Lifestyle

LifeStyle22

welcome Call: 01326 213333 November 27, 2012 33LifeStyle

SO, with just four weeks to go until the big day itself,there was only ever going to be one subject forLifeStyle to focus on in this edition - Christmas.From gifts for the special woman in your life, to per-

fect presents for gardeners, we are covering everyangle.Our what’s on guide is taking a special look at all of

the festive-themed events taking place in Falmouthand beyond over the next month.Meanwhile our gadgets guide is looking at the best

ways of keeping warm and dry as the weatherbecomes more wintry. There are also your reviews ofthe latest books and albums, our guide to the bestnew app for your phone, fashion tips for theChristmas party, and our motoring guide on the latestcar to hit the showroom.For the first time, we are also featuring readers pic-

tures in our pages, with the sunset over Falmouth’sseafront on page 11 taken by Jo Trevelyan last monthand Kennal Vale by Ted Schofeild on page 10.If you want to see your pictures featured in

LifeStyle, then simply email them to the editor at theaddress shown (right), and the best ones will bechosen each fortnight.Happy Christmas!

The LLiiffeeSSttyyllee team

Getting ready for a perfect Christmasn EditorPaul ArmstrongTel: 01326 213336email:[email protected]

n AdvertisingCarley SavageTel: 01326 [email protected]

n AddressLifestyleUnit 3, FalmouthBusiness Park,Bickland Water RoadFalmouthTR11 4SZ

Front page picture:Mylor Bridge in thesnow Picture:Paul ArmstrongThis page:Penryn in the snowPicture: The Packet

n ContentsWWhhaatt’’ss OOnn4 –Where to see the lights5 –Festive entertainment

RReevviieewwss6 ––Judy FinniganWhy family means more than TV6 –Album reviewsExampleBreaking DawnNeil Young and Crazy Horse

GGiiffttss ffoorr hheerr7 –Gorgeous presents this Christmas

CCoommppeettiittiioonnss9 –Get pampered at Budock Vean

LLiiffeeSSttyyllee VViieewwss10 – 11Your pictures

FFaasshhiioonn12 –A Sparkling Christmas party

MMoottoorriinngg20 –Audi A1 Sportback road test

GGaaddggeettss23 –Hot stuff to keep you warm

RReecciippeess23 –Meaty recipes for winter

GGaarrddeenniinngg26 –Green fingered festive gifts

what’s on LifeStyle44 November 27, 2012 Call: 01326 213333

A fabulous festive FalmouthFALMOUTH will be full of fabulous festivefun this Christmas, with events fromlantern parades to Santa runs takingplace throughout the next few weeks.The entertainment will all begin on

Thursday, with a lantern parade ahead ofthe town's big Christmas Lights switch-on.The parade will start at Events Square

at 5.45pm, before the lights come on fol-lowing a ceremony at The Moor at 7pm.A whole host of Christmas events will

then be held in town during the run up tothe big day itself.On Saturday, December 8, there will

be a Christmas Fair at the Brewery Yardoff the Old High Street from 10am to

6pm, with gifts, mulled wine and roastedchestnuts just some of the goodies onoffer.The following Saturday will see an

invasion of up to 1,000 FatherChristmases in the town centre streetswhen the annual Santa Run takes place.The race, held in aid of Cornwall

Hospice Care, will start at The Moor at1pm.The following day, Sunday, December

16, will see a live nativity play take placein the town centre.Starting at Events Square at 2pm, the

play will see Mary, Joseph and a donkeymake their way to The Moor, where therewill be live animals including sheep,

goats and horses. Then, on ChristmasEve, the Cornish Harmony Choir will besinging carols at various locations in thetown. Their first performance will takeplace at the Watersports Centre in GrovePlace at 10.30am, before finishing at TheMoor at 1pm.The traditional event has taken place in

the town each Christmas for more than100 years.There will also be late night shopping

in the town each Thursday from nextweek, and a host of other events toenjoy throughout the period. For moredetails visit falmouth.co.uk

nn AA ccrroowwdd ggaatthheerrss ffoorr cceelleebbrraattiioonnss iinn FFaallmmoouutthh ffoorr llaasstt yyeeaarr’’ss lliigghhttss sswwiittcchh--oonn

Truro comes alive

Award winning eco-cafe

TRURO has come alivefor the festive seasonand is now countingdown the days toChristmas with a mix ofheart-warming eventsand late night shopping.The city kicked off the

celebrations with the Cityof Lights procession andChristmas lights switchon a fortnight ago, withthe traditional reindeerparade held last week.Businesses will now

stay open for late nightshopping everyWednesday, remainingopen for business until9pm each week untilDecember 19.The streets will be

filled with festive marketstalls, entertainers, brassbands and carol singers,with the scent of mulledwine and hot chestnutsfilling the air.Truro's cafes, bars and

restaurants will be open-ing their doors to hungryshoppers and festivemerry makers alike, withmany offering special deals ontheir food and drink menus.This year Truro also has

plans for “Truro Ice Rink”which, subject to planning per-mission, is due to open onWednesday.Evenings there will be

changes to the park and rideservice, due to road closuresbeing in place in the city centre

from 3pm on those days.This means that the pick up

and drop off points for TruroPark & Ride will move toCalenick Street, rather thanstopping at River Street andVictoria Square, from 3pmonwards on thoseWednesdays. Service timesremain unchanged by themove.

nn TThhee TTrruurroo CCiittyy ooff LLiigghhttss ppaarraaddee

nn AA wwaarrmm wweellccoommee iiss gguuaarraanntteeeedd aatt MMiissss PPeeaappoodd’’ss

OVERLOOKING the river at PenrynHarbour, Miss Peapod's KitchenCafé is part of the award-winningJubilee Wharf eco-development.

Surrounded by local artists' stu-dios, a bike workshop, a nurseryand the ZedShed where regularyoga and pilates classes takeplace, there is always plenty ofactivity and friendly community vibeto get involved with!

If that sounds too energetic,grab a local ale or fine wine andchill out on one of their cosycouches, or outside on the deck-ing. Join them for an all-day break-fast or the best Sunday roast.

Their philosophy is simple - usethe best of local produce and prod-ucts to make delicious fresh foodand drinks.

Sourced with a priority to local,organic and fair-trade, they shame-lessly flaunt sustainable principlesfrom the award-winning menu tothe second-hand floorboards.

During the day they run a laid-back café boasting comfy couch-es, free wi-fi, outdoor decking over-looking Penryn river and of coursea cheery hello.

Their delicious selection of cakesare homemade, coffee is ethicallysourced by local family-owned

roastery Origin, breakfast is avail-able all day.

At night Miss Peapod’s steps upthe pace with Friday night happyhour offering discounted prices onall drinks 6-7pm (which includelocal ales and organic spirits), DJs,film and food nights, stand-upcomedy, random rave-ups!

