Catherine Courtenay

Editor at Devon Life

Editor of Devon Life magazine

Featured in: Favicon

greatbritishlife.co.uk Favicon

exmouthjournal.co.uk Favicon

sidmouthherald.co.uk Favicon

southwestfarmer.co.uk Favicon

midweekherald.co.uk Favicon

somerset-life.co.uk

Articles

A stay at Nymetwood Treehouses on northern edge of Dartmoor

1 week ago | greatbritishlife.co.uk | Catherine Courtenay

A journey around Devon always seems to offer the surprise of previously undiscovered spots, and one area which will often throw up a treasure is Mid Devon. Somewhere off a lane between Speyton and Copplestone, sitting close to the northern edge of Dartmoor is a 20 acre patch of land, with meadows, woodland and a valley stream. This quiet corner of Devon countryside is also where you’ll find Nymetwood Treehouses.
How a theatre’s revival is shaking things up across the South West

2 weeks ago | greatbritishlife.co.uk | Catherine Courtenay

Exeter’s Northcott Theatre has been shaking things up and embarking on an ambitious plan to encourage and create new productions, made for and in the South West. Theatre makers and writers are seizing the new opportunities it’s unleashed and audiences are loving the results. Friday, October 18 2024, saw a remarkable event, the first performance of a new play at the Northcott Theatre.
A Totnes thatcher on the ancient tradition of thatching

1 month ago | greatbritishlife.co.uk | Catherine Courtenay

Being up high, on the roof of one of Devon’s thatched cottages ‘is usually very peaceful,’ says Tom Allan, ‘especially in the South Hams and on Dartmoor, in these quiet little villages where often the only sound is my legget tapping reed into the roof,’ It was during these quiet moments, alone, working methodically on a roof, that Tom, a thatcher from Totnes, would mull over the idea of writing a book. ‘I had time to drift off and think...
Rachel de Thample's honey recipes and tips for saving the bees

1 month ago | greatbritishlife.co.uk | Catherine Courtenay

Rachel de Thample admits this is the longest book project she’s been involved in. Initial plans for the latest in the series of River Cottage handbooks began in 2018. Seven years down the line and Bees & Honey has been published. Writing the book has been a journey of discovery for Rachel and the result is a treasure trove of information and advice.
A look inside the National Trust’s biggest fashion collection

1 month ago | midweekherald.co.uk | Catherine Courtenay

Charlotte Eddington, assistant to the costume curator, adjusts a man's evening scarf. (Image: SG Haywood) Killerton at Broadclyst near Exeter is home to the National Trust’s biggest fashion collection, with more than 20,000 items of historic clothing and accessories. The core collection was begun by Paulise de Bush before it was first shown at Killerton in 1978. An exhibition is held every year at Killerton, highlighting various aspects and different themes.
A look inside the National Trust’s biggest fashion collection

1 month ago | sidmouthherald.co.uk | Catherine Courtenay

Charlotte Eddington, assistant to the costume curator, adjusts a man's evening scarf. (Image: SG Haywood) Killerton at Broadclyst near Exeter is home to the National Trust’s biggest fashion collection, with more than 20,000 items of historic clothing and accessories. The core collection was begun by Paulise de Bush before it was first shown at Killerton in 1978. An exhibition is held every year at Killerton, highlighting various aspects and different themes.
How Dartmoor sculptor Dominic Welch is creating a creative legacy

1 month ago | greatbritishlife.co.uk | Catherine Courtenay

There’s a house on the edge of Dartmoor that has been a home and studio for artists going back to when it was first built, in the 1890s. The current residents of Ford Park near Chagford are sculptor Dominic Welch and his partner, the photographer Juliette Mills. Throughout this month visitors can see an exhibition of Dominic’s work at Ford Park. His stone and bronze sculptures, which are collected internationally, are on show in 17 acres of gardens and grounds, as well as in Ford Park’s studio.
A look inside the National Trust’s biggest fashion collection

2 months ago | greatbritishlife.co.uk | Catherine Courtenay

Killerton at Broadclyst near Exeter is home to the National Trust’s biggest fashion collection, with more than 20,000 items of historic clothing and accessories. The core collection was begun by Paulise de Bush before it was first shown at Killerton in 1978. An exhibition is held every year at Killerton, highlighting various aspects and different themes. This year’s display explores the style and social context of the 1920s, with a focus on women’s clothing.
How the famous Salcombe Dairy started making chocolate

2 months ago | greatbritishlife.co.uk | Catherine Courtenay

Seven years ago Salcombe Dairy started making chocolate. The Island Street business had made ice cream in the traditional way, using only high quality ingredients for over 40 years, so, it was a natural step to take a similar approach to its chocolate, making it from scratch and using the best quality raw ingredients.
Jeremy Vine on why Agatha Christie is still inspiring crime writers

2 months ago | greatbritishlife.co.uk | Catherine Courtenay

The last time I interviewed Jeremy Vine he’d just finished his BBC Radio 2 lunchtime show and was heading home – we chatted on the phone as he cycled through London. It involved an entertaining commentary on his traffic-filled, noisy journey. We’d talked about his upcoming visit to Devon, in his role as a patron of the Appledore Book Festival. This time Jeremy is stationary, comfortably sat at home and we’re now talking about a town on Devon’s south coast.