South Hams Lifestyle Jun - Jul 2022

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Considering letting your holiday home? Our 

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

C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

14 

RAYMOND’S RECIPES 

I sit writing this in the most 

bucolic of settings - we are 

lucky in that our offices are 

within farmlands (we are 

actually housed in a former 

chicken shed - we say that’s 

why our ideas sometimes get 

scrambled!). 

The first signs of summer 

are surely here because the 

swallows have arrived - putting 

on the most wonderful of 

shows - and only occasionally 

knocking into the windows 

during their frenzied activity! 

04 

COMPETITIONS 

We are really looking forward 

to the warmer months, and this 

issue is certainly a celebration 

of that. We caught up with 

French chef Raymond Blanc 

and were lucky to have a really 

insightful chat with him about 

the British food scene and 

his love of teaching - we also 

managed to nab some recipes 

from his latest book. 

We’ve also got some fabulous 

editorial aimed at getting 

the house up together for 

the summer months - with a 

range of projects both large 

and small to create that home 

you’ve always coveted. 

12 

RAYMOND BLANC 

Editor Katie Thomson 

e katie@minervapublications.co.uk 

Assistant Editor Kate Norris 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Pre Press Manager Rebecca Rose 

Contributors 

Matthew Biggs, Angela Cave, 

Louise Thomson, Pete Lawrence 

FOR ADVERTISING 

Account Manager Adrian Hill 

e adrian.hill@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984 496 

Cover image courtesy of OKA Furnishings 

HOME & GARDEN 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS 

Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, 

Hilperton BA14 6JB 

t 01225 984 550 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

21 

Printed on sustainably sourced paper. Please 

recycle this copy or pass it along when you are 

finished for someone else to enjoy. 

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. 

Finally, I would like to mark 

this historic Platinum Jubilee 

by saying a heartfelt thank 

you to HRH The Queen for 

her years of tireless service - 

she is truly iconic and such a 

stalwart pillar of our society. I 

hope we can all come together 

to celebrate her glorious reign. 

We hope you enjoy this edition 

- look out for the next one 

in August when we will be 

hoping for an Indian Summer, 

and shining our shoes for a 

new school year. Until then, 

school’s out! 

Katie 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

COMPETITION 

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. 

WIN 

A SUMMER 

BBQ PACKAGE 

WORTH OVER 

£500! 

Barbecue expert, Char-Broil, has teamed up 

with Beefsteak Club wines to provide one 

winner a summer BBQ package to start your 

Jubilee garden party with a cheer, pairing 

wines with your barbecued food! The Char- 

Broil Performance Pro 2-Burner compact 

gas barbecue (RRP: £449.99) features 

TRU-infrared technology guaranteeing even 

heat distribution, no messy flare ups and 50% 

juicier results. Also enjoy 3 cases of Beefsteak 

Club wines, all priced at under £10 and perfect for 

a delicious BBQ. Beefsteak Club Malbec is a smooth, unoaked 

red wine that complements meaty kebabs, prime cuts of steak 

and burgers with blue cheese sauce. Beefsteak Club Sauvignon 

Blanc pairs with barbecued scallops or herby chicken thighs, and 

Beefsteak Club Malbec Rosé marries well with grilled seafood, as 

well as vegetable skewers and grilled halloumi cheese. One lucky 

winner will get their hands on this whole bundle! 

beefsteakclubwines.com | charbroil.co.uk 

Closes 24/06/2022 - Competition keyword ‘BBQ’ 

WIN 

THE NEW 

VAX ONEPWR 

EDGE DUAL 

WORTH 

£399! 

The new VAX ONEPWR Edge 

Dual Pet & Car has been designed 

to be everything you know and 

love about a traditional upright 

vacuum, just without the 

cord. With up to 100 minutes 

runtime1, it provides full-size 

performance and allows you 

to clean with ease, for longer 

and with fewer interruptions. 

Additional tools for above the 

floor cleaning make it easy 

to reach awkward areas such 

as stairs, ceiling corners and 

car boots, making the VAX 

ONEPWR Edge perfect for 

owners of busy homes with 

pets and cars. 

We have one to give away worth £399.99, including an 

additional accessory kit worth £50. 

www.vax.co.uk 

Closes 24/06/2022 - Competition keyword ‘CORDLESS’ 

WIN 

THE ULTIMATE 

GAMES 

BUNDLE WITH 

ASMODEE! 

Asmodee, the leading distributor of table-top games and 

accessories in the UK are giving you the chance to win a 

games bundle for the ultimate family night in. 

One lucky winner will receive a selection of games for a range 

of age groups, sure to keep the whole family happy. The 

prize bundle includes Dobble, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, 

Bananagrams, Ticket to Ride Europe, CATAN, Dixit, Azul, 

Cobra Paw and HINT. 

www.asmodee.co.uk 

Closes 24/06/2022 - Competition keyword ‘ASMODEE’ 

As the sun starts shining and 

we head into summer, it’s time 

to get your apron on and start 

baking ready for picnics and 

BBQs. British baking brand 

Tala has put together the 

perfect bundle of essential 

baking products for any keen 

baker including one of these 

glorious pastel mixing bowls. 

From cake tin sets, traybake 

tins to icing gear and nozzles galore, you’ll 

be cooking up a storm in no time! One lucky 

winner will get their hands on the whole 

baking bundle, details of which are available 

online. 

WIN 

£200 worth of 

Tala Baking 

Must-Haves! 

Black Chalk Wine – one of WIN 

England’s most exciting A PAIR OF 

producers – is offering SPARKLING 

two lucky readers the WINES WITH 

chance to win a pair of 

BLACK CHALK 

its sparkling wines from 

the recently released 2018 

WINE! 

vintage: Black Chalk Classic 

2018 and Wild Rose 2018. Both 

wines, which have an RRP of £35 and £40 

respectively, are available to purchase at its 

recently opened on-site Tasting Room located 

in the heart of Hampshire’s Test Valley. 

Further information on events and booking Tours & Tastings can 

be found here: www.blackchalkwine.com 

www.talacooking.com 

Closes 24/06/2022 - Competition keyword ‘BAKING’ 

www.blackchalkwine.com 

Closes 24/06/2022 - Competition keyword ‘SPARKLING’ 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

Occombe 

Farm Park & Play 

PLAY EAT SHOP 

Indoor and outdoor play, 

animal encounters barn 

and animal paddocks trail. 

