30.04.16

+ MARY BERRY

+ CORNWALL’S CUTEST CHILD

MODEL

+ COASTAL INTERIORS

PLUS:

23Ideas for Bank Holiday fun

How Sam Bailey juggles kids, marriage and career

the road

INSIDE:

+ SUMMER SANDALS

Life on

Cover_April30.indd 1 26/04/2016 12:41:20

Adjusting your heating from your phone sounds great – but what’s it really like?

We asked three Westcountry homeowners about their experiences switching from night storage heaters to ELKAtherm® electric radiators with HeatApp controls.

If you’re struggling with night storage heaters –guessing the temperature and trying to make the heat last all day – simply having instant, reliable warmth,whenever you want, must sound wonderful. So being able to adjust that heating using your tablet or mobile phone might seem like science fiction.

Cornwall-based South West Heatinghas already installed ELKAtherm® electric radiators, with HeatApp controls, in hundreds of Westcountry homes. The benefits are obvious:set the temperature and timing in every room, for a warm, cosy home without running up energy bills while you’re out. Pre-warm the house before you get home, and turn the heating up or down without even leaving your sofa. All the warmth you want, and save money at the same time.

But does the system deliver? We asked three South West homeowners to share their experiences.

“It’s a pleasure to be here”Jenny Wakelin from St Ives had struggled with night

storage heating for fifteen years before switching to ELKAtherm® heating in 2013. She is impressed by the performance of the new radiators.

“The night storage heaters were incredibly inefficient – the house was cold,” Jenny recalls. “Now we have a very even ambient temperature throughout the house. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

But what about the iPhone controls – are they easy to use?

“It’s a bit of a no-brainer, really. When my son came to visit I could sit at home and switch on the heating in the morning so the house was nice and warm when they got up – result:‘Thanks mum!’

“It’s been a revelation, really. How it’s transformed this house is amazing.”

“It just works”InTavistock, Louisa Chanter is similarly impressed.

“I like being able to use it from my phone, because I travel quite a lot,” she explains.

“When I’m coming back on the train I can turn the heating

on and make it any temperature I like, so it’s lovely when I

come in. I set the time once on each room and it just works.

It works from my phone and from my iPad; there’s no ugly

panels on the walls.It’s perfect.”

“The house is toasty”

Zoe Abbotts, fromRedruth, says switching to ELKAtherm®

heating has made a real difference – and not just to the

temperature of her home.

She explains: “It’s made my life less stressful. I don’t have

to constantly think about having wood for the fire, or the

storage heaters not working and the house being cold when I

come in from work.

“It’s all there on my app – I can turn the heating on an hour

before I leave work, and the house is toasty.”

You can hear Jenny, Zoe and Louisa’s stories in full, online: just search YouTube for “South West Heating”

If you’d like heating information and advice, call 01209 714600, visit southwestheatingsolutions.co.uk,

or write to us at ‘Freepost SOUTH WEST HEATING SOLUTIONS’

©LW

Ads.indd 2 25/04/2016 18:07:06

33

6 THE WISHLISTOur pick of the best treats this week

9 JUST BETWEEN US...Sh! We have the latest gossip!

12 SAM BAILEY IN THE SOUTH WEST The X-Factor star on tour with Chicago

16 MAKING A DIFFERENCELife with a Down’s syndrome daughter

22 COASTAL INTERIORSCreating light in a Grade II listed cottage

26 ANNE SWITHINBANKGrowing your own garden vegetables

28 BOTANICAL BEAUTYWe put   oral facials to the test

32 SUMMER SANDALS Yes, it’s time to get your toes out

34 CULTURE VULTUREWhat’s on and where to go

36 BOOST YOUR WELLBEING Smart ways to feel your best this week

42 WESTCOUNTRY WEEKENDSFrom sur� ng lessons to boutique hotels

46 FAMILY MOVIE?Phil Goodwin on the perils of Frozen

contents[ [Inside this week...

12 SAM IN THE SOUTH WESTThe X-Factor star plays Torquay and Truro

36 MAKE A MINI RETREATThe one-day yoga course you’ll love

WONDERFUL WEEKENDSWhere to go, what to do42

CHEESE PLEASETim Maddams makes curds and whey39

11 IN HIGH SPIRITSThe Westcountry distillers making waves

30 SUMMER SANDALSAnd how to wear them

‘I fear that women who think they are making a free choice are actually being denied the option

to keep their baby’

Hayley Goleniowska on life with a Down’s

syndrome daughter, p16

Contents_April30.indd 3 26/04/2016 13:20:34

Becky Sheaves, Editor Sarah Pitt Kathryn Clarke-McLeod Catherine Barnes Lynne Potter

4

[[ [[welcome[ [

nd today’s West is full of them. First up, you can read about the couple from South East Cornwall who were initially pole-axed to discover their new baby

had Down’s syndrome. Fast-forward a few years, though, and their family is enriched immeasur-ably by the presence of their youngest daughter Natty. She’s also now a success-ful child model (you may have spotted her in the Sainsbury’s school uniform adverts) and her big sister has written a book celebrating family life with Down’s syndrome. So if you need cheering up today, do read Catherine Barnes’ heart-warm-

ing account of meeting Natty and her family on page 16. Elsewhere in the magazine, we meet the former prison offi cer whose successful appearance on

The X-Factor led to a total change of life-style. Yes, we have an exclusive interview with singer Sam Bailey. Sam is on the road in the South West right now, playing the iconic role of Mama Morton

in Chicago at Torquay and Truro. Our celebrity interviewer Dawn Ellis hears how Sam juggles stardom with being a busy mum of three. Clue: there’s a very supportive husband involved! Have a great weekend.

[ [Sam Bailey is coming to the Westcountry, starring in Chicago

Becky Sheaves, Editor

We love a story with a happy ending...

[HAPPY FAMILIESCelebrating Down’s syndrome 16

EDITORIAL: westmag@westernmorningnews.co.ukTel: 01392 442250 Twitter @wmnwest

@ppaukGreat show by the lovely

ladies & sharp looking gents @ExeterRaces

@EquineHour @WMNWest

MEET THE TEAM

Becky Sheaves, Editor Sarah Pitt Kathryn Clarke-McLeod Catherine Barnes Lynne Potter

Tweetof the week

TO ADVERTISE: Contact Lynne Potter: 01752 293027 or 07834 568283, lynne.potter@dc-media.co.uk

A

COVER IMAGE: Beth Walsh

EDONETHING.indd 4 26/04/2016 12:59:51

55

Why not visit Buckfast Abbey? Nestled in the foothills of Dartmoor National Park, Buckfast Abbey o� ers all the ingredients for a great day out and entry is completely free. Soon to celebrate its Millennium, Buckfast Abbey is the only English medieval monastery to have been restored and used again for its original purpose. Visitors can enjoy walking around the Abbey Church and tranquil gar-

dens, as well as the Grange Restaurant and shops. Long associated with bee-keeping, Buckfast Abbey o� ers a variety of beekeeping courses, as well as regular garden walks and talks throughout the year. For details, visit www.buckfast.org.uk or call 01364 645500.

one thingIf you do

this week...

EDONETHING.indd 5 26/04/2016 13:01:57

6

Our top picks of the things you’ll love this week

wishlist

Jessica BentoWe spotted Jessica, aged 29, out

shopping in Exeter the other day. She’s from Brazil, over here improving her English. Jessica

says she spends a lot of time researching for out� t inspiration

“and whatever’s trending”. She told us she was looking for a new

jacket: “but it has to look cool”.

Skirt: Primark

Top: Primark

Belt: TK Maxx

Cardigan: Expressions

Hat: Primark

STREETSTYLE STAR

Send your stylish snaps of you or a friend looking fab to westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk

Emma Bridgewater Queen’s 90th birthday mug £19.95 from South

Molton-based www.dasiypark.co.uk

Hand enamelled limited edition

pineapple necklace £13.75 www.

acornandwill.co.uk

Console table £600 Dupere Design in Modbury and www.

duperedesign.com

Esse EL 13 AMP range cooker in teal green from £6,175 Hearth &

Cook showroom Exeter and hearthandcook.com

Happy

Hot stu�

Neat

Wishlist_April30.indd 6 26/04/2016 11:55:06

7

Wishlist

This new showroom in Exeter from the established Westcountry brand of Rangemoors o� ers a superb collection of Europe’s � nest brands for heating, cooking and living. If you’re in the market for quality stoves and range cookers, check out Hearth & Cook for the latest contemporary and traditional designs by Morso, Esse and La Cornue. We love that the appliances are all thoughtfully displayed and really allow you to get a true impression of how they would look in your own home Hearth & Cook is in Matford, Exeter, EX2 8WA. See hearthandcook.com or call 01392 797679.

adore...Store weHearth & Cook

Delilah chair £74.99 www.my-furniture.co.uk

Starfi sh pewter spoon £15 www.coastalhome.co.uk

Eva fi ve drawer jewellery box £69 www.

oliverbonas.com

Flamingo wall clock £3 Tiger in Drake Circus,

Plymouth and Exeter

Saffron & Saffron tropical glasses £10

each pasx.co.uk

fave!

Pink

Fresh

Stir it up

Wishlist_April30.indd 7 25/04/2016 16:49:49

8

talking points

BOHEMIAN elegance

OPTION BSlinkyEvening dress £295 Phase Eight

stealherstyle

OR MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Embroidered dress £189.99 navabi.co.uk

’m going to my 25-year high school reunion this month. Slightly terri-fi ed, not going to lie. Of

what, exactly? First of all, I’m nervous that I’m not going to rec-ognise people or remember them – 25 years have passed, after all. I haven’t seen most of these people since I was 18.