Saturday nights are reserved fortheir excellent line-up of live per-formers - nominated Best SmallVenue 2011 in the NME awards,they've played host to everythingfrom American freak folk to Swisspsychobilly surf rock and lovedevery minute!

what’s on Call: 01326 213333 November 27, 2012 55LifeStyle

From trees to pantoFROM pantomimes to carol services, therewill be plenty of festive entertainment on offerin Falmouth this Christmas.The entertainment will get underway this

weekend when the Amity Theatre performsSnow White at Falmouth Methodist Church.The play begins on Thursday, November 29

and runs for three nights.Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for under-

16s either by calling 01326 316286 or fromthe church.An alternative panto will then be performed

at The Poly on Church Street on Sunday,December 23 and daily from Thursday,December 27 to Sunday, December 30, whenMiracle Theatre will put on Frankenstein.Tickets cost £12, with concessions £10,

and can be booked by calling 01326 319461.On Sunday, December 16, the Salvation

Army will host their traditional carol service inmain hall, starting at 4.30pm.A spokesman for the event said: “A chance

to join The Salvation Army and celebrate thetrue meaning of Christmas once again.“Come and sing along with many of your

favourite carols, listen to the Band &Songsters choir and also the child singers.“The theme for the day will be ‘The Light

Has Come’.“Proceeds from the carol service will be

used to support this year's chosen goodcauses which are, The CardiomyopathyAssociation and The Salvation Army's, andKalimpong Children's School for The Blind inIndia.”Tickets cost £3, and seating can be reserved

in advance.On the following Tuesday there will be a spe-

cial Christmas family celebration in the gardenroom at the venue, with choirs sung by candle-light.Tickets for the evening, which begins at

7.30pm, cost £3 for adults and £1.50 for chil-dren. The admission costs include a glass of

mulled wine and a mince pie for parents, andan ice cream and glass of squash for the chil-dren.There will also be the not-to-be-missed

Christmas Tree Festival, held annually in the AllSaints Parish Church.This year’s event takes place daily from 10am

to 7pm from Monday, December 17 toMonday, December 31, except for ChristmasDay and Boxing Day.The church will be packed with specially dec-

orated Christmas trees from across the globe.

nn TThhee CChhrriissttmmaass TTrreeee FFeessttiivvaall aatt AAllll SSaaiinnttss CChhuurrcchh

nn AA wwiiddee rraannggee ooff ggaarraaggee ddoooorrss aarree aavvaaiillaabbllee

Balkan folk mayhemTICKETS are still available for anevening of Balkan folk mayhem atMiss Peadpod’s in Penryn.Sheelanagig have been a firm

fixture on the festival circuit formany years, but are equally athome at smaller music venuesand even on street corners.They have developed a devoted

following with their energetic andirreverent live performances, com-bining elements of story-tellingand street theatre with intricateand irresistibly danceable music.Sheelanagig’s origins lie in the

now defunct Dartington College ofArts in Devon. Two band members moved toBristol in 2004 and were keen to collaboratewith all comers in the famously diverse and cre-ative city.After meeting three other talented and eager

musicians in the musical melting pot of Bristol,Sheelanagig began playing in every pub andclub they could.An early gig review in Venue magazine

described the band as “fresh and distinctive”,

and noted that “what lifts them above most folkis their rhythmic variety and great imagination”.Sheelanagig are touring the UK in support of

their new album Cirque Insomnia, their fourthrelease and the first to feature original songsalongside the band’s trademark manic instru-mentalism.The group will play at Miss Peapod’s on

Saturday, December 1, starting at 8pm.Tickets costing £8 are available online at

wegottickets.com/misspeapods

Treat for heavy rock fans

Garage door specialists since 1986

DELIGHTING fans of AC/DC and ZZ Tops, thedouble-whammy tribute ‘For Those About toRock’ blazes into Falmouth on Friday,December 7.Portraying the original members of both the

Bon Scott and Brian Johnson eras of AC/DC,their current tour is said to be bigger, better andlouder than ever with plenty of high voltage.Expect the classics like Whole Lotta Rosie,

Highway to Hell and Back in Black, expect can-nons, the backdrops, a wall of Marshalls and arock-hard rhythm section.And if that wasn’t enough, there’s The ZZ

Tops. Formed to celebrate the music andcareer of one of the greatest rock n' roll bandsof all time, this lil ol' band nails the look, thesound and the overall vibe of the Texas Trio withthe beards, cheap sunglasses and fuzzy gui-tars, whilst they perform songs including, SharpDressed Man, Legs, Gimme All Your Lovin’ andof course the classic, Tush. Looks like a greatnight for lovers of classic rock.Starts 8pm. Standing. Advance Tickets

£17.50 - available from the Pavilion box officeon 01326 211222, or book online viaSeeTickets and Hall for Cornwall.

CORNWALL Garage Door Centrebased in Truro was founded in 1986by Richard Simmonds, the firstgarage door specialist company inCornwall.

When Richard decided to retirethe business was bought by BillOsborne in January 2000.

Bill originally fromFalmouth hadworked away from home, out ofcounty, formany years, but felt witha young family the time had nowcome to settle back in his homecounty.

Cornwall Garage Door Centreseemed the ideal venture as a wellestablished local business with agood reputation.

Cornwall Garage Door Centre

continued to grow and Julie, Bill’swife, soon became involved as thedemands of the business grew.

They now employ Jackie full timein the office, three engineers and afull time surveyor.

Cornwall Garage Door Centre isbased inNewham,Truro, but coversthe whole of Cornwall.

In June 2011 the business expand-ed again and theymoved into largerpremises and have a large show-roomwhere many different types ofworking models can be seen on dis-play, including up and over, section-al and roller doors.

They also have a large outdoorshowsite displaying full size doorsof all the Garador steel designs and

colours. Cornwall Garage DoorCentre have accounts with all themajor garage door suppliers in theUK and can provide doors madefrom steel, Timber, GRP (fibreglass), ABS (Upvc) and aluminium.All types of doors including up andover, sectional and roller doors canbe supplied, installed and repaired.

Bill & Julie pride themselves onbeing a local company with anexcellent after sales service, whichcontinues to thrive despite the cur-rent economic climate.

Call Cornwall Garage DoorCentre on: 01872 275997 for all yourgarage door needs!

reviews LifeStyle

FFiisshh IItt -- FFrreeee aapppp oonn iiTTuunneess aanndd GGooooggllee PPllaayy

DESPITE the surprising number of fishing apps available,this is one of the best on the market.You can fish in some of the most extreme waters of theworld, from the American Lakes, Bahamas, Greenlandand Tokyo.While in search of more than 60 different species of fish,you'll find a few surprises along the way.Plus you can buy the dedicated AppToyz fishing rodattachment for some extra fun.

Album reviews

VVaarriioouuss AArrttiissttss -- BBrreeaakkiinnggDDaawwnn pptt 22 -- TThhee SSoouunnddttrraacckk

BIG NAMES have been assembled for thesoundtrack of the hit film series' final instal-ment, including Green Day, Christina Perri,Feist, St Vincent and Ellie Goulding. The(largely) femaleteenage audi-ence ofTwilight's vam-pire love sagahas predeter-mined thealbum's tone, sothere is plenty ofemo, atmos-pheric stringarrangementsand breathy, earnest vocals. Ghosts byJames Vincent McMorrow is gorgeouslyhaunting, and St Vincent rocks everythingup with distorted guitars on punky TheAntidote. POP ETC and The Boom Circuitsthrow in electronica but A Boy And HisKite's ballad Cover Your Tracks is an unex-pected gem. Beautiful instrumental PlusQue Ma Propre Vie, composed by CarterBurwell, gives a neat finish to this surpris-ingly satisfying collection.