Farm Shop and Café. 

We Can’t Wait to WELCOME YOU 

@occombefarm 

www.occombe.co.uk 

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural 

Development: Europe investing in rural areas 

Occombe Farm Park & Play 


Hundreds of rolls of designer fabrics 

at discounted prices. 

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE 

OUTDOOR FAMILY FUN 

DRIVING ACTIVITIES 

at Castle Combe Circuit 

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Adrenaline fuelled karting for adults 15+ 

BUY NOW ON 01249 783010 

Or visit www.drivetechltd.co.uk 


LOCAL HERO 

We talk to businesses in and around South Hams who 

are passionate about what they do... 

K-HIRE & 

KINGSBRIDGE 

GARDEN 

MACHINERY 

GWYNETH ROBERTS 

WHO ARE K-HIRE & KINGSBRIDGE 

GARDEN MACHINERY? 

Kingsbridge Hire & Garden Machinery 

was formed 9 years ago when Jamie & 

Gwyneth bought the existing business 

Kingsbridge Hire. 

Since owning the business, we have 

moved to larger purposes-built premises 

at Torr Trade Park and grown the sales 

and servicing of garden machinery. 

We have a team of sales & hire advisors 

alongside experienced workshop 

technicians all on hand to give you the 

best advice. 

WHAT CAN I HIRE? 

The hire equipment ranges from 

drills, sanders, carpet cleaners to 2T 

excavators, tracked barrows & 1T 

dumpers. We also hire aluminium tower 

scaffolding and often help out with local 

events who use the scaffold for lighting 

and PA equipment. 

DO YOU ALSO SELL? 

Garden machinery sales have grown 

extensively in 9 years. We selling everything 

from chainsaws, ride on lawn mowers to the 

new and innovative auto mowers or robots 

as they’re often referred to. We’re main 

dealers for the big names such as Stihl, 

Husqvarna, Ariens, Atco, Hayter, Ego, to 

name but a few! 

We’re happy to offer a site survey of your 

property to ensure you purchase the right 

product for your needs. 

Where can I find out more about what 

you hire? 

Our website is www.kingsbridgehire.com 

or you can call the friendly, knowledgeable 

team on 01548 853679. 

Our garden machinery website is currently 

in development so please bear with us and 

watch this space! 

TORBAY COAST 

& COUNTRYSIDE 

TRUST 

SARAH JAMES 

TELL US MORE ABOUT THE TORBAY 

COAST & COUNTRYSIDE TRUST? 

Torbay has an outstanding natural 

environment and heritage. Torbay Coast & 

Countryside Trust, a conservation charity, 

are guardians of these most important 

natural places for nature, wildlife, recreation 

and education. Places like Cockington 

Country Park, Berry Head National Nature 

Reserve and lots of wildlife-friendly 

woodlands, meadows, pathways and 

bridleways around Torbay. Our mission 

is to protect land, conserve nature and 

strengthen the bonds between people and 

the natural world of Torbay. 

WHEREABOUTS ARE YOU? 

Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust is based 

in Paignton, at Occombe Farm. We care for 

1700 acres of special green spaces. 

TELL US ABOUT THE NEW VISITOR 

ATTRACTION 

Torbay’s newest family visitor attraction; 

Occombe Farm Park & Play, is a mix of 

visitor attraction with indoor and outdoor 

play, animal encounters barn and animal 

paddocks trail; a farm shop and a farm cafe. 

DO YOU HAVE A CAFÉ? 

Yes, Occombe Farm Café is at the heart of 

Occombe, with easy access to Occombe 

Farm Shop and Occombe Farm Park & Play. 

There’s plenty of seating both indoors and 

outside. From the terrace, there are stunning 

countryside views across Occombe valley 

and beyond. Our menu is crammed with 

honest and homemade dishes, delicious 

cakes, bakes, snacks and treats. 

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 

YOU? 

Sign up to our Occombe newsletter at 

www.occombe.co.uk/keep-in-touch/ 

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram 

and TikTok 

Go to our website: www.occombe.co.uk 


Jubilee Macarons, £22 for 5, 

emmadodicakes.com 

Paper Bunting, £6.99, 

gingerray.co.uk 

Plant a Tree for the Jubilee Kit, 

£24.50, thedenkitco.com 

Vintage Union Jack 

Cushion, £32.99 

auburnfox.co.uk and Lion 

And Unicorn Cushion, £139, 

janconstantine.com 

JUBILATIONS 

Are you ready for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee? 

Whether you’re hosting a street party or just looking for 

something to mark the occasion, this curated collection 

will have everything you need to commemorate the 

monarch’s historic milestone. 

Jubilee Dress-Up, £6.50, 

talkingtables.co.uk 

Champagne Bucket 

with Jubilee Strap, 

£85.50, heatingand-plumbing.com 

Jubilee Mug, £13.50, 

sophieallport.com 

Pure wool waterproof picnic 

blanket with Jubilee Strap, £135, 

heating-and-plumbing.com 

Jubilee Paper 

Bunting, 3m, £10, 

talkingtables.co.uk 

Jubilee Celebration Rose, 

£16.99, dobbies.com 


Ada Shop Local Skirt, 

£89, palava.co 

ALTBASH 

With the pandemic taking away large 

events and parties, it is no surprise 

that since restrictions have lifted that 

everyone is finding any excuse for a 

party with friends and family. Altbashes is 

a new trend that Millennials, Gen X and 

Boomers have embraced to celebrate 

basically anything they can, from new 

jobs to bad break-ups! 

Tissue Paper Disc Party 

Backdrop, £19.99, 


Paisley Fabric Bunting, 3m, 

£25, talkingtables.co.uk 

Party Bucket, £63, 

iamfy.co 

Party Balloon Mosaic Stand and 

Bright Balloon Arch, both £39.99, 


African Shopping 

Basket - Sayana, £65, 

lolaandmawu.com 

Trendsetters 

OUR FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE TRENDS 

Cat Door Mat, £24.50, 

redcandy.co.uk 

Art Print By Thirteen 

Prints, £20, iamfy.co 

SUMMER 

INFUSIONS 

Dive into spring/ summer 2022 with an 

array of fruity accessories and bright 

pops of colour. From juicy pinks to 

sunshine yellow, summer infusions is the 

perfect trend to get stuck into for the 

brighter seasons. 