Secondly, there’s the whole “what have I achieved versus what have you achieved” sweep-stake. We have high achievers in our class. I haven’t made a habit of going through the alumni notes with a fi ne-toothed comb, but there are some elite athletes, academics and humanitarians in there. “Um, I go to spin class on a Friday, I’m on the PTA and in a book club” sounds a bit feeble if you’re talking to someone who’s won a Fulbright scholarship or the Boston Mara-thon. Or invented a fl oating clinic that goes around Lake Tanganyika bringing medical help to Africa’s poor. A woman in my class actually did that. I am not exaggerating.

There will also be, of course, people who are making a bajillion dollars a year, not a claim I can make, despite my sparkling prose.

Then there’s the question of ageing gracefully. Do I have more wrinkles or more grey hairs? Am I well preserved? I’ve been trying to exercise a bit more and watch-ing the edible treats. I’m not going so far as to go on a full-on diet specially for the reunion, but you know, I’m just being careful. Not entirely sure why – I was

probably a stone heavier than I am now in my teens. So anything up to 14 pounds would be an improvement.

The competitive element is made worse by the fact that the school has organised some events to celebrate our high achievers: I’m sure we’ll have to sit through various plaque presentations and ribbon cuttings. I should be proud that our class has made such a

positive contribu-tion to society, shouldn’t I, instead of sniping about it. But it mostly makes you feel like you’re 16 again, pouting in the background feel-ing envious.

I have a few really good friends going, and I am looking forward to seeing them. I also suspect I will be glad to see many good

acquaintances, if you know what I mean, people that you enjoyed waving to on the trek between classes, or standing next to in the dinner queue. It will be nice to see the campus again too.

I just hope this reunion doesn’t spark some sort of mid-life crisis. Talk to me in a few weeks: if I’m trying to found a new charity, in-vesting in South Korean stocks or training for the Iron Man, you’ll know why.

Wish me luck…

Story of my life...

Gillian Molesworth

Twenty-� ve years on, it’s school reunion time

Gillian Molesworth is a journalist and mum-of-two who grew up in the USA and moved to north Cornwall when she met her husband

I

‘Um, I go to spin class, I’m on the

PTA and in a book club’ sounds

a bit feeble if you’re talking to someone who’s won the Boston

Marathon

On her recent tour of India, the Duchess of Cam-bridge attended a party in New Delhi to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. She wore this demure yet eye-catching out� t by Somerset’s Alice Temperley, the £830 Delphia top paired with matching £1,705 skirt. According to Alice, the out� t “carries the season’s theme of global curiosities with opulent embroidery motifs of Indian chintz and lattice”. Happily for those of us with smaller dress allowances than Kate, you can � nd versions of this elegant boho look far more a� ordably on the high street right now - here are some of our favourites.

OPTION AStrikingEmbellished dress £325 Phase Eight

MoleyGossip_April30.indd 8 25/04/2016 15:45:16

She recently visited the Cornish village of Calstock

with her latest show, How To Be A Middle Aged Woman

(Without Going Insane) when on tour of the UK, and

will be coming to Exeter’s Northcott Theatre too, later

in the year. But despite being on the road, comedian Jenny Eclair’s admits she’s struggled

to come to terms with her daughter Phoebe, 27, leaving home. Jenny reveals on her

blog that she keeps forgetting Phoebe has gone “and buying

too many bananas that turn black in the fruit bowl and make me feel unbear-

ably sad”. But reassuringly, she adds that Phoebe does

regularly pop back home, “because it’s warm”. West

says: Keep the home � res (and central heating) burning!

JENNY’S EMPTY

NEST

9

Justbetween us!Gossip, news, trend setters and more – you

heard all the latest juicy stu here � rst!

30.04.16

She’s a Dame of the British Empire, played The Queen and is currently starring as military intelligence o� cer Colonel Katherine Powell in thriller The Eye In The Sky, but Helen Mirren says that playing strong, single-minded women doesn’t necessarily come easy, explaining: “What I always try to do with the roles that I play is to humanise them.

“To be human is to be full of con� ict about things; it’s not to be sure. Even the people who appear to be absolutely con� dent go home at night and go, ‘Am I right?’“My job as an actor is to show human vulnerabilities. Insecurity and vulner-ability are much more interesting.” West says: We wonder who’d play Helen in her own life story?

Good news for anyone with a daughter who’s fed up of wearing pink: Super-model Jourdan Dunn has turned her hand to fashion design and created a

‘neutral’ children’s range for M&S – including a dress that can be worn by girls or boys. Jourdan, 25, explains: “It’s for a girl who wants to rock her brother’s

oversized T-shirt as a dress, or the boy who wants to rock a cool sweat look.” She revealed that her “very opinionated” son Riley, six, helped try on samples when she designed The Lil’ LonDunn range and gave it the thumbs up. We’re

impressed, too.

‘Cool kids don’t have

to wear pink, you

know’ [[JOURDAN’S

HELEN: I’M

ONLY HUMAN

NEW DESIGNS

MoleyGossip_April30.indd 9 25/04/2016 15:46:13

10

in pictures

Mum’s the word: Tinker the Shetland pony has had a baby at Woodlands theme park, south Devon

Beautiful: Michaela Blight is the new Miss Plymouth

Five-a-day: Widewell School in

Plymouth has a new healthy-eating canteen

Well done: The Scouts did

a litter pick at Porth Beach,

near Newquay

WIP_LISTS_April30.indd 10 25/04/2016 16:15:17

11

High spirits

talking points

May Day

Kiss, kiss

10 Westcountry places to celebrate this Bank Holiday weekend

1 Ilfracombe2 Padstow 3 Lustleigh4 St Ives5 St Agnes6 Dunster7 Watchet8 Saltash9 Okehampton

10 Great Torrington

DID YOU KNOW?

This week:

Famous faces with links to the Westcountry

ONE OF US

The actor Art Malik lives in south Devon

Art Malik

The happy list

10 things to make you smile this week1 Shakespeare Twel� h

Night, Theatre Royal May 16-21

2 Victoria Wood a lovely woman, much missed

3 Scott & Bailey wonderful

4 Roo’s Beach Cornish surf style’s spring collection

5 Exeter Chiefs huge match vs Wasps, May 1 at home

6 Travels With My Aunt Exeter Northcott May 10-14

7 Natural Born Winners fascinating television

8 Asparagus in season now

9 Espadrilles it’s time

10 Celeste Barber Google her

10 memorable lipstick names:

1 Primp

2 Darling

3 Cosmic Raspberry

4 Vivaldi

5 Candy Yum Yum

6 Cat� ght

7 F-Bomb

8 Vogue en Violet

9 Femme de Luxe

10 Heartless

10 tipples made in the Westcountry

1 Rock Samphire Gin 2 Cornish Spirit brandy 3 Tarquin’s Dry Gin4 Elemental Cornish Gin5 Plymouth Gin6 Aval Dor Potato Vodka7 Bombo Rum8 Black Cow vodka9 Hicks & Healey Cornish

Whiskey 10 Yarde’s Devon Cider

Brandy

Acting: Art Malik, 63, is currently appearing in Indian Summers on Channel 4. His � rst major TV role was in Granada’s Jewel in the Crown in 1982 and he also played a doctor in Holby City between 2002-2005.

Devon: He doesn’t believe in working out: “I built a gym at home, which gathered dust. Now I walk a lot where I live in Devon, and do housework.”

Maharaja: Art is currently playing the Maharaja in Indian Summers, Channel 4’s last-days-of-the-Raj Sunday night drama.

Early days: He grew up in south London. “We lived through Enoch Powell’s Rivers of Blood speech, and at school in the Seventies there was a lot of talk about ‘paki-bashing’. You try to make sure that people don’t see your colour any more, that they see

you for who you are.”

Marriage: Art and his wife Gina met as students. “I adored her from day

one… I could see she was the person that could be with me on my journey through life. I thought: ‘We could do this together.’”

Trouble: In 1994 he ran up debts and his wife le� him: “I paid lots of attention to my ego, and not enough to my spirit. It was totally unhealthy, like an illness.” He and Gina later overcame their di� culties.

Islam: Art says he would not play an Islamist terrorist today. “At the moment, there is so much misunderstanding about a religion that is actually based on peace, tolerance and love. While I’m not a practicing Muslim myself – I lack faith – I’m not interested in playing one-dimensional terrorists either.”

Competition winners:

A Morso casserole dish from Hearth & Cook in Exeter: Melanie Stephens, MouseholeA £50 voucher to spend in Princesshay Shopping Centre, Exeter: Sheila Woodhouse, Bovey Tracey

Art is a railway

enthusiast and has a

large model railway in his

Dartington home

WIP_LISTS_April30.indd 11 25/04/2016 16:17:04

12

People

here’s no doubt about it, X-Factor winner Sam Bailey has a busy life these days.

She juggles being a mum of three, a successful career and life on the road and, after a lot of practice, she

now has it all down to a fine art.When we speak, Sam is in a hotel room eating

a late breakfast with her 19-month-old toddler Miley, whose godmother is none other than Sam’s mentor on the X-Factor, rock royalty Sharon Osbourne.

Every now and again the interview breaks off as Sam has to tell her young daughter to stop opening all the drawers. Then it is time to wipe Miley’s face, as it’s covered in chocolate after eating a room-service pain au chocolat.

