News and views September 2018

Keeping you in the loop.

Stand out from the beach-going crowd!

If you want to get noticed on the beach this summer, you’ve got to check out Gone Crabbing’s range of beach wear and accessories. With sturdy, colourful windbreaks for just £75, extra-large beach towels for £22.99, colourful kids t-shirts from just £11.99 and snuggly hoodies for only £27.99, Gone Crabbing offers serious quality at bargain prices. The team also offer a wealth of totally unique giftware, including mugs, tea towels, best-selling soaps, candles and so much more!

This Cornwall based business is focused on designing and delivering brilliant clothing and giftware with an emphasis on quality and detail, and you’re sure to love the quirky coastal themed designs. Susie Mason tells us: “We here on Team Crab want you to love what you buy, in the hope that you’ll take it home, love, use and wear it over and over again.”

For more information visit www.gonecrabbing.co.uk

Discover the impact that Cornwall Hospice Care has

Cornwall Hospice Care has collaborated with Porthleven-based Red Flag Media to produce their first Impact Report. The booklet tells the story of the charity’s financial year (2017/18) and details its future strategic plans. Head of PR and Communications, Tamsin Thomas tells us: “Our Impact Report has been created to help people understand the many ways in which our staff and volunteers make a difference to terminally ill patients and their carers, family and friends; it includes a range of heart-warming stories, including that of broadcaster and writer Judi Spiers.” The impact report details how the charity funds the care it provides to patients and how the money raised is spent delivering care at Mount Edgcumbe and St Julia’s Hospices and in the community.

For more information call 01726 839156 or to order a free copy of the booklet email communications@cornwallhospice.co.uk

Leave Wadebridge Dental with glowing skin and teeth!

Wadebridge Dental is located in a welcoming building, which is tastefully decorated throughout and instils a sense of calm as soon as you walk into the waiting room. The practice provides free consultations for implants, and will talk through all treatment plans to find the best option for you. New this year is the ZO Medical Skincare range by Zein Obagi, an innovative skincare solution that optimizes skin health based on the latest advances in skin therapy technologies. The results speak for themselves and you’re sure to walk away with glowing skin! The team provide excellent customer care that will leave you feeling like you’ve walked away from a spa rather than the dentist and the vast range of treatments available are sure to leave you looking your best.

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

Bodmin Nursery has your gardening needs covered!

September can be a glorious month in the garden and, with Mother Nature on our side, there is much to be enjoyed, including later-flowering perennials, elegant grasses and abundant fruit. It’s also a traditional time to take on projects big and small, giving plants the chance to re-establish before the onset of winter.

Bodmin Nursery is the perfect partner for all your garden needs. The Nursery grows all its own plants and there are literally acres of choice! The team are all enthusiastic plants-people, so there is always knowledgeable help on hand. What’s more, from the 15th to 22nd September the nursery is offering
15% off all plants, so a great opportunity to refresh your late summer garden.

For more information call 01208 72837 or visit www.bodminnursery.co.uk

Introducing ASI Surfing and SUP education for instructors

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 with its head office in Bondi beach, and UK offices in Hayle on Cornwall’s north coast. ASI instructor courses are recognised as the world’s finest and are delivered in Cornwall, across the UK and worldwide. Work in Cornwall or travel the world; with ASI you’ll love your role as
an instructor. You can also become an ASI-accredited surf or SUP school, with ASI offering the world’s leading school accreditation scheme and regulations to ensure safe and quality operations. Find instructor courses and ASI schools on the
ASI website.

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

Bude Windows announces a fresh, new look after 23 lucrative years!

Formed in 1995, the team at Bude Windows and Conservatories originally set out to fill a gap in the market in north Cornwall. Today, the family-run enterprise has well and truly branched out, way beyond just windows and doors, and it’s partly this that has inspired the need for a new look.

Bude Windows has become known for supplying and fitting all sorts of high quality structures, from conservatories and orangeries to car ports and awnings. The secret to their success is never compromising on quality and founders Alan and Lorraine, along with their son Daniel, are experts in helping their clients achieve their dream homes.

After a lucrative 26 years, Lorraine tells us, it’s time to freshen up the brand. But, she explains, “we will continue to be the same company”, so if your home project could benefit from the team’s expertise, fear not!

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

Enjoy quality family time with your very own hot tub!

As we’ve explored in previous issues there  are a number of benefits that come hand in hand with owning a hot tub, from relaxing the tired muscles of those leading active lifestyles, to helping reduce blood sugar and improving sleep for sufferers of Type 2 Diabetes. But in this day and age, where many of us find ourselves glued to a screen for hours at a time, hot tubs represent a ‘back to basics’ way of spending quality time with our families. Being so close to the water, you and yours are unable to sit scrolling through social media on your precious phone or tablet. Instead, as a family, you return to conversation; to in-jokes, laughter and generally enjoying each other’s company.

