Fiona McGowan

Manor Magazine • 10th April 2019

Sounding Board

Experimental landscape painter Anthony Garratt is making waves as well as the sound of music with his ground-breaking installation out at sea. Fiona McGowan uncovers the story.

Manor Magazine • 10th May 2018

Clothes with Conscience

Fashion Revolution sprang from a desire to drive ethics in the industry. Aiming for greater transparency in manufacturing, its activism is making waves around the world. Fiona McGowan speaks to co-founder Carry Somers.

Manor magazine • 20th February 2019

Super Human

Triple amputee, leadership coach and inspirational speaker – Jon White’s journey from commando to consultant has been marked by resilience and empathy. Words by Fiona McGowan.

Manor magazine • 4th April 2019

Life-saver

A Botox nurse in Truro and an aid worker in Lesvos, Anna Norona speaks to Fiona McGowan abour her fight to raise awareness of the suffering of the Yezidi people.

Manor magazine • 23rd April 2019

Viewpoint

Documentary filmmaker and activist Franny Armstrong has been named one of the World’s Top 100 Women, was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from the Open University and pioneered the crowdfunding model. Fiona McGowan visits her super-eco home in Devon to talk life, the universe and climate change.

Manor magazine • 20th April 2018

Robert Plant

Robert Plant, rock idol of Led Zeppelin and one of the most awarded singers of all time, has just released his 11th solo album since Led Zep disbanded 38 years ago. Interview by Fiona McGowan.

Manor magazine • 20th May 2017

The Truth is Out There

The world’s first civil society intelligence agency, Open Briefing is a social enterprise that aims to keep those striving to make the world a better place safe and informed. Words by Fiona McGowan.

Manor magazine • 29th March 2019

The Philosopher King

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, aka The Black Farmer, takes tea with Fiona McGowan

Manor magazine • 6th November 2015

Sea Life

As head of global conservation for the Zoological Society of London, Heather Koldewey is passionate about protecting marine habitats around the world. Fiona McGowan heads to Cornwall to discuss Welsh trout, tropical mangroves and carpets made of fishing nets.

Manor magazine • 15th January 2018

Kate Humble

Kate Humble travels the world, fronting nature documentaries and the perennially popular Springwatch series. She also runs an educational farm, Humble by Nature, has written two books, launched a range of biodegradable beauty products, Humble Skincare, and runs a boutique family festival every summer. Interview by Fiona McGowan.

Manor magazine • 7th September 2016

Save Our Seas

In his eight years at the helm, activist, environmentalist and surfer Hugo Tagholm has transformed Surfers Against Sewage from a specialist campaign organisation into Britain’s leading marine conservation charity. Words by Fiona McGowan.

Manor magazine • 1st October 2015

Force of Nature

A passionate environmentalist with the drive of a risk-embracing entrepreneur, Sir Tim Smit intends to build an Eden Project on every continent by 2020. Fiona McGowan thinks he might just do it.

Manor Magazine • 10th September 2017

Cut from a Different Cloth

A big-bottomed baby and a passion for the environment led Lucy Jewson to turn her back on her high-salary corporate job in 2003 to create Frugi, the organic children’s clothing brand. She reveals to Fiona McGowan the ups and downs along the way.

Manor magazine • 14th September 2017

Martin Clunes

Martin Clunes has been acting since he left school – becoming a household name in the 90s sitcom Men Behaving Badly. His hit show for ITV, Doc Martin, is set in North Cornwall’s Port Isaac; now in its eighth season, it has been running for 14 years. He and his wife Philippa live on a large farm outside Beaminster in Dorset, sharing a passion for their horses, dogs and the natural environment. He is a patron of numerous equine therapy charities including Changing Lives by Horses, the Fortune Centre for Riding Therapy and TheHorseCourse. Interview by Fiona McGowan.

Manor magazine • 4th April 2018

Jenny Agutter

Born in Taunton, Jenny Agutter started out as a child actor in films such as the The Railway Children and Walkabout. After treading the boards for a while, and spending many years in Hollywood, she settled with her husband and son in London and on the Lizard. She plays Sister Julienne in the popular BBC TV series Call the Midwife. Interview by Fiona McGowan.

Manor Magazine • 29th October 2021

Lilac-tinted Spectacles

With a back catalogue spanning four decades, it’s hard to escape the influence of singer-songwriter-producer Stephen Duffy on an ever- changing musical scene. Fiona McGowan enjoys the adventure.

Manor magazine • 13th September 2015

Politics of Waste

Taking plastic as his subject – in both a metaphorical and literal sense – photographer Andy Hughes is documenting the impact our throw-away society is having on the natural world. Words by Fiona McGowan.

Manor magazine • 10th May 2015

Simple Physics

Furniture maker Henry Swanzy discusses natural imperfection, functional aesthetics and time well spent. Words by Fiona McGowan.

Manor magazine • 1st April 2019

Combating the Plastic Peril

Feeling increasingly smothered by the environmental menace represented by plastic, Fiona McGowan reflects on how the actions of campaigners and believers can give us hope in the fight to become plastic free.

Manor magazine • 16th June 2016

Ranulph Fiennes

Hailed as the greatest living explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes has pushed his mind and body to its utmost limits in some of the most inhospitable environments on Earth. Born in Berkshire, his father was a commander in the British Army – a war hero who died just months before he was born. He was brought up in South Africa before being sent to Eton College. Now aged 72, he lives on the edge of Exmoor with his wife and daughter, and continues to take on extraordinary challenges and expeditions – such as the gruelling Marathon des Sables – raising money for Marie Curie and the British Heart Foundation. Interview by Fiona McGowan.