Her supportive husband Craig has taken their other two children, Tommy and Brooke, to the cinema so we can chat about Sam’s latest project, playing the formidable Mama Morton in the mu-sical Chicago, currently on tour in the South West.

The hit show is all about murder, greed and corruption, all with a hefty dose of glamour, high kicks and some great tunes.

“To be honest, I have to pinch myself quite a bit when I think about being in the show,” she says.

“It’s an incredible musical and a brilliant op-portunity for me.

“This year the musical cele-brates its 20th an-niversary. If they ever have a party for the 50th an-niversary I’d love an invite.

“What a party that would be, with all the famous actors and actresses that have had parts in it over the years,” she jokes.

Mama Morton is the corrupt prison matron, and was played in the 2002 film of Chicago by Queen Latifah. The irony that she is a prison of-ficer hasn’t been lost on Sam, who was herself working in HM Prison Gartree when she first au-ditioned for X-Factor three years ago.

“The job is totally different in Chicago to real

life,” says Sam reassuringly. “Mama Morton does favours for money, it’s not how real prison life is today.”

Perhaps surprisingly, despite living the dream and having a thriving career, she does miss her old job. “I did it for three years and I do miss the

people I worked with,” said Sam.

“I have the utmost respect for anyone who is working as a prison officer nowadays. It’s a lot harder these days in that pro-fession because

of changes to the prison system. I do what I can to support them and will always stand by them.”

Sam was catapulted to fame almost overnight when she won the 2013 series of The X-Factor. Her single Skyscraper sold more than 300,000 copies and rocketed to the top of the charts.

Syco, Simon Cowell’s company, recently decid-ed not to renew her contract but Sam says she is not fazed. “I wouldn’t say it changed me, winning

A very coolmama

SAm BAiley

[[T

‘While I am working, Craig

is at home with the kids.

He really is amazing’

By Dawn Ellis

She went from real-life prison officer to overnight sensation when she won X-Factor in 2013. Now singer and mum-of-three Sam Bailey is on the road in the South West as jail

matron mama morton, starring in the musical Chicago

SamBailey.indd 12 26/04/2016 11:56:15

13

SamBailey.indd 13 25/04/2016 17:03:08

the show,” she says. “I said I wanted to work on my own terms and continue to be normal. The whole time I was with Syco I was put on a ped-estal. You have lots of security around you and I didn’t really like it.

“I like my independence. Record companies want you to have a driver, make-up artist and all these things. I want to drive myself and put on my own make-up.”

She is also looking terrific these days, having lost two and a half stone since her time on The X-Factor. She’s pleased that her fellow contest-ants, including Devon’s Luke Friend are doing well these days. The dreadlocked Teignmouth singer has recently signed a deal with BMG Germany.

“It’s great he’s doing good.” As she breaks off to warn Miley about making a mess in the hotel room, the conversation moves to life on the road.Sam knew that taking the role in Chicago was a big commitment as it meant six months living out of a suitcase, but says she just couldn’t turn such an iconic role and exciting opportunity down.

So how does she make it work? Well, behind this strong woman is a very supportive husband.

Sam is full of praise for her husband Craig who “backs her all the way” and helps bring up the children while she’s away working.

The Mum of the Year 2013 award-winner says she has worked hard to get the balance right when it comes to touring with Chicago and making sure she has time for her children, who are clearly the apple of her eye.

“When they are on school holidays I arrange for my accommodation to be big enough to enable

them to come along with me,” says Sam.

“We need a big hotel room with lots of space, which Miley is currently wreck-ing,” she jokes.

”When I’m not at home in Leices-

ter and the kids are at school, I only get to see them on Sundays as I’m away touring with Chi-cago. So I make sure our Sundays are really spe-cial. This Sunday we are off to Disney on Ice and then watching the football as Leicester City are playing.

“The kids want to make waffles and have a waf-fles and chocolate evening so we’ll do that too. Then on Monday morning I’ll take them to school and I’ll go off to my next tour venue. There’s no rest for the wicked.

“I said to Craig, maybe he should have the Mum of the Year award now as he’s at home with the kids while I’m away. He really is amazing.

“All of his mates take the mickey out of him and call him Mum. They tell him he should go shopping instead of going to the pub with them,” she jokes.

She says her two older children are already show-ing signs of following in her showbiz footsteps.

“My eldest, Brooke, loves stage management,” says Sam proudly.

“When I did panto last Christmas, Brooke was helping backstage with props. When I do panto this year in my home town of Leicester she’ll come along and learn the ropes.

“My son Tommy loves the camera, if you have one, he’s in front of it.

“As for Miley, she’s just into everything.”Sam says she is looking forward to stopping

off in Torquay this week, where she can catch up with some of her relatives. Craig’s sister Diane and husband Dez Mildren live in Torbay. The couple drummed up lots of support for Sam in the Westcountry when she was on The X-Factor.

“They are coming to see the show and we’ll see them,” she said. “I don’t get to come down that often at all as it’s quite difficult to come down when you’ve got three kids and commitments, so this is a real treat.”See Chicago at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, tonight (April 30) and at The Hall for Cornwall, Truro, from May 2-7

14

‘I like my independence –

I want to drive myself and

put on my own make-up’

SamBailey.indd 14 26/04/2016 11:57:27

15

People

Sam Bailey (right) as Mama Morton in

Chicago

Husband Craig, pictured with their son Tommy, is

Sam’s “rock”, she says

SamBailey.indd 15 25/04/2016 17:04:46

16

PeopleChild model Natty lives in north Cornwall with her family

PH

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MIL

Y W

HIT

FIE

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-WIC

KS

DownsideUp_April30.indd 16 25/04/2016 14:28:18

17

SHE’S OUR GIRLMeet Natty, nine, the model with Down’s syndrome

he front door is fl ung open and a small and utterly beguiling person with honey-coloured hair envelops me in a hug, before adopting a more formal mien and going in for a hand-shake.

Natty Goleniowska’s natural fi zz has the instant feel-good factor of champagne – so it’s little wonder she spar-kles in front of the camera. The nine-year-old model, who was born with Down’s syndrome, made national news when she became the face of Sainsbury’s Back To School campaign last year.

For her mum Hayley, who was inspired by her young-est daughter to begin award-winning blog Downs Side Up, “Natty’s success is more than just a personal achieve-ment,” she says. “It’s about breaking down barriers.”

If Natty is blazing a trail for young people who have Down’s syndrome, then Hayley is doing it for all the mums and dads who hear “I’m sorry,” instead of sincere congrat-ulations, when their baby is born.

No shrinking violet, Natty talks nineteen to the dozen, leading the way into the kitchen where dad Bob and older sister Mia, 12, are keeping an eye on dinner – and it smells delicious.

Right now, the family is looking forward to the weekend. Their north Cornwall home is just a short trot from the local stables, where both girls love to ride ponies. Natty proudly recounts how she did 35 lengths at swimming lessons this week. She also played a part in her primary school assembly, beautifully declaiming the lines she had memorised. Then, when she thinks no-one’s looking, she surreptitiously delves in my handbag, trying on a pair of sunglasses for size.

Caught in the act: “It’s fi ne, my special girl,” she says reassuringly, gently patting my hand.

T

By Catherine Barnes

DownsideUp_April30.indd 17 25/04/2016 14:28:52

18

People

“Put them back, now” Hayley says fi rmly and Natty reluctantly obliges, but not before bestow-ing each lens with a reverent and smudgy kiss.

Heaven knows it must be a struggle at times to maintain the parental upper hand with a child who has an Oscar-worthy talent for spellbinding total strangers.

“We’re as tough on her as we are on Mia, al-though she probably gets away with a little bit more,” admits Hayley, who has established a global following online through her website Down’s Side Up. It supports other parents of children with this condition and also tackles the social prejudices which, sadly, still surround being born with an extra chromosome.

“Awareness is a word I don’t like, as everyone is aware of Down’s syndrome, but I think people

have outdated stereotypes,” says Hayley. “I prefer to think of what I do as educating and changing perceptions.” Both she and Bob, 59, candidly admit that they had to overcome their own fears and prejudices– fostered due to a sheer lack of positive infor-mation – when Natalia (Natty for short) was born.

Hayley, 46, who used to be a teacher and Bob, a former music industry executive, were already parents to Mia, then three, when Natty was dashed into hospital following her home birth. It was then that doctors told them their newborn had Down’s syndrome.

“I was fl oored,” admits Hayley “And it took me a long time to get my head round it. I went into proper physical shock. All I could imagine was National Health haircuts and glasses. I thought

people would stare at her and perhaps laugh. All total non-sense, of course, but I’d only ever seen people with Down’s syndrome at a distance.

“I’m a great researcher, so I sat and Googled the condition, but there was some really awful stuff out there. I was even given a book, written in the 1970s which said: ‘It’s not

known if they can be socialised enough to go out for a meal, because it’s never been done’. Well,

Natty, nine, has appeared in numerous modelling assignments

‘I was � oored. It took me a long time to get my head round it’

DownsideUp_April30.indd 18 25/04/2016 14:29:31

19

Mia, 12, says she is very proud of her little

sister’s achievements

DownsideUp_April30.indd 19 25/04/2016 14:29:59

20

two months after she was out of hospital, she was in a car seat on the table of a restaurant being socialised!”

Hayley had opted against having invasive ante-natal tests, which may have determined whether the baby she was expecting had Down’s but can increase the risk of miscarriage.

“We all want our babies to be ‘perfect’,” she says. “I always said when I was preg-nant, I don’t care what sex it is, so long as it’s healthy. But what if it isn’t? Doesn’t that count?”

