News and views August 2019

Embark on your riverside adventure

Now that summer’s here, where better to make the most of the sun than Fowey? This gorgeous town by the sea has so much to keep you occupied, perfect for making your break by the coast truly memorable.

As well as relaxing days at the beach, why not get the inside track on Fowey, Polruan or Lostwithiel with a guided walk? Alternatively, further afield, you can experience foodie delights at Mevagissey Feast Week (28th June until 4th July next year), or soak up the region’s sailing traditions at the Looe Lugger Regatta. There’s so much and more to enjoy in this wonderful pocket of Cornwall, and Lantic Bay Holidays can help you make the absolute most of it, with a choice of superb holiday lets allowing you to pick the perfect base from which to launch your adventure.

For more information call 01726 210677 or visit www.lanticbayholidays.co.uk

The venue you’ve been dreaming of

With amazing outdoor locations for your wedding ceremony and over ten acres of historic gardens for photos, Scorrier House makes the perfect summer wedding venue. Even if the famed Cornish mizzle does threaten, the house has one of the largest and most spectacular interiors of any wedding venue in the county. Seat 120 in one room and then take your first dance in the grand drawing room!

The team have also recently expanded their accommodation offering, meaning up to 20 of your friends and family can stay on Scorrier Estate during your wedding weekend.

Dates for next year are filling up fast, so if you recently popped (or answered!) the question, be sure to get in touch as soon as possible to book a viewing.

For more information call 01209 820264 or visit www.scorrierhouse.co.uk

Colourfence – low maintenance and built to last

Fences play a key role in our gardens; they mark the boundary between our neighbours and provide security, keeping the kids and pets safe. So, it’s fair to say that they should be built to last.

Fortunately, Colourfence Cornwall have the perfect solution, with their stunning range of pre-coloured steel fencing guaranteed to last for 25 years. The fencing is made from Colourbond steel, one of the most advanced steel products in the world and beneath the surface, world leading technology in the form of Zincallume is hard at work delivering long life, anti-corrosion performance.

Based in Tintagel, Olly and his team cover the whole of Cornwall, so if your fence is looking a little shabby, why not give him a call and book in a free quote?

For more information call 01840 537 547 or visit www.colourfencecornwall.co.uk

Clutter free? Let the viewings commence!

This is the last tip in My Place in Cornwall’s three-part series about preparing your home for viewings. If you haven’t seen the others in the series, be sure to check out the link at the end of this article. To stay on top and always give the right first impression of your property, it’s important that you do a spot check of every room before you go out for the day and let your agent carry out viewings.

Here are four simple steps to preparing in just 15 minutes: Step one: ready, steady, hoover! Step two: open the windows and get a good flow of fresh air. Step three: take your pets, children and grandchildren out. Step four: draw subtle attention to the positives. If you choose My Place in Cornwall as your agent the team is happy to provide advice like this to help you achieve the easy wins when getting ready to sell your property.

For more information call 01208 813874 or visit www.myplaceincornwall.co.uk/spring

Budock Vean’s  exciting new spa range

The naturally therapeutic (and completely legal) effects of CBD oils derived from organically grown cannabis are forming the basis of pioneering spa treatments at Budock Vean Hotel. The Natural Health Spa Manager, Martina Crkonona, is an expert in Chinese and herbal medicine. She tells us: “Our decision to add CBD to our spa menu is beyond being ‘on trend’ and is based on the vast therapeutic potential of cannabinoids. We are very excited to incorporate CBD into our spa as part of our efforts to source the best in wellness solutions for our guests and clients.” CBD, the non-toxic, non-psycho-active component of the hemp plant has an incredible healing range and can help some of the biggest national health concerns such as pain, sleep, mood and stress. Natural Health Spa clients can choose their treatment and then build and enhance their experience with the CBD therapy range – all of which is lab-tested and certified to the highest standards.

