South Hams Lifestyle Jun - Jul 2021

Contents 

A Note 

from the EDITOR 

15 

A 

A Culinary Journey through 

Northern 

spectacular Ireland 

garden transformation 

Excuse me for a moment, whilst I just 

finish wringing out my clothes and 

removing my flippers after the wettest 

May I can remember! I’m a May baby 

and I usually bank on good weather, 

but it’s been a mixed bag hasn’t it! 

The garden is looking pretty happy 

though... 

...and speaking of, we are a nation of 

garden fanatics - never more-so than 

when our patches of earth became 

our social spaces, home gym or just 

general respite from our four walls. 

Our competition 

page returns 

04 

With that in mind, we’ve got a 

wonderful garden feature to help 

inspire you - and to show that no 

space is beyond help! This plot really 

was an eyesore and a challenge given 

its slope and poor access, but the 

owners have made something rather 

special and given us some tips into 

how they did it. 

If you are planning on extending or 

renovating, you might find your plans 

slightly scuppered if you live in one of 

thousands of Conservation Areas. The 

HomeOwners Alliance have given us 

their expert insights into some of the 

considerations you may have to bear 

in mind. 

09 

Editor Katie Thomson 

e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk 

Slow cooker recipes to 

make you smile 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Pre-press Manager Kate O’Connell 

Contributors Peter Thomson, Sue Cooke, Matthew Biggs, Angela Cave, 

Front Cover courtesy of the Wolf Rock Boat Company 

Key Account Manager Adrian Hill 

e adrian.hill@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984 496 

twitter: @SouthHamsLife 

Building in a 

Conservation Area 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS HQ 

Paxcroft Farm, Hilperton, Trowbridge 

BA14 6JB t 01225 984 550 

w www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

visit our website www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be held liable for any loss occasioned by failure of an 

advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions and 

misprints. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission from the 

publishers. The opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the publishers. 

21 

On the foodie front we have some 

amazing recipes from a book all 

about the humble slow cooker. Once 

consigned as a product of a 70s 

housewife, the slow cooker has had 

an image reinvention in recent years 

- especially because its low-cost and 

minimal fuss cooking appeals to the 

modern, time-strapped family cook. 

They’re as beautiful as they are tasty, 

so we hope you enjoy digging in. 

Finally, we are bringing back our very 

popular competition page - this issue 

it has nearly £2,000 worth of prizes! 

You can enter all the ones listed on 

the page, plus some web-exclusives at 

minervamagazines.co.uk - you can 

also opt into being the first to hear 

about new giveaways when they are 

launched. 

We are looking forward to seeing you 

again in August - hopefully after a 

long hot summer! 

Katie 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

COMPETITION 

Time 

If you’re looking for the full package when grilling, 

the Professional PRO is the one to go for. It is 

the grill of superlatives because it is extra hot, 

extra convenient and extra versatile. The innovative 

TRU-Infrared cooking technology guarantees that your 

barbecue food remains juicy and tender on the inside. 

To enter any (or all!) of our competitions, head to 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions. 

Find the competition and enter on that post, 

using the appropriate keyword. 

T&C’s apply and no cash alternatives available. Winners chosen at 

random - entries made after closing date will not be accepted. 

Char-Broil gas 

burner BBQ 

worth 

£719 

The high-performance sear burner positioned to the 

side perfects that really crispy crust - complete with 

professional grill strips on the outside. The grill is started by 

way of electronic SureFire ignition, at the touch of a button 

and without any open flame. Three low-consumption, upward facing highperformance 

stainless steel burners produce maximum, evenly distributed heat 

with low gas consumption. Find out more at www.charbroil.co.uk 

Closes 30/05/2021 - Competition keyword ‘CHAR’ 

Skincare and 

relaxtion goodies 

worth over 

£280 

Made By Copers is modern 

apothecary crafting natural and 

organic products for your skin and 

soul. We focus on the whole body, 

with an emphasis on emotional 

wellbeing. We believe in creating 

natural, clean products that leave 

your skin radiant, nourished and 

your mind and body restored to 

perfect harmony. 

The winner will receive a special 

hamper containing the sleepy 

head collection, a Relaxing 

Body Oil and the Superfood 

Face Serum (worth £147) and 

two runners up will each receive 

the Bath Salt Collection (worth 

£67.50) 

At home or in the Cotswolds, 

win two fabulous Macrame 

kits with everything else 

needed to create your 

stunning boho style 5 feather 

Macrame wall hanging from 

the comfort of home. 

Then visit Larkswold in the 

Cotswolds and experience 

their amazing scented candle 

making workshop for you 

to enjoy and treat a friend. 

There are plenty of dates to 

choose from. 

Why not check out: 

www.larkswold.com for a full 

list of courses. 

£220 

worth of 

crafting 

workshops 

Closes 30/05/2021 - Competition 

keyword ‘COOPERS’ 


keyword ‘LARKSWOLD’ 

Baby mat and 

block play set 

worth 

£220 

Give your child the best possible start 

with the play gym that gives you a whole 

year of play. New to the UK, baby brand 

Lovevery did all the research to bring 

your child the best stage-based play 

gym for their developing brain. 

The Parents’ Choice awardwinning 

play gym includes 

everything your child needs in 

an activity gym and play mat— 

from batting to teething to learning 

to focus—for playtime and tummy time with 

purpose. Designed by child development 

experts and crafted with safe, healthy and 

durable materials for babies ages 0+. 

Winners will receive a mat worth £140 plus The Block 

Set (worth £80), perfect for honing 

those 

spatial, language, and problemsolving 

skills. See the full 

collection at uk.lovevery.com 

Closes 30/05/2021 - 

Competition 

keyword 

‘LOVEVERY’ 

Wage war on dirt, bacteria and odours in the 

home with the new Vax Platinum SmartWash. 

Scoring 99/100 in Good Housekeeping 

Institute’s carpet washing tests, it also 

outperforms the UK’s leading rental and 

leaves carpets dry in as little as one hour. 

There is no trigger to press and hold down whilst 

cleaning, instead the motion sense technology 

automatically dispenses the correct mix of clean water 

and VAX Platinum Antibacterial Solution when you 

push forward to wash and dries when you pull back. 

Its FlexForce brush bars agitate the carpet to remove 

tough stains, dirt and spills, delivering a deep clean 

seven times more effective than vacuuming alone. 

Also included is a stretch hose, Spinscrub hand 

tool and 2-in-1 antimicrobial wash tool to deep 

clean and tackle above the floor stains on stairs, 

upholstery, in pet beds and in the car. 

We’ve got one to win worth £299.99 including a 

free steam cleaner worth £59.99 - 

www.vax.co.uk 


keyword ‘VAX SMARTWASH’ 

VAX SmartWash 

and steam cleaner 

worth 

£359 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

Thinking of letting your holiday home? 

With over 20 years’ experience in holiday letting, our locally-based team are proud to offer 

expert knowledge, bespoke property management options and consistent 01803 year-round 227991 bookings. 

Contact us today to find out about the award-winning support coastandcountry.co.uk 

we could offer you. 

info@coastandcountry.co.uk 

info@coastandcountry.co.uk 01548 802179 coastandcountry.co.uk 

Torquay 

Escape to our Spa and take 

some time for yourself. 

• Luxury ELEMIS treatments 

• OPI manicures and pedicures 

• Dedicated relaxation area 

Spa Days 

from 

Only 

£49 

Call today 01803 400190 

www.tlh.co.uk/aztec-spa 

We’re social, join us on 

#TLHhotels #AztecSpaLove 


Respect, Protect and 

Shop South Hams 

It’s great to see the doors of businesses across the 

South Hams opening up again and things starting 

to feel a bit more like ‘normal’. We know that 

together, if we respect and protect each other, we can 

once again relax and have fun in our local towns 

and help our brilliant local businesses to thrive. 

