News and views November 2018

Wonderful weekends in St Ives

St Ives in December just keeps getting bigger! This year, there will be fun-filled entertainment for all the family taking place over three wonderful weekends.

On Saturday 1st December, the St Ives Lantern Parade dances its way through the town for the official Christmas Lights Switch-on, a sign that the festivities really have begun. The following weekend is one for the children and young-at-heart, starting on Friday 7th December when Father Christmas arrives on the high tide, safely escorted by the RNLI. The next day, he’ll be waiting in his Winter Wonderland Grotto with his elves and presents from the North Pole, plus a special visit from the St Ives Mermaid.

Then, on Saturday 15th December, you can eat your way around the popular Food Trail, or feed your brain on the History & Mystery of St Ives Walk, or do both!

For more information visit www.stivesindecember.co.uk

Experience animal welfare in action

Hear about dramatic rescues and meet the seal and sea lion characters whose individual stories are brought to life during your visit to The Cornish Seal Sanctuary. Explore behind the scenes at the heart of marine rescue in Cornwall’s only working seal hospital and see how life saving work is carried out to nurture the animals and new arrivals. From a sneak peek at the food preparation area, to getting hands-on in the hospital pup pen, you can experience what it takes to become a marine expert and get insight into the science behind the sanctuary. The amazing work that the Seal Sanctuary does relies on public support and pup rehabilitation last year cost upwards of £170,000! So, make sure to visit and learn about pup rehabilitation as well as supporting the sanctuary for the future!

For more information call 01326 221361 or visit www.visitsealife.com/gweek

Welcome to Santa’s grotto!

The team at The Park, Cornwall would like to invite you to their first ever Santa’s Grotto in the magical Yurt Village. You’ll get to meet The Park Santa and his friendly elves, plus Santa’s gorgeous reindeer – The Park’s baby goats.

Each child will also receive a free gift as well as a free swim voucher, making it a fantastic way for the whole family to get out over the colder months and blow off some festive steam.

Santa’s Grotto will be taking place every Saturday and Sunday from 24th November until 23rd December, plus Friday 21st and Monday 24th December, and entry costs just £5 per child, so it’s definitely not one to miss this Christmas!

For more information call 01637 860322 or visit www.theparkcornwall.com

Hot tub heaven at The Oceanic Suite Hotel

With winter drawing in and Christmas round the corner, it’s the ideal opportunity to step away from the rat race and indulge in a little bit of ‘me’ time. And what better way to do it than to treat yourself and your partner to a mini break at The Oceanic Suite Hotel in Falmouth – Cornwall’s luxury getaway for grown-ups.

Relax, unwind and indulge yourself in one of their designer hotel suites for the ultimate mix of five star hotel facilities and stylish apartment living. Snuggle up in Egyptian cotton on their sumptuous king-sized beds. Enjoy a late brunch in peace from the generous breakfast hamper delivered to your suite each day. Put your feet up and sink into the comfy sofas in your own separate lounge or

take a short stroll down to the harbour with its eclectic mix of restaurants, bars and independent shops.

Then enjoy a drink or two from the well-stocked honesty bar and chill out in the giant wooden hot tub, set to a toasty 38 degrees, letting your body relax in soothing water and tranquil surroundings. What better way to end the day!

For the ultimate indulgence, treat yourself to the Penthouse Morwenna Suite, which boasts its own private sauna and double spa bath. This suite also has two bedrooms so it’s ideal to share with friends. After all, life is short, so treat yourself – you deserve it!

For more information call 01326 389330 or visit www.oceanichotelfalmouth.co.uk

A floor that  goes anywhere

Based in Newlyn, Interiora specialises in bathrooms, tiles, flooring and doors, and with more than 20 years in the industry, the team knows when they’re onto a good thing. While it’s not exactly brand new to the industry, Director and Interior Designer, Megan Dack is a strong advocate for luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), especially in rooms where easy installation and maintenance are essential.