From one year olds right the way through to those in receipt of a royal telegram, everybody can enjoy an outdoor spa, and for the little ones they are a fantastic way of building confidence in the water.

O C Spas has a fantastic range of hot tubs and spas, sourcing them from the world’s leading suppliers, and the company’s after care service is second to none. Not only are the team always on hand to advise on hot tub maintenance, this fantastic company also  stocks everything you’re likely to need to keep your hot tub in tip-top condition. What’s more, for O C members, water treatment advice and support are available on a 24-hour basis!

For more information call 01872 575333 or visit www.ocspas.co.uk

A diamond achievement

Join the Cornish Seal Sanctuary to celebrate its diamond anniversary this summer! From 21st July until 2nd September you can swim through history and learn all about the sanctuary’s origins, from humble beginnings in 1958 to the record year of seal rescue today. Take part in a guided historic tour where you can learn about how seal rescue has changed, or take a moment in the Seal Cinema where you can sit back and enjoy a visual journey through the last 60 years. There are also daily talks and seal feeds as well as fun and games for all the family!

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

Make every day National Simplicity Day

Did you know the 12th July was National Simplicity Day? Imagine a whole day set aside to streamline the challenges and commitments that you face everyday. We live in a world that’s becoming increasingly fast paced and often difficult to manage, which is why some people may start to use alcohol or other substances as an aid to help them cope.

At Regain Recovery, founder Gerri tells us: “We think every day should be National Simplicity Day. We support our clients and their families to evaluate their priorities and take the time to be mindful of the important things in their lives. Clients who use the opportunity to reflect on the challenges of daily living learn positive coping strategies to help them enjoy the good things in life, leaving the stress and complexities behind.”

The Regain Recovery team can help you to view each and every day as National Simplicity Day.

For more information visit www.regainrecovery.com

Holiday home tips

In an ongoing series of holiday home tips, we hear about furnished holiday letting tax obligations from George at Cornish Traditional Cottages.

When setting up your holiday home, each step takes you closer to receiving a nice income from paying guests however, it’s important to bear in mind that all the profits don’t just end up in your pocket. George tells us: “just a reminder that even after you’ve covered your costs… not all the income a property generates from paying guests is yours. And while tax is generally more taxing than we’d like it to be, both mentally and fiscally, holiday lets have specific tax arrangements for you to be aware of and to benefit from.”

In particular, we hear about how to qualify as a Furnished Holiday Letting (FHL), George explains: “FHLs benefit from specific (and, thankfully, not too complicated) tax rules. To qualify as a FHL the property must be within the UK (or the European Economic Area if you own a holiday home overseas), be furnished sufficiently for occupation by guests and be intended to generate a profit, so managed as a commercial let. It must also be available to let for 30 weeks (210 days) each year, actually be let to paying guests for 15 weeks (105 days) each year and it is not to be let for 31 days or more, to one or more named guests, for more than 155 days in the year, limiting the number of longer let requests you accept.

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

Discover hidden treasures at the Antiques fair

The Wadebridge Antique Centre has an eclectic collection of furniture, gold, silver, militaria, art, clocks, autographed memorabilia, ceramics and garden pieces. On the last Sunday of each month it’s your chance to see everything that they have to offer and more at the fairs, organised at the Millennium Hall, Pensilva, by Antiques Fairs Cornwall. There’s also Cornwall’s Premiere Fair, selling high quality antiques, vintage, decorative and salvage items, with Cornwall’s only Classic and Vintage Vehicle Auction, and a Classic and Vintage Vehicle Rally on the August and Easter Bank Holiday weekends. To make matters even better there’s something of interest for all the family and local artisan food available too!

For more information call 01208 368182 or visit www.wadebridgeantiquecentre.co.uk

Create the perfect ambiance without lifting a finger

Imagine a world where your window blinds adjust themselves automatically, creating the perfect room ambiance morning, noon and night. That’s the beauty of the remote control from PowerView – available from Stylehome, and now with new voice control via Alexa or Google Assistant. The blinds can be powered by mains or battery, and are easy to install, with no need to have wiring in place already. Co-ordinate multiple blinds throughout different rooms with a single command: ‘Google, activate I’m home,’ and watch as your blinds automatically move to the perfect position. Operated with a hand or wall-mounted remote or by app on your smartphone, why not visit Stylehome in Truro to see the system in action, be surprised at its affordability and understand why it won ‘Best Smart Tech’ at the House Beautiful awards 2017.