How is the South Hams going to respect and protect the 

local community and welcome visitors safely? 

Our towns across the South Hams have always offered 

something a bit different that keeps locals and visitors coming 

back. Now, as restrictions lift, we have some innovative 

solutions to help keep everyone safe so you can shop, eat and 

enjoy with confidence. 

For example, in Salcombe, you’ll find markers on the ground to 

help you keep a safe distance as you stroll along the streets. In 

Totnes, you’ll discover beautiful planters greening up the town 

and acting as a natural traffic calming solution to make the High 

Street more pedestrian-friendly. All our towns are taking steps to 

make sure you’ll be safe. 

There will also be signs in our local towns to help remind 

people of the rules – we know how easy it is for us all to 

forget what we’re supposed to do when we start to relax and 

enjoy ourselves. And South Hams District Council’s COVID 

Compliance Officers will be regularly stopping by to chat to 

business owners and the public to help make sure everyone 

feels safe. 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

What about food and drink? 

Last summer, our towns embraced the al fresco experience. It 

was great to see people enjoying eating out comfortably and 

safely thanks to pop-up tables, chairs and benches. Once again, 

local venues will be able to make the best use of the outside 

spaces in our towns, so you can relax and enjoy a slice of 

continental al fresco living. We know that our excellent local food 

and drink is part of what makes the South Hams so special. 

From locally-made ice-cream and the perfect flat-white to pies 

or vegan pizza, there’s something to suit every taste. 

Any final words for local people and visitors? 

We really can’t wait to see everyone again and our local 

businesses really need your support, but we ask you to please 

remember to respect and protect others too. 

• Respect: give each other space to shop and please stick 

to the social distance rules. Respect the COVID measures 

of individual shops and please be courteous to staff 

• Protect: everyone around you and yourself by wearing a 

face covering 

• Shop: your local town needs your help more than ever. So 

go on – treat yourself to a coffee or more and do your bit 

to help your local community 

T 

h 

e 

Trading Post 

Much More than a toy shop 

TOY - GAMES - BIKES - WETSUITS 

ELECTRIC BIKES 

ADULT & KIDS 

FRIENDLY, PERSONAL 

ADVICE AND SERVICE 

TO HELP CHOOSE YOUR 

PERFECT PRESENTS 

31 Fore St, Kingsbridge TQ7 1PG 01548 852923 

thetradingpost .co.uk 


Respect, Protect & Shop 

from 12 April 

RESPECT 

When the 

high streets reopen 

on 12 April, South Hams District Council is 

asking shoppers to show RESPECT, give each 

other space, PROTECT each other by wearing 

a face covering and to SHOP local. There is so 

much on offer locally, why go anywhere else? 

From 12 April, the high streets in the District’s main towns of 

Dartmouth, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge, Modbury, Salcombe and 

Totnes will be open for business. 

With so much on offer locally and so many businesses 

desperate to throw open their doors and welcome visitors 

back – the overriding message is let’s all be sensible, respect 

and protect each other and enjoy the shopping experience. 

Environmental Health Specialists for South Hams District 

Council have said: “The lockdown has been a long and painful 

experience for many of our businesses who would have desperately 

loved to have served their customers over the last 12 months, but 

due to the COVID-19 restrictions, have had to be closed. 

“We are all very much looking forward to the 12 April when we 

can kick start the recovery of our towns and our high streets. 

But there is a slight word of caution, we still need to be careful. 

If we all show respect and protect each other, we can all have a 

lovely, safe shopping experience.” 

Protect 

Respect 

Shop 

• Give each other space to 

shop and please stick to the 

social distance rules 

• Respect the people and 

the town you are shopping 

in. Let’s make this summer 

enjoyable for everyone 

Protect 

• Protect everyone around you 

and yourself by wearing a 

face covering 

• Look after our beautiful area 

and do the right thing with 

your litter 

Shop 

• There is so much on offer – 

please support our high 

streets 

• Follow these rules and we can 

all ENJOY shopping safely 

South Hams is so very fortunate to have beautiful coast 

and countryside that we all enjoy. Let’s keep it that way - 

please respect and protect it for everyone to enjoy this 

spring and summer.

Aune valley meat 

gets ready for 

bbq season 


Aune Valley Meat & Valley View café is 

a traditional family run butchers, farm 

shop & café. It is run by Husband & 

Wife Richard & Susie Winzer along with 

their 3 children Amy, Emily & RJ... 

It’s been a challenging few months with lockdown. How 

have you managed to serve customers? 

We have adjusted as and when we have needed to. We have 

supported our local community throughout lockdown offering 

our free local delivery service across the South Hams. It has 

been a challenging year but together we have got through it. We 

have a fabulous supportive team. 

It’s BBQ season and family and friends are more important 

than ever. What would you recommend? 

Yes BBQ season has arrived and we will have our fantastic BBQ 

special offers available - always very popular. Available from 

beginning of May, just in time for May being BBQ Month. 

Do you have a favourite BBQ recipe you like Richard? 

Pulled pork or pulled beef brisket on the BBQ is definitely a firm 

family favourite. Great to feed the whole family. 

Any BBQ Tips? 

It’s always good to impress your guests, plenty of Aune Valley 

goodies on offer will always make a good impression 

What about for the Kids? 

Keep it simple, our award-winning pork chipolatas are a must 

for children! 

How do I get in touch to order? 

You can order on our website www.aunevalleymeat.co.uk. 

Pretty much all our products can now be found online. Or if you 

prefer the face-to-face experience pop into one of our shops 

today where we can give you advice and inspiration on what to 

cook! Our fantastic team are always on hand and happy to help. 


SLOW & 

The slow cooker is having a bit of a 

revival, not least because it takes the time 

pressures of home-cooked meals off of 

family life and offers hands-free dishes 

which warm the heart and soul. 

Katrina Meynink is such an advocate of 

the process that she’s created a beautiful 

booked, filled with inspiration for each 

cooking mood. Here we have some tasters 

from her new book, Slow Victories. 

EGGPLANT CHREIME 

Steady 

This is a bit of a slow cooker riff on the 

traditional Tunisian braised fish dish of 

the same name. But instead, here I’ve 

cooked down eggplant in a harissaspiced 

ragu and added the umami 

heat of urfa biber (Turkish red pepper 

flakes; available from specialist grocers), 

served on top of hummus and finished 

with some cooling coconut yoghurt and 

herbs. This one gets better with age, so 

embrace the leftovers. Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

1 tablespoon olive oil 

2 garlic cloves, finely sliced 

2 medium eggplants (aubergines), 

trimmed, quartered lengthways 

2 teaspoons cumin seeds, 

roughly crushed 

1 teaspoon coriander seeds, 

roughly crushed 

bunch of coriander (cilantro), roots 

trimmed, cleaned and chopped 

2 ox-heart tomatoes, chopped 

2 tablespoons tomato paste 

(concentrated purée) 

1 × 400 g (14 oz) tin chopped tomatoes 

1 tablespoon rose harissa 

1 heaped teaspoon urfa biber 

(Turkish red pepper flakes) 

1 tablespoon brown sugar 

To serve 

150 g (51/2 oz) hummus 

125 g (41/2 oz/½ cup) coconut yoghurt 

fronds from 2 dill sprigs 

chilli flakes, to taste 

METHOD 

Preheat the slow cooker for 15 minutes 

on high. Set the cooker to the sauté 

function and add the oil, garlic, eggplant, 

cumin and coriander seeds. Sauté until 

fragrant and the eggplant starts taking 

on some colour. Add the remaining 

ingredients, give it a gentle stir, then close 

the lid and cook on low for 8 hours. 