While she stresses that she is not a pro-life campaigner, Hayley has concerns over newly-introduced NHS blood tests, which can determine whether a foetus has Down’s from just 14 weeks.

Since 1967, it’s been legally possible for a pregnancy to be terminated when an unborn baby is diagnosed with the condition, right up to 40 weeks into a pregnancy (full-term) and even during labour.

“I’m not pro-life, I’m pro choice, much as I feel Down’s syndrome alone isn’t a reason for termination,” explains Hayley.

“Women are given a bleak message and you’re not given a balanced view of raising a child with

Down’s syndrome. I feel it’s a human rights issue when one particular genetic group is targeted in this way.

“Within minutes of being given the diagnosis folowing screening, you are being offered a so-lution to euthanise the baby and 90 per cent of people do just that. I want unbiased information

at point of diagnosis so that parents can make truly in-formed choices.

“Natty may never have chil-dren, but she’ll be an auntie and I hope one day she’ll have a relationship. Bob wants to walk her down the aisle.

“I fear that women who think they are making a free choice are actually being denied the option to keep their baby.”

Hayley was recently fi lmed for a BBC documentary that the Bridget Jones and Miran-da actress Sally Phillips has made about the impact of the new ante-natal screening and how the future may look, in terms of people with disabili-ties.

Sally, whose oldest son, Ollie, has Down’s syn-drome, recently said: “The leafl ets that are given out in hospital about Down’s are basically a list of things that could possibly go wrong. Imagine

if you had a child and you were given a list of things such as, ‘Your child may become a crack addict or your child has a one in three chance of dying of cancer.’”

“Sally was lovely, we really hit it off,” smiles Hayley. “She described being a special needs mum as being part of a private members’ club no one wants to join, but once you do it’s wonder-ful.”

Natty’s latest modelling assignment was for Cornwall-based childrens’ clothing company Frugi. Her big sister Mia says she doesn’t feel left out: “I feel really proud of her. I don’t really like modelling. I wouldn’t say I’m a girly girl and I prefer different things, like riding.”

Mia’s modest about her own achievements – she’s spoken at school assemblies and even nurs-ing conventions about Down’s syndrome from a sibling’s perspective. And then there’s her book, I Love You Natty (fi nd it on Amazon and at Wa-terstones Truro) which Mia wrote especially for her little sister. A follow up, I Love My Life, from Natty’s point of view, is on the way.

So can we talk a little more about the model-ling? “Oh yes,” says Natty, tossing her shiny hair over one shoulder, totally ready for her close-up.

“You have to do this... and this... And I can dance as well and put my hands on my hips...”

“Natty’s the fi rst poster girl with Down’s and the public reaction to the Sainsbury’s campaign was great. People were so excited by it,” smiles Hayley. “I hope it gives hope to other parents.”Visit www.downssideup.com

‘I fear that women who

think they are making a free

choice are actually being

denied the option to keep

their baby’

Natty, left with dad Bob, mum Hayley and sister

Mia, at home in Cornwall

People

DownsideUp_April30.indd 20 25/04/2016 14:30:37

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22

The Grade II listed cottage in south Devon is now filled with light

Interiors_April30.indd 22 25/04/2016 16:51:58

23

Interiors

he sparkling sea glimpsed from the win-dows of Coach House Cottage, close to Slapton Sands in south Devon, gave de-signer Josephine Burlingham her cue

for revamping its interior. Quite simply, it needed more light. “It is a really charming little cottage, but it was quite outdated and it felt small because it has lots of small rooms,” she says.

And while knocking down thick internal walls clearly was not an option in this Grade II listed cot-tage, she has instead used clever strategies to give more of a feeling of space.

For the paints and soft furnishings she has gone for a soft palette of colours to give the illusion of space. “I picked the palest colours to make it feel as light as possible,” she says.

The subtle creams and not-quite-whites on walls, ceilings and woodwork are all from Farrow & Ball, based in Dorset. “I think for older properties their paints give the best results,” she says. “I always want houses to feel warm and welcoming, so for that reason I never use pure brilliant white.”

In the upstairs sitting and dining room, she has chosen Farrow & Ball’s Pointing for the walls, and the deeper shade Old White for the beams, to draw the eye to the ceiling and make the room feel loftier.

She also created more space by removing the modern partition wall between the boxed off kitchen and the main living space.

“We have opened up the space as it would original-ly been,” she says. “I wanted to create a more social environment, because it isn’t much fun if you are here on holiday and one of you is shut in the kitchen. This is a much better use of the space, and it makes it lighter too.”

She chose curvaceous units from Neptune for the kitchen, which gives them a decorative quality adding to the rest of the room, where guests sit admiring the sea views. “I just loved that curved edge,” she says.

She uses the same gentle palette of soft greys, greens, blues and creams through the whole house. “We kept the colours flowing through the house,” she says. “I have gone for very soft Swedish and French

T

Interior designer Josephine Burlingham has brought light and a feeling of space to an ‘upside down’ cottage beside the sea. Sarah Pitt takes a look around

Let there be light

Interiors_April30.indd 23 26/04/2016 11:59:56

24

greys, duck egg blues and sage greens, with lots of emphasis on natural textures and fabrics. In the kitchen we put in a lovely Shaker style kitch-en. All the emphasis was on keeping it as natural as possible.”

Among the soft furnishing fabrics is a charm-ing hare print, used for the curtains in the single bedroom, from textile company Peony & Sage, based in the Scottish Borders. Josephine col-laborated with its designer Kimberley Bell to produce her own fabric, Speckled Egg, which is used in the sitting room.

“Between us we came up with this print, which is my fi rst-ever fabric, so it is really really excit-ing,” says Josephine. “I love her work. It is that Scandinavian look, slightly faded featuring illus-

Interiors

trations, and each one is slightly different.”

Another Peony & Sage fabric, ‘Seagull’, has been used to make lampshades to revamp an old Laura Ashley central light fea-ture in the sitting room. This is refl ected in the large gilt mirror hanging above the woodburner, which also makes the room feel bigger.

“I use mirrors as second windows,” says Jose-phine. “They bounce the light and create interest-ing pictures of their own when you are walking past.” She also likes to place jars of pussy willow in front of her mirrors. “They add interest with-

out blocking the light,” she says.Downstairs, Josephine con-

verted what had been the third bedroom into a spacious bath-room, to replace the rather cramped bathroom under the stairs featuring a metre-long Japanese bath. This became a cloakroom, featuring shells and a scalloped mirror, a fi nd which

looks more expensive than it is “from Homebase, of all places”.

The owner Sebastian Piech, who lives in Japan with his Japanese wife and their children, com-missioned Josephine to revamp the cottage from afar. He has not yet seen her transformation.

“He was so lovely, he said ‘this is your budget, I completely trust whatever you do’,” she says. She saved money by reusing furniture – covering the sofa and the armchair in the sitting room – and getting her paintbrush out to transform cheap thrift shop, eBay and Etsy and high street fi nds.

“I found lamps I loved the shape of, but not the colour, so I ended up painting and waxing them myself. The lights each side of the sofa were bril-liant turquoise, so I distressed them. My advice to people is just look at the shape, don’t worry about the colour. If a piece is well-made but the colour isn’t right, we can address that.”

She employed the same thrifty strategy in sourcing pictures for the walls. “All the paintings were to do with the sea and boats, but I found some postcards online of Slapton Sands which I got framed.”

She is, she says, delighted with the look she has created. “It is just such a lovely place, I adored working there. It has got such a charm to it.” Coach House Cottage (L183) is available to rent from Helpful Holidays, see www.helpfulholi-days.co.uk

‘I used mirrors as second

windows. They bounce the

light and create interesting

pictures of their own’ [[

The pretty cottage at Slapton Sands has been

completely renovated

Interiors_April30.indd 24 26/04/2016 12:01:36

25

GET THELOOK

Add subtle colours and distressed nishes for modern country style

Emile French-style chest of drawers £349

www.swooneditions.com

Richmond lamp table £85 www.thewhitelighthousefurniture.co.uk

Blue bird drawer knob £4.99 www.oakroomshop.co.uk

Sophie Allport butterfly jam jar £12

www.sophieallport.com

Besselink & Jones shell hand-carved wooden

wall light £1,699 www.besselink.com

Florentine gilt mirror £1,250 www.katethurlow.co.uk

Interiors_April30.indd 25 25/04/2016 16:54:41

elicious but comparatively expen-sive to buy, French beans are a number one crop to grow at home. Started under glass in modules

and then planted out, they are usually trouble-free and there are so many varieties to try. In the shops, fi ne cylindrical Kenya or ‘fi let’ types predominate, occasionally joined by fl at-podded ‘Hunter’ beans but the range available to a home-grower is much wider.

The biggest division is between dwarf and climbing kinds. In practical terms, climbers will need supports but take up less ground space and are a lot easier to pick. The dwarf kinds don’t need a frame to climb but much bending or squatting is needed to gather your crop. Some varieties hide their beans under foliage, while others present them above the leaves, making them much easier to see and harvest. From then on, you can decide between pod shape and colour. I like to grow at least three varieties, so I can bring green, purple and either creamy or maroon-fl ecked pods to the kitchen.

To be sure of the longest cropping season, my fi rst sowing is usually made at the beginning of April. This year I chose the unexciting but tasty and productive dwarf variety ‘Delinel’. French beans originate from Mexico, Guatemala and parts of the Andes, have a long history of cultiva-

tion and were brought to Europe during the Spanish conquest in the early sixteenth century. Not surprisingly, seeds require a tem-perature above 10 C/50 F to ger-minate well and so far this spring nights have been mainly cold with ground frosts.