For more information call 01326 252101 or visit www.budockvean.co.uk/spa/cbd-spa-treatments 

Let the sunshine in with Bude Windows

It’s easy to see the benefits of adding a sun room to your home; it provides more space, brings more light into your home and looks great too. Bude Windows and Conservatories provide advanced sun room solutions such as fully insulated ‘Warm Roof’ designs. So, your new room will be quiet and comfortable all year round. Meaning that instead of having a part-time sun room, you’ll be able to relax, sit back and enjoy your living space all year round.

A range of beautiful roof tile and slate swatches to choose from and optional skylights will also enhance the feel of your new living space. The pictured project shows a recent installation in north Cornwall carried out by the fully qualified team of builders and conservatory installers.

For more information call 01288 356541 or visit www.budewindows.co.uk

Rest and refuel at Wavecrest, Lizard Point

Overlooking Lizard Point, Wavecrest café makes the most of its position on mainland Britain’s most southerly point, with panoramic views. Situated at the start of the South West Coast Path leading to Kynance Cove, it’s the perfect place for a break on your tour of the Lizard, one where you can simply sit and soak up this atmospheric and historic location.

The menu combines fresh, seasonal and local produce, with options ranging from sandwiches and light bites, to main meals, all made-to-order. In the mood for coffee, cake or a cream tea? No problem! The team serve their favourite blend of Italian coffee, as well as speciality teas and indulgent hot chocolates. Kids are sure to love Wavecrest’s milkshake menu, while adults will appreciate the fact that the café is fully licensed!

The Lizard is a dog walker’s haven, with miles upon miles of coast path, beach and countryside for them to explore. Wavecrest understands this, welcoming well-behaved dogs on leads. This means that if you’re out on a family ramble and are planning a pit stop to refuel, your furriest of friends needn’t be left behind!

With staggering views, a tantalising menu built from local Cornish fare and plenty of outside seating, Wavecrest café is a must-visit if you’re out and about on the Lizard this summer.

For more information call 01326 290898 or visit www.wavecrestcornwall.co.uk

Holiday Home Tips

In an ongoing series of holiday home tips, we hear from George at Cornish Traditional Cottages about the benefits of Furnished Holiday Lets.

George tells us: “Unlike regular buy-to-let purchases, holiday lets can qualify for significant tax breaks. If your Cornish holiday let meets the conditions for a Furnished Holiday Let (FHL), you have several tax advantages. For example, you can deduct mortgage payments from your expenses and get capital allowances for fixtures and fittings.” Making the prospect of renting your property even more tempting. George continues: “In addition, the property is exempt from council tax and may also be eligible for zero business tax.” Did you know? To qualify as an FHL a holiday let in Cornwall must be available for at least 210 days a year and let for a minimum of 105.

For more information call 01208 895354 or visit www.corncott.com

Breathtaking catered cruises on the Helford river

Gweek Classic Boatyard is delighted to announce the launch of Constance River Cruises. Constance is a 50ft Victorian launch offering catered cruises on the Helford river. Cruise packages include either lunch, afternoon tea, drinks with canapes or dinner, with a complimentary glass of Prosecco on arrival and a well-stocked bar on board.

Catering is provided by renowned chef Mark Devonshire with a focus on fresh, local produce. The cruises last around two and a half hours and take in the picturesque Helford river and Frenchman’s Creek, famously immortalised by author Daphne Du Maurier. There’s also the option to visit Tremayne Quay and have a swim or do some mackerel fishing. Constance is crewed by an experienced local team and is the perfect bespoke experience for a special occasion.

For more information please call 01326 221657 or visit www.gweekquay.co.uk

Once seen, never forgotten

Step into Just Delights in Penryn and even on the wettest of summer days, this charming emporium will brighten your day with its superb selection of gifts, furniture and home wares.

Just Delights can be found on Commercial Road at the bottom of Penryn, which has come alive in recent years with new shops and cafés, combining with beautiful river views and easy parking to form a must-visit for your summer diary. Open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5.30pm, and
on Sundays from 12pm until 4pm, whether you’re shopping for the perfect gift, or are in the midst of making home improvements and looking for the perfect accessories to complement your new look, be sure to pop into Just Delights.