RRaattiinngg:: 77//1100((RReevviieeww bbyy NNaattaalliiee BBoowweenn))

EExxaammppllee --TThhee EEvvoolluuttiioonn ooff MMaann

SINGER-RAPPER Example, real nameElliot Gleave, has described his fourth stu-dio album as a“rock album pro-duced electroni-cally” and itsopening trackCome Taste TheRainbow certainlyfits that descrip-tion, with itsgrinding guitarriffs and impend-ing-doom vocals.Lead single Say Nothing is anthemic,radio-friendly pop and PerfectReplacement thunders along with squelchysynths. Working with big-name producersBenga, Dirty South, Alesso, Zane Loweand DJ Tommy Trash, this album comfort-ably covers rock, pop and rap with intelli-gent, witty and, at times, vicious lyrics - alldone with a confident swagger with tunesbig enough to fill a stadium.

RRaattiinngg:: 77//1100((RReevviieeww bbyy LLiissaa AAlllleenn))

NNeeiill YYoouunngg aanndd CCrraazzyy HHoorrssee --PPssyycchheeddeelliicc PPiillll

THE RAGGED rock genius's first album ofnew material with his long-time collabora-tors in nearly adecade is, at first, adaunting proposi-tion, with the open-ing track clocking inat almost 30 min-utes, while two 16-minute epics lurkon the double-disctracklist. Driftin'Back is classicCrazy Horse, all loose, hypnotic riffing andsoloing, but the Canadian singer's rantsabout MP3s and hip-hop haircuts interject-ing the jam session become tiresome overits length. Ramada Inn is excellent. Aheartbreaking study of an ageing couple'sfading dreams, Young's solos are long,meandering and fraught with emotion.Elsewhere, the title track is ruined by phas-er-style effects, while nostalgic one-two ofBorn In Ontario and Twisted Road providelight-hearted thrills.

RRaattiinngg:: 77//1100((RReevviieeww bbyy AArrjj SSiinngghh))

66 November 27, 2012 Call: 01326 213333

Why family means more than TV

AApppp ooff tthhee wweeeekk

FORMER daytime TV presenterJudy Finnigan is relishing her newcareer as a novelist and life awayfrom the cameras, HannahStephenson discovers.She talks about the late Caron

Keating, who inspired her debutnovel Eloise, her relationship withhusband Richard Madeley and whyshe has no desire to return to TV.It must seem like home from

home when Judy Finnigan settlesdown on the sofa for an interview -only this time the spotlight's on her.Dressed in long blue cardigan and

well-worn Birkenstocks, the formerThis Morning presenter, one half ofthe Richard and Judy partnershipthat lasted on screen for more than20 years and has endured privatelyfor 30, looks relaxed and happy.She's noticeably less gregariousthan her ebullient husband, who canbe heard chatting away in the corri-dor.Now 64, Finnigan has endured

more than her fair share of cruelcomments about her looks while, ateight years her junior, her husbandRichard Madeley remains the PeterPan of presenting, both in appear-ance and energy levels.However, switching to full-time

writing seems a perfect move forFinnigan - it's something she can doprivately at their homes in London,Cornwall and the south of France,which suits her well.Her debut novel, Eloise, is a ghost

story-cum-thriller about Cathy, awoman whose best friend Eloisehas just died from breast cancer,A devastated Cathy starts having

disturbing dreams that imply therewas more to Eloise's death thanmeets the eye. We discover thatCathy recently recovered from anervous breakdown and has a his-tory of depression, so her psychia-trist husband Chris is dubious whenshe tells him of her suspicions.The story was inspired by

Finnigan's friend, the late TV pre-senter Caron Keating, Gloria

Hunniford's daughter, who diedfrom breast cancer in 2004.“The emotional mood was

inspired by Caron. After she wasdiagnosed she moved to Cornwall.We already had a house there andspent a lot of time together with ourtwo families. It was very poignant,”recalls Finnigan.“Because Caron fought it suc-

cessfully for so long, a few of us for-got she was ill. When it finallyclaimed her, it was still an awfulshock. And because we still carriedon going to Cornwall, every time Iwent I associated it strongly withCaron.“The sadness and the grief and

the terrible fact that she'd died soyoung and left young children start-ed me writing it, but then the rest ispure fiction.”Finnigan and Madeley go to

Cornwall more frequently than they

used to, which she says is one ofthe great joys of no longer beingtied to daily television.“We'd finish work on a Friday

night, drive down there, get there atmidnight, but as soon as we got outand you could smell the sea, it wasas if all the stresses of the week fellaway.“We still feel that very strongly.”Because of commitments in

London, they don’t live there perma-nently - Madeley frequently does fill-in slots for Chris Evans on BBCRadio 2 and has just finished mak-ing a documentary for ITV which airsin December, while three of theirfour grown-up children still live attheir home in the capital.Finnigan says she doesn't miss

TV at all and no longer cares aboutit. “I'm so glad to not be doing itany more because it’s so all-con-suming. We were never just presen-

ters, rolling up, reading the autocueand going home, we were alwaysvery involved with the editorial con-tent and who we'd interview.“It's exhilarating in one way, but

totally draining in another becauseyou never leave it behind.“You're always on the phone or in

meetings.“After more than two decades of

it we were both fed up with doingfive days a week.”Family has always been her main

focus. “I've been lucky that I'vealways been able to combine acareer with Richard, because that'swhat's made it possible, being inthe same place at the same time,able to get home and pick the kidsup from school,” she explains.

n EEllooiissee,, bbyy JJuuddyy FFiinnnniiggaann,, iiss ppuubb--lliisshheedd bbyy SSpphheerree,, pprriicceedd ££1166..9999..AAvvaaiillaabbllee nnooww

nn JJuuddyy FFiinnnniiggaann aatt aa bbooookk ssiiggnniinngg iinn FFaallmmoouutthh eeaarrlliieerr tthhiiss mmoonntthh

Books: What’s new?HHaavviisshhaamm bbyy RRoonnaalldd FFrraammee iiss ppuubblliisshheedd iinnhhaarrddbbaacckk bbyy FFaabbeerr aanndd FFaabbeerr,, pprriicceedd££1166..9999 ((££99..9999 eebbooookk)).. AAvvaaiillaabbllee nnooww..

FANS OF Charles Dickens's GreatExpectations will find Ronald Frame's newnovel a must-read.Starting with her early

life, it tells the story ofCatherine Havisham'sprivileged upbringing,from the moment shewas born to the eventsthat led her to becomeone of literature's mostfamous spinsters.During her early home

life, she lives with con-stant reminders of herfamily's business, and the good name theHavisham brewery has gained.But it is when she is sent by her father to

stay with the Chadwycks that she really dis-covers life's riches and all the things shehas been kept from.Has this fresh awakening come too late?