Morgan Pom Pom Cushion, 

£35, hauslife.co.uk 

Bright Candle Holders, 

£20, nineangels.co.uk 

Shade In St Clements 

Egg And Spoon, £62, 

pooky.com 

Larsen Corner Sofa, £2940, 

sofa.com

View our 360° Tour 

Fire & Ice 

Indulge your senses in our thermal 

spa experience, Fire & Ice 

• 8 person hydropool • Herbal sauna 

• Finnish sauna • Aroma steam room 

• Drench bucket • Shower experience 

• Heated loungers • Ice fountain 

01803 400190 www.tlh.co.uk 

Fire & Ice for You £35 

Fire & Ice for Two £45 

Bring a friend and save £25pp! 

#TLHhotels 

DISCOVER CHÂTEAU LOU CASTEOU 

Set in the beautiful French Cote d’Azur countryside, minutes from the sea. These Luxurious Retreats provides the perfect balance of gourmet 

meals, pampered luxury, energetic fitness classes, Latin dance sessions and outdoor activities including coastal treks, tennis, boxercise, 

aqua-gym, circuit training, yoga, sea kayaking and beach workouts, to help guests improve their fitness level or kick start a regime. 

Retreats include 5 days of luxury accommodation in the chateau in en-suite bedrooms with sea or mountain views. 

Meals are fabulous, nutritious and elegant 3 course dinners, quality open bar and evening parties and entertainment. 

Please contact Morag@Loucasteou.com with questions and for reservations. www.loucasteou.com 

10 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

MMBaxterWT235.indd 1 17/11/2021 09:30

STYLISH 

stays 

NORTON PARK 

Winchester 

When the opportunity arose to review Norton Park Hotel & 

Spa, I couldn’t pack my suitcase quickly enough! There are few 

things I enjoy more than a spa day, and given the cabin fever 

we’ve all suffered over the past couple of years, I saw it as a 

welcome excuse to blow away the cobwebs! 

An elegant 16th century manor house set in blissful parkland 

right outside the historic town of Winchester, you are guaranteed 

to leave Norton Park feeling revitalised and refreshed. Parking 

up and checking in was a dream, with a team of friendly staff 

and couldn’t of been more accommodating during our stay. 

To fully immerse yourself in the tranquil parkland setting, 

your best bet is to indulge and book yourself a manor house 

feature room. You wont regret it. Set away from the main hotel, 

the manor house is an elegant and glamorous step back in 

time and is guaranteed to make your weekend away extra 

special. The room was adorned with a huge king size bed and 

a very spacious lounge area, as well as beautiful views of the 

picturesque grounds. 

It was finally time for our spa treatments. Both my husband and 

I decided that we required the full works, and so opted for the 

‘Wellbeing Massage’. Using a blend of individually tailored oils 

from the ELEMIS range, the massage was sheer heaven! After 

a refreshment and a quick dip in the pool, it was time to make 

our way to dinner. 

I am very much a self-confessed carnivore, so when I spotted 

the 10oz rib eye steak on the menu, I looked no further! However 

it is worth noting that the dinning menu has something for 

everyone, with many vegetarian and vegan options available. 

The steak was perfectly cooked (rare, of course!), accompanied 

by some juicy red wine and topped off with a cherry cheesecake. 

The perfect evening! 

Rooms from £75 per night 

Norton Park Hotel & Spa, Winchester SO21 3NB 

nortonparkhotel.com | 01962 763 000 

THE THREE BLACKBIRDS 

Suffolk 

Nestled in the quiet village of Woodditton, in a peaceful corner 

of Suffolk near to both the equestrian town of Newmarket and 

its larger cousin Cambridge, The Three Blackbirds offered 

a home away from home for a cosy weekend with our puppy 

plus-one. ‘Dog-friendly’ in more than name only, the staff at The 

Three Blackbirds went above and beyond to ensure a relaxing 

and memorable stay even if, like mine, your four-legged friend 

occasionally makes up for what he lacks in size in his vocal 

range! 

The rooms are in a separate barn building behind the main pub 

and each stylishly and personally decorated. Contemporary but 

with plenty of character befitting the countryside setting, the 

spacious rooms offered the perfect haven to return to after a day 

spent exploring the surrounding area. A large king bed, modern 

bathroom and ample storage space were key features. Not to 

be forgotten, the room also provided a large dog bed, toys and 

treats upon arrival. 

The pub itself was an equally charming setting, with dogs 

welcome during mealtimes and ours was indulged with plenty 

of treats and attention. The seasonally inspired menus provided 

a raft of high-quality options, without breaking the bank. The 

Three Blackbirds is part of the Chestnut Collection, a group of 

15 unique pubs and restaurants across East Anglia, and we 

also ate at the impressive Packhorse Inn, a short drive from The 

Three Blackbirds and with an exceptional menu and ambience. 

Booking through PetsPyjamas.com takes out any stress, as dogs 

stay free and with your first dog-friendly booking, PetsPyjamas 

customers automatically become members of their Priority 

Paws club, which gives dogs and their owners access to their 

own VIP pet concierge, complimentary 24/7 vet advice for the 

duration of their trip, VIP discounts and exclusive deals. 

An all-round fantastic stay, not to be missed. 

The Three Blackbirds is priced at £110 per night. 

Book through www.petspyjamas.com 


ADVERTISING FEATURE 

raymond blanc 

Bon appetit 

Editor Katie Thomson caught up with acclaimed 

French chef Raymond Blanc ahead of his appearance 

at this year’s Blenheim Palace Food Festival – we 

talked all things sustainability, the British food scene 

and his love of teaching… 

Food and produce are at the centre of 

your life – you exude such a passion for 

it – where did this passion begin? 

It began in my childhood, in Franche- 

Comté. My mother was the greatest 

inspiration of my life. Through her I learnt 

about the importance of seasonality and 

the purity of ingredients. I was very much 

her kitchen helper and it wasn’t until 

the age of 14 that I made my first dish – 

crêpes Suzette, thin pancakes in a sweet 

sauce of caramel and Grand Marnier. 