For more information call 01326 379075 or visit www.just-delights.co.uk

Bye bye Betty

Volunteers are at the heart of everything Cornish charity Cornwall Hospice Care does, with more than a thousand of them working across all departments contributing 162,116 hours – or 18.5 years – of their time annually.

Every hour of contribution enables the charity to expand into new areas, such as community engagement, as well as supporting key departments, including clinical, fundraising and retail.

Sally Sandford, Volunteer Services Manager, says you can’t underestimate the value of a volunteer, telling us: “Over the last year our volunteers saved our charity £1,330,972!”

Recently, one of the charity’s longest serving volunteers, Betty Buddle, retired after 20 years. As Tracey Davey, Volunteer Coordinator, says: “It was a sad day. Betty volunteered at St Julia’s Hospice in Hayle from the day it opened and she’s been helping out on the ward ever since. We can only say a huge thank you to her for the difference she’s helped make to so many.”

For more information call 01726 839156 or visit www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk

Live-in companionship for holidays & respite

There’s nothing quite like a little break and time away, to recharge your batteries and recoup your enthusiasm for life. Daily routines can become that little bit drab, even when you really love your lifestyle.

Caring for someone deeply, who needs you to look after their daily tasks, it can be difficult to get away. But now, thanks to Bluebird Care, there is a way to make sure somebody’s on hand to help out and stand in for you, just for a short time while you get your strength back.

Bluebird Care offer 24-hour live-in companionship care for a week or more while you’re away. Bluebird Care’s professionals are trained and supervised, so you can rest assured your loved one is well cared for and supported, so you can come back refreshed and invigorated to continue the vital job you do.

For more information call 01872 276006 or email midcornwall@bluebirdcare.co.uk

Authentically Asian flavour at Kahuna

If you ever speak to Kahuna owners Ryan and Kelly Mather you’ll soon realise they have plenty of passion and commitment. After their backpacking adventures around South East Asia, they made it their mission to bring an authentic taste of their travels to Newquay. The menu also reflects chef Ryan’s love of the fresh, clean flavours he experienced while working as a chef in Australia back in 2001.

Cornish produce meets delicately spiced ingredients, sourced directly from Asia, in dishes which Nathan Outlaw declared ‘the best pan-Asian food you’ll get in Cornwall’. Kelly describes the interior as a tropical roof terrace with string lights, lanterns, palms and jungle leaf wallpaper. And now there’s also a tiny trekker in the Mather team! Mum Kelly looks after the front of house while four-year-old Gracie plays an important role as ‘Kahuna Kids’ ambassador, tasting the kids menu to check for quality control.

For more information call 01637 850440 or visit www.kahunarestaurant.co.uk

A haven for locals

Dating back as far as the 13th century, Trevince has long been an important part of the local community. Located in Gwennap, Trevince estate gardens are a popular place for locals to visit regularly thanks to the evolving landscape and variety of plants of horticultural interest.

The Cart Shed café is a cosy place to relax with a coffee and a slice of cake after a tranquil stroll through the gardens. Well-behaved dogs on leads are always welcome too, and there’s even free parking!

Purchase a locals’ pass and you can visit the gardens as often as you like throughout the season. Along with the Cart Shed café, they are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the end of September, welcoming visitors to discover and become part of their new story.

For more information call 01209 822725 or visit www.trevince.co.uk

New additions at the Summerhouse

The Summerhouse Gallery is a beautiful, welcoming space showcasing the very best of Cornish art. Located just across the water from St Michael’s Mount, the team aims to create the perfect place to discover paintings, jewellery, sculpture and glass in a relaxed setting.

The ethos of the gallery is to showcase artists that vary from the well-established to the up-and-coming. Regardless of reputation, the team can put their hands on their hearts and say that each piece has been placed on the wall for one simple reason – they love it!