And how will the arrival of love in her life toywith her heart and threaten the very name -Havisham?Frame masterfully unlocks the untold

story of one of Dickens's most famous andiconic characters.

RRaattiinngg:: 88//1100((RReevviieeww bbyy PPhhiilliipp RRoobbiinnssoonn))

TThhee GGiinnggeerrbbrreeaadd HHoouussee bbyy CCaarriinnGGeerrhhaarrddsseenn iiss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn hhaarrddbbaacckk bbyySSttoocckkhhoollmm TTeexxtt,, pprriicceedd ££1122..9999 ((eebbooookk££66..9999)).. AAvvaaiillaabbllee nnooww..

THIS IS the first novel from the six-partHammarby Series, published by the sameteam that introducedStieg Larsson's The GirlWith The Dragon Tattooto readers across theworld.Author Carin

Gerhardsen weaves acomplex tale that con-fuses and teases thereader throughout.It's a dark crime novel

that bounces betweenthe intense bullying that the murderer wassubjected to at a formative age and theconstant game of catch-up for theStockholm-based team of investigators.Detective Chief Inspector Conny Sjoberg

is brought in when a dead body is discov-ered by an elderly woman.Soon the body count starts to rise, with

no apparent way to link them.Slowly the team members start to put the

pieces together in a story that benefits frombeing read in one or two long sittings.

RRaattiinngg:: 77//1100((RReevviieeww bbyy RRaacchheell HHoowwddllee))

gifts Call: 01326 213333 November 27, 2012 77LifeStyle

Gifts to make her Christmas one to rememberSShhooww tthhee wwoommaann iinn yyoouurr lliiffee hhooww mmuucchh yyoouu ccaarree wwiitthh oonnee ooff tthhee ggoorrggeeoouuss ffeessttiivvee ggiiffttss ffeeaattuurreedd iinn tthhiiss rroouunndd--uupp;;

n MMeelltt iinn tthhee mmoouutthh

Christmas is all about indul-gence and any chocoholics willsqueal with excitement at thesight of La Maison duChocolat's Christmas Star.Made with dark chocolate andcrystallised nut pieces, it canactually stand on its points. Notthat it'll be pointy for long.CChhrriissttmmaass SSttaarr,, ££2288,, LLaaMMaaiissoonn dduu CChhooccoollaattllaammaaiissoonndduucchhooccoollaatt..ccoo..uukk

n BBeeaauuttiiffuull bbrraacceelleett

This dainty porcelainowl bracelet is sureto please anyyounger females youmight need to buyfor, and will look pret-ty dressed up ordown.

PPoorrcceellaaiinn OOwwll CChhaarrmmGGllaassss BBeeaadd BBrraacceelleett,,££3399,, DDaannaa LLeevvyyddaannaalleevvyy..ccoo..uukk

n DDeelleeccttaabbllee ddiiggiittss

Gloves are so easy to come by, yet so easy to lose too. Buy her a beautifulleather pair she'll want to keep forever.

CCrroossss SSttiittcchh LLeeaatthheerr GGlloovveess,, ££4455,,CCeellttiicc SShheeeeppsskkiinn 0011663377 887711 660055;; cceellttiicc--sshheeeeppsskkiinn..ccoo..uukk

nn AAllwwaayyss hhaannddyy

If you're looking for a smallbut lovely gift, you can't gowrong with this sweet-smelling hand wash andlotion set by Joules.

JJoouulleess HHuunnkkyy DDoorryy HHaannddCCaarree KKiitt,, ££1100,, BBoooottssbboooottss..ccoomm aanndd ssttoorreessaaccrroossss tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

nn WWaarrmm uupp ffoorr wwiinntteerr

A snugly gilet is always a good buy atChristmas time, and this bright colour willcheer up any grey morning.

GGeemmmmaa GGiilleett,, ££7722,, FFaatt FFaacceeffaattffaaccee..ccoomm aanndd ssttoorreess nnaattiioonnwwiiddee

n SSaannttaa''ss nneeww bboooottss

Wellington Boots might seem boringly practical,but when they're adorned with the Hunter logo,they're almost as exciting as a new handbag. Andafter such a great British year, these Union Jackwellies are sure to raise a smile.

HHuunntteerr OOrriiggiinnaall BBrriittiisshh FFllaagg DDeessiiggnn WWeelllliieess iinn DDaarrkkNNaavvyy ((aallssoo aavvaaiillaabbllee iinn PPeewwtteerr)),, ££9999..9999,,TThhee WWeellllyy SShhoopp tthheewweellllyysshhoopp..ccoomm

n SSnnooww ssttyylliisshh

Soft, snugly and soperfect for winter, thisBarbour scarf ticks allthe boxes.

BBaarrbboouurr WWoommeenn''ssTTaatttteerrssaallll CChheecckk RReeddLLaammbbsswwooooll SSccaarrff,,££2288,, VVaann MMiillddeerrttvvaannmmiillddeerrtt..ccoomm

n CCoossyy ccoommffoorrtt

Need a gift for a styl-ish female and haveno idea where tostart? This on-trendwinter knit should dothe job.

PPeeooppllee TTrreeee SSaauussaaggeeDDoogg JJuummppeerr,, ££9955,,AAmmaazzoonnaammaazzoonn..ccoo..uukk

n BBeeaauuttyy bbrriilllliiaannccee

Elemis creams can truly work wonders on 'mature' skin("Wrinkles? What wrinkles?!"). This travel set contains some cultclassics and has everything you need to take away with you, alltucked into in a stylish bag.

TThhee UUllttiimmaattee TTrraavveell CCoolllleeccttiioonn,, ££6688,, EElleemmiiss ((aavvaaiillaabbllee ffrroommttiimmeettoossppaa..ccoo..uukk aanndd sseelleecctteedd JJoohhnn LLeewwiiss ssttoorreess))

nn WWaattcchh iitt......

A beautiful timepiece willnever fail to please and thisKyboe! rose gold design is sureto turn heads.

KKyybbooee!! RRoossee GGoolldd SSeerriieess BBllaacckkWWaattcchh,, ££222255,, GGiiffttLLiibbrraarryy..ccoommggiifftt--lliibbrraarryy..ccoomm

nn SSiinnggiinn'' iinn tthhee rraaiinn

She can stride out in bad weather in serious style, thanks to thisbeautiful umbrella by Radley.

AAnnnnee WWaallkkeerr UUmmbbrreellllaa,, ££2288,, RRaaddlleeyyrraaddlleeyy..ccoo..uukk aanndd ssttoorreess nnaattiioonnwwiiddee

**AAllll pprriicceess ccoorrrreecctt aatt ttiimmee ooff ggooiinngg ttoo pprreessss

November 27, 2012 Call: 01326 213333 LLiiffeeSSttyyllee8

competition Call: 01326 213333 November 27, 2012 99LifeStyle

Win a natural Head in Heaven treatmentENTER the Sanctuary of the Budock Vean naturalhealth spa and it will change your spa expectations forever.

Dedicated to relaxation, rejuvenation and well being,this intimate spa offers organic, pure, effective treat-ments.

