News and views June 2018

Upgrade your home with The Carpet and Homestore

Offering personal service with an acute attention to detail, The Carpet and Homestore in Penzance is a member of the Carpet Foundation, approved by the Trading Standards Institute. It’s also a member of the Cornwall Council Trading Standards ‘Buy with Confidence’ scheme, as well as the Carpet1st buying group which keeps costs down, meaning that replacing your carpet with The Carpet and Homestore is both cost effective and quality assured!

The team also offers a free, no-obligation measuring and quoting service, as well as friendly and expert advice that stems from 20 years of experience. Indeed, from start to finish, your new purchase is managed and made as easy as possible – whether you want to fit the carpet yourself or have the store’s team of DBS identity checked fitters install it for you! Why not pop in to the Longrock Business Park showroom?

For more information call 01736 330279 or visit www.carpetandhomestore.co.uk

Art exhibition brings together four artistic heavyweights

Through a dialogue between the artists Peter Doig, Denzil Forrester, Matthew Higgs and Kurt Jackson, the award-winning Jackson Foundation gallery celebrates the opening of two new exhibitions and reinforces its reputation for hosting eye-catching events. In a coup for the Cornish art scene, these four artistic heavyweights will discuss a range of artistic topics before the private view for the exhibitions Kurt Jackson: Seacrows and Denzil Forrester: From Trench Town to Porthtowan, also featuring a poetry reading by ‘dub-poet’ Linton Kwesi Johnson. Seacrows sees Kurt Jackson turn his gaze to the shags and cormorants that populate our waterways and From Trench Town to Porthtowan showcases Denzil Forrester’s immersive paintings curated by Peter Doig and Matthew Higgs. Both exhibitions run from 26th May to 23rd June at the Jackson Foundation Gallery.

For more information call 01736 787638 or visit www.jacksonfoundationgallery.com

Enjoy days out with a difference at Budock Vean Hotel

If you’re looking for a different kind of day out, then Budock Vean Hotel on the Helford river isn’t just a great place to stay for a holiday – there’s a lot going on that makes it a great place for locals to visit too! If golf is your thing, then the nine-hole parkland course provides a good challenge for a couple of hours, while the day spa is the perfect place to enjoy one of the team’s great Healing with the Seasons treatments before relaxing on the sun trap terrace and tucking into lunch or a cream tea. If the sun’s out, be sure to wander down through the hotel’s gardens and woodland to the river, where boat trips and kayak adventures depart daily from the private quay (book in advance).

For more information and to take Budock Vean’s fantastic 360-degree interactive tour, visit www.budockvean.co.uk/360

Summer fun is set in stone at Greens of Padstow

We recently discovered that Greens of Padstow is gearing up to open its new and improved mini golf course and we cannot wait to give it a go this summer! The team have been at the drawing board to create this immersive course, groundworks are being undertaken and the first phase of planting a Cornish themed garden – including fruit trees, coastal grasses, palm trees and herbs is underway.

The Greens of Padstow team have also commissioned three local sculptors: Peter Graham, Reece Ingram and Claire and Tim Stockings-Baker to create fun obstacles for the course with nature as the main inspiration. So, you’ll find something interesting to look at while you make your way around the course, as well as the incredible views over the Camel estuary
that is!

For more information call 01841 532002 or visit www.greenspadstow.co.uk

Experience Trebah Garden like never before

This summer Trebah Garden and Gaggle Haus present the epic Persian tale SCRAWW, told via an immersive soundtrack created by international sound designer and composer Max Pappenheim. The production marries the enchanting features of the garden with an even more captivating tale of birds and music. Audiences will don ‘silent disco’ headphones, join a flock and put on their feathers as they get led through the garden. Paths and plots twist as the flock move through this truly immersive soundscape before reaching the finale on Trebah’s picturesque private beach. Trebah is already established as a cultural hub with a growing reputation for performances however, it’s the first time it’s seen anything like SCRAWW in the midst of its beautiful gardens.