This summer, the team is pleased to introduce abstract artist, Ellie Williams, to the Summerhouse collective. Responding instinctively to each layer with the next, she explains: “When painting, I use vast layered washes of oil, almost like watercolour.

To see Ellie’s work for yourself, be sure to pop into the Summerhouse Gallery. Alternatively, why not head to the website?

For more information call 01736 611400 or visit www.summerhousegallery.co.uk

Become a qualified surf or SUP instructor

Change your career or gain extra income by becoming an ASI qualified surfing or stand up paddle boarding (SUP) instructor. ASI is the world’s international governing body for instructors and schools, its head office being located
in Bondi beach, Australia, with UK
offices located in Hayle on the north Cornish coast.

ASI instructor courses are recognised as the world’s finest, and are delivered in Cornwall, across the UK and worldwide. As an instructor, you can work in Cornwall or travel the world; with ASI you’ll love your role.
You can also become an ASI-accredited surf or SUP school, with ASI offering the world’s leading school accreditation scheme and regulations that ensure safe and quality operations. Learn more about ASI’s instructor courses and schools on the ASI website.

For more information call 01736 756884 or visit www.academyofsurfing.com

Bespoke, unique, craftsmanship

Michael Jenkin has been working with bespoke furniture for over ten years, making anything from fine furniture to custom kitchens and fitted bedrooms. With a passion for fine furniture and a love of surfing, Michael founded Bespoke Surf.

Creating all of his work from start to finish, from selecting the raw timber right the way through to the application and buffing at the end of the line. The timbers are handpicked for the aesthetic qualities, with zero stains, dyes or paint used in the process. Every product is handmade with the utmost attention to detail and passion, making each piece one of a kind.

Head to the Bespoke Surf website and you’ll find a collection of unique, surf-inspired furniture and décor, a collection that’s sure to inspire you to commission your own bespoke piece. All made to order and with fast lead times on items, in no time at all you could have a truly personalised product that reflects you and your love of the seaside lifestyle!

For more information visit www.bespokesurf.co.uk

Delve into the Truro Food Festival

Cornwall is one of the UK’s top foodie destinations, and Truro Food Festival is testament to this. Taking place over the weekend from 27th until 29th September, the city-wide festival celebrates the very best Cornish food and drink with over 30,000 visitors.

Expect to see celebrity and local chef demos, a Cornish Food Hall packed with local produce, workshops, family fun, gourmet street food, plus live entertainment showcasing the best in local talent. At night there’s plenty of music and dancing, with an array of Cornish beers and ciders, plus a real party atmosphere.

The festival will be centred around Lemon Quay and Boscawen Street, with pop-up events and a restaurant trail across the city.

For more information visit www.trurofoodfestival.com or trurofoodfestival on Facebook.

Dinner and a show!

Kneehigh Theatre’s bespoke pop-up venue is back this summer in a brand new location – the beach! From 2nd August until 22nd September, the Asylum tent will be pitched on Carlyon beach in the heart of St Austell Bay.

When you visit you can expect world class theatre from this internationally renowned Cornish company, plus delicious food and drink, live comedy, music and pop-up events.

Along with performances of The Dancing Frog and Kneehigh’s Ubu! A Sing-along Satire, Kneehigh will present a wild medley of stunning shows from their friends and collaborators. With parking on site and tickets from just £9, Kneehigh’s Asylum on Carlyon beach is the perfect way to soak up some culture whilst making the most of a day by the sea, so be sure to add it to your summer diary!

For more information call 01872 267912 or visit www.kneehigh.co.uk/asylum

The perks of letting your home 

At this time of year, many Cornish residents are packing up and moving elsewhere in order to offer their homes to paying guests. Have you ever thought about doing the same?

The money you could make by letting your property can be used to fund amazing holidays, home maintenance and makeovers, or simply to boost your income. However, this kind of letting is rarely attractive to traditional letting agents because of the relatively short time periods involved. Instead, owners will typically need to list and market their properties themselves via online. But what if you lack the time or know-how?