“Available in over 40 styles, and being warmer underfoot than tiles, LVT is perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, dining rooms and lounges, making it extremely versatile. What’s more, it genuinely looks like real wood, but comes without the expense or maintenance!”

Sealed with a layer of stain and scratch guard technology and available with a 25 year warranty, Interiora delivers your LVT the next day, so if you’re looking to revamp your flooring in time for Christmas, why not give the team a call?

For more information call 0800 038 5353 or visit www.interiora.co.uk

Trevena Cross Christmas extravaganza

Part of the community in Breage near Helston for more than 40 years, family owned Trevena Cross is locally known for growing and selling one of the largest selections of plants in Cornwall. During the first three weekends in December however, the garden centre transforms into a festive wonderland as it hosts a Santa’s Grotto charity fundraising event, with the continued support of the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard. And this year all proceeds will go to The Invictus Trust and Cornwall Air Ambulance, as well as local community causes in the parish of Ashton and Breage.

Complementing the magical grotto, between 10am-4pm will be a food stall and craft Christmas market, made up of quality local traders, as well as live music, and plenty of festive attractions to ensure a memorable day out for the whole family. And outside, the huge selection of UK grown Christmas trees at Trevena will include the popular £25 Nordmann fir tree (up to six feet tall!) – they’re sure to sell out fast though so make sure to get yours quick. When it’s finally time to take a breather, visitors can recoup in the on-site Garden Kitchen Café, or outside in the market with a number of street food options.

Santa will also be working the twilight hours on Thursday evenings in December when, between 3pm and 8pm, he will take up residence in his grotto to welcome the pitter-patter of little feet. Twinkling light displays, Christmas shopping, mulled wine, chestnuts, and a warming hearty meal in the café should make for a great festive evening out for the whole family.

For more information call 01736 763880 or visit Trevena Cross on Facebook.

Holiday home tips

In an ongoing series of holiday home tips, we hear from George at Cornish Traditional Cottages about how to treat your holiday home guests.

Once you’ve got your Cornish holiday let up and running it’s time to turn to nurturing your biggest asset – your guests. “Those who stay in your holiday home are gold and need to be treated as such. This is especially true at the beginning; when you’re starting out, you’re just another small fish in a very large and competitive pond, and to grow, you need to make a name for yourself.”

From the enquiry stage, where fast, professional response to queries is crucial to giving potential guests the confidence to book with you, to the moment your guests leave, when it’s important to ask them to post reviews about your holiday let, there are a number of things you can do to make your guests’ experience one that will keep them returning to your holiday home, time and time again.

Meeting them on arrival, for instance, can often be a nice personal touch that helps them feel warm and welcome from the moment they arrive. The introduction of a guest book, too, can encourage guests to jot down the fantastic experiences they’ve had at your holiday home, providing pertinent reading material for future guests looking for itinerary-inspiration.

You’d be surprised at just how much you can do to make your holiday let stand out, but don’t just take our word for it. Why not visit the Cornish Traditional Cottages website and find out for yourself?

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

Make the most of autumn with Kernow Springs

Through the recent months, many of us here in Cornwall have spent warm summer evenings in the sanctuary of our gardens, and as the cooler nights draw in, there’s no reason why your outdoor revelling can’t continue. This is why we recommend making the most of the autumn evenings with your very own wood-fired hot tub or sauna installation from Kernow Springs. The benefits are endless; there’s no need for electricity and they look completely at one with the great outdoors, making them the perfect addition to your garden this season. And it couldn’t be a better time to buy with the autumn sale giving you 10% off with savings of between £300 and £1,300 just head to the showroom at Trevisker Garden Centre in Padstow. But act fast because the discount is only available during November, and it’s certainly not an opportunity to miss with winter on the horizon!

For more information  call 07779 374017 or visit www.kernowsprings.co.uk

New Year, new kitchen with Dream Doors

As 2018 draws to a close and our thoughts turn to the festive season, it couldn’t be a better time to start planning home renovations for the coming year. So, why not treat yourself to the gift of a new kitchen this Christmas with Dream Doors? Owner Matt tells us: “Our fit diary is all but full this year but January couldn’t be a better time to book in your kitchen transformation, ready to welcome the New Year in style.” Whether you’re after the on trend, soft tones of grey or timeless cream doors, there’s a style and colour combination to suit all tastes. Pair this with either a laminate, solid stone or composite worktop and the reality of that kitchen can be yours in no time!