To find out more  visit www.trebah-garden.co.uk/amphitheatre

We catch up with the man behind Zebrafinch Hair

Owner of Zebrafinch Hair, Zeb Gethen has been passionate about hairdressing since he entered the trade 15 years ago. Once qualified, Zeb worked on fashion shoots and shows around the UK. Settling in Manchester, he started hairdressing at Nicky Clarke before moving to London. Eventually, not even the glamour of styling celebrities hair could stop Zeb being drawn towards the Duchy. On the back of his extensive experience across the UK, Zeb landed on Cornish shores and opened his own salon. Zeb tells us: “my salon is about making the client feel pampered. Taking time with appointments and making the most of my years in high-end salons.” Visit Zebrafinch Hair in Falmouth to experience the magic yourself.

For more information call 07548 539267 or visit www.zebrafinchhair.co.uk

Dive into your garden with a luxury spa from Spyrys Spas & Hot Tubs

The warmer weather is increasingly drawing us into our gardens, and you can transform your outdoor space this summer with the addition of a luxury hot tub.

Spyrys Spas & Hot Tubs is excited to announce the game-changing Spa Boy, an automated water maintenance system from Arctic Spas which represents the most important advancement in hot tubs in many years; allowing you to unwind and relax at the end of a long day and enjoy the experience of soaking in therapeutic salt water in your spa. For those cooler days it’s easy to keep the weather off while you enjoy your hot tub with an umbrella, sail shade, or perhaps a gazebo or an automated Covana cover. Visit Spyrys in their large indoor Wadebridge showroom to see the whole range of options available.

For more information call 01208 813760 or visit www.spyrys.co.uk

Introducing Cottage Creations

Having a natural talent for design and woodwork, Lucas Goodwin brings 30 years of experience to new venture, Cottage Creations. This fledgling company focuses on creating inspirational and handmade conservatories, annexes, porches and other bespoke projects. Lucas tells us: “we can create beautiful living spaces with stunning, characterful features turning any home into a distinctive, welcoming and spacious property.” Speaking from experience, Lucas built and designed his own annexe and conservatory, enhancing the existing character and contours of his period home. Lucas continues: “our annexe is built to the highest standard with many original features, whilst also creating a versatile living space.” Providing renovations, conversions or new-build projects, Cottage Creations will work with you to turn your concepts into a reality.

To find out more call 01736 711619, 07788 914429 or email lucasgoodwin6@gmail.com

The Hidden Hut – read all about it!

Having set up the Hidden Hut to great critical acclaim in 2011, Simon Stallard’s restaurant has gone from strength to strength, selling out consistently during the warmer months.

Set for release on 3rd May this year, Simon’s new book, The Hidden Hut, showcases irresistible feasts to share and remember with family and friends, from the ocean, fields and clifftops of Cornwall. It’s packed full of inspiration for creating a magical and memorable feast of your own, with dishes suitable for everyone, whether you’re cooking for four or forty, at home or on the beach.

Given that The Hidden Hut was ranked Number 1 in the Telegraph’s 25 Most Charming Seaside Restaurants in 2015 and that it appeared in Vogue’s Best Restaurants in Cornwall last year, a read through this fantastic new book is highly recommended to foodies everywhere!

To find out more visit www.hiddenhut.co.uk

Head to the trenches for a performance like no other

Follow in the footsteps of World War One soldiers and head to the trenches this summer from 18th June to 15th July. The Trench Bodmin tells the true stories of local Cornishmen who fought in the First World War. Enlist at Bodmin Keep and take on a real soldier’s identity. Board a steam train at Bodmin & Wenford Railway and head to the WWI replica trench to experience the chaos of battle first hand. Keep your head down though! This immersive experience will see you part of the action. As BBC on Collective Arts says: “if you thought theatre was about finding a comfortable seat in a warm room for a couple of hours, think again.” Will you survive? Your duty is clear – enlist today!

For more information and tickets call the box office on 01726 879500 or visit www.thetrenchbodmin.co.uk

The road to recovery

Regain Recovery is a rehabilitation centre in the heart of north Devon, on six acres of land, with a real sense of peace and tranquillity.

Founder Gerri Creedon tells us: “My vision was to create a safe, warm, friendly environment where individuals struggling with substance use could access treatment and recover – somewhere I’d be happy to go for treatment myself. I was determined to provide care and support for partners and loved ones too.”