Fortunately, List Assisters can help you get your property listed and, if you’d prefer, can also take care of the business side of things, such as dealing with enquiries and booking in guests. They don’t work on a commission percentage either, so you could be pocketing significantly more for the same service!

For more information call 03333 207357 or visit www.listassisters.com

Realise your dream bathroom at Plumbase Wadebridge

Plumbase in Wadebridge was first established on Trenant Industrial Estate in 2002. The wider brand has grown to be one of the best plumbers merchants in the south west, with a network of 200 branches nationwide!

Plumbase Wadebridge has just had a new bathroom showroom installed, with the final touches set to be completed by mid April. So, if you’re looking for a new bathroom, Justin, Stuart, Dave, Richard or Tom will be more than happy to show you around and give you the inspiration you need to help create your dream bathroom.

At Plumbase Wadebridge, the team pride themselves on their service and stock. No problem is too big or too small, and they’ll always try to help you find solutions to suit your needs. They also provide a free local delivery service for larger items that can’t be collected from the stores. So, if you need anything plumbing related, be sure to pop into Plumbase or head to the website

For more information call 01208 815670 or visit www.plumbase.co.uk

Play, stay and train with Action Petz Cornwall

Owners of Action Petz Cornwall Dog Day Care, Mark and Linda Whatley, were inspired to purchase an Action Petz franchise by their love of dogs and of the Duchy. As Linda puts it: “Where better to open but in Cornwall – the place we have always loved and wanted to be?”

Very much a family-run business, Action Petz is the perfect place to leave your dog while you work, shop, run errands or head to the beach for the day. Your furry friends will have fun, getting lots of attention and plenty of love under the care of the professional team of Canine Practitioners. The centre boasts both indoor and outdoor areas for your waggy tailed friends too, meaning they’re guaranteed to have fun come rain or shine.

For more information call 01209 842168 or visit www.actionpetz.com/action-petz-cornwall-dog-day-care

Streamline your holiday home schedule

If you’re the proud owner of a holiday home in Cornwall but find yourself rushed off your feet on changeover days, perhaps local, family run business, Holiday Home Waste Collection Ltd, based in Wadebridge, could be of service.

Cornwall Council now classes holiday home waste as commercial waste, meaning it’s no longer dealt with by domestic waste carriers. To have it collected by the Council, holiday homeowners are now required to pay and sign into 12-month contracts, and while the Council does recommend a few other companies, their collection days unfortunately don’t always coincide with changeovers.

With this in mind, Holiday Home Waste Collection Ltd introduced a personable collection service to suit individual holiday home owners, offering a unique service and clean bins when guests arrive, without a binding contract, whereby owners can call up at anytime should a callout or any assistance be required.

The team offers collections on both the north and south coasts on different changeover days. The service includes the bags and removal of general waste,

as well as glass recycling (by Cornwall Cullet) – sending glass to Yorkshire where it’s used for making light bulbs. Other mixed dry recyclables are sold on, while non-recyclables are incinerated, producing green energy that gets sent straight to the electrical grid. But that’s not all – they recently introduced food recycling too, adding to the long list of services available. Jennifer and her family run team can help you on an ad hoc, or can quote for weekly collections over the course of the year, for properties of all sizes, ultimately ensuring your visitors are not greeted by rubbish bags and piles of recycling when they arrive for their holiday.

For more information call 01208 815060 or visit www.holidayhomewastecollection.co.uk

An award-winning Falmouth stay

Perfectly situated on a quiet road with sea views over Falmouth Bay, The Rosemary is two minutes’ walk from Gyllyngvase beach and ten minutes from Falmouth town railway station and the town centre.

Leave your car behind and explore the beautiful local area from this ideal base, well within reach of the area’s many sights and attractions.

The Rosemary is conveniently situated for university open days, graduations and term time visits. The South West Coast Path, hotel conference centres and Falmouth Wood Lane Campus are within walking distance, and it’s just a short drive to Tremough Campus in Penryn.