For more information call 01872 888540 or visit www.dreamdoors.co.uk

Look after your loved ones with Bluebird Care

As our loved ones get older their needs change. Day to day life can become more challenging, and you may think that it would be impossible for them to stay in their own home and still have the care and support that they need. However, live-in companionship care can be a realistic alternative to a care home and there are many benefits to having a care worker living with your family member. It means they can stay in their own home – in the environment they love, doing the things they enjoy. We hear from Bluebird Care Operations Manager, Caroline, who tells us: “A live in carer is a companion, whether it’s sharing meals, watching TV or enjoying days out. Family and friends can still visit as usual, but feel reassured their loved one is safe and comfortable.”

For more information call 01872 276006 or visit www.bluebirdcare.co.uk

Light up your Christmas

Cornish charity ShelterBox is putting LuminAid solar lanterns in its famous boxes which go to the survivors of natural disasters, helping them rebuild their lives. But if you love evenings on the beach, camping, festivals and outdoors living, then LuminAids will also make a great gift, one from which you can even charge your phone! ShelterBox Visitor Centre in Truro has a range of LuminAids for sale and you can also choose a ‘Buy One, Give One’ offer to help spread light around the world this Christmas. The visitor centre will be open during Truro’s late night shopping, with mulled cider, mince pies and music, while children can enjoy making ShelterBox Christmas stockings to take home.

For more information call 01872 302600 or visit www.shelterbox.org

Sumptuous palettes for winter months

The Cotton Mills in Truro foresees that dark and moody palettes will take on a whole new and sumptuous meaning as the winter months approach. In particular, Prussian-blue walls complement the cooler weather, while emitting a gentle, calming and warming influence to a room. Named as the ‘new neutral’, blues add an elegant and tranquil air to our homes and provide the perfect backdrop to showcase luxurious fabrics in accent colours. Sumptuous textures add to the opulence of a darker palette and graceful designs bring a burst of optimism to the bleaker days, providing the ideal setting for the warmth of Christmas to prosper.

For inspiration and advice, Ali and her team provide a thoroughly personalised service to help you achieve your desired interior look. They offer a wonderful range of fabrics, curtains, blinds, upholstery, shutters, wallpaper and carpets. With a measure and fitting service also available, why not pop in store on Pydar Street, Truro, for a free consultation?

For more information call 01872 278545 or visit www.cotton-mills.co.uk

Hot tub hygge with Spyrys

Pronounced ‘hoo-gah’ and adopted from the Scandinavian way of life, in essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. Perhaps hygge explains why that Danes are some of the happiest people on the planet.

So, why not hygge in a hot tub? Autumn and winter are the best times to enjoy a hot tub and at Spyrys, the team’s Canadian built Arctic Spas and American built Vita Spa hot tubs are designed to work effectively in colder climates, making them energy efficient all year round. Indeed, if you enjoy a hot bath to warm up or to ease those tired muscles, you’ll certainly love the convenience of a pre-heated hot tub. Many come with mood lighting too, which can really help you relax, although there’s much to be said for turning out the lights and doing some stargazing.

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

‘Team Vic’ on track for qualification

We would like to wish ‘Team Vic’, the front-of- house staff and chefs, from The Victoria Inn in Threemilestone and The Victoria Inn in Roche the best of luck as they enter into the final stages of their apprenticeships.

The team has been attending Truro College, as well as working full time, to help advance their skills and development within the hospitality sector. Darren Dunstan, a Level 3 chef, together with Level 2 chef apprentices Josh Holness and Ryan Christophers, will be proving their culinary expertise in a timed assessment that will see them creating fresh, delicious dishes to be tasted by a group of assessors.