I made about 30 pancakes, as light as 

feathers, and I was an extremely proud 

teenager. I folded them and arranged them 

on a big Pyrex dish. Then I made a light 

brown caramel, adding the juice of orange 

and lemon, and then the Grand Marnier. I 

poured the sauce over the pancakes and 

then decided to reheat the whole thing on 

a gas ring. Perfect! Or so I thought. At that 

moment catastrophe struck. The Pyrex 

dish exploded into millions of tiny pieces. 

Of course it was a blow to my ego but, as 

you know, I am delighted to say it didn’t 

put me off cooking. 

How important is the garden at Le 

Manoir aux Quat’Saisons? 

There is not just one garden in the 

grounds – there are many, from the 

potager to the orchards and herb 

gardens, and the valley of mushrooms 

and the Japanese garden with its little 

tea-house. For me, it is a daily ritual 

to wander through these enchanting 

gardens with their unusual herbs and 

the sweet, exotic scents of near and 

faraway places. Every little part of Le 

Manoir helps to make it a place with 

soul, a big heart and an appetite for 

humanity. My childhood in postwar 

France might seem ancient and 

simplistic, and we may have lacked 

today’s science or high-tech values, 

but we had one great asset: common 

sense. Information was passed on 

from one generation to another. We 

understood and appreciated that 

food connected with everything – the 

table, the family, environment, society, 

health. We respected what came from 

the soil. 

You’ve always been passionate about 

putting vegetables in the spotlight – do 

you think we are reconnecting with 

our understanding of produce and 

how it links to both our health and the 

environment? 

It begins with the young. We have to 

teach our children about the value of 

a meal, and instil in them that sense 

of place, of region. We need to show 

our children what flourishes near their 

homes and how to grow our own 

vegetables in the garden. If that’s not 

possible we can use window boxes and 

teach our children the miracle of the little 

seeds that contain the life force. If you 

grow and cook your own vegetables, 

life will feel better and you and your 

family will feel better. You will be part of 

gastronomy, too! 


Have you seen the British restaurant 

industry change since the 1970s? 

Beyond belief. When I crossed the 

Channel in the seventies the nation 

was in economic turmoil and the 

quality of the food supply chain was 

not questioned; it had become an 

irrelevance. We had embraced intensive 

farming, and we held it as a triumph. 

This was reflected in the restaurant 

industry which, yes, has changed 

dramatically, so that today London is 

considered one of the great gastromic 

cities of the world. Remember, food 

connects with every single part of 

our lives, a truth that was ignored for 

decades. Oh, how times have changed. 


Do you think our appreciation of food 

in Britain has had a similar overhaul? 

Yes, and also think of ‘the positives’ 

of the pandemic. Lockdowns 

encouraged many people to head for 

the kitchen and discover the great 

pleasures of cooking. It made me 

think about how it would impact on our 

lifestyles and the food we eat. We will 

seriously tackle food waste, and we 

will be closer to our farmers, butchers, 

fishmongers, cheesemakers and our 

other food producers. We do need to 

reconnect more with seasonality and the 

provenance and authenticity of produce. 

Sustainability must be the driving force 

in the years to come. We’ll rediscover 

our skills, grow more and import less. 

That’s good for the farmers and the 

economy. I have long felt that by digging 

into the past, we shall find our future. 

Maybe I am just an old romantic, but I 

do believe truly that this will happen. 

You are appearing at the Blenheim 

Palace Food Festival this summer – 

what are the highlights in this special 

Jubilee year? 

The Blenheim Food Festival is a 

wonderful event with the focus firmly on 

eating well. It is buzzy, happy and fun, 

with lots of artisan producers with stalls, 

and cookery demonstrations. I’ll be 

hosting a question-and-answer session, 

and talking about my life, as well as my 

latest book, Simply Raymond, which is a 

little treasure chest of easy recipes. 

Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge 

– both on stage and to your brigade at 

Le Manoir? 

Without question, teaching is one of the 

greatest pleasures of my life. Over the 

years thousands have come to learn 

at the Raymond Blanc Cookery School 

at Le Manoir. And to think of the many 

young chefs who have come to work 

at Le Manoir ... and gone on to win 

Michelin stars! 

What has been your proudest 

achievement as a chef? 

Ultimately, it is sharing knowledge and 

watching others become masters of the 

incredible crafts of cooking and looking 

after our guests. I must tell you also of a 

special highlight… Many years ago the 

Queen Mother came to Le Manoir. With 

her entourage she enjoyed a particularly 

fabulous and long lunch, and then she 

stood and led her guests in a rendition 

of Le Marseillaise. Then she insisted that 

I gather together about 80 members of 

staff so that she could personally thank 

them for the wonderful experience. I am 

French Republican but I must tell you 

that on that day when the Queen Mum 

visited I came very close to becoming a 

royalist. 

Fantastic Food Festivals is hosting 

three festivals this summer, kickstarting 

the season with Blenheim Palace 

Food Festival in Oxfordshire during 

the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend 

on Thursday 2nd June – Sunday 5th 

June. 

The iconic Royal Victoria Park situated 

in the historical city of Bath will host the 

next food festival on Friday 29th July to 

Sunday 31st July with the final festival 

at Upton Country Park in picturesque 

Poole during the Bank Holiday on 

Saturday 27th August – Monday 29th 

August 2022. 

For more information and tickets visit 

www.fantasticfoodfestivals.co.uk 

‘Simply Raymond: Recipes from 

home’ by Raymond Blanc (£25, 

Headline) is out now 


Raymond Blanc 

MUSSEL AND 

SAFFRON RISOTTO 

Mussels and saffron are united harmoniously in this classic 

risotto. There’s no need for that constant stirring. Instead, the 

rice is stirred towards the end of the cooking time to activate the 

starches, a trick you can use with any risotto you make. 