From a suite of three treatment rooms, the experi-enced team of therapists deliver relaxing health andbeauty treatments, using specialised techniques or pro-mote natural well being.

The treatments and products used include Elemis whoare renowned for their award winning skin care, Jessicaso nails are cared for to perfection and also locally pro-duced Spezia 100% organic range that are created makeyou feel fantastic inside and out.

The treatment menu offers an extensive range ofrelaxation and perfecting treatments which can be tai-lored to individuals needs.

WIN a Head in Heaven treatment at the Natural HealthSpa, Budock Vean Hotel. Simply answer the following.How many treatment rooms does the natural health spahave?Answers to [email protected] by

Dec 7.

LifeStyle1100 November 27, 2012 Call: 01326 213333

LifeStyle views Send your pictures for publication to: [email protected]

nn TThhee bbeeaauuttyy ooff KKeennnnaall VVaalleePicture:Ted Schofield

what’s on Call: 01326 213333 November 27, 2012 1111LifeStyle

LifeStyle views Send your pictures for publication to: [email protected]

nn FFaallmmoouutthh’’ss sseeaaffrroonntt aatt ssuunnsseettPicture: Jo Trevelyan

fashion LifeStyle1122 November 27, 2012 Call: 01326 213333

Put some sparkle into the Christmas partyRRIIVVAALL tthhee CChhrriissttmmaass ttrreeee wwiitthh ssoommeeffeessttiivvee ssppaarrkkllee tthhiiss CChhrriissttmmaass..HHeerree,, LLiissaa HHaayynneess sshhoowwss yyoouu hhooww ttooddaazzzzllee iinn tthhiiss sseeaassoonn''ss ppaarrttyywweeaarr..

DON'T even think about pulling outyour trusty LBD this party season.There's far too much in the way of

decadence, glitz and sparkle adorningthe rails to resist.Even the traditional party dress is

vying for attention with jaw-droppingmaxi gowns, statement suiting andeven dress coats that work for dance-floor and outdoors.This season, partywear is made for

anti-wallflowers so don't go for halfmeasures.“Every woman needs the ‘wowzer’

dress,” says Marios Schwab, Editiondesigner at Debenhams.“It's not about trends. It’s about

what looks interesting and at thesame time makes her feel totally gor-geous.”Whether you want to rock some

baroque, go mad for metallics orindulge in sequin overdose, 'tis theseason to be outrageously OTT.

BBaarrooqquuee ''NN'' RRoollll

Stand aside minimalists, excess andexuberance are this season's buzzwords.Return to an era of opulent luxury

with Baroque period-inspired piecesthat flaunt intricate embroidery, ornatebrocade and gilded embellishment.A lustrous black and gold colour-

way dominates the Baroque trendmaking this the ideal update for thosewho can't give up their LBD habit.If you want to opt for colour, think

flocked fabrics and damask prints in

rich jewel tones. The plusher thebackdrop the better, so look forcrushed velvet or glamorous satin.This is one trend where over-

accessorising is perfectly acceptableso team with regal bling and astatement bag.

MMeettaalllliicc MMeeddlleeyy

Gold, silver, or bronze; now's thetime to really celebrate Team GB'smedal tally with your favourite metal.Metallics are the most decadent

party colour palette.Because the material is high-

gloss, keep the silhouette cleanand sleek to really outshine thecompetition.Separates are having a moment

right now, so seek out a dress coatin pewter or gold that doubles up asboth a cover-up and a dress whendone up.Metallic cropped trousers will also

look red hot teamed with pointy toeheels for their leg lengtheningpowers.Shiny or matte, leather is a sur-

prise hit in metallic tones if you'relooking for a rock chick edge witha hint of bling.

SSppaarrkkllee SSaammbbaa

Give the festive disco balls somecompetition in sequins. Don't lookto the Strictly Come Dancing con-testants for inspiration; this look ismore glitterati than glitzy.Guarantee yourself a sparkling

entrance in a floor sweeping sequingown.Choose a darker colour like black,

gunmetal or deep purple for a more

flattering look as sequins can addbulk to your frame.To achieve a tinsel effect, try

super-sizing your sequins. Focuson separates like a top or skirt ifyou want to shimmer with subtle-ty. Low-key not in your vocabu-lary?Look for a dress with bold cir-

cular paillettes (spangles) in abright gem colour to really make astatement.Swap sequins for intricate

shimmering beading to channelGatsby glamour. Think Twentieschic with a flapper dress that willswing as you show off yourCharleston.

LLaaccee LLaammbbaaddaa

As the Duchess of Cambridge,Kate Middleton has proved sooften, lace is a classic fabric forevening chic.But if you want to move away

from super-safe black, inject asprinkle of Christmas magic withfestive reds, golds and sapphireblues. Contrasting materials andfabrics like flirty feathers willensure you look dancefloor-ready.Also look to necklines and

sleeves with eye-catching embel-lished details for lace with the fes-tive trimmings.This season, the matchy-

matchy trouser suit is the anti-legbaring answer to party frocks.Look for a lace or lace print

two-piece for an edgy take onChristmas outfit traditions.Killer heels are the essential

accessory if you're taking on thisglam tux look.

nn FFlleeuurr DDee LLyyss ggoolldd sskkiirrtt,, ££3355;; jjuummppeerr,,££3355 aanndd nneecckkllaaccee,, ££1100,, AAwweeaarr((wwwwww..aawweeaarr..ccoomm))

nn CCooaasstt VVaa VVaa sseeqquuiinn mmaaxxii ggoowwnn,, ££339955((wwwwww..ccooaasstt--ssttoorreess..ccoomm))

LLiiffeeSSttyyllee Call: 01326 213333 November 27, 2012 13

LifeStyle1188 November 27, 2012 Call: 01326 213333

Stories of giantsand mystical beingsEVER since the early Victorian times it has beentraditional to share ghost stories or tales of leg-ends in the lead up to Christmas. Here inCornwall our Celtic roots join us to many suchstories of spirits, giants and mystical beings. Infact the “Yuletime” Season is a time of death andrebirth of the soul and of the sun, with the old Sundying on the 21st December and the birth of theSun of the New Year at dawn on the 22nd ofDecember.

Every fortnight we will bring you a tale ofMyth, Mystery & Magic from the Legend ofCornwall and where better to start on these coldwindy nights then the tale of Jan Tregeagle.

Jan Tregeagle was a real person, a verywealthy magistrate in the early part of the 17thCentury, and was known locally for being anharsh and evil man, pursuing many of the ten-ants of his land relentlessly, which lent him wellto the development of many dark stories.

He had supposedly made a pact with thedevil after murdering his wife, child and sisterand stealing his immense wealth from an orphanhe was representing.

On his death the devil claimed his soul; how-ever during a later court case his ghostappeared after being summoned as a witness tohelp one of his former tenants. After testifying infavour of the tenant the local clergy thought itunchristen like to allow the demons to take himback to hell so instead set him some impossibletasks to keep him occupied until judgement day,since the spirit couldn't leave the earthly plain if itwas carrying out chores.