To serve, smear the hummus onto the base 

of serving plates. Gently scoop out the 

eggplant and place on top, then finish with 

the coconut yoghurt, dill and chilli flakes. 

Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

FREEKEH WITH KALE, 

CHILLI, YEAST & 

PEPITA SALAD 

I’m just going to say this up front: 

the nutritional yeast in this salad is 

a revelation. It truly adds the most 

phenomenal umami flavour, as well as 

being a superb seasoning mechanism. 

This salad has excellent holding power, 

so it’s always a good one for work 

lunches or those irksome bring-a-plate 

scenarios. Serves: 4 (as a side) 

INGREDIENTS 

200 g (7 oz/1 cup) whole freekeh, rinsed 

500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) vegetable stock 

50 g (13/4 oz/1 cup) nutritional yeast 

150 g (51/2 oz/1 cup) salted pepitas 

(pumpkin seeds), roughly chopped 

(see Note) 

125–185 ml (4–6 fl oz/½–3/4 cup) olive oil 

150 g (51/2 oz/2 cups) cavolo nero, 

finely sliced 

1 green chilli, finely sliced 

baby cavolo nero leaves, to garnish 

METHOD 

Heat your slow cooker on the low setting 

for at least 20 minutes. Add the freekeh 

and vegetable stock, give it a good stir, 

then cover and cook on low for 1 hour. 

Check it at the 45-minute mark and 

if there still seems to be quite a lot of 

stock, leave the lid off for the last 15–20 

minutes. Once cooked, fluff with a fork. (It 

should be cooked through, but al dente.) 

Turn out into a bowl and season 

generously with salt and pepper, then 

allow to cool. 

For the salad, add the nutritional yeast, 

pepitas and 125 ml (4 fl oz) of the oil to 

another bowl and stir to combine. If the 

mixture looks too dry, add more oil until 

it reaches a lose pestolike consistency. 

Add the cavolo nero and chilli and toss 

with your hands. Add the freekeh, season 

again with salt and pepper, and garnish 

with baby cavolo nero leaves, if using, 

then serve. If you need to revive this for 

another day, simply slice some more 

cavolo nero and toss it through. 

COOK’S NOTE 

Use unsalted pepitas if you prefer. You 

can even add these to a mortar and 


pestle and give them a rough grind; it 

works wonders. 

LAMB SHAWARMA 

I suggest doing this with a small leg 

of lamb as you get the best results 

by being able to lay the meat as flat 

as you can in the base of the slow 

cooker. This allows the braising 

liquid to come up the sides so that 

the glorious spicy crust can be 

maintained. Obviously, slow cooking 

a lamb leg is a far cry from roasting it 

on a rotisserie, but the spice-addled 

preparation is the same and the end 

result is freaking delicious. I love 

serving this as part of a spread with 

flatbreads, pomegranate, bundles of 

mint and tahini.This works best if you 

can prepare it ahead. The day before 

you want to serve it, rub the spices 

into the scored meat and rest it in 

the fridge overnight. You will need a 

large, shallow-base slow cooker for 

this recipe. Serves: 4-6 

INGREDIENTS 

2 teaspoons black peppercorns 

6 cloves 

1 star anise 

1 teaspoon cardamom seeds 

½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds 

1½ teaspoons fennel seeds 

1 tablespoon cumin seeds 

1 tablespoon coriander seeds 

½ tablespoon ground cinnamon 

1 teaspoon nutmeg 

1 tablespoon sweet smoked paprika 

½ tablespoon sumac 

4 garlic cloves, crushed 

zest of 1 lemon 

1–1.2 kg (2 lb 3 oz–2 lb 10 oz) lamb 

leg, bone in 

1 litre (34 fl oz/4 cups) chicken or 

vegetable stock, or enough to come 

three-quarters of the way up the side 

of the lamb 

To serve 

tahini 

pomegranate arils 

finely sliced red onion (optional) 

flatbreads 

mint and coriander (cilantro) leaves 

METHOD 

Add the peppercorns, cloves, star 

anise and all the seeds to a frying 

pan and briefly dry-roast over a 

medium–high heat until the spices 

pop and become fragrant. 

You can also do this in your slow 

cooker if you have it nice and hot. 

Grind them in a spice grinder or using 

a mortar and pestle. Add to a bowl 

with all the remaining ingredients, 

except the lamb and stock, and stir 

to combine. 

Score the lamb leg in several spots. 

Rub the spices into the skin and top 

of the leg, then set aside to marinate 

for a minimum of 2 hours, but 

preferably overnight. 

Set your slow cooker to low. Add 

the lamb, then gently pour the stock 

into the bowl, being careful not to 

pour it over the top of the lamb; you 

want to keep as much of the spice 

mixture on the meat as possible to 

form a crust. Cover and cook for 10 

hours. Remove the lid for the last 30 

minutes of cooking. 

Let the lamb rest for 10 minutes 

before serving with tahini, 

pomegranate arils, red onion, if using, 

flatbreads and herbs. 

SPARKLING ROSÉ 

POACHED PEACHES 

The sweetness of white peaches at 

their peak and the pure pink fizz of 

this 

dessert really encapsulate late 

summer eating at its best. The 

peaches are 

delightful on their own or with a 

dollop of crème fraîche. Serves: 6 

INGREDIENTS 

500 ml (2 cups) sparkling rosé 

115 g (1 cup) caster sugar 

1 tablespoon rosewater 

1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste 

6 white peaches 

To serve 

organic rose petals 

3 tablespoons roughly crushed 

freezedried raspberries or 

strawberries 

METHOD 

Combine the rosé, sugar, rosewater 

and vanilla in the bowl of your slow 

cooker. Set to the sauté function 

and cook for 10 minutes, stirring to 

dissolve the sugar. Turn the heat to 

low, add the peaches and close the 

lid. Cook for 2½ hours. 

Allow to cool completely in the syrup. 

Gently remove the peaches and 

place in a large serving dish. Pour 

over the syrup, then scatter over 

the rose petals and the freeze-dried 

berries to serve. 

You can, of course, cut the peaches 

in half and remove the stones, but 

I like throwing the whole lot in for a 

more low-maintenance approach. 

The stones are so easily removed 

once the peaches have slow-cooked, 

and it stops the fruit from losing its 

shape as it cooks. 

Slow Victories by Katrina Meynink 

(Hardie Grant, £16.99) Photography 

©Kait Barker, Katrina Meynink 


A local agency 

big 

with 

aspirations 

Our experienced team of property managers have the knowledge to 

ensure that your investment fulfils its potential throughout the year. 

Call us now for free and honest advice. 

We believe having a local presence is key to successfully managing a holiday 

property, that’s why we now have 7 offices spread throughout Cornwall, 

Devon, Dorset and the New Forest, meaning our team are always on hand to 

advise guests, meet owners and pop to properties should an issue arise. 

www.toadhallcottages.co.uk Call us on: 01548 202020 

Brewing great handcrafted 

real ales since 1983 

www.summerskills.co.uk 

www.facebook.com/summerskills.brewery I www.instagram.com/summerskillsbrewery 


let the wINE FLOW! 


For English Wine Week this year, we thought 

we would recommend a few of our current 

favourites so you can celebrate in style! 