INGREDIENTS 

For the mussels 

1kg fresh mussels 

1 onion 

2 bay leaves 

2 thyme sprigs 

1 tablespoon unsalted butter 

100ml dry white wine 

For the risotto 

1 garlic clove 

1 tablespoon unsalted butter 

200g carnaroli rice (or arborio) 

2 bay leaves 

a couple of pinches of saffron powder or 

strands 

pinch of cayenne pepper 

2 pinches of sea salt flakes 

100ml dry white wine 

300ml water (or fish stock) 

To finish 

50g Parmigiano Reggiano cheese 

2 teaspoons unsalted butter, at room 

temperature 

a handful of coarsely chopped flat-leaf 

parsley 

100g cooked peas (optional) 

a handful of baby-leaf spinach (optional) 

½ lemon, for squeezing 

TO PREPARE 

First, the mussels. Ensure that all 

the mussels are tightly closed and not 

damaged before you begin to cook; 

any mussels that are damaged or open 

should be discarded. The preparation 

can be done in advance. Wash the 

mussels in a large bowl and under cold 

running water. Mussels that float at this 

stage are not very fresh, so discard them. 

Remove any barnacles and beards, but 

don’t scrub the shells as this can end up 

colouring the cooking juices. Drain. 

Finely chop the onion and peeled garlic 

and grate the cheese. 

In a large saucepan over a medium heat, 

sweat half the 

onion, the bay 

leaves and thyme in the 

butter for 1 minute. Increase the heat to 

high, add the mussels, pour in the wine, 

cover with a lid and cook for 3 minutes. 

Drain in a sieve over a large bowl and 

discard any mussels that have not 

opened. Reserve the cooking juices, 

you will need about 200ml to make the 

risotto. Once the mussels have cooled, 

pick the mussels from their shells, leaving 

a few in their shells for decoration, and 

put them all aside. 

Now, to the risotto. Melt the butter in a 

large saucepan on a medium heat. 

Add the remaining onion, cover with a 

lid and cook for 2–3 minutes, until the 

onion is translucent. Add the garlic and 

stir in the rice. Add the bay leaves, saffron 

and cayenne pepper and lightly season 

with salt. Stir and continue to cook on 

a medium heat for 2 minutes, until the 

grains of rice are shiny. 

Pour in the wine and let it boil for 30 

seconds – bubble, bubble – and stir. 

Pour in the mussel cooking liquor and the 

water or fish stock and stir again. 

Now cook on the gentlest simmer, with 

just a single bubble breaking the surface. 

Cover with a lid and leave for 20 minutes, 

but it mustn’t boil. 

Now it’s time for 5 minutes of some 

serious and fast stirring. At full speed, stir 

the risotto. The grains rub against each 

other, extracting the starch, and this gives 

the rice its creaminess. Yet every grain 

remains whole, unbroken. 

Taste – the rice should have a slight bite. 

Add the cheese, butter and parsley to the 

risotto, along with the cooked peas and 

spinach, if using, all the cooked mussels 

and a strong squeeze of lemon. Stir, taste 

and correct the seasoning just before 

serving. 

SERVES 

4 

PREP 

20 

Simply Raymond: Recipes from Home by Raymond Blanc 

(£25, Headline) is out now 

Photo credit: Chris Terry 

14 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

COOK 

40

Raymond Blanc 

PEAR 

ALMONDINE 

It’s rare to find a dessert that is both 

simple and extraordinarily delicious. Pear 

Almondine is one of my favourites. You can 

find some excellent preserved Williams 

pears in jars or tins, ideal for this recipe. 

This dessert is a template to accommodate 

many other fruits and flavours. For baking 

like this, I like to use a baking stone. 

However, if you don’t have this, it will still 

be a winner. 

INGREDIENTS 

6 pear halves, tinned or jarred 

100g unsalted butter, at room temperature, 

plus extra for brushing the tin 

100g caster sugar 

100g ground almonds 

1 teaspoon cornflour 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1 medium egg (preferably organic or freerange) 

To serve 

a handful of flaked almonds (for extra 

flavour, first toast them in a dry pan) 

icing sugar, for dusting 

METHOD 

Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/ 

gas 3. 

Butter (or oil) a tart ring, about 18cm x 2cm. 

Cut a long strip of greaseproof paper to 

stick to the inside. Place the lined tart ring 

on a lined baking tray or baking stone. 

Drain the pears and slice them in half 

again if they are large. In a large bowl, mix 

the softened butter and sugar. Then add 

ground almonds, cornflour, vanilla and egg, 

and mix well. Spoon the mixture into the 

cake tin, spreading it evenly. 

Arrange the pear halves evenly around the 

outside of the tart, resting them on top 

of the almond sponge mixture, and with 

the tip of each half meeting in the middle. 

According to size of the pears, you may 

require the base of half a pear to fill a space 

in the centre. Scatter with almonds. 

Bake the tart on the middle shelf of the 

oven, on the preheated baking stone or 

baking tray, for 16–20 minutes, or until 

golden. 

Leave the cake to cool for a few minutes 

before removing it from the ring. 

Before serving, dust with icing 

sugar. 

VARIATION 

In a saucepan, reduce the syrup 

from the jar, let it cool and add a 

dash of Poire William, the pear 

liqueur. After baking, puncture 

the pears with a fork and pour 

over the syrup. It adds colour 

and flavour. 

Simply Raymond: Recipes 

from Home by Raymond Blanc 

(£25, Headline) is out now 

Photo credit: Chris Terry 

SERVES 

6 

PREP 

10 

COOK 

20 


All fired up 

Delicious recipes to celebrate national BBQ Week 

from the seasoning experts Maldon Salt 

Charred Sweetcorn 

with Smoked Salt, Harissa and 

Coriander Butter 

Ingredients 

200g unsalted butter, softened 

2 tbsp harissa 

A handful coriander, finely chopped 

1 tsp Maldon Smoked salt 

5x corn on the cob 

In a small bowl prepare the flavoured 

butter by mixing together the softened 

butter, harissa, chopped coriander and 

smoked Maldon salt. 

Heat up the BBQ or alternatively you 

can use a griddle pan. Use a pastry 

brush to cover the corn with the butter 

and then place them onto the BBQ and 

cook for 4 – 5 minutes on each side until 

the corn is bright yellow and cooked, 

with charred areas. Once the corn is 

cooked, brush with a little extra of the 

butter and a final sprinkling of Maldon 

smoked salt – serve straight away. 