Individually designed bedrooms have super king, double, twin or single beds, plus two family suites. Many rooms have glorious sea views across Falmouth Bay too, and include luxuries that you would normally expect in a larger hotel.

The guest reception rooms are relaxing and include a licensed bar. There is seating throughout the lovely south facing garden looking out to sea, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the view with a cooling drink or cream tea.

Start your day with a freshly prepared breakfast made from delicious local ingredients, after all, The Rosemary is recognised by the AA Good Breakfast Award 2019!

If you’re looking for AA 4 Star Gold accommodation, be sure to book in at The Rosemary, Falmouth, where you’ll find the warmest welcomes and service that’s second to none.

For more information call 01326 314 669 or visit www.therosemary.co.uk

A stunning addition to Lamorran

Over the course of last winter, Philip Whear Windows & Conservatories were invited by Mr and Mrs Dudley-Cooke, owners of Lamorran House, to design and build an orangery sympathetic to the house and to blend with the beautiful gardens.

Phil and his team embraced the challenge, completing both on time and in style! Being a sub-tropical Italianate inspired garden, the task was to complete an orangery that would create a quiet area in which to sit and admire Lamorran’s glorious vista, and also be used to complement the wedding venue.

Great care was taken to ensure corrosion-resistance from the elements – bearing in mind the Roseland peninsula’s exposure to them. Thermal efficiency was also a major consideration during the design, product selection and manufacture, which took place at Philip Whear’s Pool factory showroom. The finished product has been greatly admired by all who visit the beautiful Lamorran Garden, which is open to the public on Wednesdays and Fridays.

For more information call 01209 215759 or visit www.philipwhear.co.uk

Take to the seas with Vertical Blue

Vertical Blue specialise in personalised adventures exploring the best that Cornwall’s coastline has to offer. From their base in the stunning and historic harbour village of Porthleven, the team of guides offer a variety of kayak and paddle board tours, including lessons, private hire and sales.

Discover the mines lining the Porthleven-to-Rinsey coastline from the water, or head out from the Helford river and discover the Manacles Marine Conservation Zone. One of the most well-known areas for rich marine biodiversity in Cornwall, the Manacles boast amazing snorkeling and a small resident group of grey Atlantic seals. It’s also one of the most treacherous shipwreck spots in the UK, due to the low-lying reefs that surround them.

The team also run overnight and multi-day adventures, tailored to you and perfect for anyone who wants to explore further afield or try your hand at something a little different.

For more information call 07551 074488 or visit www.verticalblue.co.uk

Great coffee on the go with The Padstow Coffee Company

With the beautiful weather we’ve been experiencing, there’s no better time to head outdoors and if you’re a coffee lover, then we’ve discovered some brilliant coffee gear to fuel your adventures this season. The Padstow Coffee Company provides coffee lovers with everything you need to make the perfect brew, from the highly portable and popular AeroPress, to travel grinders and moka pots – not to mention that making coffee yourself is cheaper and more sustainable than getting takeout! Director Sarah Prosser explains: “Call into our Padstow shop and we can show you just how easy it is to make good quality coffee on the go.” You’ll see that it’s a lot easier than you think and oh so worth it to make the perfect brew, no matter where you are!

For more information call 01841 533828

Warm welcomes for all at the Rock Inn

Nestled on Fore Street in the heart of Roche, at the Rock Inn, the team caters for everybody, with a superb food menu and a great selection of drinks at the bar to wash it all down with. In fact, there’s always a superb selection of cask ales to choose from, which is regularly rotated meaning there’s often a new tipple to try when you visit.

Ensuring guests of all ages receive the warmest welcome, as well as hosting live music most Saturdays, the Rock Inn is the perfect spot for a pit stop while you’re exploring the area, or why not stay awhile, grab a table and hear what the local musical talent has to offer? Dogs and children are welcome too, so if you’re planning your summer itinerary, be sure to pencil in a trip to the Rock Inn, Roche.

For more information call 01726 890710 or visit www.therockinn.net