For more information call 01872 560500 or visit www.stylehome.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 or visit www.padstowcoffee.co.uk

Chocolate on the catwalk

Judy Hedden founded Cornwall’s Chocolate Cove after studying Nutritional and Energy Therapy. “This changed my life and led to finding true balance and happiness in chocolate making!”

Going from strength to strength, Judy’s chocolates and energy balls are a healthier, mouth-watering alternative – it’s no wonder they were chosen by Sadie Williams for her London Fashion Week show! In fact, these individually handmade delicious creations are also currently supporting the cast of a major international feature film and have been given high praise by Joanna Lumley, who says: “Cornwall’s Chocolate Cove make the best slabs of utterly fabulous chocolate that I have ever eaten!”

Judy’s chocolate supports the Born Free Foundation as well as Viva!, and can be found in various outlets around the Duchy including the Eden Project. Alternatively, why not head to the website and treat yourself?

For more information visit www.cornwallschocolatecove.com

Freshwater fun at Kernow Adventure Park

The sun is shining, the summer holidays are here, and Kernow Adventure Park is looking positively tropical. If you’re looking for an active family day out, look no further! Set in a reclaimed granite quarry a little outside of Falmouth, the sheltered, suntrap location and silky fresh water make it a perfect (and safe) playground for children and parents alike! Bounce, splash and slide your way around the giant inflatable Aqua Park, tear up and down the water on the Ringo Rides, take top notch wakeboarding lessons, or go for a more sedate paddle board in this luscious location – the choice is yours! Plus, get a special 10% off just for Cornwall Living readers; just quote CORNWALLLIVING10 at the checkout!

For more information email info@kernowadventurepark.com or visit www.kernowadventurepark.com

Building in the old fashioned way

Natural Build is a company based in Helston specialising in traditional building methods that are environmentally friendly. Owner Will Richard tells us: “I want everything I build to be able to decompose back into the earth, without damaging it with toxins.” Will uses materials like oak, redbrick, limestone and straw bail in full development builds; you may question its longevity, but this is how people built for centuries. What’s more, the team doesn’t take any shortcuts with their work and all builds are made to last. Will and his team take everything back to basics and step away from modern inventions for a slow, organic and sustainable process, being environmentally aware in their approach and creating stunning buildings as a result.

For more information call 01326 574370 or 07939 872932 or email will@naturalbuild.net

Learn your history at Bodmin & Wenford Railway’s China Clay event

Join Bodmin & Wenford Railway for a weekend celebrating its China Clay railway heritage. Did you know that the steam railway owes its existence to the fact that the Bodmin branch line to Wenford Bridge China Clay dry remained in use until the 1980s?

From Saturday 15th until Sunday 16th September, the team will be running trains that worked in the Cornish China Clay industry, including Port of Par locomotive, Judy, the Beattie Well Tank, GWR heavy freight engine 4247 (which worked China Clay trains from Par to Fowey) and diesel engines with local Cornish connections.

Joining them will be friends from Wheal Martyn, providing a fascinating insight into the start of the ‘pit to port’ China Clay trail. Plus, there’ll be interactive activities, giving families the chance to get hands on.

For more information visit www.bodminrailway.co.uk or www.facebook.com/BodminGeneral

Escape to Cornwall this autumn at Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa

Experience the lavish lifestyle by the sea with Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa. Offering jaw-dropping ocean views, stylish rooms and a luxurious spa, it’s the ideal spot for a romantic getaway. Relax in the bar with an aperitif before dinner and then head to the beachside restaurant for delicious food in beautiful surroundings. The adult exclusive hotel provides the ultimate backdrop for wild Cornish adventures, coastal getaways and romantic weekend retreats. Following such a stellar summer, autumn is the perfect time to relax, rejuvenate and unwind. So, why not discover the Winter Warming Spa Break and indulge in some guilt-free time on the Cornish coast? Wake to the waves with a one or two night stay and slip into serenity with a relaxing spa treatment from just £169 per couple.

For more information call 01637 852221 or visit www.fistralbeachhotel.co.uk

A wave of success

Ocean photographer Mike Lacey is proud to announce the opening of a new gallery in Falmouth. He tells us: “It’s exciting times for us at Waves with the opening of our new gallery on Arwenack Street. Falmouth is a place we all love to visit for food and shopping and I can’t wait to be part of such a creative community.” Not only has Mike opened a new shop, he’s also been training hard to paddle from Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly. He explains: “We’re busy training for our sponsored paddle from Porthcurno to the Isles of Scilly, a 32 mile trip to raise awareness for the plastic pollution problem we face,” and all funds raised will be donated to Surfers Against Sewage who are tackling the problem on a daily basis!