If, like me, your greenhouse is unheated it is best to wait until temperatures rise or make use of a cosy thermostatically control-led propagating case (mine is set at 17 C/63 F). These need careful monitoring, as sunny days can send temperatures soaring and by 9am the lid should come off for the rest of the day to let air circu-

late. The ‘Delinel’ have germinated well and once the night temperatures have picked up, they’ll move fi rst to the staging, then outdoors by day and eventually night as well before being planted out. Good, well-cultivated soil brings the best results but spacing is down to personal choice. Having grown the plants in modules, they are easily placed 23cm/9in apart so each can deliver the best crop.

Should this cold spring continue, I might even plant some out in beds under glass. There’s no reason why this should not work, as long as pol-

26

Gardens

D

Dwarf beans don’t need a

frame to climb but much

bending and squatting is

needed to gather your crop [[

Devon’s Anne Swithinbank, panellist on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, is starting to sow

beans under glass in her garden

ANNE SWITHINBANK

French beans

Gardens_April30.indd 26 25/04/2016 15:26:03

I have a new fence to hide. What quick climbing plants can I grow from seed, while permanent plants are thickening up?

Whatever you grow, these temporary cover-ings must not be allowed to smother your per-manent climbers and fence shrubs, so monitor them carefully. Years ago I had a similar situa-tion and grew ornamental gourds. These were fabulous and gave us a huge variety of fruits, some bicolored and others golden and warty. In between, for flower colour, were morning glory ‘Heavenly Blue’, my second favourite after irri-descent, purple ‘Grandpa Otts’. These need warm conditions to grow on, or their foliage blanches in the cold. Eccremocarpus scaber (Chilean glory vine) is fun and after a mild winter, will return to life the following year. I’d like to recommend canary creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum) which can soon be sown straight to the soil (sow the rest into pots first) and late-flowering cup and saucer vine (Cobaea scandens) but both of these can produce an enormous quantity of growth.

27

I’ve sown carrots and peas direct at the beginning of the month but they have not appeared yet. Should I try again?

You must take no notice of calendar advice (even mine) without taking weather into account. Those on well-draining, sandy soil might get away with early outdoor sowings but this spring has been mostly cold, wet or both, which on heav-ier soils means seeds are more likely to rot than germinate. You could try covering soil with poly-thene cloches to warm it up. Raised beds tend to warm up and dry out faster than flat ground, so a few of these would help with earlier sowings. Wait for properly warm soil, then try again.

Q

Question time with AnneWest reader queries answered by Anne Swithinbank

Send your questions to Anne at westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk

This week’s gardening tipsAnne’s advice for your garden

Q

• The trunks of young trees are swelling and tree ties could be biting in. Loosen them or remove unwanted stakes.

• Start cold-hardy leeks such as ‘Below Zero’ or ‘Lyon Prizetaker’ by sowing into pots or trays first. Transplant while still small, one per deep root trainer module or the inner of a loo roll. Prepare by making four evenly spaced 2cm/half inch slits up from the bottom, then fold flaps in to make a base. Fill with compost.

• Sow sweet corn straight into long modules under glass.

• Sow runner bean seeds 5cm/2in apart across the top of shallow 15cm/6in pots or into modules under glass.

• Tend permanent outdoor container plants (olives, agapanthus, lilies, shrubs) by weeding their pots, applying a slow release fertilizer to the surface and top dressing with fresh compost. Make sure they don’t dry out.

• Set tomatoes into bottomless pots of compost over growing bags in the greenhouse with nylon string under their roots, to tie above them for support.

Stake herbaceous perennials before they need it, by pushing in specially designed supports or making your own from twiggy sticks and string.

linating insects have access through door and vents. Town gardeners with tiny plots can grow them in large containers.

For a good succession, I’ll sow again now, with perhaps a climbing variety but which one? From Suttons of Paignton (0844 326 2200 www.suttons.co.uk) I have a mixed packet of white, brown-gold and apricot-coloured beans belonging to purple ‘Carminat’, green ‘Monte Cristo’ and pale yellow-ish ‘Monte Gusto’.

I rather like the idea of them growing together and will fix up wigwams of hazel poles or canes. Mark a 60cm/2ft diameter circle on the ground, make five deep, evenly spaced holes around the circumference using a metal pin and firm the poles into them. Tie the tops in over the centre

and the support is made.There’s a packet of ‘Neckar Queen’ in the tin

too, whose stringless green pods are said to keep coming even when conditions are less than ideal in a poor summer. This was also the case with ‘Jimenez’, whose flattish, red-flecked cream pods were abundant despite last year’s poor summer. This is a borlotti type, so I could allow some of the pods to swell for shelling and drying.

When the soil has properly warmed up, direct sowings are an option but in my garden, these seem doomed to failure. The soil is either too wet or too dry, there’s a sudden dip in temperature or when they do germinate, maggots of bean seed fly damage the emerging seedlings beyond repair. So this is one crop I will always start under glass.

Gardens_April30.indd 27 25/04/2016 15:27:22

28

Review

GentleSisley Lyslait cleansing milk (House of Fraser,

£70) This creamy milk

contains white lily extract and dissolves

make-up gently for dry/sensitive skin.

ontrary to convention, I’m going to start this review a full 24 hours after the treatment ended, right about when I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom

mirror. Even in the weak fl uores-cent light typical of offi ce build-ings I could tell something spe-cial had happened. My skin was all at once smooth (think marble statue of Greek goddess) glowing and undeniably plumped.

Anyone who bumped into me might have thought I was back from a week’s spa break. Not so. My secret? A facial courtesy of Sisley in Exeter’s House of Fraser. I’ve passed the beauty counter in this department store more times than I could count, but it came as a surprise to hear they had a treat-ment room at their disposal.

Rewind 24 hours. I meet my therapist, who has worked for the Sisley brand for 12 years and whose hands are responsible for my radi-ant new complexion. I like to look at the skin of brand ambassadors, and she has a complex-ion many women in their twenties would envy. I’m already impressed.

Botanical boost

Beauty

A Sisley facial is the pinnacle of plant-based pampering discovers Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod

C

We head off to the treatment room, a pristine all-white sanctu-ary tucked away on the fi rst fl oor. She chats to me briefl y about my skincare ritual (minimal) and my daily routine (hectic) and then gets to work.

Sisley is known for being at the forefront of phyto-cosmetology, and plant-based extracts sit at

the heart of the prestigious family-owned brand. Indeed, the hour that follows is like a wander through the botanical gardens of the world.

My face and décolleté are cleansed with deli-cately scented cleansing milk that contains white lily. My tight and sensitive skin feels instantly more comfortable and supple. The milk is wiped off in gentle strokes and replaced with a dry exfo-liator containing essential oils. It is applied with

gentle pats and then buffed off with small circu-lar movements, goodbye rough patches! My face is then smothered with a sumptuous mask con-taining red clay, designed to boost radiance and deep cleanse the skin. Five minutes is all it needs and by the time it is gently cleared away my skin has the most delightful tingle. But the best is yet to come. A massage designed to stimulate lym-phatic drainage and boost circulation soothes me into a state very near sleep.

Before I go I am treated to quenching layers of moisturisers that include the potent hydra-global and bestseller All Day All Year cream. I step out with skin that is impressively soft, calm, dewy and remarkably clear. My verdict? This is an essential skin reboot.Facial treatments are available at the Sisley counter, House of Fraser, Exeter. Call 01392 223000 ext.3019 to � nd out more.

My skin was all at once smooth

(think marble statue of Greek

goddess) glowing and undeniably

plumped [[fave!

Sisley Radiant Glow express mask (House of

Fraser, £73) The absorbent

properties of the red clay in this mask

help eliminate impurities that dull the

complexion.

Sisley All Day All Year (House of Fraser, £236)

This award-winning cream is a potent

protective shield for your skin, � ghting

everything from stress to UVA/UVB.

Sisley Hydra-Global (House of Fraser, £145)

Intensive hydration that includes lavender,

sage and wild pansy. Skin is instantly

plumped and glowing.

Radiant Protective Glowing

Beauty_Grid_April30.indd 28 25/04/2016 15:54:58

29

Shop

+

Coat £149 East

Metallic clutch £149 Dune

Hat £28 Very

Jacket £250 Phase Eight

Hat £60 to hire www.hollyyoungboutique.comFascinator £10 M&Co

+

Embellished clutch £45 Next

+ + +

+

Bolero £25 BHS

Floral clutch £25 Next

The editYour straight line to style: smart looks for the mother of the bride

Beauty_Grid_April30.indd 29 25/04/2016 15:56:08

30

Super sandals

ersatile, a leap above the fl ip-fl op and cool on the feet in both senses of the word, sandals are one of our favourite things about summer. Did we mention they offer your tootsies the perfect mix

of comfort and style? Perfect for long days sight-seeing in a European city or simply for making the short trip from your apartment to the pool during a well-deserved holiday.This year the catwalks welcomed back the trusty

gladiator sandal as well as showcasing lace-ups and metallic sliders.

For maximum comfort and support we suggest

you invest in a good pair of sliders with a thicker sole.

Fashionistas will pair lace up gladiator sandals with a maxi

dress or opt for a pair of metallic sandals – which promise to be versa-

tile, go with any outfi t - and take you from day to night. Have fun!