Front of house members are also heading towards the end of their Level 3 and Level 4 hospitality apprenticeships. Managers, Steven Hawke, Natalie Whear, Jenefer Grose and Karenza Gross have all been producing evidence on the day-to-day management
and running of The Victoria Inn in Threemilestone over the last 12 months. Great to see that the teams are constantly striving to provide their customers with the very best service!

For more information visit www.thevicinn.com or www.cornwallpub.co.uk

Smile big this Christmas with Wadebridge Dental

Wadebridge Dental are experts at bringing a smile to their clients’ faces, so this Christmas, why not give the gift of a smile to your loved one with a Wadebridge Dental gift voucher? Available to redeem against a huge range of treatments including teeth whitening, anti-wrinkle injections, teeth straightening and general dentistry, these vouchers provide a special gift for both men and women. To make matters even better they can also be personalised to suit your individual needs, so you know you’re getting the best possible treatment for you. Having recently been nominated as finalists in the Dentistry Awards for ‘Best Practice’ and finalists in the Private Dentistry Awards for ‘Practice of the Year’ and ‘Most Improved Practice’, you know you’ll be in capable hands.

For more information call 01208 813816 or visit www.wadebridgedentalcare.co.uk 

Celebrating 20 years of flawless flooring

2018 is Strippers Flooring’s 20th anniversary, and its busiest year to date! To celebrate, the company is undertaking a fresh re-brand and expanding in 2019. What’s more, owner Andrew Biss’ partner, Nancy Walton, has officially joined the team as General Manager.

With Nancy comes a wealth of experience as Office and Production Manager from one of Cornwall’s leading stair manufacturers. At Strippers, along with Andrew, she will play a key part in client liaison, site visits and quoting, managing the office and accounts while increasing the company’s presence on social media.

Nancy has also undergone training to work alongside Andrew on the final sanding and finishing of floors, so it seems that Strippers Flooring is only set to go from strength to strength! From all of us here at Cornwall Living, we’d like to wish Nancy good luck in her new role and we look forward to another lucrative 20 years for this fantastic Cornish firm.

For more information call 01736 602424 or visit www.strippersflooring.co.uk

Get your coffee fix this Christmas

Having launched at the Padstow Christmas Festival two years ago, the Padstow Coffee Company is thrilled to be one of the key sponsors of this fantastic event this year. As well as opening the shop on Duke Street throughout the event, the team will also be in the main marquee, right next to the harbour, where they will be providing tasters of their luxury hand roasted coffees. With live demonstrations on coffee brewing equipment and lots of wonderful gift ideas for the coffee lover in your life, it’s definitely worth visiting. 

For more information call 01841 705003 or visit www.padstowcoffee.co.uk

Join in the festivities at Boscastle Farm Shop

There’s a fantastic line up of events taking place in the run up to Christmas at Boscastle Farm Shop. On Saturday 10th November, you’ll have a rare chance to dine of an evening at the Farmshop with the team’s delicious Signature Evening Menu.

Then, on Thursday 15th November, sample the team’s homemade Christmas fare, including mince pies, Christmas cake and mulled wine, at their Christmas Taster Evening, with exclusive discounts from suppliers including Tarquins!

On Thursday 6th December, the Christmas Carol Evening will be a sure-fire way to get into the Christmas spirit, with carols sung by local entertainer Callum Flew, alongside a turkey hog roast with all the trimmings.

Throughout December on Wednesdays and Sundays, the team will be serving their Christmas Turkey Roast Lunch and then on Saturday 15th December, don’t miss Christmas Party Night, where you can celebrate the festive season with a welcoming glass of prosecco and tuck into the four-course menu, before dancing the night away.

For more information call 01840 250827 or visit www.boscastlefarmshop.co.uk

Rave reviews for KinetIQue Jewellery

Just one look at KinetIQue Jewellery’s reviews on customer feedback website, FEEFO, is enough to tell us that this fantastic, ethical Cornish diamond company is proving a big hit with those looking to purchase that special item, with customers remarking on the “excellent service”, “friendly team” and the “sincerely beautiful items” they’ve bought.