For more information call 01326 368369 or visit www.wavesgallery.co.uk

Three prestigious awards for Cornwall’s first all-suite hotel!

Only a handful of TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards are given out each year, going to hotels that go the extra mile to provide their guests with the best, in terms of both service and accommodation.

Falmouth’s Oceanic Suite Hotel – a luxurious getaway exclusively for adults – has received not one, but three of these prestigious awards for 2018, ranking in the ‘Top 25 Best Small Hotels in the UK’ (the Oceanic is third!), ‘Top 25 Best Romantic Hotels in the UK’ and ‘Top 25 Best Small Hotels in Europe’.

Unsurprisingly, owners Tim and Heather are delighted. “We have only been open for four years and are stunned to have won these awards, especially in multiple categories. We cannot thank the TripAdvisor community enough for all their kind feedback and recommendations.”

The Oceanic Suite Hotel blends five-star facilities with stylish apartment living, offering five exclusive, designer suites. Indeed, Tim, Heather and the team have set a new standard in the Cornish accommodation industry, providing a personalised service so that each of their guests gets the most out of their stay.

Set in the heart of Falmouth, only a few minutes’ walk from the beach or the harbour with its vibrant mix of bars, restaurants and live music, this fabulous hotel enjoys spectacular views, which guests can enjoy whilst sunbathing on a giant grass bed, or relaxing in the giant wooden hot tub.

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

Blinded by brilliance

If you want your interior design to stand out, then focusing on the finer details can make a huge difference to the ambiance and look of your home. Take how you dress your windows for example, an easy aspect to overlook but something that massively alters the overall feel of a room. Luckily for you, we’ve found the perfect company to help provide (or even custom make) curtains and blinds that will take your breath away. Merchants and Makers can help you realise the full potential of your home. With a whole host of fabrics to choose from, feel the gorgeous textures and see the remarkable designs for yourself in store and allow the dedicated team to help you find the perfect fit for you and your home, a service that goes above and beyond what you can expect online.

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

On the water action at St Mawes this Falmouth Week!

As part of the much-anticipated Falmouth Week 2018, Philip Martin Estate Agents are delighted to be this year’s quayside sponsor for the events for the St Mawes Sailing Club Regatta Day on Friday 17th August. Falmouth Week offers an action packed week of top level racing in a fun atmosphere using a variety of courses during the week. The St Mawes Regatta Day promises a fantastic line up of sailing, food, drink and music, so if you’ve read this in time for this year’s Falmouth Week, be sure not to miss it. If not, we definitely recommend pencilling it into your diary for next year!

For more information call 01872 242244 or visit www.philip-martin.co.uk

Experience award-winning cuisine

Awarded two AA Rosettes for excellence, Mullion Cove’s Atlantic View Restaurant is widely regarded as one of the best places to eat in west Cornwall.

From Helford River Oysters to the finest Cornish fish, prime steak and excellent vegan dishes, everyone is catered for and the chefs take no shortcuts in bringing you the freshest and best seasonal produce. Whether you’re looking for a classic breakfast or romantic evening dining with the ultimate sea view, Mullion Cove is an experience to savour. Situated on the Lizard peninsula, the hotel is perched high above the cliffs and has spectacular views of expansive skies and azure seas.

Don’t take our word for it though; go see for yourself why Mullion Cove rates as one of the best foodie hotels in Cornwall.

For more information call 01326 240328 or visit www.mullion-cove.co.uk

Looking to invest?

National press publications are increasingly showcasing Falmouth and the surrounding area thanks to its wonderful beaches, idyllic scenery and eclectic events scene, so it’s no wonder that we’re seeing more and more people looking for a holiday let property in the area. Ben Wakefield from Harding & Wakefield tells us: “With both domestic and international tourist demand, it’s the perfect spot for investment. We’ve got a wealth of characterful properties with excellent sea views which always fit the bill,” so if you’re looking for a holiday let, or are just curious about dipping a toe in the market, then get in touch with Harding & Wakefield Estate Agents and discover what owning a property in Cornwall could mean for you.