Maldon Salt Spiced 

Lamb Koftas 

with Tzatziki 

Ingredients 

For the Tzatziki: 

½ cucumber 

300g thick Greek yoghurt 

Small handful mint, leaves picked and 

finely chopped 

Small handful of dill, leaves picked 

lemon, zested and juiced 

½ tsp Maldon salt 

For the Koftas: 

500g lamb mince 

½ red onion, finely diced 

1 tsp cumin 

1 tsp smoked paprika 

1 tsp chilli flakes 

1 tsp ground cinnamon 

1 tbsp runny honey 

1 tsp Maldon salt 

15g coriander, finely chopped 

Firstly, prepare the kofta mixture. In a 

large bowl mix together the lamb mince, 

chopped red onion, cumin, paprika, chilli 

flakes, ground cinnamon, runny honey, 

Maldon salt and chopped coriander. Mix 

well so it is evenly combined. Use your 

hands to press and seal small koftas (2 

on each) around each skewer until you 

have 8 skewers. Place them in the fridge 

to firm up while you prepare the rest. 

For the Tzatziki, half the cucumber and 

scrap the seeds out, then use a box 

grater to coarsely grate the cucumber. 

Place the grated cucumber into a fine 

sieve and use your hands to push and 

squeeze out any excess liquid. Place the 

cucumber into a large bowl and add the 

Greek yoghurt, chopped mint and dill, 

lemon zest and juice, Maldon salt and 

some cracked black pepper. Mix it all 

together and set aside in the fridge. 


place under the grill in the oven. Once 

hot, cook the koftas for 4 – 5 minutes 

on each side until dark golden brown 

and slightly charred. 

Serve the koftas with the Tzatziki, 

pomegranate seeds and mint leaves. 

Have some toasted pitta breads on the 

side. Finally drizzle the koftas with some 

pomegranate molasses, if desired and a 

last pinch of Maldon salt. 

BBQ PRAWNS 

with C hilli, Ginger, and Coriander 

Ingredients 

8 large tiger prawns, shells on 

200g unsalted butter, softened 

A thumb sized piece of ginger, grated 

2 garlic cloves, crushed 

A large handful of coriander (stalks and 

leaves) chopped 

1 lime, zested 

1 tsp Maldon salt 

1 red chilli, deseeded and finely diced 

1 lime, cut into wedges, to serve 

Coriander leaves, to garnish 

In a food processor, blitz together the 

unsalted butter, grated ginger, garlic, 

coriander, lime zest and Maldon salt. 

Mix this until you have a smooth and 

vibrantly green butter. 


can you a griddle pan. Brush the 

prawns all over with the green butter 

until they are well coated. Place them 

on the griddle and cook for 2 minutes 

on each side until they are bright pink 

and cooked with light charring on their 

shells. Remove the prawns from the 

griddle and brush with some more of 

the butter, allowing it to soak in. Add 

the lime wedges to the hot griddle pan 

and cook them for a minute on each 

side to char. 

Remove the lime wedges and 

squeeze them over the prawns. 

Sprinkle over the finely diced chilli 

and coriander leaves and the prawns 

are ready to serve. 


Make it a real party with a 

Make it a real party with a 

Dean Forge Fire Bowl BBQ 

Dean Forge Fire Bowl BBQ 

Perfect for garden entertaining with easy carry handles, 

half grill Perfect rack for or garden full teardrop entertaining shape with swinging easy carry grill handles, options. 

half grill Choice rack or of full sizes teardrop 60, 70 shape & 80cm swinging diameter grill options. 

Choice of sizes 60, 70 & 80cm diameter 

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NEW 

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Café 

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A modern coffee shop 

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serving brunch, lunch 

serving brunch, lunch 

and cakes to munch. 

and cakes to munch. 

Wed Wed - Sun - Sun 9–4pm 9–4pm 

deanforge.co.uk 

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Dean Prior, 

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TQ11 OLS 

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Tel. 01364 643574 

Also at: - Unit 21, 

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EXETER,EX2 8PY 

Tel: 01392 Also at: 348335 - Unit 21, 

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Marsh Barton, 

EXETER,EX2 8PY 

Tel: 01392 348335

HOW TO CHOOSE 

Hardware Finishes 


AS PERMANENT FIXTURES, CHOOSING THE RIGHT 

FINISH FOR HANDLES AND HARDWARE IS ARGUABLY 

MORE IMPORTANT THAN PAINT COLOURS AND 

WALLPAPER WHEN RENOVATING A HOME. THE 

PRESSURE IS ON TO SELECT A FINISH THAT LOOKS 

GREAT, IS LONG-LASTING AND THAT YOU WILL 

LOVE FOREVER. THIS GUIDE AIMS TO SIMPLIFY THE 

SELECTION PROCESS AND HELP YOU FIND YOUR 

PERFECT MATCH... 

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT FINISH 

FOR MY HOME? 

There is no right or wrong finish for a 

property, but if you need inspiration, the 

architectural heritage of your home will 

often lend itself to a particular finish. For 

example, period homes from the Victorian 

era and earlier are well-suited to Antique 

Brass finishes as they look like authentic, 

original features. Polished Nickel has 

a refined elegance that is particularly 

fitting in regency style properties and 

townhouses. In rural or industrial style 

homes, such as country cottages 

and factory conversions, the rawness 

of Unlacquered Brass is especially 

appropriate. The moodiness of a dark 

finish, like Bronze, can prove very striking 

in modern homes. 

It can also help to consider what you 

want from your hardware. Would you 

like it to stand out and make a strong 

statement, or would you prefer it to sit 

quietly in the background? Consider a 

finish that will give a dynamic contrast; 

for example, Bronze on pale painted/light 

wooden doors and cabinetry. Conversely, 

you could choose a finish that will blend 

in, like Bronze on dark painted doors or 

Unlacquered Brass on warm oak. One of 

the easiest ways to avoid costly mistakes 

is to order samples. Even with the best 

photography in the world, finishes viewed 

online may look different in the flesh. 

Samples are also helpful for checking the 

quality of a finish and compatibility with 

other colours and materials in your home. 

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? 

Until recently, the main options were 

chrome for modern homes or black cast 

iron for traditional settings. Now, the 

choices are virtually endless, which can 

prove overwhelming. It doesn’t help that 

many companies use different words to 

mean the same thing. One company’s 

Antique Brass or Polished Nickel 

might look very different to another’s. 

At Corston, we like to offer enough 

choice to satisfy diverse tastes without 

overcomplicating matters. You won’t find 

our finishes anywhere else and, best of 

all, the colour will match no matter which 

products you choose from our extensive 

portfolio. 