In the last year alone, over 40 people have successfully completed the programme. Gerri’s aim is to empower people approaching recovery to enable them to help themselves, to learn as much as possible about substance use and the associated underlying issues.

“Understanding the causes and effects of substance use is a powerful tool on the recovery journey,” she says.

For more information call 01237 405200 or visit www.regainrecovery.com

Don’t miss the miracle of theatre this summer

This summer, Miracle Theatre’s new adaption of Chekhov’s bittersweet comedy, ‘The Cherry Orchard’ tours around the nooks and crannies of Cornwall. Popping up and being performed in unexpected and extraordinary places including gardens, beaches, castles and clifftops from 15th June. Director Ben Scott tells us: “each setting is transformed as night falls; the actors can never be sure what to expect and must be ready to respond to a dramatic moonrise, a sudden shower, or a wild animal trying to get in on the act.” The joy of open-air performance is that every night is different, for performers and audiences alike this is a genuinely unique and shared experience. Suitable for everyone and anyone, watching a performance outdoors truly brings the miracle of theatre to life.

For more information visit www.miracletheatre.co.uk or call 01209 216762

Penrose Kitchen introduce a tantalising selection of Cornish cheeses this season

Penrose Kitchen is going the extra mile this season, giving you the ultimate cheese board experience as part of its dinner menu. For the cheese lovers out there, what better way to top off your meal than with a selection of eight delicious cheeses? Four Cornish and four British, the cheeses are briefly described and cut at your table. This little extra touch brings an extra sophistication to the evening, mingling the usual restaurant protocol with a cheese tasting experience that will leave you wanting more. Owner Ben tells us: “cheese is special to us because we have it wherever we dine and particularly enjoy it with a little quality port to assist.” Providing the perfect end to a lovely dinner. Book a table now, over the phone or online via the website!

To find out more call 01872 225697 or visit www.penrosekitchen.co.uk

Mor means more when it comes to your home interior!

With a background in both luxury interior design and quantity surveying, Rebecca Rowe knows a thing or two about high end bespoke interiors. Through her new business, Mor Interiors, Rebecca is offering a fantastic service to anybody hoping to update their tired looking property, whether it’s residential, commercial or a holiday let.

Rebecca has access to a large network of tradespeople and she specialises in luxury design with hints of coastal chic, which couldn’t be more apt here in Cornwall. What’s more, having graduated with a degree in Interior Design from Falmouth University and since becoming a member of the British Institute of Interior Design, if you’re looking for somebody to change the way your property feels from the inside out, Rebecca has the skills, knowledge and flair to help you realise your vision.

For more information and for a free one-hour consultation call 07874 343731 or visit www.morinteriors.com

Coffee and kitesurfing at The Hoxton Special

With amazing views toward St Michael’s Mount, The Hoxton Special is an exciting venue for watersports and coffee lovers alike. Putting to use the abandoned lifeguarding hut, just along from the station house car park in Marazion, the hut offers fun and excitement for all the family.

With stand-up paddle board rental, kitesurfing lessons, yoga classes, and the best coffee on the beach, it’s a great venue for those that want to kick back with a lovely coffee having sent the younger ones off to do some activities under the watchful eye of the team.

Easy going and approachable, the whole crew is super friendly and always happy to help, and with their wealth of experience and qualifications, you know you’re in for a great day out.

For more information call 07572 432402, visit www.thehoxtonspecial.com or thehoxtonspecial on Facebook

Holiday home tips

In an ongoing series of holiday home tips, George at Cornish Traditional Cottages discusses the popular types of holiday home in Cornwall.

Whether you choose a mobile home, a lodge in a holiday park, a bungalow, semi-detached or detached house; folly, mansion, penthouse or castle, it’s very much up to your budget and then how you can make it appeal to tourists.

Quirky, unusual and interesting holiday homes, even cabins and caravans, if executed right, can attract a great deal of interest. They’re not necessarily the most expensive to rent, but because they offer a unique experience, they are often popular both in and out of season.

On the flip side, there will always be holiday makers who want that ‘home away from home’ experience. Whether this is a characterful cottage, smart townhouse or sprawling farm house; even quirky holiday homes have more appeal with these kinds of visitors when able to provide all the mod cons and facilities, while still retaining that individual character.

