period townhouses positioned along the historic city walls of Exeter – yet you’re never far from the action here. In three minutes, by foot, you can be sipping a porn star martini at Exe restaurant on Mary Arches Street, having a riverside pint at Mill on the Exe; and in just six minutes you could be tucking into steak and chips at The Ivy. If it’s style and space you’re after, this property scores highly. You’ve got versatile accommodation here of over 1,800 sq ft arranged over four floors incorporating five bedrooms, sitting room, snug/dining room, kitchen, family bathroom, two en suites and a guest cloakroom.

The wonderful south-east and rectangular-facing walled garden extends to the rear of the property and includes flower beds, a generous lawn and patio, with plenty of space for barbecues in the sunshine.

Despite being in the city, there’s a countryside vibe that runs through the interiors and layout; they manage to be both graceful and cosy.

For example, head downstairs to the basement and you’ll find a warming snug/dining room and kitchen with exposed beams, fireplace and views leading out onto the patio and garden. A dog that moults and a beanbag or two would not be out of place here.

Venture upstairs to the ground floor, however, and you’ll be greeted with the elegance of the sitting room, a large space with sash windows and timber flooring. This is more your drinks party territory, where you can wow pals with your impressive collection of art.

Another boon with this property is that its vastness affords a certain flexibility – to the right of the entrance hall is a room that could happily work as a ground floor bedroom (especially good for someone with mobility issues) with an en suite, or equally it could be a generous home study. Upstairs on the first floor are three bedrooms and the family bathroom; up to the top floor is the loft room with the fourth bedroom and an en suite.

Big family? Like entertaining? Need your space? This abode has got your name on it. n

HOUSE NUMBERS Where Bartholomew Terrace; nearest train station is Exeter St Thomas, 0.3 miles away Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 3 Total floor area over 1,800 sq ft Outside walled garden, patio and pond Guide price £850,000 For more Stags, 21 Southernhay West, Exeter, EX1 1PR; www.stags.co.uk

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EXETER LIVES

“As well as millions watching from home, it was a great thrill in my career” them off knowing that they had a great night partly because of my music.

© AL PHOTOGR APHY

You wear beautiful suits, how would you describe your style?

MARVIN MUONEKÉ If you’ve ever walked past Lloyds Lounge and heard the rich, smooth tones of someone singing Me and Mrs Jones, it’ll have been the fabulous jazz singer Marvin. We caught up with him to chat Rat Pack legends, TV talent shows, and bringing a bit of exuberance to Exeter You live in Weston-superMare but spend a lot of time in Exeter for your Lloyd Lounge gigs…

Yes, I absolutely love coming to Exeter. It’s a wonderful city that has welcomed me in with open arms – it’s practically become my second home!

For anyone that’s not been to one of your gigs, what kind of tunes do you play?

People can expect to hear jazz standards from the Great American Songbook, mixed in with some motown and soul. Add a little pop for good measure and then you have yourself a perfectly musical martini! There’ll be songs made famous by the likes of legends such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole to Lou Rawls, Barry White and Stevie Wonder.

Do you play any instruments at your gigs?

Indeed, I do. I play trumpet and cornet in addition to my singing, and normally I’m accompanied by a guitarist or pianist friend of mine.

What kind of vibe do you try to create?

There are two elements to the atmosphere I try to create.

The first one is class. I strive to perform songs that are of decent quality, whether they’re old or new. The second element is exuberance, especially as far as my performance style is concerned. I always aspire to perform my songs with a sense of joy and cheerfulness whilst upholding the authentic conviction of the lyrics.

Being a great singer is more than just singing the songs for the sake of it, of course. I feel the need to entertain the audience and send

66 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk

When commented on about his tuxedo, Sinatra would sometimes joke, ‘If you’re gonna look dead, dress dead!’. Of course, he was joking. Wearing a suit and tie is part of the fun for the line of work I’m in. It’s not to make me feel superior to anyone else, but it makes me feel confident about myself.

When did you realise you had a musical talent?

I was six years old when I first discovered my talents for singing.

I come from a very musical background and knew I wanted to be involved in music. My first instrument was the piano and then I dabbled in playing the cello for about two years. When I was 10 years old, my voice broke and became significantly deeper and I thought that nobody wanted to hear a bass-baritone out at front, so I turned away from singing for a few years and went back to the piano. My confidence came back when I was 15 years old after giving my first official public performance of Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon winning my school charity talent competition. It’s been an exciting climb since then!

What was it about the music from the Rat Pack that captivated you?

TV talent shows?

They were both equally fantastic experiences. It’s exposure you can’t really pay for. Appearing on those shows definitely boosted my profile on a more national scale as well as regionally. Out of the two shows, Britain’s Got Talent was more exhilarating. Having the chance to perform at The London Palladium and the Hammersmith Apollo to thousands of people, as well as millions watching from home, was a great thrill in my career.

My buddy Dennis and I never expected to get as far as we did, so it was a wonderful achievement.

Plus, Simon Cowell is a lot nicer than he lets on!

What does the rest of the year hold for you?

I’m working on a brand-new album with original big band arrangements. I cannot wait to finish it, bring it out and hopefully tour it in and around the South West.

What’s the most surprising thing about you?

I’m only in my mid-late 20s. I often pass for older than I am because of my voice and the way I carry myself in public. In terms of creative arts, I wrote, illustrated and self-published my first picture book when I was nine years old and published two more books after that.

Lastly, who would play you in a film about you?

For me, it was everything about it. The songs, the singers, the musicians, the wonderful arrangements. It’s an era of music that I firmly believe must not die out.

This is definitely the hardest question to answer. It would have to be Idris Elba, I think. He’s from Newham, East London, the same hometown as myself. Chiwetel Ejiofor would make a great candidate too! n

You made it onto the semifinals of Britain’s Got Talent and have featured on The Voice. What was your experience of being on these

Marvin’s next gigs at Lloyds Lounge in Exeter are on 22 and 29 September; www.marvinmuoneke.com / www.lloydslounge.co.uk