V

Multicoloured sandals £22.99 New Look

BY: ELLIE JONES

Super Super Super

Glittery heels £55 La Redoute

Lace up sandals £25 Marks & Spencer

Fashion_April30.indd 30 25/04/2016 14:40:02

31

Sunrise sandal in citrine £29.95 Seasalt

Cornwall

Fashion

Blue sandals £28

JD Williams

Silver sliders

£40 Dune

Lace-ups £69 Look Again

Gladiator sandals £60 Office

Fashion_April30.indd 31 25/04/2016 14:40:57

ong have I resisted the lure of dun-garees. I stood fast. ‘I am not a fi ve-year-old off to a playdate’ I retorted when a friend held a pair out to me on a shopping trip. I saw them as a

blip, a retro anomaly on the fashion landscape. That was 18 months ago. I have to admit, it

looks like this style isn’t going away soon. In fact, like any species with survival skills, it

has adapted to suit the environment better. This season, the result is the dungaree dress.

Playful shoulder straps with front fasteners up top, and a fi tted pencil skirt down below. This variation is infi nitely more wearable than its trousered predecessor. Here’s how: on warmer days a simple striped top will offer a dose of casual chic underneath this style of dress. Bit of a nip in the air? Long sleeved variations work just as well.

If a cold snap sets in or if you want to continue with the trend into next season, then you will be glad to know that a chunky knit turtleneck also looks fantastic under one of these beauties. Pair it with opaque black tights and lace up ankle boots for snug style that is sure to turn heads.

There are quite a few variations on offer, and the fabric used can have a huge impact on the scope of the occasions you can trot it out at. For example, a denim dungaree dress is not the immediate or obvious choice for workwear. Never say never, though. We recently had a work experience student join us here at West. She turned up in the sweetest black corduroy dungaree dress with a white collared blouse and loafers. The overall look was nothing short of ‘perfectly put together’. In fact, Ellie Jones, I will go so far as to credit your time with us as single-handedly changing my mind on these garments.

Dungaree dresses also aren’t what I would usually advise for a fi rst date. That was until I

saw a pair in a dark fl oral print, over a simple white tee with classic black heels. It is a little black dress,

with serious impact. I will admit to doing the very slow nod that only happens when I approve of something greatly.

We shouldn’t leave out denim, though. Dark denim will take you almost everywhere, from the offi ce on casual Friday to barbecues (if the mercury ever rises) or brunch with the girls. Light denim is a lot more casual, best kept for walking tours of Rome, browsing fl ea markets or thrown over a cossie on your Spanish hols.

It would be remiss of me not to tackle what you might call the mutton issue: ‘I’m too old for

that.’ Not so. If you’re a mum, I think you need a pair of traditional long-legged dungarees in your wardrobe, Not only are they favourites of fashion royalty and supermum Gwen Stefani (read: school gate gold) but they are immensely practical (there is a reason farmers wear them).

And if your kids are older, or even have kids of their own, look for a dress version that sits at about knee length, with a fuller skirt. Pop a crisply tailored short underneath and fi nish your age-appropriate outfi t off with a spot of red lipstick. No one questions the choices of a woman in smart red lipstick. Ask Gwen.All fashion in these pictures is from Princesshay Shopping Centre, Exeter, www.princesshay.co.uk

32

Trend

Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod tries out a playful look for summertime

HOW TO WEAR IT:

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Dungaree dress, River Island, Princesshay, £40

T-shirt, Next, Princesshay, £10

Shoes, River Island, Princesshay, £35

Dark denim will take you almost

everywhere, from the o� ce on

casual Fridays to barbecues or brunch out with

the girls

Dungareedress

Have you got a fashion question or a trend you’d like to see tackled? @KathrynCMcleod

Trend_April30.indd 32 26/04/2016 11:23:11

33

GET THE

look

Dungaree dress £40 RIVER

ISLAND

Sunglasses £16 TOPSHOP

Blue denim button front midi dress

£22.99 NEW LOOK

Khaki fray hem short dungarees

£24.99 NEW LOOK

Mini cross-body bag £39 MONSOON

Primrose block heel £45 MONSOON

Gladiator sandals £30 MISS

SELFRIDGE

Dungarees £64.99 SUPERDRY

fave!

Trend_April30.indd 33 26/04/2016 11:25:25

culturevulture

Our guide to what’s on in the South West by woman-in-the-

know Sarah Pitt

34

Man’s relationship with the sea is explored in artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah’s acclaimed video installation Vertigo Sea, at The Exchange, in Penzance from April 30. This three-screen, 48-minute film fuses dramatic footage from the BBC’s Natural History Unit with archival material from the British Film Institute and newly shot

tableaux in the Isle of Skye, the Faroe Islands and Norway. This film explores, among other things, the whaling industry, the slave trade and the voyages of migrants searching for a better life.Vertigo Sea opens on April 30 at The Exchange, Penzance. Admission is free. See www.newlynartgallery.co.uk

One of the late Graham Greene’s most entertaining plays is being revived by Devon theatre company Creative Cow to mark the 25th anniversary of the celebrated writer’s death. Just four actors represent no fewer than 20 colourful characters, each playing a part in retired, rather boring, suburban bank manager Henry Pull-ing’s great transformation as he travels the world with his eccentric Aunt Augusta. Currently on tour, the production returns to home territory with a run at the Exeter Northcott.Travels With My Aunt runs from Tuesday-Saturday, May 10-14 at the Exeter Northcott. Tickets £14.50-£24.50, exeternorthcott.co.uk or 01392 726363

Worth the journey

INTO THE BLUE

Find out whether an Isles of Scilly policeman’s lot is a happy one when Sergeant Colin Taylor reveals all at the inaugural Isles of Scilly Festival on May 13. Colin’s quirky posts on the Isles of Scilly Police Force’s Facebook page have earned him a massive following in cyberspace, sharing stories such as the time officers were left puzzled by the presence of a fried egg at the scene of a shed break-in. His worldwide Facebook following has led to a book deal with publisher Century, and The Life of a Scilly Sergeant is due to be published in mid June. Colin’s talk takes place at the Star Castle Hotel on St Mary’s on Friday, May 13 at 2pm. See www.visitislesofscilly.com/islesofscillyfestival

Peels of laughter

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Enjoy

Your starsby Cassandra Nye

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21)Friends will lead the way to a new place and some much-needed fun. A new light

is shone on what you thought would be an impossible situation. A change in your attitude could lead to a change in your lifestyle. A beacon of light seems to lead to your love life. What are your instincts telling you?

CANCER (June 22 - July 22)Although it is a busy week, there is not as much progress as expected. A

delay is due to someone not being able to make up their mind. Although annoying, look at the background and it is understand-able. Still, that does not stop you from forging ahead with plans. Being prepared is good.

LEO (July 23 - August 23)If a repeat of an old situation is a-coming, it is natural to try and avoid

it. Concentrating on practical matters is not easy but, if you manage to do it, great progress is made. This time last week you would not have thought it possible!

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23)Those who want advice are beating a

path to your door. Although you have the time, the inclination is not there. Get in the right frame of mind by reminding yourself of

the rewards for success. Helping someone is one thing, but not helping them could mean a whole set of new problems.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23)In a week of changes (some of them

very slow) you want to keep control of the situation. As the week progresses your energy increases and big strides are made. Mid-week someone comes up with an idea that sets your imagination on fi re. The weekend holds a social surprise – you’ll see what others think.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22)Home life is sometimes boring and sometimes erratic. This makes for

some confused thoughts. When not sure which path to take it is always good to have a map. Make a list of priorities and gradually tick them off. You are the best person to know what you want, despite what others might think.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21)Communicate everywhere this week and make it a bumper time for making

friends. Someone takes a bit longer to get to know than most, but the effort will be worth-while. A casual remark from a relative makes you wonder if there are secrets in the family. Of course the facts may take some time to gather.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20)Pep up your mood and health by getting out and about. Earlier nights and a

cleaner diet will take a few weeks to kick in. Persevere. This time next month you could feel like a new person! Small matters can be tedious unless you see the funny side. Take a few hours to have a giggle.

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19)A happy meeting or change of scene this week opens up new possibilities in

your social life. A few indulgences may have left you feeling sluggish. Get out walking and chatting with others. Even a gentle stroll each day can lighten your mood.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20)Take a positive step towards a healthier attitude. Working is commendable but you

are supposed to have fun as well! Small decisions make up a big one by the weekend. Surprise news from an old friend sets you thinking about your own life. It is never too late to make a change, is it?

ARIES (March 21 - April 20)Feeling relaxed and happy on the whole? Take the chance to read those books you

promised yourself or spend that evening in with your friends. Quiet doesn’t mean boring because it helps you move forward.

Una Stubbs

This week’s sign: Happy birthday to...The Taurus personalityis one of the most easily recognisable of the Zodiac. Positive Taurean traits include reliability, practicality, ambition, sensuality and independence. However, the bull can also have some negative traits and can be very lazy, stubborn, materialistic and possessive at times. People born under the sign of Taurus have an eye for beauty. They tend to be good with � nances, and hence make ef-� cient � nancial managers.

Born May 1, 1937We love Una Stubbs – remember her as Aunt Sally in Worzel Gummidge, and as Rita in Till Death Do Us Part? Una started out as the face of Rowntree’s chocolate, then won her � rst acting (and dancing) role in Cli� Richard’s Summer Holiday in 1963. She has been working hard ever since, most recently as Sherlock Holmes’s landlady Mrs Hudson in the Ba� a award-winning television series Sherlock. As a May 1 Taurean, Una is both charming and practical with plenty of social skills, always knowing when to say and do the right thing.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21)Life can seem dull at times this week but that will change by the weekend.