Warm sunny days and long evenings are made for seaside 

picnics and garden BBQ’s and we have a wine that is perfect for 

both! Our brand-new Summer Sparkling NV is a blend of Pinot 

Noir and Dornfelder and has been matured in bottle for six years! 

The wine is light in colour and big in character, with aromas of 

peach melba, strawberries, and clotted cream, with a delicate fizz 

and fresh acidity. Perfect for a picnic or to get the garden party 

started! 

Another new release is our classic Estate Selection, 100% 

Madeleine Angevine grown in our Sandridge Barton vineyard, the 

site of our new home! The Estate selection is dry, fresh, and crisp 

with lemon sherbet, green apple, and elderflower characteristics. 

This is the perfect seafood wine and of course the South Hams is 

renowned for some of the best in the country. 

To taste these wines and more, you can order online or visit us in 

person for a tour or tasting by booking online. 

Summer Sparkling NV 

- £19.00 at sharpham.com 

This fun and fresh pink wine is perfect for those long summer 

days with friends. Made with 100% estate grown red grapes and 

packed with English red berry and clotted cream characters, all 

finished nicely with a soft spritz. 

Estate Selection 2020 

- £15.20 at sharpham.com 

A light and dry white wine 

that shows aromas of green 

apple, lemon zest gooseberry 

and English meadow. The 

palate is very fresh and clean 

with a citrus driven acidity. 

Visit our website today, or 

better still, come an join us 

for a tasting! 

Sharpham Estate, Totnes, Devon TQ9 7UT 

T: 01803 732 203 

W: www.sharpham.com 

WINE & CHEESE TASTING 

TOURS, SHOP & CAFÉ 

VISIT US IN OUR FINAL YEAR ON THE STUNNING 

SHARPHAM ESTATE AT ASHPRINGTON, NEAR TOTNES, 

BEFORE WE MOVE TO OUR NEW HOME ACROSS THE RIVER 

ALFRESCO 

CAFÉ 

DOG 

FRIENDLY 

MULTI AWARD-WINNING 

WINE AND CHEESE PRODUCERS 

BOOK TOURS 

ONLINE 

SHARPHAM.COM · 01803 732203 


Quality Wine 

ON YOUR DOORSTEP! 

How much are we all looking forward to summer 

2021? Overseas holidays may be questionable for 

some, but in their place are countless gems on our 

own doorstep just waiting to be discovered, along 

with delicious regional food and drink to enjoy... 

One shining example is the home wine industry and the many 

award-winning wines now produced, attracting high praise from 

pundits here and across the globe. 

England’s vineyards are looking forward to throwing open their 

doors and welcoming visitors back again. Happily, the full lifting 

of restrictions falls during English Wine Week (Saturday 19 – 

Sunday 27 June). During this week, the growers and producers 

in England are inviting everyone to celebrate with some English 

wine – look out for events and promotions. 

English and Welsh wines are gaining popularity and are easy 

to discover, buy and enjoy – many are now readily-available in 

supermarkets, independent retailers and restaurant lists. Last 

year retail giants Waitrose, Majestic and Sainsburys all reported 

a boom in sales of English wines. And course you can buy direct 

from the vineyards themselves, either online or from the cellar 

door. Of the 700 or so vineyards in England and Wales, over 200 

vineyards are open to visitors and summer is the perfect time to 

visit them. 

Vineyards now offer a range of experiences from tours through 

a vineyard, to visiting the cellar door for a tasting. Some have 

a shop, restaurant, and a variety of accommodation options. 

Visitors will take away some great memories and new discoveries 

– and hopefully a bottle or two to enjoy at home and with friends. 

Some vineyards have got together to promote their region 

and enhance other local attractions: Kent, Surrey, Sussex and 

Hampshire all have such trails, and launching just ahead of 

English Wine Week is the first Yorkshire wine trail. There are also 

an array of wine tour companies offering vineyard visit packages 

in the UK. 

So let’s enjoy a summer of English wine and celebrate one of our 

home grown successes – cheers! 

English Wine Week runs 

Saturday 19 – Sunday 27 May 

Image courtesy of Ashling Park Wine 

Estate/WineGB 

Events, activities and promotions will be taking place – visit 

www.wingb.co.uk for more information or follow WineGB on 

@winegb on Instagram/Facebook or 

@Wine_GB on Twitter. 

The West Country welcomes you to its 

newest, most exclusive development. 

Located on the edge of the beautiful market town of Bridgwater, 

17TH-18TH AUGUST 2019 

9AM-4PM 

Somerset and within easy reach of the picturesque Quantock Hills 

and the vivid landscapes of Exmoor. Enjoy a relaxing round of golf 

at some of the region’s challenging courses or a visit to Chilton 

Lakes for fishing, a stroll along the beaches of nearby Burnham-on- 

Sea or Minehead, all within easy reach of Chilton Park. Across of the 

road will take you to the brand new leisure centre, featuring a gym, 

exercise classes, 4 court sports hall, swimming pool and more! 

Chilton Park, Chilton Trinity, Somerset TA6 3JW | www.chiltonpark.co.uk | 01278 426005 or 07858 404593 


Unique 

colouration with 

proven strentgh 

and durability 

Open to the 

trade & public 

• Traditional Yennadon stone 

• Premium quality Pilsamoor Blue 

• Mobile stone saw service 

• Natural & Cut Facing, Walling & Paving 

Telephone: 01822 855 525 

www.yennadonstone.com 

Iron Mine Lane . Dousland . Yelverton 

Devon . PL20 6NA 

Fast Rabbit Farm Garden 

42 acre (huge) Garden in sheltered Strawberry Valley alongside the River 

Black including wildflower meadow and extensive woodland planting. 

Ponds, lakes and miles of paths to suit even the fittest visitor. A haven for 

wild flowers, birds and creatures. 

Open every day 11am-5pm 

Admission Adult £5, Child 50p 

Parties/Disabled visitors please 'phone in advance 

Plants for sale • Dogs welcome on leads 

NEW: Wildlife Walks - see website for details 

Signposted from Sportsman’s Arms on Totnes-Dartmouth Road 

Telephone: 07813 504490 

www.fastrabbitfarm.co.uk 


AL FRESCO 

living 

Brits are a nation of garden lovers, this much is undeniable, but this 

last year and all its challenges have deepened our appreciation for 

our outdoor spaces. 

This issue we catch up with a remarkable transformation - the 

change in this edition was that of a derelict, unused and overgrown 

space on a steep slope, into a smart, tiered city garden. 

WORDS Katie Thomson 

PHOTOGRAPHY Kiera Williams Photography 


o you have grand transformation plans 

for your garden but don’t know where to 

Dstart? We caught up with the owners of this 

amazing redesign, couple Daniel and Katherine, and 

found out their motivations for the change and how 

they went about the transformation on a budget. 

FIRSTLY, CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE 

GARDEN BEFORE AND WHY YOU DECIDED TO 

TAKE ON THE PROJECT? 

Like many people, we were desperate for some 

outside space - our flat had a small courtyard but 

we wanted somewhere we could entertain and 

somewhere for the dogs to enjoy. 

The details surrounding actually buying the land 

were a bit unusual - it was a plot backing on to the 

communal garden of our building and came up 

for sale from a previous owner. Despite the state it 

was in, we snapped it up, knowing we could make 

something special. 

THE BEFORE PHOTOS SHOW THE LEVEL 

OF WORK NEEDED - WHERE DID YOU EVEN 

START? 

We realised early on that we would need 

professionals in - not only was the site overgrown, 

it was steeply sloping and had a strange slab of 

hard-standing in the middle. We enlisted the help 

of a garden landscaper and together devised a 

plan to make a sociable space with lots of room for 

plants but also a big deck. The layout was in part 

influenced by formal Georgian planting - the garden 

backs onto a Regency-era building, so it felt right to 

nod to that heritage. 