BRONZE 

Bronze is a dramatically dark finish with 

richness and depth. A flexible choice that 

works in any period or style of property, 

it boasts definition and character. Our 

Bronze finish was developed in-house 

to achieve intense, warm undertones. 

In time, the natural brass colour will 

gradually emerge where the metal is 

most frequently touched, adding extra 

uniqueness. 

ANTIQUE BRASS 

With the exception of authentic antique 

hardware, Antique Brass is unlacquered 

brass that has been chemically aged to 

speed up natural patination. It’ is slightly 

darker than untreated brass, with more 

tonal variation. This makes it perfect for 

making homes feel a little more relaxed 

and lived-in. We believe that the only way 

to achieve convincing results is to antique 

by hand, which is why all our of Antique 

Brass is finished by our own skilled team. 

UNLACQUERED BRASS 

Imbued with dark golden tones that add 

colour and warmth, this is untreated solid 

brass in all its natural beauty. Sometimes 

known as a ‘living finish,’ Unlacquered 

Brass will oxidise and patina in time, 

reacting to atmospheric conditions and 

even the natural oils in your hands. We 

love the ever-changing character of our 

Unlacquered Brass finish, but it can also 

be restored to the bright, shinier look 

of box-fresh brass using Corston Brass 

polish. 

POLISHED NICKEL 

Polished Nickel is a sophisticated choice 

with warmer undertones than chrome 

but just as durable. A firm favourite in 

classical homes, Polished Nickel can also 

bring a crisp, clean look to contemporary 

spaces and is a timeless finish that will 

never date. We use a high-quality nickelplating 

process to provide protection and 

colour consistency, ensuring our Polished 

Nickel finish won’t oxidise or patina. 

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO 

CONSIDER? 

Some hardware finishes require polishing 

and specialist cleaning products. 

It’s well worth checking aftercare 

recommendations before you buy. With 

the exception of Polished Nickel, all 

of our finishes are unlacquered, which 

means they will alter very gradually over 

time. We believe this is all part of their 

inherent beauty and should be celebrated 

but it also means cleaning requires 

nothing more than a damp, lint-free cloth. 

The same goes for our Polished Nickel 

finish. 

www.corston.com 


CONSCIOUSLY 

CURATED HOME- 

WARES AND GIFTS 

USE CODE LIVE15 

FOR 15% OFF 

HAUSLIFE.CO.UK

A calm and beautiful 

nursery using paired 

warm neutral shades and 

simple mdf panelling 

renew 

Refresh & 

RENOVATE 

Pampas and Milk No 

Sugar, coatpaints.com 

No. 101 Wick White, 

coxandcox.co.uk 

Refresh 

Sage Advice, 

dowsingandreynolds.com 

Dulux’s new heritage 

range has beautiful, 

richly-pigmented colours 

in hues that won’t date 

A lick of paint really does transform a space. This season, interiors have been 

comforting spaces - with colours designed to evoke feelings of nostalgia. We love 

the creamy whites now available - they give a hit of school-house warmth. For a 

calming bedroom or gender neutral nursery as above, try layering warm neutrals 

on details like panelling. Thanks to regency drama Bridgerton, greens are still 

hugely popular - the hues are endless depending on whether you want to create 

a rich and inviting space or somewhere dark and dramatic. 

Dulux Heritage in Waxed Khaki, 

duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk 

Using Crittall style doors 

floor to ceiling creates 

great impact here 

(Image credit: Paul Raeside) 

RENOVATE 

Lots of us have decided to stay put and improve our 

existing properties - nothing does this quite like new 

glazing. New doors and windows breathe fresh life into 

spaces, especially if glazing can open up an existing wall. 

If you want to look into increasing openings, check with a 

structural engineer to see what you need to account for. 

Bi-fold doors remain the most popular option - allowing 

for an expansive opening of the space. We also love 

Crittall-style French doors for industrial chic. 

The use of glass from expressbifolds.co.uk 

creates an amazing feeling of space 


enew 

With electricity prices soaring, it 

makes good sense to upgrade 

your appliances where you can 

- and making them smart-home 

compatible will help to futureproof 

your property. 

Free up space 

on the worktop 

with boiling 

water at the 

push of a button 

with the GROHE 

Red tap 

Haier’s I-Pro Series 3 Washing Machine is 

A rated - saving 33% on a D-rated product. 

We love the steam refresh programmes 

to remove the bacteria from clothes and 

the intelligent steam functionality, making 

ironing almost unnecessary. I-Pro Series 3, 

haier-europe.com 

EcoPower technology saves 

water and energy with a cleverly 

designed water supply that reduces 

consumption, plus, this product 

won’t disrupt your peace, as it’s 

Quiet Mark certified. Miele G 7100 

SC Dishwasher, £999, quietmark.com 

(Image credit: Susanna Hawkins) 

AI in the kitchen is taken 

to a new level with Haier’s 

Chef@Home system - the 

touch screen detects user 

presence and the sensors can 

detect the type of food in the 

oven, timing the cooking to 

perfection. Chef@Home Series 

3, haier-europe.com 

Dark kitchens continue to be 

popular - with bottle green 

shades joining classic navy 

and charcoal 

Mix open shelves with 

closed cupboards for 

a feeling of space. The 

drawer dishwasher here 

from Fisher & Paykel is a 

great solution for a busy 

family. fisherpaykel.com/uk 

Larder cupboards keep all those 

essentials at hand. Clever lighting and 

the continuation of the worktop inside 

helps to make this feel like part of the 

kitchen when the doors are open - but 

crucially can be closed to make it all 

tidy instantly. oliveandbarr.com 

RENOVATE 

When selecting a kitchen, it’s not about trends - but 

it is always worth looking at innovative solutions. 

One such design that works for large and small 

kitchens alike is the larger cupboard - featuring 

a workspace inside to house appliances like the 

toaster and coffee machine, these cupboards banish 

the clutter and make kitchens look clean and crisp. 