Fair Trade Gold-registered and using recycled precious metals, KinetIQue offers excellent customer service via Emily and Elaine, who are able to see bespoke requests through from initial consultation right the way through to delivery. They tell us: “Each of our designs is initially hand drawn and then made using hand forged methods, not using computer design technology, which is less personal and romantic. This bespoke design service is our focus and is becoming very successful. No other company offers what we do in the UK, which is combine environmentally friendly products with a totally traditional approach to custom jewellery.”

For more information call 01208 592066 or visit www.kinetique.co.uk

Take home a little piece of Cornwall

We’re delighted to announce the arrival of some beautiful cards created by talented illustrator, Claire Bentley, to littlepieceofcornwall.co.uk, Cornwall Living’s brand new online shop. Along with a host of other talented designers and makers, you can order your very own little piece of Cornwall from the comfort of your armchair, and have it delivered direct to your door. Claire takes her inspiration from her love of the waves and the Cornish coastline to produce some stunning seascapes.

You can also pre-order the Cornwall Living 2019 Calendar on the site, featuring 12 amazing shots of Cornwall’s spectacular locations. Be inspired every month as you turn the page to reveal a new place to discover and get organised in the process. If you would like to take out a subscription to Cornwall Living, meaning you never miss an edition, you can do that on the site too!

For more information visit www.littlepieceofcornwall.co.uk

Fabulous fabric solutions from Merchants and Makers

Catching up with Merchants and Makers partner Penny McMillan earlier this month, we learned that a lot of her clients of late have shown great interest in artisanal, hand-printed fabrics, choosing to experience the ‘hand-crafted in Britain’ look over the mass produced, a trend we discovered in this month’s cover feature.

She also told us that a lot more people are making the most of automated Roman blinds, which now come with remote control. “Aesthetically these look much nicer, as you can fit the blinds much more precisely, without needing to provide space to reach for the cord.”

One couple who recently enlisted Penny’s help had this to say about their new blinds: “They’re amazing. If people haven’t tried them, they should. It’s so easy – a press of a button and your blinds will close, great after a hard day at work. It’s affordable luxury!”

For more information call 01566 785763 or visit www.merchantsandmakers.co.uk

Lilly Lewarne pulls off architectural masterclass

With 25 years’ experience in the south west, Lilly Lewarne Architects pride themselves not only on local knowledge and a strong reputation for excellent architecture, but also on their ability to provide an engaging and cost-effective design service.

One such example of the team’s expertise is Salt House in St Ives. Now a part of the luxurious Carbis Bay Holidays portfolio, this property was brought to life after an original scheme submitted by another architect was refused planning permission. Lilly Lewarne Arthitects were commissioned to redesign the proposals and negotiate a successful outcome with the local planning authority. And that they did!

The main body of the existing three-storey house was preserved, but the inclusion of balcony extensions, internal remodeling and the replacement roof accommodation meant that a complete aesthetic overhaul was achieved, providing high quality and contemporary accommodation. In other words, a job well done!

For more information call 01872 261000or visit www.lillylewarne.co.uk

An exciting announcement from Cornwall Hospice Care

Bodmin based social enterprise business, RE:SOURCE, has moved to new premises and is now raising funds for Cornwall Hospice Care. The Cornish charity has taken custodianship from national charity, Addaction, and relocated RE:SOURCE to Normandy Way in Bodmin.

RE:SOURCE offers graded white goods from manufacturer Beko, also selling donated and, in some cases, restored furniture.

Paul Brinsley, Chief Executive of Cornwall Hospice Care, tells us: “We’re delighted to be benefitting from RE:SOURCE, who have joined us to continue what they have been doing so well for many years now. We’re excited about the future for this thriving business that forms a key part of Bodmin’s economy. Our charity is well known in Cornwall for the support we offer terminally ill patients and their carers, family and friends, in our hospices and in the community. Our retail department generates vital revenue to support this work and RE:SOURCE is a perfect addition.”

For more information call 01208 269296 or visit www.myresource.org.uk