For more information call 01326 450020 or visit www.hardingwakefield.com

Curio goes eco with 100% recycled bottles and labels

In a mission to embody an environmentally driven ethos, Curio is undergoing a process to adapt its bottles. Curio bottles are currently produced in France however, in order to reduce its carbon footprint, the company is now on the hunt for a UK-based producer that can create a new, bespoke Curio bottles. At present, the bottles aren’t made with 100% recycled glass; they contain flint that gives the tone of glass a lighter look. The goal however is for the packaging to be entirely recycled and become the first spirit company in Cornwall, and one of very few in the UK, to use a completely recycled bottle. The award-winning spirit company is also replacing the glass stoppers with recyclable wooden ones and labels will be printed on recycled paper!

For more information call 07940 730958 or visit www.curiospiritscompany.co.uk

Delicious food, fabulous views

The Polurrian Bay Hotel offers a relaxed dining experience and menus with the perfect balance of flavours, showcasing locally sourced produce whilst putting a modern spin on French classics on their A La Carte menu. The chefs use herbs grown in the hotel gardens and they forage in the area for wild garlic, nettles and samphire. One of the head chef’s favourite new dishes is the Polurrian Bay bouillabaisse, made with locally caught fish, marrying perfectly with a cold dry white wine and only made better when enjoyed alongside the stunning views of the coast from the hotel’s clifftop vantage point. Visit with the family, enjoy a casual lunch on the terrace or experience fine dining by candle light in the two AA Rosette restaurant. To find out more about the lunch and dinner menus,be sure to contact the team.

For more information call 01326 240421 or visit www.polurrianhotel.com

New restaurant on the block takes Carlyon Bay by storm

The new restaurant, Edie’s Kitchen, is run by husband and wife team, Nigel and Kelly Brown. An acclaimed chef, Nigel has returned to his home county of Cornwall to open a restaurant with Kelly, naming it after their 15 year old daughter, Edie. Upon visiting, you may notice the green ‘i’s on the restaurant’s lettering – a nod towards their two year old daughter, Iris.

Nigel tells us: “I’ve always dreamt of coming back to Cornwall and opening my own restaurant. We’re really excited about using locally sourced produce, delivered to us daily to create an ever-evolving menu.”

Nigel and Kelly are dedicated to using the freshest ingredients to create menus for all ages and tastes, and you can see Nigel busily at work thanks to the open kitchen!

So if you’re looking for somewhere new to eat out with the family, why not pay a visit to Edie’s Kitchen?

For more information call 01726 813888 or visit www.edieskitchen.co.uk

Relax and re-energise at The Cornish Arms, Pendoggett

Offering a wide range of traditional pub food, served all day in August and from 12.30 to 2.30pm and 5.30 to 8.30pm for the rest of the year, The Cornish Arms, Pendoggett is the perfect sanctuary to retreat to after a day spent exploring the delights of the north coast.

Just three miles from the fishing village of Port Isaac (of Doc Martin fame), The Cornish Arms is a quintessentially Cornish pub, oozing a gentle ambiance from the exposed beams and dark wood that also help create a warm, comforting environment in which to enjoy your food.

Owner Karen tells us: “Our freshly prepared traditional pub menu is made, wherever possible, with locally sourced ingredients and is served every lunchtime and evening, with Cornish cream teas available in the afternoon!”

So, if you’re out and about on the north coast, why not pop in and satisfy that sea-air appetite?

For more information call 01208 880335 or visit www.cornisharmspendoggett.co.uk

Say cheese!

Cheese on Coast was born through a love of all things cheese. Founders Nick and Claire are the first and (currently) only two cheesemongers in Cornwall with an Academy of Cheese recognised qualification, and are also proud members of the Guild of Fine Foods. Their aim is to promote delicious, artisan cheeses produced on farms using recipes that, in some cases, date back centuries. The shop offers an extensive range of 25 to 30 artisan cheeses, Claire tells us: “We have a variety of Cornish cheeses, excellent cheddars and a selection of continental cheeses. You’ll also find a changing menu of seasonal and guest cheeses.” Not to mention the wide range of crackers, chutney’s, relishes and cheese based sausage rolls!

For more information call 01736 793411 or visit www.cheeseoncoast.co.uk

Al fresco dining at the Lemon Arms

What better way to enjoy the summer sun than with a spot of al fresco dining at The Lemon Arms in Mylor? Enjoy a coastal walk and then seek refuge in the sheltered garden with your favourite tipple in hand and a menu with all the pub classics to choose from. We recommend the freshly baked focaccia bread to start, wild Cornish mussels for your main with a side of buttery new potatoes, and a deliciously creamy vanilla panna cotta for dessert. The kitchen team has a keen passion for Cornwall’s amazing local produce and, never knowing what the local day boats are going to bring in, produces an ever changing specials menu for you to peruse as well as their pub classics, so no visit is ever quite the same.

For more information call 01326 373666 or visit www.lemonarms.co.uk