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 & 

LOSTED BUILDING WORK 

CONTRACT 

ADMINISTRATION PLANNING 

APPEAL 

Unit 4H, South Hams Buisness Park, 

Churchstow, Kingsbridge, TQ7 3QH 

Tel 01548 853458 

www.nigeldalton.com

Refresh 

The perfect option for a quick and easy update, or 

for renters, peel and stick tiles are a great option 

to breathe new life into walls and floors - without 

expense or long term commitment 

Self adhesive splashback 

in toughened glass. Laura 

Ashley Mr Jones Splashback, 

£249, splashback.co.uk 

Washable, wipe-able, heat 

resistant, fireproof, and 

removable, these wallpaper 

rolls are ideal for updating your 

kitchen easily (60cm x 300cm 

roll), £190, limelace.co.uk 

renew 

Rather than replacing whole pieces of furniture, you can 

breathe new life into items and rooms by upgrading the 

hardware. From new handles to lights or sockets, it 

can be a surprisingly dramatic change without 

too much upheaval. 

Kilburn Knob, £10.80, 

corston.com 

där Lukas Light, 

£289, 

darlighting.co.uk 

3G Two Way Dimmer Switch - 

Bronze, £115.20, corston.com 

Cushion, £39, 

cultfurniture.com 

Tap, £189.99, dowsingandreynolds.com 

Decorative tray, £23, 

sassandbelle.co.uk 

Bridgman Sunbury Sofa and 

Cushions,bridgman.co.uk 

Refresh 

Elowen Throw, 

£69, and Charu 

Cover, £34, both 

hauslife.co.uk 

Surely the quickest renovation win of all is a 

switch up of soft-furnishings and decorative 

objects. No mess and instant impact! If you like 

to change these items seasonally, try to shop 

with companies using sustainable materials and 

paying workers fairly for their craft. 


OKA 

Al Fresco 

IN THE GARDEN 

With long summer nights ahead, we look at how to turn 

your garden into a beautiful extension of your living space 

Cox & Cox 

LIGHT THE LIGHTS 

As with setting the scene for dining, 

don’t forget to light other areas of the 

garden to provide drama and depth. 

We love these solar-powered spots to 

light up trees from below in areas where 

you don’t have mains electric access. 

4 x 1W LED Premium Solar Spotlight 

Kit, £99.99, and Moroccan Stake Light, 

£16.99, both lights4fun.co.uk 

DINING AREA 

Creating a beautiful, exciting outdoor dining space 

is easier than you might think - the key is multi-level 

lighting. Festoon lights work beautifully for a romantic 

feel, then pepper in candles or LED candles for a soft 

glow on the table. Just because you are outside, don’t 

forget the linens and place settings - runners, chargers, 

proper napkins and nice glassware help to set the scene. 

Lights from lights4fun.co.uk. 

lights4fun.co.uk 

FIRED UP 

Firepits and heaters aren’t just 

lovely focal points - they help 

the party carry on even when the 

evening gets cooler. Before buying 

consider your usage - some come 

with cooking attachments, saving 

space on needing a separate 

BBQ. Standing Iron Brazier, £350, 

coxandcox.co.uk 

Maira, 

Roma and 

Boho Floor 

cushion, 

from £29, 

hauslife. 

co.uk 

TEXTURES & 

TONES 

Style a garden as you would your 

living room - layer blankets, rugs, 

pouffes, cushions - just bring them 

in at the end of the evening - there’s 

no need to buy special outdoor 

cushions. Play with textures you 

might not have in the house, like 

ruffles, fringing and jute. 

Linen Napkins, 

£10, ooh-noo. 

com, Brisa plate 

and serving 

bowl, from £16, 

hauslife.co.uk 




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 £7, Child £1 

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 


JUST GO... 

potty! 

In this edition, our regular contributor Matt Biggs explains 

how there is much joy to be gained from potted plants... 

Sometimes you see a plant and really, 

really want one – but you know that 

your soil is the polar opposite of what 

that coveted plant wants to put its roots 

down into. Some plants just don’t like the 

restrictions of a pot, but others, despite all 

odds, thrive. 

There are many joys for the pot gardener 

– one of the most obvious being that they 

are mobile so once that fabulous burst 

of Spring bulbs is over, or the heady 

fragrance of your favourite witch hazel has 

passed, you can pop it to the back of your 

space for a rest and bring forward the 

next to star centre stage! 

You can grow veggies in pots, you can 

grow herbs in pots – and place them 

handily by the back door to avoid soggy 

slippers when you just need that sprig of 

rosemary for the roast lamb – pots are 

just great. Children can have ownership 

of their own pot to try different things and 

if you raise height then gardeners with 

mobility problems can access them too. 

Just moved in and not ready to commit 

to a planting plan, or maybe there is an 

unattractive aspect that just needs hiding, 

enter the pot, large, small or in clusters a 

pot display is the ideal way to add a little 

pizzazz and to hide that which is best not 

seen! 

You don’t have to go down the posh pot 

route either – there are some absolutely 

fabulous ones in garden centres and 

nurseries, but you can also utilise things 

you already have for a bit of quirky 

recycling. Leaky buckets, old sinks, cut 

down plastic containers can all host 

something lovely and if you are artistic, 

you can paint them, the options are 

endless. 

Whatever your pot personality is – go for it 

and see what you can do. Just remember 

to collect that rainwater so you can water 

them too! 

Image: Sarah Clarke’s wonderful pot 

grown Wisteria 

Get your weekends back 

Unit 4-7 Torr Trade Park. Torr Quarry Industrial Estate 

Tel: 01548 853679 


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 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. 

5.15pm, in-person appointments must be made in advance. 

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 

• Disputes 

• Personal Injury 

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

the High Street on Station Road. We’re open from 9am to 

01803 403403 

boycehatton.co.uk 

*Experian Market IQ report 2020 ‘United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland M&A Review’ 

One of Devon’s Best Independent Bookshops 

A lovely, well-stocked, independent bookshop in the heart of the South Hams in Devon. 

Friendly, knowledgeable booksellers & next day delivery. 

Come and browse our signed editions, author events, book subscriptions, competitions and giveaways! 

OPENING - 

Monday-Friday 9am-4pm 

Saturday 10am - 4pm 

Also posting worldwide 

www.harbourbookshop.co.uk 

2 Mill Street, Kingsbridge, 

Devon TQ7 1ED 

01548 857233 

uk.bookshop.org/shop/HarbourBookshop

South Hams Lifestyle Jun - Jul 2022

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