First there was a lot of clearance work - an old 

stump had to come out and then years of brambles. 

Then it was on to a mix of excavating and filling the 

various layers. 

BEFORE 

The site also had literally tonnes of stones in it, so it 

made sense for us to use gabions, the metal cages, 

as our retaining walls. We had planned to buy more 

stones for facing them, but in the end we didn’t 

need to. 

We wanted the space to be pretty low 

maintenance, so the bottom section is a material 

called hoggin, which is a self-binding gravel (it’s 

mixed with cement). It creates an even, solid 

surface but it is also free draining, which was 

important as this was the lower section. It’s really 

good value for money too. 

WHAT INSPIRED YOUR PLANTING SCHEME? 

We were aware that we wanted this to be a good 

space for city creatures and insects - the planting 

included lots of pollinator-friendly plants to try and 

encourage them - in turn we have lots of birds which 

is lovely. We filled the raised bed, which was created 

with sleepers, with top soil and got to work planting 

a mix of plants - we have geraniums, cornflowers, 

sedums, geums, sweetpeas, alliums, violas, salvias, 

foxgloves, thistles and some Ravenswing cow 


LANTERNS (ON TABLE, DECK AND 

FENCING) ALL LIGHTS4FUN.CO.UK 

parsley - there is also some interest for early spring with 

lots of daffodils, hellebores, muscari and tulips. 

Either side of the lawn, a more formal, framing effect is 

achieved using boxus - it’s literally instant impact and 

really helps enforce those tidy lines. 

Alongside the borders, we really wanted a tree in the 

mix too - so we ordered a lovely small silver birch from 

primrose.co.uk - it moves in the breeze so beautifully. 

We can pot it on as it grows and eventually plant it in 

the garden of a future home. 

THE DECK LOOKS AMAZING - IS IT A SUN TRAP? 

Absolutely! We were adamant that we wanted 

something low maintenance so we went for composite 

decking from a company called NeoTimber - in essence 

it has the natural look of wood to without the associated 

problems of cracking, splitting, warping and excessive 

maintenance requirements. It also had a 25 year 

residential warranty which was perfect for us as we can 

make the best of it now, but when we move it also gives 

the new owner peace of mind. 

We went for the Essential range which is hollow in the 

centre - it makes it really lightweight and by extension 

really easy to fit. It’s also crazily cost effective at 

£6.25 per linear metre! It has given the space such an 

elevated look. 

THAT FURNITURE IS AMAZING! 

We really lucked out with these! Good garden furniture 

is a little hard to come by at the moment, but as soon 

as we saw the Salone range from Moda Furnishings, 

we knew it was the right one. Its modern lines look 

perfect against the tumbled Bath stone walls and the 

configuration of this set was the perfect size for our 

space. 

Continuing on the low maintenance scheme, it was 

essential this was furniture that could stand up to the 

elements, not lease because we don’t have room inside 


SALONE GARDEN SOFA FROM 

MODAFURNISHINGS.CO.UK 

for the cushions. The frame is powered coated 

aluminium and comes with a 7 year guarantee 

and the cushions are what is called ‘hydrophobic’ 

meaning they repel water - they’re UV resistant 

too. We can leave it out all year - thought we have 

bought a cover to protect it for when it isn’t in use. 

The access for the site is also dreadful! But the 

delivery team made it look effortless and even did 

it with a smile - we were so impressed. 

HOW IS IT LIT? 

We don’t have a direct power source up there so 

lots of installed lights were an issue - so we opted 

for a mixture of options from lights4fun.co.uk - 

mostly their amazing solar-powered lights, which 

have a great output given their diminutive size! We 

also have some festoon lights from there - these 

come in connectable 5m lengths so it’s great to 

have options to make the right size for your space. 

WHAT’S NEXT? 

The craze for fire pits continues and we’d like to 

get our hands on one - we always intended it for 

the hoggin area in the bottom section with some 

more seating around it. That spot also tends to get 

the last of the afternoon rays. 

IMAGES: 

Cushions and throw: All from hauslife.co.uk 

Furniture: Salone Range from Moda Furnishings, 

modafurnishings.co.uk 

Decking: Essential Decking from NeoTimber, 

neotimber.com 

Lights: All from lights4fun.co.uk 

Plants: Primrose.co.uk 


Nigel Dalton Architectural Design are a 

professional team focused on delivering classic and 

contemporary design solutions within the South West. 

Nigel Dalton Architectural Design are a 

professional team focused on delivering classic and 

contemporary design solutions within the South West. 

Nigel Dalton Architectural Design 

is well placed to offer professional 

advice and guidance in the 

following: 

Nigel Dalton Architectural Design is well 

placed to offer professional advice and 

guidance in the following: 

NEW BUILD 

CONVERSIONS & EXTENSIONS 

FEASIBILITY STUDIES 

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PROPERTY 

CONSERVATION & LOSTED BUILDING 

WORK 

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS 

LAND CONTAMINATION ASSESSMENTS 

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION 

PLANNING APPEAL 

Unit 4H, South Hams 

Buisness Park, Churchstow, 

Kingsbridge, TQ7 3QH 

Tel 01548 853458 

www.nigeldalton.com 

NEW BUILD 

CONVERSIONS & EXTENSIONS 

FEASIBILITY STUDIES 

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL 

PROPERTY CONSERVATION & 

LISTED BUILDING WORK 

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS 

LAND CONTAMINATION 

ASSESSMENTS CONTRACT 

ADMINISTRATION PLANNING 

APPEAL 

Unit 4H, South Hams Buisness Park, 

Churchstow, Kingsbridge, TQ7 3QH 

Tel 01548 853458 

www.nigeldalton.com

BUILDING IN A 

CONSERVATION 

AREA 

Just because your home 

is not listed, does not 

mean there might be 

restrictions in place from 

Conservation Area laws. 

Here the HomeOwners 

Alliance tell us what 

we should be aware 

of if planning home 

improvements which may 

fall outside of permitted 

development... 

WHAT IS A CONSERVATION 

AREA? 

These are designated areas of historic 

and architectural interest in which there 

are legal restrictions on what changes 

can be made to buildings, greenery and 

street furniture in order to preserve the 

unique character of the place. The first 

conservation areas were established in 

1967 and now there are around 10,000 in 

the UK including estates, parks, stretches 

of canal, historic town centres and some 

entire villages. 

The precise restrictions on what you can 

do will vary according to the rules set 

by your local authority and the nature 

of the area they are trying to protect. 

For example in some areas the rules 

might prevent changes to railings, street 

lighting, trees, windows, right down to the 

colour of paint that residents are allowed 

to use on their front doors. 

WHAT ARE THE PLANNING RE- 

STRICTIONS FOR HOMES IN A 

CONSERVATION AREA? 

Local authorities place extra restrictions 

on properties within conservation areas 

known as ‘Article 4 Directions’. These 

limit the changes that home owners 

would otherwise be able to make to their 

properties under their normal ‘permitted 

development rights’. These rights govern 

the home improvements that property 

owners are usually allowed to make 

without requiring planning permission. 

If you live in a conservation area, these 

automatic rights are more limited. 

You should speak to your local planning 

authority and look on its website in order 

to find out what specific restrictions apply 

to the conservation area that you live in. 

However the general rules are that you 

cannot, without permission, demolish: 

• A building that is more than 115 

cubic metres 

• A gate, wall or fence that is over 1 

metre if it borders the road or higher 

than 2 metres if not. 