Something you had planned may have to be adjusted at the last minute. This could be because of a clash in dates, so plan carefully. Someone’s behaviour proves embarrassing but, if taken on balance, is not so serious. Care less about what others think and more about what you need.

CVSTARS_APRIL30.indd 35 25/04/2016 17:17:50

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Wellbeing

the boost

Life just got better. We’ve handpicked the latest wellness trends,

best-body secrets and expert advice to help you be your

best self, everyday

British brand BRYT advocates fresh food, exercise and plenty of sleep as

part of our skincare routines. Its gentle foaming cleanser is plant-enriched

and (£12.50) can be found at Waitrose.

MEET MARY

IN SALCOMBE

Low in calories, but packed full of protein, crab is one of the healthiest foods around as it is also rich in vitamins and minerals, including selenium, ribo� avin and long-chain fatty acids. Mary Berry will be among the celebrities celebrating this nourishing seafood at the Salcombe Crabfest, on Sunday May 1.

The old wives’ tale that eating carrots helps you see in the dark isn’t actually that much of a myth. Carrots contain beta-carotene, which helps protect eyes. Grow your own – Tamar Organics near Launce-ston sells seeds by post from £1.15 a packet. www.tamarorganics.co.uk

EYES RIGHT

April30_BOOST.indd 36 25/04/2016 14:51:01

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Olympic gold medal winning hurdler Sally Gunnell’s the face of new campaign Getting Kids Moving. The mum-of-three, 49, sympathises with those of us trying to wean children o� the computer screen, saying: “Even though I’m really enthusiastic about physical activity, and enjoy it as much as I can, my kids de� nitely still need a lot of encouragement to get active. “As a family, we’ve had to put in place a lot of rules and get quite creative about making sure our kids get moving regularly. Helping kids understand how much better being active makes them feel is the most important thing. Making it a fun way to spend time together as a family is a huge part of this.”

GET THOSE KIDS MOVING!

What’s coming up? Tweet us your wellbeing diary dates @WMNWest or email westmag@westernmorningnews.co.uk

WALK

THIS WAY

Take a hikeNorth Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival begins this weekend and continues until May 7, with scheduled walks including a trip to Lundy Island and a circular walk around Ilfracombe, in which you’ll learn more of the town’s fascinating history. Details, prices and booking information at:www.exmoorwalkingfestival.co.uk

Walkies!It’s not just the dog that bene� ts when you go walkies. Walking is great exercise, it’s easy on the joints and gets the heart, lungs and muscles working, while having a pet to care for has been found to improve mental wellbeing. If you don’t have a dog of your own, you can sign up to become a volunteer walker at Woodside Animal Sanctuary in Plympton. Find out more www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk

No time for a getaway? A de-stressing micro-retreat could be just the ticket: relax into a day-long yoga experience at

the Charlotte Mews Studios in Exeter on June 5. Places are limited to just eight, £70 per person if you book before May

15. Find out more at www.charlottemews.com

MINI YOGA

April30_BOOST.indd 37 25/04/2016 14:51:37

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Drink

I’m of to the Dynamite Valley Brewery’s � rst birthday bash today, at their brewery tap in Ponsanooth (may see you there for a pint). If you’ve not been there, it’s quirky,

friendly and the beer has been made on a mezzanine above. That’s local produce

for you!

Also this weekend…The annual Sausage and Ale Festival at the Dri� wood Spars, St Agnes, successfully combines two of my favourite things, while the Cornish Beer at Epworth Hall, Coinagehall Street, Helston, is raising money for local Rotary charities. Both run until Monday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

From my Newton Abbot Beer Festival (mildly stained) notebook I’m picking

Thriller Cappuccino Porter by Somerset’s Glastonbury Ales (5% ABV). There are

real co� ee beans in the recipe which work delightfully with the chocolate notes from

the malt to create a smooth, rich, but not overpowering brew.

Beer of the week Darren Norbury

talks beer’m pretty sure that the last time I collected an award was the mid-70s when I’d triumphed over, most im-portantly, my natural shyness to take fi rst place in a holiday camp

competition. To impersonate The Hulk. I could still do this. Only now I’d be The Bulk.

However, it’s happened again, and I didn’t have to rip a shirt this time. Being the Coastal Brewery representative, I went up to collect a bronze medal cer-tifi cate for Merry Maidens Mild at the new-look South West In-dependent Beer Awards, organ-ized by the Society of Independ-ent Brewers (SIBA).

My ‘home team’ from Corn-wall were particularly well rep-resented, with St Austell’s Big Job the overall cask winner and Driftwood Spars’ Blackheads Mild taking the main bronze prize. Sandwiched between them in the silver position was Rale Head, from the Bishop’s Lydeard-based Quantock Brewery.

I love the camaraderie of the brewers at these occasions. I’ve judged at Newton Abbot before but this was the fi rst year I’ve worked there (member brewers provide staff, with help from

Ilocal South Devon CAMRA members). It rein-forces that feeling that brewing is possibly the friendliest industry out there.

The venue, Tucker’s Maltings, is a great place to stage a beer festival. As one of the servers behind the bar put it to me, it’s like a circle of life for beer. Day to day, the venue is one of Tucker’s

fl oor malting rooms, where the malt is laid out and tricked into germination by being soaked and then dried before germi-nation can continue. The malt is then in the optimum condi-tion for brewers to extract the maximum amount of sugar for fermentation. That circle of production was completed as I was handed a Chimera IPA, from Downton Brewerty, in Wiltshire, close to where I used to work as a youngster in the newspaper industry. Yes, just call me sentimental!

Tucker’s malts are used by brewers all over the Westcoun-

try and guided tours are available. There is also a bottled beer shop on site, and the promise of a micropub coming soon. That’s going to be a very atmospheric place to enjoy a tipple.

Darren Norbury is editor of beertoday.co.uk @beertoday

I love the cameraderie at these occasions

– brewing is pos-sibly the friend-

liest industry out there [[

Tim_Beer_April30.indd 38 26/04/2016 12:06:04

39

Tim Maddams is a Devon chef and author of Game: River Cottage Handbook no. 15 (Bloomsbury £14.99)

aking your own cheese is not as dif-fi cult as it may seem, not so many years ago most households would have made some of sort of home made cheese or another (hence the

name “cottage cheese”). There is no reason why you cannot do the same and, a bit like making your own bread, once you start tinkering with the good stuff you will become instantly hooked on your own special homemade cheese and nothing else will quite do.

To make lebneh, or yoghurt cheese, simply place a litre or so of natural yoghurt in a mixing bowl, season heavily with salt. Remember a lot of the salt will come out of the cheese as it hangs. Place a square of muslin that you have rinsed in cold water in a sieve over a bowl.

Place the yoghurt inside (you could add some cracked pepper or chilli fl akes at this stage) and then tie the corners up with string to create a little purse of yoghurt. Hang this from a kitchen cupboard handle or in the fridge over night, remembering to put something under it to catch the drips, then carefully unwrap to reveal your prize. This simple cheese can be kept as it

is in the fridge for a few days or you can roll it in herbs and keep it in oil in the fridge for a week or more.

To make curd cheese, heat two litres of full-fat milk to just above blood temperature but don’t let it get too hot. Dilute a few drops of rennet in

a teaspoon of boiled, then cooled, water. Add the rennet to the milk and then leave it alone for a while until it is set.

At this stage what you have made is more or less a junket. This mixture needs seasoning with plenty of salt, although I like to use a little less than needed so you can crumble some fl aky salt on the top when you serve it.

To extract the curd from the whey simply pass the mixture through a muslin-lined sieve, tie and hang as you did for the lebneh.

How long you leave the curd to drain will affect how hard the end product is and I would encourage you to hang it for just a short time, so that the curds keep moist and crumbly. Again this is ripe for the oil-in-a-jar treatment or rolling in herbs, but be careful, once you’ve made your own cheese there’s no turning back and the next step is making your very own mozzarella...

M

This simple cheese can be kept as it is in the fridge or

you can roll it in herbs and keep

it in oil [[

Eat

Cooking with curdsTo make a fabulous curd bruschetta, toast bread and rub it with garlic, spread as much of your precious curd on as you like and drizzle with a little oil, chuck a few salad leaves and herbs over the top and away you go.

Another lovely dish is pasta with chilli garlic and curd cheese. Boil pasta, stir in your curds and season with chilli garlic and parsley. You can embellish this with all sorts of other seasonal twists, wild garlic would, of course, be spot on right now.

If you’ve kept the whey from your curds, use it as the liquid in soda bread or scones. It also makes a nice sorbet.

@TimGreenSauce

Ingredient of the Week

Cheesewith Tim Maddams

Tim_Beer_April30.indd 39 25/04/2016 16:11:09

OPENING SUMMER 2016

Queen St is the perfect location for Exeter’s food-loving residents and city

visitors to sample the finest fare

Visit queenst-exeter.com and register for the latest news, o�ers and competitions.

Turtle Bay, The Terrace – A Craft Brew House, Absurd Bird, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, The Stable,

Grillstock, Kupp, Comptoir Libanais

Restaurants coming to Queen St:

Untitled-1 5 25/04/2016 16:35:16

OR A

WHAT WILL WIN?

The team at Queen St, in partnership with the Express and Echo, have started their search to uncover a new food entrepreneur, someone with a recipe, product range or dining concept and, just as importantly, an ambition to start a business selling their fare. Once found, the ‘Queen St Foodie’ will receive a free launch and

support package, which consists of a purpose-built kiosk to trade from for three months at the heart of Queen St; expert advice from a range of business mentors sharing the secrets of their success; marketing and branding; legal and finance advice, plus inclusion in the overall promotion and launch of the Queen St dining destination.