Of course, when it comes to choosing a holiday home, location is absolutely critical. As we touched on earlier on in this series, there are particular holiday home investment spots in Cornwall and location is key, but you don’t have to be in the heart of the action to make a profitable business from your venture. Just be mindful that as much as properties by the seaside sell for a premium, they also rent for a premium, so what you pay and what you’ll be able to earn will have parallels.

For more information call 01208 893980 or visit www.corncott.com

Calling all pirates!

The Smuggler’s Scuttler is a half marathon of swashbuckling proportions, set at the very end of land. Starting and finishing at Land’s End, after passing through Sennen Cove, Aire Point and Priest’s Cove, entrants will climb Cornwall’s bastion of rugged and alluring coastline to Cape Cornwall to collect their contraband. There’s even a real life shipwreck en-route with the remains of RMS Mulheim, as well as the stunning Longships Lighthouse, which is visible for the entire journey.

Bys Vyken Events, the host of this coastal caper, has been officially approved by Plastic Free Coastlines, taking responsibility in all of its events for the conservation of our environment, ensuring each run leaves the coastline plastic free.

For more information or to enter this summer event, visit www.bysvykenevents.vpweb.co.uk

Celebrating the value of volunteers

Volunteers at Cornwall Hospice Care save the Cornish charity a massive £1.2 million every year, an extraordinary saving that will be celebrated during the national Volunteers Week from 1st to 8th June.

The volunteer’s collective gift of time equates to 162,320 hours and ensures support in the charity’s clinical, retail and fundraising departments and in many of its offices. Cornwall Hospice Care’s Volunteer Services Manager, Sally Sandford tells us: “There are 8,760 hours in a year so our volunteers are giving us eighteen and a half year’s worth of time every 12 months. I can’t emphasise enough how much that means to our charity in terms of economy and efficiency. Quite simply, without our volunteers we would
be lost.”

There are a wide range of volunteer roles available at Cornwall Hospice Care to suit all ages and interests, in the hospices at
St Austell and Hayle, at the Neighbourhood Hubs in Penzance and Wadebridge, and in shops across Cornwall.

To find out more and to apply visit www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk/support-us/volunteering

Cook to perfection

David Retallack Kitchens is introducing its newest product for kitchen efficiency this spring, Samsung’s dual cook flex oven. Jo Retallack tells us: “the dual flex oven effectively creates two ovens from one without taking up valuable space,” highlighting that this is an oven that can multitask, so that you don’t have to. It’s often the case that we want to cook more than one thing at a time but with variable temperatures, this isn’t usually possible without two ovens. The dual cook solves this problem, allowing you to use different settings in the same oven.

Although this is the season for barbeques, it’s definitely worth thinking about the ease of a multi-tasking oven for those big family dinners during the colder months of the year!

For more information call01208 873283 or visit www.davidretallackkitchens.co.uk

Get comfortable with The Cornish Bed Company

Visit The Cornish Bed Company at the Royal Cornwall Show from 7th to 9th June and discover what makes its beds oh so comfortable. The dedicated team have been handcrafting beds for over 25 years using traditional foundry casting techniques, and have honed their skills to perfection. Garry Smith tells us: “we take satisfaction in knowing we produce the best beds found anywhere in the world and we do that right here in Cornwall.” The foundry and showroom in Par is open to explore and there are showrooms in Topsham, Devon and Chiswick, London too.
Also appearing at the Three Counties Show from 15th to 17th June, there are more than enough opportunities to get comfortable with the Cornish Bed Company this summer.

For more information call 01726 825182 or visit www.cornishbeds.co.uk

Transform your property into a dream home with Adrian Core

Based in south east Cornwall, the Adrian Core Bespoke Furniture team are ideally located to produce the perfect solution anywhere throughout the south west, and they relish a challenge.

They specialise in all aspects of high end bespoke internal furniture, from kitchens to bedrooms, cabinets to coffee tables, so whatever you’re looking for, you can guarantee that your creation will receive an attention to detail that is second to none, with plenty of options for aesthetic customisation.