You would also need permission for the 

following alterations 

• A single storey extensions that 

extend more than 3 metres beyond 

the back wall of the house or 4 

metres if the house is detached 

• Extensions greater than one storey 

“Local authorities place extra restrictions on 

properties within conservation areas known as 

‘Article 4 Directions’. These limit the changes that 

home owners would otherwise be able to make to 

their properties under their normal ‘permitted 

development rights’.” 

• Side extensions 

• Roof extensions or alterations 

• Cladding in any material 

• Any new construction of sheds, 

outbuildings, swimming pools. 

• The installation of chimneys, flues 

or vents at the front of the house or 

at the side if it faces the road 

• Installing satellite dishes or 

antennae that face the road. 

• Fitting solar panels to the front 

of the roof facing the street than 

150mm from the roof slope. 

• Fitting solar panels that protrude by 

more than 150mm from the roof 

In addition your local authority may 

have imposed specific rules on the 

conservation area that you live in so it 

is vital to check these. Such rules could 

prevent you from: 

• Replacing original windows or 

doors 

• Altering the guttering or pipes 

• Felling trees or shrubs 

• Painting the facade or changing the 

colour of window frames and doors 

WHERE CAN I GET ADVICE 

ON CARRYING OUT BUILDING 

WORK WITHOUT BREAKING 

THE RULES? 

Speak to your local planning authority at 

an early stage and talk through your plans 

to find out if they are likely to require 

planning permission. If you do need to 

apply for permission, you could get your 

builder, architect or a planning consultant 

to submit an application on your behalf. 

Find out more at www.hoa.org.uk 


When it's time to move on 


You know where you need to be, we can get you there... 

Sometimes in life you need a solicitor to help you move on, 

whether that’s buying a property, making a Will, getting divorced, 

selling a business or a number of other events that life deals us. 

Our 11 partners are all specialists in their area of law and lead 

their teams to provide the best legal advice for you, based on 

your individual circumstances and requirements. We are the third 

most active law firm in the South West for business deals* and 

when it comes to advising clients on their personal requirements, 

we take the time to listen, to understand and to get the best 

result for you. For clients looking to plan for later in life 

or looking after elderly relatives, members of our team are 

qualified Solicitors for the Elderly and are dementia friendly to 

ensure that we provide the best and most reassuring service 

possible. 

We are proud to have been in Totnes for the last 4 years. We’ve 

enjoyed getting to know you and building relationships with 

the local community and local businesses. We’re once again 

disappointed not to be able to see you all at the Totnes Show and 

other events this summer but look forward to the day we can get 

back to these. 

Despite the challenges we all currently face; we remain open and 

fully working for our clients. The use of technology has meant 

it is easier than ever for us to see clients, and to bring the whole 

breadth of our service to Totnes. 

Our office in Totnes is tucked away in a discreet position off the 

High Street on Station Road. We’re open from 9am to 5.15pm, inperson 

appointments must be made in advance to comply with 

our Covid measures. We look forward to the start of another year 

continuing to support the community and working with you. 

WE CAN HELP WITH; 

• Buying or selling a property 

• Making a Will 

• Divorce and separation 

• Children matters 

• Company commercial 

• Commercial Property 

• Landlord & tenant 

• Disputes 

• Personal Injury 

01803 403403 

boycehatton.co.uk 

*Experian Market IQ report 2020 ‘United Kingdom 

and Republic of Ireland M&A Review’ 

NOTES FROM THE GARDEN 

Brighter, lighter days ahead 

Matt Biggs, the gardening expert, gives us some excellent tips 

on how to brighten up our gardens this summer... 

www.matthewbiggs.com 

Lockdown is finally easing and whilst we have all been dealing 

with so many changes in our lives, Nature has just carried on doing 

what she does with very little intervention from us! One effect of 

lockdown has been people sharing various goods and plants with 

their neighbours. 

On my walks I have seen lots of items put at garden gates for 

passers by to take and use. A friend of mine saw a wrought iron 

bedstead put out, carted it home and it now supports a Clematis, 

hanging pots and fairy lights in her garden - creative recycling 

indeed! 

With that thought in mind there are so many ways we can reuse 

what we have, plastic and polystyrene trays for seed sowing, old 

dustbins for potato growing, a little imagination and you can save 

money and be kind to the planet too. 

Colour is certainly something I want in my garden this year and so I 

will be searching out some unusual plants to provide it. Of course, 

I will have Pelargoniums (pictured), Petunias and all the usual 

suspects but will add some plants that I think will provide just that 

extra zing too. 

Cannas are beautiful plants, vibrant and with a real Wow factor and 

I will overwinter them in the greenhouse so they will survive and 

flourish for next year. I will try Caladium or Elephant’s Ears too and 

enjoy visiting local nurseries and garden centres to seek out that 

certain something. 

Gardening is wonderful for so many reasons, not the least is the 

challenge to try different things, discover new varieties and perhaps 

create our own version of the holiday destination we would like to 

be in without the necessity to remove our belts or shoes! 


Chartsedge: 

City to Country 

The pace of buyers wanting to 

exchange city living with a country 

lifestyle is gathering momentum, even 

though the Stamp Duty Holiday is 

ending shortly and people buying will 

not reap its benefits... 


Talking to our city buyers from throughout the country the various 

Lockdowns have brought forward their plans to move to the 

country, and many who thought they would make the move in 

retirement are looking to relocate sooner. After being cooped up 

in their homes they are looking for more space and rooms in their 

new property, and also more outside space and an open outlook. 

The majority of these buyers still want to be close to amenities 

so they are looking on the edge of a village or town, with one of 

the most popular areas being around Totnes and Newton Abbot 

due to the great rail links. The idyll of living in the middle of the 

countryside is, on the whole, not attractive to these buyers as 

they are used to having everything on their doorstep and are not 

used to driving everywhere or being a taxi service for their kids. 

They have to live without Uber, can you imagine! 

One of the absolute top requirements we are seeing from buyers 

is the necessity for a home office and many want two suitable 

rooms/spaces as both will be working more from home. This 

can be an extra room within the house or an annex or space for 

24 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

a home office to be created in the garden and just the capability 

for this enhances the attraction. As they will still be called to their 

offices for meetings convenient transport links and nearness to 

motorway links is extremely attractive. 

Although this is seems to be a new trend, we have been talking to 

buyers for many years that have wanted to have a better work/life 

balance by working from home and this past year has prompted 

them to make the move. We believe this is no trend and we will 

see people continuing to want to live in this beautiful part of the 

UK with many bringing their businesses with them. 

We have buyers urgently seeking 

We have buyers urgently seeking 

homes in Devon 


This influx of new buyers and lack of property on the market is 

raising prices across the market, especially for family homes. 

Now we just need some properties for them to buy! 

Chartsedge is an Independent Estate Agent in Totnes 

Chartsedge 

specialising 

is 

in 

an 

selling 

Independent 

houses 

Estate 

to buyers 

Agent 

nationwide 

in Totnes 

specialising in selling houses to buyers nationwide 

who are either looking to relocate or find a holiday 


home in the West Country. 


We have buyers urgently 

seeking homes in Devon 

If you are thinking about selling your home and need 


some inspiration, or your current agent has run out 

some inspiration, or your current agent has run out 

of 

of 

ideas 

ideas 

please 

please 

contact 

contact 

us 

us 

on 

on 

the 

the 

number 

number 

below. 

below. 


One client commented: ‘Thank You’ for your first class service as 

One specialising client commented: in selling ‘Thank You’ houses for your to first buyers class service nationwide 

as 

our 

our 

Estate 

Estate 

Agent. 