His first task was to empty the water out ofDozmary Pool with a leaking limpet shell.Dozmary Pool was thought to be bottomlessafter a thorn bush that was thrown into it wasseen floating in Falmouth Harbour some weekslater. This task came to an end when Tregeagletried to escape and was chased by demons toa little chapel on Roche Rock, pictured top right,where he became jammed head first. The clergy

set him free and gave him another task, thistime to weave a truss and rope out of sand onthe beach of Gwenvor Cove near Sennen. Thistask too came to an end during a cold frostynight when the water froze in the sand allowingTregeagle to complete both the truss and therope. St Petroc was then summoned and hebound Tregeagle with a massive chain anddragged him to Helston. Here Tregeagle was setthe task of carrying the sand from Berepper toPorthleven, until only rock remained at Berepperbeach. St Petroc thought this task to be impos-sible since every tide would sweep the sandback again. But one night the huge sack thatTregeagle was carrying split open depositing allthe sand, which dammed up the stream andformed Loe Bar, which you can visit to this daynear Helston.

Tregeagle was finally taken to Land's End,where he was set the task to sweep all the sandfrom Porthcurno Cove around the headland intoMill Bay, a task which he is still carrying out tothis day.

If you listen to the wind during a gale, any-where in Cornwall, you can hear him roaring andmoaning at the hopelessness of his task. Hencethe Cornish saying "The wind is blowing likeTregeagle"

motoring LifeStyle2200 November 27, 2012 Call: 01326 213333

I WOULDN'T go as far as to say I'm a religiousperson, but I am a born-again motorist, writesIain Dooley. In a good way, I might add.The combination of wanting to better previous

fuel consumption figures and the need to beextremely well behaved after the intervention ofHer Majesty's Constabulary meant that ratherthan dashing across the country as quickly as(ahem) legally possible, I've been cruising,pootling and maintaining a general mood ofsteadiness over the last 1,000 miles or so.That might sound like a recipe for middle-lane

snoozing, but in actual fact I've been arriving atmy destinations far less stressed than beforeand often only a few minutes later than if I'dbeen trying a lot harder.And although this A1 wears the Sport tag that

delivers stiffer suspension as well as biggerwheels, it's been more than happy to playalong. The S tronic gearbox gives a lovely tallseventh gear, and although a motorway inclinetackled with just a sniff of throttle usually meansa single downshift for the most part it will humalong with around 2,000rpm on the rev counterat the legal limit.If there's one further wish to be granted it

would be for cruise control, but frankly that wasan omission from the options list on my partrather than the fault of the car. Silly me.I've also been trying hard to keep the A1's

cabin de-cluttered, the only problem being isthat it is rather good at swallowing it in the firstplace.The front cupholders are almost always occu-

pied, swiftly followed by the one in the driver'sdoor. Even with a cup in there you can still stuffplenty of crisp packets and parking tickets in thespace behind it, and the packet of biscuits thatare kept on standby as emergency snacks forthe kids has stayed untouched in the armrestcubby for several months on the trot.Anything A4-shaped (paper, not the car) is an

arm's length away in the pocket on the back ofthe passenger seat, and the space underneaththe boot floor has housed emergency welliesand an umbrella without a problem.Small it may be but the A1 has swallowed

everything I have reasonably asked of it, andsometimes a bit more.I'm also more in love with its looks than ever.

Lots of armchair experts are keen to predict theend of white as a fashionable colour for cars,

but this A1 is still turning heads as well as mak-ing me turn and look wistfully at it as I lock andwalk away.I've been extra good and treated it to a per-

sonal wash and a proper spruce-up at thehands of someone who really knows whatthey're doing, and although it's fun to give thelocal kids the opportunity to write rude mes-sages in the dirt it positively zings when it isimmaculately clean.And behaving myself on the road means it

stays clean for longer too. Next to a three-doorA1 with a bodykit installed it looks a little plainer,but it sits nicely in the space between discreetand posh. A sporty coupe version would lookthe absolute business.The parcel shelf attachments, so often the first

thing to fall off with heavy use, remain stubborn-ly in place and doing their job. All the buttonsand switches still operate with the same slick-ness and robust feeling as they did on day one,and despite having almost everything thrown atthem the seats and their fabric trim haveshrugged off numerous stains.It might not look like a family car at first but

it's fit and ready for the job. And when I very

occasionally allow myself a bit of fun on adeserted back road it still dives into bends withaplomb.The 1.4-litre TFSI petrol unit has a useful

wodge of torque low down but happily revs highup too, feeling much like a larger-capacity natu-rally aspirated engine. It's also a pleasure to givethe gearshift paddles a workout, and the sportssuspension comes into its own.Time is almost up for the A1 and although it's

a month away from heading off into the sunset,I'm already starting to miss it. There'll be somekind of replacement to follow it but unless it'sthe Batmobile or Schumacher's championship-winning Ferrari I can't help thinking I'll be wish-ing the A1 was still here.

nn FFaaccttss aatt aa ggllaanncceeAAuuddii AA11 SSppoorrttbbaacckk 11..44 TTFFSSII SSppoorrtt,, ££1177,,668800

lliisstt,, ££2200,,008855 aass tteesstteeddEEnnggiinnee:: 11..44--lliittrree ppeettrrooll pprroodduucciinngg 112200bbhhpp aanndd

114477llbb..fftt ooff ttoorrqquueeTTrraannssmmiissssiioonn:: SSeevveenn--ssppeeeedd dduuaall cclluuttcchh ggeeaarr--

bbooxx ddrriivviinngg tthhee ffrroonntt wwhheeeellssPPeerrffoorrmmaannccee:: TToopp ssppeeeedd 112266mmpphh,, 00--6622mmpphh

iinn 99..00 sseeccoonnddssEEccoonnoommyy:: 5533..33mmppgg ccoommbbiinneedd ((ooffffiicciiaall))

FFiirrsstt ddrriivvee:: AAuuddii AA11 SSppoorrttbbaacckk

gadgets/recipes Call: 01326 213333 November 27, 2012 2233LifeStyle

Hot stuff to keep you glowing in the cold

Meaty recipes for some real winter warmth

THE seasonal shift in weather is well underway but don't be downbeat. Instead, let'sembrace it.While you bundle away your summer clothes

and dig out the chunky knitwear, LLiiffeeSSttyyllee hassearched out six gadgets to help you beatthe cold.

EEaasstteerrnn PPrroommiissee -- SSaammuurraaii UUmmbbrreellllaa --££1199..9955 ffrroomm rreedd55..ccoo..uukk

Sling this over your shoulder in the suppliedsheath, perhaps even secreted under your over-coat, then reveal your defence system at thefirst sign of precipitation.It all sounds fairly dramatic, but why not?This shield is perfect for doing battle with the

rain and it comes with a push button releaseand detailed hilt.

FFeeeett HHeeaatt -- OOuuttbbaacckk BBaatttteerryy--hheeaatteeddSSoocckkss -- ££1177..9999 ffrroommiiwwaannttoonneeoofftthhoossee..ccoomm

In the battle against cold feet, the gadgetgods have created these unisex heated socks -they're radiators for the feet.Inside each is a heating element that'll keep

your toes toasty up to 39C.With the socks staying cosy and warm for

four to five hours, there's plenty of time for adecent hike, or to sit on the sofa and watch acouple of films.