As one of very few licensed fabricators of Dupont Corian in Cornwall, Adrian has vast experience of working with this solid surface, and the team can work with a vast array of materials, including glass, granite, marble and silestone, to name but a few! Having originally trained as a cabinet maker, Adrian is able to combine any of these materials with a solid wood of your choice, and the results are always stunning.

For more information call 01579 324174 or visit www.adriancore.co.uk

The north coast is calling

Tucked into a rolling hillside, Gwelva Hills is a luxury collection of nine self-catering lodges, boasting gorgeous views of Bude and the ocean beyond.

The perfect destination for those looking to escape from the fast pace of modern life, and spend time reconnecting with friends and family. Dogs are welcome in some of the properties, so your four-legged friends can join you on your Cornish retreat.

The two and three bedroom lodges have floor-to-ceiling windows, which frame the stunning views and allow natural light to flood the open-plan living areas.

The interiors are modern and sleek, with cool blues and pastel tones used throughout to reflect the surrounding coastline. Open all year, it’s always possible to relax, unwind and explore this beautiful part of Cornwall.”

For more information call 07816 416440 or visit www.gwelvahills.co.uk

Don’t miss the Weird Wonders of Nature this half term!

Something fishy is going on this half term at The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, but can you and your family see past the red herrings and help the team solve a marine mystery?

Find the culprit by taking part in The Captain’s Compass Quest; discover the culprit, and the Captain may reward you with a unique pop badge! Along the way, you can also take part in exciting science experiments all about the weird wonders of nature.

You and your little ones can enjoy all this and more at The Cornish Seal Sanctuary this half term, which is home to over 30 amazing animals and provides a home for rescued grey seal pups being rehabilitated to be released back into the wild. To make some fantastic savings on your tickets, head to the website!

For more information visit www.visitsealife.com/gweek

Sale now on at Cornwall Homestore!

You may know the Cornwall Homestore for furnishings to adorn the home or office, but have you seen the range of luxury accessories that’s available there too?

Create your style with finishing touches and designer details; perk up your palette with the latest colour trends. From candles to cushions, new bamboo wears to combat plastic waste; show stopping artwork to bling centrepieces, it’s all at the Cornwall Homestore.

Indeed, with bedroom, kitchen, lounge, dining and outdoor ranges available, you’ll find the perfect accessory, whether it’s to complete your home or a gift to a friend.

Set over two floors, the showroom has so much on offer, including a new-for-2018 full lighting range, and the experienced staff are always happy to help. The best part is, a sale is now on with multi-buy discounts available, so why not pencil a trip into the Cornwall Homestore now, before you miss it?.

For more information call 01326 377485 or visit www.cornwallhomestore.co.uk

Family fun for days at Polurrian Bay Hotel

For the little ones, free Kids Club activities include scratch art, pebble painting, loom bands, hama beads and face painting, while the Outdoor Play Zone gives adults and kids alike the chance to enjoy giant chess, giant snakes and ladders, hop scotch, and a host of other outdoor games, all against the stunning backdrop of Mounts Bay.

Children love the hotel’s Piskie Village Garden; piskies are fairy-like creatures that can only be found in Cornwall and according to the hotel staff, the piskies built their secret village in the hotel gardens!

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, the superb Cornish cuisine is one of Polurrian’s chief highlights, with the team of highly skilled chefs ensuring that only the finest, freshest ingredients are used. They even grow their own herbs!

For more information call 01326 240421 or visit www.polurrianbayhotel.com

Transform your bathroom with new designs from Interiora

Interiora has been working hard to create a bathroom range that oozes quality and stunning craftsmanship. Rather than bowing to standard bathroom furniture trends, the designers at Interiora look for more luxurious and sophisticated designs.

Visit the showroom in the beautiful Cornish harbour town of Newlyn, and discover the range of solid oak and teak cabinets that Interiora proudly stocks. Designer Charlotte Hall tells us: “these cabinets will transform any bathroom into an interesting and inviting space, offering maximum storage for all your bits and bobs.”

Interiora is ahead of the trend being the only showroom in Cornwall to currently offer this beautiful range from Line Art.

So, why not make a day of it and pop in to see these unique designs for yourself?

To find out more call 0800 038 5353 or visit www.interiora.co.uk