Agent. 

Your 

Your 

relaxed, 

relaxed, 

friendly, 

friendly, 

positive 

positive 

and 

and 

professional 

professional 

manner 

who manner are 

impressed 

impressed either 

us 

us 

from 

looking from 

the 

the 

start 

start to 

and 

relocate and 

even 

even 

when 

when or 

the 

find the 

house 

house a 

sold 

holiday sold 

you home you 

were 

were in constantly 

constantly the West keeping 

keeping Country. us 

us 

informed 

informed 

and 

and 

were 

were 

always 

always 

there 

there 

to 

to 

reassure reassure and and advise advise us us when when required. required. In In our our opinion opinion Chartsedge Chartsedge is is 

the the best best estate estate Agent Agent in in the the area. area. 


some 01803 505115 inspiration, or your current agent has run out of 

ideas 

www.chartsedge.co.uk 

please contact us on the number below. 

Anstey House, 

Jubilee Road, 

One Totnes client 

TQ9 TQ9 commented: 

5BH 5BH ‘Thank You’ for your first class service as our 

Estate Agent. Your relaxed, friendly, positive and professional manner 

impressed us from the start and even when the house sold you were 

constantly keeping us informed and were always there to reassure and 

advise us when required. In our opinion Chartsedge is the best estate 

We Agent in have the area. buyers urgently seeking 

01803 505115 

www.chartsedge.co.uk 

Anstey House, 

Jubilee Road, 

Totnes TQ9 5BH 



specialising in selling houses to buyers nationwide 



If you are thinking about selling your home and need

Your local electrical 

superstore. Internet 

prices, local service. 

Price match 

guarantee 

on all major 

manufacturers. 

All our showrooms are now open in Totnes and Kingsbridge, but we will also continue to be 

available on the phone or via our website if you are still unsure about visiting us in-store. 

We will continue to operate a covid-safe local delivery service. Thank you for your support 

throughout this difficult period. 

15 Fore Street, Kingsbridge TQ7 1PQ - 01548 853116 

15 Fore Street, Totnes. TQ9 5DA - 01803 863448 

www.beaconelectrical.co.uk 


ADVICE WHEN BUYING A NEW HOME 

Expert guidance from the HomeOwners Alliance 

New build homes are a great option 

whether you’re a first time buyer, have 

a growing family or “right sizing” in 

later years. But there are also common 

problems many home buyers aren’t 

aware of. Here are the most common 

pitfalls - and top tips for side stepping 

them - when buying your new home... 

The Benefits of New 

Build Homes 

New build homes are appealing to home 

buyers for a number of reasons: 

• Many people like the fact that 

they will be the first to live in the 

property 

• Repairs and redecoration costs 

should be minimal for the first few 

years 

• Buyers can often select fixtures and 

fittings to tailor the property interior 

to their taste 

• New properties usually come with 

guarantees. As well as NHBC’s 

10-year warranty, other companies 

provide warranties and insurance 

for new homes, such as BLP’s 

housing warranty insurance 

• If the property is built to the correct 

standard, homeowners can enjoy 

lower running costs and energy bills 

Problems and Pitfalls 

with New Build Homes 

But what about the downsides of buying 

a new build? Here are some common 

pitfalls and top tips for side stepping 

them… 

Developers’ customer service 

Whether you’re buying a toaster or a new 

home the transaction and after sales care 

can vary. Trouble is, of course, you’d 

expect a better level of service when 

you’re spending hundreds of thousands 

on your home. Sadly, developers don’t 

compete on quality and after sales 

service. So it’s down to you to do your 

research. Here are our top tips: 

• Get to know the developers in 

the area where you want to buy 

and research them online. Look 

out for where they are mentioned 

on forums and see what people 

are saying. Don’t let it put you off 

completely but let these forums 

inform you of the issues you need 

to be alive to. 

• Get talking – If the development 

has been partially completed ask 

the neighbours how they found the 

process of buying. 

• Visit the developer’s other sites: 

How do they look? Do the new 

residents speak highly of their 

homes and the developer? 

• Never rely solely on the developer’s 

promotional material. Get a feel for 

what you’re buying by visiting the 

site and the local area. 

• Don’t be pressured into using 

the developer’s conveyancing 

solicitor. It’s not uncommon for the 

developers’ solicitor and sales team 

to exert huge pressure on you to 

complete, even where there are clear 

conveyancing problems. If you have 

a good, independent conveyancing 

solicitor, they are less likely to bend 

under pressure from the developer 

and act in your interests. 

Premium Pricing 

Just like a new car, a new build house 

will depreciate in price the minute you 

turn the key in the door. Even in a rising 

property market you may not get your 

money back if you have to sell within a 

year or two. 

• Compare the new build home you 

are looking at with similar “old” 

properties in terms of value, space 

and rental value in the local area. 

Check the price per square foot, and 

compare it with the resale market 

so you understand the extent of the 

premium you will be paying. 

• Negotiate with the developers. Find 

out what other properties on the 

site have been sold for on Zoopla 

or Rightmove. There can often be 

deals to be done at the end of their 

financial year,. 

• 

Workmanship and Finish 

NHBC warranties and other new home 

warranties are not going to cover 

workmanship and quality finishes. So 

make sure you’re happy at every stage 

of the build with how your new home 

is shaping up but especially before you 

complete. 

By the time you instruct solicitors you 

should have seen copies of the plans 

and specification of what the developer 

intends to build. The more detail this 

shows, the better. 

Read more at hoa.org.uk 


TONIQ On Demand 


We caught up with personal trainer Arron Collins-Thomas to find out about his new 

online fitness offering, expanded from his very successful gym TONIQ... 

Your gym, with its fully-rounded approach to health and 

lifestyle, has made national news for its incredible client 

results – what will the app offer? 

At TONIQ we recognise that good health is more than just 

regular workouts, it encompasses taking care of every aspect 

of your body. We have created a solution where everything from 

nutrition, mindfulness, amazing workouts, yoga and more is 

available with guidance from fantastic trainers and experts in 

one place. 

Not only this, but as part of TOD you have access to your own 

coach, ensuring that you have someone you can speak to, to 

keep you on track and accountable as well as supporting you 

throughout. 

We have had some incredible results over the past few years at 

TONIQ and we want to be able to bring those results to more 

people. With the app we aim to give anyone, anywhere in the 

world, a taste of the TONIQ-life. 

As a TONIQ On Demand member you get to join the incredible 

community online, have access to our on demand workouts as 

well as live workouts, Q&As and educational talks. We have an 

incredible coaching team with a huge array of skills to bring to 

you including yoga, qigong, nutrition and mindfulness. 

The main workouts are written based on what we are up to at 

TONIQ in any given training block and a new phase of workouts 

launches every 6 weeks on the app as well as regular bonus 

content to keep the training varied and inspiring. 

Can you get a good experience with online coaching? 

Are you accountable and is it personalised? 

With TOD you have a designated TONIQ coach who you speak 

to on a one to one basis. When you first sign up with us you 

will have a call to help you set up your accountability sheets, 

help you curate your workout schedule and set you on the 

right nutrition plan for you. Then every month you get another 

call with your coach to help keep you on track and answer any 

questions you may have. Accountability is key if you really want 

to get results and that is one of the reasons why TONIQ has 

been so successful. 

Are the classes accessible no matter your fitness level? 

Some of us are self-conscious about going to the gym or 

nervous in COVID times. 

No matter what your levels of fitness we can help you. Our 

expert coach will advise what level to start at for you and 

how hard to push yourself in the first consultation you have 

with them. It will be based around your fitness and any health 

concerns, so you can feel secure in the fact that you won’t be 

over training or causing yourself any harm by taking part in our 

programs. 