SSttaayy UUpprriigghhtt -- NNoorrddiicc MMiinnii IIccee GGrriippppeerrss-- ££77..9999 ffrroomm iiwwaannttoonneeoofftthhoossee..ccoomm

Slipping on the snow and ice might make forsome amusing video footage but it really is apain in the posterior.To ensure you're not a victim of a seasonal

trip, use these grippers on the front of yourshoes; each one has a pair of metal studs tohelp you walk on slippery surfaces more safely.They're available in a choice of four colours,

so you should find a pair to match yourfootwear.

DDiiggiitt WWaarrmmeerr -- TToouucchhssccrreeeenn MMiitttteennss --££3399..9999 ffrroomm iiwwaannttoonneeoofftthhoossee..ccoomm

The trouble with smartphones and tablets isthat these touchscreen devices are renderednear useless unless you can tap directly on thescreen.These handwarmers have a pull-back mitten

top that reveals a glove underneath with the fin-gertips equipped with touchscreen technology,so you can tap away and keep your extremitieswarm.

JJuusstt AAdddd WWaatteerr -- WWaarrmm UUpp SSoolleess --££1122..9999 ffrroomm iiwwaannttoonneeoofftthhoossee..ccoomm

After a single charge, these shoe inserts willprovide up to 35 minutes-worth of foot-warmingrelief.And to reactive, just boil them in water for 10

minutes.The soles will mould to your feet and they can

be reused up to 100 times.

FFiirrmm FFaavvoouurriittee -- TThhee SSllaannkkeett -- ££2244..9999ffrroomm ffiirreebbooxx..ccoomm

A hybrid of a blanket and a dressing gown,this is a mighty fine way to cover up and keepwarm.Comfier than a bathtub full of cotton wool,

these oversized fleece covers keep your entirebody enveloped in what can only be describedas a great big cuddle.

WITH the colder weather arriving, try out thesewarming winter meat dishes:

SSllooww--ccooookkeedd bbeeeeff wwiitthh ggnnoocccchhii((SSeerrvveess 44))

445500gg lleeaann bboonneelleessss sshhiinn oorr cchhuucckk sstteeaakk,,ccuutt iinnttoo 22..55ccmm ccuubbeessSSaalltt aanndd ffrreesshhllyy mmiilllleedd bbllaacckk ppeeppppeerr½½ttsspp ccaayyeennnnee ppeeppppeerr11ttsspp ppaapprriikkaa22ttbbsspp ssuunnfflloowweerr ooiill11 llaarrggee oonniioonn,, ppeeeelleedd aanndd cchhooppppeedd22 llaarrggee ggaarrlliicc cclloovveess,, ppeeeelleedd aanndd ffiinneellyycchhooppppeedd oorr ccrruusshheedd22 xx 440000gg ccaannss cchhooppppeedd ttoommaattooeess220000mmll ggoooodd,, hhoott vveeggeettaabbllee ssttoocckk11 cciinnnnaammoonn ssttiicckk,, hhaallvveedd11ttbbsspp lliigghhtt bbrroowwnn ssuuggaarr11ttbbsspp ttoommaattoo ppuurreeee11 xx 440000gg ppaacckk ffrreesshh ggnnoocccchhii22ttbbsspp ffrreesshhllyy cchhooppppeedd ffllaatt--lleeaaff ppaarrsslleeyy,,ttoo ggaarrnniisshhPlace the beef in a large plastic food bag.

Add the seasoning, cayenne and paprika; seal,shake well to coat the beef in the spices.

Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan.Cook the beef for 4-5 minutes in batches untilbrown on all sides. Transfer to a 1.7l/3pint heat-proof casserole pot.In the same frying pan, cook the onion and

garlic for 2-3 minutes. Spoon into the casserolepot.Add the tomatoes and stock, cinnamon,

sugar and tomato puree. Bring this to the boil,reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 2-2½hours.Add the gnocchi 10 minutes before the end of

the cooking time.Garnish with the parsley and serve with crusty

bread.Tip: If preferred, substitute the gnocchi for

freshly cooked pasta shapes.**RReecciippee ffrroomm wwwwww..ssiimmppllyybbeeeeffaannddllaammbb..ccoomm

SSllooww--ccooookkeedd SShhoouullddeerr ooff llaammbb((SSeerrvveess 66))

11 wwhhoollee sshhoouullddeerrooff llaammbb ((11..7755kkgg))SSaalltt aanndd ppeeppppeerr22ttsspp oolliivvee ooiill2200gg bbuutttteerr225500gg mmuusshhrroooommss11 oonniioonn ((cchhooppppeedd))44 cclloovveess ooff ggaarrlliicc

((sslliicceedd))22 sspprriiggss ffrreesshh

rroosseemmaarryy66 sspprriiggss ffrreesshh oorr

ddrriieedd llaavveennddeerr55 ttoommaattooeess ((ccuutt

iinnttoo wweeddggeess))112255mmll wwhhiittee wwiinnee225500mmll cchhiicckkeenn oorr bbeeeeff ssttoocckkAllow the meat to come to room temperature.

Preheat the oven to 140°C/285°F/Gas 1.

Season the lamb shoulder with salt and pepper.Preheat a large, flame-proof braising pan. Add

oil and butter and brown the meat on all sidesuntil nicely caramelized. Remove the meat fromthe pan and leave to the side. Add mushrooms,onions and garlic and braise for 5-8 minutes.Return the meat to the pan. Add all the remain-ing ingredients to the pan and bring to the boil.Cover with the lid and place into the oven andcook for 2½ - 3 hours. After 2½ hours test themeat. It should be tender and sticky.When the meat is tender remove the pan from

oven. Place the lamb on a warm serving platterand allow to rest for up to 20 minutes. Removethe remaining pan ingredients and arrangearound the meat for a nice presentation. Usethe delicious juices to make a gravy.To serve carve the meat straight from the

bone and arrange on preheated plates. Servewith green beans and potato gratin.**RReecciippee ffrroomm DDoonnaalldd RRuusssseellll ((wwwwww..ddoonnaallddrruuss--

sseellll..ccoomm))

SSppiicceedd rriibb ooff bbeeeeff wwiitthh rreedd wwiinneeggrraavvyy ((SSeerrvveess 88--1100))

CCooookkiinngg ttiimmee::RRaarree:: 2200 mmiinnuutteess

ppeerr 445500gg//11llbb pplluuss2200 mmiinnuutteessMMeeddiiuumm:: 2255 mmiinn--

uutteess ppeerr 445500gg//11llbbpplluuss 2255 mmiinnuutteessWWeellll ddoonnee:: 3300

mmiinnuutteess ppeerr445500gg//11llbb pplluuss 3300mmiinnuutteess11 xx 22..77kkgg lleeaann

bboonneelleessss rriibb ooff bbeeeeff,,ssiirrllooiinn oorr ttrraaddiittiioonnaallrruummpp rrooaasstt

SSaalltt aanndd ffrreesshhllyy mmiilllleedd bbllaacckk ppeeppppeerr22ttsspp ggrroouunndd aallllssppiiccee22ttsspp ggrroouunndd mmaaccee11ttsspp ggrroouunndd nnuuttmmeegg4400gg lliigghhtt ssoofftt bbrroowwnn ssuuggaarr33ttbbsspp ppoorrttFFoorr tthhee rreedd wwiinnee ggrraavvyy::11ttbbsspp ppllaaiinn fflloouurr330000mmll ggoooodd,, hhoott bbeeeeff ssttoocckk330000mmll ggoooodd rreedd wwiinneePreheat the oven to 180-190°C.In a small bowl mix the spices and sugar

together. Place the joint on a chopping board;make several slashes over the surface of thejoint, taking care not to cut the butcher's stringor elasticated meat bands and season.Coat on both sides with the spice mixture.