ARE YOU A BUDDING CHEF, SECRET BAKER OR GASTRONOMIC GENIUS?

FOR MORE INFO OR TO ENTER VISIT QUEENST-EXETER.COM OR FOLLOW THE FUN #FINDAFOODIE. PLUS READ THE EXPRESS AND ECHO AS THEY REPORT ON OUR SEARCH AND

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Untitled-1 6 25/04/2016 16:37:28

42

Enjoy

A WEEKEND IN

Chapel Porth beach, St Agnes

eautiful St Agnes on the north coast of Cornwall is, in so many ways, the perfect place for a weekend stay. It is surrounded by fabulous scenery, with breath-taking cliff views and

several gorgeous beaches. There are great places to stay and eat, a very pretty village centre and lots to do, from surfi ng and walking to browsing arts and crafts shops. St Agnes even has its own legendary giant, called Bolster, who parades on May Day (Monday May 2) - not to be missed!

Stay: The Driftwood Spars is a 16th century pub a stone’s throw from the village’s main beach at Trevaunance Cove. Bed and breakfast here starts at £86 for two and many rooms have fabu-lous sea views. Visit www.driftwoodspars.co.uk or call 01872 552428 to book. In the pretty hamlet of Mithian, on the outskirts of the village, you’ll fi nd the boutique four-star The Rose in Vale Hotel, with fi ne dining, an outdoor heated pool and beautiful gardens. It currently has a “Spring Into Summer” three-night break on offer here

from £195 per person, including dinner, bed, breakfast and cream tea. Visit www.roseinvale.co.uk or call 01872 552202 to book.

Eat: Find traditional pub food done well at The St Agnes Hotel (01872 552307) opposite the church, which has an outdoor eating area for sunny days. The Miner’s Arms in Mithian is a historic pub al-leged to have a smuggler’s tunnel under its fl oors (01872 552375). The Sorting Offi ce is a recent con-version of the village’s former post offi ce into

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a cafe, with home-baked cakes (07807 324088) and Lewsey Lou’s serves up fresh-caught fi sh and chips (01872 552126).

Explore: St Agnes was a fi lm location in both the 1970s and the more recent TV adaptations of Poldark. A walk along the cliffs to Wheal Coates will take you to one of the most iconic views of a Cornish mine engine house, with stunning sea vistas all the way to St Ives and Newquay on a clear day. Climb St Agnes Beacon and explore the heather-covered clifftops nearby, all owned by The National Trust. Alternatively, you could ex-plore the scenery here on horseback, as the vil-lage’s long-established Goonbell Riding Centre runs regular hacks on trustworthy horses (01872 552063, www.goonbellridingcentre.co.uk) charg-ing £20 for a one-hour ride.

Surf: This is the thing to do in St Agnes – Trevau-

nance Cove offers (usually) safe, sheltered waves while the more exposed Chapel Porth beach picks up the swell on the fl attest of days. Breakers Surf School offers one-hour les-sons for £30, with the option of whole days too, and they can fi lm your efforts on a GoPro. Call 07725 842196, 01872 553811 or visit www.surf-lessons.co.uk for details.

Shop: Finisterre Clothing is a surf-inspired fashion brand based in St Agnes. Visit their on-site shop at Wheal Kitty

on the edge of the village (www.fi nisterre.com) for a browse around the on-trend beachwear and outdoorsy items. If arts and gifts are your thing, there is a mouth-watering range on offer at Churchtown Arts (01872 553229) where you could happily while away an hour or two looking at all the beautiful, often local, items for sale, from jew-ellery and ceramics to fashion and gifts.

The village of St Agnes was a � lm location in both

the 1970s and the more recent TV adaptations

of Poldark [[St Agnes Hotel

Giant Bolster

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Jon KeastWine expert Jon Keast runs Scarlet Wines and The Vineyard Table – a cafe, deli and wine shop, based at Lelant, near St Ives. He lives in Lelant with his partner Sarah, and has two children Mia (16) and Alex (15).

My Favourite…

Walk: Mousehole to Lands End along the south coast. This stretch of the Cornish coast offers some of the fi nest scenery in the country - I rec-ommend taking a picnic and making a day of it.

Beach: Hawkes Point (also known as Porthkid-ney) between Carbis Bay and Lelant. This beautiful stretch of sand is perpetually deserted and stunning, even when St Ives is a log jam in the summer months.

Arts venue: The Acorn in Penzance. This is a great venue with a lovely atmosphere and acoustics; there just needs more to be on!

Activity: I love the annual Don’t Wake the Fish Festival at The Gurnard’s Head out along the coast road near Zennor. It’s just the right size, they serve good beer, the atmosphere is fantastic and it’s brilliant to see all ages dancing together into the night.

Food: Philps Pasties in Hayle still can’t be beaten in my humble opinion. The perfect satis-

44

My Secret Westcountry

Jon and family at the beach

MSW_April30.indd 44 25/04/2016 17:08:52

4545

For more details, call 01736 753696 visit www.scarlet-wines.co.uk

fying lunch when you’re on the go - I often grab one when I’m doing my wine deliveries.

Tipple: We’ve only just started to stock their range here at Scarlet Wines, but Trevibban Mill wines are tasting great right now, I think. Trevibban is Cornwall’s newest vineyard and is just outside Padstow.

Pub: The Hourglass in Exeter can’t be beaten. Really delicious food, great wine list and a back bar full of interest. It manages to serve superb food while still being a pub.

Restaurant: I simply can’t answer this! I like to spread the love when it comes to supporting local restaurants as there are so many great places to eat in west Cornwall. The last few years have seen lots of new cafes, restaurants and pubs coming onto the scene, each with something exciting to offer. The selection has never been better in my opinion.

Way to relax: Running. I know it’s not par-ticularly relaxing at the time, but it feels good af-terwards… I enjoy long runs at any time of year, but spring is my favourite season for pounding the pavements.

Weekend away: This has to be camping at Treen Farm campsite on the south coast of Cornwall near St Levan. As a family, we love to spend all day on Porthcurno Beach, then head to the Logan Rock Inn for a beer and dinner. In good weather there can’t be anywhere nicer on earth.

Shop: Academy in St Ives offers brilliantly cu-rated clothes, bags and shoes. This is defi nitely my guilty pleasure.

Treat: My perfect treat is a bottle or two of good wine, the company of family and friends, some simple food and enough time to enjoy it all.

Porthcurno Beach

Arts at the Acorn Treen

Trevibban Mill

Mousehole

People

MSW_April30.indd 45 25/04/2016 17:10:01

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My life

NEXT WEEK: Chris McGuire on his new life in the Westcountry

Man and boy

a realtear jerker [[

think I am going to write a letter to the British Board of Film Censors suggesting they re-think the certi-fication system. Fear not, I am not

auditioning for a place in the whiskery ranks of the grumpy old men, ranting about how some art flick is bring down civilisation. I simply feel I may have stumbled across a solution to what us parents call The Disney Problem.

This, for those who dwell in blissful igno-rance, is where mum and dad are given a grill-ing by children on a whole range of tough ques-tions about life and - more specifically - death. I think the whole thing could be cleared up in no time if we just add a fresh category; let’s call it a CT certificate, warning viewers they are about to experience Cartoon Tragedy.

The lawyers in California needn’t start filing suits against me; if anything my complaint is that Disney is doing a good job portraying real issues. I wouldn’t dream of trying to censor the scriptwriters but I could do with a little warn-ing.

Typically, the stuff that worries parents re-volves around sex and violence. For the young-er child (James is now six) this poses less of a problem – there is no chance of me showing him The Exorcist – but there is still some ‘scary stuff’ out there in the mid/parental guidance (PG) range. The lad has already seen Jurassic World (rated 12A) and doesn’t even flinch at the carnivorous blood-fest when the velociraptors turn gangster. At Christmas we watched the teen-horror Goosebumps (another PG) without

even a ruffled feather. He certainly has a stom-ach for gore and happily watches a Komodo dragon devour a wildebeest alive while munch-ing his Coco Pops.

‘Look daddy, it’s eating the intestines!’ Nice. But what he can’t cope with – what is guaran-teed to provoke floods of tears – is a Disney tale. When he was performing a scene from The Lion King at stage school, we sat down and watched the film together. I popped out and came back to find him welling up. Simba’s dad had died. I tried to talk him through it but he didn’t want to know.

Now, after laughing at the girls in school sing ‘Let It Go’ for months, he has finally seen Frozen on Netflix. I caught a few minutes, sang a song with him, then checked out. Later, he starts asking: Why do people have to die? I am called up to explain.

The problem, in both cases, was that I hadn’t even seen the action, so I was at a disadvan-tage. However, what really gets to him is family heartbreak, such as the parents getting lost in a shipwreck in Frozen.

I need advance warning. Let’s slap on a CT certificate and at least us parents will know there is going to be some kind of heart-rending scene where the cub/princess/bear/wooden doll loses his parents/brother/best friend. It is not a lot to ask for. Now James says wants to see the new Jungle Book at the cinema. It’s not all ‘Bear Necessities’ - doesn’t Mowgli end up being raised by wolves after being lost by his parents in the jungle? Uh-oh. Here we go again.

i need advance warning of scenes where the cub/princess/

bear/wooden doll loses their parents/brother/best friend[ [

I

Phil Goodwin and son James, six, watch a disney film together

ManandBoy_April30.indd 46 26/04/2016 12:11:14

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