For people who aren’t ready for the gym again yet or who are 

self conscious TONIQ On Demand is the perfect choice. You get 

personal trainer support and expert written workouts, all from 

the comfort of your own home. 

You also get to join a great online community who share their 

experiences and help support each other to get the results they 

desire. 

TONIQ ON DEMAND 

MORE THAN A WORKOUT 

Join our community from anywhere, at anytime with 

TONIQ on Demand, our app gives you access to: 

Personalised plans developed with expert coaches. 

Nutrition plans based on your needs and goals. 

Monthly 121 check in calls with an expert coach. 

Extensive library of classes including SWEAT, STRONGER, 

BURN and CHILL. 

Visit TONIQLIFE.COM to find out more

Bamboo socks in a 

variety of patterns 

and colours. £7, 

hauslife.co.uk 

Lightweight shorts with 

stretch - perfect for 

any workout. £29.99, 

uk.ryderwear.com 

A great summer 

staple. £35, 

marksandspencer.com 

The perfect Father’s Day 

tipple, Caorunn is passionately 

handcrafted in small batches 

in the heart of the Scottish 

Highlands using foraged gin 

botanicals. £22, Sainsburys 

Is it a shirt, or a jacket? 

It’s both! A great 

piece of smart-casual 

wear to add to dad’s 

wardrobe. £39.50, 

marksandspencer.com 

We love the 

Montezuma truffle 

jars - plus you can 

build your own bar 

for a personalised 

treat. £29.99, www. 

montezumas. 

co.uk 

Quite possibly the coolest 

bit of tech going...feel like 

a spy with Fauna’s amazing 

sunglasses - with built in lightweight 

microphones and speakers, allowing 

you to wirelessly listen to music and 

make calls! Complete with a charging 

case. £249, wearefauna.com 

DAD 

you’re the best 

Father’s Day falls on 20 th 

June - here are some gift 

ideas to show how much 

you care... 

This 2018 Pinot Noir is the 

perfect gift for Father’s Day. 

The delectable wine is soft 

yet rich with deep aromas 

of ripe strawberry, 

morello cherry and 

earthy notes of 

spice. £35, 

gusbourne. 

com 

A fresh and bright 

unisex scent, Rain from 

Clean Reserve lasts 

on the skin and can 

be layered. 

£82, www. 

spacenk. 

com 

We love 

Ryderwear 

for their 

performanceled 

design. High-tech fabrics 

in cuts that aid mobility. 

Camo Mesh T-Shirt, £27.99, 

uk.ryderwear.com 


ADAPT YOUR HOME FOR SOMEONE WITH 

DEMENTIA The Key Changes to Make a Safer Space 

Maintaining independence is 

important for someone living with 

dementia, as is having a familiar 

living space. Whilst some people 

may move out of their home into 

residential care, some families are 

helping their loved ones remain at 

home. 

With small adaptations to their living 

space, it’s possible for someone with 

dementia to stay in their own home 

both safely and comfortably. Many local 

authorities have funding available to make 

minor adaptations to the home, and for 

those with more acute needs, there are 

also grants available to support with larger 

adjustments. 

Here are some of the key adaptations to 

consider for the home to ensure it’s a safe 

space for someone living with dementia. 

Kitchen 

If your loved one is in the mid to later 

stages dementia, they may need 

additional assistance and may even have 

a carer living with them. If this is the case, 

it’s unlikely they’ll be left unsupervised in 

the kitchen. However, in order to ensure 

the highest safety levels, it’s advisable to 

consider: 

30 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

• Fitting cookers and any gas-supplied 

equipment with an automatic cut off 

• Ensuring all smoke detectors and 

carbon monoxide alarms are working 

• Removing any obstacles, such as rugs 

and mats, to avoid trips or falls 

• Clearing out the fridge regularly to 

remove out-of-date food 

• Storing cleaning products, irons, 

knives and sharp equipment in a locked 

cupboard or drawer 

Bathroom 

The bathroom can sometimes present 

challenges for those with limited mobility 

or cognitive challenges. Whilst your loved 

one may have a carer present to help with 

personal hygiene, it’s best to ensure the 

bathroom is a safe and easily navigable 

space: 

• Clearly marking the taps for hot and cold 

• Installing grab rails around the shower 

and toilet 

• Adding textured pads on surfaces which 

may get slippery 

• Removing the lock from the bathroom door 

• Locking away any medication, cleaning 

products, and sharp items 

Bedroom 

In order to ensure the bedroom is a 

calming space where your loved one can 

sleep safely, the following should be of use: 

• Avoiding electric blankets 

• Installing a night light in the bedroom, 

hallway, and bathroom to provide easy 

vision if they get up in the night 

• Making sure the room is a good 

temperature 

• Putting a clock next to the bed that 

indicates whether it is day or night to 

avoid confusion 

Living Room 

This is often where you spend most of 

your time relaxing, so to ensure the space 

is comfortable, familiar, yet safe, try: 

• Removing obstructions which can cause 

trips or falls 

• Ensuring the room is well lit 

• Having a clear path in and out of the 

room - especially if your loved one needs 

mobility aids 

Hallway and Stairs 

• Consider installing handrails up the stairs 

• Making sure the front and back doors 

are locked and car keys are locked away 

- particularly if your loved one is prone to 

wandering, 

• Removing any obstructions such as 

hallway tables or cables from phones 

If you require further information the 

Alzheimer’s Society have a support line 

0333 150 3456

“Our home is more comfortable. 

In fact, if I could have my time over again, 

“Our home is more comfortable. 

I would have had them fitted earlier.” 

In fact, if I could have my time over again, 

MRS RICHARDS, CORNWALL 

I would have had them fitted earlier.” 

MRS RICHARDS, CORNWALL 

25 YEAR 

GUARANTEE 

25 YEAR 

At 

GUARANTEE 

the core of our 

heating* 

At the core of our 

heating* 

GERMAN 

Manufacturing GERMAN 

Excellence Manufacturing 

Excellence 

4 YEARS FREE 

4 YEARS FREE 

Repair Cover** 

Repair Cover** 

Be warm, when you want 

Be warm, when you want 

Say goodbye to night storage 

Say goodbye to night storage 

If your house gets chilly towards the end of the day, or if your 

toes If your feel house cold while gets chilly your towards heating’s the on end full of – you’re the day, not or if alone. your 

At toes South feel West cold while heating, your we’ve heating’s helped on over full – three you’re thousand not alone. 

customers At South West escape heating, the struggles we’ve helped of old, over expensive three thousand night storage 

heating, customers oil or escape gas. the struggles of old, expensive night storage 

heating, oil or gas. 

Our efficient, German electric radiators spread warmth evenly 

around Our efficient, your home, German from electric floor radiators ceiling, spread and make warmth it easy evenly to 

choose around your perfect home, from temperature floor to ceiling, in every and room. make it easy to 

choose your perfect temperature in every room. 

ELKAtherm® heats up quickly and is simple to control – so you 

can 

ELKAtherm® 

be warm, whenever 

heats up quickly 

you want… 

and is 

without 

simple to 

a 

control 

big electricity 

– so you 

bill. 

can be warm, whenever you want… without a big electricity bill. 

Call Call us us on on 

01209 714 600 

info@southwestheatingsolutions.co.uk 

www.southwestheatingsolutions.co.uk

01548 521339 ∙ 07595 914330 

info@mooregardenrooms.com 

mooregardenrooms.com

South Hams Lifestyle Jun - Jul 2021

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?