Place the joint on a rack in a roasting tin andopen roast for the preferred, calculated cookingtime. Cover with foil if browning too quickly.Ten minutes before the end of the cooking

time, remove the joint from the oven and brushwith the port. Return to the oven for the remain-der of the cooking time.Remove the beef from the oven, cover and

leave to rest for 15-20 minutes.Meanwhile, to make the gravy; spoon off any

excess fat from the roasting tin and discard.Place the tin over a medium heat and sprinklewith the flour.Stir well with a small whisk or spoon, add a

little stock and stir again, scraping the base ofthe pan to release any rich, beefy sediment.Add the remaining stock, wine and any meat

juices from the platter.Adjust the seasoning, if required and simmer

for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally or untilreduced to a well-flavoured gravy. Strain beforeserving.Garnish the beef with fresh rosemary leaves

and serve with seasonal vegetables and thegravy.**RReecciippee ffrroomm wwwwww..ssiimmppllyybbeeeeffaannddllaammbb..ccoomm

nn OOuuttbbaacckkbbaatttteerryy hheeaatteeddssoocckkss

nn TThhee FFiirrmm FFaavvoouurriittee SSllaannkkeett

nn NNoorrddiiccmmiinnii iicceeggrriippppeerrss

nn DDiiggiitt WWaarrmmeerr ttoouucchhssccrreeeenn mmiitttteennss

nn JJuusstt AAddddWWaatteerr wwaarrmm uuppssoolleess

nn EEaasstteerrnn PPrroommiisseessaammuurraaii uummbbrreellllaa

gardening LifeStyle2266 November 27, 2012 Call: 01326 213333

Great gifts for a green fingered ChristmasWITH Christmas just around the cor-ner, Hannah Stephenson looks atsome of the best presents on offer forthe green-fingered this Christmas:

UUNNDDEERR AA FFIIVVEERR

n Cupcake Stakes (Poundland, £1each, available in stores nationwide.Stockists 0800 731 5622): If the gar-

dener likesquirky orna-ments, theycan brightenup a con-tainer orperk up aborder withthesecolourfulcupcakestakes in avariety ofcolours and

styles. Bound to create a talking pointamong guests.

n Novelty Kneepad (£4.99,www.gettingpersonal.co.uk): Ideal forgreen-fingered friends and family, apractical gift with a fun twist. Placethe foam kneepad down anywhere inthe garden and save those achingknees. Available with a range of nov-elty phrases.

UUNNDDEERR ££1100

n myBunjee (£6.95, Perennial char-ity, http://shop.perennial.org.uk): Thenational horticulture charity Perennialis offering this new device which fitson to any mobile phone handset andfeatures an extendable cord that clips

to your bag, coat or belt loop, allow-ing you to keep your phone close andsafe while you are in the garden orelsewhere. Funky colours include hotpink, lime green and black. All profitsgo to Perennial, the Gardeners' RoyalBenevolent Society.

n Mr Turf (£6.99-£8.99, www.the-balconygardener.com/020 74315553): If your man's pedantic abouthis lawn, this may be the ideal stock-

ing-filler for hisdesk. Mr Turf is aceramic figurewith a head fullof grass, justseep him inwater for an hourand then waterevery one to twodays to watch hishair grow. Hecomes in five dif-ferent designsand is only 8cm

tall. Ideal for an office desk, windowsillor coffee table.

n National Gardens Scheme 2013Yellow Book (£9.99, NGS,www.ngs.org.uk): Anyone who enjoysvisiting gardens during the year willappreciate this guide to more than3,800 gardens which will open onbehalf of the charity. The recipient willbe sent their new edition in Februaryhot off the press.

UUNNDDEERR ££2200

n Enamel Herb Pots In A Tray(£14.95, Burgon & Ball): Keepfavourite kitchen herbs to hand this

Christmas in these stylish and con-temporary pots.They're pre-printed with basil, pars-

ley and thyme but any label can beslotted into the window.Available in Jersey Cream and Lime

Green.n Aged Ceramic Bird Bath (£18.50,

www.thebalcony-gardener.com/0207431 5553): Thisdecorative blueand white pat-terned birdbathwill not only bene-

fit your feathered friends but is easyon the eye too.

n Decorative Enamel WateringCan (£17, National Trust online shopat http://shop.nationaltrust.org.uk):Traditional garden design meets con-temporary graphic styling in renownedBritish illustrator Sally Elford's water-ing can. It was inspired by the gar-dens at Emmetts and WakehurstPlace and with a nod to Fibonaccinumbers.

n Piazza Decorative Planter (from£14.99 to £19.99, available in goodgarden centres and DIY stores, visitwww.stewart-garden.co.uk): Newfrom Stewart, these easy-to-move,lightweight stone-effect planters lookgreat in both contemporary and tradi-tional settings.

UUNNDDEERR ££3300

n Willow Gift Basket (£24.99,Thompson & Morgan,www.giftstm.com, 0844 573 6011):

This yummy hamper is packed withluxury goodies, from old-fashionedtraditional recipe biscuits and pre-serves to creamy fudge. Each prod-uct is made in the UK from the finestnatural ingredients and presented in areusable woven basket finished with asatin ribbon.

WWhhaatt ttoo ddoo iinn tthhee ggaarrddeenn tthhiiss wweeeekk::

n Shorten hybrid tea roses and flori-bundas to reduce the damage fromwindrock.

n Cut back a third of the summer'sgrowth on hardy fuchsias, leaving theremaining bare stems as protectionover the winter.

n Complete the pruning of bush fruitsas soon as practicable, rememberingto leave late-fruiting raspberries untilFebruary.

n If carrying out late turfing, protectthe ground to be worked on and anystacked turf, or frost may prevent thejob.

n When staking trees, place the stakeon the side which receives the prevail-ing wind, so that the stem is blownaway from the stake and the bark isless likely to be damaged.

n Increase stocks of winter jasmin,Jasminum nudiflorum, by taking cut-tings now and inserting them in a coldframe.

n After putting this year's lifted dahliasaway for the winter, check next year'srequirements and order fresh stock.

n Have a good weeding session tocatch as many as you can before theystart growing again in spring.

n Continue to plant tulips at aroundthree times their own depth of soil, asshallow planting can cause them tofail.

2277LifeStyle

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